I propose that the Toonie is responsible. Its the only coin with two separate pieces. I believe the Mint produces regular non-tracking Toonies (RNTT) and when needed a trained technician replaces one of the pieces with a tracking device and the coin is then called a regular tracking device Toonie (RTDT). I think - and I can't tell from my initial investigation - but its either the outer piece or the inner one that could contain the transmitter. There's a problem though: I'm broke and do not have any RNTT or RTDT to complete my investigation.
I'm going to take a wild guess as to why I don't think these anonymous surveys are really good: Lets say you work at some company. You hate the job. But job market is really tough. Do you really want to say your company sucks in a national magazine survey? How do you know its truly "anonymous". Maybe your boss knows the editors. Maybe they'll try and find out covertly after its published. Or if they participated in the suvey and didn't make the list, do you think they might try to find out "why". Try getting a good reference afterwards.
Many of these questionaries are often very long and detailed. Who has the time to fill them all out: big companies. And the information being asked was often very specific, some I wager the employers would either make up or leave blank (too much time/$$$ to find out or would reveal information to competitors). Several had 25+ pages to fill out. Now if you're an HR person and want your company "out there" you think the staff has enough time to fill out several a year? I think more than a few are left out for these reasons too.
Amid concerns that some of the consoles are just "sitting" on the shelves, I'm sure that this is posing an addtional loss for Sony.
I say this because I'm sure they get better prices for parts on a Quarterly on Monthly basis. If something didn't sell which you didn't have to produce and your cost goes down = loss.
I also wonder if there is lower adoption because the higher quality Blu-Ray (and who "wouldn't" want it to play movies) really needs an HDTV to take full advantage of the system. This means system price + cost of HDTV. Ditto for X360.
Aside but relevant: I don't know about most/.'ers but I'm 26. I've played a fair number of video games. I've had a Gamecube and PS2 for over 3 years now. Only three games on the console have "wowed" me to the point I wish all games were like it: Zelda Wind Waker, Metal Gear Solid 2 and MGS3. Otherwise, all games to me, are now boring, repetitive, not story driven and/or too time consuming (don't have time for RPGs anymore). Sorry to say to the console makers and I think I'm not alone: part of my demographic won't shell out mega-bucks when we have rent to pay when all the games look, feel and play the same! And I'm not buying a PS3 just for MGS4 (might rent to play it). And time wise I don't think I'm buying a Wii (I already have a better one anyways;) )
This is a major breach of privacy. Its not so much that I care about them taking my fingerprints and storing it in a database. Its about sharing the information with other countries. Is this to say that without my prior knowledge and consent, that most any country would //could have my fingerprints on file?
I'm equally concerned about false accusations. There is ample case history of fingerprint and DNA mismatches in the US and Canada abroad (mostly due to really sloppy procedures). I'd rather they use the motive, opportunity and pyhsical proximity stuff before just looking everything up in a database. I'd rather avoid the media attention and stress of being on trial just being on trial.
I looked into getting a Data cable from my cell phone provider for a two-year old phone. They want $50! (I know eBay, etc). It goes to show that the proprietary cables cost a hell of a lot more money for nothing.
And I'll bet with these standard cables, Monster Cable will develop a super-editition with gold-plated connectors, etc, etc! Only $100! LOL.
I also wonder though as an aside: here on Slashdot, and I tend to agree with the arguement, there are critques of analysts at 'independent' research firms for not doing their research properly and it therefore impacting upon the public perception (read: stock performance) of the company be analysed.
I have to wonder if there is also an economic downside to this type of research. And sure, Apple is a 'big' company by most measures but the bottom line still effects wether or not people keep their jobs.
Thanks now it makes sense. I think everyone was hoping for something scandalous for tabloid reading, myself included!!
I can now see why the group chose a sample of 1,000 persons. It was obviously a pool from their 10,000 member sample and they sould be able to calculate the validity from the larger sample.
