no matter how good something they make might be. The profit they make off their sales is often used to force the Microsoft option for things that people wouldn't buy.
I'm an OS/2 user, and we all see what the affect of MS preventing OEMs from preloading non-Microsoft operating systems will do. As far as I can tell, the main reason you can get Linux preloaded by an OEM today is because Microsoft's hands are currently tied due to the trial. Based on what they've done in the past(see the findings of fact from the trial), Microsoft would be forcing Dell and the rest to pay 3-4 times what they currently do for Windows BECAUSE they dared to sell a non-Microsoft offering preloaded on their systems. That's what Microsoft did to IBM in 95 because IBM preloaded Smartsuite instead of Office, and gave you a choice of OS/2 instead of Windows.
I really like the Microsoft split keyboard, however I purchased a 3rd party version because I refuse to support Microsoft's crusade against my freedom of choice(operating systems, browsers, etc).
I've noticed maroon topics before(the color bar and links are in maroon instead of green), but cannot find anything in the FAQ to tell me what it signifies. Anybody know?
on the way non-Linux users(even those attempting to learn Linux) are treated by a rather vocal component of the Linux community.
By posting as AC, you've also proven that you don't have the balls to stand behind your statements.
I have received a lot of offers of help due to my original post. Quite a few were rather embarrassed and apologetic that I had to experience this side of the Linux community. Thanks to the help I should have my Linux problems solved soon.
I've had to fight Microsofts CHAP implementation in the past. At a prior company I worked I used to have to dial in to support our EDI software(24 hour support, but seldom needed to call in). I used my OS/2 system to access our AS/400. For some reason they changed our dial-up hardware to NT and all of a sudden I was no longer able to dial in.
I eventually tracked it down to the MS version of CHAP not liking my standard CHAP routines. They wouldn't change the settings to accept standard CHAP as "it would make the system less secure". They didn't like my question of "If 90% of the systems are using Windows, then how does MS-CHAP make it more secure?"
I refused to change my home system to Windows due to work requirements(what I use on my own time is my choice, not theirs). For a few months I didn't provide support from home until I stumbled across a new PPP dialer, Injoy, that had MS-CHAP support.
I'm quite competent with computers. I taught myself 6502 machine language on a VIC20, wrote BBS software for the Vic/64/128. I added new BASIC commands for doing music, sprite animation, and such on the BBS(had to use my MusicTerm program to receive it).
I've run Amiga, OS/2, Macintosh, and yes, most versions of Windows(but not on my own time!) I've also some experience with VAX and UNIX. I've even written software for Xwindows for a 3-D graphics class at U of H.
I'm interested in Linux, but find that whenever I have a problem I get this same type of response. Quite frankly it's turned me off on Linux and I'm now looking at other systems such as Be where the user base doesn't seem to have such an attitude.
What's the reason a lot of people get a computer today? To get on the internet. It was one of the driving forces behind the iMac and the resurgance of Apple.
For people like you and me, the PC is here to stay. For people like my Aunt & Uncle, both sets of grandparents, and a couple cousins, the PC and iMac do not make sense for what they desire, easy to use email. Face it, there are more people like them than us.
All of them are now using an internet appliance, i-opener, to access the net. It is a $300 system, flat-screen with the "smarts" integrated in a single, compact unit. The keyboard has an integrated mouse which is very easy to use(my grandparent's used to get online using a PC I built for them, they had lots of trouble with the mouse, and would get confused if they overshot and clicked on a background window). It stays on all the time, periodically calling up to get email, local weather, and news. Because of this, they don't have to tie up the phoneline to read their mail or check the weather and news. A green LED lights up on top to tell when email has arrived. The system is set up to be very easy to use. The function keys don't say F1-F12, they have little pictures, such as a cloud to check the weather, and an envelope to do email.
