I really have a hard time condemning Microsoft's bundling of IE with Windows given that KDE has recognized that the file and web browswer can be the same thing. I think this is a perfectly logical idea. When using Windows I ~like~ being able to type a URL or file system address (or SMB address) into the "go" line of any explorer window and have it work. Why woud I want separate programs for these functions?
Furthermore, Netscape was attempting to "leverage" its dominance in the browser market to effectively take over the Windows desktop in order to make the OS less important. I think both companies recognized that the browser was becoming an integral portion of an OS interface. It just turned out that it was easier to build a browser for an OS (MS) than an OS for a browser (Netscape).
Funny that no one really complains about Apple "leveraging" their OS wrt iMovie and iPhoto.
This is not my specialty, but your comment just doesn't ring true to me. I'll agree that the field of embryology is really complex (most fields of research are). And yes, hormones (or rather hormone gradients) do dictate which end of the embryo is which. But I do not believe the hormone gradient has anything to do with the womb; it is generated solely within the embryo.
Likewise, you talk about stem cells "migrating". Why would a cell-that-can-be-anything need to migrate? Stem cells develop into whatever they need to be; they don't figure out they're a liver cell and then try to decide where a liver cell should go.
I can't even fathom what your comment "every piece of genetic code is only functional in the context of the mother's womb" is supposed to mean. You, me, and that tree over there are all pieces of genetic code and seem to be doing just fine. Heck, E. coli functions just fine and I'd be hard pressed to define a "mother's womb" in its case.
I hope this hasn't turned into a flame; I just don't think the scientific assertions you made are correct.
I don't think making these things is such a good idea. TV has taught us that they will eventually take over a Russian submarine and almost destroy Thor's home world.
What, you didn't see "Small Victories" from the fourth season of Stargate SG1?
I agree with the principle that the dongle is rather silly, but not having a VGA-out on the iBook is a terrible idea that Apple thankfully re-thought in the making of the "2.0" iBook. The issue is not the use of a second monitor, but being able to hook the laptop up to a projector. This is one of the primary reasons I bought a laptop, and I'm certain Apple's decision not to include a VGA-out on the original iBook prevented some people people from buying it (granted,they probably bought PowerBooks instead, but a few of them probably had to go by a Dell/Compaq/etc. due to price).
I imagine that Apple chose the dongle route due to the fact the VGA-out is simply not a "sexy" connector. It's positively old-school with the exposed pins and big ol' screw holes -- not very iMac-ish at all.
Note that the article appears to only refer to Philips' audio CD-recorders, not their CD-RW recorders. So hurray! Instead of compiling mix cDs on a computer and burning them to $0.50-$1.00 CD-Rs, you get to use Philips' audio components and burn to $$$ "audio CDs". This is not a huge step forward.
The answer to your question is that there are uses for 3D accelerators beyond games. My research lab has replaced aging SGI workstations (used for molecular visualization -- google "VMD") with ridiculously cheap linux boxes with GeForce cards. While I wouldn't buy a GF3 Ti500 today (do you want your tax-dollars paying for nVidia's R&D?), I will be more than happy to buy systems with them when they reach a $100-$150 price.
I like the last couple of quotes from the bbc article:
"It's a really wonderful structure which really looks like it could have been a large urban centre... However, it would be totally irresponsible to say what it was before we have evidence."
"Fighting the good fight" against communism ended when Nixon went to China and began a policy of detente, as well he should have. China is indeed guilty of some horrible human rights violations, as are most countries, but I don't think another protracted cold war will solve much of anything. What I think Bush, or at least his advisors, correctly realize is that a country that is open to two-way trade is a country that is open to the most powerful weapons of democracy: interaction. I would bet that putting a McDonalds in Moscow has done more Russia-US relations than any number of summit meetings.
I find it somewhat odd that you speak of rabid Christian morality and ideology and then complain that the US policy towards China isn't sufficiently idealistic or moral in it its dealings with China. Which way did you want it?
I don't quite understand the problem with kids having games on their PDAs. If Jenny sits in the back the class playing Quake on her Linux-running iPAQ and "misses out" on the lecture, isn't that just her problem? Sure, it's disruptive if she moves with the character and grunts and stuff, but it's not like "disruptive behavior" is particularly new. Frankly, beaming notes around seems a lot less annoying than the old "PSSST! Pass this on!" method.
