Those of us with 5 digit UIDs have been here for a while. We remember things like long user names, I was originally "Lord Kano-The Gangster Of Love". We remember Sig11. We remember when it was actually cool to get a "First Post".
We remember the days before the Karma cap. We remember numeric Karma. We remember when certain rules were imposed because they were necessary. We were here when Rusty was talking about K5 in damned near every thread just to generate some traffic for his site.
It's about perspective. If you didn't experience something first hand, you don't have the same perspective as someone who did.
Remember y2k? Who do you think was working non-stop to check all of that old code? It wasn't guys my age. It was guys 20+ years older than me who knew cobol inside and out. Sometimes youth is a boon. The creativity, idealism and energy of youth can take you far, but sometimes the wisdom that comes from experience can take you even further.
My main gripe is that you have to spend money each month to continue using a piece of software that you've already paid for.
I never thought about forced name changes. But that would piss me off. I too have been using some version of Kano as my pseudonym for over a decade. Since 1993 or so. It isn't even limited to online activities. I get some mail addressed to "Kano". I would be PISSED if I was unable to use my chosen name in any venue.
Since you have so much time, money and effort invested in your MMORPG persona, the controlling entity can do pretty much whatever they want and you're forced to accept it or throw away all of the time, money and effort that you've spent thus far.
I say fuck them. I would have never taken part in such an activity anyway, but those out there who do provide companies like Blizzard with not only an opportunity but an inventive to fuck people over.
I never lost my character names with Diablo, because Battle.net wasn't the only game in town.
Perhaps I'm a bit biased because I so often see the negative side of law enforcement, but it shouldn't be a surprise to any member of any minority community that this is going on.
Cointelpro actually used illegal means against the 60s and 70s radicals. It's amazing that the current FBI waited for new powers to be legally authorized.
They can try to pass such laws, but the fact remains that these networks will continue to exist because 1) they will become to widespread to stop, and 2) such a law could easily be eaten for lunch by an enterprising barrister.
I wouldn't bet the farm on that one. Remember, when the government wants something done, it finds a way. It doesn't matter where you are, this truth is universal. Be it in the US or the UK or any other nation on this planet.
Being from the US, I can only give specific examples from the US but the two that first come to mind are the FACE act and the USA PATRIOT act. Both of which impose unconstitutional restrictions on free speech and freedom of association but the administrations in control at the time wanted them and found a way to get them.
Since these systems have no advantage whatsoever over non-anonymous systems like Bittorrent except when being used to distribute material illegally, it will be easy to get such a change to the law made.
Also, the anonymity is a boon to those who wish to disseminate politically unpopular speech. For example, Fred Leuchter has become a pariah. He didn't do anything illegal, he just came to one (almost certainly false) unpopular conclusion.
I have a few words, all of which are non-English that I combine with certain numbers. In all there are about 5 words and 5 numbers that I combine to make up the vast majority of my passwords.
Sometimes I splt the word and insert a number, other times I add a leading or trailing number and other times I do a combination. So sometimes I forget a password, but I can give a few guesses and get my stuff.
Long story short. The feds sent a robot with a telephone on it, there was also a 12 guage shotgun aimed at the phone. Pick up the phone and lose your arm.
In my state, it's perfectly legal to use deadly force to stop the felonious theft of property.
I believe that $500 (I might be mistaken about this amount) is the lower limit for grand theft which makes the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony. If someone is in the process of stealing something worth more than $500 from you and you use deadly force to stop it, you have an affirmative defense.
If the goverment refuses to enforce its own laws when you are wronged, you are morally justified in getting your own justice.
Slashdot Mirror
God damn it. I was feeling good about myself until one of you 4 digit bastards had to show up and ruin it.
When I got my first "First Post" and later my first (Score:5) post I was so excited I jumped up from my desk and ran around the office.
LK
Those of us with 5 digit UIDs have been here for a while. We remember things like long user names, I was originally "Lord Kano-The Gangster Of Love". We remember Sig11. We remember when it was actually cool to get a "First Post".
We remember the days before the Karma cap. We remember numeric Karma. We remember when certain rules were imposed because they were necessary. We were here when Rusty was talking about K5 in damned near every thread just to generate some traffic for his site.
It's about perspective. If you didn't experience something first hand, you don't have the same perspective as someone who did.
Remember y2k? Who do you think was working non-stop to check all of that old code? It wasn't guys my age. It was guys 20+ years older than me who knew cobol inside and out. Sometimes youth is a boon. The creativity, idealism and energy of youth can take you far, but sometimes the wisdom that comes from experience can take you even further.
LK
I'm still thankful that Jon Katz doesn't hang out here anymore.
LK
I love when 5 digit UIDs remind people of this ;)
That dude's a n00b. He joined, what, a whole three weeks after me?
