Mike had received a 25-page letter from Microsoft informing him he was committing copyright infringement, and threatening legal action, as reported earlier on Slashdot.
Twenty five pages? They'd get a one page response from me. It would read something like this: Dear Microsoft, Piss Off. Font size 72, of course.
As an owner of a 993 I am very suprised that you have not made the distinction between a rear and mid engined car. Where the "trunk" is really has nothing to do with it. Ferrari has never made a rear engined car.
The trunk has *everything* to do with it - that's what the thread was ABOUT. Someone started by saying that the car's engine was replaced with a Mac because there was not an engine under the hood. That's where this discussion began. I'm well aware that Ferrari has never sold a car with the engine behind the rear axle - but they have sold *many* cars with no engine under the hood which is the point I was making - that it is not unusual for a car to have a front trunk? Get it now?
Another pointer that you don't know what you are talking about - the 612 is not a collector's item, in fact it is only released in a few months. It is the replacemnt for the 456.
Ok, so you think I'm idiot and a retard. I get the point. I was thinking of the 412, not the 612. My bad.
Your "analysis" may be valid, but it's really not applicable. The title of the story is, "Are 64-bit Binaries Really Slower than 32-bit Binaries?" The author takes a 64-bit machine, compiles a few programs, and tests the resulting binaries to see which is faster.
How can you be certain that this isn't simply comparing the efficiency of the compilers - and not the resulting binaries???
I obviously know about engine layout. Whether the engine is mid or rear mounted, it doesn't matter when you look under the hood - there is a front trunk regardless - which is what the thread was about.
I'm well aware of the mid engine vs. rear engine layout as I am the proud owner of a fully restored 1974 Porsche 914, and also a '95 993 C2.
Have a look at the sales figures for Ferrari - You will obviously see that obviously there have been way more 360's sold than 456's, 550's, or 612's. Obviously. I regularly see 360's driving on the GW parkway near Wash DC where I live, but seldom see a 550. 456's and 612's are collector's items now. I also see a few testarosas here and there which are mid engined.
But to the vast, vast majority of Americans, it IS irrelevant. They aren't interested and they don't regret missing out on those things. Then when one of us does say, "WTF is a tatra?" (complete with implied arrogance/apathy toward the rest of the world) people act like you have to be a really dumb American to not know. No, you have to be a really interested American to know.
Ok, That makes sense. I can agree with that.
From a purely pragmatic point of view though, it does seem pretty dumb to not know or care about what the other five billion humans on this planet are doing. I suppose that if someone finds a Big Mac to be acceptable as food, they wouldn't care one bit about Shanghai dumplings.
I'm not trying to be arrogant, but I honestly can't understand why people think that the rest of the world is so damn relevant to Americans. It's thousands of miles away, it has no industry that we don't do ourselves in some fashion, and for the last 50 years we've been exporting our culture, not importing theirs. I'm not trying to be arrogant, but the simple fact is that aside from personal curiosity, there isn't much reason for the typical American to have any idea what a Tatra is or keep up to date with the current events on the other side of the planet. I don't think it's a great situation, but there it is.
Agreed that Americans don't need do keep up with foreign events/culture/industry because America is a large producer itself.
Some people do however choose to broaden their horizons and realize that Americans are less then 10% of the earth's human population, and there is a LOT more out there than can be found in the US.
In addition, the US does manufacture just about everything there is to make, however, much of it is not very high quality compared to what other nations can produce. Cars for example - The US has nothing that can even compete with a $140,000 Mercedes CL600 in the super-luxury class. Or a $200,000 Ferrari 360 in the sports car class. Food is another example. Have you ever eaten at a small town cafe in the south of France? The food is like heaven. The only places that produce exceptional meals in the US are $100 per plate uber expensive restaurants. Or how about clothing? No one will dispute that Italy is the king of clothing fashion and design.
