As for "copying large amounts of company data", what ever happened to employee trust? i.e. You should only hire someone you can trust to do job you put them in, because there's no getting around giving them access to sensitive information. It's like telling the company accountant that they can't have access to the financial records, because they might embezzle money!
Unfortunately, in real life people have the amazing ability to turn on a dime, especially when they feel violated in some way or another. You can do all the background and personality and polygraph tests in the world but there's no way to know how someone will react if they perceive a slight-- epecially at a large and impersonal corporation, where layoffs and passed-over promotions are common. It only makes sense for a company to do its best to prevent trade secrets and other confidential information from walking out their doors... It's one thing to have a disgruntled employee with knowledge, since human memory is faulty and hard to prove. It's another to let them download the whole database to use against them later.
There is absolutely no way that Square-Enix would let a couple of no-name dudes re-make one of their games for the hell of it. Square-Enix is a multi-million dollar entertainment corporation, not some cool guy who makes cool games. These guys knew this and did it anyway hoping to either fly under the radar or get some attention before being shut down (which they have.)
Or, possibly, they though they'd knock Square-Enix's socks off with their amazing rendition and either get bought out or hired. Lots of people try this kind of thing-- sending unsolicited Simpsons scripts to Fox, etc. Unfortunately it never works-- legal dept.'s never even let decision makers see home-brewed efforts for fear of a later lawsuit if they have a similar idea. If Square didn't squash this and decided to make a 3-D version of Chrono Trigger in the future (which is a possibility, didn't they update early Final Fantasies?) these guys could potentially sue if it seems that Square-Enix appropriated any of their ideas and designs. In any event if they let this get distributed it could conceivably harm potential sales of a 3-D Chrono Trigger.
Whatever the motivation, this thing didn't have a shot and it's all their fault. It was a foolish endeavor to waste their time on. They seem talented, though, so I hope this effort at least works as a portfolio piece to get them jobs... And I'm betting it will, if they choose to follow up on it.
I'm sure I'm not the only one on Slashdot who buys up every vintage console he sees at garage sales and thrift stores... And I can tell you that finding a working NES is not all that easy, even on eBay (where they sell for $25-$50 and have no guarantees.) They just weren't built to last 15-20 years, especially with the abuse most kids inlficted on them.
Atari 2600, though-- those things will last forever. Probably because they're so damn simple. Of course finding a paddle controller that doesn't have the jitters, that's another matter...
Star Trek can't die! I'm still two hundred after fifty pages away from completing my magnum opus fan fiction novel in which Q brings Kirk, Picard, Janeway and, uh, the other ones together to assist the Sith in an alternate universe that finally explains the link between Babylon 5 and Battlestar Galactica!
If anyone wants to read some sample chapters it's available at:
http://www.geocities.homestead.tripod.angelfire. co m/users/homepages/sciencefiction/startrek/alternat iveuniverses/fiction/fanfiction/DamnYouQ.html
Nintendo kicking Atari's ass also had a lot to do with Super Mario. Atari was releasing arcade games, many of which had already been adapted on previous/other consoles. Nintendo blew our minds with games like we've never seen before. As it is and always has been it's all about the games-- the Atari may have been a superior system, but (of course) that has never been an indication of console success.
I also think one of the biggest reason for the crash is often overlooked-- the C-64. That was the true gaming system of the time, a LOT of people had them... And a lot of people had a lot of games they didn't pay for, which made the idea of paying $30 for an catrdige of a three-screen arcade adaptation a joke.
So yeah, poor direction. The 7800 would've kicked ass in '83 or '84. It's what the 5200 should have been. But in '86 or '87 it was way too late.
" This software gives you a major function that mixes the 2 visuals into 1 visual for your live visual performance. You can add visual effetcs and texts as you need. Also, you can easily organize the video files and send the video source diretcly from your computer."
