And you are able to provide a response with some reasoned rhetoric to his points?
He did stay with Linux for years, after all. He may have a valid point or two. Rather than mocking him for writing this rather well-spoken article, maybe you could offer some counterpoints?
I suppose we'll see what the market decides. I have been told that vertical markets are lucrative enough to drive the creation of the Zaurus, even if Sharp hadn't been trying to re-enter the U.S. market after being so early to create a handheld 15 years ago.
To show how much faith I have that the Zaurus is going to succeed, I'm not planning to buy one unless I see it on a shelf locally next to the Palms and Visors and Wince machines. The most important thing about my Palm to me is that it has such broad support from third-party developers, so I don't fit into the vertical market niche by any stretch.
There is a viable niche that the "one-off" software can fill: vertical markets. Right now, you can buy a Palm that has been mounted in a shock-case and fitted with a bar-code scanner. This is meant to be used for inventory control, and includes some generic software. If you could easily (for a programmer anyway) customize the software, a corporation would buy several hundred for their various inventory systems.
This is one example of a vertical market, but there are plenty of others. Think of the notepads doctors carry around, and let your mind go free.:-)
I willingly paid for StarOffice direct from Sun a while back. That one CDROM included the binaries for both the Linux and Windows versions (maybe even Solaris, I forget), and the box included a real printed manual as well. The support I've never had need to use, but if you need it, that's a selling point too.
Regardless, that 40 bucks (including shipping) was a bargain compared to the various other pieces of software I've bought in the past. I've even used the drawing features to make WMF files for work, since we seem to have crap for clipart.
Do you think that, perhaps, the folks running this show actually HAVE done some research? Give them a little credit, we've all heard (or seen first-hand) the results of poor planning in bio-diversity schemes in the past.
Kudzu vines in the US South, rabbits in Australia, pigs in Hawaii - these are all well-known to the biologist community, and are undoubtedly things they keep in mind when conducting these types of programs.
The sterilization program does NOT seek to eradicate the fly, so there is no planned destruction of an entire species. The point of using sterilized mating instead of the older methods of introducing a new predator or pesticide is to protect the environment. Compared to the importation of fertile rabbits to Australia, this is GREEN science.
This seems to be a crackhead idea from the atomic energy agency.
Except for this being a tried-and-true method of reproductive control (not eradication), which has been in use for literally decades both in the U.S. and abroad.
Oh, I know that broadband is not needed by everyone (although if you know what Slashdot is, it's probably for you). I would not recommend it to my brother, who is not home often enough to make use of it. The same goes to many other people, who are happy with their dialup.
But, the math of saying people will save $40/month by not using broadband is bad, that was my only point on that comment. If broadband is at all something one would be interested in and it is available (grumble stupid small towns), the cost is not that bad if you're already paying for internet access at home.
I'd first like to know where the earlier poster gets $9/month dialup access, but that's irrelevant.
In my current town, and I'm sure it's not too unusual, the broadband access is execrable. The only option available is 128kbps symmetric DSL, for $100/month. That doesn't include the ISP charges, that's the cost for the LINE itself.
Now, with that as a comparison price, I'd have to say that I'm not "cheap" for wanting to get something more economical before going back to broadband. As soon as there's an option for something faster than 256k and cheaper than 60 bucks, I'll get it. I was paying $40 per month for 1 megabit/sec access before I moved to this burg, so I know what is possible.
The thing is, they're not going to "save $40 a month" by staying with dialup. Dialup isn't free, unless you like horrible service and random bankruptcies of your provider. Assume the normal industry standard rate of $20-22/month for dialup, and suddenly the savings of dialup over broadband are less compelling. Saving 40 dollars per month sounds like a lot, but saving 18 dollars a month is three meals at McDonalds.:-)
That was exactly my approach a few years ago when broadband was being beta-tested locally. I had a second phone line for the computer/faxes, so I didn't tie up the other line, and my end cost for the phone (no services other than local phone calls) and my ISP was $36/month. Now, most ISPs have raised their rates.
My current ISP (different town so no broadband yet dammit) charges $21.95/month. I don't have a second phone line, but I would if the local phone lines weren't such crap that my 56k connection tops out at 29k on good days. But, assuming I was confident enough in the phone lines to have a second line for data, that would end up being about $45/month for my internet access on dialup. Gee, that broadband sure does look good now...