The point is, that sure you can have an American made product for every good you desire - but it's probably something better to be had if you open your mind and venture outside your US "security blanket".
but to move closer to the topic, thats pretty impressive stuff in that car. it never ceases to amaze me how geeks like i hope to be can interface with engines and computers like that. anybody know where i can learn more about it?
Easy: Buy a 1994 and up VW, Audi, Seat or Skoda. They all have a computer interface port where you can interface with all the electronic gadgets in the car. Everything from the airbags to the stereo, the transmission (if it's auto), tons of engine parameters... basically everything that runs on electricity is wired into the central system.
And VW (who owns Audi Seat Skoda and also Lamborghini, Rolls Royce and Bentley) has always openly published the communication protocols and specs to their interfaces - very Open Source like.
Read more Here. These guys make an interface cable and software to communicate with your car. It plugs into your PC or laptop using standard RS-232 serial port or USB. I have a Turbo diesel Jetta and I can put a laptop in the passenger seat and monitor turbo boost pressure, anti-lock brake status, and even radio station information from the laptop!! I've always wondered why more hackers haven't been interested in these car brands since they have such open communication specs.... MAybe someone here can start a project on sourceforge to create a Linux client program to talk to my car?? (It's Windows only right now)
I wonder at what point this becomes over-kill. I wonder was it worth all the work (e.g. is it that useful).
Seeing as this is a Russian car, I was hoping I had some witty In Soviet Russia joke handy... but I dont. Anyhow, This car was a creme de la creme top of the line luxury automobile. Modding a car is only worth it if (1) the mods are tasteful (i.e. not rice-boy) and (2) if the car is worth it. Is it worth it to spend $5000 modifying a '94 Honda Civic that's only worth $3k? No. Is it worth it to spend $5000 modifying a '94 Mercedes S600 (still sells for >$30k today). Absolutely.
On the "bright side", however, I can purchase a Toyota Prius and get a lot of the same functionality without all the work (and with 60+ miles per gallon)... of course, then I can't brag I have a Mac in my car and can't add things to it... but you get the picture.
Yes, but a Toyota Prius is a tin can, waiting to be squished by the nearest Ford SUV that feels like flipping over that day. This Tatra is a LARGE very substantial V8 powered luxury car. Tatra originally made cars targeted towards Soviet Russia's ruling elite. Not even close to the same category as a Prius.
I doubt it, seeing as how he replaced his ENGINE with a POWERMAC!
You DO know that this is a rear-engine car? Unless you live in the US in the deep south, rear engined cars are commonplace. VW Beetle, VW Bus, Porsche 911, most Ferraris...
One could argue that if one has one's 'filters' set to high, one can end up screening out anything NEW. New experiences are what keeps the mind growing. So - I have visions of hordes of drones soaked in a safe, porn-tinted perceptual cocoon.
Not saying that the idea doesn't have merit, but I think it can be abused.
Well, considering most content seems to be created like This, it's no wonder we need content filters.
Funny that this makes it on the news. Where was/. a few years back?
Yes, it is very funny how the dems like to "have it both ways" on almost every controversial issue.
Since this is a politically driven thread, I thought I'd add this little blurb written by an American General currently in Iraq. Since we tend to get all our news from CNN, there is a great deal of news we never hear about.
Here is some of that news.
In this horrendous economy you should be glad you have a job in IT and not spending your time surfing Careerpath.com, Monster and DICE.
Um. Wake-up buddy. The economy is doing very well right now. The NYSE is over 10000 again and the NASDAQ is over 2000.
Many economists believe that the recession ended as early as Nov 2001. Yes, more than two years ago.
I was laid off about a year ago, but found a new (higher paying) job in under three months. So did all the folks that I know who got laid off.
that you get identified as the Squeaky Wheel.
True, but the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Either that or the squeaky wheel gets replaced. It's a toss-up. Personally, I would just shut my mouth and do my job. If something was bothering me that much, I would type up a concise letter with recommendations and slip it under the big boss's door. Anonymously of course.
