What else need be said? The UCITA draft is incredibly tilted towards software companies. If you read Bill Gates latest speach, you will see that he still has not given up on switching to a software rental model. AARRGGHH!!
On the other hand, if it passes Linux is going to become popular REALLY quickly.
I've found the TNT2 Ultra to be a VERY fast card for X11; and I am glad to see the GeForce being supported as well. I'll have to see if the server will also work on the Quaddro, their "professional" version.
Another nail in the analog modem's coffin; I just hope the backbones can handle the increase in high-speed traffic; and I also hope that web sites will resist the temptation to add a lot of embedded video etc.
How about Tux painting? Or even Tux painging over windows?:-)
I can just see it, Tux with a goatee, a french cap, standing before a canvas with an easel holding a paintbrush and a pallette. If anyone makes such a drawing send me a copy for AboutLinux.com...
Dave raises a number of excellent points; but I don't think the situation is quite as bad as he suggests.
The major plugins RealAudio, Flash are now available for Linux (albeit beta for Flash) and other major plugins WILL be ported to Linux - at least if their vendors/proponents want them to survive!
Just look at the Netcraft surveys, Apache OWNS the web server space; and Microsoft just took aim at its other foot - if I read the latest Win2k pricing announcement correctly, in addition to an NTAS license you need a $1995 "unlimited web client" license to run a big web site.
I've always found Apache to be an excellent web server; although you have to be careful with the configuration otherwise your server will get bogged down if you are slashdotted...
Actually I believe Apache will gain even more marketshare in server space at Microsoft's expense; one reading of the new Microsoft Windows 2000 prices is that you now also require a $1995 unlimited web client access license if you want to run a largeish web site.
The primary war seems to be between Windows 98/NT and Linux, and the secondary war is about Windows CE and embedded Linux... although for some uses the full Linux distributions can also go head to head with CE.
Actually I am VERY interested in possible embedded uses of Linux; I've spent most of the last ten years designing industrial control software....
It is about time that there is a "easy to install" version of Debian - I am looking forward to reviewing the final release of Corel's distribution, and comparing it to the latest distributions from other vendors.
I actually liked quite a bit about Debian before, but let's be honest, it is not the easiest distribution to install for newbies.
Ok, so you can super cool it, and get it running at >1Ghz; but where is the beef?
ALL of the current fast processors are crippled by a lack of memory bandwidth; all of these high multipliers and slow main memories make for great benchmarks when the code fits in the L1/L2 cache but the speed goes into the toilet when the chipset hits the screeching breaks and must talk to main memory.
I WANT LOW-LATENCY DDR PC266 OR BETTER SDRAM!
Or if RAMBUS can ever get the initial latency down, a four or eight channel RDRAM rig would rock.
This will get Linux into many more hands; you can't go to a small PC store without tripping over those cheap integrated PCChips motherboards.
I personally use a PCChips m750i dual processor motherboard with two Celeron 300A's running at 450 - makes a kick-ass Linux box (currently running Mandrake 6.1) - although I am going to put a different video card in it.
Normally a lot of small shops sell PC's without an OS, and in small print have "+100 for Windows 98" - now they can say "Comes pre-loaded with Corel Linux + WordPerfect (add Windows 98 for $100)"
I expect Linux to keep growing; don't forget about the Mexican governaments project for Linux labs in all Mexican schools - just think of all those millions of new Linux users every year!
I am convinced that 99% of politicians are totally clueless... however the article is better than a lot of other ones I've seen.
"The average computer geek is convinced that the rise of clever machines and interlinked networks is inexorably shifting power from organisations to individuals, decentralising authority and accelerating innovation."
I don't know about shifting power; but it certainly allows a pretty big soapbox for individuals; and a wider array of opinions for others to read.
Politicians will also find it more difficult to sweep the dirt under the rug; and passing idiotic legislation like that recent Uniform Copycrap Act can not totally avoid public scrunity and outcry anymore.
If the RealPlayer Jukebox put up a dialog stating what information it was going to transmit, how often, and for what purpose AND ASKED THE USERS PERMISSION at least during the install, there would be no problem.
The problem is that they are collecting user data / actions (and who knows what else) WITHOUT THE USERS PERMISSION.
As I understand it, the ABM treaty was inherited by Russia. Interesting question: Do the breakaway republics have to honor it?
A better question is, can such a system actually work? I doubt a massive launch could be stopped; but it should be possible to stop the "lone missle" scenario.
