In a lot of ways, I think a lot of what is mentioned in that article is about trying to create a strong alternative to the Wintel platform. Netscape, IBM, Sun... all these companies are being driven steadily backwards towards oblivion in the Microsoft world. Building their own OSes was a dismal failure (OS/2), so they're putting cash into OSS in the hope that the cycle will be broken, and they can start making money again.
To me, these strategies sound like frantic last gasps, not ultra-subtle "complentary commoditization" ploys.
The Mars Polar Lander was to touch down in exactly the right spot in 1999 and would have undoubtedly detected the ice had it not malfunctioned on the way down.
Anyone else getting just a little suspicious?
I can see next week's news: Mars Odyssey blown to bits by a freak laser blast from the planet's surface...
I think AR stuff is pretty cool. Those sunglasses in Virtual Light, Gargoyles in Snow Crash, it's a pretty darn useful information tool, as long as the information is useful and trustworthy. To that end, I feel that corporations should be kept as far away from this as possible. Otherwise AR will be a mass of ads, spam and lies.
I think a link to a personal datasource is the way to go, with various connections to trusted information providers. If the map company decides to put ads in its building descriptions, disconnect from their service and join with one who doesn't. You should be able to put on your goggles and see NOTHING AT ALL, and add only the stuff you want.
Personal datasources might link to other people's sources, in a kind of collaberative system that allows feedback ("you liked that bar? It SUCKED!") and filtering (browsing the world at +5 to avoid the trolls and goatse.cx).
In order to further clean up the datastream, rocksolid specs for different types of data should be established, probably using XML. No executables either, that way people can't stick Flash animations or viruses in their location descriptions.
I wonder if use of these kind of info-tools will result in weakened memory, sense of direction, etc... not to mention the social awkwardness of people staring off into space while they process the latest blip.
Keeping a piece of software's source closed should result in harsh liability. Since users cannot examine the source to confirm bugs or even functionality, they are completely at the mercy of the vendor. Since the vendor has welded the hood shut, problems with the engine are THEIR FAULT.
Open source software provides a method with which users can confirm functionality (checking the source to see it really does what it's meant to), report faults to the vendor and even make fixes themselves, if required. These factors should result in a vastly reduced liability, since this kind of software gives users the tools to take responsibility of their systems. Even if the user doesn't have the skills or inclination to use the source, they can hire someone who can.
While this may sound like pandering to the open source crowd and Microsoft-bashing, it just seems to make good sense... keeping the source to yourself means that you have to take responsibility.
But Piro (et al.), from my understanding, are also gearing up for a printed work; Taking the archival strips and trying to find a publisher. While more power to them, it's interesting that they will be charging for what they have given away for free.:)
I disagree with this definition... you can still go to the site and view the comics for free, but now IN ADDITION you can buy a nifty non-volatile storage medium version. It's completely different to arriving at the site one day to find it costs to view the cartoons.
Let's see, HDTV's killer app that really takes advantage of increased screen definition, improved field of view, more vibrant colours and an overall enhanced sense of "being there"...
I feel your pain, man. I'm an New Zealander who grew up in Australia, living in the UK who wants to see American shows like The Family Guy, 24, Invader Zim, Reboot (ok, Canadian), Futurama and The Simpsons. Then there's the Oz/NZ/SA rugby season I'm missing out on, not to mention a thousand kickass Olympic events I'd like to see instead of the 5 minutes per day I get on Joanna McFrumpy, the British curling champion coming 165th in her event. The rest is whiny, depressing British soap operas and sleep-inducing soccer games.
I agree. The TV networks have to understand that they have to build their system now or the volunteer-based net system will gut their industry, the same way Napster and its brethren tore chunks out of the music business. Yes mr studio exec, we know there's no perfect way to beat the cappers and leechers... but if you don't at least try SOMETHING, you're hosed.
Re:Good for some, nightmare for others
on
Peek-a-Boo(ty)
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· Score: 5, Funny
Dude, you're such a tease... nakedhairyeyebrowedcheerleaders.com doesn't even exist!
The last time they went after something with a vengeance (the net) it was just another matter of shovelling internet features into all their products, in the gonzo MS style. Like Bruce says, security *cannot* be reached using this method. It requires a radical turnaround in attitude, method and implementation, something that might be beyond the company... simply because it's contrary to their core ethos. Securing products costs money, it slows you down, and it doesn't score points with the feature-hungry consumers.
It's a card game from Cheapass Games called Unexploded Cow
From the site:
You and your friends have discovered two problems with a common solution: Mad Cows in England and Unexploded Bombs in France. You've decided to bring these two powderkegs together just to see what happens. And you wouldn't say "no" to a little money on the side. So round up your herd, march them through France, and set them loose behind the Cordon Rouge. If you're lucky you'll come home rich before Greenpeace gets hold of you. Either way, there's something magical about blowing up cows.
Microsoft is playing a Monopoly/Risk sort of game, where the winner drives all other players from the board.
