I don't dispute that they use "free" software, just not hardware. Their primary business model is to sell interface cards or turnkey systems. That's why they purchased Switchvox a few years ago.
The difference is that an individual couldn't really use the schematic to clone the TV. Even if you could locate all the same parts and put them together, it still might not work because of the tolerance of the analog parts. You had to tweak things to get it right.
You just can't compare the analog and digital worlds.
What makes you think that boomers are sending a lot of emails from their phones today? Or own a music player?
I'm a boomer and the reason I have a Droid is because I got it for free for attending an Android seminar online. The display is a nice size for dialing, but nothing else is really optimized for image-impaired folks.
On the other hand the boomers are getting older and their eyesight is getting weaker, so expect to see a lot of growth in geezer-phones like jitterbug.
So I'd say the predictions of the death of non-smartphones is greatly exaggerated.
Gates should have paid Steve Jobs to propose it. That way the summary would have said something like "Jobs discovers breakthrough solution to global warming".
Hmm. Now that I think about it the iPad displays are pretty large and shiny. If we spread a million of them across the sky...
I'm not sure there's a consensus on what being a "heavy hitter" means, and people can find lots of reasons for hating Bill Gates, but let's not pretend that he doesn't know anything about technology.
He wrote Basic interpreters in several assembly languages which is something that probably 75% of Slashdotters have never done the equivalent of. Nor was he born with a silver monopoly in his mouth - there was a lot of work and smart decisions made before Windows was classified as a monopoly.
I don't understand how saying "If you can't figure out an iPhone" is supposed to be a defense of the statement "if you don't know how to use an iPhone".
My beef is that knowing how to use an iPhone is no more relevant to advance science and technology than knowing how to flush a toilet.
"Fortunately for the world, MS just don't know how to create a superior product."
Yes, it would be tragic if MS created a superior product. OMG! It's already happened! Quick, duct tape the Windows! Down to the basement! Oh, I forgot the depends!...
"I am a Windows developer and was left wondering for a long time why they were literally backing up in terms of productivity. Most of the industry was as well."
I've heard all lot of trash talk on.NET over the years, but I've never heard anyone claim it was "backing up in terms of productivity". Since "Most of the industry" believed it, it should be easy to find a link you could post here to prove it.
"In the beginning, nobody knew what.NET was."
In the beginning of what? While it's true that.NET marketing was muddled by MS's attempt to attach it to everything, it was pretty clear to developers what it was all about.
It's funny how some argue that the iPad is just a simple way to do email and browse the web for people who aren't interested in computers and then others start counting applications. People who aren't interested in computers aren't likely to download any apps.
"Apple has built a robust and vibrant software ecosystem around mobile devices that has generated more excitement among consumers and developers alike than we've seen in 5 years."
"How many people do you know who've spent more than $1000 on a widescreen TV in the last 3 years? Or bought an ATV? Or a snowmobile? Or a home theatre system? Or..."
Other than young single people living at home -none.
Slashdot Mirror
I don't dispute that they use "free" software, just not hardware. Their primary business model is to sell interface cards or turnkey systems. That's why they purchased Switchvox a few years ago.
I think the days of unpaid individuals making a select few rich and/or famous through their efforts are coming to an end.
If open source software or hardware is going to be successful beyond today's offerings it's going to have to earn its own way.
The difference is that an individual couldn't really use the schematic to clone the TV. Even if you could locate all the same parts and put them together, it still might not work because of the tolerance of the analog parts. You had to tweak things to get it right.
You just can't compare the analog and digital worlds.
Their hardware isn't open source.
What makes you think that boomers are sending a lot of emails from their phones today? Or own a music player?
I'm a boomer and the reason I have a Droid is because I got it for free for attending an Android seminar online. The display is a nice size for dialing, but nothing else is really optimized for image-impaired folks.
On the other hand the boomers are getting older and their eyesight is getting weaker, so expect to see a lot of growth in geezer-phones like jitterbug.
So I'd say the predictions of the death of non-smartphones is greatly exaggerated.
Perhaps because almost all Android devices are currently phones like the iPhone, and not like the iPod touch or the iPad.
I have a router that runs a version of Linux just as the Android devices do. Should it be counted too?
Gates should have paid Steve Jobs to propose it. That way the summary would have said something like "Jobs discovers breakthrough solution to global warming".
Hmm. Now that I think about it the iPad displays are pretty large and shiny. If we spread a million of them across the sky...
I'm not sure there's a consensus on what being a "heavy hitter" means, and people can find lots of reasons for hating Bill Gates, but let's not pretend that he doesn't know anything about technology.
He wrote Basic interpreters in several assembly languages which is something that probably 75% of Slashdotters have never done the equivalent of. Nor was he born with a silver monopoly in his mouth - there was a lot of work and smart decisions made before Windows was classified as a monopoly.
Only if the source code is available for a cadet to modify.
I don't understand how saying "If you can't figure out an iPhone" is supposed to be a defense of the statement "if you don't know how to use an iPhone".
My beef is that knowing how to use an iPhone is no more relevant to advance science and technology than knowing how to flush a toilet.
Sure, anybody who doesn't know how to use an iPod or an iPad can't possibly make a significant contribution to science or technology.
"Fucking MS zealot nutter motherfucker."
That's quite a mouthful. Can we just call you AC?
Governments could mandate that everyone had to use H.264. Wouldn't that end the debate by Legislation?
"Fortunately for the world, MS just don't know how to create a superior product."
Yes, it would be tragic if MS created a superior product. OMG! It's already happened! Quick, duct tape the Windows! Down to the basement! Oh, I forgot the depends!...
"I am a Windows developer and was left wondering for a long time why they were literally backing up in terms of productivity. Most of the industry was as well."
I've heard all lot of trash talk on .NET over the years, but I've never heard anyone claim it was "backing up in terms of productivity". Since "Most of the industry" believed it, it should be easy to find a link you could post here to prove it.
"In the beginning, nobody knew what .NET was."
In the beginning of what? While it's true that .NET marketing was muddled by MS's attempt to attach it to everything, it was pretty clear to developers what it was all about.
"Desktop applications re-written in JavaScript suck, especially if they are made by Microsoft"
Sure I have trouble with the dozen desktop applications that MS re-wrote in JavaScript too. What were their names again?
WordPerfect was effectively dead long before Office 97 came along.
Sure, if only we could open Office documents on the iPad we'd never have to worry about losing are ability to read them.
I'm sure he thanks his lucky stars for that.
Exactly, because MS doesn't make computers.
It's funny how some argue that the iPad is just a simple way to do email and browse the web for people who aren't interested in computers and then others start counting applications. People who aren't interested in computers aren't likely to download any apps.
"Apple has built a robust and vibrant software ecosystem around mobile devices that has generated more excitement among consumers and developers alike than we've seen in 5 years."
Stop. You gagged me at robust.
I should have said "living at their parents' home".
"How many people do you know who've spent more than $1000 on a widescreen TV in the last 3 years? Or bought an ATV? Or a snowmobile? Or a home theatre system? Or ..."
Other than young single people living at home -none.