What has happened to EVERY company that has ever worked with Microsoft? They get their technologies stolen. It happened before the release of the Macintosh, it's happened with scores of other companies. I think it's great that this deal fell through, and as long as Microsoft doesn't decide to rape them, they'll be fine.
Um, in case you people haven't noticed, Gnutella has been capable of distributing files of any kind from it's release, it isn't exactly being used for applications, but more along the lines of an underground porn-movie emporium (every 10th search term is *.mpg, *.avi, etc). Looks like Napster napped this one, it's old technology... with a new face. I would have to say, this 'new' functionaly reminds me of tactics of Microsoft.
Well, Microsoft has just turned the tables (for the worse on their part, while helping the Open Sourced Community). The way I see it, it's cheaper to certify employees as RHCEs opposed to MSCE. In the long run, support and training for Red Hat 6.1 isn't exactly going to be phased out that quickly, well it is, but the 6.2 courses won't be too much different than the 6.1; the knowledge will carry over.
Microsoft on the other hand has backed themselves into a corner. A well informed IT manager evaluate with ease the fact that they will be forced to upgrade, or install win 2k on their systems. I highly suspect that win NT will be under $100 for full version from the clearance software shops, but since there is no more certification available, no one will be able to take advantage of the lower cost advantages which could possibly make Win NT a price competitor to the cheaply available Linux Distros.
Getting cool software for free is great! I certainly love it, and I'm pretty sure anyone but cranky business excecutives and Microsoft would agree with me. Looking at the finiancial side of a free, software-producing business musn't be a fun task for their accountants. How is Red Hat making money? Lets see, selling it's distribution commerically, offering support (after the 3 month free period, you pay through the nose [$200 per 'incident' I believe]), and training/certification!
You do pay through the nose for anything but the basics, but that's life in the free software business, especially when they are employeeing 140 people (at last count).
As with operating systems, there are certification alternatives as well. For a small business, the cheapest way of training employees is to have one person do the initial learning (i.e. send them down to NC to get trained), then have them come back and share the knowledge wealth. Getting copies of RHCE books and having people work through them, then use the already certified employee help them out if the need arises is one great way to bypass the big expenses, and you'll probabally end up with more knowledgable workers than if they go to NC because all of the training material is still on hand when one feels the need for a memory jolt. You'll save money with this model as well, because you only need to fork over $750 for the exam. The cheapest alternative I can conspire is to run down to your local Barnes & Nobel, get a cup of coffee, and grab a RHCE book of the shelf and dive in (I've done it many times).
I've stopped listening to mp3s. I've still got quite a few hundred megs of them, but it's just been too much of a hassle for me, especially now that my system is no unreliable, I don't even know if I'll have time to finish this post before I need to administer the three-finger salute!
I'm really not a fan of Real, really. Their whole scandal about collecting consumer information (what the **** do they need it for anyway, all they make is software for streaming sound and video over the internet). The quality is piss poor too. So much of the lesser-known software works so much better, but it isn't perfect either. The fact that you can't save or even cache video is another 'feature' I despise.
Other than that, it's good that linux (Red Hat Linux at least) we be able to be used in delivering the most widely used streaming formats on the internet today.
There is a new open sourced programming language that is about to run rampid through the western continents. It's called Ruby, and has successfully "seduced" Python and Perl users in Japan.
I just saw this article over @ IBM's developerWorks, and I think It's going to change the "market saturation" of perl & maybe eliminate python.
I have only tinkered around with this a little, and I'm impressed so far. The language was developed to be object oriented, which eliminates the "added on" feel of OO programming in Perl and Python.
For those who aren't about to wade throught the 12 whopping pages on this amazing new japanese phenomenon (kind of like those electric pets a while back; gigapets I think they were called), I've included the most basic description based on exceprts from the article below. (you can get it here by the way.
Ruby is an absolutely pure object-oriented scripting language written in C and designed with Perl and Python capabilities in mind.
