But if Apple wanted to keep their options open for two different processor architectures (i.e. be able to switch back to PPC if the need arose) they would want universal binaries for a long time. Universal binaries would benefit current PPC users AND Apple. As long as Apple makes it known that they could switch back to PPC, then developers have incentive to make universal apps, and Apple has platform freedom. A little harder on developers maybe, but they would have incentive to write code that is more easily transportable, in case Apple switched. It's a win win situation.
yeah, but you can always rip to apple lossless format (or.wav)
As far as a CD walkman goes...
When I got my first iPod I had the *impression* that the electronics used in my older Panasonic CD walkman were superior to the iPod's electronics. I had remembered listening to great deep bass, and sparkling highs on that thing. Well, a side by side listening test revealed that that cd walkman had overpoweringly muddy bass, and harsh high frequencies compared to my 3G iPod. The iPod sounded *much* better. YMMV.
Knowing what you want from a piece of software and how you want to operate it [emphasis mine] is often the difficult bit over and done with. Users should know about that side of things better than anyone else
Users are the best ones to know *what* they want for sure, but they can't possibly know the best way for that piece of software to operate in terms of UI design, workflow, how it should interact with the capabilities of the hardware, etc. That requires knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of the given technology that the user (and I do stress the word 'user') would not know about. If they did know about it, then they would, by definition not be a user!
In my humble opinion, a high % of people could, if they wanted, learn a decent programming language and put together reasonable, or contribute toward almost any, software
Totally agree. However, to do that they have to move from being a user to being a coder.
I think what the crux of this discussion is, is that any user can program a computer IF (and only if) they bother to learn the skills necessary to program!
...everyone thinks that you need years of experience to be a useful programmer.
I think a distinction could be made here between useful programmer and professional programmer. Anyone who has professionally worked in the business for any length of time would know that, sure, it's easy for some beginner/user to write that 'useful' lottery ticket number generator, but that same person with their user level skills would not be cranking out any major software packages or systems. I think a lot of people probably read your initial use of the word 'programmer' in terms of 'professional programmer' (myself included).
Once upon a time in the days of punch cards etc all users of computers were considered programmers.
That's because once upon a time, only programmers used computers. You're statement is in fact true in that sense, but it's a giant distortion of logic to carry that argument forward to today and say it still is true.
That's like saying that anyone who can drive a car, can design one. This statment might be true for the first few guys to design and build their own cars (btw it *wasn't* Henry Ford) but it sure ain't true today. You can't always apply yesterdays' truths to today!
(Either that or you're a sys admin/tech support guy with a grudge against programmers, serving up some nice flamebait.)
The law has NOT passed. It is an early draft of a *proposed* ammendment to the copyright law. It's in the early review stages, so that these types of implications can be investigated and (hopefully) adjustments can be made. Please check your facts before posting so as not to spread FUD!
Here's the link to the original article in yesterday's post:
link to article in question
And don't dismiss the kind of effect that "evangelizing" about the Mac can have. I switched to the Mac 100% about 2 years ago (meaning, no microsoft software ANYWHERE on my Mac, no spare pc to keep "just in case"). Since I switched, 5 people that have seen my Mac have switched, 1 will be getting a Mac soon, 2 people I work with are planning on switching, and 3 other people I work with are at least considering a Mac. Oh and 1 iPod convert too. Not bad. All from 1 happy Apple customer.
Your post sums up quite nicely why the U.S. is despised by most countries on the planet.
I could go on, but I think your cowardly post (brave american indeed) says it all. I try not to blame your whole country though. I realise it's only the republicans that are like you.
Actually (believe it or not), Shatner was a successful and respected Shakespearean stage actor up in Stratford, Ontario (Canada), long before Star Trek ever came up. Don't mod this as funny, it's actually true!
Obviously it depends on what you're running. I'm currently staring at a 96% full battery which shows as 5 hours, 10 mins. of time left on my 800Mhz iBook G3, with the airport on. And it's a year old and I've heavily used the battery for the past year. I don't remember exactly, but I have no doubt it would go at least 5.5 if not 6 hours when it was new. So maybe I'm a bad liar by your definition but I'm a bad liar with 5+ hours of battery life!
You're obviously making that up... Only re-loaded Windows 3 times in 10 years??! I've had to reload windows at least 3 times a year to keep it running smoothly!!
Agreed. I had a similar problem (*very* bad numbness/tingling in my arms, going up to my shoulders at one time). Stretching my arms (before going to work), exercise, and variation worked wonders. I ended up getting a wacom graphics tablet and use it instead of a mouse on my desktop computer at work. It works great for me. I can work with that much much longer than a mouse. At home, instead of sitting at a desktop computer and using the tablet, I use a laptop and it's built-in trackpad. That way I can stretch out sloth-like on a couch and still work on computer stuff if I want. Haven't had any major issues (a year now) since doing this.
Slashdot Mirror
Not quite exact looking, but there is a free dashboard widget for solitaire. Haven't used it so can't say if it's any good or not.
