Funny how a couple hundred million can make someone change their minds:)
On the otherside its all just rumors until the cameras start rolling....
I'll bet that he would try to get this deal inked before his next stinker hits the theaters. I didn't see EPII in theaters, and I won't go see EPIII either. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice... can't get fooled again. It was (barely) worth a DVD rental. But it was only about 1 hour long, what with all the fast-forwarding.
How funny you should mention Mandrake. I just downloaded and installed it this weekend on a laptop. I had previously had Knoppix installed to the hard drive. It was working great until I tried to update to KDE 3.3. I later find out "Knoppix = Debian+" and that apt-get in Knoppix (installed) doesn't work 100%. Instead of taking the suggestion to try pure Debian, I thought I'd try Mandrake. What follows is my experience installing it. I have installed several distros, and have been a Linux user since Redhat 5.something.
1. During the install, while selecting packages, the OK and Cancel buttons disappeared. I have no idea what happened. In order to finish the install, I had to tab around the screen until I found whatever button it was that would let me continue. Rather annoying. Other than that, I liked the way the install groups packages into categories.
2. Configuring X. Ugh. Why is this such a pain? Luckily, it was configurable via a GUI, where I can just choose and test options, but it is still annoying. I was installing it on a Dell Inspiron 8000, and it auto-detected it as a flat panel. I didn't see any options for a laptop, so I had to assume this would work. However, setting the resolution to 1024x768 just made it a small box in the middle of the screen. I had to set it to 1600x1400 or something crazy like that. That was the only way I could get the display to go to the edge of the screen. But now everything is unbelievably tiny. Sure, it can be configured, but I thought we were beyond those days. Knoppix seemed to get it right the very first time. Is this hardware detection closed source? Why can't other distros adopt this? Knoppix is no longer "new and revolutionary", distros should have this implemented by now.
3. Tapping the touchpad isn't recognized as a mouse click. I didn't find a mouse option for "touchpad" either. Did it not recognize it, or do I have to download something and install it? I can solve this one, but it is something I shouldn't have to worry about solving.
Overall, the install was nice, except for the disappearing buttons. And the X config. Maybe those were just my issues with the laptop. I haven't really used it much, but I did download and install WINE. I tried to launch a simple program that I knew worked under Knoppix/WINE, and it failed. It said something about not being able to find Xmessage. More searching on the internet I guess. Oh, when I installed WINE, I downloaded the rpm and installed it from the command line. I had tried to launch Mandrake's software installer, but after providing the root password when it prompted me, the application never came up. I tried it a couple of times with no luck. Not sure what is going on there. At this point, if I can resolve the current issues without too much trouble, I may keep Mandrake on this laptop, but I can't say I am itching to pay money to join the Mandrake club though.
Many people agree that democrats and republicans are not that far apart on the issues - nobody wants people to go without food, healthcare, shelter, education... what we differ on is how best to accomplish those goals.
No, I think the difference between the two parties is who they believe should get the food, healthcare, shelter, and education.
Fun aside: There are alternatives. If you want to have the latest glitz, maybe testing is the right choice for you. Did you take a look at the new sarge installer?
I found a different alternative - Mandrake.
It was one of the big distros that I hadn't played with yet, so I downloaded it and installed it. Some rather odd quirks in the install and a few problems after the fact, but so far so good. I know this isn't the time or the place, but why not list them?
1. During the install, while selecting packages, the OK and Cancel buttons disappeared. I have no idea what happened. In order to finish the install, I had to tab around the screen until I found whatever button it was that would let me continue. Rather annoying. Other than that, I liked the way the install groups packages into categories.
2. Configuring X. Ugh. Why is this such a pain? Luckily, it was configurable via a GUI, where I can just choose and test options, but it is still annoying. I was installing it on a Dell Inspiron 8000, and it auto-detected it as a flat panel. I didn't see any options for a laptop, so I had to assume this would work. However, setting the resolution to 1024x768 just made it a small box in the middle of the screen. I had to set it to 1600x1400 or something crazy like that. That was the only way I could get the display to go to the edge of the screen. But now everything is unbelievably tiny. Sure, it can be configured, but I thought we were beyond those days. Knoppix seemed to get it right the very first time. Is this hardware detection closed source? Why can't other distros adopt this? Knoppix is no longer "new and revolutionary", distros should have this implemented by now.
