we've been through these discussions over and over again. linux is NOT a suitable desktop operating system for the majority of users. most users do NOT want to spend a whole lot of time reading documentation on how to setup/configure their system, and most find it fustrating.
The moment most users using Windows can setup their own printer, remove spyware, or reconfigure their network settings in Windows without having to call upon the tech person they know, then you have a valid point.
But most users using Windows can't do that in Windows, so what makes you think Linux will be any more difficult?
As an employer of sysadmins, it's rather easy in my book. I pay for cell phones. Not a problem. But I am not going to pay for internet connections. It becomes a liability. Consider if it's a "company paid connection", it suffers under the same rules as the at work connection (no downloading music, bittorrent now allowed, etc). Obviously, this won't work out for a connection at home.
But then, I don't demand that my sys admins work from home. I expect that they work from the office.
However, keeping the servers up 24/7 is part of the job description. If the servers go down, it's the sysadmin's job to get it back up. If the sys admin tells me he doens't have an internet connection, fine, that doesn't mean he is going to lose his job.
However, our servers being down and the sys admin saying "Well, I am only paid to do this 9-5, call me in the morning" isn't going to cut it. The servers being down will cause the sys admin to lose his job.
Now, all this being said, I am not that cruel. I expect certain things from my sys admins, just as much as I let them get away with certain things (as sys admins should do). I don't complain if I catch them playing a little bit of quake. God forbid one of the sale or support staff is caught, but the sys admin, it's all good.
When they need to leave early, go ahead. A little longer on the lunch, fine.
It's reall a give an take relationship. I respect their freedom, I respect their abilities, and I respect that because at time we need them late at night, if they come in an hour later, so be it.
But that doesn't mean I am going to start paying for their Iternet connection, or computer, or chair, or desk, or electricity. The servers need to stay up. That's basically what I pay them for.
Again...can't be just start posting a weekly news post on/. to the affect of "Somewhere, someone created another virus for Windows?" Wouldn't that be equally effective, and still truthful?
I just can't wait to read the posts from the Window's defenders who claim to have never gotten a virus, and never suffered a problem with Windows. Right...sure. I'll believe that when DNF comes out.
Actually, if I get the "cheap" version of SUSE, it's $30.
Actually, it's free.
If I get Windows XP Home Edition with a piece of hardware, it's $90.
And, like most people, if you already have a computer, it's still only $90?
If the main advantage of Linux is based on price, it's starting to become less and less of an advantage.
It's not price, at least for me. It's a better desktop experience right out of the box. Take a default Windows XP install and a default install of a distro, like SuSE or Mandrake, and you can do more with the Linux distro than you can with Windows.
Of course, Windows makes it easy to install programs. I hear you guys can install programs just by visiting web pages? What's this called...um...Spyware?
"Perhaps you guys should start working on usability and driver coverage."
Done. I've switched several people who find it much easier to use Linux than Windows.
But don't take my word for it, I'm just 90% of the market.
I guess my subject pretty much expresses my enthusiasm. It's nice to see this coming from Sun. Looking Glass looked really cool, but I was always concerned that they wouldn't open it. Now with this news, it should allow desktop developers to try new things.
Not buy the CD. I won't buy CD's that are copy-protected. Basically, if I see that it's copy-protected, I look for the CD logo. If it's not on there, why would I want to buy something that isn't a CD?
Oh, it sucks. I like the Beastie Boy's, and I was going to buy their CD. I picked it up, and started walking to the register. But as soon as I saw that it was protected, I put it back.
I will buy CD's. I won't buy things that look like CD's, but aren't.
1. There is NO copy controlled software on US or UK releases of Beastie Boys' "To the 5 Boroughs."
2. The disk *IS* copy controlled in Europe - which is standard policy for all Capitol/EMI titles (and a policy used by ALL major labels in Europe).
3. The copy protection system used for all EMI/Capitol releases including "To the 5 Boroughs" is Macrovision's CDS-200, which sets up an audio player into the users RAM (not hard drive) to playback the RED book audio on the disk. It does absolutely NOT install any kind of spyware, shareware, silverware, or ladies wear onto the users system.
You can find more information on the technology used here: http://www.macrovision.com/products/cds/cds 200/ind ex.shtml
This is what EMI has to say about it: Reports that "spyware" is being included on the Beastie Boy's CD, 'To The Five Boroughs' are absolutely untrue.
