And a C3 800 (biggest thing on the VIA eden platform as of yet) has all the horsepower of a Celeron at 300..
Mini-ITX is pretty much unsuitable for many tasks, this is probably one of 'em. Frankly, IMO, they're only good for sticking in lunchboxes/stuffed toys to get your 'case mod' posted on slashdot.
The answer to all of your questions is: Don't pay. Dispute the charge with your creditor/bank.
What I want to know is, so what? If you use the service, chances are pretty damn good you have cable/dsl/t1, and have an always-on connection in the first place.
>> I don't know too many non-programmers who write Python.
I do. I know lots of people who can easily pick up the basics of python, vbscript, javascript, and yet don't know how to compile the linux kernel (or even care).
Lots of people know to embed macros and scripts into their office documents, and yet aren't computer scientists, or nerds.
You shouldn't assume that just because people don't give a shit, doesn't mean they're incapable.
I think the flexatx/microatx thing has more to do with power requirements.
Unless you have a long-ass extension cord, I don't see how you can pump the watts to your P4 cpu.
Contrarily, if you do have the extension cord, I don't see what stops you from doing so.
I like the idea of using a laptop rather than some sort of embedded system. You can upgrade it. You can take your 500 mhz laptop out, use a shiny new 5ghz based laptop, and make your robot that much more complex.
Much better than getting locked into some sort of proprietary "Robo-Control(tm)" embedded controller, at least for the hobbiest.
>> instead of getting off their butts and providing what we want to buy
But if the 'we' you're referring to is insignificant, they have no real incentive to provide it.
My daughter would probably want it in pink, but I don't see that option either.
The linux, and OSS in general, communities dont realize how few their numbers are, and how little people care about them, when it comes to consumer level stuff like this. And it's a huge weakness that keeps it well out of the mainstream.
I don't think you have to devote an entire laptop. This is really just an expensive toy, like the Lego Mindstorm but bigger.
The only use I see is as an semi-autonomous, mobile laptop holder.
When you aren't playing with it, you take your laptop with you.
Though, It would nice to see it just have something like a micro-ATX form factor case, and you could just mount whatever cheap components inside to make up the 'brains'. (though then you'd have to power it, which is probably why not)
And you can see by MSFTs actions they are being reasonable.
They don't have a problem with:
Backup Wizard for Windows(R)
But they do have a problem with:
Windows Backup Wizard.
And, parent already stated the reasons why. The second is misleading, and connotes some sort of MSFT sanction. The first plainly denotes a 3rd party product designed for Windows.
I might just write a military strategy game and call it "The Linux Colonel".
>> Thus, no one should heed MS's demands to change their name.
Why not? They're only asking, not demanding.
Trademarked or not, I can see why microsoft doesn't want every stupid jackasses cheesy little program having Windows in the name.
Joe User sees 'Windows' in the name of an app, and assumes it's either from MS, or somehow approved by them. It's misleading, and in instances, fraudulent.
In the end, they should have came up with a better name that they could trademark. "Windowing OS" was already an established generic term in CS before they applied.
1) To strive to equal or excel, especially through imitation: an older pupil whose accomplishments and style I emulated.
2) To compete with successfully; approach or attain equality with.
3) Computer Science. To imitate the function of (another system), as by modifications to hardware or software that allow the imitating system to accept the same data, execute the same programs, and achieve the same results as the imitated system
Yes, emulation DOES take place. Wine(X) IS an emulator, regardless of how the emulation is performed. Dynamic recompilation/linking is emulation, just as much as is 'hardware' emulation.
FreeBSD IS emulating linux, linux is emulating windows. Cygwin is emulating unix.
And thats that.
Quit redefining the english language to invent some nerdier-than-thou smartassing.
>> Open source products are either first rate or absolutely crappy. There is no middle ground
I disagree. And this point intermingles with the first, lack of documentation. For instance, I've used proprietary software, that was chock full of bugs - yet the bugs were well documented to me, as well as workarounds.
I've also seen open source software, while I'm sure its just the bees knees, I couldnt make head nor tail out of, and dismissed completely.
I think what the submitter is asking, is "will everything be free one day, like in Star Trek?"
>> Why do other nations have wireless networks that are so much better than those found in the USA?
Other nations are the size of Maine. Look at a map, and tell me how you propose 100% coverage.
>> If you follow the Linux news sites you'll see lots of foreign organizations, particularly governments, looking to make big switchovers to Linux and other open source software
You'd see many US govt agencies doing the same thing, if you weren't blinded by jealousy.
Linux will never live on everyones desktop. It will never be much more than a 'tolerable' desktop environment.
