I myself have been an avid user of PHP for many years and I love it, but true, there are many that despise it.
Why?
Because like Mr. Radwin says(the author of this presentation), PHP is simple to use. It has quite a bit of error protection and it deals with sloppy code. The elite programmers amoung us hate this - they see people whom have not spent the last 12 years of their life learning a language but producing the same (or similar) results. PHP itself is great, and the fact that a corporation like Yahoo! has decided to use it over all the other alternatives just re-enforces that.
Taking a look at Hamish's work on the project (available at http://yoyo.its.monash.edu.au/~meddie/patches/scre enshots/) shows that the display dialog for resizing windows will also include the dimensions in milimeteres! Who cares? It's another point of confusion that a) no one cares about (when was the last time you took a ruler to determine the dimensions of your horizonal and vertical screen space in mm?) and b) another point for Linux that it's too 'complicated' for a regular user to get aquainted to. It's redundant and is simply another point of confusion.
Seriously, I'm a gamer, programmer and developer and I don't see any situation where I would require this information...so why are we intent on including it in this situation?
Additionally, viewing screenshot #4 displays the fact users can flip the monitor display upside down using a QuickRes-like implementation. This is fantastic for the Vampire population out there, but for the rest of the world it's useless. Sure, include support in XFree86 itself, but to provide this feature in a very prodominent area where users can routinely access is ridiculous. I can see it now - tech support getting thousands of calls from people who think their computer is 'broken' because the image is flipped 270 degrees. Does this really benefit anyone? I don't see any use for this readily-available feature.
Just because we have the *ability* to do it (note: I'm not against XFree86 implementing this feature, just where KDE is going to be placing the options to use it) doesn't mean we *have* to do it.
One critial factor you must realise is that most online marketing is very hit-and-miss. Banners are a definite no-no and I hope haven't even come across as an option. The purely best way to get any form of promotion online is to get featured on web sites.
Beginning with your question on Slashdot was an excellent way to initialize your marketing, but it cannot stop there. Marketing is about consistancy and recognition, one post one time isn't going to do very much for you in the long run. Attempt (if you are winning) to get featured on many popular indie band web sites and even offer a low bit rate mp3 of your music online. The group American Hi-Fi got their start on MP3.com and they are quite well recognised now.
Think of your target audience. What web sites are they likely to visit? You can look at your friends or even yourself, as long as your subject is into your brand of music. Then try to get features on those web sites. How? Try to do something out of the ordinary, maybe some accomplishment that hasn't been really done before and write to the webmasters about it. They are constantly on the prowl for a good story.
Head to your local radio stations and submit your songs for review - this is probably the single best way to get some exposure. If your songs are as good as you say they are, they might just be accepted onto the radio. After the song gains popularity, start to offer interviews on the radio and tell your story how the band got together, where you get your inspiration from, etc. This assists in growing fan dedication; they begin to feel a personal connection with your group.
Look at your list of events your city is holding. Are they outdoors? Is there a good likelihood of your target audience making an appearence at the event? Contact your city hall and volunteer to play your music live at the event. Follow up by (anonymously) suggesting to your local newspaper to do a story on your band.
What you must recognise is that this exposure isn't going to put you in the races towards MTVdom, that requires a boatload of cash and/or the right (expensive) connections. Hopefully, however, with this exposure you are indeed seen by a rep or figure of authority to put your band in a broader range of exposure.
What do you forsee as the likelihood of a subscription model adaptation for most web sites? With companies like ZDNet, Salon and many other news/article web sites falling under due to lack of money for a) bandwidth and b) writers salary, a subscription model tends to lend itself very favourably since it actually incorporates a source of income beyond advertising - which has proven to be a flop on the Internet. Do you see a subscription model taking reign over many of our favorite free sites in the future?
Listen, China is trying it's hardest to come into the modern age. Let's not insult them by saying they're still in the 200's rather than the 2000's when you say they're going to support Office 200, capice?
