LOL You know you have a fantastic point. There must have been people who thought "motor cars" would never take off. And people who thought nobody needed a computer at home. And now we laugh at the people who were skeptics back then.
On the other hand: "This NEW Coke is going to make us even more profit."
Yeah, can you imagine these ACTUALLY out on the roads? LOL it would be hilarious to see somebody pull up to traffic lights and watch their "landing gear wheel" deploy as they slow down under 12mph. Also for some reason the picture makes it look minature.. as in no way somebody could actually fit on one. I'd like to see a picture of someone actually sitting on one.
MP3 player? Video player? These things are awesome, but are we sure we can still call them 'phones.' Somehow I think being a phone is no longer their primary feature.
Free ones DID exist (at least on Windows) and I'm kind of in shock that many people don't remember them. And yes, there were long delays etc they sucked.:)
Less than five percent of global software development budget is for retail software.
I find that figure surprising. Is that your estimate or are there any statistics I can look at? I would believe you if you had said "less than 30 percent of global software development budget is for retail" but LESS than 5%?
That COULD happen (me a butler LOL) but we're in a democratic society and once the unemployment rate skyrockets people will complain. Someone will share my idea that if everyone worked part-time, more people would have jobs.
However it applies to more than just software. There are many OTHER industries that try to inflate the cost of what they produce. And there are many things we BUY that we do NOT need.
I know nothing about cars, but I'm always told car companies could make cars that LAST for a long time but that would hurt their bottom line. Fasionable clothes are another example... the cheapest clothes you can find performs the adequate function, but many people want to look stylish.
Ideally, it would be great to get rid of all these unecessary things and have companies stop artificially inflating the value of or the demand for their goods. But that's a pipe dream -- it's not at all practical -- because it would put many people out of jobs.
However we wouldn't need as much money in this new ideal world.
Actually when I think about it one of the first things that interested me in technology was that it would reduce the amount of work humans have to do. I saw a future where 40-hour work weeks became 10-hour work weeks because everything would be so automated and we wouldn't have excessive extras that we don't need -- or else we'd have an overabundance of them and everyone would have them.
Anyway, until this happens, you're right I DO want the value of software to be high (artifical or not) so that in the meantime I do have an income. It's kind of like a scientist who is disappointed when he has solved the problem he is researching -- because that means his funding is going to be cut off until he thinks up something new to research.
It's a terribly unfortunate way for things to be, but that's how they are.:( And I think the professional programmers amongst Slashdot's readership do want to earn money... which results in a conflict of interest.
Who knows, maybe all of this is another halting problem (i.e. it's not solvable)
I agree with pretty much everything you said. I also think it's great if someone downloads a warez version and then goes out and buys the real thing (or even finds it's crap and does not buy the real thing). I also think students should get big discounts on EVERYTHING. For Christ's sake, they're paying to go to school they are certainly not earning an income while they are there.
I am very interested in seeing some statistics on how much piracy goes on in the corporate world. Because I really have no idea it it's as widespread as it is amongst home users. There is no excuse for these companies not to pay for software that they are using to generate a profit.
You make a fascinating point: stopping software piracy is in the best interest of the Open Source community. I had never considered it before, but OpenOffice does look great when the alternative is to shell out $300.:) But this just changes my original question. Now I warn the reader, this is something we seem to avoid, but:
Is open source software in the best interest of professional programmers? I would guess most open source projects are hobbies or academic projects. But many of you write commercial software for a living. If open source "wins" (everyone starts using it) could that kill the job market for programmers?
Don't get me wrong -- I love open source and getting stuff for free -- the only downside is what I mentioned above. And it's pretty serious.
On a side note, how many of you are getting paid to write open source software?
I do not think they should be going to jail. A fine at worst. I myself pirate software, music, and movies.
However sometimes I find myself feeling a little sympathy for the RIAA. I'm sure many Slashdot readers program or otherwise produce software for a living. Do you ever worry that widespread piracy hurts your salary and even your employability? When I talk to average joes who are getting a new computer I ask what software it comes with or what software they're getting and the usual answer is that they're getting someone they know to burn off all the software they need. Is this healthy for the many professional software developers? (Which I suspect a sizeable number of you are)
After re-reading my original post I realize I made SEVERAL typos that changed what I meant to say.
I meant to say Linus thinks Linux is good not ONLY for the server but for the desktop as well. This is obviously not what I said, but can be attributed to sloppy typing/lack of proof-reading. Sorry on my part. Linux, of course, is fantastic for servers and Linus knows this and wants it to be that way.
I use Yahoo for my email. They have a fantastic system that filters most spam into the bulk mail folder. That folder easily gets 10 times as many messages as my inbox. However, occasionally emails I WANT get filtered into my junk email folder. I sent someone a picture to their hotmail account and that was filtered into their junk email folder (probably b/c it had an attachment).
Point is that spam filters, firewalls, pop-up blockers and all these other things are very nice at stopping their respective annoyances, but do you ever worry they will block something important that you want?