Now, with all the open-source hoobldy doo and work going into wine, samba, etc, why has noone started a project to copyleft *the* defacto desktop standard we all know and love, Windows.
I mean really, whats so taboo about starting with an open source kernel, binary compatible with the NT kernel, then a desktop manager and supporting apps, functionally compatible with Windows. Port all that wine nonsense over so you have compatible APIs to build from.
The drivers and hardware support is largely supplied by the hardware vendors anyways, so thats already done.
Add your own window manager, simmer and stir, and you've got yourself a compatable OS.
And no whining about how 'insecure' and 'crappy' it is - because OS developers wouldnt make mistakes, right?
Someone tell me why I'm wrong, and a reason other than the obvious: the OS community doesn't have the resources and skill set to do what Microsoft spent years and billions doing.
Slashdot Mirror
>> Put on some powerful magnets on the back of one of these, and you got yourself a cheap internet fridge
p ?p roduct_code=298364
At 2 to 3 grand a pop, you got a real funny definition of the word "cheap".
Here's the one Danny-boy is crusading against, err, reviewing:
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.as
>> What about Mini-ITX, instead of Mini-ATX?
Well, the requirements are a P3 500+
And a C3 800 (biggest thing on the VIA eden platform as of yet) has all the horsepower of a Celeron at 300..
Mini-ITX is pretty much unsuitable for many tasks, this is probably one of 'em. Frankly, IMO, they're only good for sticking in lunchboxes/stuffed toys to get your 'case mod' posted on slashdot.
>> Nobody has to recompile the kernel to use Linux. Nobody has to recompile the kernel to use Linux
Doesn't work that way with probably 95% of the laptops out there.
>> Heh. What's the difference if you fool around with Python on Windows or Linux?
A usable and intuitive environment
the thing with his little "MS did a great job... of naming it" line in his 'philosophical impressions' (fuck your philosophy, btw).
The rest of the article is pretty much praising different features and whatnot that he liked.
Sounds like someones pissed that another may succeed where they had failed.
The answer to all of your questions is: Don't pay. Dispute the charge with your creditor/bank.
What I want to know is, so what? If you use the service, chances are pretty damn good you have cable/dsl/t1, and have an always-on connection in the first place.
>> I don't know too many non-programmers who write Python.
I do. I know lots of people who can easily pick up the basics of python, vbscript, javascript, and yet don't know how to compile the linux kernel (or even care).
Lots of people know to embed macros and scripts into their office documents, and yet aren't computer scientists, or nerds.
You shouldn't assume that just because people don't give a shit, doesn't mean they're incapable.
>> Sigh, Harsh Realm got cancelled way back, and a movie like this got funding :(
Yeah. The movie industry likes to make films large groups of people enjoy, and reap these crazy things called profits.
Shame they don't throw more money away on loser sci-fi epics like Waterworld or Battlefield: Earth.
BTW, noone made you watch it. But you did. And, thanks in part to you, there'll be a sequel.
I think the flexatx/microatx thing has more to do with power requirements.
Unless you have a long-ass extension cord, I don't see how you can pump the watts to your P4 cpu.
Contrarily, if you do have the extension cord, I don't see what stops you from doing so.
I like the idea of using a laptop rather than some sort of embedded system. You can upgrade it. You can take your 500 mhz laptop out, use a shiny new 5ghz based laptop, and make your robot that much more complex.
Much better than getting locked into some sort of proprietary "Robo-Control(tm)" embedded controller, at least for the hobbiest.
>> instead of getting off their butts and providing what we want to buy
But if the 'we' you're referring to is insignificant, they have no real incentive to provide it.
My daughter would probably want it in pink, but I don't see that option either.
The linux, and OSS in general, communities dont realize how few their numbers are, and how little people care about them, when it comes to consumer level stuff like this. And it's a huge weakness that keeps it well out of the mainstream.
Theres this crazy website called google.
Go look up how to interface to parallel/serial port, drive stepper motors, servos and relays, and design your robot.
1. any different from taking a baseball bat to someones car, mailbox, bicycle?
2. Same way you catch any other vandal.
3. Destruction of property, vandalism
4. We already have them.
Listen. Its a toy. For non-programmers. For people who just want to screw around with it.
Makes perfect sense to me.
I don't think you have to devote an entire laptop. This is really just an expensive toy, like the Lego Mindstorm but bigger.
The only use I see is as an semi-autonomous, mobile laptop holder.
When you aren't playing with it, you take your laptop with you.
Though, It would nice to see it just have something like a micro-ATX form factor case, and you could just mount whatever cheap components inside to make up the 'brains'. (though then you'd have to power it, which is probably why not)
Sigh.. VB and Windows makes for extremely rapid and cheap development, not to mention 99% of consumers can actually use the product.
