Other things like the insane disappearing scrollbars I won't hold too much of a grudge over because they can be turned off, but its still indicative of the basically stupid ideas about UI that Ubuntu seems to be embracing.
I still haven't gotten over that Windows 7 hides folder navigation icons in Explorer, and hides drives it thinks are not in use.
Still haven't gotten over not seeing the DVD ROM drive in the drive list. Extremely irritating.
Hate having the folder navigation icons appear and disappear in Explorer.
Speaking of interface atrocities, one nut job I work with is a fan of spouting that 'Lotus Notes crashes due to Microsoft withholding API information' crap all of the time. While nothing like what is being discussed in this court case, it is very interesting how much he can get wound up by the answer of 'It's an OS. Write your application software according to the rules specified, or get off the platform".
I feel for WP. Really, I do. However, this is most likely just the first of many gravestones on the MS highway to hell.
I can't wait for the W7 rollout at work. XP rollout was hilarious - still haven't ironed out all of the problems and bugs. This is going to be worth buying an extra large tub of popcorn for:-)
"The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary."
James Nicoll
This is the second time in two days that this quote is (probably) appropriate. I wonder at what point it becomes worthwhile to write a macro:-)
Meanwhile, I take your point but persist in the notion that the Covenant novels are, in my opinion, a good worthwhile read. Just takes a couple of reads to get everything:-)
Better than Tolkien though.. that could be a real slog.
I will miss Anne McCaffrey's writing style. Good thing is that there will always all of the books she left behind for all of us. What I like about her writing is that it is understandable, clearly defined and easy to process. I can open just about any of her books and enjoyably pick up the story, even if only for a chapter. Good to unwind your mind before sleep.
It isn't really that hard, it just takes a bit of effort.
I have found this to be the root cause of so many problems.. and many disturbances.
It's amazing what people do when they reach that point in their job where it takes a significant level of knowledge to understand... that they are not doing their job well.. and sometimes not at all.
I tend to equal the $$$ in my bank account with the "effort" I put in at work.
And, in relation to the article, I am looking forward to using this functionality from work:-)
I have just booked a meeting with a manager in another area, and am researching roles in another related area.
You are right. It is time to leave.
The problem with the threats is actually getting someone else to witness and verify. Rather, should I say, I have a list of 10 people.. most of whom know that retaliation will go against them.. and that their job can be on the line.
Ah yes, HR. Want a good one? From management here: If this goes to HR (as a Code of Conduct or similar complaint) then we will raise a CoC against you. I actually fell for that. Yes, I know. I know. What I know now is that given that they don't have any basis at all against my conduct.. I should have pushed it. It's in the system.. logged as a Code of Conduct more than once.. and management refuse to take it further and HR want management to deal with it. Absolutely lovely.
For the record, yes, I know it isn't 'my' system. I just have a hard time watching people deconstruct what I have built. You are absolutely correct.
Thank you for your thoughts. I take your advice on the practical application of karma in the workplace. You have helped greatly. It's nice to know I am not alone with this.
"The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary."
Whose duty was it to correctly declassify and release documents?
FTFY
Good question.
It matters not if documents are incorrectly classified higher than what they need to be. It only matters who, or what, has the authority or delegation to declassify them; and who, or what, has the authority to distribute them.
In this case, on both counts, obviously not Private B.M.
If they can prove he distributed documents.. of any kind.. then he's sunk. The only question is.. what will his punishment be.
don't worry, when Windows 8 comes out you can be assured that they will have 'fixed' any 'problems' discovered with Windows 7
meanwhile.. my (windows 7 laptop) DVD drive has decided to play music CDs again. I can't figure out why.. I haven't made any changes... played a few DVDs on it.. very very strange.
1) Management can't tell he is being passive aggressive Even when evidence of this behaviour is presented in writing. Yes, he attacks others in writing.. and nothing is done.