Besides, I found broadband to be a nearly life-altering resource. Never worry about yellow pages, tv guides, etc. It becomes so convenient that you grow derisive of dialup speeds very soon.
The two actors "complimenting one another" must be an entertaining scene of mutual admiration, as opposed to the "complementing" that one would expect in a good scene.
"Wilson really comes into his own in this is a disciplined, old-style Hollywood war yarn." Sentence structure?
"his weary Admiral Riegart" - It's either "his weary admiral, played by..." or "the weary Admiral Riegart."
"an authentic, gung-ho quality too it" - Too it?
As a professional journalist, does Mr. Katz not bother to edit his material before posting to Slashdot? Is that beneath him, or just sloppy with things that aren't paying?:-)
Re:Anyone read the books?
on
Review: K-PAX
·
· Score: 1
K-Pax, of course. And, the newer one is "On a Beam of Light" with a third supposedly on the way. K-Pax was released in 1995, so don't hold your breath for book #3.
I don't think you need to bother with detecting browsers and setting up alternate versions of each of your major pages. That kind of thing is terribly labor-intensive and not practical for most organizations.
What you can do, though, is ensure that your pages "gracefully degrade" to lower HTML versions. For instance, if you use CSS for formatting, make sure that your page will still display without CSS turned on. Also, ensure you have text-only links for every graphic link on your page.
Fortunately, there are good resources available online for you to use: the WWW Consortium has an HTML validator, and CAST has the Bobby accessibility test. If you run your pages through those two tools, you'd be surprised how easy it can be to make your pages work with almost any browser, while still allowing fancy effects for the high-end browsers.
I heartily defend the idea of allowing dialup users to opt-out of the graphics-laden site to a low-bandwidth version, if you use too much Flash and crap instead of just putting out information, though.:-)
While I am a vocal Windows-basher, and consider the Blackbox desktop to be awesome, there is something that many "unix-centric" folks forget.
Unix has been on big hardware for years, and will remain the server OS of choice (hopefully) for a long time. This is because, when you are working on systems that require stability, you are willing to hack into config files to make sure that once running it will stay running.
The same mindset does not hold true for the majority of business and home users. They don't need rock-solid stability (although it would be welcome). If their system flakes out on them, they don't lose much, in comparison to a Yahoo or an Amazon. But, they do expect their systems to be easily accessible for the things they DO want to do.
This means that most users (or lusers if you prefer) want and expect there to be a simple interface to do normal user things, like change screen resolution and passwords etc. So, the fact that there isn't a really solid Linux control panel makes Linux a lesser choice for these people.
Personally, I use Linux as my primary OS and have for about 2 years now. I can find my way around a text file with aplomb. My girlfriend, although a proto-geek herself, just wants the machine to run and let her write her papers and surf the net. THAT is the segment of the computer-using public that needs to be reached in order for Linux to be anything more than a server/geek OS.
And, since Linux is free in every sense, as well as nearly bomb-proof in stability, I sure hope that day is soon.
I love vaporware. Why don't we put together a website devoted to the vaporous handhelds touted so much on/.
Include Zaurus, Yopy, VR3, what else? Sure, the claim is that the VR is shipping, but from the reviews it sounds like it should be recalled in about 20 minutes. Yopy was first to vapor, still no production model in sight. Zaurus, well... Sharp has some issues.:-)
I have a simple cheapo webcam from Logitech, and when I downloaded a "patch" from them to fix some minor bugs and add some functions to the basic software that came with it, I noticed something very wrong.
The original software had a webcam-update feature that defaulted to using a partner website (forget the name now), but it allowed you to send the JPEGs and HTML anywhere you wanted, via FTP. SO, I had a nice little webpage on my site with a randomly-updated image of me looking stupid staring at my monitor.
The "upgraded" software will ONLY connect to the Logitech partner site, and they have thus far (4 months) ignored my emails requesting an explanation or a fix. So, I am forced to look for shareware or freeware programs to do something that is explicitly ADVERTISED will work on a piece of $40 hardware. Naturally, I can't just go back to the original software, since it is incompatible with WinME, which is on my new machine and which prompted the update in the first place. Grrr...
At least in the U.S.A, the blank media only have royalties if they are the "Audio CDR" types. You can't use CDRs in the Phillips home CD-copier unless they have special codes, so the standard 50-pack spindle CDs only can be burned on a PC.
