Its nice to see that Intuit is talking about not using the DRM software next year. I've always wondered if the less expensive TaxCut software was equivalent in quality to the TurboTax software. Since the DRM was implemented this year, I had an incentive besides price to check it out. So I did. As an added bonus, the TaxCut Platinum Home and Business is half the price of the equivalent TurboTax product. However, now that I've switched to TaxCut I think I just may stick with TaxCut. To be honest the TurboTax software made me feel more comfortable, and the final check on my taxes did seem more thorough and helpful. I'm glad Intuit seems to be listening to its customers by not repeating the same mistake again, but since I've already switched I have less incentive to switch back.
The service provider at Starbucks is called T-Mobile HotSpot, and is offered at $30 a month for unlimited access or $0.10 a minute. If you just used it intemittently to download your e-mail and surf the web only when needed you probably could get by for less than $10/month.
The Gillette Business Model... hmm.. ya don't say? I think everyone here knows about the Gillette Business Model. Its referred to in *every* printer cartridge post on slashdot, and its the only other business model we know and brag about besides the Underwear Trolls Business Model.
Well, you should check out LIRC. There software is pretty good, but you'll have to get your hands dirty. Phil, my roommate in college used this softare and built a transmitter from some parts at Radio Shack. We hollowed out in the eye ball in a Jack in the Box and went to town. Good luck, and oh yeah.. ya gotta ditch Windows;)
I don't see how people could screw up a butterfly ballots. I find it highly unlikely that any suspicious activites could take place while the entire world watched through hundreds if not thousands of camera lenses from journalists. Not to mention all the federal people watching under the command of Bill Clinton. So come on... get back on the Kennedy conspiracy theories cuz this one sucks!
You're a moron. I can see people stretching stuff alot, but to say that Bush's group is a dictatorship and there will be no election in 2004 is stupid and childish.
OK, I would like to see some documentation on this. Otherwise, I'll just assume all you are saying is hearsay and conjecture. This isn't personal, but I don't know why you got modded up without any supporting evidence anyway. So if you have the cards now is the time to show 'em.
Not too bad. By message 15.25% of my messages are spam. If we go by words then 29.35% of my messages are spam. And this is *after* USA.Net's Brightmail make a first pass at spam coming into my inbox.
Awesome. Thats great to hear! Glad things have changed since I got there in '95. Guess I shoulda checked with my younger buds first. Thanks for the update.
Well this could easily happen to our school as well. Texas A&M's student ID is the social security number. I know several students who have had their identify stolen because some brain dead in our school decided they have to *print* the SSN on the front of our ID card. They had their entire lives turned upside down and had to change their identity because of it. So, I scratched mine of years ago. I'm a graduate now, but SSNs are still being used at A&M and still being printed on IDs. Thats just irresponsible. Couple that with professors asking students to write their SSNs (same as student IDs remember) on their homework and tests. I always told professors I wouldn't do that and they didn't seem to have a problem with it. Even in classes of 300+. In t.u.'s defense (University of Texas) I don't think they use SSNs for student IDs, but of course the number would still be with student records. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Check out my journal entry for more thermal details. At the high end clock (2GHz+) P4s are quite a bit cooler. Lower than this and they are close in temp.
Unfortunately, the stupid slashcode would not allow me to post a legit comment regarding processor thermal power. So I have put it in my journal. You can find it here. Sorry for the inconvenience. I spent over an hour compiling this information to see this comment from slashcode "Your comment has too few characters per line (currently 14.7)". Fsck you slashcode!
Well, if you know what you are doing gotos are ok. In addition, they can actually be faster than other options because a goto does not have the overhead that a full fledged function call would have. The one thing you don't wanna do is skip all around your program. Gotos become dangerous when you do that. Stay within the current function and things will be ok. Once you go out of the current function you better know what you are doing. Otherwise variables you think you have may be different because of locality, or not being initialized, or plain not being declared yet. Anyway, there are some gotchas, but if a professional uses a goto they should know this.
OMG not this again. Seriously, just because a video card comes out that sounds like a hoover on steroids doesn't mean a company is going out of business. Please back up a quote with some financials or something tangible. Yes, the product sucks (and blows.. har har har). No I won't be buying it, but nVidia has had nothing but success since the TNT2. Lets not forget their XBox design win. The FX is only one generation people.
Well, for the last three years I have bought and used TurboTax Home & Business (~$75), but given all the hoopla on their software I decided to switch. Now I use TurboTax ($~50). Vote with your dollars people. Don't let them compromise the stability of your system and let them trick you into beleiving their B.S software is worth all the hassle. I don't like having to beg a software company to use their title when I upgrade my box, which I do every couple of years. So I will not be buying TurboTax again.
