Brian Proffitt makes some very interesting points in this article that anyone interested in the future of the GNU / Linux / GPL / Open Source movement should pay attention to.
"... Microsoft, it seems, has not learned Universal Law No. 312: If you call automatically equate GPL'd software with "open source," you will get a corrective statement from the FSF or Richard Stallman. It's like smoke and fire, can't have one without the other.
Yes, Microsoft did confuse the two concepts of GPL and open source. Care to take a guess why? Because they know the average listener is not going to know the difference. And like any good political campaigner, Microsoft is not going after the truth here. They are going for perception and sometimes that's all you need."
That's right, the average person does not know or even care about the difference between GPL'd software and open source software. Now that Microsoft is taking direct shots at Linux, GPL, and Open Source its time for Linux guru's, users and advocates to stop rolling their collective eyes at the thought that someone doesn't understand the difference and to start talking to the masses about Linux, the GPL and Open Source.
In the eyes of the average person Linux is an underdog, this strange OS used by college kids and computer geeks in dark rooms late at night. What is going to change this not the superior attitude that, "Linux kicks ass, and Microsoft sucks so much. Why does it suck? 'Cause Microsoft is evil and Bill Gates is the devil!" Sorry, this just isn't going to work, as Proffitt points out:
"We don't need to attack them just because they're there. When we do, we are just making their case for them"
What this movement needs are speakers that know how to handle the media and the public. Linus is a bit too self effacing and RMS is a bit too fanatical to make good spokespersons. So I issue this question to the Slashdot audience: Who is going to stand for the whole GNU / Linux / GPL / Open Source movement? Who has the availability proclaim the strengths of this movement in an intelligent manner? Who has the availability to manipulate the media in favor of this movement?
Reading this article I can't help but think of a grandfather sitting on his porch talking to all his grandchildren. You know, the types of stories that begin "Back in my day..." My responce to this article? "Yes grandpa... I know... 12 miles to school... uphill bothways..." These technologies all had flaws in them, hence the reason that they are seen in mainstream use. (note the use of mainstream here, search long enough and you will find anything being used) It time to just let go of the old technologies and embrace the new ones.
Let's face it; the Apple platform is "a noble but doomed cause." Apple doomed itself when it refused to open its hardware so that so-called Apple clones could enter the marketplace. By trying to keep a solid lock on both the hardware and software side of the machines, Apple signed its own death certificate. Other companies have tried this is the past, i.e. IBM and OS2/WARP, and they have failed miserably. Even IBM, as set in their ways as they are, was smart enough to realize that trying to monopolize both the hardware and operating system of a computer is a futile take. Not to mention that Microsoft, as evil as they are, never attempted to do this.
Note to self: Figure out an interface for this and a lego mindstorm so that an AI program in LISP maybe created for my Lego creation. A little duct tape to secure the drive to the mindstorm. And I can take over the world!!! (Providing that I do it in the 10 min before the batteries go dead)
I'll take that custom job of 8 18" displays please, yes with the infrared keyboard and mouse... a camera? Sure why not! Um, I'll take them in a metallic green color please. What do I need them for? Why to play Quake III, Unreal, and Diablo 2 when it comes out of course. That and look at the most porn I can in the smallest amount of time.
Ok, using this BCI technology is a big step toward the Star Trek type future. Sight, sound, and touch would be great on the internet. This would bring businesses meetings online into a whole new era. But do we really need taste and smell? No offence to anyone here, but I don't want to smell or taste any of you.
I agree with what G27 is saying here. What I do not agree with is the fact that this comment has been moderated up to a 5. While I am in no way saying that this is a weak comment, I am saying that all this person did was include a few quoted lines from the article in this comment. This is not an "informative" comment because if you are reading the comments to a story posted here, you are interested in the story. If you are interested in the story then you should have read the article(s) that go along with the story. If you have read the article(s) then it is not informative to you to see the same information you just read appear in the comments.
Like I have said, I like this article and it is in no way ment to mock its author. I am simply pointing out the fact that moderators need to take the time and read the article(s) on which the comments that they are moderating are based upon. If everyone were to do this, I feel that the level of worthy comments that don't get moderated would decline, and we, the slashdoters, would be reading better comments.
