Friday, March 25, 2005
So I’ve had this PowerBook for about 10 hours now. What a day it’s been. I’ve had about three of those hours to actually get to know my new Mac. Here’s the story so far.
As I unpacked the computer I couldn’t help but notice how detailed the packaging was. In my life as a K-12 technology administrator, I’ve had the opportunity to unpack over 100 Dell or Compaq laptop computers. Nobody has packaging like Apple. Nobody. It looks like its been designed by the same people who design the cases.
The case is a work of simple art. Clean lines of machined aluminum. Everything fits together with close tolerances. I’m impressed. The top opens easily, yet the hinges are tight. No bouncing screen like the Dell Inspiron 8100 I replaced last November with a new Dell Latitude 600. This is one nice box to be sure.
I opened the power supply first. Knowing that this computer just arrived from China yesterday and had been sitting in a warehouse for a while, I knew the battery should be fully charged before I went mobile. Once I had the power supply plugged in, I sat down in my easy chair, picked up the Powerbook and plugged the power supply connector into the side-mounted connector. The connector looks like an oversized RCA jack and the power supply has the related plug. As I plugged it in a ring round the perimeter of the plug briefly turned green and the changed to amber. Ah, the Apple engineers thought this feature through nicely. The connection is verified by the light. The color of the light indicates the battery state. My guess is that the ring will turn back to green once the battery is fully charged.
I pressed the power button conveniently mounted on the face of the computer in the right hand speaker grille. That Apple sound played and I knew I was on my way. The OS went through its very friendly set up routine. I wondered if it would find my wireless network. I expected that it wouldn’t since it is set up to not broadcast its name. My suspicions were confirmed when I had to bypass the network setup stuff.
Once I had the initial set-up completed I set the wireless configuration. Fairly easily done once I changed the WEP key setup to look for a 40 character ASCII key. The Powerbook associated with my network, grabbed a DHCP issued network address and I was off an running on the Internet. First order of business add some entries to my blog to begin describing my new adventure in the world of Macintosh.
Friday, March 25, 2005
An amazing world
Friday, March 25, 2005
It’s absolutely amazing. I ordered this Powerbook on Wednesday afternoon (March 22, 2005). I issued a PO to Wade Oehler in Irving, Texas for a 15”, 1.67Ghz, Superdrive Powerbook and asked him to add the three year extended warranty, an extra power supply (to leave on my desk) and the iWork software program.
Once the PO got to Irving he put the order process into place. I have no idea what that means at all. I only know that I got an order confirmation email before the end of the workday.
I received a shipping confirmation email the next morning that had tracking numbers for both Apple and for FedEx. So I checked the status. I was surprised to find that the order had shipped already. The original order confirmation said that I should receive the shipment on or before April 4, 2005. That’s 12 days from the order date. I figured that gave them plenty of time to ship the unit since I had not requested any faster shipping method.
But the shipping information on the FedEx site said that the unit had shipped on the evening of the 23rd. I thought; “Hey, this thing should be hear by Monday!” Wait a minute, it arrived at the FedEx ramp at 8:16PM on the 23rd. Then it got moved to some other shipping point and arrived there at 10:36, after the cut off time. But it’s only 3:00pm now. Double check – where is it being shipped from? I assumed Cuppertino, CA or Irving Tx. But it might have been some other warehouse too. It says: “Shanghai, CN.” Hmm… CN, Connecticut is CT, what’s CN. Oh! Shanghai, China! Well that explains the possible April delivery date.
This morning, Friday, March 25, 2005, I checked the status again, fully expecting to find that it was on some FedEx receiving dock in the states waiting to be air shipped to a local delivery depot. But FedEx was way ahead of that. The package left Shanghai at 10:40 the previous evening. I guess the cutoff time must have something to do with overnight delivery times because it left Shanghai 4 minutes after the cutoff message. To make a long story a bit shorter, by 8:43 on Friday morning, it was on a Lansing, Mi, USA delivery truck.
Too bad our offices are closed today for the Easter holiday. But Lake Odessa is a small town and I routinely see the FedEx truck driving around. So I got in my pickup and took a drive. 10 minutes later I saw the FedEx truck on the main drag. I identified myself to the driver and upon displaying proper ID and affixing my signature to his pick-up register, I had the Powerbook in hand.
Yes. It’s amazing, I’m typing this on a brand new Apple Powerbook on Friday at about noon. Wednesday, two days ago, it was in a warehouse in Shanghai, China. What an amazing world we live in.
It’s absolutely amazing. I ordered this Powerbook on Wednesday afternoon (March 22, 2005). I issued a PO to Wade Oehler in Irving, Texas for a 15”, 1.67Ghz, Superdrive Powerbook and asked him to add the three year extended warranty, an extra power supply (to leave on my desk) and the iWork software program.
Once the PO got to Irving he put the order process into place. I have no idea what that means at all. I only know that I got an order confirmation email before the end of the workday.
I received a shipping confirmation email the next morning that had tracking numbers for both Apple and for FedEx. So I checked the status. I was surprised to find that the order had shipped already. The original order confirmation said that I should receive the shipment on or before April 4, 2005. That’s 12 days from the order date. I figured that gave them plenty of time to ship the unit since I had not requested any faster shipping method.
But the shipping information on the FedEx site said that the unit had shipped on the evening of the 23rd. I thought; “Hey, this thing should be hear by Monday!” Wait a minute, it arrived at the FedEx ramp at 8:16PM on the 23rd. Then it got moved to some other shipping point and arrived there at 10:36, after the cut off time. But it’s only 3:00pm now. Double check – where is it being shipped from? I assumed Cuppertino, CA or Irving Tx. But it might have been some other warehouse too. It says: “Shanghai, CN.” Hmm… CN, Connecticut is CT, what’s CN. Oh! Shanghai, China! Well that explains the possible April delivery date.
This morning, Friday, March 25, 2005, I checked the status again, fully expecting to find that it was on some FedEx receiving dock in the states waiting to be air shipped to a local delivery depot. But FedEx was way ahead of that. The package left Shanghai at 10:40 the previous evening. I guess the cutoff time must have something to do with overnight delivery times because it left Shanghai 4 minutes after the cutoff message. To make a long story a bit shorter, by 8:43 on Friday morning, it was on a Lansing, Mi, USA delivery truck.
Too bad our offices are closed today for the Easter holiday. But Lake Odessa is a small town and I routinely see the FedEx truck driving around. So I got in my pickup and took a drive. 10 minutes later I saw the FedEx truck on the main drag. I identified myself to the driver and upon displaying proper ID and affixing my signature to his pick-up register, I had the Powerbook in hand.
Yes. It’s amazing, I’m typing this on a brand new Apple Powerbook on Friday at about noon. Wednesday, two days ago, it was in a warehouse in Shanghai, China. What an amazing world we live in.
A Brand New Powerbook G4
In the last couple of years or so, I've been watching the development of the OSX operating system. Apple dumped the old OS, revamped a version of UNIX, BSD Linux I think, slapped a new interface on the front end and created a very elegant and user friendly OS.
I've hemmed and hawed ever since about becoming a "Switcher." I even bought a G4 PowerPC once and implemented it into my audio and video studio. That lasted about a month before I sold it. I liked the OS, but it wasn't fast enough to edit video really and I have a bunch of Windows plug-ins for ProTools that I couldn't afford to replicate on the Mac. That was a year and a half ago.
Being a Network Admin at a K-12 school district, I have the opportunity to see and evaluate a lot of software. I also have the need to upgrade equipment and the mandate to be stingy about it. Thus the revisit to Apple OSX and the Macintosh. I have a lab with 5 year old computers, Pentium 400 Celerons, running Windows 98. That lab is probably the most current lab at Lakewood High School. As a matter of fact it is the most current lab in the entire district! That's a sad fact, but true. Enter the Mac Mini. For $479 per seat (26 seats) I can upgrade that lab to a very capable state. I just have to make sure the OS will play nice with Windows 2003 server, Active directory and the rest. I'm told it will.
So I've been researching these Macintosh computers, OSX and the applications available for them. In short, I've been very impressed. I am also impressed with Apple's very up front commitment to education both with hardware and with software. Al I need is some assurance that the OS will really do what they claim. So I've made one small Switch. I ordered a Powerbook G4 for my own use.
I've hemmed and hawed ever since about becoming a "Switcher." I even bought a G4 PowerPC once and implemented it into my audio and video studio. That lasted about a month before I sold it. I liked the OS, but it wasn't fast enough to edit video really and I have a bunch of Windows plug-ins for ProTools that I couldn't afford to replicate on the Mac. That was a year and a half ago.
