As more people come online, it becomes obvious that this new group of people must be either a subset or superset of the group of "non-hardcore" computer users. ie normal people. (imho). For the media, and the vast majority of the public, the Web IS the Internet. They've formed an unmistakable mental connection between the web browser, and the Internet. Most people i know don't even use traditional email with the profliteration of free Web Based email services. As a result, Usenet newsgroups get left out, which is a shame. But one must admit that web based forums, and subscriber based mailing lists have overlapping roles with the Usenet newsgroups. I hope that Usenet never gets forgotten: it would be a shame, for despite the increasing amounts of noise and spam, they remain one of the best places for help and answers to questions anyone might have in any field. (IRC being also a good place to look. Then again, for lotsa windows users, mIRC = IRC. *sigh* We can't forget that in some cases, such clearcut technical perspectives on what is the Internet hardly matters to the rest of the world just discovering it. Indeed, i would be more concerned whether these new people coming online understand how to be polite, patient and humble when using what ever resource that involves other human beings.
Over here in Singapore, Nokia has been running ads too featuring a concept phone for video conferencing etc. (Nokia needs little introduction) My opinion is that Qualcomm's technology is unnneeded and would fragment the market: the next high bandwidth standard, G3 (AFAIK) is being implemented soon. Fragmentation of high bandwidth wireless protocols would only slow the adoption of such technology. Besides, Qualcomm should concentrate on selling their services: it's a waste of resources to push a competing standard.
I'll start off with a quote from the story/Ask Slashdot thingy: -> How to ensure quality code and documentation Quality code? The open source community is full of talent: and the peer review system inherent in open source provides ideal motivation for contribution. Reuseable code is one of the many Holy Grails of coding: component technology, object oriented languages etc all endeavour to achieve this, and none have reached the full potential of the concept. Why? The inherent nature of companies and firms, (the world's largest software company is an ideal example) to promote aggressive THEIR technology at the cost of their competitor's technology. Visual Basic Controls are a form of code reuse: so is the Perl CPAN system. In light of the above, it seems logical to rely upon raw source code for reuseable code, instead of company/firm controlled binary formats. However, we have to realise that while much code is generic and reusable, the general case is that we're gonna have to adapt the code found in said repository for our own uses. Documentation is key. Excellent documentation, or even step by step tutorials for those embarking upon their first open source project/first coding project even. Everyone is free to contribute and hack to the full extent of their own talents. Excellent documentation, for eg(my thoughts as an example: others may disagree) detailing the workings of the code, possible flaws etc etc, original intent would be a great aid to the maintainence and continued advancement of this collective pool of knowledge. Documentation help makes code even more reusable.
I recall reading in one of ESR's essays that the release of driver source code is a logical and beneficial step for hardware manufacturers: they benefit from having the open source community to working on it, while effectively broadening the range of operating systems their hardware can run on. Hopefully, other hardware manufacturers will emulate Creative in this move towards open source. The point is, hardware companies generally don't make money from their drivers: they make money from pushing their hardware for sale to you, the consumer. I foresee that more Linux users will want an SBLive! now. =)
And it was due to the combination of amazing hardware, and an amazing OS for it's time. While opening the source will definitely prove useful, (provided that there is a focal point to submit changes etc to ie. not chaos) the fact remains that the hardware isn't around to support the software this time. As a previous post has mentioned, what we really need is a add in PCI/AGP card that will enhance today's systems the way the Amiga back then was more than the sum of it's parts. This isn't that unfeasible: with T & L video cards already available, who knows what a solid piece of hardware coupled with an Open Sourced revitalised Amiga OS will result in. One can only wait and see.
Every Jedi needs a lightsaber. Use the Force. Need a lightsaber. =)
The Amiga was light years ahead of it's time. And it was due to the combination of amazing hardware, and an amazing OS for it's time. While opening the source will definitely prove useful, (provided that there is a focal point to submit changes etc to ie. not chaos) the fact remains that the hardware isn't around to support the software this time. As a previous post has mentioned, what we really need is a add in PCI/AGP card that will enhance today's systems the way the Amiga back then was more than the sum of it's parts. This isn't that unfeasible: with T & L video cards already available, who knows what a solid piece of hardware coupled with an Open Sourced revitalised Amiga OS will result in. One can only wait and see.
