So, in the three years that XP has been out, it has been affected by four kernel veulnerabilities.
And, no, not every program is "tied into the kernel". Almost every service runs in *user mode*. RPC is not any more a part of the kernel than SSH is on Linux.
IE is definately *NOT* a part of the kernel. The very notion is absurd. IE runs in *userspace*, and it is a seperate executable.
And it's not like the Linux kernel hasn't had root exploits in the past three years.
The simple fact is that most flaws in XP are *not* from the kernel.
"b) Most of our machines won't run XP. They won't run win2k very well"
Sorry, but if you can't run 2000, you're going to have a lot of trouble with Linux.
At my school, we have PII 233 computers with 128M of memory running 2000. They aren't too bad - Word, IE, Powerpoint, and more all run fine.
Getting a modern Linux desktop + Mozilla + OpenOffice to all run in 128M of memory isn't going to be fun at all.
Most businesses have PIII 500s or similar with 128-256M of memory. Most of those systems will run Windows XP just fine. Your business seems to be behind the curve.
"we'd be sasser'ed nicely too if we ran a lot of winXP machines"
Not if you had deployed the patch. My school has one full-time and one half-time worker to manage 700 computers, and they always manage to get patches deployed before the virus hits.
Of course, Linux software like SSH never has root exploits like the one last year. And those exploits are never exploited by a worm like the one described here:
Look, patching is a part of life. Don't think that Linux is immune to exploits. It's not. Don't think that a stock RedHat 9 box won't be hacked. It will. Don't think that you don't need to patch your Linux systems. You do.
I put Windows Server 2003 on a PII 233. It ran fine.
You can run XP on a slow CPU. Performance is much more dependant on:
- Non crappy graphics (with a good driver) - Enough memory (at least 256M)
The grandparent is not flamebait. It is a valid comment. I ran Whistler (XP Beta) on my Celeron 233 with 192M of memory for years.
I ran Windows 98 on a Pentium 75 system with 32M of memory. It ran OK (not great, but it was usable).
Remember, XP runs like crap if:
- You don't have enough memory - Your graphics card/drivers are crap
That's why you should always get a system with an ATI/NVIDIA graphics card (chip). It is unbelieveable how much faster the 4MB ATI Rage in my notebook is than the "Intel Integrated" graphics in my friend's (much newer) notebook (note, this is for 2D, not 3D - the Rage sucks in 3D, not that the Intel doesn't).
It can. My notebook (PIII 500) with 256M of memory and Windows 2000 had no problem opening every executable on the system.
Windows still has some performance issues, but it's pretty damned nippy.
Interesting to note that GNOME (and KDE) are far slower on my notebook than Windows. It may be because of the graphics drivers (although I am using the ATI accelerated X server) or something else, but it just isn't as fast as Windows.
On my desktop at home (Athlon 2600+, 1GB, Segate 7200.7), Word launches in about 1 second (less if I've used it recently). IE comes up instantly, as do folders and network shares.
I'd say that XP is pretty damned nippy. OS X is noticably slower, although Panther is a big improvement. Even Mozilla is faster on my XP system than my Fedora system.
My guess would be this: - Fedora doesn't seem to have accelerated IDE drivers for my chipset (NForce2). - The Linux kernel is much less agressive about swap than XP. It can actually be beneficial to swap programs out even when there is free memory (to increase the disk cache size). The XP system, however, sometimes leads to severe (but short) slowdowns. - The Linux drivers for my FX5900XT (the NVIDIA binary ones) aren't as good as the Windows ones. Don't know if this is true, but it's certainly a possibility. - XFree86 may have more overhead than GDI. Slashdot users seem to "debunk" this every time it comes up, but it may still be true.
"Microsoft embeds lousy software in a lousy OS, releases lousy service packs, and talks about "innovation" when all they create is bloat."
I'm tired of the "Microsoft software must be gargabe".