Being a Network Admin at a K-12 school district, I have the opportunity to see and evaluate a lot of software. I also have the need to upgrade equipment and the mandate to be stingy about it. Thus the revisit to Apple OSX and the Macintosh. I have a lab with 5 year old computers, Pentium 400 Celerons, running Windows 98. That lab is probably the most current lab at Lakewood High School. As a matter of fact it is the most current lab in the entire district! That's a sad fact, but true. Enter the Mac Mini. For $479 per seat (26 seats) I can upgrade that lab to a very capable state. I just have to make sure the OS will play nice with Windows 2003 server, Active directory and the rest. I'm told it will.
So I've been researching these Macintosh computers, OSX and the applications available for them. In short, I've been very impressed. I am also impressed with Apple's very up front commitment to education both with hardware and with software. Al I need is some assurance that the OS will really do what they claim. So I've made one small Switch. I ordered a Powerbook G4 for my own use.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
The Call
Why do some people want to be mechanics and others want to be farmers, while some want to become lawyers at the same time a different person wants to be a musician? What is it about "the call?" Why are some so successful at accomplishing those desires? Why are some people incredibly blessed to make their living by doing something that, to them, is more like play than like work?
What is it that you want to do? What would you be doing right now if there wasn't something else stopping you? What is your 'calling?'
The bible says ”If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (John 15:7-14 NIV)
Read that again carefully, first is the condition; "remain in me and my words." Are you doing this? If you believe that God is the creator of all things, then who could know more about life and how things work? Hide God's words in your heart. Find other Christians and get into a bible discussion or study group. Begin to 'remain' in Jesus and his words. Start by reading the bible every day. Maybe just a few verses or a chapter. Don't make it laborious. I prefer to start my day with bible reading. It seems to set that tone that helps me accomplish my purpose for the day. I can tell you this from personal experience that my life seems to "straighten out" with daily bible reading at the start of the day.
Second is the instruction; "ask whatever you wish." That doesn't mean "I wish I had a new truck." It means that you can talk to God about anything. Life, studies, football, how things work, how you should act, what you should say, what you should write. It means that God will supply you with what you need if you meet the first condition.
The last part; "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." means that God wants to be glorified by what we say, think, do, and create. It also says that God is glorified by your accomplishments in life because you are known as a man of God. Imagine that! God is glorified when we do the things, with His help, we want to do in life. Things that we'd want to do anyway! He supplies the desire, the knowledge, the ability and the motivation. We accomplish our heart's desires which pleases us, and He gets a kick out of the whole thing! Amazing!
You see, it's the perfect plan for imperfect creatures like us. We remain in God's fellowship and learn his word. We ask for his wisdom and help in whatever we do. God supplies the knowledge for us to accomplish our purpose, our calling. God is glorified by seeing that we are successful and are known as his children. Pretty awesome, right?
Now, if you're caught up in something other than your calling, it's time to reevaluate your position in life. Isn't it? Can you make your living, doing your calling? Maybe you can. I'd start with learning God's word and developing that relationship first. Then, I'd begin asking for direction, knowledge and wisdom. After that, I believe it will all fall into place. Try it. Prove me wrong or right. Start your day, for the next 30 days with reading the bible for about 30 minutes. I dare you.
What is it that you want to do? What would you be doing right now if there wasn't something else stopping you? What is your 'calling?'
The bible says ”If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (John 15:7-14 NIV)
Read that again carefully, first is the condition; "remain in me and my words." Are you doing this? If you believe that God is the creator of all things, then who could know more about life and how things work? Hide God's words in your heart. Find other Christians and get into a bible discussion or study group. Begin to 'remain' in Jesus and his words. Start by reading the bible every day. Maybe just a few verses or a chapter. Don't make it laborious. I prefer to start my day with bible reading. It seems to set that tone that helps me accomplish my purpose for the day. I can tell you this from personal experience that my life seems to "straighten out" with daily bible reading at the start of the day.
Second is the instruction; "ask whatever you wish." That doesn't mean "I wish I had a new truck." It means that you can talk to God about anything. Life, studies, football, how things work, how you should act, what you should say, what you should write. It means that God will supply you with what you need if you meet the first condition.
The last part; "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." means that God wants to be glorified by what we say, think, do, and create. It also says that God is glorified by your accomplishments in life because you are known as a man of God. Imagine that! God is glorified when we do the things, with His help, we want to do in life. Things that we'd want to do anyway! He supplies the desire, the knowledge, the ability and the motivation. We accomplish our heart's desires which pleases us, and He gets a kick out of the whole thing! Amazing!
You see, it's the perfect plan for imperfect creatures like us. We remain in God's fellowship and learn his word. We ask for his wisdom and help in whatever we do. God supplies the knowledge for us to accomplish our purpose, our calling. God is glorified by seeing that we are successful and are known as his children. Pretty awesome, right?
Now, if you're caught up in something other than your calling, it's time to reevaluate your position in life. Isn't it? Can you make your living, doing your calling? Maybe you can. I'd start with learning God's word and developing that relationship first. Then, I'd begin asking for direction, knowledge and wisdom. After that, I believe it will all fall into place. Try it. Prove me wrong or right. Start your day, for the next 30 days with reading the bible for about 30 minutes. I dare you.
Monday, November 29, 2004
Think About This
Challenges are simply opportunities to learn and be strengthened by exercising the abilities that God has given to each of us in advance. All we need to do is ask for His wisdom, then use those abilities to help ourselves, each other, and the rest of mankind.
There is a saying that goes like this, "If you always do what you've always done, you will always get what you've always gotten."
Think about that for a second.
Now, make a list of what you do every day. What are you doing?
Now, make a list of what you'd like your life to look like.
Answer this question, "Does my life match that list?"
If your answer is "yes" then great! You are already doing what you need to do to accomplish your life's goals.
If your answer is "no" then examine that first list. The one that lists what you do every day.
How many of the activities are intentional efforts to achieve your intended life? Which items could you abandon to help you achieve your dream?
Take out your list of goals. How many of the items on your "doing" lilst are intentional efforts to accomplich one of those goals?
What? You don't have a goals list? Hmmm......
Take a minute and create one. Here are some example short-term goals:
$20.00 a week into savings
Make my bed every day.
Read one chapter of the bible every day.
Read one motivational book every month.
Listen to one complete CD album every Saturday morning.
Vaccuum my room every Saturday morning (just before listening to the CD?)
Walk/run for 30 minutes every day.
Some long term goals might be
Pay cash for my next car, value of $5000 or more, by January 1, 2006
Make the dean's list, May 2005
Pay cash for a new Music Man bass by September 2005.
Accumulate $1000 for emergencies in my savings account by June 2005.
You see, I look at what I've gotten (for myself and for my family) and decided I can do better. So I need to change what I've been doing. If I don't, I'll get exactly what I've always gotten. I believe my family deserves better from me. I think that maybe life is demanding more from me. So I'm re-evaluating and making changes.
So what about you?
You have the talent to create a better world! I know you do.
MJV
There is a saying that goes like this, "If you always do what you've always done, you will always get what you've always gotten."
Think about that for a second.
Now, make a list of what you do every day. What are you doing?
Now, make a list of what you'd like your life to look like.
Answer this question, "Does my life match that list?"
If your answer is "yes" then great! You are already doing what you need to do to accomplish your life's goals.
If your answer is "no" then examine that first list. The one that lists what you do every day.
How many of the activities are intentional efforts to achieve your intended life? Which items could you abandon to help you achieve your dream?
Take out your list of goals. How many of the items on your "doing" lilst are intentional efforts to accomplich one of those goals?
What? You don't have a goals list? Hmmm......
Take a minute and create one. Here are some example short-term goals:
$20.00 a week into savings
Make my bed every day.
Read one chapter of the bible every day.
Read one motivational book every month.
Listen to one complete CD album every Saturday morning.
Vaccuum my room every Saturday morning (just before listening to the CD?)
Walk/run for 30 minutes every day.
Some long term goals might be
Pay cash for my next car, value of $5000 or more, by January 1, 2006
Make the dean's list, May 2005
Pay cash for a new Music Man bass by September 2005.
Accumulate $1000 for emergencies in my savings account by June 2005.
You see, I look at what I've gotten (for myself and for my family) and decided I can do better. So I need to change what I've been doing. If I don't, I'll get exactly what I've always gotten. I believe my family deserves better from me. I think that maybe life is demanding more from me. So I'm re-evaluating and making changes.
So what about you?
You have the talent to create a better world! I know you do.
MJV
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Everything Counts
One of the foundations of life it this: Everything Counts. Everything we do all day and all night long adds up to a life. Life's outcomes are neither more nor less than the consequences of everything we do, good, bad or indifferent. It all counts.
One of the attitudes that can have devistating effect on our life is thinking that only what we want to count, counts. But that is an attitude that most people seem to believe. Most people are willing to do one or two things, maybe more, to have a certain result come about in their lives. But, at the same time, they are willing to allow other non-productive time wasters to thwart those very same efforts.
