There are an awful lot of "borrow" words in English.
There is a T-Shirt I have up that sums it up best: "English doesn't borrow from other languages. English follows other languages down dark alleys, knocks them over and goes through their pockets for loose grammar."
Which is (as explained on the page), a paraphrase of a quotation made by James Nicoll. "The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary."
Otherwise you are just asking for support calls that will cost a hell of a lot more than that intern ever did.
Except that MS doesn't field support calls unless you pay them per "incident", so it costs them nothing to ignore the problem.
Heck, if they have an easy solution, they could even come out ahead by not fixing it and charging incident fees. I doubt they did that here, but it is something to keep in mind.
a place called "slashdot.org" where an amazing Talmudic debate was under way
Hmmm, first time I think I've ever heard Slashdot compared to a Talmudic debate. I certainly see the similarities (opposing positions trying to sway the opposite side pulling in citations from other sources), but I still see a few differences (like the lack of each page starting with a quote from "Plony Almony" going "First Drash!", or a flame war erupting that covered three pages between those supporting Beit Shammai and those supporting Beit Hillel).
On the other hand, its certainly a place where practitioners and laymen sit around after hours (and perhaps during), and toss ideas around (sometimes foolish, sometimes practical), so maybe the comparison has more merit than I would have guessed.:)
Now imagine if all the groups doing this started signing up exclusive talent to their service, and perhaps decided to form an organization to help watch out for their interests (lobbying, etc.) .
Perhaps something like "The Online Recording Industry Association of America".
Maybe they can just shorten it to ORIAA.
All that is happening is that the current business model is failing. If the existing recording companies fail to recognize this, and prepare themselves for the paradigm shift, then they will be rendered obsolete by new companies that DO recognize the shifting ground in the marketplace.
As a consumer though, there will always be a RIAA, or its successor, the only question is whether it will view us as adversaries or consumers.
That's exactly why I DIDN'T use a specific number. You are underage if you were below whatever you're jurisdictions age was. If you weren't to young, then you wouldn't have a problem later, although the pictures of being completely shitfaced that employers might dig up, are usually a bad idea in most cases.
After they switched from hardware to software emulation, I'm curious as to how removing the software helps to reduce production costs.
Easy, they never moved completely to a software solution (yet).
The original (20/60GB) PS3s shipped with hardware emulation provided by two PS2 chips inside the PS3.
The later 80GB PS3 had one of the chips removed (hence cost savings), and the other replaced by software emulation (along with upscaling old games, and other things that software emulation can do once its introduced to the mix).
The 40GB PS3 has neither of those chips, so until Sony releases a full Software based emulator, they are SOL on backward compatibility.
Now, there have been rumors that Sony is working on a full software only BC solution, but not much has been heard about this yet, and its still only rumors.
From the Fine Summary:...Do Facebook users deserve privacy?
Deserve privacy? Probably, but these are same people who post pictures of themselves engaging in illegal/inappropriate activities (underage drinking, drug use, etc.), and then wonder why "the wrong people" got into their "personal" files.
What they truly deserve is "common sense" to know that posting things on the net (or on any computer/space outside YOUR control) means others could have access to that information, and to think and consider what to do before you use it. Likewise they should have enough common sense to think that if they choose to divulge information about themselves Wholesale, they shouldn't be surprised when Identity theft rates skyrocket in the near-future, once some unscrupulous character gets a hold of the data Facebook is happy to dish up.
I'm usually very pro Apple, but I'm not so sure of the Air in this situation.
How about this (and I realize I'm probably going beyond what the OP was looking for budget wise, but it might be a good solution):
Consider a Sony VAIO UX Micro PC. It weighs 1.2Lbs (a bit more with the large capacity battery which gives you the 3-7 hours of up-time) and should be able to be kept on you all the time. It includes : 2 Built-in Cameras (front: 0.3M pixels and back: 1.3M pixels) Built-in microphone (for web-logs, or email home?), a biometric fingerprint scanner, and has a USB port (for dumping other data as you go?) Sony lists Upgrade features as " 48GB Solid State Drive for faster performance, large capacity battery and Bluetooth® GPS receiver". Again, cost is a factor, but the solid state drive would extend battery life, the large capacity drive boost the uptime from 1.5-3.5 hours to 3-7 hours (I imagine use of the built in WiFi and Bluetooth is the killer), and a Bluetooth GPS receiver so you can use this handheld for mapping also.
