I've always played PC role playing games, but nowadays my computers don't cut it for games even though they are perfectly good for everything else. I don't want to buy a new computer (upgrading existing hardware would also entail buying a new motherboard/case/everything). For this reason I've been tempted to buy a console just to play games like Dragon Age, but I have a hard time imagining how you would adapt a computer RPG to a console control scheme. Isn't the game crippled without a keyboard and mouse? I have similar concerns over the upcoming Final Fantasy 14, which is supposed to be an MMORPG (but how do you communicate with other players if you can't type?).
If anyone could share their insight on this issue, I'd be grateful. I don't have a lot of experience with PC->console migration.
Undoubtedly, many in the IT community will scoff at the thought of calling such a device a 'server.'
I really don't see what there is to scoff at; there used to be a time when personal computers could not even run Unix! Personal computers today are far more powerful than mainframe servers used to be not too long ago, and you're going to tell me I can't use a Mac Mini as a server?
You are right that the GPL relies on the state to enforce it. The "freedom" secured by the GPL is a little bit different in character than that of other licenses such as the BSD license.
The GPL doesn't actually restrict what you do with your own intellectual property. You can release something licensed under the GPL and then turn around and distribute it under a completely different license because you are the copyright holder. The GPL forces creators of derivative works to abide by the GPL because it isn't actually their IP--it's yours and they are using it.
The difference has to do with intention. Copyright was conceptualized in order to restrict distribution of copyrighted material in order to secure profit. The GPL does obey this basic premise in that it also is used to restrict the distribution of copyright material, but it is done in such a peculiar way that the ultimate result is that it actually does the opposite and enforces the copying of copyrighted materials. The GPL basically says, "Copy and share this, or else," whereas copyright law is meant to be, "Don't copy or share this, or else."
You are right that the GPL is like any copyright license in that it operates totally within the framework of the law, but it in fact produces a result that is the opposite of what lawmakers meant to happen. The GPL is a deliberate hack on the legal system, and it causes the state to enforce something it never intended to. This is bound to ruffle a few feathers, since governments and other powerful entities don't exactly like to be manipulated by clever subordinates into doing something it didn't decide for itself.
I believe it is entirely possible for the legal system to sabotage the GPL without harming "normal" copyright licenses. You just lack the creativity to imagine such a thing, but law is more twisted than you think.;) This is why the GPL is consistently called into question for being unorthodox.
None of what I said can be considered "trolling." If anything, your accusation of trolling is in itself trolling (as is your illogical anti-GPL vitriol). If the GPL is just like any other license, then why are those who use it "douche bags"? Hmm... I smell a rat.
If you are mad because the GPL is popular, you should know that the GPL is popular for a reason. The main reason is that it actually works, and the results have been spectacular. I'm sure that not a day of your life has gone by for the past many years that you did not knowingly or unknowingly use some GNU software, from your favorite website to your ATM, DVR, or smart phone. GNU software only exists and has the quality that it does because of the terms of the GPL, and that includes Linux. People don't use the GPL because it's trendy--they use it because it gets the job done.
Free Software has had a huge impact on our lives, and it is unique. The GPL isn't the only Free Software license, but it has been the keystone of Free Software licenses.
The point of the GPL was that it was very simple and broad-sweeping. Naturally this does make it vulnerable to attack in the sense that the legal system might feel threatened by the massive impact of such a game-changing license; copyleft practically redefines IP law in a way that those in the legal institution (eg lawyers, judges, lawmakers, and the business interests that pay for them) don't acknowledge, understand, or otherwise feel comfortable with because they don't feel in control. All it takes is a mere technicality to disqualify the GPL from functioning at all, and the Free Software community is justifiably anxious about that, but the GPL has been successfully upheld in court time and time again, so I wouldn't worry.
At this point there should be no doubt of the legal soundness of any version of the GPL, but it all boils down to a matter of principle. If a society believes in Free Software, then the GPL's legal application is perfectly simple and valid. To those hostile to freedom in the society, then the application of the GPL becomes something artificially difficult/problematic.
I have to point out that this is merely superstitious thought; there is no evidence to indicate that this is the reason why the collider failed, and while the theory *is* possible, it defies rationality. The simplest/most obvious explanation is the the collider simply failed due to technical reasons due to flaws in design or construction. Anyone could tell you that. Saying that it didn't happen because the Universe simply didn't allow it is the same as if you just substituted "God" for the word "Universe." Why didn't X happen? God didn't allow it. Why did Y happen? God made it happen. I'm not saying that it's wrong to believe in God, but these "explanations" are really non-explanations.
