It's not bleh at all. The short version of the story goes like this:
Phil McKinney: "Hey WebOS Internals Group, if there's anything we can do for you, shout."
WOSIG: "Cool. Actually, we could really use a donated server."
PM: "Lemme look into this."
HP: "Cool, bros. Here you go."
So, rather than a big cash reward, the homebrew developer group got exactly what they needed... which is a pretty good result, if you ask me.
I have a laptop which cannot boot from USB and whose CD-ROM doesn't work. It's good enough for a Linux install, so I've taken to installing Ubuntu via PXE.
It works out quite well, when it works, and it's neat to do. I generally use this tutorial to set up the TFTP server on my Windows machine and just change whatever release they talk about to whatever release is current.
Courts here in the US have already affirmed the rights of a user to re-sell software, despite licensing agreements. See Autodesk: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2008/05/court-smacks-autodesk-affirms-right-to-sell-used-software.ars I can't find any follow-up, but I like to think that the decision stuck.
I understand their *wanting* more money, but yeah: First Sale Doctrine.
I think a MUCH 'better' way for them to deal with this is through first-sale exclusives. i.e., "Buy Gears of War 2 and get a multiplayer map pack code." That way, anyone that buys a new copy, gets the code. I would also recommend that they ALSO offer the same map packs online for, say, $10, so that even if a person buys the game secondarily, if they want the "full" multiplayer experience, they can still get it. I guess they could 'force' users towards brand new retail copies by not offering the map pack except as redeemable by a code, but that just seems like lost sales to me.
I really think that game publishers need to stop being crybabies about secondhand games and find a way to make their product more valuable to the consumers. Or make the games cheaper: I'd certainly rather spend $40 on a new game than $60. (Although that's being generous: Gamestop's policy seems to be the Wal*Mart approach "New = $60, used = $57.99"). Ideally, though, games (both new and used) would be cheaper.
A while back, AMDTi said that they were not competing at the high-end anymore: "There were also very specific admissions that AMD/ ATI isnâ(TM)t competing at the high end with Nvidia, nor do they intend to match up to the GTX 280 with a release of their own uber-chip." source. So to say "ATI had to combine two cards to be on top!" kind of completely misses the point. (emphasis added.)
For the interested, there's a great article at anandtech talking about how the R770 came to be pretty awesome... Really, though, it's not a super-high-end part.
My weapon of choice is Acronis TrueImage. Allows for complete drive imaging over a network, etc. They offer BartPE files so you can make a boot disc, though.
I use the boot CD all the time for rescue and recovery.
I have heard that most ISPs put VOIP packets on super-low priority anyway, so even your setup at home won't affect it a whole lot.
I may have heard wrong, though.
2chan(nel) is the forefather to 4chan. They've diverged significantly, but each has a/b/ and about the same amount of furry/tentacle/rape content. 2chan's just Japanese.
There are 8 reasons SP1 may not appear if you check WU:
1. You are already running Windows Vista SP1.
2. Windows Vista SP1 has not been released for the language of the language pack that you have installed.
3. Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool is used to block the delivery of Windows Vista SP1 from Automatic Updates or from Windows Update.
4. You tried to install Windows Vista SP1, and the installation failed with a known inconsistency in the file or registry structure.
5. A hardware device driver or device software was problematic when you updated to Windows Vista SP1. The Windows Update service can detect the small set of device drivers and software that falls into this category. The Windows Update service will not offer Windows Vista SP1 until an update for the hardware device driver or the device software has been installed.
6. You have installed a prerelease version of Windows Vista SP1, and you must uninstall the prerelease version, or start with a new installation of Windows Vista.
7.You used the third-party program vLite to configure the system, and you may have removed required system components that have to be available for Windows Vista SP1 to be installed.
8. You see one or more updates for Windows Vista when you run Windows Update. However, you do not see Windows Vista SP1 listed.