2) Managers who don't know their own jobs It's very sad, but the latest response from the manager up was "I'm new to my job.. " I must have had a 'WTF' look on my face because the topic was dropped quite quickly.
3) Makes Friends Fast It's strange. This guy is very personable, and gets on everyone's good side, says the right things at the right time, but when pressed can't produce work. The problem is that managers give up. See Passive Aggressive above.
4) Vocal about his rights, avoids responsibility Also very good at making others the villain if they complain. That's happened a few times now. He is also very good at screwing up royally and passing it off as being a minor or insignificant problem
5) Passes off violations as insignificant I've lost count of how many violations he has incurred.. in public, at work.. yet.. it continues.
Want to know the best part? Now I am close to being kicked out.. and I am regarded as one of the most knowledgeable, hard working, productive people here. How is this going to happen? Easy. About six months ago I raised a complaint that he, and others, were writing directly to Production (amongst other things). Now, 'management' see me as the one at fault (for raising the complaint), see the others as victims (pure victim mentality) and want to get rid of 'the problem'.
I don't care any more. Time for a new job / new team.
Know what really killed me, and why I don't care? I built this system. I brought this team and this system from medieval dark ages to where it is today, and have much more to offer. I've given my time and a good chunk of my life to this place. Does anyone care? No. So neither can I.
So, my last acts (I'm 1/4 way through this now) are two new enhancements - a literal replacement of one person's job with a 'shell script' (slightly more complicated, but same idea) and a next layer of CM which demonstrates the incompetence of this guy. This will have significant productivity gains.. however, it won't stop this jerk from turning up to work late, running his ebay business from work, leaving early and spending his entire day dealing with emails from his ex-wife, ebay business and kids.
The sad part here is that when I'm done I have two choices. I can say: 1) Great news! We now have xxx functionality, for which yyy spends 100% of his time doing. We can now do much more as he has 100% of his time free, and we have a, b and c which really need to be done, isn't it great that we can do this now... or just not say anything to management at all...
or
2) Great news! We now have xxx functionality, for which yyy spends 100% of his time doing.
(out of interest mr yyy - another twit in this team - actually physically threatened me. At work. In front of a room full of people. Was anything done? no).
If you missed it, in the first instance it is saying "I just replaced someone's job with code, let's get this resource to work on other system projects", and in the second.. "I just replaced someone's job with code".
Management is keeping these twits because they can't tell how bad it is.
I agree with your statements and sentiments.. but the cold hard reality is that the 6 figure guy I work with hasn't worked a full day in the last 5 years, admits in meetings that he has not done anything, has screwed up royally, dodges time on a regular basis, dodges work on a regular basis, attacks others on a regular basis (passive aggressive), clearly states he is opposed to having policy, clearly states a dislike of source control and release management (this in a ALM team), has formally requested to be removed from the team multiple times - and management has refused to remove him, has extremely poor technical skills (has been spoon fed by experts and supported by technical specialists for years.. now, without them, is next to useless), has extremely poor communication skills... and is still here. They recently made this person a team leader.
This is Mr "I will write directly to Production whenever I feel like it because I have the access to do so".
I hear laughing is good for the soul. Better than crying?
It doesn't matter how productive anyone is in this environment. Any productivity can be undone by this twit in minutes.
As it happens I am currently a Configuration Manager.. to answer this and the GP.. this is something which is currently a royal pain to deal with.. and not just for databases. It happens all over the place with values with multiple meanings. Not everything translates these 'common' values, such as dates, into the "local" or "correct" value.
I recently spent a whole month sorting this out for application CIs.. it's not pretty or fun to deal with.
I agree with your point though: This could have easily have referred to the name of the OS and I would have understood the meaning... which is the intent of the communication.
I really don't mind what is used.. so long as the meaning is unambiguous, well defined and clear.
