You say most people use Windows because they arent 'given' choices. I have dealt with TONS of users, and I have a quite different opinion- they use it because they have adequate skills using it, and because they dont CARE to know anything else.
Why should a doctor, lawyer, CEO, or even secretary have to learn all the ins and outs of a new OS? THEY DONT CARE!!! They are too concerned with being doctors, lawyers, CEOs, secretaries, etc. These people arent computer geeks, and for the most part they arent even the slightest bit interested in knowing how the OS works.
If it does what they need it to do, they are happy. They arent computer geeks, and they dont concern themselves with the fact that Linux can make their word processor work 10% faster than WinXP/OfficeXP. They know how to use it, and thats all they need.
Another point- every time I see one of those silly "d00d, I used WinXP for xxx days, and HAT3D IT!!!1111" articles that pop up here every so often, the first thing the (BSD, Linux, OSX, MacOS, etc) user starts whining about is how the interface isnt what they are used to using, the browser doesnt work the same, they dont have some custom app they are used to working with, etc. You know what? They are acting just like the doctor, lawyer, CEO, or secretary in my example above. They are complaining about the fact that WinXP doesnt function as the OS they are accustomed to using.
Anyway, as far as choice goes, people are free to use whatever OS they want. If they are so desperate to have an OSS OS on their machine, Gates isnt going to come to their house and bitch-slap them for installing it. Saying they dont have choice because it isnt a pre-install option is a weak, cop-out answer. Most people, given the choice, would just stick with what they already know. Which is, in the majority of cases, Windows.
Ya, youre right, M$ is just giving to schools in order to create their new generation of Office-using drones. Because we all see how much software and hardware companies like Apple and WordPerfect threw at schools when THEY were in the dominant position.
Im sure they have dumpsters filled with all the Lotus SmartSuite, Lindows, OSX, etc, that are donated to them as well.
Or maybe its that MS is the first company not trying to gouge funds from the lucrative educational market? Nah, couldnt be- Mikro$loth is EVIL!!!
You have a good point as well; its good to be proactive, but its quite another to create work where none is needed (which is the dark side of being proactive).
I cant remember the exact quote, but Nietzsche said something to the effect that often the best course of action is to do nothing, but that insecure (he may have said pathological) people have great trouble doing nothing, even when that is the best course.
Like everything, what to do (and not to do) is best judged with wisdom and experience. Sadly, those traits arent always pursued in management or leaders.
Personally, Ive always viewed reactionary, defensive strategies to be losing strategies. Only by having an offensive (no pun intended), proactive mindset will people generally succeed. Intelligence and creativity arent defensive traits.
Gates is the biggest funder of health care for aids and other diseases in Africa. He also doesnt give out money unless it is being spent intelligently, and matched with other funds (like from Government grants).
For example, field workers were throwing away about 75% of their vaccinations because they couldnt tell if they were spoiled (they needed to be temp controlled, but its hard to refrigerate something when you are in the jungle, hundreds of miles from a city or power source). So they made one of the requirements to have the vaccine distributor add an indicator on the vial for if it was still good. Some very simple things, but things which are just ignored.
As I said, its highly foolish to criticise someone for doing good, especailly when they really have no reason to, and when people who have reasons to do these things are doing it either. IMO, these are the type of things religious organizations should be doing, instead of begging old ladies for their Social Security checks.
1. Just because there is a problem with a computer doesnt mean its MS's fault, or even their problem. Many 'comsumer level' products are, to be blunt, crap. They use bizarre, cheap, non-standard parts from weird vendors. They use generic memory. They use strange chipsets.
The main issue to remember when calling MS is that they arent going to diagnose your problem over the phone. If you have a question, make sure it cant be answered by searching thru technet, or the computer vendors website. You are also most likely better off contacting the vendor rather than MS; they just make the OS, not the computer.
2. I cant speak for MSN, but I can see you having the same problems with any other major ISP. Ive dealt with most of them, and they are all pretty bad. I had Ameritech/SBC when they first came out with DSL, and I needed to lie that I was, indeed, using their crappy PPoE conversion program (instead I was running RASPPPoE, which functions as a protocol).
Now, to be blunt, you arent going to get any good tech support working on consumer level products. There isnt money in it, and if somebody DOES have some skill they just follow the money to a better job, working on business level computers.
BTW, most people who call MS never bother to check TechNet first. That is all the people you are calling in to are going to do, anyway. I only called them twice, and the resolution was something they had a hotfix for, which they were still testing and hadnt been published in TechNet yet.
If SCO started going after MS, Slashdotter's heads would start exploding.
SCO is going after MS... so they have to be good, honest, and just... but... SCO is going after my master, Linus, too... I dont know what to think anymore!!!
