(here's the introduction/installation instr. for those with mirror probs):
XFree86 4.0 is the first official release of the new XFree86 4. XFree86 4 represents a significant redesign of the XFree86 X server. It is very important to keep in mind that XFree86 4 is still very much in development, and it contains a lot of new work. That means two things: there is a lot of new exciting stuff to try, but being new code, it hasn't had nearly as much of a workout as the stable 3.3.x releases. If you're looking for a well-tested, stable release, and can't afford the inconveniences that new software can sometimes cause, then you are probably better off sticking with the 3.3.x releases for now. If you have the resources to try out the new version and investigate its features, or if you just like being on the bleeding edge, then please try 4.0!
This release isn't quite as complete as we would have liked. The main missing pieces are a nice configuration tool and support for some of the hardware that 3.3.x supports. The first point means that configuring the server might be more painful than usual. The second means that your hardware might not be supported by 4.0, or it might be supported at a lesser level (conversely, some hardware is better supported in 4.0). We've attempted to provide some information about the second point in our Driver Status document. Please check there first before trying 4.0. Unfortunately that document is still fairly basic, but it should at least give you an idea of whether you're likely to be able to use 4.0 at all or not.
On the subject of configuration, we have updated the basic text-based tool "xf86config" to generate config files in the format required by 4.0 (3.3.x config files won't really work with 4.0). We're also working on some other configuration tools, including one that is built-in to the X server. An early version of this is included in the release, and it works well for some hardware. To try it out, just run (as root) "XFree86 -configure". Both of these configuration options will at worst give you a reasonable starting point for a suitable configuration file. We've put some effort into documenting the 4.0 config file format, and you can find that information in the XF86Config manual page. Please check that and the driver manual pages and related documentation for further information about that.
Oh, another thing you might notice is that our documentation is rather patchy. Most of what is present should be in reasonable shape, but there are gaps. We thought it better to leave out docs that were very out of date rather than providing inaccurate and misleading information.
Finally, before you download and install the binary distributions for this release, please have a quick read through the Installation Document. It may save you some time. If those cautionary notes haven't turned you away (and we certainly hope not), please read on... The sections below describe some of the new features and changes between 3.3.x and 4.0. There is a lot of new stuff, and we definitely don't have enough space to cover it all here.
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
San Jose, CA -- (press release) -- Responding to the rising tide of interest in using the Linux operating system in embedded applications, representatives from dozens of embedded technology firms today announced formation of the Embedded Linux Consortium, or ELC, a vendor-neutral trade association dedicated to the advancement of Linux-based solutions in embedded applications. Today's announcement resulted from an organizational meeting held at the Embedded Systems Conference in Chicago, March 1, by representatives from nearly 50 companies.
During the organizational meeting, the group established a formation committee, appointed interim leadership and adopted an aggressive timetable for formally instituting the ELC as a highly proactive embedded Linux advocacy organization. Funds for the ELC's operation will be based on a schedule of annual dues, which will be developed in the next 30 days. At the meeting, over $100,000 was pledged towards initial funding. Rick Lehrbaum was named interim chairman and Murry Shohat was appointed interim executive director. Lehrbaum is known for his work in establishing the PC/104 Consortium. Shohat is a marketing consultant with extensive trade association experience.
"The initial intentions for the ELC are very clear," said interim chairman Lehrbaum. "Linux is now the fastest growing operating system for server applications. The embedded computer market -- which absorbs more than 95% of all microcomputer chips minted each year - is the next frontier. In essence, the goal of the ELC will be to amplify the depth, breadth, and speed of Linux adoption in the enormous embedded computer market."
Linus Torvalds, creator of Linux, said "this new Embedded Linux Consortium is an expression of the current explosion of interest in using Linux in thousands of specialized embedded, mobile, and appliance applications. The ELC provides a valuable resource in advancing the growing use of Linux in embedded applications, an area where Linux can provide enormous benefit."
Paul Zorfass, senior analyst with IDC/FTI, said "Linux has shown the strongest market share growth rate in the bandwidth- and performance-driven server market. Linux is now beginning to establish a presence in the diverse embedded market where its reliability, modularity, scalability, configurability and low cost are extremely attractive. The new Embedded Linux Consortium comes at just the right moment to aid in accelerating the emerging trend of using Linux as the OS within a wide range of intelligent appliances and embedded systems."
