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User: PDG

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  1. Re:Take back Slashdot on Slashdot and SourceForge Sold, Now Under New Management (bizx.info) · · Score: 1

    I miss the days of CmdrTaco :-(

  2. IAAL on US Supreme Court Invalidates Patent For Being Software Patent · · Score: 2

    While not an expert in this particular case, the holding seems pretty clear - you can't patent an abstract idea and the mere implementation of one does not violate an non-patentable solution. The analysis points out that there is not unique thought or design process involved to protect and the mere following of steps previous outlined does not make something patentable.

  3. US did the same thing on Upside-Down Sensors Caused Proton-M Rocket Crash · · Score: 1

    The Thor missile, the first of the intermediate range ballistic missiles had the same issue on its 2nd launch causing the range operator to hit the self destruct button in fear that it was going the wrong way.

  4. Doesn't crash Terminal on Typing These 8 Characters Will Crash Almost Any App On Your Mountain Lion Mac · · Score: 1

    Tried it, capitals and all, no crash

  5. I'm glad I contributed to their failure on Best Buy Closing 50 Stores · · Score: 2

    A few months ago I decided to go buy a new TV, first time in 15 years. I went to the local Best Buy, checked out models, figure out a plan and price, worked with the store rep to get it all set. We go to finalize and pay for it and they tell me that its OUT OF STOCK and they could order it but it would take 8-10 days. I spent over 3 hours working with various people in his team on a $1000+ deal only to get jerked around at the last second? I was so pissed I went home, hopped online, found the EXACT same make and model on Amazon for $200 less with free 2 day shipping. I find it interesting how they complain about people using their stores as showcases to browse, when that is the ONLY service they are capable of providing.

  6. IAAL and it IS unenforceable on Netflix Terms of Service Invalidates Your Right To Sue · · Score: 5, Informative

    The AT&T case was unique in that the SCOTUS overrode a CA statute that was OVERLY generous to consumers (and completely unfair to businesses) and said the arbitration clause was valid. MA on the other hand will toss out such a clause (as they did in the Dell case) as it simply stripped a consumer's right to the court. So I repeat, the AT&T does NOT validate all arbitration clauses, all it did was invalidate enforcement of a CA statute that was superceded by the Fed Arbitration Action.

  7. 5th Amendment Clarification on US Judge Rules Defendant Can Be Forced To Decrypt Hard Drive · · Score: 0

    5th amendment protects one against oral testimony against oneself, not self-incrimination or being forced to provide evidence.

  8. Re:Why should they? on Google Won't Pull Checkpoint Evasion App · · Score: 1

    Talk to Scalia. But it's no different than an officer stopping someone on the sidewalk to ask them a question, and if they suspect something because of it, to frisk them (Terry Stop).

  9. Re:Too drunk to drive? on Google Won't Pull Checkpoint Evasion App · · Score: 1

    Heck, they should allow the apps to stay and just pull them over for illegal use of a device while driving, or distracted operation or something.

  10. Re:Why should they? on Google Won't Pull Checkpoint Evasion App · · Score: 2

    Entrapment is only when they induce you to do something you normally wouldn't have done otherwise.

  11. Re:Why should they? on Google Won't Pull Checkpoint Evasion App · · Score: 1

    Yes, check points need to be published in newpapers to allow police to side-step 4th amendment rights to unreasonable searches. If the info is made public, the rationale is you've been "notified", regardless if you've read it or not, and have waived your reasonable expectation of privacy in this regard.

  12. Too drunk to drive? on Google Won't Pull Checkpoint Evasion App · · Score: 2

    Then chances are you're too drunk to use the apps. I can't imagine some drunk driver trying to use some Google Maps mashup on a phone to navigate around police roadblocks, let alone have the mental aforethought to consider using it. People don't drink and drive because they're evil-doers, they do it because they lack the sober rationale to realize they're not capable of driving in their current condition.

  13. I wish MA was the same on Seagate To Pay Former Worker $1.9M For Phantom Job · · Score: 1

    I got laid off last week after only working for 3 weeks. Who does hiring when they are about to re-org?

  14. Other ways on When Your Company Remote-Wipes Your Personal Phone · · Score: 1

    Wow, I had no idea that adding an Exchange email account for your iDevice would give sysadmins that power. Good thing my last company had ActiveSync disabled on their Exchange server forcing me to find alternate ways to get my emails, one of which was a tool that let me set a middle man server to act as a IMAP/LDAP/CALDAV server, sort of a proxy via the WebMail interface. This would keep the admin's off my phone while giving me full functionality.

  15. Re:Steal the market? on Why Tablets Haven't Taken Off In Business · · Score: 4, Informative

    Are you kidding me? I used my iPad are the office all the time. Granted, I'm not compiling Java on it, but there are plenty of uses over and above email at the office.

