'Fedora does this and it's actually a bit annoying when you are setting things up with slightly unusual settings because it will rename your Xorg.conf file and set up a new one if you plug in a different monitor. A pain when you are setting up dual head systems before you hook up both monitors.'
That is why I don't use fedora anymore. The 'tools' aren't very helpful at all in practice. If your video card and monitor hasn't changed there is no reason to overwrite the conf file. If you add a monitor then nothing should happen automatically, instead there should be a simple video settings applet through which you configure your dual head options, res, etc to enable your second monitor or TV. A simple X restart and all is well. It is certainly possible to do this correctly because windows does it.
In other words, your problems are with the implementation, not with the concept.
'What X issues have you encountered, and on what hardware? What did you do to try to resolve them?'
Anything from the X server not starting to an unreadable and unusable screen. Since they are problems that others who I am giving discs are encountering and not myself I have done nothing to try to resolve them. If the installation/live cd fails to detect and properly configure the hardware and boot to a visible and graphical desktop then your average user isn't going to use it. If it boots up to a failsafe mode that either does detect the hardware or at least asks what hardware they have then some might use it.
'Too many people just post "I've installed $distro and it doesn't work" and then can't actually describe what's wrong, or what graphics card they have, or how they tried to set it up.'
I might post that information if I personally had a problem I couldn't resolve and I was trying to get help but I don't and I'm not. I appreciate the concern though.:)
'As stated, your "Since Thomas didn't write... the same is true..." is simply a direct, blatant, lie. There is no possible way you could -know- this as the case'
There is a very simple way. There are no two thousand year old printing presses, and there are no copies of any new testament gospel that are two thousand years old. In fact, there aren't any that are even close to two thousand years old.
'But let's say you are correct--in that case, it still wouldn't matter. "The Gospel According to X" does not assert that "X" wrote the document, simply. If I collected, say, statements of Yoko Ono regarding John Lennon, which were provided verbally and/or second hand, it is still perfectly acceptable and reasonable to state that my document is "John Lennon According To Yoko Ono". You may choose to not believe that my claim that Yoko Ono said something is factually true, but the mere title does not get you to that conclusion.'
No, the fact that you got the statements second hand does. There is a little game they play in school to demonstrate this concept, the result is unavoidable because it is a result of how our brains function and store memory which in turn is the same reason eye witness accounts are so inaccurate that they shouldn't be allowed in court. In the game the teacher whispers a statement to one student, that student in turn whispers to other students. After the message has passed around the room, the teacher asks the last student what he heard and various students before him. The answer is different each time and none will have the correct answer. The more complex the message the greater the variation. Real historians studying ancient texts will tell you that this is equally true of books being hand copied. Every author changes them.
Is it possible that the stories originated with the life of Christ but it really doesn't matter. It is safe to say that while there may be a kernel of truth in each as in any legend, none are the actual events that transpired or likely anything close to those events.
'X11 is the current protocol, and the OP seemed to call for "a little modernization" in the form of a new revision.'
Actually my confusion was about the version/labeling. I was not aware (I suspect like the parent you are referring to) that the 11 refers only to the core protocol and not the major version of the actual software.
'There's a point where adding more swap is only going to allow the system to run even worse instead of having the process die and fix the problem.'
Not to mention, despite what BSD does to proactively free RAM you don't want to do that unless there is a shortage of ram in the first place. After all, the program that has been idle for a month might kick up and do something and if nothing else needs the ram it is using, it will be more responsive if it is still in RAM than if it is sitting in swap on a box with 3gb of free ram.
What I have noticed (from observation, not study of the memory system in the kernel) is that the size of the swap file, or possibly the size of swap relative to free memory seems to impact when swapping begins. I use a swap that is ram*2 when using less than 512mb ram, for 512mb I use swap of equal size, and for more than that, swap is half the size of system memory. After all, its more advantageous to avoid swapping in the first place than to improve the performance of swap.
'No, you're not quite understanding. Back in the day (10+ years ago),'
I am aware of the state of things 'back in the day' but I am missing what that has to do with this thread about the reasons people are having difficulty installing Ubuntu today? One poster said graphical problems (something I also encounter frequently) another (who I responded to here) said he rarely encountered graphical issues and instead encountered incorrectly burned cd/dvd's and old computers. I then pointed out that I personally don't encounter the old machines much anymore and I avoid people not knowing how to burn ISO's by giving them already burnt DVD's.
