Slashdot Mirror

DVD Decrypter, DVD Shrink. How hard is it, really?

True, I can find DVDFab HD Decrypter just fine, but the first several results on Google for dvd shrink say "we're not allowed to host this nor tell you where it is hosted; use Google". So it is hard. That said, I use VirtualDub-MPEG2 and AC-3 ACM to turn DVDs into AVIs so that I can play them in a DivX player or use Avisynth to make remixes.

http://preview.comcast.net/music/bb101/article2.jsp?fn=/data/music/bb101/article2Center1.html&cookieattempt=1

Comcast Rhapsody Unlimited: Your Wish is On Demand

Comcast Rhapsody Unlimited is for the user who wants to take their music listening experience to the next level. If Comcast Rhapsody Radio PLUS is like having a radio with over 100 channels and a direct line to the program director, Comcast Rhapsody Unlimited is like having free reign over the biggest record store in the world. For $12.99 a month, you have on-demand access to over two million tracks on 100,000 albums, with dozens of new albums added every week. Imagine waking up every Tuesday and finding 100 new albums sitting in your living room, or having over two million songs in your MP3 collection. Comcast Rhapsody Unlimited brings all that music streaming directly to your PC.

I'm not the fat guy at the buffet. I'm the skinny guy who eats a normal amount.

Given that the median monthly data usage of a Comcast customer is 2 - 3 GB, and given that you're crying that a 250 GB cap is going to impinge on your internet TV, porn, Xbox demos, Linux ISOs and Steam purchases, I'm sorry, all evidence points to the fact that you ARE the fat guy at the buffet. 100x as much data as the median is not enough for you. I can only assume that the initial "C" in "DragonTHC" stands for "Creosote".

If your ISP has accounts with caps, then the chances are they'll have a page where people can go check the usage on their accounts.

No monitoring available on Comcast.

How does Comcast help its customers track their usage so they can avoide exceeding the limit?

There are many online tools customers can download and use to measure their consumption. Customers can find such tools by simply doing a Web search - for example, a search for "bandwidth meter" will provide some options. Customers using multiple PCs should just be aware that they will need to measure and combine their total monthly usage in order to identify the data usage for their entire account.

On the Comcast Network Management page, they note that:

Currently, the median monthly data usage by our residential customers is approximately 2 - 3 GB.

That puts the cap in a little more perspective, not that the 2+ TB/mo users will think it's reasonable.

If you honestly think that someone could do 2+ TB/mo on a home cable internet connection I feel extremely sorry for you!

It is definitely 250GB upload AND download.

Note the strategic placement of "send" and "upload" on the Comcast announcement page. You can bet these therms are not here by accident.
http://www.comcast.net/terms/network/amendment/

To put 250 GB of monthly usage in perspective, a customer would have to do any one of the following:

Send 50 million emails (at 0.05 KB/email)
Download 62,500 songs (at 4 MB/song)
Download 125 standard-definition movies (at 2 GB/movie)
Upload 25,000 hi-resolution digital photos (at 10 MB/photo)

I looked all over Comcast's website and no where -- not one place -- is their Internet service advertised as "unlimited".

In fact, there are numerous links on several pages that take you to their terms and conditions where Comcast has a full section (Section III) entitled "Network Management and Limitations on Bandwidth Consumption". I'll grant you it doesn't say specifically "250GB" anywhere in there, but that's a lot different than the falsehood of claiming "they advertise that it is unlimited!" when they don't.

Notice that it doesn't say anything about if the 'data limit' is uploaded data or downloaded. My guess is they'll make it combined.

Of course they will, and I can't really blame them as it makes sense to account for all traffic when speaking of bandwidth limits.

From http://help.comcast.net/content/faq/Frequently-Asked-Questions-about-Excessive-Use:

What is data usage or bandwidth usage?

Data usage, also known as bandwidth usage, is the amount of data, such as images, movies, photos, videos, and other files that customers send, receive, download or upload over a specific period of time.

A more interesting question might be, what will this do to the overall average torrent share ratio? Considering that every megabyte you upload is one less you can download, I've got to think it will take a pretty serious hit once they start enforcing this. The scare alone will probably be enough to make it take a noticeable cut.

On the Comcast Network Management page, they note that:

Currently, the median monthly data usage by our residential customers is approximately 2 - 3 GB.

That puts the cap in a little more perspective, not that the 2+ TB/mo users will think it's reasonable.

Please stop talking about debris dropping 1000 feet creating dust at impact. It didn't happen.

http://home.comcast.net/~jeffrey.king2/wsb/media/56016/site1103.jpg

As one can see in the this linked series of pictures, the creation of the atomized debris cloud began at the moment collapse began.

There was not a collapse then a big dust cloud that rose up from the ground after impact. The material was atomized at the site of the initial collapse at instant of collapse.

http://thewebfairy.com/killtown/images/wtc-gallery/nist1-3d/6-19_wtc2-collapsing.jpg

Another picture from the moment off collapse. The dust blown out at high rate of speed and in the lower right what looks like be ignited thermite being blown out along with the dust.

Go have a read of the "Security Myths" section here ... http://home.comcast.net/~SupportCD/FirefoxMyths.html

http://home.comcast.net/~SupportCD/XPMyths.html

Modern hardware except one particular Pentium M stepping (which was popular for a while) handles PAE. 64G RAM on 32-bit

How does Comcast enforce this Policy?

