Well, to be fair, if we can infer anything from the recent music studies, the same people that are hardcore enough to mod their xbox and steal some games are still buying other games. In music's case, it's been shown a few times those people downloading music frequently are still legally buying more music than the average consumer.
Having said that, we can't really know for sure right now since nobody has studied games specifically, as far as I'm aware. It's probably not that far off.
I'm a little torn on this though, since I have a modded original xbox for xbmc, but my 360 is unmodded. I like the idea of getting rid of cheaters, but there still are some valid reasons to mess with your box in some cases.
Most people are still going to use it as a linear conversation. The added benefits though will be useful to the small percentage that start to take advantage of them. Plus, once people start building plugins, it could have more unintended benefits.
I look at it a little differently, and I don't put them all in the same categories.
Facebook, for example, is mostly for friends that I don't talk to regularly, so for those people it's a good place to give periodic updates and keep in touch on a less regular basis. I don't update every single day, so as long as you use it in moderation it can serve a purpose.
People that I communicate with more often are either in person or on the phone, so they're a closer circle of friends and family than I would use facebook for.
I haven't personally found a use for Twitter, since I generally agree I don't feel like relaying how many bowel movements I've had today or giving every single detail out to the public. I guess I could see a use if you like following celebrities or some special groups that have started using it, like the LA Fire Department, but otherwise it's not my thing.
Well, I can only speak from my own experience as someone who only started going in the last 3 years. I've enjoyed my time there.
There are always going to be people complaining about the politics or old-timers who complain about the "Good Old Days", but in the end, I've met some really interesting people and had some good times.
This complaint about the terms really is only whining about a small handful of people out of the 50,000 attendees the last few years.
Also, regarding tickets, I'd much rather pay a little cash to have proper porto-potties and ice trucked in than the alternative. Even if a few people are taking advantage of the cash (which is debatable), they spend quite a bit of it to maintain the ecosystem and fund some of the coolest art I've seen in a long time.
I just realized that making a game out of this would be fun. Steve Jobs could be the level boss and if you defeat him, your app gets accepted into the app store.
I wonder if it would be accepted.
I know how to create apps, but I don't have time for it this weekend so I'm putting it out there. Get on it Slashdot. Someone write this now.
I care. Every time one of these types of stories come up, people either respond by saying "get over it" or "boycott." I think that's the wrong way to think about things.
In my opinion, sometimes it's better to make so much noise that the controlling party has to change. It HAS worked in the past, despite what the naysayers like to believe.
To be fair, I've had my plan for a lot longer since I've been with T-mobile for a while, so my current bill is closer to $90 after taxes. It's a little harder for me to justify a switch right now, though I certainly have been tempted at times for the 3g upgrade.
I also went to compare the prices though a little bit ago, and while they've gone up, they're still a bit cheaper than the other plans and I wasn't that far off. My example is close to what I would be getting now.
For example, go add familytime 1000 ($69.99) , then add unlimited email and messaging to each phone ($19.99 each). Total: $110 roughly.
Now, go grab the closest plan from ATT: Nation 700 FamilyTalk w/Rollover® Minutes ($69.99) + iPhone data plan ($30 each). Total: $130 roughly, and that doesn't even include messaging and has less minutes.
So, if you also wanted unlimited messaging, you're talking another $30 (Messaging Unlimited for Families), which is basically what I said the difference was. YMMV, of course depending on what plans you're comparing.
Yes, ATT is 3g, but I don't know if the additional $50/month justifies it. I'm fine for now.
I save at least $50 on T-mobile using an iPhone and unlocking it (my wife has one also, so it's a shared plan). ATT has taken advantage of the iPhone to tack on the $30 data plan per phone, which is quite a bit more expensive than most other plans with similar service.
I haven't fully decided if the iPhone penetration has reached a point where the government should be regulating them, but for ATT to argue that their deal really helps make things cheaper is bullshit.
Where in Google's presentation did they say that implementations had to all be open source? They simply said they'd supply some of their own code and the documentation for the protocols to allow other people to implement their solutions. They never said all the other people had to open source their versions.
..but those things better do a lot more than play sounds if I'm going to pay $1500 for them, like wash my dishes or give me a happy ending.
Re:Drupal Pros and Cons
on
Using Drupal
·
· Score: 1
I'm trying to decide what CMS to use for a site, and this was useful to know. Thanks.
I need to setup a blog and forum, and I've been debating over Drupal or a Wordpress + forum hybrid. I like the fact that Drupal has a forum integrated, so you can just create one user login and have access to both sections of the site.
I think Wordpress is a bit easier to work with if all you want is a blog, but I'm probably leaning towards Drupal right now since I need a bit more.
