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User: falconwolf

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  1. FairPlay on Will Apple Follow Microsoft's Lead to Restrictive DRM? · · Score: 1

    If you buy a song from iTunes (the only provider of FairPlay format music), there is only ONE portable device platform that you can play it on, the iPod. The key here is that you don't have a choice where to play the music, it HAS to be via Apple software and hardware.

    Wrong bigtime! iTunes lets you burn music to CDs which can be played in any CD player. The only restriction iTunes has is that it doesn't allow to burn more than I believe 4 CDs with the same music in the same order and though I'm not sure I heard when burning iTunes strips metadata.

    Falcon
  2. Re:Macs have no TPM! on Will Apple Follow Microsoft's Lead to Restrictive DRM? · · Score: 1

    If Apple's DRM is so draconian, how come it's the most lenient out there?

    Is that why I can only use my iTunes music with my iPod?

    You can't burn cds? Or rip to mps?

    Falcon
  3. Re:Linux for Grandma on Will Apple Follow Microsoft's Lead to Restrictive DRM? · · Score: 1

    What does a photographer gain for the $800 premium of the MacBook Pro over the trusty MacBook?

    Screen real estate. To me that's important, I'm using a 17" monitor now but I'd rather have at least 21" preferable 23". Laptops don't come that big, well I did see a 21" laptop but it ran Windows, so I'll get the 17" MBP. As for other things I'm not sure about, like Firwire 800 or a larger hdd. Faster cpus can be ordered with the MBP as well. Well for the 15" but the 17" ones with the fastest cpu for laptops Apple offers.

    Unless you are doing all your photography at night...

    Yes, I have done and plan on doing more night photography. I'd like to get a telescope and a camers mount so I can capture the stars.

    Falcon
  4. Linux issues on Will Apple Follow Microsoft's Lead to Restrictive DRM? · · Score: 1

    Any issues you have can be solved on linuxquestions.org. I guaruntee that you will have all of your hardware working within a month. Most of it (if not, all of it) within a week.

    A couple of months ago I bought a new PC with Linux preinstalled and because the hdd it came with was only 40GB I bought a second one to install. I spent two weeks using Linuxquestions as well as Google to find out how to get Linux to recognize the second hdd before I gave up and had a geeksquad geek get it working. And as of yet I haven't been able to find out which one and how to get a double layer dvd drive to work, the PC didn't have one.

    Falcon
  5. restrictions on Will Apple Follow Microsoft's Lead to Restrictive DRM? · · Score: 1

    So, in conclusion I'll say that Apple is much more savvy than the current incarnation of Microsoft. Ironic really, as it was in producing an OS for open, generic computers that made Microsoft great and now they are looking to have input into the specs of every component and everything that attaches to a computer that uses Windows. It's absurd, and it may well be the thing that knocks MS down a peg or two, if a company out there is smart enough to exploit this weakness.

    It's MS's restrictions that have made me decide my next laptop will be Macbook Pro. If I can at all afford it I will stay away from another MS OS, XP, Vista, and what follows it, as long as MS includes Activation and or WGA.

    Falcon
  6. Linux on Laptops on Will Apple Follow Microsoft's Lead to Restrictive DRM? · · Score: 1

    More importantly, if you're willing to buy new hardware in order to run OS X why wouldn't you be equally willing to buy new hardware in order to run Linux? It's possible to specifically pick a laptop that is fully compatible with Linux, you know!

    Where are the brick and mortor stores where I look at and try a laptop with Linux preinstalled? I prefer to try before I buy. And how would I be able run Photoshop CS?

    Falcon
  7. Linux for Grandma on Will Apple Follow Microsoft's Lead to Restrictive DRM? · · Score: 1

    I still wouldn't recommend Linux to my white-haired aunt, but for anybody who is enough of a geek to be reading DRM arguments on /. it's fine.

