Many of Shakespeare's best were sequels. A full 2/3 of the existing Greek opus were sequels (parts of trilogies).
Sequel != crap.
At least not automatically. It's not inherent in the form. Moreover, storytellers know that people actually like the familiarity that sequels provide. However much they may deny it, any psychologist/anthrologist/Wendy's Fry Cook will tell you we tell the same stories over and over.
Ignominious, perhaps -- but it has the virtue of being true.
"Japan is betting 50 million yen ($450k US) that the next-generation of high-tech products and computer networks will rely on open-source software.... "
Last time I read a headline about Japan trying to predict the future computer trends, I tossed out my "C" books and wasted 6 months learning PROLOG.
I don't think I can adequately convey to the youngin's out there -- the ones who weren't around during the golden age of the dial-up BBS -- the phenomenal reaction that accompanied the initial release of Tetris to the small online community back then. Nothing I've seen (not the release of Doom, or Quake, or Diablo) compared to the wave of excitement that hit the boards when Pazhitnov slipped us that game. For two or three days, I could hardly connect to any of my usual haunts cuz everyone was grabbing a copy. Seems silly in retrospec, but it really bowled us over.
Of course, we're also the guys who walked 5 miles to the only arcade that had Zaxxon.
What am I missing here? Why is this generating so much anticipation? Is it merely that they are going into much more detail than the somewhat
feeble version that came out several years back? (I don't recall such anticipation for that). Is it the people who are to be in it? Is it the fact that special effects have matured to a suitable stage to handle this subject matter? Is Pauley Shore doing a cameo?
Honestly -- this isn't a troll. I know we all read the books, but I can't quite grok how much of the anticipatory hype is grass-roots and how much is media manipulation. (I also recall a similar feeling before the release of "Dune", so I don't wanna get my hopes up too much).
I know this isn't true all over, but I've seen enough college course catalogues to think it's significant: One of the problems I see is that there aren't very many intermediate level classes in the sciences. It's like after "Biology 101" and *maybe* an "Intro to Genetics" they jump to a seminar on "Dissolved Nitrogen Dynamics in Coral Formation". A bit intimidating for those of us merely seeking a solid grounding in the subject matter.
A major hindrance is that many science classes are scheduled in such a manner that it is difficult for anyone with an outside major to take a class without a three-hour lab cutting a significant chunk out of premium class time. Even if it's only once a week, it still (often) prevents you from taking classes core to your major. I have no answer that doesn't involve more money for more lab classes at diverse hours.
"This was SOO refreshing[tm] to see. Well done[tm], Adobe."
I'm sorry[tm]. You'll need to rewrite this post[tm] to conform to current copyright laws.
"Class Act" -- (c) Warner Brothers, Entertainment "SOO refreshing" --(c)Doublemint, Inc.; A division of Wrigley "Well done" -- (c) Outback Steakhouse "I'm Sorry" -- (c) Brenda Lee "Post" -- (c) Kraft Foods International
Earthlink is already spamming its own users and no amount of complaining seems to deter them. They've been sending me ads disguised as "newsletters" -- and I assume that this is the tactic other ISPs will be using shortly. I will be cancelling that account today (Monday), since they have not responded to my complaint. But seriously, does anyone think they will care? I'd like to think that others will follow suit and tell'em to go to Hell, but I suspect the vast bulk will meekly accept it -- and that is what Earthlink is banking on.
PS. The only reason I used them in the first place was cuz they bought out my local Mom-n-Pop ISP. I'm well aware of their reputation for harboring other spammers.
"Microsoft says site operators could insert a metatag disabling Smart Tags, so concerned publishers could avoid them."
I think they have that backwards. M$ could simply provide a metatag that publishers could insert to ALLOW so-called 'smart-tags'. If the tag isn't there, don't screw with the content.
Like opting out of junk email, the burden should be on the spammer, not the spammed.
An intrepid state senator here in Nebraska introduced an anti-spam bill several months back. If memory serves, it came about when significant spammage of state severs evoked an outcry from the unicameral's clerical staff. Unfortunately, this particular state senator was sufficiently clueless on the issue so that what started out as a noble endeavor soon dwindled into absurdity. The last (totally de-fanged) revision of it that I heard confined itself to spammage originating and received within Nebraska. Though this might put a stop to *MAKE*CORN*FAST* -- it won't put the slightest dent in the problem. Last I heard, the proposed bill died a quiet bureaucratic death.
