I don't know why anyone would be excited about C# unless they were also excited about Windows (I don't have to explain to anyone here why windows isn't too exciting).
C# basically is a clone (some would say rip-off) of Java with none of the benefits.
The Java world is actually doing very well now. We have a lot of solid Open Source projects (Jakarta, Tomcat). The standards that do exist are very robust (Servlet, standard API, etc) and there is a lot of brainshare here.
There are tons of JVMs available. Can I run C# on Linux? FreeBSD? Solaris?. And if so can I port this code to another alternative non-MS platform? Linux and FreeBSD have had modern JVMs for a while now.
We are also making significant progress on Java integration with GNU/Linux (AKA not the proprietary SUN Java VM but a Free Software VM meeting the same spec level).
GCC 3.x will include support for 1.2 class JVMs (except for AWT but we are working on this). This means that all newer modern GNU/Linux machines will be able to execute Java code.
I liken this to the proprietary SSH vs OpenSSH relationship. There is the proprietary Java VM from SUN which can be used on Windows, Solaris, etc. The Free Software community now has GCC (with GCJ), Jikes RVM, Manta (all OSS VMs), that they can use and still remain free (all of these examples are under the GPL)
Apple has demonstrated severe bad faith towards the Open Source and Free Software communties.
What do we do about it? Nothing. In fact a lot of us contribute to Apple. Hint. Stop posting
Apple press releases on slashdot.:)
Here is a good example from on of my.sigs
Apple Threatens Open Source Theme Project
Apple moves to again to squash look-alikes.
Themes removed at Apples behest.
Apple Advertises '1-click' licensing.
Apple sues to stop leaks.
This type of behavior needs to stop. Now. Think different. Indeed!
I know that a lot of people here are excited about Apple's use of Darwin/*BSD in MacOSX. I think this is invalid. Apple couldn't build their own OS so they use choose *BSD to gain market share.
There really isn't anything wrong with this. It was a logical decision on their part. I just wanted to point out that this in NO way invalidates there bad, unfair, and rude behavior.
...Remember that corporations are amoral. Not moral or immoral but amoral. They logically determine how to make the most money. They make decisionswithout regard to compassion or ethics, much like a computer.
This explains the BSD decision but this also explains the RAND decision.
Unless we stand up an say NO this behavior will continue.
OK.. so. Your hard drive has just been formated by Apple? You have lost months of work and potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars. What will you do now?
Are you going to sue? Did you read your EULA (End User License Agreement)? You probably waved that right when you said "OK".
Apple probably waived all warranty when you installed the software (in some states this isn't legal though)
This is one area where the law needs to be fixed.
With Open Source software at least you have the ability to read the source code.
Imagine if Ford were to wave any warranty with your next Explorer.
OK. This is a true story. Some of the other ones seem made up.
Anyway. I was at the office at around 11:00.
There are about 20 other machines around me. Some workstations. Some servers.
I am deep into a Zen state, hacking on code and rebuilding our mail server when I hear this noise...
"psst...."
so I look around don't see anything.
strange... maybe too much coffee.
Start trying to debug again.
Ten minutes later.
"pssst..."
OK... I know I heard that one. Stand up... say "mat??" nothing.
Strange.
hack on more code.
"psst..."
"OK... who the hell is thhat!"
I walk out into the hall. NOTHING!
The hair on the back of my neck is now standing at attention. Very spooky.
Ten minutes later
"psst..."
I stand up... run out of the door and run around the whole office trying to find out who is doing this to me.
THERE IS NO ONE HERE!!!
I am the only person in the whole office.
I am standing up next to my desk... thinking about this...
"psst..."
It is coming from the workstation next to me.
My stupid friend Alan configured his e-mail to say
"psst..." when a new message arived.
As I was fixing the SMTP server, new messages were getting droped into his email and were being popped off every ten minutes thus scaring the hell out of me!
Pretty much all the portability problems with AWT came from the use of native widgets. So, why is Mertz going to repeat the same mistake in his implementation? In fact, it looks like he is going to work hard to make things worse by exposing different APIs on different platforms.
The portability problems did come from AWT but not from the use of native widgets.
The problems arose because SUN kept the Java Development Kit proprietary and refused to fix any bugs in the system.
I mean AWT still uses Motif on UNIX machines (even to this day)? Motif is very different from the Win32 API so you could easily see why applications written on Windows/UNIX had different "issues".
