You forget, however, one of the most important reasons (and one of the reasons why most "hackers" do what they do): The thrill of power and control. I mean, with full remote-control of a person's computer you could potentially read their emails, see what they're writing for their essay, watch them log onto MSN Messenger, etc. Not terribly important work perhaps, but I suppose it gives them a feeling of "Big Brother is Watching You".
Isn't this going to drain a lot of energy? I mean, think of 10,000 of these computers on for 5 hours every day (a conservative estimate). Do the math and you'll see that we're using up a lot of nature's resources just on silly LEDs. Is it really worth it? Perhaps someone can explain to me whether these LEDs actually use a lot of power (an assumption that I made), especialy if there are say 2-300 of them on at a time.
That's basically what the author of that article is saying. As of yet, the open source community is not putting out software, or indeed an operating system, that can compete with Microsoft Windows. Until it can do this, it shouldn't expect more users to come flocking to their programs. End of discussion?
You can't get traced if you use cash - as in bills and coins - however, you can get traced, and quite easily, if you use a credit card. There's a big difference. And I think this _is_ worrying, "even if you don't have anything to hide".
This is yet another part of the system being built up around civilian populations in the West. Perhaps you haven't noticed, but lately (as in the last 5-10 years) new technologies have emergies which on their own might not seem to affect your privacy much. Things like credit cards, email, telephone banking, THE INTERNET, satellites, and more are all capable of spying on you. Sorry for sounding like such a paranoid person, but if all these devices were coordinated we could all be watched. The Big Brother is out there, and this is just another step in the wrong direction...Does anyone actually believe that this sort of information isn't being used (or can easily be used) against you?
I don't really see the importance of this story. This is pretty much a reality in the "new age", but of course it's nice to have a study to back it up. Interesting development to see that non-users are turning to the Internet for help, though. I often find that when students at my school are doing research for a project, essay, etc., teachers tell them to look in books first because they know how difficult it can be to find relevant information. This just shows how important it is to have good, thorough searching tools like Google.
By this you imply that all kids of the age of 15 are singularly capable of contributing "bullshit". Talk about being close-minded to the ways of the world...
This is just another step in the wrong direction, if appropriate measures and regulations are not put in place at the right time. It is yet another cog in the wheel - more and more things are falling into place to enable the state and powerful corporations to monitor our habits. Even if such bodies aren't "watching you", all the devices and systems are in place to allow them to. And that is certainly a worrying thought in itself.
Yes, it's very annoying having to fill in all sorts of registration info (don't we all lie on those forms anyway?). Come on, just link to some other stories. I have enough passwords and usernames to remember as it is.
I think this is a step in the right direction, though. If we were to wait for the technology "just around the corner" all the time, we'd be kicking ourselves every 2 months. You have to start somewhere, and this is a positive development for India.
Is basically NOTHING. I mean, and this doesn't just apply to EverQuest, all a game does is suck time and energy out of you. Obviously, most games (excluding certain online ones) have a finite ability to do so - they end. But still, you get absolutely nothing from a game in the greater sense of "getting something". Do you learn anything that is useful in, dare I call it, "real life"? Most would argue, no. Do you make more money than you spend? Hah, no way. Does it improve your social skills? Some would have you think so.
But I still hold firmly to the belief that any game, whether it be online or single-player, takes more away from a player than it gives. Besides the few hours of cheap thrills, it's basically a waste of time. Spend that time reading a book or going to evening classes and you might actually end up with something useful.
Remember that the reasons for going over to Linux are usually tied in with cost benefit. Therefore, it is irrelevant what others think of its usefulness.
Why not just get rid of all the Windows apps and run Linux eclusively? Seems like you can do all the email/word processor/spreadsheet stuff in OpenOffice, StarOffice, KOffice or whatever, with some Crossover plugins. Certainly, if that's all they're doing under Windows, then it doesn't justify a bi-platform existence.
Shouldn't it be 17232nd and not the 17232th? Oh well, with that many submissions coming in, I suppose the Slashdot editors don't have time to check grammar, spelling, etc.
Does anyone else think the actual webdesign of the HotBot site looks really ugly? The thin, black-and-white stripes as well as the hypnotic concentric circles in the logo both give me a headache. Also, the offset 2nd box looks really ugly (they should be inline). ALSO, neon green is a really ugly colour (esp. when coupled with that glary red).
White text on blue backgrounds don't exactly provide optimal reading contrast:)
Slashdot Mirror
You forget, however, one of the most important reasons (and one of the reasons why most "hackers" do what they do): The thrill of power and control. I mean, with full remote-control of a person's computer you could potentially read their emails, see what they're writing for their essay, watch them log onto MSN Messenger, etc. Not terribly important work perhaps, but I suppose it gives them a feeling of "Big Brother is Watching You".
