That agrees with my experience. After a certain age, there is an assumption that if you haven't been promoted to management, there is something wrong with you. I haven't worked as a programmer for about four years. I still love programming and code for fun, but I'd be happy if my job title never mentioned software again.
I'm in school training for a new career. One in which my 44 years--and anything since the last glacial maximum--is considered "recent." No doubt, I will still use my programming skills in my new career, and they will be a good selling feature after I graduate. As a programmer, I can count the number of times I've been paid to work outdoors on no hands. As geologist, it is part of the job. Even as a student, I've been some amazing places and seen incredible things. Any career that requires you to hike with a hammer, a bottle of acid, and a set of colored pencils is a good career.
If a song download was ten cents rather than 99, I would probably spend much more on music that I do now. I suspect that would be true for a number of people. In the earlier days of VHS, a movie typically cost $80 or so. Video rental stores were the primary buyers, and most people simply rented them. The price per movie was simply too high for most consumers to contemplate spending. However, when the price of a movie dropped to $20 (the first was "Pretty Woman" IIRC), it sold an incredible amount. Sure, the drop in per-unit profits were significant (especially when you consider that there was now a retailer as well as a distributor acting as middlemen), but when you consider the volume increased by a couple (or three, I'd wager) orders of magnitude...let me do the math...carry the 2...they made a shitload. Before long, consumer-friendly prices were the norm and the profits from video sales were no longer chump change--they were a major part of the revenue stream.
This was the same industry that tried to stop the VCR. Fortunately for them, they lost and once they figured out that consumer-friendly prices were a good thing, the VCR (and started the habit that continues with the DVD, etc.) made buying movies routine and #4. Profit!
A similar industry tried to stop the MP3 player. Fortunately for them, they lost. But they still haven't figured out the secret about pricing. Apple knows that selling more units at a lower profit margin makes you more money, but they labels haven't figured that out yet and keep trying to push the prices up. At ten cents, more people would buy, and they would buy much more. Also, fewer people would bother with pirating; at that price buying is more attractive than searching the sharing networks and downloading crap rip after crap rip.
I don't know what the magic number is. Ten cents sounds about right, but it might be a bit more or a bit less. But it is much less than 99 cents, and much, much less than what the labels want to charge.
The current promotional model (probably) wouldn't work at this price, but even now it doesn't really work except for the few artists a label chooses to promote (most of their catalog gets no love). At this price, an album is $1-$1.50 or so. With the purchase of the album, toss in a handful of songs by similar artists. If I like them, I'd buy their albums without blinking. There are a lot of little things like that which would be cheaper than the current promotional model and (at that price) much more effective.
The really funny thing is that most flag-happy Americans, rather than honoring the symbol, treat it with disrespect. Both by tradition of etiquette and U.S. Federal law the US Flag Code establishes proper methods for the display and treatment of the flag. Plastering your car with flag stickers is improper; the staff should be attached to the chassis or clamped to the front right bumper. The flag emblazoned t-shirts, baseball caps, and so on are disrespectful. Military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and members of political organizations may wear a flag patch. It is otherwise forbidden on clothing. The flag shouldn't be used for any advertising purpose, but stores routinely do this to show how "patriotic" they are.
There is no penalty for violating the law, and it is not enforced, however, why would a patriotic citizen dishonor and disrespect on of the most powerful symbols of their country?
As far as the photo goes, in the doctored version, it is difficult to tell what the setting is supposed to be, but since the original photo was indoors, the flag should either be affixed to the wall (either horizontally or vertically) or, if it is on a stand, it should be permitted to fall freely--it wouldn't look as though it was in the wind. If the US military treats the flag so dishonorably, can they be trusted to provide "liberty and justice for all"?
If a flag is tattered or permanently soiled, it should be disposed of with dignity. The preferred method is by burning. Rather frequently in the US, laws are proposed to make flag burning illegal. A true patriot would find such a law to be borderline traitorous as it is a gross violation of both the First Amendment and the US Flag Code.
