That was by far probably one of the best/. interviews ever to grace this site. You know, I always get fed up with the content of this site now and then, usually when things are slow and boring, but the #1 thing I like about/. (eat your heart out K5, nothing over there even touches it) is/.'s interviews.
There have really been some absolutely excellent interviews here on/..
Really, that's the only positive thing I usually have to say about/., but even still just for that and the mindless linking to good content, really makes this site still worthwhile.
With that out of the way...;-)
This is an extremely important interview, this guy makes some really powerful points. WE (the people that "get it") need to get off our asses and do something. It's going to take serious sacrifice on our part though. It's going to cost money, time, energy and it's going to be one hell of a stressful ride.
First thing you can do is get out that credit card or checkbook and send money to the EFF or freedom fighting organization of your choice. Don't just give a little, give a lot! If it doesn't hurt, then you're not giving enough. They NEED money to fight this fight!
Write your representitives, both e and snail mail.
Other than that I really don't know, I'm not good at this type of thing, but we all need to learn. We need some leaders to step up and lead us in fighting this fight. And we need to give them our full support, and we need to gain the support of the public.
No more dumbing down dammit! With how far computers have come, being used in almost every workplace, it's time people learned how to use them!
Look, if everything in life is dumbed down so the lowest common denominator can use it, then we as a people, the human race, will not progress any further than we are.
Sure, sure, computers are just tools for most people, yes yes that's nice. But computers are COMPLICATED tools, like a car, or a high powered impact wrench. They require SOME learning. While most people can't replace a timing chain or a head gasket, most people can't install an OS. Do we remove a car's engine so noone gets confused about how it works?
But not everyone needs to learn the intimate details of these tools. For using a car, there is a simple requirement of learning how to drive one. That's a complicated thing, you need to learn all the traffic rules, get the feel of steering, braking, etc. Like a directory tree however, there is an elegant simplicity to it that anyone can grasp. And with a directory, it's much, much simpler.
Learning how a directory tree works is something ANYONE who isn't mentally handicapped can do.
Granted, there are many other aspects of computers that can be simplified and made easier, but dumbing down the directory tree is not one of them... Damn, it's just a friggin simple tree, it takes 5 minutes to learn the concept. Driving a car takes months, yet nearly everyone in America learns. Now that everyone needs to use computers, it's time for people to quit being stubborn and learn how to use them.
Did you even bother to read the article, or even the full summary on/.? The point is that MS is blatantly lying to discourage developers from using Linux for embedded systems.
The Q3A engine is by FAR the most state of the art engine around today. There is not one single engine that comes close in terms of performance, visual quality, flexibility, and portability as the Q3A engine, especially considering that it is 3 years old and Q3A was developed with hardware of the time in consideration. Now it can be pushed much further, which is nicely demonstrated by RTCW.
I've played all the latest games, Max Payne, etc., some are really good but could have just as easily been done with the Q3A engine. And in the case of most, would have been MUCH better had they not been designed for Direct3D.
Especially Max Payne. I own it for the PS2. For the PS2 the graphics have been severely cut back, and it still has some slowdown problems. Q3A for the PS2 looks absolutely amazing, far better than Max Payne, because Max Payne was designed with ONLY Direct3D in mind, which severely limits it. BTW, it's still a good game on PS2, just could have been better had it not used a proprietary 3D api...
Supposedly, Direct3D out performs OpenGL, but that just doesn't hold up much water with Q3A STILL being the best performing game engine around 3 years after it's release.
I really don't think this will be a problem, it seems to me that it's simply WAY to late for them to try this.
Last Christmas everyone and their mother got a DVD player. DVD already has serious market penetration, and it's set to last the next 10 years or so. People are not going to go out and buy new DVD players any time soon.
If you receive HTML email it is rendered with IE(I believe, can't verify as I don't have Windows), exposing you to the exploit just by opening an email.
I have received a number of emails recently attempting something like this, but I'm not using Windows so I can't say whether or not they would have been harmful.
