I wouldn't go so far as calling an Apple 'beautiful.' Sure, it's an interesting design, but my PC is under my desk; I rarely see it and use it even as a footrest. The cube was sleek and interesting, but i don't think it would make as good a footrest as my sturdy beige midtower would!
To be more serious, though, I think that Apple's desire to be different is a vice as well as a virtue. People think of Macs as somewhat of a curiosity, but don't really consider them for heavy use. The interface is nice, the design is fluid, but it's like those PT Cruisers... some people like them, others hate them. I think that they're hideous; who on earth would want to buy such an ugly beast? Wherever you go, people notice your PT Cruiser, just like people notice your VW Beetle. It's a novelty, and not many people drive them. It's awfully conspicuous at times because of the amount of marketing put into such things as Beetles and Macs. Though you don't drive around your Apple iMac or Cube, I think the same mentality applies. In fact, I find that the same people who love their Macs also love their VWs. Interesting.
I also wanted a Cube. Hopefully they will find a way of dropping the price (iCube?) on a similar technology.
This is precisely the problem.
People see Apple's nicely designed computers and say, "Ph, isn't it cute! I'd like one of those; it'd look nice with my wallpaper!" and go back to their PC. If you wanted one, why didn't you get one? Technical issues aside, the price is probably one of the biggest factors. But would sales really have been significantly higher if the price was lower? I think that people find standard plain-vanilla systems more comfortable, despite Apple's marketing of a 'friendly' PC. The exotic design of Apple's machines are treated more like a novelty or toy than a real system that can be used for everything from word processing to Quake-ing. Perhaps this is the problem with Apple's marketing scheme; more emphasis is placed on their sleek design and friendliness than practicality. Not that Apples are impratical, but this is how I think they are perceived.
Yes, precisely. I signed up for the beta test of Framemaker, and used it for a while. The software expired, though, and the project was cancelled due to lack of interest. It wasn't a bad piece of software, but I like AbiWord more. Adobe HAS made an effort to contribute to Linux, but it was made to a deaf ear, apparently.
Didn't Adobe port Framemaker to Linux? I distinctly remember running a Linux beta of Framemaker, but it expired and the project was cancelled due to lack of interest. It was a kind of word processor/desktop publishing program. It wasn't bad, but I like AbiWord better.
I have a Logitech Cordless Trackman Marble, and it's great. It's especially good because I can use it as a remote control for my TV tuner card, which is pretty much why I bought it. But I don't see what the big deal is. What could you possibly gain from sniffing someone's mouse? Not much, i'd think. Now, a wireless keyboard is a completely different matter, but mice? It is cordless, it does use RF, and it does have quite a range if positioned properly. No one should expect it to be secure! It's only a mouse! There are much more important things that could be sniffed (eg. my monitor or keyboard). I'd think that the mouse would be a completely useless thing to sniff.
I would, if my trackball wasn't designed so that using it with the right hand was the only possible way. Still, it's a damn cool mouse. (Logitech Trackman Marble Cordless)
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Re:Corporations were declared persons in 1886 !
on
2600 v. Ford Motors
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· Score: 1
I was just loading up www.adbusters.org to find the exact same link that you posted. I thought "This guy is over 100 years too late" and then "I should give him a link to the adbusters page about that." Then I thought, "maybe I should see if anyone else posted the same thing." And lo and behold, you posted exactly what I wanted to say, with a link too!
Coca-cola sells _DOZENS_ of different products, and many of them are not beverages. What about all of the merchandise and coca-cola branded junk that they sell? no, coke sells a lot more than one carbonated sugar-drink; they sell a CULTURE.
I don't see any rambus t-shirts on the market...
nor do i see anyone sporting a nifty new rambus tattoo...;)
This troll started out as obvious, hackneyed, and overdone, and soon became ridiculous, reaching, and downright pathetic.
Gay tax? WHY??? You're not making sense... Oh, I get it. you're financially frustrated and want other people to suffer before YOU CHOSE TO HAVE KIDS. I see. Don't be ridiculous.
If capitalism works, why are there so many stupid rich people?
Please show me evidence of a "stupid rich person." I doubt that a stupid person can get rich, and stay rich. Capitalism has nothing to do with intelligence. "Smart people" may have other things to do than get rich. "Stupid people" don't know where to start. People make money through ambition and knowing either a) where to place their bets (stock market) or b) knowing HOW to place their bets (microsoft's marketing department). I'll use Bill Gates as an example. He's certainly not stupid. Also, his product isn't all that great. How did he make so much money then? He knew how to place it and sell it. He knew how to work the capitalist system for his benefit. A stupid person can't do this. Please think about what you say in your sig before you post with it.
