imo you should either offer free wifi or not. making users jump through hoops with passwords and timed purchases is bad.
Jump through hoops? I'm not sure you understand the technology involved. The customers don't even have to set up a WEP key. Just connect to the open access point. When you open up a browser window, it asks you for the key on your receipt. Hardly jumping through hoops.
this is a coffee shop. they might have just bought an airport express and plugged it in the corner. they probably don't have IT staff.
That's neither here nor there. They are in business to make money. Starbucks makes money using t-mobile to do this. If they want to compete they should do some research, or pay someone that is in IT.
so what's wrong with integrating the point of sale system with the wireless access point? nothing, so long as it's as easy as flipping a switch and costs nothing to set up and run.
Right, because we should all make money without putting forth any effort whatsoever.
What's wrong with integrating the point of sale system with the wireless access point? Use something like publicip.net and nocat.net
Print out a password on their receipt good for whatever period of time is reasonable. Don't ask the employees to enforce it, just let the thing be automated so no one feels like they're being picked on.
Not really. I can't really think of any sarcasm in any of the 6 movie's dialogue. Except maybe by the emperor at the end of Jedi. It defineltly wasn't jabba's style. I don't have any problem with Chewbacca being a badass warrior showing up in episode three. My only problem with it was him being an old dear friend of yoda. That was a little too convenient.
That only really made sense after viewing episode 3
Until then I was thinking balance=equality of light & dark side. Then yoda & mace (i think it was) say some stuff about balance=peace. Anakin was indeed the chosen and did restore "balance"
Swing apps are now directx/opengl accelerated which imho has made a pretty big difference, and done a fair bit to level the playing field.
Not by default. The openGL renderer is a command line parameter on the 1.5 jvm. Its a nice feature that was long overdue. It can't really be turned on by default because if there is no hardware acceleration for OpenGL, the software renderer (mesa3D for example) is slower than just rendering through AWT.
I agree with your post and the post you replied to.
The books were awesome and they were written before Star Wars was tainted with jar-jar and little orphan annie. It was really nice at the time to go spend some time again with the original characters. Like spending time with old friends.
My super quick review (though it was years ago I read these):
Heir to the Empire - Great intro and setup. Interesting new adversary.
Dark Force Rising - not a whole lot of plot twists, but nice battle.
Last Command - the best of the three, great ending on all plot lines.
As much as I'd like to see these done, the next trilogy would have to be years later though. I believe Heir to the Empire takes place only 5 years after Return of the jedi. Fisher, Ford, and Hammil are all much too old, and I'd hate to see the characters re-cast
All that aside, Cuban is an idiot in the basketball world as well.
He paid this guy (the dallas goofball being scored on) more money than what the league's current Most Valuable Player wanted to stay in Dallas.
Those are indeed excellent resources that will help. Project Gutenberg especially. However, I need to collect questions and answers to build tests for reading comprehension. This also need to be done in a universal relational electronic format that I can build a testing application to use.
The goal is really to replace Renaissance Learning's Accelerated Reader program with an open source equivalent. This program is a huge thorn in the side of many schools wishing to switch to Linux. The gathering of test data will be the hard part by far. The application itself is simple reporting and forms. As point-and-clicky as possible and HTML will probably suffice.
There may be a huge amount of educational software out that will run under common run times like macromedia or quicktime, but the powers that be are only currently interested in windows and mac. IMHO, a good chunk of that software provides little more than help in developing children's rudamentary motor skills. For more advanced content there is already a common runtime platform in HTML.
I understand everyone has to make a living, and I don't mind paying for some software. My animocity towards renlearn.com is slightly biased because of their arrogance in refusing to even acknowledge the requests of paying customers. There is an immediate need to have their software run correctly (which Wine, crossover, & cedega wont do) on Linux and there is no relief in sight. Its content is what is of some value, not its presentation by any means.
