I bet you didn't know the technologies underlying Firefox (or.8) were initially developed by the soviet military during the early 1980's. "A prototype jet fighter that can be partially controlled by a hyperlink."
Chapter 8 ("The Financial Advantages of Anti-copyright " - pdf) of "Digital Resistance" might interest you. It debunks some of the more persistent capitalist myths behind the idea of "copyright for the protection of the artist".
I find CAE'sother books quite interesting as well. It's quite hard for me to find well-written material related to the intersection between technology and culture, any pointers?
Mr. Evans' characterization of Open Source movement sympathizers (i.e. "If anyone's anger has no measure, it is the wrath of internet zealots who believe that code should be free to all (open source).") is considered an offense by myself and many other members of our community [http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/02/05/08182 29&mode=thread&tid=106&tid=185&tid=187&tid=88] . The term "zealot" implies uncritical devotion, this is certainly a generalization which does not adapt to the reality of available literature regarding this subject.
Does the fact that one journalist working at the BBC has written a story based on groundless information necessarily turn the organization into a mob of sensationalist anti-Blair fanatics? I think not.
In my humble opinion, Mr. Evans does not posess the minimal required amount of knowledge on this particular subject to write an article with any substance - or avoid offending a community, for that matter. I kindly suggest the publication of a retraction by the BBC regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
Rafael Perez
Suggested readings:
"The Cathedral and the Bazaar", Eric S. Raymond, O'Reilly & Associates (January 15, 2001), ISBN 0596001088.
"Philosophy of the GNU Project", http://www.fsf.org/philosophy/philosophy.html
How about "let me try it with all goodies included and I'll decide if I want to pay for support, maintenance, training or other professional services"? Is that not how "commercial" distros keep the biz rollin'?
If I don't pay I don't get the source for the goodies now do I?
"The MandrakeMove Boxed Edition is now available at MandrakeStore.com. The Boxed Edition provides the MandrakeMove system, plus the capability to save configuration and personal data to a USB key, plus additional commercial software such as NVidia(R) drivers, Acrobat(R) ReaderTM, RealPlayerTM, FlashPlayerTM, and MandrakeMove documentation."
IMHO this distro is nearly useless without these features. Whatever happened to boxed-distro-same-content-as-downloaded-ISO (BDSCDI)?
"Have you ever seen one of those robosweepers, which you link as "useless technology", work? I have, and it seemed to work rather well (somewhat to my surprise). How is it useless to have an autonomous device clean my floors? Am I wrong for wanting clean floors? I mean, they are my floors, but I don't particularly enjoy spending my (limited) time cleaning them. I might (but haven't) spend some of my (less limited) money to have a device that cleans them for me. Your author (and presumably you as well) somehow think that's a bad thing, and I don't understand why."
If you are content with current, high-quality "robosweep" technology, be my guest. For the time being, and for hygiene's (and my also-limited time's) sake, I preffer to contract human cleaning services.
From my perspective, you have missed the whole fiddling with the parts, literally, while reading this essay. Honestly, do you need two-speed power windows on your car? I cannot find any refference to what you propose.
My point is that too many people consume products with features/performance they don't really need, won't use or simply won't make a difference proportional to the amount of capital invested. If you need get a new video card, don't let me stop you. Cheers mate!
I agree with h/er view on how the mayority of Noncanadiannorthamericanunitedstatians consume.
++Features = ++better.
Microsoft products are a prime example of this. Most of their product's features are plain useless, just pure marketing-induced-bloat.
I do not agree with h/er about ABS and air bags, but dual-speed power windows? I do not agree with your correlation between the author's views on purely useless technology and h/er interest in computer games.
I agree. I haven't bought a console since N64 came out (I sold it a week later), what I would like to see is more depth in those console games. On the other hand... Final Fantasy X might be my ticket to getting myself a console.
