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User: marklar1

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Comments · 79

  1. Re:Marriages Made in Haste.. Oft Leave a Bad Taste on GM Is Selling Saab To Spyker Cars · · Score: 2, Informative

    BRAVO Kimvette:

    hit the nail on the head!

    SAAB had an amazing history of pioneering technologies and unique Sweedish design esthetics (which really is unique, and is more than IKEA).

    They got buried in GM (who actually did a decent job rebranding Cadillac in the market), but never knew how to position SAAB in the market.

    Wish this was finalized a few years ago prior to the 9-5 redesign (though it looks nice).

    Here's praying that as they go forward and aren't required to pull from the GM parts bins we should see some real changes.

    Someone in SAAB: PLEASE look back to the 900 prior to 94 and bring back the whale tale long slant hatchback...put that on top of the amazing best-in-class X-drive and you've really got something....like the Mini, not for everyone, but some unique bodies don't need to change for change's sake.

  2. Re:good on GM Is Selling Saab To Spyker Cars · · Score: 1

    the 9-5 redesign has been waiting in the wings...it has been held up from production by SAAB's pending doom.

    http://jalopnik.com/5320311/2010-saab-9+5-for-the-big-boys/gallery/

  3. Re:Related question on Truth Or Dare — What Is the Best US Cell Company? · · Score: 1

    You can call customer service and have the "minute remaining" reminder removed. Very simple.

    I suspect, just as they've added the Samsung Finesse that other phones will be coming, so I went with a very simple phone to test out the service...and have been thrilled with network availability, quality of voice, and most of all PRICE.

    I couldn't be happier with my test phone. Went with a simple LG 220C: solid, quick and easy UI, so tiny it disapears in a pocket, excellent bluetooth range, speakerphone, and weighs under 3 oz..

    $45 unlimited phone, sms and "mobile web" which works well for access to webmail services like gmail, hotmail and yahoo...though the lack of qwerty keyboad on mine vs yours would be a real disadvantage for heavy users of webmail & texting...also, I’m OK with the “1x” data rate for “mobile web”...but the Samsung Finesse does have access to “high speed EVDO data” and one could guess as more phones become available they too will have this capability.

    Some have reported problems with ST's C.S., I've had no problems with language or courtesy on two different calls. It has been suggested that if you have a problem w/ ST C.S. then call Net10 / or TracFone's reps...this is well documented - check Howard forums and some blogs/reviews.

    Ohhhh...no deposits, no suprises, no contract.

    I was only too happy to leave AT&T / Cingular after 12 years and being trampled by Cingular’s acquisition of AT&T and dismantling network features for us older “blue” customers trying to force upgrades...

  4. Re:DRM? on XP Users Are Willing To Give Windows 7 a Chance · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The RC Release Candidate is downloadable for another 2 days (until the 20th, I believe)...so just try it.

    The DRM seems like it always has...if you own the media, or it is DRM free, then you shouldn't have a problem. The amount of annoying dialogs for permissions is wayyy less than Vista. It is smooth, fast, better laid, and I've not had a single crash or let down over the last few weeks of trying it out. The layout is much cleaner, OS X users will immediately "get" the dock (whether you like it or not is another issue)...

    My main curiousity was the Media Center (got a deal on a PC from a friend that is dedicated to that purpose, leaving me to do my "work" on an old PowerMac) and it is amazingly good vs. Vista's complete F%^%*!? dissapointment.
    I was adamant that MS owed Vista MC users some love, and felt shafted to need an OS to finally get a WMC that works, but this is soooo much better all the way around...and @ the pre-ordered $49 goes a long, long way to fixing the hurt.

    The RC will work well into 2010, so freakin' load it up and see for yourself...what do you have to loose...?

    For the record, my main machines have been macs since 84, occasional Win and Nix experiences. I'm overdue for a new desktop, hate Apple's choice of iMac with fixed graphics and screen, or a $2000 Pro Mac sucks... This could really be the jump ship point for me to be a reverse switcher...