'I think you may be a bit confused here. Easy configuration and automatic failsafe operation is a server implementation detail.'
You may be right. I still don't understand why you keep referring to changing the protocol in the first place. The easy configuration and failsafe operation should be included in the standard x.org distribution (along with the extra magic step of dynamically detecting hardware changes). I am by no means an x guru but my understanding is that loading an entirely different server with standard lowest common denominator settings is how a failsafe would function in the first place. I don't understand why you think this would require a protocol change (since nobody else has mentioned the protocol) and my response was written to address why it should be included with the standard package that all the distributions pass on.
Essentially, what I am saying is that this is functionality that is fundemental to a graphical desktop system and you shouldn't need to hope your distribution added the capability or included a third party utility/modification. If it's included in the x.org distribution then it will be included in EVERY distribution.
'I'm all thumbs up for making X server configuration less intimidating, it's something I've heard people complain about for as long as I've been a Linux user.'
I agree. X configuration is not just intimidating, it is a PITA. Even using the new auto-configuration it is a PITA. I am all for additional options where they add flexibility but there is absolutely no advantage to the cumbersome process of configuring X for a new display and video card compared to the MS windows method. I could set up a single monitor keyboard and mouse and call it a workbench. Take in computers that need repair, fix them using my bench and give the tower back to the customer knowing their system would automatically adjust itself to their display and input devices when they went home from win95b on. The fact that I STILL can't do that with Linux/X today is just pathetic.
As for backward compatibility, it is something one should strive to maintain while moving forward, but the moment there is a conflict between backward compatibility and the ability to move forward backward compatibility should lose.
You must live in a special little world of your own. The size of the repositories are nowhere near comparable. Even after you add Apt for RPM and the 3rd party repositories for use with it (and I have had problems with conflicts between those third party repositories) the software selection doesn't compare.
'but nvidia has some great drivers for running multiheaded displays'
I am all ears for your wisdom. I run a system with both a monitor and TV out and I haven't been able to find a graphical tool that can actually configure the nvidia drivers (neither the nvidia tool nor any of the tools I've found in the ubuntu repositories actually function properly). The only way I am have been able to make it work is by editing the conf manually (a PITA) and even with it enabled I haven't been able to achieve the same resolutions and functionality I get just by selecting 'clone' and setting the secondary display (aka the TV) as the fullscreen video device under windows.
What is the secret to 30 second multiple display/tv out setup with the nvidia linux drivers?
'Personally, I have no problem just editing a text file.'
I am perfectly capable of editing a text file, but frankly, I am fscking lazy. I can sit and crunch a keyboard as well as the next guy. When I am working in front of someone that is exactly what I do. But I can sit back and mouse effortlessly. I hold an LPI cert which at least tells you that I have memorized all the damn configuration files, their options, and the damn options for the command line tools, never take the LPI Exams.
'I remember that back in the day YaST (SuSE's Yet Another Setup Tool) used to be incredibly handy because the CLI and GUI for the tool, which controlled almost all configurable options of the Linux distro, would behave almost exactly the same.'
The problem I found with YAST is that it didn't work. You'd enable 3D acceleration, reload X, no 3D accel and the option was undone in Yast. You'd do the setup for a TV card, great, but it didn't work either.
'I think the focus should be to take time to make sure as much as possible actually does work'
If we are talking about Ubuntu, I don't know of much of anything that doesn't work as far as the distro itself goes.
'already confusing (under the hood) distro that doesn't tend to be too transparent about what it does'
To what are you referring? I've never found anything about Ubuntu very confusing. In general Ubuntu packages install files exactly where you'd expect them. It uses a standard directory structure. Puts home directories, logs, configuration files, libraries, and such in standard locations.
If you want a confusing distro that isn't transparent look at anything redhatish (mandrake, suse, fedora, redhat) or look at the most confusing distro I have ever seen... e-smith.
'P.S.: Mandriva 4 ever, screw this Ubundu fad. Mandrake was the first user-friendly distro and still holds the crown. 8-)'
I remember when I used to like Redhatish distros using RPM too. Sorry but you combine a clean user friendly distro with apt and a debian sized software repository, and you have something no RPM based distro could ever compete with.
'What we won't have is that deeply satisfying feeling of smugness, of superiority, although that attitude is more common amongst Mac users than the Linux crowd, I'd say.'
Not due to running a particular operating system anyway. Interestingly, most of those who have a right to smugness and superiority are probably running Linux. That is, most who have a great enough intellect that they SHOULD feel superior to the idiotic conformist cattle that comprises the general population.