First off -- I'm wondering if her jurisdictional concerns are as warranted was she believed. I have to think she merely got some bum advice.
Second off -- I'm heartened that she actually thought to address the issue. This means she's probably open to suggestions. It would be handy to have a pre-drafted and well thought-out bill to send her. Moreover, it would be VERY nice if there were one proposal that most all of us could back; so that we could each demonstrate a unified front by sending such a proposal to our respective state senators. I'm thinking this would have to increase the odds of it being accepted.
Surely someone has prepared one. Does such a template exist?
The size is significant here, since it is this very novelty that will bring it to the attention of an immense and ever-widening audience (which is sorta the idea, right?) If it were merely a 2-300 line sane version, it wouldn't have even hit the/. radar screen and we wouldn't be having this discussion. General ports of DeCSS are a dime a dozen.
Besides, let me explain what's most likely to happen now: People like Randal Schwartz and his crowd could probably reduce "War and Peace" to a JAPH. I suspect you'll see an unoffical competition among the perlites over the next few weeks to see who can chop more bytes off this code. That, in turn, will keep it in the news even longer, which is certainly a "Good Thing(TM) ".
... anyone have actual physical space they'd like to donate for these actual physical objects?
I'll bet they could scrape up space at the "National Liar's Hall of Fame Museum" here in Nebraska. It's located just off the Munchausen Convention Center in downtown Dannebrog. Now that they've just finished moving their wine vineyards underground (to protect them from June blizzards), a significant amount of space has opened up. I'll drop a note to the curator and get back to you guys (though he's awfully busy at the moment, what with the opening of the opera season and all).
I wouldn't call apt's uninstall capabilities "horrible", but it does have one quirk -- an understandable quirk -- that I find a bit annoying. But before I go on, please keep in mind that I'm awestruck by the Debian team and deeply grateful for their efforts.
It seems to me that they do leave a bit too much cruft on the system, by refusing to delete certain directories associated with a given app. We've all seen the error message saying (in essense) directory FOO is not empty, therefore will not be deleted. I don't know what apt's criterion is for this (I suspect they're being understandably overcautious) -- but I've seen inexplicable examples of this behavior when deleting programs I've never even used (eg. installing FOO and immediately de-installing it cuz it's taking up too much space), or programs that whose removal would have no possible effect on anything else. After awhile, you can collect quite a number of useless and confusing directories.
Again, I can appreciate the caution -- and having those remnant directories on my harddrive is a small price to pay for having such a wonderful, rock-solid distribution -- still, I wonder if maybe de-installing could be handled a bit differently. Instead of informing me that it's not going to delete a sub-directory, maybe they could code it so that it apt "asks" if I want to delete it. I'll switch to a different terminal, look through the files and make a "yes" or "no" choice. If I hose myself, I'll take my lumps.
Again, this is a SMALL quibble. The Debian team get nothing but lavish praise from this keyboard.
The current 2-party system has essentially turned us into the biggest banana republic in the world. Neither Bush nor Gore really won their primaries -- they were annointed by their respective cartel^H^H^H^H^Hparty long before the first primary vote was cast. And we all know Gore won the election; that Bush had to be propped up and appointed by a partisan Supreme Court. (Can you say CHIEF-JUSTICE Scalia? I knew ya could.) The irony is that even though his election is illegitimate, no one really cares because Gore was such an odious alternative.
We do not have free elections in this country as long as the electoral college exists. There is absolutely no reason for anyone in my state who is not a right-wing republican to even go to the polls in a presidential race. Logic might dictate that: as long as you're gonna have a wretched electoral-based system, you might at least divide those electoral votes proportionately among the top winning candidates -- but nooo-oooo-o... it's winner-take-all in my state. The entrenched party bosses don't trust the will of the people; they need to keep the deck stacked in their favor. But, Dave (I'm told), we need the electoral college to protect the interests of the smaller states. Well, I'm from Nebraska. You have my explicit permission to dump it. It is only serving the entrenched 2-party system.