Comcast does not routinely monitor the activity of individual Service accounts for violations of this Policy, except for determining aggregate bandwidth consumption in connection with the bandwidth consumption provisions of this Policy. However, in the company's efforts to promote good citizenship within the Internet community, it will respond appropriately if it becomes aware of inappropriate use of the Service. Comcast has no obligation to monitor the Service and/or the network. However, Comcast and its suppliers reserve the right at any time to monitor bandwidth, usage, transmissions, and content in order to, among other things, operate the Service; identify violations of this Policy; and/or protect the network, the Service and Comcast users.

Comcast prefers to inform customers of inappropriate activities and give them a reasonable period of time in which to take corrective action. Comcast also prefers to have customers directly resolve any disputes or disagreements they may have with others, whether customers or not, without Comcast's intervention. However, if the Service is used in a way that Comcast or its suppliers, in their sole discretion, believe violates this Policy, Comcast or its suppliers may take any responsive actions they deem appropriate under the circumstances with or without notice. These actions include, but are not limited to, temporary or permanent removal of content, cancellation of newsgroup posts, filtering of Internet transmissions, and the immediate suspension or termination of all or any portion of the Service. Neither Comcast nor its affiliates, suppliers, or agents will have any liability for any of these responsive actions. These actions are not Comcast's exclusive remedies and Comcast may take any other legal or technical actions it deems appropriate with or without notice.

The full text can be found here: http://www.comcast.net/terms/use/#violation You using to much bandwidth is a violation of the Terms of Service agreement. So they are well within their rights to throttle or completely disconnect you as they did with a few of my friends for downloading way to much via P2P a few years ago. So what about that do you not understand? If only you had read the AUP and the ToS for your ISP you and various other people would understand this and not bitch and moan when your precious P2P files aren't being delivered to you as fast as you want. I am only this way when people defy logical thinking and apply it. Cause: Using to Much Bandwidth Effect: Throttling of Bandwidth quite simple.

That is only correct for fresh water bodies, such as the oft-mentioned glass of water. The oceans are salt water. The sea level increase isn't substantial, but it is greater than zero.

http://www.physorg.com/news5619.html

The common misconception that floating ice won't increase sea level when it melts occurs because the difference in density between fresh water and salt water is not taken into consideration.

http://home.comcast.net/~pdnoerd/NoerdlingerBrower.pdf (the paper, provided by the author, that is referenced in the physorg article)

If all the extant sea ice and floating shelf ice melted, the global sea level would rise about 4 cm.

That is a false analogy, because the glass isn't filled with salt water. The sea level increase isn't substantial, but it is greater than zero.

http://www.physorg.com/news5619.html

The common misconception that floating ice won't increase sea level when it melts occurs because the difference in density between fresh water and salt water is not taken into consideration.

http://home.comcast.net/~pdnoerd/NoerdlingerBrower.pdf (the paper, provided by the author, that is referenced in the physorg article)

If all the extant sea ice and floating shelf ice melted, the global sea level would rise about 4 cm.

You heard it here, from "Mr. Slippery".

If you don't recognize the source of the nym, chum, your geek card is hereby suspended until you read Verne Vinge's classic novel True Names .

The USA is becoming an Orwellian nightmare.

DETAILS

Some of you guys are forgetting our disabled friends in the gaming crowd.

There's a fellow over at shacknews who has lost the ability to do much with one hand (if I recall) and I always feel for the guy when I hear about things like this, it must be so difficult to enjoy a good game when you're using a controller with one hand (that being said he's still finished some pretty awesome games)

I can imagine a good engineer could whip up some kind of combo controller which supports both feet one hand and an elbow perhaps to get yourself some fairly good controls but of course the market is so small, it's not made, so these people just sit ignored sadly.

http://home.comcast.net/~rcmerritt/aboutme.htm

So be thankful you have what you have when some of you make jokes on such a topic.

http://home.comcast.net/~plutarch/PoliceState.html

I only have listings for some other fields, partially related:

http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Suppression#Statistics

http://home.comcast.net/~typezero/Links.htm

One of them turns off randomly.

Hardware problems likely.

Both of them crash randomly when we use our analysis software (a two-year old powerpc program).

I've only used rosetta briefly and it was stable for me, but running analysis software under hardware emulation? - not the best idea.

The OS is so slow it's nearly unresponsive (to me, the people that only use macs don't have a problem with it). On a related note, the iMac makes no hard drive noise, so I can never tell if it is just slow in responding, or if I didn't double click fast enough.

So your complaint is the iMac is too quiet? -- install the OS onto a loud external USB drive then go into System Preferences -> Startup Disk and let it boot from USB by default.

File sharing is a pain to figure out.

Click on System Preferences -> Sharing and tick File Sharing -- from there your public folder is shared onto the local network, to add anything else just right click -> Get Info -> Sharing.

Mac also supports NFS (not tried NFS server though), but you can mount NFS shars with mount_nfs -P host:share destination.

I can't easily change my icon theme without buying third party software.

Never tried but I'm sure you can find free icon collections and just overwrite the default icon files in the original location.

Don't get me started on the usability of the single menu bar.

