I had a similar issue, back when I had a POS (and I don't mean "point of sale," either) Lexmark inkjet.
And in my experience, Lexmarks are the fastest to burn through or otherwise screw up their ink cartridges. I've owned more inkjets than any sane person should for a variety of reasons, and the one I was glad to be rid of the most? A Lexmark.
Now I have a nice inexpensive Samsung laser, too, and it has been the best printer I've ever owned by miles.
I've had both Slackware (10.1 or whatever the previous version was), and Ubuntu Dapper Drake. I loved a lot about Slackware, but it reached a point where I felt I was spending TOO much time configurating. Getting IVTV to work was a pain.
I have a Hauppauge PVR-150. Cheap, decent card. It didn't take me very long to get it working in Ubuntu (compared to XP and Slackware -- for some reason, XP really hates this computer), however, I must second this:
If by "fun weekend project," you mean "experience that will make you curse computers, question your own sanity, and shake your fist at God for not having struck you down with a well-placed lightning bolt before you set forth on this foolhardy endeavor," then yeah, sure, it might be a fun weekend project.
I have never had a computer problem more frustrating than when I couldn't get my TV tuner working in Slackware. Getting a laser printer, webcam, gamepad, etc working? Nothing. This was over a year ago, however, and it is amazing how much has happened in the last year. But, considering how little TV I watch, this will be the only system I build with a TV tuner for the purpose of being a PVR.
Because now Senators are directly elected. The only real difference is that we have a set number of Senators, and they get six years to screw us, so that by the 6th year people forget the crap they did in the 1st year.
I'd be happy for the 17th to be repealed, even if temporarily, to see how different things would be.
The majority of voters in America are seniors who still hate comic books for "destroying America's youth."
Don't tell them now, but comic books no longer carry those stupid "Comics Code Authority" labels advertising their safe-for-children content. Now they have ratings, just like everything else.
If the law just targets video games, then that is unfair. Other than pornography, there are no laws about content being sold to minors.
Video games, like movies, are voluntarily rated. There is no law to enforce the movie ratings, as far as I am aware, and so there shouldn't be one for video games.
Another poster here said, "All media, or none." And I agree.
We live in a world of goofy names. Some of them make sense, others don't, but think about how some of these would sound if you hadn't heard them before:
Nintendo, Atari, Apple Computer, iPod, Microsoft, Windows, Linux, Gameboy, Playstation (sound a little like Fisher price?), X-Box, Sega, KDE, Gnome, and the browsers: Firefox, Netscape Navigator, Netscape Communicator, Internet Explorer, Konqueror, all sound kind of weird if you think about it. And, of course: Wii.
Don't get me wrong, I get the names of all of these (okay, except "X-Box"), but if you weren't used to them, every one would sound extremely odd. The initial reaction to Wii and acceptance is a good case in point. When it first announced I don't think I know anyone who didn't blink and wonder why they chose it, but now no one cares. I'd still rather they picked a different name, but then, I'm sitting here telling people I run something called Ubuntu...
In addition to what the anon said about half of slashdot, I was under the mistaken impression that the poster I originally replied to was suggesting we eliminate copyright.
further down, OP points out he doesn't.
The strawman I put up was an accident, not intentionally done for the purpose of arguing a point.
Points taken. I don't think we completely agree, but I don't think we're as far from it as I did when I started my first reply.
I have no problem at all with severely pulling back the current ridiculousness of the "IP" laws. Most of those are designed to protect stupid business models, and there's absolutely no reason for "author's life plus 99 years."
Paper books don't have DRM. I'm not arguing defending DRM in ANY way, and I hope no one took my comment that way. I think DRM is insulting and a waste of everyone's time.
I've read my share of crappy published books, that much is true, but it's one of the markets where publishers are less inclined to take risk publishing a crap book, because profits are so low. With the possible exception of self-help and diet books, which, like that stupid cheese moving book, are inexplicably popular.
