1. I'm pretty sure that over the years Torvalds has become somewhat proficient in the use of GUIs, which is sufficient experience to come to an informed opinion about what's good or bad about their use;
I'm pretty sure that over the years Hawking has become proficient in the use of rooms, which is sufficient experience to come to an informed opinion of what's good or bad about their style.
2. I'm pretty sure that Torvalds knows how to think through the long term implications of design philosophies, such as whether to put rubber blades on the swiss army knife so users won't cut themselves;
I'm pretty sure Hawking knows how to think through the long term implications of decorating philosophies, such as whether to put lighter tones around recessed lighting so that shadows are balanced.
3. I'm quite certain that somewhere along the way, Torvalds has learned to avoid stirring up unnecessary controversies since he seems to limit himself to only one or two a year;
Hawking also has stirred up very little controversy, given his advanced take on physics. I don't understand what that has to do with his competency in interior decorating.
4. Yet despite that last point, he said this not only once, but twice, in a forum where it really counts.
(because all the world leaders are reading the "desktop architects" mailing list). Wow. Must be important that we all switch to KDE.
Were you trying to refute the parent post? The poster has a valid point - Linus Torvalds is not a usablilty expert any more than Steven Hawking is an interior designer.
Linus Torvalds is a brilliant man, but he has also been known to be opinionated, and to occasionally say things that stir people up. See the legendary Tanenbaum vs. Torvalds thread. (Please don't say Linus was correct in that exchange - it's really irrelevant. I mention it only as an example of Linus showing his opinionated engineer self.) However, Linus has learned over the years when to shut up, which is why you will noticed he only sent a few messages to that thread and then you stop seeing messages from him.
I really don't know why people try to cannonize Linus. He's just a guy.
Everybody knows you can't use version number over 9. Why do you think Apple went to "X" and are holding it there? At the same time, point releases are so 1990 - Look at how Sun abandoned them entirely by dropping the "2" from "2.7". Microsoft, on the other hand, decided that people don't like numbers, so have thrown them out entirely.
Redhat got up to 9, and had to reset the counter with Fedora Core. The next step is to build your version numbers up again (since point releases are passe). Mark my words - once it hits Fedora Core 9, they will rename it to "Fedora NG R1" or something silly like that.
If enough people bypass these phone systems, maybe the big companies will finally get a clue and start providing real customer service again..."
Unfortunately it is not quite that simple. I work as tech support on IVR products, and I can tell you that what this is suggesting is really just an arms race. The big companies are more than anxious to get you out of the IVR and to a real person if that's what you need. They are simply trying to avoid wasting valuable human resources as switchboard operators and dumb terminals. The problem is that, as any emerging technology, the wrinkles are still getting ironed out.
I am perfectly aware that IVRs are not new technology, but the more advanced CTI along with TTS and ASR capabilities that are growing up are making it so that it should actually be easier to get the action or info that we need more quickly. As this matures although these companies do track "0-outs" and abandons as metrics of the success of their IVR systems, they are also tracking full callflow, and they are certainly willing to listen to suggestions or even all-out complaints if they can use the data to improve service, reduce wait times (think "trunk") and more effectively use their people.
Not only do they get the ability to knock the shit out of Microsoft, by taking away the base platform from them, they also get to try to get some market share from VMWare.
Have you looked at the instructions to run something with XEN? I don't think this is a threat to VMware, in fact it is probably good for them because they can use it and it will make their product look better (better performance, better integration) and they can continue to sell an application to configure the virtualization system.
Additionally, Windows Messenger supports SIP and MSN, whereas MSN Messenger only supports MSN. I use Windows Messenger so that I can talk on both our company's SIP service, and to the rest of the world.
I think what he is saying is that the current crop of video cards have a much more powerful 3D engine than they do 2D engine. You can perform 2D operations with the 3D engine and they are executed faster than they would be if they were performed with the 2D engine.