BTW this has nothing to do with linear editing (which is what iMovie does, and is basically a fancy way of editing by hooking two VCRs together and using the pause button) and nonlinear editing (Final Cut's "batch" system, which is far superior.)
IIRC the 7800 flopped because it was also behind the times-- it was out around the same time as the NES, but the games were just rehashes of the same old thing (Robotron, Breakout, Galaga etc.) with better graphics. What kid in his right mind would choose that over Super Mario Brothers?
2600, 5200, Intellivision, Coleco nostalgia I can see... As well as NES, of course... But wasn't the 7800 a terrible flop?
Eh. Good luck, Atari. You'll need it. Nintendo can sell us Excitebike, Zelda and Super Mario again because they always were and will be great games. Anything that could be considered "great" on the 2600 was only because we didn't have anything better.
Or how about encouraging voters to take an interest in ALL of the names and issues on the ballot?
If you don't like the choices for President, fine, vote third party or leave it blank. But the further down the list you go-- from senators to congressmen to governors to city councilmen, etc.-- the more direct influence that candidate will have on your life. Senators and congressman pass and vote on laws, and the votes are often very close. The governor and mayor will have much more influence than the president over your potholes getting fixed, if parking fines will be tripled, if the drug dealers are going to be cleaned out of that sketchy building down the block, if freeways will be expanded so you can get to work.
If we really want change-- and for voters to feel empowered-- then they need to start voting responsibly for ALL the names, not just the figurehead CEO.
I have to asssume they're politically motivated, not just interested in getting people out to vote "no matter who it's for."
"Hot or Not" is a gathering place for teens and twenty-somethings, and probably more likely to lean Democrat than Republican. Kind of like how Rock the Vote, which claims not to have a political bent, was mysteriously silent in '96 when the Republicans didn't pose a significant threat.
do they select you for jury duty using voter registration records? everyone i have ever talked to who has been selected for jury duty has been registered to vote... is this a coincidence?
It does kind of suck. But it makes sense, in that registered voters are more likely to be socially responsible and willing to do their civic duty. Cattle-calling from DMV records probably results in a lot of potetnial jurors either not showing up or doing their best to weasel out of it.
Just think, people could focus on engineering to make better ships, sensors, etc, which enable others to explore more distant planets and discover new technologies/resources, which enables new engineering research so you have an economic cycle.
If it's anything like the shows, all of these problems can be easily solved with Dilithium Crystals.
How is Apple an underdog or a monopoly? There are many choices besides the iPod and iTunes store. You aren't even locked in to purchasing an iPod if you use the store, and conversely iPods don't only play Fairplay AACs.
I believe Real is the one playing underdog (or, more precisely, the "wounded vulture.") From the Freedom of Music site:
FREEDOM OF MUSIC CHOICE CAMPAIGN RealNetworks has launched the "Freedom of Music Choice" campaign to help consumers break the chains that tie their music devices to proprietary music downloads. We're here to inform AND motivate.
That would be a noble cause... Except they are selling proprietary music downloads. Cutting the price in half isn't the same as selling DRM-free music.
I would humbly suggest that if it can't be prevented in the software, we should at least have a gentlemen's (and women's) agreement not to abuse the "flamebait" and "troll" tags in the politics section.
Already there's too much abuse-- people modding you "troll" if you present an informed, but unpopular opinion about Apple or the RIAA. I can't imagine how bad it's going to be if you dare approve of something the Bush administration does.
I could be completely wrong about this, so take it with a grain of salt, but I believe the hurricanes this year are hitting areas of Florida that usually aren't as heavily affected.
but you can use firewire-800. You can also cram 4 gb into the PMG5. The bus is also faster.... And you will be able to update the graphics card (which is already better, I should add) and use PCI slots if you ever need to, as well as install a second internal drive... And replace the Superdrive yourself when it's inevitably the first thing to fail.
