Just think of the day when you talk to a younger person at a quiet public place, and talk about the "good old days" where it was allowed for people to listen to music. Just imagine the look on their face.
The RIAA doesn't have the rights to all music. I strongly suggest people listen to and support groups that share their music and avoid selling out to the RIAA (read sig). However, I seriously doubt it's the Slashdot crowd buying the crap music, it's those damn kids.
I'm not against pirating music or anything; I wouldn't feel bad no matter what terrible things happen to the RIAA and those that are a part of it. It got ridiculous a long time ago.
Yes of course. No one is saying government isn't evil. And these choices are ALWAYS about going with the lesser evil. Do you think they pick these solutions to piss you off? Are you recommending anarchy? So long as there is government, there will be corruption.
Also, who said anyone was being detained, interrogated, and tortured for having dialed someone's number? That's ridiculous paranoia.
I don't think that's what he was referring to when he said "essential knowledge". It looks like you constructed your own argument with yourself. A fresh install of Ubuntu and all of my non-proprietary codecs were working fine. I had to download these same codecs for them to play on Windows. Now, we all already know why Linux can't have the proprietary codecs and the solution for that problem requires [gasp]some actual thought from the user, and possibly a google search (oh the humanity!).
But even granting that, how can something be essential knowldge required to operate a computer when the single most commonly used OS doesn't require someone to know it? Neither does OSX for that matter. Doesn't sound particularly essential to me...
Hrm, the authors point was that Windows hides the user from this(again, I think you went off on a wild tangent)... what is it you're asking again?
I believe the GP was actually referring to how Windows hides the complexity of an OS from the user (you caught onto the point a little later).
Windows will need some expertise and attention if you don't want your machine infected in 20 minutes. And no, you probably won't want to use IE7. You don't even have to go out of your way for it to screw up.
Attacking the author of the article as you have done is not particularly helpful, and indeed makes it seem as if you realize the issues and have no useful solution for them.
You didn't propose a useful solution; but the GP does mention that anyone can switch to Linux, but it is going to take time to learn. If you are unwilling to learn something new, your solution is going to cost money! The solution for this person is: Windows.
This is why it confuses me when Linux folks get "up in arms" about usability complaints from Windows users. Linux is harder to use than windows. So what? Why do you care?
Very good post, but I thought I would answer this question. Linux users care about people switching from Windows to Linux for two reasons (that I can think of)
1. Ideology of free and open source software
2. More users means more recognition from hardware vendors meaning better, and possibly open-sourced drivers.
But I do agree, control and useability are usually conflicting goals. I think control is more important than getting the Windows users, and it looks like the devs agree too.
What most people realize is that sometimes you must do things to accomplish a goal... you know, besides the goal itself. This guy probably talked to an over-zealous Linux user who told him it was so easy.
It is also worth noting: in comparison with Windows(which was supposedly one of the points of the article), he would have had to do many, if not more, of the things he did in the Linux install.. Hmm, I wonder why he didn't talk about the "Windows upgrade"...
Maybe Linux isn't for everyone, but neither are computers; which I think is this guy's case.
This, again, is one of Linux's biggest problems: Too much fragmentation. If distro developers could put their egos aside and combine forces to create distros with some semblance of popular recognition, Linux's fortunes may change.
It's not about egos, it's about choice. Now, I'm sure every distro wants to get more users, but I highly doubt they will do this by taking away choices from the user; you know, or else Linus would bash them.
I'm a Linux user, and I think some people would be fine with Linux on the desktop. But, like most things, it's not for everyone. Some people are used to the "windows way" and are very stuborn about learning new things. Linux is not for these people. It's arguable that even Windows is not the system for these people; they simply don't know about computers and have no inclination to start. Why should we narrow our choices to dumb down the system for these people?
Oh, sorry. For a second there I thought we were talking about data mining people's phonecalls. I definately don't agree with the torture deal, yadda yadda.
Let me know when someone gets whisked away to prison for having dialed a known terrorists number.
