You can get a 19" normal-aspect display from Dell for $719. It uses a standard interface (DVI or VGA) and has a better contrast ratio (350:1 vs 450:1).
No, it doesn't, but because it's from Microsoft -does- make it socially acceptable and "mainstream", if you will. Look at the latest fashion trends and pop hits on the radio...many people will bitch and moan about the lack of style there, but embrace the new fads simply because everyone else is doing it.
Thanks for saying it first. To further the music analogy, MS is pop music. It's garish, simplistic and usually lacking genuine depth but people like it because it's readily accessible. Apple works conversely by tapping the market of people (artists and geeks alike now) looking for a interface that's had a lot of thought and depth put into it. Doesn't make one or the other any better it just works for different people. I'd argue that as computer users mature with their user interfaces we'll see more of the good ideas filter down from the haute couture to the ready-to-wear as time goes on. Just like fashion.
It's just a sign of how big The Industry is that it's starting to develop cultures of users with distinct preferences. Imagine if everyone had to "wear" the win95 interface? Fuck that!
I dunno, it looks "nice" but it's not an exact copy by any stretch and the usability is probably not as good. All the interaction looks like it's divided up into highly specialized components much like oh-so-many other environments. Makes neato screenshots but does it make a useful gui?
I'm just suprised nobody decided to copy the dock, preferences app etc. I don't mean some lame-ass theme for a window manager, I mean the actual interaction and usability. Having "lifestyle apps" for linux like iTunes, iPhoto and iChat would make it more attractive to a consumer base. That's for sure.
All of the above have problems though for any DJ who plays house, pop, any form of techno/dnb/IDM/trance etc. I'd say my experience here in Toronto is that a small minority of DJ's use CD decks like the pioneer CDJ-1000. Those who do complain about their inability to get new records. You have to understand that in dance music most remixes come on vinyl and the underground releases "white labels" which often contain tracks with uncleared samples or bootleg remixes. The sorta stuff trendy clubbers and raves go nuts for.
Absolutely 0 (zero) scratch artists use digital machines. Their haptic interfaces aren't nearly as robust as vinyl. The basis of urban/electronic music is sampling. The catalog of vinyl records out there is huge and most of all they're cheap! To this day most hip-hop is produce like so: Sample a record into an Akai MPC, re-arrange and have an MC rap on top of it. Sure you could get your hot James Brown beat on a CD in some greatest hits or remastered disc but this is music from the ghetto. "Real" hip-hoppers are poor and even when they make their millions and are dripping with ice and fat chains they still use records. Vinyl is cultural. All of these new digital products definitely have their creative niches though. Ming & Fs use CDJ-1000's exclusively so they don't have to get acetate pressings of their records while they do extensive touring. Lots of people use traktor and final scratch to play their own new material that they aren't yet ready to commit to a a short run of records.
I guess my point is that even though CD/MP3/OGG/Whatever units are more economically and technologically advanced vinyl is cultural. An analogy would be between a string section in an orchestra and some of the more advanced MIDI keyboards we have today. To the untrained ear a synthesized string pad sounds the same as a performed one. But classical music is an instituition. There are professionals who've trained for decades to play their instruments. Telling them to replace their Strad with a Korg Trinton keyboard would be laughable. DJ's are no different, scratching and mixing is no less challenging. I have the unique position of being both a classical viola player AND somebody who likes to play a few records. I dunno what DJ Scene you're from but here in Toronto which is home of a very vibrant urban/electronic/dance music scene a large majority of DJs use vinyl.
When it comes down to it an x86 PC running Windows is the most usable computer at the cheapest price point with the most applications. It's as simple as that. Macs are expensive and let's not kid ourselves Linux is not easy to use. It's cheaper but not easier.. yet.
I think the problem arises in that although the OSS model works well for developing blood and guts software like kernels, webservers and databases the over-all look and feel of an OS requires monolithic control over the metaphors, semiotics and whatnot that a user has to be comfortable with to make things easy to use.
OSS tends to be highly technically progressive so much that for the casual user it's very confusing and inconsistant. If a distro was to concentrate solely on usability and not package management or utilizing the latest kernel we'd have a much more consumer friendly opensource Linux. I think OSS needs to start courting more graphic artists and designers with solid backgrounds in things like semiotics, haptics and usability in general. I hate to say it but the majority of CS majors although masters of math wouldn't know a good visual design if it bit them on the ass. The problem is that most good designers like to get paid for their work as it's argueably a unique creation. Where as implimentation of a protocol can be done by anyone with a good understanding of the fundamental concepts.
