"What about CD-RW? Practically every computer can read them and most can write them too. The discs are very cheap and you can find great deals on drives too."
I used to have CDRW's that were roughly the size of PSP/GameCube discs. They were GREAT for toting drivers etc around to other computers. My job doesn't really have that requirement anymore, but if it did, I'd probably still use them for one simple reason: USB ports tend to be located on the BACK of computers. In a lot of cases, it's easier just to pop the disc in.
"I don't understand this response at all. The original article examined a process, saw something that was suboptimal, and suggested an improvement. And that's considered criticizing the US?"
Uh, did you even READ the bit that Slashdot posted?
"So why was it ignored? Graphic designer Greg Storey thinks part of the reason is poor design."
The implication that the gov't ignored a dangerous warning because the formatting of the doc wasn't pretty doesn't sound like a Dilbertian caricature of the US gov't?
Maybe you should spend some time meta-moderating. It'll give you a clearer view of what I'm talking about, here. Lots of mod-points are spent every day supporting popular opinion, and typically that opinion involves criticizing the US. But, gee, by some strange coincidence, despite the random sampling of posts you see with meta-moderation, criticisms of other gov'ts just don't make their way in there. (Funny, I'd expect Tony Blair to be more popular, there.)
I sent a message to a friend of mine in another aisle asking if he wanted to get a pizza. An orbitting supervisor saw the message pop up. Before long I was in his office 'explaining myself'.
Not a very interesting story, but the very next day I bought the first of my comprehensive Dilbert collection.
Ermm.. When you combine a Slashdotter, a woman that a Slashdotter could attract, and 'rejected photos' into a post... Ugh, I can't finish this sentence.
"I borg (install SETI@home) on very box I can lay my hands on, and I guess the total value of all those machines is weel into the hundreds of thousands of dollars."
Careful! There was a story here a few years back about a guy who installed SETI on a network. He was then billed for all the run-time SETI used. The owners of the network used math a lot like yours to arrive at an outrageous number.
My advice? Watch your ass. I was nearly fired from a job once simply because I sent a text message over the network.
The basic gist of the article is "They don't use more than they really need". Unfortunately, this is not a complete answer.
A company I used to work for discussed using some of their technology with Nasa. One of the things they told us was that they preferred processors a two or three years old because they were afraid of random bit-flippings caused by radiation etc.
(Sadly, I wasn't in on this whole conversation, so I doubt I can effectively answer some of the questions that arise. For example, I'm not sure why the processors had to be a couple of years old. I assume it had to do with shielding or something, but I really don't know. If anybody has insight on this topic, I'd really really like to be enlightened.)
Slashdot Mirror
"What about CD-RW? Practically every computer can read them and most can write them too. The discs are very cheap and you can find great deals on drives too."
I used to have CDRW's that were roughly the size of PSP/GameCube discs. They were GREAT for toting drivers etc around to other computers. My job doesn't really have that requirement anymore, but if it did, I'd probably still use them for one simple reason: USB ports tend to be located on the BACK of computers. In a lot of cases, it's easier just to pop the disc in.
"OSX only runs on Apple hardware. So I would assume the issue is not an OS problem, but that of a hardware issue."
I wouldn't assume that without trying Linux on it.
"The iPod shuffle 1 GB is more expensive then every 1 GB drive reviewed."
More useful, though. I have limited use for a 1 gig stick. A few more bucks and I get a music player... well in some cases that can turn the tide.
"... is conspicuously missing. Why? It's an excellent and reasonably fast 512MB/1GB storage device which also happens to double as an mp3 player."
Does the iPod shuffle need to have a battery to act as a drive?
Does using the iPod shuffle as a drive interfere with music storage on it?
(I'm just fishing for answers here, I don't know.)
"4. Piss me off for wasting my time. I even wasted my time typing this up, I'm sure some "people have a right to profit" dude will mod me down."
You should be modded down for raising a stink that nobody should give a flying fuck about.
"I don't understand this response at all. The original article examined a process, saw something that was suboptimal, and suggested an improvement. And that's considered criticizing the US?"
Uh, did you even READ the bit that Slashdot posted?
