I find the new Yahoo Maps Beta MUCH more useful than Google Maps.
+ The layout is more user friendly
+ Search capabilities and overlays are more useful
+ Traffic info overlay (only for major cities, I think)
- no satellite images
Great work on the backend, but the GUI needs more options.
I understand the need to simplify the prefs menu, but I would have preferred a novice/advanced mode setup. Hopefully there will be a "Customize Gam 2.0" plugin out soon.:-/
But seriously, if IPv6 was so good, it would not require so much pushing. If the IPv4 exhaustion was real and imminent, it would not rquire so much pushing.
Haven't you learned anything from GWB: being proactive is better than waiting for "real and imminent".
Seriously... it is better in this case to be proactively preparing for the transition than to one day realize we *really* need IPv6 and are not capable of making it happen effectively. No one is saying it has to be a hard and fast cutover today. I don't see anything wrong with getting some momentum going and starting to work out some unexpected kinks before the need is *real and imminent*.
Try http://www.skype.org/ -> Free internet telephony.
My experience is that the quality is better than an average cell phone call but not quite as 'comfortable' as a traditional phone to the ear.
This mode of communication will become much more popular once a major IM service incorporates it (which cannot be done unless the skype developers decide to allow this)
Upgraders: DO NOT install Mozilla Thunderbird into a directory containing program files from a previous version. Overwriting files from a previous release WILL cause problems. To re-use the directory of a previous install, the directory must be deleted and recreated, emptied, moved, or renamed. You should not file bugs in Bugzilla if you choose to ignore this step.
The program directory does not contain profile information; any existing accounts, account settings, options, e-mail, and news messages will remain intact. This release does not require changes to your profile to function properly.
Important: If you used a prior version of Thunderbird and installed themes OR extensions, you need to do the following or Thunderbird may NOT run properly. Find your profile directory. There should be a sub directory called chrome. Remove everything in chrome. This will not affect your mail data or preferences.
Open Source projects tend to have a major problem with providing decent documentation -- if they provide any documentation at all.
It's no surprise people who write software for "fun" won't waste time writing 'boring' documentation. But there are two easy solutions to the documentation problem:
1) Implement a Wiki that allows people to document for you. Those of us who use OSS are probably more than willing to clarify (or add a few pointers) in the Wiki 'documentation' if we encounter and/or solve an issue.
2) Provide these new users with information on where the answers to common problems can be found. Between Forums, Google, IRC, and Newsgroups there will be few problems that haven't already been covered... even in smaller OSS projects. (I realize the IRC and Newgroups may verge on 'geek level software' but combined with a Wiki, the important IRC converstations stand a good change of being recorded somewhere that the 'lowest common denominator' can find.)
If you've set up a wireless network and will be using your laptop in many rooms throughout the house, you probably don't need to purchase a docking station.
Before I set up a wireless network, I only used my laptop at my desk. After I set up my wireless network, I found that the 'docking' and 'undocking' process was to slow and annoying.
Make sure you purchase a phone that follows the SyncML standard (which is what Apple iSync uses) and you'll be able to get the phone to sync with many popular PIMs (if the PIMs don't support SyncML yet, they probably will soon).
I sync my SonyEricsson T616 on a Linux box running Mandrake (Cooker) with Evolution 1.4.5 using Multisync.81 via Bluetooth. Things pretty much work 'out of the box' as far as syncing goes, but it's definately not as smooth a process as when I sync the T616 with my iBook. Additionally, I use Multisync to sync my Sharp Zaurus with Evolution also.
P.S. not tryin to brag, just noting that all this stuff does work 'easily enough'.
I had also run into the plug/unplug issue on Dell laptops (Inspiron 8000), but it only seems to be an issue with the 2.4 kernel. I'm currently using the 2.6test9.5 kernel and it doesn't freeze up on me when I switch power sources.
You may want to give 2.6 a try if it's a big issue for you... (not to say fixing it in 2.4 isn't important, just letting you know you have an alternative).
The 2.6 kernel has been reliable enough for me to carry on my day to day use. But I do revert back to 2.4 when I have to do any critical tasks.
I just purchased an 2004 Acura TL. It's the first car that has internal Bluetooth... which means I can use voice activated dialing (available on the TL w/Navi model) to call people while my SonyEricsson T616 stays in my briefcase.
Once the pairing is done it's simple to use and the sound quality is exceptional.
it won't "piss people off" in the future like it does today... Automated Systems suck today because you have to listen to 10 options on 10 menu before you can get valid information. Obviously, this is time consuming and irritating.
In the future, you can simply describe your problem to the automated system (like a voice-activated google!), and it will direct the call accordingly... there will be no need to listen to every option on every menu.
Personally, I think people don't like interacting with robots because when something goes wrong, you can't get angry and bitch at the robot... well, you can, but then you'll just look stupid (and the robot doesn't even care!)