I thought the kid who turned on the class TV with IR program was pretty cool until I realized he got caught. How the hell did he let that happen?
You're right about the speed, but having made numerous attempts to 1)find that note I wrote sometime last month about that one really important thing that's lost in a haystack of crapola and to 2)actually ~read~ my handwriting once I find the information, I can see certain advantages to notetaking on a PDA.
Chances are you'll never read this, but I'll post it anyway. As far as the extras, I'll concur with you on iMovie and AppleWorks. Software with similar capabilities to the rest is incorporated into Windows2000 or would come with the components I listed (MS Media Player, EZ CD creator with the burner... the DVD player's a moot point since neither system ships with one). So for $300 I get Appleworks and iMovie, a slower processor, and the ability to switch languages easily. That is not a great deal in my book.
733MHz PowerPC G4
128MB SDRAM - 1 DIMM
40GB Ultra ATA drive
CD-RW drive
NVIDIA GeForce2 MX - 32MB SDRAM
56K internal modem
Apple Pro Keyboard - U.S. English
Mac OS - U.S. English
Gigabit Ethernet
Two USB ports
Two FireWire ports
Apple Pro Mouse
=$1699
PC for comparison (from hdnw.com -- a PC clone shop that has a reasonable reputation and ok prices -- would have gone with Dell, but I'd rather have AMD than Intel) I'm going out on a limb and assuming a 1.4GHz Athlon can match the ~awesome~ power of a 733MHz G4.
1.4GHz Athlon
Asus A7M266
128MB DDR
40GB Ultra ATA drive (IBM 7200rpm)
CD-RW drive (Creative 12X)
NVIDIA GeForce2 MX - 32MB SDRAM
56K internal modem (US Robotics PCI)
Microsoft Internet Pro USB
Windows 2000 Professional
3COM 3c905 10/100 Ethernet
Five USB ports (I think... at least two...)
Microsoft Intellieye USB Mouse
SoundBlaster Live! Value
InWin S500 300watt case
Orangelink PCI Firewire card ($80 at buy.com)
=~$1380
So by going with the PC hardware I save $300. I do lose out on the gigabit ethernet, but then again I don't have to buy a gigabit hub. The PC's also not as cute looking and the mouse it comes with has these confusing extra mouse buttons and wheel thingy. Then again,|flamebait| the 1.4GHz Athlon will run rings around the 733MHz G4|/flamebait|. The PC would also be ~$450 less (total) if I dumped Windows 2000 and downloaded Linux.
Actually, if you really look closely at the picture and ponder it a bit, you'll notice the guy's holding the ipaq in his right hand. That probably means the stylus is in his left hand. Looking at the picture, I'd actually guess it's ~more~ comfortable for left handed people than right handed, since 70%-85% of the population would want to put the thumb of their lef hand where that audio jack is.
If you want right-hand conspiracies, try the Sony Clie's jog dial.
This is slightly US-centric, but I imagine it can be extrapolated to many other countries. In the US, the taxpayer sponsors research via the NIH, NSF, DOE, NASA, and a whole bunch of other acronyms. The scientists are paid for their research. Some of that money goes into publication fees. Some of it goes into journal subscriptions for the principle investigator. Some also goes into "indirect costs" which pay for, among other things, library journal subscriptions. The taxpayer also gets to pay for PubMed, a splendid, free, journal search engine (for lack of a better description). Of course in the final bit of amusement, the taxpayer-backed researchers get to sign away almost all rights to the published version of their work to the publisher.
I can't help but think the whole system would be a lot more efficient if PubMed expanded into the role of journal publisher as well as indexer. I can easily imagine a system where all publications come through a single outlet which would be filtered differently depending on the interests of the researcher. I see two primary problems (aside from just setting it up). One is getting people to publish in it -- new journals take time to develop. That could be solved by requiring research funded by US grants be sent to this national journal first. That brings up the second problem; filtering all research through a single (government) entity is liable to cause problems for unpopular research. I don't think this is a problem; independent journals will likely continue to exist, but this may put significant pressure on them to reform into a more author and reader friendly format.
