Unless you stayed away from TV and electronic media in a big way, you'll be ashamed and distraught by how big a wuss you sound like by comparison to all the real-life Indiana Joneses out there. Sharp, educated, brave and bruised; people who experienced real adventures and lived to tell the story. And I'm just talking about basic rural living. There was a lot more heart to go around.
I am in my thirties. Back when I was 10 I loved spending time playing games. I also loved to go sailing, hike around the woods and otherwise have fun outdoors. The scouting group I used to sail with had a very simple policy for onboard discipline, if you failed to react in a prompt fashion you'd end up getting kicked by someone wearing army boots.
Why do you believe it has to be either/or? Just because there's a playstation in the house does not mean you can't go and get your teeth kicked in in a game of rugby.
I mean, sure, there are certainly pros and cons; the internet for instance can be used to waste time or it can be used to read and absorb real knowledge. The user's intent matters. But the fundamental truth is that when drugs are freely available, drugs usually win.
So what you're really saying is that you don't have the discipline to turn the tv off when it's there and hence your kids have to go without it as well? How about an alternative? Get in control of your own life before spawning offspring? Crazy idea, I know...but I think it's a lot better than the alternative. (Hint: look up what happens when kids that have been forcible deprived of "drugs" as you call them while their peers do have access move out of their parent's houses...)
My six year old son is autistic. You have no idea what you're saying. You have no idea what causes autism and have no idea how desperate a parent is for answers, solutions, or even a little respite care. I'd rather my son get measles than continue to have autism, and you are absolutely not qualified to opine on his quality of life with zero education or information on this matter. If you want to know more, you can ask for it, but the level of ignorance you're displaying is repugnant, you insensitive clod.
That sucks. Really, I understand.
Then again, I've been diagnosed as well. And based on the criteria for said diagnosis, the same diagnosis could be made for my father, my uncle, my grandfather and so on. So I'm going to formulate a hypothesis, right here and now, there autism is passed on genetically and exhibits mostly in males. Do I have any evidence? Hardly, but then again, neither do you.
Being the parent of a kid with autism is a rough ride. I know for a fact that I drove my mom completely crazy because any attempt she made to emotionally connect was the equivalent of running into a rubber wall. But leave finding the blame to the experts and spend your time and energy on something more constructive. Yes, it might even be your genes. Tough shit. Deal with it.
Couple more things. Never let anybody put their infected USB stick into your machine. These things are worse than floppies, and with no real write protection. I've found viruses on cameras cards too.
Even better idea...don't auto-execute USB sticks?
Or does the malware crawl from the stick to your pc all by itself even when no files are accessed?
You know, every single person I have ever heard say "most people are idiots" has never been all that high a wattage bulb themselves. Maybe they were book smart in one or two areas, but get outside their intellectual comfort zone, and forget it. This seems especially true of computer geeks.
For one thing, they seem to consistently mix up the concepts of intelligence and knowledge. Heck, considering how much knowledge an ape has about survival techniques in a jungle environment they must be vastly more intelligent than the lot of us. And quite frankly, getting one of them to replace kdawson would probably be an improvement...
And somebody like me would point out that I've never had to reinstall Windows on this computer and the only security measure I took was getting rid of Norton and installing a real antivirus.
You're on slashdot. That pretty much means that besides ditching norton for a proper antivirus there's an extremely high probability that you're using a lot of security measures in your head as well. Applying best practices to computer use is a security measure in itself.
I wish I could, but Best Buy doesn't have enough hardware with a cartoon penguin on it. How do you expect the general public to do this sort of research?
Well, let's see, what kind of tools does the general public have at their disposal. Oh, wait, I know! How about *drumroll* Google?
Unless googling "$hardware linux drivers" is considered rocket science these days, and folks that do think it is typically don't buy a separate soundcard to do their own upgrading.
This is why every ELECTRO-STATION will employ a full-time roboticist PHD to maintain the giant mecha-arms that swap out your batteries.
I can live with that...on one condition.
If it damages my car in any way, I get to use the mecha to go to work while they fix my car...and it has to be equipped with 2 Tesla guns(and enough juice to actually use them).
And a great sound was heard, as though moms all over the US who have soldier sons and daughters that come back home during the weekend sighed in relief...
I hear these statements asserted frequently - is there proof of these assertions? Seriously, this is not an attack, I have never heard a good argument for or against them discussed in a rational manner.
Well, as someone who lives outside the US, I consider the fact that you use(d) torture yet one more counterpoint to your assertion that you are the "land of the free, home of the brave".
