... but it is expected that contributors to an invention appear on the patent. A contributor could be someone who offered suggestions or other ideas that are material to the invention.
With Steve's penchant for hands-on review of product designs, he could very easily have contributed ideas (even not the one implementing them) that were material to the invention.
When I first started programming in C on the Amiga, multi-tasking was like a magical mystical thing (I came to the Amiga via the C128 and Vic 20 route).
From the number of times my applications went "bull in a china shop" over system memory, you'd think I'd have the flashing Guru error etched in my retinas.
9. Teach them the importance of ear protection at concerts/clubs. High volume concerts can cause great damage. A set of ear plugs (ones geared for musicians have rather flat attenuation) is important.
The article does touch on PC makers showcasing wares in the store. The idea of a MS store creates some questions in my mind.
First, what PC's will be showcased? I would think the high-end systems mentioned would be a great idea. There are plenty of mid and low end systems at current electronic retailers.
Secondly, can someone walk out with a PC? And if so, is MS going to do any service at the store? This is what the Apple store has going for it; a full service shop.
A few people have tried with only limited success (anyone remember the Gateway stores?).
I agree with parent. This sound's more like skill and cunning winning out (assuming scripter wrote their own code).
Hear me out. We pay athletes way too much money because they have skills that a supposedly worth that much (my bias is probably obvious). Here is some skill "players" taking advantage of scripting to get some rewards.
This isn't gaming the system like sniping or similar. It has no direct impact on most people (maybe if you were forced to pay fees on a $1 item you put for auction and had the script bid)..I'm not out anything unless I honestly believed I was going to beat out the million other people looking for the prize.
Seems somewhat like "Real Genius" with scripts instead of post cards. Well my opinion anyway..and..I'm not much of an eBayer so I could be missing the point (prefer craigslist)
Can you use it to transport a family (2+2) to/from shopping?
I'm definitely into letting someone else do the hauling these days...
- Dairy delivery to my door (Oberweiss)
- Peapod delivery of Groceries
- Schwan's delivery for other tasty items. They have the best bacon.
Actually helps minimize the impulse buying in the store. Otherwise, you do need to be able to haul your family for many purposes. This car will be a great commuter so you can leave the mini-van home unless needed.
I always took Apple adds as trying to give the view of the change is good. The "switcher" adds and the "I'm a Mac" seemed, to me at least, to drive the message there's something better. The grass is greener in Mac pastures.
The new MS adds seem to be driving affirmation of your current choice or what you have. In other words, it is OK to like your PC and Windows because everyone is using it.
... At least most of the content producers view their material as something extremely valuable that took their time, energy and creativity to produce. Consumers are looking at it thinking that anyone could produce this, maybe even their neighbor in his garage.
The problem as the article points out, is there too much, too low quality and too easily sampled content out there.
As some one who makes music as a hobby (and yes I know I'm not professional "grade"), I can see where the industry is coming from. There is investment they make in time, energy, etc. that I cannot.
However, as a hobbiest, I've studied lyrics, song structure, and melody for many songs from the professionals. Really my material stands up well to some of it (not arrogant to say much of it, just some). What does it lack? Final polish, time to do twenty takes to get just the right sound, and, quite frankly, a better singer. So I'll need to be forgiven if I can see why people are putting less value on the American Idol and other manufactured industry material.
With all that said, I can fully appreciate quality work and purchase them when I want to enjoy them. I think others might not look at it the same when they find a garage band on the same social site as a nationally promoted and can see there isn't much difference.
They sucked. You needed a group just to face the horror of Fourier transforms. If I still even remember how to spell Fourier right.
I believe the correct spelling is "four year" transform--derived from the approximate time it can take to complete. At least that's what we believed it should be when we were in college.
Wasn't clear in the (brief) write-up whether this is a functioning concept.
Cool design is...well cool.. but if this included flexible circuits, displays, etc. to make it function (even if fragile or only in the most basic way) I'd be very interested in reading more on the underlying tech.
There's a long way between design concept and all the technical risks being retired.
Although off-topic, strangely appropriate this appears just as GenCon badge/housing registration opens. Today housing for GenCon openned up and as always....server crawled and good housing disappeared in seconds. Good thing my wife and I both were hitting the site at the same time and finally got someplace to stay! Can hardly wait for the fiasco that will be event registration.
