I would have to agree with Mr. Katz that no one should really own ideas in cyberspace. The entire foundation of our virtual computer world is based on freedom of thought. From the millions of personal webpages to the tens of thousands of usenet discussion groups. I do not however agree with your comment to the congressional aid. It is true that there is no conceptual "theft" in cyberspace, but that is only true for ideas. Mp3s are not ideas, they are physical media. People are using the net, this global network, as a means of distributing materials that they did not necessarily obtain legally. And when it comes to the trading and distribution of illegal materials "theft" and "piracy" are the best words that apply.
Excellent point about the mindless drivel, not to sure about you theory on black holes being the reverse of the big bang, but if it makes the damn things easier to understand for the lay-person then what the hell!
Um...NO! Light would not just magically appear somewhere else. The idea behind a black hole is that light cannot reach a velocity necessary to escape. But that doesn't mean it has to go anywhere outside the black hole. And this has nothing to do with Beowulf clusters...so give it a break people.
As a regular EverQuest user (read junkie) I would have to say that anonymity is not always the solution. In almost every case the user that has the higher level anonymous character (i.e. the one with generally no real life activities to engage in) is also the same individual who flames and bashes users regularly. It is perhaps the greatest problem with the game, and all other online games in fact. At least in that environment I do not feel it is necessary to be anonymous. However, to jump back on the path of the original topic, I believe you gents in charge of Slashdot have a real bugger of a dilemma on your hands. But it is the same problem that most online forums face. To much absolute freedom and the entire forum is then commanded by "First Posts" and "Flames". I believe restrictions should be necessary but I fear I can offer no real constructive suggestions. Be careful where you tread when your words are heard.
Slashdot Mirror
I would have to agree with Mr. Katz that no one should really own ideas in cyberspace. The entire foundation of our virtual computer world is based on freedom of thought. From the millions of personal webpages to the tens of thousands of usenet discussion groups. I do not however agree with your comment to the congressional aid. It is true that there is no conceptual "theft" in cyberspace, but that is only true for ideas. Mp3s are not ideas, they are physical media. People are using the net, this global network, as a means of distributing materials that they did not necessarily obtain legally. And when it comes to the trading and distribution of illegal materials "theft" and "piracy" are the best words that apply.
Excellent point about the mindless drivel, not to sure about you theory on black holes being the reverse of the big bang, but if it makes the damn things easier to understand for the lay-person then what the hell!
Um...NO! Light would not just magically appear somewhere else. The idea behind a black hole is that light cannot reach a velocity necessary to escape. But that doesn't mean it has to go anywhere outside the black hole. And this has nothing to do with Beowulf clusters...so give it a break people.
As a regular EverQuest user (read junkie) I would have to say that anonymity is not always the solution. In almost every case the user that has the higher level anonymous character (i.e. the one with generally no real life activities to engage in) is also the same individual who flames and bashes users regularly. It is perhaps the greatest problem with the game, and all other online games in fact. At least in that environment I do not feel it is necessary to be anonymous. However, to jump back on the path of the original topic, I believe you gents in charge of Slashdot have a real bugger of a dilemma on your hands. But it is the same problem that most online forums face. To much absolute freedom and the entire forum is then commanded by "First Posts" and "Flames". I believe restrictions should be necessary but I fear I can offer no real constructive suggestions. Be careful where you tread when your words are heard.