Out of interest, my current place of work has tried using dates to indicate release information.. and have found that it's only useful so far as it actually means something to everyone. The two hour debate about whether or not the date on one package meant 'build time' or 'release time' would have been absolutely hilarious.. except that it was critical that we knew which it was. *sigh* Yes, this got sorted out when someone finally found out that it was neither (the developer picked a time for 'expected build, release and deploy' and stuck that in the code package name, then had problems, and re-used the package name.. then other issues happened.. dates all over place.. and if this guy doesn't adhere to the naming standard and use version numbers x.y.z in the future... it won't leave Dev and we won't have this problem. Yes, this may actually happen.).
I agree with your statement 'if you use a date then use YYYYMMDD'. Good luck getting people to do just that.
I dread the day when we all need to google references for which the meaning should, by their wording or context, be obvious.. but are not.
Meanwhile, I wonder how many user's don't realise what "Mac OS X 10.7x" means and if were notified using this reference would not realise that their 'Lion' OS has a security hole which needs to be patched.
If you want to take notes freely, and be able to view them later electronically, without the hassle that notebooks / tablets have, with all of the benefits of Pen and Paper then Livescribe is an excellent solution. The Livescribe FAQ is a good overview.
From memory, you can also print your own 'books' to record on with the Livescribe pen.
I recommend this for office managers, particularly in IT, university students, teachers.. anyone who has a need to write lots of notes with words and pictures that they will need to reference on a computer later.
Pros: The 2 GB pen is enough space for most purposes. Recharge via USB is easy.
Cons: Need to buy replacement 'books'.
The best part about this is that you only every need to carry around one 'pad'. If you have uploaded from a previous pad or session, you can access it from your computer when you need to. Wonderful.
If I was going to uni today then this is what I would be using. The only drawback I can see is that you'd want to be sitting closer to the front.. apparently the Livescribe pens can pick up from 50 feet away (15 meters). YMMV?
I've yet to see anything beat this, for the current range of technology available. If anyone knows of anything better.. please reply..
I'm all behind the NBN.. so long as they prioritise to provide services for: 1) Areas that with no broadband then 2) Areas that currently have badly services broadband then 3) Areas limited to ADSL 1 then 4) Everywhere else
taking into account A) All new suburbs / houses are to be connected as they are built
The problem with this is that it isn't economically viable. They need to get millions of users onboard and paying for the network in order to ensure sufficient capital and investment to extend to the areas that really need it.
The other problem is that the prices they are putting forth don't look too good when stacked up against ADSL 2.
Compare $50 for the DSL for 500GB with uploads not countered at DSL2+ speeds - that's 8M down 1Mup if you are close enough to an exchange (from TPG) ; to $49 for 40gig at 12mbps (from Optus) with uploads meters - which does not mean 40GB.. it means 40 GB total uploads and downloads.. so call that 30 GB or 20 GB.. depending on how you use your connection.
The worst part is that they feel the need to meter uploads and downloads. A major step backwards. Most people won't appreciate the impact of this until they are hit with their first excessive use bill.
They are still debating whether or not average joe will even join the NBN. This problem, however, is solved: they are destroying the copper network, and forcing everyone onto the NBN. Pundits have been guessing that if this didn't happen then the NBN would sink.
Did anyone mention that the Gov't has already stepped forward with a plan for a national NBN filter?
Now, how about a few thousand mesh network devices all over the country side...
With all the recent discussion about software version numbering.. and how it is now redundant.. can someone from the 'I don't think version numbers are needed at all' side of the fence comment regarding how they would have referred to "Mac OS X 10.7x, 10.6x and 10.5x" in the context of this story?
I recently had a problem with Chrome 9. Took me ages to determine that it was chrome 9 that was the problem, given that it is not an issue on Chrome 11. Just glad my issue wasn't security related (some of the google pages would not render and were iteratively reloading content).
Why can't everything be run in its own sandbox? Isn't this where IT security is heading?
If unity is such a pain in the ass why don't you just install another window manager? Can't you just replace it with Gnome?
Apologies, I only have a laptop running (erg) W7 at this time and can't afford downtime. 10 years ago when I ran BSD and Linux as primary OSes.. I'd fix this in a short time.
