Prices for "regular" CD/DVDs are sometimes even higher here than in US -- average DVD movie costs around 20$, music CDs are about 15$. Which is ridiculous if you have in mind that average monthly wage is around 250$. So naturally, original CDs/DVDs weren't selling that well, as everyone just bought 1$ pirated CDs.
Then, someone came to their mind and started selling movies -- domestic first, then foreign -- for 3-4$ on the newsstands. As you can imagine, sales soared and now there is at least dozen new releases every week available to anyone. And with prices like that, many people are buying movies they would never even consider buying.
Now, while I don't mind Windows (yes, counter-culture here on Slashdot) for my desktop OS, I can't stand using windows for anything related to hosting web sites
If that is the case, why did you register at the Go Daddy in the first place? I mean, you could clearly see that their website is on Windows (ASP pages on IIS).
Um, sorry, but AFAIK system RAM and cache memory does NOT qualify as "solid state memory". When you turn off the power, all the data is gone, so it's not really useful as a long-term storrage.
Now, the same problem bothers me too: every kind of affordable "solid state" memory I've seen -- USB drives, varoious flash memory cards -- is by order of magnitude slower than hard disk, even though they contain no moving parts. And, all of them have limited number if read/write cycles.
So what kind of technology do they have in mind as replacement for hard drives? I guess bunch of DRAM chips with power source does not qualify as practical or affordable.
"Feeling the "URGE," MTV Networks Announces a New Digital Music Service in Collaboration With Microsoft
"URGE unites powerful music DNA of MTV, VH1 and CMT with Microsoft's industry-leading technology and consumer reach to deliver an immersive entertainment experience.
"NEW YORK and REDMOND, Wash. -- Dec. 13, 2005 -- MTV Networks, a division of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), and Microsoft Corp. today announced that they have collaborated on the design and development of MTV Networks' forthcoming digital music service called URGE. Set to debut in 2006, URGE will provide an immersive music experience and will be integrated into a forthcoming version of the Microsoft® Windows Media® Player. The collaboration unites MTV Networks' music DNA, marketing strengths and powerful MTV, VH1 and CMT brands with the technology leadership and consumer reach of Microsoft. (...)
Besides, go to www.urge.com. Isn't it strange for Microsoft project that domain is registered by Viacom/MTVi (http://www.whois.sc/urge.com), hosted on Netscape-Enterprise web server, AND has copyright:
Plone is also PITA to install, and has a very steep learning curve. Point of the site is that it gives you the chance to test almost any listed solution, before installing it on your own server. Now, imagine if they had to list (and provide demo) of every Java, Python, Ruby,.Net.... CMS solution out there.
Yes, I see the pattern. Intel was first to drop CPU speed from the processor name, first with 64bit x86 architecture, first with Dual Core, first with on-chip memory controller... AMD just copied that.
Zimbra is much more than just mail client. To quote a SitePoint mailing list,
"Billed as an online collaboration server with an AJAX-powered Web client, Zimbra will run on a Linux server and behave as a dedicated email, calendar, and directory server (in fact, it has Postfix, an open source email server, built in), accessible with desktop email, calendar, and address book applications like Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird/Sunbird, Apple Mail/iCal, and others.
"But Zimbra also provides an enhanced Web interface that works much like Gmail, except that you can extend it with your own plug-in modules to link it to other applications you use, like Skype or Google Maps.
"What we're basically talking about is an open source alternative to Microsoft Exchange, with an AJAX-powered Gmail alternative as a Web interface instead of Outlook Web Access.
The real question is, why does a user have to do this? It's pointless and a waste of time, since the software supplier should have already done that for you.
I agree with you, he shouldn't. And if you buy either OEM or full version of XP these days, you will get it with SP2 slipstreamed. Also, both Win Server/SBS and Office 2003 come with SP1 already applied.
The same goes for updates. Tracking security updates from 30 different vendors is idiotic, it should a one command/click thing, very much like apt-get or yum.
