state.tx.us · Domains · Slashdot Mirror

Re:If you live in Connecticut... by athakur999 · 2001-10-15 08:26 · Score: 1 · on TeleZapper - A Way to Avoid Telemarketers?

Texas is trying something like this too, but it won't go into effect until Jan. 2002 :( Here's the link for more info.

Call Center Employment by RWarrior(fobw) · 2001-06-19 01:01 · Score: 2 · on Dial U for Union

Despite all the griping and moaning over this story, there are times when I wish a former employer of mine had been organized. However, unlike the parent company, this 50,000 employee subsidiary did not have a union. What we did have was about 10,000 call center employees (not management), who were coerced into overtime -- a mandatory 10-20 hours a week (do it or get fired) that went on for years on end. I worked there from 2/99 to 6/00, and with the exception of about four weeks, had mandatory overtime requirements every week. Other longer-term employees had told me that the requirements had been in place since 1996. My contacts still at the company tell me it hasn't let up yet, despite promises by management.

While the company did comply with rules for overtime pay, the fact that it went on for years non-stop reached well past the point of abuse. For a company that says it respected the rights of workers, and espoused allowing employees a balance of personal and professional lives, it sure didn't seem that way when you could take two paid vacation days in a week and still have to work your 20 hours overtime.

And while it was official company policy that the company cooperate with any legal attempts by employees to organize, at least where I live, there are lots of reasons to fire people. It's also interesting to note that the company chose locations for its call centers in weak employee-rights states ... Texas, Tennessee, Kansas, etc.

Not all unions are good. Not all of them are bad. And sometimes they can provide protection against abuses by employers.

Re:I don't understand how some of this is illegal. by p3d0 · 2001-05-10 05:50 · Score: 3 · on Approaching Lost Clients About Security?

I think leaving a DB wide open on the internet is akin to putting some very personal information in the garbage can outside your house, rather than in a locked safe as you meant.

Interesting opinion, but what matters is the law. Many states consider leaving a DB wide open on the internet as akin to leaving your front door wide open: people don't have the right to walk in and look around without your permission.

Here are the laws of Texas, Massachusetts, and California for starters.
--

Re:No by Spoobie · 2001-04-13 04:05 · Score: 1 · on Yahoo! To Start Selling Porn

In this country, it is perfectly legal to record the sexual activities of consenting adults, provided they also consent to the recording.

Au contrair! Section 43.23(c)(2) of the Texas Penal Code states (emphasis is mine):

A person commits an offense if, knowing its content and character, he produces, presents, or directs an obscene performance or participates in a portion thereof that is obscene or that contributes to its obscenity.

While it doesn't come straight out and say "Thall shalt not record a shagging," a prosecutor doesn't need much skill to interpret that say saying as much. Prosecutor convinces judge and jury, and you land in jail without passing Go. Even if you are aquitted, you're still out the money you paid a lawyer (you did pay a lawyer, right?), your time while locked up, and your good name. Actually, that whole section of the code is quite a hoot to read. It's a sad example of the closed-minded thinking that still goes on down here in the South.

Re:No by Spoobie · 2001-04-13 04:05 · Score: 1 · on Yahoo! To Start Selling Porn

In this country, it is perfectly legal to record the sexual activities of consenting adults, provided they also consent to the recording.

Au contrair! Section 43.23(c)(2) of the Texas Penal Code states (emphasis is mine):

A person commits an offense if, knowing its content and character, he produces, presents, or directs an obscene performance or participates in a portion thereof that is obscene or that contributes to its obscenity.

While it doesn't come straight out and say "Thall shalt not record a shagging," a prosecutor doesn't need much skill to interpret that say saying as much. Prosecutor convinces judge and jury, and you land in jail without passing Go. Even if you are aquitted, you're still out the money you paid a lawyer (you did pay a lawyer, right?), your time while locked up, and your good name. Actually, that whole section of the code is quite a hoot to read. It's a sad example of the closed-minded thinking that still goes on down here in the South.

Re:Bill Gates is going to leave us soon! by The_Messenger · 2001-03-28 12:46 · Score: 1 · on Exceptionally Unexceptional Quickies

No. Note these differences.

