When I first read the title of this story, I thought someone had finally written a Firefox extension that hacked all the computers on the local network and installed Firefox as the default browser on them. Thanks for getting my hopes up, Slashdot!
I really find it hard to believe this made it to Slashdot. I saw this on digg.com a few hours ago, and I thought, "That's the difference between digg and Slashdot. Highly biased material like this doesn't make it past Slashdot's editors." Well I guess I was mistaken. At first I couldn't figure out how to describe this article. Then someone on digg called this article
"annoying", and it hit me. This article is annoying to read (regardless of your opinion of Linux), but it will get lots of praise on Slashdot (as it did on digg) because it reflects a positive view of Linux (if people bother to read the article at least, the title is bound to drive some Linux fans away immediately). The funny part is that it has attracted some Microsoft fans who didn't bother to read the article.
This is just a failed attempt at sarcasm and being clever, designed to cover up basic rhetoric. Everything he says in the article has been discussed to death before, and it's all about things that change depending on who you are (complexity, ease of use, security, cost, etc).
If you look at any flame war on Slashdot about Linux/Windows, you find the following is usually true.
Linux users claim Linux is not complicated to use. "Config files are easy to understand, but still you rarely have to edit them." As even Linux fans on here have said, config files are part of a Linux user's day-to-day routine (if you want to get anything done, that is). If you know what you're doing config files are great, otherwise you risk making your computer unbootable (just like the Windows registry). I know, it's happened to me.
Linux users claim automatic partitioning and not having to do use Windows Update makes Linux better. When I last installed Linux a month ago, automatic partitioning didn't fit my situation and I found there were dozens of updates available via the built-in automatic update system. There were application patches, security patches and other miscellaneous patches available. That sounds a lot like Windows Update to me.
Linux users claim Linux has lots of available applications. That's true, but most aren't applications I really want to use. The OpenOffice.org 2.0 beta looks better than the previous versions, but it still isn't everything Office is. I still need full compatibility to operate in a business environment. Firefox is great, but I can run that on Windows. GAIM works well, but the interface leaves much to be desired (for me at least, opinions will vary). Any what about games other than KAsteroid? Yeah, I can get some games to work with an emulator, but not all. And the games I am able to run either require alternate settings or run poorly.
Linux users claim Linux is more secure. You've got me there, for home use anyway. Linux and Windows can both be secure if they are configured properly and kept up-to-date. As for Microsoft's "studies", the Linux crowd has put out similarly biased "studies". Studies from both sides are worthless as far as I'm concerned. They all have their motives. Servers aside, Windows home machines are insecure mainly because of IE/Outlook. If Windows shipped with Firefox and Thunderbird as default web/mail applications, Windows users would be 100 times more secure right away. They are part of the default OS install, but are also things you can easily bypass. There are bound to be holes in the most widely used desktop OS in the world, but Microsoft is reasonably good about patching their products. Don't laugh, they really are.
Linux users claim Linux is less expensive. It is. It's free. Point taken. End of argument. No one ever claimed Windows was free. I don't know why the author of the article said what he did about Windows being free.
Windows users generally mention the same things I mentioned above, though they usually do it in a less cohesive way. I think that's part of the problem really. Some people on both sides state their opinions in a childish way, which makes everyone sound dumb.
The last time I was in Germany was April 2003, and everyone I knew used eDonkey religiously. Even nowadays when I talk to my German friends online, they still try to convert me. I didn't like it when I tried it, but this whole thing makes me wonder... why is this on Slashdot? If anything, I think it's the other way around. I recall eDonkey being popular long before BT.
Does GeekSquad ever battle supervillains or anybody trying to take over the world?
Yes, but only in the commercials where the Geek VW Beetles parachute to the ground from circling cargo planes. The supervillains they fight are Dr. Fair-Price and the evil Count Quality-Service. The GeekSquad battles those foes very well...very well indeed.
Why even released it at alL? 99% of those idiot windows users don't even know what the heck a partition is..... How can you expect them to reformat the drive to WinFS and re-install Windows on top of it all??? Unless you can convert NTFS into WinFS, theres no hope for most users, but of course... theres always geeksquad.
So much to cover, so little time. Windows bashing. Windows users bashing. GeekSquad bashing. Oh my! If you take what you're saying and shift it back to 1999's context, it's like someone saying, "Windows 98 users are too dumb to use NTFS! None of them will be able to reformat their drive to NTFS and install Windows XP! There's no hope! All is lost! Run for the hills!" and so on. (And that's all before XP was even released)
Well, of course, things went pretty smoothly. Users were able to easily convert their partitions to NTFS when upgrading (even if they didn't know what a partition was). New PCs came with NTFS by default, and Windows XP+NTFS succeeded largely (unless you're a Linux fanboy and don't want to admit it; in that case it never happened, how could it?). The (Windows) world was a better place now that FAT32 was largely a thing of the past. I'm not so sure if WinFS will be all that great, but we'll see.
