First off, depite the fact there are more books in the public library than I could ever read in my lifetime, I buy books. I'm a book buyer. Admitting to this is the first step. Second, I can't stand reading books in a digital media. CPU screens are too bright for long sessions. It's hard to kick back in bed with a good notebook or PDA. Just doesn't have the same feel.
The sad truth is I think people will print these out if they seriously want to read it. This really wastes the concept of electronic books, but I know people who print out all of their e-mail.
Seriously, I think that this method is the best way to expose your writing. Get people wanting more. You also run the risk of being exposed for the hack author you may be. Sell some books, put some online, but always put the older ones online. Throw in a dash of exclusive e-book and you have yourself a business plan.
My preferred way to read e-books would be on a paper-white, high-contrast, reflective display (currently only known as print), so I hope they get those printable monitors (Slashdot, July 5, 2000) on the market!
Thanks for the comment, not to mention that this would give rise to several new types of viruses: untagging, tagging, false tagging, and re-loading. In the article, the author says there would be no reason to hack the format. The posts in this discussion prove otherwise. In addition, hackers don't need an external reason to hack.
It's lame to post twice in the same group, but...this scheme would require an extra level of security to prevent someone from logging on a free ISP (which would quickly go broke) and having a bot repeatedly download their own tagged material.
This sounds like the old idea of the commune. Everybody pays equal shares regardless of who consumes. This makes total sense, considering people, like children, who can't afford their share. Unfortunately, it fosters distrust amongst the mega-consumers and the ultra-consevative. Worse than that, it takes an already overpriced fees for ISP services, and gives them an "excuse" to double it. I'm thinking cable deregulation here.
"Excuse me. I ordered the baked potato, he ordered the lobster."
This thread is going to rapidly devolve into "My Favorite" vs. "Show X Sux." I'm glad anime is going (sort of) mainstream. Although many anime series are animated better than their American counterparts, most are cheaply animated, simply drawn, and generally lesser quality animation. However, they are different. I especially like how many anime series and films won't hand the plot directly to the viewer. The Tenchi series are great examples of that.
There was a large explosion of different life forms in evolutionary history. Most of them died out--quickly. The most fit is not always the best (I still tape low-definition non-digital TV programs with VHS tape). Still, enterprising concepts and experiments give a variety that would be really welcome in North America. I hope the best turns out the strongest.
The best part is the restriction of non-medical use of the information, which should always be by permission. The downside are the release and waiver forms you'll have to sign to get your lab results worked on. This will be reflected in higher costs. Time will tell if it's worth it.
Good point! It was a "classroom computer." It's worded to indicate he bypassed a Net Nanny-type filter. He didn't gain access to any sensitive information because he only accessed a single computer. Worst damage? Probably have to re-install the filter.
The media will report exactly how bad something is. They didn't report exactly anything beyond a stand-alone PC and filter software. If he'd cracked the education board's network, we'd have read that.
The article, referring to getting all 32 treasures, said:
"A week later, Macauley jumped out in front, becoming the first player in history..."
Lot's of players got all 32 treasures. I did (circa 1984 or so). None got a perfect score, though. I mapped the game out, complete with logs, snakes, fires, crocs, and the like, and completed the game right-to-left. For those not familiar with the game, all the obstacles move right-to-left, making that direction easier to achieve.
I don't think the game is all that fun anymore (qualification: I'm 34). It waxes nostalgia for 3-4 minutes. I'd much rather play Ridge Racer V.
For those looking at the maps, it is impossible to finish the game without using the tunnels, which are 3 times as fast as above ground.
Pogo already uses the methods described. When a game loads, it loads an ad first with a fake "loading game" status bar. After the prescribed 8-10 seconds, your game starts. I hate those ads because I remember them.
The other method is the "commercial break." The game interrupts after a period of time or a set number of games. These are less effective. I will get up to raid the fridge, quit the game, use another browser, or simply stare at the countdown counter. These don't bother me as much.
My biggest fear is as industry eventually shakes out the weaker competition, the ad owners will require these intrusive techniques. And guess what? They'll check if your browser is blocking and simply not load the page or play the game. They won't allow anonymous servers.
