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Breaking Old Regulations and Old Habits

tadghin writes ""Under the current regulatory regime, 802.11 would never have been legalized." Andy Oram reports this comment by David Reed in his summary of a wireless policy BOF session at the O'Reilly Emerging Technology conference. Andy discusses some of the hidden regulatory threats to wireless networking and what we might do about them, as well as many of the other sessions he attended, in a conference report on Wednesday's sessions."

67 comments

  1. I like to break by IAgreeWithThisPost · · Score: -1

    AC's in half.

    its all about the pf baby OPENBSD

    --
    security through obscurity = modding down anti-linux posts so maybe noone will see them
    1. Re:I like to break by Anonymous+Cowrad · · Score: -1

      I like to suck cock, and I like to take it in the ass. I'm living with 2 gay men who are constantly fucking me or being fucked, and on weekends I rent my asshole out on hollywood boulevard. I love linux.

      does this make me gay?

      --

      --
      pants ahoy
    2. Re:I like to break by ElCagado · · Score: -1

      i think more information is needed in order to make a proper assesment of your sexual proclivity. 1. Have you ever masturbated while thinking about CowboyNeal bent over a tree stump? 2. Have you ever compiled the Linux kernel? 3. Do you find yourself getting aroused when reading an ESR FAQ? 4. Have you ever inserted a melon ball in your anus..."just because"? Let us know the answers to these questions so we can further assist you.

    3. Re:I like to break by Anonymous+Cowrad · · Score: -1

      1. Most likely. I masturbate quite frequently and have covered a broad range of subjects.
      2. Once. I was young and I needed the money.
      3. ESR kinda scares me.
      4. I've inserted a melon. Never bothered balling it, though.

      --

      --
      pants ahoy
    4. Re:I like to break by ElCagado · · Score: -1

      Based on your answers I would make the tentative assement that you are indeed, homosexual. I would suggest the following: 1. growing your hair long and learning to play the flute. filking skills are required to lure other open sores hippies to your bed. 2. begin compiling the linux kernel immediately. 3. remember showers? well forget about them. as a GNU/QUEER you are no longer required to bathe. Congrats, and welcome! you may want to start your new life by getting your anus widened professionally because it will be used and abused tirelessly!

    5. Re:I like to break by bryan1945 · · Score: 0, Troll

      I must admit that your trolling skills are mighty! You now dwell in my top 10 troll list. Hai!

      --
      Vote monkeys into Congress. They are cheaper and more trustworthy.
  2. Not FP by Whistler's+Mother · · Score: -1

    props

    --


  3. Time to clean house... by eyegor · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'm getting a bit sick of all of the industry friendly spectrum giveaw^H^H^H^H^H^Hauctions. How about a bit of spectrum for wireless broadband?

    --

    Don't anthropomorphize computers, they don't like it.
    1. Re:Time to clean house... by teamhasnoi · · Score: 1
      Even better, how 'bout letting ME have a FFFFing radio station? Clear Channel sucks their own balls.

      I agree, BTW, so this is ontopic. ;)

  4. Money and Fear by El+Pollo+Loco · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Unfortunantly, as long there is greed in the world, there will always be problems with government legalization. In addition, fear is often also a driving factor. Just look at the large amount of products out there to protect users from cell phonce radiation. People are always scared of new things. Especially if it has the oppurtunity to relive them of some of the money that they have been earning(drug war anyone?).

  5. thats dum by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    me no like

  6. Must-see pic of Linus and Alan! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    This is grossly offtopic, but I came across this hilarious snap of Linus and Alan working together on some kernel code. Mod it down, by all means, but you must see this!

    Image at http://abacus.sj.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_57b55 557edaab5a4945526b8f/i-1.JPG.

    Looks like they're working on a tricky algorithm...

    Bov.

    1. Re:Must-see pic of Linus and Alan! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      First of all, this was freakin' funny. Second of all, damn they have some instant genius genes!

  7. ahh, finally by TR6 · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Excellent (rubbs fingers in anticipation) this will be my day. I can FINAlLY unveil my new "SNEAKERNET"! No more worries about anything.. oh wait, what about if someone runs off with those sneakers, what then... maybe this is too soon for "SNEAKERNET"! ..... some day.... someday soon... bua ha ha ha

    1. Re:ahh, finally by bryan1945 · · Score: 1

      I have your solution- tunnel your SNEAKERNET on the SUPER-SECRETNET! First we had black helicopters, now we have black sneakers. Bow down to the masters!

      --
      Vote monkeys into Congress. They are cheaper and more trustworthy.
  8. Effects on Opensource by metlin · · Score: 5, Interesting


    His proposals for improving the situation included:

    The oft-heard suggestion to make software manufacturers liable for defects.
    ....
    (Note: software companies are doing their damnedest to move in the opposite direction, by pushing UCITA laws that would let them get away with releasing known defects.)
    ....
    Making other companies liable for their own systems as well. They'd act differently if they knew they could be sued when their customers' social security numbers were released.


