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User: WK1

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  1. Answers to all your questions on Why are Free-Desktop Developers Wedded to Linux? · · Score: 0
    We have been hearing promising predictions like 'This year will be the year of Linux on the desktop' for the last decade.

    Yes, but the media says lots of stuff like that. We have also been hearing that the world is going to end this year, or in a few years, for thousands of years. People say stuff. Unless there is a radical change, we will continue hearing all of this stuff for a long time. Just try to ignore it.

    Clearly, if Linux is unable to reproduce a third of Firefox's end user uptake over a much longer time-frame, there are deficiencies with the direction the GNU/Linux/X/Gnome/KDE system has taken.

    Don't say "clearly" when referring to a speculation. You have a theory that answers a question. I have a different theory. I think the reason that Linux is not so popular is because Linux is not installed by default. Firefox, also, is not installed by default, but Firefox is much easier to install. There are bugs and problems with GNU / Linux / X / Gnome / KDE / etc, but there are bugs and problems with most software, even Windows. I think the general public would be happier with Linux if it suddenly and magically replaced Windows on all OEM computers. But that's probably not going to happen soon, so we can only speculate.

    Other free-desktop operating system projects which take different and innovative approaches like ReactOS, AROS, Mona and Syllable remain comparatively starved of developers and interest.

    I never heard of those. Perhaps I'm not as geeky as others. I've been using Linux for the past year, and am happy with it. Part of the reason I chose Linux rather than looking at a bunch of free solutions is that I had heard of Linux, and knew that the user and developer bases were strong and solid. So, maybe people ignore those OSes because other people ignore those OSes? Kind of like saying AROS is to Linux as Linux is to Windows?

    An often cited reason for using a non-Microsoft OS is to avoid a monoculture, but free-desktop efforts have created a total monoculture around developing and promoting Linux...

    Yeah. There are pros and cons to monocultures. On the the con side, it leads to less choice for users, and inappropriate solutions for developers. It leads to webmasters and developers only writing for one platform, which can be especially a nuisance if that platform is buggy.

    On the plus side, a monoculture, or in this case, a limited culture, consolidates users and developers. Developers can concentrate on just a few OSes, rather than hundreds. Do you know of any AROS user groups? It's easier to find help on the internet for something that more people use.

  2. Cingular, ouch! on How Apple Kept the iPhone Secret · · Score: 0

    Ouch! They chose Cingular? The leader in dropped calls? Apple, what were you thinking? I can already hear people yelling into their iPhones, giving up on them, and blaming Apple for making such a poor quality product, when it's the network. This is going to be a huge backlash for Apple. Oh well. As long as they learn something from it.

  3. The nice thing to do... on Do You Tell a Job Candidate How Badly They Did? · · Score: 0

    The nice thing to do would be to tell them you won't hire them, exactly why you won't hire them, and tell them what they would need to work on so you would hire them next year. There are plenty of selfish reasons to be vague / unhelpful / untruthful, some of which have been mentioned by others.

    However, there are plenty of self-serving reasons to be nice. It makes your company look bad if others in the industry openly discuss what a dick the interviewers are. Also, the person you are lying to might be a psychopath, and come back the next day with a machine gun. Depending on what you sell, your employees/potential employees might also be your customers. Pissing customers off is never good; it is sometimes cheaper, but never good.

    When in doubt, be nice. In my experience, things just work out better when you do it that way.

  4. Re:Only 8k? on VeriSign Puts Flaw Bounty on Vista and IE7 · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I assume Verisign will actually pay you, while the mob might not. The mob may also turn you in in the future to save their own butts.

    Most criminals will actually buy their own stuff, even though they could just steal it. There are advantages to doing things the legal way. Crime pays, but only until you get caught.

  5. Re:The Seattle Police were not as curious on Been Robbed Recently? Check Ebay · · Score: 0

    I agree with some of what you've said. What ever happened to good ol' public floggings, canings, indentured servitude (like community service, but private too), exile and hangings? Prisons are unnatural, too expensive, etc. "Keep it simple," that's what I always say.

    Jury trials are important though. We need to keep those. Here in the US, they're "guaranteed" by the constitution, anyway.

    Also, it is important to kill people in public. Killing people in the early morning in a small basement room makes it look like you're hiding something. The entire justice system needs to be public in order to work effectively.

    Anyway, I totally agree. Stupid PC Wankers!

  6. Job opportunity on Vista Casts A Pall On PC Gaming? · · Score: 0
    It's hard for me to believe that people would spend years of their life harassing people on Slashdot unless they were paid to do it.

    Where can I get an application for that?

  7. Re:Scheisse! on Germany Searches Credit Cards For Child Porn Payments · · Score: 0

    I a don't a speak a German. Could a someone a please a translate a for me? Italiana or Engleesh, please a? Especially a "gefichen mit die turdenpoopen."?

    P.S. Surprise. I don't really know Italian either. English please, if someone would not mind translating.

    P.P.S That was hilarious. Thank you AC.

  8. Re:Yay, Mad Libs! on Top U.S. Tech Cities · · Score: 0

    What about Los Osos, Ca?! It has Sylvester's Hamburgers, and pretty much nothing else!!! Because I live here or went to school here, it MUST be in this list!

  9. Re:Which law should be used on Second Life Mogul Challenges Press Freedom · · Score: 0
    Could she sue the news companies if she wore a self designed dress during a similar accident in real life?

    A similar accident in real life?

  10. Re:Democracy in Action? on New Zealand DMCA Moves Forward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Don't know much about anywhere else, but dirty political tricks here in the USA are standard. Some might even say required.

