My Webplayer is doing very nice as my linux webserver / digital picture frame, thank you very much.
I'm hoping to -
oh. . .
You said fail in the market. I getcha.
Oh... I got it for free when virgin killed the project
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
But a lot of these pissant disputes wouldn't happen if every country had the A-Bomb / weapons of mass destruction. These weapons help keep diplomats on their toes. Fun, fun fun.
Though the RIAA would most likely pay some underwater welders to flood the thing - sorta like what the french did to the greenpeace ship . . .
And yes, people have killed for less.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
Nonsense. 95% of professors do not write their textbooks themselves.
OK, did you miss the - OR - in my statement? ASCII has its limitations; I couldn't make it any more obtrusive.
Most professors are too busy writing research articles to find the time to put together a textbook. Professors are not "compensated" for selecting a specific textbook (even their own -- find out how much your professor gets in royalties from their book. You might be surprised).
I did and was surprised, and quite honestly disgusted - read on.
Textbook publishers approach professors at conferences, or actually come to campus to see professors, and hand out textbooks to them for free. They do this to try and get the professor to read the book, and hopefully they'll like it enough to use it in class -- at which point the publisher, not the professor, will make some money.
Well, at my wonderful little school, money exchanges hands - especially in several departments. That and the group of math teachers that select the textbook go on a fscking cruise every winter - fully paid, of course, by the fscking publisher.
That is corruption and utter bullshit. It pisses me off a bit too (can't you tell?)
Sure, the prof doesn't have to go out and buy the thing, but trust me, my wife (Professor of Sociology) has 20 different Introduction to Sociology books, and chooses the one to use based on her opinion of the book -- not any kind of "shadow" payment.
I hoped that there was some academic integrity in this country (USA). My experiences have been limited. I also wouldn't expect that profs pay for textbooks that they might use. I have to acknowledge that my school is one of the worst in the nation in this "subject". Incidentally, the profs in the social science courses actually understands students needs (not the english dept. though). Kudos to them.
I'd also bet you'll find that the work an English professor does is a bit more than just "adding a preface". Do you think that publishers can just whip out one title after another (and sell what, 300 copies a year?) for any schmoe with a Ph.D. after their name with no more impact than the cost of the paper?
Nope (preface question), not when the "book" is photocopied by the prof and sold in the bookstore as stapled 8x11 sheets of paper. Publisher is not involved, therefore...
Why is your textbook $100? Two words: used textbooks.
At the risk of sounding brash - New "revision" of math book every semester (this one is actually published by a publisher) questions from book (which changes, every semester) thus used book market does not exist. Especially when "quizzes given from the book, no book = no pass"
You can sell the books back to some online sites and get about 30% for them. Maybe.
Complain about the cost of books (new and used) all you want, but the publishers see none of that money -- it all goes to your local bookstore.
Don't get me started about the local "for profit" corporation that is based on school grounds (I believe public land, as it is a public institution), and was built with public funds by public workers. Yeah, exactly.
Ironically, it seems that the bookstore often sells for the MSRP imprinted on the book, though they are also making a killing
That's why prices are so high -- publishers make the books once, but they're sold to a half-dozen or more students. Sure, you can argue that they wouldn't get resold so many times if the prices weren't outrageous, but they are, and it's debatable which came first (the high prices or the extensive reselling).
Nope, it's called a monopoly with a guaranteed number of consumers. See above for my little rant on why used textbooks aren't "happening" at my school.
I know you think your problems book didn't require any research, but you're wrong. Someone had to sit down and think of these problems, tie them into the materials presented in each section and chapter of the accompanying textbook, and work them out.
No materials in the book - only questions - no instruction, no pretty tables.
As for "thinking of questions" - will we put a 8 before that x squared, or a seven.
The questions are in the same format, from semester to semester - just the "numbers" have changed. (i.e. page 156, #3 is 3x^2-2x+3, then 4x^2-3x+3 - same place on the physical page, so I know the desktop publishers aren't getting any $)
Then someone else had to check and ensure all of the answers were correct, and the problems made sense, and there weren't any typos.
That was a really funny comment - made my day in fact. Shit, "copyright" was spelled incorrectly in the front of the book one year (you know, copyright 1999 Scumbag Publishers, Dayton, Ohio . ..). The content isn't exaclty any better - student solutions are a joke as well.
Sadly, it sounds as if I'm defending the publishers -- I'm not, really, although I recognize their need to make a buck to stay in business.
Look, I'm pretty certain that my situation is pretty bad, and it is out of the "norm" I'm surprised that it is still continuing.
Though if they can afford to send groups of 10 teachers on cruises. . .
Believe it or not, professors are keenly aware of the cost of textbooks and their impact on your budget. They don't sit around and conspire to eliminate your beer money -- but sometimes, it's the only way they can get you all of the information they feel you need to learn the material for the class. I know my wife has agonized many times over the cost and number of books she's required for a class. Sometimes, in fact, she's picked a book that's not quite as good just because it's cheaper.
It seems that I may be over generalizing. Unfortunately, I received nearly the same answers when I tried to present this to the school newspaper or when I talk to some teachers about it. Like I said, MY experiences.
