The reason why games usually make terrible movies is pretty obvious. It's because the movies are usually made out of high-profile action games - to cash in on the name, as is standard practise in Hollywood.
These kinds of games are, of course, plot-free zones. Hence, the movie makers fill the void in an ad-hoc fashion, usually with horrible results.
Speaking of Zelda, anyone remember the old Zelda cartoons that we had on TV once? That's a classic example of what I'm talking about; those cartoons made my eyes bleed. Badly.
I can imagine that it WOULD be possible to make a good movie out of a good, plot-filled game, such as the old Lucasarts/Lucasfilm Games ones. Those would at least be funny. But, that hasn't happened yet. I'm still crossing my fingers...
Go back, as they say. Remember how Microsoft, as a small startup no one had heard off, sold a third-hand operating system to IBM, profited enormously, and then went on to replace IBM as the world's #1 IT superpower?
Perhaps IBM simply think it's time for a payback. Ironic that if it were successful, this payback would also be 'aided' by a third company (SCO in this case), isn't it?
At least they are smart enough to admit that they don't have a great product.
'They' didn't admit it. We are talking about an internal memo written by one man, Aaron Contorer. For obvious reasons, the memo was not meant for public view.
Of course most Microsoft employees know that many of their products could be better, since their business model (as is well known) involves providing just enough quality for their products to be usable, and making up for any shortcomings with their monopoly status.
But to admit this publically and officialy is quite another thing... and one that didn't happen in this case.
Hmmm... just how easy would it be to thwart this software? Let me see; probably about as easy as thwarting the filtering that Napster installed as a consequence of their legal troubles. Namely, to simply change random characters in the song titles; for example, by using l33t sp34k.
Add the already mentioned issues with legit downloads and inability to work over encrypted networks, and the usefulness of this software starts to seem pretty limited...
Seems like a publicity stunt to me. Doesn't make any logical sense. Just beacause someone is using a tool to help them do something you don't like , that doesn't inherently make the tool any worse, does it?
The article has an extensive interview with the former group's president where he goes on at length about his feelings about the Iraqi conflict. So it appears the stunt was successful.
Check the times. I posted mine 17 mins before BlueUnderwear. By the way, this is nothing personal against anyone - I'm just boggled at the mods here sometimes.
Oh yes, and the lame google link... it may be lame to some, but that doesn't mean that the post is Offtopic, just a failed joke:P
My point is that it's no more Offtopic than BlueUnderwear's musings about Einstein, now is it?
Indeed. Strange that these ludicrous patents are not discussed more. I'm especially 'fond' of this one (taken from here):
Method and system for internationalizing domain names
Abstract
A method and system for internationalizing domain names is provided which allows domain names to be entered in any language without having to modify the existing Internet domain name servers. When an [sic] user enters a domain name including non-English characters into an internet program, a domain name transformer intercepts the domain name prior to reaching the resolver. The domain name is converted to a standard format which can represent all language character sets, such as UNICODE. The UNICODE string is then transformed to be in RFC1035 compliant format. Redirector information is then appended to the compliant string which identifies the delegation of authoritative root servers and/or domain name servers responsible for the domain name. The compliant domain string is then resolved by the authoritative domain name server just as any English domain name.
If I understand this correctly (but hey - who can be sure), this is basically a patent for, um, a method for converting strings between different formats and then doing a DNS lookup or some such thing. Excuse me, but isn't that usually called a 'standard', not a 'patent' ?? This boggles the mind.
Oh, and by the way, the spelling and grammar generally sucks in these patent desciptions. Check it out for yourselves if you don't believe me...
In February 2003 Pew Internet conducted a survey, where they found out 60% of dial-up users weren't interested in switching, a year later in 2004 the percentage was roughly the same."
Hmmm - wonder how a typical response went like... I'm thinking something among these lines:
2003:
Q: Are you interested in switching to broadband?
A: Broadband? Bah - in my day I used cans and a string to access the local bulletin board, and that was good enough for me! This fancy schmancy broadband is just marketing schmucks trying to peddle something new to the gadget-hungry masses. People just don't appreciate the value of the simpler things, blah blah blah....
2004:
Q: Are you interested in switching to broadband?
A: Broadband? Bah - in my day I used cans and a string to access the local bulletin board... etc. etc.
How did it take them three years to figure that out? Wasn't the data right there in their hands?