How will I know? I will see the unexplained network trafic.
Sure. If you are doing nothing but browsing the web. But what about if you are ftp'ing files at the same time, or are a member of bittorrent or freenet? Or are running some other P2P application? The list goes on.
Why should the websites that these people are seeing the ads on be forced to develop and support a website free of charge? Those sites have to pay the bills somehow, and for many, ads are the way to go. That sucks if your internet connection makes it such that larger ads cost you more. If that's the case, get your news/entertainment/what-have-you from a site that doesn't use such large ads.
It is you sir who have the wrong perspective.
Who is forcing the web site to provide the content free of charge? I'm not. They should start a pay-subscription service if they don't want to give the content away.
They should NOT trick users into downloading large advertising content while hiding behind the premise that they have bills to pay.
People don't have to receive corporate advertising. No one is standing there with a gun forcing you to go to web sites that have ads.
The article clearly states that the large video advertisement is downloaded in the background, hidden from the user, and doesnt display until the download is complete.
How are you to know which sites use these ads and which don't if you don't know about the ad until it's already been downloaded!!
Slashdot Mirror
But how do you know it isn't just linux users eager to take advantage of their $699 limited offer?? The /. effect is pretty powerful you know.
Next thing you know Microsoft is going to sue IBM for infringing on their patented methods of preventing OSS workers from getting paid.
Mike had received a 25-page letter from Microsoft informing him he was committing copyright infringement, and threatening legal action, as reported earlier on Slashdot.
Twenty five pages? They'd get a one page response from me. It would read something like this: Dear Microsoft, Piss Off. Font size 72, of course.
As an owner of a 993 I am very suprised that you have not made the distinction between a rear and mid engined car. Where the "trunk" is really has nothing to do with it. Ferrari has never made a rear engined car.
The trunk has *everything* to do with it - that's what the thread was ABOUT. Someone started by saying that the car's engine was replaced with a Mac because there was not an engine under the hood. That's where this discussion began. I'm well aware that Ferrari has never sold a car with the engine behind the rear axle - but they have sold *many* cars with no engine under the hood which is the point I was making - that it is not unusual for a car to have a front trunk? Get it now?
Another pointer that you don't know what you are talking about - the 612 is not a collector's item, in fact it is only released in a few months. It is the replacemnt for the 456.
Ok, so you think I'm idiot and a retard. I get the point. I was thinking of the 412, not the 612. My bad.
Your "analysis" may be valid, but it's really not applicable. The title of the story is, "Are 64-bit Binaries Really Slower than 32-bit Binaries?" The author takes a 64-bit machine, compiles a few programs, and tests the resulting binaries to see which is faster.
How can you be certain that this isn't simply comparing the efficiency of the compilers - and not the resulting binaries???
Er, yes.
I obviously know about engine layout. Whether the engine is mid or rear mounted, it doesn't matter when you look under the hood - there is a front trunk regardless - which is what the thread was about.
I'm well aware of the mid engine vs. rear engine layout as I am the proud owner of a fully restored 1974 Porsche 914, and also a '95 993 C2.
Have a look at the sales figures for Ferrari - You will obviously see that obviously there have been way more 360's sold than 456's, 550's, or 612's. Obviously. I regularly see 360's driving on the GW parkway near Wash DC where I live, but seldom see a 550. 456's and 612's are collector's items now. I also see a few testarosas here and there which are mid engined.
All this high tech biometric stuff is almost as cool as these badgers. Woah...
Almost.
Who do all these people who are concerned about false labelling go to for enforcement?
I don't know, but please call me when you do.
I never did gain my promised "3+ inches", I havent lost any weight, and I'm STILL waiting for my new Nigerian friends to transfer the money to me.
