Somebody should stop him, we don't need anyone associated with Doom *anywhere* near our lunar or martian bases...
Yeah, wouldn't you hate to be the poor sod working in the 'underground command centre', who has to trek 25 miles from the station entrance every day to get to work thanks to the wonderful linear design of the base?
Yeah, sorry.. I just spent way too long wrestling with symlinks to get cdparanoia working:p
Is it just me or does this error message look a little.. odd?
Feb 18 18:17:10 localhost kernel: tty_io.c: process 646 (pppd) used obsolete/dev/cua/0 - update software to use/dev/ttyS0
Is there some sort of obsolescence temporal loop going on here or what?
Unfortunately, it's taken them a fair while to notice this - it was mentioned in APC (Australian Personal Computer magazine) a few months ago after a reader wrote to the ACCC asking about it. The response was something like "We were unaware of this, and would be very interested in more information about this issue". Guess it paid off.
As a side note, Professor Fels is a pretty big consumer advocate over here - the ACCC has prosecuted all manner of corporations with regards to abnormal price hikes (even small ones) after the recent introduction of a goods and services tax, including a big bank or two. They don't tend to dick around with what they see as being anti-competitive or anti-consumer behaviour.
The more countries that flush out these stupid region codes, the better..
As I see it, most of this all comes down to the installer. Perhaps its time we took a Windows-like approach to the default, "I don't know or want to know what's going on" install - just stick the installation on the hard drive somewhere and don't really care what happens to any other OSs that might be present (perhaps trying to set up a bootloader for Windows though). Let's see..
- Automatic network/Internet configuration
Don't most distros do this already for network cards? On RH at least, it can't be too hard for a user to run control-panel and set up an internet connection that way, too.
- Tough, preconfigured security for network/Internet access
Okay, good point. Let's stop installing ftpd/httpd/anything-d by default on a 'simple' install, that should mostly fix the problem.
- A conservative roster of applications
So just pick the first (or 'best'?) app of each type and install it. Why should advanced users get less choice over their applications for the benefit of less experienced users?
- Preconfigured Windows/Mac OS file system and network support
It should be feasible to write a partition scanner that checks to see what partitions you have and automatically add them to/etc/fstab, shouldn't it? Other than that, a GUI for samba configuration would be nice, I suppose.
- A single window manager that integrates the best of existing desktop environments blah blah
How about no? Unless somebody feels like 'integrating' KDE and GNOME.. I'm not even going to bother with the 'window manager != desktop environment' bit.
- A modicum of accessories such as a calculator and an address book
Uhh.. (checks GNOME apps menu).. seems to be there already.. same goes for KDE..
Perhaps this guy will be happy with Evolution, what with its resemblance to Outlook.
- User-friendly network administration tools
Most of what the 'average user' would want is already there, but yes, a fancier GUI couldn't hurt.
So what, exactly, does this guy want? A couple of fancy GUIs and a default install option...
It might make sense, then, to have several CDs for several different install types - one CD clearly marked as a 'Standard' install (for the everyday user, everything gets done for them), and a CD set for the 'Advanced' (or should that be 'Advanced Datacenter Pro Super Server Edition 2001'?) for people who don't want the hand-holding.
Personally, though, I think I lost any real appreciation of the article at around the point where he said:
Add a peripheral (or just sneeze, for that matter) and you'll spend a good chunk of time trying to figure out how to recompile your kernel.
Pretty much everybody here knows you don't need to recompile to install most peripherals, assuming you've got module support enabled, and the sneeze remark was just completely unnecessary.
Just my $0.01 (rounded, converted from $AUS.. shocking exchange rate at the moment)
Nokia has had it's 9000 Communicator out for a few years now.. rather bulky and nowhere near as elegant in design as the new phones, but it was apparently not a bad gadget.
Looks just like an ordinary mobile phone (except for the odd wedge-shaped flip-out antenna), then you press a little button on the side and open it like a book to reveal a palmtop-sized LCD screen and qwerty keyboard.
Uh, no. Since the hell when is anything Emacs just 'an application'? If RMS was dead, he'd be turning over in his grave at that suggestion. Or something.
It's all a plot by the porn industry:
1) Get everyone using 'harmless' eye tracking systems.
2) Replace the 'click here to subscribe to our $599.95/month service' links with 'blinkable' images.
3) Watch the cash roll in!
