Great, it's another flashy, but derivative fighting game.
Great, it's exactly like the million other fighting games they've released since Street Fighter 2.
Great, they have little preview pictures.
Now come on, how this fall under "stuff that matters?" Are we going to start posting articles every time some game is announced? Especially when it's some mindless lowbrow, more-of-the-same fighting game sequel? I was under the notion that this was a site for news, not another Electronic Gaming Monthly wannabe.
is why Katz considers himself to be the voice of all us geeks. Aside from the fact that many of use here at/. resent him and/or his work, I'd like to know how he thinks he actually relates to geek culture. I'm not talking about the tech issue again, though that is evident too. I'm just wondering how a middle aged married man who has a college aged kid and grew up way before computers, the internet and modern geek culture became prevelant feels he can relate and understand the issues of a community which he seems to think is composed mainly of young people in the teens and 20's.
Yeah I wasnt intending to flame him, it was just a general rant on the seeming/. mentality that Linux needs to be inserted into every single part of modern culture. It definitely wasnt supposed to be a personal attack if it came out that way.
No offense, but how are a few 30 second spots/cameos going to benefit Linux and the Linux community in any way?
It's not going to convince home viewers to rush out and install Linux on their home PC's, unless you expect them to hawk the product on the show: "Gee, Mulder, have you ever noticed that Red Hat Linux, which I am running on my laptop, performs much better than any Microsoft Windows platform. Note the superior uptime, the stability, and increased amount of free memory..." It's not going to convince software companies to support Linux... "OOH Linux on the X-Files, must port every program immedietally." It's not going to encourage investors. It's not going to get more quality programmers involved in the open source community.
And to be honest, do you think Red Hat, VA, or the like, is going to pump money into Fox just so a small subset of techie fans will find it more realistic? I think it's already clear that Hollywood doesn't really care if they manage to please small subsets of viewers by making some parts of TV shows or movies seem more realistic?
The question I am asking is, quite simply, why? Sure, maybe giving Gillian a Linux box will be cute and appealing to the geek demographic that watches the show, but the mainstream public will hardly care less. Besides, we don't need any more product plugging on our TV shows, even if it is to make things more realistic or to help a "good cause?" The waves of commercials are enough as it is... maybe RH and the like should purchase commercial time instead. Sorry to seem critical, but I just don't see what kind of point you're trying to make here.
Dr. SuSE SuSEanne Somers Oh SuSEanna SuSEan Sarandon (Ok, so the joke is wearing thin) Linus the Lizard Karma Chameleon Bill Gates Natalie Portman (j/k on the last two)
I find this idea could be potentially very harmful in several ways. While the whole novelty of taking pictures of world landmarks is cute, I do see some possible problems.
First, I wouldnt think it ridiculous for the service to be used for the purpose of plotting terrorist or spy attacks. Considering the military has probably used this technology to map out and survey areas, I could forsee some wannabe terrorists purchasing an aerial map of a large metropolitan city in order to determine where to place a bomb for maximum impact and what to use as an escape route. True, the photos arent detailed enough to be dangerous, but on large scale area, it might be problematic.
Also, I could forsee this used in the corporate realm for espionage. As a prior poster mentioned jokingly, one could spy on movie screenings and car testings. However I wouldn't be surprised if some companies started investing in satelite pics to scout out the developments of competitors (especially in the defense industry, auto industry, construction industry, and the like).
Finally, this may be paranoid of me, but I think eventually the technology would get better to the point that personal spying could occur. It doesn't seem realistic, but it is a potential threat to privacy. Imagine being able to spy on your neighbor's daily activities, especially considering the possibility of blackmail or libel as a result of pictures. Maybe the tech could even be used to plan out hits by mapping out the "target's" house and daily activities.
