Slashdot Mirror


User: grahamdrew

grahamdrew's activity in the archive.

Stories
0
Comments
95
First seen
Last seen
Profile
(view on slashdot.org)

Comments · 95

  1. Re:Windows 95 never ran so fast!!!! on "World's Cheapest Laptop" Available in Bulk Only · · Score: 1

    Good luck getting Windows 95 running on a MIPS processor...

  2. Re:Will it run Flash? on "World's Cheapest Laptop" Available in Bulk Only · · Score: 2, Insightful

    No. Forget speed for a second, it's a MIPS processor. Does not run x86 applications, does not run x86 plugins. Maybe you get get it to run one of the GPL flash interpreters, but it'll never run the Adobe flash plugin until Adobe makes on specifically for Linux running on a MIPS.

  3. Re:Have they solved the longevity issue? on Alienware Puts 64GB Solid-State Drives In Desktops · · Score: 1

    Fragmentation doesn't enter into it. Why does it matter if the data is contiguous or not? It's still not going to change.

    If windows occupies X Gb of storage space on the drive, that's X Gb that is effectively static. It doesn't matter that it's fragmented all over the drive, it just matters that there is data on that collection of sectors that can't be used for the reserve pool. If there's data in the sector (the sector isn't blank) than that sector can't be used for wear leveling easily.

  4. Re:Setting aside the humor, do they have a point? on Retailer Refuses Hardware Repair Due To Linux · · Score: 1

    On cars, the computers keep the engines from over reving or running on too rich a mixture, both of which can damage the hardware. If you mod the software in your engine's computers you void the warrantee.

    You can void the warranty on the engine, but if I change the fuel map to richen it up a bit and then my trunk stops closing I still expect them to fix it. Void my powertain warranty, sure. The Magnuson-Moss act says that it's their responsability to prove that tweaking the computer caused the problem with my trunk, though, which they're not going to be able to do.

  5. Re:Chicago, IL Location on Some 7-11s Become Kwik-E-Marts · · Score: 1

    It's pretty much right next to Greenbelt, MD. If it's the 7-11 I'm thinking of the Kenilworth Ave exit on 95 should get you close.

  6. Re:Doesn't and can't exist. on BBC Chooses Microsoft DRM Platform · · Score: 1

    This is incorrect - the content they are showing was produced with licence payer's money and they are not generating any additional funds from publishing this in downloadable format. Meanwhile, the BBC website's infrastructure (which _is_ funded by the licence fee) will presumably be used to deliver this content. This is a flawed argument. It's like saying the school system owns a teacher's shoes because she paid for them with her salary. It doesn't matter where the money comes from; once the BBC fulfills their part of the deal they can do whatever they want.

  7. Re:Altima is high end on Cell Phones Disable Keys for High-End Cars · · Score: 1

    I was thinking exactly the same thing (although the Altima's no slouch). Any word if this affects the Maxima (which I would actually consider high-end?

  8. Re:Wow! on Is Computer Science Dead? · · Score: 1

    I end up implementing some of those (or at least adapting old implementations) fairly often. I work almost exclusively on embedded systems where we have no framework or APIs. Embedded development is probably closer to the exception rather than the rule, though.

    I agree with you about using someone elses' implementation. I still think the easiest way to understand how they work is to build it yourself at some point, though. That's one of the things low-level CS classes are for. Yes, you may never do it again, but that's OK. It doesn't mean you were wasting time if you learn something, even if you don't do that same exact thing ever again.

  9. Re:Wow! on Is Computer Science Dead? · · Score: 1

    You're right, but I would expect a "real computer scientist" to understand the concepts behind a linked list and it's limitations instead of just using it blindly. One of the best ways to understand it is to build it yourself.

  10. Re:Nothing new... on The Insanely Great Songs Apple Won't Let You Hear · · Score: 1

    They don't make any money off the import fees, but they still sell two copies of the album. LabelA UK and LabelA USA both make sales, instead of just one. Andrew Beard

  11. Re:No New Productivity Tools? on iPhone, Apple TV Headline MacWorld Keynote · · Score: 1

    You know, as cool as the iPhone and iTV may be I've got to agree. The only thing released today (the new wireless router) wasn't even mentioned. I was really hoping for the iWork spreadsheet app and a look at Leopard; things I can actually use.

  12. Re:Huh.. on Big Challenges for Vista Bug Hunters · · Score: 1

    Where are you getting the 5,000,000 number from? Half-million != 5,000,000

  13. Anyone actually get a replacement order? on Apple Recalls 1.1 Million Laptop Batteries · · Score: 1

    My 12 inch iBook is in the affected range, so I've been trying to get a replacement since I got home. The website says my battery serial number is invalid, and that I should call apple support (with a phone number given). I tried calling apple support, and pressing the battery recall option (#5, I think) and a couple menus later it tells me that phne support has been discontinued, use the website. I tried calling back and hitting 0, and it seemed to work but then I got a different voicing telling me "Sorry, you have a bad fetch error", and it hangs up on me. It sounds like Apple's support system is melting down. You'd think they would have put SOME thought into this beforehand....