And spending time with your spouse can be reproductive.
You must be new here.
And, for the record, my partner is not what is "keeping me on Windows".. she prefers Linux... well.. actually.. now leaning towards Mac... "best of both worlds".
Now, I have to run away and be 'potentially productive' for a while...
All this time and you haven't used the search function, USB devices, networking, disabled irrelevant and unwanted services (and thereafter be accused of being a thief..)..
Solid. Right. Watching it go down like a hooker with a 50 in her hand is not that surprising.
Yes, much of the above could be classified as 'bleeding edge problems'. Waiting for 'SP2' world for W7.. most likely will revert to XP before then though.
Linux? I need this machine to work. No hassles. No issues. Just work. If wireless doesn't work I am screwed. If this external drive doesn't work I am screwed. Perhaps if I had a second machine to play with, and potentially wreck (like I have in the past), then I would.
Until then, Windows it is. I need a working OS more than I need control.
The good news here is that when Windows 8+ comes out.. Linux / BSD will be the only choice for me.
I am going to remember this. Wish I had this handy to quote ~4 days ago. Thank you so much.. this will be useful in the future.
Okay. I can see how it could happen... but geez.. that is one heck of a screwup.. and Windows 7 has issues which are on par... I guess time will tell. It does remind me of XP before SP2...
Perhaps we are just in the dark ages before "Windows 7 SP2".
Although.. people hated Vista with a vengeance.. much of that from the interface changes... and I can't see I like Windows 7 for similar reasons. I suppose, though, you can get used to anything.
That describes the mainframe interface really well.. and yes, it's damn ugly - especially compared to HTML / CSS - but it works. All of the time. Every day.
It can also be horrible to code in.. but then.. YMMV
Yes, we all hate the new until we get used to it. On the other hand, look at Vista. Some things were just horrible..
My opinion is that Microsoft inflicted Vista on the world so that when Windows 7 came along everyone would say 'oh, that is so much better'.. in the same way if someone spent all day beating you up constantly, and then later came back and only lightly slapped you in the face constantly you'd think "oh, that is so much better".
Conditioning perhaps? Teaching the masses to accept the less bitter pill by making them eat the more bitter pill first? Hmm.
Meanwhile, from the information released so far about Windows 8 I am dreading having to use it. Luckily, it is going to be such a massive effort to change from Windows XP to Windows 7 that the next OS work will change to is likely to be Windows 9 or Linux or Mac - Depending on just how badly Windows 8 tanks. (special note: use of the word "upgrade" specifically and deliberately left out of this paragraph)
Simple. He is stating his purpose, and fulfilling that purpose. If they do try to cop him for something.. then it is highly likely he can prove within 99% accuracy as to what and when he was doing.
No, they won't trust the information, but yes, they will have to sort, parse, scan or sift through it. Probably by setting the task to a programmer and having it automated and data mined.
On the other hand, if he now wants to commit an illegal activity, it could be very difficult to prove otherwise. Take the scenario where he leaves his cell phone at a specific location, ducks around the corner, undertakes an illegal activity, and slides back in. How would they know?
Same for if he now undertakes illegal activities at home or in a non suspicious place. "No your Honor, my entire life is Online. You can see it for yourself..".
I agree that this activity is excessive, and should not be required to prove innocence nor to create a defence against unwarranted accusations. Here, the USA got it right: innocent until proven guilty.
On the other hand, I am far and away in support of being able to legally record every single thing that occurs to you or around you on your property or in public spaces. I believe that a large amount of violence, threats, anti-social behaviour and serious stupidity would be severely curtained if 1 in 10 citizens were (covertly) recording everything around them. Kind of sucks that one day this might be the case.. but I support any individual who wants to do it.
Slashdot Mirror
I still haven't gotten over that Windows 7 hides folder navigation icons in Explorer, and hides drives it thinks are not in use.
