* Posts by Edward Rose

178 publicly visible posts • joined 13 Jun 2007

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Windows better off closed, says Microsoft

Edward Rose

Erm,

@Mark

That's a little harsh, I use Debian (a little) and Gentoo (main setup), and they both have slightly different ways of setting things up (different conf locations etc).

Although you are spot on right with the software itself being compatible across the range, it doesn't mean that a person can go straight from Ubuntu and use RH or Suse or Gentoo easily, some bugger keeps moving the configuration files.

(That said, it could just be Gentoo which is the odd one out..... I await the rebuke)

As for documentation, most of the important stuff is documented well. Some of the obscure stuff isn't. Most of that doesn't really last though. So, it is not quite is much of a problem as some suggest.

El Reg decimates English language

Edward Rose

Ah, English....

@Marc Savage

Ill agree when hell freezes over. Don't IS shorter than do not. Or shall I just write dnt? Oh heck, , is quicker.

Anywho, yep it is evolving, and I quite agree with the chap who pointed out that clarity of meaning is the most important thing (and thanks to Tony for the education on the history of decimate).

But I will always get 'short' with people who have 'a go' at me because I took something they said literally when the meant something completely different. Learn what the word means if you are going to have a go at someone for having a better understanding than you (not directed at Tony, just something I get a lot).

And, ICT?

What is information if it is not communicated - nothing.

What do you communicate if not information - nothing.

It is NOT ICT, one thing the English language does say, and I must agree - "Don't repeat yourself". It's just one FCP (fking clueless politician) who thinks that everything must be a TLA because STLAs aren't fashonable.

Ofcom scuppered 61 pirate broadcasters in 2007

Edward Rose

Mmmm, ham!

@Jabba

The exams are proper now, you read a question, tick the obvious answer....

Just like school.

To be fair, the simple route into foundation is good, just emphasis the importance of not tweaking power up. Not sure how tough int. or full is, but I'm guessing they could benefit from weeding the weak out a little more.

@John

All very well and good, but how many pirate radio stations have the license to broadcast the music? That's where the biggest problem lies. Okay, a lot probably only do free stuff, but still...

However, the idea should still work well if it was made clear that Ofcom fully supported RIAA BMA whoever, when it came to suing for illegal broadcast.

There is still lots of free to air good stuff, and a fantastic chance for new bands to get a look in with real music.

Ofcom auctions off high frequencies

Edward Rose

@John Thomas

Spot on, now lets just let people transmit on any frequency they like. I'll choose the 430 - 600 MHz region. I think I'll transmit lots of noise.

Also, it's an auction not a sale. So the high costs are driven by the industry. Okay, that's not fair on small companies, but that's capitalism for you. Nothing to do with Ofcom.

Does Parliament have the right to lock you up for murdering someone/thing? Who gave them the right?

Microsoft opens APIs and protocols to all

Edward Rose

Finally!

I reckon this will be the only way MS will be able to survive the next 10 to 20 years. Good to see them actually looking at the market around them (even if there was some gentle kicking given).

I' guessing that the next MS OS release will be worth actually paying for. Maybe.

Ofcom cracks down on London pirates

Edward Rose

Petition

Start a govt. petition for a small slice of spectrum. Set aside for 'pirate radio' use only. Should do a good job.

But, who's paying for the right to play the music on broadcast, that must cost a fortune (although I don't have sympathy for the RIAA etc). Law is the law.

And again, as an eng. said earlier, harmonics can be a problem on higher frequencies, and some cheap equipment may be known to sing at all sorts of frequencies without it being noticed on the used one.

ATC breaking on to your radio, chat to the local airport, chat to Ofcom, pretty sure it shouldn't. Pretty sure they'll be made to do something about it.

Opera CTO: How to fix Microsoft's browser issues

Edward Rose

Sympathy?

You'll find it in the dictionary.

For all those idiots who have taken advantage of a broken browser, and ignored the standards, well, tough. Fix the bloody sites and don't whine to people who actually know how (and care) to do a job properly.

Good luck to Opera's bid.

Major Linux security glitch lets hackers in at Claranet

Edward Rose
Alien

Excellent....

Nice to get a reminder that I shouldn't get tooooo complacent.