There are examples of cartoons that were traditionally animated but had some computer animated scenes. Sometimes the difference is so subtle hardly anybody notices.
Computer generated != 3d in the sense reboot (first example coming to mind) was 3d.
Makes be think: there are lots of futuristic technologies that we could have now except people are not interested or they are too expensive.
I however do find a robot band interesting as long everyone and their brother doesn't copy it. New ideas often lose their novelty when everyone else copies.
In the future will we have robot celebrities and rock stars? With the ladies chasing them for sex? If so it's time to invest in these sex machines you when searching for porn on a peer to peer network and on other places on the web.
You're right, phones are getting too complicated. Mine picked up MS-BLAST the other day so I ran it over with my car. However it was smart enough to roll out of the way before the wheel got to it.
In this interview (posted on Slashdot a few weeks ago) Linus says he is most interesting in desktop Linux. He says servers are not very interesting. He says Linux on the desktop is the only part he cares about. Just look at the article I linked to and read the question about Linux and the Desktop.
My point is that Linus, for me, kind of debunks the idea that Linux is intended for the server. Linus clearly says it's not. And now we have IBM giving a thumbs up for Linux on the desktop too. This is cool.
I had a professor who told me that the following is an actual valid line of code in COBOL:
REVENUE MINUS EXPENSES EQUALS PROFIT
Is this actually true or was he bullshitting us? Why would anybody turn a simple mathematical statement into something so long to type? He also told us "COBOL is a dead language designed to allow middle-managers program early computers without knowing what they were actually doing." I believe him. In retrospect, he was biased, but he was sure funny to listen to.
Excuse my ignorance, but: People still actually USE COBOL??
As far as I know, ID used OpenGL in GLQuake, in Quake 2, and in Quake 3. As far as I know they will continue to use OpenGL, esp. since they port their games to Mac and Linux. Has this changed? And what is the relationship these days between DX9 and OpenGL. I would've thought they are totally seperate.
You are right most people don't upgrade in tiny increments. If I was going to upgrade tomorrow, I'd do some research and note that Nvidia and ATI cards had roughly the same performance, with ATI's slightly faster. But since they were so close I would base the purchasing decision mostly on price. Are ATI's cards significantly cheaper than NVidia's? I have no idea, I haven't looked it up.
Slashdot Mirror
LOL You know you have a fantastic point. There must have been people who thought "motor cars" would never take off. And people who thought nobody needed a computer at home. And now we laugh at the people who were skeptics back then.
On the other hand: "This NEW Coke is going to make us even more profit."
Yeah, can you imagine these ACTUALLY out on the roads? LOL it would be hilarious to see somebody pull up to traffic lights and watch their "landing gear wheel" deploy as they slow down under 12mph. Also for some reason the picture makes it look minature .. as in no way somebody could actually fit on one. I'd like to see a picture of someone actually sitting on one.
These things are interesting yes, but are they really very likely, at all to become popular?
...and catch up to these guys.
MP3 player? Video player? These things are awesome, but are we sure we can still call them 'phones.' Somehow I think being a phone is no longer their primary feature.
Free ones DID exist (at least on Windows) and I'm kind of in shock that many people don't remember them. And yes, there were long delays etc they sucked. :)
I find that figure surprising. Is that your estimate or are there any statistics I can look at? I would believe you if you had said "less than 30 percent of global software development budget is for retail" but LESS than 5%?
LOL
That COULD happen (me a butler LOL) but we're in a democratic society and once the unemployment rate skyrockets people will complain. Someone will share my idea that if everyone worked part-time, more people would have jobs.
Your argument is completly correct.
:( And I think the professional programmers amongst Slashdot's readership do want to earn money... which results in a conflict of interest.
However it applies to more than just software. There are many OTHER industries that try to inflate the cost of what they produce. And there are many things we BUY that we do NOT need.
I know nothing about cars, but I'm always told car companies could make cars that LAST for a long time but that would hurt their bottom line. Fasionable clothes are another example... the cheapest clothes you can find performs the adequate function, but many people want to look stylish.
Ideally, it would be great to get rid of all these unecessary things and have companies stop artificially inflating the value of or the demand for their goods. But that's a pipe dream -- it's not at all practical -- because it would put many people out of jobs.
However we wouldn't need as much money in this new ideal world.
Actually when I think about it one of the first things that interested me in technology was that it would reduce the amount of work humans have to do. I saw a future where 40-hour work weeks became 10-hour work weeks because everything would be so automated and we wouldn't have excessive extras that we don't need -- or else we'd have an overabundance of them and everyone would have them.
Anyway, until this happens, you're right I DO want the value of software to be high (artifical or not) so that in the meantime I do have an income. It's kind of like a scientist who is disappointed when he has solved the problem he is researching -- because that means his funding is going to be cut off until he thinks up something new to research.
It's a terribly unfortunate way for things to be, but that's how they are.
