Depends on how you defined mediocre. And do you consider dropping out as bad as being rejected? 'Cause I dropped out of college to go directly to work as a programmer and am making a very healthy income (more that most of my peers) doing what I love. Hardly mediocre...
Previous comments about this being a 2 disc set retailing for $25 not withstanding, let's pretend this actually was a $16 CD.
Yes, if you like the whole album, then go down to your local music store and buy the whole album. But how many times have you spent $16 on a CD for only 3 good songs? Would you rather spend $18 for a CD of 18 songs you like or $108 (3 songs x 6 CDs x $16/CD) for 18 songs you like?
Come on, we've been harping on the RIAA and music labels for some time to give us this very thing. Let's pat them on the back for finally doing it.
As for your ogg comment, please. You'd be ripping it to ogg from what? A CD. And what do you make using this service? A CD. Duh. Burn the freakin' CD and then rip it to ogg.
How then do you explain it's 3072x2048 resolution? Last I checked, that equaled 6.3MP... If that were true that it took 3 sensor pixels to equal one screen pixele (due to the color filtering), wouldn't the resolution be only 1/3rd that?
Ain't that the truth. My wife is much the same way, and she loves our TiVo. So much so, in fact, that *SHE* encouraged *ME* to undertake a hard drive upgrade. Which, incidentally, was rediculously easy. I sure hope TiVo doesn't die, I've got stock. I don't see how it can, everybody I know who I've convinced to get one loves it. Heck, you know you're an addict when you find yourself trying to pause and rewind real life. Their biggest problem is lack of public understanding on why they need one.
Um, "shitty ass 1/4 mile"? I think you're misinterpreting that figure. That's "0 - 400m"... Namely, a quarter mile sprint from a dead stop. That's pretty impressive, ranking this up there with the best of them. Check here for comparison, look at the "soft launch" column.
Rather the going based on visual appearance, here's a discussion on Google Groups that attempts a more scientific approach to the Digital vs. Film question. Using mathematical calculations and physical light propegation properties of lenses, film and a high quality drum scanner, this discussion arrives at the conclusion that film will only hold it's own up to 5.22MP. All else being equal, go digital if it's over that value. Speaking as someone who has recently purchased a 6.3MP Canon EOS D60, I can tell you its picture quality is exceptional!
One last thing: I know it's minor, but why the insistence on importing explicitly? I feel it makes maintenance more difficult -- change one LinkedList to an ArrayList and you're off fiddly with minor imports again.
That's due to bad practice. I almost never import LinkedList or ArrayList, I'll do this instead:
import java.util.List; ... List alist = java.util.LinkedList; ...
Now changing LinkedList to ArrayList is simple and involves no import changes. Always work with the interface where one is available to you -- you should rarely pass around the actual class if an interface is available.
Isn't it a basic tennet of copyright law that once you become aware of a violation of your IP, you must enforce that copyright or you forfeit your right to it? (Or do I just grossly misunderstand?) If so, couldn't that be applied here, since this piracy is little more than violating Microsoft's Copyrights? If MS fails to enforce their copyright (i.e. silently condoning this piracy), could the be compelled to lose it?
The last thing this industry needs is another competing standard confusing the general public and delaying adoption. Didn't they learn anything from DVD-R/DVD+R/DVD-RAM, etc? Sounds like everyone else did, they all agreed upfront to a common standard. So, I call for a geek boycott of Toshiba & NEC if they persist with this plan! I don't want anything to delay my HD-DVD...
Unfortunately, I don't have the answer... I tend to look for someone with general problem solving skills, intelligence, and a genuine passion for that they do.
The main XBOX setup menu has an option where you tell it if your TV is capable of 480p, 720p and/or 1080i. Then, if the game maker supports it, the XBOX will automatically choose the maximum resolution you've specified. I too am not aware of any games that render higher than 480p, but the XBOX is technically capable of it. In fact, there's a couple games that are blatently misleading on this point, they seem to think 480p is HDTV (Burnout & Test Drive)...
As for the frame rate, the XBOX should be capable of considerable more than 30fps given the chipset in it -- but it's largely a moot point anyway. You really only have to choices on TV anyway: 30fps in interlaced mode, and 60fps in progressive mode. Neither of which should pose any problem at resolutions up to 1080i... Of course, it does depend on the polygon count as you say...
And who says it has to run at 640x480? The XBOX is capable of producing HTDV res graphics. In addition to the SDTV of 480p, it can do HDTV 720p and 1080i! Since he said he's committed to the "full graphics fidelity" of the PC version, which will undoubtedly run at ungodly high resolutions, I'm hoping the XBOX version will support HDTV 1080i as well. Of course, you have to have the hi-def A/V pack and an HDTV, but who here doesn't? That should look sweet indeed on my 65" widescreen...:-)
The system requirements you list are almost exactly those of an XBOX, so that should work out well! True, the XBOX has less RAM (64MB, IIRC) but since it's running a stripped down OS you shouldn't need as much. Carmack's no dummy, that's for sure. Bringing this game to the XBOX could be huge for both sides.
