The answer would be to allow them to have real interaction - wouldn't it be better to install some PCs in homes like this, to let them use the web, email, ICQ, BBS, whatever, and interact with real people. In cyberspace no-one knows you're old.
Hopefully most of you out there realize that this is just the same as the music industry bitching about MP3's... they see people with their product that they can't syphon cash from their wallets.
This is PROOF POSITIVE that we should abandon e-text books in favor of real books, so that the publishers can not bilk us for every penny.
Who the hell works for free for that long? Didn't they have bills? Sounds like a bunch of stupid people for sticking around that long after not being paid. I'd refuse to show up if my employer stopped paying me. Its common sense. Apparently these moron's don't have common sense. I have no pity for their own stupidity.
Folks, read the article. This unit was not an imitation of the iMac. They simply released an updated version of the unit to compete against and use the momentum of the iMac. Gateway's unit is now on its fourth generation.
That being said, you are all right about one thing, it does not have the class and elegance of Apple's design.
I have just moved for the second time for the same employer, and have been telecommuting for the majority of my work, since day 1 of my employment. I have suffered through 3 DSL line and 1 cablemodem installs in the last 2 years. From the very first time I had high speed internet at my place of residence, I have had about a total of 5 or 6 installs. All this to say, THEY NEVER GET IT RIGHT. There are ALWAYS some sort of complication.
Also, read the contract. They ARE providing the service to your RESIDENCE. Not your place of business. Many providers of DSL and cablemodem service do offer "business accounts" which typically don't get you any more bandwidth, but do give static IP's and cost more. If you want "business quality" you are going to have to pay for it. Service they provide for home use is designed for leisure. They make a best effort to make it enjoyable, but no guarentees. You wouldn't sue Ford if your car broke down and couldn't get you to work. So why do you expect your internet provider to pay for lost work time?
My best suggestion is for you to get over it. Really. Search out alternatives. Usually there are multiple companies that can provide DSL in your area, and of course cablemodem service is growing too. Alternate service may not be any more reliable, but at least your $$$ isn't going to the same company any more, which can send a message that if they want to keep customers, they have to improve quality.
Ultimately though, if this connection is "business critical" I suggest you get a T1 or business DSL line, that states in the contract that downtime will be reimbursed.
I've stopped listening to Clear Channel stations recently anyway, because of the way they run their stations. Is it just me, or do they seem to only hire dumb stoners for their afternoon DJ's?
Obviously you are not a sys admin, because I am a Unix/Linux admin, and I can say from first hand experience that a properly maintained Unix or Linux system requires far less maintenance than Windos NT. Sure, updates come out all the time, but that does not always mean that you have to run out and install every update.
One good thing about IBM adopting Linux is that they can't decide to turn around and close it later. And even if they did fork some open source project, the original would still be viable to continue on. Just look at ssh and OpenSSH applications.
Once again, OLD NEWS. There are plenty of DSL sites out there with this information. DSL was designed for COPPER service. There are technologies that allow the DSL to be Mux'ed out at the end of the fiber run, but are relatively expensive to put in place due to the fact it only helps 1 person at a time, so a new bridge unit has to be put in for each user. I just don't see most providers doing this. And before you go spouting off about "you demand this that or the other", look at it from their standpoint... for them to install/maintain this service/JUST FOR YOU/ in an already low profit margin is just dumb business sense.
Oh yeah! I loved those butteryfly thinkpads. I never owned one myself, only got to work on them. I still would like one (the higher end the better of course) to tote Linux around with me... Putting wheels on full size towers is not my idea of "portable":)
As a former employeee, I can attest to the fact that yes, AOL likes to use the AOL Service to do MOST of its business functions. All employees are/were required to use AOL for corporate email. They did have some inhouse SMTP/POP3 type applications for answering questions submitted via email... but honestly, all they did was cut and paste generic answers to complex problems.
Thank you! People are such fantatics, that they don't look deeply enough at the heart of things.
I was half asleep when I posted the first message, so it didn't come out exactly as profound as I was attempting. But, the jist of it was the same.
