Oh for the love of....
on
Freshmeat II
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· Score: 2
Freshmeat is not an FTP site. It is a portal site. It provides a search functionality, and provides links to locations which match the search pattern. It also provides info on what you can expect to find when you follow the link.
The links surround a common theme, software. Some of it is free, some Free, some both, some neither. A discussion area is provided to discuss the software at the end of the link.
If you want an FTP site, use sunsite. For those of us who like some info before we spend the dload time, freashmeat is wonderful.
All's good in love and war, yes, but when both countries lose from such ridiculous tactics then their is no longer a point.
Wow, what do I say to that? Well, firstly, there has not been a major war, involving the US, in which money was the driving factor. (I don't count Desert Storm, it wasn't major. It was a several month bitch-slap).
Actually, far from being a factor, most wars left the US less well off finacially than before the war. People don't fight wars because it helps their pocket books. Never have, never will. Wars, (real wars that is) cost so much in money, equipment, lives, etc. that you have to be really pissed off to fight in one. Or be led by a lunatic.
To say that wars won't be fought because they would cost too much to be worth it shows a severe lack of historical knowledge.
Reading this article, I kept thinking the people behind BeOS should sit up and take notice.
Be is a visually appealing OS (IMHO, of course), and is easy to create simple apps with. Many of the aspects of it's OS design are great, as well.
Unfortunately, it came about in a time when there was already a standard (Microsoft). People who didn't want to use that standard, for whatever reason, still had Macs. To make matters worse, Linux was really starting to get a buzz, and drawing exactly the type of people BeOS would want.
And there were problems...It is closed source, so FSF types didn't want it. And old Amiga users didn't care about it after it went solely to the x86 platform. (It was originally supposed to be the new Amiga, or an OS styled after Amiga, or whatever.)
So they effectively alienated (almost) everyone they could sell to, and are now left as an example of what not to do, much like NeXT.
Wait! Hold the presses! Global warming is a theory?
</SARCASM>
It is important to remember that global warming is, in fact, a theory. When I see a report saying, in essence "I know that what your seeing appears to be contrary to my theory, but here's why it is actually helping", I immediatly wonder at the motives of such a statement. This research appears to be done by people who support the global warming theory. As such, it's results are biased towards proving that theory.
I don't know enough about global warming to either agree or disagree with the theory. I do know enough about human nature to distrust this report.
Hrmmm, where to start. Firstly, most of the comments I have read which are pointing out problems with population growth are rational, well-constructed lines of thought which are well worth considering. And none of them use the phrase "Back up the truck, Nellie."
Just because you don't believe that population growth is going to be a problem is not a reason to discount those people who do.
Here's a thought...reply to them, with a logical, well thought out reason on why it WONT be a problem, or what can be done to remedy it, etc, rather than just name calling (Luddites) and dismissing other peoples opinions out of hand.
I don't know if this article is a joke, but if not...don't trust IT.
The article says that IT is an invention which will change the world. Like cold-fusion?
There is a certain order scientists follow when releasing a new discovery. The idea must be given peer review before anyone should believe a word about it.
A couple of scientists came out about 15-20 years ago I believe, saying they had acieved cold-fusion. They were given their 15 minutes, interviewed by reporters, etc. The problem was that their 'method' for achieving it was bogus. When time came to present it, and have others duplicate it, no-one could.
Until they say what IT is, and IT can be duplicated by someone other than the 'inventor', it's not news, it's hype.
Right...and while we're at it, sue the gun manufacuters! They produced the gun, which you left ungaurded...
The responsibility should be placed on the person commiting the crime. Frankly, I don't want the government with reigns tight enough to tell me how I must lock my house, where I must store Anything Which Could Be Used As A Weapon, etc.
If a gun, or computer, is taken from me, and used for harm, then the person who took it and used it should be punished.
Look at it another way...If someone steals your car, then hits someone with it, should you be punished because you didn't have the newest/best alarm system in it? No, the thief should be.
The premise for this story reminds me of a quote....but I'll be damned if I can find a link.
Anyway, the quote was from the head of the US patent office, around 1890. He said "Everything that can be invented, has been."
His point was basically, "We are seeing a decrease in patent applications. This must mean that we are running out of ideas".