LK
My main gripe is that you have to spend money each month to continue using a piece of software that you've already paid for.
I never thought about forced name changes. But that would piss me off. I too have been using some version of Kano as my pseudonym for over a decade. Since 1993 or so. It isn't even limited to online activities. I get some mail addressed to "Kano". I would be PISSED if I was unable to use my chosen name in any venue.
Since you have so much time, money and effort invested in your MMORPG persona, the controlling entity can do pretty much whatever they want and you're forced to accept it or throw away all of the time, money and effort that you've spent thus far.
I say fuck them. I would have never taken part in such an activity anyway, but those out there who do provide companies like Blizzard with not only an opportunity but an inventive to fuck people over.
I never lost my character names with Diablo, because Battle.net wasn't the only game in town.
LK
Perhaps I'm a bit biased because I so often see the negative side of law enforcement, but it shouldn't be a surprise to any member of any minority community that this is going on.
Cointelpro actually used illegal means against the 60s and 70s radicals. It's amazing that the current FBI waited for new powers to be legally authorized.
LK
Sure, it was FreeBSD and not your anonymous man-on-man ass-sex in the bathroom at your local park.
LK
They can try to pass such laws, but the fact remains that these networks will continue to exist because 1) they will become to widespread to stop, and 2) such a law could easily be eaten for lunch by an enterprising barrister.
I wouldn't bet the farm on that one. Remember, when the government wants something done, it finds a way. It doesn't matter where you are, this truth is universal. Be it in the US or the UK or any other nation on this planet.
Being from the US, I can only give specific examples from the US but the two that first come to mind are the FACE act and the USA PATRIOT act. Both of which impose unconstitutional restrictions on free speech and freedom of association but the administrations in control at the time wanted them and found a way to get them.
LK
Since these systems have no advantage whatsoever over non-anonymous systems like Bittorrent except when being used to distribute material illegally, it will be easy to get such a change to the law made.
Also, the anonymity is a boon to those who wish to disseminate politically unpopular speech. For example, Fred Leuchter has become a pariah. He didn't do anything illegal, he just came to one (almost certainly false) unpopular conclusion.
LK
"I'm seeing Intel dual-core processors appearing in
$746 isn't that bad. Shipping included.
LK
AssMilkCheeseTech
that slashdot was "News For Nerds", this is news for dorks.
LK
I have found myself thinking "I would cheerfully shoot any one of you fuckers in the face to get one more trip to the snack table."
LK
Mix sawdust and glycerine and burn them. Spread the ashes on the bottoms of your shoes.
The machines will go apeshit.
Too much sensitivity is a bad thing. Ask anyone who is hypersensitive to cologne or perfume.
LK
It's not the money. It's the specifications for the item.
LK
I have a few words, all of which are non-English that I combine with certain numbers. In all there are about 5 words and 5 numbers that I combine to make up the vast majority of my passwords.
Sometimes I splt the word and insert a number, other times I add a leading or trailing number and other times I do a combination. So sometimes I forget a password, but I can give a few guesses and get my stuff.
LK
Limping along at 512kbps is not quite the exhilarating ride that it once was when I first switched from 56.6 dialup.
Quit yer bitchin'. In the US we never saw above 53K dialup.
8 Years ago I got ISDN and was paying over $120 per month for 128Kb connectivity.
LK
Depends on your jurisdiction, but theft by deception is still theft.
LK
Are there any bots out there that are designed to shoot people?
Yes.
I'm constantly hearing about designs for them, but I've never heard of them being put to use.
Then just look.
Long story short. The feds sent a robot with a telephone on it, there was also a 12 guage shotgun aimed at the phone. Pick up the phone and lose your arm.
LK
Negotiating in bad faith when one has no intention of abiding by the terms of an agreement is arguably theft by deception.
LK
I didn't miss your point. I disagree with it.
In my state, it's perfectly legal to use deadly force to stop the felonious theft of property.
I believe that $500 (I might be mistaken about this amount) is the lower limit for grand theft which makes the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony. If someone is in the process of stealing something worth more than $500 from you and you use deadly force to stop it, you have an affirmative defense.
If the goverment refuses to enforce its own laws when you are wronged, you are morally justified in getting your own justice.
LK
The court refuses to meter out justice so I'll do it myself.
LK
The student loan system in USA is a vaguely related, yet relevant example. Why do we have 500+ billion for war but not for education or medicare?
I got enough money to pay for school and about $3,000 for living/travel expenses this semester alone.
LK
I'm not talking about rebellion. I'm talking about shooting the middle-manager who is profiting from their invention.
It would be hard to find a replacement that would be willing to continue doing so.
LK
In a situation like this where the courts are REFUSING to provide justice, people should be able to go out and get it themselves.
LK