"...the average men who would like to deny the importance of feminist issues in FOSS."
I'd like to defend the stance of denying the importance of feminist issues in FOSS. My point is very simple: FOSS is about software. What's important is the software. Code talks. Nobody cares if you're young, old, black, white, gay, straight, male, female, transsexual, communist, capitalist, or from the moon, and you're wrong for trying to push any of these issues to the forefront of FOSS politics. Frankly it's not anyone's business what you are; just write the code and put it out there. They won't accept you in their project? Fork it. They won't host your code? Host it yourself. If the code is good, people will use it. Projects that reject significant contributions from some group will not succeed in the end due to the natural flow of the system.
FOSS is not a unilateral organization in which you can dictate policies of nondiscrimination and inclusiveness or preach to people about sociopolitical issues. FOSS itself is inherently inclusive and nondiscriminatory, so what is there to complain about? FOSS is a free society; associate with whom you want or don't want. Think Mark Shuttleworth is a jerkface? Use Fedora.
The sad truth is that practically all Linux games are for "non-gamers." Linux is known for its distinct lack of heavyweight, A-list titles. There are some, but they are not only rare but difficult to obtain (you can't just walk into Target and pick one up). Literally 99% of all games you can get for Linux are little amusements. The upside to this is that there are TONS of games for Linux, but they are all like that. Even very serious, high quality efforts like Wesnoth play like casual games even though they feature more depth than you could normally get from a FOSS game.
For those who love casual games, Linux is even better than Windows.
If you want a good casual, multiplayer FPS experience on Linux, try OpenArena, Urban Terror, and Nexuiz; all three are absolutely fantastic and loads of fun. You can even get Enemy Territory for free, which also provides good multiplayer FPS. Urban Terror is my favorite simply because it is the most realistic and similar to Counterstrike. Other FPS gems for Linux include Cube and Cube 2.
Apt is indeed awesome, but FreeBSD's package system is GREAT. I never had a complaint with the way FreeBSD handles packages, and there are some fantastic package utilities in ports that make nightmarish tasks freakishly easy, such as package pruning. One great advantage in BSD is that the base system is not packaged, so if you ever start having major package issues, you can simply wipe out all packages and reinstall your applications from scratch; this keeps your systems squeaky clean without ever having to reinstall the OS.
The article is not nearly as good as I would have hoped. I do agree that there is some political ideology and cultural values to be found in many games, but just to make a general statement that most games being single player shows political ideology is absurd. I'll have you know that it is significantly easier to program a single player game than any other kind, so there were more (especially on limited hardware). Multiplayer didn't become such a huge trend until the Internet caught on, which parallels technological changes more than it does political changes.
You're talking about herding cats. It's hard to push away all this software that's been established for so long, hence all this crufty X business, or why there is still such a thing as X anyway.
I find the premise of this story too difficult to believe. Anyone with a decent ear can hear what is going on; close your eyes and listen to the song, and you will hear beyond a doubt the twelve string and also the piano. There is no mystery there, and careful listening would allow anyone to pick out individual notes in the chord--musicians do this all the time, to the point of memorizing chord sequences by ear and what notes they contain. Also, one second on youtube showed me live footage of Harrison actually playing the opening chord on camera. I call the whole thing BS, though it's cool that the guy actually analyzed the signal mathematically.
First of all, dude. Like, dude. It's only 25 years; I have two "big" floppy drives sitting in my closet that were probably made in the 80's (maybe earlier) that are still in working condition. There are thousands of these things scattered across the country, and most of you probably know someone who has one, or at least there is a functioning device in your city (you might want to check a local library, public school, or government office).
Also, as long as it took for the big daddy floppies to die out, serial data ports never have. For how many decades did computers have db25 and db9 connectors? My last PC still has a db9, and with a simple adapter and the right driver I could connect any serial device I own to a USB port. If you stick a thumb drive in the time capsule, computers are still going to have USB in 25 years! I challenge anyone from the future to dig up this post and publicize it. If the USB port changes or they give a new funny name/cute abbreviation to the standard serial bus, just get an adapter and plug it in.