Every Jedi needs a lightsaber. Use the Force. Need a lightsaber. =) (just my 2 cents. IMHO. )
The essay , as others might have noticed, delivers constructive criticism of the open source software development model. I was impressed with the objectivity and clarity of the arguments, and the fact that it is criticism: it isn't FUD. Neither are any of the quotes used out of it's intended context or meaning (correct me if i'm wrong: i'm only human. ) In particular, i'll like to draw attention to a line in the conclusion:
"The success of open source programming is less a function of the technical skill and imagination of the members of the open source community. It correlates more exactly to those all too human characteristics that not easily programmed away or ignored. "
Perhaps the greatest challenge to OSS success, is the challenge of all of us getting along. Criticism, diversity and variety, choice, are all important. However, the pursuit of these objectives should not be pursued with a illogical fervour that only leads to division within the community.
I've downloaded the demo: all it seems to be is some garish landscape generator u can run thru: the sky/cloud moving thing ain't that cool. I've seen better water in the visualisations for my Mp3 player (Sonique for those interested) . Until i see a demo of this "molecular" technology that is on par or better with the 3d game engines of today, i'll remain a skeptic. Still, it might only be the begining of something great. Must keep an open mind.
I share your viewpoint. I suppose after people see the quality of non-MS software, they cannot help but contemplate that if the MTA is excellent, then the other open source / non-MS/Linux stuff must be pretty good after all. The irrestible lure of reducing TCO is a big factor too. (Though some may disagree with me, but the fact is that Linux expertise has grown by leaps and bounds recently, and is readily available. )
AFAIK, prolonged stay in zero g enviroments requires daily exercise to keep walking muscles etc etc fit..so that we can walk when we get back to earth. I suppose the hotel staff would have to work in shifts, be paid extra and have loads of life insurance. And i'm still waiting for the space vehicle that makes trips to and fro to such a hotel viable. PS: Isn't this gonna cost a heck of alot for even an overnight stay? and would they charge you by hours, days ?
Computer games push the envelope of pc hardware...thankfully. Unfortunately, the industry is as the author of this article states, somewhat flawed. However, i still see hope in the industry as being viable: the recent rise of Valve from nothing to creators of the most immersive FPS i've played , Half Life, bears testament to the fact that quality still exists in this industry. Id is a fine example of an excellent game company that delivers. But sometimes, a botched game is more of the fault of the "suits" rather than the talented individuals that worked on it. forgive my mindless ramblings.
Slashdot Mirror
As more people come online, it becomes obvious that this new group of people must be either a subset or superset of the group of "non-hardcore" computer users. ie normal people. (imho). For the media, and the vast majority of the public, the Web IS the Internet. They've formed an unmistakable mental connection between the web browser, and the Internet. Most people i know don't even use traditional email with the profliteration of free Web Based email services. As a result, Usenet newsgroups get left out, which is a shame. But one must admit that web based forums, and subscriber based mailing lists have overlapping roles with the Usenet newsgroups. I hope that Usenet never gets forgotten: it would be a shame, for despite the increasing amounts of noise and spam, they remain one of the best places for help and answers to questions anyone might have in any field. (IRC being also a good place to look. Then again, for lotsa windows users, mIRC = IRC. *sigh*
We can't forget that in some cases, such clearcut technical perspectives on what is the Internet hardly matters to the rest of the world just discovering it. Indeed, i would be more concerned whether these new people coming online understand how to be polite, patient and humble when using what ever resource that involves other human beings.
Merry Christmas to all. =)
Best wishes to all in coding, and life in general.
=)
Over here in Singapore, Nokia has been running ads too featuring a concept phone for video conferencing etc. (Nokia needs little introduction)
My opinion is that Qualcomm's technology is unnneeded and would fragment the market: the next high bandwidth standard, G3 (AFAIK) is being implemented soon. Fragmentation of high bandwidth wireless protocols would only slow the adoption of such technology. Besides, Qualcomm should concentrate on selling their services: it's a waste of resources to push a competing standard.
my 2 cents.
I'll start off with a quote from the story/Ask Slashdot thingy:
-> How to ensure quality code and documentation
Quality code? The open source community is full of talent: and the peer review system inherent in open source provides ideal motivation for contribution. Reuseable code is one of the many Holy Grails of coding: component technology, object oriented languages etc all endeavour to achieve this, and none have reached the full potential of the concept.
Why? The inherent nature of companies and firms, (the world's largest software company is an ideal example) to promote aggressive THEIR technology at the cost of their competitor's technology. Visual Basic Controls are a form of code reuse: so is the Perl CPAN system.
In light of the above, it seems logical to rely upon raw source code for reuseable code, instead of company/firm controlled binary formats.
However, we have to realise that while much code is generic and reusable, the general case is that we're gonna have to adapt the code found in said repository for our own uses.
