Well, one thing that could potentially draw industry support would be the relative platform independence in it. By that, I mean that they'd be writing to one platform (the LGB). It's essentially the same thing as writing Java applications to a JVM but a little better. If a LGB supported Mac hardware as well as PC hardware, you get the additional users of that platform for free. If not, you still have a stable interface across Windows machines and most Linux machines. This may require that more desktops are used by Macs and Linux to motivate the industry. But once it gets down to just ~90% Windows machines, that additional 10% of desktops might begin to look attractive.
Regarding the data storage problem, (as someone else alluded to), there might be a way to detect the current filesystem on the hard-drive and use it. Just plop a directory for the game down, and use as much space as is available. If they boot up their Windows OS after playing a game they should see a directory for the game and recognize that they probably don't want to wipe it out. There's probably even better ways to do this.
This might be where a bootable and community-developed Linux gaming distro could step in. It could provide a consistent base from which companies can deploy their games. They would just download the most recent stable version of the base, hook their game in and burn a copy to sell. So, for example they could say their game is built on version 1.2.4 of the Linux Gaming Base. This has the benefit of being similar to a console game (from the game's perspective), and the Linux base could be continually improved. This way you have a community as well as any other gaming companies involved in assuring the base is solid.
I think the teams that were in this challenge will have a considerably easier time next go (2006?). Partly, because of the extra time to develop. But also because they know exactly what the challenge requires (I assume they get to keep the waypoint coordinates). This means they can either practice on the actual course they used this year, or create there own that is comparable. This would account for this real-world model that you're talking about. Hopefully, next time they'll have much more success. I'm impressed that any of them made if farther than a mile!
I had a cellular biology teacher that did the same thing. Surprisingly, I found this particular class lends itself to powerpoint presentations and other visual aids. Biology is one of the courses that is very helpful to see how things fit together to understand it. You can absorb a lot more information that way. What people in the class would do is print out the PP presentation before class (w/ ~6 slides a sheet), and take notes in the margins. I quite liked it, but it would be annoying for most other classes (especially math classes).
But for most practical purposes, the quantum effects don't appear to be significant on the macroscopic level. That's the reason Newton's Laws worked for so long, and for many cases work well enough still. If the processes that occur in the brain can effectively be modelled with Newton's laws and higher level equations, it should be reasonable to think that we could _eventually_ anticipate one's actions. To capture all of the state variables of a given individual would become the most daunting part at that point.
My point is that when a large number of probabilistic terms fall one way (like all heads out of a series of coin tosses), for all intents and purposes, it can be considered a deterministic process.
I don't get the impression that they will be trying to grab ratings to sell to advertisers like the traditional science-related channels. It sounds more like they'd stick a video camera in a university classroom and transmit that. (i.e. The CSPAN of Science). It seems this would require a fairly low-budget, and probably be supported by donations and grants. Therefore, no need to pander.
Then why hasn't CSPAN died? Or CSPAN2? They're horribly boring, but they still manage to survive. Apparently, there is a niche for that type of programming, why not science?
Two American citizens and a Russian won the 2003 Nobel Prize (search) in physics for their work in the bizarre field of quantum physics, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said
It's interesting that the RSAS thinks that quantum physics is bizarre. Thanks Fox.
I understand that. However, I'm suggesting the only way you could reasonably sell the music without giving your account information out (as you should be able to do based on the First Sale Doctrine), you put yourself out there for prosecution under the DMCA. However, I don't know that Apple would attempt that and this statement seems that they're trying not to piss off the RIAA or consumers right now.
I suspect that they would push for prosecution to protect their business model if this becomes common though. It's a sticky situation for them, because if they allow cracking the RIAA will probably be all over them (and this might violate agreements with them), but if they don't and people want to sell this it could become a new avenue for piracy. In general, this seems to be a case where there is a chance the DMCA could be challenged in courts and have a decent chance to win.
This seems to be exactly what the Ebay guy wanted to challenge. Is Apple not violating a buyer's right to sell their property under the First Sale Doctrine if they prevent the user (maybe through the DMCA) from transferring it? I would say they are. Obviously, this challenge could also be applied to alternative forms of legitimate digital media and clearly shows the extent to how much the DMCA tramples consumer rights.
That's because few really want them. The videophone seems like the next evolution of the telephone (nearly common-sense), but who wants to look at someone right after they got up in the morning (or in some other awkward position). I don't. ..
How is it Microsoft's fault if users run the attachment? Is it Linus Torvalds' fault when there's a sendmail hole? Is that suddenly a "Linux hole?"
No, it's a GNU/Linux hole.:)
According to numerouse reports such as this, two Russian cosmonauts got it on in 1995. (Of course, they denied it because they're both married to other people.)
That's interesting. However, what programs did your mother use when the machine just had Linux on it? Just email and browsing I suppose?
For those users, I think Linux is ready. However, people needing specialized apps that require more than the occasional mouse-clicks (i.e. an office suite) are going to want to use what they're familiar with. By your example and my experience as well, the Linux system is ready for general users, but the apps are not necessarily ready. Of course, I find Open Office suitable for my few needs and I expect most people would as well if they become familiar with it, but I'm afraid that the consistency between apps on the different platforms should be stronger to minimize the barrier to entry for the casual user.
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Gilgamesh has a flood story in it as well.
It might reduce the likelihood since the guy that left is the one quoted in the article about Open-sourcing Java.
But it would have also been the tenth planet discovered.
