Witness the availability, now, of MacBooks with glossy screens instead of matte.
Do you work much in graphics? The new glossy screens for Macnbooks are great for graphics work. The problem with them though is glare, you don't want the sun to shine on the screen from behind you when viewing one. I'd rather have to put up with this when working on editing photos, it's relatively easy to avoid glare.
Less than 6 months after I finally "make the switch" to a Mac I have encountered a destroyed hard drive on a nearly new Mac Book Pro as well as a destroyed ipod. looks like I waited a little too long to switch since apple now only cares about disposable hardware
Funny, the first computer I bought was a used Mac SE30 I got in 1992 and I didn't have a hardware problem with it until the floppy drive died in 2000. Well it wasn't expandable but that's not some much a hardware problem really but a design problem. On the other hand I've bought two brand new PCs, a Gateway in 1997 and an HP PC in 2000. Both the motherboard and the hdd died in the first year on both. Between this and MS's policy of treating buyers of Windows as criminals my next computer will be a Macbook Pro.
To be honest, I never understood why Microsoft went with the whole 'hog the screen' mentality with their application model
This brings up one thing that bugs me about Macs, when I want a windows maximized I want it to take up all of the screen not what the OS wants. The only was I know of the get Macs to use the whole screen is to place the top left corner of the window in the top left corner of the monitor then drag the buttom right corner of the window to the buttom right corner of the monitor. I find this inefficient, especially as compared to Windows. In Windows to maximize, use all of the monitor's real estate, a window all I have to do is click on the maximize button.
In what way is a 17" laptop not portable? To me they are vary portable. Hopefully I'll be getting a 17" Macbook Pro in the next couple of weeks but if Apple made a bigger one, several months ago I saw a 21" laptop, I'd like to get it instead. Is the size too big? I can fit 3 17" laptops, at least 3, in my backpack. Is it the weight? I regularly carry +20 lbs and I have carried +50lbs in my backpack. In whatever other way can a 17"laptop be too big? The only place I can see is if where the laptop will be used does not have the space, but that's not a problem with the laptop not being portable it's a problem with the space being too small.
I think having two monitors is totally unnecessary, simply because they make very big single monitors now. Many of my co-workers have gotten the Apple 30" monitor, which has more screen real-estate than two 1600x1200 screens put together, and no big black line down the middle. It's almost too big, you have to turn your head to cover the whole thing.
I suppose it depends on what you do. A lot of photographers/graphics pros efficiently use dual monitors. We will have the graphic or photo we are editing open in a large monitor then have all of the tools and pallets open in a smaller monitor. Screen real estate is priceless. Other occupations can benefit with dual monitor setups as well.
I think the way it works here is that if you are paid wages (meaning hourly) and go over 40 hours, then you get 150% for the overtime. If you are salaried though, it's "you get paid $x per week" with no exceptions. If you have a project that involves you spending 44 hours at work that week, your salary doesn't change, because your contract says "$x per week." If you're a slow worker, well, learn to work faster. There is no overtime pay on salaries.
Salaried employees can get overtime pay. However what's considered overtime for salaried employees is 55 hours, if I recall right.
Probably. Most companies I've worked with don't like people bringing in their own stuff, at least not electronic or computer equipment. My first job was in an art department, since I was new, and only 18, they put me on the oldest computer - a Macintosh Quadra 700 (which used a 25MHz 68040). The computer was ridiculously slow, and I was using something more than 10 times faster at home. I asked my boss if I could bring in my old computer since it was still several times faster than the Quadra, but he wouldn't let me. It didn't matter that I would be more productive.
Employers don't like employees bringing in their own equipment for at least two good reasons. One is taxes and audits. If an auditor were to come into a workspace where people used their own PCs for instance they would have a hassle figuring how to fit the equipment into audits. A second reason is because the employer would have to support the equipment.
You must be working in a "good" part of the country, though. Here in the Delaware Valley, right after the Bubble burst, the only job I was able to get was at 22/hr:(. I'm still not making too much more than that, all things considered.