  5. Re:Not to worry about Reader! on Adobe Security Updates For Flash and Shockwave · · Score: 1

    Ohhh, I'd worry...Adobe is so completely F'n incompetent it is scary.

    On Mac OS X they've not been able to write update their programs to handle case-sensitive file systems--which have been an OS option since 03--and have caused many a user problems.

    They're so f'n oblivious to end users that they don't list non-case-sensitive file systems as a requirement for reader (though they do for the Creative Suite and Reader...?).

    The program is so poorly coded, that even though it does install on a case-sensitive file systems (whithout offering a waring to the end user to download or install the software), its problems aren't just working with other third party files, it can't even refer to subroutines within it's own code appropriately as they aren't consistent within their own code...so you can't, for instance open up the Preferences dialog box... there are numerous other interface and coding issues...

  6. Re:It is reasonable on DTV Transition Mostly Smooth, Windows Media Center Problems · · Score: 1

    True, Apple doesn't include one, nor do they support it, but EyeTV is excellent, and MythTV is now available on Macs.

    But, to suggest that there are more MacMinis being run as media centers is probably way way off.

    To say "Mini too has the same tuning issues until Apple updates the channels." is just plain retarded.

  7. Re:Definitely not a feature on DTV Transition Mostly Smooth, Windows Media Center Problems · · Score: 2, Informative

    This isn't a troll post:

    I am one of MANY users affected by Microsoft's choice to release the "WMC TVPack" that fixes many of WMC's problems...but the release was ONLY SENT to OEM vendors of hardware. The OEMs ONLY included the TVPACK in new sales, leaving all Vista Premium and Ultimate users who bought or DIY built a Media Center prior to the TVPack release up a creek.

    Now, MS has release yet another update to the TVPack, but there is no sane way for the above affected users to take advantage of this.

    Alternatives include: going to unsupported/unsecure sites or torrents to download the TVPack, or doing arcane editing of registry & system files to try and do workarounds.

    Should one download the TVPack from the non-MS sites and risk the possibility that they're corrupted, your path is:
    - do a complete OS reinstall
    - add TVPACK
    - do all software updates
    - oh, BTW, kiss your existing library of non-copy-protected off-air recordings good bye in the process.

    While not the first Windows machine I've ever used, it is the first I've ever owned and I just want to thank Mr Softy for giving me the high hard one!

  8. Re:Yay on GM's Hummer Brand To Be Sold To a Chinese Company · · Score: 1

    You were on the right track, but your point of reference is way off. Try something like this calculator which adjusts $$ for inflation:

    http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

    What cost $2800 in 1955 would cost $21457.27 in 2007.

    Also, if you were to buy exactly the same products in 2007 and 1955,
    they would cost you $2800 and $377.12 respectively.

    Or look for a CPI (consumer price index) calculator, like:

    http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl

    which believes according to it's data that
    $
    in
    has the same buying power as
    $22,278.81
    in 2009

    So, corvettes have risen in price dramatically faster than the general "basket of goods" tracked by the CPI.

  9. Re:marijuana legalization issue was Painful to Wat on Open Government Brainstorm Defies Wisdom of Crowds · · Score: 1

    Not all checks are based on breath/air analysis. Saliva based checks are available that screen for drugs, such as this: http://www.angelscope.co.uk/oral_drug_tests.htm

    If pot were to be legalized, the technology would develop quickly as the $$ would flow into the market to increase tests (eye/pupil dilation tests, saliva, urine, etc..) to meet the needs.

    And, even if a person can pass a field sobriety test, or the saliva test, they may still be charged with traffic violations, even if they can't be given a DUI. But illegal drugs in any quantity would be grounds for DUI in my understanding.

