That depends on how they got Windows. I'm sure a vast majority only "buy" Windows when they get a new computer, where the actual cost of the OS is much lower than a "box" copy, not to mention it's all mixed in with the rest of the cost. I doubt many "average joe/jane" computer users even realize that they're paying for it.
They buy their computer from Best Buy/Walmart/Futureshop, hook up the cables and Windows is right there, with it's friendly "Welcome" screen. It's not like they can easily choose to not have Windows installed for a decrease in price.
So, from that perspective, Windows has no cost. It's there. Linux has the added cost of effort. You have to go out and research it, download it, burn it, install it and configure it. So, you need a CD burner, an Internet connection (cable/dsl recommended) the free time to do all of this, and the desire to do it.
Funny, I had started with Ubuntu, and then installed the "Kubuntu" and "Xubuntu" packages with no problems, and was able to switch between them whenever I wanted.
The last time I used an ad-supported version of Opera (granted, it was a while ago, but I don't like using ad-supported programs, especially when there are several ad-free alternatives out there), they were full colour image ads, quite often animated, and took up a lot of screen real estate. Firefox (Phoenix/Firebird/whatever)never had that. Not only did it not have ads in the browser, there's been an extension available for quite a while now that will block out ads from sites. Opera only got that (and still, it's not as nice as AdBlock/Adblock Plus, in my opinion) in the last couple 9.* releases. Would they have incorporated one if they didn't see the popularity of Firefox's AdBlock? I really doubt it.
Even if Opera was automatically logging every site you go to, you still have a say in the matter. You can either choose to use Opera, and put up with their possibly knowing every website you visit, and potentially locking you out of a site that someone may find questionable, OR you can choose not to use Opera, and use something that respects your privacy.
Yeah, DS9 got a little too spiritual for my tastes.
I've been toying with an idea for a new ST series incorporating Section 31 (to some extent), but I'll keep it to myself till I get some good stuff written.
Yeah, sometimes I see the benefits of doing everything from source. My only problem with my recent Gentoo attempts were, even while following the install guide for an Athalon64 on my laptop beside me, I still ran into unexplained problems (the first few times, I couldn't chroot into the system, then certain necessary install files/directories were absent, and there were no mentions of extra steps needed to make sure they were there.)
The boxes are cheap, yeah. You can build a game server for your home for under $300. However, I would expect that those WOW uses are a little more high-end than a homebrew system. Then, there's also the sheer number of servers they have for their userbase (of what, 5 million subscribers?). Then, add in the cost of maintenance (security patches, hardware fuckups, idiots hacking into the network to bring down servers, etc.), electricity to power the servers, and don't forget bandwidth (the big companies don't get it for free, either, you know).
That adds up. $15 a month isn't THAT much if you like the game. Of course, if you don't play it at all, it's probably not worth the cost (but that goes for anything).
I must be the only one here who prefers the "nipple" to a trackpad. I tend to have more control with it than the trackpad, and it's quicker to get to than a trackpad, as it's in the middle of the keyboard. I barely have to shift my hand to be able to control it.
Of course, half the time I use a USB mouse, but still. I'm not a fan of the trackpad style control.
I should have phrased that question better, my appologies.
What I was trying to get across, was, will this merger/buyout affect AMD's appeal to Nvidia users, or ATI's appeal to Intel users (or even Nvidia's appeal to Intel users)? Should we expect them to start providing "enhancements" that Intel/ATI or AMD/Nvidia users won't get?
We're already seeing it on a per-game basis, were some games pimp out the "funky-new-feature-of-the-day" that each card is trying to use to lure you to their camp, and the other camp misses out on stuff, but that's all at a software level.
Maybe AMDTI will start developing a faster bus for their equipment?
Cars are more like open source software, because you can (generally) take your car to just about any good mechanic and they'll be able to fix her up for you. It'll cost you, but you can get it done.
Umm, no. The WTO has to decide if they want Russia in the WTO. All Russia can do is apply and negotiate. The final decision resides in the WTO and it's current members, and so far the U.S.A. is rather hesitant about letting Russia in.
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That depends on how they got Windows. I'm sure a vast majority only "buy" Windows when they get a new computer, where the actual cost of the OS is much lower than a "box" copy, not to mention it's all mixed in with the rest of the cost. I doubt many "average joe/jane" computer users even realize that they're paying for it.
They buy their computer from Best Buy/Walmart/Futureshop, hook up the cables and Windows is right there, with it's friendly "Welcome" screen. It's not like they can easily choose to not have Windows installed for a decrease in price.