It is a battle. Always. Everything we do is either goal acheiving or tension relieving. We need both in our lives.Achieving the correct balance between the two is the hard part. Tension relieving activites are required for a healthy life. But tension relieving activities rarely, if ever, move us toward a successful life. Remember, everything counts. At the end of the day, you are either closer to your goals or not. I have found that accomplishing worthy goals actually relieves tension better than many of the tension relieving activities we undertake. In fact, small, goal acheiving activities, exercised each day, make the tension relieving activities all the more enjoyable.
Each decision affects the next. Remember that as you progress through each day. Then as you come face to face with each decision, weigh your choices against your goals. Is it time to relax? Or time to get busy.
One of the attitudes that can have devistating effect on our life is thinking that only what we want to count, counts. But that is an attitude that most people seem to believe. Most people are willing to do one or two things, maybe more, to have a certain result come about in their lives. But, at the same time, they are willing to allow other non-productive time wasters to thwart those very same efforts.
It is a battle. Always. Everything we do is either goal acheiving or tension relieving. We need both in our lives.Achieving the correct balance between the two is the hard part. Tension relieving activites are required for a healthy life. But tension relieving activities rarely, if ever, move us toward a successful life. Remember, everything counts. At the end of the day, you are either closer to your goals or not. I have found that accomplishing worthy goals actually relieves tension better than many of the tension relieving activities we undertake. In fact, small, goal acheiving activities, exercised each day, make the tension relieving activities all the more enjoyable.
Each decision affects the next. Remember that as you progress through each day. Then as you come face to face with each decision, weigh your choices against your goals. Is it time to relax? Or time to get busy.
Thursday, October 21, 2004
MSNBC - Stewart learns new cooking techniques in jail
MSNBC - Stewart learns new cooking techniques in jail
"She's making the best of what's necessarily a difficult situation," lawyer Walter Dellinger said on NBC's "Today" program.
Stewart is in the first month of a five-month sentence at the minimum-security federal women's prison in Alderson, W.Va. She asked a federal appeals court late Wednesday to overturn her conviction.
Because inmates can only use a microwave to do their own cooking, Stewart is working with fellow prisoners to "come up with some creative recipes" based on ingredients available at the prison commissary."
Okay. First of all, I'm not a huge Martha fan at all. She seems a little arrogant to me from the very little I've seen of her television program. But you can't argue with success and Martha appears to be very successful. After reading this article, I know a little bit about why.
Here's the situation: Martha, a multi-millionaire and very popular homemaker personality with a huge following is placed in a minimum security prison with other law breakers. You might think that a person in that situation would be likely to be seclusive, would avoid contact with others and would mope around, whining about her lot in life and such. But no, not Martha. She's picking crabapples and (presumably) figuring out ways to cook them along with other ingredients obtained from the commissary into some tasty treat.
Additionally, she's writing away on a typewriter with her own supplied ribbon. (I didn't know typewriter ribbons even existed anymore!) What is she writing? Who knows. I don't care. The point is that she's making use of all of the resources, limited as they are, to make her life as rich as she can, given her circumstances.
Now, for my money that's one successful person. Prison walls or not, we should all take a lesson from Martha. Do with what you have. Make the best of whatever situation in which you find yourself. Cry, if you must, over spilt milk. But only for a minute. Then set your eyes on the future, take an inventory of available resources and then get busy!
Seems to me there is some scripture written by an imprisoned man named Paul who decided to to exactly those things. He too wrote from inside his prison walls. And Paul changed the world with his delivery of the message.
You go, Martha. Send me your recipie for microwaved crabapples. I'd like to give it a try!
--mjv
"She's making the best of what's necessarily a difficult situation," lawyer Walter Dellinger said on NBC's "Today" program.
Stewart is in the first month of a five-month sentence at the minimum-security federal women's prison in Alderson, W.Va. She asked a federal appeals court late Wednesday to overturn her conviction.
Because inmates can only use a microwave to do their own cooking, Stewart is working with fellow prisoners to "come up with some creative recipes" based on ingredients available at the prison commissary."
Okay. First of all, I'm not a huge Martha fan at all. She seems a little arrogant to me from the very little I've seen of her television program. But you can't argue with success and Martha appears to be very successful. After reading this article, I know a little bit about why.
Here's the situation: Martha, a multi-millionaire and very popular homemaker personality with a huge following is placed in a minimum security prison with other law breakers. You might think that a person in that situation would be likely to be seclusive, would avoid contact with others and would mope around, whining about her lot in life and such. But no, not Martha. She's picking crabapples and (presumably) figuring out ways to cook them along with other ingredients obtained from the commissary into some tasty treat.
Additionally, she's writing away on a typewriter with her own supplied ribbon. (I didn't know typewriter ribbons even existed anymore!) What is she writing? Who knows. I don't care. The point is that she's making use of all of the resources, limited as they are, to make her life as rich as she can, given her circumstances.
Now, for my money that's one successful person. Prison walls or not, we should all take a lesson from Martha. Do with what you have. Make the best of whatever situation in which you find yourself. Cry, if you must, over spilt milk. But only for a minute. Then set your eyes on the future, take an inventory of available resources and then get busy!
Seems to me there is some scripture written by an imprisoned man named Paul who decided to to exactly those things. He too wrote from inside his prison walls. And Paul changed the world with his delivery of the message.
You go, Martha. Send me your recipie for microwaved crabapples. I'd like to give it a try!
--mjv
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Firefox - Rediscover the web
Firefox - Rediscover the web
I actually re-rediscovered Firefox today. It is much improved over what I experienced a few months ago. Installing plug-ins is very much improved. I switched back to IE by using Avant Browser for tabs and other features. But Firefox is cleaner and less vulnerable since it does not use IE as it's engine as does Avant. Ilike it. I'll be using it for the time being.
mjv
I actually re-rediscovered Firefox today. It is much improved over what I experienced a few months ago. Installing plug-ins is very much improved. I switched back to IE by using Avant Browser for tabs and other features. But Firefox is cleaner and less vulnerable since it does not use IE as it's engine as does Avant. Ilike it. I'll be using it for the time being.
mjv
$20 bill gets a facelift
"The Treasury Department's Bureau of Engraving and Printing introduced the new design, still featuring Andrew Jackson on the front but without the old circle, and a background with subtle green, "peach" and light blue hues.
Other new features include small 20s in faded yellow in the background of the back of the bill. In the background of the front of the bill is a faded bald eagle and the words "Twenty USA/USA Twenty."
Well wouldn't Andy just be beaming with pride? Actually I think it's about time the US government added a little color to the currency. I've always thought that currency from other countries was more attractive. I guess a prettier dollar won't buy any more than a plain dollar, but at least we're beginning to show a little bit of our artistice side. I think that's a good thing.
Other new features include small 20s in faded yellow in the background of the back of the bill. In the background of the front of the bill is a faded bald eagle and the words "Twenty USA/USA Twenty."
Well wouldn't Andy just be beaming with pride? Actually I think it's about time the US government added a little color to the currency. I've always thought that currency from other countries was more attractive. I guess a prettier dollar won't buy any more than a plain dollar, but at least we're beginning to show a little bit of our artistice side. I think that's a good thing.
Thursday, October 14, 2004
test post from email
sig only
--
---------------------------------------------------------
Martin Vipond
http://www.twolegsproductions.com
http://www.lakewood.k12.mi.us
----------------------------------------------------------
Creativity Comes from MOTION...
...So Don't SIT STILL!!!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------
--
---------------------------------------------------------
Martin Vipond
http://www.twolegsproductions.com
http://www.lakewood.k12.mi.us
----------------------------------------------------------
Creativity Comes from MOTION...
...So Don't SIT STILL!!!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------
Monday, May 05, 2003
I emailed an old friend last week. He is probably my closest friend in terms of our knowlege about each other. Guys are not like girls in that respect. That is he dosen't know my inner-most secrets or anything. It's just that we've hung out so much together that we have been able to gather a lot of information about each other. Anyway, I haven't seen him now in about five months so I missed the banter we always shared a little bit. We'll meet for lunch sometime this week. That will be good. Anyway, I remembered a piece I wrote for him a year or so ago and I thought I'd share it. Here goes:
The Prospector
Pick axe over one shoulder, crumpled old map in the other hand, tattered brim pulled low over his sweaty brow, the old prospector shuffled along the rock strewn path toward a promising looking ridge along the horizon. As the sun creeped ever lower over the surrounding countryside, he glanced around quizzically thinking to himself, "now just exactly how in the hell did I get here?" It seemed years ago that he set out with a dream and a promise to himself of a life worth living.