Hold on a second there! Many of the comments I've read suggest that the student who was sued was _wrong_ to tell school officials what she overheard in a public area. What? If she heard something that disturbed her or scared her, she absolutely has the right to talk to someone about it. I don't mind the arguement over whether or not the school overreacted, but I whole heartedly disagree with the suggestion that the student should not be allowed to talk about something that disturbed her, no matter how trivial the matter may seem to you.
If there's any "guilt" in this case, it lies with the school that perhaps overreacted and the parents of the "dangerous" student who decided to sue the so-called informant.
And as far as schools turning student into informants goes, it's been happening for years. Students have routinely been told to "tell a teacher" if someone is abusing them or threatening them. Anyone have a problem with that? The problem here is not one of students talking about other students or even their parents, it's a question of how those comments are pursued. It's up to the adults in the matter to make the call between the need for a counselor and the need for the justice system.
Hold on a second there! Many of the comments I've read suggest that the student who was sued was _wrong_ to tell school officials what she overheard in a public area. What? If she heard something that disturbed her or scared her, she absolutely has the right to talk to someone about it. I don't mind the arguement over whether or not the school overreacted, but I whole heartedly disagree with the suggestion that the student should not be allowed to talk about something that disturbed her, no matter how trivial the matter may seem to you.
If there's any "guilt" in this case, it lies with the school that perhaps overreacted and the parents of the "dangerous" student who decided to sue the so-called informant.
And as far as schools turning student into informants goes, it's been happening for years. Students have routinely been told to "tell a teacher" if someone is abusing them or threatening them. Anyone have a problem with that? The problem here is not one of students talking about other students or even their parents, it's a question of how those comments are pursued. It's up to the adults in the matter to make the call between the need for a counselor and the need for the justice system.
The change in regulations comes directly from the realization that while the US Govt. used to be able to control the distribution of fast computers, they can't any longer (probably haven't been able to for quite some time). It has nothing to do with last years bombs being less dangerous or more defendable-against than they were last year.
There has been enough serious weapons to worry about for at least 30 years. So far none have been used against USA or its allies.
Wrong! Any number of "serious" weapons were used against the US and her allies in Irag. Sure, the US had bigger toys, but that's the idea behind limiting the spread of hardware/software. We (the US) don't like playing fair; it costs more American lives. So what's the US afraid of? China with stealth fighters, Korea with ballistic missiles, and the middle east with biowarfare capbilities. All those can be helped (and hidden) with fast computers and cryptographic software.
Ah, the screams of those on the bleeding edge of technology. Well, I'm glad you're out there, dumping money into R&D with the purchase of $4,200 graphics cards; I'm sure it will benefit me someday. Quite frankly, if your current needs are a dual pipeline/dual head display with 90Hz at 1824x_whatever_, you should be paying through the nose for it. I think you're stuck not being able to make a distinction between home systems and true workstations. Kind of like a GT driver complaining about the stock brakes on an Audi. The Voodoo/ATI/NVIDIA chipsets you mention are clearly for the home market. You mention your Permedia card "smoking" a Voodoo2. That's splendid. I hope your friend discovered the price of your card and had a good laugh. Bleeding edge technology is always a lot of fun, especially if you can afford/justify it. Spend the extra money if you need to, but don't tell me that graphics card wars that allow me to purchase a GeForce SDR (I know, you wouldn't touch it) for ~$130 are a waste of time. I'm loving it.
On a technical note, at 640x480 you do see filling of the PCI/AGP bus. I know you don't work at those resolutions, and I don't play at them. At anything above 800x600, the bus ceases to be the limiting factor.
RC
(I bet you use RDRAM, don't you?)
One problem I'm seeing in most people's arguments is that they are not separating out the actual 'news' presented from the media it is presented with. While I will agree that there is some interdependence, it is not absolute. The news presented by the NYTimes in paper and web form is nearly identical. The same is true of news from CNN: it's basically the same whether it appears on cnn.com or channel ##. There will likely never be a 'death' of newspapers or their style of reporting, even if the media and distribution method adopted is more digital. While local papers may be the last to make the move from wood to silicon, there is no reason why it can't necessarily happen. All it takes is ubiquitous net access (and a significant increase in paper pulp prices / green-thinking wouldn't hurt...).