I completely agree. A rating should be explained, as to give a parent a better idea of what they'd be letting their child see. However, I believe that this is already being done in newspaper ads for movies. The ad mentions what kind of content the movie contains, though not very verbosely.
The issue at hand is video games, though. I believe that such a system of detailed ratings is already present in video games, or at least it was. I'll just grab the box from Unreal Tournament...
Okay, on the front there is a mere "ESRB Rated M" icon, but on the back it says "MATURE 17+, ANIMATED VIOLENCE, ANIMATED BLOOD & GORE." It does explain why this game is rated as it is, though with the old RSAC Advisory system (which I like better) the game's content was rated with a scale. For example, UT only says "Animated Violence" which Rise of the Triad (An older game rated with the RSAC system) says "RSAC ADVISORY: Wanton and Gratuitous Violence" with a scale of 4/4 next to it. This, I think, is a much more descriptive system allowing the parent to make a better decision. A game with a 1/4 violence rating would probably be alright, but a game with a 1/4 violence rating and a 4/4 adult language rating would probably not be. Fallout, the 1997 RPG of the Year, has a rating of M, though only its violent depictions are mentioned. They do not mentioned that the violence can be turned down, nor do they mention the occasional use of adult language.
My point is is that a more descriptive system which better informs the parent would be better for both involved.
But violent games are DESIGNED to be fun.
How many kids do you know who read the bible [willingly]?
And how many kids watch the evening news?
Or appreciate art?
Games are interactive killing, and it makes sense that kids raised on being rewarded for killing will influence their thought patterns. Abusive parents are a completely different problem, however. I think the majority of problems like these come from neglect by parents, and ratings systems just help parents decide what their kids can consume.
> I think the ultimate goal of the IDSA is to prevent a new DOOM from being produced.
Are you using DOOM as the FPS genre's scapegoat, or are you actually saying that that the IDSA is trying to prevent the DOOM remake from being released? DOOM pales in comparison to newer games like Soldier of Fortune, whose violence made even me squeamish. Games will become more and more realistic, depicting people who look real crawling for an exit with their intestines trailing behind after you blow their legs off, and I don't think people want such ore. Gibs like in Quake or UT don't really give the death personality, but if a character is pleading for you to stop your rampage, this really makes the simulation a bit too disturbing. Games like this cannot be stopped from being made, but a real ratings system should really be necessary to direct these games to their intended audiences.
I understand your point, but ratings systems do help greatly in parental decisions. Nowadays, it cannot be expected that the parent will be there for their kids 24/7, though I do agree that greater responsibility should be on the parents. Ratings systems (whether they be movies, music, or games) do make things easier and I think that most parents will welcome them. However, complete restrictions are unconstitutional and I don't think many people (except the most morally arrogant) would agree with such a measure.
I think the key word here is realistic.
Nobody can tell the difference between a realistic toy gun and a real gun when it's pointed at them. This can cause some unwanted side-effects, like kids getting shot, and it is a logical step to restrict realistic-looking toy guns. AFAIK, all toy guns have those bright-orange caps on the end so that anyone can see that it isn't a real gun. They're not restricting the production of all toy guns, just requiring them to not be as realistic.
That's not to say that I like the idea of kids playing with guns (even toy ones), but that's another story.
This is one of the problems that I've found with the America (MPAA) movie ratings system. I live in Canada, and most American commercials I see are rated 'R'. In Canada, we have an 'AA' (Adult Accompanyment) rating, which restricts people under 14. Movies rated 'R' in Canada are rated 'R' for good reason, whereas many 'AA' movies are rated 'R' in the U.S. This additional step between PG and R is, I think, a much better system that allows for a bit more freedom for our adolescents.
Perhaps Xerox should've sued Apple for stealing THEIR intellectual property!!!
Speaking of which...
For those of you who haven't heard it yet, hurry and download "Every OS Sucks" by Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie!!! Get it here. Quite humourous.
They seems to be a trend of Apple being overly zealous of their "intellectual property," and actively takes battle against anyone who tries to do anything even remotely like what they're doing. Perhaps they WANT to be a niche product?
What legal backing does Apple have on these ridiculous claims, anyway?
