Whoa, whoa. Chill, we're all friends. Don't take it personally, my comments weren't directed solely at you. It isn't a big deal (frankly, are any posts on Slashdot a 'big deal'?), so there's no need to make a mountain out of it. I don't expect it's you that malevolently thinks "Aha! Another hardware article! Just what I need to get a sardonic, lambasting response from BertieBaggio." Equally, I don't look for these jokes just so I can grumble about how people always post them. Generally, the only systematic comments I make are to gently remind people not to respond to trolls in any way or form, since any response (positive or negative) just encourages them. Most of the time when I read a comment or a thread I could have just as easily had in my head, I just sigh and keep scrolling for the good stuff. Every once in a while to maintain my sanity I write a post like the one or two I did. It's not to be taken 100% seriously.
Besides, I once did create a forum, just as you suggest; but it turned out I forgot about the forum and concentrated on the blackjack and hookers I had also brought along*.
(tl;dr version of the rest: Slashdot needs the xkcd ROBOT9000 bot that tempbans people who say something that has already been said. Except we'd need it to tempban anyone tthat brings up a joke/meme/concept/argument that's been done to death)
Anyway, in the spirit of fairness and explanation for my diatribe... I guess there is bigger rant that I didn't post because in the first place it would have been seriously OT, and in the second it was 5 AM. But fuck it, this time it's 6:15 AM so we're okay. It goes like this: Slashdot is getting more predictable. Yes, yes, it's always been that way with memes, old jokes and older trolls and so forth; but it's getting to the stage where you can guess what comments are going to appear on an article with reasonable accuracy. Would that this great power of mine extended to lottery numbers. Ah well, can't have everything.
Like I say, with tech spec articles we get Vista or Crysis brought up, with anything Apple related, we get price brought up. With anything in the politics section, it's how the Dems/GOP/megacorps/cops/'stupid sheeple' are killing the country. Oh, and at last one 1984 reference. With anything market related, it's how there is too much regulation, or how the free market has "failed". Anything to do with CS, or education will have one comment/thread about how the degrees are worthless and that you can be a great programmer without them. Relatedly, there will be another post, thread or reply about how the doctors/lawyers/other professionals are artificially keeping people out of the profession to drive up prices.
With Microsoft articles we have chairs. With anything GNU/FSF-y we have the "GPL/BSD IS THE ONLY WAY TO LICENSE CODE" crowd. There are also those quoting Linus as gospel, and those saying "well, he's a good engineer, but he doesn't get politics". Similarly, there are those saying how RMS is an ideological nutjob, and others countering with "yes but look at how accurate he's been".
We have naysayers on 90% of articles. They say "This won't work because of trivial thing X", or "Why bother doing Y?", with optional "FooWidget already solves problem Z, which is nearly the same".
Any Ask Slashdot has a response asking "Why didn't you just Google X?", or "Slashdot isn't good for legal advice, ask a lawyer". And of course those that remark that anyone who asks a question like the one posed must be an idiot.
And of course, there are always the ones who complain that Slashdot is going downhill. Oh yeah, and the "I'm-so-clever" meta-posts.
--
Like I say, it's no big deal. Like you say, posts really aren't important. Like the FAQ says, Slashdot isn't here for me or for you, it's here for us. Well, for CmdrTaco anyway.
And Slashdot still has the unique diamond-in-the-rough posts, saying "I came up with a cool impleme
Sorry to reply to myself, but I've just noticed two comments:
mgblast's, which says the same thing as mine more succinctly and bluntly. Embarrassingly, it was in the same god-damn thread.
Further down, we have this comment by RandomUsr, who actually does mention Vista. Woo! In fact, he (and the person that responded to him) also mentions anitvirus software. Never mind that this is a GPGPU system, just post crap about *something* bloated and wait for the '+1 Funny' mods to roll in.
Gods, reading these two posts made me realise that I need to stop reading and posting to Slashdot when it's late and I'm in a bad mood and feeling misanthropic. *grumbles*
It's redundant because some smartass mentions Crysis in response to *every fucking article* about someone doing something using powerful GPUs*.
Of course, if it was about CPUs, the post would be about what will be needed to run Windows 8, or 'finally meeting the minimum system requirements for Vista'.
Mostly, you can predict these posts from the title of the article. Doesn't stop crotchety people people like me coming to complain about it though...
* Footnote: When someone equally-crotchety complained about this before, a poster made the good point that Crysis draws this derision as it *still* taxes high-end systems. Myabe it's because CryEngine2 is bloated and ineffecient, maybe it's because it tries to do too much. All I know is we keep getting these inane posts.