Your question is rather broad and lacks any specifics, but I get this feeling you're looking for information regarding web site programming, hence the "My intention is to ask about web sites this weekend". In that case:
Sitepoint
A fantastic web site dealing with everything from learning new programming languages to design ethics to search engine tips.
Cool Home Pages
Stuck? Out of ideas? Check out some other fantastic designs. "The only known cure for designers block"
PHP.net
Even though it's the languages official site, there is a wealth of information here. Every function is very well documented and you'll recieve a ton of information.
PHP Builder
Possibly the single best resource to ask your questions - but before you do that, search the forums. Chances are your question has already been asked and has a fantastic answer.
w3schools
Great resource for all things HTML, CSS and so much more. Remember CSS is your friend on the internet - print the quick reference!
And if you're looking to getting into some open source databasing:
MySQL
Once again, the developer of an open source project has a fabulous web site just rigged with useful information.
The Debian Project is pleased to announce the release of Debian GNU/Linux version 3.0. Debian GNU/Linux is a free operating system, which now supports a total of eleven processor architectures, includes KDE and GNOME desktop environments, features cryptographic software, is compatible with the FHS v2.2 and supports software developed for the LSB.
With the addition of the IA-64 (ia64), HP PA-RISC (hppa), MIPS (mips, mipsel), and S/390 (s390) architectures, Debian GNU/Linux now supports a total of eleven architectures. It now runs on computers ranging from palmtops to supercomputers, and nearly everything in between, including the latest generation of 64 bit machines.
This is the first version of Debian to feature cryptographic software integrated into the main distribution. OpenSSH and GNU Privacy Guard are included in the default installation, and strong encryption is now present in web browsers and web servers, databases, and so forth. Further integration of cryptographic software is planned for future releases.
For the first time, Debian comes with the K Desktop Environment 2.2 (KDE). The GNOME desktop environment is upgraded to version 1.4, and X itself is upgraded to the much improved XFree86 4.1. With the addition of several full-featured free graphical web browsers in the form of Mozilla, Galeon, and Konqueror, Debian's desktop offerings have radically improved.
This version of Debian supports the 2.2 and 2.4 releases of the Linux kernel. Along with better support for a greater variety of new hardware (such as USB) and significant improvements in usability and stability, the 2.4 kernel provides support for the ext3 and reiserfs journaling filesystems.
Debian GNU/Linux 3.0 features a more streamlined and polished installation, which is translated into numerous languages. The task system has been revamped and made more flexible. The debconf tool makes configuration of the system easier and more user friendly. Debian GNU/Linux can be installed from CD, or from the network and a few floppies. It can be downloaded now, and will soon be available on CD-ROM from numerous vendors.
Upgrades to Debian GNU/Linux 3.0 from earlier releases are automatically handled by the apt package management tool. As always, Debian GNU/Linux systems can be upgraded painlessly, in place, without any forced downtime. For detailed instructions about installing and upgrading Debian GNU/Linux, please see the release notes.
This is the first release of Debian that is compatible with version 2.2 of the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS). Debian GNU/Linux now also supports software developed for the Linux Standard Base (LSB), though it is not yet LSB certified.
Current Debian users may be interested to know that this release of Debian supports build dependencies, to aid in building packages from source, and apt pinning, to ease partial upgrades to our testing or unstable branch. This release of Debian features aptitude as an alternative for the venerable dselect program, which will make it easier to select packages. About four thousand new software packages were added to the distribution in Debian GNU/Linux 3.0.
Sorenson's couter sue isn't going to bring their (likely) financial woes to a miracle-like end. Counter sueing on the terms of 'hurting a business from a previous sue' doesn't usually yield any significant paybacks. Sorenson would have better used its time and money developing new codecs - possibly only for Macromedia.
