No, she admitted to 'participating' on Kazaa. By default, Kazaa finds what you've got and shares it. They may find she was sharing music, but they may not find she was doing it intentionally.
" She KNOWS how to rip her files"
BFD. She had music on her computer when she got it (Wasn't it Gateway that was doing that?) and she wanted to know how to make the rest of her CDs do that too.
"I will put money on the fact that they told her to use either WMP or WinAMP"
So?
Your case is circumstantial at best, and it certainly doesn't address the issue of 'beyond a reasonable doubt'.
Anybody remember Off World Interceptor for the 3DO? I forget the purpose of the game, ya drive around on some planet and shoot stuff. It was made by Crystal Dynamics of Star Control 2 (port) fame.
They had cheesy FMV scenes that were acted and written almost as bad as any given episode of Babylon 5. But they had these two guys sitting in front of the screen a la MST3K riffing on them. Heh. That was funny!
I can't help but wonder, did they originally plan that, or did they realize the footage was so cheesy that they needed something to fix it? Either way, I enjoyed it. Too bad I had to play the game to get to those scenes.
Linux was evaluated as a desktop OS. BSD i'd like to play with for what it's good at.
Actually Linux wasn't too shabby as a web server. Didn't mind it at all for that. Now im using it because my company's built a video system with it. It's been a pain in the butt. Heh.
If I used BSD, though, it wouldn't be for any of this stuff.
Well if I limited myself that way, how would I broaden my horizons? I like being well rounded. Overly intense focus has been a nasty drawback in my career. For example, I chose late in the game to get some decent drawing experience in. I was too focused in knowing my way around the app and assuming somebody else'd be doing the design work. Ouchie.
3D peeps tend to be more in the middle whereas 2d peeps are more right brained. When you do 3D, you have to know how to do some basic math (geometry and algebra), and knowing how to script is extremely useful. When you can do all that, you feel you can venture farther out than Apple.
"Windows has been the de facto virus target, but that doesn't seem to have increased code quality..."
Are you sure about that?
Few things to think about:
1.) Everybody hates Microsoft 2.) As a result of point 1, the media likes making a BFD over every little thing. 3.) Despite the media coverage mentioned in point 2, if the code wasn't getting better, then the increase in exploits would be geometric. We wouldn't have this big worm here, we'd have 10 of them.
Perception plays a much better part of this equation than the actual numbers do.
"Actually Mr. Troll, if you want to re-implement the perfectly good iptables, then go ahead. Why you'd want to waste your time doing that is beyond me though."
Well I suppose you could take it that way, or you could read a little deeper into the meaning of my satire there.
Actually, I respect BSD. Wouldn't mind tinkering with it. I'm sticking with Windows for now, though. Maybe when Photoshop and Lightwave make their way to Linux I'll switch. Hopefully, by then, Linux will be less reliant on their damned CLI to keep the machine going. (Sorry, artists don't like remembering badly spelt commands that require accurate use of the shift key.)
Incidentally, Lightwave's network renderer has been ported to Linux. We might see a total conversion in a year or two.
" don't agree with your cynical view, but if/when that happens, people like you can turn to BSD, which by that time will be where Linux is today =) "
Actually I happen to like features. The point I was making is that Linux, with a large user base, will turn into Windows. Then the community will move to some other brand new OS because they like the benefits of what happens when it's got its little niche audience.
I fully expect that if Linux becomes a major desktop OS, it'll become the thing that's fun to hate. You're in the 'cool club' if you hate Linux.
"Because a larger userbase translates into greater driver support on part of the hardware manufacturers, which would take a huge burden off the OSS community and allow developers to focus on creating useful applications. "
And before long, you have an OS that is so feature ridden that every week there's a new obnoxious exploit.
Sure it can! All you have to do is learn how to program, read/understand the source code, and design, implement, and compile the app to do this. I'd do it for ya, but I'm more interested in writing this Quake 3 stats calculator.
