Everyone knows the old rule of backup, but sometimes you lose that data. Through too many hard drive switches, unexpected upgrades or whatever.
A friend of mine was storing a PBX generated WAV file his mother's voice. It was one of the last times she called his office before she died. During an upgrade the file was lost. The guy just fell to pieces. That WAV file was an emotional security blanket for him... a way to remember his mother.
There are jokes about losing porn or MP3s files on this topic, but think about it. How much of your life is in the bits and bytes on your server(s). Maybe it's the pics of your graduation. Maybe it's the thesis you struggled to complete. Maybe it's the love note from your future spouse after you first met.
You're keeping the data for an emotional reason. It makes sense that when you lose that data you're going to be affected.
Message networks allowed people to communicate across the nation. It was USENET and email for non-internet folks. (This was before the internet was opened up.)
Fidonet was obe of my favorites as it forced the sysop to prove they could configure everything properly. It was open on systems run on all sorts of OS could join.
Later message networks used the QWK format which was much simpler.
Others like the RIME network used proprietary software, but allowed more control and file attachments.
Even though you didn't read the article... 450K could do wonders if you hire the right people. Imagine two Linus types just aching to make things happens.
Thank you for posting this. I don't know why you did it AC. It's great info. Since the Disney led coup of the copyright act I've been looking for a crib sheet on when stuff will be available and now I have it.
Each time I see a commerical on TV for a collection of songs I think to myself, "The labels are losing money all the time."
If they sold them online, made them portable for me and priced them reasonably I'd buy them.
For instance, when I buy an online book for my palm it encrypts my credit card information. That is a great idea as I don't share it with anyone. It keeps my portability as I can read it on my PC or palm. It is priced right as they make a little money, but pass on the savings to me.
This is the model the music and movie industry needs to adopt. Allow me to move my downloads to other mediums and make it cheap. I'd buy more.
"If they sold copies of TV shows using DivX.AVI's for a reasonable price, they'd find themselves making quick/easy cash."
YES! YES! YES! YES!
I can't tell you how many times I have been reading online and something triggered a memory of a favorite episode of a show.
I'd love to watch it. Now. Not in three days when I find a DVD and it's sent.
Charge me $2.00 to get it now. Encrypt my credit card info in it. I don't care. I won't be sharing it, but I will be watching it again. Make sure I can watch it more than once.
I am so confused as to why the RIAA and MPPA don't open the floodgates. Many people say it's because they want to start their own services, but they've had three years. Let's go...
Re:WOPR? David Lightman.
on
Kevin Free
·
· Score: 2
The Commodore 64s didn't support them then, but the Apples did. They were expensive, though. One could barter war dialed access codes for one, but I wouldn't know about that.
I have had SBC DSL since they offered it. I was an early adopter and paid for it heavily with downtime and mysterious router issues. Add to that I actually signed up for static IP addresses and bandwidth guarantees and I feel into the black hole when it came to support.
The techs working undercover on Broadband Reports helped me out and since then, two years, I haven't had a single issue.
This raises the interesting prospect of if they weren't available I would have cancelled and taken my business elsewhere. Where I am located there are multiple companies and solutions available, so I am lucky.
99.9% of the techs on the boards do it for their own gratification. I call it the Samaritan Effect. It's what online support used to be back in the days of the BBS and message networks. Personal handholding on issues that others could learn from.
Each time a tech takes the time to answer a question, solve a problem or offer advice it lightens the load on the overworked phone staff.
The techs enjoy it because they find, gasp, satisfaction that they are making a difference in their jobs. Most of those folks are not customer facing getting their orders from ticket systems, etc. It provides them a chance to make a difference.
Yes, there are negative implications on doing this, but for the most part it works. Providers should read the Cluetrain Manifesto for more exposure to what they should be doing.
Too bad we live in a society where companies are expected, gasp, to make money. How do they do that? They charge for goods and services.
Who pays for these goods and services? Their customers.
Who are their customers? You and me.
We'll end up paying for it all.
As for cigs... doesn't it strike you as funny that:
1) All but five states have already spent their tobacco money on non-tobacco related expenditures? 2) That the tobacco companies were allowed to continue to sell cigs? Why if they are so bad? The states need the money from taxes. 3) That states knowing that cigs are so bad continue to tax them at a high rate and use the money for their general revenue funds.
