You're missing that DVD on linux is a Legal issue, not techinical issue. It's possible, but it's not legal to publish how! You're correct though. The media issues with linux are a problem...but they've always BEEN a problem, linux just makes users aware rather than hiding it in the paperwork of a mega corp.
That said, there are one or 2 methods of playing DVD on linux--legally. I belive one of the DVD player MFGs has one out...but you gotta pay. Also, there is one company that includes media players in the bios, again, another plausable solution...but cost money. I wonder what the possibility of running DVD on Wine is? Many retail DVDs come with a player automatically...it would be entirely legal to use that...and you paid for it. [but you'd probably have to pay for Crossover or WineX] Solutions?
This looks more like nVidia's management lost this round than the engineers. ATI is old school...they are like IBM..they know how to talk to suits and make the right product to SELL, even if it isn't the greatest.
nVidia chose not to go to the initial meetings on DX9...That was their loss. DX9 has Y amount of features...designing in any more are just wasted space because the chip is out-of-date in 9 months anyway! In a sense they got bit by their own gringing machine. ATI was catching up, and nVidia management lost the chance to keep pushing the specs...ATI turned down the heat just enough for them to come out on top RIGHT NOW...
But this is just 1 round...Aside from what nVidia did to 3DFX, ATI is just gaining some turf back. What NOBODY is saying is that it's not R350 & GFX duking it out anyway...it's the built in stuff [compaq, HP, etc] the el-cheapos that are still buying TNT & 128 [should be banned I say!] where both companies sell their units. The stuff we play with is just icing on the procuct lines. This is just one round in the long-term match...but it serves to keep nVidia honest...and that's a good thing!
Now we know why they wanted Virtual PC! That way they can simply run their current code under emmulation and burn the results to ROM...seems pretty simple to me.
But why hasn't MS published a web browser disc for the X-box yet? Once they setup XBox live it'd be a simple matter to add MSN to the mix. 90% of my surfing could be easily done on an XBox...and they support USB keyboards now anyway don't they? You'd even be able to use PC browser plug-ins. But the OS itself is pretty different...without all the third-party Features--holes [that whole locked down proprietary thing]
Tablets don't work because the normal desktop apps are just plain junk without a keyboard/mouse combo...I'd say it's an APPLICATION problem not a TABLET problem. This is where a super-strict GUI handbook like Gnomes will really pay off. Tablet PC is simply one too many "bolt-ons" for MS windows/Office combo. One of the above posts has an EXCELLENT Linux superPDA that runs similar OS to Zararus..that is what tabletPCs should be...quick access to information. Once proper protocols are in place these will sell like hotcakes!
The catch is that MS is ill prepared to deal with such a device...and stuck trying to please everyone...OSS doesn't have to please everyone and will get a chance to show off how quickly and efficently they can work!
The FBI has "geeks" and like many other geeks in the world just aren't deemed "fit" to talk to outside people! That's what the "lower" scoring field agents are for...duh. It's all about the food chain people.
That said, even FBI people get to go home sometimes [and contrary to/. opinion they aren't all hot-n-horney doctors or 1-900 addicts] and some of them probably even use AOL. This spammer just mailed the WRONG person. but you're right, normal FBI guys wouldn't have even noticed that the spam was a scam. or that it rhymes!
That was exactly the same thing the auto industry of the 70's told it's customers...Until the Japs swooped in and showed them how to build cars right! The same thing will happen to MS...and we're watching Billy G. repeat the same mistake of every other US industry in the last 50 years. Seems to be a problem with US companies...20 years of brilliance then they self-destruct from their own incommpetence. It's the beginning of MS "whipping" period. It's not a big deal for the rest of us! And THAT is MS's problem.
After all, with 40+ Billion dollars in the bank, aren't they admiting that OSS is really right. They're admiting they can't be expected to keep up security of their closed product! MS has a monopoly they can't actually maintain or support....isn't it great.
It's time for some good marketers to hoist this statement sky-high! And use it to "relieve" MS of some of that responsibility. Basically they've just admited they can't [or won't] handle the responsibilites of being a "benevolant" monopoly! Add up some other MS gems like Steveie theatening to stop selling windows at one point and you have a case even the most jaded CEO would have to consider.