It has a built in MemoryStick Duo slot for your "backups" According to NewEgg a Sony 128MB card is ~12$ and there are 256B and 512MB cards for ~18$. (FYI: 1GB are ~25$, 2GB are ~35$, 4GB are ~50$, and 8GB are ~100$)
Yeah, its not as much or as cheap as a DVD, but the MS Duo should be enough to back up the next great novel easily (or more depending on how much space you decide to purchase), it should cost as much to ship as a letter (dont forget a ziplock baggy or some static bags to slip them into when you ship them off) and I would imagine you'd be able to replenish as you travel (tourism being what it is).
Also consider getting one of these: Laptop Solar Panels. It will run more than most people want (heck, the "Economy" model is $600, but if you're going to be sitting in the remote locations you mentioned, then you might want to be able to power your electrical equipment (including whatever laptop you end up bringing. The other downside (besides the price), is that it is an additional 15lbs (10 for the panels, 5 for the power center), so unless you NEED power, you might not want to bother.
Go with the "I want a device I can plug any old pair of headphones into."
The iPhone (and I assume the Touch), have the headphone jack slightly recessed the plug won't work, unless it is straight with no excess rubber/plastic around the plug.
Stupid design, all they needed to do was not recess the plug, but right now the hardware design is broken.
... The only way they'll screw this up is to turn it into a cash grab where the average consumer spends more, because competition from DSL and FiOS will prevent that.
Yeah... because they'd never just turn it into a cash grab.:/
Well, I do not know about you, but I've had two infections in the past six months - which, in my opinion, is bad enough.
As a consultant who flies about twice a week (for the past few years), I have to ask what type of shoe you're using?
I personally try to use a simple tube sock with a shoe I can easily slip on and off. Some of these are even rather fashionable now (most "dress socks" unfortunately just don't absorb much sweat which leaves the foot damp, moist, and ripe for fungal infection).:)
I have yet to get a fungus infection, so I'm guessing your either traveling in sandals (I've done that too, and oddly enough I've been able to walk through security with them on sometimes), you're more prone to infection, or perhaps its some other related factor (cleanliness of the hotel accommodations?, use of pool/spa facilities?) .
I realize this is only tangentially on-topic, but did anyone else notice that the logo for Panther Software Publishing (in the upper left corner of the page in TFA above), is a flipped and color changed version of the old Thundercats logo (here for instance)
As far as I can tell, it looks like it might be a direct steal, with a little bit of cleanup. I'm a bit surprised that any company would be using a stolen image as their logo.
You are absolutely right. There have been some similar cases, and I hadn't thought of the ones you had mentioned.
I was thinking in terms of media (record -> tape -> CD -> mp3?), but there are certainly lots of examples. The 78 RPM records to the 33 1/3 RPM records is probably the closest to the current DVD -> (HiDef Optical Format X) comparison.:) Same player, same media you've purchased, no problem using it.
The B&W TV -> Colour TV and Mono TV -> Stereo TV is a different situation since it was more a matter of a new format enabling support for legacy players (sort of like if Blu-Ray or HD-DVD disks played in regular DVD drives, like the hybrid HD-DVD/DVD disks).
I'd also argue that DOS to Windows 3.1 to Windows 9X to WInXP, while certainly co-existing side by side, also introduced compatibility issues (especially over multiple "jumps") so that a user almost inevitably had to upgrade their software to be able to run it. (I'm not saying there aren't DOS apps still running under WinXP, but I doubt its a majority of the issues).
