Opportunity Surfs the Dunes: The Opportunity Mars rover, now more than 350 days and 4.5 km past its "warranty", continues rolling south across the Meridiani plains. On Sol 433 (April 12), the rover was passing through this lovely dune field. The ripples are a few centimetres high. 4/14/2005 10:48:52 PM    

---

Linux Can't Kill Windows [InfoWorld via Slashdot: 4/14/2005; 8:52:22 AM] Tom Yager 4/13/2005 - Linux may be superior to Windows in every measure, but it will never put a dent in Windows' mind share because Linux is an operating system, not a platform. Open source Unix is a 500,000-piece bag of Legos that comes with some drawings and a few models you can build on. On paper, an OS is an ideal place to start building, because you get to choose everything that sits above it in those gaps between your hardware and your application. But it's foolish not to use the hundreds of platforms and modules already available to fill in the holes. Windows already fills in all the blocks between the hardware and your apps, in ways you can't alter but which you can useas you want. You can code with the tools of your choice and in the programming language of your choice, and unless you stray too far from the rule book, everything you create will interoperate with everything others write for Windows. An operating system is a rack into which device drivers and APIs are inserted. A platform is a rack into which applications are inserted. Linux is an operating system, not a platform. There is only one platform that can stand toe-to-toe with Windows, and that's the combination of OS X and Java. Stay tuned; I'll tell you all about it.  [More of Tom Yager's column; Tom Yager's Weblog] 4/14/2005 9:31:15 PM    

---

Running your company on web apps: One interesting thing about starting a company today versus a few years ago: Lots of cool web apps are now available that you can more or less run you company on ... 4/14/2005 8:52:32 PM    

---

Microsoft, Video Game Companies Invading Hollywood Turf Video games are already competing with movies in terms of earnings. Microsoft's "Halo 2" and Rockstar's "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas," last year's biggest titles, generated sales of over $250 million each. Even more worrisome, some video game companies have begun to behave less like publishers and more like movie studios and networks.

"Microsoft has decided to try and turn Halo 2 into a film -- without the help of a film studio. In a first-of-its-kind deal, Microsoft retained the services of ex-Columbia Pictures topper Peter Schlessel, who in turn helped broker a deal with CAA to bring 28 Days Later scribe Alex Garland aboard to create a screenplay for the property. Deal was made without the benefit of a studio overseeing development. Grand Theft Auto publisher Rockstar is also believed to be looking to hire a screenwriter to adapt its hit game." [Source: Could Hollywood be facing its first-ever video game strike? Variety.com 4/13/2005 via Boing Boing]

4/14/2005 7:33:31 PM    

---

Could Hollywood be facing its first-ever video game strike?.  [Variety.com 4/13/2005 via Boing Boing 4/14/2005; 6:52:38 PM] The top story in Hollywood's Daily Variety: is a video game labor strike by the entertainment industry's two actors' unions imminent? As recent releases like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas demonstrate, big names are becoming a must-have for game titles. Voice talent in GTA:SA included James Woods, Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Fonda, and the blogosphere's own Wil Wheaton. From Clint Eastwood to Vin Diesel to Heather Graham and even Marlon Brando in EA's "Godfather" adaptation, A-list talent is turning from a rarity to a must-have in the vidgame world. Even more worrisome to SAG, some vidgame companies have begun to behave less like publishers and more like movie studios and networks. And movie and TV studios have, in turn, become increasingly interested in releasing their products via emerging technologies, like cell phones, complicating how performers get paid. 4/14/2005 7:31:20 PM    

---