Going through a small claims process to collect $500 is a hit or miss proposition for a pro se litigant. If you go to a lawyer, I am sure that he will find a way to recover triple that amount through a settlement. The lawyer can organize a number of plaintiffs and perhaps even a class action. The lawyer will front all of the fees, usually.
Just like how you shouldn't self-medicate yourself, you shouldn't represent yourself in court. Your just asking for trouble, and stress, and a huge headache.
What are the safe, 'all in one' codec packs for windows? Links please! Also, the article doesn't mention the unsafe packages...are there any notorious ones?
I was a strong proponent of Kerio's free firewall. However, a fully patched Windows XP machine running Windows firewall works just as well. A "shield's up test" reveals no open ports using either system. However, Opening ports using Kerio has always been a pain in the ass. After having numerous issues with bittorrent and ssh using Kerio, I gave up. I now use a hardware firewall which is in my router and the built in WinXP firewall. Two firewalls are enough, IMHO.
Why aren't there any free/open-source/GNU easy to configure software firewalls for windows? Anyone know of any?
I always do a fresh install from the CD. I have learned the hard way that upgrading *any* distro through the command line method is a sure way to disaster. Primarily, packages compiled outside of the preferred distro install method break. Often, other incompatibilities bork the upgrade too.
The problem is that the developers aren't listening to the end-users. I understand the developer's mindset that they "don't care about VV support." I also understand that they don't want to include VV support if the implementation is going to be crappy and not work properly for lots of users.
However, VV support is an important feature. Videoconferencing in linux, frankly, sucks. Lots of businesses need good quality tools to videoconference with Windows Clients. Lots of home desktop users want to be able to use yahoo webcams or msn webcams, and when they learn that linux does not support webcam chat well, they don't want to even try linux out. Lack of good webcam support on Ubuntu has kept me from fully switching from XP.
Stop making excuses, get someone working on VV, even if they don't enjoy it, and get it to work!
To say that I am pissed that Gaim hasn't incorporated video support is an understatement. I would like to video chat with friends and relatives over Yahoo IM and MSN and AIM. It irks me that Gaim-vv isn't being developed or supported and that video support hasn't been even considered for inclusion in Gaim. Gaim should be forked/improved by a linux distrobution (hello, Ubuntu?) to include video webcam support! Is it so technically complicated?
Emigrating to a different country is a serious decision and shouldn't be made lightly.
Here are some valid reasons for leaving a country: 1) Your racial or religious group has been a target of systemic discrimination and/or widespread violence 2) You're a refuge 3) You can not practice your religion freely. 4) You can not express your beliefs freely or participate in the political process. 5) Efforts to cure 1, 2 or 3 through lawful action, such as elections and courts, have failed. 6) You can make more money or have a higher standard of living in a different country. 7) You like the culture, language, food, and people of a different country and wish to live there. 8) You hate your current country for whatever reason and want to leave.
I think an honest assessment of the US, at present, eliminates reasons 1 through 5. While there is violence and discrimination against minorities, it is no where near the levels where a move is necessary. If you are a law abiding citizen, you are not going to be carted away in the middle of the night to Guantanemo or a secret prison. (I'm not saying that this isn't a problem, just that it is only happening to a very tiny minority of individuals, perhaps a 1000)
Frankly, most of the problems described between 1 and 5 in the US can be solved by moving to a different part of the United States.
*The freedom to run the corporation, for any purpose (freedom 0). Obviously, this is limited to any *lawful* purpose. This freedom isn't so obvious however. Originally, Corporations were restricted to one type of business in their articles of incorporation, such as "trap and sell fur and fur related items" and actions taken outside of that mandate were null and void.
*The freedom for anyone inside or outside of the corporation to study how the corporation works, does its business, keeps its books, and makes its outputs and the freedom to adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to inside corporate information is a precondition for this.
Essentially, this is an extention of current 'Sarbanes-Oxley' style disclosure laws. Everything the entity does is public, and everything it owns is not patented or trademarked in a restrictive manner.
