'Psychotria' raises an interesting point: there are some of us who rarely, if ever listen to music. I fall into the former category. On average I may listen to 6-8 hours of music a year, most of it older stuff that can't even be ordered or found online through legitimate channels.
I have all of my LP's and CD's ripped to my hdd, and on the rare occasion I'm in the mood to listen to something, that is where I turn to. (yes, I do reduntant backups across my network!)
I have no interest in any of the RIAA's offerings, and have not for many years. I do have a musician friend that will play some cool stuff, and if it is Indie, or available from the band/artist themselves, I will gladly pay up and enjoy their music.
There has not been any interesting music in the crap that the major labels have been shoveling for a long time for me, personally. I do not claim to speak for anyone else but myself, so take it all with a grain of salt.:-)
*disclaimer* I'm old as dirt, a caveman, and maybe even a Luddite on this subject. For example: I never cared for the Beatles, as at the time they started getting airplay and started building a fanbase here in the USA, I was already hooked on Fat Mattress, MC5, Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes, White Rhino, Blue Cheer, etc., and could pick them up on an 'underground radio staions' out of Ohio and Michigan...never heard the Beatles on those staions. And also at that time, no one that was into rock could deny Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Duck Dunn, etc. Interesting times (musically among other things) were the 1960's, up until the early-mid 1980's.
"What annoys me is the Obama zealots who presume that he is perfect..."
Yes, it annoys me also.
What Obama represents is change. Nothing more.
I hope he can get some worthwhile things accomplished, and even better yet, some current things changed. We shall see.
But irregardless, having some of those new doors opened here was long overdue. These past 8 years have been pure hell for us, and the rest of the world. Thanks GWB & Cheney!:-(
"In short, I was just venting at optimists." No harm, no foul. I've been doing the same venting, but I also kind of understand the optimists and their enthusiasm. It was a huge relief that McCain/Palin lost. The thought of Palin being that close to the White House is scary, IMHO.
My enthusiasm for Obama is lukewarm at best. I never got the feeling that I could trust him, that he was only telling us what we wanted to hear.(after checking his voting records on issues)
I was actually leaning towards McCain (better the devil you know, than a new unknown devil) until he picked Palin. That was the last straw for me.
*disclaimer* Here in Oklahoma, there were no other choices on the ballots, and no write-ins allowed. Now we have a Republican majority State Congress and Senate for the first time in many decades, and the Rep.'s are already planning a new voting bill that will require showing a state issued ID to vote. This is seen to be a blow against the Dem.'s, while enhancing the Rep.'s chances of victory.
I don't think Obama is infallible, superman, or any other form of 'fix it all'. I do think him being elected opened a lot of 'closed doors' in this country that badly needed opened. I hope he proves me wrong, and achieves all of what his platform and fans claim he can/will. What I expect is a slow, gradual change in a slightly different direction.
Heck, any direction orthogonal to where we were going seems good to me. You are right to question his voting record as it applies to electing him Prez, but I don't think the USA could survive another 4 years of a Bush re-run.
*disclaimer* I have always (until 2002)been a registered Rebuplican, but after helping vote GWB into office in 2000-seeing how fscked up it turned out, I have since recanted...McCain picking Palin was the last straw. (yeah, I'm dense sometimes-but I CAN learn still) I again refused to deal with the situation in 2004, and abstained from voting. I feel badly about this. I know that my one vote would not have likely changed anything, but I gave up the chance to have a say. This time, I voted for ANY independent/3rd party on the ballot, and then voted straight Democrat for the remainder. It made no real difference, as the rest of my fellow Oklahomans voted in both a Republican House and Senate. But I do at least feel better about myself for participating, and even more so for being able to look at it somewhat objectively.
It isn't IMPOSSIBLE to teach an old dog new tricks, but sometimes it isn't easy to do so.
It makes me want to move somewhere else sometimes, but I was raised to not give up without a fight.
" One commentator asks whether this holding 'represents the death knell to some, if not all, of the RIAA's efforts to use American university staff as copyright cops.'"
We can only hope, and keep fighting this kind of tyranny being hoisted upon us by the RIAA.
