The first company to release a card that is good enough for all my games (perferably with programmable shaders since I want to play with those in GL if I can find the time) and has open source drivers will get me to buy it (as long as the card itself is good)
Even if it could be shown that a shuttle mission (with a crew who are willing to accept all the risks) was cheaper and easier than a robotic mission, NASA would still push for the robotic mission.
Because if something goes wrong, NASA are out one expensive irreplacable shuttle and only have 2 left. Which isnt that much of a margin for error when it comes to sending shuttles up to finish the ISS.
make SMS and cellphone calls into a 100% "sender pays" system like we have here in australia, where recieving a call or SMS costs nothing for the reciever (only the sender would pay)
restrict advances in many fields including Cryptography, Aerospace, Computing, Energy (electricity generation etc), biotech, nanotech, robotics and others.
We need a simple huge rocket for launching space station parts, sattelite and whatever else.
It doesnt need to be reusable, just as cheap and high capacity as possible.
Basicly, something similar to the titans and others currently used to launch sattelites and stuff but: A.even less complicated (the "big-dumb-booster" people talk about) B.as cheap as possible C.high-capacity (to carry big stuff like space station bits) and D.able to be launched often (as in, fast turn-around time for the ground bits of the operation to get the next one ready for launch)
Then, we need a second vechicle specificly designed to launch people (and also things like tools, equipment, space suits and other smaller items etc) up there. It wouldnt need the large cargo bay or any of the other requirements of the current Shuttle. If making it reusable makes sense, make it reusable. But if making it reusable doesnt make sense, dont make it reusable.
Another option is to investigate alternative proposals for getting into space. For example, has the option of using a large gun or mass driver of some sort to launch stuff into space been considered (like in the Jules Verne moon novels). Basicly, a large gun or cannon or mass driver would fire the cargo which when it hits a certain point would fire rocket motors to attain the desired speed and orbital location.
I keep all my financial details in a spreadsheet (OpenOffice.Org calc of course:) and with a few simple formulas to calculate totals, I can keep track of all my cash with no issues whatsoever.
They need to sell/market games based on demographics.
For example, games aimed at younger kids should come out around christmas because thats peak season for them. (being that most of those games are bought by parents).
And games aimed at older kids/teenagers/young adults (who increasingly have part time jobs e.g. paper round, fast food or whatever as a source of money to spend on games) should be released at the times of the year when the target audience is most likely to have disposable income and/or free time.
Another thing to remember is that for younger kids, the parents (or grandparents etc) are more likely to be the ones making the decisions on what to buy. Although kids will ask for stuff, just because the kid asks for Gorefest Fighters 3005 Extra Special Extra Super Gore Violence Edition doesnt mean that they are going to get it (cue simpsons quote about episode with bart wanting Bonestorm and ending up with a golf game instead)
On the other hand, bigger kids/teanagers/young adults (and also adults) are going to be more liklely to be making their own decisions on what games to buy (especially if its their own money they are spending)
I do think that there is a market for smaller games (that dont have a huge name/licence attatched). However, that market disappears when the studio does the wrong thing and spends big $$$ on the production.
Its also bad for any reruns. Here in australia the ABC (government owned Free To Air station) has been replaying all of Dr Who right from the very first episode on up. So far, they have skipped stories and episodes that are missing or incomplete. But they have also had to skip a fair few dalek episodes (War Games is one story they had to skip for some dalek-related reason) due to this greed.
I think this would be a perfect example for that lawsuit thino about copyright mentioned a while back where they talked about things like out-of-print books that you cant get because the copyright holder with you and etc.
As cited, simply trying to get them to make xbox only games wont work, microsoft needs to actually buy someone in japan then they will have xbox-only japanese titles.
Perhaps Square Enix, they are HUGE in japan or something (something to do with some RPG series or something). Although I am sure that even if Microsoft threw every cent it has at buying them (square enix) out, they still wouldnt be able to do it (and not because they dont have enough money, no amount of money will overcome the 1000s of japanese bringing the country to a standstill with protests because they dont want square enix going to MS)
What we need is a document that explains in laymans tems exactly what Internet Explorer (a.k.a. "the blue E") is. And also explains that there are "nasty websites" that can steal your banking details and other private data. Then explains how to switch.