Get a fucking clue people. Terrorism isn't a threat to your daily lives. If you actually think it is, then you've been emotionally manipulated by people who want your money and/or votes.
This isn't about the percentage of the population that died on 9/11, this is about why they died. No one deserves to die the way those people did.
It's very easy to stick your head in the sand and say it doesn't affect you. But guess what, it affects and will continue to affect more people. Maybe one day you'll understand, and hopefully it won't be the same day you realize you are one of those innocent and helpless people dying at the hands of some extremist.
What you're describing sounds a little hardware intensive. A simpler solution would be that the control doesn't represent where the lightsaber is in the game, but instead represents which of a set of actions to execute. For example, to attack, you would tilt the control forward and the on-screen lightsaber would thrust. Or, to block, you position the control diagonally and the on-screen lightsaber will block. The controller would be calibrated before play and to execute a new action it would have to return back to its normal position.
I don't have a clue how they're actually going to do it, but I'm pretty sure they have thought this through (you know, before they went all-in with the idea).
I'm glad FreeBSD addressed the SATA problems, that was the wall I ran into when installing one time. I wouldn't compare FreeBSD support and Gentoo support, but I would definately say Gentoo has a very active community. Any problem I've had compiling something in Gentoo, I type the error into google and instantly have an answer from bug reports or gentoo forums, etc. Not that you can't do this with every other distro, I've just found Gentoo to be very consistent and easy to find. It's also very nice to know that many other people have had the same problem and that you're not the first. Although no error in the first place would be good too.
What will it have that is such an improvement over XP?
Dude! Are you kidding? There is going to be WinFS^H^H^H^H^H VirtualFolders^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H a Sidebar^H^H^H^H^H^H^H Calendar^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H mail ^H^H^H^H Clippy everywhere.
Ya, I caught that too. Legendary for toiling on their own?! What product do they have that they have completely developed by themselves? There could be one or two, but that definately doesn't make them "legendary" for doing their own work. When they were getting into the console market, I heard that they tried to buy Nintendo(wouldn't be surprised if it's true).
Hell, the company was founded on the idea of ripping off other people's work.
I've had similar problems at other retail stores. I don't set foot in Best Buy. I've never had a problem with Newegg. They are very good about RMAs and usually respond to emails the same day. Oh ya, and they sell things for the low low.
That incident with your friend definately sounds illegal. Did he talk to the Better Business Bureau? Or do they not do anything (I really don't know)?
Disclaimer: I do not work for Newegg, just a happy customer:)
I'm starting to think we're talking about two different things. I never said they had any of that in mind when they code. I'm just saying programmers are using discrete math when they program whether they know it or not(It's a CS major requirement for a reason right?). I agree, no one has to know anything about it and they probably don't have discrete math in mind when they are programming. But the logic they are programming with is fundamentally discrete math.
But you never said anything about that in your first sentence, which I was responding to.
Yes, I know. I have a job querying a datebase, and I'm also in Discrete Mathematics in college this semester; which is why I found your sentance a little... odd...
Your link to wikipedia, one of the first links under "Introductory discrete mathematics" says "Set Theory". Using, or querying, a database is set theory, no matter what it is you're doing with the database. Relational Databases will also contain relations; which is also in your link. A UI will definately contain "Graph Theory". I can keep going, but maybe this time you will bother to read the sites you link to.
So, still, your sentence saying you will make no use of discrete mathematics is entirely wrong. You will find that programming has its roots in logic... Truth tables ringing a bell yet? Didn't think so.
Slashdot Mirror
Just think of the day when you talk to a younger person at a quiet public place, and talk about the "good old days" where it was allowed for people to listen to music. Just imagine the look on their face.
The RIAA doesn't have the rights to all music. I strongly suggest people listen to and support groups that share their music and avoid selling out to the RIAA (read sig). However, I seriously doubt it's the Slashdot crowd buying the crap music, it's those damn kids.
I'm not against pirating music or anything; I wouldn't feel bad no matter what terrible things happen to the RIAA and those that are a part of it. It got ridiculous a long time ago.
