The iMac is very impressive - fast and responsive even with a full load of video encoders going (handbrake & ffmpegx). Even with those going I was still able to get Firefox open and loaded a site before the pc could get started getting the graphics for a site. The pc was only busy copying a 1.2GB file from the iMac.
I have been hoping that Apple would at least have a sale or other purchase incentive during this anniversary. I've been thinking that jumping to Apple would now be a good idea. It is either jump or start researching a build for a new system that will make Vista shine. I could use a change of OS; Windows has probably not helped with the hypertension.
A new product like a video iPod or a 120 gig version of the current iPod would also be great.
Sennheiser makes some of the best headphones available, and at reasonable prices.
I've got two pairs of the HD-457 model, because they fit/feel great and sound wonderful, and a pair of HD-497 because it is slightly better sounding (but hurts after an hour).
Besides the poor choice of going into business that directly completes with his former employer, this guy allegedly made the other poor choice of using a 'wipe' utility to remove data.
What he should have done is used what I refer to as the general-use non-wipe routine. Basically, it involves simply deleting files you don't want/need, then filling the remaining drive space with 'wipe' files - various sized files filled with random or meaningless data and given random or misleading file names. Generate a group of base files, store on USB drives, then copy to the root directory of the target drive, renaming the files as you go. For extra fun, delete your 'wipe' files after you fill the drive. You could probably write a script to help, just make sure it is given an innocent name and stays on the USB drive.
It would be interesting to see the reaction of the managers and scavengers to finding a directory of hundreds of text files and then discovering that each file is a copy of unix man files, or five year old project documentation (that you had no part), or trek fan fiction, or... How about a group of graphics files that are public domain textures, traffic signs, fragments from websites (taken from browser cache), etc.. Another good group is music - record meetings and lectures then rename them to look like popular music titles. The final idea is to include some encrypted zip files with suggestive names - of course the files contained are renamed unix man docs. Just be sure to use the standard delete command to 'hide' the files from recovery.
If you are brought into court like this poor guy your lawyer can argue that those files are there from the day-to-day use of the system. Nothing sinister or devious about those files.
Yahoo, Google & MS should be fined for providing services that assist governments in censoring basic human rights. Since these companies are based in the US, and the US currently still honors some form of human rights (although maybe not signing the UN resolution), the US government should take action against these companies and in particular the companies that cause the arrest or detainment of an individual or group.
The only way I see that this censoring activity may be tolerated would be if the companies involved are wholly owned and operated by citizens of that country and without assistance by companies in foreign countries. For example - a Chinese company gets created that just happens to be named after a company in the US. The Chinese version of the US company is involved in human rights violations. As long as the US company is not in any way involved with the Chinese version, then all is fine. In the US company is involved then the US government should impose large fines against the US company for its involvement in human right violations.
No entity, or artificial entity, based wholly or partially, or doing business with any entity, artificial or otherwise, within the US should be tolerated having any part with the restriction, censorship or elimination of human rights (minimally defined by UN resolutions). The US government should work toward preserving human rights as well as democracy throughout the world.
A persons musical taste, band/artist loyalty and freedom to use the purchased content how- and where-ever wanted, is much greater than the brand or label that is controlling or selling the content. If I can find music I like that I can appreciate, or one of my favorite artists/bands in MP3/OGG format on the Internet for free (most liberal freedom of use), I will be a happy consumer. If I also want to support the artists/bands, then I will purchase from iTunes (fairly liberal freedom of use with DRM). In absolutely no point in my purchase or download decision is any consideration made to a brand or label.
The music labels need to get over this competitive, dog-eat-dog, downward-spiral they are constantly pursuing. They need to get together and hammer out a few well thought-out plans/business-models and then all labels get fully behind all models. The models may be fixed-price per download like iTunes, a fix-price per month unlimited download, a license system (as mentioned above), and/or any number of other great ideas being floated here. They need to try these plans on a global scale (it is the Internet, not the USAnet/UKnet/Nipponet/Deutschnet/Canucknet/Sinonet /etc...), discover what works for consumers and capitalistic pursuits and drop what doesn't work. The systems they start and continue with must be able to fully & equally support Independent artists/bands.