What we're seeing is that MS wants to make money, but wants [like so many other businesses] to make the liabilites for installed base "go away" The REAL market for OSS is in replacing all those Win98 boxen. MS doesn't want them, but can't afford to loose them either [stocks will plunge!] MS is trying to position itself as a premium brand..or if they aren't the FREE MARKET is doing it for them. After all, the price for Office 2003 just went UP Again...from only 2 years ago! That's a premium product, but it means admiting that Jobs is right to keep his price high and market small, but still make profit numbers. Real Business isn't about having it ALL, but being very profitable at what you're doing NOW. Although with the installed base of 90%+ the govt may have to step in with some monopoly regulation to protect the infrastructure...or just stand aside and let OSS take over!
I haven't watched "network" tv in almost a year...if anything is good it show up next season on one of the syndicated "second run" channels.
I find the "second run" stations [TNT, WGN, WB, and UPN] to do a much better job at making the good shows available. I'm never around for first-run stuff any more...I work second shift, so it's get a TiVo or you'd better show it again when I'm home! The other good thing about the "seconds" is that they usually commit to at least a whole season of something...and repeat it often enough to catch you up. Things like WB's Super Sunday nite "reruns" or the SciFi mini-series work out great. They also get off cheaper because they get to reuse content 3-4 times a month..and there's enough else on other stations if I'm actually around for a "rerun"
I also like Dish because I can get west coast channels [when the locals don't block] and get a second chance [cheapskate time shifting] to watch stuff when I have the time...Another thing to note for the networks: This is a crappy economy! People have chores, errands, and work to do...not watch TV. The little time they had for TV is now used for catching up email, IM, gamming,/...in addition to kids & house. You have to show the..shows when people have time to watch them, and stick with them long enough to build a following! [and KEEP the following when you get it..ala Dark Angel]
The GPL is different from an EULA...there is no license given...or required by law to run a binary distributed program [your contaract parts] Get it...the whole EULA industry is a SHAM!
The GPL avoids all that. Only by manapulating and USING the copyrighted code for another type of work do you come under the GPL. Remember, the goal of GPL is to treat code "like a book". There's no license required to read a book, or to make use of information in a book [ala cookbooks], there's no license required for writing book reports or citing the book as a reference in other works. The only time you get in trouble with book copyrights is when you start ripping stuff out and trying to claim it as your own! The GPL mearly requires similar terms to what is understood in the "normal" world of paper copyright. Because compiled code is "secret" [not human readable] there is not a good method of attribution for "borrowed" code. Hence the GPL requirement to publish the source [again only neccesary because of the preverted copyright intrepetations of the software industry] is similar to acedemic "citations" in thesis and discetations...What you are licensing is the SOURCE, not some nebulous "program media" like everyone else is trying to sell you.
In short the GPL is no different than the understood idea of preventing plagurism in acedemic circles. That should be completely enforceable...and pretty air tight.
The fact was for individuals to posess military-grade firearms....Whatever weapons an invading or marauding group, not necessarly Canadians, would posess militas should also posess.
The amendment was written when everything west of New York and Pennsylvania was wilderness. The Brits tried EXACTLY what our govt is doing now...put away your guns and WE'LL defend you from Indians. Of course when they attacked small villages, the "Army" was usually there in a...week...too bad you're all DEAD.
So, when it comes to 9/11, we should all be packing...the govt should ENCOURAGE it!!!! The only terrorist attack to be unsecessful was the one resisted by the PEOPLE. On top of that, with "disallowed" cellphones and in violation of most of the sissy "anti-terrorist" policies.
Unfortunately, Militias should be formed by the PEOPLE. By default the National Guard doesn't count because they get their funding from the Army and report to both military and state government officals. Militas serve to protect OUR homes, not our "country" not at the whim of a prez who's trigger happy. That's why they cannot report to any branch of federal govt directly [perhaps local or states though] The ability of the states to keep the homeland defended strips the feds of much of the control they've gained over the years....the feds would have to convince states to give up thier troops...which would be exempt from drafting...and they have GUNS to not be taken forcibly...get it! But again, just like voting, THE PEOPLE have to do this on their own! It can't be done for them!
OK enough already...but you proved my point exactly. If you're salary, you don't get OT. That's just the way it is...