Of course, it's probably a bug as I can't verify this in another browser (doesn't display). If it is, is a nice throwback to the good old days... I remember when it used to be a horrible experience to try and get IE4/5 (?) to flush a cached favicon in a bookmark (favourite). Those were the days...
A million times this. This should be plastered on the front page for every damn user to read.
Think critically. Don't pick a 'side'. Critique everything (constructively). Assume you're wrong until you can prove yourself right. Lastly: if you truly believe that what is wrong with the world is *yourself* (as opposed to group X), you'll do your damnedest to make things better.
I don't normally do adulation, but this is the kind of post that keeps me coming back to Slashdot. Interesting and reasoned analysis, without flaming and the "no ur wrong" refrain. Sadly, it seem to be getting rarer... I was very surprised to see it turn up in YRO. If this had been the "politics"* section I'd have probably fainted.
The real decision was not that clear-cut, and I think it dose a disservice both to the people who made it, and to ourselves in our efforts to learn from history, to pretend that it was.
This. If more people got this, the world would be a better place; and those that use propaganda that tries to pull the wool over our eyes by making gross simplifications (rather than dealing with nuances) would have a much tougher time of it.
Thank you for broadening my mind.
* (NB I say "politics" as it seems to just be a vehicle for ideologues to shout at each other)
Do you currently have a complete security software solution that includes spyware protection, antiphishing technology and a two-way firewall (BUY CO- ER, NORTON®!) installed on the personal computer you use most often?
Yeah, it's just a tool to raise awareness (BUY NORTON®!), indeed. Just a natural question, placed at the top of a page and taking up a lot of eye-space. It helps determine if we should give you the sales routine. No, it helps determine if how much a criminal would value your identity. No, uh... what were we trying to do again?
However, on a brighter note: I guessed a criminal could buy me, er... buy my online digital e-identity (or whatever they call it) for $20. They say I could go for as little as $11.29. Obviously I didn't take bartering into account.
Since somebody is clearly removing all the posts that are actual spam, couldn't they remove ones like this while they're about it?
Like you say, it's not spam, but it *is* similar. People who respond to spam beget more spam, and people who respond to flamebait / troll posts beget more of those posts.
Basically, it's not worth your time to respond, as that is exactly what these folks are looking for.
Sorry to reply to my own post, but I meant to include that I think heavy computer use has had other effects as well; such as shortening my attention span.
I'll add +1 to your sample. To be honest, I've noticed my spelling becoming much poorer both in script and in type. For me there is also a transpositioning of both letters and sometimes words, which sounds almost like a facet of dyslexia (I don't have other features of dyslexia that I know of). I don't know what the cause is, but my guess would have been automatic spell-checkers making it unnecessary to think about whether a word is correctly spelled or not.
Not only that but (more importantly) GP forgets that these guys were trying to access private data (voicemail).
What makes it private that doesn't apply equally to an unprotected WAP ?
Firstly, there is a difference in the level of 'private' - an SSID is broadcast on a public frequency. Some configurations will even connect to and use such a network without user intervention. You have to go looking for someone's voicemail inbox.
Secondly, as I say (perhaps unclearly) it is about the data. For example: Alice connects to Bob's unsecured network, and uses that link to send and receive email. At no point in this circumstance does see see any of Bob's data. She could, as I'm sure you are aware, but that is another discussion! In this voicemail case, they are connecting to a person's voicemail inbox, and then accessing that person's data (the voicemails themselves).
I hope that is enough to illustrate that is the difference. It was implied in my short reply, but probably wasn't clear.
Connecting to an unsecured WLAN generally doesn't involve accessing private data.
That depends a great deal on what you want to call "private". It certainly involves using someone else's property without permission or invitation.
I don't want to argue this point particularly. As GGP (Phroggy) says, the broadcast of an SSID in conjunction with a lack of encryption could be interpreted as an invitation. Like I said, in that case some setups will use such a network automatically.
Not only that but (more importantly) GP forgets that these guys were trying to access private data (voicemail). Connecting to an unsecured WLAN generally doesn't involve accessing private data.
The two are similar perhaps, but in slightly different leagues.
(In keeping with the time-honoured Slashdot tradition, I'm going to tell you what I think you should know, regardless of what it was you asked for*)
I quite agree with other posters that you should move to a bigger (> 20") LCD. I recently bought a HannsG 281D 28 inch monitor, which (volume wise) takes up about the same space as a 17-19 inch CRT. It is wider by a long shot, which may present a problem. On the other hand, it does 1920x200 and is about the biggest you can get for under GBP 1000 (and $1000 I'm guessing**).
