It's a lot of fun. Randal Schwartz rented out the place during OSCON and hosted a games and beer party. We were all handed bags of quarters at the door, and it was a blast! Galaga, Galaxian, Marble Madness, all of the great 80's vids are there. Lots of Pinball too.
> Marin Civic Center. designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and featured in the movie Gataca (sp?). very cool architecture indeed. plus they have a great library with a dome cieling on the top floor.
on the Marin / Sonoma area:
Not sure about that movie, but it was in THX 1138.
Quickie Marin Fact: Ethernet cable used to run under
the intersection of Kerner & Bellam Boulevards in San
Rafael, linking (in the 80's) Pixar and ILM.
And might as well meet one of the NoCat folks up near Sebastopol & Santa Rosa, to get them to explain how they've used all sorts of
elevation mapping to bounce Wifi access up into canyons and off of high points that are *miles* away.
The timing of this announcement is no accident. Think of WWDC starting on Monday. The eyes of the tech press will be firmly fixed on Moscone Center in San Francisco; at least on the first day.
So what better time to put forth the story "we can offer Unix/Linux apps from different sources, and do it in a way where we aren't stepping on each others toes!"
It's time for Johnny-boy to retire or switch careers.. Yes, I am talking directly to you, Mr. Hot Air Dvorak.
Steve Jobs would be shooting himself in the foot, the ankle, the shin, the kneecap, the thigh, and uh.. you get the picture.. if he switched architectures so radically.
Think of it.. if there was a switch to Intel, the PowerPC *emulation mode* would need to run present-day apps *faster* than the current G4. Otherwise why switch anytime in the next two years it would take for all major Mac OS X apps to go native? Quark would throw their hands in the air and give up:-)
Much greater chance that the IBM 970 Mac will debut at the January MacWorld, if not before.
awesome! I enjoy hearing about a family that has a clue.
What is that like?:-)
My in-laws and the spoon feeding of America...
on
Family Tech Support
·
· Score: 1
This reminds me of my recent Journal Entry, "I've Given Up On Techno-Luddites".
I had been trying for a couple years to get my in-laws to sign up for AOL Instant Messenger. One way to run it is to use the java client in a browser, no download or installation required The idea is: we could save on long distance calls, and get ahold of each other more easily in an emergency, if they would just learn a wee little bit about using an IM client.
You would think it's like asking them to build the Pyramids of Giza...
So, imagine my frustration. These people can't follow directions to go to a web site and type in a couple of lines on a form. I lay partial blame on a culture that is widespread in America. It's the "spoon feed me, just do it for me, I am out of school and I don't have to learn anymore" attitude.
I've decided not to talk about anything tech with these people anymore. It's just too fucking painful. They're card-carrying members of the "My VCR flashes 12:00" club.
At least my Father, at the age of 65, continues to learn every day, and has problem solving skills that take him a long way. He doesn't buy the "oh, I'm too old to learn that" meme.
Here's a real world security example I am researching. Let's see whatcha think... I usually program in mod_* (whatever). I've been away from CGI since.. oh, 1997 or so. The security issue is a big reason why.
But.. I want to install a blog package on my own (as in my own box in a colo) server.
I'm strongly considering Moveable Type. I like its features.
Apache + suEXEC + Moveable Type, properly configured.. thumbs up or thumbs down? Would you stay away from CGI-based packages on principle, or is suEXEC really that good? I would restrict suEXEC to the one vhost running the blog package.
And if not Moveable Type, then what blog package securely [1] runs with Apache under some mod_* setup?
[1] "securely" meaning "reasonable amount of security that would frustrate all casual attempts"
From what I have read (mostly at macspeedzone.com), I would think that Apple will NOT be ready to show a 970-based computer at the July Macworld. Notice that I said "show", as opposed to "ship".
I hope I'm wrong though.
So this is my question: what do they do as a stopgap? Ship a G4 with four processors? Punt and simply lower prices until the 970 is ready?
Steve Jobs has been dealing with Motorola since, when.. 1983 or so? Might be high time for a divorce.
Let's see, I started with the Atari 400 in 1979... I've seen a few interfaces.
Provide a slightly-more-than-minimalist set of defaults. Make it look nice, and be functional, for 90% of the users that will never change a thing.
Then give the other 10% of us enough configurability to hang ourselves with our mice!
It's 2003, right? 2D interfaces are pretty well understood by now (WIMP: Windows, Icons, Mouse, Pointer) I can't see things getting truly interesting again until we go to 3D.
(grumpy old man voice) - I remember when we had to hand-code our ~/.Xdefaults files, and we liked it!
This is good because it starts to focus attention on an emerging LinLap market.