I just don't think eliminating copyright completely is the right path. That's not to say I think the current system is perfect; I'd be fine with a ten-year-from-publication limit. Or even five. Of course, at this point anything is better than "99 years after the author kicks it." And I think software patents are stifling. But for entertainment, I can see the need for copyright and a monopoly on distribution.
Except I'd rather the authors I like not have to write in their spare time and on lunch breaks. I'd rather they get paid to write, and then have more time to write their books. From a purely consumer standpoint, the idea of less quality books irks the snot out of me. I read voraciously. I don't mind paying for books.
And there's also a lot of crap free stuff on the internet. People who would never normally be given an outlet, and I have to wade through them.
Movies will still survive through private patronage or government subsidies
Please God, no. The last thing I want is for the government to be paying for movies to get made. There are a lot of movies made that absolutely fucking suck and I don't want tax dollars going towards subsidizing that. Or music, or books. I don't like it when the government bails out farmers or airlines, either.
If the government pays for movies to get made, not only are you paying for the movies you like, but you're paying for every movie that you think stinks. The idea of the next Gigli coming out of taxes is horrid. and I've seen the way governments run things, if the government made movies, most of them would be Gigli quality with a Waterworld budget.
Slashdot Mirror
I had a similar issue, back when I had a POS (and I don't mean "point of sale," either) Lexmark inkjet.
And in my experience, Lexmarks are the fastest to burn through or otherwise screw up their ink cartridges. I've owned more inkjets than any sane person should for a variety of reasons, and the one I was glad to be rid of the most? A Lexmark.
Now I have a nice inexpensive Samsung laser, too, and it has been the best printer I've ever owned by miles.
This is an ironic comment coming from someone named "getagrip"...
People are also linking this tragedy jokingly to water. Simply pointing out absurdity by being absurd.
Plus, SC/Korea jokes are funny.
kekekeke ^__^
I am totally friending you for this post.
Whoever moderated this as flamebait is a douchebag.
Yeah, because a stupid name has certainly hurt Wii sales...
I have heard nothing about Orrin "We should blow up their computers" Hatch being considered to replace Gonzales.
I dunno about you.
But it's the dog being involved that worries me.
I'm pretty sure anyone who has Windows ME will gladly give it to you for free. Maybe they'll even pay you to take it.
I've had both Slackware (10.1 or whatever the previous version was), and Ubuntu Dapper Drake. I loved a lot about Slackware, but it reached a point where I felt I was spending TOO much time configurating. Getting IVTV to work was a pain.
I have a Hauppauge PVR-150. Cheap, decent card. It didn't take me very long to get it working in Ubuntu (compared to XP and Slackware -- for some reason, XP really hates this computer), however, I must second this:
If by "fun weekend project," you mean "experience that will make you curse computers, question your own sanity, and shake your fist at God for not having struck you down with a well-placed lightning bolt before you set forth on this foolhardy endeavor," then yeah, sure, it might be a fun weekend project.
I have never had a computer problem more frustrating than when I couldn't get my TV tuner working in Slackware. Getting a laser printer, webcam, gamepad, etc working? Nothing. This was over a year ago, however, and it is amazing how much has happened in the last year. But, considering how little TV I watch, this will be the only system I build with a TV tuner for the purpose of being a PVR.
Slashdot advertisers, apparently.
Yes.
I'd vote for that.
Uhm.
The 17th makes the Senate more like the House.
Because now Senators are directly elected. The only real difference is that we have a set number of Senators, and they get six years to screw us, so that by the 6th year people forget the crap they did in the 1st year.
I'd be happy for the 17th to be repealed, even if temporarily, to see how different things would be.
The video game industry IS doing all they can -- they've done the labeling.
Retailers are the ones not policing it.
Except if parents want a kid having a game, they can just go buy the game for the kid.
The majority of voters in America are seniors who still hate comic books for "destroying America's youth."
Don't tell them now, but comic books no longer carry those stupid "Comics Code Authority" labels advertising their safe-for-children content. Now they have ratings, just like everything else.
