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  1. Durability on Why Have PDAs Failed In The iPod Era? · · Score: 1

    I store a bunch of data that I use all the time in my PDA. I look at my ipod as more or less disposable (at least, reformat and reload if needed). I wouldn't want to have my PDA banging around in my pocket in the gym, with that pretty screen to get damaged. The ipod just seems more solid and durable for those types of situations.

  2. Who's fault? Software developers on Generic Passwords Expose Student Data · · Score: 1

    The fault of this falls directly on software developers, open source and otherwise. Every system has it's own proprietary password/user management system, and none of them can talk to each other. In some cases it's possible to hack together a syncing solution, but maintaining that becomes a problem too.

    No one is putting any thought into what a serious problem it is to have a password for every individual system. Users cannot manage so many passwords, and as a result set them all to be the same crappy password, or even a shared password that everyone uses.

    We really need a single sign on system that is both usable and manageable, and we need it now. Until we get something like that, these problems will only happen more often.

  3. Re:Clueless publishers on Second Google Suit Over Print Library Project · · Score: 1

    It doesn't matter if Google is doing them a favor. Like it or not, Google *is* violating their copyrights. It doesn't matter if the end result is justified. Just because Google is the current darling company of geeks doesn't mean that they get a free pass to do anything they want. Any copyright holder is allowed to make any rules they want about their content, even if it hurts them in the long run.

    Google needs to learn the same thing that most geeks need to learn, and it's that diplomacy and being nice to people is just as important, if not more, than technical prowess. Just because you're smart(er) doesn't mean you don't need to play by the rules. If Google had originally approached this project by working with the publishers instead of in spite of them, they wouldn't be in this situation.

    Adherance to copyright laws is exactly what makes the GPL and free software work. You can't turn around and disregard it whenever you think it is for the greater good.

  4. Re:Won't somebody think of the children? on Yahoo Closes Chat Rooms to Anyone Under 18 · · Score: 1

    So instead of doing it at home they'll do it at a friends house. And when they get older they will resent you and not talk to you about hard topics like sex. Then they will get pregnant or get someone pregnant, or worse, and it will be because you scared the crap out of them and destroyed their trust in you.

  5. Re:Just as important on Tango Project to Make Open Source Beautiful? · · Score: 1

    "accessability" is not only for hearing/visually impaired people. Standardize keyboard shortcuts, specifically, are of great use to everyone.

  6. Re:Simple fact: Longevity on Why Do-It-Yourself Photo Printing Doesn't Add Up · · Score: 1

    Longevity? You still have the file on your computer. If it fades, print out another one!!

  7. Re:seems like a lot of work on Mini-ITX Computing For Everyone · · Score: 1

    Savings has never, ever been a reason to build your own. 10 years ago, building your own might've saved you marginally, less than $100. Today, building your own costs way more.

    The advantage to building your own is that you know every component going into it is something you chose, and (hopefully), high quality.

  8. Not interesting on VoIP Provider Vonage Planning IPO? · · Score: 1
    This information is interesting coming out not long after Google's recent release of Google Talk, which overs instant messaging/VoIP services PC-to-PC as well as a surge in marketing by VoIP providers such as Covad and Skype.
    No, this is not at all interesting. Just because Google launched some service, it does not mean that every other service that's remotely related to it is going to fail. IM VOIP is nothing at all like Vonage VOIP, because no matter what, people still want an actual phone to talk on.
  9. Re:Debate?!? on Space Ring Could Combat Global Warming · · Score: 1

    Actually humans are the most adaptable species on the planet. What other creatures can live in the arctic, tropics, and all climates in between? None. We're smart enough to build things that let us adapt, which is more than any other animal can do.

  10. What does IT have to do with CompSci? on Critical Shortage of IT Workers in Coming Years · · Score: 1

    The fact is that CompSci has nothing to do with IT. IT is about supporting and deploying systems and applications, compsci is about inventing and researching new things. You don't need a compsci degree to be a system admin, and *those* are the jobs that will be growing.

    Every company needs staff to support thier computer infrastructure, but hardly any need programmers. There will still be new development work for programmers, but as applications become more capable, the need for programmers diminishes and the need for support staff rises.

    That there are fewer people enrolling in compsci programs is irrelevant because that's the wrong thing to be looking at.

  11. Re:Hey! My Mom Can Build One! on PC Competition for the Mac mini? · · Score: 1

    The cost of buying a prebuilt system has long (at least 3-4 years) been cheaper than buying the parts yourself. The main purpose of buying the parts yourself is to make sure every part is the exact brand and quality that you're looking for. For most people, that means they are an enthusiast and enjoy doing research on computers. Since most of the ./ crowd use Linux, that makes most of us enthusiasts.

    Dell and Apple simply have the advantage of high volume, and will always win on whole systems.

    It depends on your priorities. If you want something out of the box, go with a Mac or Dell. If you want to get deeper into it, buy the parts - but don't expect to save a ton of money (don't forget about shipping charges on each box). The point of building yourself is not money savings.

