I hereby predict that a year from now we will be paying more for the same service we have now.
To me, that seems like a logical progression, even without the portability issue. The cost of my land-based phone increases around $2 every year, for the same basic service, under the guise of "network improvements". It sucks, but it's not surprising.
Fact: Open source software is better than proprietary. There's no arguement here.
I'd argue it. I've seen plenty of crap OS software, just as often as I've seen proprietrary software. What I'd be more inclined to believe would be the sentiment that OS software is more easily updated or improved than its closed-source counterpart, but to claim that X is better than Y simply because of its license is silly. If I write a piece of software with plenty of bugs in it, and release it as OS, it's still full of bugs. You now have the ability to find and fix those bugs, but that's not to say you can or will.
...making software "for profit" as opposed to actually making it functional is not making software.
This is where your argument doesn't fly. The two are not mutually exclusive.
...other improvements which have virtually ceased since Microsoft won the browser war.
This is hardly surprising. Microsoft's intention was never to build the greatest browser, but to simply build a browser that would net them the largest market share. With the other big player out of the way now, there's little incentive for further "innovation".
IMO, this is one of the fundamental differences between Open Source and commercial standard development. OS projects are often made "for fun" or "for advancement of technology X", whereas commercial projects are usually (!) made "for profit". Both have their places, they just use different mind-sets: academic or business.
This may be a case where they were offered a deal that is too good to pass up.
You could very well be right, and this might work out in the long run. I'm just overly cynical, having already witnessed flagrant abuse of the system here.
I would guess that these machines are going to be used exactly as you suggest- as educational tools.
Funding is generally a constant. Subtract the money needed to purchase 130,000 notebooks and how will that affect the rest of the educational budget? I know that my school paid for newer computers instead of textbooks. Definitely not a fun thing having to share 10 algebra books among 30 students.
kids will still be taught the theory of math(s), English, science
Yes, I just know that some of the schools here end up spending more time teaching kids how to play around on the computers than showing them actual useful applications. Many kids know how to program their calculators to solve complex mathematical functions, but on their own, they couldn't tell you what 1/2 + 1/3 is. And, as evidenced above, over-reliance on computers produces crappy spellers like myself.
over 130,000 wireless laptops--enough for every 6th grader
Great. Now every 6th grader may not be able to write a coherent sentence or multiply two fractions, but they'll be able to point-and-click their way to the job of their dreams.
Computers aren't the solution, but tools to help aciheve one.
Powwow is gone, now, but that doesn't mean those features never existed.
Also keep in mind that even though patents are often granted for what is obviously prior art, they can easily be revoked after a suitable demonstration -- in essence, as if the patent never existed. Also, the patent itself is fairly useless unless the owner tries to enforce it. For instance, AOL/ICQ haven't stopped other companies from developing their own IM clients. IMO, this one should be fairly easy to overturn if MS ever decided to try and sue anyone.
Yes, the patent system is horribly flawed, but it's not the end of the world. Yet.
No audio CD should be installing *ANYTHING* on my PC, unless I'm aware of it at first.
Perhaps that's why many discs are no longer allowed to use the "compact disc" logo, since they're not standards-compliant. I always keep my eye open for it, or a red flag goes up.
Yes, but that's not the point I was trying to illustrate. The article details how it will be easy to run two operating systems simultaneously, with just as much ease as running two applications. It's a straight apples-vs-apples comparison. The following analogy then goes on to say that this will be done similar to how a word processor and a web browser can be run simultaneouly. Apple, meet orange.
Obviously it is possible to run two apps at once. Perhaps the authors felt that few people would recognize open-source product names, but it doesn't invalidate my questioning.
...as easily as today's Windows computers run Word and Internet Explorer simultaneously...
If they're trying to emphasize running multiple operating systems simultaneously, then why not compare two similar products in their analogy? Word is a word processor. IE is a web browser. Would it have been that much harder to say something like "Word or OpenOffice" or "Mozilla and Internet Explorer"?
Biology: first documented case of homosexual necrophilia in the mallard duck species. Links and pictures are available from the official Web site, linked above.