"Speeding up a complex model from.5 FPS to 10 (or 100) FPS can result in big productivity gains. "
Yes, we all know that speeding up something 20x will speed up productivity. I don't remember my vid cards ever getting that big of upgrade in one generation.
... but when it was time for me to download Mandrake, the first place I looked was on Kazaa. I wasn't worried about it taking all night, but I didn't want to cause extra expense to the people providing this for free. I was disappointed I couldn't find it this way.
I also became a Robotech fan, resulting in the purchase of a number of DVDs. Technically that's not legitimate, but I would argue that because I couldn't find it on TV, finding a handful of apps on P2P wasn't necessarily that bad. Afterall, I was evaluating the series. Seems to me that in the case of series like this being released on DVD, having a few free sample episodes floating around the web would be an awesome marketing tool. There's lots of shows out there I'm curious about but I'm not about to spend $20 for a show I may or may not like.
" But if it's fast enough for me as is and looks like it'll suffice for a couple of years, I don't care about the benchmarks."
I have a similar philosophy about cards. I also do 3D work. Here's my requirements:
1.) Does it support dual monitor? (not only support it, but good desktop support as well.)
2.) Does it do decent anti-aliasing? In 3D modelling, anti-aliasing makes a huge difference. When you're building your object, this graphics mode can reveal more about how your model will look when you go to render. It's worth the hit in FPS.
3.) Does it offer enough of a boost over the card I have now? Can I spend $200 and get 2x the speed?
I used to want a professional card. However, by limiting myself a bit, I've grown to become more efficient in handling the 3D assets. I know have a more structured workflow than I would have had if I had a much much quicker machine. I'm insanely curious what a Quadro would do for me, but man I have a hard time imagining it's worth the price tag.
However, I will likely change my tune soon. All the major 3D apps are taking much more advantage of the cards, previewing more and more of what the renderer will do. Modelling is anti-aliased, lens flares show up in real time, texturing, depth of field, motion blur, you name it. I can't help but think one day I'll be buying rendering cards instead of real time 3D cards.
"Because 3D virtual reality GUIs suck unless you live in a four dimensional universe (by that I mean a universe with a proper fourth spatial dimension)."
Depends on the interface. If it's that stupid thing we saw in Jurassic Park, then I agree with you. However, a 3D interface can be made to be quite interesting. Make it as simple as moving windows in and out on the z-axis would actually be quite useful. Some windows are unnecessarily large or small. Just move them into the distance and bring what you're working on in front, and you've got a useful desktop sorting capability. If window focus is animated as well, then you have a clearer idea of what app moved up front when something requires the user's attention.
I don't think we need a doom style interface here, I agree with you there. However, it's not such an absolute thing to say that a 3D interface isn't that useful.
"Microsoft should instead be focusing completely on security, performance, interoperability, stability, and flexibility - you know, all of the things that are allowing Linux to kill Microsoft on the server side."
Dontcha think Apple would have beaten MS if what you are saying would really work?
The interface is far more important than security or stability. Here's why:
- The average home user doesn't have to worry near as much about stability, an untimely reboot rarely causes them to lose anything serious. Often times the PC is more of an entertainment tool than anything else. Though I'm not a big fan of generalizations, it is widely accepted that internet access and gaming are the main uses for most home pcs. As you mentioned, Linux is kicking MS's ass in the server market. That is, however, a market that is mission critical.
- Windows is not the unstable lump of garbage that Slashdot has made it out to be. (Well, 95/98/and ME are, however those will be extinct soon with the launch of Windows XP.) You wouldn't believe how many people rely on Windows 2000 for stability and aren't let down. Myself included. If I couldn't trust Windows (or Lightwave) with an over the weekend render, rest assured I'd be using Linux and Maya.
