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Slashback: XPiracy, Panel, Gentoo

Slashback is back, with a boatload of updates, clarifications, and corrections to make previous Slashdot stories make more sense. This week, there are bits on BitKeeper, Microsoft's update policy when it comes to illegally copied versions of Windows, a change in schedule for an upcoming games panel, and more. Read on for the details.

The real requirements for Longhorn, at least at this juncture. Cryoknight writes "It seems that Longhorn will run on almost anything that's a P4 or better, judging by this article from C|Net News. You only need a 64mb graphics card to run the slickest version..."

(That's in contrast with earlier reports that the average Longhorn system would be hefty indeed; of course, listed minimums and recommendations are often worlds apart.)

How many bits could Mandrake chuck if Mandrake could chuck bits? Shipud writes "Speaking of AMD beating Intel, Mandrake have just released their v.10 for AMD64. Claiming to be on the average 20% faster, and compatible with 32-bit applications." As usual, it's never a good time to buy a computer.

The War Of The Word, Part II Random Guru 42 writes "Chris Pratley, whose earlier blog entry was the source of much discussion [referring to this Slashdot post of April 27], has just recently replied to everyone's feedback both here and as comments on that earlier entry."

Gentoo Community Reaches Out to Daniel Robbins nporter writes "Slashdot reported the news that Daniel Robbins has stepped down as chief architect of Gentoo Linux. It was revealed that due to his commitment to Gentoo he racked up a hefty personal debt of $20,000. The Gentoo Community is showing its appreciation to its founder in droves by placing donations to the Gentoo Store, proceeds of which will go toward paying down Robbins' debt. I count over a thousand dollars (and growing rapidly) has already been donated, just based upon posts to the forums. It's great to see Linux users coming together like this to show support for someone who has contributed so much to the Linux community."

Bitkeeper redux, redux. gosand writes "Part two of the two-part interview with Bitkeeper author Larry McVoy is up at Newsforge. (Part 1 was posted here yesterday). They essentially talk about why and how BK fits into the kernel development model. There are only two questions, one answered by Larry, and one answered by Linus. Maybe that is because BK makes them 2.5x as efficient, and they can answer everything in just one answer each. :-)"

MS Clarifies: No SP2 For Pirated XP Copies PingXao writes "Unlike earlier reports, this eWeek story says MS will not be allowing pirated versions of Windows XP to install SP2. They plan to release the update within a couple of months as everybody knows, but what's interesting is this quote from a MS spokesperson that supposedly explains their reasons for this approach: "... using genuine software is an important part of keeping systems secure and running smoothly because it means continued access to the latest security enhancements and product updates." Not that I blame them for not providing assistance to people who violate their copyrights, but I wonder if they actually paid someone to come up with that insightful explanation. Something like "We don't provide updates to pirates" would have done the trick. Why cloud the issue with talk about secure this and security that when the basis for the policy has absolutely nothing to do with security?"

Games panel at Smithsonian - update tripmaster writes "For those slashdotters that tried to get a ticket but were foiled by the smaller venue, the panel on games with Shigeru Miyamoto, Richard Garfield and Doug Church being held Sunday, May 16th at the Smithsonian in Washington DC has been moved to a bigger space. Miyamoto should be showing the same highlights of his latest game as premiered at E3. Questions from the audience will be collected and posed to the speakers -- a rare chance to ask query some of games' most visionary and influential creators."

Off again, on again. Doug Muth writes "According to this piece on Yahoo, the restraining order which was issued against SpamCop on May 10th has been dissolved by the judge who further remarked that, 'the TRO [entered May 10] was not a determination of the merits of the case.'"

27 of 335 comments (clear)

  1. Only use "genuine" software! :) by FunWithHeadlines · · Score: 5, Funny
    "using genuine software is an important part of keeping systems secure and running smoothly because it means continued access to the latest security enhancements and product updates."

    That's right, folks, only use "genuine" software for that clean, refreshing Microsoft feeling of comfort. The kind you cannot get with pirated software since they won't let you eliminate their own bugs that cause so many Net problems. The kind you cannot get with FOSS since you can see the code for yourself and fix the problems. No, if you want the genuine experience, the kind of out-of-the-box headache that only comes from Microsoft software, insist on "genuine" software! Our bank account balance will thank you.