'and the fact that WHO really wants to run X in VGA mode'
Nobody, but there are graphical tools that will fairly reliably detect and configure your X for you. Or you can look up the settings for your card/monitor. What X really needs to do is detect your monitor and video card dynamically on every boot.
'In any case, I'm not exactly sure about what cause would be served by changing the base protocol.'
This has been a glaring hole in Linux desktop systems until... now? It is a feature that should always be present. Manual X configuration is a painful touch and go process even if you know how.
So basically, it makes sense to add this to the base release because it is a capability that is needed for virtually every X installation (for modularity you should be able to remove it of course, embedded applications and such) and definitely for every X desktop installation.
I solve this problem by giving them already burned DVD's. You do know they will send you Ubuntu DVD's already burned and packaged pretty for free right?
I don't encounter many computers so old they won't run win98 anymore, or winxp for that matter. I have encountered MANY that have x issues. This is a godsend that I have been begging for, for years.
Even if you are right about population (I'd have to disagree, the world might be CAPABLE of supporting 12 billion but the US about as heavily and densely populated as it SHOULD be) that still ignores the fact that if one of the many big rocks hurling at our planet should hit it we are toast.
The space program will begin to progress at a more reasonable rate once it is out of government hands. Private corporations will hush up accidents so they aren't as afraid of mishaps. They also understand that there are literally billions of expendable lives on earth. People are relatively cheap and plentiful, robots are valuable.
'I imagine they will send some few people there just to be able to say "We sent some hairless ape creatures to Mars", but beyond that? Naaah. Not worth the trouble.'
There are very big reasons to expand to both the moon and to mars. The first is that the only purpose we have in life is to perpetuate the species and we are all sitting on one rock looking pretty vulnerable at the moment. The second is overpopulation, even going the Chinese route is only a stop gap measure.
'The most supported theory currently is we're better off without fur due to all the parasites that can turn fur into a lovely home.'
I've got a better one, tits and ass are sexier when they aren't covered in fur. There is no particular reason that selected genes will actually be superior unless your only criteria for defining superiority is 'more likely to be selected'.
'Jesus said, "Blessed is the lion which becomes man when consumed by man; and cursed is the man whom the lion consumes, and the lion becomes man."
--Gospel of Thomas'
Since Thomas didn't write the Gospel of Thomas (and the same is true of all the books in the new testament) what you are really saying is that someone wrote that someone said that someone else said "Blessed is the lion which becomes man when consumed by man; and cursed is the man whom the lion consumes, and the lion becomes man." And lets just ignore the fact that the one who wrote that knew neither Thomas nor Jesus and lived long after the death of anyone who did.
'You can update your GPL software to your heart's content, add features and functionality just like you claimed to want. Only one tiny detail, you can't break the security of the system and defeat the DRM.'
No you can't, they have prevented you from accessing the hardware and that means if they have disabled access to a function in their vm layer you can't enable it. For instance, the modified linksys fireware that turned on speedbooster in lower cost models wouldn't have been possible under this scheme. That has nothing to do with DRM.
Not that third party hardware DRM on a device that belongs entirely to me isn't a vile and evil thing. After all, its MY xbox (replace with any other relevant device, I've boycotted DRM'd hardware and don't own any), not microsoft's. User controlled digital signing is a great thing but that is the only valid use of DRM. DRM isn't needed for copyrighted material because there are already laws in place protecting those materials and using DRM to gain additional protections or to prevent any use that would be legal under the 76 copyright act is simply an abuse.
'Cingular. It's been 2-3 years since I first noticed it'
I've noticed the same with T-Mobile. The clock is about thirty seconds off. I don't consider that to be so grossly and horribly inaccurate as to be utterly useless. It's about as accurate as a wristwatch and I use my cell as such.
If I see another ask slashdot about changing to another career, moving up to management, or how to get started in field x/is my degree worthless/is it worth it to get a degree I may projectile vomit repeatedly.
I don't know, I've been seeing these same stupid more or less identical questions posted to the front pages for years, this time something just snapped. If I see any more of these dupe ask slashdots I swear by all that is holy that I will violently attack a flock of paper swans!
Slashdot Mirror
'Fedora does this and it's actually a bit annoying when you are setting things up with slightly unusual settings because it will rename your Xorg.conf file and set up a new one if you plug in a different monitor. A pain when you are setting up dual head systems before you hook up both monitors.'