The internet, the inter-networking of computers from around the world to allow communication, is of course in it's infancy. Remember that there is a whole generation of people growing up now who 'take the internet for granted.'
Most of my friends, (about age 25), look at the internet as a secondary source. For movie listings, they call the theater, and if the line is busy, then check the net. To this generation, and older, the Internet will probably only reach a certain level of acceptance. The ideas on what to do with it, and the success of those ideas will be limited by that factor. (Yes there are exceptions, and some people/groups will use it more, but I am talking about mean usage)
The coming generation(s), however, will not be so hindered. I believe that while the current boom may be fading, it will eventually grow to be a completely integrated part of day to day life for the average human.
The main issue I have is not whether patents can be issued. It is how they are issued that concerns me.
I know that the main thinking here on/. seems to be, IP=bad, patents=bad, business=bad. I would tend to disagree. Patents, when applied correctly, help innovation, rather than stifle it.
Before you mark this down as a troll, or flamebait, let me explain. Imagine if the first windowing display system for computers had been patented. Most people I hear give credit for this to Mac, but not being a strong computer historian, I don't know. Whatever company came up with this, if they had patented it, would have had a large advantage over others. Some would say that this would mean the other companies would go under, and that Macs would dominate the desktop.
I believe, however, that this would have forced others to think more laterally. Given the choice of giving in, or coming up with a new display system, (not windowed), it is doubtless that a myriad of display systems would be developed. Some would suck. Some would rock. But there would be new ideas tried, new technologies developed.
My point here is that if people want to influence the outcome of all of this, start lobbying for how and why patents are issued. Patents for things already in common use, (i.e. 1-click shopping), don't help anyone. But don't let the ineptitude of the USPO let you think that ALL patents are bad.
The problem here is that the internet is available globally. The domains, therefore, must be shared by everyone using the internet, througout the world.
I can't think of any other resources quite like this. The only thing close is space, and because of the dificulties of just getting there, so little has been used that there have not been any conflicts, (no big ones anyway).
Every other resource I can think of, from radio waves to minerals, are owned by the country they reside in. In this case, no single gov't can control the resource, since it resides everywhere.
The problem with ICAAN is that it has no real authority. They can decree whatever TLDs they want, and set up their nameservers. So can anyone else. ICAAN is well known, but really has no more authority than anyone else...
I hesitate to say that we should have an internationally sanctioned body governing this, but without one, this type of stuff is bound to happen. All part of the internet's growing pains, I suppose.
At first, the thought that EE degrees are going down, while Fitness degrees are going up is truly disturbing. (More people want to be Richard Simmons than Georg Ohm)
But as I think about it, this makes some sense. Firstly, some of the people who would have been interested in EE a decade ago are probably now being sucked into CompSci. Not to mention the number of people getting jobs in the computer industry without degrees. Most of these people probably would have, a decade ago, gone towards EE degrees.
Also, the number of degrees has gone up in the last 10 years, so the number of fitness degrees should go up. I couln't get into all those numbers, so I don't know if the growth there is inconsistant with other degrees, but I would supspect it isn't.
A judge (me) from the republic of Gen-GNU (verrry small country), ruled today that all french companies must prevent ip's from within the republics borders from recieving any content from france. No french companies have yet to comment.
Seriously, how can the french gov't have ANY say over a company located in another country? They can prevent them from doing business in france, (maybe revoke yahoo.fr?), but other than that...I personally hope yahoo just blows them off.
This is a possible project for some (including myself) who have looked for a way to give something back to the free software movement.
I personally have looked for an area that needs attention, (i.e. I don't want to write yet another text editor, etc). I don't know of any answering machine type software for Linux.
If anyone is truly interested in a project to do this, or knows of one that is already going, let me know.
there's an interesting idea that we should be allowed to vote unless we've passed tests that are administred that demonstrate that we're responsible enough to vote, have studied the issues, have formulated true opinions and not just those that the media has spoon-fed us, and that we EARNED the right to vote, that it wasn't just given to us.