North America, Europe, Austrailia and many other parts of the world all suffer from one very important factor in this new age of technology: laws. For years countries have dealt with things like murder, theft and mimes and have instilled laws to minimize the number of occurances. However, we are seeing a new age of lawlessness that is pushing our governments enact in ways which even they often feel hesitant to do.
If you went up to a judge 20 years ago and asked what the penalty was for deeplinking or replacing banner ads with your own banner ads, you'd probably get a very awkward response along the lines of "what?". The fact is, our legal system is probably one of the slowest moving forms of government (besides the post). Why? Ask your lawer. Technology has really moved up and bit us in the butt. The Dot Com boom mixed with some weird feverish demand many first world countries had to get a piece of the cake threw technology light years ahead of our court system. The result? Chaotic unlawlessness.
Take Microsoft for example (boo! hiss!). Bill Gates recently testified that locking Windows into a users computer was a safety feature. Microsoft felt it was their responsibility to protect users from things like viruses, trojans and Linux by basically etching Windows onto the hard drive platter. What was the courts reaction? "Whats a linux?". I'm not sure if it was CmdrTaco that said this or another user, but one individual compared this to a GE frige that would refuse to operate if you brought home a Black and Decker toaster oven (or destroy it at the least). Such an act by GE in a traditional market that Judges and Lawers are familiar in because they *grew up* with these commodities would make for a simple decision. However, it becomes increasingly difficult to explain to someone a monopoly over the Master Boot Record.
When the Generation X fully develops and enters the Tier 3 work force, you're going to see a change in the law system. Microsoft will be shaken out of its tree, Veri-sign will be raided by the FBI and so much more because this generation understands the medium. However until then, you're going to keep seeing things like Gator appearing and getting away with 'it' because of a general lack of understanding.
Our laws will be remade to not only apply in the real world but also in the online one as well. Generation X will most likely be the catalyst to this change because it has become an integral part of our daily lives. The books are going to be rewritten (hopefully, because a patch job often leaves more holes) and we'll see a change in the behaviours of technology aggressors, a big change, possibly the extinction of many companies known well today. It's only a matter of time.
The previous jumper who exceeded the sound barrier (Joe Kittinger) jumped from a height of 19 miles, so we're talking here 6 additional miles here.
Additionally, it is unlikely Michel Fournier will even realise when he breaks the sound barrier due to the fact he would be travelling faster than the noise he actually makes. Kittinger stated when he reached the ground that he didn't believe he actually did break the barrier and had to be assured by scientists watching the drop that he, in fact, did.
"On Friday, Russia's Ryazan nuclear sub launched Demonstrator-2 on a converted Volna SS-N-18 intercontinental ballistic missile"
Have they tried looking around the Pentagon to see if it landed there? How about the White House? NORAD perhaps? Sometimes those guys forget to take the target off the defaults you know...
Open Office is everything we *need*, and nothing we don't like the notorious paper clip. I'm actually rather amazing just how well this program was made, there are no stupid frills that even its other open source counter parts tack on (like Star Offices virtual Desktop). It's fast and you can actually run the thing without needed to upgrade the entire office to account for all the cpu cycles the program wants to eat up. It's fantastic export functions allow you to have compatibility with those who are less technically inclined and use MS Office
Slashdot Mirror
I myself have been an avid user of PHP for many years and I love it, but true, there are many that despise it.
Why?
Because like Mr. Radwin says(the author of this presentation), PHP is simple to use. It has quite a bit of error protection and it deals with sloppy code. The elite programmers amoung us hate this - they see people whom have not spent the last 12 years of their life learning a language but producing the same (or similar) results. PHP itself is great, and the fact that a corporation like Yahoo! has decided to use it over all the other alternatives just re-enforces that.
Available here
That we're trying to prove an image hasn't been tampered with by tampering with the image?