A neat solution would be to build a "Global Missile Defense" shield; that would automatically target and down ICBM's regardless of the point of origin.
The problem with a global shield is that the UN could get its knickers in a twist and decide not to allow ANY space launches.
Other problems with a missile defense - it does NOTHING to stop any of the following:
- suitcase nukes
- cruise missiles
- (surface) ship carried nukes
- car transported nukes
- bio weapons (any of the above delivery mechanisms)
Species wise, we need to get off our collective buts and stop keeping all of our eggs (humans) in one basket (earth).
(a) We are nowhere near the end of the Internet explosion; a reasonable argument can be made that we are just starting out.
(b) There is always another interesting technology / trend to jump onto [nanotech, VR, space, AI, genetics etc.]
(c) The collaborative facilities / ease of information dissemination of the Internet is likely to lead to an even greater explosion in knowledge / research
I'd agree that we (the "First World") entering a post-industrial age (Toffler's "The Third Wave" still makes decent reading) but I believe we are heading for even greater technological progress.
Nanotech has the potential to make current socio/economic problems dissapear (ref. food replicators, "factory" nano vats for consumer goods etc.) that will probably make current resource/energy limited consumption society obsolete - but it will bring its own problems: what do you do with a planet full of immortals?
I've turned down otherwise good jobs because of legal BS like this - once I spent $1500 on a lawyer when a company I was working for tried to make me sign one (right before they went belly up). And here I thought slaverly was illegal...
I want to play with a Coppermine, and see how it does against a K7 for myself. Looking at how prices have been going the K7 will be a better bang/buck, and may very well be a better bang as well.
Slashdot Mirror
Don't get me wrong; GCC is greak - but C++ Builder is an impressive way to write GUI applications quickly.
:-)
I'd immediately recompile MemTach for Linux
Best Regards,
Bill
Some possible interesting takeover targets for RedHat (some already mentioned here, some not):
There would be a lot of good possible takeover targets! This will be interesting to watch.
What else need be said? The UCITA draft is incredibly tilted towards software companies. If you read Bill Gates latest speach, you will see that he still has not given up on switching to a software rental model. AARRGGHH!!
On the other hand, if it passes Linux is going to become popular REALLY quickly.
I hope this is not a hoax; I would definitely like to play with some video editing software on my Linux box. I'm downloading...
I guess I'll have to put one of my Bt848 cards into my dual celery 450 system.
I've found the TNT2 Ultra to be a VERY fast card for X11; and I am glad to see the GeForce being supported as well. I'll have to see if the server will also work on the Quaddro, their "professional" version.
Just watch 2000; Linux will start eating away at the desktop.
Maybe all those Apple programmers will start writing for Linux... where they can get credit for the code they write?
I've played with it a bit; if you have used a CDE desktop, HP workstation, or QNX (photon) it will feel very familiar.
Another nail in the analog modem's coffin; I just hope the backbones can handle the increase in high-speed traffic; and I also hope that web sites will resist the temptation to add a lot of embedded video etc.
Industrial Light and Magic
How about Tux painting? Or even Tux painging over windows? :-)
I can just see it, Tux with a goatee, a french cap, standing before a canvas with an easel holding a paintbrush and a pallette. If anyone makes such a drawing send me a copy for AboutLinux.com...
Dave raises a number of excellent points; but I don't think the situation is quite as bad as he suggests.
The major plugins RealAudio, Flash are now available for Linux (albeit beta for Flash) and other major plugins WILL be ported to Linux - at least if their vendors/proponents want them to survive!
Just look at the Netcraft surveys, Apache OWNS the web server space; and Microsoft just took aim at its other foot - if I read the latest Win2k pricing announcement correctly, in addition to an NTAS license you need a $1995 "unlimited web client" license to run a big web site.
I've always found Apache to be an excellent web server; although you have to be careful with the configuration otherwise your server will get bogged down if you are slashdotted...
Actually I believe Apache will gain even more marketshare in server space at Microsoft's expense; one reading of the new Microsoft Windows 2000 prices is that you now also require a $1995 unlimited web client access license if you want to run a largeish web site.
The primary war seems to be between Windows 98/NT and Linux, and the secondary war is about Windows CE and embedded Linux... although for some uses the full Linux distributions can also go head to head with CE.
Actually I am VERY interested in possible embedded uses of Linux; I've spent most of the last ten years designing industrial control software....
