Quickies: Kinoma , pilot-link, MS Duo, Fictionwise, Wi-Fi
Kinoma Producer 1.1 and Kinoma Player 1.1 will be available on July 17. The new versions will include integrated widescreen encoding, improved audio synchronization for long movies, and a number of bug fixes. Kinoma Producer 1.1 will sell for $30 but is a free upgrade. Kinoma Player 1.1 will be a free download. -ClieSource
pilot-link 0.11.0 has been released. This app allows users to synchronize their handheld with a Linux desktop. The new version is more stable and includes new conduits. It is freeware. -PR
Sony has announced that the first Memory Stick Duo will ship in Japan on July 20. It will be 16MB and cost 2,800 yen, about $24. . - Eugene
Fictionwise has released six 2002 Hugo nominated works as free eBooks, and offers three other nominees as well. The free eBooks include works by Ted Chiang, Mike Resnick, James Patrick Kelly, Allen Steele, Shane Tourtellotte, and Lois McMaster Bujold (with an extended excerpt). -PR
Please, no one else submit the story in Cnet/ZDnet about the Wi-Fi SD Card as a news tip. It's old news, as we covered it a month ago. -Ed
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OpenSource, not ''Freeware''
RE: OpenSource, not
Stop being an obnoxious ******* of a troll. At the very least if you can't, then provide more explanations other than telling us that "There is a huge difference between the two".
RE: OpenSource, not ''Freeware''
Open Source Software: www.opensource.org/docs/definition_plain.html
Free Software: www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html
RE: OpenSource, not ''Freeware''
RE: OpenSource, not ''Freeware''
==================
Historically, many people who developed this sort of software (such as the Free Software Foundation) simply called it "free software", and the press usually called it "freeware". Unfortunately, both of these terms have proven to be ambiguous and vague. To most people "free" was taken to refer only to the cost of purchase. Much more important than the initial cost, however, is the freedom afforded by the lack of licensing restrictions. There are several types of software which could potentially have "no cost", but which are very definitely not open-source software due to their restrictions or lack of public source code:
"Shareware": often developed by a single person, usually unsupported and without published source code, with the hope of receiving monetary donations from users
Demos/"Crippleware": no-cost or low-cost subset of a commercial software product, without freely available source code, without support, and usually lacking key features
Bundled Software: provided with or added on to commercial software at no extra charge, but usually under a very restrictive license and without freely available source code; e.g. Microsoft Internet Explorer
"Consortium-Ware": source code shared among a group of companies, but not freely available to the public; e.g. Motif
"Non-commercial use only": software which is typically downloadable for free from the Internet, maybe even with source code, but which has serious licensing restrictions which limit its use; e.g. Netscape's browsers prior to January 1998
RE: OpenSource, not ''Freeware''
Here is the difference to uneducated people not in the industry. Freeware means free software but makes no regulation on source code for the said software. In other words, freeware apps are sold as BINARY applications to be distributed freely which does not usually include the source code. Also, freeware applications are developed by one or a group of developers working under one name.
Open source refers to software in which the source code is released to the public. It is not developed by a set number of people. People all over the world may take part in its development because the source it out there. Often there is a CVS to keep the source code available to developers.
In the development community there IS a VERY different definition of freeware and source code, and only the people who know nothing about it will say that there is no difference.
So before you make comments like this, I suggest you pull your heads out of your butts and get an education.
RE: OpenSource, not ''Freeware''
Read more about the GNU General Public License:
http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html
In this case, pilot-link is both freeware and open source. If I had described it as open source, it wouldn't have been clear that it was free, which is what I considered the most important part.
I think whether you can get a copy of the source code is much less significant than the price to a large majority of readers. In Quickies, where space is at a premium, I usually don't mention that an app is open source. I will mention it in regular articles.
The descriptions of the different types of software listed above (freeware, shareware, etc) are interesting but I don't agree with all the opinions. I do agree that the term "shareware" has become almost meaningless and don't use it. The only one of these I still use "freeware", for software that is totally free.
__
News Editor
RE: OpenSource, not ''Freeware''
(A barb towards nuopus, with all due respect)
I am still amazed at how angry people get in the forums. I am further still amazed at how rough people can get when behind a keyboard.
I always strive to maintain my composure and to be polite to the end.
I think it is a trait many on this board could use a dose of...
RE: OpenSource, not ''Freeware''
"We can download and use it for free, right?"
You need an education, man. Your argument would make every visitor to the USA an American because "I am in the USA and I can eat hamburgers, don't I?"