    It's true what Col Mitchel said on Dakara, "I guess politics really do suck everywhere."

  11. Re:Why does anyone need a DMCA? on New Zealand DMCA Moves Forward · · Score: 0

    That's a good point. I never really thought of it that way. I did, after you mentioned it, and I thought of something you may not have.

    Cracking X-Box (and Tivo, playing DVDs, etc). No matter how good Microsoft is at making their X-Box obscure and incompatible, it will always be possible to crack it. Hackers are very ingenuitive, and will find a way. With DMCA, it is illegal to crack it in such a way that you can use pirated, or archived media.

    Also, I don't think the DMCA covers security in any way. Just fair-use lock-out type technologies.

  12. Re:Is it illegal to sell a zero-day exploit? on Vista Zero-Day Exploit For Sale · · Score: 0

    I don't think there are any laws against it. But you'll likely be sued.

  13. Re:What do Linux virii cost, & are they open s on Vista Zero-Day Exploit For Sale · · Score: 0

    A1) Viruses are free. Better market penetration that way. If you meant free as in libre, you're going to have a hard time enforcing copyright on one.
    A2) Some viruses have been delivered with source. Most are not. Although, scripting viruses, by definition, are open source.

  14. This guy is a good musician. on Unrefined "Musician" Gains a Global Audience · · Score: 0

    I play guitar, both acoustic and electric. I also play piano, and I sing. I'm somewhat tone-deaf. I would have a hard time playing a piccolo, because I have big hands, and haven't tried it much. I am not so good at writing music, or playing by ear.

    I would kick your ass if you said I was not a musician. I've been playing for years, and I'm damn good at what I do. There are thousands of different types of musicians. None of us are good at "everything musical", we are classified by what we are good at. Mozart and I would probably not be playing at the same concert, entertaining the same crowd (even ignoring our age differences).

    Always be careful what you say, and evaluate what it means, especially if your words are against someone else.

  15. Re:It's Funny - Laugh on Texas Lawmaker Wants To Let the Blind Hunt · · Score: 0

    Blind people get to watch strip clubs in braille. Damn, I wish I was blind.

  16. City traffic... on DARPA Challenge Prize Money Restored · · Score: 0
    an unmanned robotic road vehicle through city traffic

    Isn't that dangerous? Is that even legal? Don't cars have to be certified for road safety before they can travel on city roads?

    I sure hope it's a closed course...

    It should be. I bet it will be. That's not what the article says though.

    60-mile course within six hours... DARPA has yet to disclose the race location, but has said it will be in the western United States.

    10 miles an hour? Sounds like L.A., California.

  17. Steve says... on Microsoft Wins Industry Standard Status for Office · · Score: 0

    It is only 6K pages in print. It is conveniently sized to fit onto 1 web page.

  18. Maybe this will be as good as other psychological on Software Used To Predict Who Might Kill · · Score: 0

    1) Have you ever committed murder?
    2) Have you ever considered murder as a solution to your problems?
    3) Do you ever fantasize about murder?
    4) Have you ever murdered animals?
    5) Have you ever tortured animals?
    6) Have you urinated more than twice in your bed at a young age?

  19. Your movie theater business. on FCC Sued to Allow Cell Phone Jammers · · Score: 0
    However, I do believe that patrons should be notified before purchasing their tickets so they have an option to go to another theater.

    That's why you don't own a movie theater. You're probably one of those nice guys who would allow hypoglycemics to bring their own candy.

    That being said, if you ever do manage to acquire a movie theater, drop me a line so I can come and see a movie in peace.

    By the way, I don't have a cell phone plan. I have an answering machine.

  20. Oh come on... on UK Lab Traces Polonium To Russian Nuclear Plant · · Score: -1
    radioactive poison ... killed Alexander Litvinenko

    Oh come on! Who does that? Somewhere, a Russian villain is getting their assassination techniques from a bad spy movie.

  21. Re:Take your pill and swallow it on Homeland Security Tracks Information of Travelers · · Score: 0

    1) Make flying so uncomfortable that people stop doing it.

    2) Increase cars on highway as people drive long distances to avoid flying.

    3) Kill more people every year than several years worth of terrorist attacks.

    4) ?

    5) Profit?

    Even if we assume that these regulations are actually doing some good, and neglect stress related deaths, neglect the tatters of the constitution, and neglect the fact that this is only a temporary safety, we still lose.

  22. However... on NIH Confirms Protocol To Reverse Type 1 Diabetes · · Score: 0

    However, the TCO is cheaper if you just go to the pet store and buy another mouse.

  23. Using virtualization is dangerous. on Virtualization Disallowed For Vista Home · · Score: 0
    Running Windows using virtualization is dangerous. Much better to run Windows naked.
    Microsoft says that consumers don't understand the risks of running virtual machines
  24. Easier than... on UK Schools Bans WiFi Due To Health Concerns · · Score: 0

    Candy and soda couldn't be causing fatigue or cancer, could they?

  25. Singling out students is unacceptable. on U.S. Classrooms Torn Between Science and Religion · · Score: 0

    The most disturbing part of the article, which has not been mentioned yet in this thread, is this:

    Referring to a Muslim student who had been mentioned by name, he lamented what he saw as her inevitable fate should she not convert.

    That is sick and unacceptable. You never single out a student in class. If you have a genuine problem with one, such as behavioral or homework related, you talk to her privately. If you don't like her religion or her parents, you keep it to yourself.

    The fact that, after telling his students they were going to hell, singling out a student who may or may not have been present, and lying about it to cover his ass, he is still teaching, shows just how much in short of a supply adequate teachers in the public school system are.