How can anyone take our criticism of other peoples' elections seriously? I remember people guffawing at the old-style Soviet elections, where there was often only one candidate appointed by the party for a given office. Frankly, I don't see a hell of alot of difference between that and what we have now.
I don't know if it is different elsewhere, but once upon a time in my state (Nebraska) we were allowed to vote for party "electors". Somehow, sometime, when no one was looking, the parties changed the rules and decided to have them appointed directly by the good ol' boys in the smoke-filled-rooms. This, of course, ensures that we'll be stuck with an ideologue instead of a thinking individual. And politicos who rig the system in this manner still have the balls to wonder why there is rampant voter apathy.
Countries fall when governments lose their legitimacy. I desparately hope we can reclaim ours.
I can see where these one-handed keyboards would come in quite handy -- particularly while downloading porn.
I'll vote when they set term limits -- of 3 weeks!
on
Should You Vote?
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· Score: 1
Sit back, I intend to rant... karma points be damned!...
Having to choose between the lesser of two mediocrities in this election is sorta like having someone ask: "Would you like me to reem you with the 1-foot dildo, or should I use the 12-incher?" Not much of a choice. Thanks anyway, I'll pass. I'm starting to subscribe to the George Carlin notion that if you participate in this farce, you give up the right to bitch about it later. (After all, *I* didn't vote the goober into office -- YOU did by participating).;)
The last straw was when Ralph Nader was evicted from simply OBSERVING the pseudo-dabate. That's something I expect to see in some banana republic or totalitarian regime. What next? Maybe they'll only allow write-ins from party-approved alternative candidates (the two-party system here has already gutted local petition laws to safeguard their seats at the public trough).
I cannot vote for Al Gore (God, grant me relief from yet another southern bumpkin!! Carter, Clinton, Gore. How 'bout a democratic candidate from a state with indoor plumbing for once??) because he finds lying much too easy, he's out of touch with what real people endure (what career politician isn't?), and he advocates censorship -- not because he believes it necessary, but because it's a sure-fire gimmick to goose up his poll numbers. Someone who would forfeit hard-won rights for the express purpose of packing his political resume is reprehensible. He also needs to grow a backbone and not predicate his views on the latest opinion polls. My God, I swear -- If Al Gore jumped off the Washington Monument, he wouldn't hit the ground until his aides convinced him that the "law of gravity" was still popular.
I cannot vote for "Shrub". He's a moron. Beyond the fact that he was coronated for the candidacy by the backroom Republicans (Why do we even have fucking primaries if the parties make our choices in advance. These are looking like Soviet-style elections to me), the man seems to never have had an original thought in his life. He's a rubber stamp, which is exactly why they coronated him. I believe strongly in the welfare of people, Bush prefers the welfare of corporate America. (Has anyone else noticed that the traditional Republican rallying cry, "Get government off our backs", has been sorta dropped? They seem obsessed with dictating their version of morality and intruding into people's personal lives, so I guess the motto change was inevitable).
I cannot vote for Pat Buchanan. This jackass ought to favor the legalization of drugs. His best chance of being elected is if the country is stoned in November.
I cannot vote for Nader -- even though I admire him in many ways. I want government to take care of basic & essential governance -- I don't need a nanny, and I suspect Ralph would be unable to resist the urge. Just because I happen to agree with more of his ethical views, does not mean that I want to see them implemented into law. ("Ohh! Cigarettes are bad(tm) for people. Let's jack up the taxes 5 bucks." "Hey, Ralphie! Jack this!)
MAYBE, I could be persuaded to the libertarian party, but there are a few things beyond simple defense that a government needs to manage. I can't imagine a Libertarian defense of the MicroSoft breakup. Unless I'm greatly mistaken, the Libertarians sort of leave us at the mercy of capitalistic robber-barons.
You know who I would vote for? (and this will evoke howls of flamage, no doubt, but little actual substance to back it up). I'd vote for Jesse Ventura in a Minnesota minute. I disagree with a large number of his views, but find his overall approach appealing and grounded in common sense. Stop trying to make government do everything, so that it can concentrate on the genuinely important stuff. Root out the entrenched 2-party system, so that congressmen will stop viewing Capitol Hill as a retirement home. And fuck political correctness while we're at it. Say what you will about Ventura, but the man says what's on his mind and is honest. I can't remember an honest president.