    Also, wasn't it shown that severe sleep deprivation to have an effect on driving ability the same as having several drinks? How do you test for/punish that?

    http://oem.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/57/10/649?andorexacttitleabs=and&HITS=10&sortspec=relevance&hits=10&andorexacttitle=and&maxtoshow=&andorexactfulltext=and&FIRSTINDEX=0&fulltext=blood+alcohol+level+.05+sleep+deprivation&resourcetype=HWCIT%2CHWELTR&searchid=1&RESULTFORMAT=1

  10. Re:If you're whining and Apple don't respond on Psystar Wins a Round Against Apple · · Score: 1

    you sure as hell didn't buy just any generic / third party video card. There are almost none on the market, and they specifically have Apple's hand in the pot - For years and years (been using macs since 84) graphics cards have been a very very sore spot.

    Manufacturers have indicated an interest, but been largely unable to tie together the whole package:

    You NEVER see XFX, BFG, Saphire, etc. making ATI or NVIDIA cards...there are very very few designs available from very few retailers, and have ONLY been manufactured directly by ATI or Nvidia... why? Apple would rather you buy another machine than have you upgrade...

    There was a very active community dedicated to flashing PC cards with Apple ROMs, and most of the core of this crowd are in the OSX86 project.

  11. shenanigans on A Brief History of Features Apple Has Killed · · Score: 1

    Apple killed the FireWire on the MacBooks to keep a definitive edge to the Pro line. Now that there's finally a decent graphics built into the consumer line, and the cosmetics, trackpad and keyboard (backlit) are on the consumer macbook this really sets the dividing line.

    Apple has a long history of segmenting their products for marketing reasons (like all companies) and disabling features that may even be built in for mass production economies of scale to segment the market.

    Two of the best examples of their douchebaggyness come in QuickTime: Unless you buy the $30 Pro version, you can't save content that others have made freely available on the net, and, until recently, you couldn't view the content in "full screen" without Pro. Blatantly disabling simple must have features to jack off users who've already bought their hardware, their OS, their iLife...and how the hell do you buy an iLife package which is built on the QT frameworks and they don't through those functions in???

    I've been using macs since the very first, but am more than ever ready to do OSX86 with a Linux dual boot and try life weaning myself off them as I look to upgrade from my still smooth running PPC machines.

    And, BTW, FW for me is important, I've got several externals that are FW based, am not pro by any means...but real world performance on my machines is night and day...better speed than usb 2, and lower cpu usage...no brainer.

    And, as I've shopped PC cases and motherboards, the FW is much much more widely available then I thought as I look outside my mac only hardware world to the future. Bad news.

  12. Re:Classic problem. on Should Organic Chemistry Be a Premed Requirement? · · Score: 1

    As one who recently completed these requirements, I'm shocked that asshats would even suggest it.

    1) Yes, it is a wonderful way to weed out the people.

    2) O-Chem is more than memorization, it is flexibility in applying the memorized data - synthesis (unless you have a shit teacher, then it might be more memorization).

    3) Most important, it is fundamental to the understanding of biology, biochemistry, and basic principles of pharmacology.

    GAME OVER. IT STAYS.

    We don't need to dumb down medicine.

  13. Re:already full of fail on T-Mobile To Open App Store For All of Their Phones · · Score: 1

    exactly.

    this doesn't bode well for developers selling applications direcltly, and would indicate somehow t-mobile will apply some leverage or control so that developers have to go through them..

    so why am I getting an unlimited data plan if I can't run what I want on it.

    looks like t-mobile is off the short list of my next possible provider.

  14. Re:The secret of success on T-Mobile To Open App Store For All of Their Phones · · Score: 1

    THANK YOU! just what I was thinking. I don't want T-mobile in between me and shopping for apps to run on my next phone.

    I want to buy hardware from a vendor that will support it, have firmware and software updates, etc.--treating me as their end customer. (no ridiculous replays of the AT&T Tilt imageon driver debacle). Currently, once you've got a phone out the door they don't want to service you, they'd rather you just buy a new phone w/ XYZ feature, fix, update, because the service providers are the hardware manufacturers customer before the end user.

    I want to control the software I install on it, as I'm used to with other computers.

    I want a fair contract, without subsidizing my phone, to operate on from a service provider...period.