The idea is that the computer can grow and learn. First they start playing the computer in tac-tac-toe, then they get the computer to play tic-tac-toe against itself. From there, the computer makes the "intuitive" leap that there is such a thing as a No-Win Scenario, where neither side wins (or both sides lose depending on your perspective).
It then starts "gaming" all of the Nuclear Strike options it has been programmed with, and that it can come up with (some of them are pretty outlandish Wost-Case-Scenarios), and decides that Nuclear War is one of those situations.
All the humans in the story did (theoretically), was start the computer down the path of discovery, and let it learn (and then hope it did so, and that it did it before it broke the launch codes and started WWIII).
Okay... I'm going to go hang my head in shame that I knew all that (and then go out and buy the Blu-Ray/DVD so I can rewatch it:) )
Think though what will happen when one format truly wins.
The price of the player should keep dropping, to the point that people will start buying players, even though they only use DVDs (heck they might be the only type of player on the market? or perhaps only the cheapest of the cheap optical players will be DVD only?).
Then once they upgrade their TVs, they are already set to use a HiDef format.
Slowly people can acquire new HiDef disks, replacing DVDs (if they want, since their player should be doing upscaling anyway which will help to a limited degree).
DVDs don't become obsolete overnight, but instead slowly fade away. It'll be an interesting market shift since I don't think we've seen a case where a replacement format could co-exist and slowly take over from an existing/entrenched format, until now.
Slashdot Mirror
There are an awful lot of "borrow" words in English.
There is a T-Shirt I have up that sums it up best: "English doesn't borrow from other languages. English follows other languages down dark alleys, knocks them over and goes through their pockets for loose grammar."
Which is (as explained on the page), a paraphrase of a quotation made by James Nicoll. "The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary."
Except that MS doesn't field support calls unless you pay them per "incident", so it costs them nothing to ignore the problem.
Heck, if they have an easy solution, they could even come out ahead by not fixing it and charging incident fees. I doubt they did that here, but it is something to keep in mind.
I disagree. I think instead that, "The industry AS IT IS NOW will undoubtedly go down kicking and screaming, but down it will go UNLESS IT CHANGES."
Imagine if the Recording Industry decided to offer up its music at one "low price", or perhaps they decided to offer non-DRMed tracks (perhaps for an extra dollar. Or maybe they could offer an "all you can eat" monthly subscription, or maybe a free streaming service.
Now imagine if all the groups doing this started signing up exclusive talent to their service, and perhaps decided to form an organization to help watch out for their interests (lobbying, etc.) .
Perhaps something like "The Online Recording Industry Association of America".
Maybe they can just shorten it to ORIAA.
All that is happening is that the current business model is failing. If the existing recording companies fail to recognize this, and prepare themselves for the paradigm shift, then they will be rendered obsolete by new companies that DO recognize the shifting ground in the marketplace.
As a consumer though, there will always be a RIAA, or its successor, the only question is whether it will view us as adversaries or consumers.
That's exactly why I DIDN'T use a specific number. You are underage if you were below whatever you're jurisdictions age was. If you weren't to young, then you wouldn't have a problem later, although the pictures of being completely shitfaced that employers might dig up, are usually a bad idea in most cases.
Easy, they never moved completely to a software solution (yet).
The original (20/60GB) PS3s shipped with hardware emulation provided by two PS2 chips inside the PS3.
The later 80GB PS3 had one of the chips removed (hence cost savings), and the other replaced by software emulation (along with upscaling old games, and other things that software emulation can do once its introduced to the mix).
The 40GB PS3 has neither of those chips, so until Sony releases a full Software based emulator, they are SOL on backward compatibility.
Now, there have been rumors that Sony is working on a full software only BC solution, but not much has been heard about this yet, and its still only rumors.
If I still had any mod points that would definitely be worth a "+1 Funny".
Thanks, I think I'll be chuckling all day.
Deserve privacy? Probably, but these are same people who post pictures of themselves engaging in illegal/inappropriate activities (underage drinking, drug use, etc.), and then wonder why "the wrong people" got into their "personal" files.