There are these things called laws and rights.
Freeware is something you can download and use, but you get no rights with it, you cannot change it, you cannot fix it, you cant adapt it. This is called "closed source". As an example, Internet Explorer is "Freeware" using your sweeping generalisation as a guide.
Pilot-link, on the other hand, gives you rights - the right to change it, fix it, adapt it - *apart* from the right to use it.
As a side note to Ed: not using a term because people don't know it is a self-fulfilling prophecy - people won't know what opensource is if sites like yours don't acknowledge and use the term.
RE: OpenSource, not ''Freeware''
Note that some open-source licenses are also restrictions. I have some pilot-link utilities running under Mac OS X. Someone who couldn't compile these themselves asked for a copy, but I couldn't legally provide them because I lost my modified makefiles (part of the GPL'd sources). If pilot-link were more pure freeware (BSD licensed or public domain), I could send them a copy, sans source code offer.
RE: OpenSource, not ''Freeware''
> get no rights with it, you cannot change it, you cannot
> fix it, you cant adapt it. This is called "closed source".
The terms "freeware" and "closed source" have absolutely nothing to do with each other. The term "freeware" comes from a time when such terms as open/closed source did not even exist. Freeware essentially means the binaries are free (cost-wise) for use. See other terms from the time like: shareware, demoware, crippleware, cardware, nagware, etc. for comparison. You cannot derive anything about the open/closed-ness of the source from the term "freeware".
RE: OpenSource => palmopensource.com
don't forget to visit:
http://www.palmopensource.com/
The PalmOS open source portal.
Cheers,
Ludo
Now also under http://www.openpalm.org/
DUO???? WHAT THE HELL?
"Your signature here!"
RE: DUO???? WHAT THE HELL?
RE: DUO???? WHAT THE HELL?
RE: DUO???? WHAT THE HELL?
RE: DUO???? WHAT THE HELL?
Sony primarily designed the Duo to be used in devices even smaller than handhelds, like MP3 players. There will be an adapter that allows current handhelds to use the new format cards. However, it is possible Sony will release handhelds in the future with Duo slots.
You can read more about the Duo here:
www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=3582
---
News Editor
RE: DUO???? WHAT THE HELL?
16Mb Flash ROM + 16Mb RAM + 16Mb MS Duo!!
and of coz, it's symbian OS.
Alan
----
Read your manuals before you ask!!
Only Magic Gate MS from now on...
Over 128 MB they will all be Magic Gate.
And it is only "useful" if you want to use the MS for playing music, and playing music in ATRAC3 only... Who does that??
Is it just so that Sony will be able to charge those extra $$ because it is a Magic Gate, or what is going on here??
RE: Only Magic Gate MS from now on...
...face it, Sony is as bad a Micro$oft, in their own greedy way...
RE: not only Sony
For laptops, there are NEC, Fujitsu Siemens, and Samsung. Acer, HP-Compaq, IBM, Asus and Quanta are putting Memory Stick slots onto their systems.
Show I continue?
You can also get Memory Sticks from Lexar, Sandisk, and lesser known Apacer and I-O DATA, not just Sony.
RE: Only Magic Gate MS from now on...
RE: Only Magic Gate MS from now on...
Anyway, anything over 128 is NOT MagicGate, the biggest they have right now is only 128MB, nothing more.
RE: Only Magic Gate MS from now on...
Laptops with actual Memory Stick slots?
Would have model numbers for all of these existing or upcoming notebooks with Memory Stick slots? I have looked into this and it seems that some of these may be called 'Memory Stick compatible', but require an adapter.
RE: Only Magic Gate MS from now on...
RE: Only Magic Gate MS from now on...
As do the Konica Cameras mentioned above. They are dual slot. I have never seen a digital camera with one slot only, and that slot being Memory Stick, made by anyone other than Sony.
Many camera makers have made the switch to SD for some of there cameras. FujiFilm, Nikon and Canon have not yet come out with SD cameras. But honestly, does anyone expect any of them to go with Memory Stick?
RE: Only Magic Gate MS from now on...
RE: Only Magic Gate MS from now on...
RE: Only Magic Gate MS from now on...
I am a Sony Clie owner, I bought the NR70V because it's the best Palm OS device for me, but I really, really dislike the MS technology.
Sony make Memory Stick for two simple reasons:
1) They desire to own the rights to core technology we use every day, as do many similar companies (including Microsoft who have openly stated this goal). Hence Video8, MiniDisc and Memory Stick. Yes there are other distributers of all these technologies, but they can produce compatible products only under license from Sony, when Sony say they can, and for whatever fee Sony demands.