3. Tapping the touchpad isn't recognized as a mouse click. I didn't find a mouse option for "touchpad" either. Did it not recognize it, or do I have to download something and install it? I can solve this one, but it is something I shouldn't have to worry about solving.
Overall, the install was nice, except for the disappearing buttons. And the X config. Maybe those were just my issues with the laptop. I haven't really used it much, but I did download and install WINE. I tried to launch a simple program that I knew worked under Knoppix/WINE, and it failed. It said something about not being able to find Xmessage. More searching on the internet I guess. Oh, when I installed WINE, I downloaded the rpm and installed it from the command line. I had tried to launch Mandrake's software installer, but after providing the root password when it prompted me, the application never came up. I tried it a couple of times with no luck. Not sure what is going on there. At this point, if I can resolve the current issues without too much trouble, I may keep Mandrake on this laptop, but I can't say I am itching to pay money to join the Mandrake club though.
Re:finding cheats easy too
on
Cheating Made Easy
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· Score: 2, Insightful
My wife teaches at a university, and each year many of the first essay assignments she sets are copied straight off the internet, maybe with a bit of cut'n'pasting but often just a straight copy. We spend half an hour Googling phrases that the students were unlikely to have written (look for the long words!) and i'll bet we find 9 out of 10 sources. A written warning and a lecture from the head of studies and the problem is solved until the next year. Maybe 1 in 10 are smart enough to cover their sources so we can't prove they cheated, but, hey, that almost counts as research...;-)
My wife has taught at university too (French). She can tell when someone uses an internet translator for large amounts of text. Come on, we know that babelfish isn't supposed to make perfect translations, and we have seen the funny results.
If they do use one, or buy a paper off the internet, they fail the course - no questions asked. They are told, up front and several times in writing, that if they do this they will be caught and they will fail. And they still do it. It is amazing. Usually a quick trip to google for some phrases will uncover the source, but sometimes it is more subtle. Even if she knows that they cheated, unless she can prove it they get away with it. But those things usually take care of themselves. They will cheat again and again, and eventually get caught. Or they will just not learn anything. It is kind of tough to pass a course without learning anything.
The only time I somewhat cheated in classes was when I had to retake a class. The instructor was a hard ass, and required a certain percentage AVERAGE on the tests. On one test, he refused to grade it on a curve, and it was really hard. I failed, as did about 80% of the class. The problem was that my percentage on that one test knocked down my average such that I couldn't pass the class (C or better in major). So I had to retake it. Because of scheduling conflicts, I didn't retake it until a year later. There were several people in there that were in it the first time I took it. When he handed out the first programming lab, I caught the other guys smiling too - the same ones. He used all the same programming labs. I didn't cheat, because I used my own work, but it is amazing how much cleaner your code is once you already have a working version of it. It is also amazing how much easier a class can be the second time you take it. I almost got a perfect score for the entire class.
It has always been odd to me that people would cheat so much. They would put a lot of effort into it, and it was a constant struggle to keep up with it. It is funny to me that knowledge, even in something you aren't interested in, is avoided. I wonder if this is a by-product of our quick-fix culture, or if this affects other countries as well.
If you want to be pedantic, the i in iTunes isn't a pronoun, but an abbreviation of "internet". Additionally, since the development team is trying to convey a specific agenda, the name is appropriate.
Well if they are hackers, shouldn't they be misspelling something? Maybe "hourTunes" or "RTunes" would be more fitting.
P.S.: I really love Knoppix. Its very useful. Just don't knoppix-installer && apt-get update && apt-get upgrade || apt-get dist-upgrade and complain. You missed some warnings, dude. They're all over the place.
That's no what I always heard. I always heard "Knoppix is a great way to get Debian installed." Now I know. Luckily this wasn't on my main machine or I would be kind of pissed.