And, contrary to popular belief - we are not all lazy slack ass punks who have nothing better to do than drink beer and go to kegger parties. Some college students somehow try to mix 5 classes with working 40hrs a week at $7 an hour, somehow (through other jobs) managing to pay for living expenses (i.e. room, board, insulin). I resent your statement about "beer money" - besides, I'm 19, and can't legally drink in this country (although that's kind of a BS excuse, because the drinking age never stopped anyone)
If there were good, open textbooks that covered the material that needs to be taught in a class, professors would go for it in a heartbeat. They're really not your enemy -- most professors are simply trying to get you think and learn. Sometimes that costs money.
There may very well be decent profs. Personally, it seems that the profs that I dealt with don't give a fuck.
Students have been expelled while trying to change the system; I guess under the table money and free cruises were a bit too much to give up.
Hell, we even had our student government pretty much dissolved, then recreated as a "student activities" section and a "student senate" section. Activities got paid, Senate did not. Student senate is now relegated to dividing funding out to various clubs - student affairs / concerns are not discussed.
Thank god that I'm getting out of here in a few weeks.
Look - don't get me wrong - most of the profs are actually much better than teachers in HS, etc. Some are terrible, but for the most part, the administration / deans of departments that are corrupt.
-0-
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
Yes.
It's true.
Most major cities have it - 802.11 networking.
People set up base stations (i.e. apple aironet base with and antenna) and share their internet access.
Pretty cool
Costs you about $150 for the PC card for your laptop, based on the premise that a users will set up a base station.
Z.z.z.z.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
1) Pick up copy of popular science/electronics
2) Flip to pages with ads
3) Look for "cable filter"
4) Call # / Visit website, pay $20
5) Wait for UPS to deliver.
hum dee dum dum.
Filters are easy to make, check the net for schematics if you want to build your own (about $5 for parts)
I can't see that this will be any harder to "decrypt".
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
5x700Mhz (4 legs, one main). It seems that the processors are there for "future" expansion.
I'm sure that they designed it to be a little "overkill" too. Shit, this thing weighs 11,000 pounds, is mostly all custom made parts, probably cost a shitload for the metal alone. etc...
Another $500 is bullshit for this project.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
5x700Mhz (4 legs, one main). It seems that the processors are there for "future" expansion.
I'm sure that they designed it to be a little "overkill" too. Shit, this thing weighs 11,000 pounds, is mostly all custom made parts, etc... Another $500 is bullshit for this project.
Oh. I'm assuming height off ground is provided by a laser system that does its own calculations.
So I'm somewhat redeemed, if not entirely clear.
Like I said, its monday. I need coffee.
and wow, it is dead.
fuck.
we just killed discover.com, even the front page is dead.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
Ok. I'm in college, doing the "professional student" thing. So I have a few things to complain about.
I think the open textbook idea is awesome, but it's not going to happen.
Why? Well...
Firstly - 95% Professors either write their textbooks themselves, and change them every quarter, and charge obscene prices for them - OR - are "compensated" for selecting the textbook for the class in some form or another. That is abuse of power - really annoying as well. Also English teachers get a "standard" copy of a historical work; add "edited by..." add a preface, and sell the "work" for $50. Ditto.
Second - Textbooks are too lucrative for businesses to give up. I paid close to $100 for a soft cover MATH textbook. I understand computer, history books, etc... costing money (at least someone did some research in them), but the math book is useless - all questions (no instructions) - but of course required (i.e. quizzes given from the book, no book = no pass). Hell I spent nearly $500 on textbooks
Augh, hell, most people who read/. know this. If anyone can defend the standard practice, please respond.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
Don't know what you expect from the/. crowd.
Haven't you been on lately?
Anyways, you mention...
In a modern office, computers end up taking a lot of power. Imagine your local server room. Don't you think they would like a 20% decrese in their power bill?
the savings of 20% are under "ideal" circumstances - i.e. not going to happen, or is going to be really expensive, I'd rather see people working on quantum computing - or cheap subzero cooling systems.
(you mention 50% at idle, but if your box runs at idle most of the time, you need to get seti@home or something)
If you want to save power in a server room, turn down/off the air conditioning / ventilation, don't run windows (idle is bad), turn seti@home off etc. . .
Also - the cpu isn't the only thing that generates heat / wastes energy in the box.
I couldn't resist, hell, you asked for it.
doodz, thiz guy thinkz you n33d five pawer pl3nts to run a box
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
Damn, all this discussion based on a sig - it's a good one, brings the blood to a boil.
I'm assuming that my message also got a bit convoluted thru the discussions, however I will respond to your question. I'm actually not sure whether you're replying to me, or to the person who replied to my original message... anyways.
"I want to know how taking up arms and becoming, essentially, a terrorist organisation, is going to help geeks win/keep their chosen freedoms."
Firstly, the sig was meant to be a joke - i.e. "Dan's rules for dating his daughters.", though I digress.
OK, now for the discussion about theory, and your answer.
I don't want for geeks to become terrorists, I'm not in favor for taking up arms and rebelling by killing a few politicians / police / whatever. I don't think that society is ready for that sort of "political opposition".
Terrorist organizations do not effect change - moreover, they are not meant to do so. The purpose of a terrorist organization is to bring attention to the subject. Terrorist organizations, or those who are not full of blind zealots, realize that they do not have the manpower, nor the resources to challenge a country.
Think of it this way - a bombing by the IRA here and there is not going to do much except to call attention to its cause, however, if each British solider were killed overnight in Northern Ireland, a substantial uproar would be caused, and there would be serious discussion of letting North Ireland separate (especially if this continued for several weeks). The IRA does not have the ways and means to achieve this, and as a result are kind of powerless in the "rebellion" arena, although they are quite successful in bringing attention to themselves repeatedly.
