I find that I agree with David Brin. I have always been a bit paranoid about my privacy and take many steps to safegaurd my private info. In retrospect, though, I have usually been much more relaxed about divulging private info when I know there are more rigid laws to protect it.
For example I would never open an account with an online bill paying service but as soon as my bank offerred one I jumped at the chance. I beleive that we have already traded any true privacy for the many conveniences that most of western civilization now demands. We are our own worst enemies in this regard. The most effective means of protecting ourselves is not to try to hide our personal information but to limit how others can legally use it.
I wonder what the cost benefit analysis of avoiding these kinds of things would be?
There are so many ways to collect personal data about your habits. People put up with it because
it means they can save money or it provides a
significant convenience.
<off-topic>
Example: Most supermarkets in my area now give
discounts only to holders of their courtesy cards,
rather than by using coupons. For awhile the
clerk would use their card if you didn't have
yours but they've stopped doing that now.
They really want to collect that personal
marketing data on you.
</off-topic>
You know if your *really* worried about this then
you should cancel all of your credit cards and move
to the deep woods now. Many companies can already
find out detailed and personal information about you
just by looking at the data they already have in
their databases.
Ever shop at Walmart? Someone I know made a sales
call to a top IT manager at Walmart a *few* years
ago. It was his second trip there. During the
intial banter the IT manager asked the guy if he
rembered his toothbrush this time. Apparently
the guy did a query on all of his recent purchases
and noticed that among his purchases on his last visit was a toothbrush. It totaly blew my freinds
mind.
Many businesses have just this kind of detailed
info on you already. They're only going to collect more and more, and there's not much you
can do about it unless you become a hermit.
It is interesting to note that the point of this article is more directed towards understanding the early research of ecosystems. It is clear that this early research not only influenced Darwin's work but was some of the earliest work done in understanding the impact of diversity on how well an ecosystem functions.
One quote in the article ponders the impact this research could have had in preventing much of the damage that has been inflicted on the worlds ecosystems. Could we have prevented much of this damage if this reseach had been dissemenated more widely?
Perhaps it might have sped up our concerns on the matter. Though we are still faced with major conflicts between the interests of technolgy amd those of ecology. It's hard to imagine that the negative impact of human technolgy and civilization will ever cease to erode upon the ecology that supports it.
> Yes however good intentioned your post may be you are comparing two different things.
There are certainly huge differences between what Micorsoft is proposing and what Slashdot is doing.
Nevertheless, the point is valid. Though we enjoy freedom of speech in this country, our words can still come back to haunt us.
The fact remains that information on the Internet is very easy to search and retreive. Anyone with Internet access, just about anywhere in the world, has a dizzying amount of information that can increasingly be obtained about us. Be it personal, financial, or intellectual.
Shoud we be concerned about this?
Should we try to put some limits on it?
What are the costs and the benefits to society?
January 13, 2002
Years of Data Lost in Fire at University
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
[S] ANTA CRUZ, Calif., Jan. 12 (AP) -- A fire tore through university laboratories here and destroyed genetic research that took years to develop, officials said today.
The fire began early Friday and destroyed the top floor of a laboratory at the University of California at Santa Cruz. It later flared up twice more and destroyed the interior of a second laboratory, said Charles Hernandez, the university's fire chief.
Prof. Manuel Ares Jr., chairman of the Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Department, said, "It's a devastating situation," and added, "I don't know how far it has set me back."
He said many of the genetic strains in his laboratory had taken 14 years to develop and could take that long to replace. His work was related to the Human Genome Project, a national effort to identify the tens of thousands of genes in human DNA.
Chief Hernandez said the building did not have a sprinkler system because it was built in 1987, before fire codes required one.
It was interesting to read about this. I think there's a fair chance it may explain something that happened to me. I have a number of domains that just came up for renewal. I got notices for all of them except for one. It is one that I have been approached about before but I want to keep. It may just be a coincidence but it leads one to wonder.
