"..However, government users will not be allowed to
make modifications to the code or compile the source code into Windows programs themselves.."
Yeah, real 'open'.
Well, you wouldn't want them to compile that piece of cardboard and actually attempt to replace working code (and all it's functionality), would you?
Of course, assuming it was good code and could compile and could be inserted, how exactly does Microsoft go about enforcing their rights against the PRC?
from the toner-cartridge-spam-suddenly-more-useful dept.
Yeah, I'm just looking forward to that, let me tell you. There was some great parody of this kind of thing in Bloom County, years ago [Dr. Oliver's Cat Sweat Hair Tonic] where a cheap commodity goes through the roof due to restricted supply. I suppose this injunction will lead to buying printer ink kits through the mail, from Mexico or Canada, disguised as urinalysis kits to skirt the DMCA.
You can't get that much out of an ATM. It's just not worth it.
Clearly you've never had to deal with ruthless criminals. I remember, near my grandparent's house, a child being murdered for 37 cents. If you're ever robbed, hope its by someone who isn't happy about having to steal and would rather leave you alive and in one piece, rather than the sociopath who will do whatever it takes to get whatever they want.
At least this way, someone has to steal
your eyeball and not just your card and PIN.
My eyeball? Man, I like to think my eyeball is one heck of a lot more important that whatever is in my checking or savings account. Someone carves out my eye and I'm sure I'll not be worrying about mere money.
(Many years ago I bought a new car. Really sharp and very classy. I was pretty proud and happy to drive it around and show it off. 45 days later I was diagnosed with cancer. The car went from pride and joy to just some object.)
There's also this thing about totally ruthless people. If they need your fingerprint, they don't think much of cutting off your finger to take it with them. So, what's to stop them from taking your eye? Advances in security are met with advances in criminal technique. Best to keey your eyes in a safe deposit box.
Yes, it is FUNNY as in Funny-Ha-Ha. Why is it listed under the Microsoft Bill-Borg? Smells like blind incompetence on the part of the BSA (or whomever did this work for them, and your guess on that account is as good as mine.)
I wonder if the tables could be tipped, using this , to counter BSA Terrorism.
Why would anyone expect that a company would spend all the time and resources to discover a new cure
The optimal word here is discover, not create. There are restrictions, in some countries, on patenting something which occurs in nature or a natural process.
e.g. I find an algae growing in a particular pond which clears up a skin rash. I take this algae to my lab, and perform some study on how it reacts with the affliction and whether it has any really bad side effects (like the rash is actually my immune system fighting some fungus, the algae has a narcotic affect on the immune cells and the fungus left free starts to eat my skin cells) If it all turns out great, I apply for patents for such clever things as:
Process: Place algae in water, under light, feed certain organic solutions, remove algae, dry, mix with mineral oil as a salve, bottle, good for 6 months.
Patents barring encroachment of genetic engineering other, similar algae to produce the same effect.
AquaPharm Bio-Discovery Limited, the story notes 'is keeping the identity of its MRSA-killing bacteria a closely guarded secret, and taken out patents on how they can be cultivated and used.' Oh well."
With all the complaining about how the USPTO awards this or that patent for the obvious things, it's this patenting of medicinces which I find the most anti-social. It's like, "I'm going to discover something which may save lives, but I want the ability to restrict, for profit, how it gets used." Makes me feel my healthcare premiums aren't so much an insurance policy as a licensing fee. While I feel people do need compensation for their efforts, I feel any kind of patent awarded on medicines or medical treatments should have a much limited scope. I.e. any pharmacutical should be allowed to produce the medication with a minimal fee. Otherwise we become embroiled in these debates, like africans can't afford this or that because they cannot afford it, so they die, and it's a fait acompli massacre or genocide.
And then there's the separate issue of this antibiotic: how long before staph is resistant to it, too.
The best thing I ever did to fight respiratory infections was to stop eating antibiotic laden meat.
That is a violation of the Clayton Antitrust Act, which requires compannies to charge all customers the same amount.
Yeah, but..
A. Microsoft has already been convicted and punished for antitrust violations (you naughty, naughty company, don't do that again, or.. or.. or I shall be forced to scold you again!)
B. We're talking about outside the US market, particularly Taiwan, R.O.C. This would more likely require something in the WTO accords.
The label 'Joneses' is colloquial and simply refers to a party which someone attempts to achieve parity with (i.e. as nice a house, as nice a car, as nice a lawn)
It has been noted elsewhere that part of the problem of piracy is because the PR and/or product is so good (or perceived to be so good) that everyone must have it (you already know this has worked for decades on management in american businesses 'moo')
In the U.S.A. we're learning to call it Duke Nukem...
