This is 2005, and I *still* can't use Linux (I was a senior database developer for several years).
????
I've presented this story before. My business partner is not computer savy at all -- she still has an AOL dial-up account. She calls the computer a "cpu" -- you know the type, points at the case and says "cpu". She's the type of person who bought a computer years ago and since it still allows her to check email, she has no interest in getting something else.
When I set up our office, I used linux set up with the KDE desktop. I was surprised one day when I came in and saw she had independently changed the wallpaper to her kid's picture. She's never had a problem with openoffice (used MS Office before) or Mozilla or Kmail.
I'm thinking that if she can use it, almost anyone can. She may not be able to do a deep configuration, but she wouldn't be able to do that with her windows box -- I know this -- recently she called me up and asked me how she could burn a CD from her computer at home (she has no problem with k3b). Fact is, it's been so long since I've used any windows software it was hard to guide her (you know, I'm saying stuff like "ok, look at the menu for something suggests the concept of burning or writing... starting at the left, what is the first menu title, no not that one, next...").
Recent mac purchaser (powerbook prior to Tiger). So Tiger comes out and I think "that looks cool", except it's $129 to try it out on one machine ($200 for 5 (and I have two macs here)). In contrast, Hoary Hedgehog comes out and I've got two other machines upgraded in no time, no cost. And you know what, I like the linux DEs. Linux might not take over the entire world -- but so what? Why is that the test? How about these:
Does it work?
Is it easy for me to use?
Does it do what I want?
Honestly, some things are nicer on OSX, but I don't really see it as being $200/year nicer. And some things are lousy on OSX, e.g., lack of middle-click paste or the funky way keyboard task switching is done.
I got a mac recently. I like it quite a bit but it does have some flaws. In fact, there is one flaw that is amazingly annoying -- no middle-click paste. The only saving grace is that quanta runs under X11 and I can middle-click there. But it drives me crazy when I'm using aqua apps and simply highlight, switch apps, try to paste, then have to redo the process with ctrl-c type strokes. It's really a downer.
Everyone who has a computer knows a person believed to be a guru (at least in the novitiate's eyes, but for this analysis, that's all that matters). That "guru's" friends and family will ask him about hardware purchasing decisions and very often follow the advice they get. It our guru is linux geek, he is very likely to simply suggest linux compatible hardware even if he knows the other person is only going to run windows and AOL. I know I do this -- I suggest stuff that has worked for me and suggest staying away from things I thought were a hassle.
In the last 6 months, I have personally influenced the purchase of 3 systems that aren't my own. All of them will run linux fine, but only one actually does. A million linux geeks avoiding company X probably means 3-5 million lost sales, not 1 million. Never underestimate the power "word of mouth" has.
Today, I wish blogs would fall. This comes from two days of intensive googling while I learned how to netboot an original ibook (no boot from USB, no firewire at all) because of a dead cdrom. I was all over the place: open firmware, tftp, bootp, dhcpd, yaboot, and endless useless tangents. I can't tell you how many pages would come in google where my search terms appeared, but were in completely unrelated parts of some knucklehead's blog. For example, blogger mentions ubuntu for ppc is available (a little one liner -- he never used it), and then makes some offhand comment about Apple's proprietary "netboot" server 8 months and 45,000 words later. This kind of junk poisoned a lot of my searches -- I'm not that clear on what my exact searches were anymore (I was up all night) but I can say I was annoyed.
Still, I got ubuntu running on the machine by netbooting the installer off my lan, than installing over the internet. Not bad for a machine with none of the regular routes open for installation.
Washington (the one with trees and mountains) joke:
Three guys, one each from WA, TN, and CA are out camping, hanging out by the campfire before hitting the sack. During a lull in the conversation, the guy from TN breaks out a bottle of Whiskey, takes one big pull from the bottle, puts the cap back on, tosses it in the air, whips out a.44 and before it hits the ground --BLAM -- he shoots it right out of the sky.
The Californian says "Duuude -- whadya do that for, that was good whiskey!" To which the guy from TN responds, "back where I'm from, we've got lots of good whiskey."
A little while later, the Californian pulls out a bottle of Merlot, uncorks it, takes a big gulp, stops it up again, tosses it in the air, and POW, blows it out of the sky before it hits the ground. He turns to the other two and says, "where I come from, we have tons of good wine."