These issues will be fixed in GCJ (GNU Compiler for Java). GCJ will provide a modern AWT implementation which should eventually support both GTK and QT.
Java is back baby! And this time it is Free and GNU powered!
Kevin
Re:Emacs 21 is really a step ahead.
on
GNU Emacs 21
·
· Score: 2
Yes... yes.. yes. I know.
That is why I am not calling it intellisense.
Actually it is called emacs-sense.el right now for lack of a better word.
Kevin
Re:I'll switch to Emacs when I can fold text with
on
GNU Emacs 21
·
· Score: 4, Informative
Please excuse my ignorance here. But I take a huge performance hit when I use emacs beacuse I don't know how to do line folding. Let me explain (and excuse the simplistic example). Suppose a file with the following content:
AKA the ability to hide all function or method bodies in lisp and in java.
Kevin
Good god... don't like right to FTP or CVS web!
on
GNU Emacs 21
·
· Score: 1, Flamebait
Here goes my karma!
Michael? What the he** are you doing?
You linked RIGHT to the GNU ftp server and *also* to the CVSweb CGI script. Are you *trying* to DoS GNU.org?
I think we need to fix slashcode so that ignorant Slashdot editors don't like to this crap in the future.
Way to go guys!
ug....
The Emacs Zen...
on
GNU Emacs 21
·
· Score: 5, Interesting
OK.
A lot of people are asking the typical questions.
IE: "Why should I use Emacs when I have a much nicer looking application that is more user friendly?"
You should *really* spend some time on Emacs. There is an *amazing* Zen type of relationship that you start to appreciate after about 2 weeks of using it.
You also should drop your prejudice of lisp (keep an open mind for about 2 weeks). Lisp and schema are *great* languages. I just wish Emacs Lisp were clooser to common lisp or scheme.
The ability to quickly write a function within Emacs, evaluate it and then *use it right away* without having to restart your editor is very addictive.
Ever need to parse or rework a file with 1000 lines? No problem. Just write a 10 line elisp script that does it for you with regexp. This took you maybe 5 minutes and saved you hours of work! yay emacs!
Also. If learning the new key bindings is intimidating then you can just remap everything.
So for example instead of learning some the "correct way" you can just remap..
(global-set-key "\C-cb" 'browse-url)
This means that everytime I hit 'C-c b' this prompts me for a URL (or tries to guess it from the current buffer) and launches mozilla for me.
Pretty cool huh?
Also... stick to GNU Emacs... AKA the *true* Emacs.
Kevin
Emacs 21 is really a step ahead.
on
GNU Emacs 21
·
· Score: 5, Interesting
OK.
I have been waiting for this to hit slashdot for a while. I have been playing with Emacs 21 for a while now. Hacking on lisp, etc. It is *very* stable. Almost all existing packages work perfectly.
The maintainers have done an amazing job.
This release includes a number of really cool features including:
the ability to have dynamic fonts (IE new face implementation)
a header line at the top of the file for additional inforation
support for tooltips (I am working on an intellisense package)
Resize of minibuffer windows
A fringe to the left and right of a buffer for metainfo.
Font colors can be used anywhere including the modeline, within completion, etc.
Cursors are updated if Emacs is busy
Tons more stuff. See the NEWS file in the dist for more information.
You can also check out my Emacs bookmark which contain a lot of information.
Stop using the phrase Copy Protection...
on
NSync Copy Protected CD
·
· Score: 5, Insightful
I would like to request that people stop using the phrase "copy protection" and instead use the term "copy prevention"
This has a number of advantages:
- copy protection implies that copying is bad (which it is not)
- copy prevention implies that the music industry is preventing me from making a legitimate copy. (which it is)
- copy prevention (somewhat) signifies that it is futile to prevent people to make copies. They can try and they might stop 90% of the people but it just takes 1 person to get this on MP3 and upload it to the net for the cat to be out of the bag.
Really cool that they are requesting donations. I think it is important for people to realize that Free Software (as in liberty) isn't always free (as in money).
I think that if developers would use systems like paypal more we would see in increase in free software!
They main problem is that people do NOT understand technology.
If we created a new poll:
"Should the FBI intercept and read all your mail at the US Postal Office?"
We would see a big NO!
Why? I am SURE this would reduce terrorism.
The problem is that people don't get it. People don't see why this a problem. After all, only geeks and terrorists use encryption.