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I really have a hard time condemning Microsoft's bundling of IE with Windows given that KDE has recognized that the file and web browswer can be the same thing. I think this is a perfectly logical idea. When using Windows I ~like~ being able to type a URL or file system address (or SMB address) into the "go" line of any explorer window and have it work. Why woud I want separate programs for these functions?
Furthermore, Netscape was attempting to "leverage" its dominance in the browser market to effectively take over the Windows desktop in order to make the OS less important. I think both companies recognized that the browser was becoming an integral portion of an OS interface. It just turned out that it was easier to build a browser for an OS (MS) than an OS for a browser (Netscape).
Funny that no one really complains about Apple "leveraging" their OS wrt iMovie and iPhoto.
RC
This is not my specialty, but your comment just doesn't ring true to me. I'll agree that the field of embryology is really complex (most fields of research are). And yes, hormones (or rather hormone gradients) do dictate which end of the embryo is which. But I do not believe the hormone gradient has anything to do with the womb; it is generated solely within the embryo.
Likewise, you talk about stem cells "migrating". Why would a cell-that-can-be-anything need to migrate? Stem cells develop into whatever they need to be; they don't figure out they're a liver cell and then try to decide where a liver cell should go.
I can't even fathom what your comment "every piece of genetic code is only functional in the context of the mother's womb" is supposed to mean. You, me, and that tree over there are all pieces of genetic code and seem to be doing just fine. Heck, E. coli functions just fine and I'd be hard pressed to define a "mother's womb" in its case.
I hope this hasn't turned into a flame; I just don't think the scientific assertions you made are correct.
RC
I don't think making these things is such a good idea. TV has taught us that they will eventually take over a Russian submarine and almost destroy Thor's home world.
What, you didn't see "Small Victories" from the fourth season of Stargate SG1?
I understand the truck and the computer, but what the heck are you putting _in_ your cell phone? :)
RC
I agree with the principle that the dongle is rather silly, but not having a VGA-out on the iBook is a terrible idea that Apple thankfully re-thought in the making of the "2.0" iBook. The issue is not the use of a second monitor, but being able to hook the laptop up to a projector. This is one of the primary reasons I bought a laptop, and I'm certain Apple's decision not to include a VGA-out on the original iBook prevented some people people from buying it (granted,they probably bought PowerBooks instead, but a few of them probably had to go by a Dell/Compaq/etc. due to price).
I imagine that Apple chose the dongle route due to the fact the VGA-out is simply not a "sexy" connector. It's positively old-school with the exposed pins and big ol' screw holes -- not very iMac-ish at all.
RC
Note that the article appears to only refer to Philips' audio CD-recorders, not their CD-RW recorders. So hurray! Instead of compiling mix cDs on a computer and burning them to $0.50-$1.00 CD-Rs, you get to use Philips' audio components and burn to $$$ "audio CDs". This is not a huge step forward.
RC
The answer to your question is that there are uses for 3D accelerators beyond games. My research lab has replaced aging SGI workstations (used for molecular visualization -- google "VMD") with ridiculously cheap linux boxes with GeForce cards. While I wouldn't buy a GF3 Ti500 today (do you want your tax-dollars paying for nVidia's R&D?), I will be more than happy to buy systems with them when they reach a $100-$150 price.
RC
I like the last couple of quotes from the bbc article:
"It's a really wonderful structure which really looks like it could have been a large urban centre... However, it would be totally irresponsible to say what it was before we have evidence."
Well, alright then.
RC
"Fighting the good fight" against communism ended when Nixon went to China and began a policy of detente, as well he should have. China is indeed guilty of some horrible human rights violations, as are most countries, but I don't think another protracted cold war will solve much of anything. What I think Bush, or at least his advisors, correctly realize is that a country that is open to two-way trade is a country that is open to the most powerful weapons of democracy: interaction. I would bet that putting a McDonalds in Moscow has done more Russia-US relations than any number of summit meetings.
I find it somewhat odd that you speak of rabid Christian morality and ideology and then complain that the US policy towards China isn't sufficiently idealistic or moral in it its dealings with China. Which way did you want it?
RC
I don't quite understand the problem with kids having games on their PDAs. If Jenny sits in the back the class playing Quake on her Linux-running iPAQ and "misses out" on the lecture, isn't that just her problem? Sure, it's disruptive if she moves with the character and grunts and stuff, but it's not like "disruptive behavior" is particularly new. Frankly, beaming notes around seems a lot less annoying than the old "PSSST! Pass this on!" method.