There is a VERY good reason, historically, why this isn't the case. When minorities (specifically blacks) were given the right to vote, areas of the country (mostly the south east, but elsewhere as well) started making laws like what you described above. Not tests, per se, but things like the ability to read, which were used to separate those who the establishment wanted to vote, and those who were not wanted. A test on the issues could easily be skewed to exclude certain peoples from voting, based on who is in power now.
I think in this time where people are reflecting on how the voting system works, we should spend at least equal time on why it is the way it is, before offering suggetions on how to fix it.
Ok, I know I'm going to see a lot of posts saying this is a great way to get kids into programming. Kids can use this argument on their parents too, but....
Firstly, as the article says, this is probably just a way to get around an import tax. It will undoubtably be limited, and kids who try to use it will end up more frustrated than interested.
Also, this platform is not one that I would want a newbie programmer (of any age) touching. The programming style which should be used differs greatly from pc-style programming. So the games, routines, whatever made will be bad, and asking a non-ps2 programmer about what to do to improve them will give you less than wonderful results.
If you want to get someone into programming, get them into something like tcl/tk. The interface is easy (it's a scripting language for those who don't know), allows you to draw stuff to the screen easily (compared to X), and still provides the intro to how to lay out a program, how to set up functions, etc. It doesn't write it for you, like visual-basic, so you really have to learn, but the results are immediate. It extends to object oriented design ([incr] Tcl), and when they outgrow it, all the ground-level stuff will be in place for whatever they want to get into.
Buy a ps2 for games. That's what it's for. If someone (especially your kid) has an interest in programming, get them into something that you know, so they have a solid foundation to draw from.
Wow. This makes perfect sense. Since people who are pre-disposed to a computer-esque interfaces have such incredable fashion sense, they definately should be making their own clothing. Now they can, using a SUI (Sewing User Interface) that is comfortable to them.
Seriously, I do understand the advantages involved here...but this seems like a really cheap way to go about it. How hard would it be to integrate the 'game boy technology' into some of the empty space inside the frame of the sewing machine? Especially since it looks like they created a new design case (rather iMac looking) just for this project. Having an extra cord and device around would only seem to get in the way, IMHO.
Ok, why is it that the only thing Republicans and Democrats can be bi-partisan about is a vote whose main impact will be to increase profits for American companies?
Seriously, even things which I look at and say, well duh, of course we want / don't want that, the vote is always close. One side makes it an issue, just so they can gain favors due later by voting for something everyone should want....
This bill is a GREAT thing for companies. This means more people brought in to a certain job market. More people means more competition, and everyone working for less money (basic economics) Companies get the job done at a lower cost, and therefore make more money.
I am not against the bill...I am just angry that elected politicians are so blatant about getting Big Business on their side, and doing nothing to offend corporations.
Ok, the report is written for politicians, but (at least in theory) it is written by scientists.
Near the very begining, when talking about asteroids, they discuss how asteroids have been hitting the earth since it was formed. Fine. Then they go on to say that an asteroid is responsible for the extintion of the dinosaurs.
Just curious, but when was that theory proven? Last I checked that was still a theory, in a mix with other theories about the dinosaurs. Yet here it is presented as a fact, with no room for discusstion.
I know the scientists want to keep their job, but this seems rather shoddy to me. Present the facts to the politicians, not your version of them. At least then we have a real reason for blaming them when they make another bone-headed decision.
Obviously, most people here would regard this as a troll. If someone posted this under a discussion, it would be mod'ed down and ignored (rightly).
The only possible use of this information is knowing the right responses to these statements when your PHB, who is victimized by this FUD, tells you that your *nix of choice isn't acceptable.
Tracking an OS by the number of bugs sounds nice to some people; It's an easy way to quantify how problematic an OS is. However, the real issue here is turnaround time. When a new exploit is discovered, how long does it take for a fix to come out. (I.E. how long are we vulnerable to the script kiddies)
Personally, I would rather download the 'patch of the day', and be as secure as possible, rather that a service pack every 6 months+ and be secure for aprox 2 days a year.
Oh goodie. I love it when the govt strong arms an industry into doing what it wants. Don't get me wrong...some legislation in this area is probably needed. Maybe. But something just rubs me the wrong way about the govt coming to these 'aggreements'.