That is why I don't use fedora anymore. The 'tools' aren't very helpful at all in practice. If your video card and monitor hasn't changed there is no reason to overwrite the conf file. If you add a monitor then nothing should happen automatically, instead there should be a simple video settings applet through which you configure your dual head options, res, etc to enable your second monitor or TV. A simple X restart and all is well. It is certainly possible to do this correctly because windows does it.
In other words, your problems are with the implementation, not with the concept.
'What X issues have you encountered, and on what hardware? What did you do to try to resolve them?'
:)
Anything from the X server not starting to an unreadable and unusable screen. Since they are problems that others who I am giving discs are encountering and not myself I have done nothing to try to resolve them. If the installation/live cd fails to detect and properly configure the hardware and boot to a visible and graphical desktop then your average user isn't going to use it. If it boots up to a failsafe mode that either does detect the hardware or at least asks what hardware they have then some might use it.
'Too many people just post "I've installed $distro and it doesn't work" and then can't actually describe what's wrong, or what graphics card they have, or how they tried to set it up.'
I might post that information if I personally had a problem I couldn't resolve and I was trying to get help but I don't and I'm not. I appreciate the concern though.
'As stated, your "Since Thomas didn't write... the same is true..." is simply a direct, blatant, lie. There is no possible way you could -know- this as the case'
There is a very simple way. There are no two thousand year old printing presses, and there are no copies of any new testament gospel that are two thousand years old. In fact, there aren't any that are even close to two thousand years old.
'But let's say you are correct--in that case, it still wouldn't matter. "The Gospel According to X" does not assert that "X" wrote the document, simply. If I collected, say, statements of Yoko Ono regarding John Lennon, which were provided verbally and/or second hand, it is still perfectly acceptable and reasonable to state that my document is "John Lennon According To Yoko Ono". You may choose to not believe that my claim that Yoko Ono said something is factually true, but the mere title does not get you to that conclusion.'
No, the fact that you got the statements second hand does. There is a little game they play in school to demonstrate this concept, the result is unavoidable because it is a result of how our brains function and store memory which in turn is the same reason eye witness accounts are so inaccurate that they shouldn't be allowed in court. In the game the teacher whispers a statement to one student, that student in turn whispers to other students. After the message has passed around the room, the teacher asks the last student what he heard and various students before him. The answer is different each time and none will have the correct answer. The more complex the message the greater the variation. Real historians studying ancient texts will tell you that this is equally true of books being hand copied. Every author changes them.
Is it possible that the stories originated with the life of Christ but it really doesn't matter. It is safe to say that while there may be a kernel of truth in each as in any legend, none are the actual events that transpired or likely anything close to those events.
'X11 is the current protocol, and the OP seemed to call for "a little modernization" in the form of a new revision.'
Actually my confusion was about the version/labeling. I was not aware (I suspect like the parent you are referring to) that the 11 refers only to the core protocol and not the major version of the actual software.
'There's a point where adding more swap is only going to allow the system to run even worse instead of having the process die and fix the problem.'
Not to mention, despite what BSD does to proactively free RAM you don't want to do that unless there is a shortage of ram in the first place. After all, the program that has been idle for a month might kick up and do something and if nothing else needs the ram it is using, it will be more responsive if it is still in RAM than if it is sitting in swap on a box with 3gb of free ram.
What I have noticed (from observation, not study of the memory system in the kernel) is that the size of the swap file, or possibly the size of swap relative to free memory seems to impact when swapping begins. I use a swap that is ram*2 when using less than 512mb ram, for 512mb I use swap of equal size, and for more than that, swap is half the size of system memory. After all, its more advantageous to avoid swapping in the first place than to improve the performance of swap.
'Newer versions of X.org have a decent autodetect setup, if the hardware support is available. Try "X -configure"'
Yeah, that worked for me once. I'd much rather not have to lean forward though. Changing computers and monitors is something I do ALOT.
'No, you're not quite understanding. Back in the day (10+ years ago),'
I am aware of the state of things 'back in the day' but I am missing what that has to do with this thread about the reasons people are having difficulty installing Ubuntu today? One poster said graphical problems (something I also encounter frequently) another (who I responded to here) said he rarely encountered graphical issues and instead encountered incorrectly burned cd/dvd's and old computers. I then pointed out that I personally don't encounter the old machines much anymore and I avoid people not knowing how to burn ISO's by giving them already burnt DVD's.
