I know I posted on something similar maybe a week ago. What's ugly is that it was already seeming like our representatives (in general) cared very little for our wishes (consider the recent secret spending bill) and more for their pocketbooks. Obviously we can't expect everyone to be a martyr, but this is getting rediculous. We're a democracy in name only. We vote for appearances. Less and less of what we say we want is really heard.
Who, then, is really running the country? And how did they really get in office?
No, serious, I want to know. Because I'm starting to think that my voice really DOESN'T matter.
Very cool...you guys could make some serious money, you know. I'm thinking there's quite the "nostalgic geek" market for these things. At least, I know I'd pay a pretty penny.
I've missed this game! You used to only be able to play it in small-town pizza shops anymore. I wouldn't mind owning one myself...it would make a great conversation piece for the livingroom.
This would be very nice...it's a start anyway. I wonder what they (the SCO) is going to do? I'm interested to see the what the new rabbit looks like when they pull it out of the hat.
For a lot of users out there, the only thing that will change is that they'll have the logo on the physical box. It's not like they don't already control systems their software is already installed on...
Yaaaaaaay! Just what we need...more options to distract drivers! I just can't WAIT to get hit by someone scrolling through a list of games trying to figure out what to play while they drive!
Maybe I'm REALLY paranoid, but I figured it was intentional long ago, and have since merely accepted it. Since when does "handling" in the shipping and handling for a two pound item justify an extra $10 expense? Online, I've taken to shopping where I can get free shipping. It feels more honest, and I like making the statement that I appreciate it.
I've obviously been misunderstood. It's amazing how much people have to qualify what they say on here.
Of course I wasn't remarking on the developers, I was commenting entirely on the fact that there is not a major corporation back or profitting off of the amazing work these people put in. At least not too visibly. Though we realize that Mozilla has been developing independently for some time, the fact remained that in many people's minds it was still related to Netscape. My free-floating comment was in regards to Mozilla being out on its own, and no longer having that association by which people may previously have been drawn in.
Okay, so that sounds weird. Specifically, I was disappointed when RedHat announced that 9 was the last of the bunch. Not that I didn't understand, but I've relied solidly on them for some time.
There was no way I could afford Enterprise, at least not up front; after all, I run a very small personal server. With this announcement, it's a good feeling to know that I'll have future upgrades to look forward to and not have to pay through the nose to make them happen. Here I was looking for a new open source distro (you know, planning for the future) and the RedHat team came through again.
You'd almost think so. The point behind my saying "IE alternative" was not that people already using open source are using IE as a primary web browser...the truth is likely quite the opposite. The point was that with an incentive, people will continue to develop quality Mozilla applications, which will hopefully continue to be a powerful and free option to compete with IE for Windows users. Of course everyone will benefit. But Mozilla already comes in many open-source distros. I was implying that it won't just fade out and become a "geek" browser. Everyone can use it!
It's about time. Not that small contributions haven't helped, but ever since the support was pulled for Netscape, things have rather been free floating (barring the Firebird project). It's terrific to see that there is a solid future for the development of one of the best IE alternatives out there.
The issue is that our current equipment is not compatable with existing infrastructure, thus it relies completely on our own towers. Upgrading our current, outdated equipment (proprietary "tracker" devices, $3000 each) would cost more than purchasing and outfitting new tablet PCs. This latter option also gives us greater flexibility for future enhancements.
I realize I wasn't clear on this, and I apologize. Outfitting these new devices with bluetooth (the current option the company is considering) and dual-outfitting every truck with cellular AND satellite receptors, we hope to be able to provide accessability for every courier no matter WHERE they are.
"Maybe now we'll start seeing Linux only OEMs and resellers."
Wishful thinking, and I'm wishing it too. The problem is a base. Tablet PCs haven't been doing so hot (at least not in my neighborhood). The only major interest that I've seen on a large scale has been that of FedEx looking to implement them with their current DADS system, in addition to maintaining open communications with cellular towers. I'm a FedEx dispatcher myself, so I'm kept abreast of what technologies we're planning on moving to in the future. Tablet PCs in the field will help keep us even more accurately up-to-date. Currently, our drivers can only transmit when in range of our larger towers (which are only in the cities), meaning that customers wanting updated tracking information on a package routed to a rural area just have to sit and wait until the driver is in range to transmit data confirming that he/she has indeed delivered that package. With properly equipped tablets, we're hoping to eliminate this problem with true real-time status updates.
