Perhaps the poster was extreme in the use of "most", or perhaps not. But I think the Microsoft Word parallel is perfect here. Some people use Inkscape to create Vector graphics that they or others may want to open in vector form, which may be anywhere from few to most of the userbase, I don't really know (and I'm sure everybody posting here is assuming most people are using the software the same way they are using it). But there are plenty of other people, including myself, that use Inkscape to use the flexibility and power of vector graphics to create a final result that is not a vector, but is a piece of graphics or art that can be put to good use as a bitmap or pdf. Inkscape is indispensable for many people.
I'm sure you have a good point somewhere, but using an example in which someone gives you full source code and then expects licensing fees doesn't help your case.
There are Eclipse plugins. You never have to touch the command line or use a (basic) "text editor" for the Pre either. As for interface, yeah, you don't get the graphical editor, but HTML/CSS are pretty straightforward, especially if you don't have to worry about IE testing.
I have a feeling that, by "man" you mean "you", and by "woman" you also have someone specific in mind. I'm not sure why you'd make such an unfounded generalization otherwise.
I did a report on the very subject last semester. Yeah, the math gap is closing way up, but the CS gap is really depressing. In fact, the CS gap was very small nearer the beginning of its conception, but at least as far as 2007 it's only been growing. We need a serious societal reconsideration of what being a programmer means in order to get that gap down. No more [CS = at computer labs 24/7 hacking, drinking mountain dew, and playing Quake].
All the items you mentioned that would attract men are primarily for the fun and enjoyment of men. Make-up tips and fashion are primarily for presentation, something that women have historically had to do to be taken seriously by men (not saying that's the only purpose). You also failed to mention the other attraction, cooking, which is "traditionally" aimed at women so that they can cook for their husbands. The point isn't that they are making associations between women and certain things. It's that they are associating women with a role that is culturally viewed as inferior to men. There is hardly anything that would be condescending towards men because our society is still patriarchal.
Since I was born I've learned only three things about humans:
- No two are alike
- No two want the same thing
- What a person wants changes from moment to moment
There, fixed that for you. Sorry, I'm not actually trying to mock your post, and I agree with you, but I figured I'd point out that your insights apply to all human beings.
I agree with you partly. I don't think the fact that the laptop exists is a problem. As you said, plenty of women fit the mold, and who are any of us to say there's anything wrong with people who would be the market for this laptop. I think the fact that it is Dell's "laptop for women" is kind of annoying. It's a sort of way of saying that women should play with this thing while men can use real computers. The laptop isn't the problem so much as the marketing direction. But as others have said, it's the marketing direction that will make them more money.
a chick? Keep you balls? Pussing out? What are you, thirteen? Living with someone is about sensitivity on both sides, and while being a slave to the other isn't exactly productive, being stubborn and obnoxious is worse. How about talking things over like reasonable human beings?
But I believe the question is why men and women see and act to things differently, as you say. Some say biology, but most tend to say that as a cop-out answer because it can't really be proven. There's plenty of evidence out there that reinforced stereotypes, from birth to death, are the reason for these differences. I do get what you're saying about the niche. And if Dell's intention is to just sell to the niche,that is all fine and good, because there's nothing wrong with pink, being un-tech-savvy, etc. But, my current impression is that Dell is saying "this is the computer for girls," which is basically saying that they are making dumbed down material for girls not because they are a niche, but because they are women. Maybe my impression is wrong, who knows.
I can see how you interpreted the statement, but I think you're missing the point of the poster. His point was that the person he replied to had no legitimate complaints. This is true; there were literally no real, specific problems given. If there's anything that's unhelpful, it's complaining about software without giving any real reason.
Coming from a Firefox user, I respect your decision and by no means look down on you, given that you're making an informed decision (the "informed" part it most important to me). There is, however, one point I disagree with, and that's your second one. The creator of the product can dictate the standard, but that makes web programming a living hell for everyone involved. It's not easy programming for multiple standards, and it's not worth it to have your own if it's going to put programmers through such a hard time.
I've found that it took a lot more work getting Ubuntu running well on a macbook (with wireless, etc) than it did on other computers I own (and I install Ubuntu on every computer I own).
Actually, Super Mario Galaxy (one of the big three mario games) is coming out in almost exactly a month. Support is going to be stepped up really soon now.
Thinking about it slightly differently, that's a bit contradictory. I would argue that Smash's adventure mode is either a formality, or it is drastically expanded, which makes it a more prominent feature (therefore not a formality). It all depends on what the creator wants to do with it.
The other statement I would take issue with is that nobody buys Smash for the adventure mode. The original Smash did not have an adventure mode, and the melee version was an experiment that didn't really have much substance at all, so of course nobody would buy it with adventure mode in mind. In Brawl, however, it looks like there's going to be more of a focus, so I think a lot of people will be looking forward to this mode, especially with coop play in mind. Of course it isn't your thing, and I totally respect that. I do definitely agree that at the heart of Smash is its player-on-player combat, be it casual or competitive. I just think that since Smash is expanding its boundaries, so too will what people look for in it expand.
Slashdot Mirror
Perhaps the poster was extreme in the use of "most", or perhaps not. But I think the Microsoft Word parallel is perfect here. Some people use Inkscape to create Vector graphics that they or others may want to open in vector form, which may be anywhere from few to most of the userbase, I don't really know (and I'm sure everybody posting here is assuming most people are using the software the same way they are using it). But there are plenty of other people, including myself, that use Inkscape to use the flexibility and power of vector graphics to create a final result that is not a vector, but is a piece of graphics or art that can be put to good use as a bitmap or pdf. Inkscape is indispensable for many people.