Also, with the legacy of optical media, I'd say you'd have nothing to fear from a CD or, better yet, a DVD. Think about it--how long ago were CD's invented? Why do DVD's and Blu-Rays come in the exact same shape and size as the CD did? You can stick them all in the same drive, and Blu-Ray drives can read DVD's, and DVD drives can read CD's, and so on. Expect some backwards compatibility, or do you think all these billions of DVD's we consumers bought are going to just disappear in 25 years? I don't think so. As if I'm going to wake up 25 years from now and not be able to play my copy of The Princess Bride. Inconceivable!
I'm just going to come out and say that this distribution is absolutely pointless. If you want a collection of free software without the proprietary additions of Ubuntu, what do you use? Debian.
Don't like Debian? Use Fedora, which is also very "pure." In fact, I would say that most distributions make use of primarily or, in many cases, entirely Free software and content, Ubuntu being one notable exception that embraces the inclusion of proprietary bits.
You make good points, but we are just taking on two fundamental viewpoints that don't necessarily contradict each other but interpret the situation differently.
Regardless of our differences, we should focus our energies on something productive like figuring out a way to eliminate hostilities between these people and search for a solution--possibly a nice compromise?
Well yes, it is really simple, and you can just obfuscate the issue by playing semantic games like "technically there was no such country as Palestine" and "technically this land belonged to Egypt and Jordan" and "Palestine is just a concept."
Guess what? My ancestors are Polish, and for quite some time there was supposedly "no such country" as Poland, and you may think that somehow lessens the crimes of Poland's invaders and oppressors, but that argument isn't going to work with me about any country, including Palestine. You can draw the map the way Israel wants you to draw the map, but maps are something imaginary and it means nothing to the Palestinians who are more confronted by their suffering. The point is that Israel is occupying Palestinian territory.
When you step back and and look at it without the lens of political deception (which is all you're doing), is that Israel is fucking up Palestine, and that has always been the case. Because of this clear and present danger, Israel's neighbors want to fight it.
All of the hostilities didn't just magically come out of nowhere. It's not about "Israels neighbors hate Israel just because they're not Arab" or something ridiculous like that.
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I've always played PC role playing games, but nowadays my computers don't cut it for games even though they are perfectly good for everything else. I don't want to buy a new computer (upgrading existing hardware would also entail buying a new motherboard/case/everything). For this reason I've been tempted to buy a console just to play games like Dragon Age, but I have a hard time imagining how you would adapt a computer RPG to a console control scheme. Isn't the game crippled without a keyboard and mouse? I have similar concerns over the upcoming Final Fantasy 14, which is supposed to be an MMORPG (but how do you communicate with other players if you can't type?).
If anyone could share their insight on this issue, I'd be grateful. I don't have a lot of experience with PC->console migration.
I really don't see what there is to scoff at; there used to be a time when personal computers could not even run Unix! Personal computers today are far more powerful than mainframe servers used to be not too long ago, and you're going to tell me I can't use a Mac Mini as a server?
Linux made me love computers; Windows made me hate Microsoft.
Windows 7 makes me like Windows. It's a good product.
You are right that the GPL relies on the state to enforce it. The "freedom" secured by the GPL is a little bit different in character than that of other licenses such as the BSD license.
The GPL doesn't actually restrict what you do with your own intellectual property. You can release something licensed under the GPL and then turn around and distribute it under a completely different license because you are the copyright holder. The GPL forces creators of derivative works to abide by the GPL because it isn't actually their IP--it's yours and they are using it.
The difference has to do with intention. Copyright was conceptualized in order to restrict distribution of copyrighted material in order to secure profit. The GPL does obey this basic premise in that it also is used to restrict the distribution of copyright material, but it is done in such a peculiar way that the ultimate result is that it actually does the opposite and enforces the copying of copyrighted materials. The GPL basically says, "Copy and share this, or else," whereas copyright law is meant to be, "Don't copy or share this, or else."
You are right that the GPL is like any copyright license in that it operates totally within the framework of the law, but it in fact produces a result that is the opposite of what lawmakers meant to happen. The GPL is a deliberate hack on the legal system, and it causes the state to enforce something it never intended to. This is bound to ruffle a few feathers, since governments and other powerful entities don't exactly like to be manipulated by clever subordinates into doing something it didn't decide for itself.
I believe it is entirely possible for the legal system to sabotage the GPL without harming "normal" copyright licenses. You just lack the creativity to imagine such a thing, but law is more twisted than you think. ;) This is why the GPL is consistently called into question for being unorthodox.
None of what I said can be considered "trolling." If anything, your accusation of trolling is in itself trolling (as is your illogical anti-GPL vitriol). If the GPL is just like any other license, then why are those who use it "douche bags"? Hmm... I smell a rat.
