OK, this is one point of view, but as an embedded SW engineer I find a requirement for 128M of RAM hard to accept for almost anything. It comes about when performance becomes way more important than conserving size - and this is probably because while we can add more RAM, it's harder to add more cycles. Although, if it was impossible to have 128M for some reason we would have all those features and probably even about the same performance, because it would have been necessary to think a little harder about making it small.
For another perspective take a look at www.qnx.com - download their demo floppy. On one bootable disk they get a realtime OS, TCP/IP, drivers for either network or serial port, GUI, a tiny OS and a web browser.
It's interesting to think about just how small a modern OS could be, if it was engineered in a clean way.
As an aside on the RAM issue, I got my G4 cube this morning - has to be seen to be believed. Tiny. Great keyboard, that works fine on the USB PC system too. And it's silent. It came with 64M, and I slotted in a 256M PC133 module I had in another system. Apple offer 256M instead of 64M for $450 extra. The extra 256M SIMM costs $300 from a PC supplier, giving a total of 320M. What Apple's memory strategy seems to be is to rip off people that don't know any better. And you must agree, a lot of computer consumers don't.
One little problem for buyers of new Macs:
the base configuration for the G4 cube, the base G4, all the iMacs except the DV "Special Edition" and the iBooks is 64M. Almost all buyers of Macs to date will be forced to upgrade to run this, if they haven't already. My guess is that if it can't be installed without at least 128M (as the article states), many just won't bother.
The problem is not that I don't have 128M... the problem is that I don't think any OS should require that much.
Infocom games are increasingly hard to get. On Ebay they are popular, and the collections are selling for more and more. I sold one "Masterpieces" CD-ROM for $60 - original retail price $15. I still have two, one sealed, but I'll be keeping them. If you want just one archive, this is the one to get - it has all the (vital) maps and other items in pdf format. These games didn't use copy protection as such, but most contained clues in the packaging that you needed to get anywhere.
The "Lost Treasures of Infocom" packages are also extremely hard to find, and the CD-ROM version of the second instalment is about the only way to get their later graphical adventures, like Arthur and Shogun.
Even if I don't have time to play them I still like knowing that I have them all. I have HHGTTG (two copies) also, which is not on the "Masterpieces" CD.
Sadly, your congressman will never read it. Just look at the news on TV - you have to get your message across quickly. It's all about sound bites, short video clips. For another example, think of what you send to a company you want to work for - do you write a book, or one concise page?
Once you get to testify before a grand jury you can read a letter like that. Until then keep your message short, or it's too hard for them.
I don't see anything in the post regarding the frequency with which they break, but that they do eventually. You're not going to argue that keyboards last forever?
Besides breaking, don't you dislike the way a keyboard gets polished with use? I have an IBM ThinkPad where the space, return, and a few other keys are almost mirror finish by now.
Relax! Not a flame, just an answer. These are the areas where keyboards are not perfect and some other means of input might be an improvement.
And no, I don't care to use public transportation. Is never as direct as walking or driving or riding a bike, frequently is late or doesn't appear at all, and usually stinks.
They collect dust and hair and spilled beverages. They eventually break. They make noise when used. If you have a nice wooden desk they mark it. They require either cables, or if using radio or IR, batteries. They come in standard sizes, while hands don't. They contain useless keys. (case in point - the Windows keys) If you have to share them you get to pick up whatever's on the fingers of your co-workers - and in most cases you probably don't want to know what that is.
There are probably lots mroe bad things about keyboards, but that's enough for now.
You don't have to go to a Radio Shack store - in two days you can order one online.
http://www.cuecat.com/getcat_form.html
It's usually a waste of time going in there, even if everything was free.
Re:PC is hardly dead - but it may not be very well
on
Vanishing Game Genres
·
· Score: 1
Don't forget Myth - I don't know how anyone could say that is not original. (Its closest might be the Ancient Art of War, by Broderbund, of which it is certainly partially derivative, but by no means a copy)
"rabu" is a typical Japanization of the English word "love" - you find it in "rabu hoteru" (love hotel) and other phrases spelt with Katakana rather than Hiragana characters.
