Even if MS release a new console that doesn't mean the lifespan of the 360 is over. The PS2 is still having new games made for it, so it hasn't reached its full lifespan yet despite the PS3 being out. I think that's a pretty good thing as it caters to different segments of the market. Some people just can't afford a PS3 or 360..
The idea for the Wii control system is good, just a lot of the games have been crap. Designing games around the controllers is a bit stupid too. Games work a lot better when the controller has been designed for the type of game than vice versa (ie guitar hero guitar or steering wheels).
The Sony system looks a lot more flexible than the MS one and so I have more hope that it can work with a broad range of game types. At least it should have buttons. I'm assuming the MS system is going to have to rely on various gimmicks when you want to select something or fire a weapon or whatever.. I don't want to play a game with an imaginary controller any more than I want to play guitar hero with a theremin (as per the video shown a couple of days ago). "Air" instruments suck.
Evolution did used to crash a lot when searching in Ubuntu 9. It's been solid in 10 though.
I use OpenOffice from time to time to append data to spreadsheets yes, but no I don't have any real use for word processors and such. I know a few people who use it though and they seem to like it. Going between MS Office and OOo isn't perfect for sure, but neither is going between different versions of Office. If OOo works consistently in itself then it's fine, the rest is the usual MS bullshit.
I'm very happy with Ubuntu. Maybe not as happy as my Amiga days, but it's the best option for me at the moment.
lol.. that's nothing compared to here in the UK. Usually I just turn up a little late, the movies don't start until at least 15 minutes after the claimed time.
Oops. I meant "other IT guy". Technically I'm the higher ranking IT staffer, but since he handles most of the IT support issues these days (leaving me with time to do programming and browse./ !) then I'm not going to push too hard for something where I'm going to be getting phoned in the middle of the night with support calls.
People are idiots. It's not a conspiracy. I suggested moving a couple of people to Linux/OpenOffice recently and even the one other UT guy here said no, without even an explanation of why not and I couldn't be bothered to press it at that point in time. I think his main reasoning is probably because he'd be the one having to help them out if something went wrong. He's happy to use Windows 7 and iOS but when it comes to Linux, he hasn't even tried it out yet.
I've been using it to do my work here for the last couple of years, and while I'm a fairly unique case in that I'm developing web apps, there are some people who only use email and office suites who would be perfect candidates to switch. The main problem is just that people are scared of change, and even when they are aware of alternatives, if they hear that they are free they automatically assume that they are inferior. It's a pretty natural reaction because most people learn to be wary of "free" stuff in life.
As people become more aware of the alternatives, we will see a change. Small anecdote: my aunt bought a new computer recently and didn't realise that it didn't come with MS Office. I told her about OOo so that she could give it a test before deciding if she wanted to actually spend money on MS Office, and she thought it was great.
In the business world I've never been able to advocate OOo before as it didn't have a replacement for Outlook (and no other email clients I've seen had working Exchange integration), but I see that Evolution has a Windows version now, so I will start advocating this setup where I feel it is relevant and not too likely to freak people out:P
You also have to be aware that there are not decent OSS alternatives for every piece of software. If some Windows software doesn't have an OSS equivalent and won't run on WINE, then there is no way of using OSS to cut costs in that particular situation.
they will [..] paint one of its defining successes — saving money — as a failure.
Hmm.. so they're bringing in 10% of the revenue of non open source equivalents - basically meaning that their clients need to spend 90% less.. how is that not saving money?
I know that's just a joke (well, I hope it is) - but as Pojut says, the money is clearly there if they just get their priorities straight. Definitely no need for any other sources of income.
It kind of is if they publish the exactly exploit code needed before MS have time to figure out a real patch (the patch that this guy sent in is apparently very easily circumvented).
If he hadn't published full details of the exploit then you couldn't blame him.. but as it stands, he's not much better than a malware author.
Thanks, I really couldn't figure that out for myself. I was reacting to:
the general public who can't work out that they need to press the "Start" button to shut down their computer
I'm saying how counter-intuitive it is that you would go to "Start" when you really want stop. People won't think "now, I want to start to stop, how would I possibly do this?". I'm quite aware of the possible justifications for the "Start" name and that the vast majority of computer users are simply used to there being a general purpose menu saying "Start" in the corner, but to me the example this guy chose just highlights the silly name of the menu rather than the stupidity of users.