Bill Gates, Geek God is

skinny,

white,

rich, and

not on death row.

On the other hand, Bill Gates, Common Criminal is

fat,
black,
poor, and
most certainly on death row.

Now, you know! And knowing is half the battle.

Sources
1. Google.com When I searched for "bill gates nazi", I was hoping to find the rather amusing and widely distributed illustration in which Bill Gates' (the rich white guy) head had been superimposed upon Adolf Hitler's body. Instead, I found the photographic composition linked to above, which I think better fits my description of Gates as a "geek god".
2. Bill's Gates. The proprieter of this fine establishment (which sells a fine assortment of fences, gates, and vibrating plastic dildoes) provided a very interesting anecdote about his dog, Muffy. He also provided a delicious Red Bull/Citron cocktail, which proved essential in completing this research paper.
3. Slashdot.org. Specifically, the post to which I am responding, which provided the picture of the other Mr Gates, whom I think bears resemblence to the character "Bubba" from Forrest Gump.

A copy of this paper may be downloaded in PDF format for a small fee at this address.

--

What you can do... by Trinity-Infinity · 2001-03-21 02:56 · Score: 1 · on Report On The Texas Censorware Bill

I've lived in Texas for several years, and took a class in the machinations of the Texas Legislature last session that involved trips to local representatives, attending committee meetings in Austin, watching the Senate floor sessions, etc.

Being a CS major, I tended not to get as 'into it' as some of the other students, but I kept what I learned at the back of my mind for exactly this sort of occasion - so here's what YOU the Slashdot reader in Texas can do to help stop this bill:

1. Write to the Business and Industry committee members. That's where the bill is now, and like in the US gov't, its likely to stay if it doesn't get enough support to be passed onto the House floor. Committee members DO want all the facts before the make their decisions, and unfortunately the time has passed to file petitions to speak at the open hearings. Should the bill be scheduled for a second hearing however, common citizens can get in on the action! Contact the Business and Industry Cmte to find out more on how to speak at the hearings, or file your opinions on HB 1295. The Cmte. Clerk is Bonnie Bruce, and should be able to answer all your questions on what to do and how to do it

2. Write your own incumbents . Its a classic method to express your opinions and try to make change.

3.Write to Rep. Garcia He's a representative from Dallas, so if you're in the area, call his Dallas or Austin offices, write to them both! Express yourself about his feeling that everyone over 30 is too dumb to use a computer without the government forcing censorware down your throat.

If this post and information gets just 1 person to write to the Committee or to Rep. Garcia, then I'll have done my job =)

What you can do... by Trinity-Infinity · 2001-03-21 02:56 · Score: 1 · on Report On The Texas Censorware Bill

I've lived in Texas for several years, and took a class in the machinations of the Texas Legislature last session that involved trips to local representatives, attending committee meetings in Austin, watching the Senate floor sessions, etc.

Being a CS major, I tended not to get as 'into it' as some of the other students, but I kept what I learned at the back of my mind for exactly this sort of occasion - so here's what YOU the Slashdot reader in Texas can do to help stop this bill:

1. Write to the Business and Industry committee members. That's where the bill is now, and like in the US gov't, its likely to stay if it doesn't get enough support to be passed onto the House floor. Committee members DO want all the facts before the make their decisions, and unfortunately the time has passed to file petitions to speak at the open hearings. Should the bill be scheduled for a second hearing however, common citizens can get in on the action! Contact the Business and Industry Cmte to find out more on how to speak at the hearings, or file your opinions on HB 1295. The Cmte. Clerk is Bonnie Bruce, and should be able to answer all your questions on what to do and how to do it

2. Write your own incumbents . Its a classic method to express your opinions and try to make change.

3.Write to Rep. Garcia He's a representative from Dallas, so if you're in the area, call his Dallas or Austin offices, write to them both! Express yourself about his feeling that everyone over 30 is too dumb to use a computer without the government forcing censorware down your throat.

If this post and information gets just 1 person to write to the Committee or to Rep. Garcia, then I'll have done my job =)

What you can do... by Trinity-Infinity · 2001-03-21 02:56 · Score: 1 · on Report On The Texas Censorware Bill

I've lived in Texas for several years, and took a class in the machinations of the Texas Legislature last session that involved trips to local representatives, attending committee meetings in Austin, watching the Senate floor sessions, etc.