But he does show that open source isn't stealing customers from Microsoft, thereby implying that it can't compete, yes?
Isn't this going to drain a lot of energy? I mean, think of 10,000 of these computers on for 5 hours every day (a conservative estimate). Do the math and you'll see that we're using up a lot of nature's resources just on silly LEDs. Is it really worth it? Perhaps someone can explain to me whether these LEDs actually use a lot of power (an assumption that I made), especialy if there are say 2-300 of them on at a time.
That's basically what the author of that article is saying. As of yet, the open source community is not putting out software, or indeed an operating system, that can compete with Microsoft Windows. Until it can do this, it shouldn't expect more users to come flocking to their programs. End of discussion?
That was...less funny.
And if you were _truly_ paranoid, you wouldn't be posting on Slashdot...
You can't get traced if you use cash - as in bills and coins - however, you can get traced, and quite easily, if you use a credit card. There's a big difference. And I think this _is_ worrying, "even if you don't have anything to hide".
This is yet another part of the system being built up around civilian populations in the West. Perhaps you haven't noticed, but lately (as in the last 5-10 years) new technologies have emergies which on their own might not seem to affect your privacy much. Things like credit cards, email, telephone banking, THE INTERNET, satellites, and more are all capable of spying on you. Sorry for sounding like such a paranoid person, but if all these devices were coordinated we could all be watched. The Big Brother is out there, and this is just another step in the wrong direction...Does anyone actually believe that this sort of information isn't being used (or can easily be used) against you?
I don't really see the importance of this story. This is pretty much a reality in the "new age", but of course it's nice to have a study to back it up. Interesting development to see that non-users are turning to the Internet for help, though. I often find that when students at my school are doing research for a project, essay, etc., teachers tell them to look in books first because they know how difficult it can be to find relevant information. This just shows how important it is to have good, thorough searching tools like Google.
By this you imply that all kids of the age of 15 are singularly capable of contributing "bullshit". Talk about being close-minded to the ways of the world...
This is just another step in the wrong direction, if appropriate measures and regulations are not put in place at the right time. It is yet another cog in the wheel - more and more things are falling into place to enable the state and powerful corporations to monitor our habits. Even if such bodies aren't "watching you", all the devices and systems are in place to allow them to. And that is certainly a worrying thought in itself.
Yes, it's very annoying having to fill in all sorts of registration info (don't we all lie on those forms anyway?). Come on, just link to some other stories. I have enough passwords and usernames to remember as it is.
Man, you sound elitist as HELL!
I think this is a step in the right direction, though. If we were to wait for the technology "just around the corner" all the time, we'd be kicking ourselves every 2 months. You have to start somewhere, and this is a positive development for India.
Not really, since Slashdot is written in Perl...
Is basically NOTHING. I mean, and this doesn't just apply to EverQuest, all a game does is suck time and energy out of you. Obviously, most games (excluding certain online ones) have a finite ability to do so - they end. But still, you get absolutely nothing from a game in the greater sense of "getting something". Do you learn anything that is useful in, dare I call it, "real life"? Most would argue, no. Do you make more money than you spend? Hah, no way. Does it improve your social skills? Some would have you think so.
But I still hold firmly to the belief that any game, whether it be online or single-player, takes more away from a player than it gives. Besides the few hours of cheap thrills, it's basically a waste of time. Spend that time reading a book or going to evening classes and you might actually end up with something useful.
Someone pushing for high affiliate earnings this quarter...? That was so clearly a SPAM.
If he had been caught while Bush (dubya) was in power, he would have been sent to Camp X-Ray for "terrorist activities".
Remember that the reasons for going over to Linux are usually tied in with cost benefit. Therefore, it is irrelevant what others think of its usefulness.
Why not just get rid of all the Windows apps and run Linux eclusively? Seems like you can do all the email/word processor/spreadsheet stuff in OpenOffice, StarOffice, KOffice or whatever, with some Crossover plugins. Certainly, if that's all they're doing under Windows, then it doesn't justify a bi-platform existence.
Shouldn't it be 17232nd and not the 17232th? Oh well, with that many submissions coming in, I suppose the Slashdot editors don't have time to check grammar, spelling, etc.
So many clever witticisms, it just gave me a headache reading it. What's up with the lame, wannabe "geek" humour?
So if they don't do searching any more, what DO they do? And why are Yahoo (!) so willing to buy them? Blah!
I sure wouldn't want to be the guy(s) who came up with the name 'Playstation' for Sony's new console. Ouch, that's a lot money :P
Does anyone else think the actual webdesign of the HotBot site looks really ugly? The thin, black-and-white stripes as well as the hypnotic concentric circles in the logo both give me a headache. Also, the offset 2nd box looks really ugly (they should be inline). ALSO, neon green is a really ugly colour (esp. when coupled with that glary red). White text on blue backgrounds don't exactly provide optimal reading contrast :)