They weren't emails, they were actual letters. And yes, I have talked to friends and family about it. They sort of agree with me, but they are pretty apolitical. They don't feel like anything they could do matters when compared to the money that politicians get from big corporations. I haven't figured out how to convince them otherwise. There really aren't many recent examples to use, especially on a subject as esoteric to most people as copyright law. It's just not something that people get emotional about.
No, what it means is that copyright law no longer serves the purpose that it was supposed to serve. The public has no stake in it anymore. Nothing becomes public domain anymore, and won't for at least another 15 years. Probably longer because they'll just pass their regular 20-year extension again then anyway. Copyright was never supposed to be perpetual. It was supposed to be a bargain between the public and the people creating things that the public likes. We give them a period of time in which they have exclusive rights to distribute and create derivative works, and in return, those works eventually become available to everyone to enjoy or use to create even more works. What Congress has done is completely remove the benefit to the public. If we aren't getting anything out of the deal, then why the hell should we support copyright law in its current state?
Ugh.. Lamar Smith is my rep. I've written him a couple of letters on the subject of copyright and I always get the same sort of BS back, talking about how it's important to strengthen copyright law. Blah blah blah. He never gives a reason. It all seems pretty condescending really. Maybe I should write him again and ask him to explain it to me using very small words so that a simpleton like me can understand why we need practically perpetual copyrights.
I love paintball. Just don't get to play very often. Closest place to play is about an hour away. Only problem is that it seems to have become an arms race. You've got 15yr old kids out there with $1500 worth of equipment. WTF?!? Wish I had rich parents:) Between electronically controlled Angels and Shockers and whatever the new gun of the month is, and those Longarm guns with the bent barrels that fire too damn far, it can be tough to compete with just a loud-ass field semi-auto. I can usually do pretty well, but it depends on the field too. If there's good enough cover, then it negates some of the advantages of the other guns. Having teammates that don't spend all their time cowering in a bunker is a big plus too;) I used to play indoor paintball before the place shutdown and later reopened as an outdoor field. That was back in the pump days though. Was a whole different game then.
Guess I'm somewhat similar. After having done little in the way of physical activities for several years, I decided that I wanted something that would really challenge me. So I started going to a Shaolin Kung Fu school. It's rather amazing how far out of shape I was. I mean I'm not fat at all. I'm 6'0" and about 165lbs, but I was terribly unflexible and not used to extended periods of exertion. I was very sore for the entire first month. I've been doing it for about a year now. I go 3 or 4 days a week, usually for 2 hours. I have a lot of fun with it. They mix things up quite a bit. We learn the forms and various self-defense techniques. We spar with each other. We do physical conditioning. The variety helps keep it interesting I think. It has become my favorite hobby. I only wish I had started it sooner.
The man said, "Keep your head, and arms, inside the MXER at all times." But Bill Jr., he was a DAAAREDEVIL, just like his old man. He was leaning out saying "Hey everybody, Look at me! Look at me!" Pow! He was decapitated! They found his head over by the snow cone concession!
Actually, now that I think about it, I'm not sure if it actually qualifies as shareware. It does have a rather restrictive time limit on the demo version, so maybe not. But owell, it's a fun little game for $20. Probably stay on my system a lot longer than many $50 titles I've bought.
Crimsonland is a cool little shareware action game developed by 10 Tons. I've had a lot of fun with it:)
Re:alternatives and cultural rant ahead...
on
Working with ADHD?
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· Score: 1
I get lots of exercise, but I still have a hell of a time focusing on things most of the time. I don't really want to take any drugs, so I'm not sure what else to try. Exercise is only a very short-term solution for me. I work out for 2 hours, 4 days a week, and for maybe 20-30 minutes 2 more days a week. That helps me for maybe an hour or 2 after the workout. But then I'm back to the same old focus problems.
For the moment, you're right. But corps are getting more powerful all the time. It won't be all that much longer before they're equivalent in power to most national governments. The US government and a few others might remain more powerful, but they are comprised of humans that can simply be purchased. How do you think it's gonna turn out?
The DOJ should have listened to me and a lot of the other people that wrote letters during the request for comments period. We said that their settlement wouldn't work. We told them that there were big glaring loopholes in it. We even told them what the loopholes were. Now, I either have to believe that the lawyers at the DOJ are completely incompetent gibbering idiots, or someone has been pulling strings to get Microsoft off the hook. Which do you think is more likely? Now, who do you think is behind it?
