Because of the "agreement," does this mean the RIAA and MPAA can no longer demand payment of damages for pirating? If so, or even if it assumed by consumers, this may have the impact of increasing the amount of pirating happening among the ISPs that enter into this agreement. As far as I can tell, it still isn't the job of the ISPs to police their networks and the penalties really don't seem that bad, especially if they provide me a warning. I'm also not sure why there is a cost associated with the agreement, unless it is for the hardware and staff required to carry it out. If any money is going to the RIAA and MPAA then it would seem like it even further legitimizes the download of music/movies as how could that be interpreted any other way then a license fee for the downloads?
From the article, the police were alerted when it was reported that people were driving off with "truckloads of groceries." This is the type of person that will not feel guilty and "cough up" because they clearly knew what happened and took advantage of the situation. While I don't think legal action should be taken against all individuals that didn't pay, these "bad apples" should be dealt with because they are not the type of person that will ever feel guilt about this type of action.
The comments of the researchers in this specific instance are hostile. Perhaps they should have sent their release through a PR firm to clean it up, but to me, it sounds like they have malicious intent (it was in retaliation for a perceived wrong) and threatened continued hostilities ("we will continue to do this").
I had read both the arguments in defense and against Microsoft and I personally think the "researchers" handled this situation extremely poorly and made themselves look like whiny little children in the process.
Based on what I've read, this was done intentionally and with malicious intent on the behalf of the researchers in retaliation for the negative attitude Microsoft showed toward Tavis Ormany. In Tavis' case, I think Microsoft simply had some negative words to say, but in this case, Microsoft can claim that these security researchers intended to damage them based on the their threats "that they will continue to do so in response to how Microsoft treated Tavis Ormany."
It is clear to me that the researchers are either a) little kids or b) acting like little kids and I hope Microsoft and the rest of the security community comes down hard on them to prevent further retaliation tactics that hurt users more then the companies they are attempting to damage.
I've got two game that use this types of system, Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2. I honestly think this system is good for consumers in the end because it should decrease the cost of used games. We all know the Gamestop, as well as the other used game sellers, make a killing on buying and selling used games and this may get them thinking about reduced the price on these titles. I find buying a used copy for $5 less then the new copy and bit ridiculous in the first place and I'm hoping this will have the effect of reducing costs. As for the DLC itself, it is never a fundamental part of the game, it is simply a bonus you are getting for supporting the game developer. It is like getting something free for buying new and I like free stuff.
I had a thought a few weeks back when purchasing a copy of "MLB: The Show '08" on the used market. A friend of mine has the newest verison '09 and the differences, while there, are very minor. I stated that there was no way I would purchase the newest version for full price ($60) when I had the previous version because all that I would be getting is a few features changes and a roster update. That is when the idea hit me of simply allowing users to purchase updates for their sports games (as with most application software). For example, charge them $30 instead of $60 if they own a version from one or two years back for a new copy of the current version. In order the get the $30 off, you would have to "trade in" the old game to prevent several people using the game to get the discount. This model, which is really only applicable to sports games that have yearly releases, would encourage people to get constant updates and would, in my opinion, provide the game makers with additional revenue and make the users more happy because they don't have to pay full price for what seems to be a minor update.
The reason that Cisco is going to settle is that they know that if they didn't settle they would lose,be forced to cough up the source code, and pay damages to boot. They are fortunate that they stole from the FSF and not someone else.
And who would they be paying damages to? The software is free, so if they hadn't infridged on something, no money would have been gained. The only consequence is that they would have to cough up the source code and possibly pay the lawyers fees of the FSF.
(a) be disclosed and distributed in source code form: The BSD license does require that.
The BSD license does not require this. Unlike the GPL license, the BSD license does not require the source code to be available for a piece of software licensed under it.
Comments on 3) I've been following FreeBSD since 2.2.7 and have never had my FreeBSD reboot for no reason unless there was a hardware problem. I've had my 4.1 box up for over 6 months. I'm sorry, but I know dozens of BSD user and none have had that problem. Perhaps you did have some bad hardware in both you didn't know about.
Of course, FreeBSD doesn't have any precompiled commercial software written for it anyhow...