I can understand their protesting others using their logo, but how can someone do this with the "look and feel" of their products? Translucent plastic or translucent icons, I still don't understand why anyone listens to these ridiculous claims. "Intellectual property." Bah.
Yes, I know what "tanj" means. It's just that i think it's so... stupid! Though I did not know that it "was a fairly late novel in the "Known Space" series." Perhaps I will look into some of the earlier ones.
Interesting how you bring up Ringworld, as I just finished reading it yesterday. And I do agree with you in the fact that Ringworld doesn't really have a plot (not a very strong one, anyways...) and now that I think about it, all it IS is just some technological marvels that are explored by a few (badly developed) characters. Sure, the entire Ringworld idea is very interesting and the novel explores some of the implications of such a world, but that seems to be all it does. It was not that great of a novel, and I don't understand how (as the cover states) Ringworld became a "legendary award-winning classic." This was the first Niven novel that i've read. If you say that his earlier works are some of his best, I think I'll stay away from his altogether. My main qualm with Ringworld was that (IMO) it wasn't written as well as it could have been, and also the language used (What the tanj?) was extremely annoying. I don't know... it just left me with a sour taste in my mouth when I reached the end. The whole aspect of psychic luck being genetic was also, as I saw it, ridiculous. I would definitely not call Ringworld a "classic."
> and seemed like it would be much funner than a mouse to use.
Hmm... how can controlling your computer be FUN? Maybe more comfortable, or more efficient, but fun? Hrmm. Anyways, that's not the main reason i'm posting.
The main reason I am posting if to ask you WHY you don't like the trackman! I used a Trackman Marble for years, and I absolutely love it! (It's not FUN, per se, but I prefer it over a mouse.) After about 2 years with my Trackman Marble, I decided to purchase a Cordless Trackman Wheel. It uses the same Marble technology, but it has a scrollwheel, is cordless (RF), and looks (and feels) nicer. I really like it, and I think it's superb not only in everyday use, but even in FPS games.
But if you don't like mice altogether, perhaps you should look into controlling the computer with your MIND! I heard about such a device that fits on your finger that supposedly allowed you do use the computer with thought (or something like that), but that was a while ago and I haven't heard anything since. Interesting idea, at least...
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I wouldn't go so far as calling an Apple 'beautiful.' Sure, it's an interesting design, but my PC is under my desk; I rarely see it and use it even as a footrest. The cube was sleek and interesting, but i don't think it would make as good a footrest as my sturdy beige midtower would!
To be more serious, though, I think that Apple's desire to be different is a vice as well as a virtue. People think of Macs as somewhat of a curiosity, but don't really consider them for heavy use. The interface is nice, the design is fluid, but it's like those PT Cruisers... some people like them, others hate them. I think that they're hideous; who on earth would want to buy such an ugly beast? Wherever you go, people notice your PT Cruiser, just like people notice your VW Beetle. It's a novelty, and not many people drive them. It's awfully conspicuous at times because of the amount of marketing put into such things as Beetles and Macs. Though you don't drive around your Apple iMac or Cube, I think the same mentality applies. In fact, I find that the same people who love their Macs also love their VWs. Interesting.
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I also wanted a Cube. Hopefully they will find a way of dropping the price (iCube?) on a similar technology.
This is precisely the problem.
People see Apple's nicely designed computers and say, "Ph, isn't it cute! I'd like one of those; it'd look nice with my wallpaper!" and go back to their PC. If you wanted one, why didn't you get one? Technical issues aside, the price is probably one of the biggest factors. But would sales really have been significantly higher if the price was lower? I think that people find standard plain-vanilla systems more comfortable, despite Apple's marketing of a 'friendly' PC. The exotic design of Apple's machines are treated more like a novelty or toy than a real system that can be used for everything from word processing to Quake-ing. Perhaps this is the problem with Apple's marketing scheme; more emphasis is placed on their sleek design and friendliness than practicality. Not that Apples are impratical, but this is how I think they are perceived.
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Yes, precisely. I signed up for the beta test of Framemaker, and used it for a while. The software expired, though, and the project was cancelled due to lack of interest. It wasn't a bad piece of software, but I like AbiWord more. Adobe HAS made an effort to contribute to Linux, but it was made to a deaf ear, apparently.
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Didn't Adobe port Framemaker to Linux? I distinctly remember running a Linux beta of Framemaker, but it expired and the project was cancelled due to lack of interest. It was a kind of word processor/desktop publishing program. It wasn't bad, but I like AbiWord better.
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You must admit that it was as pretty stupid thing to do.