'I think you may be a bit confused here. Easy configuration and automatic failsafe operation is a server implementation detail.'
You may be right. I still don't understand why you keep referring to changing the protocol in the first place. The easy configuration and failsafe operation should be included in the standard x.org distribution (along with the extra magic step of dynamically detecting hardware changes). I am by no means an x guru but my understanding is that loading an entirely different server with standard lowest common denominator settings is how a failsafe would function in the first place. I don't understand why you think this would require a protocol change (since nobody else has mentioned the protocol) and my response was written to address why it should be included with the standard package that all the distributions pass on.
Essentially, what I am saying is that this is functionality that is fundemental to a graphical desktop system and you shouldn't need to hope your distribution added the capability or included a third party utility/modification. If it's included in the x.org distribution then it will be included in EVERY distribution.
'I'm all thumbs up for making X server configuration less intimidating, it's something I've heard people complain about for as long as I've been a Linux user.'
I agree. X configuration is not just intimidating, it is a PITA. Even using the new auto-configuration it is a PITA. I am all for additional options where they add flexibility but there is absolutely no advantage to the cumbersome process of configuring X for a new display and video card compared to the MS windows method. I could set up a single monitor keyboard and mouse and call it a workbench. Take in computers that need repair, fix them using my bench and give the tower back to the customer knowing their system would automatically adjust itself to their display and input devices when they went home from win95b on. The fact that I STILL can't do that with Linux/X today is just pathetic.
As for backward compatibility, it is something one should strive to maintain while moving forward, but the moment there is a conflict between backward compatibility and the ability to move forward backward compatibility should lose.
'The sizes of the repositories are comparable.'
You must live in a special little world of your own. The size of the repositories are nowhere near comparable. Even after you add Apt for RPM and the 3rd party repositories for use with it (and I have had problems with conflicts between those third party repositories) the software selection doesn't compare.
'but nvidia has some great drivers for running multiheaded displays'
I am all ears for your wisdom. I run a system with both a monitor and TV out and I haven't been able to find a graphical tool that can actually configure the nvidia drivers (neither the nvidia tool nor any of the tools I've found in the ubuntu repositories actually function properly). The only way I am have been able to make it work is by editing the conf manually (a PITA) and even with it enabled I haven't been able to achieve the same resolutions and functionality I get just by selecting 'clone' and setting the secondary display (aka the TV) as the fullscreen video device under windows.
What is the secret to 30 second multiple display/tv out setup with the nvidia linux drivers?
'Personally, I have no problem just editing a text file.'
I am perfectly capable of editing a text file, but frankly, I am fscking lazy. I can sit and crunch a keyboard as well as the next guy. When I am working in front of someone that is exactly what I do. But I can sit back and mouse effortlessly. I hold an LPI cert which at least tells you that I have memorized all the damn configuration files, their options, and the damn options for the command line tools, never take the LPI Exams.
'I remember that back in the day YaST (SuSE's Yet Another Setup Tool) used to be incredibly handy because the CLI and GUI for the tool, which controlled almost all configurable options of the Linux distro, would behave almost exactly the same.'
The problem I found with YAST is that it didn't work. You'd enable 3D acceleration, reload X, no 3D accel and the option was undone in Yast. You'd do the setup for a TV card, great, but it didn't work either.
'I think the focus should be to take time to make sure as much as possible actually does work'
If we are talking about Ubuntu, I don't know of much of anything that doesn't work as far as the distro itself goes.
'already confusing (under the hood) distro that doesn't tend to be too transparent about what it does'
To what are you referring? I've never found anything about Ubuntu very confusing. In general Ubuntu packages install files exactly where you'd expect them. It uses a standard directory structure. Puts home directories, logs, configuration files, libraries, and such in standard locations.
If you want a confusing distro that isn't transparent look at anything redhatish (mandrake, suse, fedora, redhat) or look at the most confusing distro I have ever seen... e-smith.
'P.S.: Mandriva 4 ever, screw this Ubundu fad. Mandrake was the first user-friendly distro and still holds the crown. 8-)'
I remember when I used to like Redhatish distros using RPM too. Sorry but you combine a clean user friendly distro with apt and a debian sized software repository, and you have something no RPM based distro could ever compete with.
'What we won't have is that deeply satisfying feeling of smugness, of superiority, although that attitude is more common amongst Mac users than the Linux crowd, I'd say.'
