Thousands of companies do it, and thousand of larger companies will lease thousands of cars (I'd hate to think how many my employer has in the fleet). There are tax incentives for doing so.
With specialty items like this leasing is a great way to get real world testing done and give people a taste of the vehicle, leasing also guarentees they get their shit back.
If GM's Australian arm (Holden) or the local Ford mob could put together a similar vehicle and release it in small numbers, leased to the public I'd love to put my hand up for one.
They are indeed claiming the Nintendo DS is some kind of perverse tool of evil, they completely ignore the differences between the ad-hoc network capability and the online play and use the word "claim" to downplay Nintendos technical explaination.
I post my own snail mail, I change my own oil (and car parts where I can), I save water where I can, use as few resources as possible really.
What I probably should have mentioned in my first post, what's so wrong with supporting local business? You fuckers always bitch and moan about outsourcing but seem only too happy to pump money into a business based *anywhere* but your home town.
If you're unhappy with the local selection, ask them to 'fix' the situation, but they can't do that while you're putting money into someone elses pockets, can they?
If you don't support the local guys, how long until they're gone altogether? This isn't just limited to renting movies, but buying books, music, anything. I'm in one of the remote areas of Australia, we're a big fucking desert and we can still find local stores to take care of the community. Maybe you guys just lost that sense of community a while ago...
Seriously, can someone explain the popularity of Netflix to me?
I like getting out of my house, going for a walk (the few miles each way won't kill anybody) and actually interacting with normal people, picking a few movies to watch off the shelves, paying a few bucks and walking back to my home. If I'm feeling lazy, I might even drive.
I never thought services like Netflix would take off, but I guess people have proven to be lazier than I gave them credit for.
"To help accommodate its growing population, CCP will complete a hardware overhaul, allowing the game to handle more users, expand its universe, and run smoother."
Think you could spare some staff for Blizzard? They seem to have problems implementing this idea.
You're assuming only three and four year old machines have AGP slots?
For a great number of reasons my most recent PC ended up with an AGP slot, it's less than 12 months old. This kind of card may just be a worth addition.
Hell, out of a dozen or so associates I can only name one that has a PCIE graphics setup.
"None. But just because it's not your thing, or you had a bad experience with one or two, doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of people who enjoy MMORPGs, and actually look forward to variety."
Where's the variety though? Hack and slash with a different colour pallete and someone elses character set? Thrilling, I'm sure.
"You think the games will ever get better if there isn't constant competition from new games?"
Honestly? Nope. I'm fairly certain they're well aware that they only need to keep a moderate level of new material (which generally just means some more areas to.. erm.. do the same damn things in..) trickling slowly through and the lion share of consumers will just keep chugging through it. Same reason shite like Friends got so many damn seasons. People are generally quite akin to sloths. We get into comfortable ruts and sit there.
Something ground breaking would be great, but I don't think all these online games flooding the market are going to be that earth shattering game revolution. Competition from new games in the same genre isn't going to give us much at all, take a look at the recent hard on that FPS developers have had with WWII material to see just how fresh this stuff feels after a year or two.
"Troll. Go back under your bridge. If you're not into MMORPGs, then don't bother commenting in the thread."
Fuck me son, you're quick with the troll label. I ask a question and get that? I guess I could sit here and continue to wax lyrical about the downsides of wasting good time climbing pointless level trees, but instead I'm going to go and spend some quality time with my wife. I'd suggest giving it a shot sometime, sir.
seriously, how many fucking MMORPG's do we really need? I got into WoW for a month before I got sick of the grinding, I fire up Guild Wars every now and then for a quick 'fix' of gaming with a few close friends (that I actually know on this physical realm we inhabit..), but then what? How many alterations on hack/slash/walk/repeat can there really be?
Am I in the minority of gamers when my real life is far more important than spending 5+ hours a day wandering aimlessly through someone elses fantasy world?
"If you're going to have a principle of not buying or using products from companies that don't care about your security then at least be consistent. If you'd done this in the first place you'd have never needed to worry about Sony's rootkit."
I won't buy an Australian built Holden Commodore because they're one of the most stolen (and poorly built) cars in the country.
That doesn't mean I blame Holden Commodore drivers for getting their cars stolen. Theives and scumbags still need to be smacked down because they're exploiting other people.