So, a terrorist organization would not be a good idea - even if the circumstances dictate that we do take up arms. We are, at the very most 5% of the population, and the majority of us would not take an active role.
"Have you heard of Northern Ireland? Year after year people are killed and the killers say they are doing it for their just causes. The causes are indeed just - one side says they want to unite their country (Ireland), the other wants to keep their country united (Northern Ireland / UK) "
Again, see my statement above why the IRA is not succeeding, besides, their strategy is flawed in that parts want peace, parts want independence at all costs. Internal strife is also an issue, those who want the same things are not united and do not stand as one.
I do believe that inroads of peace have been made, although what will exist is an attitude of tolerance, not of peace, and the stubborn British government (no offense intended, but most countries aren't willing to separate from a part of their country - except, perhaps Canada, who wants to get rid of the Quebecers), will not grant North Ireland independence.
"Year after year, governments of different flavors repeat that they will *not* bow to Terrorist demands. If they did, how would it look? It would be like saying, "If you're violent enough you can have what you want."
I rebut - bloody military coups have changed governments, as have rebellions / revolutions. The USA was formed when the locals rebelled against the British; the Dutch states were formed in much the same way. Clearly there is a history of success for political rebellions, but quite a number of failures as well.
However, once we give away too many rights, we have, in effect given them all away.
The citizens in Germany in 1920 exchanged some of their rights for some security. What it got them was a totalitarian despot bent on world domination. Attempts to oust the despot failed because too many rights had been taken away. Stalinist Russia, same thing, people couldn't have weapons, and without any civil rights, the people were essentially trapped under the system.
Unfortunately, sometimes violence is the only way to settle something - a good example is World War II. Diplomacy would work in an ideal world, but Hitler was given the Sudetenland(spelling?), then Alsace, then Czechoslovakia and finally Poland (given, is an arguable term, but lets just say that neither the Russians nor the French, who both had agreements to defend Poland, did not, until at least 6 months later.)
Tell me then, how are geeks bearing guns going to "do the trick"?
Unless there is a "general call to arms" caused by some substantial civil unrest due to some fascist policy, I don't think that geeks with guns will do the trick.
Especially considering that the majority of us aren't exactly fighting material outside the realm of quake 3 (ironically, if anyone who reads this thinks that they are "eleet", please explain how to field strip a pistol - or even eject a magazine).
Quite possibly, part of the country with guns might do the trick, however, if we don't fight for our rights to bear arms, have free speech, the freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, religion and the media, we will not have them. Once we cross a line, it is diffucult, if not impossible to go back.
In the United States, your right to demonstrate has been severely curtailed by a ever increasing brutal and abusive police force (of small sections of it). Once sitins could work, and they did, however now police flood in with tear gas GRENADES and batons. (I believe Orwell called them truncheons, but again, I digress)
Although I hope that civil rights are not squashed in 50 years, and I severely doubt that they will, I, for the first time, see a possibility of such things happen. Even the prospect frightens me and I believe that is part of my civic duty to see that such things do not happen. This does, after all have nothing to do with being a geek, but instead, being a citizen.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
Seattle Police Chief to aide
"Fuck pepper spray and batons, we gotta get ourselves some of these mother fuckers!"
Aide.
"hehhehe, lets saw open microwave ovens and use the uranium diode to actually brun those damn liberal weenies"
Actually, the thing doesn't burn, just makes pain receptors feel that way.
RTFS!
Though demonstrating in the future will be very different than in the past. I have no doubt that this will be used against american demonstrators.
Incidentally, if you saw off the "non element" part of a microwave, you got yourself a fairly nice, kinda portable (if you're 6"6) energy weapon good for up to about 20 yards. Hook it up to a car and use an inverter for greater portability.
Enjoy
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
I retract the 800%.
Though, from 1995 to 1999, some statistics from the page you gave "try the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics for NSW "
Robbery without a weapon 4518 to 6413
Robbery with a firearm 677 to 1099
Robbery with a weapon not a firearm 1465 to 3515
Theft Breaking&entering - dwelling 61336 to 77178
Breaking and entering - non-dwelling 40393 to 45551
Significant increases during a one year time are noted and shown on that chart.
Murder's down though...
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
I said North America, this includes Canada (home sweet home). Lets take a look at the world shall we.
China. - 'nuff said. You get killed by the govt for pissing someone off, either that or 60 years for voicing an oppinion. Prisoners cut prison grounds grass with fucking scissors or by hand. Slave labor / sweatshops common
India: fuckal rights. punishments range from dismemberment to executions - for killing a fucking cow.
Slave labor / sweatshops common.
South America - Brasilian death squads killing street children, black slavery in certain countries - need I say more?
Slave labor / sweatshops common
Former USSR countries: either controlled by mob bosses or the military. dirt fucking poor people, get contracts on peoples lives for under one hundred US$. The russians also fucked afghanistan and several other republics using lots of military force and large yeild fuel air explosives.
ever hear of russian brides, fuck...
again, shit poor people led by power hungry despots.
Australia - wonderful new law they passed (see recent slashdot story), no guns, though civil liberties are intact for the majority of things.
Eastern europe is quite frankly, fucking scary. The people are dirt poor and have no rights. Corrupt cops are everywhere
Europe - can't make a definitive statement on the whole thing, as certain parts are better than others. Overall, fairly good, perhaps better than usa. I've been to england, france, italy and germany - overall not bad, often a bit better. Our cops don't carry full automatic assault rifles / submachine guns as everyday items, and have a tendency to be a little less corrupt / oppresive against blacks, etc...
