You are absolutely correct.
Perhaps I should have clarified: I want a good basic flip-phone (i.e. not PDA or blackberry) without a camera. The only one I have ever found is the Motorola v260 that is not available for purchase from any of the major carriers (it is at Radio Shack only or online). Unfortunately, I also get a discount through my employer, so I need to go through a major carrier directly. I've been looking for months and the only options from Verizon and Cingular are cheap/free non flip phones or $200+ bricks. Sprint is not an option for me.
As far as financing phone, I can't justify not doing that. It is not like you get a discount from the carrier if you buy your own phone, so essentially you pay double. If I were a multi-millionare this would not be an issue, but again I, like thousands of other people, care about my expenses.
Your wrong:). The sonic boom is from the shockwave created when the aircraft is going faster than the speed of sound (> Mach 1). Think of the shockwave as a cone with the point at the nose of the aircraft. That cone expands outward like, well, a cone. Where that cone intersects the ground, that is a sonic boom. Here is a good description
You know, now that you mention it, I wonder if this is why Microsoft is stalling Longhorn. Think about it, if they drop 2000 support but Longhorn is not ready yet, businesses will have to upgrade to XP, and then AGAIN to Longhorn. [/conspiracy theory]
Kind of ironic that the best possible sounding audio is 100% analog. This is to say, music sounds the "best" at a live, acoustinc performance (no digital microphones or anything) where someone sings with their own (analog) voice and I listen with my own (analog) ears. ANYTHING other than that and there is loss somewhere when compared to the original sound.
Of course, the human brain is really more digital so I guess there is some "loss" of expression and meaning in going Digital(brain) -> Analog(voice) of the artist and then Analog(ears) -> Digital(brain) to my memory. Whoa. I need to sit down and let that sink in...
We don't have very good hands for digging either. So I suppose we should not farm then? Really, it seems we are best suited for scavanging and eating things that have already died since we don't have to catch or plant dead things. Although, we do have that uncanny ability to reason and in doing so we realize that dead rotton meat is not as good as a nice slab of grilled domesticated cow meat with a side of corn and potatoes. Further, we reason that it is well within our abilities to create or use tools to domesticate animals and plant fields of crops. Although, some people enjoy other kinds of meet, such as deer and cannot afford to buy their family cow meat. For some people hunting does provide food on the table when it would otherwise be hard to come by. Contrary to what many believe, there are people who hunt who are not beer drinking crazy rednecks hellbent on "killin' sumthin'" for the fun of it.
Yeah, it's legal, but is ain't a hundred percent legal. I mean you can't log into any computer, open up a p2p app, and start downloadin' away. You're only supposed to download in your home or certain designated places.
Those are p2p bars?
Yeah, it breaks down like this: it's legal to buy it, it's legal to own it and, if you're the proprietor of a p2p bar, it's legal to sell it. It's legal to carry music, which doesn't really matter 'cause -- get a load of this -- if the cops stop you, it's illegal for this to search you. Searching you is a right that the cops in Amsterdam don't have.
That did it, man -- I'm fuckin' goin', that's all there is to it.
You'll dig it the most. But you know what the funniest thing about Europe is?
Instead, Boeing is also just making another tube with wings in the form of the 7E7.
You have to remember, people are stupid. Say you invent the most efficient, best plane ever, but it looks funny (i.e. wings in the back). People will be worried about flying on it. And if people may not want to fly on it, airlines may not want to buy it.
Kiss that freedom goodbye when upper management co-opts your dream by forcing you to use your least-favorite distro and regulating which apps will and will not get installed. Goodbye grep, hello Outlook For Linux.
You are so correct it's scary. Where I work, the GPL is seen as the work of the devil. All the lawsuits going around have succeeded in making the corporate world scared sh*tless about the GPL. So, when it comes to free software, they would rather pay a hefty sum for a "shrink wrapped" copy where some other company takes some liability rather than use OSS as it was intended. Sad, very sad.