Yeah I know, this all seems far-fetched, but those are potentially serious issues that could be brought up by the use of what is essentially commericialized spy technology. Just a few thoughts
yeah i remember this, he was getting tired of amber since she wouldnt put out and used a model of her for virtual sex, then kelly put disks of gorillas in and bud became attracted to gorillas
I just love the part where Kelly cons the guy in charge of the project and says "Hi, Dr. Keebler, I'm Dr. Von Bundy... I studied in nuclear dentistry, it's a project between the U.S. government and uh... Crest!"
Why not program one of these things for virtual sex? It would be perfect for dorks like me who cant get any:) Although cleanup would be a little difficult and messy though...
About time... what Linux needs to truly take off is support from the average desktop user, not just the techies and power users. I just hope we see more favorable reviews from "average" people and that these reviews encourage other "average" users to run Linux on their PC. It's important to recognize that Linux isn't just a server OS, it can work well as an office platform too.
I hope reviews like this will dispel the intimidation that is keeping the average PC user from even trying out Linux. And perhaps an increased user base will encourage more badly needed software support... definitely a good thing.
one of my leet acquaintances from irc owns the site. the idea is that the domain is supposed to sound like "goat sex" when prounounced (goat se.cx). he then found some random gross out picture and posted it there to play a sick joke on people who went there. i still think its pretty funny if you ask me.
The finances of Clemson Telecommunications were also considered by Duckenfield. "The University might see a significant drop in its telephone revenues," stated Duckenfield.
"We'd love for it to be free too, so we have no ulterior motive in blocking dialpad.com or similar sites," said Duckenfield.
So I guess all that money coming from tuitions and donations isn't enough? They also have to gouge students on long distance calls and go out of their way to block off free phone services available on the network service that students pay for themselves? I'm sorry, but I clearly see an ulterior motive here:P
Yeah I know almost everyone has seen the link before, but what about the Fu-FMe Remote Sex Solution. Sure it may not be real (yet), but should some horny geeks decide to actually build off the idea, it could mean endless hours of sexual pleasure for geeks like us without the hassle of actually dealing with members of the opposite sex *shudder*
Now that's something all of use/. readers could use:)
I certainly hope the MIT group prevails in this case, but personally I wouldn't mind seeing Leo arrested and locked away in a cell with some 300 lb psycho named Bubba. Now if that happened, I could see some way of arguing for the patent system.:)
What annoys me most about all these "hacker" stories (and most other stories too) in the news is that the reporter never ever has a friggin clue about the subject. I'm sure that l0pht and maybe GH to some extent have some legit hacking/cracking abilities, but for all I know it could just be another article glorifieing script kiddies. I bet that if ABC interviewed some random 13 year old script kiddie in place of these groups, the article would pretty much be the exact same. We'd probably read something like, "Using these advanced password cracking programs, a skilled hacker like l33tb0y13 could break into even the most secure computers in the world" or some such inane tripe.
I notice how most of the articles never really deal with the methods the crackers use. Instead what I see are quotations of the hackers boasting, and of the writer fearfully agreeing. Throw in some quotes from a paranoid and clueless law enforcement official and you got yourself an article.
I wish ABC would have hired someone who knew what he was doing to interview those "hackers." Get an authentic security expert (and not someone like Vranesevich) and have ask some technically oriented questions. I wouldn't mind seeing some big time cracker group exposed as a band of script kiddies or even seeing a real legit group's skills be verified by a competent source. As it stands, every hacker article appears to be FUD and needless paranoia written and advertised by someone who cant tell a telnet port from his ass. I want to see facts and commentary by someone who understands what he is talking about rather than seeing so many broad, unfounded statements rubber stamped and published.
In contrast to 99.9% of posts here, I actually seem to think that everybody here is getting into an uproar. First of all, there is a ridiculous amount of western ethnocentrism (or whatever that word is) here. "He's obviously a dangerous psychopath because he doesnt agree with our beliefs, and we're always correct." All right, I'll concede that he is somewhat of an unstable radical, but let's not forget how many such radicals we have here at home: Buchanan, the whole religious Right, etc...