The XBOX boots a minimal Win2K-embedded kernel with just enough support to run the built-in menus and bootstrap the DVD drive. Beyond that it is up to the software vendor to load up any additional modules they need for their game from the DVD drive. Theoretically there's nothing that says the XBOX has to use Direct3D, they could just as easily boot up and use an OpenGL library. Presuming there is one for that graphics chipset -- and since it's essentially a GeForce 3 Ti, I don't see why there wouldn't be.
As for the porting, I can't imagine there's much to it. The XBOX is a PC at heart, after all. Basically, they just need to pick and choose which Win2K modules they want to load and test it all to make sure it works as expected. Of course, if the game has a complex GUI (which FPSes usually don't) they may need to rework the GUI for simpler use with controller, but that's about it...
Yes, 13 most certainly is between 8 and 13. Try it in SQL sometime:
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM SOMETABLE WHERE 13 BETWEEN 8 AND 13;
Or, try it in Pascal:
if (13 in [8..13]) println("yes");
See what you get. And I'm sure there are many other languages that would give the same results. These are just two off the top of my head. Anyone got any more?
Imagine if you couldn't hop-up your car if you wanted to?
Well, actually, you can only legally hop-up your car to the point that it doesn't fail state/federal emissions and crash safety standards. Of course, you can violate those rules, there's nothing physically stopping you, but if you get caught, you will get fined. Where's the difference again?
Not that I advocate Microsoft doing anything in this case -- it's quite a difference scenario. The vehicle mods mentioned are a public hazard, whereas the XBOX mods hurt no-one except (possibly) Microsoft and the game vendor...
Hey, there's this little button called Preview right next to the Submit button. Try it out sometime! And don't forget to set the select box to "HTML Formatted" and use an anchor tag... Sheesh, you want slashdot should write your posts for you?
OK, here's a radical idea: make stronger CD's! How hard can it be to come up with a new kind of plastic that can withstand the stresses of faster rotation, but has the same optical qualitites?
Actually, the ripper I use does let you set the rip speed. Plus, ahead software (the people who make Nero) also makes a product called Drive Speed that let you control the speed of your CD drive...
A class cannot be considered audited until all members are audited, and a file requires all contents to be audited.
This kind of thing sounds very useful indeed, but I take exception to the fact that it requires auditing. It should be optional for reasons like those posted by a reader before me (dynamic class loading). At least, there should be some mechanism for indicating that certain methods/code-blocks are unauditable and that's OK...
Slashdot Mirror
Depends on how you defined mediocre. And do you consider dropping out as bad as being rejected? 'Cause I dropped out of college to go directly to work as a programmer and am making a very healthy income (more that most of my peers) doing what I love. Hardly mediocre...
Or wear a freakin' watch...
Yes, if you like the whole album, then go down to your local music store and buy the whole album. But how many times have you spent $16 on a CD for only 3 good songs? Would you rather spend $18 for a CD of 18 songs you like or $108 (3 songs x 6 CDs x $16/CD) for 18 songs you like?
Come on, we've been harping on the RIAA and music labels for some time to give us this very thing. Let's pat them on the back for finally doing it.
As for your ogg comment, please. You'd be ripping it to ogg from what? A CD . And what do you make using this service? A CD . Duh. Burn the freakin' CD and then rip it to ogg.
How then do you explain it's 3072x2048 resolution? Last I checked, that equaled 6.3MP... If that were true that it took 3 sensor pixels to equal one screen pixele (due to the color filtering), wouldn't the resolution be only 1/3rd that?
Ain't that the truth. My wife is much the same way, and she loves our TiVo. So much so, in fact, that *SHE* encouraged *ME* to undertake a hard drive upgrade. Which, incidentally, was rediculously easy. I sure hope TiVo doesn't die, I've got stock. I don't see how it can, everybody I know who I've convinced to get one loves it. Heck, you know you're an addict when you find yourself trying to pause and rewind real life. Their biggest problem is lack of public understanding on why they need one.
Um, "shitty ass 1/4 mile"? I think you're misinterpreting that figure. That's "0 - 400m"... Namely, a quarter mile sprint from a dead stop. That's pretty impressive, ranking this up there with the best of them. Check here for comparison, look at the "soft launch" column.
Rather the going based on visual appearance, here's a discussion on Google Groups that attempts a more scientific approach to the Digital vs. Film question. Using mathematical calculations and physical light propegation properties of lenses, film and a high quality drum scanner, this discussion arrives at the conclusion that film will only hold it's own up to 5.22MP. All else being equal, go digital if it's over that value. Speaking as someone who has recently purchased a 6.3MP Canon EOS D60, I can tell you its picture quality is exceptional!
