My county was reported as having one of the most effective voting systems in place. "Here's your paper with a bubble placed next to each candidate, which are reasonably separated, here's your black felt tip pen. Go nuts." The best part? If you even make a mistake, you just take your ballot to an official, they destroy it, log it, and give you a new one.
Apparently next year we're getting machines installed. Grr.
In Sony's defense *GASP* plenty of companies acquire a company's product if it will already accomplish what they would rather not spend hundreds of man-hours developing. Microsoft has done this (repeatedly), Apple has done it, Sony has done it.
Plus, if the product already exists, its no longer about innovation. It's about reverse-engineering and overhead.
Final assembly will apparently begin at the end of this month, with some 400K units planned for the November 17th launch.
That... that doesn't seem right...
That's the beauty of a plan. If the PS3 sells out (which considering the number of units that will be available, is almost certain) then Sony can turn their nose at all the nay-sayers, and say how when everyone counted the company out, it came back with a solid product that people want to buy.
If it doesn't sell out at launch, Sony PR can spin it as tech blogs spreading FUD, blind criticism from the media, anything but a high price tag.
Whether the plan works out for them or not, the PR Department will spin it twenty-ways-to-Sunday to get support for the product.
The frequently crashing XP PC is a mythical beast. I run my PC for weeks without ever turning it off, never crashes...
My friend's Mac G4 is a diffferent story. At least a daily crash.
Steve Jobs has just done a good job with reality distortion. You can't beleive anything comping from Cupertino. Remember the MHz myth? Intel chips were slow, until Apple started using them and then they were fast. XP Crashes. Whatever...
And of course because this is the way you have seen it, it's complete fact and anything contradictory is 'whatever'.
Windows crashes. Macs crash. I've seen Windows machines without problems and those with plenty. Macs lock up and crash too. Does mine? It did, till I got the logic board repaired. Did my PC? No. Did my parents' PC? Yes. Every system will have different results depending on it's users and enviornment. That's it.
I despise the machine, but refuse to say no one will buy it. Also, it increases the game library for the system. It's no different from Nintendo releasing their NES line for the GBA. And yes, homebrew kits allowed for emulation of older content prior to this, but this one is actually...
Dosent anyone remember sega CD? Nintendo learned their lesson before they made the N64 DD I heard there was even talk of having one for the SNES. If MS wants to take over the living room they better not clutter it up with an add on HD-DVD drive.
If MS wants to take over the living room, they will need either an HD-DVD or Blu Ray player.
And some people do allocate extra space for future purchases. My entertainment system holds my PS2, my Gamecube, my DVD player, my Famicon knock-off, and has room left over.
This is also a more sensical PR move on their part. Sony isn't offering a choice with the Blu Ray player, and the cost is being passed along to the consumer. In this case, Microsoft is merely offering an additional component, not forcing it on anyone. However they are trying to gain footing in the HD market through persuasion. If the pricing is reasonable, someone with a 360 may pass up a standalone HD-DVD player in favor of a cheaper add-on component that will accomplish the same task.
The only thing I'll criticize is the aesthetics of the device.
I'd say a portable NES, Genesis, SNES, and GBA library is worth it.
It does have some decent emulation use. But for those of us who aren't able to download some of those libraries (or just choose not to) it's cheaper to just dust off the old GBA, find a bunch of used games, and check out the NES classics that have been re-released for the GBA.
Don't get me wrong, I believe the PSP to be an excellent homebrew and emulating device. However, it's not that way out of the box, and I doubt that Sony is anxious to say "use our system to play games developed by our competitors".
I understand that some people have grown fond of the system, and many have explained to me the capabilities of homebrew applications and emulating classic libraries, but therein lies the problem with some potential buyers. Yes, it can be modified to do these things, but other than having a mediocre game library and a media format that is less-supported each and every passing day, why should I consider purchasing it for what it can do out of the box?
...just because they aren't as careless with their money as you are (or don't have as much to spend).
I think you're more on target with your parenthetical comment, somewhat.
When it came time for me to get my new computer, I had a tough choice. As I was now in a design-oriented field, Apple was a significant option to me for the very first time. However, I loved to play video games and had recently gotten into some online games such as Counterstrike and FFXI.
I approximated that with the PC there would be future upgrades necessary to run my design software and/or new games. The office I worked at still had all of their design software for OS X running on G3s, without complication.
It wasn't that I didn't have the money to spend, it was where I wanted to spend it. I went with a machine that I was sure would run the software I was required to run for a significant amount of time, without too much of a fear of necessary upgrades. (Still running an 800mhz G3 iBook.)