And the next time you guys want to go to war...I might just consider electing the guy that tells you to fuck off when you come asking for help.
Your...understanding. So what's that? Is that based on facts? On something you heard someone say about something they saw once on Discovery? Are you the kind of hawk that glorifies the military but does so from the safety of a comfortable armchair, by any chance?
Regardless, the point is moot.
The kind of people that join Special Forces *know* they're going to undergo an extremely rigorous training program. They know this and put their signature on a piece of paper saying they accept the risks that go with that kind of training. Not to mention the tiny psychological difference of knowing that the guy subjecting you to waterboarding is a colleague, who is obligated to remain within perfectly specified parameters as to how far he can go. The very fact that it is voluntary is what makes the difference between torture and "training".
And for the record, Navy Seal training, which is considered to the roughest on this planet, allows its candidates to wash out. Somehow the alleged terrorist doesn't seem to have that option. The roughest part (hell week) is a period of 5 1/2 days with a maximum of 4 hours sleep. Which is probably a good thing, because extended periods without sleep will kill you.
I'll let you go back to wanking to Tom Clancy now.
Your pointless presentation is scheduled for 10:00, so you rush in at 9:55, and launch into your presentation. You couldn't have arrived at 9:45, or even 9:00 to set things up, and PLUG THE STUPID COMPUTER INTO A WALL OUTLET. No, planning ahead, and actually being prepared would be to much of a bother, wouldn't it?
BTW - Linux does "just work". Turn the damned computer on, watch the BIOS go through it's thing for several seconds, watch the splash screen for several more seconds, launch your program, and go. At MOST, you lose three minutes due to the lack of ACPI. Those three minutes are to much to plan for?
You don't deserve to have your fucking presentation seen or heard, if that's true.
Ahhhh, I knew I was going to get that reaction. I considered inserting the fact that maybe, just maybe, I was otherwise engaged in the previous hour? Having back to back meetings is unfortunately more common than I'm willing to admit.
So what's your solution, cancel/run out early on the previous meeting to compensate for a laptop that doesn't work properly?
(For the record, if at all possible I tend to have my stuff set up at least enough time in advance to pop out for a quick coffee and smoke before I have to begin. Seeing you foam at the mouth was worth omitting that little detail though.)
Let's take it 1 step further and start charging people for *not* having to see stuff that's on the disc...how's this?
Now, for only $1,95! Watch the movies you already paid for without having to sit through non-skippable ads and an FBI warning completely irrelevant to your country that you're a thief first! Unmatched value for money! All major credit cards accepted.
Right now there's no laws forbidding the download of movies, music etc. However, parliament has already said they do want to implement this at some point, when legal alternatives are readily available.
Tell me - what's wrong with just turning the damned thing OFF? I mean, all laptops turn off and on, no matter what OS they are running. Turn it OFF. Simple freaking work-around. And, every time you turn your laptop OFF and ON, dun the hardware manufacturer for proper support.
Ehmm, yeah. Because when I give a presentation for some of the company bigshots, I really want them having to watch me spend 5 minutes pissing about with a laptop...
Out there in the *real* world, shit has to just work. If it doesn't it can't be used.
You know, this might be a bit of a shock for you but sometimes, on very rare occasions, people make decisions where monetary profit is not the prime motivator. This might be one such case...
If Ubisoft and Take 2 continue with their anti-piracy crusade with more and more restrictive DRM schemes they will quickly find that their competitors have locked them out of the market (captured the point, one might say) and they have no real way back in.
Ehmm, sure. Because once they learn their lesson and accept a game we might want with no DRM/DRM that is acceptable to us, we're going to boycot them because of the DRM in the previous games?
Make sure the GPS puts you inside a phone booth just prior for added entertainment. Bonus points for matching the timeframe with babies being rescued from burning buildings.
Slashdot Mirror
My 7-year-old niece had absolutely no problem using it, and now she wants to become a doctor.
Why not become a roboticist instead? All the fancy toys and none of this nasty bloody stuff. Less lawsuits too, from what I hear.
Fortunately the Scots have conveniently placed pubs...at the shores!
Try the prawns while you're there.
Unless you stayed away from TV and electronic media in a big way, you'll be ashamed and distraught by how big a wuss you sound like by comparison to all the real-life Indiana Joneses out there. Sharp, educated, brave and bruised; people who experienced real adventures and lived to tell the story. And I'm just talking about basic rural living. There was a lot more heart to go around.
