Yes 8 fucking Mhz 286 machine, because we all are using that. How many other modern operating systems are bothered to run on such hardware. Its backward compat like that, which makes modern code slower. I also believe the GP was trying to be funny but i do agree with you on the secure part.
You seem to be missing the point. Software is a tool, the whole point of many of our technologies today is the blackbox feature. Users should be able to USE it without having to tinker with the nuts and bolts of it. I am not saying that if a user wants something that probably won't be implemented sometime in the near future that they should not seek other options, one of which would be to just do it on their own. Anyone can pick up programming but programming WELL is a skill. Just think about the logistics of the problem. User1 needs feature X for their project, it just isn't feasable to have them learn C or C++, fuck up on the pointers and create a half assed solution in the time it takes to scout out another option, possibly closed source and move on. Not everyone possesses the skill nor patience for such an endevor and to expect every individual to become programmers is just a ridiculous proposition. Also, building a computer is not a worthy anology of programming a computer. Now if you were to say, to design the video card, and the internal perhiphrials of a computer that would be different or to design an operating system from the ground up. I believe that this type of expectation upon users is exactly why many shy away from open source. When you're a professional in a field that is not computer science or just programming, You want to get your professional work done with tools that aid you. Point is: When faced with the option of implementing a feature in the code level and working with another package that has everything you need, a person will choose the easiest method.
Yeah, while I agree that the argument is not what Gates has done for charity and is about quality of code. Why don't you line Linux up with a more worthy contender than comparing it to Microsoft's worst OS. These are what zealots do and provides no merit to their operating system. The original poster's correct in their assertion that Windows is a complicated program and is designed to run on a wide variety of platforms. If you look on email lists you will see many issues on Linux and the other Open Source Operating systems have their problems too. The issue is more about their quality control in maintaining software rather than their initial quality of code.
Anyway, My point is, if you are going to use an example of poor quality or compare Linux to something use a better and more current product. Haven't heard many people compare much with Red Hat 6.0.
Linux is the kernel, all the components that make up a linux distribution are mostly distributed under the GPL. You argument makes no sense whatsoever. Do you even know why "it" that "they give away" is free? This isn't shareware we are talking about. The GPL license keeps it "free". There is nothing stopping you from compiling the sourcecode and and maintaining a binary for free.
Now, look at it at a business point of view. How are they going to close the kernel? If they somehow could, what about the hundreds of packages that are shipping with each linux distribution? All GPL'd, BSD'ed or some form of FOSS Licenses. How will said company be able to justify selling their closed distribution when there will be better and open alternatives?
I think you should read up on linux, and other open source before you mouth off about things you know nothing about.
I do agree with the Linux bias being stupid overall and Windows ME is a weak excuse for comparing to Linux. If someone wants to line Linux up with something, use a better product don't use the worst.
For many Linux IS a political statement. It is a movement from a mainstream of closed source software where users are at the mercy of a select from software companies for quality. I am not saying that proprietary software is bad but for a lot of people (the early adopters and YES the ZEALOTS) is about choice. Now for Linux in the mainstream Linux should be a choice based on more practical reasons. The Stability, security and price is just the driving force of the philosophy (Why go proprietary when OpenSource offers you X, Y and Z).
Not that I totally agree with the poster's opinion, but why is he modded a troll? He is stating an opinion and giving points to support his argument. Lets keep the overly bias anti-microsoft bias to a rest. I don't see anyone who writes a sentence or two about how "Linux Rules" modded as a troll though. They are usually just reiterating common noise.
Yeah, I understand that. I'm not explictly defending the developers but sometimes the best feedback on problems are from people who use the product rather than develop it. It can be related to writing something and going over it and not noticing the simple things. Still, I think bringing it to their attention can't hurt.
...and yet if your internet over power lines goes out chances are (excluding network related failure) your power is already down but what would be the case anyway if you had cable, DSL, and in most cases even a wireless.
For the sake of improvement, have any of you bothered to file bug reports with firefox. I'm not saying you haven't but it would definitely help if the developers were on the same page with firefox's shortcomings. You're posting on/. and giving technical details of what the problem seems to be so I don't expect to hear any of the usual "well joe user wouldn't be bothered." because you guys don't seem like the average joe user.
In Linux, you have to recompile a kernel if you want to so much as change your modem!
Should we inform him that the 1.0 release of the Linux kernel is outdated? I'm not going to go and say "Well on distro XYZ my (random model)modem worked perfectly" but this is just ridiculous. Think what you want of linux and it might very well be overrated but call things how they are
...And markets it as such, which Grokster was doing. I don't think Opera will be in trouble as it is just offering it and as long as it doesn't advertise the BT client to "download music, programs, games, and movies" it will be in the clear.
Are you mixing up your facts or just trying to be political*?
Unless you mean the ancient Greek-Athens definition for the word, yes we don't have deomcracy, but a democracy is defined as power by the people exercised by elected representatives
See Democracy. A republic as well is defined as the state in which said definition of democracy is exercised
See Republic.
You can argue the point that this system is unfair and everything the GP is stating but just get your points correct.
Slashdot Mirror
I can see it now. Orbiting Ad-Words in space. Contextual to the latitude and longitude of the target audience.
I think a $1.00 8x11 inch piece of paper telling me where I can obtain a PS for free just doesn't feel the same.
Who the hell modded this up? The GP has a valid point and this is just some Anonymous Coward crap. Get with it mods.
Hey while they're at it, they might as well leave an "Ask Slashdot" Post.