Amtrak has gotten my money as well. I love to fly, but now whenever possible/reasonable I take the train. I've flown from Boston to New York, and it is a nice quick trip. But when you figure in showing up at the airport a couple hours in advance and time spent waiting in baggage claim, the time savings isn't that significant. Plus, it is the "value" of the time--when I'm actually on the plane or train, I can relax, read, be productive, sleep, whatever. Time spent standing in line, security checkpoints, or just waiting until it is my turn to go stand in another line is time I've lost.
It also doesn't help that a few years back I was the lucky winner of "SSSS" on my ticket something like five flights in a row.
I have a low-end Dell. I needed something very cheap for a web server, and even using parts I'd replaced in various upgrades, I still couldn't build something for less. When it came, I plugged it in, booted it up to verify it worked. Then I turned it off, put it on my bench, yanked out the 30GB HD with Windows (even with the Microsoft tax it was cheaper), and dropped in a 200GB HD. Installed Linux, and the only time it is off is when I accidentally kick the switch on a power strip.
It is quiet enough that I can't tell if it is running or not--especially if my other computer is on. Now, thanks to the free 15" Dell LCD monitor, I run dual heads on my main computer, and my server is headless.
One warning, though: on the low end models at least, expansion is extremely limited. No AGP, it uses its own HD mounting system, and you either need to special order a bracket, or make one if you want a second drive. But it was perfect for what I needed.
I discovered this, too. I tend to sit on the right side of the train in the car closest to the engine. With my right ear closest to the window it hears more of noise from the diesels. Between that, and the left channel being a bit louder, I was really wondering if I had some hearing loss in my right ear.
Perhaps the chips could interlock like puzzle pieces. This has an additional advantage of increasing the surface area, potentially allowing even more signals.
The implementation issues primarily affect the generation of XHTML rather than displaying it. As long as IE or any other browser doesn't choke on things like ' />', they won't have any problems. Because the rules of XHTML are so strict, parsing is greatly simplified.
Now, the question is will Microsoft's various tools that generate HTML be able to generate valid XHTML. Considering the quality of HTML that Microsoft Word generates, I suspect it will have trouble meeting *any* standard.
By the time it becomes clear that someone is running a scam, they already have their money, and likely have moved on.
If the company running the premium number didn't receive payment for, say 90 days, there would be time to investigate complaints and suspend payment to the scammers.
Yes, it would make it harder for a legitimate startup, but many businesses have the 90 days issue.
Is this the same Bill Gates that thought CDROM was the wave of the future? That besides programs, they'd be the way encyclopedias, dictionaries, catalogs, and most other data would be distributed?
Is this the same Bill Gates that thought the web would never catch on? It certainly would never replace CDROM as the media of choice for big collections of data.
I think he is right this time. If you make enough wild guesses you are bound to nail some of them.
I got a 5600 a few weeks ago. I'm having a really hard time migrating away from the Palm for PIM applications.
Sharp did a Bad Thing when they changed the PIM file formats from XML used in all previous versions to a binary file. Not only does it make it harder to roll your own, but it breaks compatibility with other tools.
I've thought about writing an web-based PIM suite that would synch with the Z through SOAP or such. I found with my Palm that I did most data entry and quite a few of the look-ups at the desktop. Web would be even simpler. Access everything with a full-size keyboard and screen from anywhere without installing software. I'm curious about your app. Sounds like it might be close to what I'm thinking.
Another thing I've toyed with doing is setting up a Wiki that would by synched between online and offline.
On my keyboard at work, I have an annoyingly bright, flashing LED on my keyboard that indicates when I have email. Depending on my mood (and how much I want to avoid email), either the colored end or the tanslucent end of a Post-it note flag. Also, it doesn't leave adhesive on the keyboard.
Watch the damage meter. When it gets low, bail. Also, if I recall correctly, the AVRiL won't lock on unless you are in it. I use that trick with vehicles, especially the tank.
Or, when the damage gets to 50%, you can hop out and heal it with your link gun's secondary fire.