I do a lot of reading and usually jot down sentences that I find interesting in those books.
When it comes time to change passwords, I simply pick the sentence that appeals to me most at the time and use the first letter of every word in the sentence. I combine this with a few *rules* i have set... One rule, for example: a,e,i,o,u is represented by 1,2,3,4,5 repsectively. Another rule: the first, last, and *keyword* (the main word/point of the quote) is capitalized... you get the idea...
So when it comes time to type in my password, all I have to do is simply recite the quote in my head. This not only helps me remember my password, but it also helps me remember quotes I think are worth remembering!
It's even easier if you deploy it as a service. I recall there are HOW-TOs somewhere online... but I'm not motivated to google and I don't care about karma.:-P
"There's an old saying in Tennessee -- I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee -- that says, fool me once, shame on -- shame on you. Fool me -- you can't get fooled again." -Bush
doh, you fooled me... 1.4a is officially released!
The greatest thing about Mandrake 9.X is that it completely eliminates dependency issues... rpms are easy to install for those that don't wish to compile from source.
I've been running a cooker version of 9.X for many months and even that is surprisingly stable.
I've had an iPAQ for the last 2 years and desperately want to convert to Palm because my primary OS is Linux and PocketPC doesn't sync with Linux.
I use my iPAQ mainly for two things... 1) schedule/contacts (obviously) and 2) mp3 audio player (that I connect to my car stereo so that I don't have to burn any more CDs - much faster and less hassle)
So the only set-in-stone requirements I have for a PalmOS PDA is that it should: 1) audio output 2) support a standard high-capacity storage medium (I use the IBM 1GB Microdrive). 3) sync with linux (as far as I know, PalmOS is the only OS that has mature sync support for linux)
The closest thing seems to be the Sony Clie NX-series, but I can't justify dropping $600 on a PDA just so that it will sync with linux If the Clie supported SmartMedia and CF cards, it would be well worth the money, but that would just be too easy.
Slashdot Mirror
I find the new Yahoo Maps Beta MUCH more useful than Google Maps.
+ The layout is more user friendly
+ Search capabilities and overlays are more useful
+ Traffic info overlay (only for major cities, I think)
- no satellite images
Great work on the backend, but the GUI needs more options.
:-/
I understand the need to simplify the prefs menu, but I would have preferred a novice/advanced mode setup. Hopefully there will be a "Customize Gam 2.0" plugin out soon.
Seriously... it is better in this case to be proactively preparing for the transition than to one day realize we *really* need IPv6 and are not capable of making it happen effectively. No one is saying it has to be a hard and fast cutover today. I don't see anything wrong with getting some momentum going and starting to work out some unexpected kinks before the need is *real and imminent*.
Try http://www.skype.org/ -> Free internet telephony.
My experience is that the quality is better than an average cell phone call but not quite as 'comfortable' as a traditional phone to the ear.
This mode of communication will become much more popular once a major IM service incorporates it (which cannot be done unless the skype developers decide to allow this)
--From the thunderbird webpage--
Upgraders: DO NOT install Mozilla Thunderbird into a directory containing program files from a previous version. Overwriting files from a previous release WILL cause problems. To re-use the directory of a previous install, the directory must be deleted and recreated, emptied, moved, or renamed. You should not file bugs in Bugzilla if you choose to ignore this step.
The program directory does not contain profile information; any existing accounts, account settings, options, e-mail, and news messages will remain intact. This release does not require changes to your profile to function properly.
Important: If you used a prior version of Thunderbird and installed themes OR extensions, you need to do the following or Thunderbird may NOT run properly. Find your profile directory. There should be a sub directory called chrome. Remove everything in chrome. This will not affect your mail data or preferences.
It's no surprise people who write software for "fun" won't waste time writing 'boring' documentation. But there are two easy solutions to the documentation problem:
1) Implement a Wiki that allows people to document for you. Those of us who use OSS are probably more than willing to clarify (or add a few pointers) in the Wiki 'documentation' if we encounter and/or solve an issue.
2) Provide these new users with information on where the answers to common problems can be found. Between Forums, Google, IRC, and Newsgroups there will be few problems that haven't already been covered... even in smaller OSS projects. (I realize the IRC and Newgroups may verge on 'geek level software' but combined with a Wiki, the important IRC converstations stand a good change of being recorded somewhere that the 'lowest common denominator' can find.)
If you've set up a wireless network and will be using your laptop in many rooms throughout the house, you probably don't need to purchase a docking station.
Before I set up a wireless network, I only used my laptop at my desk. After I set up my wireless network, I found that the 'docking' and 'undocking' process was to slow and annoying.
So spend your money on something else.