The broad corporate participation in the ELC organizational meeting underscores the exploding interest in using Linux in a wide range of embedded applications and intelligent appliances. The organization will serve to facilitate development of common messages on using Linux in the fast-emerging world of Internet appliances, unattended systems, wireless access, home networks, set-top boxes, and a myriad of other embedded system applications. "Because Linux is open source, it lowers critical barriers of cost, time and risk, making it an ideal software platform for embedded applications," said Lehrbaum.
Formation committee members, representing firms ranging from startups to Global 500 computer hardware and software companies, include Accelent Systems Inc.; Aisys Inc.; Cendio Systems; Centura Software Corporation; Coollogic; IBM; Infomatec IAS GmbH; Lineo; LinuxDevices.com; Lynx Real-time Systems, Inc.; Microtronix Datacom Ltd.; MontaVista Software, Inc.; Moreton Bay; Motorola Computer Group; NewMonics, Inc.; OpenSystems Publishing; QNX Software Systems Ltd.; Red Hat, Inc.; TimeSys Corporation; Transvirtual Technologies, Inc.; Troll Tech; Wind River Systems, Inc.
A membership application is located * here *. For membership and general information, please contact Murry Shohat at 707-576-0111, or murry@sonic.net.
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
no criticism implied. look forward to checking out the source. i wrote all the PHP for my site (www.CatalystRecruiting.com) and have been contemplating converting it into an open-source project. Maybe we should compare notes...
Eric
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Really thoughtful piece. This guy knows his history, and makes some really interesting comparisons between Linux now and the early days of Windows. Too bad more companies don't approach their marketing strategy that way.
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
I agree with you on this, but I think that given the negative publicity that this incident has generated (I mean, who wants to find out that the vaunted hi-tech "man of the year" is actually reviled in the hi-tech world), I think that will be the last such case we'll see for a while.
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
This is a very reasonable reply from Bezos. Of course, what he can't say publically, is that the whole point of software patents has _nothing whatsoever to do with their actual use_. They're primary purpose is to "prove" to investors that your company has value. Why would Amazon waste its time trying to sue another online vendor over one-click shopping? total waste of money and very bad brand image PR (which is, after all, Amazon's #1 asset).
No, Amazon needs to be able to show to investors a list of assets. Normally, companies put "profits" down as one of those assets, but in the internet world profits are as alien as WarEZ d00dz getting a date. So, they have to make do with assets like "public goodwill" "brand image" and, of course, patents. After all, patents "prove" that you have a technological edge over your competition.
Hey, I work for an Internet startup, and I know the pressures that exist there. Our investors want us to patent our software all the time. I'd much rather open-source it. Result: deadlock. But Bezos doesn't have that luxury, so he has to make statements like this.
Just my $.02
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
hey, before you rant, check your facts. Apple has filed a "design patent" on the loook and feel of the iMac, as a result of years of usability research that Apple has conducted.
Now, 99% of the time I'm with you on this whole confusion of Patentss/Trademarks/Copyrights, but this time it's a patent, not a trademark. Apple lost the "look-and-feel" trademark case when they settled with MS years ago.
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
Maybe I just don't get it, but what do we need "3D audio" for? I always notice it on boxes for crummy wintel sound cards, but I don't think I've ever actually used an application that uses it...
I get OpenGL, but why OpenAL?
(no offense meant, just curious, so hold the flames, pickles and mayo)
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
Want to see Linux get way way more user friendly? Just wait until open source developers get deluged with emails from the millions of random people that AOL could get signed up for a program like this. You'll see some major usability feats real fast.
Right now, why bother with usability? Most geeks don't complain about user interfaces at all.<p>
(psst, is it just me, or is extrans broken today?)
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
I agree with these comments, but would like to point out that all the Internet does is put pressure on existing inequitable arrangements. To the extent that it drives the price of information down, the Internet is a "dangerous" commodity and this has prompted both political regimes and massive corporations to try and artificially control the price of access through various means.
<b>The open source community fights against all manner of arbitrary barriers to information.</b> And now we are seeing its effects transformed from a fun game to a moral imperative.
Just my $.02
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Some have suggested using some CPU juice to do a brute force crack of the cryptogram. That's probably a good idea, but if you've already got those kinds of tools, are you really going to want to do it for $2500?
