nullArray

You're totally right with everything. The battery has enough charge cycles to last 5 years I heard, like the same technology they use in the XO.

The battery is replaceable, but it doesn't pop out like the other ones. A genius will do it for free, but you gotta buy the battery. The whole computer doesn't need to be scrapped when the battery goes, I shoulda made that distinction. The trade off for the battery nonsense is that it was specially developed and is 40% larger or something. Apple says it'll last 8 hours doing some websurfing and stuff. I've been told the replacement about as difficult as changing a MacBook hard drive if one really wanted to do it themselves. The MID (iPhone) idea is what they are focusing on because it made them like 70% of their income. They'd never drop computers altogether, though.

DRM Free iTunes Tiered pricing, .69¢, .99¢, $1.29 3G iPhone downloading capability (I LOVE Apple/AT&T's abandonment of my iPhone Classic) iWork '09 Math equations in Pages Mail merge with Numbers New effects, themes and stuff Keynote app in the App Store, views presenter notes, previews next slides and stuff, controls your keynote iWork is in the cloud, much like Google Docs only much prettier and useful Tons of other updates to Pages and Keynote, Numbers got some new graphing tools......., iLife '09 iPhoto has facial recognition and geotagging iMovie can actually edit movies with some sort of precision (RIP iMovie HD), it also cool new transitions and camera stabilization effects that are apparently amazing Garageband can have Sting teach you how to play guitar or something..., other artists too iWeb can tell your Facebook friends when you update (whoo...., hooo...) My guess is that there are new themes for iWeb and iDVD, but I couldn't find anything concrete I'm pretty sure there's also an iLife 09/iWork 09 combo upgrade pack to save money when buying both together. MacBook Pro 17 HUGE BATTERY* $50 Matte option Higher contrast ratio and viewing angle Pretty much the same as the 15 *(not user replaceable) -------------------------------------------------------------- For me, *yawn*. I saw the new iLife and iWork from a mile away, even the online web app iWork (but I didn't except them to charge for it, I thought it'd be bundled with MobileMe). Honestly I was hoping for an updated Mac Mini, that little thing is dying for a bump. The iTunes DRM stuff should have been here ages ago. Record labels are pissed that iTunes is the number one music retailer, and don't like it when they get to set the price. At least that's what I've been told, which is why they made all those fabulous deals with Amazon. The labels finally got halfway..., they get tiered pricing, Apple gets DRM stuff. Either way, I'm glad it happened..., and I'd LOVE to see a subscription based music too..., but that's just not Apple's gig. /discuss

The Onion's video content is getting damn near perfect. They must be Apple fanboys, because they paid attention to all the details. The posters and banners in the background are absolutely perfect. The font, black back, just, perfect. They video effect of the scrolling keyboard was very high quality, I could definitely see it as an apple like product if it wasn't so stupid. They're clearly taking a stab at the keyboardless iPhone.

I just taught myself how to handle autorotation..., Reviewers ARE stupid, like a bunch of twelve year olds. I remember when one could review an app without owning it first, FAIL Apple... I try to write grammatically correct, honest reviews with complete sentences, but..., they end up getting lost in the garbage. *sigh*

Oh man, I never did this... nullArray, Clark Favourite game: Chrono Trigger/FF7/Portal/Other Classics from my childhood Favourite OS: OS X Favourite console: Wii (includes n64/SNES/NES :)), although the 360 isn't bad either Nationality: Sweedish/Norwegian/German/British Accent: Midwest..., so none Sex: Male Age:20 Race: White..., but isn't nationality the same thing? Height: 6'0" last I checked, a year ago, I hope I'm taller now, that'd be awesome Status: Single Build: Vrrry thin Favourite band: Electronic, Synthpop..., and Folk, no specific band Favourite book: The Machine Stops Favourite author: N/A Favourite movie: Big Trouble in Little China Favourite director: I don't pay attention, so I have no idea Favourite TV Show: Good Eats with Alton Brown Favourite actor: I don't care Favourite actress: I don't care Favourite Pinup: STEVE JOBS Favourite Comedian: Demitri Martin Other hobbies: Twitter, tech, programming, classes, homework, stuff Car: Public Transportation Occupation: Student Systems Administrator, Undergrad TA, iPhone Developer (thought I've made no money yet)

We use Best Practical, RT. It's fine I guess, but I don't know anything else, or how much it costs.

Amen...,

Are you able to edit the source code? If so just add a line that asks for keyboard input into a variable, as long as you don't enter something, it'll stay on the screen. Also, try opening cmd and changing directories to the program and launching it there...

I think you're trying to say...., when you run a command prompt app, it closes before you can see anything. If you have access to the code, you could add a "cin"..., but that's assuming it's written in C++..., Well, why do you need to see it anyway?

I googled your error message and found the following responses on forums: Also, try repairing your permissions.