Still haven't gotten over not seeing the DVD ROM drive in the drive list. Extremely irritating.
Hate having the folder navigation icons appear and disappear in Explorer.
Speaking of interface atrocities, one nut job I work with is a fan of spouting that 'Lotus Notes crashes due to Microsoft withholding API information' crap all of the time. While nothing like what is being discussed in this court case, it is very interesting how much he can get wound up by the answer of 'It's an OS. Write your application software according to the rules specified, or get off the platform".
I feel for WP. Really, I do. However, this is most likely just the first of many gravestones on the MS highway to hell.
I can't wait for the W7 rollout at work. XP rollout was hilarious - still haven't ironed out all of the problems and bugs. This is going to be worth buying an extra large tub of popcorn for :-)
I second the "The Door into Summer" as a good starting point; as well as "To Sail Beyond the Sunset".
I've now gone through 4 copies of Time Enough for Love.
I'd second that - "Friday" for the best standalone novel.
On the other hand, I still have my first Pern book - The White Dragon - picked up in a yard sale around 1993... my first step into Sci Fi / Fantasy.
This is the second time in two days that this quote is (probably) appropriate. I wonder at what point it becomes worthwhile to write a macro :-)
Meanwhile, I take your point but persist in the notion that the Covenant novels are, in my opinion, a good worthwhile read. Just takes a couple of reads to get everything :-)
Better than Tolkien though.. that could be a real slog.
I will miss Anne McCaffrey's writing style. Good thing is that there will always all of the books she left behind for all of us.
What I like about her writing is that it is understandable, clearly defined and easy to process. I can open just about any of her books and enjoyably pick up the story, even if only for a chapter. Good to unwind your mind before sleep.
While I quite enjoyed the first two books in the Singer series I can re-read the third any time.
I always expected a fourth.. or a prequel.. to explain where Ballybran crystal originally came from.
I'm glad she made Crystal Singer into a trilogy.
I'm sad that there will be no more
I have found this to be the root cause of so many problems .. and many disturbances.
It's amazing what people do when they reach that point in their job where it takes a significant level of knowledge to understand ... that they are not doing their job well .. and sometimes not at all.
I tend to equal the $$$ in my bank account with the "effort" I put in at work.
And, in relation to the article, I am looking forward to using this functionality from work :-)
Good advice.
I have just booked a meeting with a manager in another area, and am researching roles in another related area.
You are right. It is time to leave.
The problem with the threats is actually getting someone else to witness and verify. Rather, should I say, I have a list of 10 people .. most of whom know that retaliation will go against them.. and that their job can be on the line.
Ah yes, HR. Want a good one? From management here: If this goes to HR (as a Code of Conduct or similar complaint) then we will raise a CoC against you.
I actually fell for that. Yes, I know. I know.
What I know now is that given that they don't have any basis at all against my conduct.. I should have pushed it. It's in the system.. logged as a Code of Conduct more than once.. and management refuse to take it further and HR want management to deal with it.
Absolutely lovely.
For the record, yes, I know it isn't 'my' system. I just have a hard time watching people deconstruct what I have built. You are absolutely correct.
Thank you for your thoughts. I take your advice on the practical application of karma in the workplace. You have helped greatly. It's nice to know I am not alone with this.
"The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary."
James Nicoll
Whose duty was it to correctly declassify and release documents?
FTFY
Good question.
It matters not if documents are incorrectly classified higher than what they need to be. It only matters who, or what, has the authority or delegation to declassify them; and who, or what, has the authority to distribute them.
In this case, on both counts, obviously not Private B.M.
If they can prove he distributed documents.. of any kind.. then he's sunk. The only question is.. what will his punishment be.
... right.. and now They Must Fix This..
don't worry, when Windows 8 comes out you can be assured that they will have 'fixed' any 'problems' discovered with Windows 7
meanwhile.. my (windows 7 laptop) DVD drive has decided to play music CDs again. I can't figure out why.. I haven't made any changes... played a few DVDs on it.. very very strange.
