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Lame. Why not just define anything as a computer. Pretty much everything has an input, a process and an output.

That's because a computer is a very generic term. You can stop arguing now, you're trying to redefine a computer to a very specific purpose instead of understanding that the term is very generic.
 
Well the data mining thing doesn't worry me greatly

You're Google's perfect customer.

They may be able to data-mine me but I can also do what I like with the phone (even using my own choice of ringtones! That's like sooo much to ask right, oh no I have to pay a fee to do that? Come on Apple, really?).

Odd, my iPhone is full of custom ringtones that I created myself - for free.

Maybe you just don't know enough about the iPhone and how to use it? Ironically, Google would be of help here. ;)
 
As infamous as Microsoft is at this, I have to say the Fandroids take evangelism to dizzying new heights. Mention iPhone anywhere on the Web and prepare for a brutal mob shoutdown.

:rolleyes:
I guess a sense of irony is completely lost on you. Some people want their ip4s fixed and are shouted down by fanboys like you. If you want to talk about taking evangelism to dizzying new heights just take one look at the "cult of apple"

:rolleyes:

The only real shout down happening is of people wanting the ip4 fixed by those in the cult of apple who would kill their first born rather than question or say anything bad about apple.
 
Hey, me too! Gosh, a search on MacRumors would come up with loads of ways to get free ringtones. I make them from my own music. It’s sooooooo hard…not.

He might want to spend some time actually looking over the forums and also read the forum rules.

Yes, I was making the ringtone point as an example, I know how to do it, it's just unnecessary hassle for something I already own in the phone - why try to make life difficult for people? It's an example, there are many cases where the iPhone restricts what you can do compared to other phones that give you a bit more freedom - again I don't see the reason for not allowing you to do something that won't harm the phone, hardly the nice easy user interface Apple is renowned for. Carry on picking on the minor points, doesn't change the major ones - the iP4 still has a gaping design flaw whatever way you spin it.

And yes Mr/Mrs Forum rules, I have now had my warning about consecutive posting - you got me, hope you're proud. That's another evil consecutive poster taken care of, now I'm going to go and kick some kittens to take out my rage.
 
Odd, my iPhone is full of custom ringtones that I created myself - for free.

Maybe you just don't know enough about the iPhone and how to use it? Ironically, Google would be of help here. ;)

He might of had better luck if he said he gets his choice of custom alerts for free.

Custom alerts are things like email alerts, txt messages and so on. Is it so much to ask to have custom sounds for those things instead of limited to iPhone very limited choice.

I personally like the 1980's transformers transforming sound I use for txt messages on my blackberry.
 
That's because a computer is a very generic term. You can stop arguing now, you're trying to redefine a computer to a very specific purpose instead of understanding that the term is very generic.

You're rejecting my attempt to clarify the useful layman's definition, replacing it with a vacuous "anything which computes" definition. Hardly anyone regards their 'phone or their microwave or their digital watch as a "computer", and with good reason.

In other news, people who break into others' systems are hackers, no matter how many people stomp their feet from mom's basement and start arguing the hacker vs cracker definition. It's almost as bad as watching Apple define its own cliqued laws of physics in an attempt to assert that a hand near a shielded antenna is the same as a hand bridging two unshielded antennas.
 
You're rejecting my attempt to clarify the useful layman's definition, replacing it with a vacuous "anything which computes" definition. Hardly anyone regards their 'phone or their microwave or their digital watch as a "computer", and with good reason.

In other news, people who break into others' systems are hackers, no matter how many people stomp their feet from mom's basement and start arguing the hacker vs cracker definition. It's almost as bad as watching Apple define its own cliqued laws of physics in an attempt to assert that a hand near a shielded antenna is the same as a hand bridging two unshielded antennas.

No he Knight is right. You are using the term incorrectly. A microwave contains a computer in it.

You need to be more exact when you use the term computer. A Smart phone is something I would define as a computer. It is more powerful than our desktops computers from 15 years ago.
So please use the term computer correctly.
 
Yes, I was making the ringtone point as an example, I know how to do it, it's just unnecessary hassle for something I already own in the phone - why try to make life difficult for people?