Again, fully agreed. I still thing that late OilChange service was a good idea, and MS is trying to do something similar with new and unified Windows Update service: it patches OS, Office, as well as some (but not many) certified drivers. But it is still far, far from perfect, as in any Linux updating solution I've used so far.
With RHEL, you aren't paying for the software, you are paying for the support. Period.
Please read again the link you posted:
"We've never posted ISOs for the enterprise line. RHEL ISO's are a service delivered by RHN not being paid for by ftp users. The source rpms are freely available, however. "
Meaning, you CAN NOT download binary ISO's of RHEL, and you ARE NOT allowed to buy one copy, and than use it on multiple server. You even have to agree that RH has the right to inspect all your computers to see if you are running properly licensed versions. So it is "free" in a sense that you can rebuild it from source if you like, but than again, it is far from being as easy to install as binary distro (which is BTW why I'm using CentOS on a server).
A caveats, however: you can't get a laptop like that.
Yes, you can, at least on this side of the pond:) I've seen Dell Lattitude D510 with no OS, and few days/weeks ago I bought ASUS laptop with Knoppix, and HP with FreeDOS for my friends.
1. Yes, those Linux distributions are free. I don't know what you are talking about.
Yes, those companies charge for distribution to you. But if I had a copy of them, I could distribute it to you for free.
Please someone send me a copy of latest RHEL. If you think that I can buy one copy of RHEL 4 and run it on several servers (even though I don't need Redhat's up2date/RHN services), you should most definately read the license conditions.
2. MS has a monopoly on system preloads. Preloaded system count for 95% of PC marketshare. You cannot buy a pre-built system without paying the MS tax. If any manufacture starts to sell pre-built systems without a Windows license, their OEM Windows price goes up. That's illegal use of monopoly power.
That is simply not (any longer) true. Yes, you CAN buy PC system with no Windows preloaded, ie. with FreeDOS, Knoppix or even Ubuntu. And you can buy it from top tier companies like Dell, HP or IBM (sorry, Lenovo).
Sure. You will need 5-10 CD's to install Windows. *IF* you are clueless enough, or simply do not know (and do not want to know) anything about computers.
Otherwise, you can put ALL of that on one DVD, and install it with no more than few reboots. All you need is program like UltraISO, and a guide like this. You know, you CAN slipstream SP2, and all the latest patches and drivers into Windows installation. And use simple unattend.txt file to set defaults to most installation options (CD key, keyboard setting, resolution, time zone).
BTW. I hate too HP's 200MB drivers... but do you know why it is that big? Because they include entire Apache Tomcat + Java RE with it!!!
Yes, considering that you can download and install any(*) of those Linux distributions for free, and that both Linux and Windows (and Mac OS and BSD...) are operating systems, doing basicaly the same thing... How exactly Windows qualifies as monopolly?
It's not that anyone forces you to use it, just download/buy any of the alternatives and use it.
So if you say that MS has monopolly on Windows OS market, I'll say that Linux has monopolly on..um... market of OS'es using Linux kernel?
(* notallofthe Linux distributions are "completely free", and please don't start this "free as in this vs. free vs. that" argument)
These days, if you do an install from scratch, Linux is easier to install. I found that when I upgraded my disk to a SATA 200Gb. With Linux everything is on a couple of CDs, with XP you have to go looking for those installation disks that you misplaced long ago.
Huh? Windows XP installation comes on ONE installation disk (as in CD). And if you install it on SATA HDD, you will probably need to copy drivers to (one) floppy. So you boot from XP CD, than insert driver floppy when asked. Yeah, very difficult.
I still have a scanner that doesn't work under XP, about six months after I installed the OS.
So it is Microsoft fault that your scanner manufacturer abandoned the product and didn't bother to make XP drivers?
So different versions of Windows are "milking the monopoly", but 1001 different version and distribution of Linux is a "good thing" because it gives you "freedom of choice"?
Knoppix has far more and useful software and networks automagically. Unlike BartsPE, you don't need to build Knoppix, you just download it and burn it to CD.
