We all know MS is bad and they are hard at work on Evil Master Plan v1.0, but where I seriously see Linux going in the next few years is gaining ground on other unix vendors. At my workplace we use AIX and Solaris running Apache and a large number of Java Apps. There is no reason we could not use Linux. I am told making the switch is in the project plan for within the next 5 years.
I am looking forward for linux to become the definitive unix because at that point we can really start inovating and changing the commands we all know and love. For instance, besides for backwards compatability there is really no reason why no two console tools can't support the same set of regular expressions or command line options that are standard (maybe -V is always version and -D is always debug, etc). I'd also love to see something along the line of perl6's attributes for return codes for commands, e.g. after running cvs update it would be cool if it not only returned 0 for success, but if there was some way to tell if it actually updating any files (I know I can do this by parsing its sysout, but I'm trying to make a point that commands could return more complex structures that we could programatically interrograte).
I love grep, sed, bourne shells, and the gang but it would be very cool if the typical command line experience was a little more cohesive.
I've used linux and various unixes for about 5 years now and fee pretty comfortable, but maybe this is where we could really shine.
I realize there are plenty of efforts to modernize shells and command line tools, but I don't forsee them making much ground as if linux was drastically different from what I used at work, it probably we be a plaything at home, rather than a platform for study and to increase my skills.
It seems clear to me that the command line is superior to gui in terms of speed and efficiency for knowledgable users. What I'd like to see now is a set of tools (and shell) without such a drastic learning curve and also without loosing the power that unix has.
And yes, I realize that this is probably an impossible dream as OSS was forged in chaos. But who knows, stranger things have happened.
On the rare case that a telemarketer has something interesting to sell, my response is: "send me something in writing" <click>
Usually I am not interested in anything they are selling. Credit card? If I needed another one I'd answer one of the unopened credit card offers I receive every day via the mail. Cable? Internet Access? I already have both. And usually it is the company I purchase from (TW) who is calling to sell it to me again. Phone service? That is the very device that has gotten me into this mess.
What I'd like to know is who, if anyone, buys merchandise/services over the phone? Anyone? Or are they just referring to the potential profits they would lose.
Yes DRM is bad. Yes Palladium is sinister. But what keeps me going folks is my unwavering faith in our poor quality tech arena. I will happily wager that the first few releases of DRM from Intel and AMD will be bug riddled crap. The same will most likely be true of initial Microsoft offerings.
It will be interesting to see how the public reacts to this. Additionally, I fail to see how MS will convice the average student type to switch from a machine that lets them download episodes of south park, Brazilian donkey porn, and stolen term papers to one that doesn't. It will have to be some truly inspiring social engineering.
I'll be taking notes and doing everything I can to undermine the process...:)
My guess is that this scheme relies on the popup to set some variable(s) which are checked for in the main page. It doesn't seem like a very big deal for browsers to not block popups, but rather make them invisible (or something like that) to defeat this sort of thing. What a silly idea. I can't believe people will pay money for this crap
Why do people think XML is a panacea for proprietary document formats?
[Insert binary blob of data that is currently a.doc file here]
Lookeee! Now it's XML. Isn't that so much better?
That would have to be character encoded binary data (probably base64) of course.
In any case, I assume MS's XML format will be compliant, but I am sure there will be some reason to stick with.doc (e.g XML documents are deficient in some way or the XML schema is changed dramatically between service packs, etc)
With a rigorous and complete spec though then XML is redundant - you can just as easily parse a binary file at that point. And look! You can do it with less memory and CPU. Funny that.
I agree completely. The benefit I see of XML is that plenty of parsers already exist and with minimal effort one can produce a bit of code that is able to pick apart any compliant XML document. This may not matter to some, but corporate America seems to really like ready made solutions, so it looks like it is here to stay.
As for the extra size of all the tag, luckily text usually compresses quite nicely.
Although Wrox has some good books, their best IMHO being Michael Kay's XSLT book, they are well know (at least around these parts) for egregious spelling, factual, and gramatical errors/mistakes.
My general strategy is that if OReilly or Addison Wesley offer a book, buy that. Only If their text is not available and if the Wrox text is on sale will I think about purchasing the Wrox version.
Your running in a rat race... Get skills which will be almost timeless. Like Managerial skills...
