Massive DDoS Cuts Myanmar Off From Net

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Massive DDoS Cuts Myanmar Off From Net

Posted by CmdrTaco on Thursday November 4, 2010 @05:00AM from the haven't-they-suffered-enough dept.

Trailrunner7 writes "The nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, found its access to the Internet severed by a massive denial of service attack, according to a report by Arbor Networks. The source or motivation of the attack isn't known, but it is believed that the distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks have targeted the country's Ministry of Post and Telecommunication (or PTT), the main conduit for Internet traffic in and out of the authoritarian nation."

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All the computers were unable to connect by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 05:01 · Score: 3, Funny

both of them.
1. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by devbox · 2010-11-04 05:10 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  Ah, the usual ignorance. Like every other Asian nation, Myanmar too has a lot net cafes people go to. I'm currently traveling between Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos and it's the same everywhere. And since one hour of computer use is usually charged less than half a dollar, it works great and if you want to you also have the usual multiplayer games you can play (along with cheap beer). It might actually be even better computer culture, since it's social activity and not just sitting alone at home.
2. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by VatuLevu · 2010-11-04 05:18 · Score: 0, Troll
  
  The irony is you seem completely ignorant of the fact that that was a joke!
  
  --
  Vinaka Jo
3. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by rakuen · 2010-11-04 05:27 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Being a joke doesn't preclude people from reacting negatively to it. I mean, haven't you told a racist joke before? You just read one, after all.
  
  That said, I'd like to personally apologize to the people of Myanmar. I know you're trying really hard for that third computer. You're almost there, just a bit more!
4. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by cheekyjohnson · 2010-11-04 05:33 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  "Being a joke doesn't preclude people from reacting negatively to it."
  Well, you can certainly conclude that people who do are extremely weak-minded.
  
  --
  Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
5. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 05:37 · Score: 0
  
  I thought the news said you two had no internet! What the f!
6. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by Monkeedude1212 · 2010-11-04 05:39 · Score: 1
  
  Why, because the only people who react negatively to jokes are under the influence of a jedi or sith lord?
7. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by techgarten · 2010-11-04 06:15 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  This isn't a joke. Shame on you. I've been there almost a half a dozen times, setting up hotel systems. If you have any idea what kind of censorship the good people of Myanmar go through every day, you'll understand. When I was there, almost every 3 months, GMail was blocked. But every one there had an email address. And guess what, they had a GMAIL address. Not Yahoo, not Hotmail (which were both accessible), but GMail. For the simple fact that they were told that could not have one. I love you Burma. And I am wishing that things get better.
8. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 06:17 · Score: 0
  
  It might actually be even better computer culture, since it's social activity and not just sitting alone at home.
  A more social computer culture, certainly. But can it really be described as 'better' when the users only operate other peoples' machines?
  Where's the impetus to learn how filesystems work if your chief contact with computers precludes you from going near one? Or programming? Or really anything but the operation of end-user applications?
9. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by Cutter892 · 2010-11-04 06:32 · Score: 0
  
  Yes, soon the XO laptop will get down to $50 each!
10. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by mcgrew · 2010-11-04 06:33 · Score: 1
  
  It might actually be even better computer culture, since it's social activity and not just sitting alone at home.
  Computer use in the presence of other people isn't any more social than reading a book in a room full of people. I take my netbook to the bar once in a while, and people are a distraction. If you want social interaction, go to a bar, church, or coffeehouse and leave the computer at home.
  
  --
  Free Martian Whores!
11. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 06:33 · Score: 0
  
  You just read one, after all.
  I detected no racism at all in this thread so far... what, exactly, is racist? This is a sincere question.
12. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 06:48 · Score: 0
  
  it's SOCIAL man. Don't you get it? anything SOCIAL is obviously better than intellectual pursuits that require solitude!
  SOCIAL is always better and if it's not SOCIAL then it only serves to isolate and dehumanize people. What could possibly be more anti-human than operating your privately owned machine alone?
13. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by rakuen · 2010-11-04 07:37 · Score: 0
  
  Arguably (because no one seems to pin a definition down), making a disparaging remark about a race or ethnic group constitutes racism. So, implying Myanmar is a technologically inept state is a disparaging remark against an ethnic group, and therefore racism.
14. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by Jah-Wren+Ryel · 2010-11-04 07:38 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  I mean, haven't you told a racist joke before? You just read one, after all.
  That wasn't a racist joke.
  It was a political joke referring to the junta's restrictions on internet use by the country's population.
  
  --
  When information is power, privacy is freedom.
15. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 07:44 · Score: 0
  
  The country was the butt of the joke, not the people.
  People from Myanmar are not a singular ethnic group anyway.
  There was no racism.
16. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by Gizzmonic · 2010-11-04 07:56 · Score: 1
  
  What could possibly be more anti-human than operating your privately owned machine alone?
  Posting about it on Slashdot?
  
