The problem is that most phones cost a couple hundred bucks, not $600. Sure, if you have the latest super-Palm device that cost $600 bucks in the first place and you're paying $120 bucks every month for service, then 5 bucks a month is nothing. Then again, if you're paying that (and not your employer), then I personally think you probably fall into the idiot category anyways...
Interesting. The article I read (the USAToday one linked above) said that Verizon dropped the fee after the FCC began a formal investigation. However, Verizon issued a statement saying that they were doing it due to customer feedback. Keep in mind that they also justified the cost by saying it was to cover rising "supplier costs," when Verizon themselves are their own supplier. I'm personally more inclined to believe that it was the FCC pressure that brought about this change rather than Verizon saying, "Well, our customers told us they didn't want this fee so we'd better not charge them."
I saw this on the last bill I received from Verizon. There was a leaflet indicating that they would no longer be charging me the $1.73 FCC Universal Service Fund fee. However, they were then adding their own (non-FCC mandated) fee of $1.65 to the bill. There was additional language basically saying that I should be grateful since I'd be saving a whole 8 cents a month blah blah blah. It pissed me off when I read it, but I'm glad the FCC stepped in and stopped this crap. Of course, it just means that Verizon will end up tacking on a similar fee somewhere else where they can get away with it (like an "oncall operator service fee" or some such nonsense).
I have to second this. It seems that every few months there's another Ask Slashdot asking "How can my computer teach me to play an instrument." And every time the actual musicians in the crowd chime in with "It can't!" Like fatrat said, get a portable metronome for time-keeping. As for the tuner, get some tuning forks or a pitch pipe or maybe an electronic tuner that spits out various tones. And then use your EAR to match those notes (not your eyes). That's the only way you will really learn how to play in tune (as well as adjust your intonation as necessary).
I'd suggest throwing out random Monty Python quotes. The best one for this would be walking up to the guys and saying, "Nudge nudge, wink wink, know what I mean, know what I mean, say no more..."
Why do we call the folks that run Slashdot "Editors" anyway?
I honestly have no idea. I tend to think of them as story-posting monkeys. They sit behind a panel that has big "accept" and "reject" buttons that they randomly punch as submissions come in. How else can you explain the ridiculous amount of dupes, tripes, and tripe?
I've had a fair amount of fun with Elektroplankton. It definitely falls into the "fun noise toy" category. Without really knowing what sort of gamer you are, I'd suggest Tetris DS if you like Tetris. I've barely touched any of the single player modes because I have so much fun in the online matches. Also, Metroid Pinball is a pretty decent pinball game. And then there's always NSMB and Mario Kart...
Hmmm. That's not good. At the same time, I (unfortunately) wouldn't put it past Lucas to do this. I guess I'll wait to see the reviews before I pick up a copy.
The original unaltered trilogy is being released on DVD in the next few weeks. However, I'm curious about your "not in a particularly satisfactory way" comment. What do you mean by that?
Slashdot Mirror
The problem is that most phones cost a couple hundred bucks, not $600. Sure, if you have the latest super-Palm device that cost $600 bucks in the first place and you're paying $120 bucks every month for service, then 5 bucks a month is nothing. Then again, if you're paying that (and not your employer), then I personally think you probably fall into the idiot category anyways...
Yeah, I was a big fan of Oregon Trail back in the day, too...
Interesting. The article I read (the USAToday one linked above) said that Verizon dropped the fee after the FCC began a formal investigation. However, Verizon issued a statement saying that they were doing it due to customer feedback. Keep in mind that they also justified the cost by saying it was to cover rising "supplier costs," when Verizon themselves are their own supplier. I'm personally more inclined to believe that it was the FCC pressure that brought about this change rather than Verizon saying, "Well, our customers told us they didn't want this fee so we'd better not charge them."
I saw this on the last bill I received from Verizon. There was a leaflet indicating that they would no longer be charging me the $1.73 FCC Universal Service Fund fee. However, they were then adding their own (non-FCC mandated) fee of $1.65 to the bill. There was additional language basically saying that I should be grateful since I'd be saving a whole 8 cents a month blah blah blah. It pissed me off when I read it, but I'm glad the FCC stepped in and stopped this crap. Of course, it just means that Verizon will end up tacking on a similar fee somewhere else where they can get away with it (like an "oncall operator service fee" or some such nonsense).
Seriously, we were still using Web 1.0 back then...
I have to second this. It seems that every few months there's another Ask Slashdot asking "How can my computer teach me to play an instrument." And every time the actual musicians in the crowd chime in with "It can't!" Like fatrat said, get a portable metronome for time-keeping. As for the tuner, get some tuning forks or a pitch pipe or maybe an electronic tuner that spits out various tones. And then use your EAR to match those notes (not your eyes). That's the only way you will really learn how to play in tune (as well as adjust your intonation as necessary).
I'd suggest throwing out random Monty Python quotes. The best one for this would be walking up to the guys and saying, "Nudge nudge, wink wink, know what I mean, know what I mean, say no more..."
If sources are cited or don't check out, edits don't get made. That's the way it ought to be.
Hmmm, that almost sounds like some sort of editorial control or something...
Protect my privacy, but sell my search results?
Just forward the message to someone you can't stand...
I like to copy the text from a read receipt and then send a dozen or so messages containing that text to the sender over the next 30 minutes. : p
How are they going to make money?
Duh, the same way everyone else does:
2) ???
Why do we call the folks that run Slashdot "Editors" anyway?
I honestly have no idea. I tend to think of them as story-posting monkeys. They sit behind a panel that has big "accept" and "reject" buttons that they randomly punch as submissions come in. How else can you explain the ridiculous amount of dupes, tripes, and tripe?
How many light bulbs does it take to change the world? No wait, that's not right...
I'm guessing it's because they have offices, and hence a corporate presence, in Britain.
I've had a fair amount of fun with Elektroplankton. It definitely falls into the "fun noise toy" category. Without really knowing what sort of gamer you are, I'd suggest Tetris DS if you like Tetris. I've barely touched any of the single player modes because I have so much fun in the online matches. Also, Metroid Pinball is a pretty decent pinball game. And then there's always NSMB and Mario Kart...
Swearing would be converted to text, then ****'d out so kids couldn't be exposed to "vulgar" language.
Animal Crossing for the DS does this when texting with others.
Hmmm. That's not good. At the same time, I (unfortunately) wouldn't put it past Lucas to do this. I guess I'll wait to see the reviews before I pick up a copy.
The original unaltered trilogy is being released on DVD in the next few weeks. However, I'm curious about your "not in a particularly satisfactory way" comment. What do you mean by that?
Keep in mind that he said "...due to lack of space and general kindness." I read that as saying both his space and general kindness were lacking...
In other words, it's a joke.
Yes. Yes it is. And apparently it's one that you didn't quite get.
Does the 'Angle/Devil' one show how a Mac can help kids with their geometry homework?
What's a poor, bible-thumping redneck supposed to do?
Ummm, I'm gonna guess it's something involving some beer, a pickup, and a gun?
Did they get around to implementing the "funny" feature in this version? Or was it pulled at the last minute again cos it still didn't work right?
...but America's "Funniest" Home Videos doesn't have TV clips and music videos.
No, it didn't. Instead you had to wait for the special "Funniest TV Moments" or "Bestest Music Video" shows that seemed to air every few weeks.