Though you may only of gotten $22/hour you should keep in mind the GP said: "DCP $30/hour (remember taxes!)". The employer has to not only pay the payroll taxes but also has to pay the expenses related to all the withholdings. Then there's any benefits the employer offers such as health insurance, if offered. Employees can get insurance cheaper through their employer because the employer picks up some of the cost of the insurance, though in the end it becomes a tax writeoff. So it might end up the expenses your employer has to pay may be more than $25 despite only paying you $22. And in states that have state income taxes expenses can be even highter.
Yes, that is exactly right, all things being equal and fair. That is hardly the case, often large companies maintain their market share not through capitalism but through good old fashion organized crime (Enron), or through good old fashion communism (state enforced monopolies, such as telcoms). What US is becoming is a Corporatocracy, which is just soviet style communism with a better marketing department.
Instead of Corporatocracy I think "Corporate Aristocracy", which Thomas Jefferson warned of, works better. He saw corporations as one of three threats to natural rights, the other two being government and organized religion.
I don't know about Comcast but in my area Roadrunner's upload is capped at 384k for residential customers.
My access used to be provided by Roadrunner, indirectly as my provider is Earthlink but they go through Roadrunner, but now it's Comcast. I had no idea what was up, I just suddenly got snailmail from Comcast announcing they were now running the show. As for whether my access is capped or not I'd imagine it is but I've never tested it.
Look, people had LPs, and willingly went to 8 track. People had 8 track and willingly went to cassette.
Some, like me, went from LPs to reel-to-reel, RTR. Actually I didn't so much go from to the other, instead what I did was the first tyme I put an LP on my turntable I'd record it on my RTR then I'd put the vinyl away for safekeeping and listen to my tapes. I skipped 8 track and just went to cassette after I lost my tape RTR deck. Lately, the past several months, I've noted stores carrying more and more turntables. Some have built in usb ports. So I've been thinking I may get a turntable myself, if I can find a good source for new vinyl LPs. If I do then I'll also be looking for a new RTR tape deck. As for cds, I finally got a cd player for when I run and rollerblade, it worked better than the tape player I got for the same thing. My stereo also has a cd player as well as two cassette tape decks and an auxilary input. But I haven't gotten an mpg3 player, iPod or otherwise, yet and I don't think I will get one. As least not until my cd player dies and prices come down.
Finally if Grandma can't figure out how to email pictures, she's too damn old anyway and needs to be sent to the Soylent Green factory for processing.;)
Green chips anyone? As my mom hates computers and the only tyme she uses them is in the lab where she works, she's a lab tech in a hospital, I seriously doubt she can use email on any platform. And not only is she a grandmother but she's also a great grandmother.
There was a dramatic improvement in switching from NT 4.0 to W2K.
With the exception of 2003 and now Vista I have used MS Windows since 3.X and the only version I have not had trouble with was NT 4.0 Heck even XP froze on me the first tyme I booted it up. It took a few weeks of use before W2K crashed but NT 4 never did on me.
NT 4.0 is still a pretty good platform for plain-vanilla Win32 without all the song-n-dance bullshit
My copy is installed on a 64 bit DEC Alpha. Thinking about though I don't know if my NT 4.0 is 32 or 64 bits.
Would a normal user know or even care what an IP address is, much less how or why to change it?
I needed it, ipconfig, when I got my router and was setting it up. While not every has or needs one more and more people are setting up networks at home. Even those who don't have one it's a good idea to have a router with NAT if they have an always on broadband connection, again which more and more have.
One of the reasons Microsoft is stagnating is that it can. Microsoft, through years and years of delays with Vista, has determined that it really doesn't have to do *anything* to own the market. Should Apple or a Linux begin to see significant sales in the Average Joe space, MS Vista+1 will see serious improvement.
Which is why I'm glad to see Apple gain some market share but would love for both Linux and Macs to gain a lot more market share, say maybe 20%. With the increase in competition MS will actually have to make improvements in it's products, and get rid of annoyances like Activation and WGA/WPA.
