I would think BSD would be more at risk than Linux. I don't claim to understand what exactly was patented, but BSD is Berkeley Unix, while Linux is not considered an operating system without the GNU project - which, as we all know, is Not Unix.
I can kind of understand the decision. If someone gets hacked, is the Fedora distribution liable for providing the tool? (Similar to how you can be charged with Accessory to Murder for providing a weapon, or an ISP is now somehow responsible for any illegal traffic.) They probably want to cover their butts, but it also seems like unfair censorship.
This would be really ugly for Linux, BSD, and possible OS X boxen, but I would expect Apple to play along while proclaiming that their certificates are better because they come stamped with a big shiny sticker.
Found the story about it, seems to be kind of a funny issue. Apparently Adobe sued MSFT in Europe because they didn't want the competition with Acrobat, but you're right, PDF is an open format, and Adobe at another time said anyone could work with it. Guess it's just because Office would be making money off it?
Here's the story
As I recall, the reason OpenOffice can export to PDFs natively and Office can't is because Adobe didn't trust Microsoft with the relevant code. (Or it may have been something to do with licensing, could someone else chime in here? Either way, Adobe wouldn't let them do it.) Anyhow, I would expect we could see that feature "coming soon to a Ribbon near you".
That's exactly what I thought. It's a poor choice of words, in my opinion. Opaque by definition means that it blocks light from passing through it, but I just figured it was some kind of quantum mechanical thing, just like all the other physics I don't understand.
I seem to remember when the Ubuntu OEM team proposed a package that would report your computer model so they could count installations, many people freaked out. Even though it sent nothing personally identifiable, the concept of your computer "phoning home" was anathema to the gathered masses.
Funny how on an Apple product, the common response is "no big deal, it's not personally identifiable" but on anything else its "ZOMG! Teh evulz!"
That's the risk you take for convenience. Using a bank, using a debit card, using a credit card, and banking over the internet all represent some levels of risk, but we use them because it's easier.
Even better would be a way to automatically download it and import it. If the file is at a constant URL, you should be able to use a little $scripting_lang and a little creativity to take care of this. If the URL is randomized or obfuscated, you might have a bit more fun with it.
Why do you think the Vikings didn't stick around? Couldn't cope with the Martian freeze rays (coincidentally responsible for both Mars' icy terrain and Canadian winters).
Wait, are you saying a government agency might have lied, appealing to the general public's lack of knowledge in the area of computers and using a buzzword-filled report to justify an application of force? I find that hard to believe.
I'd gladly pay a buck seventy-five if it would keep the legals off my back. Just like up here in Canada where we pay extra for CDs and they leave us alone; I'd rather not have to pay at all - seems like extortion - but it's a fair compromise.
Slashdot Mirror
I would think BSD would be more at risk than Linux. I don't claim to understand what exactly was patented, but BSD is Berkeley Unix, while Linux is not considered an operating system without the GNU project - which, as we all know, is Not Unix.
Nuke it from orbit?
In a sane society, we would allow others the freedom to be wrong and not shun them because we disagree with their beliefs.
I can kind of understand the decision. If someone gets hacked, is the Fedora distribution liable for providing the tool? (Similar to how you can be charged with Accessory to Murder for providing a weapon, or an ISP is now somehow responsible for any illegal traffic.) They probably want to cover their butts, but it also seems like unfair censorship.
Heaven forbid someone should happen to walk by a newspaper stand, or pick one up at a coffee shop somewhere.
Let Microsoft buy Adobe, then let Apple buy Facebook. That way, they're all in one place when we nuke them from orbit.
If you get too close to the debris, you can press Down to teleport.
This would be really ugly for Linux, BSD, and possible OS X boxen, but I would expect Apple to play along while proclaiming that their certificates are better because they come stamped with a big shiny sticker.
Found the story about it, seems to be kind of a funny issue. Apparently Adobe sued MSFT in Europe because they didn't want the competition with Acrobat, but you're right, PDF is an open format, and Adobe at another time said anyone could work with it. Guess it's just because Office would be making money off it? Here's the story
As I recall, the reason OpenOffice can export to PDFs natively and Office can't is because Adobe didn't trust Microsoft with the relevant code. (Or it may have been something to do with licensing, could someone else chime in here? Either way, Adobe wouldn't let them do it.) Anyhow, I would expect we could see that feature "coming soon to a Ribbon near you".
That's exactly what I thought. It's a poor choice of words, in my opinion. Opaque by definition means that it blocks light from passing through it, but I just figured it was some kind of quantum mechanical thing, just like all the other physics I don't understand.
You never know, somebody might answer with instructions on how to get there quicker.
In three-point-five light years, turn left...
I seem to remember when the Ubuntu OEM team proposed a package that would report your computer model so they could count installations, many people freaked out. Even though it sent nothing personally identifiable, the concept of your computer "phoning home" was anathema to the gathered masses. Funny how on an Apple product, the common response is "no big deal, it's not personally identifiable" but on anything else its "ZOMG! Teh evulz!"
He said something about importing it into MySQL and running reports on it. That mean's he's smart enough to write a Python script.
That's the risk you take for convenience. Using a bank, using a debit card, using a credit card, and banking over the internet all represent some levels of risk, but we use them because it's easier.
Even better would be a way to automatically download it and import it. If the file is at a constant URL, you should be able to use a little $scripting_lang and a little creativity to take care of this. If the URL is randomized or obfuscated, you might have a bit more fun with it.
Hopefully only the female ones.
Is there any 'politically correct' way to tell the government to screw off?
If not, let me be the first to just say, "Screw off."
Don't attribute to malice that which can be easily explained by bureaucracy.
Why do you think the Vikings didn't stick around? Couldn't cope with the Martian freeze rays (coincidentally responsible for both Mars' icy terrain and Canadian winters).
Way ahead of you.
http://live.gnome.org/OMG
https://projecthamster.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/gnome-achievements-the-alternative/
Wait, are you saying a government agency might have lied, appealing to the general public's lack of knowledge in the area of computers and using a buzzword-filled report to justify an application of force? I find that hard to believe.
I'd gladly pay a buck seventy-five if it would keep the legals off my back. Just like up here in Canada where we pay extra for CDs and they leave us alone; I'd rather not have to pay at all - seems like extortion - but it's a fair compromise.
Now taking bets on whether the American Gov't will seriously consider nuking Sweden or not.
Why did it take them so long to realize that the best way to avoid roadside bombs might involve getting off the road?
On the other hand, FLYING CARS!