There will be ways around, but contracts will prevent the less obtrusive methods in the near future.
The mini-series started off strong, and got weaker throughout. Then again, I got bored reading the book, too. The ending of the book and the Lynch film were close. The mini-series omitted a major plot element at the end.
If it weren't for the different hair styles, I would not have been able to tell the difference between Paul Maud-dib and Fayhed. My guess is both actors read for the Paul role.
Barter, the trade of item or service for another item or service, is taxable in the United States. This, however is not a trade, therefore no tax on Barter.
If you consider it's value taxable, like an incentive gift for a donation, it's the market price. In this case, the market price is $0.00. You cannot legally tax it in the US.
Diablo2. Great Game, even though they didn't beta test the second boss enough. Online play is ridiculously dependent on packets describing where every enemy is, as well as every item. That's a lot of bandwidth to keep me from cheating.
The Internet is too primitive to waste bandwidth on micromangement of games, especially when you have 700MHz processors that can handle most of the math. And all this to protect the integrity of "levelling up."
Add to it that Diablo2 is a hack-and-slash. The quests don't change. There's no reward for having a high-level characters. There is no evolutionary change. The excessive packets to prevent cheating are overkill.
I tried to publish this story last week but it was rejected. Anyway, the gist of my opinions included BSA Liabilities.
The primary authority of a software truce is protection against civil lawsuits with the companies they represent. This doesn't include other software from other companies, nor does this protect either party from the local, state, and federal laws against piracy. This means if the BSA uncovers a software piracy crime and they don't report it to the authorities, they become and accessory after-the-fact! Therefore, accept their software truce with a grain of lawyer.
I have seen the TV ads in Baltimore. They are bottom-of-the-barrel cheap. They encourage employees to turn their companies in, despite the fact they do not have permission to accept the truce. They also imply that the BSA is, or will call in, the Feds themselves. Very misleading. To top it all, they call themselves the Baltimore Software Alliance, which they are not.
Here's a concept, publish shorter versions of songs suitable for public consumption to advertise the longer pay-per-download or CD album versions.
They could call it the single. They just need to come up with a scheme for a "flip side."
The Net is not as ubiquitous as we think. It is for us, the Slashdot crowd, but there is too much cyber-fear to prevent a true demographic shift in politics. At least for now.
I believe something similar to what Mr Katz suggests will happen in the next 15 years. I don't believe it will be the current Internet that does it, though.
There are lots of arguments, especially here at Slashdot, as to the pros and cons of voting. The bottom line is voting is a democratic process. Choosing to vote or abstain is also a democratic process. In some terms of dictatorships, voting was not a choice, you had to vote, and you had to vote for the next dictator, aka the current one.
Choosing not to vote as a conscious choice is part of our freedoms, regardless of whether its the right thing to do.
What does censorship software have to do with appropriations? In this case, they are the same topic, but are truly unrelated. The reason it is a rider is because they are too lazy to make a bona fide bill out of it which would never pass both House and Senate. Our constitution provided the ability to add riders that are germane to the issue (a germane issue might allow a way for schools recieving funds for web access to pay for computers or ISPs or the like).
Instead we have with most riders that one party throws something controversial onto an otherwise good bill so that the party: A) gets it way, or B) gets a political boon from not getting it's way. Both of the major parties do it, it's just this time the Republicans are being the idiots (give it a day to pass the idiot hat back).
It is misuse of our legislative body to treat bills in this manner. Keep another thing in mind: When one party poo-poos another party for a bill they voted on, remember there's usually an unrelated rider to blame!
If 9 out of 10 IT workers are not depressed, I'd say that makes it one of the most contented groups of employees I've ever seen. It's all in how you look at it.
I'd say the article sees the glass as 1/10th closer to being completely empty.
I see countless articles about this sort of device on/. The bottom line is, a $5000 wearable PC to take database entry or text memos or run one specific software package is useless. Why? A PC is general purpose to run multiple software. That's why the OS crashes a lot.
Most of the uses indicated in the article would be better served if the user had free mobility and both hands free, which is best left to voice-recognition. Wearable PCs need to be downgraded to single-software OS. Successful companies use specialized computers for inventory and order tracking rather than equip all of their employees with laptops.