In closing, I would just like to state that no matter what happens there are always going to be some people who are going to post the "first post rules" and "I'm a troll" and who are going to waste there moderator points doing things that they feel with "piss people off." Instead of giving into their childish behavior, and posting "flame" responces, just ignore them and wait for them to mature. One last thing, if you would like to read worth-while comments on slashdot, set you comment filter to 2 and enjoy.
Ok, my idea for a great game, is "Dragonball Z Power-up." This game would, of course, be based on the FUNAmation version of DBZ, and it would include the following:
1. Really really bad voice acting 2. Weak villians and an even weaker main characters 4. Long drawn out battles 5. Pointless side stories 6. 50+ hrs. of full motion videos of the characters powering up for a battle.
In fact... lets scratch everything but the powering up. Nothing says top selling game then people standing around yelling while the flash with the power they are gathering up.
Please note: I love DBZ, but those of you who have seen the show know what I am talking about.
Ok... English may or may not be the next "offical" language of the world... but in terms of a internet language, I just have one request... lets make it easy to type with on the qwert keyboard layout. I, for one, really don't feel like learning a whole new layout for the keyboard that some study says is "easier and faster to use" I am happy with qwert so lets keep this status quo
Re:Playing God, or the devil?
on
Sim Plague
·
· Score: 1
Oh yeah.... also let me point out that if you did not use the atuo-destruction options in the SimCity games, you missed out on a great part of the game... The game creators put them there (Will Wright is a GOD) for you to use, not sit around thinking that video games are the problem with society along with movies and television. If the state of American society bothers you that much, get off your ass and do something about it.
Re:Playing God, or the devil?
on
Sim Plague
·
· Score: 1
I am sorry to see that my joke was lost on you... then again maybe not since you are one of the people that seam to confuse video games with real life...
As with Sim City, the most fun I ever had was when I got bored with the city and unleased death and destruction upon my paradise. Now lets look to The Sims and see if you can't do the same thing. How about adding a chemistry set where you can build your own viruses, or maybe an option to poision the food. I think the poision would be helpful in the situations where you have two people in love with the same sim... just slip a little be of you special brew in their food and problem solved. Of course I have a sick and twisted mind... but it would still be fun to do.
Ok... I am one of the very very annoyed people that are on this list. That said, let me tell you what some fun people are doing...
It seems that some people have figured out that this loophole in the announcement list is a great way for them to gather email address for whatever reason they choose (I believe that these lists are going to be compiled and then sold to companies... oh joy, more spam). The best thing is, these people are sending email to the list and then they want notification that the reciever has read the email.
In case that went by to fast... here's a break down: 1. People sign up for members at large from ICANN 2. ICANN leaves a loophole in the email list allowing "reply to all" to go to every member (12000 accourding to ICANN) 3. People post messages to the ICANN list and then they want to know if the reciever has read it. 4. When people allow themselves to send this email back, thier email address are added to a spam list.
Well, I can say one thing about ICANN so far, it takes some kind of sick mind to create a situation where 1 person can send 1 email to 1 address and in turn get 12,000 email address together for a spam mailing list that companies will pay big money for.
I agree that computers have limitations. They are just tools, to be used like any other. As a tool, the degree of skill the user of the tool possesses determines the quality of the final product. I don't agree however with the statement of "[One of the goals is] To discourage futility. Computer experts who tackle problems that are simply insoluble need to stop wasting their time." This is the type of apathy that will harm the realm of computing, not help it. If you look at the past, all of the things that have brought forth progress and innovation have been accomplished through people using tools to overcome with was thought to be impossible. Sailing around the world, human flight, space travel, etc. All of these were at one time thought to be just dreams, things that would never come to fruition. So, maybe this book should focus more on the point of that while currently computers might not be able to solve a certain algorithm lets come up with a better way of computing that might one day solve this problem. Instead of telling them that what they are doing can't be done, lets put the challenge out to them and see if they can turn this impossible dream into reality.