Kinda makes me wish our govt officials would have the balls to just make a law, (like they were elected to do?), instead of threatening and bullying to get what they want.
Still, here's to hoping those evil corporations won't be able to gather information, (via cookies, et al) as easily. That type of info gathering should be left up to the government itself.
Now that I can type faster than I write, they want to do away with keyboards. =)
Seriously, as things evolve, laptops and PDA's will probably merge a bit, and this is a logical extention. Great if you want a word processor, email client, etc that's handheld. I use my laptop, however, to continue writing code on long plane trips, etc. This seems much more suited to keyboarded computers. So in the end, you will probably have PDA/Laptop derivatives which can do 4 bazillion calculations / sec, 3.999 bazillion of which will never be used. I can't wait =-)
The article makes some interesting points. I do agree that in many instances patents, etc are given incorrectly. However, I do not believe that this justifies removing the system.
The old saying 'Necessity is the mother of invention' is very true. Necessity comes, however, in many shapes and sizes. For example, the need to see at night was only PART of the need which helped invent the light bulb. The other part was the need, on the parts of the inventors/buisnesses trying to make the invention, to make money. If there were no patent system businesses simply wouln't invest the money. It wouldn't be worth it.
The same can be said for intelectual property rights. In the article, it is said that if one writes a poem, and a thousand copies are made, the writer can still have a copy to read. This is true. However, the most talented of writers would not be able to spend their time writing poems if the poems themselves did not generate revenue. They would be busy at other jobs, and only writing in their spare time. I see nothing wrong with making AS MUCH MONEY AS YOU CAN by selling your ideas/poems/songs etc. And I also see nothing wrong with selling it under the best possible terms you can sell it under, and still have it maketable.
Articles like the one linked to above anger me greatly. Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone just developed new ideas/products for the good of humanity? Wouldn't it be great if the artists we loved made new songs, painted new pictures, etc and then released them free? While we're at it, why don't we each do our part, work at whatever we are good at, and donate everything to each other. Sure, the world would be better. But it's never going to happen.
The above dreamworld has been tried. It's called communism, and it has one basic flaw. People are driven to make their own life better. If no incentive is given to innovation, no innovation occurs.
It is true that in many cases, innovations are sucked up by companies which had no part in creating them, and the rewards go to that company. True enough. The possibility still exists, however, for ANYONE to make money off of an invention, song, idea, etc. And this possibility is what keeps people trying to create something new, despite the odds.
If the reward system is removed, innovation will be hurt. Is the current system perfect? Of course not. But it is definately better that the alternative.
If this starts a trend, and all kinds of businesses start calling to leave advertisements, how long will it be before you can buy an answering machine that automatically detects if the incoming message is on tape, then drops the call and removes the message? I am guessing the company that came up with the technology to determine if the other end is a human or an answering machine already has this product developed, and is just waiting to sell a bunch of product A to companies to help sell product B to consumers.
Must be monday....I'm always cynical on monday. =)
Slashdot Mirror
The links surround a common theme, software. Some of it is free, some Free, some both, some neither. A discussion area is provided to discuss the software at the end of the link.
If you want an FTP site, use sunsite. For those of us who like some info before we spend the dload time, freashmeat is wonderful.
(BTW, great new look!)
Wow, what do I say to that? Well, firstly, there has not been a major war, involving the US, in which money was the driving factor. (I don't count Desert Storm, it wasn't major. It was a several month bitch-slap).
Actually, far from being a factor, most wars left the US less well off finacially than before the war. People don't fight wars because it helps their pocket books. Never have, never will. Wars, (real wars that is) cost so much in money, equipment, lives, etc. that you have to be really pissed off to fight in one. Or be led by a lunatic.
To say that wars won't be fought because they would cost too much to be worth it shows a severe lack of historical knowledge.
Be is a visually appealing OS (IMHO, of course), and is easy to create simple apps with. Many of the aspects of it's OS design are great, as well.
Unfortunately, it came about in a time when there was already a standard (Microsoft). People who didn't want to use that standard, for whatever reason, still had Macs. To make matters worse, Linux was really starting to get a buzz, and drawing exactly the type of people BeOS would want.
