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GeoHot Asks For Donations To Fight Sony

mede writes "In an interesting turn of events, Sony might have stumbled into a tough nut to crack. George Hotz (aka GeoHot) famous for his iPhone hacking achievements, is planning on fighting the big corporation on removing his free speech rights at utilizing his fully paid for hardware. Hotz has always claimed being anti-piracy (since iPhone activities) and says he has never pirated any game or even signed PSN agreements. He's asking for donations to fight Sony back and try to achieve something similar to what was previously accomplished by the EFF with regard to cellphones. I've already donated."

470 comments

  1. $20 for the fighting spirit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    My small contribution to a great cause.

    1. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by klagermkii · · Score: 1

      .. and matched.

    2. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Anubis350 · · Score: 1

      ..matched as well, this is an important fight!

      --
      "goodbye and hello, as always" ~Prince Corwin, from Zelazny's Amber series
    3. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by aliquis · · Score: 0

      How can I be sure this isn't some sort of trap setup by lawyers around the globe? :D

    4. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by flimflammer · · Score: 2

      Matching your donation

    5. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by tqk · · Score: 2, Insightful

      ... this is an important fight!

      With respect, what's happening in Tunisia, Egypt, Iran, Libya, Bahrain, ...

      Is important. This's just fun. Have some perspective. Carry on.

      --
      "Tongue tied and twisted, just an Earth bound misfit ..." -- Pink Floyd.
    6. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by fimbulvetr · · Score: 1

      Matched, and the only sony device I have is an alarm clock!

    7. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Phoshi · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This is important in a different way. Nobody's life is in the balance, but consumer freedoms are. Just because there are more important things in the world does not mean everything else is unimportant.

    8. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by BLKMGK · · Score: 2

      $50 from me as well. This is BS and while not everyone agrees with the work he has done the methods being used to shut him down MUST be fought!

      --
      Build it, Drive it, Improve it! Hybridz.org
    9. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Azelphur · · Score: 1

      Matched, Down with Sony :)

    10. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Vaphell · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Tunisia Egypt Iran Libya Bahrain are small blips on a radar of history. It will sort out 1 way or another and life will go on. Some people died? Business as usual on planet Earth. Someone will lose power and someone else will raise to power? Business as usual on planet Earth.
      Sony case may have bigger long lasting effect than unrest in some peasant countries nobody cares about. It shows the slow erosion of consumer rights which translates to big international corporations = pimps, Joe Nobody = bitch. In 10 years nobody will remember Egypt, but sure many will remember 'in ancient times i used to have certain rights as a customer, you know - first sale doctrine, fair use, right to resell and shit'. That affects lives of *everybody* now and in every generation to come. Governments are changed, citizens born and die, yet corporations are eternal - think twice if it's worth to ignore their power grab.

    11. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by mug+funky · · Score: 1

      this is possibly the most perfect troll i've ever read here.

      no sarcasm evident in it's tone whatsoever - only the madness of the post gives it away.

      thank you for making my day :)

      btw, pyramids.

    12. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by mug+funky · · Score: 1

      1 too many!

      i think i have a few sony branded audio CDs around and 1 or two DV tapes.

      usually because that's all that was stocked and i was in a hurry. monopolies and category killing isn't my favourite way of securing a sale, but whatevs.

    13. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by tqk · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Tunisia Egypt Iran Libya Bahrain are small blips on a radar of history.

      Really!?! Millions of people in previously authoritarian ruled countries social organize and tell their ruler(s), nope, not goin' along anymore.

      It is never a small blip when a people/nation erupt together in indignation.

      --
      "Tongue tied and twisted, just an Earth bound misfit ..." -- Pink Floyd.
    14. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by rhook · · Score: 0

      ... this is an important fight!

      With respect, what's happening in Tunisia, Egypt, Iran, Libya, Bahrain, ...

      Is important. This's just fun. Have some perspective. Carry on.

      Those countries are all going to replace one dictator with another, no real change is happening and in most cases the people will probably end up being worse off in the end. So long as countries in the Middle East are controlled by Islam it will always be this way, Islam does not allow for freedom.

    15. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by rhook · · Score: 1, Informative

      Do you think the people in those countries will put someone better into power? They'll just replace one Islamic dictator with another and nothing will really change.

    16. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Matched plus the cost of a brand new PS3 :P

    17. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by tqk · · Score: 0

      So long as countries in the Middle East are controlled by Islam it will always be this way, Islam does not allow for freedom.

      Yeah, yeah. I raise you Giordano Bruno and Galileo. And birth control.

      Learn a sense of history! It was Arabs who saved Hellenic Greek writings for us to rediscover. Life is all ebb and flow! I'd rather they were with us. You, apparently, just want to make their lands glow. How enlightened of you.

      --
      "Tongue tied and twisted, just an Earth bound misfit ..." -- Pink Floyd.
    18. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      How can I be sure this isn't some sort of trap setup by lawyers around the globe? :D

      Because there's still nothing wrong with donating money.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    19. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by PopeRatzo · · Score: 5, Funny

      Matched, and the only sony device I have is an alarm clock!

      I haven't bought a Sony product since the portable AM/FM/Weather radio I bought for when I walk the dog and want to listen to the Blackhawks game.

      But besides throwing $20 into the Geohot pot just because Sony has been fucking with them so badly, I think I'm going to go out and buy my first PS3 - a used model that I'm going to buy just so I can hack it. Then, I'll find some deserving 13 year-old and give the jailbroken PS3 to him or her. And a stack of blank DVD-Rs.

      Contributing to the delinquency of a minor? Perhaps, but I'm just continuing in the tradition of the 19 year old with the fake IDs who bought me and my pals beer when I was just a little shrimp. And look how I turned out. OK, bad example, but I'm still gonna go out and buy a used PS3 to hack.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    20. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Fnkmaster · · Score: 1

      One Benjamin from me.

      I remember GeoHot from back in the early days of iPhone jailbreaking. Back when we were using TurboSIMs and stuff, we're talking mid-2007 era. George Hotz came out with the first hardware unlock of the original iPhone. I actually purchased my iPhone (moving from a Treo 650, as I recall) after I saw that he'd broken it wide open.

      So yeah, he's earned it. Thanks George Hotz, keep up the good work.

    21. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      i think i have a few sony branded audio CDs around and 1 or two DV tapes.

      I've got a killer Minidisc recorder with really good AD/DA converters that I still use to make field recordings. I bought it at a garage sale from someone who didn't seem to know what it was. It replaced my old Sony TCD-5M that was the Nagra of portable cassette recorders for a while.

      Someday, I'll replace the Minidisc recorder with a proper portable digital audio recorder, but I won't buy a Sony because I hate that CompactFlash or whatever they call their proprietary flash media. If I'm gonna shell out for a good digital audio recorder, it's got to have an SD slot like god intended. Not that those Sony portable digital audio recorders look bad. They're probably decent but I long ago swore off ever buying Sony anything because they are hostile to their customers, and there's nothing they make that someone else doesn't also make and probably better.

      In fact, I'm thinking of tossing my old Sony AM/FM/Wx radio that I use for listening to Sox and Blackhawks games while I walk the dog and replacing it with one of those lovely Sangean pocket radios. I know for a fact that they are way way better than the Sony radios, though about $10 more expensive.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    22. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      This has been some big philanthropic weekend for me. First, I sent $14 to the Wisconsin Democratic Party (one for each of the brave Dem senators who split the state in accordance with the teachings of Sun Tzu) and now $20 to Geohot.

      Between the two, I'm probably marked for death by the Koch brothers or that piece of shit Howard Stringer.

      By the way, if you're so inclined, the website for the brave cheeshead senators is democracyforamerica.com (but only if your interested in protecting democracy from a pair of billionaire Bircher shitheels who would like to see you working for $3/hr while your kids assemble Sony radios for seventy cents an hour).

      Also, here is the official photo portrait of those Koch Brothers. For reference purposes. May their names be erased from the Book of Life.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    23. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by rhook · · Score: 1

      Um, both of those men were Italians and the Arabs did not save Hellenic Greek writings "for us to rediscover".

    24. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by rhook · · Score: 1

      I forgot to mention that birth control was also likely a Greek invention.

    25. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not to start a dick-waving contest here (especially among Anonymous Cowards), but I put in $100. Now if only somebody would do something similar for the bullshit state of software, we'd be golden. "Buy" software my ass.

    26. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by mooingyak · · Score: 3, Funny

      That's just a pleasant side effect of 'going Greek'

      --
      William of Ockham had no beard. The most likely explanation is that it was chewed off by squirrels every morning.
    27. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by tqk · · Score: 0

      Um, both of those men were Italians ...

      Yes, one murdered by a church, the other hounded for all his days for disagreeing with doctrine. No Muslims necessary; every sect fsck's itself eventually.

      I hope.

      --
      "Tongue tied and twisted, just an Earth bound misfit ..." -- Pink Floyd.
    28. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Naerymdan · · Score: 0

      50$ I might be in Canada, where such things are a bit less horrifying about being sued, but winning this in the states will definitely help everyone involved.

      --
      Bah.
    29. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by WhirlwindMonk · · Score: 2

      $100 from me as well. Might do more as time goes on if he needs it.

    30. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by icebraining · · Score: 1

      Mubarak was not an Islamic dictator, in fact he banned any kind of political organization based on religion.

      And they may replace a dictator for another, but that will probably stop paying lip service to the US and possibly even terminate the agreement with Israel.

    31. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by icebraining · · Score: 1

      I think GP's point is that a Christian controlled nation doesn't allow for freedom either.

    32. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by davisk · · Score: 1

      Then, I'll find some deserving 13 year-old and give the jailbroken PS3 to him or her. And a stack of blank DVD-Rs

      Sony won't HAVE to go after you, the feds will for being a pedo. (not that i'm implying you are, but like that matters any more)

    33. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by pem · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Matched 10X.

      Sony needs to learn that you can't use a legal sledgehammer to fix a bad technological band-aid on a legal/cultural problem.

      Any business model that requires the rest of to sit down and STFU is not just broken -- it's pure evil.

      For all the idiots whining that GeoHot forced Sony to take this action -- gosh, I'm sorry you forced your dad to beat you every night when you were growing up, but you should man up, go get some psychoanalysis, and figure out that you really weren't responsible for your dad's dickheaded behavior, just like George Hotz is not responsible for Sony's dickheaded behavior.

    34. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by meerling · · Score: 1

      Many ancient civilizations had a form of birth control including Egypt and Sumeria. The effectiveness of which is questionable by todays standards, but no matter how you look at it, this has nothing to do with Geohotz needing money to fend off the evil lawyers from Sony.

      Please note, not all lawyers are evil, but you never hear about them.

    35. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Matched.

    36. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Pfft, I can do better than that. I donated $4,000 and I'm going to let the guy fuck my girlfriend! The only thing better than donating to a great cause is boasting about it afterwards on Slashdot.

    37. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Seumas · · Score: 1

      Unfortunately, the general public sees him as a pirate, a thief, and a lot of other things that I won't be so crude as to repeat, here. I believe the comments I saw posted in one of his videos tended to be something like this: "I hope you enjoy getting your ass pounded in prison for being a thief just because you couldn't get mommy to buy you games".

      The overwhelming majority of people outside of this little circle of geekdom has always had this ignorant view that anyone doing anything that doesn't strictly adhere to the corporate view of what you are "allowed to do with things you own" are vile criminals.

    38. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Seumas · · Score: 1

      By millions, you mean hundreds.

    39. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Anubis350 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You know, I never understand posts like this. There are many, many things that are important. I donate or give to those things that I can in different ways. Yes, the changing politics in the middle east is *more* important in most respects than consumer rights in the U.S. *but*:
      a)That doesn't make consumer rights unimportant, or not worthy of some money for the good fight
      b)There's little i can do to help the Egyptian people at the moment (not that they currently seem to need my help), but I can toss George Hotz $20 to fight what *is* an important legal battle here.

      Civilization is built on a myriad of little things, you can't ignore the little stuff because there's lots of big stuff too. You fix the broken windows and the neighborhood gets safer. This case is a broken window. For that matter, in a way, you could relate these two things. A wikileaks cable is widely regarded as the straw that broke the camel's back in Tunisia. Legal protections for freedom of speech on the web (part of the GeoHot case) could have repercussions on anything else that gets published on the web (like, say, wikileaks), so perhaps I *am* helping, in some small way, to bring down the next Mubarak. But, most importantly, I am tossing some of my earned money to a cause I deem worthy, and that's my right.

      --
      "goodbye and hello, as always" ~Prince Corwin, from Zelazny's Amber series
    40. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by YoshiDan · · Score: 0

      I donated $0.50 AUD.

      I hope it helps him LOL

    41. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Clandestine_Blaze · · Score: 1

      And by hundreds I'm assuming that you mean hundreds of thousands.

    42. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Reisrdok · · Score: 1

      Matched. There is a limit how far companies like sony can go and it is right about here. Also I really needed the otherOS option and I would really like to see some sort of homebrew media center on PS3.

    43. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by tqk · · Score: 1

      ... and the Arabs did not save Hellenic Greek writings "for us to rediscover".

      "During this period the Muslim world became an intellectual centre for science, philosophy, medicine and education as the Abbasids championed the cause of knowledge and established the "House of Wisdom" (Arabic: ØÙSØ ØÙØÙfÙ...Ø©) in Baghdad; where both Muslim and non-Muslim scholars sought to translate and gather all the world's knowledge into Arabic. Many classic works of antiquity that would otherwise have been forgotten were translated into Arabic and later in turn translated into Turkish, Persian, Hebrew and Latin." -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_history#History

      --
      "Tongue tied and twisted, just an Earth bound misfit ..." -- Pink Floyd.
    44. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In for $50. Good luck GeoHot.

    45. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I applaud your form, sir. Since there are too few people who think like this, please stay in the mindset.

      In the cosmic irony department, the captcha for this post is 'lectured'.

    46. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by hack++slash · · Score: 1

      20 bucks? Pah! I donated a kidney!

      Not sure whose it was though...

      --
      To do something right, you often have to roll up your sleeves and get busy.
    47. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      $50 from me that won't ever be going to Sony. Their asshattery is one of many reasons that I never bought a PS3. It's a nice system, great games, but Sony has too long a history of being total dicks to every single person out there. I haven't bought a Sony product since about 2005, and I never plan on it in the future

      Of course they could earn some good will back by dropping the suit, and re-enabling OtherOS and PS2 emulation, but we know that won't happen. Screw them.

    48. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by AbRASiON · · Score: 1

      Same here, oddly enough I absoloutely love my PS3 and the games on it but fuck me gently I'm also angry those closed minded idiots keep holding back the potential of that thing.

      All I wanted was XBMC-HD, that's all I wanted and they continue to block it left and right.

    49. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I haven't bought a Sony product since the portable AM/FM/Weather radio I bought for when I walk the dog and want to listen to the Blackhawks game.

    50. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I was going to donate, but then I realized it would imply that I agree with your retarded populist rabble rousing bullshit.

    51. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sony needs to learn that you can't use a legal sledgehammer to fix a bad technological band-aid on a legal/cultural problem.
      Any business model that requires the rest of to sit down and STFU is not just broken -- it's pure evil.

      Right, so you won't mind me posting your private bank account information, credit card number, and PIN access codes, right? Oh what, you don't want YOUR private data leaked out, but it's ok to do it to Sony because they represent Pure Evil? That's just hypocrisy, plain and simple.
      This is NOT about the OtherOS option. That was already taken care of by people other than Georgie Boy.

      just like George Hotz is not responsible for Sony's dickheaded behavior.

      Well, not directly. GHotz is NOT getting this treatment because he released the key, he's getting it because of HOW he released it. He could easily have published it in underground circles, using an alias, which is what SMART hackers do when they get that type of info. But Noooo, that wasn't good enough for poor little Georgie Boy, he just HAD to try and take all the credit so he used his real name and didn't hide anything. Dumb, straight up stupid move, and I'm not going to pay this media whoring script kiddy because he's too fucking stupid to use an alias and a proxy.

      Note that I'm not fully in agreement with Sony here. Ya, they are dicks. Ya, they disabled the OtherOS. But you know what? This isn't about Sony being jerks, because they are legally in the right here under International and local laws. I didn't have any problem with the guys cracking the security. I didn't even have a problem with them saying "Hey, you could use this to get the master key". I don't even have a problem with someone publishing that key. But at least be smart enough to not get caught doing it.

      Just for the record, I sold my PS3 when they disabled OtherOS, don't own any bluray discs, and generally have boycotted Sony. But I'm not going to break in and trash their HQ just because I think they're sleazy dickheads, I'm not going to start counterfeiting their products, or otherwise retaliating directly against them. If you like the abuse, go ahead and keep buying Sony products, but stop bitching when they keep sticking it up your ass with no lube.

    52. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by GNious · · Score: 1

      Sony needs to learn that you can't use a legal sledgehammer to fix a bad technological band-aid on a legal/cultural problem.

      +1 truism

    53. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by HuskyHero · · Score: 1

      You seem very riled up, what insensitive jerk filled your head with all that nonsense about the Koch brothers?

    54. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by DutchDopey · · Score: 0

      Fact is, that his (and other hackers) actions have ruined the fun of a lot of consumers. I really dont understand why this is endorsed. Consoles are a good example of having the need for a closed environment, openess enables extreme cheating, which you dont want in a gaming environment. Nobody has advantage from having this console broken other than pirates and cheaters. Any cheapass pc will run linux better than the ps3.

    55. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Kokuyo · · Score: 1

      Pfft... as if we had it that much better. The US had Bush and Switzerland, even through direct democracy, accepted the minaret initiative.

      If you truly think we are THAT far away from the problems you cite, then I'd urge you to open your eyes. As long as the US has the 'choice' between republicans and democrats, they are replacing one dictator for another, too. Just that their dictator takes power through propaganda and not the military. Big effing deal.

      Oh, by the way, since when does christianity allow freedom?

    56. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by rhook · · Score: 1

      Oh, by the way, since when does christianity allow freedom?

      Since when did anyone say it did? All religions are oppressive.

    57. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by xtracto · · Score: 1

      First round of donations is closed

      Arrrgggg!!!

      I came late to the donation party :( I'll have to wait until the second round...

      For now, we will have to wait and watch... Round 1 *FIGHT*!

      --
      Ubuntu is an African word meaning 'I can't configure Debian'
    58. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by AmonTheMetalhead · · Score: 1

      The events in Tunesia, Egypt, Iran, Libya, Bahrain,.... are historic, i don't think we've ever seen so many uprisings happen in so many countries in such a short time, and they all use the internet to fuel, organize and share the protests and events as they happen. Never before has a technology enabled such a thing on such a scale.

      Even in Egypt, when they tried to cut of the Internet, people found ways to keep connected using new and old tech, fascinating time we're living in right now.

      However, this fight with Sony might up being historic as well, if it for instance abolishes the EULA and the idea someone can dictate what you can do with your bought hardware, it sure isn't on the same level as the events in the Middle East, but never the less, it again illustrates the impact of the Internet on this here old world

    59. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Nursie · · Score: 2, Insightful

      So, even before it goes to court, you've decided that Sony are legally right, and that you don't want to fight this bullshit. Your idea that it's fine to release info as long as you do it anonymously is retarded in the extreme.

      The rest of us have an issue with Sony's behaviour, and even if we don't agree with everything geohot does or much of how he does it, we tend to agree that it's a court case that needs to go the right way to put a stop to the continuing erosion of our rights over our hardware.

    60. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Nursie · · Score: 1

      "Consoles are a good example of having the need for a closed environment, openess enables extreme cheating"

      Because *ALL* PC games are hell to play online because of cheating. It's now a well known fact that PC games can only be single player and offline because of this, right?

      *facepalm*

      "Nobody has advantage from having this console broken other than pirates and cheaters."

      And people that have kids that scratch disks, and people that like to keep their library on hard drive and people that want to extend the media capabilities of the ps3 and people that want to use it as a linux machine and people that want to play homebrew games distributed by other people who opened up their consoles.