I've been thinking about this lately, but what in reality do managers do beyond:
strive to create the perfect power point presentation
send scathing emails to other people in the company
Being a mananger and thinking in terms of "resources" (e.g. thinking,breathing, talking people) is the way to be. Ignore that feeling in your stomach that urges you there is more to life. Money is all that matters and you and your MS Suite control the company don't you. Everythjing would fall apart without you, as you struggle to understand the seemingly esoteric language the developers speak in those wonderful meetings which you lead. Don't worry, Leading a meeting cleary means you're a winner! In any case, if no one else does; your Lexus still loves you.
Where's my flying cars and teleporters. Food Generators?
According the infamous slashdot poll Slashdotters want Teleportation! As soon as we get that who needs flying cars? Or food generators? Hell, as soon as I can teleport instantly from place to place I'll get you Italian food from Italy, Mexican from Mexico (no more microwave crap). Please, oh please, sexually repressed and confused scientists make teleportation a reality.
Now this thread might be going offtopic... but, if we do go to war with Irag... would this be the first in American history where we took the initiative?
I went to a talk recently where the speaker (Jello Biafra of DK fame) suggested that this would be the first event in US history where we have to "get" the other guys before they could get us. Jello also filled us in on the striking (and frightening) similiarites between this mentality and Hitlers reasons for the invasion of Poland and most of Europe.
Whatever you believe, this is certainly an interesting time to live, I just wish people didn't have to die as our country flexes and makes other nations quite aware of our overall might.
Speaking of Holodecks: If you could live out any fantasy in such an environment, would you bother to come back to the real world? As soon as holodecks are created I predict society as we know it will end as everyone will be so utterly absorbed in the fantasy finding it probaby better than real life.
As for destroying al Quada and worldwide terrorism, that won't be accomplished until Socialism has been destroyed. The terrorists of the world are Socialists, and that includes Iraq (which is the reason Socialist nations--such as France and Germany--oppose effective action against Iraq).
This is why I find myself more and more afraid to go outside. People make painfully broad generalizations and use them as evidence why anything that is not American is bad.
I personally think the US military budget should be heavily cut, we should never go to war with anyone who doesn't attack us first (war is really just a scare tactic, actual fighting it really, really stupid). And the terrorist attack on America is not just cause to go to war with an entire country.
and you look like one too....:p
Re:All Saddam's email are belong to us!
on
Saddam's Inbox Hacked
·
· Score: 1, Flamebait
Torture and brutality are the norm for Saddam's regime. You disappear if you cause too much trouble. Political liberties are unheard of. Politics is an exercise in hubris, not in civil society.
And exactly how much time have you spent under Saddam's Iron fist? Oh that's right you're a sensational American douche-bag easily swayed by media and your own self importance.
All of the above may be true but the very idea that one would compare Saddam to W in a serious manner is ridiculous.
I heartily disagree. I completely agree that the Bush family had a great deal of responsibility for making Saddam who he is today.
Regardless of what this war is about, one thing is for sure, Halliburton will be there to clean up the mess, certainly with Cheney somewhere in tow. God bless, greed, graft, and Corruption. And if you have time God, maybe the rest of America.
We have to continously keep in mind that all of our hard work is for one target: The end user
Wrong. The end user is not the primary target and in all actuality hardly a concern at all I would imagine. I, as I assume others do, make software for myself. Should you find it interesting and wish to help, by all means do so. Don't agree with my vision, it's gpl'd so make your own fork. I am really not concerned with catering to the babbling, drooling masses who "don't get it". I think another poster put it best:
As for the mythical computer-illiterate, eye-candy-thirsty, studpid end user, I don't care about him/her. Let them burn in hell!
I don't give a filthy crap about the technical right or wrong, but that it does what I want and expect. Someone's Gramma is going to have no patience with this continuing "our way is better than what you know" attitude problem that seems to permeate...blah...blah...
Sorry, I try to ignore trolls, but you Sir have struck a nerve. As far as I am concerned, if I or any Linux programmer design something we collectively think is better, but different and somehow grasping this new wild concept is too much for you or your grandma, then both of you can fuck off.
I am here to make/use/enjoy software, solve problems in new and creative ways and have fun. If I think something is good and you don't, you have the option of not using it. I don't need to listen to you whine about how hard it is to adapt.
