2000.06.05 it's not what you think:
just ran across an interesting tidbit on my daily surf–amiga.org–about the fact that Amiga (Yes, they're still around…), along with Sun, Intel, Motorola, Espial, and maybe some others are about to launch a new Java developer's portal called devicetop.com. it's nice to see that the new Amiga is running with such high-profile buddies. before now, I haven't mentioned my Amiga fetish, but it was bound to come out sooner or later, so I figured now was as good a time as any. If half of what Amiga are promising comes true, things could get very interesting in the computer and consumer electronics worlds.
one interesting thing came out in the press release for devicetop.com that gave me pause. I'm really fond of the english language, and really enjoy when people do weird things with it. down towards the bottom of the page, after several miles of comments about "smart devices" and "information appliances," there's a comment about this joint initiative for widespread use of Java (portable programming technology, as if you didn't know) in these devices. they use the term "device agnostic" to describe a piece of software.
correct me if I'm wrong, but agnostic generally describes ignorance of the existence of (usually God, or a higher power). so what they're talking about is software that is ignorant of the existence of the hardware on which it is run…. I suppose it makes sense, but it really struck me odd. kind of attributes the properties of self-awareness and the capability for doubt on these so-called "smart devices." perhaps that's what makes them so "smart."
well. that was really pointless. thought I was going somewhere with that, but it just kind of fizzled out.
which reminds me of a discussion I just had with brian (the guy who writes stuff over there writing a lot…). because it's been this way for so long, I second guess myself and don't say what I want to say. apparently I don't have that problem here (when I actually bother to write something, I tend to ramble).
for those of you asking, yes, I will shut up now.