*The freedom to start up similar and related businesses so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).
Lots of businesses restrict the freedom of their employees to start up competitive businesses, or keep their own intellectual property.
*The freedom to run the corporation, for any purpose (freedom 0). *The freedom for anyone inside or outside of the corporation to study how the corporation works, does its business, keeps its books, and makes its outputs and the freedom to adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to inside corporate information is a precondition for this. *The freedom to start up similar and related businesses so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2). *The freedom to improve the business, and sell your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to inside corporate information is a precondition for this.
The original hebrew is translated as "Thou shall not murder" and is understood by both Jews and (most) Christians to not include the killing of animals, or the killing of men in self-defense, or justifiable homicide or excusable homicie, or homicide by the State. The translation in the King James version is inaccurate and leads to confusion. Check out http://www.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/Shokel/001102_Thou ShaltNotMurder.html for more details.
Check out http://www.uspto.gov/patft/class705_sub36t.html
Alot of these seem to be computerized systems to generate tax advantages for businesses or computer programs to determine a tax benifit. I wonder if anyone can find any 'outrageous' examples in here?
And I wonder if the supreme irony behind this "Respect Copyrights" merit patch is that it uses the Boy Scout Logo with an eagle and Trifoil, which is trademarked by the Boy Scouts of America! Check out http://www.scouting.org/identity/contents/11.html and http://www.scouting.org/identity/contents/1.html . The Boy Scouts should sue the MPAA for trademark violations! O the irony!
The real reason why the cell phone/Ipod hybrid will fail to materialize soon, is that mp3s played on cellphones sound like crap, IMHO.
It doesn't take too much market research to tell you that people hate the way ringtones sound. Not to mention that some people find that people blaring songs on their Ipod is the '06 equivelent of blasting music on a boombox.
How many people are going to carry around earbuds to listen to music? Where do the earbuds go when you have to answer the phone? You can't expect people to listen to a 5 minute song and relax while holding the phone up to their ears right? Or do you now need two bluetooth ear pieces? I think the whole idea is silly.
Well, the GPL doesn't really define what "source code" clearly.
"The source code for a work means the preferred form of the work for making modifications to it. For an executable work, complete source code means all the source code for all modules it contains, plus any associated interface definition files, plus the scripts used to control compilation and installation of the executable. However, as a special exception, the source code distributed need not include anything that is normally distributed (in either source or binary form) with the major components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of the operating system on which the executable runs, unless that component itself accompanies the executable."
Does this include images? I think that there is a strong argument that it does. Otherwise, GUIs, which contain images along with code, could just be distributed under a non-GPL license, right? Correct me if I'm wrong.
This issue is larger than Debian. This is really about the GPL. If you downloaded the source code for Firefox, you'll find around 18 text files labeled 'license' in the source code and not one reference to the GPL. There are only references to the MPL. While the Mozilla website claims that it is "tri-licensed" under the GPL, I have found no evidence in the current source code that backs up that claim.
In fact, Mozilla has modified the text of the MPL, which now has a new preamble which states "You are not granted rights or licenses to the trademarks of the Mozilla Foundation or any party, including without limitation the Firefox name or logo." This is a new modification to the MPL and is not reflected in the version of the license available on the Mozilla website. Furthermore, this version of the license has not been analysed by the GNU project, and might not be compatable with the GPL.
It is a RED HERRING to argue that trademark and copyright law offer a distinction in this case. If you release source code that contains image files which are licensed under the GPL, they are licensed under the GPL. If you release it under them under a tri-license, then they are tri-licensed. If you pick and choose which parts of your source code are GPL or MPL, then, well, you have a problem with compliance.
This is a serious LEGAL issue, not a moral issue. IMHO, all distros which are distributed under the GPL should stop using the MPL until they consult legal counsel!
Every point this author makes about why the Ipod won't die and is so popular, seems to be a reason why I haven't bought an Ipod!