Ah, so your initial implication that it can't be done for free on the iPhone was just an exaggeration (untruth) for dramatic effect? You will be an awesome Android evangelist indeed!

It's an example, there are many cases where the iPhone restricts what you can do compared to other phones that give you a bit more freedom

Freedom at the cost of letting Google analyze all your data. Nope, there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Nice to see people are still buying into Google's "We're your friend, so we're giving you this stuff for free!" propaganda. :rolleyes:
 
Ah, so your initial implication that it can't be done for free on the iPhone was just an exaggeration (untruth) for dramatic effect? You will be an awesome Android evangelist indeed!



Freedom at the cost of letting Google analyze all your data. Nope, there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Nice to see people are still buying into Google's "We're your friend, so we're giving you this stuff for free!" propaganda. :rolleyes:

I think just as many people buy into Apple's propaganda if you're going down that route... And OFFICIALLY you have to pay for Apple ringtones, many non-nerdy types wouldn't know about changing file extensions etc. Previous poster made the other point about alerts and things anyway. I'm not paranoid enough to be worried about what Google will do with my info. I already get many calls on my home phone with a number I've never given out - I unplugged it to solve that, I use the spam filter on my email to sort that - what else are they going to do that my government don't already? I'm seen on CCTV about half a dozen times a day if statistics are real... I think it's a little naive to think there's not plenty of info about you in the public domain as it is!
 
I have yet to understand why some people get so worked up about defending the iPhone 4 like it's their first-born child. They seem to take it so personally when other people say that they're having problems with their iPhone 4. It's like someone called their baby ugly.

If you're not having any problems with your iPhone 4, consider yourself lucky; but don't minimize the legitimate problems that people are having with their iPhone 4s.

The real test for iPhone 4's revolutionary antenna design is if that same design appears in the next iteration of the iPhone. My guess is that it won't. Once the next iPhone is released, we can start all of this all over again with the people who had problems with the iPhone 4 saying, "see, we told you it was a faulty design!" The iPhone 4 and Apple defenders to the death will simply say, "Nah, it wasn't a faulty design because my iPhone 4 worked fine. Apple just found a way to make the best even better. . .praise be to Apple!!"

And the debates will continue ad nauseam. . .
 
:rolleyes:
I guess a sense of irony is completely lost on you. Some people want their ip4s fixed and are shouted down by fanboys like you. If you want to talk about taking evangelism to dizzying new heights just take one look at the "cult of apple"

:rolleyes:

The only real shout down happening is of people wanting the ip4 fixed by those in the cult of apple who would kill their first born rather than question or say anything bad about apple.

I guess you missed all the posts of these supposed "people that want their iPhone 4’s fixed" shouting down anyone that disagrees with them. One poster even said to get out of the thread if you weren’t going to help make noise to get Apple’s attention.

Yes, I was making the ringtone point as an example, I know how to do it, it's just unnecessary hassle for something I already own in the phone - why try to make life difficult for people? It's an example, there are many cases where the iPhone restricts what you can do compared to other phones that give you a bit more freedom - again I don't see the reason for not allowing you to do something that won't harm the phone, hardly the nice easy user interface Apple is renowned for. Carry on picking on the minor points, doesn't change the major ones - the iP4 still has a gaping design flaw whatever way you spin it.

And yes Mr/Mrs Forum rules, I have now had my warning about consecutive posting - you got me, hope you're proud. That's another evil consecutive poster taken care of, now I'm going to go and kick some kittens to take out my rage.

The iPhone 4 is great for most people. That’s just a fact, and if it weren’t true you’d be hearing about it on the news.

I was referring to your attitude about people being called idiots being okay.
 
You're rejecting my attempt to clarify the useful layman's definition, replacing it with a vacuous "anything which computes" definition. Hardly anyone regards their 'phone or their microwave or their digital watch as a "computer", and with good reason.

Uh ? Replacing ? I'm not replacing anything, a computer as always been "anything which computes", from ENIAC to your new Microwave oven, including your car's ECU and that portable video game machine you bought back in 1992.

It is actually you who is trying to replace this well accepted industry definition for something specific, in a bid to tell us "but that's what joe schmoe knows it as", which isn't, even laymen understand that there's a computer thingamagig in their car, in their new TV set top box, in their scientific calculator.
 
