You could always ask something like "What is 2+2" but make the answer something like, for example, your favorite porno movie. Who says it has to be factual? It's just a word or phrase that's used as a sort secondary password in a way, with a hint if you forget what it actually was. Giving honest answers to real questions is just asking for trouble (unless the answer is complex). The real string of characters you should be worried about forgetting is your password. Remember that, and you shouldn't *need* a stupid security question.
I can't stand security questions, and wish they would be eliminated from the Internet. They are a pain in the ass when, for example, your bank occasionally asks you for it despite never getting your password wrong, and they just allow another, potentially easier way for a hacker to make his way into your account.
Exactly. The bastards have been going on for, how long now? Even after they were supposedly believed to be shut down for good? It's not that easy for a company, even as worthless as SCO, to go down. They might still linger... but hopefully they don't.
If you really want to see an eyesore, just look up shots of Windows 1.x and 2.x and other graphical environments from the 80s.
Really, back then, people belonged at the command line... the graphical user interfaces of the time were horrible. Of course, CDE came around in the next decade, and while not attractive, it's a lot better than what came before it.
I'll probably be burned at the stake for this, but I honestly liked the look of Windows from Windows 95 to ME (and XP when you turn its Play-Doh theme off).
The default UI yes, but if you have a customized UI, version updates will keep your customization from one release to another.
Yes they do and I've been using the same basic layout in Linux for a few years now by preserving my/home directory. Still, it's not enough. If I were to want to start fresh, honestly, Mozilla has made so many disgusting GUI changes that I would barely know where to begin. It would be almost as bad to try to get Firefox back to the way I like it (more like classic) as it was to get Windows XP set up with usable options.
Note that I'm not talking about simple, basic options that there's a GUI for... I'm also talking about those more deeply hidden options in about:config, of which there are many that need switched just to get Firefox acting decent again. I created a damn text file with all my basic customizations. Otherwise, I'd likely be spending over a half-hour getting a new install right.
Linux live CDs are another problem... there was no problem when Firefox had a good UI to begin with, but now, any time I boot a live CD it's guaranteed to come with Firefox's atrocious default layout. In this case, the settings only last for as long as the system is booted up, so it would be pointless to waste all that time adjusting them for one session... you might as well just endure the pain.
With Firefox who-know-what-the-hell-version-number-it's-at-by-now and GNOME 3, I'm really not happy with the state of the desktop. Luckily in Linux there are alternatives, but when it comes to web browsers, IMO there is nothing quite as perfect from the start (GUI-wise) as Firefox 2.x.
I've been using Firefox since it was called "Phoenix" and Mozilla has been grating on my nerves with all of their bullshit since Firefox 3.0. They just got worse when they developed a Chrome identity crisis around 4.0, and it's only been sharply downhill from there.
Plus, Chrome's UI seems more set in stone. Firefox's did seem that way until some time after Google introduced their competing product, but then Mozilla thought it would be a brilliant idea to fuck with the UI to the point where not only the interface but now the release cycle tries to mimic Chrome as closely as possible. Mozilla's browser still feels like it's in a constant, never-ending state of flux, and Mozilla is still trying fucking with the UI, making me dread every new "version" of Firefox that is released.
Although I didn't really care for Chrome's interface to begin with (and still don't), at least it's stable and not in a constant state of change, so I've been contemplating switching to it. The problem is, I will be missing out on a lot of things I'm used to, especially many of Firefox's extensions.
Now we've got Google's Chrome which is catching up on the deal-breaking extensions it still somewhat lacks but seemingly faster at handling javascript-heavy pages, and Mozilla's Chrome wannabe tripping all over itself to be even more like the real thing. AdBlock Plus is now working (as a testing release) for Chrome, so that's one major thing not holding me back any longer. I have no idea what the status of NoScript on Chrome is, but that's the other major thing holding me back.
I also don't like how in Chrome to access the bookmarks menu you have to click a button all the way over to the right, makes a mess when you start going through your nested menus having to move the mouse right, left, right just to navigate, but oh well... Mozilla has done a hell of a lot to make their browser a miserable pain in the ass to work with while making it probably more bloated than the Mozilla Suite before it (its whole reason for existence to begin with), so they're even.
