With a debian "package", I know exactly how to install it (the same way as all the others), and I know that there is a set version of that package that corresponds to, say, "Debian Sarge". I know that if I install it, it will pull along any libraries it needs, and that it won't break anything already on my system. I know it doesn't always work like that, but that's the idea. I think of a "package" as part of the distribution. Somebody has decided that it forms part of the distribution, and has hopefully tested it as such.
A "program" is what Windows has so many of. But all bets are off when it comes to versioning, library dependencies, etc. Even how to install it. If you think of Windows as a "distribution", then it doesn't come with all that many packages at all. A Desktop environment, a browser, some photo and media tools. Mac OS X doesn't really fare all that much better. I love OS X to bits, but the first thing I did was install a third party program (firefox).
I browse with a +6 bias on troll (for the comedy), so your comment was near the top:)
About a year ago I was lucky enough to attend an informal talk given by Dr Helen Heath of Bristol University, who is involved in the LHC project. At the talk, somebody asked pretty much the same question; what if it finds nothing? Isn't it an awful waste of money that could be spent on $GOOD_CAUSE?
The answer was this: While it certainly is an expensive great big hole in the ground, the project has been funded by taxes on European citizens, and there's quite a lot of them. The grand total came out at something like 2 pounds sterling (~$4) per taxpayer. It has already advanced our technology to the point where pretty much anybody would be happy with the cost.
I graduated with a degree in the biological sciences and another in spanish, and now I'm a perl programmer. Go figure.
So does perl make sense to a Spanish-speaking biologist? It sure as hell doesn't to the rest of us!
Re:The best tools stay out of the way...
on
Goodbye Cruel Word
·
· Score: 3, Funny
I've lost so many emails / msn conversations / etc by pressing Esc twice. The ones that remain are littered with "jkjkjkjkjk" when I can't see where the cursor is.
True. When I worked at McD's (11 years ago), we clocked in and out. Our pay was accurate to the minute. Maybe even to the second, I don't know. This was good; as soon as your shift finished they wanted you to leave. Overtime was paid.
Slashdot Mirror
People write all sorts of tech-related nouns in all caps. "LINUX" suffers from this quite a lot, as does "LUA".
No, that was Boulder Dash ;)
The BBC is also reporting it here.
PS: Cygwin will save your sanity, so long as you can get through the clunky install.
Somebody will probably say "Oh I'll write you a C# app to do that. It'll be brilliant because it's written in C#"
Because 14 years ago, half of slashdot weren't even born.
so windows 98 is 14 times better than win 7?
Probably.
Yeah, mine's called a Mac Mini :(
Seconded. I miss Win2K :(
I was about to cry "Dupe!" but it turns out I read it in New Scientist, not slashdot.
Here's the link: http://www.newscientist.com/channel/being-human/dn13658-brain-scanner-predicts-your-future-moves.html
"We're gonna need a bigger shark"
Hi,
Was it the 25 year old BSD bug story that started your train of thought, or is it chance that the two stories happened so close to each other?
You had an Amstrad then, and a Mac now?
:p
Perhaps it's all for the best
The old "Double Karma Hustle". Played like a pro ;)
I would say that packages != programs.
With a debian "package", I know exactly how to install it (the same way as all the others), and I know that there is a set version of that package that corresponds to, say, "Debian Sarge". I know that if I install it, it will pull along any libraries it needs, and that it won't break anything already on my system. I know it doesn't always work like that, but that's the idea. I think of a "package" as part of the distribution. Somebody has decided that it forms part of the distribution, and has hopefully tested it as such.
A "program" is what Windows has so many of. But all bets are off when it comes to versioning, library dependencies, etc. Even how to install it. If you think of Windows as a "distribution", then it doesn't come with all that many packages at all. A Desktop environment, a browser, some photo and media tools. Mac OS X doesn't really fare all that much better. I love OS X to bits, but the first thing I did was install a third party program (firefox).
I lolled :)
I browse with a +6 bias on troll (for the comedy), so your comment was near the top :)
About a year ago I was lucky enough to attend an informal talk given by Dr Helen Heath of Bristol University, who is involved in the LHC project. At the talk, somebody asked pretty much the same question; what if it finds nothing? Isn't it an awful waste of money that could be spent on $GOOD_CAUSE?
The answer was this: While it certainly is an expensive great big hole in the ground, the project has been funded by taxes on European citizens, and there's quite a lot of them. The grand total came out at something like 2 pounds sterling (~$4) per taxpayer. It has already advanced our technology to the point where pretty much anybody would be happy with the cost.
Screenshot:
.
I enjoyed Kefrens Desert Dream
"whoosh"
Somebody's going to post the link, so it might as well be me :)
http://xkcd.com/214/
I graduated with a degree in the biological sciences and another in spanish, and now I'm a perl programmer. Go figure.
So does perl make sense to a Spanish-speaking biologist? It sure as hell doesn't to the rest of us!
I've lost so many emails / msn conversations / etc by pressing Esc twice. The ones that remain are littered with "jkjkjkjkjk" when I can't see where the cursor is.
You make Forza Motorsport sound like exactly the sort of racing game I've been after for so long ;)
True. When I worked at McD's (11 years ago), we clocked in and out. Our pay was accurate to the minute. Maybe even to the second, I don't know. This was good; as soon as your shift finished they wanted you to leave. Overtime was paid.
Maybe this is different for different franchises.
(This was in the UK)