What they truly deserve is "common sense" to know that posting things on the net (or on any computer/space outside YOUR control) means others could have access to that information, and to think and consider what to do before you use it. Likewise they should have enough common sense to think that if they choose to divulge information about themselves Wholesale, they shouldn't be surprised when Identity theft rates skyrocket in the near-future, once some unscrupulous character gets a hold of the data Facebook is happy to dish up.
I'm usually very pro Apple, but I'm not so sure of the Air in this situation.
How about this (and I realize I'm probably going beyond what the OP was looking for budget wise, but it might be a good solution):
Consider a Sony VAIO UX Micro PC. It weighs 1.2Lbs (a bit more with the large capacity battery which gives you the 3-7 hours of up-time) and should be able to be kept on you all the time.
It includes : 2 Built-in Cameras (front: 0.3M pixels and back: 1.3M pixels) Built-in microphone (for web-logs, or email home?), a biometric fingerprint scanner, and has a USB port (for dumping other data as you go?)
Sony lists Upgrade features as " 48GB Solid State Drive for faster performance, large capacity battery and Bluetooth® GPS receiver". Again, cost is a factor, but the solid state drive would extend battery life, the large capacity drive boost the uptime from 1.5-3.5 hours to 3-7 hours (I imagine use of the built in WiFi and Bluetooth is the killer), and a Bluetooth GPS receiver so you can use this handheld for mapping also.
It has a built in MemoryStick Duo slot for your "backups" According to NewEgg a Sony 128MB card is ~12$ and there are 256B and 512MB cards for ~18$. (FYI: 1GB are ~25$, 2GB are ~35$, 4GB are ~50$, and 8GB are ~100$)
Yeah, its not as much or as cheap as a DVD, but the MS Duo should be enough to back up the next great novel easily (or more depending on how much space you decide to purchase), it should cost as much to ship as a letter (dont forget a ziplock baggy or some static bags to slip them into when you ship them off) and I would imagine you'd be able to replenish as you travel (tourism being what it is).
Another choice might be the Same idea as the Sony Vaio, but in a laptop (versus handtop) form-factor. ~2 lbs, 2xUSB ports a PCMCIA slot, 10.4" screen, 802.11a/b/g 8 hour battery and a built in SD slot for flash-memory (for backup in place of the required DVD drive).
NewEggs prices on SD memory are: 1GB ~5$-30$, 2GB ~9$-38$, 4GB ~18$-60$ (the wide variance is due to different classes of product, and deep competition in the marketplace I assume). Take the same precautions as above of bringing a whole mess with you, and shipping them home in a baggy and a sturdy envelope (maybe a bit of cardboard) and they'll probably pay for themselves over CDs in terms of survivability and shipping charges. They also have an even higher likelyhood of worldwide availability since so many electronic devices use them.
Also consider getting one of these: Laptop Solar Panels. It will run more than most people want (heck, the "Economy" model is $600, but if you're going to be sitting in the remote locations you mentioned, then you might want to be able to power your electrical equipment (including whatever laptop you end up bringing. The other downside (besides the price), is that it is an additional 15lbs (10 for the panels, 5 for the power center), so unless you NEED power, you might not want to bother.
That would just push the incentive to move the whole project out of the Tax Jurisdiction.
Go with the "I want a device I can plug any old pair of headphones into."
The iPhone (and I assume the Touch), have the headphone jack slightly recessed the plug won't work, unless it is straight with no excess rubber/plastic around the plug.
Stupid design, all they needed to do was not recess the plug, but right now the hardware design is broken.
Yeah
As a consultant who flies about twice a week (for the past few years), I have to ask what type of shoe you're using?
I personally try to use a simple tube sock with a shoe I can easily slip on and off. Some of these are even rather fashionable now (most "dress socks" unfortunately just don't absorb much sweat which leaves the foot damp, moist, and ripe for fungal infection).