As Chrome continues to improve and Mozilla's morphing rip-off continues to struggle with its identity by copying Chrome poorly, I imagine a time that I might switch completely. Never would've expected to say this back when Firefox was itself, after all, I hated the Chrome layout. But now... that's all changed. Now I'm just waiting for a good time to jump ship, when it's good and ready.
Do people still buy their games with all the shit they've pulled with DRM? Seriously, Ubisoft has to be the most anti-gamer gaming company there is, and a disgrace to the gaming community. Not to mention, their games suck... the only games I recall that were pretty good were Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, and that Prince of Persia remake they released on Xbox Live Arcade.
I stopped paying attention to them after the Prince remake, so who knows--maybe they made a decent sequel sometime later. I just know Warrior Within and the one for Xbox 360 that you never die in (always "rewind" time) sucked.
I don't know why this AC was voted down. I'm from Ohio, AKA. someone born in the U.S., and as fucked up as it sounds... the AC pretty much nailed it. Apparently whoever modded him down never watched George Carlin (RIP, George--this guy was great) . Either that, or they're those assholes who get all fucking uptight about everything, probably patriotic at that.
Yeah, too bad along with the icon's death the whole operating system is going to suck, since Microsoft is so dead-set on making Windows 8 a touchscreen/tablet OS and already trying to make the desktop feel "legacy" by making it a royal pain in the ass to use. I have to admit though, I didn't realize there were MSNBC favorites in IE all the way up to Windows 7 though... but then, I haven't run Windows myself since XP and ditched IE6 for Firefox/Mozilla Suite way back when Microsoft thought it would be a brilliant idea to just sit on their illegally-obtained monopoly and leave their browser to rot, along with the entire Web itself--but what did they care, they had the entire Web and its users by the balls.
Enjoy Metro and your lack of a little MSNBC icon. I've been MSNBC-free for years and will not be forced into switching to Metro.
Rabies is another one; it can supposedly infect just about any mammal. But actually, I think there are at least a few "strains" of it, each targeting (or preferring) a specific species.
A very weak stimulant or depressant, yes; neither of which affects judgement/memory/cognition much at all.
Do you know how much your marijuana high is actually effecting your brain? Your cocaine high? Your opiate high? Your alcohol high? Even your caffeine buzz? Hell, ever eat a Bhut jolokia or one of the many peppers known as a habanero? Have you ever thought about how much the natural endorphins (endogeneous morphine) that the heat sensation-causing compound causes your brain to release as a natural opioid/painkiller effect your brain?
As a hot pepper lover (dare I say, addict) myself, maybe I should just shut up--or else, my favorite fruit will be made illegal for causing the body to release opiate-like chemicals. But then, running would have to be illegal too, because anything stressful on the body triggers their release and the high you get with them. You might think you can tell how much a chemical is affecting your mind, but in most cases, the drug's already got enough of an impairment on your mind that you just can't tell 100%. Face it, the nicotine is acting on your brain. Period.
But really... who cares? We use these drugs for a reason. To feel good. For the same reason a cat enjoys getting stoned off its ass (and ironically, legally, because it's not a human) with catnip.
And we are not talking about withdrawal effects, but effects of the drug, itself.
I mentioned withdrawel effects as the example because, face it, when it comes to normal functioning of your mind--someone who is hooked on a drug and suddenly doesn't take his or her regularly scheduled dosage of his/her drug of choice experiences the strongest "feeling" that something is not right. During this time of desperation, the lack of the drug can really fuck with your head (caffeine addict myself, here--and it's not pleasant to have to down a whole can of pop just to get some sleep some nights... and no, the caffeine-free crap won't do.). This is when something finally "clicks" in your head and you realize some of the psychoactive effects more strongly.
