For the cost of all these stickers (physical materials, labor, employee time spent in proper implementation meetings, enforcement), will consumers be one jot safer?
Many routers already have a bunch of stickers applied to them that aren't really needed. When I bought my Linksys router, it had stickers on box flaps, the antistatic bag, and on the router itself covering the Ethernet ports that said to make sure to install the software before plugging in the router. I don't know why. The router did not have a USB port and therefore did not need USB drivers, and the Ethernet portion isn't going to require anything.
I didn't want some dumb software changing network settings or adding registry junk or spyware, so I didn't even take the CD out of the packaging. I hooked up the router, it worked unsecured with DHCP, then I logged into it and changed the admin password, set up the encryption, ect...
All linksys would have to do is change the printing on the sticker it already applies to the Ethernet ports to say that the user needs to secure their wireless network and they would be compliant, no extra labor needed.
Sure they do. I once cut my hand on the sharp edges of the RF shielding around some drives in a Mac case, it left a scar that didn't fade for an entire year.
I'd never even HEARD of the "DJ Ditty" until this morning's radio news mentioned that Dell had dropped it.
With PR like that - versus Apple's dancing silhouettes - it's no surprise it never sold.
Yeah, it's been said "teasers" and other marketting gimmicks that build mystery and suspense around your product are good PR tools. Apple kept the dancer's true identities a mystery, and I guess Dell just had too much of a good thing. A product so quietly promoted, your customers don't even know it exists!
Looks like another case of an "iPod Killer" being killed by the iPod. I'm expecting Creative to follow in the next 6-12 months given they're going to start making iPod accessories. Seriously, you know a company has lost faith in their player when they start adding value to their competitor's products.
"just a sign the Microsoft has learned its lesson from the antitrust battles"
Fry: It's all lies, every word of it! Microsoft hasn't learned a lesson, there wasn't a antitrust "battle", this isn't a sign and since when have they been a the?
Several sources are reporting that the first entirely computer designed car, the JCB Dieselmax [CC], has broken the diesel speed record [CC] of 236MPH at a speed of 328MPH.
Consumers, however, rejected the car due to lack of a stereo, air conditioner, and cup holders.
In most other respects, it looks like a simpler version of the GPL, including being viral. I can't imagine why MS wouldn't want it blessed by OSI.
Microsoft seeking OSI certification would be admitting that Open-Source is a viable alternative way of writing software. It would be placing a certain amount of respect and recognition to other open source licences if they seeked an equal certification for their own.
That and, as someone pointed out earlier, they don't want their license being offical stamped non-compliant, makes it a lot harder to argue that they do release software as "Open-Source" for the PR department.
After SCO was limited in what they could depose Mr. Otis Wilson about by the Utah court, the company blindsided IBM with last-second subpoenas before a North Carolina court.
I bet they already arranged his flight to North Caroilina, too!
and doubly well if the buyer doesn't notice before placing a bid and keeping that charge in mind.
I've heard according to eBay's terms of service, you can send your own prepaid mailer to a seller to receive an item, which would allow you to dodge an overinflated shipping charge. I can't seem to locate the policy on their site, though.
What functionality does the ipod have that I cannot use from Linux?
Well, it doesn't support any of the iTMS functions, to start with. Which is going to be a larger portion of the iPod's functionality as the movie store gets going. I know many people don't care about that stuff, but to imply the iPod is 100% good-to-go on Linux is wrong if not everything is working. Also, the issue of support is there. The average consumer is going to expect a safety net in the event of a problem, and will be a little sour if they call Apple and are simply told "we don't support Linux".
Saying that no hardware manufacturer wants to have anything to do with Linux is a bit of a stretch, there is no OS in the world that works with as many different pieces of hardware as Linux and on as many platforms.
I wouldn't give hardware vendors credit for that. If that much hardware works on Linux I'm sure it has more to do with the hard work of individuals reverse engineering and building drivers from scratch for that hardware. You also took my quote out of context. What I was saying was hardware manufacturers and people thinking of switching are going to run back where they came from if they are going to be encountering a community made up of users who display arrogance and detest for people different from them who are not indoctorined into a Free Software Jihad.