Excellent call, this is precisely how they feel to me. They don't want to make good products, or make the world a better place, or even just have a nice healthy company. They want everyone else to LOSE.
The advantage of this design is that you only connect I/O devices that you need, saving on weight, size and power consumption. You might add a touchscreen module, and it's a webpad. You might add a mobile keyboard and lcd screen module, and it's a laptop. Add a 3D graphics module, projection screen, joystick and 5.1 theatre module and it's a gaming rig. Add a personal sound module and it's an mp3 player. The ultraslim laptop is trimmed waaaay down, but it still comes with a bunch of I/O stuff that you might not need, depending your task.
I wonder though if they've abstracted the design *enough* - I almost think it should be a pure data storage device that can plug into a CPU module for different tasks (Crusoe for mobile use, Dual Athlon 2000s for graphic editing). Adds another layer of complexity, but still more flexibility. The OS design would be funky, if it was CPU architecture neutral, and could deal with live removal of a running CPU, and replacement in another.
I think it's an intriguing idea, reminiscent of Jini, and has some measure of potential. It remains to be seen if the advantages in flexibility and robustness are obliterated by descreases in efficiency.
Good points. These guys are very used to having a lock on the market, and it shows. They've created two services that suit all their aims and loyalties, and totally ignored the fact that the music-sharing services we're providing for each other flog theirs into the ground. It also amuses me that they've even created TWO services so they can say "Competition? Why sure, you can choose PressPlay OR MusicNet!!"
You're dead right though, I've weighed their service, and found it wanting. I might switch when it beats what I've already got access to.
Even though Ion Storm did release the quite successful Deus Ex, I think it needs to be made clear that Romero was not involved in the project. Executive producer was Warren Spector, lead designer was Harvey Smith. Check the Deus Ex Team list for more details.
One more point against ASPs, which I keep running into:
Many businesses want to develop and run their own apps so they can create intellectual property they can later make money from. This happens very often in specialised industries.
Big companies are reminding me more and more of great, stupid, predatory animals. They fish the seas dry, annihilate competition, and chew down more of their prey each time. There's no intelligence, no forethought, it's all one-way traffic, with consumers as food.
When a predator gains an overwhelming advantage in a natural system, they typically exhaust their entire food supply, which in turn triggers their own extinction. I suppose this is what comes from skipping those elective natural science classes to focus on your MBA.
Urban Light Transport has more information on their web site, including some much higher-res images, FAQs and other info.
The most interesting (and not really mentioned) factor is that the automatic taxis don't travel on predetermined routes, they navigate their small network of paths to get to your destination.
Slashdot Mirror
In a lot of ways, I think a lot of what is mentioned in that article is about trying to create a strong alternative to the Wintel platform. Netscape, IBM, Sun... all these companies are being driven steadily backwards towards oblivion in the Microsoft world. Building their own OSes was a dismal failure (OS/2), so they're putting cash into OSS in the hope that the cycle will be broken, and they can start making money again.
To me, these strategies sound like frantic last gasps, not ultra-subtle "complentary commoditization" ploys.
All you need is the advanced EEG imaging system along with Apple's new QuickTime 6.0 beta with Brain2Vid technology!
from Copies of Spider-Man 2 Already on the Web
I can see next week's news: Mars Odyssey blown to bits by a freak laser blast from the planet's surface...
FFS, after reading so much about VCRs, the MPAA, ADCs, the BPDG, the CBDTPA, p2p, the FCC and CDs, I wish these guys would just STFU.
That none of those screengrabs had:
1) Porn
2) Ads, ads, ads, and more ads
I thought I saw an obscured nipple on the first grab, but that was about it...
I think AR stuff is pretty cool. Those sunglasses in Virtual Light, Gargoyles in Snow Crash, it's a pretty darn useful information tool, as long as the information is useful and trustworthy. To that end, I feel that corporations should be kept as far away from this as possible. Otherwise AR will be a mass of ads, spam and lies.
I think a link to a personal datasource is the way to go, with various connections to trusted information providers. If the map company decides to put ads in its building descriptions, disconnect from their service and join with one who doesn't. You should be able to put on your goggles and see NOTHING AT ALL, and add only the stuff you want.
Personal datasources might link to other people's sources, in a kind of collaberative system that allows feedback ("you liked that bar? It SUCKED!") and filtering (browsing the world at +5 to avoid the trolls and goatse.cx).
In order to further clean up the datastream, rocksolid specs for different types of data should be established, probably using XML. No executables either, that way people can't stick Flash animations or viruses in their location descriptions.
I wonder if use of these kind of info-tools will result in weakened memory, sense of direction, etc... not to mention the social awkwardness of people staring off into space while they process the latest blip.
Oh, kinda off-topic: I googled and found what looks to be the full text of Virtual Light by William Gibson.
Agreed... my new laptop came with two OS options: XP Home Edition or XP Professional Edition.
So now, for the first time in my life, I have paid cash money for a Microsoft operating system.
I feel so dirty.