Nice concept but the lack of haptic feedback will severely limit it's usability for most people. I know personally that I operate my remote almost completely by feel. That's how most tv manufactures design their remotes.
I wouldn't blame doctors alone for over-prescribing. It's also the responsibility of the patient to finish the course of the anti-biotic treatment before dis-continuing use which is usually much after when the patient starts to feel better.
Proper use of anti-biotics helps prevents a strain from mutating by killing the entire colony. The fact is that we're seeing bacteria adapt and evolve which is very healthy in the larger biological scheme of things. The fact remains that we're all part of a larger picture and that our medical technology doesn't prevent us from playing the game of survival. We luckily have the advantage of being able to develope new technologies and techniques.
This artical is a little extreme in tone, in Canada we've been dealing with VRE, VRSA and other resistant bugs for years. It takes careful monitoring and lots of preventative public health measures in lew of new drugs but it isn't a "crisis" as the article mentions. It's just another threat from the biological world around us. Fact is that only the immunilogically comprimised and very young and old are at great risk. But they always are.
It took a while actually. I just took a series of photos of the whole area, arranged them in photoshop then took more pictures as I need them. The perspectives of course changed with each shot which made it sorta fun to arrange in a visually coherant fashion on screen.
Talking to somebody is still a distracting activity. The arguement that it's the same as talking to a passenger is flawed because the person on the phone isn't aware of the situation around you. Heck, it can be difficult just trying to talk to somebody walking in a busy place let alone driving a car!
Additionally it doesn't matter if you can get caught or not driving and talking. Fact is if you get into an accident it doesn't matter if you were using a Bluetooth or a hand-free set. If it's against the law where you are you're gonna get busted for it!
So guess what? Obey the law! It's usually in everyone's best interest.
This debate is so tired. Seriously, it's like what, 20+ years old? Video games aren't real and even the least media savvy thweebs understand that here in the 21st century.
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You can get a 19" normal-aspect display from Dell for $719. It uses a standard interface (DVI or VGA) and has a better contrast ratio (350:1 vs 450:1).
As if people using and operating p2p's are going to give up because of this. If anything they'll just force the networks to improve their protocols.
But recording off the radio could mean the end of the music industry as we know it!!
Thanks for saying it first. To further the music analogy, MS is pop music. It's garish, simplistic and usually lacking genuine depth but people like it because it's readily accessible. Apple works conversely by tapping the market of people (artists and geeks alike now) looking for a interface that's had a lot of thought and depth put into it. Doesn't make one or the other any better it just works for different people. I'd argue that as computer users mature with their user interfaces we'll see more of the good ideas filter down from the haute couture to the ready-to-wear as time goes on. Just like fashion.
It's just a sign of how big The Industry is that it's starting to develop cultures of users with distinct preferences. Imagine if everyone had to "wear" the win95 interface? Fuck that!
I dunno, it looks "nice" but it's not an exact copy by any stretch and the usability is probably not as good. All the interaction looks like it's divided up into highly specialized components much like oh-so-many other environments. Makes neato screenshots but does it make a useful gui?
I'm just suprised nobody decided to copy the dock, preferences app etc. I don't mean some lame-ass theme for a window manager, I mean the actual interaction and usability. Having "lifestyle apps" for linux like iTunes, iPhoto and iChat would make it more attractive to a consumer base. That's for sure.
Shouldn't that be "in the Phaq"?
Thank you, I'll be here all week! Tip your waitstaff...
No, your Nomad will look just as pleebian as ever and Apple will sell new iPods with more features and new avant guarde styling.
And people will buy them. That's the powerful combination of technology and fashion which Apple's more recent success is almost entirely due to.
Oh dude, I love imputor! Diagram of Suburban Chaos is great!
All of the above have problems though for any DJ who plays house, pop, any form of techno/dnb/IDM/trance etc. I'd say my experience here in Toronto is that a small minority of DJ's use CD decks like the pioneer CDJ-1000. Those who do complain about their inability to get new records. You have to understand that in dance music most remixes come on vinyl and the underground releases "white labels" which often contain tracks with uncleared samples or bootleg remixes. The sorta stuff trendy clubbers and raves go nuts for.
Absolutely 0 (zero) scratch artists use digital machines. Their haptic interfaces aren't nearly as robust as vinyl. The basis of urban/electronic music is sampling. The catalog of vinyl records out there is huge and most of all they're cheap! To this day most hip-hop is produce like so: Sample a record into an Akai MPC, re-arrange and have an MC rap on top of it. Sure you could get your hot James Brown beat on a CD in some greatest hits or remastered disc but this is music from the ghetto. "Real" hip-hoppers are poor and even when they make their millions and are dripping with ice and fat chains they still use records. Vinyl is cultural. All of these new digital products definitely have their creative niches though. Ming & Fs use CDJ-1000's exclusively so they don't have to get acetate pressings of their records while they do extensive touring. Lots of people use traktor and final scratch to play their own new material that they aren't yet ready to commit to a a short run of records.
