The principal applications are expected to be protecting areas such as government buildings and trade shows against clandestine photography
Why does this need to be done? No, honestly, what good does it do to prevent people taking photos of government buildings? Or taking photos at trade shows for that matter? Once it can be seen, that's it, there's not any 'secrecy' or 'security' you're going to lose by having pictures taken of it.
Please change the title of this article from "Scientists Respond to Gore on Global Warming" to "Industry Shills Respond to Gore on Global Warming". Not that journalistic integrity has ever stopped you from running obviously wrong headlines before; I'm just trying to advise on how to maintain what little dignity you have left.
I'm always skeptical of claims that hundreds or thousands of supposedly respectable scientists hold a non-mainstream view but can't express it because some shadowy cabal is forcing them to stay quiet.
Yeah, I'm reminded of the so-called "silent majority" that many neocons like to claim are in favor of their policies, but just didn't bother to vote.
But what the fuck does nudity have to do with spam and viruses? Can we cut the bullshit, and keep the anti-virus, anti-spam and I'm-a-prude-please-don't-expose-me-to-the-natural- world software separate? Some of us are grownups and just because we don't like spam or viruses doesn't me we disapprove of nudity.
First, a disclaimer: I didn't RTFA, and quite frankly, I don't see any need to. It sounds like the standard Microsoft paid shill/FUD that we've heard so many times before, just with a "fig leaf" twist.
Truce? How can there be a truce when only one side is the agressor? Tell you what, Microsoft, stop attacking OSS and trying to thwart our attempts at every turn, and then there will be a truce because we are already the peaceful side.
Common ground? We built it. We continue to build it. It's ours, but by the very definition of open source, we are willing to share it (and already do!) with you. All you have to do is come down off your high horse and stop fucking around with closed standards that benefit no one but yourself.
Microsoft needs to STFU, stop wasting money on FUD, and actually DO something that will PROVE they are all about cooperation and a truce. Like opening NTFS or CIFS, and not lobbying for laws that hinder open standards or open source.
The first game I thought of was Zelda, but it was nowhere to be found in this article.
It may have aged more gracefully than some, but it doesn't have one thing that a lot of the games in the article do: replayability. And a lot of times that will keep a game being played not only for a long time, but also more often than other games. Zelda? One shot, you're done. And don't tell me about the second quest; it was just a shell game.
Zelda could go on a classic games list (and has, many a time), but there are many hard core gamers who have never heard of Zelda, and wouldn't like it even if they did because it's so one-dimensional with no branches in it's plot.
It was simply a perfect game.
Guess that depends on what your definition of perfect is. On the high end of the complexity spectrum, mine is NeverWinter Nights because it was designed to be moddable and is infinitely replayable. On the low end of the complexity spectrum, Go is definitely perfect.
There's a community online that makes their own quests with an engine:
That's nice. How long did it take for this community to come about? I might also point out that the article seems to be considering only games in their original form, not unsupported hacks that happen twenty years later.
I'd quietly fade out NWN1 support after NWN2 launches in a few months when no one will notice anyway as they're all playing the new title and you've got all of those extra $50s.
Except some of us *will* notice as they didn't release the new title for our platform, and we are perfectly happy playing the old one.
Some people that won't get getting the newest patches and content might look to the sequel for an upgrade.
See, here's the thing: from the looks of things, NWN2 isn't coming out for my platform (Linux). I'm still playing NWN1 because it's such a great game. I still *buy* every premium module they come out with, then download the Linux version to send a clear signal (or two): 1) I love this game 2) I run Linux.
Now, I know I'm not your typical gamer; I'd almost call myself a casual gamer. Part of that is because I run Linux and refuse to reboot just to play games. So my selection is limited. However, because my selection is limited, I buy almost every good game that is made for Linux. Heck, I bought 2 complete sets of NWN1 (including expansion packs and premium modules) so that I can loan a copy to a friend at LAN parties. Releasing to Linux is a no brainer for me. Not releasing to Linux, then dropping support of one of my favorite games is just going to piss me and others like me off. It's not an "upgrade path", it's a dead end. Again, I know I'm not in the majority, but this is just how I see it. I'd be a major fan of Blizzard if they'd release for Linux.
Kudos to Google for finally releasing end user software for the platform that their whole business is built on! Thank you to Google for funding development on Wine and advancing yet another piece of open source software! All that being said . . .
No source? Okay, that's understandable (I guess), and I have to admit, I still buy closed source games (for Linux). But . . .
It uses WINE? With all due respect to the hard work put in by CodeWeavers and countless others on WINE, WINE is not the answer. WINE is a stopgap measure, a way to open people's eyes to the power and Freedom of open source while still letting them use apps they are comfortable with. When you have the source code to an application and you use WINE to "port" it instead, that shows that you are either really lazy (which I'll grant is one of the three great virtues of programmers), or you aren't really interested in porting your software to Linux.
