Comment Re:Not Mel (Score 1) 113
Have you looked at go?
Strong typing, ridiculously fast compiles, garbage collection, python-like maps and slices, and a decent standard library.
Have you looked at go?
Strong typing, ridiculously fast compiles, garbage collection, python-like maps and slices, and a decent standard library.
Yes. For example, Heroku is using it (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/05/05/google_go/), and you can also use Google App Engine with Go - http://code.google.com/appengine/docs/go/overview.html
The first thing I did was update the firmware it when I got it on Sunday so that I could see the "OK Go" video. I never saw the "bsod" requesting that you power off and on again until yesterday when I was playing Ghost: Recon for the first time. I just saw it again today, also while playing Ghost:Recon. The exact wording is "An error has occurred. Hold down the POWER button to turn off the power, then turn it on and try again. For help, visit support.nintendo.com."
I just looked for another update, and there is none.
So the issue still exists with all current patches applied, and seems to show up in Ghost:Recon, at least for me.
What was the book that you didn't already have?
It's a bit like the Vadem Clio from 1999 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vadem_Clio
Two hinges inside a bigger frame should be stronger than one smaller hinge that also rotates.
Kids could use BASIC or Logo running directly on the iPad, except that Apple forbids interpreted languages. No modern touch-aware reimplementation of HyperCard, either. They kicked out a previously approved Commodore 64 emulated retro-game when it was discovered you could get to a BASIC prompt. I'm not sure if this restriction is targeted directly at Adobe Flash, or just indirectly at all apps that might auto-update themselves via the net to change their own behaviour without App-Store approval. It's pretty big collateral damage no matter the reason.
While I also think it's cool that a 13-year old and his friend have published an app, if they had tried to write something like HyperCard, or Google Voice instead of a simple drawing program, Apple would have shut them down.
The article also mentions that the DS Game - Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars sold poorly, selling only 89,000 copies, way under expectations. This bums me out, since I bought it, bought copies as gifts, and loved it - the DS touch-screen interface is something I find very enjoyable to use. With such low sales, a sequel seems unlikely, in spite of the fact that it received the all-time high score for the DS at metacritic - http://www.metacritic.com/games/ds/
I have a strong suspicion that the easy availability of ROMs for the game might have had something to do with the low sales (although objective data is hard to come by). By comparison, an iphone game was 80% unpaid copies, 20% paid - http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/26/developer-claims-80-percent-piracy-rate-for-latest-iphone-releas/
The "change your business model" idea suggested for music companies is actually happening for games - Dragon Age: Origins now ships essentially crippled, with magic items to boost stats and useful party-member NPCs held back until you register an EA.com account and use the "free" code contained in a sealed shrink-wrapped game, or pay extra for it as DLC (downloadable content). This then adds all the server-overload fun of an MMO launch to a single-player game. It also required a tedious install reboot install loop on a console. Argh.
I'm not sure what the answer is long-term, other than everything will eventually be network-enabled only, as that's the only way to ensure payment. Standalone games will wither and die. Bummer. (With various exceptions for things like Dwarf Fortress which are free and take donations.)
In the meantime, Wil Wheaton's advice should be extended beyond just playing games, to include publishing and acquiring games - "Don't be a Dick."
Linux Weekly News has a nice summary of Linux Audio from the Linux Plumber's Conference:
http://lwn.net/Articles/355018/
"The history, status, and future of audio for Linux systems was the topic of two talks--coming at the theme from two different directions--at the Linux Plumbers Conference (LPC). Ardour and JACK developer Paul Davis looked at audio from mostly the professional audio perspective, while PulseAudio developer Lennart Poettering, unsurprisingly, discussed desktop audio. Davis's talk ranged over the full history of Linux audio and gave a look at where he'd like to see things go, while Poettering focused on the changes since last year's conference and "action items" for the coming year."
The slides from the talks are also available as one LWN commenter pointed out - http://linuxplumbersconf.org/2009/program/
"Here's something to think about: How come you never see a headline like `Psychic Wins Lottery.'" -- Comedian Jay Leno