They targeted getting casual gamers, they got casual gamers. They aren't going to be the people running around buying this and that just because its new. We are going to play 1-2 different games until we beat them or get tired of them. THEN, we will either take a break for a while (days, weeks, maybe months) or buy another game and take our time beating it.
Its a different demographic, so they aren't going to behave the same as your normal console buyers.
I know there are reasons, but they *might* end up having an interesting situation. Lets just say the gov'ts buy these things and give them to students. They like the concept of learning...until they realize they can put it up on eBay for $300 (there was a post earlier about how someone said they'd pay that for one).
The more they get out the door and the more generally available they become the more the prices will drop and a whole bunch of other good economy of scale type of things too (more people writing code, etc).
I am exhausted. The first 5 comments where all +5 interesting or insightful. I didn't get a troll, link spam or random offtopic rant to catch my breath on.
Somebody needs to ban these people. If this trend continues, then/. might get a reputation as a place for on-topic discussion about technology.
The only reason this site is still around is because of people like me. I make wild speculations from reading the headlines/other comments in order to get people to rant the "facts." So then the "facts" are throughly covered in length in the comments...making actually reading the articles unnecessary. In fact, I think the whole "this site is/.'ed" excuse is just that...an excuse to again not RTFA since nobody actually reads the atricles, the sites can't be "/.'ed"
Now honestly (and seriously) I didn't read this article. I heard about it a while back and did some surface scratching...read through the presentation about the underlying concepts and got excited in a geeky non-sexual way. There is still a long ways to go, but I'm glad that it is getting press (good or bad) and possibly gathering momentum. Because it is going to need plenty of momentum/support/luck/developers to be successful enough to be used anything except for a novelty toy.
What makes you think this thing will be running a Debian based system?
For an on-topic thought. I had seen this quite a while back and was excited about the potential, but had the faint scent of vaporware on it. The screen will be very nice, but more pixels = more battery draw...which is why most of the HTC devices are stuck at qvga instead of full vga. I wonder if they have some tricks up their sleeve to mitigate that factor.
An open platform will only get so far (although it is a HUGE bonus). The hardware will have to be able to keep up its end of the bargain as well. Battery life will be a KEY factor in its overall success (as with any phone). More features doesn't make a better phone. A better experience will make a better phone. (Sorry to bring it up, but...) That is what the iPhone is promising...a better phone experience. If they can pull that off, then they can charge what they want, keep it closed, spit in your face while trying to purchase it and they will still not be able to keep them on the shelves.
I agree. Grass-roots movements can and do make differences on a large scale if given enough time and support. So, it doesn't mean that we should all just give up our goals and follow the crowd.
There is only 24 hours in a day (roughly) so there are only so many battles we can fight. Pick the ones that matter most to you and do what you can. But I think the most important aspect is to acknowledge that we will all have different priorities. Just because your way makes most sense to you and the products/services you choose may be better than the "big guys" that doesn't mean that it will be the right choice for everyone especially when it isn't the most practical choice.
I'm typing this on a dell laptop running xp (because my wife uses it too). My dell computer at work runs xp (most of our software tools are windows only). But the servers I personally maintain I hand built and run linux. I like the toolsets of *nix boxes much more for administration and the desktop variants of *nix are getting close to "prime time" as well. But it isn't worth the hassle for me to teach my wife how to "use linux" (even though it wouldn't be THAT difficult...mostly perception) or to try to find alternative software for work. So, I do what I can where I can, and thats as much effort as I'm willing to spend. To each their own.
It was mentioned before, but since the US gov't is their biggest customer. Until you are the "guy who makes the tech decisions" for them, M$ won't care about your response.
Idealism will only get you so far, especially when it squares off against practicality.
I'm in my 20's as well (early 20's at that). I do not (and have not, nor plan to) use myspace. I don't think I have EVER heard any of my friends reference their myspace (mostly because they don't have one) page. The only time I ever come across it is for some of the local small bands trying to make it (live in Nashville, so there are plenty).
On the other hand, facebook is the social network of choice (and my friends).
That said, I guess you will tend to use what your friends are using. So that leads an interesting study. 1) Who uses what 2) How many do they use 3) How much time effort do they spend on each
I don't spend that much time on facebook, but I know people who do. But how would the time be split if they used both myspace and facebook? Also, my college (Vanderbilt) got on the facebook train early on...so I wonder if that happens to by why the seemingly larger number of people who use it there? Come to think about it I did have one friend that used myspace, but she went to a different college...interesting.
