The record companies sold non-DRM vinyl LPs for over 60 years and non-DRm CDs for over 20 years. Not only did the record companies make billions in profits but a lot of musicians got very rich as well.
Perhaps that's because LPs had natural DRM built-in. Ever try to make a copy of a copy of an analog recording?
As for CDs, it was only when CD writers became inexpensive and widely available that the notion of copy-protected CDs became popular in the industry.
So just because there was no artificial DRM does not mean LP and CD technologies were not effectively "DRMed".
Technically, I don't think the ADC interface supports "hot-plugging,"
Actually, it was a DVI connection, not ADC. And it appears that both can handle hot-plugging, as described in this document. (Search for "hot-plug".)
In any case, the idea that a computer interface of the 21st century -- especially a stateless interface like video -- cannot handle hot plugging by design would be absolutely pitiful, IMHO.
Upgraded successfully on my G4 PowerBook. No problems so far.
Of particular interest to me is this item in the list of enhancements:
Addresses an issue in which a PowerBook G4 computer would, on rare occasion, wake from sleep with a black screen and not respond to any keyboard, mouse, or trackpad input.
I've been experiencing this problem on and off ever since I switched to the Mac last April, and it bugs the heck out of me. I'll unplug my laptop from my Cinema Display, take it home, flip open the lid, and nothing happens. The computer powers on -- I can hear the fan and hard drive spinning -- and the screen is lit, but it's all black. It ignores keyboard and mouse input, and I'm forced to do a hard reboot, losing any unsaved data. (It wasn't happening all the time, but at least every three weeks or so.)
I talked to an Apple "Genius" at an Apple Store about this wake-from-sleep problem, and he said I shouldn't let the PowerBook go to sleep. Instead, I should shut down the computer completely before unplugging it, then power it back up when I got home. Ah, what genius! Patient: "Doctor, it hurts when I move my arm like this." Doctor: "Then don't move your arm like that." Seriously, the sleep feature is vital for most laptop users, and I can't believe the solution is not to use it.
Eventually, I discovered that if I click the Apple menu and select Sleep to do a manual sleep (as opposed to just unplugging the laptop from its display), then the frequency of the problem goes down, but it still happens. Hopefully this update will squash the bug once and for all.
Yes, I also found that annoying, as well. It's a surprising omission for a $200 text editor that is supposed to be a good programmer's editor.
I guess I had been spoiled by jEdit's ability to automatically indent the next line for you following an if/switch/while/etc. clause.
However, jEdit isn't quite as polished as BBEdit -- it has annoying little bugs here and there -- and BBEdit has superior Mac OS X integration. (For instance, you can launch BBEdit from the command line, unlike jEdit.) Plus, as a student, I got a 40% discount from Bare Bones. So I finally switched.
Anyway, if you're used to Emacs but don't want to switch to BBEdit, I suggest you try jEdit. It plays nicer than Emacs with OS X, and it has a nice set of plugins. And it's free, too!
Here in Ireland (and in the rest of the EU) your tax is automatically taken out of your paycheck
That's how it works over here, too. But over here we have tax deductions, which is basically an attempt by the government to promote certain activities that would benefit the social good. (I would have thought that the EU has something similar?)
For instance, if you pay your tuition for higher education, you can deduct the expense and don't have to pay tax on it (in most circumstances). You also don't have to pay tax on charitable contributions, excessive medical expenses, mortgage interest on a new home, etc. Many states also use tax deductions to encourage certain activities that help to protect the environment, for example. Filing a return makes sure that you get the tax deductions you are owed.
Also, not everyone gets a paycheck. Millions of Americans are self-employed, so they need to file a return in order to pay their fair share of tax. How does the EU handle this situation?
Furthermore, there are many situations in which filing a return will benefit the taxpayer. I'm not sure how it works in the the EU, but over here if you earn below a certain amount of income, you don't pay any income taxes at all. For instance, your employer might be deducting tax from your paycheck, but after six months you quit in order to go back to school full-time. You would then be able to file a return and get back all that tax you had paid, since for the year overall you are in a lower tax bracket.