And that's not even getting into the fact that WINE is ia32 only, so this only runs on one of the many platforms that Linux runs on. If they'd only open source it, I predict it would soon become a true port without WINE, and run on all platforms that Linux runs on.
This isn't software for Linux; the correct title of this article should be "Google Donates Patches to WINE" with a sideline that WINE now runs Picasa.
What's hilarious about that is where I live, in the SF Bay Area, a student can basically walk into class and beat the crap out of his teacher and still not get expelled.
You were probably joking, but there is a *big* difference between beating the crap out of someone and criticising them. If you can't see that difference, then I think that there was something missing in your education.
Expel more people, I say. The pendulum needs to swing back the other way a little bit.
Maybe it needs to swing back towards equality between administrators, teachers and students, but in this case that would mean _not_ expelling a student for exercising his constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech.
I wish I could sue, but I looked into it, and that's the law. They can hold you for three days if you can't prove who you are, no questions, no calling your lawyer, they just hold you. They aren't arresting you, or charging you with anything, or even questioning you. Just waiting to ID you. For up to three days.
I'm surprised no one has challenged this "law". It sounds pretty unconstitutional to me. Especially the "no calling your lawyer" bit.
Egghead professor-type gets sucked into something Really Important To the World (tm) with the help of a very intelligent woman who happens to be an expert in the Really Important Thing (tm) but STILL needs him to explain everything to her anyway. While they try to make it to the end of the book they are pursued by a merciless killer who wants to bump them off before they discover the Big Secret (tm). Did I forget anything?
Not arrested, but held for up to three days while they try to get an ID on you. I was in LA coming home from a party, getting a ride from a girl who probably shouldn't have been driving (I know, dumb, but she was cute...). She gets pulled over and surprisingly passes the test. They let her go. Me, all I have on me is a Hawaii state ID. The cops can't pull up my ID on their in car computer, so they haul me in. I sit in jail for eight hours waiting for them to ID me. They said I was lucky, they could have kept me for up to three days.
You should file suit, or at least a complaint. If they had no reasonable cause to hold you, then it's clearly a fourth amendment violation. Mind you, IANAL, but complaints can go a long way.
In nearly all 50 of these United States, you are required to carry some form of ID, usually a driver's license.
Really? Please cite these laws so that we may be better edified, and know the treachery that our representatives have been up to. Even if there are such laws in place, it does not make it right or good.
The funny thing is, can you imagine if passports were a new idea? Just think of the outraged slashdotters that would vent their fury on a scaremongering story entitled "New Compulsory Photo ID required just to leave the country".
This is something I've always wondered about: why do you need ID to leave the country? Or is it more acurrately described as needing ID to enter another country? In either case, I am still left wondering as to the purpose of passports. What crimes do they prevent? Who does it help? Why do governments want this sort of information on their citizens?
As for the driver's licenses, that one is easy: you are operating a very large and very powerful automobile that has the capability to seriously injure or kill other people. Of course you should have to pass a test and be licensed to use this sort of equipment, especially considering that most places you will use it are public, tax-funded roads. The driver's license is merely a way of identifying you so that when you are pulled over the police can check with headquarters to make sure you are really licensed.
Most europeans don't consider national ID cards (let's stick to that terminology) evil in any way and wonder why you americans make such a big issue of it. We've had them for as long as anyone can remember.
I think the concern is that once ID cards are mandated, they will be abused, and not having one on you at all times will make you a suspect in the eyes of many. In America, you can't (yet) be arrested for refusing to identify yourself, and this makes sense. If I am out walking my dog, or riding my bicycle, why should I have to identify myself? I personally don't carry my drivers license unless I am driving or going to buy alcohol, because otherwise I don't need it. I am also offended by having to have ID to travel (on a plane), and try to avoid flying whenever possible because of this fact.
For example, Lincoln was prone to depression - if he had been less melancholic, perhaps he wouldn't have spent so much time brooding over the negative consequences of slavery to the union. Similarly, this could spell the end to a lot of literature
Not that I'm Lincoln (or anywhere near), but I've found I'm actually more productive when off of anti-depressants. Why? Two reasons I believe: 1) the antidepressants made me just not care; I never got even vaguely worried about deadlines, therefore I would tend to ignore them. 2) I keep busy to keep my mind off the depression. If anyone's ever been to counseling, they know that keeping busy is one of the best things you can do for depression.
It's not hard to imagine increasing the processing power there and adding additional functionality like a divx dvd player, and some basic video games (roms anyone?).
Yeah, I've already got one of those; it's called MythTV.
Thus, the limitations of the xbox 360 will probably keep game makers from taking too much advantage of special things the PS3 can do that can't be ported.
