And don't forget that the Xbox has helped to cripple PC gaming, which is one of the main reasons for people to upgrade their PC and buy a new version of Windows.
All in all the Xbox has been a disaster; I'm amused to see Microsoft tying their loss-making search engine to their loss-maknig console and hoping it will suddenly make money.
But doesn't Microsoft, in the long run, view gaming consoles as PCs for the living room? Not a market they would want to miss out on.
Except that the heavier the car (and less fuel effecient) the more where and tare it puts on the roads. Not to mention air pollution and traffic congestion which also cost the state (and local economy) money.
I completely agree, but remember there are road services that cost money regardless of vehicle size:
Tire Stud damage (I don't know why Northwesterners think they need them)
Winter services
Road damage from weather
Road signs
etc.
These are other services that need to be paid for that don't really depend as much on vehicle size, but it would be nice if frequent drivers paid a larger share.
Although fuel economy is of huge importance, we can't let it bias every discussion we have about the gas tax.
Plus their will be no reason to buy a car that gets great gas millage over one that gets very poor millage.
Gas taxes were started as a means to tax the people who used the roads the most. Taxing gas is a way (not all that accurate) to measure how much individuals drive. It is not meant to punish people for using gas guzzlers; it is meant to make the people who use the roads the most pay the most for the roads. So using GPS, even with its problems, is much more accurate at measuring how much a person uses the state roads than is a gas tax.
Well, that would be their fault for selling below cost
So they should charge more and sell less units?
they could sue anyone who attempts to mod the hardware
It's is actually in Microsoft's best interest to put the pressure on. Regardless of what slashdotters do, the vast majority of people will mod their xboxs to play pirated games.
The only people that MS really doesn't want buying X-Boxen are folks who just want to convert it into a spare PC.
Of course, they want these people to buy a PC with Windows pre-installed!!
If we measure the intelligence of a business decision in dollars (and not necessarily PR), then there is really nothing wrong with Microsoft's decision to try and limit XBox modding.
Just talking strategy, what's one of the biggest reasons the PS2 is kicking them around in the marketplace? The huge back-library of PS1 titles that can be had for $10. Suddenly, with NO work on Microsoft's part whatsoever, all those PS1 games are playable on X-Box - removing one more reason for people to shell out for a PS2. Of course, they'll probably just sue everyone anyway.
The consequences for Microsoft of people modding their Xboxs outweigh the benefit of people buying an XBox because they can play PS1 titles on it.
It would be nice to have such a big library of games to choose from, but the PS1 doesn't have such a bad price. Microsoft may figure that people who want to play those games will buy a PS1 if they also want to have an XBox.
Re:Why do we call it soccer?
on
RoboCup 2003
·
· Score: 1
but coding them to play sounds kind of interesting.
If you search, you can find the simulator for the official robocup environment along with a manual that explains the protocols available in the field environment for communication, kicking, etc. After that, it's up to you to code autonomous intelligent agents to play soccer in the language of your choosing. The simulation is cheaper than building actual robots, and AI really is the most important part anyway!
Deaths from tobacco cigarettes in the US, 2002: 400,000
Deaths from Marijuana in the US, 2002: 0.00
These numbers mean very little:
1. Both are carcinogens.
2. Most people who smoke marijuana also smoke tobacco; these deaths count as tobacco related deaths.
I agree that the U.S. marijuana laws are a bit ridiculous, but don't argue that it should be legal because it is "safe".
But the game will have longevity if only because most people (and by people I mean people, not hardcore gamers) won't be able to play the game until the market is saturated with the power needed to run it.
they'll probably keep trying til they get it right
How is this illegal/bad business? Say what you want about Microsoft, but they want to make money first, THEN care about the nerds. Sounds like good business to me. Microsoft SHOULD do what it can to make the XBOX a success.
As much as it pains me to say this, no employer has ever asked for a proof of a piece of code. All they care about are test. Did the code test okay? Does it work?
I agree. This is the case everywhere (except for critical government projects). But what about in ten or twenty years? If formal methods technology becomes affordable to apply, then Software Engineers who can't understand the formalism will be in trouble.
Calculus is taught to CS students to give them Mathematical "Maturity". It is worth it to learn your math. Someday, all software engineers may have to prove that their code works. How? Through math.
Internship/Co-op with a company.
That's the #1 thing companies look for (next to GPA) when they look at your resume.
I'm glad somebody finally pointed this out. We have to remember that companies interested in actually making money (the same ones that pay) are looking for potential along with experience. Internships (generally served during the summer) are the BEST way to market yourself. It gives the applicant material to talk about at an interview as well as to post on a resume.
Slashdot Mirror
And don't forget that the Xbox has helped to cripple PC gaming, which is one of the main reasons for people to upgrade their PC and buy a new version of Windows.
