I've been on hi-speed for about 6 years now, so the whole AOL/dial-up thing is sorta moot from where I sit. However, the following caught my attention (from TFA):
Mr. Goldston also noted that dial-up Internet access had become phenomenally profitable in recent years as the wholesale telecommunications costs to providers like AOL have fallen from 45 cents an hour to less than 6 cents an hour.
I see "PeoplePC" and "EarthLink" commercials on TV on a regular basis, and both charge less than half of AOL's $25/mo. Are lower costs/prices the secret to their sucess? How big is the overall market share of dial-up users at this point? How does the profitability of Cable/DSL compare?
How long until we see a similiar "paradigm shift" with consumer high-speed Internet pricing? If prices dropped accordingly, my $50 monthly cablemode/VoIP costs would become a nominal $6.50 per month. Heck, if it was that cheap I might even order a (gasp!) Pay-Per-View movie now and again.
Is it inevitable, or a pipe dream? Verizon and OptOnline have been battling pretty fiercly here in New York over the past few years, but both have maintained the same basic pricing throughout.
Re:I only need 2 folders -- get real, packrats!
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I had one friend who drove me crazy by having 20-something email accounts, all routed this way and that into a series of goofy relays and so forth. He claimed it was "better organization" and that I didn't understand "his system".
I had a client who refused to learn how to bookmark, and instead would email herself with links to various websites. My spam filters were constantly eating her one-line, link-only messages.
Personally, I delete about 90% of the emails I get, and tend to hang on to stuff with phone numbers or addresses. Sure, I could use one of a zillion clients to manage this info, but I simply prefer "my way", just like little Ms. Bookmark or Routey the Rodent.
At the end of the day, are any of us wrong? I could argue why I use "my way" all night long, but so long as the user is getting the job done, I think this sort of argument is futile.
That was before the era of televised debates. He then lost to kennedy...
Scratch that, reverse it. Nixon lost to Kennedy first (60), then won the Presidency (68), then was re-elected over Humphrey (72). However, you are 100% correct about the "TV phenomena"; those watching the Kennedy/Nixon debates on tv said that Kennedy won, those listening via radio said Nixon was the better man (it ended in a very narrow win by Kennedy).
Bullshit. There is no such thing as a pro lifer who votes democratic...
When the democratic candidate is Tim Shipe or Charlie Stuart, some of us do. Saying "all democrats are pro choice" is about as logical as saying "all blacks like fried chicken" or "all jews are good with money"; sure these stereotypes might apply to the majority, but there is an exception to every rule.
You need to be like the evil fucks who run fox news and the evil fucks like the people I mentioned.
It sounds to me like you are no fan of the current "GOP machine", and clearly hold a distaste for Democrats. Where do you stand on the old political spectrum? Reagan Republican? Anarchist? Concienceous objector? People like Ann Coulter and Michael Moore churn my stomache, and it is sad that many people confuse entertainment with education these days, but you sound very angry to me. I smell frusteration with a frusterating system.
Civil and intelligent discourse will lose you the election...
I do like to discuss facts, and want a thoughful dialog. I also realize that most voters are acting on behalf of someone else's agenda, and do not clearly understand most issues. However, in all fairness, both sides use dirty tricks, and both side pander to the lowest common denominator more often than not. But do not confuse my intent here; I am not trying to convert you to my cause, my cause is myself and has only room for one. If anything, I like to engage those with whom I disagree so that I can better understand myself, and my own opinions.
A warranty is only as good as the company supporting it. After my last battle with Dell, I'm fairly confident my "warranty" would have been little more than an expensive piece of paper.
I'm sure we all have a "Dell sucks" story, here's mine: financed a refurb laptop as a small business. The machine crapped out. Dell tech support is an oxymoron. I refused to pay for a defective unit only to be informed that the financing company owned the debt (Dell Financial) and they were not responsible for the actual product (Dell proper).
When a company is keeping secrets, organizing shelter corps and playing other liability games, it just annoys me. When consumer advocates call vague promises like this a solution, it makes my hair fall out (of course, that's probably because I keep tearing at it).