Well, I won't pay Microsoft any money until they stop treating their customers like criminals
I am a Windows user however for this reason, Microsoft treating it's customers like criminals, I am switching. For my desktop I got a PC with Linux preinstalled and for a laptop I plan on getting a Macbook Pro. Not unless and until MS gets rid of Activation and WGA/WPA will I willingly buy either a PC with Windows installed or Windows on disk in a box. I see no reason I should even need Windows again, other than what I am already using, but if there's any software I need but for which there are not versions for Linux and/or Macs, I looked and found none that does not run on either, then I will use Crossover/WINE to run them in.
At least part of the idea of bio-fuels is that they are replacements for existing petro-fuels. Thus you don't need to scrap existing vehicles and infrastructure.
Gasoline engines won't run on straight alcohol without being refitted to burn alcohol. In part that's why you don't see gas/alcohol blends with higher alcohol content greater than 80/20. As for biodiesel, because it eats through the gaskets faster than petrodiesel, either special gaskets need to be used or the gaskets will be replaced more frequently. Whichever bio fuel is used there are adjustments needed for optimal running. Now as for the infrastructure, that's a big sticking point for a hydrogen economy. But you can't say it can't be overcome, afterall the infrastructure as it is now was built up too.
As I see it, bio fuels are a stopgap measure in the transmission from a petrochemical economy to a solar/hydrogen economy. They make the transmission easier.
Nonissue? People dying from an allergic reaction is a nonissue?
That's a general food issue, not an issue specific to GMO.
When a gene from the brazil nut is inserted into soy it is an issue specifically of GMOs. I don't see how you can say otherwise. Afterall it's inserting the gene that creates an allergic reaction in people who would otherwise not have that reaction to the food the gene was inserted into.
If you love cities, living an hour or two from one won't cut it. Trust me I'm in that situation now. When I want to do something in a city I want to do it now - not after I drive for an hour and pay for parking. I really want to be able to walk to a coffee shop, a bar, and a grocery store - that is part of the main draw of urban living for me. As you move further from the city public transportation dries up rapidly. Sure, its nice to think that you'd drive to the city every couple of weeks, but after a couple of months I don't want to go to the same museum, and the drive into the city becomes a drag.
I also like camping, hiking, hunting, and other things you wouldn't do in the city. I live in a city now but I've also lived in more rural locations. Where I grew up I could step out the back door of the house and target shoot using either my bb gun or my.22 long rifle without any hazzle. Of course I couldn't do that now, the woods that were behind the house were cleared and more homes built. I've had it both ways and like I said I'd prefer to live in a rural area and commute to the city every weekend or two. Of course when commuting what I'd like to be able to do is to drive onto a train's car to ride the train into the city. Of course I don't really know of any place in the US where that's done but I saw it when I was in Germany. As for going to a cafe, which I love doing; or to a bar, which I don't; just because a place is rural doesn't mean there's no bars or cafes. And regarding grocery shopping, I love to garden myself as well as go to farmers markets. What I don't grow myself I'd rather buy from someone I know than buy from a big box grocery chain. This is in part why even though I live in a city I'm a member of two coops that support local farmers.
That's a crock. Talk to someone who was alive in Germany during WWII. You belittle how bad things really were then.
I did meet someone who was alive in Germany during WWII. Or at least she was in one of the camps. The numbers branded in her arm were still quite legible. Though she survived not all of her family did.
Algae is better for biofuel but even better would be to use the algae to produce hydrogen.
Hydrogen is not easy to store and transport in normal enviromental conditions. Methanol (and methyl esters), ethanol (and ethyl esters), esters of propan-1,2,3-ol, even methane are considerably easier to handle. Including being capable of being fed into existing fuel distribution systems.
True however using algae hydrogen can pretty much be produced anywhere it's needed. Then again so could alcohols, but hydrogen has a higher energy density. Of course an ROI, Return On Investment, analysis should say which would be better to produce.
Slashdot Mirror
Witness the availability, now, of MacBooks with glossy screens instead of matte.
Do you work much in graphics? The new glossy screens for Macnbooks are great for graphics work. The problem with them though is glare, you don't want the sun to shine on the screen from behind you when viewing one. I'd rather have to put up with this when working on editing photos, it's relatively easy to avoid glare.