Another one of the main problems is that encryption hasn't really lived up to its potential yet.
Sure SSL is cool and PGP mail is nice but things like ecash/digicash, freenet, and distributed reputation will really change the world.
I am sure they will pass a law. The supreme court has already ruled in the Bernstein case that we can not be restricted from publishing Open Source crypto (that pesky constitution and all).
I am sure congress will find a way around it. Heck they will just pass an unconstitutional law anyway so that it will take 5 years to get it to the supreme court.:(
OK.. I REALLY hope this works... but something tells me that the odds are VERY low:(
- It has been about 4 days since these phones have been charged. If someone alive is unconscious they probably didn't try to conserve battery life. Hence the phone doesn't have power. About 50% of modern phones can last over 4 days (mine can last a week) so there is still some hope here.
- If (hopefully) its owner *is* alive, he/she probably tried to dial out (and obviously failed because they would have been rescued). If they were smart they would try to turn off the phone to conserve battery life. When the rescuers try to dial the number it would go right to voice mail.
Slashdot Mirror
OK.
:)
I am seriously not trying to troll.
When Galeon first came out I really liked it because it gave us the rendering quality of gecko without the weight of Mozilla.
Then Mozilla started to improve and I haven't looked back. XUL isn't that bad when compared to GTK and the programming model is nice.
Are there any other major reasons for using Galeon that I am missing?
It isn't much faster anymore.
There are some nice feature (and competition keeps everyone on their toes). I do like the ability to have with the browser toolbar.
Mozilla also needs better bookmarklet integration.
It would be nice if I could hack the Mozilla XUL framework easier (like I can hack Emacs lisp).
... I am sure the Galeon team really believes in the project or they wouldn't have put in all this effort.
Kevin
Here is CNNs take of the whole thing.
o so ft/index.htm
http://money.cnn.com/2001/11/20/technology/micr
> So, why the FUCK did you apply for a position in > microsoft..you hypocryte!!!!!
Huh? What the FUCK (your word, not mine) are you talking about?
I have never applied for a position in MS.
Before you insult someone, make sure you get your facts straight.
I don't know why anyone would be excited about C# unless they were also excited about Windows (I don't have to explain to anyone here why windows isn't too exciting).
C# basically is a clone (some would say rip-off) of Java with none of the benefits.
The Java world is actually doing very well now. We have a lot of solid Open Source projects (Jakarta, Tomcat). The standards that do exist are very robust (Servlet, standard API, etc) and there is a lot of brainshare here.
There are tons of JVMs available. Can I run C# on Linux? FreeBSD? Solaris?. And if so can I port this code to another alternative non-MS platform? Linux and FreeBSD have had modern JVMs for a while now.
We are also making significant progress on Java integration with GNU/Linux (AKA not the proprietary SUN Java VM but a Free Software VM meeting the same spec level).
GCC 3.x will include support for 1.2 class JVMs (except for AWT but we are working on this). This means that all newer modern GNU/Linux machines will be able to execute Java code.
I liken this to the proprietary SSH vs OpenSSH relationship. There is the proprietary Java VM from SUN which can be used on Windows, Solaris, etc. The Free Software community now has GCC (with GCJ), Jikes RVM, Manta (all OSS VMs), that they can use and still remain free (all of these examples are under the GPL)
No thank you. I will stick with Java.
Kevin
This will never catch on!
:)
Why? Internet porn!
Most guys need to have one hand free if you get my drift...
I think it would be dangerous with this gizmo on your hand.... OUCH!
:)
What do we do about it? Nothing. In fact a lot of us contribute to Apple. Hint. Stop posting
Apple press releases on slashdot.
Here is a good example from on of my
Apple Threatens Open Source Theme Project
Apple moves to again to squash look-alikes.
Themes removed at Apples behest.
Apple Advertises '1-click' licensing.
Apple sues to stop leaks.
This type of behavior needs to stop. Now. Think different. Indeed!
I know that a lot of people here are excited about Apple's use of Darwin/*BSD in MacOSX. I think this is invalid. Apple couldn't build their own OS so they use choose *BSD to gain market share.
There really isn't anything wrong with this. It was a logical decision on their part. I just wanted to point out that this in NO way invalidates there bad, unfair, and rude behavior.
...Remember that corporations are amoral. Not moral or immoral but amoral. They logically determine how to make the most money. They make decisionswithout regard to compassion or ethics, much like a computer.