    Though I haven't done it myself I've read on /. how others, when asked for help with a friend or relative's PC, went ahead and install a distro like Ubuntu, Kubuntu, or other distros like them and the person never looked back. Myself, about two months ago I bought a new PC with Linpire Linux preinstalled, and it looks pretty much like Windows. On the desktop you've got My Computer and My Documents however in the Launch menu you have the different programs in "Run Programs" grouped according to tasks such as "Audio and MP3", "Business and Finance", "Games", "Internet", and "Multimedia and Design". It's relatively straight forward.

    The MacBook Pro is not as good of a value. It's a sensational laptop, but if you have that kind of money to throw around it might be simpler to just have desktop systems installed and waiting at every location you will ever go to.

    Yea right. Not. It'd be so much easier for photographers to carry a Macbook Pro when they go out to do a shoot. I don't have a dslr yet myself but I could easily fillup a bunch or memory cards quickly, with my film slr I've shot 4 rules of 36 exposure film within a few hours, and I'm sure with a dslr I'd shoot a lot more as I wouldn't have the expense of developing film. And most of my shooting is in the outdoors. I plan on getting a MBP that's 17" within a month and the one thing I'm not happy about is that the hdds with larger space are slower.

    Falcon

    Ooh, and no I'm not a Mac fanboi. I'm typing this on a PC running Windows and I'm using a KVM switch to switch between this PC and a PC running linux I recently got. Actually MS is responsble for my getting a Mac for my next laptop, I want to have nothing to do with XP's or Vista's Activation or with WGA. And I just want it to work.

    Falcon
  8. distroying the rfid in passports on Disabling the RFID in the New U.S. Passports · · Score: 1

    Actually destroying the chip is just plain stupid though, unless you're a fan of full cavity searches.

    If you love liberty it's the smartest thing to do, this being another step in a police state.

    Anybody willing to give up a little liberty for temperary safety will neither get nor deserve either.

    When government efficiency becomes more important than liberty, you have the beginning of Fascism.

    Falcon
  9. Re:dual boot Linux and Windows on Ideal Linux System for Newbies? · · Score: 1

    Sure, I'd be comfortable dual booting if I had to (or on a laptop) but when someone has a term paper on their Winstall they can't get to, all the explanations of Linux goodness fall on deaf ears...

    I'm tempted to say anyone who does any experimentation when they have to do a mission critical task deserves to fail unless the experiment is the task. In situations like this either they should make sure they have enough tyme to reinstall Windows and Office or whatever they're using to do the term paper if they only have one computer to use or they need to wait until the paper is finished and ready to hand in if not have already handed it in.

    Falcon
  10. I'm all for automating border processing, on Disabling the RFID in the New U.S. Passports · · Score: 1

    and well designed machines cock up a lot less frequently than humans. My only worry is it seems to be US and UK politicians driving this digital ID revolution,

    Yea and look how it is in the UK, there's all those cameras that can track where you go. Forget that!!! I want to be able to go when and where I want without being tracked. Unfortunately the US is getting more like the nanny state the UK is getting to be.

    "They who give up a little liberty for safety will neither get nor deserve either."

    When the efficiency of government becomes more important than liberty is when fascism gets it's start.

    Falcon
  11. Re:kvm, Linux, and Windows on Ideal Linux System for Newbies? · · Score: 1

    >Maybe your KVM switch is an old one or there's something wrong with it (more likely maybe?).

    I've seen PS2 KVM's really confuse the XFree mouse driver. When I used one, GPM with a "reconnect" setting helped, but complicated the XFree config.

    I don't have enough data from a significant number of kvm switch users to know or say which experience, your's or mine, is more typical, other than I have had a bunch of people say they use one and you are the first one where I've heard of any problems. Maybe you won't have a problem with the KVM I'm using, it's an IOGear 2 port PS2 KVM switch from RadShack. And because the cables are builtin you don't need cables for each computer. The one thing I didn't like was that it's only 2 port not a four port switch, I have three PCs. Two of them are old, one is 6 or 7 years old and the other is 9. Because they are old I've been thinking about either making them donaterware and give them to some organization that can use them or let someone at Freecycle take them.

    Falcon
  12. dualbooting on Ideal Linux System for Newbies? · · Score: 1

    Why dual boot? It seems so inconvenient to me. Perhaps virtualization would be better?

