Here's a few premises:
1. The probability getting an infection increases with time.
2. The average person probably does not format their system and give a clean install until the system becomes nearly unusable (it would cost them money and time).
3. Windows XP has been in use for a long time.
Given these, I would figure that another reason why there would be so many infected PCs with XP out there is that the XP installations have been in use for a lot longer than any of the newer OS installations. I would go as far as to guess that most people today would rather buy a new PC than get a professional to reinstall XP, meaning that these systems currently running XP would have been installed quite a number of years ago.
This is off-topic for the article, but I had to reply to your rant....
Please take a look at US voter turnout for the last few elections. US Voter Turnout
Recently, the US seems to be alternating between ~40-50% voter turnout for the eligible voters. The 2006 elections, for example, saw 37.1% voter turnout. This is hardly the majority of Americans speaking up for their current system electoral system.
It sounds more like a disaffected population that feels little hope of altering the system. This may also explain why the Democrats rallied the highest voter turnout since 1968 in the last election with their talks of changing the way government is run.
On a side note, with only 40% of the eligible voters voting, and elections being split 50/50 (give or take), the ruling party is usually only ruling with ~20% of the population's consent. And, back to your point, when they get into power, they actually represent the interests of even fewer.
You don't have to be a jerk about it. He obviously meant to write "America 10 years ago", which is a common nickname for Canada. I prefer "Our Culturally Retarded Attic Dwellers", myself.
Good for you! I'm sure you've made your country proud...
Not that I want to admit this, but I'm working for Sprint (temporarily) as a corporate rep. The ETF are most definitely prorated, starting at $200 and going to a minimum of $50.
Just to let everyone know, you can also port your number without ETF within Sprint (ie: Sprint -> Boost Mobile). Boost Mobile doesn't have contracts... *hint* *hint*
My guess is that it was modded insightful because anyone in a checkers club be hesitant in admitting it.
If you're a jock, confess your ties to football. If you're geek, admit to participation in chess or computer club. But under no circumstances should one ever admit to being in a checkers club.
As a former rep for Sprint, I can say that Sprint reps don't have access to voice recording of anyone's calls. And the only people who could possibly have access is a special department that deals with police issues.
What we did have access to, and what these people probably access, was just a regular calling list (numbers who called the phone, and numbers called from the phone).
And from what I was told while working there, the company didn't record any calls unless specifically ordered to by authorities.
I would like to see this apply more to a long term strategy for an MMO.
MMO != Never ending questing.
An MMO could be more meaningful if the game actually had epic stories, that had real goals and real conclusions. Establish story lines as if it was a science fiction or fantasy series, where player actions are permanently etched into future stories / histories. Hire some permanent story writers, and develop an ongoing dialogue between them and the players, making player actions meaningful.
Then you can have your creative destruction, as well as your lasting epic journey.
I've been watching this thing for about 10 minutes thinking. In about 9 minutes, everyone on slashdot will see a link for "High Def live video feed" and click on it. Suddenly, the server running this stream will start trying to transfer 50GB/sec (100,000+ users) and this thing WILL JUST DIE. Here we go.
So you've turned the countdown to bloom into the countdown for slashdotting. hmm...
I was replying to the parent when he said the following:
i think it's a lot more interesting if you're paying for items that actually make a difference. The summary was very specific to point out that this isn't what you're doing, but why not? All you have to do is make the items that you can buy also items you can skill up to.
Well, I don't think bringing real world cash into the game helps at all. IMO, to those who can't afford the time, there should be servers that limit the amount of time that players can play the game per day (or week, etc). Similar to the way BBS door games only gave you so many turns a day... evens the playing field.
By this, you could have games that are based on neither cash, nor time. And, hell, if you want to have a server that has purchasing, or whatever, do it. Slight variations in rules would help to support the different playing styles without changing the core rules.
Not replying to the article... replying to the parent.
i think it's a lot more interesting if you're paying for items that actually make a difference. The summary was very specific to point out that this isn't what you're doing, but why not? All you have to do is make the items that you can buy also items you can skill up to.
Read the history of the conversation before posting.
So you're arguing that we should bring the class distinction into the gaming world as well? The rich get the most powerful items / weapons because they can be afforded, and the poor are left with either purchasing beyond their means, or being hindered? and, yes I do understand this is probably minimal amounts of money, but the more resources controlled in this manner, the more the cumulative costs will be.
This would also means that the gaming companies will most likely incrementally increase the power of items to keep people purchasing new thing (and to perhaps keep people interested in this type of system). Most MMORPG's do this with their incremental additions of more powerful equipment, levels and stats with game expansions. The only difference is that they encourage equal opportunity, in that they ban external trading.
