IBM recommends whatever they think will make them the most money. Right now it's probably easist for them to sell a machine with Windows on it. They're not going to say to their customers, "I know you think Windows is great but we think you'd like this Linux thing instead." If you see an ad by IBM selling Linux support and call them up, they'll be more than happy to sell that to you.
IBM is a HUGE support organisation. Sure, they do make more money from hardware than from support or from software (individually), but not much more. And look at the trend; it probably won't be long before Global Services surpasses Hardware.
Have a look at IBM's recent press releases. You'll see IBM mentioning Linux a fair bit.
It certainly looks like IBM's trying to position itself as a software and support company, with Linux as a not insignificant part of that strategy.
It's hard to tell your manager, that 'there no fix for the problem yet, but it's expected in the next pre-patch release.'
I'm quite sure that a decision to widely deploy Linux, like Home Depot's decision, was not made by some tech under about three levels of management. When you're talking about a deployment of that size, you carefully weigh all of the options before going ahead. I'm sure Home Depot looked at licensing costs, expected support response times, support contracts, hardware requirements, etc. before going ahead with their Linux deployment.
The article mentions Red Hat; Home Depot may have a support contract with them. If they don't, or if Red Hat disappears, there are others to turn to for support. Home Depot's IT group is probably a respectable size; they could hire an in-house Linux developer for support if desired.
What do you do if your POS system is running on a proprietary, closed operating system and you come across an OS bug? If you're big enough, you might have a support contract for your OS and perhaps you will get support, but otherwise you're basically out of luck. Even with a support contract, if the company goes under or fails to provide support in a timely manner, you have nobody else to turn to.
Why not just using this rule in the httpd.conf file ?
RewriteRule/(.*).mp3/sorry.html [R]
Sorry, but according to their web site "We are one of the largest NT hosting providers in the world, a Registered Web Presence Provider for Microsoft® FrontPage® 2000." Perhaps IIS has similar functionality, but it's probably buried under about 4 menus and 17 clicks:)
If you're interested in microcontroller projects you might want to consider Atmel's AVR series. Atmel has a selection matrix which shows the AVR variants available. Some of the advantages over PICs:
You can use Steven Bolt's sp12 programmer which requires just a crystal and a few caps and resistors to build a stand-alone programmer, or requires nothing more than connectors and a few series resistors for an in-circuit-programming version.
All parts are flash based, not just a select few.
A low end established flash based part is available with a UART.
Flash parts are available with PWM channels, A/D converters, 16 bit timers, SPI and analog comparators.
A starter kit is available for $49 USD that comes with an in-circuit programming dongle and a demo board.
The series includes devices with between 1KB and 128KB of flash program storage.
(My favourite feature) GNU Binutils, GCC and even GDB target the AVR line. It's a joy to have access to a free and Free macro assembler and C compiler. Many micros come with free assemblers but these are often buggy and lack features, and it's very rare to get a free C compiler.
(Note that the latest binutils release supports the AVR, but the AVR GCC support is available as a patch to 2.95.2 at the location given above, or in the latest CVS & snapshots of GCC. The server hosting the patches seems to be down and has been for a short while, so Google's caching might come in handy. Google won't let me link directly to the cached version so just to to the cache of the first link for this search.)
No, although Mr. Blick did this project years ago (I saw it in about 97 or 98 and was suitably impressed.) I wonder where the guys that made a commercial version got their idea?
Supposidly the braking was done such that while you breaked you stored energy in the battery by an electromagnetic setup - kind of like a brake alternator!
It's called regenerative braking. It basically takes advantage of the fact that any motor is also essentially a generator. Most of these applications use three-phase brushless AC motors. Depending on the timing of the MOSFETs in the motor controller, the system can convert electrical energy to mechanical or the other way around.
The Blackberry is actually made by RIM (Compaq OEMs it). Yeah, it does have an i386 in it, but it's a very customised 386. RIM & Intel did a lot of work to get a 386 to run on AA batteries.
Have a look at RIM's "Developer Zone" and specifically their FAQs. The neat thing about the Blackberry is that it runs Windows.DLLs. RIM provides a simulator that runs on Windows, and provides the same API that the pager does. Instead of interfacing with actual hardware, though, the simulator's API interfaces with a virtual LCD, a virtual keypad, etc. The exact same code runs natively on the development machine and on the pager itself.
I agree that low bit rate MP3s are distinctly worse than CD quality audio. However, I don't know where you come up with your comment for 256kbps encoding that "at that point, your file size is only a factor of ~2 away from the raw 44.1/16 audio."
There's 44100 samples/sec * 2 channels * 16 bits / channel = 1411200 bits/sec, which is still a factor of five greater than 256 kbits/sec.
First, in CmdrTaco's own words, the article has "Some good points. Some not-so-good points." It doesn't say "look at this FUD nonsense from Microsoft."
Perhaps you're saying that because you're a linux zealot?
No, I'm saying it because you suggested that those types of reports never appear on Slashdot, when the very same report you used as an example was indeed posted.