  2. Re:Very cool! by jgaynor · · Score: 5, Funny

    And while you're at it - bring back quickies. They were like Fark, but for smart people.

  3. wow by edrugtrader · · Score: 5, Funny

    "... using genuine software is an important part of keeping systems secure and running smoothly because it means continued access to the latest security enhancements and product updates."

    double speak is awesome.

    Q: why can't pirates get updates.
    A: you shouldn't be a pirate because pirates don't get updates.
    Q: i know, i implied they didn't get updates in my question, and you just repeated it to me...
    A: you should know that... i just told you.
    Q: see, you did it again. why are you doing that?
    A: you would be better off if you knew why i was doing this.
    Q: REM this is a question.
    A: ...
    Q: IS THIS A MICROSOFT PR BOT?!
    A: abort; goto end; kill();

    --
    MARIJUANA, SHROOMS, X: ONLINE?! - E
    1. Re:wow by gstoddart · · Score: 4, Funny

      Oh, man! Now they're gonna come out with the freakin' "install therapist" or something.

      "I see you've chosen to install the software o, D:, are you sure you wouldn't rather have it on C: where everyone else puts it?"

      "You haven't chosen to register now. Only bad people don't register now."

      "You don't call anymore, you just launch Mozilla and don't consider my feelings."

      Bastards!

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    2. Re:wow by moosesocks · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yes. Only microsoft would combine the worst elements of C and BASIC to write a bot...

      (Explination -- in the parent post, his code is mostly BASIC, although the semicolon and kill function call are all C (or C++) syntax)

      --
      -- If you try to fail and succeed, which have you done? - Uli's moose
  4. Re:Very cool! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    All of this information, could be read at other websites before it was posted on slashback. There is other parts of the internet that isn't slashdot.

    happy railroads!

    Anonymous Loser

  5. In honor of the Gentoo post... by example42 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I just started an "emerge sync" and donated $5 (I'm a poor student). Gentoo is the bees knees as they say.

    1. Re:In honor of the Gentoo post... by Afrosheen · · Score: 3, Funny

      "Gentoo is the bees knees as they say."

      Who is 'they' in this case? Your grandparents?

      23 Skiddoo! You got moxie kid! ;)

  6. Re:Always a good time to buy a computer by cujo_1111 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I think the case is actually that tomorrow is always a better day to buy a computer.

    So today is a better day to buy a computer than yesterday, so today is a good time to buy a computer.

    --
    If I point out that you are incorrect, making me a foe does not make you any more correct.
  7. I dontated $5 to Gentoo by AintTooProudToBeg · · Score: 2, Funny

    and saw this message:

    Your order has been successfully processed! Your products will arrive at their destination within 2-5 working days.

    I wonder which products they're talking about

    1. Re:I dontated $5 to Gentoo by NiceGeek · · Score: 4, Funny

      You're right...it should say "Your products will COMPILE within 2-5 working days".

  8. Re:Only use "genuine" software! :) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    No one's forcing you to use a Microsoft OS.

    Ummmm, only my employer you insensitive clod!

  9. Re:Gentoo crew have done it right by yuckymucky · · Score: 2, Funny

    I just went over and gave $20 and I am hoping to get a shirt when they get back in. Like the average ./ reader I cannot fit in a med.

  10. Re:Ok, here's plan B for pirates using XP by NanoGator · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Since you can't use SP2, why not try a different SP? "

    Sure, lemme just give up my library of games and climb a steep learning curve to make the switch.

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  11. Re:pragmatism and policy by LostCluster · · Score: 4, Funny

    TechTV had problems that most of their on-air computers (which they're sure they paid for Windows on) ended up on the banned-number list when SP1 came out. See, it's kinda hard to do computer how-to segments and not accidently let the license key slip over the air a few times by mistake...

  12. Wait a minute now... by sven_kirk · · Score: 2, Funny

    I am supposed to keep Windows updated. AND have an antivirus program?

