We read old books because they [are] important in their style and language, and their impact on books that follow.
At least, that's what they kept saying in my Literature classes. Outside of the study of Literature or Language Studies, can you honestly describe Beowulf (for example) as important? And in consideration of that, who decided what got passed along through the years? Many "classics" weren't successful in their own time...
I suspect that many people read old books simply because they're available, and because some people like to read. And certainly some get a kick out of saying to themselves, "This Canterbury Tales sure does remind me of Hyperion... And considering that, why does that Simmons guy have a fascination with John Keats?" Sometimes, literature leads forward, and in turn reflects back upon itself. It's not necessarily a linear thing.
We listen to older music to understand it and the music that follows.
Some folks just like the oldies.
On considering video games, by comparison to books, as "strictly entertainment" - well, fiction doesn't become "literature" until it's what? Old. Until then, it's just entertainment. Again, if we read old books because of their value to present and future books, then would you consider the most recent John Grisham to be of a higher or lower "intellectual stature" than say, Neverwinter Nights? Which of the two is more likely to influence a future work?
I tried to wrap my head around the math here, because my intuition tells me there something is wrong with your conclusions. I suspect I'm just not patient enough to figure it out right now, so I'm giving up. But how is the corollary of 64%, 46%?
I don't have a problem with people or companies making money. That's fair - you provide the stuff, I pay you for it. But would it break them to be consistently reasonable in their pricing?
Example - someone noticed that people like to buy things on sale. Now, you have department stores where they show you the "regular" price, and then you have "their" price. Everything's on sale, every day. But is it really?
having laws protect the secrecy around Black Friday is needed if you want to have another one next year.
I don't care about having another one next year. What I'd rather have is a chance to shop without all of the trickery that makes "Black Friday" necessary in the first place.
I wouldn't call it so much a myth as a historical fact that some people haven't forgotten.
This is the company who (some years ago, I will admit) produced a card, promising OpenGL capability on the box. Did it work? Afraid not. But their website promised that OpenGL would be enabled in an upcoming driver release.
Meanwhile, those of us who bought the card got to enjoy the great 2D quality (what is it about 3D card manufacturers, that they can make a 3D card with a jillionbamillion triangles per second, but they can't get a nice sharp 2D image?) as well as a nice RCA out.
Also keep in mind that the drivers for this card could only be described as "sloppy" and "buggy as hell". When was the last time you saw a video driver installation that created 6 different directories during setup? Apps over here, DLLs over there, more DLLs in there...
Mind you, ATI has had driver issues as recently as 2001, but I digress.
Eventually, after checking the ATI site on a weekly basis for a month or so, they basically said "sorry, we were mistaken about that whole OpenGL thing, buy this card instead, it has some OpenGL features."
Do I sound bitter? Let's just say I haven't forgotten about that mess. It's been years now, so perhaps it's time for me to give them another chance... but I'd never say that ATI having (or having had) buggy drivers is just a myth.
Interesting article, it's a reasonable interpretation of that (rather lengthy, but I suppose that's how you do things when you're dealing with lawyers) finding. The author of that article could be reaching a little, though - there may be some wishful thinking at play.
Besides, if it was really that big a deal or threat, would we have just heard about it now? The thing's dated January!
On the other hand, maybe the article writer is the first person to actually read the thing (see previous mention of length).
Just an alternative to seeing all those broken-image icons:
For those folks using a Microsoft OS, there's a little proggie called eDexter. Basically, it works in conjunction with a nice HOSTS file, and sets up a teeny-tiny server at 127.0.0.1 - it fills all HTTP requests to localhost with a 1x1 transparent GIF, or an image or your own choosing.
There's also a Mac version available, but I've not tried it.
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the creator of this software.
I've been forcing my (oversized, and not at all pleasantly-shaped, in my opinion) butt into the gym. The best motivation for me thus far is that I've spent far too much money on the membership to let it go to waste. I get a little frustrated sometimes - the weight isn't coming off the way I would have liked, but I definitely feel more energetic and healthy overall these days.
I'm also trying to change my way of living significantly enough that I won't have to go to the gym 4 days a week for the rest of my life just to maintain.
A friend of mine swears by the Hacker's Diet... I've started reading it before (it's free), I like the ideas as well as the author's background (some famous Autodesk guy, I believe), but I really don't know if it would work... but then, mileages vary with every diet out there.