At that website are further causes for those 8 reasons, but the specifically mentioned drivers that block SP1 are:
Audio drivers
Realtek AC'97
For x86-based computers: Alcxwdm.sys - version 6.0.1.6242 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Alcwdm64.sys - version 6.0.1.6242 or earlier
SigmaTel
For x86-based computers: Sthda.sys - version 5.10.5762.0 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Sthda64.sys - version 5.10.5762.0 or earlier
SigmaTel
For x86-based computers: Stwrt.sys - version 6.10.5511.0 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Stwrt64.sys - version 6.10.5511.0 or earlier
Creative Audigy
For x86-based and x64-based computers: Ctaud2k.sys - version 6.0.1.1242 or earlier
For x86-based computers: P17.sys all versions (This was originally a Windows XP-based driver.)
Conexant HD Audio
For x86-based computers: Chdart.sys - version 4.32.0.0 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Chdart64.sys - version 4.32.0.0 or earlier
Biometric (Fingerprint) Sensors
AuthenTec Fingerprint Sensor with the Atswpdrv.sys driver file version 7.7.1.7 or earlier
UPEK Fingerprint Sensor with the Tcusb.sys driver file version 1.9.2.99 or earlier
Display drivers
Intel Display
For x86-based computers: Igdkmd32.sys versions between and including driver 7.14.10.1322 and 7.14.10.1403
For x64-based computers: Igdkmd64.sys versions between and including driver 7.14.10.1322 and 7.14.10.1403
Other drivers
Texas Instruments Smart Card Controller with the GTIPCI21.sys driver file version 1.0.1.19 or earlier
Sierra Wireless AirCard 580 with the Watcher.exe application version 3.4.0.9 or earlier (This application is located in the AirCard 580 Program Files folder.)
Symantec software driver for Symantec Endpoint Protection and for Symantec Network Access Control clients]
For x86-based computers: Wgx.sys versions 11.0.1000.1091 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Wgx64.sys versions 11.0.1000.1091 or earlier
There are 8 reasons SP1 may not appear if you check WU:
1. You are already running Windows Vista SP1.
2. Windows Vista SP1 has not been released for the language of the language pack that you have installed.
3. Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool is used to block the delivery of Windows Vista SP1 from Automatic Updates or from Windows Update.
4. You tried to install Windows Vista SP1, and the installation failed with a known inconsistency in the file or registry structure.
5. A hardware device driver or device software was problematic when you updated to Windows Vista SP1. The Windows Update service can detect the small set of device drivers and software that falls into this category. The Windows Update service will not offer Windows Vista SP1 until an update for the hardware device driver or the device software has been installed.
6. You have installed a prerelease version of Windows Vista SP1, and you must uninstall the prerelease version, or start with a new installation of Windows Vista.
7.You used the third-party program vLite to configure the system, and you may have removed required system components that have to be available for Windows Vista SP1 to be installed.
8. You see one or more updates for Windows Vista when you run Windows Update. However, you do not see Windows Vista SP1 listed.
At that website are further causes for those 8 reasons, but the specifically mentioned drivers that block SP1 are:
Audio drivers
Realtek AC'97
For x86-based computers: Alcxwdm.sys - version 6.0.1.6242 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Alcwdm64.sys - version 6.0.1.6242 or earlier
SigmaTel
For x86-based computers: Sthda.sys - version 5.10.5762.0 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Sthda64.sys - version 5.10.5762.0 or earlier
SigmaTel
For x86-based computers: Stwrt.sys - version 6.10.5511.0 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Stwrt64.sys - version 6.10.5511.0 or earlier
Creative Audigy
For x86-based and x64-based computers: Ctaud2k.sys - version 6.0.1.1242 or earlier
For x86-based computers: P17.sys all versions (This was originally a Windows XP-based driver.)