You are correct, but I think it is the first "several" sights. Only in Firefox? Anyway, this can be VERY bad if you work in a place (as I do) where you can get fired INSTANTLY for looking at or even trying to look at (they block them) "inappropriate" sites (i.e. pr0n). If you search for something and a the first results happen to link to bad sites, you could have a lot of explaining to do, if they even listen. Usually they have enough proof that they show up at yoru desk with boxes, no questions asked. I've seen it.
There is a way to turn it off in Firefox; look in google's FAQ. How much time does this really save anyway?
Me: Hi Mom, its me. I'm calling because I need you to set up your email to allow me to send you encrypted messages. Mom: Ooookay. Er, what? Me: Well, GMail snoops on all our messages to put targeted ads next to our email. Mom: And? Me: That's bad. All I need is for you to install this Firefox extension that will rot-13s anything we send. Mom: So GMail is bad? I didn't know. I think I should just go back to my hotmail account. Me: No, Mom, hotmail is really bad. Mom: Well, I'll just stop using email then. Me: No, Mom, wait...It is just a Firefox extension. Mom: Right, no more email. Goodbye.
When computers become something that people understand rather than have to put up with then your arguments will hold true.
Oh how I wish this were a true projection of the future. Unfortunately, I think Joe Sixpack's true understanding of computers will be much, much less in the future. Think of it like cars (hey, there's an original analogy huh?): In the early days people really understood what they were doing. They had to in order to keep their car running since it they may be the only one around who knew how it worked. As time progresses, cars (and computers) get more and more complicated. This is all done in the spirit of making it more accessable and enjoyable to the end user. You turn the key, it starts. You push the gas, it goes. Check engine light comes on, you take it to a trained professional.
There are a lot of differences between cars and computers and the analogy is not perfect. But, in general, as things get more complicated and "user friendly," people have much less of a true understanding of how it works. The more something "just works" the less you have a need or desire to know why. At some level the interface itself becomes more important than the inner workings. If someone swapped the gas and brake pedals in a car it would not be an easy change to adapt to. Sure, the car still works the same and there may be some reason it is technically "better," but the end user might hate it.
/rant
Success in software is relatively easy to measure: if the software has the features the customer expects, and it's usable and stable, then it's done.
Features, yes, those you can measure. Usability and stability? That is not as clear as you imply. What I consider to be usable and what you consider to be usable may be very different. And what exactly is "stable" in the context of software? Is Firefox a "stable" program? It has crashed on me a few times. What about Windows?
Unfortunately no one other than the DVD manufacturers wants to provide that content that way.
Um, have you seen some of the Disney DVDs? Those and some other DVDs put you through 15 minutes of previews/ads before getting to the menu. Most of those won't let you skip them either.
You have been subpoenaed, tried, and found liable as a "John Doe" in a court of law. Under the DMCA you are liable for $10,000 per infraction. Per the suit, an estimated 1000 "slashdotters" have read the information you posted and were able to use your method to convert at least 1,000 songs each. This means you now owe us for 1,000,000 infractions. The sum of $10,000,000,000.00 is owed to us immediately. Do not bother to get a lawyer since you have already been found liable and since this is a cival suit you do not have the right to face you accuser. Thank you and have a nice day.
That is very true. Consider also that to make Corn Flakes, the farmer has to keep working to grow more corn. For a CD, the artist spent a week in a studio (okay maybe more than a week, but the farmer still works more here) someone makes the cover, sound guy cleans it up, master is made, printing begins. After that, an album is just printed over and over. Only new costs are for supplies. I don't count marketing because that is radio play which is subsidized by adverts (for cornflakes:)). Their profit margin is WAY to big indeed.
Slashdot Mirror
You are absolutely correct. Perhaps I should have clarified: I want a good basic flip-phone (i.e. not PDA or blackberry) without a camera. The only one I have ever found is the Motorola v260 that is not available for purchase from any of the major carriers (it is at Radio Shack only or online). Unfortunately, I also get a discount through my employer, so I need to go through a major carrier directly. I've been looking for months and the only options from Verizon and Cingular are cheap/free non flip phones or $200+ bricks. Sprint is not an option for me. As far as financing phone, I can't justify not doing that. It is not like you get a discount from the carrier if you buy your own phone, so essentially you pay double. If I were a multi-millionare this would not be an issue, but again I, like thousands of other people, care about my expenses.