And there were problems...It is closed source, so FSF types didn't want it. And old Amiga users didn't care about it after it went solely to the x86 platform. (It was originally supposed to be the new Amiga, or an OS styled after Amiga, or whatever.)
So they effectively alienated (almost) everyone they could sell to, and are now left as an example of what not to do, much like NeXT.
Wait! Hold the presses! Global warming is a theory?
</SARCASM>
It is important to remember that global warming is, in fact, a theory. When I see a report saying, in essence "I know that what your seeing appears to be contrary to my theory, but here's why it is actually helping", I immediatly wonder at the motives of such a statement. This research appears to be done by people who support the global warming theory. As such, it's results are biased towards proving that theory.
I don't know enough about global warming to either agree or disagree with the theory. I do know enough about human nature to distrust this report.
Just because you don't believe that population growth is going to be a problem is not a reason to discount those people who do.
Here's a thought...reply to them, with a logical, well thought out reason on why it WONT be a problem, or what can be done to remedy it, etc, rather than just name calling (Luddites) and dismissing other peoples opinions out of hand.
The article says that IT is an invention which will change the world. Like cold-fusion?
There is a certain order scientists follow when releasing a new discovery. The idea must be given peer review before anyone should believe a word about it.
A couple of scientists came out about 15-20 years ago I believe, saying they had acieved cold-fusion. They were given their 15 minutes, interviewed by reporters, etc. The problem was that their 'method' for achieving it was bogus. When time came to present it, and have others duplicate it, no-one could.
Until they say what IT is, and IT can be duplicated by someone other than the 'inventor', it's not news, it's hype.
The responsibility should be placed on the person commiting the crime. Frankly, I don't want the government with reigns tight enough to tell me how I must lock my house, where I must store Anything Which Could Be Used As A Weapon, etc.
If a gun, or computer, is taken from me, and used for harm, then the person who took it and used it should be punished.
Look at it another way...If someone steals your car, then hits someone with it, should you be punished because you didn't have the newest/best alarm system in it? No, the thief should be.
Anyway, the quote was from the head of the US patent office, around 1890. He said "Everything that can be invented, has been."
His point was basically, "We are seeing a decrease in patent applications. This must mean that we are running out of ideas".
The internet, the inter-networking of computers from around the world to allow communication, is of course in it's infancy. Remember that there is a whole generation of people growing up now who 'take the internet for granted.'
Most of my friends, (about age 25), look at the internet as a secondary source. For movie listings, they call the theater, and if the line is busy, then check the net. To this generation, and older, the Internet will probably only reach a certain level of acceptance. The ideas on what to do with it, and the success of those ideas will be limited by that factor. (Yes there are exceptions, and some people/groups will use it more, but I am talking about mean usage)
The coming generation(s), however, will not be so hindered. I believe that while the current boom may be fading, it will eventually grow to be a completely integrated part of day to day life for the average human.
I know that the main thinking here on /. seems to be, IP=bad, patents=bad, business=bad. I would tend to disagree. Patents, when applied correctly, help innovation, rather than stifle it.
Before you mark this down as a troll, or flamebait, let me explain. Imagine if the first windowing display system for computers had been patented. Most people I hear give credit for this to Mac, but not being a strong computer historian, I don't know. Whatever company came up with this, if they had patented it, would have had a large advantage over others. Some would say that this would mean the other companies would go under, and that Macs would dominate the desktop.
I believe, however, that this would have forced others to think more laterally. Given the choice of giving in, or coming up with a new display system, (not windowed), it is doubtless that a myriad of display systems would be developed. Some would suck. Some would rock. But there would be new ideas tried, new technologies developed.
My point here is that if people want to influence the outcome of all of this, start lobbying for how and why patents are issued. Patents for things already in common use, (i.e. 1-click shopping), don't help anyone. But don't let the ineptitude of the USPO let you think that ALL patents are bad.
I can't think of any other resources quite like this. The only thing close is space, and because of the dificulties of just getting there, so little has been used that there have not been any conflicts, (no big ones anyway).
Every other resource I can think of, from radio waves to minerals, are owned by the country they reside in. In this case, no single gov't can control the resource, since it resides everywhere.
The problem with ICAAN is that it has no real authority. They can decree whatever TLDs they want, and set up their nameservers. So can anyone else. ICAAN is well known, but really has no more authority than anyone else...