The power of the WordPerfect 5 file browser!
on
10 Computer Mishaps
·
· Score: 1
In my newb-ish days my dad bought me a used computer for university. It had WordPerfect 5.1, which I used to type up all my essays. Being that it was a used computer, it had some file left over from the previous user. One whn I was saving a file in WordPerfect i noticed that there was a great number of files that I had not created. I tried to open them to see what they were, but they were all gibberish and random non-latin characters. I figured that the files must have been left behind by the previous user. No problem - the WordPerfect file browser allows you to delete files! (This is the same WordPerfect file browser that saves files in the WP directory by default - I expect I am not the only newb to do this...)
Since the computer did not come with the WordPerfect diskettes, I learned quite a bit more about in computers in the process of figuring out how I was going to write my essays now that WordPerfect was hosed.
Even if it doesn't move, flash, etc. - it is taking up some of my 1310720 precious pixels. I have already maxed out my desktop (i.e. wooden desktop) space, and even if I could afford more pixels I'm not sure I have the physical space for a larger monitor.
This makes me scroll more, and have to shuffle windows more, which makes me less effeficient. Maybe I should send Doubleclick a bill?
Slashdot Mirror
touché
1. I'm pretty sure that over the years Torvalds has become somewhat proficient in the use of GUIs, which is sufficient experience to come to an informed opinion about what's good or bad about their use;
I'm pretty sure that over the years Hawking has become proficient in the use of rooms, which is sufficient experience to come to an informed opinion of what's good or bad about their style.
2. I'm pretty sure that Torvalds knows how to think through the long term implications of design philosophies, such as whether to put rubber blades on the swiss army knife so users won't cut themselves;
I'm pretty sure Hawking knows how to think through the long term implications of decorating philosophies, such as whether to put lighter tones around recessed lighting so that shadows are balanced.
3. I'm quite certain that somewhere along the way, Torvalds has learned to avoid stirring up unnecessary controversies since he seems to limit himself to only one or two a year;
Hawking also has stirred up very little controversy, given his advanced take on physics. I don't understand what that has to do with his competency in interior decorating.
4. Yet despite that last point, he said this not only once, but twice, in a forum where it really counts.
(because all the world leaders are reading the "desktop architects" mailing list). Wow. Must be important that we all switch to KDE.
Were you trying to refute the parent post? The poster has a valid point - Linus Torvalds is not a usablilty expert any more than Steven Hawking is an interior designer.
Linus Torvalds is a brilliant man, but he has also been known to be opinionated, and to occasionally say things that stir people up. See the legendary Tanenbaum vs. Torvalds thread. (Please don't say Linus was correct in that exchange - it's really irrelevant. I mention it only as an example of Linus showing his opinionated engineer self.) However, Linus has learned over the years when to shut up, which is why you will noticed he only sent a few messages to that thread and then you stop seeing messages from him.
I really don't know why people try to cannonize Linus. He's just a guy.
Taco, you're no gamer, stop pretending you are to look cool.
'Cause gamers are cool! Ask any girl!
From TFA:
This edition is the third generation, which comes in a much more attractive stand up form factor than two previous editions.
Does that help?
I'm not addicted. I can quit anytime I want.
But not right now. Let me finish this post. Ooh, and I've got messages - gotta check those! Must... not... metamoderate...
Damn you, Slashdot! You are like crack!!!
I'm leaving. Now. Really. I'm all done with this post.
After this. All done. No more to this post. Logging off. Really this time.
*sigh*
Everybody knows you can't use version number over 9. Why do you think Apple went to "X" and are holding it there? At the same time, point releases are so 1990 - Look at how Sun abandoned them entirely by dropping the "2" from "2.7". Microsoft, on the other hand, decided that people don't like numbers, so have thrown them out entirely.
Redhat got up to 9, and had to reset the counter with Fedora Core. The next step is to build your version numbers up again (since point releases are passe). Mark my words - once it hits Fedora Core 9, they will rename it to "Fedora NG R1" or something silly like that.
If enough people bypass these phone systems, maybe the big companies will finally get a clue and start providing real customer service again..."