I do not think copyright 'law' needs tossed out, as it seems to be the baby in the bathwater, but there is some disruptive changes needed.**
**Disruptive to current models of music distribution, and if you think the current 'woolly mammoths' won't go to extinction without fighting tooth-n-nail, then you have not been 'out there in the real world' lately!**
Bring back copyright law/legislation to original/sane levels, and I think that most people will abide/be okay with that.
On the other hand, it has gone on long enough that I don't know if changes/reform will make a difference anymore....everyone is getting used to the idea that you can go to ThePirateBay* as a last resort, or less painful route....the line becomes more grey and much broader as time goes on.
*Not to single out TPB, but they are the most 'visible' lately*
Currently, I am leaning towards the 'cat has been let out of the bag' camp. Ever tried herding cats in a burning barn? Ask the RIAA how that works out if you're curious. *hint==NOT!*
Personally, and for the/. record, the last music I bought was a CD I had to special order through Hasting's Books and Records, and that was the only one out of four that I wanted that was still being published and/or available.
Out of the other three, one had a *shudder* myspace page, but we could never connect...tried for over 3 months, the other two, well TPB and Ktorrent fixed that. The first, I just finally gave up and scrubbed the mission due to frustration, and moved on.
Since then, I have avoided any RIAA produced music. I have several friends in indie (not signed to labels) bands that have pointed me to some really kick-butt stuff where I can either pay the artist/band, or it's free-legally and ethically.
I feel FAR from deprived, especially after listening to the current pop radio stations when riding along with someone else.
I would suggest any two of the following for you: 1. castration by way of a bench vise @one turn per hour 2. HALO jump from 15,000 feet with a bandanna for a 'chute 3. skinny-dipping with piranhas 4. 'snake charming' a nest of vipers with bagpipes
Good refute. *dislaimer-I have become a '*nix fanboy* back when MS insisted on WGA, after the 3rd time I had to re-install my RETAIL disc of XP sp2, and according to MS, my retail copy was 'pirated' and demanded me to buy a new license for $120.00 USD*
Facts and objective reasoning should prevail here....but alas, we are human, and subject to vitriol and prejudice.
"Now I ask you, is any of the above something a normal user (without administrative rights) should be able to do?"
Emphatic NO!
I do not know anything about Vista first-hand. I have info from my co-worker(he said that it is 'different' from XP,sort of, but overall not bad-seems to like it a little better than XP, but dislikes some changes. I had previously set him up with Kubuntu 8.04, and he has become partial to that over Xp or Vista, but still dual boots with more time spent in Kubuntu than Vista.), and what I 'hear' here and elsewhere on the internet.
I understand(from above info) that Vista is a positive step forward for MS on the security front, and can only applaud that-diminishing malware is a GOOD thing no matter which OS someone is using.
Having said that, I do have to admit(from personal experience as a PC tech, and as a self-employed in spare time 'Window' cleaner and tuner-upper, that MS has inadvertently 'trained' users to click on the 'allow' button on pop-ups during upgrafes/installs/changes since at least the Win95 days to 'just get stuff done'.
"I wish this myth would die."
Good luck with that. I have been wishing the same for the '*nix is too hard to learn for a n00b'* meme that even pops up here on/., but I don't hold my breath. I suggest you don't either.
Your list seems accurate to me, and I have to agree with you. We should be more objective here, but it seems that religion/politics/OS discussions seem to bring out the trolls and flamers. Loyalty for what you believe in(human nature-at the risk of an off-topic thread/flamefest) is deeply embedded here.
*disclaimer: I have been 'anti-MS since the whole WGA implementation' days when I switched to *nix, but I agree with everything you said.
TFA: "First what does it mean to see or not see a quantum object? Fransson and co say that seeing is equivalent to detecting quantum objects and in the case of molecules that means looking for the terahertz radiation they produced when they vibrate.
"We propose a method for detecting and manipulating quantum invisibility based on THz cloaking of molecular identity in coherent nanostructures," says Fransson and buddies.
In practice, this means designing quantum corals, elliptical nanostructures, that absorb terahertz waves of specific frequencies. When a molecule that emits this frequency is placed at the focus, it cannot be spotted. It is essentially invisible.