To go hand in hand with this, someone should make a version of Firefox that looks as close to IE as its possible to get but with all the extras (tabs, popup blocking etc)
I think part of it is that existing DVD players cant play them plus also the copy protection has been broken which makes it less attractive to release high quality HD content on them.
the notepad limit is only present on windows 95,98 and ME and is not a limit in notepad, its a limit in the windows edit control. Specificly, a 64k (I think) limit of data. I assume the limit is due to the 16-bit heritige of Windcrap 9x.
The problem is, if it was BSD or LGPL, all it takes is one person to make a change that intentionally or unintentionally breaks the API before we end up with the kind of problems that SUN is trying so hard to avoid.
Basicly, it seems like there is one licence for "use it however you like except you cant sell it or use it commercially" and then another one for those waniting to use it commercially where you have to pass all the java compatibility tests to be able to use/distribute your new version.
For those who claim that OSS prevents incompatible forks, there are almost certainly examples of where multiple almost-but-not-quite-the-same implementations of some language or API or whatever exist.
Although, now that I think about it, a better way would be to Open Source Java3D completly but if you wish to distribute the modified version, you have to either pass the java tests or move your library from the javax package so it doesnt replace any standard version with a (potentially incompatible) new one.
Part of the issue is when cinema owners (or cinema employees) allow people in to do telecine or cam takes with the special setup.
I suspect that this bill (or if not this bill, an new bill that will surely follow) will give big penalties to these owners and employees aiding in this blatent violation of copyright
Myself, I wont touch online movies, I prefer seeing the things on the big screen. And this law (which doesnt apply in australia anyway) wont change that.
1.block ports used by viruses (RPC and whatever) both at external firewalls and inside the network (e.g. at internal links between subnets etc)
2.scan for viruses/malware and force those running that stuff onto restricted subnets untill they clean their system.
3.dont force use of any software. Forcing the use of a specific program (e.g. "you have to use mcafee because we say so") is bad. If they choose not to run an anti-virus program or to run one that doesnt work, its their fault when they get locked off the network (see point 2)
4.Give out free easy-to-use CDs containg a complete set of updates for windows (make one for each windows version) as well as whatever other usefull cleanup tools are deemed important (removers for various worms/virii, spyware removal tools and so on). If the campus has a site licence for an anti-virus program, make this available the same way (again, dont force people to use it but tell poeple that they should use it since its there and its free)
5.Scan all mail with a mailserver virus checker installed on all campus mailservers. Given that most college studens will either use a free email provider like hotmail or yahoo (which has virus checking) or the student mail on campus (which will have virus checking), it should stop most email viruses. Should some get past somehow, they will (hopefully) be blocked by the blocking in point 1 and/or caught by the checks in point 2. Banning outlook would also help but would probobly be VERY unpopular (and also how do you check without being invasive?)
and 6.educate users and tell them why keeping their system up-to-date and why running a virus checker and why doing the other things for security are important. Put this into the student welcome packs (the same place where all the other "new student" information goes, like stuff about not having loud music and stuff)
By blocking ports used by viruses, quarantining infected machines, scanning email for viruses and making good cleanup tools and patches available at no charge, you should be able to catch most viruses, worms, trojans and nasties without being invasive.
Also, if you include tools like lavasoft ad-aware and spybot in the cleanup tools, block spyware at firewalls (e.g. block ports used by spyware to "phone home" or whatever) and educate users about spyware, you can clean up that problem as well.
Are these big companies going to go after just this one small company?
Or are they going to go after vague patents like this generally?
Heres hoping that they go after the PTO as well and get these stupid vague patents gone for good (although there is about as much chance of that happening as there is of Osama Bin Laden walking into a US military base and turning himself in)
Slashdot Mirror
is to throw chunks of cash at the companies selling the top games (both in japan and in the west) to get xbox exclusives or buy them out completly.
:)
For example, if Microsoft bought Square Enix and made future titles xbox only, they could really beat sony
The first company to release a card that is good enough for all my games (perferably with programmable shaders since I want to play with those in GL if I can find the time) and has open source drivers will get me to buy it (as long as the card itself is good)
Even if it could be shown that a shuttle mission (with a crew who are willing to accept all the risks) was cheaper and easier than a robotic mission, NASA would still push for the robotic mission.
Because if something goes wrong, NASA are out one expensive irreplacable shuttle and only have 2 left.
