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User: Pharmboy

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Comments · 4,712

  1. Re:Bill Gates' criticism on OLPC to Run Windows, Come to the US · · Score: 1

    Well, they WILL run Linux, the person so chooses, even if it has Windows installed.

    I don't think the laptops running Windows is such a big "problem" for Linux. Linux has to be able to compete in the market place, and this is a perfect venue. Either it will succeed or fail. If it fails, then we all need to look at Linux and fix what it is that is keeping it from succeeding. I'm betting that Linux will continue it's slow but progressive growth on the desktop.

    While many will choose Windows because of the legacy apps, many will choose Linux because it has no vendor lock-in and is cheaper in the long run. Choice is not a bad thing, even when one of the choices is Microsoft.

  2. Re:And for one very simple reason on First Successful Demonstration of CO2 Capture Technology · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I think you hit the nail on the head: Those of us that are for CONSERVATION are put off by Environmentalists. The "all or nothing" approach of the Crisis Crowd leads to a lack of cooperation. I can't stand most Environmentalists, even though I agree with about half of what they are asking for.

    Some of us think that pollution should be reduced because it sucks to breath pollution. If it helps a spotted owl, then thats good, too. Water should be clean because I drink it. Hunting should be allowed but regulated because it helps manage populations. We believe minimum gas mileage standards for cars is at least as important for national security as it is for the environment. Some people like myself actually believe that "Global Warming" is likely overstated, but if you phase in carbon reduction gradually and provide some tax incentives, you can actually IMPROVE the economy and make our own immediate environment nicer. Oh yea, and the whole lower CO2 thing as a bonus.

    Of course, everyone has different opinions. It doesn't matter. If people would bother finding common ground on environmental issues instead of pointing fingers, I might enjoy some better fishing, and you might enjoy whatever is important to you. Then again, for some people on the fringes, it isn't about getting the net result, it is about CONTROL over others.

  3. Not exactly on Is Your GPS Naive? · · Score: 1

    That isn't always a good idea, as this student video proves. 285 loop in Atlanta, during rush hour, people driving side by side, within the speed limit, backing up traffic for miles. Quite funny, and proves the limit is too low.

  4. Re:Wow on Dell To Offer Win XP On Consumer PCs Again · · Score: 1

    When Dell actually offers Linux on more than servers or a couple of desktops, THEN I will be impressed. I don't want MS on every computer I buy, just some, and shouldn't have to pay for it on the others.

  5. Re:Print vs Digital on The Math of Text Readability · · Score: 1

    I personally think that people prefer to read some things in paper form because it isn't convenient to use a laptop in the toilet. Not trying to be funny, as most people DO read in the toilet, and it just isn't easy, or particularly sanitary to do so with a computer.

    Also, people read on planes, in lobbies, while waiting in line, and other places that a computer isn't as convenient. Either use a paper book, or a Gameboy.

    More important to me, paper is more intuitive for casual reading. Computers are better for research, search and find, copy and paste, and quick and dirty fact finding, but paper is still the most enjoyable way to read, particularly when I want to read simply because I just want to read. It's comfortable, familiar, and wonderfully analog.

  6. Re:Somewhat surprising on Bill Would Require Labels on Cloned Food · · Score: 1

    I think that is the key: Don't limit the selection, just force makers to CLEARLY label what you are buying, including country of orgin, contents, and any "unusual" methods of handling or origin, just as iradiation, gm, cloning, etc.

  7. Re:About Time on Montana Says No to Real ID, Passes Law to Deny It · · Score: 1

    Neither, I am refering to California's non-compliance with federal law that a central database system be used, and they have paid 1.2 billion dollars in fines over the last decade for this. If you work in the California system, you should already know this. They have almost 3 billion tied up in software and fines now, including the first software package they abandoned.

    As for South Carolina, I have no idea why, but I have lived in North Carolina over a decade and visit SC often enough to have a pretty good idea. Not exactly the most progressive place in the US.

  8. Re:About Time on Montana Says No to Real ID, Passes Law to Deny It · · Score: 5, Insightful

    California and South Carolina still haven't been able to setup databases for child support payments by divorced fathers. What makes people think they can sync their DLs with the feds?

  9. Re:China: open source paradise on Only 244 Genuine Windows Vista's Sold in China · · Score: 2, Insightful

    That is the problem: We really don't care if MS has financial difficulties because of the way it has treated its PAYING CUSTOMERS over the years. I feel screwed everytime I have had to buy a system installed with Windows (because I had no choice) or reinstall Windows and call and prove I had the RIGHT to do so.

    Face it, MS treats the majority of its customers like shitty thieves. Even the most brainwashed employee with stock options knows this. It isn't even about quality, its about disrespect shown to customers.

  10. Re:Evolution vs Inteligence Re:Creationists on Chimps Evolved More Than Humans · · Score: 1

    Don't forget: The higher the IQ, the less offspring one tends to have. The higher the income (thus ability to provide) the less offspring one tends to have.