    Oh sounds great. So we get to sue the crappy coders. Nice. How about having a huge fine for companies that release crappy code? That sounds great too!

    Except that Microsoft could afford to pay up the fine AND face any huge lawsuits by sheer muscle power. As would Sun. Or for that matter any of the bigger companies. It would mean nothing to them, and people would still continue to buy their stuff.

    But what about Opensource? Whom would you hold responsible? If it becomes a law for one, it's law for another.

    As Schneier said, "Security is a people problem, not a technical problem." Actually, the people he was referring to at that moment were not the malicious crackers themselves, but the crowds of negligent programmers, managers, data centers, and policy-makers who tolerate weak security.

    Yeah, but please note that it is not just corporates who churn out bad code, not just companies. And if it did become a law that bad code will be punished, corporates can fight. A lonely hacker cannot, atleast not that easily. It would hit the OSS community and companies based on the movement a whole lot worse than the big guys.

    Utopian, yes. Pragmatic? No.

    1. Re:Effects on Opensource by sylvester · · Score: 4, Insightful

      If it becomes a law for one, it's law for another.

      Not really.

      It's really not that difficult to imagine a law that was written such that those who licensed their IP (code) under certain criteria (zero cost, freely redistributable, modifiable, whatever. Think open source criteria) would be exempt. And in particular, any well-drafted law would have this property.

      Whether one can expect that from the fine congress you folks have elected is another matter entirely. :-)

    2. Re:Effects on Opensource by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't quote Schneier on the topic of security.

      He is a self-made cryptography 'expert.'

      He doesn't know shit about security. Yet people are continually citing him as a security expert.

      It's wrong to do so.

    3. Re:Effects on Opensource by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "But what about Opensource? Whom would you hold responsible? If it becomes a law for one, it's law for another. "

      make the penalty a percent of income earned.

      if you coded it for free, you can't be assessed

    4. Re:Effects on Opensource by rusty0101 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Except that Microsoft could afford to pay up the fine AND face any huge lawsuits by sheer muscle power. As would Sun. Or for that matter any of the bigger companies. It would mean nothing to them, and people would still continue to buy their stuff.


      The resolution to this is to base the fine on per copy retail pricing. If Microsoft Shop (a theoretical planning package allowing you to plan and cost out building projects ranging from making a one legged stool through re-fitting your garage or basement as a manufacturing center) costs $79 per copy retail, and it unwittingly notifies your local zoning office that you plan on setting up a mass distribution center running out of your garage, Microsoft should be fined $79 per copy of Microsoft Shop sold.

      As Microsoft is not the recipient of all of the $79 per copy, they would be paying above and beyond their profit for the product.

      Personally I think this should be based upon the Suggested Retail Price at the time the product is released. So if a major software flaw is found in X-Box, they would be liable for the $299 per device, not the current or upcomming $199 per device.

      Punative damages should be awarded based upon actual costs to consumers for the losses accumulated by the software. If the theoretical problem with Microsoft Shop ultimately cost you $1500 in legal bills to defend the fact that you did not implement the project that you played around with, that cost would be a added as punative damages to any class action suit.

      But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

      As a side effect, Free software (as in beer) would have significantly lower cost per failure. Unfortunately with the potential for punative damages as part of a class action suit, this would have a deletorious effect on poorly managed Open Source/Free software.

      --
      You never know...
    5. Re:Effects on Opensource by peddrenth · · Score: 2

      make the penalty a percent of income earned.
      if you coded it for free, you can't be assessed


      That would seem to absolve internet explorer and outlook express, both of which are "free" (free as in candy from strangers)

      You're right to suppose UCITA will penalise open-source whilst exempting microsoft, but the answer isn't so simple as "percentage of earnings"

      It's even simpler than that. "US Congress stay the fuck out of what doesn't concern them, and what they know nothing about"

      My software is no longer available to those states which have passed UCITA

    6. Re:Effects on Opensource by bryan1945 · · Score: 1

      Oh, and we should just believe some AC that puts forth zero sources to back up his claim? Why is it wrong? I'm not claiming he is, because I know zilch about him, but if you want to claim something, back it up with some proof, please.

      And not hiding behind an AC would also help.

      --
      Vote monkeys into Congress. They are cheaper and more trustworthy.
    7. Re:Effects on Opensource by 56ker · · Score: 2

      Yes but if it becomes a standard it gets adopted pretty much everywhere - where laws are different.

  9. One word.. by Arminius · · Score: 1

    VOTE!

    --

    ------
    Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
    1. Re:One word.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I had a friend that kept telling me that. Then the came for him.

      He doesn't think it's funny anymore.