Ruby has been gaining popularity over the past few years, especially in Japan, where it was born and conceived. Its features, like Perl's, are designed to process text files and complete systems management tasks. Ruby is highly portable and easily customized, but primarily draws users because of its purity and readability. In particular, CGI code scripters are increasingly frustrated with Perl's occasionally enigmatic code and Python's inelegant and difficult syntax that requires "too much typing." Neither Python nor Perl were designed as object-oriented languages. Consequently, the OO features often feel "added on" and are not fully integrated into the language core, making for cryptic code.
Based on the syntax of Eiffel and Ada, the power of C, the functions of Python, and the diversity of Perl, Ruby really is an attempt to combine the best of everything.
If I were in charge of MSFT, I would adopt the free software mentality ASAP. There is already great performance and rock-solid stability, as long as they were to focus on making useful "enhancements" which took the form of a real enhancement, they'd most likely do very well with it because of the "I don't get fired for buying Microsoft Products" approach many IT managers use when making decisions. Would MSFT do a good job in reality? If you ask me, NO. But they would make money if they did it right.
it doesn't sound like The God of/. is very thrilled about being part of a mutually benificial community merger. "And VA is smart: they know not to tamper with Slashdot."
Now that I've got your attention, I think this is a crock of s**t. MS's turf is being impeded by the linux revolution (it's "infereor," they said it themselves), and I only see a negative hidden agenda here.
Would IE ever work on Linux? Not in my lifetime (I hope). So what's up with a media player. My speculation is some sort of user data collecting "feature" assuming the source has been written well enough to compile. In addition, I think they are going to try to lock people out of using their *nix systems if possible. MS applications under the Windows environments to more dammage to the system than good (believe me, I fix them on a daily basis at school), and frankly don't care to get in the habit of using MS software on my beloved linux boxen.
I think that his mono-emotional attitude is a desireable characteristic when trying to portray a "computer hacker" in the film industry. It seems to work too, Johnny Mnemonic and the Matrix both did quite well, so in the eyes of the film industry, they've hit a desireable combination - even though this type of ficticious character is the exact opposite of reality.
I've seen this BS too many times to count. It's like asking why the media likes to attach itself to tragedies like the "school-shooting craze."
Computer geeks are viewed as being uncolorful, and while this may be true for some, I know personally I come across as un-mono-tone as possible.
I realize this discussion isn't on Keanu Reeves as a bad actor, but I had to set it straight!
I wonder how long before the billing contact loses her poor little job. If I were MSFT, taking guff from the Linux community is the last priority on my list and I'd dump her, but I'm not part of or affiliated with MSFT.
Linux is easy to hack, that is for the Linux hacker. Now, the 14 hr. model costs $499, while the 30 hr. model costs a wopping $999. What is the only differece between these two models? The size of the DRIVE. Now, for $400, you could buy about 4 8.6 GB drives in a software raid array. At this point, you would probably be left with about 1 full week (168 hrs.) of TV quality video. If I were to get one, I would like to try this.
Who do we flame. The easiest way to persuade people (government offocials especially) is to let them know what you think, if they don't listen they risk losing the next election. I'm very disappointed in every one of you over the age of 6 that hasn't emailed or called some representative.
Be active (better known as dominant), it's the only way to be heard.
I still see no use for an electronic dog, even though their sophistication is simply amazing. I never thought I'd see machines playing soccer for about 50 more years.
What do you make of all of this talk about appliances taking over the computer industry, and how sucessful do you suspect an OS like Debian will have if this really becomes mainstream?
Forcing a fine will likely prove ineffective if it ever happens. Forcing MS to breakup will be very messy - assuming it ever happens.
I think Microsoft is being treated like a celebrity in court because of their power. Someone's got to stand up to put a stop to it, and their out of court actions.
Do you think the court will find a reasonable, effective solution now?
There is no doubt to the growing size of human civilization when there will be comfortably 60-70 billion people on the planet. At a time when we have such diverse culture imagine what it would be like then. Anyway, I have no doubt to seeing future kernel forks. No doubt.