And you can use whatever monitor you want. I have a Viewsonic 17" LCD and 19" CRT attached to my G5, and both monitors together (and the ADC adaptor) cost less than a 17" Apple studio display. Dual monitor spanning is not even available on the iMac without a hack.
And you don't run the risk of having a pefectly functioning computer attached to a dead monitor some day or vice versa. I inherited an otherwise fine G4 iMac with a broken screen from a friend; Apple refused to repair it under Applecare (it was damaged during a move) and the cost of replacing the swing-arm LCD would be nearly as much as the computer is worth.
Then again, the iMac G5 is a bargain, and it is worth it if you don't need to expand. I would definitely recommend Applecare on any all-in-one system though.
I'm sure that Wikipedia is the authoritative source on things like Starcraft or Goatse.cx, but personally I think I'm going to have to go with a more traditional encyclopedia if I'm concerned about the information I'm looking fore being absolutely factual and correct.
You say that like it's a bad thing. Wikipedia's a great source when you need a crash course on pop culture, both from the present and from the past. That's its greatest strength.
Pop culture artifacts aren't that important in the scheme of history, and are much too "lowbrow" for the traditional canons of knowledge, but they are important-- and frequently referenced in day-to-day conversation, usually with the assumption that you already know what they are.
If you really want anonymity, buy a Virginmobile or other pay-as-you go cell phone. All you need to activate it is an e-mail account (any e-mail account.) Pay for top-up cards in cash and never call anyone you know. Caller ID means nothing if even the provider doesn't know who owns the number.
I'm surprised these phones are legal, to be honest.
There have been plenty of games about 'Nam in the past-- Platoon on the NES, Nam 1975, etc... But it's hard to get riled up over 8-bit sprites. Now that games are much more immersing and realistic, they also run the risk of being unsettling if they don't handle
Two games that come a little close to crossing the line IMO are Black Hawk Down and the upcoming S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
For the one or two who aren't aware, in the former, you're a U.S. soldier in Somalia defending villages and U.N. caravans from warlords. Maybe I'm touchy about race, but something just isn't right about the context-- too recent?-- and the fact that all of your enemies are black. It just feels... wrong.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is another I'm not sure about... A fps where you're fighting monsters who grew out of the radiation in Chernobyl. Considering the hundreds of thousands who were affected in horrible ways by the accident-- which wasn't that long ago-- this on e also feels a little... wrong.
But I'll still play them if they're good games. And I really don't know what the answer is. I like a game that feels realistic, but I have the feeling if they made games that emulated completely what it's like to go to war they'd be miserable and unplayable. The first rule would have to be no saved games, no do-overs, no medic kits-- when you get shot, you're crippled or dead. And that wouldn't be much fun at all...
One feature that most people seem to be missing: it has video out. You can load movies from your computer and connect it to your TV. Or take it with you and use it on a friend's. Much quicker than burning DVDs, much less complicated than connecting the computer to the entertainment system.
But when your counterfeiting, are you really stealing anything? Nobody else is deprived of their money, so what's the big deal? If we don't put our foot down now, the government might even outlaw printers soon, just like they want to do with p2p.:-P
You might get away with it. And it may get passed along a few times. But sooner or later the counterfeit bill will be discovered, probably by a bank, and it will be taken away from the unsuspecting person who thought it was real. You aren't reimbursed for a counterfeit bill that is confiscated.
So yes, it is stealing. Someone's going to be out the money.
Re:More important....
on
Make Money Fast
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· Score: 2, Interesting
Canadian money is not called "confederates" - actually, that's quite offensive and really does show how the author either doesn't know anything about the world outside American boarders or just assumes his culture applies everywhere. Typical.
No, you're mistaken, and I take offense at your offense. His "confederates" are his accomplices. I have never heard of Canadian money, or any currency for that matter called a "confederate." Except perhaps the South's dollar during the Civil War.
Oh, and the author's "American Boarders" are the nice couple from Wisconsin he's renting the second bedroom to. But you're right in that they have a narrow view of the world.