Just what would the requirements be to fit in as "open-source people"? I already use Firefox, Thunderbird, NVu, GAIM, and 7zip, as well as OpenOffice and Miranda at work. Forgive me if I use iTunes and Photoshop at home. Do I have to be an OSS developer or have a 100% Free Software PC to pass your little test?
Millions of people use Linux daily, possibly not as many as windows, but certainly not nobody.
Possibly? I don't think that's a debateable point. A lot more people use Windows than Linux. Linux may have large numbers, but the size in comparison to the Windows base is small. So the big software companies see it as: spend d dollars developing for 90+% of the market, or spend 2d dollars to reach 97% of the market (regardless of how much code/time they may be able to reuse on the Linux version). Wonder what they'll decide to do to maximize their profit...
Add to that the portion of Linux people who won't pay for software, and the portion who will pay but won't even look at a binary if it's not open-source since doesn't agree with their ideology or they're paranoid weirdos.
You won't be able to buy adaptors because then "pirates" could use them to circumvent the system. All old televisions would need to be thrown away.
Yet another good reason to hold off on buying that $2000 flat panel, wait for the DRM dust to clear first.
I'm personally waiting till after the analog broadcast switchover deadline passes before I upgrade to a widescreen set (I don't want a huge screen though, prolly a 23") the reason is when broadcasting does go all digital, I can see it being HD. And once HD becomes the norm, it wont be a luxury anymore. Right now manufacturers can get away with what I feel are rediculous TV prices because HD is a premium feature. If you can't afford it, there's always analog SDTV. Once the only way to watch TV is digital, prices will fall through the floor from market pressure.
TV is too much a "necessity" of the average Joe Sixpack's life now to go back to it being toy of the affluent again (like in the early '50's, when the medium was new). And the average Joe Sixpack can't afford/justify the $500+ price of even the least expensive (CRT-based) HDTV. To reach the mass market again, the price will have to fall back down to $250 levels for a "family sized" set (at least 19" in SD terms).
if you bought a BetaMax deck, you couldn't get new movies, but if you get a Plasma, you'll be able to use it through its whole lifespan.
Assuming content doesn't all get locked into a DRM model that cannot be supported by the Plasma as it gets older, but that would apply to the LCD as well.
IF tivo or any other company would actually cupport cablecard they could easily enable access to record digital content without having to go througn hoops, such as ir controllers and serial cables to control cable/sat boxes.
IR controllers hooked up with serial are unecessary for many provider's digital converters. The S-video port on the converter can be used by the TiVo to control the reciever. But I expect this port to disappear with the HDMI push and some cableco's already disable it.
It's funny how when people are annoyed about the lack of a CableCard interface on X product they always blame the manufacturer of the device for not getting with the times. I'd wager TiVo would love to sell you a DVR with a CableCard slot, and it's the folks at the other end of the deal puting the kaputs on it. TiVos currently store the recordings after they have been descrambled by the digital converter, this being a necessary step given they are two separate boxes not made to interface with each other too much. There's probably debate how this will change once the descrambler is part of the TiVo.
There's a good reason you don't see TV tuner cards with CableCard slots, none of the content providers want anyone to be able to set up a homebuilt DVR and make straight to mpg encodings of digital broadcasts. They need the broadcast flag to be in place and "accepted" by the public before that can happen.
The disagreement with TiVo might be that as a stipulation of the CableCard license, the TiVo has to store the shows in their encrypted format from the cable signal, and decode through the card during playback. TiVo might have issue with their product being tied to the provider's CableCard for viewing recordings. After all, if a customer changes cable companies that CableCard will no longer be authorized and the consumer will lose the ability to view their old programs (just like they had never bought a TiVo and had just rentered their provider's DVR and had to return it).
I predict when CableCard compatable TV tuner cards do arrive people will find not really worth the price. I forsee a Windows-only driver, recording only to a Microsoft DRMed format. And limited streaming functionality. Full resolution viewing only on a HDCP-compliant monitor or other output device.
The replier to my original post may say I'm spouting off anti-corporate crap. But I really feel this is all about removing your ability to own a copy of content without buying it separately from the studios. The cablecos and device makers hands are somewhat tied in things because of their dependence on the content being available to them, but the cableco also stand to make a lot more money from where this is going too.