Most any of the more serious linux users have reconfigured their kernel to better fit their computer using style, and sooner or later people with similar using habits will form groups. For the future Linux users, they will have much greater variety in system software they can use.
I guess Linux, in a way, could provide a cultural 'norm.' Everyone will use it, just different varieties. I could see it.
I think Apple makes a fine product. My family's business gets approx. 50% of sales through a catalog, and every print company we've used ALWAYS uses mac. There is one computer in the whole joint of our current printer that isn't made by appple. It's stunning to see such market saturation - apple is the standard platform for desktop publishing (as far as I've seen at least and this is coming from experience). It does work very well for it as well
The Mac OS isn't as arcane as Linux, pretty much always a new-bie computer, yet, powerful enough for the most demanding media professionals. I know some trade graphics artists too, and if I sat them down in front of a Linux box they'd cry at the complexity. These are people driven by the creative process, not by the wonderful efficiency and power of an Operating System (Linux for example).
One more point, the iMac line has SAVED Apple. I've made good money on Apple in the stock market too, and I'm sure I wouldn't have been looking at Apple as a profitable investment had Steve Jobs not come back as the Interm CEO.
If you haven't visited the iMac Linux site, they in fact are running slash! How nice.
I wonder if this is going to actually work, or if it will destroy the whole ballon, and then the millions of potential viewers of the live meteor shower will be in for a real treat!
I've honestly never seen a meteor shower. I definitally hope to see one. Once, my super-geek and super boring science teacher tried to get my 8th grade science class watch a meteor shower, but there were like 2 people out of 91 that showed up!!
I really believe this is the fault of Microsoft. As much as I love computers (and dis-like windows), I don't like spending my time downloading patches and being worried.
Would you like to feel like your walking down a dark alley where there could be an attacker from nowhere whenever you use your computer?
Not for me sir, and I'm very happy whenever a new bug that affects M$ products comes out, because I've got more to support my argument to ignorant Windows users that Windows is NOT that great. I'm suprised it works, in fact, I've got an installation, and it almost doesn't, it's always a battle to even use it as an alarm clock (the traditional ones are just not loud enough, and there are no Linux sound card drivers for my sound card:(, my next computer purchase will be a linux-compatable sound card.
Slashdot Mirror
What has happened to EVERY company that has ever worked with Microsoft? They get their technologies stolen. It happened before the release of the Macintosh, it's happened with scores of other companies. I think it's great that this deal fell through, and as long as Microsoft doesn't decide to rape them, they'll be fine.
Um, in case you people haven't noticed, Gnutella has been capable of distributing files of any kind from it's release, it isn't exactly being used for applications, but more along the lines of an underground porn-movie emporium (every 10th search term is *.mpg, *.avi, etc). Looks like Napster napped this one, it's old technology... with a new face. I would have to say, this 'new' functionaly reminds me of tactics of Microsoft.
Well, Microsoft has just turned the tables (for the worse on their part, while helping the Open Sourced Community). The way I see it, it's cheaper to certify employees as RHCEs opposed to MSCE. In the long run, support and training for Red Hat 6.1 isn't exactly going to be phased out that quickly, well it is, but the 6.2 courses won't be too much different than the 6.1; the knowledge will carry over.
Microsoft on the other hand has backed themselves into a corner. A well informed IT manager evaluate with ease the fact that they will be forced to upgrade, or install win 2k on their systems. I highly suspect that win NT will be under $100 for full version from the clearance software shops, but since there is no more certification available, no one will be able to take advantage of the lower cost advantages which could possibly make Win NT a price competitor to the cheaply available Linux Distros.
Getting cool software for free is great! I certainly love it, and I'm pretty sure anyone but cranky business excecutives and Microsoft would agree with me. Looking at the finiancial side of a free, software-producing business musn't be a fun task for their accountants. How is Red Hat making money? Lets see, selling it's distribution commerically, offering support (after the 3 month free period, you pay through the nose [$200 per 'incident' I believe]), and training/certification!
You do pay through the nose for anything but the basics, but that's life in the free software business, especially when they are employeeing 140 people (at last count).