- The interface is what makes somebody able to use their computer. The nicer the interface (assuming it's moved in the right direction), the easier a time somebody will have using the machine. XP is a mixed bag here. In some ways, it's much easier. For example, it's much easier to tell what you've got going on drive/disc wise on your machine. Hard discs are grouped together, optical/removable drives are grouped together, network drives are grouped together, etc etc. (I'll be plenty happy when MS kills the drive letter scheme all together, but in the mean time what they've got going with XP is much easier on newbie eyes.) However, they did over-structuralize networking in Windows 2000. No idea why they did that. Hopefully Longhorn will clear that up.
"**For the Windows users that are going to inevitably say "Well my XP box never crashed and I don't have to reboot for a week! I play mad gamez and it stays good! So it's stable, you are just a open source zealot!", just shut up." Oh fuck off. You had a good point up until this little paragraph. Longhorn is a desktop OS, not a server OS. (though they may turn it into one, but that's not what we're seeing here) So the best I can assume is that you cleverly worked your anti-MS troll in here and got it modded as insightful. Hopefully somebody with a mod point will come along and have a closer look at what you said.
"Simple. By throwing it in the garbage and buying a Gamecube and a copy of Soul Calibur II. (: "
I know you meant that as funny, but you have touched on an interesting point. The more generalized the system, the less good it as at any particular game. Maybe there's other genres of games that phone will excel at?
Anyway, I appreciate the comment, it made me think more about the realities of this system. Maybe it won't be so bad? Honestly, I think that this gives more reason for multiple systems to be on the market. That would explain why lots of ppl have both PC and Console machines for gaming.
Slashdot Mirror
"She ADMITS to using Kazaa to share. "
No, she admitted to 'participating' on Kazaa. By default, Kazaa finds what you've got and shares it. They may find she was sharing music, but they may not find she was doing it intentionally.
" She KNOWS how to rip her files"
BFD. She had music on her computer when she got it (Wasn't it Gateway that was doing that?) and she wanted to know how to make the rest of her CDs do that too.
"I will put money on the fact that they told her to use either WMP or WinAMP"
So?
Your case is circumstantial at best, and it certainly doesn't address the issue of 'beyond a reasonable doubt'.
" she admits "participating" in the sharing network."
To be fair, you 'participate' by default when you install Kazaa.
... that 9 months from December, we'll see a sharp decline in the number of babies born.
Anybody remember Off World Interceptor for the 3DO? I forget the purpose of the game, ya drive around on some planet and shoot stuff. It was made by Crystal Dynamics of Star Control 2 (port) fame.
They had cheesy FMV scenes that were acted and written almost as bad as any given episode of Babylon 5. But they had these two guys sitting in front of the screen a la MST3K riffing on them. Heh. That was funny!
I can't help but wonder, did they originally plan that, or did they realize the footage was so cheesy that they needed something to fix it? Either way, I enjoyed it. Too bad I had to play the game to get to those scenes.
"The bad news is that the computer runs Linux**"
Anybody else picture a keyboard strapped to grandpa's leg?
... would be like Battlebots.
I read some good stuff bout BSD I'm curious about. heh
We're gonna get off-topic'd to hell.
" MS is trying to copy the style of Apple's OS but not the intuitive aspects of the interface. "
Bit early to be saying what MS is doing, dont'cha think? Longhorn is sched'd for a 2005 release.
Linux was evaluated as a desktop OS. BSD i'd like to play with for what it's good at.
Actually Linux wasn't too shabby as a web server. Didn't mind it at all for that. Now im using it because my company's built a video system with it. It's been a pain in the butt. Heh.
If I used BSD, though, it wouldn't be for any of this stuff.
Linux isn't mature enough. I've used it quite a bit. It sucks. Nothing left to explore there.
Well if I limited myself that way, how would I broaden my horizons? I like being well rounded. Overly intense focus has been a nasty drawback in my career. For example, I chose late in the game to get some decent drawing experience in. I was too focused in knowing my way around the app and assuming somebody else'd be doing the design work. Ouchie.
