Wow, I was a jerk in that post. I apologize. Thanks for calling me on it so gracefully. I responded with more emotion than the subject deserves.
I still disagree if only because I don't want my file manager becoming more web-browser-like. You're correct that those features differ but I think the difference is important.
Re:OS X is in its infancy
on
A Better Finder?
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· Score: 1, Troll
OK, I admit I only skimmed the article. But, I've gone back and skimmed it again and now I think the author is an idiot.
Bookmarks - A simplified version of this feature already exists in the form for "Favorites", but it seems only natural to expand this feature to match the bookmarking facilities found in web browsers.
How is favorites different from bookmarks again?
Back/forward buttons with history - The OS X Finder already has back and forward buttons, but they lack history pop-up menus. And although the "Recent folders" menu item keeps track of a handful of past locations, it is very limited when compared with the robust history tracking found in most web browsers.
So he says the Finder needs' Back/forward buttons with history.' Then he goes on to say that is has them. His only complaint is that the history isn't long enough.
A stop button - In a browser environment, users should decide when to stop waiting for a slow network disk, or other long-running task. A folder can just be closed if the contents are taking a long time to load, but browser windows are "reusable" and should not be tied to the performance or accessibility of any single location.
This is just dumb and the web browser comparisons are going too far. How can he be criticizing the Finder for HCI problems then go on to complain that it's missing web browser features. He later claims he isn't trying to make it into a web browser yet he wants most web browser features. The confusion of the two in Winbdows and KDE is, in my opinion, one of the biggest usability disasters to hit desktops. 'Stop' does not make sense in the context of a file browser. Network drives shouldn't take a long time to browse but other ways must be found to keep the Finder from hanging.
An address bar with auto-completion - This is probably an "expert" feature, but why not add a proper address bar to the list of toolbar components? In addition to history-based auto-completion, it should also support shell-style tab-completion for file paths.
Command-Shift-G. Auto-completion and everything. Put it in the toolbar and you'll confuse the average user as well as make the Finder look more like a web browser. Leave it as it is and the 'experts' have it at their fingertips, average users don't have to even think about it.
OS X is in its infancy
on
A Better Finder?
·
· Score: 5, Informative
I love OS X. But it is such a huge change from OS 9- that I consider it a newborn new OS albeit with a very rich parents. I think what we've seen so far is just the beginning. They had to get things to work first. Refinements will be forthcoming.
While a lot of the article is interesting -- live folders sound useful -- I'm content with the Finder. It could -- and I'm sure will -- get some tweaking but I don't find it an obstacle in my daily work.
I think the point that many people are trying to make is that, no, it is not funny. And, it is failure at being humorous that causes others to fail to see the humor. You can't fault anyone for not seeing humor that isn't there.
I think the simple solution to people not wanting to pay the Redhat (damn where can I put the $) tax, is to not pay it - use another distro.
Uhmmmm... you can just not pay the 'RedHat tax' and still use RedHat. For free. From ISOs from their FTP site.
RedHat Enterprise -- and your so-called RedHat tax -- is for companies that want an OS with support, lots of support. RedHat never gave support for free. They're not affected if you use another distro. In fact, it might save them some bandwidth costs.
The comparison to MS doesn't hold water. Everyone legally using MS WIndows, and some not using it, have paid for MS Windows. Lots of people legally using RedHat have never paid a dime or have paid only when they felt like it. To say, "paying for support for RedHat is a tax," is ludicrous.
I think the point of paying for any RedHat Enterprise product if the support that comes with it. I you purchse WS and use it as a server, that's fine. Just don't expect help from RedHat on server type problems.
And as I understand it, won't one of those commands update me to the latest distribution of RH not just fixing the software I have, but replacing a bunch of things that don't necessarily have problems? That means new things break, people come asking "How do I do this now? It used to work." etc.
No. Using apt to do an update will never upgrade to a new version of RedHat. Your apt sources.list specifies which version you want. And, you just have to choose a repository that updates the way you like. If you used Freshrpms you might get upgrades more often than you want but mostly on non-essential (e.g. xine, mplayer, gkrellm, armagetron) packages. There are other repositories.
I wish there was such a thing. I can only hope more municipalities will follow the lead of Porter Townhip.
Stephen J. Gould is Rolling Over in His Grave
on
The Taste of Pain
·
· Score: 3, Informative
If he hadn't left us so prematurely, I'm sure the recent spate of genetic determinism would have given him enough material for another edition or two of The Mismeasure of Man.