But seriously, what does that say of what is going on with the drug's interactions with the user's mind on the first hit/drink/shot? I think our brains are exceptionally good at handling drugs of all kinds, and for the most part capable of hiding inebriation. Just become addicted to some weak, legal drug like caffeine and see what I mean. Besides--if any drug is a "gateway drug" (that whole concept I believe to be bullshit), it would have to be caffeine. It is in non-alcoholic sweet "soft" drinks that kids legally grow up on like Pepsi and Coke, and there are "energy drinks" and "energy shots" that advertise a legal high, basically, that contains anywhere from four to six legal stimulant drugs in addition to caffeine. Now if that's not getting doped up, then I don't know what is. Sure, they taste like piss, but a lot of people will drink it for a strong and legal buzz.
Personally, I think all anti-drug laws are a disgrace, a waste of government resources, and a miserable drain on our tax money as well as a massive waste of prison space, and should be abolished like the very similar miserable failure that was the prohibition of alcohol so many decades ago. The only "gateway" effect marijuana has going for it is that the government has declared it dangerous and illegal, along with many other drugs. They have created a black market with weed. And what other products are sold by the members of that black market? Yep... more illegal drugs, and potentially much more dangerous ones at that.
Last I checked nicotine was a stimulant, that can also act as a depressant depending on dosage. In other words, it will either speed your mind up or slow it down depending on how much you have running through your veins at any given time. It operates directly on the brain. How does this not "affect communication or reaction time"? If anything, someone who's hooked on nicotine, like someone who's hooked on any other stimulant or depressant, will have a hell of a time maintaining "normal" reaction times when they don't get their fix. And that's just an extreme case where these things would be most noticeable.
I mean, there's the obvious jokes to be made ("zap my memory so I don't remember the Matrix sequels", etc.) - but apart from that fun nonsense, there are times when I find myself wishing that I could approach a familiar movie with a totally fresh perspective.
The original Star Wars trilogy comes to mind. I saw those movies when I was very young, and repeatedly (on TV) - I wonder what I would have thought of Yoda's introduction if I didn't already know who he was, or the various revelations about the Skywalker family in the second and third films. It would be neat to see that stuff with a fresh perspective.
This is already possible. Just get shitfaced drunk and watch a movie after having not seen in in years with an already fuzzy memory, and you're good to go. Should be like new again, with the alcohol removing the few remaining memories you had of the movie.
Alternatively, smoke some weed and watch the movie. It can make many movies seem "new" again, allowing you to "get" things you may never have "got" before...
I mean... come on... 62.2? Am I reading this correctly? Who the fuck needs 62 normal speakers? I can understand two subs if you want the extra bass, but WTF--a total of 64 speakers is far beyond overkill. I never did quite see the point in 5.1 vs. 7.1... when the hell did they even get to 62.2? Either way... I am perfectly happy with a good stereo system. Two high-quality speakers and a subwoofer (or two, connected in parallel) driven by some powerful amplifiers is plenty for me. In fact, I avoid any "surround" systems, because the only things you gain... are cheaper quality components for the price leading to inferior sound, more cables (and some *long* ones at that), and problems where the sound doesn't seem like it's coming from the "right" direction.
This is excellent news. I would never subscribe to a cable service, so if I were to choose to subscribe to Dish Network or DirectTV, I would be spared of this fast forward-blocking bullshit. Great job... morons! Cable sucks, and I commend Time Warner for taking it to the next level of anti-subscriber/anti-consumer hostility by forcing people off their service through the use of such an "innovative" patent. Ironically, the innovation here seems to be just that--the fact that it will be seen as an unwanted feature, and draw people *away* from their service, and to their competition instead.
Meanwhile, the Internet and cell phone service is good for me. I see no need for broadcast television of any kind--satellite, cable, whatever. But I already preferred satellite television and laugh at Time Warner for all their fuck-ups, so really... this won't persuade me one way or the other. It's just funny.
While I normally have no need for Meebo since I typically use Pidgin on a standard desktop machine, their Web-based instant messenger is very useful on systems that don't have a decent multi-protocol instant messaging client. It's also nice because it doesn't need to be installed. Hell, I didn't even know until relatively recently that Meebo even *had* anything besides their Web IM client. And now, since they've been bought out by Google, they're *already* killing off their instant messenger? WTF? And they're spinning it like it's such great news and that they're looking forward to the future. What is this "future" they speak of? A future in which Meebo ceases to exist, as all of their features are stripped away and moved into Google services? Oooh, very exciting.