Maybe there is a way to "apt-get revert" or something, but I didn't see it. I guess my overall point is that for all that I heard about how simple and brain-dead-easy apt-get was, it CAN have issues. You say "if only I'd used Debian", but I would be leery of that now. This is one of those hurdles that the OSS community needs to overcome to make it into the average computer (if that is even a goal). As far as I was concerned, Knoppix was Debian+. Apt-get was part of Debian. Apt-get messed up. Therefore, if I would have installed pure Debian, the result wouldm't have been different. (You say differently, but am I willing to take that chance?)
Think of it like this: You have to seem to qualify lots of statements with OSS. "apt-get rocks! (but only if you use pure Debian)" "Knoppix rules! (but don't install it and then expect apt-get to work)" "Mplayer is awesome! (if you can get it compiled and installed. Oh, you have to get the right codecs)"
Don't get me wrong, I love OSS. I am just trying to be critical of it where it needs improvement. And I would just like to temper that with the statement "IF it is going to make it to the average home user". I am not convinced that it needs to.
Well, I was able to unhose it, somewhat. I had to uninstall openoffice-de-en, then KDE installed OK. I am not sure what exactly that was for. Hope I don't need it. I probably wouldn't have uninstalled that except that I don't really use this laptop for much.
You know, I have heard nothing but good things about Debian's apt-get, but I haven't had such a good experience with it. I installed Knoppix 3.4 on a Dell Inspiron 8000 laptop, and was pretty happy with it until I tried to update some packages with apt-get. I couldn't figure out how to get mplayer. I tried to upgrade to KDE 3.3 using the command you listed, and there were dependency problems. I couldn't fix it. So now I don't have KDE at all, I am running icewm. I'll probably install a non-Debian distro. I don't know if I want to go through the hassle.
Jesus. I have been using Linux for 5 years, and installing software is still the main stumbling block. Apt-get is great when it works, but when it doesn't it isn't any better than RPM or compiling from source.
5 *years*?!?
Why would you *not* think that 5 years later memory chips would have become much, much more cheap?
Uhhh, for the same reason that I don't know what will come in the next five years? Namely, I can't see into the FUTURE!
I know technology advances, but back then I never would have thought digital cameras would have come as far as they have in 5 years. Of course looking back on it is different. But in my mindset at the time, I had no idea. Just like I never thought I would have a DVD burner in my PC, because I couldn't even afford a CD burner then. I think a 4x burner was $300! Now you can get an 8x DVD burner for less than 1/3 of that.
So yes, I will continue to be amazed at the advances in technology.
*sigh* I am sure others have a similar experience, but I bought a 2MP Kodak (DC280) back when they were $600. That was when I worked for a company that actually gave out bonuses. Don't get me wrong, I am really glad that I got it, but wow. I never would have guessed that 5 years later a $20 disposable camera would be of comparable quality. (I know mine probably takes better pictures, but it also weighs about 30 lbs and eats batteries like Cowboy Neal eats tacos).
Any way you look at it, their speech is no longer free. They are having to seek other means of expression, or they are having to take measures to overcome opression to express their ideas.
Holy crap, I never thought I would agree that Republicans were being opressed!
Must... not... engage... in... schadenfreude.
Actually, while this gives me a little smile at first, I truly don't want there to be any doubt about the upcoming election. I mean, it would be embarassing to have a Presidential election where the results were inconclusive and suspect.
Re:Box Set (Showgirls?)
on
Star Wars on DVD
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· Score: 0, Flamebait
I'm waiting for the super-special-extended-ultra-remastered-digitally- enhanced mega super version box set of all 6 movies.
Six!? Why on earth would you want EP1-3? (I'm going with the overwhelming probability that EP3 will SUCK). Actually, I have a feeling that if they are ever remastered, they will be done even worse. So they will be complete train wrecks that will be watched for their absolute ridiculousness. Kind of like Showgirls, but without the nudity.
Re:Why (it is part of the slashdot ecosystem)
on
Word Up
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· Score: 2, Insightful
Why is anything that involves knowledge or thinking beyond "which reality show is on tonight?" described by name-calling?
I thought so at first, but consider the source of the insult. This is Slashdot, you have to toe the line and like what everyone else likes. Obviously many of the rubes who haunt this place aren't very well rounded people. They think spelling is unimportant. They love anime, Star Trek, LOTR, and acronyms.