If it is lost, stolen or destroyed then you go to your local DHS authorized service center and, after verification of proper ID, you will be issued a new card (or a temp card with a new one available for pickup in a few weeks). The local DHS ASC will have all the tools and access to be able to verify the ID of anyone (in the system). Anyone not in the system can expect to be detained until such time that is required for positive ID.
Simple. It satisfies their desire to know who is at the gate & who is going to take a flight. The fact that their system of ID is both flawed & outdated isn't going to stop them from demanding that you use their ID to prove to them that you are who they think you are.
Either produce ID to get through the checkpoint, or find another mode of travel.
Your reasoning is just rationalization for behaving like a lemming instead of thinking about actual security.
I have thought about government & business implementing actual security. I think about how the government could readily implement a universal ID card that would look like todays drivers licenses except without address & other data covering the outside (only need picture, name & part of universal ID). How such a card would hold enough biometric and pass-words/pass-phrases/pass-icons to provide nearly absolute ID (in far future it would hold also hold DNA data). The card with biometrics would be used for everything from retail, to starting your car (car would check ID against allowed drivers before starting, then capture card until car is parked & off), to unlocking the doors to your home/office/car/etc., to providing ID at government sites & businesses that desire additional security. The card would be the only ID you would ever need to carry. No need for cash/currency if you have the card since all bank/credit info is contained within - just choose the account to charge when at retail. If you have dental work done, the dentist will have a trusted update interface (update card data & update DHS). If you have surgery, the doctor/hospital will likewise have a trusted update interface. Naturally, the card would have several layers of strong encryption that would require detailed interaction with DHS databases to even begin to decrypt the 'common' layers. Updates to the encryption (and/or re-encryption of data) would be applied yearly.
That appears to be a good start. Reply when you think of something I didn't write...
I'll have to say that this lawsuit was made in poor judgment. The government & business has every right to expect you to produce identification before boarding an airliner. This ID check is not unreasonable nor troublesome to any passenger. Getting stopped/delayed from boarding because a single-dimensional ID check matched on a suspect ID is just stupidity on the part of the TSA.
Being subject to having carry-on baggage searched and walking through a metal detector also is not particularly unreasonable. Neither, IMHO, would be being scanned with a hand detector and/or 'sniffer' device (to detect drugs/explosives handling). It would be normal security for what amounts to being transported in a flying bomb with no/limited in-flight security.
A strip-/cavity-search would be where I would draw the line. Unless you provide me with very detailed information about your suspicions about what I am supposedly hiding on/in my body, I am not going to cooperate in any way whatsoever. If I passed a metal detector test, a hand scanner test and a 'sniffer' test, then you will not be able to provide me with any reasonable explanation for needing a strip-search (get a warrant for a cavity-search). Barring any reasonable explanation, it is a fourth amendment buster and I will not submit to it. I will leave and expect a full refund from the airline and/or TSA (or search authority) and that they should expect a lawsuit.
For the record, I am an independent with liberal leanings. I defend my civil, political and human rights when I believe they are being threatened.
Believe it or not, most (> 99%) of all computer users in the entire world, don't buy hardware, they buy the operating system software.
I would tend to believe that most computer users don't give a damn about the OS; all they want is a machine that will do their bidding. Surf, email, maybe games and IM - that is all that most users want and what they do. Windows or OS X - both can that just fine.
You buy a Dell, HP or Gateway _because_ it is Windows. You buy an Mac because its the Mac operating system.
Bzzt. Close, but that won't cut it. You buy a branded WinBox because it is cheap and effective. There are tons of choices and configurations and prices for WinBoxes, very few for Macs.
Why would you buy a Mac? IMHO - no idea. Maybe for the dependability ("crash?! what is a crash?" "viruses happen to pc people"), maybe because you are into the arts ("serious artists use Macs!"), or maybe you believe the market hype about being hip & cool ("you plug your nano into a pc? ewwww!").
I can tell you I am excited about these new Macs. Whether or not they can dual-boot Windows or if some third-party will develop a driver/application to run Windows apps (does Wine work under OS X?), I am seriously considering purchasing an iMac. If the performance is on par to an Athlon 64 X2 box (possible), then the only question is software. I look forward to having a dependable system that works when I need it. Hopefully I may find that in a iMac.