But to the vast, vast majority of Americans, it IS irrelevant. They aren't interested and they don't regret missing out on those things. Then when one of us does say, "WTF is a tatra?" (complete with implied arrogance/apathy toward the rest of the world) people act like you have to be a really dumb American to not know. No, you have to be a really interested American to know.
Ok, That makes sense. I can agree with that.
From a purely pragmatic point of view though, it does seem pretty dumb to not know or care about what the other five billion humans on this planet are doing. I suppose that if someone finds a Big Mac to be acceptable as food, they wouldn't care one bit about Shanghai dumplings.
Oh yea .. and how could you forget THE THING? (since you mentioned a few VWs)
And don't forget the Karmann Ghia!!
Oh yeah, and the Swiss. No one can argue that the Swiss aren't the best watch makers in the world.
Or that the Japanese aren't the best electronics manufacturers in the world.
So in conclusion, it is ignorant to think that just because it isn't made or sold in the US, that it is irrlevant.
I'm not trying to be arrogant, but I honestly can't understand why people think that the rest of the world is so damn relevant to Americans. It's thousands of miles away, it has no industry that we don't do ourselves in some fashion, and for the last 50 years we've been exporting our culture, not importing theirs. I'm not trying to be arrogant, but the simple fact is that aside from personal curiosity, there isn't much reason for the typical American to have any idea what a Tatra is or keep up to date with the current events on the other side of the planet. I don't think it's a great situation, but there it is.
Agreed that Americans don't need do keep up with foreign events/culture/industry because America is a large producer itself.
Some people do however choose to broaden their horizons and realize that Americans are less then 10% of the earth's human population, and there is a LOT more out there than can be found in the US.
In addition, the US does manufacture just about everything there is to make, however, much of it is not very high quality compared to what other nations can produce. Cars for example - The US has nothing that can even compete with a $140,000 Mercedes CL600 in the super-luxury class. Or a $200,000 Ferrari 360 in the sports car class. Food is another example. Have you ever eaten at a small town cafe in the south of France? The food is like heaven. The only places that produce exceptional meals in the US are $100 per plate uber expensive restaurants. Or how about clothing? No one will dispute that Italy is the king of clothing fashion and design.
The point is, that sure you can have an American made product for every good you desire - but it's probably something better to be had if you open your mind and venture outside your US "security blanket".
but to move closer to the topic, thats pretty impressive stuff in that car. it never ceases to amaze me how geeks like i hope to be can interface with engines and computers like that. anybody know where i can learn more about it?
Easy: Buy a 1994 and up VW, Audi, Seat or Skoda. They all have a computer interface port where you can interface with all the electronic gadgets in the car. Everything from the airbags to the stereo, the transmission (if it's auto), tons of engine parameters... basically everything that runs on electricity is wired into the central system.
And VW (who owns Audi Seat Skoda and also Lamborghini, Rolls Royce and Bentley) has always openly published the communication protocols and specs to their interfaces - very Open Source like.
Read more Here. These guys make an interface cable and software to communicate with your car. It plugs into your PC or laptop using standard RS-232 serial port or USB. I have a Turbo diesel Jetta and I can put a laptop in the passenger seat and monitor turbo boost pressure, anti-lock brake status, and even radio station information from the laptop!! I've always wondered why more hackers haven't been interested in these car brands since they have such open communication specs.... MAybe someone here can start a project on sourceforge to create a Linux client program to talk to my car?? (It's Windows only right now)
Because where the guy lives he probably can't afford a car like that even if he saves for the next 10 years ?
I don't think so pal. Tatras were competition for Mercedes, Jaguar, Bentley, and Rolls Royce.
This car cost more than your house.
WTF is a tatra?!?
You must live in Alabama or West Virginia.
A Tatra is a Czech car. They've been making cars for over 100 years.
Here are some production figures for the country's various auto brands. FYI Skoda is now owned by Volkswagen.
I wonder at what point this becomes over-kill. I wonder was it worth all the work (e.g. is it that useful).