Gasp, shock, horror.
I'm an adult, and I have a problem with it.
If the law just targets video games, then that is unfair. Other than pornography, there are no laws about content being sold to minors.
Video games, like movies, are voluntarily rated. There is no law to enforce the movie ratings, as far as I am aware, and so there shouldn't be one for video games.
Another poster here said, "All media, or none." And I agree.
Goofy names, I suppose
We live in a world of goofy names. Some of them make sense, others don't, but think about how some of these would sound if you hadn't heard them before:
Nintendo, Atari, Apple Computer, iPod, Microsoft, Windows, Linux, Gameboy, Playstation (sound a little like Fisher price?), X-Box, Sega, KDE, Gnome, and the browsers: Firefox, Netscape Navigator, Netscape Communicator, Internet Explorer, Konqueror, all sound kind of weird if you think about it. And, of course: Wii.
Don't get me wrong, I get the names of all of these (okay, except "X-Box"), but if you weren't used to them, every one would sound extremely odd. The initial reaction to Wii and acceptance is a good case in point. When it first announced I don't think I know anyone who didn't blink and wonder why they chose it, but now no one cares. I'd still rather they picked a different name, but then, I'm sitting here telling people I run something called Ubuntu...
I always thought "hock" had something to do with spitting. As in, "hock a loogie" (lugie? loogy? Snot confuses me so...)
In addition to what the anon said about half of slashdot, I was under the mistaken impression that the poster I originally replied to was suggesting we eliminate copyright.
further down, OP points out he doesn't.
The strawman I put up was an accident, not intentionally done for the purpose of arguing a point.
Where exactly did I say you should pay for anything you want?
I said if you want to read the book, kick some money the author's way.
I'm sorry you seem to take "if you like it, support the author" to mean "pay for books you don't want."
Yeah, but just remember, my ideas are mine until 99 years after I die.
Oh, I know they won't.
Not until reading digitally is much easier on the eyes.
However, I'll always like actually holding the book. I don't know why that is, but it only seems to apply to books.
Points taken. I don't think we completely agree, but I don't think we're as far from it as I did when I started my first reply.
I have no problem at all with severely pulling back the current ridiculousness of the "IP" laws. Most of those are designed to protect stupid business models, and there's absolutely no reason for "author's life plus 99 years."
Paper books don't have DRM. I'm not arguing defending DRM in ANY way, and I hope no one took my comment that way. I think DRM is insulting and a waste of everyone's time.
I've read my share of crappy published books, that much is true, but it's one of the markets where publishers are less inclined to take risk publishing a crap book, because profits are so low. With the possible exception of self-help and diet books, which, like that stupid cheese moving book, are inexplicably popular.
I just don't think eliminating copyright completely is the right path. That's not to say I think the current system is perfect; I'd be fine with a ten-year-from-publication limit. Or even five. Of course, at this point anything is better than "99 years after the author kicks it." And I think software patents are stifling. But for entertainment, I can see the need for copyright and a monopoly on distribution.
Except I'd rather the authors I like not have to write in their spare time and on lunch breaks. I'd rather they get paid to write, and then have more time to write their books. From a purely consumer standpoint, the idea of less quality books irks the snot out of me. I read voraciously. I don't mind paying for books.
And there's also a lot of crap free stuff on the internet. People who would never normally be given an outlet, and I have to wade through them.
Movies will still survive through private patronage or government subsidies
Please God, no. The last thing I want is for the government to be paying for movies to get made. There are a lot of movies made that absolutely fucking suck and I don't want tax dollars going towards subsidizing that. Or music, or books. I don't like it when the government bails out farmers or airlines, either.
If the government pays for movies to get made, not only are you paying for the movies you like, but you're paying for every movie that you think stinks. The idea of the next Gigli coming out of taxes is horrid. and I've seen the way governments run things, if the government made movies, most of them would be Gigli quality with a Waterworld budget.