It largely depends on what you are making. Ever tried cutting a perfect (well, as close to perfect as you can get) with a manual machine? And kind of curve is MUCH easier and more precise with a programmable machine, and results are 100 percent repeatable.
I have a small 3-axis machine that I bought 20-plus years ago that came without software. I wrote my own control program(s) in C-BASIC. It works great (still have/use it) and does anything I need. If I have a need the existing software cannot accomodate, I just write a custom program to handle it.
Make Linux (or any other OSS alternative) look and feel like WIndows, same "plug and play" convenience, and people will buy it.
I know car analogies kink shashdotter colons, but it fits in this case: The average user wants a car that is simple and convenient to operate. They do not want to have to open the hood just to install a new air freshener or jack up the rear end to install windshield wiper blades. That might be fine for the car tinkerer, but not for the average user.
The average user is accustomed to Windows. You cannot change that, but you can change the way alternative OSS looks and feels. Make it more like a family sedan or SUV than a dirt track racer.
The naivete of some/.ers astounds me. Do you really think Ralsky is "deprived of his ability to make a living" by the seizure of a few computers? Do you really not understand that Ralsky probably has a few dozen other computers in another location? Do you really believe Ralsky does not have the means to go out and buy another 100 computers to replace the half dozen seized? Do you really believe Ralsky even *needs* any computers? He's made millions already. He could retire right now and live the rest of his life in comfort on a beach in Bimini. Ralsky doesn't need to "make a living." His "need" is to feed his greed.
" How about we imprison him for one half second, the time it takes to hit delete...per message"
Are you really that naive? What about the time it takes to sort through hundreds of spam messages to find the legitimate email? What about the time it takes to sort through your spam folder for false positives? What about the money you have to spend for anti-spam software?
You must not get much email from real people if you think dealing with spam is as simple as "hit delete."
WHen I first started working with Nova 3 machines, they had genuine core memory. I still have a functioning top-loader cartridge disk drive (DG 6045) that had a whopping 10 megabytes distributed over two 14-inch platters. Drive the size of dishwasher.
"Did you read "Soul of a New Machine"? It documents the development of the Eclipse."
In fact I did! Tracy Kidder wrote it, as I recall. I remember (1) a description of a poster with flame-singed edges (a veiled reference to a rumor that some DG exec had torched a DEC--or some other competitor's--facilities), and (2) that the FINAL TEST of the Eclispe prototype was to successfully play to completion a game of Collosal Cave Adventure. Actually, now that my mental silt is stirred up, I remember a lot of neat stuff from that book: industrial espionage, dispute over including a mode bit, and bit more mental detritus.
Yep, still in use, mostly for very specific realtime control applications. In my case, it is realtime test applications.
Novas and eclipses later evolved with a "virtual console" in lieu of the switch panel. Pity, the switches and all the blinking ligts made them look like they were doing something, like they were "real computers."
Not sure what kind of drives the Nova you worked with had, but perhaps the following will mean something to you:
As a self-described "outdated geek," I can ask with authority: Who among those here assembled know how to bootstrap a DG Nova or Eclipse minicomputer (the latter of which has dynamic microcode loaded from floppy at boot time), can ascertain file attributes on a DEC PDP11 with STAT, know the FAT protocols under RDOS, or how to load/run diagnostics from paper tape? Hell, for that matter, how to thread and mount a R-R mag tape transport?
Yeah, I am a dinosaur, but a few of the sauropods on which I feed are still alive and in need of a predator to keep them in line.
Pity. UFO was pretty cool for its time. Intriguing story line, more or less plausible technology, believable aliens. The special effects were grade "B" and the characters sorta thin, but good entertainment nonetheless.
And some pretty hot babes, too! Sorry, couldn't resist.
" Has this man ever heard of a concept known as 'PC gaming'......or photo processing?...or web page design?...or coding the apps that make the web work?...or publishing?...or database processing?...or archiving?...or...???
Jeez, where do guys like this come from?
We can repopulate en-vitro, so sex is obsolete, right?
I refuse to succomb to the view-more-ads format required to click through all 50 entries, so do not know if the UFO (Harlington-Straker, etc.) series or the original The Outer Limits are on the list. If not, they should be.
Media Evolution and Digital Photography
on
The Digital Dark Age
·
· Score: 2, Insightful
Media evolution and subsequent obsolescence is what keeps may photographers from adopting digital cameras. Slide film images, though not "forever," are certainly more enduring and readily adaptable via scanning to whatever digital storage medium is the current state of the art.
Ribs Necks and wings Watermelon Pot liquor Sweet potato pie
And I, a cracker, had most of that at some meal over the past couple of weeks, but there are fools who would call it "racist" and/or "flamebait/troll" in the current context./steps back to see what happens
Slashdot Mirror
It is like fining somebody for leaving their door unlocked and they get burglarized.
This is the epitome of a YRO violation. Interesting it was posted under the Hardware banner.
Doh! That should be perfect CIRCLE. Stupid SUBMIT button.
Anyway, same is true for cutting anything other than straight lines. e.g. a hypotenuse or any other angled cuts.
It largely depends on what you are making. Ever tried cutting a perfect (well, as close to perfect as you can get) with a manual machine? And kind of curve is MUCH easier and more precise with a programmable machine, and results are 100 percent repeatable.