Whenever
If Ever
Whatever
I wonder what would be considered the most egregious vaproware. I'm sure in the past there have been non-ware as highly anticipated. Sometimes ultimately delivered (and we wish it wasn't.)
I find it hard to believe that anyone can
be 'forced' to pirate Windows, or Office, or whatever.
Yeah, but keep in mind there are people convinced that it is essential to have Windows to live the good life, and even those who are trying to keep up with the Jonses (not everyone in the world thinks western or like americans) If the Jonses have WinXP and you're sitting there with your humble (pirated) copy of Win98 and the outlay for XP would ecclipse your disposable income for a month, you nip down to Chang's Software Emporium and buy a copy of XP (sans-license) from he-of-the-large-overcoat-in-the-alley-next-door for a measely pittance (or two.) Now you're up with the Jonses, Bill Gates is still in the news driving his big yacht up and down the boulevards of Seattle, and everyone has the good life.
Ok, it's wrong, but if Microsoft played the game the MPAA does with DVD's, they could market cheaper versions, specifically for markets with lower median incomes. (Then they may do this, but still at a price high enough to be a barrier.)
The peer pressure to be viewed as a success is high, and anything some people can do to achieve that appearance they will do. Ethics are up to the individual.
Wouldn't Nike be be happy as a clam if 'Nikes' came to mean 'shoes'?
Actually they'd be livid. Because then anyone could use it. Such as Reebok-made Nikes. Trademark holders really hate it when people use the word that they popularized to refer to other people, particularly if they don't get paid for it.
Indeed. This is why Lego insists on their blocks be refered to as "Lego Brand Building Blocks", not, "Legos"
Another company which has fought the colloquialization of their trademarks is Coca-Cola. Don't say 'cokes' unless you mean it in front of some of their guardians.
It's not all that unusual for companies which enjoy, yet battle the problems of, name recognition. Frequently issuing letters to wayward publications and broadcasters on properly refering to their brand and the fate that awaits them if they continue unapproved behavior. Pick your battles, as they say, don't get stuck defending your right to use 'xerox' or 'google' as a verb, when you may need the resources for other useful things
Back in the day, Xerox fought the use of 'xerox' as, to 'xerox' something being equivilent to photocopying. They had a point, same as Google does, to prevent watering down their trademark.
Man, I can imagine doing something like this in a dorm but for only 20 bucks? You'd think that it would at least
be worth TWO large pizzas a month..
Twenty bucks, that's chickenfeed. Granted, if the supply of students willing to sell out is high, that would probably be enough. What bothers me about this is the spam I get that claims I could make $1,500+ a week. If that's what the students replied to, why are they only getting $20?
I wouldn't be surprised to find the $20 comes from a PO box in the Detroit area...
I gott ask tho, at what point would it have made more sense just to buy a regular computer? The green lighting is a nice touch tho.
Kathleen has finally done it. She's turned Rob into a normal guy. Let this serve as a warning to all you geeks out that, this is what marriage will do. It'll strip you of your desire for case mods, installing Linux on anything with an electronic pulse or ability to see if articles have already been posted! *shudder*
Rob. Put the mouse down, move away from the computer, leave the room, turn the lights off, get your sixpack and ride your lawnmower around the yard (or w/blade, plow driveway.)
I knew this day was coming. I've also noticed Gabe at Penny Arcade has begun to lose his hand to eye coordination, so vital in video games. Next thing you know, he'll be playing strategy games.
Come to think of it, loss of hand to eye coordination is probably as good an excuse as any to convert that old Xbox into a server.
I think the judge screwed up here, and this will likely be reversed on appeal.
You must be crazy. $539 is all Sears paid out. Just directing their own attorney to draw up papers and file for an appeal, let alone investigate the validity, would cost far more than $539. Besides, I don't think you can haul an atty into any small claims court. I don't think you can appeal outside, though I may be wrong.
BTW, that paper he refused to sign may be a tough nut for them to swallow, as they don't want anything like his case to establish precedence, so they may yet revisit this, but as it's small claims, it would be intriguing to see how it plays on appeal.
I remember when that whole stupid PC thing started, 'michiganians', huh!
What I'd like to know is if something like Junk-Fax can be used to bust michiganoid Alan Ralsky. On a per-item basis, one should be able to seize his house, eh?
I hope some of the students involved post
pictures of the robots they're building in class.
This immediately brought to mind a Far Side strip, with a kid presenting his shop project for grading, some huge and hideous creation. He approaches the shop instructor from behind and says, "My project is ready for grading now Mr. Bignose. I'm talking to you, squidbrain."