I thought the kid who turned on the class TV with IR program was pretty cool until I realized he got caught. How the hell did he let that happen?
RC
You're right about the speed, but having made numerous attempts to 1)find that note I wrote sometime last month about that one really important thing that's lost in a haystack of crapola and to 2)actually ~read~ my handwriting once I find the information, I can see certain advantages to notetaking on a PDA.
Chances are you'll never read this, but I'll post it anyway. As far as the extras, I'll concur with you on iMovie and AppleWorks. Software with similar capabilities to the rest is incorporated into Windows2000 or would come with the components I listed (MS Media Player, EZ CD creator with the burner... the DVD player's a moot point since neither system ships with one). So for $300 I get Appleworks and iMovie, a slower processor, and the ability to switch languages easily. That is not a great deal in my book.
RC
Bottom of the line G4:
733MHz PowerPC G4
128MB SDRAM - 1 DIMM
40GB Ultra ATA drive
CD-RW drive
NVIDIA GeForce2 MX - 32MB SDRAM
56K internal modem
Apple Pro Keyboard - U.S. English
Mac OS - U.S. English
Gigabit Ethernet
Two USB ports
Two FireWire ports
Apple Pro Mouse
=$1699
PC for comparison (from hdnw.com -- a PC clone shop that has a reasonable reputation and ok prices -- would have gone with Dell, but I'd rather have AMD than Intel) I'm going out on a limb and assuming a 1.4GHz Athlon can match the ~awesome~ power of a 733MHz G4.
1.4GHz Athlon
Asus A7M266
128MB DDR
40GB Ultra ATA drive (IBM 7200rpm)
CD-RW drive (Creative 12X)
NVIDIA GeForce2 MX - 32MB SDRAM
56K internal modem (US Robotics PCI)
Microsoft Internet Pro USB
Windows 2000 Professional
3COM 3c905 10/100 Ethernet
Five USB ports (I think... at least two...)
Microsoft Intellieye USB Mouse
SoundBlaster Live! Value
InWin S500 300watt case
Orangelink PCI Firewire card ($80 at buy.com)
=~$1380
So by going with the PC hardware I save $300. I do lose out on the gigabit ethernet, but then again I don't have to buy a gigabit hub. The PC's also not as cute looking and the mouse it comes with has these confusing extra mouse buttons and wheel thingy. Then again,|flamebait| the 1.4GHz Athlon will run rings around the 733MHz G4|/flamebait|. The PC would also be ~$450 less (total) if I dumped Windows 2000 and downloaded Linux.
RC
(I don't work for hdnw.com)
Actually, if you really look closely at the picture and ponder it a bit, you'll notice the guy's holding the ipaq in his right hand. That probably means the stylus is in his left hand. Looking at the picture, I'd actually guess it's ~more~ comfortable for left handed people than right handed, since 70%-85% of the population would want to put the thumb of their lef hand where that audio jack is.
If you want right-hand conspiracies, try the Sony Clie's jog dial.
RC
This is slightly US-centric, but I imagine it can be extrapolated to many other countries. In the US, the taxpayer sponsors research via the NIH, NSF, DOE, NASA, and a whole bunch of other acronyms. The scientists are paid for their research. Some of that money goes into publication fees. Some of it goes into journal subscriptions for the principle investigator. Some also goes into "indirect costs" which pay for, among other things, library journal subscriptions. The taxpayer also gets to pay for PubMed, a splendid, free, journal search engine (for lack of a better description). Of course in the final bit of amusement, the taxpayer-backed researchers get to sign away almost all rights to the published version of their work to the publisher.
I can't help but think the whole system would be a lot more efficient if PubMed expanded into the role of journal publisher as well as indexer. I can easily imagine a system where all publications come through a single outlet which would be filtered differently depending on the interests of the researcher. I see two primary problems (aside from just setting it up). One is getting people to publish in it -- new journals take time to develop. That could be solved by requiring research funded by US grants be sent to this national journal first. That brings up the second problem; filtering all research through a single (government) entity is liable to cause problems for unpopular research. I don't think this is a problem; independent journals will likely continue to exist, but this may put significant pressure on them to reform into a more author and reader friendly format.
