Copyright is dead -- not broken. Copyright is useless and enables nothing; no one creates because of copyright. I repudiate copyright on every single thing I publish in the public eye (blogs, music, video productions, etc). I use the free distribution of information to increase my billable rate for people who want to know more about my trade secrets: I'll write about things I can do, and then charge customers more for the secrets I hold back. That is where the power of creation is: in creating a bigger market for your private knowledge or unique talents (such as a band performing live for a fee but giving their digital music aware freely).
Which is why you're not an example of the type of person copyright was invented to encourage. Copyright exists to encourage the creation of works by those who would otherwise choose not to create, due to the risk that they would be unable to profit from their creations. You yourself said that you have trade secrets which you protect (something which is, BTW, codified in law) from which you make your income. This is most certainly *not* typical of your average artist, who makes money solely from the books they write, the paintings they create, or the movies they envision. So, I would contend that copyright law is not so much broken as inapplicable to your situation.
Uh, says who? How doesn't the original conception of copyright not work?
I can certainly accept that the *current* system is busted, thanks to copyright term extensions (god damn you, Sonny Bono) and the DMCA. But I fail to see the proof that copyright, as a concept, is unworkable.
It is ironic then that the editors are trying to stoke up discussion on what represents a reasonable limit to copyright while unintentionally demonstrating why the law as it currently stands is horribly broken.
How does this demonstrate that the system is broken? What if I don't want the Slashdot editors to use something *I've* created in order to push their agenda? How is this any different from, say, Microsoft taking parts of the Linux kernel and then not respecting the license by refusing to release the source? A license, I might point out, which is only enforceable due to copyright law.
The fact is, there are many people around here who like copyright as long they can get what they want for free, preferably under the GPL. The minute someone wants to exercise their rights in any other way, the system is 'broken'.
Frankly, I think the copyright system, as it stands, is still workable, as long as copyright terms don't get continuously extended. What's broken is the government, thanks to institutionalized bribary, and the laws that were passed as a result, such as the DMCA, which work to break the system entirely by allowing the media cartels to effectively hold exclusive control over their works indefinitely.
Note, I don't feel the same way about, say, the patent system. Unfortunately, around here, patents, copyrights, and trademarks seem to get mashed together and demonized equally.
Not that that should be terribly surprising. Despite the summary stating that "others welcomed the decision as appropriately respecting the intent of those who made the original movies", not a *single* comment was referenced which took this stance. What about this comment, which is one of many that points out that this ruling can be considered consistent with existing copyright law, which holds the right to create a derivative work as exclusive to the creator. Or this one, which points out that the derivative work rights assigned to a copyright holder are what give the GPL it's teeth.
But, hey, it's a lot more fun to editorialize, in this case by selectively choosing user comments in order to manufacture a perceived concensus.
I'm sure that if I were an employer, I would subconsciously judge against the applicant who listened to music I felt was low-culture.
Them I'm very glad I don't work for you. Honestly, if I'm eliminated as a candidate because of information I've freely disclosed to the world (such as my taste in music), then I don't want to work there. *shrug*
Besides, what happens if you get the job and *then* they discover some nasty secret, like you listen to Celine Dion? Now you'll just be passed over for promotions... gee, that's so much better.
No, my point is that what you list as a 'factor' is, in all probability, not actually the true factor. And without truly understanding root causes, it becomes impossible to actually understand and formulate solutions for the underlying problem. For example, if the issue is one of poverty, that effect can be reduced by assisting the poor. But to just say "father == greater chance of criminality" massively oversimplifies, turning it into a hollow soundbite.
This is not unlike saying being black makes you more likely to get arrested. There's a correlation, yes, but it doesn't prove causality, and provides insufficient insight into the *actual* issues.
But, hey, who needs insight when one can just say "all kids need a father!" and feel all warm and cozy inside.
That's right: whether or not the child had a father around.
Moron. Can we say "hidden variable"? For example, perhaps not having another adult supporting the family results in greater poverty, thus placing the child in an environment where they're more like to turn to crime.
But to say "not having a father" == criminal? That's flat our assinine, and I, as a child raised by a single mother, take *great* exception to it.
