Do you really believe that Java is dying and that M$ has 85% of the market? Get real. Check out dice.com and find out how many Java openings are available in YOUR hometown.
But perhaps you get your 85% from a Microsoft survey? Perhaps Microsoft asked people visiting Microsoft.com how many people were running microsoft products while reading that page? Get real -- they have nowhere near 85% of the market share -- and in fact are LOSING market share.
True, Sun does not actively provide support to all of the other platforms -- but the people who write those platforms generally do (and who better?)... For example, the BlackDown distro of the JVM supports Debian, RedHat, Slackware, and SuSe for x86, PowerPC, Alpha, and SPARC. Besides, Sun support for that PLATFORM would only be necessary if your are writing the VM. The java binary is the same regardless of platform.
Your definition sounds like a Java Programmer doesn't know the other languages. That is not usually true. MOST Java Programmers did C/C++ before migrating to Java.
I, for one, have programmed many languages at one point or another. I have (under duress of the University) programmed in many M$ languages. I also programmed in C(TurboC1.0+)/C++(until BC++4.5) for about 11 years. Perl/etc too. But I dropped them all for Java. Why? Because it made my job a HELL of a lot easier. Doesn't anyone else remember trying to figure out which of the 20-40 versions of Netscape to download for their machine? I went to Java so that I could write something once and it would run everywhere. And my first program actually worked on Win3.11/95/NT/Mac/Unix[was that VMS? Linux? BSD? Sco? Can't remember)... That was enough to convert me.
When I go applying for a job, it has to specify Java. If they say J++, I laugh at them and am gone. If they say C/C++ -- I look at whether they want the knowledge or expect me to code in it (because I no longer have an INTEREST in coding in something that is going to be a headache to make cross-platform)... And yes, cross-platform IS an issue. If the job requirements say that you are developing Windows-only apps OR unix-only apps, I am out of there. Why? Because that means that they do not know the market. Choosing any one platform means that my job would be completely useless and not something I would be proud to tell people I worked for.
But, hey, if you want to program in COBOL or ADA/LISP or VisualBasic or something -- more power to you. Personally, I want to ENJOY my job and the product we create.
Perhaps you should get your facts straight. IE may be on a lot of machine, but it is USED by less than half of the machines. I have 10 different browsers installed, and almost never use anything besides Opera or Netscape 4.08.... Besides, the last benchmark and testing I did of the JRE1.3 installed on my IE was showing that it was fast and reliable (though I hate M$).
Java on the client is FAR from a dead technology. In fact, Java as a client-side application is becoming MORE prominent. Applets are losing ground because people are installing the applications instead (whether a VRML plugin, Lotus, whatever)...
Fast computers? I used to program Java on a 133 running Win3.1 (see IBM AlphaWorks for that JVM)...
As far as the speed over the connection... Java is the SMALLEST way to get live changes... Try using the lightwave renderer/viewer if it had to be (java/vb)script or perl/cgi... MUCH slower to do it that way. And the Java version is only 2k (smaller than most advertisement banners)...
I think that would be great -- depending on the challenge... Like, perhaps an AUTOMATED ______... In fact, I think I will go submit an idea... Remember all those old games where you have to program a robot to make it through the maze on their own??? Of course, neither a Palm Pilot or Lego RCX would really do for a brain.
Well, there are two things that suck about PBS. One is the seemingly non-stop fund-raisers interrupting the one show in a hundred you care about. The second is the message at the end of the half hour show telling you that you can get it on VHS for only $400!
But, there ARE alternatives. For example, here in the Portland (OR) area, there are 3 channels that are Community Access (NOT PBS)... I am planning on going down and taking their class this summer so I can get free use of their camera, editing rooms, mobile editing studio, studios, blue screens, and oh-yes, the AIR TIME.
Oh, and did I mention that they DO NOT EDIT FOR CONTENT?
I think you are going about it the wrong way. Interest has to play a part. For example, I played a pre-release version of Doom and didn't like it. Since then, I have not played any of the knock-offs because I don't like the engine. I still play lots of strategy games though.
Perhaps what might be better is finding out what kind of games the individual likes to play, and how good they are at those games. Are they more into Doom-like (ie: quick action-packed) or strategy (ie: long-term investment) or pinball games (ie: simple physical challenge)... Then, you can compare the type of game they like (perhaps divide the games into Categories), how they do at the game, and how their grades are.