I'm not sure what kind of comment this is, but FreeBSD has plenty is commercial software writen for it. Check out the
bsdmall for a nice selection of them.
Also, to comment on the Linux "emulator." It is really linux compatabilty. They more or less put a loadable kernel module that is the linux kernel. With the compatablity, you need to install all of the linux libraries as such for applications to work. (There is a port to do this.) After this, you just run the linux program and it will run. No need to "play around with it," it just works. Plus, it will run 99.9% of all Linux programs, including VMWare, a very kernel dependant program.
This seems to be a case of the God complex. I have known people who, when their mistakes are brought to there attention by someone, think that the person is targeting them and, thus, they must be brought down. I am guessing this is the type of guy he was dealing with when he mentioned the security flaw.
Seems like a better why of bringing up the security problem is to post it all over IRC and have other people post porn on the website. They'll understand the security flaw and look stupid, just like they should.:)
A good plot is the most important thing I look for in a game. Games with original plots that really make you care about characters are very rare these days. The Ultima series used to provide me with excellent stories that I really got into, until the last one(great engine, bad story). I also enjoy the FF games. The reason I enjoy those games is because you know who the games characters are, what their motivation is, things about their past, etc. This gets you into the game and make you really care what happens next.
Other then Ultima and FF, what other games do this kind of story telling?
California does have some hydro plants (at least here in the Bay Area), but due to the lack of rain here, until a few days ago, there wasn't enough water for them to run full power.
As for nuclear, I think people around here are starting to wise up and understand the total lack of danger in nuclear plants. Problem is, no one is letting anyone build more plants. When they start building them, I'm not sure what kind they will be, or where, but I think they will consider nuclear power as a choice.
This is the BSD License in its current form, notice the two conditions. A lot of people think that BSD Licensed software is more-or-less public domain, this is simply not true. There is really only one condition, that being to inform people that things were taken from a BSD licensed product. That doesn't seem like too much to ask for.
Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
are met:
1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR AND CONTRIBUTORS ``AS IS'' AND
ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE
FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS
OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY
OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGE.
I dropped out of college and started working as a Sys Admin. I took some classes on the side to get my degree and after getting it, I got a nice 25% pay increase. Plus, I can now interview for higher level positions which pay even more. I don't do my job any different then I did before, but companies use degrees as a tool to show how determined you are to get somewhere and if you can stay focused and complete a task.
Obviously, this patch is for the desktop Linux user or Linux experimentor. No one in their right mind would use bad memory in a machine they want to remain stable, most importantly a company.
Is it just me or has our whole legal system gone completly nuts? Last time a checked, a trade secret is only legally protected until it is revealed to the public, at which time, it does fall under the protection of a "trade secert." As for reverse engineer, I don't think we have a law preventing that either. I've read through some DeCSS things and I don't understand how any of the accusations made can hold in court at all, but somehow, they are. Maybe there is some unwritten rule that if judge don't understand the case they are supposed to make stupid rulings.
- Preston
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the first messenger service to have an offical FreeBSD or Linux client?
Yahoo! has always been good to the FreeBSD community, be it sponsoring FreeBSD events or just saying how much they love FreeBSD. Kudos to Yahoo!
The Libertarian way of thinking is really easy to sum up, in fact, to join the Libertarian Party they ask you to sign this: "I certify that I do not believe in or advocate the initiation of force as a means of achieving political or social goals." Basically, allow people to live their lives as they see fit as long as it doesn't compromise the freedom of another individual.
- Preston
I completely disagree with your recommendations, unless you are trying to get companies to completely abandon the GPL. Tivo wouldn't have used the Linux kernel if every piece of there software would have had to be released under the GPL. Companies might just ban the use of GPL software all together if every 6 months they had to release all modifications because it would create too much of a hassle for them and they wouldn't want to get into legal trouble for not complying.
As is now, the GPL works. Sure we may need to define a few points in the license to keep up, but I believe if your recommendations took effect, you would see companies abandoning it.
I think 'unixy' is meant to say that linux has all these spiffy graphical utilities to configure things where UNIX has configuration files that you edit and that's it. Yes, Linux also has these, but look at linuxconf, it is not what I would call very 'unixy.'