The Washingtonian digs around in his pack, finds a bottle of Red Hook, pops the cap and drinks the entire contents of the bottle. Then he pulls out a pistol and with one shot, shoots the Californian dead.
He turns to the scared looking guy from TN and says: "don't worry, back where I'm from, we've got lot's of Californians, and besides, I always recycle my bottles."
OK, so call me an idiot for 3 useless posts. Here's a link to the m:robe 100. I wish I had recalled this thing when I went to replace my nomad -- it really is sleek I think.
I saw a really nice mp3 player at Office-max of all places a few months ago. The UI seemed equal to the ipod and it looked very nice -- completely black without buttons -- just places that you would touch to make things happen. It didn't try to copy the ipod look like some other players, but seemed very nicely made, quietly elegant. I wish I could remember what it was called.
I want a device that takes removable media like SD.
How about CF -- I only see 1gb SDs on froogle, SDs are up to 8gb (though crazy expensive) but 2gb isn't too bad (cheaper than two 1gb SDs). Besides, I like the size and weight CF -- small enough with just enough oomph to not be mistaken for pocket junk (receipts, lint, candy wrappers). Oh, and good in cameras, cheap adapters for IDE usuage -- I really like CF.
Why compare it to the Shuffle. If the shuffle was made by anyone else other than Apple -- people would have laughed it out of existence for not having a screen, voice recorder and tuner or most importantly for the/. crowd OGG support.
I have a Creative NomadII MG from ages ago. It has a tiny little circular screen, fm receiver, voice recorder -- no OGG as far as I know. I haven't used it in about two years. Why? The buttons are in vertical rows on the two thin sides. It's just as easy to delete a song as to play one. On a scale of 1-10, the UI doesn't even rate. It's useless.
The reviewer notes that the joystick controller on the iriver requires the user to become accustomed to it -- maybe not the UI disaster my Nomad is, but can anyone make a usable interface? Funny thing is, the first time I picked up an ipod, I saw how the UI worked within seconds. Litterally. I didn't have to look at the manual to see what the "A-B" button does (really, that's on my Nomad). This weekend, I set my 4g mini (only $20 more for 400% more storage, solid state issue aside of course) on my dashboard and when I wanted to skip a song, I just reached out and tapped it -- didn't even have to take my eyes off the road (a slight reflection in the window was good enough guidance). I've had the ipod for two days -- no user adaptation required. With my Nomad, I couldn't possibly have done that without taking my eyes off the road even when I was using it daily.
My Nomad used AAA batteries - I definitely liked that and I agree, the ipods would be much cooler with replaceable batteries. Even so, it was just so easy to control I got it despite that limitation. Realistically, going off the road while switching songs would be a heck of a lot more expensive than prying it apart and replacing the battery in 18 months or so. As for the shuffle's lack of a screen, a tiny screen is simply a danger on the road -- important are easy to hit controls for skip and play/pause. Compared to the device size, ipod buttons are large and easy to find.
And just why should a biological component such as the brain not have certain limits like any other biological component? To refuse to see that is myopic, religious, or self-deluding.
The only thing limiting us is what we believe we can do. What we believe we can do is often limited by people who have a vested emotional interest in ensuring you do not believe you are capable of more than they.
WhooHooo!!! I always wanted to fly. I knew my mom was trying to keep my down when she said I couldn't jump off the roof! *runs off in search of tallest building in town*
Well, anyone involved in industrial espionage is certainly not going to do it on company email. If they do, they have to be some kind of world class idiot.
if I have some sort of sensitive private communication to make, I can wait until I get home or go outside and use my cell phone.
This is why employers ought to let a reasonable amount of personal email usuage. The time spent going outside to use a cell is going to be a lot longer that a quickie email. I can understand why employers wouldn't want employees messing around on company time, but everyone knows everyone does it from time to time. You can bet your last penny even the bosses have spent personal time on the company clock. I know this because I've been on both sides.
A reasonable person would realize that draconian systems cause much more waste than rational limits ever do. The problem is, computers are very easy to monitor so they end up getting all the focus of nosey bosses. Employees are smart enough to get around this, though it takes more time out of their day. Excessive monitoring is a loss for everyone.
Some around here pitched a little bitch when they would no longer be able to check their email, work being their only access to the internet.