I know man, we all wish you'd run the country too! No one would suffer then!
Yes of course. No one is saying government isn't evil. And these choices are ALWAYS about going with the lesser evil. Do you think they pick these solutions to piss you off? Are you recommending anarchy? So long as there is government, there will be corruption.
Also, who said anyone was being detained, interrogated, and tortured for having dialed someone's number? That's ridiculous paranoia.
I don't think that's what he was referring to when he said "essential knowledge". It looks like you constructed your own argument with yourself. A fresh install of Ubuntu and all of my non-proprietary codecs were working fine. I had to download these same codecs for them to play on Windows. Now, we all already know why Linux can't have the proprietary codecs and the solution for that problem requires [gasp]some actual thought from the user, and possibly a google search (oh the humanity!).
But even granting that, how can something be essential knowldge required to operate a computer when the single most commonly used OS doesn't require someone to know it? Neither does OSX for that matter. Doesn't sound particularly essential to me...
Hrm, the authors point was that Windows hides the user from this(again, I think you went off on a wild tangent)... what is it you're asking again?
I believe the GP was actually referring to how Windows hides the complexity of an OS from the user (you caught onto the point a little later).
Windows will need some expertise and attention if you don't want your machine infected in 20 minutes. And no, you probably won't want to use IE7. You don't even have to go out of your way for it to screw up.
Attacking the author of the article as you have done is not particularly helpful, and indeed makes it seem as if you realize the issues and have no useful solution for them.
You didn't propose a useful solution; but the GP does mention that anyone can switch to Linux, but it is going to take time to learn. If you are unwilling to learn something new, your solution is going to cost money! The solution for this person is: Windows.
This is why it confuses me when Linux folks get "up in arms" about usability complaints from Windows users. Linux is harder to use than windows. So what? Why do you care?
Very good post, but I thought I would answer this question. Linux users care about people switching from Windows to Linux for two reasons (that I can think of)
1. Ideology of free and open source software
2. More users means more recognition from hardware vendors meaning better, and possibly open-sourced drivers.
But I do agree, control and useability are usually conflicting goals. I think control is more important than getting the Windows users, and it looks like the devs agree too.
What most people realize is that sometimes you must do things to accomplish a goal... you know, besides the goal itself. This guy probably talked to an over-zealous Linux user who told him it was so easy.
It is also worth noting: in comparison with Windows(which was supposedly one of the points of the article), he would have had to do many, if not more, of the things he did in the Linux install.. Hmm, I wonder why he didn't talk about the "Windows upgrade"...
Maybe Linux isn't for everyone, but neither are computers; which I think is this guy's case.
This, again, is one of Linux's biggest problems: Too much fragmentation. If distro developers could put their egos aside and combine forces to create distros with some semblance of popular recognition, Linux's fortunes may change.
It's not about egos, it's about choice. Now, I'm sure every distro wants to get more users, but I highly doubt they will do this by taking away choices from the user; you know, or else Linus would bash them.
I'm a Linux user, and I think some people would be fine with Linux on the desktop. But, like most things, it's not for everyone. Some people are used to the "windows way" and are very stuborn about learning new things. Linux is not for these people. It's arguable that even Windows is not the system for these people; they simply don't know about computers and have no inclination to start. Why should we narrow our choices to dumb down the system for these people?
Linux would become the very thing its users hate.
Oh, sorry. For a second there I thought we were talking about data mining people's phonecalls. I definately don't agree with the torture deal, yadda yadda.
Let me know when someone gets whisked away to prison for having dialed a known terrorists number.
Get a fucking clue people. Terrorism isn't a threat to your daily lives. If you actually think it is, then you've been emotionally manipulated by people who want your money and/or votes.
This isn't about the percentage of the population that died on 9/11, this is about why they died. No one deserves to die the way those people did.
It's very easy to stick your head in the sand and say it doesn't affect you. But guess what, it affects and will continue to affect more people. Maybe one day you'll understand, and hopefully it won't be the same day you realize you are one of those innocent and helpless people dying at the hands of some extremist.