Being a CS major, I tended not to get as 'into it' as some of the other students, but I kept what I learned at the back of my mind for exactly this sort of occasion - so here's what YOU the Slashdot reader in Texas can do to help stop this bill:

1. Write to the Business and Industry committee members. That's where the bill is now, and like in the US gov't, its likely to stay if it doesn't get enough support to be passed onto the House floor. Committee members DO want all the facts before the make their decisions, and unfortunately the time has passed to file petitions to speak at the open hearings. Should the bill be scheduled for a second hearing however, common citizens can get in on the action! Contact the Business and Industry Cmte to find out more on how to speak at the hearings, or file your opinions on HB 1295. The Cmte. Clerk is Bonnie Bruce, and should be able to answer all your questions on what to do and how to do it

2. Write your own incumbents . Its a classic method to express your opinions and try to make change.

3.Write to Rep. Garcia He's a representative from Dallas, so if you're in the area, call his Dallas or Austin offices, write to them both! Express yourself about his feeling that everyone over 30 is too dumb to use a computer without the government forcing censorware down your throat.

If this post and information gets just 1 person to write to the Committee or to Rep. Garcia, then I'll have done my job =)

What you can do... by Trinity-Infinity · 2001-03-21 02:56 · Score: 1 · on Report On The Texas Censorware Bill

I've lived in Texas for several years, and took a class in the machinations of the Texas Legislature last session that involved trips to local representatives, attending committee meetings in Austin, watching the Senate floor sessions, etc.

Being a CS major, I tended not to get as 'into it' as some of the other students, but I kept what I learned at the back of my mind for exactly this sort of occasion - so here's what YOU the Slashdot reader in Texas can do to help stop this bill:

1. Write to the Business and Industry committee members. That's where the bill is now, and like in the US gov't, its likely to stay if it doesn't get enough support to be passed onto the House floor. Committee members DO want all the facts before the make their decisions, and unfortunately the time has passed to file petitions to speak at the open hearings. Should the bill be scheduled for a second hearing however, common citizens can get in on the action! Contact the Business and Industry Cmte to find out more on how to speak at the hearings, or file your opinions on HB 1295. The Cmte. Clerk is Bonnie Bruce, and should be able to answer all your questions on what to do and how to do it

2. Write your own incumbents . Its a classic method to express your opinions and try to make change.

3.Write to Rep. Garcia He's a representative from Dallas, so if you're in the area, call his Dallas or Austin offices, write to them both! Express yourself about his feeling that everyone over 30 is too dumb to use a computer without the government forcing censorware down your throat.

If this post and information gets just 1 person to write to the Committee or to Rep. Garcia, then I'll have done my job =)

RM Audio of House Committee testimony by wizard992 · 2001-03-21 02:10 · Score: 2 · on Report On The Texas Censorware Bill

Here is a link to a State of Texas server archive of RealAudio recordings of House and Senate Committee meetings. The relevant audio is approx. 3 hrs 36 min into the file. Enjoy!

The Rep who introduced the bill has very choice comments, basically it appears to be a knee-jerk reaction to his kid seeing pr0n, with no real research into the underlying technology and the problems this bill would cause.

http://www.house.state.tx.us/audio/comitramfiles/1 0320p03.ram

Realaudio stream of the hearing available at... by edwardames · 2001-03-21 01:30 · Score: 2 · on Report On The Texas Censorware Bill

Here's a link to the Comittee's archive page with the realaudio stream of last night's hearing (3/20/01). Forward to about 35 minutes before the end of the stream.