In short it's a good monitor: bright, decent colours, and no ghosting. In my opinion, it is cheap for what you get. It's a TN panel, so dont do anything colour critical, but in all honesty you likely won't notice the difference in 95-99% of cases. I code, play games and watch both hi and low def movies on the monitor, and for all it's much better than using a 19", let alone a 17". Oh, and it has HDMI and VGA inputs. No DVI, but it comes with an HDMI->DVI cable.
* Even if the OP doesn't find this useful I'm sure other/.-ers will, as there are few decent reviews of the HannsG. Yes, this isn't a review, but knowing that someone is using it without problems is useful. As with all decent/. discussions, many will benefit.
** Yeah, gadget / electronic good price in USD = price in GBP. In this case the HannsG seems to be $350 on Amazon (I got mine from Amazon.co.uk, for what it's worth), so it's not quite the monumental shafting we normally get this side of the pond...
Really, it's a bit LOL. It used to be only movies, now even verdicts are out before the official release.
I have to say I am surprised by the verdict. I really thought they would avoid jail time at least. Maybe that was just me wanting to believe that, and so I believed the propaganda. It does seem a harsh sentence, although I guess that is due to the finding that they ran it for the money. You have to wonder how much of the decision is politically motivated like the raid was.
Also, the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) practically came in their pants over the decision. Some choice quotes from John Kennedy:
"Today's verdict is the right outcome on all three counts. The court has also handed down a strong deterrent sentence that reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed,"
"This is good news for everyone, in Sweden and internationally, who is making a living or a business from creative activity and who needs to know their rights will protected by law."
"These guys weren't making a principled stand, they were out to line their own pockets. There was nothing meritorious about their behaviour, it was reprehensible."
"There has been a perception that piracy is OK and that the music industry should just have to accept it. This verdict will change that,"
(emphasis mine)
Get the fuck over yourself. This won't change anything in the long run. You might win a battle here or there, but if you don't change, you're screwed. And maybe we'll start listening to you when you stop lobbying to have copyrights extended even further than their already ridiculous length; and when your brethren stop selectively suing defenceless people on flimsy evidence. Until then, I think I speak for most civilised people around here when I say: go fuck yourselves.
Honestly, what is this mythical use case in which hearing different
sources of digital sound simultaneously is a good thing?
I can't tell from your tone if you're serious or being flippant. It seems like both. However, if you're serious... In addition to sibling posts, I have several other 'mythical' use cases too:
I sometimes like to listen to music while playing games (when I'm either passing a quick 10-20 minutes, or in a game with crap music).
I'm normally on a teamspeak server to keep in contact with my buddies.
Audio notifications. Okay, so you kinda covered that one, but they can be kinda useful. I won't go into this as it's a preference thing.
Web sites (flash). Sibling has this covered, but I'll mention it too. I hate having to close my media player (and lose my place in the music) to watch a tiny wee clip.
There are undoubtedly others that I can't think of because it's after 3 AM, but you get the idea I think. If you don't want mixing, that's your preference and I have nothing against it, but there are most definitely cases where it is desirable.
I have never understood why this auto-mixing is considered desirable.
I'm not really running OO, for the exact resons you listed.
I'm just saying I tried using OO, and my response was a criticism of all the advice I got from linux zealots who love to rub in your face how OO is perfect and can do everything Excel can do. Bullshit.
Not to put too find a point on it, but: that's what happens if you listen to zealots. There are plenty of rational, helpful people in here that will tell you exactly what OOo can and cannot do. The GP, who says "use Excel if you need Excel" is one of these.
Your comment was disingenuous and came off as an attack (rather than a criticism), as you made the statement that OOo "slows your work". Well yeah, trying to use a screwdriver as a hammer will slow your work too.
My advice is this: ignore the zealots who say obviously wrong things (that's pretty much trolling in any case), and listen to the plenty of informed people instead.
Slashdot Mirror
RTFSite. The 419-baiters take time and money from the scammers, which slows them perpetrating *real* scams.
Also, they make the scammers more paranoid about the next responder, which is wonderfully poetic.