FalconLess than 6 months after I finally "make the switch" to a Mac I have encountered a destroyed hard drive on a nearly new Mac Book Pro as well as a destroyed ipod. looks like I waited a little too long to switch since apple now only cares about disposable hardware
Funny, the first computer I bought was a used Mac SE30 I got in 1992 and I didn't have a hardware problem with it until the floppy drive died in 2000. Well it wasn't expandable but that's not some much a hardware problem really but a design problem. On the other hand I've bought two brand new PCs, a Gateway in 1997 and an HP PC in 2000. Both the motherboard and the hdd died in the first year on both. Between this and MS's policy of treating buyers of Windows as criminals my next computer will be a Macbook Pro.
FalconTo be honest, I never understood why Microsoft went with the whole 'hog the screen' mentality with their application model
This brings up one thing that bugs me about Macs, when I want a windows maximized I want it to take up all of the screen not what the OS wants. The only was I know of the get Macs to use the whole screen is to place the top left corner of the window in the top left corner of the monitor then drag the buttom right corner of the window to the buttom right corner of the monitor. I find this inefficient, especially as compared to Windows. In Windows to maximize, use all of the monitor's real estate, a window all I have to do is click on the maximize button.
FalconIn what way is a 17" laptop not portable? To me they are vary portable. Hopefully I'll be getting a 17" Macbook Pro in the next couple of weeks but if Apple made a bigger one, several months ago I saw a 21" laptop, I'd like to get it instead. Is the size too big? I can fit 3 17" laptops, at least 3, in my backpack. Is it the weight? I regularly carry +20 lbs and I have carried +50lbs in my backpack. In whatever other way can a 17"laptop be too big? The only place I can see is if where the laptop will be used does not have the space, but that's not a problem with the laptop not being portable it's a problem with the space being too small.
FalconI think having two monitors is totally unnecessary, simply because they make very big single monitors now. Many of my co-workers have gotten the Apple 30" monitor, which has more screen real-estate than two 1600x1200 screens put together, and no big black line down the middle. It's almost too big, you have to turn your head to cover the whole thing.
I suppose it depends on what you do. A lot of photographers/graphics pros efficiently use dual monitors. We will have the graphic or photo we are editing open in a large monitor then have all of the tools and pallets open in a smaller monitor. Screen real estate is priceless. Other occupations can benefit with dual monitor setups as well.
FalconI think the way it works here is that if you are paid wages (meaning hourly) and go over 40 hours, then you get 150% for the overtime. If you are salaried though, it's "you get paid $x per week" with no exceptions. If you have a project that involves you spending 44 hours at work that week, your salary doesn't change, because your contract says "$x per week." If you're a slow worker, well, learn to work faster. There is no overtime pay on salaries.
Salaried employees can get overtime pay. However what's considered overtime for salaried employees is 55 hours, if I recall right.
FalconProbably. Most companies I've worked with don't like people bringing in their own stuff, at least not electronic or computer equipment. My first job was in an art department, since I was new, and only 18, they put me on the oldest computer - a Macintosh Quadra 700 (which used a 25MHz 68040). The computer was ridiculously slow, and I was using something more than 10 times faster at home. I asked my boss if I could bring in my old computer since it was still several times faster than the Quadra, but he wouldn't let me. It didn't matter that I would be more productive.
Employers don't like employees bringing in their own equipment for at least two good reasons. One is taxes and audits. If an auditor were to come into a workspace where people used their own PCs for instance they would have a hassle figuring how to fit the equipment into audits. A second reason is because the employer would have to support the equipment.
FalconYou must be working in a "good" part of the country, though. Here in the Delaware Valley, right after the Bubble burst, the only job I was able to get was at 22/hr :(. I'm still not making too much more than that, all things considered.
Though you may only of gotten $22/hour you should keep in mind the GP said: "DCP $30/hour (remember taxes!)". The employer has to not only pay the payroll taxes but also has to pay the expenses related to all the withholdings. Then there's any benefits the employer offers such as health insurance, if offered. Employees can get insurance cheaper through their employer because the employer picks up some of the cost of the insurance, though in the end it becomes a tax writeoff. So it might end up the expenses your employer has to pay may be more than $25 despite only paying you $22. And in states that have state income taxes expenses can be even highter.