More like 120MB - MDs use a fixed, 224kbps ATRAC encoding scheme. Unless, that is, you have one of the newer crop of decks (JE440, JE640, whatever) that supports 'long play', in which case it can also use the so-called 'ATRAC3' to allow MP3-size files and thus around 2-4 hours on a single MD at ~MP3 quality (128kbps).
I say so-called because it's not really ATRAC 3.. that was released quite some time ago, and has since been superseded by ATRACs 4, 4.5, and Type R (the latest). IIRC, the only real reason for calling it ATRAC3 was to leverage the public knowledge of the MP3 name. *shrug*
Incidentally, there are a few MD products around that do allow data, but at the expense of audio *sigh*, including the MD Mavica (uses the MD Data2 disc, 640 MB, built in web server, java, etc.. cool stuff), a nifty looking dual MD book-sized PDF reader, and a couple of other things, which you can't get outside Japan.
The only MD drive for PCs that was ever released required odd-looking and rather incompatible MD Data disks.
I believe you can legally download the full version of OMF 2097 now.. the original authors got Epic to allow that after they left to start working on OMF 2 (see http://www.omf.com)
It was available for a while at the official site, but I haven't seen it in a while..
How fast is your machine? I get playable speeds with the speed slider set to about half on my p3-450.
I'm sorry, but PlanetFrontPage is a registered trademark of GameSpy Industries, and we are going to have to ask you to stop using our trademark or face the wrath of our trained attack dogs.
> It ran perfectly on 286 computers and I whish its source code were given to the Open Source community.
Actually, I emailed John Carmack once a year or two ago asking about that exact same thing.. Unfortunately, it seems that the source code to most of id's earlier games (in other words, the non-3d ones) has been lost forever.. quite a pity really:(
Interestingly, you could consider Return to Castle Wolfenstein a "Wolfenstein 3", if you think about how the original game was originally sold: in two (yes, you guessed it) trilogies of episodes.
IIRC, the initial design of the PlayStation (which was designed by Sony in cooperation with Nintendo to be a CD-based SNES) was nicknamed the PS. Then, Nintendo broke off their agreement (only to try working with Philips on a CD-based console; that went under also, hence the cartridge-based N64, but I digress..), and Sony decided to go it alone with a redesigned "PlayStation-X" (hence the term PSX). Of course, the logical follow-up for "PlayStation"->"PSX" would be "PlayStation 2"->"PSX2".
Of course, I could be wrong about all this. I just remember reading this much in a gaming mag a few years ago..
Seriously, is there anybody who would like to perhaps donate a server and some bandwidth to set up a pay-per-mp3 site? Sure, mp3.com already sells mp3s over the 'net, but there's nothing wrong with a little competition (something the RIAA would most likely disagree with).
I see plenty of people saying "I'd buy the song for $x", but nobody saying "I'll sell the song for $x". This is something that is almost certainly within our power as a community to correct. mp3.slashdot.org anyone?
Perhaps selling mp3s simultaneously at 128kbps (for use with Rio etc) and 256kbps (for PC use), or maybe even do audio burns onto CD or MiniDisc for the neato factor? This would allow for the "mix-n-match" CD's that so many people seem to be wishing for.
I realize that many people would be turned off somewhat working for free on a project designed to make other people money, but that could perhaps be rectified by a *modest* percentage of sales (2.5%? 5? It'd add up eventually:p) going towards paying for bandwidth (initially) and the people working on it.
Getting groups to participate would most likely be dead easy - Triple J (as an example) has their yearly "Unearthed" feature where they call for tapes or CDs from local bands in certain areas, then take the best tracks, rerecord them professionally and put them on a CD. According to their web site they have received over 4000 entries since they started.
You have to admit, it'd look good to be able to have a headline reading something along the lines of "Evil DeCSS and MP3 hackers outsell RIAA", wouldn't it?
I know that I'd certainly be willing to help out if it meant paying less for the music I like, whilst at the same time paying the artist more for their work..
Ah well, that's just my thoughts on the issue. Perhaps here we have a chance to wipe out their intended image of "hackers" and beat them at their own game.
Actually, the Blade DVD (at least this release) doesn't have the PCFriendly crud on it.. As far as I can see, it's their standard warning - The Matrix DVD (which has PCFriendly) has the exact same text on it.
23. Gilmore goes on to state that "[o]ne major reason [for making such copies] is to allow Linux developers and users to watch their DVDs on their non-Windows computers." (Id. at 10). Linux is an alternative operating system to Windows. It was developed as an "open" system which is available at no charge to the user. To date, no person or entity has taken a license from DVD CCA or its predecessor to use CSS in a Linux application. If a person or entity were prepared to take a license on the same terms as existing licensees, such a license would be granted.