Mind you, never run bleeding edge kernels or major software anyway.

Alien: Well, ..... someone must have planted the bug ;)

LG says laptop batteries safe despite 'billion to one' blast

Edward Rose

LAPtops...

I wonder how many people leave these exploding devices in deep pile rugs (erm, on) resulting in no airflow and no means for the heat to leave.

The unit WILL produce heat, and it does need good ventilation, at least with a laptop class devices. People don't ever seem to respect this though.

No icon: Because I wanted a bomb.

US Army struggles with Windows to Linux overhaul

Edward Rose

Security?

I'm guessing hackers shouldn't get a look in to most of it.

If it isn't a (mostly) closed off / private system then people are just looking for trouble.

I'd say the security / bug risks could well be equal either way, the difference is, one of them you can't guarantee a fix. The other you can. When it comes to your own life, I wouldn't start putting all my trust in one other person who is only interested in money (Okay, Boeing are only interested in money, but you could find someone else to take over the maintainance, even if you must make the government body yourself.... Which I'm pretty sure would work out cheaper in the long run over a range of projects).

ABC fined $1.43m for NYPD Blue a*se flash

Edward Rose

What !?!

I see loads of mouths on TV...

Along with what Gavin said, the cheeks are for comfortable seating, what else?

Starbucks mocha clocked at 628 calories

Edward Rose

@Steve

Nope, it's a particular coffee bean. Still in most places it seems that mocha refers to a mix of hot chocolate, chocolate, and just enough coffee to upset anyone who doesn't like coffee. Infact there is probably more chocolate in 'mocha' than there is in hot chocolate in some of these places.

More importantly, why do places like costa seem to make sure the water they use is super heated? Ruins the coffee.

Black, no sugar. Who the hell wants to ruin a drink with cow lactation anyway?

MP accuses BBC chief of illegally championing Microsoft

Edward Rose

Missed point

The point here is that there is an alternative to the MS DRM. They didn't want to look for it. They should _have_ looked.

They should have considered that there are other systems out there and looked at keeping things more 'open'. I'm all for DRM on this stuff, it's an added bonus (the stuff, not the DRM). And, I'd bet that another company could produce a DRM system cheaper than the BBC is currently paying MS (although MS would have made a lower offer then).

AFAIAC the download system is sufficient to provide a cross platform solution, even if the MS users can have the download one too. As long as the content is the same. Spank the directors for bad decision making at the start (it would be nice if they comply with the Trust's decision, if a cheap method becomes available, do it, make it available for us *nix users etc).

Academics slam Java

Edward Rose

I love these 'discussions'

@Martin Gregorie

I want what you're smoking, maybe then I would start to like my employers. Anywho, you'll find an awful lot of java web applications do have a graphical frontend. I'm not saying that Java isn't used as a backend, but I've never seen it (yes, humour intended).

Pseudo-code is by far the best to teach first.

I self taught Basic, then a small amount of assembly. School taught us pseudo as the teachers knew no languages, Best education I've had to date.

Elec degree at uni taught us pseudo, C and assembly. Because that's what we'd use as gingerbeers (Okay, HDLs too).

In current job a firm is being contracted to write fairly simple embedded system (I wasn't allowed, despite the saving it could have made the company, because I would have actually enjoyed it). They tried to insist on writting in C/C++. ???? Why?

I mostly work in C, but there is no doubt that this project should be done in asm. It's just not big enough to need high-level.

So, how about teaching the students a short bit on asm. a larger bit on C and some on a language like Java (about as much as you teach on C). There is nothing wrong with any of these languages (well, okay lots wrong, but meh ;) so let the students learn the differences and where each should be used. Of course, start with theory of structure, modules and pseudo code.

A project on a language of their choice should be given (ie, write tetris, choose any of the taught, or maybe untaught, languages to do so). I think this is what is called an education, unlike what most places seem to give now.

To the above comment, solving problems comes down to extracting fingures and trying to think. Kids of today sit back and expect everyone else to do the thinking (Yep, I'm nearly one of these kids, and I do work with these kids in my free time). They are always given the answer so don't ever expect them to work it out.

Can we have an icon with a teacher/lecturer being spanked please?

