Are you ignorant of the flaws of bind and sendmail? It really does not take much searching to find flaws in *ix software.
Remember that flaw in many *ix setups that had a CGI which allowed remote access to _any_ command? This was not that long ago either. It was still being exploited in 1997.
MS' problem is that they never seem to consider the security implications when they start tossing on new features.
Oh, come on. Sure, qmail and Apache are designed (nowadays) with security in mind. You are forgetting that *ix has _decades_ of security flaws from piling on features before thinking about those very features.
Comparing Microsoft software to *ix is like apples to oranges. Windows was not designed for use in a networked environment, yet it has adapted. *ix was _always_ networked and multi-user. It has 3 decades of support and is still exploited to this very day. If you really want to talk about Microsoft's security track record, then I would say they are _kicking *ix's ass_. They are admitting they have flaws and are fixing them. Sure beats mouthing off about superior security while looking the other way when real security concerns are given.
The point is moot, though. All software will have bugs and no one can design for future security problems. Many break-ins are caused, not by software flaws, but by social exploitation. How many people do you know tape their password to their monitor?
How long, exactly, have you been a programmer professionally?
I'm going to assume you started in the period between 1995 and 2000. If you started in this period, then you probably have been hit by the dot-com euphoria. If so, then you are probably disillusioned by the corporate world (and rightly so). Once corporations weed out these do-nothing managers that are straight out of Dilbert, the work place will become a much more employee-friendly place. Keep in mind that it is the managers that are doing their job improperly, and they _will_ be dealt with sooner or later. The good thing about corporations is that the CEO and management _must_ care about the company, else the shareholders will tear them to shreds (or watching the company you just worked for being eaten alive by the public like Enron will be quite a joy).
My advice? Move to Redmond. I have yet to find a dissatisfied Microsoft employee. Stay away from the highly beaurocratic corporations (IBM). They will usually treat you as an interchangable part and provide you with a cubicle, measured to the millimeter, that provides the maximum productivity while using space most efficiently.
I would suggest learning the English language, but I will give you the benefit of doubt and assume English is not your native language.
I can't make out what you are talking about with respect to piracy, so I will leave that part alone.
I don't really buy software, what I'm interested in is a professional support, not a package.
And you have something against purchasing Microsoft products and obtaining their support? Or Apple products? From what I understand, Microsoft is really on the ball with newer versions of Windows.
On the other hand Transgaming is something different, they are starting a model which has a lot of games already. Yes, they get my support. And no I don't play, You know, I'm supporting them from the first day, but in reallity I haven't even bother to download the package they provide. However they are one of the major contributions to Wine tree, and this is the part I respeect the most. So they get my vote.
Are you aware of what you are saying? You are admitting that what Transgaming provides is of no value to you, yet you support them. This is what I mean by "paying businesses' welfare." Do you understand the implications of this belief, if used in mass? Do you realize that if every citizen in the developed world spent money by this same principle, that there would be nothing of value in the world? I would suggest reading Atlas Shrugged for a good change of perspective.
Yes that's true, but why would that be bad. If you give something away, you really don't need to give away all. Isn't it enough what they give. It would be stupid and suicidal step. You give something you get something.
For one thing, it is very hypocritical to play the role of "free software supporter" and then turn your back on the very philosophy that defines "free software." These companies are also giving away software which was not created and freed by them, but merely using other's work for their goals. Just one step away from fraudulent behavior, I say.
And now my question? Isn't every day more and more of Win and Apple users on slashdot. Mainly in Linux news. What are you afraid of???
I have been using Linux everyday since 1995. I think you misunderstand what I am saying and are "thinking with your emotions."
And now my favorite> Go sell magazines, leave computers, they are out of your brain reach
If only I could understand this, I would make a comeback. Alas, I am the fool.
The reason people do not pay for Linux software is two-fold. The first reason is people typically come to Linux because it is no-cost. The second reason is for freedom of software (www.gnu.org).
Loki sells _proprietary_ software. That eliminates those who truly believe in freedom of software (i.e. anyone who even considers using GPL or believing in the cause of GNU). The other group will most likely pirate the game (or purchase the cheaper Windows version) and download the binary for Linux.