Case in point: HDTV Community
Microsoft has released a free codec, encoder, and player which allows users to burn near-HD quality video onto a DVD. An episode of ER fits nicely onto a DVD with nearly the same quality as the original broadcast.
Case in point: Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is head-and-shoulders above any other office suite. Give me this "openoffice is great" line and I'll show you ten people who hate OpenOffice. Microsoft Office is simly the easiest to use, most polished office suite available.
Case in point: DirectX
Microsoft is pushing the computer graphics industry forward with DirectX. Unlike with OpenGL, DirectX immediately standardizes new features. Developers don't have to choose between using proprietary extentions or not using the latest hardware features. Thanks to DirectX, there is a standardized, modern, high-quality interface to the GPU.
Case in point:.NET.NET provides a free compiler for an excellent and modern development environment. C# has been described as "java done right". Moreover, Microsoft has worked with standards organizations, allowing projects like Mono to provide runtimes for other platforms.
Case in point: Active Directory
Active Directory makes it far easier to centrally administer, configure, and upgrade PCs in a network environment.
Case in point: Windows Installer
Windows installer delivers both a command-line and GUI based framework for installing, repairing, and removing software. It is automatic and intelligent and can automatically install new components over the network as they are needed.
Microsoft's products don't suck. The fact is, people *don't* hate Microsoft. Ask ten people on the street.
If we really hated Microsoft, then why is everyone using Office and Windows? Oh, right, it's because of "file format lockin". Right. Because OpenOffice has no compatibility with MS Office.
People use Microsoft because it works. They can sit down, use their computer, and get on with their life.
Mac OS only runs on one brand of hardware. Linux has consistantly demonstrated that it is *not* ready for primetime on the desktop.
Windows is really the only viable desktop operating system for business. There is a reason why 95%+ of corporate desktops run Windows. Corporations know how to cut costs. Yet they still choose to use Windows. There is a reason for that.
I have an Athlon XP 2600+ (Thoroughbred-B) and I can assure you that it puts out more heat when it is busy than when it is idle.
I also have an old Athlon XP 2000+ (Palomino). It has an Alpha 8045 heatsink on it. When the system is idle, I can throttle down the fan (Panaflo L1a) to an extremely slow speed. As I run a benchmarking application (Sandra, for example), you can clearly see the CPU heating up when compared to the idle temperature.
I have used FVCool and it makes no difference on either of my systems.
Trust me on this one. My Athlon XP 2600+ is in a Shuttle system with a thermally-managed fan. You can *hear* the fan throttling up after a few minutes of heavy CPU usage. The CPU is clearly drawing more power under load.
"This is ignoring other factors that go into TCO such as power consumption (the Radeons use far less power and may not require a power supply upgrade)"
The 6800 GT uses a single-slot cooler and only requires a single molex connector. Its power consumption is similar to a FX5900XT.
Also consider the Radeon 9800 Pro and FX5900XT. They offer excellent performance for around $200.
New firewall. Bluetooth support. Better WIFI support. Pop-Up blocking in IE. Extensions manager in IE. New security center. New interface for tons of things (mostly security related, but still).
Or since SP1. That added the whole compliance API which makes it easier to replace Microsoft software with 3rd party software. Plus, we got:
- Windows Media Player 9 Series - Windows Movie Maker 2 - Windows Journal Viewer - PowerToys -.NET framework
Plus, also free:
- Windows Media Encoder 9 Series -.NET Compiler / SDK
http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/windowsxp_sp 2. asp
Because Windows Media Player 9, Windows Movie Maker 2, the new firewall, pop-up blocking, IE extention manager, PowerToys, the new security center, the new wifi interface, bluetooth support, support for hundreds of new devices, DirectX 9, the.NET framework, Windows Journal Viewer, and the compliance API...
Were all jsut bug fixes.
Right. Microsoft has improved the media player immensely, improved the video editor immensely, added a whole ton of new features to DirectX, and released free power-user tools. Plus, the whole compliance API (makes it easier to use a 3rd party IM program/media player/web browser/mail reader/java VM.