Unfortunately it is not quite that simple. I work as tech support on IVR products, and I can tell you that what this is suggesting is really just an arms race. The big companies are more than anxious to get you out of the IVR and to a real person if that's what you need. They are simply trying to avoid wasting valuable human resources as switchboard operators and dumb terminals. The problem is that, as any emerging technology, the wrinkles are still getting ironed out.
I am perfectly aware that IVRs are not new technology, but the more advanced CTI along with TTS and ASR capabilities that are growing up are making it so that it should actually be easier to get the action or info that we need more quickly. As this matures although these companies do track "0-outs" and abandons as metrics of the success of their IVR systems, they are also tracking full callflow, and they are certainly willing to listen to suggestions or even all-out complaints if they can use the data to improve service, reduce wait times (think "trunk") and more effectively use their people.
Don't just 0 out - complain!
Obesity is huge
Yes, you are absolutely right. I also have notice that emaciation is not nearly as big as it used to be.
I'm pretty sure that the sense of humour has not been patented, so you are perfectly free to develop one without repercussions.
I guess to be fair to you, the moderators marked the parent as "Insightful" so I guess they didn't get it either.
Sounds like a memory timing issue - you should upgrade to some OCZ low-latency RAM!
(I'm sorry, that's not helpful at all, is it?)
Not only do they get the ability to knock the shit out of Microsoft, by taking away the base platform from them, they also get to try to get some market share from VMWare.
Have you looked at the instructions to run something with XEN? I don't think this is a threat to VMware, in fact it is probably good for them because they can use it and it will make their product look better (better performance, better integration) and they can continue to sell an application to configure the virtualization system.
Dvorak is going on a limb by assuming they're techo-illiterates who haven't used Windows.
Dude this is John Dvorak. He predicted that Apple would switch to Intel - he can't possibly be wrong!
You sound surprised. Software is the same as fashion. Put it in the closet, wait long enough, and it will come back in again.
I had to actually read the article!
OMG! Are you alright?
Additionally, Windows Messenger supports SIP and MSN, whereas MSN Messenger only supports MSN. I use Windows Messenger so that I can talk on both our company's SIP service, and to the rest of the world.
I think what he is saying is that the current crop of video cards have a much more powerful 3D engine than they do 2D engine. You can perform 2D operations with the 3D engine and they are executed faster than they would be if they were performed with the 2D engine.
In my newb-ish days my dad bought me a used computer for university. It had WordPerfect 5.1, which I used to type up all my essays. Being that it was a used computer, it had some file left over from the previous user. One whn I was saving a file in WordPerfect i noticed that there was a great number of files that I had not created. I tried to open them to see what they were, but they were all gibberish and random non-latin characters. I figured that the files must have been left behind by the previous user. No problem - the WordPerfect file browser allows you to delete files! (This is the same WordPerfect file browser that saves files in the WP directory by default - I expect I am not the only newb to do this...)
Since the computer did not come with the WordPerfect diskettes, I learned quite a bit more about in computers in the process of figuring out how I was going to write my essays now that WordPerfect was hosed.
NB: this happened three times...
Maybe you should have just stopped inviting that guy over?
does it involve gasoline and soap? 'Cause if so, it's been done and it doesn't work too good.
think "duct tape".
If the women don't find you handsome...
Phew! I was really worried that Lothar+0 might not be able to use his TV. Now my fears are quelled.
So what are we waiting for!?
Your wife reads slashdot? That's really weird. I can't figure out whether that would be a good thing or a bad one.
I don't know what idiot modded you as flamebait, but you should get "Insightful" or "Informative".
Even if it doesn't move, flash, etc. - it is taking up some of my 1310720 precious pixels. I have already maxed out my desktop (i.e. wooden desktop) space, and even if I could afford more pixels I'm not sure I have the physical space for a larger monitor.
This makes me scroll more, and have to shuffle windows more, which makes me less effeficient. Maybe I should send Doubleclick a bill?
...
5. No two people are not on fire.