And I think these Hitler analogies are exagerrated. Zhirinovsky is in no way the capable policitican that Hitler was, nor does he really have an established, well-oiled propaganda machine that Hitler did. According the article, he has a fairly well running party and hes done some stuff in legislature, but I've seen this guy before. He's been around for a long time, and despite getting lots of attention through his extremist sayings (which is all he really seems to do: spout extreme quotes in order to get attention from the media). Hell, excite.com took the bait, as this article is worthless in itself, being solely a showcase for a few anti-west Zhirinovsky quotes. I'm not doubting the man's motives or agenda, I'm just saying he lacks the saavy to get them done. Look at our own nation's extremists, like Buchanan. He gets loads of press, but he's tried umpteen times to run for president and he's not even coming close. I realize that Russia is not the U.S. by any standards, but I'm sure their citizens have the same sense to keep him from getting in a position where he could pose a threat.
I know I'm gonna get blasted for this, but Zhirinovsky is like your typicial/. troll: he spouts off extremist dogma to generate controversy because he can't do anything on his own merit, just raise your threshold and ignore him and he wont bother you.
Possible space pr0n titles
on
Sex in Space
·
· Score: 1
To advance this initiative, I have decided to help by suggesting some good titles for the eventual space pr0n genre of films. Maybe for publicity NASA could use real astronauts in their films, like have Sally Ride and Jenna Jameson in some lesbo action.
2001: A Sex Odyssey Alien Anal Assault Apollo 69 ASStronauts Ass: The Final Frontier Close Encounters Of The 69th Kind Cosmic Cumsluts X E.T. Gets Nasty Extraterrestrial Ejaculation Intergalatic Intercourse III Jizz On Jupiter John Glenn: Uncut (note: UGH) Lunar Lesbos Oral In Orbit Ream My Rockets! Space Shuttle Sluts: The Oral Endeavour SputDick Star Whores The Martian Masturbators
1. You'd expend all your energy just getting out of those heavy spacesuits.
2. It would be difficult to get ol' Mr. Winky in with everything all floating around and stuff...
3. Avoiding getting hit by floating debris while in the act... "Ohhh Yesssssss... OUCH!!!!! THAT $%$#%%$# CHAIR HIT MY ASS!"
4. Cleanup... EWWWWWW
5. Maintaining the position in the 0 G environment, especially tricky if you're doing it doggy style or trying kama sutra positions
6. Contraceptives (Introducing the Trojan Glow-In-The-Dark Anti-Gravity Condom... in Cherry and Chocolate flavors!)
7. What would you do if you were abducted by aliens while getting it on? Even worse, what if they wanted to join in?? I wouldn't mind if Martian chicks were hot, but if they weigh 600 pounds and have slimy acidic tentacles... *shudder*
But hey, it's probably already happened on many NASA missions already. After all floating in a small confined environment in the middle of a space gets boring and lonely, and since NASA is allowing female astronauts now... *uNF* *uNF*
Re:Nah, there are better things to win
on
Win an AIBO
·
· Score: 1
To hell with the Aibo, i'd rather have the wrestling shoes, those look damned nice, and are probably a lot better than my crappy oshman's bought wrestling shoes:)
I bet that by the time this format becomes mainstream, MS will have a found a way to bloat their code so bad that MS Office and their next release of Windows will fill up an entire disk. Actually, knowing MS, they would probably make their install files total exactly 141 gigs in size... that way they could use 2 disks and charge even more... those fiendish bastards:)
"QUICK, QUICK, the exectutive has wet his pants again... hurry with a fresh change of diapers or you're fired!!!!"
But aside from that, this whole thing seems like nothing like a publicity gimmick. Good for the kid to know how to use a few simple MS apps. But I fail to see the supreme genius of the kid as well as the whole reason for naming him an executive... I mean he's not actually going to anything.
