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  1. Is Bush Wired? on Indymedia Server Raided by FBI · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Maybe they were shut down because Indymedia has been pointing out lately how Bush may have been wired during the debates, and at previous press conferences.

    http://isbushwired.com/2004/10/voice-in-bushs-ea r. html

    Theory is that Bush has a tiny mic (or dental implant) through which Karl Rove, Cheney or some other intelligent grown-up tells him what to say.

    Sound crazy? Then what's that Power Unit with a thick wire doing under his coat during the 1st debate? (Note this was only noticed because the TV network disobeyed the Bush campaign's order not to show candidates from behind.)

  2. Re:Class M? on Astronomers Find Smaller Extrasolar Planets · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Yes, but are they Class M ?

    Actually, yes. The star that is. What is remarkable is that one of these neptune-mass planets orbits a Class M star, the smallest and faintest in the standard stellar classes OBAFGKM. It is only the 2nd M star to harbor planets, even though hundreds have been studied.

  3. Next version of the virus on Corporate Servers Spreading IE Virus [Updated] · · Score: 1

    Instead of sending the credit card numbers to somebody in russia, The next version of the virus should just send them to gates@microsoft.com Wouldn't that just make life easier on everyone anyway?

  4. Q: What about syncing? on Linux Smartphones On The Rise · · Score: 1

    Quick question: Are there any cell phones out there w/ say, a gig of memory, like an iPod which I could use for syncing work vs. home computers? Ie you plug a USB or Firewire into your work computer and download your work onto your cellphone (as I believe you can now do w/ iPods) then plug it into your home computer when you get home, and it syncs up (hopefully automatically).

    I don't have a cell phone now, but this would put me over the edge toward getting one.

  5. Re:The real question is, of course - on Windows 2000 & Windows NT 4 Source Code Leaks · · Score: 1

    You may look at it as long as your method for doing so does not make a copy. But downloading the code will make a copy, and so will viewing at on a browser

    If using a browser to view copyrighted material is illegal then 99% of websurfers are criminals, because we always come across text, images, etc which are copyrighted, and can be viewed but not redistributed.

    Am I missing something?

  6. GPL ? on Microsoft Improves Its Licensing Terms · · Score: 1

    Not sure if this would work, but this seems to mean that if I use M$'s software, (say its C programming software) to write a code which I then copyright (my I.P.) under the GPL, then MS will pay my legal fees if the GPL is challenged, right?

  7. Re:Lick Observatory on A Geek's Tour Of North America? · · Score: 1
    I second this suggestion. Lick in the home base of modern planet searching, among other things. On a clear day you get an excelent view stretching from the CA central valey to the Golden Gate. Thier webpage is: http://www.ucolick.org/

  8. Thailand Cafe on Online Voting In 2004 To Require Windows · · Score: 1
    Imagine casting a vote for president from a cybercafe in Thailand, ...

    Better yet, imaging casting 10,000 votes from a cybercafe (you just 0wned) in Thailand !!

    I can see it now. Likely error message:

    Windows was unable to understand your reqest "vote for NADER" Please reboot and try one of the two other candidates.
  9. Re:But where's the research? on Addicted to Information? · · Score: 1

    I Agree: I would like to see some neuro-data which could explain the effect. I was impressed by the dopamine quote, until I realized that, NO, they hadn't measured dopamine in anyone's brain.

    However, until such data come in, we can use our own minds to experiment on ourselves (admittedly with some bias.) Based on the number posts here, I would say its quite likely that the urge I feel for frequent news, etc. updates, and the satisfaction I feel when getting them (in combination with the joy of procrastination) are a widespread common phenomenon.

    These "craving" experiences feel similar (mentally/psychologically, etc,) to other cravings/reflex responses, sometimes associated with addictions to things like food, cigarettes, or coffee. Therefore, based only on our own ability to be aware of what is happening in our minds, it seems quite plausable that there will be a demonstrable chemical/neurological effect.

  10. Imagine That on US Army Signs $471,000,000 Deal for Microsoft Software · · Score: 1

    The DoD paying more than necessary? Say it isn't so. Life's rough when you have to find some way to spend $1.17 BILLION (US) every day.

  11. How about crypto's in the newspaper? on Sweden To Outlaw File Sharing, Crypto Breaking? · · Score: 1
    it will become illegal to break cryptos.