With SP2, they are adding a new firewall (incoming/outgoing), popup blocking in IE, a new extentions manager in IE, bluetooth support integrated, wifi support greatly improved, and a new security center. Plus, there are UI improvements to IE and the rest of Windows.
"Neither I nor my professional colleagues have the time to constantly patch our desktop machines. We have work to do. We shouldn't have to deal with security holes that shouldn't be present in a commercial operating system."
I sure hope you don't use SSH. Or the Linux kernel. Because both of those have had root exploits in the last year.
Patching your system is something you have to do on *any* system.
If you are "too busy" to patch your system, then you shouldn't be getting on the Internet at all.
It's in a number of monitors, including the Hitachi CML174SXW.
I wanted to get a display with a HyDis 20ms anel, but eventually settled on the CML174SXW (with the AU Optronics panel) because I was unable to find a monitor with the HyDis 20ms panel.
The AU Optronics panel is excellent for gaming. I cannot see any ghosting even with games like Unreal Tournament 2004. Note that the gamma (at least on my Hitachi monitor) is set too high at the factory. Since I'm using DVI-D, I set the gamma at around.85 in the display driver.
I don't know about the Samsung or LG panels but I have heard that the "response time" specification can be bull (as can the "contrast ratio").
The "new" SAT is a response to the ACT. Recently, the SAT has seen decreased acceptance precicely because of its design.
The (old) SAT does not attempt to test scientific or mathematical "knowledge", beyond the basics.
Testing students on language skills has proven a poor indicator of actual performance.
The ACT is a far more effective test. It expects that students will have an understanding of algebra, geometry, and some pre-calculus. Moreover, the science test evaluates logical reasoning (look at a written description of a process, evaluate data, and form a conclusion) better than "Pie:Square as Black:White" ever could. Not to mention the fact that the SAT II English (reading) test does a better job of testing English than the SAT (which is largely vocabulary focused).
The SAT is unfortunately an outdated and ineffective test. That's why it's being replaced.
Now, schools are inding it difficult to teach students math and science. Students are, quite honestly, lazy assholes. It's almost universal. English is no better, realistically. I have been in composition classes with students who are incapable of writing an essay.
It is copyright which protects free software. Without copright, corporations would be able to take and modify those products without giving their work back to the community.
The GPL *requires* copyright to work. Without copyright, everything is public domain.
Open source would not exist as we know it without copyright.
And, yes, you can tell the difference between lossless and lossy codecs. It's just that that, at higher bitrates, that difference becomes so subtle that you cannot determine which is the lossless codec and which is the lossy codec.
I'm not going to claim that 128kbps is "CD Quality". I certainly wouldn't call WMA 64kbps "CD Quality" (although it's not awful).
However, with a good encoder, at 256kbps, virtually no one can tell the difference.
Is there a reason behind your logic or are you just a troll?
PSP does a heck of a lot. It still lacks many of the features needed by professionals (mainly related to keeping proper colors) but it is great for web graphics and many other things. It even has a very powerful Python scripting interface.
Fireworks is also a great application. It's a bit odd when compared to other applications, but it has some nice features that are particularly useful for web graphics.
PS is $700. Fireworks is over $300. PSP is $99. You can upgrade from PSP 5, 6, or 7 for only $30.
Same quality. Sure, FLAC can fit 2x as much audio on a CD, but consider the number of CD players out there that play CDDA but not FLAC.
Better yet, how about 192kbps Vorbis?
And about this MP3 "crap":
In double-bind studies, self-proclaimed "audiophiles" were unable to tell the differece between a 256kbps MP3 (CBR, encoded with FLAC) and the uncompressed CD.
Now, of course, you don't want to transcode from one lossy format to another (or to another bitrate, for that matter). That's the true advantage of FLAC.