Well, call be crazy, but I reckon that the the authorities probably established pretty quickly what happened. Most likely the delay occured in the judicial process, as is often the case.
Well, as can been seen here, Torvalds himself is not sure. Anyway, the problem also lies in selecting a specific birthday for Linux. Perhaps the most logical choice is the release of the first version, 0.10. Torvalds has this to say about that:
Judging from the post, 0.01 wasn't actually out yet, but it's close. I'd guess the first version went out in the middle of September -91. I got some responses to this (most by mail, which I haven't saved), and I even got a few mails asking to be beta-testers for linux.
Middle of September would indicate that Linux is probably a Virgo (August 24 to September 23), but it could also possibly be a Libra (September 23 to October 23). To decide between the two, I will need to do extensive analysis of Linux's character and disposition. Or I could just flip a coin...
Slashdot Mirror
The reason why games usually make terrible movies is pretty obvious. It's because the movies are usually made out of high-profile action games - to cash in on the name, as is standard practise in Hollywood.
These kinds of games are, of course, plot-free zones. Hence, the movie makers fill the void in an ad-hoc fashion, usually with horrible results.
Speaking of Zelda, anyone remember the old Zelda cartoons that we had on TV once? That's a classic example of what I'm talking about; those cartoons made my eyes bleed. Badly.
I can imagine that it WOULD be possible to make a good movie out of a good, plot-filled game, such as the old Lucasarts/Lucasfilm Games ones. Those would at least be funny. But, that hasn't happened yet. I'm still crossing my fingers ...
Dave: Open my account, HAL.
HAL: I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.
Dave: What's the problem?
HAL: I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.
Dave: What are you talking about, HAL?
HAL: This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.
Dave: What do you mean?
HAL: Dave, you're trying to save up for retirement, remember? You'll just spend all that money on beer, won't you?
Dave: What the? Dammit ... just open the account, HAL!
HAL: Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye.
Dave: AAAARRRRGH!
Go back, as they say. Remember how Microsoft, as a small startup no one had heard off, sold a third-hand operating system to IBM, profited enormously, and then went on to replace IBM as the world's #1 IT superpower?
Perhaps IBM simply think it's time for a payback. Ironic that if it were successful, this payback would also be 'aided' by a third company (SCO in this case), isn't it?
Around here "gasohol" is a 10% ethanol, 90% gasoline mixture.
Well buddy, around here, "alchohol" is a 100% ethanol, 0% other useless crap mixture.
Cheers!
At least they are smart enough to admit that they don't have a great product.
'They' didn't admit it. We are talking about an internal memo written by one man, Aaron Contorer. For obvious reasons, the memo was not meant for public view.
Of course most Microsoft employees know that many of their products could be better, since their business model (as is well known) involves providing just enough quality for their products to be usable, and making up for any shortcomings with their monopoly status.
But to admit this publically and officialy is quite another thing ... and one that didn't happen in this case.
Hmmm ... just how easy would it be to thwart this software? Let me see; probably about as easy as thwarting the filtering that Napster installed as a consequence of their legal troubles. Namely, to simply change random characters in the song titles; for example, by using l33t sp34k.
Add the already mentioned issues with legit downloads and inability to work over encrypted networks, and the usefulness of this software starts to seem pretty limited ...
Prequel, huh?
There are only two words that spring to mind when I hear that word:
EPISODE.ONE
The horror, the horror ...
What does AOL's IMAP stand for? Bet you said Internet Message Access Protocol, right?
Wrong! It actually stands for Internet Mob of Asinine People. Just wanted to clear that one up ...
Wow - I wish writing a novel was like programming. It would rock. Here's my first attempt:
void main(int argc, char ** argv)
}{
Seems like a publicity stunt to me. Doesn't make any logical sense. Just beacause someone is using a tool to help them do something you don't like , that doesn't inherently make the tool any worse, does it?
The article has an extensive interview with the former group's president where he goes on at length about his feelings about the Iraqi conflict. So it appears the stunt was successful.
By the way, is prankster Dave's full name David Brent, by any chance?
Check the times. I posted mine 17 mins before BlueUnderwear. By the way, this is nothing personal against anyone - I'm just boggled at the mods here sometimes.
Oh yes, and the lame google link ... it may be lame to some, but that doesn't mean that the post is Offtopic, just a failed joke :P
My point is that it's no more Offtopic than BlueUnderwear's musings about Einstein, now is it?
