To clarify, the limited set of devices I was referencing include the iPod and whatever computers you are accessing iTunes from. Computers are devices, just larger than what you may have been interpreting the word to describe.
I concur and I believe you are quite forward looking and optimistic if I am reading you correctly. I believe capitalism exists for the following purpose: To most efficiently allocate limited resources to their most beneficial purpose. Capitalism uses money as the means of judging value (and no, it isn't working perfectly) and limited resources can be physical, intellectual or human.
As more resources become unlimited (or so available that for all intensive purposes limits are not required) capitalism must be replaced. I do not claim to know the successor, but it wouldn't make sense anymore.
I often wonder how far we are from this next step... I suppose a long way judging by most standards, but realistically, how many generations? We need abundant renewable energy, artificial labor for undesirable jobs, atomic and/or molecular sysnthesis of materials, etc.
Don't forget all of the jobs generated by production, assembly, service and repair, software, re-programming, debugging, selling, marketing, etc. of robots. Do you believe that computers have eliminated more jobs than they have created? That is precisely what some people were afraid of when their "efficiency" arrived.
This is VERY optimistic! First of all, most of the above statements rely on a lack of AI.
Allow me to make a list:
- Humans cannot be remotely controlled through some software security flaw and home network.
- Humans don't lock up, restart or mysteriously crash (often)
- Humans often can do what you want, not just precisely what you asked them to do
- Humans who find your p0rn collection and are later interrogated by your spouse know when to lie to save their job
- Humans can provide intelligent companionship
Of course, all of the above can be negated by AI but then you are back to losing most of your advantages above.
Although I would generally agree on the economic benefits of robots, I didn't want to let you go over the edge!
I know this may be shocking for some high-tech folks but I believe he was saying he could listen to the RADIO not to a streaming media service calling itself radio.
In other words, having iTunes does not in any way "limit" his ability to use other means of obtaining music. It merely provides the convenience of obtaining music in a user-friendly environment for use on a limited set of devices.
Or from a legal/economic perspective, which is "legally" you... i.e. - which has access to your bank accounts, credit lines, property or even which is married to your wife (although if you are religious that may become more than a legal argument)...
Despite the parent's satirical nature, this does bring up an interesting idea. If illegal drugs could be provided this way... So an addict goes to a dealer who (with probably less than perfect surgical techniques) runs a shop to implant a time-release version of crack into the addict...
The dealer could even have slightly increasing dosages released each cycle.:)
Why not use wave motion nearer the surface of the ocean? A saltier solution produced a better result anyway. Does it matter if the water flows both directions with the wave motion?
We already have some wave generators out there, so the question would be whether this is more or less efficient.
Of course with tubes tis small you'd also have to have some pretty well-filtered water or else youd get clogs in no time.
Actually, I believe 300 years is far too long an estimate... Really, think where we were 300 years ago and then apply the increasing rate of technological breakthroughs...
Tonight on CNN: Yes, the lucky Coca-Cola GPS winner was identified today as Mr. Unlucky. Coke officials report that the GPS can was purchased from a vending machine in an "adult toy store". The Coke officials tried to catch the man there but apparently missed him. They caught up to him at a neighborhood drug house where he was picking up a few hits. Unfortunately when they came to the door and yelled "You have the coke! Bring it out!" shots ensued. They retreated and followed the man to a whore house where he was apparently having an ongoing affair with a local entrpreneurial woman.
Yeah, that guy is sure lucky he was tracked down by their GPS system!
We have a 2002 Toyota Prius and we love it. We get around 43 MPG and about 500 miles on a tank of gas. The tax credit (10% of the purchase price) was great and we are working on GA legislation to enable hybrids to drive in the carpool lanes as AFVs can today.
I would recommend a Prius to anyone as Toyota is also a great company to do business with. My mother is planning to purchase a 2004 Prius which has significant improvements over the current model. My only advice against buying might be to wait for the 2004 Prius. A new hybrid engine which will be much better is expected.
Rumours also have it that there will be a Lexus SUV with the new Toyota Hybrid engine in 2005.