So, how exactly do you use Knoppix to (for example) clean viruses and adware/malware, fix corrupt registry or NTFS drive, or undelete files from Windows system?
"The GPU will need a plenty of room to operate in Vista. The more memory you put on a video card the better really. We want the least dumping back to main memory because that's slower than graphics. If you have 128MB that's good, if you have 256MB that's better, but I expect that video card memory will go up a lot when Longhorn is released.
"Thirdly, the graphics card and system bus is essential. PCI x16 is going to be very important. Any of today's 3D GPUs will be fine... we're not waiting for some mystical monster that may or may not come out. But they need to have 128MB of RAM on it. If they've only got 64 don't panic.
"We acknowledge that many corporate notebooks have fairly low-end integrated graphics chips. They're not exactly high performance graphics systems. For those users, we will provide a classic UI that looks like XP, and then we will have Aero that will start to make use of the GPU, and then there's Aero Glass that will demand the higher level.
And about RAM and HDD:
"In a 32 bit environment, half a gig of RAM is heaps. It's going to fly. For 64 bit you're going to want 2 gigs of DDR3 RAM.
"In terms of disks, you're really going to want S-ATA 2hard drives with NCQ capability because it gives the OS the ability to get on with stuff while disk tasks complete. All the tier 1 and tier 2 vendors can provide this capability today.
Ok let's do a simple test. You have 500 files in a directory and you want to replace SMG with TSF in the file names. You use the GUI and I'll use a 80 character shell script...;-)
[Num *] [Ctrl+M] [Tab]SMG [Tab]TSF [Enter]
Total: 11 keystrokes, or 8 keystrokes and 5 mouseclicks.
Ok another test... you have 200 files and you want to move all the files that contain _testing_ somewhere in the file name. You use the GUI and I'll use...
[Num +] *_testing_*[Enter] [F6][Enter]
Next task?;) Yes, I use Total Commander. No, it doesn't come free with Windows, but it is "free enough" for me (shareware, 30$ or free with nag screen) and I carry it everywhere on a USB key.
Just because you use a GUI (or a shell!), doesn't mean that you should be satisfied with just any kind of tool that comes as default.
Re:For those who don't want to RTFA, the top 10:
on
Top 10 Web Fads
·
· Score: 1
No. I figure, if you can buy Bluetooth USB "key" (adapter) for less than 20$, it can't cost them more than 5$.
You could say that cost is reasonable when you take into account software which enables to do very neat things -- like use the numpad as calculator and remote control, or get a new IM and email notifications on it.
But I'm willing to bet is that major part of the cost goes to "OMG, it's sooo cool, I must have it" factor;)
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They (we) do it in Europe. In Serbia, at least.
Prices for "regular" CD/DVDs are sometimes even higher here than in US -- average DVD movie costs around 20$, music CDs are about 15$. Which is ridiculous if you have in mind that average monthly wage is around 250$. So naturally, original CDs/DVDs weren't selling that well, as everyone just bought 1$ pirated CDs.
Then, someone came to their mind and started selling movies -- domestic first, then foreign -- for 3-4$ on the newsstands. As you can imagine, sales soared and now there is at least dozen new releases every week available to anyone. And with prices like that, many people are buying movies they would never even consider buying.
OMG, you are SO right! I have to blog this immediately! No, wait, I'll podcast it! May I add you to my friends list?
Um, sorry, but AFAIK system RAM and cache memory does NOT qualify as "solid state memory". When you turn off the power, all the data is gone, so it's not really useful as a long-term storrage.
Now, the same problem bothers me too: every kind of affordable "solid state" memory I've seen -- USB drives, varoious flash memory cards -- is by order of magnitude slower than hard disk, even though they contain no moving parts. And, all of them have limited number if read/write cycles.
So what kind of technology do they have in mind as replacement for hard drives? I guess bunch of DRAM chips with power source does not qualify as practical or affordable.
Yes. Go ahead and read it yourself:
"Feeling the "URGE," MTV Networks Announces a New Digital Music Service in Collaboration With Microsoft
"URGE unites powerful music DNA of MTV, VH1 and CMT with Microsoft's industry-leading technology and consumer reach to deliver an immersive entertainment experience.