Haha, good one. But why stop there. We could replace several of our homes analog components. HVACoIP could be extremely useful allowing you to change the temperature from anywhere in the world...forget to turn down the heat before leaving for vacation? No problem.
Anyway, at least for the first models that are built, I don't think that customization and luxury are going to be high on the priority list. I see the best fit applications being extremely low cost (medium build size) neighborhoods. The efficiency of the build process will make the houses extremely affordable.
I doubt that this is going to replace (maybe supplement *some* of the processes) homes over (random number coming) $300k. It will have to mature and allow for more customization before people are going to spend that kinda money on a cookie-cutter home.
Lets just hope this gets moving sooner rather than later...progress is a good thing.
My second paragraph just made me think of the possibilities for the house commercials. They could be like those annoying car commercials. "Do you have $29? If so you could be approved!!! All you need is a paystub and a pulse. Bad credit, no credit, NO PROBLEM!!! Come on down to Jimbo John's House of Houses and get in your new house today!" On second thought, we might want to rethink this whole idea.
I've got my own theory. Reading has nothing to do with it. You had motivation to better yourself. Reading was just your vessel of choice. Vocabulary is a good thing and that shouldn't be downplayed, but I hate reading (for pleasure at least) and manage to do just fine.
People who want to succeed and better themselves will. Gaining knowledge through reading is one way of doing it. Acquiring new skills, communicating with people and putting in effort is what separates the over achievers from the under achievers.
I just re-read your post, and I completely agree...I started this after just reading the first paragraph (back to that whole not liking to read thing). So yeah, you pretty much nailed it. Maybe you should write a book...and send it to all of the OLPC kids.
Wait, thats it...Instead of the OLPC initiative, I think I should found the OTVPC. Its soo much better to have your TV force feed you age appropriate material.
Its all relative. They don't currently have anything better. Not to be an a-hole. But we could start them out with our 1980's games since they haven't seen anything as of yet...
Then we can "release" games so that they always have fresh new games. We could choose the speed at which we leak the games too. We could do it fast so that think the game industry progresses VERY fast (although they have no reference). Then when we get them caught up, put all of their expectations into designing new games.
Just in case this gets looked at out of context, I was speaking of the kids getting them in 3rd world countries.
Absolute Statements are dangerous
on
Enter The 2160p HDTV
·
· Score: 2, Insightful
and none are or will be higher than 1080p for the next decade at least
Although it *may* be a safe statement, a decade is a long time in the tech industry. I'd be careful with absolute statements...but since your not backing/betting/advocating a specific product, then I hope for all of us, your wrong.
2008 - Quantum Computing breakthrough
2010 - Virtual Reality nears reality
2012 - Mulit-TB personal storage
2013 - 3D Displays begin to go mainstream
2015 - Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft ready 4th gen consoles
2016 - Duke Nukem Forever FINALLY released, but still only VGA resolution
2017 -/.'er looks back to realize that post 10 years ago was mistake...
I could have also put down for each year that/. predicts the "year of the linux desktop" but would have detracted from the overall post.
On a side note. I know the term flat files can mean different things to different people, but I find that they are almost always a bad idea (to some degree and depending on your definition). You always run the risk of whatever you are using as delimiters coming up in the data you are parsing giving those "bugs." You always think "we sanatize our data..." and it will never happen to me, but more times than not, it will.
People are going to replace the OS anyway, why bother installing one?
Wrong. You and I install our own OS. Most computer buyers just press the power button...especially people that buy pre-built systems from brick and mortar shops. Having an OS pre-installed is pretty much a must. If anything it should be an opt-in (or out depending on how you look at it) choice.
It's naive to think that 2 coders and a dream could do the same.
Agree. However, that is how google got started. They did it by innovating and creating a better (if not entirely new) product. It would cost billions to create an exact copy of Google, and most likely it would fail. However, two coders and a dream *could* create "the next big thing" that everyone in 2010 will talk about...and will inevitably say "This isn't 2006 anymore"
We have this amazing thing called currency. That is what the $10 is. It can be used to purchase goods and services. In this case the good/services would be the multiple chocolate bars.
Hope that helps. Let me know if you need a diagram.
It isn't about being intuitive its about using the best tool (for the job).
If you are going to be making changes to ANY config file and you find Vim too cumbersome then you probably shouldn't be making that change in the first place. In fact, you said it yourself..."Very intuitive for new/untrained users"...do you really want them making changes to config files?
