First computer was a Commodore Vic 20 with a 5KB Super-expander and cassette drive (~1982), then came a C64, and a PET 2001, another C64 (for multi-tasking)
The Amiga was a fantastic computer for its time, and even up until recently, was an excellent platform. An Amiga 3000 was my daily machine for email and web work up until late 2003, when I got a Mac G5, which is pretty much everything the Amiga could have been. AREXX was an extremly handy tool.
Now, my 3000 is relegated to playing Settlers once in a while.
For my back ups, I have a fairly simple system. I picked up two tiny (2.5") external drives - about 60 gigs each. I back up data onto one, and bring it to a nearby bank, where I rent a safe deposit box.
Each Monday, I back a back up to the drive that is at the house (where I work from), and take it to the bank. Then I switch them, putting the newest drive in the bank, and taking home the "old' back up. This gets repeated every week (although admittedly not always on Mondays).
So far, this has worked for me pretty well.
Costs? $250 (Canadian) dollars for the drive and $80 per year for the safe deposit box, which also stores all source miniDV tapes from my event video business.
I have to agree. Star Trek was completely ruined for me by Babylon 5. The whole 5 year arc concept is amazing - stuff that you see in the first season, which you think was mildly interesting, suddenly three seasons later becomes really important!
Each time a season would come out, I'd loose two days to watching the entire thing. The final episode (Sleeping in Light) gets me every single time I watch it.
I strongly recommend B5 to anyone who likes Sci-fi. Start in season 1 and work your way forwards. It makes far more sense this way. Watch the movies (other than the pilot) AFTER you watch the series. Avoid the temptation of "In the Beginning". It is better that way, in my opinion.
I would agree that Transmit is stable as hell. I've *nerver* had any problems with it. Now admittedly, I have only been using Transmit (registered, of course) and the Mac in general since January. Support has been excellent.
If you want buggy software, look at photoshop elements. It blows up on a regular basis. Not much to encourage me to upgrade to CS, that is for certain.
Back to the point - Panic has been excellent in providing software and support for the Mac.
And of course, I'm eager to have enough money to replace the last PC in the house with another mac.
The first one is simple:
Everyone's favorite defence robot: Having ED209 wandering the front yard.
The second one requires more serious effort. There are some excellent books available on the topic, including one by Home Mechanics on the topic of improving home security.
While it is true that motion detector lights do not always keep the nasties away, then perhaps better detector placement, or an actual alarm system would be worth investigating.
A couple of years ago, I picked up a used NEC Mobile Pro 880
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_archives/Jul00/nec880. asp, and I have to say that it is fantastic - it doesn't have a hard drive, cd-rom or DVD, but for 95% of what I do, it works just fine, and its freakishly small for a laptop at just over two lbs.
The 880 runs Windows CE, which has been remarkably robust (never needed a re-install and has only locked up once or twice). It uses CF cards for extra storage, and has a pcmcia slot as well.
I have regularly gotten 7-8 hours out of it, by turning down the screen brightness. The only thing that I really would have liked to see on it was a ethernet connector, but this machine dates from 2000 or so.
Whenever I am out using it, people ask me about it. I believe that there is an excellent market for systems like this - it just has to be low cost and with newer batteries, probably 10-15 hours are possible. University students taking notes in class in one good example of an application.
Okay so I wonder if it is legal if you set it up on your property, to show to your friends and people in the open field behind your property that has a bike path on it stop and watch. Are you at fault for doing it where the public can see it, or are they at fault for looking at your property.
I bet there's a new offence there - visual trespassing! [sigh]
Heck, it sounds like if you have a big enough TV a big window you can get into trouble with lawyers.
I picked up a Canon GL2 camera earlier this year to use to shoot a how-to video that my wife wanted to make link.
Yes, its belly dancing. Enough with the shamless plug.
