Talking about politics and religion is just as "detrimental to health" as TV is, and "most of it is crap," to paraphrase the original comment.
As for the public not caring about the broadcast flag, they'll start caring when they find they can't do things they've been able to do for years and years. People, however lazy you claim them to be, will generally not buy something they feel doesn't work for them, or will return something they feel is broken. Businesses will cater to the customer if they care about getting our money.
Myself, I stopped watching TV long ago, and don't even have a cable hookup these days, thanks in part to these draconian controls, and in part to the sheer VOID that TV presents, both in content delivery and in small holes in my checking account each month. I wish I could easily get cable internet service without subscribing to the TV part, though, since the TV part won't be used.
I don't expect the broadcast flag to affect me, since I only use my TVs for video games and DVDs.
No way I'd take a plane for the usual "flyover country to coast" trip, so what makes me think I'll want to take a plane to ride 7 miles to work? And is that plane on-demand? Having to deal with airports sucks in any event, and you're asking me to deal with one EVERY DAY? No sir, I don't like it.
As much as it pains me to deplete a non-renewable resource, I like my car because I can use it at ANY time to go ANYWHERE, and it's realistic and practical. Same can't be said about any other mode of transport.
In light of reality and my own beef about air travel, your observation of increased efficiency is hereby noted but deemed irrelevant.:o)
I'm going to flat-out say that your idea of "one package to rule all Linux variants" is never going to happen. Ever.
I cite differences in libraries as a major hurdle.
This problem is sorted anyway, for the most part. If one's using a lesser-known distribuition, they'll most likely know what they're doing, and not care about having to make packages by hand.
The only time a given package becomes a problem is when it's a commercial package. It's then that you'll have to screw around with alien to get it working on Debian, or bang on it in some other way to get it to go on gentoo, and Dog help you if the package is for a specific kernel. . . This problem isn't unique to Linux. It's the same for EVERY OS.
CDMA phones can also be activated online, given the ESN. The online forms will return the subsidy lock (either an MSL or an OTKSL) as well as step-by-step instructions for entering your phone number (the MIN).
Those phones with an MSL can be reprogramed to any MIN, and can be reprovisioned to any network. Those with an OTKSL probably cannot, as the subsidy lock is one-time.
Some cell phone shops can unlock any phone in exchange for a small fee, though.:o)
Regardless of what the old Apple logo looks like, I can 1) instantly recognize it years after they stopped using it; 2) wish Apple would bring the damned thing back. The current logo just doesn't do it for me.
Then again, what makes me think Steve would give a care about someone like me? I only bought a PowerBook, after all...
As someone who spent 3yr in Charleston, I can say with authority that that's not only false, but to be able to get the DOD sticker that lets one with a vehicle into the installation, one must provide the SPs/MPs/whoever does the issuing a copy of their current proof of insurance. No insurance, no sticker.
Of course, lack of sticker can be bypassed by showing your ID to enter, but still, the cops on the installation will ask for the insurance if you're pulled over, no matter where the base is located.
I currently don't own an xbox. Once the cost of getting one used (plus mod) comes down, it may appeal to me. Definitely not for playing games, though, but I can't argue with the form factor for what I DO have in mind for it...
My whole point in voting against MS with my wallet (and many, many times -- EVERY new game I buy for the GC and PS2 is a vote against the xbox) was to make it clear that their product and their games don't appeal to me. I've been reevaluating my decision constantly ever since xbox shipped, and have yet to find a "must have" game... that killer app that makes me commit to the platform.
Truthfully, I've already found a "killer app" for the xbox: Used xbox + mod chip + new hard drive = file server/NAT box (supporting 802.1q VLAN, even!) for $300 or so that I can put next to the TV set. Ironically, MS gets no reward for this. They don't support it; why should I support them?
Crazy Taxi did it for my Dreamcast (waaaay too late in entering the DC market. I'll have to REALLY search for games now. The DC's a great machine, and I made the mistake of thinking MS spoiled it just because it had a Windows CE logo on it). Same with SSBM and the GC (and most of my GC games are the most fun games I have!). Then there's the whole 2D old-school-feeling Sonic Advance series that finally got me to buy a GBA. Namco Museum, of all things, got me onto the PlayStation platform, though GTA3 sold me a PS2. They all became products that I wanted.
I picked my battle. This xbox battle was one that I could definitely win by simply not buying a (new) xbox, and buying no (new) games. MS gets no sale, which was my whole point; MS gets no revenue from either the console or games from me, regardless of whether or not I buy a used xbox and used games from Gamestop.
The "evil" factor of MS doesn't enter into it. My decision was primarily geared toward making it known that their console and games don't appeal to me, and the other guys' products and games do.