I originally hail from Chicago, IL. Believe me when I tell you, I know *all about* the political machines. I have witnessed my home city under the stranglehold of these machines throughout my entire life. This is why I also stay mindful of state, national and International politics. Sometimes when the "little dog" keeps yapping, its time to find a "bigger dog" to come in and bite. I also like seeing what all those other little towns are up to- how many city hall meetings are discussing immigration, alternative energy and taxation right now? I know for a fact that my sleepy little village is concerned about these things locally, state-wide, nationally AND internationally. For example: would the immigration debate raging here in America exist if not for the issues of "other" countries as well?
You are 100% correct; it is no conspiracy theory as to who runs Chicago, how they appease their power base, and the absolute non-issues used in campaign after campaign to "rally the troops" and "divide and conquer". However, I *do* love democracy, namely because I love having choices and options. As the history of Illinois shows; it is futile to fight the Romans in Rome, but that *doesn't* mean that all is lost. Not even Rome was immune to the passage of time and the evolution of mankind.
Democracy is often accused as being "two wolves and a sheep voting on dinner" and many times I have seen that this is the case. I have also seen when people like Ross Perot appear out of nowhere, disrupting the entire process. Call it "faith", or call it "faith in chaos theory". To borrow from another American entrepreneur; it is the greatest show on Earth.
As an American voter, I have found myself in bitter debates with conservatives, liberals, moderates and extremists (my parents were both lawyers- it really messed me up). I find it hard to select candidates who represent my hodgepodge of values and opinions. However, after a civil debate, I often find that my "opponent" and I agree in basic principle, but are hung up on some minor detail or interpretation. Other times, I am ignorant of the whole story, and forced to reconsider my position.
Like I say, I'm an American (and proud of it). I live in a counrty in the midst of an unpopular war with Iraq, and high tensions with Iran. North Korea has started to fire missles towards Japan. You are from Ireland, and our countries trade millions of dollars in goods every day. Politics in 2006 are international. I want to hear your opinion on these matters- they affect you too! We Americans NEED to hear the "international opinion"- not from the media, but straight from the ma11achy's mouth.
I love the idea of a civil international forum that encourages *all* sides (there are *always* more than 2) to be debated with courtesy and common respect. It's probably a pipe dream. Then again, they said the same thing about WikiPedia a decade ago. Time will tell.
Three words to the admins of this new venture: structure, structure, and structure. Unless this forum is given a solid structure, and fast, it is going to degenerate into the ugliest of flame wars. The article on "gay marriage" is already a mess.
That picture is incredible! Can I post it on my blog (see sig)? I also took a picture, but this is far better- it is exactly what I had in mind when I wrote that post.
I've been a NASA nerd ever since Challenger (circa '86). I've seen tons of launches on TV, but yesterday was the first time I saw a launch in person. I realize this is already old news, and it isn't quite fashionable to be patriotic on this board, but what else can I say? America rules.
I defy any of you to stand on the beaches just south of Kennedy Space Center, to feel the earth quake a few MILES away from launch, to watch this miracle of (not quite) modern science leap off of our little planet and into the heavens while the bath-water warm sea laps at your ankles and the children around you squeal with delight- and NOT choke back a tear.
It's an awesome town. It's an awesome sight to behold. And, call me old fashioned, but I still think America is an awesome country.
Damn it! I came all the way down to Melbourne for this photo op (see sig for explanation) and it gets delayed. Oh well- in the interest of protecting the safety of these American heros, so be it.
As a frame of reference: I was charged $0.25 + 2.25% for Visa/MC transactions. Merchants with higher volume can save money over PayPal, but for small fries like me I saw no competitve advantage in keeping a "regular" merchant account (especially after you factor in a monthly fee of ~$25).
I heard many horror stories about PayPal, but so far they've been good to me. And considering the total lack of customer support I got from the "real bank", the support factor was moot (IMO).
Just so you know: we're not all leftist pinkos around here. I felt the need to support your post.
Blanket statements like "Capitalism is evil" or "Capatlism will destroy our enviornment" serve only to polarize us; as the Brits were fond of saying, "divide and conquer".
I think one of the greatest testaments to the OS revolution has been its ability to defy any political definition. It is, quite simply, software for *some* people, by *some* people. Why should it be anything else?
