In fact, didn't a question about that sort of thing used to be on the purity test? Something like: "Have you ever taken a job for less money just to work on bigger/better/newer equipment?"
That defines the concept entirely. I wouldn't care if I made 100 times what I do now... well, nevermind, I would care... but I wouldn't be an adminosphere person for the money they pay. The "normal" people can have them. I will stick with doing what I like to do, thank you.
Right now, they probably have at best development versions that are extremely expensive and seriously low yield. They have a long way to go before it will work well enough to make money. I'm sure AMD will be along about 6 mos after Intel (if the chips sell well) and then by late 2005 there will be a new IBM PowerPC chip anyhow.
MS Says: "We have the biggest installed base in the world. Write to us or die"
Apple Says: "We have the most consistent hardware and OS in the world. Please write to us, or we'll make you un-cool."
Linux Says: "\/\/3 4r3 1337 |-|4x0r5 4|\|d d0|\|7 |\|33d u."
IMHO, if there were a seriously stable API for Linux (and it is getting better), there would be more companies including support. It needs to be brainless for them, however.
Well, except for the iridium layer and the mass extinction of an entire eco-system...
But that was an asteroid we haven't found, right?
(Note: I don't think aliens have anything to do with Earth, but mainly because if I were an advanced species, I'd avoid Earth like the plague it is)
-WS
I was actually referring more to this recent "discovery" than to stonehenge itself. However, I don't entirely subscribe to the astronomical theories, since I haven't seen any solid evidence it was deliberate.
I'm not saying it wasn't, BTW. I'm just saying that just because it seems obvious to us doesn't mean it was obvious to them. The only way to know would be the discovery of some sort of "plan" or "design" or something that suggested heavily that we are correct in its intended purpose. Until then, I will still assume that if fulfilled an unknown role:)
Obviously, a very standard conversation... held frequently early on May 2nd (for Celts) or whatever the local equiv was. We have those massive animals in the Americas, the Pyramids, Stonehenge, etc.
I wonder what will be left from us? Perhaps they will find some piece of random modern art and say "Wow! They understood advanced Heisenberg compensation almost 1000 years ago! They built a nuanced particle meter!"
I think scientists tend to find what they want to find, not always what is there. Remember, the purpose of research is to disprove your hypothesis. It's too easy to prove it.
For those of us who have bluetooth built in, it is really nice. See, I come home, sit my laptop on my desk, and just work. I don't have to use some funky adapter, splitter, or cables. I don't have a docking station, just 1 single power cable. Very nice.
-WS
Re:Idiocy - bluetooth just taking off
on
Is Bluetooth Dead?
·
· Score: 1
I don't know. I use bluetooth big time. It is my killer app.
I have it built in to my Macs( G4s, Powerbook ), my Palm (Tungsten T), my phone ( Ericsson T68i ), and I have the keyboard/mouse and a headset on order.
It is really nice to set up, I can sync meeting notes or appointments with my co-workers (who all also have bt devices) without lining IR devices up, I have this really neat way of being able to sync all of my devices at once (iSync) without pulling my phone or my handheld out of my bag on the floor, and I think it just about rules.
Now, what about 802.11? Well, how about the fact that I don't want to be able to route my palm? How about that DHCP for a keyboard and mouse is lame? The interference is a spectre, but I use both bluetooth and 802.11g at the same time on my powerbook. I don't see the big deal.
Bluetooth is to 802.11 what USB is to FireWire. Not a competing technology in all/most areas. Different strokes, you know? I don't see a need for an expensive firewire connection for a keyboard, and I don't want a graphics hard disk array running USB.
Just my bit, from an early adopter and diehard user. You will have to wrest bluetooth from me. I waited too darned long for it, and nothing else comes close.
Just to save people the work:
Google:
Results 1 - 10 of about 87,700,000. Search took 0.09 seconds
MSN:
Results 1-15 of about 548 containing "Linux"
Hmmmm
-WS
A) You're probably right. It is a small one area bank.
B) I would be seriously impressed if it has that much, since they are very small ATMs (physically only about 1m by.5m, and they dispense 5, 10, and 20 dollar bills. They are also physically attached to the bank, with access from the inside.
C) These do not even allow you access to your other accounts at said bank, let alone other transactions. Nor do I personally even see a need for this. If I want to buy checks, I can call, email, or use their website (not counting the re-order slips with the check boxes).
D) Encryption? Encrypt what? It is hardwired into the physically local system, which is where any encryption should be handled. These things should just be dumb terms.
Now, I can almost see your point for those huge stand-alone mugger-magnets they put in malls, but I still think it is ridiculous. If you have an ATM card, quite a few shops take it anyway.