For this purpose, existing software applications based on a programming paradigm of icon based custom workflows doesn't really help when a database of testing reading comprehension on specific library books is needed. I have no desire to re-invent the wheel, I just don't think that this wheel exists as far as a standardized relational content repository of questions and answers of library books. It is very possible that an existing XML schema to hold this type of data already exists, if that's the case I'll just use that one and work on making it easy to collect data for it.
All that said, I really do like your idea of an open source SVG authoring toolkit and runtime. I'm more of a Java guy than a pascal guy, but it does sound like it would be fun to write. I wrote programming tutor called jturtle using BeanShell which seems like it would be a pefrect fit. BeanShell allows you to script using java and compiles on the fly. I think I'm going to try and slap together a little proof-of-concept app that allows you to run an xml file containg GUI icon elements and scripts to help with workflow/decision logic. Authoring would come second if this is a viable option.
You bring up some really good points with this. Content is where non-programmers can really help out.
Another example of the abomnination what is considered "educational software" is Renaissance Learning's Accelerated Reader. This thing has made its way into countless schools. It is basically just testing and reporting software for a large database of books. Good concept but origninally implemented in a one-tier quicktime application. The sad thing is that this type of software is brain dead simple for even a half-assed software engineer to write. So after years of complaints they've decided to make it "web-based". Great, now it requires MS IIS + SQL server with an IE only client that still uses quick time plugins. Barf.
Its really hard to combat something like this with open source when they do provide such a large amount of content. One idea I've bounced off the k12ltsp mailing list was to put together a wiki type site where we can build a database of testing content. I've got some ideas of data structures to handle the content, but I really need to keep it clean room implementation. If we can agree on the data structures and educators can donate time/content I think it could be successful. I'm not an educator myself, but I can definetly use the data to build open-source front end and back end software that will adhere to open standards.
>>Yes in my opinion linux is more durable then windows, less spyware and junk, but tech support is something ignored when it comes to funding. Also mind you, computers recieve uber abuse at schools (remembers finding a cdrom full of bubble gum),
This is where K12LTSP really shines in schools. Remove local drives and centralize administration. Kids will still find ways to break machines if they really are determined, but it is quite a bit more difficult. As far as software and data files, they'll likely just hose up their own user profile to where it needs to be deleted.
Thanks. I am very fortunate. My son is loving the books so far. I think he just doesn't want to ruin character images he has in his head right now with actors from a movie.
Lion the witch and the wardrobe, Prince Caspian, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and we're on Silver Chair now.
I only read the first three when I was a kid so Silver Chair is new to me as well. They seem chronological enough at least in regards to the main characters. I figure we'll just finish off the series in the original publishing order.
I did pick up on the 9 year old part.
And pathetic and sensitive from the other guy's posting still fit. Cheated after reading an enjoyable book? You were old enough to read it.
You ever read any Orson Scott Card? He makes a really good point in the prologue to Ender's Game. There is no age when a light bulb turns on and you suddenly become a different person on a different level of conciousness. You've probably toughened up some since then, buy you're still the same person. Being 9 years old doesn't magically excuse someone from accountability for being overly sensitive.
Anyway, this is getting way off-topic. Glad you enjoy the books now.
Maybe you're parents, or the school, or the library, or whatever shouldn't have given you the books. CS Lewis was Christian, and his books were biblically inspired. No secrets, lies, or ulterior motives. Aslan = Jesus. Lewis made no claims otherwise.
If you did enjoy the books, but feel cheated and now your enlightened atheism causes you to post these emotions well.... I can't find a small enough violin to play your sad sad song.
I heard about the movies from right here on slashdot a while back. I decided to get to reading the books to my son right away. We're on The Silver Chair, 4 of 7 (original ordering) right now. He likes them so much he refuses to even watch the old cartoon or the bbc verision until we are done with all seven books.
This coolest news I've heard in some time. Good to see ASU doing this. I've set up a good size K12LTSP network at a k-8 school just 4 miles west of you on university drive in Mesa.