Actually, the best way to implement this would be in the shell. Trying to put MIME types into the kernel would be a REALLY Bad Thing(TM).
Check out Misc Binaries in/usr/src/linux/Documents/binfmt_misc.txt (or wherever it lives on your box)
This Kernel feature allows you to invoke almost (for restrictions see below)every program by simply typing its name in the shell.This includes for example compiled Java(TM), Python or Emacs programs.
Although this mentions scripting languages, I don't see why mp3/etc couldn't be used. Additionally, it does not use mime types, but the more unixy strategy of magic bits
My idea is that it should be built in to the OS in some way, so that if you type "./linuxrocks.mp3" at the console it would notice you're in console mode, and start an instance of mpg123 or whatever mp3 decoder you want to use and start playing it.
This problem is mostly solved, but perhaps it is something you could contribute to. check out "Misc Binaries" in the kernel docs.
I have to admit, it would be a little weird if every mp3 had to be executable in order to use it
CONFIG_BINFMT_MISC:
If you say Y here, it will be possible to plug wrapper-driven binary formats into the kernel. You will like this especially when you use programs that need an interpreter to run like Java, Python or Emacs-Lisp. It's also useful if you often run DOS executables under the Linux DOS emulator DOSEMU (read the DOSEMU-HOWTO, available from ). Once you have registered such a binary class with the kernel, you can start one of those programs simply by typing in its name at a shell prompt; Linux will automatically feed it to the correct interpreter.
You can do other nice things, too. Read the file Documentation/binfmt_misc.txt to learn how to use this feature, and Documentation/java.txt for information about how to include Java support.
Slashdot Mirror
We all know MS is bad and they are hard at work on Evil Master Plan v1.0, but where I seriously see Linux going in the next few years is gaining ground on other unix vendors. At my workplace we use AIX and Solaris running Apache and a large number of Java Apps. There is no reason we could not use Linux. I am told making the switch is in the project plan for within the next 5 years.
I am looking forward for linux to become the definitive unix because at that point we can really start inovating and changing the commands we all know and love. For instance, besides for backwards compatability there is really no reason why no two console tools can't support the same set of regular expressions or command line options that are standard (maybe -V is always version and -D is always debug, etc). I'd also love to see something along the line of perl6's attributes for return codes for commands, e.g. after running cvs update it would be cool if it not only returned 0 for success, but if there was some way to tell if it actually updating any files (I know I can do this by parsing its sysout, but I'm trying to make a point that commands could return more complex structures that we could programatically interrograte).
I love grep, sed, bourne shells, and the gang but it would be very cool if the typical command line experience was a little more cohesive.
I've used linux and various unixes for about 5 years now and fee pretty comfortable, but maybe this is where we could really shine.
I realize there are plenty of efforts to modernize shells and command line tools, but I don't forsee them making much ground as if linux was drastically different from what I used at work, it probably we be a plaything at home, rather than a platform for study and to increase my skills.
It seems clear to me that the command line is superior to gui in terms of speed and efficiency for knowledgable users. What I'd like to see now is a set of tools (and shell) without such a drastic learning curve and also without loosing the power that unix has.
And yes, I realize that this is probably an impossible dream as OSS was forged in chaos. But who knows, stranger things have happened.
Where is the giant banner add offering something I don't care about?
All joking aside I wish Opera the best, but I couldn't imagine using it when there are other viable options.
On the rare case that a telemarketer has something interesting to sell, my response is: "send me something in writing" <click>
Usually I am not interested in anything they are selling. Credit card? If I needed another one I'd answer one of the unopened credit card offers I receive every day via the mail. Cable? Internet Access? I already have both. And usually it is the company I purchase from (TW) who is calling to sell it to me again. Phone service? That is the very device that has gotten me into this mess.
What I'd like to know is who, if anyone, buys merchandise/services over the phone? Anyone? Or are they just referring to the potential profits they would lose.
Acronymfinder gave the following definition for AARP: Appletalk Address Resolution Protocol
I didn't realize famous actors cared about appletalk! They must be the only ones.
Yes DRM is bad. Yes Palladium is sinister. But what keeps me going folks is my unwavering faith in our poor quality tech arena. I will happily wager that the first few releases of DRM from Intel and AMD will be bug riddled crap. The same will most likely be true of initial Microsoft offerings.
