Listen up, you dumb author: I will use flash like i use javascript, when it becomes a ieee or w3c standard, provided the ratio (usefull content)/(ads+nonsense) goes over 2.
Granted, Flash is mostly used for animated ads and greeting cards, but that does not necessarily negate its potential usefulness for other applications, such as tutorials. As for waiting for Flash to become a W3C standard, well, let's just say that I'm not holding my breath. The W3C tends to stick to open standards rather than closed, proprietary programs. In that sense, even PDF doesn't qualify, but that doesn't prevent its widespread use.
I work for a library at a small, rural university in the South (think poor, underfunded, cash-strapped, shrinking budgets). Recommending Open Source Software (OSS) to the higher-ups in the food chain makes sense. I often recommend students (many of whom are using MS Works!!) to download OpenOffice instead since none of our workstations have Works (nor am I going to install Works, thank you very much). From a security standpoint, running Firefox is much better than IE if, for no other reasons, than the lack of an ActiveX hole big enough to drive an aircraft carrier through. On a related note, running Linux with Firefox on computers whose only task is for surfing the Internet keeps those machines spyware/virus free.
I couldn't agree with you more. Games are to OS (and computer hardware) what porn is to the Internet (i.e., the driving force). Lately, some software publishers have been porting their games to Linux (e.g. UT2004, Doom3). The one small caveat to your point is driver support (particularly for video cards) for Linux, but, again, ATI and nVidia are starting to come around to support Linux more.
It's not that Windows is "special", it's just that that's all most people know. And half those people don't know much, if anything, about Windows anyway, so it's no wonder Linux has a difficult time trying to enter the mainstream market.
Excellent point. Any OS is "difficult to learn" to a complete newbie. Someone familiar with only one OS will think that OS is the greatest and everything else is "subpar". While those users who know two or more OSes well can more easily transition from one to another, even to a totally new and unfamiliar OS. Therefore, in order for Linux or OSX to really make a major dent in the desktop arena, users need to be exposed and educated about them. That, of course, requires that the in-fighting between the various Linux distro fanboys needs to be put aside and join forces to make this happen. And that is a huge hurdle to overcome.
Actually, as much as I like 24 and Lost, I would still rather wait for the DVD to come out rather than go PPV. Okay, so I won't be hip for the current season, but at least I can catch up and watch the show anytime I want from now until Alfred E. Newman becomes President.
First of all, let's not confuse the OS with the applications that run on top of the OS. Linux, Windows, OS X, Unix, etc., are just operating systems. You do not need to be an expert of the operating system to run applications. A good OS (and most of them are, more or less) should not get in the way of running applications. Having said that, teaching the applications is what is most important and allows people "to get work done". From that stand point, you only need one or two people who understand the operating system to install, configure, maintain, debug, etc. the OS while everyone else is free to use whatever word processor, spreadsheet, email, web browser, etc. they want, without worrying about the technical underpinnings.
On the other hand, if someone is teaching a CS class (either high school or college level), teaching multiple OSes will benefit the students more rather than harm them. In actuality, teaching only one OS places restrictions on career options for students once they move into the real world. Part of the reason I got the job I have now was my knowledge of Unix and Windows. Along the way I learned Linux and OS X (which is really just another version of Unix underneath) and I find switching between the various desktop environments not that difficult.
I am a firm believer that if users are exposed to similar applications, regardless of the OS it runs on, they will adapt and "get work done". The problem is, most users do not get exposed to "alternative" OS environments, and thus have no basis for comparison.
Not true, at least not where I work. Since education budgets are tightening, we have to make our existing computers last longer. It's often cheaper to upgrade memory and hard drives to meet Windows specs than to buy a new workstation with XP preinstalled. Of course, if the CPU is too out of date for XP or 2000, then you either 1) buy a new workstation and/or 2) install Linux (which I have on several computers in our library) on existing computers. I, for one, refuse to throw out a perfectly good computer simply because it won't run Windows. As long as it boots, has a working hard drive and network card, I'll find a use for it. And if the motherboard dies, I take it off of the inventory and cannibalize for parts.
From the article: "In related news, Microsoft's anti-spyware product has been targeted by virus writers, in what experts believe is the beginning of what will be a salvo of malware attacks on Microsoft security products.
Hmmm, security programs that have security problems of their own? How safe do you feel now?
I, myself, am very afraid of MS puying anti-virus and anti-spyware companies. Rather than simply reprogramming Windows to be more secure against spyware and viruses, MS is simply buying the software and resell it to consumers. This is why monopolies are bad! By offering tools to remove spyware and viruses, MS has no incentive to write secure code anymore. This is may be enlightened self-interest in Microsoft's eyes, but it's a con job for anyone outside of Redmond with half a brain.
I already converted all my friends (including my Boss) into Mac users, so I have no problems any longer:-)
Because I deal with computers as part of my job, I get a lot of people asking me what kind of comuter they should get and I tell them the same three words: Buy a Mac.
If it's a family member or a friend, I usually take payment in food and beer. It's amazing how eager someone is willing to cook you a meal or buy you a pizza just for getting BonziBuddy off their computer.
As for business, it's part of my job description, so I don't paid extra.