Which isnt that much of a margin for error when it comes to sending shuttles up to finish the ISS.
make SMS and cellphone calls into a 100% "sender pays" system like we have here in australia, where recieving a call or SMS costs nothing for the reciever (only the sender would pay)
Build a closed source but free DVD player for linux.
Is it simply a matter of the fact that no-one is going to pay the big $$$ for a CSS licence then give their work away?
restrict advances in many fields including Cryptography, Aerospace, Computing, Energy (electricity generation etc), biotech, nanotech, robotics and others.
Does anyone know if the bugs in IE PNG are because MS doesnt see any $ to come from fixing it or because they genuinely have something against PNG?
Just watch the movie Terminal Error.
Worst part was loosing all that data on the hard disk (I can still remember seeing a large burn mark on the HDD controler chip)
Not to mention the big expense to get it repaired
The even more unfortunate thing is that I had just got a new CD burner and (had the data loss not happened) would have backed up all my stuff.
Needless to say, I now have 20-30 backup CDs filled with all the important (and even the not-so-important) stuff.
We dont need 1 new vehicle. We need 2.
We need a simple huge rocket for launching space station parts, sattelite and whatever else.
It doesnt need to be reusable, just as cheap and high capacity as possible.
Basicly, something similar to the titans and others currently used to launch sattelites and stuff but:
A.even less complicated (the "big-dumb-booster" people talk about)
B.as cheap as possible
C.high-capacity (to carry big stuff like space station bits)
and D.able to be launched often (as in, fast turn-around time for the ground bits of the operation to get the next one ready for launch)
Then, we need a second vechicle specificly designed to launch people (and also things like tools, equipment, space suits and other smaller items etc) up there. It wouldnt need the large cargo bay or any of the other requirements of the current Shuttle.
If making it reusable makes sense, make it reusable. But if making it reusable doesnt make sense, dont make it reusable.
Another option is to investigate alternative proposals for getting into space. For example, has the option of using a large gun or mass driver of some sort to launch stuff into space been considered (like in the Jules Verne moon novels).
Basicly, a large gun or cannon or mass driver would fire the cargo which when it hits a certain point would fire rocket motors to attain the desired speed and orbital location.
I keep all my financial details in a spreadsheet (OpenOffice.Org calc of course :) and with a few simple formulas to calculate totals, I can keep track of all my cash with no issues whatsoever.
They need to sell/market games based on demographics.
For example, games aimed at younger kids should come out around christmas because thats peak season for them. (being that most of those games are bought by parents).
And games aimed at older kids/teenagers/young adults (who increasingly have part time jobs e.g. paper round, fast food or whatever as a source of money to spend on games) should be released at the times of the year when the target audience is most likely to have disposable income and/or free time.
Another thing to remember is that for younger kids, the parents (or grandparents etc) are more likely to be the ones making the decisions on what to buy. Although kids will ask for stuff, just because the kid asks for Gorefest Fighters 3005 Extra Special Extra Super Gore Violence Edition doesnt mean that they are going to get it (cue simpsons quote about episode with bart wanting Bonestorm and ending up with a golf game instead)
On the other hand, bigger kids/teanagers/young adults (and also adults) are going to be more liklely to be making their own decisions on what games to buy (especially if its their own money they are spending)
I do think that there is a market for smaller games (that dont have a huge name/licence attatched). However, that market disappears when the studio does the wrong thing and spends big $$$ on the production.
Its also bad for any reruns.
Here in australia the ABC (government owned Free To Air station) has been replaying all of Dr Who right from the very first episode on up. So far, they have skipped stories and episodes that are missing or incomplete. But they have also had to skip a fair few dalek episodes (War Games is one story they had to skip for some dalek-related reason) due to this greed.
I think this would be a perfect example for that lawsuit thino about copyright mentioned a while back where they talked about things like out-of-print books that you cant get because the copyright holder with you and etc.
2 things are happening.
Firstly, PC games are being overtaken by console games.
And secondly, larger studios are getting bigger and more market share at the expense of smaller studios.
Is there any evidence that CD copy protection = more CD sales?
Unless using CD copy protection results in more sales of the copy protected disk, there is no reason to use it.
Is to buy some japanese companies.
As cited, simply trying to get them to make xbox only games wont work, microsoft needs to actually buy someone in japan then they will have xbox-only japanese titles.
