Slashback: XPiracy, Panel, Gentoo 335
The real requirements for Longhorn, at least at this juncture. Cryoknight writes "It seems that Longhorn will run on almost anything that's a P4 or better, judging by this article from C|Net News. You only need a 64mb graphics card to run the slickest version..."
(That's in contrast with earlier reports that the average Longhorn system would be hefty indeed; of course, listed minimums and recommendations are often worlds apart.)
How many bits could Mandrake chuck if Mandrake could chuck bits? Shipud writes "Speaking of AMD beating Intel, Mandrake have just released their v.10 for AMD64. Claiming to be on the average 20% faster, and compatible with 32-bit applications." As usual, it's never a good time to buy a computer.
The War Of The Word, Part II Random Guru 42 writes "Chris Pratley, whose earlier blog entry was the source of much discussion [referring to this Slashdot post of April 27], has just recently replied to everyone's feedback both here and as comments on that earlier entry."
Gentoo Community Reaches Out to Daniel Robbins nporter writes "Slashdot reported the news that Daniel Robbins has stepped down as chief architect of Gentoo Linux. It was revealed that due to his commitment to Gentoo he racked up a hefty personal debt of $20,000. The Gentoo Community is showing its appreciation to its founder in droves by placing donations to the Gentoo Store, proceeds of which will go toward paying down Robbins' debt. I count over a thousand dollars (and growing rapidly) has already been donated, just based upon posts to the forums. It's great to see Linux users coming together like this to show support for someone who has contributed so much to the Linux community."
Bitkeeper redux, redux. gosand writes "Part two of the two-part interview with Bitkeeper author Larry McVoy is up at Newsforge. (Part 1 was posted here yesterday). They essentially talk about why and how BK fits into the kernel development model. There are only two questions, one answered by Larry, and one answered by Linus. Maybe that is because BK makes them 2.5x as efficient, and they can answer everything in just one answer each. :-)"
MS Clarifies: No SP2 For Pirated XP Copies PingXao writes "Unlike earlier reports, this eWeek story says MS will not be allowing pirated versions of Windows XP to install SP2. They plan to release the update within a couple of months as everybody knows, but what's interesting is this quote from a MS spokesperson that supposedly explains their reasons for this approach: "... using genuine software is an important part of keeping systems secure and running smoothly because it means continued access to the latest security enhancements and product updates." Not that I blame them for not providing assistance to people who violate their copyrights, but I wonder if they actually paid someone to come up with that insightful explanation. Something like "We don't provide updates to pirates" would have done the trick. Why cloud the issue with talk about secure this and security that when the basis for the policy has absolutely nothing to do with security?"
Games panel at Smithsonian - update tripmaster writes "For those slashdotters that tried to get a ticket but were foiled by the smaller venue, the panel on games with Shigeru Miyamoto, Richard Garfield and Doug Church being held Sunday, May 16th at the Smithsonian in Washington DC has been moved to a bigger space. Miyamoto should be showing the same highlights of his latest game as premiered at E3. Questions from the audience will be collected and posed to the speakers -- a rare chance to ask query some of games' most visionary and influential creators."
Off again, on again. Doug Muth writes "According to this piece on Yahoo, the restraining order which was issued against SpamCop on May 10th has been dissolved by the judge who further remarked that, 'the TRO [entered May 10] was not a determination of the merits of the case.'"
Re:Ok, here's plan B for pirates using XP (Score:0, Interesting)
Thanks anyway. Here's a cookie.
Sincerely,
Seth Finklestein
Proud Windows XP SP2 User
Re:Slashdot quickies (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:pragmatism and policy (Score:4, Interesting)
Linux - the only SP XP will ever need. (Score:1, Interesting)
I don't plan on even installing SP2, although my copy is actually legitimate. So, Billy Gates and his happy minions can kiss my ASP.
Re:Always a good time to buy a computer (Score:2, Interesting)
Bitkeeper (Score:3, Interesting)
update this comparison [gnuarch.org] with the bitkeeper data.
Re:Read it Again... (Score:5, Interesting)
Yes, and as with SP1, the day after SP2 comes out, there'll be 10 warez releases of WinXP with SP2 slipstreamed in for your downloading pleasure. They will also come complete with working CD keys and some handy tools to bypass activation if necessary. I agree, this isn't really news at all.
will it really make a difference?? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Word (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:pragmatism and policy (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Only use "genuine" software! :) (Score:5, Interesting)
Speaking as an average user can I just say that I don't wanna play with my kernel. I just wanna type my letters and go home. I don't wanna know what happens behind my desktop.