He lowered the axe to the ground, leaned the handle against his side and turned to the seemingly ancient old grey mule behind him. Stopped in the dust of the path, he pulled the hat from his brow and using the sleeve of his well-worn shirt wiped the drips of sweat from his forehead. Turning his head westward, he squinted at the last remaining rays of the sun. Pursing his trail-dried lips together he wondered, "Well, maybe I should head up past the ridge to that rise of rocks. A few hours with the pick just might prove worth while." He reached his bony left hand across his body and rubbed his right shoulder. Seemed that axe got heavier each day.
Old Betsy snorted and pawed lazily at the path. The old man looked down at his dirty boots, then back up at the mule. He quickly took inventory of the packs strapped to the mule's back. "Three days provisions. And I'm two days out." He never in a hundred years would have imagined himself in this time or place. But here he was nonetheless and he'd always made the best of things. He always pushed on. He always had. So he would again.
The low sun glinted rosy red off the bottom of his favorite old gold pan. "But the river's not two far down from that ridge. 'Sides, any gold on the ridge has most likely washed down into the river anyway. Maybe it would be time better spent to pan a little in the cool river water." The cool water. Yes, that sounded pretty good. It'd been days since the word "cool" had even entered his mind. "C'mon Bets. Lets get along now. There's a long drink of cool water at the end of this path. Cool water. Cool, cool water."
The Prospector
Pick axe over one shoulder, crumpled old map in the other hand, tattered brim pulled low over his sweaty brow, the old prospector shuffled along the rock strewn path toward a promising looking ridge along the horizon. As the sun creeped ever lower over the surrounding countryside, he glanced around quizzically thinking to himself, "now just exactly how in the hell did I get here?" It seemed years ago that he set out with a dream and a promise to himself of a life worth living.
He lowered the axe to the ground, leaned the handle against his side and turned to the seemingly ancient old grey mule behind him. Stopped in the dust of the path, he pulled the hat from his brow and using the sleeve of his well-worn shirt wiped the drips of sweat from his forehead. Turning his head westward, he squinted at the last remaining rays of the sun. Pursing his trail-dried lips together he wondered, "Well, maybe I should head up past the ridge to that rise of rocks. A few hours with the pick just might prove worth while." He reached his bony left hand across his body and rubbed his right shoulder. Seemed that axe got heavier each day.
Old Betsy snorted and pawed lazily at the path. The old man looked down at his dirty boots, then back up at the mule. He quickly took inventory of the packs strapped to the mule's back. "Three days provisions. And I'm two days out." He never in a hundred years would have imagined himself in this time or place. But here he was nonetheless and he'd always made the best of things. He always pushed on. He always had. So he would again.
The low sun glinted rosy red off the bottom of his favorite old gold pan. "But the river's not two far down from that ridge. 'Sides, any gold on the ridge has most likely washed down into the river anyway. Maybe it would be time better spent to pan a little in the cool river water." The cool water. Yes, that sounded pretty good. It'd been days since the word "cool" had even entered his mind. "C'mon Bets. Lets get along now. There's a long drink of cool water at the end of this path. Cool water. Cool, cool water."
Friday, May 02, 2003
Thursday, May 01, 2003
Okay. So HTML works. Now we can have some fun with other stuff. Once again. Stay tuned. Oh, and I do have another web site. Not much there yet but if you're interested go to the Two Legs Productions site.
cYa
Okay. Enough of the incredibly long postings. I don't suppose anybody made it through all of that anyway. Besides, it really was only a way for me to cut and paste a post from someplace else in an effort to determine the capabilities of this free service. BTW I have determined that the free service, although it's cool, dosen't offer much in the way of control. At least from what I've discovered so far. No HTML or site specific codes to dress the thing up. But that's okay. I can upgrade to the Plus account if I really want more functionality. But that won't come very soon. I'd hate to throw some dollars at this and then not use it. So for now, it'll be a plain jane kinda thing.
Oh, I do want to make people aware of another Blog written by high school senior Alesheia Hake. Hakestock. Check out her latest rant regarding persons who aren't satisfied with being second-string but can't take the pressure of a first-string position!
What ho! Wait a second. That web address is an HTML code. Hmmm.... maybe there is some hidden functionality here!?! Lets see. The next sentence should be in bold type face. Okay, is this sentence BOLD?
Oh, and remember,
Oh, I do want to make people aware of another Blog written by high school senior Alesheia Hake. Hakestock. Check out her latest rant regarding persons who aren't satisfied with being second-string but can't take the pressure of a first-string position!
What ho! Wait a second. That web address is an HTML code. Hmmm.... maybe there is some hidden functionality here!?! Lets see. The next sentence should be in bold type face. Okay, is this sentence BOLD?
Is this a new paragraph?
Is this sentence RED?Okay this should be back to normal.
If you see a bunch of junk in a really long sentence above, HTML dosen't work. Otherwise, it does (at least in part). That could make this blog site a lot more fun!
Enough for now. In the ensuing days, I'll start posting links to cool stuff I find on the web.
Stay Tuned!
Oh, and remember,
+------------------------------------------------+
Creativity comes from motion...
...so Don't Sit Still!!!
+------------------------------------------------+
Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Hello All,
I'm a technology guy. I work with computers and software all day. But before I went legit, I was a musician. More correctly, I am still a musician, but I like a steady paycheck. So I work with computers. But because I am still a musician, with a personal studio, I am in touch with other musicians every day via the web. The following is about 1/2 of a thread on the Digidesign website users' forum.
It seems that Karel Bata was bemoaning the idea that in order to download and install the MS Windows XP service pack, the user needs to register the original XP installation. Karel contends that the "security hole" the patch fixes was an underhanded marketing plan, included by design to weed out pirated copies of the software.
The banter between the members of the group was very interesting and nobody attacked anyone personally. So I thought the thread might be of interest to others.
Digidesign is a manufacturer of software and hardware for audio and video editing (Pro-Tools and Avid).
- posted April 29, 2003 07:07 AM
Thanks guys.
So it seems that Microsoft have made XP with a huge security hole in it. And all quite innocently, we’re supposed to believe. But they don’t bother mending it, and offer a free replacement - as anyone else would. Instead they release a service pack that will 'fix' it. One small catch: you HAVE to have your XP authorised first.
To me, that really sucks. Are Microsoft that worried about their profits? Don’t they know they already have an image problem?
So why doesn’t the box say “WARNING: you must download Service Pack 1 or this software may severely damage your computer!”
I feel like Michael Moore here…
Actually I really do feel that the less Microsoft knows about me, the better. I certainly don't like the idea of them peeking into my PC.
So has anyone been running 001 with 5.3, but without the XP service pack, and - like me - doesn't go on line with that particular machine.
Regards
Karel [Roll Eyes] IP: Logged
[b]QuikDraw
Member
Member # 10206
- posted April 29, 2003 08:07 AM
Why do so many people think that Microsoft are the "bad guys" just because they want to get paid for every copy of Windows XP that is being used? [Confused]
How about you don't put a lock on the front door of your house, okay? How 'bout you work for 50 hours per week but only get paid for 40, okay? How 'bout the next time your car is stolen you don't report it because that's normal. It wasn't really "stolen," it's just that the person that took it "needed" it, and you could obviously afford it, seeing as you have a new car and all...
Okay, so enough of my anti-piracy rant. You get the point.
To answer the post... PTLE 5.3.1 works just fine on the Digi 001 without SP1. I ran it for several months with no service pack (there was no service pack avialable yet at the time). It is only the MBox and maybe the 002 that "need" the service pack. The 001 is fine without it.[/b]
Mike IP: Logged
Jopry
Member
Member # 9624
- posted April 29, 2003 08:19 AM
Of course they are worried about their profits, they are a buisiness. Profits are what keeps them in business. You can download (or order from M$) the service pack, get it on cd, install it and then call M$ voice to authorize. If you have bought the software, it's relatively painless and you have put no networking components or a nic in your system.
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Jared O'Pry
Go away or I'll replace you with a very small script.
www.platypusj.com
IP: Logged
[b]Karel Bata
Member
Member # 36984
- posted April 29, 2003 08:36 AM
Mike,
I don't want to get into one of those net arguments with you, but your car theft analogy is way off.
A more accurate analogy would be:
you buy a car [Smile] , and then find the door lock doesn't work! [Mad] The manufacturer [Big Grin] doesn't send out a mechanic, doesn't recall any cars, doesn't change the manufacturing process, but insists that (now you've bought the thing!) you give him some of your personal details, [Frown] and fit a 'security device' [Cool] of his making, the full true nature of which remains a bit of a mystery. [Confused] But then, of course, you simply have to trust him [Razz] ...
regards
Karel [Roll Eyes] IP: Logged[/b]
Martin Vipond
Member
Member # 34016
- posted April 29, 2003 09:46 AM
Hmmm....