For your edification about what happened here's the summary I posted on the Censorware Project page:

Having learned how very long these things can go on, and knowing that it is inevitable that the bill one is interested in will be the very last one presented, I didn't go to the hearing. I did, however, monitor it in the background on my office PC so I could see what they did with the filtering bill.
At the hearing this evening on HB 1295, the author of the bill, Rep. Garcia, ended up asking the committee to leave the bill pending, with no action taken on it. Rep. Garcia stated that he'd gotten a few ideas for reworking the bill after hearing the comments of the committee and of the two witnesses who spoke against the bill. Rep. Garcia said that maybe the goal of his bill could be achieved by simply mandating an instruction sheet for how to obtain filtering software, rather than imposing a requirement that software be included.
Rep Garcia brought no witnesses to the hearing to speak in favor of the bill. (Aside: a bill with no witnesses in favor of it is doomed at the Lege in my experience.) He cited his son's experience with explicit porn spam as showing the need for the bill. He said that the ISP linking law wasn't enough because the process of going to a website, downloading software and installing it on a PC was too difficult for most family users of PCs. He also cited CIPA, saying that if Congress can mandate filtering software at the Federal level, then surely Texas can mandate it at the State level. He also said that the term "personal computer" in the bill meant that the bill would only apply to computers for family use, and not those for office use.
Speaking against the bill were Chase Untermeyer, head of governemnt relations for Compaq Computer Corporation of Houston, and also William Silverstein, a former employee of a computer company he left unnamed.
Urging the committee not to pass the bill, Mr. Untermeyer cited the competitive disadvantages that Texas computer makers would be placed under if the bill passed. He also mentioned the recent ACLU and ALA suits concerning the CIPA. (Aside: Besides working for Compaq, Mr. Untermeyer is also a member of board of the Texas State Board of Education.)
Mr. Silverstein discussed the inaccuracies of Cyberpatrol, and the broadness of the bill's applicability to all personal computers. He also mentioned the problems the bill would cause for sellers of PCs with operating systems for which there are no filter software products available.
The committee members sounded skeptical of the need for the bill, with one saying that there was already an existing ISP filter link requirement under Texas law.
Apparently giving up on passage of the present HB 1295, Rep. Garcia said that he would try to rework the bill with some new ideas and asked the committee to take no action on it and leave the bill pending, and that is what the committee did with the bill.
A realudio stream of the hearing ought to be available on theTexas House Committee on Business and Commerce's audio archives page at some point tomorrow. You will have to forward through the stream to about thirty-five minutes before the end of the stream to hear the twelve minutes or so that were spent on the bill.
All I have to say is kudos to the two witnesses against for hanging out there for five hours to speak out against the bill.

Ed

Realaudio stream of the hearing available at... by edwardames · 2001-03-21 01:30 · Score: 2 · on Report On The Texas Censorware Bill

Here's a link to the Comittee's archive page with the realaudio stream of last night's hearing (3/20/01). Forward to about 35 minutes before the end of the stream.

For your edification about what happened here's the summary I posted on the Censorware Project page:

Having learned how very long these things can go on, and knowing that it is inevitable that the bill one is interested in will be the very last one presented, I didn't go to the hearing. I did, however, monitor it in the background on my office PC so I could see what they did with the filtering bill.
At the hearing this evening on HB 1295, the author of the bill, Rep. Garcia, ended up asking the committee to leave the bill pending, with no action taken on it. Rep. Garcia stated that he'd gotten a few ideas for reworking the bill after hearing the comments of the committee and of the two witnesses who spoke against the bill. Rep. Garcia said that maybe the goal of his bill could be achieved by simply mandating an instruction sheet for how to obtain filtering software, rather than imposing a requirement that software be included.
Rep Garcia brought no witnesses to the hearing to speak in favor of the bill. (Aside: a bill with no witnesses in favor of it is doomed at the Lege in my experience.) He cited his son's experience with explicit porn spam as showing the need for the bill. He said that the ISP linking law wasn't enough because the process of going to a website, downloading software and installing it on a PC was too difficult for most family users of PCs. He also cited CIPA, saying that if Congress can mandate filtering software at the Federal level, then surely Texas can mandate it at the State level. He also said that the term "personal computer" in the bill meant that the bill would only apply to computers for family use, and not those for office use.
Speaking against the bill were Chase Untermeyer, head of governemnt relations for Compaq Computer Corporation of Houston, and also William Silverstein, a former employee of a computer company he left unnamed.
Urging the committee not to pass the bill, Mr. Untermeyer cited the competitive disadvantages that Texas computer makers would be placed under if the bill passed. He also mentioned the recent ACLU and ALA suits concerning the CIPA. (Aside: Besides working for Compaq, Mr. Untermeyer is also a member of board of the Texas State Board of Education.)
Mr. Silverstein discussed the inaccuracies of Cyberpatrol, and the broadness of the bill's applicability to all personal computers. He also mentioned the problems the bill would cause for sellers of PCs with operating systems for which there are no filter software products available.
The committee members sounded skeptical of the need for the bill, with one saying that there was already an existing ISP filter link requirement under Texas law.
Apparently giving up on passage of the present HB 1295, Rep. Garcia said that he would try to rework the bill with some new ideas and asked the committee to take no action on it and leave the bill pending, and that is what the committee did with the bill.
A realudio stream of the hearing ought to be available on theTexas House Committee on Business and Commerce's audio archives page at some point tomorrow. You will have to forward through the stream to about thirty-five minutes before the end of the stream to hear the twelve minutes or so that were spent on the bill.
All I have to say is kudos to the two witnesses against for hanging out there for five hours to speak out against the bill.