On topic: Although I purchased the 3.5 books, I never could really warm up to them. My style of GM'ing was to paint a verbal picture and allow players to make broad, heroic statements for actions and results. I thought 3.0 and 3.5 added way too much overhead in movement, combat, and feats that took away from some of heroic flair.
So, I'm looking forward to taking V4 for a test drive this August at GenCon just to see if anything gets me excited again about the game! Based on early reading from fans, maybe not. However, I'll give it a chance.
I know in our family the holidays are the time to get the big gifts for the family.
We've gotten each other TiVo, camcorders, digital cameras, XBox 360, new PC's, iPods, etc. for Christmas in the past. I would imagine a fair number of slashdotters went out an bought these items whenever they need to. Now if you look back through last year's purchases, a few grand in December is probably not all that much.
In other words, not really clearing the accounts out, but timing the gifts as a nice "big" surprise around the holidays. Bonus: you get (assuming you take time off around Christmas/new years) time to play with your new gadgets while relaxing with some egg nog around a fire.
I started computing with the Vic-20 (machine language in the cassette buffer for the win) and went off to college with a C-128 (C64 + CPM Z80 + enhance mode).
The article makes a statement that the C64 was behind Apple II in graphics.
Still, the C64 had an uneven reputation. It was widely considered clunky, its BASIC outdated and graphics weak in comparison to the Apple II and Atari 800, according to McCracken.
I don't agree with that one (unless you're considering text mode and number of columns). The graphics on most Apple II games were awful. If they weren't using monochrome, you lost resolution (needed two screen pixels to represent color...IIRC). I can't recall any game that wasn't far better on the C64.
Have nothing respect for all the 8bit machines and have a nice collection of Apple II, C64, Vic, Tandy, Atari and yes have a Commodore plus4.
Now excuse me, I need to check to see if my 1541 drive has finally loaded Skate or Die...what's that knocking sound?
Loved Star Fleet Battles when we could find players.
The main rules with expansions(once you put them in sheet protectors...everyone does that right?) took up two 2" D-ring binders.
A single turn could take 4 hours with a reasonable number of ships. We had 8' x 6' table with 1 inch hex maps setup for months at a time to get a single large scale battle complete.
I actually have a hardbound rule book that Stephen Cole allowed an avid fan to produce.
I'd like a chance to get a Fender VG http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0117502700. This has a built in Roland Synth pickup that allows you to, at a twist of a knob, move between drop-D, open G, etc. I think that is very nice idea and is available today.
Unfortunately, I've never played one to see how well this all works...and I'm a bit partial to Schecter guitars.
There are a number of good reasons to use compression.
I'll grant that my style of music with heavy distortion (http://www.abandonatmyplace.com/) is obviously inline with modern music
and this is not true for other styles.
Before I discovered compression (http://www.abandonatmyplace.com/Listen to "Cave Crawler" as example) had to ride the faders to try and get a nice consistent level for specific instruments. Bass and drums typically cause problems with volume levels popping.
Also, It's nice to take vocals and do a compression with some gain. It helps pull them out and forward in the mix. Vocalists (and I'm not one, but I try) can really change the volume by moving w/r to the mic while performing which really can change the dynamics of a performance in undesired ways.
Compression doesn't eliminate music dynamics if you don't over use it. An individual instrument might not be able to go from ppp (extremely soft) to fff (extremely loud) but the overall composition can still have emotional ebb and flow.
Compare the previous song attempts to my I Read it on Slashdot Song and I think you'll see a positive difference.
Now I'm not a huge fan of squashing the entire mix once it's done (really what the IEEE is talking about), but a little compression to avoid clipping and smoothing out the sound isn't too bad. I know my use of compression isn't what the complaint with music becoming too "loud" is really addressing...but don't throw the baby out with the bath water.
I've been going to GenCon since '93 with my wife (and now with my teenage daughter) and it still amazes me that they aren't smoothly running.
My greatest pet-peeve: the run for tickets the day registration opens. The servers grind to a halt, all the events are eaten up in the first hour.
My wife and I bought tickets just to have events which I'm sure took some away from someone who probably cried when they were full. We then turned some in the convention that conflicted, but some we just skipped. I think this is just leading to many no-shows and people needed to use generics.