Keeping a piece of software's source closed should result in harsh liability. Since users cannot examine the source to confirm bugs or even functionality, they are completely at the mercy of the vendor. Since the vendor has welded the hood shut, problems with the engine are THEIR FAULT.
Open source software provides a method with which users can confirm functionality (checking the source to see it really does what it's meant to), report faults to the vendor and even make fixes themselves, if required. These factors should result in a vastly reduced liability, since this kind of software gives users the tools to take responsibility of their systems. Even if the user doesn't have the skills or inclination to use the source, they can hire someone who can.
While this may sound like pandering to the open source crowd and Microsoft-bashing, it just seems to make good sense... keeping the source to yourself means that you have to take responsibility.
The main guy (Jeremiah) is played by Luke Perry.... sorry, that kinda puts the series waaaaayyyyyy down there to begin with.
Let's see, HDTV's killer app that really takes advantage of increased screen definition, improved field of view, more vibrant colours and an overall enhanced sense of "being there"...
Ah yes, porn.
I feel your pain, man. I'm an New Zealander who grew up in Australia, living in the UK who wants to see American shows like The Family Guy, 24, Invader Zim, Reboot (ok, Canadian), Futurama and The Simpsons. Then there's the Oz/NZ/SA rugby season I'm missing out on, not to mention a thousand kickass Olympic events I'd like to see instead of the 5 minutes per day I get on Joanna McFrumpy, the British curling champion coming 165th in her event. The rest is whiny, depressing British soap operas and sleep-inducing soccer games.
Time to light up the broadband...
I agree. The TV networks have to understand that they have to build their system now or the volunteer-based net system will gut their industry, the same way Napster and its brethren tore chunks out of the music business. Yes mr studio exec, we know there's no perfect way to beat the cappers and leechers... but if you don't at least try SOMETHING, you're hosed.
Dude, you're such a tease... nakedhairyeyebrowedcheerleaders.com doesn't even exist!
And here I was getting all excited...
If we used this system, I just *know* some HR director or marketing manager would come to me and ask for the backups of the shredded messages.
"But they're meant to be shredded for OTHER people" they'd say...
The last time they went after something with a vengeance (the net) it was just another matter of shovelling internet features into all their products, in the gonzo MS style. Like Bruce says, security *cannot* be reached using this method. It requires a radical turnaround in attitude, method and implementation, something that might be beyond the company... simply because it's contrary to their core ethos. Securing products costs money, it slows you down, and it doesn't score points with the feature-hungry consumers.
From the site:
Heheheh...
Heh, Slashdot fortune for this moment: "Who does not trust enough will not be trusted. -- Lao Tsu
The advantage of this design is that you only connect I/O devices that you need, saving on weight, size and power consumption. You might add a touchscreen module, and it's a webpad. You might add a mobile keyboard and lcd screen module, and it's a laptop. Add a 3D graphics module, projection screen, joystick and 5.1 theatre module and it's a gaming rig. Add a personal sound module and it's an mp3 player. The ultraslim laptop is trimmed waaaay down, but it still comes with a bunch of I/O stuff that you might not need, depending your task.
I wonder though if they've abstracted the design *enough* - I almost think it should be a pure data storage device that can plug into a CPU module for different tasks (Crusoe for mobile use, Dual Athlon 2000s for graphic editing). Adds another layer of complexity, but still more flexibility. The OS design would be funky, if it was CPU architecture neutral, and could deal with live removal of a running CPU, and replacement in another.
I think it's an intriguing idea, reminiscent of Jini, and has some measure of potential. It remains to be seen if the advantages in flexibility and robustness are obliterated by descreases in efficiency.
Good points. These guys are very used to having a lock on the market, and it shows. They've created two services that suit all their aims and loyalties, and totally ignored the fact that the music-sharing services we're providing for each other flog theirs into the ground. It also amuses me that they've even created TWO services so they can say "Competition? Why sure, you can choose PressPlay OR MusicNet!!"
You're dead right though, I've weighed their service, and found it wanting. I might switch when it beats what I've already got access to.
Even though Ion Storm did release the quite successful Deus Ex, I think it needs to be made clear that Romero was not involved in the project. Executive producer was Warren Spector, lead designer was Harvey Smith. Check the Deus Ex Team list for more details.
One more point against ASPs, which I keep running into:
Many businesses want to develop and run their own apps so they can create intellectual property they can later make money from. This happens very often in specialised industries.
Big companies are reminding me more and more of great, stupid, predatory animals. They fish the seas dry, annihilate competition, and chew down more of their prey each time. There's no intelligence, no forethought, it's all one-way traffic, with consumers as food.
When a predator gains an overwhelming advantage in a natural system, they typically exhaust their entire food supply, which in turn triggers their own extinction. I suppose this is what comes from skipping those elective natural science classes to focus on your MBA.
Urban Light Transport has more information on their web site, including some much higher-res images, FAQs and other info.
The most interesting (and not really mentioned) factor is that the automatic taxis don't travel on predetermined routes, they navigate their small network of paths to get to your destination.