Here's hoping it's that special hell, reserved for child molesters and people who talk in theaters.
My most recent experience with T-Mobile's VRU system went pretty well, all things considered.
Voice: "Tell me what you want..." (it carries on for a bit, with options) Me: "I'm going to cancel my phone account if I don't speak to a real person NOW" Voice: "Please hold on, a representative will be with you shortly."
Short and to the point, plus, I don't have to worry about being rude to a mechanical voice.:P
Dude, you should have seen the CD Collection my mother had when sh passed away (2 copies of the Titanic soundtrack???). All three of us kids decided to give them away to the thrift store along with a lot of her clothing and other things that were good, but not usable by ourselves....and yes, I have done penance for it.
This is all well and good, if you believe the big-bucks, corporate lapdogs in our nations capital would do it justice, but it needs one more bullet point to make it satisfactory, in my mind:
* Ensure strict and severe penalties for persons or corporations violating these rules. Ensure that any person or corporation that violates these rules suffer strict penalties, including, but not limited to reimbursement to the person or persons affected, no less than ten times their loss, or some minimum fine.
Yea, I believe the bastards who mine our computers with spyware needs to be held accountable.:)
I used to work as a contractor at a large computer company who not only builds large-scale systems, but also manages them for clients, both on site, and off, and for the entire 4+ years I worked there, the word passw0rd was used on a large number of client servers, for user accounts with admin-like authority.
As far as I know, it's never been changed, and I saw a large number of people come and go, and not all of them left on good terms...
Note: I know this is kind of late for posting a reply, but I made my post just before leaving work, and have just returned.
Number are good, but they hardly count for everything.:)
In my case, the reason for wanting a MythTv box is so that, next year, or the year after, once Tivo has given in to the broadcasters and put limits on how long you can keep a recording, or weather you can record it at all (which, IMO, is more likely to happen), I'll still be able to make recordings and watch them at my leisure.
I have a wireless network set up at home, (not the fastest I know, but I do not plan on streaming video anywhere) which means the box will have internet access to get it's scheduling. Plus the possibility of using said box to watch DVD's, listen to music, surf the web, play games on, etc. There are a LOT more options here than with just a regular PVR, regardless of the cost.
So, to spend more money on a Myth box will be worth it to me in the long run, I think. If not, well, I'll want to replace the Linux box I gave away to a family member eventually.
Thereare a few companies doing just that. The prices are much more than 299 though. It would be cheaper to build it yourself, or even to find a friendly linux geek who will do it for kicks for you, or for a little bit of money.
You'd still have to put out for the parts.
I'm purchasing my own bits and pieces to build a MythTV box little by little. It does take some time, but I think it'll be worth it in the end.
[Clippy] - Hi there! It looks like you want to listen to music. Shall I get license information for you? [User] - No. [Clippy] Too late. I've already search our database, and cannot find any. It looks like you've pirated this music. I'll just notify the RIAA. Enjoy your music...
Actually, cost IS the reason it'll take some time. My budget is pretty tight, although now that school money is in, I can reimburse myself for what I've spent on books and supplies, and buy some toys.:)
I will still have to purchase the equipment a piece or two at a time, rather than all at once.
I'm looking at the tuner cards first, since I want to make sure I can get one before they are forced to accept the broadcast flag (or is that already in place?)
While it may not be what your looking for, there is a list of themes on the site as well.
As far as responsiveness, I can't tell you, since I haven't yet build a box. I suspect that will depend, much like any other computer operating system, on the CPU and amount of memory.
Hopefully, it'll be as, if not more responsive as Tivo was most of the time.
I dithered between the idea of getting another Tivo (one not tied to DirectTV) and building a MythTV box. After their glitch, which allowed people to see the content restrictions that can be put in place, I've decided to build my own.
It'll take a few months though. Until then, I'll stick with the old fashioned way of recording. Setting the channels before I leave the house, and setting the VCR (crap that it is, It still records) to record.
a + symbol and any string can be added between you gmail account name and the at symbol.
They are vaild addresses an delivered to you.
In my case i use them for security purposes, suspect sites i use carl0ski+spam
as my address. then filter it straight to trash:)
I've tried that, and was told (by the site) that it was not a valid address. I'm guessing that some sites, who really want to spam you, have already programmed filters for this kind of email address.