This was a compromise worked out years ago, when Philips and others began working on consumer CD-copying technology. The industry realized they couldn't afford to piss off the millions of legitimate CD-R owners by levying extra taxes on them to pay the RIAA when the disks were most likely going to be used for writing archived porn or some such, not music.
Since then, though, it seems that most of my "newbie" friends use their CD burners exclusively to copy audio CDs. Time keeps on ticking tickin tickin...
Look, I don't pirate music, I burn MP3s to CDs to play on my RioVolt. BUT, if I can't play regular audio CDs on that same player, which is designed specifically to play audio CDs as well as MP3 disks, I will be annoyed at least.
I'm sure that all those people who bought high-end car stereos that use CDROM technology to augment their anti-skip mechanisms will be annoyed when the new CD they bought won't work in their year-old stereo.
Whether copying the CD is fair use or not, being able to play it in a device that is sold explicitly for the purpose of playing CD audio is fair use. Otherwise, all you have is a shiny coaster, and who wants to pay 15 bucks for that?
Sure, the recording industry can lock down the content in any way they see fit, which is the point of DataPlay. But, to lock down an existing format by rendering much high-end equipment worthless is a public-relations blunder of the highest order.
Well, the rest of the thread wasn't up yet when I posted, but it brings up another point.
The poster did NOT specifically mention Iraq in the same breath as "imperialism" and is thus guilty of poor English usage. (see antecedents)
Regardless, Freedom is freedom, to do with the programs whatever anyone wishes. I really doubt that Microsoft is upset that Iraq or Libya is using Windows. It's a nonsensical argument.
I normally don't reply to trolls, but you've popped up too often on this thread...
OK, here is MY EXPERIENCE with MP3s. I can't possibly speak for everyone, but this is me. I am 30 years old, I have been a soldier for 12 years, and I have been a computer geek since I was 10. I listen to MP3s, mainly from Usenet postings of unreleased albums. If I like the album, I buy the CD.
As an example, when the last "No Doubt" album was released, I was at the store on the first day of issue, so I could buy one. Three weeks earlier, I would never have imagined I would buy it, but it was a damned good set of songs. If I had not sampled it via Usenet, I would not have bought the CD. Seriously.
Another example is Metallica. Except for a track here and there, I've never been a huge Metallica fan. I grabbed about 3 or 4 tracks from the S&M album off Usenet, and then bought the double-CD set. Even Metallica has made money from MP3s.
If the RIAA would consider MP3s to be advertising, or radio-like, they may have a chance to make money off them. So far, the digital distribution schemes seem to involve charging as much or more for the privelige of downloading the tracks, rather than going to the store and getting cover art and a jewel case. Personally, I'd be very inclined to use an industry-approved download system, if they guaranteed quality-of-service (not an option with the P2P systems obviously), and if they charged LESS than the physical CD.
As it is now, I tend to listen to music from internet radio stations, check out random tracks from Usenet or Gnutella, and buy CDs from CDNow.
I buy a lot of CDs, and I burn many of them to MP3 format to listen to in my MP3/CD player, so I can have 10 or 12 hours of music on one disc. Makes those cross-country car drives much nicer.
So, don't paint everyone with the same brush, but realize that at least some of us are really not just out to be thieves. YMMV
According to the article, many car CD players will refuse to play these CDs, as will all "multimedia PC" systems. So, let's assume I've got my big Altec Lansing subwoofer hooked up to my PC, and it's the only CD player I own (not really, but many of my friends in the army only have their PCs to play CDs on, to save space). Now, I can't play any new CDs on this machine, because I MIGHT copy them? Well, I can't even listen to them "wherever I like" so I'm not going to buy them either.
If I put this CD in my new RioVolt MP3/CD player (the only CD player in my car), will it cease to function? Now, I've got a portable CD player (RioVolt) that can't play audio CDs of the new style, I've got a home audio system (MPC) that can't play the new CDs. And, this somehow does NOT infringe on fair use?
I know plenty of college students and soldiers that don't buy stereos, because they have computers. These happen to be the ages that buy the majority of popular music as well. I imagine the RIAA is not so smart on this one.
Hmmm, has the US suddenly turned into the Great Empire of North America while I was not looking?
If Linux is used by the US military, it's used by an all-volunteer force that is bound by oath to preserving the Constitution of the United States and DEFENDING it against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Nothing Imperialistic there.
Slashdot Mirror
Compared to the usual spelling (or is that speeling?) standards online, that is a pretty minor nit. Want to trade spellings of "your" for a while?
