Posts by Gerry76 posts • joined Sunday 13th August 2006 12:39 GMT
In effect you are describing project guttenberg for real life.
I love watching old films catching glimpses of how London was (Rank films are good cheap sources and old BBC DVD collections) In the latter case now, apparently, they CGI montage bits of London for drama series so the location is "nowhere"
sadly, my enjoyable moments include the very beginning of "The Eagle Has Landed" where the schloss is actually Somerset House and you can see a bit of it that has subsequently been wrapped in scaffolding seemingly permanently, Guinevere for views of London in the fifties, Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy, bits of west London, an extra in a Dr Who DVD showing the bits of London then (1964) and er, then (2002) for the filming of the Dalek invasion of Earth, a promotional video for the Jimi Hendrix Experience gives views of the South Bank in the sixties.
It's OK, I'll stop now
Mine's the one with a copy of Pevesner in the pocket
"Seriously, I find it pretty amazing that EC is getting away with this kind of abuse of authority. For christ sake, how can you claim MS is anti-competitive when so many users are able to download free alternative browsers so easily?"
When and where did you study law? In which jurisdiction do you practice?
Just wondering
What, this? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajax_(cleanser)
@ Nick Askew
You are of course, at liberty to like Windows, but remember to thank Linux when you buy another computer with MS Windows 7 Starter edition, they've had to uncripple it and I'd be pleased hear reasons for that happening other than a real alternative.
@Charles Manning
"Thank BigG I'm reasonably Linux literate otherwise I'd be fucked"
There's a wonderful joke sitting under that quote, but honestly, why do you bother?
Out here, a friend of mine had been resisting my blandishments regarding swapping out Win 2000. However she looks after someone with cerebral palsy (this isn't a joke nor I talking about about any well-known astrophysicists) who has been using GNU/Linux for years. She gave my friend a live CD of that annoying distro. My friend didn't realise that the performance she preferred could be improved by installing it...
I started the install programme for her, which went without a hitch.
She knows _nothing_ about IT, operating systems, .deb, and she's well happy.
You criticise KOffice based on your side swipe at KDE. Your side swipe at KDE is unargued, merely stated. (And I sit here using KDE 4.2.3 I clearly do not understand your point)
KOffice is a modern approach to office, with each component fully integrated with each other, facilitating ongoing development and expansion of the core and enabling less main stream use (not my cup-of-tea but e.g., mixed text and music manuscripts is easily done in KOffice 2).
I have not met anyone in the FOSS world who is not grateful to Sun for giving OOo to the community, but my understanding is that it is an old fashioned code base and it is difficult to keep up development.
Another implementation of ODF strengthens that standard too, especially as, no doubt, it will be through an easily adaptable library for others to re-use and develop.
Good call, I was thinking distro upgrade
"For Linux users, though, it's probably not worth the effort to upgrade ahead of your distro."
Unless, of course, the OOo upgrade is in your distro's one-click repository
It seems to me that software patents are a neat way of engaging in anti-competitive practices. And if you are going to defend an alleged infringement of a software patent you seem to need a lot of money. And that makes is a "big boys" game.
In the Free Software world we now have to rely on "protection" broadly equivalent to that in the reported stories of inner city London where young people have to join one gang in order to gain protection from violence from other gangs (the analogy being OIN). While OIN show all the signs of being well-intentioned I'm not sure that having to rely upon "benign protection" is a great place to be.
The reality for small innovators is well described in another area of "IP" protection. Does anyone remember MobiliX?
http://tuxmobil.org/mobilix_asterix.html describes the efforts (in 2003) of designers of a mobile platform based on GNU/Linux to use that name for their software but of course they didn't have much money.
Contrast this with France Telecom who spent three years to take the very same plantiff all the way to the ECJ regarding the very same name. (search on this website http://www.ip-talk.eu/?cat=1)
And explain to me the difference in outcomes in terms other than power and money.