Now changing LinkedList to ArrayList is simple and involves no import changes. Always work with the interface where one is available to you -- you should rarely pass around the actual class if an interface is available.
Well, why not? Most mice are optical now anyway, this certainly gives that term a whole new meaning...
Isn't it a basic tennet of copyright law that once you become aware of a violation of your IP, you must enforce that copyright or you forfeit your right to it? (Or do I just grossly misunderstand?) If so, couldn't that be applied here, since this piracy is little more than violating Microsoft's Copyrights? If MS fails to enforce their copyright (i.e. silently condoning this piracy), could the be compelled to lose it?
The last thing this industry needs is another competing standard confusing the general public and delaying adoption. Didn't they learn anything from DVD-R/DVD+R/DVD-RAM, etc? Sounds like everyone else did, they all agreed upfront to a common standard. So, I call for a geek boycott of Toshiba & NEC if they persist with this plan! I don't want anything to delay my HD-DVD...
Unfortunately, I don't have the answer... I tend to look for someone with general problem solving skills, intelligence, and a genuine passion for that they do.
The main XBOX setup menu has an option where you tell it if your TV is capable of 480p, 720p and/or 1080i. Then, if the game maker supports it, the XBOX will automatically choose the maximum resolution you've specified. I too am not aware of any games that render higher than 480p, but the XBOX is technically capable of it. In fact, there's a couple games that are blatently misleading on this point, they seem to think 480p is HDTV (Burnout & Test Drive)...
As for the frame rate, the XBOX should be capable of considerable more than 30fps given the chipset in it -- but it's largely a moot point anyway. You really only have to choices on TV anyway: 30fps in interlaced mode, and 60fps in progressive mode. Neither of which should pose any problem at resolutions up to 1080i... Of course, it does depend on the polygon count as you say...
And who says it has to run at 640x480? The XBOX is capable of producing HTDV res graphics. In addition to the SDTV of 480p, it can do HDTV 720p and 1080i! Since he said he's committed to the "full graphics fidelity" of the PC version, which will undoubtedly run at ungodly high resolutions, I'm hoping the XBOX version will support HDTV 1080i as well. Of course, you have to have the hi-def A/V pack and an HDTV, but who here doesn't? That should look sweet indeed on my 65" widescreen... :-)
The system requirements you list are almost exactly those of an XBOX, so that should work out well! True, the XBOX has less RAM (64MB, IIRC) but since it's running a stripped down OS you shouldn't need as much. Carmack's no dummy, that's for sure. Bringing this game to the XBOX could be huge for both sides.
The XBOX boots a minimal Win2K-embedded kernel with just enough support to run the built-in menus and bootstrap the DVD drive. Beyond that it is up to the software vendor to load up any additional modules they need for their game from the DVD drive. Theoretically there's nothing that says the XBOX has to use Direct3D, they could just as easily boot up and use an OpenGL library. Presuming there is one for that graphics chipset -- and since it's essentially a GeForce 3 Ti, I don't see why there wouldn't be.
As for the porting, I can't imagine there's much to it. The XBOX is a PC at heart, after all. Basically, they just need to pick and choose which Win2K modules they want to load and test it all to make sure it works as expected. Of course, if the game has a complex GUI (which FPSes usually don't) they may need to rework the GUI for simpler use with controller, but that's about it...
Well, actually, you can only legally hop-up your car to the point that it doesn't fail state/federal emissions and crash safety standards. Of course, you can violate those rules, there's nothing physically stopping you, but if you get caught, you will get fined. Where's the difference again?
Not that I advocate Microsoft doing anything in this case -- it's quite a difference scenario. The vehicle mods mentioned are a public hazard, whereas the XBOX mods hurt no-one except (possibly) Microsoft and the game vendor...
Hey, there's this little button called Preview right next to the Submit button. Try it out sometime! And don't forget to set the select box to "HTML Formatted" and use an anchor tag... Sheesh, you want slashdot should write your posts for you?
OK, here's a radical idea: make stronger CD's! How hard can it be to come up with a new kind of plastic that can withstand the stresses of faster rotation, but has the same optical qualitites?
Actually, the ripper I use does let you set the rip speed. Plus, ahead software (the people who make Nero) also makes a product called Drive Speed that let you control the speed of your CD drive...
Obviously you're not a computer geek either. If you were, you'd know that should be "Why does computer geek == anime geek"!
You call that cheap? That's $2/gallon. Even in the peak summer months here in CA, I only pay ~$1.65/gallon for gas...
Yeah, but if you shatter the disc, how the heck do you get the drive to spin it? :-)
This kind of thing sounds very useful indeed, but I take exception to the fact that it requires auditing. It should be optional for reasons like those posted by a reader before me (dynamic class loading). At least, there should be some mechanism for indicating that certain methods/code-blocks are unauditable and that's OK...