they know that their floppy drive is A:, hard drive is C:, and their network drives are L:, M:, N:, etc.
Most users have no idea what the drive letters are for.
And I think the concept is bad, especially for a network OS. The whole network "drive mapping" process has always seemed like a work-around to me. At my office it has become so tangled, with different people using different letters for the same server, that I have taken to just using the "\\" network path in my office communications. We have a few applications that need the drive mapping defined, and it is pure hell to straighten it out for all users.
A "power user" should understand the basic concepts of Unix anyway.
Somebody STILL has to write the story, no matter how many possible outcomes there are. If they are implying that the AI will actually WRITE THE STORY, and that it will make any sense at all, I'll believe it when I see it.
And anyway, if one game is "infinite", it doesn't leave much room for selling sequels, does it?
Ahh, the joy of online gaming. Everybody cheats, and if you don't cheat you can't win. This is one of the reasons why when I want to play "multiplayer", I just play boardgames. There is significant incentive NOT to cheat at our old-fashioned face-to-face gaming club (see slightly informative website) - if you're a known cheater, nobody will play with you anymore.
I'm also a big fan of Google News. Another thing about Google I like is the fact that you can input your search term once and then run it through all the tabs (Web, Images, Groups, Directory, News). Saves time and finds you some interesting unexpected results.
No, it didn't. Two fleets of identical ships face off, and they are built so that it takes a full volley of fire from two ships to destroy one. Suppose there are 100 ships in each fleet. What is the deciding factor in the outcome of the battle?
Answer: who shoots first, wins.
It's just a matter of game design. Look at Star Fleet Battles, the naturally "turn-based" boardgame. Fire is considered simultaneous in this game, so the problem doesn't exist. Why can't something like this be implemented in a program?
In fact, I've always been shocked at how bad the "tactical combat" segment is in most Conquer-The-Universe computer games. SFB and many other fine tabletop designs have been around for years.
Re:Chemistry is fun-damental
on
Uncle Tungsten
·
· Score: 1
Quite true, and through the ages Chemistry has been a respected as well as supremely practical science. It is only in the last few decades that the word "chemical" has come with evil connotations. This is of course due to the acts of greedy and careless corporations.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry when some tree-hugger offers me an "herbal remedy" that's free of those nasty "chemicals". I try to explain that the herbs are chock FULL of chemicals, and I'd like to know what they ARE before I eat them...but they just don't understand.
I am very excited by the chance to purchase a new Segway Human Transporter. While I understand that the Segway is the most important invention in the history of mankind, I feel that it could use a few improvements:
-I don't feel like standing up while I travel. Segway needs a seat.
-I can't picture myself leaning around to control Segway, especially when sitting down. Add two more wheels and a better control system. Maybe a steering wheel and a couple of foot pedals will do.
-I'm certainly not going to ride around in the open air, especially in bad
weather. Add a roof, a heater, and an air conditioner.
-17 miles an hour? Two hours of operation? Sorry, I have places to go. Add a nice 6-cylinder engine.
-Where am I supposed to put my groceries? Add a trunk. And a back seat. I have a family, you know!
Add all this, and maybe a 4-speaker CD system, and I think you'll have a
winner!
I read "The Age of Spiritual Machines" last year and found it interesting, but Kurzweil seems to miss a few important points. Mainly, he makes the assumption that if an entire human consciousness where transferred to an electronic system, the transferee would hardly notice. I think I would.
Oliver Sacks' "A Leg to Stand On" illustrates how great an effect the loss of a single limb can have on the psyche of the victim. What would be the effect of the loss of the entire body? Kurzweil makes no mention of it.
I don't know about Ray Kurzweil, but I sometimes pay attention to parts of my body that are below my ears.
The ones who have the most to fear are gamers, not casual office workers.
Microsoft's strategy is to corner the gaming-hardware market. If the X-box becomes the only console available, we will see the end of "Direct X" on the PC. Windows will be rigged to choke on anything but the most rudimentary game software. Anyone who wants to play a game will be forced to buy an X-box.
"Just because it was required in our form of life doesn't mean that there aren't silicon-based life forms out there,"
I believe that if there is a possibility for "silicon-based life forms" they would have arisen on Earth, where there is much much more silicon than carbon.