1) Management can't tell he is being passive aggressive
Even when evidence of this behaviour is presented in writing. Yes, he attacks others in writing.. and nothing is done.
2) Managers who don't know their own jobs
It's very sad, but the latest response from the manager up was "I'm new to my job.. "
I must have had a 'WTF' look on my face because the topic was dropped quite quickly.
3) Makes Friends Fast
It's strange. This guy is very personable, and gets on everyone's good side, says the right things at the right time, but when pressed can't produce work.
The problem is that managers give up. See Passive Aggressive above.
4) Vocal about his rights, avoids responsibility
Also very good at making others the villain if they complain. That's happened a few times now.
He is also very good at screwing up royally and passing it off as being a minor or insignificant problem
5) Passes off violations as insignificant
I've lost count of how many violations he has incurred.. in public, at work.. yet.. it continues.
Want to know the best part? Now I am close to being kicked out.. and I am regarded as one of the most knowledgeable, hard working, productive people here. How is this going to happen? Easy. About six months ago I raised a complaint that he, and others, were writing directly to Production (amongst other things). Now, 'management' see me as the one at fault (for raising the complaint), see the others as victims (pure victim mentality) and want to get rid of 'the problem'.
I don't care any more. Time for a new job / new team.
Know what really killed me, and why I don't care? I built this system. I brought this team and this system from medieval dark ages to where it is today, and have much more to offer. I've given my time and a good chunk of my life to this place. Does anyone care? No. So neither can I.
So, my last acts (I'm 1/4 way through this now) are two new enhancements - a literal replacement of one person's job with a 'shell script' (slightly more complicated, but same idea) and a next layer of CM which demonstrates the incompetence of this guy. This will have significant productivity gains.. however, it won't stop this jerk from turning up to work late, running his ebay business from work, leaving early and spending his entire day dealing with emails from his ex-wife, ebay business and kids.
The sad part here is that when I'm done I have two choices. I can say:
1) Great news! We now have xxx functionality, for which yyy spends 100% of his time doing. We can now do much more as he has 100% of his time free, and we have a, b and c which really need to be done, isn't it great that we can do this now... or just not say anything to management at all...
or
2) Great news! We now have xxx functionality, for which yyy spends 100% of his time doing.
(out of interest mr yyy - another twit in this team - actually physically threatened me. At work. In front of a room full of people. Was anything done? no).
If you missed it, in the first instance it is saying "I just replaced someone's job with code, let's get this resource to work on other system projects", and in the second.. "I just replaced someone's job with code".
Management is keeping these twits because they can't tell how bad it is.
Time to leave. /RANT
The implication is that he is sending someone to hell for a short amount of time, and yes, they will be back, and will go there again..
Eg, sending someone to work
gosub work = gosub hell
?
I agree with your statements and sentiments.. but the cold hard reality is that the 6 figure guy I work with hasn't worked a full day in the last 5 years, admits in meetings that he has not done anything, has screwed up royally, dodges time on a regular basis, dodges work on a regular basis, attacks others on a regular basis (passive aggressive), clearly states he is opposed to having policy, clearly states a dislike of source control and release management (this in a ALM team), has formally requested to be removed from the team multiple times - and management has refused to remove him, has extremely poor technical skills (has been spoon fed by experts and supported by technical specialists for years.. now, without them, is next to useless), has extremely poor communication skills... and is still here. They recently made this person a team leader.
This is Mr "I will write directly to Production whenever I feel like it because I have the access to do so".
I hear laughing is good for the soul. Better than crying?
It doesn't matter how productive anyone is in this environment. Any productivity can be undone by this twit in minutes.
As it happens I am currently a Configuration Manager.. to answer this and the GP.. this is something which is currently a royal pain to deal with.. and not just for databases. It happens all over the place with values with multiple meanings. Not everything translates these 'common' values, such as dates, into the "local" or "correct" value.
