That's actually a good and necessary idea. It just struck me a bit humorous, as I was imagining most posters starting to add such a disclaimer in their sig, or at the bottom of all their posts.
I mean, if Linux is to become just another platform for running proprietary, closed-source software, what the hell is the point? You might as well just run Windows.
The whole point of Linux is Freedom. You don't get Freedom with proprietary software.
I will use proprietary software, when it is absoultely necessary. But I will always use a Free alternative, when available.
I'm starting a new job, and will need VMWare so I can test stuff in Windows, so I have asked my new company to purchase a copy of VMWare. But, I assure you, as soon as I can switch to FreeMWare, I will.
It's not about the money; it's about the Freedom.
I would think by now, people would understand that. Even Anonymous Cowards.
This article sounds awfully close to what the RIAA themselves would write if they were trying to scare people away from mp3.com.
I can't help wondering, after hearing her defend the big record companies, if Emily Vander Veer perhaps "has a dog in this race." In other words, does anyone know if she has some connection to the old-line record companies? It sure feels that way when you read the article.
I, for one, am glad mp3.com came along, as I have discovered a lot of great music that I would never have gotten to hear otherwise, if I were stuck listening to the mainstream drek pushed by the major labels.
90% of what is on mp3.com is crap anyway (my stuff probably falls into that, but hey, it's for fun). Lots of it is just dance mixes and synth tunes that some kid programmed into a shareware MIDI sequencer.
That hasn't been my experience. I have come across very little there that hasn't been of decent quality. I think it depends on the genres you're browsing, perhaps. I usually stay in Bluegrass. There are a lot of good artists in there.
I've put several of those artists CDs on my Christmas list. I feel good about having people buy those CDs, unlike CDs from RIAA-controlled artists.
If they didn't pay out AT ALL, I'm sure that people would still be uploading songs.
Agreed. And isn't that really a good thing? One would hope that artistic expression, not money, would be the driving force in music.
There is the NUL: device that I remember from DOS days; I think it'd still be there. It's just that in WinDOS, everything is not necessarily a file, so you can't necessarily use NUL: like/dev/null in all cases. Especially without symbolic links...:-)
With the same argument I guess that since the police carry guns we can no longer critizise violent murderers? This is just plain silly and pathetic.
No. Since the police carry guns we can no longer criticize citizens who carry guns.
Or, more accurately: If the police were allowed to kill people without cause (in the name of "the people," of course), then, yes, we would be kind of out of order if we criticized other murderers.
The state deliberately has wider powers than the individual to ensure order and civilization.
The state's only legitimate power derives from the consent of the governed. How many governed are going to consent to this kind of madness?
I, for one, am going to start boycotting Australia. These things are happening everywhere to some degree, but they are completely out of hand Down Under.
It's not really a matter of someone's opinion being unpopular; it's a matter of experience.
Many NT monk^H^H^H^H"admins" have not had any appreciable experience with UNIX/Linux. So, their pronouncements about the "superiority" of NT are questionable, at best.
Most Linux and UNIX users, on the other hand, are likely to have had significant experience with Windows (even NT), simply due to its wide infect^H^H^H^H^Hdeployment. God knows, I've had to deal with NT for years, and know more than I really ever wanted to know about it, and its reliablilty/scalablity (and lack thereof).
You're not getting away with that one
on
Stopping the FUD
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· Score: 2
Windows has had a journaling file system for how long, and Linux is now only getting one?
First of all, most Windows installations are 95/98 or 3.x. They most definitely do *not* have a journaling file system, or anything even resembling one.
Secondly, WRT Windows NT, I *thought* NTFS was journaling, and said so in a thread recently. Many people corrected me, and pointed out that NTFS is not a true journaling file system, it only logs metadata.
NT5/W2K/WhateverTheFuckIt'sCalledThisWeek is finally going to have an actual journaling filesystem.
Likewise, Linux should get XFS before too long. Not with the initial 2.4 release, but Linus says it might make it into 2.4.x eventually.
And anything about how lunux apps are ?so well integrated? would be complete bullshit).