I now use my old @email.com address for anything, and just log in an delete anything there once a week...
The problem with corporate security is NOT that of the IT department, it is the users, who may or may not be in the IT dept.
This kind of attitude is a dangerous one for IT because if corporations start to think in this manner, it's only a matter of time before they start to "outsource" even more.
No, the problem IS with the user. The one who opens a suspect email, or who's visiting risky sites is the one who needs to pay the price for their mistakes. Downtime, or worse.
The attitude that "IT will clean things up if I get a virus" will quickly go away when people start getting reprimanded for unsafe practices.
Perhaps I'm just being a hard-ass, but I guarantee after one or two people get fired for surfing inappropriate sites, or opening an email with a virus, the problem will start to go away.
If the owner (whomever it may be at the moment) has to pay people to provide the services, the sites would not make a profit, and thus, would die very quickly.
The volunteers do it mainly out of respect for the site, game, or topic they work under. Their work on the site keeps it running as much as the ad revenue does.
It's a lot of tedious work sometimes, but if you like the sites, you help keep them up and running.
I've seen lots of places that have started requiring you to fill in the amount of the tip before the transaction is authorized. I assume this is because of stricter regulations by the payment processors.
Personally, I'd prefer this. I've not had any problems so far, but who knows what an unscrupulous restaraunt employee might do, given the chance.
I pay tips with cash whenever possible, so there's no way for the management to track it.
I don't have trouble staying awake that long, I'm at work during those hours.
My VCR is standing by to record already. I'll be bringing that to work with me tomorrow night (along with a couple of DVDs) for the long, slow Saturday night grind...
Slashdot Mirror
Having been playing D&D in one form or another for almost 30 years (possibly more), It should be easy to Ace this "class."
Actually, it might be cool to take it, since it concentrates on the 3rd edition rules, which I've not learned, even though I have the book.
H.
Shouldn't that be:
In Soviet Russia, the adds call You!
Wait, that happens here in the US too...
H.
Here's hoping it's that special hell, reserved for child molesters and people who talk in theaters.
:P
My most recent experience with T-Mobile's VRU system went pretty well, all things considered.
Voice: "Tell me what you want..." (it carries on for a bit, with options)
Me: "I'm going to cancel my phone account if I don't speak to a real person NOW"
Voice: "Please hold on, a representative will be with you shortly."
Short and to the point, plus, I don't have to worry about being rude to a mechanical voice.
Dude, you should have seen the CD Collection my mother had when sh passed away (2 copies of the Titanic soundtrack???). All three of us kids decided to give them away to the thrift store along with a lot of her clothing and other things that were good, but not usable by ourselves. ...and yes, I have done penance for it.
H.
There is one, possibly two more online comics to add to my morning (well, afternoon) reading.
I haven't yet gotten tot he point where Firefox will not be able to display all the tabs, but it's getting real close.
No more, ok?
H.
I guess that would explain why the site is down... :P
H.
This is all well and good, if you believe the big-bucks, corporate lapdogs in our nations capital would do it justice, but it needs one more bullet point to make it satisfactory, in my mind:
:)
* Ensure strict and severe penalties for persons or corporations violating these rules. Ensure that any person or corporation that violates these rules suffer strict penalties, including, but not limited to reimbursement to the person or persons affected, no less than ten times their loss, or some minimum fine.
Yea, I believe the bastards who mine our computers with spyware needs to be held accountable.
H.
They can't come up with names beginning with X, Y, and Z.
H.
I used to work as a contractor at a large computer company who not only builds large-scale systems, but also manages them for clients, both on site, and off, and for the entire 4+ years I worked there, the word passw0rd was used on a large number of client servers, for user accounts with admin-like authority.
:)
As far as I know, it's never been changed, and I saw a large number of people come and go, and not all of them left on good terms...
It's a good thing I don't hold a grudge.
H.
The ground clearance sucks.
H
Note: I know this is kind of late for posting a reply, but I made my post just before leaving work, and have just returned.
:)
Number are good, but they hardly count for everything.
In my case, the reason for wanting a MythTv box is so that, next year, or the year after, once Tivo has given in to the broadcasters and put limits on how long you can keep a recording, or weather you can record it at all (which, IMO, is more likely to happen), I'll still be able to make recordings and watch them at my leisure.