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I have a Logitech Cordless Trackman Marble, and it's great. It's especially good because I can use it as a remote control for my TV tuner card, which is pretty much why I bought it. But I don't see what the big deal is. What could you possibly gain from sniffing someone's mouse? Not much, i'd think. Now, a wireless keyboard is a completely different matter, but mice? It is cordless, it does use RF, and it does have quite a range if positioned properly. No one should expect it to be secure! It's only a mouse! There are much more important things that could be sniffed (eg. my monitor or keyboard). I'd think that the mouse would be a completely useless thing to sniff.
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I would, if my trackball wasn't designed so that using it with the right hand was the only possible way. Still, it's a damn cool mouse. (Logitech Trackman Marble Cordless)
----
I was just loading up www.adbusters.org to find the exact same link that you posted. I thought "This guy is over 100 years too late" and then "I should give him a link to the adbusters page about that." Then I thought, "maybe I should see if anyone else posted the same thing." And lo and behold, you posted exactly what I wanted to say, with a link too!
I just found that slightly amusing.
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Coca-cola sells _DOZENS_ of different products, and many of them are not beverages. What about all of the merchandise and coca-cola branded junk that they sell? no, coke sells a lot more than one carbonated sugar-drink; they sell a CULTURE.
;)
I don't see any rambus t-shirts on the market...
nor do i see anyone sporting a nifty new rambus tattoo...
----
This troll started out as obvious, hackneyed, and overdone, and soon became ridiculous, reaching, and downright pathetic.
Gay tax? WHY??? You're not making sense... Oh, I get it. you're financially frustrated and want other people to suffer before YOU CHOSE TO HAVE KIDS. I see. Don't be ridiculous.
----
If capitalism works, why are there so many stupid rich people?
Please show me evidence of a "stupid rich person." I doubt that a stupid person can get rich, and stay rich. Capitalism has nothing to do with intelligence. "Smart people" may have other things to do than get rich. "Stupid people" don't know where to start. People make money through ambition and knowing either a) where to place their bets (stock market) or b) knowing HOW to place their bets (microsoft's marketing department). I'll use Bill Gates as an example. He's certainly not stupid. Also, his product isn't all that great. How did he make so much money then? He knew how to place it and sell it. He knew how to work the capitalist system for his benefit. A stupid person can't do this. Please think about what you say in your sig before you post with it.
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I completely agree. A rating should be explained, as to give a parent a better idea of what they'd be letting their child see. However, I believe that this is already being done in newspaper ads for movies. The ad mentions what kind of content the movie contains, though not very verbosely.
The issue at hand is video games, though. I believe that such a system of detailed ratings is already present in video games, or at least it was. I'll just grab the box from Unreal Tournament...
Okay, on the front there is a mere "ESRB Rated M" icon, but on the back it says "MATURE 17+, ANIMATED VIOLENCE, ANIMATED BLOOD & GORE." It does explain why this game is rated as it is, though with the old RSAC Advisory system (which I like better) the game's content was rated with a scale. For example, UT only says "Animated Violence" which Rise of the Triad (An older game rated with the RSAC system) says "RSAC ADVISORY: Wanton and Gratuitous Violence" with a scale of 4/4 next to it. This, I think, is a much more descriptive system allowing the parent to make a better decision. A game with a 1/4 violence rating would probably be alright, but a game with a 1/4 violence rating and a 4/4 adult language rating would probably not be. Fallout, the 1997 RPG of the Year, has a rating of M, though only its violent depictions are mentioned. They do not mentioned that the violence can be turned down, nor do they mention the occasional use of adult language.
My point is is that a more descriptive system which better informs the parent would be better for both involved.
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Ah, yes.
How could I possibly forget Bible Man?
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But violent games are DESIGNED to be fun.
How many kids do you know who read the bible [willingly]?
And how many kids watch the evening news?
Or appreciate art?
Games are interactive killing, and it makes sense that kids raised on being rewarded for killing will influence their thought patterns. Abusive parents are a completely different problem, however. I think the majority of problems like these come from neglect by parents, and ratings systems just help parents decide what their kids can consume.
----
> I think the ultimate goal of the IDSA is to prevent a new DOOM from being produced.
Are you using DOOM as the FPS genre's scapegoat, or are you actually saying that that the IDSA is trying to prevent the DOOM remake from being released?