      Any cheapass pc will run linux better than the ps3.

      Not the point. I own my ps3, don't try to tell me what to do with it.

      (I fully agree with cheaters being kicked off and perma-banned from the multiplayer network, by the way. I just disagree that it's in any way a good design to have security enforced on the client. This was learned waaaay back in the days of quakeworld and other pioneering multiplayer online games)

    61. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Matched 5x This is a battle to establish that you legally own what you legally buy. A pretty fundamental right in any modern society!

    62. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Jaysyn · · Score: 1

      But you're a cowardly AC, so who gives a fuck?

      --
      There is a war going on for your mind.
    63. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think you'll find it's the US government that installs islamic dictators in middle eastern countries, not the populace of the country in question.

    64. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      First, I sent $14 to the Wisconsin Democratic Party (one for each of the brave Dem senators who split the state in accordance with the teachings of Sun Tzu)

      I am sure that money came in handy at the bar they were hanging out at.

      I am curious why it is ok for Democrats to shut down government for their beliefs but not ok for Republicans to do the same?

    65. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      We should lobby our elected representatives to make Sony's actions illegal. Not suing GeoHot, but building that kind of crap into the PS3 in the first place. DRM should never be allowed to override the law, and the law says that I own the damn thing and am allowed to make backup copies of software I own. Yes, OWN, not license. That should be made illegal too.

      Sony can force you to update your PS3 by making newer games and online play require it. That allows them to make up the rules as they go along. In any other area of life where a company has that kind of power to force people to accept its will, e.g. employment law or consumer protection, the law is there to tip the balance back towards the individual.

      The EU should be demanding that Sony re-enabled the Other OS feature or give everyone a partial refund, and then make OS updates optional.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    66. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      I am curious why it is ok for Democrats to shut down government for their beliefs but not ok for Republicans to do the same?

      Son, just because the senate can't take a vote does not mean the gov't is shut down. For example, all the legislators have left Washington for a week as of today. Does that mean the US gov't is shut down?

      The People (capital "P") put a quorum requirement for voting for a reason. And legislators as diverse as Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson have used quorum avoidance to kill bills that were being rushed through. Look up "Abraham Lincoln" and the "Illinois Bank War".

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    67. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by shaitand · · Score: 0

      I know you were just trying to be polite but come on, he's totally a pedo.

      Lets consider the information at hand. He is concerned about a digital recorder costing $10 more but he is practically tripping over himself in his rush to run out and get a PS3 he doesn't even want. It's obvious, in his mind the recorder is just money down the drain where the PS3 converts directly to boy tail. Just picture the old man on family guy offering a little boy a video game. Nuff said.

    68. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by couchslug · · Score: 1

      Those things are also outside the ability of most /.ers to influence for good or ill.

      --
      "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
    69. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Svartalf · · Score: 1

      Got it in one. There's some more "important" things here stateside, but while that fight is ongoing, it doesn't need money, it needs people. This is part of one of those fights and it's easily helped by chunking a $20 or so his way for his defense fund. I know I'm going to be doing this come Friday when I have my paycheck.

      --
      I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
    70. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by dgatwood · · Score: 1

      Now I know you're lying. You're posting on here. You have no girlfriend.

      --

      Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.

    71. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by bluefoxlucid · · Score: 2

      Consumer freedoms are far more important than hundreds of lives. In one episode of Justice League America, they stumbled into an alternate universe where Lex Luthor became president and Superman killed him to prevent nuclear war; then they implemented unending martial law and arrested anyone who got mouthy. Some guy was pissed about his restaurant bill, and the cops showed up and arrested him 4 seconds later when he started yelling at the waiter. I'm sure there was far less murder.

    72. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by Ancantus · · Score: 1

      Your misunderstanding what Geohot is fighting about. If you read http://geohot.com/ he is not about pirating games. He is about using his own hardware however he wants to. If you want to support Geohot's ideals, don't supports some teens piracy, throw Linux on the PS3 and teach the teen how to make his own web/file server using the PS3.

      --
      Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. -- Isaac Asimov
    73. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by gknoy · · Score: 2

      I realize you're probably trying to be funny, but that sort of mindset is tremendously frightening. Many of us are nerds, and giving a jailbroken PS3 to a neighborhood kid that you know already has geeky tendencies could be a great way to introduce them to programming. Adults that might use a jailbroken PS3 for development have likely already bought one, whereas kids don't necessarily have the funds to do so.

      Donating a (jailbroken) console, plus development tools, to a kid is a way of donating to the future education of geeks. It shameful that someone would assume it was a bribe in hopes of sexual favors, and not even consider that there is a good (nerdy) reason to do something like this. Most kids might use it for piracy. That's why he said "some deserverving" kid, that you (presumably) know would be interested in developing homebrew games, or having a computer of their own.

      I realize you probably alreayd knew all of that, and were likely following along with the joke, but it's a pretty tasteless joke, and I wanted to make sure that other readers realize that there's an alternative explanation that doesn't involve sex.

    74. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      Your misunderstanding what Geohot is fighting about. If you read http://geohot.com/ [geohot.com] he is not about pirating games.

      Of course it's not about pirating games.

      But I do want people to be able to use their own hardware for whatever they want.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    75. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by shaitand · · Score: 1

      "Most kids might use it for piracy. That's why he said "some deserverving" kid, that you (presumably) know would be interested in developing homebrew games, or having a computer of their own."

      I highly doubt that is what he had in mind considering he suggested he'd give the kid a stack of blanks and contribute to their delinquency.

      I hope the rest of that is a tasteless joke. You've managed to villainized geeks protesting the broken and horrible copyright system and to support the bogus mentality that sex is harmful and therefore would be harmful to children. Not to mention suggesting it would be acceptable to take a perfectly good young geek and try to convert them to nerddom.

      Shame on you sir. Shame on you.

    76. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by tqk · · Score: 1

      This is important in a different way. Nobody's life is in the balance, but consumer freedoms are. Just because there are more important things in the world does not mean everything else is unimportant.

      I never meant to trivialize this, just to add perspective. I don't own a PS-anything, but I applaud GeoHot for cracking the things open. Sony's stupid for removing Other OS, I agree, and they should have no right to remove it. They now get to essentially copy all his harddrives, why?!?

      However, the fact that multiple tyrants are potentially making plans to relocate, and millions (whole countries) are potentially about to see political and economic reform (freedom?), possibly even non-corrupted officials, really does make cracking a ps3 a small thing in comparison.

      Good on George for doing it, but he's no Gandhi.

      --
      "Tongue tied and twisted, just an Earth bound misfit ..." -- Pink Floyd.
    77. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by tqk · · Score: 1

      I think you'll find it's the US government that installs islamic dictators in middle eastern countries ...

      Ahmadinejad is a US planted double agent!?!

      Whoa, good one!

      --
      "Tongue tied and twisted, just an Earth bound misfit ..." -- Pink Floyd.
    78. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by tqk · · Score: 1

      And by hundreds I'm assuming that you mean hundreds of thousands.

      Guys, guys, Egypt holds 79 million population. Revolutions don't take all their participation, just their willing co-operation.

      --
      "Tongue tied and twisted, just an Earth bound misfit ..." -- Pink Floyd.
    79. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by tqk · · Score: 1

      You know, I never understand posts like this.

      I'm sorry for starting this. I apologize profusely for wanting multiple millions of people see improvements in their lives as the direct result of their standing up on their hind legs against their tyrannical dictator.

      This was not trolling. It's just perspective.

      Rock on George Hotz!

      But I'd love to see all those people free from what's been suffocating them for decades.

      Freeing PS3 users is good Karma, sure! Seeing millions begin to enjoy political & economic freedom, sweet!

      --
      "Tongue tied and twisted, just an Earth bound misfit ..." -- Pink Floyd.
    80. Re:$20 for the fighting spirit by tqk · · Score: 1

      Which things (learn to blockquote, ffs).

      Those things are also outside the ability of most /.ers to influence for good or ill.

      So, no point in even attempting to participate in the process, no chance you'll learn how by going through the motions, picking it up as you go along?

      Pessimist. You don't care whether things get better or worse? This is basic systems analysis. If you're a geek, it's like breathing. You can't even stop doing it in your sleep.

      --
      "Tongue tied and twisted, just an Earth bound misfit ..." -- Pink Floyd.
  2. Conspiracy theory by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    This is just a media event for Geohot to launch his music career. I bet he'll sign with Sony.

  3. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    PayPal is the only real option for people asking to RECEIVE money if they're not in the USA or the UK. Google Checkout is NOT available in any other country.

  4. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by 228e2 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I know a few Nigerian Princes that provide a more tech-savvy payment method.

    --
    Since when does being a Socialist mean 'someone who has a different opinion than me'?
  5. A Small Price by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 4, Insightful

    My $50 is a small price to pay if it helps him win the case and set a precedent that leaves me free to discuss Sony's cryptographic failures.

    --
    Evil people are out to get you.
    1. Re:A Small Price by Overzeetop · · Score: 1

      ...leaves me free to discuss any companies cryptographic failures. Matched and done.

      --
      Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
    2. Re:A Small Price by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      I tried to make a donation and couldn't find a link. By the time I found where I think it was supposed to be (today) there wasn't one. I guess I can leave the donations to PS3 owners.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  6. Pulling out my hair. by unity100 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I am trying to weed out the fucking donation link amongst ~*8 links (and maybe ones i dont see) sprinkled and 'beautifully' embedded in the sentences as part of sentences in the summary and articles.

    why are people doing this ? is it 'cool' when you embed the links with their link texts being parts of sentences ? what about usability, user friendliness ?

    holy cow.

    if someone can link the donation link in an non hipster, uncool, plain way, i will be grateful.

    1. Re:Pulling out my hair. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      if someone can link the donation link in an non hipster, uncool, plain way, i will be grateful.

      How about this:
      http://geohotgotsued.blogspot.com/2011/02/legal-defense-fund.html

    2. Re:Pulling out my hair. by klagermkii · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Go to http://geohot.com/ the link is on the front page.

    3. Re:Pulling out my hair. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If that goes down in your book as hipster, you must be seeing hipsters everywhere, my friend.

    4. Re:Pulling out my hair. by Satis · · Score: 1

      In case it hasn't been done already, here's the direct link:

      http://geohot.com/#2/19/2011

      Big donate button at the top.

      --
      Satis clankiller.com
    5. Re:Pulling out my hair. by multipartmixed · · Score: 5, Funny

      > what about usability, user friendliness ?

      Look at the pot calling the kettle black!

      I can't count how many times I've gotten excited by your signature, only to realize upon closer inspection that it says, "Giri" not "Girl".

      --

      Do daemons dream of electric sleep()?
    6. Re:Pulling out my hair. by noidentity · · Score: 1

      Slashdot is very friendly about signatures: you can turn them off so you never have to see their clutter anymore.

    7. Re:Pulling out my hair. by scdeimos · · Score: 1

      is it 'cool' when you embed the links with their link texts being parts of sentences ? what about usability, user friendliness ?

      Others have already supplied the link, but agreed. It seems to be all about keeping you on the current site so you can be exposed to more advertising, click tracking, etc.. Gone is fashion where external links used to be preceded by little shortcut icons and go directly to that site, not passing go, not collecting $200 - not that shortcut icons were a particularly great idea either, but at least it made the links stand out from the body text.

      There's always add-ons like the Web Developer add-on with its Outline External Links option, or GreaseMonkey scripts.

    8. Re:Pulling out my hair. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      why are people doing this ? is it 'cool' when you embed the links with their link texts being parts of sentences ? what about usability, user friendliness?

      "Contextual links" like this are generally all about usability and user friendliness (especially for screen readers). What would be swell is if there was an actual easy link to the donations page in the summary, contextual or not.

    9. Re:Pulling out my hair. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yea, that really helped.... Still nowhere to be found.

      Nathan

    10. Re:Pulling out my hair. by men0s · · Score: 1

      I am trying to weed out the fucking donation link amongst ~*8 links (and maybe ones i dont see) sprinkled and 'beautifully' embedded in the sentences as part of sentences in the summary and articles...why are people doing this ?

      I usually do this so that people can understand what the link is about before clicking on it. This is also useful for people that use programs which read aloud the web page. Having a program saying "here" is a link that goes to some URL is a lot less descriptive than "donate to GeoHot" which points to the same URL.

    11. Re:Pulling out my hair. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Which link there are still a bunch, I didn't see specific one for donating?

    12. Re:Pulling out my hair. by unity100 · · Score: 1

      he is not complaining about clutter. he is troubled due to a misperception of a letter that come up as different than what he was desired.

      one wonders, what would something GirlGirlPHP, be like ....

    13. Re:Pulling out my hair. by Unequivocal · · Score: 1

      Geohot says he's got enough money for now, so he pulled the link: http://geohotgotsued.blogspot.com/

  7. $5 for sticking up for my rights by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    $5 for sticking up for my rights. Wish I could do more.

  8. English, motherfucker! Do you speak it?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    " Hotz has always claimed being anti-piracy (since iPhone activities) and expresses has never pirated any game or even signed to PSN agreements.."

        What the fuck is this gibberish?

    1. Re:English, motherfucker! Do you speak it?! by hedwards · · Score: 1

      Que?

    2. Re:English, motherfucker! Do you speak it?! by boarder8925 · · Score: 2
      The whole summary is one giant clusterfuck. Try this on for size:

      George Hotz (GeoHot), famous for his iPhone hacking achievements, is planning on fighting Sony over their violating his rights to use--however he sees fit--hardware he's paid for. Ever since sharing his iPhone hacks, Hotz has always claimed being against piracy and says he's never pirated any game, or even signed any PlayStation Network agreements. He's asking for donations to fight Sony and try to achieve something similar to what was previously accomplished by the EFF in regard to cellphones.

      And I threw in the most relevant link of them all, viz., the link to fucking donate.

  9. Re:Uhm no thanks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Isn't this kid's hack the reason every PS3 game is now rife with cheats?

    No thanks, I'm rooting for Sony on this one.

    If you're referring to multiplayer, it's been done for years with a comparatively simple method: packet alteration. Run your internet connection through a proxy server that is configured with software to alter specific outbound packets. No console hacking needed.

  10. Re:Uhm no thanks by kaptink · · Score: 1

    You wouldnt know HBGary by any chance?

    --
    Those who can, do. Those who cannot, sue.
  11. Download Link on GeoHot's own site by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  12. Re:Uhm no thanks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Uhm, yah...

    So, gun manufacturers should be responsible for deaths caused by their products?!? Well, perhaps, but for frack's sake, you're livin' in Sparta you silly wabbit!

    Personally, I'd like to see Linux back on the PS3 (gee, yes, some people really do have a use for that)...

  13. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by Goaway · · Score: 2

    Mailing cash around is orders of magnitude more work than sending money over the internet, and far less secure. Expecting people to do that for you is a recipe for disaster.

  14. The saga continues by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Don't like PayPal, don't have much to donate but hope $5 helps. Tired of lame lawsuits over people tinkering with stuff they legally own. Hope you win, GeoHot. Sony: I'm almost considering buying a PS3 (and I don't even play video games) just because I wanna hack one up now. You should help people out instead of trying to beat your own user base to death with their own Sony (TM) devices.

    1. Re:The saga continues by Zelgadiss · · Score: 1

      Karma be damned.

      Sony: I'm almost considering buying a PS3 (and I don't even play video games)

      Then they rather you not buy one. Their PS3 works via the razorblade model where they sink billions into R&D and sell the console at slightly below or at break even prices, recouping their cost via game sales.

      Hopefully Sony will survive this gen to make the PS4, else enjoy your new Microsoft monopoly where they control gaming in the PC and on consoles.

      How quick people forget the sins of that MS. I suppose this short memory is why politicians can manipulate people with such ease. I feel like the donkey in Animal Farm.

    2. Re:The saga continues by Windowser · · Score: 1

      Then they rather you not buy one. Their PS3 works via the razorblade model where they sink billions into R&D and sell the console at slightly below or at break even prices, recouping their cost via game sales.

      Then we should all send $20 to GeoHot AND buy a PS3 and hack it, so Sony will loose money.
      It's not our problem if Sony's business plan is broken

      --
      Avoid the MS tax, always buy I.B.M. PC's (I Built-it Myself)
    3. Re:The saga continues by Zelgadiss · · Score: 0

      There is nothing wrong with the model, it works fine if everyone plays by the rules.

      Sony can't play by any other model, the console has to be cheap to sell, it was the way the industry evolved.
      Have you seen the amount of bitching over the PS3 original starting price.

      If Sony uses the PC model next round, and MS plays by the razor model, Sony just wasted their money.

      This is assuming Sony doesn't just quit, which I sure is what MS wants and promotes via astrosurfers, convincing consumers to hand them another monopoly.

    4. Re:The saga continues by Zelgadiss · · Score: 0

      Oh yes, if you don't want to take part in the model, don't buy the darn thing.

      Buy a PC.

      No one is putting a gun to your head forcing you to buy a PS3.

    5. Re:The saga continues by russotto · · Score: 1

      There is nothing wrong with the model, it works fine if everyone plays by the rules.

      It's what the rules are which are in dispute. Sony's rules are "we made the device, we control it forever, even after we sell it to you". However, this is a violation of the whole concept of ownership and sale, the rules of which are "once a piece of property is sold, the new owner gets to control it and the former owner relinquishes the right to control it".

    6. Re:The saga continues by Zelgadiss · · Score: 1

      The model at it's essence is Sony sells the console cheap to you, you buy games where they take a cut so they can recover their expenses.

      They enforce the model by copyright protection, and mind you Sony isn't the only one demanding copy protection, publishers want it very much as well.

      If you don't like their enforcement, you are free to not buy the product. There are "free" alternatives like PC that come unemcumbled.

      Yes, it does not gel with your specific concept of ownership, but it's a decent enough trade model.
      Sony provides a service/product under certain conditions, you pay them.
      Goods and services gets produced, producers get paid.

    7. Re:The saga continues by Alex+Belits · · Score: 1

      Sony does not lose money on hardware -- Microsoft does that, but Microsoft is nowhere close to Sony scale when hardware production is concerned.

      Sony is just incredibly greedy, and wants to encourage poor game programming to support their insistence on including DRM everywhere.

      --
      Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
    8. Re:The saga continues by Zelgadiss · · Score: 1

      Citation needed.

      Components for the PS3 and 360 are about in the same league, the differences in cost can't be much, an efficient process can only save you so much.

      Throughout the PS3 life span Sony has been desperatly trying to get the price down. They would sell it cheaper, and increase their install base, if they could.

      And also note, it's not just manufacturing and component cost they have to recoup, there is setup and R&D cost running into the billions as well.

    9. Re:The saga continues by Alex+Belits · · Score: 1

      Sony has its own hardware production, Microsoft outsources everything.
      Sony did R&D on consumer electronics since it was founded, Microsoft has a bunch of recent graduates with "cool ideas" (such as Kinect) and megalomania.
      Sony competed with Nintendo and Sega for the whole lifetime of Playstation line, Microsoft dumps billions on random R&D without any hope to recoup anything in half a century, just because it has money flowing from Windows and Office.

      Sony may be evil, but they are not dumping hardware onto the market to support games sales.

      --
      Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
    10. Re:The saga continues by Zelgadiss · · Score: 1

      Sony outsources too, it's all made in China.

      Their CPUs are made by Toshiba, they don't have any fabs now.

      It's not dumping, they sell it at break even or a little below break even, MS does the same thing.

      Both got billions of dollars in R&D to recoup, except one is filthy rich from 2 monopolies, the other has been struggling for the past decade or so and had to get a bailout from the Japanese government recently.

    11. Re:The saga continues by Windowser · · Score: 1

      The model at it's essence is Sony sells the console cheap to you, you buy games where they take a cut so they can recover their expenses.

      They enforce the model by copyright protection, and mind you Sony isn't the only one demanding copy protection, publishers want it very much as well.