Maybe not quite the juxtaposition that was intended.
The parent was wondering why MS wasn't going after the mplayer developers, claiming the name "mplayer" was theirs. I was merely pointing out that MS had no basis for such a claim. While MS uses the name MPLAYER.EXE on their Windows systems, I was illustrating that fact that filenames are irrelevant and cannot be used as leverage. That's it.
Re:What about other software?
on
Mplayer Revisited
·
· Score: 2, Informative
the fact I find most surprising, is that Microsoft hasn't stepped in argueing that the software cannot be called, "MPlayer"
Microsoft's product is called "Media Player". MPLAYER.EXE is merely an antiquated, conventional, DOS-format file name.
In other news, dark matter's IM profile has also been found:
Name: Matter, Dark
Nick: d4rkm4tt3r
Age: ~15 billion years
Likes: Vast emptiness of the cosmos.
Dislikes: Peeping-Tom astronomers.
Bio: I generally keep a low profile, out of sight. Maybe one day, the matter of my dreams will see me for who I really am.
...to get certification in what I've been doing for the past 20+ years.
I think that one of the reasons why you may have been able to digest the information at this faster speed is because you're already well-experienced in that area. Naturally, anyone who's been working with X for a number of years is already familiar with most of the concepts. Me, I could easily watch most computer-related lectures in double-speed and absorb 99% of the information easily. Change subjects, though, and the increased speed might be more of a hindrance.
"It is ironic that Massachusetts, as the only state remaining in the lawsuit accusing Microsoft of antitrust violations, is creating its own state-imposed monopoly on software."
So, while misguided, the CCAGW isn't exactly calling Linux a monopoly, but rather the government of Massachussets.
Slashdot Mirror
I hereby predict that a year from now we will be paying more for the same service we have now.
To me, that seems like a logical progression, even without the portability issue. The cost of my land-based phone increases around $2 every year, for the same basic service, under the guise of "network improvements". It sucks, but it's not surprising.
Fact: Open source software is better than proprietary. There's no arguement here.
I'd argue it. I've seen plenty of crap OS software, just as often as I've seen proprietrary software. What I'd be more inclined to believe would be the sentiment that OS software is more easily updated or improved than its closed-source counterpart, but to claim that X is better than Y simply because of its license is silly. If I write a piece of software with plenty of bugs in it, and release it as OS, it's still full of bugs. You now have the ability to find and fix those bugs, but that's not to say you can or will.
This is where your argument doesn't fly. The two are not mutually exclusive.
This is hardly surprising. Microsoft's intention was never to build the greatest browser, but to simply build a browser that would net them the largest market share. With the other big player out of the way now, there's little incentive for further "innovation".
IMO, this is one of the fundamental differences between Open Source and commercial standard development. OS projects are often made "for fun" or "for advancement of technology X", whereas commercial projects are usually (!) made "for profit". Both have their places, they just use different mind-sets: academic or business.
Yea, but if you notice, all the strip clubs in canada, near the US, live on american $1 bills.
You've obviously not seen the ladies "pick up" loonies then.
Riiiiiiiight. Because we all know how quickly Microsoft removed Internet Explorer when the whole Netscape trial was going on.
This may be a case where they were offered a deal that is too good to pass up.
You could very well be right, and this might work out in the long run. I'm just overly cynical, having already witnessed flagrant abuse of the system here.
I would guess that these machines are going to be used exactly as you suggest- as educational tools.
Funding is generally a constant. Subtract the money needed to purchase 130,000 notebooks and how will that affect the rest of the educational budget? I know that my school paid for newer computers instead of textbooks. Definitely not a fun thing having to share 10 algebra books among 30 students.
kids will still be taught the theory of math(s), English, science
Yes, I just know that some of the schools here end up spending more time teaching kids how to play around on the computers than showing them actual useful applications. Many kids know how to program their calculators to solve complex mathematical functions, but on their own, they couldn't tell you what 1/2 + 1/3 is. And, as evidenced above, over-reliance on computers produces crappy spellers like myself.
what affect computers have
I should quit while I'm ahead.
tools to help aciheve one
See? Look what affect computers have had even on me!
over 130,000 wireless laptops--enough for every 6th grader
Great. Now every 6th grader may not be able to write a coherent sentence or multiply two fractions, but they'll be able to point-and-click their way to the job of their dreams.