Imagine Comcast selling you copies of programs you watched directly over the cable box. You push a button on your remote during a movie let's say, and Comcast sends an order to a studio distributor. A copy of Spanglish on HD-DVD is set to be is delivered to your service address (supplied by the cable company) and charged to your Comcast bill (with a normal retail markup for Comcast), all while you're still watching the movie on Starz.
Slashdot Mirror
Actually the Canadian Mounties are quite good with Macs.
linky
Many routers already have a bunch of stickers applied to them that aren't really needed. When I bought my Linksys router, it had stickers on box flaps, the antistatic bag, and on the router itself covering the Ethernet ports that said to make sure to install the software before plugging in the router. I don't know why. The router did not have a USB port and therefore did not need USB drivers, and the Ethernet portion isn't going to require anything.
I didn't want some dumb software changing network settings or adding registry junk or spyware, so I didn't even take the CD out of the packaging. I hooked up the router, it worked unsecured with DHCP, then I logged into it and changed the admin password, set up the encryption, ect...
All linksys would have to do is change the printing on the sticker it already applies to the Ethernet ports to say that the user needs to secure their wireless network and they would be compliant, no extra labor needed.
Actually, in many places knowingly spreading a sexually transmitted disease by failing to inform your partner is now a crime.
Sure they do. I once cut my hand on the sharp edges of the RF shielding around some drives in a Mac case, it left a scar that didn't fade for an entire year.
Yeah, they've only been around for four years or so.
1. Old incandescent bulbs burn out. ...
2. Buy CFL's as replacements.
3.
4. Profit! (on your electric bill)
Google is your friend.
Looks like this is where you want to go.
Meanwhile normal men say "It would be even cooler if she were going to head a project to make a great zero-g space porno!"
Yeah, it's been said "teasers" and other marketting gimmicks that build mystery and suspense around your product are good PR tools. Apple kept the dancer's true identities a mystery, and I guess Dell just had too much of a good thing. A product so quietly promoted, your customers don't even know it exists!
Looks like another case of an "iPod Killer" being killed by the iPod. I'm expecting Creative to follow in the next 6-12 months given they're going to start making iPod accessories. Seriously, you know a company has lost faith in their player when they start adding value to their competitor's products.
Fry: It's all lies, every word of it! Microsoft hasn't learned a lesson, there wasn't a antitrust "battle", this isn't a sign and since when have they been a the?
Consumers, however, rejected the car due to lack of a stereo, air conditioner, and cup holders.
Microsoft seeking OSI certification would be admitting that Open-Source is a viable alternative way of writing software. It would be placing a certain amount of respect and recognition to other open source licences if they seeked an equal certification for their own.
That and, as someone pointed out earlier, they don't want their license being offical stamped non-compliant, makes it a lot harder to argue that they do release software as "Open-Source" for the PR department.
I bet they already arranged his flight to North Caroilina, too!
Remember, money isn't the only thing with value.
I don't think this film justifies the amount of my bandwidth quota it would use to download it.
I've heard according to eBay's terms of service, you can send your own prepaid mailer to a seller to receive an item, which would allow you to dodge an overinflated shipping charge. I can't seem to locate the policy on their site, though.
Well, it doesn't support any of the iTMS functions, to start with. Which is going to be a larger portion of the iPod's functionality as the movie store gets going. I know many people don't care about that stuff, but to imply the iPod is 100% good-to-go on Linux is wrong if not everything is working. Also, the issue of support is there. The average consumer is going to expect a safety net in the event of a problem, and will be a little sour if they call Apple and are simply told "we don't support Linux".
I wouldn't give hardware vendors credit for that. If that much hardware works on Linux I'm sure it has more to do with the hard work of individuals reverse engineering and building drivers from scratch for that hardware. You also took my quote out of context. What I was saying was hardware manufacturers and people thinking of switching are going to run back where they came from if they are going to be encountering a community made up of users who display arrogance and detest for people different from them who are not indoctorined into a Free Software Jihad.
Just what would the requirements be to fit in as "open-source people"? I already use Firefox, Thunderbird, NVu, GAIM, and 7zip, as well as OpenOffice and Miranda at work. Forgive me if I use iTunes and Photoshop at home. Do I have to be an OSS developer or have a 100% Free Software PC to pass your little test?