I was initially really excited to see an iMac on Intel released. The fact that Apple is using Core Duo is even more enticing. I could see myself buying one of these instead of building an Athlon 64 X2 (or FX 60) system in the near future. The idea of dual booting WinXP almost had me losing control of certain reproductive organs.
The only thing holding me back from ordering one on Tuesday was that I wanted a review to confirm that the new iMac is fast and responsive (& I'm still waiting; there are like 8K Pc hardware sites and maybe 8 Apple hardware sites). Now comes EFI.
EFI, as I understand it, is an industry standard (led by Intel) to replace BIOS. No problems there - good riddance BIOS. The problem comes from EFI being part of the [un]trusted computing alliance. Where the various industries have decided that you can't be trusted to with your end of licenses and thus they force it upon you by making sure your computer cannot do things that violate licenses. Smells like Jobs/Apple are in competition with MS to see who can be more evil. Fortunately MS has a large lead (especially with the FAT patent being upheld). Still, I don't like it one bit.
I have to wonder how Jobs/Apple are going to apply the EFI with respects to DRM & license enforcement. I guess I have a bit longer before I buy myself a shiny white iMac...
Dear Judge [insert name here]. I have read that you have tentatively approved a settlement for lawsuits against [insert evil company name here]. The proposed settlement has struck me as being very generous to [insert evil company name here] for the infection of millions of computers with software that causes numerous security and stability issues. So I thought I would write this letter to try to convince you to increase fines & fees against [insert evil company name here] as well as produce actual useful compensation for the owners of computers that have been infected.
Imagine yourself in the following situation. You are the proud owner of a fine specimen of canine pedigree. In fact, to call it a dog would be a great insult. It is the love of your life and you have carefully trained it to be obedient & loving. You want it to live a long life so you feed it some food that is advertised as being very good for the health. Initially your pet loves the new food and everything is great. Then one day your loving pet starts getting violently ill & lethargic. You read that others pets that have eaten the same food are also sick. You contact the company and due to the public outcry they will send out an agent to help your pet. The company agent eventually comes out and after inspecting your sick pet he declares that he knows of a simple fix to get your pet moving again - he then takes a short run and kicks your poor pet in the rear. As your pet goes running off howling he claims the animal is now well and leaves. Soon after, you realize your pet is gravely ill and you must put it down. As you and other pet owners are discussing the outcome, you become outraged at such a heartless and cruel response from the company and start a large lawsuit. After months of talks and discussion you read a Judge will approve a settlement. You are thinking that the painful death of your beloved pet will not be in vain and that the evil company will be punished severely. Then you read the settlement agreement - the company will give you a free feral cat as well as one of two 'incentive' packages. Package one is $5 and 200 pounds of healthy cat food. Package two is your choice of three flavors of large boxes of healthy cat food. Needless to say you are again outraged and wish no end of poxes and plagues on the person and families of the Judge and company CEO.
Now, honorable Judge [insert name here], I ask you to please reconsider the flawed proposed settlement against [insert evil company name here]. The victims of this tragedy deserve so much more compensation, and [insert evil company name here] deserve so much more punishment.
Thank you.
The preceding is a fictional letter that would be sent if my computer(s) had been infected and I lived within the jurisdiction of this Judge.
The company written in the second paragraph of this article is in no manner representative of any company existing, having existed or existing in the future. In fact, the whole second paragraph is just an interesting fictional story inserted into a fictional letter for no reason at all save for extending said letter.
You should really go and check out the quality on an HD set. I thought my 51" was great until I saw a 57" with HD feed. Now I can't wait for BD-/HD-DVD players and media to hit the shelves.
HD is a small mountain in quality from SD DVD and a large mountain from SD TV.
According to a blurb in the Feb issue of CPU magazine, a 300 GB (with 20Mbps transfer) drive/disc should be available later this year. Probably overkill for a DVD killer, but could work for large collections (LotR, Star Wars, Alien and Star Trek - all in HD 7.1 multi-language audio track with all special bonus features - $1,999.99).
This is a step in one direction for retail. Similar to Walmart (et al) having self-checkout. It is a forward step, but a baby-step.