I need to code a simple app to interface with a forex trading system. Their API has been designed for JAVA/.NET and I am unfamiliar with both. I figure this would be a good excuse to learn RoR, but I am not sure how flexibile it is.
As far as function goes, this is all math based. No fancy-pants GUI elements required.
Am I better off designing a full-fledged JAVA app, or can RoR do this sort of thing and save me time?
If you would like to see a simple script which generates a graph on the fly, help yourself to this.
Yes, there are languages far more powerful than PHP. But, as I say EVERY TIME this flamewar goes down- are you sure you need them? As my grand-pappy used to say: why go deer hunting with a tank when a shotgun will do just fine?
Great. If you ever feel lonely, call me and tell me how it feels to be hated and threatened for no valid reason.
I can relate- I'm a Jew. 60 years ago animals like this OP/AC were stuffing my grandparents into gas chambers. It's a damn shame we've come so far, and yet, left so many so far behind.
I've seen more and more of these "pay-per-message" services being advertised on TV every day...jokes, pick-up lines, possum recipes...you name it. I've always figured these things were a total scam designed to trick cell-yielding 14 year olds with lazy parents who are bad at math.
After reading your post, and a few others, I am begining to see what a GREAT SCAM these service are! I haven't been giving this the true paranoia it deserves. Heck, I could write a script to send you (and every other compatible cell client) "Zaphod's Opinion DuJour", billing $0.10 per message, and then just sit back and laugh as you all try to get the charges reversed (assuming you even notice it in the first place).
Of course, having shame, I would never do this. However, I bet I'm not the *only* one who has this thought rolling around in their head...
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I see "PeoplePC" and "EarthLink" commercials on TV on a regular basis, and both charge less than half of AOL's $25/mo. Are lower costs/prices the secret to their sucess? How big is the overall market share of dial-up users at this point? How does the profitability of Cable/DSL compare?
How long until we see a similiar "paradigm shift" with consumer high-speed Internet pricing? If prices dropped accordingly, my $50 monthly cablemode/VoIP costs would become a nominal $6.50 per month. Heck, if it was that cheap I might even order a (gasp!) Pay-Per-View movie now and again.
Is it inevitable, or a pipe dream? Verizon and OptOnline have been battling pretty fiercly here in New York over the past few years, but both have maintained the same basic pricing throughout.
I had one friend who drove me crazy by having 20-something email accounts, all routed this way and that into a series of goofy relays and so forth. He claimed it was "better organization" and that I didn't understand "his system".
I had a client who refused to learn how to bookmark, and instead would email herself with links to various websites. My spam filters were constantly eating her one-line, link-only messages.
Personally, I delete about 90% of the emails I get, and tend to hang on to stuff with phone numbers or addresses. Sure, I could use one of a zillion clients to manage this info, but I simply prefer "my way", just like little Ms. Bookmark or Routey the Rodent.
At the end of the day, are any of us wrong? I could argue why I use "my way" all night long, but so long as the user is getting the job done, I think this sort of argument is futile.
That was before the era of televised debates. He then lost to kennedy...
Scratch that, reverse it. Nixon lost to Kennedy first (60), then won the Presidency (68), then was re-elected over Humphrey (72). However, you are 100% correct about the "TV phenomena"; those watching the Kennedy/Nixon debates on tv said that Kennedy won, those listening via radio said Nixon was the better man (it ended in a very narrow win by Kennedy).
Bullshit. There is no such thing as a pro lifer who votes democratic...
When the democratic candidate is Tim Shipe or Charlie Stuart, some of us do. Saying "all democrats are pro choice" is about as logical as saying "all blacks like fried chicken" or "all jews are good with money"; sure these stereotypes might apply to the majority, but there is an exception to every rule.
You need to be like the evil fucks who run fox news and the evil fucks like the people I mentioned.
It sounds to me like you are no fan of the current "GOP machine", and clearly hold a distaste for Democrats. Where do you stand on the old political spectrum? Reagan Republican? Anarchist? Concienceous objector? People like Ann Coulter and Michael Moore churn my stomache, and it is sad that many people confuse entertainment with education these days, but you sound very angry to me. I smell frusteration with a frusterating system.
Civil and intelligent discourse will lose you the election...
