I call BS on this one. What they're really saying is that they make more money if they don't have to produce anything but bits. Creating the CD and it's associated packaging cuts into their profit.
I still buy CDs, because (call me old fashioned) I like to have "something" in my hand. If I ever want to create an MP3, I can. If I want to create an OGG, I can. I don't have to worry about an CD in my closet "crashing", or me loosing my DRM rights to listen to it.
My guess is that the industry wants to stop creating these things so you truly don't "own" anything.
I've been using Bacula for a while now. Backing up windows clients, and linux clients. The server side isn't too bad to setup (rpms are available), and configs are standard Linux config style. The nice part, is that it can backup to any media, hard drives, tapes, DVD, CD, etc. There's even a way that it will create bootable CD's that will allow you to become a client, and restore your machine from bare-iron.
FWIW, since I have extended basic (ie. Analog) cable, If I understand this correctly, I'd need to get the cablecard ($3/month), plus digital cable which would be $12/month extra.
Just out of curiousity...what are you using to upconvert? I too have a Phillips DVP642, but it's my Toshiba HDTV (57h94) that does the upconversion to 720p or 1080i (depending on a setting on the TV). It looks great...but I still see room for improvement. I haven't had an opportunity to see one of the nicer upconverting Toshiba (or other) DVD players.
Nice post. Summarizes my findings as well. My HDTV is about 3 months old, so I've just gone through the same learning experience as you. Until COX delivers more (and better) HDTV content, I'm content with my OTA antenna. Primetime is heavily HDTV on the broadcast channels now...and most big "events" like the Olympics, all football games, etc. That'll hold me off until the cost/benefit of Cox gets more in-line.
Just one question: QUOTE: "Most of the rips I have are in HDTV...It may not be as good as upscaled DVD's"
If it really is HDTV, it's 720p or 1080i. DVDs at most are 480p (aka EDTV). How could an upconverted DVD look better than native HD content?
Only in some markets. In my Cox market no unencrypted HD signals are available. All have been hidden under the shield of encryption.
FWIW, QAM tuners only allow you to view *digital* signals over your cable. However, without a cablecard, you can only watch the *unencrypted* digital channels (the cablecard is essentially a decryption card). Having a QAM tuner does not guarantee that you will be able to "see" anything...if the provider encrypts everything. For me, the only channels that are unencrypted on Cox are those stupid music channels (no, not mtv) and 2 local broadcast channels (neither has updated their equipment to HDTV yet). The other broadcast channels that DO transmit in HDTV are encrypted on Cox.
Personally, I use my ATSC tuner to grab the digital broadcasts off an antenna. Moving to the cablecard would only give me 3 more channels (inHD, UniversalHD, DiscoveryHD) but I'd have to pay $15 more per month.
Are you sure about that? Adoption might be higher for ALL the distros if the distros would just standardize some tools. For example; It's difficult to train employees to how init.d works for Debian, when they're used to the RedHat mechanism of using ntsysv, chkconfig utilities. There are tons of examples like this too.
Overall, each distro does something better than the others...and it's the sysadmins goal (nah, RESPONSIBILITY) to pick the one that is the most appropriate. However, having all these differences CAN affect the the likelyhood of implementation of the "right" distro.
It's a good and bad thing...just make sure you realize both sides.
Personally, I would like to see the suite continue to be the stable monolithic (ie. business-class) application that it is. While, focusing Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird on slightly more cutting edge and home user style developing. I love seamonkey...but again, there are places where the Fox is more appropriate. I like the fact that with the current system, they both stay very similar...yet slightly different. Splintering either one off to another foundation will inadvertantly cause them to splinter too much IMHO.
I actually started working on this, but the php is so terrible, I'd be scared for anyone else to see it (especially you evil slashdotters). Regardless, I know I could use something like this in my kitchen. I used a bar code reader called a Flic, which has memory built in. I'd scan all the items as I put them away, then plug the Flic into the computer (which had already been set to the input screen), and dump the text into the text box. Hit submit, and the barcodes would increment the inventory. Then, perform the same routine on a different screen for things that go in the trash.
