Hey! I am not really scared that the usability people will ruin the GIMP. What scared me the most today was that GIMP's mascot/icon, Wilber, was moving his eyes. Damn stupid GIF animation just made me jump away from my monitor! =)
Just as a sidenote: when you trademark a word, you have specify why you're doing it and where you want to use that word. So, if I trademark "Equations", I have to say that this name will be used for "computer software", for example.
If I trademark "Equations" as a name for a software program but use it for something else, I can still be sued (if there's someone else that trademarked the same name for another use) or I am not protected from anything!
Yea, that's what I want to know. If I could get an eye implant that would keep my eyeball as lenses but would allow me to have infra-red, zoom, nightvision and some way to plug my computer (wirelessly) so I could use my eye as a monitor... I'd go for it without even thinking about it. Image quality is a deciding factor, though.
Depending on who you ask, "\n" can be described as two characters -- though, some would argue, it should be "\\n" for that string to be 2 characters long. But, wouldn't it be a 3-character string then?
No one seems to remember but, about the claim that Macs have a much smaller user base and, because of that, they're not an attractive target... The were viruses for the Mac OS.
I've been infected, years ago, on Mac OS 7.5.3. I got an external SCSI disk from a friend, full of viruses. I executed one of the files on that HD and got my system infected with MBDF-A (or -B, I am not sure)... I ran Disinfectant (at that time, it was a good anti-virus) and, all of a sudden, I was clean again...
The market share has not changed that much since 1995. And there were viruses for the Mac at that time. So, I think this "Mac OS market share is irrelevant" argument is not valid. Period.
And, I think it's important to notice, exploiting security holes on services through shell scripts or disguising apps so users can inadvertently execute them and get the system infected (trojan-like behaviour) are not valid for the goal of the (now extinct) contest. It's not virus-like behaviour.
A worm is not a virus. A trojan is much less than a virus... Viruses are small pieces of code that can replicate themselves through other executable software. So, they have to be "injected" inside an executable binary or specific partitions/blocks of disks so they can be executed.
If one takes security measures like, for example, using the administrative account only for administrative purposes and, the rest of the time, use a regular (non-privileged) user account, the risk of having applications infected is close to null. The user would have to enter an admin username and password to proceed with the infection.
I could go on and talk about the real problem about security. I could talk about the people that use administrative accounts for everyday use. But, being a Mac user, I don't want to talk about that, since even Windows would far more secure (but still, less secure than a Mac) if the user takes proactive security measures.
This "nice looking" talk reminded me that HD-DVD or BlueRay discs will be used for High-Definition movies and that maybe now the porn industry will be more selective when hiring their cast. Skin imperfections (and other more ugly stuff) are a lot more visible in HD video than in SD.
Okay, okay... I have the schematics and I'm on my way to order the parts and roll my own. I am afraid I'll have to get some surface soldering equipment and... uhhmmm... wait a minute! I think I'll have to find out how to make a multi-layer pc-board.
Uhhmm... I need some PCB layouts... Are they going to publish those too?
What are we, less-than-amateur-hobbyists, going to do now?
Even though I can't believe some appliance can be a standard, the iPod is more like that than the competition.
MP3 is a de facto standard, because it's a file format. iPod is one of the players that is capable of playing MP3 files and, by far, the most used/sold.
I just don't understand the "I do not see AAC files outnumbering mp3 files anywhere" part. The iPod can play MP3 files! If you mean "iTunes Music Store", I understand. But, in this case, the de facto standard should be SoulSeek, Gnutella ou Kazaa.
Totally lost you are, my friend... Most have pointed out your mistake, but your question (in the subject) is pretty good and I have an answer:
Yes, it seems so... Judging by the quality of their software, the bloated interfaces and random weirdness, they're on the right path to be the next Microsoft.
Before complaining about one's supposed limitation, you should look at those of yours. I was talking about "all of those codecs".
I have been involved in projects dealing with video on the web and there's been quite some time since I came to know about OpenQuicktime and also QuickTime4Linux. We were considering both for a new project, but it was aborted, unfortunately, for technical reasons.