I'm thinking about trying to push this phoenix wide for the parochial schools. I'm gonna try and get some presentation time at our next in service meeting.
Having ASU use linux on the server and client definetly will lend some credibility to my presentation.
Funny, I don't know any non-programmer, non-geek, or non-geek-wannabe who actually sets up there own computer. End users of a linux desktop (LTSP especially) do not have to use a command line any more than end users of windows have to use a command line. X11 and desktop managers with icons have been available on linux for over ten years.
Using linux does not have to mean typing in scripts at a bash shell. Linux can be made to look and act just as point-and-clicky as windows.
Using K12LTSP enables you to quickly set up a large school network where students have access to office applications, web browsing, photo editing, desktop publishing, web publishing,programminglanguages , etc. It also centralizes network administration, allows for recycling hardware, and saves a ton of money on software licensing. It is important to teach computer concepts, not just the nuances of the latest proprietary office suite.
Just remember, It should never under any circumstances be the responsibility of educators to teach brand loyalty.
Hmmm.. Interesting.
Cox is already indirectly the biggest provider of free wireless. Its amazing the amount of open wireless access points in the valley. Not that I have a huge frame of reference with other metro areas, but I never have a problem finding a "hotspot" here.
Just cruise on over next door to Mesa. Its basically just a giant neighborhood of half a million suburbanites. There's a good 20 open access points or so every square mile.... uh, if you're into that sort of thing.
Slashdot Mirror
imo you should either offer free wifi or not. making users jump through hoops with passwords and timed purchases is bad.
Jump through hoops? I'm not sure you understand the technology involved. The customers don't even have to set up a WEP key. Just connect to the open access point. When you open up a browser window, it asks you for the key on your receipt. Hardly jumping through hoops.
this is a coffee shop. they might have just bought an airport express and plugged it in the corner. they probably don't have IT staff.
That's neither here nor there. They are in business to make money. Starbucks makes money using t-mobile to do this. If they want to compete they should do some research, or pay someone that is in IT.
so what's wrong with integrating the point of sale system with the wireless access point? nothing, so long as it's as easy as flipping a switch and costs nothing to set up and run.
Right, because we should all make money without putting forth any effort whatsoever.
Impossiblity of implementing?
What's wrong with integrating the point of sale system with the wireless access point? Use something like publicip.net and nocat.net
Print out a password on their receipt good for whatever period of time is reasonable. Don't ask the employees to enforce it, just let the thing be automated so no one feels like they're being picked on.
Does sarcasm exist in the Star Wars universe?
Not really. I can't really think of any sarcasm in any of the 6 movie's dialogue. Except maybe by the emperor at the end of Jedi. It defineltly wasn't jabba's style.
I don't have any problem with Chewbacca being a badass warrior showing up in episode three.
My only problem with it was him being an old dear friend of yoda. That was a little too convenient.
He wasn't. Chewie was the co-pilot of a derelict smuggler who dumps his cargo at the first sign of trouble.
Jabba refers to him as "the mighty chewbacca". Chewie had a rep. He wasn't just Solo's sidekick.
That only really made sense after viewing episode 3
Until then I was thinking balance=equality of light & dark side.
Then yoda & mace (i think it was) say some stuff about balance=peace.
Anakin was indeed the chosen and did restore "balance"
Anakin and Mara Jade have a son,
Anakin skywalker died. Do you mean Anakin solo? leia and han's 3rd kid? gross. I thought Mara Jade was Luke's chick
The emporer has also been cloned, and luke almost is lost to the dark side.
I kind of enjoyed this in dark empire and empire's end comics. Some cool artwork. You also get the return of Boba Fett in those.
Swing apps are now directx/opengl accelerated which imho has made a pretty big difference, and done a fair bit to level the playing field.
Not by default. The openGL renderer is a command line parameter on the 1.5 jvm.
Its a nice feature that was long overdue.
It can't really be turned on by default because if there is no hardware acceleration for OpenGL, the software renderer (mesa3D for example) is slower than just rendering through AWT.