  --
  (-1, Raw and Uncut is the only way to read)
17. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by pslytely+psycho · 2010-11-04 08:21 · Score: 1
  
  Well, if people who type are typists, and those who study science are scientists, then a racist must be someone who races cars?
  
  --
  Donald Trump, on a crusade to make Nixon look respectable
18. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by camperdave · 2010-11-04 08:45 · Score: 1
  
  Don't get me started on vegetarians and humanitarians.
  
  --
  When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
19. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by pslytely+psycho · 2010-11-04 09:52 · Score: 1
  
  Say, that could get interesting!
  
  --
  Donald Trump, on a crusade to make Nixon look respectable
20. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by hkmwbz · 2010-11-04 11:15 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  People who react negatively to jokes that promote xenophobic stereotypes are extremely weak-minded?
  
  --
  Clever signature text goes here.
21. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by cheekyjohnson · 2010-11-04 11:31 · Score: 1
  
  Yes.
  
  --
  Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
22. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 13:13 · Score: 0
  
  Both users were on Netflix during peak times
23. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by arkane1234 · 2010-11-04 14:18 · Score: 1
  
  Alright buddy, it's time to take the star wars dvds off of autoplay, and back away from the computer...
  
  --
  -- This space for lease, low setup fee, inquire within!
24. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by arkane1234 · 2010-11-04 14:21 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah, it was a joke.
  Otherwise, it'd be TRUE.
  Think that over on your next flight.
  
  --
  -- This space for lease, low setup fee, inquire within!
25. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by TapeCutter · 2010-11-04 20:17 · Score: 1
  
  "Being a joke doesn't preclude people from reacting negatively to it."
  Well, you can certainly conclude that people who do are extremely weak-minded.
  What a load of rubbish, people have the right to offend and be offended, it does not make either one of them weak-minded. However the expectation that labeling your speach a joke somehow magically takes away everyone else's right to be offended is a sign of a weak (or at best immature) mind.
  
  --
  And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
26. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by cheekyjohnson · 2010-11-05 03:24 · Score: 1
  
  "What a load of rubbish, people have the right to offend and be offended"
  Much like I have the right to offend people who are offended!
  "it does not make either one of them weak-minded"
  If they get mad over a simple joke, to me, it does. I personally think that anyone who gets upset over mere words (such as swear words) is a sign that they have a weak mind. They're just strings of imaginary letters.
  
  --
  Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
27. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by Trailwalker · 2010-11-05 07:51 · Score: 1
  
  I am only 12 years old. What is this "social activity" you speak of?
28. Re:All the computers were unable to connect by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-05 19:24 · Score: 0
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJuNgBkloFE
  
  People who react negatively to facts that promote xenophobic stereotypes are extremely weak minded?
  
  FTFY
  
  no, wait this is redundant, on so many levels.
Rambo by Enderandrew · 2010-11-04 05:03 · Score: 1

I suspect Rambo.

--
http://blindscribblings.com - Tasty pop-culture in conceptual fashion.
1. Re:Rambo by durrr · 2010-11-04 05:32 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  If the statistics from the latest rambo movie could be applied over a longer period of time it would take 38 years for rambo to kill the entire current population of Burma.
Ouch by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 05:05 · Score: 0

Ouch
yep by TideX · 2010-11-04 05:06 · Score: 0

and nothing of value was lost
1. Re:yep by countSudoku() · 2010-11-04 05:09 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  How the fuck am I supposed to get my news from the Myanmar Country Gazette web site, you insensitive clod!?!?
  
  --
  This is the NSA, we're gonna geet U h@x0r5! Also, what is a h@x0r5?
2. Re:yep by Arancaytar · 2010-11-04 06:06 · Score: 1
  
  Hey, at least this way they won't sue you for reading page two.
3. Re:yep by socsoc · 2010-11-04 08:12 · Score: 1
  
  Well you could read page two if you hadn't read page one.
4. Re:yep by IrquiM · 2010-11-04 11:35 · Score: 1
  
  Watch it on TV? DVB
  
  --
  This is blinging
Posting it on slashdot by ewhenn · 2010-11-04 05:09 · Score: 5, Funny

... will help them out.

clever attempt at social engneering for more /dot effect! :P
1. Re:Posting it on slashdot by IrquiM · 2010-11-04 11:27 · Score: 1
  
  We've never /dot'ed a country before, have we?
  
  --
  This is blinging
and nobody noticed by digitaldc · 2010-11-04 05:09 · Score: 2, Funny

Myanmar is what now?

--
He who knows best knows how little he knows. - Thomas Jefferson
1. Re:and nobody noticed by wickedskaman · 2010-11-04 05:20 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  It's the stuff those big shiny balloons are made of.
  