I also tried looking at bbPress, which is the forum software written by the Wordpress people. It is supposed to integrate with the wordpress user database, but as of last night, is still a bit flaky. They're still not officially released yet though (I played with version 1.0 alpha 6 last night). Having said that, I like some of the ideas and think they could be a serious contender once they get further along.
If the change we're expecting is compared to a Bush presidency or even a predicted McCain presidency, then I would argue that it's still like night and day.
I don't agree with this choice, but it's not like I'm expecting Obama to fart rainbows all the time.
At best, we could hope that the FCC gets annoyed and starts pushing them to find a resolution, but even that is doubtful depending on how much lobbying they're doing.
I only use time warner for my internet service (have Dish network for tv). So, if they really are going to filter out on the internet, then I'll be affected.
To be honest though, the only thing I'll be annoyed about is the Daily Show and Colbert Report. But, I know how to get those elsewhere if this really becomes an standoff.
Perhaps you need to elaborate and be more specific, as right now, I don't know that you actually understood what I said.
My point was that they DON'T balance each other out (and could likely be unrelated, in my opinion), which is not the impression one would get listening to certain news outlets.
While they may not have direct power, they set a tone and thru their leadership and appointments have a great deal of control over things. You may not blame the POTUS directly, but the administration they form around themselves is still usually an extension of that mentality.
Actually, balance is about weight, so the point is to give the various sides of the arguments the weights they actually deserve and not treating them all as equal, which happens far too much when people claim to be "balanced."
The perfect example is the Intelligent Design vs. Evolution debate. The fact that some outlets try to put them on the same level and treat them as equal, but opposite opinions is not balanced reporting.
Really, all you had to do was read the first couple paragraphs to know his angle.
"WildTangent plans to release the Orb, a new PC-based "console," in April, and offer its lineup of indie games plus games from major publishers like Sierra, THQ, and more."
He couldn't possibly have a reason to suggest pc gaming is better, could he?
Slashdot Mirror
Let me get my checkbook.
Well, to be fair, if we can infer anything from the recent music studies, the same people that are hardcore enough to mod their xbox and steal some games are still buying other games. In music's case, it's been shown a few times those people downloading music frequently are still legally buying more music than the average consumer.
recent reference: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20090828/0444096038.shtml
Having said that, we can't really know for sure right now since nobody has studied games specifically, as far as I'm aware. It's probably not that far off.
I'm a little torn on this though, since I have a modded original xbox for xbmc, but my 360 is unmodded. I like the idea of getting rid of cheaters, but there still are some valid reasons to mess with your box in some cases.
Most people are still going to use it as a linear conversation. The added benefits though will be useful to the small percentage that start to take advantage of them. Plus, once people start building plugins, it could have more unintended benefits.
I look at it a little differently, and I don't put them all in the same categories.
Facebook, for example, is mostly for friends that I don't talk to regularly, so for those people it's a good place to give periodic updates and keep in touch on a less regular basis. I don't update every single day, so as long as you use it in moderation it can serve a purpose.
People that I communicate with more often are either in person or on the phone, so they're a closer circle of friends and family than I would use facebook for.
I haven't personally found a use for Twitter, since I generally agree I don't feel like relaying how many bowel movements I've had today or giving every single detail out to the public. I guess I could see a use if you like following celebrities or some special groups that have started using it, like the LA Fire Department, but otherwise it's not my thing.
I don't think anyone has been sued for questioning evolution. We just point and laugh at those people.
Well, I can only speak from my own experience as someone who only started going in the last 3 years. I've enjoyed my time there.
There are always going to be people complaining about the politics or old-timers who complain about the "Good Old Days", but in the end, I've met some really interesting people and had some good times.
This complaint about the terms really is only whining about a small handful of people out of the 50,000 attendees the last few years.
Also, regarding tickets, I'd much rather pay a little cash to have proper porto-potties and ice trucked in than the alternative. Even if a few people are taking advantage of the cash (which is debatable), they spend quite a bit of it to maintain the ecosystem and fund some of the coolest art I've seen in a long time.
I just realized that making a game out of this would be fun. Steve Jobs could be the level boss and if you defeat him, your app gets accepted into the app store.
I wonder if it would be accepted.
I know how to create apps, but I don't have time for it this weekend so I'm putting it out there. Get on it Slashdot. Someone write this now.
I don't know, having hookers and hacks read teleprompters in front of a camera can be pretty expensive.
I care. Every time one of these types of stories come up, people either respond by saying "get over it" or "boycott." I think that's the wrong way to think about things.