Or perhaps this story is just following a trend I have noticed. Slight jabs within the posted story to "fire up" the discussion. After all, the people who post responses to the discussion make up the bulk of Slashdot's content. Without the discussion, there isn't much to see here. The diatribes, rants, quips, and flames are the fuel for further diatribes, rants, quips and flames. And the occasional informed post. I mean, just look at my first paragraph. You think that won't get a few responses?:) That is just how things work around here.
I had to grin when you referred to the tray programs as TSRs. You've been doing this awhile, eh?
From everything2.com:
TSR: an acronym from the words Testosterone Sterilized (female) Rat. A TSR manifests the persistent estrus syndrome. Lacking ovulatory cycles, she is sterile. The condition is induced experimentally by injections of testosterone prior to the age of eleven days. The first five days of life are the most sensitive or critical ones. Smaller doses are then effective. The effect is life-long.
So TSRs are sterilized vermin with teeth but no balls. Sounds about right.
Where does he imply all OSS software is high quality?
The second he says "high quality". The article has nothing to do with quality, and is only about the cost. That is why it is implied and not explicitly stated. If you read the whole blurb, it is about economics, the comment about high quality was thrown in to give credibility to OSS in a discussion where it wasn't an issue in question.
I am a proponent of OSS, but I want to promote it honestly. The only way for it to improve is to look at it honestly and openly. This is a good article, and people should read it. But you really have to watch the rhetoric when talking about OSS, it can cast you in a bad light.
Honestly, these are a good idea. National ID cards are a good idea.
The PROBLEM is that our government is too untrustworthy to implement these without abusing them. Seriously, if I could trust my government with my information, I wouldn't mind a national ID card. But the fact of the matter is, this country (the US) is hopelessly up corporate America's butt. Any benefit to a system like this, or a national ID card, would be quickly nullified by abuse.
The poster says: Does wide availability of high quality, low cost software harm or help the world's economy?
This of course assumes that OSS = high quality. That is definitely NOT always the case. OSS is just software, and can be good or bad quality. That being said, talk amongst yourselves...
Uh, yeah they do. Been working great since 97.[snip] I have no clue when it became so fucking fashionable to complain about cell phones here. There are a lot of people these days that don't even have a landline because their cell phone handles the job just fine. So spare us al the "basic voice features" karma-whoring line. Every single story that mentions cell phones has one of these comments modded up, even though it's so obviously wrong.
Complain about something legitimate, and you are trying to be fashionable? Wow. I guess I have been fashionable since 2000. That is when I ditched my cellphone because it was a pointless cost. It is a sheer convenience that people have treated like a necessity. I had the first StarTac that Motorola produced, back in 96 I think. It was analog. Phones today give no better call quality than that phone did then. Once I realized that "digital" was no better than analog, I got rid of it. My wife and I have a pre-paid phone for emergency use only, and spend about $10 a month on it. We rarely use it, it simply isn't necessary. I don't know where you live, but I live near Chicago, and call quality sucks here. I get sick of hearing people yelling "Hello? Hello?" into their phones, or worse yet see people driving and trying to figure out if the call got dropped or not. And Nextel has their cool 2-way service, but I have never been able to understand what anyone is saying using that.
Don't believe the hype, you don't need a cellphone.
To answer the question of "Why do they keep making and selling crappy features instead of improving call quality", I have to ask: "Why do you have a cell phone? Have you given them a reason to improve call quality?" If you own a phone now, and keep signing contracts every year or two, then you are showing them that it doesn't MATTER if call quality sucks, people will still sign on the dotted line.
You're showing your age.:-)
*Enter old hacker*
I remember when we didn't have these fancy-assed weeeeeeeeb browsers. All we had was telnet and FTP, and we LIKED it. And sometimes the server you wanted to use didn't have anonymous-FTP, so you had to crack the box - but that was easy then since everyone's root password was 'root' anyways.
Oy! We were real men then.
*Exit old hacker*
Crap. Usually when you read these "I remember when" rants they are funny because they are so over the top that you realize nobody could really think like that.
Slashdot Mirror
I'll bet that he would try to get this deal inked before his next stinker hits the theaters. I didn't see EPII in theaters, and I won't go see EPIII either. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice... can't get fooled again. It was (barely) worth a DVD rental. But it was only about 1 hour long, what with all the fast-forwarding.