My favorite "pretty lights" doesn't require any vegetation, just go to the Gaol map, crank up the number of bots to the max, and set the mutators to Redeemer arena.
I think "Native Resolution" was either a treaty that the US government signed with an Indian Nation (and the US didn't live up to their end of the agreement, naturally), or it was an evil plot dreamed up by the US government to do away with an Indian Nation.
I'm not sure, though. I got my education in Utah. World history was barely mentioned ("the world? that is where you go to on your mission"), US history was mentioned a little more. Now, Utah history and the Mormon pioneers. *That was taught*. If anyone uses the word "hand cart" near me, I will build a fucking time machine and kill their grandfather.
Now, to stay on topic. What do you think is the best grandfather-killing UT2K4 weapon? I'm thinking spider mines. Click-click-click-click Boom!
Not only is the GeForce 4 MX region-encoded for Latin America, but Nvidia is planning a GeForce 4 CX that is region-encoded for the Christmas Islands.
To promote it, they will change their usual "Nvidia, the way it was meant to be played" that is found on some games with "Goatse, the way it was meant to be played."
I think, at least from a marketing perspective (if not from a game-play perspective), that "Unreal Tournament" sounds more fun than "Ultrareal Tournament".
(BTW I do like the Onslaught Demo myself a lot, except for the buggers at round start who drive off in the Warthog, sorry Hellblazer, without waiting for a crew)
I assume you are talking about the bots. I usually force them to give me a ride. I stand next to the Hellblazer, waiting for a bot to hop in. Then I jump in before he can drive away.
Have you noticed that the license plate on the Hellblazer changes to your name when you are driving? Nice touch.
Slashdot Mirror
That agrees with my experience. After a certain age, there is an assumption that if you haven't been promoted to management, there is something wrong with you. I haven't worked as a programmer for about four years. I still love programming and code for fun, but I'd be happy if my job title never mentioned software again.
I'm in school training for a new career. One in which my 44 years--and anything since the last glacial maximum--is considered "recent." No doubt, I will still use my programming skills in my new career, and they will be a good selling feature after I graduate. As a programmer, I can count the number of times I've been paid to work outdoors on no hands. As geologist, it is part of the job. Even as a student, I've been some amazing places and seen incredible things. Any career that requires you to hike with a hammer, a bottle of acid, and a set of colored pencils is a good career.
I'm a red light, you insensitive photo...nevermind.
If a song download was ten cents rather than 99, I would probably spend much more on music that I do now. I suspect that would be true for a number of people. In the earlier days of VHS, a movie typically cost $80 or so. Video rental stores were the primary buyers, and most people simply rented them. The price per movie was simply too high for most consumers to contemplate spending. However, when the price of a movie dropped to $20 (the first was "Pretty Woman" IIRC), it sold an incredible amount. Sure, the drop in per-unit profits were significant (especially when you consider that there was now a retailer as well as a distributor acting as middlemen), but when you consider the volume increased by a couple (or three, I'd wager) orders of magnitude...let me do the math...carry the 2...they made a shitload. Before long, consumer-friendly prices were the norm and the profits from video sales were no longer chump change--they were a major part of the revenue stream.
This was the same industry that tried to stop the VCR. Fortunately for them, they lost and once they figured out that consumer-friendly prices were a good thing, the VCR (and started the habit that continues with the DVD, etc.) made buying movies routine and #4. Profit!
A similar industry tried to stop the MP3 player. Fortunately for them, they lost. But they still haven't figured out the secret about pricing. Apple knows that selling more units at a lower profit margin makes you more money, but they labels haven't figured that out yet and keep trying to push the prices up. At ten cents, more people would buy, and they would buy much more. Also, fewer people would bother with pirating; at that price buying is more attractive than searching the sharing networks and downloading crap rip after crap rip.
I don't know what the magic number is. Ten cents sounds about right, but it might be a bit more or a bit less. But it is much less than 99 cents, and much, much less than what the labels want to charge.