  --
  Sand's overrated... it's just tiny little rocks.
2. Re:and nobody noticed by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 06:27 · Score: 0
  
  For those who miss the joke: Mylar
Burma by owlnation · 2010-11-04 05:10 · Score: 4, Informative

Since the U.S. (and many other countries) uses the name "Burma", due to not recognizing the Military Junta that currently rules this country, should /. not follow suit?

Seems to me that if your country is ruled by a military junta, having your internet cut off is only to be expected. Being next door to China probably doesn't help.
1. Re:Burma by Canazza · 2010-11-04 05:13 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  It's not based on country, merely the leanings of the people you work for that decide which name you give it. Yes, the UK and US generally go for Burma, but even in the UK some call it Myanmar.
  
  --
  It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for being subtle.
2. Re:Burma by amicusNYCL · 2010-11-04 05:13 · Score: 1
  
  Since the U.S. (and many other countries) uses the name "Burma", due to not recognizing the Military Junta that currently rules this country, should /. not follow suit?
  Should the US government dictate what countries are called? Maybe we should ask the residents of Chinese Taipei.
  
  --
  "Our two-party system is like a bowl of shit looking at itself in a mirror." - Lewis Black
3. Re:Burma by Monkeedude1212 · 2010-11-04 05:14 · Score: 1
  
  Since the U.S. (and many other countries) uses the name "Burma", due to not recognizing the Military Junta that currently rules this country, should /. not follow suit?
  They decided to cave in just this once to everyone's demands about Slashdot users not being US centric.
  Don't worry, your polls will still be in inches and pounds.
4. Re:Burma by Orga · 2010-11-04 05:16 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  The U.S.? You yourself use outdated names for nations. Please refer to the United Federation of Conglomerated Corporations properly.
5. Re:Burma by e4g4 · 2010-11-04 05:19 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Since the U.S. (and many other countries) uses the name "Burma",
  due to not recognizing the Military Junta that currently rules this country,
  should /. not follow suit?
  Burma shave.
  
  --
  The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources. - Albert Einstein
6. Re:Burma by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 05:19 · Score: 0, Troll
  
  Only PC wimps call it Myanmar.
7. Re:Burma by Ryanrule · 2010-11-04 05:22 · Score: 0, Troll
  
  i just call it hellhole
8. Re:Burma by circletimessquare · 2010-11-04 05:25 · Score: 1
  
  the trend is of countries previously under the thumb of european powers to reject their colonial names. for example, madras is now chennai, rhodesia is now zimbabwe, northwest territories is now nunavut, etc.
  it's a healthy trend, but in burma/ myanmar's specific case the renaming happened under a regime which can fairly be called more brutal than anything that happened under colonialism there. many burmese themselves reject the renaming for this very reason
  therefore you have the healthy desire to reject colonial names, but the unhealthy desire to embrace policies of a brutal kleptocratic genocidal military junta. thus, we have the uncertainty about what to call the place. we have to make up our own minds on the matter
  i am going to call the place burma, to be in line with what actual burmese want to call the place, who are fighting the brutal military junta. if they do ever overthrow the junta, if they choose to call the place myanmar, or whatever, i will follow suit. but since i do respect the current regime in power in myanmar/ burma, i have to instead respect the wishes of those who are rightfully fighting the brutal kleptocrats
  
  --
  intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
9. Re:Burma by clarkkent09 · 2010-11-04 05:31 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  regime which can fairly be called more brutal than anything that happened under colonialism there.
  
  That's an understatement. From Wikipedia:
  
  Under British administration, Burma was the second-wealthiest country in South-East Asia. It had been the world's largest exporter of rice. During British administration, Burma supplied oil through the Burmah Oil Company. Burma also had a wealth of natural and labor resources. It produced 75% of the world's teak and had a highly literate population. The country was believed to be on the fast track to development.
  ...
  After a parliamentary government was formed in 1948, Prime Minister U Nu disastrously attempted to make Burma a welfare state and adopted central planning. Rice exports fell by two thirds and mineral exports by over 96%. Plans were partly financed by printing money, which led to inflation. The 1962 coup d'état was followed by an economic scheme called the Burmese Way to Socialism, a plan to nationalize all industries, with the exception of agriculture. The catastrophic program turned Burma into one of the world's most impoverished countries. Burma's admittance to Least Developed Country status by the UN in 1987 highlighted its economic bankruptcy.
  ...
  The economy is still rated as the least free in Asia (tied with North Korea). All fundamental market institutions are suppressed. Private enterprises are often co-owned or indirectly owned by state. The corruption watchdog organisation Transparency International in its 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index released on 26 September 2007 ranked Burma the most corrupt country in the world, tied with Somalia.
  