I do like to discuss facts, and want a thoughful dialog. I also realize that most voters are acting on behalf of someone else's agenda, and do not clearly understand most issues. However, in all fairness, both sides use dirty tricks, and both side pander to the lowest common denominator more often than not. But do not confuse my intent here; I am not trying to convert you to my cause, my cause is myself and has only room for one. If anything, I like to engage those with whom I disagree so that I can better understand myself, and my own opinions.
A warranty is only as good as the company supporting it. After my last battle with Dell, I'm fairly confident my "warranty" would have been little more than an expensive piece of paper.
You said it all.
I'm sure we all have a "Dell sucks" story, here's mine: financed a refurb laptop as a small business. The machine crapped out. Dell tech support is an oxymoron. I refused to pay for a defective unit only to be informed that the financing company owned the debt (Dell Financial) and they were not responsible for the actual product (Dell proper).
When a company is keeping secrets, organizing shelter corps and playing other liability games, it just annoys me. When consumer advocates call vague promises like this a solution, it makes my hair fall out (of course, that's probably because I keep tearing at it).
I originally hail from Chicago, IL. Believe me when I tell you, I know *all about* the political machines. I have witnessed my home city under the stranglehold of these machines throughout my entire life. This is why I also stay mindful of state, national and International politics. Sometimes when the "little dog" keeps yapping, its time to find a "bigger dog" to come in and bite. I also like seeing what all those other little towns are up to- how many city hall meetings are discussing immigration, alternative energy and taxation right now? I know for a fact that my sleepy little village is concerned about these things locally, state-wide, nationally AND internationally. For example: would the immigration debate raging here in America exist if not for the issues of "other" countries as well?
You are 100% correct; it is no conspiracy theory as to who runs Chicago, how they appease their power base, and the absolute non-issues used in campaign after campaign to "rally the troops" and "divide and conquer". However, I *do* love democracy, namely because I love having choices and options. As the history of Illinois shows; it is futile to fight the Romans in Rome, but that *doesn't* mean that all is lost. Not even Rome was immune to the passage of time and the evolution of mankind.
Democracy is often accused as being "two wolves and a sheep voting on dinner" and many times I have seen that this is the case. I have also seen when people like Ross Perot appear out of nowhere, disrupting the entire process. Call it "faith", or call it "faith in chaos theory". To borrow from another American entrepreneur; it is the greatest show on Earth.
Show me a US presidential election where the older, uglier, less charismatic guy won.
1972: Nixon defeated H. Humphrey. Easily one of the least charismatic presidents ever.
1980: Reagan defeats Carter at the age of 69.
As far as "ugly" goes; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Most politicians look like the "ugly kids" from the Drama Club (IMO).
You really believe that the pro life movement is non partisan?
As someone who has followed this issue very closely, and has voted both Dem, GOP and other, yes, yes I do.
Civil debate is key. The major media outlets have been no help at all in these past few years.
I think we should.
As an American voter, I have found myself in bitter debates with conservatives, liberals, moderates and extremists (my parents were both lawyers- it really messed me up). I find it hard to select candidates who represent my hodgepodge of values and opinions. However, after a civil debate, I often find that my "opponent" and I agree in basic principle, but are hung up on some minor detail or interpretation. Other times, I am ignorant of the whole story, and forced to reconsider my position.
Like I say, I'm an American (and proud of it). I live in a counrty in the midst of an unpopular war with Iraq, and high tensions with Iran. North Korea has started to fire missles towards Japan. You are from Ireland, and our countries trade millions of dollars in goods every day. Politics in 2006 are international. I want to hear your opinion on these matters- they affect you too! We Americans NEED to hear the "international opinion"- not from the media, but straight from the ma11achy's mouth.
I love the idea of a civil international forum that encourages *all* sides (there are *always* more than 2) to be debated with courtesy and common respect. It's probably a pipe dream. Then again, they said the same thing about WikiPedia a decade ago. Time will tell.
Three words to the admins of this new venture: structure, structure, and structure. Unless this forum is given a solid structure, and fast, it is going to degenerate into the ugliest of flame wars. The article on "gay marriage" is already a mess.
That picture is incredible! Can I post it on my blog (see sig)? I also took a picture, but this is far better- it is exactly what I had in mind when I wrote that post.