If you want a revolutionary step you would need to start a cash/currency replacement system using smart cards in a similar manner to what Japan had done. The key word here is replacement. Take five or ten years and eliminate cash in the entire country. Use anonymous smart cards that store up to $50 or $100 and are useful for small purchases (vending machines, etc.). Let people use credit/debit/check cards for larger purchases. The smart cards would have very short range wireless with upgradable firmware as well as strong encryption. A reader at an exit to a store could read your account info as well as the rfid of any carried merchandise and automagically charge you for purchase on exit. snail-mail or e-mail the receipt (along with receipt of credit for any rebates also automagically processed).
In my opinion, the top three items to kill of iTunes and the rest of the legal download sites are - insuffiecent quantity of music, lack of quality, and separate nationalized stores with differing content.
Despite what started off as a strong stream of content has now become a weak trickle. To compete with the filesharers the stores need to ramp up production and add more content. Once customers have bought the content they know they like, they will be waiting for more content (possibly even jumping providers to get it).
I really like iTunes, but 128 kbps is too low for some music. I have bought music that clips due to the low rate, and this has left me with a cautious attitude regarding further purchases. Stores should never let customers have bad experiences regarding purchases. Raise the bit rate even if it requires a multiple tier price scheme.
Nationality of internet based business really burns my britches. If you have a store on the internet why in hell would you limit yourself to only selling to customers in one country. If a customer is willing to pay the currency conversion factor, there is no reason why the customer should have any problem. iTunes has many separate 'stores' available and all have different content, so why can't I purchase music from the UK store? Or the Germany store? Or (damit) the Canadian store? This makes absolutely no sense to me as a ready-and-willing-to-pay customer. Lose the national stores with separate & different content and business will climb.
These aren't the be-all end-all for enhancements to the legal music download stores, but would be a good start.
I bought my HDTV knowing that there is limited available HD content. BD-/HD-DVD production is still a long time out; satellite HD is too expensive (have to pay for 200 channels I don't want to get the ~10 HD channels I do want); cable is limited by condo board; OTA is probably sub-par since there is a medical complex & college between me and the transmitters...
I use my HDTV for the 16:9 aspect it offers and I hope that BD-/HD-DVDs will be available soon.
The idea is to create a larger surface area to help with cooling. The fans, along with clips, are not needed. Instead of a slot A/1 HSF you could use a few memory cooling kits. If you wanted to get creative you could use thermal adhesive to attach some flat-head screws, tacks or nails to the brick. You just want to increase the surface area to get the heat away from the components & housing.
Then there is the simplest idea - in a well ventilated area put the brick on a flat surface with as much of the brick in the air as possible. Carefully arrange a desk fan to point at the brick. Using reasonable caution, turn on the desk fan. Cool brick.
The technical/geek solution to an overheating brick (psu) is simple. Use some zip ties to attach one or two old slot a/1 HSF to the overheating brick. Don't forget to use a good load of Arctic Silver (or thermal pads if you are not l33t) between the HSF and brick.
Two HSF @ $7.49 - $14.98 Two Arctiv Silver tubes @ $8.99 - $17.98
A reasonable total of $32.96 to solve yet another MS oversight.
Killer instinct had an episode about this a couple weeks back. The episode was called 'game over' and featured a killer using the levels on a video game as a plan for the crimes.
'People want see tv shows & videos on their PCs, and are willing to pay for the ability' is a premise that didn't really need testing. Just look at the shows, movies and videos on P2P and usenet as a good indicator that people want these content available on demand on their PC.
IMHO, I think the networks should be forced to provide the aired content for sale over the internet within one hour of the show being aired. The content should be available in two price tiers - with and without commercials. The content should be have DRM but also incorporate a 'managed copy' method. The content should be platform independant. The content should only be taken out of the download ability if a DVD type version is available (such as a series disc). And lastly, the content should be available in a version that looks reasonable on a SD/HD computer monitor (unlike iTune videos that look horrible on a computer monitor).
I like the fact that Apple has a deal going with one broadcast network, but I can't get over a 2.5" display. That will seriously hinder the usefulness to the over 30 market. I'm only 38 but I don't want to squint while watching shows, nor have to buy a third-party lens (anybody remember the first GBA?).
If I want portable media I'll buy an Archos AV-700 or just stick with my laptop. The Archos has a 7" screen and the laptop has a 15.4". Both have more than enough space for my iTunes collection and select DVDs.