What you're describing sounds a little hardware intensive. A simpler solution would be that the control doesn't represent where the lightsaber is in the game, but instead represents which of a set of actions to execute. For example, to attack, you would tilt the control forward and the on-screen lightsaber would thrust. Or, to block, you position the control diagonally and the on-screen lightsaber will block. The controller would be calibrated before play and to execute a new action it would have to return back to its normal position.
I don't have a clue how they're actually going to do it, but I'm pretty sure they have thought this through (you know, before they went all-in with the idea).
but yeah, i enjoy a good paranoid fantasy as much as the next guy.
First one to find someone mention 1984 wins!
Portage is almost as nice?
I'm glad FreeBSD addressed the SATA problems, that was the wall I ran into when installing one time. I wouldn't compare FreeBSD support and Gentoo support, but I would definately say Gentoo has a very active community. Any problem I've had compiling something in Gentoo, I type the error into google and instantly have an answer from bug reports or gentoo forums, etc. Not that you can't do this with every other distro, I've just found Gentoo to be very consistent and easy to find. It's also very nice to know that many other people have had the same problem and that you're not the first. Although no error in the first place would be good too.
Is that the company that is "legendary for toiling on their own until they capture a new market"? I'm still laughing about that one.
It's called product lock-in and forced upgrades.
What will it have that is such an improvement over XP?
Dude! Are you kidding? There is going to be WinFS^H^H^H^H^H VirtualFolders^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H a Sidebar^H^H^H^H^H^H^H Calendar^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H mail ^H^H^H^H Clippy everywhere.
Ya, I caught that too. Legendary for toiling on their own?! What product do they have that they have completely developed by themselves? There could be one or two, but that definately doesn't make them "legendary" for doing their own work. When they were getting into the console market, I heard that they tried to buy Nintendo(wouldn't be surprised if it's true).
Hell, the company was founded on the idea of ripping off other people's work.
It's when a ninja is wailing on his guitar really hard.
"Hey you want to go home and get on my wii and play Pilot Wangs with my rumbling gyro controller?"
Maybe it's just mii though...
No, wii all agrii.
Atleast it's not Gamecube. Hopefully it's not a purple lunchbox either.
Wii're not what?
Aw there it is! First mention of 1984 for this topic. Yay paranoia!
There is no Cabal
Maybe I'll create Braino's Law: As a Slashdot discussion grows longer, the probability of the mention of 1984 approaches one.
Do everyone a favor and: SHUT THE FUCK UP
I've had similar problems at other retail stores. I don't set foot in Best Buy. I've never had a problem with Newegg. They are very good about RMAs and usually respond to emails the same day. Oh ya, and they sell things for the low low.
:)
That incident with your friend definately sounds illegal. Did he talk to the Better Business Bureau? Or do they not do anything (I really don't know)?
Disclaimer: I do not work for Newegg, just a happy customer
I'm starting to think we're talking about two different things. I never said they had any of that in mind when they code. I'm just saying programmers are using discrete math when they program whether they know it or not(It's a CS major requirement for a reason right?). I agree, no one has to know anything about it and they probably don't have discrete math in mind when they are programming. But the logic they are programming with is fundamentally discrete math.
But you never said anything about that in your first sentence, which I was responding to.
Yes of course. I was simply responding to him saying programmers don't make any use of Discrete Mathematics; when programming is discrete mathematics.
Yes, I know. I have a job querying a datebase, and I'm also in Discrete Mathematics in college this semester; which is why I found your sentance a little... odd...
Your link to wikipedia, one of the first links under "Introductory discrete mathematics" says "Set Theory". Using, or querying, a database is set theory, no matter what it is you're doing with the database. Relational Databases will also contain relations; which is also in your link. A UI will definately contain "Graph Theory". I can keep going, but maybe this time you will bother to read the sites you link to.
So, still, your sentence saying you will make no use of discrete mathematics is entirely wrong. You will find that programming has its roots in logic... Truth tables ringing a bell yet? Didn't think so.