If a company sells free software (GPL'd) then there is no _incentive_ to purchase that software.
It really is a Catch-22 situation. If you claim that Red Hat and others are providing a valuable service, then you are ignoring the reality of their business and are merely purchasing their product to give _Linux_ support. Unless, of course, you have a _very_ twisted notion of what a "valuable service" consists of. I have yet to see anything of the sort from any Linux-related business. Cheapbytes.com provides a valuable service. Amazon.com and Google.com provide a valuable service.
Why are so many Slashdotters willing to pay charity to Open Source/Linux-related businesses? Capitalism works by purchasing the superior product--not by throwing money at the weak. Why do you insist on paying Linux businesses' welfare check? Remember when Loki first experienced trouble? "Let's all go out and buy a Loki game!" This is welfare, plain and simple.
I'd like to end this rant with what I consider the value I find in Linux: free source code and the freedom to use it how I wish. Anyone else smell the irony that free software/Linux businesses such as Red Hat, Loki, Ximian are resorting to proprietary software to make a buck in the land of free software?
GeForce drivers are wonderful, but if you have ATI expect to _never_ see a driver for your card (unless they have changed dramatically since I had a mach64). ATI, I assume, has at least 1/3 of the consumer 3D graphics market with Radeon.
OpenGL isn't much good if you don't have an acceptable driver for your 3D card.
It's funny because I actually don't read/. much anymore. This is the 2nd or 3rd time this month. Probably 8th time this year.
I really don't care about some virtual karma system which is beyond unbalanced. And I really did believe I would get at least a -1, or perhaps 0 (and it's still early, and I just may yet).
I don't believe he was acting in a condescending manner. He stated "In my opinion." He wasn't saying that all people who stay at a job they like/believe/etc. are suckers. Just ones who knowingly stay and get taken to the cleaners. I wouldn't hold any remorse for those people either. Would you? If someone is going to be ignorant, and bull-headed about the consequences of staying with the job, then I do believe they deserve what comes to them. Good or bad.
I was responding to your comment about Loki employees having a vision beyond making a buck, which you seemed to imply that it is a good thing to have that. I simply stated that, perhaps their vision was a little out-of-touch with reality, which should have been corrected before they even attempted achieving their goal (i.e. before Loki even came into existance).
That is the entire reason they failed! They didn't see how _to_ make a buck. They kept seeing past it and _ignoring_ that tiny little detail.
For one thing, Linux is a _small_ user base. On top of that, the majority of Linux users are not willing to _pay_ for software. That is the reason they use Linux. The whole "freedom of software" is just plain bullshit to many. They know it, and so do I. Which oddly explains how Loki, a proprietary company, can even attempt to market Linux to begin with. Then you get the free software believers who will not purchase Loki games based on principle. _They_ are the ones who have vision beyond making a buck. People like RMS.
All-in-all, Loki had no clear vision and their market was very fragmented and almost noexistant. The only people who would purchase their games are die-hard Linux users who could wait a few months and pay a higher price for the same game they could have had on Windows for a lower price. Then take out the people who believe in freedom and the people who want free (no-cost) software and you are left with _no_ market.
If you truly believe Loki had a chance, then you live in a fantasy world.
Frankly, it's the Open Source/Free Software mentality that did that. OSS coders already work for free (don't deny that Red Hat and many others make money on other people's work).
This is just more fallout that most of the dot-com companies already experienced. The world does not revolve around wishful thinking.
I will probably get moderated as flamebait because many/.'ers are still stuck in that euphoric state-of-mind. Many can still not accept that it's possible for people, who provide what/.'ers consider a good service, to fail.
Anyone else feel as if Slashdot is a little too oriented towards lawyers now? Whenever I visit/. the majority of the "news" is about copyright, trademark, or various other legal issues. I read this article and am scratching my head trying to find the cool or nerd aspect of it.