I have heard that the IRS owes taxpayers billions of dollars because of situations like this, but they are unable to do anything about it because the people who would receive this money do not file returns.
Yes, there was a trailer available months ago, but it was more of a teaser. It introduced the characters, but that's about it. This one actually gives an idea of what the plot is about, and it has maybe 75% new scenes compared to the last one. And it makes me even more impatient to see the movie now, because it looks, well, even more incredible!
Did you actually view the trailer that the article linked to, or did you jump to conclusions?
Just because you don't understand it doesn't make it untrue.
Relax; I never said it was untrue, I said I didn't understand it.
He could not use a two button mouse, because all his fingers contracted at the same time, and when he typed he had to hunt and peck with a single finger.
This still doesn't make sense. You say he can press keyboard keys with a single finger; he can press the single mouse button; what is so hard about one more button on the mouse? I mean, he has the ability to use a one-button mouse, so what is so hard about having his contracted fingers press the right side of the mouse instead of the center?
Now, if he were having to press both buttons at the same time, or if the second mouse button were really tiny or something, I could understand, but usually this is not the case. The second mouse button is about the same size as the first, and it's typically only used for bringing up a context-sensitive menu, in which case you click the second mouse button once just as you would click the first one.
A modern mac, on the other hand, does not have this problem.
Now this is untrue. The Macintosh uses context menus now more than ever. Even the built-in Mac OS X apps (Mail, Text Edit, Finder, etc.) support them extensively.
there are people who can only use one mouse button, for reasons of disability or what have you.
These people can't handle two buttons on a mouse, but they have no problem with the 102 buttons on a keyboard? Seriously, I just don't understand this argument. You say that if a program requires a second mouse button, it's no problem because the OS can simulate it with a meta key. But then how are these people going to press the meta key and the mouse button if they can't even handle two mouse buttons to begin with? By omitting that second mouse button, all you've done is moved complexity from the mouse to the keyboard.
For one thing, it's 50% longer than regular SD cards. I assume it sticks out the top of the slot, and that's most likely where the antenna resides. The chipset probably fills up the rest of the card (inside the slot).
I taught computer literacy in Ghana, West Africa (see my site), and I didn't find much use for games, educational or otherwise. For one, such software usually assumes a native-level English language ability, which I doubt any student in Uganda will have. Also, you have to keep in mind that most students there may never have even seen a computer before. They will likely be intimidated even by the most basic educational software.
You know what program my students really loved? Notepad! None of them had ever used a computer, so the chance just to type their names was a huge thrill. It helped them overcome their fear of the computer and move on to more advanced programs...such as Minesweeper. (Seriously! They loved it.) They also loved Paint for similar reasons; it was a great way for them to learn how to use the mouse. So, instead of fancy games or educational software, I recommend supplying a simple typing tutor with your laptop. The students will likely benefit from and enjoy it far more than any game.
However, I did find that certain educational titles such as The Way Things Work are helpful as visual aids for science lessons. They do not provide much benefit when used by students alone (again, because of the language barrier and intimidation), but when used by a teacher as part of a group lesson, they can be quite useful.
any great ideas on where I can acquire copies of this software?
Half.com has lots of stuff available second-hand. I've picked up software there for one or two dollars per title.
my drive doesn't work 80% of the time
Then perhaps there is no point donating this laptop. Without a CD-ROM, it will be nearly impossible for the recipient to add new software, upgrade the OS, etc. And I doubt they will have the ability to fix or replace what is likely a proprietary part. I strongly suggest getting the drive replaced before sending it, or at least providing an external one as an alternative. (You can get second-hand ones pretty cheap.) Otherwise, the gift you are sending could be just a liability.
