ExoPC Slate has iPad looks, netbook internals, Windows 7 soul

[stustaff]

Originally Posted by DawnFalcon

You edited the wikipedia page to take out the requirement for "general purpose" in the definition of a PC? *checks* No, still there.

If you can install a program for any given (legal) purpose on a device, it's general purpose. The App Store requires approval, and hence dosn't fit this.

But again your creating YOUR own definition of 'general purpose' the ACTUAL definition is "general-purpose
adj
having a range of uses or applications; not restricted to one function"

so the iPad both fits teh definition of personal computer and the definition of General purpose!

What are you going to add next?

Even if we address what you said your stretching, this part "If you can install a program for any given (legal) purpose on a device, it's general purpose." is fine as i can do that on the iPad.
This part "The App Store requires approval, and hence dosn't fit this." makes no sense as this doesnt stop the first part being possible.

Why not give a real world example of how the iPad isnt a computer(using the actual English definition) and isnt general purpose(using the actual English definition)

[dmaul1114]

Just put Dawn on ignore. I learned months ago that he's just the typical internet blow hard with strong opinions that just likes to argue with everyone endlessly about the most banal shit imaginable, and will go on and on as he has to have the last word as his opinion is the gospel truth apparently.

[DawnFalcon]

stustaff - Does or does not Apple have an "approval" process which excludes certain categories of program from the App Store? If they do, then the device cannot be "general purpose", since there are categories of programs it cannot run. It's not a PC. Many computing devices these days are not PC's. This isn't some sort of slam, it's a simple statement of fact.

I never said it wasn't a "Computer". It is, of course. "Personal Computer" means something different to "Computer", though.


dmail1114 - Well, you are evidently assuming "internet appliance" is somehow inferior. (I certainly never stated that, so it's your assumption...)


And the name? It's actually a reference to a Phoenix rather than a gender-specific reference

[stustaff]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

Just put Dawn on ignore. I learned months ago that he's just the typical internet blow hard with strong opinions that just likes to argue with everyone endlessly about the most banal shit imaginable, and will go on and on as he has to have the last word as his opinion is the gospel truth apparently.

I would do but I enjoy chatting/arguing with him btw I assumed 'he' was a she? dawn falcon sounds feminine to me anyway.

I can be just as bad sometimes as i dont think there is anything wrong with having strong opinions.

Also I do find the re-imagining of the language in here quite fun.

[stustaff]

Originally Posted by DawnFalcon

stustaff - Does or does not Apple have an "approval" process which excludes certain categories of program from the App Store? If they do, then the device cannot be "general purpose", since there are categories of programs it cannot run. It's not a PC. Many devices these days are not PC's. This isn't some sort of slam, it's a simple statement of fact.

dmail1114 - Well, you are evidently assuming "internet appliance" is somehow inferior. (I certainly never stated that, so it's your assumption...)

I genuinelly cant think of a type of programme that is not available on the ipod(touch) or that if it isnt is just due to no one having made it yet.

Can you?

[DawnFalcon]

So you're arguing Apple don't ban categories of apps? Um, they would like to disagree with you.

[stustaff]

Originally Posted by DawnFalcon

So you're arguing Apple don't ban categories of apps? Um, they would like to disagree with you.

well are you going to name a type of programme/App that isnt available then or not?

I have said I cant think of any hence why I keep saying it IS general purpose.

Are you goint to tell us a type or programme you cant get then or not?

[DawnFalcon]

Why would I need to? Apple's own documentation says that there are limits in black and white. Hence, the restrictions exist. There really isn't any need to spend any more time on this, it's just bluntly silly - it's in the same category as claiming that data description languages are turing complete.

But okay, example: Flash.

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by stustaff

I can be just as bad sometimes as i dont think there is anything wrong with having strong opinions.

Also I do find the re-imagining of the language in here quite fun.

Well, it depends on the topic. Strong opinions on something of merit--social issues, political issues etc. are one thing.

People that get online and argue until their blue in the face about what e-reader is the best, what e-book format is the best, what video game console is the best and other banal crap like what to label a device I have little patience for.

But to each their own, that's what the ignore user feature is for. I come here more for factual info about no devices etc. than people's opinions on devices. Though I let myself get sucked into to those debates too often.

[stustaff]

Originally Posted by DawnFalcon

Why would I need to? Apple's own documentation says that there are limits in black and white. Hence, the restrictions exist. There really isn't any need to spend any more time on this, it's just bluntly silly - it's in the same category as claiming that data description languages are turing complete.