If actually design a good interface with good naming conventions, the majority of people won't have any trouble working out how to do stuff.
clicking start is the start of the procedure for stopping
See, that just sounds silly. I usually just press the power button on my netbook for ACPI shutdown and then click shutdown. I also think how Ubuntu does it is a bit more sensible - a power button in the corner where you can shut down, restart, logout, etc.
I'm not saying that it doesn't make sense to put it in the Start menu in Windows, I'm just saying how ludicrous it sounds that you should have to click "start" to stop. "Actions" or "Windows" would be a better text name for the menu, or just get rid of the "start" text completely, which is what they've done with 7 and maybe Vista.
Yeah I don't think it's emulating 68k processors that is the problem, we've been doing that for a looong time.. and any games I ran on Amiga emulators even 5 years ago were fine tbh. If you're having problems then you maybe need to switch around settings on the emulator.
Not only were the images bright, garish, and distracting, but there was NO option to turn it off.
I use the address bar in Chrome for my searches so I rarely ever visit the Google homepage. So unfortunately I missed this. I think it looks pretty good (but even when I used Google I used iGoogle so I had a nice design on the page all the same).
Anyway, in the screenshot that the guy posted above, it clearly says "Remove background image" in the bottom left.. how did you (and presumably millions of others who Googled "remove google background") miss that?
Any underwear designed by a Wang has got to be nice and comfortable. And I think the elderly will love this convenient method of administering viagra when their heart rate gets over a certain level..
Yeah I tried going one eyes earlier and you can tell depth with side to side movement, but that's not exactly efficient when you're doing something like driving for example... then again I can drive fine on 2D computer games so driving with one eye for real probably wouldn't be much different..
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Even if MS release a new console that doesn't mean the lifespan of the 360 is over. The PS2 is still having new games made for it, so it hasn't reached its full lifespan yet despite the PS3 being out. I think that's a pretty good thing as it caters to different segments of the market. Some people just can't afford a PS3 or 360..
If you read his original comment, he said he thinks these controllers are a waste of time.
The idea for the Wii control system is good, just a lot of the games have been crap. Designing games around the controllers is a bit stupid too. Games work a lot better when the controller has been designed for the type of game than vice versa (ie guitar hero guitar or steering wheels).
The Sony system looks a lot more flexible than the MS one and so I have more hope that it can work with a broad range of game types. At least it should have buttons. I'm assuming the MS system is going to have to rely on various gimmicks when you want to select something or fire a weapon or whatever.. I don't want to play a game with an imaginary controller any more than I want to play guitar hero with a theremin (as per the video shown a couple of days ago). "Air" instruments suck.
Evolution did used to crash a lot when searching in Ubuntu 9. It's been solid in 10 though.
I use OpenOffice from time to time to append data to spreadsheets yes, but no I don't have any real use for word processors and such. I know a few people who use it though and they seem to like it. Going between MS Office and OOo isn't perfect for sure, but neither is going between different versions of Office. If OOo works consistently in itself then it's fine, the rest is the usual MS bullshit.
I'm very happy with Ubuntu. Maybe not as happy as my Amiga days, but it's the best option for me at the moment.
Yeah I remember my mum freaking out about that when I was about 7 or something.. I just found it funny, but of course it doesn't really make sense.
lol.. that's nothing compared to here in the UK. Usually I just turn up a little late, the movies don't start until at least 15 minutes after the claimed time.
Fast forward or next chapter works for me.
Oops. I meant "other IT guy". Technically I'm the higher ranking IT staffer, but since he handles most of the IT support issues these days (leaving me with time to do programming and browse ./ !) then I'm not going to push too hard for something where I'm going to be getting phoned in the middle of the night with support calls.
People are idiots. It's not a conspiracy. I suggested moving a couple of people to Linux/OpenOffice recently and even the one other UT guy here said no, without even an explanation of why not and I couldn't be bothered to press it at that point in time. I think his main reasoning is probably because he'd be the one having to help them out if something went wrong. He's happy to use Windows 7 and iOS but when it comes to Linux, he hasn't even tried it out yet.
I've been using it to do my work here for the last couple of years, and while I'm a fairly unique case in that I'm developing web apps, there are some people who only use email and office suites who would be perfect candidates to switch. The main problem is just that people are scared of change, and even when they are aware of alternatives, if they hear that they are free they automatically assume that they are inferior. It's a pretty natural reaction because most people learn to be wary of "free" stuff in life.
As people become more aware of the alternatives, we will see a change. Small anecdote: my aunt bought a new computer recently and didn't realise that it didn't come with MS Office. I told her about OOo so that she could give it a test before deciding if she wanted to actually spend money on MS Office, and she thought it was great.