  10. Jews Had To Be Good For Something by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Alright I was reading a couple stories and I just decided to share this little
    story about the time I hit it with a Jew girl using deception and cunning. LOL.
    I mean it's not real hard to act like another person or make others believe you
    are.

    When I was a senior in high school last year not long before my 18th birthday I
    was just cruising through school. After we changed classes at the end of second
    semester I got into a class with this really hot girl named Cindy who I was
    sitting by in the seating chart, well I knew from the first day I was gonna try
    and hit it with this girl, but I didn't think it would be nearly as complicated
    as it turned out. One day in class we had to pair up and do this project (it was
    history class) and it was on the Cold War, well into the convo we started
    talking about those Jew Rosenberg's selling the atom bomb and I said "well what
    the hell do you expect for those fucking kikes?" and she looked at me and said
    "what did you just say?" and I repeated myself and she said, "You ignorant
    asshole I'm Jewish," and I looked at her and said, "Well sux to be you" and
    started laughing. Well we didn't talk the rest of the project, I just let her do
    the work then I guess to be a dick I acted like I was scratching my arm and
    pulled up the sleeve to show my Neo-Nazi tattoo to her (I am a proud and loyal
    NNLR member) and she said, "I can't believe I am sitting next to a Nazi," and I
    was like, "I am unfortunately not a Nazi, I missed the good old days," and
    started laughing and man was she pissed.

    To go on, well we went through the next few weeks barely saying anything to each
    other and me and A.J. (a fellow NNLR in my class) would sometimes say some shit
    to her. Well it pissed her off enough to try and get her boyfriend after me so
    he came up to my table and asked me about some shit and I ended fucking him up
    in the lunch room, I mean it was a weak fight with some Jew-loving soccer player
    against me a pure Aryan linebacker. LOL. I ended up getting 10 days out for
    drawing blood and I just cruised through that easy as hell.

    When I came back I found out that sometime when I was gone she had broken up
    with her boyfriend. I am not sure why, but it figures he gets his ass beat for
    her and she dumps him later for something. Typical Jew. In class, she eyes me
    when I sat down and didn't say anything to me, I started razzing her and was
    like, "how's you boyfriend doing?" and she's like, "I am not going out with him
    anymore but I am sure he's doing fine," and I said, "broke up with him after he
    gets his ass beaten for you, that some kind of Hebrew thing?" and she said, "Oh
    shut up you asshole, I am so tired of hearing you talk about that," and I razzed
    her a little longer. Anyways, later in the month we had a project we had to do
    out of class, and it had to be with my desk partner she was mad, but she's a
    crazy A student and she asked me, "Well do you want to do the assignment at my
    house or yours?" and I said, "Well I am not allowed to have Jews at my house"
    and me and AJ started laughing, I was like, "Why don't you just do it?" and she
    said, "'cause you're not getting an A for my work," so we ended up going to her
    house well it's a typical Hebe home, with the 8 candle stuff and I knocked on
    the door and her mom answered, "Hi, are you Luke?" and I was like, "In the
    flesh," she said, "Come on in Cindy is in her room," and I looked around and saw
    all this Jew stuff and I sort of scoffed, anyway I went to her room and she's
    like, "Alright lets get started," and I was just looking around, "I don't think
    I'll be able to concentrate in this Yid hol,e" and she's like, "Well then I'll
    tell Mr. Deen that you didn't do anything," so I had to sit there and figure out
    the project with her.

    I wasn't really doing anything but nodding when she said something. While I was
    sitting there I was scoping her and thinking what it would be like to get a
    piece of Jew ass, I was thinking it the whole time I mean is there really
    anything wrong with using one for sex? I mean not dating just fucking? and I
    thought about that the whole time.

    The night after I went home I was looking at my ceiling and thinking the whole
    night on how to fuck Cindy, I was going over some ways and though well maybe
    I'll be like in the movies and act like I changed and then after I fuck her,
    just tell the bitch about it and break her little kick heart. LOL. I talked it
    over with Tom, AJ, and Rob, they all wondered why I wanted to fuck the Jew, but
    they knew she was hot and stuff. I decided to act like I didn't want to be a
    NNLR anymore and have like AJ and them act like I changed in front of her. Not
    to go into much detail, but it was a good plan to tap that ass.

    At school the next day I went over to her and was like, "How you doing?" She
    seemed a little surprised, "I'm alright," and then AJ walked by and we sorta
    gave each other this fake little mean look that we made sure she noticed. She
    was like, "Are you and AJ mad about something?" and I was like, "I don't know
    he's a dick," she goes, "I thought you guys were good friends?" and I'm like,
    "We were but the NNLR are starting to piss me off," and she's like "Is that so?"
    and I'm like, "Yeah I am thinking about getting out," and she's like, "That's
    good, maybe then you'll stop being such a prick." I wanted to say something but
    I restrained and continued the charade.