Funny how even on a thread about MySQL vs PostgreSQL (which has enough fanboyism) we still get off on Vim/Emacs/Notepad rants.
I've said it before and will say it again. The best technology usually doesn't win, its the best marketing. People here need to realize that money DOES drive what technology will make it or not. It has to make money, or it WILL FAIL.
If you want to be an idealist, then you can fund projects to run at losses, but don't ask people (investors) for help.
Slashdot Mirror
They targeted getting casual gamers, they got casual gamers. They aren't going to be the people running around buying this and that just because its new. We are going to play 1-2 different games until we beat them or get tired of them. THEN, we will either take a break for a while (days, weeks, maybe months) or buy another game and take our time beating it.
Its a different demographic, so they aren't going to behave the same as your normal console buyers.
The Wii is awesome,
A casual gamer
I know there are reasons, but they *might* end up having an interesting situation. Lets just say the gov'ts buy these things and give them to students. They like the concept of learning...until they realize they can put it up on eBay for $300 (there was a post earlier about how someone said they'd pay that for one).
The more they get out the door and the more generally available they become the more the prices will drop and a whole bunch of other good economy of scale type of things too (more people writing code, etc).
I am exhausted. The first 5 comments where all +5 interesting or insightful. I didn't get a troll, link spam or random offtopic rant to catch my breath on.
/. might get a reputation as a place for on-topic discussion about technology.
Somebody needs to ban these people. If this trend continues, then
Well...doesn't someone think they are Joe Cool...actually testing products before deploying.
/.
I bet you also complain about people not reading the articles here on
Some people...
you and your technicalities...
Screw your pessimism, I want the FACTS!!!
The only reason this site is still around is because of people like me. I make wild speculations from reading the headlines/other comments in order to get people to rant the "facts." So then the "facts" are throughly covered in length in the comments...making actually reading the articles unnecessary. In fact, I think the whole "this site is
Now honestly (and seriously) I didn't read this article. I heard about it a while back and did some surface scratching...read through the presentation about the underlying concepts and got excited in a geeky non-sexual way. There is still a long ways to go, but I'm glad that it is getting press (good or bad) and possibly gathering momentum. Because it is going to need plenty of momentum/support/luck/developers to be successful enough to be used anything except for a novelty toy.
For an on-topic thought. I had seen this quite a while back and was excited about the potential, but had the faint scent of vaporware on it. The screen will be very nice, but more pixels = more battery draw...which is why most of the HTC devices are stuck at qvga instead of full vga. I wonder if they have some tricks up their sleeve to mitigate that factor.
An open platform will only get so far (although it is a HUGE bonus). The hardware will have to be able to keep up its end of the bargain as well. Battery life will be a KEY factor in its overall success (as with any phone). More features doesn't make a better phone. A better experience will make a better phone. (Sorry to bring it up, but...) That is what the iPhone is promising...a better phone experience. If they can pull that off, then they can charge what they want, keep it closed, spit in your face while trying to purchase it and they will still not be able to keep them on the shelves.
I agree. Grass-roots movements can and do make differences on a large scale if given enough time and support. So, it doesn't mean that we should all just give up our goals and follow the crowd.
There is only 24 hours in a day (roughly) so there are only so many battles we can fight. Pick the ones that matter most to you and do what you can. But I think the most important aspect is to acknowledge that we will all have different priorities. Just because your way makes most sense to you and the products/services you choose may be better than the "big guys" that doesn't mean that it will be the right choice for everyone especially when it isn't the most practical choice.
I'm typing this on a dell laptop running xp (because my wife uses it too). My dell computer at work runs xp (most of our software tools are windows only). But the servers I personally maintain I hand built and run linux. I like the toolsets of *nix boxes much more for administration and the desktop variants of *nix are getting close to "prime time" as well. But it isn't worth the hassle for me to teach my wife how to "use linux" (even though it wouldn't be THAT difficult...mostly perception) or to try to find alternative software for work. So, I do what I can where I can, and thats as much effort as I'm willing to spend. To each their own.
It was mentioned before, but since the US gov't is their biggest customer. Until you are the "guy who makes the tech decisions" for them, M$ won't care about your response.
Idealism will only get you so far, especially when it squares off against practicality.
I'm in my 20's as well (early 20's at that). I do not (and have not, nor plan to) use myspace. I don't think I have EVER heard any of my friends reference their myspace (mostly because they don't have one) page. The only time I ever come across it is for some of the local small bands trying to make it (live in Nashville, so there are plenty).