It seems to me that when you take your car to the dealer for the repair of the broken lock, the mechanic will 1. not tell you exactly what may have been wrong with the old lock, 2. require you to leave the car and use some other method of transportation for a day or two, and 3. May just get curious about what you have in the glove box.
If you don't have anything to hide, why worry? If you do, clean out the glovebox before you take the car to the dealer. (And live with your "sleep-at-night" factor.)
I personally find it very convenient to log on to MS's update site and have it figure out what I need to keep my OS current. For free. I don't have to move my computer or wonder who's going to be messing around with my setup (like when you need to take it to a computer tech).
Off topic, I know. Just my 2 cents.
I'm using XP Pro with the latest SP and patches (except Hotfix Q811493, which caused slow downs on some systems). Everything seems pretty happenin' for me.
--------------------
Martin Vipond
Two Legs Productions
Lake Odessa, MI
+--------------------------------+
| Creativity Comes from Motion...|
| |
| ... So Don't Sit Still! |
+--------------------------------+
IP: Logged
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Karel Bata
Member
Member # 36984
- posted April 29, 2003 10:23 AM
[Roll Eyes] This HAS to be my last posting on this.
You miss the point.
It's not just that my car has a broken lock, it's that ALL cars made by that manufacturer have a broken lock. And they appear to have no intention of fixing the car at the manufacturing stage, and the only way you can repair it is to take it back to their garage!
But you sound like a happy Microsoft user, so why spoil things for you?
Fact is Microsoft have no reason to worry about losing profits to piracy (let alone to resort to underhand tactics like this!).
Truth is, they have actually profited very well from piracy. Right now, if you can afford it you buy their software. If you can't, you can easily get a pirate copy.
The net effect of this has been to completely wipe out the competition. Can you even remember the names of Word's competitors ten years ago?
And now the competition has gone, Microsoft is seeking to make everyone pay for their overpriced product.
At least piracy (strange as it may sound) offered choice, and was some form of competition that could push the price down...
Regards
Karel [Roll Eyes] IP: Logged
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QuikDraw
Member
Member # 10206
- posted April 29, 2003 11:05 AM
quote:Originally posted by Karel Bata:
you buy a car [Smile]
Yes, but the point is you bought the car. You paid for it. You didn't just walk off the lot with it, and you didn't have a friend make a copy of the car and then expect the legitimate manufacturer to provide service for your illegitimate knockoff.
About 1/3 of the new computers sold, by the way, come with the Corel Word Perfect suite instead of MS Office. There is some, albeit not much, competition in the office software market.
I'm not a big Microsoft fan. I am a capitalist, and I believe in being paid for work rendered or products sold. I do not believe in taking advantage of the rich just because they are rich. It is not a crime to make obscene amounts of money! I hope to make obscene amounts of money someday (never happen), and I don't want the government or anyone else to punish or take advantage of me if I ever do.
Who makes a better OS? Does it work with Pro Tools? Linux is great, but it doesn't work with Pro Tools, and it's hard to learn compared to Windows. Mac is great, but how is Steve Jobs any less evil than Bill Gates?
Mike [Wink] IP: Logged
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Martin Vipond
Member
Member # 34016
- posted April 29, 2003 11:51 AM
Okay, I’ll belabor the point for one more post.
I am a fairly contented user of XP. It’s the best effort so far out of MS.
RE: The car analogy. There are many documented cases of manufacturers, voluntarily recalling a vehicle (yes, all of them) for a myriad of reasons; as there are for manufacturers of most any type of product. Additionally, I cannot think of even one OS for personal computer systems that didn’t have “bugs” and required updates. (Maybe whatever a Commodore 64 used?) I can think of several examples wherein the improved OS was only obtainable for a fee. For example, if you were around for the first go of the Apple Mac OS, in the original Apple Lisa computer, you will remember that the OS looked and operated much differently than it does today. Improvements came on most every score. But the purchaser of an Apple Lisa computer would not be eligible to own OS-X at no charge simply because he/she purchased the original OS. They would need to buy the newer OS.
My point is that upgrades and improvements are an inevitable reality. It is nice that most modern OS manufacturers release upgrades and patches at no charge. I can’t think of an OS that doesn’t require periodic updates. So I can’t see how Microsoft is now somehow villainous for having a site that will handle these upgrades automatically for it’s users.
Just like a Ford dealer won’t repair a GM recall problem at no charge, I fail to see, again, why Microsoft should be vilified for verifying the OS it is updating.
OTOH there are those posting in this thread that apparently have a dollar amount (in net equity I presume?) in mind that defines a point at which it’s okay to steal something from someone without remorse or recourse. I guess I’d like to know what that amount is. $100,000, $1,000,000, $1,000,001? Per day, month, year, lifetime? At what amount can I reasonably be sure that it’s not only okay to steal something from a manufacturer but additionally to expect that manufacturer to blindly support my stolen goods simply because I think "they've got enough money?"
BTW, I use Linux and Apple OS 9 and 10. I “switched” for a while for my PT rig and when I couldn’t afford it any longer, I switched back. This isn’t a bash on OS-X, I just didn’t have the cash to purchase another two track editor like Sound Forge (which sadly, isn’t available on a Mac platform) and all of my plug-ins. So I sold the G4-450 and used the cash to build a new WinTel box. I’m okay with it because when I listen to music, I simply can’t tell what platform it was produced on (if any).
I also find it interesting that so many Mac users clamored to get their hands on OS-X, which is a 'pretty' Unix with a pretty awesome GUI. But I wonder if Digidesign would have written a Linux or BSD version of PT if those same users would have jumped to that platform. I, for one, would have because it is a great OS that could probably be ported to several different HW platforms. AAMOF, I hope Apple releases a version that will run on an Intel or AMD chip! I'd be at the head of the line with dollars in hand.
End of rant.
Mjv. Out.
--------------------
Martin Vipond
Two Legs Productions
Lake Odessa, MI
+--------------------------------+
| Creativity Comes from Motion...|
| |
| ... So Don't Sit Still! |
+--------------------------------+
IP: Logged
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GuitarEasley
Member
Member # 17493
- posted April 29, 2003 11:56 AM
hmmmnnn is it better to be a big fish in a small pond? or vice versa? In marketing, there's no guarantee that a weaker set of competitors will lead to greater success. In fact, the opposite is often true. Coke and Pepsi have both grown in greatness as their hundred-year cola war continues across the globe. The truly great rise to the challenge of greater competition and become even bigger fish when transferred to a big pond.
Did someone mention bootlegging?! [Wink] [Big Grin]
The Grateful Dead, an unusual group not only allowed, but encouraged people to copy their work. They even made special areas available at concerts for people to set up their taping equipment so it would sound good. The group made a lot of money.
Who knows maybe bootlegging will improve music? Musicians will have to actually perform their music live more...
...I could be wrong about that though: I do like coke better than pepsi!
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One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas... How he got into my pajamas I'll never know.
IP: Logged
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Martin Vipond
Member
Member # 34016
- posted April 29, 2003 03:01 PM
It's not just that my car has a broken lock, it's that ALL cars made by that manufacturer have a broken lock.
Are you saying that if you purchased a car with a broken lock you would expect the dealer to deliver you a completely brand new car? Nice work, if you can get it. But that isn't reality. How much nicer to have your car download a NEW copy of itself. Which essentially is what the SP is.
And they appear to have no intention of fixing the car at the manufacturing stage, and the only way you can repair it is to take it back to their garage!
It seems to me that the last release of Win98 was Windows 98 SE, not the original unpatched version. Over the course of the next few months, as the current stock of WinXP is replaced, you will see the patched version on store shelves. Yes. The manufacturer is fixing the problem at the factory. I'm just glad I don't have to drive my computer to a MS dealership for the repair.
Fact is Microsoft have no reason to worry about losing profits to piracy (let alone to resort to underhand tactics like this!).
Underhanded? While I might not like the prices of their products, I don't see how a free upgrade could be considered underhanded simply because they want to verify that I'm a registered owner entitled to the upgrade at no charge.
Truth is, they have actually profited very well from piracy. Right now, if you can afford it you buy their software. If you can't, you can easily get a pirate copy.
I can't afford a Lexus right now, so should I go steal it and expect the manufacturer to honor the warranty? Oh, I know, software isn't hard goods, so it's okay. After all it doesn't cost them $110 or whatever to replicate the CD and the box. Right?
The net effect of this has been to completely wipe out the competition. Can you even remember the names of Word's competitors ten years ago?`
Yep. I remember a few, like Word Perfect, Ami-Pro, Write-Pro, Word Star, and a few others. Now we have MS Word, Word Perfect, AbiWord, Star Office, EasyWriter, TextWriter, LexiGraph,AmiPro and others. You don't have to use Word. But apparently a lot of people like it. When I started using word prossesors the program of choice was Word Perfect. WP still has a large user base and it's using the same marketing technique that MS used. Including it as an OEM word processor on new computers. Although, to be fair, MS used the Works processor for that plan.