Yes, but Linux does not even have crippleware. Even if you _wanted_ to pay actual _money_ for software it is impossible on Linux. There is no software because there is no market for it. People want free-only software which scares away shareware and commercial. So Linux users must rely on waiting for people to create free software.
Picking out reliable shareware for Windows is a no-brainer, truely. Just go to shareware.com or somesuch and find a 4-5 star program. Some of the software has an insane amount of features (compared to around 95-96 when I used Windows more).
If you don't see that Linux has a shortage of applications, then perhaps open your eyes. Check out Windows shareware vs. all software for Linux. I have downloaded hundreds of programs on freshmeat and sunsite for a good 4-5 years. From this experience I would say a good 95% of Linux software is pure garbage. Many projects have lofty goals, but die within the 3rd month of development. Or they slack off after they get a few features and then there is an update every other month.
Compared to Windows, there are very few quality applications on Linux.
One of the games with the biggest hype and longest wait was Half-life. 3D Realms has stood by "when it's done" since the start of Duke4. After a game like Duke3D, how do you even begin to stop rumors of a new Duke Nukem? Might as well admit that it's in the works..
Roadrunner here I can use any port I want (they don't "allow" services, but don't force them off that I know of). You don't get static IP addresses (that I know of), but your IP is perm enough (until you reboot or reset DHCP really).
My only complaint with RR is the speed can drop dramatically during busy hours. It's not so bad though, since I use it most late at night.
I do believe RR has an option to purchase (upgrade to) a business line.
Still though, this isn't the broadband I dreamt of having, but it sure beats my 56k which can only connect at 33.6 due to phoneline quality.
Sorry for being so blunt, but perhaps you should go back about 2 weeks when Slashdot had Ximian's announcement that they are going into the proprietary software market.
I'm amazed at how professional the KDE crowd is after the proprietary connector came out a few weeks back, now this.
I sure know I would be jumping up and down knowing how bad the publicity stunts of Miguel were during 1999 or so. I remember a time when Miguel had most of Slashdot (and Linux community) crowd confused and actually believing KDE was not GPL (which it had been the entire time).
That is very correct. What I would like to see is the automation of system maintenance. Instead of worrying about free memory or disk space, the system itself would worry about it. If you don't have the resources to download something then the system itself should do something akin to garbage collection in Java/Lisp. If no space is available then the system should warn the user that resources are low and he/she needs to upgrade or determine which things they don't need anymore. Many files I download I rarely visit. They just sort of sit on my drive collecting virtual dust. If the OS could somehow collect the files I haven't touched in awhile it would be great.
More ranting..
I believe the file metaphor is becoming outdated for one reason: programmers are using files to implement _systems_ rather than using them in their proper (metaphor) way. When a end-user sees vrgx3c7.dat it is completely meaningless. With the increasing size and complexity of programs, the file granularity has shrunken and has become overwelming for even advanced users (just type ls/usr/lib and tell me you understand what _every_ file does and what _every_ file is part of. Even Linus/[insert knowledgable hacker here] himself wouldn't have a clue). Maintaining these systems becomes impossible (even with some of the best package managment systems out there). With increasing hard drive space, files have a tendency to sit and rot. With current OSes I imagine in the future we will simply toss out (reformat) entire hard drives when we forget what is contained on them.
EAX does make a difference, but probably not _that_ much of one. I don't have the four speakers + sub setup, just headphones. One game that I have played with EAX is Half-life. There is a noticable difference, but most of the time it gets ignored. Just like I play Quake3, but with vertex lighting (instead of the fancy and expensive lightmaps), and a reduced mipmapping (textures look less "clear"). It is noticable, but when you are actually _playing_ the game you don't need it or notice it (and it actually helps sometimes because the CPU can do more important things, such as movement prediction, etc.).
For the casual gamer, I would say it doesn't matter much. But you can bet when Doom 3 arrives I'm going to be using EAX;-) At least until I start multiplayer, where I have to worry about frags..
Stereotypes are a good way to categorize people when little information is known. This stereotype predates Hollywood, though.
I don't think the previous poster claimed all Christians are "Sunday Christians." I'm sure all aren't either, but all that I have personally seen fit that stereotype perfectly. A number of people I know fit the southern "Revivalist" stereotype (i.e. people who get up dance and shout).