Trevor
Re:my thoughts
on
OQO Examined
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· Score: 4, Interesting
Interestingly, the presenters suggested that customers would have a desktop, laptop, AND an OQO (i.e. an OQO would not be a replacement for a laptop)
Odd, because if you watch the promo video on their site, the final words are: "It's the only computer you need." It also makes a big deal out of OQO's docking station, saying that it "eliminates the need to sync or use other operating systems." Clearly, OQO's marketers aren't sure how they want to target this thing.
Of course, if OQO only runs Windows XP, it is certainly not the only computer I need.;)
How can something with the same kernel, and the same ancestry go the other way: Mozilla actually improves as it evolves.
Because it doesn't have the same kernel.
Back in 1998, when Netscape released their code, the open-source community soon realized that they would have to throw much of it away and start from scratch. By throwing out the cruft that had been building up since Netscape 1.0, the Mozilla team was able to build a better browser...eventually. (Check out this BBC article for a nice pre-history of Mozilla.)
Re:A flashdrive that security will take away.
on
USB Swiss Army Knife
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· Score: 1
For some reason, that just doesn't seem practical in the long run, if you ever have to go through a security checkpoint, such as airports, courthouses, whatever.
My dispute is: Does selecting additional memory or disk drives really constitute a product that is "custom configured to your specifications".
Well, are the specs of the computer you purchased different from the standard specs? Did you personally specify them? The answer is yes to both questions, so you did indeed order a product "custom configured to your specifications". I would side with Apple on this one, but whether this non-return policy is a good way to keep customers is another story.
In court someone brought up the analogy of buying a car. My response to that was, if I am buying a brand new car off the lot, and I ask for an automatic transmission (which usually costs more), I still have a stock car.
Your version of this analogy does not match what you did. For example, when you go to Apple's website and shop for an Xserve, you can buy either a single- or dual-processor model. This is analagous to going to a car dealer and selecting either the manual or automatic transmission version of a car. In either case, the dealer has the model already in stock; all they have to do is pull it out of inventory and give it to you. However, when you asked Apple to give you a different amount of memory and disk space, and then asked them to take it back, you were having them do more work because they may have to take out the memory and disk drive -- not everyone is going to want the same specs you did. A closer analogy here is more like having the car dealer put deluxe all-weather tires on your car. When you return them, the dealer may have to remove them in order to sell that car again.
Embedded systems outnumber all other types of platforms both in their diversity and in total number of units and many of them suppport neither C++ nor Java.
True, but those embedded systems you are thinking of would have no use for Qt to begin with. For instance, if you cannot put a windowing interface on a device -- many embedded sytems don't have a display -- then you have no need for Qt. So I think it's a moot point.
In any case, the word "anywhere" means "anywhere" it doesn't mean 99.99% of systems.
Well, of course not. When we say "run anywhere", we mean "anywhere that can run C++" or "anywhere that can run a VM". That's a given, right? I was just trying to say that "Write once, run anywhere" means two very different things for Java vs. Qt. I didn't want to turn this into a discussion of Sun's marketing tactics, otherwise this thread would never finish.
Actually, for compiled languages it's "Write once, compile for the target platform if a compiler exists for it, run on the target platform"
Java is "Write once, and if a JVM exists on a particlar platform, run"
Well yeah, I thought that was obvious.
Note that the term "anywhere" is not appropriate for either case since there are many platforms that have neither a compiler nor a JVM.
Huh? I can't name a single platform for which no C++ compiler is available. Okay, there may be a few esoteric embedded operating systems that only have C compilers, but they aren't "many". For Java, it's the same story: VMs are available on all Windows and Macintosh systems, and virtually all Unix derivatives. Even the Palm OS has a VM. That's leaves less than probably 0.01% of all systems out there, and I certainly wouldn't call that "many".
Slashdot Mirror
Perhaps that's because LPs had natural DRM built-in. Ever try to make a copy of a copy of an analog recording?
