I agree with your arguments, but I'd like to point out that there is one way to get Firefox without IE, or any other browser. You can open an FTP session from the Windows command prompt. I know because I did it for a friend who's IE stopped working completely.
Granted, the average computer user won't be savvy enough to do this.
The content industry has not made a compelling case for me to ditch my DVD collection. My upscaling DVD player makes most of my DVDs look great on my HDTV. Why should I subject myself to DRM and an incomplete spec by upgrading?
What's more, if Apple succeeds in making HD downloads seamless and reasonably fast with their new compression technologies (and/or internet bandwidth improves significantly in North America), then it's game over for Blu-Ray. Why should I invest in Blu-Ray and bother driving to a brick-and-mortar store when I might not have to?
It sort of makes sense, when you think about it. Why should the courts cede power to a non-judicial "administrative body" to rule against people. Stands to reason the courts would like a monopoly on those types of judgements.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard that ODF documents created in, say, OpenOffice weren't entirely compatible with AbiWord. Granted, I haven't had the chance to try this out myself.
Also, from what I hear, OOXML is even worse, since it seems to be deliberately broken.
I just filed a patent for the idea of porting apt-get to Windows and OS X. Now I'll be rich! RICH!:D
BTW, I'm only kidding.
All kidding aside, I think this would be a good idea. This would remove the hassle of finding, installing, and maintaining open source software for Windows and Mac users. As a Mac user that has a lot of open source software installed (Firefox, OpenOffice, GIMP, Adium, etc), I find that MacPorts is lacking in functionality. I spend too much time maintaining these software installations that could otherwise easily be done with a few clicks. This is something that I miss from my OpenSolaris box, which is my second computer.
Right. Because all phones that support MMS and copy and paste also have:
1) Excellent mobile browsing. 2) App stores with thousands of apps. 3) Multi-touch 4) Excellent music players. 5) Syncing/backing up of data to PCs and Macs 6) etc...
But, sure, let's focus on the negatives, since that's easy to do.
1) Apple spent maybe a minute bashing Windows. Since OS X is a competitor to Windows, this makes sense. 2) Snow Leopard is not a service pack. It has new features, some of which are revolutionary such as a 64-bit kernel, exchange support, OpenCL, Grand Central and dramatic performance improvements. http://www.apple.com/macosx/ 3) Perhaps they took out the express slot because not enough of their customers wanted it. I have a MacBook Pro and never saw the use for it. 4) The batteries now have way more battery life, which isn't "worsening" the battery situation in my book. Perhaps you're referring to the fact that the battery is not removable? I don't see that as a major issue. How often does a MacBook Pro user replace their battery? 5) How did Apple "rip everyone off"? Apple is pricing their notebooks more aggressive *and* improving the hardware. 6) Vista was badly received and Microsoft built Windows 7 on top of it. That was their point. I can't say whether or not Vista sucks, since I haven't used it that much. 7) How is Apple "the biggest troll on the planet" for making fun of Microsoft for less than a minute? Other companies do the same things to their competitors. 8) How does less than a minute of making fun of one of their competitors "turn off the enterprise crowd"? Oh, I forgot. All of your friends must comprise 100% of the "enterprise crowd". Maybe features like Grand Central Station, OpenCL, 64-bitness and Exchange Support, not to mention remote wipe and encryption will win the enterprise crowd. After all, you don't get enterprise accounts by selling vapourware. Apple knows this.
1) Java is slow 2) Java is not yet open source (or only parts of it are or isn't "really" open source) 3) Java is not available in any Linux distro's package manager 4) Java does not meet the needs of the enterprise 5) Nobody uses Java anymore 6) "Java is a heavyweight ball and chain" 7) Sun is charging people to use the new G1 garbage collector.
Java has some weaknesses and disadvantages, but the above are not among them.