There's the odd article last week about some pump-and-dump penny stock scam, there's an article a while back about busting up someone selling international drivers licenses. The government is doing a job, but doing it slowly. It's like for every 100 boat loads of marijuana, the DEA catches 1 or 2.
What the government should do is expand departments and cooperation to track down the people who attempt to sell these things and shut them down. Most of these people are crooks and charletons, so that shouldn't be very hard. The govt. should, also, crack down one people like Alan Ralsky, requiring him to verify that each recipient of his product has personally requested to be on his lists.
All these goofballs have to make themselves available to their victims (those foolish enough to open or respond to spam.) There's a phone number or web address. Credit card usage can be tracked, with the assistance of credit card companies (and much of this is fraud anyway so you could expect them to warm to such investigations.)
Visualize:
0600: Spam sent out, promising teen webcam shots
0601: First spams arrive in honeypot email accounts
0605: Website has been identified.
0607: Run tracing credit card number to see extra material
0620: Template of potential violations has been reviewed and yields potential charges on: Adv sent to email account of unverified user (potentially a minor), in-state spamming, potential age violation if various claims on site are true (underage).
0630: Contact local law enforcement
0800: Local law enforcement pays a visit/takes people for questioning/obtains search warrant/impounds equipment, etc.
Not perfect, at first glance, becuase it could still be abused (i.e. I hate someone and set them up, but a good template test could reduce this), still, we're ready to spend billions on Iraq, yet I've heard nothing about going after these scoundrels.
PR is also a useful thing. Public service messages for radio and TV. ("Don't respond to spam, send for free guide how not to be fooled, or visit FTC website.)
I use Popfile at home. It seems like the perfect answer to spam. What's your take on Popfile and other Bayesian
filtering methods?
Problem is, it's already been accepted and taking up space. How about analysing on the fly? A connection to port 25 to drop off mail, fine, sender, addressee, subject, start scanning it at that point to see if it should finish, or just route it to/dev/null Granted, you should be pretty certain you mean to kill it, without even a bounce (since bounces can be used to spam, too.)
My ISP gives me the usual drill on don't give out your email address, request opt-out of lists, and so on. None of it helpful, as I recently found an unused mailbox filled with 3+ years of spam. Personally, I had visions of these people being gutted by Jack the Ripper.
I've wondered if the ISP could build a decent filter, without encumbering themselves or valid email. What can an ISP realistically offer to help customers block spam?
Slashdot Mirror
Yeah, real 'open'.
Well, you wouldn't want them to compile that piece of cardboard and actually attempt to replace working code (and all it's functionality), would you?
Of course, assuming it was good code and could compile and could be inserted, how exactly does Microsoft go about enforcing their rights against the PRC?
"I shall write a very stern letter to the WTO!"
Hu Jintao: "Very interesting, but I see in the code references to things not present in the source."
Bill: "Oh, that's where we are inserting new Trustworthy Computing initiatives."
Hu: "Really, and what does this connect_redmondwa() do?"
Bill: "That's for reporting any bugs which we didn't catch."
Hu: "and this part? send_all_user_info() , is that reporting the bug information?"
Bill: "uh.. yeah, yeah, that's exactly what it's doing."
Hu: "and this scan_personal_records() must be confirming notification, yes?"
Bill: "..ahem.. uh.. yes!"
Hu: "then we are most assured of Trustworthy Computing by carbon_copy_cia_gov() , correct?"
Bill: "yesyesabsolutelypleasedon'tkillme.ibegyoupleasedo n'tkillme..."
Hu: "We would not think to kill you, however we will continue with Peoples Great Open Source Initiative, for all 1.3 billion chinese."
Bill: "ok, you can kill me."
Yeah, I'm just looking forward to that, let me tell you. There was some great parody of this kind of thing in Bloom County, years ago [Dr. Oliver's Cat Sweat Hair Tonic] where a cheap commodity goes through the roof due to restricted supply. I suppose this injunction will lead to buying printer ink kits through the mail, from Mexico or Canada, disguised as urinalysis kits to skirt the DMCA.
Clearly you've never had to deal with ruthless criminals. I remember, near my grandparent's house, a child being murdered for 37 cents. If you're ever robbed, hope its by someone who isn't happy about having to steal and would rather leave you alive and in one piece, rather than the sociopath who will do whatever it takes to get whatever they want.
I found the 'gummy finger' item, unter this thread, very enlightenting. You should read.
My eyeball? Man, I like to think my eyeball is one heck of a lot more important that whatever is in my checking or savings account. Someone carves out my eye and I'm sure I'll not be worrying about mere money.