Your argument is kind of like suggesting we shouldn't have glass windows at home, because they could be exploited with a brick. Aside from that, who said the OP used Windows as an operating system? I don't need to be exploited by Sonys work to know that it sucks, why should he?
... how about the many millions that would have otherwise been spent on dental plans for soliders that could be saved by this gum being used gets put into other areas?
I've tried being polite. I've tried being curt. I've tried being downright fucking rude, and it still didn't put the bastards off disturbing me in my domocile for no good reason.
I don't know what part of Australia you live in, but in this part petrol has risen ~ 130%, houses have risen 85%, even milk has risen 5%.
I'll assume you're in Sydney, where the property market should be ashamed of itself.
I'm out in regional Western Australia, I've been paying more for fuel for five years than most of the country and now I'm really lucky to get the good stuff at less than $1.50 per liter. House prices are forunately somewhat stagnant though, a good thing as I'm just buying my first home ($175,000, three bedroom townhouse).
I'm well aware that the cost of living has gone up for us, fresh goods out here are ridiculously expensive due to shipping costs also, but I've never been on the recieving end of a raise and I can only think of one person in my immediate circle of associates that has been.
I'm not against the idea of cost of living increases, but this expectation of more money for doing the same job, just because it's raise time, just baffles me.
I'm genuinely confused, if you're not doing more work, or a harder job, or a more advanced job, then why do you deserve a raise all of a sudden?
It's a serious question. I know here in Australia raises aren't just handed out because it's "that time of year", we're lucky if there's any cost of living increases.
So why is it just expected in the US of A? Is it just tech workers that expect more for the same work or do other industries suffer from the same self serving crap?
"When dubbing, why do "they" have to give the impression of only having half a dozen voice actors for the entire collection of animé that'll ever be imported?"
I'm an Australian, but the conversation of leaving a country that's going down the shitter came up tonight when my fiancee and I were discussing how badly our government is behaving, looking at bringing in "anti-terrorism" laws that would make the US-of-A and England very proud.
I just thought it might be relevant here.
Screw your one-eyed "appreciate the troops!" attitude. I love the armed forces, I'd be in the forces right now if I could pass the physical (very badly damaged knee from a motorcycle accident), fuck man, I'd be tempted to say I love the forces more than you as I'm not the one dragging them into an argument to try and further my cause.
Rule 1, you can never have enough bench space. Get more of it.
Without knowing exactly how much business you're doing, I'd look at fitting out with the following:
- 4 x 17" CRT monitors. KVM's are nice and all, but there will be occasions they're just too painful to bugger around with.
- Magnetic screwdriver set. Phillips, flathead and hex.
- A good cordless drill. These do come in handy.
- Assorted cable ties. I don't know about you but I'm fussy with my cable work in PC's, gotta keep things neat and a bunch of clear cable ties are a good way to start.
- A day planner for the tech. Also, make sure he / she / you actually use it. It sounds like management speak, but they work well if you're as scatter-brained as I am.
- A radio, or something that makes some music. Don't make people work in silence if they don't want to. Dead silence drives me bonkers.
- Spindle of blank CD's and DVD's. Always keep a bunch of hand for backing up customers data they may or may not want. I made a habit out of backing up data even if people didn't ask for it. What the information is isn't any of your business, but there was a number of times people were quite thankful I'd backed their drive up and given it back to them in CD form as there was almost always something they forgot to get off before asking me to blow it all away.
- Cleaning products. Glass cleaner, some cloths. I've come across computers that I simply couldn't bring myself to touch, you need to provide cleaning materials because one day you'll get them too.
- Power splitters, laptop > ide adapters, USB floppy drive, etc... the usual stuff you never think you need until, well, you desperately need it.
Slashdot Mirror
Where's that "missed the point" moderation option?
Thousands of companies do it, and thousand of larger companies will lease thousands of cars (I'd hate to think how many my employer has in the fleet). There are tax incentives for doing so.
With specialty items like this leasing is a great way to get real world testing done and give people a taste of the vehicle, leasing also guarentees they get their shit back.
If GM's Australian arm (Holden) or the local Ford mob could put together a similar vehicle and release it in small numbers, leased to the public I'd love to put my hand up for one.
"Blame Canada*.
*I am Canadian."
