"While IANAL, I suspect that if you engage in activity that breaks their business model, they are well within their rights to exclude you from their business."
Not if they're using my (our) airwaves.
I am free to break whatever business models are broken by my free actions. They are not free to force my compliance with their business model. They certainly are free to stop broadcasting if it's no longer in their interest.
I'd love a la carte cable, or subscribing to the (maybe two or three) TV shows I actually like. That's never going to happen, though.
What are you talking about? The "right" to watch TV programs?
I have a "right" to do basically whatever the hell I want to. They have a "right" to do basically whatever the hell they want to. Where their "rights" end is when they think they can force me to watch their advertisements.
I absolutely DO have the right to watch TV programs, and ignore the ads. I signed no contract. I have no obligation. They freely put the content into my TV, and I can freely watch what I choose. Or not.
Their business model (or failure thereof) is not my responsibility.
"The only one that really needed any user interaction was the last one, and in reality it's no harder than installing a printer under Windows - it's just slightly different"
You're right. But what happens when the printer happens to not be one on the Blessed List? How do you know that the printer Grandma bought at Best Buy is going to be on that list?
HP scanners are some of the most popular ones out there. They might suck, but in order for Linux to be Grandma-accessible, it MUST play nice with them.
I'd love to know where I can find a better laptop for less money than the 12" Powerbook. I got one with a Superdrive and a RAM upgrade for less than $1600. I shopped around a bit, but that is one killer computer.
There might be faster computers around (I've got one to play Half Life) but I've never seen a better one.
You went to TAMU, and you can spell? I'm shocked. Their indoctrination program is obviously going downhill.
I have moved to the Pacific northwest to mount a frontal assault on Boeing. Civil aviation is what I love, and I have a vision of what I know my career can be. All I need is the narrowest hair's breadth opening.
"Anyway, without a job, can you afford to buy from Apple?"
That seemed like a pretty personal question, and coupled with your comments about my credentials, I construed it as an attack. If that's not the case, well and good.
"Republican ideal of smaller government" is so 1980's. This is the New Improved Republicanism. Bigger, more expensive government, except instead of social programs you get extra laws and enforcement. Yay!
I think the answer to the question "Is Wikipedia a reliable reference, like an encyclopedia?" depends on what the purpose of these documents is.
If the purpose is "To be the definitive word on any given topic", I think that traditional encyclopedias probably have a slight advantage (although the source material would be a MUCH better reference).
If the purpose is "To give an overview of a topic, and foster further learning and research", then I think Wikipedia is more than adequate (particularly the entries with good bibliographic data).
As a matter of fact, I think it is good to get out of the habit of assuming any given reference is The Truth. Just as many eyes make for shallow bugs in programming, many perspectives make for a closer understanding of The Truth.
We can judge any given Wikipedia article on its thoroughness, quality, and reference information. It need not be "blessed" by Brittanica in order to educate.
I've got the paper, I can claim to be one. I understand the science and engineering of rocketry. I hold a degree that proves that fact.
I am not a professional rocket scientist, and never claimed to be one, particularly since my interest is more in the aeronautical rather than the astronautical discipline.
I bought my Mac with proceeds from a wise investment, and I am currently employed (albeit under-employed).
Do you have any other intrusive questions about my personal life?
I find it hard to believe that there will be a man in the loop. Do you have any idea how fast bad things can happen at Mach 10?
You know that all the "pilot" does on rocket launches is not push the abort button, right?
You know what happens if you pull back too hard on the stick of a scramjet powered aircraft? You upset the shock wave system that is compressing the air, you get a normal shock wave in the throat of the engine, the drag on the aircraft increases by a MONSTROUS factor, and the engine unstarts.
"catastrophic" is one way to describe the results.
Yes, as long as you stay on the primrose path paved by the geeks that go before, Linux will be a good desktop experience.
What happens when you need a scanner, or a digital camera, or get a new printer? Might as well hit the computer with an axe. The average user has a staggeringly low probability of getting one of those to work.
In a corporate managed environment? Sure. Front-line relatively unsupported home use? Absolutely not.
I'm not rich. I use OSX. I don't understand why people put up with the headaches of anything else.
Slashdot Mirror
You conflate copyright infringement with auto theft, but I'm an idiot.
You, my friend, need a healthy dose of perspective and a hug.
"While IANAL, I suspect that if you engage in activity that breaks their business model, they are well within their rights to exclude you from their business."
Not if they're using my (our) airwaves.
I am free to break whatever business models are broken by my free actions. They are not free to force my compliance with their business model. They certainly are free to stop broadcasting if it's no longer in their interest.
I'd love a la carte cable, or subscribing to the (maybe two or three) TV shows I actually like. That's never going to happen, though.
What are you talking about? The "right" to watch TV programs?
