Why did they bother writing it? There are neither examples, illustrations, nor case studies that show WHY Euro Linux or other open source projects will be severely hampered. I'm not disagreeing with him, but his statements have all the informative value of Microsoft FUD.
Oh, you make some good points, to be sure, but I think it's rather cheeky to criticize the Brits for knighting Gates when over 50% of the U.S. voting public voted to stick a pot-smoking, cocaine-addled dodge-drafter back in the President's office for four more years, where he's already proven he can and WILL do real harm economically, militarily, and socially.
"Its disgusting as to how some people make money by stealing from the very people who decided to help them out. I'm yet to do my research on the authenticity of this news bit."
As you and many of your preceding posters are testament to, you will fly half way around the world with a lie or rumor before bothering to check to see if it's actually true.
"The german government also censors religion (Scientology is actually forbidden by federal law), "hobbies" (references to bomb-making or other overtly 'terrorist' activites are forbidden), etc."
Scientology isn't a religion, it's a cult with a level of organization and coercion that rivals organized crime. The only reason it's a religion in the United States is because they successfully blackmailed the IRS. See all the relevant Google links for more information.
"The old Disney and Bugs Bunny cartoons of the WWII era...mostly propaganda, with caricatures of Japanese and Germans in them...totally gone from TV (I remember seeing them in the afternoons after school, and I'm not THAT old)...this is history."
I'm 39 and do recall those cartoons from my pre-teens. Given the pretty ugly stereotypes they portrayed, I'm wondering if the reason they're not shown anymore isn't because of some law, but because any TV station that did show them would have to put up with free market ramifications like angry phone calls, a reputation as The Racist Station, or the inability to get advertisers to sponsor that old propaganda.
I'm glad to be wrong, but I can't be the only person who'd like to have a nice, music-playing organizer that doesn't require that I sign up for a $20-70 monthly calling plan (I loath cellphones).
You know, some people have modded you down to (Score:0, Troll), but where they see a Troll, I see someone who should consider a sideline future as a film critic.
"So I've just irritated two French (three if you count the guy's dinner companion) and confirmed their worst fears about Americans being rude jerks. What did I do wrong? There must be some sort of weird smoking-related cultural disconnect..."
You did nothing wrong, and you weren't being an asshole. The worst part wasn't that the cigarette smoker was a jerk (that's going to happen, you just have to suck it up), but that your date didn't have the cojones to back you up since she had previously made her wishes clear (and which you had goen out of your way to respect).
That said, the French, Spanish and Germans I met treated No Smoking signs as guides, not rules. It's often ignored in those countries.
Interesting. I spent about a week in France while living in northern Spain, and my time there was terrific. I met one asshat, but everyone else was really nice, and dealt with me like anyone else, not as an American.
Were you an asshole? God knows American tourists *do* have raging reputations for being amongst the worst tourists in the world.
"So you guys want internet from the folks who brought you the shining example of efficiency that is the DMV? That is friggin idiotic."
Would you hold up SBC, or Verizon, or any of the other cell/telecom carriers as models of efficiency? If so, can I ask where you're getting your drugs, because it's obvious they're a lot better than mine.
Here here! And they win more divisional championships, have more Hall of Famers, go to more Super Bowls, and have a higher winning percentage too! Whoo-hoo, pass me some more of them shrooms!
Wow, maybe you need to check out this post below. Amazing, a little city in Iowa can do it, but in your world, private businesses are the hallmark of accountability. I'm guessing your idea of "choice" is deciding whether you want to pay 2x or 4x as much for the same service. For example, in this post.
No way. One of the beauties of the UK, if you're interested in mainland Europe, is that there are *so many* radically different cultures within a short flight's distance. In America, outside of Mexico, all the radically different cultures are 10-15 hours away. Bleh.
Was there any news in the UK as to why the BBC dropped "Red Cap?" I loved that show, and when it got dropped, I got so pissed off I decided to drop cable. It was one of about 2-3 shows on BBCAmerica worth watching, and I got tired of *alllllll* the garden/home/wardrobe improvement shows. I wish they'd bring Red Cap back.
"The English are VERY good at self deprecating humour, and unfortunately it does stick sometimes."
Speaking as an American, that's a wonderful trait to have. A few of my U.S. friends also have it, but it's generally rare and far between here in Ohio. IMO, a person who can roll back and make fun of themselves isn't someone who takes themselves too seriously - always a welcome reprieve from so many egotists.
"Hmm...starting your article with a misleading flamewar rant against a politician? It's right on par with Slashdot's level of professionalism."
Oh, lighten up Francis. Slashdot is a glorified blog. It is neither a newspaper nor a professional media outlet a la Time, Fox, CNN, etc. Why do you expect it to be?
Actually, given state governments' needs for more funds since federal funding is drying up, I wouldn't be surprised if California wanted to tax people on every mile they drove, then make its residents *prove* they didn't drive those miles in California.
"I still don't understand what makes IGE disreputable...They have found a niche market where they can make a lot of money. If it works, fine. Nobody's being harmed or spoiled - they are not breaking any law, so what's all the fuss about that?"
Ah, I see some of those Indian players have some downtime to troll the Slashdot boards and play damage control. Tell me, are all of your colleagues also this vacuous, or is it just you?
Slashdot Mirror
Why did they bother writing it? There are neither examples, illustrations, nor case studies that show WHY Euro Linux or other open source projects will be severely hampered. I'm not disagreeing with him, but his statements have all the informative value of Microsoft FUD.
Oh, you make some good points, to be sure, but I think it's rather cheeky to criticize the Brits for knighting Gates when over 50% of the U.S. voting public voted to stick a pot-smoking, cocaine-addled dodge-drafter back in the President's office for four more years, where he's already proven he can and WILL do real harm economically, militarily, and socially.