Yes 8 fucking Mhz 286 machine, because we all are using that. How many other modern operating systems are bothered to run on such hardware. Its backward compat like that, which makes modern code slower. I also believe the GP was trying to be funny but i do agree with you on the secure part.
You seem to be missing the point. Software is a tool, the whole point of many of our technologies today is the blackbox feature. Users should be able to USE it without having to tinker with the nuts and bolts of it. I am not saying that if a user wants something that probably won't be implemented sometime in the near future that they should not seek other options, one of which would be to just do it on their own. Anyone can pick up programming but programming WELL is a skill. Just think about the logistics of the problem. User1 needs feature X for their project, it just isn't feasable to have them learn C or C++, fuck up on the pointers and create a half assed solution in the time it takes to scout out another option, possibly closed source and move on. Not everyone possesses the skill nor patience for such an endevor and to expect every individual to become programmers is just a ridiculous proposition.
Also, building a computer is not a worthy anology of programming a computer. Now if you were to say, to design the video card, and the internal perhiphrials of a computer that would be different or to design an operating system from the ground up. I believe that this type of expectation upon users is exactly why many shy away from open source. When you're a professional in a field that is not computer science or just programming, You want to get your professional work done with tools that aid you.
Point is: When faced with the option of implementing a feature in the code level and working with another package that has everything you need, a person will choose the easiest method.
See: Ask Slashdot posts.
Yeah, you and about 400 other people because something is wrong with /.
Yeah, while I agree that the argument is not what Gates has done for charity and is about quality of code. Why don't you line Linux up with a more worthy contender than comparing it to Microsoft's worst OS. These are what zealots do and provides no merit to their operating system. The original poster's correct in their assertion that Windows is a complicated program and is designed to run on a wide variety of platforms. If you look on email lists you will see many issues on Linux and the other Open Source Operating systems have their problems too. The issue is more about their quality control in maintaining software rather than their initial quality of code.
Anyway, My point is, if you are going to use an example of poor quality or compare Linux to something use a better and more current product. Haven't heard many people compare much with Red Hat 6.0.
Linux is the kernel, all the components that make up a linux distribution are mostly distributed under the GPL. You argument makes no sense whatsoever. Do you even know why "it" that "they give away" is free? This isn't shareware we are talking about. The GPL license keeps it "free". There is nothing stopping you from compiling the sourcecode and and maintaining a binary for free.
Now, look at it at a business point of view. How are they going to close the kernel? If they somehow could, what about the hundreds of packages that are shipping with each linux distribution? All GPL'd, BSD'ed or some form of FOSS Licenses. How will said company be able to justify selling their closed distribution when there will be better and open alternatives?
I think you should read up on linux, and other open source before you mouth off about things you know nothing about.
I do agree with the Linux bias being stupid overall and Windows ME is a weak excuse for comparing to Linux. If someone wants to line Linux up with something, use a better product don't use the worst.
For many Linux IS a political statement. It is a movement from a mainstream of closed source software where users are at the mercy of a select from software companies for quality. I am not saying that proprietary software is bad but for a lot of people (the early adopters and YES the ZEALOTS) is about choice. Now for Linux in the mainstream Linux should be a choice based on more practical reasons. The Stability, security and price is just the driving force of the philosophy (Why go proprietary when OpenSource offers you X, Y and Z).
Not that I totally agree with the poster's opinion, but why is he modded a troll? He is stating an opinion and giving points to support his argument. Lets keep the overly bias anti-microsoft bias to a rest. I don't see anyone who writes a sentence or two about how "Linux Rules" modded as a troll though. They are usually just reiterating common noise.
Yeah, I understand that. I'm not explictly defending the developers but sometimes the best feedback on problems are from people who use the product rather than develop it. It can be related to writing something and going over it and not noticing the simple things. Still, I think bringing it to their attention can't hurt.
You must be new to the internet.
...PI is a number that only geeks would spot in ordinarily mundane things as the previous poster's comment.
Does this mean that the space shuttles will be new and improved but in BETA?
...and yet if your internet over power lines goes out chances are (excluding network related failure) your power is already down but what would be the case anyway if you had cable, DSL, and in most cases even a wireless.
For the sake of improvement, have any of you bothered to file bug reports with firefox. I'm not saying you haven't but it would definitely help if the developers were on the same page with firefox's shortcomings. You're posting on /. and giving technical details of what the problem seems to be so I don't expect to hear any of the usual "well joe user wouldn't be bothered." because you guys don't seem like the average joe user.
Well i'm pretty sure that this constitutes prior art on Bullshit, as well as everyone they have debuted on the show.
Should we inform him that the 1.0 release of the Linux kernel is outdated? I'm not going to go and say "Well on distro XYZ my (random model)modem worked perfectly" but this is just ridiculous. Think what you want of linux and it might very well be overrated but call things how they are
Don't worry if you missed it, you'll catch it on the dupe.
Banner Ad Revenue from slashdot? HAHA that implies that at least 25% of the people read the article.
No one else gets their most creative algorithms formulated while on the toilet?
...And markets it as such, which Grokster was doing. I don't think Opera will be in trouble as it is just offering it and as long as it doesn't advertise the BT client to "download music, programs, games, and movies" it will be in the clear.
Are you mixing up your facts or just trying to be political*?
Unless you mean the ancient Greek-Athens definition for the word, yes we don't have deomcracy, but a democracy is defined as power by the people exercised by elected representatives See Democracy. A republic as well is defined as the state in which said definition of democracy is exercised See Republic.
You can argue the point that this system is unfair and everything the GP is stating but just get your points correct.