They are an intellectual property company, with important patents, and they collect royalties from some major players in the memory business. They are negotiating with many more. The fact that these megacorps are PAYING rather than FIGHTING the payments should tell you something - that something is RMBS DID contribute significantly to advances in memory technology, and DO own the patents. In fact it is RMBS initiating cour action to collect royalties, the manufacturers are the ones giving up.
I could accept your Open Source/Free Software religion resenting this, but it's a fact that in the USA patents are solid. These aren't just one-click kind of patents either, they are examples of the kind of research that brings us the hardware we know and love today.
God forbid anyone should make money in the computer business.... sigh.
...is uncanny. Actually, emmett IS Steve Jobs. A freak wormhole has passed a copy back through time. (no need to explain further;/. readers understand these things) We are therefore destined to have at least two more cube computer products that people buy for reasons of appearance rather than functionality.
Makers of black turtle-neck garments are said to have rejoiced at this news.
I am so looking forward to seeing the response from all those Apple zealot sites. You know, the ones that responded with such righteous indignation when eMachines began selling something that looked like an Apple product.
Dumb, dumb, dumb! Even IF the handwriting recognition is 100% (and I agree, my Newton MP2000 wrked really well) who CAN'T type faster than they can write?
Sure there are some people, and the opportunity for input systems catering for people who have difficulties with keyboards are enormous, but those numbers hardly make a viable product.
The keyboard MUST be at least optional, something like a removable DVD drive in a Thinkpad - carry it for more functionality, or leave it behind for less weight.
How does a working NSA officer justify the invasion of privacy necessary to carry out the kind of work that is done?
From the outside it would appear that some kind of high moral stance would be necessary to be able to carry on that kind of work. Do people feel like white hats, protecting the world from "evil"? Or do they feel like they are themselves doing evil, but necessary evil? Gray hats, if you like?
Does the NSA provide any counselling for officers who have difficulty with this apparent conflict?
DAT tapes are hopelessly crippled because they are hopelessly fucked. Magnetic tape? You must be joking. Deterioration of magnetic tape is measured in years - at least you can rely on a CD for decades.
As the original poster pointed out, we have won our victories because at the end of the day WE have the power - WE have what the recording industry wants, that is, the sweat of our brows in the form of banknotes. Unfortunately for people who like DAT, they are in the minority.
The forecast is grimmer for the future - but the reason for that is that we will possibly lose some of the great classics simply because they don't make the jump to the new technology. I don't have a VHS machine, only DVD. "The Princess Bride" was released only this month, and it's been in every top-100 list I've ever seen. "Withnail & I" and Kenneth Branagh's complete "Hamlet" are STILL not even rumored to be released any time soon. I really do hope I see a reply with "Score 5, Informative" telling me where I might get these on DVD.
An Australian film about the bushranger Ned Kelly is thought to be one of the oldest films ever made. It can still be viewed, and there is still hope that one day a complete copy will be found, because although it was printed to volatile cellulose all you have to do is shine a light through while not exposing it to naked flame. What will you get out of a VHS tape in 100 years?
Excuse me for not wanting magnetic tape in my personal collection, but it is less durable than my person, and I like anything I buy to last at least for my lifetime.
I like a good keyboard. I liked the feel of the G4's USB keyboard a lot, and even though it looked smaller the keys were actually the same size as the Keytronic I use now. I stopped using it because not having home/end and a couple of other keys interrupted the way I work. So when I saw the new keyboard with all the keys I want, I called the Apple store right away.
"Are you aware there will be a 45 day wait before that ships?"
And when the Apple Store says that up front... don't expect it to ship this year.
Better - when a bad writer bores someone we could force them to suffer the aggregate time spent reading the article watching Barney the Dinosaur. Can you imagine how long 5 minutes x n Slashdot readers is?:-)
Always buy the extended warranty if you have to buy a Mac
There can be no reason compelling enough when a company decides short term profit is worth more than a long term association with the customer. When that happens you have to start wondering whether they have long term plans at all...
Slashdot Mirror
OK, this is one point of view, but as an embedded SW engineer I find a requirement for 128M of RAM hard to accept for almost anything. It comes about when performance becomes way more important than conserving size - and this is probably because while we can add more RAM, it's harder to add more cycles. Although, if it was impossible to have 128M for some reason we would have all those features and probably even about the same performance, because it would have been necessary to think a little harder about making it small.