I have a small 3-axis machine that I bought 20-plus years ago that came without software. I wrote my own control program(s) in C-BASIC. It works great (still have/use it) and does anything I need. If I have a need the existing software cannot accomodate, I just write a custom program to handle it.
Drags 8mm film movie camera out of closet, films concert/ballgame. Replays on home projector.
Sometimes, low-tech is the best tech.
Make Linux (or any other OSS alternative) look and feel like WIndows, same "plug and play" convenience, and people will buy it.
I know car analogies kink shashdotter colons, but it fits in this case: The average user wants a car that is simple and convenient to operate. They do not want to have to open the hood just to install a new air freshener or jack up the rear end to install windshield wiper blades. That might be fine for the car tinkerer, but not for the average user.
The average user is accustomed to Windows. You cannot change that, but you can change the way alternative OSS looks and feels. Make it more like a family sedan or SUV than a dirt track racer.
How would one go about adding these to the Firefox search enfines list/pulldown menu?
Why no one modded the parent INSIGHTFUL is yet another /. mystery, but I'll offer a verbal (or is it written) accolade as a consolation prize.
From TFA: "(For the dim this INCLUDES Firefox 1.0.7)."
If that is, indeed, his point, then point conceded. However, if he was/is trying to minimize the crime/punishment, then my original point stands.
The naivete of some /.ers astounds me. Do you really think Ralsky is "deprived of his ability to make a living" by the seizure of a few computers? Do you really not understand that Ralsky probably has a few dozen other computers in another location? Do you really believe Ralsky does not have the means to go out and buy another 100 computers to replace the half dozen seized? Do you really believe Ralsky even *needs* any computers? He's made millions already. He could retire right now and live the rest of his life in comfort on a beach in Bimini. Ralsky doesn't need to "make a living." His "need" is to feed his greed.
" How about we imprison him for one half second, the time it takes to hit delete ...per message"
Are you really that naive? What about the time it takes to sort through hundreds of spam messages to find the legitimate email? What about the time it takes to sort through your spam folder for false positives? What about the money you have to spend for anti-spam software?
You must not get much email from real people if you think dealing with spam is as simple as "hit delete."
Jeez!
...but this man's father is my father's son.
"All your base are belong to us."
...that Mona Lisa is such a bitch!
WHen I first started working with Nova 3 machines, they had genuine core memory. I still have a functioning top-loader cartridge disk drive (DG 6045) that had a whopping 10 megabytes distributed over two 14-inch platters. Drive the size of dishwasher.
"Did you read "Soul of a New Machine"? It documents the development of the Eclipse."
In fact I did! Tracy Kidder wrote it, as I recall. I remember (1) a description of a poster with flame-singed edges (a veiled reference to a rumor that some DG exec had torched a DEC--or some other competitor's--facilities), and (2) that the FINAL TEST of the Eclispe prototype was to successfully play to completion a game of Collosal Cave Adventure. Actually, now that my mental silt is stirred up, I remember a lot of neat stuff from that book: industrial espionage, dispute over including a mode bit, and bit more mental detritus.
Yep, still in use, mostly for very specific realtime control applications. In my case, it is realtime test applications.
Novas and eclipses later evolved with a "virtual console" in lieu of the switch panel. Pity, the switches and all the blinking ligts made them look like they were doing something, like they were "real computers."
Not sure what kind of drives the Nova you worked with had, but perhaps the following will mean something to you:
100073 RESET/PR LOAD
100033 RESET/PR LOAD
As a self-described "outdated geek," I can ask with authority: Who among those here assembled know how to bootstrap a DG Nova or Eclipse minicomputer (the latter of which has dynamic microcode loaded from floppy at boot time), can ascertain file attributes on a DEC PDP11 with STAT, know the FAT protocols under RDOS, or how to load/run diagnostics from paper tape? Hell, for that matter, how to thread and mount a R-R mag tape transport?
Yeah, I am a dinosaur, but a few of the sauropods on which I feed are still alive and in need of a predator to keep them in line.
" On some scale or another, this guy is correct. Web services are becoming very popular."
But what do you do when some knuckle-dragging mouth-breather on a backhoe cuts the cable that serves your interweb? No webbee, no workee.
Pity. UFO was pretty cool for its time. Intriguing story line, more or less plausible technology, believable aliens. The special effects were grade "B" and the characters sorta thin, but good entertainment nonetheless.
And some pretty hot babes, too! Sorry, couldn't resist.
" Has this man ever heard of a concept known as 'PC gaming'... ...or photo processing? ...or web page design? ...or coding the apps that make the web work? ...or publishing? ...or database processing? ...or archiving? ...or...???
Jeez, where do guys like this come from?
We can repopulate en-vitro, so sex is obsolete, right?
I refuse to succomb to the view-more-ads format required to click through all 50 entries, so do not know if the UFO (Harlington-Straker, etc.) series or the original The Outer Limits are on the list. If not, they should be.
Media evolution and subsequent obsolescence is what keeps may photographers from adopting digital cameras. Slide film images, though not "forever," are certainly more enduring and readily adaptable via scanning to whatever digital storage medium is the current state of the art.
Want to see some real mod-points fools in action?
/steps back to see what happens
Say the following in the current context:
Ribs
Necks and wings
Watermelon
Pot liquor
Sweet potato pie
And I, a cracker, had most of that at some meal over the past couple of weeks, but there are fools who would call it "racist" and/or "flamebait/troll" in the current context.
Well, uh, you could read/follow the instructions in the article summary at the top of this page.