    It lasted much longer than that to her, and I'm not going to go into depth but
    in the next few weeks I made it look like I had gotten out of the NNLR's and to
    her I wasn't hanging out with them anymore well we had to do another project and
    I was like, "Let's do it at my house" and she's like, "I thought you weren't
    allowed to have Jewish people there?" I sorta gave a sad face and was like "I'm
    not like that anymore," which she thought was true. That night I had to
    rearrange my room take down all my party and NNLR emblems and stuff and I made a
    great effort to make it look like a typical room. When she came over she was
    like "Wow your house is nice," which it is since both my parents are business
    workaholics and I'm like "Thanks, it's alright." Well we got into the project
    and after it was done we started watching TV on the couch. We got into a deep
    convo about the NNLR and I had to say some bad things that it was hard to say
    and eventually when she was leaving I talked her into a date with me for
    Saturday, I was gonna kiss her but I didn't really feel like pushing it since I
    was hoping to get in those little kike panties this weekend anyway.

    As the week went on we talked in class and stuff until she probably thought I
    was a very tolerant ex-bigot that was pushed into joining the NNLR because of
    bad parenting and a need for acceptance. LOL. Not bad huh?

    As Saturday came along we went on our date and went to a real expensive place
    and ate then we went to a movie, and we held hands and walked around the mall, I
    could tell their was no way I was going to get in her pants on the first date
    for some reason and I was a little pissed, but I figured it will come
    eventually, the date ended that night after making plans for another and we went
    into a french kiss in front of her house. She went inside and I wiped off my
    mouth, damn I hated kissing the Jew, I just wanted to fuck her. LOL.

    We had two more dates before anything real sexual happened and that was when we
    were in my car outside her house after going to another expensive restaurant
    (damn Jews) and she gave me a decent blowjob in the car. I came all in her mouth
    and she swallowed every drop like a good Jew, we made plans for another date the
    next weekend and I had the feeling I was finally going to fuck my Jew.

    I picked her up and we went to see a movie, then after we went to eat and talk
    and junk like that you gotta go through to get laid, I talked her into coming to
    my house and I knew I was going to fuck her, well we got into it on the couch
    and she gave me another decent blow job and again swallowed like a good Jew.
    Then I got her into the bed by like fake tackling her after she stood up we
    started laughing and she's like "stop it" and I undid the buttons on her shirt
    and we started kissing. So much for stopping it, I got her bra off and sucked on
    her tits, then got her jeans off and was about to pull off her panties and she's
    like, "Stop it Luke!" and I stopped and looked up all sad faced like, "Why
    what's wrong?" and she said, "I never had sex before."

    I was rock hard, by the end of the sentence I had the opportunity to pop a Jew
    girls cherry I started acting all nice like "Well I don't care if you're a
    virgin you'll like it I promise," and she sat up and I kissed her and started
    talking about never doing it and eventually I got her to lay down through some
    good talking I might add and I took off her panties and finally got a glimpse of
    her bush which was pretty fine I might add, I started thinking about a condom,
    but then I was like are you stupid? Don't wear one, I mean she's probably not
    even thinking about that, and pulled off my underwear and prepared to put it in,
    then she asked about a condom and I said don't worry I'm sterile, LOL. I don't
    know why she believed me but she didn't press the issue.

    She looked a little scared but I wasn't really going to hurt her anyway in that
    fashion 'cause I just wanted to fuck the kike bitch. I don't have a monster cock
    like it seems everyone else in these stories have but I am very proud of my 7
    incher and I led it to her very very tight pussy. I mean I had fucked tight
    girls before but never a virgin, and I put it into her and she started like
    sorta startled moaning and when I reached the hymen her face was all like all
    closed up so I just rammed it in and busted the hymen, she screamed pretty loud,
    but then I start inching it in and she was moaning sort of, well I continued the
    pace figuring I'd fuck her again later and just went in and out till I came in
    her. After I was done I looked at her and she was like all sweaty even worse
    than me, and I don't know how much she enjoyed it, but she put her arm on me, I
    fucked her again like 40 minutes later and this time I felt her orgasm, she
    called her mom and said she was staying at a friend's, and then she fell asleep.

    I laid on the bed thinking about how to show her that not only had I just used
    her Jew body, but I was still a very loyal NNLR, so while she was sleeping I put
    my room (which is my entire basement) like it was before that night she came for
    the project, and I had my swastika flag over the bed and the Fuhrer and my SS
    posters and stuff back up, and I even put my swastika screen saver on, then I
    laid down next to her and dozed off.

    I woke up the next morning before her when it was light and decided on another
    thing to do so I left a note on the lampshade next to her all it said was
    "Thanks for the easy fuck last night, I did enjoy it, when you wake up please
    leave my room I don't want your Jewish bitch ass here longer than that. Claiming
    NNLR 4 Life" LOL.