But you'd be wrong. Or more specifically, the movie expired, but the soundtrack and story did not, so it's still copyright for all intents and purposes.
Yeah, and my credit would be shot and I'd never be able to buy anything on credit for at least 10 years and probably more. Microsoft has seen no negative impact from this settlement. Hell, it actually benefits them in a lot of ways. The people were supposed to be represented by the DOJ. We got screwed by our own damn lawyers.
I could only hope that a Counterstrike player would try to shoot up the school. He'd probably miss most everyone since he doesn't have his trusty aimbot. Then he'd prolly bitch about the lag and call everyone fags. Once the guards show up, he'd complain that the teams are stacked. Then he'd run out into the open and start jumping like crazy while attempting to shoot the guards with his Deagle. Then, after the guards mow him down with bullets and he's laying there bleeding, he'll call them h4x0rs and inform them that he's gonna buy an AWP next time and 0wn them all!
So, you see? Game players shooting up schools and businesses would make things sooo much easier on law enforcement officers. Hell, if the cops can wallhack, the guy won't stand a chance.:)
Nothing to see here. This is just the annual announcement that Duke will not be released this year. It's a tradition, dating back to 1998, which will be with us for years to come. I feel like we should start having annual Duke parties where we dress up and stuff. Maybe with a theme based on the most recent rumors about the game. Could be fun:)
What else are they gonna do? Counter-Strike doesn't have a surrender key.
strange that people find this appealing...
on
The Sims 2 Announced
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· Score: 1, Insightful
I'd think it would suck to realize that the virtual people on your computer lead more interesting lives than you do. I'm all for escapism and stuff, but the seemingly addictive nature of this game for a lot of people is kind of creepy.
You just don't understand. Dubya just wants to take our rights and keep them in a safe place for us. That way the terrorists can't get them, don't ya see? All our rights are still there. We may even get to take our kids to see them someday. They'll be preserved in pristine condition in hermetically sealed jars. We should thank Dubya for taking such good care of our rights!
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They weren't emails, they were actual letters. And yes, I have talked to friends and family about it. They sort of agree with me, but they are pretty apolitical. They don't feel like anything they could do matters when compared to the money that politicians get from big corporations. I haven't figured out how to convince them otherwise. There really aren't many recent examples to use, especially on a subject as esoteric to most people as copyright law. It's just not something that people get emotional about.
No, what it means is that copyright law no longer serves the purpose that it was supposed to serve. The public has no stake in it anymore. Nothing becomes public domain anymore, and won't for at least another 15 years. Probably longer because they'll just pass their regular 20-year extension again then anyway. Copyright was never supposed to be perpetual. It was supposed to be a bargain between the public and the people creating things that the public likes. We give them a period of time in which they have exclusive rights to distribute and create derivative works, and in return, those works eventually become available to everyone to enjoy or use to create even more works. What Congress has done is completely remove the benefit to the public. If we aren't getting anything out of the deal, then why the hell should we support copyright law in its current state?
Ugh.. Lamar Smith is my rep. I've written him a couple of letters on the subject of copyright and I always get the same sort of BS back, talking about how it's important to strengthen copyright law. Blah blah blah. He never gives a reason. It all seems pretty condescending really. Maybe I should write him again and ask him to explain it to me using very small words so that a simpleton like me can understand why we need practically perpetual copyrights.
I've been dying to find a rock climbing gym, but there doesn't seem to be one in my area (San Antonio, TX). I'll keep hoping :)
I love paintball. Just don't get to play very often. Closest place to play is about an hour away. Only problem is that it seems to have become an arms race. You've got 15yr old kids out there with $1500 worth of equipment. WTF?!? Wish I had rich parents :) Between electronically controlled Angels and Shockers and whatever the new gun of the month is, and those Longarm guns with the bent barrels that fire too damn far, it can be tough to compete with just a loud-ass field semi-auto. I can usually do pretty well, but it depends on the field too. If there's good enough cover, then it negates some of the advantages of the other guns. Having teammates that don't spend all their time cowering in a bunker is a big plus too ;) I used to play indoor paintball before the place shutdown and later reopened as an outdoor field. That was back in the pump days though. Was a whole different game then.