My suggestion:/. should offer an "in-kind" reward. For instance, the winner gets to have his face plastered on the/. home page for a day, or gets to have his favorite web site slashdotted, etc.
For most nerds that's a way better incentive.
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
Hey, I have need of something like this for a (GASP) legitimate usage.
I am developing a web site (<a href="http://www.CatalystRecruiting.com">Catalyst Recruiting</a>) that allows people who complete our registration process to get free magazine subscriptions. They click on a link that leads to our partner site that actually provides the free magazines.
Now, the link is actually a javascript function that creates a new popup window with a special coded URL. What I'd like to do is detect (on the server site, using PHP) when the user has clicked on this link. Is there a way to, for instance, have javascript set a cookie on the browser or something of the like? Any other suggestions?
I hope I'm already the Nth person to suggest this (and let the flames come if need be! to hell with karma!) but "news" about this latest "Star Wars" "movie" is totally boring. Let's just all face facts that we got suckered into seeing an over-hyped mediocre flick.
I'd rather see news that the Matrix is already out on DVD and in my living room.
OK, I think it's time for us to do something about this. I suggest everyone who has a web site put as many Leonardo-related META tags in every search-indexed page as possible. Then start re-registering your pages with every possible search engine (or even us a meta-search registrar (List at Yahoo!).
Then, we should probably start registering the bad guys (their email addresses were posted before) for every single Leonardo DiCaprio mailing list in the world.
Just as a public service, to let them know that Leonardo is not a copyrightable name.
Sheesh. Give me a break. Let's hope the/. effect can help rectify this one.
I work for a company whose primary product is a search engine. However, in our case we allow searching not of web pages but of student "profiles" (which are basically like super resumes). We made a conscious design decision at day one to not even allow keyword searching because of its incredibly imprecise nature. Rather, we collect a lot of meta-information about our clients and then use sophisticated sorting techniques to do hihg-precision searching. If anyone's interested, please feel free to email/post a comment. I'd be curious to know if anyone has suggestions about how this should/coould work better.
I'm about to buy a couple of systems for some novice non-nerds. I was about to get them the boring old Pentium III, but I'd much prefer to buy an Athlon. The catch is, the most important thing is service, since these are newbies.
Gateway doesn't do Athlon. What's the best alternative? Any suggestions?
I wonder if the open-source model for something like this could extend to the program's users as well. The idea would be that, as people used the program, it could learn from their input. Thus, every time someone inputs a new word into their local copy, this information could be replicated at some central repository and made available to other users. In fact, you could even ask the user to categorize, define, and give usage examples for each new thing.
For that matter, you could even have the users refine the system's grammar.
How hard would that be to implement? Is it totally far-fetched?
Forking is only a problem when the fork tries to create a new standard or refuses to obey the old standards and interfaces. That's why open standards are so important. So long as people are writing code that obeys a well defined interface/protocol there is no problem with forks, because people can still use pieces of the new and the old as they see fit.
Not true. Trademarks and copyrights don't usually apply accross industries. Thus, McDonald's hardware store would probably not have trouble, unless they for some reason tried to dupe people into thinking they were selling burgers, fries, and cardiovascular disease.
Since Westinghouse is not even close to a McD's competitor, there is no risk. The issue here is that Go and GoTo are direct competitors.
I just wanted to make a quick response to the various voices who claim that PHP cannot be used for large projects. I think this is a very misguided viewpoint, and in my experience PHP is a terrific platform for delivering a large site.
I wrote almost all the code for Catalyst Recruiting - a site that helps small, startup, and nonprofit companies find top college students to hire. It's not a gargantuan site, but it handles a fair amount of traffic with a high degree of customization and 99% dynamic content. It was built entirely on Linux using PHP3 and MySQL in roughly two months.
Now, PHP3 has some limitations, and it's OOP model leaves something to be desired, but I have found that it makes it pretty easy to use objects to abstract away the interface from the logic of the program. This enables me to work pretty seamlessly with several design people who don't know PHP from their own ASP.
Of coures, when PHP4/Zend hits, hold on to your hats. Not only will our site be able to render pages with almost the same speed as static content, but the expanded object model will really make life easier.