The machine does something so simple, it could be hardcoded. Why windows?
When my bank went windows, they installed new color terminals, all new hardware, and my bank fees went from $1.00 a month to $8.00 a month. To cover the upgrades. Yes, they were honest about it.
WTF? Why did they upgrade? I'd personally rather use a 20 year old version of an ATM. I would at least know that every possible facet of it has been secured and proven.
Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid. What next? Windows running cars? Because the current stuff doesn't work?
F that. I sent nasty emails and boycotted when my bank switched, and I won't use anyone else's either.
I agree.
Where I work, we were told 6 mos ago to implement a new system with "A zero dollar budget". Well, six months later, we got this system ready for production only 2 weeks late, and with the purchase of only the software required. No new hardware or personnel.
It took a huge effort, and a lot of tuning, but we were able to get two huge applications to respond properly on hardware sized for one, but it was possible.
JPL is about half-full of losers and whiners... not the engineers and dreamers you need for serious space exploration. Sometimes you have to say "Hmmm, what if...", not "Naah, not possible".
Sheesh.
-WS
The zaurus was an awesome idea, but a piss-poor implementation. The device is uncomfortable for me to hold, has no side toggle (ala HP 54x), and the micro-keyboard is some kind of ridiculus joke.
As for the actual performance, it's ok, I guess. I found that it had a total lack of support for Mac, and as of when I purchased my current handheld (the 4th I've owned), it had no bluetooth support for my phone. The apps were sub-par at best, and who cares about telnet and SSH? All the PDAs can do that now.
I bought a Tungsten T. Small, light, durable, built-in bluetooth (which integrated perfectly with iSync and my T68i on the first try), and it cost less. The layout made total sense, and it is tiny compared to the Zaurus. Yes, file management is not "computer like" if you mean a file tree, but I find it pretty darn handy that if I add files an app should have (like when I copy MP3s on to it via an SD card, or ebooks onto an SD card) the related app picks them up without my having to look around.
Summary: Linux Gooooood. Zaurus Baaaaad. Maybe a linux handheld with Mac support? Linux support? Sheesh.
So... which platform has more techincal diversity and freedom from proprietary dead ends?
x86 - 2 chip manufacturers PPC - 2 chip manufacturers 64bit/32 bit chipsets - 2 for Mac, 1 for PC, 1 for Sun, 1 for IBM Linux - Almost all platforms BSD - Almost all platforms Upgradeable with off-the-shelf hw - Mac, PC, Sun Basic GUI - Most platforms Complex multi-button mice - Mac, PC, Sun, IBM Simple one button mice - Mac FireWire 800 - Mac, PC FireWire - Mac, PC Gigabit adapter - Mac, PC Wireless (bluetooth, 802.11, etc) - Mac, PC Office software - Most platforms Image editing software - Most platforms Video NLE software - Mac, PC, SGI, Sun Audio NLE software - Most platforms Rendering software - Mac, PC, SGI, Sun, IBM NURBS software - Max, PC, SGI, Sun, IBM
Did you get this far? Do you get my point? You can spend forever arguing about this kind of junk. What it comes down to is almost always personal preference. To respond to: "technical diversity and freedom from proprietary dead-ends." This simply doesn't exist. It is ALL proprietary, and nothing is technically diverse. All code that is written is written to a proprietary platform (until an Open-Source chipset comes along). Sure, you can see the code for the basic software, but what does that do for you? No high-end software comes with open source. I don't see Adobe or Discrete or AutoDesk moving to the OSS model. Funny that. Looks like anyone can reverse-engineer a pretty good word-processor, but it must take work to make a serious (not hobbyist) application.
MS is not anti-innovation. MS is not evilly corrupting students any more than Apple is.
However, I have a flyer here that says "80% discount off Academic Pricing on Any MS Office Product". I also have one that says "50% discount off Any MS Office Product".
They are from different campuses (UCD, SCC). Hmmmm
Slashdot Mirror
That is it precisely.
In fact, didn't a question about that sort of thing used to be on the purity test? Something like:
"Have you ever taken a job for less money just to work on bigger/better/newer equipment?"
That defines the concept entirely. I wouldn't care if I made 100 times what I do now... well, nevermind, I would care... but I wouldn't be an adminosphere person for the money they pay. The "normal" people can have them. I will stick with doing what I like to do, thank you.
-WS
That was fantastic!!!
:)
Oh, I needed a laugh like that today
Thanks!
-WS
Well, there ya go then. I stand corrected.
-WS
Don't think so. 2005?