However, that will still only tell you part of the story. I have went through periods of not even attending classes, and periods of acing them. You might have to compare their gameplay to their average grades, do a long term analysis, or determine if they are playing the games more or less than normal.
You could have a Psychology Statistics teacher help you formulate your tests.....
I had Optimus, who used to drive into my matchbox cars that had the doors that cave in....
But the cartoons.. That was kewl... Transformers were just kewl around -- with lots of gadgets to try to figure out how to make. GiJoe kinda pissed me off (hating military and I was nowhere near muscular) but I loved watching it for scams to take over the world (like the one where they took over the local tv station and were broadcasting a subliminal message every 60 frames into the local town)... And Jem had some kewl holographic stuff and a nice computer... And then there was HeMan, Dungeons & Dragons, Scooby Doo, Gummy Bears, Dirk the Daring, etc etc..
And we can't forget a few short lived shows like Probe. That's where I learned about ball lightning and subliminal messaging.
Well, if we could do it with cameras... I wonder about using some cheapo hobbyist cameras (yes, I know, but I AM trying to keep the costs REAL LOW)...
Hey, I wouldn't mind the CDRom... I bet the information about republication is in the magazine... If the contact information in the magazine for who to contact is not valid...well, there I don't know...
First of all, there isn't ANY webpage you NEED to visit (Java or no). I am also using Opera5. I downloaded it without Java because it automatically used one of the 4-5 implementations I currently have installed (Netscapes, I think).
However, when talking about web development, you are right. You do not need Java as long as everything you see is static. However, I doubt if all the last 10 pages you went to were. Java is the ONLY cross-browser option for web development. Do the research. XML isn't yet. DHTML definitely isn't. Javascript isn't. I have about 10 browsers installed for compatability testing -- and MOST pages that do ANYTHING dynamically work on (at the most) 2 of the 3 most popular (Netscape, IE, and Opera).
Personally, I visit a LOT of sites with Opera that do not work correctly, and I have to load Netscape or something to use it (menus, search results, whatever). For example, pull up www.hotbot.com, do a search, then click on Revise Search. Don't know about you, but it doesn't work on my copy. It would (on all browsers) if it was Java.
And people complain that they don't want to use Java because it is too slow? I challenge you to find another way to incorporate interactive Lightware scenes in a web page for 2k....
Take a class on Object-Oriented programming. Java hides the messy passing of pointers and references since that was the BIGGEST mistake made by C/C++ programmers (myself included).
It is actually quite natural to pass objects back and forth. If I want to call a routine called "getImage", why the hell should it return "45" or something instead of a GIF or JPG?
>> Java but there aren't the development tools to allow things like dynamically discovering self-documenting services on the network.
Perhaps you are posting without knowing the opposition? Have you not heard of JINI? I quote:
Jini[tm] network technology provides a simple infrastructure for delivering services in a network and for creating spontaneous interaction between programs that use these services regardless of their hardware/software implementation. Any kind of network made up of services (applications, databases, servers, devices, information systems, mobile appliances, storage, printers, etc.) and clients (requesters of services) of those services can be easily assembled, disassembled, and maintained on the network using Jini Technology.Services can be added or removed from the network, and new clients can find existing services - all without administration.
-- and if you think no one is using it, you better look at Seagate, Epson, etc... Jan Newmarch's "Guide to JINI Technologies" even has a chapter to run the LEGO MindStorms as a JINI Service. In fact, here is a link showing the use of the Palm to control the LEGOs via JINI.
I am not sure what issue you have with installing the Java Plugin (since I have it working on every machine here). Perhaps it is your system?
Does it matter if Microsoft ports.NET to Linux, BSD, BeOS, etc? How many of us would even be willing to use it? Besides the inherent incompatabilities Microsoft will most likely FORCE on it, how can you even trust their product to be stable? I can't even get their page about.NET to LOAD from ANY BROWSER! Tell me that is accessible from anywhere.
But enough about justified Microsoft Bashing. I am not denying that people will get.NET because they don't know better (ie: see MSN/AOL) -- but don't fool yourself into thinking that they are creating something New, Unique, or Better.
If you pull up any search engine, you can find some links to OLED manufacturers (like EInk.com, UniversalDisplay.com, etc)... As soon as I find one that can provide me good quality at low price -- I will post it. I have been emailing a lot of them.