If you are mad because the GPL is popular, you should know that the GPL is popular for a reason. The main reason is that it actually works, and the results have been spectacular. I'm sure that not a day of your life has gone by for the past many years that you did not knowingly or unknowingly use some GNU software, from your favorite website to your ATM, DVR, or smart phone. GNU software only exists and has the quality that it does because of the terms of the GPL, and that includes Linux. People don't use the GPL because it's trendy--they use it because it gets the job done.
Free Software has had a huge impact on our lives, and it is unique. The GPL isn't the only Free Software license, but it has been the keystone of Free Software licenses.
The point of the GPL was that it was very simple and broad-sweeping. Naturally this does make it vulnerable to attack in the sense that the legal system might feel threatened by the massive impact of such a game-changing license; copyleft practically redefines IP law in a way that those in the legal institution (eg lawyers, judges, lawmakers, and the business interests that pay for them) don't acknowledge, understand, or otherwise feel comfortable with because they don't feel in control. All it takes is a mere technicality to disqualify the GPL from functioning at all, and the Free Software community is justifiably anxious about that, but the GPL has been successfully upheld in court time and time again, so I wouldn't worry.
At this point there should be no doubt of the legal soundness of any version of the GPL, but it all boils down to a matter of principle. If a society believes in Free Software, then the GPL's legal application is perfectly simple and valid. To those hostile to freedom in the society, then the application of the GPL becomes something artificially difficult/problematic.
God wouldn't allow that
I have to point out that this is merely superstitious thought; there is no evidence to indicate that this is the reason why the collider failed, and while the theory *is* possible, it defies rationality. The simplest/most obvious explanation is the the collider simply failed due to technical reasons due to flaws in design or construction. Anyone could tell you that. Saying that it didn't happen because the Universe simply didn't allow it is the same as if you just substituted "God" for the word "Universe." Why didn't X happen? God didn't allow it. Why did Y happen? God made it happen. I'm not saying that it's wrong to believe in God, but these "explanations" are really non-explanations.
"...the average men who would like to deny the importance of feminist issues in FOSS."
I'd like to defend the stance of denying the importance of feminist issues in FOSS. My point is very simple: FOSS is about software. What's important is the software. Code talks. Nobody cares if you're young, old, black, white, gay, straight, male, female, transsexual, communist, capitalist, or from the moon, and you're wrong for trying to push any of these issues to the forefront of FOSS politics. Frankly it's not anyone's business what you are; just write the code and put it out there. They won't accept you in their project? Fork it. They won't host your code? Host it yourself. If the code is good, people will use it. Projects that reject significant contributions from some group will not succeed in the end due to the natural flow of the system.
FOSS is not a unilateral organization in which you can dictate policies of nondiscrimination and inclusiveness or preach to people about sociopolitical issues. FOSS itself is inherently inclusive and nondiscriminatory, so what is there to complain about? FOSS is a free society; associate with whom you want or don't want. Think Mark Shuttleworth is a jerkface? Use Fedora.
The sad truth is that practically all Linux games are for "non-gamers." Linux is known for its distinct lack of heavyweight, A-list titles. There are some, but they are not only rare but difficult to obtain (you can't just walk into Target and pick one up). Literally 99% of all games you can get for Linux are little amusements. The upside to this is that there are TONS of games for Linux, but they are all like that. Even very serious, high quality efforts like Wesnoth play like casual games even though they feature more depth than you could normally get from a FOSS game.
For those who love casual games, Linux is even better than Windows.
If you want a good casual, multiplayer FPS experience on Linux, try OpenArena, Urban Terror, and Nexuiz; all three are absolutely fantastic and loads of fun. You can even get Enemy Territory for free, which also provides good multiplayer FPS. Urban Terror is my favorite simply because it is the most realistic and similar to Counterstrike. Other FPS gems for Linux include Cube and Cube 2.
It's all those pirated copies of Linux... yaaarrrrr
FreeBSD is nice and all, but can't they elevate Mach or L4? Maybe then some work will get done in that area.
Apt is indeed awesome, but FreeBSD's package system is GREAT. I never had a complaint with the way FreeBSD handles packages, and there are some fantastic package utilities in ports that make nightmarish tasks freakishly easy, such as package pruning. One great advantage in BSD is that the base system is not packaged, so if you ever start having major package issues, you can simply wipe out all packages and reinstall your applications from scratch; this keeps your systems squeaky clean without ever having to reinstall the OS.