I'm sure you have a good point somewhere, but using an example in which someone gives you full source code and then expects licensing fees doesn't help your case.
Best conspiracy theory I've heard in a while.
Agreed, I just got a Pre and I'm very happy. What a loaded summary.
There are Eclipse plugins. You never have to touch the command line or use a (basic) "text editor" for the Pre either. As for interface, yeah, you don't get the graphical editor, but HTML/CSS are pretty straightforward, especially if you don't have to worry about IE testing.
I have a feeling that, by "man" you mean "you", and by "woman" you also have someone specific in mind. I'm not sure why you'd make such an unfounded generalization otherwise.
That's cute and awesome, thanks for sharing.
If you made this reply to 95% of the posts on this article, I would call it a proper response.
I did a report on the very subject last semester. Yeah, the math gap is closing way up, but the CS gap is really depressing. In fact, the CS gap was very small nearer the beginning of its conception, but at least as far as 2007 it's only been growing. We need a serious societal reconsideration of what being a programmer means in order to get that gap down. No more [CS = at computer labs 24/7 hacking, drinking mountain dew, and playing Quake].
You think most women can't play tennis for more than five minutes? I agree with your "plain truth" statement, but that's just insulting.
All the items you mentioned that would attract men are primarily for the fun and enjoyment of men. Make-up tips and fashion are primarily for presentation, something that women have historically had to do to be taken seriously by men (not saying that's the only purpose). You also failed to mention the other attraction, cooking, which is "traditionally" aimed at women so that they can cook for their husbands. The point isn't that they are making associations between women and certain things. It's that they are associating women with a role that is culturally viewed as inferior to men. There is hardly anything that would be condescending towards men because our society is still patriarchal.
Agreed! The "girly" role doesn't apply to all women or just women.
Since I was born I've learned only three things about humans: - No two are alike - No two want the same thing - What a person wants changes from moment to moment
There, fixed that for you. Sorry, I'm not actually trying to mock your post, and I agree with you, but I figured I'd point out that your insights apply to all human beings.
I agree with you partly. I don't think the fact that the laptop exists is a problem. As you said, plenty of women fit the mold, and who are any of us to say there's anything wrong with people who would be the market for this laptop. I think the fact that it is Dell's "laptop for women" is kind of annoying. It's a sort of way of saying that women should play with this thing while men can use real computers. The laptop isn't the problem so much as the marketing direction. But as others have said, it's the marketing direction that will make them more money.
a chick? Keep you balls? Pussing out? What are you, thirteen? Living with someone is about sensitivity on both sides, and while being a slave to the other isn't exactly productive, being stubborn and obnoxious is worse. How about talking things over like reasonable human beings?
But I believe the question is why men and women see and act to things differently, as you say. Some say biology, but most tend to say that as a cop-out answer because it can't really be proven. There's plenty of evidence out there that reinforced stereotypes, from birth to death, are the reason for these differences. I do get what you're saying about the niche. And if Dell's intention is to just sell to the niche,that is all fine and good, because there's nothing wrong with pink, being un-tech-savvy, etc. But, my current impression is that Dell is saying "this is the computer for girls," which is basically saying that they are making dumbed down material for girls not because they are a niche, but because they are women. Maybe my impression is wrong, who knows.
I can see how you interpreted the statement, but I think you're missing the point of the poster. His point was that the person he replied to had no legitimate complaints. This is true; there were literally no real, specific problems given. If there's anything that's unhelpful, it's complaining about software without giving any real reason.
Deus Ex allowed you to tilt your body to peek around corners. Just sayin'.
Coming from a Firefox user, I respect your decision and by no means look down on you, given that you're making an informed decision (the "informed" part it most important to me). There is, however, one point I disagree with, and that's your second one. The creator of the product can dictate the standard, but that makes web programming a living hell for everyone involved. It's not easy programming for multiple standards, and it's not worth it to have your own if it's going to put programmers through such a hard time.
If you comment on a story and not say anything relevant to the story but instead deride a broader concept, isn't that textbook trolling?
If I had mod points, I would mod this up funny.
I've found that it took a lot more work getting Ubuntu running well on a macbook (with wireless, etc) than it did on other computers I own (and I install Ubuntu on every computer I own).
Organ trail? Good God, what kind of sick, gore-filled rendition of Oregon trail have you been playing? At least it teaches anatomy...
Actually, Super Mario Galaxy (one of the big three mario games) is coming out in almost exactly a month. Support is going to be stepped up really soon now.
Thinking about it slightly differently, that's a bit contradictory. I would argue that Smash's adventure mode is either a formality, or it is drastically expanded, which makes it a more prominent feature (therefore not a formality). It all depends on what the creator wants to do with it. The other statement I would take issue with is that nobody buys Smash for the adventure mode. The original Smash did not have an adventure mode, and the melee version was an experiment that didn't really have much substance at all, so of course nobody would buy it with adventure mode in mind. In Brawl, however, it looks like there's going to be more of a focus, so I think a lot of people will be looking forward to this mode, especially with coop play in mind. Of course it isn't your thing, and I totally respect that. I do definitely agree that at the heart of Smash is its player-on-player combat, be it casual or competitive. I just think that since Smash is expanding its boundaries, so too will what people look for in it expand.