Actually, you fell into the trap of exactly what I was talking about. Both Companies and workers should get that straight. Bonuses don't even begin to count for extra hours worked when you run the numbers like you just did...But many employers feel that they work you 60 hours and toss a bonus and that makes it OK...trying to play both sides of the fence...because your OT was "free" per being salary, so they don't owe you...
If you want more compensation for more work, point it out, don't let the boss hide behind a "bonus" "promise" to pay you squat. But this is an employer asking, rather than an employee, so I thought I'd point out what other employers do as a problem....hey, we might make sombody elses workplace better!
If MS Palladium ever makes it's presence then you would have an end-to-end contracted software stream only. Think of it like the difference between internal company memos and CDs, DVDs, or books. It could be argued that the content never actually left the owner's business...therefore it never entered the juristiction of the US government copyright laws for them to protect it. Copyright laws only exist to protect what you can't reasonably protect on your own. A 100% DRM scheme could be considered "trade secret" information because it is "internal" commuication not publishing. It does not contribute to the pool of the public domain due to contractual obligation. That has no indication of ending at any given time...If you stop the service, end business, etc, the works are still under contract terms. Without the offical DRM tool you cannot use the work...therefore it is a tradesecret, not copyrightable.
The best thing to do might be to let a full fleged DRM system come out for another 10-15 years. Then start fighting these battles after said company is out of business and cannot fufill it's end of the DRM bargin to customers! Now would that abandon data be protected or considered like physical property [get what ever out of it you can!]
Bonuses are great, but the have a habit of becomming an institution at many small companies that owners use to "beat-up" people with rather than simply a "gift". Example: I work at a company that used to [from older employees] give out good bonuses. Well, they use it as a "recruiting" tool [blah, blah] to get you to work there, but last year in particular, they beat everyone up all year about it. "You won't get bonus unless..." That lead to all sorts of stupid statements from management about "lazy" and "stupid" [but working 60 hrs./week!] employees. It was a nightmare...It was abusive. If they didn't want to do them, then just say so...execpt they were "promising" them with all sorts of "strings". Promise yourself right now NEVER to do that! it leads to a good thing for the employees just turning you into a tightwad arse. If you're going to do it, make it no-strings-attached, this-time-only. Don't promise it if you can't expect to do it again, and don't hold it out there if you don't intend to deliver...
I believe that Tim Berners-Lee can pretty much pick what he wants....after all, he could call his own skill "ordinary"! He didn't run out and patent HTTP because he thought it too "ordinary". I'm sure he had the prerequisites listed [and then some] at the time the patent was filed...I thought his initial experimenting was back in '88-'89. It's not his fault it took them 5 years to "catch-up" to him!
Yes, but It's a good excuse to break compatibility for lots of other stuff too while they are changing specs. And they get to use the "court made me do it" as an excuse! Then they can release a new "tool" that updates all the infringing stuff [and other stuff marketing determines!] to the newest version by MS. Once all the vendors get compliant tools, it will all have to be reverse-engineered again by other programs that want to share the data...MS will definately be having Lemonade from this ordeal....the fine was probaly worth it.
If some Slashdotters are LInux lovers and some Slashdotters are MS haters, then is it true or false that some slashdotters are patent lovers....My head is aching.
But MS had "fine print" that didn't allow a third party to file, or some silly thing about not being able to do it electronically...making any kind of mass-retialiation pointless...but at least someone tried!
My point is that the whole spectrum alotted for "public" consumption for computers is only 900Mhz 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz. Those are pretty narrow slices of spectrum pie. 2.4 has caught on even though it was thought to be "unuseable"...the only reason the FCC set it loose. The FCC will have 100 Times the spectrum that 2.4GHz is right now to allocate! And it's prime real estate too...easy to generate, handle interfearance, etc. Hopefully we can get some more for public useage....and it won't all be sold to the highest bidder...that's so 80's. The potential for really cool apps is only beginning...everything at 2.4GHz is easier at the TV range!
Yes, but this was handed down in 1998 or earlier! this isn't a new thing...It's already been EXTENDED out twice. The electronics industry [who also happen to own major broadcasters/media groups!] is stalling to be sure they can limit our rights by adding the "broadcast bit" at the last minute.