I have a "right" to do basically whatever the hell I want to. They have a "right" to do basically whatever the hell they want to. Where their "rights" end is when they think they can force me to watch their advertisements.
I absolutely DO have the right to watch TV programs, and ignore the ads. I signed no contract. I have no obligation. They freely put the content into my TV, and I can freely watch what I choose. Or not.
Their business model (or failure thereof) is not my responsibility.
Reagan slashed the Federal government (although he spent zillions on defense).
"The only one that really needed any user interaction was the last one, and in reality it's no harder than installing a printer under Windows - it's just slightly different"
You're right. But what happens when the printer happens to not be one on the Blessed List? How do you know that the printer Grandma bought at Best Buy is going to be on that list?
HP scanners are some of the most popular ones out there. They might suck, but in order for Linux to be Grandma-accessible, it MUST play nice with them.
Oh yeah. *TOOTHY GRIN*
I'd love to know where I can find a better laptop for less money than the 12" Powerbook. I got one with a Superdrive and a RAM upgrade for less than $1600. I shopped around a bit, but that is one killer computer.
There might be faster computers around (I've got one to play Half Life) but I've never seen a better one.
You went to TAMU, and you can spell? I'm shocked. Their indoctrination program is obviously going downhill.
I don't think that anybody who spells their name like that gets to talk about "natural language".
(it's a joke, people!)
Your well-wishes are appreciated.
I have moved to the Pacific northwest to mount a frontal assault on Boeing. Civil aviation is what I love, and I have a vision of what I know my career can be. All I need is the narrowest hair's breadth opening.
"Anyway, without a job, can you afford to buy from Apple?"
That seemed like a pretty personal question, and coupled with your comments about my credentials, I construed it as an attack. If that's not the case, well and good.
Disillusioned!=stupid.
Please explain to me why skipping commercials is tantamount to stealing a Porsche. Really, I'm curious.
"Republican ideal of smaller government" is so 1980's. This is the New Improved Republicanism. Bigger, more expensive government, except instead of social programs you get extra laws and enforcement. Yay!
Well, I'm smart enough to understand that 53% only equals 100% in really bad rounding algorithms.
Like Presidential elections.
Welcome to the club. Most of us outside DC can't afford Congressional representation either.
While you're at it, ask them for a pony.
"If any of this worries you please contact your Senators and Representatives and voice your consern."
Why?
I think the answer to the question "Is Wikipedia a reliable reference, like an encyclopedia?" depends on what the purpose of these documents is.
If the purpose is "To be the definitive word on any given topic", I think that traditional encyclopedias probably have a slight advantage (although the source material would be a MUCH better reference).
If the purpose is "To give an overview of a topic, and foster further learning and research", then I think Wikipedia is more than adequate (particularly the entries with good bibliographic data).
As a matter of fact, I think it is good to get out of the habit of assuming any given reference is The Truth. Just as many eyes make for shallow bugs in programming, many perspectives make for a closer understanding of The Truth.
We can judge any given Wikipedia article on its thoroughness, quality, and reference information. It need not be "blessed" by Brittanica in order to educate.
I've got the paper, I can claim to be one. I understand the science and engineering of rocketry. I hold a degree that proves that fact.
I am not a professional rocket scientist, and never claimed to be one, particularly since my interest is more in the aeronautical rather than the astronautical discipline.
I bought my Mac with proceeds from a wise investment, and I am currently employed (albeit under-employed).
Do you have any other intrusive questions about my personal life?
So, at some indefinite point in the future, Linux might be able to be made as Grandma friendly as a $699 eMac.
OK. See, I like my Grandma. I wouldn't inflict Linux on anybody.
Oh, I forgot. Apple is 'beleaguered'. My bad.
It's supposed to crash into the ocean, but I have no idea what that has to do with whether it's remotely piloted or autonomous.
My watch says that it's only 23 hours 59 minutes and 52 seconds than it was at this time yesterday.
When I patent this, I'll be RICH!
You might check out a computer company called "Apple". They pretty much make what you describe.
I find it hard to believe that there will be a man in the loop. Do you have any idea how fast bad things can happen at Mach 10?
You know that all the "pilot" does on rocket launches is not push the abort button, right?
You know what happens if you pull back too hard on the stick of a scramjet powered aircraft? You upset the shock wave system that is compressing the air, you get a normal shock wave in the throat of the engine, the drag on the aircraft increases by a MONSTROUS factor, and the engine unstarts.
"catastrophic" is one way to describe the results.
Yes, as long as you stay on the primrose path paved by the geeks that go before, Linux will be a good desktop experience.
What happens when you need a scanner, or a digital camera, or get a new printer? Might as well hit the computer with an axe. The average user has a staggeringly low probability of getting one of those to work.
In a corporate managed environment? Sure. Front-line relatively unsupported home use? Absolutely not.
I'm not rich. I use OSX. I don't understand why people put up with the headaches of anything else.