I am in my thirties. Back when I was 10 I loved spending time playing games. I also loved to go sailing, hike around the woods and otherwise have fun outdoors. The scouting group I used to sail with had a very simple policy for onboard discipline, if you failed to react in a prompt fashion you'd end up getting kicked by someone wearing army boots.
Why do you believe it has to be either/or? Just because there's a playstation in the house does not mean you can't go and get your teeth kicked in in a game of rugby.
I mean, sure, there are certainly pros and cons; the internet for instance can be used to waste time or it can be used to read and absorb real knowledge. The user's intent matters. But the fundamental truth is that when drugs are freely available, drugs usually win.
So what you're really saying is that you don't have the discipline to turn the tv off when it's there and hence your kids have to go without it as well? How about an alternative? Get in control of your own life before spawning offspring? Crazy idea, I know...but I think it's a lot better than the alternative. (Hint: look up what happens when kids that have been forcible deprived of "drugs" as you call them while their peers do have access move out of their parent's houses...)
My six year old son is autistic. You have no idea what you're saying. You have no idea what causes autism and have no idea how desperate a parent is for answers, solutions, or even a little respite care. I'd rather my son get measles than continue to have autism, and you are absolutely not qualified to opine on his quality of life with zero education or information on this matter. If you want to know more, you can ask for it, but the level of ignorance you're displaying is repugnant, you insensitive clod.
That sucks. Really, I understand.
Then again, I've been diagnosed as well. And based on the criteria for said diagnosis, the same diagnosis could be made for my father, my uncle, my grandfather and so on. So I'm going to formulate a hypothesis, right here and now, there autism is passed on genetically and exhibits mostly in males. Do I have any evidence? Hardly, but then again, neither do you.
Being the parent of a kid with autism is a rough ride. I know for a fact that I drove my mom completely crazy because any attempt she made to emotionally connect was the equivalent of running into a rubber wall. But leave finding the blame to the experts and spend your time and energy on something more constructive. Yes, it might even be your genes. Tough shit. Deal with it.
Couple more things. Never let anybody put their infected USB stick into your machine. These things are worse than floppies, and with no real write protection. I've found viruses on cameras cards too.
Even better idea...don't auto-execute USB sticks?
Or does the malware crawl from the stick to your pc all by itself even when no files are accessed?
You know, every single person I have ever heard say "most people are idiots" has never been all that high a wattage bulb themselves. Maybe they were book smart in one or two areas, but get outside their intellectual comfort zone, and forget it. This seems especially true of computer geeks.
For one thing, they seem to consistently mix up the concepts of intelligence and knowledge. Heck, considering how much knowledge an ape has about survival techniques in a jungle environment they must be vastly more intelligent than the lot of us. And quite frankly, getting one of them to replace kdawson would probably be an improvement...
Oooook?
And somebody like me would point out that I've never had to reinstall Windows on this computer and the only security measure I took was getting rid of Norton and installing a real antivirus.
You're on slashdot. That pretty much means that besides ditching norton for a proper antivirus there's an extremely high probability that you're using a lot of security measures in your head as well. Applying best practices to computer use is a security measure in itself.
I wish I could, but Best Buy doesn't have enough hardware with a cartoon penguin on it. How do you expect the general public to do this sort of research?
Well, let's see, what kind of tools does the general public have at their disposal. Oh, wait, I know! How about *drumroll* Google?
Unless googling "$hardware linux drivers" is considered rocket science these days, and folks that do think it is typically don't buy a separate soundcard to do their own upgrading.
This is why every ELECTRO-STATION will employ a full-time roboticist PHD to maintain the giant mecha-arms that swap out your batteries.
I can live with that...on one condition.
If it damages my car in any way, I get to use the mecha to go to work while they fix my car...and it has to be equipped with 2 Tesla guns(and enough juice to actually use them).
Too far? How about we invent a couple hundred more and all start asking for special exceptions to be made for us.
Maybe that way we can stop treating the "old" religions as though they're somehow special with regards to taxes, government etc.
Long live full separation of church and state.
And a great sound was heard, as though moms all over the US who have soldier sons and daughters that come back home during the weekend sighed in relief...
I hear these statements asserted frequently - is there proof of these assertions?
Seriously, this is not an attack, I have never heard a good argument for or against them discussed in a rational manner.
Well, as someone who lives outside the US, I consider the fact that you use(d) torture yet one more counterpoint to your assertion that you are the "land of the free, home of the brave".
And the next time you guys want to go to war...I might just consider electing the guy that tells you to fuck off when you come asking for help.