    If the app store is optional, not mandatory, then great. But if T-Mobile wants to control the end users / platform across all their phones as Apple tries to do then I'll look for alternatives.

  15. Re:Might work ... on Second Mac Clone Maker Set To Sell, With a Twist · · Score: 1

    NOT FAIR: GO to NewEgg and get the ULTIMATE Vista for Home System Builders for $179.99

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116493

  16. Re:finally a sane comment! on Apollo 14 Moonwalker Claims Aliens Exist · · Score: 1

    you must not be familiar with the Prime Directive.

  17. poor ISPs on Big Six UK ISPs Capitulate To Music Industry · · Score: 1

    I feel bad for them, they are "reportedly reluctant" so they must've been forced into this under duress... pity.

  18. Re:Demand for OS X on Apple Files Suit Against Psystar · · Score: 1

    it's not that simple.

    they were having others manufacture the hardware, but they were responsible for alot of design...which decreased through time, but it wasn't a Standard foxcon part that could be found in some other PC.

    The G5 might not have been cool enough, but the Power Architecture had other alternatives. Mobile G4s w/ multicores and higher fsb were announced that would've filled the bill quite nicely. And Apple, IBM and Moto all had a share in ownership of that technology, regardless of who was fabing it. And it cost Apple money to participate in research/development for their own needs, not just buying the same CPU parts that every other manufacturer was buying.

    The switch to intel lessened the R&D, and took away a major objection to being on odd-man hardware with bootcamp / full speed virtualization alternatives.

    For years they'd co-developed intel compatible versions of the OS for insurance, and possible retail options.

  19. Re:Demand for OS X on Apple Files Suit Against Psystar · · Score: 1

    They ARE NOT PIRATING OS X.

    Apple is still getting a full retail sale.

    These guys aren't selling downloaded or copies...actual retail copies of OS X... so Apple is only loosing the BUNDLING of hardware and software.

    I'm no lawyer, nor do I pretend to understand the legal ramifications of forced bundling, but do recall something exists.

    But inside and outside of the computer industry there are precedent cases that could be argued in Psystar's favor to do what they're doing.

    In my limited understanding, that wouldn't compel apple to "support" other vendors hardware, it just wouldn't preclude the OS being run on other hardware.

    There was a vendor that made high speed rotary dissection tools for surgical applications (neuro, ortho, craniomaxillofacial primarily--kinda like a dremel on massive steroids). Anyway, the company, even with high stakes involved (for them and the patient) was unable to stop people selling the cutting tools (disposable single use tips) to hospitals, nor where they able to tell hospitals they wouldn't honor their service agreements on the machine itself for using alternate disposables... and there are examples in the auto industry and many others... so this thing's not over till it's over.

    Apple has extraordinarily deep pockets, but I think at best they may stop them installing OS X on units they sell, not stopping selling the computers and industrious end users can easily now follow the recipe for installation.

  20. Re:Not a bad business model... on Apple Files Suit Against Psystar · · Score: 1

    STUPIDITY.

    Psystar sold computers with the OPTION to get a licensed retail copy of OS X. The computers still run 'nix and windows just fine. they'll continue to run os x just fine like the tons of folks out there in the OSX86 community.

    And Psystar may get an injunction from selling OS X installed or retail copies with their machines, but it shouldn't prohibit them from selling the boxes that happen to be ripe for an OSX86 installation. There's no way Apple could stop them from that.

    And that is worth something, taking the time to go through the Wiki's and blogs, and assemble the parts isn't something everyone wants to do. Psystars actions don't diminish or take advantage of the efforts of people at OSX86, they enhance the whole effort.

    Apple pulls some real dick moves. They refuse to allow real competition making alternative video cards...evidence the $200+ price tag for a Radeon 9600 as the only AGP alternative from one vendor...and there are other instances of similar FU attitude...but we won't digress to that here.

    Point remains, Apple has no business "making good" on any purchasers of Psystar hardware. Psystar will absolutely be able to continue as a PC manufacturer reseller regardless of whether Apple can get an injunction about osx installed and/or packaged with.

