I agree 100%. Skype says they want their client everywhere, that makes the verizon deal is just 100% retarded. My wife spends no less than $400/yr with them calling home to Jamaica - they are the cheapest out there. I got her an android, and was a bit pissed/surprised there isn't a skype client on the market.
But Fring.... my wife hates it, but uses it for lack of choice: sothanks for the heads-up on nimbuzz, I'll put her on it asap.
I uninstalled f'n fring the moment I realized that it was actually resetting my privacy settings on skype every time I log in. (I normally have the "only folks on my contact list can message me" option turned on.) So my desktop kept getting the usual "wanna cyber?" spam bots and every time I went to options, my setting was reset. Fring support won't reply to questions about this at all. I suppose it interferes with their company objective: pissing everyone off.
I'm starting a small business all on my own too, and I took a long hard look as Bizspark - but it's big catch-22 is that you have to be developing independent *software*. I've started a hardware company (consumer electronics/industrial robotics). The product is largely defined by it's usb drivers and accompanying software - but in the end, I'm still producing hardware - that's a whole new world of expensive!
If MS were open or at least cheap, I could use the latest visual studio, and maybe even their nifty robotics studio too. But instead I'm using (almost) all opensource tools. Visual Studio Professional should be free - period (express is useful, but severely limited since there are no add-ins allowed.) And MS would do well to give away (or make *very cheap*) a "startup" MSDN on the order of $200/yr that includes visual studio professional. I'd say that would be very attractive compared to free stuff. I like MSDN, but not enough to fork over $1200 and 800 a year!
That's already started to go south with online sales tax. Simply doing business with a resident of the state is enough of an opening to allow the state to preserve the rights of their citizens. The only way to circumvent that would probably be to not do business there (i.e. void where prohibited.) Though, I must say, this is a GOOD thing.
Used it for years. Ironically, to crack my own games. I didn't accept having to have a CD inserted at all times, in the age of multi-terabyte harddrives. Why in the h*** would I commit to uninterrupted sockets that add no value to my gameplay? Even if I purchase a game like that (our of sheer gotta-have-it desire) it will be after a crack is available.
It's my disk, I'll do what I want.
And if ISPs don't pay up, google should cut THEM off! I could only imagine how fast customers would *scatter* from an ISP that won't/can't access youtube.
Here's another one for you: If Blu-ray actually sold well - would the price come down? (I'm talking MSRP, of course manufacturing costs would go down.) Once HDDVD kicked the bucket, prices hit the floor. And by floor I mean "Hey, that's a deal" I'll snatch up 10 hddvds at $2.99 for the price of a single ($30!) bluray. I'm not saying blu should be $5, But I'm much more willing to put out for a $10-$15 disc every once in awhile than a $30 one (which is, never). BT costs time/effort, but not $30 of it.
We run a baby monitor constantly.
We're of "African descent" - as you call it. (I just say I'm black, but whatever.)
We live in a suburb, but...
3 laptops, 2 iphones, 3 media centers (only 1 on wireless, though), and probably another MID this year (the wife wants *video* monitoring in the nursery for the next baby! and to be able to see it on her phone or portable.)
In short, you won't be trying pry my wifi from our cold, dead fingers......I'd sooner have it self-destruct:-p
Good question - but would it matter? I'd expect that those ads are directed towards users in the UK, so Google would still have to track it. I'd expect rates would change accordingly (as well as Google possibly taking issue with the practice in general).
(Tone that flame down, bud - it's just a hypothetical, and you're not THAT insightful.) What you suggest, could (at worst) just lead to yet another tax, and the dance starts over. At best, wouldn't those agencies have introduce a hike of their own? No one said prices have to double. Besides, Google could easily raise everything a penny everywhere and still not feel anything on their bottom line. My point is that Google is bigger than the UK.
Therein lies the problem. I'm a one-developer shop. Even if a claim is 100% bunk, I can't afford to defend myself from a legion of lawyers who would simply drag out a court case forever - SCO style. Since I'd like to actually work instead of spend my life in court, I'd be forced to settle - giving said patent a bit of legitimacy. It's not a protection now, it's a business model equivalent to a protection racket.
Seconded. I'll start calling it time-shifting when I can watch *unaired* episodes for the current season when I'm damn ready (even if I have to pony up the cash). To skip the drought that is November, December, and Janurary would be the pinnacle of technology - worthy of such a name.
Actually, I have Cox (...and Cox internet...snicker) - granted I don't use the cheap plan, I can really say that I have no issues with them at all. They're awesome about download policies ("Do whatever, just don't get caught uploading.") yetthey have plans that are decent for uploading. I'm running a torrent-based media center setup, gaming on the 360 and God-knows what else, with nary a complaint about the bandwidth I'm using. According to my router (DDWRT), I've moved upwards of 150GB/month at times. Not a single problem. I don't mind them running QoS on torrents if traffic is heavy, as long as I can take advantage of off-peak, and my games keep humming along.
Slashdot Mirror
I agree 100%. Skype says they want their client everywhere, that makes the verizon deal is just 100% retarded. My wife spends no less than $400/yr with them calling home to Jamaica - they are the cheapest out there. I got her an android, and was a bit pissed/surprised there isn't a skype client on the market. But Fring.... my wife hates it, but uses it for lack of choice: sothanks for the heads-up on nimbuzz, I'll put her on it asap. I uninstalled f'n fring the moment I realized that it was actually resetting my privacy settings on skype every time I log in. (I normally have the "only folks on my contact list can message me" option turned on.) So my desktop kept getting the usual "wanna cyber?" spam bots and every time I went to options, my setting was reset. Fring support won't reply to questions about this at all. I suppose it interferes with their company objective: pissing everyone off.