Anyways, the camera worked fabulously. True, its not an XL-1, but it has handled all situations that I've thrown at it - even really bad lighting (Belly dance performances). It is quite easy to use (do read the manual, though), and there are plenty of features, including a "movie mode" which shoots non-internlaced video.
I also know several other local videographers who use them.
Not only is it a time capsule, it is a great chance to watch how nature reclaims the land and how the wildlife adapts - obviously all of the animals haven't died. I wonder if there are any scientists watching for radiation caused progressive mutations?
I've been in a few places in Algonquin park that 75 years ago were there used to be towns, hotels and whatnot. If you aren't keeping your eyes open and looking for it, you will miss the signs.
Now obviously, this isn't going to be the case here, but it will still be interesting to see what can be learned - for example, how are the roads holding up? With almost no wear and tear, the area could serve as an excellent testbed for environmental effects on road surfaces (hot and cold damage, etc).
It would appear to me that it was not the test aircraft that failed, but the rocket. Judging by the pictures, it looks like the rocket was not balanced properly, causing it to veer to one side.
I've often wondered about a "rescue" system for payloads, much like the escape rockets for the old Apollo rockets. Having this kind of a system in place could help save payloads from destruction during first and second stage failures.
Its too bad though. I hope that they continue testing. And I sure hope that model had lots of insurance.:(
Okay, so we see this happening everywhere. Some of the sites I manage get 80% of their traffic from IE users. Does that stop me from using 100% W3C compliant code?
No! Yes, its easy to do a site up in web design software. Thats nice and all if you don't care. I code in a text editor, and test each page, even though I know its okay. You never know when you might miss a <TD> or whatever.
The other thing we have to do is use other browsers. I run Opera (right now), Mozilla, Netscape 4.7 (and 6.x but I don't like it), Ibrowse, and Lynx.
Don't get me wrong - I have IE installed on my system, but I don't use it unless I'm testing.
How many of you are using IE right this moment? I'll bet a healthy portion of you are.
Sites have a hard time justifying properly coded websites because most of the visitors are using IE - so what if a few fall to the side? Using IE just adds to the domination of Microsoft, and lends credence to those who just support IE.
By *not* using IE, we can all help improve the numbers for the other browsers and push designers to support all browsers - its not hard!
When you visit a site that doesn't work in whatever browser you are using, COMPLAIN! You have to make yourselves heard! If you get dismissed by the web team, write an email/fax/letter to some one higher up.
To sum up: 1) Write W3C compliant code 2) Use other browsers (not IE!) 3) Complain when a site doesn't work.
I'm a half-owner of a small web development company in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada). When we discuss email with our clients (new and old) we *strongly* warn them about the dangers of using MS Outlook (well, MS anything, really).
Many are dumbfounded to find out that all the viruses, worms and macros are targeted at MS software.
We urge them to change to something else. We should all be doing this. The more users we can get away from MS Outlook, will directly translate into less trouble for ourselves because who do they call? Certainly not Ghostbusters.;-)
Even if it means setting up just a few systems that don't use outlook, the next time around something clever and nasty is released, those systems won't get infected. Then we bring that to the attention of the PHB's (Pointy Headed Boss, for you non-Dilbert readers). Explain that because those systems weren't infected, it saved x hours.
Just about everyone that we have infuence with has stopped using outlook (with the exception of uncle Bob, but hey, thats his problem). Its saved us time and energy.
In a way, its our duty, as people in the know, to move them away from MS software. Why use software that is going to cause problems? Is Outlook so amazing that it is worth the hours of problems caused by virus outbreaks? I would say no.
I like the kind of software that you install, it works and doesn't cause any troubles.
Besides, migrating users to something else (Opera, Mozilla.. anything!) takes licencing bucks away from MS.;-) And thats always a good thing.
I'm a half-owner of a small web development company in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada). When we discuss email with our clients (new and old) we *strongly* warn them about the dangers of using MS Outlook (well, MS anything, really).
Many are dumbfounded to find out that all the viruses, worms and macros are targeted at MS software.