OpenQuicktime wasn't ready for our needs at the time. I see they have Sorenson support now, which was something we needed at that time, but there are some fairly common codecs that are still unsupported like QDesign Music and Qualcomm PureVoice.
If you want to poke fun at my limitations, you can just say I could have hacked those myself, since the project is open source. Just go ahead, I don't really care.
Finally, I think, he has done something with a good purpose (I am really addicted to this word today).
Cracking CSS was good, because it allows for us to back-up our movies, which sure is fair-use... It also allows us to share these copies, but that's another story.
Cracking Apple's FairPlay "technology" was not that important. Was it meant for "playing our AAC's on any device"? I doubt it! I haven't seen that many non-Apple players that support the format, even if unprotected. Apple tries to tie the consumer into their products, but I don't see people buying music from the iTMS for playinh iy in other players, and the restrictions are pretty loose. You can have your files authorized for 3 different computers and 2 iPods (I am not sure here)... I think it's prety good for me and for most people and that creates a good relationship between Apple and the record labels, be it good or not. I, personally, think that $0.99 for song is a good price point for what you can do with the music.
But, for his last feat, that's really good! Linux needs the more compatibility with "3rd-party standards" it can get if it is to be on the desktop any time in the future.
Now, if someone could reverse engineer all those QuickTime codecs and get QuickTime on Linux decently!
These guys don't get it... I mean, let's keep "purpose" on the top of the list!
I don't need a 7MP camera phone with a fixed focus lens, crappy digital zoom, no manual modes (aperture, shutter, exposure bracketing, et. al.). Heck! I don't need a camera with my phone! Phones are meant for voice communication, so it should be good at what its purpose is!
If camera phones begin messing with the entry-level camera market, most people will have to get an annoyance with their cameras: a cell phone!
Well, I doubt this would ever be the case because of the reasons I stated before... We can rest assured that people with real photography needs will stick with real, full-fledged camera.
How exactly does one engineer a sinkhole that knows whether or not there are children inside a minivan?
Oh! That's a Verizon patented new technology. It uses a combination of questionably bad contractors and infrared sensors. The system is sewage-powered and will try to capture minivans (not full-sized vans). It will also generate a sewage geyser is a child is in the nearby area or if the sewage doesn't meet the quality level for the system powering needs.
It's fantastic!
Hey! Mod this a troll! Please! Maybe "off-topic"... I didn't mean to be funny, not even interesting! I swear!
These guys make me laugh... I don't know jack anout the US TV market, but here in Brazil, with the advent of the DVD, most people trashed their old and malfunctioning VCR's and still have got no replacement. I mean, most people don't have a way to record TV shows...
DVD recorders are too expensive and they're simply not worth it. The VCR still seems to be tougher when it comes to rewritability.
PVR's are so popular in the US? Or the MPAA and NAB (or whatever) are so desperately trying to stop people from digitally recording TV broadcasts before it's too late?
I, for one, will record anything I want. I have DirecTV and I pay for that (I could find a way to have it for free, but I tend to be honest most of the time). I won't let go my right to watch a TV show that I paid for. That's why VCR's and PVR's exist: they provide a way for you to record show for later enjoyment! This is fair use and will always be.
Now, for TV commercials... I like some of them. They even work with me and I have bought stuff because of TV ads. But I don't pay for these commercials. No one does it, except for the advertisers. If there's a law banning any ad-skipping feature and anti-fast-forward measures become a standard, I will hack my PVR, be it based on open source software or not.
My rights should never change. What is good for me today will be good for me forever.
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Hey! I am not really scared that the usability people will ruin the GIMP. What scared me the most today was that GIMP's mascot/icon, Wilber, was moving his eyes. Damn stupid GIF animation just made me jump away from my monitor! =)
Oh... my... f***ing... Nevermind!
Just as a sidenote: when you trademark a word, you have specify why you're doing it and where you want to use that word. So, if I trademark "Equations", I have to say that this name will be used for "computer software", for example.
