> What is the 3d web going to give me that 2d doesn't?
At the risk of getting down modded: your thinking is the typical two dimensional can't-think-outside-the-proverbial-box. 3D has a time and a place for certain interactive and educational applications.
> Nitpick: that's not a technique. Those rays of light are called godrays, it says nothing about the implementation technique.
Indeed. They could be using "Volumetric Light", "Occlusion Stencil", or as a post-process in Screen Space. Hard to tell which algorithm they are using.
> What won't happen is that some ditz who bought a hot beverage and spilled it in there lap and got burned
Sad to see people still completely and totally ignorant of the FACTS this many years later:
McDonalds also said during discovery that, based on a consultants advice, it held its coffee at between 180 and 190 degrees fahrenheit to maintain optimum taste. He admitted that he had not evaluated the safety ramifications at this temperature. Other establishments sell coffee at substantially lower temperatures, and coffee served at home is generally 135 to 140 degrees.
The jury awarded Liebeck $200,000 in compensatory damages. This amount was reduced to $160,000 because the jury found Liebeck 20 percent at fault in the spill. The jury also awarded Liebeck $2.7 million in punitive damages, which equals about two days of McDonalds' coffee sales.
As a visual thinking I have found the most important tool for programming (which is just another type of solving interesting problems) is a pencil and pad.
While you have an catchy cliche & interesting point I use Excel / OOCalc as a cheap digital notepad which I find quite effective. I can jot partial formulas down, do quick graphs, and have some semi-table-structure while I finalize organization and equations before throwing it into the "real" tool.
There are times a "lab notebook" (whether physical / digital) IS the right tool -- when you can minimize the time spent wasting with the UIthen you can focus on actually solving the problem.:-) THAT is one of the advantages of using a spreadsheet that too many completely overlook or dismiss as not being relevant.
> My vote, this time and last, happened to be for the Democrat. But, I wasn't voting "for" the democrat, so much as I was voting "against" the other guy.
Oh, that's a "brilliant" strategy -- except for one thing -- the system _itself_ doesn't work.
> It is HARD. No it isn't. This isn't rocket science, just basic UI design.
You are conflating absolute progress with relative time.
> Maybe a couple of numbers under it showing # files done out of # total files. Correct. The total number is constant. The time it takes to install/copy is variable.
The CORRECT solution is to show BOTH numbers so the user is not confused over which information the progress bar is displaying. Far too many programmers and designers don't seem to have a clue of understanding the difference of WHY you want to show both -- they are presenting different types of answers because they are answering different types of questions:
* The absolute progress is never wrong but it doesn't convey _enough_ information "How long do I have to wait?" * The relative time progress bay can easily be wrong but it will never give a correct value of "What has just completed?" since it was never designed to answer that question - only "How much longer do I need to wait?"
> Which installs faster, a package containing 250 files totaling 10 MB, or a package containing 10 files totaling 100 MB - hint; it depends. In the first case there would be a progress bar #/250, the second #/10. However, since each file could take anywhere from seconds to minutes to install a GOOD UI would show the user that the installer is doing _something_; an ETA is "good enough"
A common fallacy is assuming that one or the other is all that is needed. That is incomplete.
Too much freedom and you lack security. Too much security and you make it a PITA to actually get anything done!
That axis is related to these two extremes:
authority < - - - > accountability
The often quoted mis-interpreted* "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" would lead us believe that Freedom should be valued over Security. There are cases where it can be argued for one or the other.
As a relatively new country we're still trying to figure out the right balance (as it swings from one extreme to the other extreme) especially with respect to Social Engineering and "White" Hats vs Gray Hats.
> Posting syllabi is nice and all, but students use that as a way to just read the book before the exam rather than attend class.
And who is paying for the class? We're not in kindergarten anymore where you need mandatory attendance for mommy and daddy.
I've had my share of shitty teachers where it was more efficient for me to just read and do the exercises in the textbook then to waste my time listening to a prof that couldn't teach.
The better teachers find ways to engage students by asking them questions then to simply spew useless facts.