I think a WLS would be a very questionable service all around. Even if it is implemented with every intention of being on the up and up, it still poses a very significant opportunity for abuse.
There is also the question of a waiting period for the current registrant of an expired domain name. I'm not sure if there is any offical grace period at the moment. I beleive there should be at least a 30 day period, preferably 90 days, from expiration to pay the renewal fee.
In addition to a grace period I beleive that anyone who is interested in an expiring domain should be able to register their interest for free on or AFTER the expiration date. If the domain has not been renewed at the end of the grace period it should then be auctioned off to all those who have registered interest.
I think that this would be an equitable solution that would be above reproach. Of course this mechanism may not be as profitable as the WLS.
"Microsoft and Disney will become the most important allies in defending the core values of the Internet."
Because, to me, this means further commercialization of the Internet to the exclusion of those with smaller bankrolls. I think what's at stake here is the use of the Internet as an equalizing factor between the Mega-Companies and small companies and individuals. This is precisely what the Open Source community must fight tooth and nail.
Actually, this dream machine shares a lot in common with the "Ultimate Linux Box" as described by Eric Raymond here back in November. I must admit that Raymonds selections appeal to me a whole lot more. You couldn't possibly get me to give up Antec cases and Tyan motherboards. They are like Mom's Apple pie and ice cream. You've known they are so good for so long why even consider anything else.
These are the types of ideas that should be codified into laws (or regulations). Or at least a rather precise codification of the simple tenents contained theirin. I think it would go a long way to help tame the "Wild Internet". Something that is mostly being left up to the business community so far.
Before attempting to install this on my test box I'd like to know exactly what the performance inplications are to specific types of applications and services. For example I am extremely interested in improving JVM performance on a Linux box.
Any information or direction about this would be very helpful.
I see "Blacklists" and "Forced Logins".......
on
Slashdot Code Update
·
· Score: 3, Informative
It occurs to me that this new feature could potential lead to the desire for two others.
First, if we can individually mark someone as
a foe then the next trend might be to create a
list of individuals that the community regards
as foes. The individuals could then choose to
subscribe to this list if they feel they have
common ground with the list maintainers. Thus
community blacklisting would arrive on the
internet (anyone intersted in copyrighting this?).
Of course today anyone who has a desire to attack
and defame the thoughts of others is going to post
as an Anonymous Coward. Thus the second desire could be to make everyone accountable for their
posts. This would, of course, require a "Forced
Login" feature.
I personally doubt that there are many members of
this online community that would sanction features
like these. Trends, however, start out as seemingly innocuous and small changes that over
time turn into something that is bigger and larger
than their meager beginnnings.
The question then would be: Are we heading down a path that diverges from the original intent of
a collaborative forum where there can be a free
exchange of ideas unencumbered by that hideous
beast called "censorship"?
I got hired by Bell Labs upon graduating from a local college with a 2 year Associates Degree in Computer Technology. I then spent the next ten years trying to become a bona fide Software Engineer.
Of course there was a Sys Admin there who *only* held a BA in liberal arts. It was looked upon with some derison. A number of other folks simply moved up through the ranks without having a degree of any kind.
Most folks with degrees who were Sys Admin's wanted to be something more so there was plenty of opportunity for those that didn't. This was durring the late 80's and early 90's. Everything is different now.
Here are the first few paragraphs from The Bell System Technical Journal article entitled "The UNIX Time-sharing System", by D.M. Ritchie and K. Thompson (manuscript received April 3, 1978)
UNIX has certainly come a long way from these meager beginings.
UNIX is a general-purpose, multi-user, interactive operating system for the larger Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-11 and the Interdata 8/32 computers, including
(i) A heirarchical file system incorporating demountable volumes,
(ii) Compatible file, device, and inter-process I/O,
(iii) The ability to initiate asynchronous processes,
(iv) System command language selectable on a per-user basis,
(v) Over 100 subsystems including a dozen languages,
(vi) High degree of portability.