Conexant HD Audio
For x86-based computers: Chdart.sys - version 4.32.0.0 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Chdart64.sys - version 4.32.0.0 or earlier
Biometric (Fingerprint) Sensors
AuthenTec Fingerprint Sensor with the Atswpdrv.sys driver file version 7.7.1.7 or earlier
UPEK Fingerprint Sensor with the Tcusb.sys driver file version 1.9.2.99 or earlier
Display drivers
Intel Display
For x86-based computers: Igdkmd32.sys versions between and including driver 7.14.10.1322 and 7.14.10.1403
For x64-based computers: Igdkmd64.sys versions between and including driver 7.14.10.1322 and 7.14.10.1403
Other drivers
Texas Instruments Smart Card Controller with the GTIPCI21.sys driver file version 1.0.1.19 or earlier
Sierra Wireless AirCard 580 with the Watcher.exe application version 3.4.0.9 or earlier (This application is located in the AirCard 580 Program Files folder.)
Symantec software driver for Symantec Endpoint Protection and for Symantec Network Access Control clients]
For x86-based computers: Wgx.sys versions 11.0.1000.1091 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Wgx64.sys versions 11.0.1000.1091 or earlier
Part of my job involves working on laptops owned by an agency that uses SafeBoot to encrypt data on laptops. Gather children, let me tell you of SafeBoot...
1. SafeBoot is whole-disk encryption, but Windows-partitions-only. If you dual-boot or use Linux, there is no solution for you except "Please don't lose your laptop". 2. SafeBoot requires a login before you can boot Windows. If you get your password wrong, you must wait a certain amount of time before you can re-enter your passwords. At first, it's not that bad -- a few seconds. But each successive failure increases the time... eventually, you're waiting minutes. 3. SafeBoot encrypts the drive so that you can't access the drive from another machine -- which is what it's designed for, of course. Try being an IT guy in this scenario: You can't perform ANY troubleshooting that doesn't involve booting Windows. If Windows fails to boot, you have to have your hard-drive decrypted (which, for us happens off-site and is a MAJOR pain in the ass). I cannot boot off a Windows CD to use the recovery console to replace damaged registry files. I cannot do a 'repair' install. I could wipe the drive and re-install Windows... 4. The password policy in place requires users to change their password periodically and be of a certain complexity level. Most users have their SafeBoot password written on a piece of paper and taped to their machine, now...
There's a line between security and usability. When SafeBoot works, it appears great -- it doesn't impact system performance *that* much and it encrypts the contents of the entire drive, woo. But when something goes wrong, it becomes a big pain.
To be honest, though, I think the bigger problems for the work *I* run into with SafeBoot is the policies in place, rather than SafeBoot itself.
There are plenty of competitors to choose from that don't treat their customers like criminals. Here in Boulder(esque), Colorado, there are NOT 'plenty of competitors'. Comcast is the only supplier I know of offering 6+ Mbit speeds. Your other option is Qwest's 1.5 Mbit DSL. There's Copowi, but again, 1.5 Mbit for the same price of my 8 Mbit Cable.
I would GLADLY take my service elsewhere and leave a flaming bag on Comcast's doorstep. But where could I go? Comcast is the only ISP offering speeds that don't suck.
Dear Verizon, 20 Mbit SDSL, guaranteed customer. Where's your service?
The source isn't too hard to find. I used to host it myself. Ask just about anyone over at x-3dfx and you should be able to get it. It's a.rar that's about 30 megs that expands to about 300. It's pretty interesting to go through.
Slashdot Mirror
Maybe we could set up two separate populations for further testing... each at opposite ends of the galaxy...
Phil McKinney: "Hey WebOS Internals Group, if there's anything we can do for you, shout."
WOSIG: "Cool. Actually, we could really use a donated server."
PM: "Lemme look into this."
HP: "Cool, bros. Here you go."
So, rather than a big cash reward, the homebrew developer group got exactly what they needed... which is a pretty good result, if you ask me.
I have a Hori Xbox 360 USB pad: http://www.buy.com/prod/hori-xbox-360-fighting-stick-ex2-uhx3-07/q/loc/108/205483240.html -- $50, and any Windows XP+ machine can run it just fine. I imagine it's doable in linux, but I don't know for sure. Anyway, it's perfect for MAME. Digital joystick and enough buttons for most arcade games.
Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram is also available on XBLA. Maybe not the same one as the DC game, but pretty awesome.
Ikaruga is already available on XBLA. I think it's a port of the arcade version, but it's close enough.
I'm with you on this. Berserk is a fantastic game. It's a shame the PS2 sequel never made it out. The trailer alone is phenomenal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSKMqKHQrh8 (the song is available for purchase for $4: http://noroom.susumuhirasawa.com/modules/opus/index.php/photo/4/ )
I have a laptop which cannot boot from USB and whose CD-ROM doesn't work. It's good enough for a Linux install, so I've taken to installing Ubuntu via PXE.
It works out quite well, when it works, and it's neat to do. I generally use this tutorial to set up the TFTP server on my Windows machine and just change whatever release they talk about to whatever release is current.
It's fun, frankly.
Microsoft Security Essentials is free, lightweight, and pretty good. Even Ars Techinca thought so, if you trust them.
How you feel about Peanuts is how I feel about Garfield.
Garfield Minus Garfield, on the other hand...
Courts here in the US have already affirmed the rights of a user to re-sell software, despite licensing agreements. See Autodesk: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2008/05/court-smacks-autodesk-affirms-right-to-sell-used-software.ars I can't find any follow-up, but I like to think that the decision stuck. I understand their *wanting* more money, but yeah: First Sale Doctrine. I think a MUCH 'better' way for them to deal with this is through first-sale exclusives. i.e., "Buy Gears of War 2 and get a multiplayer map pack code." That way, anyone that buys a new copy, gets the code. I would also recommend that they ALSO offer the same map packs online for, say, $10, so that even if a person buys the game secondarily, if they want the "full" multiplayer experience, they can still get it. I guess they could 'force' users towards brand new retail copies by not offering the map pack except as redeemable by a code, but that just seems like lost sales to me. I really think that game publishers need to stop being crybabies about secondhand games and find a way to make their product more valuable to the consumers. Or make the games cheaper: I'd certainly rather spend $40 on a new game than $60. (Although that's being generous: Gamestop's policy seems to be the Wal*Mart approach "New = $60, used = $57.99"). Ideally, though, games (both new and used) would be cheaper.
A while back, AMDTi said that they were not competing at the high-end anymore: "There were also very specific admissions that AMD/ ATI isnâ(TM)t competing at the high end with Nvidia, nor do they intend to match up to the GTX 280 with a release of their own uber-chip." source. So to say "ATI had to combine two cards to be on top!" kind of completely misses the point. (emphasis added.)
For the interested, there's a great article at anandtech talking about how the R770 came to be pretty awesome... Really, though, it's not a super-high-end part.
My weapon of choice is Acronis TrueImage. Allows for complete drive imaging over a network, etc. They offer BartPE files so you can make a boot disc, though.
I use the boot CD all the time for rescue and recovery.
I have heard that most ISPs put VOIP packets on super-low priority anyway, so even your setup at home won't affect it a whole lot. I may have heard wrong, though.
I stand highly corrected.
2chan(nel) is the forefather to 4chan. They've diverged significantly, but each has a /b/ and about the same amount of furry/tentacle/rape content. 2chan's just Japanese.
There are 8 reasons SP1 may not appear if you check WU:
1. You are already running Windows Vista SP1.
2. Windows Vista SP1 has not been released for the language of the language pack that you have installed.
3. Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool is used to block the delivery of Windows Vista SP1 from Automatic Updates or from Windows Update.
4. You tried to install Windows Vista SP1, and the installation failed with a known inconsistency in the file or registry structure.
5. A hardware device driver or device software was problematic when you updated to Windows Vista SP1. The Windows Update service can detect the small set of device drivers and software that falls into this category. The Windows Update service will not offer Windows Vista SP1 until an update for the hardware device driver or the device software has been installed.