I recently spent a whole month sorting this out for application CIs.. it's not pretty or fun to deal with.
I agree with your point though: This could have easily have referred to the name of the OS and I would have understood the meaning... which is the intent of the communication.
I really don't mind what is used.. so long as the meaning is unambiguous, well defined and clear.
Out of interest, my current place of work has tried using dates to indicate release information.. and have found that it's only useful so far as it actually means something to everyone. The two hour debate about whether or not the date on one package meant 'build time' or 'release time' would have been absolutely hilarious.. except that it was critical that we knew which it was. *sigh* Yes, this got sorted out when someone finally found out that it was neither (the developer picked a time for 'expected build, release and deploy' and stuck that in the code package name, then had problems, and re-used the package name.. then other issues happened.. dates all over place.. and if this guy doesn't adhere to the naming standard and use version numbers x.y.z in the future... it won't leave Dev and we won't have this problem. Yes, this may actually happen.).
I agree with your statement 'if you use a date then use YYYYMMDD'. Good luck getting people to do just that.
I dread the day when we all need to google references for which the meaning should, by their wording or context, be obvious .. but are not.
Meanwhile, I wonder how many user's don't realise what "Mac OS X 10.7x" means and if were notified using this reference would not realise that their 'Lion' OS has a security hole which needs to be patched.
... because you need to transfer or scan your notes in later.
Yes, not much beats a pen and paper. For the best of both worlds there is Livescribe
This.
If you want to take notes freely, and be able to view them later electronically, without the hassle that notebooks / tablets have, with all of the benefits of Pen and Paper then Livescribe is an excellent solution. The Livescribe FAQ is a good overview.
From memory, you can also print your own 'books' to record on with the Livescribe pen.
I recommend this for office managers, particularly in IT, university students, teachers .. anyone who has a need to write lots of notes with words and pictures that they will need to reference on a computer later.
Pros:
The 2 GB pen is enough space for most purposes. Recharge via USB is easy.
Cons:
Need to buy replacement 'books'.
The best part about this is that you only every need to carry around one 'pad'. If you have uploaded from a previous pad or session, you can access it from your computer when you need to. Wonderful.
If I was going to uni today then this is what I would be using. The only drawback I can see is that you'd want to be sitting closer to the front.. apparently the Livescribe pens can pick up from 50 feet away (15 meters). YMMV?
I've yet to see anything beat this, for the current range of technology available. If anyone knows of anything better .. please reply..
This.
I'm all behind the NBN.. so long as they prioritise to provide services for:
1) Areas that with no broadband
then
2) Areas that currently have badly services broadband
then
3) Areas limited to ADSL 1
then
4) Everywhere else
taking into account
A) All new suburbs / houses are to be connected as they are built
The problem with this is that it isn't economically viable. They need to get millions of users onboard and paying for the network in order to ensure sufficient capital and investment to extend to the areas that really need it.
The other problem is that the prices they are putting forth don't look too good when stacked up against ADSL 2.
Compare $50 for the DSL for 500GB with uploads not countered at DSL2+ speeds - that's 8M down 1Mup if you are close enough to an exchange (from TPG) ;
to
$49 for 40gig at 12mbps (from Optus) with uploads meters - which does not mean 40GB.. it means 40 GB total uploads and downloads.. so call that 30 GB or 20 GB.. depending on how you use your connection.
The worst part is that they feel the need to meter uploads and downloads. A major step backwards. Most people won't appreciate the impact of this until they are hit with their first excessive use bill.
They are still debating whether or not average joe will even join the NBN. This problem, however, is solved: they are destroying the copper network, and forcing everyone onto the NBN. Pundits have been guessing that if this didn't happen then the NBN would sink.
Did anyone mention that the Gov't has already stepped forward with a plan for a national NBN filter?
Now, how about a few thousand mesh network devices all over the country side...
Swings and roundabouts..