And you are able to provide a response with some reasoned rhetoric to his points?
He did stay with Linux for years, after all. He may have a valid point or two. Rather than mocking him for writing this rather well-spoken article, maybe you could offer some counterpoints?
I suppose we'll see what the market decides. I have been told that vertical markets are lucrative enough to drive the creation of the Zaurus, even if Sharp hadn't been trying to re-enter the U.S. market after being so early to create a handheld 15 years ago.
To show how much faith I have that the Zaurus is going to succeed, I'm not planning to buy one unless I see it on a shelf locally next to the Palms and Visors and Wince machines. The most important thing about my Palm to me is that it has such broad support from third-party developers, so I don't fit into the vertical market niche by any stretch.
There is a viable niche that the "one-off" software can fill: vertical markets. Right now, you can buy a Palm that has been mounted in a shock-case and fitted with a bar-code scanner. This is meant to be used for inventory control, and includes some generic software. If you could easily (for a programmer anyway) customize the software, a corporation would buy several hundred for their various inventory systems.
:-)
This is one example of a vertical market, but there are plenty of others. Think of the notepads doctors carry around, and let your mind go free.
Wasn't this used in the Neal Stephenson book, Zodiac?
I willingly paid for StarOffice direct from Sun a while back. That one CDROM included the binaries for both the Linux and Windows versions (maybe even Solaris, I forget), and the box included a real printed manual as well. The support I've never had need to use, but if you need it, that's a selling point too.
Regardless, that 40 bucks (including shipping) was a bargain compared to the various other pieces of software I've bought in the past. I've even used the drawing features to make WMF files for work, since we seem to have crap for clipart.
Do you think that, perhaps, the folks running this show actually HAVE done some research? Give them a little credit, we've all heard (or seen first-hand) the results of poor planning in bio-diversity schemes in the past.
Kudzu vines in the US South, rabbits in Australia, pigs in Hawaii - these are all well-known to the biologist community, and are undoubtedly things they keep in mind when conducting these types of programs.
The sterilization program does NOT seek to eradicate the fly, so there is no planned destruction of an entire species. The point of using sterilized mating instead of the older methods of introducing a new predator or pesticide is to protect the environment. Compared to the importation of fertile rabbits to Australia, this is GREEN science.
Except for this being a tried-and-true method of reproductive control (not eradication), which has been in use for literally decades both in the U.S. and abroad.
Oh, I know that broadband is not needed by everyone (although if you know what Slashdot is, it's probably for you). I would not recommend it to my brother, who is not home often enough to make use of it. The same goes to many other people, who are happy with their dialup.
But, the math of saying people will save $40/month by not using broadband is bad, that was my only point on that comment. If broadband is at all something one would be interested in and it is available (grumble stupid small towns), the cost is not that bad if you're already paying for internet access at home.
I'd first like to know where the earlier poster gets $9/month dialup access, but that's irrelevant.
In my current town, and I'm sure it's not too unusual, the broadband access is execrable. The only option available is 128kbps symmetric DSL, for $100/month. That doesn't include the ISP charges, that's the cost for the LINE itself.
Now, with that as a comparison price, I'd have to say that I'm not "cheap" for wanting to get something more economical before going back to broadband. As soon as there's an option for something faster than 256k and cheaper than 60 bucks, I'll get it. I was paying $40 per month for 1 megabit/sec access before I moved to this burg, so I know what is possible.
The thing is, they're not going to "save $40 a month" by staying with dialup. Dialup isn't free, unless you like horrible service and random bankruptcies of your provider. Assume the normal industry standard rate of $20-22/month for dialup, and suddenly the savings of dialup over broadband are less compelling. Saving 40 dollars per month sounds like a lot, but saving 18 dollars a month is three meals at McDonalds. :-)
That was exactly my approach a few years ago when broadband was being beta-tested locally. I had a second phone line for the computer/faxes, so I didn't tie up the other line, and my end cost for the phone (no services other than local phone calls) and my ISP was $36/month. Now, most ISPs have raised their rates.
:-)
My current ISP (different town so no broadband yet dammit) charges $21.95/month. I don't have a second phone line, but I would if the local phone lines weren't such crap that my 56k connection tops out at 29k on good days. But, assuming I was confident enough in the phone lines to have a second line for data, that would end up being about $45/month for my internet access on dialup. Gee, that broadband sure does look good now...
