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NYT Calls For Open-Source Election Machines

anti-drew writes "The New York Times Magazine has an interesting editorial (free reg. req.) calling for open-source voting machines. From the article: 'Electronic voting has much to offer, but will we ever be able to trust these buggy machines? Yes, we will -- but only if we adopt the techniques of the 'open source' geeks.' That's quite an endorsement coming from the Times. Of course, one of the justifications was that open-source enthusiasts are 'libertarian freaks, nuttily suspicious of centralized power', who would 'scream to the high heavens if they found anything wrong'."

15 of 302 comments (clear)

  1. But who will get by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    First Vote?

  2. In Related News... by k4_pacific · · Score: 4, Funny

    MSDN Magazine has an article calling for closed source voting machines with .NET Passport validation.

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    Unknown host pong.
    1. Re:In Related News... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Imagine if you did need to use your Passport ID to vote.

      I know I wouldn't want to log in to vote as sexychick466@hotmail.com.

  3. wait... what? by hellmarch · · Score: 2, Funny

    librertarian freaks? i think not. i'm a compasionate conservative anarchist.

    Make $5250 Guaranteed!!! All you need is a PayPal account and $25. We'll do the rest. Click here to find out how.

  4. Re:nutty? by Kiryat+Malachi · · Score: 2, Funny

    And once again, a /.er bravely steps up to the plate to play America's favorite game:

    Proving the point.

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    Mod me down, you fucking twits. Go ahead. I dare you.
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  5. Wow... by SbooX · · Score: 5, Funny
    'libertarian freaks, nuttily suspicious of centralized power', who would 'scream to the high heavens if they found anything wrong'.


    I guess they read /. at the NYT.
  6. A well-oiled WHAT? by 14erCleaner · · Score: 5, Funny
    From the article:

    Already, Australians have used the open-source strategy to build voting software for a state election, and it ran like a well-oiled Chevy.

    The last Chevy I owned was a '74 Vega, and it burned a quart of oil every 100 miles. I guess that's what he's referring to here.

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    Have you read my blog lately?
  7. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 1, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  8. Hmm, thanks NYT! by coupland · · Score: 4, Funny

    libertarian freaks, nuttily suspicious of centralized power', who would 'scream to the high heavens if they found anything wrong'

    Hmmm...

    libertarian...
    suspicious of centralized power...
    scream to high heaven if there is a loophole in the democratic system...

    Wow, three compliments in a row, Thanks NYT!!!

  9. Re:well.. not completely true by 14erCleaner · · Score: 4, Funny

    As a further exercise, find the real author's name and spell it correctly. (hint: several slashdotters have already posted it :)

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    Have you read my blog lately?
  10. Re:nutty? by Joe+Tie. · · Score: 4, Funny

    I know, imagine. Suggesting not only reading, but dull history at that. An obvious nut.

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    Everything will be taken away from you.
  11. Re:That would be perfect! by WindBourne · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...because Microsoft would be in charge of validating our ballots!

    I suspect that it would be however wrote the best worm that would control the election.

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    I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
  12. Re:Yeah, right by EvanED · · Score: 4, Funny

    "It's akin to the neighbor jumping through the window, rooting around inside, using your TV"

    Only if your TV ate through $300,000 worth of power while he was in there.

  13. Not a bug, but a feature by highwindarea · · Score: 2, Funny

    Geeks being "'libertarian freaks, nuttily suspicious of centralized power', who would 'scream to the high heavens if they found anything wrong'." is not a bug but a feature.

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    I think this internet thing sounds like a good idea
  14. Re:nutty? by Killer+Napkin · · Score: 2, Funny

    Socialists? I thought we were an autonomous collective.