"There are plenty of world beating companies coming out of Europe"
Yep. Most of them are subsidized by the EU, and have been around for decades.
Where are the entrepreneurial businesses in the EU? Let's go for successful ones that have been started in the last 25 years. Name me, oh, I dunno, five.
All of which contain, what? That's right, your files.
Of course, Microsoft's abstraction of this notion is remarkably stupid. Ever had to try to figure out what drive letter the CD-ROM is with a special user on the phone? It's not pretty.
Hmmm, the fine is pretty draconian? Then I wonder if Microsoft should stop breaking the law, and then they won't have to pay it.
I'm sorry, I really have no sympathy here. The EU is comprised of soverign nations, and they make the rules. If Microsoft doesn't want to follow them, good riddance.
I just wish my own government had the sack to make the same ultimatum.
"I don't give a shit about the total experience package"
I understand that. I also understand that the majority of computer buyers have a different set of criteria than you do.
"If I buy hardware, I buy it because I need or want that hardware"
I buy hardware to solve problems. Hardware without software is a doorstop. Therefore, in my problem-solution purchasing strategy, software is part of the equation.
You might buy hardware just because it looks nifty on your desk. And here I thought it was just Apple "fanboys" who were alleged to do that sort of thing. My bad.
"Apple's fault for trying to sell me "experiences" when that's not what I'm fucking looking for."
And nobody's making you buy one. You need to get a little perspective here.
You sound a little hostile. Threatened, maybe. You want a hug? Maybe a cup of hot chocolate?
I don't think it's at all idiotic to talk up the value of OSX that comes in the Mac mini shaped box.
It's not about the hardware, and it's not about the OS. Customers don't give a crap about that stuff. It's all about the total package, and that's the way computer buyers are starting to think. You don't like OSX, and that's fine. I don't like Linux and Windows, and that's fine too. All of those factors will come into play when you and I each choose computer hardware.
If Microsoft says "frog", the industry jumps. That's one advantage to being a monopoly. If they actually made the driver signing process Good, (meaning that devices that have signed drivers tend to be pretty good hardware) they would have a more stable platform.
However, since Microsoft likes the "Uh, my computer's gotten all slow, I guess I need a new one..." upgrade treadmill, they won't. They don't have any reason to. See above, "monopoly".
Fourth Amendment. Unreasonable search and seizure? I think that certainly applies.
I think this would be a great idea for preventing recidivism on drunk drivers. I think it's a terrible idea for the general public, which is already under too much scrutiny and surveillance as it is.
Microsoft signs crappy drivers written by ATI. ATI writes drivers that seem to work fine for Apple. Why does Microsoft not hold ATI accountable for their driver quality? After all, it's Microsoft's signature (which is allegedly the Gold Standard of driver quality) that Microsoft is so excited about promoting. (Think Trusted Computing...)
Bottom line, from a customer's standpoint, I don't CARE whose fault it is. I only care that it works right.
I can't speak to how or whether Lightwave works well, because I have zero experience with it.
Slashdot Mirror
"There are plenty of world beating companies coming out of Europe"
Yep. Most of them are subsidized by the EU, and have been around for decades.
Where are the entrepreneurial businesses in the EU? Let's go for successful ones that have been started in the last 25 years. Name me, oh, I dunno, five.
Where are these cultures where everybody knows the specs of any given firearm? Those guys might be fun to hang out with...
"illegally breaks into a system is a criminal"
Anybody who illegally does anything is a criminal. That's what we call a tautology.
What is a "gun culture"?
Sounds like somebody's still bitter about the Boston Tea Party.
Let's see which one goes further at an endurance race. 24 Hours at Le Mans, say.
Quarter mile is all well and good, but it doesn't make a sports car.
Decaf. 'Nuff said.
Dude, pass that shit you're smoking.
Has the Air Force heard of headphones?
All of which contain, what? That's right, your files.