No, capitalism does not excuse anyone from behaving in a moral and ethical way.
Ethics and morality are relative. If you are a Christian, then your ethics and morals are aligned with Christianity (as with Islamic, etc.). Capitalism has nothing to do with what is "right" and "wrong." Laws are made to, ideally, coerce people to do the "right" thing. Which is a very difficult thing to do since what is "right" is also relative (which is also why laws change constantly, as society changes from one point-of-view to another).
No, greed does not motivate all people.
Define "greed." If you mean wealth, then yes. Not everyone wants billions of dollars (some do, of course). Some people eat as much food as they can ("want"), which is greed. Do not misunderstand what I mean by "greed." Everyone has some degree of greed to them, and if they don't then they are most likely suppressing that feeling, or urge. With respect to capitalism, greed is the only motivator to success. If you want to sit there and work hand-to-mouth, but being as far removed from greed as possible, then you will have little to no success in capitalism. People will simply walk all over you.
No, capitalism isn't about "Getting other people to purchase something they don't need while paying more than it is worth".
It is exactly that. You may call it "providing a valuable service to the community." And it may very well be just that, but you will not charge "at-cost." You will always charge more than it costs you to produce it. Understand this point I'm trying to make. The "item" you produce and sell is worth exactly what you put into it (to you). Otherwise, you would have never ventured into creating said "item." Therefore, you are selling said "item" at a higher cost (whether %5 mark-up or %500 mark-up is irrelavant) than it is worth to _you_. The goal of selling the "item" is simply to bring in more money than it cost to produce the "item." To succeed, basically. Any capitalistic business which does _not_ sell something slightly higher than it is worth (to them) will be a failure, and will become bankrupt.
If you believe these things, then you have a value system that many people in the rest of the world would find very sad and hollow.
Again, you are mixing two very separate issues. Capitalism is a well understood _system_. It is not some mythical "toss money around to the good people" game. You can apply any ethical or moral point-of-view to a capitalistic business and possibly become a success.
Now back to your first statement:
Many have been suprised to find strong negative reactions expressed towards them from people in other 'first world' countries. It is exactly the kind of opinions that are being expressed in this thread by Americans that cause some of those negative feelings.
I disagree. One quality, or value, which I believe "those people" (presumably Pakistanis or Afghans) hold in high respect is honesty. They seem to think Americans are hypocrites. I believe it would do most Americans a bit of good to actually look up on the history of America. Thomas Jefferson would be a good place to start, I believe. After all, it was he, who tore apart the bible in the White House during his term and rewrote it to what he perceived to be the true story of Jesus, while still claiming to be a Christian.
I have always felt GPL's place was in education stead of the business world.
Which is strangely why I am now using GPL. Without source code to learn from, I would be very far behind. Back in the BBS times it was difficult at best to obtain source code for anything. Luckily I had FidoNET and some helpful groups on there.
I don't believe the GPL will ever be an asset to a business from the development point-of-view. It may help cut costs (and already has, I'm sure), but that is not necessarily part of the business plan. Providing support alone does not seem like a viable solution to getting more GPL software _created_. I believe the best solution for using the GPL is a delayed "opening of the code." After a certain period, when the program makes the company little to no profit, the source code will become GPL (similar to how id Software does). What this does is allow the company to remain in the spotlight (i.e. copyright still remains w/ GPL) and gives them a marketing edge.
Slashdot Mirror
Remember that flaw in many *ix setups that had a CGI which allowed remote access to _any_ command? This was not that long ago either. It was still being exploited in 1997.
Oh, come on. Sure, qmail and Apache are designed (nowadays) with security in mind. You are forgetting that *ix has _decades_ of security flaws from piling on features before thinking about those very features.
Comparing Microsoft software to *ix is like apples to oranges. Windows was not designed for use in a networked environment, yet it has adapted. *ix was _always_ networked and multi-user. It has 3 decades of support and is still exploited to this very day. If you really want to talk about Microsoft's security track record, then I would say they are _kicking *ix's ass_. They are admitting they have flaws and are fixing them. Sure beats mouthing off about superior security while looking the other way when real security concerns are given.