I believe that while this tactic would be good for Sony, it is a route which is detrimental to the consumer and we are far better off with open standards to ensure we get the best and cheapest solutions. However, this tactic is nothing new, and is by far the least worrisome of the two reasons.
2) Senior Management in Sony had rights management in mind when they released the MS and it is indented as a vehicle to introduce Digital Rights Management (DRM). Should MS technology take off, only DRM enabled versions will be available at some point in the future, if Sony Music (SME) and Sony Pictures (SPE) get their way.
As a large movie and music publishing house, Sony have a very explicit interest in making sure DRM is present in all their products, whenever they think the consumer will swallow it.
This is why Sony recalled all Playstation 2's in Japan shortly after launch, it was found they had a 'hidden' software configurable option that enabled them to be region free DVD players (they were recalled so they could be 'fixed' by Sony so that they were no longer able to be 'region free').
Most interestingly, Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) were bullied into this by SPE (by proxy, of course). The SCE dislike being bullied buy the SPE and SME who go running to the Sony board and kick and scream like small children whenever they want something until the board agrees to interfere in what ever the SCE is doing at the time.
I even seem to recall the president of the of SCE bitching out about this at the time publicly, which, I suspect, is one reason why he was have been replace by Ken Kutaragi, who is also a loyal Sony board member, quite a bit older than his predecessor and is no doubt seen as very much less of a 'loose cannon' and 'maverick' by the rest of the board.
It's easy to see how this is particularly annoying for many of those within the SCE as they make up 60% of the groups entire operating profit. Clearly the SPE and SME really ought to learn to live with it and let market forces work, but the SME and SPE very much represent 'the establishment' within Sony and many of the board members have very close links with both so the SPE and SME get to wield a disproportionate amount of power, and thus skew the system.
It's fair to say that Sony as a group manufacture some great technology (e.g. Playstation, Vaio, Clie, Wega TV's), and that's great for consumers. Considering the level of technology present in there good, the prices are reasonable too, thanks to a highly competitive market space.
However, parts of Sony (i.e. SME and SPE) are focused on screwing the consumers to protect their intellectual property, because they care a lot more about themselves than they do about us and are willing to sacrifice our traditional, legal, consumer rights in order to protect themselves, even if it means 'cutting off their nose to spite their face' via lost sales.
They would do well to realise the lessons learned from their previous attempts and dominating formats and how they have always ended up hurting the format and the consumer (and potential profits).
As a consumer, I can only hope they entirely give up on the idea of Magic Gate (thankfully it's focus within Sony seems to be waning as a response to poor consumer demand) and instead focus only on 'pure' DRM free Memory Sticks, which is the best we can reasonably hope for (given how strongly Sony are intent on pusing the MS format over SD).
Memory Stick ponderings
I'm still left wondering about a couple of things:
: if the Magic Gate (secure) variety of MS aren't popular, then why is Sony showing only MG for the larger capacities - to force consumers to adopt the MG? (And WHAT is taking Sony so long to release the larger capacity sticks?? There's already 512MB SD cards!)
: I think that the original PlayStation and psOne use a standard memory cartridge whereas the PS2 uses an MG-style digital-rights-management-supported one. I assume that Sony hasn't used the Memory Stick format for the PlayStation because they can get more $$ for their console-specific format. However, *IF* Sony decides to tie in a handheld gaming device (say, a new Clie model??!!) wouldn't it make more sense to have the MS as a cross-compatibile memory format?
RE: Only Magic Gate MS from now on...
"This is why Sony recalled all Playstation 2's in Japan shortly after launch, it was found they had a 'hidden' software configurable option that enabled them to be region free DVD players (they were recalled so they could be 'fixed' by Sony so that they were no longer able to be 'region free')."
What... I don't see as they have any options. It was interesting that a feature like that could be "hidden" as you say it, it wouldn't surprise me if SCE(A, E, J) made it on purpose, until it was discovered by Hollywood... or SEP in other words. A shame that Sony is fighting itself internally.
But Hollywood did and do require that no one can make regionfree players, so how can it be bad that SCE managed to get units out of the door before it was noticed?
I see other technologies that are open... jointly developed, with voting and all. Like Linux(what a mess?), OpenGL(up to date?)... so I wouldn't really say that open systems are all good.
I choosen not to mind Sony controlling MS and putting it in all their products. I see Sony as a company that is willing to fight for their products... look at the Minidisc f.ex.