For another perspective take a look at www.qnx.com - download their demo floppy. On one bootable disk they get a realtime OS, TCP/IP, drivers for either network or serial port, GUI, a tiny OS and a web browser.
It's interesting to think about just how small a modern OS could be, if it was engineered in a clean way.
As an aside on the RAM issue, I got my G4 cube this morning - has to be seen to be believed. Tiny. Great keyboard, that works fine on the USB PC system too. And it's silent. It came with 64M, and I slotted in a 256M PC133 module I had in another system. Apple offer 256M instead of 64M for $450 extra. The extra 256M SIMM costs $300 from a PC supplier, giving a total of 320M. What Apple's memory strategy seems to be is to rip off people that don't know any better. And you must agree, a lot of computer consumers don't.
One little problem for buyers of new Macs:
the base configuration for the G4 cube, the base G4, all the iMacs except the DV "Special Edition" and the iBooks is 64M. Almost all buyers of Macs to date will be forced to upgrade to run this, if they haven't already. My guess is that if it can't be installed without at least 128M (as the article states), many just won't bother.
The problem is not that I don't have 128M... the problem is that I don't think any OS should require that much.
Requires 128 M of RAM
Requires 1.5G of disk
Requires an original Mac video card with one monitor only (No 3dfx allowed)
...Requires a complete suspension of disbelief and a blind love for Apple.
Infocom games are increasingly hard to get. On Ebay they are popular, and the collections are selling for more and more. I sold one "Masterpieces" CD-ROM for $60 - original retail price $15. I still have two, one sealed, but I'll be keeping them. If you want just one archive, this is the one to get - it has all the (vital) maps and other items in pdf format. These games didn't use copy protection as such, but most contained clues in the packaging that you needed to get anywhere.
The "Lost Treasures of Infocom" packages are also extremely hard to find, and the CD-ROM version of the second instalment is about the only way to get their later graphical adventures, like Arthur and Shogun.
Even if I don't have time to play them I still like knowing that I have them all. I have HHGTTG (two copies) also, which is not on the "Masterpieces" CD.
I think your memory of the game is a bit off, you don't HAVE to put it in your ear, it just lands there when all the other conditions are right.
Captain Loogie in da house!
You think a congressman has ten minutes to spend reading every letter received? Or even that a congressman's aide or secretary does?
Sadly, your congressman will never read it. Just look at the news on TV - you have to get your message across quickly. It's all about sound bites, short video clips. For another example, think of what you send to a company you want to work for - do you write a book, or one concise page?
Once you get to testify before a grand jury you can read a letter like that. Until then keep your message short, or it's too hard for them.
I don't see anything in the post regarding the frequency with which they break, but that they do eventually. You're not going to argue that keyboards last forever?
Besides breaking, don't you dislike the way a keyboard gets polished with use? I have an IBM ThinkPad where the space, return, and a few other keys are almost mirror finish by now.
Relax! Not a flame, just an answer. These are the areas where keyboards are not perfect and some other means of input might be an improvement.
And no, I don't care to use public transportation. Is never as direct as walking or driving or riding a bike, frequently is late or doesn't appear at all, and usually stinks.
Here's why the no keyboard fetish:
They collect dust and hair and spilled beverages. They eventually break. They make noise when used. If you have a nice wooden desk they mark it. They require either cables, or if using radio or IR, batteries. They come in standard sizes, while hands don't. They contain useless keys. (case in point - the Windows keys) If you have to share them you get to pick up whatever's on the fingers of your co-workers - and in most cases you probably don't want to know what that is.
There are probably lots mroe bad things about keyboards, but that's enough for now.
You don't have to go to a Radio Shack store - in two days you can order one online.
http://www.cuecat.com/getcat_form.html
It's usually a waste of time going in there, even if everything was free.
Don't forget Myth - I don't know how anyone could say that is not original. (Its closest might be the Ancient Art of War, by Broderbund, of which it is certainly partially derivative, but by no means a copy)
"rabu" is a typical Japanization of the English word "love" - you find it in "rabu hoteru" (love hotel) and other phrases spelt with Katakana rather than Hiragana characters.