Guess I'm somewhat similar. After having done little in the way of physical activities for several years, I decided that I wanted something that would really challenge me. So I started going to a Shaolin Kung Fu school. It's rather amazing how far out of shape I was. I mean I'm not fat at all. I'm 6'0" and about 165lbs, but I was terribly unflexible and not used to extended periods of exertion. I was very sore for the entire first month. I've been doing it for about a year now. I go 3 or 4 days a week, usually for 2 hours. I have a lot of fun with it. They mix things up quite a bit. We learn the forms and various self-defense techniques. We spar with each other. We do physical conditioning. The variety helps keep it interesting I think. It has become my favorite hobby. I only wish I had started it sooner.
Hey... I had to stare at that Mac stuff! Fair is fair :P
Actually, now that I think about it, I'm not sure if it actually qualifies as shareware. It does have a rather restrictive time limit on the demo version, so maybe not. But owell, it's a fun little game for $20. Probably stay on my system a lot longer than many $50 titles I've bought.
Crimsonland is a cool little shareware action game developed by 10 Tons. I've had a lot of fun with it :)
I get lots of exercise, but I still have a hell of a time focusing on things most of the time. I don't really want to take any drugs, so I'm not sure what else to try. Exercise is only a very short-term solution for me. I work out for 2 hours, 4 days a week, and for maybe 20-30 minutes 2 more days a week. That helps me for maybe an hour or 2 after the workout. But then I'm back to the same old focus problems.
Then the problem would be a lack of education rather than TV.
Funny thing is that the new CDs at Best Buy are usually around $13 or $14, but the older ones are like $17 to $21. That kinda sucks.
For the moment, you're right. But corps are getting more powerful all the time. It won't be all that much longer before they're equivalent in power to most national governments. The US government and a few others might remain more powerful, but they are comprised of humans that can simply be purchased. How do you think it's gonna turn out?
The DOJ should have listened to me and a lot of the other people that wrote letters during the request for comments period. We said that their settlement wouldn't work. We told them that there were big glaring loopholes in it. We even told them what the loopholes were. Now, I either have to believe that the lawyers at the DOJ are completely incompetent gibbering idiots, or someone has been pulling strings to get Microsoft off the hook. Which do you think is more likely? Now, who do you think is behind it?
But you'd be wrong. Or more specifically, the movie expired, but the soundtrack and story did not, so it's still copyright for all intents and purposes.
Yeah, and my credit would be shot and I'd never be able to buy anything on credit for at least 10 years and probably more. Microsoft has seen no negative impact from this settlement. Hell, it actually benefits them in a lot of ways. The people were supposed to be represented by the DOJ. We got screwed by our own damn lawyers.
How the hell is this off-topic?! I wish metamod wasn't random.
I could only hope that a Counterstrike player would try to shoot up the school. He'd probably miss most everyone since he doesn't have his trusty aimbot. Then he'd prolly bitch about the lag and call everyone fags. Once the guards show up, he'd complain that the teams are stacked. Then he'd run out into the open and start jumping like crazy while attempting to shoot the guards with his Deagle. Then, after the guards mow him down with bullets and he's laying there bleeding, he'll call them h4x0rs and inform them that he's gonna buy an AWP next time and 0wn them all!
:)
So, you see? Game players shooting up schools and businesses would make things sooo much easier on law enforcement officers. Hell, if the cops can wallhack, the guy won't stand a chance.
Nothing to see here. This is just the annual announcement that Duke will not be released this year. It's a tradition, dating back to 1998, which will be with us for years to come. I feel like we should start having annual Duke parties where we dress up and stuff. Maybe with a theme based on the most recent rumors about the game. Could be fun :)
"Did you know most cheaters come from France?"
What else are they gonna do? Counter-Strike doesn't have a surrender key.
I'd think it would suck to realize that the virtual people on your computer lead more interesting lives than you do. I'm all for escapism and stuff, but the seemingly addictive nature of this game for a lot of people is kind of creepy.
You just don't understand. Dubya just wants to take our rights and keep them in a safe place for us. That way the terrorists can't get them, don't ya see? All our rights are still there. We may even get to take our kids to see them someday. They'll be preserved in pristine condition in hermetically sealed jars. We should thank Dubya for taking such good care of our rights!
True enough. Anyone that hasn't figured out how to block cookies yet shouldn't be on the web.