Regardless of whether you think PCs should be disposed of properly or not you're kidding yourself if you think this impacts the company one bit. It doesn't. It allows them to charge for it.
Don't believe me? Look at your phone bill under the Universal Service Charge.
It's Thanksgiving. Let's cut these guys a break. Sure, there have been two dupes today with one of them still on the front page.
As amazing as it seems there is a reason for this. Eating turkey can affect your cognitive skills. Not only does it make you sleepy, but it can make you miss things that you read.
Russia may be a joke about contributing, but they have the right idea on raising money. Send people who can afford to millions up there to fund further development.
I think most people saw it and thought the same thing. I know when I saw it I thought of Die Hard for some reason right away. It was amazing.
As time has passed I still fire up the video clips and am amazed that Hollywood has come so far. So far in that they could duplicate an effect like that without injuring anyone.
And right there is the point. We've become so enamored with what movies can do and bring us that we're to the point where it does mimic real life. If you extrapolate that out to the fantasy environment we're seeing things that man hasn't seen in a long time or ever.
For instance think of the work on Jurassic Park. We weren't around when the dinos were, but we have the best look at what they might have moved like. Amazing.
Nothing has changed since the last time this was brought up or the time before that.
People need to understand that the countries that these parts are shipped to either A) Want them. B) Don't care about the damage they do.
I read the article, but there are no new insights into this at all. Take this quote for instance:
"``I don't know yet if I like this work,'' said Li, 30, who had been on the job about one month. ``But back home there are no jobs. There is no money. There is nothing to do.''"
That is the plain and simple truth to this. There is a market for this crud. They are making money by doing it. Is it the most healthy way of doing it? More than likely not, but it is a way to make money.
Someone needs to publish that link about the place in India that takes apart oil tankers. Big Karma boost in that.
Comdex is Just Finding Their Way
on
The Last Comdex?
·
· Score: 3, Informative
I've been to 9 of the last 10 and will attend next week. Comdex hit a lull before the dot com boom and then the last two years it's been trying to find it's way again.
This year looked extremely promising with more informative panel discussions and break out sessions.
Don't forget this also affects the other Comdex shows that happen each year. I've only been to Fall Comdex, so I can't speak to the rest, but it will be a loss to the industry if it fades away.
Many people have spoken about virtual trade shows, but you don't get to try the products out and meet the folks to help support those products.
Why was this post moderated as a troll? It made a good point that things are available on MSDN. I didn't know that before I read the post. I thought you had to pay.
The Economics of RPGs
on
Unmaking The Game
·
· Score: 5, Informative
The author says, "Players - in contravention of the game's rules - also trade in EverQuest paraphernalia and characters offline. The online auction Web site, eBay, is flooded with them and people pay real money - sometimes up to a thousand dollars - for avatars and their possessions. Auxiliary and surrogate industries sprang around EverQuest and its ilk. There are, for instance, "macroing" programs that emulate the actions of a real-life player - a no-no."
A group called Collective Good will take your cell phones and recycle them. Not only do developing nations get phones, but the people who refurbish them are trained. An interview with Seth Heine the founder of the group, explains a little more.
It's a way to give back that doesn't hurt you or cost you anything.
Slashdot Mirror
Everyone knows the old rule of backup, but sometimes you lose that data. Through too many hard drive switches, unexpected upgrades or whatever.
... a way to remember his mother.
A friend of mine was storing a PBX generated WAV file his mother's voice. It was one of the last times she called his office before she died. During an upgrade the file was lost. The guy just fell to pieces. That WAV file was an emotional security blanket for him
There are jokes about losing porn or MP3s files on this topic, but think about it. How much of your life is in the bits and bytes on your server(s). Maybe it's the pics of your graduation. Maybe it's the thesis you struggled to complete. Maybe it's the love note from your future spouse after you first met.
You're keeping the data for an emotional reason. It makes sense that when you lose that data you're going to be affected.
1) Buy Microsoft stock. Even though they work on things like DOS they will be big.
2) Buy the Corona IBM compatible and not the Commodore 128. Don't listen to the guys on the BBS that say CPM is the future.
