Wasn't it last week we did this? It is great that Bezos got involved -- but we should all be involved. Selling used books is just a symptom. A couple of posts were spot on -- this is about making money... and writing books (and singing and acting..) are not good money-making careers. A writer/author/singer/actor does it because they want to, because they must express themselves or die an insane death. The publishing companies (or the recording industry, whoever else likes to screw the artists) should go piss up a rope... Selling used books will not hurt the industry; overpaid corporate lawyers hurt the industry, overpaid undertalented corporate producers hurt the industry. Perhaps everyone should boycott buying new books, but contribute some small donation to their favorite author everytime they buy a used book.... hmmm...
You are right -- I guess I have never seen it in that light before. Having to reboot is Bill Gates' way of saying "You have spent too much time on the PC, reboot and back away... and don't sue me for your RSI's"... It's a feature, not a bug.... kewl!
Looks like Google is on the right track. They did kind of step on it when they pulled the Scientology links, but made up for it (kind of). Now it looks like it will take a lot more than just a threat for them to pull pages. Good move!
Of course they do -- ever notice the plethora of faceplates for cellphones -- any color, pattern, or theme that you can think is available. Never underestimate the superficiality or vacuousness of the general public. Give me technology, but it better be cute and personable or it will never be widely adopted. For example, the dumbing down of the Windows interface (not NT or 2K) for the general public... most vomitous
These little bastard signs are everywhere. There is a new variant in my area - the 3"x5" sticker. They show up stuck to ATM's, drive-thru speaker boxes, and shopping carts. With any luck at all, an anti-litter law would be able to knock these guys off.... man I hate salesmen for crap I don't need....
An interesting statistic would be the number of people who have been defrauded online who are new/uninformed/shouldn't be online without supervision....
I have had much better luck online than I did using the old direct-mail/telephone model. I have purchased items, sent some of them back, and have had to resort to asking my credit card company to dispute the charges only once - online. The direct mail/telephone model was fraught with delays and companies who did not answer telephones, shipped wrong items, refuse to correct shipments, etc. I would like to see these figures of online fraud compared to good-old-fashioned mail fraud.
I beg to differ with the statement that 'the grass is greener' in the private sector. Granted, we don't get the bleeding edge products, we don't play as much with R&D, and we don't have the informal/laid-back image that many private corps do. What we do have is this: as close to employment-for-life in today's economy, adequate budgets that do not rely on the corp's stock performance from yesterday, benefits packages that shame most private corps, and I can transfer pretty much anywhere we have a site (read: all 50 states and most of the US territories). I don't know if I would want to participate other than just the fun of it/change of pace type of thing -- but I definitely know that I would want to come back to my gov't job....
This may be a first for me - I've never come across someone who is anti-animal... Very interesting opinion. My 3 dogs would disagree with you -- lesser animals and all. Companion technology (whatever that may be) cannot "progress" beyond a dog; a companion can be whatever you want as a companion, such as a significant other. As much as I isolate myself from the general public, I still find myself as a social creature -- needing the companionship of people and animals. As far as keeping the animals alive in the face of far greater human needs, enforced sterilization of people and pets may be your answer.... Spay/neuter your pets, people -- and never let them loose in this guy's neighborhood....
Re:Moderation - a warning from history
on
Simulating Societies
·
· Score: 0, Offtopic
Wow -- this guy really has some issues; perhaps he doesn't understand the concept of "if you don't like it, opt out.."?? Better yet, stop your bitching and start your own site, mod your own posts, and then complain about its inherent flaws. Some people may have way too much time and education -- this is an example....
I guess my only question is: When was this considered news? Most of us knew this already, but without any proof (budding conspiracy theorists - unite!) we sound like just a bunch of freaks/fanatics grousing... Well, maybe a second question: will the 'real' writer ever come forward, or is this a topic for another conspiracy theory???
He didn't really mention how many different pieces of hardware he ruined during this experiment, or what happens to his system at 11 minutes (when the cooling system fails), or my favorite question of all -- WHY? There are several water-cooling solutions on the market now, plus dozens of any other kind of cooling solution (Peltier, massive fans, etc). I understand the need to tinker and constantly tweak the equipment, but this guy must be really obsessive... Already noted here several times, but any cooling solution that works only for ten minutes at a time doesn't seem that great/newsworthy. BTW, won't cotton thread burn, create a lot of smoke, catch fire, and melt the entire lot of hardware -- oh, yeah -- it is water cooled, so you also have an internal fire-suppressant system.... Now I understand -- kewl!!