Pennsylvania has a 'Do Not Call List.' Q: Who did PA contract with to administer the list? A: The Direct Marketing Association. (Thanks, Mike Fisher) The DMA charges $475 quarterly for the PA Do Not Call List.
I wonder if the FTC plan doesn't include the DMA as sole distributor.
Whenever these issues come up, it's always a good idea to refer to The Problem With Music by Steve Albini. He's one of the best music producers ever. Even if you've never heard of him you probably have an album he produced. He does a great job of breaking down who gets what in a record deal.
Seti@Home couldn't handle this type of problem. This is parallel processing -- where nodes work on different parts of the problem at the same time. The catch is that the work done by each node affects other nodes so that super-fast connections between nodes is a must. Otherwise, nodes sit idle waiting for data. Doing this in a disributed manner on the Internet isn't even feasible.
I'm a heathen but I'll give you an 'Amen!' I haven't had cable for the past 6 or 7 years and I don't miss it. I'd sooner wast $50/month on broadband that gives me entertainment of my choosing without ads (thanks to privoxy) and can actually be useful.
Cable is drug. I've beaten the addiction. It's really not that hard.
I'm not talking about all the regular satellite communications. Are we intentionally broadcasting any messages for the universe at large?
If, however, the barycentric frequency of a signal remains steady, this almost certainly means that it is designed to compensate for the movements of its own host planet. In other words, it would point to a deliberate intelligent design.
And would regular satellite communications appear barycentric? It doesn't sound like it. So, if we're not broadcasting barycentric signals, why would we expect other lifeforms to broadcast them? Or are we braodcasting something barycentric? Can I tune in?
Adbusters is what you want. They have professionally produced -- i.e. really good directors/writers, even some from the ad industry -- uncommercials. They'll send you a broadcast quality tape if you buy the air time.
Re:Just listen to webradio from other countries th
on
Congress Passes SWSA
·
· Score: 2
But how does one get to listen to these pioneers of music?
Go to a record store? No, not at the mall. Find a real record store. Just because a band is on a label doesn't mean it's evil. There's plenty of respectable (i.e. not members of the RIAA) labels out there. Trying to find good bands on mp3.com is looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack.
Find independent labels and you'll find good independent bands.
My point isn't an argument against digital photography.
My point -- poorly made, I admit -- was that 35mm film isn't going to die like he suggests. Pros still carry all-manual SLR backups with there fancy Nikon and Canon gear because electronics fail. Photographers are pretty much screwed when their gear fails.
I'll bet they'll have a 35mm SLR in the bag even when they've gone all digital. If a photographer or his assistant forgets to recharge the batteries, or a piece of electronics fails on location he better have a backup.
Those are just a few labels started by bands. They haven't turned evil and they consistently put out new and good music.
There's already an alternative to the major labels. You just won't become a mega-superstar as easily. I have little sympathy for bands that go with major labels, they have a choice.
Slashdot Mirror
Wow, I was a jerk in that post. I apologize. Thanks for calling me on it so gracefully. I responded with more emotion than the subject deserves.
I still disagree if only because I don't want my file manager becoming more web-browser-like. You're correct that those features differ but I think the difference is important.
OK, I admit I only skimmed the article. But, I've gone back and skimmed it again and now I think the author is an idiot.
How is favorites different from bookmarks again?
So he says the Finder needs' Back/forward buttons with history.' Then he goes on to say that is has them. His only complaint is that the history isn't long enough.
This is just dumb and the web browser comparisons are going too far. How can he be criticizing the Finder for HCI problems then go on to complain that it's missing web browser features. He later claims he isn't trying to make it into a web browser yet he wants most web browser features. The confusion of the two in Winbdows and KDE is, in my opinion, one of the biggest usability disasters to hit desktops. 'Stop' does not make sense in the context of a file browser. Network drives shouldn't take a long time to browse but other ways must be found to keep the Finder from hanging.
Command-Shift-G. Auto-completion and everything. Put it in the toolbar and you'll confuse the average user as well as make the Finder look more like a web browser. Leave it as it is and the 'experts' have it at their fingertips, average users don't have to even think about it.
I love OS X. But it is such a huge change from OS 9- that I consider it a newborn new OS albeit with a very rich parents. I think what we've seen so far is just the beginning. They had to get things to work first. Refinements will be forthcoming.