I have no sympathy. An email capable computer can be had for $50 at a computer recycle store, a monitor for $25, and a dialup account for $10 per month. If email is important enough for them to bitch, it's worth a miniscule investment. Unless they're naturally bitchy to begin with in which case I'd rather see them go completely. I mean really, bitching over $75 and the value of three lattes/month service fee is extremely petty.
And per most company policies (unless you work for some barbarian horde), as long as it doesn't interfere with regular business work, a little personal stuff now and again is okay.
In fact, it probably is wise to let a reasonable amount of personal email through. That way, the "who is going to pick up milk on the way home?" question takes 1 minute to send, and 1 minute to reply. Compare that with dialing into voicemail, calling back, leaving a voicemail, getting a voicemail back (dialing in again), returning the voicemail...etc. ad nauseum. The time savings possible with email are significant... unless of course email usuage is abused, but if that is the case, that employee is likely to find an alternative means to perpetrate abuse, e.g., cell phone.
Personally, I know my boss reads all my outgoing email, but because I'm him, I don't really care. Self-employment is the only route to freedom - the taxes suck though.
Re:Gamers never know what's good for them
on
A Gamer's Manifesto
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
For example, having instant-save anywhere sounds fun until you have it, at which point you realize there's no challenge to a game.
I think the point was that a challenging game would have an inherent challenge. A game is not challenging merely because you have to replay 10 minutes of stuff you've already seen to get to the part causing you trouble... over and over and over and... That merely challenges one's ability to perform repetitive actions. A truly challenging game would not be harmed by the ability to save your position.
It's a big country. There are plenty of places that don't have the network access you enjoy. There are vast stretches of the county I live in where cell coverage is non-existent and broadband is available only via sattelite. I live on the edge so I can get cable for $55/mo. In the last 6 months 256k dsl or some BS like that at more than $60 month has become available.
If a person lives in an area with good access to everything, then yes, the earthlink deal isn't that great. But here is my point, for some people in certain areas, it is a great deal because they have no alternatives. Stop acting like your access to network services means everyone has equivalent access.
People should say: this deal sucks for people who can get X, Y, and Z. However, a blanket "This deal sucks" is a myopic response. It sucks for you, it sucks for me, but it might be awesome for the guy living ten miles down the road.
First off all, as we all know, the only way to keep something like a cultural production going is DRM. All the experts, like RIAA and MPAA confirm that.
So if you are in any way interested in the survival of something resembling culture and thereby civilization, you have to welcome this.
First off, the troll is too obvious to work well. This line gives it away: "Now how better to achieve this than by takeing as much control from the user as possible and giving it to responsible corporate citizens?" It's over the top.
That said, we really shouldn't care about the RI/MPAA and their ultimatims. If the RIAA and MPAA quit producing and selling entertainment, entertainment would simply shift source producers. It would encourage vast hordes of people who wouldn't have sought out independent artists when the RI/MPAA were pumping out stuff, to start looking at alternatives.
Try it this way. People who don't have quality broadband access are also those people likely to live in places w/ spotty cell coverage. So explain again why they will give up a landline for no phone service?
Slashdot Mirror
????
I've presented this story before. My business partner is not computer savy at all -- she still has an AOL dial-up account. She calls the computer a "cpu" -- you know the type, points at the case and says "cpu". She's the type of person who bought a computer years ago and since it still allows her to check email, she has no interest in getting something else.
When I set up our office, I used linux set up with the KDE desktop. I was surprised one day when I came in and saw she had independently changed the wallpaper to her kid's picture. She's never had a problem with openoffice (used MS Office before) or Mozilla or Kmail.
I'm thinking that if she can use it, almost anyone can. She may not be able to do a deep configuration, but she wouldn't be able to do that with her windows box -- I know this -- recently she called me up and asked me how she could burn a CD from her computer at home (she has no problem with k3b). Fact is, it's been so long since I've used any windows software it was hard to guide her (you know, I'm saying stuff like "ok, look at the menu for something suggests the concept of burning or writing
Recent mac purchaser (powerbook prior to Tiger). So Tiger comes out and I think "that looks cool", except it's $129 to try it out on one machine ($200 for 5 (and I have two macs here)). In contrast, Hoary Hedgehog comes out and I've got two other machines upgraded in no time, no cost. And you know what, I like the linux DEs. Linux might not take over the entire world -- but so what? Why is that the test? How about these:
Honestly, some things are nicer on OSX, but I don't really see it as being $200/year nicer. And some things are lousy on OSX, e.g., lack of middle-click paste or the funky way keyboard task switching is done.