KDE has this feature although it's a bit crippled and isn't system wide - but it's without a doubt one of my favourite things in OSX.

I can't find any easy way to uninstall Garage Band, et al, so that the automatic updater stops bothering me about them.

OSX doesn't have software installation (some packages come with installers but they just copy the application over to /Applications) - every application is a special self contained directory that you simply drag to trash when you are done with it - because OSX has spotlight, it creates any file associations as soon as you copy the application somewhere spotlight keeps a track of (think a pimped out inotify daemon on Linux).

I can't find a way to move windows between desktops ("spaces"),

Click on spaces in the dock and drag+drop the window wherever you want.

And all new windows seem to open on the same desktop that the program originally opened on, making multiple desktops virtually useless.

Go into system preferences -> spaces and assign whatever applications you want to whatever space you want.

I need third party software to have an automatically changing desktop wallpaper.

This is in system preferences -> desktop -- it's right there on the first page: "change picture: every": 5 seconds, 1 minute, 5/15/30/60 minutes, every day, when logging in and when waking from sleep.

Our IT guy told me that to take apart the iMac you have to buy suction cups from Apple to pull the glass off before you can unscrew the case.

I've never tried to take apart an iMac but a quick google search shows this: http://home.comcast.net/~woojo/DFFA53A0-F23D-4541-9015-481FD3B6532E/iMac_Disassembly.html - no suction cups needed.

Macs are generally harder to disassemble and when I had to take apart my Macbook Pro for a hard drive upgrade, there were something in the range of 4 groups of different screw types to keep track of - but at least the screws don't just fall out like my on my Fujitsu laptop and then the warranty people claim you unscrewed them and forgot to screw them back in :)

I guess anything that has smooth edges and no little plastic doors will be harder to disassemble.

The "mighty mouse" can fake a right button, but you have to lift your index finger off the left side for it to work

For learning basic circuitry, logic gates and wiring in a fun way, I'd have once recommended Robot Odyssey for the Apple IIe. These days, there's a java clone called DroidQuest.

It's called PowerBoost. It's advertised on TV and radio every 5 minutes. They even have a FAQ about it. Google just might have a hint of it, too. Come on...

http://www6.comcast.net/powerboost/

All it does is give you short bursts of high bandwidth and is really more talk than usefulness.

My ISP, Cox, does this too, though once the "PowerBoost" thing is off, I steadily get the bandwidth I'm supposed to get. Dunno about Comcast.

Importantly, in managing its network, Comcast does not block any content, application, or service; discriminate among providers; or otherwise violate any aspect of the principles set forth in the [FCC's] Internet Policy Statement.

So, they don't block any content? That doesn't seem consistent with their terms of service (interesting parts bolded by me):

Comcast reserves the right to refuse to transmit or post, and to remove or block, any information or materials, in whole or in part, that it, in its sole discretion, deems to be in violation of the "Content and information restrictions" section above in this Policy, harmful to its network or customers using the Service, negatively affecting its network or customers using the Service, or otherwise inappropriate, regardless of whether this material or its dissemination is unlawful. Neither Comcast nor any of its affiliates, suppliers, or agents have any obligation to monitor transmissions or postings (including, but not limited to, e-mail, file transfer, newsgroup, and instant message transmissions as well as materials available on the Personal Web Pages and Online Storage features) made on the Service. However, Comcast and its affiliates, suppliers, and agents have the right to monitor these transmissions and postings from time to time for violations of this Policy and to disclose, block, or remove them in accordance with this Policy and the Subscriber Agreement.

So what is it comcast? Do you block content or don't you? Either they are lying to the government or they are lying to their customers. And don't get me started on the internet policy statement (pdf warning)... I'm sure comcast is all about this one:

To encourage broadband deployment and preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of the public Internet, consumers are entitled to competition among network providers,application and service providers, and content providers.

Comcast sent me an email regarding copyrighted content transferred via bittorrent. It looks like they're doing more than managing traffic- they are flat out wiretapping it.

From the Email:

Dear Comcast High-Speed Internet Subscriber:

Comcast has received a notification by a copyright owner, or its authorized agent, reporting an alleged infringement of one or more copyrighted works made on or over Comcast's High-Speed Internet service (the 'Service'). The copyright owner has identified the Internet Protocol ('IP') address associated with your Service account at the time as the source of the infringing works. The works identified by the copyright owner in its notification are listed below. Comcast reminds you that use of the Service (or any part of the Service) in any manner that constitutes an infringement of any copyrighted work is a violation of Comcast's Acceptable Use Policy and may result in the suspension or termination of your Service account.

If you have any questions regarding this notice, you may direct them to Comcast in writing by sending a letter or e-mail to:

              Comcast Legal Response Center
              Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
              650 Centerton Road
              Moorestown, NJ 08057 U.S.A.
              Phone: (856) 317-7272
              Fax: (856) 317-7319
              E-mail: dmca@comcast.net

For more information regarding Comcast's copyright infringement policy, procedures, and contact information, please read our Acceptable Use Policy by clicking on the Terms of Service link at http://www.comcast.net./

Sincerely,
Comcast Legal Response Center

Copyright work(s) identified in the notification of claimed infringement:

Title: Heroes (TV)

Infringement Source: BitTorrent
Initial Infringement Timestamp: 22 Jan 2008 23:48:05 GMT
Recent Infringement Timestamp: 22 Jan 2008 23:48:05 GMT
Infringing Filename: heroes.208.hdtv-lol.[VTV].avi
Infringing File size: 366694400
Infringers IP Address:
Infringers DNS Name:
Infringing URL: http://85.17.42.17:7001/announce

YPOPs! makes Yahoo mail accessible via POP3 (by scraping, I guess).