Useful? You bet. Such a quantum coral would be ideally suited to detecting molecules of specific species while ignoring others. For example, if you have a particular molecular species that poisons your measurements, then what you need is a cloak that will make it invisible to your detectors
It's ideas like this that are going to make cloaking mighty useful one of these days.
Ref: arxiv.org/abs/0811.1782: Quantum Detection and Invisibility in Coherent Nanostructures"
Right now they are talking 'invisible to terahertz radiation detecters they currently use, and this would be useful.
As often happens, the summary is not real clear. This is not meant to be a 'cloak of invisibility'(D&D/RPG style), nor a 'cloaking device'(Romulan style) device, just (initially) a means to 'clean up' some lab tests.
Yes, but then run the parts through a limb(as in tree limb) shredder, out-putting into a pond/lake/swamp.
After all, even turtles and catfish need fed too!
P.S. Be sure to clean the shredder THOROUGHLY before returning it to the rental place! Overlooking this as led to several convictions in 'spouse removal' cases, IIRC.
At least here in the USA, even generic drug mfg.'s (a lot of times the patent holder will also distribute a generic version in addition to the 'name brand' version to maximize profits after the patent expires) are under FDA regulations, guidelines, and applicable laws.
Not to mention, we have become a very litigious society here in the USA.
As for online pharmaceuticals, or 'Bordertown, Mexico(I think I'm being WAY too paranoid here!)...you could be right. It's kind of like gambling, online...you lay down your money, and spin the wheel.
When I find a reputable and consistent dealer/retailer, whether online, or brick-n-mortar, I tend to stick with them as long as they remain so. YMMV
I approach it just like I do with horses and kids: make it easy to do the 'right'* thing, and difficult to do the 'wrong'* thing.
*missing segue*
When it works for you, then it 'just works', whatever the platform/OS/method, etc.; if you are only comfortable with getting a Rx from a Dr.X you paid to visit, then getting the higher priced 'name brand' acetaminophen(Tylenol-tm), then that is the best course for you.
After all, a person has to be comfortable with their decisions.
Far be it for me to decide what/why decisions are made by anyone but myself. The 'Golden Rule'(as I learned it) 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you' seems to apply here.
Just do not try and dictate terms to everyone else.
There are many routes to a desired outcome, and desired outcomes vary tremendously within the human race, even more so with individuals!
"While i agree with you totally that it has its place, and does well there, people are too thick headed to appreciate the truth."
I would have let your comment slide except for that(above) statement. Actually, I only have a problem with the statement after the last comma. (...people are too thick headed to appreciate the truth.")
You, sir, are too thin to appreciate reality and the truth. Crawl back under your Redmond rock...this has been dealt with with FOSS for a long time now.
The 'truth' as you subscribe to is slanted.
I do not deny that Access can be useful in a Windows environment, but not everyone drinks that Koolaid. Get over it, some of us do just great without Windows of any flavor.
*hint* methamphetamine was first synthesized in Germany in the late 1800's, and cocaine has been in use probably longer, as it was a fovorite pastime of 'Sherlock Holmes'.
"How do you see a whale underwater with binoculars?"
You do realize that whales are mammals, with lungs?
It's that pesky having lungs, needing to breathe AIR curse at work here. Apparently, air breathable by lung equipped mammals is in short supply underwater.
*hint* They have to come to the surface, thus are readily spotted when they do. It has been done this way for centuries, only the ships and tech have changed. Even with a sharp eyed observer in the 'crow's nest' of real old school ship, equipped with only a pair of Mk1 Eyeballs worked very well.
"Seems like everyone in this thread bought the lie that we need the govt to protect us at all costs."
Uhmm...No. That has been a minority attitude and viewpoint on/. according to my observations. (I have no data to back my opinion up here, so I could have just focused more on comments that were against nanny state/over protective type government due to my own bias)
"No captain of any seagoing vessel that does not respect the ocean upon which he sails ever escapes the wrath of Neptune."
I agree wholeheartedly here, but probably do not feel as strongly about it as you.
As for myself, I have been an ATI fanboy since nVidia's TnT 2 64 (mine was a 32 MB AGP card). My ATI card 'just worked' with Win 98se, and then Win XP Pro.
