Just pretend you are the user you are writing for. If you have no idea what that type of person is like, find someone that does (sales, marketing, actual customer, etc).
Ask your self (or the other person), "What do you want to do" (over and over again, in different contexts). There are so many times we get wrapped up in the technology to create a solution that we start to build the UI based on it. The UI should be based on the desires/needs of the user. Why else would the software be developed? Taking this stance, when done with honesty, will usually lead to a simple and practical design.
This can get complicated as you may assume the role of a new user, and then someone that's an expert. Or someone that bought the software because they wanted it vs someone that is going to hate it just because their boss told them they need to use it. They will have different needs, that tend to contradict (simplicity vs configurability for example).
Sometimes it's quickest to start with pen and paper. Easy to create, easy to throw away, save what you need by scanning it in, then use that as the starting point for coding the UI.
If that's still too much of a challenge, involve other departments (QA, Tech Support, Documentation) and get their input. As far as "design guide", there are obvious conventions being used... follow them. Don't use checkboxes like radio buttons, don't use drop-downs to open a dialog box, etc.
If you get stuck in an area, start opening up interfaces from other software that has something similar and see how they do it. Then ask yourself if how they did it is "correct", or best, for your customer(s).
If it negatively effects the sail performance, sure. I was just wondering if it would. Instead of interference, the two may work together well since the boat would pitch and roll less. Maybe the boat would pitch and roll less, but jerk back and forth more. It would be interesting playing with the different ratios to find out what works best.
I've seen some comments about combining this tech with other current methods, like sail. However, I'm thinking the synchronization of the two could create difficulties. If you're sailing, would the energy created by the "wave fins" overcome the drag produced by them? Would any propulsion from the "wave fins" give you intermittent spurts forward, making the sailing less efficient?
My first thought would be that any movement forward would render the "wave fins" as useless, but as long as there is up-and-down motion going on, it appears that it will still add forward movement.
Actually, I think the OP was referring to Oregon's constitution, I could be wrong. Also (in reference to the OP), you can buy liquor in Oregon on Sundays, and new privilege given to liquor store contractors. They can be open until 9 on Friday and Saturday. The official "no serve" time in Oregon is 2:30am, so you can buy beer and wine after 1 (or liquor in a bar), but some stores/bars lock stuff up early as "insurance" from the OLCC (Oregon Liquor Consumption Cops).
Oregon's laws actually teach you to be a more responsible alcoholic. Instead of just buying it whenever you want, you have to stock up (or drive out of state, probably while under the influence). Stocking up causes planning though, and you get the volume discount (not sure if that's actually true, but it sounds good). Next thing you know, not only are you a drunk, but a drunk that can plan ahead and manage finances better. Thank You Oregon!!!
The point I'm making is, if you use Linux as your desktop, it's cause you only use a very limited subset of the functions, or because you're trying to prove a political or philosophical point.
Or because the machine you're using is technology from 1999 (with the exception of hard drives) and the only Windows install you have is an upgrade version of 98, with an upgrade version of '95, with a Windows For Workgroups 3.11 starting OS to upgrade from, that requires MS-DOS 6.22 (which I still do have all the floppies for, even if they are numbered wrong by Redmond).
I figured, rather than spend a weekend installing '98 with my current disks, that I'd give this Ubuntu thing a shot. The only thing I haven't been able to do is to get my Voodoo 2 3D daughter card to work, and that's because I'm choosing not to use the on-board 3-D. If I were to upgrade to any graphics card with 3D built in, I'm sure that would be solved.
From what I can tell you can do almost anything in Linux/Unix that you can do in Windows with the exception of specific apps, (but that's the nature of living in a reality where there's more than one OS). The only other exception I can think of is for niche areas. I've heard people complain that there's no video editing software, or maybe nothing of any practicality. However, I've met maybe one or two people in the last few years that had any desire to do video editing; it's not currently a mainstream desire.