In my opinion, sometimes it's better to make so much noise that the controlling party has to change. It HAS worked in the past, despite what the naysayers like to believe.
...to point out that he is actually the one with ownership over his own head and all 3 of these people are wrong?
To be fair, I've had my plan for a lot longer since I've been with T-mobile for a while, so my current bill is closer to $90 after taxes. It's a little harder for me to justify a switch right now, though I certainly have been tempted at times for the 3g upgrade.
I also went to compare the prices though a little bit ago, and while they've gone up, they're still a bit cheaper than the other plans and I wasn't that far off. My example is close to what I would be getting now.
For example, go add familytime 1000 ($69.99) , then add unlimited email and messaging to each phone ($19.99 each). Total: $110 roughly.
Now, go grab the closest plan from ATT: Nation 700 FamilyTalk w/Rollover® Minutes ($69.99) + iPhone data plan ($30 each). Total: $130 roughly, and that doesn't even include messaging and has less minutes.
So, if you also wanted unlimited messaging, you're talking another $30 (Messaging Unlimited for Families), which is basically what I said the difference was. YMMV, of course depending on what plans you're comparing.
Yes, ATT is 3g, but I don't know if the additional $50/month justifies it. I'm fine for now.
I save at least $50 on T-mobile using an iPhone and unlocking it (my wife has one also, so it's a shared plan). ATT has taken advantage of the iPhone to tack on the $30 data plan per phone, which is quite a bit more expensive than most other plans with similar service.
I haven't fully decided if the iPhone penetration has reached a point where the government should be regulating them, but for ATT to argue that their deal really helps make things cheaper is bullshit.
Where in Google's presentation did they say that implementations had to all be open source? They simply said they'd supply some of their own code and the documentation for the protocols to allow other people to implement their solutions. They never said all the other people had to open source their versions.
I think this is appropriate.
http://daringfireball.net/2009/05/diary_of_an_app_store_reviewer
..but those things better do a lot more than play sounds if I'm going to pay $1500 for them, like wash my dishes or give me a happy ending.
I'm trying to decide what CMS to use for a site, and this was useful to know. Thanks.
I need to setup a blog and forum, and I've been debating over Drupal or a Wordpress + forum hybrid. I like the fact that Drupal has a forum integrated, so you can just create one user login and have access to both sections of the site.
I think Wordpress is a bit easier to work with if all you want is a blog, but I'm probably leaning towards Drupal right now since I need a bit more.
I also tried looking at bbPress, which is the forum software written by the Wordpress people. It is supposed to integrate with the wordpress user database, but as of last night, is still a bit flaky. They're still not officially released yet though (I played with version 1.0 alpha 6 last night). Having said that, I like some of the ideas and think they could be a serious contender once they get further along.
If the change we're expecting is compared to a Bush presidency or even a predicted McCain presidency, then I would argue that it's still like night and day.
I don't agree with this choice, but it's not like I'm expecting Obama to fart rainbows all the time.
You give Joe Sixpack too much credit.
At best, we could hope that the FCC gets annoyed and starts pushing them to find a resolution, but even that is doubtful depending on how much lobbying they're doing.
I only use time warner for my internet service (have Dish network for tv). So, if they really are going to filter out on the internet, then I'll be affected.
To be honest though, the only thing I'll be annoyed about is the Daily Show and Colbert Report. But, I know how to get those elsewhere if this really becomes an standoff.
Perhaps you need to elaborate and be more specific, as right now, I don't know that you actually understood what I said.
My point was that they DON'T balance each other out (and could likely be unrelated, in my opinion), which is not the impression one would get listening to certain news outlets.
While they may not have direct power, they set a tone and thru their leadership and appointments have a great deal of control over things. You may not blame the POTUS directly, but the administration they form around themselves is still usually an extension of that mentality.
Actually, balance is about weight, so the point is to give the various sides of the arguments the weights they actually deserve and not treating them all as equal, which happens far too much when people claim to be "balanced."
The perfect example is the Intelligent Design vs. Evolution debate. The fact that some outlets try to put them on the same level and treat them as equal, but opposite opinions is not balanced reporting.
I used to own an older Inspiron from Dell which was huge. You will hate it the first time you have to take it thru an airport screening.
It was an ok machine, but way too large to really be considered a "lap"-top.
If you want to get technical, not even START is required in some cases.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konami_Code
Really, all you had to do was read the first couple paragraphs to know his angle.
"WildTangent plans to release the Orb, a new PC-based "console," in April, and offer its lineup of indie games plus games from major publishers like Sierra, THQ, and more."
He couldn't possibly have a reason to suggest pc gaming is better, could he?