But okay, example: Flash.

Ok flash isnt a type of programme its a specific companies version of a type of programme that allows movies and animations to be shown in a stand alone player or embedded in a web page for example.

the iPad uses a different make of software but still has the ability to both show movies and animations.

This has no impact on general purpose.

If your claiming lack of flash makes the ipad non general purpose then I may as well claim a Windows PC is non multi purpose as it cant run 'choose your own linux or Mac only software'.

Naming a specific piece of software as being unable to run is silly as Linux cant run itunes for example and A Mac cant run somethin that is windows only are you suggesting this means they arent personal computers?

the fact is to anyone else in the world who goes on the actual defintion of either personal computer or general purpose then the iPad would fit both.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by zacheryjensen

By whose definition? Yours? When the term "Personal Computer" was coined,

<---------------snip to remove most of the BS ------------>

Of course, I also wouldn't be surprised to see some reference to "pad" become the norm, just because of Apple's awesome naming choice.

The term Personal Computer or PC was the registered trademark of the original IBM PC, and has been use ever since to designate any computer that used IBM/MS Disk Operating System or MS-DOS or its descendants (various flavors of Windows). Even Apple acknowledges this in it Mac Vs. PC commercials.

The term Internet Appliance was the term coined for small computing devices, usually, but not always Linux based that were primarily designed to access the internet, usually meaning email and WWW browsing, but were also capable of installing and running other applications. E.g. the iPad, but it was by no means the first. By the way the iPod Touch also fits into this category.

I own a Nokia N800 Internet Appliance which falls neatly into this category. And if it had a modern processor, and larger capacitive touch screen would be every bit as capable as an iPad, More so, actually, because it has a user replaceable battery, two SD card slots, a real USB port, and is ever so much more versatile since the Meamo community is continuously developing OPEN SOURCE software for it.

I’m not an open source fanboi, but I can recognize the advantages of an open system as opposed to one locked down by Mr. Jobs and his minions. Why, I can recall not long ago when the Oxford Unabridged Dictionary was banned from the AppStore because it had dirty words in it. I believe that that little story got quickly squashed when cooler heads prevailed, but the principal remains.

[TallMomof2]

I fall firmly on the side that the iPad is an internet appliance. If you can't go out and buy apps from someone other than Apple then it's an appliance. A darn nice one but still not a general purpose device. Assuming that Archos is the same as last year, you have to buy plug-ins from them noone else offers them.

If the iPad were Mac OS and allowed you to load Mac OS compatible software from anywhere then I would call it a PC.

I've been with Verizon Wireless for many years because for me they have the best coverage but VW is infamous for their walled in phones. That's why the iPhone isn't on VW because Verizon wants to install their own operating software. (Besides the ATT exclusivity agreement.) I've been told that by both CS and a friend of mine who is an engineer there. IMO, the iPhone, Touch, and iPad are Apple's version of Verizon's walled in garden. Those devices are quite capable but you're still locked in to using them exactly as Apple proscribes unless you jailbreak. When Apple allows you to buy Apps from somewhere else besides the iTunes app store then those devices will be closer to a general purpose PC.

[DawnFalcon]

Originally Posted by stustaff

the fact is to anyone else in the world who goes on the actual defintion of either personal computer or general purpose then the iPad would fit both.

Well, if you're going to speak for everyone else ... *talks to housemate* ... nope, he agrees with me. Seems you can't say that. There goes that discussion.

It's literally pointless when someone resorts to "but everyone" argument. My point stands, and if you don't like the definitions, feel free to argue with the companies using them.

[stustaff]

I really dont see where buying the software from affects what a device is?

Internet appliance to me and the actual definition "a handheld computer for accessing the Internet and possibly email or telephone communication"
implies somethign that is used for well accessing the internet as at least the majority of its purpose.

When you can have an iPad or touch and NEVER have to connect it to the internet and still be able to do things such as, write notes, play games, watch videos etc etc and when its primary purpose and main selling points are not its ability to access the internet then I just cant see where you think its an internet appliance??

[stustaff]

Originally Posted by DawnFalcon

Well, if you're going to speak for everyone else ... *talks to housemate* ... nope, he agrees with me. Seems you can't say that. There goes that discussion.

Your housemate isnt going on the actual definitions though are they as printed you know in an actual dictionary? Thats why I put that part in there.