Right now, they probably have at best development versions that are extremely expensive and seriously low yield. They have a long way to go before it will work well enough to make money. I'm sure AMD will be along about 6 mos after Intel (if the chips sell well) and then by late 2005 there will be a new IBM PowerPC chip anyhow.
-WS
So?
The plant in Dresden will actually work, producing actual chips. This bit from Intel is just vapor at this point.
Besides, Intel will have to re-tool, debug, and market anyway. It's not like AMD will be any different.
-WS
This is a really important point:
MS Says: "We have the biggest installed base in the world. Write to us or die"
Apple Says: "We have the most consistent hardware and OS in the world. Please write to us, or we'll make you un-cool."
Linux Says: "\/\/3 4r3 1337 |-|4x0r5 4|\|d d0|\|7 |\|33d u."
IMHO, if there were a seriously stable API for Linux (and it is getting better), there would be more companies including support. It needs to be brainless for them, however.
-WS
Well, it has two vowels and two consonants.
Perhaps Color-Coded binary?
-WS
It's called a tyranny of the majority, BTW, and it has been of concern since the very beginning.
-WS
Well, except for the iridium layer and the mass extinction of an entire eco-system... But that was an asteroid we haven't found, right? (Note: I don't think aliens have anything to do with Earth, but mainly because if I were an advanced species, I'd avoid Earth like the plague it is) -WS
Simple. It's in a file cabinet, or on the network.
;)
Duh.
-WS
Heh. Kinda reminds me of that old Ritchey-Rich watch with the phone, walkie-talkie, calculator, etc. that didn't tell time :)
-WS
I was actually referring more to this recent "discovery" than to stonehenge itself. However, I don't entirely subscribe to the astronomical theories, since I haven't seen any solid evidence it was deliberate.
:)
I'm not saying it wasn't, BTW. I'm just saying that just because it seems obvious to us doesn't mean it was obvious to them. The only way to know would be the discovery of some sort of "plan" or "design" or something that suggested heavily that we are correct in its intended purpose.
Until then, I will still assume that if fulfilled an unknown role
-WS
Obviously, a very standard conversation... held frequently early on May 2nd (for Celts) or whatever the local equiv was. We have those massive animals in the Americas, the Pyramids, Stonehenge, etc.
I wonder what will be left from us? Perhaps they will find some piece of random modern art and say "Wow! They understood advanced Heisenberg compensation almost 1000 years ago! They built a nuanced particle meter!"
I think scientists tend to find what they want to find, not always what is there. Remember, the purpose of research is to disprove your hypothesis. It's too easy to prove it.
-WS
(Terry Pratchett ref)
:) That might explain a few things!
Must have been a B.S. Johnson design...
Perhaps the marks were simply "This End Up", and "Fragile"
-WS
Actually, it's even worse. I remember when not one of the Big 500 even knew what a mouse was!
-WS
That's nice.
For those of us who have bluetooth built in, it is really nice. See, I come home, sit my laptop on my desk, and just work. I don't have to use some funky adapter, splitter, or cables. I don't have a docking station, just 1 single power cable. Very nice.
-WS
I don't know. I use bluetooth big time. It is my killer app.
I have it built in to my Macs( G4s, Powerbook ), my Palm (Tungsten T), my phone ( Ericsson T68i ), and I have the keyboard/mouse and a headset on order.
It is really nice to set up, I can sync meeting notes or appointments with my co-workers (who all also have bt devices) without lining IR devices up, I have this really neat way of being able to sync all of my devices at once (iSync) without pulling my phone or my handheld out of my bag on the floor, and I think it just about rules.
Now, what about 802.11? Well, how about the fact that I don't want to be able to route my palm? How about that DHCP for a keyboard and mouse is lame? The interference is a spectre, but I use both bluetooth and 802.11g at the same time on my powerbook. I don't see the big deal.
Bluetooth is to 802.11 what USB is to FireWire. Not a competing technology in all/most areas. Different strokes, you know? I don't see a need for an expensive firewire connection for a keyboard, and I don't want a graphics hard disk array running USB.
Just my bit, from an early adopter and diehard user. You will have to wrest bluetooth from me. I waited too darned long for it, and nothing else comes close.
-WS
Just to save people the work: Google: Results 1 - 10 of about 87,700,000. Search took 0.09 seconds MSN: Results 1-15 of about 548 containing "Linux" Hmmmm -WS
A) You're probably right. It is a small one area bank.
.5m, and they dispense 5, 10, and 20 dollar bills. They are also physically attached to the bank, with access from the inside.
B) I would be seriously impressed if it has that much, since they are very small ATMs (physically only about 1m by
C) These do not even allow you access to your other accounts at said bank, let alone other transactions. Nor do I personally even see a need for this. If I want to buy checks, I can call, email, or use their website (not counting the re-order slips with the check boxes).