FalconYes, that is exactly right, all things being equal and fair. That is hardly the case, often large companies maintain their market share not through capitalism but through good old fashion organized crime (Enron), or through good old fashion communism (state enforced monopolies, such as telcoms). What US is becoming is a Corporatocracy, which is just soviet style communism with a better marketing department.
Instead of Corporatocracy I think "Corporate Aristocracy", which Thomas Jefferson warned of, works better. He saw corporations as one of three threats to natural rights, the other two being government and organized religion.
FalconI'm with you, and I'll add that when WGA came out
At one tyme I was thinking of getting XP but when I found out about Activation and that XP required it I said fuck getting that bloatware.
FalconI don't know about Comcast but in my area Roadrunner's upload is capped at 384k for residential customers.
My access used to be provided by Roadrunner, indirectly as my provider is Earthlink but they go through Roadrunner, but now it's Comcast. I had no idea what was up, I just suddenly got snailmail from Comcast announcing they were now running the show. As for whether my access is capped or not I'd imagine it is but I've never tested it.
FalconLook, people had LPs, and willingly went to 8 track. People had 8 track and willingly went to cassette.
Some, like me, went from LPs to reel-to-reel, RTR. Actually I didn't so much go from to the other, instead what I did was the first tyme I put an LP on my turntable I'd record it on my RTR then I'd put the vinyl away for safekeeping and listen to my tapes. I skipped 8 track and just went to cassette after I lost my tape RTR deck. Lately, the past several months, I've noted stores carrying more and more turntables. Some have built in usb ports. So I've been thinking I may get a turntable myself, if I can find a good source for new vinyl LPs. If I do then I'll also be looking for a new RTR tape deck. As for cds, I finally got a cd player for when I run and rollerblade, it worked better than the tape player I got for the same thing. My stereo also has a cd player as well as two cassette tape decks and an auxilary input. But I haven't gotten an mpg3 player, iPod or otherwise, yet and I don't think I will get one. As least not until my cd player dies and prices come down.
FalconThere are two very good reasons I'm switching, from Windows to Linux on my desk and a Macbook Pro for my laptop. They are Activation and WGA!!!
FalconFinally if Grandma can't figure out how to email pictures, she's too damn old anyway and needs to be sent to the Soylent Green factory for processing. ;)
Green chips anyone? As my mom hates computers and the only tyme she uses them is in the lab where she works, she's a lab tech in a hospital, I seriously doubt she can use email on any platform. And not only is she a grandmother but she's also a great grandmother.
FalconThere was a dramatic improvement in switching from NT 4.0 to W2K.
With the exception of 2003 and now Vista I have used MS Windows since 3.X and the only version I have not had trouble with was NT 4.0 Heck even XP froze on me the first tyme I booted it up. It took a few weeks of use before W2K crashed but NT 4 never did on me.
NT 4.0 is still a pretty good platform for plain-vanilla Win32 without all the song-n-dance bullshit
My copy is installed on a 64 bit DEC Alpha. Thinking about though I don't know if my NT 4.0 is 32 or 64 bits.
FalconWould a normal user know or even care what an IP address is, much less how or why to change it?
I needed it, ipconfig, when I got my router and was setting it up. While not every has or needs one more and more people are setting up networks at home. Even those who don't have one it's a good idea to have a router with NAT if they have an always on broadband connection, again which more and more have.
FalconOne of the reasons Microsoft is stagnating is that it can. Microsoft, through years and years of delays with Vista, has determined that it really doesn't have to do *anything* to own the market. Should Apple or a Linux begin to see significant sales in the Average Joe space, MS Vista+1 will see serious improvement.
Which is why I'm glad to see Apple gain some market share but would love for both Linux and Macs to gain a lot more market share, say maybe 20%. With the increase in competition MS will actually have to make improvements in it's products, and get rid of annoyances like Activation and WGA/WPA.
Falconthey don't want Vista. Correct? Can you show us some data to back this up?