It's not a question of morality. I don't really think about where my food or clothing comes from, or that Windows XP has more holes than my socks, but I buy the food and clothing, and use Windows because I must. Opting out of xbox was totally voluntary. Same goes for buying CDs. I know I'm still supporting those RIAA rats by using iTunes, but I buy songs because it's convenient. They have a product that I want.
I used this logic to specifically punish MS by buying a Dreamcast, a PS2, a Gamecube and a GBA. Above all, I don't want MS owning the market and flooding it with games that aren't fun.
Then again, my purchases didn't make much difference, if any... but the fact remains that MS got $0 from me, and will get $0 when I finally buy a used xbox to mod it and use as a file server.
While Meeting Maker doesn't integrate with Outhouse (an email client which, imho, needs to die), it DOES do one crucial thing: since it can run on at least Solaris and HP-UX, pure Unix users can keep track of their meetings along with Windows users.
If I was the parent of that kid, I'd probably tell CPS, "Hey... if you can parent the kid better than I can, BE MY GUEST!"
But yes, this "protect the children" crap has gotten out of hand. Since when is proper parenting -- teaching right from wrong (and correcting the child when they do wrong), teaching them how to interact with society, teaching them that they DO NOT always get their way, nor do they always win -- a crime? It's little details like this that have me truly scared to father a child. I simply don't think I'll legally be able to raise the child properly!
Sure, a swat on the ass when it's warranted is fine. Extra chores, withholding privileges, etc... I did know the difference between rude and polite, or right and wrong (although I'll be damned if I always honoured them when Mom&Dad weren't around).
Trouble is, if parents overdo it (beat you for every little wrong thing, never reward you for doing the right thing, and NEVER punish your siblings the same way), it makes for some interesting family problems. Going from personal experience, this mode of parenting didn't bring out respect for them, but led to eternal fear of the family and general estrangement.
Anyway, I'm an advocate of something in the middle, between the "OK, have a time-out" type of softie parenting and the "You're nothing but a fuck-up! You don't deserve to live!" types. Sure, spank the kid within reason, but don't let the physical punishment be a substitute for an explanation that can only be delivered via a talk.
(Somewhat back on-topic, rude people are the reason I never step into a theatre anymore. Most of these rude people are adults. That Hollywood is cranking out steaming piles of shit anymore is only helping me stay away.:o)
- would much rather have nudity in my game than violence; - have never bought a game based on how "manly" it is. Look no farther than the absence of manly sports games and violence-centric games (OK, how'd GTA3 and GTAVC get there?) to verify that - buy games because I think they'd be FUN as opposed to give the impression that I'm well-endowed (oh! That's how those GTA games got in there!)
Oh... and on the "Graphics" portion, I really have to wonder if you've ever seen a cel-shaded game (Sly Cooper, Viewtiful Joe). It doesn't have to look like meatspace in order to kick ass.
You'll have to remove my Sonic (1/2/3/S&K for Genesis) and Crash Bandicoot games from my cold, dead hands, and I've had Sonic since 1993. Things like Jak&Daxter and Ratchet&Clank are also popular with me. Hell, I just bought TETRIS for my GBA a couple months ago. Just try removing it; it won't budge....
Wait. I'm "no one!" Sorry.:o)
Similarly, very few FPS games have kept my interest. Wolf3D and DOOM are about it (Quake and Tribes are also good).
No one's forcing me to retire my old, perfectly-working equipment to play these new "infinitely better" games. Good thing, too.
It may be illegal by the letter of the law, but the citizens are most likely just ignoring it (just like folks here in the USA ignore the DMCA). All they know is that they bought the damned thing, and they're going to use it within their personal space however they want.
Just TRY and stop them, or even have half a chance of enforcing such draconian legislation.
Yes... how soon I forget that the MP3 format is patented. Shame on me.:o)
I think what I really was getting at was "free" in the "I can play it on any old device" sense than anything. I mentioned the patent/EULA issues specifically because folks would've come back with "Ehh, just use $PLAYER_FOO with Microsoft's WMP9 codec" otherwise.
I don't have -all- of that freedom with ITMS, but I have one crucial freedom (albeit in a roundabout way): I can make mp3s from the protected AAC audio and use them in any old device.
iTunes isn't free in most senses of the word, but it has delegated freedom where it counts. If I couldn't make mp3s from protected AACs, it would be in the same camp as WMP.
Slashdot Mirror
What would you consider a "satisfying life?"
Some of us feel that our time alone is satisfying enough.
It's like burying some gold, putting a big X on the ground and a sign reading "GOLD HERE" ... then not expecting gold diggers. :o)
Yes, it was OK!
:o)
I can tell you anything you wish to hear, btw...
Talking about politics and religion is just as "detrimental to health" as TV is, and "most of it is crap," to paraphrase the original comment.