(Many years ago I bought a new car. Really sharp and very classy. I was pretty proud and happy to drive it around and show it off. 45 days later I was diagnosed with cancer. The car went from pride and joy to just some object.)
There's also this thing about totally ruthless people. If they need your fingerprint, they don't think much of cutting off your finger to take it with them. So, what's to stop them from taking your eye? Advances in security are met with advances in criminal technique. Best to keey your eyes in a safe deposit box.
Yes, it is FUNNY as in Funny-Ha-Ha. Why is it listed under the Microsoft Bill-Borg? Smells like blind incompetence on the part of the BSA (or whomever did this work for them, and your guess on that account is as good as mine.)
I wonder if the tables could be tipped, using this , to counter BSA Terrorism.
The optimal word here is discover, not create. There are restrictions, in some countries, on patenting something which occurs in nature or a natural process.
e.g. I find an algae growing in a particular pond which clears up a skin rash. I take this algae to my lab, and perform some study on how it reacts with the affliction and whether it has any really bad side effects (like the rash is actually my immune system fighting some fungus, the algae has a narcotic affect on the immune cells and the fungus left free starts to eat my skin cells) If it all turns out great, I apply for patents for such clever things as:
Process: Place algae in water, under light, feed certain organic solutions, remove algae, dry, mix with mineral oil as a salve, bottle, good for 6 months.
Patents barring encroachment of genetic engineering other, similar algae to produce the same effect.
With all the complaining about how the USPTO awards this or that patent for the obvious things, it's this patenting of medicinces which I find the most anti-social. It's like, "I'm going to discover something which may save lives, but I want the ability to restrict, for profit, how it gets used." Makes me feel my healthcare premiums aren't so much an insurance policy as a licensing fee. While I feel people do need compensation for their efforts, I feel any kind of patent awarded on medicines or medical treatments should have a much limited scope. I.e. any pharmacutical should be allowed to produce the medication with a minimal fee. Otherwise we become embroiled in these debates, like africans can't afford this or that because they cannot afford it, so they die, and it's a fait acompli massacre or genocide.
And then there's the separate issue of this antibiotic: how long before staph is resistant to it, too.
The best thing I ever did to fight respiratory infections was to stop eating antibiotic laden meat.
Yeah, but..
A. Microsoft has already been convicted and punished for antitrust violations (you naughty, naughty company, don't do that again, or .. or .. or I shall be forced to scold you again!)
B. We're talking about outside the US market, particularly Taiwan, R.O.C. This would more likely require something in the WTO accords.
The label 'Joneses' is colloquial and simply refers to a party which someone attempts to achieve parity with (i.e. as nice a house, as nice a car, as nice a lawn)
It has been noted elsewhere that part of the problem of piracy is because the PR and/or product is so good (or perceived to be so good) that everyone must have it (you already know this has worked for decades on management in american businesses 'moo')
In the U.S.A. we're learning to call it Duke Nukem...
Whenever
If Ever
Whatever
I wonder what would be considered the most egregious vaproware. I'm sure in the past there have been non-ware as highly anticipated. Sometimes ultimately delivered (and we wish it wasn't.)
Yeah, but keep in mind there are people convinced that it is essential to have Windows to live the good life, and even those who are trying to keep up with the Jonses (not everyone in the world thinks western or like americans) If the Jonses have WinXP and you're sitting there with your humble (pirated) copy of Win98 and the outlay for XP would ecclipse your disposable income for a month, you nip down to Chang's Software Emporium and buy a copy of XP (sans-license) from he-of-the-large-overcoat-in-the-alley-next-door for a measely pittance (or two.) Now you're up with the Jonses, Bill Gates is still in the news driving his big yacht up and down the boulevards of Seattle, and everyone has the good life.
Ok, it's wrong, but if Microsoft played the game the MPAA does with DVD's, they could market cheaper versions, specifically for markets with lower median incomes. (Then they may do this, but still at a price high enough to be a barrier.)
The peer pressure to be viewed as a success is high, and anything some people can do to achieve that appearance they will do. Ethics are up to the individual.
But Microsoft said the Operating System would become unstable without all that stuff + kitchen sink.
"They wouldn't like, would they?"
Actually they'd be livid. Because then anyone could use it. Such as Reebok-made Nikes. Trademark holders really hate it when people use the word that they popularized to refer to other people, particularly if they don't get paid for it.