Note: Support of OS/2 as a guest operating system in this release is experimental and does not represent a commitment by VMware to deliver any future commercial versions of its software supporting OS/2. This experimental functionality is being provided in response to customer requests and in order for VMware to learn more about OS/2 technical and market requirements.
If VMware for Linux will support OS/2 as a client(in a non-beta release), then I'll buy it and use Linux as a base OS. Without OS/2 support I won't buy it and I'll only dabble with Linux. I've too much invested in OS/2 software to throw it all away. Ideally, VMware for OS/2 would exist, but I won't hold my breath, and I refuse to buy Windows software. As such, a Linux version with OS/2 support would be acceptable:-)
I ported Star Trek to the VIC20 way back when. The only tricky part was the 8x8 galaxy grid, where each section held 3 numbers(# stars, # starbases, # klingons). 3x8 = 24, but the VIC's screen was only 22 columns! I figured out how to manipulate the video settings and made the screen 25 columns wide to show the galaxy map. I used normal video for the even columns, and reverse video for the odd columns so I didn't need any "space" to separate the columns. The extra column held the y value of the grid.
Stardock has quite a few cool games. I still regularly play the OS/2 version of Galactic Civilizations, which won the internet game of the year in 1994, and Entreprenuer(an excellent on-line war game done using salesmen, marketing, and research instead of tanks, planes, and troups). I play Entreprenuer against my dad and brother, both in different parts of the country! Business Tycoon, the sequel to Entreprenuer is coming out for Windows only, as well as an updated version of Galactic Civilizations. The AI players in Stardock games are quite well done. Another cool game they are coming out with(Windows and OS/2 versions) is Stellar Frontier, another online game where you're flying a spaceship during an interstellar war.
One of the creepiest Twilight Zones I'd ever seen was one from the short-lived new series(in color). It's following the life of a young boy in a slightly futuristic society. He's about to "come of age" and must take a government mandated exam. The boy is busy reading and persuing other intellectual activities, and yet the parents are trying to get him to go out and play. The day of the test comes, and the parents reluctantly take him down to the government center. At the end of the episode they are called with the results, "we regret to inform you that your son's intellegence quotient has exceeded government regulations, would you like the body returned for burial?"
If you read the bit about "free memory" you'll see I'm not using 256 for StarOffice as I thought I had 130MB free. Now that I'm home, I see I was low on the free value. I'm currently running Netscape and StarOffice, dialed into the internet, and have 146MB free. 64MB is OK to run it, though for me it works better with more as I mostly use it while I'm online. Being online means I have Netscape and other software running besides StarOffice.
So for me, 128MB is ideal for my normal internet activities. 256MB makes my C development much nicer:-)
I also use StarOffice under OS/2, though at the moment I've only 5.0 installed. I just picked up Red Hat 6.1, and it includes a StarOffice 5.1 CD that contains all versions, including OS/2, so I'll probably upgrade to 5.1 this weekend.
I've a K6-2 350, and StarOffice was a dog when the machine had less than 64MB. At 64MB it became tolerable. I'm now at 256MB and it's quite nice with that much memory. Since my memory free gauge is around 130MB when I run StarOffice, I suspect it will run equally as well with 128MB.
I use it for the newsgroups, email, and handling MS Office documents at home. The web browser has better support than Netscape for PNG images as it supports transparent background images. I've used the presentation software to create back-of-computer pictures(with all connections nicely labeled) for the OS/2 sysems I've built for family members. I've also used the spreadsheet software for minor things, and have even written some functions in StarBasic for the spreadsheets. All-in-all its quite a nice suit, with some polishing here-and-there that needs to be done
Both 8-VSB and COFDM have certain advantages and disadvantages. Both systems are capable of providing viable DTV service. We do not find that at this time the performance potential of either system is clearly superior in all respects. Based on our discussions with CE manufacturers and recent announcements by semiconductor manufacturers, we believe that reasonable solutions to the multipath issue and indoor reception problems raised by Sinclair are being developed and should be available in the near future. We also believe that COFDM's benefits for large single frequency network operation and mobile service may not be important or meaningful given the current structure of broadcasting in the United States. Further, we believe that 8-VSB has some advantages with regard to data rate, spectrum efficiency and transmitter power requirements. Accordingly, at this time, we find that the relative benefits of changing the DTV transmission to COFDM are unclear and would not outweigh the costs of making such a revision. We therefore recommend that the ATSC 8-VSB standard be retained.
