According to the article, just opening the PS2 voids the warranty; installing a modchip could land you with jail time and a fairly hefty fine...
That's crap. I haven't read the article yet... thought I'd look at a few responses of those that have first, but if it does indeed state this, then I don't see what right Playstation can have (beyond voiding the warranty) to take legal action. Especially if it cannot be proved that piracy is occurring. In fact, the only way I can see them making a legal claim is after someone has misappropriated software (I hate the term pirate), they throw that term/condition at them.
IMHO, once you buy a piece of equipment, it's yours to do with as you wish. This seems similar to the attempts of Digital Convergance to keep people from opening their CueCat... If you don't want someone modifying your product, MAKE IT RIGHT TO BEGIN WITH! Let's face it, chipping a PS2 to play import games is a reasonable modification to an unreasonable limitation. Today's world is just to small not to be expected to pick up an imported game either through travels, on the internet, or by trading games. When I lived in Germany, one of the first things I did was buy a TV that was able to understand both European and the American formats.
So I guess I'm off to read the article. I would imagine it indicates that Playstation has in their purchase agreement that the game system is purchased with the agreement that the user will not modify.... blah, blah....It goes against the American way: Inventor has idea, makes prototype, patents idea; consumer buys product, has an idea, changes product to suit needs, is happy; inventor scratches head, states "hmmm...", improves product.
BTW, the reason I hate the term pirate and piracy, is software misappropriation takes away the glory of being a true pirate! When KeWl Hax@rs start impaling each other with swords and typing code with a hook on one hand, then they can modify the term "pirate." Until then, the user agrees that to be considered pirate, they must brandish steel, wear an eyepatch and have a close, personal relationship with a parrot. Said parrot must have a foul mouth and/or belittle female passers-by, hereafter referred to as wenches.
Ciao cfeagans
Be advised: by reading this message, you agree to not change it's content by design or accident. Modifications of punctuality and spelling are included in this agreement, though they may improve the overall readability. Modifications to grammer and syntax are also prohibited, as they take away from the original designer's intent. Failure to comply with this agreement is punishable by fine or imprisonment or both.
I think that Linux is fast becoming more mainstream... it's not yet, but it's reaching that point everyday.
Games for Linux would certainly give that added push, but I don't see it happenning very fast. First, the companies that write, sell and profit from computer games need an incentive to write for them.... from their perspective, Linux is about "free" and "open." The reality is, that I'd be willing to pay for software (games or applications for an operating system that was free, easy to install, very secure, and extremely user-friendly.
The above ain't Linux. Yet.
With the development of user-friendly software like Eazel
and increased focus on the installation interfaces of Linux, more and more Windows users will be willing to make the switch. Especially if Microsoft makes the drastic changes it's rumoured to be planning, such as yearly subscription, elimination of DOS commands/command prompts, etc.
I've installed Linux several times over the last few years, and with each new install, it just gets easier and less painful. There was a time when I really liked wading through how-tos and doing trial and error steps to get my video card set just right, but these days I'm too busy for that crap. I want to install it and occasionally update it. I'm starting to understand something I always criticized newbies for... most folks want to have a tool they can use like a car. My wife's as good a driver as I am (don't let her know I concede that point, though), but she can't change the oil. It drives her nuts that I'd want to rather than pay $40 at Jiffy Lube.
Microsoft won't always be king of the hill, and I can't wait to see them put on a level playing field with an equal or superior operating system. But I have to acknowledge that they got there because they had some insight as to what folks wanted on their computers... I was one of the few geeks that was happy with a dos prompt... like all of the other geeks, I dropped to dos for YEARS (and still) to perform quick operations... Most people don't want to even see that black screen... it scares them!
I don't play a lot of games, but I would love to have Tie-vs-Xwing and Jedi on Linux! If so, Linux would be booted much more than Win... In fact, beyond my need to use Office 2k, I wouldn't need Win for anything!
The government has too many domestic problems to figure out how to explore/colonize. The head of state changes several times, balance of power between him and the representative body changes contstantly. Rather than try to allocate funds for exploration/colonization, the government is more than happy to let private enterprise do the job.
Publically shared companies first explore for resources to exploit... then send in colonists to do reap the rewards... money is made and everyone is happy. Except the government doesn't pay attention to which of its citizens are being picked for colonization.... it doesn't pay attention to what goes on in the colonies.... a couple hundred years go by. The colonists have had to govern themselves all this time then the government steps in and pisses on everyones parade.....
And the Sam Adams leads a bunch of vigilantes to dump tea in the Boston Harbor. Thomas Jefferson drafts the Declaration of Independence!