  14. Re:A few things on PDA for Tech Savy Students? · · Score: 3, Informative

    I actively used (and still have) one of the original Zauruses for a while, and although it was great when you paired it with a WiFi card and wanted to do some quick web browsing, email, or instant messaging it wasn't terribly good at PIM. Getting it to sync with anything but Outlook or Sharp's own app was a challenge at best. Strangely enough, getting it to sync with a linux box was harder than syncing with windows or OS X. It was a very nice mobile tablet at the time, but not a very good PDA. I had used a Handera 330 (PalmOS based device with a CF slot) before that and it was excellent at PDA functionality, but the mobile communications weren't great.

    Andrew Beard

  15. Re:A little clarification on Cutting out the Naughty Bits Ruled Illegal · · Score: 1

    Which state was this in? Some states have mandatory waiting periods to purchase a firearm (generally 7 days or less), and some have waiting periods on pre-purchase permits. It sounds like your state did not.

    Andrew Beard

  16. Re:One button mixed message on Apple Releases Shake 4.1, Drops Price To $499 · · Score: 1

    Sounds cool, but I can't find anything like this on my iBook running 10.4.6. Care to elaborate on the setting?

  17. Re:Congrats Nintendo on Nintendo Announces Japanese Wii Price · · Score: 1

    You have to end up thinking about the cost to integrate that into the unit, as well. We do a lot of board level design at my company, and dropping a 50 cent part on a processor board costs a heck of a lot more than 50 cents. The additional routing, assembly, and testing may end up costing you a lot more, by multiple orders of magnitude depending on the complexity of what it is, what you need it to do, and how reliable it needs to be.

  18. Re:Rise of the "Brawler" on Kingdom Hearts II Review · · Score: 1

    If brawler equates to surrounded by hordes of enemies I've got to say that Serious Sam takes the cake.

  19. Re:Why? on Intel Unveils PC for Developing Nations · · Score: 1

    I agree with the sentiment, but what happens when the man dies of hunger while you're teaching him to fish?

  20. Re:1 Gb is good enough for me... on Why Sony Should've Put Its Weight Behind Hi-MD · · Score: 1

    There's an Ogg Vorbis plugin for iTunes. There is no plugin allowing you to play Ogg Vorbis files directly on your iPod (unless it's run through iPod Linux, which is a bit of a diferent beast).

    That said, I still prefer my iPod to any other portable music player on the market.

    Andrew Beard
  21. Re:I would criticize Gates.. on Gates Mocks MIT's $100 Laptop · · Score: 1

    From the link you just posted, Microsoft knew from it wasn't going to be running their software. Do we even know for sure the project rejected Microsoft and not the other way around? All your link states is that Microsoft had "been engaged with [the project] to help overcome some of the technology challenges they face." It sounds equally plausable that they talked for a while, and Microsoft decided it wasn't an effective application of resources, so they split.

    Does anyone have any info on Microsoft's former involvement in the project and why they are no longer involved?

  22. Re:Throwing Stones on Gates Mocks MIT's $100 Laptop · · Score: 1

    No matter how much some here may look down our noses at the $100 laptop it will be a prized possession for a twelve year old.

    Assuming he doesn't trade it for $20 worth of food. I think there are more pressing short-term concerns for a lot of the targeted areas that are going to override the oportunity cost of a $100 laptop. From a purely idealistic point of view the project sounds great, but without basic infastructure I can't see it working out.

    Andrew Beard
  23. Re:Wow, this one was tough! on PS2 Controller Suit Goes Badly For Sony · · Score: 1

    Does it really matter; what ever happened to casual indifference? I don't understand why you feel you need to have a strong position either way.

  24. Re:1 reason vista will suck on Why Vista Won't Suck · · Score: 3, Insightful

    No, there's a fair chance he's correct. The issue is that if DRM is being performed at kernel level, all kernel-level code must also be signed or it can bypass the DRM. Someone will probably find a way around it, but it's not as silly as you'd think.

  25. Every URL in the Google Database on Google's Response to the DoJ Motion · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The response letter said the DOJ wanted a list of every URL that could be returned by a search query in the Google database. I can't even imagine how much data that is. I'd comply with that bit, print it all out, and send the DOJ the bill...

    Is it just me or does it sound like the DOJ had no idea what they were actually asking for?