Why is it also a high-noise experiment such as influencing a random number generator or die rolls? Why not just demonstrate moving a fleck of dust 1 micrometer by mental force alone? Why not? Because it can't be done.
Slashdot Mirror
Most users have no idea what the drive letters are for.
And I think the concept is bad, especially for a network OS. The whole network "drive mapping" process has always seemed like a work-around to me. At my office it has become so tangled, with different people using different letters for the same server, that I have taken to just using the "\\" network path in my office communications. We have a few applications that need the drive mapping defined, and it is pure hell to straighten it out for all users.
A "power user" should understand the basic concepts of Unix anyway.
So now we can finally have those annoying singing cereal boxes just like in the movie.
And anyway, if one game is "infinite", it doesn't leave much room for selling sequels, does it?
Yes, I would love to connect my digital wireless ethernet guitar to my tube amp.
Ahh, the joy of online gaming. Everybody cheats, and if you don't cheat you can't win. This is one of the reasons why when I want to play "multiplayer", I just play boardgames. There is significant incentive NOT to cheat at our old-fashioned face-to-face gaming club (see slightly informative website) - if you're a known cheater, nobody will play with you anymore.
Oops.
I'm also a big fan of Google News. Another thing about Google I like is the fact that you can input your search term once and then run it through all the tabs (Web, Images, Groups, Directory, News). Saves time and finds you some interesting unexpected results.
It's just a matter of game design. Look at Star Fleet Battles, the naturally "turn-based" boardgame. Fire is considered simultaneous in this game, so the problem doesn't exist. Why can't something like this be implemented in a program?
In fact, I've always been shocked at how bad the "tactical combat" segment is in most Conquer-The-Universe computer games. SFB and many other fine tabletop designs have been around for years.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry when some tree-hugger offers me an "herbal remedy" that's free of those nasty "chemicals". I try to explain that the herbs are chock FULL of chemicals, and I'd like to know what they ARE before I eat them...but they just don't understand.
Hopefully it would mean FLASH is DEAD instead...I do so hate waiting for those things to load.
I am very excited by the chance to purchase a new Segway Human Transporter. While I understand that the Segway is the most important invention in the history of mankind, I feel that it could use a few improvements:
-I don't feel like standing up while I travel. Segway needs a seat.
-I can't picture myself leaning around to control Segway, especially when sitting down. Add two more wheels and a better control system. Maybe a steering wheel and a couple of foot pedals will do.
-I'm certainly not going to ride around in the open air, especially in bad weather. Add a roof, a heater, and an air conditioner.
-17 miles an hour? Two hours of operation? Sorry, I have places to go. Add a nice 6-cylinder engine.
-Where am I supposed to put my groceries? Add a trunk. And a back seat. I have a family, you know!
Add all this, and maybe a 4-speaker CD system, and I think you'll have a winner!
I won't, since it's not even a hydrogen/oxygen rocket. Anyway, considering the scale I think the environmental impact will be negligible.
That's right - IE is included "Free" with your $299 licence for Windows XP.
Push him down an up escalator and the program will never stop running.
Oliver Sacks' "A Leg to Stand On" illustrates how great an effect the loss of a single limb can have on the psyche of the victim. What would be the effect of the loss of the entire body? Kurzweil makes no mention of it.
I don't know about Ray Kurzweil, but I sometimes pay attention to parts of my body that are below my ears.
Microsoft's strategy is to corner the gaming-hardware market. If the X-box becomes the only console available, we will see the end of "Direct X" on the PC. Windows will be rigged to choke on anything but the most rudimentary game software. Anyone who wants to play a game will be forced to buy an X-box.
It probably cost the Wright brothers about twenty bucks.
I believe that if there is a possibility for "silicon-based life forms" they would have arisen on Earth, where there is much much more silicon than carbon.
Can we do Cold Fusion with Ununoctium?
Basically what we're talking about is a flat-screen monitor that displays a picture of what's behind it, right? It seems they're ignoring perspective.
It could be soon, if the creators of The Jetsons were right...
Absolutely - you don't want those damned aliens pirating his work, do you?
It would be ironic. After all, one of the reasons Mammoths are extinct is because early humans ate them.
I knew you were gonna post this...
Why is it also a high-noise experiment such as influencing a random number generator or die rolls? Why not just demonstrate moving a fleck of dust 1 micrometer by mental force alone? Why not? Because it can't be done.