The reason IE 6 won't die is intranet applications that were coded specifically for IE 6 that corporations haven't bothered to make cross-browser. IE 7 (and presumably IE 8) breaks a lot of those sites.
At my current job, we're not allowed to install IE 7 or 8, and don't have the administrator rights to do it. It sucks because as a web developer, I'd like nothing better than to see IE 6 die a quick death.
All Apple has to do is to either stop offering shrink-wrapped copies of OS X, or sell upgrade-only disks that require an existing installation of OS X to work. Then Psystar, Quo and other unauthorized clones will cease to exist.
I'm not referring specifically to nuke tests. I'm referring to the threats that North Korea has made to the West, mostly relating to medium-range missile tests. Also, I'm not American and I couldn't care less about partisan politics in that country. As far as I'm concerned, there are very few differences between the two major parties as they're both financed and mostly controlled by major corporations.
This whole North Korea situation sounds like a broken record.
Every U.S. administration since Clinton has been dealing with these sorts of North Korean threats. The Republicans criticized Clinton for his handling of the situation, and they found themselves in the exact same position.
Huh? Microsoft hasn't open sourced.NET. Mono lives only because Microsoft has chosen not to sue the project for patent infringement, which that company could at any time? Why in God's name should somebody who cares about open source trust Microsoft?
JavaFX may be trailing Flash and Silverlight, but it's the only RIA framework that has a snowball's chance in hell of being open sourced.
It supports charting, animations, and rich media. Version 1.5 is rumoured to have support for complex form controls, just like Flex.
What's more, it's totally integrated into the Java Virtual Machine, meaning it can use all of the Java class libraries. It even has a mobile component, meaning it's possible to port applications between the desktop and supporting mobile platforms.
To me, this single runtime sounds like a much better alternative that the kludge that is HTML/CSS/JavaScript/AJAX support a multitude of IE6/IE7/IE8/Firefox/Safari/Chrome/Opera browser runtimes, especially if there's no framework behind them.
These kinds of shenanigans will turn off the open source community for good. Their half-hearted attempt to court the community by open sourcing their Flex toolkit, while leaving the underlying Flash runtime closed, will do them no good.
Here's hoping JavaFX takes off and open sources the remaining proprietary extensions and the open source community has an RIA framework to rally around.
This can only mean that Sun is really confident about what's coming in the pipeline for JavaFX 1.5, and are eager to show off the technology.
If they can have a unified platform for desktop, mobile, and even TV apps, then it can grant Windows and OS X users (in addition to any Linux/OpenSolaris user who so chooses) one place to shop for desktop and mobile apps. Obviously, they'll need to sign up more mobile phone makers and somehow get JavaFX working on Android, but I think they might pull it off.
Also, I have a feeling that Oracle is behind this decision, or they at least support it.
Disclaimer: This is total speculation. I have no facts to back this up:
I'm wondering if there are some power printing/publishing interests lobbying the state government to hamstring Craiglists because of the thread that site represents to print advertising.
Consider this section of TFA:
The attorney general, Buckmaster said, "has persisted with his threats despite the fact that craigslist:"
â is operating in full compliance with all applicable laws
â has earned a reputation for being unusually responsive to requests from law enforcement
â has eliminated its "erotic services" category for all US cities
â has adopted screening measures far stricter than those Mr McMaster himself personally endorsed with his signature just 6 months ago â has far fewer and far tamer adult service ads than many mainstream print and online venues operating in South Carolina...
Emphasis mine.
If it weren't for the thread that craigslist represents to print media advertising, I would have concluded that this was just another puritan witch hunt. However, the fact that craigslist has fewer adult services ads than mainstream publishers in the state leads me to speculate that this is about smacking down "unfair competition" from an outsider.
I looked at the screenshots, and this looks really cool. They've put a lot of thought into the GUI, which is not only designed for netbooks and small screens, but touch screens as well.
Moblin is also totally open source, meaning that they won't charge for it and they'll get contributions from the larger open source community.
