If other studios follow suit, we won't get people whining that "you're all hypocrites 'cuz you whine about the copy-protection but still see LotR twenty times!" every time Slashdot posts a movie-related article.
(I mean, it *is* somewhat hypocritical, but a little hypocrisy is good for a person now and then.;-)
I was pissed off, because of course I only discovered all these ways around the Macrovision protection *after* we sprang for a new TV.:-(
Not that our other TV wasn't more than 14 years old (though still working well) and probably due for a replacement, but I enjoy thumbing my nose at the powers-that-be.
And *now* you don't even need to spring for the bloody *converter*!:-(((((((
They're just trying to increase profits, that's all.
Which means *somebody* within the organization realizes that copy-protection 1) doesn't prevent piracy, 2) pisses people off, and 3) isn't saving them any money. Let's hope this "radical" idea spreads!
Please, no! Don't let them bring a technology industry to Iowa! Then I wouldn't have anything to be moving towards when I leave for college!;-)
(Actually, if (hypothetically) Iowa could attract some a decent technology industry, it would be wonderful, because we truly have some of the best public schools in the nation (no thanks to state budgets) and Iowa could turn itself into a technology powerhouse. Besides, software development *can't* be as nasty as the meat-packing/animal-producing operations they've been trying to attract for the past twenty years. And I'd kinda' like something to move *back* to!)
I'm not sure I understand... are you talking pick out the books they want via the Web, go to the library, and pick them up (which few libraries will have the staff to do) or something else?
Just saw II last night and loved it (IMHO better than *Spider-man*...) -- especially the cyberpunkish chase scene through Coruscant. That said, I have to agree that the physical models age better than the CG.
I had a chance to see Ep. I again recently on TV, and to be frank, the pod-racing scene looked fake. Airbrushed smudges for "smoke", ships exploding into their component polygons, etc. etc. It didn't look bad when it was first released, but the technology has advanced to the point where the old is almost painful to watch. I also saw ANH, and the models still look really good.
On the other hand, there is no way Episode II could have been made the way it was without the CG, and you can't avoid tying a movie to when it was made (changing hairstyles, anyone?). I had a hard time last night telling the CG/matte-painted backdrops from the real deal (esp. on Naboo and Tatooine), which is definately progress, and I enjoy the swooping, roller-coaster camera work that CG allows.
I worry some about Mr. Lucas's devotion to digital film as well -- there is something about digital that is different from standard film, some characteristic I can't pinpoint, that may not transfer as well. (Or maybe I was hallucinating. Who knows.:-) Hopefully if he is including Natalie Portman in RotJ, he'll do it with minimal CG and on standard film so it won't be so jarring.
Certainly, it might take far longer for complex life to develop in extreme environments,
Actually, I seem to recall some scientists hypothesizing that life emerged first near black smokers, and then moved to the land. May or may not hold, but it's an interesting thought. (Jimmy, say hello to your great-great-great-...-great grandad, the lipstick worm!;-)
Let's assume that any music distribution scheme has to appeal to preteens and teenagers as well as adults. (Not necessarily this particular promotion, although if the artist's other song was *Wild Night* you might get some hits.:-)
The big problem with the $0.99 song is this: kids don't have credit cards. If mommy and daddy paid for the kids' music subscription (to, say, PressPlay), mommy and daddy would want to know what the kids downloaded, which kids wouldn't like for the obvious reasons.
The best solution I can find (if you have a better idea, comment on!) goes something like this: Joe Teen walks into Wal-Mart (or some venue that wouldn't require censored songs), plunks a quarter or two in a kiosk for every song he wants, selects them onscreen from sizable catalog, and out pops a restriction-free (read: rippable) CD.
I know there are online sevices that do similar things; problem being, they all require the aforementioned credit cards. There are a lot of times when I really only want one or two songs off a CD, and no way in heck can I afford to pay $15 for a couple songs -- and no, I don't have a credit card.
I think Apple did this once... something about the (then) current G-whatever chip being so powerful it was banned from export under the same regulations as supercomputers.
the Bible Geek, people who can give out four interpretations for every chapter of ever gospel
These aren't the people to worry about. If they recognize that there's more than one "correct" way to view it, they're on the right track. It's the ones who only know one interpretation ( and if you don't follow it you're going to Hell), that scare me.