Though it should be pointed out that the DS, with it's 33 Mhz and 66 Mhz processors, has far less raw computing power than the PSP, and thus it will be much more difficult to get a port of something like MAME running at reasonable speeds.
Not that I care too much... I'm far more interested in writing new (though not terribly original:) games for the device, given it's unique capabilities.
And amusingly, I managed to manufacture an example very similar to one provided in Wikipedia's page on the Serial Comma (as linked elsewhere in this decidedly offtopic thread).
Re:Wax is also helpful to wxPython programmers
on
WxPython in Action
·
· Score: 4, Funny
So... it's an abstraction layer over a wrapper of an abstraction layer to an underlying GUI toolkit? Awesome...:)
Thank you! I've always been curious what the technical term for that phenomenon was... and, ironically, it was right in the APOD article where I first saw the image of that F/A-18 hornet. Yay for poor reading!
However, since the purpose of the comma is to serve the same purpose as using "and" (in the example of A, B and C), using a comma after B is redundant and, thus, unnecessary.
This very much depends on the sentence structure. For example:
My favorite sandwiches are turkey, ham and cheese and tuna fish.
vs
My favorite sandwiches are turkey, ham and cheese, and tuna fish.
Interestingly, watch closely, a couple minutes in, you can see pressure waves form small clouds on the leading edge of the shuttle as it breaks the sound barrier. *Very* cool stuff...
Why? How is a homosexual any different from a bisexual who merely happens to be chaste with members of the opposite sex?
Well that seems sort of obvious. In the one case, the individual is sexually attracted to members of both genders. In the other, they're not. As an example, I wouldn't refer to myself as a bisexual who just doesn't have sex with men.
Uhh... actually, it *is* illegal to modify a DVD for personal viewing, and was so long before this judge's ruling. This act would be referred to as creating a "derivative work", and is explicitely listed as one of the exlusive rights granted to the copyright holder (unless they grant that right via a licensing agreement) in section 106 of the United Stated Copyright Code. The difference, of course, is that this company was making a profit from creating derivative works (under the guise of a service), while an individual in their home is not, and thus is of little concern to copyright holders.
Forget mosquitoes. Wait for the grasshoppers. Some years, it's like the apocalypse is nigh...
And regardless, it's still a beautiful province. Land of the living skies is definitely an understatement... heck, I'd take that farm house just for the big, dark night time sky. And it does have some beautiful national parks (Cypress Hills being the most obvious example).
Well, except when I hang out with other people at their place and they want to watch TV, I get cranky and belittle them, and eventually just go into another room or leave.
Sounds like you're quite a jerk. They're probably better off without you.
Actually, there are ways to do this while keeping sensitive data in the home. For example, Invidi Technologies is developing a technology where the settop box develops a viewer profile based on programs watched, geodemographics, etc. The advertiser then provides a set of ad alternatives, along with audience targets, and it is the settop box which is then responsible for selecting the appropriate ad.
And interestingly, THC, in small doses, is used by some as a method of controlling asthma, thanks to it's bronchodilating effect. 'course, I'm not disputing your experiences (I'm an asthmatic myself, though I have no strong reactions to marijuana smoke), just pointing out an interesting finding.:)
Hah, well, people have managed to enter their names in console games, arcade machines, and so forth, for an awfully long time. I suspect direction pad + graphical keyboard == most obvious solution. 'course, if they include a touch screen, it's even easier.:)
Well, in their defence, if it's anything like Windows, my Palm T|X, or even the DS, getting Wifi to work should be a matter of turning the device on, enter the WEP/WPA key the first time, and going. TBH, I suspect it'd be just as easy/convenient as finding your USB cable, plugging the thing in and firing up iTunes
TBH, the ability to buy music from an online service right on the device sound really nice. Imagine seeing a commercial for an artist on TV or hearing a song in a coffeeshop somewhere and being able to just pick up the device and buy the song on the spot.
Well, in defense of the GP, I'd hardly call those rules so much as general guidelines. The fact that they have a section called "Usually " just reinforces the fact that gender assignment in German (much like in French and other languages) is largely arbitrary.
I apologize, you are right, that was a poor example. This article does a better job of covering the issues faced by civilly married homosexual couples.
