Recent Posts

7176

Living Room / Re: nearby lightning skrike kills neighbours computers (and mine)

« Last post by Renegade on June 30, 2011, 06:31 AM »

Last November I bought a surge protector power bar that has a $75,000 guarantee. It might not actually protect things, but if anything does go wrong, it's going to cover a lot of damage. It was quite expensive though. I think it was $80 or $90... I forget.

Still, it's not $1,000, but it is an option... Doesn't address data though... but if you backup often, that's pretty much covered, though you're still stuck with down time.

7177

General Software Discussion / Re: Google+

« Last post by Renegade on June 30, 2011, 06:18 AM »

Google+ is kind of an odd name for this product though. It makes it sound like it's an improved version of Google (the search engine). Possible alternatives:

Yougoogley
Gyougle
Yougle



Sorry to keep spamming this thread.

- Oshyan

-JavaJones (June 30, 2011, 04:00 AM)

I thought up a terrible one before...

Google#

7178

Living Room / Mimi and Eunice

« Last post by Renegade on June 30, 2011, 04:37 AM »

I just discovered Mimi and Eunice. Here's one:

http://mimiandeunice...regulated-breathing/



Hilarious stuff.

And I owe it to 40Hz for pointing me to TechDirt, and to me for ignoring his advice for me not to look.

7179

General Software Discussion / Re: Google+

« Last post by Renegade on June 30, 2011, 03:10 AM »

Odd. I'll try again with the email. That at least should have gone through.

- Oshyan

-JavaJones (June 30, 2011, 03:01 AM)

Google hates me~!  

Same thing. Didn't go through. My guess is that they've got a serious backlog. Hmmm... Wonder if there's an "ex-lax for email servers" app out there... Or maybe they're just not using iPhones at Google.

I did check the spam folder. Alas, only rolex watches and viagra there...

7180

General Software Discussion / Re: Google's WDYL (What Do You Love?) -- I think I like it

« Last post by Renegade on June 30, 2011, 03:00 AM »

Hmmm... I've discovered a stunning truth!



 

7181

General Software Discussion / Re: Google+

« Last post by Renegade on June 30, 2011, 02:52 AM »

Hmmm... They seem to be quite busy:


https://plus.google....30055707057991/posts

From:

http://www.pcmag.com...,2817,2387836,00.asp

Larry Page also has a single public post, but Sergey Brin has yet to publicly announce himself on Google+.

Shows this:




@Oshyan -- Looks like they've plugged it. I didn't even get the email.

7182

General Software Discussion / Re: Google+

« Last post by Renegade on June 30, 2011, 02:46 AM »

Heh...

https://plus.google....rt/?sw=1&type=st

Already invited? We've temporarily exceeded our capacity. Please try again soon.

7183

Living Room / Re: What's up with Google Groups?

« Last post by Renegade on June 30, 2011, 02:38 AM »

Hmmm...

http://www.groups.go...swer.py?answer=46240

http://www.groups.go...n&answer=1046906

Looks like they're ditching it for a new version.

No more profile edits, and all profiles are deleted this upcoming November.

Dunno. New strategy? Closer integration with other Google services?

7184

General Software Discussion / Re: Google+

« Last post by Renegade on June 30, 2011, 02:31 AM »

@Oshyan - You have me convinced. Nice write up~! I think your enthusiasm for it is the clincher for me. You almost make it sound like a huge chocolate ice cream sundae covered in bikini models.

I now have 2 questions:

* When will I get an invite?
* Do they have an API for it yet?

I'm sure they'll have an API, but I'm really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, hoping that it is better than some of their other API documentation, and much better than Facebook's docs.

7185

General Software Discussion / Re: New Windows trojan variant requires a System Restore to fix

« Last post by Renegade on June 29, 2011, 11:12 PM »

Y'know, every time I consider the type of person who would write something like this, I can't help but think:
 (see attachment in previous post)
 

-40hz (June 28, 2011, 01:51 PM)

+1

That's an extremely nasty one. Jeez...

Why can't people just, y'know, like get a job? Or put their efforts into something constructive. It is possible to make a living without hurting people... Sigh...

-- I love the demotivational there~!

7186

Living Room / YACT - Yet Another Copyright Thread

« Last post by Renegade on June 29, 2011, 08:37 PM »

Sigh...

http://arstechnica.c...ay-copyright-cop.ars

Civilizing the 'Net: ISPs told to play copyright cop

A major Internet conference ended today in Paris with the publication of an official "Communiqué on Principles for Internet Policy-Making" (PDF). A key piece of these principles involves deputizing Internet providers to become Internet cops—cops that would act on the basis of "voluntary agreements" with content owners and other groups, not on national laws.