And I am saying to think with YOUR head. Just because you have this irrational, envious hatred of Bill Gates (or maybe just Windows) doesnt mean that Gates isnt doing a lot of great charitable works. Which was my point.
So, as is typical Slashdot, my post got modded down as a troll because it stated something which wasnt anti-MS.
And btw, how much do YOU give to charity? Its pretty selfish to say that Gates isnt giving enough, and you arent giving anything. You arent armchair billionaire-ing, are you?
Especially given that you admin not even KNOWING how much Gates is giving, its silly for you to be making this statement.
Besides, what exactly about the way Gates made his money bothers you? Is he selling drugs? Is he abusing laborers in third world countries? Is he promoting hatred or terrorism?
I work in corporate IT, and I really prefer dealing with MS. Their people are knowledgable, very helpful, and just want to see things work. Im sure you can pick anecdotes which are bad, but in almost ten years, I have had nothing but positive encounters. Im sure that is going to make people angry to hear (because it isnt anti-MS), but its true. MS is #1 for a reason, and it isnt because they are 'forcing' corporations to use their stuff.
First, I doubt Gates would give Billions of dollars to get some losers on Slashdot to love him. Im quite sure he doesnt even know or care about Slashdot, buddy.
Second, Gates has already said that by the time he dies, he will have given away most of his fortune. If you were in his situation, I doubt you would do the same, choosing instead to build up some kind of dynasty.
Third, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is now not only the largest charitible organization in the WORLD, but Gates has already surpassed charitable contributions of any other philanthropist before him (even when you take inflation into account). And the guy is under 50 years old, and will continue for many more years.
I worked with an organization dealing with public health, and if you flip thru their trade magazines, Gates has done a real lot for that sector already, in terms of organization, focused product development, etc., which nobody else bothered to do.
So, as I said, you guys need to get over your irrational hatred of Gates and start seeing what is really going on. There is more to life than your OSS holy war, and Gates has given FAR more money to charity than Torvalds has.
Some people must find it fun to fit the sqare peg in the round hole, apparently. Ever wonder why Windows users arent trying to get Linux games to run on their machines?
SCO says they have a patent on Operating Systems in general. This includes everything from Windows, MacOS, OSX, BSD, Unix, Linux, etc. Even Palm PC is violating SCO's patents!
If Gates were to die in an airplane crash tomorrow, Windows would still go on.
If Torvalds were to die in an airplane crash, could you say the same of Linux? Im not so sure anyone could do what he does, since he is at the center of the kernel project, making sure all the insecure egos dont get bruised.
With Torvalds gone, there is already a model for what would happen. Its called Unix.
Considering Gates is responsible for BILLIONS of dollars going toward schools, scholarships, charitible work, health care improvements, etc, I highly doubt that.
Linus may be a geek hero to you guys, but his influence ends there. Gates has, on a whole, done more good for the world in general (and has accomplished much more than just an OS).
I know its fashionable to bash Gates around here, but most people just arent walking around with their eyes open. Look up from the keyboard once in a while.
1. They never 'promised' identical functionality. They only said the game would run, which it does. So does the DM client.
They also never said the game would ship w/ Linux support for the client (the server is a different, higher priority, matter). They just said they would try. When it comes to a choice between shipping NWN, or waiting for Linux support to catch up, guess who is going to lose? Thats right, the option that will only sell an additional 100 copies or so (most Linux users intelligently have Windows to game on).
The Toolset is still Windows only. Why? Because they are releasing the program THEY use to make the game. Bioware NEVER promised to make a Linux version of the toolset; the devs have been perfectly clear on this. If you think otherwise, go to their forum and show us the post where they promised this.
And yes, they did go out of their way- the publisher didnt care about supporting linux, since it would sell a negligible amount of units relative to the effort it would take. Why do you think linux is 'officially' unsupported? Because they arent taking legal liability for it working (or not) on Linux. They havent put the resources into testing on each distro, checking for bugs/conflicts with other apps, etc.
Just because Bioware decided to throw Linux users a bone doesnt mean you need to tell us how it tastes. Be grateful, and STFU. If so many Linux users werent such habitual complainers, they probably wouldnt have so many people making fun of them.
If you dont like how Bioware did NWN on Linux, feel free to make your own game.
Re:Because that happens to be their mother tongue?
on
Whistle While You Work
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· Score: 1
There are a few differences in this case and the two you propose. First point, the language in question doesnt have a written component, so there arent really any cultural concerns (as with Taiwanese). Also, the language isnt dying due to unnatural outside influence (as with another culture discouraging its usage, which has historically been unsuccessful with other cases as well [Hebrew, various language dialects, etc); it is dying a 'natural' death. Now, since they are trying to keep it alive by forcing local school children to learn it, they will prolong it, but whatever. Time will tell if they are successful.