I don't know if that's really the way it will work out. People probably said the same thing about moving Final Fantasy VII from SNES to PlayStation. Sure, it doesn't happen that much these days, but all it takes is one "uppity" game company who actually uses the hardware to its full potential (and beyond) to say "hey, we could make our game *even better* if we took advantage of the capabilities on this one platform". For a long time that's been the reason a lot of PC games didn't make it to console until years later.
About a week ago there was an article about Linux snobs
That article was a troll then, as it still is now.
these kinds of posts prove the arguement
The only thing "these posts" prove is that Windows users and GNU/Linux users have different values. GNU/Linux users value Freedom: freedom to not be restricted or nagged or treated as a criminal by our software. Windows users value . . . well, fuck, what do you people value? Because I sure as hell can't figure it out. If it's convenience, I'm wondering how a nag screen fits into that.
And just to head off the comments that I'm a Linux snob defending other Linux snobs:
Really? You mean the rise from $2 to $3 per gallon in the past few years has been all tax?
I saw that too, and went "huh?". But then I figured the original poster might live somewhere where the tax is higher on gasoline. That, and the "checking to see if you use home heating oil to avoid taxes" sounded a bit odd to me, but might be conceivable in another country. That, or he's making stuff up (I didn't even know that home heating oil could be used in internal combustion engines designed for diesel).
And even if they do care, who cares what they think? Most people's thoughts aren't worth the effort it took to come up with them, the parent post being one of the few exceptions. If more people thought like ObsessiveMathsFreak, the world would be a better place.
Slashdot Mirror
I have a vehicle that gets infinite MPG!
Why does this need to be done? No, honestly, what good does it do to prevent people taking photos of government buildings? Or taking photos at trade shows for that matter? Once it can be seen, that's it, there's not any 'secrecy' or 'security' you're going to lose by having pictures taken of it.
Please change the title of this article from "Scientists Respond to Gore on Global Warming" to "Industry Shills Respond to Gore on Global Warming". Not that journalistic integrity has ever stopped you from running obviously wrong headlines before; I'm just trying to advise on how to maintain what little dignity you have left.
Yeah, I'm reminded of the so-called "silent majority" that many neocons like to claim are in favor of their policies, but just didn't bother to vote.
But what the fuck does nudity have to do with spam and viruses? Can we cut the bullshit, and keep the anti-virus, anti-spam and I'm-a-prude-please-don't-expose-me-to-the-natural- world software separate? Some of us are grownups and just because we don't like spam or viruses doesn't me we disapprove of nudity.
Truce? How can there be a truce when only one side is the agressor? Tell you what, Microsoft, stop attacking OSS and trying to thwart our attempts at every turn, and then there will be a truce because we are already the peaceful side.
Common ground? We built it. We continue to build it. It's ours, but by the very definition of open source, we are willing to share it (and already do!) with you. All you have to do is come down off your high horse and stop fucking around with closed standards that benefit no one but yourself.
Microsoft needs to STFU, stop wasting money on FUD, and actually DO something that will PROVE they are all about cooperation and a truce. Like opening NTFS or CIFS, and not lobbying for laws that hinder open standards or open source.
It may have aged more gracefully than some, but it doesn't have one thing that a lot of the games in the article do: replayability. And a lot of times that will keep a game being played not only for a long time, but also more often than other games. Zelda? One shot, you're done. And don't tell me about the second quest; it was just a shell game.
Zelda could go on a classic games list (and has, many a time), but there are many hard core gamers who have never heard of Zelda, and wouldn't like it even if they did because it's so one-dimensional with no branches in it's plot.
Guess that depends on what your definition of perfect is. On the high end of the complexity spectrum, mine is NeverWinter Nights because it was designed to be moddable and is infinitely replayable. On the low end of the complexity spectrum, Go is definitely perfect.
That's nice. How long did it take for this community to come about? I might also point out that the article seems to be considering only games in their original form, not unsupported hacks that happen twenty years later.
Just wait, that's next. What do you think the DMCA and DRM are for?
That's because those people have realized that "voucher" is a theocrat code word for "funneling public money to churches."
Except some of us *will* notice as they didn't release the new title for our platform, and we are perfectly happy playing the old one.
See, here's the thing: from the looks of things, NWN2 isn't coming out for my platform (Linux). I'm still playing NWN1 because it's such a great game. I still *buy* every premium module they come out with, then download the Linux version to send a clear signal (or two): 1) I love this game 2) I run Linux.
Now, I know I'm not your typical gamer; I'd almost call myself a casual gamer. Part of that is because I run Linux and refuse to reboot just to play games. So my selection is limited. However, because my selection is limited, I buy almost every good game that is made for Linux. Heck, I bought 2 complete sets of NWN1 (including expansion packs and premium modules) so that I can loan a copy to a friend at LAN parties. Releasing to Linux is a no brainer for me. Not releasing to Linux, then dropping support of one of my favorite games is just going to piss me and others like me off. It's not an "upgrade path", it's a dead end. Again, I know I'm not in the majority, but this is just how I see it. I'd be a major fan of Blizzard if they'd release for Linux.