  --
  Negative moral value of force outweighs the positive value of good intentions.
10. Re:Burma by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 05:36 · Score: 0
  
  If you work for Mr Peterman, it will always be "burma"
11. Re:Burma by ElectricTurtle · 2010-11-04 05:41 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  As far as I'm concerned, Burma is simply the English name. Just like English speakers say 'France' or formally 'French Republic' instead of 'Republique Francaise', and the Germans call it 'Frankreich'. If people want to read a bunch of chauvinism into it that's their problem, but be sure to wag your finger at every other language that has different names for countries. And I expect you to start calling Norway 'Norge', Greece 'Hellas', Sweden 'Sverige', etc. etc. you politically correct twit.
  
  --
  I support the Slashcott and will not be reading or commenting from 2/10/14 to 2/17/14. Beta is steaming pile of dog shit
12. Re:Burma by h4rr4r · 2010-11-04 05:43 · Score: 0
  
  Or we could face reality and call it what it is, Myanmar.
  Claiming it ain't so is childish and does not change reality.
13. Re:Burma by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 05:44 · Score: 0
  
  the trend is of countries previously under the thumb of european powers to reject their colonial names. for example, madras is now chennai, rhodesia is now zimbabwe, northwest territories is now nunavut, etc.
  (bolding mine)
  {Pedantic rant}
  You realize that Northwest Territories has always been, and is still part of Canada? Nunavut is a new territory of Canada, and Northwest Territories was never a separate nation.
  {End rant}
14. Re:Burma by BrianRoach · 2010-11-04 05:45 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Not to mention that it's amazingly coincidental that the internet goes away days before the first elections in 20 years.
  No election observers, no foreign journalists, no connection with internet. All signs point to the junta cutting off its people from the rest of the world.
15. Re:Burma by h4rr4r · 2010-11-04 05:45 · Score: 0
  
  Or people who care about reality and not your feelings. Seems far more PC to call it Burma so the tards around here do not get mad.
16. Re:Burma by h4rr4r · 2010-11-04 05:47 · Score: 1
  
  Is the brutal military junta not made out of former Burmese?
  I do not respect most of the US government, but I do not refer to it as the thirteen colonies.
17. Re:Burma by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 05:55 · Score: 0
  
  Both Burma and Myanmar are spelling kludges to try to get speakers of British English to pronounce the name close to the way they do there.
  It's really something like Bama; there aren't any R sounds in it at all!
18. Re:Burma by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 06:05 · Score: 0
  
  Seems to me that if your country is ruled by a military junta, having your internet cut off is only to be expected.
  They probably attacked themselves to limit information exposure related to the upcoming elections.
19. Re:Burma by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 06:05 · Score: 0
  
  Hook, line and sinker.
20. Re:Burma by Timex · 2010-11-04 06:09 · Score: 1
  
  In the same vein, "Germany" has no name (that I am aware of) in English that is remotely close to what the natives call it: Deutchland.
  So... Yeah. "Burma is the English name for that patch of land" works for me.
  
  --
  When politicians are involved, everyone loses.
21. Re:Burma by Jesus_666 · 2010-11-04 06:12 · Score: 1
  
  Console users call it "gay".
  
  --
  USE HOT GRITS WITH STATUE OF NATALIE PORTMAN (NAKED AND PETRIFIED)
22. Re:Burma by takowl · 2010-11-04 06:29 · Score: 1
  
  Well, we do refer to the Dutch. We just got a bit confused about where they come from. The people we call the Dutch call themselves Nederlanders.
23. Re:Burma by clone53421 · 2010-11-04 06:34 · Score: 1
  
  To finish off that hopelessly confusing statement, the Dutch (who call themselves Nederlanders) come from a country which English-speaking people call the Netherlands, while the Pennsylvania Dutch (deutsch) actually came from Germany (Deutschland).
  
  --
  Alexander Peter Kristopeit bought his basement from his mommy for one dollar.
24. Re:Burma by vux984 · 2010-11-04 06:46 · Score: 1
  
  To finish off that hopelessly confusing statement, the Dutch (who call themselves Nederlanders) come from a country which English-speaking people call the Netherlands
  Nope the confusion isn't remotely finished yet:
  Most of the english speaking people I know call the country the Dutch come from Holland.
  To ratchet up the confusion even further, Holland is a province in the Netherlands.
25. Re:Burma by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 06:47 · Score: 0
  
