No one has mentioned it yet - I'm amazed it wasn't in the headline. The project is going to be written mostly in Python.
Pretty neat. I've been meaning to swap some books in Safari and check out the Learning Python... I guess I finally have some reason.
This whole project sounds great - but why is there no code available? Supposedly a small group of core developers have been holed up for a year designing this thing... so where's the code already? Man, I can announce an Outlook Killer and throw some html up on the web too. But then again, I'm not Mitch Kapor...
Actually, it would be kind of cool if this was part of the default install in Gentoo - along with some P2P program for finding others online who are running the same app. Then you could download the source code and distributedly (is that a word) compile it... As long as your network is fast enough, you could significantly reduce the amount of time compiling, etc. on slow machines.
I just wanted to add that I've lost 8 kilos (17.6lbs) on this diet in the past 5 weeks. It's the only thing I've ever tried that I've lasted more than 3 days doing... Now I'm eating less (less cravings), I've got more energy, sleep better, I'm exercising again and more. Basically, I've reversed the vicious cycle that was causing me to become a big bloated mess.
The naysayers are just that. For us geeks that spend 15 hours a day sitting at a desk, this diet is the really the only solution to that poundage you're adding to your gut.
-Russ
Re:"all-in-wonder phone"
on
Motorola's i95cl
·
· Score: 3, Informative
You're obviously very old (at least 24) and from a country that hasn't had SMS for very long. You've got to check out the teens in Europe who all have cell phones and GSM service with SMS. They use it like crazy because they're all using pre-paid accounts and SMS is cheaper then a call. They can type with both thumbs on a normal telephone keypad faster than I can probably type on a normal keyboard. You've got to see it to believe it.
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Sorry to anyone who's sick of my pitches. You know how it is when you're trying to get a project off the ground... you can sound like a broken record. But there might be one person today who could really add to the project who hasn't heard about it yet.
I'll wait a a few months or so before mentioning it again.
Every time a subject like this comes up on Slashdot, I try to promote a project that we think has the solution for Linux on the desktop. It's not about have a single distribution, it's about having a single standard that people can get comfortable with using.
Simpleface.org is a collaborative website (a wiki) created to work on the the "Simpleface Usability Guidelines for Open Source Software." In a nutshell, what we're trying to do is create a set of Graphical User Interface Design Patterns which will encapsulate the best practices of current GUI design and roll them into a guideline unbiased towards technical implementation to be used by OSS projects. Those OSS projects that comply with the guidelines get to use the Simpleface logo to promote their software as usable.
The focus of the effort, which only started a couple months ago, is education of the OSS community in usability, UI design and Human-computer interaction (HCI). Once there is a standard way to use OSS software, many of the problems with Linux on the desktop will go away.
If you have a chance, check out the site and add your two cents...
I generally like to have a working version of stuff before I put the code into CVS. Things change so quickly during prototyping, and though sometimes I wish I had that version from 2 hours ago, normally I'm moving crap around and renaming things so much that I don't want to mess with CVS, specifically because CVS is a pain when it comes to folder management. Create a folder and it's there for life (unless you go into the repository and rip it out by the root). I'd rather be free to do what I want, then when I've got a decent base, I check it into CVS and start working from there like a real project.
Wow, I'm amazed at this idea. How long has this been around? Why wasn't this done last year when P2P was so hot? It's very cool.
I'm trying it right now and it seems okay. The UI isn't exactly intuitive, so I made the mistake of opening 3 or 4 streams at the same time (this is like downloading 3 or 4 files using a Gnutella servent I gather). Though I was listening to only one, I was downloading others, which cut my bandwidth down quite a bit.
Now that I'm downloading only one stream, Green Dragon Radio, it seems okay, but my bandwidth must not be enough because it keeps starting and stopping (buffering). I've got an ADSL 256 down/128 up so it should be good enough to stream. Off shoutcast it would be fine. That's a 128 bit stream, trying others do the same despite supposedly being broadcast at less bandwidth.
I assume the overhead of the p2p stuff is cutting into either the broadcasting or receiving ends. (Or my machine is messed... always a possibility) This is only Beta, though so I'm sure it'll improve quickly.
Simpleface.org is an organization trying to do a similiar thing for OSS User Interface design. We're developing a set of graphical design patterns in an open and collaborative way (using the website, it's a wiki) and once we have a decent set we're going to roll them into a guide and try to get OSS projects to use them. Those projects that comply with guidelines get to use the Simpleface logo.