Slashdot Mirror
Copyright is dead -- not broken. Copyright is useless and enables nothing; no one creates because of copyright. I repudiate copyright on every single thing I publish in the public eye (blogs, music, video productions, etc). I use the free distribution of information to increase my billable rate for people who want to know more about my trade secrets: I'll write about things I can do, and then charge customers more for the secrets I hold back. That is where the power of creation is: in creating a bigger market for your private knowledge or unique talents (such as a band performing live for a fee but giving their digital music aware freely).
Which is why you're not an example of the type of person copyright was invented to encourage. Copyright exists to encourage the creation of works by those who would otherwise choose not to create, due to the risk that they would be unable to profit from their creations. You yourself said that you have trade secrets which you protect (something which is, BTW, codified in law) from which you make your income. This is most certainly *not* typical of your average artist, who makes money solely from the books they write, the paintings they create, or the movies they envision. So, I would contend that copyright law is not so much broken as inapplicable to your situation.
But does it work? No.
Uh, says who? How doesn't the original conception of copyright not work?
I can certainly accept that the *current* system is busted, thanks to copyright term extensions (god damn you, Sonny Bono) and the DMCA. But I fail to see the proof that copyright, as a concept, is unworkable.
It is ironic then that the editors are trying to stoke up discussion on what represents a reasonable limit to copyright while unintentionally demonstrating why the law as it currently stands is horribly broken.
How does this demonstrate that the system is broken? What if I don't want the Slashdot editors to use something *I've* created in order to push their agenda? How is this any different from, say, Microsoft taking parts of the Linux kernel and then not respecting the license by refusing to release the source? A license, I might point out, which is only enforceable due to copyright law.
The fact is, there are many people around here who like copyright as long they can get what they want for free, preferably under the GPL. The minute someone wants to exercise their rights in any other way, the system is 'broken'.
Frankly, I think the copyright system, as it stands, is still workable, as long as copyright terms don't get continuously extended. What's broken is the government, thanks to institutionalized bribary, and the laws that were passed as a result, such as the DMCA, which work to break the system entirely by allowing the media cartels to effectively hold exclusive control over their works indefinitely.
Note, I don't feel the same way about, say, the patent system. Unfortunately, around here, patents, copyrights, and trademarks seem to get mashed together and demonized equally.
Not that that should be terribly surprising. Despite the summary stating that "others welcomed the decision as appropriately respecting the intent of those who made the original movies", not a *single* comment was referenced which took this stance. What about this comment, which is one of many that points out that this ruling can be considered consistent with existing copyright law, which holds the right to create a derivative work as exclusive to the creator. Or this one, which points out that the derivative work rights assigned to a copyright holder are what give the GPL it's teeth.
But, hey, it's a lot more fun to editorialize, in this case by selectively choosing user comments in order to manufacture a perceived concensus.
I'm sure that if I were an employer, I would subconsciously judge against the applicant who listened to music I felt was low-culture.
Them I'm very glad I don't work for you. Honestly, if I'm eliminated as a candidate because of information I've freely disclosed to the world (such as my taste in music), then I don't want to work there. *shrug*
Besides, what happens if you get the job and *then* they discover some nasty secret, like you listen to Celine Dion? Now you'll just be passed over for promotions... gee, that's so much better.
No, my point is that what you list as a 'factor' is, in all probability, not actually the true factor. And without truly understanding root causes, it becomes impossible to actually understand and formulate solutions for the underlying problem. For example, if the issue is one of poverty, that effect can be reduced by assisting the poor. But to just say "father == greater chance of criminality" massively oversimplifies, turning it into a hollow soundbite.
This is not unlike saying being black makes you more likely to get arrested. There's a correlation, yes, but it doesn't prove causality, and provides insufficient insight into the *actual* issues.
But, hey, who needs insight when one can just say "all kids need a father!" and feel all warm and cozy inside.
That's right: whether or not the child had a father around.
Moron. Can we say "hidden variable"? For example, perhaps not having another adult supporting the family results in greater poverty, thus placing the child in an environment where they're more like to turn to crime.
But to say "not having a father" == criminal? That's flat our assinine, and I, as a child raised by a single mother, take *great* exception to it.
