I see your point, but I also see a debate of semantics.
The menu is as good as most any other. There is room for improvement no doubt, as is with most products. However I believed you were arguing that the menu was horrible. I think most people are still accustomed to having settings in one primary place (akin to the Windows control panel) and even in the Linux world I hear people beg to keep this dynamic as opposed to distributing settings to individual dialogs all over the place, because people find them harder to locate.
I can go either way, and with a massive UI I think it looks cleaner to nest settings in more specific locations, but the PS3, PSP, etc. only have so many settings to begin with. I think it works best on the PS3, because the menu neatly frames the content while still allowing navigation. The bulk of the window is still open on the bottom right to display a game for instance if I select it, while the menu is still quite visible above. The concept of the cross bar I actually enjoy even if it isn't horribly innovative.
You seem fairly intelligent, so I find it difficult to believe that you couldn't decipher the XMB and find what you are looking for.
The XMB is featured on most Sony devices these days from their TVs, cameras, PS3's, PSPs, etc. This is honestly the first time I've ever come across a complaint for it.
What exactly is your problem with the menu? It isn't incredible or perfect, but I don't see what is wrong with it.
The PS3, in addition to using industry standards like USB (with standard USB ports as opposed to the original XBox), Bluetooth, 802.11g networking, DLNA, HDMI, etc., they used standard SATA HDD's and standard connectors. They added a side door and openly invite you to replace your HDD as you see fit. They give you a utility in the firmware to format the HDD, establish multiple partitions, and install other operating systems.
Arguably, the PS3 is the most open console in history.
And in the case of standards, you don't look at completely unrelated crap like the above post. You look at whether or not either of the two proposed standards have backing and specs to warrant mass adoption.
I bought a dual-core AMD X2 3500 last year for $35. While everyone is trash-talking AMD because Intel has speedier chips on the high end, people keep overlooking how damned cheap the low-end AMD processors are, and how much more bang you get for your buck. I think the educated consumers are still buying AMD for just that reason.
To which both Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg (nobodies in the film business) threw a shit fit, demanding that their films get release on both formats, if not BluRay exclusive. Both are big fans of BluRay. Right now Transformers is HD-DVD only, but Bay wrote on his blog that if Transformers didn't get a BluRay release, he'd refuse to do Transformers 2.
The format war was practically over a few months ago. Microsoft bribing Paramount only dragged it out, and in format wars, consumers lose. It wasn't a very nice move on Microsoft's part.
I've read all the strips a couple of times. Many jokes are subtle, but I'm not sure what you mean about hidden messages across the whole series. Please enlighten us.
It isn't scale. Jabber is still centric to a single network. I can't log into LJ Talk with My Gmail account, even though they both use Jabber, let alone talk across the two networks.
Re:The best tools stay out of the way...
on
Goodbye Cruel Word
·
· Score: 1
I think Office 2007 is an interest diversion in a great line of apps (Office) but I loathe Vista, and I mean I truly fucking loathe it.
Not from hype or anti-Microsoft drivel, because I can be objective in reviewing their software aside from business practices. I can find almost nothing good about Vista, and a litany of faults. Vista is so awful that Mac and Linux adoption rates are awful, in addition to the number of people crawling back to XP. Vista may go down as the single biggest flop so far in the history of Microsoft.
Re:The best tools stay out of the way...
on
Goodbye Cruel Word
·
· Score: 1
I loathe Microsoft on most days, but Office is probably the single best piece of software they have ever put out.
Fairly easy interface, extremely feature rich, mostly bug-free, loads very fast, etc.
My only qualm is the proprietary file formats. And I work in IT at a shop that still has Word 97 (with a proprietary wrapper application for journalism) alongside Word 2000, Word 2003 and Word 2007. I can tell you the UI has changed a great deal over the years. The recent UI change in 2007 is the biggest.
Furikup might as well be proprietary. There is in open source, and then there are open standards.
Thankfully, we established open standards for email years ago, but it used to be that everyone used different protocols and networks, the way instant messaging and cell phones work today.
Cell phones are slightly more universal in that a Cingular customer can call a Sprint customer, however the technologies of different networks differ enough that you can't take a Sprint phone to AT&T. The hope is that someday there are open standards to establish universal protocols for cell phones and instant messaging. Yahoo can still have their user list, and everyone with a Yahoo email address automatically gets an IM address, but why can't everyone universally instant message via email address? Someone on MSN can message a Yahoo user at user@yahoo.com?