Not required, but there are recommendations:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/dshelms/CWOP_Guide.pdf

There is also a database of siting photos, so an interested meteorologist can see the station in context.

Steve

The first I can recall is when I was 6-7 years old playing Robot Odyssey on my family's Tandy 1000. It was a really awesome game where you'd program robots via logic gates to accomplish tasks and go through mazes and such. I don't think I ever got past the 2nd level, though.

It turns out that somebody's gone about creating an open-source clone of the game in java, called DroidQuest. It's worth checking out.

Although I'll agree with you that a 192kbps+ MP3 sounds virtually identical to its CD counterpart, the iPod is not a professional-grade piece of audio equipment, and its analogue output really shouldn't be connected to anything other than a set of headphones due to the relatively low quality of the preamp, which, coincidentally *CAN* be scientifically tested and measured unlike most other audiophile "claims". Although the test was done on a 3rd-generation iPod a few years ago, the same output stage was used on the 4th-gen models. The newer generations use a different output stage that I haven't seen much information on, so I'm afraid I can't make comments on their performance....

Ironically, the iPod Shuffle demonstrates the best quantifiable audio characteristics when performing under a load, thanks to its push-pull amplifier design, which isn't commonly seen in portable consumer devices.

This shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, considering the weight/space/power requirements of an iPod. And for all intents and purposes, the iPod's circuits are perfectly adequate for their indented purpose as a portable audio player.

I love my iPod, because I can bring my entire music library with me in my car, or on the train on the way to work.

However, when I perform a DJ set, I use a nice set of CD-based "turntables" (which are increasingly popular these days, as they can do all sorts of neat tricks that are impossible on vinyl), because the noisy preamp, and weak bass response of an iPod becomes very readily apparent when amplified through a big PA. Recently, there are also a few "pro" level DJ products that take their input from the PCM digital output from the iPod's dock connector, thus entirely bypassing the "faulty" amplification stage, and performing the analogue conversion and amplification externally.

Let's take a look at the advertising from the company that actually sells the medical isotopes made at Chalk River:

MDS Nordion is the global leader in the supply and distribution of short-lived medical isotopes. It's what sets us apart.

• Our world-renowned rapid, reliable and customizable distribution, and logistics system ensures shipments are where they're needed, when they're needed - anywhere in the world.
• Our capacity to respond rapidly and effectively to routine orders as well as unexpected requests and emergencies is a hallmark of our operations.
• Our four cyclotrons and access to two reactors located in North America and Europe guarantee an uninterrupted supply for research and manufacturing.

There's a "Molybdenum-99 Shortage Resource Center" page which has more useful background on the subject. There are about five places in the world that make this stuff, and not much excess capacity.

The U.S. Department of Energy started a project in 1995 to convert a research reactor at Sandia to medical isotope production. This was done after the last US commercial producer, in Tuxedo, NY, shut down. The Sandia effort was canceled, after it was working and able to produce isotopes, on July 30, 1999, by the Office of Isotope Programs at DOE.

There's a startup that claims they will start making this stuff with a linear accelerator in early 2008, but they sound flakey.

Each person should review the Terms of Service (ToS) they accepted (and most likely continue accept each time they use their Internet connection) and look to see what is stated there. Also, realize that the ISP's will update it with nearly no notice. Inside of those agreements that you agree to generally through your use of their services you'll find all kinds of interesting things. For example, here is some relevant quotes from Verizon's ToS in Section 14.4:

"You hereby consent to Verizon's monitoring of your Internet connection and network performance, and the access to and adjustment of your computer settings, as they relate to the Service, Software, or other services, which we may offer from time to time."

Who is to say that "adjustment of your computer settings" doesn't include adjustment of .html files being delivered to you. Oh and just in case that wasn't strong enough, in Section 15.8 you get:

"15.8 You agree that Verizon assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, quality completeness, usefulness or value of any Content, data, documents, graphics, images, information, advice, or opinion contained in any emails, message boards, chat rooms or community services, or in any other public services, and does not endorse any advice or opinion contained therein. Verizon does not monitor or control such services, although we reserve the right to do so. Verizon may take any action we deem appropriate, in our sole discretion, to maintain the high quality of our Service and to protect others and ourselves."

Similar allowances are inComcast's Acceptable Use Policy. Basically, folks have to understand what they are signing up for and how often it can change.

There are companies out there today, Phorm for example, who already are working with ISPs around the world in order to put their gear in the ISP networks to create targeting advertising based on all Internet habits, not just specific sites with specific cookies or the like. So far they all seem to be giving you an ability to Opt Out, but that appears to be a way to create good will for the moment. If there was case law backing them up, who knows if they'd continue the practice.

You lost me at could be shown. The whole point of the nature/nurture debate is that it can't be shown.