I find their ad to be slightly misleading. First they
say this:
"High-speed wireless service is cropping up everywhere - "Starbucks," college campuses and anywhere people gather. Staying connected to your data whenever and wherever you need it is smart and Lindows.com answers the call with its brand new Lindows Mobile PC..."
And then they say: " plus a PCMCIA slot to add even more functionality such as wireless networking"
...So wireless is not standard, though their promo material will throw off a few. Interesting that a modem is optional too. I predict that within a year we'll see a laptop with similar specs with a modem and 802.11b, running Red Hat, for $850, from a "name brand" vendor.
When I first heard about the Segway, I was interested for a day or so. Then I was hit by a bout of pragmatism.
My issues with it:
price should be $500
weight should be no more than 25 pounds. I should be able to carry this as easily as my mountain bike.
too big for sidewalks, too slow for the street. Damn right San Francisco banned these. Been downtown at lunch hour lately? (even with all the layoffs...) Getting pegged with 80 pounds of Segway + weight of rider at 12 mph sounds like broken bones to me.
Curbs? Hello? Wheelchair ramps are not as universal as one would think.
The Italians, and Europe in general, seem to have more of a handle on local transport. I've seen so many scooters in England, France, and Germany... Check out ItalJet Fills a nice niche between Bicycle and Motorcycle. (no, I don't work for 'em).. hmm 90mpg, can lock it up, easy to park, and I won't be tempted to take it on a twisty mountain road (like a nice Kawasaki Ninja) and kill myself on a canyon run! Oh, and I could buy two of them for the price of one Segway...
> What if your CGI programs need to get data from libraries that only have C and C++ interfaces?
Write a little server in C or C++ that listens on a port (local connections only). Then have mod_<favorite langauge> connect to it for data. Should be faster than CGI, but without the hassle of trying to figure out which language to embed into some other.
Most computer desks I've seen in stores look too wimpy for my purposes. I have a couple of 21" monitors. Same for my wife downstairs.
We each have main computer tables: 36"x78". 3 feet gives a nice deep amount of space. They're 30" high, with knee/thigh clearance of 26". They have a couple of thin, deep drawers. There are 2-3 machines lurking under each table. Something I will soon add to the setup is a sort of bookshelf underneath (out of kicking range) for external firewire drives, the hub, the hardware firewall, etc.
I have another table, meant for one monitor, that's 36"x48", with one deep drawer.
All of these were built by English Country Pine, in San Rafael, CA. Since they're basically big rectangles that will last forever, they may see future use in a dining room, or, they would be straightforward to sell. I like them because they have acres of desktop space.
>What is with the sudden onslaught of superhero movies?
One theory could be this:
Think of the costs of CGI. They have come way down in the last 10 years. Movies that call for a lot of effects were too expensive to contemplate doing before - now they're doable.
If I were a betting man, I'd say that a lot of these projects have been sitting on the shelf for quite some time, just waiting for effects costs to come down...
> IIRC, Javascript was called Livescript and developed >internally at Netscape. The rename allegedly came > about as an attempt to steal some of Suns' thunder.
This is correct. The name "Javascript" is unfortunate, because it has resulted in 5+ years of confusion. They could have called it Netscript, or Scriptzilla, or.. hell, anything but Javascript. It was a dorky decision.
But hey, these folks also gave us the <blink> tag...
Anyone get the feeling that Sun's "brightest hours" are behind them? As others have mentioned, they're getting hit from the Windows XP side, as well as Linux. If Solaris dwindles as a result of this, and becomes a niche/high-end item, what does this say for HP, SGI, and the rest of Unixen?
I've been thinking in terms what are/will be the Big Three: Linux, Mac OS X, and that other thing.. uh, Windows XP. I wouldn't bet on traditional Unixen as a growth area, by any means. Won't be long for some companies to become "Unix-free and Windows-free" zones...
First off, my condolences to the family and friends of the Columbia crew.
Born in 1960, I've grown up watching the space program, and have always been fascinated by it. Invariably over the next few weeks, I will come across people that will say "what good is it? how is it of any benefit?"
So that's what I ask here. I think we should keep exploring. No doubt about it. I have my own ideas about how it has been beneficial, but I'd like to hear more... if someone asks me "why?", I want to be able to say "this is why!"
List the benefits you think have come from the Space Program...
Slashdot Mirror
and, as I recall, at least two high revolving restaurants,
one on Robson Street, if I remember back 12 years...
which could be a tour in itself:
Seattle: Space Needle
SF: Embarcadero Plaza Hotel
There's gotta be some others on the Left Coast!
btw, Seattle: gotta go to the Five Spot on Queen Anne Hill
for Brekkie!