I wouldn't be tinkering with it to use for art stuff. Simply exploring a curiosity.
;)
I get along real well with computers.
Maybe in the 2D world, but not in the 3D world.
3D peeps tend to be more in the middle whereas 2d peeps are more right brained. When you do 3D, you have to know how to do some basic math (geometry and algebra), and knowing how to script is extremely useful. When you can do all that, you feel you can venture farther out than Apple.
"Windows has been the de facto virus target, but that doesn't seem to have increased code quality..."
Are you sure about that?
Few things to think about:
1.) Everybody hates Microsoft
2.) As a result of point 1, the media likes making a BFD over every little thing.
3.) Despite the media coverage mentioned in point 2, if the code wasn't getting better, then the increase in exploits would be geometric. We wouldn't have this big worm here, we'd have 10 of them.
Perception plays a much better part of this equation than the actual numbers do.
"Actually Mr. Troll, if you want to re-implement the perfectly good iptables, then go ahead. Why you'd want to waste your time doing that is beyond me though."
Well I suppose you could take it that way, or you could read a little deeper into the meaning of my satire there.
Actually, I respect BSD. Wouldn't mind tinkering with it. I'm sticking with Windows for now, though. Maybe when Photoshop and Lightwave make their way to Linux I'll switch. Hopefully, by then, Linux will be less reliant on their damned CLI to keep the machine going. (Sorry, artists don't like remembering badly spelt commands that require accurate use of the shift key.)
Incidentally, Lightwave's network renderer has been ported to Linux. We might see a total conversion in a year or two.
" don't agree with your cynical view, but if/when that happens, people like you can turn to BSD, which by that time will be where Linux is today =) "
Actually I happen to like features. The point I was making is that Linux, with a large user base, will turn into Windows. Then the community will move to some other brand new OS because they like the benefits of what happens when it's got its little niche audience.
I fully expect that if Linux becomes a major desktop OS, it'll become the thing that's fun to hate. You're in the 'cool club' if you hate Linux.
"Because a larger userbase translates into greater driver support on part of the hardware manufacturers, which would take a huge burden off the OSS community and allow developers to focus on creating useful applications. "
And before long, you have an OS that is so feature ridden that every week there's a new obnoxious exploit.
"Can Linux do this?"
Sure it can! All you have to do is learn how to program, read/understand the source code, and design, implement, and compile the app to do this.
I'd do it for ya, but I'm more interested in writing this Quake 3 stats calculator.
"Speeding up a complex model from .5 FPS to 10 (or 100) FPS can result in big productivity gains. "
Yes, we all know that speeding up something 20x will speed up productivity. I don't remember my vid cards ever getting that big of upgrade in one generation.
... but when it was time for me to download Mandrake, the first place I looked was on Kazaa. I wasn't worried about it taking all night, but I didn't want to cause extra expense to the people providing this for free. I was disappointed I couldn't find it this way.
I also became a Robotech fan, resulting in the purchase of a number of DVDs. Technically that's not legitimate, but I would argue that because I couldn't find it on TV, finding a handful of apps on P2P wasn't necessarily that bad. Afterall, I was evaluating the series. Seems to me that in the case of series like this being released on DVD, having a few free sample episodes floating around the web would be an awesome marketing tool. There's lots of shows out there I'm curious about but I'm not about to spend $20 for a show I may or may not like.
" But if it's fast enough for me as is and looks like it'll suffice for a couple of years, I don't care about the benchmarks."
I have a similar philosophy about cards. I also do 3D work. Here's my requirements:
1.) Does it support dual monitor? (not only support it, but good desktop support as well.)
2.) Does it do decent anti-aliasing? In 3D modelling, anti-aliasing makes a huge difference. When you're building your object, this graphics mode can reveal more about how your model will look when you go to render. It's worth the hit in FPS.
3.) Does it offer enough of a boost over the card I have now? Can I spend $200 and get 2x the speed?