      If you don't like their enforcement, you are free to not buy the product. There are "free" alternatives like PC that come unemcumbled.

      Where the hell are does rule written ?
      Where I live, the rules are : once you buy a product, you are the owner and you can do whatever you like with it.
      I can go buy a PS3 just to see what color the flames are when it burns. It's my damn money, I do whatever I want with it.
      What about people who buy the console, but never buy any game, they just rent it ?
      What if I buy the console and only ONE game, because that's the only game I wanna play ?

      Yes, it does not gel with your specific concept of ownership, but it's a decent enough trade model. Sony provides a service/product under certain conditions, you pay them. Goods and services gets produced, producers get paid.

      Hey, I have a car to sell you, it's cheaper than any other car on the market. BUT... you can only use my gas, which is two times the price of the market. And you can only use parts you buy from me, again at double the price of others. And if you don't follow those rules, I'll come to your house and seize it, and all your tools because you used them to break MY rules.

      --
      Avoid the MS tax, always buy I.B.M. PC's (I Built-it Myself)
    12. Re:The saga continues by CronoCloud · · Score: 1

      When you buy the PS3, you're not just buying hardware, you're buying a hardware+software combination. You may own the physical hardware but you don't own the software.

    13. Re:The saga continues by CronoCloud · · Score: 1

      While the actual manufacture of PS3's is in China, the R&D on the thing was done almost entirely in the US by Sony and IBM. Last I heard, Cell CPU's for the PS3's were manufactured by IBM at their East Fishkill NY facility.

    14. Re:The saga continues by Windowser · · Score: 1

      So ? What is your point exactly
      Most electronic these days have some software embedded in it.
      So you mean, I don't own my microwave ? or my DVD player ? My alarm clock ?
      What about my HD TV ? Can Sharp dictate what I can watch on it, or prevent me from plugging my Atari 2600 on it ?

      --
      Avoid the MS tax, always buy I.B.M. PC's (I Built-it Myself)
    15. Re:The saga continues by CronoCloud · · Score: 1

      Meaning, You don't have a license to modify/disassemble and/or publish the details of the software in the consumer electronic device.

      In other words, you can watch/use your HDTV, but you don't have the right to take the software that's on it and redistribute it, or modify it so you get free Netflix or something similar.

    16. Re:The saga continues by russotto · · Score: 1

      When you buy the PS3, you're not just buying hardware, you're buying a hardware+software combination. You may own the physical hardware but you don't own the software.

      Certainly I own the copy of the software that's contained in the device.

      Meaning, You don't have a license to modify/disassemble and/or publish the details of the software in the consumer electronic device.

      Nor do I need any such license, any more than I need a license to disassemble the console hardware.

      In other words, you can watch/use your HDTV, but you don't have the right to take the software that's on it and redistribute it, or modify it so you get free Netflix or something similar.

      Redistributing it is covered by 17 USC 506. Modifying it _to get free Netflix_ is covered by 17 USC 1201(a). But modifying it in general does not fall within the scope of copyright law.

    17. Re:The saga continues by Zelgadiss · · Score: 1

      The "rules" of the game is pretty much common sense, it's defined as "rules" which must be followed if the model is to sustain itself.

      While Sony can't put a gun to your head to make you follow the rules - separate issue from Geohot's hacking, which is a case of DMCA violation.
      They are betting on enough people doing so to make it profitable.

      It's a risky model, but it has worked well enough.

      Most people don't have a problem with it, it's appreciated that the few of you that do have an issue with it just avoid the product, instead of gumming up the works for the rest of us.

      Hey, I have a car to sell you, it's cheaper than any other car on the market. BUT... you can only use my gas, which is two times the price of the market. And you can only use parts you buy from me, again at double the price of others. And if you don't follow those rules, I'll come to your house and seize it, and all your tools because you used them to break MY rules.

      Nothing wrong with that, if those conditions have been stated at the start, and if you have the choice to not buy that car.

    18. Re:The saga continues by Zelgadiss · · Score: 1

      IBM or Toshiba for Cell me think.

      That said, MS's 360 CPU is also from IBM, their GPU from ATi, while Sony's GPU is from nVidia.

      Everyone outsources - from their company that is.

    19. Re:The saga continues by Alex+Belits · · Score: 1

      CPU production is only a small part of the whole device. Sony has higher volume for all components that are re-used through their all products, so it's cheaper for them. There is also a matter of reusing R&D across generations of PS and across product lines -- Microsoft has none of that, and likely had to outsource all of its hardware R&D except some pieces.

      --
      Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
  15. Unsubsidized Consoles? by exomondo · · Score: 2

    I see this leading to unsubsidized consoles, while that would be good for the hacking/homebrew community i doubt the platforms would be anywhere near as ubiquitous if they charged the full cost + profit for the consoles.

    1. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by Daneurysm · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Nintendo doesn't seem to have any problems...

    2. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by 91degrees · · Score: 1

      But really, how many people will want to to do this? Most users will want to buy commercial games, and aren't going to be interested in modifying their console. And this will only allow people to bypass the security, not force Sony to make it easy to do so. It took years for this crack to appear.

    3. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by exomondo · · Score: 1

      Nintendo doesn't seem to have any problems...

      Just because they aren't selling the console hardware at a loss doesn't mean they are making a profit, there are plenty of other associated development and ongoing costs that need to be covered, it's not just the cost of the hardware.

    4. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I see this leading to unsubsidized consoles, while that would be good for the hacking/homebrew community i doubt the platforms would be anywhere near as ubiquitous if they charged the full cost + profit for the consoles.

      I'm living in a country (Belgium, no kidding) where selling at a loss (which you call "subsidized") is forbidden - Sony consoles don't seem to be doing worse here than elsewhere.

    5. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 2

      Consoles are effectively "subsidized" by DMCA. If this kills it, I think it's a small price to pay.

    6. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by exomondo · · Score: 1

      I'm living in a country (Belgium, no kidding) where selling at a loss (which you call "subsidized") is forbidden - Sony consoles don't seem to be doing worse here than elsewhere.

      I think you'll find they get around those laws, the cost of a PS3 in belgium isn't significantly higher than everywhere else in the world.

    7. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by exomondo · · Score: 1

      Consoles are effectively "subsidized" by DMCA. If this kills it, I think it's a small price to pay.

      My point is some devices only exist because they are subisidized and protected by the DMCA - the non-DMCA encumbered gaming system is the PC.

    8. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

      Consoles existed (in subsidized form even) before 1998, which is when DMCA came into force. Furthermore, most countries in the world do not have any counterpart to DMCA anti-circumvention measures, which does not prevent Sony and others from selling consoles there.

      In any case, if consoles in their modern shape can't exist without DMCA, then it's too bad for them - same as any other business model relying on an inherently immoral law that is likely to be overturned eventually.

    9. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by exomondo · · Score: 1

      Consoles existed (in subsidized form even) before 1998, which is when DMCA came into force.

      Back then consoles were a hell of a lot different to the architectures they have now, it wasn't until the mid-late 90s when piracy began to be an issue and architectures moved to be more similar to PCs.

      Furthermore, most countries in the world do not have any counterpart to DMCA anti-circumvention measures, which does not prevent Sony and others from selling consoles there.

      I think you'll find that most of the markets targeted by sony *do* have DMCA-like anti-circumvention laws. Most of Europe, America, Australia, Japan, etc...

      In any case, if consoles in their modern shape can't exist without DMCA, then it's too bad for them - same as any other business model relying on an inherently immoral law that is likely to be overturned eventually.

      Calling it 'inherently immoral' just to try and give your opinion more basis isn't fooling anyone. You could always get a PC, the DMCA-free alternative is available to you! Personally i won't buy another sony console after they removed OtherOS. I like having a gaming environment free of hacks and cheaters and i also like that i have a PC that i can do whatever i want with, best of both worlds.

      Yes they are leveraging the law for their business model, i think you'll find that's what most businesses do.

    10. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by Zelgadiss · · Score: 1

      Nope.

      What will happen is Sony will drop out of the race as it's no longer profitable, and all you would have left is MS who has gotten the heck of locking their consoles down.

      Nintendo won't have the money to do the required R&D (risk and all) and will once again release a weak console.

      Yupe. MS monopoly 3.0.
      Enjoy.

    11. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

      I think you'll find that most of the markets targeted by sony *do* have DMCA-like anti-circumvention laws. Most of Europe, America, Australia, Japan, etc...

      So, um, can you quote some of those anti-circumvention laws in Europe? Or in America other than USA?

      Calling it 'inherently immoral' just to try and give your opinion more basis isn't fooling anyone.

      Any law that stifles free speech is inherently immortal. If you don't enjoy free speech, that's another matter.

      You could always get a PC, the DMCA-free alternative is available to you!

      It's not an issue of having alternatives. It's an issue of being free to share information, and of being free to modify the hardware that you own by law.

      Yes they are leveraging the law for their business model

      No, they have created a law for their business model (well, not they alone, but Sony sure is prominent in any shady Washington deals to screw customers over intellectual property issues).

      That said, I do not begrudge them for using the law. Others do, so they'll have to do so as well to stay competitive. The law, however, should go.

    12. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by im_thatoneguy · · Score: 1

      They employed hardware DRM on their consoles:

      They made the hardware too slow and ancient to be worth hacking for any other purpose.

    13. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by exomondo · · Score: 1

      So, um, can you quote some of those anti-circumvention laws in Europe? Or in America other than USA?

      are you incapable of using google? Have a look through WIPO and at EU directive 2001/29/ec.

      Any law that stifles free speech is inherently immortal. If you don't enjoy free speech, that's another matter.

      so anti-hate-speech laws are inherently immoral?

      It's not an issue of having alternatives. It's an issue of being free to share information, and of being free to modify the hardware that you own by law.

      The DMCA (and associated WIPO regulations) is law too, you can't have it both ways.

      Yes they are leveraging the law for their business model

      No, they have created a law for their business model

      Actually i think you'll find it's 'yes' not 'no', regardless of who created the law Sony are leveraging it for their business model exactly as i stated.

    14. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 2

      Have a look through WIPO and at EU directive 2001/29/ec.

      WIPO does not enact laws. You, as an individual or as a corporation, cannot be convicted or fined for not complying with its terms. It's up to countries, and how they do so differs widely.

      Similarly, EU directives are not laws. They're binding guidelines to enact laws for member states. And states have been rather reluctant to implement the anti-circumvention clause of this particular directive in full. Most did it with some very notable catches (e.g. France allows to disregard DRM for interoperability purposes, and Belgium and Finland only criminalize DRM circumvention when it is done for the purpose of making a copy). In several countries the wording is so vague that the precise circumstances under which it can be applied (especially when no actual copying is taking place) is unclear, as in Germany. Few made it so blunt as in USA.

      so anti-hate-speech laws are inherently immoral?

      Yes, of course.

      The DMCA (and associated WIPO regulations) is law too, you can't have it both ways.

      I was, perhaps, not sufficiently precise in my wording. DMCA is something that basically says that I don't truly own the things that I buy; not even the particular copy of a work that is copyrighted. This goes way beyond both traditional property rights and copyright, so much so that I would argue that any device covered by DMCA cannot be truly owned anymore, since the full set of rights with respect to it that comprise the legal definition of "ownership" no longer apply.

    15. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nintendo also has a sane business model. You know. Sell for a profit.

    16. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      That said, I do not begrudge them for using the law.

      I do. There are no excuses for evil acts. If the law says they must do evil deeds then both they and the law are evil.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    17. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nintendo is just as litigious as Sony when it comes to hardware hacks. Let's not forget about the R4 card situation. Nintendo's success this generation was on designing a cheaper console to manufacture that couldn't compete in horse-power, but relies on its unique (prior to fall 2010) controller UI to stand out from the competition. Otherwise, they engage in the same DRM and DMCA litigation as any other major tech and software company, it's just all their hacks and suits are old news by now.

    18. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by vuffi_raa · · Score: 1

      i doubt the platforms would be anywhere near as ubiquitous if they charged the full cost + profit for the consoles.

      considering that nintendo and sony are both currently turning profits on hardware sales and that the ability for 3rd party manufacturers would be allowed to make competing OEM parts without having to sign exclusive contracts with the console manufacturers, I think that you would see something closer to the PC market which is very competitive, if you think about the physical components in the consoles and the specs - outside of the video card it isn't THAT powerful. When you pay for a console, what you are really paying for is the integration of the OS and the ability to play licensed games on it. I recently had to replace my ps3 and if you think about it $299 seems cheap, but even at that - hd is like $50 retail, processor is custom, 256 m of RAM, 256 of VRAM, wifi card, bluray player (no recorder)... outside of the cell processor it really isn't THAT expensive. If you could somehow get a version of the sony OS on a PC that could run the signed code you could build something that is way more powerful for not much more.

    19. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by exomondo · · Score: 1

      considering that nintendo and sony are both currently turning profits on hardware sales

      No they aren't, you are confusing 'not making a loss' with 'making a profit'.

    20. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by exomondo · · Score: 1

      WIPO does not enact laws. You, as an individual or as a corporation, cannot be convicted or fined for not complying with its terms. It's up to countries, and how they do so differs widely.

      Similarly, EU directives are not laws. They're binding guidelines to enact laws for member states.

      Obviously, but IANAL so im just listing giving you the guidelines that are the basis for the laws of individual countries.

      so anti-hate-speech laws are inherently immoral?

      Yes, of course.

      So you of course live in a country that doesn't have such laws then.

      The DMCA (and associated WIPO regulations) is law too, you can't have it both ways.

      I was, perhaps, not sufficiently precise in my wording. DMCA is something that basically says that I don't truly own the things that I buy; not even the particular copy of a work that is copyrighted.

      No you were quite sufficient, you want to use the law to protect yourself but you don't want corporations using the law to protect themselves.

    21. Re:Unsubsidized Consoles? by man_the_king · · Score: 1
      I think Geohot is in the wrong, specifically as he released the root key publicly. This post by Butr0sButr0s - timestamp 22/02/11 @ 13:32 succinctly explains what I'm thinking about him releasing the key, especially the book-related analogy.

      So I'm going to support Sony - by buying all the good games they release this year.

      And the next.

      And so on.

  16. Sure. What is his bank account number? by Kohath · · Score: 1

    Please use your free speech rights and leave it in the comments here. Thanks.

  17. Free Speech rights? by microcars · · Score: 0

    since when did Sony become the Federal Government?
    I see nothing in the linked article(s) about "free speech rights." What did I miss here?

    --
    I like microcars
    1. Re:Free Speech rights? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      since when did Sony become the Federal Government?

      Perhaps when Sony's "GDP" surpassed the government's? j/k ;)

      I see nothing in the linked article(s) about "free speech rights." What did I miss here?

      Sony got a restraining order against Geohot, in an attempt to stop him from talking about how he did the hack. Sony also seized all his hardware. Tbh, this is more of a fight against anti-circumvention, which is an aspect of copyright (eh, what?) which contradicts hardware owners' rights to do with their physical property whatever they wish (e.g., jailbreak an iPhone or PS3 that they legally own).

    2. Re:Free Speech rights? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      because inherently you have the right to alter things you own....EXCEPT when that device is suddenly covered under the DMCA, and suddenly it's illegal to do something with your own device. The grounds on which he is being sued on are based on unjust laws. If the DMCA had been passed 100 years ago it would be illegal to work on your car, to renovate your home, or to alter your clothes.

    3. Re:Free Speech rights? by bhtooefr · · Score: 1

      Sony's getting the government to restrict Hotz's speech.

    4. Re:Free Speech rights? by HungryHobo · · Score: 2

      the court(Judicial Branch of government) banned him from talking about the entire subject in public.

    5. Re:Free Speech rights? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'd argue that the free speech angle follows the use of the DMCA by Sony to stifle GeoHots ability to speak freely about the hardware he bought.

      Example: If I buy a PS3 and completely strip it down and take pictures, and in doing so purposfully void the warranty, I have the full right of free speech to post those pictures on the Internet. If I'm wrong, I would sure like to see the case law here...

      I'm guess he's going to argue that the subsequent retraction of initial PS3 hardware capabilities by Sony, and the their aggressive use (my words) of the DMCA to stifle the production of his researched efforts on the PS3 constitute a stifling of his free speech that falls under 1st Amendment protection. Since he is neither charging for the information he's releasing, or actively selling it, willful patent infringement for monetary gain seems out the window.

      That being said, since Corporations are now considered persons under current law, un-Constituted, I'm curious how they plan to retract ~information they've released (hardware & software for general consumption) unless they wish for that same information to have protection under 1st Amendment protections. Oh, right. How can hardware and software have 1st Amendment protection?

    6. Re:Free Speech rights? by hedwards · · Score: 1

      The courts do have the right to do that, but in this case it doesn't make any sense. The information is already out there, and having Geohot shut up is pretty much only going to help him. There are occasions where it's legitimate, but in this case it seems a bit of a waste of effort.

      Really, what we probably ought to have is a "get geohot to shut up" fund before he gets himself into any more trouble, than he already is in.

    7. Re:Free Speech rights? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      the court(Judicial Branch of government) banned him from talking about the entire subject in public.

      he's involved in a legal case, sometimes they get upset over people trying to try the case in the media.

      go figure.

  18. Comment to geohot by mede · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'm the one who submitted this story in trying to raise awareness and get you to raise funds from the slashdot community.. You deserve backup from many people to stand a good fight vs. sony..

    Be careful, George.. You have a very strong opportunity to make a difference.. No one is saying you shouldn't benefit from it after it's over.. In fact, YOU SHOULD..

    But take cautious steps in the middle.. You've appeared one time too many as being too media and attention centric.. Focus right now and enjoy the benefits later.. Listen to older people..

    mede

    1. Re:Comment to geohot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is English your first language? I'm still trying to figure out what the hell you're saying in the original post. Did your ESL tutor help you with this one? INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW.

    2. Re:Comment to geohot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

      Again, don't understand. Why should this kid not be sued into long-term bankruptcy?

    3. Re:Comment to geohot by mede · · Score: 5, Informative

      By the way, I can't believe slashdot changed the link to the source...

      Don't go to techspot.

      Go to geohot.com

    4. Re:Comment to geohot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WU1zd4CPT4Q/TWBKrBauwYI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/TCnKRY47vFc/s1600/boycottsony.png

    5. Re:Comment to geohot by Yvan256 · · Score: 1

      White text on a black background will only do two things:
      - stop people from reading your text
      - stop people from printing your text to display somewhere

      Reverse that image if you really care about it.

      P.S.: good call on the PNG format, though. Too often do I see similar graphics saved in JPEG.

    6. Re:Comment to geohot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      See this machine you're using right now? It's called a computer.
      By Sony's logic, the manufacturer of your computer should have the right to tell you what programs you can install or not install on your computer. That is what is at stake in this lawsuit.

      And that's why he should not be sued into bankruptcy.

    7. Re:Comment to geohot by Microlith · · Score: 1

      Why should this kid not be sued into long-term bankruptcy?

      Why should he? What wrong has he committed?

    8. Re:Comment to geohot by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      But take cautious steps in the middle.. You've appeared one time too many as being too media and attention centric.. Focus right now and enjoy the benefits later.. Listen to older people..

      What are you talking about, you senile old coot? Any donations not used for his legal defense will be donated again.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    9. Re:Comment to geohot by rockfistus · · Score: 1

      I like white on black.

  19. Re:Uhm no thanks by Ruke · · Score: 1

    The reason that every PS3 game is rife with cheats is because those games were designed poorly. If the security were implemented server-side instead of client-side, no amount of console modding would make cheating possible.

  20. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by RyuuzakiTetsuya · · Score: 1

    Sony's dicked around a lot of people, but Paypal's done so much worse than Sony. Denial of numerous non-profits own money such as Wikileaks, obscene service charges, shady privacy policy...

    What the hell do you have to do to be more hated than Sony around here?

