Slashback: Heat, Thought, Time

More information on calls for Canadian Web regulation, the fate of the famous Israeli AI called HAL, (yes, again) Intel's continuing dance with Rambus and more, below in tonight's edition of Slashback.

It's the incredible edible, heavy-investment waffle double gainer! steevo.com writes: "Intel has decided to stay with Rambus. Say it ain't so! Details are at C-NET.

Time was when ... wilkinsm writes: "When I tuned my shortwave to 5 Mhz today, I learned that NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) is currently doing a open survey on the time and frequency user community. I encourage all of you unix admins that use the network time protocol to show your support and fill the online survey out."

Has the code been tossed out with the bathwater? nonAI writes: "The Israeli company, which promoted a competition against an AI, closed its gates, as reported by an Israeli economic magazine (sorry, babelfish doesn't help). That's the end for the Child Machine HAL."

Now imagine you know of a freewheeling, opinionated discussion board ... Wael Islam, a member and volunteer with IslamWay.com, writes with some words on the objections B'nai Brith Canada raised to postings on IslamWay's message boards.

"In IslamWay.com discussion board we've more than 4000 Member and at the time of the media attack there was more than 28,000 posts!! Bnai Brith didn't only take one of the posts, but even took a statement out of context to prove that IslamWay.com is a terrorist website! ...

... The discussion post was between two people who were fighting each others by words, one called the other one that you are a hypocrite, so the other one was very angry so he told him - I'm just giving the meaning- : Let's see who is the hypocrite, Come with me to Afghanistan and let's train ourselves there .. so the person meant that army exercises will be a way to prove who is the coward and who is the brave!"

The people who attacked IslamWay.com based on the Discussion Board post didn't clarify that it was mentioned in the discussion board, and they just said a post on IslamWay.com."

Of course, we could require that all public communications be approved in advance, licensed, and inoffensive.

Please resume watching your educational audio-visual materials. echoSpades writes: "I guess I wasn't the only one to be annoyed with Apple's DVD playback. Apple's website has a small text link to info about a class action suit against them: 'There is a proposed settlement of a class action lawsuit against Apple Computer, Inc. involving issues with DVD playback in earlier models of the Apple iMac DV, iMac DV SE and Power Mac G4 computers."

Comments

As long as Intel gives us the choice

[RogrWilco]

Intel packages the new P4's with RDRAM or SDRAM, so what's the big deal? If you want rambus, pay for it! If not, get the SDRAM. Let's let the market decide which one is better. Intel really only has to explain itself to its investors. It has to prove itself to its customers!

Already fixed...

[singularity]

Ahh, class action lawsuits. As has been pointed out on numerous Mac-related web sites, the problems with Apple's software DVD player were fixed in later versions of the software (included with 9.0.4, 9.1, and 9.2)

This software was available as a free download. I believe it was even included with the Software Update control panel (so that with minimum user input, it would update itself), also as a free download.

So now Apple settles this lawsuit, and they have to provide the software for free (been there, done that, now they just have to provide the CD) and provide support on the update.

It seems that the only real winners in this lawsuit are the lawyers. Apparently they get a cut based on possible takers. So they figure there are 100,000 people effected by the bum software. They figure that 20,000 might take Apple up on their over-priced offers. They get a cut of those 20,000 people's purchases, even if they do not actually buy the items in question.

Strange...

Anyway, this just shows commercial software places "Do not 'Release early, release often.'" - you might get sued if it is too buggy, even if you provide free updates.

Regarding IslamWay

[tweek]

I read over (I must admit rather quickly) some stuff regarding the B'nai article. The IslamWay site made some rather slight attacks at Jews in thier response.

This leads me to two questions:
1) From all that we have seen on the news lately with Islamic scholars, Islam means peace and the Q'uran teaches that a Muslim should respect his Christian and Jewish brothers and love them since we all come from the same God. It goes back to Islam teaching that Abraham and Jesus were in the same vein as Muhammed as prophets. Why is then that there is such a thread of hate when it comes to Muslims and Jews? I understand the biblical aspect of the conflict (It goes back to Cain and Able if I remember my studies). But sitting that aside, why the hate?

2) Again, on the news, we keep hearing that true Islam does not teach Jihaad but the concept had to come from somewhere, correct? I can't find any unbiased reporting and I don't have a copy of the Quran here with me to check myself. If Jihaad is indeed mentioned in the Quran, what are the circumstances surrounding it and what are the justifications.

I understand that many Muslims are saying that Bin Laden has hijacked TRUE Islam but where did he get the ideas for Jihaad? Where did this all start? (not his hatred of the US but the concept of a holy war at all costs.

Further more, I've read all the passages about killing innocents and how it is forbidden but if a Jihaad is allowed does that bypass that rule?

I guess this is really a question for someone versed in Islamic apolegetics but it can't hurt to ask.

And no one post any bullshit condeming all religions and the typical comments we get on slashdot about religious people being sheep. It doesn't float.

Re:Regarding IslamWay

[ndnet]

1) From all that we have seen on the news lately with Islamic scholars, Islam means peace and the Q'uran teaches that a Muslim should respect his Christian and Jewish brothers and love them since we all come from the same God. It goes back to Islam teaching that Abraham and Jesus were in the same vein as Muhammed as prophets. Why is then that there is such a thread of hate when it comes to Muslims and Jews? I understand the biblical aspect of the conflict (It goes back to Cain and Able if I remember my studies). But sitting that aside, why the hate?