I guess you missed all the posts of these supposed "people that want their iPhone 4’s fixed" shouting down anyone that disagrees with them. One poster even said to get out of the thread if you weren’t going to help make noise to get Apple’s attention.



The iPhone 4 is great for most people. That’s just a fact, and if it weren’t true you’d be hearing about it on the news.

I was referring to your attitude about people being called idiots being okay.

Oh yeah, I know the iPhone 4 is perfectly fine for most, I'm glad they're happy with it and that it works for them! I just get defensive when people go nuts saying there's no problem because they can't recreate it - and then when some of us search out alternatives because we ARE having problems we get shouted down as being "Fandroids" or whatever, usually the same people saying "get a bumper or take it back!" Interestingly, applied for the free bumper on Friday, on the off chance I'd keep the phone - not had anything but the mail saying it will be sent out on August 27th, others who got confirmation later in the day have already had theirs sent, I wonder what the priority system is?? :confused:
 
Uh ? Replacing ? I'm not replacing anything, a computer as always been "anything which computes", from ENIAC to your new Microwave oven, including your car's ECU and that portable video game machine you bought back in 1992.

It is actually you who is trying to replace this well accepted industry definition for something specific, in a bid to tell us "but that's what joe schmoe knows it as", which isn't, even laymen understand that there's a computer thingamagig in their car, in their new TV set top box, in their scientific calculator.

You are replacing his Gut feel definition with the definition used by those skilled in the art. And the dictionary.

A mousetrap is a computer. Live with it, folks.
 
No he Knight is right. You are using the term incorrectly.
You're being obtuse. Ask 10 random people today, "Which computers do you own?" See what proportion lists watch and microwave oven.

A microwave contains a computer in it.
Even if you want to argue this, it's not the same as arguing that a microwave is a computer. The Universe contains the Earth contains England contains my house contains at least 5 computers. We do not conclude that the Universe is a computer.

A Smart phone is something I would define as a computer. It is more powerful than our desktops computers from 15 years ago.
Please be specific. It has a faster CPU than our desktops from 15 years ago. It doesn't allow you to interact more productively in general when compared with a desktop 15 years ago.

Apple's doing this thing of trying to redefine the computer to be something much less than it was before. Don't get caught up in it.

So please use the term computer correctly.
Will continue to do so, thanks.
 
Actully many theoretical physicists think the universe IS a computer. Look it up.

You're being obtuse. Ask 10 random people today, "Which computers do you own?" See what proportion lists watch and microwave oven.


Even if you want to argue this, it's not the same as arguing that a microwave is a computer. The Universe contains the Earth contains England contains my house contains at least 5 computers. We do not conclude that the Universe is a computer.


Please be specific. It has a faster CPU than our desktops from 15 years ago. It doesn't allow you to interact more productively in general when compared with a desktop 15 years ago.

Apple's doing this thing of trying to redefine the computer to be something much less than it was before. Don't get caught up in it.


Will continue to do so, thanks.
 
Apple's doing this thing of trying to redefine the computer to be something much less than it was before. Don't get caught up in it.

The only one guilty of redefining a computer to be much less than it was is you.

Computer is a broad, generic term to describe many types of devices which perform mathematical or binary or any kind of operations. You are trying to pigeonhole it into some specific consumer based device with a screen and keyboard. Not all computers have or need screens or keyboards.
 
Apple's doing this thing of trying to redefine the computer to be something much less than it was before. Don't get caught up in it.

The iPhone is a personal computer - its an electronic device that people can use to do the things they usually use computers for: eg. spreadsheets, word processing, multimedia consuming and producing, games, communication, web browsing.

It has a facility to input data, manipulate it and output the results.
To paraphrase Déscartes - 'it computes therefore it is'.

Look - you have me agreeing with knight AND cmajer - how wrong do you have to be for THAT to happen?
 
Actully many theoretical physicists think the universe IS a computer.

This sort of sentence is a textbook example of equivocation. "Computer" has different senses in different contexts. I've been discussing the common and layperson's definition.

KnightWRX said:
Computer is a broad, generic term to describe many types of devices which perform mathematical or binary or any kind of operations.
Then everything is a computer, because everything performs a "kind of operation".

