f it just installs anyway with just a small nag screen or something, then most people won't buy it. I agree, you just have to see the hundreds of computers I have seen in several different government offices that use WinZip, they invariably show the startup nag screen telling you how many thousands of files have you compressed and asking you to buy it... of course, you just have to click the continue button and keep using it..
, and couldn't resist the opportunity to put in the first comment.
You trying to get a FP naughty man!
In all seriously, although the post in itself was nor insightful or interesting if I was a moderator I would not moderate you down because of what you Mr. Beckerman represents. But of course that meant I would not be moderating objectively. It seems that it is what makes the moderation system work.
I must say that, after reading the title of the story I was expecting that you were the submitter.
And if you think Linspire seems really appealing just install KDE to your ubuntu box and get a custom theme, oh god... It is not like Linspire has done much more than just adding KDE and proprietary grabage to ubuntu, things you can do yourself without the hassle of dealing with patent crap from microsoft...
And yet this "not much more than just adding KDE and propietary garbage" is what makes people buy Linspire and hence, adopt Linux! Maybe you read my comment wrongly, I have nothing against any other peoples ideals, I just do not share some of them. I am perfectly fine with Open Source and Free Software (I have even released code product of my PhD on GPL). The only thing I was trying to imply is that Michael Robertson got it right in finding a buisness model to profit from selling Linux while making its use easier for the non tech saavy.
You might still argue that Ubuntu gives everything you need for non tech people, but that would be your subjective appreciation. The fact still remains that there indeed is people who see some added value to Linspire and therefore buy it.
Free Software advocates can fight their holly battle all the way. It is fine with me. What is not fine with me is when such people call names and get angry at people that just do not care about their war.
As for advocating Linspire, I do not see why is it Lame? I really look forward on the day when the Windows Operating System is not the de-facto program used to control PCs, and if there is any other company or Operating System that can achieve this, then go ahead! I do not care if it is Solaris, BSD or Linux. or if it is free (as in freedom or as in beer) or not.
This is similar to most of my house electronics, I do not care if the manufacturer provides the electronic diagram or block diagram for a charge, or if it is in the public domain or if it is under some kind of creative-commons-like license. I just want my DVD player to play my DVDs, and my Wii to play my games and my TV to show all of that. If there is any of those who do not do what I wish (for those of you trying to flamebait with the DRM argument) I will just chose to buy the one which lets me do whatever I want!
I think they should name these things more like "Online Desktop". They could really exploit all the marketing singergy of the "desktop" branding and it will be a more appropiate name for the program. I think the main [useful] idea of these things is to have a set of tools and documents available on any computer independently of operating system.
So yeah, as Online Desktop I think it might be something nice, of course I personally *hate* JavaScript bloated Apps, in part because the same nature of javascript (interpreted language) makes it sloooooow. This might become a good idea if done using some kind of precompiled language, sort of like ActionsScript, Java or even using XUL. Of course, the problem (that I at least have) with that is that none of those technologies are standard, open and fully accessible (as in for the blind).
If Microsoft doesn't sue, they'll lose the trademark, if they sue, they'll lose the trademark. I can think of plenty of things Microsoft can be attacked for, an picking a generic word for their well recognized Windows brand isn't one of those.
Oh but nobody is to blame here except for Microsoft, for calling their product as a very generic name used in the industry. The truth is that they should not have a Trademark on such a word. And if they have been able to hold it until now is because of the fear they put on their competitors.
For what is worth this guy is the one that is *really* bringing linux to the masses (or users) in Mexico, by selling cheap computers (at wallmart; Elektra shops [they sell home furniture and electronics providing 2, 3 or 5 years financing]). He is the kind of people that Linux needs, and although you might not know; Lindows is now based on the same Ubuntu distribution.
I am currently using Ubuntu 7.04. But if you askme what is the reason why I am not using Linspire, the answer is because I just got to the Linspire page *after* Installing Ubuntu in my PC. But, for my non-freedom-advocacy-crazy (similarly to almost all the PC end users) needs, Linspire seems really appealing.
Wasnt the "Make love no spam" lycos screensaver TRYING to achieve something similar? I remember it was widely critizised for what it was doing. I ran it for some tiem though.
Does it support audio and video conferencing via MSN protocols?
I tested the aMSN video conferencing which was soso... but the problem with messenger software is that unless you only wan to send text messages you've got to stick with the "official"
When I am working in Windows, I usually have on instance of Notepad and one of Paint opened. They are perfect as "buffers" for text and graphics. Althought their capacities are not as good it is quite handy to make [WIN]+R "pbrush" or "notepad" to quickly paste some kind of note or graphic of interest.