Another possibility is the iPod becoming so so common that people will start buying other products just to be away from the crowd of iPod users and be unique. Hey, you never know.
This is precisely the reason why I haven't bought an iPod. It is too trendy. People get killed on the NYC subways for having white earphones!
Would you rather have a tiny glossy iPod which plays MP3s only or a bigger bulkier competitor's product which plays all known formats?
The other reason why I chose a Creative Zen:M over an iPod was for the functionality. I wanted to be able to play Microsofts DRMed crap because thats what the local public library uses to 'protect' its online audiobooks. And, I wanted to be able to play a number of different movie files on my player, while commuting to work on the bus to NYC. It might not look as 'cool' as the iPod, but most straight men prefer function over form. Even the non-geeks.
I would buy an iPod in an instant if it supported other DRM formats, other music formats such as ogg, and movie formats other than.mp4, and if it had an AM/FM/SW radio, and maybe even broadcast television reception capabilities.
Well, this is a new low for Mozilla: "Show your support for Mozilla! Get cool Firefox gear at the Mozilla Store."
I know that Mozilla has always encouraged people to buy stuff to support the project, but this blatent brand promotion is making me sick, especially due to the fact that linux distros can't even use the logos anymore.
Odeh M; Bassan H; Oliven A . Termination of intractable hiccups with digital rectal massage.J Intern Med, 227(2):145-6 1990 A 60-year-old man with acute pancreatitis developed persistent hiccups after insertion of a nasogastric tube. Removal of the latter did not terminate the hiccups which had also been treated with different drugs, and several manoeuvres were attempted, but with no success. Digital rectal massage was then performed resulting in abrupt cessation of the hiccups. Recurrence of the hiccups occurred several hours later, and again, they were terminated immediately with digital rectal massage. No other recurrences were observed. This is the second reported case associating cessation of intractable hiccups with digital rectal massage. We suggest that this manoeuvre should be considered in cases of intractable hiccups before proceeding with pharmacological agents.
Long story short, the TV market grew 1% this year. I don't think this qualifies as "a trend that more people are watching tv than movies." These sorts of statistics do prove a move by consumers from movies to TV?
However, in purely non-scientific terms, I think there is a trend in quality among some TV shows. Witness Battlestar Gallactica, for example. But moving to a different medium won't improve the quality of your product, George.
Or more accurately, no more shitty prequels or sequels. I want good quality movies and acting, damn it!
I think this goes for both Star Trek and Star Wars.
Lets be more specific though...no more prequels with the original cast of characters. It introduces too many continuity errors and other 'suspension of disbelief' problems. That means that prequels, if you have to make them, should be set in the distant past, so that any errors can be accounted for in the movie as *actual plot twists* as some sort of lost history.
Sequels are easier, since no one knows what happens yet. Except that in both the Star Trek and Star Wars Universe, where there have been tons of books outlining the franchise history, there is tons of *future history* and *past history* which has to be dealt with. The real fans view a lot of books as canon, and thus get upset, when Exar Khun isn't mentioned at all in the Star Wars prequels.
Unfortunately, studio execs can't seem to get either prequels or sequels right. Or movies in general. They just care about money.
I had a heck of a time trying to set up an account at sourceforge using gmail, hotmail, and yahoo, and even my ISP email address. The emails just never got to me. After weeks of trying, I finally got an email confirming my sourceforge account. I don't know the technical nature of the problem, but the email system at sourceforge has got to be improved! Especially since the whole idea behind the site is collaboration! How can you collaborate without email in this modern age!
Slashdot Mirror
Going through a small claims process to collect $500 is a hit or miss proposition for a pro se litigant. If you go to a lawyer, I am sure that he will find a way to recover triple that amount through a settlement. The lawyer can organize a number of plaintiffs and perhaps even a class action. The lawyer will front all of the fees, usually.
Just like how you shouldn't self-medicate yourself, you shouldn't represent yourself in court. Your just asking for trouble, and stress, and a huge headache.