You are trying to pigeonhole it into some specific consumer based device with a screen and keyboard. Not all computers have or need screens or keyboards.
But for the term "computer" to be applicable in the sense it is generally used, it must have general purpose input and output. The iPhone doesn't have either.

Journojulz said:
The iPhone is a personal computer - its an electronic device that people can use to do the things they usually use computers for: eg. spreadsheets, word processing, multimedia consuming and producing, games, communication, web browsing.
I can do that with my keyboard controller or microwave oven with the appropriate programming. But, just as these functions are much more restricted and difficult to achieve on the microwave oven, they're much more restricted and difficult to achieve on the iPhone. Even if it provides some of the functionality of a "computer", it's certainly not a "PC".

It has a facility to input data, manipulate it and output the results
So does a piece of paper: I write numbers on it in the right position and fold it the right way.
 
But for the term "computer" to be applicable in the sense it is generally used, it must have general purpose input and output. The iPhone doesn't have either.

keyboard touchscreen bluetooth 3g wifi usb connectivity

Even if it provides some of the functionality of a "computer", it's certainly not a "PC".

It computes and it is a heck of a lot more personal than a desktop as it is truly portable.

So does a piece of paper: I write numbers on it in the right position and fold it the right way.

in that rather tenuous example - YOU are the computer.
You are the one changing the way the data is transformed

In conclusion: Sorry - you are wrong.

But if it has helps, have checked your workings and have found your error.

Its like saying an diesel x-type 'isn't a jaguar' because its a FWD oil burner.

What you are saying - is that the iP isn't a PROPER computer.
Its an OPINION.
And that is just geek snobbery.
 
This sort of sentence is a textbook example of equivocation. "Computer" has different senses in different contexts. I've been discussing the common and layperson's definition.

Who cares what the common person thinks a computer is? The common person thinks their PC is run by magic gnomes.

The fact that you don't understand information theory doesn't render information theory an "equivocation."
 
In the book I read for my college course it said a computer did 4 things: input, output, processing, storage. So that's what I go with when I think of computer.
 
keyboard touchscreen bluetooth 3g wifi usb connectivity
The addition of an iPhone keyboard allows the iPhone to get closer to being a "computer" in the layperson's sense. The touchscreen is way too small to be a general purpose input device. BT/3G/Wifi are communications standards upon which an I/O framework could be built with the right software. USB host support would imply at least proper support of a general purpose I/O bus. AFAICT, the iPhone only acts as a USB device.

It computes
Indeed. So does a cat when he jumps to the lowest branch, then the next, then the next to get to the top of the tree. I must add cats to the list of computers I have :).

and it is a heck of a lot more personal than a desktop as it is truly portable.
"Personal" and "portable" are different words.

in that [paper] example - YOU are the computer.
You are the one changing the way the data is transformed
That quite depends. If the paper is pre-scored, aka pre-programmed, then just pushing it in the right direction while fixing it in some way can cause it to fold in a complex manner, providing results. A blank sheet of paper is thus a programmable computer. Scoring is programming. Fixing is setting up. Pushing is applying power.

What you are saying - is that the iP isn't a PROPER computer.
And that is just geek snobbery.
I'm just trying to provide an explanation for why people don't tend to identify their microwave ovens or their iPhones as "one of their computers" (a similar argument would explain why people don't identify their iPhones as "one of their radios"). If anything, it's unabashed populism.

cmaier said:
Who cares what the common person thinks a computer is?
Yes, who cares that an evolved vernacular gives the ability to communicate with a large number of people? What could possibly be beneficial there?

The common person thinks their PC is run by magic gnomes.
I agree that this is a common misconception. As any fule kno, a PC is run by magic smoke.

The fact that you don't understand information theory doesn't render information theory an "equivocation."
The fact that someone took a few terms and formalised them in the context of information theory doesn't mean the rest of the universe has to follow those new definitions in all contexts.

Similarly, when I have my mathematical hat on I get frustrated when people don't either imply standard mathematical definitions or make clear the precise meaning of their terms. But when I don't have my mathematical hat on I would be bordering on insane to get bothered that people aren't using mathematical definitions of terms. Indeed, my definition would often be wrong in their context.
 
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