On Linux, I have been using "KolourPaint" which is quite similar to pbrush but has some other extra features, unfortunately not all of them work fine (for example zooming out or in of an image makes the image render wrongly) and the gnome text editor takes *ages* to start compared to notepad...
Web shortcuts never work as well as application shortcuts. They have focus problems, because they have to compete with the browser's shortcuts. All the good, easy, modeless ones are taken..
Not only focus problems... I do not know why but some idiot at Gmail came with the idea that the "End" key was a good shortcut for sending a message into the trash (why would that be??) and oftentimes when I am reading a conversation I tend to press the "End" key, which in any other web page makes the browser show the end of the web page, but in Gmail instead, my message disappear in to the trash bin...
Of course, I still use gmail as my main account...
Ahh! and this is why I think competition from solaris is very good. If indeed OpenSolaris starts competing against Linux on the Destkop, and due to its "more commercial" (less zealotry) policy allows (or even promotes) closed source drivers to interact with the kernel via a stable ABI or whatnot making it more "commercial harware vendor friendly", then maybe, just maybe, a lot of companies will start publishing hardware drivers for it and it will support the newest hardware better than Linux.
I would love that such thing happened, just to see how the hardcore open source Linux zealots react after Solaris starts to eath the tiny PC usage share.
Nothing in the openness of closedness of the code preventes anyone from changing the results of Folding@Home... that would be security through obscurity,something we know does not work (or you should now after being in slashdot since... forever AC).
The proper way to prevent such things is via cyptographic techniques sucha as encryption and/or digital signatures, which I know not a lot about but am sure a fellow slashdotter eager to demonstrate their knowledge will extend upon.
Haha, its curious that this article comes up now. I have been used Eclipse for quite some time (5 years now) and used VisualStudio.NET 2003 for some time too (while doing C#.NET WinForms and some WebForms apps for a real company) and just the other day I was really (gladly) surprised by one feature of the autocomplete intellisense in Eclipse:
First, create an Enum (must use JRE >= 5), then in any function create a swtich testing for a variable with the created enum type. Then start to add the 'case' terms and presss CTRL+SPACE to autocomplete them. You will see two things: first the autocomplete will show you the pertitnent Enum members as options for the "case", BUT it will *omit* those cases that you have already in the structure!
Granted, it is a small detail but it really made me go AAAAhhh!
Having said that, I have tried to use Eclipse for C++ or PHP development and I did not found it as good as VisualStudio or ZendStudio... of course those two are not free. Oh, and I also thing it suffers from the bloatiness of every Java program (hey, dont flame me, I *love* programming in Java, and do it everyday for a living =o] )
Sorry for the autoreply but this snippet: "We are confident that (Andersen's) claims have no merit," an RIAA spokeswoman said. "We look forward to presenting our arguments in the next few weeks to the court about why this case should be dismissed. In all our cases, we seek to follow the facts and be fair and reasonable in resolving pending claims."
I guess that should read something like "We look forward to presenting our $$$$ $$$ to the court about..." instead.
Persisting, the RIAA began to harass Andersen's 10-year-old daughter, demanding a deposition from her and even posing as a relative when calling her school to get access to her.
Wow, wouldn't just this issue alone be enough to sue those companies? harrasing a minor or something like that? I am sure you guys have some kind of law that punishes that ("think of the children").
Also, I found the following quote funny: Ray Beckerman, an attorney who has represented defendants in illegal downloading lawsuits filed by the RIAA. As I am not a native English speaker, I read that as "The illegal lawsuits, with the subject of downloading" or, illegal downloading-lawsuits and my first thought was, yeah, they surely are illegal indeed.
I think he meant games like Scarface, Resident Evil 4 or HeatSeeker...
Which coming to think now... are available for the Wii right now.
Personally I disagree with you in that I am very seek and tired of the Mario this and Mario that... I bought Zelda and got bored pretty soon (my girlfriend loved it though...).
Of course I am more than happy with the Wii sports golf and bowling !
Slashdot Mirror
f it just installs anyway with just a small nag screen or something, then most people won't buy it.
I agree, you just have to see the hundreds of computers I have seen in several different government offices that use WinZip, they invariably show the startup nag screen telling you how many thousands of files have you compressed and asking you to buy it... of course, you just have to click the continue button and keep using it..
, and couldn't resist the opportunity to put in the first comment.
You trying to get a FP naughty man!
In all seriously, although the post in itself was nor insightful or interesting if I was a moderator I would not moderate you down because of what you Mr. Beckerman represents. But of course that meant I would not be moderating objectively. It seems that it is what makes the moderation system work.