BUT, the problem I found was the initial product database. I realized how much work it was to input all these things the first time. I tried that upcdatabase.com once, but it was SORELY lacking data. I got busy with other things and never got back to working on it. If you find anything...please post it here.
This is not a perfect solution for your needs, but it's not too far off. squidguard offers time based allowances (only surf the web from 5pm to 7pm nightly). The way to implement it is to put squid with squidguard on the proxy/firewall. Force all traffic through the firewall, and block all ports traversin the firewall (force them through the proxy). Setup squid to force authentication, with the appropriate timings and allowances in squidguard for each account. I do something similar at home for my children, but instead I only allow them a whitelist of sites to access (Disney, Nickelodeon, etc.). Works very well. There are *very* few ways around it, and when my kids get smart enough to tunnel out, I'll just use more l337 solutions:-)
Whether or not a file format is closed or open, isn't what's going to drive users preferences. Users generally don't care.
The place where the open oo format can rule, is by integrating its use with other open software. Things like, an Apache server that can *create* the document format based on data it holds. By writing php scripts that can output their data directly into spreadsheets that contain formulas etc. Imagine a web application that allows the user to modify the spreadsheet online, without having to download/upload the whole thing. Think collaboration. This is where MS is trying to get too.
The power lies in finding the advantage of documented file formats. But, the first step is creating and documenting them. We just don't have that *killer* app yet.
There is an application for folks who've hacked their Tivo (I think only series 1's), that can help with this issue thoough. Called endpad. Here's a link to the announcement on the tivo community forums: Forums. This is especially useful for single tuner Tivos (as mentioned above).
>put some pressure on Microsoft to improve their browser and actually support standards.
More importantly, it would apply pressure to web designers to support open standards. All those web-based applications might even start working with Gecko based browsers, rather than require IE for ActiveX applets. Maybe we'll even see XUL and Java based apps flourish.
>Is the $12 a month a mandatory fee if you don't get the lifetime subscription?
Didn't used to be...but it is now. Their is no longer a "boat anchor mode", which allows you to simply use the machine as a vcr.
Yeah, the "Lifetime" subscription, is based on the "lifetime" of the unit...not me. I've no idea how long the warranty is. Each Tivo has a chip embedded into the motherboard which contains a digital serial number of sorts. Your subscription is tied to this chip.
I just protect the Tivo with a UPS, make software backups, and keep my fingers crossed.
That's what I was wondering...this guy was impressed with his friends Tivo. He then went out, bought Replay and decided he hated it. Then, went out and spent a bunch of cash on another computer?
Why not just by a Tivo? At his rate, it would have saved him time and money (assuming he couldn't return the Replay).
My Series 1 absolutely rocks. 120GB drive in it, with Tivoweb. Sure, there are things I wish it would do, but then again...what it DOES do, it does REALLY WELL.
After a couple of month of the monthly $12 fee, I learned that my TV watching had changed forever, and I sprung for the lifetime subscription before they bumped it up from $250 to $300. I've got backups of the software...but I absolutely dread the day my hardware dies (I hope I outlive it).
Slashdot Mirror
Hrm. I see it like this:
4+3+2=x+2
4+3+2 = 9
so, in order to make the left hand EQUAL to the right hand, I'd need to make x = 7
so: 4+3+2=7+2
Both sides of the "=" are 9, therefore equal.
I call BS on this one. What they're really saying is that they make more money if they don't have to produce anything but bits. Creating the CD and it's associated packaging cuts into their profit.
I still buy CDs, because (call me old fashioned) I like to have "something" in my hand. If I ever want to create an MP3, I can. If I want to create an OGG, I can. I don't have to worry about an CD in my closet "crashing", or me loosing my DRM rights to listen to it.