While the Beastie Boys CD does use copy control in some territories, there is no copy control on the Beasties Boys discs in the US or the UK. Where copy protection is used, it is Macrovision's CDS-200 technology; the same technology being used for the past several months around the world for all of EMI's releases in those territories. This Macrovision technology does NOT install spyware or vaporware of any kind on a users PC. In fact, CDS-200 does not install software applications of ANY KIND on a user's PC. All the copy protection in CDS-200 is hardware based, meaning that it is dependent on the physical properties and the format of the CD. None of the copy protection in CDS-200 requires software applications to be loaded onto a computer.
The technology does activate a proprietary Macrovision player in order to play the CD on a PC, and that player converts WMA compressed files to audio on the fly. It also temporarily installs a graphic "skin" for the player. Nothing is permanently installed on a hard drive. These details can be verified in the 'install.log' file in the computer's root directory.
I live up in Montreal, Canada, and I was actually at a store yesterday, and went to buy their CD, until I noticed the big text on the CD saying it was copy-protected. Anyways, I looked on the back, and it said it only ran on Windows or Mac. So, in the end, I didn't buy the CD because of that big text saying it was copy-protected.
Will the CD play on Linux? I am all for buying their CD, but I will NOT buy a CD I can't play at work or at home.
I just don't get it. So according to the press release (which the article uses), the flew to 328 491 feet. Then the press release says: "approximately 62 miles or 100 km". The article here has a problem because 100km doesn't convert exactly to 328,491 feet.
Rather, 328,491 feet converts to 100.124057 Km. And anyone can tell you, when you say approximately, 100.124057 km and 100 km are are WAY off.
I concur. Luckily, I live in the land of the free (Canada). Living in Canada for 2 and 1/2 years has shown me what real freedom is.
It really is sad, because what can the average person do? Vote? Send checks to the ACLU? And quietly go about your day, because saying something contrary to the opinion of the current power could land you in trouble.
Not only this, but how many people realize what rights they are losing, what freedoms they are giving up every day.
As an American working in Montreal for more than 2 years now, I have always said that Montreal is a wonderful city, and in my opinion, the best city I have ever been to (and I have been to quite a few, including Europe and the US). The people here are fantastic, and it's just a wonderful environment. And even for a non french speaking person like myself, adjusting to the city and the culture was no problem.
Now, granted, I had some help (I moved up here for work and for my girl, who I met online (IRC), and yes, we are still together), so I may have had it easier.
But still, it's a great city. Much more free up here than in the US, as the minds of people are more European, and much more liberal.
I agree completely. When MS Office can open up all my documents from Open Office without a problem then it will be good enough. Until then, the missing features and not being able to use MS Office as I need to use it is a hassle.
But what about Photoshop on Mac OSX? It has multiple windows open at the same time, and is not an MDI interface like the Windows version? But people some how compare Gimp and Photoshop, and point to those multiple windows as a problem, but act like it doesn't exist on the Mac side? I just don't get it.
Besides that, what's the other problem? They don't have the right click only method anymore, with a menu at the top of every image's window, and yet they still have the right click menu for those that found it a lot easier than moving your cursor all the way to the top of the screen to access the menu. You could just right click, and the menu was there for you.
The problem with GIMP isn't with GIMP, but rather that people expect GIMP to work just like Photoshop.
After learning how to use the GIMP, I find that for many things, it's easier to do in GIMP than Photoshop.
This is not to say that GIMP is the end all of the Image Manipulation world. However, I find it odd that people complain that GIMP is not like Photoshop. If you want Photoshop, pay for it and be happy. Those of us who find it easy to use GIMP will continue to do so, and will save $$$ in the process.
Quite right. I agreed with the Grandparent post, and was rather serious in what I said. What he said was smart, I didn't have any mod points, and even if I had mod points, I couldn't have marked it any higher, though it deserved it.
Slashdot Mirror
1 Billion users is all fine, but how many of these people are actually using a legally licensed version of windows, and how many people "pirated" it?
we've been through these discussions over and over again. linux is NOT a suitable desktop operating system for the majority of users. most users do NOT want to spend a whole lot of time reading documentation on how to setup/configure their system, and most find it fustrating.
The moment most users using Windows can setup their own printer, remove spyware, or reconfigure their network settings in Windows without having to call upon the tech person they know, then you have a valid point.
But most users using Windows can't do that in Windows, so what makes you think Linux will be any more difficult?
Hahaha
Most companies/business aren't like that (speaking from personal experience, and current surroundings).
I would have no problem paying for an employees internet connection.
But then, it follows the same rules as the office connection.