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Because of the "agreement," does this mean the RIAA and MPAA can no longer demand payment of damages for pirating? If so, or even if it assumed by consumers, this may have the impact of increasing the amount of pirating happening among the ISPs that enter into this agreement. As far as I can tell, it still isn't the job of the ISPs to police their networks and the penalties really don't seem that bad, especially if they provide me a warning. I'm also not sure why there is a cost associated with the agreement, unless it is for the hardware and staff required to carry it out. If any money is going to the RIAA and MPAA then it would seem like it even further legitimizes the download of music/movies as how could that be interpreted any other way then a license fee for the downloads?
From the article, the police were alerted when it was reported that people were driving off with "truckloads of groceries." This is the type of person that will not feel guilty and "cough up" because they clearly knew what happened and took advantage of the situation. While I don't think legal action should be taken against all individuals that didn't pay, these "bad apples" should be dealt with because they are not the type of person that will ever feel guilt about this type of action.
The comments of the researchers in this specific instance are hostile. Perhaps they should have sent their release through a PR firm to clean it up, but to me, it sounds like they have malicious intent (it was in retaliation for a perceived wrong) and threatened continued hostilities ("we will continue to do this").
I had read both the arguments in defense and against Microsoft and I personally think the "researchers" handled this situation extremely poorly and made themselves look like whiny little children in the process.
Based on what I've read, this was done intentionally and with malicious intent on the behalf of the researchers in retaliation for the negative attitude Microsoft showed toward Tavis Ormany. In Tavis' case, I think Microsoft simply had some negative words to say, but in this case, Microsoft can claim that these security researchers intended to damage them based on the their threats "that they will continue to do so in response to how Microsoft treated Tavis Ormany."
It is clear to me that the researchers are either a) little kids or b) acting like little kids and I hope Microsoft and the rest of the security community comes down hard on them to prevent further retaliation tactics that hurt users more then the companies they are attempting to damage.
I've got two game that use this types of system, Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2. I honestly think this system is good for consumers in the end because it should decrease the cost of used games. We all know the Gamestop, as well as the other used game sellers, make a killing on buying and selling used games and this may get them thinking about reduced the price on these titles. I find buying a used copy for $5 less then the new copy and bit ridiculous in the first place and I'm hoping this will have the effect of reducing costs. As for the DLC itself, it is never a fundamental part of the game, it is simply a bonus you are getting for supporting the game developer. It is like getting something free for buying new and I like free stuff.
I had a thought a few weeks back when purchasing a copy of "MLB: The Show '08" on the used market. A friend of mine has the newest verison '09 and the differences, while there, are very minor. I stated that there was no way I would purchase the newest version for full price ($60) when I had the previous version because all that I would be getting is a few features changes and a roster update. That is when the idea hit me of simply allowing users to purchase updates for their sports games (as with most application software). For example, charge them $30 instead of $60 if they own a version from one or two years back for a new copy of the current version. In order the get the $30 off, you would have to "trade in" the old game to prevent several people using the game to get the discount. This model, which is really only applicable to sports games that have yearly releases, would encourage people to get constant updates and would, in my opinion, provide the game makers with additional revenue and make the users more happy because they don't have to pay full price for what seems to be a minor update.
The reason that Cisco is going to settle is that they know that if they didn't settle they would lose,be forced to cough up the source code, and pay damages to boot. They are fortunate that they stole from the FSF and not someone else.
And who would they be paying damages to? The software is free, so if they hadn't infridged on something, no money would have been gained. The only consequence is that they would have to cough up the source code and possibly pay the lawyers fees of the FSF.
(a) be disclosed and distributed in source code form: The BSD license does require that.
The BSD license does not require this. Unlike the GPL license, the BSD license does not require the source code to be available for a piece of software licensed under it.
- Preston
Comments on 3) I've been following FreeBSD since 2.2.7 and have never had my FreeBSD reboot for no reason unless there was a hardware problem. I've had my 4.1 box up for over 6 months. I'm sorry, but I know dozens of BSD user and none have had that problem. Perhaps you did have some bad hardware in both you didn't know about.
