I think it was an attempt at humour, but thanks for setting the record straight. Now I, the author, and all affected slashdotters can get a good night's sleep.
I also admin a good 8 linux servers and a bunch of friends desktops.
Come on, be serious. If the linux desktop is so easy and ready for the mainstream, why are you administrating your friends' desktop machines? I'd immagine you helped with the install too? Probably answer questions on a regular basis? I was in the same position, and it got old REAL quick. After helping a dozen people or so [some of whom were CS students, I might add] set up linux desktop systems only to watch them quickly abandon them, I decided it's just not ready for the average user yet. There's too much tweaking to make the system suit the user's needs. The learning curve is just too steep. Most of all, there's little incentive at this point. Even with the most usable linux desktop variants (KDE, Lindows), you still take a step back as far as what average-user tasks the system is capable of (gaming, commercial software compatability, etc.)
Linux, and much of open-source software, is developed by supply and demand... The major demand on linux right now seems to be for servers, routers, and embedded systems. This is why it's so stable, has so many networking options, etc. -- but you still have to reboot to win32 to play __INSERT_GAME_HERE__.
With that said, I definately think the linux desktop is within striking distance of being ready for mainstream. I think Apple has done a *FABULOUS* job with OS X, and it proves that not only can a sane, simple desktop environment can coexist with a unixoid core, but that the combination is simply computing bliss for enthusiasts and novices alike. I long for the day when the linux desktop advances to this level, and I think it would really change the market. Until then, I just wish I had the dough to replace this win32-cygwin dell laptop with a shiny new powerbook.:-/
new found direction? i was always under the impression that the linux desktop always was sort of a joke... sure, it's okay for geeks -- but the learning curve is far too steep for the average user. i think of my mother as the lowest-common-demoninator when it comes to computer literacy (no offense, ma!) -- and she still has difficulty with her mac [os x] after owning it for over a year, and recieving several lessons from family members.
redhat was available on hp,compaq,dell servers for the past 4 years or so? i hardly think this behavior is "new".
there's a lot of great environments out there, but when it comes to being *PRACTICAL* for average-joe-user, its really just windows and os x.
fink has some nice ends, darwinports has some advantages too... but i really wish i could run "gentoo/darwin" on top of an os x install. i hope metapkg.org is everything i'm dreaming of.:-)
Not aware of any... however, GNU/Darwin makes a pretty decent GNU/Linux surrogate... my major qualm when running linux on mac is the java support (or lack thereof)
Unless there are specific things you routinely do that can *only* be accomplished on Linux and not on ~BSD, you should probably give OS X a shot -- since you have the added bonuses of being able to run OS X apps (Apple's stuff in particular), and spending less time tweaking the system ("Linux is only free if your time has no value")
Plus there's the "it beats anything on the PC market", erm quad CPU Xenon? it's a PC ain't it? where do you want to draw the line?
I believe the line is drawn at personal computers available pre-built from manufacturer. You don't see Dell selling quad-xeon Dimension models, do you?
oh man, like 3 years ago your argument would have been ROCK SOLID. fortunately, since the switch to OS X -- macs have become a lot more compatible. a mac can compile and run almost any software that will compile and run on your average x86 unixoid box.
there is also a pretty large user scene -- so your average win32 freeware/shareware app is going to have some sort of suitable equivalent on the mac side.
so really, the macs just have trouble with win32 apps, with no mac counterpart. but then factor in virtual PC... sure, it's not as fast as a real pc, but it's more than adequate for programs that dont require heavy processor and realtime interaction (such as a first-person-shooter).
i used to strictly use x86 machines, favoring linux but using win32 when i had to. OS X has very effectively bridged the gap between consumer and open-source OS -- and there's less "crap to put up with" [time-consuming tweaking to linux systems, or typical win32 bullsh*t]. though i still use win32 and linux on a regular basis at work, Mac/OSX has become my preferred platform for everyday computing.
amigas have been quietly kept alive... it never really died, as i understand.... however, i see value in this board as being a good linux box material. dual G4 933mhz in an attractive itx case, running linux? yes, i would find this QUITE useful.:-)
opt-out is really the key... i use cox.net cable modem service. my port 80 (listen) has been blocked for a year or so now thanks to code red, code red 2, and other IIS worms. i run apache on a mac, which is not vulnerable to these worms. so why should i be punished? (i can't opt-out because technically i shouldnt have *any* listening ports without upgrading to a home-business connection plan... but i'm good!:-P)
i use the apple dvd-r media to do my storage / backup. aside from the increased capacity, the media is better constructed than any cd-r i've seen. the metal is sandwiched between 2 layers of plastic... cd's will be phased out soon enough (after all, burners can only get so fast, and software can only take up so many cd's...)
i read a about an algorithm for this... its based on full and complete fades to black (which occur between commercials & shows), and the fact that every commercial is an exact multiple of 5.00 seconds (usualy 30.00)... written properly, such an algorithm can be pretty accurate (like 95% or better?). but sometimes when the show itself does a fade, it will trigger the advance... however, given that annoyance -- its quite rare, and it does make the replayTV viewing experience superior to the tivo imho (i hate reachin for the remote... yes, im a lazy bastard.)
Slashdot Mirror
I think it was an attempt at humour, but thanks for setting the record straight. Now I, the author, and all affected slashdotters can get a good night's sleep.
You are truly a king among men.