I've never believed that using your laptop, game boy or mp3 player/walkman "interfered with the instruments", or whatever excuse they give you.
I think they don't want you to use any electronic devices during takeoff and landing (particularly headphones) because that's the time when something is most likely to go horribly wrong. They want you alert.
I agree, and must say that the whole point is somewhat lost on me. What's wrong with actually taking in your surroundings? Or talking to people? Isn't having access to movies, tv shows, etc. at home enough? Do we really need to be able to watch a movie at any given moment? I realize that this is not exactly the "geek" party line, but at some point do we really need to bring everything with us?
Nice rant, but you're out of touch with reality. When you're backpacking through Europe you should chat it up and look at the pretty mountains. When you're a commuter, you usually want to be anywhere but where you are.
A few years back I lived outside New York and had to commute 2 hours each way every day to the city. That's assuming good weather and no hassles, of which there were many.
A while before that one of my parents was having health trouble in Japan and I had to fly back and forth seven times in one year.
Both of those times I really would've killed for a device like this. Laptops are clumsy on a commuter train and the batteries usually can't handle a twelve hour plane trip. Even when I'd carry a couple of spares.
As for taking in my suroundings, when you commute, you've seen them. A million times. I don't care for forced small talk with whoever's around me-- I have enough friends. And when it's six in the morning, or six at night after a long day at work, I don't want to talk about sports, politics and the weather with whoever I happen to be sitting next to. Believe it or not, most people want to travel in peace, not converse with strangers. More than once I've worn earphones after my walkman's battery ran out so that I wouldn't have to have a long, awkward conversation with the person next to me.
If anything, I'd be much happier to zone out and watch a movie when being held hostage by a commute and do my socializing and scenery-watching on my own time. Which I do.
If you see me watching one of these things on a plane, please leave me alone.
Slashdot Mirror
As for "copying large amounts of company data", what ever happened to employee trust? i.e. You should only hire someone you can trust to do job you put them in, because there's no getting around giving them access to sensitive information. It's like telling the company accountant that they can't have access to the financial records, because they might embezzle money!
Unfortunately, in real life people have the amazing ability to turn on a dime, especially when they feel violated in some way or another. You can do all the background and personality and polygraph tests in the world but there's no way to know how someone will react if they perceive a slight-- epecially at a large and impersonal corporation, where layoffs and passed-over promotions are common. It only makes sense for a company to do its best to prevent trade secrets and other confidential information from walking out their doors... It's one thing to have a disgruntled employee with knowledge, since human memory is faulty and hard to prove. It's another to let them download the whole database to use against them later.
There is absolutely no way that Square-Enix would let a couple of no-name dudes re-make one of their games for the hell of it. Square-Enix is a multi-million dollar entertainment corporation, not some cool guy who makes cool games. These guys knew this and did it anyway hoping to either fly under the radar or get some attention before being shut down (which they have.)
Or, possibly, they though they'd knock Square-Enix's socks off with their amazing rendition and either get bought out or hired. Lots of people try this kind of thing-- sending unsolicited Simpsons scripts to Fox, etc. Unfortunately it never works-- legal dept.'s never even let decision makers see home-brewed efforts for fear of a later lawsuit if they have a similar idea. If Square didn't squash this and decided to make a 3-D version of Chrono Trigger in the future (which is a possibility, didn't they update early Final Fantasies?) these guys could potentially sue if it seems that Square-Enix appropriated any of their ideas and designs. In any event if they let this get distributed it could conceivably harm potential sales of a 3-D Chrono Trigger.
Whatever the motivation, this thing didn't have a shot and it's all their fault. It was a foolish endeavor to waste their time on. They seem talented, though, so I hope this effort at least works as a portfolio piece to get them jobs... And I'm betting it will, if they choose to follow up on it.