Unless Microsoft has some secret feature in Windows 7 designed for netbooks that nobody's heard of, then Linux could reclaim the lead in netbook OS's. If somebody ports Moblin to ARM, then Microsoft is in even bigger trouble.
You could take it to the courts, but AFAIK there's no built-in tribunal for disputes. You might have trouble once you're there, since the law gives authority to cut your connection after three accusations by the industry, not three proven cases of infringement. If, for instance, you were to write publicly about the issue in a critical tone, the industry could say, "I don't like you" three times fast and you'd be disconnected with no clear means of recourse. They don't even have to tell you you've been accused - the warning notes are optional.
So basically, I could:
1) Write a really bad poem in a text file called HOT_PORN.txt. 2) See to it that said text file is on a shared folder of a P2P program that logs whatever files are uploaded (ex LimeWire). 3) Run P2P program for a few minutes and ensure that file is downloaded. 4) Accuse the person with that IP address of ripping off my file 3 times. 5) Profit!
Oooops, I forgot, I'm not a major corporation, so I guess the law doesn't work in my favour.
Is there a dispute resolution mechanism if I happen to be a Frenchman who's been falsely accused three times (I'm not French, and I haven't been accused of filesharing, I'm just curious).
How valuable is gaming to Apple's Ecosystem?
on
Apple Eyeing EA?
·
· Score: 2, Informative
Game developers are already writing apps for the iPhone/iPod touch.
However, Mac gaming is in a pretty sorry state.
There are also rumours that Apple will enable casual gaming on the AppleTV.
Having the #1 game developer would certain help boost Apple's gaming platforms. The question is, how much are they willing to pay to do so? Apple traditionally doesn't pay much for acquisitions, preferring to buy small companies with promising technologies.
Slashdot Mirror
I agree with your arguments, but I'd like to point out that there is one way to get Firefox without IE, or any other browser. You can open an FTP session from the Windows command prompt. I know because I did it for a friend who's IE stopped working completely.
Granted, the average computer user won't be savvy enough to do this.
Are these solutions cross-platform, or do they require Windows DRM? AFAIK, Apple is the only vendor that offers content for both Windows and Mac.
The content industry has not made a compelling case for me to ditch my DVD collection. My upscaling DVD player makes most of my DVDs look great on my HDTV. Why should I subject myself to DRM and an incomplete spec by upgrading?
What's more, if Apple succeeds in making HD downloads seamless and reasonably fast with their new compression technologies (and/or internet bandwidth improves significantly in North America), then it's game over for Blu-Ray. Why should I invest in Blu-Ray and bother driving to a brick-and-mortar store when I might not have to?
Apple left out Blu-Ray from Macs for a reason.
It sort of makes sense, when you think about it. Why should the courts cede power to a non-judicial "administrative body" to rule against people. Stands to reason the courts would like a monopoly on those types of judgements.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard that ODF documents created in, say, OpenOffice weren't entirely compatible with AbiWord. Granted, I haven't had the chance to try this out myself.
Also, from what I hear, OOXML is even worse, since it seems to be deliberately broken.
I just filed a patent for the idea of porting apt-get to Windows and OS X. Now I'll be rich! RICH! :D
BTW, I'm only kidding.
All kidding aside, I think this would be a good idea. This would remove the hassle of finding, installing, and maintaining open source software for Windows and Mac users. As a Mac user that has a lot of open source software installed (Firefox, OpenOffice, GIMP, Adium, etc), I find that MacPorts is lacking in functionality. I spend too much time maintaining these software installations that could otherwise easily be done with a few clicks. This is something that I miss from my OpenSolaris box, which is my second computer.
Right. Because all phones that support MMS and copy and paste also have:
1) Excellent mobile browsing.
2) App stores with thousands of apps.
3) Multi-touch
4) Excellent music players.
5) Syncing/backing up of data to PCs and Macs
6) etc...
