I've always preferred to pay for what I get and not what I don't get. $300 for winxp pro and free updates? No, $300 for winxp and updates. So whether you update or not, you're paying for it. A better model would be $150 for winxp pro and $50/year for updates. Similar to RedHat's Red Hat Network, a valuable service. So if you don't update, at lease you're not paying for it.
On topic, I tried the service and the video quality was quite poor. Off topic (slightly on), since DRM is bad, what would be a good alternative? I don't think online rentals will ever work without some restrictions. There has to be an opportunity for profit. I would like to be able to download a DVD quality movie and watch it.
I think the answer should be open (not proprietary). Like SSL encryption. How about some time of key encryption system. Your system uploads unique data which is used to encrypt the movie and generate a decryption key that will only work on your system.
There is no perfect solution, because of our lack of integrity. If everyone was honest, we wouldn't need locks on our doors.
So the browser is definitely part of the OS now. And why do I need a browser on my mission critical server? I forgot. So there will be more software to update / more security risks. To me, this makes running Windows(TM whatever) as a server stupid stupid stupid. 90% of the software is bloat. With linux,bsd,etc., you only install the software you need. Clean and lean... that's how I like my machines. Let them tie in the browser and pull the noose tight.
I certainly agree with the library bit. I think open source OS linux/bsd/etc is perfect for deployment in these single use applications. Easy to configure and admin several terminals and STABLE, STABLE, STABLE. You left that part out. I've never crashed a linux box. The worst I've done is freeze X. Then I ssh from another machine and restart X. Never been forced to reboot a linux machine.
No! They are programmers. Engineer is often misused. ex. Sanitary Engineer.
Are programmers doctors? No. Because doctors are professionally licenced as such. Programmers are not.
To rightfully wear the name 'Engineer' also requires a professional licence. It's that simple.
I'm not bashing programmers. I love programming more than I do engineering. Otherwise I wouldn't be here on Slashdot.
After 4 years + 1 co-op year in a difficult mechanical engineering program and 2 years working, I can't legally call myself an engineer; only an 'Engineer in Training'.
In Mississippi, this is what is required to legally call oneself an engineer:
After finishing at least a B.S. in an engineering curriculum, one must pass an intense 8 hour standardized exam just to be called an 'Engineer In Training'. After reaching this point, one must work 4 years under the supervision of a professional engineer to be eligible to take the Professional Engineer Exam (which is quite difficult). Once the status of Professional Engineer is achieved, it must be maintained.
Just because you can bandage a wound doesn't mean you can call yourself a doctor. Just because you 'engineer' something doesn't mean you can call yourself an engineer.
Engineers are often responsible for people's lives. Think about this next time you cross a bridge. Engineers get sued when their designs fail.
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Great idea. I think I'll put a sledge hammer to our copier so that we can hire somebody to fix it.
I've always preferred to pay for what I get and not what I don't get. $300 for winxp pro and free updates? No, $300 for winxp and updates. So whether you update or not, you're paying for it. A better model would be $150 for winxp pro and $50/year for updates. Similar to RedHat's Red Hat Network, a valuable service. So if you don't update, at lease you're not paying for it.
On topic, I tried the service and the video quality was quite poor. Off topic (slightly on), since DRM is bad, what would be a good alternative? I don't think online rentals will ever work without some restrictions. There has to be an opportunity for profit. I would like to be able to download a DVD quality movie and watch it.
I think the answer should be open (not proprietary). Like SSL encryption. How about some time of key encryption system. Your system uploads unique data which is used to encrypt the movie and generate a decryption key that will only work on your system.
There is no perfect solution, because of our lack of integrity. If everyone was honest, we wouldn't need locks on our doors.
So how is this any better than telnet? I think I'll just stick with SSH.
So the browser is definitely part of the OS now. And why do I need a browser on my mission critical server? I forgot. So there will be more software to update / more security risks. To me, this makes running Windows(TM whatever) as a server stupid stupid stupid. 90% of the software is bloat. With linux,bsd,etc., you only install the software you need. Clean and lean ... that's how I like my machines. Let them tie in the browser and pull the noose tight.
I certainly agree with the library bit. I think open source OS linux/bsd/etc is perfect for deployment in these single use applications. Easy to configure and admin several terminals and STABLE, STABLE, STABLE. You left that part out. I've never crashed a linux box. The worst I've done is freeze X. Then I ssh from another machine and restart X. Never been forced to reboot a linux machine.
No! They are programmers. Engineer is often misused. ex. Sanitary Engineer.
Are programmers doctors? No. Because doctors are professionally licenced as such. Programmers are not.
To rightfully wear the name 'Engineer' also requires a professional licence. It's that simple.
I'm not bashing programmers. I love programming more than I do engineering. Otherwise I wouldn't be here on Slashdot.
After 4 years + 1 co-op year in a difficult mechanical engineering program and 2 years working, I can't legally call myself an engineer; only an 'Engineer in Training'.
In Mississippi, this is what is required to legally call oneself an engineer:
After finishing at least a B.S. in an engineering curriculum, one must pass an intense 8 hour standardized exam just to be called an 'Engineer In Training'. After reaching this point, one must work 4 years under the supervision of a professional engineer to be eligible to take the Professional Engineer Exam (which is quite difficult). Once the status of Professional Engineer is achieved, it must be maintained.
Just because you can bandage a wound doesn't mean you can call yourself a doctor. Just because you 'engineer' something doesn't mean you can call yourself an engineer.
Engineers are often responsible for people's lives. Think about this next time you cross a bridge. Engineers get sued when their designs fail.
Respect the name.