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[snip]Making money in the net is more about selling a service (or advertising services) than about selling stuff (loosely speaking). Now the transition from an industrial economy to a service economy is what we've been witnessing throughout the Western world world, and is a highly desirable one for Third World countries...[snip]
What kind of services could a Third-World country have to offer (to another country... first world countries just take what they want from the third world... it's wrong, but we get everything we want/need out of them already)? (I ask this queston honestly) Certainly they couldn't provide services to their own citizens (except for the élite few that live at the top of their respective economies), as they certainly could not afford them (the necessities of life take precidence).
If I'm wrong, let me know...
The assumption that all developing countries have an agrarian based economy is one of the most widespread and silly misconceptions you see when slashdotter pontificate about this subject.
I realize that agriculture is not the sole source of income in the poorer countries of the world. I simply contend that there is a natural progression for an economy. Trying to skip the development of a solid industrial sector is silly.
I guess that I'm basically saying that IT and the internet "service sector" is over-rated (don't take offense people, its important, but not the solution to the world's problems). Look at what has been happening lately. Over-valued dotcoms have been sliding in value, as people are finally realizing that profit-less, product-less companies are not worth investing in. Like I said in my previous comment, internet access can help, but economy infrastructure is more important. Throwing internet access into the mix and hoping that the infrastructure will take care of itself will not work.
Making money in IT is based on people buying stuff (the various.com's on the internet), or serving as part of the infrastructure of business/industry.
The West (Europe, North America, Japan, etc.) was ready for the "internet revolution". It had a strong industrial base, and a stable middle-class that could fuel the "new economy" (I hate buzzwords).
Honestly, do you think that a country that doesn't really have an economy could really get an economic boost from internet access (at least not directly)?
Don't get me wrong, however. 'Net access is a Good Thing(tm). It serves as a medium for enlightenment, and a source of knowledge. Hopefully, the citizens of these countries would learn something and put it to use...
But its not a cut-and-dried solution. There are no guarantees.
Plus, you never know what those farmers may do with easy access to hard-core porn....:)
The best part about that is in Canada we have a little surcharge on every recordable CD. That money goes to the RIAA (or whatever the Canadian branch of it is), just in case you use that CD to pirate their music.
Because I'm already subsidizing the RIAA for pirating, does that mean its justified?
The way I see the UN is basically as a tool of the main large nations in the UN (USA, Russia, UK, China? - there's a word for them, but it escapes me).
I think the term you're looking for is the UN Security Council
Be's upgrade policy is that minor revisions (4.1, 4.2, etc...) are always free, while major releases (3.0, 4.0, 5.0, etc) are for pay (but users of previous versions pay less).
Yes, it is a philosophy. And yes, there is a difference. But believing in that philosophy, as well as in a higher power that shares that philosophy is where the religion comes from.
Blind following of dogma and the words of your respective church is a mistake. One should think for oneself.
Actually, I believe the quote was "*Organized* religion is for the feeble minded."
Which I can see. If you need someone to tell you how to worship or what to believe in, then there's a problem. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with believing in a higher power. I hate when a religion (which has been, for most of my life, Catholicism) tells me "You MUST go to confession!"
Basically, the best religion is one of belief of not harming your fellow man.
of course, I would have loved to have seen Kubrick do this one. I don't care what anyone here says, Eyes Wide Shut was excellent. A real, deep, involving movie (but had a crappy plot. I was just more impressed by Kubrick's direction and the cinematography).
Speilberg could be the perfect person to do a scifi on A.I, given that he probably won't give into the sensationalism that's out there (you know, the stuff that made Y2K such a 'crisis').
Try Insomnia. Me and a friend of mine thought this one up: Brew a pot of espresso, but replace the water with Jolt (hell on your coffeemaker, but worth it). It tastes pretty good, and will have you up forever.
Dude: I'm not trying to put Katz down. I, for one actually like most of his articles.
I was simply making an observation of the state of public opinion on/. towards Katz. It just seems to me that he's trying too hard.
IIRC, most slashdotters will accept someone (and yes, I think geekdom is a haphazard, defacto clique. We identify with each other, and we realize that each one of us has something interesting to add to an intellectual conversation) As long as they are themselves, and not trying to force-fit themselves into another social paradigm. With Katz, I don't feel that it's natural. (This is observed by reading-between-the-lines in his writing. Purely subjective).
It seems to me that Katz is trying his best to get his finger on the pulse of/.'s readership (but he's not succeeding).