Who knows, maybe all of this is another halting problem (i.e. it's not solvable)
I agree with pretty much everything you said. I also think it's great if someone downloads a warez version and then goes out and buys the real thing (or even finds it's crap and does not buy the real thing). I also think students should get big discounts on EVERYTHING. For Christ's sake, they're paying to go to school they are certainly not earning an income while they are there.
I am very interested in seeing some statistics on how much piracy goes on in the corporate world. Because I really have no idea it it's as widespread as it is amongst home users. There is no excuse for these companies not to pay for software that they are using to generate a profit.
You make a fascinating point: stopping software piracy is in the best interest of the Open Source community. I had never considered it before, but OpenOffice does look great when the alternative is to shell out $300. :) But this just changes my original question. Now I warn the reader, this is something we seem to avoid, but:
Is open source software in the best interest of professional programmers? I would guess most open source projects are hobbies or academic projects. But many of you write commercial software for a living. If open source "wins" (everyone starts using it) could that kill the job market for programmers?
Don't get me wrong -- I love open source and getting stuff for free -- the only downside is what I mentioned above. And it's pretty serious.
On a side note, how many of you are getting paid to write open source software?
I do not think they should be going to jail. A fine at worst. I myself pirate software, music, and movies.
However sometimes I find myself feeling a little sympathy for the RIAA. I'm sure many Slashdot readers program or otherwise produce software for a living. Do you ever worry that widespread piracy hurts your salary and even your employability? When I talk to average joes who are getting a new computer I ask what software it comes with or what software they're getting and the usual answer is that they're getting someone they know to burn off all the software they need. Is this healthy for the many professional software developers? (Which I suspect a sizeable number of you are)
Is VoIP the same thing as these FREE (ad supported) PC-to-phone services which existed before the tech bubble burst?
After re-reading my original post I realize I made SEVERAL typos that changed what I meant to say.
I meant to say Linus thinks Linux is good not ONLY for the server but for the desktop as well. This is obviously not what I said, but can be attributed to sloppy typing/lack of proof-reading. Sorry on my part. Linux, of course, is fantastic for servers and Linus knows this and wants it to be that way.
I use Yahoo for my email. They have a fantastic system that filters most spam into the bulk mail folder. That folder easily gets 10 times as many messages as my inbox. However, occasionally emails I WANT get filtered into my junk email folder. I sent someone a picture to their hotmail account and that was filtered into their junk email folder (probably b/c it had an attachment).
Point is that spam filters, firewalls, pop-up blockers and all these other things are very nice at stopping their respective annoyances, but do you ever worry they will block something important that you want?
There are examples of cartoons that were traditionally animated but had some computer animated scenes. Sometimes the difference is so subtle hardly anybody notices.
Computer generated != 3d in the sense reboot (first example coming to mind) was 3d.
People still DRAW things?
This has been around for a decade? Really?
Makes be think: there are lots of futuristic technologies that we could have now except people are not interested or they are too expensive.
I however do find a robot band interesting as long everyone and their brother doesn't copy it. New ideas often lose their novelty when everyone else copies.
In the future will we have robot celebrities and rock stars? With the ladies chasing them for sex? If so it's time to invest in these sex machines you when searching for porn on a peer to peer network and on other places on the web.
You're right, phones are getting too complicated. Mine picked up MS-BLAST the other day so I ran it over with my car. However it was smart enough to roll out of the way before the wheel got to it.
Home users use Windows because everyone else uses Windows. There are other reasons, but we all know this is the main one.
In this interview (posted on Slashdot a few weeks ago) Linus says he is most interesting in desktop Linux. He says servers are not very interesting. He says Linux on the desktop is the only part he cares about. Just look at the article I linked to and read the question about Linux and the Desktop.
My point is that Linus, for me, kind of debunks the idea that Linux is intended for the server. Linus clearly says it's not. And now we have IBM giving a thumbs up for Linux on the desktop too. This is cool.
I had a professor who told me that the following is an actual valid line of code in COBOL:
:)
REVENUE MINUS EXPENSES EQUALS PROFIT
Is this actually true or was he bullshitting us? Why would anybody turn a simple mathematical statement into something so long to type? He also told us "COBOL is a dead language designed to allow middle-managers program early computers without knowing what they were actually doing." I believe him. In retrospect, he was biased, but he was sure funny to listen to.
Excuse my ignorance, but: People still actually USE COBOL??
I thought it died along with vacuum tubes.
Also you say HL2 and Doom 3 are DX9 games.
As far as I know, ID used OpenGL in GLQuake, in Quake 2, and in Quake 3. As far as I know they will continue to use OpenGL, esp. since they port their games to Mac and Linux. Has this changed? And what is the relationship these days between DX9 and OpenGL. I would've thought they are totally seperate.
You are right most people don't upgrade in tiny increments. If I was going to upgrade tomorrow, I'd do some research and note that Nvidia and ATI cards had roughly the same performance, with ATI's slightly faster. But since they were so close I would base the purchasing decision mostly on price. Are ATI's cards significantly cheaper than NVidia's? I have no idea, I haven't looked it up.