Personally, everything seemed to go much better when you had a chance to think about what you wanted, put it on the form with an alternate, mail it, and hoped for the best. At least got some of your events then could plan on seminars or open play. Of course, I ran 4-6 events myself for years...so I might not be an authority!
Also another let down...the Killer Breakfast (one of my favorites) is getting old. Seems more of a showcase for Hickman's ability to make DVD's and videos than for the "players" (a large number didn't get on stage because we just HAD to do "Chainmail Woman"... and this is now a paid event).
What he's saying, in his own opinion, is that he thinks musicians are communicating less because the recent technology has been making it so much easier for people to produce things on their own.
I understand how he might feel this way. However, with sites like http://www.milwaukeerocks.com/ (if your in WI) for finding musicians and http://netmusicmakers.com/ for collaborating (yes, it's beta and slow sometimes), I've been able to actually find musicians to collaborate with more than ever.
Back in the day, you had to be part of the music "scene", hang at music stores, etc. to find people looking to jam or needing someone for the band. Now, much easier to find musicians or send songs back and forth to my old bandmates for critique or suggestions.
Now if there was an easier way of sharing DAW software files between different packages with the timing and tracks complete....heaven.
I thought the same thing about this being a regular slashdot topic. So much so that it's part of my song where the verses contain slashdot meme's and inside jokes.
The parent post is one of the reasons reading slashdot is more interesting than other news sites!
Enjoy seeing someone pull some statistics to the study. When I read TFA, it made me remember the old rule of thumb of n=30 for our old processes optimization expiriments...not always necessary but worth while doing if you can.
Top favorites: "Chad Vader", "God Inc.", DoogTunes, "Ask a Ninja".
Strangely, it appears YouTube will continue to be supported by me because of the non-infringing material. Actually, in my opinion, all the Viacom, et. al. material makes it difficult to find the real gems.
It is never too late to start. I played percussion for years and years before I started my daughters in Violin lessons. After a few months of watching everyone at the music store come in and take lessons, I decided it was time to start learning the guitar (still love drums, but wanted to get my own creations out!)
The secret, I think, is:
Get an instructor who is use to non-traditional students (i.e. doesn't just start you in book one of Suzuki).
Then, focus on what is important to you. I wanted to create my own rock music so we focus on learn fingering of blues/pentatonic scales and some theory so I can play my own rythms. Learning a new instrument is invigorating but it requires dedication and patience so don't don't get discouraged if some things are difficult at first.
Slashdot Mirror
Not a patent lawyer and haven't RTFM
... but it is expected that contributors to an invention appear on the patent. A contributor could be someone who offered suggestions or other ideas that are material to the invention.
With Steve's penchant for hands-on review of product designs, he could very easily have contributed ideas (even not the one implementing them) that were material to the invention.
When I first started programming in C on the Amiga, multi-tasking was like a magical mystical thing (I came to the Amiga via the C128 and Vic 20 route).
From the number of times my applications went "bull in a china shop" over system memory, you'd think I'd have the flashing Guru error etched in my retinas.
Loved that machine!
9. Teach them the importance of ear protection at concerts/clubs. High volume concerts can cause great damage. A set of ear plugs (ones geared for musicians have rather flat attenuation) is important.
The article does touch on PC makers showcasing wares in the store. The idea of a MS store creates some questions in my mind.
First, what PC's will be showcased? I would think the high-end systems mentioned would be a great idea. There are plenty of mid and low end systems at current electronic retailers.
Secondly, can someone walk out with a PC? And if so, is MS going to do any service at the store? This is what the Apple store has going for it; a full service shop.
A few people have tried with only limited success (anyone remember the Gateway stores?).
Only the Wyld Sallions will become timeless. Since their music will become the basis of our Utopian world to come.
Wyld Sallions can and will live up to the hype. Party on an be excellent to each other!
I agree with parent. This sound's more like skill and cunning winning out (assuming scripter wrote their own code).
Hear me out. We pay athletes way too much money because they have skills that a supposedly worth that much (my bias is probably obvious). Here is some skill "players" taking advantage of scripting to get some rewards.