Integrating the file browser and the Web browser is completely pointless, at least as far as any implementation of this fad had gone so far.
With both IE and Konqueror, you have a good web browser (excluding problems already mentioned with regards to IE...), and that web browser also acts as the file manager, except all that each is doing is mimicking what their predecessors did without providing any extra functionality that is inherent in a web browser.
Sure, IE has some neato wiz-bang "features", but it's ridiculous to claim that it adds anything to local file browsing that wasn't already provided by the previous program. Same goes for Konqueror.
Granted... they are both better file browsers than their predecessors, but that functionality is completely separate from web browsing and could be removed and used to create a totally separate file browser. There is absolutely nothing gained by integrating the two.
What I'd like to know, with regards to IE, is why the fuck can't it handle PNG's with alpha transparency properly yet?
How many fucking years have they had to do this? How many fucking years longer are we going to rely on GIF (fucking cringe) for transparency because 85% of web browsers are using IE?
How many other browsers have implemented alpha transparency in PNG's in absolutely no time at all? Mozilla, Konqueror, Opera... are there any more? Why the FUCK can't IE, which is supposedly the best browser there is, handle it?
Pardon my absolutely mindless lunatic ranting... just really pissed that PNG's still aren't an option... thanks to IE.
Don't get me wrong, I understand what you're saying, but my point is, just ignore it.
I'll admit, I watch too much T.V. But even still, I don't notice the hype at all. I just tune out as soon as commercials come on. That way advertising and movie hype has very effect on me, and the movie people can make money, kids can get their garbage, and I don't get sucked into it all.
BTW, if you would like to purchase the rights to the movie so you can deal with all of this, I'd be willing to let it go for $1.95.
I own the rights to the movie (this is hypothetical, in case you were too stupid to understand that) and I really like it. I think it's a great movie, and it will hopefully make me a lot of money. However, it cost 500,000,000 US dollars to make all three movies (just a guess...) so I have a long, long, long way to go before it's profitable.
Burger King offers me 50M USD if I allow them to make paper sunglasses with LOTR junk all over them, sure why not?
KFC offers 75M USD if they can plaster LOTR posters all over their restaurants, sure why not?
Etc. etc. etc.
I get a huge chunk of my investment back and little kids get to have Burger King sunglasses...
I fail to see how that damages the film in any way, did someone at BK spill ketchup on the reel?
Or does it just personally offend you that someone has made a huge investment with a LOT of money and is trying to easily recoup some of that...
If all the silly commercials bother you... well shit, don't wath them! A novel concept, eh?
I agree with what you are saying, but I think you are misunderstanding this story completely.
"Your Right Online" is a very broad category, and while this story doesn't exactly fit, as noone's rights are being violated, it's the closest as this story is sort of about voluntary self censorship by parents.
It's not like CT is saying, "Look, your right are being violated!", it's more like he's saying, "Look at this silly stupid parent group! Haha!..."
And I have to agree with CT, I've played with all these kinds of toys and games and I've turned out just fine...
well, except for the killing spree I went on the other day, but I had my reasons... j/k
Just a little note for future reference, if you want a really nice, fully featured, easy to use, newbie friendly cd burning program, check out eroaster (ECLiPt Roaster). You can get it at, http://eclipt.uni-klu.ac.at/projects/eroaster.
disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with this project, other than the occasional bug report...
Technically, a person can become psychologically addicted to ANYTHING, so really, this is just a bunch of worthless claptrap that isn't even worth discussing at length.
There is no database anywhere that has my name, address, all my credit card information in one central internet accessible place.
My other point being that the consumer gains NOTHING, NOT A GODDAMN THING FROM PASSPORT! So, no matter how small the risk, it's not worth it for the consumer.
It's a database storing personal info for millions of people. It could easily become the largest target of hackers and corporate espionage in the world.
And with that HUGE risk, the consumer gains... absolutely nothing. The whole thing is simply Microsoft trying to gain control of what they want to become the gateway to everything on the Internet.
As we all know, Passport was created by Microsoft not to provide a service, but as an attempt to force people to go through MS to use the Internet.