In the business world I've never been able to advocate OOo before as it didn't have a replacement for Outlook (and no other email clients I've seen had working Exchange integration), but I see that Evolution has a Windows version now, so I will start advocating this setup where I feel it is relevant and not too likely to freak people out :P
You also have to be aware that there are not decent OSS alternatives for every piece of software. If some Windows software doesn't have an OSS equivalent and won't run on WINE, then there is no way of using OSS to cut costs in that particular situation.
inevitably advertising gets its dirty claws stuck into everything and actually pays for lots of what we enjoy. its insidious.
Yes, how dare they pay for us to enjoy ourselves? Damn them!
Personally, I just use ad block. Thankyou advertisers for enabling me to get better content without paying extra!
In situations where ads are unavoidable in a service I enjoy, I would gladly pay for the service so that ad support is unnecessary.
What I really don't like is stuff like when I've paid a lot of money to watch a movie and they still expect me to sit through a bunch of ads.
That maybe used to be the case, but I've been using Ubuntu for almost everything the last couple of years, and it's a very hassle free system.
they will [..] paint one of its defining successes — saving money — as a failure.
Hmm.. so they're bringing in 10% of the revenue of non open source equivalents - basically meaning that their clients need to spend 90% less.. how is that not saving money?
Okay, so a post about sources of income for a story about budget cuts.. is offtopic. Now I'm 100% sure the mods are on some kind of medication.
I know that's just a joke (well, I hope it is) - but as Pojut says, the money is clearly there if they just get their priorities straight. Definitely no need for any other sources of income.
Your computer and the Windows OS have clearly already started, or you wouldn't have the choice of doing anything.
It kind of is if they publish the exactly exploit code needed before MS have time to figure out a real patch (the patch that this guy sent in is apparently very easily circumvented).
If he hadn't published full details of the exploit then you couldn't blame him.. but as it stands, he's not much better than a malware author.
FTBD:
Finally, a reminder that this documents contains my own opinions, I do
not speak for or represent anyone but myself.
Thanks, I really couldn't figure that out for myself. I was reacting to:
the general public who can't work out that they need to press the "Start" button to shut down their computer
I'm saying how counter-intuitive it is that you would go to "Start" when you really want stop. People won't think "now, I want to start to stop, how would I possibly do this?". I'm quite aware of the possible justifications for the "Start" name and that the vast majority of computer users are simply used to there being a general purpose menu saying "Start" in the corner, but to me the example this guy chose just highlights the silly name of the menu rather than the stupidity of users.
If actually design a good interface with good naming conventions, the majority of people won't have any trouble working out how to do stuff.
clicking start is the start of the procedure for stopping
See, that just sounds silly. I usually just press the power button on my netbook for ACPI shutdown and then click shutdown. I also think how Ubuntu does it is a bit more sensible - a power button in the corner where you can shut down, restart, logout, etc.
I'm not saying that it doesn't make sense to put it in the Start menu in Windows, I'm just saying how ludicrous it sounds that you should have to click "start" to stop. "Actions" or "Windows" would be a better text name for the menu, or just get rid of the "start" text completely, which is what they've done with 7 and maybe Vista.
who can't work out that they need to press the "Start" button to shut down their computer,
Uh.. logically you'd want a "stop" button for that. The dumbasses in this case would be whoever require you to press "start" to stop. Poor example.
Yeah I don't think it's emulating 68k processors that is the problem, we've been doing that for a looong time.. and any games I ran on Amiga emulators even 5 years ago were fine tbh. If you're having problems then you maybe need to switch around settings on the emulator.
Not only were the images bright, garish, and distracting, but there was NO option to turn it off.
I use the address bar in Chrome for my searches so I rarely ever visit the Google homepage. So unfortunately I missed this. I think it looks pretty good (but even when I used Google I used iGoogle so I had a nice design on the page all the same).
Anyway, in the screenshot that the guy posted above, it clearly says "Remove background image" in the bottom left.. how did you (and presumably millions of others who Googled "remove google background") miss that?
Any underwear designed by a Wang has got to be nice and comfortable. And I think the elderly will love this convenient method of administering viagra when their heart rate gets over a certain level..
Certainly could be good for Google if all of Microsoft's patents somehow end up showing up as Google patents :p
Yeah I tried going one eyes earlier and you can tell depth with side to side movement, but that's not exactly efficient when you're doing something like driving for example... then again I can drive fine on 2D computer games so driving with one eye for real probably wouldn't be much different..