He tries writing in one style, and he gets slammed. He tries another one, he gets slammed. Seems to me he's trying to be accepted by the community (which doesn't seem to have happened yet)... For proof, look at all his articles... they are riddled with phrases that are an obvious attempt to show that he sympathyzes with us, and knows what we have been through.
What he doesn't realize is that most of us are regular people who happen to love tech.
Actually, I once found a script in PC Magazine (back in 1997) that would lock out the keyboard during boot (I implemented it at my high school). That is exactly what they did at my school (university) on all the terminals on campus (except the iMacs and the Unix boxen of course)
For those of you who will listen, this is my personal story of HS. (It's rather long!)
I started high school in 1994. I thought I had real friends. Turns out I didn't. It really started in Grade 7/8. Back then, I was sort of an outcast - I loved computers, and learning anything I possibly could about science. I would go to the library and read for hours on end, on subjects as diverse as chemistry and aerodynamics. I loved to learn (and I still do - I can't get enough information). Then one year, for our school science project, I was teamed up with a classmate of mine. We sort of hit it off, and we did well on the project. We would hang out together (sort of) and would work together on just about any project that came our way. Then high school came around. Grade nine was hell. I would spend my lunch hours with this classmate of mine (who happens to be one of the preppie-jock guys in the school) who was a member of the larger group of preppies. I would stand there, leaning up against the lockers, with a sick feeling in my stomach. These people were so shallow. Daily activities included barking at some of the (physically) unattractive girls in the school (some of the nicest and most intellectually and emotionally attractive girls I have ever met in my life) and pushing each other against the lockers in mock wrestling matches. I only participated on the fringes always wondering "What the HELL am I doing here"? These people were so shallow. If they didn't insult someone to their face at least once a day, they would look like they were missing something in life. Midway through grade 10, and I had had all I could take. I finally realised that these people only liked me for the help I could give them with their homework, and the extra 20%+ I could add to their projects. Wow, did I ever feel stupid when I figured that one out. The next few weeks were spent as a loner, desperately looking for someone to talk to about my interests. I found a group of them. Our group (rather small at 5 or 6) is probably the easiest to talk to group of people I have ever met in my life. You know that glazed-over look that other people's eyes get when you talk about technology? Not these guys. Even if they have no clue as to what you're talking about, they want to learn, and have no trouble letting you teach them.
Since the middle of last year, I have let myself loose. The preppies had ingrained in me that playing a musical instrument was an instant ticket to loserville, as was playing around with computers. They had taught me that fashion consisted of what was in the magazines today. Now, I don't care what other people have to say. I wear a black fedora and a leather jacket to school, and play in 3 bands (celtic, MoTown, and 90s rock). I'm currently working on software that does my geometry and calculus homework (which I plan to distribute to my classmates). My geometry teacher is helping me write a 3d engine. And I have never felt better.
I am often praised for my being different, and how cool that is (not only from my friends, but even the preppies). I do what is comfortable for me. If that happens to be part of one group or another, who cares?.
And those shallow preppies? I still help them with their homework (but refuse to work on projects with them, unless I'm sure I can benefit somehow), but with the satisfaction in knowing that I, the lowly geek - the guy that goes to almost no parties - knew something that the "with it" people didn't. And you know what? In my fifth (I live in Ontario, Canada, and we go to HS for 5 years if we want to go to university, 4 if community college) year, those same preppies have begun to invite me to parties, and talk to me on an equal level - maybe they aren't so shallow after all (or maybe they've wisened up in their old age).
Perhaps I had the benefit of the right school to go to. One that accepts originality more readily than most others. Or perhaps its a matter of attitude. Who knows. All I can say is that I honestly believe that high school doesn't suck (although I still can't manage to get a girlfriend - but thats another post for another story)
Thanks for listening. Aric Guite
PS - maybe that should be a/. poll - How many of you have trouble getting action on a Friday night?:)
John, think about it for a sec. Gates' new book wasn't aimed at the elite of the tech world. It was aimed at the idiot executives that couldn't figure out the difference between a mouse and their rectum. They'll read this book, written by a _very_ successful businessman (who also happens to be head of a successful tech company), and say "Hey, we need email!", and the techies that work for them will breathe a sigh of relief and say "finally". We may read the article and say "duh, what else is new?", but these execs will think its a revelation. If it brings a few more companies into the future, then I'm all for it.
Believe it or not, some companies are stuck in the past, using paper for everything. If they get told that its a good idea to move into computers by the richest man in the world, they might jump into the mix (and the resident techies at their organization might just steer them towards Linux or some other alternative).