Ed

Blea. What a terrible bill. by banuaba · 2001-03-21 01:30 · Score: 1 · on Report On The Texas Censorware Bill

I just called my state reps and senators (I live in Austin), and the person I spoke with said that she had recieved quite a few calls on this bill, and that, from what she had heard around the capitol, it is quite unlikely to pass. It's too bad pieces of legislation like this actaully make it this far.

If you live in Texas and you want to call your reps, go to this right here and it will give you the phone numbers of your reps by zip code. Your rep will have a local (district) number for you to call.

Brant

I have the link to the actual Texas Docs and Bill# by Hi-Tech+Redneck · 2001-03-09 20:13 · Score: 1 · on UCITA Fight Comes to Texas

That's right, I actually did a little detective work! Not all of us Rednecks in Texas are gonna take this sitting down!! Small businesses (as usual) are going to get stomped on by this. And as a partner in a small business, I REFUSE to vote for any state representative who votes yes on these bills. And I'll get my family to do the same... Heck, around here that's half the county!! :-)

But seriously, here is the information promised. It won't allow direct linking to a bill, but go to this page and search for "Uniform Computer Information"

The Bills are:
House Bill 1785
Senate Bill 709

Now, concerned Texans, write your representative! And if you need help visit AFFECT.

Re:Don't take this one sitting down by lordhades · 2001-03-09 17:55 · Score: 1 · on UCITA Fight Comes to Texas

Graham and Hutchison aren't the ones to talk to. Contact you state senator/representative:
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/senmem.ht m
http://www.house.state.tx.us/house/member.htm

Re:Don't take this one sitting down by lordhades · 2001-03-09 17:55 · Score: 1 · on UCITA Fight Comes to Texas

Graham and Hutchison aren't the ones to talk to. Contact you state senator/representative:
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/senmem.ht m
http://www.house.state.tx.us/house/member.htm

Texas Lege Contact Info & Links for UCITA Bills by edwardames · 2001-03-09 07:23 · Score: 4 · on UCITA Fight Comes to Texas

UCITA has been filed in the Texas House of Representatives as HB 1785, authored by Rep. Sylvester Turner, representing District 139 in Harris County.

UCITA has been introduced in the Texas Senate as SB 709 by Sen John Carona, a Republican representing District 16 in Dallas.

HB 1785 has been referred to the House Business and Industry Committee but is not yet scheduled for a hearing. Likewise, SB 709 has been referred to the Senate Business and Commerce Committee but has yet to be scheduled for a hearing. These committees will be holding hearings on the bills before the bills will go on to their respective houses for floor votes.

If you live in Texas, look up the email address of the Senator and Representative for whom you are a constituent at this page here.

If UCITA interests you, send them a short and concise email telling them about UCITA and how they should vote on it, and why they should vote that way. Be polite. Texas legislators are usually very receptive to communications from their constituents.

Expect that most legislators will not be familiar with the issues involved with UCITA, and that what education they are getting on it is probably coming from lobbyists. So help inform them.

The current legislative session will be ending in May, so if UCITA can't get passed out of committee and then passed in both houses, the software lobby will have to wait until 2003 for the next session of the legislature.

Hope this helps.