I used to work for Best Buy in the computer department back when I was 19 or so and it wasn't bad. Yes, they asked us to pimp out the service plans, but I didn't force it and my managers didn't breathe down my neck about it either. I do remember being asked to try and sell dust covers for PCs, but I never did. All in all it wasn't a bad job and I learned a little too.
I get that occasionally as well. Like others I have only been able to move maybe my eyeballs. I have found that if you hold your breath you will come out of it in no time. Forces your brain into full wakeup mode. Hope that one helps:)
The free or toll issue is the first problem I thought of for 11-digit dialing. However, for 10-digit dialing this is not a problem because there is no one at the beginning (1-XXX-XXX-XXXX). I think thats kinda tricky of phone companies, and therefore they *should* be required make all 11-digit numbers a single metro area. Otherwise its deceptive to customers. I'm sure some lawyer in New York will take them to court... hehe...
Quality on LANPipe should be better though since FM transmission leaves much to be desired.
JOhn
Transcript of Online Support Helps With Questions
on
TurboTax Activation Fiasco
·
· Score: 2, Informative
Below is a transcript of my chat with online support. They were very helpful in easing my fears of product activation. I have bought (and deducted) the tax software and I love how it makes my tax time less arduous. Hopefully, tech support will live up to their claims of transerability should I upgrade my computer... which I will. I still like H&R Block's approach better, but I am a little more at ease now. Please read on...
JOhn You have been connected to G. Cylon. G. Cylon: Hello John, how may I help you today? John Peterson: hi, i read an article today on slashdot.org about intuit's product activation for turbo tax. i am a long time customer and i am worried about computer upgrades and my use of turbo tax. John Peterson: I do not want to pay for the product twice and that is what I am worried about. G. Cylon: You shouldn't have to pay for the product more than once after it's installed and activated okay on the first computer John Peterson: ok, lets say I upgrade my computer, which I often do... how is product activation handled there? John Peterson: I do plan on upgrading my computer within the next month or two, but I also want to start on my taxes ASAP G. Cylon: Upgrading the computer shouldn't affect product activation unless the harddrive is changed John Peterson: ok, if there is a dispute can i fax in a receipt of my purchase? G. Cylon: Can you give me a moment to check it please John Peterson: thank you John Peterson: I hope you understand my concern. I am a hardcore computer user and I often change out components of my hardware. In addition, I own my own business and I love how your software makes it easier for me to file my taxes accurately. It used to be a nightmare to compute all the deductions. However, this new product activation has me very worried that my software is not really mine and that I will be forced a "double taxation" on my tax software. If this happens, I can guarantee I will no longer purchase your product. This will be a sad event for me because I love your product, and I have used it for over three years. John Peterson: I understand the need to reduce piracy, but I'm worried I will be falsely targeted. G. Cylon: Yeah i know what you mean, but the product shouldn't be affected G. Cylon: unless for major hardware change John Peterson: It would make me much more comfortable if I could speak with a product activation specialist to make sure there aren't any loop holes. G. Cylon: Can you give me a moment please John Peterson: ok G. Cylon: only changing hard drives will cause you to be asked to reactivate. John Peterson: ok, so if i upgrade my hard drive i cannot transfer the license? G. Cylon: If that should happen,you should just contact us with the original date you installed on the old hard drive and we will be able to get you activated again.
John Peterson: hey, thats great! John Peterson: now, i would also like the number for an activation specialist so i can confirm this. John Peterson: the price of the software is usually around $75 so its not something I want to throw away G. Cylon: I don't have a number for a PA specialist. John Peterson: ok, i'll look around then G. Cylon: But that is what our business rules say and you confirmed it with my supervisor John Peterson: ok G. Cylon: i've confirmed* John Peterson: gotcha:) John Peterson: Thank you for your time. G. Cylon: but if there is any problem quote this case id ******* John Peterson: Thank you once again. Take care. G. Cylon: I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for visiting our TurboTax Support Chat.
Slashdot Mirror
Well, looking through my tax software that I have purchased and deducted on my return every year since 1999..
1999 - TurboTax
2000 - TurboTax
2001 - TurboTax
2002 - TaxCut
Its nice to see that Intuit is talking about not using the DRM software next year. I've always wondered if the less expensive TaxCut software was equivalent in quality to the TurboTax software. Since the DRM was implemented this year, I had an incentive besides price to check it out. So I did. As an added bonus, the TaxCut Platinum Home and Business is half the price of the equivalent TurboTax product. However, now that I've switched to TaxCut I think I just may stick with TaxCut. To be honest the TurboTax software made me feel more comfortable, and the final check on my taxes did seem more thorough and helpful. I'm glad Intuit seems to be listening to its customers by not repeating the same mistake again, but since I've already switched I have less incentive to switch back.