Passport provides NOTHING useful in any way. Passport is actually HARMFUL to it's users, as it is an extreme danger.
We all know that, and even most non-computer oriented people can see that just as clearly, which is not surprising considering the nature of Passport.
As a programmer and web developer, I vow to never implement anything that in any way uses Passport(or a derivative)'s authentication mechanism or other ridiculous "features".
I promise I will let my company fire me before I would submit to this nonsense. I hope most of you would do the same.
Personally, I think Passport is doomed to fail. While MS might be able to force people to create a Passport account, Microsoft will never be able to force Passport upon other services, as there will be no benefit to using Passport.
Your point 1
Total bullshit. Linus said it is somewhat directed evolution, but evolution nonetheless which is why Linux has turned into (and continues to) something he had never intended.
Your point 2
Totally ridiculous. Linus made a simple loose analogy, and you are taking it WAY too literally.
Your point 3
WTF? This has NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING. The fact that MS succeeds through aggressive marketing and business tactics has nothing to do with anything, AT ALL, period! How is this relevent to anything at all in the discussion?
I'm sure a lot of people will have moral objections to this, personally I don't really care.
However, doesn't this type of thing sort of, I dunno, take the fun out of competion? Who the hell wants to watch genetically engineered people competing, sort of the same way steroids do?
On the other hand, wouldn't it be great to be a genetically engineered super-human?
Ah, super strength, super reflexes, super brain power, super killing power...;-)
STFU, open your email client and fire off a quick email to ID.
It should read something like the following...
Dear Sirs,
I humbly bow down at your feet, for thou hast graced upon we humble followers of the Linux faith, another one of the greatest games of all time.
We of the Linux faith understand that you will be compensated in no way whatsoever for your efforts to provide we few with the pleasure of playing your games, so I must reiterate how greatful we truly are.
Sincerely,
Whiny bitch
P.S. And if you have time, do you think it would be possible for someone to write an installer? But only if you're feeling really generous. If not, that's ok, I'll just use wine to install it, I am an intelligent Linux user afterall, so it's no problem for my whiny ass.
P.P.S. My humble thanks again.
And if they still don't write an installer, you STFU and use wine to install it and thank the Linux Gods that there are people on this earth who do things even when it doesn't help them in any way. And do so quickly before you anger the Linux Gods and the folks at ID for being so unappreciative.
Damn... you'd think people could appreciate things once in a while...
Slashdot Mirror
There have really been some absolutely excellent interviews here on /..
Really, that's the only positive thing I usually have to say about /., but even still just for that and the mindless linking to good content, really makes this site still worthwhile.
With that out of the way... ;-)
This is an extremely important interview, this guy makes some really powerful points. WE (the people that "get it") need to get off our asses and do something. It's going to take serious sacrifice on our part though. It's going to cost money, time, energy and it's going to be one hell of a stressful ride.
First thing you can do is get out that credit card or checkbook and send money to the EFF or freedom fighting organization of your choice. Don't just give a little, give a lot! If it doesn't hurt, then you're not giving enough. They NEED money to fight this fight!
Write your representitives, both e and snail mail.
Other than that I really don't know, I'm not good at this type of thing, but we all need to learn. We need some leaders to step up and lead us in fighting this fight. And we need to give them our full support, and we need to gain the support of the public.
1. Unreal Tournament
2. Quake 3 Arena
3. Rune
4. Heavy Metal FAKK2
5. Soldier of Fortune
6. Heavy Gear
7. Postal Plus
Out of those, the ones I enjoyed the most, in order of how much I enjoyed them...
1. Unreal Tournament (good lan party fun!)
2. Soldier of Fortune
3. Rune / Q3A (can't decide)
4. Heavy Metal (good, but a bit buggy and quirky)
I'm really looking forward to RTCW, supposed to be out in January says the guy doing the port.
After that there doesn't appear to be too much on the horizon, anyone know of any good games coming out for Linux?