So, from that perspective, Windows has no cost. It's there. Linux has the added cost of effort. You have to go out and research it, download it, burn it, install it and configure it. So, you need a CD burner, an Internet connection (cable/dsl recommended) the free time to do all of this, and the desire to do it.
Funny, I had started with Ubuntu, and then installed the "Kubuntu" and "Xubuntu" packages with no problems, and was able to switch between them whenever I wanted.
The last time I used an ad-supported version of Opera (granted, it was a while ago, but I don't like using ad-supported programs, especially when there are several ad-free alternatives out there), they were full colour image ads, quite often animated, and took up a lot of screen real estate. Firefox (Phoenix/Firebird/whatever)never had that. Not only did it not have ads in the browser, there's been an extension available for quite a while now that will block out ads from sites. Opera only got that (and still, it's not as nice as AdBlock/Adblock Plus, in my opinion) in the last couple 9.* releases. Would they have incorporated one if they didn't see the popularity of Firefox's AdBlock? I really doubt it.
It helps to think of it in either a Moe or Mrs. Lovejoy voice, for those who don't know.
Even if Opera was automatically logging every site you go to, you still have a say in the matter. You can either choose to use Opera, and put up with their possibly knowing every website you visit, and potentially locking you out of a site that someone may find questionable, OR you can choose not to use Opera, and use something that respects your privacy.
That'd be ok for those who don't have optical drives, or other in-tower devices that need to be accessed frequently.
Yeah, DS9 got a little too spiritual for my tastes.
I've been toying with an idea for a new ST series incorporating Section 31 (to some extent), but I'll keep it to myself till I get some good stuff written.
Yeah, but at least they're still made in North America.
Microsoft is still an American company. Sony and Nintendo are both Japanese.
Insightful?????? What the hell?
Do you really think Duke Nukem Forever will be out that soon?
Heheheheh. I don't have to worry about mine, my roommate's got his own, so I know I'm the only one looking at porn on my computer.
Yeah, sometimes I see the benefits of doing everything from source. My only problem with my recent Gentoo attempts were, even while following the install guide for an Athalon64 on my laptop beside me, I still ran into unexplained problems (the first few times, I couldn't chroot into the system, then certain necessary install files/directories were absent, and there were no mentions of extra steps needed to make sure they were there.)
Still, I think I might give it another shot.
The boxes are cheap, yeah. You can build a game server for your home for under $300. However, I would expect that those WOW uses are a little more high-end than a homebrew system. Then, there's also the sheer number of servers they have for their userbase (of what, 5 million subscribers?). Then, add in the cost of maintenance (security patches, hardware fuckups, idiots hacking into the network to bring down servers, etc.), electricity to power the servers, and don't forget bandwidth (the big companies don't get it for free, either, you know).
That adds up. $15 a month isn't THAT much if you like the game. Of course, if you don't play it at all, it's probably not worth the cost (but that goes for anything).
$12 an HOUR????? Fuck, I don't even earn that much at my job (part time, student).
I must be the only one here who prefers the "nipple" to a trackpad. I tend to have more control with it than the trackpad, and it's quicker to get to than a trackpad, as it's in the middle of the keyboard. I barely have to shift my hand to be able to control it.
Of course, half the time I use a USB mouse, but still. I'm not a fan of the trackpad style control.
Ubuntu was mentioned on Veronica Mars.
Or, the gaming industry can find another standard to use.
No, we certainly cnat.
Probably because most P2P applications will have the song as performed by Wierd Al.
It's like Pacman, they'll just immediately appear on the other side.
I should have phrased that question better, my appologies.
What I was trying to get across, was, will this merger/buyout affect AMD's appeal to Nvidia users, or ATI's appeal to Intel users (or even Nvidia's appeal to Intel users)? Should we expect them to start providing "enhancements" that Intel/ATI or AMD/Nvidia users won't get?
We're already seeing it on a per-game basis, were some games pimp out the "funky-new-feature-of-the-day" that each card is trying to use to lure you to their camp, and the other camp misses out on stuff, but that's all at a software level.
Maybe AMDTI will start developing a faster bus for their equipment?
I wonder what this means (if anything) for those of us with AMD/nVidia systems.
Cars are more like open source software, because you can (generally) take your car to just about any good mechanic and they'll be able to fix her up for you. It'll cost you, but you can get it done.
Umm, no. The WTO has to decide if they want Russia in the WTO. All Russia can do is apply and negotiate. The final decision resides in the WTO and it's current members, and so far the U.S.A. is rather hesitant about letting Russia in.