Want to read Slashdot from your mobile device? Point it at m.slashdot.org and keep reading!

 



Forgot your password?
typodupeerror
×

Comment Calculus (Score 1) 1153

I did find that I had to use Calculus once, about 12 years afterward in the real world.

I had to calculate summations; learned in Calculus II.
Either I could do it in Excel, and take 50 pages to calculate it, or I could summarize it into a nice little Calculus formula.

I couldn't figure out how to create the formula at the time, so I went ahead with the brute force method and created 50 pages of Excel to get my answer. Thank heavens for Excel.

Then the following day, I looked at the problem again, and derived my simple formula to solve my problem. A skill which I had once learned 12 years prior in some Calculus class I took in College; while questioning, when the heck was I ever going to use such a knowledge in my life.

Now, I can plug that formula into a program, and it will help me solve more questions that would take me 200 pages of Excel to brute force calculate.

Times like that is when you appreciate the beauty of math.

Comment The iPad as a portable music player? (Score 1) 536

... and you may use 'any application that pleases you' to play music and video, a clear edge over Apple's limitation to iTunes."

Please explain to me the logic or rationality behind using the iPad as a portable music player. Seriously. Is anyone going to really plug into the iPad while they are running on the treadmill? Or maybe it's better to use it as a desktop music player?

Although, admitedly, I would like to view my XviD movie files and have access to an expandable SD Card. I am already hit the 16 GB limitation of the internal storage.

So far, all I am interested in using it for is to read my PDF books, do some light web surfing, read news via iPad news apps, or stream a quick Netflix.

The 10 hour battery life on it is fantastic. The thing practically lasts all day. The $500 price point practically kills the Nook and Kindle as an eBook reader.

Comment Re:Win+R (Score 1) 261

My comment wasn't supposed to be a flamebait.

It's an "opportunity for improvement".

Even if you Google how to map the Windows key, the solutions are not supported, or isn't exactly very natural.

The power of the Windows Run command, allows you to quickly execute a command line program, without the need to open up a command prompt. Or it allows you to open up a specific program directly, without having to navigate for it through the myriad of menus and sub-menus. Quick and easy.

Comment Win+R (Score 2, Interesting) 261

Alt+F2

This is one of most annoying things about Linux. It sometimes tries to copy Windows, but instead, does a half-assed job.

Why not just use the WIN+R command? Microsoft created the Run command, and the Windows Key makes the keystroke very easy. It is certainly easier than reaching for Alt+F2.

Even Apple created their launch application using the command+spacebar keystroke.

Why can't this be made standard? Instead of having to add some other unsupported key application just to get that mapping to use the Windows Key. Practically all keyboards have the Windows key standard.

Slashdot Top Deals

The moon is made of green cheese. -- John Heywood

Working...