Not true at all. I've bought software for $49.95, haven't you? Isn't that about the price for Paint Shop Pro? They're both programs for fixing up pictures, right? It's not an unreasonable cost for a computer program.
It only seems unrealistically low to you because you understand standard pricing for professional grade software vs home-use software. That's not something everyone understands, much like the antique vase example. It doesn't make them stupid; it makes them ignorant in one particular area.
Does anyone else think that Peter Jackson is going to totally screw up the original ending *really bad*?
Leaving out the Scouring is not screwing up the ending badly. Remember how the ring is destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom? That is the ending.
"And after they saved the entire world from an eternity of suffering and destruction, they went home and PEOPLE WERE LIVING IN THEIR HOUSES! OH MY GOD! NOOOOOOOOO!!"
This sounds like a bunch of ignorant suits were herded into a room by MS salespeople and told the "benefits" of XP Embedded.
You're exactly right, and I'm not sure how sarcastic you intended that to be, but it's the perfect truth of the matter. What it comes down to is that none of the top 10 banks in the U.S. would ever seriously consider something that an undergrad in an intro-to-programming class could write.
It comes down to (1) liability, (2) how well it works, and distantly (3) price. In that order. Most large resellers who would be installing these systems don't use Linux, so they would never pitch it to the banks. Why? Because in the corporate world, everyone knows Windows works and everyone is happy with it. It's a no-brainer to use. What's linux? Who cares? They use Windows every day. When it breaks, they call someone who fixes it. They would view it as "taking a chance" on Linux, and they're not paid to take chances. Upgrading ATMs is probably a deal that takes 3-5 years from the initial start, and that's too much to risk on an OS that they've never heard of.
As someone who has done troubleshooting for these type of systems, I'll tell you flat out, they don't care about security the same way you or I do. What they care about is whether they have someone to blame when it breaks. Sad but true.
Diebold has been trying to switch to Windows for a long time. Also, there's an Italian manufacturer named CTS that makes the guts to a large percentage of U.S. ATMs (though they're relabeled when OEM'd in the states). CTS is trying to switch to a software/hardware bundle with every unit they sell, which would include Windows. The truth is, no one wants to support OS/2 anymore.
You're right. I write code for the banking industry now, and this is nothing new to me. The ATMs are certainly the last line of change, but the move from OS/2 to NT/2000 has been sweeping through the industry the past few years. Most manufacturers that used the platform (like Unisys) have officially stopped supporting it within the last year, which makes all the bank execs change immediately.
Honestly, having ATMs on NT isn't so worrisome to me, since I know the back room sorters, remmitance machines, data entry stations, and imaging apps have all been using Windows for at least a few years. Those are much more dangerous in terms of having direct access to your personal banking databases. A lot of banks don't connect them to any internal networks at all, but a lot do because remote management is a big deal amongst companies reselling the machines to banks.
At least ATMs have security cameras and all that stuff. These machines and software in the back room is rarely half as secure as a given ATM.
Quote whoring, huh? I imagine if I had posted my opinion on the matter without evidence, you'd have a l33t slashdotism to describe that too.
Your opinion on game review sites having sold out is completely worthless because it's inarguable. If they agree with you, they're right; if they don't, they've sold out. It must be convenient.
P.S. Gamespy has an article this month about how Halo sucks.
Maybe instead of posting a kneejerk reaction, you could read the reviews of people who have played the US localized version of it. They're almost entirely reviewers who expected to hate it, but ended up being won over.
An excerpt from the GameSpy review: "Although I was greatly looking forward to Final Fantasy X-2, I held a certain amount of apprehension because of all the changes Square was making to the game. After playing it for a spell, I needn't have worried..."
Don't like them? How about an IGN review: "Caveats aside, if Final Fantasy X-2 can manage to provide the same action, drama, and depth in its final four chapters that it did in the first, RPG nuts shouldn't have much to worry about come December..."
Still not good enough? Maybe the Gamespot review:
"While we thought Final Fantasy X-2 would end up being viewed as an aberration in the Final Fantasy franchise, we're not so sure anymore."
Really, calm down. After all, you haven't actually played the game. Are ALL the reviewers wrong?
There's really no excuse not to own Eternal Darkness now. It's $15 new in most stores and it's one of the best games any system has seen. Don't sweat the graphics -- it's all about the story and gameplay.
You might have a point if it's cheif competitor had bad graphics, or lack of immersion. However, anyone who's seen HL2's demo movies can tell you that's not the case. In fact, I'd argue that 10% better graphics is actually LESS immersive than realistic physics, and good AI.
I was one of those people who played HL1 on hard mode, and was scared shitless when I first realized how smart the marines were when they showed up. I didn't care for one second about the number of polygons they had, all I cared about was that there was a squad of marines 3 yards away, they were working as a team to kill me, and I had to think of something fast.