I have a wireless network set up at home, (not the fastest I know, but I do not plan on streaming video anywhere) which means the box will have internet access to get it's scheduling. Plus the possibility of using said box to watch DVD's, listen to music, surf the web, play games on, etc. There are a LOT more options here than with just a regular PVR, regardless of the cost.
So, to spend more money on a Myth box will be worth it to me in the long run, I think. If not, well, I'll want to replace the Linux box I gave away to a family member eventually.
H.
Well...
There are a few companies doing just that. The prices are much more than 299 though. It would be cheaper to build it yourself, or even to find a friendly linux geek who will do it for kicks for you, or for a little bit of money.
You'd still have to put out for the parts.
I'm purchasing my own bits and pieces to build a MythTV box little by little. It does take some time, but I think it'll be worth it in the end.
H.
[Clippy] - Hi there! It looks like you want to listen to music. Shall I get license information for you?
[User] - No.
[Clippy] Too late. I've already search our database, and cannot find any. It looks like you've pirated this music. I'll just notify the RIAA. Enjoy your music...
Actually, cost IS the reason it'll take some time. My budget is pretty tight, although now that school money is in, I can reimburse myself for what I've spent on books and supplies, and buy some toys. :)
I will still have to purchase the equipment a piece or two at a time, rather than all at once.
I'm looking at the tuner cards first, since I want to make sure I can get one before they are forced to accept the broadcast flag (or is that already in place?)
H.
While it may not be what your looking for, there is a list of themes on the site as well.
As far as responsiveness, I can't tell you, since I haven't yet build a box. I suspect that will depend, much like any other computer operating system, on the CPU and amount of memory.
Hopefully, it'll be as, if not more responsive as Tivo was most of the time.
H.
As far as aesthetics goes, I believe that MythTV is themeable, so you have a few choices.
Here are some screenshots to peruse.
I dithered between the idea of getting another Tivo (one not tied to DirectTV) and building a MythTV box. After their glitch, which allowed people to see the content restrictions that can be put in place, I've decided to build my own.
It'll take a few months though. Until then, I'll stick with the old fashioned way of recording. Setting the channels before I leave the house, and setting the VCR (crap that it is, It still records) to record.
H.
I've tried that, and was told (by the site) that it was not a valid address. I'm guessing that some sites, who really want to spam you, have already programmed filters for this kind of email address.
I now use my old @email.com address for anything, and just log in an delete anything there once a week...
Brain Freeze!!!
H.
The problem with corporate security is NOT that of the IT department, it is the users, who may or may not be in the IT dept.
This kind of attitude is a dangerous one for IT because if corporations start to think in this manner, it's only a matter of time before they start to "outsource" even more.
No, the problem IS with the user. The one who opens a suspect email, or who's visiting risky sites is the one who needs to pay the price for their mistakes. Downtime, or worse.
The attitude that "IT will clean things up if I get a virus" will quickly go away when people start getting reprimanded for unsafe practices.
Perhaps I'm just being a hard-ass, but I guarantee after one or two people get fired for surfing inappropriate sites, or opening an email with a virus, the problem will start to go away.
H.
Well, seven is almost always a good thing, once you get past the "Deadly Sins" it's all good.
It worked for Samurai, Gunslingers, and Space-Faring aliens, so why not for an OS?
H.
If the owner (whomever it may be at the moment) has to pay people to provide the services, the sites would not make a profit, and thus, would die very quickly.
The volunteers do it mainly out of respect for the site, game, or topic they work under. Their work on the site keeps it running as much as the ad revenue does.
It's a lot of tedious work sometimes, but if you like the sites, you help keep them up and running.
H.
Pay pal probably emailed him and it got eaten by the spam filters.
:P
I get a couple of pay pal and ebay account suspension notices a week on my gmail account, and they always end up in the spam box.
I don't have either type of account.
H.
Personally, I'd prefer this. I've not had any problems so far, but who knows what an unscrupulous restaraunt employee might do, given the chance.
I pay tips with cash whenever possible, so there's no way for the management to track it.
H.
I have to agree with you there. As Bester, Coenig proved he is more than a two-dimensional actor.
He makes a great villain.
H.
I don't have trouble staying awake that long, I'm at work during those hours.
My VCR is standing by to record already. I'll be bringing that to work with me tomorrow night (along with a couple of DVDs) for the long, slow Saturday night grind...