PHP is a great language for rapid deployment of custom software. I'm so pleased with it, that I'm thinking of open-sourcing the Catalyst software as an add-on to either PHP or PHPLIB. Anyone think that'd be a good or bad idea?
Unfortunately, in order to probe distances appropriate to proving or disproving string theory (at least directly) you'd need a collider that were roughly a billion billion times more powerful than our existing technology. You'd be lucky to fit one of those into the Milky Way.
Most of string theory is, as of yet, not experimentally testable. But it's pretty:)
It's all well and good that the priveleged elite get DSL and Cable. Practically every tiny little town up and down CT and NY have cable, but not New Haven, as far as I can tell. Anyone have any luck getting broadband in New Haven? I'd appreciate pointers to resources, companies, etc.
Slashdot Mirror
http://www.au.xfree86.org/4.0/RELNOTES. html
Enjoy. Congrats and thanks to the XF86 team
Eric
(here's the introduction/installation instr. for those with mirror probs):
XFree86 4.0 is the first official release of the new XFree86 4. XFree86 4 represents a significant redesign of the XFree86 X server. It is very important to keep in mind that XFree86 4 is still very much in development, and it contains a lot of new work. That means two things: there is a lot of new exciting stuff to try, but being new code, it hasn't had nearly as much of a workout as the stable 3.3.x releases. If you're looking for a well-tested, stable release, and can't afford the inconveniences that new software can sometimes cause, then you are probably better off sticking with the 3.3.x releases for now. If you have the resources to try out the new version and investigate its features, or if you just like being on the bleeding edge, then please try 4.0!
This release isn't quite as complete as we would have liked. The main missing pieces are a nice configuration tool and support for some of the hardware that 3.3.x supports. The first point means that configuring the server might be more painful than usual. The second means that your hardware might not be supported by 4.0, or it might be supported at a lesser level (conversely, some hardware is better supported in 4.0). We've attempted to provide some information about the second point in our Driver Status document. Please check there first before trying 4.0. Unfortunately that document is still fairly basic, but it should at least give you an idea of whether you're likely to be able to use 4.0 at all or not.
On the subject of configuration, we have updated the basic text-based tool "xf86config" to generate config files in the format required by 4.0 (3.3.x config files won't really work with 4.0). We're also working on some other configuration tools, including one that is built-in to the X server. An early version of this is included in the release, and it works well for some hardware. To try it out, just run (as root) "XFree86 -configure". Both of these configuration options will at worst give you a reasonable starting point for a suitable configuration file. We've put some effort into documenting the 4.0 config file format, and you can find that information in the XF86Config manual page. Please check that and the driver manual pages and related documentation for further information about that.
Oh, another thing you might notice is that our documentation is rather patchy. Most of what is present should be in reasonable shape, but there are gaps. We thought it better to leave out docs that were very out of date rather than providing inaccurate and misleading information.
Finally, before you download and install the binary distributions for this release, please have a quick read through the Installation Document. It may save you some time. If those cautionary notes haven't turned you away (and we certainly hope not), please read on... The sections below describe some of the new features and changes between 3.3.x and 4.0. There is a lot of new stuff, and we definitely don't have enough space to cover it all here.
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
Mar. 09, 2000
San Jose, CA -- (press release) -- Responding to the rising tide of interest in using the Linux operating system in embedded applications, representatives from dozens of embedded technology firms today announced formation of the Embedded Linux Consortium, or ELC, a vendor-neutral trade association dedicated to the advancement of Linux-based solutions in embedded applications. Today's announcement resulted from an organizational meeting held at the Embedded Systems Conference in Chicago, March 1, by representatives from nearly 50 companies.
During the organizational meeting, the group established a formation committee, appointed interim leadership and adopted an aggressive timetable for formally instituting the ELC as a highly proactive embedded Linux advocacy organization. Funds for the ELC's operation will be based on a schedule of annual dues, which will be developed in the next 30 days. At the meeting, over $100,000 was pledged towards initial funding. Rick Lehrbaum was named interim chairman and Murry Shohat was appointed interim executive director. Lehrbaum is known for his work in establishing the PC/104 Consortium. Shohat is a marketing consultant with extensive trade association experience.