No source? Okay, that's understandable (I guess), and I have to admit, I still buy closed source games (for Linux). But . . .
It uses WINE? With all due respect to the hard work put in by CodeWeavers and countless others on WINE, WINE is not the answer. WINE is a stopgap measure, a way to open people's eyes to the power and Freedom of open source while still letting them use apps they are comfortable with. When you have the source code to an application and you use WINE to "port" it instead, that shows that you are either really lazy (which I'll grant is one of the three great virtues of programmers), or you aren't really interested in porting your software to Linux.
And that's not even getting into the fact that WINE is ia32 only, so this only runs on one of the many platforms that Linux runs on. If they'd only open source it, I predict it would soon become a true port without WINE, and run on all platforms that Linux runs on.
This isn't software for Linux; the correct title of this article should be "Google Donates Patches to WINE" with a sideline that WINE now runs Picasa.
You were probably joking, but there is a *big* difference between beating the crap out of someone and criticising them. If you can't see that difference, then I think that there was something missing in your education.
Maybe it needs to swing back towards equality between administrators, teachers and students, but in this case that would mean _not_ expelling a student for exercising his constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech.
With all due respect to Kurt, who I think would have made an excellent solid snake during his "Escape From . . . " years, the guy on the original game cover was Michale Biehn.
I'm surprised no one has challenged this "law". It sounds pretty unconstitutional to me. Especially the "no calling your lawyer" bit.
You forgot the link to the parody.
You should file suit, or at least a complaint. If they had no reasonable cause to hold you, then it's clearly a fourth amendment violation. Mind you, IANAL, but complaints can go a long way.
Really? Please cite these laws so that we may be better edified, and know the treachery that our representatives have been up to. Even if there are such laws in place, it does not make it right or good.
This is something I've always wondered about: why do you need ID to leave the country? Or is it more acurrately described as needing ID to enter another country? In either case, I am still left wondering as to the purpose of passports. What crimes do they prevent? Who does it help? Why do governments want this sort of information on their citizens?
As for the driver's licenses, that one is easy: you are operating a very large and very powerful automobile that has the capability to seriously injure or kill other people. Of course you should have to pass a test and be licensed to use this sort of equipment, especially considering that most places you will use it are public, tax-funded roads. The driver's license is merely a way of identifying you so that when you are pulled over the police can check with headquarters to make sure you are really licensed.
I think the concern is that once ID cards are mandated, they will be abused, and not having one on you at all times will make you a suspect in the eyes of many. In America, you can't (yet) be arrested for refusing to identify yourself, and this makes sense. If I am out walking my dog, or riding my bicycle, why should I have to identify myself? I personally don't carry my drivers license unless I am driving or going to buy alcohol, because otherwise I don't need it. I am also offended by having to have ID to travel (on a plane), and try to avoid flying whenever possible because of this fact.
Not that I'm Lincoln (or anywhere near), but I've found I'm actually more productive when off of anti-depressants. Why? Two reasons I believe: 1) the antidepressants made me just not care; I never got even vaguely worried about deadlines, therefore I would tend to ignore them. 2) I keep busy to keep my mind off the depression. If anyone's ever been to counseling, they know that keeping busy is one of the best things you can do for depression.
Yeah, I've already got one of those; it's called MythTV.
I don't know if that's really the way it will work out. People probably said the same thing about moving Final Fantasy VII from SNES to PlayStation. Sure, it doesn't happen that much these days, but all it takes is one "uppity" game company who actually uses the hardware to its full potential (and beyond) to say "hey, we could make our game *even better* if we took advantage of the capabilities on this one platform". For a long time that's been the reason a lot of PC games didn't make it to console until years later.
That article was a troll then, as it still is now.
The only thing "these posts" prove is that Windows users and GNU/Linux users have different values. GNU/Linux users value Freedom: freedom to not be restricted or nagged or treated as a criminal by our software. Windows users value . . . well, fuck, what do you people value? Because I sure as hell can't figure it out. If it's convenience, I'm wondering how a nag screen fits into that.
And just to head off the comments that I'm a Linux snob defending other Linux snobs:
I saw that too, and went "huh?". But then I figured the original poster might live somewhere where the tax is higher on gasoline. That, and the "checking to see if you use home heating oil to avoid taxes" sounded a bit odd to me, but might be conceivable in another country. That, or he's making stuff up (I didn't even know that home heating oil could be used in internal combustion engines designed for diesel).
And even if they do care, who cares what they think? Most people's thoughts aren't worth the effort it took to come up with them, the parent post being one of the few exceptions. If more people thought like ObsessiveMathsFreak, the world would be a better place.