Not due to running a particular operating system anyway. Interestingly, most of those who have a right to smugness and superiority are probably running Linux. That is, most who have a great enough intellect that they SHOULD feel superior to the idiotic conformist cattle that comprises the general population.
'and the fact that WHO really wants to run X in VGA mode'
Nobody, but there are graphical tools that will fairly reliably detect and configure your X for you. Or you can look up the settings for your card/monitor. What X really needs to do is detect your monitor and video card dynamically on every boot.
'In any case, I'm not exactly sure about what cause would be served by changing the base protocol.'
This has been a glaring hole in Linux desktop systems until... now? It is a feature that should always be present. Manual X configuration is a painful touch and go process even if you know how.
So basically, it makes sense to add this to the base release because it is a capability that is needed for virtually every X installation (for modularity you should be able to remove it of course, embedded applications and such) and definitely for every X desktop installation.
I solve this problem by giving them already burned DVD's. You do know they will send you Ubuntu DVD's already burned and packaged pretty for free right?
I don't encounter many computers so old they won't run win98 anymore, or winxp for that matter. I have encountered MANY that have x issues. This is a godsend that I have been begging for, for years.
Even if you are right about population (I'd have to disagree, the world might be CAPABLE of supporting 12 billion but the US about as heavily and densely populated as it SHOULD be) that still ignores the fact that if one of the many big rocks hurling at our planet should hit it we are toast.
The space program will begin to progress at a more reasonable rate once it is out of government hands. Private corporations will hush up accidents so they aren't as afraid of mishaps. They also understand that there are literally billions of expendable lives on earth. People are relatively cheap and plentiful, robots are valuable.
'I imagine they will send some few people there just to be able to say "We sent some hairless ape creatures to Mars", but beyond that? Naaah. Not worth the trouble.'
There are very big reasons to expand to both the moon and to mars. The first is that the only purpose we have in life is to perpetuate the species and we are all sitting on one rock looking pretty vulnerable at the moment. The second is overpopulation, even going the Chinese route is only a stop gap measure.
'Hint: The reason why people are pointing at you, giggling and whispering to each other is because you have a cell phone strapped to your wrist.'
you mean that's not what the wrist strap is for?
'The most supported theory currently is we're better off without fur due to all the parasites that can turn fur into a lovely home.'
I've got a better one, tits and ass are sexier when they aren't covered in fur. There is no particular reason that selected genes will actually be superior unless your only criteria for defining superiority is 'more likely to be selected'.
'Jesus said, "Blessed is the lion which becomes man when consumed by man; and cursed is the man whom the lion consumes, and the lion becomes man."
--Gospel of Thomas'
Since Thomas didn't write the Gospel of Thomas (and the same is true of all the books in the new testament) what you are really saying is that someone wrote that someone said that someone else said "Blessed is the lion which becomes man when consumed by man; and cursed is the man whom the lion consumes, and the lion becomes man." And lets just ignore the fact that the one who wrote that knew neither Thomas nor Jesus and lived long after the death of anyone who did.
'You can update your GPL software to your heart's content, add features and functionality just like you claimed to want. Only one tiny detail, you can't break the security of the system and defeat the DRM.'
No you can't, they have prevented you from accessing the hardware and that means if they have disabled access to a function in their vm layer you can't enable it. For instance, the modified linksys fireware that turned on speedbooster in lower cost models wouldn't have been possible under this scheme. That has nothing to do with DRM.
Not that third party hardware DRM on a device that belongs entirely to me isn't a vile and evil thing. After all, its MY xbox (replace with any other relevant device, I've boycotted DRM'd hardware and don't own any), not microsoft's. User controlled digital signing is a great thing but that is the only valid use of DRM. DRM isn't needed for copyrighted material because there are already laws in place protecting those materials and using DRM to gain additional protections or to prevent any use that would be legal under the 76 copyright act is simply an abuse.
'Cingular. It's been 2-3 years since I first noticed it'
I've noticed the same with T-Mobile. The clock is about thirty seconds off. I don't consider that to be so grossly and horribly inaccurate as to be utterly useless. It's about as accurate as a wristwatch and I use my cell as such.
If I see another ask slashdot about changing to another career, moving up to management, or how to get started in field x/is my degree worthless/is it worth it to get a degree I may projectile vomit repeatedly.
I don't know, I've been seeing these same stupid more or less identical questions posted to the front pages for years, this time something just snapped. If I see any more of these dupe ask slashdots I swear by all that is holy that I will violently attack a flock of paper swans!