    I sat in the living room and a little later I saw her walking on the side of our
    house where the basement is onto the sidewalk to walk home and she was like
    crying hard I mean like her face was so red. LOL. I loved it and the fact that
    she lives a 10 minute drive from me and she had to walk all red and stuff home.

    When I went to school on Monday I found out that she had asked Mr. Deen for a
    new seat and talked him into it and I got to sit my AJ which was cool as hell. I
    looked at her but she just sat there and didn't look back. I heard later from
    friends she had to go through therapy and all this stuff and her Dad like almost
    came after me with a gun when she got home that day, and I wish he would have
    I'd have dropped his ass with my .45 as soon as he stepped foot on my property.

    1. Re:Jews Had To Be Good For Something by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

      Rock on dude.

      White Power World Wide.

      1488

    2. Re:Jews Had To Be Good For Something by Ralph+JewHater+Nader · · Score: -1

      Quality literature. Good job.

      --

    3. Re:Jews Had To Be Good For Something by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

      Why indeed. Thank you my good man.

  11. /. Sing Along... everybody add a line! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I'll get ya'll started!

    I.... like big butts, and I cannot lie!

    1. Re:/. Sing Along... everybody add a line! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mean niggers right?

    2. Re:/. Sing Along... everybody add a line! by IIOIOOIOO · · Score: 1, Offtopic

      I can't rhyme; why even try!

  12. Hmm, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    I bet the jews are behind this.

    1. Re:Hmm, by Ralph+JewHater+Nader · · Score: -1

      You got that right. Finally, someone with common sense on this site full of niggerloving pussies.

      --

  13. 3G wireless by warnerpr · · Score: 2, Informative

    I read the part about 802.11 wireless, very interesting.
    But the 3G wireless part was misleading. The section is entitled "Don't forget 3G" but it is all about SMS, which is more of a 2G wireless technology, heck even if it was supposed to be about GPRS that is a 2.5G wireless thing. 3G might not be dead (or even barely born yet really) but SMS is not the proof of this! Happily it is gaining momentum in the US though as more carries move to GSM.

  14. 802.11b in 2.4GHz not a player long-term by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    While I realize there is much support for 802.11b in it's 2.4Ghz position, it seems likely that as devices continue to be developed with output in that range, it's going to be impossible to continue recieving clear signals, even in the small 100 foot range that most of the devices promise.

    I also see no compelling reason to believe there is any commercial interest in keeping 802.11b around, as 802.11a devices provide faster throughput (supposedly), have fewer regulatory restrictions, and allow for higher prices / profit margins (due to the two reasons above).

    Given the current political climate as it relates to emerging technologies and the 2.4Ghz band, I would expect to see 802.11b fade away to regulatory condemnation and watch 802.11a take over where 802.11b left off.

  15. Things To Do Today by Things+To+Do+Today · · Score: -1
    1. Fuck kothole in tree

    2. Pull splinters out of penis

  16. wireless is spooky by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    if you really think about it.....hmmm this must be alien technology.

  17. Re:Effects on Opensource- Professionalism maybe? by tezzer · · Score: 2, Insightful

    What would the effects be? Unprecedented professionalism in the software industry. We like to call it Software Engineering. When a Civil Engineer signs off on a bridge, he's stating it is flawless to the best of his ability. He's also accepting liability for the bridge. If software people want to be treated like professionals, they need to accept the same standards as professionals. If you release something that's broken, and it can be proven you know better, your ass is in the can.

    --
    (Celui que tient la peur de devinir nuage)
  18. A new band by cyberformer · · Score: 4, Informative
    The article calls for a new dedicated spectrum band for wireless networking, that can't be shut down by other users who have a higher priority. But the author doesn't seem to realize that there already is such a band: it's called the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure band, at 5GHz., and is intended for 802.11a wireless LANs (as well as 802.16 wireless local loop).


    In the medium term, 802.11a will replace 802.11b/Wi-Fi. As well as lack of interference, the U-NII is simply larger, allowing a lot more networks to co-exist in the same airwaves.

    1. Re:A new band by bryan1945 · · Score: 1

      Unfortunately, depending on exactly where in the 5 GHz band it is in, you may still run into interference from some military stuff. Of course, most people will never have this problem, but it could happen. Sorry I can't elaborate.

      --
      Vote monkeys into Congress. They are cheaper and more trustworthy.
  19. Ignorance exists on 802.11 supporters' part also by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    >>Now what do you think? Which is more important to the economy and to social progress in general: digital broadband or ham radio? The truth is that ham radio trumps digital broadband, just because ham radio has been around longer and therefore is sanctified with a license to use the spectrum. (Yes, it's happened--a ham radio operator has actually shut down an 802.11 network.) >>

    What do I think? Which is more imporatant? I'd definitely say that ham radio *should* trump digital broadband. Amateur radio is more than just a trivial hobby. Who provided communication for rescue workers in NYC after 9/11 when all the communication antennae on top of the WTC were destroyed? Amateur radio operators. In DC during the Pentagon operation at the same time? Amateur radio operators. Who provided overseas troops in numerous wars the ability to call home and talk to families? Amateur radio operators. The FCC recognizes and provides for the privileges of amateur radio operators particularly because of their value in providing emergency communications, but also because of their improvements and advances in radio communication and for advancing international goodwill.