Windows Vista will be no different than the 98 to XP conversion. NTFS users will be able to easily convert their partitions. Again, they will be able to do it even if they don't know what it is exactly. As long as they know it's recommended, they will keep clicking the Next button. You're worrying about something that will clearly never happen, given Microsoft's track record.
The add-on will likely be via Windows Update and extremely simple to apply. People who buy PCs after the add-on is released won't even have to do that. They will just have WinFS.
I also want to touch upon the phrase "idiot windows users" that you used. Saying something like that only serves to make you sound like an idiot. Windows users are largely novices, but you can't expect everyone to be an expert user able to keep up with the quirks of Linux et al. Calling Windows users idiots is like calling people who drive car's with automatic transmissions idiots. Sure, automatics are easier to learn to use, but that doesn't make those drivers idiots.
Now, I could go on to write a whole article bashing Geek Squad, but that would be pointless since we all know they suck and they overcharge.
OK, I'll dutifully take home the replacement copy and bring it back the next day, claiming that it was defective in exactly the same way.
If you exchanged the same title consistently, we would simply ask you to leave the building and tell you to take it up with our corporate office. It's happened before at my location, and I'm sure it will happen again if you drop by;-)
Even on the GameCube and the Nintendo DS? Though those systems have been cracked to where anybody can run homebrew, they haven't been cracked to where just anyone with a PC and a console can dump a game and make a usable copy.
You're right about console games, of course. I was thinking more of PC software (PC games, word processors, financial software, etc). The software return policies (excluding console software) are there for a reason, not just to make your life miserable.
Software is fairly unique in the retail world. When you buy a TV and don't like it, you can return the TV without a problem (minus an unnecessary "restocking fee" if you're unlucky). When you purchase a software title, you aren't just buying a physical product, you are buying an intangible license which permits you to use that software title. When you purchase a software title, you obtain both the license and software necessary to use that license. The problem is that while retailers can verify you returned the disc, they have no way of taking back an intangible license. Customers need to realize that before they buy a product. Reading reviews and asking questions beforehand is necessary when purchasing software, face it.
Now, it's a different story if the product is advertised falsely in some way (e.g. a product's box says it can open Word documents when in fact it cannot). However, that is a very rare situation. The other "rare cases" I am referring to usually occurs when an employee incorrectly states a product can do something. That is definitely grounds for a full return. But other than that, customers need to be responsible and make intelligent buying decisions.
You can't photocopy an airline ticket and use it to get on the plane though. You can copy software and still use it. Your example is not valid. However, I do agree that airlines' policies on ticket returns/transfers are a load of garbage.
Now, back to the point. I work for a major US retailer, and people do try to return games and software titles several times a week, saying "It didn't work; I want a refund." That always raises suspicion since our software return policy is clearly visible at our registers and on the back of the purchase receipt. If you offer a replacement copy and they refuse, you know they are probably just trying to rip off the company. We make exceptions in rare cases, but generally we simply keep repeating the policy and refer the customer to our corporate offices to complain. It's harsh, but it's necessary.
We all know copy protection is easy to defeat. With copy protection out of the way, it boils down to returning a music CD, something that is so easy to copy that retailers must assume the customer has copied it. Businesses are around to make money, not to make customers happy, despite what retailers lead you to believe. While happy customers are repeat customers, in the end it's all about the bottomline. Some people would be happier if they could return opened software or CDs, but businesses would lose a substantial amount of money.
I think that all of the points in all of these bills will be addressed if we only get the right to (0) Return a game for a full refund if we do not like it.
I had an opportunity to view the rough drafts of the bill. Your suggestion nearly made it into the final version. Here's a history:
First Draft(0) The Right to Have Hell Freeze Over...
The author felt the wording was a little loose and vague, so he modified it slightly:
Second Draft(0) The Right to Pirate the Latest Games Through Legitimate Retail Channels...
The wording was still a little bit off, so he re-worded it yet again:
Third Draft(0) The Right to Return a Game for a Full Refund if We Don't Like It...
Then he came down from his acid trip and decided to remove that right altogether because it didn't make any sense to someone not on an acid trip. The literary process is really quite interesting. But seriously, that suggestion makes no sense to a retailer. Software generally has a return policy of a) no returns if it's opened or b) exchange for the exact same title (to protect against defective media). That won't change as long as publishers care about preventing piracy.