'They tend to get "dollars" if the film succeeds artistically. The system rewards excellence with financial success'
My question is, excellence in what? If you're reffering to marketing and business-savy (not well known for its concern for or adherence to ethics, art, or humanistic values) I'll grant you that (take a look at Microsoft's products and try to tell me their design is somewhere near elegant). But since we're talking about "art" (i.e. "...if the film succeeds artistically...") your statement in it's own context is a fallacy.
For your benefit:
Main Entry: fallacy
Pronunciation: 'fa-l&-sE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -cies
Etymology: Latin fallacia, from fallac-, fallax deceitful, from fallere to deceive
Date: 14th century
1 a obsolete : GUILE, TRICKERY b : deceptive appearance : DECEPTION
2 a : a false or mistaken idea fallacies> b : erroneous character : ERRONEOUSNESS
3 : an often plausible argument using false or invalid inference
my intention is to critizice hollywood's manipulation of the general american public by the use of actors as objects for the sale of their product. "let see, well, we want them black movie goers and hip-hopper wannabes watching this one, so let's put ol' Willy Smith there."
why i think this sucks?
i robot is a masterpiece of sci-fi lit
will smith can't act
will smith is there to get some asses on those seats
many *many* people think it's nice of hollywood to put black people on screen, it must be because they love racial diversity, and are lured to ignore *still existing* racial issues in America the Free
casting a non-acting object such as smith denotes lack of integrity from any director that takes the job
director's/producers which lack integrity *VERY FREQUENTLY* lack artistic skills (who's got time when he/she's chasing dollars?)
the movie will suck
i want to see a good movie, specially for this kind of sci-fi
if this does not explain my non-troll intentions, i can't do much else about it. i'll try to read/talk/write to/with people and see if i can speak/write/act in a clearer fashion.
Slashdot Mirror
I bet you didn't know the technologies underlying Firefox (or .8) were initially developed by the soviet military during the early 1980's. "A prototype jet fighter that can be partially controlled by a hyperlink."
Chapter 8 ("The Financial Advantages of Anti-copyright " - pdf) of "Digital Resistance" might interest you. It debunks some of the more persistent capitalist myths behind the idea of "copyright for the protection of the artist".
I find CAE's other books quite interesting as well. It's quite hard for me to find well-written material related to the intersection between technology and culture, any pointers?
Mr. Evans' characterization of Open Source movement sympathizers (i.e. "If anyone's anger has no measure, it is the wrath of internet zealots who believe that code should be free to all (open source).") is considered an offense by myself and many other members of our community [http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/02/05/08182 29&mode=thread&tid=106&tid=185&tid=187&tid=88] . The term "zealot" implies uncritical devotion, this is certainly a generalization which does not adapt to the reality of available literature regarding this subject.
Does the fact that one journalist working at the BBC has written a story based on groundless information necessarily turn the organization into a mob of sensationalist anti-Blair fanatics? I think not.
In my humble opinion, Mr. Evans does not posess the minimal required amount of knowledge on this particular subject to write an article with any substance - or avoid offending a community, for that matter. I kindly suggest the publication of a retraction by the BBC regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
Rafael Perez
Suggested readings:
How about "let me try it with all goodies included and I'll decide if I want to pay for support, maintenance, training or other professional services "? Is that not how "commercial" distros keep the biz rollin'?
If I don't pay I don't get the source for the goodies now do I?
"The MandrakeMove Boxed Edition is now available at MandrakeStore.com. The Boxed Edition provides the MandrakeMove system, plus the capability to save configuration and personal data to a USB key, plus additional commercial software such as NVidia(R) drivers, Acrobat(R) ReaderTM, RealPlayerTM, FlashPlayerTM, and MandrakeMove documentation."
IMHO this distro is nearly useless without these features. Whatever happened to boxed-distro-same-content-as-downloaded-ISO (BDSCDI)?
Superior my arse.
"...we have confirmed that Linus Torvalds has once more blessed us with his presence."