But, sure, let's focus on the negatives, since that's easy to do.
Excuse me?
1) Apple spent maybe a minute bashing Windows. Since OS X is a competitor to Windows, this makes sense.
2) Snow Leopard is not a service pack. It has new features, some of which are revolutionary such as a 64-bit kernel, exchange support, OpenCL, Grand Central and dramatic performance improvements. http://www.apple.com/macosx/
3) Perhaps they took out the express slot because not enough of their customers wanted it. I have a MacBook Pro and never saw the use for it.
4) The batteries now have way more battery life, which isn't "worsening" the battery situation in my book. Perhaps you're referring to the fact that the battery is not removable? I don't see that as a major issue. How often does a MacBook Pro user replace their battery?
5) How did Apple "rip everyone off"? Apple is pricing their notebooks more aggressive *and* improving the hardware.
6) Vista was badly received and Microsoft built Windows 7 on top of it. That was their point. I can't say whether or not Vista sucks, since I haven't used it that much.
7) How is Apple "the biggest troll on the planet" for making fun of Microsoft for less than a minute? Other companies do the same things to their competitors.
8) How does less than a minute of making fun of one of their competitors "turn off the enterprise crowd"? Oh, I forgot. All of your friends must comprise 100% of the "enterprise crowd". Maybe features like Grand Central Station, OpenCL, 64-bitness and Exchange Support, not to mention remote wipe and encryption will win the enterprise crowd. After all, you don't get enterprise accounts by selling vapourware. Apple knows this.
1) Java is slow
2) Java is not yet open source (or only parts of it are or isn't "really" open source)
3) Java is not available in any Linux distro's package manager
4) Java does not meet the needs of the enterprise
5) Nobody uses Java anymore
6) "Java is a heavyweight ball and chain"
7) Sun is charging people to use the new G1 garbage collector.
Java has some weaknesses and disadvantages, but the above are not among them.
The reason IE 6 won't die is intranet applications that were coded specifically for IE 6 that corporations haven't bothered to make cross-browser. IE 7 (and presumably IE 8) breaks a lot of those sites.
At my current job, we're not allowed to install IE 7 or 8, and don't have the administrator rights to do it. It sucks because as a web developer, I'd like nothing better than to see IE 6 die a quick death.
All Apple has to do is to either stop offering shrink-wrapped copies of OS X, or sell upgrade-only disks that require an existing installation of OS X to work. Then Psystar, Quo and other unauthorized clones will cease to exist.
Strange....I didn't see that comment. I doesn't even appear as "1 hidden comment". It's totally invisible.
Still, sorry for the misunderstanding.
I'm not referring specifically to nuke tests. I'm referring to the threats that North Korea has made to the West, mostly relating to medium-range missile tests. Also, I'm not American and I couldn't care less about partisan politics in that country. As far as I'm concerned, there are very few differences between the two major parties as they're both financed and mostly controlled by major corporations.
This whole North Korea situation sounds like a broken record.
Every U.S. administration since Clinton has been dealing with these sorts of North Korean threats. The Republicans criticized Clinton for his handling of the situation, and they found themselves in the exact same position.
Then you should be pleased about about Moonlight:
Huh? Microsoft hasn't open sourced .NET. Mono lives only because Microsoft has chosen not to sue the project for patent infringement, which that company could at any time? Why in God's name should somebody who cares about open source trust Microsoft?
JavaFX may be trailing Flash and Silverlight, but it's the only RIA framework that has a snowball's chance in hell of being open sourced.
It supports charting, animations, and rich media. Version 1.5 is rumoured to have support for complex form controls, just like Flex.
What's more, it's totally integrated into the Java Virtual Machine, meaning it can use all of the Java class libraries. It even has a mobile component, meaning it's possible to port applications between the desktop and supporting mobile platforms.