    --
    Non impediti ratione cogitationus.
  21. Re:Uhm no thanks by The+Wild+Norseman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Isn't this kid's hack the reason every PS3 game is now rife with cheats?

    No thanks, I'm rooting for Sony on this one.

    I'm sure they'll return the favor...

    --
    "A government is a body of people usually -- notably -- ungoverned." -Shepherd Book
  22. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Sending physical cash via snail-mail is the worst possible thing you could do.

    Not to mention that banks require a fee much higher than the exchange rate to convert cash to your country's currency. Send 10 Canadian dollars to GeoHot (who lives in New Jersey, according to Wikipedia) and his bank will most likely take 10 to 15% away from those 10 Canadian dollars (which are worth 10.1348 U.S. dollars according to Google).

  23. Re:Uhm no thanks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I'm with.. stupid?

  24. So? by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Repeat after me: Not every business plan is viable or continues to be viable as times change.

    The PC market does fine without subsidies, let console players pay the full price of their hardware so they stop saying how cheap their hardware is compared to a PC, while typing said message from a PC.

    --

    MMO Quests are like orgasms:

    You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.

    1. Re:So? by aitikin · · Score: 2

      Repeat after me: Not every business plan is viable or continues to be viable as times change.

      Are you a consultant? I work in an industry that needs this advice and Sony's a part of said industry. Maybe they're taking their philosophies from the music branch...

      --
      "Don't meddle in the affairs of a patent dragon, for thou art tasty and good with ketchup." ~ohcrapitssteve
    2. Re:So? by exomondo · · Score: 2

      Repeat after me: Not every business plan is viable or continues to be viable as times change.

      Repeat after me?
      In any case the business plan is clearly still viable, there isn't anything wrong with it at all. If they offered an unsubsidized version of the console for homebrew in addition to the current model that would be a good solution, though this would have to be separate from the gaming networks to avoid the sort of cheating that is so widespread in online PC games.

      The PC market does fine without subsidies

      Obviously, it's a different market.

    3. Re:So? by betterunixthanunix · · Score: 3, Insightful

      In any case the business plan is clearly still viable, there isn't anything wrong with it at all.

      No, the business plan is not viable, it is propped up by laws like the DMCA.

      --
      Palm trees and 8
    4. Re:So? by cheekyjohnson · · Score: 1

      though this would have to be separate from the gaming networks to avoid the sort of cheating that is so widespread in online PC games.

      It isn't widespread if the games are securely made and properly moderated. It's just that console developers expect the console to do everything for them. But, really, playing a game in a way that other people don't like is inherently bad in the first place.

      --
      Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
    5. Re:So? by exomondo · · Score: 1

      though this would have to be separate from the gaming networks to avoid the sort of cheating that is so widespread in online PC games.

      It isn't widespread if the games are securely made and properly moderated. It's just that console developers expect the console to do everything for them.

      How so? Which game - aside from MMOs - has avoided rampant cheating? Games like CS:S, TF, COD, etc... all suffer from people having things like aimbots, how do weed them out, what 'securely made' features are you going to add?
      Consoles avoid this by not allowing modified versions of the game or the console to play on the network.

      But, really, playing a game in a way that other people don't like is inherently bad in the first place.

      Well the cheaters don't agree...which is kinda the point.

    6. Re:So? by exomondo · · Score: 2

      In any case the business plan is clearly still viable, there isn't anything wrong with it at all.

      No, the business plan is not viable, it is propped up by laws like the DMCA.

      I think you'll find that *makes* the business plan viable, business plans operate within the confines of the law and as such can legitimately be 'propped up' by those laws.

    7. Re:So? by LWATCDR · · Score: 2

      Even better repeat after me. When I buy something I own it. If I want to put home brew on a console I own then I will put home brew on my console. I am not even one of the folks on here that believe piracy is okay. But what I buy I own and while I can live with the idea that I can not copy it and sell it. "I am not allowed to copy a car and sell that" but do not say I can not take it apart and learn from it and share what I learn!

      --
      See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
    8. Re:So? by cheekyjohnson · · Score: 1

      How so? Which game - aside from MMOs - has avoided rampant cheating?

      Certainly not many. Designing your game so that it isn't terribly easy to hack was what I was referring to (like not storing everything clientside). Now, if the servers are properly moderated, it shouldn't be that bad. If it is, that's really the server owner's fault.

      --
      Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
    9. Re:So? by westlake · · Score: 0

      The PC market does fine without subsidies, let console players pay the full price of their hardware so they stop saying how cheap their hardware is compared to a PC, while typing said message from a PC

      The PC is doing fine as an office machine, as a home entertainment center like the video game console or Internet-enabled HDTV, not so well.

    10. Re:So? by exomondo · · Score: 1

      How so? Which game - aside from MMOs - has avoided rampant cheating?

      Certainly not many. Designing your game so that it isn't terribly easy to hack was what I was referring to (like not storing everything clientside). Now, if the servers are properly moderated, it shouldn't be that bad. If it is, that's really the server owner's fault.

      But how do you do that, i mean why do you think it hasn't been done already? If designing a game - or any software - that was not 'terribly easy to hack' was viable we would see it done a lot more, not storing everything clientside doesn't help, the interaction and rendering is what is important for hacks and that is done client-side.

    11. Re:So? by silanea · · Score: 1

      And where do you think the DMCA came from?

      --
      Rudolf Hess edited Mein Kampf. He was the very first grammar nazi.
    12. Re:So? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But, really, playing a game in a way that is against the rules is inherently bad in the first place.

      Fixed that for you. The original meant you would be disallowed from winning 2-player competitive games if your opponent didn't enjoy competitive play.

      Poor sportsmanship (not just outright cheating) should also count against one in some way, but that's a more nebulous concept for some people.

    13. Re:So? by cheekyjohnson · · Score: 1

      But how do you do that, i mean why do you think it hasn't been done already?

      What are you talking about? PC games do that all the time. Most of the information is stored server-side so that clients cannot alter it as they please. I mean, that won't exactly stop aimbots, but it gets rid of the most abusive cheats. Other than that, again, I say moderate the servers.

      --
      Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
    14. Re:So? by exomondo · · Score: 1

      But how do you do that, i mean why do you think it hasn't been done already?

      What are you talking about? PC games do that all the time. Most of the information is stored server-side so that clients cannot alter it as they please. I mean, that won't exactly stop aimbots, but it gets rid of the most abusive cheats. Other than that, again, I say moderate the servers.

      What im talking about is things like aimbots and wall hacks, the most prevalent and most annoying hacks in multiplayer gaming. What do you mean by 'most of the information'? Maps, textures, interaction functionality, etc... is held locally.

    15. Re:So? by cheekyjohnson · · Score: 1

      What im talking about is things like aimbots and wall hacks, the most prevalent and most annoying hacks in multiplayer gaming.

      I know. Moderation.

      What do you mean by 'most of the information'?

      I meant player information. Health, items, armor, ammo, etc. Actually, I don't think aimbots and wallhacks are the worst possible hacks. It gets much worse if players are allowed to make themselves invincible, but that's besides the point.

      --
      Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
    16. Re:So? by Nursie · · Score: 1

      I thought it came, fully formed, straight out of Satan's butthole!

    17. Re:So? by exomondo · · Score: 1

      What im talking about is things like aimbots and wall hacks, the most prevalent and most annoying hacks in multiplayer gaming.

      I know. Moderation.

      There is a system for that in source games...short of it is that it doesn't work and cheating is still rampant.

    18. Re:So? by nedlohs · · Score: 1

      And the corner store is propped up by laws that make shoplifting a crime.

    19. Re:So? by cheekyjohnson · · Score: 1

      Then there's not much to be done. People will just have to deal with the occasional cheater.

      --
      Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
    20. Re:So? by ToasterMonkey · · Score: 1

      The PC market does fine without subsidies, let console players pay the full price of their hardware so they stop saying how cheap their hardware is compared to a PC, while typing said message from a PC.

      Have you really thought that through? That despite there being a PC or several in almost every house with a gaming console, and in those without, and the PC being the bigger purchase of the two, consoles both move higher volumes of games, and carry consistently higher prices for them?

      What do you mean "does fine"? Just how big do you think the PC's slice of the software entertainment pie is?

      I know it's strange to a geek who feels really good about him/herself for knowing as much as they do about some complex machine the average person does not, but the real truth is that the average person, and most people, do _not_ _really_ _like_ computers.

      You might still be in denial, but most people do not have an emotional attachment to computers and will drop them in a second, given a better alternative. A phone, a tablet, an ereader, mp3 player, game console, anything. Sure, general purpose computers will be around long a long while still, but there is no love for them, computer geeks have squandered that.

    21. Re:So? by Ihmhi · · Score: 1

      The PC market does fine without subsidies

      Does it? Last I checked, damn near every PC you could pick up in a store is laden with bloatware and its been that was for the last 10-15 years.

    22. Re:So? by bzipitidoo · · Score: 1

      And the law must operate within the confines of nature. Lawmakers can decree that pi = 3.0, global warming isn't happening, we aren't related to monkeys, or the earth is 6000 years old, but that won't make it so. They still don't really get it that sharing is a consequence of the way the universe works.

      --
      Intellectual Property is a monopolistic, selfish, and defective concept. It is "tyranny over the mind of man"
    23. Re:So? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The console market does well too with consumers paying full price for hardware. Ever hear of Nintendo? They don't subsidize their consoles.

    24. Re:So? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      "I am not allowed to copy a car and sell that"

      Maybe not, but once none of the parts are protected by patent you CAN replace EVERY SINGLE PART OF A CAR and sell the replacements. That includes bodywork. You could sell the entire car as a kit. For a vehicle old enough for any copyright to have expired, you could copy the whole car. I wouldn't mind having a Baker Electric. Anyone have blueprints? I'll start a company to produce them again.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    25. Re:So? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Disclaimer: I am not even remotely one of the pure "free market" nuts you see here who legitimize corporate irresponsibility as "you are free to not buy their latest gadget."

      That said, I have noticed a pattern regarding laws that make a business model viable: more often than not, we would all be better off if neither existed. If the DMCA is truly responsible for this business model -- selling a locked-down piece of hardware at a loss, subsidizing it with software sales, and litigating against anyone who shows how to unlock the hardware even if that person has no intention of pirating software -- then we need to re-examine whether this law is truly in the best interest of the people. This law is potentially distorting the free market and removing choice from the consumer, and in a roundabout way is even punishing consumers who attempt to exercise rights that other laws are supposed to protect. Yes, given who was responsible for the DMCA, you may even say that this was the intention of the law. That is all the more reason why we must act to repeal this law, and in the meantime show corporations who benefit from this law that we choose not to patronize a company that abuses its consumers in this way.

    26. Re:So? by TheCRAIGGERS · · Score: 1

      I'll gladly get paid $200 an hour to tell your bosses that they are stupid and should listen to their more knowledgeable employees. Where do I sign up?

    27. Re:So? by LWATCDR · · Score: 1

      Yes you can but the point I was trying to make is that this isn't about piracy it is about ownership.
      There is nothing wrong with me wanting to use a device I own in a way that the manufactures didn't intend it to be used. If I want to convert a Wok into a WiFi Dish antenna or use a brick as a doorstop. If I want to write and run my own code on the PS3 "Which I could at one time BTW"
      Then that is my right. I own the device.
      If I want tell others what I have learned that is also my right.

      --
      See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
    28. Re:So? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      This is the problem with not enumerating rights in the constitution. They should have enumerated a lot more of them while still leaving it open-ended. In practice we don't even really get the rights "guaranteed" therein.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    29. Re:So? by aitikin · · Score: 1

      Hmm. Only place I know of to find them is: http://riaa.org/

      --
      "Don't meddle in the affairs of a patent dragon, for thou art tasty and good with ketchup." ~ohcrapitssteve
    30. Re:So? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Point taken, but when multiple companies lobby congress until they get enough support to make a law that favors them (and does nothing but create headaches and potential legal troubles for consumers/end-users), then how the hell does the consumer benefit? No, really. In what way does the DMCA do anything but attempt to criminalize actions that I might wish to take with someone else's IP (in my case, make backup copies or etc. so that when the disk wears out I am not SOL), or even hardware that I outright purchased (why should Sony care if I want to void my warranty)? If I outright purchase a piece of hardware then I should be free to do with it as I wish. Sony doesn't want to provide documentation/support for my unintended usage/modifications? Fine, no problem. I will work with similarly interested members of the community and see if we can figure out interesting new potential uses for the hardware in question. If someone can explain to me what good the DMCA does for the consumer, I will eat my own head.

      Laws like the DMCA and organizations like the MPAA/RIAA are only there to "protect" the interests of the companies that created/support them. They couldn't care less about the harm they are actually doing to the community they are a part of. Don't get me wrong, I am all for protecting one's ideas/patents/whatever from being used without permission, but to prevent the consumer from being able to do something as essential as create a backup copy is outright wrong.

    31. Re:So? by darkshadow88 · · Score: 1

      I suspect that the reasons consoles move higher volumes of games are:

      a) The console is a standardized platform, allowing you to guarantee the game's performance (e.g. you know that everybody's Xbox 360 will have the same CPU).
      b) You can easily connect your console to your TV, which is almost certainly much larger than your monitor. Even if your computer has HDMI out, it's still a cumbersome experience (and see point (c) below).
      c) Consoles are designed to look good among your other equipment (PCs are generally big and/or ugly).
      d) Console games are designed for use with some sort of controller (or Kinect) rather than a keyboard.
      e) Consoles are cheap.

      Points (a) through (d) are always going to be advantages of consoles. As for the price, console makers could probably still keep the price low, even with an open system. Official Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo certified games will still be very popular, and most people will happily buy them. Look at smartphones, for instance. The vast majority of Android and iPhone users stick to getting apps from the official app stores on the respective platforms. In the case of Android, this is true even though nothing is done to try to prevent the existence of other app stores or "off-market" app installations.

      No matter what happens, the console makers will still make money off of the >99% of users who don't care about homebrew software. As for the cheaters, that should be addressed server-side, and I fully support PSN/Xbox Live banning people who cheat.

    32. Re:So? by exomondo · · Score: 1

      And the law must operate within the confines of nature. Lawmakers can decree that pi = 3.0, global warming isn't happening, we aren't related to monkeys, or the earth is 6000 years old, but that won't make it so. They still don't really get it that sharing is a consequence of the way the universe works.

      Nice strawman you've got there, that's science, not behavioral rules. But i get that you don't understand law and society, that much is obvious. Death is a consequence of the way the universe works but you can't just go around killing people, because that's the law and to be a part of society you must obey the law.

  25. Re:Sold at a loss... by cigawoot · · Score: 1

    The recoup in costs for an iPhone is the 2 year agreement you must sign in order to get the phone.

  26. Re:Uhm no thanks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Sony, much like Microsoft with the Xbox 360, now ban anyone found to be using a hacked PS3 from the Playstation Network. "O noes mah onlien gaeman is filled wit CHEETARZ" is a short-term problem that won't be around for too much longer. "Holy crap my right to free speech and my right to modify my own possessions have just been torpedoed in the legal system" is a much MUCH longer-term problem that would take a lot of money and time to reverse. For Sony to win this one would set a scary precedent. Imagine a world in which you can only install approved software on your PC; if you try to write your own applications or games and the manufacturer of your computer gets wind of it, your door gets kicked in by the police and everything gets confiscated.

    Please kids, try to see the bigger picture before you post your ignorance for all the world to see. It'll save those grownups who feel compelled to do so the time of trying to explain it to you.

    Also, $20 donated here. I'd be interested to see the stats in a few months; I hope he posts them.

  27. the right to tinker with my own private property by virchull · · Score: 1

    Don't normally do this, but to preserve the right to tinker - of course I will contribute, and I did.

  28. Re:Sure. What is his bank account number? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    1,2,3,4,5

  29. Re:Uhm no thanks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yeah right. Who the hell would bother with that? I've never heard of anyone doing that with a PS3, if you're going to put the effort in to alter packets then you might as well just play a PC game with real cheats.

    Also, if you're going to cheat, you may as well watch a movie, you fucking griefer assholes.

  30. Re:Huh. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's hardly a trade secret when it's easily calculated from information that is distributed with the console.

  31. Re:Huh. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I agree. Microsoft should follow suit and ship a crypto key in its newest update that'll lock you out of Wikileaks, Slashdot, other news outlets to keep you from mirroring and further leaking trade secrets. Thank god we have corporations to tell us what we can and cannot expose ourselves to!

  32. Re:the right to tinker with my own private propert by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It may not be too late to get your money back. This has nothing to do with the right to tinker with your private property, quite obviously. Not sure how you could have gotten that idea other than listening to a bunch of silly rhetoric.

  33. Re:Sold at a loss... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm not sure that's actually true of the iPhone - at least not if you pay the genuine price for it without contract. In the UK, an iPhone on its own costs about £600 I think. It's a fine piece of engineering but that more than covers the cost of the device. If you buy with a contract then you've signed up explicitly for a deal where you pay for the phone effectively in installments through your phone bills.

    With a games console they've so far allowed people to "buy" it and then left any subsidy from subsequent purchases implicit. You've not signed a contract saying it's not yours until you play a certain amount back (or indefinitely). Maybe these developments will (should?) push manufacturers towards a model more like the mobile phones. They *can* control whether you can access their online multiplayer and online store, so if they want a guaranteed income and a subsidised console they could tie a cheap purchase price to subscription services.

    The problem there is that it makes it easier for them to break games that people have purchased when they've had enough of supporting them (c.f. Halo 2), which is a bit unfortunate.

  34. So? by betterunixthanunix · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What is your point? That these companies have a business model that is based on not selling their products for a profit? That they want to use the force of law to force that business model to be profitable?

    I feel absolutely no remorse for these companies.

    --
    Palm trees and 8
  35. Re:Huh. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Please read up on what a trade secret really is.

    Even if the crypto key was a trade secret, reverse engineering it is legal even in the United States.

  36. Re:Sure. What is his bank account number? by Yvan256 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    1,2,3,4,5? That's amazing! I've got the same combination on my luggage! - President Skroob

  37. Not A Fan Of Either by EXTomar · · Score: 0

    I'm not a fan of any of the console vendors but I'm really not a fan of Hotz. Trying to cloth his activities as free speech rights is always dubious but then asking for help is even more so. Its like modifying my car to the point it no longer street legal the going "Waaaa! they are after me! Donate money to me so I can stick it to them!" No thanks, you did this to yourself for fame so enjoy it. This isn't a free speech issue but a civil dispute where if I look into the motives of both I find them both repugnant.

    In the end, I've determined both parties suck in this case and choose to side with neither.

    1. Re:Not A Fan Of Either by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      then you aren't seeing the bigger picture. This is about companies being able to sue anyone they want into silence, while that person didn't break the law at all.

    2. Re:Not A Fan Of Either by betterunixthanunix · · Score: 5, Insightful

      As it turns out, you can modify a car so that it is not street legal, and you can then send information on how you did that to other people. This is a free speech issue: Geohot did not break into Sony offices or commit any sort of industrial espionage in order to compute the signing key; his only apparent violation of the law was to post a copy of what he had computed on the web. When posting something you computed becomes illegal, then there is a serious free speech problem.

      --
      Palm trees and 8
    3. Re:Not A Fan Of Either by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't like the guy, either, but the thing he's fighting about should be properly explored in the courts.

    4. Re:Not A Fan Of Either by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Its like modifying my car to the point it no longer street legal

      Hotz is just trying to help people get their PS3s back to the level of functionality as when they bought them. A better analogy would be if your car was street-legal when you bought it, but then the auto manufacturer sneaked into your garage in the middle of the night and took a sledgehammer to the stereo, because they suspected the stereo could be exploited to... create free cars... and that threatened their business model... yeah, the car analogy doesn't really work and you're obviously ignorant about this case.

      No thanks, you did this to yourself for fame so enjoy it.