But if Apple wanted to keep their options open for two different processor architectures (i.e. be able to switch back to PPC if the need arose) they would want universal binaries for a long time. Universal binaries would benefit current PPC users AND Apple. As long as Apple makes it known that they could switch back to PPC, then developers have incentive to make universal apps, and Apple has platform freedom. A little harder on developers maybe, but they would have incentive to write code that is more easily transportable, in case Apple switched. It's a win win situation.
myBad. tooUsedToCodingInCamelCase.
...and free developer tools (XCode)
yeah, but you can always rip to apple lossless format (or .wav)
As far as a CD walkman goes...
When I got my first iPod I had the *impression* that the electronics used in my older Panasonic CD walkman were superior to the iPod's electronics. I had remembered listening to great deep bass, and sparkling highs on that thing. Well, a side by side listening test revealed that that cd walkman had overpoweringly muddy bass, and harsh high frequencies compared to my 3G iPod. The iPod sounded *much* better. YMMV.
I second that. This HD on my computer has *never* died in many many years and will probably keep goi
A lot of your points are well taken, however:
...everyone thinks that you need years of experience to be a useful programmer.
Knowing what you want from a piece of software and how you want to operate it [emphasis mine] is often the difficult bit over and done with. Users should know about that side of things better than anyone else
Users are the best ones to know *what* they want for sure, but they can't possibly know the best way for that piece of software to operate in terms of UI design, workflow, how it should interact with the capabilities of the hardware, etc. That requires knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of the given technology that the user (and I do stress the word 'user') would not know about. If they did know about it, then they would, by definition not be a user!
In my humble opinion, a high % of people could, if they wanted, learn a decent programming language and put together reasonable, or contribute toward almost any, software
Totally agree. However, to do that they have to move from being a user to being a coder.
I think what the crux of this discussion is, is that any user can program a computer IF (and only if) they bother to learn the skills necessary to program!
I think a distinction could be made here between useful programmer and professional programmer. Anyone who has professionally worked in the business for any length of time would know that, sure, it's easy for some beginner/user to write that 'useful' lottery ticket number generator, but that same person with their user level skills would not be cranking out any major software packages or systems. I think a lot of people probably read your initial use of the word 'programmer' in terms of 'professional programmer' (myself included).
Once upon a time in the days of punch cards etc all users of computers were considered programmers.
That's because once upon a time, only programmers used computers. You're statement is in fact true in that sense, but it's a giant distortion of logic to carry that argument forward to today and say it still is true.
That's like saying that anyone who can drive a car, can design one. This statment might be true for the first few guys to design and build their own cars (btw it *wasn't* Henry Ford) but it sure ain't true today. You can't always apply yesterdays' truths to today!
(Either that or you're a sys admin/tech support guy with a grudge against programmers, serving up some nice flamebait.)
The law has NOT passed. It is an early draft of a *proposed* ammendment to the copyright law. It's in the early review stages, so that these types of implications can be investigated and (hopefully) adjustments can be made. Please check your facts before posting so as not to spread FUD!
Here's the link to the original article in yesterday's post: link to article in question
Interesting strategy! (I just burned up my mod points fighting trolls in the Dr. Who discussion. Damn.)
And don't dismiss the kind of effect that "evangelizing" about the Mac can have. I switched to the Mac 100% about 2 years ago (meaning, no microsoft software ANYWHERE on my Mac, no spare pc to keep "just in case"). Since I switched, 5 people that have seen my Mac have switched, 1 will be getting a Mac soon, 2 people I work with are planning on switching, and 3 other people I work with are at least considering a Mac. Oh and 1 iPod convert too. Not bad. All from 1 happy Apple customer.
Your post sums up quite nicely why the U.S. is despised by most countries on the planet. I could go on, but I think your cowardly post (brave american indeed) says it all. I try not to blame your whole country though. I realise it's only the republicans that are like you.
Actually (believe it or not), Shatner was a successful and respected Shakespearean stage actor up in Stratford, Ontario (Canada), long before Star Trek ever came up. Don't mod this as funny, it's actually true!
CBC television has plenty of commercials, and a lot of people do watch it. The programming is top notch too, especially lately.
Obviously it depends on what you're running. I'm currently staring at a 96% full battery which shows as 5 hours, 10 mins. of time left on my 800Mhz iBook G3, with the airport on. And it's a year old and I've heavily used the battery for the past year. I don't remember exactly, but I have no doubt it would go at least 5.5 if not 6 hours when it was new. So maybe I'm a bad liar by your definition but I'm a bad liar with 5+ hours of battery life!
You're obviously making that up... Only re-loaded Windows 3 times in 10 years??! I've had to reload windows at least 3 times a year to keep it running smoothly!!
Agreed. I had a similar problem (*very* bad numbness/tingling in my arms, going up to my shoulders at one time). Stretching my arms (before going to work), exercise, and variation worked wonders. I ended up getting a wacom graphics tablet and use it instead of a mouse on my desktop computer at work. It works great for me. I can work with that much much longer than a mouse. At home, instead of sitting at a desktop computer and using the tablet, I use a laptop and it's built-in trackpad. That way I can stretch out sloth-like on a couch and still work on computer stuff if I want. Haven't had any major issues (a year now) since doing this.