Used media has always been a legitimate business as has used software. If there is really only one user with one installed copy, the gaming companies need to have a big mug of STFU. Games are crazy expensive anyway. It's a wonder that they sell any copies at the original MSRP.
Here's link to Garth Brooks and his anti-used CD crusade:
Thanks to Rob and the gang for making Slashdot. It's part of my nerd heritage. However, I am happier to hear you are moving on. 15 years at one job? Is this Mad Men or something? WAKE UP TO THE NINETIES!
Whether or not the US is adequately prepared for "cyberwar" is certainly an open question.
However, this article is riddled with neologism ("cyber-space-time" really?) and magical thinking (e.g. I Ching, synchronicity).
If the Internet really isn't a hardware-software system, what is it? Why not claim it has a soul too and that we should sing to it?
The real issue is that the Internet infrastructure is public resource controlled by private interests. That's what makes the DoD's job of defending it difficult. Defense cannot simply issue edicts like "upgrade all your router firmware right now."
I do not propose we retreat back to a paper-based information system. I propose we go back to clay tablets.
The "Roswell Incident" (AKA the Crash at Corona) is a well-picked over story that goes something like this:
1) June 14, 1947, New Mexico rancher Brazel reports unexpected mechanical debris on his property.
He tells a UFO story to the local paper and police.
2) The cops call the Army, which sends over Major Marcel to collect the "alien artifacts."
3) The Army issues a press release about the "UFO."
4) Later, after more careful inspection, the debris is relabeled "as being a weather balloon and its "kite,""
The memo in question is from an FBI investigator Guy Hottel, written several years after this event. As wikipedia notes, it isn't clear that this memo even refers to the "Roswell incident" at all.
Also, enjoy the retro-scifi techno-jargon contained in the memo:
"It is believed the [Army's radar located on the New Mexico base] interferes with the controlling mechanism of the saucers."
At best, this memo is a report on hearsay. It is not direct evidence of a cover-up or even of recovered alien craft. It is, in the neologisms of today, some government dude's blog post.
Good lord, I did not expect so many to come the defense of that grand old dame, X.
Rather than get into an argument on the Internet about Computers, I'll just say that the Linux desktop remains a beloved canard to me. I do not doubt that others will disagree with me.
I have a 32GB ipod touch with skype. I bought the skypeIn service which gives me a real landline number. When people call that number, I pay a per minute charge. I buy time in $25 increments. I would say on a busy month, I go through that unit of credit.
Since it serves as a second phone, I often keep the ipod docked to my laptop which is plugged into a wall scocket. Battery life is an issue, but overall I like my solution. I wish I could get 3G service for the iPod.
I'm sure this has been brought up before, but just because your kid likes video games does not mean that he will enjoy programming them.
There are many skills needed to create video games, even simplistic ones. The most important skill is game design, which is a completely separate notion from video games. Without game design, you fall back on classic games (which is a good place to start).
The second skill is general programming. A good place to learn programming with an eye towards gaming is Python (www.python.org) and the SDL wrapper Pygame (www.pygame.org). Within a week, you can get Space Invaders running.
The skill is audio/visual media creation or at least selection. It's hard to have a video without graphics (but Lord, I try). Sounds also a critical element.
Most gamers will never be interested in making games and that's OK. I like driving, but have no interest in automotive repair.
Wikipedia says that ARM's are 32-bit RISC processors from the stone age used in many mobile and embedded devices. Why on earth are these attractive for modern servers?
Even if you could get a thousand of these CPUs in one box and the energy consumption is less than a comparable Intel/AMD system, these are seemingly less capable processors.
For my money, apache 1.3 is the only apache. It's extremely stable and most of the security issues have been patched. Solid, solid code and a breeze to compile.
Slashdot Mirror
Has anyone else noticed how irrelevant Microsoft, Internet Explorer and (sadly) Firefox are in 2012?
If this were 2001, I would agree that this is a big story.
Let Microsoft fight over the dredges of the desktop market. That's a declining market.
No one will take your Firefox away from you Linux desktop, so untwist your knickers.
I don't know when these two states decided to battle for the dumbest state government, but it is sure entertaining to watch.
You kids and your love of stuff we did in the 90s -- it's ADORABLE!
Listening to ESR is like logging into myspace, friendster or orkut for new messages.
I may agree with quite a few of his basic arguments, but he flipped the bozo bit a long, long time ago.
You'll excuse me. I have an Old School Roleplaying game to DM...
Used media has always been a legitimate business as has used software. If there is really only one user with one installed copy, the gaming companies need to have a big mug of STFU. Games are crazy expensive anyway. It's a wonder that they sell any copies at the original MSRP.
Here's link to Garth Brooks and his anti-used CD crusade:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/304702/GARTH-BROOKS-HASNT-THROWN-IN-THE-HAT-ON-USED-CD-CONTROVERSY.html
Thanks to Rob and the gang for making Slashdot. It's part of my nerd heritage. However, I am happier to hear you are moving on. 15 years at one job? Is this Mad Men or something? WAKE UP TO THE NINETIES!