I think this type of certification is a good thing for OSS projects. It provides everyone with the knowledge that some sort of consistency has been achieved. For OSI, it's consistency of the Open Source definition. For Simpleface, it's consistency of design and human computer interaction.
Several of us have set up a website to explore creating Design Patterns for User Interface Design called Simpleface.org. The idea is that instead of a 400 page UI Guideline doc that no developer ever looks at, a set of easy to understand and follow Design Patterns for specific GUI issues would be the solution that OSS needs to help it get out of it's bad-design rut.
Think about the Apple Human Interface Guidelines. These are available for free on the internet, as well as guidelines for Gnome and KDE (less complete) but there are tons of developers that have never even looked at these docs, let alone try to follow them.
The plan is to first create a set of good user interface patterns and then certify those apps that use those patterns. Those apps could then use the Simpleface logo on their products. The patterns are all open source (i.e. Gnu copyrighted) but to use the trademark, you need to be certified.
You've been marked as Flamebait already, but please for future reference, shut the fsck up about your "opinions" about soccer. You're giving the rest of us Americans a bad name and just promote stereotypes of the U.S. that just doesn't get it. It's a great game. The whole world (minus you) thinks it's great. Do you REALLY think that you have some special insight that 1.5 billion people have missed? No you don't, so keep it shut.
-Russ
Re:Darn, now on the next Karoake night...
on
World Cup Final
·
· Score: 2
This is such a great bet. There was commentary over the anthem here in Spain so I could only hear a bit of the anthem, but it seemed REALLY fast. Good luck!
ALL the Brazillian players were singing it though, did you see? Coming from the U.S. where everyone knows our National Anthem (and thanks to Hollywood, 1/2 the globe does too) it warms my heart to see the players so patriotic. Spain's song doesn't even have words...
-Russ
Re:"I belong to Jesus" / "Jesus Loves You"
on
World Cup Final
·
· Score: 2
Nice. Did you see those three guys trying to butt into every photo op also? Did you see them stop and "pray" while their teamates were congratulating each other? One of those guys pulled the same stunt during the European Cup after he scored.
How about these idiots (and you) giving credit where it's really due: the other players dedication to the sport and luck.
Fucking religious jerks. I can't stand you all.
-Russ
Re:Let's hear it for the CBC
on
World Cup Final
·
· Score: 2
It's even worse than it seems: ABC didn't have to pay a thin red dime for the rights. No one wanted to broadcast the games in the U.S. so Major League Soccer had to buy the rights and they GAVE Them way to ABC/ESPN just to promote Soccer in the U.S.
DISNEY SUCKS SOOOOOOO BAD.
-Russ
Re:No support for web applications?
on
Eclipse 2.0 Released
·
· Score: 3, Insightful
Yep, same here. I was bewildered with 1.0 because it seemed like a huge oversite. Then I realized that IBM is selling their WebSphere Studio IDE which is basically Eclipse + plugins for JSP/XML/etc. and it all made sense.
Thought that 2.0 would be different, but I guess not.
I'm totally in agreement. It'll be nice to have a tablet PC which will replace my laptop I'm working on now.
Here's the classic situation: I spend all day programming and then I start studying a new technology, browsing the web or reading an e-book (which I'm doing a lot lately since almost all technical documentation is now online-only and sites like safari.oreilly.com have all their books available) and I think, man I'd like to get out of this chair and stretch out on the bed (or the couch or the john or where ever).
Doing that now is possible with my notebook, but not particulary comfortable. 1) It's a bit heavy and awkward to use on the bed/couch. 2) If it's on my lap, it heats up pretty quick. 3) Typing on the bed requires that I be sitting up with my lap flat - I might as well be in a chair.
If my PC was a tablet PC with say bluetooth mouse and keyboard and WiFi networking, I could just grab the computer - which was just propped up in front of me sideways on my desk - and go wherever I wanted to. I could read it like a magazine on the couch or in bed or I could read it in the john. And if I needed to enter some quick data (say a google search) I could use the pen.
I'm crazy about the idea. I think the billions that M$ is spending on R&D has paid off with this one.
Slashdot Mirror
Has everyone seen today's FoxTrot?
"I feel like I should send Microsoft some of this."
Heh.
-Russ
No one has mentioned it yet - I'm amazed it wasn't in the headline. The project is going to be written mostly in Python.
Pretty neat. I've been meaning to swap some books in Safari and check out the Learning Python... I guess I finally have some reason.
This whole project sounds great - but why is there no code available? Supposedly a small group of core developers have been holed up for a year designing this thing... so where's the code already? Man, I can announce an Outlook Killer and throw some html up on the web too. But then again, I'm not Mitch Kapor...