Computers aren't the solution, but tools to help aciheve one.
Powwow is gone, now, but that doesn't mean those features never existed.
Also keep in mind that even though patents are often granted for what is obviously prior art, they can easily be revoked after a suitable demonstration -- in essence, as if the patent never existed. Also, the patent itself is fairly useless unless the owner tries to enforce it. For instance, AOL/ICQ haven't stopped other companies from developing their own IM clients. IMO, this one should be fairly easy to overturn if MS ever decided to try and sue anyone.
Yes, the patent system is horribly flawed, but it's not the end of the world. Yet.
No audio CD should be installing *ANYTHING* on my PC, unless I'm aware of it at first.
Perhaps that's why many discs are no longer allowed to use the "compact disc" logo, since they're not standards-compliant. I always keep my eye open for it, or a red flag goes up.
Now there is a report proving it doesn't work
No doubt written with a Sharpie pen.
Modded as troll? That was rather unexpected.
you might be running Word and IE at the same time
Yes, but that's not the point I was trying to illustrate. The article details how it will be easy to run two operating systems simultaneously, with just as much ease as running two applications. It's a straight apples-vs-apples comparison. The following analogy then goes on to say that this will be done similar to how a word processor and a web browser can be run simultaneouly. Apple, meet orange.
Obviously it is possible to run two apps at once. Perhaps the authors felt that few people would recognize open-source product names, but it doesn't invalidate my questioning.
If they're trying to emphasize running multiple operating systems simultaneously, then why not compare two similar products in their analogy? Word is a word processor. IE is a web browser. Would it have been that much harder to say something like "Word or OpenOffice" or "Mozilla and Internet Explorer"?
Not a major issue, just a curious observation.
The program, dubbed 'Icarus'
What are the odds that this program is running on a Sun machine?
Good lord! Another reason I'm glad I didn't give the article more than a quick browse.
Biology: first documented case of homosexual necrophilia in the mallard duck species. Links and pictures are available from the official Web site, linked above.
Maybe not quite the juxtaposition that was intended.
"mplayer" is sufficient.
The parent was wondering why MS wasn't going after the mplayer developers, claiming the name "mplayer" was theirs. I was merely pointing out that MS had no basis for such a claim. While MS uses the name MPLAYER.EXE on their Windows systems, I was illustrating that fact that filenames are irrelevant and cannot be used as leverage. That's it.
the fact I find most surprising, is that Microsoft hasn't stepped in argueing that the software cannot be called, "MPlayer"
Microsoft's product is called "Media Player". MPLAYER.EXE is merely an antiquated, conventional, DOS-format file name.
how to replace a washer in a leaky faucet
That's odd. Google returned this site as its number 1 result, and it's exactly what someone would be looking for.
In other news, dark matter's IM profile has also been found:
Name: Matter, Dark
Nick: d4rkm4tt3r
Age: ~15 billion years
Likes: Vast emptiness of the cosmos.
Dislikes: Peeping-Tom astronomers.
Bio: I generally keep a low profile, out of sight. Maybe one day, the matter of my dreams will see me for who I really am.
I think that one of the reasons why you may have been able to digest the information at this faster speed is because you're already well-experienced in that area. Naturally, anyone who's been working with X for a number of years is already familiar with most of the concepts. Me, I could easily watch most computer-related lectures in double-speed and absorb 99% of the information easily. Change subjects, though, and the increased speed might be more of a hindrance.
The actual quote is:
"It is ironic that Massachusetts, as the only state remaining in the lawsuit accusing Microsoft of antitrust violations, is creating its own state-imposed monopoly on software."
So, while misguided, the CCAGW isn't exactly calling Linux a monopoly, but rather the government of Massachussets.