I will admit to some problems however: Battlefield 1942 sometimes required hacking some config. files to get a working desktop/game environment, instead of a black screen.(It's not just a *nix thing!)
AMD/ATI have improved their *nix support lately to the degree that I feel I have no other choice but to reward/support good behavior. (Use *nix/ati)
Opposite poles, and different perspectives as I see it.
I will agree with you that nVidia's Windows drivers seem to be better than ATI's Windows drivers....but my perspective is warped by not having had to deal with that directly for some time.
*note* I am still my family's 'computer geek', so I try to keep up with Windows as time allows.
It usually comes as a 'helper' (adware) app in some software discs for peripherals. I have seen this installed as part of a digital camera install, but I cannot remember which one. (Kodak, I think?)
You might check to see when it (WildTangent) was 'last modified', then do a file search for 'modified on that same date-time' to see what else came in at the same time.
I doubt it came from AT&T, but I guess anything may be possible anymore.
Most likely a camera, digital picture frame, etc...
Anyone with current experience with Windows may want to chime in here and help this guy out...my info/memory just is not current for Windows anymore.
Now report to the authorities to have your Geek Card info branded on your forehead, and your left breast will be surgically altered into a pocket protector.
Slashdot Mirror
That's the way I felt about it when I read the summary. [I just got home from work, sorry to be so behind the /fest! :-)]
So it would seem that several others thought so also:
Psychotria (953670), and Amazing Quantum Man (458715).
'Psychotria' raises an interesting point:
there are some of us who rarely, if ever listen to music. I fall into the former category. On average I may listen to 6-8 hours of music a year, most of it older stuff that can't even be ordered or found online through legitimate channels.
I have all of my LP's and CD's ripped to my hdd, and on the rare occasion I'm in the mood to listen to something, that is where I turn to. (yes, I do reduntant backups across my network!)
I have no interest in any of the RIAA's offerings, and have not for many years. I do have a musician friend that will play some cool stuff, and if it is Indie, or available from the band/artist themselves, I will gladly pay up and enjoy their music.
There has not been any interesting music in the crap that the major labels have been shoveling for a long time for me, personally. I do not claim to speak for anyone else but myself, so take it all with a grain of salt. :-)
*disclaimer*
I'm old as dirt, a caveman, and maybe even a Luddite on this subject.
For example: I never cared for the Beatles, as at the time they started getting airplay and started building a fanbase here in the USA, I was already hooked on Fat Mattress, MC5, Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes, White Rhino, Blue Cheer, etc., and could pick them up on an 'underground radio staions' out of Ohio and Michigan...never heard the Beatles on those staions.
And also at that time, no one that was into rock could deny Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Duck Dunn, etc.
Interesting times (musically among other things) were the 1960's, up until the early-mid 1980's.
IMHO, of course! :-)
"What annoys me is the Obama zealots who presume that he is perfect..."
Yes, it annoys me also.
What Obama represents is change. Nothing more.
I hope he can get some worthwhile things accomplished, and even better yet, some current things changed.
We shall see.
But irregardless, having some of those new doors opened here was long overdue. These past 8 years have been pure hell for us, and the rest of the world. Thanks GWB & Cheney! :-(
"In short, I was just venting at optimists."
No harm, no foul. I've been doing the same venting, but I also kind of understand the optimists and their enthusiasm. It was a huge relief that McCain/Palin lost. The thought of Palin being that close to the White House is scary, IMHO.
My enthusiasm for Obama is lukewarm at best. I never got the feeling that I could trust him, that he was only telling us what we wanted to hear.(after checking his voting records on issues)
I was actually leaning towards McCain (better the devil you know, than a new unknown devil) until he picked Palin. That was the last straw for me.
*disclaimer*
Here in Oklahoma, there were no other choices on the ballots, and no write-ins allowed.
Now we have a Republican majority State Congress and Senate for the first time in many decades, and the Rep.'s are already planning a new voting bill that will require showing a state issued ID to vote. This is seen to be a blow against the Dem.'s, while enhancing the Rep.'s chances of victory.
I don't think Obama is infallible, superman, or any other form of 'fix it all'. I do think him being elected opened a lot of 'closed doors' in this country that badly needed opened.