Second point, the language cant be compared to an endangered species which is dying due to human encroachment on their habitat; these are apples and oranges. Since language is 'living' thru usage, it only 'dies' when it is no longer useful; afterward, its only important for archeolgical reasons (like heiroglyphics and cuneiform). But even that is different, because again, this language doesnt have a written component.
I ordered my copy today, and I am still mad at Bioware for not releasing a Linux toolset (editor) for the game as they had promised.
They never promised this. They said they would try, but it would take too much time. Give them a break- the guys who did the Linux Client did the damn thing in their OWN time, not on company time.
These kind of incorrect statements are exactly why companies dont care about making games for linux. People go out of their way to do things, and they still get complaints.
I wish I could remember where I heard it, but there was a statement about a 'Platinum Edition' which will include NWN and both expansions. If I remember correctly, its supposed to be out early next year.
Slashdot Mirror
Why should a doctor, lawyer, CEO, or even secretary have to learn all the ins and outs of a new OS? THEY DONT CARE!!! They are too concerned with being doctors, lawyers, CEOs, secretaries, etc. These people arent computer geeks, and for the most part they arent even the slightest bit interested in knowing how the OS works.
If it does what they need it to do, they are happy. They arent computer geeks, and they dont concern themselves with the fact that Linux can make their word processor work 10% faster than WinXP/OfficeXP. They know how to use it, and thats all they need.
Another point- every time I see one of those silly "d00d, I used WinXP for xxx days, and HAT3D IT!!!1111" articles that pop up here every so often, the first thing the (BSD, Linux, OSX, MacOS, etc) user starts whining about is how the interface isnt what they are used to using, the browser doesnt work the same, they dont have some custom app they are used to working with, etc. You know what? They are acting just like the doctor, lawyer, CEO, or secretary in my example above. They are complaining about the fact that WinXP doesnt function as the OS they are accustomed to using.
Anyway, as far as choice goes, people are free to use whatever OS they want. If they are so desperate to have an OSS OS on their machine, Gates isnt going to come to their house and bitch-slap them for installing it. Saying they dont have choice because it isnt a pre-install option is a weak, cop-out answer. Most people, given the choice, would just stick with what they already know. Which is, in the majority of cases, Windows.
Im sure they have dumpsters filled with all the Lotus SmartSuite, Lindows, OSX, etc, that are donated to them as well.
Or maybe its that MS is the first company not trying to gouge funds from the lucrative educational market? Nah, couldnt be- Mikro$loth is EVIL!!!
I cant remember the exact quote, but Nietzsche said something to the effect that often the best course of action is to do nothing, but that insecure (he may have said pathological) people have great trouble doing nothing, even when that is the best course.
Like everything, what to do (and not to do) is best judged with wisdom and experience. Sadly, those traits arent always pursued in management or leaders.
Personally, Ive always viewed reactionary, defensive strategies to be losing strategies. Only by having an offensive (no pun intended), proactive mindset will people generally succeed. Intelligence and creativity arent defensive traits.
?? Im confused. According to GWB the economy is great, and there is no unemployment...
Nice to see Slashdot isnt irrationally biased.
Im glad for all that free love and beer, but I dont see it paying anybody's rent.
For example, field workers were throwing away about 75% of their vaccinations because they couldnt tell if they were spoiled (they needed to be temp controlled, but its hard to refrigerate something when you are in the jungle, hundreds of miles from a city or power source). So they made one of the requirements to have the vaccine distributor add an indicator on the vial for if it was still good. Some very simple things, but things which are just ignored.
As I said, its highly foolish to criticise someone for doing good, especailly when they really have no reason to, and when people who have reasons to do these things are doing it either. IMO, these are the type of things religious organizations should be doing, instead of begging old ladies for their Social Security checks.
The main issue to remember when calling MS is that they arent going to diagnose your problem over the phone. If you have a question, make sure it cant be answered by searching thru technet, or the computer vendors website. You are also most likely better off contacting the vendor rather than MS; they just make the OS, not the computer.
2. I cant speak for MSN, but I can see you having the same problems with any other major ISP. Ive dealt with most of them, and they are all pretty bad. I had Ameritech/SBC when they first came out with DSL, and I needed to lie that I was, indeed, using their crappy PPoE conversion program (instead I was running RASPPPoE, which functions as a protocol).
Now, to be blunt, you arent going to get any good tech support working on consumer level products. There isnt money in it, and if somebody DOES have some skill they just follow the money to a better job, working on business level computers.