> Name the products, which will of course also tell us the companies
Exactly. Name and Shame.
If companies won't treat their (potential) customers with respect then it is our duty to spread the word to that they don't deserve to be financially supported.
It seems to be the only way to get the to pay any attention.
> I wish there were something like the GIMP, but for music production.
Could your describe your work-flow including type of assets you need to manipulate along with the operations needed so we could better understand the problem please?
Also, could list what open source audio programs have you tried? What functionality did they fail to provide? What UI problems did you run into?
You try running a small tech business when in the 80's IBM threatens to take you to court over 7 "alleged" patent infringement and forces you to "settle" for $20 million.
Slashdot Mirror
> What is the 3d web going to give me that 2d doesn't?
At the risk of getting down modded: your thinking is the typical two dimensional can't-think-outside-the-proverbial-box. 3D has a time and a place for certain interactive and educational applications.
To put things into perspective.
http://workshop.chromeexperiments.com/stars/
For teaching about the science of waves, caustics, etc.
http://madebyevan.com/webgl-water/
For people to explore creativity without needing an over-priced program
http://derschmale.com/demo/farbe/watercolour/FarbeWaterColour.html
For rapid prototyping and fun playing around with shaders
http://www.iquilezles.org/apps/shadertoy/
Just because _you_ can't see a need or use for it does not imply it is useless for everyone else.
> Nitpick: that's not a technique. Those rays of light are called godrays, it says nothing about the implementation technique.
Indeed. They could be using "Volumetric Light", "Occlusion Stencil", or as a post-process in Screen Space. Hard to tell which algorithm they are using.
Reference:
* http://http.developer.nvidia.com/GPUGems3/gpugems3_ch13.html
Except for that one time they "had" to invest $150 million in Apple ...
http://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2009/08/dayintech_0806/
Standards exist to keep the vendor's implementation honest.
--
Only cowards use censorship.
> What won't happen is that some ditz who bought a hot beverage and spilled it in there lap and got burned
Sad to see people still completely and totally ignorant of the FACTS this many years later:
http://www.lectlaw.com/files/cur78.htm
Wow, thought you were joking for a second but I see it is indeed true.
http://www.diffchecker.com/h14Uhs74
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/122119-Valves-Newell-Issues-Firings-Statement
Looks like Valve is focusing on the Steam Box + Linux.
As a visual thinking I have found the most important tool for programming (which is just another type of solving interesting problems) is a pencil and pad.
While you have an catchy cliche & interesting point I use Excel / OOCalc as a cheap digital notepad which I find quite effective. I can jot partial formulas down, do quick graphs, and have some semi-table-structure while I finalize organization and equations before throwing it into the "real" tool.
There are times a "lab notebook" (whether physical / digital) IS the right tool -- when you can minimize the time spent wasting with the UI then you can focus on actually solving the problem. :-) THAT is one of the advantages of using a spreadsheet that too many completely overlook or dismiss as not being relevant.
How is it a conspiracy when there are _facts_ that electric cars were not prioritized as being important??
"Who Killed the Electric Car?"
http://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/who_killed_the_electric_car/
However, I agree with your analysis that Occam's Razor is probably closer to the truth. Sadly sensational "journalism" still sells eyeballs.
> and we can get more than 2 primaries, and have some faster cycling of parties.
Unfortunately that won't solve the problem as the system is fundamentally flawed.
The Problems with First Past the Post Voting Explained
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7tWHJfhiyo
> My vote, this time and last, happened to be for the Democrat. But, I wasn't voting "for" the democrat, so much as I was voting "against" the other guy.
Oh, that's a "brilliant" strategy -- except for one thing -- the system _itself_ doesn't work.
The Problems with First Past the Post Voting Explained
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7tWHJfhiyo
No, he's that brain surgeon guy :-)
Brain Surgeon - That Mitchell & Webb Look , Series 3 - BBC Two
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THNPmhBl-8I
Someone please mod this AC up -- he understands the fundamental problem.
> It is HARD.