And now the competition has gone, Microsoft is seeking to make everyone pay for their overpriced product.
The All American Plan. Tell you what. Let's colaberate on a CD release. We'll give the first one away, then everyone will pay extra for our second. But the thing is, that first one had better be good, really good. Okay? That way we can become the only producers of music and we'll corner the market!
At least piracy (strange as it may sound) offered choice, and was some form of competition that could push the price down...
Choice? You mean between stealing it or not stealing it? You seem to be saying that if MS brought the price down low enough that nobody would steal it. Have you paid for your copy of WinZip? I'd submit that many, if not most, of the pirated copies of XP would still be there if the MSP was $10.00. But hey, maybe you're right. I can see how a MS marketing exec would say "Better keep WinXP at about $110, any higher and even more people will steal it."
I'm not sure why I'm carrying on here. I guess because I have been ripped myself and have been given excuses as to why it happened. So you hit a nerve.
To be fair. I get PO'd every time I read a license agreement. So we're not far off from each other in day to day practice I guess. I mean a license that basically says "If you take this shrink wrap off you agree to our statement that we don't warrant the software to do anything, yet we retain all rights, you don't own it, you can only use it as we see fit, if you find it useful okay, if not, we don't care. If you find it useful and it screws something up, it's not our fault because we don't say it's useful at all. If anything bad happens, it's not our fault. Oh, and by the way, you can't modify it and you certainly can't return it for a refund."
Ridiculous isn't it?
Still, if I do find a piece of software useful, I like to support the manufacturer. Besides, my mother always told me that if I don't own it, and I take it without permission, it's stealing. And she was right.
--------------------
Martin Vipond
Two Legs Productions
Lake Odessa, MI
+--------------------------------+
| Creativity Comes from Motion...|
| |
| ... So Don't Sit Still! |
+--------------------------------+
IP: Logged
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QuikDraw
Member
Member # 10206
- posted April 29, 2003 11:46 PM P
quote:Originally posted by Martin Vipond:
To be fair. I get PO'd every time I read a license agreement. So we're not far off from each other in day to day practice I guess. I mean a license that basically says "If you take this shrink wrap off you agree to our statement that we don't warrant the software to do anything, yet we retain all rights, you don't own it, you can only use it as we see fit, if you find it useful okay, if not, we don't care. If you find it useful and it screws something up, it's not our fault because we don't say it's useful at all. If anything bad happens, it's not our fault. Oh, and by the way, you can't modify it and you certainly can't return it for a refund."
Ridiculous isn't it?
Still, if I do find a piece of software useful, I like to support the manufacturer. Besides, my mother always told me that if I don't own it, and I take it without permission, it's stealing. And she was right. I agree.
You know, the whole software license thing pisses me off! Here's the kind of crap they get away with....
"We're not selling you any software. We're selling you a license to use the software, and the physical media upon which that software is stored. You cannot return the product once it's been opened because we assume that you are a thief and have made an illegal copy of it once it's been opened. If the software is defective then it's just too bad. We didn't sell you any software. We sold you a license, and the license is not defective."
That's right, you didn't buy software; you bought a license. And no matter how much the software sucks, the license cannot possibly be defective!
But even so, you still shouldn't steal the license!
[Eek!]
Mike IP: Logged
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Karel Bata
Member
Member # 36984
posted April 30, 2003 02:00 AM
Ouch! I've been bitten.
This really HAS to be my last posting on this. Though it's curiously addictive.
I NEVER steal, and I don't keep the company of those that do. Never have.
But software 'theft' is, I feel, a complex moral issue.
Digidesign, as it happens, have got it right. There's a free version of ProTools, so you can try it out. And when you have the money – a real issue among a lot of musicians – you go and buy a pro set-up tailored your needs, which happens to be good value for money.
Why isn't all software like that?
I have no issue with Bill Gates personally. Good luck to the guy.
And I'm not into conspiracies – I don't believe that more than two people can ever keep a secret. (Not for long anyway)
But when Microsoft 'accidentally' leaves a huge security hole in XP (Whoops! Sorry about that…) and uses it as a way to make sure you pay…
Well, I still think it sucks…
Regards
Karel [Roll Eyes] IP: Logged
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Martin Vipond
Member
Member # 34016
- posted April 30, 2003 05:48 AM
Originally posted by Karel Bata:
"Ouch! I've been bitten.
This really HAS to be my last posting on this. Though it's curiously addictive."
Agreed! And really. We HAVE to stop meeting like this!
"I NEVER steal, and I don't keep the company of those that do. Never have. But software 'theft' is, I feel, a complex moral issue."
Also agreed. Sometimes I wonder who is stealing from whom.
"Digidesign, as it happens, have got it right. There's a free version of ProTools, so you can try it out. And when you have the money – a real issue among a lot of musicians – you go and buy a pro set-up tailored your needs, which happens to be good value for money."
Hmmm... Yes, I agree that the free demo is a very good marketing plan. But... Digidesign uses a very effective dongle on the real stuff. Mine is called a Digi001. I HAVE to buy THEIR dongle, or the software won't work. I can't use it with any other sound card. Nope. And whatever they decide to charge for it is what I have to pay. Plus, If I want the "Real" real stuff so I can take advantage of TDM, I had better have some pretty deep pockets. If you roach your 'dongle' you're screwed.
OTOH, you can easily search for a 32 track, cracked version of PT that will work with some other sound cards on KaZaa.
"Why isn't all software like that? I have no issue with Bill Gates personally. Good luck to the guy. And I'm not into conspiracies – I don't believe that more than two people can ever keep a secret. (Not for long anyway)."
Agreed. Again. Sheese, I wish he was my dad!
"But when Microsoft 'accidentally' leaves a huge security hole in XP (Whoops! Sorry about that…) and uses it as a way to make sure you pay... Well, I still think it sucks…"
Well, I guess I hear your point. If indeed these security holes are intentional. To be honest you do sound a little like a conspiracy theorist here by making the assumtion that this is an intentional, subversive marketing plan. OTOH, the remedy is free, and it would serve to stop piracy. The only point I could gripe about is that if indeed this is the marketing plan, that MS should simply post a message on the product that says that authorization is required. It's all coming to that anyway. Sonic Foundry does it, Pinnacle does it. So do others. Soon that will be the only way to use software for more than the grace period it comes with.
Actually, when the speed of our computers and the Internet is able to support it, the application programs will reside on the manufacturer's computers and we'll only keep the data! Then, not only will authorization be required, but a fast, broadband connection will be required as well.
Karel, Mike and others, I'm signing off on this topic (I think!) [Roll Eyes]
It's been fun. (I still think the collaberation idea would be cool!!! [Big Grin] )
--------------------
Martin Vipond
Two Legs Productions
Lake Odessa, MI
+--------------------------------+
| Creativity Comes from Motion...|
| |
| ... So Don't Sit Still! |
+--------------------------------+
I'm a technology guy. I work with computers and software all day. But before I went legit, I was a musician. More correctly, I am still a musician, but I like a steady paycheck. So I work with computers. But because I am still a musician, with a personal studio, I am in touch with other musicians every day via the web. The following is about 1/2 of a thread on the Digidesign website users' forum.
It seems that Karel Bata was bemoaning the idea that in order to download and install the MS Windows XP service pack, the user needs to register the original XP installation. Karel contends that the "security hole" the patch fixes was an underhanded marketing plan, included by design to weed out pirated copies of the software.
The banter between the members of the group was very interesting and nobody attacked anyone personally. So I thought the thread might be of interest to others.
Digidesign is a manufacturer of software and hardware for audio and video editing (Pro-Tools and Avid).
- posted April 29, 2003 07:07 AM
Thanks guys.
So it seems that Microsoft have made XP with a huge security hole in it. And all quite innocently, we’re supposed to believe. But they don’t bother mending it, and offer a free replacement - as anyone else would. Instead they release a service pack that will 'fix' it. One small catch: you HAVE to have your XP authorised first.
To me, that really sucks. Are Microsoft that worried about their profits? Don’t they know they already have an image problem?
So why doesn’t the box say “WARNING: you must download Service Pack 1 or this software may severely damage your computer!”
I feel like Michael Moore here…
Actually I really do feel that the less Microsoft knows about me, the better. I certainly don't like the idea of them peeking into my PC.
So has anyone been running 001 with 5.3, but without the XP service pack, and - like me - doesn't go on line with that particular machine.