It's sad, but wearable PCs will never be practical in the sense we are imagining them today. Definitely not at 5 Grand a pop.
Two wrongs don't make a right, so it goes. There are really important things to learn here.
1) First and foremost, no matter what the circumstances, the police force abused their authority in Philadelphia. That's what the story is all about.
2) Protesting for no reason at all, what the reporter did, is wrong. It diminishes the importance of the act of protesting and demonstrating.
But, these two wrongs did not balance out. You do not arrest people without "just cause," a primary complaint when debating "profiling." And even though the protester failed in responsibility, no matter how much I may disagree or misunderstand (or agree with), it is a Constitutional right.
9 out of 10 new businesses fail (so I'm told). It's clear that so far, 9 out of 10 new internet companies (the publicized ones, anyway), haven't failed. When compared to all other types of businesses, the dot-coms are doing very well.
The "slump" is probably referring to the unrealistic expectations of dot-coms success compared to their actual success. A business will not automatically succeed if it has a dot in it.
Slashdot Mirror
The sad truth is I think people will print these out if they seriously want to read it. This really wastes the concept of electronic books, but I know people who print out all of their e-mail.
Seriously, I think that this method is the best way to expose your writing. Get people wanting more. You also run the risk of being exposed for the hack author you may be. Sell some books, put some online, but always put the older ones online. Throw in a dash of exclusive e-book and you have yourself a business plan.
My preferred way to read e-books would be on a paper-white, high-contrast, reflective display (currently only known as print), so I hope they get those printable monitors (Slashdot, July 5, 2000) on the market!
----------------------
Thanks for the comment, not to mention that this would give rise to several new types of viruses: untagging, tagging, false tagging, and re-loading. In the article, the author says there would be no reason to hack the format. The posts in this discussion prove otherwise. In addition, hackers don't need an external reason to hack.
----------------------
It's lame to post twice in the same group, but...this scheme would require an extra level of security to prevent someone from logging on a free ISP (which would quickly go broke) and having a bot repeatedly download their own tagged material.
----------------------
"Excuse me. I ordered the baked potato, he ordered the lobster."
----------------------
I like it. I like it a lot.
----------------------
There was a large explosion of different life forms in evolutionary history. Most of them died out--quickly. The most fit is not always the best (I still tape low-definition non-digital TV programs with VHS tape). Still, enterprising concepts and experiments give a variety that would be really welcome in North America. I hope the best turns out the strongest.
----------------------
The best part is the restriction of non-medical use of the information, which should always be by permission. The downside are the release and waiver forms you'll have to sign to get your lab results worked on. This will be reflected in higher costs. Time will tell if it's worth it.
----------------------
The media will report exactly how bad something is. They didn't report exactly anything beyond a stand-alone PC and filter software. If he'd cracked the education board's network, we'd have read that.
----------------------
Lot's of players got all 32 treasures. I did (circa 1984 or so). None got a perfect score, though. I mapped the game out, complete with logs, snakes, fires, crocs, and the like, and completed the game right-to-left. For those not familiar with the game, all the obstacles move right-to-left, making that direction easier to achieve.
I don't think the game is all that fun anymore (qualification: I'm 34). It waxes nostalgia for 3-4 minutes. I'd much rather play Ridge Racer V.
For those looking at the maps, it is impossible to finish the game without using the tunnels, which are 3 times as fast as above ground.
----------------------
Pogo already uses the methods described. When a game loads, it loads an ad first with a fake "loading game" status bar. After the prescribed 8-10 seconds, your game starts. I hate those ads because I remember them. The other method is the "commercial break." The game interrupts after a period of time or a set number of games. These are less effective. I will get up to raid the fridge, quit the game, use another browser, or simply stare at the countdown counter. These don't bother me as much. My biggest fear is as industry eventually shakes out the weaker competition, the ad owners will require these intrusive techniques. And guess what? They'll check if your browser is blocking and simply not load the page or play the game. They won't allow anonymous servers. There will be ways around, but contracts will prevent the less obtrusive methods in the near future.