Jabber was a decent initial effort towards such a goal, but falls somewhat short since Jabber is an open protocol for small, internalized networks to an extent as opposed to a universal standard to link all networks together.
Please, someone, make this happen. It would take Google, AOL, Yahoo and Microsoft to agree. How likely is that? And getting AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, etc. to agree is only slightly more likely.
A long while back I remember reading online about how in England Sony had struck a deal to make the PSP do phone calls, and I wondered the same thing. Were they adding a mic to the PSP in Europe or what?
In this case, there is no proof of an NDA breech, yet they want the site shut down and are threatening law suits. Same thing with the rumors site they just paid to shut down.
I'd say Microsoft is worse overall, but I'd also admit that Microsoft seems much better than they once were.
One of my biggest beefs with Apple is when they basically redesign something existing and then act like they invented it. The worst time was with virtual desktops when Jobs flat out claimed to have invented it, when it has existed in the Linux world for a decade.
They have threatened sites before that post any speculation on Apple products, and just paid a big Apple rumors site to go down.
The blog in question here has speculated on Apple products, and three times been right. Apple always seems to go after these guys. Apparently you don't pay attention.
The movie has already had some viral marketing, and they promised more. The producer, JJ Abrams has also pushed viral marketing with Alias, and Lost previously.
For a while the movie was known simply as 01-18-08 and had no title.
From the article:...he feels it is his duty to inform me that Apple's lawyers have identified at least three posts in my archive that they "deem to be actionable."
Slashdot Mirror
I see your point, but I also see a debate of semantics.
The menu is as good as most any other. There is room for improvement no doubt, as is with most products. However I believed you were arguing that the menu was horrible. I think most people are still accustomed to having settings in one primary place (akin to the Windows control panel) and even in the Linux world I hear people beg to keep this dynamic as opposed to distributing settings to individual dialogs all over the place, because people find them harder to locate.
I can go either way, and with a massive UI I think it looks cleaner to nest settings in more specific locations, but the PS3, PSP, etc. only have so many settings to begin with. I think it works best on the PS3, because the menu neatly frames the content while still allowing navigation. The bulk of the window is still open on the bottom right to display a game for instance if I select it, while the menu is still quite visible above. The concept of the cross bar I actually enjoy even if it isn't horribly innovative.
You seem fairly intelligent, so I find it difficult to believe that you couldn't decipher the XMB and find what you are looking for.
I just read an article like three days ago about how retailers are begging for more UMD content because consumers are begging for it.
The PSP is far removed from the success that the DS is, but the PSP is selling well regardless. And UMD movie sales are still quite strong in Japan.
If Sony were smart, they'd let other devices support UMD royalty free if they want it to catch on more.
The XMB is featured on most Sony devices these days from their TVs, cameras, PS3's, PSPs, etc. This is honestly the first time I've ever come across a complaint for it.
What exactly is your problem with the menu? It isn't incredible or perfect, but I don't see what is wrong with it.
The PS3, in addition to using industry standards like USB (with standard USB ports as opposed to the original XBox), Bluetooth, 802.11g networking, DLNA, HDMI, etc., they used standard SATA HDD's and standard connectors. They added a side door and openly invite you to replace your HDD as you see fit. They give you a utility in the firmware to format the HDD, establish multiple partitions, and install other operating systems.
Arguably, the PS3 is the most open console in history.
Memory sticks and UMD both sell fairly well.
Just playing devil's advocate.
And in the case of standards, you don't look at completely unrelated crap like the above post. You look at whether or not either of the two proposed standards have backing and specs to warrant mass adoption.
There are people who have gotten the 3500+ up to 3Ghz on air, and again that chip is so old, you can't even buy it anymore, but last year it was $35.
Not to mention that clock speed isn't everything. People often overlook the FSB for one. AMD has a much better FSB speed.
Then there is the fact that I figured the Slashdot crowd wasn't the type to support evil anti-trust corporations like Intel.
I bought a dual-core AMD X2 3500 last year for $35. While everyone is trash-talking AMD because Intel has speedier chips on the high end, people keep overlooking how damned cheap the low-end AMD processors are, and how much more bang you get for your buck. I think the educated consumers are still buying AMD for just that reason.