I agree with your post and the post you replied to.
The books were awesome and they were written before Star Wars was tainted with jar-jar and little orphan annie. It was really nice at the time to go spend some time again with the original characters. Like spending time with old friends.
My super quick review (though it was years ago I read these):
Heir to the Empire - Great intro and setup. Interesting new adversary.
Dark Force Rising - not a whole lot of plot twists, but nice battle.
Last Command - the best of the three, great ending on all plot lines.
As much as I'd like to see these done, the next trilogy would have to be years later though. I believe Heir to the Empire takes place only 5 years after Return of the jedi. Fisher, Ford, and Hammil are all much too old, and I'd hate to see the characters re-cast
All that aside, Cuban is an idiot in the basketball world as well.
He paid this guy (the dallas goofball being scored on) more money than what the league's current Most Valuable Player wanted to stay in Dallas.
SUNS in 6 !!!
Those are indeed excellent resources that will help. Project Gutenberg especially.
However, I need to collect questions and answers to build tests for reading comprehension. This also need to be done in a universal relational electronic format that I can build a testing application to use.
The goal is really to replace Renaissance Learning's Accelerated Reader program with an open source equivalent. This program is a huge thorn in the side of many schools wishing to switch to Linux.
The gathering of test data will be the hard part by far. The application itself is simple reporting and forms. As point-and-clicky as possible and HTML will probably suffice.
There may be a huge amount of educational software out that will run under common run times like macromedia or quicktime, but the powers that be are only currently interested in windows and mac.
IMHO, a good chunk of that software provides little more than help in developing children's rudamentary motor skills. For more advanced content there is already a common runtime platform in HTML.
I understand everyone has to make a living, and I don't mind paying for some software. My animocity towards renlearn.com is slightly biased because of their arrogance in refusing to even acknowledge the requests of paying customers.
There is an immediate need to have their software run correctly (which Wine, crossover, & cedega wont do) on Linux and there is no relief in sight. Its content is what is of some value, not its presentation by any means.
For this purpose, existing software applications based on a programming paradigm of icon based custom workflows doesn't really help when a database of testing reading comprehension on specific library books is needed.
I have no desire to re-invent the wheel, I just don't think that this wheel exists as far as a standardized relational content repository of questions and answers of library books.
It is very possible that an existing XML schema to hold this type of data already exists, if that's the case I'll just use that one and work on making it easy to collect data for it.
All that said, I really do like your idea of an open source SVG authoring toolkit and runtime.
I'm more of a Java guy than a pascal guy, but it does sound like it would be fun to write.
I wrote programming tutor called jturtle using BeanShell which seems like it would be a pefrect fit. BeanShell allows you to script using java and compiles on the fly. I think I'm going to try and slap together a little proof-of-concept app that allows you to run an xml file containg GUI icon elements and scripts to help with workflow/decision logic. Authoring would come second if this is a viable option.
You bring up some really good points with this. Content is where non-programmers can really help out.
Another example of the abomnination what is considered "educational software" is Renaissance Learning's Accelerated Reader. This thing has made its way into countless schools.
It is basically just testing and reporting software for a large database of books. Good concept but origninally implemented in a one-tier quicktime application. The sad thing is that this type of software is brain dead simple for even a half-assed software engineer to write.
So after years of complaints they've decided to make it "web-based". Great, now it requires MS IIS + SQL server with an IE only client that still uses quick time plugins. Barf.
Its really hard to combat something like this with open source when they do provide such a large amount of content.
One idea I've bounced off the k12ltsp mailing list was to put together a wiki type site where we can build a database of testing content. I've got some ideas of data structures to handle the content, but I really need to keep it clean room implementation. If we can agree on the data structures and educators can donate time/content I think it could be successful. I'm not an educator myself, but I can definetly use the data to build open-source front end and back end software that will adhere to open standards.
