Slashdot Mirror
Patent Claimed on System-Level Encryption
nattt writes "The Register is reporting that a Californian firm, Maz Technologies has been granted a patent for application independant file encryption, and is now going after other companies with its lawyers to press its claims. It seems that the US patent office doesn't check very well for prior art, and their laxity is causing small firms that get attacked on infringing these bad patents a lot of money to defend themselves."
Recently there has been some controversy over Slashdot's apparent disregard for browsers other than Konqueror or Netscape (*cough* IE *cough) ability to render the page, and some unfortunate crapfloods which would appear differently in different browsers.
The "editors" (I use the term loosely) of Slashdot appear to believe that Slashcode generates perfect HTML which any browser should render correctly, else the browser must be "buggy".
Slashcode's HTML Output
Just curious, I tried running the front page of Slashdot through the W3 validator to test this claim. The results were shocking.
Lets stick to the facts and drill down into the numbers. The W3 validator found HUNDREDS of errors on the very first page of Slashdot that you view every day. It terminated with the simple line Sorry, this document does not validate as HTML 3.2..
So, what is broken? Is it IE? Or is it the amateur garage-style open source code which is at fault? You be the judge.
Apparently, Slashcode follows the open source coding and testing ethic of "it worked for me". It's just too much to ask them to try to test their code for conformance and compliance, or even just try it on a variety of platforms.
Microsoft's HTML Output
Still curious, I tried running msn.com and microsoft.com through the validator. I was totally taken aback when the validator reported ZERO ERRORS in *either* of these pages.
Conculsion
1. It may benefit the coders to attempt to adapt to some kind of acceptable process for designing, writing, and testing their own code. Perhaps some professional experience would be beneficial here. Certainly an accountability for certain quality standards must be implemented.
2. Perhaps Slashdot should consider switching to IIS 5.0 or .NET server and rewriting their code using a stable, reliable platform like Visual C++ or .NET. Perhaps only then will the browser compatbility issues will be resolved.
These are just suggestions. I am here to help.
U R Thinking Ov France. France doz not allo encryption and iz generally VARY gay. Mayb U shuld muv ther. U wuld fit ryt in. Thnx!
America has to realise one thing.... the rest of the world
Australia has to realize one thing... that alcohol does not consititute a food group.
! ALWAYS THOUGHT NUTSACK INDUSTRY DEAD OR DYING?!?&yel ling;
Pushin' 'n dealin', shovin' 'n stealin'
You are mistaken in that assumption. The American nutsack industry (and indeed that of the world) is well on its way up, due to the much-needed stimulus package employed by Bush's Republican administration.
President Bush recognizes the importance of the protective satchel within which one may transport nuts, and is said to frequently enjoy the use of multiple nutsacks on a daily basis, depending on his schedule for that particular day. His most-used model is part of a retro series, which is meant to evoke the feeling of the satchel used by President Harry S. Truman. We in the industry refer to it as the "Harry nutsack".
It's quite popular, especially amongst the ladies and small children. I'm quite surprised you're not familiar with it.
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I am a highly intelligent squirrel
Moron moderators...how could comment #5 with an idea yet to be mentioned BE REDUNDENT. Validity aside...Moderation on slashdot has become counter productive. I hope I get a shot at meta moderating this breathing, typing, poster boy for abortion.