Look, if everything in life is dumbed down so the lowest common denominator can use it, then we as a people, the human race, will not progress any further than we are.
Sure, sure, computers are just tools for most people, yes yes that's nice. But computers are COMPLICATED tools, like a car, or a high powered impact wrench. They require SOME learning. While most people can't replace a timing chain or a head gasket, most people can't install an OS. Do we remove a car's engine so noone gets confused about how it works?
But not everyone needs to learn the intimate details of these tools. For using a car, there is a simple requirement of learning how to drive one. That's a complicated thing, you need to learn all the traffic rules, get the feel of steering, braking, etc. Like a directory tree however, there is an elegant simplicity to it that anyone can grasp. And with a directory, it's much, much simpler.
Learning how a directory tree works is something ANYONE who isn't mentally handicapped can do. Granted, there are many other aspects of computers that can be simplified and made easier, but dumbing down the directory tree is not one of them... Damn, it's just a friggin simple tree, it takes 5 minutes to learn the concept. Driving a car takes months, yet nearly everyone in America learns. Now that everyone needs to use computers, it's time for people to quit being stubborn and learn how to use them.
I'd like to pay for my music, but I'm not going to buy a product I can't use!
Oh well, I don't like the music industry anyway... I've been listening to more non-mainstream music...
I've played all the latest games, Max Payne, etc., some are really good but could have just as easily been done with the Q3A engine. And in the case of most, would have been MUCH better had they not been designed for Direct3D.
Especially Max Payne. I own it for the PS2. For the PS2 the graphics have been severely cut back, and it still has some slowdown problems. Q3A for the PS2 looks absolutely amazing, far better than Max Payne, because Max Payne was designed with ONLY Direct3D in mind, which severely limits it. BTW, it's still a good game on PS2, just could have been better had it not used a proprietary 3D api...
Supposedly, Direct3D out performs OpenGL, but that just doesn't hold up much water with Q3A STILL being the best performing game engine around 3 years after it's release.
There is no ass.
No ass? Well shove this up the top of your legs then!
Last Christmas everyone and their mother got a DVD player. DVD already has serious market penetration, and it's set to last the next 10 years or so. People are not going to go out and buy new DVD players any time soon.
I have received a number of emails recently attempting something like this, but I'm not using Windows so I can't say whether or not they would have been harmful.
My friend, there is not free lunch, everything costs something.
The price of IE is reflected in the price of Windows and all other Microsoft software.
With both IE and Konqueror, you have a good web browser (excluding problems already mentioned with regards to IE...), and that web browser also acts as the file manager, except all that each is doing is mimicking what their predecessors did without providing any extra functionality that is inherent in a web browser.
Sure, IE has some neato wiz-bang "features", but it's ridiculous to claim that it adds anything to local file browsing that wasn't already provided by the previous program. Same goes for Konqueror.
Granted... they are both better file browsers than their predecessors, but that functionality is completely separate from web browsing and could be removed and used to create a totally separate file browser. There is absolutely nothing gained by integrating the two.
How many fucking years have they had to do this? How many fucking years longer are we going to rely on GIF (fucking cringe) for transparency because 85% of web browsers are using IE?
How many other browsers have implemented alpha transparency in PNG's in absolutely no time at all? Mozilla, Konqueror, Opera... are there any more? Why the FUCK can't IE, which is supposedly the best browser there is, handle it?
Pardon my absolutely mindless lunatic ranting... just really pissed that PNG's still aren't an option... thanks to IE.
Maybe you should try bettering your reading comprehension skills before posting again.
I'll admit, I watch too much T.V. But even still, I don't notice the hype at all. I just tune out as soon as commercials come on. That way advertising and movie hype has very effect on me, and the movie people can make money, kids can get their garbage, and I don't get sucked into it all.
BTW, if you would like to purchase the rights to the movie so you can deal with all of this, I'd be willing to let it go for $1.95.
I own the rights to the movie (this is hypothetical, in case you were too stupid to understand that) and I really like it. I think it's a great movie, and it will hopefully make me a lot of money. However, it cost 500,000,000 US dollars to make all three movies (just a guess...) so I have a long, long, long way to go before it's profitable.