My guess is that the industry wants to stop creating these things so you truly don't "own" anything.
I've been using Bacula for a while now. Backing up windows clients, and linux clients. The server side isn't too bad to setup (rpms are available), and configs are standard Linux config style. The nice part, is that it can backup to any media, hard drives, tapes, DVD, CD, etc. There's even a way that it will create bootable CD's that will allow you to become a client, and restore your machine from bare-iron.
FWIW, since I have extended basic (ie. Analog) cable, If I understand this correctly, I'd need to get the cablecard ($3/month), plus digital cable which would be $12/month extra.
;-)
Makes my head hurt
Just out of curiousity...what are you using to upconvert? I too have a Phillips DVP642, but it's my Toshiba HDTV (57h94) that does the upconversion to 720p or 1080i (depending on a setting on the TV). It looks great...but I still see room for improvement. I haven't had an opportunity to see one of the nicer upconverting Toshiba (or other) DVD players.
Nice post. Summarizes my findings as well. My HDTV is about 3 months old, so I've just gone through the same learning experience as you. Until COX delivers more (and better) HDTV content, I'm content with my OTA antenna. Primetime is heavily HDTV on the broadcast channels now...and most big "events" like the Olympics, all football games, etc. That'll hold me off until the cost/benefit of Cox gets more in-line.
Just one question:
QUOTE: "Most of the rips I have are in HDTV...It may not be as good as upscaled DVD's"
If it really is HDTV, it's 720p or 1080i. DVDs at most are 480p (aka EDTV). How could an upconverted DVD look better than native HD content?
Only in some markets. In my Cox market no unencrypted HD signals are available. All have been hidden under the shield of encryption.
FWIW, QAM tuners only allow you to view *digital* signals over your cable. However, without a cablecard, you can only watch the *unencrypted* digital channels (the cablecard is essentially a decryption card). Having a QAM tuner does not guarantee that you will be able to "see" anything...if the provider encrypts everything. For me, the only channels that are unencrypted on Cox are those stupid music channels (no, not mtv) and 2 local broadcast channels (neither has updated their equipment to HDTV yet). The other broadcast channels that DO transmit in HDTV are encrypted on Cox.
Personally, I use my ATSC tuner to grab the digital broadcasts off an antenna. Moving to the cablecard would only give me 3 more channels (inHD, UniversalHD, DiscoveryHD) but I'd have to pay $15 more per month.
GigE wouldn't do you any good with the processor in that box. It wouldn't be able to manage the data as fast as the network could get the data to it.
Are you sure about that? Adoption might be higher for ALL the distros if the distros would just standardize some tools. For example; It's difficult to train employees to how init.d works for Debian, when they're used to the RedHat mechanism of using ntsysv, chkconfig utilities. There are tons of examples like this too.
Overall, each distro does something better than the others...and it's the sysadmins goal (nah, RESPONSIBILITY) to pick the one that is the most appropriate. However, having all these differences CAN affect the the likelyhood of implementation of the "right" distro.
It's a good and bad thing...just make sure you realize both sides.
Personally, I would like to see the suite continue to be the stable monolithic (ie. business-class) application that it is. While, focusing Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird on slightly more cutting edge and home user style developing. I love seamonkey...but again, there are places where the Fox is more appropriate. I like the fact that with the current system, they both stay very similar...yet slightly different. Splintering either one off to another foundation will inadvertantly cause them to splinter too much IMHO.
Amen..couldn't agree more.
I actually started working on this, but the php is so terrible, I'd be scared for anyone else to see it (especially you evil slashdotters). Regardless, I know I could use something like this in my kitchen. I used a bar code reader called a Flic, which has memory built in. I'd scan all the items as I put them away, then plug the Flic into the computer (which had already been set to the input screen), and dump the text into the text box. Hit submit, and the barcodes would increment the inventory. Then, perform the same routine on a different screen for things that go in the trash.