3) Choose football camp over computer camp. Seriously.
4) Keep your friends. Good, long lasting friends are hard to find. Especially that guy that goes onto to become a general contractor.
5) You know that system you saw during your trip to CompuServe? The one run by the government? Learn everything about it especially the protocols.
6) Wear the condom. Always.
7) Cherry vodka and jack daniels do not mix. Especially if you are going to jump on a trampoline after drinking them.
8) Ask her to the dance. Just do it.
9) You cannot get rich quick unless you heed rule number one.
10) Enjoy life. When you're in your thirties there are things you cannot do that you could do when you were a teenaged.
Message networks allowed people to communicate across the nation. It was USENET and email for non-internet folks. (This was before the internet was opened up.)
Fidonet was obe of my favorites as it forced the sysop to prove they could configure everything properly. It was open on systems run on all sorts of OS could join.
Later message networks used the QWK format which was much simpler.
Others like the RIME network used proprietary software, but allowed more control and file attachments.
Ah, those were the days.
What did you mean by the normal columnist is out? Were you implying that the coverage was more indepth?
Herman's head was a great show!
A couple of great links about the show:
A Complete Overview
A Big Resource
Even though you didn't read the article ... 450K could do wonders if you hire the right people. Imagine two Linus types just aching to make things happens.
Jay Nixon is the attorney general of Missouri where I reside.
He has been very active in ensuring his office in on the net and useful.
He has made great strides in the nocall area. His legislation is used as a template by most states.
Here is an older story with much more info on the legislation and what it brings to the table.
Good to see state government making a national impact.
Thank you for posting this. I don't know why you did it AC. It's great info. Since the Disney led coup of the copyright act I've been looking for a crib sheet on when stuff will be available and now I have it.
Thanks again even if it is depressing.
Agreed.
Each time I see a commerical on TV for a collection of songs I think to myself, "The labels are losing money all the time."
If they sold them online, made them portable for me and priced them reasonably I'd buy them.
For instance, when I buy an online book for my palm it encrypts my credit card information. That is a great idea as I don't share it with anyone. It keeps my portability as I can read it on my PC or palm. It is priced right as they make a little money, but pass on the savings to me.
This is the model the music and movie industry needs to adopt. Allow me to move my downloads to other mediums and make it cheap. I'd buy more.
Here is a story that explains a little more behind the MPAA's decision:
MPAA Info
No mention of whether this affectes Windows clients/hosts or not. Any idea?
"If they sold copies of TV shows using DivX .AVI's for a reasonable price, they'd find themselves making quick/easy cash."
...
YES! YES! YES! YES!
I can't tell you how many times I have been reading online and something triggered a memory of a favorite episode of a show.
I'd love to watch it. Now. Not in three days when I find a DVD and it's sent.
Charge me $2.00 to get it now. Encrypt my credit card info in it. I don't care. I won't be sharing it, but I will be watching it again. Make sure I can watch it more than once.
I am so confused as to why the RIAA and MPPA don't open the floodgates. Many people say it's because they want to start their own services, but they've had three years. Let's go
When I read the headline I thought, "You would think they'd focus on something other than the internet."
You nailed all the comments. Good job!
Thank you for the links!
The Commodore 64s didn't support them then, but the Apples did. They were expensive, though. One could barter war dialed access codes for one, but I wouldn't know about that.
I have had SBC DSL since they offered it. I was an early adopter and paid for it heavily with downtime and mysterious router issues. Add to that I actually signed up for static IP addresses and bandwidth guarantees and I feel into the black hole when it came to support.
The techs working undercover on Broadband Reports helped me out and since then, two years, I haven't had a single issue.
This raises the interesting prospect of if they weren't available I would have cancelled and taken my business elsewhere. Where I am located there are multiple companies and solutions available, so I am lucky.
99.9% of the techs on the boards do it for their own gratification. I call it the Samaritan Effect. It's what online support used to be back in the days of the BBS and message networks. Personal handholding on issues that others could learn from.
Each time a tech takes the time to answer a question, solve a problem or offer advice it lightens the load on the overworked phone staff.