      Go ahead and make unfounded guesses about his motives all you want. But Hotz's public statements have made it clear that his only intent (whatever his motive) was to repair the damage that Sony did to our Other OS function. He has openly stated that he doesn't condone any piracy that might be made possible as a side effect, and his actions absolutely have not contradicted his words. It is his free speech right to help people repair their vandalized property. You've got some balls to mock him for that in on a website where control over your own hardware is usually taken so seriously.

      And yeah, Sony may have the right to forbid jailbroken PS3s from going on their network—I assume that's what you were going for with that half-baked "street legal" analogy. But Hotz's modifications weren't in any way specific to online functioning. Sony can go fuck themselves with a rusty gardening implement if they think it's their business what happens on an offline PS3. And cry me a river for their network anyway, it's their own goddamned fault that people had a good reason to risk messing around with their hardware in the first place.

    5. Re:Not A Fan Of Either by judeancodersfront · · Score: 2

      No he just made it really easy for people to ruin games like MW2. Read about the lobby hack before blindly defending him.

    6. Re:Not A Fan Of Either by judeancodersfront · · Score: 2

      Hotz was trying to jailbreak the ps3 before OtherOS was removed. It was actually Chinese pirates that found the original exploit and Hotz took it further and released the keys online which led to millions having their online experience ruined. But /. likes to pretend it was some heroic story.....gag.

    7. Re:Not A Fan Of Either by Naerymdan · · Score: 0

      Hey, I have an idea! Let's sue the inventor of the internet because he made DOS and DDOS attacks possible!

      --
      Bah.
    8. Re:Not A Fan Of Either by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      fail0verflow folks didn't look Chinese to me. Check out the 273C video dude.

    9. Re:Not A Fan Of Either by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Who gives a shit about MW2 when compared with the freedom to do what I want with my property and share what I've learned with others?

      Are you really more concerned with a game than your freedom?

    10. Re:Not A Fan Of Either by panda+cakes · · Score: 0

      Check out that video yourself - all the information they've got was through running the USB dongle exploit designed (or more likely stolen) by the Chinese.

    11. Re:Not A Fan Of Either by nosferatu1001 · · Score: 1

      Irrelevant, he allowed you to have your console back to how it was pre-other os removal.

      The only people who allowed the lobby hack were the inane developers who blindly trusted an untested security system

  38. Re:Sold at a loss... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I just built a quad core w/ 4GB Ram and a 1tb drive for 399 including a Win 7 Pro license for my mom, so no, you won't necessarily pay "a whole lot more than $300 for it".... It all depends on your needs though.

  39. Re:Huh. by maxume · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You have a problem with him reverse engineering the inner workings of a device he legally purchased and then sharing that information publicly?

    --
    Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
  40. Re:Huh. by bhtooefr · · Score: 4, Informative

    The thing with trade secrets is that you're only bound by the NDA if you actually signed it.

    If the company gives you the trade secret, without making you sign an NDA, but puts it inside a box, it's their fault if you open the box and get the trade secret, not yours.

  41. Donate please by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm nigerian prince mustafa-el-sad, please give me your dollars.

    1. Re:Donate please by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sure, but do you accept checks?

  42. Donate button by Infoport · · Score: 1

    The Donate button can be found on the top of GeoHot's webpage http://geohot.com
    and also at the top of his new blog http://geohotgotsued.blogspot.com
    (both linked in the article)

    if you are feeling grateful now, donate to the legal defense

  43. Re:Huh. by betterunixthanunix · · Score: 2

    Funny, when last I checked, if you reverse engineer Coca Cola and discover their secret formula, you are allowed to disseminate that information. What makes a crypto key any different? Geohot did not break into any Sony offices to compute the key.

    --
    Palm trees and 8
  44. Re:Sold at a loss... by Microlith · · Score: 1

    The PS3 and iPhone both contain more parts in cost than their retail price reflects.

    If you seriously believe the iPhone's BOM is higher than the unsubsidized retail price I have a bridge to sell you. When you buy one via AT&T or Verizon, it's the carrier eating the cost to fool you into thinking you got a deal with your contract.

    when something is sold at a loss you can expect there to be some form of vendor lock-in in order for the add-on products to make back the money lost.

    Then why doesn't Apple disable the locks on devices bought without a contract?

    If you want an open computer, buy the parts and build it yourself. You'll pay a whole lot more than $300 for it.

    I paid $600 for my N900. This lock down has nothing to do with recouping costs.

  45. Re:Huh. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Oh, so if I'm a reporter and I get a leaked screenshot or photos of your new gadget prototype, I don't have the right to publish it? They are trade secrets you know. Didn't know there was a type of person who held trade secrets above free speech. I'm continually proven wrong though.

  46. Re:Uhm no thanks by cheekyjohnson · · Score: 0

    It's GeoHot's fault that their games are so insecure! Relying on someone or something else to secure your own game is completely intelligent!

    --
    Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
  47. Re:Sold at a loss... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    To me, selling initial hardware at below cost and then locking the purchaser in to costly future payments doesn't seem a lot different from smack pushers offering the first hit free.

    How this piss-poor business model manages to avoid existing anti-dumping laws is beyond me but when people like Sony start abusing the law to fit their broken model, something needs to be done.

  48. Re:Huh. by faragon · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What trade secret? Published keys were already "published" by Sony, because a defective security implementation. It is like writting a number in the box and forbidding you to tell it to others. Geohot just told others what was the keys for his console, and the fact that these keys were the same for all consoles is just Sony's fault. In my opinion Sony deserves this and much more, because of fuking their customers (I still hold PS3 firmware 3.15, for using Linux, but not being able to play new games, because the *requirement* of firmware update). By the way, I have no intention of buying anything produced by Sony, including their media brands (e.g. Columbia Pictures).

  49. Not Sold at a loss... by aitikin · · Score: 1

    The iPhone A) does not cost less than the sum of its parts (see this story for the actual cost of parts of an iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, both of which are higher than they are sold for) B) is sold on a two year contract to a consumer at a much lower cost than it would be without contract C) makes unknown amounts of money for Apple from AT&T and now Verizon.

    The PS3 is NOT sold at a loss anymore and has not been for well over six months (see this story on /. no less). They were sold at a loss for a long time, and Sony is still probably trying to recoup their losses on that, but they get money off of every game sold as well.

    Get your facts straight before you claim such things.

    --
    "Don't meddle in the affairs of a patent dragon, for thou art tasty and good with ketchup." ~ohcrapitssteve
  50. $40 is not much... by andydread · · Score: 1

    but i had $65 to spare and threw $25 to the EFF and $40 to George. Times like this its good to remember that it was the EFF that primary fought for the freedom to Jailbreak devices that WE own. And with all the successes they have been getting lately I encourage all on Slashdot to give what they can to support the EFF.

    1. Re:$40 is not much... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Seconded. $20 to GeoHot, $65 to EFF.

  51. Re:Huh. by funkatron · · Score: 2

    WTF is trade secrets? The man found out some interesting information and posted it. No harm done.

    --
    "Welcome to our world. We are the wasted youth. And we are the future too." Yes, I know these are stupid lyrics.
  52. Sure, I'll help by zill · · Score: 5, Funny

    I heard Sony loses money for every PS3 sold, so I went ahead and brought one to help out the cause.

    1. Re:Sure, I'll help by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Where did you bring it from? I don't understand.

    2. Re:Sure, I'll help by hedwards · · Score: 2

      That hasn't been true in quite a while. By the time they released the Slim, they were already making a profit on each console sold.

    3. Re:Sure, I'll help by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's idiotic.

      Perhaps they cost more to make than they sell for. But if you buy one, that's still $300 you gave Sony. So if it costs $400 to make, you made Sony's net loss on that unit $100. If you hadn't purchased it, Sony's loss on that unit would have been $400. Plus the bad press for low sales, and all of the market and developer momentum that goes with it.

      Please, oh for the love of please, tell me you're joking and this is a whoooosh moment for me.

    4. Re:Sure, I'll help by westlake · · Score: 2

      I heard Sony loses money for every PS3 sold, so I went ahead and brought one to help out the cause.

      Don't believe everything you hear.

      The much-simplified and cheaper to manufacture PS3 Slim is the only model currently in production.

      It's worth taking a moment to look at some stats:

      Installed base: about 48 million units.
      PSN accounts: 69 million
      PlayStation Home: 17 million accounts
      MOVE 4 million units

      The PS3 is a family-oriented home entertainment center. It's natural home is below or to one side of the big screen HDTV and theater sound system -

      and at $400 for the MOVE bundle - firmware upgraded - that is where it is going to stay, unless you want to be the Dad who gets permanently exiled to the couch in the basement.

    5. Re:Sure, I'll help by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I heard Sony loses money for every PS3 sold, so I went ahead and brought one to help out the cause.

      Where did you bring it to?

    6. Re:Sure, I'll help by zill · · Score: 1

      Don't believe everything you hear.

      Precisely.

      Since Slashdot already covered it, I just assumed it would be fine to omit the disclaimer at the end of the joke.

    7. Re:Sure, I'll help by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hate to break it to you, but they got the costs down to the point where they're now in profit on sold machines - that point was passed approx 2 years ago.

      Sure, they had to gut backwards compatibility amongst others to do it, but they did it. :S

    8. Re:Sure, I'll help by Cloud+K · · Score: 1

      Yeah I can't speak for the grandparent but I think he's utilising this thing called "humour"?

      Cows are destroying the planet! Better eat more beef! - that sort of thing.

  53. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by 228e2 · · Score: 1

    rofl @ mailing cash . . . .

    --
    Since when does being a Socialist mean 'someone who has a different opinion than me'?
  54. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sending physical cash via snail-mail is the worst possible thing you could do.

    Not to mention that banks require a fee much higher than the exchange rate to convert cash to your country's currency. Send 10 Canadian dollars to GeoHot (who lives in New Jersey, according to Wikipedia) and his bank will most likely take 10 to 15% away from those 10 Canadian dollars (which are worth 10.1348 U.S. dollars according to Google).

    Fine, so I'll send $25 dollars and expect him to net $20
    whatever
    as long as I don't have to go through Paypal

    why oh why do people insist on having only one way to donate and that way is a vile corrupt option

  55. Hotz is the good guy here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    What's wrong with Hotz's activities? Are you saying he should not be allowed to do whatever he wants with the hardware he owns? He purchased his PS3 fair and square, from a retail vendor. He never signed any contract with Sony (nor even agreed to any EULA or ToS or similar bullshit).

    Sony is the villain in this picture, they distributed a malicious update that DISABLED the perfectly functional OtherOS feature in existing fat PS3 consoles. They advertised those PS3s for years as being able to support OtherOS *and* being able to connect to the PlayStation network. Then they took these actions which force each PS3 owner to choose either one or the other, rather than keep both like they were originally advertised. That's bait-and-switch. As the owner of a fat PS3, Hotz was totally justified in hacking the hardware to reenable functionality of his console that was maliciously disabled by Sony. Anything he learned during that process (including crypto keys, etc.) can be shared freely because he never agreed to an NDA with Sony.

    All these companies that think its OK to sell a piece of hardware and then use the legal system to prevent the OWNERS of that hardware from doing whatever the fuck they want with it, need a fucking reality check. And if you feel bad for them losing money because Hotz has given everyone back the ability to run whatever software they want on their Sony-subsidized computing devices, well maybe Sony should not have based their business model on holding their customers hostage.

    1. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by judeancodersfront · · Score: 1

      Released the keys which led to MW2 and other games having their online play ruined. It's irresponsible.

    2. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by Eponymous+Coward · · Score: 1

      The cheats for MW2 were rampant before he released the key.

    3. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by pem · · Score: 1
      So Sony fucked up by putting the security on the console and this guy is at fault?

      You shouldn't have to be a little kid to be able to get away with pointing out that the emperor is naked.

    4. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by Mad+Leper · · Score: 1

      "Malicious..: I dont' think that word means what you think it means..

      GeoHot may own the hardware but Sony never sold him rights to the software. I own my computer and am accessing SlashDot with it, does that mean that I'm entitled to hack said website and help myself to the user database? After all, I own my computer correct? Denying you rights to software that you didn't purchase and aren't licensed to use is not malicious, other wise we could say the same of the GPL.

      The OtherOS update was purely voluntary, you were given the choice between keeping OtherOS OR accessing PSN. How is this malicious? Distributing hacked PS3 firmware updates that steal your credit card info and destroy other players trophy collections can definitely be called malicious, I wonder who's to blame for that?

    5. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by panda+cakes · · Score: 0

      What's wrong with Hotz's activities? Are you saying he should not be allowed to do whatever he wants with the hardware he owns?

      He is not being sued for doing whatever he wants with the hardware he owns. He is being sued for doing illegal things with the software he does not own.

    6. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by judeancodersfront · · Score: 1

      MW2 wouldn't have been ruined if didn't release the keys. That was his choice and you want to pretend he isn't responsible for his actions.

    7. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by judeancodersfront · · Score: 1

      MW2 was not ruined before the keys. There were a few glitch cheats but nothing like the lobby hack that resets your stats. Read about it yourself:
      http://vgevo.com/site/showthread.php?p=475940

    8. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You seem to want to pretend he is responsible for other people's actions.

      Much like the invention of the motor vehicle made things possible such as hit and runs, drive bys, and car theft. Perhaps you'd care to file a lawsuit car makers and auto engineers and the living descendants of the inventors that made cars possible. Because we wouldn't want to pretend that they aren't responsible for their actions.

    9. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by KeithIrwin · · Score: 1

      He didn't ever post their software. He only posted their private key. Private keys are not intellectual property since they are not protected by copyright, trademark, or patent. Beyond that, the metloader key is what's used to sign new bootloaders, so using it doesn't require using Sony's software at all. It's precisely the key you need to replace Sony's software with your own. So there's nothing he's done which has violated any copyright on Sony's software. Even Sony isn't accusing him of that. What they're saying in their legal filings is that the private keys are a "circumvention device" and, hence, by distributing them he's violating provisions of the DMCA. Now, that seems to me a pretty tremendous stretching of the word "device", but that's what Sony is going with.

      Also, if you can get slashdot's user database by only hacking your own computer (and not hacking slashdot's server), then yeah, I tend to think that you are entitled to do so. That's pretty unlikely, though.

      As for distributing hacked PS3 firmware updates, sure, Geohot has some responsibility for that (as does Sony given that they screwed the pooch so badly on the cryptographic front that they allowed their private signing keys to become public knowledge), but that's about like blaming Albert Einstein for the bombing of Hiroshima. Geohot didn't build or distribute any of those firmwares. He just found and shared the knowledge which could be used either to do that or to do other things which are better like reenabling OtherOS or creating cool custom software for the PS3. The ultimate responsibility for the acts rests with the people who do them, not with the people who supply them with information.

    10. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ummmm i see a discrepancy here, geohotz had a ps3 running linux prior to sony removing the linux functionality as he was the one who found the power button code payload injector that led to all current abilities to run homebrew etc, and yet you are saying he never signed a eula or tos nor signed on to psn? then how is it his functionality was removed? because in order to update firmware you have to agree to eula and tos even if you download update external to the ps3

    11. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by FlyveHest · · Score: 1

      So, the fact that the MW2 developers aren't doing their job right, is somehow suddenly GeoHots fault?

    12. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by nosferatu1001 · · Score: 1

      Wrong. What was irresponsible was the blind faith by the developer in an unverified security system

    13. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by nosferatu1001 · · Score: 1

      No, there is a substantially non-infringing, non-hacking se.

      The fact Sony forced people to re-enable capabiltiy that was illegally denied then by Sony means that Sony are ultimately at fault.

      Your precious MW2 is just a casualty of something SONY caused.

    14. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by nosferatu1001 · · Score: 2

      Wrong in so many ways.

      You own the copy of the software, and are free to modify it as you wish.

      You analogy is SO flawed it's incredible you could think it relevant.

      THe other OS update is not "voluntary" - Sony illegally removed capability you paid for and was advertised on "fat" PS3's: namely access to PSN AND Other OS.

      Sony was in the wrong on this, and continues to be in the wrong.

    15. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by Voyager529 · · Score: 1

      Your analogy falls flat in that the data you're threatening to modify doesn't exist on your computer. By contrast, Mr. Hotz was modifying the software on the PS3 he *did* own. He *did* pay for the rights to use the Playstation OS as a part of the cost of the console. To my knowledge he wasn't distributing copies of the source code, and everything he built was reverse engineered. The reason why this is malicious is because the device was never sold as "the box that can either run linux or play games", it was advertised as both, and made to be either/or on an ex-post-facto basis. There is NO other industry that can get away with this, and until the current generation of internet connected consoles, it wasn't practical to do on the consoles either.

      If he was hacking the PSN to get free games or steal credit card data or to explicitly facilitate cheating, then fine, you'd have a case. But what REALLY irks me is the fact that the PSN is still required for activation of single player games and split-screen multiplayer. I mean really, these are cases where cheating is irrelevant, impractical, and even if performed, doesn't alter the experience of ANY player but the one doing the cheating (and the buddies he's got over his house). Why does console hacking make it impossible to play these types of games?

      It was said either here or on ZDNet...

      "Sony removed the ability to install Linux on the PS3, thinking nobody would notice. Let this be an example to all tech producing companies: you do NOT want to piss off the type of geeks who install Linux on a Playstation"

    16. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by Hatta · · Score: 1

      The stakes here are higher than a little game of MW2. This case deals with our basic rights to free speech and property.

      --
      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
    17. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by CronoCloud · · Score: 1

      Private keys are not intellectual property since they are not protected by copyright, trademark, or patent.

      So you wouldn't complain if someone hacked into your computer and put your private GPG or S/MIME keys on the internet?

    18. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by CronoCloud · · Score: 1

      THe other OS update is not "voluntary"

      Yes it is, you don't have to upgrade your PS3's firmware. You can keep OtherOS, you'll just lose PSN.

      - Sony illegally removed capability you paid for and was advertised on "fat" PS3's: namely access to PSN AND Other OS.

      OtherOS was never "advertised", unless you call the feature getting mention on Slashdot and other geek websites, "advertising" And no, OtherOS is NOT mentioned on the PS3 boxes (I still have my PS3's box), where that idea comes from I'll never know.

    19. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by Eponymous+Coward · · Score: 1

      Things like aimbots and wall hacks have been around for at least a year now making the game unplayable (IMHO). It's a poorly made game that has basically been unsupported by Activision after launch on all platforms. Saying the game is now even more ruined is a bit like saying someone is more pregnant.

    20. Re:Hotz is the good guy here by nosferatu1001 · · Score: 1

      So when it was highlighted during their PS3 launch show that doesnt count as being advertised?

      I was saying it is not "voluntary" if you want to retain access to PSN; you cannot have both, which is what make it illegal - well, certainly in the EU

  56. Re:Huh. by porl · · Score: 1

    in this case, yeah, your lawyer friends would be wrong. maybe you should let them know that.

  57. Re:Sure. What is his bank account number? by funkatron · · Score: 1

    5788769866732

    --
    "Welcome to our world. We are the wasted youth. And we are the future too." Yes, I know these are stupid lyrics.
  58. Re:Uhm no thanks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Having every check server side isn't feasible for a lot of games due to current hardware and network constraints. This is blatantly obvious to anyone that's worked on any non-trivial game...

  59. Donated. Can masses really go up against corps? by ACNoMore · · Score: 1

    I like the fighting spirit. But as small a community as we are, do you think we could go up against such a big corporation? More power to GeoHot. Aren't there any engineers in Sony who see how ridiculous this is? Can you please convince the execs to see how much more profitable it would be for Sony if there was more innovation on their platform?

  60. Linux Gaming Console. by Zombie+Ryushu · · Score: 2

    I built a Linux based gaming Console for $230. Your point is invalid.

    1. Re:Linux Gaming Console. by spire3661 · · Score: 1

      Got a link?

      --
      Good-bye
    2. Re:Linux Gaming Console. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      By "console" do you mean "piece of junk PC with no games"?

    3. Re:Linux Gaming Console. by Zombie+Ryushu · · Score: 1

      Its just a Pico ITX x86 PC in a case similar to an XBox 360.

