You're completely right about the difficulty in paying for most western MMOs. I recently started playing a relatively new one, and whenever I look at the help channel, multiple times a day I see people going "I wanna upgrade from my trial account, is there any way to pay without a credit card?" but for that game, there isn't (well, maybe paypal, I can't remember). And that's just when I'm online. That means this company's losing out on literally dozens of customers every week, just out of ones that mention it. How many more customers on trial accounts just poke around for payment, then give up? How many others research a bit, then when it's only CC payment, decide to not even try? Due to an anaemic payment method selection, they could be losing out on thousands of dollars a month in revenue. Considering it's a fairly small MMO right now (I think I heard about a 25,000 player base), that's not an amount I'd think they could afford to turn away from.
While I detest Apple's products and tactics as a company, I don't think they're any more (or less) prone to corruption than any other company. So, either it's specifically and unrealistically Apple-bashing (there's so many better reasons), or it's a condemnation of government intervention in business (the excessive control), or it's a condemnation of EVERY business. All three of those are flamebait/trolling.
The fact that you didn't all-caps Apple in your little shitpost there is pretty telling about how far up Jobs' ass you are. Can't even bring yourself to mar Apple's name while mocking someone else. Sad. Very sad.
Just because a system is broken doesn't mean it needs to be taken advantage of. Those that take advantage of it rather than fixing it ARE stupid. And greedy. And scum.
I... I'm gonna call bullshit. Depending on your institution, teacher, and personal disposition, you may or may not learn the curriculum. But that's still different than learning nothing. If nothing else, you need to learn how to give the professor what he or she wants to see. That involves reading people. Some profs like sycophants, some like contrarians, some like big words being used, some value class participation. You need to learn how to give people what they want, how they want it, and in how obvious a manner they want it.
Yeah, but since we're suing for things that haven't happened yet, and it's proceeding on the basis of the other person not showing up, well, Gates isn't likely to show up, and he's got deep pockets, you know...
Actually, I use Steam because a) They regularly have sales, even on relatively new titles. b) My games follow my account, not my computer, so I don't have to worry if I'm using some random computer for some reason, just so long as I can log on to the internet for about 5 minutes (using the local backup ability means I just need to log on to the Steam service to get my list, not download the entire game). c) I don't need to keep CDs/DVDs around. I literally don't know how many games I can't play because I lost the disc or it's damaged just barely enough, and it's not sold any more.
Downloading updates automatically wasn't even on my list, since most games have a "check for updates" feature built-in, either automatically on start, or through a menu, whatever. In my opinion, Steam is DRM done *correctly.* It offers various value enhancements to the user, rather than simply restricting rights. If you're against DRM on principle, it's not going to win you over, but if you only worry about the intrusiveness level, Steam is probably the most gentle scheme out there.
In places like that, Internet Cafes are very popular, so the owners might pirate a game so they have a larger draw for customers, or users might pirate a game since they don't own the system. Not owning a PC is not a barrier to piracy, it's just a situation for side-stepping.
I hate to inform you, but if you mean WCW/WWF style wrestling, it's hardly "all but gone." The WWE is more popular than ever, TNA Wrestling is picking up steam, and smaller circuits are proliferating. The... "sport" is at an all-time high.
Or is this just one of those "AMERICA NUMBER ONE!!! WOOO!" pieces of bullshit where you automatically assume your countries whims are more important than all others?
I'm Canadian, you fuckhead. But nice try.
Why should the US get dibs on him?
I'm guessing they get dibs because they either asked first, or had the strongest case amongst those asking.
Mostly I just meant it's not black and white for the other crimes. As for the other countries that got hit, well, first come first served. If he's not convicted in the US for whatever reason, and they think they can make a case, go for it. I'm sure the US wouldn't have a problem shipping him to someone else for a shot if they don't get it. And if the US does convict him, go for the other people involved. It's not like he was in it alone. There's plenty of people to try.
Apologies if you were actually being sarcastic or something, but... if someone kills you, and hops a plane to say, Portugal, they should get away with killing you, because they're not in the US any more?
Crimes committed over the internet, or a country claiming its laws were violated by someone who was never within their borders is a different matter, but if ATMs in the US were hit, this seems like a pretty clear case of "broke the law, get held responsible."