Slashdot Mirror
Brian Proffitt makes some very interesting points in this article that anyone interested in the future of the GNU / Linux / GPL / Open Source movement should pay attention to.
"... Microsoft, it seems, has not learned Universal Law No. 312: If you call automatically equate GPL'd software with "open source," you will get a corrective statement from the FSF or Richard Stallman. It's like smoke and fire, can't have one without the other.
Yes, Microsoft did confuse the two concepts of GPL and open source. Care to take a guess why? Because they know the average listener is not going to know the difference. And like any good political campaigner, Microsoft is not going after the truth here. They are going for perception and sometimes that's all you need."
That's right, the average person does not know or even care about the difference between GPL'd software and open source software. Now that Microsoft is taking direct shots at Linux, GPL, and Open Source its time for Linux guru's, users and advocates to stop rolling their collective eyes at the thought that someone doesn't understand the difference and to start talking to the masses about Linux, the GPL and Open Source.
In the eyes of the average person Linux is an underdog, this strange OS used by college kids and computer geeks in dark rooms late at night. What is going to change this not the superior attitude that, "Linux kicks ass, and Microsoft sucks so much. Why does it suck? 'Cause Microsoft is evil and Bill Gates is the devil!" Sorry, this just isn't going to work, as Proffitt points out:
"We don't need to attack them just because they're there. When we do, we are just making their case for them"
What this movement needs are speakers that know how to handle the media and the public. Linus is a bit too self effacing and RMS is a bit too fanatical to make good spokespersons. So I issue this question to the Slashdot audience: Who is going to stand for the whole GNU / Linux / GPL / Open Source movement? Who has the availability proclaim the strengths of this movement in an intelligent manner? Who has the availability to manipulate the media in favor of this movement?
Reading this article I can't help but think of a grandfather sitting on his porch talking to all his grandchildren. You know, the types of stories that begin "Back in my day..." My responce to this article? "Yes grandpa... I know... 12 miles to school... uphill bothways..." These technologies all had flaws in them, hence the reason that they are seen in mainstream use. (note the use of mainstream here, search long enough and you will find anything being used) It time to just let go of the old technologies and embrace the new ones.
I got it! 5 years to make the "cute cat case"
Let's face it; the Apple platform is "a noble but doomed cause." Apple doomed itself when it refused to open its hardware so that so-called Apple clones could enter the marketplace. By trying to keep a solid lock on both the hardware and software side of the machines, Apple signed its own death certificate. Other companies have tried this is the past, i.e. IBM and OS2/WARP, and they have failed miserably. Even IBM, as set in their ways as they are, was smart enough to realize that trying to monopolize both the hardware and operating system of a computer is a futile take. Not to mention that Microsoft, as evil as they are, never attempted to do this.
If this is true... unban my Napster account!
Note to self:
Figure out an interface for this and a lego mindstorm so that an AI program in LISP maybe created for my Lego creation. A little duct tape to secure the drive to the mindstorm. And I can take over the world!!! (Providing that I do it in the 10 min before the batteries go dead)
I'll take that custom job of 8 18" displays please, yes with the infrared keyboard and mouse... a camera? Sure why not! Um, I'll take them in a metallic green color please. What do I need them for? Why to play Quake III, Unreal, and Diablo 2 when it comes out of course. That and look at the most porn I can in the smallest amount of time.
Ok, using this BCI technology is a big step toward the Star Trek type future. Sight, sound, and touch would be great on the internet. This would bring businesses meetings online into a whole new era. But do we really need taste and smell? No offence to anyone here, but I don't want to smell or taste any of you.
My vote would be to dust of the NeXT OS and use it to implament the BIC hardware/software.
I agree with what G27 is saying here. What I do not agree with is the fact that this comment has been moderated up to a 5. While I am in no way saying that this is a weak comment, I am saying that all this person did was include a few quoted lines from the article in this comment. This is not an "informative" comment because if you are reading the comments to a story posted here, you are interested in the story. If you are interested in the story then you should have read the article(s) that go along with the story. If you have read the article(s) then it is not informative to you to see the same information you just read appear in the comments.
