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Comment Re:Hello Moto (Score 1) 828

by aweraw (#26461873) Attached to: Qt Becomes LGPL

Saying "but you can use it, you just can't distribute it" is NOT disingenuity.

It's the objective truth.

Use = executing the code. In this respect, there are no restrictions imposed by the GPL.
Distribution = making copies and giving them out. The GPL simply states that if you take advantage of code licensed under the terms of the GPL, you must pass those same terms along to anyone who receives a copy from you. You are restricted from imposing further arbitrary restrictions... that's all.

You're the one who's splitting hairs by trying to claim that distribution _is_ use. No, it's not I'm sorry. Use is what occurs after distribution.
Image

South Carolina Seeking To Outlaw Profanity Screenshot-sm 849

Posted by samzenpus from the f@#k-those-f@#king-f@#kers dept.
MBGMorden writes "It looks like in an act that defies common sense, a bill has been introduced in the South Carolina State Senate that seeks to outlaw the use of profanity. According to the bill it would become a felony (punishable by a fine up to $5000 or up to 5 years in prison) to 'publish orally or in writing, exhibit, or otherwise make available material containing words, language, or actions of a profane, vulgar, lewd, lascivious, or indecent nature.' I'm not sure if 'in writing' could be applied to the internet, but in any event this is scary stuff."
Social Networks

Personality Testing For Employment 581

Posted by kdawson from the strongly-disagree dept.
Thelasko writes "While I was in college, I had the opportunity to take an elective course in Industrial Psychology. One section of the course covered hiring practices and the validity of 'personality testing' to screen applicants (Google link for non-subscribers). The Wall Street Journal has a long article discoursing on how such tests are used in today's economy. While personality tests may be designed to uncover underlying personality traits such as honesty, critics claim that the tests instead reward cheaters." The article talks mostly about the tests' use in winnowing candidates for retail positions — deciding whom to interview. Anybody encountered them in an IT or more technical context?
Windows

In-Depth With the Windows 7 Public Beta 785

Posted by kdawson from the ctrl-alt-del-makes-him-blink dept.
Dozer writes "With the Windows 7 public beta out, Ars Technica has an in-depth look at the release. There's praise for Windows 7's UI changes and polish as well much-needed changes to UAC, but also a warning that those who have problems with Vista won't like Windows 7 much better. 'If you couldn't stand Vista's UI (whether it's because you didn't like Explorer, Aero, Control Panel, UAC, or anything else), Windows 7 is unlikely to do much to help, as it builds on the same UI. If Vista's hardware demands were too steep, Windows 7 will likely cause you the same grief, as its hardware demands match. And if Vista didn't work with a program or device you need to use, Windows 7 will offer no salvation, as its compatibility is virtually identical.'"

Comment Re:more importantly: (Score 1) 376

by aweraw (#26264711) Attached to: InfoWorld's Crystal Ball Predicts the Future of Microsoft

Of course there's something wrong with that... he shouldn't have to "not be hassled". If he didn't want the software, but was put into a position where not buying it was more inconvenient than just buying it, there's only one entity that benefits from the transaction - the one who made it inconvenient to not buy their software; he essentially paid money to "not be hassled". That wreaks of a protection racket, and is pretty fucked up IMO.
Patents

Microsoft Invents $1.15/Hour Homework Fee For Kids 580

Posted by timothy from the defining-the-edge-of-invention dept.
theodp writes "Microsoft's vision of your computing future is on display in its just-published patent application for the Metered Pay-As-You-Go Computing Experience. The plan, as Microsoft explains it, involves charging students $1.15 an hour to do their homework, making an Office bundle available for $1/hour, and billing gamers $1.25 for each hour of fun. In addition to your PC, Microsoft also discloses plans to bring the chargeback scheme to your cellphone and automobile — GPS, satellite radio, backseat video entertainment system. 'Both users and suppliers benefit from this new business model,' concludes Microsoft, while conceding that 'the supplier can develop a revenue stream business that may actually have higher value than the one-time purchase model currently practiced.' But don't worry kids, that's only if you do more than 52 hours of homework a year!"
Input Devices

Nintendo Slapped With Wiimote Strap Lawsuit Once Again 356

Posted by Soulskill from the it's-not-a-hula-hoop dept.
GameCyteSean writes "GameCyte is reporting that a new class-action lawsuit has challenged Nintendo's Wiimote straps once more. Interestingly, the suit was filed by the same lawyer who led the original 2006 attempt, and now argues that Nintendo hid records of broken TVs from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. From the article: 'This doesn't seem like a spurious accusation, either. Attached to the court filing (PDF) as a matter of public record is the very evidence Nintendo allegedly tried to hide: actual, internal Nintendo documents (PDF) where customer service reps received complaints of cracked televisions and broken Wiimote straps — and the corresponding Monthly Reports that Nintendo was compelled to file with the CPSC as part of their agreement.'"

Comment Re:Your nut-guard's wearing thin. (Score 5, Insightful) 263

by aweraw (#25999657) Attached to: Nintendo's Miyamoto On Innovation, Wii Ambitions

PC + Wii = most every major title and genre covered

When I want "good graphics and a complex story line", I fire up the PC... it absolutely destroys the PS3, X360 and Wii for those kinds of games - sure, I have to wait a few months for the games to hit the PC, but so what? I end up paying less for the game, and get a superior experience. The only counter I've heard to that is that "I'm not patient enough to wait for titles to hit PC". I am, so that's moot for me.

On the other hand, when we have people over (usually drinking alcoholic beverages), we fire up the Wii. It's unbeatable in this environment. Never has a gaming device (that I know of) taken the social aspect so far. It's hard to express in words the awesomeness of playing drinking games with the Wii. I am neither a senior citizen or mentally deficient, and I think the Wii is fantastic... but thanks for lumping me in with those groups!

That said, there ARE "mature" games on Wii - just not as many as the PS3 or X360. Plenty of them in fact; more than enough to keep me interested in it for those kinds of games... The PC however eats them all - it's hard to deny that fact.

The PS3 and X360 are good systems, I like them my self - but one need not own either them to experience all the best games that come to market. That's why they can't get a foot up on the Wii.

So, ummm..... I think my point is that you should probably just get over it. The Wii is popular. People like it. It's making gaming a socially acceptable pastime, where it used to be the domain of the geek only. You're entitled to your opinion, but don't act all indignant when people don't agree, and offer their counter points.

</rant>

Comment Re:Source (Score 1) 126

by aweraw (#25743855) Attached to: Java Trial Support Coming In Linux Standard Base

I've used alien - at least I tried to. IMO the results are not consistent enough for it to be genuinely useful. Some package worked after conversion (from RPM->DEB), but most did not.

Has any body had any experience with alien converting from DEB->RPM? Are the results any better than the failures I've experienced with RPM->DEB conversion?

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