That said, sorry the original poster doesn't like Star Wars... I guess that means it'll be easier for us to get tickets!:-)
You do realize that the Atanasoff-Berry Computer is the *only* major computer technology advancement made in the state of Iowa *ever*? (We're not counting Gateway, 'cuz they chickened out (no pun intended).)
Us geeks from Iowa have to have *something* to be proud of!:-)
PC Magazine's Jim Seymour has periodically advocated special PRIO computer eyeglasses. ("The Civil Workplace") Apparently eyestrain is due to standard eyeglasses being tuned for a printed page, which doesn't refresh like a CRT does. PRIO's explanatory page goes into further detail. I don't know personally how well this works, but it might be worth a shot.
Cool link. I just got the DVD, too -- didn't even notice the product placement, except for the Hilton bit, and it seemed to fit. (I would never have expected Mr. Kubrick to beat us over the head with advertising, but it's still refreshing to know he did it intelligently! Whenever I see a TV character using an Apple computer I wonder just how much Steve Jobs paid...)
Clear Lake is the only place you can have a sailboat? Oh no! Somebody call up the Okoboji Chamber of Commerce!!!
Iowa makes the Slashdot front page -- isn't that one of those harbingers of the end of the world?
Seriously, though, there's lots of boating in Okoboji and Spirit Lake and Storm Lake and several hundred man-made lakes all over the state.
The local telcos have done lots with fiber -- they only have to wire a few thousand homes, and if they're replacing the infrastructure anyway... Makes for a very nice setup, if you can afford $50/mo. for DSL or cable (which is the big issue in widespread adoption of high-speed Net access in Iowa).
Slashdot Mirror
The thought of an MS rep in a penguin suit is enough to make me gag! ;-)
If other studios follow suit, we won't get people whining that "you're all hypocrites 'cuz you whine about the copy-protection but still see LotR twenty times!" every time Slashdot posts a movie-related article.
;-)
(I mean, it *is* somewhat hypocritical, but a little hypocrisy is good for a person now and then.
I was pissed off, because of course I only discovered all these ways around the Macrovision protection *after* we sprang for a new TV. :-(
:-(((((((
Not that our other TV wasn't more than 14 years old (though still working well) and probably due for a replacement, but I enjoy thumbing my nose at the powers-that-be.
And *now* you don't even need to spring for the bloody *converter*!
They're just trying to increase profits, that's all.
Which means *somebody* within the organization realizes that copy-protection 1) doesn't prevent piracy, 2) pisses people off, and 3) isn't saving them any money. Let's hope this "radical" idea spreads!
Please, no! Don't let them bring a technology industry to Iowa! Then I wouldn't have anything to be moving towards when I leave for college! ;-)
(Actually, if (hypothetically) Iowa could attract some a decent technology industry, it would be wonderful, because we truly have some of the best public schools in the nation (no thanks to state budgets) and Iowa could turn itself into a technology powerhouse. Besides, software development *can't* be as nasty as the meat-packing/animal-producing operations they've been trying to attract for the past twenty years. And I'd kinda' like something to move *back* to!)
Is that the lovely sound of *sarcasm* I hear?
I'm not sure I understand... are you talking pick out the books they want via the Web, go to the library, and pick them up (which few libraries will have the staff to do) or something else?
Was that what Dmitry Skylarov hacked that landed him in such hot water?
Just saw II last night and loved it (IMHO better than *Spider-man*...) -- especially the cyberpunkish chase scene through Coruscant. That said, I have to agree that the physical models age better than the CG.
:-) Hopefully if he is including Natalie Portman in RotJ, he'll do it with minimal CG and on standard film so it won't be so jarring.
I had a chance to see Ep. I again recently on TV, and to be frank, the pod-racing scene looked fake. Airbrushed smudges for "smoke", ships exploding into their component polygons, etc. etc. It didn't look bad when it was first released, but the technology has advanced to the point where the old is almost painful to watch. I also saw ANH, and the models still look really good.
On the other hand, there is no way Episode II could have been made the way it was without the CG, and you can't avoid tying a movie to when it was made (changing hairstyles, anyone?). I had a hard time last night telling the CG/matte-painted backdrops from the real deal (esp. on Naboo and Tatooine), which is definately progress, and I enjoy the swooping, roller-coaster camera work that CG allows.
I worry some about Mr. Lucas's devotion to digital film as well -- there is something about digital that is different from standard film, some characteristic I can't pinpoint, that may not transfer as well. (Or maybe I was hallucinating. Who knows.