    That's too bad. One of my favorite things to do is crack the cryptograms in the newspaper. Now I guess all those cryptogrammists who read the paper will go to jail, and perhaps the newspaper publishers too for encouraging such illegal activity.

  12. Collapses on On The Collapse of Complex Societies · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Jared Diamond was the speaker at my graduation & I've heard a few of his talks at UCLA. He pointed out that the factor that caused the collapse of both the Easter Island civilization and (probably) the Mayan civilization is now thought to be the same: Logging. Both civilizations overlogged the surrounding forest ecosystems which sustained them, resulting ultimately in a collapse of agriculture. Diamond wondered what might have been going through the mind of the Easter Islander who felled the last tree on the island. He guessed that it might just have been thoughts that would resonate today: "Hey, keeping my job is more important than preserving the environment".

  13. ID Card "Security" at UCLA on Blackboard Campus IDs: Security Thru Cease & Desist · · Score: 2, Interesting
    I was a member of the UCLA Grad. student gov't (GSA) at a time when the Admin. sent out a mass email to all students in blocks of about 200 students at a time which included in the CC section of the email, the email address and Registration ID numbers of the recipient and 200 other students. By collating a few dozen such emails I and other GSA members were able to obtain ID #'s for over 3,000 unique students.

    After we went public, the admin. apologized, but said this was not a security risk because each student's account was protected by not only that 9 digit (now public) number but also a 4 digit numerical password. This didn't make me feel very secure. The ID + passwd combination was used to add/drop classes, find out grades, administer financial aid, etc.

    The cards themselves were made by AT and T; you could put money on them over the web using your credit card, then buy food, etc.

  14. Voter Purge in 2004 on False Information A-Okay in Primary FBI Database · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Having inaccurate FBI/crime records will help purge the voter rolls in 2004 of all those pesky people who DIDN'T commit a felonies but who happen to be of the wrong demographic....

    Perhaps the mere thousands of legit voters who were
    purged in Florida 2000 can be increased to 10,000's as the database goes nationwide!

  15. Re:I wonder how long it will be ... on Judge Rules that Kazaa can be Sued · · Score: 2

    I was going to suggest the same, ie. I bet distributing movies showing women not wearing a headdress (or anything at all) is illegal in someplaces like Saudi Arabia or Yemen. Problem is that most of these contries are have already knuckled under to U.S. rule (or want US$) that they would not raise a fuss that angers the MPAA. However perhaps a prominent cleric in those countries he could bring a lawsuit. All we need is 1 lawsuit in Saudi court against the MPAA, and the point will be made. Please write your local sheik or imam.....

  16. Reversal: O'Connor lifts stay on Supreme Court to Take Up DeCSS Case · · Score: 2

    AP Wire is reporting that Justice O'Connor just lifted the stay she imposed last week. This story seems to contradict the CNET story:

    http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Scot us -DVD-Encryption.html

    Excerpt:

    WASHINGTON (AP) -- Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on Friday threw out an emergency stay that barred a former webmaster from putting DVD decryption programs on the Internet.

    O'Connor had imposed the stay last week, at the urging of a group that licenses software to film studios to block the illegal copying of DVDs.

    New York attorney Jeffrey Kessler said the association fears that Matthew Pavlovich will repost programs that help people duplicate movies for free.

  17. I bill telemarketers on FTC Moves Forward With National Do-Not-Call List · · Score: 2

    Before telemarketers can start their schpeel, I begin the conversation with this quote:

    "All commerial solicitation phone calls to this number will be changed at a rate of $1 per word spoken by the caller, do you accept these charges?"

    I did this to MCI this morning. It really makes telemarking calls end quickly.

    Incidentally, Have you noticed that almost all telemarketers use an automatic dialing system nowadays? Instead of a normal phone call:

    Me: "Hello"
    Caller: "Hello, I'm so and so and the reason I'm calling is..... "

    We get:

    Me: "Hello."
    Telemarketer, just now picking up the phone: "Hello" ...(pause)

    The fact that they are waiting for a 2nd Hello from me gives me the perfect chance to start the conversation with the question above.

  18. Re:Offical NASA announcement on Whisper Heard From Pioneer 10 · · Score: 2
    Project Phoenix also picked up the signal from Pioneer 10 at Arecibo in Puerto Rico.