It's a gimmick. Whatever it is, it probably won't be as huge as tech blogs are making it out to be. Why, of all places, would this come from Creative and not Intel, AMD or the government..., that's why I'm puzzled. <sarcasm> Stemcell is a bad name too, tech illiterate people are going to think it's made from aborted fetuses. </sarcasm>

I have no idea what you're talking about, but your avatar is adorable.

Mission complete!

I told you in IRC http://reviews.cnet.com/best-laptops/. All you'll get from a forum or IRC is a bunch of anecdotal proof from everyone why their choice is the best. If you don't like those five that cnet picked, they have an ultraportable category, desktop replacement category, etc etc etc. You've gotten a good dozen suggestions from everyone in IRC and a few people here, if that's not enough, I'm not sure what is. It is a big decision, but you're putting way too much into this. Here's my anecdote...: I still stand by my MacBook suggestion. It's fast, secure and has plenty of DDR3 memory, but then again, so do many many many other suitable notebooks out there. You said you don't game, so there isn't a reason to get a beefy gaming machine (not that a laptop would be a good choice then either). You say you "like to program" but haven't given any languages you know, so as long as it's not VB or Xcode, almost any computer would work just fine. You didn't say if you were in school, college, looking for a work computer or anything. Moreover, you haven't really supplied us (either on the forum or IRC) on what you really plan to do with it at all, so it's difficult to make a suggestion. The MacBook will probably last longer than a generic Windows notebook without any thought put into it. Since most people don't take meticulous care of their computers, Windows machines tend to degrade faster and worse than Macs. Since it's a laptop, hardware upgrades are few and far between for notebooks....., so that argument which is usually reserved for Windows/Linux people is somewhat moot. Macs are renowned for staying current and in perfect working condition for at least five years without any upgrades. Meaning, a Mac you buy today will stay very usable in the current tech world for five years and you'll be able to use most of the software and hardware out there. And yes, a Mac will be able to run everything (Windows/Mac/Linux) the easiest and legally-ist. (Hackintoshes are illegal). Yes they are more expensive. You're getting quality hardware, a stable operating system and the value of a notebook that will last a very long time with minimal effort. As long as you're not an "open computing" person, there aren't any negative reasons to own a Mac. Those are my reasons why a MacBook would be a good choice,... but someone else will probably come along and tear me apart on why a Windows/Linux notebook would be a better choice, whatever. In the end, just don't get a $300-$500 Wal*Mart notebook, I think we can all agree on that.

I miss theBroken too.., the second episode should disappear though.

I'd recommend the Mac..., but I may be biased with that... Sine notebooks are hard to upgrade, you'll want something that lasts, and as far I as I know, Mac notebooks tend to keep their work and usability longer.

As said before, it's hard to be trained for something like this, I'd say. It really depends on where you work, where they'll have their own rules and standards for dealing with things. It seems to me that the classes you'd be taking are okay..., college doesn't necessarily teach you everything about the particular field the major applies to. In some cases, what you studied is irrelevant, but merely going to school is enough (not that I'm saying it applies here). If you have questions, talk to your advisor and look at some prominent company job applications and see what they're looking for.

This is what I watch/listen to. From Rev3: Diggnation Hak5 Tekzilla Totally Rad Show From Twit.tv (Leo Laporte): FLOSS Weekly MacBreak Weekly this WEEK in TECH Windows Weekly Net@Night Security Now! this WEEK in FUN (assuming Sarah Lane ever does another) Others: EpicFu gdgt weekly You Look Nice Today Engadget Podcast Dawn and Drew Show (I've been listening since episode 20, they're at 828 now!) Whew---------

Is that Daft Punk? If so, awesome.

Hell yeah!

Knoppix. It was a live CD, hope that counts.

