Most countries are poor and lack any cultural influence. Time Warner's market cap is about $28 billion which puts them ahead of more than half the world's nations in terms of GDP (I know, not exactly apples to apples). Obviously Time Warner has far more cultural influence than most countries.
"Biblical" is pure hyperbole, but this merger should have been significant. Time Warner acquired service providers, search engines, and web browsers at a perfect time in the Internet's development. With their television, movie, publishing, and music properties at the time, they were in a much better position than companies like Apple or Google. They can't blame the merger for this failure, it was good old-fashioned incompetence. They let AOL, Netscape, AIM, etc. wither into irrelevance and put their energy and resources into fighting the advances they should have been developing (i.e. RIAA.)
Most of these "world's most expensive" gimmicks are usually just a $10k martini with a $9,500 diamond floating in it. You're paying a premium for the novelty and some attention, maybe you'll even get your name in the "wild and wacky" column in the local paper. But for $20k, shouldn't they have at least cast a wireless 5600 dpi mouse in gold? What did they save, $50-100? The wealthy person who gets a kick out of buying this will surely know a thing or two about mice. It's like that $10k martini being served in a plastic cup and mixed with well-brand vodka.
I admit I don't use Twitter, but I recognize that broadcasting brief, one-way messages is useful to some people.
However, I'm sick of seeing Twitter referenced as a major milestone in communication. What influence did Twitter have on the latest Tony Hawk game? It's impact on the way people play video games is negligible at best. If Twitter went away tomorrow Facebook and MySpace would fill the void without a single enhancement: "Playing Tony Hawk 49, found a door I can open on the Tokyo level." What would be lost without Twitter, other than the verb "twit"?
There's no use debating how much the agency would save with an MS-alternative. Influential organizations like large corporations, universities, and government agencies will always get substantial discounts on Windows and Office license agreements. MS knows these entities have enormous leverage over their vendors' and customers' software choices. IE-only web sites, VBA applications, and Word forms make alternative software less attractive or even impossible to use.
I work for a large corporation that produces a lot of documents and applications our customers and vendors need to work with. MS worked out the pricing so that any other OS or office suite was a much greater capital expense on the balance sheet. They were even nice enough to provide free professional services to help us develop "solutions" that invariably locked customers and vendors into MS products.
The Red Hat group has asked a Swiss federal court to overturn a three-year contract issued to Microsoft by the Swiss Federal Bureau for Building and Logistics, to provide Windows desktops and applications, with support and maintenance, for 14 million Swiss Franc (£8 million) each year.
The same people that revolutionized hair care of course. Just imagine the "product synergy." You're on a business trip and your child needs a hair cut. A few mouse clicks later, his hair looks great and there's a warm PopTart waiting for him in kitchen.
I hate seeing sequels to classic films decades after the originals. It's either shameless exploitation or a well intentioned, and sad, attempt by the director and stars to relive their glory days.
But the original Ghostbusters was lighthearted, moderately enjoyable Hollywood schlock. At worst, Ghostbusters 3 will be less enjoyable Hollywood schlock.
Until I can actual use it, I have exactly zero interest in this thing. Is there really any reason to propagate the marketing drivel?
The article got me interested, but when I wanted to try it out I got this page. It says "Launching May 2009," so I'll reserve my judgment.
It's not the calculations that make this interesting, it's the breadth of data available. Google is wildly popular because you can find information about nearly every obscure fact imaginable. If Wolfram can do the same with quantitative information it will also be wildly popular (albeit to a smaller audience.) If the search results are limited or irrelevant, I'll stick with Google and do the calculations myself.
I thought the same thing, a bigger screen, runs Windows? Lenovo's vision of the netbook is a Thinkpad with 3G and a lower price. I would be very worried if I was an investor. People like netbooks because they aren't tethered to power and network cords, it's not a big investment, and they're really portable.
The future, IMO, is an instant-on OS, even lower prices, battery life measured in days, and single-purpose applications tailored for the device, not web sites and desktop applications (more like the Facebook app on the iPhone). Bigger displays and desktop/tablet versions of Windows are contrary to where I think the market is going.
I'm familiar with the area from my childhood, but couldn't recall anything on the site other than dead grass and a dilapidated parking lot. I read through the article and searched the web looking for remnants of the tower or something and found one article on what may be of value there. According to the 2002 article the 94x94 ft. lab is still in good condition. I would like to see Agfa sublet the property and at least donate that building. After all, they did poison the groundwater (well, the company they acquired did), it seems like a reasonable goodwill gesture to the community.
Yeah, most airlines don't assume liability for electronic equipment, but that really irks me. Carry-on requirements are getting so restrictive I've started checking bags regularly (often paying for even one bag), something I thought I'd never do. With PSPs, iPods, etc. I don't need my laptop on the plane, and it takes up a significant amount of my shrinking carry-on space. And what if I need to bring a projector or camera lens? The airlines basically force you to check your bag, pay extra for it, and reserve the right to destroy the contents without compensation.