I think we could write the software for pattern recognition to work with multiple cameras... But I wonder if a suit would be cheaper? It doesn't have to be a full-body lycra thing, just something that could sense changes at the joints or something... Dunno...
Halted looks like they have some kewl stuff. I will have to take a look at their 2Meg catalog:)
I thought I sent it to the correct address... It didn't bounce back... Well, in that case, I will go ahead and post what I found on here.... At http://www.colotechu.edu/main/faculty.html it says: Joseph Gradecki, Adjunct Associate Professor
Engineer, Raytheon Systems
M.S., Computer Science, University of Wyoming
B.S., Computer Science, Metropolitan State College of Denver
So, I think that is saying that he is a professor at the Denver Campus of Colorado Tech.
Good luck! If you get it up and running, I wanna subscribe!
I am not sure what you are personally looking for in a location, but perhaps you should consider the TYPE of connection you want.
For example, Ashland Oregon (14 miles north of California) has layed fiber across the entire town -- the phone, cable, isps, etc all share it.... From what I understand, they can get T1 speeds over Fiber for about $35/month.
I agree. When Clinton passed the Communications Decency Act (yes, it DID pass before we got it booted), the new law automatically blocked the White Houses' Childrens site (because it said Bill and Hillary were a COUPLE [bad word there, if you are using filtering software, you might not see it]).
Besides -- I don't know how long it has been since any of you were in school -- but a lot of classes require research into things that would be blocked. First Aide pages could be blocked. Health pages [including STD information] could be blocked. Hacking/Unix pages might end up getting blocked within the year.
Or is everyone forgetting that the schools and libraries THEMSELVES are against it?
And besides -- what right does the FCC have to say that the school has to put in a Filter if I (as an ISP) give them a discount for being a school? "No sir, we can't give you an educational discount because we don't believe in Censorship." That's BS.
Not depicts. Insinuates. Since fae never look 18+, it would be illegal to insinuate that they ever had sex -- ie: ever procreated -- ie: ever had any children. Any animation (Disney, anime, et al) that showed any Elf, Fairy, Sprite, Dryad, etc -- having children -- would be illegal due to insinuation of child-looking (since they LOOK under 18) pornography.
I read the posts telling you to use Windows -- but I figure, why purposely be NON-compatable....
I haven't used it, but Sun has the JMF.
Quote:
Developed by Sun and IBM, Java Media Framework 2.0 (JMF)
technology is the unified architecture for the playback, synchronization, capture, and transmission and transcode of media -
including streaming audio and video - across most major operating
systems.
Multiple coils per sensor makes sense. I was thinking of only one -- thus the confusion.
Regarding the manufacturing.. No, there are a lot of places currently selling OLED displays -- some even as headmounts.. I have just been emailing them all about pricing so I could choose the best deal (cheap yet nice). But, they would only be for the LCD-replacement-part... I would still have to do the drivers and connecting hardware. If I can get the system price low enough, I will probably either give them away or teach classes on how to make them.
What level of power do you think we need for the full-body thing? Perhaps use a camera quick enough to keep track of key-points?
I was looking at some MuscleWires on that link from the Quickies yesterday, and I notice that the name-brand one is quite expensive. Anyone know if there is some generic brand of muscle wires -- or perhaps something like piezo-wiring we can use?
How much did you pay for your HMD? How's the quality?
Ideally, I would have some basic hardware, write some software -- then be able to upgrade my hardware without needing to start over from scratch. I have lots of ideas of what I would like to do (hardware and software) -- but figured I have to start at the hardware because little things like # of pins could drastically change the software.
Perhaps people are forgetting the fact that animated characters are whatever age they say they are. Most fae (elves, fairy, etc) in ANY cartoon (anime, disney, etc) look much younger than they supposedly are. If the Fairy is 2000 years old, but looks 12 -- wouldn't that make some issues for Disney as well?
You don't need Amazon for shorthand books. About 2 years ago, I went to a used book store and picked up two of their shorthand books for college students for about $2.50 each. I am sure you could call around them and see who has them in for what price.
I was looking at some of the other posts, suggesting FAT (which is DOS-based, NOT windows-based), FAT32, etc... I don't think you even want to mess with that beast. Talk about bad coding.
Why not just use Nero or something to burn your songs into an ISO image, then RAWRITE that image to your harddrive? Then, shouldn't you be able to read the drive almost like it was a CD?