RE: Only Magic Gate MS from now on...
I don't think it's at all bad that SCE manage to get a few PS2 unit's that were region free out the door, only bad that they were forced to recalled them (by SEP, or Hollywood or a combination of both).
As for standards, Linux is not a 'standard' just a kernel, the closest thing I can think of relevent for Unix systems would be POSIX compliance and it's really good (even if few OS meet it officialy, it's still a goal to aim for and makes life easier for administrators and developers).
As for OpenGL, it is a *great* standard, it makes it much easier for developers to port games and scientific applications. Standards are really good things, just ask any Engineer!
Palm_Otaku :
I agree, until I saw the roadmap the origional poster gave the URL for I had not expected Sony to go Magic Gate only so soon! I was worried they would do this, but I thought maybe in a couple of years they might try this.
Interestingly, at the moment the 128MB Magic Gate Memory Sticks are more expensive than regular 128MB Memory Sticks (at least in London and when I've seen them in the US).
Does anyone else know different (i.e. will Sony commit to making non Magic Gate sticks in sizes of 256MB and above, have they ever expressed any comments on this)?
RE: Only Magic Gate MS from now on...
In terms of the changing roadmap, I've got a printed Sony Memory Stick brochure from early 2001 (?) and the roadmap on that shows the following:
2000: MG and standard: 64MB
2001: MG and std: 128MB; Duo and MG Duo to 64MB
2002: MG and std: 256MB; Duo and MG Duo 128MB
late 2002: MG and std: 512MB; Duo and MG Duo 256MB
late 2003: MG and std: 1GB; Duo and MG Duo 512MB
(Heh, I found a copy as a low-pdf that you can check out here: http://makeashorterlink.com/?A54321741 )
IOW, last year they indicated that the standard (non-MG) format would be supported with the higher capacities. Apparently there's been a change of plans.
802.11 is great.....but it's also BATTERY SAPPING!!!!!
802.11 is great.....but it's also BATTERY SAPPING!!!!!
Dale Coffing's review of the Toshiba e740: He got 1 hour 45 minutes when using 802.11b and that's without
transferring ANYTHING!!
www.pocketpcpassion.com/toshiba/e740/e740-1.htm
However, we got only two hours of use with the Wi-Fi capability activated. www.zdnet.com/supercenter/stories/review/0,12070,561787,00.html
'Short Battery Life' is Top Complaint Among Business Mobile Device Users
July 11, 2002 (TOKYO) -- A survey showed that more than half of businesspeople using mobile communications devices are dissatisfied with the short life of the battery after a single charge.
From Japan
www.nikkeibp.asiabiztech.com/wcs/leaf?CID=onair/asabt/news/ 146420
802.11= networking technology, high power, more expensive, bigger sized, different applications
Bluetooth= wireless cable replacement technology, low power, cheap (volume), small sized, many applications
Low power is Bluetooth's saving grace because Bluetooth needs only a fraction of the power of Wi-Fi. That's not a big issue in cars (BMW and DaimlerChrysler have pending plans for in-car Bluetooth capability that will link to cell phones and maybe even to dealer service centers), and low power is only a minor issue in notebooks, where you lose 10 to 20 minutes of battery life running Wi-Fi adapters. But it's a killer for cell phones and PDAs.
My experience with Bluetooth was initially frustrating, time-consuming, and (in a grading-on-a-curve sort of way) eventually satisfying. I tried to unplug and play several devices: Epson and HP printers, IBM and Toshiba notebooks, a Compaq PDA, and a 3Com PC Card adapter. Most of the devices were able to connect—eventually. You have to work through driver updates, incompatible Bluetooth stacks, compatibility lists, and 13 device-type profiles. It's not a technology you'd want to turn loose on nontechnical people. I was happiest with devices where Bluetooth was already integrated (the ThinkPad T30, Tecra 9000, and iPAQ H3870).
Adding a $150 Epson Bluetooth adapter to a $300 Epson printer (Stylus Photo 890) seems a big hit on price, especially when color photos—Epson's claim to fame—take a long time to print (for text documents, the speed is fine). It was great, however, being able to walk into my office, set down a laptop, and print immediately—and unlike with IrDA, I didn't have to worry about aiming the laptop at the printer. I'm more uncertain about the cost benefit of a $200 Bluetooth headset (from Plantronics) for cell phones, unless you're a really heavy phone user.
more
www.siliconinvestor.com/stocktalk/msg.gsp?msgid=17648050
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June or July?