[Sony PS3]

This will sound ignorant because it is. Could someone explain the deal with the backwards compatibility of the PS3? I read that somewhere near 200 games do not work with the PS3(during the Japan launch). Sony claims they will "fix" it and someone mentions "firmware". What does this mean in practical layman terms? If I buy a PS3 a year from now, will it be fully backwards compatible with PS1 and PS2 games out of the box?

I have a bad feeling your answer at this point will be "I don't know". Thanks in advance for any clarification; I often get lost amidst all the techno-talk.

The trick is that the main processor of the PS2 is included in the PS3. Unfortunately, they're not including the chip that did the sound processing, so they have to write software to mimic its functions. And that software isn't 100% complete yet.

I'm not getting a PS3 (ever; I'm avoiding Sony products. Never got a PS2 either.), but I'm reasonably confident that Sony is working on this problem. However, they -never- got the sound quite right for PS1 games on the PS2, so I wouldn't expect perfection. [disagree? compare FFT music between the two systems. There's a difference]

[Math]

So... who here is a member of the Abelian group?

Nope - I've never had to commute. All my work has been right on campus.

Someone shoot me already, that was pretty horrible.

So you're saying that it's never been the case that right on campus, all your work has been?

[Math]

I got this problem, and figured some of you may be able to help me.

so I am a freshman in college, and i tested in to math 111 which they call college algebra. no problem right?

well... last year my math teacher did not realy teach us any thing, he was more of a supivisor. so I dont know half of the things we are talking about in math 111.

I am trying to decide if I should just stick it out, or retake the test to see if i just got "lucky" and guessed the right answers to get in to math 111.

Any help would appreciated.

Talk to your professor or someone else in the math department, whichever is more competent for answering this question. No one here will know the exact specifics of what is taught in your class, while a professor will know.

Trust me on this. I was a math/econ/stat major in college; talk to someone who can give you an informed opinion. If it -truly- isn't an option, find a TA or an upper-classman that's willing to give you advice.

[What headphones or monitors (speakers) should I buy?]

Does anyone have experience with Sennheiser's 580s or 485s? I'm replacing my work headphones (no bass in the right ear), and I'm undecided between the two.