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Do you really believe that Java is dying and that M$ has 85% of the market? Get real. Check out dice.com and find out how many Java openings are available in YOUR hometown.
But perhaps you get your 85% from a Microsoft survey? Perhaps Microsoft asked people visiting Microsoft.com how many people were running microsoft products while reading that page? Get real -- they have nowhere near 85% of the market share -- and in fact are LOSING market share.
For example,
HP-UX VM
OpenVMS and Tru64 VM
IRIX VM
BSD modification of the IBM VM
True, Sun does not actively provide support to all of the other platforms -- but the people who write those platforms generally do (and who better?)... For example, the BlackDown distro of the JVM supports Debian, RedHat, Slackware, and SuSe for x86, PowerPC, Alpha, and SPARC. Besides, Sun support for that PLATFORM would only be necessary if your are writing the VM. The java binary is the same regardless of platform.
Your definition sounds like a Java Programmer doesn't know the other languages. That is not usually true. MOST Java Programmers did C/C++ before migrating to Java.
I, for one, have programmed many languages at one point or another. I have (under duress of the University) programmed in many M$ languages. I also programmed in C(TurboC1.0+)/C++(until BC++4.5) for about 11 years. Perl/etc too. But I dropped them all for Java. Why? Because it made my job a HELL of a lot easier. Doesn't anyone else remember trying to figure out which of the 20-40 versions of Netscape to download for their machine? I went to Java so that I could write something once and it would run everywhere. And my first program actually worked on Win3.11/95/NT/Mac/Unix[was that VMS? Linux? BSD? Sco? Can't remember)... That was enough to convert me.
When I go applying for a job, it has to specify Java. If they say J++, I laugh at them and am gone. If they say C/C++ -- I look at whether they want the knowledge or expect me to code in it (because I no longer have an INTEREST in coding in something that is going to be a headache to make cross-platform)... And yes, cross-platform IS an issue. If the job requirements say that you are developing Windows-only apps OR unix-only apps, I am out of there. Why? Because that means that they do not know the market. Choosing any one platform means that my job would be completely useless and not something I would be proud to tell people I worked for.
But, hey, if you want to program in COBOL or ADA/LISP or VisualBasic or something -- more power to you. Personally, I want to ENJOY my job and the product we create.
Perhaps you should get your facts straight. IE may be on a lot of machine, but it is USED by less than half of the machines. I have 10 different browsers installed, and almost never use anything besides Opera or Netscape 4.08.... Besides, the last benchmark and testing I did of the JRE1.3 installed on my IE was showing that it was fast and reliable (though I hate M$).
Java on the client is FAR from a dead technology. In fact, Java as a client-side application is becoming MORE prominent. Applets are losing ground because people are installing the applications instead (whether a VRML plugin, Lotus, whatever)...
Fast computers? I used to program Java on a 133 running Win3.1 (see IBM AlphaWorks for that JVM)...
As far as the speed over the connection... Java is the SMALLEST way to get live changes... Try using the lightwave renderer/viewer if it had to be (java/vb)script or perl/cgi... MUCH slower to do it that way. And the Java version is only 2k (smaller than most advertisement banners)...
Update: Due to the fact that I did not want to register for YET ANOTHER account, I did not post the suggestion. If anyone else wants to, feel free.
I think that would be great -- depending on the challenge... Like, perhaps an AUTOMATED ______... In fact, I think I will go submit an idea... Remember all those old games where you have to program a robot to make it through the maze on their own??? Of course, neither a Palm Pilot or Lego RCX would really do for a brain.
Well, there are two things that suck about PBS. One is the seemingly non-stop fund-raisers interrupting the one show in a hundred you care about. The second is the message at the end of the half hour show telling you that you can get it on VHS for only $400!
But, there ARE alternatives. For example, here in the Portland (OR) area, there are 3 channels that are Community Access (NOT PBS)... I am planning on going down and taking their class this summer so I can get free use of their camera, editing rooms, mobile editing studio, studios, blue screens, and oh-yes, the AIR TIME.
Oh, and did I mention that they DO NOT EDIT FOR CONTENT?
I think you are going about it the wrong way. Interest has to play a part. For example, I played a pre-release version of Doom and didn't like it. Since then, I have not played any of the knock-offs because I don't like the engine. I still play lots of strategy games though.