At that point, Linux users could lawfully view motion pictures on their non-Windows operating system. Until then, Linux users have no "right," via a "hack" around other software licenses, like the Xing license, to gain access to this proprietary technology. (my emphasis)
Could someone please point out to me where it states on my DVD discs (or associated containers/sleeves/whatnot) that I have "no right" to view them on my Linux system?
Looking at the back of my "Blade" case I can see the following warning: WARNING: This digital video disc is sold on the condition it is not offered for sale or hire outside Australia (Fine with me.. I'm Australian and live there) The copyright proprietor has licensed the film (including the soundtrack) comprised in this digital video disc for home use only (Fine also, my computer is indeed in my home) All other rights are reserved. Any unauthorised copying, editing, exhibition, renting, exchanging, hiring, lending, public performances and/or broadcasts of this digital video disc or any part thereof is strictly prohibited.
Did you see any mention of Linux there? Me neither. In my opinion, it is becoming more and more obvious that this case is not about DeCSS; it is about the DVD CCA's right to charge exorbitant amounts of money for their beloved "licenses", along with imposing restrictions on said licenses that would be prohibitive of Linux development (which would most likely be under the GPL).
Just think of what could happen if we win this case. Suddenly, all the developers who have agreed to licenses for using CSS code can bypass those licenses and save some dough in the process. A new breed of players could crop up, designed by people/groups who have the programming ability but not the cash to afford a license. All of this would lead to one thing: reduced income for the CCA. Indeed, is CSS not the CCA's main asset (if not the only one)? If so, then the CCA could stand to lose their entire reason to exist if this case fails..
In any case, I think it is appalling that the CCA can openly suggest that Linux users have no "right" to view movies that they have legally purchased. Isn't this called product tying? I hope they get what they deserve.. a solid beating:)
As a side note, does this mean they will be adding the court to their list of defendants, thus effectively suing the entire United States of America? Maybe the US Govt. will be able to put up some cash towards the war effort:p
Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer. (how typical) I'm posting this from Australia (of course), so I apologise in advance if the records are resealed before this was posted - I'm not entirely sure what the time is in the US:)
Installers need better "back-stepping". Not everyone has one of those globes from "7 Days". It should be possible to undo exactly one step, at ANY time.
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Somebody should stop him, we don't need anyone associated with Doom *anywhere* near our lunar or martian bases...
Yeah, wouldn't you hate to be the poor sod working in the 'underground command centre', who has to trek 25 miles from the station entrance every day to get to work thanks to the wonderful linear design of the base?
Yeah, sorry.. I just spent way too long wrestling with symlinks to get cdparanoia working :p
/dev/cua/0 - update software to use /dev/ttyS0
Is it just me or does this error message look a little.. odd?
Feb 18 18:17:10 localhost kernel: tty_io.c: process 646 (pppd) used obsolete
Is there some sort of obsolescence temporal loop going on here or what?
Dude, get with the times! It's not /dev/hda any more, it's
h is 0/that0/hahahahimwastingyourtime0/disc
:(
/dev/ide/host0/bus0/target0/somethingiforget0/t
All I can say is thank God for devfsd.. my brain can't handle these new device names very well
Uhh, AIWA is Sony.. Just their 'other' brand, sorta like the way Panasonic and Technics are basically the same thing (both owned by Matsushita (sp?)).
Unfortunately, it's taken them a fair while to notice this - it was mentioned in APC (Australian Personal Computer magazine) a few months ago after a reader wrote to the ACCC asking about it. The response was something like "We were unaware of this, and would be very interested in more information about this issue". Guess it paid off.
As a side note, Professor Fels is a pretty big consumer advocate over here - the ACCC has prosecuted all manner of corporations with regards to abnormal price hikes (even small ones) after the recent introduction of a goods and services tax, including a big bank or two. They don't tend to dick around with what they see as being anti-competitive or anti-consumer behaviour.
The more countries that flush out these stupid region codes, the better..
- Automatic network/Internet configuration
Don't most distros do this already for network cards? On RH at least, it can't be too hard for a user to run control-panel and set up an internet connection that way, too.
- Tough, preconfigured security for network/Internet access
Okay, good point. Let's stop installing ftpd/httpd/anything-d by default on a 'simple' install, that should mostly fix the problem.