Go FCC for making them suck it up. Actually though, this is because they can't seem to sell the licenses / get broadcaster to use them. The FCC wants that spectrum back so they can resell it! The TV spectrum right now is HUGE. all of 802.11 fits in about less than 1 standard TV channel of bandwidth. Imagine the possibilities with 84 chanels opened up! 84 channels of prime, easy to engineer for 'real estate'
Well has Boise lost a third case somewhere lately? They say good things [and bad] come in threes! He screwed up both the MS Antitrust and Al Gore's case by making outrageous accusations rather than simply sticking to the facts. Both of those cases should have been "in the bag" but in both cases the firm went in with "Chewbacca" rather than a good, clean legal argument...they looked and acted like fools! I looks so far, like history is repeating itself...hopefully the legal fees are coming out of HIS pocket...then we can sue him for screwing up the MS case too!
The Linux contributors should sue the Stockholders of SCO directly for copyright infringment! What would it take for the EFF or FSF to get ahold of the stockholders personal addresses and send letters to THEM! I'm sure there is some legal recourse...or at least a plausable one could be made up.
After all, the stockholders are the real problem. If they'd stop raising the price and rewarding this rediculous behaviour SCO would just go away.
OpenOffice doesn't keep links!
on
PDF Writers?
·
· Score: 1
OpenOffice.org doesn't keep the hyperlinks or other metadata in the final pdf. I use Acrobat at work for publishing company docs. Cross-linking is absolutely necessary to make the finished docs useable for end users. Are there any non-adobe OSS PDF writers that keep the meta-data too?
Slashdot Mirror
That said, there are one or 2 methods of playing DVD on linux--legally. I belive one of the DVD player MFGs has one out...but you gotta pay. Also, there is one company that includes media players in the bios, again, another plausable solution...but cost money. I wonder what the possibility of running DVD on Wine is? Many retail DVDs come with a player automatically...it would be entirely legal to use that...and you paid for it. [but you'd probably have to pay for Crossover or WineX] Solutions?
nVidia chose not to go to the initial meetings on DX9...That was their loss. DX9 has Y amount of features...designing in any more are just wasted space because the chip is out-of-date in 9 months anyway! In a sense they got bit by their own gringing machine. ATI was catching up, and nVidia management lost the chance to keep pushing the specs...ATI turned down the heat just enough for them to come out on top RIGHT NOW...
But this is just 1 round...Aside from what nVidia did to 3DFX, ATI is just gaining some turf back. What NOBODY is saying is that it's not R350 & GFX duking it out anyway...it's the built in stuff [compaq, HP, etc] the el-cheapos that are still buying TNT & 128 [should be banned I say!] where both companies sell their units. The stuff we play with is just icing on the procuct lines. This is just one round in the long-term match...but it serves to keep nVidia honest...and that's a good thing!
Now we know why they wanted Virtual PC! That way they can simply run their current code under emmulation and burn the results to ROM...seems pretty simple to me.
But why hasn't MS published a web browser disc for the X-box yet? Once they setup XBox live it'd be a simple matter to add MSN to the mix. 90% of my surfing could be easily done on an XBox...and they support USB keyboards now anyway don't they? You'd even be able to use PC browser plug-ins. But the OS itself is pretty different...without all the third-party Features--holes [that whole locked down proprietary thing]
The catch is that MS is ill prepared to deal with such a device...and stuck trying to please everyone...OSS doesn't have to please everyone and will get a chance to show off how quickly and efficently they can work!
That said, even FBI people get to go home sometimes [and contrary to
That was exactly the same thing the auto industry of the 70's told it's customers...Until the Japs swooped in and showed them how to build cars right! The same thing will happen to MS...and we're watching Billy G. repeat the same mistake of every other US industry in the last 50 years. Seems to be a problem with US companies...20 years of brilliance then they self-destruct from their own incommpetence. It's the beginning of MS "whipping" period. It's not a big deal for the rest of us! And THAT is MS's problem.
It's time for some good marketers to hoist this statement sky-high! And use it to "relieve" MS of some of that responsibility. Basically they've just admited they can't [or won't] handle the responsibilites of being a "benevolant" monopoly! Add up some other MS gems like Steveie theatening to stop selling windows at one point and you have a case even the most jaded CEO would have to consider.