I must say that, after reading the title of the story I was expecting that you were the submitter.
Cheers.
ng. If IE has 63.9% and Firefox has 17.4%, then this leave 18.7% for other browsers. I
But is that 63.9% of IE7 or counting all previous versions?
But the fact is that, when you are metamodding you will only likely see:
"good story by ars technica"
Moded as: redundant.
The comment by itself certainly does not provide any insight and is no interesting.
It was reported here in Slashdot that Stephane Rodriguez made some really nice tests to the OOXML format. It is quite an interseting read.
He might even join the flamebait fest!
God, you just have to browse at -1 to see all the hate people have for him.
I agree with the sentiment of some comments who ask, whatever happened to the QT-non-free GNOME starting, Open Source Government , UNAM guy?
It seems we all have a price after all.
lol man, you made my day. And it is 1:45 am in the morning =o)
Thanks!
And if you think Linspire seems really appealing just install KDE to your ubuntu box and get a custom theme, oh god... It is not like Linspire has done much more than just adding KDE and proprietary grabage to ubuntu, things you can do yourself without the hassle of dealing with patent crap from microsoft...
And yet this "not much more than just adding KDE and propietary garbage" is what makes people buy Linspire and hence, adopt Linux! Maybe you read my comment wrongly, I have nothing against any other peoples ideals, I just do not share some of them. I am perfectly fine with Open Source and Free Software (I have even released code product of my PhD on GPL). The only thing I was trying to imply is that Michael Robertson got it right in finding a buisness model to profit from selling Linux while making its use easier for the non tech saavy.
You might still argue that Ubuntu gives everything you need for non tech people, but that would be your subjective appreciation. The fact still remains that there indeed is people who see some added value to Linspire and therefore buy it.
Free Software advocates can fight their holly battle all the way. It is fine with me. What is not fine with me is when such people call names and get angry at people that just do not care about their war.
As for advocating Linspire, I do not see why is it Lame? I really look forward on the day when the Windows Operating System is not the de-facto program used to control PCs, and if there is any other company or Operating System that can achieve this, then go ahead! I do not care if it is Solaris, BSD or Linux. or if it is free (as in freedom or as in beer) or not.
This is similar to most of my house electronics, I do not care if the manufacturer provides the electronic diagram or block diagram for a charge, or if it is in the public domain or if it is under some kind of creative-commons-like license. I just want my DVD player to play my DVDs, and my Wii to play my games and my TV to show all of that. If there is any of those who do not do what I wish (for those of you trying to flamebait with the DRM argument) I will just chose to buy the one which lets me do whatever I want!
I think they should name these things more like "Online Desktop". They could really exploit all the marketing singergy of the "desktop" branding and it will be a more appropiate name for the program. I think the main [useful] idea of these things is to have a set of tools and documents available on any computer independently of operating system.
So yeah, as Online Desktop I think it might be something nice, of course I personally *hate* JavaScript bloated Apps, in part because the same nature of javascript (interpreted language) makes it sloooooow. This might become a good idea if done using some kind of precompiled language, sort of like ActionsScript, Java or even using XUL. Of course, the problem (that I at least have) with that is that none of those technologies are standard, open and fully accessible (as in for the blind).
If Microsoft doesn't sue, they'll lose the trademark, if they sue, they'll lose the trademark. I can think of plenty of things Microsoft can be attacked for, an picking a generic word for their well recognized Windows brand isn't one of those.
Oh but nobody is to blame here except for Microsoft, for calling their product as a very generic name used in the industry. The truth is that they should not have a Trademark on such a word. And if they have been able to hold it until now is because of the fear they put on their competitors.
For what is worth this guy is the one that is *really* bringing linux to the masses (or users) in Mexico, by selling cheap computers (at wallmart; Elektra shops [they sell home furniture and electronics providing 2, 3 or 5 years financing]). He is the kind of people that Linux needs, and although you might not know; Lindows is now based on the same Ubuntu distribution.
I am currently using Ubuntu 7.04. But if you askme what is the reason why I am not using Linspire, the answer is because I just got to the Linspire page *after* Installing Ubuntu in my PC. But, for my non-freedom-advocacy-crazy (similarly to almost all the PC end users) needs, Linspire seems really appealing.
Shut up with your objective comments, we are trying to bash Microsoft here!
Wasnt the "Make love no spam" lycos screensaver TRYING to achieve something similar? I remember it was widely critizised for what it was doing. I ran it for some tiem though.
Does it support audio and video conferencing via MSN protocols?