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The iMac is very impressive - fast and responsive even with a full load of video encoders going (handbrake & ffmpegx). Even with those going I was still able to get Firefox open and loaded a site before the pc could get started getting the graphics for a site. The pc was only busy copying a 1.2GB file from the iMac.
Pc specs - 3.0Ghz P4 w/ HT Northwood core, 1GB memory.
iMac specs - stock Intel iMac with 1.5GB memory (+600MB memory unused).
The combination of OS X and CoreDuo has made me a very happy customer.
I have been hoping that Apple would at least have a sale or other purchase incentive during this anniversary. I've been thinking that jumping to Apple would now be a good idea. It is either jump or start researching a build for a new system that will make Vista shine. I could use a change of OS; Windows has probably not helped with the hypertension.
A new product like a video iPod or a 120 gig version of the current iPod would also be great.
Sennheiser makes some of the best headphones available, and at reasonable prices.
I've got two pairs of the HD-457 model, because they fit/feel great and sound wonderful, and a pair of HD-497 because it is slightly better sounding (but hurts after an hour).
Besides the poor choice of going into business that directly completes with his former employer, this guy allegedly made the other poor choice of using a 'wipe' utility to remove data.
... How about a group of graphics files that are public domain textures, traffic signs, fragments from websites (taken from browser cache), etc.. Another good group is music - record meetings and lectures then rename them to look like popular music titles. The final idea is to include some encrypted zip files with suggestive names - of course the files contained are renamed unix man docs. Just be sure to use the standard delete command to 'hide' the files from recovery.
What he should have done is used what I refer to as the general-use non-wipe routine. Basically, it involves simply deleting files you don't want/need, then filling the remaining drive space with 'wipe' files - various sized files filled with random or meaningless data and given random or misleading file names. Generate a group of base files, store on USB drives, then copy to the root directory of the target drive, renaming the files as you go. For extra fun, delete your 'wipe' files after you fill the drive. You could probably write a script to help, just make sure it is given an innocent name and stays on the USB drive.
It would be interesting to see the reaction of the managers and scavengers to finding a directory of hundreds of text files and then discovering that each file is a copy of unix man files, or five year old project documentation (that you had no part), or trek fan fiction, or
If you are brought into court like this poor guy your lawyer can argue that those files are there from the day-to-day use of the system. Nothing sinister or devious about those files.
Looks like these specials are already out on DVD...
Eric Idle's Personal Best
John Cleese's Personal Best(coming soon)
Graham Chapman's Personal Best(coming soon)
Terry Jones' Personal Best(coming soon)
Terry Gilliam's Personal Best(coming soon)
Michael Palin's Personal Best
The two that are released are already available on Netflix (with four to be available 28-Feb).
Yahoo, Google & MS should be fined for providing services that assist governments in censoring basic human rights. Since these companies are based in the US, and the US currently still honors some form of human rights (although maybe not signing the UN resolution), the US government should take action against these companies and in particular the companies that cause the arrest or detainment of an individual or group.
The only way I see that this censoring activity may be tolerated would be if the companies involved are wholly owned and operated by citizens of that country and without assistance by companies in foreign countries. For example - a Chinese company gets created that just happens to be named after a company in the US. The Chinese version of the US company is involved in human rights violations. As long as the US company is not in any way involved with the Chinese version, then all is fine. In the US company is involved then the US government should impose large fines against the US company for its involvement in human right violations.
No entity, or artificial entity, based wholly or partially, or doing business with any entity, artificial or otherwise, within the US should be tolerated having any part with the restriction, censorship or elimination of human rights (minimally defined by UN resolutions). The US government should work toward preserving human rights as well as democracy throughout the world.
A persons musical taste, band/artist loyalty and freedom to use the purchased content how- and where-ever wanted, is much greater than the brand or label that is controlling or selling the content. If I can find music I like that I can appreciate, or one of my favorite artists/bands in MP3/OGG format on the Internet for free (most liberal freedom of use), I will be a happy consumer. If I also want to support the artists/bands, then I will purchase from iTunes (fairly liberal freedom of use with DRM). In absolutely no point in my purchase or download decision is any consideration made to a brand or label.
t /etc...), discover what works for consumers and capitalistic pursuits and drop what doesn't work. The systems they start and continue with must be able to fully & equally support Independent artists/bands.
