Its very nice that this kid can use Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and all, but can he compile a Linux kernel? Hmm? This is just another Microsoft publicity stunt, as revealed in the last two paragraphs:
The boy told CNN he would like to become a Bill Gates. For the moment, however, he may have to settle for the role of lead campaigner for Microsoft's Office 2000 Thai.
``How wonderful it will be to have your son join us for the launch of Office 2000 Thai,'' Microsoft Thailand's product manager Patama Chantaruck wrote to Ajay's parents recently.
This should be under "It's funny. Laugh." at least, not News. I know there are a lot of young, exciting computer personalities out there, but this little guy isn't one of them. He's 3 years old! Sigh. I just get the feeling little Ajay is being exploited by the Microsoft marketing machine.
I would love to try OpenBSD, but I can't afford the $30 they want for the CD.
I understand they need all the money they can get, but $30 (USD!) seems excessive. Factor in shipping, and the exchange rate, it thats like $50 CAD. It would be nice if they had a lower student rate or something, so all of us starving student types could get a shiny new CD and support the cause. Ah well.
I don't like this guys attitude at all. He's angry because SETI@home has limited resources? They spend a fortune to use that radio telescope and distribute the work units, but thats not good enough for dude, he wants more. He is angry because he's "sacrificing" his idle cpu cycles. Its almost as if he feels its his RIGHT to help out when in fact its a privilege. They have every right to make the client as slow as they want. They have absolutely no obligation to open source it or improve the speed. Its their toy, and they are only letting us play with it.
I'm happy for SETI@home. I think its great that they've got 8 million volunteers and have managed to (almost) process all the data they've acquired. I hope they aren't completely overwhelmed, though. It must cost to server up all those work units. Something like 40 gigs a day, I think it is. Thankfully they have all them corporate sponsors.
I think it would be interesting if they open sourced it, but I understand why they haven't.
UCITA is downright dangerous for consumers. It disgusts me that it was passed. Just look at the power it gives software companies:
They can show you one product and you agree to buy it. At this point they can change the product all they want and deliver something completely different too you. "Oh, no it doesnt save your data anymore, we removed that 'bug' and implemented a dozen new 'features'." Actually this is, I believe, limited to changes in the interface only. Still...
Completely bans any form of reverse engineering. "No, we don't support Linux, but if you reverse engineer our product we'll sue your ass off."
Forces you to automatically agree to stupid license agreements before you get a chance to read them. You can't see the warranty or guarantee disclaimer either. You open the box and you agree to the EULA. Its also possible for them to force you to accept FUTURE license agreements for future versions of the product that haven't been written yet. "Yes, that's right ma'am, as soon as you opened the box you agreed to hand your soul over to Mr. Gates. Have a nice day."
Defines software as "non-goods" and removes them from related consumer protection laws.
Allows software publishers to knowingly include defects in their products. Any bugs that cause damage are not their responsibility. "Of course our software won't erase your hard disk *cough*we don't think*cough*, but if it does we don't have to pay for it. Sucka."
Validates SPAM. People can be forced to agree to recieve email notices and are held responsible for messages that they don't recieve. "Your computed blew up? We emailed you the patch to prevent that, didn't you get it?"
Must have vendor approval to transfer software licenses. Imagine if some big software company that M$ didn't like bought another company running M$ software. "Sorry BigCorp, we won't let you take control of their software. You'll just have to buy some more from us."
And my favorite: Allows software vendors to place backdoors in their products to remotely "reposses" their software. This would be bad enough even if there weren't security concerns. How long is it going to take for some clever cracker to figure out a way to disable every single copy of, say, M$ IIS it can find? Hehe, actually, that would be kind of funny. Maybe this UCITA stuff isnt so bad afterall...
Anyways, its a nasty little bugger. Thank God for Open Source. This just might give it the boost it needs to take over the world.:) We'll see. Oh, and I havent read the whole 335 page proposal myself, so I might be a little off on a few things. Tough.:)
My friends got a set up just like this and it cost him almost nothing.
He sits in this low, reclined leather chair, snaps a clipboard to the arm as a mousepad, pulls the keyboard onto his lap and stick the monitor on the coffee table. Cheap and effective.
I mean that $3500 beast looks cool and all, but damn, its way too expensive. Save yourself the money and just throw something together.:)
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You're right, I probably could have put that a better way. My apologies.
Whoops, sorry! :) Old Canadian habit of mine. :)
I would love to try OpenBSD, but I can't afford the $30 they want for the CD.
:)
I understand they need all the money they can get, but $30 (USD!) seems excessive. Factor in shipping, and the exchange rate, it thats like $50 CAD. It would be nice if they had a lower student rate or something, so all of us starving student types could get a shiny new CD and support the cause. Ah well.
I might buy a t-shirt though. Only $16 USD.
I don't like this guys attitude at all. He's angry because SETI@home has limited resources? They spend a fortune to use that radio telescope and distribute the work units, but thats not good enough for dude, he wants more. He is angry because he's "sacrificing" his idle cpu cycles. Its almost as if he feels its his RIGHT to help out when in fact its a privilege. They have every right to make the client as slow as they want. They have absolutely no obligation to open source it or improve the speed. Its their toy, and they are only letting us play with it.
I'm happy for SETI@home. I think its great that they've got 8 million volunteers and have managed to (almost) process all the data they've acquired. I hope they aren't completely overwhelmed, though. It must cost to server up all those work units. Something like 40 gigs a day, I think it is. Thankfully they have all them corporate sponsors.
I think it would be interesting if they open sourced it, but I understand why they haven't.
Anyways, its a nasty little bugger. Thank God for Open Source. This just might give it the boost it needs to take over the world. :) We'll see. Oh, and I havent read the whole 335 page proposal myself, so I might be a little off on a few things. Tough. :)
My friends got a set up just like this and it cost him almost nothing.
:)
He sits in this low, reclined leather chair, snaps a clipboard to the arm as a mousepad, pulls the keyboard onto his lap and stick the monitor on the coffee table. Cheap and effective.
I mean that $3500 beast looks cool and all, but damn, its way too expensive. Save yourself the money and just throw something together.