>>Yes in my opinion linux is more durable then windows, less spyware and junk, but tech support is something ignored when it comes to funding. Also mind you, computers recieve uber abuse at schools (remembers finding a cdrom full of bubble gum),
This is where K12LTSP really shines in schools.
Remove local drives and centralize administration. Kids will still find ways to break machines if they really are determined, but it is quite a bit more difficult. As far as software and data files, they'll likely just hose up their own user profile to where it needs to be deleted.
Thanks. I am very fortunate.
My son is loving the books so far. I think he just doesn't want to ruin character images he has in his head right now with actors from a movie.
Lion the witch and the wardrobe, Prince Caspian, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and we're on Silver Chair now.
I only read the first three when I was a kid so Silver Chair is new to me as well. They seem chronological enough at least in regards to the main characters. I figure we'll just finish off the series in the original publishing order.
I did pick up on the 9 year old part.
And pathetic and sensitive from the other guy's posting still fit. Cheated after reading an enjoyable book? You were old enough to read it.
You ever read any Orson Scott Card? He makes a really good point in the prologue to Ender's Game. There is no age when a light bulb turns on and you suddenly become a different person on a different level of conciousness.
You've probably toughened up some since then, buy you're still the same person. Being 9 years old doesn't magically excuse someone from accountability for being overly sensitive.
Anyway, this is getting way off-topic.
Glad you enjoy the books now.
Shite. you're != your. Hate when I do that.
No AC here, but I'll back his sentiments.
Maybe you're parents, or the school, or the library, or whatever shouldn't have given you the books. CS Lewis was Christian, and his books were biblically inspired. No secrets, lies, or ulterior motives. Aslan = Jesus. Lewis made no claims otherwise.
If you did enjoy the books, but feel cheated and now your enlightened atheism causes you to post these emotions well.... I can't find a small enough violin to play your sad sad song.
I heard about the movies from right here on slashdot a while back.
I decided to get to reading the books to my son right away. We're on The Silver Chair, 4 of 7 (original ordering) right now. He likes them so much he refuses to even watch the old cartoon or the bbc verision until we are done with all seven books.
This coolest news I've heard in some time. Good to see ASU doing this.
I've set up a good size K12LTSP network at a k-8 school just 4 miles west of you on university drive in Mesa.
I'm thinking about trying to push this phoenix wide for the parochial schools. I'm gonna try and get some presentation time at our next in service meeting.
Having ASU use linux on the server and client definetly will lend some credibility to my presentation.
>>Most people simply don't take it upon themselves to learn things for themselves for work,
Have you ever done any hiring?
You've just described the exact character flaw that I avoid when interviewing people.
Funny, I don't know any non-programmer, non-geek, or non-geek-wannabe who actually sets up there own computer.
End users of a linux desktop (LTSP especially) do not have to use a command line any more than end users of windows have to use a command line.
X11 and desktop managers with icons have been available on linux for over ten years.
Gee.. I wonder why you posted that as an AC
Using linux does not have to mean typing in scripts at a bash shell.
Linux can be made to look and act just as point-and-clicky as windows.
Using K12LTSP enables you to quickly set up a large school network where students have access to office applications, web browsing, photo editing, desktop publishing, web publishing,programming languages , etc.
It also centralizes network administration, allows for recycling hardware, and saves a ton of money on software licensing.
It is important to teach computer concepts, not just the nuances of the latest proprietary office suite.
Just remember, It should never under any circumstances be the responsibility of educators to teach brand loyalty.
Hmmm.. Interesting.
.... uh, if you're into that sort of thing.
Cox is already indirectly the biggest provider of free wireless.
Its amazing the amount of open wireless access points in the valley. Not that I have a huge frame of reference with other metro areas, but I never have a problem finding a "hotspot" here.
Just cruise on over next door to Mesa. Its basically just a giant neighborhood of half a million suburbanites. There's a good 20 open access points or so every square mile
And?
What does that have to do with using LTSP?
Gimp & Open Office on LTSP don't seem to cause the problems you're having with win2003, photoshop, & MS word.