Sure, you might buy into ESR's beliefs (I do to an extent.) But you gotta eat. If you want to make money programing, you are going to have to get a job working on propietary software. Sure, a couple people might get jobs doing maintainance work on open source, but its a position where 1) your lucky as hell to have gotten it. 2) your supporting an overall effort to produce value added products and services focused on open source, not the piece of open source software itself.
This whole thing on making money with open source reminds me of the "underpants gnomes" episode of South Park. Step 1: Steal Underpants. Step 2: ??? Step 3: Profit!
Sure, you can make money using Linux/Open Source, but you can't make, and won't make by producing the open source product as your primary purpose.
Redhat works because they produce value added products/services around open source. Their main business model is notto produce software for you to download for free. It is to produce things extra that compell you to buy the packaged version (ie, documentation, media, shiny stickers, support)
Another successful model of leveraging open source is in IBM's adoption of Linux. IBM sells an S/390 (a mainframe for those not reading slashdot lately) with Linux. First off, they have saved by not having to develop and manage the complete Operating system and application software. They only have to work on porting to their platform. Plus, they make money on service contracts and installation fees.
Once again, I'm tired and probably doing more harm than good by ranting. Look out for an article I'm working on that goes into detail how to *really* use open source to make a buck (or two!).
People repeatedly keep going on and on about the chinese sweat factories, and how bad they are. But have you ever wondered why they continue working there? People that work in the "sweat factories" typically are the ones that if they had not gotten the job, they would be making LESS, and working in the fields, where they would be working same hours but under the hot sun. So, while I certainly wouldn't want this job myself, people don't understand that if we force the "sweat factories" to stop their current practices that 1) We'd end up naked, because the costs of clothing would be redicously high, and 2) China would be in even worse shape than it is now. At least these people have a job. Sure, its not the best job in the world, but why force someone out of a job to make yourself feel better?
I think you hit the nail on the head here, the MARKETING people came buzzing. Marketing Departments are the root of all evil in today's economy. They try to sell things that they do not understand, and give false hopes all the way around.
I just had a revelation. Somewhat offtopic, but, does anybody realize that in order to have free software, we must have proprietary software? Somebody somewhere has to pay these programmers, or they'll starve to death. If you are going to live in a capitalist society (which most of us don't really have a choice), then you gotta do SOMETHING to make money to survive.
I watch PBS on occasion, but I dunno if I would say it should be required to stick around. Other channels available on cable or satellite provide the same kind of content that makes PBS worthwhile. I personally wouldn't miss PBS if it were to drop off the air. And I certanly don't want to pay for PBS et al with my taxes. It is bad enough we are taxed by the federal government with wasteful and unconstitional programs.
I'd also like to add in that you shouldn't quit your job because your boss wants it done a certain way. Sure, you and I both know it would be better Linux and open source all the way, but you ARE being paid to do what your employer tells you to. You should do the job to the best of your ability and try to document why and how Linux is a better solution. If you were to up and quit over you not being able to use Linux instead of Windows, it just looks like a temper tantrum in the eyes of your employer.
So, don't quit, but do voice your opinion. And document everything you can. If you can make a business case why Linux is the way to go, it goes along way than just "I'm a programmer, I think this should be done this way!"
ODBC was designed just for this situation. A place I worked for a while back was mainly an NT shop, but I had a MySQL database up for a project I had written in perl. One of the NT people needed to be able to grab some data (names and email addresses) to insert into the Exchange server's address book. I just had them load the MySQL ODBC driver for windoze and within Access they selected the MySQL datasource. From the front end, there won't be any noticable difference. (except that really annoying problem where the Linux DB tends to run faster)
I think the free market was just working as usual here. Please don't think I'm saying they were crap, but I think they just weren't good enough to compete.
Linux Journal has been and I'm pretty sure will always be the big daddy in the Linux magazine department. Maximum Linux was [too] focused on the glitzy side of Linux computing, IMO.
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Yes, but everybody knows you are a newbie. :)
Hopefully most of you out there realize that this is just the same as the music industry bitching about MP3's... they see people with their product that they can't syphon cash from their wallets.