The music labels need to get over this competitive, dog-eat-dog, downward-spiral they are constantly pursuing. They need to get together and hammer out a few well thought-out plans/business-models and then all labels get fully behind all models. The models may be fixed-price per download like iTunes, a fix-price per month unlimited download, a license system (as mentioned above), and/or any number of other great ideas being floated here. They need to try these plans on a global scale (it is the Internet, not the USAnet/UKnet/Nipponet/Deutschnet/Canucknet/Sinone
Either produce ID to get through the checkpoint, or find another mode of travel. I have thought about government & business implementing actual security. I think about how the government could readily implement a universal ID card that would look like todays drivers licenses except without address & other data covering the outside (only need picture, name & part of universal ID). How such a card would hold enough biometric and pass-words/pass-phrases/pass-icons to provide nearly absolute ID (in far future it would hold also hold DNA data). The card with biometrics would be used for everything from retail, to starting your car (car would check ID against allowed drivers before starting, then capture card until car is parked & off), to unlocking the doors to your home/office/car/etc., to providing ID at government sites & businesses that desire additional security. The card would be the only ID you would ever need to carry. No need for cash/currency if you have the card since all bank/credit info is contained within - just choose the account to charge when at retail. If you have dental work done, the dentist will have a trusted update interface (update card data & update DHS). If you have surgery, the doctor/hospital will likewise have a trusted update interface. Naturally, the card would have several layers of strong encryption that would require detailed interaction with DHS databases to even begin to decrypt the 'common' layers. Updates to the encryption (and/or re-encryption of data) would be applied yearly.
That appears to be a good start. Reply when you think of something I didn't write...
I'll have to say that this lawsuit was made in poor judgment. The government & business has every right to expect you to produce identification before boarding an airliner. This ID check is not unreasonable nor troublesome to any passenger. Getting stopped/delayed from boarding because a single-dimensional ID check matched on a suspect ID is just stupidity on the part of the TSA.
Being subject to having carry-on baggage searched and walking through a metal detector also is not particularly unreasonable. Neither, IMHO, would be being scanned with a hand detector and/or 'sniffer' device (to detect drugs/explosives handling). It would be normal security for what amounts to being transported in a flying bomb with no/limited in-flight security.
A strip-/cavity-search would be where I would draw the line. Unless you provide me with very detailed information about your suspicions about what I am supposedly hiding on/in my body, I am not going to cooperate in any way whatsoever. If I passed a metal detector test, a hand scanner test and a 'sniffer' test, then you will not be able to provide me with any reasonable explanation for needing a strip-search (get a warrant for a cavity-search). Barring any reasonable explanation, it is a fourth amendment buster and I will not submit to it. I will leave and expect a full refund from the airline and/or TSA (or search authority) and that they should expect a lawsuit.
For the record, I am an independent with liberal leanings. I defend my civil, political and human rights when I believe they are being threatened.
Bzzt. Close, but that won't cut it. You buy a branded WinBox because it is cheap and effective. There are tons of choices and configurations and prices for WinBoxes, very few for Macs.
Why would you buy a Mac? IMHO - no idea. Maybe for the dependability ("crash?! what is a crash?" "viruses happen to pc people"), maybe because you are into the arts ("serious artists use Macs!"), or maybe you believe the market hype about being hip & cool ("you plug your nano into a pc? ewwww!").
I can tell you I am excited about these new Macs. Whether or not they can dual-boot Windows or if some third-party will develop a driver/application to run Windows apps (does Wine work under OS X?), I am seriously considering purchasing an iMac. If the performance is on par to an Athlon 64 X2 box (possible), then the only question is software. I look forward to having a dependable system that works when I need it. Hopefully I may find that in a iMac.
I was initially really excited to see an iMac on Intel released. The fact that Apple is using Core Duo is even more enticing. I could see myself buying one of these instead of building an Athlon 64 X2 (or FX 60) system in the near future. The idea of dual booting WinXP almost had me losing control of certain reproductive organs.
The only thing holding me back from ordering one on Tuesday was that I wanted a review to confirm that the new iMac is fast and responsive (& I'm still waiting; there are like 8K Pc hardware sites and maybe 8 Apple hardware sites). Now comes EFI.