The current promotional model (probably) wouldn't work at this price, but even now it doesn't really work except for the few artists a label chooses to promote (most of their catalog gets no love). At this price, an album is $1-$1.50 or so. With the purchase of the album, toss in a handful of songs by similar artists. If I like them, I'd buy their albums without blinking. There are a lot of little things like that which would be cheaper than the current promotional model and (at that price) much more effective.
The really funny thing is that most flag-happy Americans, rather than honoring the symbol, treat it with disrespect. Both by tradition of etiquette and U.S. Federal law the US Flag Code establishes proper methods for the display and treatment of the flag. Plastering your car with flag stickers is improper; the staff should be attached to the chassis or clamped to the front right bumper. The flag emblazoned t-shirts, baseball caps, and so on are disrespectful. Military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and members of political organizations may wear a flag patch. It is otherwise forbidden on clothing. The flag shouldn't be used for any advertising purpose, but stores routinely do this to show how "patriotic" they are.
There is no penalty for violating the law, and it is not enforced, however, why would a patriotic citizen dishonor and disrespect on of the most powerful symbols of their country?
As far as the photo goes, in the doctored version, it is difficult to tell what the setting is supposed to be, but since the original photo was indoors, the flag should either be affixed to the wall (either horizontally or vertically) or, if it is on a stand, it should be permitted to fall freely--it wouldn't look as though it was in the wind. If the US military treats the flag so dishonorably, can they be trusted to provide "liberty and justice for all"?
If a flag is tattered or permanently soiled, it should be disposed of with dignity. The preferred method is by burning. Rather frequently in the US, laws are proposed to make flag burning illegal. A true patriot would find such a law to be borderline traitorous as it is a gross violation of both the First Amendment and the US Flag Code.
Both units should be metric. I propose the kilometer-kilogram--which is about .1 milestones.
Amtrak has gotten my money as well. I love to fly, but now whenever possible/reasonable I take the train. I've flown from Boston to New York, and it is a nice quick trip. But when you figure in showing up at the airport a couple hours in advance and time spent waiting in baggage claim, the time savings isn't that significant. Plus, it is the "value" of the time--when I'm actually on the plane or train, I can relax, read, be productive, sleep, whatever. Time spent standing in line, security checkpoints, or just waiting until it is my turn to go stand in another line is time I've lost.
It also doesn't help that a few years back I was the lucky winner of "SSSS" on my ticket something like five flights in a row.
My coffee cup is 20' x 6' you insensitive clod!
Not five minutes ago I finished re-reading that book.
I have a low-end Dell. I needed something very cheap for a web server, and even using parts I'd replaced in various upgrades, I still couldn't build something for less. When it came, I plugged it in, booted it up to verify it worked. Then I turned it off, put it on my bench, yanked out the 30GB HD with Windows (even with the Microsoft tax it was cheaper), and dropped in a 200GB HD. Installed Linux, and the only time it is off is when I accidentally kick the switch on a power strip.
It is quiet enough that I can't tell if it is running or not--especially if my other computer is on. Now, thanks to the free 15" Dell LCD monitor, I run dual heads on my main computer, and my server is headless.
One warning, though: on the low end models at least, expansion is extremely limited. No AGP, it uses its own HD mounting system, and you either need to special order a bracket, or make one if you want a second drive. But it was perfect for what I needed.
The Internet access might not be free; but if we can use modems over the Skype connection for our access, it will lower the price!
Also, when Power Over Ethernet becomes ubiquitous, we'll be able to use that to keep our wifi gear charged up *while we are using it*.
Now, if only I can fix this strange recursion bug in my code...
I discovered this, too. I tend to sit on the right side of the train in the car closest to the engine. With my right ear closest to the window it hears more of noise from the diesels. Between that, and the left channel being a bit louder, I was really wondering if I had some hearing loss in my right ear.
Perhaps the chips could interlock like puzzle pieces. This has an additional advantage of increasing the surface area, potentially allowing even more signals.
The implementation issues primarily affect the generation of XHTML rather than displaying it. As long as IE or any other browser doesn't choke on things like '/>', they won't have any problems. Because the rules of XHTML are so strict, parsing is greatly simplified.