I don't know about you... but I prefer to play in a system that encourages equal opportunity.
The prices offered are almost always below what a store offers. Plus, if you decide to go with people selling used instead of new (both are available), you can get it at only a fraction of the cost.
I've been dealing with people from those forums for a couple years now, and they've saved me hundreds of dollars.
Security is the only real issue, since people can rip each other off... but as long as you trade with people that have a good (high) reputation, then you're normally safe. Moreover, a lot of products are sold with transferable manufacturers warranties on them, so you can buy safely, knowing that you're covered for a bit. I have yet to be ripped off after quite a number of full computer builds.
When Paul Bremer shredded Iraq's Baathist constitution and replaced it with what The Economist greeted approvingly as "the wish list of foreign investors," there was one small detail he failed to mention: It was all completely illegal
Even the U.S.-appointed Iraqi politicians, up to now so obedient, were getting nervous about their own political futures if they went along with the privatization plans. Communications Minister Haider al-Abadi told me about his first meeting with Bremer. I said, Look, we don't have the mandate to sell any of this. Privatization is a big thing. We have to wait until there is an Iraqi government. Minister of Industry Mohamad Tofiq was even more direct: I am not going to do something that is not legal, so that's it.
Those were quickly pulled quotes, so you'll have to read it for yourself to get the full picture.
What is really best for the innocent people in Iraq?
Perhaps that's up to the people of Iraq to decide, not a foreign occupier.
I may be wrong here, but from what I understand there has been delays setting up a proper government, constitution, etc. in Iraq due to US 'pressure' (read demands). It seems they wish to make Iraq a free market with less regulation than most any other sovereign nation would allow... in other words, a corporate haven (or heaven).
If you actually look at the text messaging plan costs, they are actually on the decline - or at least they were while I worked at Sprint as a CSR. In fact, they were really pushing us to tell people to get plans, and if they did get plans, we could credit their individual text charges. Also, while this was going on there was really no way to block the text messages, aside from removing all data services, which killed your voicemail service (most people declined this option).
It goes as follows:
1. They have outrageous individual text charges, and availability of cheap text plans.
2. They have an inability to get rid of incoming text messages, which forces people to incur the charges, or get a plan (as Sprint has done in the past)
3. As more people have text plans and use text messages, the more recipients there are who are now forced to get the plans... You got the plan to avoid the charges, so you might as well use it.
4. This reduces the amount of voice calls, since people text instead... which in turn reduces the strain on the network.
5. PROFIT!
My guess is that the companies aren't doing it for direct profit, but rather to reduce the amount of traffic, and thus towers needed.
I take issue with you saying "Go ahead, mod me as flamebait! I'm used to it."
Taking a look at your comment history, most of your comments have been modded 'insightful' or 'funny'. And, if you do have 'flamebait' comments, then they're hidden below my field of view, which would imply that they are not recent, and thus I doubt you're used to it.
If I had some mod points to hand out, you know where I would be putting them for this inciting lie.
"Tracked" by RFID? Do you know anything about RFID? It sucks balls for tracking things, especially outdoors... TFA suggests (quite logically) that the RFID only detects if the bike is in the rack. I swear, libertarians see RFID and they assume it's already measuring their heartbeat or reading their mind...
A couple points...
First, the article claims that the technology will be used to help monitor traffic usage. One could assume that this was merely at the docking stations, but it could be used outside of it as well.
Second, RFID technology has an operational distance of a few meters, so installing monitoring equipment along side bike paths would be a way to 'track' movements of bikers. I'm not saying cover the entire city, but portable equipment might be moved around, or permanent monitors placed along bike paths could be used to help generate useful data, and potentially track individuals.
And third, I'm not a libertarian, so your over generalizations are useless here. I was actually replying in part to the OPs post in which he suggested the technology would be used to track individuals' movements. My point was that whether this is the case or not, I believe that the government is responsible enough, and the data useful enough, so that it is unnecessary to become overly worrisome.
I'm not entirely sure what you're getting at with your sardonic comment...
If we don't want our bikes to be tracked by RFID, then the only other choice is to support the oil industry?
Personally I don't mind the idea of having the bikes tracked using RFID. As long as the information was being used for good purposes, then all is well. RFID could prevent bike thefts, help city planners choose locations for new bike paths, allow for a web-based system to automatically let users know where bikes are available (and the number of them), etc.
Although I don't have any data to back this up, I would perhaps believe that the Canadian public (of which I am one) are far less skeptical of our government. I tend to believe that the government would put this data to good use, as opposed to selling it to the highest corporate bidder.
Something that's meant for nothing but reading should be as cheap as actual paper, otherwise what's the point.
The point is portability, environmental savings, storage / archiving.
