Typically, species arise in isolated populations which have time to evolve down different paths and eventually get to the point where they can't reproduce with the others from their original population.
Think of populations isolated on two islands.
Evolution takes lots of time and lots of mutations.
I'm not an Excel or a "graphing" wizzard and my use of graphs has been very basic but I don't see any difference between Excel and OO. They both seem to do basic graphs in about the same way.
Anytime that I've required "real" graphs, I've used an external graphing package with lots of bells and whistles.
The graphing features in Excel are very rudimentary and poorly designed. If you want to make real graphs, get a real graphing program (others have provided references).
It's important to realize that information and education are the foundation of all economic and social improvement.
I don't think it takes much imagination to follow the logic from this to the need for computers and software and information systems. Most of the "progress" of the developed world in the past 50 years can be attributed to improvements in education and information.
Africa needs free software. It already pays a high cost to developed countries due to agricultural market distortion, manufactured goods, and "intellectual property". It doesn't need another drain on it's meagre resources by paying for software.
If enough large groups such as Massachusetts, other cities and states, and corporations demand OpenDoc format, they will include it.
That said, they are likely to make it difficult to use and screw up the rendering and printing to make it less desirable than their proprietary formats.
Save your data in open standard formats. I doubt that Google would prevent you from saving your data locally if you're paranoid about their servers.
You refer to Google's disregard for privacy protections. I don't know that they have compromised anyone's privacy. I'm sure if they had, you would hear about it.
Having observed their behavior in the past, I fully believe that the music industry really believes that they are doing Apple a favor and that they can cut Apple off.
If they close iTunes, iPod users will just rip their own music (and share it) leaving 0 revenue.
It's been pointed out by others that this may be a fundamental flaw in MS software development. They can get new graduates cheaply but they lack experience so continue to make the same mistakes that other more experienced workers have learned about the hard way (think security, networking, etc.)
I really think that most Excel "power users" should be looking for a better tool. The spreadsheet is a poor tool for large numbers of rows and complex functions. It's impossible to audit and figure out what it is actually doing. I think large spreadsheets are dangerous tools.
I know it's easier to use a tool that you already know than to learn a new tool but it's time for spreadsheet users to grow up. You really need a relational database.
Interesting "extension" to the definition of ad hominem attack but this is not what I meant. My logic goes something like this...
1) TCS says hurricane magnitude not related to global warming
2) TCS funded by Exxon
3) Exxon makes money from selling hydrocarbons.
4) Profit! (had to put this in here to keep to the form)
Therefore,
5)I don't need to waste my time trying to understand and formulate responses to their arguments since I know they are composed of half-truths, distortions, bad science, and lies.
As an analogy, I don't bother reading "National Enquirer" since I know that what it publishes is not authoritative.
I had assumed that you understood the definition of "ad hominem" when you posted your message so you would have understood my reply. So for your benefit I will explain ad hominum and how it relates to my reply.
From Wikipedia:
An ad hominem fallacy consists of asserting that someone's argument is wrong and/or they are wrong to argue at all purely because of something discreditable/not-authoritative about the person or those persons cited by them rather than addressing the soundness of the argument itself. The implication is that the person's argument and/or ability to argue correctly lacks authority.
I specifically was attacking the source of the argument since I believe that it is discreditable and not-authoritative. I do not believe arguments from Exxon, General Motors, and conservative think tanks when it comes to global warming. They lack authority.
Since I have not done any primary environmental research, I'm limited to reading and evaluating the work of others. It's important to evalute the source and possible bias of resources.
I tend to think that Exxon, General Motors, and conservative think tanks are not reliable sources of information on the environment and global warming. I tend to trust legitimate scientific publications (such as "Science") that attempt to present research fairly.
Yes, you are correct, "fact" is an imprecise term.
As the creationists are fond of pointing out, evolution is only a theory. Similarly, global warming is only a theory. Both of these theories do have the support of the vast majority of legitimate scientists.
This leaves room for FUD by political manipulators since too many people don't have any real understanding of science.
And, friend, do you realize that TCS ("Where Free Markets Meet Technology") is just another of those FUD organizations set up by the Bushies (primarily funded by Exxon) to spread FUD about global warming?
You should notice that the primary sponsors of the TCS web site are: Exxon and General Motors...
Do you have any critical thinking skills?... or do you just believe what you are told by the people with the most money?
Interesting that a columnist for the "Free Republic" would be given the same weight as "Science" magazine.
The Bushies have been in denial about global warming and have been spreading FUD at every chance. Most real scientists have accepted the fact of global warming. This "controversy" is just another example of denial and FUD.