-m
no, i would prefer to leave the series dead because the dialogue will just get worse. allah be praised.
this site is the dumbest thing i have ever seen. seriously. like, it tries so hard to be witty but its just really awful. allah be praised.
I also admin a good 8 linux servers and a bunch of friends desktops.
:-/
Come on, be serious. If the linux desktop is so easy and ready for the mainstream, why are you administrating your friends' desktop machines? I'd immagine you helped with the install too? Probably answer questions on a regular basis? I was in the same position, and it got old REAL quick. After helping a dozen people or so [some of whom were CS students, I might add] set up linux desktop systems only to watch them quickly abandon them, I decided it's just not ready for the average user yet. There's too much tweaking to make the system suit the user's needs. The learning curve is just too steep. Most of all, there's little incentive at this point. Even with the most usable linux desktop variants (KDE, Lindows), you still take a step back as far as what average-user tasks the system is capable of (gaming, commercial software compatability, etc.)
Linux, and much of open-source software, is developed by supply and demand... The major demand on linux right now seems to be for servers, routers, and embedded systems. This is why it's so stable, has so many networking options, etc. -- but you still have to reboot to win32 to play __INSERT_GAME_HERE__.
With that said, I definately think the linux desktop is within striking distance of being ready for mainstream. I think Apple has done a *FABULOUS* job with OS X, and it proves that not only can a sane, simple desktop environment can coexist with a unixoid core, but that the combination is simply computing bliss for enthusiasts and novices alike. I long for the day when the linux desktop advances to this level, and I think it would really change the market. Until then, I just wish I had the dough to replace this win32-cygwin dell laptop with a shiny new powerbook.
new found direction? i was always under the impression that the linux desktop always was sort of a joke... sure, it's okay for geeks -- but the learning curve is far too steep for the average user. i think of my mother as the lowest-common-demoninator when it comes to computer literacy (no offense, ma!) -- and she still has difficulty with her mac [os x] after owning it for over a year, and recieving several lessons from family members.
redhat was available on hp,compaq,dell servers for the past 4 years or so? i hardly think this behavior is "new".
there's a lot of great environments out there, but when it comes to being *PRACTICAL* for average-joe-user, its really just windows and os x.
fink has some nice ends, darwinports has some advantages too... but i really wish i could run "gentoo/darwin" on top of an os x install. i hope metapkg.org is everything i'm dreaming of. :-)
Not aware of any... however, GNU/Darwin makes a pretty decent GNU/Linux surrogate... my major qualm when running linux on mac is the java support (or lack thereof)
Unless there are specific things you routinely do that can *only* be accomplished on Linux and not on ~BSD, you should probably give OS X a shot -- since you have the added bonuses of being able to run OS X apps (Apple's stuff in particular), and spending less time tweaking the system ("Linux is only free if your time has no value")
Plus there's the "it beats anything on the PC market", erm quad CPU Xenon? it's a PC ain't it? where do you want to draw the line?
I believe the line is drawn at personal computers available pre-built from manufacturer. You don't see Dell selling quad-xeon Dimension models, do you?
oh man, like 3 years ago your argument would have been ROCK SOLID. fortunately, since the switch to OS X -- macs have become a lot more compatible. a mac can compile and run almost any software that will compile and run on your average x86 unixoid box. there is also a pretty large user scene -- so your average win32 freeware/shareware app is going to have some sort of suitable equivalent on the mac side. so really, the macs just have trouble with win32 apps, with no mac counterpart. but then factor in virtual PC... sure, it's not as fast as a real pc, but it's more than adequate for programs that dont require heavy processor and realtime interaction (such as a first-person-shooter). i used to strictly use x86 machines, favoring linux but using win32 when i had to. OS X has very effectively bridged the gap between consumer and open-source OS -- and there's less "crap to put up with" [time-consuming tweaking to linux systems, or typical win32 bullsh*t]. though i still use win32 and linux on a regular basis at work, Mac/OSX has become my preferred platform for everyday computing.
amigas have been quietly kept alive... it never really died, as i understand.... however, i see value in this board as being a good linux box material. dual G4 933mhz in an attractive itx case, running linux? yes, i would find this QUITE useful. :-)
i'd like to see one when they come out, but i bet it gives you a headache to work with it too long... :-P
opt-out is really the key... i use cox.net cable modem service. my port 80 (listen) has been blocked for a year or so now thanks to code red, code red 2, and other IIS worms. i run apache on a mac, which is not vulnerable to these worms. so why should i be punished? (i can't opt-out because technically i shouldnt have *any* listening ports without upgrading to a home-business connection plan... but i'm good! :-P)
i use the apple dvd-r media to do my storage / backup. aside from the increased capacity, the media is better constructed than any cd-r i've seen. the metal is sandwiched between 2 layers of plastic... cd's will be phased out soon enough (after all, burners can only get so fast, and software can only take up so many cd's...)
i read a about an algorithm for this... its based on full and complete fades to black (which occur between commercials & shows), and the fact that every commercial is an exact multiple of 5.00 seconds (usualy 30.00)... written properly, such an algorithm can be pretty accurate (like 95% or better?). but sometimes when the show itself does a fade, it will trigger the advance... however, given that annoyance -- its quite rare, and it does make the replayTV viewing experience superior to the tivo imho (i hate reachin for the remote... yes, im a lazy bastard.)