Seeing as this is a Russian car, I was hoping I had some witty In Soviet Russia joke handy... but I dont. Anyhow, This car was a creme de la creme top of the line luxury automobile. Modding a car is only worth it if (1) the mods are tasteful (i.e. not rice-boy) and (2) if the car is worth it. Is it worth it to spend $5000 modifying a '94 Honda Civic that's only worth $3k? No. Is it worth it to spend $5000 modifying a '94 Mercedes S600 (still sells for >$30k today). Absolutely.
On the "bright side", however, I can purchase a Toyota Prius and get a lot of the same functionality without all the work (and with 60+ miles per gallon)... of course, then I can't brag I have a Mac in my car and can't add things to it... but you get the picture.
Yes, but a Toyota Prius is a tin can, waiting to be squished by the nearest Ford SUV that feels like flipping over that day. This Tatra is a LARGE very substantial V8 powered luxury car. Tatra originally made cars targeted towards Soviet Russia's ruling elite. Not even close to the same category as a Prius.
I doubt it, seeing as how he replaced his ENGINE with a POWERMAC!
You DO know that this is a rear-engine car? Unless you live in the US in the deep south, rear engined cars are commonplace. VW Beetle, VW Bus, Porsche 911, most Ferraris...
One could argue that if one has one's 'filters' set to high, one can end up screening out anything NEW. New experiences are what keeps the mind growing. So - I have visions of hordes of drones soaked in a safe, porn-tinted perceptual cocoon. Not saying that the idea doesn't have merit, but I think it can be abused.
Well, considering most content seems to be created like This, it's no wonder we need content filters.
Somewhere on Mars sits little Timmy the alien, wondering why Santa brought him another dumb robot this year.
Funny that this makes it on the news. Where was /. a few years back?
Yes, it is very funny how the dems like to "have it both ways" on almost every controversial issue.
Since this is a politically driven thread, I thought I'd add this little blurb written by an American General currently in Iraq. Since we tend to get all our news from CNN, there is a great deal of news we never hear about. Here is some of that news.
In this horrendous economy you should be glad you have a job in IT and not spending your time surfing Careerpath.com, Monster and DICE.
Um. Wake-up buddy. The economy is doing very well right now. The NYSE is over 10000 again and the NASDAQ is over 2000.
Many economists believe that the recession ended as early as Nov 2001. Yes, more than two years ago.
I was laid off about a year ago, but found a new (higher paying) job in under three months. So did all the folks that I know who got laid off.
that you get identified as the Squeaky Wheel.
True, but the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Either that or the squeaky wheel gets replaced. It's a toss-up. Personally, I would just shut my mouth and do my job. If something was bothering me that much, I would type up a concise letter with recommendations and slip it under the big boss's door. Anonymously of course.
Dude it runs on windows(R)
;-)
Dude, don't you work for Dell?
How will I know? I will see the unexplained network trafic.
Sure. If you are doing nothing but browsing the web. But what about if you are ftp'ing files at the same time, or are a member of bittorrent or freenet? Or are running some other P2P application? The list goes on.
Why should the websites that these people are seeing the ads on be forced to develop and support a website free of charge? Those sites have to pay the bills somehow, and for many, ads are the way to go. That sucks if your internet connection makes it such that larger ads cost you more. If that's the case, get your news/entertainment/what-have-you from a site that doesn't use such large ads.
It is you sir who have the wrong perspective.
Who is forcing the web site to provide the content free of charge? I'm not. They should start a pay-subscription service if they don't want to give the content away.
They should NOT trick users into downloading large advertising content while hiding behind the premise that they have bills to pay.
People don't have to receive corporate advertising. No one is standing there with a gun forcing you to go to web sites that have ads.
The article clearly states that the large video advertisement is downloaded in the background, hidden from the user, and doesnt display until the download is complete.
How are you to know which sites use these ads and which don't if you don't know about the ad until it's already been downloaded!!
Think about it.