I think there are two driving forces behind this change:
1) Reality 2) Steve Jobs
I know what you're thinking, "Those two things don't go together!" But, wait; let's look at the past to see the future.
Reality: A few years ago, when the G5 was introduced, it wasn't too far behind Intel's clock speed. Apple was proudly showing off their dual 64-bit processors that were keeping up with the Joneses. Nothing much has evolved, however. IBM has been plagued with solving the heat issue and delivering enough units. So, no G5 laptop and no 3GHZ G5.
Enter Steve Jobs: Last year, Steve had to publicly embarrass himself to say that there would not a promised G5 @ 3GHz. As a modest concession, he did announce 2.5 GHz G5 (and recently, a 2.7). Steve does not like to be embarrassed or have his thunder stolen.
So, in a big giant, "F**k you!" to IBM and Motorola for their lackluster deliveries, Jobs bid them farewell and embraced the marketshare winner.
Apple's success with iTMS and the iPod have given them exposure to a market that has been traditionally MS oriented. This move might help put a boxed copy of MacOS X on the PC side of the house before Longhorn comes to fruit. That will definitely make Apple a few converts. Perhaps this move will do for the personal computer what standardizing the rail guage did for the rail road in the 19th century. Who knows?
Whether or not this is the right decision remains to be seen however, I think my life as a Mac tech just got more interesting.
Open standard? My ass. If MS has their way, XML will be THEIR technology and you can use it if you pay for it. At the very least, it seems that their patent licensing allows you to read their format.
Also available from the makers of "Das Keyboard" is "Das Display." It keeps you from looking at porn while trying to get work done. You'll find that you concentrate much better--mostly because you'll have to use "The Force" or some form of transcendental meditation to imagine WTF might be on your screen.
Coming soon: "Das Hard Drive" which has nothing on it also. You memory and recall could increase by 100,000,000,000-fold!* (*Results not typical. Void where prohibited. Some restrictions apply. See dealer for details).
After a little digging with a few h4x0r friends, we know your name and where you live. I'll make you a deal. If you give me the crypt key to my files, I won't tell your mom what you've been up to. If you want a new PS2 for Christmas, just ask Santa, OK?
I'll try not to veer off topic too much, but I think this is relevant given the "hype" reference.
We live in a world that is advertised much differently than it really is. We're all familiar with Steve Jobs' "reality distortion field," but I think he's just a player in a bigger game.
Everything in our culture tends to be on maximum "hype" drive. It's gotten to the point where we are suffering from a cynical consumer ennui.
Why?
I think it's because we've been over-loaded with hype and we're not buying the bull anymore and/or we are angry that products don't live up their hype.
Perhaps we're subconsciously searching for something right and perfect in a world that seems to be eroding into chaos and disorder. We are succumbing to a cynical and unfulfilled world of disillusionment as we realize that we're nothing but a market demographic to the shysters that are hyping up the things they want us to buy at inflated prices.
The difficult thing about sarcasm is that it doesn't translate well to irony (the written form). Most of us now communicate much of the time with text and irony is a subtle art that is not as easily mastered as sarcasm (which any teenager can master).
I think it would be cool if the WC3 could develop a sarcasm tag. (I think it would be tons more useful than the blink tag). This would help us create a way to translate our sarcasm.
I propose that it looks like italics except that it slants the other way (to the left). Of course, a special font class might need to be developed, but I am sure the on-line community would use it thoroughly.
If you look at my comment history, I usually get modded up for constructive or humorous posts. I'm also known for an incidental "moron" comment that tanks--usually, those are quite self-evident and do not need additional commentary as they die on the vine. But thanks for pointing out the obvious.
It seems a bit counter-intuitive if not counter-productive for you to cite your distaste for "crap" posts with an off-topic flame. While I am in agreement with your argument, I would suggest that you rethink your strategy for proselytizing your "no crap on slashdot" mantra.
[end thread. period. thanks for playing. Johnny, tell him what he's won...]
Slashdot Mirror
"Semi-People" Magazine features "50 Hottest Mutant Bachelors"... ...classic.
Those wacky humanoids.
Osama bin Laden is a celebrity? ...I guess he is on Al Jazeera
Well, look at the parent directory of the site. I think it's either a "he" or a chick who really likes drunk frat boys.
I think there are two driving forces behind this change:
1) Reality
2) Steve Jobs
I know what you're thinking, "Those two things don't go together!" But, wait; let's look at the past to see the future.
Reality: A few years ago, when the G5 was introduced, it wasn't too far behind Intel's clock speed. Apple was proudly showing off their dual 64-bit processors that were keeping up with the Joneses. Nothing much has evolved, however. IBM has been plagued with solving the heat issue and delivering enough units. So, no G5 laptop and no 3GHZ G5.