BTW, most people who call MS never bother to check TechNet first. That is all the people you are calling in to are going to do, anyway. I only called them twice, and the resolution was something they had a hotfix for, which they were still testing and hadnt been published in TechNet yet.
SCO is going after MS... so they have to be good, honest, and just... but... SCO is going after my master, Linus, too... I dont know what to think anymore!!!
So, as is typical Slashdot, my post got modded down as a troll because it stated something which wasnt anti-MS.
Especially given that you admin not even KNOWING how much Gates is giving, its silly for you to be making this statement.
Besides, what exactly about the way Gates made his money bothers you? Is he selling drugs? Is he abusing laborers in third world countries? Is he promoting hatred or terrorism?
I work in corporate IT, and I really prefer dealing with MS. Their people are knowledgable, very helpful, and just want to see things work. Im sure you can pick anecdotes which are bad, but in almost ten years, I have had nothing but positive encounters. Im sure that is going to make people angry to hear (because it isnt anti-MS), but its true. MS is #1 for a reason, and it isnt because they are 'forcing' corporations to use their stuff.
Is there any news on building the first Space Elevator? I read a few months ago they were finalizing their decision on the site.
Second, Gates has already said that by the time he dies, he will have given away most of his fortune. If you were in his situation, I doubt you would do the same, choosing instead to build up some kind of dynasty.
Third, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is now not only the largest charitible organization in the WORLD, but Gates has already surpassed charitable contributions of any other philanthropist before him (even when you take inflation into account). And the guy is under 50 years old, and will continue for many more years.
I worked with an organization dealing with public health, and if you flip thru their trade magazines, Gates has done a real lot for that sector already, in terms of organization, focused product development, etc., which nobody else bothered to do.
So, as I said, you guys need to get over your irrational hatred of Gates and start seeing what is really going on. There is more to life than your OSS holy war, and Gates has given FAR more money to charity than Torvalds has.
Please take your conspiracy theories elsewhere; they dont belong among intelligent discourse.
Some people must find it fun to fit the sqare peg in the round hole, apparently. Ever wonder why Windows users arent trying to get Linux games to run on their machines?
SCO- All your OS are belong to us!
Dont let this prevent you from sleeping at night!
If Torvalds were to die in an airplane crash, could you say the same of Linux? Im not so sure anyone could do what he does, since he is at the center of the kernel project, making sure all the insecure egos dont get bruised.
With Torvalds gone, there is already a model for what would happen. Its called Unix.
Linus may be a geek hero to you guys, but his influence ends there. Gates has, on a whole, done more good for the world in general (and has accomplished much more than just an OS).
I know its fashionable to bash Gates around here, but most people just arent walking around with their eyes open. Look up from the keyboard once in a while.
They also never said the game would ship w/ Linux support for the client (the server is a different, higher priority, matter). They just said they would try. When it comes to a choice between shipping NWN, or waiting for Linux support to catch up, guess who is going to lose? Thats right, the option that will only sell an additional 100 copies or so (most Linux users intelligently have Windows to game on).
The Toolset is still Windows only. Why? Because they are releasing the program THEY use to make the game. Bioware NEVER promised to make a Linux version of the toolset; the devs have been perfectly clear on this. If you think otherwise, go to their forum and show us the post where they promised this.
And yes, they did go out of their way- the publisher didnt care about supporting linux, since it would sell a negligible amount of units relative to the effort it would take. Why do you think linux is 'officially' unsupported? Because they arent taking legal liability for it working (or not) on Linux. They havent put the resources into testing on each distro, checking for bugs/conflicts with other apps, etc.
Just because Bioware decided to throw Linux users a bone doesnt mean you need to tell us how it tastes. Be grateful, and STFU. If so many Linux users werent such habitual complainers, they probably wouldnt have so many people making fun of them.
If you dont like how Bioware did NWN on Linux, feel free to make your own game.
Second point, the language cant be compared to an endangered species which is dying due to human encroachment on their habitat; these are apples and oranges. Since language is 'living' thru usage, it only 'dies' when it is no longer useful; afterward, its only important for archeolgical reasons (like heiroglyphics and cuneiform). But even that is different, because again, this language doesnt have a written component.
They never promised this. They said they would try, but it would take too much time. Give them a break- the guys who did the Linux Client did the damn thing in their OWN time, not on company time.
These kind of incorrect statements are exactly why companies dont care about making games for linux. People go out of their way to do things, and they still get complaints.
I wish I could remember where I heard it, but there was a statement about a 'Platinum Edition' which will include NWN and both expansions. If I remember correctly, its supposed to be out early next year.
I heard a rumor that if you mix two of them, you get a Top Quark...