-Russ
Ahh... that would be a problem, wouldn't it.
Doh!
Okay, how about a super-cool, digital-signature based P2P system based on an unbreakable trust matrix? Yeah, right. OK forget it.
-Russ
Actually, it would be kind of cool if this was part of the default install in Gentoo - along with some P2P program for finding others online who are running the same app. Then you could download the source code and distributedly (is that a word) compile it... As long as your network is fast enough, you could significantly reduce the amount of time compiling, etc. on slow machines.
Just a thought... maybe I'm off base.
-Russ
Oof. Great report, you're right. Did you hear the last thing she said?
"A decision on the case is expected by summer."
Sorta takes the tension out the situation, doesn't it?
-Russ
Nice job.
I just wanted to add that I've lost 8 kilos (17.6lbs) on this diet in the past 5 weeks. It's the only thing I've ever tried that I've lasted more than 3 days doing... Now I'm eating less (less cravings), I've got more energy, sleep better, I'm exercising again and more. Basically, I've reversed the vicious cycle that was causing me to become a big bloated mess.
The naysayers are just that. For us geeks that spend 15 hours a day sitting at a desk, this diet is the really the only solution to that poundage you're adding to your gut.
-Russ
You're obviously very old (at least 24) and from a country that hasn't had SMS for very long. You've got to check out the teens in Europe who all have cell phones and GSM service with SMS. They use it like crazy because they're all using pre-paid accounts and SMS is cheaper then a call. They can type with both thumbs on a normal telephone keypad faster than I can probably type on a normal keyboard. You've got to see it to believe it.
-Russ
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Sorry to anyone who's sick of my pitches. You know how it is when you're trying to get a project off the ground... you can sound like a broken record. But there might be one person today who could really add to the project who hasn't heard about it yet.
I'll wait a a few months or so before mentioning it again.
-Russ
Every time a subject like this comes up on Slashdot, I try to promote a project that we think has the solution for Linux on the desktop. It's not about have a single distribution, it's about having a single standard that people can get comfortable with using.
Simpleface.org is a collaborative website (a wiki) created to work on the the "Simpleface Usability Guidelines for Open Source Software." In a nutshell, what we're trying to do is create a set of Graphical User Interface Design Patterns which will encapsulate the best practices of current GUI design and roll them into a guideline unbiased towards technical implementation to be used by OSS projects. Those OSS projects that comply with the guidelines get to use the Simpleface logo to promote their software as usable.
The focus of the effort, which only started a couple months ago, is education of the OSS community in usability, UI design and Human-computer interaction (HCI). Once there is a standard way to use OSS software, many of the problems with Linux on the desktop will go away.
If you have a chance, check out the site and add your two cents...
-Russ
Great... Not like I had anything to DO today... now I'm going to spend all day browsing these links.
-Russ
And she's live:
o ns umer&cty=US&lang=en
http://www.mac.com/WebObjects/Welcome.woa?aff=c
-Russ
I generally like to have a working version of stuff before I put the code into CVS. Things change so quickly during prototyping, and though sometimes I wish I had that version from 2 hours ago, normally I'm moving crap around and renaming things so much that I don't want to mess with CVS, specifically because CVS is a pain when it comes to folder management. Create a folder and it's there for life (unless you go into the repository and rip it out by the root). I'd rather be free to do what I want, then when I've got a decent base, I check it into CVS and start working from there like a real project.
Maybe that's just me, but that's how I work.
-Russ
Wow, I'm amazed at this idea. How long has this been around? Why wasn't this done last year when P2P was so hot? It's very cool.
I'm trying it right now and it seems okay. The UI isn't exactly intuitive, so I made the mistake of opening 3 or 4 streams at the same time (this is like downloading 3 or 4 files using a Gnutella servent I gather). Though I was listening to only one, I was downloading others, which cut my bandwidth down quite a bit.
Now that I'm downloading only one stream, Green Dragon Radio, it seems okay, but my bandwidth must not be enough because it keeps starting and stopping (buffering). I've got an ADSL 256 down/128 up so it should be good enough to stream. Off shoutcast it would be fine. That's a 128 bit stream, trying others do the same despite supposedly being broadcast at less bandwidth.
I assume the overhead of the p2p stuff is cutting into either the broadcasting or receiving ends. (Or my machine is messed... always a possibility) This is only Beta, though so I'm sure it'll improve quickly.
Good job guys at Peercast!
-Russ
Without doubt. This is marked 5 already, but give my support to this question. An Incarnations movie would rule.