A few readers commented when the story was posted yesterday that they were wondering "How" the credit card data was obtained. It seemed from yesterday's story and the posts that Forrester Research had obtained credit card detailed transaction lists (w/o the credit card numbers, etc, I hope!).
So, I would like to ask, how was the data obtained and is this level of detailed information avilable for legal purchase? I'm just curious as to how much information is available about credit card puchases.
Yeah, I'm starting to realize this is really the more practical alternative too. I think with the higher density of storage, more easily organize files and faster retrival speeds its really ideal. Theres some nice Linux distros pre-configured for NAS/SAN on different protocols which are super easy to setup. I've tried a few of them. It saves the price and hassle of proprietary units.
I would think - I don't know that much about backup media - that something like tapes would be better for archnival than DVDs. Even with higher density Blu-Ray or HD-DVD would be prone to the same fail over as CD-type media. I've been looking breifly at prices on Tape drives. Some seem quite high. Is there a make/model ideal for personal and SOHO users now? There seem to be a lot less on the market than I remember 10 years ago targeted at this price range. Looking to backup about 1 TB max (for future). Probably closer to 500 Gig for now though.
I have to agree. I meant to say the same thing only you wrote it more nicely. I don't care much for the fact iTunes 7 looks different than the rest of the UI. But having more consistency in the UI would be nice across all apps. Something like Shapshifter (depending on the theme used), can be really inconsistent and bring some hard to read dialog boxes.
And for the love of god - if someone at Apple is reading this - please FTFF (fix the Finder ). At the least the Windows Explorer shortcut keys and folder organization is better than Finder (at least for Win2k don't know on Vista).
I only hope that Apple will let me choose which theme I use. Tiger only offers a few themes. I don't relly mind because the current themese are not distracting. If I don't like the new theme, at least offer my Graphite so that I can switch back.
The way I read it, they expecting MS to integrate more Internet technologies - or create new Internet technologies- and integrate it into Vista. If so MS is already underfire for security problems in Vista. Adding more Internet related programs/code help into Vista would only hinder the security. IMO, I wouldn't want more Internet bells and whistles integrated into any OS. And besides, more integration means more scrutiny under the EU and DOJ.
From the article"Once installed in the post, Mr Ozzie wrote an internal company memo that mapped out the challenges that face Microsoft. The message was clear: get Google, get with the internet and wean Microsoft off Windows as we know it".
Equally, you could also read this article to mean.... MS has been too dependent on Windows and Office for its business model. Duh! So now they're doing Zune, Xbox, Media Center, Windows Live and a whole bunch of other stuff. I don't see Windows dying anytime soon though. Its a money maker and its impossible to replace all the business/desktop apps running on it in less than 10 years.
While studying at university, I've had the experience of working in call-centers in different positions - all but supervisor (because they were afraid I would actually do a good job!). A lot of tech support is outsourced as many/. readers probably know. They don't exactly have the best working conditions. There are really a few problems with this call:
1) data charges in Canada aren't any higher than the US - though with cross-border use the data rate generally skyrockets, for some reason I don't understand. 2) Employees in sales, support, and supervisor positions in call centers are a mixed-bag. I've seen some only HS, some post-secondary students, some with degrees/diplomas..... and some you never really know if they've been educated. You'll find among these (like the general population) some really smart and some not so smart. And don't forget math is a different type of IQ from language. Though this is really basic math for most of us here, a smart person might not be math smart. 3) I agree the math of the caller is right. Verizon's is clearly in the wrong. If the agent on the phone though credited $70 I'm sure Verizon management or the supervisor in the call center would question the employee. Since some wouldn't understand the math, I'm sure employee would be disciplined or fired. Esp. if an outsourced company is doing the disciplining, I'm sure it would work more to Verizon and not the employee's favor. Don't forget they probably have to handle a lot of credit complaints. Is suddenly every customer right? Not debating the ethics, but I'm sure Verizon would question them. 4) Ever had a bad day at work? Didn't perform as you should? Working in call-centers, most employees get de-motived and don't care about the work. Caller was a nice guy. But in many cases, as I have been, you're not motivated to actually helping people. You don't get extra money. Less time and less credits on call means more job security. Had it been me, I would have credited the guy, but probably passed it onto a supervisor for further 'investigation'. Just to CMA (cover my ass!).