We urge them to change to something else. We should all be doing this. The more users we can get away from MS Outlook, will directly translate into less trouble for ourselves because who do they call? Certainly not Ghostbusters.;-)
Even if it means setting up just a few systems that don't use outlook, the next time around something clever and nasty is released, those systems won't get infected. Then we bring that to the attention of the PHB's (Pointy Headed Boss, for you non-Dilbert readers). Explain that because those systems weren't infected, it saved x hours.
Just about everyone that we have infuence with has stopped using outlook (with the exception of uncle Bob, but hey, thats his problem). Its saved us time and energy.
In a way, its our duty, as people in the know, to move them away from MS software. Why use software that is going to cause problems? Is Outlook so amazing that it is worth the hours of problems caused by virus outbreaks? I would say no.
I like the kind of software that you install, it works and doesn't cause any troubles.
Besides, migrating users to something else (Opera, Mozilla.. anything!) takes licencing bucks away from MS.;-) And thats always a good thing.
Akira has always held as special place with me. It was the first piece of anime that I saw in Japanese and didn't care that I didn't understand what they were saying. I got it from the visuals.
I've seen Akira on the big screen a few times, and it rocks. I've often wondered if there ever would be a follow up to it, but someone from Hollywood wasn't who I had in mind.
It has always bothered me that alot of anime hasn't been taken seriously for the sheer talent that goes into the story and art. I've always thought that alot (not all) of anime chose to go places that regular film would not or could not (like Akira).
If this project does make it to film, I certainly hope that Norrington doesn't *completely* ruin it. At very least it will bring new viewers to the original version Akira (even if its dubbed in English), and that can't be a bad thing, can it?
First off, I read/. as often as a few times per day. This is my second post.
I fail to see why so many people are freaking out over $5/1000 page views. Even at $5/week (thats one pageview EVERY 10 minutes) its not a bad deal.
Yes, everything is the world should be free. But, you know what? The world doesn't work that way. If/. has to have bigger ads to keep the advertisers happy, then so be it. The fact that they are offering a way around the new, bigger ads is commendable.
$5 isn't going to kill you. Besides, its a tax write off (in Canada, anyways)
I strongly believe in 100% W3C compliant web design. Its what the company I am employed with specializes in. It reduces bloat and increases the number of people who can view your site.
Its simple to follow once you get into the hang of it, and you won't get any (justified) emails from users saying that the site doesn't work on their browser.
Slashdot Mirror
First computer was a Commodore Vic 20 with a 5KB Super-expander and cassette drive (~1982), then came a C64, and a PET 2001, another C64 (for multi-tasking)
I've been a dead-tree subscriber for probably a decade now (renewed today, actually) after I got tired of trying to find it in bookstores.
I read the entire book in one sitting and have to say it is a great, quick read. I'll second the request to see some fiction from him. Well done, Wil.
Now, my 3000 is relegated to playing Settlers once in a while.
That is $250 for both drives, not one.
Each Monday, I back a back up to the drive that is at the house (where I work from), and take it to the bank. Then I switch them, putting the newest drive in the bank, and taking home the "old' back up. This gets repeated every week (although admittedly not always on Mondays).
So far, this has worked for me pretty well.
Costs? $250 (Canadian) dollars for the drive and $80 per year for the safe deposit box, which also stores all source miniDV tapes from my event video business.
And, from what I have heard, there is no visible genitalia. Good grief people, this is carrying it a bit too far. Really too far.
Each time a season would come out, I'd loose two days to watching the entire thing. The final episode (Sleeping in Light) gets me every single time I watch it.
I strongly recommend B5 to anyone who likes Sci-fi. Start in season 1 and work your way forwards. It makes far more sense this way. Watch the movies (other than the pilot) AFTER you watch the series. Avoid the temptation of "In the Beginning". It is better that way, in my opinion.