While I don't deal with nearly anything close to what Matt probably does, I'm a student Systems Administrator. Here's what I can impart (usefulness to be determined by you). My advisor sent a massive email to the CS and CE students about a job offering. I was required to know Windows and have familiarity with OS X and Linux (any kind). Shell scripting was highly desirable, but I haven't written any scripts for my job (only for my scripting class). I was also required to have some hardware experience, but told that there wouldn't be any soldering or highly technical nonsense. Four students applied, and I was somehow deemed more qualified, even as a first year transfer student. The job pays $10/hr, and is meant to be long term, meaning I stay working as long as I'm in school. The university was looking to hire someone to fill scheduling gaps, as one of my bosses had a few classes on Tuesday and Thursday. So I worked 9:30-5 on those days. The full time, non student employees do in fact work 8-5. They also are constantly on call via text alerts. If, for example, the mail server fails, it's imperative to get it working as soon as possible, even at 2 AM. We have a few very specific admins: UNIX admin that keeps an eye on the UNIX server the students use. It's so important that it's on his name plaque next to the door, "UNIX Administrator." He also manages the mail server. My main boss who can do everything it seems. A hardware admin that manages our supercomputers. I don't see him much and have one been in the supercomputer room twice. He, like my boss, can do everything and went to school for 6 years. A customer support specialist. I think that's his title. He gets batch licenses for software, deals with defective product returns and is head of professors that need support with their projects. Then there's me, a low level supporter. Everyone except the UNIX admin also does my job on the side when there is little do to or when the projects are too complicated or require sudo access. My job starts by going to my office, logging in to my computer and logging into RT (http://bestpractical.com/). My coworkers may have given me support tickets to work on. This may be anywhere from installing a windows ghost image to the labs to transplanting laptop displays. Whenever anyone in CS has a problem, they submit a support ticket, and I'm able to do it, I take it and complete the job. I also deal with walk-ins, students that can't print, or whatever. The job is fantastic. When there are no tickets, I'm pretty much free to do whatever I feel like online. Which of course, can be painfully dull when it's a slow week (finals week for example). There are some very exciting moments though. One time, a student hacked our printer display to output a message, and I wrote a small program to hack it back (turns out it was an open port, 9100 if I'm not mistaken). I made the printer say "I CAN HAZ CHEEZBURGR." When I get to go to the other, smaller server room to work (not the supercomputer room), is also exciting. There are definitely things I don't deal with, some of which you would, so I can't help you there. Example is SAMBA and Windows Active Directory are linked so UNIX/Linux/Windows can print on lab computers. When it breaks, I have no idea what to do. Also, I was given admin privileges on Windows, Mac and Linux to perform administrative tasks. However, I have not been given sudo access on UNIX, where MANY necessary things take place. This is because I'd be able to view cleartext versions of professor, graduate and student passwords, along with the capability of a root level "rm -r *" decimating the university's infrastructure and professor research. I am still a student, and while they may trust me, there are ethical implications involved. You'll also deal with your share of outright horrible people that will constantly hound you with nonexistent problems that they seem to be having. So while I have no idea what you'll need. I suggest you familiarize yourself with Linux, UNIX, shell scripting and the command line for sure. My bosses seem to spend 75% of their time in the console/terminal. Other than that, i have no other information for you. Since I am not even a "real" systems administrator, I would advise taking everything I said anecdotally, and to listen to the real admins out there (that hopefully help you by responding to the thread). I'm not in school for systems administration, but it will prove to be very useful for getting a job later. Try asking your school if they have a student position open, of if you could "intern" there for experience. It may prove invaluable later.

Are you trying to start a flame war with me? I'll try not to demean myself, but I'll at least say this: Computer Science student != rabid Linux fanboy This was repeated in my Discrete class continuously, "Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes." -Edsger Dijkstra. My professor was also an electrical engineer, and her example was, "Just because I'm an electrical engineer, that doesn't mean I can fix your microwave if it breaks." Computer science is about computation, math, data structures, processes, algorithms and the like; or it is at least for me. So there was no reason for you to be rude like that. I will say that there is a reason a "server" and "desktop" versions exist commercially and in my opinion it comes down to OS choice. You like your Debian, great, the fact that they put everything on one disc is neat. Linux users are more likely to understand the difference between desktop, laptop and server, etc and all the choices aren't overwhelming. However, Windows/Mac users are not likely to understand that difference and having a consumer and pro version (server grade) of the software is therefore beneficial. I think you'd be surprised at how many of my professors have trouble understanding how to log into their email using Windows, let alone know how to reinstall it when they break their computers. Since Ubuntu seems to be the most user friendly Linux, it makes perfect sense that they follow this model Now, please, don't flame me back, k?

Are you trying to start a flame war with me? I'll try not to demean myself, but I'll at least say this: Computer Science student != rabid Linux fanboy This was repeated in my Discrete class continuously, "Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes." -Edsger Dijkstra. My professor was also an electrical engineer, and her example was, "Just because I'm an electrical engineer, that doesn't mean I can fix your microwave if it breaks." Computer science is about computation, math, data structures, processes, algorithms and the like; or it is at least for me. So there was no reason for you to be rude like that. I will say that there is a reason a "server" and "desktop" versions exist commercially and in my opinion it comes down to OS choice. You like your Debian, great, the fact that they put everything on one disc is neat. Linux users are more likely to understand the difference between desktop, laptop and server, etc and all the choices aren't overwhelming. However, Windows/Mac users are not likely to understand that difference and having a consumer and pro version (server grade) of the software is therefore beneficial. I think you'd be surprised at how many of my professors have trouble understanding how to log into their email using Windows. I'm trying to put this in context with Linux being ready. Since Ubuntu seems to be the most user friendly Linux, it makes perfect sense that they follow this model Now, please, don't flame me back, k?