Comment: It will be called the iPad Maxi (Score 1) 192
And it is expected to fully absorb the marketplace within a week or so. Hopefully, it will be a match for the heavy flow of demand right at the beginning.
Why money doesn't motivate file-sharers->
Submitted
by
nk497
nk497 writes "File-sharers aren't motivated by financial gain, but by altruism, according to an economist. Joe Cox, of the Portsmouth Business School, said those uploading content for others to share don't see what they're doing as illegal, meaning current tactics to deter piracy are doomed to fail. "The survey data suggested there was a deep-seated belief that this type of activity shouldn’t be illegal, that there was no criminal act involved.
That makes it very hard to deter with advertising," he said, adding that the UK's plans to cut off file-sharers under the Digital Economy Act wasn't worth the effort. "The amount of resources it would take to investigate people’s online activity to the extent that you get judicial proof of the download is economically inefficient. It’s not going to work." Instead, he thinks music, movies and other digital content should be seen as a public good, like street lights and national defence, where someone can benefit from it even if they don’t pay for it, and if any one person consumes the good it doesn’t affect anyone else’s ability to consume it too. That would mean creative industries would need to be funded by taxes or levies on digital players, he noted."
Link to Original Source
That makes it very hard to deter with advertising," he said, adding that the UK's plans to cut off file-sharers under the Digital Economy Act wasn't worth the effort. "The amount of resources it would take to investigate people’s online activity to the extent that you get judicial proof of the download is economically inefficient. It’s not going to work." Instead, he thinks music, movies and other digital content should be seen as a public good, like street lights and national defence, where someone can benefit from it even if they don’t pay for it, and if any one person consumes the good it doesn’t affect anyone else’s ability to consume it too. That would mean creative industries would need to be funded by taxes or levies on digital players, he noted."
Link to Original Source
Google Chrome OS Netbook Set for Dec. 7 Unveiling->
Submitted
by
thehillrick
thehillrick writes "Google will unveil a Chrome OS netbook Dec. 7. Key questions include: when can the public get them, and will the iPad and Android machines allow them to prosper?"
Link to Original Source
Link to Original Source
After this, I want a Tardis, too.....->
Submitted
by
AskFirefly
AskFirefly writes "Bristol University Ultrasonic engineers say they may be able one day to produce an actual sonic screwdriver. My Christmas list is about to get much longer......"
Link to Original Source
Link to Original Source
Comment: Needs the obligatory Firefly comment (Score 1) 278
From Serenity: "Can't stop the signal."
Comment: I sense,,,, (Score 2, Funny) 385
... the next marketing campaign from Microsoft.
Comment: I'm sure it's been mentioned, but... (Score 1) 291
"Database Design for Mere Mortals" by Michael Hernandez and "SQL Queries for Mere Mortals" by Hernandez and John Viescas. These are excellently written books that really do a great job of covering the essentials, but are suitable even for non-technical folks. They are extremely approachable, and if you're starting to look at theory, I would highly recommend you put these books near the top of your start list.
Chinese Companies Rent White Foreigners 145
Posted
by
samzenpus
from the token-white-guy dept.
from the token-white-guy dept.
The job market may look bad here, but if you're in China, and you happen to be white, all you need is a suit and tie. An increasing number of Chinese companies are willing to pay any price to have a few fair-skinned faux employees walking around. From the article: "'Face, we say in China, is more important than life itself,' said Zhang Haihua, author of Think Like Chinese. 'Because Western countries are so developed, people think they are more well off, so people think that if a company can hire foreigners, it must have a lot of money and have very important connections overseas. So when they really want to impress someone, they may roll out a foreigner.' Or rent one."
iPad Steering Wheel Mount 230
Posted
by
samzenpus
from the dr.-lampe's-christmas-gift dept.
from the dr.-lampe's-christmas-gift dept.
kevin7kal writes "The Apple iPad is the ideal automotive communications and entertainment device. It is sized perfectly to mount using the iPad Steering Wheel Mount without obscuring the driver's view. 'I don't think that I am exaggerating when I say that the iPad Steering Wheel Mount probably has saved my life...'"
Comment: Re:Just finished my third viewing. (Score 1) 379
One of my personal favorite lines:
AMY: You're worse than my Aunt!
THE DOCTOR: I'm The Doctor -- I'm worse than everyone's Aunt.
and
THE DOCTOR: Who's the man! (awkward pause) I am never going to say that again....
All-in-all, the new episode calmed my fears. The show is in good hands.