I have yet to get a fungus infection, so I'm guessing your either traveling in sandals (I've done that too, and oddly enough I've been able to walk through security with them on sometimes), you're more prone to infection, or perhaps its some other related factor (cleanliness of the hotel accommodations?, use of pool/spa facilities?) .
Good luck in the future.
I realize this is only tangentially on-topic, but did anyone else notice that the logo for Panther Software Publishing (in the upper left corner of the page in TFA above), is a flipped and color changed version of the old Thundercats logo (here for instance)
As far as I can tell, it looks like it might be a direct steal, with a little bit of cleanup. I'm a bit surprised that any company would be using a stolen image as their logo.
The other one I heard is how olympic athletes were debating practicing in high Smog areas so they would be better prepared for the conditions. :)
Without my daily stream of spam, how would I know that my email connection is properly working?
:P
Its merely a randomized heartbeat message that your email is functioning, with random garbage filling the actual message content.
I think someone already thought of that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_the_Earth_to_the_Moon.
You mean you didn't like the:
:)
"Huked on foniks werked fer me!" slogan?
WOPR wants to know if you'd like to play a nice game of Chess.
The Matrix is reported as coming on-line shortly to service your needs.
SkyNet remains unavailable for comment.
That depends if they Hurd him.
Even if they did, it might not Mach any difference.
You are absolutely right. There have been some similar cases, and I hadn't thought of the ones you had mentioned.
:) Same player, same media you've purchased, no problem using it.
I was thinking in terms of media (record -> tape -> CD -> mp3?), but there are certainly lots of examples. The 78 RPM records to the 33 1/3 RPM records is probably the closest to the current DVD -> (HiDef Optical Format X) comparison.
The B&W TV -> Colour TV and Mono TV -> Stereo TV is a different situation since it was more a matter of a new format enabling support for legacy players (sort of like if Blu-Ray or HD-DVD disks played in regular DVD drives, like the hybrid HD-DVD/DVD disks).
I'd also argue that DOS to Windows 3.1 to Windows 9X to WInXP, while certainly co-existing side by side, also introduced compatibility issues (especially over multiple "jumps") so that a user almost inevitably had to upgrade their software to be able to run it. (I'm not saying there aren't DOS apps still running under WinXP, but I doubt its a majority of the issues).
Close.
... I'm going to go hang my head in shame that I knew all that (and then go out and buy the Blu-Ray/DVD so I can rewatch it :) )
The idea is that the computer can grow and learn. First they start playing the computer in tac-tac-toe, then they get the computer to play tic-tac-toe against itself. From there, the computer makes the "intuitive" leap that there is such a thing as a No-Win Scenario, where neither side wins (or both sides lose depending on your perspective).
It then starts "gaming" all of the Nuclear Strike options it has been programmed with, and that it can come up with (some of them are pretty outlandish Wost-Case-Scenarios), and decides that Nuclear War is one of those situations.
All the humans in the story did (theoretically), was start the computer down the path of discovery, and let it learn (and then hope it did so, and that it did it before it broke the launch codes and started WWIII).
Okay
Well. Isn't that essentially the risk/reward for being an early adopter?
If more people would go ahead and weigh in (by buying players/media from one side or the other), then their opinions would be counted.
If they don't, then the only opinions that matter (to those making the decisions), are those that are actually involved.
True.
Think though what will happen when one format truly wins.
The price of the player should keep dropping, to the point that people will start buying players, even though they only use DVDs (heck they might be the only type of player on the market? or perhaps only the cheapest of the cheap optical players will be DVD only?).
Then once they upgrade their TVs, they are already set to use a HiDef format.
Slowly people can acquire new HiDef disks, replacing DVDs (if they want, since their player should be doing upscaling anyway which will help to a limited degree).
DVDs don't become obsolete overnight, but instead slowly fade away. It'll be an interesting market shift since I don't think we've seen a case where a replacement format could co-exist and slowly take over from an existing/entrenched format, until now.