What are the safe, 'all in one' codec packs for windows? Links please! Also, the article doesn't mention the unsafe packages...are there any notorious ones?
I was a strong proponent of Kerio's free firewall. However, a fully patched Windows XP machine running Windows firewall works just as well. A "shield's up test" reveals no open ports using either system. However, Opening ports using Kerio has always been a pain in the ass. After having numerous issues with bittorrent and ssh using Kerio, I gave up. I now use a hardware firewall which is in my router and the built in WinXP firewall. Two firewalls are enough, IMHO.
Why aren't there any free/open-source/GNU easy to configure software firewalls for windows? Anyone know of any?
I always do a fresh install from the CD. I have learned the hard way that upgrading *any* distro through the command line method is a sure way to disaster. Primarily, packages compiled outside of the preferred distro install method break. Often, other incompatibilities bork the upgrade too.
The problem is that the developers aren't listening to the end-users. I understand the developer's mindset that they "don't care about VV support." I also understand that they don't want to include VV support if the implementation is going to be crappy and not work properly for lots of users.
However, VV support is an important feature. Videoconferencing in linux, frankly, sucks. Lots of businesses need good quality tools to videoconference with Windows Clients. Lots of home desktop users want to be able to use yahoo webcams or msn webcams, and when they learn that linux does not support webcam chat well, they don't want to even try linux out. Lack of good webcam support on Ubuntu has kept me from fully switching from XP.
Stop making excuses, get someone working on VV, even if they don't enjoy it, and get it to work!
To say that I am pissed that Gaim hasn't incorporated video support is an understatement. I would like to video chat with friends and relatives over Yahoo IM and MSN and AIM. It irks me that Gaim-vv isn't being developed or supported and that video support hasn't been even considered for inclusion in Gaim. Gaim should be forked/improved by a linux distrobution (hello, Ubuntu?) to include video webcam support! Is it so technically complicated?
Emigrating to a different country is a serious decision and shouldn't be made lightly.
Here are some valid reasons for leaving a country:
1) Your racial or religious group has been a target of systemic discrimination and/or widespread violence
2) You're a refuge
3) You can not practice your religion freely.
4) You can not express your beliefs freely or participate in the political process.
5) Efforts to cure 1, 2 or 3 through lawful action, such as elections and courts, have failed.
6) You can make more money or have a higher standard of living in a different country.
7) You like the culture, language, food, and people of a different country and wish to live there.
8) You hate your current country for whatever reason and want to leave.
I think an honest assessment of the US, at present, eliminates reasons 1 through 5. While there is violence and discrimination against minorities, it is no where near the levels where a move is necessary. If you are a law abiding citizen, you are not going to be carted away in the middle of the night to Guantanemo or a secret prison. (I'm not saying that this isn't a problem, just that it is only happening to a very tiny minority of individuals, perhaps a 1000)
Frankly, most of the problems described between 1 and 5 in the US can be solved by moving to a different part of the United States.
*The freedom to run the corporation, for any purpose (freedom 0).
Obviously, this is limited to any *lawful* purpose. This freedom isn't so obvious however. Originally, Corporations were restricted to one type of business in their articles of incorporation, such as "trap and sell fur and fur related items" and actions taken outside of that mandate were null and void.
*The freedom for anyone inside or outside of the corporation to study how the corporation works, does its business, keeps its books, and makes its outputs and the freedom to adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to inside corporate information is a precondition for this.
Essentially, this is an extention of current 'Sarbanes-Oxley' style disclosure laws. Everything the entity does is public, and everything it owns is not patented or trademarked in a restrictive manner.
*The freedom to start up similar and related businesses so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).
Lots of businesses restrict the freedom of their employees to start up competitive businesses, or keep their own intellectual property.
*The freedom to run the corporation, for any purpose (freedom 0).
*The freedom for anyone inside or outside of the corporation to study how the corporation works, does its business, keeps its books, and makes its outputs and the freedom to adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to inside corporate information is a precondition for this.