"Unfortunately for Microsoft, only 12% of Vista-aware respondents were intending to upgrade to Vista in the next 12 months."
FalconWell, I won't pay Microsoft any money until they stop treating their customers like criminals
I am a Windows user however for this reason, Microsoft treating it's customers like criminals, I am switching. For my desktop I got a PC with Linux preinstalled and for a laptop I plan on getting a Macbook Pro. Not unless and until MS gets rid of Activation and WGA/WPA will I willingly buy either a PC with Windows installed or Windows on disk in a box. I see no reason I should even need Windows again, other than what I am already using, but if there's any software I need but for which there are not versions for Linux and/or Macs, I looked and found none that does not run on either, then I will use Crossover/WINE to run them in.
FalconYeap, avoid the issue.
FalconAt least part of the idea of bio-fuels is that they are replacements for existing petro-fuels. Thus you don't need to scrap existing vehicles and infrastructure.
Gasoline engines won't run on straight alcohol without being refitted to burn alcohol. In part that's why you don't see gas/alcohol blends with higher alcohol content greater than 80/20. As for biodiesel, because it eats through the gaskets faster than petrodiesel, either special gaskets need to be used or the gaskets will be replaced more frequently. Whichever bio fuel is used there are adjustments needed for optimal running. Now as for the infrastructure, that's a big sticking point for a hydrogen economy. But you can't say it can't be overcome, afterall the infrastructure as it is now was built up too.
As I see it, bio fuels are a stopgap measure in the transmission from a petrochemical economy to a solar/hydrogen economy. They make the transmission easier.
FalconNonissue? People dying from an allergic reaction is a nonissue?
That's a general food issue, not an issue specific to GMO.
When a gene from the brazil nut is inserted into soy it is an issue specifically of GMOs. I don't see how you can say otherwise. Afterall it's inserting the gene that creates an allergic reaction in people who would otherwise not have that reaction to the food the gene was inserted into.
FalconIf you love cities, living an hour or two from one won't cut it. Trust me I'm in that situation now. When I want to do something in a city I want to do it now - not after I drive for an hour and pay for parking. I really want to be able to walk to a coffee shop, a bar, and a grocery store - that is part of the main draw of urban living for me. As you move further from the city public transportation dries up rapidly. Sure, its nice to think that you'd drive to the city every couple of weeks, but after a couple of months I don't want to go to the same museum, and the drive into the city becomes a drag.
I also like camping, hiking, hunting, and other things you wouldn't do in the city. I live in a city now but I've also lived in more rural locations. Where I grew up I could step out the back door of the house and target shoot using either my bb gun or my .22 long rifle without any hazzle. Of course I couldn't do that now, the woods that were behind the house were cleared and more homes built. I've had it both ways and like I said I'd prefer to live in a rural area and commute to the city every weekend or two. Of course when commuting what I'd like to be able to do is to drive onto a train's car to ride the train into the city. Of course I don't really know of any place in the US where that's done but I saw it when I was in Germany. As for going to a cafe, which I love doing; or to a bar, which I don't; just because a place is rural doesn't mean there's no bars or cafes. And regarding grocery shopping, I love to garden myself as well as go to farmers markets. What I don't grow myself I'd rather buy from someone I know than buy from a big box grocery chain. This is in part why even though I live in a city I'm a member of two coops that support local farmers.
FalconThat's a crock. Talk to someone who was alive in Germany during WWII. You belittle how bad things really were then.
I did meet someone who was alive in Germany during WWII. Or at least she was in one of the camps. The numbers branded in her arm were still quite legible. Though she survived not all of her family did.
FalconAlgae is better for biofuel but even better would be to use the algae to produce hydrogen.
Hydrogen is not easy to store and transport in normal enviromental conditions. Methanol (and methyl esters), ethanol (and ethyl esters), esters of propan-1,2,3-ol, even methane are considerably easier to handle. Including being capable of being fed into existing fuel distribution systems.
True however using algae hydrogen can pretty much be produced anywhere it's needed. Then again so could alcohols, but hydrogen has a higher energy density. Of course an ROI, Return On Investment, analysis should say which would be better to produce.
Falcon