JOhn
The service provider at Starbucks is called T-Mobile HotSpot, and is offered at $30 a month for unlimited access or $0.10 a minute. If you just used it intemittently to download your e-mail and surf the web only when needed you probably could get by for less than $10/month.
JOhn
The Gillette Business Model... hmm.. ya don't say? I think everyone here knows about the Gillette Business Model. Its referred to in *every* printer cartridge post on slashdot, and its the only other business model we know and brag about besides the Underwear Trolls Business Model.
JOhn
Well, you should check out LIRC. There software is pretty good, but you'll have to get your hands dirty. Phil, my roommate in college used this softare and built a transmitter from some parts at Radio Shack. We hollowed out in the eye ball in a Jack in the Box and went to town. Good luck, and oh yeah.. ya gotta ditch Windows ;)
JOhn
Its flava ya limey! Just kidding :)
JOhn
I don't see how people could screw up a butterfly ballots. I find it highly unlikely that any suspicious activites could take place while the entire world watched through hundreds if not thousands of camera lenses from journalists. Not to mention all the federal people watching under the command of Bill Clinton. So come on... get back on the Kennedy conspiracy theories cuz this one sucks!
JOhn
You're a moron. I can see people stretching stuff alot, but to say that Bush's group is a dictatorship and there will be no election in 2004 is stupid and childish.
JOhn
OK, I would like to see some documentation on this. Otherwise, I'll just assume all you are saying is hearsay and conjecture. This isn't personal, but I don't know why you got modded up without any supporting evidence anyway. So if you have the cards now is the time to show 'em.
JOhn
"He is still on Haliburton's payroll and still owns 8 million of Haliburton's stock options."
:)
I'm sorry, but thats incorrect. The quote below with source proves it....
"Cheney divested himself of all interest in Halliburton, the largest U.S. oilfield services company, after the 2000 election." CNN Money
Hope that helps clear things up
JOhn
Not too bad. By message 15.25% of my messages are spam. If we go by words then 29.35% of my messages are spam. And this is *after* USA.Net's Brightmail make a first pass at spam coming into my inbox.
JOhn
Awesome. Thats great to hear! Glad things have changed since I got there in '95. Guess I shoulda checked with my younger buds first. Thanks for the update.
JOhn
Well this could easily happen to our school as well. Texas A&M's student ID is the social security number. I know several students who have had their identify stolen because some brain dead in our school decided they have to *print* the SSN on the front of our ID card. They had their entire lives turned upside down and had to change their identity because of it. So, I scratched mine of years ago. I'm a graduate now, but SSNs are still being used at A&M and still being printed on IDs. Thats just irresponsible. Couple that with professors asking students to write their SSNs (same as student IDs remember) on their homework and tests. I always told professors I wouldn't do that and they didn't seem to have a problem with it. Even in classes of 300+. In t.u.'s defense (University of Texas) I don't think they use SSNs for student IDs, but of course the number would still be with student records. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
JOhn
Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '99
Check out my journal entry for more thermal details. At the high end clock (2GHz+) P4s are quite a bit cooler. Lower than this and they are close in temp.
JOhn
Texas A&M's on campus dorms require you to register your port. They know its you by your MAC address. Get a new nic... re-register... hehe
JOhn
Unfortunately, the stupid slashcode would not allow me to post a legit comment regarding processor thermal power. So I have put it in my journal. You can find it here. Sorry for the inconvenience. I spent over an hour compiling this information to see this comment from slashcode "Your comment has too few characters per line (currently 14.7)". Fsck you slashcode!
JOhn
Well, if you know what you are doing gotos are ok. In addition, they can actually be faster than other options because a goto does not have the overhead that a full fledged function call would have. The one thing you don't wanna do is skip all around your program. Gotos become dangerous when you do that. Stay within the current function and things will be ok. Once you go out of the current function you better know what you are doing. Otherwise variables you think you have may be different because of locality, or not being initialized, or plain not being declared yet. Anyway, there are some gotchas, but if a professional uses a goto they should know this.
JOhn
Ahh very sly Daniel-san. Much like how DVD changes from Digital Video Disk to Digital Versatile Disk.. if the acronym don't fit.. change it!
JOhn
OMG not this again. Seriously, just because a video card comes out that sounds like a hoover on steroids doesn't mean a company is going out of business. Please back up a quote with some financials or something tangible. Yes, the product sucks (and blows.. har har har). No I won't be buying it, but nVidia has had nothing but success since the TNT2. Lets not forget their XBox design win. The FX is only one generation people.