Acutally that copper is just fine for almost all current residential internet needs. VDSL runs over the standard copper pair you have now and is about 30 mbit/s.
The advantage of the ARM platform is that it's a decent, high performance and low power embedded system. For example, if you wanted to build an in-dash MP3 player you might want to use a StrongARM processor.
At one point I was planning a StrongARM based embedded device and looked at these boards as a way to get the software guys up and running before my hardware was ready. I later settled on a MIPS processor before the project was scrapped.
Bottom line - you can't beat an off-the-shelf PC motherboard and processor for price/performance. There's no way anything else can compete because of the volumes that PC stuff is made in.
My web provider, pair networks used to use standard PCs on shelves. They have a bunch of pics taken during their latest office move. There's a couple of the shelves they used in the old datacenter that might be useful. Note how messy everything is! They are using exclusively rack mount cases for future installations.
Actually this was from one hand, across my heart to my other hand so my shoes would have little to do with it.
You are correct, though, that much more current would flow if I was wet. With moist fingers I can get the resistance down to 50k Ohms or so, or 180 microamps from a 9V battery. I personally wouldn't even worry about taking a 9V battery into the shower with me.
Hey, a lot of people stick 9V batteries on their tongue to see if they're dead or not.
The European safety standards specify about 30V (it might be 32 or 35 or so) as the "safe" voltage level. Any voltages used in your product above 30 or so volts have to be protected from coming in contact with anything (i.e. a finger) but below 30V no protection is required.
I think those guys were trying ISP-like service over the powerline, though. It's much easier to transmit data internally over your own wiring than to try to deliver external content into your house from your power feed.
The reason you don't get hurt by a 9V battery (which, in fact, can deliver quite a healthy current) is because of Ohm's law. The resistance from one of your hands across your heart to the other is quite high. I just grabbed my multimeter and see about 1.5M Ohms, so the max. current that would flow from a 9V battery through me is 6 microamps, even though the battery will probably deliver at least an amp into a short circuit.
This isn't for your external connectivity. It's for internal home networking -- plug your laptop in on the patio and access your server, for example. Or access your toaster, fridge, etc.
>To me the interesting question is why it's being >*transmitted* at all -- except as a technology >demonstration.
I think you just answered your own question. The linked article mentions that it's being shown at Supercomm 2000 which is a communication technology tradeshow. Saying "Hey, we lugged a couple of $500 hard drives here in our carry-on luggage to show you this movie!" just wouldn't have the same effect when you're trying to impress people looking at expensive routers and such.
Well, here's a UPS-on-a-card which would accomplish what you suggest.
Even better, a Netwinder runs straight from 12V, so you can just use a battery across its power supply for a UPS.
As for wiring a house with 12V, the problem is that a lower voltage implies a higher current, for the same amount of power. A 60W light bulb is only 0,5A at 120V but 5A at 12V. You either loose a lot of energy in your wiring, or have to use large-diameter, heavy and expensive wiring.
Slashdot Mirror
IBM recommends whatever they think will make them the most money. Right now it's probably easist for them to sell a machine with Windows on it. They're not going to say to their customers, "I know you think Windows is great but we think you'd like this Linux thing instead." If you see an ad by IBM selling Linux support and call them up, they'll be more than happy to sell that to you.
From IBM's latest annual report, percentage of revenue by category:
IBM is a HUGE support organisation. Sure, they do make more money from hardware than from support or from software (individually), but not much more. And look at the trend; it probably won't be long before Global Services surpasses Hardware.
Have a look at IBM's recent press releases. You'll see IBM mentioning Linux a fair bit.
It certainly looks like IBM's trying to position itself as a software and support company, with Linux as a not insignificant part of that strategy.
I'm quite sure that a decision to widely deploy Linux, like Home Depot's decision, was not made by some tech under about three levels of management. When you're talking about a deployment of that size, you carefully weigh all of the options before going ahead. I'm sure Home Depot looked at licensing costs, expected support response times, support contracts, hardware requirements, etc. before going ahead with their Linux deployment.
The article mentions Red Hat; Home Depot may have a support contract with them. If they don't, or if Red Hat disappears, there are others to turn to for support. Home Depot's IT group is probably a respectable size; they could hire an in-house Linux developer for support if desired.
What do you do if your POS system is running on a proprietary, closed operating system and you come across an OS bug? If you're big enough, you might have a support contract for your OS and perhaps you will get support, but otherwise you're basically out of luck. Even with a support contract, if the company goes under or fails to provide support in a timely manner, you have nobody else to turn to.
(And yes, I know Apache runs under NT...)
Just FYI, CIBC does require JavaScript.
(Note that the latest binutils release supports the AVR, but the AVR GCC support is available as a patch to 2.95.2 at the location given above, or in the latest CVS & snapshots of GCC. The server hosting the patches seems to be down and has been for a short while, so Google's caching might come in handy. Google won't let me link directly to the cached version so just to to the cache of the first link for this search.)