Now, just because I stated that you can do nearly all the same stuff as in Windows doesn't mean it's going to be easy. This is my last complaint about Linux. There are still too many things that require a geek hat, or access to a geek. When the answer to changing some fairly trivial settings in Linux is no longer "open a shell and type 'sudo -txpaois -ASD }{|}*^%$ ', see it's easy!"... then Linux will have made a quantum leap.
Compiling several utilities to compile an app because it's not in apt-get can be lame when there's an error during./config too; but it's a heck of a lot better than my memories of Slackware in '95 (kinda doubt Slackware is any different today).
I'm starting to get tired of seeing the "vaporware" tag for stuff that actually exists. Just because you can't buy it yet doesn't mean it's vaporware. Now had the scientists said, "We came up with an idea that would allow us to make a material that will/might/should display a hologram/holograph in minutes", and it's touted as something that will be available, then it's vaporware.
However:
"The material has been shown to stay stable throughout hundreds of write and erase cycles."
and
"The team has automated the process of capturing, writing and erasing images via a system that can take input from MRI, CAT scans, satellite or aerial photographs and microscopes."
Shows that it not only exists (and will probably blend), but they've already tested methods of putting it to practical use. Notice how these statements are "past-tense"?
I never clicked the link to "Try our new Yahoo! mail interface". Considering the old interface still exists, have you thoroughly searched for a setting that lets you revert back? I can easily imagine that they wouldn't provide one if they want to ditch the old interface, but it also seems likely that they would allow it and just make it "not obvious".
I'm in the same boat btw regarding having used Yahoo's e-mail for ~10 years. Gmail scares me, but I can't think of any alternatives that will allow me to have a free, web-based, e-mail account that can hold more than 6Mb. Anyone know/use any good alternatives? Maybe that'll be the next Ask Slashdot.
Can/. agree to use "Google Android" or "gAndroid" or "Google's Android" or "Google's Android Phone Platform" (GAPP?).
Recently I just assume when I see "Android" on Slashdot it's a reference to Google's Android, but the first few times I was tricked.
I know what you mean. The other day a priest offered me six million dollars and after I walked away everyone thought it was because of something he had done.
To me, the fact that Negroponte walked away from 6,000,000 is pretty good evidence.
I have been using computers and programming since 1984 when I was eight years old. Over the years I have heard many people put down Intel and heard you described as "evil". I never put much stake in such statements and always considered Intel to be one of the best examples of an American company. I have been proud to use Intel products. I refused to send in my Pentium 90Mhz chip for a replacement that did not contain the floating point error (and I still have it!). I knew I would never expose the "flaw", and saw all the news regarding it as FUD. I have known about your community support, the annual cleaning of Oregon's beaches, and saw this as the epitome of capitalism.
However, I just finished reading an article on the BBC news website [ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7178241.stm ] and am appalled that you would stoop so low. I will NEVER buy an Intel product again. If anyone I know mentions they are going to buy Intel, I will be sure to tell them about how you decided to undermine third world children, their education, and their future. After that, I will detail any competing product, and show any selling points that make it a better purchase. Considering my computer experience, this is a significant number of people.
To quote the article, "The head of Intel Paul Otellini said an accusation that the firm had failed to deliver on promises was "hogwash'". From what I can tell, you were not accused to not delivering what you promised. You are accused of undermining the OLPC project by attempting to persuade governments to break the contract they made with the OLPC project. So the quote above is a nice diversion without blatantly lying, but I don't see it as much different. Maybe Paul should run for office.
Even if you just wish to push the Classmate PC, partnering with the OLPC program in order to prevent their adoption is the most underhanded public action I have seen since the Enron scandal.
Some people tell companies that they will never buy from them again then, a few years later have no problem lifting their personal boycott. Voting with my dollar is the most valuable vote I have. When I make a commitment like this I stick to it. I wish you could contact some of my friends to verify how true this is. Again, I will NEVER buy an Intel product and do my best to prevent others from supporting you. Congratulations, you've just lost a lifetime customer for life. AMD thanks you.
Name (made private for this post)
Mailing Address (made private for this post)
Phone number (made private for this post)
E-mail address (made private for this post)
That reminds me of when I hear someone ask, "How's your cold?" and the reply is, "It's getting better." Well, heck, if the cold is getting better, than that means the person is feeling worse!