Meh, if your DS doesn't have plenty of nicks and scratches on the case, you're not playing it enough. ;)
Though it should be pointed out that the DS, with it's 33 Mhz and 66 Mhz processors, has far less raw computing power than the PSP, and thus it will be much more difficult to get a port of something like MAME running at reasonable speeds.
:) games for the device, given it's unique capabilities.
Not that I care too much... I'm far more interested in writing new (though not terribly original
And amusingly, I managed to manufacture an example very similar to one provided in Wikipedia's page on the Serial Comma (as linked elsewhere in this decidedly offtopic thread).
So... it's an abstraction layer over a wrapper of an abstraction layer to an underlying GUI toolkit? Awesome... :)
Thank you! I've always been curious what the technical term for that phenomenon was... and, ironically, it was right in the APOD article where I first saw the image of that F/A-18 hornet. Yay for poor reading!
However, since the purpose of the comma is to serve the same purpose as using "and" (in the example of A, B and C), using a comma after B is redundant and, thus, unnecessary.
This very much depends on the sentence structure. For example:
My favorite sandwiches are turkey, ham and cheese and tuna fish.
vs
My favorite sandwiches are turkey, ham and cheese, and tuna fish.
Interestingly, watch closely, a couple minutes in, you can see pressure waves form small clouds on the leading edge of the shuttle as it breaks the sound barrier. *Very* cool stuff...
Why? How is a homosexual any different from a bisexual who merely happens to be chaste with members of the opposite sex?
Well that seems sort of obvious. In the one case, the individual is sexually attracted to members of both genders. In the other, they're not. As an example, I wouldn't refer to myself as a bisexual who just doesn't have sex with men.
Uhh... actually, it *is* illegal to modify a DVD for personal viewing, and was so long before this judge's ruling. This act would be referred to as creating a "derivative work", and is explicitely listed as one of the exlusive rights granted to the copyright holder (unless they grant that right via a licensing agreement) in section 106 of the United Stated Copyright Code. The difference, of course, is that this company was making a profit from creating derivative works (under the guise of a service), while an individual in their home is not, and thus is of little concern to copyright holders.
Forget mosquitoes. Wait for the grasshoppers. Some years, it's like the apocalypse is nigh...
And regardless, it's still a beautiful province. Land of the living skies is definitely an understatement... heck, I'd take that farm house just for the big, dark night time sky. And it does have some beautiful national parks (Cypress Hills being the most obvious example).
Well, except when I hang out with other people at their place and they want to watch TV, I get cranky and belittle them, and eventually just go into another room or leave.
Sounds like you're quite a jerk. They're probably better off without you.
Actually, there are ways to do this while keeping sensitive data in the home. For example, Invidi Technologies is developing a technology where the settop box develops a viewer profile based on programs watched, geodemographics, etc. The advertiser then provides a set of ad alternatives, along with audience targets, and it is the settop box which is then responsible for selecting the appropriate ad.
And interestingly, THC, in small doses, is used by some as a method of controlling asthma, thanks to it's bronchodilating effect. 'course, I'm not disputing your experiences (I'm an asthmatic myself, though I have no strong reactions to marijuana smoke), just pointing out an interesting finding. :)
Hah, well, people have managed to enter their names in console games, arcade machines, and so forth, for an awfully long time. I suspect direction pad + graphical keyboard == most obvious solution. 'course, if they include a touch screen, it's even easier. :)
Well, in their defence, if it's anything like Windows, my Palm T|X, or even the DS, getting Wifi to work should be a matter of turning the device on, enter the WEP/WPA key the first time, and going. TBH, I suspect it'd be just as easy/convenient as finding your USB cable, plugging the thing in and firing up iTunes
TBH, the ability to buy music from an online service right on the device sound really nice. Imagine seeing a commercial for an artist on TV or hearing a song in a coffeeshop somewhere and being able to just pick up the device and buy the song on the spot.
Suddenly that Simpsons skit has taken on a whole new meaning...
Well, in defense of the GP, I'd hardly call those rules so much as general guidelines. The fact that they have a section called "Usually " just reinforces the fact that gender assignment in German (much like in French and other languages) is largely arbitrary.
I apologize, you are right, that was a poor example. This article does a better job of covering the issues faced by civilly married homosexual couples.