"NEW YORK and REDMOND, Wash. -- Dec. 13, 2005 -- MTV Networks, a division of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), and Microsoft Corp. today announced that they have collaborated on the design and development of MTV Networks' forthcoming digital music service called URGE. Set to debut in 2006, URGE will provide an immersive music experience and will be integrated into a forthcoming version of the Microsoft® Windows Media® Player. The collaboration unites MTV Networks' music DNA, marketing strengths and powerful MTV, VH1 and CMT brands with the technology leadership and consumer reach of Microsoft. (...)
Besides, go to www.urge.com. Isn't it strange for Microsoft project that domain is registered by Viacom/MTVi (http://www.whois.sc/urge.com), hosted on Netscape-Enterprise web server, AND has copyright:
© 2005 MTV Networks. MTV, URGE and all related titles and logos are trademarks of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. All rights reserved.
I'm used to Slashdot editors getting it wrong, but this time it was like CNN editors read too much Slashdot.
Microsoft is NOT launching the Urge, MTV is.
Plone is also PITA to install, and has a very steep learning curve. Point of the site is that it gives you the chance to test almost any listed solution, before installing it on your own server. Now, imagine if they had to list (and provide demo) of every Java, Python, Ruby, .Net .... CMS solution out there.
Neither is mine, but I just downloaded Opera Mini and it worked "out of the box".
Yes. Those are the code names.
Yes, I see the pattern. Intel was first to drop CPU speed from the processor name, first with 64bit x86 architecture, first with Dual Core, first with on-chip memory controller... AMD just copied that.
Oh, wait...
Zimbra is much more than just mail client. To quote a SitePoint mailing list,
"Billed as an online collaboration server with an AJAX-powered Web client, Zimbra will run on a Linux server and behave as a dedicated email, calendar, and directory server (in fact, it has Postfix, an open source email server, built in), accessible with desktop email, calendar, and address book applications like Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird/Sunbird, Apple Mail/iCal, and others.
"But Zimbra also provides an enhanced Web interface that works much like Gmail, except that you can extend it with your own plug-in modules to link it to other applications you use, like Skype or Google Maps.
"What we're basically talking about is an open source alternative to Microsoft Exchange, with an AJAX-powered Gmail alternative as a Web interface instead of Outlook Web Access.
I agree with you, he shouldn't. And if you buy either OEM or full version of XP these days, you will get it with SP2 slipstreamed. Also, both Win Server/SBS and Office 2003 come with SP1 already applied.
Again, fully agreed. I still thing that late OilChange service was a good idea, and MS is trying to do something similar with new and unified Windows Update service: it patches OS, Office, as well as some (but not many) certified drivers. But it is still far, far from perfect, as in any Linux updating solution I've used so far.
Please read again the link you posted:
"We've never posted ISOs for the enterprise line. RHEL ISO's are a service delivered by RHN not being paid for by ftp users. The source rpms are freely available, however. "
Meaning, you CAN NOT download binary ISO's of RHEL, and you ARE NOT allowed to buy one copy, and than use it on multiple server. You even have to agree that RH has the right to inspect all your computers to see if you are running properly licensed versions. So it is "free" in a sense that you can rebuild it from source if you like, but than again, it is far from being as easy to install as binary distro (which is BTW why I'm using CentOS on a server).
Yes, you can, at least on this side of the pond
Please someone send me a copy of latest RHEL. If you think that I can buy one copy of RHEL 4 and run it on several servers (even though I don't need Redhat's up2date/RHN services), you should most definately read the license conditions.
That is simply not (any longer) true. Yes, you CAN buy PC system with no Windows preloaded, ie. with FreeDOS, Knoppix or even Ubuntu. And you can buy it from top tier companies like Dell, HP or IBM (sorry, Lenovo).
Sure. You will need 5-10 CD's to install Windows. *IF* you are clueless enough, or simply do not know (and do not want to know) anything about computers.