Whoa, whoa. Chill, we're all friends. Don't take it personally, my comments weren't directed solely at you. It isn't a big deal (frankly, are any posts on Slashdot a 'big deal'?), so there's no need to make a mountain out of it. I don't expect it's you that malevolently thinks "Aha! Another hardware article! Just what I need to get a sardonic, lambasting response from BertieBaggio." Equally, I don't look for these jokes just so I can grumble about how people always post them. Generally, the only systematic comments I make are to gently remind people not to respond to trolls in any way or form, since any response (positive or negative) just encourages them. Most of the time when I read a comment or a thread I could have just as easily had in my head, I just sigh and keep scrolling for the good stuff. Every once in a while to maintain my sanity I write a post like the one or two I did. It's not to be taken 100% seriously.
Besides, I once did create a forum, just as you suggest; but it turned out I forgot about the forum and concentrated on the blackjack and hookers I had also brought along*.
(tl;dr version of the rest: Slashdot needs the xkcd ROBOT9000 bot that tempbans people who say something that has already been said. Except we'd need it to tempban anyone tthat brings up a joke/meme/concept/argument that's been done to death)
Anyway, in the spirit of fairness and explanation for my diatribe... I guess there is bigger rant that I didn't post because in the first place it would have been seriously OT, and in the second it was 5 AM. But fuck it, this time it's 6:15 AM so we're okay. It goes like this: Slashdot is getting more predictable. Yes, yes, it's always been that way with memes, old jokes and older trolls and so forth; but it's getting to the stage where you can guess what comments are going to appear on an article with reasonable accuracy. Would that this great power of mine extended to lottery numbers. Ah well, can't have everything.
Like I say, with tech spec articles we get Vista or Crysis brought up, with anything Apple related, we get price brought up. With anything in the politics section, it's how the Dems/GOP/megacorps/cops/'stupid sheeple' are killing the country. Oh, and at last one 1984 reference. With anything market related, it's how there is too much regulation, or how the free market has "failed". Anything to do with CS, or education will have one comment/thread about how the degrees are worthless and that you can be a great programmer without them. Relatedly, there will be another post, thread or reply about how the doctors/lawyers/other professionals are artificially keeping people out of the profession to drive up prices.
With Microsoft articles we have chairs. With anything GNU/FSF-y we have the "GPL/BSD IS THE ONLY WAY TO LICENSE CODE" crowd. There are also those quoting Linus as gospel, and those saying "well, he's a good engineer, but he doesn't get politics". Similarly, there are those saying how RMS is an ideological nutjob, and others countering with "yes but look at how accurate he's been".
We have naysayers on 90% of articles. They say "This won't work because of trivial thing X", or "Why bother doing Y?", with optional "FooWidget already solves problem Z, which is nearly the same".
Any Ask Slashdot has a response asking "Why didn't you just Google X?", or "Slashdot isn't good for legal advice, ask a lawyer". And of course those that remark that anyone who asks a question like the one posed must be an idiot.
And of course, there are always the ones who complain that Slashdot is going downhill. Oh yeah, and the "I'm-so-clever" meta-posts.
--
Like I say, it's no big deal. Like you say, posts really aren't important. Like the FAQ says, Slashdot isn't here for me or for you, it's here for us. Well, for CmdrTaco anyway.
And Slashdot still has the unique diamond-in-the-rough posts, saying "I came up with a cool impleme
Sorry to reply to myself, but I've just noticed two comments:
mgblast's, which says the same thing as mine more succinctly and bluntly. Embarrassingly, it was in the same god-damn thread.
Further down, we have this comment by RandomUsr, who actually does mention Vista. Woo! In fact, he (and the person that responded to him) also mentions anitvirus software. Never mind that this is a GPGPU system, just post crap about *something* bloated and wait for the '+1 Funny' mods to roll in.
Gods, reading these two posts made me realise that I need to stop reading and posting to Slashdot when it's late and I'm in a bad mood and feeling misanthropic. *grumbles*
It's redundant because some smartass mentions Crysis in response to *every fucking article* about someone doing something using powerful GPUs*.
Of course, if it was about CPUs, the post would be about what will be needed to run Windows 8, or 'finally meeting the minimum system requirements for Vista'.
Mostly, you can predict these posts from the title of the article. Doesn't stop crotchety people people like me coming to complain about it though...
* Footnote: When someone equally-crotchety complained about this before, a poster made the good point that Crysis draws this derision as it *still* taxes high-end systems. Myabe it's because CryEngine2 is bloated and ineffecient, maybe it's because it tries to do too much. All I know is we keep getting these inane posts.