With all the recent discussion about software version numbering.. and how it is now redundant .. can someone from the 'I don't think version numbers are needed at all' side of the fence comment regarding how they would have referred to "Mac OS X 10.7x, 10.6x and 10.5x" in the context of this story?
I recently had a problem with Chrome 9. Took me ages to determine that it was chrome 9 that was the problem, given that it is not an issue on Chrome 11. Just glad my issue wasn't security related (some of the google pages would not render and were iteratively reloading content).
Why can't everything be run in its own sandbox? Isn't this where IT security is heading?
Currently Australia is trying to implement the National Broadband Network and great debate is currently being had about exactly why we need a fibre network, how many people will actually use it, how it will be implemented and who will pay.
It looks like we could learn a lot from the Brits ...
I'm lost, please enlighten me.
If unity is such a pain in the ass why don't you just install another window manager? Can't you just replace it with Gnome?
Apologies, I only have a laptop running (erg) W7 at this time and can't afford downtime. 10 years ago when I ran BSD and Linux as primary OSes .. I'd fix this in a short time.
You must be new here.
And, for the record, my partner is not what is "keeping me on Windows".. she prefers Linux... well.. actually.. now leaning towards Mac ... "best of both worlds".
Now, I have to run away and be 'potentially productive' for a while...
Yes!
I am going to remember this. Wish I had this handy to quote ~4 days ago. Thank you so much.. this will be useful in the future.
Okay. I can see how it could happen... but geez.. that is one heck of a screwup.. and Windows 7 has issues which are on par... I guess time will tell. It does remind me of XP before SP2...
Perhaps we are just in the dark ages before "Windows 7 SP2".
Although.. people hated Vista with a vengeance.. much of that from the interface changes... and I can't see I like Windows 7 for similar reasons. I suppose, though, you can get used to anything.
That describes the mainframe interface really well.. and yes, it's damn ugly - especially compared to HTML / CSS - but it works. All of the time. Every day.
It can also be horrible to code in.. but then.. YMMV
Yes, we all hate the new until we get used to it.
On the other hand, look at Vista. Some things were just horrible..
My opinion is that Microsoft inflicted Vista on the world so that when Windows 7 came along everyone would say 'oh, that is so much better' .. in the same way if someone spent all day beating you up constantly, and then later came back and only lightly slapped you in the face constantly you'd think "oh, that is so much better".
Conditioning perhaps? Teaching the masses to accept the less bitter pill by making them eat the more bitter pill first? Hmm.
Meanwhile, from the information released so far about Windows 8 I am dreading having to use it. Luckily, it is going to be such a massive effort to change from Windows XP to Windows 7 that the next OS work will change to is likely to be Windows 9 or Linux or Mac -
Depending on just how badly Windows 8 tanks.
(special note: use of the word "upgrade" specifically and deliberately left out of this paragraph)
Problem here is that 90% of readers will think that this post is funny :(
Simple. He is stating his purpose, and fulfilling that purpose. If they do try to cop him for something.. then it is highly likely he can prove within 99% accuracy as to what and when he was doing.
No, they won't trust the information, but yes, they will have to sort, parse, scan or sift through it. Probably by setting the task to a programmer and having it automated and data mined.
On the other hand, if he now wants to commit an illegal activity, it could be very difficult to prove otherwise. Take the scenario where he leaves his cell phone at a specific location, ducks around the corner, undertakes an illegal activity, and slides back in. How would they know?
Same for if he now undertakes illegal activities at home or in a non suspicious place. "No your Honor, my entire life is Online. You can see it for yourself..".
I agree that this activity is excessive, and should not be required to prove innocence nor to create a defence against unwarranted accusations. Here, the USA got it right: innocent until proven guilty.
On the other hand, I am far and away in support of being able to legally record every single thing that occurs to you or around you on your property or in public spaces. I believe that a large amount of violence, threats, anti-social behaviour and serious stupidity would be severely curtained if 1 in 10 citizens were (covertly) recording everything around them. Kind of sucks that one day this might be the case.. but I support any individual who wants to do it.