What do you mean "years behind"?
If you mean: years away from replicating everything the Microsoft does, then possibly. If however you mean years away from being as capable as Microsoft then I think you are busking.
In any event, discussing the fate of OOo does sound a little like troll bait as Oracle haven't publicised a decision about anything yet (by your own hand) and Novell (I know, I know) also support it.
Of course, for those that care about Free Software, despite the unnecessary heaps of derision that have been piled upon it, KOffice2 is coming along really nicely, and while they have not wasted any time developing compatibility with the ever fluid file formats, it doesn't mean that it couldn't happen.
And then you'll all have a lightweight cross-platform fully integrated office suite, with common UI and actions between components. And that will be years ahead of anything. Take a look at what's going on.
Novell may have no intention of offering SLED or whatever on ARM
openSUSE will be available on ARM if openSUSE choose to do it, openSUSE != Novell
Specifically, perhaps you might consider looking at what KDE is doing before posting? What aspect of "Plasma" exists elsewhere?
Generally, how would you envisage a desktop environment that didn't look even just a little like any of the others?
I don't use Gnome so I have no view, a widely applicable perspective, which I recommend to you.
"We have made a huge effort to get some of the document formats we have... accepted as formal standards in the industry"
That would be the process leading up to ISO 29500?
How we all loved watching that one.
And notice the careful phrasing "formats we have" - remind me which product supports ISO 29500?
DVD playback is a one click install for all distros, takes 10 seconds, less time than it took you to write about it.
It's not a GNU/Linux problem, it's Hollywood control of the film distribution industry and the DMCA. Not a bad description here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libdvdcss
Mine's the one with the DeCCS Haiku written on the back
Another way of looking at this case is to collect it it together with Ofcom's attempts to make things difficult.
The Information Manager for Health Protection in Scotland, in the course of some epidemiological investigations it was conducting involving electromagnetic radiation, asked Ofcom for some information it published on "Sitefinder" concerning location, ownership and technical attributes of mobile phone cellular-based stations, to be provided in searchable format.
Ofcom refused, they persisted.
Ofcom's internal review of its decision agreed with itself. But this was challenged.
Ofcom asked the ICO to agree, they didn't
Ofcom appealed to the Information Tribunal, it lost
Ofcom went to the High Court, it lost
Ofcom tried again in the Court of Appeal, they threw it out.
The underlying argumentation in both cases appears to be similar, a preference for lack of transparency, whatever the issue.
Of further concern, whereas Jarndyce v Jarndyce consumed private money, this is essentially Govt v Govt with the taxpayer picking up the tab.
You might have to subscribe...
http://groups.google.com/group/ipkat_readers/browse_thread/thread/26949fab0a2fc2d?hl=en
Whether or not you consider the punishment disproportionate, context is all, what other sanctions did the girl refuse to accept?
What would you do about disruptive behaviour?
What happened to learning to "respect the group" and other social skills that would be useful to her in the rest of her life?
Do you think teachers should accept all individualistic behaviour at the expense of group development?
Do you think teachers should "put up or change jobs"?
Do you think you could do the job?
You sound like the smirking git at the back of class egging the girl on. Meanwhile nobody learns anything.
It's not difficult, in fact Sony tell you how to do...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_for_PlayStation_3
In the UK, in what seems to be a softening up for the ID Card it is almost impossible to do anything without showing your passport.
I carry my new RFID'd passport in a conductive plastic bag (e.g., to the suspicion of the exam invigilator)
Now here's a thought experiment:
I get a passport legally
I spend my $250 or whatever to build a gadget and take whatever time it takes to remotely read and crack the encryption on my own passport (eventually, monkeys shakespeare)
I take the gadget into any bank, building society, airport, can I now harvest to my heart's delight?
I have no idea about the mainframe issues but it is beyond sloppy journalism to inflate the story with phrases such as "[...] legal fight with IBM, much as [...] SCO is still attempting to do [...] concerning intellectual property and licensing issues relating to IBM's AIX operating system"
First comment was posted 10 minutes after original article, was that good enough for you?