    Why dualboot? One reason is that unless you screwup Windows when installing Linux you still have access to the internet in case installing Linux goes wrong. Dualbooting also gives you an opportunity to tryout Linux without getting rid of the OS you're currently using. Virtualization is only good after you've got Linux installed and working.

    Falcon
  13. new pcs on Ideal Linux System for Newbies? · · Score: 1

    Yesterday was Xmas. A whole lot of n00bs just got computers. How many have Linux? I would guess none. Someone used to Windows would be lost with any version of Linux, except maybe Linspire with Click and Run, as soon as they tried to install new software. They would then be berated as idiots if they went online looking for help.

    One problem in getting more people to use Linux is that most PCs don't come with Linux preinstalled. If a person looks they can find some, about 3 months ago I bought one. For a newbie one with Lispire preinstalled is a good choice, that's what was installed on the PC I got. And with CNR, Click-N-Run, it's easy to install software from the CNR Warehouse, that is as long as you have broadband access to the internet.

    Falcon
  14. dual boot Linux and Windows on Ideal Linux System for Newbies? · · Score: 2

    I'd try to avoid the dual-boot solution for the reason that your best Linux reference is the internet, which no workee if your new Linux install barfs!
    Being able to refer to the web while you are installing is also nice.

    Unless you have two or more PCs the reasons above are exactly why you want to dualboot. If you're installing and using Linux Linux for the first and you don't have a second PC then by dualbooting you still have access to the internet, unless you trash the OS already installed, so you can try to find solutions to problems that you run into while installing Linux. Until you can competently install Linux you should duaboot.

    Falcon
  15. kvm, Linux, and Windows on Ideal Linux System for Newbies? · · Score: 1

    On the other hand, Windows works with my KVM switch, while Ubuntu seems to go into epileptic seizure mode upon being switched back to.

    Maybe your KVM switch is an old one or there's something wrong with it (more likely maybe?). I'm typing this on a PC running Windows while I have another PC running Linspire Linux running as well and all I have to do to switch between them is "flip the switch". I haven't had a problem with either one. I got the switch about two months ago after I got the PC running Linux and my old switch didn't work. The old one I had had for about 8 years and didn't have a problem with the OSes I ran.

    Falcon
  16. perfection and Procrastination on Beating Procrastination with Self-Imposed Deadlines · · Score: 1

    Turns out perfectionism can play a huge part (always a struggle for me)

    Yea, perfectionism hinders me too, which is why I was disappointed the article didn't bring up perfectionism. However I found out while in therapy after an accidnet that there is a region of the brain that deals with procrastination as well, and if damaged or malfunctioning can lead a person to procrastinate.

    Falcon
  17. reasons for procrastination on Beating Procrastination with Self-Imposed Deadlines · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I've had a lot of issues with procrastination and anxiety, and recently I realized that procrastination is actually due to anxiety-you feel anxious about a task, so you choose to ignore it for the time being. Thus, doing things that help with anxiety often help with procrastination. I think exercise is the best answer for this, but I imagine things like meditation, yoga, etc. help as well.

    Another reason people procrastinate is perfectionism. Some put off doing or finishing something because they want it to be perfect but knowing whatever it is won't be perfect they delay doing it. I was kind of disappointed the article didn't mention this at all. If you know why you procrastinate you may be able to work on it easier than if you don't know why.

    Falcon
  18. "Play it again, Sam" on SCO Asks Court To Reconsider IBM's Dismissal · · Score: 1

    But he does tell Sam to "Play it".

    "If she can stand it, I can! Play it!"

    I don't recall that. But thanks, I've got the movie on tape so you've given me a reason to watch it today.

    Falcon
  19. Re:The Casablanca Dilemma on SCO Asks Court To Reconsider IBM's Dismissal · · Score: 1

    The only way to double your money overnight is to win big a Rick's roullette tables, which would be very unlikely at an honest table -- which Rick's decidedly are not. Sometimes Rick has been known to take pity on a hard luck case, but there's no special reason for him to help you out of all the other desperate folks. You beg Rick for help, but it's no use. He's already helped one hard luck case tonight, and for some reason he is too distracted to pay attention to anything you have to say.