Taking a look at Hamish's work on the project (available at http://yoyo.its.monash.edu.au/~meddie/patches/scre enshots/) shows that the display dialog for resizing windows will also include the dimensions in milimeteres! Who cares? It's another point of confusion that a) no one cares about (when was the last time you took a ruler to determine the dimensions of your horizonal and vertical screen space in mm?) and b) another point for Linux that it's too 'complicated' for a regular user to get aquainted to. It's redundant and is simply another point of confusion.
Seriously, I'm a gamer, programmer and developer and I don't see any situation where I would require this information...so why are we intent on including it in this situation?
Additionally, viewing screenshot #4 displays the fact users can flip the monitor display upside down using a QuickRes-like implementation. This is fantastic for the Vampire population out there, but for the rest of the world it's useless. Sure, include support in XFree86 itself, but to provide this feature in a very prodominent area where users can routinely access is ridiculous. I can see it now - tech support getting thousands of calls from people who think their computer is 'broken' because the image is flipped 270 degrees. Does this really benefit anyone? I don't see any use for this readily-available feature.
Just because we have the *ability* to do it (note: I'm not against XFree86 implementing this feature, just where KDE is going to be placing the options to use it) doesn't mean we *have* to do it.
If you're like me, you *want* to see some pictures.
http://www.cloudbait.com/science/fireballs.html
Quite a bit of extra information is on this site as well.
More screenshots of wxEmbedded (and specifically wxDesigner) are available here:
http://www.roebling.de/sshots.html
There are images from it running under MacOS X, MacOS 9 as well as X11.
Because it's not in the KAZ article itself, pictures of the car are available here:
http://web.sfc.keio.ac.jp/~hiros/kaz/pict.html
Ever considered life as a bat? Well then you should consider forsaking your lousy eyes and getting Sonar!
If you're not familiar with what the Boston Big Dig is, you can visit:
http://www.boston.com/beyond_bigdig/ (Warning: Flash) for extensive information
or the 'official' web site at:
http://www.bigdig.com/ for more information
For us LotR addicts, a frame by frame analysis is available at:
2 _01.html
http://www.theonering.net/movie/preview/ttt_09300
Additionally there is official frame by frame footage available at Lordoftherings.net
One critial factor you must realise is that most online marketing is very hit-and-miss. Banners are a definite no-no and I hope haven't even come across as an option. The purely best way to get any form of promotion online is to get featured on web sites.
Beginning with your question on Slashdot was an excellent way to initialize your marketing, but it cannot stop there. Marketing is about consistancy and recognition, one post one time isn't going to do very much for you in the long run. Attempt (if you are winning) to get featured on many popular indie band web sites and even offer a low bit rate mp3 of your music online. The group American Hi-Fi got their start on MP3.com and they are quite well recognised now.
Think of your target audience. What web sites are they likely to visit? You can look at your friends or even yourself, as long as your subject is into your brand of music. Then try to get features on those web sites. How? Try to do something out of the ordinary, maybe some accomplishment that hasn't been really done before and write to the webmasters about it. They are constantly on the prowl for a good story.
Head to your local radio stations and submit your songs for review - this is probably the single best way to get some exposure. If your songs are as good as you say they are, they might just be accepted onto the radio. After the song gains popularity, start to offer interviews on the radio and tell your story how the band got together, where you get your inspiration from, etc. This assists in growing fan dedication; they begin to feel a personal connection with your group.
Look at your list of events your city is holding. Are they outdoors? Is there a good likelihood of your target audience making an appearence at the event? Contact your city hall and volunteer to play your music live at the event. Follow up by (anonymously) suggesting to your local newspaper to do a story on your band.
What you must recognise is that this exposure isn't going to put you in the races towards MTVdom, that requires a boatload of cash and/or the right (expensive) connections. Hopefully, however, with this exposure you are indeed seen by a rep or figure of authority to put your band in a broader range of exposure.
Hope this helps. Best of luck!