What we're seeing is that MS wants to make money, but wants [like so many other businesses] to make the liabilites for installed base "go away" The REAL market for OSS is in replacing all those Win98 boxen. MS doesn't want them, but can't afford to loose them either [stocks will plunge!] MS is trying to position itself as a premium brand..or if they aren't the FREE MARKET is doing it for them. After all, the price for Office 2003 just went UP Again...from only 2 years ago! That's a premium product, but it means admiting that Jobs is right to keep his price high and market small, but still make profit numbers. Real Business isn't about having it ALL, but being very profitable at what you're doing NOW. Although with the installed base of 90%+ the govt may have to step in with some monopoly regulation to protect the infrastructure...or just stand aside and let OSS take over!
I find the "second run" stations [TNT, WGN, WB, and UPN] to do a much better job at making the good shows available. I'm never around for first-run stuff any more...I work second shift, so it's get a TiVo or you'd better show it again when I'm home! The other good thing about the "seconds" is that they usually commit to at least a whole season of something...and repeat it often enough to catch you up. Things like WB's Super Sunday nite "reruns" or the SciFi mini-series work out great. They also get off cheaper because they get to reuse content 3-4 times a month..and there's enough else on other stations if I'm actually around for a "rerun"
I also like Dish because I can get west coast channels [when the locals don't block] and get a second chance [cheapskate time shifting] to watch stuff when I have the time...Another thing to note for the networks: This is a crappy economy! People have chores, errands, and work to do...not watch TV. The little time they had for TV is now used for catching up email, IM, gamming, /. ..in addition to kids & house. You have to show the..shows when people have time to watch them, and stick with them long enough to build a following! [and KEEP the following when you get it..ala Dark Angel]
The GPL avoids all that. Only by manapulating and USING the copyrighted code for another type of work do you come under the GPL. Remember, the goal of GPL is to treat code "like a book". There's no license required to read a book, or to make use of information in a book [ala cookbooks], there's no license required for writing book reports or citing the book as a reference in other works. The only time you get in trouble with book copyrights is when you start ripping stuff out and trying to claim it as your own! The GPL mearly requires similar terms to what is understood in the "normal" world of paper copyright. Because compiled code is "secret" [not human readable] there is not a good method of attribution for "borrowed" code. Hence the GPL requirement to publish the source [again only neccesary because of the preverted copyright intrepetations of the software industry] is similar to acedemic "citations" in thesis and discetations...What you are licensing is the SOURCE, not some nebulous "program media" like everyone else is trying to sell you.
In short the GPL is no different than the understood idea of preventing plagurism in acedemic circles. That should be completely enforceable...and pretty air tight.
The amendment was written when everything west of New York and Pennsylvania was wilderness. The Brits tried EXACTLY what our govt is doing now...put away your guns and WE'LL defend you from Indians. Of course when they attacked small villages, the "Army" was usually there in a...week...too bad you're all DEAD.
So, when it comes to 9/11, we should all be packing...the govt should ENCOURAGE it!!!! The only terrorist attack to be unsecessful was the one resisted by the PEOPLE. On top of that, with "disallowed" cellphones and in violation of most of the sissy "anti-terrorist" policies.
Unfortunately, Militias should be formed by the PEOPLE. By default the National Guard doesn't count because they get their funding from the Army and report to both military and state government officals. Militas serve to protect OUR homes, not our "country" not at the whim of a prez who's trigger happy. That's why they cannot report to any branch of federal govt directly [perhaps local or states though] The ability of the states to keep the homeland defended strips the feds of much of the control they've gained over the years....the feds would have to convince states to give up thier troops...which would be exempt from drafting...and they have GUNS to not be taken forcibly...get it! But again, just like voting, THE PEOPLE have to do this on their own! It can't be done for them!
Actually, you fell into the trap of exactly what I was talking about. Both Companies and workers should get that straight. Bonuses don't even begin to count for extra hours worked when you run the numbers like you just did...But many employers feel that they work you 60 hours and toss a bonus and that makes it OK...trying to play both sides of the fence...because your OT was "free" per being salary, so they don't owe you...