No it isn't. This isn't rocket science, just basic UI design.
You are conflating absolute progress with relative time.
> Maybe a couple of numbers under it showing # files done out of # total files.
Correct. The total number is constant. The time it takes to install/copy is variable.
The CORRECT solution is to show BOTH numbers so the user is not confused over which information the progress bar is displaying. Far too many programmers and designers don't seem to have a clue of understanding the difference of WHY you want to show both -- they are presenting different types of answers because they are answering different types of questions:
* The absolute progress is never wrong but it doesn't convey _enough_ information "How long do I have to wait?"
* The relative time progress bay can easily be wrong but it will never give a correct value of "What has just completed?" since it was never designed to answer that question - only "How much longer do I need to wait?"
> Which installs faster, a package containing 250 files totaling 10 MB, or a package containing 10 files totaling 100 MB - hint; it depends.
In the first case there would be a progress bar #/250, the second #/10. However, since each file could take anywhere from seconds to minutes to install a GOOD UI would show the user that the installer is doing _something_; an ETA is "good enough"
A common fallacy is assuming that one or the other is all that is needed. That is incomplete.
Yeah but this isn't rocket science, just basic UI theory.
Is the progress bar displaying an relative value (like time) or an absolute (like bytes).
If you are coping bit it should show BOTH, that way the user knows they have 1000/8192 bytes copied, but an ETA of 9 seconds.
Agreed that security (or lack of it) is an issue. What makes security a difficult problem to "solve" is trying to balance two extremes:
convenience/freedom < - - - > authentication/authority
Too much freedom and you lack security. Too much security and you make it a PITA to actually get anything done!
That axis is related to these two extremes:
authority < - - - > accountability
The often quoted mis-interpreted* "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" would lead us believe that Freedom should be valued over Security. There are cases where it can be argued for one or the other.
As a relatively new country we're still trying to figure out the right balance (as it swings from one extreme to the other extreme) especially with respect to Social Engineering and "White" Hats vs Gray Hats.
* See for details: http://www.lawfareblog.com/2011/07/what-ben-franklin-really-said/
You don't need to be on the internet to have a "hack".
i.e. The road sign hack was actually funny the first time. :-)
https://www.google.com/search?q=l4d+road+sign+zombie+hack&tbm=isch
What, you mean you can't just hand wave the design/engineering tradeoffs as "implementation details"? ;-)
> Posting syllabi is nice and all, but students use that as a way to just read the book before the exam rather than attend class.
And who is paying for the class? We're not in kindergarten anymore where you need mandatory attendance for mommy and daddy.
I've had my share of shitty teachers where it was more efficient for me to just read and do the exercises in the textbook then to waste my time listening to a prof that couldn't teach.
The better teachers find ways to engage students by asking them questions then to simply spew useless facts.
So did the government at one time:
"Hemp For Victory"
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hemp+for+victory
If only that "annoying" constitution hadn't used it ... :-) (I jest, I jest.)
--
Only cowards use censorship
> Name the products, which will of course also tell us the companies
Exactly. Name and Shame.
If companies won't treat their (potential) customers with respect then it is our duty to spread the word to that they don't deserve to be financially supported.
It seems to be the only way to get the to pay any attention.
Don't worry ... it has more greed :-/ i.e. "Main St built America. Wall street destroyed it."
What it needs is more honesty and more openness; sadly too many are too apathetic
--
Only cowards use censhorshop
On all my systems I replace hosts with this nice updated ad/spy/trojan blocking one:
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.txt
Can fellow /. readers recommend any other good ones?
> I wish there were something like the GIMP, but for music production.
Could your describe your work-flow including type of assets you need to manipulate along with the operations needed so we could better understand the problem please?
Also, could list what open source audio programs have you tried? What functionality did they fail to provide? What UI problems did you run into?
You try running a small tech business when in the 80's IBM threatens to take you to court over 7 "alleged" patent infringement and forces you to "settle" for $20 million.
http://www.forbes.com/asap/2002/0624/044.html
Agreed.
Only cowards use censorship.