As with operating systems, there are certification alternatives as well. For a small business, the cheapest way of training employees is to have one person do the initial learning (i.e. send them down to NC to get trained), then have them come back and share the knowledge wealth. Getting copies of RHCE books and having people work through them, then use the already certified employee help them out if the need arises is one great way to bypass the big expenses, and you'll probabally end up with more knowledgable workers than if they go to NC because all of the training material is still on hand when one feels the need for a memory jolt. You'll save money with this model as well, because you only need to fork over $750 for the exam. The cheapest alternative I can conspire is to run down to your local Barnes & Nobel, get a cup of coffee, and grab a RHCE book of the shelf and dive in (I've done it many times).
I've stopped listening to mp3s. I've still got quite a few hundred megs of them, but it's just been too much of a hassle for me, especially now that my system is no unreliable, I don't even know if I'll have time to finish this post before I need to administer the three-finger salute!
Because of this, I picked up a few CDs the other day, because I needed background noise for some mind-numbing work. After I picked them up, I started thinking of the price advantage of the CD clubs, and how badly I was just raped by Target©! It ticks me off, and I'm wanting one of those new DVD players with the Sony Memory Stick slot for playing mp3s on my entertainment center. I just need to muster up the extra $.
I'm really not a fan of Real, really. Their whole scandal about collecting consumer information (what the **** do they need it for anyway, all they make is software for streaming sound and video over the internet). The quality is piss poor too. So much of the lesser-known software works so much better, but it isn't perfect either. The fact that you can't save or even cache video is another 'feature' I despise.
Other than that, it's good that linux (Red Hat Linux at least) we be able to be used in delivering the most widely used streaming formats on the internet today.
I just saw this article over @ IBM's developerWorks, and I think It's going to change the "market saturation" of perl & maybe eliminate python.
I have only tinkered around with this a little, and I'm impressed so far. The language was developed to be object oriented, which eliminates the "added on" feel of OO programming in Perl and Python.
For those who aren't about to wade throught the 12 whopping pages on this amazing new japanese phenomenon (kind of like those electric pets a while back; gigapets I think they were called), I've included the most basic description based on exceprts from the article below. (you can get it here by the way.
Looks like the /. coders are going to have to "deprive their sleep" in order to restore normal operations!!!
If I were in charge of MSFT, I would adopt the free software mentality ASAP. There is already great performance and rock-solid stability, as long as they were to focus on making useful "enhancements" which took the form of a real enhancement, they'd most likely do very well with it because of the "I don't get fired for buying Microsoft Products" approach many IT managers use when making decisions. Would MSFT do a good job in reality? If you ask me, NO. But they would make money if they did it right.
it doesn't sound like The God of /. is very thrilled about being part of a mutually benificial community merger. "And VA is smart: they know not to tamper with Slashdot."
So, did the groundhog see his/her shadow? Google didn't have one on the groundhog, which has left me puzzled.
Now that I've got your attention, I think this is a crock of s**t. MS's turf is being impeded by the linux revolution (it's "infereor," they said it themselves), and I only see a negative hidden agenda here.
Would IE ever work on Linux? Not in my lifetime (I hope). So what's up with a media player. My speculation is some sort of user data collecting "feature" assuming the source has been written well enough to compile. In addition, I think they are going to try to lock people out of using their *nix systems if possible. MS applications under the Windows environments to more dammage to the system than good (believe me, I fix them on a daily basis at school), and frankly don't care to get in the habit of using MS software on my beloved linux boxen.
My $0.02!
http://www.virtualcamera.com/pressmain. html
I think that his mono-emotional attitude is a desireable characteristic when trying to portray a "computer hacker" in the film industry. It seems to work too, Johnny Mnemonic and the Matrix both did quite well, so in the eyes of the film industry, they've hit a desireable combination - even though this type of ficticious character is the exact opposite of reality.
I've seen this BS too many times to count. It's like asking why the media likes to attach itself to tragedies like the "school-shooting craze."
Computer geeks are viewed as being uncolorful, and while this may be true for some, I know personally I come across as un-mono-tone as possible.