Travel insurance has become a much greater value as airlines cut back. For 5%-10% of the cost of your trip you'll get protection for valuables, medical expenses, and cancellation/delay coverage. Shop around for a reputable company, but most travel experts strongly recommend insurance for any trip.
Sure you may not be bothered by some ads on their site, but it's a slippery slope they should avoid. Users place their trust in add-ons like AdPlus and NoScript when they allow a third party to filter content. They proved they're willing to cross the line for a few dollars in ad revenue. What would they do for a significant amount of money?
If you don't want to be recognized by facial recognition software, wear black and white greasepaint. In Episode 70 the actors playing Lokai and Bele are misidentified in a few scenes. The images are categorized by the black and white makeup rather than the actor. I'm not sure why Bele's face paint is reversed in some of the images. Did he look in a mirror or something, or did the video capture reverse it?
I have the same concerns about the slippery slope this could create. I like the idea in theory though. I'd rather ad networks share revenue generated under the current system instead of publishers adopting the MPAA's and RIAA's approach of demanding full control of distribution. That seems to be the direction the AP is heading.
Agreed. My knee-jerk reaction was "how dare they!", but after reading the article it sounds like a more realistic approach than the AP has taken. "Spam Blogs" republish work with the intent of generating ad revenue. Ad networks should direct that revenue to the authors. It's in their best interest, failing to compensate the authors will push them to take a hardline stance against news aggregators, and ultimately deter them from investing in new content.
This is Quentin Smith reporting live from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. News agencies are reporting that MIT has been keeping records of network activity. It's a practice called "logging" by hackers, crackers, and other computer deviants. Using nefarious software techniques, "loggers" can identify and disrupt innocent users' botnets.
Individuals with limited knowledge of computers like MIT students are particularly susceptible to these types of attacks. To combat these "loggers," experts suggest disabling firewalls and updating account information if you receive an email from your bank.
My bank has a record of every purchase I make, my doctor has my medical history, and my ISP knows what web sites I visit, but I'm not worried. So why do I care if the federal government has that information? Because I don't trust them, and for good reason. The Patriot Act was supposed to protect us from terrorists, but as soon as it was enacted the government used it to enforce copyright violations, kick homeless people out of a train station, and investigate drug dealers. Demonstrate some integrity and you'll earn people's trust.
Slashdot Mirror
I would have, but just as I was about to click the link a giant "whoosh" knocked the mouse out of my hand ;)
Maybe you should actually go to their web site and read about the various configurations and pricing options before calling it "vaporware."
Most countries are poor and lack any cultural influence. Time Warner's market cap is about $28 billion which puts them ahead of more than half the world's nations in terms of GDP (I know, not exactly apples to apples). Obviously Time Warner has far more cultural influence than most countries.
"Biblical" is pure hyperbole, but this merger should have been significant. Time Warner acquired service providers, search engines, and web browsers at a perfect time in the Internet's development. With their television, movie, publishing, and music properties at the time, they were in a much better position than companies like Apple or Google. They can't blame the merger for this failure, it was good old-fashioned incompetence. They let AOL, Netscape, AIM, etc. wither into irrelevance and put their energy and resources into fighting the advances they should have been developing (i.e. RIAA.)
Most of these "world's most expensive" gimmicks are usually just a $10k martini with a $9,500 diamond floating in it. You're paying a premium for the novelty and some attention, maybe you'll even get your name in the "wild and wacky" column in the local paper. But for $20k, shouldn't they have at least cast a wireless 5600 dpi mouse in gold? What did they save, $50-100? The wealthy person who gets a kick out of buying this will surely know a thing or two about mice. It's like that $10k martini being served in a plastic cup and mixed with well-brand vodka.
That's true, in my example it was a capital expenditure and probably showed up on a Cash Flow Statement as an Investment in Equipment.
;)
Thanks for bumming me out with accounting details, I felt so good about myself after a nice MS rant
I admit I don't use Twitter, but I recognize that broadcasting brief, one-way messages is useful to some people.
However, I'm sick of seeing Twitter referenced as a major milestone in communication. What influence did Twitter have on the latest Tony Hawk game? It's impact on the way people play video games is negligible at best. If Twitter went away tomorrow Facebook and MySpace would fill the void without a single enhancement: "Playing Tony Hawk 49, found a door I can open on the Tokyo level." What would be lost without Twitter, other than the verb "twit"?
There's no use debating how much the agency would save with an MS-alternative. Influential organizations like large corporations, universities, and government agencies will always get substantial discounts on Windows and Office license agreements. MS knows these entities have enormous leverage over their vendors' and customers' software choices. IE-only web sites, VBA applications, and Word forms make alternative software less attractive or even impossible to use.