Burger King offers me 50M USD if I allow them to make paper sunglasses with LOTR junk all over them, sure why not?
KFC offers 75M USD if they can plaster LOTR posters all over their restaurants, sure why not?
Etc. etc. etc.
I get a huge chunk of my investment back and little kids get to have Burger King sunglasses...
I fail to see how that damages the film in any way, did someone at BK spill ketchup on the reel?
Or does it just personally offend you that someone has made a huge investment with a LOT of money and is trying to easily recoup some of that...
If all the silly commercials bother you... well shit, don't wath them! A novel concept, eh?
"Your Right Online" is a very broad category, and while this story doesn't exactly fit, as noone's rights are being violated, it's the closest as this story is sort of about voluntary self censorship by parents.
It's not like CT is saying, "Look, your right are being violated!", it's more like he's saying, "Look at this silly stupid parent group! Haha!..."
And I have to agree with CT, I've played with all these kinds of toys and games and I've turned out just fine...
well, except for the killing spree I went on the other day, but I had my reasons... j/k
Lighten up...
disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with this project, other than the occasional bug report...
JMO...
My other point being that the consumer gains NOTHING, NOT A GODDAMN THING FROM PASSPORT! So, no matter how small the risk, it's not worth it for the consumer.
Fucking dumbass...
this conversation is over, you're a moron...
And with that HUGE risk, the consumer gains... absolutely nothing. The whole thing is simply Microsoft trying to gain control of what they want to become the gateway to everything on the Internet.
Passport provides NOTHING useful in any way. Passport is actually HARMFUL to it's users, as it is an extreme danger.
We all know that, and even most non-computer oriented people can see that just as clearly, which is not surprising considering the nature of Passport.
As a programmer and web developer, I vow to never implement anything that in any way uses Passport(or a derivative)'s authentication mechanism or other ridiculous "features".
I promise I will let my company fire me before I would submit to this nonsense. I hope most of you would do the same.
Personally, I think Passport is doomed to fail. While MS might be able to force people to create a Passport account, Microsoft will never be able to force Passport upon other services, as there will be no benefit to using Passport.
Pretty silly, but that's the nature of the music industry, isn't it?
Total bullshit. Linus said it is somewhat directed evolution, but evolution nonetheless which is why Linux has turned into (and continues to) something he had never intended.
Your point 2
Totally ridiculous. Linus made a simple loose analogy, and you are taking it WAY too literally.
Your point 3
WTF? This has NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING. The fact that MS succeeds through aggressive marketing and business tactics has nothing to do with anything, AT ALL, period! How is this relevent to anything at all in the discussion?
I'm sure a lot of people will have moral objections to this, personally I don't really care.
However, doesn't this type of thing sort of, I dunno, take the fun out of competion? Who the hell wants to watch genetically engineered people competing, sort of the same way steroids do?
On the other hand, wouldn't it be great to be a genetically engineered super-human?
Ah, super strength, super reflexes, super brain power, super killing power... ;-)
It should read something like the following...
Dear Sirs,
I humbly bow down at your feet, for thou hast graced upon we humble followers of the Linux faith, another one of the greatest games of all time.
We of the Linux faith understand that you will be compensated in no way whatsoever for your efforts to provide we few with the pleasure of playing your games, so I must reiterate how greatful we truly are.
Sincerely,
Whiny bitch
P.S. And if you have time, do you think it would be possible for someone to write an installer? But only if you're feeling really generous. If not, that's ok, I'll just use wine to install it, I am an intelligent Linux user afterall, so it's no problem for my whiny ass.
P.P.S. My humble thanks again.
And if they still don't write an installer, you STFU and use wine to install it and thank the Linux Gods that there are people on this earth who do things even when it doesn't help them in any way. And do so quickly before you anger the Linux Gods and the folks at ID for being so unappreciative.
Damn... you'd think people could appreciate things once in a while...