I disagree with that "right"--I still can't believe I'm replying to a post about a Player's Bill of Rights, only on slashdot. In some games, insulting and being insulted by NPCs is an important part of the game. Take Neverwinter Nights as an example. Depending on whether or not an NPC insults you or is ill-tempered, you might make different choices, ultimately causing a different outcome. Likewise, if you insult an NPC they may not be very helpful, which could change the outcome as well.
Overall it was a good list of what should(n't) be done in a game. I especially liked the Right to Control Cut-Scenes, that's a must-have.
'Lee's conduct threatens to disclose or Lee inevitably will disclose Microsoft's trade secrets to Google and/or others for his and/or Google's financial gain in the course of working to improve Google search products that compete with Microsoft, and in the course of establishing and building Google's presence in China to compete with Microsoft's efforts in China.'
Can someone translate this please?
Translation: All Your Base Are Belong To Us, Kai-Fu Lee.
I signed up with Dreamhost a little while back, and they are pretty good. The tech support response time is a little high, but other than that it's been fine. The main reason I used them was their price. During a promotion, I got 2.4GB with 120GB bandwidth and lots of scripting support for $44 per year.
I've tried paper solutions, PDAs,
Microsoft Project...
But I was just reading Microsoft's Project 2003 website, and they clearly indicate they have the right solution to meet all your project management needs:
Whether you manage projects independently or need a solution to align people and the objectives of your organization, the Microsoft Office Project 2003 product offerings have the right solution to meet your project management needs.
You are clearly doing something wrong. Maybe you did not look hard enough for Microsoft's solution to your problem.
"The CSMonitor is reporting that power companies may now be able to break into the internet provider market, giving consumers a third option, outside of telephone and cable companies."
My first and best option has always been satellite Internet service! I get blazing fast downloads at 20KBps and a low monthly bill of only $89.95. I don't need to use it on cloudy/rainy days anyway. Cable and DSL have always been a distant second and third. BPL might make it into the number four spot. Oh, and let's not forget about "Broadband over gas lines"... that's at least my fifth or sixth pick.
I just hope the Linux kernel developers get their hands on this amazing technology quickly! I don't want to keep using out-dated, inferior, non-DRM technology that doesn't "just work".
Nah, it's just that children the world over have rediscovered the pleasures of the great outdoors, of playing in the street and exploring the neighbourhood. They'd rather play in the real world than a virtual one. oh... wait...
Nah, children around the world have simply discovered the pleasures of smashing hookers with baseball bats, carjacking, "hot coffee", and every other GTA activity. Ah, the joys of childhood.
The average Slashdot story links to a 2-5 minute article, and most people don't even bother to read that before they post a comment. Since this story links to a 40-minute MP3 that no one will bother listening to, the comments page should be an interesting read...
Obviously not! The moon program is just a clever hoax, remember? Why make it more difficult to pull off? You obviously need to take some at-home coverup classes.
Slashdot Mirror
Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I attempted to start a rumor about Google Bubble Wrap, but it didn't make it to slashdot.
When I first read the title of this story, I thought someone had finally written a Firefox extension that hacked all the computers on the local network and installed Firefox as the default browser on them. Thanks for getting my hopes up, Slashdot!
This is just a failed attempt at sarcasm and being clever, designed to cover up basic rhetoric. Everything he says in the article has been discussed to death before, and it's all about things that change depending on who you are (complexity, ease of use, security, cost, etc).
If you look at any flame war on Slashdot about Linux/Windows, you find the following is usually true.
Windows users generally mention the same things I mentioned above, though they usually do it in a less cohesive way. I think that's part of the problem really. Some people on both sides state their opinions in a childish way, which makes everyone sound dumb.
Getting bac
The last time I was in Germany was April 2003, and everyone I knew used eDonkey religiously. Even nowadays when I talk to my German friends online, they still try to convert me. I didn't like it when I tried it, but this whole thing makes me wonder... why is this on Slashdot? If anything, I think it's the other way around. I recall eDonkey being popular long before BT.
Oh of course I was going for "+1 Funny", but as usual I got "-1 Flamebait". The story of my life :-)
Well, of course, things went pretty smoothly. Users were able to easily convert their partitions to NTFS when upgrading (even if they didn't know what a partition was). New PCs came with NTFS by default, and Windows XP+NTFS succeeded largely (unless you're a Linux fanboy and don't want to admit it; in that case it never happened, how could it?). The (Windows) world was a better place now that FAT32 was largely a thing of the past. I'm not so sure if WinFS will be all that great, but we'll see.
Windows Vista will be no different than the 98 to XP conversion. NTFS users will be able to easily convert their partitions. Again, they will be able to do it even if they don't know what it is exactly. As long as they know it's recommended, they will keep clicking the Next button. You're worrying about something that will clearly never happen, given Microsoft's track record.