As for CDs, it was only when CD writers became inexpensive and widely available that the notion of copy-protected CDs became popular in the industry.
So just because there was no artificial DRM does not mean LP and CD technologies were not effectively "DRMed".
That was DOS, not Windows.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1640917,00.aIt is interesting to note that this closely related AP article appeared this very morning:
Appeals Court Upholds Ruling in CIA LeakTechnically, I don't think the ADC interface supports "hot-plugging,"
Actually, it was a DVI connection, not ADC. And it appears that both can handle hot-plugging, as described in this document. (Search for "hot-plug".)
In any case, the idea that a computer interface of the 21st century -- especially a stateless interface like video -- cannot handle hot plugging by design would be absolutely pitiful, IMHO.
TrevorUpgraded successfully on my G4 PowerBook. No problems so far.
Of particular interest to me is this item in the list of enhancements:Addresses an issue in which a PowerBook G4 computer would, on rare occasion, wake from sleep with a black screen and not respond to any keyboard, mouse, or trackpad input.
I've been experiencing this problem on and off ever since I switched to the Mac last April, and it bugs the heck out of me. I'll unplug my laptop from my Cinema Display, take it home, flip open the lid, and nothing happens. The computer powers on -- I can hear the fan and hard drive spinning -- and the screen is lit, but it's all black. It ignores keyboard and mouse input, and I'm forced to do a hard reboot, losing any unsaved data. (It wasn't happening all the time, but at least every three weeks or so.)
I talked to an Apple "Genius" at an Apple Store about this wake-from-sleep problem, and he said I shouldn't let the PowerBook go to sleep. Instead, I should shut down the computer completely before unplugging it, then power it back up when I got home. Ah, what genius! Patient: "Doctor, it hurts when I move my arm like this." Doctor: "Then don't move your arm like that." Seriously, the sleep feature is vital for most laptop users, and I can't believe the solution is not to use it.
Eventually, I discovered that if I click the Apple menu and select Sleep to do a manual sleep (as opposed to just unplugging the laptop from its display), then the frequency of the problem goes down, but it still happens. Hopefully this update will squash the bug once and for all.
Apple is one step ahead of you: Tiger will be bundled with Tiger.
Boy, these code names are getting confusing.
Yes, I also found that annoying, as well. It's a surprising omission for a $200 text editor that is supposed to be a good programmer's editor.
I guess I had been spoiled by jEdit's ability to automatically indent the next line for you following an if/switch/while/etc. clause.
However, jEdit isn't quite as polished as BBEdit -- it has annoying little bugs here and there -- and BBEdit has superior Mac OS X integration. (For instance, you can launch BBEdit from the command line, unlike jEdit.) Plus, as a student, I got a 40% discount from Bare Bones. So I finally switched.
Anyway, if you're used to Emacs but don't want to switch to BBEdit, I suggest you try jEdit. It plays nicer than Emacs with OS X, and it has a nice set of plugins. And it's free, too!
That's how it works over here, too. But over here we have tax deductions, which is basically an attempt by the government to promote certain activities that would benefit the social good. (I would have thought that the EU has something similar?)
For instance, if you pay your tuition for higher education, you can deduct the expense and don't have to pay tax on it (in most circumstances). You also don't have to pay tax on charitable contributions, excessive medical expenses, mortgage interest on a new home, etc. Many states also use tax deductions to encourage certain activities that help to protect the environment, for example. Filing a return makes sure that you get the tax deductions you are owed.
Also, not everyone gets a paycheck. Millions of Americans are self-employed, so they need to file a return in order to pay their fair share of tax. How does the EU handle this situation?
Furthermore, there are many situations in which filing a return will benefit the taxpayer. I'm not sure how it works in the the EU, but over here if you earn below a certain amount of income, you don't pay any income taxes at all. For instance, your employer might be deducting tax from your paycheck, but after six months you quit in order to go back to school full-time. You would then be able to file a return and get back all that tax you had paid, since for the year overall you are in a lower tax bracket.