I hope he proves me wrong, and achieves all of what his platform and fans claim he can/will.
What I expect is a slow, gradual change in a slightly different direction.
Heck, any direction orthogonal to where we were going seems good to me.
You are right to question his voting record as it applies to electing him Prez, but I don't think the USA could survive another 4 years of a Bush re-run.
*disclaimer*
I have always (until 2002)been a registered Rebuplican, but after helping vote GWB into office in 2000-seeing how fscked up it turned out, I have since recanted...McCain picking Palin was the last straw. (yeah, I'm dense sometimes-but I CAN learn still)
I again refused to deal with the situation in 2004, and abstained from voting.
I feel badly about this. I know that my one vote would not have likely changed anything, but I gave up the chance to have a say.
This time, I voted for ANY independent/3rd party on the ballot, and then voted straight Democrat for the remainder.
It made no real difference, as the rest of my fellow Oklahomans voted in both a Republican House and Senate.
But I do at least feel better about myself for participating, and even more so for being able to look at it somewhat objectively.
It isn't IMPOSSIBLE to teach an old dog new tricks, but sometimes it isn't easy to do so.
It makes me want to move somewhere else sometimes, but I was raised to not give up without a fight.
My tiger repelling rock predates your 'terrorist-repellent' rock, and is endorsed by Lisa Simpson!!!!
"I can bare with commercials ..."
At least in the USA, most states frown on this while driving on public roads! :-)
" One commentator asks whether this holding 'represents the death knell to some, if not all, of the RIAA's efforts to use American university staff as copyright cops.'"
We can only hope, and keep fighting this kind of tyranny being hoisted upon us by the RIAA.
I do not think copyright 'law' needs tossed out, as it seems to be the baby in the bathwater, but there is some disruptive changes needed.**
**Disruptive to current models of music distribution, and if you think the current 'woolly mammoths' won't go to extinction without fighting tooth-n-nail, then you have not been 'out there in the real world' lately!**
Bring back copyright law/legislation to original/sane levels, and I think that most people will abide/be okay with that.
On the other hand, it has gone on long enough that I don't know if changes/reform will make a difference anymore....everyone is getting used to the idea that you can go to ThePirateBay* as a last resort, or less painful route....the line becomes more grey and much broader as time goes on.
*Not to single out TPB, but they are the most 'visible' lately*
Currently, I am leaning towards the 'cat has been let out of the bag' camp. Ever tried herding cats in a burning barn?
Ask the RIAA how that works out if you're curious. *hint==NOT!*
Personally, and for the /. record, the last music I bought was a CD I had to special order through Hasting's Books and Records, and that was the only one out of four that I wanted that was still being published and/or available.
Out of the other three, one had a *shudder* myspace page, but we could never connect...tried for over 3 months, the other two, well TPB and Ktorrent fixed that. The first, I just finally gave up and scrubbed the mission due to frustration, and moved on.
Since then, I have avoided any RIAA produced music. I have several friends in indie (not signed to labels) bands that have pointed me to some really kick-butt stuff where I can either pay the artist/band, or it's free-legally and ethically.
I feel FAR from deprived, especially after listening to the current pop radio stations when riding along with someone else.
Hah!
You just thought you were safe!
I would suggest any two of the following for you:
1. castration by way of a bench vise @one turn per hour
2. HALO jump from 15,000 feet with a bandanna for a 'chute
3. skinny-dipping with piranhas
4. 'snake charming' a nest of vipers with bagpipes
Racism is so last century.
Good refute.
*dislaimer-I have become a '*nix fanboy* back when MS insisted on WGA, after the 3rd time I had to re-install my RETAIL disc of XP sp2, and according to MS, my retail copy was 'pirated' and demanded me to buy a new license for $120.00 USD*
Facts and objective reasoning should prevail here....but alas, we are human, and subject to vitriol and prejudice.
Besides, what can you expect?, This is /.! :-)
*curses /. filters!*
"Now I ask you, is any of the above something a normal user (without administrative rights) should be able to do?"
Emphatic NO!