  I thought we Americans called it 'Doucheland' because it's the land of washed out assholes?
26. Re:Burma by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 06:50 · Score: 1, Insightful
  
  which English-speaking people call the Netherlands
  Either the Netherlands, or Holland, which just adds to the confusion, since two of the eleven provinces are called Noord Holland and Zuid Holland (north and south), and in general people from the other 9 provinces dont consider themselves hollanders, some will even take offence to the term...
27. Re:Burma by bhcompy · 2010-11-04 06:56 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  Who put "Made in Taiwan" on all their goods. Taipei is merely used so the Chinese won't have any more reason than they already have to take it back in to its busom, and nations go with it because China can fuck all your shit up no matter who you are.
28. Re:Burma by bmo · 2010-11-04 07:06 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  Actually, the Pennsylvania Dutch came from both the Low Countries (BENELUX) and Germany.
  "Even old New York was once New Amsterdam. Why they changed it I can't say. People just liked it better that way!" - TMBG
  --
  BMO
29. Re:Burma by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 07:16 · Score: 0
  
  northwest territories is now nunavut, etc.
  You mean Nunavut split from the Northwest Territories to form a new territory. Not exactly the same.
30. Re:Burma by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 07:16 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  US ignores
  Their new name
  Parent wants Slashdot
  To do the same.
  BURMA SHAVE!
31. Re:Burma by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 07:39 · Score: 0
  
  Since the U.S. (and many other countries) uses the name "Burma", due to not recognizing the Military Junta that currently rules this country, should /. not follow suit?
  If "proper" articles
  are what you crave
  maybe you should call it
  Myanmar Shave
32. Re:Burma by mooingyak · 2010-11-04 07:43 · Score: 1
  
  And the Holland tunnel connects NYC to New Jersey.
  
  --
  William of Ockham had no beard. The most likely explanation is that it was chewed off by squirrels every morning.
33. Re:Burma by PCM2 · 2010-11-04 08:21 · Score: 1
  
  And NYC was once called New Amsterdam, which is derived from the name of a Dutch city in Holland, the Netherlands. QED.
  (BTW, the Dutch people I know refer to their home country as Holland; calling it the Netherlands is more formal, while if you're talking about your homeland it's Holland.)
  
  --
  Breakfast served all day!
34. Re:Burma by mcgrew · 2010-11-04 08:44 · Score: 1
  
  It was called "Burma" when I was in Thailand in 1974. How about we stop calling cars "cars" and start calling them "franlobs"? It's the same damned thing. Burma isn't the new name, Myanmar is.
  
  --
  Free Martian Whores!
35. Re:Burma by Kittenman · 2010-11-04 09:53 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  Under British administration, Burma was the second-wealthiest country in South-East Asia. It had been the world's largest exporter of rice. During British administration, Burma supplied oil through the Burmah Oil Company. Burma also had a wealth of natural and labor resources. It produced 75% of the world's teak and had a highly literate population. The country was believed to be on the fast track to development. ... After a parliamentary government was formed in 1948, Prime Minister U Nu disastrously attempted to make Burma a welfare state and adopted central planning. Rice exports fell by two thirds and mineral exports by over 96%. Plans were partly financed by printing money, which led to inflation. The 1962 coup d'état was followed by an economic scheme called the Burmese Way to Socialism, a plan to nationalize all industries, with the exception of agriculture. The catastrophic program turned Burma into one of the world's most impoverished countries. Burma's admittance to Least Developed Country status by the UN in 1987 highlighted its economic bankruptcy. ... The economy is still rated as the least free in Asia (tied with North Korea). All fundamental market institutions are suppressed. Private enterprises are often co-owned or indirectly owned by state. The corruption watchdog organisation Transparency International in its 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index released on 26 September 2007 ranked Burma the most corrupt country in the world, tied with Somalia.
  Dare I say - an example of benevolent colonialism? It's not always bad, y'know. Check out Zimbabwe for another example of a country that's gone down the toilet since the Brits moved out.
  
  --
  "The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes" - Winston Churchill
36. Re:Burma by sjames · 2010-11-04 09:53 · Score: 1
  
  Except for the Pennsylvania Dutch whose ancestors came from Deutschland (Germany).
37. Re:Burma by camperdave · 2010-11-04 10:30 · Score: 1
  
  Istanbul (not Constaninople)
  
  --
  When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
38. Re:Burma by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 10:33 · Score: 0
  
  I expect we can call ElectricTurtle 'ElectricTurd', so we can be Correct Twitters.
  But it's ok. We love you anyway....
39. Re:Burma by vux984 · 2010-11-04 11:57 · Score: 1
  
  (BTW, the Dutch people I know refer to their home country as Holland; calling it the Netherlands is more formal, while if you're talking about your homeland it's Holland.)
  Yes, but is that because the Dutch people you know are from the province Holland in the Netherlands? Or do -all- Dutch people tend to refer to the country as Holland even if they aren't from the Holland part?
40. Re:Burma by arkane1234 · 2010-11-04 14:30 · Score: 1
  
  Both are hook, line, and sinker in someone's eyes.
  There are those that think calling it Myanmar is PC, then there are those that think calling it Burma is PC.
  I call it "that place that's having a DDoS attack".
  