    4. Re:Linux Gaming Console. by exomondo · · Score: 1

      Its just a Pico ITX x86 PC in a case similar to an XBox 360.

      What are the specs?

    5. Re:Linux Gaming Console. by Zombie+Ryushu · · Score: 1

      Its an Nvidia ION2 board.

    6. Re:Linux Gaming Console. by LostCluster · · Score: 1

      Bur you still haven't fully duplicated the PS3. There's not many games sold at Best Buy for Linux. Sure, most non-Sony PS3 titles have Windows versions, but a Windows 7 license will be about $200 and put you over your budget.

    7. Re:Linux Gaming Console. by Zombie+Ryushu · · Score: 1

      Thats beside the point. If I want to run Windows games, (and sometimes I do.) I run them in Wine. thats not the point, the point was I made a Linux gaming console cost effective that inter-operates with PS3, Wii, and Xbox peripherals.

  61. Re:Huh. by HungryHobo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So when exactly did geohot ever sign any agreement to keep their crypto key secret?
    he's not their employee.
    he has no privileged access.

    If I analyse coca cola in a lab and figure out their secret formula I don't have to keep my findings secret because I've never signed up to any agreement with coca cola.
    It's not my responsibility to keep their secrets secret.

  62. Console is still subsidized by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 1

    I'm not saying they are losing money on it, but they are not selling it at a sufficient profit to be doing well if that was all they made. They charge a per-game license, just like all the other console makers (hell they practically invented the concept).

    You have to remember there's a difference between not losing money on the hardware and making a reasonable amount of money. The cost of the hardware isn't the only cost, there are all kinds of support costs on the back end for a company. If a piece of hardware costs me $100 to make, I can't sell it for $101 and make a profit unless I sell an amazing amount of them, and probably even then. The per-unit cost isn't my only cost.

    I'm not saying an unsubsidized console is impossible, but I think people kid themselves about the price. It would probably be a good bit more expensive than what you see now. Computers can give you a reasonable idea since they are unsubsidized.

    1. Re:Console is still subsidized by JustNilt · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Computers can give you a reasonable idea since they are unsubsidized.

      Horse hockey! Haven't you ever had to clean extra "value added" crap off a computer? I certainly have; that shit subsidizes PCs all the time. No PC manufacturer I am aware of operates without this stuff. If they did it'd be great to be able to compare their pricing with, say, Dell's.

      --
      You know the thing about UDP jokes? I don't care if you get it or not.
    2. Re:Console is still subsidized by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Horse hockey! Haven't you ever had to clean extra "value added" crap off a computer?

      At least they don't sue you for removing it.

    3. Re:Console is still subsidized by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      the difference is I'm allowed to clean the crap off my dell. That's against the law on a PS3.

    4. Re:Console is still subsidized by nedlohs · · Score: 1

      That's a different form of subsidized. Clearly what is being referred to with respect to games consoles is selling the console at a loss. after taking into account any third party payments

      Whereas the "value added" crap on a PC doesn't mean they sold it at a loss, it just means a party other than the customer of the PC itself paid some of the cost.

    5. Re:Console is still subsidized by Windowser · · Score: 1

      Horse hockey! Haven't you ever had to clean extra "value added" crap off a computer? I certainly have; that shit subsidizes PCs all the time. No PC manufacturer I am aware of operates without this stuff. If they did it'd be great to be able to compare their pricing with, say, Dell's.

      Lenovo. My laptop came without any crap. No anti-virus trial, no yahoo toolbar, etc.
      Next laptop will probably be another Lenovo.

      --
      Avoid the MS tax, always buy I.B.M. PC's (I Built-it Myself)
    6. Re:Console is still subsidized by Vegemeister · · Score: 1

      Microsoft Signature. (filter busting text)

  63. Re:Sold at a loss... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So, when something is sold at a loss you can expect there to be some form of vendor lock-in in order for the add-on products to make back the money lost.

    Sony placed their bet on a technical lock in. If they'd wanted a legal lock in, they should've had customers sign a contract, but they didn't. They have no right now to use legal measures to enforce their flawed technical restrictions.

  64. Re:Sold at a loss... by Firehed · · Score: 2

    And in order to get that price, you sign a contract. The only thing you sign when buying a PS3 is the receipt for your credit card purchase, which is most certainly not a contract with Sony. When you enter a legally binding contract with Sony upon purchasing a PS3 requiring you to buy at least four games, they have a right to complain. Until that time comes - which it won't - they can enjoy a nice steaming mug of STFU.

    --
    How are sites slashdotted when nobody reads TFAs?
  65. Re:the right to tinker with my own private propert by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This is some of what Sony has accused Geohot with:

            * Violating 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which forbids bypassing access control measures;
            * Violating the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, which forbids accessing computers without authorization;
            * Guilty of contributory copyright infringement for encouraging and helping others to crack PS3s as well;
            * Trespassing on Sony's ownership right to the PS3
            * Misappropriating Sony's intellectual property

    I would say all of the above are very much to do with the right to tinker with ones private property (yes I realise that last bit sounds like a euphemism, it isn't ;) ).

  66. Re:Huh. by cheekyjohnson · · Score: 1

    I didn't know leaking trade secrets, like say, a crypto key, was a free speech issue.

    Writing and talking are considered speech. By extension, so is communicating with people over the internet. The constitution claims to protect free speech (from the government). The government ignores this and does as they wish anyway. If anything, your "lawyer friends" were warning you that the constitution is no longer relevant.

    --
    Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
  67. As an example by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 3, Insightful

    See RC4/ARCFOUR. RC4 was a trade secret of RSA. Nobody else could implement it because nobody knew how. However, it got leaked online. How the leaker got it is unknown. Maybe they reverse engineered it, maybe someone in the company leaked it, maybe there was hacking, who knows? However at that point, others got a hold of it and messed with it and sure enough, it made streams that were like RC4. So other implementations (ARCFOUR) were made.

    At that point, the trade secret was no longer a secret so they didn't have control over it. Too bad, that's life.

    See the US more or less gives you two choices when you have a special process or technology:

    1) Patent it. In this case you are granted a limited time exclusive right to your technology, in exchange for all the details being public. During the limited time you can decide what is done with it, and take people to court if they violate your patent. However once it is up, people are going to be able to implement it since you had to publish the details to get your patent.

    2) Keep it a secret. This is just as it implies, you don't tell anyone how it is done or how it works, so only you can do it. As long as you keep it a secret, it remains yours and that can be forever. However, if the secret gets out, well then too bad, isn't a secret anymore and others can have at it.

    So while individuals can be punished for leaking trade secrets, if they are under NDA, or for stealing them via industrial espionage, someone who is just using the secret is in the clear because it isn't a secret. If they wanted something the courts enforce control over that's a patent.

  68. Re:Uhm no thanks by Desler · · Score: 1

    "O noes mah onlien gaeman is filled wit CHEETARZ" is a short-term problem that won't be around for too much longer.

    Do you live in the real world? Microsoft is STILL fighting about cheats. Not to mention people like Valve have to continually update their anti-cheating software. There is no way that cheating is a "short-term problem"

  69. I'd kill to know how many slashdot readers are... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I would love to know the actual number of slashdot readers who do donate. The comments about sony abusing it's power are ripe on these boards. Some of it rightfully so. I've recently started donating to projects I find interesting such as cyanogen mod and other idea's found on kickstarter.

    I'll be donating a little geohot's way even i'm jealous of the bastards L33t Sk1llz ;-)

  70. Re:Huh. by 99BottlesOfBeerInMyF · · Score: 1

    The thing with trade secrets is that you're only bound by the NDA if you actually signed it.

    You are misinforming people. Please stop. NDAs are simple contracts covered by contract law. Trade secrets, on the other hand, apply to everyone because places like California have passed laws making it illegal to knowingly disclose trade secrets. It has NOTHING to do with having signed a contract and applies to everyone in the jurisdiction, not employees of the company in question.

  71. Re:Huh. by Eponymous+Coward · · Score: 1

    First, I think Geohot should eventually be vindicated.

    What makes a crypto key any different?

    The DMCA. I think a crypto key will be portrayed by Sony as a device in the same way that a key that starts a car or unlocks your house is a device. Once they establish that, they will use the DMCA to try to silence and punish him.

    There are a few differences though. First, the key is quite literally just a number. It isn't a digital representation of something physical. Secondly, Geohot has been consistent when talking about cracking the PS3 and never implying or suggesting that this is for piracy.

    What I think will ultimately be Sony's undoing is their removal of the OtherOS feature. This provides a pretty significant non-piracy motive for cracking the PS3.

  72. Re:the right to tinker with my own private propert by Eponymous+Coward · · Score: 1

    You're right - it's much worse. It's about the right to communicate with your peers about your tinkering.

  73. Re:Huh. by 99BottlesOfBeerInMyF · · Score: 1

    Funny, when last I checked, if you reverse engineer Coca Cola and discover their secret formula, you are allowed to disseminate that information.

    Not in California or other states that have passed trade secret laws.

  74. Re:Uhm no thanks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "O noes mah onlien gaeman is filled wit CHEETARZ" is a short-term problem that won't be around for too much longer.

    Do you live in the real world? Microsoft is STILL fighting about cheats. Not to mention people like Valve have to continually update their anti-cheating software. There is no way that cheating is a "short-term problem"

    I modified my Xbox 360 to run custom software. I have since been banned from Xbox Live. It happened relatively quickly, too; in the space of a few months. That, in my opinion, is a short term problem. If you were to cheat in an online game over Xbox Live I'm sure you'd get banned even faster.

    I think it's quite obvious that I do live in the real world, where my right to free speech and my right to, as another poster put it, "tinker with the hardware I own" are infinitely more important than an abstract set of numbers saying how awesome I am. You might want to get that tunnel vision seen to, champ - could turn into a real problem.

  75. Re:Uhm no thanks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The client can never be trusted. This is blatantly obvious to anyone that's worked on any non-trivial game...

  76. Re:Sure. What is his bank account number? by VGPowerlord · · Score: 2

    01189998819991197253

    --
    GLaDOS for President 2016! "Well here we are again. It's always such a pleasure." -- GLaDOS, 2011
  77. Re:Uhm no thanks by Windwraith · · Score: 1

    You mean like in Korea where indie devs have to pay a criminally high fee even if the game is freeware?

  78. How to donate: by Gravis+Zero · · Score: 0

    click the "Donate" button on his page: http://geohot.com/

    --
    Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
  79. we must all donate, this is us by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    this ours, this our technology, this is our history, this our research, this is truth.

    we must donate

    dont just disagree, think and read

    1. Re:we must all donate, this is us by panda+cakes · · Score: 0

      Mr. Kutaragi, you forgot to log in.

  80. Here's three *$20 bills (*hands it over) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    See, I'm twice as generous as you, because I just handed to George "grits" Hotz two more than you. Plenty more where that came from.

    Anyone willing to give moar than mee?

  81. Jailbreaking by rhook · · Score: 1

    Why isn't this covered under the recent jailbreaking decision?

    1. Re:Jailbreaking by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why isn't this covered under the recent jailbreaking decision?

      Because the Library of Congress, who is charged by the DMCA with the responsibilty to create exceptions to the DMCA, declared the exemption specifically for mobile phones.

    2. Re:Jailbreaking by Clever7Devil · · Score: 1

      I understood that decision as exempting cell phones specifically from the DMCA provision Apple was clinging to.

      --
      "By the time they had diminished from 50 to 8, the other dwarves began to suspect 'Hungry.'" -Gary Larson
    3. Re:Jailbreaking by rhook · · Score: 1

      The Library of Congress does not make laws or rule on cases. Like the name implies, they're a library.

    4. Re:Jailbreaking by rhook · · Score: 1

      Which should extend to all devices thanks to the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.

      "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

    5. Re:Jailbreaking by nedlohs · · Score: 1

      Maybe you should try reading the law in question. Especially the part of it that does in fact delegate the power to create exceptions to the Library of Congress.

  82. Another $20 bucks here! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Go get'em Geohot

  83. Re:Sold at a loss... by spire3661 · · Score: 1

    The LAW restricting my rights to what i do with my personal property should NOT HINGE ON THE MANUFACTURERS BUSINESS MODEL. It none of my fucking concern how Sony projects to make profits on things they sell me. I own it, im free to do with it and modify it as I please. At the end of the day the PS3 IS a computer. There is no other way to describe it. Because Sony sells it at a loss (which they dont anymore) does not change the fact that it is by any definition a personal computer.

    --
    Good-bye
  84. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by mug+funky · · Score: 1

    i would put it that the shysters of the world are focusing more on electronic transactions than they would on cash in the mail.

    geohot could post his bank deets and we could zap it into there directly...

  85. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by mug+funky · · Score: 1

    be microsoft.

  86. Re:DO NOT DONATE TO GEOHOTZ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Dude, STFU. Yes, perhaps those people are assholes, but nobody deserves to die.

  87. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by KreAture · · Score: 1

    Paypal has never let me down.

    You should try my banks online payment system!
    - First, you need your personal id number, which anyone can get from open databases.
    - Next you need a keycode generator keychain thingy that doesn't even have a pincode and is easily stolen.
    - Thirdly you need your personal password which in my bank is the same as the phone pin for dial-your-account making it dtmf snoopable. Also, using it on your phone opens up a world of spying.
    Now, if I don't bring my key-gen around with me, I have no way of using my card online, not even my Visa or MasterCard!
    If I do bring it, I still need a browser that supports their specific version of Java, and it doesn't work on multiple versions of Chrome and Firefox...

    There's a line between safety and usability. Besides, we are talking money here. It's traceable. Follow the money and you find the crooks. I'd rather have an automated system dial me up and ask if my "large" or "reapeated" transaction is really my own, than needing a tonn of false security systems that waste my time.

    Oh and I hereby claim that "An automated system to contact, in any viable way, an accounts holder to verify/approve or otherwise safeguard a transaction, or transaction possibly out of the normal, repeated or otherwise, to be an idea I came up with on my own and post online for the benefit of everyone, but to the direct proffit of no singular institusion or person. It is public domain unless already patented by some idiot, in which case the patent is obvious and should be nulled."

  88. Re:Huh. by Overzeetop · · Score: 1

    Just because you make a law does not make it right or in line with the rights in the constitution. Fair dealing, in my personal opinion, sides with geohot. And he's got another $50, from me, to help make his case. You have to be careful not to be blinded by the maze your lawyers and their corporate friends have set up to separate common decency and fairness from the world of big business.

    --
    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
  89. Re:DO NOT DONATE TO GEOHOTZ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I think killing people is just a LITTLE over the top. Let's just make them do the right thing. It'll be so novel that they may die of the shock anyway.

  90. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by Noughmad · · Score: 1

    Well, maybe internationally, but at least in Slovenia, mailing an envelope costs ~40cents, while banks (and, ironically, the post office as well) will charge well over an euro for a transaction to another bank. Of course I'm not smart enough to comprehend how can processing and delivering mail cost more than changing a couple of number in a computer, but that's probably just me.

    --
    PlusFive Slashdot reader for Android. Can post comments.
  91. Re:Huh. by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 1

    ...and for those arguing that it is, the real difference is that you didn't get THEIR secret, you derived your own formula by analyzing their product. If you discovered that some chemical engineer from Coca Cola had left his chemical composition documentation on the bar when he went home, and you looked at it and reproduced the formula from it, that WOULD be violation of trade secrets (in some places).

  92. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by rhook · · Score: 2

    I've done thousands of international transactions and I can tell you that you are just plain wrong. In fact I've always gotten much lower exchange rates through my bank when I withdraw money overseas, I don't even bother exchanging money anymore.

  93. Re:Uhm no thanks by Noughmad · · Score: 1

    Also, if you're going to cheat, you may as well watch a movie, you fucking griefer assholes.

    You got it all wrong, games are actually more like movies with cheats.

    --
    PlusFive Slashdot reader for Android. Can post comments.
  94. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by rhook · · Score: 1

    Until PayPal decides to freeze your account and take your funds hostage on a whim. They can and will do this for no apparent reason and there is nothing you can do about it, as they have shown time and time again. Then you have these things called checks, money orders, Western Union, and wire transfers....

  95. Support! by iSimon19 · · Score: 1

    I would support this, and intend to do so. He's fighting to give us the power to use open source software, do it!

  96. Re:Sold at a loss... by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

    The PS3 and iPhone both contain more parts in cost than their retail price reflects. So, when something is sold at a loss you can expect there to be some form of vendor lock-in in order for the add-on products to make back the money lost.

    They're free to do so - vendor lock-in, DRM, whatever. It's all fair game.

    What isn't fair game is putting in place a law that lets them criminalize anyone who deals away with their DRM and lock-in. If their business model is unsustainable without such a law, that's too bad, but they don't have a right to a profitable business model. They can still sell the consoles for full price.

  97. $250 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm not writing that to brag, I'm writing it to motivate. Think of what you can afford to give, and then add a few more bucks. This is potentially a huge turning point for those of us that care about technological freedom. Step up to the plate, every little bit counts.

    1. Re:$250 by Palmsie · · Score: 1

      I'm sure Hotz appreciates your generous donation. I hope one day we all will appreciate it through an open and free country.

      --
      Carl Sagan quotes get you an automatic +5 on all posts.
  98. Re:the right to tinker with my own private propert by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

    He's helping people crack the PS3. That's illegal, kiddo. Look up the DMCA.

    Did you even read the post to which you've replied? He mentioned DMCA as the first point on the list.

    Yes, this is illegal under DMCA. But DMCA anti-circumvention provisions are an abomination in the first place, and if there is any chance to throw them out as unconstitutional, it's well worth donating.

    It's also helping to ruin a gaming experience for which millions of people have paid millions of dollars.

    Millions of people pay millions of dollars into Nigerian scams, too. Making it harder for them to do so "ruins their experience", but it's not wrong.

  99. Wonder what the reaction will be... by Ashe+Tyrael · · Score: 1

    What will be interesting to see is if Sony (who have already tried to fast-talk the court into allowing discovery on paypal donors/blog commenters and youtube video watchers) decide that they want to find out the names and addresses of everyone who pays to support geohot, and then try and bring them into the whole show to try and show that he's soliciting pay for his alleged activities.

    They already tried to got a court order to wipe this info from the entire internet (until hotz's counsel told the judge how impossible that was) so at this stage, I wouldn't bet against a "asking for donations for your defense is the same as asking for pay for your infringement" argument. Unless there's a strong precedent that this doesn't apply (something some of our american friends would know better than me.)

    --
    "How fine you look when dressed in rage."
    1. Re:Wonder what the reaction will be... by pem · · Score: 1

      Bring it!

  100. Consumer slave by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 1

    If they want to sell something at a loss, that is their business. I pay the price charged in the shop, afterwards it belongs to me.

    What next, are you such a slave that you think that you OWE the supermarket to buy candy because they sell bread at a loss leader so if you only buy bread, you are stealing?

    Grow a spine.

    Sony sells the PS3 as a normal product, no contract no special deal (PSN is not part of the sale). Really, if I sell a coke to you for 10 cents, you now owe me? No, only willing slaves think like that. Those who think they owe brand loyalty and all that crap or think EULA's are worth the paper they are written on.

    --

    MMO Quests are like orgasms:

    You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.

  101. Re:Sure. What is his bank account number? by hedwards · · Score: 0

    Hmm, It's probably a mistake but I will give you my IP, it's 127.0.0.1

  102. $25, and happy to do it. by olsmeister · · Score: 2

    I don't have a lot, but I know what's right and what isn't.

  103. Re:Huh. by muphin · · Score: 1

    the question i would ask, what consitutes a trade secret in a commercial electronic device using mathematic algorithms to protect content? whats the secret? is it patented?

    --
    It's not a typo if you understood the meaning!
  104. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by wampus · · Score: 0

    Less secure than PayPal arbitrarily seizing funds? If I gave half a shit about this, cash and a stamp would be much better options.