It will be interesting to see how the public reacts to this. Additionally, I fail to see how MS will convice the average student type to switch from a machine that lets them download episodes of south park, Brazilian donkey porn, and stolen term papers to one that doesn't. It will have to be some truly inspiring social engineering.
I'll be taking notes and doing everything I can to undermine the process...:)
My guess is that this scheme relies on the popup to set some variable(s) which are checked for in the main page. It doesn't seem like a very big deal for browsers to not block popups, but rather make them invisible (or something like that) to defeat this sort of thing. What a silly idea. I can't believe people will pay money for this crap
Why do people think XML is a panacea for proprietary document formats? .doc file here]
[Insert binary blob of data that is currently a
Lookeee! Now it's XML. Isn't that so much better?
That would have to be character encoded binary data (probably base64) of course.
In any case, I assume MS's XML format will be compliant, but I am sure there will be some reason to stick with .doc (e.g XML documents are deficient in some way or the XML schema is changed dramatically between service packs, etc)
With a rigorous and complete spec though then XML is redundant - you can just as easily parse a binary file at that point. And look! You can do it with less memory and CPU. Funny that.
I agree completely. The benefit I see of XML is that plenty of parsers already exist and with minimal effort one can produce a bit of code that is able to pick apart any compliant XML document. This may not matter to some, but corporate America seems to really like ready made solutions, so it looks like it is here to stay.
As for the extra size of all the tag, luckily text usually compresses quite nicely.
Wrox Press has done a great job
Although Wrox has some good books, their best IMHO being Michael Kay's XSLT book, they are well know (at least around these parts) for egregious spelling, factual, and gramatical errors/mistakes.
My general strategy is that if OReilly or Addison Wesley offer a book, buy that. Only If their text is not available and if the Wrox text is on sale will I think about purchasing the Wrox version.
Your running in a rat race... Get skills which will be almost timeless. Like Managerial skills...
I've been thinking about this lately, but what in reality do managers do beyond:
Being a mananger and thinking in terms of "resources" (e.g. thinking,breathing, talking people) is the way to be. Ignore that feeling in your stomach that urges you there is more to life. Money is all that matters and you and your MS Suite control the company don't you. Everythjing would fall apart without you, as you struggle to understand the seemingly esoteric language the developers speak in those wonderful meetings which you lead. Don't worry, Leading a meeting cleary means you're a winner! In any case, if no one else does; your Lexus still loves you.
If I was a slashdot editor I would not have filed this under "Science", but under which ever Topic John Katz hides behind these days?
Speaking of Katz, has he not posted a story in a really long time? Maybe I just filtered him out.
Where's my flying cars and teleporters. Food Generators?
According the infamous slashdot poll Slashdotters want Teleportation! As soon as we get that who needs flying cars? Or food generators? Hell, as soon as I can teleport instantly from place to place I'll get you Italian food from Italy, Mexican from Mexico (no more microwave crap). Please, oh please, sexually repressed and confused scientists make teleportation a reality.
there was an article in Potatoe Daily...
At least we know Dan Quayle reads Slashdot, maybe there is hope for the Republicans.
Now this thread might be going offtopic... but, if we do go to war with Irag... would this be the first in American history where we took the initiative?
I went to a talk recently where the speaker (Jello Biafra of DK fame) suggested that this would be the first event in US history where we have to "get" the other guys before they could get us. Jello also filled us in on the striking (and frightening) similiarites between this mentality and Hitlers reasons for the invasion of Poland and most of Europe.
Whatever you believe, this is certainly an interesting time to live, I just wish people didn't have to die as our country flexes and makes other nations quite aware of our overall might.
Maybe the holodeck is not that far away !
Speaking of Holodecks: If you could live out any fantasy in such an environment, would you bother to come back to the real world? As soon as holodecks are created I predict society as we know it will end as everyone will be so utterly absorbed in the fantasy finding it probaby better than real life.
As for destroying al Quada and worldwide terrorism, that won't be accomplished until Socialism has been destroyed. The terrorists of the world are Socialists, and that includes Iraq (which is the reason Socialist nations--such as France and Germany--oppose effective action against Iraq).
This is why I find myself more and more afraid to go outside. People make painfully broad generalizations and use them as evidence why anything that is not American is bad.