D) Encryption? Encrypt what? It is hardwired into the physically local system, which is where any encryption should be handled. These things should just be dumb terms.
Now, I can almost see your point for those huge stand-alone mugger-magnets they put in malls, but I still think it is ridiculous. If you have an ATM card, quite a few shops take it anyway.
-WS
Why?
Seriously, I'm not a zealot or anything, but why?
The machine does something so simple, it could be hardcoded. Why windows?
When my bank went windows, they installed new color terminals, all new hardware, and my bank fees went from $1.00 a month to $8.00 a month. To cover the upgrades. Yes, they were honest about it.
WTF? Why did they upgrade? I'd personally rather use a 20 year old version of an ATM. I would at least know that every possible facet of it has been secured and proven.
Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid. What next? Windows running cars? Because the current stuff doesn't work?
F that. I sent nasty emails and boycotted when my bank switched, and I won't use anyone else's either.
-WS
I agree. Where I work, we were told 6 mos ago to implement a new system with "A zero dollar budget". Well, six months later, we got this system ready for production only 2 weeks late, and with the purchase of only the software required. No new hardware or personnel. It took a huge effort, and a lot of tuning, but we were able to get two huge applications to respond properly on hardware sized for one, but it was possible. JPL is about half-full of losers and whiners... not the engineers and dreamers you need for serious space exploration. Sometimes you have to say "Hmmm, what if...", not "Naah, not possible". Sheesh. -WS
Sorry, I have to agree.
The zaurus was an awesome idea, but a piss-poor implementation. The device is uncomfortable for me to hold, has no side toggle (ala HP 54x), and the micro-keyboard is some kind of ridiculus joke.
As for the actual performance, it's ok, I guess. I found that it had a total lack of support for Mac, and as of when I purchased my current handheld (the 4th I've owned), it had no bluetooth support for my phone. The apps were sub-par at best, and who cares about telnet and SSH? All the PDAs can do that now.
I bought a Tungsten T. Small, light, durable, built-in bluetooth (which integrated perfectly with iSync and my T68i on the first try), and it cost less. The layout made total sense, and it is tiny compared to the Zaurus. Yes, file management is not "computer like" if you mean a file tree, but I find it pretty darn handy that if I add files an app should have (like when I copy MP3s on to it via an SD card, or ebooks onto an SD card) the related app picks them up without my having to look around.
Summary:
Linux Gooooood. Zaurus Baaaaad.
Maybe a linux handheld with Mac support? Linux support? Sheesh.
-WS
Does anyone know who else was considered for this contract? I'd love to see the arguments for the different platforms!
-WS
So... which platform has more techincal diversity and freedom from proprietary dead ends?
:P
x86 - 2 chip manufacturers
PPC - 2 chip manufacturers
64bit/32 bit chipsets - 2 for Mac, 1 for PC, 1 for Sun, 1 for IBM
Linux - Almost all platforms
BSD - Almost all platforms
Upgradeable with off-the-shelf hw - Mac, PC, Sun
Basic GUI - Most platforms
Complex multi-button mice - Mac, PC, Sun, IBM
Simple one button mice - Mac
FireWire 800 - Mac, PC
FireWire - Mac, PC
Gigabit adapter - Mac, PC
Wireless (bluetooth, 802.11, etc) - Mac, PC
Office software - Most platforms
Image editing software - Most platforms
Video NLE software - Mac, PC, SGI, Sun
Audio NLE software - Most platforms
Rendering software - Mac, PC, SGI, Sun, IBM
NURBS software - Max, PC, SGI, Sun, IBM
Did you get this far? Do you get my point?
You can spend forever arguing about this kind of junk. What it comes down to is almost always personal preference. To respond to: "technical diversity and freedom from proprietary dead-ends." This simply doesn't exist. It is ALL proprietary, and nothing is technically diverse. All code that is written is written to a proprietary platform (until an Open-Source chipset comes along). Sure, you can see the code for the basic software, but what does that do for you? No high-end software comes with open source. I don't see Adobe or Discrete or AutoDesk moving to the OSS model. Funny that. Looks like anyone can reverse-engineer a pretty good word-processor, but it must take work to make a serious (not hobbyist) application.
Pbbbbt.
-WS
MS is not anti-innovation. MS is not evilly corrupting students any more than Apple is.
However, I have a flyer here that says "80% discount off Academic Pricing on Any MS Office Product".
I also have one that says "50% discount off Any MS Office Product".
They are from different campuses (UCD, SCC). Hmmmm
-WS