Israeli eggheads in pinhead bible publishing breakthrough

Edward Rose

Delicious

What a brilliant choice for demonstrating the advancements of science, especially in the field of Semiconductor fabrication for making devices which 'perform miracles'.

I wonder if it is blasphemous? Lets stone them anyway. Are there any ladies here?

Man uses networked 'crazy' toaster to hack PC

Edward Rose

Erm...?

A toaster that can hack a PC.

So, really a PC that can make some toast.

Am I the only one who thought Pentium?

Fly me to the moon, and let me play amongst the stars....

Germans debut kitesurf-powered autonomous windjammer

Edward Rose

Can't automate traditional sails.

Don't mean to p*ss on this designer's parade, but last time I checked, an automated 1 man sailing system was more than possible.

'Traditional sailing' doesn't use it as it isn't traditional, it would require motors and computers. The question is, would sails survive something as block like as the average modern cargo ship. I reckon it could easily, but I'm not exactly experienced..

Glad to know Branson became a Millionaire over night, and just threw all those pennies away to achieve it.

'Death Star' galaxy blasts neighbour

Edward Rose

@Bryan

Yep, 1.4billion years ago, all the extra time to reach us with.

Imminent onslaught within 100 years I reckon.

If the galaxies are merging is this just a bit of rough and ready foreplay?

....'Dominent Galaxy Spanks Partner'

is a much more catchy heading this day and age.

Dutch gov blows open standards raspberry at Microsoft

Edward Rose

Good weed?

"Linux is simply too expensive to put onto desktops regarding end-user productivity, training and complexity."

Not sure what you are smoking, but *nix can be set up to operate just like MS Windows. Hence the GNOME project, et al. So it costs sod all (standard admin costs are the same for either system = X techies...). MS windows is just as hard (probably harder) to shove on a desktop and lock the user out from the functionality.

Also, I think you'll find the desktops will be MS Windows for all bar basic word processing machines. If there is a piece of software which requires WinXP then WinXP will remain on the system. It's the applications that are being targeted.

Also, the most important part of this change over is not the software, but the standards. If this world doesn't start adopting open (un-butchered) standards then we will just continue to regress to a state of lock in with one provider of crap software.

And, finally, you'll find that if the software isn't up to doing the job it won't be used. This includes if the software isn't usable or stable, it just won't be considered. Don't just jump on the belief that ALL software in the government must be OSS, it's just saying that people should consider it first.

Good luck to them.

Flash-based iPlayer is go

Edward Rose
Linux

Whiney fanboys?

I thought the complaint was that the BBC was encouraging the more adventurous of the world to break the law. DRM and proprietry software hasn't stopped people from accessing software before. Ask RIAA et al.

*nix users all hippies? Someone better warn this chap that we are starting to take on the disguise of regular folk now who don't know are arse from our elbow. You never know, you may be living next door to one of these terrorists!

Oh, and 'no' I don't pay for a license, but apparently I owe them £135 for a service I don't use. Slightly confused there.

Still once this has matured I may well start watching TV again.

Oh well, off home now as my elbows aching from sitting down all day.

Retailers: Xbox 360 to win next-gen console war

Edward Rose

Xbox360 fully backward compatible?

That would be a first, especially for Microsoft. It may be intended as compatible, but due to a completely different architecture there will always be some bugs. Also, HD-DVD availability won't help sell the Xbox, people are more likely to buy a stand alone (although some will buy the add on).

Blu-Ray and Betamax? Didn't you forget the mini-disc, great format, no advertising. Had it's fad of being 'in' but never big time. If Sony don't start putting countless adverts on TV telling everyone that Blu-Ray is the true way forwards and that they want it, they will be screwed.

Biggest thing HD-DVD has going for it is the latter part of it's name, despite being meaningless. Don't get me wrong, it has a more complete spec, and is cheaper and I'm sure has other benefits, but average joe will see HD-DVD and think the latest DVD style. People will see Blu-Ray and envisage complicated new technology.

I wonder who is blocking the production of dual format drives. We have the technology so they should exist. Cost is never an issue at this stage in the game, even if it costs ~£500/$1000 enthusiasts will buy and the cost will drop. Something fishy going on here.