That is my understanding.
Your...understanding. So what's that? Is that based on facts? On something you heard someone say about something they saw once on Discovery? Are you the kind of hawk that glorifies the military but does so from the safety of a comfortable armchair, by any chance?
Regardless, the point is moot.
The kind of people that join Special Forces *know* they're going to undergo an extremely rigorous training program. They know this and put their signature on a piece of paper saying they accept the risks that go with that kind of training. Not to mention the tiny psychological difference of knowing that the guy subjecting you to waterboarding is a colleague, who is obligated to remain within perfectly specified parameters as to how far he can go. The very fact that it is voluntary is what makes the difference between torture and "training".
And for the record, Navy Seal training, which is considered to the roughest on this planet, allows its candidates to wash out. Somehow the alleged terrorist doesn't seem to have that option. The roughest part (hell week) is a period of 5 1/2 days with a maximum of 4 hours sleep. Which is probably a good thing, because extended periods without sleep will kill you.
I'll let you go back to wanking to Tom Clancy now.
Your pointless presentation is scheduled for 10:00, so you rush in at 9:55, and launch into your presentation. You couldn't have arrived at 9:45, or even 9:00 to set things up, and PLUG THE STUPID COMPUTER INTO A WALL OUTLET. No, planning ahead, and actually being prepared would be to much of a bother, wouldn't it?
BTW - Linux does "just work". Turn the damned computer on, watch the BIOS go through it's thing for several seconds, watch the splash screen for several more seconds, launch your program, and go. At MOST, you lose three minutes due to the lack of ACPI. Those three minutes are to much to plan for?
You don't deserve to have your fucking presentation seen or heard, if that's true.
Ahhhh, I knew I was going to get that reaction. I considered inserting the fact that maybe, just maybe, I was otherwise engaged in the previous hour? Having back to back meetings is unfortunately more common than I'm willing to admit.
So what's your solution, cancel/run out early on the previous meeting to compensate for a laptop that doesn't work properly?
(For the record, if at all possible I tend to have my stuff set up at least enough time in advance to pop out for a quick coffee and smoke before I have to begin. Seeing you foam at the mouth was worth omitting that little detail though.)
Let's take it 1 step further and start charging people for *not* having to see stuff that's on the disc...how's this?
Now, for only $1,95! Watch the movies you already paid for without having to sit through non-skippable ads and an FBI warning completely irrelevant to your country that you're a thief first! Unmatched value for money! All major credit cards accepted.
That's....not entirely true.
Right now there's no laws forbidding the download of movies, music etc. However, parliament has already said they do want to implement this at some point, when legal alternatives are readily available.
Michael, this is Mohammed. According to the local girls, Mohammed is a very attractive young man indeed.
Mohammed, this is Michael. He's a little taste of those 72 virgins you've been promised.
Oh, you're not quite there yet, but you are on the fast-track to shitville.
For the moment the big corps are still happy to buy the government they like. What's gonna happen when there's nothing interesting left to buy?
America 2.0: outsourcing of the senators.
Tell me - what's wrong with just turning the damned thing OFF? I mean, all laptops turn off and on, no matter what OS they are running. Turn it OFF. Simple freaking work-around. And, every time you turn your laptop OFF and ON, dun the hardware manufacturer for proper support.
Ehmm, yeah. Because when I give a presentation for some of the company bigshots, I really want them having to watch me spend 5 minutes pissing about with a laptop...
Out there in the *real* world, shit has to just work. If it doesn't it can't be used.
99 bottles of beer for the intern, 99 bottles of beeeeeeeeeeer.
You know, this might be a bit of a shock for you but sometimes, on very rare occasions, people make decisions where monetary profit is not the prime motivator. This might be one such case...
If Ubisoft and Take 2 continue with their anti-piracy crusade with more and more restrictive DRM schemes they will quickly find that their competitors have locked them out of the market (captured the point, one might say) and they have no real way back in.
Ehmm, sure. Because once they learn their lesson and accept a game we might want with no DRM/DRM that is acceptable to us, we're going to boycot them because of the DRM in the previous games?
Alcohol. Great for removing unwanted elements from abrasions to both the skin and the brain.
Get your medical alcohol now!
Yes boss, as a matter of fact I can fly!
Make sure the GPS puts you inside a phone booth just prior for added entertainment. Bonus points for matching the timeframe with babies being rescued from burning buildings.
Now if only we still had phone booths...
To balance out the unwashed Telegraaf reading, SBS 6 watching masses that vote(d) for Wilders and his cronies?