Another cool phone that I will never be able to own because I, like thousands of other people, cannot have a camera phone at work. [/rant]
Seriously, isn't the market for GOOD non-camera phones big enough to support at least one?
Your wrong :). The sonic boom is from the shockwave created when the aircraft is going faster than the speed of sound (> Mach 1). Think of the shockwave as a cone with the point at the nose of the aircraft. That cone expands outward like, well, a cone. Where that cone intersects the ground, that is a sonic boom. Here is a good description
You know, now that you mention it, I wonder if this is why Microsoft is stalling Longhorn. Think about it, if they drop 2000 support but Longhorn is not ready yet, businesses will have to upgrade to XP, and then AGAIN to Longhorn. [/conspiracy theory]
Therefore? ....... A WITCH!!!
Speak of what act?
Kind of ironic that the best possible sounding audio is 100% analog. This is to say, music sounds the "best" at a live, acoustinc performance (no digital microphones or anything) where someone sings with their own (analog) voice and I listen with my own (analog) ears. ANYTHING other than that and there is loss somewhere when compared to the original sound.
...
Of course, the human brain is really more digital so I guess there is some "loss" of expression and meaning in going Digital(brain) -> Analog(voice) of the artist and then Analog(ears) -> Digital(brain) to my memory. Whoa. I need to sit down and let that sink in
We don't have very good hands for digging either. So I suppose we should not farm then? Really, it seems we are best suited for scavanging and eating things that have already died since we don't have to catch or plant dead things. Although, we do have that uncanny ability to reason and in doing so we realize that dead rotton meat is not as good as a nice slab of grilled domesticated cow meat with a side of corn and potatoes. Further, we reason that it is well within our abilities to create or use tools to domesticate animals and plant fields of crops. Although, some people enjoy other kinds of meet, such as deer and cannot afford to buy their family cow meat. For some people hunting does provide food on the table when it would otherwise be hard to come by. Contrary to what many believe, there are people who hunt who are not beer drinking crazy rednecks hellbent on "killin' sumthin'" for the fun of it.
Excuse me, I believe you forgot the tags on your post.
The United States indicates that Canadian citizins are no longer welcom at it's July 4th birthday celebration.
Therefore ..... A WITCH!
Yeah, it's legal, but is ain't a hundred percent legal. I mean you can't log into any computer, open up a p2p app, and start downloadin' away. You're only supposed to download in your home or certain designated places.
Those are p2p bars?
Yeah, it breaks down like this: it's legal to buy it, it's legal to own it and, if you're the proprietor of a p2p bar, it's legal to sell it. It's legal to carry music, which doesn't really matter 'cause -- get a load of this -- if the cops stop you, it's illegal for this to search you. Searching you is a right that the cops in Amsterdam don't have.
That did it, man -- I'm fuckin' goin', that's all there is to it.
You'll dig it the most. But you know what the funniest thing about Europe is?
What?
It's the little differences...
Dude, puck the pholice!
*sorry*
Instead, Boeing is also just making another tube with wings in the form of the 7E7.
You have to remember, people are stupid. Say you invent the most efficient, best plane ever, but it looks funny (i.e. wings in the back). People will be worried about flying on it. And if people may not want to fly on it, airlines may not want to buy it.
Until you have to go and fight for your luggage at bag claim with 550 - 850 other people. That will suck too.
Kiss that freedom goodbye when upper management co-opts your dream by forcing you to use your least-favorite distro and regulating which apps will and will not get installed. Goodbye grep, hello Outlook For Linux.
You are so correct it's scary. Where I work, the GPL is seen as the work of the devil. All the lawsuits going around have succeeded in making the corporate world scared sh*tless about the GPL. So, when it comes to free software, they would rather pay a hefty sum for a "shrink wrapped" copy where some other company takes some liability rather than use OSS as it was intended. Sad, very sad.