JOhn
Well, for the last three years I have bought and used TurboTax Home & Business (~$75), but given all the hoopla on their software I decided to switch. Now I use TurboTax ($~50). Vote with your dollars people. Don't let them compromise the stability of your system and let them trick you into beleiving their B.S software is worth all the hassle. I don't like having to beg a software company to use their title when I upgrade my box, which I do every couple of years. So I will not be buying TurboTax again.
JOhn
I used to work for Best Buy in the computer department back when I was 19 or so and it wasn't bad. Yes, they asked us to pimp out the service plans, but I didn't force it and my managers didn't breathe down my neck about it either. I do remember being asked to try and sell dust covers for PCs, but I never did. All in all it wasn't a bad job and I learned a little too.
JOhn
I get that occasionally as well. Like others I have only been able to move maybe my eyeballs. I have found that if you hold your breath you will come out of it in no time. Forces your brain into full wakeup mode. Hope that one helps :)
JOhn
I thought slashdot was news for nerds... are you sure some h4x0r didn't re-direct you from PC World?
JOhn
The free or toll issue is the first problem I thought of for 11-digit dialing. However, for 10-digit dialing this is not a problem because there is no one at the beginning (1-XXX-XXX-XXXX). I think thats kinda tricky of phone companies, and therefore they *should* be required make all 11-digit numbers a single metro area. Otherwise its deceptive to customers. I'm sure some lawyer in New York will take them to court... hehe...
JOhn
Quality on LANPipe should be better though since FM transmission leaves much to be desired.
JOhn
Below is a transcript of my chat with online support. They were very helpful in easing my fears of product activation. I have bought (and deducted) the tax software and I love how it makes my tax time less arduous. Hopefully, tech support will live up to their claims of transerability should I upgrade my computer... which I will. I still like H&R Block's approach better, but I am a little more at ease now. Please read on...
:)
JOhn
You have been connected to G. Cylon.
G. Cylon: Hello John, how may I help you today?
John Peterson: hi, i read an article today on slashdot.org about intuit's product activation for turbo tax. i am a long time customer and i am worried about computer upgrades and my use of turbo tax.
John Peterson: I do not want to pay for the product twice and that is what I am worried about.
G. Cylon: You shouldn't have to pay for the product more than once after it's installed and activated okay on the first computer
John Peterson: ok, lets say I upgrade my computer, which I often do... how is product activation handled there?
John Peterson: I do plan on upgrading my computer within the next month or two, but I also want to start on my taxes ASAP
G. Cylon: Upgrading the computer shouldn't affect product activation unless the harddrive is changed
John Peterson: ok, if there is a dispute can i fax in a receipt of my purchase?
G. Cylon: Can you give me a moment to check it please
John Peterson: thank you
John Peterson: I hope you understand my concern. I am a hardcore computer user and I often change out components of my hardware. In addition, I own my own business and I love how your software makes it easier for me to file my taxes accurately. It used to be a nightmare to compute all the deductions. However, this new product activation has me very worried that my software is not really mine and that I will be forced a "double taxation" on my tax software. If this happens, I can guarantee I will no longer purchase your product. This will be a sad event for me because I love your product, and I have used it for over three years.
John Peterson: I understand the need to reduce piracy, but I'm worried I will be falsely targeted.
G. Cylon: Yeah i know what you mean, but the product shouldn't be affected
G. Cylon: unless for major hardware change
John Peterson: It would make me much more comfortable if I could speak with a product activation specialist to make sure there aren't any loop holes.
G. Cylon: Can you give me a moment please
John Peterson: ok
G. Cylon: only changing hard drives will cause you to be asked to reactivate.
John Peterson: ok, so if i upgrade my hard drive i cannot transfer the license?
G. Cylon: If that should happen,you should just contact us with the original date you installed on the old hard drive and we will be able to get you activated again.
John Peterson: hey, thats great!
John Peterson: now, i would also like the number for an activation specialist so i can confirm this.
John Peterson: the price of the software is usually around $75 so its not something I want to throw away
G. Cylon: I don't have a number for a PA specialist.
John Peterson: ok, i'll look around then
G. Cylon: But that is what our business rules say and you confirmed it with my supervisor
John Peterson: ok
G. Cylon: i've confirmed*
John Peterson: gotcha
John Peterson: Thank you for your time.
G. Cylon: but if there is any problem quote this case id *******
John Peterson: Thank you once again. Take care.
G. Cylon: I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for visiting our TurboTax Support Chat.