To be honest I just find this analagous to those "geography whiz" or "math whiz" kids you often see on the tonight show and the like. True, it's rare that a little tyke can spout data from his head or mess around with a program, but is that genius? Rather I find it more similar to a trained monkey, just that the training began real early. It takes no real talent to memorize and recite facts or in this kid's case,use a program. He might be a bit better at learning stuff, but once you consider it all he can do is mess around with a few MS apps, and (even considering his age) how much skill does that take? And certainly knowing how to send Email and attachments by no means makes one internet saavy. Let's give the kid a few years and see if he set up a shell box or run his own domain or set up sendmail.
All it is, is hype, hype, hype, with a dash of MS propaganda. I'd go along with the general public and call it "cute", but dear god this is too lame to even merit that.
Right now there are two major mp3 cd players which are "in the making." However, there are doubts about when their actual release date is, and if they will be actually materialize.
As someone else stated, Pine appears to be the most notable project as of now, though it has been delayed for quite a long time, and promises a release around February with a price of $200-300. However, I'm not sure whether it will actually ship by then.
Another option is Mambo X, which claims it will be released around December with a price of $179. It sounds great, but again I remain skeptical, as the site seems more intent on hip advertising than on actually going into detail about the specs of the player.
But basically, though mp3 cd players are the best option for portable mp3 listening, and are supposedly not too hard to make (decoder chip + lcd display?), you wont be seeing much around because of RIAA pressure (theyve sorta settled the other mp3 players, like the rio and the lyra, with their threats because now almost all mp3 players are being made SDMI compliant *shudder*.) Also, Sony, a big cd player manufacturer, won't go near it because they have a record company branch and because they are too busy pushing their minidisc crap. But hopefully this trend won't last, and we'll be able to see the big shot companies come out with quality mp3 cd players that don't just look like vaporware in the making.
Slashdot Mirror
Great, Capcom is coming out with another game
Great, it's another flashy, but derivative fighting game.
Great, it's exactly like the million other fighting games they've released since Street Fighter 2.
Great, they have little preview pictures.
Now come on, how this fall under "stuff that matters?" Are we going to start posting articles every time some game is announced? Especially when it's some mindless lowbrow, more-of-the-same fighting game sequel? I was under the notion that this was a site for news, not another Electronic Gaming Monthly wannabe.
is why Katz considers himself to be the voice of all us geeks. Aside from the fact that many of use here at /. resent him and/or his work, I'd like to know how he thinks he actually relates to geek culture. I'm not talking about the tech issue again, though that is evident too. I'm just wondering how a middle aged married man who has a college aged kid and grew up way before computers, the internet and modern geek culture became prevelant feels he can relate and understand the issues of a community which he seems to think is composed mainly of young people in the teens and 20's.
Yeah I wasnt intending to flame him, it was just a general rant on the seeming /. mentality that Linux needs to be inserted into every single part of modern culture. It definitely wasnt supposed to be a personal attack if it came out that way.
No offense, but how are a few 30 second spots/cameos going to benefit Linux and the Linux community in any way?
It's not going to convince home viewers to rush out and install Linux on their home PC's, unless you expect them to hawk the product on the show: "Gee, Mulder, have you ever noticed that Red Hat Linux, which I am running on my laptop, performs much better than any Microsoft Windows platform. Note the superior uptime, the stability, and increased amount of free memory..." It's not going to convince software companies to support Linux... "OOH Linux on the X-Files, must port every program immedietally." It's not going to encourage investors. It's not going to get more quality programmers involved in the open source community.
And to be honest, do you think Red Hat, VA, or the like, is going to pump money into Fox just so a small subset of techie fans will find it more realistic? I think it's already clear that Hollywood doesn't really care if they manage to please small subsets of viewers by making some parts of TV shows or movies seem more realistic?
The question I am asking is, quite simply, why? Sure, maybe giving Gillian a Linux box will be cute and appealing to the geek demographic that watches the show, but the mainstream public will hardly care less. Besides, we don't need any more product plugging on our TV shows, even if it is to make things more realistic or to help a "good cause?" The waves of commercials are enough as it is... maybe RH and the like should purchase commercial time instead. Sorry to seem critical, but I just don't see what kind of point you're trying to make here.