This paper discusses the nature and implication of the file system and of the user command interface.
I. Introduction
There have been four versions of the UNIX time-sharing system. The earliset (circa 1969-70) ran on the Digital Corporation PDP-7 and -9 computers. The second version ran on the unprotected PDP-11/20 computer. The third incoporated mutliprogramming and ran on the PDP-11/34,/40,/45,/60, and/70 computers; it is the one described in the previously published version of this paper, and is also the most widely used today. This paper describes only the fourth, current system that runs on the PDP-11/70 and the Interdata 8/32 computers. In fact, the differences among the various systems is rather small; most of the revisions made to the originally published version of this paper, aside from those concerned with style, had to do with details of the implementation of the file system.
Since PDP-11 UNIX became operational in February, 1971, over 600 installations have been put into service. Most of them are engaged in applications such as computers scince education, the preperation and formatting of documents and other textual material, the collection and processing of trouble data from various switching machines within the Bell System, and recording and checking telephone service orders. our own installation is used mainly for other topics in computer science, and also for documentation perparation.
At least according the the article I'm looking at in myt hand that was published by D.M Ritchie and K/ Thompson in the Bell Labs Technical Journal, July-August 1978.
One of my favorite places to buy software
has been at used PC shops. They often had
quite recent copies of used software, in-the-box,
and with all the docs.
I don't see MS running around trying to close
these little shops down.
Slashdot Mirror
I find that I agree with David Brin. I have always been a bit paranoid about my privacy and take many steps to safegaurd my private info. In retrospect, though, I have usually been much more relaxed about divulging private info when I know there are more rigid laws to protect it.
For example I would never open an account with an online bill paying service but as soon as my bank offerred one I jumped at the chance. I beleive that we have already traded any true privacy for the many conveniences that most of western civilization now demands. We are our own worst enemies in this regard. The most effective means of protecting ourselves is not to try to hide our personal information but to limit how others can legally use it.
I simply use an email client that will render the contents in text-only mode.
On linux I use Evolution (setting Message Display to "Show Email Source") and on Windows I use Agent (or FreeAgent).
Agent is a bit more polished in that it displays an icon in place of the HTML that you can click to launch you favorite browser.
Just buy a mag tape eraser or any powerful electormagnet.
It should be cultural based so that children around the world can learn about each other.
I wonder what the cost benefit analysis of avoiding these kinds of things would be?
There are so many ways to collect personal data about your habits. People put up with it because
it means they can save money or it provides a
significant convenience.
<off-topic>
Example: Most supermarkets in my area now give
discounts only to holders of their courtesy cards,
rather than by using coupons. For awhile the
clerk would use their card if you didn't have
yours but they've stopped doing that now.
They really want to collect that personal
marketing data on you.
</off-topic>
You know if your *really* worried about this then
you should cancel all of your credit cards and move
to the deep woods now. Many companies can already
find out detailed and personal information about you
just by looking at the data they already have in
their databases.
Ever shop at Walmart? Someone I know made a sales
call to a top IT manager at Walmart a *few* years
ago. It was his second trip there. During the
intial banter the IT manager asked the guy if he
rembered his toothbrush this time. Apparently
the guy did a query on all of his recent purchases
and noticed that among his purchases on his last visit was a toothbrush. It totaly blew my freinds
mind.
Many businesses have just this kind of detailed
info on you already. They're only going to collect more and more, and there's not much you
can do about it unless you become a hermit.
Considering that 99.5% of us are automatically ruled out because we don't have 20 Mil. of disposable income to plunk down for the ultimate joy ride.
Hmmm, "Ultimate Joy Ride" sounds like fodder for a future
It is interesting to note that the point of this article is more directed towards understanding the early research of ecosystems. It is clear that this early research not only influenced Darwin's work but was some of the earliest work done in understanding the impact of diversity on how well an ecosystem functions.