I'm starting a small business all on my own too, and I took a long hard look as Bizspark - but it's big catch-22 is that you have to be developing independent *software*. I've started a hardware company (consumer electronics/industrial robotics). The product is largely defined by it's usb drivers and accompanying software - but in the end, I'm still producing hardware - that's a whole new world of expensive! If MS were open or at least cheap, I could use the latest visual studio, and maybe even their nifty robotics studio too. But instead I'm using (almost) all opensource tools. Visual Studio Professional should be free - period (express is useful, but severely limited since there are no add-ins allowed.) And MS would do well to give away (or make *very cheap*) a "startup" MSDN on the order of $200/yr that includes visual studio professional. I'd say that would be very attractive compared to free stuff. I like MSDN, but not enough to fork over $1200 and 800 a year!
That's already started to go south with online sales tax. Simply doing business with a resident of the state is enough of an opening to allow the state to preserve the rights of their citizens. The only way to circumvent that would probably be to not do business there (i.e. void where prohibited.) Though, I must say, this is a GOOD thing.
Used it for years. Ironically, to crack my own games. I didn't accept having to have a CD inserted at all times, in the age of multi-terabyte harddrives. Why in the h*** would I commit to uninterrupted sockets that add no value to my gameplay? Even if I purchase a game like that (our of sheer gotta-have-it desire) it will be after a crack is available. It's my disk, I'll do what I want.
And if ISPs don't pay up, google should cut THEM off! I could only imagine how fast customers would *scatter* from an ISP that won't/can't access youtube.
Barbra? is that you?
Wow... that phrase now generates the original story as the second result. (The first being the parent post.)
This sig gets me more flak...
You know, as much as I used to complain about the many different distros - you've got a damn good point.
Agreed. And in other news: Hell is still hot. I repeat, it is NOT Christmas time in hell. You can now resume hating MS.
Here's another one for you: If Blu-ray actually sold well - would the price come down? (I'm talking MSRP, of course manufacturing costs would go down.) Once HDDVD kicked the bucket, prices hit the floor. And by floor I mean "Hey, that's a deal" I'll snatch up 10 hddvds at $2.99 for the price of a single ($30!) bluray. I'm not saying blu should be $5, But I'm much more willing to put out for a $10-$15 disc every once in awhile than a $30 one (which is, never). BT costs time/effort, but not $30 of it.
+1 pwned!
Funny that. I'm shopping around for a BMW Z3! (Childhood fantasy of mine that can be had very cheap nowadays.)
We run a baby monitor constantly. We're of "African descent" - as you call it. (I just say I'm black, but whatever.) We live in a suburb, but... 3 laptops, 2 iphones, 3 media centers (only 1 on wireless, though), and probably another MID this year (the wife wants *video* monitoring in the nursery for the next baby! and to be able to see it on her phone or portable.) In short, you won't be trying pry my wifi from our cold, dead fingers... ...I'd sooner have it self-destruct :-p
Good question - but would it matter? I'd expect that those ads are directed towards users in the UK, so Google would still have to track it. I'd expect rates would change accordingly (as well as Google possibly taking issue with the practice in general).
(Tone that flame down, bud - it's just a hypothetical, and you're not THAT insightful.) What you suggest, could (at worst) just lead to yet another tax, and the dance starts over. At best, wouldn't those agencies have introduce a hike of their own? No one said prices have to double. Besides, Google could easily raise everything a penny everywhere and still not feel anything on their bottom line. My point is that Google is bigger than the UK.
It won't go that far. Google will simply pass it on to UK advertisers. Google marches on - end of story.
... shouldn't throw stones and DoS attacks.
(Especially since glass might be a major step-up for the US when it comes to online security.)
Don't you just *love* those? It's like working and slacking-off all at the same time. If only I could do that in my cube :-)
WRONG
*Giving* a blowjob with a gun to my head.
Therein lies the problem. I'm a one-developer shop. Even if a claim is 100% bunk, I can't afford to defend myself from a legion of lawyers who would simply drag out a court case forever - SCO style. Since I'd like to actually work instead of spend my life in court, I'd be forced to settle - giving said patent a bit of legitimacy. It's not a protection now, it's a business model equivalent to a protection racket.
Seconded. I'll start calling it time-shifting when I can watch *unaired* episodes for the current season when I'm damn ready (even if I have to pony up the cash). To skip the drought that is November, December, and Janurary would be the pinnacle of technology - worthy of such a name.
Actually, I have Cox (...and Cox internet...snicker) - granted I don't use the cheap plan, I can really say that I have no issues with them at all. They're awesome about download policies ("Do whatever, just don't get caught uploading.") yetthey have plans that are decent for uploading. I'm running a torrent-based media center setup, gaming on the 360 and God-knows what else, with nary a complaint about the bandwidth I'm using. According to my router (DDWRT), I've moved upwards of 150GB/month at times. Not a single problem. I don't mind them running QoS on torrents if traffic is heavy, as long as I can take advantage of off-peak, and my games keep humming along.
Using my media-center, the internet is my television! ...Insensitive clod.
6. End up on the no-fly list