Dr. SuSE
SuSEanne Somers
Oh SuSEanna
SuSEan Sarandon (Ok, so the joke is wearing thin)
Linus the Lizard
Karma Chameleon
Bill Gates
Natalie Portman (j/k on the last two)
oh and by the way info on the contest is here
I find this idea could be potentially very harmful in several ways. While the whole novelty of taking pictures of world landmarks is cute, I do see some possible problems.
First, I wouldnt think it ridiculous for the service to be used for the purpose of plotting terrorist or spy attacks. Considering the military has probably used this technology to map out and survey areas, I could forsee some wannabe terrorists purchasing an aerial map of a large metropolitan city in order to determine where to place a bomb for maximum impact and what to use as an escape route. True, the photos arent detailed enough to be dangerous, but on large scale area, it might be problematic.
Also, I could forsee this used in the corporate realm for espionage. As a prior poster mentioned jokingly, one could spy on movie screenings and car testings. However I wouldn't be surprised if some companies started investing in satelite pics to scout out the developments of competitors (especially in the defense industry, auto industry, construction industry, and the like).
Finally, this may be paranoid of me, but I think eventually the technology would get better to the point that personal spying could occur. It doesn't seem realistic, but it is a potential threat to privacy. Imagine being able to spy on your neighbor's daily activities, especially considering the possibility of blackmail or libel as a result of pictures. Maybe the tech could even be used to plan out hits by mapping out the "target's" house and daily activities.
Yeah I know, this all seems far-fetched, but those are potentially serious issues that could be brought up by the use of what is essentially commericialized spy technology. Just a few thoughts
yeah i remember this, he was getting tired of amber since she wouldnt put out and used a model of her for virtual sex, then kelly put disks of gorillas in and bud became attracted to gorillas
I just love the part where Kelly cons the guy in charge of the project and says "Hi, Dr. Keebler, I'm Dr. Von Bundy... I studied in nuclear dentistry, it's a project between the U.S. government and uh... Crest!"
Why not program one of these things for virtual sex? It would be perfect for dorks like me who cant get any :) Although cleanup would be a little difficult and messy though...
WINE Is Not an Emulator, notice how most recursives seem to have the phrase "Is not" in it?
About time... what Linux needs to truly take off is support from the average desktop user, not just the techies and power users. I just hope we see more favorable reviews from "average" people and that these reviews encourage other "average" users to run Linux on their PC. It's important to recognize that Linux isn't just a server OS, it can work well as an office platform too.
I hope reviews like this will dispel the intimidation that is keeping the average PC user from even trying out Linux. And perhaps an increased user base will encourage more badly needed software support... definitely a good thing.
Oh and by the way, the link is broke. try this
judging by windows 98, i'd have to say that microsoft's programming staff smokes an incredible amount of crack on a daily basis :)
one of my leet acquaintances from irc owns the site. the idea is that the domain is supposed to sound like "goat sex" when prounounced (goat se.cx). he then found some random gross out picture and posted it there to play a sick joke on people who went there. i still think its pretty funny if you ask me.
The finances of Clemson Telecommunications were also considered by Duckenfield.
:P
"The University might see a significant drop in its telephone revenues," stated Duckenfield.
"We'd love for it to be free too, so we have no ulterior motive in blocking dialpad.com or similar sites," said Duckenfield.
So I guess all that money coming from tuitions and donations isn't enough? They also have to gouge students on long distance calls and go out of their way to block off free phone services available on the network service that students pay for themselves? I'm sorry, but I clearly see an ulterior motive here
Yeah I know almost everyone has seen the link before, but what about the Fu-FMe Remote Sex Solution. Sure it may not be real (yet), but should some horny geeks decide to actually build off the idea, it could mean endless hours of sexual pleasure for geeks like us without the hassle of actually dealing with members of the opposite sex *shudder*
/. readers could use :)
Now that's something all of use
Where did you guys come up with the name, "the l0pht?" Does the 0 in it (as opposed to an O) have some special significance?