Not a bad idea, but I think they already have an existing cartel name. The Music And Film Industries of America, or MAFIA for short.
"Its disgusting as to how some people make money by stealing from the very people who decided to help them out. I'm yet to do my research on the authenticity of this news bit."
/could/ take a moment to actually check it for yourself.
As you and many of your preceding posters are testament to, you will fly half way around the world with a lie or rumor before bothering to check to see if it's actually true.
It appears this rumor is false, but you
"The german government also censors religion (Scientology is actually forbidden by federal law), "hobbies" (references to bomb-making or other overtly 'terrorist' activites are forbidden), etc."
Scientology isn't a religion, it's a cult with a level of organization and coercion that rivals organized crime. The only reason it's a religion in the United States is because they successfully blackmailed the IRS. See all the relevant Google links for more information.
"The old Disney and Bugs Bunny cartoons of the WWII era...mostly propaganda, with caricatures of Japanese and Germans in them...totally gone from TV (I remember seeing them in the afternoons after school, and I'm not THAT old)...this is history."
I'm 39 and do recall those cartoons from my pre-teens. Given the pretty ugly stereotypes they portrayed, I'm wondering if the reason they're not shown anymore isn't because of some law, but because any TV station that did show them would have to put up with free market ramifications like angry phone calls, a reputation as The Racist Station, or the inability to get advertisers to sponsor that old propaganda.
I agree with the rest of your post.
Yes. :-)
"and charge 20% more for it."
Hey there Mister, you missed a zero! No Tivo for you! One year!
I'm glad to be wrong, but I can't be the only person who'd like to have a nice, music-playing organizer that doesn't require that I sign up for a $20-70 monthly calling plan (I loath cellphones).
You know, some people have modded you down to (Score:0, Troll), but where they see a Troll, I see someone who should consider a sideline future as a film critic.
Cheers.
"So I've just irritated two French (three if you count the guy's dinner companion) and confirmed their worst fears about Americans being rude jerks. What did I do wrong? There must be some sort of weird smoking-related cultural disconnect..."
You did nothing wrong, and you weren't being an asshole. The worst part wasn't that the cigarette smoker was a jerk (that's going to happen, you just have to suck it up), but that your date didn't have the cojones to back you up since she had previously made her wishes clear (and which you had goen out of your way to respect).
That said, the French, Spanish and Germans I met treated No Smoking signs as guides, not rules. It's often ignored in those countries.
Interesting. I spent about a week in France while living in northern Spain, and my time there was terrific. I met one asshat, but everyone else was really nice, and dealt with me like anyone else, not as an American.
Were you an asshole? God knows American tourists *do* have raging reputations for being amongst the worst tourists in the world.
"So you guys want internet from the folks who brought you the shining example of efficiency that is the DMV? That is friggin idiotic."
Would you hold up SBC, or Verizon, or any of the other cell/telecom carriers as models of efficiency? If so, can I ask where you're getting your drugs, because it's obvious they're a lot better than mine.
Here here! And they win more divisional championships, have more Hall of Famers, go to more Super Bowls, and have a higher winning percentage too! Whoo-hoo, pass me some more of them shrooms!
Wow, maybe you need to check out this post below. Amazing, a little city in Iowa can do it, but in your world, private businesses are the hallmark of accountability. I'm guessing your idea of "choice" is deciding whether you want to pay 2x or 4x as much for the same service. For example, in this post.
"I don't see the problem here unless it is an incompetent sysadmin."
You mean the 90+% of the public that doesn't have a sysadmin on staff in their home?
Should be fun.
Then you must really loath Slashdot, where the posters do it even moreso. :-)
No way. One of the beauties of the UK, if you're interested in mainland Europe, is that there are *so many* radically different cultures within a short flight's distance. In America, outside of Mexico, all the radically different cultures are 10-15 hours away. Bleh.
Thank God there are foreigners who understand that we're not all heart-and-soul True Believers of Dumbfuckistan.
Speaking of last year's shows...
Was there any news in the UK as to why the BBC dropped "Red Cap?" I loved that show, and when it got dropped, I got so pissed off I decided to drop cable. It was one of about 2-3 shows on BBCAmerica worth watching, and I got tired of *alllllll* the garden/home/wardrobe improvement shows. I wish they'd bring Red Cap back.
"The English are VERY good at self deprecating humour, and unfortunately it does stick sometimes."
Speaking as an American, that's a wonderful trait to have. A few of my U.S. friends also have it, but it's generally rare and far between here in Ohio. IMO, a person who can roll back and make fun of themselves isn't someone who takes themselves too seriously - always a welcome reprieve from so many egotists.
Yes. You can't spell 'whine' without slashdot. ;-)
"Hmm...starting your article with a misleading flamewar rant against a politician? It's right on par with Slashdot's level of professionalism."
Oh, lighten up Francis. Slashdot is a glorified blog. It is neither a newspaper nor a professional media outlet a la Time, Fox, CNN, etc. Why do you expect it to be?
You're new around here, aren't you? ;-)
Actually, given state governments' needs for more funds since federal funding is drying up, I wouldn't be surprised if California wanted to tax people on every mile they drove, then make its residents *prove* they didn't drive those miles in California.
Chuck
"I still don't understand what makes IGE disreputable...They have found a niche market where they can make a lot of money. If it works, fine. Nobody's being harmed or spoiled - they are not breaking any law, so what's all the fuss about that?"
Ah, I see some of those Indian players have some downtime to troll the Slashdot boards and play damage control. Tell me, are all of your colleagues also this vacuous, or is it just you?