At the risk of firing an arrow so far over your head it passes into an alternate universe, this can be quite readily demonstrated from the vantage point of cryptographic theory. This page describes a hash function which fails to achieve uniform cryptographic avalanche.

http://home.comcast.net/~bretm/hash/6.html

What this means is that correlations remain between which input bit is modified and the distribution of the output bits. Consider that some of these input bits are nature, other input bits are nurture, and if you like, set aside some of the bits as hidden state variables for the subject concerned.

There are correlates for some restricted input subsets, but few general correlates over the full range. The human organism is complex enough that nature and nurture interleave into partial avalanche. Too many sub-correlations are exposed to make it much use as a cryptographic function, but all the same far too intricate to think it could ever be shown that genes and outcomes exist in any fixed relationship.

This conceptual fallacy was also debunked in the context of Laffer curves. Check out the Neo-Laffer curve. It also serves as a good illustration of the typical complexity of any gene determining any definable outcome.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laffer_curve#The_Neo-Laffer_Curve

My cryptographic example merely shows that it is possible to draw a Laffer curve over multiple inputs and outputs with no correlation anywhere. Anyone here surprised that genetics can't be reduced to the smooth hump of a Reagan-era tax slogan?

Now, at some point some genes will be shown to have strong effects under broad conditions, but even then, not without a twenty page appendix of fine print covering assumptions and conditions. Conversely, many of our genes will prove to have such a baffling array of possible downstream effects, that soon the refrain from the peanut gallery will become "why do we bother, if nothing is ever proved?" Get used to it.

It can't be shown.

Thank you for contacting Comcast Cable Eh! Steve.

Thank you for writing to us in response to reports about Comcast's
efforts to manage peer-to-peer traffic on our networks.

Eh! Steve, we have posted new FAQs on our Web site making clear to our
customers the steps we are taking to protect the customer experience for
all of our customers. You may access content related to this issue in
the FAQ section of http://www.comcast.net/

First, and most importantly, you should know that Comcast does not block
access to any Web site or application, including peer-to-peer services
like BitTorrent. Our customers use the Internet for downloading and
uploading files, watching movies and videos, streaming music, sharing
digital photos, accessing numerous peer-to-peer sites, VOIP applications
like Vonage, and thousands of other applications online.

Eh! Steve, we have a responsibility to provide all of our customers with a
good Internet experience and we use the latest technologies to manage
our network so that you can continue to enjoy these applications.
Peer-to-peer activity consumes a disproportionately large amount of
network resources, and therefore poses the biggest challenge to
maintaining a good broadband experience for all users, including the
overwhelming majority of our customers who don't use P2P applications.

It is important to note, however, that we never prevent P2P activity, or
block access to any P2P applications, but rather manage the network in
such a way that this activity does not degrade the broadband experience
for other users.

Eh! Steve, network management is absolutely essential to provide a good
Internet experience for our customers. All major ISPs manage their
traffic in some way and many use similar tools.

Comcast believes we have a responsibility to our customers to provide
this service. Network management helps us perform critical work that
protects our customers from things like spam, viruses, the negative
effects of network congestion, or attacks to their PCs. As threats on
the Internet continue to grow, our network management tools will
continue to evolve and keep pace so that we can maintain a good,
reliable online experience for all of our customers.

I understand you have some questions about Comcast's policies. You can
view all of the Comcast Subscriber Agreements and Policies by visiting
the Comcast Online Customer Support Center at http://www.comcast.net/terms/subscriber.jsp

On this site you will find the Subscriber Agreement, the Acceptable Use
Policy, and other policies relating to your Comcast Service. You can
also view our Privacy Policy Statement at http://www.comcast.net/privacy/index.jsp

Links to the Privacy Statement and Terms of Service are located at the
bottom of every page at www.comcast.

Thank you for contacting Comcast Cable Eh! Steve.

Thank you for writing to us in response to reports about Comcast's
efforts to manage peer-to-peer traffic on our networks.

Eh! Steve, we have posted new FAQs on our Web site making clear to our
customers the steps we are taking to protect the customer experience for
all of our customers. You may access content related to this issue in
the FAQ section of http://www.comcast.net/

First, and most importantly, you should know that Comcast does not block
access to any Web site or application, including peer-to-peer services
like BitTorrent. Our customers use the Internet for downloading and
uploading files, watching movies and videos, streaming music, sharing
digital photos, accessing numerous peer-to-peer sites, VOIP applications
like Vonage, and thousands of other applications online.

Eh! Steve, we have a responsibility to provide all of our customers with a
good Internet experience and we use the latest technologies to manage
our network so that you can continue to enjoy these applications.
Peer-to-peer activity consumes a disproportionately large amount of
network resources, and therefore poses the biggest challenge to
maintaining a good broadband experience for all users, including the
overwhelming majority of our customers who don't use P2P applications.

It is important to note, however, that we never prevent P2P activity, or
block access to any P2P applications, but rather manage the network in
such a way that this activity does not degrade the broadband experience
for other users.

Eh! Steve, network management is absolutely essential to provide a good
Internet experience for our customers. All major ISPs manage their
traffic in some way and many use similar tools.

Comcast believes we have a responsibility to our customers to provide
this service. Network management helps us perform critical work that
protects our customers from things like spam, viruses, the negative
effects of network congestion, or attacks to their PCs. As threats on
the Internet continue to grow, our network management tools will
continue to evolve and keep pace so that we can maintain a good,
reliable online experience for all of our customers.