8-VSB was choosen over COFDM during the 9 year period in which the DTV standards were created. One of the major benefits of 8-VSB is it covers a much larger area which is a very important benefit in the US. It also carries more data than COFDM, which means a better picture can be received. In Europe, where everything is much closer together and multipath is a bigger problem, COFDM was choosen as their broadcast standard.
The 8-VSB reception problems shown by Sincliar were exhibited in 1st generation HDTV sets. The manufacturers of the sets have already come up with better ways of cancelling out the multi-path interference that plays havoc with HDTV reception. The newest sets work much better than the 1st generation, and it is expected this trend will continue.
The general consensus at Digital Theater is that Sinclair is not pursuing this for the benefit of us, but for their own benefit as they stand to gain a lot financially if the US changes to COFDM.
Your silly japanese cartoon comment is very telling that you haven't a clue. The Japanese animation that I've seen and have is geared towards the adult viewer, many with adult situations, violence, and language that would easily rate an R or even X rating. Most all have an excellent story line, unless butchered during the English translation process.
In contrast, the vast majority of American cartoons are geared towards children, and are not worth seeing for those not in a family way. This does some to be improving, Iron Giant was a pleasent surprise!
Most of my collection is on Laser Disk, though I've started getting DVD titles now that I've a Thinkpad with DVD support.
One of the Tenchi Muyo specials would be especially popular for this group - it's a major spoof on Microsoft, complete with Gates and his attempts to monopolize the Japanese Computer market.
I would love one, but I suspect the same groups that are slowing the acceptance of irradiated foods in the USA will have a field day with genetically engineered trees.
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I'm an OS/2 user, and we all see what the affect of MS preventing OEMs from preloading non-Microsoft operating systems will do. As far as I can tell, the main reason you can get Linux preloaded by an OEM today is because Microsoft's hands are currently tied due to the trial. Based on what they've done in the past(see the findings of fact from the trial), Microsoft would be forcing Dell and the rest to pay 3-4 times what they currently do for Windows BECAUSE they dared to sell a non-Microsoft offering preloaded on their systems. That's what Microsoft did to IBM in 95 because IBM preloaded Smartsuite instead of Office, and gave you a choice of OS/2 instead of Windows.
I really like the Microsoft split keyboard, however I purchased a 3rd party version because I refuse to support Microsoft's crusade against my freedom of choice(operating systems, browsers, etc).
I've noticed maroon topics before(the color bar and links are in maroon instead of green), but cannot find anything in the FAQ to tell me what it signifies. Anybody know?
An AC post about you not having the right to hide behind a cloak :-)
on the way non-Linux users(even those attempting to learn Linux) are treated by a rather vocal component of the Linux community.
By posting as AC, you've also proven that you don't have the balls to stand behind your statements.
I have received a lot of offers of help due to my original post. Quite a few were rather embarrassed and apologetic that I had to experience this side of the Linux community. Thanks to the help I should have my Linux problems solved soon.
I've had to fight Microsofts CHAP implementation in the past. At a prior company I worked I used to have to dial in to support our EDI software(24 hour support, but seldom needed to call in). I used my OS/2 system to access our AS/400. For some reason they changed our dial-up hardware to NT and all of a sudden I was no longer able to dial in.
I eventually tracked it down to the MS version of CHAP not liking my standard CHAP routines. They wouldn't change the settings to accept standard CHAP as "it would make the system less secure". They didn't like my question of "If 90% of the systems are using Windows, then how does MS-CHAP make it more secure?"