Certainly, it might take far longer for complex life to develop in extreme environments,
;-)
Actually, I seem to recall some scientists hypothesizing that life emerged first near black smokers, and then moved to the land. May or may not hold, but it's an interesting thought. (Jimmy, say hello to your great-great-great-...-great grandad, the lipstick worm!
Let's assume that any music distribution scheme has to appeal to preteens and teenagers as well as adults. (Not necessarily this particular promotion, although if the artist's other song was *Wild Night* you might get some hits. :-)
The big problem with the $0.99 song is this: kids don't have credit cards. If mommy and daddy paid for the kids' music subscription (to, say, PressPlay), mommy and daddy would want to know what the kids downloaded, which kids wouldn't like for the obvious reasons.
The best solution I can find (if you have a better idea, comment on!) goes something like this: Joe Teen walks into Wal-Mart (or some venue that wouldn't require censored songs), plunks a quarter or two in a kiosk for every song he wants, selects them onscreen from sizable catalog, and out pops a restriction-free (read: rippable) CD.
I know there are online sevices that do similar things; problem being, they all require the aforementioned credit cards. There are a lot of times when I really only want one or two songs off a CD, and no way in heck can I afford to pay $15 for a couple songs -- and no, I don't have a credit card.
Thoughts?
I know this is feeding the trolls, but compare $0.99US to:
$15 for a new DRM-supporting CD player.
$150 for a new DRM-supporting DVD player.
$1500 for a new DRM-supporting PC.
Life in prison for ripping a CD.
Pick your poison.
I think Apple did this once... something about the (then) current G-whatever chip being so powerful it was banned from export under the same regulations as supercomputers.
OTOH, that was hardware. This is stupid.
I dunno about that... the folks who established the colonies at Roanoke and Jamestown were probably in a similar boat (no pun intended).
the Bible Geek, people who can give out four interpretations for every chapter of ever gospel
:-)
These aren't the people to worry about. If they recognize that there's more than one "correct" way to view it, they're on the right track. It's the ones who only know one interpretation ( and if you don't follow it you're going to Hell), that scare me.
That said, sorry the original poster doesn't like Star Wars... I guess that means it'll be easier for us to get tickets!
When will you people from Iowa give it up?
:-)
You do realize that the Atanasoff-Berry Computer is the *only* major computer technology advancement made in the state of Iowa *ever*? (We're not counting Gateway, 'cuz they chickened out (no pun intended).)
Us geeks from Iowa have to have *something* to be proud of!
You're right in that the Atanasoff-Berry Computer was the first working computer. For the record, it was made at Iowa State University, not the University of Iowa.
If only I lived in Denver... :-(
The little guy has to win some of the time! Anybody know if there's a fund set up for folks to donate money towards legal expenses?
;-)
I mean, used bookstores are just *rolling* in dough.
PC Magazine's Jim Seymour has periodically advocated special PRIO computer eyeglasses. ("The Civil Workplace") Apparently eyestrain is due to standard eyeglasses being tuned for a printed page, which doesn't refresh like a CRT does. PRIO's explanatory page goes into further detail. I don't know personally how well this works, but it might be worth a shot.
The Cathedral and the Bazaar, (Online Version) ought to do the trick. Some of Robert Cringley's books maybe, too.
Check out WorldForge, an open-source MMORPG project. Nothing like seeing the principles in action!
Cool link. I just got the DVD, too -- didn't even notice the product placement, except for the Hilton bit, and it seemed to fit. (I would never have expected Mr. Kubrick to beat us over the head with advertising, but it's still refreshing to know he did it intelligently! Whenever I see a TV character using an Apple computer I wonder just how much Steve Jobs paid...)
Clear Lake is the only place you can have a sailboat? Oh no! Somebody call up the Okoboji Chamber of Commerce!!!
Iowa makes the Slashdot front page -- isn't that one of those harbingers of the end of the world?
Seriously, though, there's lots of boating in Okoboji and Spirit Lake and Storm Lake and several hundred man-made lakes all over the state.
The local telcos have done lots with fiber -- they only have to wire a few thousand homes, and if they're replacing the infrastructure anyway... Makes for a very nice setup, if you can afford $50/mo. for DSL or cable (which is the big issue in widespread adoption of high-speed Net access in Iowa).
why can't I have the option to pay a little bit extra for no commercials I think it's called PBS...