TFA probably simplifies somewhat; I don't think there will be a "new Silicon Valley", but I could imagine something on a smaller scale happening..
One big investor, say Google, throws a humping load of cash at the area nearby to MIT, say. A few more companies aggregate around the same area, and a certain critical mass is reached. The area starts to gain a reputation and stands out (in the way that Silicon Valley does now). Momentum increases, interest and investment in the area become sustained.
This begs the question: have eBay now stopped (or stemmed at least) their ubiquitous Google search ad campaign? I did a few quick searches and didn't see as many eBay links as usual...
Easy. Because it's nearly impossible to get software bug free. Add time constraints and pressure from above... Even when software is close to bug free, people always want enhancements, new bugs are introduced..
The best Linux distros test their releases to death, and still require and release regular bug fixes. And that's the difference, really, not to get into the OSS/closed source debate, but it's all down to how you deal with the fact that software is buggy.
They showed live examples and had very interesting stories about how they were reprogramming cheese to send RFID signals saying they were shavings products.
Hmm. What with the Gillette/Walmart scandal, I was quite worried about all this stuff. But your point is a good one: well-armed consumers could perhaps thus sabotage tags if their use they become widespread? Or clone the data and flood it everywhere so it becomes useless?
Interesting points raised in TFA. It's worth bearing in mind, though, that the average range for a passive RFID tag is only a few yards..
The Wikipedia article on RFID states "The US state of Virginia has considered putting RFID tags into driver's licenses ostensibly to make lookups faster for police officers and other government officials." Now that would fun, if you had a cloner!
By the way, read the "Religious Reaction to RFID" part if you haven't. It's "interesting".
Simply, because they are the first, and because some people will pay that price.. It's little bit like the latest console. They put out at the highest possible price, then drop it down, wait a bit, drop it down, all to extract the most money they can. When the competition gets a 2.5 SSD drive in a notebook, they'll have to get competitive. But until then..
Update: 05/25 13:45 GMT by Z : GamesIndustry.biz points out they hope to ship 6 million units by next March, and an Opera exec has said you can browse the internets [sic] with the wiimote.
"One-handed" browsing! Well spotted, ed. Will be useful:-)
4. You have no obligation to give Microsoft any suggestions, comments or other feedback ("Feedback") relating to these Materials [...] Microsoft may freely use, reproduce, license, distribute, and otherwise commercialize Your Feedback in any Microsoft Offering
That thread raises another point.. if we don't start defending some of these encroachments on our civil liberties, will this technology ever be used (except by the military and criminals)?
"We have built up a certain brand equity over time since the launch of PlayStation in 1995 and PS2 in 2000 that the first five million are going to buy it, whatever it is, even [if] it didn't have games."
So? It's true.. everyone likes to think they aren't suckers for the latest piece of kit, but aren't we all?
When I used to use Windows, I never used to use antivirus. Or even anti-spyware software.
I believe with a good firewall, a good HOSTS file and some common sense, you should be fine. And the vast majority of Slashdot readers have plenty of common sense. I use ubuntu these days.
So, what does the Slashdot crowd think is the best of these choices? Keep in mind, I'm only looking in anti-virus, I'll go elsewhere for firewall or malware protection."
prevent super-hot gases from causing damage within reactors
We need more.... space? *lightbulb moment* It's just a matter of time before someone in power decides we need to start inducing supernovae or something like that as a power source. Then we'll be in trouble!
You make some interesting points. The Linux based project particularly is fascinating. I assume you are able to afford a computer with which to connect to your broadband. I would guess that the pricing refers to the actual PC itself - I don't see anywhere indicating that broadband is included, is it?
It seems they've spotted a good niche. From MS website:
In many countries around the world, people face two main barriers to owning a PC: the entry cost of buying a computer is too high and the fixed monthly payments associated with traditional financing are beyond their ability to pay- if they can get financing at all. And even in countries where consumer credit is available, many people are reluctant to incur the obligation of fixed monthly payments because they have unpredictable or variable incomes.
All fair points.. it will be interesting others in the industry take up the idea.
TFA: Word of the State Department order for the desktop PCs was made public in March, 10 months after Lenovo completed its $US1.75 billion acquisition of IBM's PC division.
That speaks for itself surely... Hello, due decision making process?
Also:
After approving the sale of IBM's PC Division to the Chinese Corporation Lenovo, the US Government has realized..
..which to me sounds like they were implicitly involved in the selling of the IBM branch.. is this misleading?
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Reading TFA, it seems that s/computer games/paintings and from the MO you have pretty much any bohemian artistic operation (minus the volunteers).
A philosophy I agree with, and sounds like a fun way to do things. Especially if you like to be your own boss.
Bowing to changes in technology and pressure from taxpayers and phone companies
Hmm, interesting, I don't recall any taxpayers moaning about this particular tax.. I would say it's mainly phone companies..
Another indication VOIP is taking a toll on their business? Perhaps "pressuring" this move is good publicity?
TFA probably simplifies somewhat; I don't think there will be a "new Silicon Valley", but I could imagine something on a smaller scale happening..
One big investor, say Google, throws a humping load of cash at the area nearby to MIT, say. A few more companies aggregate around the same area, and a certain critical mass is reached. The area starts to gain a reputation and stands out (in the way that Silicon Valley does now). Momentum increases, interest and investment in the area become sustained.
Could happen..
TFA: Yahoo and eBay said they do not expect the partnership to have a material impact on their financial results this year.
