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Domain: netfunny.com

Stories and comments across the archive that link to netfunny.com.

Stories · 5

  1. Robocars As the Best Way Geeks Can Save the Planet

    Hardware · Earth · · posted by timothy · from the at-least-the-parts-we-can-drive-on dept. · 394 comments
    Brad Templeton writes "I (whom you may know as EFF Chairman, founder of early dot-com Clari.Net and rec.humor.funny) have just released a new series of futurist essays on the amazing future of robot cars, coming to us thanks to the DARPA Grand Challenges. The computer driver is just the beginning — the essays detail how robocars can enable the cheap electric car, save millions of lives and trillions of dollars, and are the most compelling thing computer geeks can work on to save the planet. Because robocars can refuel, park and deliver themselves, and not simply be chauffeurs, they end up changing not just cars but cities, industries, energy, and — by removing dependence on foreign oil — even wars. I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords." (More below.) Templeton continues: "The key realization is that while the safety and timesavings that come from having computers as chauffeurs is very important and can save a million lives every year, a number of interesting consequences come from the ability of robocars to drive themselves while vacant. This allows them to deliver themselves to us on demand, to park themselves and to refuel/recharge themselves. On-demand delivery makes car sharing pleasant and allows the use of "the right vehicle for the trip" on most trips. Self-refueling means the people using cars no longer need care about range or how common fueling stations are, enabling all sorts of novel energy systems with minimal "chicken and egg" problems. Because passengers don't care about the range of their taxis, battery weight and cost are no longer issues in electric cars and scooters."

  2. AmEx vs. rec.humor.funny

    Yro · Censorship · · posted by timothy · from the humorlesson dept. · 423 comments
    An anonymous reader writes "I worried that Brad Templeton's humorous reply in rec.humour.funny to the MasterCard threat might put an end to my daily read. I never heard the outcome, but since the column continues and he is using the same response to a suit from American Express, it must have been OK. This guy has more b*lls than I."

  3. Rec.humor.funny Threatened by MasterCard

    Humor · · posted by ryuzaki0 · from the can't-take-a-joke dept. · 299 comments
    MotyaKatz writes: "The last article in the rec.humor.funny newsgroup comes from the editor (aka moderator), Brad Templeton himself. Amazingly, after two years, MasterCard decided that this joke violates their "priceless" trademark and requested its immediate removal. The reply of Mr. Templeton shows the sense of humor only the RHF editor can have!"

    Templeton's response was right on target. But I can't help taking a crack at it:

    Getting the idea that you should protect your brands on the internet: free.

    Hiring firms to search out and police such "violations": $millions.

    Getting slammed with negative publicity because you're sending out cease-and-desist letters like a bunch of idiots, which makes your customers think of your stupidity whenever they see your commercial: $millions more.

    Learning from your mistakes the first time you make them: priceless.

    There are some experiences that money can't buy. For every other mistake you make multiple times, firing the executive responsible is fun too.

  4. Rec.humor.funny Threatened by MasterCard

    Humor · · posted by ryuzaki0 · from the can't-take-a-joke dept. · 299 comments
    MotyaKatz writes: "The last article in the rec.humor.funny newsgroup comes from the editor (aka moderator), Brad Templeton himself. Amazingly, after two years, MasterCard decided that this joke violates their "priceless" trademark and requested its immediate removal. The reply of Mr. Templeton shows the sense of humor only the RHF editor can have!"

    Templeton's response was right on target. But I can't help taking a crack at it:

    Getting the idea that you should protect your brands on the internet: free.

    Hiring firms to search out and police such "violations": $millions.

    Getting slammed with negative publicity because you're sending out cease-and-desist letters like a bunch of idiots, which makes your customers think of your stupidity whenever they see your commercial: $millions more.

    Learning from your mistakes the first time you make them: priceless.

    There are some experiences that money can't buy. For every other mistake you make multiple times, firing the executive responsible is fun too.

  5. Rec.humor.funny Threatened by MasterCard

    Humor · · posted by ryuzaki0 · from the can't-take-a-joke dept. · 299 comments
    MotyaKatz writes: "The last article in the rec.humor.funny newsgroup comes from the editor (aka moderator), Brad Templeton himself. Amazingly, after two years, MasterCard decided that this joke violates their "priceless" trademark and requested its immediate removal. The reply of Mr. Templeton shows the sense of humor only the RHF editor can have!"

    Templeton's response was right on target. But I can't help taking a crack at it:

    Getting the idea that you should protect your brands on the internet: free.

    Hiring firms to search out and police such "violations": $millions.

    Getting slammed with negative publicity because you're sending out cease-and-desist letters like a bunch of idiots, which makes your customers think of your stupidity whenever they see your commercial: $millions more.

    Learning from your mistakes the first time you make them: priceless.

    There are some experiences that money can't buy. For every other mistake you make multiple times, firing the executive responsible is fun too.