Completely off-topic, but what the hell, it was an odd piece to read. For me, in Chrome, Bruce's website has a very similar favicon to Microsoft. See:
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/8692/perens.jpg
Of course, it's probably a bug as I can't verify this in another browser (doesn't display). If it is, is a nice throwback to the good old days... I remember when it used to be a horrible experience to try and get IE4/5 (?) to flush a cached favicon in a bookmark (favourite). Those were the days...
This ^^
A million times this. This should be plastered on the front page for every damn user to read.
Think critically. Don't pick a 'side'. Critique everything (constructively). Assume you're wrong until you can prove yourself right. Lastly: if you truly believe that what is wrong with the world is *yourself* (as opposed to group X), you'll do your damnedest to make things better.
/end rant
Bubba from Folsom would like to lodge a disagreement with the second half of your statement...now try asking where he's going to lodge it.
In GPs 'second half', of course.
I don't normally do adulation, but this is the kind of post that keeps me coming back to Slashdot. Interesting and reasoned analysis, without flaming and the "no ur wrong" refrain. Sadly, it seem to be getting rarer... I was very surprised to see it turn up in YRO. If this had been the "politics"* section I'd have probably fainted.
The real decision was not that clear-cut, and I think it dose a disservice both to the people who made it, and to ourselves in our efforts to learn from history, to pretend that it was.
This. If more people got this, the world would be a better place; and those that use propaganda that tries to pull the wool over our eyes by making gross simplifications (rather than dealing with nuances) would have a much tougher time of it.
Thank you for broadening my mind.
* (NB I say "politics" as it seems to just be a vehicle for ideologues to shout at each other)
Gotta love leading questions:
Do you currently have a complete security software solution that includes spyware protection, antiphishing technology and a two-way firewall (BUY CO- ER, NORTON®!) installed on the personal computer you use most often?
Yeah, it's just a tool to raise awareness (BUY NORTON®!), indeed. Just a natural question, placed at the top of a page and taking up a lot of eye-space. It helps determine if we should give you the sales routine. No, it helps determine if how much a criminal would value your identity. No, uh... what were we trying to do again?
However, on a brighter note: I guessed a criminal could buy me, er... buy my online digital e-identity (or whatever they call it) for $20. They say I could go for as little as $11.29. Obviously I didn't take bartering into account.
PS: BUY NORTON®!
Since somebody is clearly removing all the posts that are actual spam, couldn't they remove ones like this while they're about it?
Like you say, it's not spam, but it *is* similar. People who respond to spam beget more spam, and people who respond to flamebait / troll posts beget more of those posts.
Basically, it's not worth your time to respond, as that is exactly what these folks are looking for.
Don't bother with getting laid, it's just another time sink with no real sense of achievement.
Yeah, but the, uh, grind can be fun. :)
Where?
Sorry to reply to my own post, but I meant to include that I think heavy computer use has had other effects as well; such as shortening my attention span.
Hmm.
I'll add +1 to your sample. To be honest, I've noticed my spelling becoming much poorer both in script and in type. For me there is also a transpositioning of both letters and sometimes words, which sounds almost like a facet of dyslexia (I don't have other features of dyslexia that I know of). I don't know what the cause is, but my guess would have been automatic spell-checkers making it unnecessary to think about whether a word is correctly spelled or not.
VNC? I'm sure I've encountered the same problem. Setting an initial password is fine, but trying to update it invalidated the password.
Not only that but (more importantly) GP forgets that these guys were trying to access private data (voicemail).
What makes it private that doesn't apply equally to an unprotected WAP ?
Firstly, there is a difference in the level of 'private' - an SSID is broadcast on a public frequency. Some configurations will even connect to and use such a network without user intervention. You have to go looking for someone's voicemail inbox.
Secondly, as I say (perhaps unclearly) it is about the data. For example: Alice connects to Bob's unsecured network, and uses that link to send and receive email. At no point in this circumstance does see see any of Bob's data. She could, as I'm sure you are aware, but that is another discussion! In this voicemail case, they are connecting to a person's voicemail inbox, and then accessing that person's data (the voicemails themselves).
I hope that is enough to illustrate that is the difference. It was implied in my short reply, but probably wasn't clear.
Connecting to an unsecured WLAN generally doesn't involve accessing private data.
That depends a great deal on what you want to call "private". It certainly involves using someone else's property without permission or invitation.
I don't want to argue this point particularly. As GGP (Phroggy) says, the broadcast of an SSID in conjunction with a lack of encryption could be interpreted as an invitation. Like I said, in that case some setups will use such a network automatically.