I'm sure I'm not the only one on Slashdot who buys up every vintage console he sees at garage sales and thrift stores... And I can tell you that finding a working NES is not all that easy, even on eBay (where they sell for $25-$50 and have no guarantees.) They just weren't built to last 15-20 years, especially with the abuse most kids inlficted on them. Atari 2600, though-- those things will last forever. Probably because they're so damn simple. Of course finding a paddle controller that doesn't have the jitters, that's another matter...
Star Trek can't die! I'm still two hundred after fifty pages away from completing my magnum opus fan fiction novel in which Q brings Kirk, Picard, Janeway and, uh, the other ones together to assist the Sith in an alternate universe that finally explains the link between Babylon 5 and Battlestar Galactica!
. co m/users/homepages/sciencefiction/startrek/alternat iveuniverses/fiction/fanfiction/DamnYouQ.html
If anyone wants to read some sample chapters it's available at:
http://www.geocities.homestead.tripod.angelfire
Nintendo kicking Atari's ass also had a lot to do with Super Mario. Atari was releasing arcade games, many of which had already been adapted on previous/other consoles. Nintendo blew our minds with games like we've never seen before. As it is and always has been it's all about the games-- the Atari may have been a superior system, but (of course) that has never been an indication of console success.
I also think one of the biggest reason for the crash is often overlooked-- the C-64. That was the true gaming system of the time, a LOT of people had them... And a lot of people had a lot of games they didn't pay for, which made the idea of paying $30 for an catrdige of a three-screen arcade adaptation a joke.
So yeah, poor direction. The 7800 would've kicked ass in '83 or '84. It's what the 5200 should have been. But in '86 or '87 it was way too late.
... I believe, is what you're looking for.
http://www.digitalstage.net/en/
From the website:
" This software gives you a major function that mixes the 2 visuals into 1 visual for your live visual performance. You can add visual effetcs and texts as you need. Also, you can easily organize the video files and send the video source diretcly from your computer."
BTW this has nothing to do with linear editing (which is what iMovie does, and is basically a fancy way of editing by hooking two VCRs together and using the pause button) and nonlinear editing (Final Cut's "batch" system, which is far superior.)
IIRC the 7800 flopped because it was also behind the times-- it was out around the same time as the NES, but the games were just rehashes of the same old thing (Robotron, Breakout, Galaga etc.) with better graphics. What kid in his right mind would choose that over Super Mario Brothers?
2600, 5200, Intellivision, Coleco nostalgia I can see... As well as NES, of course... But wasn't the 7800 a terrible flop?
Eh. Good luck, Atari. You'll need it. Nintendo can sell us Excitebike, Zelda and Super Mario again because they always were and will be great games. Anything that could be considered "great" on the 2600 was only because we didn't have anything better.
Or how about encouraging voters to take an interest in ALL of the names and issues on the ballot?
If you don't like the choices for President, fine, vote third party or leave it blank. But the further down the list you go-- from senators to congressmen to governors to city councilmen, etc.-- the more direct influence that candidate will have on your life. Senators and congressman pass and vote on laws, and the votes are often very close. The governor and mayor will have much more influence than the president over your potholes getting fixed, if parking fines will be tripled, if the drug dealers are going to be cleaned out of that sketchy building down the block, if freeways will be expanded so you can get to work.
If we really want change-- and for voters to feel empowered-- then they need to start voting responsibly for ALL the names, not just the figurehead CEO.
I have to asssume they're politically motivated, not just interested in getting people out to vote "no matter who it's for."
"Hot or Not" is a gathering place for teens and twenty-somethings, and probably more likely to lean Democrat than Republican. Kind of like how Rock the Vote, which claims not to have a political bent, was mysteriously silent in '96 when the Republicans didn't pose a significant threat.
do they select you for jury duty using voter registration records? everyone i have ever talked to who has been selected for jury duty has been registered to vote... is this a coincidence?