Slashdot Mirror
This is a cease and desist order from IDG Books Worldwide. You have infringed upon our copyright by unlawfully mentioning our "... for Dummies" series. Please print a retraction, or our hordes of lawyers will descend upon you. Thank you, and have a nice day.
What kind of services could a Third-World country have to offer (to another country ... first world countries just take what they want from the third world ... it's wrong, but we get everything we want/need out of them already)? (I ask this queston honestly) Certainly they couldn't provide services to their own citizens (except for the élite few that live at the top of their respective economies), as they certainly could not afford them (the necessities of life take precidence).
If I'm wrong, let me know...
The assumption that all developing countries have an agrarian based economy is one of the most widespread and silly misconceptions you see when slashdotter pontificate about this subject.
I realize that agriculture is not the sole source of income in the poorer countries of the world. I simply contend that there is a natural progression for an economy. Trying to skip the development of a solid industrial sector is silly.
I guess that I'm basically saying that IT and the internet "service sector" is over-rated (don't take offense people, its important, but not the solution to the world's problems). Look at what has been happening lately. Over-valued dotcoms have been sliding in value, as people are finally realizing that profit-less, product-less companies are not worth investing in. Like I said in my previous comment, internet access can help, but economy infrastructure is more important. Throwing internet access into the mix and hoping that the infrastructure will take care of itself will not work.
Net access is only a small part of the solution.
Making money in IT is based on people buying stuff (the various .com's on the internet), or serving as part of the infrastructure of business/industry.
The West (Europe, North America, Japan, etc.) was ready for the "internet revolution". It had a strong industrial base, and a stable middle-class that could fuel the "new economy" (I hate buzzwords).
Honestly, do you think that a country that doesn't really have an economy could really get an economic boost from internet access (at least not directly)?
Don't get me wrong, however. 'Net access is a Good Thing(tm). It serves as a medium for enlightenment, and a source of knowledge. Hopefully, the citizens of these countries would learn something and put it to use...
But its not a cut-and-dried solution. There are no guarantees.
Plus, you never know what those farmers may do with easy access to hard-core porn.... :)
Ok, i'll bite. I dont get the joke...
Because I'm already subsidizing the RIAA for pirating, does that mean its justified?
I think the term you're looking for is the UN Security Council
It doesn't matter how slow (or fast) light moves. Everything else has to go slower than that.
I guess I just don't understand the point you're trying to make.
Be's upgrade policy is that minor revisions (4.1, 4.2, etc...) are always free, while major releases (3.0, 4.0, 5.0, etc) are for pay (but users of previous versions pay less).
Blind following of dogma and the words of your respective church is a mistake. One should think for oneself.
Aric Guite
Which I can see. If you need someone to tell you how to worship or what to believe in, then there's a problem. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with believing in a higher power. I hate when a religion (which has been, for most of my life, Catholicism) tells me "You MUST go to confession!"
Basically, the best religion is one of belief of not harming your fellow man.
Feel free to flame.
Aric Guite
Speilberg could be the perfect person to do a scifi on A.I, given that he probably won't give into the sensationalism that's out there (you know, the stuff that made Y2K such a 'crisis').
The man does his research.
Try Insomnia. Me and a friend of mine thought this one up: Brew a pot of espresso, but replace the water with Jolt (hell on your coffeemaker, but worth it). It tastes pretty good, and will have you up forever.
On earth it would be about... 9.8 newtons.
That's one of the funniest things I've seen all day.
Fools seldom differ :)
Dude:
/. towards Katz. It just seems to me that he's trying too hard.
I'm not trying to put Katz down. I, for one actually like most of his articles.
I was simply making an observation of the state of public opinion on
IIRC, most slashdotters will accept someone (and yes, I think geekdom is a haphazard, defacto clique. We identify with each other, and we realize that each one of us has something interesting to add to an intellectual conversation) As long as they are themselves, and not trying to force-fit themselves into another social paradigm. With Katz, I don't feel that it's natural. (This is observed by reading-between-the-lines in his writing. Purely subjective).
Richard "I am not a crook" Nixon
Ever notice that almost no corporation ever links to another site?
It seems to me that Katz is trying his best to get his finger on the pulse of /.'s readership (but he's not succeeding).
He tries writing in one style, and he gets slammed. He tries another one, he gets slammed. Seems to me he's trying to be accepted by the community (which doesn't seem to have happened yet)... For proof, look at all his articles... they are riddled with phrases that are an obvious attempt to show that he sympathyzes with us, and knows what we have been through.