Just install and use the package "obmenu." It's a GUI program for Openbox that allows you to add menu items wherever you want them. The distro I've most recently settled on and am using right now comes with this program already installed, and although it is not set up for a fully automatic updating menu by default, its site has information on how to do this by adding the Debian menu. I am running CrunchBang.
KDE 4, at first, was a massive resource hog; for quite a while it would not start up and stay running without programs or even the whole desktop crashing if you didn't have damn near 384MB RAM. I "accidentally" found that this is not quite the case not too long ago when I forgot to increase the memory in a virtual machine to 384MB after installation of the OS and shockingly, not only did it successfully load, nothing crashed. It was left at 256MB--I would have never done this on purpose after my previous experiences with KDE4; I was expecting a complete failure for the desktop to load.
Still though, with my typical use (one or two file managers, a terminal with one or more tabs, Geany with a couple dozen text files open, Firefox/Iceweasel running with anywhere from 50-100 tabs or more with only 1GB RAM) a standard desktop environment just causes too much swapping and too fast. I used Xfce and GNOME 2 before finally settling on CrunchBang with Openbox, and for the most part I like it; I'm happy with the resource savings of memory it provides, allowing it to instead be used by the programs I'm using.
Ironically... having several Slashdot tabs open is one of the things that still seems to suck up resources and cause swapping like there's no tomorrow.
Slashdot Mirror
You could always ask something like "What is 2+2" but make the answer something like, for example, your favorite porno movie. Who says it has to be factual? It's just a word or phrase that's used as a sort secondary password in a way, with a hint if you forget what it actually was. Giving honest answers to real questions is just asking for trouble (unless the answer is complex). The real string of characters you should be worried about forgetting is your password. Remember that, and you shouldn't *need* a stupid security question.
I can't stand security questions, and wish they would be eliminated from the Internet. They are a pain in the ass when, for example, your bank occasionally asks you for it despite never getting your password wrong, and they just allow another, potentially easier way for a hacker to make his way into your account.
Exactly. The bastards have been going on for, how long now? Even after they were supposedly believed to be shut down for good? It's not that easy for a company, even as worthless as SCO, to go down. They might still linger... but hopefully they don't.
If you really want to see an eyesore, just look up shots of Windows 1.x and 2.x and other graphical environments from the 80s.
Really, back then, people belonged at the command line... the graphical user interfaces of the time were horrible. Of course, CDE came around in the next decade, and while not attractive, it's a lot better than what came before it.
I'll probably be burned at the stake for this, but I honestly liked the look of Windows from Windows 95 to ME (and XP when you turn its Play-Doh theme off).
The default UI yes, but if you have a customized UI, version updates will keep your customization from one release to another.
Yes they do and I've been using the same basic layout in Linux for a few years now by preserving my /home directory. Still, it's not enough. If I were to want to start fresh, honestly, Mozilla has made so many disgusting GUI changes that I would barely know where to begin. It would be almost as bad to try to get Firefox back to the way I like it (more like classic) as it was to get Windows XP set up with usable options.
Note that I'm not talking about simple, basic options that there's a GUI for... I'm also talking about those more deeply hidden options in about:config, of which there are many that need switched just to get Firefox acting decent again. I created a damn text file with all my basic customizations. Otherwise, I'd likely be spending over a half-hour getting a new install right.
Linux live CDs are another problem... there was no problem when Firefox had a good UI to begin with, but now, any time I boot a live CD it's guaranteed to come with Firefox's atrocious default layout. In this case, the settings only last for as long as the system is booted up, so it would be pointless to waste all that time adjusting them for one session... you might as well just endure the pain.
With Firefox who-know-what-the-hell-version-number-it's-at-by-now and GNOME 3, I'm really not happy with the state of the desktop. Luckily in Linux there are alternatives, but when it comes to web browsers, IMO there is nothing quite as perfect from the start (GUI-wise) as Firefox 2.x.