Now, If only I could get over my feelings of being perceived as the "Dumpy Computer Guy" in the gym while surrounded by semi-pro weightlifters and sweaty women who could kick the crap out of me if they caught me looking...
the song was banned because someone put out an alternate set of lyrics that were less than tasteful (sex and drug related)... but the best part of it was that if you had these alternate lyrics in front of you, it does actually sound like they are saying it.
Believe it or not, I'm sure the song you're thinking of is Louie Louie, and it wasn't so much banned as it was the recipient of undue attention from some folks in the gov't.
Slashdot Mirror
Quiet, man - I need my cigars!
At least, that's what they kept saying in my Literature classes. Outside of the study of Literature or Language Studies, can you honestly describe Beowulf (for example) as important? And in consideration of that, who decided what got passed along through the years? Many "classics" weren't successful in their own time...
I suspect that many people read old books simply because they're available, and because some people like to read. And certainly some get a kick out of saying to themselves, "This Canterbury Tales sure does remind me of Hyperion... And considering that, why does that Simmons guy have a fascination with John Keats?" Sometimes, literature leads forward, and in turn reflects back upon itself. It's not necessarily a linear thing.
Some folks just like the oldies.
On considering video games, by comparison to books, as "strictly entertainment" - well, fiction doesn't become "literature" until it's what? Old. Until then, it's just entertainment. Again, if we read old books because of their value to present and future books, then would you consider the most recent John Grisham to be of a higher or lower "intellectual stature" than say, Neverwinter Nights? Which of the two is more likely to influence a future work?
Slashdot?
Ask Nemo's mom about "minor adversaries".
As opposed to the bonehead maneuver it would be to have a development machine connected to the outside world?
Example - someone noticed that people like to buy things on sale. Now, you have department stores where they show you the "regular" price, and then you have "their" price. Everything's on sale, every day. But is it really?
I don't care about having another one next year. What I'd rather have is a chance to shop without all of the trickery that makes "Black Friday" necessary in the first place.
This is the company who (some years ago, I will admit) produced a card, promising OpenGL capability on the box. Did it work? Afraid not. But their website promised that OpenGL would be enabled in an upcoming driver release.
Meanwhile, those of us who bought the card got to enjoy the great 2D quality (what is it about 3D card manufacturers, that they can make a 3D card with a jillionbamillion triangles per second, but they can't get a nice sharp 2D image?) as well as a nice RCA out.
Also keep in mind that the drivers for this card could only be described as "sloppy" and "buggy as hell". When was the last time you saw a video driver installation that created 6 different directories during setup? Apps over here, DLLs over there, more DLLs in there...
Mind you, ATI has had driver issues as recently as 2001, but I digress.
Eventually, after checking the ATI site on a weekly basis for a month or so, they basically said "sorry, we were mistaken about that whole OpenGL thing, buy this card instead, it has some OpenGL features."
Do I sound bitter? Let's just say I haven't forgotten about that mess. It's been years now, so perhaps it's time for me to give them another chance... but I'd never say that ATI having (or having had) buggy drivers is just a myth.
Actually, I suppose so. You've seen the other guy.
Apparently, it isn't so obvious anymore, is it?
Besides, if it was really that big a deal or threat, would we have just heard about it now? The thing's dated January!
On the other hand, maybe the article writer is the first person to actually read the thing (see previous mention of length).
Just an alternative to seeing all those broken-image icons:
For those folks using a Microsoft OS, there's a little proggie called eDexter. Basically, it works in conjunction with a nice HOSTS file, and sets up a teeny-tiny server at 127.0.0.1 - it fills all HTTP requests to localhost with a 1x1 transparent GIF, or an image or your own choosing.
There's also a Mac version available, but I've not tried it.
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the creator of this software.
I'm also trying to change my way of living significantly enough that I won't have to go to the gym 4 days a week for the rest of my life just to maintain.
A friend of mine swears by the Hacker's Diet ... I've started reading it before (it's free), I like the ideas as well as the author's background (some famous Autodesk guy, I believe), but I really don't know if it would work... but then, mileages vary with every diet out there.
Now, If only I could get over my feelings of being perceived as the "Dumpy Computer Guy" in the gym while surrounded by semi-pro weightlifters and sweaty women who could kick the crap out of me if they caught me looking...
Actually, they're both right. In Japan, the name was Aerith... don't know why they changed it.
(another of the many useless pieces of knowledge I have obtained in my travels)
Believe it or not, I'm sure the song you're thinking of is Louie Louie, and it wasn't so much banned as it was the recipient of undue attention from some folks in the gov't.
:: Quark Express :: (still waiting for a PC version of that one)
First saw this in '94... it's definitely out there.