Most of them have sucked for various reasons. Sometimes cheap parts were used to keep the price affordable by upper middle class. Other times the technology just wasn't up to par with the idea. However, I think the real reason why it hasn't taken off is due to liability. When I was researching VR goggles/HMD's I found several articles where test users experienced vertigo and flashback days after the test trials; while walking down the street not wearing a display.
If I were a manufacturer, that would stop me right there!
Yea, I realize the complaint. Marketing types are sharks. However, out of everyone here bitching about the display being like a 15 inch monitor, would you care to compare this to other PMP displays? Sometimes I wonder if people only post here because they found one little thing that they can bitch about.
Here's a clue stick This PMP isn't meant to replace your gaming/video editing machine! Out of all the PMP's I have read about, this display is vastly larger than any of them. Is it that much of a pain to say, "Wow! That's pretty cool", even if it is vapor-ish?
He could have also taken heed to the several signs saying something to the effect of, "Don't go this way if the weather is questionable!", but considered Google (or maybe it was something else) an expert above the local authorities. Having the gate locked would be a bad idea, people that do know how to navigate those roads in bad conditions still need to. I feel sorry for him and his surviving family, but it really took a lack of sense to continue down the road they chose. Even in good weather it's obvious that it's not regularly traveled and the signs are well posted, easy to see, and understand.
Ah, I think this site is where I found the better videos, don't know if they're still up (if I surf too many non-work related sites it's not good). In the search field, check the "video" checkbox and type "jacksonville".
but I don't recall anytime in recent memory when something like this was used to subdue a peaceful crowd, or as you put it, 'control the domestic herd.'
That's because when it happens, only the local media mention it. During the last Presidential race, peaceful protesters in Jacksonville Oregon were shot with gas bullets when Bush arrived. Of course, non of the Bush supporters were asked to leave, or attacked. It started with an officer assaulting a woman who was standing holding her 3-5 year old daughter. An old man, "wasn't moving fast enough" for the officers when they decided the we could not peacefully protest, and hit him with multiple gas bullets at point-blank range. The other people around him were trying to help him and pleading with the cops to stop so they could help the man off the ground. There were other moments of straight-up, unprovoked assault, by officers on peaceful protesters (that had quit protesting by that point and were attempting to walk back to their cars. The only video of this I could find was this crappy one. I know better ones are out there that are more "tv news reporting" style, with less artistic footage, that show everything I've described here. They were on some independent news sites back when this happened.
The real point of this post, though, is that this even was not reported anywhere outside of the Rogue Valley. Even Eugene and Portland had no mention of it in the nightly news, papers, etc. And I've heard of many similar events, seen footage of them as well, but the news never talks about it.
nobody produced games for this after around 1984 or so because pirate BBS were so prevalent If this were true, games would have completely disappeared after the Internet became a mainstream concept. The more notable reason why games weren't produced for the Mac was due to Apples coding standards.
See, in the earlier days of Apple, you could write whatever program you wanted to, however you wanted to. Then Apple issued a coding standards book for any software claiming to be compatible with their machine (this might have coincided with the Mac coming on the scene). The book was several inches thick.
Now, if you were itching to get your game idea into reality, or perhaps a company with over-head, would you want to waste time (and money) reading and adhering to those standards? Or would you rather make your game for a DOS PC? Pretty darn easy choice at that time.
Thanks!
I was wondering if that was possible, since all of my/home data is on a separate (40G) drive. So, installing a new version on my 20 Gig will keep everything on my 40 Gig untouched? If you could send me a private message on ubuntuforms I'll be able to contact you easier, if I need to.
B) After the last upgrade fiasco, the Ubuntu devs are putting special care to make sure the update tool works this time
Great, can they fix what they broke during my last upgrade? I haven't been able to get to my/home directory in months. At least I recovered from the upgrade before that; with the help of a Unix guru. Considering that I've had major problems with Ubuntu upgrades (one from Breezy to Dapper, the other a minor upgrade), I don't trust them at all.
