Mr Zawinski,
I read your article on the useablity of Linux and your experiences with various video players. It seems you have a sly comment thrashing all the major playes but I have 1 questions to ask you; Why are you using Linux when you are obviously incapable of using a system specifically developed its stability and versatility. You repeatedly pointed to RPMs as if compiling from source is taboo. You do realize *nix is built on code that SOMEONE far intelligent than yourself has compiled. If you are incapable of using applications that someone else has written, the linux mantra encourages you to WRITE YOUR OWN.
My advice to you and anyone else like you is to stick to Windows. Linux was not developed while keeping the user in mind. It was meant for the Developer/Hobbyist who couldnt afford a real Unix install. Lucky us, Linux has surpassed Unix in technology and popularity. Fads come and go but it seems you have gotten stuck in the "fad current" and dont really know what you are doing or why you are doing it.
Actually, think of it this way; for you to run a 220V appliance in 3 seperate houses on a power grid using DC, you would need 2 very large wires with a potential of 220V in parallel where the 2 very large wires would in turn have a VERY VERY high current. OR, you can have 2 110 wires running AC and combine them at the individual houses. Which would you want to drive under?
The linux version didnt have spyware. Its funny how you condemn them for using spyware but wanted to use them for downloading music. Are all of your downloads public domain or did you plan on sending the RIAA a check for every mp3?
Look at the big picture. What is it exactly that you want? You are trying to find a replacement for commercial radio. I can tell you in the NY NJ area, most of the air waves are owned by 1 company which probrams ALL of its stations with the same music give or take a few oldies. Thats right; I hear the same stupid bands on 6 stations at the same time. We look for an alternative in satelite because what was once our mainstay is now nothing more than a nusance. Our preloaded used/new car comes with this great stereo that we are afraid to turn on because we are sick to death of the same tired music on rotation. Its all commercialism; people are actually paying these stations to play this crap. So what do we do? We find a replacement we pay monthly that we all know will ultimately turn into what we are trying to run away from! What is my proof? These stations on the satelite service actually do play some commercials. Eventually these companies are just going to go with the flow and say "Why not?" to playing music large record companies are trying desperately to promote.
What are we doing? Just cut to the case and program your own music. No one knows your music better than you - Just bite the bullet and burn a few cds that you KNOW you enjoy. If you want news, flip to AM. AM radio hasnt been tainted by commercialism in the grand sense yet; the majority has deemed it passe. Its too geeky for the pop culture to take over. Use it for what it was meant for - keeping you up to date. Just dont give large media conglomerates more money and more inscentive to take something else over. You'll be happier if you just invest in some every day hardware and do it yourself. VIVA LA BURNED CDS!
Say that to my Dual Head ATI Radeon VE. I couldnt find drivers that used half of the card's funtionality that were present in windows. Heh, I was lucky to get a single display to work albeit only on the second monitor with nothing on the first. I have happily switched to Matrox where their drivers are built in house and work rather well aside from the lack of TVcapture/output in linux but that is only a matter of time.
I remember the good old days on my 8088 where id fire up the modem, pick up the receiver, dial a number, then click on the modem to handshake. BBS's were the unspoken cult that most of us compujunkies would resign ourselves to once the day was done. I haven't found a community such as that in a long time. I remember posting on FIDO-Net or wardialing to find the newest BBS because at the time, BBS's were popping up about as fast as websites are today. I miss those old days and I did cry when the last BBS in my area called it quits. But it just goes to show you that someday, you eventually do have to roam around outside and talk to REAL people, rather than be mesmorized by a bunch of glowing pixels and be dazzled by the sounds of a 300 baud modem handshaking. People are equipped to handle real life situations. BBS's are dead and the internet is more than just a living thing. I think its more of a virus now. People should try to become sociable in real life rather than create that alter ego that only exists on the backbone of some website. I do miss the BBS's, and I do admit that I am a net aholic, but all things in moderation. Live for the sake of living. Don't live in front of a computer.
Well, not all Hollywood flicks are dramatized. Sneakers was a VERY good movie and it was pretty technically accurate, although its model for encryption was pretty funny.