I refused to change my home system to Windows due to work requirements(what I use on my own time is my choice, not theirs). For a few months I didn't provide support from home until I stumbled across a new PPP dialer, Injoy, that had MS-CHAP support.
I've run Amiga, OS/2, Macintosh, and yes, most versions of Windows(but not on my own time!) I've also some experience with VAX and UNIX. I've even written software for Xwindows for a 3-D graphics class at U of H.
I'm interested in Linux, but find that whenever I have a problem I get this same type of response. Quite frankly it's turned me off on Linux and I'm now looking at other systems such as Be where the user base doesn't seem to have such an attitude.
What's the reason a lot of people get a computer today? To get on the internet. It was one of the driving forces behind the iMac and the resurgance of Apple.
For people like you and me, the PC is here to stay. For people like my Aunt & Uncle, both sets of grandparents, and a couple cousins, the PC and iMac do not make sense for what they desire, easy to use email. Face it, there are more people like them than us.
All of them are now using an internet appliance, i-opener, to access the net. It is a $300 system, flat-screen with the "smarts" integrated in a single, compact unit. The keyboard has an integrated mouse which is very easy to use(my grandparent's used to get online using a PC I built for them, they had lots of trouble with the mouse, and would get confused if they overshot and clicked on a background window). It stays on all the time, periodically calling up to get email, local weather, and news. Because of this, they don't have to tie up the phoneline to read their mail or check the weather and news. A green LED lights up on top to tell when email has arrived. The system is set up to be very easy to use. The function keys don't say F1-F12, they have little pictures, such as a cloud to check the weather, and an envelope to do email.
VMware Beta 2.0 has support for OS/2 as a client.
The only thing I'm concerned about is this:
If VMware for Linux will support OS/2 as a client(in a non-beta release), then I'll buy it and use Linux as a base OS. Without OS/2 support I won't buy it and I'll only dabble with Linux. I've too much invested in OS/2 software to throw it all away. Ideally, VMware for OS/2 would exist, but I won't hold my breath, and I refuse to buy Windows software. As such, a Linux version with OS/2 support would be acceptable :-)
I ported Star Trek to the VIC20 way back when. The only tricky part was the 8x8 galaxy grid, where each section held 3 numbers(# stars, # starbases, # klingons). 3x8 = 24, but the VIC's screen was only 22 columns! I figured out how to manipulate the video settings and made the screen 25 columns wide to show the galaxy map. I used normal video for the even columns, and reverse video for the odd columns so I didn't need any "space" to separate the columns. The extra column held the y value of the grid.
Stardock has quite a few cool games. I still regularly play the OS/2 version of Galactic Civilizations, which won the internet game of the year in 1994, and Entreprenuer(an excellent on-line war game done using salesmen, marketing, and research instead of tanks, planes, and troups). I play Entreprenuer against my dad and brother, both in different parts of the country! Business Tycoon, the sequel to Entreprenuer is coming out for Windows only, as well as an updated version of Galactic Civilizations. The AI players in Stardock games are quite well done. Another cool game they are coming out with(Windows and OS/2 versions) is Stellar Frontier, another online game where you're flying a spaceship during an interstellar war.
There are versions of Stella for Acorn, Irix, Linux, Solaris, Amiga, FBSD, Java, Mac, OS/2[my port :-)], Windows, and others.
Rocket USA is coming out with some Futurama merchandise, such as this spiffy-keen, ultra-cool, Retro-Futuristic Bender.
A regular character will die during the February sweeps. They don't say who. My guess would be Grandpa as they don't do much with him anymore.
Upcoming guests include Betty White, Stephen King, Britney Spears, and Kid Rock & Joe C.
I read it this morning in the dead-tree version of the Houston Chronicle. I found the online article so you can read it if you like.
More info from ZD-Net.