If you want buggy software, look at photoshop elements. It blows up on a regular basis. Not much to encourage me to upgrade to CS, that is for certain.
Back to the point - Panic has been excellent in providing software and support for the Mac.
And of course, I'm eager to have enough money to replace the last PC in the house with another mac.
Everyone's favorite defence robot: Having ED209 wandering the front yard.
The second one requires more serious effort. There are some excellent books available on the topic, including one by Home Mechanics on the topic of improving home security.
While it is true that motion detector lights do not always keep the nasties away, then perhaps better detector placement, or an actual alarm system would be worth investigating.
The 880 runs Windows CE, which has been remarkably robust (never needed a re-install and has only locked up once or twice). It uses CF cards for extra storage, and has a pcmcia slot as well.
I have regularly gotten 7-8 hours out of it, by turning down the screen brightness. The only thing that I really would have liked to see on it was a ethernet connector, but this machine dates from 2000 or so.
Whenever I am out using it, people ask me about it. I believe that there is an excellent market for systems like this - it just has to be low cost and with newer batteries, probably 10-15 hours are possible. University students taking notes in class in one good example of an application.
I bet there's a new offence there - visual trespassing! [sigh]
Heck, it sounds like if you have a big enough TV a big window you can get into trouble with lawyers.
Yes, its belly dancing. Enough with the shamless plug.
Anyways, the camera worked fabulously. True, its not an XL-1, but it has handled all situations that I've thrown at it - even really bad lighting (Belly dance performances). It is quite easy to use (do read the manual, though), and there are plenty of features, including a "movie mode" which shoots non-internlaced video.
I also know several other local videographers who use them.
I've been in a few places in Algonquin park that 75 years ago were there used to be towns, hotels and whatnot. If you aren't keeping your eyes open and looking for it, you will miss the signs.
Now obviously, this isn't going to be the case here, but it will still be interesting to see what can be learned - for example, how are the roads holding up? With almost no wear and tear, the area could serve as an excellent testbed for environmental effects on road surfaces (hot and cold damage, etc).
The trailer (in QT) looks fantastic, as it was pretty jerky in WM. Too bad they have it steaming, otherwise it could be mirrored all over.
The art is fantastic! I look forward to seeing this when it gets here.
I have to say that it was really enjoyable. If you haven't alreayd dropped everything to go see it, do so now, or your /. karma may be lowered. ;-)
I've often wondered about a "rescue" system for payloads, much like the escape rockets for the old Apollo rockets. Having this kind of a system in place could help save payloads from destruction during first and second stage failures.
Its too bad though. I hope that they continue testing. And I sure hope that model had lots of insurance.:(
Okay, so we see this happening everywhere. Some of the sites I manage get 80% of their traffic from IE users. Does that stop me from using 100% W3C compliant code?
No! Yes, its easy to do a site up in web design software. Thats nice and all if you don't care. I code in a text editor, and test each page, even though I know its okay. You never know when you might miss a <TD> or whatever.
The other thing we have to do is use other browsers. I run Opera (right now), Mozilla, Netscape 4.7 (and 6.x but I don't like it), Ibrowse, and Lynx.
Don't get me wrong - I have IE installed on my system, but I don't use it unless I'm testing.
How many of you are using IE right this moment? I'll bet a healthy portion of you are.
Sites have a hard time justifying properly coded websites because most of the visitors are using IE - so what if a few fall to the side? Using IE just adds to the domination of Microsoft, and lends credence to those who just support IE.
By *not* using IE, we can all help improve the numbers for the other browsers and push designers to support all browsers - its not hard!
When you visit a site that doesn't work in whatever browser you are using, COMPLAIN! You have to make yourselves heard! If you get dismissed by the web team, write an email/fax/letter to some one higher up.
To sum up:
1) Write W3C compliant code
2) Use other browsers (not IE!)
3) Complain when a site doesn't work.
Anyways, thats enough of me ranting.
to break up the paragraphs
Sorry 'bout that. Cleaned up post below.