I got a mac recently. I like it quite a bit but it does have some flaws. In fact, there is one flaw that is amazingly annoying -- no middle-click paste. The only saving grace is that quanta runs under X11 and I can middle-click there. But it drives me crazy when I'm using aqua apps and simply highlight, switch apps, try to paste, then have to redo the process with ctrl-c type strokes. It's really a downer.
Everyone who has a computer knows a person believed to be a guru (at least in the novitiate's eyes, but for this analysis, that's all that matters). That "guru's" friends and family will ask him about hardware purchasing decisions and very often follow the advice they get. It our guru is linux geek, he is very likely to simply suggest linux compatible hardware even if he knows the other person is only going to run windows and AOL. I know I do this -- I suggest stuff that has worked for me and suggest staying away from things I thought were a hassle.
In the last 6 months, I have personally influenced the purchase of 3 systems that aren't my own. All of them will run linux fine, but only one actually does. A million linux geeks avoiding company X probably means 3-5 million lost sales, not 1 million. Never underestimate the power "word of mouth" has.
Today, I wish blogs would fall. This comes from two days of intensive googling while I learned how to netboot an original ibook (no boot from USB, no firewire at all) because of a dead cdrom. I was all over the place: open firmware, tftp, bootp, dhcpd, yaboot, and endless useless tangents. I can't tell you how many pages would come in google where my search terms appeared, but were in completely unrelated parts of some knucklehead's blog. For example, blogger mentions ubuntu for ppc is available (a little one liner -- he never used it), and then makes some offhand comment about Apple's proprietary "netboot" server 8 months and 45,000 words later. This kind of junk poisoned a lot of my searches -- I'm not that clear on what my exact searches were anymore (I was up all night) but I can say I was annoyed.
Still, I got ubuntu running on the machine by netbooting the installer off my lan, than installing over the internet. Not bad for a machine with none of the regular routes open for installation.
Shutup and go make some popcorn!
Washington (the one with trees and mountains) joke:
Three guys, one each from WA, TN, and CA are out camping, hanging out by the campfire before hitting the sack. During a lull in the conversation, the guy from TN breaks out a bottle of Whiskey, takes one big pull from the bottle, puts the cap back on, tosses it in the air, whips out a
The Californian says "Duuude -- whadya do that for, that was good whiskey!" To which the guy from TN responds, "back where I'm from, we've got lots of good whiskey."
A little while later, the Californian pulls out a bottle of Merlot, uncorks it, takes a big gulp, stops it up again, tosses it in the air, and POW, blows it out of the sky before it hits the ground. He turns to the other two and says, "where I come from, we have tons of good wine."
The Washingtonian digs around in his pack, finds a bottle of Red Hook, pops the cap and drinks the entire contents of the bottle. Then he pulls out a pistol and with one shot, shoots the Californian dead.
He turns to the scared looking guy from TN and says: "don't worry, back where I'm from, we've got lot's of Californians, and besides, I always recycle my bottles."
OK, so call me an idiot for 3 useless posts. Here's a link to the m:robe 100. I wish I had recalled this thing when I went to replace my nomad -- it really is sleek I think.
I saw a really nice mp3 player at Office-max of all places a few months ago. The UI seemed equal to the ipod and it looked very nice -- completely black without buttons -- just places that you would touch to make things happen. It didn't try to copy the ipod look like some other players, but seemed very nicely made, quietly elegant. I wish I could remember what it was called.
How about CF -- I only see 1gb SDs on froogle, SDs are up to 8gb (though crazy expensive) but 2gb isn't too bad (cheaper than two 1gb SDs). Besides, I like the size and weight CF -- small enough with just enough oomph to not be mistaken for pocket junk (receipts, lint, candy wrappers). Oh, and good in cameras, cheap adapters for IDE usuage -- I really like CF.
I have a Creative NomadII MG from ages ago. It has a tiny little circular screen, fm receiver, voice recorder -- no OGG as far as I know. I haven't used it in about two years. Why? The buttons are in vertical rows on the two thin sides. It's just as easy to delete a song as to play one. On a scale of 1-10, the UI doesn't even rate. It's useless.