Perhaps what might be better is finding out what kind of games the individual likes to play, and how good they are at those games. Are they more into Doom-like (ie: quick action-packed) or strategy (ie: long-term investment) or pinball games (ie: simple physical challenge)... Then, you can compare the type of game they like (perhaps divide the games into Categories), how they do at the game, and how their grades are.
However, that will still only tell you part of the story. I have went through periods of not even attending classes, and periods of acing them. You might have to compare their gameplay to their average grades, do a long term analysis, or determine if they are playing the games more or less than normal.
You could have a Psychology Statistics teacher help you formulate your tests.....
I had Optimus, who used to drive into my matchbox cars that had the doors that cave in....
But the cartoons.. That was kewl... Transformers were just kewl around -- with lots of gadgets to try to figure out how to make. GiJoe kinda pissed me off (hating military and I was nowhere near muscular) but I loved watching it for scams to take over the world (like the one where they took over the local tv station and were broadcasting a subliminal message every 60 frames into the local town)... And Jem had some kewl holographic stuff and a nice computer... And then there was HeMan, Dungeons & Dragons, Scooby Doo, Gummy Bears, Dirk the Daring, etc etc..
And we can't forget a few short lived shows like Probe. That's where I learned about ball lightning and subliminal messaging.
Update: Here is a list of providers of memory-shape materials.
Well, if we could do it with cameras... I wonder about using some cheapo hobbyist cameras (yes, I know, but I AM trying to keep the costs REAL LOW)...
Hey, I wouldn't mind the CDRom... I bet the information about republication is in the magazine... If the contact information in the magazine for who to contact is not valid...well, there I don't know...
First of all, there isn't ANY webpage you NEED to visit (Java or no). I am also using Opera5. I downloaded it without Java because it automatically used one of the 4-5 implementations I currently have installed (Netscapes, I think).
However, when talking about web development, you are right. You do not need Java as long as everything you see is static. However, I doubt if all the last 10 pages you went to were. Java is the ONLY cross-browser option for web development. Do the research. XML isn't yet. DHTML definitely isn't. Javascript isn't. I have about 10 browsers installed for compatability testing -- and MOST pages that do ANYTHING dynamically work on (at the most) 2 of the 3 most popular (Netscape, IE, and Opera).
Personally, I visit a LOT of sites with Opera that do not work correctly, and I have to load Netscape or something to use it (menus, search results, whatever). For example, pull up www.hotbot.com, do a search, then click on Revise Search. Don't know about you, but it doesn't work on my copy. It would (on all browsers) if it was Java.
And people complain that they don't want to use Java because it is too slow? I challenge you to find another way to incorporate interactive Lightware scenes in a web page for 2k....
Take a class on Object-Oriented programming. Java hides the messy passing of pointers and references since that was the BIGGEST mistake made by C/C++ programmers (myself included).
It is actually quite natural to pass objects back and forth. If I want to call a routine called "getImage", why the hell should it return "45" or something instead of a GIF or JPG?
Perhaps you are posting without knowing the opposition? Have you not heard of JINI? I quote:
- Jini[tm] network technology provides a simple infrastructure for delivering services in a network and for creating spontaneous interaction between programs that use these services regardless of their hardware/software implementation. Any kind of network made up of services (applications, databases, servers, devices, information systems, mobile appliances, storage, printers, etc.) and clients (requesters of services) of those services can be easily assembled, disassembled, and maintained on the network using Jini Technology.Services can be added or removed from the network, and new clients can find existing services - all without administration.
-- and if you think no one is using it, you better look at Seagate, Epson, etc... Jan Newmarch's "Guide to JINI Technologies" even has a chapter to run the LEGO MindStorms as a JINI Service. In fact, here is a link showing the use of the Palm to control the LEGOs via JINI.I am not sure what issue you have with installing the Java Plugin (since I have it working on every machine here). Perhaps it is your system?
Does it matter if Microsoft ports .NET to Linux, BSD, BeOS, etc? How many of us would even be willing to use it? Besides the inherent incompatabilities Microsoft will most likely FORCE on it, how can you even trust their product to be stable? I can't even get their page about .NET to LOAD from ANY BROWSER! Tell me that is accessible from anywhere.
But enough about justified Microsoft Bashing. I am not denying that people will get .NET because they don't know better (ie: see MSN/AOL) -- but don't fool yourself into thinking that they are creating something New, Unique, or Better.