However, why do you care? Do you think Microsoft care? Just curious.
My understanding was that real world problems were not amenable to standard configurations, hardware design never solved the problem, and that transputers became great graphics engines, briefly (and as we see, GPUs are turning into great gen purpose number crunchers)
All programming required compilation of pre-defined serial and parallel procedures, and so assumed closed system problems (still remember the coursework..)
Never been near a super computer but I understand configuring the problem is still more of an art than a science.
Don't understand why any of this doesn't apply to multi-core processors running normal OS
... no one is forcing anyone to use KDE 4.x
I find the seemingly web-wide attempt to ridicule the project a little mystifying. The levels of ire seem similar to those of someone getting rejected for a date.
Don't like it? Then don't use it. You are free to exercise choice.
Personally, I think KDE 4.2 (without all the effects that make me feel seasick) is elegant. All the non-techies that I have shown it to, find it so attractive, they want it. I think it will be a major driver of growth for systems based on GNU/Linux.
But equally, why all the infighting? Like Gnome? Use Gnome.
Please, keep it up, spend more money advertising this.
What about a TV advertising campaign?
Send me some leaflets and I will distribute them for you.
NHS patient error deaths 'rising'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7813634.stm
Stage one: suggest problem isn't getting worse rather it's better reporting
(from story)
It represents a 60% rise in the last two years, but experts said it was due to better reporting not worsening care.
Stage two; suggest it's de minimis, so it's not an issue
(from story)
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said: "The NHS sees a million people every 36 hours.
"Unfortunately, as in any health service, mistakes and unforeseen incidents will occasionally happen.
"Only a tiny number of errors put patients at serious risk and the quality and safety of healthcare is improving all the time."
Conclusion - locus is all
When the goverment's got to get its act together there's a threshold, but when it's about public behaviour we've all got to conform to a loss of liberty and private rights because of a low number of bad things happening? (please don't assume I'm condoning nasty people)
BBC did a great job restoring several of original series (I expect there's more tape in some technician's loft, yet), darker, more edgy, than anything produced since, even if the set did make the original Star Trek look high budget
£700? Wholesale, one presumes... What are these children getting?
No let me guess: Vista, MS Office 2007 (and not the three licence/£40 deal from Amazon either...) together with suitably powerful hardware.
Because they couldn't possibly give them each of them the well considered Acer Aspire One (EEE, whatever) for £170 and buy one each for three of their friends/siblings too. Or two friends and add in 3G dongles
But that would neither waste money nor buy Microsoft
When was the last time you changed those two AA batteries in your FM radio? When was the last time you changed those six D batteries in your DAB radio?
Alternatively try to imagine the wind-up generator needed for a DAB radio.
If we are being exhorted (rightly) to fit low energy light bulbs, I'm a bit unclued on how DAB and energy conservation fit together, especially as it doesn't seem to have any compensating features.
Not only were you asleep on the job but El Reg has forgotten its own history
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/03/10/bounceometer/
@Doug, I assume your random musings are there to suggest that it would be a similar scenario whether the organisation were using proprietary or FLOSS software? Nice try...
Whereas proprietary software providers want to restrict your freedoms, Free Software just wants everyone to have the same freedoms.
If you have used Free Software in a manner which means that your code base is now licensed accordingly that does not automatically spell disaster; if it is critical software your expertise and experience will still be important.
in some ways that is the big "so what?" This is nothing like discovering that you have unused unlicensed proprietary software somewhere.
I hope this incident encourages everyone to do an Ernie Ball...
@Antidisestablishmentarianist
In a market economy the BBC has got to work with other people.
There are many reasons intrinsic to the BBC why they would be better off running FLOSS. But even if the BBC were running iPlayer on FLOSS, the technical people have to earn a living. The BBC would have to be in bed with someone.