It's a tool, like my car. I wouldn't have a clue how the engine management system in my car works. Hell, I don't even know if it has one apart from Joe down the garage. So I pay Joe or Microsoft to know that stuff. And it gets updated every now and then and with a little effort and a decent AV package I've never been hit by any worm or destructive virus.
I use a fairly vanilla hardwear setup and when the ease of installation, and use of the OS and applications (and the range of applications) reaches the same level as Windows let me know. I and millions like me just don't have the training, time, or inclination to fiddle with the box.
I appreciate that many do and it is those people who will eventually move Linux up to a position where it can replace Windows. But I object to being ridiculed as a mindless automaton because I don't share your passion for fixing operating systems. Because from a users perspective, it isn't as broken as you claim.
Unless of course the 'you' referred to is the 0.0001% of the computer using population that does eliminate their own bugs or see code and fix it.
Re:pragmatism and policy (Score:5, Interesting)
I asked what would happen if at some point in the future I needed to install the program again and was told I would have to call back each time. I asked if Microsoft had a commitment to always have someone there to answer the phone. She didn't know.
That's when I decided to stop using MS products. It was the best event in my 10 years as a customer of the company. I immediately uninstalled the program (FrontPage of all things) and within 15 minutes had located an Open Source program that I actually liked better. The Web browser, word processor and operating system soon followed. It took a few months to adjust, but it was well worth it.
I hope they keep up the good work. Make the product buggy, insecure, hard to use and too expensive. Maybe the US won't be so far behind the rest of the world when it comes to adopting open standards if MS cooperates by alienating their own customer base.
Re:Only use "genuine" software! :) (Score:3, Interesting)
I, for one, hope this does hurt the pirates. Why? Because anything that stops people from pirating software means they either have to pay for it or switch to something else (say GNU/Linux). Some will pay, but many will switch. I can't count how many times I've offered OpenOffice to people only to have them say they can get M$ Office for free (i.e. pirate it). Stop the pirating and I bet more would be interested.
Re:Word (Score:3, Interesting)
What I really prefer about OpenOffice is the user interface. It seems cleaner and yet I can still get to everything. Navigator is a good way to move around a document, and shows you the structure's big picture. Floating toolbars can be docked on the sides where they expanded or contact with a click, like mozilla's sidebar or adobe acrobat, just plain rock. Saves serious screen realestate, and yet I can have what I need for a given context open immediately.
One thing Word does have is a $50 student priced Mathematica-Word interface. Mathematica has the best graphical interface I've used for equation entry. Would be nice if we had those palletes, too.
Re:Wow I'm glad MS can enforce this policy. (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Gentoo crew have done it right (Score:3, Interesting)
There has never been a public accounting of all the money that came in and all the money that went out. If there was, I would be a lot more willing to donate to help erase any real debt that still exists.
Re:Gentoo crew have done it right (Score:3, Interesting)
Daniel not only put in so much work into coding, but also seemed to live in the IRC chatrooms helping newbies with their problems in such a patient way. Hopefully he will still pop in when he gets time! He's such a nice guy. He certainly doesn't deserve to end up so much worse off after giving us Gentoo. If we can make it so he comes off with at least no ill-effects then that will be great.
Phillip.
No Gentoo millionaires (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Gentoo crew have done it right (Score:1, Interesting)
He bought a house, a brand new car, and globetrotted on gentoo's dime since day one, then he complains that he racked up $20,000 in personal debt.
Little known facts: He was 'sponsored' by an unknown EU cmpany for his work on Gentoo
Gentoo (the company) made quite a lot of money in contracts over hte last couple of years
Do some reading on the gentoo-nfp list and you'll see why he bailed on Gentoo (which he did) when the question came up about where the money goes
a not-so-famous quote from the former architect of gentoo
I wish daniel the best of luck, he is a super nice guy and did wonders for the distribution, but don't feel that badly for his monetary situation. He went from writing articles for IBM's dev website, making very little money at it
food for thought.
Trolling? maybe a little yes, but is this the reality? You bet yourself at 100% it is