Hey, it's voluntary!

"Civilizing" the Internet has largely been a country-by-country affair to date, but 2011 looks to be the year in which Internet "rules of the road" truly go global.

...

That voluntary cooperation should take the form of "codes of conduct" hashed out in a "multi-stakeholder process." Those codes could cover "fraudulent, malicious, misleading, and unfair practices taking place over the Internet." In return for cracking down on material passing through their pipes, ISPs would be relieved of legal liability; indeed, the limitation on their liability is actually a carrot with which to force them into participating in these "voluntary" meetings. As the communiqué puts it, offering liability limits may provide "the incentives for cooperation between stakeholders." The implied threat for ISPs who don't go along is clear.

...

Unsurprisingly, such digital rights groups have reacted strongly to the OECD proposal. Here in the US, the Electronic Frontier Foundation said the document could "encourage states to use Internet intermediaries to police online content, undermining freedom of expression, privacy and innovation across the world." It refused to sign on.

Why should ISPs take on any responsibility? Should telephone companies take on responsibility for people selling drugs or doing other illegal things over the phone? Should paper companies be responsible for people using paper in illegal activities? Should Nike be responsible for thieves running away after robbing a convenience store?

I see a very slippery slope that ends in a very dark place...

7187

General Software Discussion / Re: Google+

« Last post by Renegade on June 29, 2011, 08:23 PM »

For agnosticism/atheism, I think you can just figure the whole lot as "religious beliefs", and not "religion".

Anyways, G+ sounds interesting. I'd trust Google more than FB, simply because Google has been around long enough to handle user data properly and are competent in what they do. That, and Google already has a moderately large amount of information about me. Not that I'm overly interesting anyways.

-wreckedcarzz (June 29, 2011, 07:59 PM)

You have much more faith in Google than I do.

I suppose that I've just seen to many outright deceptive ads in Google's ad network. It rubs me the wrong way. And I don't mean "mildly deceptive" or "could possible be interpreted in the wrong way" -- I mean flat out designed to deceive. It's not really related to privacy, but... where there's smoke there's fire?

Either way -- I think I've given up on the idea of privacy. It's largely an illusion. We have a little of it, but not much.

What size is your brother? Big you say?

7188

Developer's Corner / Re: Software Revenue/Licensing Thoughts

« Last post by Renegade on June 29, 2011, 08:15 PM »

I believe AppBox is setup like that, though I am not sure.  It has been a while since I looked at new software - I have enough old software I don't know how to use yet 

-steeladept (June 29, 2011, 07:40 PM)

I'm confused... I can't tell whether it is $4.99, $1.99, or $0.99, but it looks like it's $1.99. And I'm not sure if you get everything in it or not. One review talked about it being a "dollar store", but the metaphor is ambiguous.

It looks like you get everything for one price (from another review).

But anyways -- yeah -- that looks like it could be the same type of deal. e.g. Get 10 tools for $0.99 with 20 more available as options.

I know what you mean about looking at new software -- I'm pretty reluctant to try anything new anymore unless I've got a very real need.

7189

Developer's Corner / Re: Software Revenue/Licensing Thoughts

« Last post by Renegade on June 29, 2011, 06:43 PM »

For games, yes, but it is also common now for non-game apps.  For example some of the utility apps are free to download with a few of their apps, but have in-app purchases available to expand on the "toolbox" of utilities.  That, from what I understand, is exactly what  you were talking about.

-steeladept (June 29, 2011, 06:36 PM)

Pretty much. I've not seen any toolbox/suite setups like that yet though. Do you happen to have a link to one that's setup like that?

7190

Developer's Corner / Re: Software Revenue/Licensing Thoughts

« Last post by Renegade on June 29, 2011, 06:29 PM »

Actually that is a very common licensing scheme, just not that common on Windows systems.  It is, however, the basis of the In-App purchasing scheme of many phone apps.  Provide a basic software for the phone, with in App purchases or bundles for "premium" content.  What defines premium is largely defined by the content providers themselves, and - at least for games - tends to be limited severely to only cosmetic changes (we can discuss the merits and reasons for that in another thread if it matters), but it does exist.  Just a thought for you....

-steeladept (June 29, 2011, 06:03 PM)

I'm aware of the "item purchase" model for games, though it is kind of different, it is very similar in a lot of ways. Basically, it's the purchase of content vs. functionality.

Really, I think the content model is a much better model, as that's what seems to be driving a lot of software lately (the last few years).

7191

Living Room / Re: Website abuse and spam - any suggestions how to deal with it?