@Nick L
Well, now, a non-technical person can choose a computer by price (and by sheer chance gain extra benefits, e.g., freedom from viruses) and watch or download programmes from BBC iPlayer, probably oblivious to the fact they are running GNU/Linux, but the good news is, that even if GNU/Linux brings you out in hives, the increasing use of it with drive down the price of other software and so benefit users of that software. This will be caused by organisations such as the BBC enabling "it just works" platform neutrality (as they should have done from the start, but at least it's happening now)
More generally, on the same topic a broadsheet website contained this gem "...though 85% of iPlayer users are on Windows-based machines, there has been pressure on the BBC to open up the full service to users of all operating systems..."
1) as if there's a threshold below which it's OK to discriminate
2) failing to acknowledge that were it not for that 15% (and growing) then the 85% (and falling) would be paying even more for their software than they are now
Lest we forget, let's read the Ernie Ball case study again...
http://www.jckelly.com/navigation/articles/news/ErnieBallMicrosoftFree.html
...somewhere at the back of my mind I recall it being the case that the user of a highway only has the right to pass and re-pass*, so I think they could be asked to "move along" but that's hardly up there with getting bundled into the back of a van, is it?
(Don't get me wrong, I'm with Peter Oborne and Mark whassiface on all this, but if we don't distinguish our case it's easier for others to make theirs)
*Googled this but it is 1998-99, so things might be different
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199899/ldjudgmt/jd990304/jones02.htm
and this, 2005, which is closer to home
http://www.cavellhouse.co.uk/obstruction.htm
That will teach me. Now, we've got to wait for SCO to appeal the decision FFS.
http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_11063919
"SCO officials believe they can win an appeal of Kimball's 2007 ruling because, they argue, he prematurely ruled in favor of Novell when facts in the case were still in dispute. "
As ever, note the careful use of language, SCO is not claiming factual error, merely that the Judge called it before the very last fact was found.
They seem to be going after a point of procedure, has anyone got a silver bullet, a wooden stake... the money to fund their appeal...
Mine's the one with the 3rd amended APA in a secret compartment
...what with Bilski killing software patents and SCO failing to string this out while Windows 7 is still slideware.
Can't wait to hear what else is wrong with GNU/Linux. Is it an anagram of "Microsoft marketing department"?
There are so many reasons why I get annoyed with PlusNet, when it goes wrong they are extremely annoying but when it's working (in fairness >95% of time) it's fine.
When I download the openSUSE DVD I do it after midnight on http using their "it's available but no-one is using it, so you can have the bandwidth free" service, takes about 2.5 hours - wonderful, whats the problem?
At least one distro provider is starting to do just as you ask (Novell). Quite nice of them, as it's all done free of charge and they only use RPM, so there's not much in for them to provide .deb .
It's a different model, in case you were not sure.
Free Software, among other things is rooted in gift culture, I get all this work free,thank you.
Perhaps, (for those of us not skilled in development) if you find something goes wrong, or want a new feature, you might consider filing a rational and cogent report to one of the developers, so they can do something with it.
Then we all benefit
Just a thought
There are many reasons above and beyond "free as in beer" why Free Software is important.
Of course because it is free-as-in-beer quite possibly the servers, (y'know, the one you got it from, free?) were not mega-sized so they were not giving you an instant down load.
And it was a whole 150Mb?, damn, on that piece of wet string connecting you to the internet, must have taken a week.
And it's not perfect? Well, for my pains, I've been able to open .docx since June. (And I'm so pleased it doesn't write docx - what a good decision).
Usability? (Despite it being good and getting better) let's measure it against Apple
Ubiquity? Let's measure it against Microsoft
Price? Not relevant, as your employer or the taxpayer picks the bill up.
Enabling transparency, good governance and certainty, hmm, let's ignore those because we're a bunch of techies who don't (or for our own reasons, claim not to) understand that open source != Free Software.