  105. Re:DO NOT DONATE TO GEOHOTZ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You are psychotic.

  106. To Paraphrase Los Locos by Scarletdown · · Score: 1

    Geo kick their ass!
    Geo kick their face!
    Geo kick their balls into outer spaaaaaaaccceeeeee!!!

    --
    This space unintentionally left blank.
  107. Re:DO NOT DONATE TO GEOHOTZ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Agent Provocateur from the Westboro Baptist Church?

  108. To anyone who thinks this is a good idea... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Obviously there are severe moral issues with the suggestion above...however, there are always people who for whatever reason decide that comments like that are a good idea. This is a pragmatic reason for why it's not: you'd be turning Sony executives into martyrs, and the media story would really be about how "all these people who are protesting for consumer rights are really nutso terrorists."

    To the poster above: fuck you. You say shit like that, people with certain mental illnesses take you seriously, and the next thing you know people are dead because of a stupid comment you made on slashdot.

  109. Re:Huh. by HungryHobo · · Score: 1

    and?

    no design documents were stolen or left in a bar.
    they examined the hardware and used a flaw to derive their own signing key... which also happened to be the same as sonys.

    still no violation of trade secrets.

  110. Re:DO NOT DONATE TO GEOHOTZ by pokyo · · Score: 2

    This is messed up

  111. Hotz Is Still Not a Good Guy by EXTomar · · Score: 1, Insightful

    To be clear, I am not critizing what he did tinkering with any of his consoles. What I am criticizing is martyring himself on the internet. He is not a fool or foolish to believe that Sony wouldn't be forced to act.

    Its not a popular stance on /. but I don't care for the action of either here. Sony and other console vendors have draconian DRM. Hotz can do what ever he wants to his consoles in his house but the moment he went to the internet with this another issue because it forces Sony's hand. Just like the guy who tinkered with his care enough to not make it street legal and the cops want to arrest and the state wants to take away his license complaining he needs money to fight THE MAN is a giant whatever from me. And again I have to reiterate this isn't a free speech issue either but a dispute between two parties in contract. Both can rot in court for all I care and I don't want nor should I even bother to care to get involved.

    If you want to see a people fight the good fight for free speech, look no further than recent events in the new where people are protesting on the streets of middle eastern countries. Hotz vs Sony isn't even on the same scale.

    1. Re:Hotz Is Still Not a Good Guy by MoonBuggy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Hotz can do what ever he wants to his consoles in his house but the moment he went to the internet with this another issue because it forces Sony's hand. Just like the guy who tinkered with his care enough to not make it street legal and the cops want to arrest and the state wants to take away his license complaining he needs money to fight THE MAN is a giant whatever from me. And again I have to reiterate this isn't a free speech issue either but a dispute between two parties in contract.

      He did what he wanted to his own console in his own home. He told others how to do the same. The court silenced him. That sure as hell sounds like a free speech issue to me - not to mention the fact that there never existed a contract between Hotz and Sony (he rejected their EULA and does not use PSN, from what I gather).

      To use your analogy: guy modifies car to the extent that it is no longer street legal. Guy has great fun driving around on his private farmland. Guy posts on internet explaining how others can modify their cars for use on private land. Car company sues guy. Guy is silenced by the courts and forced to stop discussing his modifications.

      You sound reasonable enough, and obviously I can't make you care about this issue, but I'm surprised that you claim that he had it coming; his 'crime' here is pissing off a big company, and the company is responding with a classic SLAPP suit.

      If you want to see a people fight the good fight for free speech, look no further than recent events in the new where people are protesting on the streets of middle eastern countries. Hotz vs Sony isn't even on the same scale.

      Absolutely true, but as others said further up, the fact that one fight is more important doesn't render others unimportant.

    2. Re:Hotz Is Still Not a Good Guy by deathguppie · · Score: 1

      I donated.. if for no other reason than this guy definitely needs the money ..

      --
      once more into the breach
    3. Re:Hotz Is Still Not a Good Guy by Madsy · · Score: 1

      Phew, I thought I was the only one here with this opinion.
      It's not about what's right, it is about what is legal and not. I totally agree with Hotz; the laws are braindead. But to *knowingly* challenge the laws and then ask for donations when the shit hits the fan? He gets no help from me. I don't condone the means.
      The proper way to address this is with politics. SONY has him by the balls, no matter how unsound the laws are.

    4. Re:Hotz Is Still Not a Good Guy by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      To be clear, I am not critizing what he did tinkering with any of his consoles. What I am criticizing is martyring himself on the internet. He is not a fool or foolish to believe that Sony wouldn't be forced to act.

      To be clear, I am not criticizing what Martin Luther King, Junior did for human rights. What I am criticizing is martyring himself. He is not a fool or foolish enough to believe that no one would want to kill him for the positive changes he was influencing in society.

      Hope this helps.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    5. Re:Hotz Is Still Not a Good Guy by darkshadow88 · · Score: 1

      But to *knowingly* challenge the laws and then ask for donations when the shit hits the fan? He gets no help from me. I don't condone the means. The proper way to address this is with politics. SONY has him by the balls, no matter how unsound the laws are.

      The legislators aren't going to be changing/repealing the DMCA anytime soon. Unjust laws should not be abided; they should be actively violated and challenged.

  112. fuck sony! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    erk: C0 CE FE 84 C2 27 F7 5B D0 7A 7E B8 46 50 9F 93 B2 38 E7 70 DA CB 9F F4 A3 88 F8 12 48 2B E2 1B
    riv: 47 EE 74 54 E4 77 4C C9 B8 96 0C 7B 59 F4 C1 4D
    pub: C2 D4 AA F3 19 35 50 19 AF 99 D4 4E 2B 58 CA 29 25 2C 89 12 3D 11 D6 21 8F 40 B1 38 CA B2 9B 71 01 F3 AE B7 2A 97 50 19
    R: 80 6E 07 8F A1 52 97 90 CE 1A AE 02 BA DD 6F AA A6 AF 74 17
    n: E1 3A 7E BC 3A CC EB 1C B5 6C C8 60 FC AB DB 6A 04 8C 55 E1
    K: BA 90 55 91 68 61 B9 77 ED CB ED 92 00 50 92 F6 6C 7A 3D 8D
    Da: C5 B2 BF A1 A4 13 DD 16 F2 6D 31 C0 F2 ED 47 20 DC FB 06 70

  113. PayPal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I don't have a PayPal account since their Wikileaks shenanigans. If I donate with my credit card is PayPal involved?

  114. Donated $20 by future+assassin · · Score: 1

    See yah Sony.

    --
    by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
  115. Even if Sony breaks even, buy them all. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If you buy them all, it's like buying all the empty Large Soda Cups at a Restaurant, then filling them with water (or Whiskey, if you're Irish) you brought with you in a large gallon jug, and then the soda companies get no orders to deliver more syrup to make Soda.

    Eventually, everyone thinks the platform is dead to commerce.

    1. Re:Even if Sony breaks even, buy them all. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes, emphasis on 'everyone' and 'eventually.'

      Eventually means later rather than sooner. The whole point of his point is malice towards Sony. Why wait?

      Everyone means others get hurt, and modified by eventually, it doesn't happen until sometime down the road - so they've already invested all kinds of money into developing for the PS3, and the people doing it get laid off.

      Your notion is absurd. The goal isn't to punish the soda makers. It's to punish the restaurant.

  116. Re:the right to tinker with my own private propert by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The DMCA is fine, and it is constitutional. And the comparison between Sony and Nigerian scams is really quite moronic -- and insulting, since it's MY gaming experience (which I paid for) that I was referring to being ruined by the cheat/hack trash that now litter the game lobbies like rats.

    Again: Hotz deserves to be sued and a judgment entered against him.

  117. "vote with your wallet" by v1 · · Score: 1

    I think I'll be doing the $20, seems like a good amount. I like this. It's like the old saying of "vote with your wallet". But in this case, since courts and senators here are not bought with votes but with money, I suppose we're "voting with our wallets" in the truest possible form here.

    It just worries me that it's going to take a LOT of $20 bills to do this poor guy any good. Tell your friends.

    --
    I work for the Department of Redundancy Department.
  118. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Just make sure that you cant hold it up to light and see the cash inside of it, cause I will tell you what.. It will disappear.

  119. .45 isn't enough...to kill vampires. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You need silver bullets to kill those jews.

  120. Re:DO NOT DONATE TO GEOHOTZ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Offering to buy guns for an army against Sony execs?

    Really?

    Donating is the most effective action to take, and it doesn't require jail time to help.

  121. Re:DO NOT DONATE TO GEOHOTZ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's a pretty interesting statement Alex the stoner of Redlands, soon to be Riverside, CA

    regards, hatts

  122. $30 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    .. because Sony will willfully violate security and privacy by allowing anybody on PSN to "change" their emails to another other WITHOUT confirming that the changer owns the new address.

    Then, deny anything is wrong, sink trouble tickets asking about it, and willfully do nothing until at least brought up through BBB.

  123. Re:Uhm no thanks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's because you suck at cheating. VAC et al never stopped the competent cheaters. Those are only good at preventing public cheats. They're no more successful (actually a lot less successful difficulty-wise) than copyright-protection systems like SecuROM.

  124. 46 DC EA D3 17 FE 45 D8 09 23 EB 97 E4 95 64 10 D4 by thomasdz · · Score: 1

    I would donate "46 DC EA D3 17 FE 45 D8 09 23 EB 97 E4 95 64 10 D4 CD B2 C2" dollars if I had it
    unfortunately, I don't.... and yes, since I'm a computer geek, I use hexadecimal

    --
    Karma: Excellent. 15 moderator points expire sometime.
  125. Re:DO NOT DONATE TO GEOHOTZ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Should we offer them the chance for seppuku first?

  126. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by WhirlwindMonk · · Score: 1

    What if I want to donate more than I feel comfortable sending through PayPal?
    I'm excited! Email me, we'll figure it out.

    Or you could read what he wrote and send him an email? It may not be exactly what he was talking about, but it's worth a shot if you're actually interested in helping.

  127. Re:Uhm no thanks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's nice. Now tell us how to prevent macros or aimbots on the server side. Pattern matching (1) has never been done, afaik (2) takes far too much computational power, (3) is easily defeated.

    Some PC games already do nearly everything possible on the server. Tribes2 (2001) might have been the first. Yet they still fail more than consoles do.

    Closed hardware is the only approach with a history of success. PS3 had a 4-year run, but now it's all over. Everyone saw it coming eventually. It's not a surprise. The game companies don't care about it; they already sold their insecure games.

  128. jailbreak by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    Already donated.

    To Sony. Let's see how effective Hortz's jailbreak will be when he's in prison.

  129. Re:DO NOT DONATE TO GEOHOTZ by Khyber · · Score: 0

    People that buy out our rights and remove our legally-bought property because we wish to discuss something regarding said bought property MOST CERTAINLY need to die. They are the very thing our founding fathers did NOT want in our country.

    --
    Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
  130. Re:DO NOT DONATE TO GEOHOTZ by Khyber · · Score: 0

    I'm offering to outfit a militia against an internal invasion of corporations against our rights, because it's already painfully obvious the government will NOT step in to stop them.

    Talking hasn't stopped them. Court hasn't stopped them (they bought the court system.)

    Only DEATH will.

    --
    Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
  131. Re:DO NOT DONATE TO GEOHOTZ by Khyber · · Score: 1

    Alex the Stoner?

    Yes, I'm a stoner because I have a medical script for medical cannabis due to debilitating post-operative pain.

    I love how you post anonymously, as if it shields you from your own stupidity!

    Real men identify themselves.

    The government already knows who I am, as I've had multiple talks with FBI, SS, courts, judges, governors, etc. You apparently do not know who I am.

    You amuse me.

    --
    Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
  132. Re:DO NOT DONATE TO GEOHOTZ by Khyber · · Score: 1

    Sony lacks the honor for such an action.

    Seriously, you think people that value money over the rights of individuals would even be capable of such an honorable act?

    --
    Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
  133. Re:the right to tinker with my own private propert by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

    The DMCA is fine, and it is constitutional.

    Looks like we're going to find out.

    Again: Hotz deserves to be sued and a judgment entered against him.

    Yeah, I mean, how dare he ruin your "gaming experience" by exercising his right to free speech? What next, let Nazis speak out freely, too? The nerve!

    In all seriousness, though, if you pay for "experience" and it's being ruined by cheaters, then you should raise that up with Sony, as they're the ones who took your money. If they promised no cheats (which is impossible), then take them to court for breach of contract.

  134. SMH by Heratiki · · Score: 1

    He won't see any of my money. I was watching as he continued to talk about being able to do what he wants with his hardware. Then watched him to say I know this info is going to lead to piracy and yet still proceeded to do exactly what would lead to it. I know it's not his fault but making it as public as he did was all about him being in the spotlight and not shit about anyones "rights". So he wanted attention. Now he has it. Enjoy it hotz. Your fighting against someone because you found and divulged corporate secrets not methods to obtain it. And you don't think they have anything against you?

    1. Re:SMH by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Regardless of his motivations - egotistical though they may be - the fact is that Sony is still in the wrong here. It's unfortunate that you allow your issues with Hotz to cloud your perception of this.

    2. Re:SMH by bigrockpeltr · · Score: 1

      Gun makers know that their products will be used to kill people. Should we arrest them for every murder that takes place?
      Reverse-Engineering is also not illegal

      And to the reply to the car analogy above: the cops will only go after the guy that makes his car "not street legal" if well he drives it on the street. same way Sony should not be allowed to go after this guy if he is not on Sony's "street" i.e PSN.
      Also in the same way if youmodufy your car it loses value, void warranty etc. if you hack your hardware you should only expect to lose warranty, access (in this case PSN), manufacturer support etc.

      --
      $ unzip, strip, touch, finger, grep, mount, fsck, more, yes,fsck,fsck,fsck,umount, sleep
    3. Re:SMH by man_the_king · · Score: 1

      Regardless of his motivations - egotistical though they may be - the fact is that Sony is still in the wrong here. It's unfortunate that you allow your issues with Hotz to cloud your perception of this.

      I think it could just as equally validly be claimed of the majority of posters here on /. that they are allowing their "issues with Sony to cloud their perception of this".

      "I don't like Sony - ergo ANYTHING that damages them is good" mentality.

  135. Copy and paste, without commentary or links. by Tenser234 · · Score: 1

    Why isnt there a link to the donation page, or information on how to donate. Thats seriously Lame.

  136. Returned the PS3 and donated to Geohot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I just got a PS3 for my birthday yesterday. It went back to Target today. Geohot got a donation. I also have an iPhone. I appreciate what he's done on every front, including pushing the iPhone Dev Team to release exploits as they become known, not horde them waiting for Apple.

  137. Paypal? by Maudib · · Score: 1

    Sigh. Ill suck it up and use them to screw with Sony, but Paypal is definitely on my list of companies I avoid spending money with.

  138. Re:Sure. What is his bank account number? by Overzeetop · · Score: 3, Funny

    Dude, you have some seriously messed up pr0n on your computer.

    --
    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
  139. Hustler Magazine v. Falwell by nrgy · · Score: 1

    Remember when the press came out to support Larry Flint because if he lost the ramifications would be horrible? I have the same feeling about these sort of court cases.

  140. Re:Uhm no thanks by Seumas · · Score: 2

    No, this kid's hack is the reason you can do things like run homebrew and linux again. Like you could when you first bought your PS3, before they updated firmware to prevent it from allowing you to do the very thing it was capable of doing when you bought it. What other people have done with the ability to do what you want with your own hardware is their own doing; not his.

  141. Smart idea, there. by Millennium · · Score: 0

    So you're going to ask a bunch of people too cheap to buy games to fund your legal defense?

    But hey, maybe I'll send him a million or two.

    Zimbabwean.

    Cash on delivery.

  142. Me Too, $25 for George in Hotz vs Sony by CodeBuster · · Score: 1

    Sony needs to be taken down a notch or two right about now. Hopefully George, the EFF and his attorneys will give Sony a kick in the derriere.

  143. First time I've ever commented by Stemis · · Score: 1

    I've read Slashdot for years and never made a comment. I finally broke down today because Sony is WRONG! I have donated as much as I could, and understand that I will be donating more in the future. Please fight the good fight, and let the line be drawn here.

  144. And here's my $10 for the win! by bronney · · Score: 1

    As I said in the bioshock movie fund last week, everyone's $10 works if it's geeked enough! :) Many many other things worth our money out there, fraps for one.. it's time to give something back.

  145. Re:the right to tinker with my own private propert by westlake · · Score: 1

    Yes, this is illegal under DMCA. But DMCA anti-circumvention provisions are an abomination in the first place, and if there is any chance to throw them out as unconstitutional, it's well worth donating.

    There is the possbility that a win by Sony will anchor the DMCA even more solidly in place.

  146. Re:IF YOU CAN"T PAY THE FINE DONT DO THE CRIME !! by md65536 · · Score: 1

    The Guilty

    Wow that was fast! The story's only a few hours old, and already the trial is done?

    Sony is only trying to make our lives better, and to make a little money so it can make them better still.

    Yes Geohot, stop going after the non-profits! We should be donating to Sony (out of curiosity, do they qualify as a charitable organization? Tax purposes).

  147. Re:the right to tinker with my own private propert by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

    DMCA is pretty solid as is, with a number of prosecutions already. So I don't think it's going to do it any worse. It's just that no-one has explored this angle of defense before, and it's pretty much the only one remaining. Either it works - and then this part of DMCA goes away - or we know that it's here to stay (and campaigning for its legislative repeal is the only option). Either way, certainty is better than legal limbo.

    Oh, to be pedantic - this is strictly about anti-circumvention provisions in DMCA, not it as a whole. There are other things there that make a lot of sense and would best be kept (e.g. the whole liability waiver for service providers and the associated take-down procedure).

  148. Re:the right to tinker with my own private propert by Nursie · · Score: 1

    Absolutely, there is, and if that happens to be the outcome then the next step should be stronger action to change the law.

    I know, I know, in reality the next step will be "piss and moan about it on the internet", but at least at that point the law is ironclad and we know
    a) where we have to fight to get our rights back and
    b) that we really don't own these devices in the eyes of the law, and to treat them as rental machines in future (or stay away from them completely)

  149. Re:Uhm no thanks by Arancaytar · · Score: 1

    See, here, you root for Sony. In Soviet Union, Sony root you!

  150. "Free speech" Issue? by LordLimecat · · Score: 1

    Hate sony or not, making this a free speech issue is just ignorant.

    1. Re:"Free speech" Issue? by KeithIrwin · · Score: 2

      Sony is contending in their court filings that their private key and a text description of elliptic curve DSA together make up a "circumvention device". They're not going after him for physical devices or even source code, but for simply relaying information which, when combined with other public information can be used to sign code which will run on the PS3. They're trying to stretch the meaning of the DMCA so that even information about how to break video game console lock-in schemes is considered a DMCA violation. This is pretty clearly trying to establish a new category of criminalized speech. So, how, exactly, is that not a free speech issue?

  151. I'll probably get dinged for this..oh well.. by mace9984 · · Score: 0

    Dear Sony SUCK MY MOTHERFUCKING DICK You won't be getting one god damn red cent from me now.

    1. Re:I'll probably get dinged for this..oh well.. by mace9984 · · Score: 1

      ps - George, I was going to buy killzone 3 in the next couple weeks. You can have the $$ instead and any money from any other games I would be buying until the sony bullshit stops.

  152. Re:DO NOT DONATE TO GEOHOTZ by Dahan · · Score: 1

    You're some retard stoner who pretends to make money selling LEDs. And who thinks that foxes and dogs are in the same genus.

    With love from /furi/, Dahan

  153. Done by Griller_GT · · Score: 1

    Donated for this worthy cause... I hope he manages to give Sony hell :)

  154. Re:46 DC EA D3 17 FE 45 D8 09 23 EB 97 E4 95 64 10 by masterwit · · Score: 1

    46DCEAD317FE45D80923EB97E4956410D4CDB2C2

    Your going to have to use some sort of "wrapper" class for that, but if that were "stored" in a 8 byte value on a continuous non-truncating basis (bear with me), after the maximum value, well it may be negative none the less...after multiple "overflows".