One quote in the article ponders the impact this research could have had in preventing much of the damage that has been inflicted on the worlds ecosystems. Could we have prevented much of this damage if this reseach had been dissemenated more widely?
Perhaps it might have sped up our concerns on the matter. Though we are still faced with major conflicts between the interests of technolgy amd those of ecology. It's hard to imagine that the negative impact of human technolgy and civilization will ever cease to erode upon the ecology that supports it.
> Yes however good intentioned your post may be you are comparing two different things.
There are certainly huge differences between what Micorsoft is proposing and what Slashdot is doing.
Nevertheless, the point is valid. Though we enjoy freedom of speech in this country, our words can still come back to haunt us.
The fact remains that information on the Internet is very easy to search and retreive. Anyone with Internet access, just about anywhere in the world, has a dizzying amount of information that can increasingly be obtained about us. Be it personal, financial, or intellectual.
Shoud we be concerned about this?
Should we try to put some limits on it?
What are the costs and the benefits to society?
or call a lawyer well versed in technology and patent law.
Ximian Desktop. It's *better* than windows.
That and Ximina Evolution has finaly allowed
me to ditch windows. Oh yeah, gotta love it.
www.ximian.
January 13, 2002
Years of Data Lost in Fire at University
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
[S] ANTA CRUZ, Calif., Jan. 12 (AP) -- A fire tore through university laboratories here and destroyed genetic research that took years to develop, officials said today.
The fire began early Friday and destroyed the top floor of a laboratory at the University of California at Santa Cruz. It later flared up twice more and destroyed the interior of a second laboratory, said Charles Hernandez, the university's fire chief.
Prof. Manuel Ares Jr., chairman of the Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Department, said, "It's a devastating situation," and added, "I don't know how far it has set me back."
He said many of the genetic strains in his laboratory had taken 14 years to develop and could take that long to replace. His work was related to the Human Genome Project, a national effort to identify the tens of thousands of genes in human DNA.
Chief Hernandez said the building did not have a sprinkler system because it was built in 1987, before fire codes required one.
The cause
It was interesting to read about this. I think there's a fair chance it may explain something that happened to me. I have a number of domains that just came up for renewal. I got notices for all of them except for one. It is one that I have been approached about before but I want to keep. It may just be a coincidence but it leads one to wonder.
I think a WLS would be a very questionable service all around. Even if it is implemented with every intention of being on the up and up, it still poses a very significant opportunity for abuse.
There is also the question of a waiting period for the current registrant of an expired domain name. I'm not sure if there is any offical grace period at the moment. I beleive there should be at least a 30 day period, preferably 90 days, from expiration to pay the renewal fee.
In addition to a grace period I beleive that anyone who is interested in an expiring domain should be able to register their interest for free on or AFTER the expiration date. If the domain has not been renewed at the end of the grace period it should then be auctioned off to all those who have registered interest.
I think that this would be an equitable solution that would be above reproach. Of course this mechanism may not be as profitable as the WLS.
"Microsoft and Disney will become the most important allies in defending the core values of the Internet."
Because, to me, this means further commercialization of the Internet to the exclusion of those with smaller bankrolls. I think what's at stake here is the use of the Internet as an equalizing factor between the Mega-Companies and small companies and individuals. This is precisely what the Open Source community must fight tooth and nail.
Actually, this dream machine shares a lot in common with the "Ultimate Linux Box" as described by Eric Raymond here back in November. I must admit that Raymonds selections appeal to me a whole lot more. You couldn't possibly get me to give up Antec cases and Tyan motherboards. They are like Mom's Apple pie and ice cream. You've known they are so good for so long why even consider anything else.
"It's all about money and if people chose not to buy it, these companies will drop the idea of using it."
Exactly!
These are the types of ideas that should be codified into laws (or regulations). Or at least a rather precise codification of the simple tenents contained theirin. I think it would go a long way to help tame the "Wild Internet". Something that is mostly being left up to the business community so far.