It does kind of suck. But it makes sense, in that registered voters are more likely to be socially responsible and willing to do their civic duty. Cattle-calling from DMV records probably results in a lot of potetnial jurors either not showing up or doing their best to weasel out of it.
But do you think the end result-- if there eventually is a Chinese OS standard-- will have anything to do with Open Source Linux as we know it?
Just think, people could focus on engineering to make better ships, sensors, etc, which enable others to explore more distant planets and discover new technologies/resources, which enables new engineering research so you have an economic cycle.
If it's anything like the shows, all of these problems can be easily solved with Dilithium Crystals.
How is Apple an underdog or a monopoly? There are many choices besides the iPod and iTunes store. You aren't even locked in to purchasing an iPod if you use the store, and conversely iPods don't only play Fairplay AACs.
I believe Real is the one playing underdog (or, more precisely, the "wounded vulture.") From the Freedom of Music site:
FREEDOM OF MUSIC CHOICE CAMPAIGN
RealNetworks has launched the "Freedom of Music Choice" campaign to help consumers break the chains that tie their music devices to proprietary music downloads. We're here to inform AND motivate.
That would be a noble cause... Except they are selling proprietary music downloads. Cutting the price in half isn't the same as selling DRM-free music.
I would humbly suggest that if it can't be prevented in the software, we should at least have a gentlemen's (and women's) agreement not to abuse the "flamebait" and "troll" tags in the politics section.
Already there's too much abuse-- people modding you "troll" if you present an informed, but unpopular opinion about Apple or the RIAA. I can't imagine how bad it's going to be if you dare approve of something the Bush administration does.
I could be completely wrong about this, so take it with a grain of salt, but I believe the hurricanes this year are hitting areas of Florida that usually aren't as heavily affected.
but you can use firewire-800. You can also cram 4 gb into the PMG5. The bus is also faster. ... And you will be able to update the graphics card (which is already better, I should add) and use PCI slots if you ever need to, as well as install a second internal drive... And replace the Superdrive yourself when it's inevitably the first thing to fail.
And you can use whatever monitor you want. I have a Viewsonic 17" LCD and 19" CRT attached to my G5, and both monitors together (and the ADC adaptor) cost less than a 17" Apple studio display. Dual monitor spanning is not even available on the iMac without a hack.
And you don't run the risk of having a pefectly functioning computer attached to a dead monitor some day or vice versa. I inherited an otherwise fine G4 iMac with a broken screen from a friend; Apple refused to repair it under Applecare (it was damaged during a move) and the cost of replacing the swing-arm LCD would be nearly as much as the computer is worth.
Then again, the iMac G5 is a bargain, and it is worth it if you don't need to expand. I would definitely recommend Applecare on any all-in-one system though.
I'm sure that Wikipedia is the authoritative source on things like Starcraft or Goatse.cx, but personally I think I'm going to have to go with a more traditional encyclopedia if I'm concerned about the information I'm looking fore being absolutely factual and correct.
You say that like it's a bad thing. Wikipedia's a great source when you need a crash course on pop culture, both from the present and from the past. That's its greatest strength.
Pop culture artifacts aren't that important in the scheme of history, and are much too "lowbrow" for the traditional canons of knowledge, but they are important-- and frequently referenced in day-to-day conversation, usually with the assumption that you already know what they are.
If you really want anonymity, buy a Virginmobile or other pay-as-you go cell phone. All you need to activate it is an e-mail account (any e-mail account.) Pay for top-up cards in cash and never call anyone you know. Caller ID means nothing if even the provider doesn't know who owns the number.
I'm surprised these phones are legal, to be honest.