-Russ
Simpleface.org is an organization trying to do a similiar thing for OSS User Interface design. We're developing a set of graphical design patterns in an open and collaborative way (using the website, it's a wiki) and once we have a decent set we're going to roll them into a guide and try to get OSS projects to use them. Those projects that comply with guidelines get to use the Simpleface logo.
I think this type of certification is a good thing for OSS projects. It provides everyone with the knowledge that some sort of consistency has been achieved. For OSI, it's consistency of the Open Source definition. For Simpleface, it's consistency of design and human computer interaction.
-Russ
Several of us have set up a website to explore creating Design Patterns for User Interface Design called Simpleface.org. The idea is that instead of a 400 page UI Guideline doc that no developer ever looks at, a set of easy to understand and follow Design Patterns for specific GUI issues would be the solution that OSS needs to help it get out of it's bad-design rut.
Think about the Apple Human Interface Guidelines. These are available for free on the internet, as well as guidelines for Gnome and KDE (less complete) but there are tons of developers that have never even looked at these docs, let alone try to follow them.
The plan is to first create a set of good user interface patterns and then certify those apps that use those patterns. Those apps could then use the Simpleface logo on their products. The patterns are all open source (i.e. Gnu copyrighted) but to use the trademark, you need to be certified.
-Russ
Free DTDs!!! I LOVE DTDs! Wooohoo! We definitely don't have enough of those already!
And who says a Republican government is only out to help the big guys. Free DTDs for all!
Happy 4th everyone! Damn I'm proud to be an American today. Free DTDs!!
-Russ
You've been marked as Flamebait already, but please for future reference, shut the fsck up about your "opinions" about soccer. You're giving the rest of us Americans a bad name and just promote stereotypes of the U.S. that just doesn't get it. It's a great game. The whole world (minus you) thinks it's great. Do you REALLY think that you have some special insight that 1.5 billion people have missed? No you don't, so keep it shut.
-Russ
This is such a great bet. There was commentary over the anthem here in Spain so I could only hear a bit of the anthem, but it seemed REALLY fast. Good luck!
ALL the Brazillian players were singing it though, did you see? Coming from the U.S. where everyone knows our National Anthem (and thanks to Hollywood, 1/2 the globe does too) it warms my heart to see the players so patriotic. Spain's song doesn't even have words...
-Russ
Nice. Did you see those three guys trying to butt into every photo op also? Did you see them stop and "pray" while their teamates were congratulating each other? One of those guys pulled the same stunt during the European Cup after he scored.
How about these idiots (and you) giving credit where it's really due: the other players dedication to the sport and luck.
Fucking religious jerks. I can't stand you all.
-Russ
It's even worse than it seems: ABC didn't have to pay a thin red dime for the rights. No one wanted to broadcast the games in the U.S. so Major League Soccer had to buy the rights and they GAVE Them way to ABC/ESPN just to promote Soccer in the U.S.
DISNEY SUCKS SOOOOOOO BAD.
-Russ
Yep, same here. I was bewildered with 1.0 because it seemed like a huge oversite. Then I realized that IBM is selling their WebSphere Studio IDE which is basically Eclipse + plugins for JSP/XML/etc. and it all made sense.
Thought that 2.0 would be different, but I guess not.
-Russ
And what's up with that question mark (?) after the word criminal? If Mitnick's not a criminal, I don't know who is.
-Russ
I'm totally in agreement. It'll be nice to have a tablet PC which will replace my laptop I'm working on now.
Here's the classic situation: I spend all day programming and then I start studying a new technology, browsing the web or reading an e-book (which I'm doing a lot lately since almost all technical documentation is now online-only and sites like safari.oreilly.com have all their books available) and I think, man I'd like to get out of this chair and stretch out on the bed (or the couch or the john or where ever).
Doing that now is possible with my notebook, but not particulary comfortable. 1) It's a bit heavy and awkward to use on the bed/couch. 2) If it's on my lap, it heats up pretty quick. 3) Typing on the bed requires that I be sitting up with my lap flat - I might as well be in a chair.
If my PC was a tablet PC with say bluetooth mouse and keyboard and WiFi networking, I could just grab the computer - which was just propped up in front of me sideways on my desk - and go wherever I wanted to. I could read it like a magazine on the couch or in bed or I could read it in the john. And if I needed to enter some quick data (say a google search) I could use the pen.
I'm crazy about the idea. I think the billions that M$ is spending on R&D has paid off with this one.
-Russ
Um. I don't have much more to say, really. Disney is the devil incarnate even if they're using Linux now.
-Russ