No it wouldn't. Here is the "integrator" of Linux/UNIX software: |
That's right, the friendly pipe. You might fear him, but you need not; he is your friend. He will help you the true power within your computer, and within yourself.
It is en vogue to say things "against the grain" (i.e., anti-Linux, anti-Free Software, anti-Slashdot, pro-Microsoft) and these kinds of posts regularly get moderated up.
But, I assure you, these kinds of posts are not especially insightful.
I forget the name of the particular fallacy employed in this particular post, but involves using "a grain of truth" and extrapolating to an absurd degree.
As the eToys people must have known this would generate negative publicity, and the stock value has plummeted recently, couldn't eToys shareholders sue the eToys officers for failure to prudently carry out their fiduciary responsibilities?
So-called representative democracy is nothing of the sort, because there is no opportunity to influence individual issues through the election sledgehammer, and in any event only candidates that follow the approved line get the funding that's needed to get anywhere in politics these days.
Actually, there is such a mechanism in many states, including Washington, Oregon and California: referendum and initiative.
Trouble is, elected officials and judges are trying as hard as they can to thwart this mechanism (see Calif. Prop. 187).
Naturally, there are dangers associated with anything as purely democratic as referenda and initiatives, but some deference should be given to the will of the people in absence of any citizen's rights being violated.
Of course, people should keep in mind that it was the State of California that *mandated* MTBE use in the first place...even after it was known to be harmful.
What I am saying is that the idea that somehow government employees (i.e., police, military, etc.) can be trusted with firearms, but ordinary citizens cannot, is, in my opinion, specious.
Government employees are no more stable, responsible, etc., than any other person, so as long as they have firearms, others should as well.
Re:But this is really an *economic* argument
on
ESR talks in Dublin
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· Score: 2
This is an opinion based on Windows Now (Price remains the same forever) and Linux Tommorow (It will get easier to use) There is however a flaw in this reasoning, while undoubtably sooner or later Linux will become easy enough for the average office worker to use, this doesn't mean Windows will always be priced the same.
No, Windows won't have to be priced the same; as ESR pointed out, it will have to be even *more* expensive, otherwise they are going to take a serious revenue hit.
Microsoft has no incentive to lower the price on their OS as the market has no real alternatives at the moment. I'm sure that if alternatives arise then Microsoft will hurry and slash their prices. Suddenly for the average office worker that free Linux install may not seem as attractive as the $20 Windows install.
If they cut licensing to $20, they are going to have some serious revenue issues. They may not have much choice, though.
Also remember that OEM manufacters get windows at a discount. Microsoft may be incompetent in court, but they're hardly buisness idiots
No one's saying they're "business idiots." What we're talking about here is a fundamental shift in the way software is distributed. Their paradigm is obsolete.
And, I already took the discount into account. What's the list price for Windows 98? $179 or something? Through discounts they get that down to $80-90, or if they're Dell, maybe to $55. $400/50=8. So, even if you got down to $50, you'd be talking about 1/8 the price of a cheap box for the OS. I think that's going to prove to be too much. OEMs will make the final decision, but this isn't 1991; there are a lot more competitors.
Microsoft will be able to collect their Windows tax only as long as it takes OEMs to start shipping preconfigured Linux boxes in any appreciable volume. I really think it's inevitable; it has nothing to do with what anyone wants to happen.
Anyone know if Abit is going to do an Athlon board? I really like their MBs. I'm going to do a BP-6 for now, but would like to have Athlon as an option down the road.
But this is really an *economic* argument
on
ESR talks in Dublin
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· Score: 2
I think ESR is exactly right about the future of Windows and Microsoft, because of the *economic* considerations involved. As ESR points out, hardware is getting cheaper and cheaper. Microsoft, however, needs more and more income. Something's got to give.
At the point where Linux becomes easy enough to use for office workers, IHVs are going to start bundling it to save themselves $80 a box. Corel Linux may be the distribution that makes this possible, or perhaps the next RedHat. How can you possibly absorb $80 per unit on a product that costs $400? It's a real problem for Microsoft; don't underestimate it.