The point is moot, though. All software will have bugs and no one can design for future security problems. Many break-ins are caused, not by software flaws, but by social exploitation. How many people do you know tape their password to their monitor?
How long, exactly, have you been a programmer professionally?
I'm going to assume you started in the period between 1995 and 2000. If you started in this period, then you probably have been hit by the dot-com euphoria. If so, then you are probably disillusioned by the corporate world (and rightly so). Once corporations weed out these do-nothing managers that are straight out of Dilbert, the work place will become a much more employee-friendly place. Keep in mind that it is the managers that are doing their job improperly, and they _will_ be dealt with sooner or later. The good thing about corporations is that the CEO and management _must_ care about the company, else the shareholders will tear them to shreds (or watching the company you just worked for being eaten alive by the public like Enron will be quite a joy).
My advice? Move to Redmond. I have yet to find a dissatisfied Microsoft employee. Stay away from the highly beaurocratic corporations (IBM). They will usually treat you as an interchangable part and provide you with a cubicle, measured to the millimeter, that provides the maximum productivity while using space most efficiently.
I can't make out what you are talking about with respect to piracy, so I will leave that part alone.
And you have something against purchasing Microsoft products and obtaining their support? Or Apple products? From what I understand, Microsoft is really on the ball with newer versions of Windows. Are you aware of what you are saying? You are admitting that what Transgaming provides is of no value to you, yet you support them. This is what I mean by "paying businesses' welfare." Do you understand the implications of this belief, if used in mass? Do you realize that if every citizen in the developed world spent money by this same principle, that there would be nothing of value in the world? I would suggest reading Atlas Shrugged for a good change of perspective. For one thing, it is very hypocritical to play the role of "free software supporter" and then turn your back on the very philosophy that defines "free software." These companies are also giving away software which was not created and freed by them, but merely using other's work for their goals. Just one step away from fraudulent behavior, I say. I have been using Linux everyday since 1995. I think you misunderstand what I am saying and are "thinking with your emotions." If only I could understand this, I would make a comeback. Alas, I am the fool.
It is far from bullshit, and you are a minority.
The reason people do not pay for Linux software is two-fold. The first reason is people typically come to Linux because it is no-cost. The second reason is for freedom of software (www.gnu.org).
Loki sells _proprietary_ software. That eliminates those who truly believe in freedom of software (i.e. anyone who even considers using GPL or believing in the cause of GNU). The other group will most likely pirate the game (or purchase the cheaper Windows version) and download the binary for Linux.
If a company sells free software (GPL'd) then there is no _incentive_ to purchase that software.
It really is a Catch-22 situation. If you claim that Red Hat and others are providing a valuable service, then you are ignoring the reality of their business and are merely purchasing their product to give _Linux_ support. Unless, of course, you have a _very_ twisted notion of what a "valuable service" consists of. I have yet to see anything of the sort from any Linux-related business. Cheapbytes.com provides a valuable service. Amazon.com and Google.com provide a valuable service.
Why are so many Slashdotters willing to pay charity to Open Source/Linux-related businesses? Capitalism works by purchasing the superior product--not by throwing money at the weak. Why do you insist on paying Linux businesses' welfare check? Remember when Loki first experienced trouble? "Let's all go out and buy a Loki game!" This is welfare, plain and simple.
I'd like to end this rant with what I consider the value I find in Linux: free source code and the freedom to use it how I wish. Anyone else smell the irony that free software/Linux businesses such as Red Hat, Loki, Ximian are resorting to proprietary software to make a buck in the land of free software?
GeForce drivers are wonderful, but if you have ATI expect to _never_ see a driver for your card (unless they have changed dramatically since I had a mach64). ATI, I assume, has at least 1/3 of the consumer 3D graphics market with Radeon.
OpenGL isn't much good if you don't have an acceptable driver for your 3D card.
Jealous?
/. much anymore. This is the 2nd or 3rd time this month. Probably 8th time this year.