I understand you have some questions about Comcast's policies. You can
view all of the Comcast Subscriber Agreements and Policies by visiting
the Comcast Online Customer Support Center at http://www.comcast.net/terms/subscriber.jsp

On this site you will find the Subscriber Agreement, the Acceptable Use
Policy, and other policies relating to your Comcast Service. You can
also view our Privacy Policy Statement at http://www.comcast.net/privacy/index.jsp

Links to the Privacy Statement and Terms of Service are located at the
bottom of every page at www.comcast.

Thank you for contacting Comcast Cable Eh! Steve.

Thank you for writing to us in response to reports about Comcast's
efforts to manage peer-to-peer traffic on our networks.

Eh! Steve, we have posted new FAQs on our Web site making clear to our
customers the steps we are taking to protect the customer experience for
all of our customers. You may access content related to this issue in
the FAQ section of http://www.comcast.net/

First, and most importantly, you should know that Comcast does not block
access to any Web site or application, including peer-to-peer services
like BitTorrent. Our customers use the Internet for downloading and
uploading files, watching movies and videos, streaming music, sharing
digital photos, accessing numerous peer-to-peer sites, VOIP applications
like Vonage, and thousands of other applications online.

Eh! Steve, we have a responsibility to provide all of our customers with a
good Internet experience and we use the latest technologies to manage
our network so that you can continue to enjoy these applications.
Peer-to-peer activity consumes a disproportionately large amount of
network resources, and therefore poses the biggest challenge to
maintaining a good broadband experience for all users, including the
overwhelming majority of our customers who don't use P2P applications.

It is important to note, however, that we never prevent P2P activity, or
block access to any P2P applications, but rather manage the network in
such a way that this activity does not degrade the broadband experience
for other users.

Eh! Steve, network management is absolutely essential to provide a good
Internet experience for our customers. All major ISPs manage their
traffic in some way and many use similar tools.

Comcast believes we have a responsibility to our customers to provide
this service. Network management helps us perform critical work that
protects our customers from things like spam, viruses, the negative
effects of network congestion, or attacks to their PCs. As threats on
the Internet continue to grow, our network management tools will
continue to evolve and keep pace so that we can maintain a good,
reliable online experience for all of our customers.

I understand you have some questions about Comcast's policies. You can
view all of the Comcast Subscriber Agreements and Policies by visiting
the Comcast Online Customer Support Center at http://www.comcast.net/terms/subscriber.jsp

On this site you will find the Subscriber Agreement, the Acceptable Use
Policy, and other policies relating to your Comcast Service. You can
also view our Privacy Policy Statement at http://www.comcast.net/privacy/index.jsp

Links to the Privacy Statement and Terms of Service are located at the
bottom of every page at www.comcast.

Comcast continues to deny they are blocking or discriminating with traffic. (See "Hot Topics" in the middle of the page.)

See this nonsense linked from that page:

Question: "Do you discriminate against particular types of online content?"

Answer: "No. There is no discrimination based on the type of content. Our customers enjoy unfettered access to all the content, services, and applications that the Internet has to offer. We respect our customers' privacy and we don't monitor specific customer activities on the Internet or track individual online behavior such as which Web sites they visit. Therefore, we do not know whether any individual user is visiting BitTorrent or any other site."

I guess that is called "plausible deniability". Comcast management apparently assigned that question to someone who is so ignorant that he thinks BitTorrent is only a web site, and clearly doesn't understand the issues. I suppose that later Comcast management can blame the denial on a confused lower level employee.

I was talking to a Comcast repair technician yesterday who came to replace a poor quality, non-functional cable modem. He was very uncaring. I suppose that is the Comcast culture. It must be miserable to work there.

You can't see it with Slashdot's HTML rendering, but whoever typed that reply for Comcast is back in the days of the typewriter. He or she used two spaces after every period. That made sense when all type was monospaced. I wonder if I visited Comcast headquarters, would I see horses tied outside?

Comcast continues to deny they are blocking or discriminating with traffic. (See "Hot Topics" in the middle of the page.)

See this nonsense linked from that page:

Question: "Do you discriminate against particular types of online content?"

Answer: "No. There is no discrimination based on the type of content. Our customers enjoy unfettered access to all the content, services, and applications that the Internet has to offer. We respect our customers' privacy and we don't monitor specific customer activities on the Internet or track individual online behavior such as which Web sites they visit. Therefore, we do not know whether any individual user is visiting BitTorrent or any other site."

I guess that is called "plausible deniability". Comcast management apparently assigned that question to someone who is so ignorant that he thinks BitTorrent is only a web site, and clearly doesn't understand the issues. I suppose that later Comcast management can blame the denial on a confused lower level employee.

I was talking to a Comcast repair technician yesterday who came to replace a poor quality, non-functional cable modem. He was very uncaring. I suppose that is the Comcast culture. It must be miserable to work there.

You can't see it with Slashdot's HTML rendering, but whoever typed that reply for Comcast is back in the days of the typewriter. He or she used two spaces after every period. That made sense when all type was monospaced. I wonder if I visited Comcast headquarters, would I see horses tied outside?

Here is the official load of crap you get if you bitch about it to them .....

-- begin bunch of shit ---

Thank you for contacting Comcast Cable Mark.