Actually I believe the original story stated that they didn't even keep the songs. They just clicked on them in Kazaa and listened to them. This would imply a decent speed connection, but no need for high storage.
Which do you think is worth more -- the cargo or the people?
Try to put aside the "value of life" argument for a moment and just look at it economically. The cost of developing an astronaut -- rarity, training, specialized equipment, support staff, life support systems (food, waste removal, oxygen, etc)...
I would wager the average single astronaut is "worth" more than the average satellite.
This sounds like a perfect example of a site you would expect to be filled with dead links in about 8 months. This is espescially so as it is coming from a university and is therefore likely tied to some sort of research grant which will eventually run out leaving nobody paid to maintain the database....
Having recently put some thought into this I have come to the following conclusion: There is a market for Release Date PPV movies. What I mean by this is that while some movies are worth going to the theater to see "on the big screen", many movies I am waiting for "to come out on video" simply because of the inconvenience of movie theaters.
To see a movie in a theater I must not only pay more, but deal with crowds, lines (whether or not I buy tickets online), discomfort (compared to my home), high food and drink prices, increasing amounts of paid advertising, unruly people/kids making various noise, etc. For some movies that I do not feel need a "big screen" (Star Wars does, Serendipity does not) I would gladly pay a higher price to see in the comfort of my own home a la Pay Per View (PPV).
Now, you must contend with the facts... I can have many people in my home versus a ticket each at the theater. I can tape whatever is on my TV versus the difficulty of doing so in the theater. Thus you must make the price comparatively high and install a degree of tamper-resistant (nothing is tamper-proof) technology to facilitate the transaction and discourage casual misuse.
Of course money (ticket sales) would be lost by the theaters. However, there are many movies I have never seen due to theater inconvenience. By the time it is out on video the marketing dollars generated hype has worn off and I don't care anymore. The movie companies ARE losing money on me in this case... I'm sure many of you can cite cases where you thought "I'll wait till its out on video" and then NEVER saw the movie.
To respond to some concerns folks have brought up here, currently these handsets all have the capability to block the sending of GPS data by switching to a private mode. When in that mode only e-911 services have access to the information when you dial 911.
Nextel released the i58sr and i88s handsets in November of 2002. Many vendors have provided the Java and web/desktop software nessecary to track the handsets since that time. They are probably over 20 vendors now including Actsoft, Xora, Portable Internet, GearWorks, Televigation and At Road just to name a few.
According to C|NET the phone number will be 1-888-382-1222. My initial call to the number from my home line generated a "this will soon be available..." message and referred me to the website (which is not responding).:)
But I'm sure this won't be a popular service or anything....
First let me say that I love Macs but do not currently own one. I do not consider myself biased toward either platform. My next purchase is expected to be a Mac (probably ~6 months from now).
All of the talk about benchmarks is basically noise to me. I could care less about the tests that ALL companies in this industry run. Here are some suggested benchmark tests that WOULD matter to me (an average user):
Time it takes to order the computer.
Time it takes for computer to arrive.
Time it takes to unpack and set up hardware.
Time it takes to first boot up and configure for use.
Time it takes to install standard applications (MS Office, Netscape Communicator, or Kazaa for example).
Time it takes to start up said applications on subsequent uses.
Time it takes to access removable storage devices (like CDs or DVDs) for directory listings, opening files and playing media.
Time it takes to shut down machine.
Time it takes to "restart" machine.
Time it takes to change users.
These are some basic tasks that most average users perform day to day. The configuration of the machine mentioned in step 4 should be basic, with no "options" that the average user wouldn't know to use. I have no idea who would win these tests. Now, I don't know if this is the market that Apple is going after, it's just me.
More important that speed is what I can run. Can I run my favorite games? My favorite browser? My favorite office applications? Apple does fairly well here except in the game category (at least last I checked... which as an average user was a while ago).
Slashdot Mirror
To clarify, the limited set of devices I was referencing include the iPod and whatever computers you are accessing iTunes from. Computers are devices, just larger than what you may have been interpreting the word to describe.
