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Comment Re:Not the same label (Score 4, Informative) 362

by EEDAm (#30510768) Attached to: Facebook Campaign Decides UK Christmas Music Charts
When Killing In The Name Of came out in 1992 there was, of course, no iTunes or any interwebsnet distribution channel. You had to have a label for your record to be heard, which at that time was Epic. As guitarist Tom Morello said "Epic agreed to everything we asked -- and they've followed through.... We never saw a conflict as long as we maintained creative control." Like Jane's Addiction four or so years before, the material was so strong that the bidding war between labels was that fierce that the band were able to lay down their own terms. Very few bands even of strongest principles against mass commercialisation were able to avoid a major label at that time. Even Chuck D allowed himself to be talked into Public Enemy being on a major label for several albums. Its only the democratisation of digital downloads, internet publicity and all that that has made it possible to bust that old model. A lot has changed in 17 years.
Security

Doom-Like Video Surveillance For Ports In Development 56

Posted by Soulskill from the hurt-me-plenty dept.
oranghutan writes "A research and development group down under is working to develop an advanced video surveillance system for ports around the world that uses video superimposed onto a 3D map. With 16-megapixel high-definition cameras on a distributed (cabled) network and a proprietary system written in a variety of languages (C++, Python, SQL, etc.), the group from NICTA is aiming to allow security teams at the Port of Brisbane — which is 110km long — to monitor shipping movements, cargo and people. By scrolling along a 3D map, the security teams can click on a location and then get a real-time video feed superimposed onto the map. Authorities from around the world with the right permissions can then access the same system. The main difference from regular surveillance systems is the ability to switch views without having to know camera numbers/locations and the one screen view."
Games

Heavy Rain Previews Show Promise 84

Posted by Soulskill from the blue-skies dept.
As the February release date for Quantic Dream's Heavy Rain nears, several publications have gotten a chance for some hands-on time with the game and seem to be intrigued by what they saw. Quoting the Opposable Thumbs blog: "The game grabs you during the quiet moments where nothing 'happens.' When you look at a picture your child drew. When you're questioning someone about a crime. When you're trying to figure out how to react to a violent situation. The preview we were sent put me in different situations as I played a small handful of characters, and each one provided a few tiny moments that were surprising in terms of storytelling or subtlety." Eurogamer's previewer had a similar reaction: "To my great delight as well — Heavy Rain isn't a mature game because it has unhappy families and moody lighting, it's a mature game because it anticipates an adult response from the player and is prepared to receive it."

Comment Re:Expect what you are paid (Score 3, Informative) 325

by EEDAm (#30363462) Attached to: What Can I Expect As an IT Intern?
It is for IT people but it's not really relevant here. He's going in for an internship in the middle of a huge recession so he's gonna make $8 an hour. Fairly meh but so what - there are plenty of people doing 'internships' for free just to get the xp. When you're an intern - be bright, enthusiastic and don't mind mucking in menial tasks ALL THE TIME. The attitude of the intern is a huge consideration of how we see our interns and whether we feel like having them back in full time employ. Everyone will be bright(ish) but you have no practical xp to trade yet so attitude and approach count for an awful lot. It may sound trite but if I had one piece of advice to any intern and anyone in their first 5, hell for the *rest* of their careers, it would be this.

Comment Re:Several Reasons (Score 1) 666

by EEDAm (#30296272) Attached to: Somali Pirates Open Up a "Stock Exchange"
Your mercs are a lot better / more expensive than the protection officers being employed on Basque tuna boats. "The same sources said that it is necessary to have 4 security guards aboard every tuna boat, a move which will involve a cost of 3,000 euros per day per ship." Alternatively maybe your boat has 140,000 / 7 / 750 = 26 armed guards on it. In which case, I'm coming with you :) http://www.eitb.com/news/international/detail/276810/750-euros-per-day-per-person-to-help-tuna-boats/
Image

Scientists Say a Dirty Child Is a Healthy Child 331

Posted by samzenpus from the snack-is-going-to-be-on-the-floor-today dept.
Researchers from the School of Medicine at the University of California have shown that the more germs a child is exposed to, the better their immune system in later life. Their study found that keeping a child's skin too clean impaired the skin's ability to heal itself. From the article: "'These germs are actually good for us,' said Professor Richard Gallo, who led the research. Common bacterial species, known as staphylococci, which can cause inflammation when under the skin, are 'good bacteria' when on the surface, where they can reduce inflammation."
Censorship

Modern Warfare 2 Not Recalled In Russia After All 94

Posted by Soulskill from the it's-the-thought-that-counts dept.
thief21 writes "After claims that console versions Modern Warfare 2 had been recalled in Russia due to complaints from politicians and the gaming public over the infamous airport slaughter scene, it turns out the stories were completely untrue. Activision never released a console version of the game in Russia." Instead, they simply edited the notorious scene out of the PC version. They did this of their own volition, since Russia doesn't have a formal ratings committee.
Businesses

EA Shuts Down Pandemic Studios, Cuts 200 Jobs 161

Posted by Soulskill from the say-goodnight-folks dept.
lbalbalba writes "Electronic Arts is shutting down its Westwood-based game developer Pandemic Studios just two years after acquiring it, putting nearly 200 people out of work. 'The struggling video game publisher informed employees Tuesday morning that it was closing the studio as part of a recently announced plan to eliminate 1,500 jobs, or 16% of its global workforce. Pandemic has about 220 employees, but an EA spokesman said that a core team, estimated by two people close to the studio to be about 25, will be integrated into the publisher's other Los Angeles studio, in Playa Vista.' An ex-developer for Pandemic attributed the studio's struggles to poor decisions from the management."

Comment Re:Ie6 is the new amish (Score 1) 350

by kick6 (#29976882) Attached to: Firefox Passes IE6 In Browser Share

My job uses WinXp Pro, Ie6, and Office 2003. AND we use an app called QAD in a dos box. It's nice to be in a minority, So I can feel special.

With the exception of the dos box, every corporation I've ever worked for has been the same way. In my current position, I've actually ASKED IT to allow me to install firefox, IE7, or....god ANYTHING with tabs (yea, I have to ask. My company's machines are locked down tighter than a whale's butthole) and have been DENIED. Apparently my company's stance is "no, you can not have a safe browser. Please continue to use the veritable swiss cheese of internet software because its what we've blindly decided to support, and we're to arrogant to change."

Comment Re:My problems with 9.1 (Score 1) 1231

by Corporate Troll (#29976862) Attached to: Some Early Adopters Stung By Ubuntu's Karmic Koala

I had the same problem, but I knew the reason. 9.04 didn't support my NVidia card with the provided binary drivers. So, I installed the drivers provided by NVidia on their website.

When I started the upgrade, it dawned to me that I should have uninstalled those and then do the upgrade, but it was too late. After the upgrade: flickering, etc... I simply booted in recovery mode, started a shell, reinstalled the NVidia binary drivers manually rebooted and everything was fixed.

Now granted, I would rather use the Ubuntu provided binary drivers, but if they don't work I just do it the above way. I still think this problem is caused by the fact that I already did install the drivers manually and Ubuntu upgrade was confused. For kicks, I should just reinstall 9.10 from scratch to see what happens.

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