Regards
Karel [Roll Eyes] IP: Logged
[b]QuikDraw
Member
Member # 10206
- posted April 29, 2003 08:07 AM
Why do so many people think that Microsoft are the "bad guys" just because they want to get paid for every copy of Windows XP that is being used? [Confused]
How about you don't put a lock on the front door of your house, okay? How 'bout you work for 50 hours per week but only get paid for 40, okay? How 'bout the next time your car is stolen you don't report it because that's normal. It wasn't really "stolen," it's just that the person that took it "needed" it, and you could obviously afford it, seeing as you have a new car and all...
Okay, so enough of my anti-piracy rant. You get the point.
To answer the post... PTLE 5.3.1 works just fine on the Digi 001 without SP1. I ran it for several months with no service pack (there was no service pack avialable yet at the time). It is only the MBox and maybe the 002 that "need" the service pack. The 001 is fine without it.[/b]
Mike IP: Logged
Jopry
Member
Member # 9624
- posted April 29, 2003 08:19 AM
Of course they are worried about their profits, they are a buisiness. Profits are what keeps them in business. You can download (or order from M$) the service pack, get it on cd, install it and then call M$ voice to authorize. If you have bought the software, it's relatively painless and you have put no networking components or a nic in your system.
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Jared O'Pry
Go away or I'll replace you with a very small script.
www.platypusj.com
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[b]Karel Bata
Member
Member # 36984
- posted April 29, 2003 08:36 AM
Mike,
I don't want to get into one of those net arguments with you, but your car theft analogy is way off.
A more accurate analogy would be:
you buy a car [Smile] , and then find the door lock doesn't work! [Mad] The manufacturer [Big Grin] doesn't send out a mechanic, doesn't recall any cars, doesn't change the manufacturing process, but insists that (now you've bought the thing!) you give him some of your personal details, [Frown] and fit a 'security device' [Cool] of his making, the full true nature of which remains a bit of a mystery. [Confused] But then, of course, you simply have to trust him [Razz] ...
regards
Karel [Roll Eyes] IP: Logged[/b]
Martin Vipond
Member
Member # 34016
- posted April 29, 2003 09:46 AM
Hmmm....
It seems to me that when you take your car to the dealer for the repair of the broken lock, the mechanic will 1. not tell you exactly what may have been wrong with the old lock, 2. require you to leave the car and use some other method of transportation for a day or two, and 3. May just get curious about what you have in the glove box.
If you don't have anything to hide, why worry? If you do, clean out the glovebox before you take the car to the dealer. (And live with your "sleep-at-night" factor.)
I personally find it very convenient to log on to MS's update site and have it figure out what I need to keep my OS current. For free. I don't have to move my computer or wonder who's going to be messing around with my setup (like when you need to take it to a computer tech).
Off topic, I know. Just my 2 cents.
I'm using XP Pro with the latest SP and patches (except Hotfix Q811493, which caused slow downs on some systems). Everything seems pretty happenin' for me.
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Martin Vipond
Two Legs Productions
Lake Odessa, MI
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| Creativity Comes from Motion...|
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| ... So Don't Sit Still! |
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Karel Bata
Member
Member # 36984
- posted April 29, 2003 10:23 AM
[Roll Eyes] This HAS to be my last posting on this.
You miss the point.
It's not just that my car has a broken lock, it's that ALL cars made by that manufacturer have a broken lock. And they appear to have no intention of fixing the car at the manufacturing stage, and the only way you can repair it is to take it back to their garage!
But you sound like a happy Microsoft user, so why spoil things for you?
Fact is Microsoft have no reason to worry about losing profits to piracy (let alone to resort to underhand tactics like this!).
Truth is, they have actually profited very well from piracy. Right now, if you can afford it you buy their software. If you can't, you can easily get a pirate copy.
The net effect of this has been to completely wipe out the competition. Can you even remember the names of Word's competitors ten years ago?
And now the competition has gone, Microsoft is seeking to make everyone pay for their overpriced product.
At least piracy (strange as it may sound) offered choice, and was some form of competition that could push the price down...
Regards
Karel [Roll Eyes] IP: Logged
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QuikDraw
Member
Member # 10206
- posted April 29, 2003 11:05 AM
quote:Originally posted by Karel Bata:
you buy a car [Smile]
Yes, but the point is you bought the car. You paid for it. You didn't just walk off the lot with it, and you didn't have a friend make a copy of the car and then expect the legitimate manufacturer to provide service for your illegitimate knockoff.
About 1/3 of the new computers sold, by the way, come with the Corel Word Perfect suite instead of MS Office. There is some, albeit not much, competition in the office software market.
I'm not a big Microsoft fan. I am a capitalist, and I believe in being paid for work rendered or products sold. I do not believe in taking advantage of the rich just because they are rich. It is not a crime to make obscene amounts of money! I hope to make obscene amounts of money someday (never happen), and I don't want the government or anyone else to punish or take advantage of me if I ever do.
Who makes a better OS? Does it work with Pro Tools? Linux is great, but it doesn't work with Pro Tools, and it's hard to learn compared to Windows. Mac is great, but how is Steve Jobs any less evil than Bill Gates?
Mike [Wink] IP: Logged
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Martin Vipond
Member
Member # 34016
- posted April 29, 2003 11:51 AM
Okay, I’ll belabor the point for one more post.
I am a fairly contented user of XP. It’s the best effort so far out of MS.
RE: The car analogy. There are many documented cases of manufacturers, voluntarily recalling a vehicle (yes, all of them) for a myriad of reasons; as there are for manufacturers of most any type of product. Additionally, I cannot think of even one OS for personal computer systems that didn’t have “bugs” and required updates. (Maybe whatever a Commodore 64 used?) I can think of several examples wherein the improved OS was only obtainable for a fee. For example, if you were around for the first go of the Apple Mac OS, in the original Apple Lisa computer, you will remember that the OS looked and operated much differently than it does today. Improvements came on most every score. But the purchaser of an Apple Lisa computer would not be eligible to own OS-X at no charge simply because he/she purchased the original OS. They would need to buy the newer OS.
My point is that upgrades and improvements are an inevitable reality. It is nice that most modern OS manufacturers release upgrades and patches at no charge. I can’t think of an OS that doesn’t require periodic updates. So I can’t see how Microsoft is now somehow villainous for having a site that will handle these upgrades automatically for it’s users.
Just like a Ford dealer won’t repair a GM recall problem at no charge, I fail to see, again, why Microsoft should be vilified for verifying the OS it is updating.
OTOH there are those posting in this thread that apparently have a dollar amount (in net equity I presume?) in mind that defines a point at which it’s okay to steal something from someone without remorse or recourse. I guess I’d like to know what that amount is. $100,000, $1,000,000, $1,000,001? Per day, month, year, lifetime? At what amount can I reasonably be sure that it’s not only okay to steal something from a manufacturer but additionally to expect that manufacturer to blindly support my stolen goods simply because I think "they've got enough money?"
BTW, I use Linux and Apple OS 9 and 10. I “switched” for a while for my PT rig and when I couldn’t afford it any longer, I switched back. This isn’t a bash on OS-X, I just didn’t have the cash to purchase another two track editor like Sound Forge (which sadly, isn’t available on a Mac platform) and all of my plug-ins. So I sold the G4-450 and used the cash to build a new WinTel box. I’m okay with it because when I listen to music, I simply can’t tell what platform it was produced on (if any).
I also find it interesting that so many Mac users clamored to get their hands on OS-X, which is a 'pretty' Unix with a pretty awesome GUI. But I wonder if Digidesign would have written a Linux or BSD version of PT if those same users would have jumped to that platform. I, for one, would have because it is a great OS that could probably be ported to several different HW platforms. AAMOF, I hope Apple releases a version that will run on an Intel or AMD chip! I'd be at the head of the line with dollars in hand.
End of rant.
Mjv. Out.
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Martin Vipond
Two Legs Productions
Lake Odessa, MI
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| Creativity Comes from Motion...|
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| ... So Don't Sit Still! |
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GuitarEasley
Member
Member # 17493
- posted April 29, 2003 11:56 AM
hmmmnnn is it better to be a big fish in a small pond? or vice versa? In marketing, there's no guarantee that a weaker set of competitors will lead to greater success. In fact, the opposite is often true. Coke and Pepsi have both grown in greatness as their hundred-year cola war continues across the globe. The truly great rise to the challenge of greater competition and become even bigger fish when transferred to a big pond.
Did someone mention bootlegging?! [Wink] [Big Grin]
The Grateful Dead, an unusual group not only allowed, but encouraged people to copy their work. They even made special areas available at concerts for people to set up their taping equipment so it would sound good. The group made a lot of money.
Who knows maybe bootlegging will improve music? Musicians will have to actually perform their music live more...
...I could be wrong about that though: I do like coke better than pepsi!
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One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas... How he got into my pajamas I'll never know.