If you want more compensation for more work, point it out, don't let the boss hide behind a "bonus" "promise" to pay you squat. But this is an employer asking, rather than an employee, so I thought I'd point out what other employers do as a problem....hey, we might make sombody elses workplace better!
The best thing to do might be to let a full fleged DRM system come out for another 10-15 years. Then start fighting these battles after said company is out of business and cannot fufill it's end of the DRM bargin to customers! Now would that abandon data be protected or considered like physical property [get what ever out of it you can!]
Bonuses are great, but the have a habit of becomming an institution at many small companies that owners use to "beat-up" people with rather than simply a "gift". Example: I work at a company that used to [from older employees] give out good bonuses. Well, they use it as a "recruiting" tool [blah, blah] to get you to work there, but last year in particular, they beat everyone up all year about it. "You won't get bonus unless..." That lead to all sorts of stupid statements from management about "lazy" and "stupid" [but working 60 hrs./week!] employees. It was a nightmare...It was abusive. If they didn't want to do them, then just say so...execpt they were "promising" them with all sorts of "strings". Promise yourself right now NEVER to do that! it leads to a good thing for the employees just turning you into a tightwad arse. If you're going to do it, make it no-strings-attached, this-time-only. Don't promise it if you can't expect to do it again, and don't hold it out there if you don't intend to deliver...
in short, keep it simple.
buy I think a "Cat Herding" logo would be in order!
I believe that Tim Berners-Lee can pretty much pick what he wants....after all, he could call his own skill "ordinary"! He didn't run out and patent HTTP because he thought it too "ordinary". I'm sure he had the prerequisites listed [and then some] at the time the patent was filed...I thought his initial experimenting was back in '88-'89. It's not his fault it took them 5 years to "catch-up" to him!
Yes, but It's a good excuse to break compatibility for lots of other stuff too while they are changing specs. And they get to use the "court made me do it" as an excuse! Then they can release a new "tool" that updates all the infringing stuff [and other stuff marketing determines!] to the newest version by MS. Once all the vendors get compliant tools, it will all have to be reverse-engineered again by other programs that want to share the data...MS will definately be having Lemonade from this ordeal....the fine was probaly worth it.
I could come up with these all night!
But MS had "fine print" that didn't allow a third party to file, or some silly thing about not being able to do it electronically...making any kind of mass-retialiation pointless...but at least someone tried!
My point is that the whole spectrum alotted for "public" consumption for computers is only 900Mhz 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz. Those are pretty narrow slices of spectrum pie. 2.4 has caught on even though it was thought to be "unuseable"...the only reason the FCC set it loose. The FCC will have 100 Times the spectrum that 2.4GHz is right now to allocate! And it's prime real estate too...easy to generate, handle interfearance, etc. Hopefully we can get some more for public useage....and it won't all be sold to the highest bidder...that's so 80's. The potential for really cool apps is only beginning...everything at 2.4GHz is easier at the TV range!
Go FCC for making them suck it up. Actually though, this is because they can't seem to sell the licenses / get broadcaster to use them. The FCC wants that spectrum back so they can resell it! The TV spectrum right now is HUGE. all of 802.11 fits in about less than 1 standard TV channel of bandwidth. Imagine the possibilities with 84 chanels opened up! 84 channels of prime, easy to engineer for 'real estate'
And if you put the "cat in the hat" in a box will you have fun being dead or just a messy house at the same time?
Well has Boise lost a third case somewhere lately? They say good things [and bad] come in threes! He screwed up both the MS Antitrust and Al Gore's case by making outrageous accusations rather than simply sticking to the facts. Both of those cases should have been "in the bag" but in both cases the firm went in with "Chewbacca" rather than a good, clean legal argument...they looked and acted like fools! I looks so far, like history is repeating itself...hopefully the legal fees are coming out of HIS pocket...then we can sue him for screwing up the MS case too!
After all, the stockholders are the real problem. If they'd stop raising the price and rewarding this rediculous behaviour SCO would just go away.
OpenOffice.org doesn't keep the hyperlinks or other metadata in the final pdf. I use Acrobat at work for publishing company docs. Cross-linking is absolutely necessary to make the finished docs useable for end users. Are there any non-adobe OSS PDF writers that keep the meta-data too?