This Christmas I downloaded an mp3 from an xxx porn site that had pictures of Michaelangelo having sex with a cabbage. I await you in court. :)
You say that as if it were a bad thing.
:)
I certainly hope the MIT group prevails in this case, but personally I wouldn't mind seeing Leo arrested and locked away in a cell with some 300 lb psycho named Bubba. Now if that happened, I could see some way of arguing for the patent system.
What annoys me most about all these "hacker" stories (and most other stories too) in the news is that the reporter never ever has a friggin clue about the subject. I'm sure that l0pht and maybe GH to some extent have some legit hacking/cracking abilities, but for all I know it could just be another article glorifieing script kiddies. I bet that if ABC interviewed some random 13 year old script kiddie in place of these groups, the article would pretty much be the exact same. We'd probably read something like, "Using these advanced password cracking programs, a skilled hacker like l33tb0y13 could break into even the most secure computers in the world" or some such inane tripe.
I notice how most of the articles never really deal with the methods the crackers use. Instead what I see are quotations of the hackers boasting, and of the writer fearfully agreeing. Throw in some quotes from a paranoid and clueless law enforcement official and you got yourself an article.
I wish ABC would have hired someone who knew what he was doing to interview those "hackers." Get an authentic security expert (and not someone like Vranesevich) and have ask some technically oriented questions. I wouldn't mind seeing some big time cracker group exposed as a band of script kiddies or even seeing a real legit group's skills be verified by a competent source. As it stands, every hacker article appears to be FUD and needless paranoia written and advertised by someone who cant tell a telnet port from his ass. I want to see facts and commentary by someone who understands what he is talking about rather than seeing so many broad, unfounded statements rubber stamped and published.
In contrast to 99.9% of posts here, I actually seem to think that everybody here is getting into an uproar. First of all, there is a ridiculous amount of western ethnocentrism (or whatever that word is) here. "He's obviously a dangerous psychopath because he doesnt agree with our beliefs, and we're always correct." All right, I'll concede that he is somewhat of an unstable radical, but let's not forget how many such radicals we have here at home: Buchanan, the whole religious Right, etc...
/. troll: he spouts off extremist dogma to generate controversy because he can't do anything on his own merit, just raise your threshold and ignore him and he wont bother you.
And I think these Hitler analogies are exagerrated. Zhirinovsky is in no way the capable policitican that Hitler was, nor does he really have an established, well-oiled propaganda machine that Hitler did. According the article, he has a fairly well running party and hes done some stuff in legislature, but I've seen this guy before. He's been around for a long time, and despite getting lots of attention through his extremist sayings (which is all he really seems to do: spout extreme quotes in order to get attention from the media). Hell, excite.com took the bait, as this article is worthless in itself, being solely a showcase for a few anti-west Zhirinovsky quotes. I'm not doubting the man's motives or agenda, I'm just saying he lacks the saavy to get them done. Look at our own nation's extremists, like Buchanan. He gets loads of press, but he's tried umpteen times to run for president and he's not even coming close. I realize that Russia is not the U.S. by any standards, but I'm sure their citizens have the same sense to keep him from getting in a position where he could pose a threat.
I know I'm gonna get blasted for this, but Zhirinovsky is like your typicial
To advance this initiative, I have decided to help by suggesting some good titles for the eventual space pr0n genre of films. Maybe for publicity NASA could use real astronauts in their films, like have Sally Ride and Jenna Jameson in some lesbo action.
2001: A Sex Odyssey
Alien Anal Assault
Apollo 69
ASStronauts
Ass: The Final Frontier
Close Encounters Of The 69th Kind
Cosmic Cumsluts X
E.T. Gets Nasty
Extraterrestrial Ejaculation
Intergalatic Intercourse III
Jizz On Jupiter
John Glenn: Uncut (note: UGH)
Lunar Lesbos
Oral In Orbit
Ream My Rockets!