1) Force people to develop cross platform software and hardware (yeah right) You mean like web apps? It's not that hard. At least, not as hard as making a desktop app for different platforms.
Slashdot Mirror
Just pretend you are the user you are writing for. If you have no idea what that type of person is like, find someone that does (sales, marketing, actual customer, etc).
Ask your self (or the other person), "What do you want to do" (over and over again, in different contexts). There are so many times we get wrapped up in the technology to create a solution that we start to build the UI based on it. The UI should be based on the desires/needs of the user. Why else would the software be developed? Taking this stance, when done with honesty, will usually lead to a simple and practical design.
This can get complicated as you may assume the role of a new user, and then someone that's an expert. Or someone that bought the software because they wanted it vs someone that is going to hate it just because their boss told them they need to use it. They will have different needs, that tend to contradict (simplicity vs configurability for example).
Sometimes it's quickest to start with pen and paper. Easy to create, easy to throw away, save what you need by scanning it in, then use that as the starting point for coding the UI.
If that's still too much of a challenge, involve other departments (QA, Tech Support, Documentation) and get their input. As far as "design guide", there are obvious conventions being used... follow them. Don't use checkboxes like radio buttons, don't use drop-downs to open a dialog box, etc.
If you get stuck in an area, start opening up interfaces from other software that has something similar and see how they do it. Then ask yourself if how they did it is "correct", or best, for your customer(s).
Good Luck!
If it negatively effects the sail performance, sure. I was just wondering if it would. Instead of interference, the two may work together well since the boat would pitch and roll less. Maybe the boat would pitch and roll less, but jerk back and forth more. It would be interesting playing with the different ratios to find out what works best.
I've seen some comments about combining this tech with other current methods, like sail. However, I'm thinking the synchronization of the two could create difficulties. If you're sailing, would the energy created by the "wave fins" overcome the drag produced by them? Would any propulsion from the "wave fins" give you intermittent spurts forward, making the sailing less efficient?
My first thought would be that any movement forward would render the "wave fins" as useless, but as long as there is up-and-down motion going on, it appears that it will still add forward movement.
This site, about his boat, says a typical petroleum fueled voyage would be one month.
Here's his website:
http://www1.suntory-mermaid2.com/english/index.html
Actually, I think the OP was referring to Oregon's constitution, I could be wrong. Also (in reference to the OP), you can buy liquor in Oregon on Sundays, and new privilege given to liquor store contractors. They can be open until 9 on Friday and Saturday. The official "no serve" time in Oregon is 2:30am, so you can buy beer and wine after 1 (or liquor in a bar), but some stores/bars lock stuff up early as "insurance" from the OLCC (Oregon Liquor Consumption Cops).
Oregon's laws actually teach you to be a more responsible alcoholic. Instead of just buying it whenever you want, you have to stock up (or drive out of state, probably while under the influence). Stocking up causes planning though, and you get the volume discount (not sure if that's actually true, but it sounds good). Next thing you know, not only are you a drunk, but a drunk that can plan ahead and manage finances better. Thank You Oregon!!!
Or because the machine you're using is technology from 1999 (with the exception of hard drives) and the only Windows install you have is an upgrade version of 98, with an upgrade version of '95, with a Windows For Workgroups 3.11 starting OS to upgrade from, that requires MS-DOS 6.22 (which I still do have all the floppies for, even if they are numbered wrong by Redmond).
I figured, rather than spend a weekend installing '98 with my current disks, that I'd give this Ubuntu thing a shot. The only thing I haven't been able to do is to get my Voodoo 2 3D daughter card to work, and that's because I'm choosing not to use the on-board 3-D. If I were to upgrade to any graphics card with 3D built in, I'm sure that would be solved.
From what I can tell you can do almost anything in Linux/Unix that you can do in Windows with the exception of specific apps, (but that's the nature of living in a reality where there's more than one OS). The only other exception I can think of is for niche areas. I've heard people complain that there's no video editing software, or maybe nothing of any practicality. However, I've met maybe one or two people in the last few years that had any desire to do video editing; it's not currently a mainstream desire.