  12. Remote access and Linux hardware monitoring on What Do You Look For in a Big Iron Review? · · Score: 1

    Most Compaq machines come with a "iLo, Remote Lights Out Edition", which is a network-accessible console. It gets it's own IP and security information, and allows me full access to the machine. As an admin of remote server sites, having network access to the console (ability to do reboots, access lilo prompt, BIOS, etc..) remotely is indispensable and IMO is a required feature on any modern server. A serial console doesn't cut it here.

    Also, the ability to monitor hardware status from the OS (linux). Can I tell if a disk in the RAID failed without calling the ISP and asking them to check the lights? How about the temperature of the CPU?

  13. Hopefully it doesn't suck on Stargate SG-1 & Atlantis Renewed · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Atlantis is good, but SG-1 has been circling the drain for 2 seasons now. Get new writers! The current ones are obviously out of ideas.

  14. Re:What I'm trying to do.... on Sleeping Problems? · · Score: 1

    Coke or Pepsi has the same amount of caffiene as a cup of coffee (100 mg).

  15. Screen Resolution on Online Consoles Marginalizing PC Gaming? · · Score: 1

    PC's simply have higher screen rez, and that's a giant advantage. I will never play a game that doesn't run at least 1024x768. Consoles get 640x480 at best. Even on a 50" TV, that's just crap.

  16. Re:Inefficient hours? on What Do You Do at Work? · · Score: 1
    Actually, I think I've been quite accurate about my information. I am spending " only 50% of your time devoted to stuff that can make them money."


    No, you're still wrong here. Project planning IS PART OF THE PROJECT. You have to make plans before you can start working on tasks. In fact, with sufficient planning, you can reduce alot of the task time.

    You can't build a building without blueprints. If you are only counting your time when you're digging holes and pouring concrete, you're not counting all of it.

    Just because you might not like planning and don't consider it a valid use of your time, still can't brush it off when reporting.
  17. Upgrade every year? on Which Red Hat Should Be Worn in the Enterprise? · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Think about a mission critical system that needs to run 24x7. Every time you have to apply a patch or upgrade the system, that's downtime you can't afford.

    "Enterprise" servers are one's that just work and you don't have to mess with them. That is contrary to what most sysadmins like to do with systems - that is, mess with them constantly.

  18. Re:Simply put: I DO on Properly Contributing to Open Source While on Company Time? · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's easier to apologize afterward than it is to get permission beforehand.

  19. Re:If I had to buy a PDA right now... on Palm to Buy Handspring · · Score: 1

    Yeah, a bigger screen would be nice. There's always hope that there will be a new unit with virtual graffiti, but don't hold your breath.

    As far as a compelling reason to upgrade, the Tungsten T really is a huge leap. I just upgraded from a m515 to the TT, and I'm very happy. Going from a PalmV to a TT would knock your socks off! :)

  20. Re:Why? on Palm to Buy Handspring · · Score: 1

    For god's sake, enough with the conspiracy theory. If you haven't been at all involved with Palm, let me tell you that they are not an evil company. They genuinely try to do the right thing.

    As far as this purchase goes, it OBVIOUSLY an attempt to acquire a CELL PHONE division. They are not trying to elimnate anyone or anything. You guys spend way too much time being pissed off at Microsoft and forget that not every company works like them!

  21. Re:Elimination? on Palm to Buy Handspring · · Score: 1

    You'll hear about that towards the end of this year, when PalmSource starts talking about Palm OS 6.

  22. Re:Screenshot. on Bitstream/Gnome Release Vera Font Family · · Score: 2, Informative

    Don't use jpgs for screenshots. It makes them look horrible. A gif or png is designed for this type of graphic.

  23. Re:CompUSA anti-consumer return policy on California EULA Lawsuit · · Score: 1

    I do take my business elsewhere whenever I can, but sometimes you can't

    The point of my post is to let other people know about this type of policy, so they too might take their business elsewhere.

  24. CompUSA anti-consumer return policy on California EULA Lawsuit · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I know many stores have this policy with software, but CompUSA in particular has a very anti-consumer policy.

    Anything you try to return that's been opened is subject to a 10-15% return fee. That's just ubsurd for a retail chain. Presumably they are trying to stop people from doing the old buy-swap with broken item-return thing, but it's more likely to hurt people who bought a product that didn't work the way they expected it to.

    Being able to return an item is essential to the workings of a capitalistic society. Not only does it protect the consumer from getting bad merchandise, but it also allows them to say to the manufacturer, "hey, this is crap, I don't want it". You don't usually know it's crap until you get it home and open the box.

    Many online stores of course charge a restock fee for returns, but that's for some big warehouse where it's more complicated to re-enter something into the tracking system, not a retail store where it just goes back on the shelf.

  25. Re:Sigh on FCC Approves Digital Radio, Kills Satellite Merger · · Score: 5, Informative

    These 2 things aren't even related.

    Satellite lets you have all the channels no matter where you are in the coutry, and you have to pay for it.

    The new digital FM is just an upgrade to regular FM, so you'll get some better sound and maybe a digital readout of what's playing. You still get to listen to the same crappy programming.

    There's no "will they ever learn" here. It's 2 completely different things.