I personally think the US military budget should be heavily cut, we should never go to war with anyone who doesn't attack us first (war is really just a scare tactic, actual fighting it really, really stupid). And the terrorist attack on America is not just cause to go to war with an entire country.
and you look like one too.... :p
Torture and brutality are the norm for Saddam's regime. You disappear if you cause too much trouble. Political liberties are unheard of. Politics is an exercise in hubris, not in civil society.
And exactly how much time have you spent under Saddam's Iron fist? Oh that's right you're a sensational American douche-bag easily swayed by media and your own self importance.
All of the above may be true but the very idea that one would compare Saddam to W in a serious manner is ridiculous.
I heartily disagree. I completely agree that the Bush family had a great deal of responsibility for making Saddam who he is today.
Regardless of what this war is about, one thing is for sure, Halliburton will be there to clean up the mess, certainly with Cheney somewhere in tow. God bless, greed, graft, and Corruption. And if you have time God, maybe the rest of America.
It's not one of my favorite solor albulms, but "the Tide's turning" (?) is a great song.
chroot /dev/null
I think my computer is broken, all I see is: /dev/null: Not a directory
chroot: cannot change root directory to
</sarcasm>
Yes, Wine may one day let you use your windmodem, although you could go fork over $25 or so for a new one instead of waiting.
We have to continously keep in mind that all of our hard work is for one target: The end user
Wrong. The end user is not the primary target and in all actuality hardly a concern at all I would imagine. I, as I assume others do, make software for myself. Should you find it interesting and wish to help, by all means do so. Don't agree with my vision, it's gpl'd so make your own fork. I am really not concerned with catering to the babbling, drooling masses who "don't get it". I think another poster put it best:
As for the mythical computer-illiterate, eye-candy-thirsty, studpid end user, I don't care about him/her. Let them burn in hell!
And I second that, may we all burn in hell
Do you mean something like wine?
when I plug it in and insert the Linux CD, it should install the wireless software, drivers for my card,
How is this different that Kudzu? I don't use RedHat, but I think that is a pretty neat and useful tool.
I don't give a filthy crap about the technical right or wrong, but that it does what I want and expect. Someone's Gramma is going to have no patience with this continuing "our way is better than what you know" attitude problem that seems to permeate...blah...blah...
Sorry, I try to ignore trolls, but you Sir have struck a nerve. As far as I am concerned, if I or any Linux programmer design something we collectively think is better, but different and somehow grasping this new wild concept is too much for you or your grandma, then both of you can fuck off.
I am here to make/use/enjoy software, solve problems in new and creative ways and have fun. If I think something is good and you don't, you have the option of not using it. I don't need to listen to you whine about how hard it is to adapt.
Actually, the best way to implement this would be in the shell. Trying to put MIME types into the kernel would be a REALLY Bad Thing(TM).
Check out Misc Binaries in /usr/src/linux/Documents/binfmt_misc.txt (or wherever it lives on your box)
This Kernel feature allows you to invoke almost (for restrictions see below)every program by simply typing its name in the shell.This includes for example compiled Java(TM), Python or Emacs programs.
Although this mentions scripting languages, I don't see why mp3/etc couldn't be used. Additionally, it does not use mime types, but the more unixy strategy of magic bits
My idea is that it should be built in to the OS in some way, so that if you type "./linuxrocks.mp3" at the console it would notice you're in console mode, and start an instance of mpg123 or whatever mp3 decoder you want to use and start playing it.
This problem is mostly solved, but perhaps it is something you could contribute to. check out "Misc Binaries" in the kernel docs.
I have to admit, it would be a little weird if every mp3 had to be executable in order to use it
CONFIG_BINFMT_MISC:
If you say Y here, it will be possible to plug wrapper-driven binary formats into the kernel. You will like this especially when you use programs that need an interpreter to run like Java, Python or Emacs-Lisp. It's also useful if you often run DOS executables under the Linux DOS emulator DOSEMU (read the DOSEMU-HOWTO, available from ). Once you have registered such a binary class with the kernel, you can start one of those programs simply by typing in its name at a shell prompt; Linux will automatically feed it to the correct interpreter.
You can do other nice things, too. Read the file Documentation/binfmt_misc.txt to learn how to use this feature, and Documentation/java.txt for information about how to include Java support.