The article is not nearly as good as I would have hoped. I do agree that there is some political ideology and cultural values to be found in many games, but just to make a general statement that most games being single player shows political ideology is absurd. I'll have you know that it is significantly easier to program a single player game than any other kind, so there were more (especially on limited hardware). Multiplayer didn't become such a huge trend until the Internet caught on, which parallels technological changes more than it does political changes.
If you are just putting down $50, does it even matter at that point what vendor you buy from? How about S3?
This is technically incorrect... 2 is considered the first prime number, and there are $2 denomination bills. Also, 2 is not an odd number.
You're talking about herding cats. It's hard to push away all this software that's been established for so long, hence all this crufty X business, or why there is still such a thing as X anyway.
I find the premise of this story too difficult to believe. Anyone with a decent ear can hear what is going on; close your eyes and listen to the song, and you will hear beyond a doubt the twelve string and also the piano. There is no mystery there, and careful listening would allow anyone to pick out individual notes in the chord--musicians do this all the time, to the point of memorizing chord sequences by ear and what notes they contain. Also, one second on youtube showed me live footage of Harrison actually playing the opening chord on camera. I call the whole thing BS, though it's cool that the guy actually analyzed the signal mathematically.
...then only outlaws will have outlaw videos.
Sounds like a javascript problem that won't get fixed with Chrome because Google is providing their own javascript engine.
First of all, dude. Like, dude. It's only 25 years; I have two "big" floppy drives sitting in my closet that were probably made in the 80's (maybe earlier) that are still in working condition. There are thousands of these things scattered across the country, and most of you probably know someone who has one, or at least there is a functioning device in your city (you might want to check a local library, public school, or government office).
Also, as long as it took for the big daddy floppies to die out, serial data ports never have. For how many decades did computers have db25 and db9 connectors? My last PC still has a db9, and with a simple adapter and the right driver I could connect any serial device I own to a USB port. If you stick a thumb drive in the time capsule, computers are still going to have USB in 25 years! I challenge anyone from the future to dig up this post and publicize it. If the USB port changes or they give a new funny name/cute abbreviation to the standard serial bus, just get an adapter and plug it in.
Also, with the legacy of optical media, I'd say you'd have nothing to fear from a CD or, better yet, a DVD. Think about it--how long ago were CD's invented? Why do DVD's and Blu-Rays come in the exact same shape and size as the CD did? You can stick them all in the same drive, and Blu-Ray drives can read DVD's, and DVD drives can read CD's, and so on. Expect some backwards compatibility, or do you think all these billions of DVD's we consumers bought are going to just disappear in 25 years? I don't think so. As if I'm going to wake up 25 years from now and not be able to play my copy of The Princess Bride. Inconceivable!
I'm just going to come out and say that this distribution is absolutely pointless. If you want a collection of free software without the proprietary additions of Ubuntu, what do you use? Debian.
Don't like Debian? Use Fedora, which is also very "pure." In fact, I would say that most distributions make use of primarily or, in many cases, entirely Free software and content, Ubuntu being one notable exception that embraces the inclusion of proprietary bits.
Darn, and I thought this was going to be about why game developers love to clone Rogue. Man, I love Rogue-likes...
You make good points, but we are just taking on two fundamental viewpoints that don't necessarily contradict each other but interpret the situation differently.
Regardless of our differences, we should focus our energies on something productive like figuring out a way to eliminate hostilities between these people and search for a solution--possibly a nice compromise?
Well yes, it is really simple, and you can just obfuscate the issue by playing semantic games like "technically there was no such country as Palestine" and "technically this land belonged to Egypt and Jordan" and "Palestine is just a concept."
Guess what? My ancestors are Polish, and for quite some time there was supposedly "no such country" as Poland, and you may think that somehow lessens the crimes of Poland's invaders and oppressors, but that argument isn't going to work with me about any country, including Palestine. You can draw the map the way Israel wants you to draw the map, but maps are something imaginary and it means nothing to the Palestinians who are more confronted by their suffering. The point is that Israel is occupying Palestinian territory.
When you step back and and look at it without the lens of political deception (which is all you're doing), is that Israel is fucking up Palestine, and that has always been the case. Because of this clear and present danger, Israel's neighbors want to fight it.
All of the hostilities didn't just magically come out of nowhere. It's not about "Israels neighbors hate Israel just because they're not Arab" or something ridiculous like that.