I realize this discussion isn't on Keanu Reeves as a bad actor, but I had to set it straight!
I wonder how long before the billing contact loses her poor little job. If I were MSFT, taking guff from the Linux community is the last priority on my list and I'd dump her, but I'm not part of or affiliated with MSFT.
Linux is easy to hack, that is for the Linux hacker. Now, the 14 hr. model costs $499, while the 30 hr. model costs a wopping $999. What is the only differece between these two models? The size of the DRIVE. Now, for $400, you could buy about 4 8.6 GB drives in a software raid array. At this point, you would probably be left with about 1 full week (168 hrs.) of TV quality video. If I were to get one, I would like to try this.
Who do we flame. The easiest way to persuade people (government offocials especially) is to let them know what you think, if they don't listen they risk losing the next election. I'm very disappointed in every one of you over the age of 6 that hasn't emailed or called some representative.
Be active (better known as dominant), it's the only way to be heard.
I still see no use for an electronic dog, even though their sophistication is simply amazing. I never thought I'd see machines playing soccer for about 50 more years.
What do you make of all of this talk about appliances taking over the computer industry, and how sucessful do you suspect an OS like Debian will have if this really becomes mainstream?
Forcing a fine will likely prove ineffective if it ever happens. Forcing MS to breakup will be very messy - assuming it ever happens.
I think Microsoft is being treated like a celebrity in court because of their power. Someone's got to stand up to put a stop to it, and their out of court actions.
Do you think the court will find a reasonable, effective solution now?
There is no doubt to the growing size of human civilization when there will be comfortably 60-70 billion people on the planet. At a time when we have such diverse culture imagine what it would be like then. Anyway, I have no doubt to seeing future kernel forks. No doubt.
Most any of the more serious linux users have reconfigured their kernel to better fit their computer using style, and sooner or later people with similar using habits will form groups. For the future Linux users, they will have much greater variety in system software they can use.
I guess Linux, in a way, could provide a cultural 'norm.' Everyone will use it, just different varieties. I could see it.
I think Apple makes a fine product. My family's business gets approx. 50% of sales through a catalog, and every print company we've used ALWAYS uses mac. There is one computer in the whole joint of our current printer that isn't made by appple. It's stunning to see such market saturation - apple is the standard platform for desktop publishing (as far as I've seen at least and this is coming from experience). It does work very well for it as well
The Mac OS isn't as arcane as Linux, pretty much always a new-bie computer, yet, powerful enough for the most demanding media professionals. I know some trade graphics artists too, and if I sat them down in front of a Linux box they'd cry at the complexity. These are people driven by the creative process, not by the wonderful efficiency and power of an Operating System (Linux for example).
One more point, the iMac line has SAVED Apple. I've made good money on Apple in the stock market too, and I'm sure I wouldn't have been looking at Apple as a profitable investment had Steve Jobs not come back as the Interm CEO.
If you haven't visited the iMac Linux site, they in fact are running slash! How nice.
Apparently, NASA is trying to catch a comet.
I wonder if this is going to actually work, or if it will destroy the whole ballon, and then the millions of potential viewers of the live meteor shower will be in for a real treat!
I've honestly never seen a meteor shower. I definitally hope to see one. Once, my super-geek and super boring science teacher tried to get my 8th grade science class watch a meteor shower, but there were like 2 people out of 91 that showed up!!
I really believe this is the fault of Microsoft. As much as I love computers (and dis-like windows), I don't like spending my time downloading patches and being worried.
:(, my next computer purchase will be a linux-compatable sound card.
Would you like to feel like your walking down a dark alley where there could be an attacker from nowhere whenever you use your computer?
Not for me sir, and I'm very happy whenever a new bug that affects M$ products comes out, because I've got more to support my argument to ignorant Windows users that Windows is NOT that great. I'm suprised it works, in fact, I've got an installation, and it almost doesn't, it's always a battle to even use it as an alarm clock (the traditional ones are just not loud enough, and there are no Linux sound card drivers for my sound card