To me, this single runtime sounds like a much better alternative that the kludge that is HTML/CSS/JavaScript/AJAX support a multitude of IE6/IE7/IE8/Firefox/Safari/Chrome/Opera browser runtimes, especially if there's no framework behind them.
These kinds of shenanigans will turn off the open source community for good. Their half-hearted attempt to court the community by open sourcing their Flex toolkit, while leaving the underlying Flash runtime closed, will do them no good.
Here's hoping JavaFX takes off and open sources the remaining proprietary extensions and the open source community has an RIA framework to rally around.
This can only mean that Sun is really confident about what's coming in the pipeline for JavaFX 1.5, and are eager to show off the technology.
If they can have a unified platform for desktop, mobile, and even TV apps, then it can grant Windows and OS X users (in addition to any Linux/OpenSolaris user who so chooses) one place to shop for desktop and mobile apps. Obviously, they'll need to sign up more mobile phone makers and somehow get JavaFX working on Android, but I think they might pull it off.
Also, I have a feeling that Oracle is behind this decision, or they at least support it.
Disclaimer: This is total speculation. I have no facts to back this up:
I'm wondering if there are some power printing/publishing interests lobbying the state government to hamstring Craiglists because of the thread that site represents to print advertising.
Consider this section of TFA:
Emphasis mine.
If it weren't for the thread that craigslist represents to print media advertising, I would have concluded that this was just another puritan witch hunt. However, the fact that craigslist has fewer adult services ads than mainstream publishers in the state leads me to speculate that this is about smacking down "unfair competition" from an outsider.
I looked at the screenshots, and this looks really cool. They've put a lot of thought into the GUI, which is not only designed for netbooks and small screens, but touch screens as well.
Moblin is also totally open source, meaning that they won't charge for it and they'll get contributions from the larger open source community.
Unless Microsoft has some secret feature in Windows 7 designed for netbooks that nobody's heard of, then Linux could reclaim the lead in netbook OS's. If somebody ports Moblin to ARM, then Microsoft is in even bigger trouble.
Everyone who loves their all-you-can-eat iPhone data: enjoy it while it lasts."
In New Zealand on our iPhone plans,
All only available on a 24 month contract. My heart bleeds you for America.
I think I speak for all Canadian cell phone users when I say that you Kiwis have it really good, relative to us, of course.
Here's an example:
http://your.rogers.com/business/wireless/plans_services/business_plans.asp?plan=dataservice&cat=2&typ=2
3-strikes makes it a crime to be accused of breaking the law too many times.
There, fixed it for you.
You could take it to the courts, but AFAIK there's no built-in tribunal for disputes. You might have trouble once you're there, since the law gives authority to cut your connection after three accusations by the industry, not three proven cases of infringement. If, for instance, you were to write publicly about the issue in a critical tone, the industry could say, "I don't like you" three times fast and you'd be disconnected with no clear means of recourse. They don't even have to tell you you've been accused - the warning notes are optional.
So basically, I could:
1) Write a really bad poem in a text file called HOT_PORN.txt.
2) See to it that said text file is on a shared folder of a P2P program that logs whatever files are uploaded (ex LimeWire).
3) Run P2P program for a few minutes and ensure that file is downloaded.
4) Accuse the person with that IP address of ripping off my file 3 times.
5) Profit!
Oooops, I forgot, I'm not a major corporation, so I guess the law doesn't work in my favour.
I didn't RTFA.
Is there a dispute resolution mechanism if I happen to be a Frenchman who's been falsely accused three times (I'm not French, and I haven't been accused of filesharing, I'm just curious).
Game developers are already writing apps for the iPhone/iPod touch.
However, Mac gaming is in a pretty sorry state.
There are also rumours that Apple will enable casual gaming on the AppleTV.
Having the #1 game developer would certain help boost Apple's gaming platforms. The question is, how much are they willing to pay to do so? Apple traditionally doesn't pay much for acquisitions, preferring to buy small companies with promising technologies.