PRAISE THE LORD. What the fuck is wrong with you? He's, only, human.
Depth and complexity of story, that is. Any Noncanadiannorthamericanunitedstatian title pales in comparison. What's your point John?
"Have you ever seen one of those robosweepers, which you link as "useless technology", work? I have, and it seemed to work rather well (somewhat to my surprise). How is it useless to have an autonomous device clean my floors? Am I wrong for wanting clean floors? I mean, they are my floors, but I don't particularly enjoy spending my (limited) time cleaning them. I might (but haven't) spend some of my (less limited) money to have a device that cleans them for me. Your author (and presumably you as well) somehow think that's a bad thing, and I don't understand why."
If you are content with current, high-quality "robosweep" technology, be my guest. For the time being, and for hygiene's (and my also-limited time's) sake, I preffer to contract human cleaning services.
From my perspective, you have missed the whole fiddling with the parts, literally, while reading this essay. Honestly, do you need two-speed power windows on your car? I cannot find any refference to what you propose.
My point is that too many people consume products with features/performance they don't really need, won't use or simply won't make a difference proportional to the amount of capital invested. If you need get a new video card, don't let me stop you. Cheers mate!
I agree with h/er view on how the mayority of Noncanadiannorthamericanunitedstatians consume.
++Features = ++better.
Microsoft products are a prime example of this. Most of their product's features are plain useless, just pure marketing-induced-bloat.
I do not agree with h/er about ABS and air bags, but dual-speed power windows? I do not agree with your correlation between the author's views on purely useless technology and h/er interest in computer games.
You cave troll. I'll be nice and feed you some.
I agree. I haven't bought a console since N64 came out (I sold it a week later), what I would like to see is more depth in those console games. On the other hand... Final Fantasy X might be my ticket to getting myself a console.
This essay here pretty much sums-up what in my opinion this round-up amounts to.
True, I agree. I can still play games reasonably well with the aforementioned video card on a 1GHz P3 w. 512MB RAM.
This essay pretty much sums-up what these round-ups amount to
My GeForce2MX (64 MB) runs Max Payne 2 and Tron 2.0 reasonably well. Why should I upgrade?
"Excellence leads to financial success"
'They tend to get "dollars" if the film succeeds artistically. The system rewards excellence with financial success'
My question is, excellence in what? If you're reffering to marketing and business-savy (not well known for its concern for or adherence to ethics, art, or humanistic values) I'll grant you that (take a look at Microsoft's products and try to tell me their design is somewhere near elegant). But since we're talking about "art" (i.e. "...if the film succeeds artistically...") your statement in it's own context is a fallacy.
For your benefit:
Main Entry: fallacy
Pronunciation: 'fa-l&-sE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -cies
Etymology: Latin fallacia, from fallac-, fallax
deceitful, from fallere to deceive
Date: 14th century
1 a obsolete : GUILE, TRICKERY b : deceptive
appearance : DECEPTION
2 a : a false or mistaken idea fallacies> b : erroneous character :
ERRONEOUSNESS
3 : an often plausible argument using false or
invalid inference
Alas someone gets part of the point.
lol
marketroids own willy, and from what I gather, your willy too.
someone please get this one to broadcast depth too.
Specifics please.
get a load of this one, sheer brilliance:
"The system rewards excellence with financial success"
according to your theory McDonald's should be the food of champions and Richard Stallman run his website on IIS
no more with the witness. somebody please get this one to broadcast depth.
Pointer to the point.
Pointer to the point.
Pointer to the point.
Pointer to the point.
my intention is to critizice hollywood's manipulation of the general american public by the use of actors as objects for the sale of their product. "let see, well, we want them black movie goers and hip-hopper wannabes watching this one, so let's put ol' Willy Smith there."
why i think this sucks?
if this does not explain my non-troll intentions, i can't do much else about it. i'll try to read/talk/write to/with people and see if i can speak/write/act in a clearer fashion.
piss.