  13. Re:Very cool! by aardvarkjoe · · Score: 4, Funny
    ...but for smart people.

    Obviously, the ones in charge realized that they were targeting the wrong audience.
    --

    How can we continue to believe in a just universe and freedom to eat crackers if we have no ale?
  14. "MS spokesperson"... by leshert · · Score: 2, Funny

    Not that I blame them for not providing assistance to people who violate their copyrights, but I wonder if they actually paid someone to come up with that insightful explanation.

    Yes. They're called PR people. And they all sound like that. :-)

    The funny thing is, the ones I've know talk like that all the time. It's a little uncanny--having lunch with one feels like reading about your day in PC Week.

  15. Re:Troll??? No. Insightful by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    For the record, I only use the term piracy to refer to...

    'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone,' it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less.'

    'The question is,' said Alice, 'whether you can make words mean so many different things.'

    'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master - that's all.'

    Alice was too much puzzled to say anything; so after a minute Humpty Dumpty began again. 'They've a temper, some of them - particularly verbs: they're the proudest - adjectives you can do anything with, but not verbs - however, I can manage the whole lot of them! Impenetrability! That's what I say!'

    'Would you tell me, please,' said Alice, 'what that means?'

    'Now you talk like a reasonable child,' said Humpty Dumpty, looking very much pleased. 'I meant by "impenetrability" that we've had enough of that subject, and it would be just as well if you'd mention what you mean to do next, as I suppose you don't mean to stop here all the rest of your life.'

    'That's a great deal to make one word mean,' Alice said in a thoughtful tone.

    'When I make a word do a lot of work like that,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'I always pay it extra.'

    'Oh!' said Alice. She was too much puzzled to make any other remark.

    'Ah, you should see 'em come round me of a Saturday night,' Humpty Dumpty went on, wagging his head gravely from side to side, 'for to get their wages, you know.'

    (Alice didn't venture to ask what he paid them with; so you see I can't tell you.)

    'You seem very clever at explaining words, Sir' said Alice. 'Would you kindly tell me the meaning of the poem called "Jabberwocky"?'

  16. Re:Why not? by Deraj+DeZine · · Score: 2, Funny

    Except that MAME, NES, SNES, Genesis, GB, GBA, Virtual Boy, Saturn, Playstation, N64, and various other systems are emulatable under Linux. Just because it's OSS doesn't mean you can't engage in some good ol' copyright infringement.

    --
    True story.
  17. Re:pragmatism and policy by Rick+and+Roll · · Score: 3, Funny

    Oh, absolutely. If anyone reading this post is smart enough to write such a thing, please get at it. You'll be my fucking hero.

  18. Re:Only use "genuine" software! :) by arkane1234 · · Score: 2, Funny

    The only question up for discussion is whether not providing security updates for pirates will hurt people besides the pirates themselves.

    There's not even a question there. It's a given in the whole thing. You think it's bad when people forget to patch and you have a Blaster epidemic, just imagine people that have to pirate a SECURITY patch. I don't kno about most people, but if I was on an ftp server (or whatever is used nowadays) and I saw something like Bryce 3D next to another package that said "WinXP-SP2-security-patch-by-DOD.zip.rar.tar.gz.bz 2" I think I'd go with the Bryce 3D.

    --
    -- This space for lease, low setup fee, inquire within!
  19. Re:Very cool! by Ryosen · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's a shame that there isn't an "Obvious" mod. Thank you for filling us in that there are other parts of the Internet that isn't Slashdot.

    DUH! It's called "AOL".

    --

    Ryosen
    One man's "Troll, +1" is another man's "Insightful, +1".
  20. Re:Very cool! by azzy · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dumbfuck. The phrase is "Read, Read!" meaning read what has been typed.

    (sorry, sorry, couldn't resist)

  21. Re:Solution for Windows Users... by a24061 · · Score: 3, Funny
    Worst URL ever: "Go Tahoe" gotahoe.com

    How about PowerGen Italia --> powergenitalia.com?

  22. Re:Very cool! by WCityMike · · Score: 2, Funny

    And while you're at it - bring back quickies. They were like Fark, but for smart people.

    Hey, quickies are for everybody. Especially in the car, in the lunchroom, in the supply closet ...

  23. Re:I Don't Thin' That Word Means What You Thin'... by kableh · · Score: 3, Funny