Now, the question is will Microsoft's various tools that generate HTML be able to generate valid XHTML. Considering the quality of HTML that Microsoft Word generates, I suspect it will have trouble meeting *any* standard.
By the time it becomes clear that someone is running a scam, they already have their money, and likely have moved on.
If the company running the premium number didn't receive payment for, say 90 days, there would be time to investigate complaints and suspend payment to the scammers.
Yes, it would make it harder for a legitimate startup, but many businesses have the 90 days issue.
Is this the same Bill Gates that thought CDROM was the wave of the future? That besides programs, they'd be the way encyclopedias, dictionaries, catalogs, and most other data would be distributed?
Is this the same Bill Gates that thought the web would never catch on? It certainly would never replace CDROM as the media of choice for big collections of data.
I think he is right this time. If you make enough wild guesses you are bound to nail some of them.
Centericq is also broken. I'd be happy to use an official Yahoo! IM client...if they had one that was console-based.
I got a 5600 a few weeks ago. I'm having a really hard time migrating away from the Palm for PIM applications.
Sharp did a Bad Thing when they changed the PIM file formats from XML used in all previous versions to a binary file. Not only does it make it harder to roll your own, but it breaks compatibility with other tools.
I've thought about writing an web-based PIM suite that would synch with the Z through SOAP or such. I found with my Palm that I did most data entry and quite a few of the look-ups at the desktop. Web would be even simpler. Access everything with a full-size keyboard and screen from anywhere without installing software. I'm curious about your app. Sounds like it might be close to what I'm thinking.
Another thing I've toyed with doing is setting up a Wiki that would by synched between online and offline.
On my keyboard at work, I have an annoyingly bright, flashing LED on my keyboard that indicates when I have email. Depending on my mood (and how much I want to avoid email), either the colored end or the tanslucent end of a Post-it note flag. Also, it doesn't leave adhesive on the keyboard.
Watch the damage meter. When it gets low, bail. Also, if I recall correctly, the AVRiL won't lock on unless you are in it. I use that trick with vehicles, especially the tank.
Or, when the damage gets to 50%, you can hop out and heal it with your link gun's secondary fire.
My favorite "pretty lights" doesn't require any vegetation, just go to the Gaol map, crank up the number of bots to the max, and set the mutators to Redeemer arena.
Now that is pretty lights.
I think "Native Resolution" was either a treaty that the US government signed with an Indian Nation (and the US didn't live up to their end of the agreement, naturally), or it was an evil plot dreamed up by the US government to do away with an Indian Nation.
I'm not sure, though. I got my education in Utah. World history was barely mentioned ("the world? that is where you go to on your mission"), US history was mentioned a little more. Now, Utah history and the Mormon pioneers. *That was taught*. If anyone uses the word "hand cart" near me, I will build a fucking time machine and kill their grandfather.
Now, to stay on topic. What do you think is the best grandfather-killing UT2K4 weapon? I'm thinking spider mines. Click-click-click-click Boom!
Not only is the GeForce 4 MX region-encoded for Latin America, but Nvidia is planning a GeForce 4 CX that is region-encoded for the Christmas Islands.
To promote it, they will change their usual "Nvidia, the way it was meant to be played" that is found on some games with "Goatse, the way it was meant to be played."
ultra-realistic
I think, at least from a marketing perspective (if not from a game-play perspective), that "Unreal Tournament" sounds more fun than "Ultrareal Tournament".
But that could just be me.
Ooooh, I think I'm going to set up my headset tonight. How good is the voice recognition?
I can't wait for a chance to tell someone what to do...and have them do it! Oh, the power, mwahaha!
(BTW I do like the Onslaught Demo myself a lot, except for the buggers at round start who drive off in the Warthog, sorry Hellblazer, without waiting for a crew)
I assume you are talking about the bots. I usually force them to give me a ride. I stand next to the Hellblazer, waiting for a bot to hop in. Then I jump in before he can drive away.
Have you noticed that the license plate on the Hellblazer changes to your name when you are driving? Nice touch.