I think it was called Planet X because it would be the tenth planet. That is, roman numeral X. Not because it's an unknown variable.
Well, one thing that could potentially draw industry support would be the relative platform independence in it. By that, I mean that they'd be writing to one platform (the LGB). It's essentially the same thing as writing Java applications to a JVM but a little better. If a LGB supported Mac hardware as well as PC hardware, you get the additional users of that platform for free. If not, you still have a stable interface across Windows machines and most Linux machines. This may require that more desktops are used by Macs and Linux to motivate the industry. But once it gets down to just ~90% Windows machines, that additional 10% of desktops might begin to look attractive.
Regarding the data storage problem, (as someone else alluded to), there might be a way to detect the current filesystem on the hard-drive and use it. Just plop a directory for the game down, and use as much space as is available. If they boot up their Windows OS after playing a game they should see a directory for the game and recognize that they probably don't want to wipe it out. There's probably even better ways to do this.
This might be where a bootable and community-developed Linux gaming distro could step in. It could provide a consistent base from which companies can deploy their games. They would just download the most recent stable version of the base, hook their game in and burn a copy to sell. So, for example they could say their game is built on version 1.2.4 of the Linux Gaming Base. This has the benefit of being similar to a console game (from the game's perspective), and the Linux base could be continually improved. This way you have a community as well as any other gaming companies involved in assuring the base is solid.
I think the teams that were in this challenge will have a considerably easier time next go (2006?). Partly, because of the extra time to develop. But also because they know exactly what the challenge requires (I assume they get to keep the waypoint coordinates). This means they can either practice on the actual course they used this year, or create there own that is comparable. This would account for this real-world model that you're talking about. Hopefully, next time they'll have much more success. I'm impressed that any of them made if farther than a mile!
See here and here. This could get interesting. . .
It is precisely what Joel is talking about. He just didn't make the connection as explicit. Mod parent up please!
Definitely sounds like Mr. O'Reilly.
I had a cellular biology teacher that did the same thing. Surprisingly, I found this particular class lends itself to powerpoint presentations and other visual aids. Biology is one of the courses that is very helpful to see how things fit together to understand it. You can absorb a lot more information that way. What people in the class would do is print out the PP presentation before class (w/ ~6 slides a sheet), and take notes in the margins. I quite liked it, but it would be annoying for most other classes (especially math classes).
But for most practical purposes, the quantum effects don't appear to be significant on the macroscopic level. That's the reason Newton's Laws worked for so long, and for many cases work well enough still. If the processes that occur in the brain can effectively be modelled with Newton's laws and higher level equations, it should be reasonable to think that we could _eventually_ anticipate one's actions. To capture all of the state variables of a given individual would become the most daunting part at that point.
My point is that when a large number of probabilistic terms fall one way (like all heads out of a series of coin tosses), for all intents and purposes, it can be considered a deterministic process.
I don't get the impression that they will be trying to grab ratings to sell to advertisers like the traditional science-related channels. It sounds more like they'd stick a video camera in a university classroom and transmit that. (i.e. The CSPAN of Science). It seems this would require a fairly low-budget, and probably be supported by donations and grants. Therefore, no need to pander.
Then why hasn't CSPAN died? Or CSPAN2? They're horribly boring, but they still manage to survive. Apparently, there is a niche for that type of programming, why not science?
You mean they're not suing them?
Two American citizens and a Russian won the 2003 Nobel Prize (search) in physics for their work in the bizarre field of quantum physics, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said
It's interesting that the RSAS thinks that quantum physics is bizarre. Thanks Fox.
I suspect that they would push for prosecution to protect their business model if this becomes common though. It's a sticky situation for them, because if they allow cracking the RIAA will probably be all over them (and this might violate agreements with them), but if they don't and people want to sell this it could become a new avenue for piracy. In general, this seems to be a case where there is a chance the DMCA could be challenged in courts and have a decent chance to win.
This seems to be exactly what the Ebay guy wanted to challenge. Is Apple not violating a buyer's right to sell their property under the First Sale Doctrine if they prevent the user (maybe through the DMCA) from transferring it? I would say they are. Obviously, this challenge could also be applied to alternative forms of legitimate digital media and clearly shows the extent to how much the DMCA tramples consumer rights.
That's because few really want them. The videophone seems like the next evolution of the telephone (nearly common-sense), but who wants to look at someone right after they got up in the morning (or in some other awkward position). I don't. . .
How is it Microsoft's fault if users run the attachment? Is it Linus Torvalds' fault when there's a sendmail hole? Is that suddenly a "Linux hole?" :)
No, it's a GNU/Linux hole.
According to numerouse reports such as this, two Russian cosmonauts got it on in 1995. (Of course, they denied it because they're both married to other people.)
Seinfeld used it as a reference to the Superman comics.
As dmaxwell indicated yesterday, another outrageous statement from SCO to pump the stock. I hope Red Hat and IBM nail them for this.
I just got a copy of this and it seems really good so far. It also got good reviews on Amazon.
That's interesting. However, what programs did your mother use when the machine just had Linux on it? Just email and browsing I suppose?
For those users, I think Linux is ready. However, people needing specialized apps that require more than the occasional mouse-clicks (i.e. an office suite) are going to want to use what they're familiar with. By your example and my experience as well, the Linux system is ready for general users, but the apps are not necessarily ready. Of course, I find Open Office suitable for my few needs and I expect most people would as well if they become familiar with it, but I'm afraid that the consistency between apps on the different platforms should be stronger to minimize the barrier to entry for the casual user.