"ai" means love in "real" Japanese.
THE site for a cool laptop:
http://www.dynamism.com
they have all the latest stuff from Japan, imported to your door.
Feeling the need? Without any basis for an enforcable patent, you mean.
buyout? clinging to life? extort royalties? No...
They are an intellectual property company, with important patents, and they collect royalties from some major players in the memory business. They are negotiating with many more. The fact that these megacorps are PAYING rather than FIGHTING the payments should tell you something - that something is RMBS DID contribute significantly to advances in memory technology, and DO own the patents. In fact it is RMBS initiating cour action to collect royalties, the manufacturers are the ones giving up.
I could accept your Open Source/Free Software religion resenting this, but it's a fact that in the USA patents are solid. These aren't just one-click kind of patents either, they are examples of the kind of research that brings us the hardware we know and love today.
God forbid anyone should make money in the computer business.... sigh.
...is uncanny. Actually, emmett IS Steve Jobs. A freak wormhole has passed a copy back through time. (no need to explain further; /. readers understand these things) We are therefore destined to have at least two more cube computer products that people buy for reasons of appearance rather than functionality.
Makers of black turtle-neck garments are said to have rejoiced at this news.
I am so looking forward to seeing the response from all those Apple zealot sites. You know, the ones that responded with such righteous indignation when eMachines began selling something that looked like an Apple product.
Sure there are some people, and the opportunity for input systems catering for people who have difficulties with keyboards are enormous, but those numbers hardly make a viable product.
The keyboard MUST be at least optional, something like a removable DVD drive in a Thinkpad - carry it for more functionality, or leave it behind for less weight.
How does a working NSA officer justify the invasion of privacy necessary to carry out the kind of work that is done?
From the outside it would appear that some kind of high moral stance would be necessary to be able to carry on that kind of work. Do people feel like white hats, protecting the world from "evil"? Or do they feel like they are themselves doing evil, but necessary evil? Gray hats, if you like?
Does the NSA provide any counselling for officers who have difficulty with this apparent conflict?
As the original poster pointed out, we have won our victories because at the end of the day WE have the power - WE have what the recording industry wants, that is, the sweat of our brows in the form of banknotes. Unfortunately for people who like DAT, they are in the minority.
The forecast is grimmer for the future - but the reason for that is that we will possibly lose some of the great classics simply because they don't make the jump to the new technology. I don't have a VHS machine, only DVD. "The Princess Bride" was released only this month, and it's been in every top-100 list I've ever seen. "Withnail & I" and Kenneth Branagh's complete "Hamlet" are STILL not even rumored to be released any time soon. I really do hope I see a reply with "Score 5, Informative" telling me where I might get these on DVD.
An Australian film about the bushranger Ned Kelly is thought to be one of the oldest films ever made. It can still be viewed, and there is still hope that one day a complete copy will be found, because although it was printed to volatile cellulose all you have to do is shine a light through while not exposing it to naked flame. What will you get out of a VHS tape in 100 years?
Excuse me for not wanting magnetic tape in my personal collection, but it is less durable than my person, and I like anything I buy to last at least for my lifetime.
Microsoft should never have gotten IBM angry over OS/2... I am sure that for IBM, revenge is sweet.
I like a good keyboard. I liked the feel of the G4's USB keyboard a lot, and even though it looked smaller the keys were actually the same size as the Keytronic I use now. I stopped using it because not having home/end and a couple of other keys interrupted the way I work. So when I saw the new keyboard with all the keys I want, I called the Apple store right away.
"Are you aware there will be a 45 day wait before that ships?"
And when the Apple Store says that up front... don't expect it to ship this year.
Better - when a bad writer bores someone we could force them to suffer the aggregate time spent reading the article watching Barney the Dinosaur. Can you imagine how long 5 minutes x n Slashdot readers is? :-)
Always buy the extended warranty if you have to buy a Mac
There can be no reason compelling enough when a company decides short term profit is worth more than a long term association with the customer. When that happens you have to start wondering whether they have long term plans at all...