I've been a NASA nerd ever since Challenger (circa '86). I've seen tons of launches on TV, but yesterday was the first time I saw a launch in person. I realize this is already old news, and it isn't quite fashionable to be patriotic on this board, but what else can I say? America rules.
I defy any of you to stand on the beaches just south of Kennedy Space Center, to feel the earth quake a few MILES away from launch, to watch this miracle of (not quite) modern science leap off of our little planet and into the heavens while the bath-water warm sea laps at your ankles and the children around you squeal with delight- and NOT choke back a tear.
It's an awesome town. It's an awesome sight to behold. And, call me old fashioned, but I still think America is an awesome country.
Best. 4th. Ever.
Damn it! I came all the way down to Melbourne for this photo op (see sig for explanation) and it gets delayed. Oh well- in the interest of protecting the safety of these American heros, so be it.
As a frame of reference: I was charged $0.25 + 2.25% for Visa/MC transactions. Merchants with higher volume can save money over PayPal, but for small fries like me I saw no competitve advantage in keeping a "regular" merchant account (especially after you factor in a monthly fee of ~$25).
I heard many horror stories about PayPal, but so far they've been good to me. And considering the total lack of customer support I got from the "real bank", the support factor was moot (IMO).
I learn something every day.
He *does* look like "Tom Tucker", doesn't he?
So are ^almost all geniuses.
Just so you know: we're not all leftist pinkos around here. I felt the need to support your post.
Blanket statements like "Capitalism is evil" or "Capatlism will destroy our enviornment" serve only to polarize us; as the Brits were fond of saying, "divide and conquer".
I think one of the greatest testaments to the OS revolution has been its ability to defy any political definition. It is, quite simply, software for *some* people, by *some* people. Why should it be anything else?
This is actually a damn good question.
Slashdot offers a slash-back at least once a week in which they face-up and admit mistakes.
/. We don't really want them around here anyway, do we?
Digg *might* offer a story disputing an earlier story- but only if equally popular.
And the comments...well, I guess you don't *have* to read them (and I certainly wouldn't suggest it).
Let them leave
This is the kind of fresh thinking we need around here.
Oh man...what I wouldn't do for a frosty glass of Slimer's ecto-juice brand koolaid (what the heck was that flavor called again?)
I need to code a simple app to interface with a forex trading system. Their API has been designed for JAVA/.NET and I am unfamiliar with both. I figure this would be a good excuse to learn RoR, but I am not sure how flexibile it is.
As far as function goes, this is all math based. No fancy-pants GUI elements required.
Am I better off designing a full-fledged JAVA app, or can RoR do this sort of thing and save me time?
For your consideration: http://us3.php.net/manual/en/ref.image.php
If you would like to see a simple script which generates a graph on the fly, help yourself to this.
Yes, there are languages far more powerful than PHP. But, as I say EVERY TIME this flamewar goes down- are you sure you need them? As my grand-pappy used to say: why go deer hunting with a tank when a shotgun will do just fine?
Good point!
Now please excuse me while I go purchase drugs and weapons with CASH.
Great. If you ever feel lonely, call me and tell me how it feels to be hated and threatened for no valid reason.
I can relate- I'm a Jew. 60 years ago animals like this OP/AC were stuffing my grandparents into gas chambers. It's a damn shame we've come so far, and yet, left so many so far behind.
I'm not a "fag", but Alan Turing was.
/.?
As far as *I* am concerned, you mess with them, you mess with me.
Hey, summer is here. Why not get drunk and play with fireworks instead of posting on
I've seen more and more of these "pay-per-message" services being advertised on TV every day...jokes, pick-up lines, possum recipes...you name it. I've always figured these things were a total scam designed to trick cell-yielding 14 year olds with lazy parents who are bad at math.
After reading your post, and a few others, I am begining to see what a GREAT SCAM these service are! I haven't been giving this the true paranoia it deserves. Heck, I could write a script to send you (and every other compatible cell client) "Zaphod's Opinion DuJour", billing $0.10 per message, and then just sit back and laugh as you all try to get the charges reversed (assuming you even notice it in the first place).
Of course, having shame, I would never do this. However, I bet I'm not the *only* one who has this thought rolling around in their head...