As an employer of sysadmins, it's rather easy in my book. I pay for cell phones. Not a problem. But I am not going to pay for internet connections. It becomes a liability. Consider if it's a "company paid connection", it suffers under the same rules as the at work connection (no downloading music, bittorrent now allowed, etc). Obviously, this won't work out for a connection at home.
But then, I don't demand that my sys admins work from home. I expect that they work from the office.
However, keeping the servers up 24/7 is part of the job description. If the servers go down, it's the sysadmin's job to get it back up. If the sys admin tells me he doens't have an internet connection, fine, that doesn't mean he is going to lose his job.
However, our servers being down and the sys admin saying "Well, I am only paid to do this 9-5, call me in the morning" isn't going to cut it. The servers being down will cause the sys admin to lose his job.
Now, all this being said, I am not that cruel. I expect certain things from my sys admins, just as much as I let them get away with certain things (as sys admins should do). I don't complain if I catch them playing a little bit of quake. God forbid one of the sale or support staff is caught, but the sys admin, it's all good.
When they need to leave early, go ahead. A little longer on the lunch, fine.
It's reall a give an take relationship. I respect their freedom, I respect their abilities, and I respect that because at time we need them late at night, if they come in an hour later, so be it.
But that doesn't mean I am going to start paying for their Iternet connection, or computer, or chair, or desk, or electricity. The servers need to stay up. That's basically what I pay them for.
I completely agree, and in fact, that highlights my point. Apple has been able to do this, but only because they control the hardware.
The fact that Microsoft can't do this makes what Fedora has accomplished all the more amazing.
Yeah, but it's not as easy as you think. Heck, even Microsoft can't do this with Windows. About the only company that does this is Apple.
Again...can't be just start posting a weekly news post on /. to the affect of "Somewhere, someone created another virus for Windows?" Wouldn't that be equally effective, and still truthful?
I just can't wait to read the posts from the Window's defenders who claim to have never gotten a virus, and never suffered a problem with Windows. Right...sure. I'll believe that when DNF comes out.
Actually, if I get the "cheap" version of SUSE, it's $30.
Actually, it's free.
If I get Windows XP Home Edition with a piece of hardware, it's $90.
And, like most people, if you already have a computer, it's still only $90?
If the main advantage of Linux is based on price, it's starting to become less and less of an advantage.
It's not price, at least for me. It's a better desktop experience right out of the box. Take a default Windows XP install and a default install of a distro, like SuSE or Mandrake, and you can do more with the Linux distro than you can with Windows.
Of course, Windows makes it easy to install programs. I hear you guys can install programs just by visiting web pages? What's this called...um...Spyware?
"Perhaps you guys should start working on usability and driver coverage."
Done. I've switched several people who find it much easier to use Linux than Windows.
But don't take my word for it, I'm just 90% of the market.
Yeah, that's called mass suicide. =)
Yes, I am responding to my own post...but how is it moderated so high? I mean, seriously, even I don't think what I just said is insightful.
I guess my subject pretty much expresses my enthusiasm. It's nice to see this coming from Sun. Looking Glass looked really cool, but I was always concerned that they wouldn't open it. Now with this news, it should allow desktop developers to try new things.
Pretty cool stuff.
Not buy the CD. I won't buy CD's that are copy-protected. Basically, if I see that it's copy-protected, I look for the CD logo. If it's not on there, why would I want to buy something that isn't a CD?
Oh, it sucks. I like the Beastie Boy's, and I was going to buy their CD. I picked it up, and started walking to the register. But as soon as I saw that it was protected, I put it back.
I will buy CD's. I won't buy things that look like CD's, but aren't.
1. There is NO copy controlled software on US or UK releases of Beastie Boys' "To the 5 Boroughs."
s 200/ind ex.shtml
2. The disk *IS* copy controlled in Europe - which is standard policy for all
Capitol/EMI titles (and a policy used by ALL major labels in Europe).
3. The copy protection system used for all EMI/Capitol releases including "To the 5 Boroughs" is Macrovision's CDS-200, which sets up an audio player into the users RAM (not hard drive) to playback the RED book audio on the disk. It does absolutely NOT install any kind of spyware, shareware, silverware, or ladies wear onto the users system.
You can find more information on the technology used here:
http://www.macrovision.com/products/cds/cd
This is what EMI has to say about it:
Reports that "spyware" is being included on the Beastie Boy's CD, 'To The Five Boroughs' are absolutely untrue.