Slashdot Mirror
Mr Zawinski,
I read your article on the useablity of Linux and your experiences with
various video players. It seems you have a sly comment thrashing all the
major playes but I have 1 questions to ask you; Why are you using Linux when
you are obviously incapable of using a system specifically developed its
stability and versatility. You repeatedly pointed to RPMs as if compiling
from source is taboo. You do realize *nix is built on code that SOMEONE far
intelligent than yourself has compiled. If you are incapable of using
applications that someone else has written, the linux mantra encourages you
to WRITE YOUR OWN.
My advice to you and anyone else like you is to stick to Windows. Linux was
not developed while keeping the user in mind. It was meant for the
Developer/Hobbyist who couldnt afford a real Unix install. Lucky us, Linux
has surpassed Unix in technology and popularity. Fads come and go but it
seems you have gotten stuck in the "fad current" and dont really know what
you are doing or why you are doing it.
Linux is not for morons.
Wait, you mean geeks have girlfriends? Damn, I got it all wrong. I thought geeks married their computers and made love to their network connections.
Actually, think of it this way; for you to run a 220V appliance in 3 seperate houses on a power grid using DC, you would need 2 very large wires with a potential of 220V in parallel where the 2 very large wires would in turn have a VERY VERY high current. OR, you can have 2 110 wires running AC and combine them at the individual houses. Which would you want to drive under?
The linux version didnt have spyware. Its funny how you condemn them for using spyware but wanted to use them for downloading music. Are all of your downloads public domain or did you plan on sending the RIAA a check for every mp3?
Look at the big picture. What is it exactly that you want? You are trying to find a replacement for commercial radio. I can tell you in the NY NJ area, most of the air waves are owned by 1 company which probrams ALL of its stations with the same music give or take a few oldies. Thats right; I hear the same stupid bands on 6 stations at the same time. We look for an alternative in satelite because what was once our mainstay is now nothing more than a nusance. Our preloaded used/new car comes with this great stereo that we are afraid to turn on because we are sick to death of the same tired music on rotation. Its all commercialism; people are actually paying these stations to play this crap. So what do we do? We find a replacement we pay monthly that we all know will ultimately turn into what we are trying to run away from! What is my proof? These stations on the satelite service actually do play some commercials. Eventually these companies are just going to go with the flow and say "Why not?" to playing music large record companies are trying desperately to promote.
What are we doing? Just cut to the case and program your own music. No one knows your music better than you - Just bite the bullet and burn a few cds that you KNOW you enjoy. If you want news, flip to AM. AM radio hasnt been tainted by commercialism in the grand sense yet; the majority has deemed it passe. Its too geeky for the pop culture to take over. Use it for what it was meant for - keeping you up to date. Just dont give large media conglomerates more money and more inscentive to take something else over. You'll be happier if you just invest in some every day hardware and do it yourself. VIVA LA BURNED CDS!
Say that to my Dual Head ATI Radeon VE. I couldnt find drivers that used half of the card's funtionality that were present in windows. Heh, I was lucky to get a single display to work albeit only on the second monitor with nothing on the first. I have happily switched to Matrox where their drivers are built in house and work rather well aside from the lack of TVcapture/output in linux but that is only a matter of time.
what if he worships sheep?
I remember the good old days on my 8088 where id fire up the modem, pick up the receiver, dial a number, then click on the modem to handshake. BBS's were the unspoken cult that most of us compujunkies would resign ourselves to once the day was done. I haven't found a community such as that in a long time. I remember posting on FIDO-Net or wardialing to find the newest BBS because at the time, BBS's were popping up about as fast as websites are today. I miss those old days and I did cry when the last BBS in my area called it quits. But it just goes to show you that someday, you eventually do have to roam around outside and talk to REAL people, rather than be mesmorized by a bunch of glowing pixels and be dazzled by the sounds of a 300 baud modem handshaking. People are equipped to handle real life situations. BBS's are dead and the internet is more than just a living thing. I think its more of a virus now. People should try to become sociable in real life rather than create that alter ego that only exists on the backbone of some website. I do miss the BBS's, and I do admit that I am a net aholic, but all things in moderation. Live for the sake of living. Don't live in front of a computer.
Well, not all Hollywood flicks are dramatized. Sneakers was a VERY good movie and it was pretty technically accurate, although its model for encryption was pretty funny.
It sounds cool. Itd look cool if the server werent down :-). Slashdot affect?