*The freedom to start up similar and related businesses so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).
*The freedom to improve the business, and sell your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to inside corporate information is a precondition for this.
IANAA, but Earth is not my favorite planet. Personally, my favorite planet is Uranus.
The original hebrew is translated as "Thou shall not murder" and is understood by both Jews and (most) Christians to not include the killing of animals, or the killing of men in self-defense, or justifiable homicide or excusable homicie, or homicide by the State. The translation in the King James version is inaccurate and leads to confusion. Check out http://www.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/Shokel/001102_Thou ShaltNotMurder.html for more details.
Check out http://www.uspto.gov/patft/class705_sub36t.html
Alot of these seem to be computerized systems to generate tax advantages for businesses or computer programs to determine a tax benifit. I wonder if anyone can find any 'outrageous' examples in here?
Has anyone seen this horrendous monstrosity of a merit patch?
f 249e09c02fa52fd23ca7f;_ylt=AklJWOIUKoALP8zRQt9NixJ H2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTA3bGk2OHYzBHNlYwN0bXA
http://news.yahoo.com/photo/061020/482/ab8ead627f
And I wonder if the supreme irony behind this "Respect Copyrights" merit patch is that it uses the Boy Scout Logo with an eagle and Trifoil, which is trademarked by the Boy Scouts of America! Check out http://www.scouting.org/identity/contents/11.html and http://www.scouting.org/identity/contents/1.html . The Boy Scouts should sue the MPAA for trademark violations! O the irony!
The real reason why the cell phone/Ipod hybrid will fail to materialize soon, is that mp3s played on cellphones sound like crap, IMHO.
It doesn't take too much market research to tell you that people hate the way ringtones sound. Not to mention that some people find that people blaring songs on their Ipod is the '06 equivelent of blasting music on a boombox.
How many people are going to carry around earbuds to listen to music? Where do the earbuds go when you have to answer the phone? You can't expect people to listen to a 5 minute song and relax while holding the phone up to their ears right? Or do you now need two bluetooth ear pieces? I think the whole idea is silly.
Moo (Moo)
http://www.extremetech.com/print_article2/0,1217,a =191008,00.asp
Well, the GPL doesn't really define what "source code" clearly.
"The source code for a work means the preferred form of the work for making modifications to it. For an executable work, complete source code means all the source code for all modules it contains, plus any associated interface definition files, plus the scripts used to control compilation and installation of the executable. However, as a special exception, the source code distributed need not include anything that is normally distributed (in either source or binary form) with the major components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of the operating system on which the executable runs, unless that component itself accompanies the executable."
Does this include images? I think that there is a strong argument that it does. Otherwise, GUIs, which contain images along with code, could just be distributed under a non-GPL license, right? Correct me if I'm wrong.
This issue is larger than Debian. This is really about the GPL. If you downloaded the source code for Firefox, you'll find around 18 text files labeled 'license' in the source code and not one reference to the GPL. There are only references to the MPL. While the Mozilla website claims that it is "tri-licensed" under the GPL, I have found no evidence in the current source code that backs up that claim.
In fact, Mozilla has modified the text of the MPL, which now has a new preamble which states "You are not granted rights or licenses to the trademarks of the Mozilla Foundation or any party, including without limitation the Firefox name or logo." This is a new modification to the MPL and is not reflected in the version of the license available on the Mozilla website. Furthermore, this version of the license has not been analysed by the GNU project, and might not be compatable with the GPL.
It is a RED HERRING to argue that trademark and copyright law offer a distinction in this case. If you release source code that contains image files which are licensed under the GPL, they are licensed under the GPL. If you release it under them under a tri-license, then they are tri-licensed. If you pick and choose which parts of your source code are GPL or MPL, then, well, you have a problem with compliance.
This is a serious LEGAL issue, not a moral issue. IMHO, all distros which are distributed under the GPL should stop using the MPL until they consult legal counsel!
