This is getting off topic, but Edmund tickled something that I've been thinking about for quite a while now. If this is already being worked on, brand me as a fool, but otherwise, please read on. Here goes (proceed laughing, if appropriate):
Why not write an X server that uses binary modules for just about everything? I mean the kernel does it right? Why not just have video/mouse/monitor/joystick/keyboard binary modules? There would be a base code that does the very basic framebuffer stuff and then you attach an output module for your specific video card/monitor combination. Then there would be another module for your keyboard layout/mouse type. This way video card manufacturers could publish binaries for their video cards. For that matter, monitor vendors could distribute binaries for their monitor specs. I think you get the idea about how far this could go though. This would also cut down on the amount of bloat that X has (face it, X isn't pretty) and allow video card manufacturers to publish drivers without having to give up their proprietary specs.
Think about it. It would be very lean and only have support for what is currently needed (just like a modularized kernel). Distributions could compile everything as a module (just like they do for the kernel) and during setup, write the config file that will load the appropriate drivers for the current configuration.
Gordon
PS I'd be interested in what people have to say about this idea. Please mail me with your thoughts. Heck, if there is enough interest, I might start a project.
It's interesting but I've noticed that I've started to only look at the articles with +100 comments because it doesn't seem that the posts with any less than that get any moderation. That way, I can scan all the really good comments (or at least those that by default fall out) and skip much of the rest. Of course, that begs the question of how they became moderated, but that's a whole other post.
I think that people that have earned the right to moderate should be able to moderate their heart out. It seems that most of the moderators are the cream of the crop as it is and they are in it as part of the community. In my perfect world, moderator status should be something that should be earned, and not something that is thrust on an unsuspecting user. That way, people would be less likely to abuse their power if they knew it took time of really good posting and thoughtful feedback to get to that point.
It kind of reminds me about how people play Ultima Online. It takes time to get that really good character with lots of fame and good karma. That's why people that are at that level don't go out and PK. It would ruin their rep. They are part of the community and try to help out others. The same sort of thing applies to moderators.
The reason people can violate the EULA and give copies to friends is because there is no fear of repurcussion. However, if you violate an NDA and publish code widely (say in WINE), then I guarentee there will be lawyers as soon as the CVS tree is up. The difference? The scope of people involved. Giving a copy to a friend is illegal, true, but it only involves two people. Publishing source? That could involve, hundreds, nay, thousands of people. Trust me, they would notice and take action.
I think that each comment should stand on its own and be judged as such. I think that I have written some really good comments and also some really bad comments. I try to post good comments, but I don't think that they all could ever qualify as "5" material (if I ever got to that point). Also, if I knew that all my posts were always going to be seen, I would probably be too scared of posting a "bad" comment because everyone would always see it. If you are going to have auto scoring, I would say that you can get to up to a 3 with auto scoring but for a *really* good comment, it takes moderation to make it a 5.
The thing that I didn't like about these April Fool's jokes were the fact they could have been true (well at least some of them). The whole bit about UF and segfault closing could have been very real. That would have not made me a happy camper. April Fools jokes are meant to be light hearted and generally pretty obviously a joke.
Historic sidelight: I believe that April Fools day was started by the Christians playing a joke on the Celts. The tradition for the Celts was that April 1 was the new year and they exchanged gifts. Well, the Christians gave them all gag gifts since the Celts were obviously wrong. Thus began the first April Fools Day.
Gordon
And who exactly begged you to promote us? No one.
on
ESR Wants to Retire
·
· Score: 4
This kind of excrement is worth refuting...
Open Source and Free Software has come to a point where mainstream press would have noticed it. It is vital that people get in there and provide facts and refute all the FUD out there.
The Micro$hafts of the world have a large number of spin doctors that there entire job is to help solidify their position. Free Software/Open Source? Only the self-propelled, self-proclaimed, arrogant guys are willing to step forward. Thus ESR climbed to the top. I hope another as self-assured as he rises to the top.
I think what enrages most slashdot readers (at least what I found stupid) is the fact that he attaches a spiritual quality to computers and the "virtual world." Speaking only for myself, I think that computers are very complex tools and not much else. Granted they are tools that I spend a vast majority of the time in front of, but I can still tell the forest from the trees and real life beats the "virtual world" hands down.
I think the best idea would be to go ahead and break up the company into various units (Office group, WinOS group) and make it illegal to let key people (Ballmer, Gates, et al) to even work in the computer business again.
That way the various companies would not be still loyal (behind the back of the DoJ) to Bill. He wouldn't be allowed near them.