  --
  -- This space for lease, low setup fee, inquire within!
41. Re:Burma by mirix · 2010-11-04 17:50 · Score: 1
  
  You mean when you were in Siam? ;-)
  
  --
  Sent from my PDP-11
42. Re:Burma by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 18:19 · Score: 0
  
  That's what happens when you try to do what the US did without the education, wisdom, or restraint of our founders. We were DAMN LUCKY to have those guys, and not the power-hungry dolts that run most revolutions.
43. Re:Burma by Chris+Mattern · 2010-11-04 21:03 · Score: 1
  
  Technically speaking, Holland is a part of the Netherlands. The other parts actually don't care much for Holland being identified with the whole Netherlands.
44. Re:Burma by PCM2 · 2010-11-04 22:25 · Score: 1
  
  No, the friend I see most often is from Zeist, east of the city of Utrecht, and he most definitely calls the country Holland, all the time.
  
  --
  Breakfast served all day!
45. Re:Burma by PCM2 · 2010-11-04 22:27 · Score: 1
  
  As I just replied to a previous poster, the friend I see most often is from Zeist, which is technically in the province of Utrecht, but he refers to the country as a whole as Holland, almost universally. Maybe that's because he learned English in schools that had a UK-centric view of Europe, but I dunno.
  
  --
  Breakfast served all day!
46. Re:Burma by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 23:51 · Score: 0
  
  In the same vein, "Germany" has no name (that I am aware of) in English that is remotely close to what the natives call it: Deutchland.
  Actually, they call it "Deutschland". ;)
  But in all seriousness, I know this is off-topic, but Wikipedia has a fascinating article on the names of Germany: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_Germany . Everything you ever wanted to know about what Germany is called in various languages, where the names come from, and more!
47. Re:Burma by FrozenFOXX · 2010-11-05 05:09 · Score: 1
  
  And NYC was once called New Amsterdam, which is derived from the name of a Dutch city in Holland, the Netherlands. QED.
  (BTW, the Dutch people I know refer to their home country as Holland; calling it the Netherlands is more formal, while if you're talking about your homeland it's Holland.)
  Seriously I think my head just exploded.
  
  --
  "Just a fox, a whisper."
48. Re:Burma by mcgrew · 2010-11-09 04:10 · Score: 1
  
  Oddly, the natives of Thailand call their country "Bangkok". So I have no idea why it was ever called "Siam" or "Thailand".
  
  --
  Free Martian Whores!
Now I can't buy my tiger skins online.... by Orga · 2010-11-04 05:11 · Score: 1

ughhh frustration
Unknown? by AlfaMike · 2010-11-04 05:13 · Score: 1

"The source or motivation of the attack isn't known" ... "authoritarian nation." Take a wild guess for the motivation.
1. Re:Unknown? by ElectricTurtle · 2010-11-04 05:25 · Score: 1
  
  Anonymous: Operation BURMA SHAVE
  
  (hehehe)
  
  --
  I support the Slashcott and will not be reading or commenting from 2/10/14 to 2/17/14. Beta is steaming pile of dog shit
2. Re:Unknown? by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 05:43 · Score: 0
  
  That would make an awesome movie title.
3. Re:Unknown? by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 05:44 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  Ad campaign ... For users of razors ... You won't need to shave ... When I'M FIRIN' MAH LAZ0RZ ... /b/urma Shave
4. Re:Unknown? by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 06:40 · Score: 0
  
  "The source or motivation of the attack isn't known"
  
  Nothing to do with this, of course:
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmese_general_election,_2010
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11695284
According to Wikipedia... by Frosty+Piss · 2010-11-04 05:13 · Score: 3, Informative

Myanmar...
According to Wikipedia, it's still called "Burma", not Myanmar.

--
If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
1. Re:According to Wikipedia... by rakuen · 2010-11-04 05:17 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Yes, it says Burma for the article title. Then directly after it, on the first line, it says it is officially the "Republic of the Union of Myanmar." Not to mention Myanmar redirects to the article.
2. Re:According to Wikipedia... by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 05:19 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Attacks sent / to Myanmar / Have no internet / Near and far / Burma-Shave
3. Re:According to Wikipedia... by corbettw · 2010-11-04 05:19 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Why'd they change it? Did people just like it better that way?
  
  --
  God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.
4. Re:According to Wikipedia... by clarkkent09 · 2010-11-04 05:23 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Why'd they change it? Did people just like it better that way?
  
  I don't think people have much of a say when they live under a military dictatorship.
  