BUT, the problem I found was the initial product database. I realized how much work it was to input all these things the first time. I tried that upcdatabase.com once, but it was SORELY lacking data. I got busy with other things and never got back to working on it. If you find anything...please post it here.
This is not a perfect solution for your needs, but it's not too far off. squidguard offers time based allowances (only surf the web from 5pm to 7pm nightly). The way to implement it is to put squid with squidguard on the proxy/firewall. Force all traffic through the firewall, and block all ports traversin the firewall (force them through the proxy). Setup squid to force authentication, with the appropriate timings and allowances in squidguard for each account. I do something similar at home for my children, but instead I only allow them a whitelist of sites to access (Disney, Nickelodeon, etc.). Works very well. There are *very* few ways around it, and when my kids get smart enough to tunnel out, I'll just use more l337 solutions :-)
Whether or not a file format is closed or open, isn't what's going to drive users preferences. Users generally don't care.
The place where the open oo format can rule, is by integrating its use with other open software. Things like, an Apache server that can *create* the document format based on data it holds. By writing php scripts that can output their data directly into spreadsheets that contain formulas etc. Imagine a web application that allows the user to modify the spreadsheet online, without having to download/upload the whole thing. Think collaboration. This is where MS is trying to get too.
The power lies in finding the advantage of documented file formats. But, the first step is creating and documenting them. We just don't have that *killer* app yet.
There is an application for folks who've hacked their Tivo (I think only series 1's), that can help with this issue thoough. Called endpad. Here's a link to the announcement on the tivo community forums: Forums. This is especially useful for single tuner Tivos (as mentioned above).
prefbar for moz/ff might let you spoof the UA to fool the application into letting you use it. try here: http://prefbar.mozdev.org
It's sad that web developers stoop to that though..
"A communication disruption can mean only one thing... Invasion" - Silo Bibble, Star Wars Episode I
Uh oh...
>put some pressure on Microsoft to improve their browser and actually support standards.
More importantly, it would apply pressure to web designers to support open standards. All those web-based applications might even start working with Gecko based browsers, rather than require IE for ActiveX applets. Maybe we'll even see XUL and Java based apps flourish.
Umm..feel free to find it, and post a reply to this thread with a URL where you can share :-)
Yup, another technology where the first incarnation was buggy, and they charge you to upgrade to what you SHOULD have gotten the first time around.
I agree...it's highly unlikely Linksys will be releasing firmware for their older equipment.
That'll teach those 3 year olds to leave their toys in the yard.
>Is the $12 a month a mandatory fee if you don't get the lifetime subscription?
Didn't used to be...but it is now. Their is no longer a "boat anchor mode", which allows you to simply use the machine as a vcr.
Yeah, the "Lifetime" subscription, is based on the "lifetime" of the unit...not me. I've no idea how long the warranty is. Each Tivo has a chip embedded into the motherboard which contains a digital serial number of sorts. Your subscription is tied to this chip.
I just protect the Tivo with a UPS, make software backups, and keep my fingers crossed.
Precisely my point. Thank you.
That's what I was wondering...this guy was impressed with his friends Tivo. He then went out, bought Replay and decided he hated it. Then, went out and spent a bunch of cash on another computer?
Why not just by a Tivo? At his rate, it would have saved him time and money (assuming he couldn't return the Replay).
My Series 1 absolutely rocks. 120GB drive in it, with Tivoweb. Sure, there are things I wish it would do, but then again...what it DOES do, it does REALLY WELL.
After a couple of month of the monthly $12 fee, I learned that my TV watching had changed forever, and I sprung for the lifetime subscription before they bumped it up from $250 to $300. I've got backups of the software...but I absolutely dread the day my hardware dies (I hope I outlive it).
I just spewed a mouthful of cofee on my screen. Classic Futurama reference!
Yup...I've been looking too...to no avail.
Guess I'll have to d/l source, and compile myself. Drats...