Now, if Sun lets IHVs bundle StarOffice without licensing fees, I don't need to tell you what kind of a threat that represents to Microsoft Office revenues.
That's what this is all about; the powers that be in government-controlled "education" centers want young people who can be formed into nice little sheeple, who won't challenge assumptions, and aren't suspicious of government.
So, they are simply trying to identify people who represent a threat to their tyranny early on.
Perhaps next, they'll have some kind of symbol that geeks will have to wear.
We need a new amendment to the Constitution to seperate school and state.
Slashdot Mirror
Therefore, we buy more books.
That's actually a good and necessary idea. It just struck me a bit humorous, as I was imagining most posters starting to add such a disclaimer in their sig, or at the bottom of all their posts.
The whole point of Linux is Freedom. You don't get Freedom with proprietary software.
I will use proprietary software, when it is absoultely necessary. But I will always use a Free alternative, when available.
I'm starting a new job, and will need VMWare so I can test stuff in Windows, so I have asked my new company to purchase a copy of VMWare. But, I assure you, as soon as I can switch to FreeMWare, I will.
It's not about the money; it's about the Freedom.
I would think by now, people would understand that. Even Anonymous Cowards.
I can't help wondering, after hearing her defend the big record companies, if Emily Vander Veer perhaps "has a dog in this race." In other words, does anyone know if she has some connection to the old-line record companies? It sure feels that way when you read the article.
I, for one, am glad mp3.com came along, as I have discovered a lot of great music that I would never have gotten to hear otherwise, if I were stuck listening to the mainstream drek pushed by the major labels.
That hasn't been my experience. I have come across very little there that hasn't been of decent quality. I think it depends on the genres you're browsing, perhaps. I usually stay in Bluegrass. There are a lot of good artists in there.
I've put several of those artists CDs on my Christmas list. I feel good about having people buy those CDs, unlike CDs from RIAA-controlled artists.
If they didn't pay out AT ALL, I'm sure that people would still be uploading songs.
Agreed. And isn't that really a good thing? One would hope that artistic expression, not money, would be the driving force in music.
There is the NUL: device that I remember from DOS days; I think it'd still be there. It's just that in WinDOS, everything is not necessarily a file, so you can't necessarily use NUL: like /dev/null in all cases. Especially without symbolic links... :-)
Interested in XFMail? New XFMail home page.
No. Since the police carry guns we can no longer criticize citizens who carry guns.
Or, more accurately: If the police were allowed to kill people without cause (in the name of "the people," of course), then, yes, we would be kind of out of order if we criticized other murderers.
The state deliberately has wider powers than the individual to ensure order and civilization.
The state's only legitimate power derives from the consent of the governed. How many governed are going to consent to this kind of madness?
I, for one, am going to start boycotting Australia. These things are happening everywhere to some degree, but they are completely out of hand Down Under.
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It seeks to address the symptom, and ignores the cause of the problem, like most dumb laws.
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"Do I have any openings that this man might fit?"
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Someone needs to get Wesley Willis to Brazil! I'm certain he would love to ride the "Ass Bus."
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Many NT monk^H^H^H^H"admins" have not had any appreciable experience with UNIX/Linux. So, their pronouncements about the "superiority" of NT are questionable, at best.
Most Linux and UNIX users, on the other hand, are likely to have had significant experience with Windows (even NT), simply due to its wide infect^H^H^H^H^Hdeployment. God knows, I've had to deal with NT for years, and know more than I really ever wanted to know about it, and its reliablilty/scalablity (and lack thereof).
Interested in XFMail? New XFMail home page.
First of all, most Windows installations are 95/98 or 3.x. They most definitely do *not* have a journaling file system, or anything even resembling one.
Secondly, WRT Windows NT, I *thought* NTFS was journaling, and said so in a thread recently. Many people corrected me, and pointed out that NTFS is not a true journaling file system, it only logs metadata.
NT5/W2K/WhateverTheFuckIt'sCalledThisWeek is finally going to have an actual journaling filesystem.
Likewise, Linux should get XFS before too long. Not with the initial 2.4 release, but Linus says it might make it into 2.4.x eventually.