Now, just because I stated that you can do nearly all the same stuff as in Windows doesn't mean it's going to be easy. This is my last complaint about Linux. There are still too many things that require a geek hat, or access to a geek. When the answer to changing some fairly trivial settings in Linux is no longer "open a shell and type 'sudo -txpaois -ASD }{|}*^%$ ', see it's easy!"... then Linux will have made a quantum leap.
Compiling several utilities to compile an app because it's not in apt-get can be lame when there's an error during
I'm starting to get tired of seeing the "vaporware" tag for stuff that actually exists. Just because you can't buy it yet doesn't mean it's vaporware. Now had the scientists said, "We came up with an idea that would allow us to make a material that will/might/should display a hologram/holograph in minutes", and it's touted as something that will be available, then it's vaporware.
However:
"The material has been shown to stay stable throughout hundreds of write and erase cycles."
and
"The team has automated the process of capturing, writing and erasing images via a system that can take input from MRI, CAT scans, satellite or aerial photographs and microscopes."
Shows that it not only exists (and will probably blend), but they've already tested methods of putting it to practical use. Notice how these statements are "past-tense"?
Now, git off ma' lawn!
I've heard of Telugu! I have no idea where I've heard of it though. You're probably the second person I've heard mention it.
I never clicked the link to "Try our new Yahoo! mail interface". Considering the old interface still exists, have you thoroughly searched for a setting that lets you revert back? I can easily imagine that they wouldn't provide one if they want to ditch the old interface, but it also seems likely that they would allow it and just make it "not obvious".
I'm in the same boat btw regarding having used Yahoo's e-mail for ~10 years. Gmail scares me, but I can't think of any alternatives that will allow me to have a free, web-based, e-mail account that can hold more than 6Mb. Anyone know/use any good alternatives? Maybe that'll be the next Ask Slashdot.
Can /. agree to use "Google Android" or "gAndroid" or "Google's Android" or "Google's Android Phone Platform" (GAPP?).
Recently I just assume when I see "Android" on Slashdot it's a reference to Google's Android, but the first few times I was tricked.
I know what you mean. The other day a priest offered me six million dollars and after I walked away everyone thought it was because of something he had done.
To me, the fact that Negroponte walked away from 6,000,000 is pretty good evidence.
Here's the letter I e-mailed to Intel
Dear Intel,
I have been using computers and programming since 1984 when I was eight years old. Over the years I have heard many people put down Intel and heard you described as "evil". I never put much stake in such statements and always considered Intel to be one of the best examples of an American company. I have been proud to use Intel products. I refused to send in my Pentium 90Mhz chip for a replacement that did not contain the floating point error (and I still have it!). I knew I would never expose the "flaw", and saw all the news regarding it as FUD. I have known about your community support, the annual cleaning of Oregon's beaches, and saw this as the epitome of capitalism.
However, I just finished reading an article on the BBC news website [ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7178241.stm ] and am appalled that you would stoop so low. I will NEVER buy an Intel product again. If anyone I know mentions they are going to buy Intel, I will be sure to tell them about how you decided to undermine third world children, their education, and their future. After that, I will detail any competing product, and show any selling points that make it a better purchase. Considering my computer experience, this is a significant number of people.
To quote the article, "The head of Intel Paul Otellini said an accusation that the firm had failed to deliver on promises was "hogwash'". From what I can tell, you were not accused to not delivering what you promised. You are accused of undermining the OLPC project by attempting to persuade governments to break the contract they made with the OLPC project. So the quote above is a nice diversion without blatantly lying, but I don't see it as much different. Maybe Paul should run for office.
Even if you just wish to push the Classmate PC, partnering with the OLPC program in order to prevent their adoption is the most underhanded public action I have seen since the Enron scandal.