Whether or not the US is adequately prepared for "cyberwar" is certainly an open question.
However, this article is riddled with neologism ("cyber-space-time" really?) and magical
thinking (e.g. I Ching, synchronicity).
If the Internet really isn't a hardware-software system, what is it? Why not claim it has a soul too
and that we should sing to it?
The real issue is that the Internet infrastructure is public resource controlled by private interests.
That's what makes the DoD's job of defending it difficult. Defense cannot simply issue edicts like
"upgrade all your router firmware right now."
I do not propose we retreat back to a paper-based information system. I propose we go back to clay tablets.
15 years of developing software and I still don't know what P vs. NP means.
Sad, sad old hacker.
And a more thoughtful response to this hoax can be found here:
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/132868/20110411/fbi-hottel-memo-reveals-ufo-hoax.htm
Those who forget their UFOlogy are bound to repeat it.
The "Roswell Incident" (AKA the Crash at Corona) is a well-picked over story that goes something like this:
1) June 14, 1947, New Mexico rancher Brazel reports unexpected mechanical debris on his property.
He tells a UFO story to the local paper and police.
2) The cops call the Army, which sends over Major Marcel to collect the "alien artifacts."
3) The Army issues a press release about the "UFO."
4) Later, after more careful inspection, the debris is relabeled "as being a weather balloon and its "kite,""
The memo in question is from an FBI investigator Guy Hottel, written several years after this event. As wikipedia notes,
it isn't clear that this memo even refers to the "Roswell incident" at all.
Also, enjoy the retro-scifi techno-jargon contained in the memo:
"It is believed the [Army's radar located on the New Mexico base] interferes with the controlling mechanism of
the saucers."
At best, this memo is a report on hearsay. It is not direct evidence of a cover-up or even of recovered alien craft.
It is, in the neologisms of today, some government dude's blog post.
Don't thank me, Internet. I'm just doing my job.
Gee, why didn't I have this while playing Fallout?
Since Google Maps does not accurately place my house on my street, pizza dude takes an extra 20 minutes to get my food to me.
For the record, it's not that big a street.
Me? I use paper maps.
"like rubbing an amber rod with cat fur"
Dude! I've totally been to that web site!
That article is an opinion piece. Just because that crap is on ZDnet doesn't make it news of nerds.
I like the new L&F -- and I've seen them all.
This almost looks like a professional news site now!
Bill Gates has moved on from Microsoft. Perhaps slashdot should to. Time for a new M$ icon. I suggested an animated one with Balmer monkey dancing.
WHO TOLD YOU TO SIT DOWN?!
This article is yet another example of the media getting science wrong.
And it's great to see that eugenics appeared in the /. comment thread nearly immediately.
"God! is there nothing about Microsoft that is not some sad, hollow sham?"
I don't know. Notepad and freecell are pretty solid.
Good lord, I did not expect so many to come the defense of that grand old dame, X.
Rather than get into an argument on the Internet about Computers, I'll just say that
the Linux desktop remains a beloved canard to me. I do not doubt that others will disagree
with me.
Why does this feel like another awesome WM that will be crowed about forever, used by few and will shortly stop releasing new versions?
I hate X.
Free-nix needs a new GUI and the only way that's going to happen is through a private company. Why?
BECAUSE GUIs ARE HARD.
They are gigantic systems that require a lot of development AND continuing support. Look how long it took Apple to get Mac OS X right.
X is terrible and anything that continues the zombie life of X is bad.
#getoffmylawnyoukids
I have a 32GB ipod touch with skype. I bought the skypeIn service which gives me a real landline number. When people call that number, I pay a per minute charge. I buy time in $25 increments. I would say on a busy month, I go through that unit of credit.
Since it serves as a second phone, I often keep the ipod docked to my laptop which is plugged into a wall scocket. Battery life is an issue, but overall I like my solution. I wish I could get 3G service for the iPod.
I'm sure this has been brought up before, but just because your kid likes video games does not mean that he will enjoy programming them.
There are many skills needed to create video games, even simplistic ones. The most important skill is game design, which is a completely separate notion from video games. Without game design, you fall back on classic games (which is a good place to start).
The second skill is general programming. A good place to learn programming with an eye towards gaming is Python (www.python.org) and the SDL wrapper Pygame (www.pygame.org). Within a week, you can get Space Invaders running.
The skill is audio/visual media creation or at least selection. It's hard to have a video without graphics (but Lord, I try). Sounds also a critical element.
Most gamers will never be interested in making games and that's OK. I like driving, but have no interest in automotive repair.
Wikipedia says that ARM's are 32-bit RISC processors from the stone age used in many mobile and embedded devices. Why on earth are these attractive for modern servers?
Even if you could get a thousand of these CPUs in one box and the energy consumption is less than a comparable Intel/AMD system, these are seemingly less capable processors.
pre$ident
"the days of programming bare-metal on DOS"
If you're using DOS, that's not baremetal.
For my money, apache 1.3 is the only apache. It's extremely stable and most of the security issues have been patched. Solid, solid code and a breeze to compile.
But remember: I am a grumpy old man.