And, like many other jobs, working in call centers is a tireless loop. It was impossible for me after long time trying and with a honours degree in university to find work. My current employer gave me a chance and I'm greatful. Think of those, similar to me, that might be stuck in the same loop. They're not under achieving, they're just not getting other job offers no matter how hard they try. At least think of those people when calling in. Not everyone picking up the phone should be labelled 'stupid'.
IMO, I don't like either format. While I expect the price of the players for HD-DVD and Blu-Ray to come down in the next few years, I don't want to pay a $10 to $15 premium (in CAD $) for the movie just becuase its in a higher definition content. A movie is still only as good as its actors, script, etc - the sum of its parts. Its still the same content I'm paying to watch, and I don't believe it ever will deserve premium money.
A premium, I think, should only be earned if the content is truly spectacular and a new experience - like virtual reality type stuff.
I haven't had much time to implement this, but I have created some PAR2 files of a couple of DVDs which have important documents on them.
The problem I have though is that on a slower computere creating the PAR2 files is timely in itself. So its not an ideal way of backing up, but it sure as hell beat not being able to recover anything.
Check the PAR2 sourceforge page. I had my doubts, like you, some time ago about using PAR2 for backup. It turns out there's already a bunch of users using it for that very reason.
All things being equal though, I would much sooner get a more reliable backup medium than using CDs/DVDs, and hard drives. I've considered tape but I need a separate machine (have an iMac) or MO (too expensive) or RAID or bunch of HDDs (again cost, convienience considerations).
I could see this as being a real cause for concern for privacy for celebrities. Celebrities are regular everyday people. I'd sure as hell get annoyed if a flock of morons was following me around with a cellphone or camera all day long. If some pro photographer isn't able to follow them around all day, why the hell should the public have the right to follow them around and take pics? Doesn't this fall in under some peeping-Tom or stalking laws? I think some of the pros are borderline on this already.
Also, people should take caution as they're not Reuters/major media chain employees and are not afforded the same legal protections of Reuters employees. Take a naughty pic of Mrs. Celebrity for $50... how are you going to afford 5K for a lawyer?
I don't necessarily mind that telcom and cable providers recuperate costs on equipment purchases. The way I see it though, there are every couple of months or years, price increases on major telco/cable/satellite provider's bills. In Canada these are regulated by the CRTC. I'm sure US customers have similar problems with bill prices going up anyways. The point is that when there is a cost increase they keep the prices at the same levels for some period of time. We don't usually get a downwards price adjustment as their cost decreases or once the investment is paid off. Yes, these are for-profit companies.
At some point, its not going to cost them anything more to provide HDTV service. Equipment will need replacing and you might only be able to buy HDTV broadcast equipment at some point anyways.
Offtopic: All things being equal though, I am getting rid of cable. I only watch about 2 or 3 shows - max per week. Nothing else compels me and I don't have the time. I wait for the DVD box set and then rent, buy or borrow it. Ends up costing less than cable anyhow. I know too that if this keeps up with more people, we might see less shows.
IMHO, I think this is but one reason credit cards (even though they usually have to be called in to activate) should be delived to your bank through their internal mail system (assuming your bank is your CCD issuer). Mine is and doesn't do this.
No accountant. Its a mistake by the editors. The settlement was $27,000 which was to be split up by 800 workers. The lawyer took $26,972.50 as a fee. So the workers have to split $27.50.
Not satisfied?
I am the accountant you insensitive clod! I have money that grows on trees.
Gee, with this level of automation with RFID tags, how can I get one implanted? I would love to be able to do what I want but I'm not automated enough!!
That I intended as a sarcastic comment. Though there is probably some archeological value to the garbage as well. Not sure paper and media will be well preserved or readable though.