There have been plenty of games about 'Nam in the past-- Platoon on the NES, Nam 1975, etc... But it's hard to get riled up over 8-bit sprites. Now that games are much more immersing and realistic, they also run the risk of being unsettling if they don't handle
Two games that come a little close to crossing the line IMO are Black Hawk Down and the upcoming S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
For the one or two who aren't aware, in the former, you're a U.S. soldier in Somalia defending villages and U.N. caravans from warlords. Maybe I'm touchy about race, but something just isn't right about the context-- too recent?-- and the fact that all of your enemies are black. It just feels... wrong.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is another I'm not sure about... A fps where you're fighting monsters who grew out of the radiation in Chernobyl. Considering the hundreds of thousands who were affected in horrible ways by the accident-- which wasn't that long ago-- this on e also feels a little... wrong.
But I'll still play them if they're good games. And I really don't know what the answer is. I like a game that feels realistic, but I have the feeling if they made games that emulated completely what it's like to go to war they'd be miserable and unplayable. The first rule would have to be no saved games, no do-overs, no medic kits-- when you get shot, you're crippled or dead. And that wouldn't be much fun at all...
One feature that most people seem to be missing: it has video out. You can load movies from your computer and connect it to your TV. Or take it with you and use it on a friend's. Much quicker than burning DVDs, much less complicated than connecting the computer to the entertainment system.
But when your counterfeiting, are you really stealing anything? Nobody else is deprived of their money, so what's the big deal? If we don't put our foot down now, the government might even outlaw printers soon, just like they want to do with p2p. :-P
You might get away with it. And it may get passed along a few times. But sooner or later the counterfeit bill will be discovered, probably by a bank, and it will be taken away from the unsuspecting person who thought it was real. You aren't reimbursed for a counterfeit bill that is confiscated.
So yes, it is stealing. Someone's going to be out the money.
Canadian money is not called "confederates" - actually, that's quite offensive and really does show how the author either doesn't know anything about the world outside American boarders or just assumes his culture applies everywhere. Typical.
No, you're mistaken, and I take offense at your offense. His "confederates" are his accomplices. I have never heard of Canadian money, or any currency for that matter called a "confederate." Except perhaps the South's dollar during the Civil War.
Oh, and the author's "American Boarders" are the nice couple from Wisconsin he's renting the second bedroom to. But you're right in that they have a narrow view of the world.
I've never believed that using your laptop, game boy or mp3 player/walkman "interfered with the instruments", or whatever excuse they give you.
I think they don't want you to use any electronic devices during takeoff and landing (particularly headphones) because that's the time when something is most likely to go horribly wrong. They want you alert.
I agree, and must say that the whole point is somewhat lost on me. What's wrong with actually taking in your surroundings? Or talking to people? Isn't having access to movies, tv shows, etc. at home enough? Do we really need to be able to watch a movie at any given moment? I realize that this is not exactly the "geek" party line, but at some point do we really need to bring everything with us?
Nice rant, but you're out of touch with reality. When you're backpacking through Europe you should chat it up and look at the pretty mountains. When you're a commuter, you usually want to be anywhere but where you are.
A few years back I lived outside New York and had to commute 2 hours each way every day to the city. That's assuming good weather and no hassles, of which there were many.
A while before that one of my parents was having health trouble in Japan and I had to fly back and forth seven times in one year.
Both of those times I really would've killed for a device like this. Laptops are clumsy on a commuter train and the batteries usually can't handle a twelve hour plane trip. Even when I'd carry a couple of spares.
As for taking in my suroundings, when you commute, you've seen them. A million times. I don't care for forced small talk with whoever's around me-- I have enough friends. And when it's six in the morning, or six at night after a long day at work, I don't want to talk about sports, politics and the weather with whoever I happen to be sitting next to. Believe it or not, most people want to travel in peace, not converse with strangers. More than once I've worn earphones after my walkman's battery ran out so that I wouldn't have to have a long, awkward conversation with the person next to me.
If anything, I'd be much happier to zone out and watch a movie when being held hostage by a commute and do my socializing and scenery-watching on my own time. Which I do.
If you see me watching one of these things on a plane, please leave me alone.