It's funny because I actually don't read
I really don't care about some virtual karma system which is beyond unbalanced. And I really did believe I would get at least a -1, or perhaps 0 (and it's still early, and I just may yet).
ahh. The kind words of the Slashdot readership. Now I remember why I can't stand this place.
I don't believe he was acting in a condescending manner. He stated "In my opinion." He wasn't saying that all people who stay at a job they like/believe/etc. are suckers. Just ones who knowingly stay and get taken to the cleaners. I wouldn't hold any remorse for those people either. Would you? If someone is going to be ignorant, and bull-headed about the consequences of staying with the job, then I do believe they deserve what comes to them. Good or bad.
I was responding to your comment about Loki employees having a vision beyond making a buck, which you seemed to imply that it is a good thing to have that. I simply stated that, perhaps their vision was a little out-of-touch with reality, which should have been corrected before they even attempted achieving their goal (i.e. before Loki even came into existance).
Happy now?
That is the entire reason they failed! They didn't see how _to_ make a buck. They kept seeing past it and _ignoring_ that tiny little detail.
For one thing, Linux is a _small_ user base. On top of that, the majority of Linux users are not willing to _pay_ for software. That is the reason they use Linux. The whole "freedom of software" is just plain bullshit to many. They know it, and so do I. Which oddly explains how Loki, a proprietary company, can even attempt to market Linux to begin with. Then you get the free software believers who will not purchase Loki games based on principle. _They_ are the ones who have vision beyond making a buck. People like RMS.
All-in-all, Loki had no clear vision and their market was very fragmented and almost noexistant. The only people who would purchase their games are die-hard Linux users who could wait a few months and pay a higher price for the same game they could have had on Windows for a lower price. Then take out the people who believe in freedom and the people who want free (no-cost) software and you are left with _no_ market.
If you truly believe Loki had a chance, then you live in a fantasy world.
Frankly, it's the Open Source/Free Software mentality that did that. OSS coders already work for free (don't deny that Red Hat and many others make money on other people's work).
/.'ers are still stuck in that euphoric state-of-mind. Many can still not accept that it's possible for people, who provide what /.'ers consider a good service, to fail.
This is just more fallout that most of the dot-com companies already experienced. The world does not revolve around wishful thinking.
I will probably get moderated as flamebait because many
And you can also write OO in asm if you wish. Just no one does it because _tools have been written for that specific purpose!_
Ever try using a screwdriver to pound a nail in?
Didn't think so.
Anyone else feel as if Slashdot is a little too oriented towards lawyers now? Whenever I visit /. the majority of the "news" is about copyright, trademark, or various other legal issues. I read this article and am scratching my head trying to find the cool or nerd aspect of it.
Yes, but Linux does not even have crippleware. Even if you _wanted_ to pay actual _money_ for software it is impossible on Linux. There is no software because there is no market for it. People want free-only software which scares away shareware and commercial. So Linux users must rely on waiting for people to create free software.
Picking out reliable shareware for Windows is a no-brainer, truely. Just go to shareware.com or somesuch and find a 4-5 star program. Some of the software has an insane amount of features (compared to around 95-96 when I used Windows more).
If you don't see that Linux has a shortage of applications, then perhaps open your eyes. Check out Windows shareware vs. all software for Linux. I have downloaded hundreds of programs on freshmeat and sunsite for a good 4-5 years. From this experience I would say a good 95% of Linux software is pure garbage. Many projects have lofty goals, but die within the 3rd month of development. Or they slack off after they get a few features and then there is an update every other month.
Compared to Windows, there are very few quality applications on Linux.
Ummmmmmmmm.
Are you forgetting that Ximian is a corporation too?
Miguel is _not_ friendly to any open-source movement I've seen. Other than his own, of course.
One of the games with the biggest hype and longest wait was Half-life. 3D Realms has stood by "when it's done" since the start of Duke4. After a game like Duke3D, how do you even begin to stop rumors of a new Duke Nukem? Might as well admit that it's in the works..