Zune? Not much to say. There won't be many to be found. I'm sure they will have more to say about Nintendo Wii and the portable Little Wii.;)
Things like music, TV shows, movies, literature, toys, magazines etc are all cultural products. For future generations we need to keep records of there items as much as family trees, great stories, buldings, etc.
Besides, who's to decide what is 'crap' or not. It might be that to the untrained eye, a clay pot from Egypt might not look interesting. The color, shape, its condition, etc might tell someone who used it, why, what cultural value (symbology, usefullness, etc) the pot actually had. And culture evolves from culture. Keeping a record of everything we product allows future generations to inform themselves of who we were and what we did. Quality of the information itself is really unimportant.
Only thing I'd have to add: I wish future generations all the luck in sorting through our garbage piles and recycling/salvaging what they can. If anything, this amount of waste - or crap - is a record of us as much as anything. I can agree with you on this point about crap in our culture!!!;)
I think what's worse, is that he was the one who was helping to spread the peanut butter for the last 3 years as a VP. Why is he writing this memo now and not two years or one year ago? A letter in the WSJ was critical of Yahoo's performance. That's not fair or being accountable. He contradicts his own goddamned logic. Its his fault as much as anybody else's for not catching this problem years ago. Or months before the WSJ article.
And rather than fire staff, why not reallocate them to positions where there might be further growth or opportunities. I know, as well, that some underperform (and they usually don't get canned) and executives need bonuses in time for Christmas. Damn cynics!
I the only one concerned by your post? You mention to the OP that he should immerse himself at being an expert in gunpowder, machining and poisons as "examples". What kind of contraption are you suggesting that he build in the next 18 monhts? And why pick these subjects out of the possible thousands available? I'm sure whatever you have in mind has already been featured in MAD magazine in a Spy vs Spy comic strip, or, in a Road Runner episode!!!
Slashdot Mirror
I propose that the Toonie is responsible. Its the only coin with two separate pieces. I believe the Mint produces regular non-tracking Toonies (RNTT) and when needed a trained technician replaces one of the pieces with a tracking device and the coin is then called a regular tracking device Toonie (RTDT). I think - and I can't tell from my initial investigation - but its either the outer piece or the inner one that could contain the transmitter. There's a problem though: I'm broke and do not have any RNTT or RTDT to complete my investigation.
I'm going to take a wild guess as to why I don't think these anonymous surveys are really good:
Lets say you work at some company. You hate the job. But job market is really tough. Do you really want to say your company sucks in a national magazine survey? How do you know its truly "anonymous". Maybe your boss knows the editors. Maybe they'll try and find out covertly after its published. Or if they participated in the suvey and didn't make the list, do you think they might try to find out "why". Try getting a good reference afterwards.
Many of these questionaries are often very long and detailed. Who has the time to fill them all out: big companies. And the information being asked was often very specific, some I wager the employers would either make up or leave blank (too much time/$$$ to find out or would reveal information to competitors). Several had 25+ pages to fill out. Now if you're an HR person and want your company "out there" you think the staff has enough time to fill out several a year? I think more than a few are left out for these reasons too.
Amid concerns that some of the consoles are just "sitting" on the shelves, I'm sure that this is posing an addtional loss for Sony.
/.'ers but I'm 26. I've played a fair number of video games. I've had a Gamecube and PS2 for over 3 years now. Only three games on the console have "wowed" me to the point I wish all games were like it: Zelda Wind Waker, Metal Gear Solid 2 and MGS3. Otherwise, all games to me, are now boring, repetitive, not story driven and/or too time consuming (don't have time for RPGs anymore). Sorry to say to the console makers and I think I'm not alone: part of my demographic won't shell out mega-bucks when we have rent to pay when all the games look, feel and play the same! And I'm not buying a PS3 just for MGS4 (might rent to play it). And time wise I don't think I'm buying a Wii (I already have a better one anyways ;) )
I say this because I'm sure they get better prices for parts on a Quarterly on Monthly basis. If something didn't sell which you didn't have to produce and your cost goes down = loss.