Documentation is key. Excellent documentation, or even step by step tutorials for those embarking upon their first open source project/first coding project even. Everyone is free to contribute and hack to the full extent of their own talents. Excellent documentation, for eg(my thoughts as an example: others may disagree) detailing the workings of the code, possible flaws etc etc, original intent would be a great aid to the maintainence and continued advancement of this collective pool of knowledge. Documentation help makes code even more reusable.
just my 2 cents
I recall reading in one of ESR's essays that the release of driver source code is a logical and beneficial step for hardware manufacturers: they benefit from having the open source community to working on it, while effectively broadening the range of operating systems their hardware can run on. Hopefully, other hardware manufacturers will emulate Creative in this move towards open source. The point is, hardware companies generally don't make money from their drivers: they make money from pushing their hardware for sale to you, the consumer. I foresee that more Linux users will want an SBLive! now. =)
my 2 cents.
The Amiga was light years ahead of it's time.
And it was due to the combination of amazing hardware, and an amazing OS for it's time. While opening the source will definitely prove useful, (provided that there is a focal point to submit changes etc to ie. not chaos) the fact remains that the hardware isn't around to support the software this time. As a previous post has mentioned, what we really need is a add in PCI/AGP card that will enhance today's systems the way the Amiga back then was more than the sum of it's parts. This isn't that unfeasible: with T & L video cards already available, who knows what a solid piece of hardware coupled with an Open Sourced revitalised Amiga OS will result in. One can only wait and see.
Every Jedi needs a lightsaber. Use the Force. Need a lightsaber. =)
(just my 2 cents. IMHO. )
The Amiga was light years ahead of it's time.
And it was due to the combination of amazing hardware, and an amazing OS for it's time. While opening the source will definitely prove useful, (provided that there is a focal point to submit changes etc to ie. not chaos) the fact remains that the hardware isn't around to support the software this time. As a previous post has mentioned, what we really need is a add in PCI/AGP card that will enhance today's systems the way the Amiga back then was more than the sum of it's parts. This isn't that unfeasible: with T & L video cards already available, who knows what a solid piece of hardware coupled with an Open Sourced revitalised Amiga OS will result in. One can only wait and see.
Every Jedi needs a lightsaber. Use the Force. Need a lightsaber. =)
(just my 2 cents. IMHO. )
The essay , as others might have noticed, delivers constructive criticism of the open source software development model. I was impressed with the objectivity and clarity of the arguments, and the fact that it is criticism: it
isn't FUD. Neither are any of the quotes used out of it's intended context or meaning (correct me if i'm wrong: i'm only human. ) In particular, i'll like to draw attention to a line in the conclusion:
"The success of open source programming is less a function of the technical skill and imagination of the members of the open source community. It correlates more exactly to those all too human characteristics that not easily programmed away or ignored. "
Perhaps the greatest challenge to OSS success, is the challenge of all of us getting along.
Criticism, diversity and variety, choice, are all important. However, the pursuit of these objectives should not be pursued with a illogical fervour that only leads to division within the community.
I've downloaded the demo: all it seems to be is some garish landscape generator u can run thru: the sky/cloud moving thing ain't that cool. I've seen better water in the visualisations for my Mp3 player (Sonique for those interested) . Until i see a demo of this "molecular" technology that is on par or better with the 3d game engines of today, i'll remain a skeptic. Still, it might only be the begining of something great. Must keep an open mind.
I share your viewpoint. I suppose after people see the quality of non-MS software, they cannot help but contemplate that if the MTA is excellent, then the other open source / non-MS /Linux stuff must be pretty good after all.
The irrestible lure of reducing TCO is a big factor too. (Though some may disagree with me, but the fact is that Linux expertise has grown by leaps and bounds recently, and is readily available. )
UBER LOGIC =1;
Going by uber logic, Transmeta's incredible secrecy plus Linus gives me only one uber logical conclusion.
The technology is going to change the world as we know it. (passe, cliche? sigh. only so many ways to say it. )
AFAIK, prolonged stay in zero g enviroments requires daily exercise to keep walking muscles etc etc fit..so that we can walk when we get back to earth. I suppose the hotel staff would have to work in shifts, be paid extra and have loads of life insurance.
And i'm still waiting for the space vehicle that makes trips to and fro to such a hotel viable.
PS: Isn't this gonna cost a heck of alot for even an overnight stay? and would they charge you by hours, days ?
Thank you Bruce, for clearing things up.
It's nice to see a company really serious 'bout Linux.
Computer games push the envelope of pc hardware...thankfully. Unfortunately, the industry is as the author of this article states, somewhat flawed. However, i still see hope in the industry as being viable: the recent rise of Valve from nothing to creators of the most immersive FPS i've played , Half Life, bears testament to the fact that quality still exists in this industry. Id is a fine example of an excellent game company that delivers. But sometimes, a botched game is more of the fault of the "suits" rather than the talented individuals that worked on it.
forgive my mindless ramblings.
building for mingw32 as i write this