:-)
Expect a statement soon from Google saying they agree
This begs the question: have eBay now stopped (or stemmed at least) their ubiquitous Google search ad campaign? I did a few quick searches and didn't see as many eBay links as usual...
Why Buggy Software Gets Shipped
Easy. Because it's nearly impossible to get software bug free. Add time constraints and pressure from above... Even when software is close to bug free, people always want enhancements, new bugs are introduced..
The best Linux distros test their releases to death, and still require and release regular bug fixes. And that's the difference, really, not to get into the OSS/closed source debate, but it's all down to how you deal with the fact that software is buggy.
They showed live examples and had very interesting stories about how they were reprogramming cheese to send RFID signals saying they were shavings products.
Hmm. What with the Gillette/Walmart scandal, I was quite worried about all this stuff. But your point is a good one: well-armed consumers could perhaps thus sabotage tags if their use they become widespread? Or clone the data and flood it everywhere so it becomes useless?
>> "One-handed" browsing! Well spotted, ed. Will be useful :-)
> So how many hands do you need with a mouse now?
Depends how many hands do you need for.. well, you know..
Interesting points raised in TFA. It's worth bearing in mind, though, that the average range for a passive RFID tag is only a few yards..
The Wikipedia article on RFID states "The US state of Virginia has considered putting RFID tags into driver's licenses ostensibly to make lookups faster for police officers and other government officials." Now that would fun, if you had a cloner!
By the way, read the "Religious Reaction to RFID" part if you haven't. It's "interesting".
> Now, why is the laptop so damned expensive?
Simply, because they are the first, and because some people will pay that price.. It's little bit like the latest console. They put out at the highest possible price, then drop it down, wait a bit, drop it down, all to extract the most money they can. When the competition gets a 2.5 SSD drive in a notebook, they'll have to get competitive. But until then..
Update: 05/25 13:45 GMT by Z : GamesIndustry.biz points out they hope to ship 6 million units by next March, and an Opera exec has said you can browse the internets [sic] with the wiimote.
:-)
"One-handed" browsing! Well spotted, ed. Will be useful
4. You have no obligation to give Microsoft any suggestions, comments or other feedback ("Feedback") relating to these Materials [...] Microsoft may freely use, reproduce, license, distribute, and otherwise commercialize Your Feedback in any Microsoft Offering
Hi MS,
It's rubbish.
Cheers.
Main article link is working again.
By the way, parent's link has an rogue trailing slash at the end, you may have to remove it to see the page.
Or just click here (same link)
As someone pointed out in this thread about the governments threatening to start demanding private encrytion keys, most mobile phone calls are already encrypted to some degree already, aren't they?
That thread raises another point.. if we don't start defending some of these encroachments on our civil liberties, will this technology ever be used (except by the military and criminals)?
"We have built up a certain brand equity over time since the launch of PlayStation in 1995 and PS2 in 2000 that the first five million are going to buy it, whatever it is, even [if] it didn't have games."
So? It's true.. everyone likes to think they aren't suckers for the latest piece of kit, but aren't we all?
> That's all I can say... WTF. Or perhaps WTFITDOS (WTF Is This Doing On Slashdot)?
Beats me. If this article was a comment it would definitely be modded Troll.
Maybe it will be funnier in the dupe?
It's funny... laugh.
Where's the contigency plan if it isn't, oh mighty Slashdot? Should I consult the SlashCode? Will it be funnier if I subscribe? HELP ME!
WHAT DO I DO?
When I used to use Windows, I never used to use antivirus. Or even anti-spyware software.
I believe with a good firewall, a good HOSTS file and some common sense, you should be fine. And the vast majority of Slashdot readers have plenty of common sense. I use ubuntu these days.
So, what does the Slashdot crowd think is the best of these choices? Keep in mind, I'm only looking in anti-virus, I'll go elsewhere for firewall or malware protection."
:-)
You going to ask on Digg about those two then?
prevent super-hot gases from causing damage within reactors
We need more.... space? *lightbulb moment* It's just a matter of time before someone in power decides we need to start inducing supernovae or something like that as a power source. Then we'll be in trouble!
You make some interesting points. The Linux based project particularly is fascinating. I assume you are able to afford a computer with which to connect to your broadband. I would guess that the pricing refers to the actual PC itself - I don't see anywhere indicating that broadband is included, is it?
.br testimonies on this part of the MS site.
By the way, there are a lot of
It seems they've spotted a good niche. From MS website:
In many countries around the world, people face two main barriers to owning a PC: the entry cost of buying a computer is too high and the fixed monthly payments associated with traditional financing are beyond their ability to pay- if they can get financing at all. And even in countries where consumer credit is available, many people are reluctant to incur the obligation of fixed monthly payments because they have unpredictable or variable incomes.
All fair points.. it will be interesting others in the industry take up the idea.
TFA: Word of the State Department order for the desktop PCs was made public in March, 10 months after Lenovo completed its $US1.75 billion acquisition of IBM's PC division.
That speaks for itself surely... Hello, due decision making process?
Also:
After approving the sale of IBM's PC Division to the Chinese Corporation Lenovo, the US Government has realized..
..which to me sounds like they were implicitly involved in the selling of the IBM branch.. is this misleading?
Because of recent vandalism, or to stop banned editors from editing, editing of this page by new or unregistered employees is currently disabled. Please discuss changes on the talk page, or request unprotection. Anyone continuing to propogate stories about the CEO, the monkey and the baby oil will be severly reprimanded.
^^^ Mod parent up..
Heck, put him/her on the Supreme court too!