"but it is basically a full fledged computer, not a console"
So is a 'Cube. Or a PS2. They all have optical drives, GPUs, memory, CPUs, sound processors, etc.
The differences with the XBox are:
- It's Pentium-III/NVIDIA Chipset (similar to NFORCE) based
- It has a network controller (also NVIDIA)(available as an option for the PS2/Gamecube)
- It has a hard drive (available as an option for the PS2)
Heck, the PS2 even runs Linux.
The XBox lacks (compared to a typical computer):
- A BIOS - HDD Space, CPU speed, and RAM - Standard USB Ports (no, the controller ports don't count) - PCI/AGP/Other Expandability - VGA Output (without a conversion box) - Audio input - A desktop OS
Anyway, the XBox is not a PC. Yes, it is x86-based, and, yes, it uses an NVIDIA chipset. But it is no more a PC than the PS2.
(BTW: XBox is #2 in the console war here in the US)
Slashdot Mirror
So, in the three years that XP has been out, it has been affected by four kernel veulnerabilities.
And, no, not every program is "tied into the kernel". Almost every service runs in *user mode*. RPC is not any more a part of the kernel than SSH is on Linux.
IE is definately *NOT* a part of the kernel. The very notion is absurd. IE runs in *userspace*, and it is a seperate executable.
And it's not like the Linux kernel hasn't had root exploits in the past three years.
The simple fact is that most flaws in XP are *not* from the kernel.
"2. Stop using languages/tools that allow you have buffer overflows in code. That'll cut out 90% of critical updates in one swoop."
XP SP2 is being compiled using a new C compiler which automatically generates code resistant to buffer overruns. It's not perfect, but it is a start.
Combined with the new firewall and NX protection (on AMD64 systems), XP SP2 should be far more secure than its predecessor.
"b) Most of our machines won't run XP. They won't run win2k very well"
r e/ 2003-September/010116.html
Sorry, but if you can't run 2000, you're going to have a lot of trouble with Linux.
At my school, we have PII 233 computers with 128M of memory running 2000. They aren't too bad - Word, IE, Powerpoint, and more all run fine.
Getting a modern Linux desktop + Mozilla + OpenOffice to all run in 128M of memory isn't going to be fun at all.
Most businesses have PIII 500s or similar with 128-256M of memory. Most of those systems will run Windows XP just fine. Your business seems to be behind the curve.
"we'd be sasser'ed nicely too if we ran a lot of winXP machines"
Not if you had deployed the patch. My school has one full-time and one half-time worker to manage 700 computers, and they always manage to get patches deployed before the virus hits.
Of course, Linux software like SSH never has root exploits like the one last year. And those exploits are never exploited by a worm like the one described here:
http://lists.netsys.com/pipermail/full-disclosu
Look, patching is a part of life. Don't think that Linux is immune to exploits. It's not. Don't think that a stock RedHat 9 box won't be hacked. It will. Don't think that you don't need to patch your Linux systems. You do.
I put Windows Server 2003 on a PII 233. It ran fine.
You can run XP on a slow CPU. Performance is much more dependant on:
- Non crappy graphics (with a good driver)
- Enough memory (at least 256M)
The grandparent is not flamebait. It is a valid comment. I ran Whistler (XP Beta) on my Celeron 233 with 192M of memory for years.
I ran Windows 98 on a Pentium 75 system with 32M of memory. It ran OK (not great, but it was usable).
Remember, XP runs like crap if:
- You don't have enough memory
- Your graphics card/drivers are crap
That's why you should always get a system with an ATI/NVIDIA graphics card (chip). It is unbelieveable how much faster the 4MB ATI Rage in my notebook is than the "Intel Integrated" graphics in my friend's (much newer) notebook (note, this is for 2D, not 3D - the Rage sucks in 3D, not that the Intel doesn't).
"Why can't today's Windows do that?"
It can. My notebook (PIII 500) with 256M of memory and Windows 2000 had no problem opening every executable on the system.