England has led the way in monitoring their citizens with a wide variety of video cameras. London is blanketed 100% with cameras - also engage in civil war / butchery on their own soil (though the ira sometimes does deserve it)
The brits, incidentally, were very brutal in prior times, almost as bad as the spanish and french. Fuckit, water under the bridge.
Japan seems fairly peaceful, but activists are not as common, etc. . .
Yes, the USA is racist, has a large amount of military incursions and we execute children,and are also on one of the countries on the "shit list" in regards to executions. Punishments are racially biased et cetra. Oh. The usa has a draft, although most countries have compulsory military service.
Yes, we also take fucking _tanks_ to "pacify" fellow americans - then light them on fire, waco comes to mind.
Fuckit, you're posting anonymously. Have some fucking guts next time and lose some fucking karma.
Oh, and I repeat - North america includes canada.
Read next time (unless you're an uneducated american who thinks that NAmerica is the USA.)
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
this is why you wouldn't go to caucasian europe
on
Rebooting The World?
·
· Score: 1
pretty much 'nuff said. Go to the romans or greeks if anything, but ignore the pitiful remnants of society in the dark ages. Maybe go to renaissance europe, but no time after that.
BTW, I'm white, and european, so this isn't exactly a flame.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
read my appending comment of the first article australians gave up the right to have guns 2 or 3 years ago - home invasions have risen by 800% or some vulgar amount since then.
this is scary... shit.
btw, the quote is from "someones rules for dating my daughter", it's #9...
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
It will also ban trade in so-called decoding devices for unscrambling digitally protected material
i.e. computers. Wonder whether they will be tarrifed as "illegal decoding devices"
This part's a beaut!
Libraries will have exemptions similar to the ones they already hold for distributing information but they will not be able to build up searchable collections, or provide material in competition with commercial providers.
i.e. dewey decimal system? no cardfiles? Also nice to know that when I ask for information they will refer me to a pay site. Thats pretty fucking draconian. Feel sorry for you guys.
I'll bet the local (USA) copyright assholes are drooling over this and kicking themselves for not thinking of this first.
I guess this is the next logical step after taking your guns away.
the phrase "when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns" comes to mind.
I have some trouble believing that this is true, this is scary. damn.
.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
While making and importing decoding devices will be banned, their personal use will not. Hough said the legislators had wanted to avoid being heavy-handed.
Oh. Thank God. I have until Sunday to make whatever decoding device I want. WTF is this BS? do they they think they are deceiving anyone?
Making and supplying software for cracking protective codes will also be illegal but the law has been worded to avoid covering the computers such software could run on.
i.e. c++, perl, pascal and qbasic, oh... About the computers such sw could be run on - append "yet" to that statement.
I'm not suprised that this passed, but why we didnt hear about it earlier. oh well...
augh.. ranted enough today.
.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
I'm not suprised.
Funny thing is, that even though this was published, the corporations will still claim plausible deniability, and that this will still go thru.
(appologies in advance for the sentence structure/grammar, but I've been up for 32 hrs and am going for a well needed rest)
Lets all write our congress person! And then, we'll show them by boycotting the product - that'll show them!!
oh... that didn't work in the past.
I mean, we all bitched when
- we found out that DVD players had region codes
- the DMCA was being passed
- the us government said that linking was illegal,
- decss was declared illegal
- our right to fair use was rendered void, but our rights remained (i.e. copy protection on digital TV's and fair use)
- we found out that ms word docs had a UID
and so on...
A shitload of people refused to buy DVD players in order to "boycott" the industry - which is doing quite well without them (well those who haven't given in yet...)
Honestly, get real, this is america and you have no voice here (I smell flame, bring it on), unless you pay for the congress person's / president's election, or for the industry parties.)
This standard will be passed - money was put into developing this and it will not be wasted - how much $ do you think the "RIAA" un officially gave the companies to develop this. (ironically, its probably not much, just paid for a party, booze, cuban cigars and hookers, but I digress)
These companies are not stupid - they realize that consumers are not going to stick with "small" 60 gig HDD's, but instead buy the 200 or 300 gig HDD when comes out. I wonder - if they are the same price, and the 300 gig runs faster etc... which one will you choose?
Even if you choose the fomer (un"protected"), the majority of the consumers will buy the larger/faster model.
95% of americans are sheep and will buy shit they don't even need. Anything that is marketed properly sells - _ANY_thing.
These 95% will create a market for the protected HDD's, which will be marketed under the premise of "protecting your data from hackers", "letting you listen to music on your pc" or some other stupid bullshit.
The 5% who want unprotected HDD's will whine, then realize that no one (or some super expensive / custom comapny) produces the unprotected hard drives. Finally they will buy the protected versions because they "need" to, or because a need will be created (want legal music? buy a new hard drive)
We are a consumer society, many of us will devour what is new - i.e. new dvds, music etc...
Those who want to "keep in touch with society" will do so - however it will be through sacrificing their ideals (i.e. giving out and buying a new protected hdd) or by commiting illegal acts (watching a divx encoded movie or downloading illegal mp3's)
Finally I say this;
The 95% will gladly exchange their rights for some security (someone has the sig that says they deserve neither)
Finding people who are willing to do this creates absolutism - and despotism. i.e. shit like this helped hitler, mussolini and the european absolutionist rulers in the 1700-1800's gain __absolute__ power - all these rulers also abused that power.