To which both Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg (nobodies in the film business) threw a shit fit, demanding that their films get release on both formats, if not BluRay exclusive. Both are big fans of BluRay. Right now Transformers is HD-DVD only, but Bay wrote on his blog that if Transformers didn't get a BluRay release, he'd refuse to do Transformers 2.
The format war was practically over a few months ago. Microsoft bribing Paramount only dragged it out, and in format wars, consumers lose. It wasn't a very nice move on Microsoft's part.
Sony was touting that they'll likely hit 300 GB BluRay discs someday.
I'm the only person who encouraged modding the parent up, but that is redundant?
That doesn't answer the question though. Do we have an idea for what kind of hardware you need for Skype on a hand-held device?
I know it runs on the Nokia n800 series of internet tablets, but again that is much nicer hardware than a DS.
I've read all the strips a couple of times. Many jokes are subtle, but I'm not sure what you mean about hidden messages across the whole series. Please enlighten us.
It isn't scale. Jabber is still centric to a single network. I can't log into LJ Talk with My Gmail account, even though they both use Jabber, let alone talk across the two networks.
I think Office 2007 is an interest diversion in a great line of apps (Office) but I loathe Vista, and I mean I truly fucking loathe it.
Not from hype or anti-Microsoft drivel, because I can be objective in reviewing their software aside from business practices. I can find almost nothing good about Vista, and a litany of faults. Vista is so awful that Mac and Linux adoption rates are awful, in addition to the number of people crawling back to XP. Vista may go down as the single biggest flop so far in the history of Microsoft.
I loathe Microsoft on most days, but Office is probably the single best piece of software they have ever put out.
Fairly easy interface, extremely feature rich, mostly bug-free, loads very fast, etc.
My only qualm is the proprietary file formats. And I work in IT at a shop that still has Word 97 (with a proprietary wrapper application for journalism) alongside Word 2000, Word 2003 and Word 2007. I can tell you the UI has changed a great deal over the years. The recent UI change in 2007 is the biggest.
Please mod parent up.
Furikup might as well be proprietary. There is in open source, and then there are open standards.
Thankfully, we established open standards for email years ago, but it used to be that everyone used different protocols and networks, the way instant messaging and cell phones work today.
Cell phones are slightly more universal in that a Cingular customer can call a Sprint customer, however the technologies of different networks differ enough that you can't take a Sprint phone to AT&T. The hope is that someday there are open standards to establish universal protocols for cell phones and instant messaging. Yahoo can still have their user list, and everyone with a Yahoo email address automatically gets an IM address, but why can't everyone universally instant message via email address? Someone on MSN can message a Yahoo user at user@yahoo.com?
Jabber was a decent initial effort towards such a goal, but falls somewhat short since Jabber is an open protocol for small, internalized networks to an extent as opposed to a universal standard to link all networks together.
Please, someone, make this happen. It would take Google, AOL, Yahoo and Microsoft to agree. How likely is that? And getting AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, etc. to agree is only slightly more likely.
A long while back I remember reading online about how in England Sony had struck a deal to make the PSP do phone calls, and I wondered the same thing. Were they adding a mic to the PSP in Europe or what?
http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/PSP/news.asp?c=3139
Apparently that was in May.
There is a bit of a memory and processor difference between the two. Can the DS handle it?
I'm asking sincerely, not trolling.
In this case, there is no proof of an NDA breech, yet they want the site shut down and are threatening law suits. Same thing with the rumors site they just paid to shut down.
I'd say Microsoft is worse overall, but I'd also admit that Microsoft seems much better than they once were.
One of my biggest beefs with Apple is when they basically redesign something existing and then act like they invented it. The worst time was with virtual desktops when Jobs flat out claimed to have invented it, when it has existed in the Linux world for a decade.
They have threatened sites before that post any speculation on Apple products, and just paid a big Apple rumors site to go down.
The blog in question here has speculated on Apple products, and three times been right. Apple always seems to go after these guys. Apparently you don't pay attention.
It's a game for the sake of playing a game.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternate_reality_game
The movie has already had some viral marketing, and they promised more. The producer, JJ Abrams has also pushed viral marketing with Alias, and Lost previously.
For a while the movie was known simply as 01-18-08 and had no title.
From the article: ...he feels it is his duty to inform me that Apple's lawyers have identified at least three posts in my archive that they "deem to be actionable."
Since when was parody actionable?