I have heard that the IRS owes taxpayers billions of dollars because of situations like this, but they are unable to do anything about it because the people who would receive this money do not file returns.
What's with the Wikipedia link? Do people not know what the word "excited" means?
Yes, there was a trailer available months ago, but it was more of a teaser. It introduced the characters, but that's about it. This one actually gives an idea of what the plot is about, and it has maybe 75% new scenes compared to the last one. And it makes me even more impatient to see the movie now, because it looks, well, even more incredible!
Did you actually view the trailer that the article linked to, or did you jump to conclusions?
Is this a ppc linux or just posted on the wrong page?
Did you read the text? "The Crux Linux ppc port is growing really fast and well!"
Just because you don't understand it doesn't make it untrue.
Relax; I never said it was untrue, I said I didn't understand it.He could not use a two button mouse, because all his fingers contracted at the same time, and when he typed he had to hunt and peck with a single finger.
This still doesn't make sense. You say he can press keyboard keys with a single finger; he can press the single mouse button; what is so hard about one more button on the mouse? I mean, he has the ability to use a one-button mouse, so what is so hard about having his contracted fingers press the right side of the mouse instead of the center?Now, if he were having to press both buttons at the same time, or if the second mouse button were really tiny or something, I could understand, but usually this is not the case. The second mouse button is about the same size as the first, and it's typically only used for bringing up a context-sensitive menu, in which case you click the second mouse button once just as you would click the first one.
A modern mac, on the other hand, does not have this problem.
Now this is untrue. The Macintosh uses context menus now more than ever. Even the built-in Mac OS X apps (Mail, Text Edit, Finder, etc.) support them extensively.there are people who can only use one mouse button, for reasons of disability or what have you.
These people can't handle two buttons on a mouse, but they have no problem with the 102 buttons on a keyboard? Seriously, I just don't understand this argument. You say that if a program requires a second mouse button, it's no problem because the OS can simulate it with a meta key. But then how are these people going to press the meta key and the mouse button if they can't even handle two mouse buttons to begin with? By omitting that second mouse button, all you've done is moved complexity from the mouse to the keyboard.
DiddleBug is what you want. It's free, too.
Unless it is a perfect hash, of course.
For one thing, it's 50% longer than regular SD cards. I assume it sticks out the top of the slot, and that's most likely where the antenna resides. The chipset probably fills up the rest of the card (inside the slot).
FWIW, I've been using the Airport Express and haven't noticed any problems like that since installing 10.3.5. Trevor
I need suggestions for educational games
I taught computer literacy in Ghana, West Africa (see my site), and I didn't find much use for games, educational or otherwise. For one, such software usually assumes a native-level English language ability, which I doubt any student in Uganda will have. Also, you have to keep in mind that most students there may never have even seen a computer before. They will likely be intimidated even by the most basic educational software.
You know what program my students really loved? Notepad! None of them had ever used a computer, so the chance just to type their names was a huge thrill. It helped them overcome their fear of the computer and move on to more advanced programs...such as Minesweeper. (Seriously! They loved it.) They also loved Paint for similar reasons; it was a great way for them to learn how to use the mouse. So, instead of fancy games or educational software, I recommend supplying a simple typing tutor with your laptop. The students will likely benefit from and enjoy it far more than any game.
However, I did find that certain educational titles such as The Way Things Work are helpful as visual aids for science lessons. They do not provide much benefit when used by students alone (again, because of the language barrier and intimidation), but when used by a teacher as part of a group lesson, they can be quite useful.
any great ideas on where I can acquire copies of this software?
Half.com has lots of stuff available second-hand. I've picked up software there for one or two dollars per title.my drive doesn't work 80% of the time
Then perhaps there is no point donating this laptop. Without a CD-ROM, it will be nearly impossible for the recipient to add new software, upgrade the OS, etc. And I doubt they will have the ability to fix or replace what is likely a proprietary part. I strongly suggest getting the drive replaced before sending it, or at least providing an external one as an alternative. (You can get second-hand ones pretty cheap.) Otherwise, the gift you are sending could be just a liability.