----------------------
If it weren't for the different hair styles, I would not have been able to tell the difference between Paul Maud-dib and Fayhed. My guess is both actors read for the Paul role.
----------------------
Barter, the trade of item or service for another item or service, is taxable in the United States. This, however is not a trade, therefore no tax on Barter. If you consider it's value taxable, like an incentive gift for a donation, it's the market price. In this case, the market price is $0.00. You cannot legally tax it in the US.
----------------------
Diablo2. Great Game, even though they didn't beta test the second boss enough. Online play is ridiculously dependent on packets describing where every enemy is, as well as every item. That's a lot of bandwidth to keep me from cheating. The Internet is too primitive to waste bandwidth on micromangement of games, especially when you have 700MHz processors that can handle most of the math. And all this to protect the integrity of "levelling up." Add to it that Diablo2 is a hack-and-slash. The quests don't change. There's no reward for having a high-level characters. There is no evolutionary change. The excessive packets to prevent cheating are overkill.
----------------------
I tried to publish this story last week but it was rejected. Anyway, the gist of my opinions included BSA Liabilities.
The primary authority of a software truce is protection against civil lawsuits with the companies they represent. This doesn't include other software from other companies, nor does this protect either party from the local, state, and federal laws against piracy. This means if the BSA uncovers a software piracy crime and they don't report it to the authorities, they become and accessory after-the-fact! Therefore, accept their software truce with a grain of lawyer.
I have seen the TV ads in Baltimore. They are bottom-of-the-barrel cheap. They encourage employees to turn their companies in, despite the fact they do not have permission to accept the truce. They also imply that the BSA is, or will call in, the Feds themselves. Very misleading. To top it all, they call themselves the Baltimore Software Alliance, which they are not.
----------------------
Here's a concept, publish shorter versions of songs suitable for public consumption to advertise the longer pay-per-download or CD album versions. They could call it the single. They just need to come up with a scheme for a "flip side."
----------------------
I believe something similar to what Mr Katz suggests will happen in the next 15 years. I don't believe it will be the current Internet that does it, though.
----------------------
Choosing not to vote as a conscious choice is part of our freedoms, regardless of whether its the right thing to do.
----------------------
Instead we have with most riders that one party throws something controversial onto an otherwise good bill so that the party: A) gets it way, or B) gets a political boon from not getting it's way. Both of the major parties do it, it's just this time the Republicans are being the idiots (give it a day to pass the idiot hat back).
It is misuse of our legislative body to treat bills in this manner. Keep another thing in mind: When one party poo-poos another party for a bill they voted on, remember there's usually an unrelated rider to blame!
----------------------
If 9 out of 10 IT workers are not depressed, I'd say that makes it one of the most contented groups of employees I've ever seen. It's all in how you look at it. I'd say the article sees the glass as 1/10th closer to being completely empty.
----------------------
I see countless articles about this sort of device on /. The bottom line is, a $5000 wearable PC to take database entry or text memos or run one specific software package is useless. Why? A PC is general purpose to run multiple software. That's why the OS crashes a lot.
Most of the uses indicated in the article would be better served if the user had free mobility and both hands free, which is best left to voice-recognition. Wearable PCs need to be downgraded to single-software OS. Successful companies use specialized computers for inventory and order tracking rather than equip all of their employees with laptops.
It's sad, but wearable PCs will never be practical in the sense we are imagining them today. Definitely not at 5 Grand a pop.
Two wrongs don't make a right, so it goes. There are really important things to learn here.
1) First and foremost, no matter what the circumstances, the police force abused their authority in Philadelphia. That's what the story is all about.
2) Protesting for no reason at all, what the reporter did, is wrong. It diminishes the importance of the act of protesting and demonstrating.
But, these two wrongs did not balance out. You do not arrest people without "just cause," a primary complaint when debating "profiling." And even though the protester failed in responsibility, no matter how much I may disagree or misunderstand (or agree with), it is a Constitutional right.
The "slump" is probably referring to the unrealistic expectations of dot-coms success compared to their actual success. A business will not automatically succeed if it has a dot in it.
----------------------