Enter Steve Jobs: Last year, Steve had to publicly embarrass himself to say that there would not a promised G5 @ 3GHz. As a modest concession, he did announce 2.5 GHz G5 (and recently, a 2.7). Steve does not like to be embarrassed or have his thunder stolen.
So, in a big giant, "F**k you!" to IBM and Motorola for their lackluster deliveries, Jobs bid them farewell and embraced the marketshare winner.
Apple's success with iTMS and the iPod have given them exposure to a market that has been traditionally MS oriented. This move might help put a boxed copy of MacOS X on the PC side of the house before Longhorn comes to fruit. That will definitely make Apple a few converts. Perhaps this move will do for the personal computer what standardizing the rail guage did for the rail road in the 19th century. Who knows?
Whether or not this is the right decision remains to be seen however, I think my life as a Mac tech just got more interesting.
My crystal ball predictions:
MS files patent on XML and then sues others for using "their" technology. Oh, wait...deja vu?
here...
here...
here...
Open standard? My ass. If MS has their way, XML will be THEIR technology and you can use it if you pay for it. At the very least, it seems that their patent licensing allows you to read their format.
Will there be a goatse.xxx? [ducks]
Looks like he's compensating for something!
Not only does your fan spin faster, so does your electric meter!
I was just about to make the same comment!!
/var/log/secure file and my firewall's dropped packet log were abnormally inactive.
I also noticed my
Maybe if we can knock down the routers in China, it will be as quiet as the skies on 9/11.
I think that quote was used earlier by Clayton Williams who was running for Texas governor:
"The weather and rape are just going to happen so you might was well sit back and enjoy it."
Mr. Williams was not elected.
*rim-shot*
You get to meet Steve Ballmer (aka Darth Monkeyboy) who will dance the forbidden dance of seduction!
If that doesn't work, you get to meet Guido and Fat Tony.
Looks like a minimalist them--the only thing on their website is a /.
Also available from the makers of "Das Keyboard" is "Das Display." It keeps you from looking at porn while trying to get work done. You'll find that you concentrate much better--mostly because you'll have to use "The Force" or some form of transcendental meditation to imagine WTF might be on your screen.
Coming soon: "Das Hard Drive" which has nothing on it also. You memory and recall could increase by 100,000,000,000-fold!* (*Results not typical. Void where prohibited. Some restrictions apply. See dealer for details).
Dear l33t h4x0r:
After a little digging with a few h4x0r friends, we know your name and where you live. I'll make you a deal. If you give me the crypt key to my files, I won't tell your mom what you've been up to. If you want a new PS2 for Christmas, just ask Santa, OK?
love,
Dad
If they ever dared to give me mod points, I'd mod this up +5 funny.
they don't have to rip off any of William's music either...
Que Music:
"Burn, Baby, Burn!" (Disco Inferno)
Now they won't need make-up for Anakin's "Burn" scene.
[-4 Poor Taste]
doh! :-)
oops...typo: that's W3C.
I'll try not to veer off topic too much, but I think this is relevant given the "hype" reference.
:-)
We live in a world that is advertised much differently than it really is. We're all familiar with Steve Jobs' "reality distortion field," but I think he's just a player in a bigger game.
Everything in our culture tends to be on maximum "hype" drive. It's gotten to the point where we are suffering from a cynical consumer ennui.
Why?
I think it's because we've been over-loaded with hype and we're not buying the bull anymore and/or we are angry that products don't live up their hype.
Perhaps we're subconsciously searching for something right and perfect in a world that seems to be eroding into chaos and disorder. We are succumbing to a cynical and unfulfilled world of disillusionment as we realize that we're nothing but a market demographic to the shysters that are hyping up the things they want us to buy at inflated prices.
That or the products just suck. You choose.
The difficult thing about sarcasm is that it doesn't translate well to irony (the written form). Most of us now communicate much of the time with text and irony is a subtle art that is not as easily mastered as sarcasm (which any teenager can master).
I think it would be cool if the WC3 could develop a sarcasm tag. (I think it would be tons more useful than the blink tag). This would help us create a way to translate our sarcasm.
I propose that it looks like italics except that it slants the other way (to the left). Of course, a special font class might need to be developed, but I am sure the on-line community would use it thoroughly.
It will be like that strange SNL skit "Bear City"--Roach City.
Oh, and maybe the Intel chips might be for a product that *is not* the Mac (i.e., the iPod?).
If you look at my comment history, I usually get modded up for constructive or humorous posts. I'm also known for an incidental "moron" comment that tanks--usually, those are quite self-evident and do not need additional commentary as they die on the vine. But thanks for pointing out the obvious.
It seems a bit counter-intuitive if not counter-productive for you to cite your distaste for "crap" posts with an off-topic flame. While I am in agreement with your argument, I would suggest that you rethink your strategy for proselytizing your "no crap on slashdot" mantra.
[end thread. period. thanks for playing. Johnny, tell him what he's won...]
damn you Anonymous Time-Travelling Coward!