The techs enjoy it because they find, gasp, satisfaction that they are making a difference in their jobs. Most of those folks are not customer facing getting their orders from ticket systems, etc. It provides them a chance to make a difference.
Yes, there are negative implications on doing this, but for the most part it works. Providers should read the Cluetrain Manifesto for more exposure to what they should be doing.
Wow, I would love to have your outlook on things.
... doesn't it strike you as funny that:
Too bad we live in a society where companies are expected, gasp, to make money. How do they do that? They charge for goods and services.
Who pays for these goods and services? Their customers.
Who are their customers? You and me.
We'll end up paying for it all.
As for cigs
1) All but five states have already spent their tobacco money on non-tobacco related expenditures?
2) That the tobacco companies were allowed to continue to sell cigs? Why if they are so bad? The states need the money from taxes.
3) That states knowing that cigs are so bad continue to tax them at a high rate and use the money for their general revenue funds.
Regardless of whether you think PCs should be disposed of properly or not you're kidding yourself if you think this impacts the company one bit. It doesn't. It allows them to charge for it.
Don't believe me? Look at your phone bill under the Universal Service Charge.
It's Thanksgiving. Let's cut these guys a break. Sure, there have been two dupes today with one of them still on the front page.
As amazing as it seems there is a reason for this. Eating turkey can affect your cognitive skills. Not only does it make you sleepy, but it can make you miss things that you read.
As many people have commented the space station has been a huge black hole of money.
For each win we've had there we've suffered many setbacks.
85% of their time is required for maintenance.
Very little hard science has been done due to construction delays and retrofitting many of the parts.
Even the science they have done hasn't been much.
Russia may be a joke about contributing, but they have the right idea on raising money. Send people who can afford to millions up there to fund further development.
I think most people saw it and thought the same thing. I know when I saw it I thought of Die Hard for some reason right away. It was amazing.
As time has passed I still fire up the video clips and am amazed that Hollywood has come so far. So far in that they could duplicate an effect like that without injuring anyone.
And right there is the point. We've become so enamored with what movies can do and bring us that we're to the point where it does mimic real life. If you extrapolate that out to the fantasy environment we're seeing things that man hasn't seen in a long time or ever.
For instance think of the work on Jurassic Park. We weren't around when the dinos were, but we have the best look at what they might have moved like. Amazing.
I can't wait for the next generation of effects.
Nothing has changed since the last time this was brought up or the time before that.
People need to understand that the countries that these parts are shipped to either A) Want them. B) Don't care about the damage they do.
I read the article, but there are no new insights into this at all. Take this quote for instance:
"``I don't know yet if I like this work,'' said Li, 30, who had been on the job about one month. ``But back home there are no jobs. There is no money. There is nothing to do.''"
That is the plain and simple truth to this. There is a market for this crud. They are making money by doing it. Is it the most healthy way of doing it? More than likely not, but it is a way to make money.
Someone needs to publish that link about the place in India that takes apart oil tankers. Big Karma boost in that.
I've been to 9 of the last 10 and will attend next week. Comdex hit a lull before the dot com boom and then the last two years it's been trying to find it's way again.
This year looked extremely promising with more informative panel discussions and break out sessions.
Don't forget this also affects the other Comdex shows that happen each year. I've only been to Fall Comdex, so I can't speak to the rest, but it will be a loss to the industry if it fades away.
Many people have spoken about virtual trade shows, but you don't get to try the products out and meet the folks to help support those products.
Comdex 2001 Overview
Why was this post moderated as a troll? It made a good point that things are available on MSDN. I didn't know that before I read the post. I thought you had to pay.
A good article with insight on the economics of RPGS.
The author says, "Players - in contravention of the game's rules - also trade in EverQuest paraphernalia and characters offline. The online auction Web site, eBay, is flooded with them and people pay real money - sometimes up to a thousand dollars - for avatars and their possessions. Auxiliary and surrogate industries sprang around EverQuest and its ilk. There are, for instance, "macroing" programs that emulate the actions of a real-life player - a no-no."
A group called Collective Good will take your cell phones and recycle them. Not only do developing nations get phones, but the people who refurbish them are trained. An interview with Seth Heine the founder of the group, explains a little more.
It's a way to give back that doesn't hurt you or cost you anything.