Okay.... a little off topic at first glance, but the point is, maybe government should step back and let private enterprise take the risks. If it can be done cost effectively, businessmen like Trump and Gates (only mention him because he has money.... don't flame me ) can do it. Let these guys get a foothold on mining and manufacturing... hell they would problably build a resort on a space station or the moon for the wealthy to help pay for the expense of crew/worker quarters.
True, no one corporation would have the capital to pull off a Space Program, but pulling resources together, raising venture capital... it could be done as easily (IMHO) as by taxing us... I think it would cost significantly less. The government would just have to offer some incentive... much like Henry VII did back in the 1500's to convince joint stock companies in England to start exploring America.
People don't want to fight if it means they put they're own ass on the line.
Yeah... right. That's why in those days, the soldiers used to stand side-by-side and hurl themselves into the enemy who was side-by-side. Hundreds, even thousands, of warriors, each armed with a bladed weapon.... only a very few died instantly from their wounds... the rest perished after severe loss of blood, organ failure, and infection.
Actually, I think the.50 cal machine gun is more humane than the broadsword (it'll literally cut you in half), but the Geneva convention stated that it cannot be used against personnel.... only equipment.
My Sergeant used to say, "your enemy's equipment belt is equipment! Aim for that!":-)
Cheers! cfeagans
Re:How are these 'martian' metorites getting here?
on
Life On Mars: ALH84001
·
· Score: 1
how are these metorites of 'martian' origin getting to Earth
Newton said, "everything in the universe is attracted to everything else."
how many times can a planet get hit by something big enough to launch chunks of itself in to space and still be round?
That's the question I think we should REALLY focus on... the fact remains that a piece of Mars is on our planet. We didn't go get it. It came here. That would indicate SOMEthing forced it from the surface of Mars.
If we consider that most theories of the Astroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter suggest the destruction of a planet or other large body; and if we consider that the conditions on Mars indicate that water was once in great supply but is no longer present in any measurable quantity on the surface, we might wonder if the two are related. Perhaps whatever event destroyed the planet(or planet-like) body between Mars and Jupiter affected Mars' environment.
If a large astroid/comet, large enough to completely alter a planet's environment and/or remove it's ability to sustain life, struck Mars, it would very well "force" part of the planet into space. Enter Newton's Law.
I've often wondered if someone would write a plugin for ICQ that would allow P2P filesharing of the "Napster/Gnutella/Scour" type. I think this would create problems for ICQ, however. 1)Record labels would demand some sort of action by ICQ to attempt to prevent this; 2)ICQ has been a bit unstable lately (IMHO) - this sort of bandwidth use might put it over the edge
Though, most of the problems I've noticed with ICQ lately have been with searching their user databases. This is a shame, because it would seem that if you could install a plugin that would allow another ICQ user to access a specified directory with/without a password, you could use the ICQ database to store a short list containing a genres or albums in the user details.
IMHO there are no "bad guys" in the so-called Napster Wars... just folks looking for fairness. I think its fair that the record labels make a tidy profit, I also think its fair that one can share music via the internet. I don't see how the music industry can be damaged by this. Even with DSL, my bandwidth is too limited to trade more than a few songs a day. Even though I've a 30 gig harddrive, I'd rather have a collection of CD's. Most of the music in MP3 format on my harddrive is from CD's that I own. Several of these CD's were purchased based upon MP3 files that I aquired through the net. Carlos Santana's Supernatural, for instance.
I think the question of sharing MP3 files is one that will slowly become quiet, especially as record labels discover how futile it is to regulate and as "pirateers" discover the advantage of not advertising their activities in the open. Look at the "Warez" situation. EVERYone knows that if you want a particular software title, you only need to visit the right IRC channel or alt.binaries.warez.* in UseNet and be patient. Sure... folks get into trouble all the time. I've no doubt that certain software companies are monitoring these same places, but they don't make their activities very public since this would make matters worse. Both sides understand the importance of discretion and privacy.
Based upon your headline and the sheer number of users on/. your fecal capacity must be at maximum ("full of shit," in your vernacular).
The "war" as you put it isn't over. People will always find a way to get what they want and business will always find a way to provide it in terms that they can accept in order to make a profit. In time, the record labels will realize that the existence of P2P, IRC, & USENet file sharing is not enforcible. Furthermore, they'll begin to understand that most people who download tracks from their [the record companies] CDs will eventually purchase music based on what they've heard. Markets are currently opening up that never existed before simply because of this... if you look at record company earnings in the last few years (admittedly, I have not), I bet you'll find that their is an increase in profits... not a decrease.