Otherwise, you can put ALL of that on one DVD, and install it with no more than few reboots. All you need is program like UltraISO, and a guide like this. You know, you CAN slipstream SP2, and all the latest patches and drivers into Windows installation. And use simple unattend.txt file to set defaults to most installation options (CD key, keyboard setting, resolution, time zone).
BTW. I hate too HP's 200MB drivers... but do you know why it is that big? Because they include entire Apache Tomcat + Java RE with it!!!
Yes, considering that you can download and install any(*) of those Linux distributions for free, and that both Linux and Windows (and Mac OS and BSD...) are operating systems, doing basicaly the same thing... How exactly Windows qualifies as monopolly?
It's not that anyone forces you to use it, just download/buy any of the alternatives and use it.
So if you say that MS has monopolly on Windows OS market, I'll say that Linux has monopolly on..um... market of OS'es using Linux kernel?
(* not all of the Linux distributions are "completely free", and please don't start this "free as in this vs. free vs. that" argument)
Huh? Windows XP installation comes on ONE installation disk (as in CD). And if you install it on SATA HDD, you will probably need to copy drivers to (one) floppy. So you boot from XP CD, than insert driver floppy when asked. Yeah, very difficult.
So it is Microsoft fault that your scanner manufacturer abandoned the product and didn't bother to make XP drivers?
So different versions of Windows are "milking the monopoly", but 1001 different version and distribution of Linux is a "good thing" because it gives you "freedom of choice"?
So, how exactly do you use Knoppix to (for example) clean viruses and adware/malware, fix corrupt registry or NTFS drive, or undelete files from Windows system?
No, Mr Tech Strategist has been misinterpreted, and then misinterpreted again. Please read TFOA (the fine original article):
/* All emphasis mine */
"The GPU will need a plenty of room to operate in Vista. The more memory you put on a video card the better really. We want the least dumping back to main memory because that's slower than graphics. If you have 128MB that's good, if you have 256MB that's better, but I expect that video card memory will go up a lot when Longhorn is released.
"Thirdly, the graphics card and system bus is essential. PCI x16 is going to be very important. Any of today's 3D GPUs will be fine... we're not waiting for some mystical monster that may or may not come out. But they need to have 128MB of RAM on it. If they've only got 64 don't panic.
"We acknowledge that many corporate notebooks have fairly low-end integrated graphics chips. They're not exactly high performance graphics systems. For those users, we will provide a classic UI that looks like XP, and then we will have Aero that will start to make use of the GPU, and then there's Aero Glass that will demand the higher level.
And about RAM and HDD:
"In a 32 bit environment, half a gig of RAM is heaps. It's going to fly. For 64 bit you're going to want 2 gigs of DDR3 RAM.
"In terms of disks, you're really going to want S-ATA 2hard drives with NCQ capability because it gives the OS the ability to get on with stuff while disk tasks complete. All the tier 1 and tier 2 vendors can provide this capability today.
[Num *]
[Ctrl+M]
[Tab]SMG
[Tab]TSF
[Enter]
Total: 11 keystrokes, or 8 keystrokes and 5 mouseclicks.
[Num +]
*_testing_*[Enter]
[F6][Enter]
Next task?
Just because you use a GUI (or a shell!), doesn't mean that you should be satisfied with just any kind of tool that comes as default.
Badgers and this classic masterpiece are the most obvious ommisions. :(
No. I figure, if you can buy Bluetooth USB "key" (adapter) for less than 20$, it can't cost them more than 5$.
;)
You could say that cost is reasonable when you take into account software which enables to do very neat things -- like use the numpad as calculator and remote control, or get a new IM and email notifications on it.
But I'm willing to bet is that major part of the cost goes to "OMG, it's sooo cool, I must have it" factor
Don't hold your breath. If "classic" keyboard like Logitech diNovo costs like 250$ (or 250EUR in Europe)...
So if I understand correctly, group of "non-profit" publishers is worried this will have negative effect on their potential profit?