    Just donate 20.00 and if your feeling bold, interpret that "20" as a hexadecimal value.

    (Cheers, your joke was funny.)

    --
    We should start a new Slashdot and return control to the geeks. It actually wouldn't be that hard to get some users to
  155. Re:Huh. by Alex+Belits · · Score: 1

    WTF are you talking about?

    Trade secrets are only trade secrets when they are under control of the owner and passed to employees, contractors, etc. This is accomplished through (and only through) NDAs. Without NDA, there wouldn't even be a way to know if something is a secret. Once an information someone believes to be a secret is passed somewhere without an NDA, it is not a secret anymore -- though the person who disclosed it and was under NDA, can be prosecuted, unless, of course, it is the original owner itself. If it is discovered independently, there is not even an act of disclosure where a "secret" applies.

    --
    Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
  156. Re:Huh. by Alex+Belits · · Score: 1

    Citation please.

    As for Coca Cola, it is known already. There is nothing special there, just no one would bother to create a giant company to compete at their/Pepsi scale. For fuck sake, they sell juice as well -- juice "recipe" is universally known, and it does not cause them any problems.

    --
    Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
  157. Pro free speech but paid via anti-free speech site by weeble · · Score: 1

    While I like the work that GeoHot has done and have been a beneficiary of his work this seems a little contradictory.

    It is great that GeoHot is fighting for free speech but seems odd that he is using Paypal, a company that refused to process payments for Wikileaks. Wikileaks were publishing the same information as both The Guardian and The New York Times. It seems quite clear that Paypal is no friend of free speech.

    Maybe he ought to use a payment system that allows micropayments from thousands to achieve his goal such as http://flattr.com/ ?

    --
    Slashdot Beta should die a painful death.
  158. I disagree by ripley426 · · Score: 1

    okay, here's flamebait.

    Actually I'm quite surprised about the opinion slashdotters seem to be taking. It seems as if (almost) everyone is thinking that hacking must be allowed at all costs and if the hack succeeds the results and how to do it must be made available to everyone. While at some level - to point out and discover security holes etc... - I agree with and even find hacking ethical, but hacking either just for the fun - and then publishing it - of it or to benefit in any other way is just plain wrong. Granted, the distinction isn't always easy but not in this case.

    I assume that there are at least some slashdotters who make software for a living and even try to sell it. How would you feel if someone took the result of your hard work and hacked it such that everyone could use it without you ever seeing any dime of it? I would feel frustrated and wouldn't believe the guy if he said 'I did it just for fun, I do not promote piracy in any way but what the heck, I'll just distribute it so that anyone can see what a great hacker I am and I'm naive enough to think that people will just look at it and never ever use it.'.

    Did the posters here ever stop to think how much money, and more importantly, jobs are to be lost if everyone pirates games? And I'm not thinking about the big companies here but the small ones - like the guy who wrote Angry Birds? Sony makes the console and provides the infrastructure. Sure, they take a percentage of every game sold but the majority goes to the companies and individuals that actually make the games and try to make a living out of it. In this sense, Sony is not only protecting their own platform but also standing up for every other company and individual making stuff for the PS3.

    How would most people here think if the same guy hacked your bank account and published the details for everyone to see but at the same time tell them to not use it 'because I do not promote stealing'? Wouldn't you do everything in your power to stop him for publishing the details?

    Do not get me wrong, I love playing games, find in general that they are way overpriced and I do think Sony is making too much of a fuss about it - it was bound to happen some time - but Hotz willfully and willingly opened the floodgates by publishing the details and now he has to pay the price. It is naive to think that this has no consequences.

    Feel free to donate anything you want, I can't (and won't) stop you from doing so but please think a little bit further before you do.

    1. Re:I disagree by kenshin33 · · Score: 1

      what would you say if Microsoft decides tomorrow to do the same? This whole fiasco is about the console its self not the games.
      What he did (and other's did too) is certainly a necessary step to get closer to piracy but it is not sufficient. for that you one need to patch the GamesOS kernel (wichi some did, after and before). were you talking about the USB dongles that were sold for 150$ I would have understood it was certainly aimed for backup but piracy is most welcome secondary effect, but the custom/modified firmware /jail breaking aren't they are there to permit to who ever wants it to do other things than play with their console. if some elect to do evil stuff with that how is he pr anyone else responsible???
      are Smith&Weason or Colt responsible for the murders purported with the fire arms they manufacture? Is Boeing or AA responsible for 9/11?? is Microsft reposnible for the myriad of virus developed with Visual studio?? Again this has to to everything witth he console it self not the games. As a lot hve said it I say it again the freaking thing IS the PROPERTY of who ever bought it, Sony is no in no position to tell them what to do with it !.

  159. Re:Uhm no thanks by Sir_Lewk · · Score: 1

    Nobody gives a shit about your stupid games.

    "booo hooo, somebody cheated on my stupid little game"

    Shut up, grow up, and get a life. Fucking moron.

    --
    "linux is just DOS with a UNIX like syntax" -- Galactic Dominator (944134)
  160. fuck, i suck by Nyder · · Score: 1

    While I totally support Geohotz and his fight, I sent money to Sony.

    I don't want it to be use in the PS3 fights, but I have no control over that.

    My problem? Everquest 2.

    New expansion comes out tuesday, and I bought 3 copies of it. (it's funny though, how some years ago it went from being $20 for an expansion to having to pay $40 for the whole game every expansion. Bastards, but then, we know that, don't we?

    But what I don't understand here, is how Sony can sue Geohotz for not doing anything illegal?

    I mean, they got it so the court says give up your computer and crap, based on Sony saying Geohotz broke the law. So it means, that Sony decides what the laws means, takes you to court, only then to have the courts say, No, the law means this. Seems like bullshit to me.

    and yet, I am supporting Sony.

    God I suck.

    --
    Be seeing you...
    1. Re:fuck, i suck by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      But what I don't understand here, is how Sony can sue Geohotz for not doing anything illegal?

      Because douches like you keep giving them money with which to pay lawyers.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  161. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by hairyfeet · · Score: 1

    And it frankly wouldn't surprise me if this is EXACTLY what happens! All it'll take is a nice phone call from Sony or one of their affiliates and PayPal will just lock the money up until the trial is over or he wastes an amount equal to the funds fighting them.

    Why anyone would use a company with a history of royally fucking over their customers on any whim for an actual defense fund is beyond me, but I won't touch PayPal with a 50 foot pole. There have just been too many burned for me to allow anything of mine to touch that mess.

    --
    ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
  162. Sony you're going down by cloakedpegasus · · Score: 1

    With these donations coming in, it might as well be called "Everyone v. Sony"

  163. George Arogant Hotz by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    so i have to wonder how many people donating or supporting the cause have seen geohotz g4 interview or this lovely little video, because it makes it plain to see geohotz is nothing more than an arrogant attention lover.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iUvuaChDEg&feature=player_embedded

    1. Re:George Arogant Hotz by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, it makes it plain to see that you have no sense of humour.

  164. Re:Huh. by 99BottlesOfBeerInMyF · · Score: 1

    the question i would ask, what consitutes a trade secret in a commercial electronic device using mathematic algorithms to protect content?

    Any secret information that lends a company a competitive advantage seems to be covered. So if it is the same style of algorithm as everyone else is using, it is not covered. I was mostly just commenting to correct the misinformation about trade secrets in general, not this specific case.

    is it patented?

    Patents are public documentation of a process and would preclude a trade secret.

  165. Re:Sold at a loss... by LostCluster · · Score: 1

    Yep. That's something I agree with. Your DRM is only as good as the work you put into it, and should be replaceable once your encryption key is discovered and/or leaked out. They shouldn't get protection by law, they should back it up with their own money.

  166. I want to donate... by GameboyRMH · · Score: 1

    But I only have a MasterCard and a Visa, will the payment go through?

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  167. Re:Uhm no thanks by nosferatu1001 · · Score: 1

    And the incidence of cheating is far lower.

    IS it 0? No? But is it acceptably low? YES

  168. Re:Huh. by 99BottlesOfBeerInMyF · · Score: 1

    WTF are you talking about?

    Trade secrets, as opposed to NDAs. You and many others don't seem to understand the difference.

    Trade secrets are only trade secrets when they are under control of the owner and passed to employees, contractors, etc. This is accomplished through (and only through) NDAs.

    Take a look at both the UTSA and California's Civil Code sections 3426.1-3426.11. If you knowingly receive trade secrets from a trusted party and use them to profit, even if you've never signed an NDA in your life, you are still guilty of a crime. So I'll say it to you as well, please stop misinforming people and do your research before handing out amateur legal advice.

  169. Re:Sold at a loss... by nosferatu1001 · · Score: 1

    PS3 - not true since the fat PS3

    And, frankly - irrelevant. Sony took a gamble that you will buy X games / contrllers / etc in order to offset this initial subsidy.

    You are, however, under NO COMPUNCTION to do so. Unlike a contract for an iPhone.
    If you cat see the difference between a contract agreement for minium term service in exchange for a reduced rate and a simple retail transaction, I pity you.

  170. Re:Huh. by nosferatu1001 · · Score: 1

    The crypto key is not a trade secret. It was also legally obtained even if it were a trade secret.

  171. Re:Huh. by nosferatu1001 · · Score: 1

    Nope. If you have legally reverse engineered / independently discovered their "secret", then tough for them

  172. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by JackieBrown · · Score: 1

    Of course I'm not smart enough to comprehend how can processing and delivering mail cost more than changing a couple of number in a computer, but that's probably just me.

    They charge for the same reason movie theaters charge a "convenience" fee when ordering your tickets online instead of going up to the cashier.

  173. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by intheshelter · · Score: 1

    So your idea is to mail cash? Perhaps you should flee this site before you're crucified for being stupid. . .

  174. Re:DO NOT DONATE TO GEOHOTZ by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

    Dude, STFU. Yes, perhaps those people are assholes, but nobody deserves to die.

    I take exception with this statement. I think a more accurate statement is that none of us on earth is qualified to decide who does. I think it's pretty clear that some people, who do more harm than good, "deserve" to die &mdash but I believe it to be equally clear that only someone who can see all outcomes can make such a decision. Until Jesus comes back or Paul Muad'dib is born, killing people when there is an alternative is arrogant at best.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  175. Price of justice by rapu · · Score: 1

    I'm considering making a donation, but it seems hopeless as long as either: - One needs any money at all to get justice - One can use money to get injustice through any kind of trickery in court - In other words, as long as 'resources' play a significant role in court decisions. OTOH, I don't expect recent IP and anti-hacking laws to be consistent or sound, and investments like this may be required to eventually level them out...

  176. Go GeoHot! by diego.viola · · Score: 1

    All the luck for you friend, from Paraguay.

  177. Welcome to Adulthood by Ash+Vince · · Score: 1

    I want, by the time this goes to trial, to have Sony facing some of the hardest hitting lawyers in the business.

    I am sorry, but this really does sound like the poor kid is truly out of his depth. He really does have no idea how the real world works.

    If he has a half decent case that stands a chance of winning, he could do worse than asking a few principled lawyers that I can think of for legal advice. The first one that comes to mind is Ray Beckerman, he could surely take this poor kid aside and try and explain to him from a pro-individual perspective if he stands any chance of winning against Sony in this one. I would love to think the poor kid does, but I doubt it thanks to the DMCA and god knows what other crap the US Govt has passed on behalf of the big corporations that openly bribe politicians through lobbyists.

    The problem is that if he has a big puddle of cash to spend on lawyers, he will certainly find hard hitting lawyers to say his has a case and take it all the way to the supreme court, but they may be lieing just to get at his money. The only way to get really good, honest lawyers is to have a decent case and get one to take it on principle or to have a lawyer who is YOUR lawyer and represents you regularly so he want to do the right thing by you in order to keep you as a customer.

    If you have a one off puddle of cash to spend on lawyers, you will get many takers who just want the puddle of case and do not care about how they get it. They may well tell you what you want to hear (ie - you stand a chance) in order to take whatever you can get in donations.

    --
    I dont read /. to RTFA, I read /. to offend people in ignorance.
  178. Let him rot in prison by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Before getting sued by Sony, geohot's words were:

    "if you want your next console to be secure, get in touch with me. any of you 3. it’d be fun to be on the other side."

    So, if things turned out the way geohot hoped for, he would have been hired by Sony and would have been one of those behind Sony's next DRM scheme, earning big cash. But things did not turn out that way and now that very person is calling the other side for help, arguing about freedom and the rest.

    Geohot deserves no support from the community. He's playing double standards, and should be treated by the rules of the game he chose to play.

    1. Re:Let him rot in prison by man_the_king · · Score: 1

      So, if things turned out the way geohot hoped for, he would have been hired by Sony and would have been one of those behind Sony's next DRM scheme, earning big cash. But things did not turn out that way and now that very person is calling the other side for help, arguing about freedom and the rest.

      The ostriches on this site love the sand too much to notice that.

  179. Business model vs. law by Lonewolf666 · · Score: 1

    If Geohot vs. Sony goes to court, I guess we will find out which concept of ownership the law actually supports.
    Because not all business models are actually protected by law, even if Sony would very much like that. Granted, Sony probably have a good chance at winning, but they are not automatically in the right.

    --
    C - the footgun of programming languages
    1. Re:Business model vs. law by Zelgadiss · · Score: 1

      I'm aware of that.

      But getting everyone to hire a lawyer when buying a PS3 to look over a contact is not going to work.

      It's more of a implicit agreement.

      I think it should stay, it works pretty well, except for a stubborn few - the few who also have a choice to buy an alternate product that satisfy the same needs.

  180. Re:the right to tinker with my own private propert by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There was never any contract or promise. But Sony spent a lot of money to create a very secure platform that obviously was fairly difficult to crack.

    And there were no cheats until this clever little faggot posted his hack for the world to use and thereby opened the system up to any idiot who wanted to cheat.

    This isn't "free speech". You're not "free" to crack somebody's closed system and post the how-to online. That's illegal, and justifiably so -- without such laws the only thing manufacturers could do to protect R&D investment would be an absolutely fool-proof security system. Even if there's such a thing, it's not necessarily cost-effective and there's no reason why our system of laws has to say that it's only illegal to break through a security system if the system unbreakable.

    The law has been tested and although it is not perfect, it is also not unconstitutional, and in this case, like many others, it is correctly singling out conduct that SHOULD expose one to a lawsuit.

    So, ideally, this kid deserves at least a decade of problems with his finances and reputation, although I'm sure millions of idiotic supporters will turn him into a celebrity.

  181. Re:46 DC EA D3 17 FE 45 D8 09 23 EB 97 E4 95 64 10 by multipartmixed · · Score: 1

    You and 16 of your closest friends could always each donate the value of one byte..

    --

    Do daemons dream of electric sleep()?
  182. Nice going George by AlfaMike · · Score: 1

    From his website's FAQ:

    Why should I care about your personal legal troubles?
    You shouldn't. For example, if I was taken to court for sex crimes in Sweden, I would never ask for donations.

    Yeah, lose potential donators by taking sides in a controversial topic.

  183. They reached their donation goal already? by Heretic2 · · Score: 1

    I wonder why donations are already closed.

    OK, they closed because he has enough and doesn't want Sony to get the extra in a worst case scenario. Smart.

  184. Re:Sure. What is his bank account number? by JourneymanMereel · · Score: 1

    ***********
    Oh ya, and the password is ****************

    --
    Life has many choices. Eternity has two. What's yours?
  185. Re:Sure. What is his bank account number? by JourneymanMereel · · Score: 1

    I tried, but after I hit submit, Firefox changed them to *'s.... they looked right in the preview.... odd.

    --
    Life has many choices. Eternity has two. What's yours?
  186. Waste of money by TonyXL · · Score: 1

    Why would I donate $$$ to some guy who wasn't smart enough to work anonymously?

    1. Re:Waste of money by kiczek · · Score: 1

      Why would I donate $$$ to some guy who wasn't smart enough to work anonymously?

      If you want to change laws using the Judicial System then you cannot work as Anonymous, Geohot has always been against piracy and for open development and he is trying to change the laws to reflect actual social opinion. If you think it's OK for Sony to remove advertised features like OtherOS then just sit down and take it.

  187. Re:Uhm no thanks by gknoy · · Score: 1

    Closed hardware is the only approach with a history of success.

    Security through obscurity is not security, for the same reason that we have locks on our doors rather than a "secret door-opening lever": once some one knows the secret, you have no security.

  188. Re:DO NOT DONATE TO GEOHOTZ by Khyber · · Score: 1

    http://tinypic.com/r/2r5gleg/7

    Welcome to my research facility.

    What were you saying?

    BTW They changed taxonomical classification AGAIN - have you paid attention to the scientific world or do you continue to rely upon Wikipedia for your outdated and sorely incorrect information?

    We just added 'Tribe' to the scientific taxonomical classification. That change once again drops the Fox firmly into the mix with other canines until we re-sort the rest of the more specific rungs below 'Tribe.'

    So sad you don't bother to actually read up on this.

    Maybe I should roll back to /furi/ to mock all you ignorant fools again, like I trolled Billy Rex with such an easy /g/tard argument (SOI vs stressed silicon) in the tinychat that night before I flew out to the UK.

    --
    Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
  189. the PS3 uses BluRay by __aailob1448 · · Score: 1

    Your DVDRs wouldn't do those kids any goods. You'll need to buy a much more expensive 2.5" HD for them to stock the (up to 43GB) games.

  190. Re:I'd love to donate, just not via Paypal by StikyPad · · Score: 1

    What if I want to donate more than I feel comfortable sending through PayPal?
    I'm excited! Email me, we'll figure it out.
    geohot ... gmail

    http://geohot.com/

    (Tried to post anon, but it's only been 56 minutes since I last posted a comment...)

  191. Re:Huh. by Alex+Belits · · Score: 1

    Trade secrets, as opposed to NDAs. You and many others don't seem to understand the difference.

    There are no "objective" secrets -- secrets are applicable only to organizations and groups of people who agree on something being their secret. This is what is covered by NDA. Without NDA there are no trade secrets. Without trade secrets there would be no purpose for NDA.
    You can't declare anything a trade secret if there never was NDA for it, and you can't apply it to anyone not under NDA -- if they know it, it's not a secret anymore.

    Take a look at both the UTSA and California's Civil Code sections 3426.1-3426.11. If you knowingly receive trade secrets from a trusted party and use them to profit, even if you've never signed an NDA in your life, you are still guilty of a crime. So I'll say it to you as well, please stop misinforming people and do your research before handing out amateur legal advice.

    That only makes sense because a person would be actively assisting someone in performing a criminal action, thus being a participant in it. It is also useless in any imaginable scenario short of blatant corporate espionage because it requires that outside party knows about NDA before receiving information. On top of everything, even if someone is punished for such disclosure, if it was a public disclosure, the secret is gone nevertheless.

    Neither of this is in any way applicable to anything with PS3 and iPhone "secrets" because there was no disclosure by anyone under NDA in the first place.

    --
    Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
  192. Re by Travelsonic · · Score: 1

    46DCEAD317FE45D80923EB97E4956410D4CDB2C2 [base 16]
    = 16471181235629961000 [base 10]
    = 01000110110111001110101011010011000101111111111 00100010111011000000010010010001111101011100101 11111001001001010101100100000100001101010011001 10110101100100000100001101010011001101101100101 1000010 [base 2]
    = 20 bytes
    = 10 words
    = 5 dwords
    = 2 qwords and 1dword

    --
    If you believe in privacy, and believe you have "nothing to hide" at the same time, you're a goddammed idiot
  193. Re:Sold at a loss... by LostCluster · · Score: 1

    In order to get much value out of a PS3, you must have at least one game/movie disc... your PS3 becomes more valuable to you if you have more discs.