For those interested, the convertmy.tv site is hosted by IQuestHosting. I would imagine that pressure put on the hosting site could cause some speedier results. Their number (freely available on their site) is: 1-877-254-8761. Digging a little deeper (with WHOIS) provides their network operations number - 1-800-844-8649. A little 'social engineering' could get one past their typical customer service line. I have used these numbers in the past to get refunds on products that were purchased but never shipped, purchased and returned but not refunded, etc...
Interestingly enough, their 'Terms of Use' states some info about violating Federal Law, which might be a leverage point:
"Lawful Purpose
IQuest Internet, LLC, reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason at any time. Customers may only use IQuest Internet, LLC, services for lawful purpose. Transmission of any material in violation of any federal, state, or local regulation is strictly prohibited. The includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, material legally judged to be threatening or obscene, and material protected by trade secrets. The designation of any materials as described above is left entirely to the discretion of IQuest Internet, LLC, management. Regardless of the place of signing of this agreement, the customer agrees that for purposes of venue, this contract was entered into in Marion County, Indiana, and any dispute will be litigated or arbitrated in Marion County, Indiana."
Issues like these typically target the elderly (a lot like the commercials that are running!!), which doesn't speak well of our morals today!
There are so many things in this world that fall into this similar pattern, but it's always (mostly) MS that gets hit with it. It annoys me, because the judges that OK these lawsuits don't have a clue about technology (mostly) and are making decisions based on guesses and their 'gut feeling' that day. It scares me because these same judges are dismissing real law, or not allowing things into the courtroom, arbitrarily (and again, depending on their mood)...
As an example, I recently purchased a car stereo. It states clearly on the box that it's HD Radio Ready. It doesn't mention that I have to purchase equipment from the same manufacturer, which costs at least 50% more. It's also iPod capable (I don't own an iPod, and haven't tested this feature), but the cable is sold seperately.
Another example would be car manufacturers...I've never tested whether my vehicle does 0-60 in 9 seconds, but no one would dream of taking Chrysler, Chevrolet or any of them to task for their obvious failings.
I have to admit that I prefer MS products to any of the other OS flavors out there, so I may be a little biased. I just wish everyone would go about their business and leave the lawyers to find new jobs!!
I'm amazed at the amount of contradictory comments from Hilary. I can't believe that the news media isn't picking up more on this...One example is from the Florida primaries...It is wholly unfair that their delegates don't count, and she continually commented on the fact that she'd do everything she could to get their delegates counted!! (Which I don't disagree with at all, by the way)...The problem with this kind of comment is that it flies in the face of her earlier comment about the Iowa primaries, and that their delegates should be removed from the count. Kind of weird that she only wants to count the delegates in states that she wins!!
I just read another article discussing the finer points of Internet life. How we've broken down our psyche into different 'avatars' and how FaceBook and other are bringing this home to roost. (I'm paraphrasing here, and I wish I could remember where the article came from...MSN maybe?)...
Anyway, I digress...
The problem I see with these types of sites is that they can accumulate all of this data, in the name of getting it offline for you, but where does it go? One of the steps (and here comes the attackable material) that a dictatorship needs is control of the people...If they have dirt on you, they can 'persuade' you to not say anything. All of these online personalities that people have gives them fodder. Once they have the ability to say (truthfully or not) that you are having an illicit affair, or you visit a 'dog sucking shoes' fetish site, they have the ability to control you. You can't get jobs, you don't qualify for loans, you don't do ANYTHING they don't allow. There are tons of historical references around, if you're willing to do the research.
Of course the argument "If you don't do anything wrong, what are you worried about?" will be raised, and the answer is this: What's not wrong today may be against the law tomorrow. We as a people need to wake up and realize that our freedoms are being taken away, day by day, month by month. It's a scary thought, but I'd like to know that children today will have the same opportunities that I did, in this USA...
Slashdot Mirror
For those interested, the convertmy.tv site is hosted by IQuestHosting. I would imagine that pressure put on the hosting site could cause some speedier results. Their number (freely available on their site) is: 1-877-254-8761. Digging a little deeper (with WHOIS) provides their network operations number - 1-800-844-8649. A little 'social engineering' could get one past their typical customer service line. I have used these numbers in the past to get refunds on products that were purchased but never shipped, purchased and returned but not refunded, etc...
Interestingly enough, their 'Terms of Use' states some info about violating Federal Law, which might be a leverage point:
"Lawful Purpose
IQuest Internet, LLC, reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason at any time. Customers may only use IQuest Internet, LLC, services for lawful purpose. Transmission of any material in violation of any federal, state, or local regulation is strictly prohibited. The includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, material legally judged to be threatening or obscene, and material protected by trade secrets. The designation of any materials as described above is left entirely to the discretion of IQuest Internet, LLC, management. Regardless of the place of signing of this agreement, the customer agrees that for purposes of venue, this contract was entered into in Marion County, Indiana, and any dispute will be litigated or arbitrated in Marion County, Indiana."
Issues like these typically target the elderly (a lot like the commercials that are running!!), which doesn't speak well of our morals today!
Hope it helps!!
Flash
There are so many things in this world that fall into this similar pattern, but it's always (mostly) MS that gets hit with it. It annoys me, because the judges that OK these lawsuits don't have a clue about technology (mostly) and are making decisions based on guesses and their 'gut feeling' that day. It scares me because these same judges are dismissing real law, or not allowing things into the courtroom, arbitrarily (and again, depending on their mood)... As an example, I recently purchased a car stereo. It states clearly on the box that it's HD Radio Ready. It doesn't mention that I have to purchase equipment from the same manufacturer, which costs at least 50% more. It's also iPod capable (I don't own an iPod, and haven't tested this feature), but the cable is sold seperately. Another example would be car manufacturers...I've never tested whether my vehicle does 0-60 in 9 seconds, but no one would dream of taking Chrysler, Chevrolet or any of them to task for their obvious failings. I have to admit that I prefer MS products to any of the other OS flavors out there, so I may be a little biased. I just wish everyone would go about their business and leave the lawyers to find new jobs!!
I'm amazed at the amount of contradictory comments from Hilary. I can't believe that the news media isn't picking up more on this...One example is from the Florida primaries...It is wholly unfair that their delegates don't count, and she continually commented on the fact that she'd do everything she could to get their delegates counted!! (Which I don't disagree with at all, by the way)...The problem with this kind of comment is that it flies in the face of her earlier comment about the Iowa primaries, and that their delegates should be removed from the count. Kind of weird that she only wants to count the delegates in states that she wins!!
I just read another article discussing the finer points of Internet life. How we've broken down our psyche into different 'avatars' and how FaceBook and other are bringing this home to roost. (I'm paraphrasing here, and I wish I could remember where the article came from...MSN maybe?)... Anyway, I digress... The problem I see with these types of sites is that they can accumulate all of this data, in the name of getting it offline for you, but where does it go? One of the steps (and here comes the attackable material) that a dictatorship needs is control of the people...If they have dirt on you, they can 'persuade' you to not say anything. All of these online personalities that people have gives them fodder. Once they have the ability to say (truthfully or not) that you are having an illicit affair, or you visit a 'dog sucking shoes' fetish site, they have the ability to control you. You can't get jobs, you don't qualify for loans, you don't do ANYTHING they don't allow. There are tons of historical references around, if you're willing to do the research. Of course the argument "If you don't do anything wrong, what are you worried about?" will be raised, and the answer is this: What's not wrong today may be against the law tomorrow. We as a people need to wake up and realize that our freedoms are being taken away, day by day, month by month. It's a scary thought, but I'd like to know that children today will have the same opportunities that I did, in this USA...