Windows still has some performance issues, but it's pretty damned nippy.
Interesting to note that GNOME (and KDE) are far slower on my notebook than Windows. It may be because of the graphics drivers (although I am using the ATI accelerated X server) or something else, but it just isn't as fast as Windows.
On my desktop at home (Athlon 2600+, 1GB, Segate 7200.7), Word launches in about 1 second (less if I've used it recently). IE comes up instantly, as do folders and network shares.
I'd say that XP is pretty damned nippy. OS X is noticably slower, although Panther is a big improvement. Even Mozilla is faster on my XP system than my Fedora system.
My guess would be this:
- Fedora doesn't seem to have accelerated IDE drivers for my chipset (NForce2).
- The Linux kernel is much less agressive about swap than XP. It can actually be beneficial to swap programs out even when there is free memory (to increase the disk cache size). The XP system, however, sometimes leads to severe (but short) slowdowns.
- The Linux drivers for my FX5900XT (the NVIDIA binary ones) aren't as good as the Windows ones. Don't know if this is true, but it's certainly a possibility.
- XFree86 may have more overhead than GDI. Slashdot users seem to "debunk" this every time it comes up, but it may still be true.
"Microsoft embeds lousy software in a lousy OS, releases lousy service packs, and talks about "innovation" when all they create is bloat."
.NET .NET provides a free compiler for an excellent and modern development environment. C# has been described as "java done right". Moreover, Microsoft has worked with standards organizations, allowing projects like Mono to provide runtimes for other platforms.
I'm tired of the "Microsoft software must be gargabe".
Case in point: HDTV Community
Microsoft has released a free codec, encoder, and player which allows users to burn near-HD quality video onto a DVD. An episode of ER fits nicely onto a DVD with nearly the same quality as the original broadcast.
Case in point: Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is head-and-shoulders above any other office suite. Give me this "openoffice is great" line and I'll show you ten people who hate OpenOffice. Microsoft Office is simly the easiest to use, most polished office suite available.
Case in point: DirectX
Microsoft is pushing the computer graphics industry forward with DirectX. Unlike with OpenGL, DirectX immediately standardizes new features. Developers don't have to choose between using proprietary extentions or not using the latest hardware features. Thanks to DirectX, there is a standardized, modern, high-quality interface to the GPU.
Case in point:
Case in point: Active Directory
Active Directory makes it far easier to centrally administer, configure, and upgrade PCs in a network environment.
Case in point: Windows Installer
Windows installer delivers both a command-line and GUI based framework for installing, repairing, and removing software. It is automatic and intelligent and can automatically install new components over the network as they are needed.
Microsoft's products don't suck. The fact is, people *don't* hate Microsoft. Ask ten people on the street.
If we really hated Microsoft, then why is everyone using Office and Windows? Oh, right, it's because of "file format lockin". Right. Because OpenOffice has no compatibility with MS Office.
People use Microsoft because it works. They can sit down, use their computer, and get on with their life.
Mac OS only runs on one brand of hardware. Linux has consistantly demonstrated that it is *not* ready for primetime on the desktop.
Windows is really the only viable desktop operating system for business. There is a reason why 95%+ of corporate desktops run Windows. Corporations know how to cut costs. Yet they still choose to use Windows. There is a reason for that.
XCode - Yes
.NET framework are free upgrades.
Safari - Yes
iSync - Yes
iTunes - Yes
iLife - No
iLife costs money. Safari, XCode, iSync, iTunes, Windows Media Player, and the
Nokia 3590.
Basic phone, good sound quality, solid build, excellent reception.
Java, GPRS, WAP. Polyphonic ringtones. Built-in-calendar.
Black & White screen, good battery life.
Around $40 on eBay.
This is bull.
I have an Athlon XP 2600+ (Thoroughbred-B) and I can assure you that it puts out more heat when it is busy than when it is idle.