"Free Republic is the premier online gathering place for independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web. We're working to roll back decades of governmental largesse, to root out political fraud and corruption, and to champion causes which further conservatism in America. And we always have fun doing it. Hoo-yah!"
These people aren't scientists, they are politicians.
Odd that I just received an email from the American Public Health Association pleading for doctors and nurses to volunteer to help in Louisiana. It could be that your skills (you don't say what they are) were not needed or it could be just more of government screw-ups.
Slashdot Mirror
Think of populations isolated on two islands.
Evolution takes lots of time and lots of mutations.
Anytime that I've required "real" graphs, I've used an external graphing package with lots of bells and whistles.
The graphing features in Excel are very rudimentary and poorly designed. If you want to make real graphs, get a real graphing program (others have provided references).
I don't think it takes much imagination to follow the logic from this to the need for computers and software and information systems. Most of the "progress" of the developed world in the past 50 years can be attributed to improvements in education and information.
Africa needs free software. It already pays a high cost to developed countries due to agricultural market distortion, manufactured goods, and "intellectual property". It doesn't need another drain on it's meagre resources by paying for software.
That said, they are likely to make it difficult to use and screw up the rendering and printing to make it less desirable than their proprietary formats.
My TRS-80 was instant start! Actually, that was one of it's most amazing features... other than the casette tape mass storage.
Save your data in open standard formats. I doubt that Google would prevent you from saving your data locally if you're paranoid about their servers.
You refer to Google's disregard for privacy protections. I don't know that they have compromised anyone's privacy. I'm sure if they had, you would hear about it.
If you're glued to a desk with broadband access, gMail is great. If you travel (especially internationally), you need an email client.
If they close iTunes, iPod users will just rip their own music (and share it) leaving 0 revenue.
Can you counteract dupe karma by stating that it's a dupe when you submit?
Nolo Press has a lot of good reference books and articles on this subject. http://www.nolo.com/
It's been pointed out by others that this may be a fundamental flaw in MS software development. They can get new graduates cheaply but they lack experience so continue to make the same mistakes that other more experienced workers have learned about the hard way (think security, networking, etc.)
I don't think anyone would be stupid enough to design screen refresh over the network even if they did have the bandwidth.
No, I think that what he's saying is that Linux has adult supervision.
You really need to wean yourself off of Excel.
My point is that it is a waste of my time to pick through Exxon's lies, distortions, and half-truths.
I know it's easier to use a tool that you already know than to learn a new tool but it's time for spreadsheet users to grow up. You really need a relational database.
1) TCS says hurricane magnitude not related to global warming
2) TCS funded by Exxon
3) Exxon makes money from selling hydrocarbons.
4) Profit! (had to put this in here to keep to the form)
Therefore,
5)I don't need to waste my time trying to understand and formulate responses to their arguments since I know they are composed of half-truths, distortions, bad science, and lies.
As an analogy, I don't bother reading "National Enquirer" since I know that what it publishes is not authoritative.
From Wikipedia:
An ad hominem fallacy consists of asserting that someone's argument is wrong and/or they are wrong to argue at all purely because of something discreditable/not-authoritative about the person or those persons cited by them rather than addressing the soundness of the argument itself. The implication is that the person's argument and/or ability to argue correctly lacks authority.
I specifically was attacking the source of the argument since I believe that it is discreditable and not-authoritative. I do not believe arguments from Exxon, General Motors, and conservative think tanks when it comes to global warming. They lack authority.
I tend to think that Exxon, General Motors, and conservative think tanks are not reliable sources of information on the environment and global warming. I tend to trust legitimate scientific publications (such as "Science") that attempt to present research fairly.
As the creationists are fond of pointing out, evolution is only a theory. Similarly, global warming is only a theory. Both of these theories do have the support of the vast majority of legitimate scientists.
This leaves room for FUD by political manipulators since too many people don't have any real understanding of science.
You should notice that the primary sponsors of the TCS web site are: Exxon and General Motors...
Do you have any critical thinking skills?... or do you just believe what you are told by the people with the most money?
The Bushies have been in denial about global warming and have been spreading FUD at every chance. Most real scientists have accepted the fact of global warming. This "controversy" is just another example of denial and FUD.
"Free Republic is the premier online gathering place for independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web. We're working to roll back decades of governmental largesse, to root out political fraud and corruption, and to champion causes which further conservatism in America. And we always have fun doing it. Hoo-yah!"
These people aren't scientists, they are politicians.
Odd that I just received an email from the American Public Health Association pleading for doctors and nurses to volunteer to help in Louisiana. It could be that your skills (you don't say what they are) were not needed or it could be just more of government screw-ups.