Closes digital divide without any need for intervention through unnecessary taxation?
Let's label those involved as freetards.
An ecosystem of well crafted software that doesn't charge your employer or the taxpayer enough money therefore you can't have your technical conference or golf day somewhere exotic?
Let's not call you freetards.
People who try to point out the benefits of Free Software without the polish or ducking and diving skills gained from an expensive, carefully crafted sales training programme?
I expect they haven't got girl friends
And so on
Of course, one can write to them by recorded delivery saying "no I do not receive television broadcasts so I do not pass go and do not need to pay £200 (whatever)" They will "remove" you from the database and promptly start chasing "The Occupier" (twisting the DPA no doubt, however...)
Not anonymous because I still don't need a licence
Parliament isn't the Government so the OPSI licence doesn't apply. Though even MPs have tripped over the Parliament/Government thingy.
Mine's the one with the USB stick containing the database with everything on it
If people in the UK has been successful in getting that rebate it's news to me. (Actually, I think one bloke did, a couple of years ago and posted his draft letter on line somewhere)
I went after HP several times including citing an Italian case but they still told me to drop dead.
MSI seems to be a bit of a shed near Heathrow and there's no-one to talk to. I got a polite "we'll investigate" letter. From the very "no headed notepaper" I could tell that one was dead in the water.
And I tried somewhere else, but I can't remember which one it was.
Bring on the EC Competition case about bundling (France?)
We Linux fanbois are often accused of of being ranty - but regarding iPlayer all we asked for was platform neutrality, no favours, just choice. BBC preferred working exclusively with the market dominant player.
Now BBC appears to be stiffing small ISPs (ones we can choose to use or not) in favour of larger market dominating ISPs.
Does anyone know what this has got to do with BBC's public service remit?
New EEE PC Linux - Out of the Box
> BBC iplayer - does not work, needs flash - not an automated install
Yes, you are right and if you look in the back catalogue of Register articles you will see the Free Software campaign against the BBC supporting only Microsoft which led to Flash and a (new) promise to get downloadable working for Linux.
Flash is proprietary but is a one-click install for those that want to, then there's Gnash.
> ITV Catch Up - does not work, needs Silverlight - not suppported (sic)
> Channel 4 on demand - does not work, needs Media Player 11 - not supported
I think you'll find that project Kangeroo has been reported to the Competition Commission.
When the playing field is level the issues will be different. Time is on Free Software's side and you will be free too.
> Itunes - does not work - not supported
Yes, of course, but let's take a moment to think "why?" Could it be part of that general lock-in to our products used by both Microsoft and Apple?
But there are alternatives including DRM free music from commercial providers and wonder MP3 management systems such as Amarok.
Spot on.
Just try Clapham Junction - which always seems to seems to need another 10 automatic paper ticket machines no matter how many more they install.
The newsagents thereabout do a roaring trade thereabouts issuing season tickets on Oyster for at least two reasons, you're buying a newspaper anyway and it takes seconds to add a season ticket with your credit card.
There's a whole distributed network of newsagents on all the routes to CJ. Newsagents are a forgotten benefit of ticket buying akin to the Post Office epiphany* moment that it it would be better for sales of stamps to allow card shops to sell stamps rather than try and sell cards in Post Offices.
It will be perfect when I can use pay-as-you-go directly to travel to Richmond or Wimbledon (Underground/SWT interchange stations for those north of the water) in 10 minutes rather than go Overground to West Brompton and then the District Line in 45 minutes
*subsequently screwed up by introducing charge by size as well as weight
To all of you that think the world is taught computing on MS Windows, take a look at www.theingots.org - technology neutral ICT learning taking place in our schools today.
I think you've got the right facts but come to the wrong conclusion.
Seriously, how many times do you want to buy a word processor just because the file format is changed by the dominant supplier?
If it is all about innovation in productivity (or extra features) then the product will be purchased anyway, by those that want to need those features.