You might say that the environmental savings wouldn't be as big a point, since the production of the units probably put out quite a bit of pollution... but with paper there is the ongoing ink that needs to be used, transportation from central printing sources uses a lot of fuel, virgin woods being felled, etc.
The E-Paper should be cheaper, but not the cost of paper, there are reasons that go beyond the simple bottom line.
Slashdot Mirror
Here's a few premises:
1. The probability getting an infection increases with time.
2. The average person probably does not format their system and give a clean install until the system becomes nearly unusable (it would cost them money and time).
3. Windows XP has been in use for a long time.
Given these, I would figure that another reason why there would be so many infected PCs with XP out there is that the XP installations have been in use for a lot longer than any of the newer OS installations. I would go as far as to guess that most people today would rather buy a new PC than get a professional to reinstall XP, meaning that these systems currently running XP would have been installed quite a number of years ago.
Just a thought...
This is off-topic for the article, but I had to reply to your rant....
Please take a look at US voter turnout for the last few elections. US Voter Turnout
Recently, the US seems to be alternating between ~40-50% voter turnout for the eligible voters. The 2006 elections, for example, saw 37.1% voter turnout. This is hardly the majority of Americans speaking up for their current system electoral system.
It sounds more like a disaffected population that feels little hope of altering the system. This may also explain why the Democrats rallied the highest voter turnout since 1968 in the last election with their talks of changing the way government is run.
On a side note, with only 40% of the eligible voters voting, and elections being split 50/50 (give or take), the ruling party is usually only ruling with ~20% of the population's consent. And, back to your point, when they get into power, they actually represent the interests of even fewer.
Worst PICTURE of the Decade - Battlefield Earth accepted by J.D. Shapiro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKlEE18R5d8
You don't have to be a jerk about it. He obviously meant to write "America 10 years ago", which is a common nickname for Canada. I prefer "Our Culturally Retarded Attic Dwellers", myself.
Good for you! I'm sure you've made your country proud...
Rule 10: Greed is eternal.
but my favourite is...
Rule 113: Always have sex with the boss.
I wonder how that applies in the Ferrengi patriarchy where the women are expected, for the most part, to stay out of business.
Yep. It's spending and campaign contribution data I want to see side by side.
Here you go: http://www.data.gov/suggestdataset
Not that I want to admit this, but I'm working for Sprint (temporarily) as a corporate rep. The ETF are most definitely prorated, starting at $200 and going to a minimum of $50.
Just to let everyone know, you can also port your number without ETF within Sprint (ie: Sprint -> Boost Mobile). Boost Mobile doesn't have contracts... *hint* *hint*
- John
Who modded this modded as insightful?
My guess is that it was modded insightful because anyone in a checkers club be hesitant in admitting it.
If you're a jock, confess your ties to football. If you're geek, admit to participation in chess or computer club. But under no circumstances should one ever admit to being in a checkers club.
- John
As a former rep for Sprint, I can say that Sprint reps don't have access to voice recording of anyone's calls. And the only people who could possibly have access is a special department that deals with police issues.
What we did have access to, and what these people probably access, was just a regular calling list (numbers who called the phone, and numbers called from the phone).
And from what I was told while working there, the company didn't record any calls unless specifically ordered to by authorities.
- John
I would like to see this apply more to a long term strategy for an MMO.
MMO != Never ending questing.
An MMO could be more meaningful if the game actually had epic stories, that had real goals and real conclusions. Establish story lines as if it was a science fiction or fantasy series, where player actions are permanently etched into future stories / histories. Hire some permanent story writers, and develop an ongoing dialogue between them and the players, making player actions meaningful.
Then you can have your creative destruction, as well as your lasting epic journey.
- John
I've had enough I say we move to get rid of them once and for all.
I'm with ya brother!
...
So how do you propose we start the overthrow?
- John
So you've turned the countdown to bloom into the countdown for slashdotting. hmm...
Read back a thread before posting.
- John
Well, I don't think bringing real world cash into the game helps at all. IMO, to those who can't afford the time, there should be servers that limit the amount of time that players can play the game per day (or week, etc). Similar to the way BBS door games only gave you so many turns a day... evens the playing field.
By this, you could have games that are based on neither cash, nor time. And, hell, if you want to have a server that has purchasing, or whatever, do it. Slight variations in rules would help to support the different playing styles without changing the core rules.
- John
Read the history of the conversation before posting.
So you're arguing that we should bring the class distinction into the gaming world as well? The rich get the most powerful items / weapons because they can be afforded, and the poor are left with either purchasing beyond their means, or being hindered? and, yes I do understand this is probably minimal amounts of money, but the more resources controlled in this manner, the more the cumulative costs will be.