Oh... and the industry will NEVER say "whoops, lets take that back" once it has been introduced into the market.
Ironically North America is the best place to live in the world right, and is "leading" in civil rights et cetera.
Dunno what I'm suprised at, my confidence in humans has dropped quite a bit this week.
Fucking greedy lot we are, it's pretty disgusting.
A friend just returned from Indonesia, the police and army are shooting at each other because they both want to collect money from the refugees that are fleeing the massacres in their villages.
Beautiful ain't it? You should see some pictures of decapitated bodies, et cetera.
(sig doesn't really fit with this post)
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
cool, at least one person agrees with me.
Oh.. did you take a look at that pathintosh in the quickeies yesterday - the poor dude was running off a cable modem...
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
Slashdot Mirror
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
I'm hoping to -
oh. . .
You said fail in the market. I getcha.
Oh... I got it for free when virgin killed the project
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
Though the RIAA would most likely pay some underwater welders to flood the thing - sorta like what the french did to the greenpeace ship . . .
And yes, people have killed for less.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
Nonsense. 95% of professors do not write their textbooks themselves.
OK, did you miss the - OR - in my statement? ASCII has its limitations; I couldn't make it any more obtrusive.
Most professors are too busy writing research articles to find the time to put together a textbook. Professors are not "compensated" for selecting a specific textbook (even their own -- find out how much your professor gets in royalties from their book. You might be surprised).
I did and was surprised, and quite honestly disgusted - read on.
Textbook publishers approach professors at conferences, or actually come to campus to see professors, and hand out textbooks to them for free. They do this to try and get the professor to read the book, and hopefully they'll like it enough to use it in class -- at which point the publisher, not the professor, will make some money.
Well, at my wonderful little school, money exchanges hands - especially in several departments. That and the group of math teachers that select the textbook go on a fscking cruise every winter - fully paid, of course, by the fscking publisher.
That is corruption and utter bullshit. It pisses me off a bit too (can't you tell?)
Sure, the prof doesn't have to go out and buy the thing, but trust me, my wife (Professor of Sociology) has 20 different Introduction to Sociology books, and chooses the one to use based on her opinion of the book -- not any kind of "shadow" payment.
I hoped that there was some academic integrity in this country (USA). My experiences have been limited. I also wouldn't expect that profs pay for textbooks that they might use. I have to acknowledge that my school is one of the worst in the nation in this "subject". Incidentally, the profs in the social science courses actually understands students needs (not the english dept. though). Kudos to them.
I'd also bet you'll find that the work an English professor does is a bit more than just "adding a preface". Do you think that publishers can just whip out one title after another (and sell what, 300 copies a year?) for any schmoe with a Ph.D. after their name with no more impact than the cost of the paper?
Nope (preface question), not when the "book" is photocopied by the prof and sold in the bookstore as stapled 8x11 sheets of paper. Publisher is not involved, therefore...
Why is your textbook $100? Two words: used textbooks.
At the risk of sounding brash - New "revision" of math book every semester (this one is actually published by a publisher) questions from book (which changes, every semester) thus used book market does not exist. Especially when "quizzes given from the book, no book = no pass"
You can sell the books back to some online sites and get about 30% for them. Maybe.
Complain about the cost of books (new and used) all you want, but the publishers see none of that money -- it all goes to your local bookstore.
Don't get me started about the local "for profit" corporation that is based on school grounds (I believe public land, as it is a public institution), and was built with public funds by public workers. Yeah, exactly.
Ironically, it seems that the bookstore often sells for the MSRP imprinted on the book, though they are also making a killing
That's why prices are so high -- publishers make the books once, but they're sold to a half-dozen or more students. Sure, you can argue that they wouldn't get resold so many times if the prices weren't outrageous, but they are, and it's debatable which came first (the high prices or the extensive reselling).
Nope, it's called a monopoly with a guaranteed number of consumers. See above for my little rant on why used textbooks aren't "happening" at my school.
I know you think your problems book didn't require any research, but you're wrong. Someone had to sit down and think of these problems, tie them into the materials presented in each section and chapter of the accompanying textbook, and work them out.
No materials in the book - only questions - no instruction, no pretty tables.
As for "thinking of questions" - will we put a 8 before that x squared, or a seven.
The questions are in the same format, from semester to semester - just the "numbers" have changed. (i.e. page 156, #3 is 3x^2-2x+3, then 4x^2-3x+3 - same place on the physical page, so I know the desktop publishers aren't getting any $)
Then someone else had to check and ensure all of the answers were correct, and the problems made sense, and there weren't any typos.
That was a really funny comment - made my day in fact. Shit, "copyright" was spelled incorrectly in the front of the book one year (you know, copyright 1999 Scumbag Publishers, Dayton, Ohio . . .). The content isn't exaclty any better - student solutions are a joke as well.
Sadly, it sounds as if I'm defending the publishers -- I'm not, really, although I recognize their need to make a buck to stay in business.
Look, I'm pretty certain that my situation is pretty bad, and it is out of the "norm" I'm surprised that it is still continuing.
Though if they can afford to send groups of 10 teachers on cruises. . .
Believe it or not, professors are keenly aware of the cost of textbooks and their impact on your budget. They don't sit around and conspire to eliminate your beer money -- but sometimes, it's the only way they can get you all of the information they feel you need to learn the material for the class. I know my wife has agonized many times over the cost and number of books she's required for a class. Sometimes, in fact, she's picked a book that's not quite as good just because it's cheaper.