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Martin Vipond
Member
Member # 34016
- posted April 29, 2003 03:01 PM
It's not just that my car has a broken lock, it's that ALL cars made by that manufacturer have a broken lock.
Are you saying that if you purchased a car with a broken lock you would expect the dealer to deliver you a completely brand new car? Nice work, if you can get it. But that isn't reality. How much nicer to have your car download a NEW copy of itself. Which essentially is what the SP is.
And they appear to have no intention of fixing the car at the manufacturing stage, and the only way you can repair it is to take it back to their garage!
It seems to me that the last release of Win98 was Windows 98 SE, not the original unpatched version. Over the course of the next few months, as the current stock of WinXP is replaced, you will see the patched version on store shelves. Yes. The manufacturer is fixing the problem at the factory. I'm just glad I don't have to drive my computer to a MS dealership for the repair.
Fact is Microsoft have no reason to worry about losing profits to piracy (let alone to resort to underhand tactics like this!).
Underhanded? While I might not like the prices of their products, I don't see how a free upgrade could be considered underhanded simply because they want to verify that I'm a registered owner entitled to the upgrade at no charge.
Truth is, they have actually profited very well from piracy. Right now, if you can afford it you buy their software. If you can't, you can easily get a pirate copy.
I can't afford a Lexus right now, so should I go steal it and expect the manufacturer to honor the warranty? Oh, I know, software isn't hard goods, so it's okay. After all it doesn't cost them $110 or whatever to replicate the CD and the box. Right?
The net effect of this has been to completely wipe out the competition. Can you even remember the names of Word's competitors ten years ago?`
Yep. I remember a few, like Word Perfect, Ami-Pro, Write-Pro, Word Star, and a few others. Now we have MS Word, Word Perfect, AbiWord, Star Office, EasyWriter, TextWriter, LexiGraph,AmiPro and others. You don't have to use Word. But apparently a lot of people like it. When I started using word prossesors the program of choice was Word Perfect. WP still has a large user base and it's using the same marketing technique that MS used. Including it as an OEM word processor on new computers. Although, to be fair, MS used the Works processor for that plan.
And now the competition has gone, Microsoft is seeking to make everyone pay for their overpriced product.
The All American Plan. Tell you what. Let's colaberate on a CD release. We'll give the first one away, then everyone will pay extra for our second. But the thing is, that first one had better be good, really good. Okay? That way we can become the only producers of music and we'll corner the market!
At least piracy (strange as it may sound) offered choice, and was some form of competition that could push the price down...
Choice? You mean between stealing it or not stealing it? You seem to be saying that if MS brought the price down low enough that nobody would steal it. Have you paid for your copy of WinZip? I'd submit that many, if not most, of the pirated copies of XP would still be there if the MSP was $10.00. But hey, maybe you're right. I can see how a MS marketing exec would say "Better keep WinXP at about $110, any higher and even more people will steal it."
I'm not sure why I'm carrying on here. I guess because I have been ripped myself and have been given excuses as to why it happened. So you hit a nerve.
To be fair. I get PO'd every time I read a license agreement. So we're not far off from each other in day to day practice I guess. I mean a license that basically says "If you take this shrink wrap off you agree to our statement that we don't warrant the software to do anything, yet we retain all rights, you don't own it, you can only use it as we see fit, if you find it useful okay, if not, we don't care. If you find it useful and it screws something up, it's not our fault because we don't say it's useful at all. If anything bad happens, it's not our fault. Oh, and by the way, you can't modify it and you certainly can't return it for a refund."
Ridiculous isn't it?
Still, if I do find a piece of software useful, I like to support the manufacturer. Besides, my mother always told me that if I don't own it, and I take it without permission, it's stealing. And she was right.
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Martin Vipond
Two Legs Productions
Lake Odessa, MI
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| Creativity Comes from Motion...|
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| ... So Don't Sit Still! |
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QuikDraw
Member
Member # 10206
- posted April 29, 2003 11:46 PM P
quote:Originally posted by Martin Vipond:
To be fair. I get PO'd every time I read a license agreement. So we're not far off from each other in day to day practice I guess. I mean a license that basically says "If you take this shrink wrap off you agree to our statement that we don't warrant the software to do anything, yet we retain all rights, you don't own it, you can only use it as we see fit, if you find it useful okay, if not, we don't care. If you find it useful and it screws something up, it's not our fault because we don't say it's useful at all. If anything bad happens, it's not our fault. Oh, and by the way, you can't modify it and you certainly can't return it for a refund."
Ridiculous isn't it?
Still, if I do find a piece of software useful, I like to support the manufacturer. Besides, my mother always told me that if I don't own it, and I take it without permission, it's stealing. And she was right. I agree.
You know, the whole software license thing pisses me off! Here's the kind of crap they get away with....
"We're not selling you any software. We're selling you a license to use the software, and the physical media upon which that software is stored. You cannot return the product once it's been opened because we assume that you are a thief and have made an illegal copy of it once it's been opened. If the software is defective then it's just too bad. We didn't sell you any software. We sold you a license, and the license is not defective."
That's right, you didn't buy software; you bought a license. And no matter how much the software sucks, the license cannot possibly be defective!
But even so, you still shouldn't steal the license!
[Eek!]
Mike IP: Logged
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Karel Bata
Member
Member # 36984
posted April 30, 2003 02:00 AM
Ouch! I've been bitten.
This really HAS to be my last posting on this. Though it's curiously addictive.
I NEVER steal, and I don't keep the company of those that do. Never have.
But software 'theft' is, I feel, a complex moral issue.
Digidesign, as it happens, have got it right. There's a free version of ProTools, so you can try it out. And when you have the money – a real issue among a lot of musicians – you go and buy a pro set-up tailored your needs, which happens to be good value for money.
Why isn't all software like that?
I have no issue with Bill Gates personally. Good luck to the guy.
And I'm not into conspiracies – I don't believe that more than two people can ever keep a secret. (Not for long anyway)
But when Microsoft 'accidentally' leaves a huge security hole in XP (Whoops! Sorry about that…) and uses it as a way to make sure you pay…
Well, I still think it sucks…
Regards
Karel [Roll Eyes] IP: Logged
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Martin Vipond
Member
Member # 34016
- posted April 30, 2003 05:48 AM
Originally posted by Karel Bata:
"Ouch! I've been bitten.
This really HAS to be my last posting on this. Though it's curiously addictive."
Agreed! And really. We HAVE to stop meeting like this!
"I NEVER steal, and I don't keep the company of those that do. Never have. But software 'theft' is, I feel, a complex moral issue."
Also agreed. Sometimes I wonder who is stealing from whom.
"Digidesign, as it happens, have got it right. There's a free version of ProTools, so you can try it out. And when you have the money – a real issue among a lot of musicians – you go and buy a pro set-up tailored your needs, which happens to be good value for money."
Hmmm... Yes, I agree that the free demo is a very good marketing plan. But... Digidesign uses a very effective dongle on the real stuff. Mine is called a Digi001. I HAVE to buy THEIR dongle, or the software won't work. I can't use it with any other sound card. Nope. And whatever they decide to charge for it is what I have to pay. Plus, If I want the "Real" real stuff so I can take advantage of TDM, I had better have some pretty deep pockets. If you roach your 'dongle' you're screwed.
OTOH, you can easily search for a 32 track, cracked version of PT that will work with some other sound cards on KaZaa.
"Why isn't all software like that? I have no issue with Bill Gates personally. Good luck to the guy. And I'm not into conspiracies – I don't believe that more than two people can ever keep a secret. (Not for long anyway)."
Agreed. Again. Sheese, I wish he was my dad!
"But when Microsoft 'accidentally' leaves a huge security hole in XP (Whoops! Sorry about that…) and uses it as a way to make sure you pay... Well, I still think it sucks…"
Well, I guess I hear your point. If indeed these security holes are intentional. To be honest you do sound a little like a conspiracy theorist here by making the assumtion that this is an intentional, subversive marketing plan. OTOH, the remedy is free, and it would serve to stop piracy. The only point I could gripe about is that if indeed this is the marketing plan, that MS should simply post a message on the product that says that authorization is required. It's all coming to that anyway. Sonic Foundry does it, Pinnacle does it. So do others. Soon that will be the only way to use software for more than the grace period it comes with.
Actually, when the speed of our computers and the Internet is able to support it, the application programs will reside on the manufacturer's computers and we'll only keep the data! Then, not only will authorization be required, but a fast, broadband connection will be required as well.
Karel, Mike and others, I'm signing off on this topic (I think!) [Roll Eyes]
It's been fun. (I still think the collaberation idea would be cool!!! [Big Grin] )
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Martin Vipond
Two Legs Productions
Lake Odessa, MI
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| Creativity Comes from Motion...|
| |
| ... So Don't Sit Still! |
+--------------------------------+
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