All in all the Xbox has been a disaster; I'm amused to see Microsoft tying their loss-making search engine to their loss-maknig console and hoping it will suddenly make money.
But doesn't Microsoft, in the long run, view gaming consoles as PCs for the living room? Not a market they would want to miss out on.
We all know nothing but nonsense has been produced by that school!
Except that the heavier the car (and less fuel effecient) the more where and tare it puts on the roads. Not to mention air pollution and traffic congestion which also cost the state (and local economy) money.
I completely agree, but remember there are road services that cost money regardless of vehicle size:
Tire Stud damage (I don't know why Northwesterners think they need them)
Winter services
Road damage from weather
Road signs
etc.
These are other services that need to be paid for that don't really depend as much on vehicle size, but it would be nice if frequent drivers paid a larger share.
Although fuel economy is of huge importance, we can't let it bias every discussion we have about the gas tax.
Plus their will be no reason to buy a car that gets great gas millage over one that gets very poor millage.
Gas taxes were started as a means to tax the people who used the roads the most. Taxing gas is a way (not all that accurate) to measure how much individuals drive. It is not meant to punish people for using gas guzzlers; it is meant to make the people who use the roads the most pay the most for the roads. So using GPS, even with its problems, is much more accurate at measuring how much a person uses the state roads than is a gas tax.
Well, that would be their fault for selling below cost
So they should charge more and sell less units?
they could sue anyone who attempts to mod the hardware
It's is actually in Microsoft's best interest to put the pressure on. Regardless of what slashdotters do, the vast majority of people will mod their xboxs to play pirated games.
The only people that MS really doesn't want buying X-Boxen are folks who just want to convert it into a spare PC.
Of course, they want these people to buy a PC with Windows pre-installed!!
If we measure the intelligence of a business decision in dollars (and not necessarily PR), then there is really nothing wrong with Microsoft's decision to try and limit XBox modding.
Just talking strategy, what's one of the biggest reasons the PS2 is kicking them around in the marketplace? The huge back-library of PS1 titles that can be had for $10. Suddenly, with NO work on Microsoft's part whatsoever, all those PS1 games are playable on X-Box - removing one more reason for people to shell out for a PS2. Of course, they'll probably just sue everyone anyway.
The consequences for Microsoft of people modding their Xboxs outweigh the benefit of people buying an XBox because they can play PS1 titles on it.
It would be nice to have such a big library of games to choose from, but the PS1 doesn't have such a bad price. Microsoft may figure that people who want to play those games will buy a PS1 if they also want to have an XBox.
but coding them to play sounds kind of interesting.
If you search, you can find the simulator for the official robocup environment along with a manual that explains the protocols available in the field environment for communication, kicking, etc. After that, it's up to you to code autonomous intelligent agents to play soccer in the language of your choosing. The simulation is cheaper than building actual robots, and AI really is the most important part anyway!
Deaths from tobacco cigarettes in the US, 2002: 400,000
Deaths from Marijuana in the US, 2002: 0.00
These numbers mean very little:
1. Both are carcinogens.
2. Most people who smoke marijuana also smoke tobacco; these deaths count as tobacco related deaths.
I agree that the U.S. marijuana laws are a bit ridiculous, but don't argue that it should be legal because it is "safe".
As usual, the game looks to be great.
But the game will have longevity if only because most people (and by people I mean people, not hardcore gamers) won't be able to play the game until the market is saturated with the power needed to run it.
Just "ASCII" and ye shall receive!
Using their profits from $15 CDs to fund that fight. *sigh*
Wait...the RIAA tole me they aren't making any money off those. I suppose next you'll tell me that Major League Baseball isn't about to go bankrupt.
Android Head: Blah blah blah
Mr. Person: Make me toast
Very cool, but we need to make some leaps and bounds in agent/AI technology before we can start talking to a $600 fiberglass head.
they'll probably keep trying til they get it right
How is this illegal/bad business? Say what you want about Microsoft, but they want to make money first, THEN care about the nerds. Sounds like good business to me. Microsoft SHOULD do what it can to make the XBOX a success.
As much as it pains me to say this, no employer has ever asked for a proof of a piece of code. All they care about are test. Did the code test okay? Does it work?
I agree. This is the case everywhere (except for critical government projects). But what about in ten or twenty years? If formal methods technology becomes affordable to apply, then Software Engineers who can't understand the formalism will be in trouble.
Calculus is taught to CS students to give them Mathematical "Maturity". It is worth it to learn your math. Someday, all software engineers may have to prove that their code works. How? Through math.
Internship/Co-op with a company. That's the #1 thing companies look for (next to GPA) when they look at your resume.
I'm glad somebody finally pointed this out. We have to remember that companies interested in actually making money (the same ones that pay) are looking for potential along with experience. Internships (generally served during the summer) are the BEST way to market yourself. It gives the applicant material to talk about at an interview as well as to post on a resume.