If I trademark "Equations" as a name for a software program but use it for something else, I can still be sued (if there's someone else that trademarked the same name for another use) or I am not protected from anything!
It's that simple...
Yea, that's what I want to know. If I could get an eye implant that would keep my eyeball as lenses but would allow me to have infra-red, zoom, nightvision and some way to plug my computer (wirelessly) so I could use my eye as a monitor... I'd go for it without even thinking about it. Image quality is a deciding factor, though.
Depending on who you ask, "\n" can be described as two characters -- though, some would argue, it should be "\\n" for that string to be 2 characters long. But, wouldn't it be a 3-character string then?
No one seems to remember but, about the claim that Macs have a much smaller user base and, because of that, they're not an attractive target... The were viruses for the Mac OS.
I've been infected, years ago, on Mac OS 7.5.3. I got an external SCSI disk from a friend, full of viruses. I executed one of the files on that HD and got my system infected with MBDF-A (or -B, I am not sure)... I ran Disinfectant (at that time, it was a good anti-virus) and, all of a sudden, I was clean again...
The market share has not changed that much since 1995. And there were viruses for the Mac at that time. So, I think this "Mac OS market share is irrelevant" argument is not valid. Period.
And, I think it's important to notice, exploiting security holes on services through shell scripts or disguising apps so users can inadvertently execute them and get the system infected (trojan-like behaviour) are not valid for the goal of the (now extinct) contest. It's not virus-like behaviour.
A worm is not a virus. A trojan is much less than a virus... Viruses are small pieces of code that can replicate themselves through other executable software. So, they have to be "injected" inside an executable binary or specific partitions/blocks of disks so they can be executed.
If one takes security measures like, for example, using the administrative account only for administrative purposes and, the rest of the time, use a regular (non-privileged) user account, the risk of having applications infected is close to null. The user would have to enter an admin username and password to proceed with the infection.
I could go on and talk about the real problem about security. I could talk about the people that use administrative accounts for everyday use. But, being a Mac user, I don't want to talk about that, since even Windows would far more secure (but still, less secure than a Mac) if the user takes proactive security measures.
Damn! I just saw that and then I see someone else has already posted in advance. Doh!
I was thinking about these little Macs... They offer a great array of options.
For web server work, you can have an array of these mini Macs, maybe 10 of them, all on a load balancer and serve a f***ing huge dynamic website!
You can have a pretty nice looking PVR. Just get an external FireWire TV tuner and voila! Even cooler if you have a TV with DVI in.
I wanted to know if the HD in the mini is a 3 1/2" or smaller than that. For a good PVR, 80GB won't cut it.
This "nice looking" talk reminded me that HD-DVD or BlueRay discs will be used for High-Definition movies and that maybe now the porn industry will be more selective when hiring their cast. Skin imperfections (and other more ugly stuff) are a lot more visible in HD video than in SD.
Okay, okay... I have the schematics and I'm on my way to order the parts and roll my own. I am afraid I'll have to get some surface soldering equipment and... uhhmmm... wait a minute! I think I'll have to find out how to make a multi-layer pc-board.
Uhhmm... I need some PCB layouts... Are they going to publish those too?
What are we, less-than-amateur-hobbyists, going to do now?
Even though I can't believe some appliance can be a standard, the iPod is more like that than the competition.
MP3 is a de facto standard, because it's a file format. iPod is one of the players that is capable of playing MP3 files and, by far, the most used/sold.
I just don't understand the "I do not see AAC files outnumbering mp3 files anywhere" part. The iPod can play MP3 files! If you mean "iTunes Music Store", I understand. But, in this case, the de facto standard should be SoulSeek, Gnutella ou Kazaa.
Totally lost you are, my friend... Most have pointed out your mistake, but your question (in the subject) is pretty good and I have an answer:
Yes, it seems so... Judging by the quality of their software, the bloated interfaces and random weirdness, they're on the right path to be the next Microsoft.
Somehow I don't think that this is a call to ban Microsoft products from the internet
It would be too good to be true, heh? =)
Cheers,
_iCeb0x_
Like screensavers capable of emiting EMP's targeted at those spammer boxes. That would be really cool.