It is about time that there is a "easy to install" version of Debian - I am looking forward to reviewing the final release of Corel's distribution, and comparing it to the latest distributions from other vendors.
I actually liked quite a bit about Debian before, but let's be honest, it is not the easiest distribution to install for newbies.
Ok, so you can super cool it, and get it running at >1Ghz; but where is the beef?
ALL of the current fast processors are crippled by a lack of memory bandwidth; all of these high multipliers and slow main memories make for great benchmarks when the code fits in the L1/L2 cache but the speed goes into the toilet when the chipset hits the screeching breaks and must talk to main memory.
I WANT LOW-LATENCY DDR PC266 OR BETTER SDRAM!
Or if RAMBUS can ever get the initial latency down, a four or eight channel RDRAM rig would rock.
This will get Linux into many more hands; you can't go to a small PC store without tripping over those cheap integrated PCChips motherboards.
I personally use a PCChips m750i dual processor motherboard with two Celeron 300A's running at 450 - makes a kick-ass Linux box (currently running Mandrake 6.1) - although I am going to put a different video card in it.
Normally a lot of small shops sell PC's without an OS, and in small print have "+100 for Windows 98" - now they can say "Comes pre-loaded with Corel Linux + WordPerfect (add Windows 98 for $100)"
I expect Linux to keep growing; don't forget about the Mexican governaments project for Linux labs in all Mexican schools - just think of all those millions of new Linux users every year!
I am convinced that 99% of politicians are totally clueless... however the article is better than a lot of other ones I've seen.
"The average computer geek is convinced that the rise of clever machines and interlinked networks is inexorably shifting power from organisations to individuals, decentralising authority and accelerating innovation."
I don't know about shifting power; but it certainly allows a pretty big soapbox for individuals; and a wider array of opinions for others to read.
Politicians will also find it more difficult to sweep the dirt under the rug; and passing idiotic legislation like that recent Uniform Copycrap Act can not totally avoid public scrunity and outcry anymore.
Ok, so they are starting *another* free software support group, and they want their names in lights.
So what?
I for one am happy that RedHat is giving MORE back to the Open Source community; if they get some free advertising out of it, good for them.
The bottom line is that they will be spending $$$ to sponsor more free software.
I always liked strategy / simulation games more than (most) arcade games.
The Linux gaming market really appears to be taking off.
If the RealPlayer Jukebox put up a dialog stating what information it was going to transmit, how often, and for what purpose AND ASKED THE USERS PERMISSION at least during the install, there would be no problem.
The problem is that they are collecting user data / actions (and who knows what else) WITHOUT THE USERS PERMISSION.
As I understand it, the ABM treaty was inherited by Russia. Interesting question: Do the breakaway republics have to honor it?
A better question is, can such a system actually work? I doubt a massive launch could be stopped; but it should be possible to stop the "lone missle" scenario.
A neat solution would be to build a "Global Missile Defense" shield; that would automatically target and down ICBM's regardless of the point of origin.
The problem with a global shield is that the UN could get its knickers in a twist and decide not to allow ANY space launches.
Other problems with a missile defense - it does NOTHING to stop any of the following:
- suitcase nukes
- cruise missiles
- (surface) ship carried nukes
- car transported nukes
- bio weapons (any of the above delivery mechanisms)
Species wise, we need to get off our collective buts and stop keeping all of our eggs (humans) in one basket (earth).
(a) We are nowhere near the end of the Internet explosion; a reasonable argument can be made that we are just starting out.
(b) There is always another interesting technology / trend to jump onto [nanotech, VR, space, AI, genetics etc.]
(c) The collaborative facilities / ease of information dissemination of the Internet is likely to lead to an even greater explosion in knowledge / research
I'd agree that we (the "First World") entering a post-industrial age (Toffler's "The Third Wave" still makes decent reading) but I believe we are heading for even greater technological progress.
Nanotech has the potential to make current socio/economic problems dissapear (ref. food replicators, "factory" nano vats for consumer goods etc.) that will probably make current resource/energy limited consumption society obsolete - but it will bring its own problems: what do you do with a planet full of immortals?
I've turned down otherwise good jobs because of legal BS like this - once I spent $1500 on a lawyer when a company I was working for tried to make me sign one (right before they went belly up). And here I thought slaverly was illegal...
I want to play with a Coppermine, and see how it does against a K7 for myself. Looking at how prices have been going the K7 will be a better bang/buck, and may very well be a better bang as well.