"The initial intentions for the ELC are very clear," said interim chairman Lehrbaum. "Linux is now the fastest growing operating system for server applications. The embedded computer market -- which absorbs more than 95% of all microcomputer chips minted each year - is the next frontier. In essence, the goal of the ELC will be to amplify the depth, breadth, and speed of Linux adoption in the enormous embedded computer market."
Linus Torvalds, creator of Linux, said "this new Embedded Linux Consortium is an expression of the current explosion of interest in using Linux in thousands of specialized embedded, mobile, and appliance applications. The ELC provides a valuable resource in advancing the growing use of Linux in embedded applications, an area where Linux can provide enormous benefit."
Paul Zorfass, senior analyst with IDC/FTI, said "Linux has shown the strongest market share growth rate in the bandwidth- and performance-driven server market. Linux is now beginning to establish a presence in the diverse embedded market where its reliability, modularity, scalability, configurability and low cost are extremely attractive. The new Embedded Linux Consortium comes at just the right moment to aid in accelerating the emerging trend of using Linux as the OS within a wide range of intelligent appliances and embedded systems."
The broad corporate participation in the ELC organizational meeting underscores the exploding interest in using Linux in a wide range of embedded applications and intelligent appliances. The organization will serve to facilitate development of common messages on using Linux in the fast-emerging world of Internet appliances, unattended systems, wireless access, home networks, set-top boxes, and a myriad of other embedded system applications. "Because Linux is open source, it lowers critical barriers of cost, time and risk, making it an ideal software platform for embedded applications," said Lehrbaum.
Formation committee members, representing firms ranging from startups to Global 500 computer hardware and software companies, include Accelent Systems Inc.; Aisys Inc.; Cendio Systems; Centura Software Corporation; Coollogic; IBM; Infomatec IAS GmbH; Lineo; LinuxDevices.com; Lynx Real-time Systems, Inc.; Microtronix Datacom Ltd.; MontaVista Software, Inc.; Moreton Bay; Motorola Computer Group; NewMonics, Inc.; OpenSystems Publishing; QNX Software Systems Ltd.; Red Hat, Inc.; TimeSys Corporation; Transvirtual Technologies, Inc.; Troll Tech; Wind River Systems, Inc.
A membership application is located * here *. For membership and general information, please contact Murry Shohat at 707-576-0111, or murry@sonic.net.
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
Eric
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
It would be cool if more OSS sites would publish their own source code, ala
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
No, Amazon needs to be able to show to investors a list of assets. Normally, companies put "profits" down as one of those assets, but in the internet world profits are as alien as WarEZ d00dz getting a date. So, they have to make do with assets like "public goodwill" "brand image" and, of course, patents. After all, patents "prove" that you have a technological edge over your competition.
Hey, I work for an Internet startup, and I know the pressures that exist there. Our investors want us to patent our software all the time. I'd much rather open-source it. Result: deadlock. But Bezos doesn't have that luxury, so he has to make statements like this.
Just my $.02
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
Now, 99% of the time I'm with you on this whole confusion of Patentss/Trademarks/Copyrights, but this time it's a patent, not a trademark. Apple lost the "look-and-feel" trademark case when they settled with MS years ago.
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
I get OpenGL, but why OpenAL?
(no offense meant, just curious, so hold the flames, pickles and mayo)
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
Right now, why bother with usability? Most geeks don't complain about user interfaces at all.<p>
(psst, is it just me, or is extrans broken today?)
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
<b>The open source community fights against all manner of arbitrary barriers to information.</b> And now we are seeing its effects transformed from a fun game to a moral imperative.
Just my $.02
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
My suggestion:
For most nerds that's a way better incentive.
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
Hey, I have need of something like this for a (GASP) legitimate usage.
I am developing a web site (<a href="http://www.CatalystRecruiting.com">Catalyst Recruiting</a>) that allows people who complete our registration process to get free magazine subscriptions. They click on a link that leads to our partner site that actually provides the free magazines.
Now, the link is actually a javascript function that creates a new popup window with a special coded URL. What I'd like to do is detect (on the server site, using PHP) when the user has clicked on this link. Is there a way to, for instance, have javascript set a cookie on the browser or something of the like? Any other suggestions?
Thanks so much!