Space Shuttle Sluts: The Oral Endeavour
SputDick
Star Whores
The Martian Masturbators
Dear God I have too much free time...
1. You'd expend all your energy just getting out of those heavy spacesuits.
2. It would be difficult to get ol' Mr. Winky in with everything all floating around and stuff...
3. Avoiding getting hit by floating debris while in the act... "Ohhh Yesssssss... OUCH!!!!! THAT $%$#%%$# CHAIR HIT MY ASS!"
4. Cleanup... EWWWWWW
5. Maintaining the position in the 0 G environment, especially tricky if you're doing it doggy style or trying kama sutra positions
6. Contraceptives (Introducing the Trojan Glow-In-The-Dark Anti-Gravity Condom... in Cherry and Chocolate flavors!)
7. What would you do if you were abducted by aliens while getting it on? Even worse, what if they wanted to join in?? I wouldn't mind if Martian chicks were hot, but if they weigh 600 pounds and have slimy acidic tentacles... *shudder*
But hey, it's probably already happened on many NASA missions already. After all floating in a small confined environment in the middle of a space gets boring and lonely, and since NASA is allowing female astronauts now... *uNF* *uNF*
To hell with the Aibo, i'd rather have the wrestling shoes, those look damned nice, and are probably a lot better than my crappy oshman's bought wrestling shoes :)
I bet that by the time this format becomes mainstream, MS will have a found a way to bloat their code so bad that MS Office and their next release of Windows will fill up an entire disk. Actually, knowing MS, they would probably make their install files total exactly 141 gigs in size... that way they could use 2 disks and charge even more... those fiendish bastards :)
"QUICK, QUICK, the exectutive has wet his pants again... hurry with a fresh change of diapers or you're fired!!!!"
But aside from that, this whole thing seems like nothing like a publicity gimmick. Good for the kid to know how to use a few simple MS apps. But I fail to see the supreme genius of the kid as well as the whole reason for naming him an executive... I mean he's not actually going to anything.
To be honest I just find this analagous to those "geography whiz" or "math whiz" kids you often see on the tonight show and the like. True, it's rare that a little tyke can spout data from his head or mess around with a program, but is that genius? Rather I find it more similar to a trained monkey, just that the training began real early. It takes no real talent to memorize and recite facts or in this kid's case,use a program. He might be a bit better at learning stuff, but once you consider it all he can do is mess around with a few MS apps, and (even considering his age) how much skill does that take? And certainly knowing how to send Email and attachments by no means makes one internet saavy. Let's give the kid a few years and see if he set up a shell box or run his own domain or set up sendmail.
All it is, is hype, hype, hype, with a dash of MS propaganda. I'd go along with the general public and call it "cute", but dear god this is too lame to even merit that.
Right now there are two major mp3 cd players which are "in the making." However, there are doubts about when their actual release date is, and if they will be actually materialize.
As someone else stated, Pine appears to be the most notable project as of now, though it has been delayed for quite a long time, and promises a release around February with a price of $200-300. However, I'm not sure whether it will actually ship by then.
Another option is Mambo X, which claims it will be released around December with a price of $179. It sounds great, but again I remain skeptical, as the site seems more intent on hip advertising than on actually going into detail about the specs of the player.
But basically, though mp3 cd players are the best option for portable mp3 listening, and are supposedly not too hard to make (decoder chip + lcd display?), you wont be seeing much around because of RIAA pressure (theyve sorta settled the other mp3 players, like the rio and the lyra, with their threats because now almost all mp3 players are being made SDMI compliant *shudder*.) Also, Sony, a big cd player manufacturer, won't go near it because they have a record company branch and because they are too busy pushing their minidisc crap. But hopefully this trend won't last, and we'll be able to see the big shot companies come out with quality mp3 cd players that don't just look like vaporware in the making.