I bought the PS2 based on upcoming games and the backwards compatibility with PSX games. I waited until GT3 came out (THE game for the PS2) and have not been sorry, either with existing games or future ones. MS brings out the X-Box, promising new technology and new toys, but they also released it how long after PS2?? Given that much time, PS2 would have had a HD and other features built-in. And given the fact that MS loses money on each one, why is it still the most expensive console you can buy?? Existing consumer base + backwards compatibility + pricepoint + kewl games = PS2.... I guess we should really wait until the PS3 arrives and then compare apples and oranges again...
Not so bright on the part of the Author's Guild. Granted, used book prices @ Amazon aren't always the best prices, but sometimes, especially in rural areas without many local options, they may be the only option. Personally, I buy dozens of used books from local merchants, usually read at least one a week, and then go back for more. I also purchase new books on a regular basis, but rarely buy a book when it is first published. And my continued patronage of my local public libraries..... I can see why the Author's Guild would really discourage used book sales on such a public level.... and why they will really not enjoy reading this post....
Strange, we see AMD branching out, moving into what would seem to be an obvious market, and people bitch about it (jeering their desktop procs, etc), and yet, the same crowd can bitch about MS and AOL and Intel (and any other big corp) monopolizing their respective markets.... AMD branching out forces existing players into re-thinking their current and future strategies, creates new opportunities and possibilities, and gives end-users more choices in the marketplace. All kewl... It is always good to hear of additional competitors for my (our) dollars. Go to it, AMD.
Go ahead and start the flaming, but wouldn't a wireless monitor have to have some sort of encryption built into the vidcard and the monitor (or tablet or whatever)? Otherwise, you could just monitor the proper bandwidth for these signals and port them to your own wireless - and then all sorts of fun would ensue (??)
I understand and can empathize with Katz, but my read on his stand is that we should all feel guilty about making money and living in the greatest country on the planet, where consumerism and greed and $$$$ run the show. I am afraid not -- I pay taxes, vote, and voice my opinion - I have a right to my money and a right to choose how I live. Granted, Katz has a right to his opinion as well, but pouring money down the bottomless hole that has become the "3rd" world is simply a no-win situation. We have done this for decades, and no changes have occurred; if anything, the situations have worsened. Corporations, greedy governments, and the like will continue to conspire to keep their $$$$ in any way they can. To run around crying that the sky is falling without a workable solution is just that - crowing to hear your own voice....
Slashdot Mirror
Wasn't it last week we did this? It is great that Bezos got involved -- but we should all be involved. Selling used books is just a symptom. A couple of posts were spot on -- this is about making money... and writing books (and singing and acting..) are not good money-making careers. A writer/author/singer/actor does it because they want to, because they must express themselves or die an insane death. The publishing companies (or the recording industry, whoever else likes to screw the artists) should go piss up a rope... Selling used books will not hurt the industry; overpaid corporate lawyers hurt the industry, overpaid undertalented corporate producers hurt the industry. Perhaps everyone should boycott buying new books, but contribute some small donation to their favorite author everytime they buy a used book.... hmmm...
You are right -- I guess I have never seen it in that light before. Having to reboot is Bill Gates' way of saying "You have spent too much time on the PC, reboot and back away... and don't sue me for your RSI's"... It's a feature, not a bug.... kewl!
Looks like Google is on the right track. They did kind of step on it when they pulled the Scientology links, but made up for it (kind of). Now it looks like it will take a lot more than just a threat for them to pull pages. Good move!
kewl -- can I beta one now?? Can I chose the genetically skewed skin??
For shame: just because you can, doesn't mean you should.....
Of course they do -- ever notice the plethora of faceplates for cellphones -- any color, pattern, or theme that you can think is available. Never underestimate the superficiality or vacuousness of the general public. Give me technology, but it better be cute and personable or it will never be widely adopted. For example, the dumbing down of the Windows interface (not NT or 2K) for the general public... most vomitous
These little bastard signs are everywhere. There is a new variant in my area - the 3"x5" sticker. They show up stuck to ATM's, drive-thru speaker boxes, and shopping carts. With any luck at all, an anti-litter law would be able to knock these guys off.... man I hate salesmen for crap I don't need....
An interesting statistic would be the number of people who have been defrauded online who are new/uninformed/shouldn't be online without supervision....
I have had much better luck online than I did using the old direct-mail/telephone model. I have purchased items, sent some of them back, and have had to resort to asking my credit card company to dispute the charges only once - online. The direct mail/telephone model was fraught with delays and companies who did not answer telephones, shipped wrong items, refuse to correct shipments, etc. I would like to see these figures of online fraud compared to good-old-fashioned mail fraud.
I submitted this story yesterday.....