    Now, IQ does skip generations, but environmental factors (diet, neighborhood, etc.) doesn't. This means to beg the creation of a smaller "super class" and a larger "lower class" or, put in other words: The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

    Of course, the key is to be one of the rich.

  11. Re:Oh, come on! on Enforced Ads Coming to Flash Video Players · · Score: 1

    but it wants to be "free as in speech", not "free as in beer". You have to read the fine print.

    I think there is another section that says that you get modded up if you say anything against capitalism, America, or bash Micro$oft (the $ is mandatory) as well ;)

  12. Re:Oh, come on! on Enforced Ads Coming to Flash Video Players · · Score: 3, Insightful

    there's no reason (other than greed) for them to start including ads in truly user generated content.

    Um, bandwidth isn't free, and they are hosting YOUR videos for free. If they want to put an ad on it, so be it. Go post your videos somewhere else. I am sure your homemade video of someone trying to light a fart on fire is really good, but YouTube will survive without it.

    Why is it that anytime a company wants to break even or actually make a profit, it is called "greed"?

  13. Re:Ouch on AACS Cracked Again · · Score: 1

    Security by obscurity is a valid security principle but it shouldn't be used alone.

    At best, "Security by obscurity" is a way to buy a little bit of time, nothing more.

  14. Re:What game? on Georgia Tech Unveils Prototype Nanogenerator · · Score: 1

    I said "jumping around like a monkey", not "throw a chair around like a monkey".

    Subtle but important difference.

  15. Re:We need a new architecture on Intel Reveals the Future of the CPU-GPU War · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Itanium?

  16. How about the Wii? on Georgia Tech Unveils Prototype Nanogenerator · · Score: 4, Funny

    Couldn't this be used to make a self-powered Wii? Lord knows, I'm jumping around like a monkey when I play on that thing.

  17. Re:Do They Really Exist? on Wii Shortages Could Last For Months · · Score: 1

    We have one only because the wife was at Sam's Club and someone brought out 5 of them. The wife GRABBED one, and some guy tried to buy the other 4 but was told they limit sales to one per person. Instantly, the others were grabbed up, so, if she had been a few seconds sooner or later to that end isle, we wouldn't have one either.

    Oh, and by the way, it's awesome. You should get one ;)

  18. Re:shovelware on Publishers Scrambling for Wii Titles · · Score: 1

    The "hardcore" gamers will adapt, just as they always have.

    We have a Wii, and I am not so sure "adapt" is the right word. The remote takes a few minutes to get used to and after that, the fluidity doesn't compare to anything out there. It is much closer to an extention of yourself instead of a tool you use.

    My guess is that once several quality titles come out, the hard core gamers will never look back and everything else will be "old fashioned", like a single button joystick in comparison. Or like comparing the original 1 button Mac mouse to a nice 5 button optical with scroll wheel.

    In a nutshell, the Wii controls let you spend less time thinking about the game, and more time actually kicking ass and taking names. If that doesn't appeal to the hard core gamer, then nothing will.

  19. Re:Prior art on openSUSE Hobbled By Microsoft Patents · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Just by having billions in the bank and flooding the patent office with false patents so they can threaten most OSS projects out of existence.

    Hey, maybe I should file a patent on THAT business model. ;-/


    Sorry, Microsoft can prove prior, invalidate your patent, then reword and patent it themselves.

  20. Re:Example on TJX Is Biggest Data Breach Ever · · Score: 1

    30% credit cards? I'm pretty sure that I have never seen that. Interest rates over 24% are illegal in most states (Usery laws) and the "average" rate is probably closer to 12-15%. If you are paying 30%, then obviously your credit is majorly fucked.

  21. Re:You have *got* to be kidding me. on Circuit City and the American Dream · · Score: 1

    I noticed that nowhere in your reply did you state that you are actually *good* at your job.

  22. Re:You have *got* to be kidding me. on Circuit City and the American Dream · · Score: 1

    Corporate culture set the tone and will now have to live with the results.

    Which is why I say the only security you have is your abilities. You can hate the "nasty corporations" all you want, but layoffs will still happen. Having the best skill set is the best defense.

  23. Re:You have *got* to be kidding me. on Circuit City and the American Dream · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Then as a 40 something guy who has rode the rollercoaster of business (and done well) let me offer you one piece of advice: The only security you have is in what you can do. You will face layoffs, you will face hard times. If you keep increasing your skills, learning new skills, and improving yourself, then you are less likely to be the one to get laid off. And if you are, you will find it much easier to get a job.

    The "constant layoffs" are not new to 2007, it has been going on for decades. The 80's had a bad reputation for the decade of greed for the same reason. Again, all you have is what you know you can do. No company will ever "give" you security.

  24. Re:Also.. on HP Dishonors Warranty If You Load Linux · · Score: 1

    So, you are saying a bad kernel patch is what ruined this ladies keyboard?

  25. Re:This worries me on Scientists Create Sheep That Are 15 Percent Human · · Score: 1

    In a related story, the University of Arkansas has announced a new breakthrough when they found two new uses for sheep:

    Food and wool. ;)