"So why was it ignored? Graphic designer Greg Storey thinks part of the reason is poor design."
The implication that the gov't ignored a dangerous warning because the formatting of the doc wasn't pretty doesn't sound like a Dilbertian caricature of the US gov't?
Maybe you should spend some time meta-moderating. It'll give you a clearer view of what I'm talking about, here. Lots of mod-points are spent every day supporting popular opinion, and typically that opinion involves criticizing the US. But, gee, by some strange coincidence, despite the random sampling of posts you see with meta-moderation, criticisms of other gov'ts just don't make their way in there. (Funny, I'd expect Tony Blair to be more popular, there.)
I hate Bush, mod me up.
"I fail to see how this has anything to do with Slashdot."
It's fashionable on Slashdot these days to criticize the US. I'd say more but I fear mod retaliation.
"sounds fascinating doesn't it.."
I thought Mr. Spock couldn't use contractions!
I sent a message to a friend of mine in another aisle asking if he wanted to get a pizza. An orbitting supervisor saw the message pop up. Before long I was in his office 'explaining myself'.
Not a very interesting story, but the very next day I bought the first of my comprehensive Dilbert collection.
Once I borrowed my boss's laser cannon and vandalized the moon! I won't tell you what CHA stands for, though...
" Sadly, they(the photos) were rejected,"
Ermm.. When you combine a Slashdotter, a woman that a Slashdotter could attract, and 'rejected photos' into a post... Ugh, I can't finish this sentence.
"I borg (install SETI@home) on very box I can lay my hands on, and I guess the total value of all those machines is weel into the hundreds of thousands of dollars."
Careful! There was a story here a few years back about a guy who installed SETI on a network. He was then billed for all the run-time SETI used. The owners of the network used math a lot like yours to arrive at an outrageous number.
My advice? Watch your ass. I was nearly fired from a job once simply because I sent a text message over the network.
"I once borrowed my boss's secretary!"
"... I asked her for an updated phone list."
The basic gist of the article is "They don't use more than they really need". Unfortunately, this is not a complete answer.
A company I used to work for discussed using some of their technology with Nasa. One of the things they told us was that they preferred processors a two or three years old because they were afraid of random bit-flippings caused by radiation etc.
(Sadly, I wasn't in on this whole conversation, so I doubt I can effectively answer some of the questions that arise. For example, I'm not sure why the processors had to be a couple of years old. I assume it had to do with shielding or something, but I really don't know. If anybody has insight on this topic, I'd really really like to be enlightened.)
"there's no need for difficult maneuver like one has to execute in a X-Wing." ...at least until space battles become a reality.
"Sure, but try synching that inbox to your PDA. I will be first in line for the windows CE phones with 2 gig HDs."
Err, you don't need to have your PDA sync with your WHOLE 2 gigs of data.
But, on the odd odd odd chance you did, you've got a couple of things going for you:
1.) You can set up Outlook to download from GMail via pop3, then sync.
2.) You can hit GMail's site from the PDA's browser and get at what you need.
From a "using multiple computers point of view", GMail is a life saver.
"Microsoft: proudly stealing Apple's ideas since Windows 1.0"
Actually, Apple really can't cast any stones about that.
Hehe.
I'm actually shocked that made it to +5. I thought it was a little too obscure!
"or ask them to right-click.. ive never met a female who could master that one...."
Oh yeah, we aaaaaaallllll believe your range of experience is all encompassing.
Gee, there's a verbal reach-around for the mods.
"The beef I have with spyware is that it's never given me a choice..."
"Mr. Bond, we didn't invite you here!"
Well, that story had all the right buzzwords to get the pitchforks wavin!
"I've already downloaded it and used it to recompile Firefox and I must say that gf@fd@k3nl&
NO CARRIER"
So... what.. did you have FireFox open while trying to compile it?
"It may not be an mp3 player, but it is a storage device which is shaped like a fish:"
Err.. Um. Why do I have a feeling that the target audience of these things is people that like to cause bitter-beer-faces at the office?
"Unfortunately insiders acknowledged that it would be impossible to bring Michael Jackson's mucis back from the dead."
I wonder how many bitter-beer-faces that little typo caused.