Roadrunner here I can use any port I want (they don't "allow" services, but don't force them off that I know of). You don't get static IP addresses (that I know of), but your IP is perm enough (until you reboot or reset DHCP really).
My only complaint with RR is the speed can drop dramatically during busy hours. It's not so bad though, since I use it most late at night.
I do believe RR has an option to purchase (upgrade to) a business line.
Still though, this isn't the broadband I dreamt of having, but it sure beats my 56k which can only connect at 33.6 due to phoneline quality.
are you on fucking crack man?
Sorry for being so blunt, but perhaps you should go back about 2 weeks when Slashdot had Ximian's announcement that they are going into the proprietary software market.
I'm amazed at how professional the KDE crowd is after the proprietary connector came out a few weeks back, now this.
I sure know I would be jumping up and down knowing how bad the publicity stunts of Miguel were during 1999 or so. I remember a time when Miguel had most of Slashdot (and Linux community) crowd confused and actually believing KDE was not GPL (which it had been the entire time).
That is very correct. What I would like to see is the automation of system maintenance. Instead of worrying about free memory or disk space, the system itself would worry about it. If you don't have the resources to download something then the system itself should do something akin to garbage collection in Java/Lisp. If no space is available then the system should warn the user that resources are low and he/she needs to upgrade or determine which things they don't need anymore. Many files I download I rarely visit. They just sort of sit on my drive collecting virtual dust. If the OS could somehow collect the files I haven't touched in awhile it would be great.
/usr/lib and tell me you understand what _every_ file does and what _every_ file is part of. Even Linus/[insert knowledgable hacker here] himself wouldn't have a clue). Maintaining these systems becomes impossible (even with some of the best package managment systems out there). With increasing hard drive space, files have a tendency to sit and rot. With current OSes I imagine in the future we will simply toss out (reformat) entire hard drives when we forget what is contained on them.
More ranting..
I believe the file metaphor is becoming outdated for one reason: programmers are using files to implement _systems_ rather than using them in their proper (metaphor) way. When a end-user sees vrgx3c7.dat it is completely meaningless. With the increasing size and complexity of programs, the file granularity has shrunken and has become overwelming for even advanced users (just type ls
EAX does make a difference, but probably not _that_ much of one. I don't have the four speakers + sub setup, just headphones. One game that I have played with EAX is Half-life. There is a noticable difference, but most of the time it gets ignored. Just like I play Quake3, but with vertex lighting (instead of the fancy and expensive lightmaps), and a reduced mipmapping (textures look less "clear"). It is noticable, but when you are actually _playing_ the game you don't need it or notice it (and it actually helps sometimes because the CPU can do more important things, such as movement prediction, etc.).
;-) At least until I start multiplayer, where I have to worry about frags..
For the casual gamer, I would say it doesn't matter much. But you can bet when Doom 3 arrives I'm going to be using EAX
Stereotypes are a good way to categorize people when little information is known. This stereotype predates Hollywood, though.
I don't think the previous poster claimed all Christians are "Sunday Christians." I'm sure all aren't either, but all that I have personally seen fit that stereotype perfectly. A number of people I know fit the southern "Revivalist" stereotype (i.e. people who get up dance and shout).
I disagree. One quality, or value, which I believe "those people" (presumably Pakistanis or Afghans) hold in high respect is honesty. They seem to think Americans are hypocrites. I believe it would do most Americans a bit of good to actually look up on the history of America. Thomas Jefferson would be a good place to start, I believe. After all, it was he, who tore apart the bible in the White House during his term and rewrote it to what he perceived to be the true story of Jesus, while still claiming to be a Christian.
I don't believe the GPL will ever be an asset to a business from the development point-of-view. It may help cut costs (and already has, I'm sure), but that is not necessarily part of the business plan. Providing support alone does not seem like a viable solution to getting more GPL software _created_. I believe the best solution for using the GPL is a delayed "opening of the code." After a certain period, when the program makes the company little to no profit, the source code will become GPL (similar to how id Software does). What this does is allow the company to remain in the spotlight (i.e. copyright still remains w/ GPL) and gives them a marketing edge.