Damn self hating Canuckistani people.
So is that Mazdas fault, or North Americas?
Again, how about posting a direct link to the article making crackpot claims instead of somebodys blog?
ABC News "report" here
They are indeed claiming the Nintendo DS is some kind of perverse tool of evil, they completely ignore the differences between the ad-hoc network capability and the online play and use the word "claim" to downplay Nintendos technical explaination.
I post my own snail mail, I change my own oil (and car parts where I can), I save water where I can, use as few resources as possible really.
What I probably should have mentioned in my first post, what's so wrong with supporting local business? You fuckers always bitch and moan about outsourcing but seem only too happy to pump money into a business based *anywhere* but your home town.
If you're unhappy with the local selection, ask them to 'fix' the situation, but they can't do that while you're putting money into someone elses pockets, can they?
If you don't support the local guys, how long until they're gone altogether? This isn't just limited to renting movies, but buying books, music, anything. I'm in one of the remote areas of Australia, we're a big fucking desert and we can still find local stores to take care of the community. Maybe you guys just lost that sense of community a while ago...
Seriously, can someone explain the popularity of Netflix to me?
I like getting out of my house, going for a walk (the few miles each way won't kill anybody) and actually interacting with normal people, picking a few movies to watch off the shelves, paying a few bucks and walking back to my home. If I'm feeling lazy, I might even drive.
I never thought services like Netflix would take off, but I guess people have proven to be lazier than I gave them credit for.
.. it's a dummy plug. Maybe they'll ship with these to fill the hole when you don't have a GBA cartridge handy.
"To help accommodate its growing population, CCP will complete a hardware overhaul, allowing the game to handle more users, expand its universe, and run smoother."
Think you could spare some staff for Blizzard? They seem to have problems implementing this idea.
You're assuming only three and four year old machines have AGP slots?
For a great number of reasons my most recent PC ended up with an AGP slot, it's less than 12 months old. This kind of card may just be a worth addition.
Hell, out of a dozen or so associates I can only name one that has a PCIE graphics setup.
Having spent time around people almost identical to those in the video, this hits so close to home I'm almost in tears from laughing.
Best 'article' posted in weeks, I needed that laugh.
... gave them a huge black eye in the japanese market they never really recovered from over there.
Sucks to be in Microsoft hardware right about now, thought they would have learned their lesson five fucken' years ago.
"None. But just because it's not your thing, or you had a bad experience with one or two, doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of people who enjoy MMORPGs, and actually look forward to variety."
Where's the variety though? Hack and slash with a different colour pallete and someone elses character set? Thrilling, I'm sure.
"You think the games will ever get better if there isn't constant competition from new games?"
Honestly? Nope. I'm fairly certain they're well aware that they only need to keep a moderate level of new material (which generally just means some more areas to.. erm.. do the same damn things in..) trickling slowly through and the lion share of consumers will just keep chugging through it. Same reason shite like Friends got so many damn seasons. People are generally quite akin to sloths. We get into comfortable ruts and sit there.
Something ground breaking would be great, but I don't think all these online games flooding the market are going to be that earth shattering game revolution. Competition from new games in the same genre isn't going to give us much at all, take a look at the recent hard on that FPS developers have had with WWII material to see just how fresh this stuff feels after a year or two.
"Troll. Go back under your bridge. If you're not into MMORPGs, then don't bother commenting in the thread."
Fuck me son, you're quick with the troll label. I ask a question and get that? I guess I could sit here and continue to wax lyrical about the downsides of wasting good time climbing pointless level trees, but instead I'm going to go and spend some quality time with my wife. I'd suggest giving it a shot sometime, sir.
seriously, how many fucking MMORPG's do we really need? I got into WoW for a month before I got sick of the grinding, I fire up Guild Wars every now and then for a quick 'fix' of gaming with a few close friends (that I actually know on this physical realm we inhabit..), but then what? How many alterations on hack/slash/walk/repeat can there really be?
Am I in the minority of gamers when my real life is far more important than spending 5+ hours a day wandering aimlessly through someone elses fantasy world?
"If you're going to have a principle of not buying or using products from companies that don't care about your security then at least be consistent. If you'd done this in the first place you'd have never needed to worry about Sony's rootkit."