6. You have installed a prerelease version of Windows Vista SP1, and you must uninstall the prerelease version, or start with a new installation of Windows Vista.
7.You used the third-party program vLite to configure the system, and you may have removed required system components that have to be available for Windows Vista SP1 to be installed.
8. You see one or more updates for Windows Vista when you run Windows Update. However, you do not see Windows Vista SP1 listed.
At that website are further causes for those 8 reasons, but the specifically mentioned drivers that block SP1 are:
Audio drivers
Realtek AC'97
For x86-based computers: Alcxwdm.sys - version 6.0.1.6242 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Alcwdm64.sys - version 6.0.1.6242 or earlier
SigmaTel
For x86-based computers: Sthda.sys - version 5.10.5762.0 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Sthda64.sys - version 5.10.5762.0 or earlier
SigmaTel
For x86-based computers: Stwrt.sys - version 6.10.5511.0 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Stwrt64.sys - version 6.10.5511.0 or earlier
Creative Audigy
For x86-based and x64-based computers: Ctaud2k.sys - version 6.0.1.1242 or earlier
For x86-based computers: P17.sys all versions (This was originally a Windows XP-based driver.)
Conexant HD Audio
For x86-based computers: Chdart.sys - version 4.32.0.0 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Chdart64.sys - version 4.32.0.0 or earlier
Biometric (Fingerprint) Sensors
AuthenTec Fingerprint Sensor with the Atswpdrv.sys driver file version 7.7.1.7 or earlier
UPEK Fingerprint Sensor with the Tcusb.sys driver file version 1.9.2.99 or earlier
Display drivers
Intel Display
For x86-based computers: Igdkmd32.sys versions between and including driver 7.14.10.1322 and 7.14.10.1403
For x64-based computers: Igdkmd64.sys versions between and including driver 7.14.10.1322 and 7.14.10.1403
Other drivers
Texas Instruments Smart Card Controller with the GTIPCI21.sys driver file version 1.0.1.19 or earlier
Sierra Wireless AirCard 580 with the Watcher.exe application version 3.4.0.9 or earlier (This application is located in the AirCard 580 Program Files folder.) Symantec software driver for Symantec Endpoint Protection and for Symantec Network Access Control clients]
For x86-based computers: Wgx.sys versions 11.0.1000.1091 or earlier
For x64-based computers: Wgx64.sys versions 11.0.1000.1091 or earlier
There are 8 reasons SP1 may not appear if you check WU: 1. You are already running Windows Vista SP1. 2. Windows Vista SP1 has not been released for the language of the language pack that you have installed. 3. Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool is used to block the delivery of Windows Vista SP1 from Automatic Updates or from Windows Update. 4. You tried to install Windows Vista SP1, and the installation failed with a known inconsistency in the file or registry structure. 5. A hardware device driver or device software was problematic when you updated to Windows Vista SP1. The Windows Update service can detect the small set of device drivers and software that falls into this category. The Windows Update service will not offer Windows Vista SP1 until an update for the hardware device driver or the device software has been installed. 6. You have installed a prerelease version of Windows Vista SP1, and you must uninstall the prerelease version, or start with a new installation of Windows Vista. 7.You used the third-party program vLite to configure the system, and you may have removed required system components that have to be available for Windows Vista SP1 to be installed. 