This isn't gaming the system like sniping or similar. It has no direct impact on most people (maybe if you were forced to pay fees on a $1 item you put for auction and had the script bid)..I'm not out anything unless I honestly believed I was going to beat out the million other people looking for the prize.
Seems somewhat like "Real Genius" with scripts instead of post cards. Well my opinion anyway..and..I'm not much of an eBayer so I could be missing the point (prefer craigslist)
Can you use it to transport a family (2+2) to/from shopping?
I'm definitely into letting someone else do the hauling these days...
- Dairy delivery to my door (Oberweiss)
- Peapod delivery of Groceries
- Schwan's delivery for other tasty items. They have the best bacon.
Actually helps minimize the impulse buying in the store. Otherwise, you do need to be able to haul your family for many purposes. This car will be a great commuter so you can leave the mini-van home unless needed.
I always took Apple adds as trying to give the view of the change is good. The "switcher" adds and the "I'm a Mac" seemed, to me at least, to drive the message there's something better. The grass is greener in Mac pastures.
The new MS adds seem to be driving affirmation of your current choice or what you have. In other words, it is OK to like your PC and Windows because everyone is using it.
Just my perspective on it all.
... At least most of the content producers view their material as something extremely valuable that took their time, energy and creativity to produce. Consumers are looking at it thinking that anyone could produce this, maybe even their neighbor in his garage. The problem as the article points out, is there too much, too low quality and too easily sampled content out there.As some one who makes music as a hobby (and yes I know I'm not professional "grade"), I can see where the industry is coming from. There is investment they make in time, energy, etc. that I cannot.
However, as a hobbiest, I've studied lyrics, song structure, and melody for many songs from the professionals. Really my material stands up well to some of it (not arrogant to say much of it, just some). What does it lack? Final polish, time to do twenty takes to get just the right sound, and, quite frankly, a better singer. So I'll need to be forgiven if I can see why people are putting less value on the American Idol and other manufactured industry material.
With all that said, I can fully appreciate quality work and purchase them when I want to enjoy them. I think others might not look at it the same when they find a garage band on the same social site as a nationally promoted and can see there isn't much difference.
I guess this is where I plug my music...
I believe the correct spelling is "four year" transform--derived from the approximate time it can take to complete. At least that's what we believed it should be when we were in college.
Cool design is...well cool.. but if this included flexible circuits, displays, etc. to make it function (even if fragile or only in the most basic way) I'd be very interested in reading more on the underlying tech.
There's a long way between design concept and all the technical risks being retired.
Although off-topic, strangely appropriate this appears just as GenCon badge/housing registration opens. Today housing for GenCon openned up and as always....server crawled and good housing disappeared in seconds. Good thing my wife and I both were hitting the site at the same time and finally got someplace to stay! Can hardly wait for the fiasco that will be event registration.
On topic: Although I purchased the 3.5 books, I never could really warm up to them. My style of GM'ing was to paint a verbal picture and allow players to make broad, heroic statements for actions and results. I thought 3.0 and 3.5 added way too much overhead in movement, combat, and feats that took away from some of heroic flair.
So, I'm looking forward to taking V4 for a test drive this August at GenCon just to see if anything gets me excited again about the game! Based on early reading from fans, maybe not. However, I'll give it a chance.
I know in our family the holidays are the time to get the big gifts for the family.
We've gotten each other TiVo, camcorders, digital cameras, XBox 360, new PC's, iPods, etc. for Christmas in the past. I would imagine a fair number of slashdotters went out an bought these items whenever they need to. Now if you look back through last year's purchases, a few grand in December is probably not all that much.
In other words, not really clearing the accounts out, but timing the gifts as a nice "big" surprise around the holidays. Bonus: you get (assuming you take time off around Christmas/new years) time to play with your new gadgets while relaxing with some egg nog around a fire.
The article makes a statement that the C64 was behind Apple II in graphics.
I don't agree with that one (unless you're considering text mode and number of columns). The graphics on most Apple II games were awful. If they weren't using monochrome, you lost resolution (needed two screen pixels to represent color...IIRC). I can't recall any game that wasn't far better on the C64.Have nothing respect for all the 8bit machines and have a nice collection of Apple II, C64, Vic, Tandy, Atari and yes have a Commodore plus4.
Now excuse me, I need to check to see if my 1541 drive has finally loaded Skate or Die...what's that knocking sound?