It's a lot of fun. Randal Schwartz rented out the place during OSCON and hosted a games and beer party. We were all handed bags of quarters at the door, and it was a blast! Galaga, Galaxian, Marble Madness, all of the great 80's vids are there. Lots of Pinball too.
West Coast? Beer? Portland, Oregon :-)
(also the most wireless city in the country)
> Marin Civic Center. designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and featured in the movie Gataca (sp?). very cool architecture indeed. plus they have a great library with a dome cieling on the top floor.
on the Marin / Sonoma area:
Not sure about that movie, but it was in THX 1138.
Quickie Marin Fact: Ethernet cable used to run under the intersection of Kerner & Bellam Boulevards in San Rafael, linking (in the 80's) Pixar and ILM.
And might as well meet one of the NoCat folks up near Sebastopol & Santa Rosa, to get them to explain how they've used all sorts of elevation mapping to bounce Wifi access up into canyons and off of high points that are *miles* away.
Oh, and go to the Sonoma State University Library, to see the HUGE robotic book retrieval system
I think we should cross it with Winston Churchill:
"Never in the field of human endeavor,
have so many unwilling given nothing
to so many with so little for so long"
The timing of this announcement is no accident. Think of WWDC starting on Monday. The eyes of the tech press will be firmly fixed on Moscone Center in San Francisco; at least on the first day.
So what better time to put forth the story "we can offer Unix/Linux apps from different sources, and do it in a way where we aren't stepping on each others toes!"
This is a really positive step.
Would have been an interesting proposition 10 years ago. BSD is a hydra.
Real April Fools material: oddtodd.com
Dvorak?!
It's time for Johnny-boy to retire or switch careers..
Yes, I am talking directly to you, Mr. Hot Air Dvorak.
Steve Jobs would be shooting himself in the foot, the
ankle, the shin, the kneecap, the thigh, and uh.. you
get the picture.. if he switched architectures so radically.
Think of it.. if there was a switch to Intel, the PowerPC
*emulation mode* would need to run present-day apps
*faster* than the current G4. Otherwise why switch
anytime in the next two years it would take for all
major Mac OS X apps to go native? Quark would
throw their hands in the air and give up
Much greater chance that the IBM 970 Mac will debut at the
January MacWorld, if not before.
awesome! I enjoy hearing about a family that has a clue.
What is that like?
This reminds me of my recent Journal Entry, "I've Given Up On Techno-Luddites".
I had been trying for a couple years to get my in-laws to sign up for AOL Instant Messenger. One way to run it is to use the java client in a browser, no download or installation required The idea is: we could save on long distance calls, and get ahold of each other more easily in an emergency, if they would just learn a wee little bit about using an IM client.
You would think it's like asking them to build the Pyramids of Giza...
So, imagine my frustration. These people can't follow directions to go to a web site and type in a couple of lines on a form. I lay partial blame on a culture that is widespread in America. It's the "spoon feed me, just do it for me, I am out of school and I don't have to learn anymore" attitude.
I've decided not to talk about anything tech with these people anymore. It's just too fucking painful. They're card-carrying members of the "My VCR flashes 12:00" club. At least my Father, at the age of 65, continues to learn every day, and has problem solving skills that take him a long way. He doesn't buy the "oh, I'm too old to learn that" meme.
Here's a real world security example I am researching. Let's see whatcha think... I usually program in mod_* (whatever). I've been away from CGI since.. oh, 1997 or so. The security issue is a big reason why.
But.. I want to install a blog package on my own (as in my own box in a colo) server.
I'm strongly considering Moveable Type. I like its features.
Apache + suEXEC + Moveable Type, properly configured.. thumbs up or thumbs down? Would you stay away from CGI-based packages on principle, or is suEXEC really that good? I would restrict suEXEC to the one vhost running the blog package.
And if not Moveable Type, then what blog package securely [1] runs with Apache under some mod_* setup?
[1] "securely" meaning "reasonable amount of security that would frustrate all casual attempts"
Its went to meet its maker... It's run down the curtain and joined the choir invisible!
This, is an ex-Unix!
Mr. Praline
From what I have read (mostly at macspeedzone.com), I would think that Apple will NOT be ready to show a 970-based computer at the July Macworld. Notice that I said "show", as opposed to "ship".
I hope I'm wrong though.
So this is my question: what do they do as a stopgap? Ship a G4 with four processors? Punt and simply lower prices until the 970 is ready?
Steve Jobs has been dealing with Motorola since, when.. 1983 or so? Might be high time for a divorce.
Go to that "Spin The Bottle" party with foxy Kathy Sherwood!
Let's see, I started with the Atari 400 in 1979...