I've been using Firefox since it was called "Phoenix" and Mozilla has been grating on my nerves with all of their bullshit since Firefox 3.0. They just got worse when they developed a Chrome identity crisis around 4.0, and it's only been sharply downhill from there.
Plus, Chrome's UI seems more set in stone. Firefox's did seem that way until some time after Google introduced their competing product, but then Mozilla thought it would be a brilliant idea to fuck with the UI to the point where not only the interface but now the release cycle tries to mimic Chrome as closely as possible. Mozilla's browser still feels like it's in a constant, never-ending state of flux, and Mozilla is still trying fucking with the UI, making me dread every new "version" of Firefox that is released.
Although I didn't really care for Chrome's interface to begin with (and still don't), at least it's stable and not in a constant state of change, so I've been contemplating switching to it. The problem is, I will be missing out on a lot of things I'm used to, especially many of Firefox's extensions.
Now we've got Google's Chrome which is catching up on the deal-breaking extensions it still somewhat lacks but seemingly faster at handling javascript-heavy pages, and Mozilla's Chrome wannabe tripping all over itself to be even more like the real thing. AdBlock Plus is now working (as a testing release) for Chrome, so that's one major thing not holding me back any longer. I have no idea what the status of NoScript on Chrome is, but that's the other major thing holding me back.
I also don't like how in Chrome to access the bookmarks menu you have to click a button all the way over to the right, makes a mess when you start going through your nested menus having to move the mouse right, left, right just to navigate, but oh well... Mozilla has done a hell of a lot to make their browser a miserable pain in the ass to work with while making it probably more bloated than the Mozilla Suite before it (its whole reason for existence to begin with), so they're even.
As Chrome continues to improve and Mozilla's morphing rip-off continues to struggle with its identity by copying Chrome poorly, I imagine a time that I might switch completely. Never would've expected to say this back when Firefox was itself, after all, I hated the Chrome layout. But now... that's all changed. Now I'm just waiting for a good time to jump ship, when it's good and ready.
In this case, I agree. The guy knows his shit. :)
Of course, that still doesn't mean you have to agree with him.
In the holy words of Butt-head:
Uh... huh huh huh, he said cheque. Huh huh.
Apparently. Just like apparently if you don't have a Facebook account, you're a murderer.
It had lots of fun, arcade-style games. Some downright awesome ones as well. Is that reason enough?
Sonic Adventure. Shenmue. Skies of Arcadia. Soul Calibur. The House of the Dead 2. Speed Devils.
And those are just a few. Luckily, since then some of those have been re-released on other systems.
I know that was a troll post, but I have to admit it was so damn random and funny I just had to laugh.
Do people still buy their games with all the shit they've pulled with DRM? Seriously, Ubisoft has to be the most anti-gamer gaming company there is, and a disgrace to the gaming community. Not to mention, their games suck... the only games I recall that were pretty good were Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, and that Prince of Persia remake they released on Xbox Live Arcade.
I stopped paying attention to them after the Prince remake, so who knows--maybe they made a decent sequel sometime later. I just know Warrior Within and the one for Xbox 360 that you never die in (always "rewind" time) sucked.
Eh, well I would've preferred "for now," but that's just me.
I don't know why this AC was voted down. I'm from Ohio, AKA. someone born in the U.S., and as fucked up as it sounds... the AC pretty much nailed it. Apparently whoever modded him down never watched George Carlin (RIP, George--this guy was great) . Either that, or they're those assholes who get all fucking uptight about everything, probably patriotic at that.
Yeah, too bad along with the icon's death the whole operating system is going to suck, since Microsoft is so dead-set on making Windows 8 a touchscreen/tablet OS and already trying to make the desktop feel "legacy" by making it a royal pain in the ass to use. I have to admit though, I didn't realize there were MSNBC favorites in IE all the way up to Windows 7 though... but then, I haven't run Windows myself since XP and ditched IE6 for Firefox/Mozilla Suite way back when Microsoft thought it would be a brilliant idea to just sit on their illegally-obtained monopoly and leave their browser to rot, along with the entire Web itself--but what did they care, they had the entire Web and its users by the balls.