Not only that but (more importantly) GP forgets that these guys were trying to access private data (voicemail). Connecting to an unsecured WLAN generally doesn't involve accessing private data.
The two are similar perhaps, but in slightly different leagues.
(In keeping with the time-honoured Slashdot tradition, I'm going to tell you what I think you should know, regardless of what it was you asked for*)
I quite agree with other posters that you should move to a bigger (> 20") LCD. I recently bought a HannsG 281D 28 inch monitor, which (volume wise) takes up about the same space as a 17-19 inch CRT. It is wider by a long shot, which may present a problem. On the other hand, it does 1920x200 and is about the biggest you can get for under GBP 1000 (and $1000 I'm guessing**).
In short it's a good monitor: bright, decent colours, and no ghosting. In my opinion, it is cheap for what you get. It's a TN panel, so dont do anything colour critical, but in all honesty you likely won't notice the difference in 95-99% of cases. I code, play games and watch both hi and low def movies on the monitor, and for all it's much better than using a 19", let alone a 17". Oh, and it has HDMI and VGA inputs. No DVI, but it comes with an HDMI->DVI cable.
* Even if the OP doesn't find this useful I'm sure other /.-ers will, as there are few decent reviews of the HannsG. Yes, this isn't a review, but knowing that someone is using it without problems is useful. As with all decent /. discussions, many will benefit.
** Yeah, gadget / electronic good price in USD = price in GBP. In this case the HannsG seems to be $350 on Amazon (I got mine from Amazon.co.uk, for what it's worth), so it's not quite the monumental shafting we normally get this side of the pond...
If we're lucky, they'll ask someone from the internet who would say something like "O HAI ALIENZ".
If we're unlucky, they'll contact one of the YouTube comment posters.
That AI script / tweak sounds really good - do you have a link for it?
BBC tech news and The Register also have the story, as usual. It might have been useful to actually link to Sunde's twitter page as well. I have to say, I liked his statement:
Really, it's a bit LOL. It used to be only movies, now even verdicts are out before the official release.
I have to say I am surprised by the verdict. I really thought they would avoid jail time at least. Maybe that was just me wanting to believe that, and so I believed the propaganda. It does seem a harsh sentence, although I guess that is due to the finding that they ran it for the money. You have to wonder how much of the decision is politically motivated like the raid was.
Also, the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) practically came in their pants over the decision. Some choice quotes from John Kennedy:
"Today's verdict is the right outcome on all three counts. The court has also handed down a strong deterrent sentence that reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed,"
"This is good news for everyone, in Sweden and internationally, who is making a living or a business from creative activity and who needs to know their rights will protected by law."
"These guys weren't making a principled stand, they were out to line their own pockets. There was nothing meritorious about their behaviour, it was reprehensible."
"There has been a perception that piracy is OK and that the music industry should just have to accept it. This verdict will change that,"
(emphasis mine)
Get the fuck over yourself. This won't change anything in the long run. You might win a battle here or there, but if you don't change, you're screwed. And maybe we'll start listening to you when you stop lobbying to have copyrights extended even further than their already ridiculous length; and when your brethren stop selectively suing defenceless people on flimsy evidence. Until then, I think I speak for most civilised people around here when I say: go fuck yourselves.
Honestly, what is this mythical use case in which hearing different sources of digital sound simultaneously is a good thing?
I can't tell from your tone if you're serious or being flippant. It seems like both. However, if you're serious... In addition to sibling posts, I have several other 'mythical' use cases too:
There are undoubtedly others that I can't think of because it's after 3 AM, but you get the idea I think. If you don't want mixing, that's your preference and I have nothing against it, but there are most definitely cases where it is desirable.
I have never understood why this auto-mixing is considered desirable.
Hope this cleared that up for you then.
I heard posting on April 1st in any discussion would give it.
Yes, that would be silly.
I'm not really running OO, for the exact resons you listed. I'm just saying I tried using OO, and my response was a criticism of all the advice I got from linux zealots who love to rub in your face how OO is perfect and can do everything Excel can do. Bullshit.
Not to put too find a point on it, but: that's what happens if you listen to zealots. There are plenty of rational, helpful people in here that will tell you exactly what OOo can and cannot do. The GP, who says "use Excel if you need Excel" is one of these.
Your comment was disingenuous and came off as an attack (rather than a criticism), as you made the statement that OOo "slows your work". Well yeah, trying to use a screwdriver as a hammer will slow your work too.
My advice is this: ignore the zealots who say obviously wrong things (that's pretty much trolling in any case), and listen to the plenty of informed people instead.