Just as with any scientific discipline, Computer Science is much more focused on teaching the theoretical aspects rather than the real world applications. From my personal experience (being a CS major), a lot of people have the misconception that a degree is CS is all about learning how to program. CS isn't about learning *how* to program, it's about learning *why* programs work the way that they do and how hardware/software interface. You inevitably end up gaining programming skills in various languages; however, at it's heart, CS is language agnostic. If you just wanted to learn about how to program very specific applications, perhaps you should have focused on researching material (books, internet, classes, etc.) on that particular subject.
Dvorak seems to sometimes make irrational claims to get attention (think the 'Will Apple Adopt Windows?' although bootcamp came close) but seems to get one right here. The msn.com connection is something to think about though...
I see a lot of people out there discounting the capabilites of Sonos because they really don't understand what exactly the system does versus alternate setups. To be fair, Sonos competes directly with high-end multi-room, multi-source systems such as http://www.elanhomesystems.com/, http://www.crestron.com/, and http://www.amx.com/. All of these systems can cost tens of thousands of dollars for product/install and require that you hardwire your whole house.
Sonos
=-=-=
*multi-room capability (control up to 32 rooms on one controller)
*multi-source capability (play different songs in different rooms)
*synchronization capability (play the same in different rooms, or in groups of different rooms)
*built-in amplifier (not everyone has a speaker amp in each room)
*line-out to existing amplifier (for those beefy existing home theatre setups)
*line-in on each zoneplayer that can be streamed to any other zoneplayer (connect any legacy device like cd/dvd/tape/sat radio/etc.)
*integration with music services (rhapsody)
*integration with internet radio streams
*wireless controller w/ lcd (huge benefit on getting the wife/gf to use it)
*ease of use (anyone can use that scrollwheel interface)
*ease of setup (not everyone is a tech)
Now let's look at the other talked about solutions and compare their capabilities:
Airport Express
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
*line-out to existing amplifier
*can play one audio source at a time (so can either play on my computer, or my airport express)
*walk back to computer each time you want to change anything
Cheapo Dell ($500 - I have yet to actually see anyone get a computer for $299)
=-=-=-=-=-=
*computer functionality at each room [benefit, assuming you have a montior, keyboard, and mouse to take advantage of it]
*no sychronization (might was well have a indepent cdplayers in each room and burn cds)
*need powered speakers at each location (more $$$)
*walk up to computer and change tracks on it
Besides all the extra functionality (link/separting rooms of audio, rhapsody integration, ease of use/setup,...) everyone is missing the most important thing [and what makes the iPod so successful]. THE INTERFACE! Why do people buy iPods in droves instead of getting a regular flash/hard drive based player. It's because the iPod has blended simple but powerful functionality with elegant design. Sonos wireless lcd controller gives that same beautiful abstraction and gives *anyone* control of the audio in their house seamlessly.
Unfortunately, the SpikeTV VGA's is nothing but a marketing orgy. How much coss-media synergy do we need? Should the Chronicles of Riddick game really win an award for anything other than gross revenue?
There are real bodies and organizations such as 'The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' that have also been holding an award ceremony (not televised to my knowledge) for the past 8 years. While I may not agree will all the award winners, they definitely have more of the right idea about where this should go. Their hall of fame inductees list is quite impressive: http://www.interactive.org/awards/halloffame/induc tees.asp
2004 - Peter Molyneux, Lionhead Studios
2003 - Yu Suzuki, SEGA® Corporation
2002 - Will Wright, Maxis
2001 - John Carmack, id Software
2000 - Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of Final Fantasy
1999 - Sid Meier, Firaxis Games
1998 - Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo Inc
Slashdot Mirror
Just as with any scientific discipline, Computer Science is much more focused on teaching the theoretical aspects rather than the real world applications. From my personal experience (being a CS major), a lot of people have the misconception that a degree is CS is all about learning how to program. CS isn't about learning *how* to program, it's about learning *why* programs work the way that they do and how hardware/software interface. You inevitably end up gaining programming skills in various languages; however, at it's heart, CS is language agnostic. If you just wanted to learn about how to program very specific applications, perhaps you should have focused on researching material (books, internet, classes, etc.) on that particular subject.
Dvorak seems to sometimes make irrational claims to get attention (think the 'Will Apple Adopt Windows?' although bootcamp came close) but seems to get one right here. The msn.com connection is something to think about though...
I see a lot of people out there discounting the capabilites of Sonos because they really don't understand what exactly the system does versus alternate setups. To be fair, Sonos competes directly with high-end multi-room, multi-source systems such as http://www.elanhomesystems.com/, http://www.crestron.com/, and http://www.amx.com/. All of these systems can cost tens of thousands of dollars for product/install and require that you hardwire your whole house.
Sonos
=-=-=
*multi-room capability (control up to 32 rooms on one controller)
*multi-source capability (play different songs in different rooms)
*synchronization capability (play the same in different rooms, or in groups of different rooms)
*built-in amplifier (not everyone has a speaker amp in each room)
*line-out to existing amplifier (for those beefy existing home theatre setups)
*line-in on each zoneplayer that can be streamed to any other zoneplayer (connect any legacy device like cd/dvd/tape/sat radio/etc.)
*integration with music services (rhapsody)
*integration with internet radio streams
*wireless controller w/ lcd (huge benefit on getting the wife/gf to use it)
*ease of use (anyone can use that scrollwheel interface)
*ease of setup (not everyone is a tech)
Now let's look at the other talked about solutions and compare their capabilities:
Airport Express
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
*line-out to existing amplifier
*can play one audio source at a time (so can either play on my computer, or my airport express)
*walk back to computer each time you want to change anything
Cheapo Dell ($500 - I have yet to actually see anyone get a computer for $299)
=-=-=-=-=-=
*computer functionality at each room [benefit, assuming you have a montior, keyboard, and mouse to take advantage of it]
*no sychronization (might was well have a indepent cdplayers in each room and burn cds)
*need powered speakers at each location (more $$$)
*walk up to computer and change tracks on it
Besides all the extra functionality (link/separting rooms of audio, rhapsody integration, ease of use/setup,...) everyone is missing the most important thing [and what makes the iPod so successful]. THE INTERFACE! Why do people buy iPods in droves instead of getting a regular flash/hard drive based player. It's because the iPod has blended simple but powerful functionality with elegant design. Sonos wireless lcd controller gives that same beautiful abstraction and gives *anyone* control of the audio in their house seamlessly.
Sonos works with SMB shares, so it is linux/pc/mac friendly.
Unfortunately, the SpikeTV VGA's is nothing but a marketing orgy. How much coss-media synergy do we need? Should the Chronicles of Riddick game really win an award for anything other than gross revenue?
c tees.asp
There are real bodies and organizations such as 'The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' that have also been holding an award ceremony (not televised to my knowledge) for the past 8 years. While I may not agree will all the award winners, they definitely have more of the right idea about where this should go. Their hall of fame inductees list is quite impressive: http://www.interactive.org/awards/halloffame/indu
2004 - Peter Molyneux, Lionhead Studios
2003 - Yu Suzuki, SEGA® Corporation
2002 - Will Wright, Maxis
2001 - John Carmack, id Software
2000 - Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of Final Fantasy
1999 - Sid Meier, Firaxis Games
1998 - Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo Inc