As for the public not caring about the broadcast flag, they'll start caring when they find they can't do things they've been able to do for years and years. People, however lazy you claim them to be, will generally not buy something they feel doesn't work for them, or will return something they feel is broken. Businesses will cater to the customer if they care about getting our money.
Myself, I stopped watching TV long ago, and don't even have a cable hookup these days, thanks in part to these draconian controls, and in part to the sheer VOID that TV presents, both in content delivery and in small holes in my checking account each month. I wish I could easily get cable internet service without subscribing to the TV part, though, since the TV part won't be used.
I don't expect the broadcast flag to affect me, since I only use my TVs for video games and DVDs.
No way I'd take a plane for the usual "flyover country to coast" trip, so what makes me think I'll want to take a plane to ride 7 miles to work? And is that plane on-demand? Having to deal with airports sucks in any event, and you're asking me to deal with one EVERY DAY? No sir, I don't like it.
:o)
As much as it pains me to deplete a non-renewable resource, I like my car because I can use it at ANY time to go ANYWHERE, and it's realistic and practical. Same can't be said about any other mode of transport.
In light of reality and my own beef about air travel, your observation of increased efficiency is hereby noted but deemed irrelevant.
I'm going to flat-out say that your idea of "one package to rule all Linux variants" is never going to happen. Ever.
I cite differences in libraries as a major hurdle.
This problem is sorted anyway, for the most part. If one's using a lesser-known distribuition, they'll most likely know what they're doing, and not care about having to make packages by hand.
The only time a given package becomes a problem is when it's a commercial package. It's then that you'll have to screw around with alien to get it working on Debian, or bang on it in some other way to get it to go on gentoo, and Dog help you if the package is for a specific kernel. . . This problem isn't unique to Linux. It's the same for EVERY OS.
Your question is a trick, right?
No, I don't trust the government; they're still on the hook to prove I can trust them and haven't done so.
CDMA phones can also be activated online, given the ESN. The online forms will return the subsidy lock (either an MSL or an OTKSL) as well as step-by-step instructions for entering your phone number (the MIN).
:o)
Those phones with an MSL can be reprogramed to any MIN, and can be reprovisioned to any network. Those with an OTKSL probably cannot, as the subsidy lock is one-time.
Some cell phone shops can unlock any phone in exchange for a small fee, though.
Regardless of what the old Apple logo looks like, I can 1) instantly recognize it years after they stopped using it; 2) wish Apple would bring the damned thing back. The current logo just doesn't do it for me.
Then again, what makes me think Steve would give a care about someone like me? I only bought a PowerBook, after all...
As someone who spent 3yr in Charleston, I can say with authority that that's not only false, but to be able to get the DOD sticker that lets one with a vehicle into the installation, one must provide the SPs/MPs/whoever does the issuing a copy of their current proof of insurance. No insurance, no sticker.
Of course, lack of sticker can be bypassed by showing your ID to enter, but still, the cops on the installation will ask for the insurance if you're pulled over, no matter where the base is located.
I currently don't own an xbox. Once the cost of getting one used (plus mod) comes down, it may appeal to me. Definitely not for playing games, though, but I can't argue with the form factor for what I DO have in mind for it...
My whole point in voting against MS with my wallet (and many, many times -- EVERY new game I buy for the GC and PS2 is a vote against the xbox) was to make it clear that their product and their games don't appeal to me. I've been reevaluating my decision constantly ever since xbox shipped, and have yet to find a "must have" game... that killer app that makes me commit to the platform.
Truthfully, I've already found a "killer app" for the xbox: Used xbox + mod chip + new hard drive = file server/NAT box (supporting 802.1q VLAN, even!) for $300 or so that I can put next to the TV set. Ironically, MS gets no reward for this. They don't support it; why should I support them?
Crazy Taxi did it for my Dreamcast (waaaay too late in entering the DC market. I'll have to REALLY search for games now. The DC's a great machine, and I made the mistake of thinking MS spoiled it just because it had a Windows CE logo on it). Same with SSBM and the GC (and most of my GC games are the most fun games I have!). Then there's the whole 2D old-school-feeling Sonic Advance series that finally got me to buy a GBA. Namco Museum, of all things, got me onto the PlayStation platform, though GTA3 sold me a PS2. They all became products that I wanted.
I picked my battle. This xbox battle was one that I could definitely win by simply not buying a (new) xbox, and buying no (new) games. MS gets no sale, which was my whole point; MS gets no revenue from either the console or games from me, regardless of whether or not I buy a used xbox and used games from Gamestop.
The "evil" factor of MS doesn't enter into it. My decision was primarily geared toward making it known that their console and games don't appeal to me, and the other guys' products and games do.
It's not a question of morality. I don't really think about where my food or clothing comes from, or that Windows XP has more holes than my socks, but I buy the food and clothing, and use Windows because I must. Opting out of xbox was totally voluntary. Same goes for buying CDs. I know I'm still supporting those RIAA rats by using iTunes, but I buy songs because it's convenient. They have a product that I want.