Okay, completely OT but meh! Boils down to Sony must push the adverts and the HD war shouldn't exist anymore and should therefore never have been a factor in games console sales. Seems it is though.

Opera hits Microsoft with EC complaint

Edward Rose

Bundling and London board games.

@Ken Hagan

Bundling bungled software encourages users to write sites which don't work with compliant software. Ergo, unfairly using their position to kill off other browsers (or in this case stifle the competition).

Opera has been around a long time and is very good at supporting standards, Microsoft have been around a long time and intentionally break standards, and always have.

How long after publication? Each new major release would do.

@AC

You are right to an extent concerning bundling. But, the issue isn't with bundling, it is with a monopoly bundling. There is a separate case altogether. If Ubuntu were a monopoly, they would not be allowed to hide other browsers from install time choices. Although overall no one should really bundle, it isn't a huge problem.

However, removing the bundling will force MS to make a better browser for people to want to choose it over the other ones. Therefore, unbundling will help force compliance.

But, as you say, just forcing them to comply to the standards would be a start.

Ask for both they may get one ;)

Drink-drive chain gang obliged to bury dead alcoholics

Edward Rose

Good justice

For once, a punishment which they are trying to tailor to the crime. As every punishment should be. It's like bringing back the stocks, but work gets done at the same time.

UK gov: Feds will get BAE bribe files when hell freezes over

Edward Rose

Hell has frozen over...

I thought Hell froze over when Sun started shifting AIX, or was it IBM shifting Solaris? I read the story right here.

As proof I demand that the Register hand over all documents relating to that article, and in return anything that you ask for from me will somehow just not exist.

Anywho, BAE supplied Saudi with Jets, they supplied us with money. That's business. Even if we supplied them with some money too, isn't that just a refund? Standard business practice as the jets were probably sub standard (like most modern engineering).

It's a bit like MS giving software away for free to stop people using any competitors stuff, erm I mean, as a kind incentive to loyal users, that's right, it's not anti-competitive it's just good kind honest business practice.

Spinning, flashing Linux logo droid comes to UK

Edward Rose

Come again?

So it has an IR pick up, and a 2.4 GHz Tx for the PC. Can someone please clarify whether this wee little beastie is IR, RF or both.

Oh, and radio controlled is wireless. I might just be a little picky here, and I assume it uses both technologies, but a more clear piece of tech info there would be good.

Ofcom wants to see more unlicensed frequencies

Edward Rose

@ Martin

There's a good reason why the useful, valuable bands aren't given away for free.

And, to be fair, it's good of them to be giving away the more useless parts of the spectrum.

Anywho, giving away the lower frequencies wouldn't be of any benefit to us. We wouldn't be able to make stuff for it. And it's too low bandwidth for anything other than piping music or voice around (Well, video too but power and bandwidth restrictions would degrade quality a fair bit).

Now lets see if their website can be made useful by giving it a clear sane logical layout.

Linux desktops grow and grow and grow

Edward Rose
Coat

Damn shame....

I only moved to Linux to be different.

Realising that it was getting popular I quickly jumped to Debian (okay, to be honest, I hate Redhat - my first distro). Spent a few years with Debian and then that was getting too popular. Off to Gentoo.

Will I need to switch back to MS Windows in a few years time just to be different?

And, on a more serious note, being the type who enjoys hacking things I hope Linux doesn't get too MS Windows user friendly. It'll take half the fun away. People will see the standard desktop style and never realise there is more to play with in life.

How long unitl companies start rolling out scripts which automagically re-jig the kernel .config file and produce the modules you need? Or, hell, produce the drivers...

Britain's waterways turning 'healthy' brown

Edward Rose

Thames water?

I thought the lumps in the Thames water blocked up the cracks in all the pipes? Or have conditions improved since then?

Black, bitter, how coffee should be. If you want a sweet drink, try pure fruit juice. If you want a milky drink, suck on a cow's udder.

Dog's milk, lasts longer than any other kind...

Welsh (although don't live there now), and their water is great!

So, instead of tackling 'Global Warming' does this report suggest we should look to tackle the smaller, individual things that affect the world we live in? Hell, we may finally stand a chance of getting there.

Oz Santas suffer no 'ho ho ho' blow

Edward Rose
Coat

Poor B&Q

Looks like B&Q will be changing the name of some of their stock soon to.