Perhaps Square Enix, they are HUGE in japan or something (something to do with some RPG series or something). Although I am sure that even if Microsoft threw every cent it has at buying them (square enix) out, they still wouldnt be able to do it (and not because they dont have enough money, no amount of money will overcome the 1000s of japanese bringing the country to a standstill with protests because they dont want square enix going to MS)
What we need is a document that explains in laymans tems exactly what Internet Explorer (a.k.a. "the blue E") is. And also explains that there are "nasty websites" that can steal your banking details and other private data. Then explains how to switch.
To go hand in hand with this, someone should make a version of Firefox that looks as close to IE as its possible to get but with all the extras (tabs, popup blocking etc)
I suspect that the licence is only the way it is because this is a beta version and they dont want people distributing stuff created with it.
I think part of it is that existing DVD players cant play them plus also the copy protection has been broken which makes it less attractive to release high quality HD content on them.
the notepad limit is only present on windows 95,98 and ME and is not a limit in notepad, its a limit in the windows edit control. Specificly, a 64k (I think) limit of data. I assume the limit is due to the 16-bit heritige of Windcrap 9x.
People are saying "why not BSD for the core".
The problem is, if it was BSD or LGPL, all it takes is one person to make a change that intentionally or unintentionally breaks the API before we end up with the kind of problems that SUN is trying so hard to avoid.
Basicly, it seems like there is one licence for "use it however you like except you cant sell it or use it commercially" and then another one for those waniting to use it commercially where you have to pass all the java compatibility tests to be able to use/distribute your new version.
For those who claim that OSS prevents incompatible forks, there are almost certainly examples of where multiple almost-but-not-quite-the-same implementations of some language or API or whatever exist.
Although, now that I think about it, a better way would be to Open Source Java3D completly but if you wish to distribute the modified version, you have to either pass the java tests or move your library from the javax package so it doesnt replace any standard version with a (potentially incompatible) new one.
Can someone explain why allowing one company to own newspaper and TV in the same area is bad?
Part of the issue is when cinema owners (or cinema employees) allow people in to do telecine or cam takes with the special setup.
I suspect that this bill (or if not this bill, an new bill that will surely follow) will give big penalties to these owners and employees aiding in this blatent violation of copyright
Myself, I wont touch online movies, I prefer seeing the things on the big screen.
And this law (which doesnt apply in australia anyway) wont change that.
1.block ports used by viruses (RPC and whatever) both at external firewalls and inside the network (e.g. at internal links between subnets etc)
2.scan for viruses/malware and force those running that stuff onto restricted subnets untill they clean their system.
3.dont force use of any software. Forcing the use of a specific program (e.g. "you have to use mcafee because we say so") is bad. If they choose not to run an anti-virus program or to run one that doesnt work, its their fault when they get locked off the network (see point 2)
4.Give out free easy-to-use CDs containg a complete set of updates for windows (make one for each windows version) as well as whatever other usefull cleanup tools are deemed important (removers for various worms/virii, spyware removal tools and so on). If the campus has a site licence for an anti-virus program, make this available the same way (again, dont force people to use it but tell poeple that they should use it since its there and its free)
5.Scan all mail with a mailserver virus checker installed on all campus mailservers. Given that most college studens will either use a free email provider like hotmail or yahoo (which has virus checking) or the student mail on campus (which will have virus checking), it should stop most email viruses. Should some get past somehow, they will (hopefully) be blocked by the blocking in point 1 and/or caught by the checks in point 2. Banning outlook would also help but would probobly be VERY unpopular (and also how do you check without being invasive?)
and 6.educate users and tell them why keeping their system up-to-date and why running a virus checker and why doing the other things for security are important. Put this into the student welcome packs (the same place where all the other "new student" information goes, like stuff about not having loud music and stuff)
By blocking ports used by viruses, quarantining infected machines, scanning email for viruses and making good cleanup tools and patches available at no charge, you should be able to catch most viruses, worms, trojans and nasties without being invasive.
Also, if you include tools like lavasoft ad-aware and spybot in the cleanup tools, block spyware at firewalls (e.g. block ports used by spyware to "phone home" or whatever) and educate users about spyware, you can clean up that problem as well.
Are these big companies going to go after just this one small company?
Or are they going to go after vague patents like this generally?
Heres hoping that they go after the PTO as well and get these stupid vague patents gone for good (although there is about as much chance of that happening as there is of Osama Bin Laden walking into a US military base and turning himself in)