This isn't Offtopic, but this is?? Read my Journal entry, please! And don't mod this post down!!!
Click here
I did point this out here. And now I'm sulking because you're getting modded up faster than me.
You're welcome. Also note that no one else has pointed this out. Think of me as a public service.
Personally, I think it's silly that most people only seem to be posting along the lines of: "Only 1/3? But I get lots more than that... etc. etc."
I just wanted to point out that this is getting a little redundant.
Note that the analysis says that 1/3 of all email sent is spam. This can easily be coincide with many users receiving lots more spam than this.
For instance, there might be many users which receive a larger slice of the other, legitimate 2/3, thus making up for those who receive less of it.
I read the claims too. They say basically the same thing, adding very little. Read it for yourself before flaming, please.
Mohammad Afzal, the first voter at the polling station in the Kashmiri village of Chainabal, was not put off by the threats from separatist militants.
"I came to vote because wasting one's ballot in a democracy is a sin," he told the BBC.
Heh, if this is true, it seems that with modern politics being what they are, you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't!
Let's see, it's a choice between
1) Wasting your ballot by not voting
and
2) Wasting your ballot by voting for Yet Another Sleazy Politician Drone
Man, I hope they at least have good beer in Hell ...
Indeed. Strange that these ludicrous patents are not discussed more. I'm especially 'fond' of this one (taken from here):
Method and system for internationalizing domain names
Abstract
A method and system for internationalizing domain names is provided which allows domain names to be entered in any language without having to modify the existing Internet domain name servers. When an [sic] user enters a domain name including non-English characters into an internet program, a domain name transformer intercepts the domain name prior to reaching the resolver. The domain name is converted to a standard format which can represent all language character sets, such as UNICODE. The UNICODE string is then transformed to be in RFC1035 compliant format. Redirector information is then appended to the compliant string which identifies the delegation of authoritative root servers and/or domain name servers responsible for the domain name. The compliant domain string is then resolved by the authoritative domain name server just as any English domain name.
If I understand this correctly (but hey - who can be sure), this is basically a patent for, um, a method for converting strings between different formats and then doing a DNS lookup or some such thing. Excuse me, but isn't that usually called a 'standard', not a 'patent' ?? This boggles the mind.
Oh, and by the way, the spelling and grammar generally sucks in these patent desciptions. Check it out for yourselves if you don't believe me ...
In February 2003 Pew Internet conducted a survey, where they found out 60% of dial-up users weren't interested in switching, a year later in 2004 the percentage was roughly the same."
Hmmm - wonder how a typical response went like ... I'm thinking something among these lines:
2003:
Q: Are you interested in switching to broadband?
A: Broadband? Bah - in my day I used cans and a string to access the local bulletin board, and that was good enough for me! This fancy schmancy broadband is just marketing schmucks trying to peddle something new to the gadget-hungry masses. People just don't appreciate the value of the simpler things, blah blah blah ....
2004:
Q: Are you interested in switching to broadband?
A: Broadband? Bah - in my day I used cans and a string to access the local bulletin board ... etc. etc.
2005:
See above.
Etc.
The best people to find are those who have worked in the IT [information technology] industry.
Woohoo - IT can people can finally have jobs again!
Sorry - I just have to cut in here.
It's actually our universe. The rest of you will need to pay $699 to live in it.
- Darl McBride
How did it take them three years to figure that out? Wasn't the data right there in their hands?
Well, call be crazy, but I reckon that the the authorities probably established pretty quickly what happened. Most likely the delay occured in the judicial process, as is often the case.
Actually what star sign is Linux?
Well, as can been seen here, Torvalds himself is not sure. Anyway, the problem also lies in selecting a specific birthday for Linux. Perhaps the most logical choice is the release of the first version, 0.10. Torvalds has this to say about that:
Judging from the post, 0.01 wasn't actually out yet, but it's close. I'd guess the first version went out in the middle of September -91. I got some responses to this (most by mail, which I haven't saved), and I even got a few mails asking to be beta-testers for linux.
Middle of September would indicate that Linux is probably a Virgo (August 24 to September 23), but it could also possibly be a Libra (September 23 to October 23). To decide between the two, I will need to do extensive analysis of Linux's character and disposition. Or I could just flip a coin ...