What do you forsee as the likelihood of a subscription model adaptation for most web sites? With companies like ZDNet, Salon and many other news/article web sites falling under due to lack of money for a) bandwidth and b) writers salary, a subscription model tends to lend itself very favourably since it actually incorporates a source of income beyond advertising - which has proven to be a flop on the Internet. Do you see a subscription model taking reign over many of our favorite free sites in the future?
Listen, China is trying it's hardest to come into the modern age. Let's not insult them by saying they're still in the 200's rather than the 2000's when you say they're going to support Office 200, capice?
Your question is rather broad and lacks any specifics, but I get this feeling you're looking for information regarding web site programming, hence the "My intention is to ask about web sites this weekend". In that case:
Sitepoint
A fantastic web site dealing with everything from learning new programming languages to design ethics to search engine tips.
Cool Home Pages
Stuck? Out of ideas? Check out some other fantastic designs. "The only known cure for designers block"
PHP.net
Even though it's the languages official site, there is a wealth of information here. Every function is very well documented and you'll recieve a ton of information.
PHP Builder
Possibly the single best resource to ask your questions - but before you do that, search the forums. Chances are your question has already been asked and has a fantastic answer.
w3schools
Great resource for all things HTML, CSS and so much more. Remember CSS is your friend on the internet - print the quick reference!
And if you're looking to getting into some open source databasing:
MySQL
Once again, the developer of an open source project has a fabulous web site just rigged with useful information.
(because it's getting Slashdotted like mad)
The Debian Project is pleased to announce the release of Debian GNU/Linux version 3.0. Debian GNU/Linux is a free operating system, which now supports a total of eleven processor architectures, includes KDE and GNOME desktop environments, features cryptographic software, is compatible with the FHS v2.2 and supports software developed for the LSB.
With the addition of the IA-64 (ia64), HP PA-RISC (hppa), MIPS (mips, mipsel), and S/390 (s390) architectures, Debian GNU/Linux now supports a total of eleven architectures. It now runs on computers ranging from palmtops to supercomputers, and nearly everything in between, including the latest generation of 64 bit machines.
This is the first version of Debian to feature cryptographic software integrated into the main distribution. OpenSSH and GNU Privacy Guard are included in the default installation, and strong encryption is now present in web browsers and web servers, databases, and so forth. Further integration of cryptographic software is planned for future releases.
For the first time, Debian comes with the K Desktop Environment 2.2 (KDE). The GNOME desktop environment is upgraded to version 1.4, and X itself is upgraded to the much improved XFree86 4.1. With the addition of several full-featured free graphical web browsers in the form of Mozilla, Galeon, and Konqueror, Debian's desktop offerings have radically improved.
This version of Debian supports the 2.2 and 2.4 releases of the Linux kernel. Along with better support for a greater variety of new hardware (such as USB) and significant improvements in usability and stability, the 2.4 kernel provides support for the ext3 and reiserfs journaling filesystems.
Debian GNU/Linux 3.0 features a more streamlined and polished installation, which is translated into numerous languages. The task system has been revamped and made more flexible. The debconf tool makes configuration of the system easier and more user friendly. Debian GNU/Linux can be installed from CD, or from the network and a few floppies. It can be downloaded now, and will soon be available on CD-ROM from numerous vendors.
Upgrades to Debian GNU/Linux 3.0 from earlier releases are automatically handled by the apt package management tool. As always, Debian GNU/Linux systems can be upgraded painlessly, in place, without any forced downtime. For detailed instructions about installing and upgrading Debian GNU/Linux, please see the release notes.
This is the first release of Debian that is compatible with version 2.2 of the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS). Debian GNU/Linux now also supports software developed for the Linux Standard Base (LSB), though it is not yet LSB certified.
Current Debian users may be interested to know that this release of Debian supports build dependencies, to aid in building packages from source, and apt pinning, to ease partial upgrades to our testing or unstable branch. This release of Debian features aptitude as an alternative for the venerable dselect program, which will make it easier to select packages. About four thousand new software packages were added to the distribution in Debian GNU/Linux 3.0.