- A conservative roster of applications
So just pick the first (or 'best'?) app of each type and install it. Why should advanced users get less choice over their applications for the benefit of less experienced users?
- Preconfigured Windows/Mac OS file system and network support /etc/fstab, shouldn't it? Other than that, a GUI for samba configuration would be nice, I suppose.
It should be feasible to write a partition scanner that checks to see what partitions you have and automatically add them to
- A single window manager that integrates the best of existing desktop environments blah blah
How about no? Unless somebody feels like 'integrating' KDE and GNOME.. I'm not even going to bother with the 'window manager != desktop environment' bit.
- A modicum of accessories such as a calculator and an address book
Uhh.. (checks GNOME apps menu).. seems to be there already.. same goes for KDE.. Perhaps this guy will be happy with Evolution, what with its resemblance to Outlook.
- User-friendly network administration tools
Most of what the 'average user' would want is already there, but yes, a fancier GUI couldn't hurt.
So what, exactly, does this guy want? A couple of fancy GUIs and a default install option...
It might make sense, then, to have several CDs for several different install types - one CD clearly marked as a 'Standard' install (for the everyday user, everything gets done for them), and a CD set for the 'Advanced' (or should that be 'Advanced Datacenter Pro Super Server Edition 2001'?) for people who don't want the hand-holding.
Personally, though, I think I lost any real appreciation of the article at around the point where he said:
Pretty much everybody here knows you don't need to recompile to install most peripherals, assuming you've got module support enabled, and the sneeze remark was just completely unnecessary.Just my $0.01 (rounded, converted from $AUS.. shocking exchange rate at the moment)
Nokia has had it's 9000 Communicator out for a few years now.. rather bulky and nowhere near as elegant in design as the new phones, but it was apparently not a bad gadget.
Looks just like an ordinary mobile phone (except for the odd wedge-shaped flip-out antenna), then you press a little button on the side and open it like a book to reveal a palmtop-sized LCD screen and qwerty keyboard.
Isn't XEmacs an application?
Uh, no. Since the hell when is anything Emacs just 'an application'? If RMS was dead, he'd be turning over in his grave at that suggestion. Or something.
It's all a plot by the porn industry:
1) Get everyone using 'harmless' eye tracking systems.
2) Replace the 'click here to subscribe to our $599.95/month service' links with 'blinkable' images.
3) Watch the cash roll in!
Be afraid.. be very afraid..
More like 120MB - MDs use a fixed, 224kbps ATRAC encoding scheme. Unless, that is, you have one of the newer crop of decks (JE440, JE640, whatever) that supports 'long play', in which case it can also use the so-called 'ATRAC3' to allow MP3-size files and thus around 2-4 hours on a single MD at ~MP3 quality (128kbps).
I say so-called because it's not really ATRAC 3.. that was released quite some time ago, and has since been superseded by ATRACs 4, 4.5, and Type R (the latest). IIRC, the only real reason for calling it ATRAC3 was to leverage the public knowledge of the MP3 name. *shrug*
Incidentally, there are a few MD products around that do allow data, but at the expense of audio *sigh*, including the MD Mavica (uses the MD Data2 disc, 640 MB, built in web server, java, etc.. cool stuff), a nifty looking dual MD book-sized PDF reader, and a couple of other things, which you can't get outside Japan.
The only MD drive for PCs that was ever released required odd-looking and rather incompatible MD Data disks.
I believe you can legally download the full version of OMF 2097 now.. the original authors got Epic to allow that after they left to start working on OMF 2 (see http://www.omf.com)
It was available for a while at the official site, but I haven't seen it in a while..
How fast is your machine? I get playable speeds with the speed slider set to about half on my p3-450.
I'm sorry, but PlanetFrontPage is a registered trademark of GameSpy Industries, and we are going to have to ask you to stop using our trademark or face the wrath of our trained attack dogs.
Thank you for your time.
They've all got their own unique ID that you could perhaps work into your key to identify it, they seem pretty resilient, and they're fairly cheap.
They've even got one that'll do all the crypto for you, on-chip..
> It ran perfectly on 286 computers and I whish its source code were given to the Open Source community.
:(
Actually, I emailed John Carmack once a year or two ago asking about that exact same thing..
Unfortunately, it seems that the source code to most of id's earlier games (in other words, the non-3d ones) has been lost forever.. quite a pity really
Interestingly, you could consider Return to Castle Wolfenstein a "Wolfenstein 3", if you think about how the original game was originally sold: in two (yes, you guessed it) trilogies of episodes.