I do not know anything about Vista first-hand. I have info from my co-worker(he said that it is 'different' from XP,sort of, but overall not bad-seems to like it a little better than XP, but dislikes some changes. I had previously set him up with Kubuntu 8.04, and he has become partial to that over Xp or Vista, but still dual boots with more time spent in Kubuntu than Vista.), and what I 'hear' here and elsewhere on the internet.
I understand(from above info) that Vista is a positive step forward for MS on the security front, and can only applaud that-diminishing malware is a GOOD thing no matter which OS someone is using.
Having said that, I do have to admit(from personal experience as a PC tech, and as a self-employed in spare time 'Window' cleaner and tuner-upper, that MS has inadvertently 'trained' users to click on the 'allow' button on pop-ups during upgrafes/installs/changes since at least the Win95 days to 'just get stuff done'.
"I wish this myth would die."
Good luck with that. /., but I don't hold my breath. I suggest you don't either.
I have been wishing the same for the '*nix is too hard to learn for a n00b'* meme that even pops up here on
Your list seems accurate to me, and I have to agree with you.
We should be more objective here, but it seems that religion/politics/OS discussions seem to bring out the trolls and flamers.
Loyalty for what you believe in(human nature-at the risk of an off-topic thread/flamefest) is deeply embedded here.
*disclaimer: I have been 'anti-MS since the whole WGA implementation' days when I switched to *nix, but I agree with everything you said.
"...while the Finns have to stay home?"
Not if they speak Polish.
TFA: "First what does it mean to see or not see a quantum object? Fransson and co say that seeing is equivalent to detecting quantum objects and in the case of molecules that means looking for the terahertz radiation they produced when they vibrate.
"We propose a method for detecting and manipulating quantum invisibility based on THz cloaking of molecular identity in coherent nanostructures," says Fransson and buddies.
In practice, this means designing quantum corals, elliptical nanostructures, that absorb terahertz waves of specific frequencies. When a molecule that emits this frequency is placed at the focus, it cannot be spotted. It is essentially invisible.
Useful? You bet. Such a quantum coral would be ideally suited to detecting molecules of specific species while ignoring others. For example, if you have a particular molecular species that poisons your measurements, then what you need is a cloak that will make it invisible to your detectors
It's ideas like this that are going to make cloaking mighty useful one of these days.
Ref: arxiv.org/abs/0811.1782: Quantum Detection and Invisibility in Coherent Nanostructures"
Right now they are talking 'invisible to terahertz radiation detecters they currently use, and this would be useful.
As often happens, the summary is not real clear. This is not meant to be a 'cloak of invisibility'(D&D/RPG style), nor a 'cloaking device'(Romulan style) device, just (initially) a means to 'clean up' some lab tests.
Perhaps we could build a large wooden badger?
Yes, but then run the parts through a limb(as in tree limb) shredder, out-putting into a pond/lake/swamp.
After all, even turtles and catfish need fed too!
P.S. Be sure to clean the shredder THOROUGHLY before returning it to the rental place!
Overlooking this as led to several convictions in 'spouse removal' cases, IIRC.
At least here in the USA, even generic drug mfg.'s (a lot of times the patent holder will also distribute a generic version in addition to the 'name brand' version to maximize profits after the patent expires) are under FDA regulations, guidelines, and applicable laws.
Not to mention, we have become a very litigious society here in the USA.
As for online pharmaceuticals, or 'Bordertown, Mexico(I think I'm being WAY too paranoid here!)...you could be right. It's kind of like gambling, online...you lay down your money, and spin the wheel.
When I find a reputable and consistent dealer/retailer, whether online, or brick-n-mortar, I tend to stick with them as long as they remain so. YMMV
I approach it just like I do with horses and kids:
make it easy to do the 'right'* thing, and difficult to do the 'wrong'* thing.
*missing segue*
When it works for you, then it 'just works', whatever the platform/OS/method, etc.; if you are only comfortable with getting a Rx from a Dr.X you paid to visit, then getting the higher priced 'name brand' acetaminophen(Tylenol-tm), then that is the best course for you.
After all, a person has to be comfortable with their decisions.
Far be it for me to decide what/why decisions are made by anyone but myself.
The 'Golden Rule'(as I learned it) 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you' seems to apply here.