  --
  Negative moral value of force outweighs the positive value of good intentions.
5. Re:According to Wikipedia... by coolsnowmen · 2010-11-04 05:26 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  USA, in a pro-democracy stance, still officially recognize it as Burma because ruling military of Burma declared it Myanmar and refused to allow the democratically elected government to take power (1989).
6. Re:According to Wikipedia... by Bert64 · 2010-11-04 05:28 · Score: 1
  
  Burma was the name given to the country when the british invaded it, i dont think the government currently there really wants to be reminded of that.
  
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7. Re:According to Wikipedia... by Jeremy+Erwin · 2010-11-04 05:29 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  The stars commanded it.
8. Re:According to Wikipedia... by Frosty+Piss · 2010-11-04 05:30 · Score: 1
  
  Yes, it says Burma for the article title. Then directly after it...
  Read the discussion of the name issue on the article's discussion page, and you'll see the point I didn't make too well...
  
  --
  If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
9. Re:According to Wikipedia... by ctnp · 2010-11-04 05:36 · Score: 1
  
  Why'd they change it? Did people just like it better that way?
  That's nobody's business but the Burm's
10. Re:According to Wikipedia... by h4rr4r · 2010-11-04 05:52 · Score: 1
  
  You call it pro-democracy I call it anti-reality. Pretending it never happened is not a way to solve anything.
11. Re:According to Wikipedia... by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 05:52 · Score: 0
  
  I can't say.
12. Re:According to Wikipedia... by Thelasko · 2010-11-04 06:04 · Score: 1
  
  Why'd they change it? Did people just like it better that way?
  
  I don't think people have much of a say when they live under a military dictatorship.
  Whoosh!
  
  --
  One of our competitors trademarked the term "hypothesis". From now on, we will call them "boneheaded ideas".
13. Re:According to Wikipedia... by timster · 2010-11-04 06:22 · Score: 1
  
  "Reality"? That's a bit of a stretch. Who decides what a country is "really" called? You're just going to accept the decisions of whoever has the most guns?
  
  --
  I have seen the future, and it is inconvenient.
14. Re:According to Wikipedia... by blair1q · 2010-11-04 06:29 · Score: 1
  
  Who decides what a country is "really" called? You're just going to accept the decisions of whoever has the most guns?
  That's usually how it's done.
15. Re:According to Wikipedia... by h4rr4r · 2010-11-04 07:15 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah, that is the traditional method.
16. Re:According to Wikipedia... by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 07:29 · Score: 0
  
  Right, which is why it's so hysterical that liberal trolls such as yourself recognize little tinhat regimes like the military government of Myanmar while refusing to recognize the sovereign state of Israel's claim on the land currently occupied by some rag-tag camel fuckers claiming they're the nonexistent country of Palestine.
17. Re:According to Wikipedia... by h4rr4r · 2010-11-04 07:55 · Score: 1
  
  When did I ever say I believed that?
  Personally in that one both are as guilty as the other and the UN even more so. I believe Israel is just an apartheid state forcing those folks into that area in the same way the USA once forced Indians onto reservations.
18. Re:According to Wikipedia... by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 10:51 · Score: 0
  
  If that's what wikipedia says, it's gotta be right!
19. Re:According to Wikipedia... by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 11:23 · Score: 0
  
  That's nobody's business but the... Myanmartians?
20. Re:According to Wikipedia... by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-05 01:44 · Score: 0
  
  Hmm, abbreviated as RUM. That's a bit too strong for the warm climate over there I guess.
Oblig. quote by HiggsBison · 2010-11-04 05:17 · Score: 2, Funny

Q: Why did you say "Burma"?
A: I panicked.

--
My other car is a 1984 Nark Avenger.
And just as they are about to recover... by pscottdv · 2010-11-04 05:18 · Score: 1

they get slashdotted!

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this signature has been removed due to a DMCA takedown notice
15Gps by Thaxll · 2010-11-04 05:24 · Score: 1

15Gps takes down a 48M country. Impressive.
Burma? by CompMD · 2010-11-04 05:25 · Score: 4, Funny

DDoS
Problems?
Script
Kiddies
Punch 'em
Out
Burma
Shave
1. Re:Burma? by d474 · 2010-11-04 05:39 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah, it just wouldn't sound the same if it ended with "Myanmar Shave".
  