When I consider the investments I had made in PCs before that, I don't view it as spending more money, but making a better investment for myself. Is it one you should make? I don't even know you.
Also, a purchase of that magnitude should be about taking care of the purchaser's needs above all else, not about impressing others.
Even public libraries? City libraries that are open to the general public?
In my opinion? Yes. Public libraries are for education, research and circulation of materials by design. Libraries are not designed as socializing hubs, so one should certainly not expect to be granted access to a computer made available for educational and research purposes so that they may fill out a "Would you date anyone in your top 8" survey.
I don't really see this as much of a change in libraries, at least around here. In high school, the staff made regular patrols of the computers in the library, and the few computers that did have internet connections (back in 93-97 we were still required to use things called 'books') were heavily monitored. If you were, at a passing glance, at something that was notcibly not a research site, then you were told to get out.
When I worked in my college's library, the first rule regarding the computers was that anyone having to write a report got preference over anyone else. Anyone doing research came next. Anyone who wanted to check their e-mail or do anythng else had to beg for access.
And our public libraries have a very strict system as well. You have to sign up for a computer at the front desk, and depending on what you are doing (and the staff makes sweeps) you are given a time to use the computer. If you're excuse is "just checking e-mail" you get ten minutes. And they enforce that.
We still have a cyber-cafe and a few hotspots in the area. Denny's will let you sit at the counter for hours and leech their connection for nothing more than a soda.
Library computers should be reserved for research.
I don't want to insult the person but saying that 8 is something that will not be needed seems very short sighted. People were saying only a few years ago "1GB is too big for a hard-drive"... Never under estimate the increasing need for power in computers, even for home users
I wouldn't say don't underestimate the need, rather don't underestimate what software will be programmed to use, or possibly even programmed on. For the most part I think the increased need for memory and processors will be dictated by the leading software designers and how much frivelous and bloated code is released in the future.
Tom logged in to his own account, realized that everyone had taken him out of their friends list, screamed like a woman, ran into the server room (flapping his arms about as he did so), grabbed the main fiber, and with a scream of "If I can't have them, no one can!" pulled with all his might.
Even so, I feel it ruined that inoocent and wholesome feeling you get when lighting prostitutes and innocent bystanders ablaze.
I hear ya, buddy. I remember when Grand Theft Auto was a family game. We'd all sit around the television, cheering each other on. I remember Gran'pa screaming "Way to go Billy! Twice in the head and drop the gun, that's my boy!"
SCO accuses IBM of stealing code. SCO refuses to specify which code IBM stole. SCO says that IBM needs to declare which code it stole. SCO told to suck it up and declare what code was stolen. SCO does puppy-dog-eyes thing. For months. SCO says "some guy" at IBM knows about the code and it was deleted, but this was in sealed documents from before. GOTO 10.
How would you like to be a programmer for a company that apparently cannot get anything to work correctly the first time?
How many complicated things work out correctly the first time? After decades of revisions, automobiles still have problems. Televisions still break after numerous alterations and enhancements. Washing machines, refrigerators, toasters, all that stuff still breaks, and it's not the first time they've been introduced by any means.
While I may not like the software, writing WGA is a far cry from "Hello World". And if every computer program worked correctly the first time, we wouldn't need alpha, beta and stable releases, or bug tracking.
Slashdot Mirror
My county was reported as having one of the most effective voting systems in place. "Here's your paper with a bubble placed next to each candidate, which are reasonably separated, here's your black felt tip pen. Go nuts." The best part? If you even make a mistake, you just take your ballot to an official, they destroy it, log it, and give you a new one.
Apparently next year we're getting machines installed. Grr.
Plus, if the product already exists, its no longer about innovation. It's about reverse-engineering and overhead.
EU: We want efficient security in your next release. ...can we just double the fine?
MS:
If it doesn't sell out at launch, Sony PR can spin it as tech blogs spreading FUD, blind criticism from the media, anything but a high price tag.
Whether the plan works out for them or not, the PR Department will spin it twenty-ways-to-Sunday to get support for the product.
Windows crashes. Macs crash. I've seen Windows machines without problems and those with plenty. Macs lock up and crash too. Does mine? It did, till I got the logic board repaired. Did my PC? No. Did my parents' PC? Yes. Every system will have different results depending on it's users and enviornment. That's it.
*is tired of spin-doctoring and blind loyalty*
*looks about... whispers*
Legal.
Let's not forget the user who actually had a decent password.
uid: schef
pwd: mmborkburdyhurdymurdy
Don't worry, reports indicate the caps lock key will be replaced with the "non-lower case" key.