Besides, I found broadband to be a nearly life-altering resource. Never worry about yellow pages, tv guides, etc. It becomes so convenient that you grow derisive of dialup speeds very soon.
Can you tell I miss my cable modem?
Other malapropisms I noted:
:-)
The two actors "complimenting one another" must be an entertaining scene of mutual admiration, as opposed to the "complementing" that one would expect in a good scene.
"Wilson really comes into his own in this is a disciplined, old-style Hollywood war yarn." Sentence structure?
"his weary Admiral Riegart" - It's either "his weary admiral, played by..." or "the weary Admiral Riegart."
"an authentic, gung-ho quality too it" - Too it?
As a professional journalist, does Mr. Katz not bother to edit his material before posting to Slashdot? Is that beneath him, or just sloppy with things that aren't paying?
K-Pax, of course. And, the newer one is "On a Beam of Light" with a third supposedly on the way. K-Pax was released in 1995, so don't hold your breath for book #3.
I don't think you need to bother with detecting browsers and setting up alternate versions of each of your major pages. That kind of thing is terribly labor-intensive and not practical for most organizations.
:-)
What you can do, though, is ensure that your pages "gracefully degrade" to lower HTML versions. For instance, if you use CSS for formatting, make sure that your page will still display without CSS turned on. Also, ensure you have text-only links for every graphic link on your page.
Fortunately, there are good resources available online for you to use: the WWW Consortium has an HTML validator, and CAST has the Bobby accessibility test. If you run your pages through those two tools, you'd be surprised how easy it can be to make your pages work with almost any browser, while still allowing fancy effects for the high-end browsers.
I heartily defend the idea of allowing dialup users to opt-out of the graphics-laden site to a low-bandwidth version, if you use too much Flash and crap instead of just putting out information, though.
Clarke, actually, not Asimov.
While I am a vocal Windows-basher, and consider the Blackbox desktop to be awesome, there is something that many "unix-centric" folks forget. Unix has been on big hardware for years, and will remain the server OS of choice (hopefully) for a long time. This is because, when you are working on systems that require stability, you are willing to hack into config files to make sure that once running it will stay running. The same mindset does not hold true for the majority of business and home users. They don't need rock-solid stability (although it would be welcome). If their system flakes out on them, they don't lose much, in comparison to a Yahoo or an Amazon. But, they do expect their systems to be easily accessible for the things they DO want to do. This means that most users (or lusers if you prefer) want and expect there to be a simple interface to do normal user things, like change screen resolution and passwords etc. So, the fact that there isn't a really solid Linux control panel makes Linux a lesser choice for these people. Personally, I use Linux as my primary OS and have for about 2 years now. I can find my way around a text file with aplomb. My girlfriend, although a proto-geek herself, just wants the machine to run and let her write her papers and surf the net. THAT is the segment of the computer-using public that needs to be reached in order for Linux to be anything more than a server/geek OS. And, since Linux is free in every sense, as well as nearly bomb-proof in stability, I sure hope that day is soon.
I love vaporware. Why don't we put together a website devoted to the vaporous handhelds touted so much on /.
:-)
Include Zaurus, Yopy, VR3, what else? Sure, the claim is that the VR is shipping, but from the reviews it sounds like it should be recalled in about 20 minutes. Yopy was first to vapor, still no production model in sight. Zaurus, well... Sharp has some issues.
I have a simple cheapo webcam from Logitech, and when I downloaded a "patch" from them to fix some minor bugs and add some functions to the basic software that came with it, I noticed something very wrong.
The original software had a webcam-update feature that defaulted to using a partner website (forget the name now), but it allowed you to send the JPEGs and HTML anywhere you wanted, via FTP. SO, I had a nice little webpage on my site with a randomly-updated image of me looking stupid staring at my monitor.
The "upgraded" software will ONLY connect to the Logitech partner site, and they have thus far (4 months) ignored my emails requesting an explanation or a fix. So, I am forced to look for shareware or freeware programs to do something that is explicitly ADVERTISED will work on a piece of $40 hardware. Naturally, I can't just go back to the original software, since it is incompatible with WinME, which is on my new machine and which prompted the update in the first place. Grrr...
At least in the U.S.A, the blank media only have royalties if they are the "Audio CDR" types. You can't use CDRs in the Phillips home CD-copier unless they have special codes, so the standard 50-pack spindle CDs only can be burned on a PC.