Possibly? I don't think that's a debateable point. A lot more people use Windows than Linux. Linux may have large numbers, but the size in comparison to the Windows base is small. So the big software companies see it as: spend d dollars developing for 90+% of the market, or spend 2d dollars to reach 97% of the market (regardless of how much code/time they may be able to reuse on the Linux version). Wonder what they'll decide to do to maximize their profit...
Add to that the portion of Linux people who won't pay for software, and the portion who will pay but won't even look at a binary if it's not open-source since doesn't agree with their ideology or they're paranoid weirdos.
2009 is the last I heard.
Yeah, now they can play Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" out their Black Hawks without bringing a turntable.
Apple won? I thought Apple would win that one. Why did Apple win?
Yet another good reason to hold off on buying that $2000 flat panel, wait for the DRM dust to clear first.
I'm personally waiting till after the analog broadcast switchover deadline passes before I upgrade to a widescreen set (I don't want a huge screen though, prolly a 23") the reason is when broadcasting does go all digital, I can see it being HD. And once HD becomes the norm, it wont be a luxury anymore. Right now manufacturers can get away with what I feel are rediculous TV prices because HD is a premium feature. If you can't afford it, there's always analog SDTV. Once the only way to watch TV is digital, prices will fall through the floor from market pressure.
TV is too much a "necessity" of the average Joe Sixpack's life now to go back to it being toy of the affluent again (like in the early '50's, when the medium was new). And the average Joe Sixpack can't afford/justify the $500+ price of even the least expensive (CRT-based) HDTV. To reach the mass market again, the price will have to fall back down to $250 levels for a "family sized" set (at least 19" in SD terms).
Assuming content doesn't all get locked into a DRM model that cannot be supported by the Plasma as it gets older, but that would apply to the LCD as well.
Yeah, call the police and tell them it's the mayor's laptop you were fixing for him. That will get'em on the case!
Damn that Alibaba and his 40 thieves!
They discovered the password to get past the Great Firewall was "Open Sesame"
IF tivo or any other company would actually cupport cablecard they could easily enable access to record digital content without having to go througn hoops, such as ir controllers and serial cables to control cable/sat boxes.
IR controllers hooked up with serial are unecessary for many provider's digital converters. The S-video port on the converter can be used by the TiVo to control the reciever. But I expect this port to disappear with the HDMI push and some cableco's already disable it.
It's funny how when people are annoyed about the lack of a CableCard interface on X product they always blame the manufacturer of the device for not getting with the times. I'd wager TiVo would love to sell you a DVR with a CableCard slot, and it's the folks at the other end of the deal puting the kaputs on it. TiVos currently store the recordings after they have been descrambled by the digital converter, this being a necessary step given they are two separate boxes not made to interface with each other too much. There's probably debate how this will change once the descrambler is part of the TiVo.
There's a good reason you don't see TV tuner cards with CableCard slots, none of the content providers want anyone to be able to set up a homebuilt DVR and make straight to mpg encodings of digital broadcasts. They need the broadcast flag to be in place and "accepted" by the public before that can happen.
The disagreement with TiVo might be that as a stipulation of the CableCard license, the TiVo has to store the shows in their encrypted format from the cable signal, and decode through the card during playback. TiVo might have issue with their product being tied to the provider's CableCard for viewing recordings. After all, if a customer changes cable companies that CableCard will no longer be authorized and the consumer will lose the ability to view their old programs (just like they had never bought a TiVo and had just rentered their provider's DVR and had to return it).
I predict when CableCard compatable TV tuner cards do arrive people will find not really worth the price. I forsee a Windows-only driver, recording only to a Microsoft DRMed format. And limited streaming functionality. Full resolution viewing only on a HDCP-compliant monitor or other output device.
The replier to my original post may say I'm spouting off anti-corporate crap. But I really feel this is all about removing your ability to own a copy of content without buying it separately from the studios. The cablecos and device makers hands are somewhat tied in things because of their dependence on the content being available to them, but the cableco also stand to make a lot more money from where this is going too.
Imagine Comcast selling you copies of programs you watched directly over the cable box. You push a button on your remote during a movie let's say, and Comcast sends an order to a studio distributor. A copy of Spanglish on HD-DVD is set to be is delivered to your service address (supplied by the cable company) and charged to your Comcast bill (with a normal retail markup for Comcast), all while you're still watching the movie on Starz.