I also wonder if there is lower adoption because the higher quality Blu-Ray (and who "wouldn't" want it to play movies) really needs an HDTV to take full advantage of the system. This means system price + cost of HDTV. Ditto for X360.
Aside but relevant:
I don't know about most
This is a major breach of privacy. Its not so much that I care about them taking my fingerprints and storing it in a database. Its about sharing the information with other countries. Is this to say that without my prior knowledge and consent, that most any country would / /could have my fingerprints on file?
I'm equally concerned about false accusations. There is ample case history of fingerprint and DNA mismatches in the US and Canada abroad (mostly due to really sloppy procedures). I'd rather they use the motive, opportunity and pyhsical proximity stuff before just looking everything up in a database. I'd rather avoid the media attention and stress of being on trial just being on trial.
I looked into getting a Data cable from my cell phone provider for a two-year old phone. They want $50! (I know eBay, etc). It goes to show that the proprietary cables cost a hell of a lot more money for nothing.
And I'll bet with these standard cables, Monster Cable will develop a super-editition with gold-plated connectors, etc, etc! Only $100! LOL.
I agree with parent poster.
I also wonder though as an aside: here on Slashdot, and I tend to agree with the arguement, there are critques of analysts at 'independent' research firms for not doing their research properly and it therefore impacting upon the public perception (read: stock performance) of the company be analysed.
I have to wonder if there is also an economic downside to this type of research. And sure, Apple is a 'big' company by most measures but the bottom line still effects wether or not people keep their jobs.
Thanks now it makes sense. I think everyone was hoping for something scandalous for tabloid reading, myself included!!
I can now see why the group chose a sample of 1,000 persons. It was obviously a pool from their 10,000 member sample and they sould be able to calculate the validity from the larger sample.
A few readers commented when the story was posted yesterday that they were wondering "How" the credit card data was obtained. It seemed from yesterday's story and the posts that Forrester Research had obtained credit card detailed transaction lists (w/o the credit card numbers, etc, I hope!).
So, I would like to ask, how was the data obtained and is this level of detailed information avilable for legal purchase? I'm just curious as to how much information is available about credit card puchases.
Yeah, I'm starting to realize this is really the more practical alternative too. I think with the higher density of storage, more easily organize files and faster retrival speeds its really ideal. Theres some nice Linux distros pre-configured for NAS/SAN on different protocols which are super easy to setup. I've tried a few of them. It saves the price and hassle of proprietary units.
I would think - I don't know that much about backup media - that something like tapes would be better for archnival than DVDs. Even with higher density Blu-Ray or HD-DVD would be prone to the same fail over as CD-type media. I've been looking breifly at prices on Tape drives. Some seem quite high. Is there a make/model ideal for personal and SOHO users now? There seem to be a lot less on the market than I remember 10 years ago targeted at this price range. Looking to backup about 1 TB max (for future). Probably closer to 500 Gig for now though.
I have to agree. I meant to say the same thing only you wrote it more nicely. I don't care much for the fact iTunes 7 looks different than the rest of the UI. But having more consistency in the UI would be nice across all apps. Something like Shapshifter (depending on the theme used), can be really inconsistent and bring some hard to read dialog boxes.
And for the love of god - if someone at Apple is reading this - please FTFF (fix the Finder ). At the least the Windows Explorer shortcut keys and folder organization is better than Finder (at least for Win2k don't know on Vista).
I only hope that Apple will let me choose which theme I use. Tiger only offers a few themes. I don't relly mind because the current themese are not distracting. If I don't like the new theme, at least offer my Graphite so that I can switch back.
The "way behind" statement is very vague.
The way I read it, they expecting MS to integrate more Internet technologies - or create new Internet technologies- and integrate it into Vista. If so MS is already underfire for security problems in Vista. Adding more Internet related programs/code help into Vista would only hinder the security. IMO, I wouldn't want more Internet bells and whistles integrated into any OS. And besides, more integration means more scrutiny under the EU and DOJ.