Eric Ries
of course you are all right. I should have put in a disclaimer, like:
(!is_hoax()) ? "spam, META, etc" : "Send kudos to MIT";
I hope I'm already the Nth person to suggest this (and let the flames come if need be! to hell with karma!) but "news" about this latest "Star Wars" "movie" is totally boring. Let's just all face facts that we got suckered into seeing an over-hyped mediocre flick.
I'd rather see news that the Matrix is already out on DVD and in my living room.
enough.
OK, I think it's time for us to do something about this. I suggest everyone who has a web site put as many Leonardo-related META tags in every search-indexed page as possible. Then start re-registering your pages with every possible search engine (or even us a meta-search registrar (List at Yahoo!).
/. effect can help rectify this one.
Then, we should probably start registering the bad guys (their email addresses were posted before) for every single Leonardo DiCaprio mailing list in the world.
Just as a public service, to let them know that Leonardo is not a copyrightable name.
Sheesh. Give me a break. Let's hope the
I work for a company whose primary product is a search engine. However, in our case we allow searching not of web pages but of student "profiles" (which are basically like super resumes). We made a conscious design decision at day one to not even allow keyword searching because of its incredibly imprecise nature. Rather, we collect a lot of meta-information about our clients and then use sophisticated sorting techniques to do hihg-precision searching. If anyone's interested, please feel free to email/post a comment. I'd be curious to know if anyone has suggestions about how this should/coould work better.
Thanks
Eric
I'm about to buy a couple of systems for some novice non-nerds. I was about to get them the boring old Pentium III, but I'd much prefer to buy an Athlon. The catch is, the most important thing is service, since these are newbies.
Gateway doesn't do Athlon. What's the best alternative? Any suggestions?
I wonder if the open-source model for something like this could extend to the program's users as well. The idea would be that, as people used the program, it could learn from their input. Thus, every time someone inputs a new word into their local copy, this information could be replicated at some central repository and made available to other users. In fact, you could even ask the user to categorize, define, and give usage examples for each new thing.
For that matter, you could even have the users refine the system's grammar.
How hard would that be to implement? Is it totally far-fetched?
www.eddiebauer.com
Forking is only a problem when the fork tries to create a new standard or refuses to obey the old standards and interfaces. That's why open standards are so important. So long as people are writing code that obeys a well defined interface/protocol there is no problem with forks, because people can still use pieces of the new and the old as they see fit.
Not true. Trademarks and copyrights don't usually apply accross industries. Thus, McDonald's hardware store would probably not have trouble, unless they for some reason tried to dupe people into thinking they were selling burgers, fries, and cardiovascular disease.
Since Westinghouse is not even close to a McD's competitor, there is no risk. The issue here is that Go and GoTo are direct competitors.
I just wanted to make a quick response to the various voices who claim that PHP cannot be used for large projects. I think this is a very misguided viewpoint, and in my experience PHP is a terrific platform for delivering a large site.
I wrote almost all the code for Catalyst Recruiting - a site that helps small, startup, and nonprofit companies find top college students to hire. It's not a gargantuan site, but it handles a fair amount of traffic with a high degree of customization and 99% dynamic content. It was built entirely on Linux using PHP3 and MySQL in roughly two months.
Now, PHP3 has some limitations, and it's OOP model leaves something to be desired, but I have found that it makes it pretty easy to use objects to abstract away the interface from the logic of the program. This enables me to work pretty seamlessly with several design people who don't know PHP from their own ASP.
Of coures, when PHP4/Zend hits, hold on to your hats. Not only will our site be able to render pages with almost the same speed as static content, but the expanded object model will really make life easier.
PHP is a great language for rapid deployment of custom software. I'm so pleased with it, that I'm thinking of open-sourcing the Catalyst software as an add-on to either PHP or PHPLIB. Anyone think that'd be a good or bad idea?
Eric
Unfortunately, in order to probe distances appropriate to proving or disproving string theory (at least directly) you'd need a collider that were roughly a billion billion times more powerful than our existing technology. You'd be lucky to fit one of those into the Milky Way.
:)
Most of string theory is, as of yet, not experimentally testable. But it's pretty
It's all well and good that the priveleged elite get DSL and Cable. Practically every tiny little town up and down CT and NY have cable, but not New Haven, as far as I can tell. Anyone have any luck getting broadband in New Haven? I'd appreciate pointers to resources, companies, etc.