It seems that I may be over generalizing. Unfortunately, I received nearly the same answers when I tried to present this to the school newspaper or when I talk to some teachers about it. Like I said, MY experiences.
And, contrary to popular belief - we are not all lazy slack ass punks who have nothing better to do than drink beer and go to kegger parties. Some college students somehow try to mix 5 classes with working 40hrs a week at $7 an hour, somehow (through other jobs) managing to pay for living expenses (i.e. room, board, insulin). I resent your statement about "beer money" - besides, I'm 19, and can't legally drink in this country (although that's kind of a BS excuse, because the drinking age never stopped anyone)
If there were good, open textbooks that covered the material that needs to be taught in a class, professors would go for it in a heartbeat. They're really not your enemy -- most professors are simply trying to get you think and learn. Sometimes that costs money.
There may very well be decent profs. Personally, it seems that the profs that I dealt with don't give a fuck.
Students have been expelled while trying to change the system; I guess under the table money and free cruises were a bit too much to give up.
Hell, we even had our student government pretty much dissolved, then recreated as a "student activities" section and a "student senate" section. Activities got paid, Senate did not. Student senate is now relegated to dividing funding out to various clubs - student affairs / concerns are not discussed.
Thank god that I'm getting out of here in a few weeks.
Look - don't get me wrong - most of the profs are actually much better than teachers in HS, etc. Some are terrible, but for the most part, the administration / deans of departments that are corrupt.
-0-
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
you're saying that the pc card is plugged in on the isa card?
(am I reading you correctly?)
fuck... that would save me some $...
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
It's true.
Most major cities have it - 802.11 networking.
People set up base stations (i.e. apple aironet base with and antenna) and share their internet access.
Pretty cool
Costs you about $150 for the PC card for your laptop, based on the premise that a users will set up a base station.
Z.z.z.z.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
2) Flip to pages with ads
3) Look for "cable filter"
4) Call # / Visit website, pay $20
5) Wait for UPS to deliver.
hum dee dum dum.
Filters are easy to make, check the net for schematics if you want to build your own (about $5 for parts)
I can't see that this will be any harder to "decrypt".
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
I'm sure that they designed it to be a little "overkill" too. Shit, this thing weighs 11,000 pounds, is mostly all custom made parts, probably cost a shitload for the metal alone. etc...
Another $500 is bullshit for this project.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
I'm sure that they designed it to be a little "overkill" too. Shit, this thing weighs 11,000 pounds, is mostly all custom made parts, etc... Another $500 is bullshit for this project.
Oh. I'm assuming height off ground is provided by a laser system that does its own calculations.
So I'm somewhat redeemed, if not entirely clear.
Like I said, its monday. I need coffee.
and wow, it is dead.
fuck.
we just killed discover.com, even the front page is dead.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
But robocop good too. .
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
I think the open textbook idea is awesome, but it's not going to happen.
Why? Well...
Firstly - 95% Professors either write their textbooks themselves, and change them every quarter, and charge obscene prices for them - OR - are "compensated" for selecting the textbook for the class in some form or another. That is abuse of power - really annoying as well. Also English teachers get a "standard" copy of a historical work; add "edited by..." add a preface, and sell the "work" for $50. Ditto.
Second - Textbooks are too lucrative for businesses to give up. I paid close to $100 for a soft cover MATH textbook. I understand computer, history books, etc... costing money (at least someone did some research in them), but the math book is useless - all questions (no instructions) - but of course required (i.e. quizzes given from the book, no book = no pass). Hell I spent nearly $500 on textbooks
Augh, hell, most people who read
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
Haven't you been on lately?
Anyways, you mention...
In a modern office, computers end up taking a lot of power. Imagine your local server room. Don't you think they would like a 20% decrese in their power bill?
the savings of 20% are under "ideal" circumstances - i.e. not going to happen, or is going to be really expensive, I'd rather see people working on quantum computing - or cheap subzero cooling systems.
(you mention 50% at idle, but if your box runs at idle most of the time, you need to get seti@home or something)
If you want to save power in a server room, turn down/off the air conditioning / ventilation, don't run windows (idle is bad), turn seti@home off etc. . .
Also - the cpu isn't the only thing that generates heat / wastes energy in the box.
I couldn't resist, hell, you asked for it.
doodz, thiz guy thinkz you n33d five pawer pl3nts to run a box
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
musicians, artists, writers, film makers
i.e. fuck the rest of you. Unless you're a member of the "approved" copyright agency, don't even think about us protecting your content.
Maybe thats just the way I see it. . . I could be wrong.
Since when did governments stop caring about ordinary people's interests?
Guess those underage hooker/drug parties the copyright goons throw for the politicians must really be working.
Blah!
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
Blah.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
I'm assuming that my message also got a bit convoluted thru the discussions, however I will respond to your question. I'm actually not sure whether you're replying to me, or to the person who replied to my original message... anyways.
"I want to know how taking up arms and becoming, essentially, a terrorist organisation, is going to help geeks win/keep their chosen freedoms."
Firstly, the sig was meant to be a joke - i.e. "Dan's rules for dating his daughters.", though I digress.
OK, now for the discussion about theory, and your answer.
I don't want for geeks to become terrorists, I'm not in favor for taking up arms and rebelling by killing a few politicians / police / whatever. I don't think that society is ready for that sort of "political opposition".