Enjoy Metro and your lack of a little MSNBC icon. I've been MSNBC-free for years and will not be forced into switching to Metro.
Rabies is another one; it can supposedly infect just about any mammal. But actually, I think there are at least a few "strains" of it, each targeting (or preferring) a specific species.
A very weak stimulant or depressant, yes; neither of which affects judgement/memory/cognition much at all.
Do you know how much your marijuana high is actually effecting your brain? Your cocaine high? Your opiate high? Your alcohol high? Even your caffeine buzz? Hell, ever eat a Bhut jolokia or one of the many peppers known as a habanero? Have you ever thought about how much the natural endorphins (endogeneous morphine) that the heat sensation-causing compound causes your brain to release as a natural opioid/painkiller effect your brain?
As a hot pepper lover (dare I say, addict) myself, maybe I should just shut up--or else, my favorite fruit will be made illegal for causing the body to release opiate-like chemicals. But then, running would have to be illegal too, because anything stressful on the body triggers their release and the high you get with them. You might think you can tell how much a chemical is affecting your mind, but in most cases, the drug's already got enough of an impairment on your mind that you just can't tell 100%. Face it, the nicotine is acting on your brain. Period.
But really... who cares? We use these drugs for a reason. To feel good. For the same reason a cat enjoys getting stoned off its ass (and ironically, legally, because it's not a human) with catnip.
And we are not talking about withdrawal effects, but effects of the drug, itself.
I mentioned withdrawel effects as the example because, face it, when it comes to normal functioning of your mind--someone who is hooked on a drug and suddenly doesn't take his or her regularly scheduled dosage of his/her drug of choice experiences the strongest "feeling" that something is not right. During this time of desperation, the lack of the drug can really fuck with your head (caffeine addict myself, here--and it's not pleasant to have to down a whole can of pop just to get some sleep some nights... and no, the caffeine-free crap won't do.). This is when something finally "clicks" in your head and you realize some of the psychoactive effects more strongly.
But seriously, what does that say of what is going on with the drug's interactions with the user's mind on the first hit/drink/shot? I think our brains are exceptionally good at handling drugs of all kinds, and for the most part capable of hiding inebriation. Just become addicted to some weak, legal drug like caffeine and see what I mean. Besides--if any drug is a "gateway drug" (that whole concept I believe to be bullshit), it would have to be caffeine. It is in non-alcoholic sweet "soft" drinks that kids legally grow up on like Pepsi and Coke, and there are "energy drinks" and "energy shots" that advertise a legal high, basically, that contains anywhere from four to six legal stimulant drugs in addition to caffeine. Now if that's not getting doped up, then I don't know what is. Sure, they taste like piss, but a lot of people will drink it for a strong and legal buzz.
Personally, I think all anti-drug laws are a disgrace, a waste of government resources, and a miserable drain on our tax money as well as a massive waste of prison space, and should be abolished like the very similar miserable failure that was the prohibition of alcohol so many decades ago. The only "gateway" effect marijuana has going for it is that the government has declared it dangerous and illegal, along with many other drugs. They have created a black market with weed. And what other products are sold by the members of that black market? Yep... more illegal drugs, and potentially much more dangerous ones at that.
Last I checked nicotine was a stimulant, that can also act as a depressant depending on dosage. In other words, it will either speed your mind up or slow it down depending on how much you have running through your veins at any given time. It operates directly on the brain. How does this not "affect communication or reaction time"? If anything, someone who's hooked on nicotine, like someone who's hooked on any other stimulant or depressant, will have a hell of a time maintaining "normal" reaction times when they don't get their fix. And that's just an extreme case where these things would be most noticeable.
I mean, there's the obvious jokes to be made ("zap my memory so I don't remember the Matrix sequels", etc.) - but apart from that fun nonsense, there are times when I find myself wishing that I could approach a familiar movie with a totally fresh perspective.