Another possibility is the iPod becoming so so common that people will start buying other products just to be away from the crowd of iPod users and be unique. Hey, you never know. This is precisely the reason why I haven't bought an iPod. It is too trendy. People get killed on the NYC subways for having white earphones!
Would you rather have a tiny glossy iPod which plays MP3s only or a bigger bulkier competitor's product which plays all known formats?
The other reason why I chose a Creative Zen:M over an iPod was for the functionality. I wanted to be able to play Microsofts DRMed crap because thats what the local public library uses to 'protect' its online audiobooks. And, I wanted to be able to play a number of different movie files on my player, while commuting to work on the bus to NYC. It might not look as 'cool' as the iPod, but most straight men prefer function over form. Even the non-geeks.
I would buy an iPod in an instant if it supported other DRM formats, other music formats such as ogg, and movie formats other than .mp4, and if it had an AM/FM/SW radio, and maybe even broadcast television reception capabilities.
Well, this is a new low for Mozilla: "Show your support for Mozilla! Get cool Firefox gear at the Mozilla Store."
I know that Mozilla has always encouraged people to buy stuff to support the project, but this blatent brand promotion is making me sick, especially due to the fact that linux distros can't even use the logos anymore.
"Termination of Intractable Hiccups with Digital Rectal Massage."m sg00110.html:
http://list.dysphagia.com/dysphagia/2002-January/
Odeh M; Bassan H; Oliven A . Termination of
intractable hiccups with digital rectal massage.J
Intern Med, 227(2):145-6 1990
A 60-year-old man with acute pancreatitis developed
persistent hiccups after insertion of a nasogastric
tube. Removal of the latter did not terminate the
hiccups which had also been treated with different
drugs, and several manoeuvres were attempted, but with
no success. Digital rectal massage was then performed
resulting in abrupt cessation of the hiccups.
Recurrence of the hiccups occurred several hours
later, and again, they were terminated immediately
with digital rectal massage. No other recurrences were
observed. This is the second reported case associating
cessation of intractable hiccups with digital rectal
massage. We suggest that this manoeuvre should be
considered in cases of intractable hiccups before
proceeding with pharmacological agents.
Obviously, good ole George read this press release: http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/ menuitem.55dc65b4a7d5adff3f65936147a062a0/?vgnexto id=6573d3b8b0c3d010VgnVCM100000ac0a260aRCRD
(please ignore the terrible site design...it makes me wanna barf)
Long story short, the TV market grew 1% this year. I don't think this qualifies as "a trend that more people are watching tv than movies." These sorts of statistics do prove a move by consumers from movies to TV?
However, in purely non-scientific terms, I think there is a trend in quality among some TV shows. Witness Battlestar Gallactica, for example. But moving to a different medium won't improve the quality of your product, George.
Or more accurately, no more shitty prequels or sequels. I want good quality movies and acting, damn it!
I think this goes for both Star Trek and Star Wars.
Lets be more specific though...no more prequels with the original cast of characters. It introduces too many continuity errors and other 'suspension of disbelief' problems. That means that prequels, if you have to make them, should be set in the distant past, so that any errors can be accounted for in the movie as *actual plot twists* as some sort of lost history.
Sequels are easier, since no one knows what happens yet. Except that in both the Star Trek and Star Wars Universe, where there have been tons of books outlining the franchise history, there is tons of *future history* and *past history* which has to be dealt with. The real fans view a lot of books as canon, and thus get upset, when Exar Khun isn't mentioned at all in the Star Wars prequels.
Unfortunately, studio execs can't seem to get either prequels or sequels right. Or movies in general. They just care about money.
I had a heck of a time trying to set up an account at sourceforge using gmail, hotmail, and yahoo, and even my ISP email address. The emails just never got to me. After weeks of trying, I finally got an email confirming my sourceforge account. I don't know the technical nature of the problem, but the email system at sourceforge has got to be improved! Especially since the whole idea behind the site is collaboration! How can you collaborate without email in this modern age!