Terrorist organizations do not effect change - moreover, they are not meant to do so. The purpose of a terrorist organization is to bring attention to the subject. Terrorist organizations, or those who are not full of blind zealots, realize that they do not have the manpower, nor the resources to challenge a country.
Think of it this way - a bombing by the IRA here and there is not going to do much except to call attention to its cause, however, if each British solider were killed overnight in Northern Ireland, a substantial uproar would be caused, and there would be serious discussion of letting North Ireland separate (especially if this continued for several weeks). The IRA does not have the ways and means to achieve this, and as a result are kind of powerless in the "rebellion" arena, although they are quite successful in bringing attention to themselves repeatedly.
So, a terrorist organization would not be a good idea - even if the circumstances dictate that we do take up arms. We are, at the very most 5% of the population, and the majority of us would not take an active role.
"Have you heard of Northern Ireland? Year after year people are killed and the killers say they are doing it for their just causes. The causes are indeed just - one side says they want to unite their country (Ireland), the other wants to keep their country united (Northern Ireland / UK) "
Again, see my statement above why the IRA is not succeeding, besides, their strategy is flawed in that parts want peace, parts want independence at all costs. Internal strife is also an issue, those who want the same things are not united and do not stand as one.
I do believe that inroads of peace have been made, although what will exist is an attitude of tolerance, not of peace, and the stubborn British government (no offense intended, but most countries aren't willing to separate from a part of their country - except, perhaps Canada, who wants to get rid of the Quebecers), will not grant North Ireland independence.
"Year after year, governments of different flavors repeat that they will *not* bow to Terrorist demands. If they did, how would it look? It would be like saying, "If you're violent enough you can have what you want."
I rebut - bloody military coups have changed governments, as have rebellions / revolutions. The USA was formed when the locals rebelled against the British; the Dutch states were formed in much the same way. Clearly there is a history of success for political rebellions, but quite a number of failures as well.
However, once we give away too many rights, we have, in effect given them all away. The citizens in Germany in 1920 exchanged some of their rights for some security. What it got them was a totalitarian despot bent on world domination. Attempts to oust the despot failed because too many rights had been taken away. Stalinist Russia, same thing, people couldn't have weapons, and without any civil rights, the people were essentially trapped under the system.
Unfortunately, sometimes violence is the only way to settle something - a good example is World War II. Diplomacy would work in an ideal world, but Hitler was given the Sudetenland(spelling?), then Alsace, then Czechoslovakia and finally Poland (given, is an arguable term, but lets just say that neither the Russians nor the French, who both had agreements to defend Poland, did not, until at least 6 months later.)
Tell me then, how are geeks bearing guns going to "do the trick"?
Unless there is a "general call to arms" caused by some substantial civil unrest due to some fascist policy, I don't think that geeks with guns will do the trick.
Especially considering that the majority of us aren't exactly fighting material outside the realm of quake 3 (ironically, if anyone who reads this thinks that they are "eleet", please explain how to field strip a pistol - or even eject a magazine).
Quite possibly, part of the country with guns might do the trick, however, if we don't fight for our rights to bear arms, have free speech, the freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, religion and the media, we will not have them. Once we cross a line, it is diffucult, if not impossible to go back.
In the United States, your right to demonstrate has been severely curtailed by a ever increasing brutal and abusive police force (of small sections of it). Once sitins could work, and they did, however now police flood in with tear gas GRENADES and batons. (I believe Orwell called them truncheons, but again, I digress)
Although I hope that civil rights are not squashed in 50 years, and I severely doubt that they will, I, for the first time, see a possibility of such things happen. Even the prospect frightens me and I believe that is part of my civic duty to see that such things do not happen. This does, after all have nothing to do with being a geek, but instead, being a citizen.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
Though, from 1995 to 1999, some statistics from the page you gave "try the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics for NSW "
Robbery without a weapon 4518 to 6413
Robbery with a firearm 677 to 1099
Robbery with a weapon not a firearm 1465 to 3515
Theft Breaking&entering - dwelling 61336 to 77178
Breaking and entering - non-dwelling 40393 to 45551
Significant increases during a one year time are noted and shown on that chart.
Murder's down though...
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
China. - 'nuff said. You get killed by the govt for pissing someone off, either that or 60 years for voicing an oppinion. Prisoners cut prison grounds grass with fucking scissors or by hand. Slave labor / sweatshops common
India: fuckal rights. punishments range from dismemberment to executions - for killing a fucking cow.
Slave labor / sweatshops common.
South America - Brasilian death squads killing street children, black slavery in certain countries - need I say more?
Slave labor / sweatshops common
Former USSR countries: either controlled by mob bosses or the military. dirt fucking poor people, get contracts on peoples lives for under one hundred US$. The russians also fucked afghanistan and several other republics using lots of military force and large yeild fuel air explosives.
ever hear of russian brides, fuck...
again, shit poor people led by power hungry despots.
Australia - wonderful new law they passed (see recent slashdot story), no guns, though civil liberties are intact for the majority of things.
Eastern europe is quite frankly, fucking scary. The people are dirt poor and have no rights. Corrupt cops are everywhere
Europe - can't make a definitive statement on the whole thing, as certain parts are better than others. Overall, fairly good, perhaps better than usa. I've been to england, france, italy and germany - overall not bad, often a bit better. Our cops don't carry full automatic assault rifles / submachine guns as everyday items, and have a tendency to be a little less corrupt / oppresive against blacks, etc...