Thank you for writing to us in response to reports about Comcast's
efforts to manage peer-to-peer traffic on our networks.

Mark, we have posted new FAQs on our Web site making clear to our
customers the steps we are taking to protect the customer experience for
all of our customers. You may access content related to this issue in
the FAQ section of http://www.comcast.net/

First, and most importantly, you should know that Comcast does not block
access to any Web site or application, including peer-to-peer services
like BitTorrent. Our customers use the Internet for downloading and
uploading files, watching movies and videos, streaming music, sharing
digital photos, accessing numerous peer-to-peer sites, VOIP applications
like Vonage, and thousands of other applications online.

Mark, we have a responsibility to provide all of our customers with a
good Internet experience and we use the latest technologies to manage
our network so that you can continue to enjoy these applications.
Peer-to-peer activity consumes a disproportionately large amount of
network resources, and therefore poses the biggest challenge to
maintaining a good broadband experience for all users, including the
overwhelming majority of our customers who don't use P2P applications.

It is important to note, however, that we never prevent P2P activity, or
block access to any P2P applications, but rather manage the network in
such a way that this activity does not degrade the broadband experience
for other users.

Mark, network management is absolutely essential to provide a good
Internet experience for our customers. All major ISPs manage their
traffic in some way and many use similar tools.

Comcast believes we have a responsibility to our customers to provide
this service. Network management helps us perform critical work that
protects our customers from things like spam, viruses, the negative
effects of network congestion, or attacks to their PCs. As threats on
the Internet continue to grow, our network management tools will
continue to evolve and keep pace so that we can maintain a good,
reliable online experience for all of our customers.

I understand you have some questions about Comcast's policies. You can
view all of the Comcast Subscriber Agreements and Policies by visiting
the Comcast Online Customer Support Center at http://www.comcast.net/terms/subscriber.jsp

On this site you will find the Subscriber Agreement, the Acceptable Use
Policy, and other policies relating to your Comcast Service. You can
also view our Privacy Policy Statement at http://www.comcast.net/privacy/index.jsp

Links to the Privacy Statement and Terms of Service are located at the
bottom of every page at www.comcast.

-- end bunch of shit --

Here is the official load of crap you get if you bitch about it to them .....

-- begin bunch of shit ---

Thank you for contacting Comcast Cable Mark.

Thank you for writing to us in response to reports about Comcast's
efforts to manage peer-to-peer traffic on our networks.

Mark, we have posted new FAQs on our Web site making clear to our
customers the steps we are taking to protect the customer experience for
all of our customers. You may access content related to this issue in
the FAQ section of http://www.comcast.net/

First, and most importantly, you should know that Comcast does not block
access to any Web site or application, including peer-to-peer services
like BitTorrent. Our customers use the Internet for downloading and
uploading files, watching movies and videos, streaming music, sharing
digital photos, accessing numerous peer-to-peer sites, VOIP applications
like Vonage, and thousands of other applications online.

Mark, we have a responsibility to provide all of our customers with a
good Internet experience and we use the latest technologies to manage
our network so that you can continue to enjoy these applications.
Peer-to-peer activity consumes a disproportionately large amount of
network resources, and therefore poses the biggest challenge to
maintaining a good broadband experience for all users, including the
overwhelming majority of our customers who don't use P2P applications.

It is important to note, however, that we never prevent P2P activity, or
block access to any P2P applications, but rather manage the network in
such a way that this activity does not degrade the broadband experience
for other users.

Mark, network management is absolutely essential to provide a good
Internet experience for our customers. All major ISPs manage their
traffic in some way and many use similar tools.

Comcast believes we have a responsibility to our customers to provide
this service. Network management helps us perform critical work that
protects our customers from things like spam, viruses, the negative
effects of network congestion, or attacks to their PCs. As threats on
the Internet continue to grow, our network management tools will
continue to evolve and keep pace so that we can maintain a good,
reliable online experience for all of our customers.

I understand you have some questions about Comcast's policies. You can
view all of the Comcast Subscriber Agreements and Policies by visiting
the Comcast Online Customer Support Center at http://www.comcast.net/terms/subscriber.jsp

On this site you will find the Subscriber Agreement, the Acceptable Use
Policy, and other policies relating to your Comcast Service. You can
also view our Privacy Policy Statement at http://www.comcast.net/privacy/index.jsp

Links to the Privacy Statement and Terms of Service are located at the
bottom of every page at www.comcast.

-- end bunch of shit --

Here is the official load of crap you get if you bitch about it to them .....

-- begin bunch of shit ---

Thank you for contacting Comcast Cable Mark.

Thank you for writing to us in response to reports about Comcast's
efforts to manage peer-to-peer traffic on our networks.

Mark, we have posted new FAQs on our Web site making clear to our
customers the steps we are taking to protect the customer experience for
all of our customers. You may access content related to this issue in
the FAQ section of http://www.comcast.net/

First, and most importantly, you should know that Comcast does not block
access to any Web site or application, including peer-to-peer services
like BitTorrent. Our customers use the Internet for downloading and
uploading files, watching movies and videos, streaming music, sharing
digital photos, accessing numerous peer-to-peer sites, VOIP applications
like Vonage, and thousands of other applications online.