Slashdot Mirror
This is getting off topic, but Edmund tickled something that I've been thinking about for quite a while now. If this is already being worked on, brand me as a fool, but otherwise, please read on. Here goes (proceed laughing, if appropriate):
Why not write an X server that uses binary modules for just about everything? I mean the kernel does it right? Why not just have video/mouse/monitor/joystick/keyboard binary modules? There would be a base code that does the very basic framebuffer stuff and then you attach an output module for your specific video card/monitor combination. Then there would be another module for your keyboard layout/mouse type. This way video card manufacturers could publish binaries for their video cards. For that matter, monitor vendors could distribute binaries for their monitor specs. I think you get the idea about how far this could go though. This would also cut down on the amount of bloat that X has (face it, X isn't pretty) and allow video card manufacturers to publish drivers without having to give up their proprietary specs.
Think about it. It would be very lean and only have support for what is currently needed (just like a modularized kernel). Distributions could compile everything as a module (just like they do for the kernel) and during setup, write the config file that will load the appropriate drivers for the current configuration.
Gordon
PS I'd be interested in what people have to say about this idea. Please mail me with your thoughts. Heck, if there is enough interest, I might start a project.
It's interesting but I've noticed that I've started to only look at the articles with +100 comments because it doesn't seem that the posts with any less than that get any moderation. That way, I can scan all the really good comments (or at least those that by default fall out) and skip much of the rest. Of course, that begs the question of how they became moderated, but that's a whole other post.
I think that people that have earned the right to moderate should be able to moderate their heart out. It seems that most of the moderators are the cream of the crop as it is and they are in it as part of the community. In my perfect world, moderator status should be something that should be earned, and not something that is thrust on an unsuspecting user. That way, people would be less likely to abuse their power if they knew it took time of really good posting and thoughtful feedback to get to that point.
It kind of reminds me about how people play Ultima Online. It takes time to get that really good character with lots of fame and good karma. That's why people that are at that level don't go out and PK. It would ruin their rep. They are part of the community and try to help out others. The same sort of thing applies to moderators.
Gordon
Can't we all just get along?
The reason people can violate the EULA and give copies to friends is because there is no fear of repurcussion. However, if you violate an NDA and publish code widely (say in WINE), then I guarentee there will be lawyers as soon as the CVS tree is up. The difference? The scope of people involved. Giving a copy to a friend is illegal, true, but it only involves two people. Publishing source? That could involve, hundreds, nay, thousands of people. Trust me, they would notice and take action.
Gordon
I think that each comment should stand on its own and be judged as such. I think that I have written some really good comments and also some really bad comments. I try to post good comments, but I don't think that they all could ever qualify as "5" material (if I ever got to that point). Also, if I knew that all my posts were always going to be seen, I would probably be too scared of posting a "bad" comment because everyone would always see it. If you are going to have auto scoring, I would say that you can get to up to a 3 with auto scoring but for a *really* good comment, it takes moderation to make it a 5.
Gordon
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
The thing that I didn't like about these April Fool's jokes were the fact they could have been true (well at least some of them). The whole bit about UF and segfault closing could have been very real. That would have not made me a happy camper. April Fools jokes are meant to be light hearted and generally pretty obviously a joke.
Historic sidelight:
I believe that April Fools day was started by the Christians playing a joke on the Celts. The tradition for the Celts was that April 1 was the new year and they exchanged gifts. Well, the Christians gave them all gag gifts since the Celts were obviously wrong. Thus began the first April Fools Day.
Gordon
This kind of excrement is worth refuting...
Open Source and Free Software has come to a point where mainstream press would have noticed it. It is vital that people get in there and provide facts and refute all the FUD out there.
The Micro$hafts of the world have a large number of spin doctors that there entire job is to help solidify their position. Free Software/Open Source? Only the self-propelled, self-proclaimed, arrogant guys are willing to step forward. Thus ESR climbed to the top. I hope another as self-assured as he rises to the top.
Gordon
I think what enrages most slashdot readers (at least what I found stupid) is the fact that he attaches a spiritual quality to computers and the "virtual world." Speaking only for myself, I think that computers are very complex tools and not much else. Granted they are tools that I spend a vast majority of the time in front of, but I can still tell the forest from the trees and real life beats the "virtual world" hands down.
Gordon
I think we have an entry for websters here!
Gordon
I think the best idea would be to go ahead and break up the company into various units (Office group, WinOS group) and make it illegal to let key people (Ballmer, Gates, et al) to even work in the computer business again.
That way the various companies would not be still loyal (behind the back of the DoJ) to Bill. He wouldn't be allowed near them.
Gordon
Wouldn't you think that Dante's inferno would be about Lucent's Inferno? After all, same name.
Gordon