The reviewer notes that the joystick controller on the iriver requires the user to become accustomed to it -- maybe not the UI disaster my Nomad is, but can anyone make a usable interface? Funny thing is, the first time I picked up an ipod, I saw how the UI worked within seconds. Litterally. I didn't have to look at the manual to see what the "A-B" button does (really, that's on my Nomad). This weekend, I set my 4g mini (only $20 more for 400% more storage, solid state issue aside of course) on my dashboard and when I wanted to skip a song, I just reached out and tapped it -- didn't even have to take my eyes off the road (a slight reflection in the window was good enough guidance). I've had the ipod for two days -- no user adaptation required. With my Nomad, I couldn't possibly have done that without taking my eyes off the road even when I was using it daily.
My Nomad used AAA batteries - I definitely liked that and I agree, the ipods would be much cooler with replaceable batteries. Even so, it was just so easy to control I got it despite that limitation. Realistically, going off the road while switching songs would be a heck of a lot more expensive than prying it apart and replacing the battery in 18 months or so. As for the shuffle's lack of a screen, a tiny screen is simply a danger on the road -- important are easy to hit controls for skip and play/pause. Compared to the device size, ipod buttons are large and easy to find.
Amen.
And just why should a biological component such as the brain not have certain limits like any other biological component? To refuse to see that is myopic, religious, or self-deluding.
WhooHooo!!! I always wanted to fly. I knew my mom was trying to keep my down when she said I couldn't jump off the roof! *runs off in search of tallest building in town*
Excellent analysis.
That really ought to be modded high. Excellent point.
Well, anyone involved in industrial espionage is certainly not going to do it on company email. If they do, they have to be some kind of world class idiot.
This is why employers ought to let a reasonable amount of personal email usuage. The time spent going outside to use a cell is going to be a lot longer that a quickie email. I can understand why employers wouldn't want employees messing around on company time, but everyone knows everyone does it from time to time. You can bet your last penny even the bosses have spent personal time on the company clock. I know this because I've been on both sides.
A reasonable person would realize that draconian systems cause much more waste than rational limits ever do. The problem is, computers are very easy to monitor so they end up getting all the focus of nosey bosses. Employees are smart enough to get around this, though it takes more time out of their day. Excessive monitoring is a loss for everyone.
I have no sympathy. An email capable computer can be had for $50 at a computer recycle store, a monitor for $25, and a dialup account for $10 per month. If email is important enough for them to bitch, it's worth a miniscule investment. Unless they're naturally bitchy to begin with in which case I'd rather see them go completely. I mean really, bitching over $75 and the value of three lattes/month service fee is extremely petty.
In fact, it probably is wise to let a reasonable amount of personal email through. That way, the "who is going to pick up milk on the way home?" question takes 1 minute to send, and 1 minute to reply. Compare that with dialing into voicemail, calling back, leaving a voicemail, getting a voicemail back (dialing in again), returning the voicemail
Personally, I know my boss reads all my outgoing email, but because I'm him, I don't really care. Self-employment is the only route to freedom - the taxes suck though.
May I suggest oxytocin??
I think the point was that a challenging game would have an inherent challenge. A game is not challenging merely because you have to replay 10 minutes of stuff you've already seen to get to the part causing you trouble
It's a big country. There are plenty of places that don't have the network access you enjoy. There are vast stretches of the county I live in where cell coverage is non-existent and broadband is available only via sattelite. I live on the edge so I can get cable for $55/mo. In the last 6 months 256k dsl or some BS like that at more than $60 month has become available.
If a person lives in an area with good access to everything, then yes, the earthlink deal isn't that great. But here is my point, for some people in certain areas, it is a great deal because they have no alternatives. Stop acting like your access to network services means everyone has equivalent access.
People should say: this deal sucks for people who can get X, Y, and Z. However, a blanket "This deal sucks" is a myopic response. It sucks for you, it sucks for me, but it might be awesome for the guy living ten miles down the road.
First off, the troll is too obvious to work well. This line gives it away: "Now how better to achieve this than by takeing as much control from the user as possible and giving it to responsible corporate citizens?" It's over the top.
That said, we really shouldn't care about the RI/MPAA and their ultimatims. If the RIAA and MPAA quit producing and selling entertainment, entertainment would simply shift source producers. It would encourage vast hordes of people who wouldn't have sought out independent artists when the RI/MPAA were pumping out stuff, to start looking at alternatives.
Try it this way. People who don't have quality broadband access are also those people likely to live in places w/ spotty cell coverage. So explain again why they will give up a landline for no phone service?