What he doesn't realize is that most of us are regular people who happen to love tech.
Just my 2.0468 yen
Actually, I once found a script in PC Magazine (back in 1997) that would lock out the keyboard during boot (I implemented it at my high school). That is exactly what they did at my school (university) on all the terminals on campus (except the iMacs and the Unix boxen of course)
Aric Guite
For those of you who will listen, this is my personal story of HS. (It's rather long!)
/. poll - How many of you have trouble getting action on a Friday night? :)
I started high school in 1994. I thought I had real friends. Turns out I didn't. It really started in Grade 7/8. Back then, I was sort of an outcast - I loved computers, and learning anything I possibly could about science. I would go to the library and read for hours on end, on subjects as diverse as chemistry and aerodynamics. I loved to learn (and I still do - I can't get enough information).
Then one year, for our school science project, I was teamed up with a classmate of mine. We sort of hit it off, and we did well on the project. We would hang out together (sort of) and would work together on just about any project that came our way. Then high school came around.
Grade nine was hell. I would spend my lunch hours with this classmate of mine (who happens to be one of the preppie-jock guys in the school) who was a member of the larger group of preppies. I would stand there, leaning up against the lockers, with a sick feeling in my stomach.
These people were so shallow. Daily activities included barking at some of the (physically) unattractive girls in the school (some of the nicest and most intellectually and emotionally attractive girls I have ever met in my life) and pushing each other against the lockers in mock wrestling matches. I only participated on the fringes always wondering "What the HELL am I doing here"? These people were so shallow. If they didn't insult someone to their face at least once a day, they would look like they were missing something in life.
Midway through grade 10, and I had had all I could take. I finally realised that these people only liked me for the help I could give them with their homework, and the extra 20%+ I could add to their projects. Wow, did I ever feel stupid when I figured that one out.
The next few weeks were spent as a loner, desperately looking for someone to talk to about my interests. I found a group of them. Our group (rather small at 5 or 6) is probably the easiest to talk to group of people I have ever met in my life. You know that glazed-over look that other people's eyes get when you talk about technology? Not these guys. Even if they have no clue as to what you're talking about, they want to learn, and have no trouble letting you teach them.
Since the middle of last year, I have let myself loose. The preppies had ingrained in me that playing a musical instrument was an instant ticket to loserville, as was playing around with computers. They had taught me that fashion consisted of what was in the magazines today. Now, I don't care what other people have to say. I wear a black fedora and a leather jacket to school, and play in 3 bands (celtic, MoTown, and 90s rock). I'm currently working on software that does my geometry and calculus homework (which I plan to distribute to my classmates). My geometry teacher is helping me write a 3d engine. And I have never felt better.
I am often praised for my being different, and how cool that is (not only from my friends, but even the preppies). I do what is comfortable for me. If that happens to be part of one group or another, who cares?.
And those shallow preppies? I still help them with their homework (but refuse to work on projects with them, unless I'm sure I can benefit somehow), but with the satisfaction in knowing that I, the lowly geek - the guy that goes to almost no parties - knew something that the "with it" people didn't. And you know what? In my fifth (I live in Ontario, Canada, and we go to HS for 5 years if we want to go to university, 4 if community college) year, those same preppies have begun to invite me to parties, and talk to me on an equal level - maybe they aren't so shallow after all (or maybe they've wisened up in their old age).
Perhaps I had the benefit of the right school to go to. One that accepts originality more readily than most others. Or perhaps its a matter of attitude. Who knows. All I can say is that I honestly believe that high school doesn't suck (although I still can't manage to get a girlfriend - but thats another post for another story)
Thanks for listening.
Aric Guite
PS - maybe that should be a
John, think about it for a sec. Gates' new book wasn't aimed at the elite of the tech world. It was aimed at the idiot executives that couldn't figure out the difference between a mouse and their rectum. They'll read this book, written by a _very_ successful businessman (who also happens to be head of a successful tech company), and say "Hey, we need email!", and the techies that work for them will breathe a sigh of relief and say "finally". We may read the article and say "duh, what else is new?", but these execs will think its a revelation. If it brings a few more companies into the future, then I'm all for it.
Believe it or not, some companies are stuck in the past, using paper for everything. If they get told that its a good idea to move into computers by the richest man in the world, they might jump into the mix (and the resident techies at their organization might just steer them towards Linux or some other alternative).
Just my $0.02
Aric Guite