1. During the install, while selecting packages, the OK and Cancel buttons disappeared. I have no idea what happened. In order to finish the install, I had to tab around the screen until I found whatever button it was that would let me continue. Rather annoying. Other than that, I liked the way the install groups packages into categories. 2. Configuring X. Ugh. Why is this such a pain? Luckily, it was configurable via a GUI, where I can just choose and test options, but it is still annoying. I was installing it on a Dell Inspiron 8000, and it auto-detected it as a flat panel. I didn't see any options for a laptop, so I had to assume this would work. However, setting the resolution to 1024x768 just made it a small box in the middle of the screen. I had to set it to 1600x1400 or something crazy like that. That was the only way I could get the display to go to the edge of the screen. But now everything is unbelievably tiny. Sure, it can be configured, but I thought we were beyond those days. Knoppix seemed to get it right the very first time. Is this hardware detection closed source? Why can't other distros adopt this? Knoppix is no longer "new and revolutionary", distros should have this implemented by now. 3. Tapping the touchpad isn't recognized as a mouse click. I didn't find a mouse option for "touchpad" either. Did it not recognize it, or do I have to download something and install it? I can solve this one, but it is something I shouldn't have to worry about solving. Overall, the install was nice, except for the disappearing buttons. And the X config. Maybe those were just my issues with the laptop. I haven't really used it much, but I did download and install WINE. I tried to launch a simple program that I knew worked under Knoppix/WINE, and it failed. It said something about not being able to find Xmessage. More searching on the internet I guess. Oh, when I installed WINE, I downloaded the rpm and installed it from the command line. I had tried to launch Mandrake's software installer, but after providing the root password when it prompted me, the application never came up. I tried it a couple of times with no luck. Not sure what is going on there. At this point, if I can resolve the current issues without too much trouble, I may keep Mandrake on this laptop, but I can't say I am itching to pay money to join the Mandrake club though.
No, I think the difference between the two parties is who they believe should get the food, healthcare, shelter, and education.
I found a different alternative - Mandrake. It was one of the big distros that I hadn't played with yet, so I downloaded it and installed it. Some rather odd quirks in the install and a few problems after the fact, but so far so good. I know this isn't the time or the place, but why not list them?
1. During the install, while selecting packages, the OK and Cancel buttons disappeared. I have no idea what happened. In order to finish the install, I had to tab around the screen until I found whatever button it was that would let me continue. Rather annoying. Other than that, I liked the way the install groups packages into categories.
2. Configuring X. Ugh. Why is this such a pain? Luckily, it was configurable via a GUI, where I can just choose and test options, but it is still annoying. I was installing it on a Dell Inspiron 8000, and it auto-detected it as a flat panel. I didn't see any options for a laptop, so I had to assume this would work. However, setting the resolution to 1024x768 just made it a small box in the middle of the screen. I had to set it to 1600x1400 or something crazy like that. That was the only way I could get the display to go to the edge of the screen. But now everything is unbelievably tiny. Sure, it can be configured, but I thought we were beyond those days. Knoppix seemed to get it right the very first time. Is this hardware detection closed source? Why can't other distros adopt this? Knoppix is no longer "new and revolutionary", distros should have this implemented by now.
3. Tapping the touchpad isn't recognized as a mouse click. I didn't find a mouse option for "touchpad" either. Did it not recognize it, or do I have to download something and install it? I can solve this one, but it is something I shouldn't have to worry about solving.
Overall, the install was nice, except for the disappearing buttons. And the X config. Maybe those were just my issues with the laptop. I haven't really used it much, but I did download and install WINE. I tried to launch a simple program that I knew worked under Knoppix/WINE, and it failed. It said something about not being able to find Xmessage. More searching on the internet I guess. Oh, when I installed WINE, I downloaded the rpm and installed it from the command line. I had tried to launch Mandrake's software installer, but after providing the root password when it prompted me, the application never came up. I tried it a couple of times with no luck. Not sure what is going on there. At this point, if I can resolve the current issues without too much trouble, I may keep Mandrake on this laptop, but I can't say I am itching to pay money to join the Mandrake club though.