This explains the BSD decision but this also explains the RAND decision.
Unless we stand up an say NO this behavior will continue.
Peace.
Kevin
I guess we know where AMD stands with regards to Linux :P
Yes. The holy trinity will be:
AMD, Intel, and Linux
Not necessarily in that order!
Kevin
OK. Just some crazy thinking...
Did you guys see this picture:
http://www.qinetiq1.com/gfx/large_balloon.jpg
That is a HUGE balloon!
Now here is my thinking...
Remember the Hindenburg? (sp?)
What if this actually worked and on the next attempt they fill the balloon with Hydrogen?
If they built a special gandola which was a SMALL spacecraft, they could use the hydrogen from the balloon as fuel and possible exit the earths orbit.
Would this work? I don't have access to any of the math behind this so someone with experience could help.
... and we all know that everyone on Slashdot is a Rocket Scientist!
OK.. so. Your hard drive has just been formated by Apple? You have lost months of work and potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars. What will you do now?
Are you going to sue? Did you read your EULA (End User License Agreement)? You probably waved that right when you said "OK".
Apple probably waived all warranty when you installed the software (in some states this isn't legal though)
This is one area where the law needs to be fixed.
With Open Source software at least you have the ability to read the source code.
Imagine if Ford were to wave any warranty with your next Explorer.
Kevin
Powerpuff Girls DVD is infected with the FunLove virus.
:(
.........
OK... there is a BUNCH of good jokes here!
1. Man... I would really like to infect the Powerpuff girls with my fun love...
2. I met this powerpuff girl in the bad part of town last month. Long story short - she was infected with something and it wasn't the funlove virus
3. anagram... "powerlove puffgirls" or "fun girls love (to) puff" or "girls love (my) power puff"...
yada yada... you get the point
OK. This is a true story. Some of the other ones seem made up.
Anyway. I was at the office at around 11:00.
There are about 20 other machines around me. Some workstations. Some servers.
I am deep into a Zen state, hacking on code and rebuilding our mail server when I hear this noise...
"psst...."
so I look around don't see anything.
strange... maybe too much coffee.
Start trying to debug again.
Ten minutes later.
"pssst..."
OK... I know I heard that one. Stand up... say "mat??" nothing.
Strange.
hack on more code.
"psst..."
"OK... who the hell is thhat!"
I walk out into the hall. NOTHING!
The hair on the back of my neck is now standing at attention. Very spooky.
Ten minutes later
"psst..."
I stand up... run out of the door and run around the whole office trying to find out who is doing this to me.
THERE IS NO ONE HERE!!!
I am the only person in the whole office.
I am standing up next to my desk... thinking about this...
"psst..."
It is coming from the workstation next to me.
My stupid friend Alan configured his e-mail to say
"psst..." when a new message arived.
As I was fixing the SMTP server, new messages were getting droped into his email and were being popped off every ten minutes thus scaring the hell out of me!
Damn!
The portability problems did come from AWT but not from the use of native widgets.
The problems arose because SUN kept the Java Development Kit proprietary and refused to fix any bugs in the system.
I mean AWT still uses Motif on UNIX machines (even to this day)? Motif is very different from the Win32 API so you could easily see why applications written on Windows/UNIX had different "issues".
These issues will be fixed in GCJ (GNU Compiler for Java). GCJ will provide a modern AWT implementation which should eventually support both GTK and QT.
Java is back baby! And this time it is Free and GNU powered!
Kevin
Yes... yes.. yes. I know.
That is why I am not calling it intellisense.
Actually it is called emacs-sense.el right now for lack of a better word.
Kevin
Check out hideshow.el (which comes in Emacs 21).
I have also written some extensions to this package
AKA the ability to hide all function or method bodies in lisp and in java.
Kevin
Here goes my karma!
Michael? What the he** are you doing?
You linked RIGHT to the GNU ftp server and *also* to the CVSweb CGI script. Are you *trying* to DoS GNU.org?
I think we need to fix slashcode so that ignorant Slashdot editors don't like to this crap in the future.
Way to go guys!
ug....
OK.
A lot of people are asking the typical questions.
IE: "Why should I use Emacs when I have a much nicer looking application that is more user friendly?"
You should *really* spend some time on Emacs. There is an *amazing* Zen type of relationship that you start to appreciate after about 2 weeks of using it.