Are there any issues when upgrading from .7? (I've backed up all my Firebird info, but just wanted to be sure before I install Firefox)
Make sure you purchase a phone that follows the SyncML standard (which is what Apple iSync uses) and you'll be able to get the phone to sync with many popular PIMs (if the PIMs don't support SyncML yet, they probably will soon). I sync my SonyEricsson T616 on a Linux box running Mandrake (Cooker) with Evolution 1.4.5 using Multisync .81 via Bluetooth. Things pretty much work 'out of the box' as far as syncing goes, but it's definately not as smooth a process as when I sync the T616 with my iBook. Additionally, I use Multisync to sync my Sharp Zaurus with Evolution also.
P.S. not tryin to brag, just noting that all this stuff does work 'easily enough'.
If you found this article interesting, you may want to read Faces in the Clouds: A New Theory of Religion by Stewart Guthrie.
In one word, this book is about Anthropomorphism - The ascription of human characteristics to things not human.
tickticker,
I had also run into the plug/unplug issue on Dell laptops (Inspiron 8000), but it only seems to be an issue with the 2.4 kernel. I'm currently using the 2.6test9.5 kernel and it doesn't freeze up on me when I switch power sources.
You may want to give 2.6 a try if it's a big issue for you... (not to say fixing it in 2.4 isn't important, just letting you know you have an alternative).
The 2.6 kernel has been reliable enough for me to carry on my day to day use. But I do revert back to 2.4 when I have to do any critical tasks.
I know you're asking about headsets, BUT...
I just purchased an 2004 Acura TL. It's the first car that has internal Bluetooth... which means I can use voice activated dialing (available on the TL w/Navi model) to call people while my SonyEricsson T616 stays in my briefcase.
Once the pairing is done it's simple to use and the sound quality is exceptional.
According to this CNN article, the phone is expected to cost about 500 euros ($584.00).
harvesters don't take the time to decode
Email Encoder
DearRIAA,
Your best chance of winning this case is to bend over for the judge and jury so pick a judge that's into that kinda thing. See you in court.
P.S. Could you play that Trick Daddy song when you walk in the courtroom... It would really help me take you seriously.
it won't "piss people off" in the future like it does today... Automated Systems suck today because you have to listen to 10 options on 10 menu before you can get valid information. Obviously, this is time consuming and irritating.
In the future, you can simply describe your problem to the automated system (like a voice-activated google!), and it will direct the call accordingly... there will be no need to listen to every option on every menu.
Personally, I think people don't like interacting with robots because when something goes wrong, you can't get angry and bitch at the robot... well, you can, but then you'll just look stupid (and the robot doesn't even care!)
I do a lot of reading and usually jot down sentences that I find interesting in those books.
When it comes time to change passwords, I simply pick the sentence that appeals to me most at the time and use the first letter of every word in the sentence. I combine this with a few *rules* i have set... One rule, for example: a,e,i,o,u is represented by 1,2,3,4,5 repsectively. Another rule: the first, last, and *keyword* (the main word/point of the quote) is capitalized... you get the idea...
So when it comes time to type in my password, all I have to do is simply recite the quote in my head. This not only helps me remember my password, but it also helps me remember quotes I think are worth remembering!
Oh well, at least it provides a different perspective.
It's even easier if you deploy it as a service. I recall there are HOW-TOs somewhere online... but I'm not motivated to google and I don't care about karma. :-P
"There's an old saying in Tennessee -- I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee -- that says, fool me once, shame on -- shame on you. Fool me -- you can't get fooled again." -Bush
doh, you fooled me... 1.4a is officially released!
I update nightly builds every 3-5 days and I find that even the alpha builds are stable enough for everyday use.
I know the disclaimer is just to stop lame bastards from complaining about crashes, but it's hardly an issue...
The greatest thing about Mandrake 9.X is that it completely eliminates dependency issues... rpms are easy to install for those that don't wish to compile from source.
I've been running a cooker version of 9.X for many months and even that is surprisingly stable.
This is the kind of OS package worth paying for!
To be fair, the judge also recommended that Sun ship Windows with Java2 SDK to give developers a crash test API.
I've had an iPAQ for the last 2 years and desperately want to convert to Palm because my primary OS is Linux and PocketPC doesn't sync with Linux.
I use my iPAQ mainly for two things...
1) schedule/contacts (obviously) and
2) mp3 audio player (that I connect to my car stereo so that I don't have to burn any more CDs - much faster and less hassle)
So the only set-in-stone requirements I have for a PalmOS PDA is that it should:
1) audio output
2) support a standard high-capacity storage medium (I use the IBM 1GB Microdrive).
3) sync with linux (as far as I know, PalmOS is the only OS that has mature sync support for linux)
The closest thing seems to be the Sony Clie NX-series, but I can't justify dropping $600 on a PDA just so that it will sync with linux If the Clie supported SmartMedia and CF cards, it would be well worth the money, but that would just be too easy.