My wife has taught at university too (French). She can tell when someone uses an internet translator for large amounts of text. Come on, we know that babelfish isn't supposed to make perfect translations, and we have seen the funny results.
If they do use one, or buy a paper off the internet, they fail the course - no questions asked. They are told, up front and several times in writing, that if they do this they will be caught and they will fail. And they still do it. It is amazing. Usually a quick trip to google for some phrases will uncover the source, but sometimes it is more subtle. Even if she knows that they cheated, unless she can prove it they get away with it. But those things usually take care of themselves. They will cheat again and again, and eventually get caught. Or they will just not learn anything. It is kind of tough to pass a course without learning anything.
The only time I somewhat cheated in classes was when I had to retake a class. The instructor was a hard ass, and required a certain percentage AVERAGE on the tests. On one test, he refused to grade it on a curve, and it was really hard. I failed, as did about 80% of the class. The problem was that my percentage on that one test knocked down my average such that I couldn't pass the class (C or better in major). So I had to retake it. Because of scheduling conflicts, I didn't retake it until a year later. There were several people in there that were in it the first time I took it. When he handed out the first programming lab, I caught the other guys smiling too - the same ones. He used all the same programming labs. I didn't cheat, because I used my own work, but it is amazing how much cleaner your code is once you already have a working version of it. It is also amazing how much easier a class can be the second time you take it. I almost got a perfect score for the entire class.
It has always been odd to me that people would cheat so much. They would put a lot of effort into it, and it was a constant struggle to keep up with it. It is funny to me that knowledge, even in something you aren't interested in, is avoided. I wonder if this is a by-product of our quick-fix culture, or if this affects other countries as well.
Well if they are hackers, shouldn't they be misspelling something? Maybe "hourTunes" or "RTunes" would be more fitting.
And Bush Jr. used the U.S. Military.
That's no what I always heard. I always heard "Knoppix is a great way to get Debian installed." Now I know. Luckily this wasn't on my main machine or I would be kind of pissed.
Maybe there is a way to "apt-get revert" or something, but I didn't see it. I guess my overall point is that for all that I heard about how simple and brain-dead-easy apt-get was, it CAN have issues. You say "if only I'd used Debian", but I would be leery of that now. This is one of those hurdles that the OSS community needs to overcome to make it into the average computer (if that is even a goal). As far as I was concerned, Knoppix was Debian+. Apt-get was part of Debian. Apt-get messed up. Therefore, if I would have installed pure Debian, the result wouldm't have been different. (You say differently, but am I willing to take that chance?)
Think of it like this: You have to seem to qualify lots of statements with OSS. "apt-get rocks! (but only if you use pure Debian)" "Knoppix rules! (but don't install it and then expect apt-get to work)" "Mplayer is awesome! (if you can get it compiled and installed. Oh, you have to get the right codecs)"
Don't get me wrong, I love OSS. I am just trying to be critical of it where it needs improvement. And I would just like to temper that with the statement "IF it is going to make it to the average home user". I am not convinced that it needs to.
Well, I was able to unhose it, somewhat. I had to uninstall openoffice-de-en, then KDE installed OK. I am not sure what exactly that was for. Hope I don't need it. I probably wouldn't have uninstalled that except that I don't really use this laptop for much.
Jesus. I have been using Linux for 5 years, and installing software is still the main stumbling block. Apt-get is great when it works, but when it doesn't it isn't any better than RPM or compiling from source.
Uhhh, for the same reason that I don't know what will come in the next five years? Namely, I can't see into the FUTURE!
I know technology advances, but back then I never would have thought digital cameras would have come as far as they have in 5 years. Of course looking back on it is different. But in my mindset at the time, I had no idea. Just like I never thought I would have a DVD burner in my PC, because I couldn't even afford a CD burner then. I think a 4x burner was $300! Now you can get an 8x DVD burner for less than 1/3 of that.
So yes, I will continue to be amazed at the advances in technology.
*sigh* I am sure others have a similar experience, but I bought a 2MP Kodak (DC280) back when they were $600. That was when I worked for a company that actually gave out bonuses. Don't get me wrong, I am really glad that I got it, but wow. I never would have guessed that 5 years later a $20 disposable camera would be of comparable quality. (I know mine probably takes better pictures, but it also weighs about 30 lbs and eats batteries like Cowboy Neal eats tacos).