One of the creepiest Twilight Zones I'd ever seen was one from the short-lived new series(in color). It's following the life of a young boy in a slightly futuristic society. He's about to "come of age" and must take a government mandated exam. The boy is busy reading and persuing other intellectual activities, and yet the parents are trying to get him to go out and play. The day of the test comes, and the parents reluctantly take him down to the government center. At the end of the episode they are called with the results, "we regret to inform you that your son's intellegence quotient has exceeded government regulations, would you like the body returned for burial?"
I purchased the laptop to run OS/2 on it, but had no choice but to take it pre-loaded with Windows. That certainly wasn't self-inflicted...
And why only Linux? I'd like to have OS/2 preloaded on my system. I'm sure others would like BeOS...
If you read the bit about "free memory" you'll see I'm not using 256 for StarOffice as I thought I had 130MB free. Now that I'm home, I see I was low on the free value. I'm currently running Netscape and StarOffice, dialed into the internet, and have 146MB free. 64MB is OK to run it, though for me it works better with more as I mostly use it while I'm online. Being online means I have Netscape and other software running besides StarOffice.
So for me, 128MB is ideal for my normal internet activities. 256MB makes my C development much nicer :-)
I also use StarOffice under OS/2, though at the moment I've only 5.0 installed. I just picked up Red Hat 6.1, and it includes a StarOffice 5.1 CD that contains all versions, including OS/2, so I'll probably upgrade to 5.1 this weekend.
I've a K6-2 350, and StarOffice was a dog when the machine had less than 64MB. At 64MB it became tolerable. I'm now at 256MB and it's quite nice with that much memory. Since my memory free gauge is around 130MB when I run StarOffice, I suspect it will run equally as well with 128MB.
I use it for the newsgroups, email, and handling MS Office documents at home. The web browser has better support than Netscape for PNG images as it supports transparent background images. I've used the presentation software to create back-of-computer pictures(with all connections nicely labeled) for the OS/2 sysems I've built for family members. I've also used the spreadsheet software for minor things, and have even written some functions in StarBasic for the spreadsheets. All-in-all its quite a nice suit, with some polishing here-and-there that needs to be done
we're computer geeks. For computer related information I trust computer geeks. For video related info I trust the video geeks :-)
I hang out at Digital Theater to keep up with Digital TV happenings. They've had many discussions on this topic, and recommend reading the FCC report, DTV REPORT ON COFDM AND 8-VSB PERFORMANCE. The summary of which is
8-VSB was choosen over COFDM during the 9 year period in which the DTV standards were created. One of the major benefits of 8-VSB is it covers a much larger area which is a very important benefit in the US. It also carries more data than COFDM, which means a better picture can be received. In Europe, where everything is much closer together and multipath is a bigger problem, COFDM was choosen as their broadcast standard.
The 8-VSB reception problems shown by Sincliar were exhibited in 1st generation HDTV sets. The manufacturers of the sets have already come up with better ways of cancelling out the multi-path interference that plays havoc with HDTV reception. The newest sets work much better than the 1st generation, and it is expected this trend will continue.
The general consensus at Digital Theater is that Sinclair is not pursuing this for the benefit of us, but for their own benefit as they stand to gain a lot financially if the US changes to COFDM.
Your silly japanese cartoon comment is very telling that you haven't a clue. The Japanese animation that I've seen and have is geared towards the adult viewer, many with adult situations, violence, and language that would easily rate an R or even X rating. Most all have an excellent story line, unless butchered during the English translation process.
In contrast, the vast majority of American cartoons are geared towards children, and are not worth seeing for those not in a family way. This does some to be improving, Iron Giant was a pleasent surprise!
Most of my collection is on Laser Disk, though I've started getting DVD titles now that I've a Thinkpad with DVD support.
One of the Tenchi Muyo specials would be especially popular for this group - it's a major spoof on Microsoft, complete with Gates and his attempts to monopolize the Japanese Computer market.
I would love one, but I suspect the same groups that are slowing the acceptance of irradiated foods in the USA will have a field day with genetically engineered trees.