    The people quoted in this piece obviously believe that commercial purposes should trump all others. Money above all. The airwaves are a public commons and I firmly believe that providing space for ham radio operators to continue practing their hobby (which in turn is practice for providing emergency communications when such arise) is more important than providing inviolable space for 802.11 networking.

  20. Re:Ignorance exists on 802.11 supporters' part als by silentbozo · · Score: 2

    Amen! Now, if only I could find enough time to study for my license exam...

  21. Re:Ignorance exists on 802.11 supporters' part als by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ham radio operators are the hackers of the field of radio/wireless communications.

    The objections of the 802.11 developers is a little childish. It's not like radiowave spectrum allocations are a secret. Nor do amateur radio operators have access to the entire spectrum or at the expense of everyone else. Broadcast TV has exclusive use of a slice of spectrum. Broadcast radio has an exclusive slice. The military has several nice chunks. On some bands ham radio operators have primary rights (they can bump non-ham operations) on others they have secondary. Who can use which bands also changes from time to time. Currently the military is trying to get a lot of spectrum for their own communication and satellites. This could bump 802.11 operations or ham operations or anyone else. The 802.11 should have known about the fluidity and change in wireless allocations when they started the project. If they didn't, it's their own fault for not doing their homework.

    -EB

  22. Under the current regulatory regime ... by surfcow · · Score: 2, Insightful
    "Under the current regulatory regime, 802.11 would never have been legalized."

    Neither would asprin or alchohol or sunlight.

    We live in a world with silly regulations. They even apply to technology.

    =brian

  23. Re:Effects on Opensource- Professionalism maybe? by bryan1945 · · Score: 2

    Exactly, though I would soften the hard line a bit. When you write an OS, it would probably be impossible to code totally bug free code, no matter how much testing you did. The problem here is to define a parameter where the bug crosses into the penalty phase. A minor bug that crashes your system shouldn't be cause for fines, but something like the Melissa virus probably would. Stupid errors were automatic actions like VB scripting are the default should be penalized. Not plugging known security gaps should be penalized. But no one deserves the title of engineer when they release a product with 60k known bugs! "Yes, this bridge works pretty well, even though it has 60,000 structural cracks."

    --
    Vote monkeys into Congress. They are cheaper and more trustworthy.
  24. Re:Ignorance exists on 802.11 supporters' part als by Cheeze · · Score: 1

    the only problem is the small number of people taking up ham radio. there's much more of a push from businesses to implement some sort of wireless solution. ham radio technology has not changed drastically in many many years. maybe it's due for a technological overhaul. anyone with $30 can go down to the local wal-mart and get a couple of FRS radios, but real ham radios are left to small kits from radio shack.

    i think the whole wavelength segregation the FCC controls needs to be reworked. there no reason for ham radio operators to have precedence over anyone just because they were there first. the USA is based on consumer acceptance of a product. as soon as wireless really starts showing up at your grandma's house, you'll notice ham radio dying off much quicker.

    maybe someone should write some code or build some hardware so 802.11 can contribute to ham radio, by acting as a repeater.

    --
    Why read the article when I can just make up a snap judgement?
  25. Goddamn Hams! by phliar · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Which is more important to the economy and to social progress in general: digital broadband or ham radio? The truth is that ham radio trumps digital broadband, just because ham radio has been around longer and therefore is sanctified with a license to use the spectrum. (Yes, it's happened--a ham radio operator has actually shut down an 802.11 network.)
    This one section is enough for me to dismiss anything else this crackpot has to say. Yer damn right ham radio trumps your stupid unlicensed network. When there's a disaster and all the landlines are down -- and that includes fiber backbones, broadband-boy -- hams are the ones who relay messages for rescue services.

    Now, about a ham radio operator "actually" shutting down a network -- where and when? Hams are perhaps the most conscientious users of spectrum anywhere. They have clean signals and stay in their bandwidth -- bandwidth they are licensed to operate in. Consumer electronics, on the other hand, are the worst offenders. And 802.11b is unlicensed and must accept all interference caused to it by licensed users -- which includes microwave ovens. Read Part 15 and Part 18 of the FCC regulations.

    ObDisclaimer: I am not (and have never been) a ham radio operator.