It's not just that no one wants to pay, but also that library budgets (especially for universities) are either stagnating or shrinking while the costs for journals keeps going up. Libraries are then forced with the decision of what subscriptions to cut, but that usually results in a hue and cry being raised by whatever department uses that particular title. And a very peculiar thing is happening at our university (since I can't rightly speak for others), instructors are telling their students to get the articles from the journals and NOT from online sources, even if it is the same article from the same journal. This leaves libraries in a lurch since the only other thing they can cut back spending on is either books or staff. As a librarian myself, I am glad to see science journals being published under things like Creative Commons.
Slashdot Mirror
Granted, Flash is mostly used for animated ads and greeting cards, but that does not necessarily negate its potential usefulness for other applications, such as tutorials. As for waiting for Flash to become a W3C standard, well, let's just say that I'm not holding my breath. The W3C tends to stick to open standards rather than closed, proprietary programs. In that sense, even PDF doesn't qualify, but that doesn't prevent its widespread use.
Just my two cents.
Bill Cosby was right: First you say it, then you do it.
No? Oh, well, I still think this calls for a Heineken.
I couldn't agree with you more. Games are to OS (and computer hardware) what porn is to the Internet (i.e., the driving force). Lately, some software publishers have been porting their games to Linux (e.g. UT2004, Doom3). The one small caveat to your point is driver support (particularly for video cards) for Linux, but, again, ATI and nVidia are starting to come around to support Linux more.
Excellent point. Any OS is "difficult to learn" to a complete newbie. Someone familiar with only one OS will think that OS is the greatest and everything else is "subpar". While those users who know two or more OSes well can more easily transition from one to another, even to a totally new and unfamiliar OS. Therefore, in order for Linux or OSX to really make a major dent in the desktop arena, users need to be exposed and educated about them. That, of course, requires that the in-fighting between the various Linux distro fanboys needs to be put aside and join forces to make this happen. And that is a huge hurdle to overcome.
a Frankenflower.
from users when I say, "Your PC is dead." Only, they usually respond by screaming "Nooooooooooo!"
Actually, as much as I like 24 and Lost, I would still rather wait for the DVD to come out rather than go PPV. Okay, so I won't be hip for the current season, but at least I can catch up and watch the show anytime I want from now until Alfred E. Newman becomes President.
"They tried to kill me with a forklift."
Or maybe Dvorak read about it on the MS-Linux website. :)
On the other hand, if someone is teaching a CS class (either high school or college level), teaching multiple OSes will benefit the students more rather than harm them. In actuality, teaching only one OS places restrictions on career options for students once they move into the real world. Part of the reason I got the job I have now was my knowledge of Unix and Windows. Along the way I learned Linux and OS X (which is really just another version of Unix underneath) and I find switching between the various desktop environments not that difficult.
I am a firm believer that if users are exposed to similar applications, regardless of the OS it runs on, they will adapt and "get work done". The problem is, most users do not get exposed to "alternative" OS environments, and thus have no basis for comparison.
As far as programs, Debian has several, but don't forget to check out Sourceforge and Freshmeat for software.
Until the other day, the only book I knew Hunter S. Thompson wrote was Hell's Angels.
#20 The Swiss Army Knife. I have not had a day go buy where I did not use mine. And I even open a bottle of wine with it once. :)
Not true, at least not where I work. Since education budgets are tightening, we have to make our existing computers last longer. It's often cheaper to upgrade memory and hard drives to meet Windows specs than to buy a new workstation with XP preinstalled. Of course, if the CPU is too out of date for XP or 2000, then you either 1) buy a new workstation and/or 2) install Linux (which I have on several computers in our library) on existing computers. I, for one, refuse to throw out a perfectly good computer simply because it won't run Windows. As long as it boots, has a working hard drive and network card, I'll find a use for it. And if the motherboard dies, I take it off of the inventory and cannibalize for parts.
They are alone. They are a dying people; we should let them pass. -- Midnight on the Firing Line
And here he is on TV telling everyone how much more secure Windows is.
From the article: "In related news, Microsoft's anti-spyware product has been targeted by virus writers, in what experts believe is the beginning of what will be a salvo of malware attacks on Microsoft security products.
Hmmm, security programs that have security problems of their own? How safe do you feel now?
Mod parent to Funny.
"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." -- Henry VI, part II, act IV, scene ii
I, myself, am very afraid of MS puying anti-virus and anti-spyware companies. Rather than simply reprogramming Windows to be more secure against spyware and viruses, MS is simply buying the software and resell it to consumers. This is why monopolies are bad! By offering tools to remove spyware and viruses, MS has no incentive to write secure code anymore. This is may be enlightened self-interest in Microsoft's eyes, but it's a con job for anyone outside of Redmond with half a brain.
Because I deal with computers as part of my job, I get a lot of people asking me what kind of comuter they should get and I tell them the same three words: Buy a Mac.
As for business, it's part of my job description, so I don't paid extra.
It's not just that no one wants to pay, but also that library budgets (especially for universities) are either stagnating or shrinking while the costs for journals keeps going up. Libraries are then forced with the decision of what subscriptions to cut, but that usually results in a hue and cry being raised by whatever department uses that particular title. And a very peculiar thing is happening at our university (since I can't rightly speak for others), instructors are telling their students to get the articles from the journals and NOT from online sources, even if it is the same article from the same journal. This leaves libraries in a lurch since the only other thing they can cut back spending on is either books or staff. As a librarian myself, I am glad to see science journals being published under things like Creative Commons.