Even out your garden with our premium ha.

What are hoes used for anyway? I don't have a garden, so it's mere curiosity...

Can't they just ban the yanks from using the term ho for anything other than its original meanings?

Asking for experience in job ads could land you in hot water

Edward Rose
Happy

About time.

For the Anon Cow above, I'd like to point out that if a person of a certain age or experience level is required, then they may employ discriminently. However, if the age or experience is not absolutely needed then the company has to offer the job to 'everyone'.

There are very few engineering firms in this country that are willing to employ someone with less than 3-5 yrs experience. If anyone can tell me how you are meant to get that experience when no one will employ you I'd like to know.

MySpace makes kids fat, claims minister

Edward Rose

That's where bubble wrap comes in.

They only wrap the kids in bubble wrap on the 'lose weight by wrapping up in clingfilm' principle. Obviously it's as much use as a waterproof teabag.

I don't see why it's so difficult to find playing areas for kids....

1) Stop bloody selling them!

2) Knock down all the old unused crumbley buildings, and sell for housing developement.

3) Stop selling them.

4) Reclaim some of the safer areas for playing fields.

5) Stop selling them.

6) Teach kids about safe playing in school.*

7) Stop selling them.

8) If they want a meal when out get a cornish pasty, not a bleedin' mucky D**.

* s/(Rivers are dangerous.)/$1 So, if playing in one - pick a shallow area, during good weather, and make sure you are out with friends/

** Okay, I'm picking on mucky's here, I actually have a problem with people thinking any similar fast food is either a meal or is good quality. It's just that mucky's is an easy target. Oh, and it's off the topic of playing fields.

Where's the fat kid icon? A broken swing maybe?

Crime-busting gator kills Florida fugitive

Edward Rose

That escape could have cost an arm and a leg.

Well, in answer to "Surviving digestion"....Yes

Feel sorry for the 'gator though. It doesn't deserve to die for that. Do we kill humans for slaying cows and sheep for launch?

High time humanity extracted its head for its arse and started having a bit more respect for other life forms.

Don't get me wrong, I eat meat - I just support the 'gator in this one.

Dublin designer branches out with 'tree' PC

Edward Rose

Someone help us.

So, you can win an award for an idea that sounds great but won't catch on.

There is a reason that the CPU and RAM are very close together and on the motherboard.

Lets see, 64bit bus, over a ribbon cable at the speeds modern systems run at. Okay, I don't design motherboards for a living, so I may be wrong.

But, face it. I'm not.

The Dyson, the vacuum cleaner so full of false advertising it should be banned. Never loses suction my arse, I've used about 5 different Dyson cleaners. They were all pretty average, and filled quite quickly. And, before some smart alec has to mention it, no, not due to superior suction. It's an advertising gimmic and has a (rather brittle) clear case to make it stand out. Well done to those letting the side of British engineering down. Is this a radium nanotube? Or just an opinion?

That's it el'reg, I want the Radium Nanotube award to be introduced. Plus the icon to go with it...

Chinese boffins in copper nanotubes acronym outrage

Edward Rose
Coat

The use of Nanotubes

Do you use Beryllium nanotubes to go around corners?

Camping with Tellurium nanotubes?

Does an abundance of radium nanotubes cause some people to go off on one in forums?

Just make sure you don't make any from calcium...

All this is in a bid to be allowed to don my coat and leave the premises.

Mind you, keep at it long enough and my employers may just make my wish come true. Premenantly.

Camelot pulls scratchcard amid numerical anarchy

Edward Rose

@Cameron Colley

The sign on a voltage only dictates the direction the current will flow. Other than that, it's pretty meaningless. Given the voltage is the amount of energy per unit charge then the values should be assumed as absolute when comparing for which is 'higher'.

So -110V is, to all intents and purposes, higher than -10V. It's the same as 110V and 10V, it just pushes the current off in a different direction.

110V and -110V have exactly the same energy per unit charge. So your analogy is slightly off point.

Camelot should be forced to pay a heavy tax to the government. That way, the working class may get a chance of getting their money back off the scrounging class.

Pentagon: Our new robot army will be controlled by malware

Edward Rose

Military advancement.