Some people tell companies that they will never buy from them again then, a few years later have no problem lifting their personal boycott. Voting with my dollar is the most valuable vote I have. When I make a commitment like this I stick to it. I wish you could contact some of my friends to verify how true this is. Again, I will NEVER buy an Intel product and do my best to prevent others from supporting you. Congratulations, you've just lost a lifetime customer for life. AMD thanks you.
Name (made private for this post)
Mailing Address (made private for this post)
Phone number (made private for this post)
E-mail address (made private for this post)
That reminds me of when I hear someone ask, "How's your cold?" and the reply is, "It's getting better." Well, heck, if the cold is getting better, than that means the person is feeling worse!
Most of them have sucked for various reasons. Sometimes cheap parts were used to keep the price affordable by upper middle class. Other times the technology just wasn't up to par with the idea. However, I think the real reason why it hasn't taken off is due to liability. When I was researching VR goggles/HMD's I found several articles where test users experienced vertigo and flashback days after the test trials; while walking down the street not wearing a display.
If I were a manufacturer, that would stop me right there!
Yea, I realize the complaint. Marketing types are sharks. However, out of everyone here bitching about the display being like a 15 inch monitor, would you care to compare this to other PMP displays? Sometimes I wonder if people only post here because they found one little thing that they can bitch about.
Here's a clue stick This PMP isn't meant to replace your gaming/video editing machine! Out of all the PMP's I have read about, this display is vastly larger than any of them. Is it that much of a pain to say, "Wow! That's pretty cool", even if it is vapor-ish?
He could have also taken heed to the several signs saying something to the effect of, "Don't go this way if the weather is questionable!", but considered Google (or maybe it was something else) an expert above the local authorities. Having the gate locked would be a bad idea, people that do know how to navigate those roads in bad conditions still need to. I feel sorry for him and his surviving family, but it really took a lack of sense to continue down the road they chose. Even in good weather it's obvious that it's not regularly traveled and the signs are well posted, easy to see, and understand.
Ah, I think this site is where I found the better videos, don't know if they're still up (if I surf too many non-work related sites it's not good). In the search field, check the "video" checkbox and type "jacksonville".
That's because when it happens, only the local media mention it. During the last Presidential race, peaceful protesters in Jacksonville Oregon were shot with gas bullets when Bush arrived. Of course, non of the Bush supporters were asked to leave, or attacked. It started with an officer assaulting a woman who was standing holding her 3-5 year old daughter. An old man, "wasn't moving fast enough" for the officers when they decided the we could not peacefully protest, and hit him with multiple gas bullets at point-blank range. The other people around him were trying to help him and pleading with the cops to stop so they could help the man off the ground. There were other moments of straight-up, unprovoked assault, by officers on peaceful protesters (that had quit protesting by that point and were attempting to walk back to their cars. The only video of this I could find was this crappy one. I know better ones are out there that are more "tv news reporting" style, with less artistic footage, that show everything I've described here. They were on some independent news sites back when this happened.
The real point of this post, though, is that this even was not reported anywhere outside of the Rogue Valley. Even Eugene and Portland had no mention of it in the nightly news, papers, etc. And I've heard of many similar events, seen footage of them as well, but the news never talks about it.
I thought quarks were held together with gluons. Don't know how big a neutrino is supposed to be, but I know they pass through matter easily.
See, in the earlier days of Apple, you could write whatever program you wanted to, however you wanted to. Then Apple issued a coding standards book for any software claiming to be compatible with their machine (this might have coincided with the Mac coming on the scene). The book was several inches thick.
Now, if you were itching to get your game idea into reality, or perhaps a company with over-head, would you want to waste time (and money) reading and adhering to those standards? Or would you rather make your game for a DOS PC? Pretty darn easy choice at that time.
Thanks! I was wondering if that was possible, since all of my /home data is on a separate (40G) drive. So, installing a new version on my 20 Gig will keep everything on my 40 Gig untouched? If you could send me a private message on ubuntuforms I'll be able to contact you easier, if I need to.
More proof that Ubuntu devs need to focus more on making upgrade not so much of a problematic pain in the ass.
Great, can they fix what they broke during my last upgrade? I haven't been able to get to my