This is PROOF POSITIVE that we should abandon e-text books in favor of real books, so that the publishers can not bilk us for every penny.
could it be that perhaps people think they "require" just too damn much shit!
4 paychecks? I'd be giving my resume a good sprucing up as soon as my first paycheck was late. The naivety of some people is amazing.
Who the hell works for free for that long? Didn't they have bills? Sounds like a bunch of stupid people for sticking around that long after not being paid. I'd refuse to show up if my employer stopped paying me. Its common sense. Apparently these moron's don't have common sense. I have no pity for their own stupidity.
Folks, read the article. This unit was not an imitation of the iMac. They simply released an updated version of the unit to compete against and use the momentum of the iMac. Gateway's unit is now on its fourth generation.
That being said, you are all right about one thing, it does not have the class and elegance of Apple's design.
I have just moved for the second time for the same employer, and have been telecommuting for the majority of my work, since day 1 of my employment. I have suffered through 3 DSL line and 1 cablemodem installs in the last 2 years. From the very first time I had high speed internet at my place of residence, I have had about a total of 5 or 6 installs. All this to say, THEY NEVER GET IT RIGHT. There are ALWAYS some sort of complication.
Also, read the contract. They ARE providing the service to your RESIDENCE. Not your place of business. Many providers of DSL and cablemodem service do offer "business accounts" which typically don't get you any more bandwidth, but do give static IP's and cost more. If you want "business quality" you are going to have to pay for it.
Service they provide for home use is designed for leisure. They make a best effort to make it enjoyable, but no guarentees. You wouldn't sue Ford if your car broke down and couldn't get you to work. So why do you expect your internet provider to pay for lost work time?
My best suggestion is for you to get over it. Really. Search out alternatives. Usually there are multiple companies that can provide DSL in your area, and of course cablemodem service is growing too. Alternate service may not be any more reliable, but at least your $$$ isn't going to the same company any more, which can send a message that if they want to keep customers, they have to improve quality.
Ultimately though, if this connection is "business critical" I suggest you get a T1 or business DSL line, that states in the contract that downtime will be reimbursed.
I've stopped listening to Clear Channel stations recently anyway, because of the way they run their stations. Is it just me, or do they seem to only hire dumb stoners for their afternoon DJ's?
Obviously you are not a sys admin, because I am a Unix/Linux admin, and I can say from first hand experience that a properly maintained Unix or Linux system requires far less maintenance than Windos NT. Sure, updates come out all the time, but that does not always mean that you have to run out and install every update.
When I first read this heading, I thought to myself "When has Microsoft's delays been appealing?"
One good thing about IBM adopting Linux is that they can't decide to turn around and close it later. And even if they did fork some open source project, the original would still be viable to continue on. Just look at ssh and OpenSSH applications.
Once again, OLD NEWS. There are plenty of DSL sites out there with this information. DSL was designed for COPPER service. There are technologies that allow the DSL to be Mux'ed out at the end of the fiber run, but are relatively expensive to put in place due to the fact it only helps 1 person at a time, so a new bridge unit has to be put in for each user. I just don't see most providers doing this. And before you go spouting off about "you demand this that or the other", look at it from their standpoint... for them to install/maintain this service /JUST FOR YOU/ in an already low profit margin is just dumb business sense.
IBM's Thinkpad had that in the era of 486's and sub 100Mhz Pentiums.
Oh yeah! I loved those butteryfly thinkpads. I never owned one myself, only got to work on them. I still would like one (the higher end the better of course) to tote Linux around with me... Putting wheels on full size towers is not my idea of "portable" :)
As a former employeee, I can attest to the fact that yes, AOL likes to use the AOL Service to do MOST of its business functions. All employees are/were required to use AOL for corporate email. They did have some inhouse SMTP/POP3 type applications for answering questions submitted via email... but honestly, all they did was cut and paste generic answers to complex problems.
Thank you! People are such fantatics, that they don't look deeply enough at the heart of things.
I was half asleep when I posted the first message, so it didn't come out exactly as profound as I was attempting. But, the jist of it was the same.