I beg to differ with the statement that 'the grass is greener' in the private sector. Granted, we don't get the bleeding edge products, we don't play as much with R&D, and we don't have the informal/laid-back image that many private corps do. What we do have is this: as close to employment-for-life in today's economy, adequate budgets that do not rely on the corp's stock performance from yesterday, benefits packages that shame most private corps, and I can transfer pretty much anywhere we have a site (read: all 50 states and most of the US territories). I don't know if I would want to participate other than just the fun of it/change of pace type of thing -- but I definitely know that I would want to come back to my gov't job....
This may be a first for me - I've never come across someone who is anti-animal... Very interesting opinion. My 3 dogs would disagree with you -- lesser animals and all. Companion technology (whatever that may be) cannot "progress" beyond a dog; a companion can be whatever you want as a companion, such as a significant other. As much as I isolate myself from the general public, I still find myself as a social creature -- needing the companionship of people and animals. As far as keeping the animals alive in the face of far greater human needs, enforced sterilization of people and pets may be your answer.... Spay/neuter your pets, people -- and never let them loose in this guy's neighborhood....
Wow -- this guy really has some issues; perhaps he doesn't understand the concept of "if you don't like it, opt out.."?? Better yet, stop your bitching and start your own site, mod your own posts, and then complain about its inherent flaws. Some people may have way too much time and education -- this is an example....
I guess my only question is: When was this considered news? Most of us knew this already, but without any proof (budding conspiracy theorists - unite!) we sound like just a bunch of freaks/fanatics grousing... Well, maybe a second question: will the 'real' writer ever come forward, or is this a topic for another conspiracy theory???
He didn't really mention how many different pieces of hardware he ruined during this experiment, or what happens to his system at 11 minutes (when the cooling system fails), or my favorite question of all -- WHY? There are several water-cooling solutions on the market now, plus dozens of any other kind of cooling solution (Peltier, massive fans, etc). I understand the need to tinker and constantly tweak the equipment, but this guy must be really obsessive... Already noted here several times, but any cooling solution that works only for ten minutes at a time doesn't seem that great/newsworthy. BTW, won't cotton thread burn, create a lot of smoke, catch fire, and melt the entire lot of hardware -- oh, yeah -- it is water cooled, so you also have an internal fire-suppressant system.... Now I understand -- kewl!!
I bought the PS2 based on upcoming games and the backwards compatibility with PSX games. I waited until GT3 came out (THE game for the PS2) and have not been sorry, either with existing games or future ones. MS brings out the X-Box, promising new technology and new toys, but they also released it how long after PS2?? Given that much time, PS2 would have had a HD and other features built-in. And given the fact that MS loses money on each one, why is it still the most expensive console you can buy?? Existing consumer base + backwards compatibility + pricepoint + kewl games = PS2.... I guess we should really wait until the PS3 arrives and then compare apples and oranges again...
Not so bright on the part of the Author's Guild. Granted, used book prices @ Amazon aren't always the best prices, but sometimes, especially in rural areas without many local options, they may be the only option. Personally, I buy dozens of used books from local merchants, usually read at least one a week, and then go back for more. I also purchase new books on a regular basis, but rarely buy a book when it is first published. And my continued patronage of my local public libraries..... I can see why the Author's Guild would really discourage used book sales on such a public level.... and why they will really not enjoy reading this post....
Strange, we see AMD branching out, moving into what would seem to be an obvious market, and people bitch about it (jeering their desktop procs, etc), and yet, the same crowd can bitch about MS and AOL and Intel (and any other big corp) monopolizing their respective markets.... AMD branching out forces existing players into re-thinking their current and future strategies, creates new opportunities and possibilities, and gives end-users more choices in the marketplace. All kewl... It is always good to hear of additional competitors for my (our) dollars. Go to it, AMD.
And to think that all of this is due to comic books.....
Go ahead and start the flaming, but wouldn't a wireless monitor have to have some sort of encryption built into the vidcard and the monitor (or tablet or whatever)? Otherwise, you could just monitor the proper bandwidth for these signals and port them to your own wireless - and then all sorts of fun would ensue (??)
I understand and can empathize with Katz, but my read on his stand is that we should all feel guilty about making money and living in the greatest country on the planet, where consumerism and greed and $$$$ run the show. I am afraid not -- I pay taxes, vote, and voice my opinion - I have a right to my money and a right to choose how I live. Granted, Katz has a right to his opinion as well, but pouring money down the bottomless hole that has become the "3rd" world is simply a no-win situation. We have done this for decades, and no changes have occurred; if anything, the situations have worsened. Corporations, greedy governments, and the like will continue to conspire to keep their $$$$ in any way they can. To run around crying that the sky is falling without a workable solution is just that - crowing to hear your own voice....
And thank you for playing --- Krypton was the planet.... kryptonite the element from the planet... man, I hate it when geeks get it wrong...
I bow to his geekness -- we are not worthy!!!!
Too late (see above),,,
Imagine a beowulf cluster of these.....