Sorenson's couter sue isn't going to bring their (likely) financial woes to a miracle-like end. Counter sueing on the terms of 'hurting a business from a previous sue' doesn't usually yield any significant paybacks. Sorenson would have better used its time and money developing new codecs - possibly only for Macromedia.
I always knew advertising was for the damned
North America, Europe, Austrailia and many other parts of the world all suffer from one very important factor in this new age of technology: laws. For years countries have dealt with things like murder, theft and mimes and have instilled laws to minimize the number of occurances. However, we are seeing a new age of lawlessness that is pushing our governments enact in ways which even they often feel hesitant to do.
If you went up to a judge 20 years ago and asked what the penalty was for deeplinking or replacing banner ads with your own banner ads, you'd probably get a very awkward response along the lines of "what?". The fact is, our legal system is probably one of the slowest moving forms of government (besides the post). Why? Ask your lawer. Technology has really moved up and bit us in the butt. The Dot Com boom mixed with some weird feverish demand many first world countries had to get a piece of the cake threw technology light years ahead of our court system. The result? Chaotic unlawlessness.
Take Microsoft for example (boo! hiss!). Bill Gates recently testified that locking Windows into a users computer was a safety feature. Microsoft felt it was their responsibility to protect users from things like viruses, trojans and Linux by basically etching Windows onto the hard drive platter. What was the courts reaction? "Whats a linux?". I'm not sure if it was CmdrTaco that said this or another user, but one individual compared this to a GE frige that would refuse to operate if you brought home a Black and Decker toaster oven (or destroy it at the least). Such an act by GE in a traditional market that Judges and Lawers are familiar in because they *grew up* with these commodities would make for a simple decision. However, it becomes increasingly difficult to explain to someone a monopoly over the Master Boot Record.
When the Generation X fully develops and enters the Tier 3 work force, you're going to see a change in the law system. Microsoft will be shaken out of its tree, Veri-sign will be raided by the FBI and so much more because this generation understands the medium. However until then, you're going to keep seeing things like Gator appearing and getting away with 'it' because of a general lack of understanding.
Our laws will be remade to not only apply in the real world but also in the online one as well. Generation X will most likely be the catalyst to this change because it has become an integral part of our daily lives. The books are going to be rewritten (hopefully, because a patch job often leaves more holes) and we'll see a change in the behaviours of technology aggressors, a big change, possibly the extinction of many companies known well today. It's only a matter of time.
The previous jumper who exceeded the sound barrier (Joe Kittinger) jumped from a height of 19 miles, so we're talking here 6 additional miles here.
Additionally, it is unlikely Michel Fournier will even realise when he breaks the sound barrier due to the fact he would be travelling faster than the noise he actually makes. Kittinger stated when he reached the ground that he didn't believe he actually did break the barrier and had to be assured by scientists watching the drop that he, in fact, did.
"On Friday, Russia's Ryazan nuclear sub launched Demonstrator-2 on a converted Volna SS-N-18 intercontinental ballistic missile"
Have they tried looking around the Pentagon to see if it landed there? How about the White House? NORAD perhaps? Sometimes those guys forget to take the target off the defaults you know...
Sometimes that Bill/Borg picture just says it all
...that this article is hosted on a server which is now being brutally Slashdotted?
The most up to date security list in the world and it's free.
BugTraq
I know the Bass player died, but making a movie about it already? Geez...
Open Office is everything we *need*, and nothing we don't like the notorious paper clip. I'm actually rather amazing just how well this program was made, there are no stupid frills that even its other open source counter parts tack on (like Star Offices virtual Desktop). It's fast and you can actually run the thing without needed to upgrade the entire office to account for all the cpu cycles the program wants to eat up. It's fantastic export functions allow you to have compatibility with those who are less technically inclined and use MS Office