Re:Virus to deter piracy?
on
Sim Plague
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· Score: 3
They (Maxis) did something along that line, which I found rather hysterical. About a week after several gaming magazines published cheat codes for 'The Sims', they offered a patch upgrade to correct several minor annoyances (cursors on accelerated cards kept leaving tracks & the Sims repairman kept getting electrocuted when he tried to fix the TV). Anyway, after you installed the patch, they casually mentioned that they all those cheat codes have just been changed.
That the 'ginea pig' virus made news is odd; they tell you point-blank that characters handling it might get sick. Maybe I came in late and they had added that after several complaints -- but I've been playing several weeks and always knew.
"The Sims" is incredibly addictive -- the ONLY reason I still have MicroDos on my system. The various add-ons they offer on their site, coupled with pre-made characters & houses from fan sites (one UK site features dead-on renditions of various celebrities) have cost me more sleep-time than I care to admit.
Slashdot Mirror
Boycott NPR until they give Bob Edwards his old job back.
Good God! The man put a killed off "Wild, Wild West" and spit on its grave with that music video. Do you guys really wanna see "The Robot Rap"???
Take a look at the stiff competition that comes out one week earlier.
Bill Murray a lock for an Oscar.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Many of Shakespeare's best were sequels. A full 2/3 of the existing Greek opus were sequels (parts of trilogies).
Sequel != crap.
At least not automatically. It's not inherent in the form. Moreover, storytellers know that people actually like the familiarity that sequels provide. However much they may deny it, any psychologist/anthrologist/Wendy's Fry Cook will tell you we tell the same stories over and over.
Ignominious, perhaps -- but it has the virtue of being true.
Last time I read a headline about Japan trying to predict the future computer trends, I tossed out my "C" books and wasted 6 months learning PROLOG.
I don't think I can adequately convey to the youngin's out there -- the ones who weren't around during the golden age of the dial-up BBS -- the phenomenal reaction that accompanied the initial release of Tetris to the small online community back then. Nothing I've seen (not the release of Doom, or Quake, or Diablo) compared to the wave of excitement that hit the boards when Pazhitnov slipped us that game. For two or three days, I could hardly connect to any of my usual haunts cuz everyone was grabbing a copy. Seems silly in retrospec, but it really bowled us over.
Of course, we're also the guys who walked 5 miles to the only arcade that had Zaxxon.
Honestly -- this isn't a troll. I know we all read the books, but I can't quite grok how much of the anticipatory hype is grass-roots and how much is media manipulation. (I also recall a similar feeling before the release of "Dune", so I don't wanna get my hopes up too much).
This, of course, was the 1st draft of Dubya's speech last week. Glad he toned it down.
Paul Morphy was stonger -- even Fischer concedes that. But nice troll anyway.
A major hindrance is that many science classes are scheduled in such a manner that it is difficult for anyone with an outside major to take a class without a three-hour lab cutting a significant chunk out of premium class time. Even if it's only once a week, it still (often) prevents you from taking classes core to your major. I have no answer that doesn't involve more money for more lab classes at diverse hours.
They're gonna rename it The Butthead-Director Scalpel.
I don't suppose there's any chance of grabbing Miguel for one of Slashdot's "Ask Miguel de Icaza Your Questions about Mono" feature, is there?
I'm sorry[tm]. You'll need to rewrite this post[tm] to conform to current copyright laws.
"Class Act" -- (c) Warner Brothers, Entertainment
"SOO refreshing" --(c)Doublemint, Inc.; A division of Wrigley
"Well done" -- (c) Outback Steakhouse
"I'm Sorry" -- (c) Brenda Lee
"Post" -- (c) Kraft Foods International
Earthlink is already spamming its own users and no amount of complaining seems to deter them. They've been sending me ads disguised as "newsletters" -- and I assume that this is the tactic other ISPs will be using shortly. I will be cancelling that account today (Monday), since they have not responded to my complaint. But seriously, does anyone think they will care? I'd like to think that others will follow suit and tell'em to go to Hell, but I suspect the vast bulk will meekly accept it -- and that is what Earthlink is banking on.