Indeed. This is why Lego insists on their blocks be refered to as "Lego Brand Building Blocks", not, "Legos"
Another company which has fought the colloquialization of their trademarks is Coca-Cola. Don't say 'cokes' unless you mean it in front of some of their guardians. It's not all that unusual for companies which enjoy, yet battle the problems of, name recognition. Frequently issuing letters to wayward publications and broadcasters on properly refering to their brand and the fate that awaits them if they continue unapproved behavior. Pick your battles, as they say, don't get stuck defending your right to use 'xerox' or 'google' as a verb, when you may need the resources for other useful things
Please consider the fate of Hormel and their product: SPAM
There ya go.
Back in the day, Xerox fought the use of 'xerox' as, to 'xerox' something being equivilent to photocopying. They had a point, same as Google does, to prevent watering down their trademark.
Twenty bucks, that's chickenfeed. Granted, if the supply of students willing to sell out is high, that would probably be enough. What bothers me about this is the spam I get that claims I could make $1,500+ a week. If that's what the students replied to, why are they only getting $20?
I wouldn't be surprised to find the $20 comes from a PO box in the Detroit area...
Kathleen has finally done it. She's turned Rob into a normal guy. Let this serve as a warning to all you geeks out that, this is what marriage will do. It'll strip you of your desire for case mods, installing Linux on anything with an electronic pulse or ability to see if articles have already been posted! *shudder*
Rob. Put the mouse down, move away from the computer, leave the room, turn the lights off, get your sixpack and ride your lawnmower around the yard (or w/blade, plow driveway.)
I knew this day was coming. I've also noticed Gabe at Penny Arcade has begun to lose his hand to eye coordination, so vital in video games. Next thing you know, he'll be playing strategy games.
Come to think of it, loss of hand to eye coordination is probably as good an excuse as any to convert that old Xbox into a server.
You must be crazy. $539 is all Sears paid out. Just directing their own attorney to draw up papers and file for an appeal, let alone investigate the validity, would cost far more than $539. Besides, I don't think you can haul an atty into any small claims court. I don't think you can appeal outside, though I may be wrong.
BTW, that paper he refused to sign may be a tough nut for them to swallow, as they don't want anything like his case to establish precedence, so they may yet revisit this, but as it's small claims, it would be intriguing to see how it plays on appeal.
Well, just consider their spamming him as "The Software Side of Sears."
<duck>
I remember when that whole stupid PC thing started, 'michiganians', huh!
What I'd like to know is if something like Junk-Fax can be used to bust michiganoid Alan Ralsky. On a per-item basis, one should be able to seize his house, eh?
This immediately brought to mind a Far Side strip, with a kid presenting his shop project for grading, some huge and hideous creation. He approaches the shop instructor from behind and says, "My project is ready for grading now Mr. Bignose. I'm talking to you, squidbrain."
Taking over the world with Linux bots... Hmm.
What the government should do is expand departments and cooperation to track down the people who attempt to sell these things and shut them down. Most of these people are crooks and charletons, so that shouldn't be very hard. The govt. should, also, crack down one people like Alan Ralsky, requiring him to verify that each recipient of his product has personally requested to be on his lists.
All these goofballs have to make themselves available to their victims (those foolish enough to open or respond to spam.) There's a phone number or web address. Credit card usage can be tracked, with the assistance of credit card companies (and much of this is fraud anyway so you could expect them to warm to such investigations.)
Visualize:
0600: Spam sent out, promising teen webcam shots
0601: First spams arrive in honeypot email accounts
0605: Website has been identified.
0607: Run tracing credit card number to see extra material
0620: Template of potential violations has been reviewed and yields potential charges on: Adv sent to email account of unverified user (potentially a minor), in-state spamming, potential age violation if various claims on site are true (underage).
0630: Contact local law enforcement
0800: Local law enforcement pays a visit/takes people for questioning/obtains search warrant/impounds equipment, etc.
Not perfect, at first glance, becuase it could still be abused (i.e. I hate someone and set them up, but a good template test could reduce this), still, we're ready to spend billions on Iraq, yet I've heard nothing about going after these scoundrels.
PR is also a useful thing. Public service messages for radio and TV. ("Don't respond to spam, send for free guide how not to be fooled, or visit FTC website.)
Problem is, it's already been accepted and taking up space. How about analysing on the fly? A connection to port 25 to drop off mail, fine, sender, addressee, subject, start scanning it at that point to see if it should finish, or just route it to /dev/null Granted, you should be pretty certain you mean to kill it, without even a bounce (since bounces can be used to spam, too.)
My ISP gives me the usual drill on don't give out your email address, request opt-out of lists, and so on. None of it helpful, as I recently found an unused mailbox filled with 3+ years of spam. Personally, I had visions of these people being gutted by Jack the Ripper.
I've wondered if the ISP could build a decent filter, without encumbering themselves or valid email. What can an ISP realistically offer to help customers block spam?