Of course, Microsoft's abstraction of this notion is remarkably stupid. Ever had to try to figure out what drive letter the CD-ROM is with a special user on the phone? It's not pretty.
oooh! AND you marked me as a FOE! I'm like, so totally, like, all aquiver. It's almost like I totally didn't have a confrontation.
(I think you shoulda taken me up on the hug and the hot cocoa.)
Hmmm, the fine is pretty draconian? Then I wonder if Microsoft should stop breaking the law, and then they won't have to pay it.
I'm sorry, I really have no sympathy here. The EU is comprised of soverign nations, and they make the rules. If Microsoft doesn't want to follow them, good riddance.
I just wish my own government had the sack to make the same ultimatum.
"Slashdot is a site full of geeks"
who comprise a small fraction of "customers".
"I don't give a shit about the total experience package"
I understand that. I also understand that the majority of computer buyers have a different set of criteria than you do.
"If I buy hardware, I buy it because I need or want that hardware"
I buy hardware to solve problems. Hardware without software is a doorstop. Therefore, in my problem-solution purchasing strategy, software is part of the equation.
You might buy hardware just because it looks nifty on your desk. And here I thought it was just Apple "fanboys" who were alleged to do that sort of thing. My bad.
"Apple's fault for trying to sell me "experiences" when that's not what I'm fucking looking for."
And nobody's making you buy one. You need to get a little perspective here.
You sound a little hostile. Threatened, maybe. You want a hug? Maybe a cup of hot chocolate?
I'll believe you as soon as I see the number one PC manufacturer do something that Microsoft doesn't like. Until then? MS calls the shots.
I don't think it's at all idiotic to talk up the value of OSX that comes in the Mac mini shaped box.
It's not about the hardware, and it's not about the OS. Customers don't give a crap about that stuff. It's all about the total package, and that's the way computer buyers are starting to think. You don't like OSX, and that's fine. I don't like Linux and Windows, and that's fine too. All of those factors will come into play when you and I each choose computer hardware.
The decisions are not separate.
Yeah, because Dell's totally just going to switch to Linux, right?
Come on, that's a naive notion. Microsoft runs the show.
If Microsoft says "frog", the industry jumps. That's one advantage to being a monopoly. If they actually made the driver signing process Good, (meaning that devices that have signed drivers tend to be pretty good hardware) they would have a more stable platform.
However, since Microsoft likes the "Uh, my computer's gotten all slow, I guess I need a new one..." upgrade treadmill, they won't. They don't have any reason to. See above, "monopoly".
Fourth Amendment. Unreasonable search and seizure? I think that certainly applies.
I think this would be a great idea for preventing recidivism on drunk drivers. I think it's a terrible idea for the general public, which is already under too much scrutiny and surveillance as it is.
I think it is in Microsoft's interest to help users differentiate between shit hardware and good hardware.
Let's leave aside for the moment that 90% of PC hardware is shit. Wouldn't Microsoft's life be easier if their platform were less bad?
I don't understand.
Microsoft signs crappy drivers written by ATI. ATI writes drivers that seem to work fine for Apple. Why does Microsoft not hold ATI accountable for their driver quality? After all, it's Microsoft's signature (which is allegedly the Gold Standard of driver quality) that Microsoft is so excited about promoting. (Think Trusted Computing...)
Bottom line, from a customer's standpoint, I don't CARE whose fault it is. I only care that it works right.
I can't speak to how or whether Lightwave works well, because I have zero experience with it.
Yep. Consistently profitable, solid new products, inventing new markets...and Apple is still beleaguered.
Want to sell me your stock?
If Microsoft is signing crummy drivers, that's a pretty good indicator that there's something wrong with that system.
ATI cards seem to work fine on Macs. But I guess that doesn't count...
Mis-shapen? Huh?
I mean, it's nothing special, but it's hardly unattractive. What exactly pisses you off about the design?
So, if one thinks that OSX is pretty darn OK, they are an Apple fanboy?
I guess everybody's entitled to their opinion. I think yours is pretty silly.
Less expensive is also better. Do Cappucinos still cost $900?