PS. The only reason I used them in the first place was cuz they bought out my local Mom-n-Pop ISP. I'm well aware of their reputation for harboring other spammers.
I think they have that backwards. M$ could simply provide a metatag that publishers could insert to ALLOW so-called 'smart-tags'. If the tag isn't there, don't screw with the content.
Like opting out of junk email, the burden should be on the spammer, not the spammed.
--Ravin'
First off -- I'm wondering if her jurisdictional concerns are as warranted was she believed. I have to think she merely got some bum advice.
Second off -- I'm heartened that she actually thought to address the issue. This means she's probably open to suggestions. It would be handy to have a pre-drafted and well thought-out bill to send her. Moreover, it would be VERY nice if there were one proposal that most all of us could back; so that we could each demonstrate a unified front by sending such a proposal to our respective state senators. I'm thinking this would have to increase the odds of it being accepted.
Surely someone has prepared one. Does such a template exist?
Sounds an awful lot like that great Squeeze Utility that came on on April 1st, 1998.
Besides, let me explain what's most likely to happen now: People like Randal Schwartz and his crowd could probably reduce "War and Peace" to a JAPH. I suspect you'll see an unoffical competition among the perlites over the next few weeks to see who can chop more bytes off this code. That, in turn, will keep it in the news even longer, which is certainly a "Good Thing(TM) ".
I'll bet they could scrape up space at the "National Liar's Hall of Fame Museum" here in Nebraska. It's located just off the Munchausen Convention Center in downtown Dannebrog. Now that they've just finished moving their wine vineyards underground (to protect them from June blizzards), a significant amount of space has opened up. I'll drop a note to the curator and get back to you guys (though he's awfully busy at the moment, what with the opening of the opera season and all).
Don't you have any appreciation for irony?
They obfuscate our DVDs for us, we obfuscate the key that unlocks'em.
"Fate: the only cosmic force with a sense of humor" (--Robin Williams in 'Dead Again')
It seems to me that they do leave a bit too much cruft on the system, by refusing to delete certain directories associated with a given app. We've all seen the error message saying (in essense) directory FOO is not empty, therefore will not be deleted. I don't know what apt's criterion is for this (I suspect they're being understandably overcautious) -- but I've seen inexplicable examples of this behavior when deleting programs I've never even used (eg. installing FOO and immediately de-installing it cuz it's taking up too much space), or programs that whose removal would have no possible effect on anything else. After awhile, you can collect quite a number of useless and confusing directories.
Again, I can appreciate the caution -- and having those remnant directories on my harddrive is a small price to pay for having such a wonderful, rock-solid distribution -- still, I wonder if maybe de-installing could be handled a bit differently. Instead of informing me that it's not going to delete a sub-directory, maybe they could code it so that it apt "asks" if I want to delete it. I'll switch to a different terminal, look through the files and make a "yes" or "no" choice. If I hose myself, I'll take my lumps.
Again, this is a SMALL quibble. The Debian team get nothing but lavish praise from this keyboard.
We do not have free elections in this country as long as the electoral college exists. There is absolutely no reason for anyone in my state who is not a right-wing republican to even go to the polls in a presidential race. Logic might dictate that: as long as you're gonna have a wretched electoral-based system, you might at least divide those electoral votes proportionately among the top winning candidates -- but nooo-oooo-o ... it's winner-take-all in my state. The entrenched party bosses don't trust the will of the people; they need to keep the deck stacked in their favor. But, Dave (I'm told), we need the electoral college to protect the interests of the smaller states. Well, I'm from Nebraska. You have my explicit permission to dump it. It is only serving the entrenched 2-party system.
How can anyone take our criticism of other peoples' elections seriously? I remember people guffawing at the old-style Soviet elections, where there was often only one candidate appointed by the party for a given office. Frankly, I don't see a hell of alot of difference between that and what we have now.
I don't know if it is different elsewhere, but once upon a time in my state (Nebraska) we were allowed to vote for party "electors". Somehow, sometime, when no one was looking, the parties changed the rules and decided to have them appointed directly by the good ol' boys in the smoke-filled-rooms. This, of course, ensures that we'll be stuck with an ideologue instead of a thinking individual. And politicos who rig the system in this manner still have the balls to wonder why there is rampant voter apathy.