I guess my point is that even though CD/MP3/OGG/Whatever units are more economically and technologically advanced vinyl is cultural. An analogy would be between a string section in an orchestra and some of the more advanced MIDI keyboards we have today. To the untrained ear a synthesized string pad sounds the same as a performed one. But classical music is an instituition. There are professionals who've trained for decades to play their instruments. Telling them to replace their Strad with a Korg Trinton keyboard would be laughable. DJ's are no different, scratching and mixing is no less challenging. I have the unique position of being both a classical viola player AND somebody who likes to play a few records. I dunno what DJ Scene you're from but here in Toronto which is home of a very vibrant urban/electronic/dance music scene a large majority of DJs use vinyl.
ugh.
When it comes down to it an x86 PC running Windows is the most usable computer at the cheapest price point with the most applications. It's as simple as that. Macs are expensive and let's not kid ourselves Linux is not easy to use. It's cheaper but not easier.. yet.
I think the problem arises in that although the OSS model works well for developing blood and guts software like kernels, webservers and databases the over-all look and feel of an OS requires monolithic control over the metaphors, semiotics and whatnot that a user has to be comfortable with to make things easy to use.
OSS tends to be highly technically progressive so much that for the casual user it's very confusing and inconsistant. If a distro was to concentrate solely on usability and not package management or utilizing the latest kernel we'd have a much more consumer friendly opensource Linux. I think OSS needs to start courting more graphic artists and designers with solid backgrounds in things like semiotics, haptics and usability in general. I hate to say it but the majority of CS majors although masters of math wouldn't know a good visual design if it bit them on the ass. The problem is that most good designers like to get paid for their work as it's argueably a unique creation. Where as implimentation of a protocol can be done by anyone with a good understanding of the fundamental concepts.
Nice concept but the lack of haptic feedback will severely limit it's usability for most people. I know personally that I operate my remote almost completely by feel. That's how most tv manufactures design their remotes.
I wouldn't blame doctors alone for over-prescribing. It's also the responsibility of the patient to finish the course of the anti-biotic treatment before dis-continuing use which is usually much after when the patient starts to feel better.
Proper use of anti-biotics helps prevents a strain from mutating by killing the entire colony. The fact is that we're seeing bacteria adapt and evolve which is very healthy in the larger biological scheme of things. The fact remains that we're all part of a larger picture and that our medical technology doesn't prevent us from playing the game of survival. We luckily have the advantage of being able to develope new technologies and techniques.
This artical is a little extreme in tone, in Canada we've been dealing with VRE, VRSA and other resistant bugs for years. It takes careful monitoring and lots of preventative public health measures in lew of new drugs but it isn't a "crisis" as the article mentions. It's just another threat from the biological world around us. Fact is that only the immunilogically comprimised and very young and old are at great risk. But they always are.
I'm sorry but am I the only one who thinks most case mods look really fuckin' stoopid?
Yeah, and a real graphic designer uses Photoshop.
Hey, guess what I do for a living?!
It took a while actually. I just took a series of photos of the whole area, arranged them in photoshop then took more pictures as I need them. The perspectives of course changed with each shot which made it sorta fun to arrange in a visually coherant fashion on screen.
Ok, so it's not exactly geeky but here's a collage picture I made up of my desk at home. The space works for me and the bright green walls keep me awake.
Why no, I haven't heard of "Glazewear Liquid Lip Color" or "the Moisture Therapy Hand Cream".
Oh, everybody come over to my place for Defender and make-overs!!
Talking to somebody is still a distracting activity. The arguement that it's the same as talking to a passenger is flawed because the person on the phone isn't aware of the situation around you. Heck, it can be difficult just trying to talk to somebody walking in a busy place let alone driving a car!
Additionally it doesn't matter if you can get caught or not driving and talking. Fact is if you get into an accident it doesn't matter if you were using a Bluetooth or a hand-free set. If it's against the law where you are you're gonna get busted for it!
So guess what? Obey the law! It's usually in everyone's best interest.
This debate is so tired. Seriously, it's like what, 20+ years old? Video games aren't real and even the least media savvy thweebs understand that here in the 21st century.
Hmm, there's Inkwell for OS 10.2 and the iBook and TiBook are over-due for an upgrade.
Will Apple do it too? Most importantly, will they do it better?