  --
  Authority questions you. Return the favor.
2. Re:Burma? by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 06:57 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  In Myanmar
  through nerd's obsession
  DDoS hits
  gone are your sessions
  Burma-Shave.
3. Re:Burma? by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 08:28 · Score: 0
  
  It should come as no shock to you that, yes, Burma-Shave derived its name from Burma and the surrounding region, from where its makers claimed to import its ingredients.
4. Re:Burma? by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 09:22 · Score: 0
  
  Me 'n' Ma Brave
  came down to Burma
  noticed the DDoS
  well here burns Karma
  Myanmar-shave
5. Re:Burma? by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 09:34 · Score: 0
  
  Toothbrush moustaches
  are out of fashion
  get a clean shave
  enslave with passion
  Myanmar-Shave
Too bad... by hesaigo999ca · 2010-11-04 05:26 · Score: 1

I guess now we wont know when the end of the world will be,
as we no longer have online access to the Myanmarian calendar.....
or was that mayan, i get those 2 confused all the time....
Correction by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 05:32 · Score: 0

The nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma
Should read:
The nation of Burma, alternatively known as "Myanmar" by those who recognise the junta as a legitimate government.
1. Re:Correction by h4rr4r · 2010-11-04 07:24 · Score: 1
  
  So what do you call China, North Korea, Pakistan, etc etc etc?
Brilliant by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 05:38 · Score: 1, Insightful

"Hey guys, I just got a great idea. How about we make a statement to the most authoritarian and oppressive government on the face of the Earth?"
"I like it. What do you have in mind?"
"Here's what we're going to do. We're going to cut off the entire country from the most democratic medium on the planet and the best source for the free flow of information. We'll kill their internet connection!"
"Kill the free flow of information to an authoritarian nation? Brilliant! I'm sure the people of Burma will really appreciate that."
1. Re:Brilliant by Tr3vin · 2010-11-04 06:01 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  In a place like Burma, the normal citizens are not accessing any form of the Internet. The people of Burma would really appreciate having control of their own country, or maybe food. The Internet is pretty far down on the list.
2. Re:Brilliant by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 21:15 · Score: 0
  
  In a place like Burma, the normal citizens are not accessing any form of the Internet.
  But in Myanmar, they are.
Myanmar Times? by Frosty+Piss · 2010-11-04 05:39 · Score: 2, Informative

Perhaps you mean these people?

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If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
Burmese junta stiffed Chinese military on payments by swb · 2010-11-04 05:44 · Score: 1

(there should be a ? at the end; why are Slashdot subjects so short?)
Maybe the Burmese junta had some deal with the Chinese military and/or Chinese organized crime and stiffed them?
Is it opium extract season?
Operation Burma by NetServices · 2010-11-04 05:54 · Score: 1

Maybe its a test run before they strike second or first world countries.
Massive argument over name disrupts thread by blair1q · 2010-11-04 06:31 · Score: 1

Seriously. /. is supposed to be full of net wonks and we get this pissy pile of subthreads about the name of the place?
There were 71 posts when I came in. You all should have found the h4xx0rz by now.
Burma? by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 06:39 · Score: 0

as in Burma Shave?
Burma by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 06:42 · Score: 0

Burma is the official choose by elected people before military dictatorship.
What is "Myanmar"? by X_DARK_X · 2010-11-04 10:06 · Score: 0

Is that kind of like North Korean Kingdom of Heaven or the Saudi's Arabia?
Single DS-3 Bandwidth by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 12:27 · Score: 0

According to a BBC article http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11693214 , the country of Burma has 45Mbps connectivity to the internet. That is a single DS-3 connection and 50 broadband connected PCs can flood that type of connection ... until the firewall guys start blocking those specific IPs.
1. Re:Single DS-3 Bandwidth by Sulphur · 2010-11-04 16:03 · Score: 1
  
  According to a BBC article http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11693214 , the country of Burma has 45Mbps connectivity to the internet. That is a single DS-3 connection and 50 broadband connected PCs can flood that type of connection ... until the firewall guys start blocking those specific IPs.
  In related news, a bot net of 50 machines has declared war on Burma. Wikileaks is silent on the subject.
I see a pattern. by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 12:48 · Score: 0

Don't they use the US units system? (inches, feet etc.)
If Liberia is the next target, I suppose the US comes afterwards...
Aung San Suu Kyi house arrest extended. by srodden · 2010-11-04 14:39 · Score: 2

In related news, the junta uses the DDOS as an excuse to extend Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest by another decade.

--
Why can't we let people believe whatever they like? It's not like a little religion has ever hurt anyone.
So take me back to Constantinople by Anonymous Coward · 2010-11-04 18:45 · Score: 0

n/t
Myanmar vs. Burma by John+Bayko · 2010-11-05 04:43 · Score: 1

As I understand it, the social/political situation is complicated, but you can view it as "Burma" refers to the people (and overthrown democratic government, long disappeared in practice), and "Myanmar" refers to the military rulers and government, and supporters. "Myanmar" is essentially still at war with "Burma" (most of the people still consider themselves Burmese) but it has stopped short of genocide.
After the Boxing Day tsunami, Myanmar used soldiers to prevent aid workers from even attempting to help the injured Burmese, leading to thousands of more deaths. Since these were Burmese and not Myanmar, the Myanmar government didn't even pretend to care about them.