Dunno why you're devil's advocating to me, since I was just pointing out that his statement was already covered, but, eh, why not give you my take (using illegal and infringing interchangeably, since I'm talking generically)...
I think a device should be judged based on a couple factors:
1. Possible uses. 2. Predominate uses. 3. Harm to people from allowing illegal uses. 4. Harm to people from removing device from circulation completely.
Yes, this actually requires people to think, and not have cut and dried answers, but I think it's a fair way to evaluate something.
If a device has 5,000 uses, good for it (1), but then everyone always just uses the two illegal uses (2), then you can judge the device as "bad," and get rid of it. If, however, it has two uses, and it's split 50/50 between illegal and legal uses, then you need to use tests 3 and 4. Say, your bomb doorstop. People would be killed if you, or someone you know, decided to set it off. That's a fairly massive amount of harm, and so your legal use doesn't outweigh the need to keep something like that safely locked away. Then you have test 4. Say a small group of people started using pacemakers to high-jack planes. Removing pacemakers from the market entirely just is not feasible. It would be incumbent upon airlines to secure planes against that interference.
Of course, these are extreme examples, and where lines are drawn will be different with different products. Thus, arguing non-infringing use as a defence would be arguing that your personal gain, and the gain of others using it in your fashion, is greater than the loss suffered by allowing the illegal use to continue. In this case, it was decided that more people are using R4 cards in an illegal/infringing manner than are using it for legitimate uses, and the removal of the legitimate uses isn't doing any material harm to homebrewers beyond not being able to do homebrew, which Nintendo doesn't allow on their consoles any way, thus placing Nintendo in the same camp as Apple with jailbreaking, et al.
Slashdot Mirror
You're completely right about the difficulty in paying for most western MMOs. I recently started playing a relatively new one, and whenever I look at the help channel, multiple times a day I see people going "I wanna upgrade from my trial account, is there any way to pay without a credit card?" but for that game, there isn't (well, maybe paypal, I can't remember). And that's just when I'm online. That means this company's losing out on literally dozens of customers every week, just out of ones that mention it. How many more customers on trial accounts just poke around for payment, then give up? How many others research a bit, then when it's only CC payment, decide to not even try? Due to an anaemic payment method selection, they could be losing out on thousands of dollars a month in revenue. Considering it's a fairly small MMO right now (I think I heard about a 25,000 player base), that's not an amount I'd think they could afford to turn away from.
While I detest Apple's products and tactics as a company, I don't think they're any more (or less) prone to corruption than any other company. So, either it's specifically and unrealistically Apple-bashing (there's so many better reasons), or it's a condemnation of government intervention in business (the excessive control), or it's a condemnation of EVERY business. All three of those are flamebait/trolling.
The fact that you didn't all-caps Apple in your little shitpost there is pretty telling about how far up Jobs' ass you are. Can't even bring yourself to mar Apple's name while mocking someone else. Sad. Very sad.
Just because a system is broken doesn't mean it needs to be taken advantage of. Those that take advantage of it rather than fixing it ARE stupid. And greedy. And scum.
I... I'm gonna call bullshit. Depending on your institution, teacher, and personal disposition, you may or may not learn the curriculum. But that's still different than learning nothing. If nothing else, you need to learn how to give the professor what he or she wants to see. That involves reading people. Some profs like sycophants, some like contrarians, some like big words being used, some value class participation. You need to learn how to give people what they want, how they want it, and in how obvious a manner they want it.
Yeah, but since we're suing for things that haven't happened yet, and it's proceeding on the basis of the other person not showing up, well, Gates isn't likely to show up, and he's got deep pockets, you know...
You can sue people for things they haven't done yet? Well fuck. HEY GATES! I'm suing you for slandering me! You haven't done it yet, but YOU MIGHT.
Those of us competently running Windows also find going more than a year to be easy and preferable.
Actually, I use Steam because
a) They regularly have sales, even on relatively new titles.
b) My games follow my account, not my computer, so I don't have to worry if I'm using some random computer for some reason, just so long as I can log on to the internet for about 5 minutes (using the local backup ability means I just need to log on to the Steam service to get my list, not download the entire game).
c) I don't need to keep CDs/DVDs around. I literally don't know how many games I can't play because I lost the disc or it's damaged just barely enough, and it's not sold any more.