Sad to say .. this is not new.
No, although Mr. Blick did this project years ago (I saw it in about 97 or 98 and was suitably impressed.) I wonder where the guys that made a commercial version got their idea?
The tune went something like this:
It's called regenerative braking. It basically takes advantage of the fact that any motor is also essentially a generator. Most of these applications use three-phase brushless AC motors. Depending on the timing of the MOSFETs in the motor controller, the system can convert electrical energy to mechanical or the other way around.
Have a look at RIM's "Developer Zone" and specifically their FAQs. The neat thing about the Blackberry is that it runs Windows .DLLs. RIM provides a simulator that runs on Windows, and provides the same API that the pager does. Instead of interfacing with actual hardware, though, the simulator's API interfaces with a virtual LCD, a virtual keypad, etc. The exact same code runs natively on the development machine and on the pager itself.
I agree that low bit rate MP3s are distinctly worse than CD quality audio. However, I don't know where you come up with your comment for 256kbps encoding that "at that point, your file size is only a factor of ~2 away from the raw 44.1/16 audio."
There's 44100 samples/sec * 2 channels * 16 bits / channel = 1411200 bits/sec, which is still a factor of five greater than 256 kbits/sec.
OK.
First, in CmdrTaco's own words, the article has "Some good points. Some not-so-good points." It doesn't say "look at this FUD nonsense from Microsoft."
Perhaps you're saying that because you're a linux zealot?
No, I'm saying it because you suggested that those types of reports never appear on Slashdot, when the very same report you used as an example was indeed posted.
Acutally that copper is just fine for almost all current residential internet needs. VDSL runs over the standard copper pair you have now and is about 30 mbit/s.
Some apps to make use of your bandwidth:
For Windows, free (banner ad supported): BinaryBoy
For Linux: Binary Grabber, brag, Glitter (GUI), PicMonger (GUI), Usenet Binary Harvester (perl)
Actually it's funny you should mention Microsoft's Linux Myths page. Those reports are posted on Slashdot.
As far as credibility goes, I guess it's you that's lacking. Linux zealot bashers are worse than the Linux zealots they're bashing.
The advantage of the ARM platform is that it's a decent, high performance and low power embedded system. For example, if you wanted to build an in-dash MP3 player you might want to use a StrongARM processor.
At one point I was planning a StrongARM based embedded device and looked at these boards as a way to get the software guys up and running before my hardware was ready. I later settled on a MIPS processor before the project was scrapped.
Bottom line - you can't beat an off-the-shelf PC motherboard and processor for price/performance. There's no way anything else can compete because of the volumes that PC stuff is made in.
Limited to 2.0 -- Huh? My Netwinder seems to be running 2.2.12 just fine.
My web provider, pair networks used to use standard PCs on shelves. They have a bunch of pics taken during their latest office move. There's a couple of the shelves they used in the old datacenter that might be useful. Note how messy everything is! They are using exclusively rack mount cases for future installations.
Actually this was from one hand, across my heart to my other hand so my shoes would have little to do with it.
You are correct, though, that much more current would flow if I was wet. With moist fingers I can get the resistance down to 50k Ohms or so, or 180 microamps from a 9V battery. I personally wouldn't even worry about taking a 9V battery into the shower with me.
Hey, a lot of people stick 9V batteries on their tongue to see if they're dead or not.
The European safety standards specify about 30V (it might be 32 or 35 or so) as the "safe" voltage level. Any voltages used in your product above 30 or so volts have to be protected from coming in contact with anything (i.e. a finger) but below 30V no protection is required.
I think those guys were trying ISP-like service over the powerline, though. It's much easier to transmit data internally over your own wiring than to try to deliver external content into your house from your power feed.
Here's a link.
The reason you don't get hurt by a 9V battery (which, in fact, can deliver quite a healthy current) is because of Ohm's law. The resistance from one of your hands across your heart to the other is quite high. I just grabbed my multimeter and see about 1.5M Ohms, so the max. current that would flow from a 9V battery through me is 6 microamps, even though the battery will probably deliver at least an amp into a short circuit.
This isn't for your external connectivity. It's for internal home networking -- plug your laptop in on the patio and access your server, for example. Or access your toaster, fridge, etc.
>*transmitted* at all -- except as a technology
>demonstration.
I think you just answered your own question. The linked article mentions that it's being shown at Supercomm 2000 which is a communication technology tradeshow. Saying "Hey, we lugged a couple of $500 hard drives here in our carry-on luggage to show you this movie!" just wouldn't have the same effect when you're trying to impress people looking at expensive routers and such.
Well, here's a UPS-on-a-card which would accomplish what you suggest.
Even better, a Netwinder runs straight from 12V, so you can just use a battery across its power supply for a UPS.
As for wiring a house with 12V, the problem is that a lower voltage implies a higher current, for the same amount of power. A 60W light bulb is only 0,5A at 120V but 5A at 12V. You either loose a lot of energy in your wiring, or have to use large-diameter, heavy and expensive wiring.