I tested the aMSN video conferencing which was soso... but the problem with messenger software is that unless you only wan to send text messages you've got to stick with the "official"
I used to use ACDSee a long time ago (maybe 8 years ago!). It was really neat and lean. But it became *really* bloated and I discovered irfanview.
When I am working in Windows, I usually have on instance of Notepad and one of Paint opened. They are perfect as "buffers" for text and graphics. Althought their capacities are not as good it is quite handy to make [WIN]+R "pbrush" or "notepad" to quickly paste some kind of note or graphic of interest.
On Linux, I have been using "KolourPaint" which is quite similar to pbrush but has some other extra features, unfortunately not all of them work fine (for example zooming out or in of an image makes the image render wrongly) and the gnome text editor takes *ages* to start compared to notepad...
Web shortcuts never work as well as application shortcuts. They have focus problems, because they have to compete with the browser's shortcuts. All the good, easy, modeless ones are taken..
Not only focus problems... I do not know why but some idiot at Gmail came with the idea that the "End" key was a good shortcut for sending a message into the trash (why would that be??) and oftentimes when I am reading a conversation I tend to press the "End" key, which in any other web page makes the browser show the end of the web page, but in Gmail instead, my message disappear in to the trash bin...
Of course, I still use gmail as my main account...
Marrero has been arrested as an enemy combatant who hates freedom as is currently on an airplane in transit to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,
Hey, you can always see the bright side, he will at least have better health coverage than you at Guantanamo bay!
Please talk to another side... your mouth still smells funny
Ahh! and this is why I think competition from solaris is very good. If indeed OpenSolaris starts competing against Linux on the Destkop, and due to its "more commercial" (less zealotry) policy allows (or even promotes) closed source drivers to interact with the kernel via a stable ABI or whatnot making it more "commercial harware vendor friendly", then maybe, just maybe, a lot of companies will start publishing hardware drivers for it and it will support the newest hardware better than Linux.
I would love that such thing happened, just to see how the hardcore open source Linux zealots react after Solaris starts to eath the tiny PC usage share.
Nothing in the openness of closedness of the code preventes anyone from changing the results of Folding@Home... that would be security through obscurity,something we know does not work (or you should now after being in slashdot since... forever AC).
The proper way to prevent such things is via cyptographic techniques sucha as encryption and/or digital signatures, which I know not a lot about but am sure a fellow slashdotter eager to demonstrate their knowledge will extend upon.
Haha, its curious that this article comes up now. I have been used Eclipse for quite some time (5 years now) and used VisualStudio .NET 2003 for some time too (while doing C# .NET WinForms and some WebForms apps for a real company) and just the other day I was really (gladly) surprised by one feature of the autocomplete intellisense in Eclipse:
First, create an Enum (must use JRE >= 5), then in any function create a swtich testing for a variable with the created enum type. Then start to add the 'case' terms and presss CTRL+SPACE to autocomplete them. You will see two things: first the autocomplete will show you the pertitnent Enum members as options for the "case", BUT it will *omit* those cases that you have already in the structure!
Granted, it is a small detail but it really made me go AAAAhhh!
Having said that, I have tried to use Eclipse for C++ or PHP development and I did not found it as good as VisualStudio or ZendStudio... of course those two are not free. Oh, and I also thing it suffers from the bloatiness of every Java program (hey, dont flame me, I *love* programming in Java, and do it everyday for a living =o] )
Sorry for the autoreply but this snippet:
"We are confident that (Andersen's) claims have no merit," an RIAA spokeswoman said. "We look forward to presenting our arguments in the next few weeks to the court about why this case should be dismissed. In all our cases, we seek to follow the facts and be fair and reasonable in resolving pending claims."
I guess that should read something like "We look forward to presenting our $$$$ $$$ to the court about..." instead.
Persisting, the RIAA began to harass Andersen's 10-year-old daughter, demanding a deposition from her and even posing as a relative when calling her school to get access to her.
Wow, wouldn't just this issue alone be enough to sue those companies? harrasing a minor or something like that? I am sure you guys have some kind of law that punishes that ("think of the children").
Also, I found the following quote funny:
Ray Beckerman, an attorney who has represented defendants in illegal downloading lawsuits filed by the RIAA.
As I am not a native English speaker, I read that as "The illegal lawsuits, with the subject of downloading" or, illegal downloading-lawsuits and my first thought was, yeah, they surely are illegal indeed.
I think he meant games like Scarface, Resident Evil 4 or HeatSeeker...
Which coming to think now... are available for the Wii right now.
Personally I disagree with you in that I am very seek and tired of the Mario this and Mario that... I bought Zelda and got bored pretty soon (my girlfriend loved it though...).
Of course I am more than happy with the Wii sports golf and bowling !