Downloading updates automatically wasn't even on my list, since most games have a "check for updates" feature built-in, either automatically on start, or through a menu, whatever. In my opinion, Steam is DRM done *correctly.* It offers various value enhancements to the user, rather than simply restricting rights. If you're against DRM on principle, it's not going to win you over, but if you only worry about the intrusiveness level, Steam is probably the most gentle scheme out there.
In places like that, Internet Cafes are very popular, so the owners might pirate a game so they have a larger draw for customers, or users might pirate a game since they don't own the system. Not owning a PC is not a barrier to piracy, it's just a situation for side-stepping.
Everyone knows about OnLive, and everyone knows it's a fucking joke for single player games.
I hate to inform you, but if you mean WCW/WWF style wrestling, it's hardly "all but gone." The WWE is more popular than ever, TNA Wrestling is picking up steam, and smaller circuits are proliferating. The... "sport" is at an all-time high.
Er, even if it's true that no one knows what that means, it doesn't take an Einstein to query "What rule?" So you still sound like an idiot. :p
Or is this just one of those "AMERICA NUMBER ONE!!! WOOO!" pieces of bullshit where you automatically assume your countries whims are more important than all others?
I'm Canadian, you fuckhead. But nice try.
Why should the US get dibs on him?
I'm guessing they get dibs because they either asked first, or had the strongest case amongst those asking.
Mostly I just meant it's not black and white for the other crimes. As for the other countries that got hit, well, first come first served. If he's not convicted in the US for whatever reason, and they think they can make a case, go for it. I'm sure the US wouldn't have a problem shipping him to someone else for a shot if they don't get it. And if the US does convict him, go for the other people involved. It's not like he was in it alone. There's plenty of people to try.
Apologies if you were actually being sarcastic or something, but... if someone kills you, and hops a plane to say, Portugal, they should get away with killing you, because they're not in the US any more?
Crimes committed over the internet, or a country claiming its laws were violated by someone who was never within their borders is a different matter, but if ATMs in the US were hit, this seems like a pretty clear case of "broke the law, get held responsible."
I think it's more than a step or two that's missing. There's some pretty nifty leaps bordering on flights of fancy.
Dunno why you're devil's advocating to me, since I was just pointing out that his statement was already covered, but, eh, why not give you my take (using illegal and infringing interchangeably, since I'm talking generically)...
I think a device should be judged based on a couple factors:
1. Possible uses.
2. Predominate uses.
3. Harm to people from allowing illegal uses.
4. Harm to people from removing device from circulation completely.
Yes, this actually requires people to think, and not have cut and dried answers, but I think it's a fair way to evaluate something.
If a device has 5,000 uses, good for it (1), but then everyone always just uses the two illegal uses (2), then you can judge the device as "bad," and get rid of it. If, however, it has two uses, and it's split 50/50 between illegal and legal uses, then you need to use tests 3 and 4. Say, your bomb doorstop. People would be killed if you, or someone you know, decided to set it off. That's a fairly massive amount of harm, and so your legal use doesn't outweigh the need to keep something like that safely locked away. Then you have test 4. Say a small group of people started using pacemakers to high-jack planes. Removing pacemakers from the market entirely just is not feasible. It would be incumbent upon airlines to secure planes against that interference.
Of course, these are extreme examples, and where lines are drawn will be different with different products. Thus, arguing non-infringing use as a defence would be arguing that your personal gain, and the gain of others using it in your fashion, is greater than the loss suffered by allowing the illegal use to continue. In this case, it was decided that more people are using R4 cards in an illegal/infringing manner than are using it for legitimate uses, and the removal of the legitimate uses isn't doing any material harm to homebrewers beyond not being able to do homebrew, which Nintendo doesn't allow on their consoles any way, thus placing Nintendo in the same camp as Apple with jailbreaking, et al.
The mere fact that the device can be used for a non-infringing purpose is not a defence
Right in the summary. They know, they just don't care.
Is that a dick joke? Or am I just gutter-brained?
... I'm actually honestly curious what the thought process behind this is.
there are over 9000 penises being broadcast.
In any other context, a grave use of a tired meme.
Here? Probably a gross underestimate.
Hellllloooooooooo NoScript.
... Fuck.
Secret's out. I'm a nerd, not a druggie.
Didn't help then. Trust me. I spent a month troubleshooting it. Every now and then, I'll check on a default install, and it still doesn't work.