    It makes a great portable Web-Ex client, as well as GotoMeeting and other presentation formats. It handles documents well. Using iAnnotate lets me markup and read PDF docs.

    I also found it great for reading specs rather than killing trees with paper or trying to read them off a computer screen. I can take them with me with ease.

    I also have RDP and VNC clients plus a shell terminal (no, not jailbroken) lets me SSH into other boxes and do sys admin work as well as a slew of other network tools available.

    Add on top of that the fact that I can do Voip calls and listen to my music all at the same time.

  16. Verizon's iPhone Bashing on Verizon iPhone Rumored For Early Next Year · · Score: 1

    Verizon's is Android's bitch and they've been in bed ever since Verizon decided not only to take swings at AT&T's network, but by bashing the iPhone and its lack of features that Droid had at the time. Anyone remember the commercial where they placed the iPhone in the land of misfit toys? After all the bashing they're done on iPhone, they're gonna look pretty silly to suddenly do a 180* and promote how great it is. They're Android partners may not be all that thrilled either.

  17. Re:My problem with iPad on 5 Reasons Tablets Suck, and You Won't Buy One · · Score: 1

    You're sort of proving my point. Just because Apple gives you an inch in the ability to install apps that they control access to, you demand a mile. The iPhone is an appliance - its designed to make telephone calls and interact with the Internet. The iPad is an appliance too with similar features. Nobody called Motorola evil when you couldn't install applications on the StarTac, how is Apple any different?

  18. Re:My problem with iPad on 5 Reasons Tablets Suck, and You Won't Buy One · · Score: 1

    Why does everyone believe they have the inherent right to install applications on electronics they buy? Have you not noticed that Apple exited the computer business when they removed 'computer' from their corporate name? They make consume electronics now. Sure, some of those happen to be computers. Others happen to be devices to which they generously opened some ability for others to extend onto their platform.

    But honestly, when's the last time you installed an application on your toaster? Or your alarm clock? I don't hear anybody bitching about Sony keeping their flat screen television systems controlled.

  19. Re:Kudos to the C-64 on Programming the Commodore 64: the Definitive Guide · · Score: 2, Funny

    So much for my English background that I can't even proofread my post properly. Should have said "one of the few in my school that could actually afford one"

  20. Kudos to the C-64 on Programming the Commodore 64: the Definitive Guide · · Score: 1

    I credit going through elementary school with a Commodore 64, one of the few in my school that couldn't actually afford one, for my advanced engineer position I have now. I spent so much time hacking away basic programs and stuff that I ended up learning so much computer science without even realizing.

    Its the only explanation I have for how I've been a software engineer for my entire post school career (the past dozen plus years) while my undergrad degree was a BA in English.

  21. Works great up in the Boston area on AT&T Admits New York City iPhone Service Sucks · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I hear NYC and SanFran AT&T horror stories all the time, and then people jump on the bandwagon and say it sucks everywhere else too.

    Well, works beautifully in Boston. Recent reports show that its faster and more reliable in Boston than Verizon as well. Believe me, I was a 12 year Verizon veteran and shied away from AT&T because of the 'stories' I heard. One day, work gave me an AT&T serviced BlackBerry and I swapped the sim card into an iPhone off EBay and was astounded that I got better and faster service than my Verizon account gave me.

    Dropped Verizon and went AT&T within a week. Nary a problem since.

  22. My take on this on Court Orders Shutdown of H-1B Critics' Websites · · Score: 1

    Sure companies abuse H1B visa programs, and I've seen it first hand. I worked for a firm and aside from a large India based branch office, we had a dozen or so Indian workers in the US office on work visa's. I've see the salary numbers, they made considerably less than their US citizen counterparts. As did the Chinese, Russian, and other slavic imported workers.

    While I agree that if someone wishes to work for less, that's fine, but the corporations do need to play by the rule currently in place. Specifically that they are unable to find similar workers in the US do fill the positions.

    When my company did a considerable downsize, they let go almost all the US workers, and kept the foreign ones. Most of them were junior and at lower salaries than the ones they let go. So, if they claim they 'cannot' find adequate workers in the US, why did they just lay off a ton and keep the ones on visa?

  23. What crap on Java Gets New Garbage Collector, But Only If You Buy Support · · Score: -1, Troll

    eom

  24. So why are there non-competes in California? on CA Vs. MA In Battle Over Non-Compete Clause · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I work for a California company, and they had me sign a non-compete. I asked them why considering that California courts will not enforce them. Response from the legal department--just in case the court changes their mind.

  25. Re:Depends on Your Interest on Best Grad Program For a Computer Science Major? · · Score: 1

    Agreed, I see the trio of tech, business, and law creating a juggernaut of a CIO/CTO executive.

    BA - check
    MBA - check
    Law Degree - currently in progress

    :D