IIRC, the initial design of the PlayStation (which was designed by Sony in cooperation with Nintendo to be a CD-based SNES) was nicknamed the PS.
Then, Nintendo broke off their agreement (only to try working with Philips on a CD-based console; that went under also, hence the cartridge-based N64, but I digress..), and Sony decided to go it alone with a redesigned "PlayStation-X" (hence the term PSX).
Of course, the logical follow-up for "PlayStation"->"PSX" would be "PlayStation 2"->"PSX2".
Of course, I could be wrong about all this. I just remember reading this much in a gaming mag a few years ago..
... and do something about it!
Seriously, is there anybody who would like to perhaps donate a server and some bandwidth to set up a pay-per-mp3 site? Sure, mp3.com already sells mp3s over the 'net, but there's nothing wrong with a little competition (something the RIAA would most likely disagree with).
I see plenty of people saying "I'd buy the song for $x", but nobody saying "I'll sell the song for $x". This is something that is almost certainly within our power as a community to correct. mp3.slashdot.org anyone?
Perhaps selling mp3s simultaneously at 128kbps (for use with Rio etc) and 256kbps (for PC use), or maybe even do audio burns onto CD or MiniDisc for the neato factor? This would allow for the "mix-n-match" CD's that so many people seem to be wishing for.
I realize that many people would be turned off somewhat working for free on a project designed to make other people money, but that could perhaps be rectified by a *modest* percentage of sales (2.5%? 5? It'd add up eventually :p) going towards paying for bandwidth (initially) and the people working on it.
Getting groups to participate would most likely be dead easy - Triple J (as an example) has their yearly "Unearthed" feature where they call for tapes or CDs from local bands in certain areas, then take the best tracks, rerecord them professionally and put them on a CD. According to their web site they have received over 4000 entries since they started.
You have to admit, it'd look good to be able to have a headline reading something along the lines of "Evil DeCSS and MP3 hackers outsell RIAA", wouldn't it?
I know that I'd certainly be willing to help out if it meant paying less for the music I like, whilst at the same time paying the artist more for their work..
Ah well, that's just my thoughts on the issue. Perhaps here we have a chance to wipe out their intended image of "hackers" and beat them at their own game.
Actually, the Blade DVD (at least this release) doesn't have the PCFriendly crud on it.. As far as I can see, it's their standard warning - The Matrix DVD (which has PCFriendly) has the exact same text on it.
Could someone please point out to me where it states on my DVD discs (or associated containers/sleeves/whatnot) that I have "no right" to view them on my Linux system?
Looking at the back of my "Blade" case I can see the following warning:
WARNING: This digital video disc is sold on the condition it is not offered for sale or hire outside Australia (Fine with me.. I'm Australian and live there)
The copyright proprietor has licensed the film (including the soundtrack) comprised in this digital video disc for home use only (Fine also, my computer is indeed in my home) All other rights are reserved. Any unauthorised copying, editing, exhibition, renting, exchanging, hiring, lending, public performances and/or broadcasts of this digital video disc or any part thereof is strictly prohibited.
Did you see any mention of Linux there? Me neither.
In my opinion, it is becoming more and more obvious that this case is not about DeCSS; it is about the DVD CCA's right to charge exorbitant amounts of money for their beloved "licenses", along with imposing restrictions on said licenses that would be prohibitive of Linux development (which would most likely be under the GPL).
Just think of what could happen if we win this case. Suddenly, all the developers who have agreed to licenses for using CSS code can bypass those licenses and save some dough in the process. A new breed of players could crop up, designed by people/groups who have the programming ability but not the cash to afford a license. All of this would lead to one thing: reduced income for the CCA. Indeed, is CSS not the CCA's main asset (if not the only one)? If so, then the CCA could stand to lose their entire reason to exist if this case fails..
In any case, I think it is appalling that the CCA can openly suggest that Linux users have no "right" to view movies that they have legally purchased. Isn't this called product tying? I hope they get what they deserve.. a solid beating
As a side note, does this mean they will be adding the court to their list of defendants, thus effectively suing the entire United States of America? Maybe the US Govt. will be able to put up some cash towards the war effort
Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer. (how typical) I'm posting this from Australia (of course), so I apologise in advance if the records are resealed before this was posted - I'm not entirely sure what the time is in the US
Installers need better "back-stepping". Not everyone has one of those globes from "7 Days". It should be possible to undo exactly one step, at ANY time.
Sure we do. ALT-m back-step. 'nuff said.