EFI, as I understand it, is an industry standard (led by Intel) to replace BIOS. No problems there - good riddance BIOS. The problem comes from EFI being part of the [un]trusted computing alliance. Where the various industries have decided that you can't be trusted to with your end of licenses and thus they force it upon you by making sure your computer cannot do things that violate licenses. Smells like Jobs/Apple are in competition with MS to see who can be more evil. Fortunately MS has a large lead (especially with the FAT patent being upheld). Still, I don't like it one bit.
I have to wonder how Jobs/Apple are going to apply the EFI with respects to DRM & license enforcement. I guess I have a bit longer before I buy myself a shiny white iMac...
Yikes! No, no reference to anything at like that at all. Wow. Flew right under my radar. Sorry to anyone if I touched a nerve.
Dear Judge [insert name here]. I have read that you have tentatively approved a settlement for lawsuits against [insert evil company name here]. The proposed settlement has struck me as being very generous to [insert evil company name here] for the infection of millions of computers with software that causes numerous security and stability issues. So I thought I would write this letter to try to convince you to increase fines & fees against [insert evil company name here] as well as produce actual useful compensation for the owners of computers that have been infected.
Imagine yourself in the following situation. You are the proud owner of a fine specimen of canine pedigree. In fact, to call it a dog would be a great insult. It is the love of your life and you have carefully trained it to be obedient & loving. You want it to live a long life so you feed it some food that is advertised as being very good for the health. Initially your pet loves the new food and everything is great. Then one day your loving pet starts getting violently ill & lethargic. You read that others pets that have eaten the same food are also sick. You contact the company and due to the public outcry they will send out an agent to help your pet. The company agent eventually comes out and after inspecting your sick pet he declares that he knows of a simple fix to get your pet moving again - he then takes a short run and kicks your poor pet in the rear. As your pet goes running off howling he claims the animal is now well and leaves. Soon after, you realize your pet is gravely ill and you must put it down. As you and other pet owners are discussing the outcome, you become outraged at such a heartless and cruel response from the company and start a large lawsuit. After months of talks and discussion you read a Judge will approve a settlement. You are thinking that the painful death of your beloved pet will not be in vain and that the evil company will be punished severely. Then you read the settlement agreement - the company will give you a free feral cat as well as one of two 'incentive' packages. Package one is $5 and 200 pounds of healthy cat food. Package two is your choice of three flavors of large boxes of healthy cat food. Needless to say you are again outraged and wish no end of poxes and plagues on the person and families of the Judge and company CEO.
Now, honorable Judge [insert name here], I ask you to please reconsider the flawed proposed settlement against [insert evil company name here]. The victims of this tragedy deserve so much more compensation, and [insert evil company name here] deserve so much more punishment.
Thank you.
The preceding is a fictional letter that would be sent if my computer(s) had been infected and I lived within the jurisdiction of this Judge.
The company written in the second paragraph of this article is in no manner representative of any company existing, having existed or existing in the future. In fact, the whole second paragraph is just an interesting fictional story inserted into a fictional letter for no reason at all save for extending said letter.
You should really go and check out the quality on an HD set. I thought my 51" was great until I saw a 57" with HD feed. Now I can't wait for BD-/HD-DVD players and media to hit the shelves.
HD is a small mountain in quality from SD DVD and a large mountain from SD TV.
According to a blurb in the Feb issue of CPU magazine, a 300 GB (with 20Mbps transfer) drive/disc should be available later this year. Probably overkill for a DVD killer, but could work for large collections (LotR, Star Wars, Alien and Star Trek - all in HD 7.1 multi-language audio track with all special bonus features - $1,999.99).
This is a step in one direction for retail. Similar to Walmart (et al) having self-checkout. It is a forward step, but a baby-step.
If you want a revolutionary step you would need to start a cash/currency replacement system using smart cards in a similar manner to what Japan had done. The key word here is replacement. Take five or ten years and eliminate cash in the entire country. Use anonymous smart cards that store up to $50 or $100 and are useful for small purchases (vending machines, etc.). Let people use credit/debit/check cards for larger purchases. The smart cards would have very short range wireless with upgradable firmware as well as strong encryption. A reader at an exit to a store could read your account info as well as the rfid of any carried merchandise and automagically charge you for purchase on exit. snail-mail or e-mail the receipt (along with receipt of credit for any rebates also automagically processed).