Loved Star Fleet Battles when we could find players.
The main rules with expansions(once you put them in sheet protectors...everyone does that right?) took up two 2" D-ring binders.
A single turn could take 4 hours with a reasonable number of ships. We had 8' x 6' table with 1 inch hex maps setup for months at a time to get a single large scale battle complete.
I actually have a hardbound rule book that Stephen Cole allowed an avid fan to produce.Unfortunately, I've never played one to see how well this all works...and I'm a bit partial to Schecter guitars.
I have to do the obligatory plug for the Slashdot Song I wrote which includes as many as I could think of:
http://meta.slashdot.org/~Webcommando/journal/175123
Before I discovered compression (http://www.abandonatmyplace.com/Listen to "Cave Crawler" as example) had to ride the faders to try and get a nice consistent level for specific instruments. Bass and drums typically cause problems with volume levels popping.
Also, It's nice to take vocals and do a compression with some gain. It helps pull them out and forward in the mix. Vocalists (and I'm not one, but I try) can really change the volume by moving w/r to the mic while performing which really can change the dynamics of a performance in undesired ways.
Compression doesn't eliminate music dynamics if you don't over use it. An individual instrument might not be able to go from ppp (extremely soft) to fff (extremely loud) but the overall composition can still have emotional ebb and flow.
Compare the previous song attempts to my I Read it on Slashdot Song and I think you'll see a positive difference.
Now I'm not a huge fan of squashing the entire mix once it's done (really what the IEEE is talking about), but a little compression to avoid clipping and smoothing out the sound isn't too bad. I know my use of compression isn't what the complaint with music becoming too "loud" is really addressing...but don't throw the baby out with the bath water.
My greatest pet-peeve: the run for tickets the day registration opens. The servers grind to a halt, all the events are eaten up in the first hour. My wife and I bought tickets just to have events which I'm sure took some away from someone who probably cried when they were full. We then turned some in the convention that conflicted, but some we just skipped. I think this is just leading to many no-shows and people needed to use generics.
Personally, everything seemed to go much better when you had a chance to think about what you wanted, put it on the form with an alternate, mail it, and hoped for the best. At least got some of your events then could plan on seminars or open play. Of course, I ran 4-6 events myself for years...so I might not be an authority!
Also another let down...the Killer Breakfast (one of my favorites) is getting old. Seems more of a showcase for Hickman's ability to make DVD's and videos than for the "players" (a large number didn't get on stage because we just HAD to do "Chainmail Woman" ... and this is now a paid event).
Still I'll be there next year....
I understand how he might feel this way. However, with sites like http://www.milwaukeerocks.com/ (if your in WI) for finding musicians and http://netmusicmakers.com/ for collaborating (yes, it's beta and slow sometimes), I've been able to actually find musicians to collaborate with more than ever.
Back in the day, you had to be part of the music "scene", hang at music stores, etc. to find people looking to jam or needing someone for the band. Now, much easier to find musicians or send songs back and forth to my old bandmates for critique or suggestions.
Now if there was an easier way of sharing DAW software files between different packages with the timing and tracks complete....heaven.
Wonder if I can make money selling rewrites to my Slashdot rock song "I Read It On Slashdot"?
Yes, you too can have your name sung with same breath as references to Taco and hot grits...order now!
Nah...I released it under Creative Commons, so you can do it yourself!
http://webcommando.com/newsite/index.php?option=co ntent&task=view&id=27&Itemid=32 to listen to "I Heard It On Slashdot" (last line of last verse has the reference...)
Enjoy seeing someone pull some statistics to the study. When I read TFA, it made me remember the old rule of thumb of n=30 for our old processes optimization expiriments...not always necessary but worth while doing if you can.
Strangely, it appears YouTube will continue to be supported by me because of the non-infringing material. Actually, in my opinion, all the Viacom, et. al. material makes it difficult to find the real gems.
The secret, I think, is:
Get an instructor who is use to non-traditional students (i.e. doesn't just start you in book one of Suzuki). Then, focus on what is important to you. I wanted to create my own rock music so we focus on learn fingering of blues/pentatonic scales and some theory so I can play my own rythms. Learning a new instrument is invigorating but it requires dedication and patience so don't don't get discouraged if some things are difficult at first.