  21. Downsides to Openmoko? on First North American OpenMoko/FreeRunners Arrive · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Can anyone shed some light on the following statements, taken from:

    http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2007/08/23/apple-iphone-vs-the-fic-neo1973-openmoko-linux-smartphone/

    (after several points wraps up:)

    "...OpenMoko therefore isn't a new âoeopen phone,â it's merely a version of Linux designed to run on a specific vendor's proprietary implementation of Windows Mobile. Buying an FIC phone to run OpenMoko is like buying a Dell Windows PC to run Linux. You're not changing the world, you're merely funding development of Microsoft's platform while giving yourself the opportunity to work with community software."

    I don't understand the differentiation or point made regarding the serial port connection to the the GSM/GPRS run by proprietary Nucleus OS -- is this like a BIOS for the hardware instead of an OS? Is it a problem with proprietary drivers?

    Perhaps more important, how does this compare to other Linux based phones out there?? Does this help the community in general, or is it really vendor specific?

  22. Re:Mac OS Server on Running Mac OS X On Standard PCs · · Score: 1

    What????

    The "Apple is a hardware company" is sooooo 80s and 90s...

    its right up there with sayings like macs are for education and art.

    After the initial purchase people are on the hook for OS upgrades $130/yr. or two.

    iLife: $79 .Mac: $99

    Not to mention Aperture, Final Cut (express), QuickTime Pro, iWork, etc., And believe me, if it weren't for the hardware and music sales, they'd be stickin' to us for another $30/year there too.

    You add those up for a couple years after the purchase of hardware and see how that adds up.

    Gone are the days of the Mac w/ unlimited system and accessory updates.

    Safari was a necessity to take a chip out of MS's hand w/ dependence on IE. And it is great that it ended up being the part of the engine for iTunes and iPhone use Safari/WebKit engine.

  23. Re:Meh on First Psystar Mac Clones Ship · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Think Again:

    It's not just video cards!

    Geez, who'd ever have thunk we'd get USB 2, or FireWire 2, or (e) SATA ?, or some new Networking protocol...or ???

    luckily, with basic PCI expansion cards that (almost) any tard can plug in the machines are ready for the future...

    and this is why several of my (and one's I look after for family/friends) machines AREN'T IN LANDFILLS!

    Encourage Expandability - Look to the FUTURE, even for mom & pop machines!

    so get off the "who would ever expand their computer" thing...

    Maybe your parents or grandparents or neighbors don't know what a PCI slot is, but when they need to figure out how to add a USB2 card or a network adapter or..??? they google it, or ask you or me, or go to the store and the clerk tells them...

  24. Re:I am not trying to obnoxious. on New Botnet Dwarfs Storm · · Score: 2, Insightful

    1) yes, it was first. I'm not sure the conclusions your drawing or inferring are correct. Just because a few (very vocal) mac newbs, as well as some mac and linux fanbois have misunderstood the security of their platforms:

    note: once a hack used, it couln't be re-used.
    the hack used on the vista machine was believed to be applicable to all 3 platforms:

    http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=993

    "âoeThe flaw is in something else, but the inherent nature of Java allowed us to get around the protections that Microsoft had in place,â he (Macaulay) said in an interview shortly after he claimed his prize Friday. âoeThis could affect Linux or Mac OS X.â
    The day 2 exploit succeeded finally after going back and forth between the machines tweaking the exploit.

    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/29/ubuntu_left_standing/

    "Plenty of commentators have made hay of the MacBook Pro being the first to exit the race, and Linux zealots are sure to conclude the contest results prove the superiority of that platform. Maybe. But that's not how it looks to Macaulay, who says with a few hours of tweaking, his exploit will also work on OS X and Linux."

  25. Re:Actually... on Acid3 Race In Full Swing, Opera Overtakes Safari · · Score: 1

    Actually: mine's showing 99/100.

    Safari Webkit r31370