I work for a large corporation that produces a lot of documents and applications our customers and vendors need to work with. MS worked out the pricing so that any other OS or office suite was a much greater capital expense on the balance sheet. They were even nice enough to provide free professional services to help us develop "solutions" that invariably locked customers and vendors into MS products.
The same people that revolutionized hair care of course. Just imagine the "product synergy." You're on a business trip and your child needs a hair cut. A few mouse clicks later, his hair looks great and there's a warm PopTart waiting for him in kitchen.
I hate seeing sequels to classic films decades after the originals. It's either shameless exploitation or a well intentioned, and sad, attempt by the director and stars to relive their glory days.
But the original Ghostbusters was lighthearted, moderately enjoyable Hollywood schlock. At worst, Ghostbusters 3 will be less enjoyable Hollywood schlock.
These guys are going to starve in outer space.
The article got me interested, but when I wanted to try it out I got this page. It says "Launching May 2009," so I'll reserve my judgment.
It's not the calculations that make this interesting, it's the breadth of data available. Google is wildly popular because you can find information about nearly every obscure fact imaginable. If Wolfram can do the same with quantitative information it will also be wildly popular (albeit to a smaller audience.) If the search results are limited or irrelevant, I'll stick with Google and do the calculations myself.
I thought the same thing, a bigger screen, runs Windows? Lenovo's vision of the netbook is a Thinkpad with 3G and a lower price. I would be very worried if I was an investor. People like netbooks because they aren't tethered to power and network cords, it's not a big investment, and they're really portable.
The future, IMO, is an instant-on OS, even lower prices, battery life measured in days, and single-purpose applications tailored for the device, not web sites and desktop applications (more like the Facebook app on the iPhone). Bigger displays and desktop/tablet versions of Windows are contrary to where I think the market is going.
I'm familiar with the area from my childhood, but couldn't recall anything on the site other than dead grass and a dilapidated parking lot. I read through the article and searched the web looking for remnants of the tower or something and found one article on what may be of value there. According to the 2002 article the 94x94 ft. lab is still in good condition. I would like to see Agfa sublet the property and at least donate that building. After all, they did poison the groundwater (well, the company they acquired did), it seems like a reasonable goodwill gesture to the community.
Purses, laptop bags, etc. usually count as your one "personal item." On Southwest for example, a laptop case and a bag of food, an extra coat, or a child's car seat would put you at your carry-on limit.
Travel insurance has become a much greater value as airlines cut back. For 5%-10% of the cost of your trip you'll get protection for valuables, medical expenses, and cancellation/delay coverage. Shop around for a reputable company, but most travel experts strongly recommend insurance for any trip.
I think a new signature would reinforce your point :)
Sure you may not be bothered by some ads on their site, but it's a slippery slope they should avoid. Users place their trust in add-ons like AdPlus and NoScript when they allow a third party to filter content. They proved they're willing to cross the line for a few dollars in ad revenue. What would they do for a significant amount of money?
You think wookies are annoying? You must have loved the Star Wars Holiday Special
The best explanation I've read was in a reply to the story when Tom-Tom settled with MS.
If you don't want to be recognized by facial recognition software, wear black and white greasepaint. In Episode 70 the actors playing Lokai and Bele are misidentified in a few scenes. The images are categorized by the black and white makeup rather than the actor. I'm not sure why Bele's face paint is reversed in some of the images. Did he look in a mirror or something, or did the video capture reverse it?
I have the same concerns about the slippery slope this could create. I like the idea in theory though. I'd rather ad networks share revenue generated under the current system instead of publishers adopting the MPAA's and RIAA's approach of demanding full control of distribution. That seems to be the direction the AP is heading.
Agreed. My knee-jerk reaction was "how dare they!", but after reading the article it sounds like a more realistic approach than the AP has taken. "Spam Blogs" republish work with the intent of generating ad revenue. Ad networks should direct that revenue to the authors. It's in their best interest, failing to compensate the authors will push them to take a hardline stance against news aggregators, and ultimately deter them from investing in new content.
This is Quentin Smith reporting live from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. News agencies are reporting that MIT has been keeping records of network activity. It's a practice called "logging" by hackers, crackers, and other computer deviants. Using nefarious software techniques, "loggers" can identify and disrupt innocent users' botnets.
Individuals with limited knowledge of computers like MIT students are particularly susceptible to these types of attacks. To combat these "loggers," experts suggest disabling firewalls and updating account information if you receive an email from your bank.
My bank has a record of every purchase I make, my doctor has my medical history, and my ISP knows what web sites I visit, but I'm not worried. So why do I care if the federal government has that information? Because I don't trust them, and for good reason. The Patriot Act was supposed to protect us from terrorists, but as soon as it was enacted the government used it to enforce copyright violations, kick homeless people out of a train station, and investigate drug dealers. Demonstrate some integrity and you'll earn people's trust.