8. You see one or more updates for Windows Vista when you run Windows Update. However, you do not see Windows Vista SP1 listed. At that website are further causes for those 8 reasons, but the specifically mentioned drivers that block SP1 are: Audio drivers Realtek AC'97 For x86-based computers: Alcxwdm.sys - version 6.0.1.6242 or earlier For x64-based computers: Alcwdm64.sys - version 6.0.1.6242 or earlier SigmaTel For x86-based computers: Sthda.sys - version 5.10.5762.0 or earlier For x64-based computers: Sthda64.sys - version 5.10.5762.0 or earlier SigmaTel For x86-based computers: Stwrt.sys - version 6.10.5511.0 or earlier For x64-based computers: Stwrt64.sys - version 6.10.5511.0 or earlier Creative Audigy For x86-based and x64-based computers: Ctaud2k.sys - version 6.0.1.1242 or earlier For x86-based computers: P17.sys all versions (This was originally a Windows XP-based driver.) Conexant HD Audio For x86-based computers: Chdart.sys - version 4.32.0.0 or earlier For x64-based computers: Chdart64.sys - version 4.32.0.0 or earlier Biometric (Fingerprint) Sensors AuthenTec Fingerprint Sensor with the Atswpdrv.sys driver file version 7.7.1.7 or earlier UPEK Fingerprint Sensor with the Tcusb.sys driver file version 1.9.2.99 or earlier Display drivers Intel Display For x86-based computers: Igdkmd32.sys versions between and including driver 7.14.10.1322 and 7.14.10.1403 For x64-based computers: Igdkmd64.sys versions between and including driver 7.14.10.1322 and 7.14.10.1403 Other drivers Texas Instruments Smart Card Controller with the GTIPCI21.sys driver file version 1.0.1.19 or earlier Sierra Wireless AirCard 580 with the Watcher.exe application version 3.4.0.9 or earlier (This application is located in the AirCard 580 Program Files folder.) Symantec software driver for Symantec Endpoint Protection and for Symantec Network Access Control clients] For x86-based computers: Wgx.sys versions 11.0.1000.1091 or earlier For x64-based computers: Wgx64.sys versions 11.0.1000.1091 or earlier
If you download the WU enabler and check the .cmd file, it's the exact same registry key as Refresh 2. ;)
I don't know if I'm just special or not, but if you go to Connect(.microsoft.com) and download the enabler for Service Pack 1 Refresh 2 and, well, enable it, you can get Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RTM. Microsoft has confirmed (I am pretty sure) that Refresh 2 == RTM: http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/02/07/microsoft-confirms-vista-sp1-rc-refresh-2-rcr2-is-rtm-release/.
:)
I'm not even a technet subscriber or anything... just a beta tester.
Part of my job involves working on laptops owned by an agency that uses SafeBoot to encrypt data on laptops. Gather children, let me tell you of SafeBoot...
1. SafeBoot is whole-disk encryption, but Windows-partitions-only. If you dual-boot or use Linux, there is no solution for you except "Please don't lose your laptop".
2. SafeBoot requires a login before you can boot Windows. If you get your password wrong, you must wait a certain amount of time before you can re-enter your passwords. At first, it's not that bad -- a few seconds. But each successive failure increases the time... eventually, you're waiting minutes.
3. SafeBoot encrypts the drive so that you can't access the drive from another machine -- which is what it's designed for, of course. Try being an IT guy in this scenario: You can't perform ANY troubleshooting that doesn't involve booting Windows. If Windows fails to boot, you have to have your hard-drive decrypted (which, for us happens off-site and is a MAJOR pain in the ass). I cannot boot off a Windows CD to use the recovery console to replace damaged registry files. I cannot do a 'repair' install. I could wipe the drive and re-install Windows...
4. The password policy in place requires users to change their password periodically and be of a certain complexity level. Most users have their SafeBoot password written on a piece of paper and taped to their machine, now...
There's a line between security and usability. When SafeBoot works, it appears great -- it doesn't impact system performance *that* much and it encrypts the contents of the entire drive, woo. But when something goes wrong, it becomes a big pain.
To be honest, though, I think the bigger problems for the work *I* run into with SafeBoot is the policies in place, rather than SafeBoot itself.
Fred?
I would GLADLY take my service elsewhere and leave a flaming bag on Comcast's doorstep. But where could I go? Comcast is the only ISP offering speeds that don't suck.
Dear Verizon, 20 Mbit SDSL, guaranteed customer. Where's your service?
The source isn't too hard to find. I used to host it myself. Ask just about anyone over at x-3dfx and you should be able to get it. It's a .rar that's about 30 megs that expands to about 300. It's pretty interesting to go through.