DOOM pales in comparison to newer games like Soldier of Fortune, whose violence made even me squeamish. Games will become more and more realistic, depicting people who look real crawling for an exit with their intestines trailing behind after you blow their legs off, and I don't think people want such ore. Gibs like in Quake or UT don't really give the death personality, but if a character is pleading for you to stop your rampage, this really makes the simulation a bit too disturbing. Games like this cannot be stopped from being made, but a real ratings system should really be necessary to direct these games to their intended audiences.
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I understand your point, but ratings systems do help greatly in parental decisions. Nowadays, it cannot be expected that the parent will be there for their kids 24/7, though I do agree that greater responsibility should be on the parents. Ratings systems (whether they be movies, music, or games) do make things easier and I think that most parents will welcome them. However, complete restrictions are unconstitutional and I don't think many people (except the most morally arrogant) would agree with such a measure.
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I think the key word here is realistic.
Nobody can tell the difference between a realistic toy gun and a real gun when it's pointed at them. This can cause some unwanted side-effects, like kids getting shot, and it is a logical step to restrict realistic-looking toy guns. AFAIK, all toy guns have those bright-orange caps on the end so that anyone can see that it isn't a real gun. They're not restricting the production of all toy guns, just requiring them to not be as realistic.
That's not to say that I like the idea of kids playing with guns (even toy ones), but that's another story.
----
This is one of the problems that I've found with the America (MPAA) movie ratings system. I live in Canada, and most American commercials I see are rated 'R'. In Canada, we have an 'AA' (Adult Accompanyment) rating, which restricts people under 14. Movies rated 'R' in Canada are rated 'R' for good reason, whereas many 'AA' movies are rated 'R' in the U.S. This additional step between PG and R is, I think, a much better system that allows for a bit more freedom for our adolescents.
----
Perhaps Xerox should've sued Apple for stealing THEIR intellectual property!!!
Speaking of which...
For those of you who haven't heard it yet, hurry and download "Every OS Sucks" by Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie!!!
Get it here. Quite humourous.
----
They seems to be a trend of Apple being overly zealous of their "intellectual property," and actively takes battle against anyone who tries to do anything even remotely like what they're doing. Perhaps they WANT to be a niche product?
----
What legal backing does Apple have on these ridiculous claims, anyway?
I can understand their protesting others using their logo, but how can someone do this with the "look and feel" of their products? Translucent plastic or translucent icons, I still don't understand why anyone listens to these ridiculous claims. "Intellectual property." Bah.
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Yes, I know what "tanj" means. It's just that i think it's so... stupid! Though I did not know that it "was a fairly late novel in the "Known Space" series." Perhaps I will look into some of the earlier ones.
----
Interesting how you bring up Ringworld, as I just finished reading it yesterday. And I do agree with you in the fact that Ringworld doesn't really have a plot (not a very strong one, anyways...) and now that I think about it, all it IS is just some technological marvels that are explored by a few (badly developed) characters. Sure, the entire Ringworld idea is very interesting and the novel explores some of the implications of such a world, but that seems to be all it does. It was not that great of a novel, and I don't understand how (as the cover states) Ringworld became a "legendary award-winning classic."
This was the first Niven novel that i've read. If you say that his earlier works are some of his best, I think I'll stay away from his altogether. My main qualm with Ringworld was that (IMO) it wasn't written as well as it could have been, and also the language used (What the tanj?) was extremely annoying. I don't know... it just left me with a sour taste in my mouth when I reached the end. The whole aspect of psychic luck being genetic was also, as I saw it, ridiculous. I would definitely not call Ringworld a "classic."
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They can't have done that just for the sake of marketing, can they?
:)
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> and seemed like it would be much funner than a mouse to use.
Hmm... how can controlling your computer be FUN? Maybe more comfortable, or more efficient, but fun? Hrmm. Anyways, that's not the main reason i'm posting.
The main reason I am posting if to ask you WHY you don't like the trackman! I used a Trackman Marble for years, and I absolutely love it! (It's not FUN, per se, but I prefer it over a mouse.) After about 2 years with my Trackman Marble, I decided to purchase a Cordless Trackman Wheel. It uses the same Marble technology, but it has a scrollwheel, is cordless (RF), and looks (and feels) nicer. I really like it, and I think it's superb not only in everyday use, but even in FPS games.
But if you don't like mice altogether, perhaps you should look into controlling the computer with your MIND! I heard about such a device that fits on your finger that supposedly allowed you do use the computer with thought (or something like that), but that was a while ago and I haven't heard anything since. Interesting idea, at least...
----