I am wondering if anyone got the irony of the title of the article, and if it was worded like that on purpose.
Holy crap, I never thought I would agree that Republicans were being opressed!
Must ... not ... engage ... in ... schadenfreude.
Actually, while this gives me a little smile at first, I truly don't want there to be any doubt about the upcoming election. I mean, it would be embarassing to have a Presidential election where the results were inconclusive and suspect.
Six!? Why on earth would you want EP1-3? (I'm going with the overwhelming probability that EP3 will SUCK). Actually, I have a feeling that if they are ever remastered, they will be done even worse. So they will be complete train wrecks that will be watched for their absolute ridiculousness. Kind of like Showgirls, but without the nudity.
I thought so at first, but consider the source of the insult. This is Slashdot, you have to toe the line and like what everyone else likes. Obviously many of the rubes who haunt this place aren't very well rounded people. They think spelling is unimportant. They love anime, Star Trek, LOTR, and acronyms.
Or perhaps this story is just following a trend I have noticed. Slight jabs within the posted story to "fire up" the discussion. After all, the people who post responses to the discussion make up the bulk of Slashdot's content. Without the discussion, there isn't much to see here. The diatribes, rants, quips, and flames are the fuel for further diatribes, rants, quips and flames. And the occasional informed post. I mean, just look at my first paragraph. You think that won't get a few responses? :) That is just how things work around here.
From everything2.com:
So TSRs are sterilized vermin with teeth but no balls. Sounds about right.
Maybe someone needs to create WinPatchoppix, a Knoppix variant that you boot up and it runs Windows Update under WINE to install the latest patches.
The second he says "high quality". The article has nothing to do with quality, and is only about the cost. That is why it is implied and not explicitly stated. If you read the whole blurb, it is about economics, the comment about high quality was thrown in to give credibility to OSS in a discussion where it wasn't an issue in question.
I am a proponent of OSS, but I want to promote it honestly. The only way for it to improve is to look at it honestly and openly. This is a good article, and people should read it. But you really have to watch the rhetoric when talking about OSS, it can cast you in a bad light.
The PROBLEM is that our government is too untrustworthy to implement these without abusing them. Seriously, if I could trust my government with my information, I wouldn't mind a national ID card. But the fact of the matter is, this country (the US) is hopelessly up corporate America's butt. Any benefit to a system like this, or a national ID card, would be quickly nullified by abuse.
This of course assumes that OSS = high quality. That is definitely NOT always the case. OSS is just software, and can be good or bad quality. That being said, talk amongst yourselves...
Complain about something legitimate, and you are trying to be fashionable? Wow. I guess I have been fashionable since 2000. That is when I ditched my cellphone because it was a pointless cost. It is a sheer convenience that people have treated like a necessity. I had the first StarTac that Motorola produced, back in 96 I think. It was analog. Phones today give no better call quality than that phone did then. Once I realized that "digital" was no better than analog, I got rid of it. My wife and I have a pre-paid phone for emergency use only, and spend about $10 a month on it. We rarely use it, it simply isn't necessary. I don't know where you live, but I live near Chicago, and call quality sucks here. I get sick of hearing people yelling "Hello? Hello?" into their phones, or worse yet see people driving and trying to figure out if the call got dropped or not. And Nextel has their cool 2-way service, but I have never been able to understand what anyone is saying using that.
Don't believe the hype, you don't need a cellphone.
To answer the question of "Why do they keep making and selling crappy features instead of improving call quality", I have to ask: "Why do you have a cell phone? Have you given them a reason to improve call quality?" If you own a phone now, and keep signing contracts every year or two, then you are showing them that it doesn't MATTER if call quality sucks, people will still sign on the dotted line.
And nitpick what other people write.
Oh, it shouldn't be called "mail-order" if you use the internet to order it, fucktard!
Crap. Usually when you read these "I remember when" rants they are funny because they are so over the top that you realize nobody could really think like that.
I found myself agreeing with this one. Dammit.
Gotta go chase some kids off my lawn...
It's irrelevant. I run Linux.
I wish more people had this impression of it.