I think we could write the software for pattern recognition to work with multiple cameras... But I wonder if a suit would be cheaper? It doesn't have to be a full-body lycra thing, just something that could sense changes at the joints or something... Dunno...
Halted looks like they have some kewl stuff. I will have to take a look at their 2Meg catalog :)
I thought I sent it to the correct address... It didn't bounce back... Well, in that case, I will go ahead and post what I found on here.... At http://www.colotechu.edu/main/faculty.html it says:
Joseph Gradecki, Adjunct Associate Professor
Engineer, Raytheon Systems
M.S., Computer Science, University of Wyoming
B.S., Computer Science, Metropolitan State College of Denver
So, I think that is saying that he is a professor at the Denver Campus of Colorado Tech.
Good luck! If you get it up and running, I wanna subscribe!
I am not sure what you are personally looking for in a location, but perhaps you should consider the TYPE of connection you want.
For example, Ashland Oregon (14 miles north of California) has layed fiber across the entire town -- the phone, cable, isps, etc all share it.... From what I understand, they can get T1 speeds over Fiber for about $35/month.
Update: Images Company has those Nitinol wires by the foot.
I agree. When Clinton passed the Communications Decency Act (yes, it DID pass before we got it booted), the new law automatically blocked the White Houses' Childrens site (because it said Bill and Hillary were a COUPLE [bad word there, if you are using filtering software, you might not see it]).
Besides -- I don't know how long it has been since any of you were in school -- but a lot of classes require research into things that would be blocked. First Aide pages could be blocked. Health pages [including STD information] could be blocked. Hacking/Unix pages might end up getting blocked within the year.
Or is everyone forgetting that the schools and libraries THEMSELVES are against it?
And besides -- what right does the FCC have to say that the school has to put in a Filter if I (as an ISP) give them a discount for being a school? "No sir, we can't give you an educational discount because we don't believe in Censorship." That's BS.
Not depicts. Insinuates. Since fae never look 18+, it would be illegal to insinuate that they ever had sex -- ie: ever procreated -- ie: ever had any children. Any animation (Disney, anime, et al) that showed any Elf, Fairy, Sprite, Dryad, etc -- having children -- would be illegal due to insinuation of child-looking (since they LOOK under 18) pornography.
I haven't used it, but Sun has the JMF.
Quote: Developed by Sun and IBM, Java Media Framework 2.0 (JMF) technology is the unified architecture for the playback, synchronization, capture, and transmission and transcode of media - including streaming audio and video - across most major operating systems.
Multiple coils per sensor makes sense. I was thinking of only one -- thus the confusion.
Regarding the manufacturing.. No, there are a lot of places currently selling OLED displays -- some even as headmounts.. I have just been emailing them all about pricing so I could choose the best deal (cheap yet nice). But, they would only be for the LCD-replacement-part... I would still have to do the drivers and connecting hardware. If I can get the system price low enough, I will probably either give them away or teach classes on how to make them.
What level of power do you think we need for the full-body thing? Perhaps use a camera quick enough to keep track of key-points?
I was looking at some MuscleWires on that link from the Quickies yesterday, and I notice that the name-brand one is quite expensive. Anyone know if there is some generic brand of muscle wires -- or perhaps something like piezo-wiring we can use?
How much did you pay for your HMD? How's the quality?
Ideally, I would have some basic hardware, write some software -- then be able to upgrade my hardware without needing to start over from scratch. I have lots of ideas of what I would like to do (hardware and software) -- but figured I have to start at the hardware because little things like # of pins could drastically change the software.
Perhaps people are forgetting the fact that animated characters are whatever age they say they are. Most fae (elves, fairy, etc) in ANY cartoon (anime, disney, etc) look much younger than they supposedly are. If the Fairy is 2000 years old, but looks 12 -- wouldn't that make some issues for Disney as well?
You don't need Amazon for shorthand books. About 2 years ago, I went to a used book store and picked up two of their shorthand books for college students for about $2.50 each. I am sure you could call around them and see who has them in for what price.
I was looking at some of the other posts, suggesting FAT (which is DOS-based, NOT windows-based), FAT32, etc... I don't think you even want to mess with that beast. Talk about bad coding.
Why not just use Nero or something to burn your songs into an ISO image, then RAWRITE that image to your harddrive? Then, shouldn't you be able to read the drive almost like it was a CD?