I hesitate to say that we should have an internationally sanctioned body governing this, but without one, this type of stuff is bound to happen. All part of the internet's growing pains, I suppose.
But as I think about it, this makes some sense. Firstly, some of the people who would have been interested in EE a decade ago are probably now being sucked into CompSci. Not to mention the number of people getting jobs in the computer industry without degrees. Most of these people probably would have, a decade ago, gone towards EE degrees.
Also, the number of degrees has gone up in the last 10 years, so the number of fitness degrees should go up. I couln't get into all those numbers, so I don't know if the growth there is inconsistant with other degrees, but I would supspect it isn't.
Seriously, how can the french gov't have ANY say over a company located in another country? They can prevent them from doing business in france, (maybe revoke yahoo.fr?), but other than that...I personally hope yahoo just blows them off.
Looking at the moderation totals, Insightful = 1, Funny = 4. Total = insightful? Someone should send a slash patch in...
Hrmmm..if the 4th dimension is time, then maybe the maze isn't written yet?
Or maybe I just have to wait for a better browser to be developed for my non-standard OS?
I personally have looked for an area that needs attention, (i.e. I don't want to write yet another text editor, etc). I don't know of any answering machine type software for Linux.
If anyone is truly interested in a project to do this, or knows of one that is already going, let me know.
There is a VERY good reason, historically, why this isn't the case. When minorities (specifically blacks) were given the right to vote, areas of the country (mostly the south east, but elsewhere as well) started making laws like what you described above. Not tests, per se, but things like the ability to read, which were used to separate those who the establishment wanted to vote, and those who were not wanted. A test on the issues could easily be skewed to exclude certain peoples from voting, based on who is in power now.
I think in this time where people are reflecting on how the voting system works, we should spend at least equal time on why it is the way it is, before offering suggetions on how to fix it.
Ok, I know I'm going to see a lot of posts saying this is a great way to get kids into programming. Kids can use this argument on their parents too, but....
Firstly, as the article says, this is probably just a way to get around an import tax. It will undoubtably be limited, and kids who try to use it will end up more frustrated than interested.
Also, this platform is not one that I would want a newbie programmer (of any age) touching. The programming style which should be used differs greatly from pc-style programming. So the games, routines, whatever made will be bad, and asking a non-ps2 programmer about what to do to improve them will give you less than wonderful results.
If you want to get someone into programming, get them into something like tcl/tk. The interface is easy (it's a scripting language for those who don't know), allows you to draw stuff to the screen easily (compared to X), and still provides the intro to how to lay out a program, how to set up functions, etc. It doesn't write it for you, like visual-basic, so you really have to learn, but the results are immediate. It extends to object oriented design ([incr] Tcl), and when they outgrow it, all the ground-level stuff will be in place for whatever they want to get into.
Buy a ps2 for games. That's what it's for. If someone (especially your kid) has an interest in programming, get them into something that you know, so they have a solid foundation to draw from.
Seriously, I do understand the advantages involved here...but this seems like a really cheap way to go about it. How hard would it be to integrate the 'game boy technology' into some of the empty space inside the frame of the sewing machine? Especially since it looks like they created a new design case (rather iMac looking) just for this project. Having an extra cord and device around would only seem to get in the way, IMHO.
Ok, why is it that the only thing Republicans and Democrats can be bi-partisan about is a vote whose main impact will be to increase profits for American companies?
Seriously, even things which I look at and say, well duh, of course we want / don't want that, the vote is always close. One side makes it an issue, just so they can gain favors due later by voting for something everyone should want....
This bill is a GREAT thing for companies. This means more people brought in to a certain job market. More people means more competition, and everyone working for less money (basic economics) Companies get the job done at a lower cost, and therefore make more money.
I am not against the bill...I am just angry that elected politicians are so blatant about getting Big Business on their side, and doing nothing to offend corporations.
Ok, the report is written for politicians, but (at least in theory) it is written by scientists.
Near the very begining, when talking about asteroids, they discuss how asteroids have been hitting the earth since it was formed. Fine. Then they go on to say that an asteroid is responsible for the extintion of the dinosaurs.