"Hold on, boy, there's an air bubble."
This would not have happened had Microsoft walked without rhythm.
And some people do allocate extra space for future purchases. My entertainment system holds my PS2, my Gamecube, my DVD player, my Famicon knock-off, and has room left over.
This is also a more sensical PR move on their part. Sony isn't offering a choice with the Blu Ray player, and the cost is being passed along to the consumer. In this case, Microsoft is merely offering an additional component, not forcing it on anyone. However they are trying to gain footing in the HD market through persuasion. If the pricing is reasonable, someone with a 360 may pass up a standalone HD-DVD player in favor of a cheaper add-on component that will accomplish the same task.
The only thing I'll criticize is the aesthetics of the device.
Don't get me wrong, I believe the PSP to be an excellent homebrew and emulating device. However, it's not that way out of the box, and I doubt that Sony is anxious to say "use our system to play games developed by our competitors".
I understand that some people have grown fond of the system, and many have explained to me the capabilities of homebrew applications and emulating classic libraries, but therein lies the problem with some potential buyers. Yes, it can be modified to do these things, but other than having a mediocre game library and a media format that is less-supported each and every passing day, why should I consider purchasing it for what it can do out of the box?
As long as the Sorting Hat still says he's CEO, that's the way it's gonna be.
I'm surprised I got all the way through the summary without buffering.
When it came time for me to get my new computer, I had a tough choice. As I was now in a design-oriented field, Apple was a significant option to me for the very first time. However, I loved to play video games and had recently gotten into some online games such as Counterstrike and FFXI.
I approximated that with the PC there would be future upgrades necessary to run my design software and/or new games. The office I worked at still had all of their design software for OS X running on G3s, without complication.
It wasn't that I didn't have the money to spend, it was where I wanted to spend it. I went with a machine that I was sure would run the software I was required to run for a significant amount of time, without too much of a fear of necessary upgrades. (Still running an 800mhz G3 iBook.)
When I consider the investments I had made in PCs before that, I don't view it as spending more money, but making a better investment for myself. Is it one you should make? I don't even know you.
Also, a purchase of that magnitude should be about taking care of the purchaser's needs above all else, not about impressing others.
I don't really see this as much of a change in libraries, at least around here. In high school, the staff made regular patrols of the computers in the library, and the few computers that did have internet connections (back in 93-97 we were still required to use things called 'books') were heavily monitored. If you were, at a passing glance, at something that was notcibly not a research site, then you were told to get out.
When I worked in my college's library, the first rule regarding the computers was that anyone having to write a report got preference over anyone else. Anyone doing research came next. Anyone who wanted to check their e-mail or do anythng else had to beg for access.
And our public libraries have a very strict system as well. You have to sign up for a computer at the front desk, and depending on what you are doing (and the staff makes sweeps) you are given a time to use the computer. If you're excuse is "just checking e-mail" you get ten minutes. And they enforce that.
We still have a cyber-cafe and a few hotspots in the area. Denny's will let you sit at the counter for hours and leech their connection for nothing more than a soda.
Library computers should be reserved for research.
Deja Vu is nothing.
It's generating a redundant loop that's the fun part.
"Wait, I rememeber this... and this... and this... and this..."
Tom logged in to his own account, realized that everyone had taken him out of their friends list, screamed like a woman, ran into the server room (flapping his arms about as he did so), grabbed the main fiber, and with a scream of "If I can't have them, no one can!" pulled with all his might.
I hear ya, buddy. I remember when Grand Theft Auto was a family game. We'd all sit around the television, cheering each other on. I remember Gran'pa screaming "Way to go Billy! Twice in the head and drop the gun, that's my boy!"
But after Hot Coffee? I just don't know anymore.
Someone please correct me where I'm wrong:
SCO accuses IBM of stealing code. SCO refuses to specify which code IBM stole. SCO says that IBM needs to declare which code it stole. SCO told to suck it up and declare what code was stolen. SCO does puppy-dog-eyes thing. For months. SCO says "some guy" at IBM knows about the code and it was deleted, but this was in sealed documents from before. GOTO 10.
Am I following this?
How many complicated things work out correctly the first time? After decades of revisions, automobiles still have problems. Televisions still break after numerous alterations and enhancements. Washing machines, refrigerators, toasters, all that stuff still breaks, and it's not the first time they've been introduced by any means.
While I may not like the software, writing WGA is a far cry from "Hello World". And if every computer program worked correctly the first time, we wouldn't need alpha, beta and stable releases, or bug tracking.