    --
    Unlimited growth == Cancer.
  26. Re:Ignorance exists on 802.11 supporters' part als by phliar · · Score: 2
    the only problem is the small number of people taking up ham radio.
    Why is this a problem?
    ham radio technology has not changed drastically in many many years. maybe it's due for a technological overhaul.
    Ham radio is not just about technology.
    there no reason for ham radio operators to have precedence over anyone just because they were there first.
    When I get on a bus and sit down, 50 other people (each of whom has more money than me) might want to throw me off that seat; but I was there first. It's not just about who was there first either -- ham radio provides a valuable service to all society. It's not just a frivolous hobby. Ham radio operators add more good to society than every O'Reilly sycophant put together ever will.

    Helpful suggestion for Cheeze: Please learn how to use capital letters.

    Disclaimer: I am not (and have never been) an amateur radio operator.

    --
    Unlimited growth == Cancer.
  27. Re:Ignorance exists on 802.11 supporters' part als by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If you were my neighbor and you'd take my lan away I'd poison your dog, drive over your cat, report you for child-abuse (if applicable), call your boss, slash your tires, throw garbage on your front lawn, put a rattlesnake in your mailbox, throw paint on the hood of your car, tamper with your cable tv service, make your bad credit history public, in short come up with a zillion ways of making life as unhappy and dissatisfying as possible for you and your family.

  28. (Microwaved) Honeybaked Hams! by edhall · · Score: 1

    Hmmm... So, does this mean that a ham radio operator can force people not to use microwave ovens, which also use the 2.4GHz band (and, last time I checked, weren't licensed either)? "Excuse me, ma'am, but I'm confiscating your microwave as an illegal transmitter. Your ham radio operator neighbors have been complaining."

    -Ed
    1. Re:(Microwaved) Honeybaked Hams! by andrews · · Score: 1

      Microwave ovens aren't part 15 devices. They are licensed under different rules. I can always tell when someone down the street is defrosting dinner in the microwave because I get interference bands on my TV picture. That's NTSC TV on 2445MHz.

      On every part 15 device are the words:

      "This Device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received. Including interference that may cause undesired operation."

      An otherwise legally operated part 15 device that causes interference to hams or any other primary user in that band is operating illegally and must shut down.

  29. 802.11B was never legalized by ahde · · Score: 2

    that's why they call the frequency range it works under "unregulated spectrum." Now, they are trying to take away the freedom of it and sell it to corporate interests, same as CB (which stands for "Citizens Band"), but the Ham radio complainers are way off. The regulated Ham networks are on a much lower frequency. 802.11B networks do not interfere unless there is a broken transmitter.

    1. Re:802.11B was never legalized by Detritus · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Amateur Radio has a frequency allocation at 2390-2450 MHz. This overlaps the ISM band that is used with 802.11b and other unlicensed users. Unlicensed users must accept interference from licensed users and must not cause interference to licensed users.

      --
      Mea navis aericumbens anguillis abundat
    2. Re:802.11B was never legalized by andrews · · Score: 1

      Wrong. I operate regularly on 1.2 and 2.4 GHz. I have a friend that runs at 10GHz. Hams are primary on 2.4. Here is a handy link that shows the ham bands.

      Ham Spectrum Allocation

  30. never happen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    bush sr.'s fcc started the auction bullshit, reed hundt (algore's college roomie) took it for one hell of a ride when he ran the fcc. the fcc is no longer a regulatory agency, it's a huge revenue generating body now. they'll change the rules in the middle of the game if they can make a buck. and if the courts try to slap them down, they thumb their noses. ask verizon about the million$ the court ordered the fcc to refund a year ago that they still haven't gotten back. anybody who thinks the fcc is gonna do anything in the public interest is smokin some bad crack acid.

  31. Re:Effects on Opensource- Professionalism maybe? by ahde · · Score: 2

    um, when a civil engineer signs off on a bridge, he's stating an estimate of cost, materials, time, and impact that it will have. Stuff like how many cars per minute and tons of concrete. Now, a structural engineer has a bit more to do with how it is built, but really, it comes down to the construction laborers and what kind of job they do. And bridges have lots of flaws and fall down or need repairs all the time. Tacoma Narrows anyone?

  32. Naw by ksuMacGyver · · Score: 0

    That would seem to absolve internet explorer and outlook express, both of which are "free" (free as in candy from strangers) Internet Explorer is an integral part of the OS. Remember? =)

    --

    Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

    Interested in AI? MACR
    1. Re:Naw by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Internet Explorer is an integral part of the OS. Remember? =)

      Yeah, that's why you need to reboot 3 times to install an upgrade

  33. Re:Ignorance exists on 802.11 supporters' part als by andrews · · Score: 1

    Oops, your ignorance is showing. Almost ALL advances in the radio arts in the last 100 years have come from amateur radio operators. We've been doing packet radio since before computer networks existed. Hams are on the cutting edge of microwave communications setting distance records of hundreds of miles in the 300GHz band. We've done spread spectrum for decades and several stations are actively experimenting with ultra wide band. We launch some of the most sophisticated communications satellites in orbit. We operate meteor scatter across the Continent.