I also have an old Athlon XP 2000+ (Palomino). It has an Alpha 8045 heatsink on it. When the system is idle, I can throttle down the fan (Panaflo L1a) to an extremely slow speed. As I run a benchmarking application (Sandra, for example), you can clearly see the CPU heating up when compared to the idle temperature.
I have used FVCool and it makes no difference on either of my systems.
Trust me on this one. My Athlon XP 2600+ is in a Shuttle system with a thermally-managed fan. You can *hear* the fan throttling up after a few minutes of heavy CPU usage. The CPU is clearly drawing more power under load.
"This is ignoring other factors that go into TCO such as power consumption (the Radeons use far less power and may not require a power supply upgrade)"
The 6800 GT uses a single-slot cooler and only requires a single molex connector. Its power consumption is similar to a FX5900XT.
Also consider the Radeon 9800 Pro and FX5900XT. They offer excellent performance for around $200.
Since SP2.
.NET framework
.NET Compiler / SDK
p 2. asp
New firewall. Bluetooth support. Better WIFI support. Pop-Up blocking in IE. Extensions manager in IE. New security center. New interface for tons of things (mostly security related, but still).
Or since SP1. That added the whole compliance API which makes it easier to replace Microsoft software with 3rd party software.
Plus, we got:
- Windows Media Player 9 Series
- Windows Movie Maker 2
- Windows Journal Viewer
- PowerToys
-
Plus, also free:
- Windows Media Encoder 9 Series
-
http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/windowsxp_s
Right.
.NET framework, Windows Journal Viewer, and the compliance API...
Because Windows Media Player 9, Windows Movie Maker 2, the new firewall, pop-up blocking, IE extention manager, PowerToys, the new security center, the new wifi interface, bluetooth support, support for hundreds of new devices, DirectX 9, the
Were all jsut bug fixes.
Right. Microsoft has improved the media player immensely, improved the video editor immensely, added a whole ton of new features to DirectX, and released free power-user tools. Plus, the whole compliance API (makes it easier to use a 3rd party IM program/media player/web browser/mail reader/java VM.
With SP2, they are adding a new firewall (incoming/outgoing), popup blocking in IE, a new extentions manager in IE, bluetooth support integrated, wifi support greatly improved, and a new security center. Plus, there are UI improvements to IE and the rest of Windows.
Microsoft does add features to their OS.
"Neither I nor my professional colleagues have the time to constantly patch our desktop machines. We have work to do. We shouldn't have to deal with security holes that shouldn't be present in a commercial operating system."
I sure hope you don't use SSH. Or the Linux kernel. Because both of those have had root exploits in the last year.
Patching your system is something you have to do on *any* system.
If you are "too busy" to patch your system, then you shouldn't be getting on the Internet at all.
The goal of Internet2 is to transfer data from any node to any other node at 100Mbps.
The AU Optronics 16ms panel is also excellent.
.85 in the display driver.
It's in a number of monitors, including the Hitachi CML174SXW.
I wanted to get a display with a HyDis 20ms anel, but eventually settled on the CML174SXW (with the AU Optronics panel) because I was unable to find a monitor with the HyDis 20ms panel.
The AU Optronics panel is excellent for gaming. I cannot see any ghosting even with games like Unreal Tournament 2004. Note that the gamma (at least on my Hitachi monitor) is set too high at the factory. Since I'm using DVI-D, I set the gamma at around
I don't know about the Samsung or LG panels but I have heard that the "response time" specification can be bull (as can the "contrast ratio").
The "new" SAT is a response to the ACT. Recently, the SAT has seen decreased acceptance precicely because of its design.
The (old) SAT does not attempt to test scientific or mathematical "knowledge", beyond the basics.
Testing students on language skills has proven a poor indicator of actual performance.
The ACT is a far more effective test. It expects that students will have an understanding of algebra, geometry, and some pre-calculus. Moreover, the science test evaluates logical reasoning (look at a written description of a process, evaluate data, and form a conclusion) better than "Pie:Square as Black:White" ever could. Not to mention the fact that the SAT II English (reading) test does a better job of testing English than the SAT (which is largely vocabulary focused).