What's curious is that, though I may have my head in the clouds, I've really not heard of any other major market for these things beyond novelty. The exception being the Apple rumor. Had apple had access to the technology in a financially feasable market (say 1994) I can absolutely see how ClarisWorks 4 could have dominated the word processing market of that day, and we'd have tablet PCs everywhere. As it stands now, I get the impression that people aren't quite sure what to do with these crazy things.
Even though I was the target, I still had to laugh. That was pretty damn funny.
The issue I was talking about was one of interference. As the "tracks", if you will, get smaller they do need a greater rate of flow to get those transistors functioning properly (since the number of electrons moving through the gate at any particular time are far smaller due to the diminished size of that gate). As the transistors get smaller and more crammed together, the currents, now in extremely close proximity, DO begin to experience interference from each other, which really CAN cause errors as you get standing waves (which would of course create a dam-like effect, preventing a transistor from switching at the appropriate time).
True...but in the early days of computing, punch cards were the name of the game. And let's not forget that the still-used command screens were once more accepted than GUIs.
Slashdot Mirror
I know I posted on something similar maybe a week ago. What's ugly is that it was already seeming like our representatives (in general) cared very little for our wishes (consider the recent secret spending bill) and more for their pocketbooks. Obviously we can't expect everyone to be a martyr, but this is getting rediculous. We're a democracy in name only. We vote for appearances. Less and less of what we say we want is really heard.
Who, then, is really running the country? And how did they really get in office?
No, serious, I want to know. Because I'm starting to think that my voice really DOESN'T matter.
Damon,
Now you're giving me ideas....
Very cool...you guys could make some serious money, you know. I'm thinking there's quite the "nostalgic geek" market for these things. At least, I know I'd pay a pretty penny.
Damon,
I've missed this game! You used to only be able to play it in small-town pizza shops anymore. I wouldn't mind owning one myself...it would make a great conversation piece for the livingroom.
Damon,
This would be very nice...it's a start anyway. I wonder what they (the SCO) is going to do? I'm interested to see the what the new rabbit looks like when they pull it out of the hat.
Damon,
For a lot of users out there, the only thing that will change is that they'll have the logo on the physical box. It's not like they don't already control systems their software is already installed on...
Damon,
Yaaaaaaay! Just what we need...more options to distract drivers! I just can't WAIT to get hit by someone scrolling through a list of games trying to figure out what to play while they drive!
Damon,
True, it is a good substitute for now...but I'm with you on the Doom III. A lot of people wanted to be playing that game on Christmas day. :(
Damon,
Half-Life 2 won't happen. Or Halo 2 for that matter.
Damon,
Nobody will ever need more than 640K of ram...
Looks like someone beat me to the punch!
Damon,
Maybe I'm REALLY paranoid, but I figured it was intentional long ago, and have since merely accepted it. Since when does "handling" in the shipping and handling for a two pound item justify an extra $10 expense? Online, I've taken to shopping where I can get free shipping. It feels more honest, and I like making the statement that I appreciate it.
Damon,
I've obviously been misunderstood. It's amazing how much people have to qualify what they say on here.
Of course I wasn't remarking on the developers, I was commenting entirely on the fact that there is not a major corporation back or profitting off of the amazing work these people put in. At least not too visibly. Though we realize that Mozilla has been developing independently for some time, the fact remained that in many people's minds it was still related to Netscape. My free-floating comment was in regards to Mozilla being out on its own, and no longer having that association by which people may previously have been drawn in.
Damon,
Open source is affordable again.
Okay, so that sounds weird. Specifically, I was disappointed when RedHat announced that 9 was the last of the bunch. Not that I didn't understand, but I've relied solidly on them for some time.
There was no way I could afford Enterprise, at least not up front; after all, I run a very small personal server. With this announcement, it's a good feeling to know that I'll have future upgrades to look forward to and not have to pay through the nose to make them happen. Here I was looking for a new open source distro (you know, planning for the future) and the RedHat team came through again.