If it wasn't for the world military forces, electronics would be a shadow of what it is now. So, perhaps use of OSS would be somewhat advantages.

Also, they would be more likely to get someone to make separate blocks of code that are only of use when it comes together. So, there's no reason why it wouldn't be returned to the pot.

US Govt do what they like with foreigner's code? Don't theink WTO etc would stand up to that. So that isn't a threat to OSS.

The network itself would be secure. Me thinks even they would manage that, but the problem comes with keeping a bot up for more than 24 hrs. Esp. if it was on win98 or similar. Or just write the program so there is a subtle memory leak or similar which causes a system failure after enough hours of running.

Oh, and great plan. Lets get all western armies dispanded so governments can slug it out online. Brilliant until someone doesn't quite play by the rules and invades. Our military is primarily here to protect our own nation. Anything else is normally just a pet project for some fool who thinks he can play god.

Shampoo boffins decode dandruff fungus' DNA

Edward Rose

Where's the problem?

A one off application won't clear you for good, the fungus is likely to remain in existance somewhere.

So, they produce a treatment wash in small, over priced bottles, and continue making a moisturising / conditioning shampoo for regular use.

The treatment may keep the fungus at bay for a few months or even years, but it is likely to return every so often.

Teflon top cop evades justice, responsibility

Edward Rose

Blame game.

"But his apparent wilful mishandling of the media afterwards, his manoeuvres to try to keep the IPCC out of the investigation"

Fair enough if true.

"his refusal to accept - by not pleading guilty in this trial - that anything had gone wrong: all of these damn him utterly."

Being guilty and things going wrong are two very different things. So the first part of that statement is utter crap. And, as for him trying to protect his crew (and probably own self interests), who the hell doesn't.

This areshole attitude of, the XXX have buggered up, 'Oi you mister - resign!' is the perfect example of just how screwed up our society is. There are people below him, every step of the way that can be accounted with a hell of a lot more blame.

And, if he is 'guilty' of not doing his job - sack him. If a person is being forced to resign they clearly haven't done anything wrong, it's just regular bullshit politics and bullying.

Other than that, a comment I generally agree with.

Reg lexicographical Shock Army liberates mobe

Edward Rose

ICT.

Information is only information if it is communicated. If it isn't, then it's not information. It's hidden away junk. And, if in the future someone finds this hidden away nugget of information it has obviously been communicated.

Whichever arsehole felt that all TLAs needed three letters (erm, 'acronyms', my apology), should have been put against the wall and beaten with a baseball bat.

I shall always correct the mindless little zombies when they use the nasty bastardisation of our already confusing method of abbrev.

Now, will someone please correct my very tired use of grammar and punctuation*. It's been a long day, and I'm sure someone here knows how to fix this.

*Do what you will with the spelling - I'm past caring.

Woman murdered after answering Craigslist ad

Edward Rose

Attitude towards death.

Everyone here actually takes a 'So what' attitude towards deaths of people they know nothing about. It's called surviving in this world.

Don't get me wrong, this is a horrible thing to happen and I do feel for the people involved, but in an hour or two I'll have probably forgotten about it. If I didn't start turning an uncaring statistical eye to murder stories I'd have gone joined the statistics long ago. It's too sad and sick to care about all (any?) of them.

And, well done for 'she deserves it'. - Some people still actually have faith in the human race. Some people still have trust.

It's naive.

It's not deserving of death.

Some people are blissfully unaware of the 'evils' in the world around them, and it's not always their fault. For instance, she may not read the news and learn about these things happening to others. Or she may just skip the sad stories.

Sun: MoD has Bond/Potter/Klingon cloaking device

Edward Rose

Sun's a little late

Of course the tank's bleedin' invisible. that's why they paint them funky green or of late sandy colours...

Camera's take a photo of the terrain people are planning to invade (multimap has been making this simple for years).

People project the image onto a screen and some pen pushers who wouldn't know what a field would look like otherwise decide what pattern to use.

People paint the tank with that pattern.

Fits the Sun story perfectly.

Should I don my coat?

Red Arrows to fly at Olympics, Sun announces

Edward Rose

Told you so.

Said it was just a way to make sure the public shouted and the organisors said, oh we should do that, what a good idea.