I won't buy an Australian built Holden Commodore because they're one of the most stolen (and poorly built) cars in the country.
That doesn't mean I blame Holden Commodore drivers for getting their cars stolen. Theives and scumbags still need to be smacked down because they're exploiting other people.
Your argument is kind of like suggesting we shouldn't have glass windows at home, because they could be exploited with a brick. Aside from that, who said the OP used Windows as an operating system? I don't need to be exploited by Sonys work to know that it sucks, why should he?
Never before have I been so proud of a domain name I purchased.
Now I just need to get off my ass and do something with it.
... how about the many millions that would have otherwise been spent on dental plans for soliders that could be saved by this gum being used gets put into other areas?
... keep an airhorn near the phone.
I've tried being polite. I've tried being curt. I've tried being downright fucking rude, and it still didn't put the bastards off disturbing me in my domocile for no good reason.
I don't know what part of Australia you live in, but in this part petrol has risen ~ 130%, houses have risen 85%, even milk has risen 5%.
I'll assume you're in Sydney, where the property market should be ashamed of itself.
I'm out in regional Western Australia, I've been paying more for fuel for five years than most of the country and now I'm really lucky to get the good stuff at less than $1.50 per liter. House prices are forunately somewhat stagnant though, a good thing as I'm just buying my first home ($175,000, three bedroom townhouse).
I'm well aware that the cost of living has gone up for us, fresh goods out here are ridiculously expensive due to shipping costs also, but I've never been on the recieving end of a raise and I can only think of one person in my immediate circle of associates that has been.
I'm not against the idea of cost of living increases, but this expectation of more money for doing the same job, just because it's raise time, just baffles me.
I'm genuinely confused, if you're not doing more work, or a harder job, or a more advanced job, then why do you deserve a raise all of a sudden?
It's a serious question. I know here in Australia raises aren't just handed out because it's "that time of year", we're lucky if there's any cost of living increases.
So why is it just expected in the US of A? Is it just tech workers that expect more for the same work or do other industries suffer from the same self serving crap?
If it could be explained, that'd be peachy.
Karma to burn here.. shame on Apple, should have launched this 18 months ago when I actually gave a shit.
"When dubbing, why do "they" have to give the impression of only having half a dozen voice actors for the entire collection of animé that'll ever be imported?"
Because that's pretty much the case?
I'm an Australian, but the conversation of leaving a country that's going down the shitter came up tonight when my fiancee and I were discussing how badly our government is behaving, looking at bringing in "anti-terrorism" laws that would make the US-of-A and England very proud.
I just thought it might be relevant here.
Screw your one-eyed "appreciate the troops!" attitude. I love the armed forces, I'd be in the forces right now if I could pass the physical (very badly damaged knee from a motorcycle accident), fuck man, I'd be tempted to say I love the forces more than you as I'm not the one dragging them into an argument to try and further my cause.
Anybody got information on how to emigrate to Canada, eh?
Rule 1, you can never have enough bench space. Get more of it.
Without knowing exactly how much business you're doing, I'd look at fitting out with the following:
- 4 x 17" CRT monitors. KVM's are nice and all, but there will be occasions they're just too painful to bugger around with.
- Magnetic screwdriver set. Phillips, flathead and hex.
- A good cordless drill. These do come in handy.
- Assorted cable ties. I don't know about you but I'm fussy with my cable work in PC's, gotta keep things neat and a bunch of clear cable ties are a good way to start.
- A day planner for the tech. Also, make sure he / she / you actually use it. It sounds like management speak, but they work well if you're as scatter-brained as I am.
- A radio, or something that makes some music. Don't make people work in silence if they don't want to. Dead silence drives me bonkers.
- Spindle of blank CD's and DVD's. Always keep a bunch of hand for backing up customers data they may or may not want. I made a habit out of backing up data even if people didn't ask for it. What the information is isn't any of your business, but there was a number of times people were quite thankful I'd backed their drive up and given it back to them in CD form as there was almost always something they forgot to get off before asking me to blow it all away.
- Cleaning products. Glass cleaner, some cloths. I've come across computers that I simply couldn't bring myself to touch, you need to provide cleaning materials because one day you'll get them too.
- Power splitters, laptop > ide adapters, USB floppy drive, etc... the usual stuff you never think you need until, well, you desperately need it.