    Most HF rigs (the under 50MHz rigs) cost between $1000 and $4000 and are made by Kenwood, Icom and Yaesu. Top names in radio equipment. They use DSPs and speech filters that are years ahead of anything you'll find in consumer products. 2 meter and 70 cm rigs run between $150 and $500, even at Radio Shack.

    Also Hams are critical emergency communication operators. When bad weather happens hams are out there acting as storm spotters and feeding information back to the National Weather Service. Nothing beats trained eyeballs on the spot. We provide communications when 911 systems go down and in disasters we provide the critical link that save lives.

    Realize that the FCC is chartered to maintain the airwaves in trust for the American people and ask your selves who serves the people better, hams or 802.11 in Starbucks?

  34. Re:Effects on Opensource- Professionalism maybe? by Fulcrum+of+Evil · · Score: 2

    Tacoma Narrows anyone?

    Yes, use a bridge that fell down due to a previously unknown property (harmonic vibration) as an example of how construction workers affect the quality of a built bridge.

    --
    "We returned the General to El Salvador, or maybe Guatemala, it's difficult to tell from 10,000 feet"
  35. Everyone seems to be focusing on 802.11b... by eqteam · · Score: 3, Interesting

    When 802.11 is mentioned, everyone seems to be assuming 802.11b, which is not the issue. Many people (at least here in Silicon Valley) are setting up long range 1or2Mbps links that are based on 802.11 (no 'b' or 'g', just 802.11). They transmit at much maximum power, using high gain _directional_ antennas to get more than 1000 meters.

    I do still believe that an 802.11b network could cause interference to licensed spectrum users, but buildings have a way of attenuating signals =) (having worked closely with 3 different types of 2.4GHz packet radio technologies)

    For those interested in a detailed explanation (biased?) of FCC part 15 rulings and how they apply to Ham radio operators, I suggest:
    http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/part15.html
    It was enlightening for me!

  36. Shutting down a network by calidoscope · · Score: 1

    ISTR that the ARRL website had an article about a 900 MHz netwrok being shut down in the Dallas area. Part 15 states that devices operating under these rules cannot interfere with licensed services.

    --
    A Shadeless room is a brighter room.
  37. Re:Effects on Opensource- Professionalism maybe? by godefroi · · Score: 1

    Just think of all the new territory being covered by Microsoft et. al... Of course they can't be held responsible for all the unknown types of bugs, right?

    --
    Karma: Poor (Mostly affected by lame karma-joke sigs)
  38. That clause might not even be necessary... by mbessey · · Score: 2

    I believe (though IANAL) that the law already makes a distinction between things "you buy" and things that are "given to you".

    I'm pretty sure that except in the case of extreme negligence, or intentional harm, your right to recover damages for something you got "for free" is extremely limited.

    -Mark

  39. Markey spectrum bill by akb · · Score: 2

    Hmm, no mention of Markey's recent bill, the "Wireless Technology Investment and Digital Dividends Act" aka hr4641. It would use some of the proceeds from spectrum auctions to go to a fund to support digital divide issues and clear our new unlicensed spectrum. There's a companion bill in the Senate that *doesn't* include the spectrum bit, so we'll have to fight for it.

    Yall West Coast politico-wannabe's must be out of it if yall missed this, get in the game already. This stuff is going down in Washington and yall don't even know it. Couldn't Larry Lessig have clued you in? Seriously, here's some resources on this.

    Quick info on the bill from the Center for Digital Democracy (lead group on the open access fight)

    http://democraticmedia.org/news/washingtonwatch/ma rkeyBill.html

    The proposal is kinda a scaled down version of the a proposal called the Digital Promise, hatched by a guy who used to head PBS.

    This was all discussed at a gab fest at the New America Foundation last week. Check out the agenda (pdf), the spectrum panel is on towards the end. You'll notice Reed Hundt, former FCC commissioner, and Yochai Benkler who's scholarship intersects w/ free software and other kinds of commons.

  40. Re:Effects on Opensource- Professionalism maybe? by emag · · Score: 2

    What you're describing is what's known as a Professional Engineer (PE) certification. *Very* few engineers go for their PE, since it takes a lot of time and a lot of money, though the resulting salary increase is very nice. A PE is equivalent to "MD" after a name, or being licensed to practice law. IE, not everyone involved in medicine is an MD, not everyone who works in law offices is a lawyer and has passed the Bar (think paralegals, etc), and not everyone involved in engineering is a PE.

    It's also necessary to usually have at least 4 years of qualifying experience before you can even take the examination.

    The National Society of Professional Engineers will have probably more information than you want to deal with on the subject.

    Just remember, when a PE signs off on something, he's signing off on the work of everyone who's worked on the project. Given what I know of most of the other developers I've met, I don't think I'd be willing to be liable for their code...

    --
    "The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule." --H.L. Mencken