Anywho, I'm sure the lads could arrange a convenient training day in the vicinity....

Swede with UK betting licence held in Amsterdam for 'breaking' ancient French law

Edward Rose

I'll never forgive them the sheep.

Mind you, I fully applaud the French government. You have a government which seems to be fully behind the people of the country. If only we had that.

It's the EU that I have an issue with. They are the people who should step in and regulate this. The question as to why they don't only brings up very suspicious circumstances.

Unfortunately Agincourt wouldn't work this time around. We'd be banned from using weapons by the EU as they may breach human rights. The French would slaughter us with whatever they wanted.

Google funds hold Firefox fate (for sure)

Edward Rose

What?

As the Welsh would say: Beth?

How can Google control the fate of Firefox? The organisation, yes, but the browser? Nope, not a chance. If the funding goes someone else will pick up the mantle.

Okay, the organisation may sell out and allow Google some form of control, but they should be shot for doing that and Google will upset many users if they put their nose in too far. A bad move from both parties, and one that I reckon would cause a fork. Or knife if you'd prefer (one without a point though - apparantly pointy knives are the number one cause of stabbings).

Just my 0.001p (roughly 2 cents with the current exchange rate?).

And why oh why isn't PointyStick.com back up yet?

Korean software firm sues Microsoft

Edward Rose

Monopolies

There is only a legal case if the company is a monopoly. Apple are a very small share and don't have these obligations. However:

1) Can the mac stuff be uninstalled?

2) I pretty much agree, it *should* be an optional extra package (maybe separate CD, definitely separate install program).

For those claiming that *nix comes with preinstalled software.....

1) Nope, it comes with a huge collection of different apps. Nearly all 'jobs' have multiple applications. You can choose what you want to install / uninstall. There is a subtle difference.

2) There is a lot of commercial software which can be install out of the box (except for Debian), something that you will never see on MS products.

So your comparison is utter bovine defecation.

The firm is asking for too much though (ready to haggle?).

Flaming kamikaze squirrel torches car

Edward Rose
Black Helicopters

Damn thing knew what it was doing!

I'm telling ya', either these squirrels are being mind controlled or the little buggers are suicidal. I'm sure these stories are more frequent now.

Back home they would wait in the trees on the roadside, and as a car came they'd dive for the wheels. Is forest life that stressful?

W1NNT number plate vendor mocks L1NUX

Edward Rose

Same old.....

One sec? So everyone can just use MS Windows without training?

That's a first for me. I forever get people asking me how to do stuff on an MS system.

Surely the analogy should be:

I've driven the W1 NNT car before and I am used to it.

I've not driven the L1 NUX car and I'm too scared to give it a try. Ahhh, Nooo!!! it's different.

Anywho, the problem with the W1 NNT car is that you can't plug any peripherals into the lighter socket. Or, was that fixed in a version NT (other than NT 6 or whatever XP is)?

Manhunt 2 leaked by Sony Europe employee

Edward Rose

Game ratings (and definitely a Sony scam)

Never played the original, but if other comments are to go by I wont bother.

A game's rating should take story line into account. If it has a deep and involving storyline it should encourage making the game available (even if at 18+). No storyline plus violence should get a lot of marks deducted.

We need more games like Deus Ex back on the market.

L1NUX number plate roars onto eBay

Edward Rose
Coat

Plain not true.

"We suspect that Linux aficionados have become so accustomed to not paying for anything except pizza that they really aren't going to stump for this automotive statement"

We pay for beer! You just can't get that for free.

Taxi!

Did MoD chopper buzz sunbathing au pair?

Edward Rose

If they were below 1000ft they're liable....

WHAT? What world do the couple of people claim this live in?

So, If I'm caught speeding, the police can do me for the death of anyone that may have been killed through excessive speed on that road? I recommend you put the drugs back in the draw boys.

If they were flying against regulations it is up to the appropriate authorities (their CO) to give them a good hard spanking (which is all they'll get).

If these rather suspicious sounding people (or should I reserve judgement?) want compo, they should prove* that the helicopter actually damaged an otherwise sound building. *Law may just want suitable suspicion, not sure.

That said, the costs could also include damaged plants, not just glass work.

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