Countries fall when governments lose their legitimacy. I desparately hope we can reclaim ours.
I can see where these one-handed keyboards would come in quite handy -- particularly while downloading porn.
Having to choose between the lesser of two mediocrities in this election is sorta like having someone ask: "Would you like me to reem you with the 1-foot dildo, or should I use the 12-incher?" Not much of a choice. Thanks anyway, I'll pass. I'm starting to subscribe to the George Carlin notion that if you participate in this farce, you give up the right to bitch about it later. (After all, *I* didn't vote the goober into office -- YOU did by participating). ;)
The last straw was when Ralph Nader was evicted from simply OBSERVING the pseudo-dabate. That's something I expect to see in some banana republic or totalitarian regime. What next? Maybe they'll only allow write-ins from party-approved alternative candidates (the two-party system here has already gutted local petition laws to safeguard their seats at the public trough).
I cannot vote for Al Gore (God, grant me relief from yet another southern bumpkin!! Carter, Clinton, Gore. How 'bout a democratic candidate from a state with indoor plumbing for once??) because he finds lying much too easy, he's out of touch with what real people endure (what career politician isn't?), and he advocates censorship -- not because he believes it necessary, but because it's a sure-fire gimmick to goose up his poll numbers. Someone who would forfeit hard-won rights for the express purpose of packing his political resume is reprehensible. He also needs to grow a backbone and not predicate his views on the latest opinion polls. My God, I swear -- If Al Gore jumped off the Washington Monument, he wouldn't hit the ground until his aides convinced him that the "law of gravity" was still popular.
I cannot vote for "Shrub". He's a moron. Beyond the fact that he was coronated for the candidacy by the backroom Republicans (Why do we even have fucking primaries if the parties make our choices in advance. These are looking like Soviet-style elections to me), the man seems to never have had an original thought in his life. He's a rubber stamp, which is exactly why they coronated him. I believe strongly in the welfare of people, Bush prefers the welfare of corporate America. (Has anyone else noticed that the traditional Republican rallying cry, "Get government off our backs", has been sorta dropped? They seem obsessed with dictating their version of morality and intruding into people's personal lives, so I guess the motto change was inevitable).
I cannot vote for Pat Buchanan. This jackass ought to favor the legalization of drugs. His best chance of being elected is if the country is stoned in November.
I cannot vote for Nader -- even though I admire him in many ways. I want government to take care of basic & essential governance -- I don't need a nanny, and I suspect Ralph would be unable to resist the urge. Just because I happen to agree with more of his ethical views, does not mean that I want to see them implemented into law. ("Ohh! Cigarettes are bad(tm) for people. Let's jack up the taxes 5 bucks." "Hey, Ralphie! Jack this!)
MAYBE, I could be persuaded to the libertarian party, but there are a few things beyond simple defense that a government needs to manage. I can't imagine a Libertarian defense of the MicroSoft breakup. Unless I'm greatly mistaken, the Libertarians sort of leave us at the mercy of capitalistic robber-barons.
You know who I would vote for? (and this will evoke howls of flamage, no doubt, but little actual substance to back it up). I'd vote for Jesse Ventura in a Minnesota minute. I disagree with a large number of his views, but find his overall approach appealing and grounded in common sense. Stop trying to make government do everything, so that it can concentrate on the genuinely important stuff. Root out the entrenched 2-party system, so that congressmen will stop viewing Capitol Hill as a retirement home. And fuck political correctness while we're at it. Say what you will about Ventura, but the man says what's on his mind and is honest. I can't remember an honest president.
That the 'ginea pig' virus made news is odd; they tell you point-blank that characters handling it might get sick. Maybe I came in late and they had added that after several complaints -- but I've been playing several weeks and always knew.
"The Sims" is incredibly addictive -- the ONLY reason I still have MicroDos on my system. The various add-ons they offer on their site, coupled with pre-made characters & houses from fan sites (one UK site features dead-on renditions of various celebrities) have cost me more sleep-time than I care to admit.