    My understanding is that the SETI people at Project Pheonix routinely use Pioneer as a test source, to make sure they know when they've found something extraterrestrial. (The signal from Pioneer doppler shifts in a way inconsistant with any terrestrial source)

  19. DC Sniper on Google on Googling For Dates? · · Score: 3, Funny

    About 30 Minutes after the police issued an arrest warrant for John Allen Williams in connection with the DC area sniper murders, I looked him up on Google. In only a matter of minutes this page had already been set up.

  20. Re:How about a relationship built on trust? on Googling For Dates? · · Score: 2

    Good point. In fact I once did a search for someone I had one date with, and while her name didn't turn up, when I searched for her email address I found a posting to a board which revealed she had an embarassing medical problem, which didn't really matter much, but I when I saw her I had to pretend I didn't know this about her which made for an awkward situation. & I wished I didn't know. Its better that info like this comes out in the normal course of affairs.

    Of course, if she had been more tech savvy, she would have posted truely anonymously, or not at all but not everyone is tech-savvy.

  21. Re:This is America, you Must pay Sony on Windows Refund Day II · · Score: 2

    Waltc: Thanks for clearly laying out the steps in the purchasing process & for the advice.

    True my money goes to EL, immediately, but there is a portion of the money I spent (the MS tax) which goes to MS via the "chain of purchasing" you describe. Ie, the total cost to me would be lower if not for this tax.

    I would add that perhaps the reason Sony (or other hardware vendors) equip all their products with MS is that MS has an illegal monopoly and can force Sony to do so by not selling to Sony if they don't. (I don't know for a fact that this happens with Sony but I believe similar things have happened with other vendors)

    Selling my copy of the OS may be difficult, in addition to the Ebay reason mentioned above, because everybody already has the OS on their computer and there seems to be little demand for it (though I have not tried this). Also why should I only earn 50% of the cost I payed for a product, when in fact I never used nor wanted to buy the product in the first place?

  22. This is America, you Must pay Bill Gates on Windows Refund Day II · · Score: 2
    I bought an excellent Sony VAIO Picturebook from Emperor Linux with Linux pre-installed. I was given 2 options from the vendor:

    1.) MS Windows installed (dual boot), in which case I pay Bill Gates

    2.) No MS Windows, in which case I pay Bill Gates.

    The Vendor told me he was NOT able to obtain ANY laptops without MS on them, so had to pass the MS tax on to me, with the understanding that maybe somewhere somehow I might get a refund; it happened once but don't get your hopes up. So if anybody has had success with refunds from buying VAIO's please let me know. Also if there is any Refund Day protests in the Wash. DC area please let me know.

    P.S. To the people in this discussion who say "vote with your dollars!": Please check here to see the winner of your proposed election.

    chris{AT}dtm.ciw.edu

  23. Re:The Non-Human Intelligence Dilemma on Solaris: Another View · · Score: 2

    Thanks swordfiche, that is a good mini-review and makes me want to read the book and puts the Tarkovsky film, which I love, in a new perspective. I wish your review had been the one posted to /. main page.

  24. OT: Premoderate Reviews on Solaris: Another View · · Score: 2
    Slashdot welcomes reader-submitted features and reviews. Thanks to nellardo for this one!

    I haven't seen this new movie, and was hesitant to watch it for fear it would not live up to the Tarkovsky version, which I loved. Unfortunately, I don't find this review helpful, for some of the same reasons discussed above.

    Perhaps when a new movie/book comes out Slashdot should invite reader reviews, then a subset of the /. audiance (eg those who have time to meta-moderate) would pre-screen these reviews, and we the general audiance could be presented with pre ranked set of reviews.

    ps. I do appreciate nellardo's writing this review, I just didn't find it helpful.

  25. Simultaneous Ruling in Washington on Microsoft Antitrust Judgement · · Score: 5, Funny

    WASHINGTON (DC) Nov. 1. Judge Kollar-Kotelly, asserting a rarely used Federal Appellant Court authority, issued a second legal ruling today, this one concerning the case of two suspects charged with going on a shooting rampage in the Washington DC area. The suspects will be released immediately, but ONLY after agreeing under oath not to shoot any more innocent victims. The guns found in the alleged snipers' possesion will not be returned for a period of 5 years, and then ONLY if the two are found in compliance with this decree. Compliance will be determined by a 2 person committee made up of the snipers themselves.