This was a compromise worked out years ago, when Philips and others began working on consumer CD-copying technology. The industry realized they couldn't afford to piss off the millions of legitimate CD-R owners by levying extra taxes on them to pay the RIAA when the disks were most likely going to be used for writing archived porn or some such, not music.
Since then, though, it seems that most of my "newbie" friends use their CD burners exclusively to copy audio CDs. Time keeps on ticking tickin tickin...
Look, I don't pirate music, I burn MP3s to CDs to play on my RioVolt. BUT, if I can't play regular audio CDs on that same player, which is designed specifically to play audio CDs as well as MP3 disks, I will be annoyed at least.
I'm sure that all those people who bought high-end car stereos that use CDROM technology to augment their anti-skip mechanisms will be annoyed when the new CD they bought won't work in their year-old stereo.
Whether copying the CD is fair use or not, being able to play it in a device that is sold explicitly for the purpose of playing CD audio is fair use. Otherwise, all you have is a shiny coaster, and who wants to pay 15 bucks for that?
Sure, the recording industry can lock down the content in any way they see fit, which is the point of DataPlay. But, to lock down an existing format by rendering much high-end equipment worthless is a public-relations blunder of the highest order.
Well, the rest of the thread wasn't up yet when I posted, but it brings up another point.
The poster did NOT specifically mention Iraq in the same breath as "imperialism" and is thus guilty of poor English usage. (see antecedents)
Regardless, Freedom is freedom, to do with the programs whatever anyone wishes. I really doubt that Microsoft is upset that Iraq or Libya is using Windows. It's a nonsensical argument.
I normally don't reply to trolls, but you've popped up too often on this thread...
OK, here is MY EXPERIENCE with MP3s. I can't possibly speak for everyone, but this is me. I am 30 years old, I have been a soldier for 12 years, and I have been a computer geek since I was 10. I listen to MP3s, mainly from Usenet postings of unreleased albums. If I like the album, I buy the CD.
As an example, when the last "No Doubt" album was released, I was at the store on the first day of issue, so I could buy one. Three weeks earlier, I would never have imagined I would buy it, but it was a damned good set of songs. If I had not sampled it via Usenet, I would not have bought the CD. Seriously.
Another example is Metallica. Except for a track here and there, I've never been a huge Metallica fan. I grabbed about 3 or 4 tracks from the S&M album off Usenet, and then bought the double-CD set. Even Metallica has made money from MP3s.
If the RIAA would consider MP3s to be advertising, or radio-like, they may have a chance to make money off them. So far, the digital distribution schemes seem to involve charging as much or more for the privelige of downloading the tracks, rather than going to the store and getting cover art and a jewel case. Personally, I'd be very inclined to use an industry-approved download system, if they guaranteed quality-of-service (not an option with the P2P systems obviously), and if they charged LESS than the physical CD.
As it is now, I tend to listen to music from internet radio stations, check out random tracks from Usenet or Gnutella, and buy CDs from CDNow.
I buy a lot of CDs, and I burn many of them to MP3 format to listen to in my MP3/CD player, so I can have 10 or 12 hours of music on one disc. Makes those cross-country car drives much nicer.
So, don't paint everyone with the same brush, but realize that at least some of us are really not just out to be thieves. YMMV
According to the article, many car CD players will refuse to play these CDs, as will all "multimedia PC" systems. So, let's assume I've got my big Altec Lansing subwoofer hooked up to my PC, and it's the only CD player I own (not really, but many of my friends in the army only have their PCs to play CDs on, to save space). Now, I can't play any new CDs on this machine, because I MIGHT copy them? Well, I can't even listen to them "wherever I like" so I'm not going to buy them either.
If I put this CD in my new RioVolt MP3/CD player (the only CD player in my car), will it cease to function? Now, I've got a portable CD player (RioVolt) that can't play audio CDs of the new style, I've got a home audio system (MPC) that can't play the new CDs. And, this somehow does NOT infringe on fair use?
I know plenty of college students and soldiers that don't buy stereos, because they have computers. These happen to be the ages that buy the majority of popular music as well. I imagine the RIAA is not so smart on this one.
Hmmm, has the US suddenly turned into the Great Empire of North America while I was not looking?
If Linux is used by the US military, it's used by an all-volunteer force that is bound by oath to preserving the Constitution of the United States and DEFENDING it against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Nothing Imperialistic there.
Perhaps you've never served?