You are correct, but I think it is the first "several" sights. Only in Firefox? Anyway, this can be VERY bad if you work in a place (as I do) where you can get fired INSTANTLY for looking at or even trying to look at (they block them) "inappropriate" sites (i.e. pr0n). If you search for something and a the first results happen to link to bad sites, you could have a lot of explaining to do, if they even listen. Usually they have enough proof that they show up at yoru desk with boxes, no questions asked. I've seen it.
There is a way to turn it off in Firefox; look in google's FAQ. How much time does this really save anyway?
I can see it now:
Me: Hi Mom, its me. I'm calling because I need you to set up your email to allow me to send you encrypted messages.
Mom: Ooookay. Er, what?
Me: Well, GMail snoops on all our messages to put targeted ads next to our email.
Mom: And?
Me: That's bad. All I need is for you to install this Firefox extension that will rot-13s anything we send.
Mom: So GMail is bad? I didn't know. I think I should just go back to my hotmail account.
Me: No, Mom, hotmail is really bad.
Mom: Well, I'll just stop using email then.
Me: No, Mom, wait...It is just a Firefox extension.
Mom: Right, no more email. Goodbye.
When computers become something that people understand rather than have to put up with then your arguments will hold true.
/rant
Oh how I wish this were a true projection of the future. Unfortunately, I think Joe Sixpack's true understanding of computers will be much, much less in the future. Think of it like cars (hey, there's an original analogy huh?): In the early days people really understood what they were doing. They had to in order to keep their car running since it they may be the only one around who knew how it worked. As time progresses, cars (and computers) get more and more complicated. This is all done in the spirit of making it more accessable and enjoyable to the end user. You turn the key, it starts. You push the gas, it goes. Check engine light comes on, you take it to a trained professional.
There are a lot of differences between cars and computers and the analogy is not perfect. But, in general, as things get more complicated and "user friendly," people have much less of a true understanding of how it works. The more something "just works" the less you have a need or desire to know why. At some level the interface itself becomes more important than the inner workings. If someone swapped the gas and brake pedals in a car it would not be an easy change to adapt to. Sure, the car still works the same and there may be some reason it is technically "better," but the end user might hate it.
foreign accents and ugly teeth on the screen. ...
... Now that is humor.
And don't go bashing the US populace
Success in software is relatively easy to measure: if the software has the features the customer expects, and it's usable and stable, then it's done.
Features, yes, those you can measure. Usability and stability? That is not as clear as you imply. What I consider to be usable and what you consider to be usable may be very different. And what exactly is "stable" in the context of software? Is Firefox a "stable" program? It has crashed on me a few times. What about Windows?
Unfortunately no one other than the DVD manufacturers wants to provide that content that way.
Um, have you seen some of the Disney DVDs? Those and some other DVDs put you through 15 minutes of previews/ads before getting to the menu. Most of those won't let you skip them either.
Yeah, stealing the identities of Wal-Mart shoppers. There's a million dollar scam.
Dear Pieroxy,
You have been subpoenaed, tried, and found liable as a "John Doe" in a court of law. Under the DMCA you are liable for $10,000 per infraction. Per the suit, an estimated 1000 "slashdotters" have read the information you posted and were able to use your method to convert at least 1,000 songs each. This means you now owe us for 1,000,000 infractions. The sum of $10,000,000,000.00 is owed to us immediately. Do not bother to get a lawyer since you have already been found liable and since this is a cival suit you do not have the right to face you accuser. Thank you and have a nice day.
Regards,
RIAA
That is very true. Consider also that to make Corn Flakes, the farmer has to keep working to grow more corn. For a CD, the artist spent a week in a studio (okay maybe more than a week, but the farmer still works more here) someone makes the cover, sound guy cleans it up, master is made, printing begins. After that, an album is just printed over and over. Only new costs are for supplies. I don't count marketing because that is radio play which is subsidized by adverts (for cornflakes :)). Their profit margin is WAY to big indeed.