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Comment: Open API (Score 1) 715

by enjahova (#27736839) Attached to: RMS Says "Software As a Service" Is Non-free

If you have a solid API that's all you need to be "ethical." It should let you put in the data you want processed, and access the data you want to access.

To me this whole thing is ridiculous, SaaS is not about software, its about service. Am i not supposed to go to a restaurant because I can't keep the plates? I could stay home and cook my own food and use my own plates but I would rather pay for the service.

Comment: Re:School (Score 1) 252

by enjahova (#26525939) Attached to: Tech-Related Volunteer Gigs

I am currently starting up an initiative to collect old unwanted PCs and parts so that we can run a computer building workshop in a local community center. We already have a date set, with our first goal of building 5 computers for 5 kids. It's will be our first time doing this but already we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback, and computer parts!

The current plan is to wipe all harddrives, then test parts with the working machines and then take them all apart. We will then teach the kids how to put the computers together and test them. Finally we will help them install a linux distro. I came to this thread to find a post like this! We will definitely be trying out Qimo.

I will be emailing you as well mhall, and seeing you at the Jacksonville Florida Linux Expo!

Here is my post about the project on my blog:

Comment: Re:Most definitely.. (Score 1) 474

by enjahova (#26223703) Attached to: ACM Urges Obama To Include CS In K-12 Core

That's the problem! Instead of looking at this like "what else can we cram down their throats" we should approach it like "how can programming/CS make math more relevant."

I think teaching students basic programming to allow them to visualize geometry (algebra is inherent, because the hardest part about teaching algebra is the concept of variables). You can encourage problem solving along the way, and set up "realistic" problems.

If you want a really simple carrot on the stick, just talk about how much money people in the financial industry make, and all they do is math on computers. Hopefully teachers can get more creative than that, but I think programming would allow students to "hold math in their hands" so to speak.

Comment: Re:Absolutely not! (Score 1) 474

by enjahova (#26223609) Attached to: ACM Urges Obama To Include CS In K-12 Core

I like your analysis of the computer in education. It should be treated as tool that makes things more efficient and allows for simulations that otherwise would be unaffordable.

There is a lot of software that can be used to teach art and music. Sure it would be digital art, or it could just be used as a portal to find information and examples about other mediums.

As for music, I think the computer is like the second coming. Software instruments and professional editing tools are becoming more available as opensource programs. These have infinite potential in young hands. It would be much more accessible than lugging a big wood or metal thing around (playing bassoon in middle school turned me off to music) and much easier to scale. All of the same principles could be taught, with the added bonus that kids could make music they find relevant with any sound they want.

What about business and accounting? Most people don't understand credit because they don't understand long term consequences, or how their daily actions sum up. This sounds like a job for a computer game! If you make it fun, kids might actually want to do their homework!

You are right though, the saddest thing is that computers are just being thrown at education like they are better pencils and paper. This makes a lot of people think computers are no good, when really it is they who are no good at teaching.

Comment: Amen, don't forget iTouch (Score 2, Insightful) 269

by enjahova (#26132983) Attached to: iPhone Tops Windows Mobile Share; MS Releases iPhone App

This is exactly what I saw. It's putting OS X on a phone, but in a way that doesn't feel like you are using a desktop OS. That's why I sprang for the iTouch. With the WiFi I essentially have a "netbook" in my hands!
Not to mention a development platform that shares a great deal of functionality with the iPhone.


by enjahova (#25873673) Attached to: Is Open Source Software a Race To Zero?

We can look at World of Warcraft for an example of how to avoid that problem with Entertainment. The WoW software is still sold as an end product, but that is only because the market allows them too. The real value is in the monthly subscriptions and the ever improving content that is provided over the medium created by the software.

I think Open Source only looks bad if you try to view software as anything other than a way to solve problems. People will always have problems that can be addressed by technology, so you will always be able to provide value if you can solve those problems.


No Naked Black Holes 317

Posted by kdawson
from the also-no-hair dept.

Towards a Wiki For Formally Verified Mathematics 299

Posted by kdawson
from the preparing-the-ground-for-our-robot-overlords dept.
An anonymous reader writes "Cameron Freer, an instructor in pure mathematics at MIT, is working on an intriguing project called vdash.org (video from O'Reilly Ignite Boston 4): a math wiki which only allows true theorems to be added! Based on Isabelle, a free-software theorem prover, the wiki will state all of known mathematics in a machine-readable language and verify all theorems for correctness, thus providing a knowledge base for interactive proof assistants. In addition to its benefits for education and research, such a project could reveal undiscovered connections between fields of mathematics, thus advancing some fields with no further work being necessary."

Carbon-Neutral Ziggurat Could House 1.1 Million In Dubai 393

Posted by ScuttleMonkey
from the big-brother's-wet-dream dept.
The Media

The Net's Effect on Journalism 149

Posted by Zonk
from the no-not-that-way-the-other-way dept.

EA Launches 'Hostile' Bid for GTA Publisher 171

Posted by Zonk
from the here-we-go dept.
Games news sites are reporting that EA has issued a new offering to Take-Two's shareholders in an attempt to purchase the company outright. Last month EA offered some $2 billion to Take-Two in an effort to accomplish the same goal. Take-Two declined, and EA took their offer public. Now, Electronic Arts is offering the price of some $26 per share to Take-Two's holders, a generous valuation. "Within ten business days Take-Two is required by law to publish, send or give to shareholders (and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission), a statement as to whether it recommends acceptance or rejection of the latest offer ... Since EA launched its February bid Take-Two said that other parties had approached it regarding a merger, but that it hadn't entered into negotiations with other companies about a deal."

Open US GPS Data? 327

Posted by samzenpus

If you fail to plan, plan to fail.