Funny, I always considered myself a Liberal... could it be that your prejudice against a particular group is forcing you to see a Libertarian where there is none?
If my mobile phone is stolen, I'd like it bricked, yes. If someone at my provider is having a bad day, someone who ISN'T me reports my phone stolen when it is not, or some script kiddie just feels like being an asshole, I don't want my phone to turn into a brick.
There is a positive side to this, and a negative side to this. For many reasons already stated in this particular thread, I think I'd rather not have a kill switch on mine, at least not one accessible to anyone but myself.
It's one possible action, and considering in the censorship issues we've seen in past protests (where they DID take down the internet), I'd say either killing it or listening in is plausible. Case by case basis, really.
I can provide an example off the top of my head, but I believe we're still a ways out from this happening- so, for the time being, our example will take place in the totally fictitious country of Tarkey.
Let's say there's some protests- a large number of people railing against the government for whatever reason there may be. In order to lessen their ability to plan and gather together, you turn off their cell service. Now, that does hurt a bit, but what if they still have wifi access? By bricking the phone entirely, you remove a very useful tool and if used in conjunction with an internet kill switch, you essentially can end all digital access for the protesters.
Oh, on that I agree whole-heartedly! my point was that those who stole the phones would likely have ways around it, and it's exactly people like Grandma or Grandpa that could get hurt like this, just like the example you provided.
Even if we ignore the point I brought up with the sarcasm, depending on how it's implemented, it could be entirely useless anyway. I'm willing to wager that, unless it does something irreversible such as destroy hardware, it'll be trivially easy to fix. Why, within days of its introduction I would be disappointed if there were any fewer than 5 youtube videos teaching you how to un-brick, un-kill, or otherwise just stop this function from doing a damn thing.
Heck, if I wasn't dirt poor I'd even put money on it.
And do you know how I know it'll never be abused? Why, the director or the NSA said it would be illegal to do so! Clearly since it is illegal, no member of the government would ever do such a thing!
Ugh. I don't want to live on this planet any more.
I have mod points but already commented in this thread- you still deserve a +1 for truth. I didn't realize how good of an actor he can be until I saw the boxing movie (Fighter, I think it was called, along with Marky Mark.)
Bullshit we are. I hated it when Bush did it, and I hate it even more under the current administration. With Bush it was expected, but this felt more like a betrayal.
After reading you talk about this for a while, I feel compelled to mention that there are Minecraft servers that actually implement such things quite well. With the right mods you can easily get custom mob strength and AI, customized weapons, RPG classes, worlds built by players and... interesting social interaction, especially with our admins, who are always finding new ways to keep us busy. Obviously it's not quite the same, but hearing you talk about it just reminded me of the server I play on. Food for thought.
UPDATE: Upon research it appears the 4670K comes without a fan, so it looks like this was a bit of a moot point anyway. Oh well, excuse to get some water cooling all up ins.
I see where you're coming from and agree with you- but I wouldn't say I've been tricked. This has 1984 written all over it, and I'm not denying that- perhaps I just long to believe that we were better than this, foolish as such beliefs may have been.
I know all this happened- it's just a matter of the extent. I WANT to believe it's not as bad as the reports indicate. However, I believe it's probably as bad if not worse- and that makes me sad.
But I don't. "It must be wrong because all that is illegal" is a mighty poor excuse, even if the "illegal" part is quite true. I've stood by my country despite many, MANY bad decisions, but... this? I just can't support this.
Oh EA, you never fail to disappoint... what I've done a couple times with EA games (usually sequels after they've bought up a studio I like) is purchase the game to show I want more, but crack it to avoid dealing with their BS. Sadly, I can no longer justify giving EA even a cent, so I go without the games.
I'm completely with you and where you're coming from, which is why I support the teams who work on getting these things working without the draconic DRM, or people who release games without any whatsoever (GoG is the usual one listed here.) I suppose perhaps I'm just hopeful that in the end, Microsoft will Do The Right Thing (tm), but I'm not going to bet my money on it.
It's been fun, Xbox, but this is where we part ways. None of these things are technically even huge issues for me- I have a stable internet connection and wouldn't want to bring the console to a cabin or anything. I never sell my games, since I like collecting them- and hell, I'm sure that in 15 years when they take the servers down they'll probably just gut the DRM or lock the games to a specific console and remove the online requirement or do SOMETHING to make sure our games don't become fancy, expensive coasters.
But it's a matter of principle. I don't want a console that treats me like I'm a thief, needing to check up on me once a day to make sure I'm not smoking pot or something. If I fall on hard times and need to sell somethings to get by, I want to know that for the 60 dollar game I bought that there's an option to do so and potentially feed myself for a week. I don't want to worry what will happen to my favorite titles in fifteen years, if I'll be able to play them- that's nothing someone SHOULD have to worry about (And honestly I still prefer Halo 2 to any of the later games anyway...)
I hope the generation that follows this learns from the mistakes being made here. Until then, I'll see you on the PC/Wii U.
Slashdot Mirror
"Damnit, I thought we turned off UAC..."
Funny, I always considered myself a Liberal... could it be that your prejudice against a particular group is forcing you to see a Libertarian where there is none?
If my mobile phone is stolen, I'd like it bricked, yes. If someone at my provider is having a bad day, someone who ISN'T me reports my phone stolen when it is not, or some script kiddie just feels like being an asshole, I don't want my phone to turn into a brick.