Of course, FreeBSD doesn't have any precompiled commercial software written for it anyhow...
I'm not sure what kind of comment this is, but FreeBSD has plenty is commercial software writen for it. Check out the bsdmall for a nice selection of them.
Also, to comment on the Linux "emulator." It is really linux compatabilty. They more or less put a loadable kernel module that is the linux kernel. With the compatablity, you need to install all of the linux libraries as such for applications to work. (There is a port to do this.) After this, you just run the linux program and it will run. No need to "play around with it," it just works. Plus, it will run 99.9% of all Linux programs, including VMWare, a very kernel dependant program.
Just thought I get the facts straight.
This seems to be a case of the God complex. I have known people who, when their mistakes are brought to there attention by someone, think that the person is targeting them and, thus, they must be brought down. I am guessing this is the type of guy he was dealing with when he mentioned the security flaw.
:)
Seems like a better why of bringing up the security problem is to post it all over IRC and have other people post porn on the website. They'll understand the security flaw and look stupid, just like they should.
A good plot is the most important thing I look for in a game. Games with original plots that really make you care about characters are very rare these days. The Ultima series used to provide me with excellent stories that I really got into, until the last one(great engine, bad story). I also enjoy the FF games. The reason I enjoy those games is because you know who the games characters are, what their motivation is, things about their past, etc. This gets you into the game and make you really care what happens next.
Other then Ultima and FF, what other games do this kind of story telling?
California does have some hydro plants (at least here in the Bay Area), but due to the lack of rain here, until a few days ago, there wasn't enough water for them to run full power.
As for nuclear, I think people around here are starting to wise up and understand the total lack of danger in nuclear plants. Problem is, no one is letting anyone build more plants. When they start building them, I'm not sure what kind they will be, or where, but I think they will consider nuclear power as a choice.
This is the BSD License in its current form, notice the two conditions. A lot of people think that BSD Licensed software is more-or-less public domain, this is simply not true. There is really only one condition, that being to inform people that things were taken from a BSD licensed product. That doesn't seem like too much to ask for.
Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
are met:
1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR AND CONTRIBUTORS ``AS IS'' AND
ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE
FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS
OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY
OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGE.
This article was also part of the November Issue of the DaemonNews E-zine. This a link to that article http://www.daemonnews.org/200011/stopspam.html.
I dropped out of college and started working as a Sys Admin. I took some classes on the side to get my degree and after getting it, I got a nice 25% pay increase. Plus, I can now interview for higher level positions which pay even more. I don't do my job any different then I did before, but companies use degrees as a tool to show how determined you are to get somewhere and if you can stay focused and complete a task.
Obviously, this patch is for the desktop Linux user or Linux experimentor. No one in their right mind would use bad memory in a machine they want to remain stable, most importantly a company.
Anyone interested in the way the FreeBSD organization works might want to look at this URL.
Is it just me or has our whole legal system gone completly nuts? Last time a checked, a trade secret is only legally protected until it is revealed to the public, at which time, it does fall under the protection of a "trade secert." As for reverse engineer, I don't think we have a law preventing that either. I've read through some DeCSS things and I don't understand how any of the accusations made can hold in court at all, but somehow, they are. Maybe there is some unwritten rule that if judge don't understand the case they are supposed to make stupid rulings. - Preston
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the first messenger service to have an offical FreeBSD or Linux client? Yahoo! has always been good to the FreeBSD community, be it sponsoring FreeBSD events or just saying how much they love FreeBSD. Kudos to Yahoo!
The Libertarian way of thinking is really easy to sum up, in fact, to join the Libertarian Party they ask you to sign this: "I certify that I do not believe in or advocate the initiation of force as a means of achieving political or social goals." Basically, allow people to live their lives as they see fit as long as it doesn't compromise the freedom of another individual. - Preston
As is now, the GPL works. Sure we may need to define a few points in the license to keep up, but I believe if your recommendations took effect, you would see companies abandoning it.
I think 'unixy' is meant to say that linux has all these spiffy graphical utilities to configure things where UNIX has configuration files that you edit and that's it. Yes, Linux also has these, but look at linuxconf, it is not what I would call very 'unixy.'