RC
Hold on a second there! Many of the comments I've read suggest that the student who was sued was _wrong_ to tell school officials what she overheard in a public area. What? If she heard something that disturbed her or scared her, she absolutely has the right to talk to someone about it. I don't mind the arguement over whether or not the school overreacted, but I whole heartedly disagree with the suggestion that the student should not be allowed to talk about something that disturbed her, no matter how trivial the matter may seem to you.
If there's any "guilt" in this case, it lies with the school that perhaps overreacted and the parents of the "dangerous" student who decided to sue the so-called informant.
And as far as schools turning student into informants goes, it's been happening for years. Students have routinely been told to "tell a teacher" if someone is abusing them or threatening them. Anyone have a problem with that? The problem here is not one of students talking about other students or even their parents, it's a question of how those comments are pursued. It's up to the adults in the matter to make the call between the need for a counselor and the need for the justice system.
RC
Hold on a second there! Many of the comments I've read suggest that the student who was sued was _wrong_ to tell school officials what she overheard in a public area. What? If she heard something that disturbed her or scared her, she absolutely has the right to talk to someone about it. I don't mind the arguement over whether or not the school overreacted, but I whole heartedly disagree with the suggestion that the student should not be allowed to talk about something that disturbed her, no matter how trivial the matter may seem to you.
If there's any "guilt" in this case, it lies with the school that perhaps overreacted and the parents of the "dangerous" student who decided to sue the so-called informant.
And as far as schools turning student into informants goes, it's been happening for years. Students have routinely been told to "tell a teacher" if someone is abusing them or threatening them. Anyone have a problem with that? The problem here is not one of students talking about other students or even their parents, it's a question of how those comments are pursued. It's up to the adults in the matter to make the call between the need for a counselor and the need for the justice system.
RC
The change in regulations comes directly from the realization that while the US Govt. used to be able to control the distribution of fast computers, they can't any longer (probably haven't been able to for quite some time). It has nothing to do with last years bombs being less dangerous or more defendable-against than they were last year.
There has been enough serious weapons to worry about for at least 30 years. So far none have been used against USA or its allies.
Wrong! Any number of "serious" weapons were used against the US and her allies in Irag. Sure, the US had bigger toys, but that's the idea behind limiting the spread of hardware/software. We (the US) don't like playing fair; it costs more American lives. So what's the US afraid of? China with stealth fighters, Korea with ballistic missiles, and the middle east with biowarfare capbilities. All those can be helped (and hidden) with fast computers and cryptographic software.
Ah, the screams of those on the bleeding edge of technology. Well, I'm glad you're out there, dumping money into R&D with the purchase of $4,200 graphics cards; I'm sure it will benefit me someday. Quite frankly, if your current needs are a dual pipeline/dual head display with 90Hz at 1824x_whatever_, you should be paying through the nose for it. I think you're stuck not being able to make a distinction between home systems and true workstations. Kind of like a GT driver complaining about the stock brakes on an Audi. The Voodoo/ATI/NVIDIA chipsets you mention are clearly for the home market. You mention your Permedia card "smoking" a Voodoo2. That's splendid. I hope your friend discovered the price of your card and had a good laugh. Bleeding edge technology is always a lot of fun, especially if you can afford/justify it. Spend the extra money if you need to, but don't tell me that graphics card wars that allow me to purchase a GeForce SDR (I know, you wouldn't touch it) for ~$130 are a waste of time. I'm loving it. On a technical note, at 640x480 you do see filling of the PCI/AGP bus. I know you don't work at those resolutions, and I don't play at them. At anything above 800x600, the bus ceases to be the limiting factor. RC (I bet you use RDRAM, don't you?)
One problem I'm seeing in most people's arguments is that they are not separating out the actual 'news' presented from the media it is presented with. While I will agree that there is some interdependence, it is not absolute. The news presented by the NYTimes in paper and web form is nearly identical. The same is true of news from CNN: it's basically the same whether it appears on cnn.com or channel ##. There will likely never be a 'death' of newspapers or their style of reporting, even if the media and distribution method adopted is more digital. While local papers may be the last to make the move from wood to silicon, there is no reason why it can't necessarily happen. All it takes is ubiquitous net access (and a significant increase in paper pulp prices / green-thinking wouldn't hurt...).