« Last post by Renegade on June 29, 2011, 04:33 PM »

Pretty much the conclusion I thought too.

The only other thing I thought of doing was adding hidden text to my pages so that anyone harvesting pages for this sort of thing would be sending out a message that undermines the spam! Trouble is I can't help feeling that will impact on search engine results!

-Carol Haynes (June 29, 2011, 10:42 AM)

Check into code for interstitials or drop ins and see if you can manage to tweak that to avoid any search engine penalties. Also, check the blackhat forums around as they often have problems like that already solved.

I had a problem recently and lurking around in the blackhat forums eventually solved it.

7192

General Software Discussion / Re: Google+

« Last post by Renegade on June 29, 2011, 04:29 PM »

Still it would be nice to try Google+ and then form an opinion. Does anyone already have an account there?

-sciagent (June 29, 2011, 04:24 PM)

Or better yet, let other people try it out and rely on their opinions before trying it~! (Yeah... lazy...)

7193

Developer's Corner / Re: Software Revenue/Licensing Thoughts

« Last post by Renegade on June 29, 2011, 04:28 PM »

Another thing just occurred to me while reading this thread:

UltraEdit on sale:
https://www.donation...ic=27188.0;topicseen

I HATE limited activation licensing. I've had machines where I've had to reinstall from scratch several times. Yuck. That burns license activations, and isn't really a fair way to treat customers. Still, I can see the point to it.

But what about this idea...

Limit activations according to where people are? And limit activations by unique machine ID. So, if you are in the US, for example, you get 3 unique machine IDs with unlimited activations for those specific machines. Effectively a 3-user license. And if you are in somewhere like Cambodia, limit activations to something like 10 or 30 (or whatever).

That way you can effectively limit piracy, but allow a certain degree of piracy in poorer parts of the world.

I can see some problems in there, but the general principle seems to be somewhat attractive to me.

7194

General Software Discussion / Re: Opera 11.5 Released

« Last post by Renegade on June 29, 2011, 03:43 AM »

I did have an issue today where I had to kill Opera. Then again, I had an obscene number of tabs open.

The scaling is nice though. I like the new slider.

One weird thing... I had Opera Mobile on my phone, and have updated it, and installed Opera Mini... Huh?  Seems odd... I'm not sure what the difference is, but I'll look into it.

7195

Living Room / Re: Cool UFO Video

« Last post by Renegade on June 29, 2011, 02:09 AM »

It's a hoax.

-yksyks (June 28, 2011, 12:18 PM)

that seems less convincing than the video (not that I believe it's real)

-tomos (June 29, 2011, 01:59 AM)

+1

The clincher was:

Hoax for sure. I have seen aliens. I have seen UFOs.

Still, it's likely a hoax. I'm simply not qualified to speak on what is or isn't.

7196

Found Deals and Discounts / Synths for FL Studio - $49 until July 4th

« Last post by Renegade on June 29, 2011, 02:03 AM »

Check this:

Man... There's some really good sounding stuff in there. And it's all synthesis, with no samples!

http://www.image-lin...p;title=maxx-49-sale

Must resist... must resist...

7197

General Software Discussion / Re: Google+

« Last post by Renegade on June 29, 2011, 12:43 AM »

Remember everyone, MySpace used to be king of the heap. Facebook *will* fall, sooner or later. Will it be Google+? I don't know. I have my doubts. But it will happen eventually.

- Oshyan

-JavaJones (June 29, 2011, 12:25 AM)

Last I heard, it's selling for $30 million. (Sold before for $580 million.)

7198

General Software Discussion / Re: Google+

« Last post by Renegade on June 29, 2011, 12:15 AM »

As for Google+ , I like what I see and can't wait to give it a try.

-jazper (June 29, 2011, 12:08 AM)

It seems to me that social sites like that are very much like a party. But who wants to go to a party when you're the only one there? Will anyone that you know show up? Dunno. That's what's stopping me from signing up.

Do post back though on your thoughts about it.

7199

Living Room / Re: Anyone Using Bitcoins Yet?

« Last post by Renegade on June 28, 2011, 11:54 PM »

Recently seen bumper sticker: Forget more jobs. How about less people? 

-40hz (June 28, 2011, 02:17 PM)

Hahahaha~! Nice!

7200

General Software Discussion / Re: Google+

« Last post by Renegade on June 28, 2011, 11:53 PM »

With this Google+ project, you could conceivably let only those you want know what you want them to know or see. Much safer.

-zridling (June 28, 2011, 11:35 PM)

Will that be enough for it to gain traction?