From the article"Once installed in the post, Mr Ozzie wrote an internal company memo that mapped out the challenges that face Microsoft. The message was clear: get Google, get with the internet and wean Microsoft off Windows as we know it".
Equally, you could also read this article to mean.... MS has been too dependent on Windows and Office for its business model. Duh! So now they're doing Zune, Xbox, Media Center, Windows Live and a whole bunch of other stuff. I don't see Windows dying anytime soon though. Its a money maker and its impossible to replace all the business/desktop apps running on it in less than 10 years.
Here's my 0.0002 cents, not dollars!!
/. readers probably know. They don't exactly have the best working conditions. There are really a few problems with this call:
While studying at university, I've had the experience of working in call-centers in different positions - all but supervisor (because they were afraid I would actually do a good job!). A lot of tech support is outsourced as many
1) data charges in Canada aren't any higher than the US - though with cross-border use the data rate generally skyrockets, for some reason I don't understand.
2) Employees in sales, support, and supervisor positions in call centers are a mixed-bag. I've seen some only HS, some post-secondary students, some with degrees/diplomas..... and some you never really know if they've been educated. You'll find among these (like the general population) some really smart and some not so smart. And don't forget math is a different type of IQ from language. Though this is really basic math for most of us here, a smart person might not be math smart.
3) I agree the math of the caller is right. Verizon's is clearly in the wrong. If the agent on the phone though credited $70 I'm sure Verizon management or the supervisor in the call center would question the employee. Since some wouldn't understand the math, I'm sure employee would be disciplined or fired. Esp. if an outsourced company is doing the disciplining, I'm sure it would work more to Verizon and not the employee's favor. Don't forget they probably have to handle a lot of credit complaints. Is suddenly every customer right? Not debating the ethics, but I'm sure Verizon would question them.
4) Ever had a bad day at work? Didn't perform as you should? Working in call-centers, most employees get de-motived and don't care about the work. Caller was a nice guy. But in many cases, as I have been, you're not motivated to actually helping people. You don't get extra money. Less time and less credits on call means more job security. Had it been me, I would have credited the guy, but probably passed it onto a supervisor for further 'investigation'. Just to CMA (cover my ass!).
And, like many other jobs, working in call centers is a tireless loop. It was impossible for me after long time trying and with a honours degree in university to find work. My current employer gave me a chance and I'm greatful. Think of those, similar to me, that might be stuck in the same loop. They're not under achieving, they're just not getting other job offers no matter how hard they try. At least think of those people when calling in. Not everyone picking up the phone should be labelled 'stupid'.
IMO, I don't like either format. While I expect the price of the players for HD-DVD and Blu-Ray to come down in the next few years, I don't want to pay a $10 to $15 premium (in CAD $) for the movie just becuase its in a higher definition content. A movie is still only as good as its actors, script, etc - the sum of its parts. Its still the same content I'm paying to watch, and I don't believe it ever will deserve premium money.
A premium, I think, should only be earned if the content is truly spectacular and a new experience - like virtual reality type stuff.
I haven't had much time to implement this, but I have created some PAR2 files of a couple of DVDs which have important documents on them.
The problem I have though is that on a slower computere creating the PAR2 files is timely in itself. So its not an ideal way of backing up, but it sure as hell beat not being able to recover anything.
Check the PAR2 sourceforge page. I had my doubts, like you, some time ago about using PAR2 for backup. It turns out there's already a bunch of users using it for that very reason.
All things being equal though, I would much sooner get a more reliable backup medium than using CDs/DVDs, and hard drives. I've considered tape but I need a separate machine (have an iMac) or MO (too expensive) or RAID or bunch of HDDs (again cost, convienience considerations).
I could see this as being a real cause for concern for privacy for celebrities. Celebrities are regular everyday people. I'd sure as hell get annoyed if a flock of morons was following me around with a cellphone or camera all day long. If some pro photographer isn't able to follow them around all day, why the hell should the public have the right to follow them around and take pics? Doesn't this fall in under some peeping-Tom or stalking laws? I think some of the pros are borderline on this already.