If it were a car you might want 5.1 stereo, leather seats and air-conditioning, but it might be nice to forgo those so you can buy something else you need more.
Dale,
Your post fails the but-for test.
It is a fact, that while the rule-of-law applies, any organisation with more than a certain amount of the market (70% in Europe, I think, different figure in US, I think) has to behave in a certain way in order to avoid illegally distorting the market.
Further, despite the concern expressed by some over Europe's insistence on RAND-free open standards, there is a public policy issue to address, illustrated by Acts of Parliament (Statutes) being recorded on goatskin parchment using special ink so they are still readable in umpty-ump years time. (Quite important).
I am underwhelmed by the claim of special innovation in file formats because in a digital world I want to own my information and I want governments (banks, pension companies...) to be able to access information for as long as necessary, without being in thrall to any commercial entity (which is not a plea for "freetard").
If Microsoft were to converge OOXML with ODF in a manner which enabled RAND free file formats, there wouldn't be an issue. Microsoft could be free to charge whatever they wanted for MS Office. Its superiority could be demonstrated by consumers choosing to buy it rather than a cheaper simpler product.
Their productivity claims made for the product could be realised by those that do all that complicated office stuff where those gains are realisable.
Others could stick to using more basic products.
The economy would benefit as money wouldn't be misdirected to IT arising from a single better-than-needed product being bought in all circumstances.
I don't know how many people posting here go anywhere near Trafalgar Sq during the day but if it's a congestion charge it isn't working.
I wonder what reaction there would be to charging everyone £25?
I'm fairly sure one massive car park in the west end offers to pay your congestion charge. Which suggests to me it's not high enough (remembering the idea is to reduce congestion).
Rather than distort arrangements through tax, use structural (ha ha) reform. Block off through routes except for buses and taxis (let me make a list: Parliament Square, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park Corner, Aldwych, Aldgate thinggummy, somewhere near Kings Cross, Vauxhall Cross.
@Jon
It seems like their case was watertight in which case it was irresponsible to defend.
That's the real question for taxpayers or perhaps to ask whether there was there another motive for defending?
Their costs will have been "taxed" (assessed, not HMRC) They donate them to charity, probably get tax relief in their legal costs (comes off bottom line) they get tax relief on donations to charity. And they get to look good rather than conniving petrol heads, and the choice of charity is in line with current thinking on youth (yoof if you insist) issues.
I am now a happy bunny continuing over 10 years of continuous SUSE use with 11.0, however, let me assure you that the 1-click install took out my X server, and then when I repaired it, for reasons I didn't know, it removed my kernel too. Luckily, "update installed system" cured that too.
If (as acknowledged by Nvidia) you are using an FX 5200 card don't use the 1- click install, use the shell script. A little note or an updated RPM from openSUSE would be useful.
If you are upgrading from 10.3 you might find this helpful too
rpm -e MozillaFirefox-2.0.0.12-5.1 --noscripts --nodeps
How I read the story was that he felt it would be reasonably easy to remove the terrorist label, (duh, I've just got an odd hobby) whereas once labelled a paedophile he was going to be in the shit for the rest of his life arising from "he's a bit different from the rest of us" together with that well known libertarian principle "there's no smoke without fire"
Have we all forgotten the paediatrician that was persecuted because none of the mob could get past the first four letters?
@Jason,
All I can tell you is that Broadcomm is now in the Linux kernel and that that it worked out of the box for a Dell on openSUSE 10.3
@Oi OSS Projects
YaST has been part of SUSE since at least 6.1 (start of my usage, about 10 years ago) at that time Linux was more about Unix than it was about Joe User, and continued an in-joke "Yet another"* Now it's just the control centre for openSUSE. Do you confuse/irritate the user base by renaming it or do you wait for new users (in KDE, anyway) to click on "computer" -> "administration" -> "software" and then not notice the tool is called YaST?
*as a search on Google with Unix and "yet another" reveals.