The SAT is unfortunately an outdated and ineffective test. That's why it's being replaced.
Now, schools are inding it difficult to teach students math and science. Students are, quite honestly, lazy assholes. It's almost universal. English is no better, realistically. I have been in composition classes with students who are incapable of writing an essay.
It's sad, really.
It is copyright which protects free software. Without copright, corporations would be able to take and modify those products without giving their work back to the community.
The GPL *requires* copyright to work. Without copyright, everything is public domain.
Open source would not exist as we know it without copyright.
Spoken like a man who's never gotten laid.
Translation:
"I can't get any, so it must not be good."
They said that it was 192kbps VBR. Very few people could likely tell the difference.
Now, as to why they are using a $10 128MB flashdrive instead of a $.20 CD-R, I do not know.
192kbps Vorbis or AAC would be even better.
This group is giving you a CD-ROM with an MP3 file, not a CDDA disc. No one is going to be "ripping" the CD because it's already "pre-ripped".
And, yes, bad ripping software can really screw up the audio. Good ripping software can create a bit-for-bit copy.
People use FLAC instead of CDDA because it allows them to fit two albums on a CD.
Yes, I meant LAME. Sorry.
And, yes, you can tell the difference between lossless and lossy codecs. It's just that that, at higher bitrates, that difference becomes so subtle that you cannot determine which is the lossless codec and which is the lossy codec.
I'm not going to claim that 128kbps is "CD Quality". I certainly wouldn't call WMA 64kbps "CD Quality" (although it's not awful).
However, with a good encoder, at 256kbps, virtually no one can tell the difference.
Is there a reason behind your logic or are you just a troll?
PSP does a heck of a lot. It still lacks many of the features needed by professionals (mainly related to keeping proper colors) but it is great for web graphics and many other things. It even has a very powerful Python scripting interface.
Fireworks is also a great application. It's a bit odd when compared to other applications, but it has some nice features that are particularly useful for web graphics.
PS is $700. Fireworks is over $300. PSP is $99. You can upgrade from PSP 5, 6, or 7 for only $30.
Sure there is.
Make a text file. Change the extention to ".vbs". Insert VBScript. Double-Click on file.
Try this:
name=inputbox("What is your name?")
msgbox "Hello, " & name & "!"
How about a CD with CDDA audio?
Same quality. Sure, FLAC can fit 2x as much audio on a CD, but consider the number of CD players out there that play CDDA but not FLAC.
Better yet, how about 192kbps Vorbis?
And about this MP3 "crap":
In double-bind studies, self-proclaimed "audiophiles" were unable to tell the differece between a 256kbps MP3 (CBR, encoded with FLAC) and the uncompressed CD.
Now, of course, you don't want to transcode from one lossy format to another (or to another bitrate, for that matter). That's the true advantage of FLAC.
"but it is basically a full fledged computer, not a console"
So is a 'Cube. Or a PS2. They all have optical drives, GPUs, memory, CPUs, sound processors, etc.
The differences with the XBox are:
- It's Pentium-III/NVIDIA Chipset (similar to NFORCE) based
- It has a network controller (also NVIDIA)(available as an option for the PS2/Gamecube)
- It has a hard drive (available as an option for the PS2)
Heck, the PS2 even runs Linux.
The XBox lacks (compared to a typical computer):
- A BIOS
- HDD Space, CPU speed, and RAM
- Standard USB Ports (no, the controller ports don't count)
- PCI/AGP/Other Expandability
- VGA Output (without a conversion box)
- Audio input
- A desktop OS
Anyway, the XBox is not a PC. Yes, it is x86-based, and, yes, it uses an NVIDIA chipset. But it is no more a PC than the PS2.
(BTW: XBox is #2 in the console war here in the US)