It goes back to ancient Rome. When Rome uprooted the Jews for defying them (though I can't remember WHY), they let the Arabs move in. Starting around WWII (I believe), Zionism, or the desire for a Jewish homeland started to grow. The Allies (mainly England) said they would support Zionism for their support in WWII, but later gave the issue to the UN. The UN created Israel (sp?), uprooting the Arabs. Who had the right to the land? Both.

2) Again, on the news, we keep hearing that true Islam does not teach Jihaad but the concept had to come from somewhere, correct? I can't find any unbiased reporting and I don't have a copy of the Quran here with me to check myself. If Jihaad is indeed mentioned in the Quran, what are the circumstances surrounding it and what are the justifications.

Could this be the equivalent of the Crusades in the middle ages?

I understand that many Muslims are saying that Bin Laden has hijacked TRUE Islam but where did he get the ideas for Jihaad? Where did this all start? (not his hatred of the US but the concept of a holy war at all costs.

Further more, I've read all the passages about killing innocents and how it is forbidden but if a Jihaad is allowed does that bypass that rule?

This is a question that is NEVER taught in schools, but should be. Any "holy" war is a economic war being excused for religious reasons. This is used to encite the people to fight. During any "holy" war you will hear a protest, "Would God want us doing this?". The Jerry Falwells of the world use the Bible to push their opinion; why can't the economy?

Another level to look at it is this:The US, with their powerful economy and military, are the "Great Satan," because they deny, through not passing an "equal" share of the money (namely, that which would make the US and Arabs equally economically powerful).

I'm a senior this year, yet I have never had a social studies teacher come out and say "God is their excuse for war".

BTW, hate to say it, but all religions are the same. I believe in a God, but have yet to find a religion which I don't take exception with for some supposedly moral practice. God and religion are two seperate things, and if and when everyone realizes this, the world will be a better place.

Re:Regarding IslamWay

[dkoyanagi]

First of all, let me start by saying I am not a Muslim, nor am I particularly religious. I am interested in different religions as an academic study but I am not a practitioner in any of them. I am simply interested in facts. I do not wish to offend anyone. I apologise if I have made any mistakes.

I am getting my information out of a book called "Teach Yourself Islam", written by Ruqaiyyah Maqsood. It is a beginners guide to Islam and the Muslim way of life.

It goes back to Cain and Able if I remember my studies

Actually, I think you're thinking of Isaac and Ishmail. From TY Islam:

The cube-shaped Ka'aba temple was rebuilt by Abraham and his son Ishmail.

TY Islam regarding Jihad:

The word 'jihad' acutally means 'striving', and in the spritual sense, it is a constant battle against sin and all its aspects. A Muslim's real, daily striving is to be pure in spirit, and to resist evil.

Muslims believe that whenever a tyrant is successful, even if there is no actual fighting, there is no peace, because:
there is no security
people feel dishonored and ashamed in allowing the situation to continue
people feel frustrated and helpless, and unable to do anything about it
people feel ashamed because they think they have acted in a cowardly manner.

Islam cannot acquiesce in wrongdoing, and this is where military jihad is sometimes the only answer. It is regarded as weak adn irresponsible cowardice to ignore tyranny, or to fail to try to root it out.

'If God did not check certain people by using others, surely many monastaries, churches, synagogues and mosques would all have been pulled down. God will aid those who fight for Him.' (Surah 22:39-40)

Jihad, therefore, does not mean 3every single battle fought by any Middle-Eastern soldier, who may be anything from a Marxist to a member of a private bodyguard, and not a martyr for God. Many battles have nothing whatever to do with Islam.

The Qur'an is quite clear on the limits that define jihad:

It should be declared only:
in defence of the cause of Allah, not for conquest;
to restore peace and freedom of worship;
for freedom from tyranny;
when led by a spiritual leader (as opposed to an angry mob) [Note: bin Laden is not a sprititual leader]
It should only be fought until the enemy lays down arms.
Women, children, and the old and sick, are not to be harmed, and trees and crops are not to be damaged.

Jihad does not include:
wars of aggression or ambition;
border disputes or either national or tribal squabbles;
the intent to conquer and supress, colonise, exploit, etc;
forcing people into accepting a faith they do not believe.

Some relevenat Qur'anic teachings
'If the enemy inclines towards peace, then you must also incline towards peace' (Surah 8:61)

'The reward for an injury is an equal injury back; if a person forgives instead, and makes reconciliation, he will be rewared by God.' (Surah 42:40)

'If two sides quarrel, make peace between them. But if one trespasses beyond bounds against the other, then fight against the one that transgresses until it complies with that law of God; and if it complies, then make peace between them with justice, and be fair.' (Surah 49:9)

'And hold fast, all together, to the Rope which Allah stretches out for you; be not divided amongst yoruselves; remember with gratitude Allah's favour on you. For you were enemies, an dHe joined your hearts in love, so that by His grace you became brothers. You were on the brink of the pit of fire, and He saved you from it.' (Surah 3:103)

'Goodnes and Evil cannot be equal. Repay evil with what is better, then he who was your enemy will become your initimate friend.' (Surah 41:34)

It seems to me that the concept of jihad has been completely twisted by extremists to serve their ends. The only conflict that truely fits the description of jahad is the Afghan war against the Soviet invasion.

Re:WTF?

[firewort]

I wonder if we couldn't file a suit against the DVD-CCA that region encoding and CSS encryption is false advertising, unfair competition, and that playback is unacceptable? That they're marketing DVDs that don't playback well in players purchased around the world?