I think I speak for the vast majority of/. users when I say that I don't want to hurt the music industry... by theft or boycott (grin). I do hope your "letters to the powers that be" had less vulgarity in them than your post here so they'll take you seriously.;-)
Now I have a use for the $19.95 keyboard I bought for my Palm IIIxe at Office Depot when they ran the "mistake ad" in their sale paper a few months ago.:-)
Now I can use my Palm for more than just reading/. from the toilet!
Slashdot Mirror
That's crap. I haven't read the article yet... thought I'd look at a few responses of those that have first, but if it does indeed state this, then I don't see what right Playstation can have (beyond voiding the warranty) to take legal action. Especially if it cannot be proved that piracy is occurring. In fact, the only way I can see them making a legal claim is after someone has misappropriated software (I hate the term pirate), they throw that term/condition at them.
IMHO, once you buy a piece of equipment, it's yours to do with as you wish. This seems similar to the attempts of Digital Convergance to keep people from opening their CueCat... If you don't want someone modifying your product, MAKE IT RIGHT TO BEGIN WITH! Let's face it, chipping a PS2 to play import games is a reasonable modification to an unreasonable limitation. Today's world is just to small not to be expected to pick up an imported game either through travels, on the internet, or by trading games. When I lived in Germany, one of the first things I did was buy a TV that was able to understand both European and the American formats.
So I guess I'm off to read the article. I would imagine it indicates that Playstation has in their purchase agreement that the game system is purchased with the agreement that the user will not modify.... blah, blah....It goes against the American way: Inventor has idea, makes prototype, patents idea; consumer buys product, has an idea, changes product to suit needs, is happy; inventor scratches head, states "hmmm...", improves product.
BTW, the reason I hate the term pirate and piracy, is software misappropriation takes away the glory of being a true pirate! When KeWl Hax@rs start impaling each other with swords and typing code with a hook on one hand, then they can modify the term "pirate." Until then, the user agrees that to be considered pirate, they must brandish steel, wear an eyepatch and have a close, personal relationship with a parrot. Said parrot must have a foul mouth and/or belittle female passers-by, hereafter referred to as wenches.
Ciao
cfeagans
Be advised: by reading this message, you agree to not change it's content by design or accident. Modifications of punctuality and spelling are included in this agreement, though they may improve the overall readability. Modifications to grammer and syntax are also prohibited, as they take away from the original designer's intent. Failure to comply with this agreement is punishable by fine or imprisonment or both.
Games for Linux would certainly give that added push, but I don't see it happenning very fast. First, the companies that write, sell and profit from computer games need an incentive to write for them.... from their perspective, Linux is about "free" and "open." The reality is, that I'd be willing to pay for software (games or applications for an operating system that was free, easy to install, very secure, and extremely user-friendly.
The above ain't Linux. Yet.
With the development of user-friendly software like Eazel and increased focus on the installation interfaces of Linux, more and more Windows users will be willing to make the switch. Especially if Microsoft makes the drastic changes it's rumoured to be planning, such as yearly subscription, elimination of DOS commands/command prompts, etc.
I've installed Linux several times over the last few years, and with each new install, it just gets easier and less painful. There was a time when I really liked wading through how-tos and doing trial and error steps to get my video card set just right, but these days I'm too busy for that crap. I want to install it and occasionally update it. I'm starting to understand something I always criticized newbies for... most folks want to have a tool they can use like a car. My wife's as good a driver as I am (don't let her know I concede that point, though), but she can't change the oil. It drives her nuts that I'd want to rather than pay $40 at Jiffy Lube.
Microsoft won't always be king of the hill, and I can't wait to see them put on a level playing field with an equal or superior operating system. But I have to acknowledge that they got there because they had some insight as to what folks wanted on their computers... I was one of the few geeks that was happy with a dos prompt... like all of the other geeks, I dropped to dos for YEARS (and still) to perform quick operations... Most people don't want to even see that black screen... it scares them!
I don't play a lot of games, but I would love to have Tie-vs-Xwing and Jedi on Linux! If so, Linux would be booted much more than Win... In fact, beyond my need to use Office 2k, I wouldn't need Win for anything!
Cheers
cfeagans
The government has too many domestic problems to figure out how to explore/colonize. The head of state changes several times, balance of power between him and the representative body changes contstantly. Rather than try to allocate funds for exploration/colonization, the government is more than happy to let private enterprise do the job.
Publically shared companies first explore for resources to exploit... then send in colonists to do reap the rewards... money is made and everyone is happy. Except the government doesn't pay attention to which of its citizens are being picked for colonization.... it doesn't pay attention to what goes on in the colonies.... a couple hundred years go by. The colonists have had to govern themselves all this time then the government steps in and pisses on everyones parade.....