... how are you going to afford 5K for a lawyer?
Also, people should take caution as they're not Reuters/major media chain employees and are not afforded the same legal protections of Reuters employees. Take a naughty pic of Mrs. Celebrity for $50
So if someone cracks the system do they become "The Lord of the PINS?"
Sorry, obvious pun joke. Had to make it. Any others?
I don't necessarily mind that telcom and cable providers recuperate costs on equipment purchases. The way I see it though, there are every couple of months or years, price increases on major telco/cable/satellite provider's bills. In Canada these are regulated by the CRTC. I'm sure US customers have similar problems with bill prices going up anyways. The point is that when there is a cost increase they keep the prices at the same levels for some period of time. We don't usually get a downwards price adjustment as their cost decreases or once the investment is paid off. Yes, these are for-profit companies.
At some point, its not going to cost them anything more to provide HDTV service. Equipment will need replacing and you might only be able to buy HDTV broadcast equipment at some point anyways.
Offtopic:
All things being equal though, I am getting rid of cable. I only watch about 2 or 3 shows - max per week. Nothing else compels me and I don't have the time. I wait for the DVD box set and then rent, buy or borrow it. Ends up costing less than cable anyhow. I know too that if this keeps up with more people, we might see less shows.
IMHO, I think this is but one reason credit cards (even though they usually have to be called in to activate) should be delived to your bank through their internal mail system (assuming your bank is your CCD issuer). Mine is and doesn't do this.
No accountant. Its a mistake by the editors. The settlement was $27,000 which was to be split up by 800 workers. The lawyer took $26,972.50 as a fee. So the workers have to split $27.50.
Not satisfied?
I am the accountant you insensitive clod! I have money that grows on trees.
Gee, with this level of automation with RFID tags, how can I get one implanted? I would love to be able to do what I want but I'm not automated enough!!
That I intended as a sarcastic comment. Though there is probably some archeological value to the garbage as well. Not sure paper and media will be well preserved or readable though.
;)
Zune? Not much to say. There won't be many to be found. I'm sure they will have more to say about Nintendo Wii and the portable Little Wii.
Things like music, TV shows, movies, literature, toys, magazines etc are all cultural products. For future generations we need to keep records of there items as much as family trees, great stories, buldings, etc.
;)
Besides, who's to decide what is 'crap' or not. It might be that to the untrained eye, a clay pot from Egypt might not look interesting. The color, shape, its condition, etc might tell someone who used it, why, what cultural value (symbology, usefullness, etc) the pot actually had. And culture evolves from culture. Keeping a record of everything we product allows future generations to inform themselves of who we were and what we did. Quality of the information itself is really unimportant.
Only thing I'd have to add: I wish future generations all the luck in sorting through our garbage piles and recycling/salvaging what they can. If anything, this amount of waste - or crap - is a record of us as much as anything. I can agree with you on this point about crap in our culture!!!
I think what's worse, is that he was the one who was helping to spread the peanut butter for the last 3 years as a VP. Why is he writing this memo now and not two years or one year ago? A letter in the WSJ was critical of Yahoo's performance. That's not fair or being accountable. He contradicts his own goddamned logic. Its his fault as much as anybody else's for not catching this problem years ago. Or months before the WSJ article.
And rather than fire staff, why not reallocate them to positions where there might be further growth or opportunities. I know, as well, that some underperform (and they usually don't get canned) and executives need bonuses in time for Christmas. Damn cynics!
I the only one concerned by your post? You mention to the OP that he should immerse himself at being an expert in gunpowder, machining and poisons as "examples". What kind of contraption are you suggesting that he build in the next 18 monhts? And why pick these subjects out of the possible thousands available? I'm sure whatever you have in mind has already been featured in MAD magazine in a Spy vs Spy comic strip, or, in a Road Runner episode!!!