The add-on will likely be via Windows Update and extremely simple to apply. People who buy PCs after the add-on is released won't even have to do that. They will just have WinFS.
I also want to touch upon the phrase "idiot windows users" that you used. Saying something like that only serves to make you sound like an idiot. Windows users are largely novices, but you can't expect everyone to be an expert user able to keep up with the quirks of Linux et al. Calling Windows users idiots is like calling people who drive car's with automatic transmissions idiots. Sure, automatics are easier to learn to use, but that doesn't make those drivers idiots.
Now, I could go on to write a whole article bashing Geek Squad, but that would be pointless since we all know they suck and they overcharge.
You're right about console games, of course. I was thinking more of PC software (PC games, word processors, financial software, etc). The software return policies (excluding console software) are there for a reason, not just to make your life miserable.
Software is fairly unique in the retail world. When you buy a TV and don't like it, you can return the TV without a problem (minus an unnecessary "restocking fee" if you're unlucky). When you purchase a software title, you aren't just buying a physical product, you are buying an intangible license which permits you to use that software title. When you purchase a software title, you obtain both the license and software necessary to use that license. The problem is that while retailers can verify you returned the disc, they have no way of taking back an intangible license. Customers need to realize that before they buy a product. Reading reviews and asking questions beforehand is necessary when purchasing software, face it.
Now, it's a different story if the product is advertised falsely in some way (e.g. a product's box says it can open Word documents when in fact it cannot). However, that is a very rare situation. The other "rare cases" I am referring to usually occurs when an employee incorrectly states a product can do something. That is definitely grounds for a full return. But other than that, customers need to be responsible and make intelligent buying decisions.
You can't photocopy an airline ticket and use it to get on the plane though. You can copy software and still use it. Your example is not valid. However, I do agree that airlines' policies on ticket returns/transfers are a load of garbage.
Now, back to the point. I work for a major US retailer, and people do try to return games and software titles several times a week, saying "It didn't work; I want a refund." That always raises suspicion since our software return policy is clearly visible at our registers and on the back of the purchase receipt. If you offer a replacement copy and they refuse, you know they are probably just trying to rip off the company. We make exceptions in rare cases, but generally we simply keep repeating the policy and refer the customer to our corporate offices to complain. It's harsh, but it's necessary.
We all know copy protection is easy to defeat. With copy protection out of the way, it boils down to returning a music CD, something that is so easy to copy that retailers must assume the customer has copied it. Businesses are around to make money, not to make customers happy, despite what retailers lead you to believe. While happy customers are repeat customers, in the end it's all about the bottomline. Some people would be happier if they could return opened software or CDs, but businesses would lose a substantial amount of money.
First Draft (0) The Right to Have Hell Freeze Over...
The author felt the wording was a little loose and vague, so he modified it slightly:
Second Draft (0) The Right to Pirate the Latest Games Through Legitimate Retail Channels...
The wording was still a little bit off, so he re-worded it yet again:
Third Draft (0) The Right to Return a Game for a Full Refund if We Don't Like It...
Then he came down from his acid trip and decided to remove that right altogether because it didn't make any sense to someone not on an acid trip. The literary process is really quite interesting. But seriously, that suggestion makes no sense to a retailer. Software generally has a return policy of a) no returns if it's opened or b) exchange for the exact same title (to protect against defective media). That won't change as long as publishers care about preventing piracy.
I disagree with that "right"--I still can't believe I'm replying to a post about a Player's Bill of Rights, only on slashdot. In some games, insulting and being insulted by NPCs is an important part of the game. Take Neverwinter Nights as an example. Depending on whether or not an NPC insults you or is ill-tempered, you might make different choices, ultimately causing a different outcome. Likewise, if you insult an NPC they may not be very helpful, which could change the outcome as well. Overall it was a good list of what should(n't) be done in a game. I especially liked the Right to Control Cut-Scenes, that's a must-have.
That promo code wasn't around when I signed up. It started a week later haha
I signed up with Dreamhost a little while back, and they are pretty good. The tech support response time is a little high, but other than that it's been fine. The main reason I used them was their price. During a promotion, I got 2.4GB with 120GB bandwidth and lots of scripting support for $44 per year.
I just hope the Linux kernel developers get their hands on this amazing technology quickly! I don't want to keep using out-dated, inferior, non-DRM technology that doesn't "just work".
The Firefox team should just use the Windows Genuine Advantage© Program to validate users, allowing one download per licensed machine. That way, only Javascript hackers will be able to fudge the download numbers. Simple. I should be a marketing exec.
The parent was joking.
The average Slashdot story links to a 2-5 minute article, and most people don't even bother to read that before they post a comment. Since this story links to a 40-minute MP3 that no one will bother listening to, the comments page should be an interesting read...