TrevorInterestingly, the presenters suggested that customers would have a desktop, laptop, AND an OQO (i.e. an OQO would not be a replacement for a laptop)
Odd, because if you watch the promo video on their site, the final words are: "It's the only computer you need." It also makes a big deal out of OQO's docking station, saying that it "eliminates the need to sync or use other operating systems." Clearly, OQO's marketers aren't sure how they want to target this thing.
Of course, if OQO only runs Windows XP, it is certainly not the only computer I need. ;)
TrevorHow can something with the same kernel, and the same ancestry go the other way: Mozilla actually improves as it evolves.
Because it doesn't have the same kernel.
Back in 1998, when Netscape released their code, the open-source community soon realized that they would have to throw much of it away and start from scratch. By throwing out the cruft that had been building up since Netscape 1.0, the Mozilla team was able to build a better browser...eventually. (Check out this BBC article for a nice pre-history of Mozilla.)
For some reason, that just doesn't seem practical in the long run, if you ever have to go through a security checkpoint, such as airports, courthouses, whatever.
That's why they sell a travel-safe version. (Scroll to the end.)
Well, are the specs of the computer you purchased different from the standard specs? Did you personally specify them? The answer is yes to both questions, so you did indeed order a product "custom configured to your specifications". I would side with Apple on this one, but whether this non-return policy is a good way to keep customers is another story.
In court someone brought up the analogy of buying a car. My response to that was, if I am buying a brand new car off the lot, and I ask for an automatic transmission (which usually costs more), I still have a stock car.Your version of this analogy does not match what you did. For example, when you go to Apple's website and shop for an Xserve, you can buy either a single- or dual-processor model. This is analagous to going to a car dealer and selecting either the manual or automatic transmission version of a car. In either case, the dealer has the model already in stock; all they have to do is pull it out of inventory and give it to you. However, when you asked Apple to give you a different amount of memory and disk space, and then asked them to take it back, you were having them do more work because they may have to take out the memory and disk drive -- not everyone is going to want the same specs you did. A closer analogy here is more like having the car dealer put deluxe all-weather tires on your car. When you return them, the dealer may have to remove them in order to sell that car again.
Trevor
Embedded systems outnumber all other types of platforms both in their diversity and in total number of units and many of them suppport neither C++ nor Java.
True, but those embedded systems you are thinking of would have no use for Qt to begin with. For instance, if you cannot put a windowing interface on a device -- many embedded sytems don't have a display -- then you have no need for Qt. So I think it's a moot point.In any case, the word "anywhere" means "anywhere" it doesn't mean 99.99% of systems.
Well, of course not. When we say "run anywhere", we mean "anywhere that can run C++" or "anywhere that can run a VM". That's a given, right? I was just trying to say that "Write once, run anywhere" means two very different things for Java vs. Qt. I didn't want to turn this into a discussion of Sun's marketing tactics, otherwise this thread would never finish.Actually, for compiled languages it's "Write once, compile for the target platform if a compiler exists for it, run on the target platform"
Java is "Write once, and if a JVM exists on a particlar platform, run"
Well yeah, I thought that was obvious.
Note that the term "anywhere" is not appropriate for either case since there are many platforms that have neither a compiler nor a JVM.
Huh? I can't name a single platform for which no C++ compiler is available. Okay, there may be a few esoteric embedded operating systems that only have C compilers, but they aren't "many". For Java, it's the same story: VMs are available on all Windows and Macintosh systems, and virtually all Unix derivatives. Even the Palm OS has a VM. That's leaves less than probably 0.01% of all systems out there, and I certainly wouldn't call that "many".
Java class files are fundamentally different because you actually can run them anywhere without recompiling.