    Excellent movie. However Rick never tells Sam to "play it again." Actually he tells Sam not to play it ever again.

    Falcon
  20. Re:SCO could use the insanity defense on SCO Asks Court To Reconsider IBM's Dismissal · · Score: 1

    I'm not sure what the corporate equivalent of locking you up in a loonie bin would be.

    There probably isn't one, given that there isn't an equivalent of "the slammer"..

    But there is one remedy however faulted. It is possible to have a corporate charter revoked. What many don't understand, or know today, is that corporations are were originally granted charters by government for the good of society, and if a corporation didn't help the public good they could have their charter rescended. In SCO's case what this woud mean is that all of SCO's assets would be auctioned off then the procedes would be used to settle outstanding debts, much like in bankrupcy.

    Falcon
  21. either one or the other on Neuroscience, Psychology Eroding Idea of Free Will · · Score: 1

    Yeah, like someone can both be pregnant and not pregnant. Errr... wait...

    This happened to a friend. She had had a pregnacy test and it came back negative so then her doc ordered an xray. Afterwards they found out she was pregnant afterall. Since xray do terrible harm to fetuses she decided to have an abortion.

    Falcon
  22. destiny and freewill on Neuroscience, Psychology Eroding Idea of Free Will · · Score: 1

    So you believe in free will then? It seems to me one or the other has to be true, because they are at odds and I believe they cover the whole gamut

    First let me say I don't believe in destiny, or fate. However destiny and freewill aren't at odds. While a person may not have control of what happens some people do have some control of what their reactions are. And I do mean "some" people as well as reactions. Myself, I used to be able to control my own reactions pretty well but now I don't. For instance I used to be able to do a lot of planning and follow through. However now because I am a TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury, survivor I have a problem with impulse control. No matter how much I plan I can't always control impulses I may have. I take what steps I can so I can handle my impulses, luckily I rarely have any I can't deal with, but I know if I will ever be able to gain control of all impulses.

    Falcon

    Ooh, this was one of the impulses I just had to see through.
  23. Gallileo, Descartes, and Cogito ergo sum on Neuroscience, Psychology Eroding Idea of Free Will · · Score: 1

    Gallileo had just had his ass handed to him by the church. He pretty much HAD to add that part, no matter how weak it may seem out of context.

    You got this mixed up. It was René Descartes that came up with "Cogito, ergo sum". Galileo Galilei got into trouble witht the Vatican because he supported Nicolaus Copernicus's theories of the solar system. This went directly against the religious beliefs that the world, earth, was flat and the center of the universe.

    Falcon
  24. detering crime on Neuroscience, Psychology Eroding Idea of Free Will · · Score: 1

    You don't need free will to justify punishment. Assuming that we don't have free will, putting criminals in prison still server an obvious deterrent effect. A deterministic mind will use the knowledge of potential jail time when deciding to do something or not.

    Ah but prison and punishment doesn't deter "all" crime, if it did then we wouldn't have any crime. You could also say that even if a person knows s/he is going to be punished they may still do it, if they think the costs of doing so is less than the rewards of doing it they may very well decide to do it. Then there are others who don't even take into consideration the consequences of their actions. Now I'm not saying potential punishment doesn't prevent some crimes, I believe it very well does, but it doesn't prevent all crime. And some punishments may have the effect of making some crimes worse.

    Falcon
  25. laws of physics on Neuroscience, Psychology Eroding Idea of Free Will · · Score: 1

    What you're saying doesn't make sense. You're saying causality and the physical laws of the universe are sometimes suspended. It's like saying you can step out of a ten story building and sometimes not fall, just like in cartoons. Either you have gravity, or you don't. Either you have causality, or you don't. And either you have determinism, or you don't.

    Like others you're presenting a fault dichotomy, "it's one or the other". But in physics it's doesn't work that way, not all the tyme. Take light as an example, either it's a particle or it's a waveform by your standards. Yet light is both a particle and a waveform. Depending on what you do with it or how you measure it light can be either one of the two.

    Falcon