Interested in XFMail? New XFMail home page.
No it wouldn't. Here is the "integrator" of Linux/UNIX software: |
That's right, the friendly pipe. You might fear him, but you need not; he is your friend. He will help you the true power within your computer, and within yourself.
Interested in XFMail? New XFMail home page.
But, I assure you, these kinds of posts are not especially insightful.
I forget the name of the particular fallacy employed in this particular post, but involves using "a grain of truth" and extrapolating to an absurd degree.
Interested in XFMail? New XFMail home page.
As the eToys people must have known this would generate negative publicity, and the stock value has plummeted recently, couldn't eToys shareholders sue the eToys officers for failure to prudently carry out their fiduciary responsibilities?
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That's not too much to ask from Apple, is it?
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Actually, there is such a mechanism in many states, including Washington, Oregon and California: referendum and initiative.
Trouble is, elected officials and judges are trying as hard as they can to thwart this mechanism (see Calif. Prop. 187).
Naturally, there are dangers associated with anything as purely democratic as referenda and initiatives, but some deference should be given to the will of the people in absence of any citizen's rights being violated.
Interested in XFMail? New XFMail home page.
Of course, people should keep in mind that it was the State of California that *mandated* MTBE use in the first place...even after it was known to be harmful.
Interested in XFMail? New XFMail home page.
This has been happening quite often lately. Bad moderation is out of control; it is not being checked by meta-moderation.
I really think they need to only allow moderator points to accounts with karma over 20 or something.
Funny thing is that I have a decent karma, but have only moderated twice. And I've been reading and posting to Slashdot for two years.
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Government employees are no more stable, responsible, etc., than any other person, so as long as they have firearms, others should as well.
Interested in XFMail? New XFMail home page.
No, Windows won't have to be priced the same; as ESR pointed out, it will have to be even *more* expensive, otherwise they are going to take a serious revenue hit.
Microsoft has no incentive to lower the price on their OS as the market has no real alternatives at the moment. I'm sure that if alternatives arise then Microsoft will hurry and slash their prices. Suddenly for the average office worker that free Linux install may not seem as attractive as the $20 Windows install.
If they cut licensing to $20, they are going to have some serious revenue issues. They may not have much choice, though.
Also remember that OEM manufacters get windows at a discount. Microsoft may be incompetent in court, but they're hardly buisness idiots
No one's saying they're "business idiots." What we're talking about here is a fundamental shift in the way software is distributed. Their paradigm is obsolete.
And, I already took the discount into account. What's the list price for Windows 98? $179 or something? Through discounts they get that down to $80-90, or if they're Dell, maybe to $55. $400/50=8. So, even if you got down to $50, you'd be talking about 1/8 the price of a cheap box for the OS. I think that's going to prove to be too much. OEMs will make the final decision, but this isn't 1991; there are a lot more competitors.
Microsoft will be able to collect their Windows tax only as long as it takes OEMs to start shipping preconfigured Linux boxes in any appreciable volume. I really think it's inevitable; it has nothing to do with what anyone wants to happen.
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And, it's really quite flexible. There are other good MTAs of course, but I wouldn't count Sendmail among them.
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Anyone know if Abit is going to do an Athlon board? I really like their MBs. I'm going to do a BP-6 for now, but would like to have Athlon as an option down the road.
Interested in XFMail? New XFMail home page.
At the point where Linux becomes easy enough to use for office workers, IHVs are going to start bundling it to save themselves $80 a box. Corel Linux may be the distribution that makes this possible, or perhaps the next RedHat. How can you possibly absorb $80 per unit on a product that costs $400? It's a real problem for Microsoft; don't underestimate it.
Now, if Sun lets IHVs bundle StarOffice without licensing fees, I don't need to tell you what kind of a threat that represents to Microsoft Office revenues.
Interested in XFMail? New XFMail home page.
So, they are simply trying to identify people who represent a threat to their tyranny early on.
Perhaps next, they'll have some kind of symbol that geeks will have to wear.
We need a new amendment to the Constitution to seperate school and state.
Interested in XFMail? New XFMail home page.