Just do not try and dictate terms to everyone else.
There are many routes to a desired outcome, and desired outcomes vary tremendously within the human race, even more so with individuals!
*end segue*
Basically, you just need to chill out, dude!
"...covering up the playboy posters in videos of your dorm room to send to your parents..."
You had to have RTFA for that one!
Ahh...gave myself away by knowing that. Dammit!....there must be a way around this.... :-)
BTW, I agree with you 100%. (your whole comment, not just that phrase)
It reeks of 'Google'(L. Page and S. Brin) want to be's, but appealing to corporate interests as a shortcut to vast riches.
I also admit it is cool tech, though I hope I can get it to run on Linux! (no meme joke intended!)
No.
"While i agree with you totally that it has its place, and does well there, people are too thick headed to appreciate the truth."
I would have let your comment slide except for that(above) statement. Actually, I only have a problem with the statement after the last comma. (...people are too thick headed to appreciate the truth.")
You, sir, are too thin to appreciate reality and the truth. Crawl back under your Redmond rock...this has been dealt with with FOSS for a long time now.
The 'truth' as you subscribe to is slanted.
I do not deny that Access can be useful in a Windows environment, but not everyone drinks that Koolaid. Get over it, some of us do just great without Windows of any flavor.
You sure about that?
*hint* methamphetamine was first synthesized in Germany in the late 1800's, and cocaine has been in use probably longer, as it was a fovorite pastime of 'Sherlock Holmes'.
"How do you see a whale underwater with binoculars?"
You do realize that whales are mammals, with lungs?
It's that pesky having lungs, needing to breathe AIR curse at work here.
Apparently, air breathable by lung equipped mammals is in short supply underwater.
*hint* They have to come to the surface, thus are readily spotted when they do.
It has been done this way for centuries, only the ships and tech have changed. Even with a sharp eyed observer in the 'crow's nest' of real old school ship, equipped with only a pair of Mk1 Eyeballs worked very well.
"Seems like everyone in this thread bought the lie that we need the govt to protect us at all costs."
Uhmm...No. That has been a minority attitude and viewpoint on /. according to my observations. (I have no data to back my opinion up here, so I could have just focused more on comments that were against nanny state/over protective type government due to my own bias)
"No captain of any seagoing vessel that does not respect the ocean upon which he sails ever escapes the wrath of Neptune."
I agree wholeheartedly here, but probably do not feel as strongly about it as you.
As for myself, I have been an ATI fanboy since nVidia's TnT 2 64 (mine was a 32 MB AGP card).
My ATI card 'just worked' with Win 98se, and then Win XP Pro.
I will admit to some problems however:
Battlefield 1942 sometimes required hacking some config. files to get a working desktop/game environment, instead of a black screen.(It's not just a *nix thing!)
AMD/ATI have improved their *nix support lately to the degree that I feel I have no other choice but to reward/support good behavior. (Use *nix/ati)
Opposite poles, and different perspectives as I see it.
I will agree with you that nVidia's Windows drivers seem to be better than ATI's Windows drivers....but my perspective is warped by not having had to deal with that directly for some time.
*note* I am still my family's 'computer geek', so I try to keep up with Windows as time allows.
It usually comes as a 'helper' (adware) app in some software discs for peripherals. I have seen this installed as part of a digital camera install, but I cannot remember which one. (Kodak, I think?)
You might check to see when it (WildTangent) was 'last modified', then do a file search for 'modified on that same date-time' to see what else came in at the same time.
I doubt it came from AT&T, but I guess anything may be possible anymore.
Most likely a camera, digital picture frame, etc...
Anyone with current experience with Windows may want to chime in here and help this guy out...my info/memory just is not current for Windows anymore.
Correct.
Now report to the authorities to have your Geek Card info branded on your forehead, and your left breast will be surgically altered into a pocket protector.
"Honestly, I don't think there are words enough to describe how much of an asshole you are."
Ah, so you have a limited intellect and vocabulary also.
Here, try this one:
"Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelled of elderberries!"
See, that wasn't so hard was it?
*begone from 'my /.', troll!*
Welcome to Oklahoma, friend.
It is just as he said.