While a lot of the article is interesting -- live folders sound useful -- I'm content with the Finder. It could -- and I'm sure will -- get some tweaking but I don't find it an obstacle in my daily work.
I think the point that many people are trying to make is that, no, it is not funny. And, it is failure at being humorous that causes others to fail to see the humor. You can't fault anyone for not seeing humor that isn't there.
Uhmmmm... you can just not pay the 'RedHat tax' and still use RedHat. For free. From ISOs from their FTP site.
RedHat Enterprise -- and your so-called RedHat tax -- is for companies that want an OS with support, lots of support. RedHat never gave support for free. They're not affected if you use another distro. In fact, it might save them some bandwidth costs.
The comparison to MS doesn't hold water. Everyone legally using MS WIndows, and some not using it, have paid for MS Windows. Lots of people legally using RedHat have never paid a dime or have paid only when they felt like it. To say, "paying for support for RedHat is a tax," is ludicrous.
I think the point of paying for any RedHat Enterprise product if the support that comes with it. I you purchse WS and use it as a server, that's fine. Just don't expect help from RedHat on server type problems.
I wish there was such a thing. I can only hope more municipalities will follow the lead of Porter Townhip.
If he hadn't left us so prematurely, I'm sure the recent spate of genetic determinism would have given him enough material for another edition or two of The Mismeasure of Man .
RIP, Mr. Gould. You tried.
Does this research: New Light on Dark Matter, count as a prediction of these observations?
...what makes awards relevant or even interesting.
Anyone have any ideas?
Pennsylvania has a 'Do Not Call List.' Q: Who did PA contract with to administer the list? A: The Direct Marketing Association. (Thanks, Mike Fisher) The DMA charges $475 quarterly for the PA Do Not Call List.
I wonder if the FTC plan doesn't include the DMA as sole distributor.
Whenever these issues come up, it's always a good idea to refer to The Problem With Music by Steve Albini. He's one of the best music producers ever. Even if you've never heard of him you probably have an album he produced. He does a great job of breaking down who gets what in a record deal.
Seti@Home couldn't handle this type of problem. This is parallel processing -- where nodes work on different parts of the problem at the same time. The catch is that the work done by each node affects other nodes so that super-fast connections between nodes is a must. Otherwise, nodes sit idle waiting for data. Doing this in a disributed manner on the Internet isn't even feasible.
I'm a heathen but I'll give you an 'Amen!' I haven't had cable for the past 6 or 7 years and I don't miss it. I'd sooner wast $50/month on broadband that gives me entertainment of my choosing without ads (thanks to privoxy) and can actually be useful.
Cable is drug. I've beaten the addiction. It's really not that hard.
I'm not talking about all the regular satellite communications. Are we intentionally broadcasting any messages for the universe at large?
And would regular satellite communications appear barycentric? It doesn't sound like it. So, if we're not broadcasting barycentric signals, why would we expect other lifeforms to broadcast them? Or are we braodcasting something barycentric? Can I tune in?
Adbusters is what you want. They have professionally produced -- i.e. really good directors/writers, even some from the ad industry -- uncommercials. They'll send you a broadcast quality tape if you buy the air time.
From France: Radio Zinzine (english page)
Go to a record store? No, not at the mall. Find a real record store. Just because a band is on a label doesn't mean it's evil. There's plenty of respectable (i.e. not members of the RIAA) labels out there. Trying to find good bands on mp3.com is looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack.
Find independent labels and you'll find good independent bands.
This bit from the story:
makes it seem like an advertisement more than a real story.
My point isn't an argument against digital photography.
My point -- poorly made, I admit -- was that 35mm film isn't going to die like he suggests. Pros still carry all-manual SLR backups with there fancy Nikon and Canon gear because electronics fail. Photographers are pretty much screwed when their gear fails.I'll bet they'll have a 35mm SLR in the bag even when they've gone all digital. If a photographer or his assistant forgets to recharge the batteries, or a piece of electronics fails on location he better have a backup.
What will the "non-vintage" photographers use when they run out of batteries?
Those are just a few labels started by bands. They haven't turned evil and they consistently put out new and good music.
There's already an alternative to the major labels. You just won't become a mega-superstar as easily. I have little sympathy for bands that go with major labels, they have a choice.
It might be worth noting that the AG involved is also running for Governor in PA.
Then again, it might be irrelevant.