There is a positive side to this, and a negative side to this. For many reasons already stated in this particular thread, I think I'd rather not have a kill switch on mine, at least not one accessible to anyone but myself.
Not all thieves are worthless scum either. The nypd busted some college kids last month who were running a stolen iPhone ring for extra cash
Funny, to me that's practically the definition of worthless scum.
It's one possible action, and considering in the censorship issues we've seen in past protests (where they DID take down the internet), I'd say either killing it or listening in is plausible. Case by case basis, really.
I can provide an example off the top of my head, but I believe we're still a ways out from this happening- so, for the time being, our example will take place in the totally fictitious country of Tarkey.
Let's say there's some protests- a large number of people railing against the government for whatever reason there may be. In order to lessen their ability to plan and gather together, you turn off their cell service. Now, that does hurt a bit, but what if they still have wifi access? By bricking the phone entirely, you remove a very useful tool and if used in conjunction with an internet kill switch, you essentially can end all digital access for the protesters.
I pray it never gets to that point in the USA.
Oh, on that I agree whole-heartedly! my point was that those who stole the phones would likely have ways around it, and it's exactly people like Grandma or Grandpa that could get hurt like this, just like the example you provided.
Your ideas intrigue me and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
Kill switches, all the way down...
Even if we ignore the point I brought up with the sarcasm, depending on how it's implemented, it could be entirely useless anyway. I'm willing to wager that, unless it does something irreversible such as destroy hardware, it'll be trivially easy to fix. Why, within days of its introduction I would be disappointed if there were any fewer than 5 youtube videos teaching you how to un-brick, un-kill, or otherwise just stop this function from doing a damn thing.
Heck, if I wasn't dirt poor I'd even put money on it.
And do you know how I know it'll never be abused? Why, the director or the NSA said it would be illegal to do so! Clearly since it is illegal, no member of the government would ever do such a thing!
Ugh. I don't want to live on this planet any more.
I'm sure that with everything we've learned recently regarding the Government and phones, there's no way this could -possibly- be abused!
I have mod points but already commented in this thread- you still deserve a +1 for truth. I didn't realize how good of an actor he can be until I saw the boxing movie (Fighter, I think it was called, along with Marky Mark.)
...I'd watch it.
Bullshit we are. I hated it when Bush did it, and I hate it even more under the current administration. With Bush it was expected, but this felt more like a betrayal.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
After reading you talk about this for a while, I feel compelled to mention that there are Minecraft servers that actually implement such things quite well. With the right mods you can easily get custom mob strength and AI, customized weapons, RPG classes, worlds built by players and... interesting social interaction, especially with our admins, who are always finding new ways to keep us busy. Obviously it's not quite the same, but hearing you talk about it just reminded me of the server I play on. Food for thought.
UPDATE: Upon research it appears the 4670K comes without a fan, so it looks like this was a bit of a moot point anyway. Oh well, excuse to get some water cooling all up ins.
Simply put, Yes.
Hell, not only do you not need an internet connection for it- You don't even need a TV!
Now, if only it had games to play on it...
Why would the Amish need a court system? They have the Amish Mafia to protect them.
This is a thing? On DISCOVERY CHANNEL? That's it- I give up on Television.
I see where you're coming from and agree with you- but I wouldn't say I've been tricked. This has 1984 written all over it, and I'm not denying that- perhaps I just long to believe that we were better than this, foolish as such beliefs may have been.
I know all this happened- it's just a matter of the extent. I WANT to believe it's not as bad as the reports indicate. However, I believe it's probably as bad if not worse- and that makes me sad.
You know... I really wish I could believe him.
But I don't. "It must be wrong because all that is illegal" is a mighty poor excuse, even if the "illegal" part is quite true. I've stood by my country despite many, MANY bad decisions, but... this? I just can't support this.
Oh EA, you never fail to disappoint... what I've done a couple times with EA games (usually sequels after they've bought up a studio I like) is purchase the game to show I want more, but crack it to avoid dealing with their BS. Sadly, I can no longer justify giving EA even a cent, so I go without the games.
I'm completely with you and where you're coming from, which is why I support the teams who work on getting these things working without the draconic DRM, or people who release games without any whatsoever (GoG is the usual one listed here.) I suppose perhaps I'm just hopeful that in the end, Microsoft will Do The Right Thing (tm), but I'm not going to bet my money on it.
It's been fun, Xbox, but this is where we part ways. None of these things are technically even huge issues for me- I have a stable internet connection and wouldn't want to bring the console to a cabin or anything. I never sell my games, since I like collecting them- and hell, I'm sure that in 15 years when they take the servers down they'll probably just gut the DRM or lock the games to a specific console and remove the online requirement or do SOMETHING to make sure our games don't become fancy, expensive coasters.
But it's a matter of principle. I don't want a console that treats me like I'm a thief, needing to check up on me once a day to make sure I'm not smoking pot or something. If I fall on hard times and need to sell somethings to get by, I want to know that for the 60 dollar game I bought that there's an option to do so and potentially feed myself for a week. I don't want to worry what will happen to my favorite titles in fifteen years, if I'll be able to play them- that's nothing someone SHOULD have to worry about (And honestly I still prefer Halo 2 to any of the later games anyway...)
I hope the generation that follows this learns from the mistakes being made here. Until then, I'll see you on the PC/Wii U.
I agree with you that some benchmarking system would help, maybe "flops per amp-hour" or something
Your average person wouldn't really understand that- why don't we make it into something all users these days could make sense of?
Cat pictures per hour.
How polite, General Lee Worthless.