Like I have said, I like this article and it is in no way ment to mock its author. I am simply pointing out the fact that moderators need to take the time and read the article(s) on which the comments that they are moderating are based upon. If everyone were to do this, I feel that the level of worthy comments that don't get moderated would decline, and we, the slashdoters, would be reading better comments.
In closing, I would just like to state that no matter what happens there are always going to be some people who are going to post the "first post rules" and "I'm a troll" and who are going to waste there moderator points doing things that they feel with "piss people off." Instead of giving into their childish behavior, and posting "flame" responces, just ignore them and wait for them to mature. One last thing, if you would like to read worth-while comments on slashdot, set you comment filter to 2 and enjoy.
Ok, my idea for a great game, is "Dragonball Z Power-up." This game would, of course, be based on the FUNAmation version of DBZ, and it would include the following:
1. Really really bad voice acting
2. Weak villians and an even weaker main characters
4. Long drawn out battles
5. Pointless side stories
6. 50+ hrs. of full motion videos of the characters powering up for a battle.
In fact... lets scratch everything but the powering up. Nothing says top selling game then people standing around yelling while the flash with the power they are gathering up.
Please note: I love DBZ, but those of you who have seen the show know what I am talking about.
I will agree to emmett's "Oh,yes" and raise you a "Hell Yeah!" ReBoot Rocks!
Ok... English may or may not be the next "offical" language of the world... but in terms of a internet language, I just have one request... lets make it easy to type with on the qwert keyboard layout. I, for one, really don't feel like learning a whole new layout for the keyboard that some study says is "easier and faster to use" I am happy with qwert so lets keep this status quo
Oh yeah.... also let me point out that if you did not use the atuo-destruction options in the SimCity games, you missed out on a great part of the game... The game creators put them there (Will Wright is a GOD) for you to use, not sit around thinking that video games are the problem with society along with movies and television. If the state of American society bothers you that much, get off your ass and do something about it.
I am sorry to see that my joke was lost on you... then again maybe not since you are one of the people that seam to confuse video games with real life...
As with Sim City, the most fun I ever had was when I got bored with the city and unleased death and destruction upon my paradise. Now lets look to The Sims and see if you can't do the same thing. How about adding a chemistry set where you can build your own viruses, or maybe an option to poision the food. I think the poision would be helpful in the situations where you have two people in love with the same sim... just slip a little be of you special brew in their food and problem solved. Of course I have a sick and twisted mind... but it would still be fun to do.
Ok... I am one of the very very annoyed people that are on this list. That said, let me tell you what some fun people are doing...
It seems that some people have figured out that this loophole in the announcement list is a great way for them to gather email address for whatever reason they choose (I believe that these lists are going to be compiled and then sold to companies... oh joy, more spam). The best thing is, these people are sending email to the list and then they want notification that the reciever has read the email.
In case that went by to fast... here's a break down:
1. People sign up for members at large from ICANN
2. ICANN leaves a loophole in the email list allowing "reply to all" to go to every member (12000 accourding to ICANN)
3. People post messages to the ICANN list and then they want to know if the reciever has read it.
4. When people allow themselves to send this email back, thier email address are added to a spam list.
Well, I can say one thing about ICANN so far, it takes some kind of sick mind to create a situation where 1 person can send 1 email to 1 address and in turn get 12,000 email address together for a spam mailing list that companies will pay big money for.
I agree that computers have limitations. They are just tools, to be used like any other. As a tool, the degree of skill the user of the tool possesses determines the quality of the final product. I don't agree however with the statement of "[One of the goals is] To discourage futility. Computer experts who tackle problems that are simply insoluble need to stop wasting their time." This is the type of apathy that will harm the realm of computing, not help it. If you look at the past, all of the things that have brought forth progress and innovation have been accomplished through people using tools to overcome with was thought to be impossible. Sailing around the world, human flight, space travel, etc. All of these were at one time thought to be just dreams, things that would never come to fruition. So, maybe this book should focus more on the point of that while currently computers might not be able to solve a certain algorithm lets come up with a better way of computing that might one day solve this problem. Instead of telling them that what they are doing can't be done, lets put the challenge out to them and see if they can turn this impossible dream into reality.