Mark, we have a responsibility to provide all of our customers with a
good Internet experience and we use the latest technologies to manage
our network so that you can continue to enjoy these applications.
Peer-to-peer activity consumes a disproportionately large amount of
network resources, and therefore poses the biggest challenge to
maintaining a good broadband experience for all users, including the
overwhelming majority of our customers who don't use P2P applications.

It is important to note, however, that we never prevent P2P activity, or
block access to any P2P applications, but rather manage the network in
such a way that this activity does not degrade the broadband experience
for other users.

Mark, network management is absolutely essential to provide a good
Internet experience for our customers. All major ISPs manage their
traffic in some way and many use similar tools.

Comcast believes we have a responsibility to our customers to provide
this service. Network management helps us perform critical work that
protects our customers from things like spam, viruses, the negative
effects of network congestion, or attacks to their PCs. As threats on
the Internet continue to grow, our network management tools will
continue to evolve and keep pace so that we can maintain a good,
reliable online experience for all of our customers.

I understand you have some questions about Comcast's policies. You can
view all of the Comcast Subscriber Agreements and Policies by visiting
the Comcast Online Customer Support Center at http://www.comcast.net/terms/subscriber.jsp

On this site you will find the Subscriber Agreement, the Acceptable Use
Policy, and other policies relating to your Comcast Service. You can
also view our Privacy Policy Statement at http://www.comcast.net/privacy/index.jsp

Links to the Privacy Statement and Terms of Service are located at the
bottom of every page at www.comcast.

-- end bunch of shit --

About a month ago, I heard on the news a teenager was arrested for using a cookie as a torture device. http://www6.comcast.net/news/articles/national/2007/11/07/Cookie.Torture/

Comcast may provide versions of the Service with different speeds and bandwidth usage limitations, among other characteristics, subject to applicable Service plans. You shall ensure that your use of the Service does not restrict, inhibit, interfere with, or degrade any other user's use of the Service, nor represent (in the sole judgment of Comcast) an overly large burden on the network. In addition, you shall ensure that your use of the Service does not restrict, inhibit, interfere with, disrupt, degrade, or impede Comcast's ability to deliver and provide the Service and monitor the Service, backbone, network nodes, and/or other network services.

You further agree to comply with all Comcast network, bandwidth, and data storage and usage limitations. You shall ensure that your bandwidth consumption using the Service does not exceed the limitations that are now in effect or may be established in the future. If your use of the Service results in the consumption of bandwidth in excess of the applicable limitations, that is a violation of this Policy. In such cases, Comcast may, in its sole discretion, terminate or suspend your Service account or request that you subscribe to a version of the Service with higher bandwidth usage limitations if you wish to continue to use the Service at higher bandwidth consumption levels.

Comcast may provide versions of the Service with different speeds and bandwidth usage limitations, among other characteristics, subject to applicable Service plans. You shall ensure that your use of the Service does not restrict, inhibit, interfere with, or degrade any other user's use of the Service, nor represent (in the sole judgment of Comcast) an overly large burden on the network. In addition, you shall ensure that your use of the Service does not restrict, inhibit, interfere with, disrupt, degrade, or impede Comcast's ability to deliver and provide the Service and monitor the Service, backbone, network nodes, and/or other network services.

You further agree to comply with all Comcast network, bandwidth, and data storage and usage limitations. You shall ensure that your bandwidth consumption using the Service does not exceed the limitations that are now in effect or may be established in the future. If your use of the Service results in the consumption of bandwidth in excess of the applicable limitations, that is a violation of this Policy. In such cases, Comcast may, in its sole discretion, terminate or suspend your Service account or request that you subscribe to a version of the Service with higher bandwidth usage limitations if you wish to continue to use the Service at higher bandwidth consumption levels.

"Prohibited uses include, but are not limited to, using the Service, Customer Equipment, or the Comcast Equipment to: . . . run programs, equipment, or servers from the Premises that provide network content or any other services to anyone outside of your Premises LAN (Local Area Network), also commonly referred to as public services or servers. Examples of prohibited services and servers include, but are not limited to, e-mail, Web hosting, file sharing, and proxy services and servers;"

http://www.comcast.net/terms/use.jsp

Comcast may provide versions of the Service with different speeds and bandwidth usage limitations, among other characteristics, subject to applicable Service plans. You shall ensure that your use of the Service does not restrict, inhibit, interfere with, or degrade any other user's use of the Service, nor represent (in the sole judgment of Comcast) an overly large burden on the network. In addition, you shall ensure that your use of the Service does not restrict, inhibit, interfere with, disrupt, degrade, or impede Comcast's ability to deliver and provide the Service and monitor the Service, backbone, network nodes, and/or other network services.

You further agree to comply with all Comcast network, bandwidth, and data storage and usage limitations. You shall ensure that your bandwidth consumption using the Service does not exceed the limitations that are now in effect or may be established in the future. If your use of the Service results in the consumption of bandwidth in excess of the applicable limitations, that is a violation of this Policy. In such cases, Comcast may, in its sole discretion, terminate or suspend your Service account or request that you subscribe to a version of the Service with higher bandwidth usage limitations if you wish to continue to use the Service at higher bandwidth consumption levels.

Like this?

http://blaaguuu.home.comcast.net/~blaaguuu/futurama_truman_65.gif