I used to want a professional card. However, by limiting myself a bit, I've grown to become more efficient in handling the 3D assets. I know have a more structured workflow than I would have had if I had a much much quicker machine. I'm insanely curious what a Quadro would do for me, but man I have a hard time imagining it's worth the price tag.
However, I will likely change my tune soon. All the major 3D apps are taking much more advantage of the cards, previewing more and more of what the renderer will do. Modelling is anti-aliased, lens flares show up in real time, texturing, depth of field, motion blur, you name it. I can't help but think one day I'll be buying rendering cards instead of real time 3D cards.
"Because 3D virtual reality GUIs suck unless you live in a four dimensional universe (by that I mean a universe with a proper fourth spatial dimension)."
Depends on the interface. If it's that stupid thing we saw in Jurassic Park, then I agree with you. However, a 3D interface can be made to be quite interesting. Make it as simple as moving windows in and out on the z-axis would actually be quite useful. Some windows are unnecessarily large or small. Just move them into the distance and bring what you're working on in front, and you've got a useful desktop sorting capability. If window focus is animated as well, then you have a clearer idea of what app moved up front when something requires the user's attention.
I don't think we need a doom style interface here, I agree with you there. However, it's not such an absolute thing to say that a 3D interface isn't that useful.
"Microsoft should instead be focusing completely on security, performance, interoperability, stability, and flexibility - you know, all of the things that are allowing Linux to kill Microsoft on the server side."
Dontcha think Apple would have beaten MS if what you are saying would really work?
The interface is far more important than security or stability. Here's why:
- The average home user doesn't have to worry near as much about stability, an untimely reboot rarely causes them to lose anything serious. Often times the PC is more of an entertainment tool than anything else. Though I'm not a big fan of generalizations, it is widely accepted that internet access and gaming are the main uses for most home pcs. As you mentioned, Linux is kicking MS's ass in the server market. That is, however, a market that is mission critical.
- Windows is not the unstable lump of garbage that Slashdot has made it out to be. (Well, 95/98/and ME are, however those will be extinct soon with the launch of Windows XP.) You wouldn't believe how many people rely on Windows 2000 for stability and aren't let down. Myself included. If I couldn't trust Windows (or Lightwave) with an over the weekend render, rest assured I'd be using Linux and Maya.
- The interface is what makes somebody able to use their computer. The nicer the interface (assuming it's moved in the right direction), the easier a time somebody will have using the machine. XP is a mixed bag here. In some ways, it's much easier. For example, it's much easier to tell what you've got going on drive/disc wise on your machine. Hard discs are grouped together, optical/removable drives are grouped together, network drives are grouped together, etc etc. (I'll be plenty happy when MS kills the drive letter scheme all together, but in the mean time what they've got going with XP is much easier on newbie eyes.) However, they did over-structuralize networking in Windows 2000. No idea why they did that. Hopefully Longhorn will clear that up.
"**For the Windows users that are going to inevitably say "Well my XP box never crashed and I don't have to reboot for a week! I play mad gamez and it stays good! So it's stable, you are just a open source zealot!", just shut up."
Oh fuck off. You had a good point up until this little paragraph. Longhorn is a desktop OS, not a server OS. (though they may turn it into one, but that's not what we're seeing here) So the best I can assume is that you cleverly worked your anti-MS troll in here and got it modded as insightful. Hopefully somebody with a mod point will come along and have a closer look at what you said.
"Simple. By throwing it in the garbage and buying a Gamecube and a copy of Soul Calibur II. (: "
I know you meant that as funny, but you have touched on an interesting point. The more generalized the system, the less good it as at any particular game. Maybe there's other genres of games that phone will excel at?
Anyway, I appreciate the comment, it made me think more about the realities of this system. Maybe it won't be so bad? Honestly, I think that this gives more reason for multiple systems to be on the market. That would explain why lots of ppl have both PC and Console machines for gaming.