On the other hand, facebook is the social network of choice (and my friends).
That said, I guess you will tend to use what your friends are using. So that leads an interesting study. 1) Who uses what 2) How many do they use 3) How much time effort do they spend on each
I don't spend that much time on facebook, but I know people who do. But how would the time be split if they used both myspace and facebook? Also, my college (Vanderbilt) got on the facebook train early on...so I wonder if that happens to by why the seemingly larger number of people who use it there? Come to think about it I did have one friend that used myspace, but she went to a different college...interesting.
Haha, good one. But why stop there. We could replace several of our homes analog components. HVACoIP could be extremely useful allowing you to change the temperature from anywhere in the world...forget to turn down the heat before leaving for vacation? No problem.
First, this seems like really cool tech...
Anyway, at least for the first models that are built, I don't think that customization and luxury are going to be high on the priority list. I see the best fit applications being extremely low cost (medium build size) neighborhoods. The efficiency of the build process will make the houses extremely affordable.
I doubt that this is going to replace (maybe supplement *some* of the processes) homes over (random number coming) $300k. It will have to mature and allow for more customization before people are going to spend that kinda money on a cookie-cutter home.
Lets just hope this gets moving sooner rather than later...progress is a good thing.
My second paragraph just made me think of the possibilities for the house commercials. They could be like those annoying car commercials. "Do you have $29? If so you could be approved!!! All you need is a paystub and a pulse. Bad credit, no credit, NO PROBLEM!!! Come on down to Jimbo John's House of Houses and get in your new house today!" On second thought, we might want to rethink this whole idea.
I've got my own theory. Reading has nothing to do with it. You had motivation to better yourself. Reading was just your vessel of choice. Vocabulary is a good thing and that shouldn't be downplayed, but I hate reading (for pleasure at least) and manage to do just fine.
People who want to succeed and better themselves will. Gaining knowledge through reading is one way of doing it. Acquiring new skills, communicating with people and putting in effort is what separates the over achievers from the under achievers.
I just re-read your post, and I completely agree...I started this after just reading the first paragraph (back to that whole not liking to read thing). So yeah, you pretty much nailed it. Maybe you should write a book...and send it to all of the OLPC kids.
Reading is for morons. TV is where its at...
Wait, thats it...Instead of the OLPC initiative, I think I should found the OTVPC. Its soo much better to have your TV force feed you age appropriate material.
Its all relative. They don't currently have anything better. Not to be an a-hole. But we could start them out with our 1980's games since they haven't seen anything as of yet...
Then we can "release" games so that they always have fresh new games. We could choose the speed at which we leak the games too. We could do it fast so that think the game industry progresses VERY fast (although they have no reference). Then when we get them caught up, put all of their expectations into designing new games.
Just in case this gets looked at out of context, I was speaking of the kids getting them in 3rd world countries.
2008 - Quantum Computing breakthrough
2010 - Virtual Reality nears reality
2012 - Mulit-TB personal storage
2013 - 3D Displays begin to go mainstream
2015 - Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft ready 4th gen consoles
2016 - Duke Nukem Forever FINALLY released, but still only VGA resolution
2017 -
I could have also put down for each year that
On a side note. I know the term flat files can mean different things to different people, but I find that they are almost always a bad idea (to some degree and depending on your definition). You always run the risk of whatever you are using as delimiters coming up in the data you are parsing giving those "bugs." You always think "we sanatize our data..." and it will never happen to me, but more times than not, it will.
Whats a VCR?
just kidding, but the generation just after me might actually not know...
We have this amazing thing called currency. That is what the $10 is. It can be used to purchase goods and services. In this case the good/services would be the multiple chocolate bars.
Hope that helps. Let me know if you need a diagram.
Yeah, but it would be difficult to explain that the reason you are hungover was due to a science experiment...
It isn't about being intuitive its about using the best tool (for the job).
If you are going to be making changes to ANY config file and you find Vim too cumbersome then you probably shouldn't be making that change in the first place. In fact, you said it yourself..."Very intuitive for new/untrained users"...do you really want them making changes to config files?
Funny how even on a thread about MySQL vs PostgreSQL (which has enough fanboyism) we still get off on Vim/Emacs/Notepad rants.
YES!
I've said it before and will say it again. The best technology usually doesn't win, its the best marketing. People here need to realize that money DOES drive what technology will make it or not. It has to make money, or it WILL FAIL.
If you want to be an idealist, then you can fund projects to run at losses, but don't ask people (investors) for help.