I'm a half-owner of a small web development company in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada). When we discuss email with our clients (new and old) we *strongly* warn them about the dangers of using MS Outlook (well, MS anything, really).
Many are dumbfounded to find out that all the viruses, worms and macros are targeted at MS software.
We urge them to change to something else. We should all be doing this. The more users we can get away from MS Outlook, will directly translate into less trouble for ourselves because who do they call? Certainly not Ghostbusters. ;-)
Even if it means setting up just a few systems that don't use outlook, the next time around something clever and nasty is released, those systems won't get infected. Then we bring that to the attention of the PHB's (Pointy Headed Boss, for you non-Dilbert readers). Explain that because those systems weren't infected, it saved x hours.
Just about everyone that we have infuence with has stopped using outlook (with the exception of uncle Bob, but hey, thats his problem). Its saved us time and energy.
In a way, its our duty, as people in the know, to move them away from MS software. Why use software that is going to cause problems? Is Outlook so amazing that it is worth the hours of problems caused by virus outbreaks? I would say no.
I like the kind of software that you install, it works and doesn't cause any troubles.
Besides, migrating users to something else (Opera, Mozilla.. anything!) takes licencing bucks away from MS. ;-) And thats always a good thing.
I'm a half-owner of a small web development company in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada). When we discuss email with our clients (new and old) we *strongly* warn them about the dangers of using MS Outlook (well, MS anything, really). Many are dumbfounded to find out that all the viruses, worms and macros are targeted at MS software. We urge them to change to something else. We should all be doing this. The more users we can get away from MS Outlook, will directly translate into less trouble for ourselves because who do they call? Certainly not Ghostbusters. ;-)
Even if it means setting up just a few systems that don't use outlook, the next time around something clever and nasty is released, those systems won't get infected. Then we bring that to the attention of the PHB's (Pointy Headed Boss, for you non-Dilbert readers). Explain that because those systems weren't infected, it saved x hours.
Just about everyone that we have infuence with has stopped using outlook (with the exception of uncle Bob, but hey, thats his problem). Its saved us time and energy.
In a way, its our duty, as people in the know, to move them away from MS software. Why use software that is going to cause problems? Is Outlook so amazing that it is worth the hours of problems caused by virus outbreaks? I would say no.
I like the kind of software that you install, it works and doesn't cause any troubles.
Besides, migrating users to something else (Opera, Mozilla.. anything!) takes licencing bucks away from MS. ;-) And thats always a good thing.
I'm sure that Micro$ofts legions of monkeys hammering away at keyboards will eventually hit the right combination of keys to fix the problem.
If they notice or not is a whole other issue. ;-)
I've seen Akira on the big screen a few times, and it rocks. I've often wondered if there ever would be a follow up to it, but someone from Hollywood wasn't who I had in mind.
It has always bothered me that alot of anime hasn't been taken seriously for the sheer talent that goes into the story and art. I've always thought that alot (not all) of anime chose to go places that regular film would not or could not (like Akira).
If this project does make it to film, I certainly hope that Norrington doesn't *completely* ruin it. At very least it will bring new viewers to the original version Akira (even if its dubbed in English), and that can't be a bad thing, can it?
I fail to see why so many people are freaking out over $5/1000 page views. Even at $5/week (thats one pageview EVERY 10 minutes) its not a bad deal.
Yes, everything is the world should be free. But, you know what? The world doesn't work that way. If /. has to have bigger ads to keep the advertisers happy, then so be it. The fact that they are offering a way around the new, bigger ads is commendable.
$5 isn't going to kill you. Besides, its a tax write off (in Canada, anyways)
I strongly believe in 100% W3C compliant web design. Its what the company I am employed with specializes in. It reduces bloat and increases the number of people who can view your site.
Its simple to follow once you get into the hang of it, and you won't get any (justified) emails from users saying that the site doesn't work on their browser.