No scary monster who runs straight at you, no matter how well rendered, can make that kind of immersion.
For the one billionth time. Metroid is not a FPS game! It's "First Person Adventure"
1. You have a first person perspective.
2. You shoot enemies.
It's a first-person shooter. That's not an insult. I own it -- it's a fine game. But because you happen to explore while shooting, or because you happen to really like the game doesn't change what it is.
Slashdot Mirror
It only seems unrealistically low to you because you understand standard pricing for professional grade software vs home-use software. That's not something everyone understands, much like the antique vase example. It doesn't make them stupid; it makes them ignorant in one particular area.
More like the holy grail of buzzwords.
The answer is, "Because they can."
"And after they saved the entire world from an eternity of suffering and destruction, they went home and PEOPLE WERE LIVING IN THEIR HOUSES! OH MY GOD! NOOOOOOOOO!!"
I'm glad he's leaving it out.
First time I've laughed out loud at an SCO joke =P
It comes down to (1) liability, (2) how well it works, and distantly (3) price. In that order. Most large resellers who would be installing these systems don't use Linux, so they would never pitch it to the banks. Why? Because in the corporate world, everyone knows Windows works and everyone is happy with it. It's a no-brainer to use. What's linux? Who cares? They use Windows every day. When it breaks, they call someone who fixes it. They would view it as "taking a chance" on Linux, and they're not paid to take chances. Upgrading ATMs is probably a deal that takes 3-5 years from the initial start, and that's too much to risk on an OS that they've never heard of.
As someone who has done troubleshooting for these type of systems, I'll tell you flat out, they don't care about security the same way you or I do. What they care about is whether they have someone to blame when it breaks. Sad but true.
Diebold has been trying to switch to Windows for a long time. Also, there's an Italian manufacturer named CTS that makes the guts to a large percentage of U.S. ATMs (though they're relabeled when OEM'd in the states). CTS is trying to switch to a software/hardware bundle with every unit they sell, which would include Windows. The truth is, no one wants to support OS/2 anymore.
Honestly, having ATMs on NT isn't so worrisome to me, since I know the back room sorters, remmitance machines, data entry stations, and imaging apps have all been using Windows for at least a few years. Those are much more dangerous in terms of having direct access to your personal banking databases. A lot of banks don't connect them to any internal networks at all, but a lot do because remote management is a big deal amongst companies reselling the machines to banks.
At least ATMs have security cameras and all that stuff. These machines and software in the back room is rarely half as secure as a given ATM.
Your opinion on game review sites having sold out is completely worthless because it's inarguable. If they agree with you, they're right; if they don't, they've sold out. It must be convenient.
P.S. Gamespy has an article this month about how Halo sucks.
An excerpt from the GameSpy review: "Although I was greatly looking forward to Final Fantasy X-2, I held a certain amount of apprehension because of all the changes Square was making to the game. After playing it for a spell, I needn't have worried..."
Don't like them? How about an IGN review: "Caveats aside, if Final Fantasy X-2 can manage to provide the same action, drama, and depth in its final four chapters that it did in the first, RPG nuts shouldn't have much to worry about come December..."
Still not good enough? Maybe the Gamespot review: "While we thought Final Fantasy X-2 would end up being viewed as an aberration in the Final Fantasy franchise, we're not so sure anymore."
Really, calm down. After all, you haven't actually played the game. Are ALL the reviewers wrong?
Whoops. URL wrapping gone bad. It's the right comic if you remove the space: http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php3?date=2003-08 -11&res=l
http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php3?date=2003-08 -11&res=l
Because like a strip club, Microsoft shows you a good time, but eventually leaves you to go home depressed, penniless, and unsatisfied.
"It looks like you're trying to write a ransom note! Would you like help finding magazine clippings?"
The only way you could make a soviet russia joke more annoying would be to write it in a blog.
Logging timestamps?
Let me guess, it's not your server?
There's really no excuse not to own Eternal Darkness now. It's $15 new in most stores and it's one of the best games any system has seen. Don't sweat the graphics -- it's all about the story and gameplay.
I was one of those people who played HL1 on hard mode, and was scared shitless when I first realized how smart the marines were when they showed up. I didn't care for one second about the number of polygons they had, all I cared about was that there was a squad of marines 3 yards away, they were working as a team to kill me, and I had to think of something fast.
No scary monster who runs straight at you, no matter how well rendered, can make that kind of immersion.
Gabe is a better troll than you.
1. You have a first person perspective.
2. You shoot enemies.
It's a first-person shooter. That's not an insult. I own it -- it's a fine game. But because you happen to explore while shooting, or because you happen to really like the game doesn't change what it is.
I should have said, "Without help, ..."
Good site, though.
Light still can't travel around corners.
No, that exploding sound you hear is thousands of wine fanatics reading the article and going, "Wine is NOT AN EMULATOR!!"