This would also means that the gaming companies will most likely incrementally increase the power of items to keep people purchasing new thing (and to perhaps keep people interested in this type of system). Most MMORPG's do this with their incremental additions of more powerful equipment, levels and stats with game expansions. The only difference is that they encourage equal opportunity, in that they ban external trading.
I don't know about you... but I prefer to play in a system that encourages equal opportunity.
- John
I usually buy most of my parts from Trading Forums, such as Anandtech.com or Hardforum.com.
The prices offered are almost always below what a store offers. Plus, if you decide to go with people selling used instead of new (both are available), you can get it at only a fraction of the cost.
I've been dealing with people from those forums for a couple years now, and they've saved me hundreds of dollars.
Security is the only real issue, since people can rip each other off... but as long as you trade with people that have a good (high) reputation, then you're normally safe. Moreover, a lot of products are sold with transferable manufacturers warranties on them, so you can buy safely, knowing that you're covered for a bit. I have yet to be ripped off after quite a number of full computer builds.
- John
Well, I've heard similar things from a number of articles, but here's one from Naomi Klein in Harpers Magazine: http://harpers.org/archive/2004/09/0080197
Those were quickly pulled quotes, so you'll have to read it for yourself to get the full picture.
- John
Perhaps that's up to the people of Iraq to decide, not a foreign occupier.
I may be wrong here, but from what I understand there has been delays setting up a proper government, constitution, etc. in Iraq due to US 'pressure' (read demands). It seems they wish to make Iraq a free market with less regulation than most any other sovereign nation would allow... in other words, a corporate haven (or heaven).
- John
Good point.
If you actually look at the text messaging plan costs, they are actually on the decline - or at least they were while I worked at Sprint as a CSR. In fact, they were really pushing us to tell people to get plans, and if they did get plans, we could credit their individual text charges. Also, while this was going on there was really no way to block the text messages, aside from removing all data services, which killed your voicemail service (most people declined this option).
It goes as follows:
1. They have outrageous individual text charges, and availability of cheap text plans.
2. They have an inability to get rid of incoming text messages, which forces people to incur the charges, or get a plan (as Sprint has done in the past)
3. As more people have text plans and use text messages, the more recipients there are who are now forced to get the plans... You got the plan to avoid the charges, so you might as well use it.
4. This reduces the amount of voice calls, since people text instead... which in turn reduces the strain on the network.
5. PROFIT!
My guess is that the companies aren't doing it for direct profit, but rather to reduce the amount of traffic, and thus towers needed.
- John
ha. A joke about flamebait gets modded as such.
I swear it sounded funnier in my head.
- John
I take issue with you saying "Go ahead, mod me as flamebait! I'm used to it."
Taking a look at your comment history, most of your comments have been modded 'insightful' or 'funny'. And, if you do have 'flamebait' comments, then they're hidden below my field of view, which would imply that they are not recent, and thus I doubt you're used to it.
If I had some mod points to hand out, you know where I would be putting them for this inciting lie.
- John
First, the article claims that the technology will be used to help monitor traffic usage. One could assume that this was merely at the docking stations, but it could be used outside of it as well.
Second, RFID technology has an operational distance of a few meters, so installing monitoring equipment along side bike paths would be a way to 'track' movements of bikers. I'm not saying cover the entire city, but portable equipment might be moved around, or permanent monitors placed along bike paths could be used to help generate useful data, and potentially track individuals.
And third, I'm not a libertarian, so your over generalizations are useless here. I was actually replying in part to the OPs post in which he suggested the technology would be used to track individuals' movements. My point was that whether this is the case or not, I believe that the government is responsible enough, and the data useful enough, so that it is unnecessary to become overly worrisome.
- John
I'm not entirely sure what you're getting at with your sardonic comment...
If we don't want our bikes to be tracked by RFID, then the only other choice is to support the oil industry?
Personally I don't mind the idea of having the bikes tracked using RFID. As long as the information was being used for good purposes, then all is well. RFID could prevent bike thefts, help city planners choose locations for new bike paths, allow for a web-based system to automatically let users know where bikes are available (and the number of them), etc.
Although I don't have any data to back this up, I would perhaps believe that the Canadian public (of which I am one) are far less skeptical of our government. I tend to believe that the government would put this data to good use, as opposed to selling it to the highest corporate bidder.
- John
You might say that the environmental savings wouldn't be as big a point, since the production of the units probably put out quite a bit of pollution... but with paper there is the ongoing ink that needs to be used, transportation from central printing sources uses a lot of fuel, virgin woods being felled, etc.
The E-Paper should be cheaper, but not the cost of paper, there are reasons that go beyond the simple bottom line.
- John