No problem... Pardon me for the violent reply!
Even better than I could have thought...
Before complaining about one's supposed limitation, you should look at those of yours. I was talking about "all of those codecs".
I have been involved in projects dealing with video on the web and there's been quite some time since I came to know about OpenQuicktime and also QuickTime4Linux. We were considering both for a new project, but it was aborted, unfortunately, for technical reasons.
OpenQuicktime wasn't ready for our needs at the time. I see they have Sorenson support now, which was something we needed at that time, but there are some fairly common codecs that are still unsupported like QDesign Music and Qualcomm PureVoice.
If you want to poke fun at my limitations, you can just say I could have hacked those myself, since the project is open source. Just go ahead, I don't really care.
That's why I said "I haven't seen that many. I know there were devices that support the format, but it's not as widespread as MP3.
Finally, I think, he has done something with a good purpose (I am really addicted to this word today).
Cracking CSS was good, because it allows for us to back-up our movies, which sure is fair-use... It also allows us to share these copies, but that's another story.
Cracking Apple's FairPlay "technology" was not that important. Was it meant for "playing our AAC's on any device"? I doubt it! I haven't seen that many non-Apple players that support the format, even if unprotected. Apple tries to tie the consumer into their products, but I don't see people buying music from the iTMS for playinh iy in other players, and the restrictions are pretty loose. You can have your files authorized for 3 different computers and 2 iPods (I am not sure here)... I think it's prety good for me and for most people and that creates a good relationship between Apple and the record labels, be it good or not. I, personally, think that $0.99 for song is a good price point for what you can do with the music.
But, for his last feat, that's really good! Linux needs the more compatibility with "3rd-party standards" it can get if it is to be on the desktop any time in the future.
Now, if someone could reverse engineer all those QuickTime codecs and get QuickTime on Linux decently!
These guys don't get it... I mean, let's keep "purpose" on the top of the list! I don't need a 7MP camera phone with a fixed focus lens, crappy digital zoom, no manual modes (aperture, shutter, exposure bracketing, et. al.). Heck! I don't need a camera with my phone! Phones are meant for voice communication, so it should be good at what its purpose is! If camera phones begin messing with the entry-level camera market, most people will have to get an annoyance with their cameras: a cell phone! Well, I doubt this would ever be the case because of the reasons I stated before... We can rest assured that people with real photography needs will stick with real, full-fledged camera.
How exactly does one engineer a sinkhole that knows whether or not there are children inside a minivan?
Oh! That's a Verizon patented new technology. It uses a combination of questionably bad contractors and infrared sensors. The system is sewage-powered and will try to capture minivans (not full-sized vans). It will also generate a sewage geyser is a child is in the nearby area or if the sewage doesn't meet the quality level for the system powering needs.
It's fantastic!
Hey! Mod this a troll! Please! Maybe "off-topic"... I didn't mean to be funny, not even interesting! I swear!
_iCeb0x_
These guys make me laugh... I don't know jack anout the US TV market, but here in Brazil, with the advent of the DVD, most people trashed their old and malfunctioning VCR's and still have got no replacement. I mean, most people don't have a way to record TV shows... DVD recorders are too expensive and they're simply not worth it. The VCR still seems to be tougher when it comes to rewritability. PVR's are so popular in the US? Or the MPAA and NAB (or whatever) are so desperately trying to stop people from digitally recording TV broadcasts before it's too late? I, for one, will record anything I want. I have DirecTV and I pay for that (I could find a way to have it for free, but I tend to be honest most of the time). I won't let go my right to watch a TV show that I paid for. That's why VCR's and PVR's exist: they provide a way for you to record show for later enjoyment! This is fair use and will always be. Now, for TV commercials... I like some of them. They even work with me and I have bought stuff because of TV ads. But I don't pay for these commercials. No one does it, except for the advertisers. If there's a law banning any ad-skipping feature and anti-fast-forward measures become a standard, I will hack my PVR, be it based on open source software or not. My rights should never change. What is good for me today will be good for me forever.