That would be revolutionary.
In my opinion, the top three items to kill of iTunes and the rest of the legal download sites are - insuffiecent quantity of music, lack of quality, and separate nationalized stores with differing content.
Despite what started off as a strong stream of content has now become a weak trickle. To compete with the filesharers the stores need to ramp up production and add more content. Once customers have bought the content they know they like, they will be waiting for more content (possibly even jumping providers to get it).
I really like iTunes, but 128 kbps is too low for some music. I have bought music that clips due to the low rate, and this has left me with a cautious attitude regarding further purchases. Stores should never let customers have bad experiences regarding purchases. Raise the bit rate even if it requires a multiple tier price scheme.
Nationality of internet based business really burns my britches. If you have a store on the internet why in hell would you limit yourself to only selling to customers in one country. If a customer is willing to pay the currency conversion factor, there is no reason why the customer should have any problem. iTunes has many separate 'stores' available and all have different content, so why can't I purchase music from the UK store? Or the Germany store? Or (damit) the Canadian store? This makes absolutely no sense to me as a ready-and-willing-to-pay customer. Lose the national stores with separate & different content and business will climb.
These aren't the be-all end-all for enhancements to the legal music download stores, but would be a good start.
If you are old enough to remember this series, when MTV actually played music videos, then this is the only Aeon Flux series you want...
1 34311210
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B8I9XQ/qid=1
Accept no live-action, wanna-be, bottom of barrel, low-rating imposter.
I bought my HDTV knowing that there is limited available HD content. BD-/HD-DVD production is still a long time out; satellite HD is too expensive (have to pay for 200 channels I don't want to get the ~10 HD channels I do want); cable is limited by condo board; OTA is probably sub-par since there is a medical complex & college between me and the transmitters...
I use my HDTV for the 16:9 aspect it offers and I hope that BD-/HD-DVDs will be available soon.
[sigh]
The idea is to create a larger surface area to help with cooling. The fans, along with clips, are not needed. Instead of a slot A/1 HSF you could use a few memory cooling kits. If you wanted to get creative you could use thermal adhesive to attach some flat-head screws, tacks or nails to the brick. You just want to increase the surface area to get the heat away from the components & housing.
Then there is the simplest idea - in a well ventilated area put the brick on a flat surface with as much of the brick in the air as possible. Carefully arrange a desk fan to point at the brick. Using reasonable caution, turn on the desk fan. Cool brick.
The technical/geek solution to an overheating brick (psu) is simple. Use some zip ties to attach one or two old slot a/1 HSF to the overheating brick. Don't forget to use a good load of Arctic Silver (or thermal pads if you are not l33t) between the HSF and brick.
Two HSF @ $7.49 - $14.98
Two Arctiv Silver tubes @ $8.99 - $17.98
A reasonable total of $32.96 to solve yet another MS oversight.
Killer instinct had an episode about this a couple weeks back. The episode was called 'game over' and featured a killer using the levels on a video game as a plan for the crimes.
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More info is available here - http://www.tv.com/killer-instinct/game-over/episo
'People want see tv shows & videos on their PCs, and are willing to pay for the ability' is a premise that didn't really need testing. Just look at the shows, movies and videos on P2P and usenet as a good indicator that people want these content available on demand on their PC.
IMHO, I think the networks should be forced to provide the aired content for sale over the internet within one hour of the show being aired. The content should be available in two price tiers - with and without commercials. The content should be have DRM but also incorporate a 'managed copy' method. The content should be platform independant. The content should only be taken out of the download ability if a DVD type version is available (such as a series disc). And lastly, the content should be available in a version that looks reasonable on a SD/HD computer monitor (unlike iTune videos that look horrible on a computer monitor).
I like the fact that Apple has a deal going with one broadcast network, but I can't get over a 2.5" display. That will seriously hinder the usefulness to the over 30 market. I'm only 38 but I don't want to squint while watching shows, nor have to buy a third-party lens (anybody remember the first GBA?).
If I want portable media I'll buy an Archos AV-700 or just stick with my laptop. The Archos has a 7" screen and the laptop has a 15.4". Both have more than enough space for my iTunes collection and select DVDs.