And the Sam Adams leads a bunch of vigilantes to dump tea in the Boston Harbor. Thomas Jefferson drafts the Declaration of Independence!
Okay.... a little off topic at first glance, but the point is, maybe government should step back and let private enterprise take the risks. If it can be done cost effectively, businessmen like Trump and Gates (only mention him because he has money.... don't flame me ) can do it. Let these guys get a foothold on mining and manufacturing... hell they would problably build a resort on a space station or the moon for the wealthy to help pay for the expense of crew/worker quarters.
True, no one corporation would have the capital to pull off a Space Program, but pulling resources together, raising venture capital... it could be done as easily (IMHO) as by taxing us... I think it would cost significantly less. The government would just have to offer some incentive... much like Henry VII did back in the 1500's to convince joint stock companies in England to start exploring America.
Cheers
cfeagans
Yeah... right. That's why in those days, the soldiers used to stand side-by-side and hurl themselves into the enemy who was side-by-side. Hundreds, even thousands, of warriors, each armed with a bladed weapon.... only a very few died instantly from their wounds... the rest perished after severe loss of blood, organ failure, and infection.
Actually, I think the .50 cal machine gun is more humane than the broadsword (it'll literally cut you in half), but the Geneva convention stated that it cannot be used against personnel.... only equipment.
My Sergeant used to say, "your enemy's equipment belt is equipment! Aim for that!" :-)
Cheers!
cfeagans
Newton said, "everything in the universe is attracted to everything else."
how many times can a planet get hit by something big enough to launch chunks of itself in to space and still be round?
That's the question I think we should REALLY focus on... the fact remains that a piece of Mars is on our planet. We didn't go get it. It came here. That would indicate SOMEthing forced it from the surface of Mars.
If we consider that most theories of the Astroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter suggest the destruction of a planet or other large body; and if we consider that the conditions on Mars indicate that water was once in great supply but is no longer present in any measurable quantity on the surface, we might wonder if the two are related. Perhaps whatever event destroyed the planet(or planet-like) body between Mars and Jupiter affected Mars' environment.
If a large astroid/comet, large enough to completely alter a planet's environment and/or remove it's ability to sustain life, struck Mars, it would very well "force" part of the planet into space. Enter Newton's Law.
Cheers
cfeagans
1)Record labels would demand some sort of action by ICQ to attempt to prevent this;
2)ICQ has been a bit unstable lately (IMHO) - this sort of bandwidth use might put it over the edge
Though, most of the problems I've noticed with ICQ lately have been with searching their user databases. This is a shame, because it would seem that if you could install a plugin that would allow another ICQ user to access a specified directory with/without a password, you could use the ICQ database to store a short list containing a genres or albums in the user details.
IMHO there are no "bad guys" in the so-called Napster Wars... just folks looking for fairness. I think its fair that the record labels make a tidy profit, I also think its fair that one can share music via the internet. I don't see how the music industry can be damaged by this. Even with DSL, my bandwidth is too limited to trade more than a few songs a day. Even though I've a 30 gig harddrive, I'd rather have a collection of CD's. Most of the music in MP3 format on my harddrive is from CD's that I own. Several of these CD's were purchased based upon MP3 files that I aquired through the net. Carlos Santana's Supernatural, for instance.
I think the question of sharing MP3 files is one that will slowly become quiet, especially as record labels discover how futile it is to regulate and as "pirateers" discover the advantage of not advertising their activities in the open. Look at the "Warez" situation. EVERYone knows that if you want a particular software title, you only need to visit the right IRC channel or alt.binaries.warez.* in UseNet and be patient. Sure... folks get into trouble all the time. I've no doubt that certain software companies are monitoring these same places, but they don't make their activities very public since this would make matters worse. Both sides understand the importance of discretion and privacy.
Sorry... didn't mean to ramble ;-)
cfeagans
The "war" as you put it isn't over. People will always find a way to get what they want and business will always find a way to provide it in terms that they can accept in order to make a profit. In time, the record labels will realize that the existence of P2P, IRC, & USENet file sharing is not enforcible. Furthermore, they'll begin to understand that most people who download tracks from their [the record companies] CDs will eventually purchase music based on what they've heard. Markets are currently opening up that never existed before simply because of this... if you look at record company earnings in the last few years (admittedly, I have not), I bet you'll find that their is an increase in profits... not a decrease.
I think I speak for the vast majority of /. users when I say that I don't want to hurt the music industry... by theft or boycott (grin). I do hope your "letters to the powers that be" had less vulgarity in them than your post here so they'll take you seriously. ;-)
cfeagans
Now I can use my Palm for more than just reading /. from the toilet!
cfeagans