Bravo!
Damon,
You'd almost think so. The point behind my saying "IE alternative" was not that people already using open source are using IE as a primary web browser...the truth is likely quite the opposite. The point was that with an incentive, people will continue to develop quality Mozilla applications, which will hopefully continue to be a powerful and free option to compete with IE for Windows users. Of course everyone will benefit. But Mozilla already comes in many open-source distros. I was implying that it won't just fade out and become a "geek" browser. Everyone can use it!
Damon,
I couldn't agree more. Thank you for the terrific post!
Damon,
It's about time. Not that small contributions haven't helped, but ever since the support was pulled for Netscape, things have rather been free floating (barring the Firebird project). It's terrific to see that there is a solid future for the development of one of the best IE alternatives out there.
Damon,
Okay, so maybe overseas was the wrong term. I'm two hours from the Canadian-American border. I wouldn't mind being in Hawaii, though.
I would consider this a grey area, but as long as they don't, then I'm all for getting Canadian VoIP phone services.
I'm two hours from the border myself, which is why I was curious.
Perhaps if you were to disguise what you do as...um...non-profit?
Which brings up an interesting question. What if a non-profit organization were to provide services like this to "members", perhaps like a co-op?
Damon,
No idea, really...stating that if the US over-regulates the tech will move overseas is obvious.
What I'm wondering is how far overseas they'll have to move. What are our Canadian neighbors doing?
Damon,
The issue is that our current equipment is not compatable with existing infrastructure, thus it relies completely on our own towers. Upgrading our current, outdated equipment (proprietary "tracker" devices, $3000 each) would cost more than purchasing and outfitting new tablet PCs. This latter option also gives us greater flexibility for future enhancements.
I realize I wasn't clear on this, and I apologize. Outfitting these new devices with bluetooth (the current option the company is considering) and dual-outfitting every truck with cellular AND satellite receptors, we hope to be able to provide accessability for every courier no matter WHERE they are.
Damon,
"Maybe now we'll start seeing Linux only OEMs and resellers."
Wishful thinking, and I'm wishing it too. The problem is a base. Tablet PCs haven't been doing so hot (at least not in my neighborhood). The only major interest that I've seen on a large scale has been that of FedEx looking to implement them with their current DADS system, in addition to maintaining open communications with cellular towers. I'm a FedEx dispatcher myself, so I'm kept abreast of what technologies we're planning on moving to in the future. Tablet PCs in the field will help keep us even more accurately up-to-date. Currently, our drivers can only transmit when in range of our larger towers (which are only in the cities), meaning that customers wanting updated tracking information on a package routed to a rural area just have to sit and wait until the driver is in range to transmit data confirming that he/she has indeed delivered that package. With properly equipped tablets, we're hoping to eliminate this problem with true real-time status updates.
What's curious is that, though I may have my head in the clouds, I've really not heard of any other major market for these things beyond novelty. The exception being the Apple rumor. Had apple had access to the technology in a financially feasable market (say 1994) I can absolutely see how ClarisWorks 4 could have dominated the word processing market of that day, and we'd have tablet PCs everywhere. As it stands now, I get the impression that people aren't quite sure what to do with these crazy things.
Damon,
Even though I was the target, I still had to laugh. That was pretty damn funny.
The issue I was talking about was one of interference. As the "tracks", if you will, get smaller they do need a greater rate of flow to get those transistors functioning properly (since the number of electrons moving through the gate at any particular time are far smaller due to the diminished size of that gate). As the transistors get smaller and more crammed together, the currents, now in extremely close proximity, DO begin to experience interference from each other, which really CAN cause errors as you get standing waves (which would of course create a dam-like effect, preventing a transistor from switching at the appropriate time).
Damon,
A d20, huh? Very cool. I'm certain some older games (like MELE) could be adapted to use this. Masquerade would be fun with it too.
And the fun isn't just in the variable. Imagine watching it roll and roll and roll and roll...
Could take a while to get the thing stopped.
Anyway, for the avid gamer and historian alike, the price is right.
Damon,
True...but in the early days of computing, punch cards were the name of the game. And let's not forget that the still-used command screens were once more accepted than GUIs.
Great point, though.