I concur and I believe you are quite forward looking and optimistic if I am reading you correctly. I believe capitalism exists for the following purpose: To most efficiently allocate limited resources to their most beneficial purpose. Capitalism uses money as the means of judging value (and no, it isn't working perfectly) and limited resources can be physical, intellectual or human.
As more resources become unlimited (or so available that for all intensive purposes limits are not required) capitalism must be replaced. I do not claim to know the successor, but it wouldn't make sense anymore.
I often wonder how far we are from this next step... I suppose a long way judging by most standards, but realistically, how many generations? We need abundant renewable energy, artificial labor for undesirable jobs, atomic and/or molecular sysnthesis of materials, etc.
Don't forget all of the jobs generated by production, assembly, service and repair, software, re-programming, debugging, selling, marketing, etc. of robots. Do you believe that computers have eliminated more jobs than they have created? That is precisely what some people were afraid of when their "efficiency" arrived.
This is VERY optimistic! First of all, most of the above statements rely on a lack of AI.
Allow me to make a list:
- Humans cannot be remotely controlled through some software security flaw and home network.
- Humans don't lock up, restart or mysteriously crash (often)
- Humans often can do what you want, not just precisely what you asked them to do
- Humans who find your p0rn collection and are later interrogated by your spouse know when to lie to save their job
- Humans can provide intelligent companionship
Of course, all of the above can be negated by AI but then you are back to losing most of your advantages above.
Although I would generally agree on the economic benefits of robots, I didn't want to let you go over the edge!
I know this may be shocking for some high-tech folks but I believe he was saying he could listen to the RADIO not to a streaming media service calling itself radio.
In other words, having iTunes does not in any way "limit" his ability to use other means of obtaining music. It merely provides the convenience of obtaining music in a user-friendly environment for use on a limited set of devices.
I believe he was asserting that George Orwell would be proud of the accuracy of his own predictions, not of the country's predicament.
Actually there is a good reason to click. They measure interest in the story (in part) by hits to their PR.
Definately a decent trade-up in lifestyle. What's the statute of limitations on the associated crimes?
Or from a legal/economic perspective, which is "legally" you... i.e. - which has access to your bank accounts, credit lines, property or even which is married to your wife (although if you are religious that may become more than a legal argument)...
Despite the parent's satirical nature, this does bring up an interesting idea. If illegal drugs could be provided this way... So an addict goes to a dealer who (with probably less than perfect surgical techniques) runs a shop to implant a time-release version of crack into the addict...
:)
The dealer could even have slightly increasing dosages released each cycle.
I think I'm developing a very sick mind.
Why not use wave motion nearer the surface of the ocean? A saltier solution produced a better result anyway. Does it matter if the water flows both directions with the wave motion?
We already have some wave generators out there, so the question would be whether this is more or less efficient.
Of course with tubes tis small you'd also have to have some pretty well-filtered water or else youd get clogs in no time.
Actually, I believe 300 years is far too long an estimate... Really, think where we were 300 years ago and then apply the increasing rate of technological breakthroughs...
Tonight on CNN: Yes, the lucky Coca-Cola GPS winner was identified today as Mr. Unlucky. Coke officials report that the GPS can was purchased from a vending machine in an "adult toy store". The Coke officials tried to catch the man there but apparently missed him. They caught up to him at a neighborhood drug house where he was picking up a few hits. Unfortunately when they came to the door and yelled "You have the coke! Bring it out!" shots ensued. They retreated and followed the man to a whore house where he was apparently having an ongoing affair with a local entrpreneurial woman.
Yeah, that guy is sure lucky he was tracked down by their GPS system!
We have a 2002 Toyota Prius and we love it. We get around 43 MPG and about 500 miles on a tank of gas. The tax credit (10% of the purchase price) was great and we are working on GA legislation to enable hybrids to drive in the carpool lanes as AFVs can today.
I would recommend a Prius to anyone as Toyota is also a great company to do business with. My mother is planning to purchase a 2004 Prius which has significant improvements over the current model. My only advice against buying might be to wait for the 2004 Prius. A new hybrid engine which will be much better is expected.
Rumours also have it that there will be a Lexus SUV with the new Toyota Hybrid engine in 2005.