Don't OSS trolls know how to evaluate simple cost/benefit ratios any more?
-1:Not Anti-MS
Hey, mr Linux troll, if you really have a problem with this, then WRITE AN OPEN SOURCE ALTERNATIVE.
And if you can't, shut the fuck up, and quit criticizing those who CAN, but don't choose to do things the way you'd like.
BTW, they actually want to SELL these things. That might have something to do with choice of OS.
And you can see by MSFTs actions they are being reasonable.
They don't have a problem with:
Backup Wizard for Windows(R)
But they do have a problem with:
Windows Backup Wizard.
And, parent already stated the reasons why. The second is misleading, and connotes some sort of MSFT sanction. The first plainly denotes a 3rd party product designed for Windows.
I might just write a military strategy game and call it "The Linux Colonel".
>> Thus, no one should heed MS's demands to change their name.
Why not? They're only asking, not demanding.
Trademarked or not, I can see why microsoft doesn't want every stupid jackasses cheesy little program having Windows in the name.
Joe User sees 'Windows' in the name of an app, and assumes it's either from MS, or somehow approved by them. It's misleading, and in instances, fraudulent.
In the end, they should have came up with a better name that they could trademark. "Windowing OS" was already an established generic term in CS before they applied.
Read even more closely:
emulate ( P ) Pronunciation Key (my-lt)
tr.v. emulated, emulating, emulates
1) To strive to equal or excel, especially through imitation: an older pupil whose accomplishments and style I emulated.
2) To compete with successfully; approach or attain equality with.
3) Computer Science. To imitate the function of (another system), as by modifications to hardware or software that allow the imitating system to accept the same data, execute the same programs, and achieve the same results as the imitated system
Yes, emulation DOES take place. Wine(X) IS an emulator, regardless of how the emulation is performed. Dynamic recompilation/linking is emulation, just as much as is 'hardware' emulation.
FreeBSD IS emulating linux, linux is emulating windows. Cygwin is emulating unix.
And thats that.
Quit redefining the english language to invent some nerdier-than-thou smartassing.
See, thats what I'm talking about.. And someones actually working on it..
That's OSS going mainstream. Embrace and extend.
If you consider use in universities 'mainstream'.
Most consider campus life an unrealistic niche.
>> Open source products are either first rate or absolutely crappy. There is no middle ground
I disagree. And this point intermingles with the first, lack of documentation. For instance, I've used proprietary software, that was chock full of bugs - yet the bugs were well documented to me, as well as workarounds.
I've also seen open source software, while I'm sure its just the bees knees, I couldnt make head nor tail out of, and dismissed completely.
I think what the submitter is asking, is "will everything be free one day, like in Star Trek?"
Listen. I'm going to say this once.
OPEN SOURCE DOES NOT MEAN LINUX
CLOSED SOURCE DOES NOT MEAN WINDOWS
You, and your zealot bretheren, constantly make the logical fallacy of arguing from the specific to the general.
Ie; "A dog bit me. All dogs must be vicious."
Now rewrite your post without mention of GNU or MSFT.
>> maybe because its illegal? Such a project would definitly violate the DMCA (what dosn't?) plus a bunch of copyright/patent stuff I would imagine.
How so? any more than wine, samba or any of the software console emulators do now?
I'm talking about reverse engineering the platform from the kernel up.
Linux itself started this way, as a reverse-engineered version of Minix.
Legally, I see no barriers whatsoever.
>> Why do other nations have wireless networks that are so much better than those found in the USA?
Other nations are the size of Maine. Look at a map, and tell me how you propose 100% coverage.
>> If you follow the Linux news sites you'll see lots of foreign organizations, particularly governments, looking to make big switchovers to Linux and other open source software
You'd see many US govt agencies doing the same thing, if you weren't blinded by jealousy.
Linux will never live on everyones desktop. It will never be much more than a 'tolerable' desktop environment.
Now, with all the open-source hoobldy doo and work going into wine, samba, etc, why has noone started a project to copyleft *the* defacto desktop standard we all know and love, Windows.
I mean really, whats so taboo about starting with an open source kernel, binary compatible with the NT kernel, then a desktop manager and supporting apps, functionally compatible with Windows. Port all that wine nonsense over so you have compatible APIs to build from.
The drivers and hardware support is largely supplied by the hardware vendors anyways, so thats already done.
Add your own window manager, simmer and stir, and you've got yourself a compatable OS.
And no whining about how 'insecure' and 'crappy' it is - because OS developers wouldnt make mistakes, right?
Someone tell me why I'm wrong, and a reason other than the obvious: the OS community doesn't have the resources and skill set to do what Microsoft spent years and billions doing.