You also should drop your prejudice of lisp (keep an open mind for about 2 weeks). Lisp and schema are *great* languages. I just wish Emacs Lisp were clooser to common lisp or scheme.
The ability to quickly write a function within Emacs, evaluate it and then *use it right away* without having to restart your editor is very addictive.
Ever need to parse or rework a file with 1000 lines? No problem. Just write a 10 line elisp script that does it for you with regexp. This took you maybe 5 minutes and saved you hours of work! yay emacs!
Also. If learning the new key bindings is intimidating then you can just remap everything.
So for example instead of learning some the "correct way" you can just remap..
(global-set-key "\C-cb" 'browse-url)
This means that everytime I hit 'C-c b' this prompts me for a URL (or tries to guess it from the current buffer) and launches mozilla for me.
Pretty cool huh?
Also... stick to GNU Emacs... AKA the *true* Emacs.
Kevin
I have been waiting for this to hit slashdot for a while. I have been playing with Emacs 21 for a while now. Hacking on lisp, etc. It is *very* stable. Almost all existing packages work perfectly.
The maintainers have done an amazing job.
This release includes a number of really cool features including:
the ability to have dynamic fonts (IE new face implementation)
a header line at the top of the file for additional inforation
support for tooltips (I am working on an intellisense package)
Resize of minibuffer windows
A fringe to the left and right of a buffer for metainfo.
Font colors can be used anywhere including the modeline, within completion, etc.
Cursors are updated if Emacs is busy
Tons more stuff. See the NEWS file in the dist for more information.
Also. I have written a ton of Emacs extensions that you guys might like.
You can also check out my Emacs bookmark which contain a lot of information.
I would like to request that people stop using the phrase "copy protection" and instead use the term "copy prevention"
This has a number of advantages:
- copy protection implies that copying is bad (which it is not)
- copy prevention implies that the music industry is preventing me from making a legitimate copy. (which it is)
- copy prevention (somewhat) signifies that it is futile to prevent people to make copies. They can try and they might stop 90% of the people but it just takes 1 person to get this on MP3 and upload it to the net for the cat to be out of the bag.
I can't believe this is federally funded!
I hope they realize that this Security Enhanced Linux is just going to help terrorists.
We already have enough problems with Osama and crypto but now we have to add SEL to the list.
I sure hope not.
I am going to write my congress(wo)men and let them know how I feel about this.
The least they should do is release this as binary only so that they can hide some back doors.
Kevin
Really cool that they are requesting donations. I think it is important for people to realize that Free Software (as in liberty) isn't always free (as in money).
I think that if developers would use systems like paypal more we would see in increase in free software!
Kevin
They main problem is that people do NOT understand technology.
:(
If we created a new poll:
"Should the FBI intercept and read all your mail at the US Postal Office?"
We would see a big NO!
Why? I am SURE this would reduce terrorism.
The problem is that people don't get it. People don't see why this a problem. After all, only geeks and terrorists use encryption.
Another one of the main problems is that encryption hasn't really lived up to its potential yet.
Sure SSL is cool and PGP mail is nice but things like ecash/digicash, freenet, and distributed reputation will really change the world.
I am sure they will pass a law. The supreme court has already ruled in the Bernstein case that we can not be restricted from publishing Open Source crypto (that pesky constitution and all).
I am sure congress will find a way around it. Heck they will just pass an unconstitutional law anyway so that it will take 5 years to get it to the supreme court.
ug
OK.. I REALLY hope this works... but something tells me that the odds are VERY low :(
- It has been about 4 days since these phones have been charged. If someone alive is unconscious they probably didn't try to conserve battery life. Hence the phone doesn't have power. About 50% of modern phones can last over 4 days (mine can last a week) so there is still some hope here.
- If (hopefully) its owner *is* alive, he/she probably tried to dial out (and obviously failed because they would have been rescued). If they were smart they would try to turn off the phone to conserve battery life. When the rescuers try to dial the number it would go right to voice mail.
I hope I am wrong...
Kevin
We need to organize a protest an boycott of Borders book store now! This can not be allowed to happen in any stores in the US.
This stuff is really scary!
Sorry... but with the patent restrictions on MP3 I will skip it. Not unless they support Ogg.
Kevin
Just replace the "www" in the link with "archive".
DON'T DO THIS! This is illegal due to the DMCS and would amount to circumvention of a copyprotection system!