Actually I believe the original story stated that they didn't even keep the songs. They just clicked on them in Kazaa and listened to them. This would imply a decent speed connection, but no need for high storage.
Which do you think is worth more -- the cargo or the people?
Try to put aside the "value of life" argument for a moment and just look at it economically. The cost of developing an astronaut -- rarity, training, specialized equipment, support staff, life support systems (food, waste removal, oxygen, etc)...
I would wager the average single astronaut is "worth" more than the average satellite.
This sounds like a perfect example of a site you would expect to be filled with dead links in about 8 months. This is espescially so as it is coming from a university and is therefore likely tied to some sort of research grant which will eventually run out leaving nobody paid to maintain the database....
Having recently put some thought into this I have come to the following conclusion: There is a market for Release Date PPV movies. What I mean by this is that while some movies are worth going to the theater to see "on the big screen", many movies I am waiting for "to come out on video" simply because of the inconvenience of movie theaters.
To see a movie in a theater I must not only pay more, but deal with crowds, lines (whether or not I buy tickets online), discomfort (compared to my home), high food and drink prices, increasing amounts of paid advertising, unruly people/kids making various noise, etc. For some movies that I do not feel need a "big screen" (Star Wars does, Serendipity does not) I would gladly pay a higher price to see in the comfort of my own home a la Pay Per View (PPV).
Now, you must contend with the facts... I can have many people in my home versus a ticket each at the theater. I can tape whatever is on my TV versus the difficulty of doing so in the theater. Thus you must make the price comparatively high and install a degree of tamper-resistant (nothing is tamper-proof) technology to facilitate the transaction and discourage casual misuse.
Of course money (ticket sales) would be lost by the theaters. However, there are many movies I have never seen due to theater inconvenience. By the time it is out on video the marketing dollars generated hype has worn off and I don't care anymore. The movie companies ARE losing money on me in this case... I'm sure many of you can cite cases where you thought "I'll wait till its out on video" and then NEVER saw the movie.
Thoughts?
To respond to some concerns folks have brought up here, currently these handsets all have the capability to block the sending of GPS data by switching to a private mode. When in that mode only e-911 services have access to the information when you dial 911.
Nextel released the i58sr and i88s handsets in November of 2002. Many vendors have provided the Java and web/desktop software nessecary to track the handsets since that time. They are probably over 20 vendors now including Actsoft, Xora, Portable Internet, GearWorks, Televigation and At Road just to name a few.
donottaunthappyfunball.gov?
Seriously though, we need a donotemail.gov address soon!
According to C|NET the phone number will be 1-888-382-1222. My initial call to the number from my home line generated a "this will soon be available..." message and referred me to the website (which is not responding). :)
But I'm sure this won't be a popular service or anything....
All of the talk about benchmarks is basically noise to me. I could care less about the tests that ALL companies in this industry run. Here are some suggested benchmark tests that WOULD matter to me (an average user):
- Time it takes to order the computer.
- Time it takes for computer to arrive.
- Time it takes to unpack and set up hardware.
- Time it takes to first boot up and configure for use.
- Time it takes to install standard applications (MS Office, Netscape Communicator, or Kazaa for example).
- Time it takes to start up said applications on subsequent uses.
- Time it takes to access removable storage devices (like CDs or DVDs) for directory listings, opening files and playing media.
- Time it takes to shut down machine.
- Time it takes to "restart" machine.
- Time it takes to change users.
These are some basic tasks that most average users perform day to day. The configuration of the machine mentioned in step 4 should be basic, with no "options" that the average user wouldn't know to use. I have no idea who would win these tests. Now, I don't know if this is the market that Apple is going after, it's just me.More important that speed is what I can run. Can I run my favorite games? My favorite browser? My favorite office applications? Apple does fairly well here except in the game category (at least last I checked... which as an average user was a while ago).
while(democrats == republicans) vote(libertarian);
I can't say that a great deal of people are impressed with America's past frontier and their dealings with the original inhabitants and owners.
Luckily we don't have any prior inhabitants to deal with on Mars...
OR DO WE?!?!!? MUWAHAHAHA