I've seen a few interfaces.
Provide a slightly-more-than-minimalist set
of defaults. Make it look nice, and be functional,
for 90% of the users that will never change a thing.
Then give the other 10% of us enough configurability
to hang ourselves with our mice!
It's 2003, right? 2D interfaces are pretty well understood
by now (WIMP: Windows, Icons, Mouse, Pointer) I can't
see things getting truly interesting again until we
go to 3D.
(grumpy old man voice) - I remember when we had to
hand-code our ~/.Xdefaults files, and we liked it!
I find their ad to be slightly misleading. First they say this:
"High-speed wireless service is cropping up everywhere - "Starbucks," college campuses and anywhere people gather. Staying connected to your data whenever and wherever you need it is smart and Lindows.com answers the call with its brand new Lindows Mobile PC..."
And then they say: " plus a PCMCIA slot to add even more functionality such as wireless networking"
...So wireless is not standard, though their promo material will throw off a few. Interesting that a modem is optional too. I predict that within a year we'll see a laptop with similar specs with a modem and 802.11b, running Red Hat, for $850, from a "name brand" vendor.
Who makes this laptop?
When I first heard about the Segway, I was interested for a day or so. Then I was hit by a bout of pragmatism.
My issues with it:
The Italians, and Europe in general, seem to have more of a handle on local transport. I've seen so many scooters in England, France, and Germany... Check out ItalJet Fills a nice niche between Bicycle and Motorcycle. (no, I don't work for 'em) .. hmm 90mpg, can lock it up, easy to park, and I won't be tempted to take it on a twisty mountain road (like a nice Kawasaki Ninja) and kill myself on a canyon run! Oh, and I could buy two of them for the price of one Segway...
Name one.
The girl that came up with a vertical bacon cooking rack. Comes out crispy and all of the grease drips off.
Oh, and here's the story. She was only eight when she came up with it.
Next! :-)
Write a little server in C or C++ that listens on a port (local connections only). Then have mod_<favorite langauge> connect to it for data. Should be faster than CGI, but without the hassle of trying to figure out which language to embed into some other.
We each have main computer tables: 36"x78". 3 feet gives a nice deep amount of space. They're 30" high, with knee/thigh clearance of 26". They have a couple of thin, deep drawers. There are 2-3 machines lurking under each table. Something I will soon add to the setup is a sort of bookshelf underneath (out of kicking range) for external firewire drives, the hub, the hardware firewall, etc.
I have another table, meant for one monitor, that's 36"x48", with one deep drawer.
All of these were built by English Country Pine, in San Rafael, CA. Since they're basically big rectangles that will last forever, they may see future use in a dining room, or, they would be straightforward to sell. I like them because they have acres of desktop space.
>What is with the sudden onslaught of superhero movies?
One theory could be this:
Think of the costs of CGI. They have come way down in the last 10 years. Movies that call for a lot of effects were too expensive to contemplate doing before - now they're doable.
If I were a betting man, I'd say that a lot of these projects have been sitting on the shelf for quite some time, just waiting for effects costs to come down...
> IIRC, Javascript was called Livescript and developed
>internally at Netscape. The rename allegedly came
> about as an attempt to steal some of Suns' thunder.
This is correct. The name "Javascript" is unfortunate,
because it has resulted in 5+ years of confusion. They
could have called it Netscript, or Scriptzilla, or..
hell, anything but Javascript. It was a dorky decision.
But hey, these folks also gave us the <blink> tag...
Anyone get the feeling that Sun's "brightest hours" are behind them? As others have mentioned, they're getting hit from the Windows XP side, as well as Linux. If Solaris dwindles as a result of this, and becomes a niche/high-end item, what does this say for HP, SGI, and the rest of Unixen?
I've been thinking in terms what are/will be the Big Three:
Linux, Mac OS X, and that other thing.. uh, Windows XP. I wouldn't bet on traditional Unixen as a growth area, by any means. Won't be long for some companies to become "Unix-free and Windows-free" zones...
First off, my condolences to the family and friends of the Columbia crew.
Born in 1960, I've grown up watching the space program, and have always been fascinated by it. Invariably over the next few weeks, I will come across people that will say "what good is it? how is it of any benefit?"
So that's what I ask here. I think we should keep exploring. No doubt about it. I have my own ideas about how it has been beneficial, but I'd like to hear more... if someone asks me "why?", I want to be able to say "this is why!"
List the benefits you think have come from the Space Program...
Intellectual Property Pedigree Chart
Does it seem accurate? (aside from the interesting Copyright on the bottom: "Copyright © 1887-2003, Eric Levenez." ,,,uh, 1887?)
Somewhat Crazy Orangutans