Sure, you might buy into ESR's beliefs (I do to an extent.) But you gotta eat. If you want to make money programing, you are going to have to get a job working on propietary software. Sure, a couple people might get jobs doing maintainance work on open source, but its a position where 1) your lucky as hell to have gotten it. 2) your supporting an overall effort to produce value added products and services focused on open source, not the piece of open source software itself.
This whole thing on making money with open source reminds me of the "underpants gnomes" episode of South Park. Step 1: Steal Underpants. Step 2: ??? Step 3: Profit!
Sure, you can make money using Linux/Open Source, but you can't make, and won't make by producing the open source product as your primary purpose.
Redhat works because they produce value added products/services around open source. Their main business model is notto produce software for you to download for free. It is to produce things extra that compell you to buy the packaged version (ie, documentation, media, shiny stickers, support)
Another successful model of leveraging open source is in IBM's adoption of Linux. IBM sells an S/390 (a mainframe for those not reading slashdot lately) with Linux. First off, they have saved by not having to develop and manage the complete Operating system and application software. They only have to work on porting to their platform. Plus, they make money on service contracts and installation fees.
Once again, I'm tired and probably doing more harm than good by ranting. Look out for an article I'm working on that goes into detail how to *really* use open source to make a buck (or two!).
People repeatedly keep going on and on about the chinese sweat factories, and how bad they are. But have you ever wondered why they continue working there? People that work in the "sweat factories" typically are the ones that if they had not gotten the job, they would be making LESS, and working in the fields, where they would be working same hours but under the hot sun. So, while I certainly wouldn't want this job myself, people don't understand that if we force the "sweat factories" to stop their current practices that 1) We'd end up naked, because the costs of clothing would be redicously high, and 2) China would be in even worse shape than it is now. At least these people have a job. Sure, its not the best job in the world, but why force someone out of a job to make yourself feel better?
I think you hit the nail on the head here, the MARKETING people came buzzing. Marketing Departments are the root of all evil in today's economy. They try to sell things that they do not understand, and give false hopes all the way around.
I just had a revelation. Somewhat offtopic, but, does anybody realize that in order to have free software, we must have proprietary software? Somebody somewhere has to pay these programmers, or they'll starve to death. If you are going to live in a capitalist society (which most of us don't really have a choice), then you gotta do SOMETHING to make money to survive.
Uhm, I hate to have to mention this, but why the hell is this News for Nerds??? These types of bandwidth testers have been around for a while!
Get this product announcement crap off here.
I watch PBS on occasion, but I dunno if I would say it should be required to stick around. Other channels available on cable or satellite provide the same kind of content that makes PBS worthwhile. I personally wouldn't miss PBS if it were to drop off the air. And I certanly don't want to pay for PBS et al with my taxes. It is bad enough we are taxed by the federal government with wasteful and unconstitional programs.
No, but if you were to email a new kernel patch for XYZ hardware, then it would be feasable that this would apply.
I'd also like to add in that you shouldn't quit your job because your boss wants it done a certain way. Sure, you and I both know it would be better Linux and open source all the way, but you ARE being paid to do what your employer tells you to. You should do the job to the best of your ability and try to document why and how Linux is a better solution. If you were to up and quit over you not being able to use Linux instead of Windows, it just looks like a temper tantrum in the eyes of your employer.
So, don't quit, but do voice your opinion. And document everything you can. If you can make a business case why Linux is the way to go, it goes along way than just "I'm a programmer, I think this should be done this way!"
ODBC was designed just for this situation. A place I worked for a while back was mainly an NT shop, but I had a MySQL database up for a project I had written in perl. One of the NT people needed to be able to grab some data (names and email addresses) to insert into the Exchange server's address book. I just had them load the MySQL ODBC driver for windoze and within Access they selected the MySQL datasource. From the front end, there won't be any noticable difference. (except that really annoying problem where the Linux DB tends to run faster)
is it just me or is this same question being repeatedly posted??
I think the free market was just working as usual here. Please don't think I'm saying they were crap, but I think they just weren't good enough to compete.
Linux Journal has been and I'm pretty sure will always be the big daddy in the Linux magazine department. Maximum Linux was [too] focused on the glitzy side of Linux computing, IMO.