The original Star Wars trilogy comes to mind. I saw those movies when I was very young, and repeatedly (on TV) - I wonder what I would have thought of Yoda's introduction if I didn't already know who he was, or the various revelations about the Skywalker family in the second and third films. It would be neat to see that stuff with a fresh perspective.
This is already possible. Just get shitfaced drunk and watch a movie after having not seen in in years with an already fuzzy memory, and you're good to go. Should be like new again, with the alcohol removing the few remaining memories you had of the movie.
Alternatively, smoke some weed and watch the movie. It can make many movies seem "new" again, allowing you to "get" things you may never have "got" before...
I mean... come on... 62.2? Am I reading this correctly? Who the fuck needs 62 normal speakers? I can understand two subs if you want the extra bass, but WTF--a total of 64 speakers is far beyond overkill. I never did quite see the point in 5.1 vs. 7.1... when the hell did they even get to 62.2? Either way... I am perfectly happy with a good stereo system. Two high-quality speakers and a subwoofer (or two, connected in parallel) driven by some powerful amplifiers is plenty for me. In fact, I avoid any "surround" systems, because the only things you gain... are cheaper quality components for the price leading to inferior sound, more cables (and some *long* ones at that), and problems where the sound doesn't seem like it's coming from the "right" direction.
This is excellent news. I would never subscribe to a cable service, so if I were to choose to subscribe to Dish Network or DirectTV, I would be spared of this fast forward-blocking bullshit. Great job... morons! Cable sucks, and I commend Time Warner for taking it to the next level of anti-subscriber/anti-consumer hostility by forcing people off their service through the use of such an "innovative" patent. Ironically, the innovation here seems to be just that--the fact that it will be seen as an unwanted feature, and draw people *away* from their service, and to their competition instead.
Meanwhile, the Internet and cell phone service is good for me. I see no need for broadcast television of any kind--satellite, cable, whatever. But I already preferred satellite television and laugh at Time Warner for all their fuck-ups, so really... this won't persuade me one way or the other. It's just funny.
Mmm... I like beef. Don't you think it's a bit unfair and insulting (to the beef) to compare a slab of beef to Windows Phone?
While I normally have no need for Meebo since I typically use Pidgin on a standard desktop machine, their Web-based instant messenger is very useful on systems that don't have a decent multi-protocol instant messaging client. It's also nice because it doesn't need to be installed. Hell, I didn't even know until relatively recently that Meebo even *had* anything besides their Web IM client. And now, since they've been bought out by Google, they're *already* killing off their instant messenger? WTF? And they're spinning it like it's such great news and that they're looking forward to the future. What is this "future" they speak of? A future in which Meebo ceases to exist, as all of their features are stripped away and moved into Google services? Oooh, very exciting.
Oh well... Meebo is officially dead now.
Just install and use the package "obmenu." It's a GUI program for Openbox that allows you to add menu items wherever you want them. The distro I've most recently settled on and am using right now comes with this program already installed, and although it is not set up for a fully automatic updating menu by default, its site has information on how to do this by adding the Debian menu. I am running CrunchBang.
KDE 4, at first, was a massive resource hog; for quite a while it would not start up and stay running without programs or even the whole desktop crashing if you didn't have damn near 384MB RAM. I "accidentally" found that this is not quite the case not too long ago when I forgot to increase the memory in a virtual machine to 384MB after installation of the OS and shockingly, not only did it successfully load, nothing crashed. It was left at 256MB--I would have never done this on purpose after my previous experiences with KDE4; I was expecting a complete failure for the desktop to load.
Still though, with my typical use (one or two file managers, a terminal with one or more tabs, Geany with a couple dozen text files open, Firefox/Iceweasel running with anywhere from 50-100 tabs or more with only 1GB RAM) a standard desktop environment just causes too much swapping and too fast. I used Xfce and GNOME 2 before finally settling on CrunchBang with Openbox, and for the most part I like it; I'm happy with the resource savings of memory it provides, allowing it to instead be used by the programs I'm using.
Ironically... having several Slashdot tabs open is one of the things that still seems to suck up resources and cause swapping like there's no tomorrow.