I used this logic to specifically punish MS by buying a Dreamcast, a PS2, a Gamecube and a GBA. Above all, I don't want MS owning the market and flooding it with games that aren't fun.
Then again, my purchases didn't make much difference, if any... but the fact remains that MS got $0 from me, and will get $0 when I finally buy a used xbox to mod it and use as a file server.
While Meeting Maker doesn't integrate with Outhouse (an email client which, imho, needs to die), it DOES do one crucial thing: since it can run on at least Solaris and HP-UX, pure Unix users can keep track of their meetings along with Windows users.
... or at least make the burgers such that they leave the wrappers less transparent. :o)
(To be honest, if I want a burger from a fast food joint, BK wins hands-down. Their fries are nasty, though.)
Would they charge $699 for it? It'd be an interesting new revenue stream for SCO...
But yes, this "protect the children" crap has gotten out of hand. Since when is proper parenting -- teaching right from wrong (and correcting the child when they do wrong), teaching them how to interact with society, teaching them that they DO NOT always get their way, nor do they always win -- a crime? It's little details like this that have me truly scared to father a child. I simply don't think I'll legally be able to raise the child properly!
Sure, a swat on the ass when it's warranted is fine. Extra chores, withholding privileges, etc... I did know the difference between rude and polite, or right and wrong (although I'll be damned if I always honoured them when Mom&Dad weren't around).
:o)
Trouble is, if parents overdo it (beat you for every little wrong thing, never reward you for doing the right thing, and NEVER punish your siblings the same way), it makes for some interesting family problems. Going from personal experience, this mode of parenting didn't bring out respect for them, but led to eternal fear of the family and general estrangement.
Anyway, I'm an advocate of something in the middle, between the "OK, have a time-out" type of softie parenting and the "You're nothing but a fuck-up! You don't deserve to live!" types. Sure, spank the kid within reason, but don't let the physical punishment be a substitute for an explanation that can only be delivered via a talk.
(Somewhat back on-topic, rude people are the reason I never step into a theatre anymore. Most of these rude people are adults. That Hollywood is cranking out steaming piles of shit anymore is only helping me stay away.
You might be joking, but I personally:
- would much rather have nudity in my game than violence;
- have never bought a game based on how "manly" it is. Look no farther than the absence of manly sports games and violence-centric games (OK, how'd GTA3 and GTAVC get there?) to verify that
- buy games because I think they'd be FUN as opposed to give the impression that I'm well-endowed (oh! That's how those GTA games got in there!)
Oh... and on the "Graphics" portion, I really have to wonder if you've ever seen a cel-shaded game (Sly Cooper, Viewtiful Joe). It doesn't have to look like meatspace in order to kick ass.
To each his or her own, buddy.
...
:o)
You'll have to remove my Sonic (1/2/3/S&K for Genesis) and Crash Bandicoot games from my cold, dead hands, and I've had Sonic since 1993. Things like Jak&Daxter and Ratchet&Clank are also popular with me. Hell, I just bought TETRIS for my GBA a couple months ago. Just try removing it; it won't budge.
Wait. I'm "no one!" Sorry.
Similarly, very few FPS games have kept my interest. Wolf3D and DOOM are about it (Quake and Tribes are also good).
No one's forcing me to retire my old, perfectly-working equipment to play these new "infinitely better" games. Good thing, too.
I remember MTV in 1983. "Wow! Videos!"
In 1988. "Wow! Videos! And Kari on Remote Control."
In 1991. "Hrrm... some videos, but what's with all these shows?"
Then, I went to Germany for 2 years.
Watched MTV in 1994 when I got back. "Meeh... not (m)any videos. Forget it."
I haven't been back since.
It may be illegal by the letter of the law, but the citizens are most likely just ignoring it (just like folks here in the USA ignore the DMCA). All they know is that they bought the damned thing, and they're going to use it within their personal space however they want.
Just TRY and stop them, or even have half a chance of enforcing such draconian legislation.
Yes... how soon I forget that the MP3 format is patented. Shame on me. :o)
I think what I really was getting at was "free" in the "I can play it on any old device" sense than anything. I mentioned the patent/EULA issues specifically because folks would've come back with "Ehh, just use $PLAYER_FOO with Microsoft's WMP9 codec" otherwise.
I don't have -all- of that freedom with ITMS, but I have one crucial freedom (albeit in a roundabout way): I can make mp3s from the protected AAC audio and use them in any old device.
iTunes isn't free in most senses of the word, but it has delegated freedom where it counts. If I couldn't make mp3s from protected AACs, it would be in the same camp as WMP.
I'm not above accepting reasonable compromises.