Just curious, but when was that theory proven? Last I checked that was still a theory, in a mix with other theories about the dinosaurs. Yet here it is presented as a fact, with no room for discusstion.
I know the scientists want to keep their job, but this seems rather shoddy to me. Present the facts to the politicians, not your version of them. At least then we have a real reason for blaming them when they make another bone-headed decision.
Obviously, most people here would regard this as a troll. If someone posted this under a discussion, it would be mod'ed down and ignored (rightly).
The only possible use of this information is knowing the right responses to these statements when your PHB, who is victimized by this FUD, tells you that your *nix of choice isn't acceptable.
Tracking an OS by the number of bugs sounds nice to some people; It's an easy way to quantify how problematic an OS is. However, the real issue here is turnaround time. When a new exploit is discovered, how long does it take for a fix to come out. (I.E. how long are we vulnerable to the script kiddies)
Personally, I would rather download the 'patch of the day', and be as secure as possible, rather that a service pack every 6 months+ and be secure for aprox 2 days a year.
Oh goodie. I love it when the govt strong arms an industry into doing what it wants. Don't get me wrong...some legislation in this area is probably needed. Maybe. But something just rubs me the wrong way about the govt coming to these 'aggreements'.
Kinda makes me wish our govt officials would have the balls to just make a law, (like they were elected to do?), instead of threatening and bullying to get what they want.
Still, here's to hoping those evil corporations won't be able to gather information, (via cookies, et al) as easily. That type of info gathering should be left up to the government itself.
Now that I can type faster than I write, they want to do away with keyboards. =)
Seriously, as things evolve, laptops and PDA's will probably merge a bit, and this is a logical extention. Great if you want a word processor, email client, etc that's handheld. I use my laptop, however, to continue writing code on long plane trips, etc. This seems much more suited to keyboarded computers. So in the end, you will probably have PDA/Laptop derivatives which can do 4 bazillion calculations / sec, 3.999 bazillion of which will never be used. I can't wait =-)
The article makes some interesting points. I do agree that in many instances patents, etc are given incorrectly. However, I do not believe that this justifies removing the system.
The old saying 'Necessity is the mother of invention' is very true. Necessity comes, however, in many shapes and sizes. For example, the need to see at night was only PART of the need which helped invent the light bulb. The other part was the need, on the parts of the inventors/buisnesses trying to make the invention, to make money. If there were no patent system businesses simply wouln't invest the money. It wouldn't be worth it.
The same can be said for intelectual property rights. In the article, it is said that if one writes a poem, and a thousand copies are made, the writer can still have a copy to read. This is true. However, the most talented of writers would not be able to spend their time writing poems if the poems themselves did not generate revenue. They would be busy at other jobs, and only writing in their spare time. I see nothing wrong with making AS MUCH MONEY AS YOU CAN by selling your ideas/poems/songs etc. And I also see nothing wrong with selling it under the best possible terms you can sell it under, and still have it maketable.
Articles like the one linked to above anger me greatly. Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone just developed new ideas/products for the good of humanity? Wouldn't it be great if the artists we loved made new songs, painted new pictures, etc and then released them free? While we're at it, why don't we each do our part, work at whatever we are good at, and donate everything to each other. Sure, the world would be better. But it's never going to happen.
The above dreamworld has been tried. It's called communism, and it has one basic flaw. People are driven to make their own life better. If no incentive is given to innovation, no innovation occurs.
It is true that in many cases, innovations are sucked up by companies which had no part in creating them, and the rewards go to that company. True enough. The possibility still exists, however, for ANYONE to make money off of an invention, song, idea, etc. And this possibility is what keeps people trying to create something new, despite the odds.
If the reward system is removed, innovation will be hurt. Is the current system perfect? Of course not. But it is definately better that the alternative.
If this starts a trend, and all kinds of businesses start calling to leave advertisements, how long will it be before you can buy an answering machine that automatically detects if the incoming message is on tape, then drops the call and removes the message?
I am guessing the company that came up with the technology to determine if the other end is a human or an answering machine already has this product developed, and is just waiting to sell a bunch of product A to companies to help sell product B to consumers.
Must be monday....I'm always cynical on monday. =)