While the Beastie Boys CD does use copy control in some territories, there is no copy control on the Beasties Boys discs in the US or the UK. Where copy protection is used, it is Macrovision's CDS-200 technology; the same technology being used for the past several months around the world for all of EMI's releases in those territories. This Macrovision technology does NOT install spyware or vaporware of any kind on a users PC. In fact, CDS-200 does not install software applications of ANY KIND on a user's PC. All the copy protection in CDS-200 is hardware based, meaning that it is dependent on the physical properties and the format of the CD. None of the copy protection in CDS-200 requires software applications to be loaded onto a computer.
The technology does activate a proprietary Macrovision player in order to play the CD on a PC, and that player converts WMA compressed files to audio on the fly. It also temporarily installs a graphic "skin" for the player. Nothing is permanently installed on a hard drive. These details can be verified in the 'install.log' file in the computer's root directory.
I live up in Montreal, Canada, and I was actually at a store yesterday, and went to buy their CD, until I noticed the big text on the CD saying it was copy-protected. Anyways, I looked on the back, and it said it only ran on Windows or Mac. So, in the end, I didn't buy the CD because of that big text saying it was copy-protected.
Will the CD play on Linux? I am all for buying their CD, but I will NOT buy a CD I can't play at work or at home.
Damn, and I am going home now too. Wait, I know...
Me: Hey, can you go grab slackware 10 for me?
My GF: Sure.
Me: They have bittorrents...
My GF: I know. Already downloading...
Oh yeah. Tech girlfriends...the only way to download distro's. =)
I just don't get it. So according to the press release (which the article uses), the flew to 328 491 feet. Then the press release says: "approximately 62 miles or 100 km". The article here has a problem because 100km doesn't convert exactly to 328,491 feet.
Rather, 328,491 feet converts to 100.124057 Km. And anyone can tell you, when you say approximately, 100.124057 km and 100 km are are WAY off.
"Oddly enough, all of those thousand geeks could tell you what a scroll is."
Well, of course. Your mage writes spells onto scrolls, or finds them. I mean, what else would a scroll be?
BTW, What the hell is paper anyways? Is it anything like papyrus?
that basically has all the features of the full version.
all make me think of Barf's (John Candy) line in Spaceballs:
"I'm a mog. Half-man, half-dog. I'm my own best friend."
I concur. Luckily, I live in the land of the free (Canada). Living in Canada for 2 and 1/2 years has shown me what real freedom is.
It really is sad, because what can the average person do? Vote? Send checks to the ACLU? And quietly go about your day, because saying something contrary to the opinion of the current power could land you in trouble.
Not only this, but how many people realize what rights they are losing, what freedoms they are giving up every day.
As an American working in Montreal for more than 2 years now, I have always said that Montreal is a wonderful city, and in my opinion, the best city I have ever been to (and I have been to quite a few, including Europe and the US). The people here are fantastic, and it's just a wonderful environment. And even for a non french speaking person like myself, adjusting to the city and the culture was no problem.
Now, granted, I had some help (I moved up here for work and for my girl, who I met online (IRC), and yes, we are still together), so I may have had it easier.
But still, it's a great city. Much more free up here than in the US, as the minds of people are more European, and much more liberal.
I agree completely. When MS Office can open up all my documents from Open Office without a problem then it will be good enough. Until then, the missing features and not being able to use MS Office as I need to use it is a hassle.
But what about Photoshop on Mac OSX? It has multiple windows open at the same time, and is not an MDI interface like the Windows version? But people some how compare Gimp and Photoshop, and point to those multiple windows as a problem, but act like it doesn't exist on the Mac side? I just don't get it.
Besides that, what's the other problem? They don't have the right click only method anymore, with a menu at the top of every image's window, and yet they still have the right click menu for those that found it a lot easier than moving your cursor all the way to the top of the screen to access the menu. You could just right click, and the menu was there for you.
The problem with GIMP isn't with GIMP, but rather that people expect GIMP to work just like Photoshop.
After learning how to use the GIMP, I find that for many things, it's easier to do in GIMP than Photoshop.
This is not to say that GIMP is the end all of the Image Manipulation world. However, I find it odd that people complain that GIMP is not like Photoshop. If you want Photoshop, pay for it and be happy. Those of us who find it easy to use GIMP will continue to do so, and will save $$$ in the process.
[My] inability to invalidate [your] hypothesis is not at all the same thing as proving it true.
e _dragon .htm
Carl Sagan
http://www.users.qwest.net/~jcosta3/articl
Quite right. I agreed with the Grandparent post, and was rather serious in what I said. What he said was smart, I didn't have any mod points, and even if I had mod points, I couldn't have marked it any higher, though it deserved it.
Too bad I don't have mod points...and even if I did, the max score is 5. *sigh* Such intelligence is inspiring.