England has led the way in monitoring their citizens with a wide variety of video cameras. London is blanketed 100% with cameras - also engage in civil war / butchery on their own soil (though the ira sometimes does deserve it)
The brits, incidentally, were very brutal in prior times, almost as bad as the spanish and french. Fuckit, water under the bridge.
Japan seems fairly peaceful, but activists are not as common, etc. . .
Yes, the USA is racist, has a large amount of military incursions and we execute children,and are also on one of the countries on the "shit list" in regards to executions. Punishments are racially biased et cetra. Oh. The usa has a draft, although most countries have compulsory military service.
Yes, we also take fucking _tanks_ to "pacify" fellow americans - then light them on fire, waco comes to mind.
Fuckit, you're posting anonymously. Have some fucking guts next time and lose some fucking karma.
Oh, and I repeat - North america includes canada.
Read next time (unless you're an uneducated american who thinks that NAmerica is the USA.)
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
BTW, I'm white, and european, so this isn't exactly a flame.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
this is scary... shit.
btw, the quote is from "someones rules for dating my daughter", it's #9...
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
i.e. computers. Wonder whether they will be tarrifed as "illegal decoding devices"
This part's a beaut!
Libraries will have exemptions similar to the ones they already hold for distributing information but they will not be able to build up searchable collections, or provide material in competition with commercial providers.
i.e. dewey decimal system? no cardfiles? Also nice to know that when I ask for information they will refer me to a pay site. Thats pretty fucking draconian. Feel sorry for you guys.
I'll bet the local (USA) copyright assholes are drooling over this and kicking themselves for not thinking of this first.
I guess this is the next logical step after taking your guns away.
the phrase "when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns" comes to mind.
I have some trouble believing that this is true, this is scary. damn.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
Oh. Thank God. I have until Sunday to make whatever decoding device I want. WTF is this BS? do they they think they are deceiving anyone?
Making and supplying software for cracking protective codes will also be illegal but the law has been worded to avoid covering the computers such software could run on.
i.e. c++, perl, pascal and qbasic, oh... About the computers such sw could be run on - append "yet" to that statement.
I'm not suprised that this passed, but why we didnt hear about it earlier. oh well...
augh.. ranted enough today.
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
Funny thing is, that even though this was published, the corporations will still claim plausible deniability, and that this will still go thru.
(appologies in advance for the sentence structure/grammar, but I've been up for 32 hrs and am going for a well needed rest)
Lets all write our congress person! And then, we'll show them by boycotting the product - that'll show them!!
oh... that didn't work in the past.
I mean, we all bitched when
- we found out that DVD players had region codes
- the DMCA was being passed
- the us government said that linking was illegal,
- decss was declared illegal
- our right to fair use was rendered void, but our rights remained (i.e. copy protection on digital TV's and fair use)
- we found out that ms word docs had a UID
and so on...
A shitload of people refused to buy DVD players in order to "boycott" the industry - which is doing quite well without them (well those who haven't given in yet...)
Honestly, get real, this is america and you have no voice here (I smell flame, bring it on), unless you pay for the congress person's / president's election, or for the industry parties.)
This standard will be passed - money was put into developing this and it will not be wasted - how much $ do you think the "RIAA" un officially gave the companies to develop this. (ironically, its probably not much, just paid for a party, booze, cuban cigars and hookers, but I digress)
These companies are not stupid - they realize that consumers are not going to stick with "small" 60 gig HDD's, but instead buy the 200 or 300 gig HDD when comes out. I wonder - if they are the same price, and the 300 gig runs faster etc... which one will you choose?
Even if you choose the fomer (un"protected"), the majority of the consumers will buy the larger/faster model.
95% of americans are sheep and will buy shit they don't even need. Anything that is marketed properly sells - _ANY_thing.
These 95% will create a market for the protected HDD's, which will be marketed under the premise of "protecting your data from hackers", "letting you listen to music on your pc" or some other stupid bullshit.
The 5% who want unprotected HDD's will whine, then realize that no one (or some super expensive / custom comapny) produces the unprotected hard drives. Finally they will buy the protected versions because they "need" to, or because a need will be created (want legal music? buy a new hard drive)
We are a consumer society, many of us will devour what is new - i.e. new dvds, music etc...
Those who want to "keep in touch with society" will do so - however it will be through sacrificing their ideals (i.e. giving out and buying a new protected hdd) or by commiting illegal acts (watching a divx encoded movie or downloading illegal mp3's)
Finally I say this;
The 95% will gladly exchange their rights for some security (someone has the sig that says they deserve neither)
Finding people who are willing to do this creates absolutism - and despotism. i.e. shit like this helped hitler, mussolini and the european absolutionist rulers in the 1700-1800's gain __absolute__ power - all these rulers also abused that power.
Oh... and the industry will NEVER say "whoops, lets take that back" once it has been introduced into the market.
Ironically North America is the best place to live in the world right, and is "leading" in civil rights et cetera.
Dunno what I'm suprised at, my confidence in humans has dropped quite a bit this week.
Fucking greedy lot we are, it's pretty disgusting.
A friend just returned from Indonesia, the police and army are shooting at each other because they both want to collect money from the refugees that are fleeing the massacres in their villages.
Beautiful ain't it? You should see some pictures of decapitated bodies, et cetera.
(sig doesn't really fit with this post)
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.
Oh.. did you take a look at that pathintosh in the quickeies yesterday - the poor dude was running off a cable modem...
I have a shotgun, a shovel and 30 acres behind the barn.