I always laugh when I see that name.
I keep thinking of a jingle a colleague
of mine proposed "Pull my finger for iSmell".
Gotta luv it!
I think that having more formats is a good thing.
Not that I'm an MS fan. "Let the markets decide."
Before attempting to install this on my test box I'd like to know exactly what the performance inplications are to specific types of applications and services. For example I am extremely interested in improving JVM performance on a Linux box.
Any information or direction about this would be very helpful.
It occurs to me that this new feature could potential lead to the desire for two others.
First, if we can individually mark someone as
a foe then the next trend might be to create a
list of individuals that the community regards
as foes. The individuals could then choose to
subscribe to this list if they feel they have
common ground with the list maintainers. Thus
community blacklisting would arrive on the
internet (anyone intersted in copyrighting this?).
Of course today anyone who has a desire to attack
and defame the thoughts of others is going to post
as an Anonymous Coward. Thus the second desire could be to make everyone accountable for their
posts. This would, of course, require a "Forced
Login" feature.
I personally doubt that there are many members of
this online community that would sanction features
like these. Trends, however, start out as seemingly innocuous and small changes that over
time turn into something that is bigger and larger
than their meager beginnnings.
The question then would be: Are we heading down a path that diverges from the original intent of
a collaborative forum where there can be a free
exchange of ideas unencumbered by that hideous
beast called "censorship"?
I got hired by Bell Labs upon graduating from a local college with a 2 year Associates Degree in Computer Technology. I then spent the next ten years trying to become a bona fide Software Engineer.
Of course there was a Sys Admin there who *only* held a BA in liberal arts. It was looked upon with some derison. A number of other folks simply moved up through the ranks without having a degree of any kind.
Most folks with degrees who were Sys Admin's wanted to be something more so there was plenty of opportunity for those that didn't. This was durring the late 80's and early 90's. Everything is different now.
Here are the first few paragraphs from The Bell System Technical Journal article entitled "The UNIX Time-sharing System", by D.M. Ritchie and K. Thompson (manuscript received April 3, 1978)
UNIX has certainly come a long way from these meager beginings.
UNIX is a general-purpose, multi-user, interactive operating system for the larger Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-11 and the Interdata 8/32 computers, including
(i) A heirarchical file system incorporating demountable volumes,
(ii) Compatible file, device, and inter-process I/O,
(iii) The ability to initiate asynchronous processes,
(iv) System command language selectable on a per-user basis,
(v) Over 100 subsystems including a dozen languages,
(vi) High degree of portability.
This paper discusses the nature and implication of the file system and of the user command interface.
I. Introduction
There have been four versions of the UNIX time-sharing system. The earliset (circa 1969-70) ran on the Digital Corporation PDP-7 and -9 computers. The second version ran on the unprotected PDP-11/20 computer. The third incoporated mutliprogramming and ran on the PDP-11/34, /40, /45, /60, and /70 computers; it is the one described in the previously published version of this paper, and is also the most widely used today. This paper describes only the fourth, current system that runs on the PDP-11/70 and the Interdata 8/32 computers. In fact, the differences among the various systems is rather small; most of the revisions made to the originally published version of this paper, aside from those concerned with style, had to do with details of the implementation of the file system.
Since PDP-11 UNIX became operational in February, 1971, over 600 installations have been put into service. Most of them are engaged in applications such as computers scince education, the preperation and formatting of documents and other textual material, the collection and processing of trouble data from various switching machines within the Bell System, and recording and checking telephone service orders. our own installation is used mainly for other topics in computer science, and also for documentation perparation.
At least according the the article I'm looking at in myt hand that was published by D.M Ritchie and K/ Thompson in the Bell Labs Technical Journal, July-August 1978.
I certainly don't accept it. I ignore it.
One of my favorite places to buy software
has been at used PC shops. They often had
quite recent copies of used software, in-the-box,
and with all the docs.
I don't see MS running around trying to close
these little shops down.