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User: notasheep

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  1. Re:Flawed Argument-There is no privacy invasion he on Stallman: Thousands Dead, Millions Deprived of Liberties · · Score: 1

    The face recognition was one example, the other was increased leeway in wiretapping and other types of surveilance. The 4th Amendment is a key element to our liberty. If you've watched any of the interview with intelligence agency representatives they usually say something like, "Now the death toll is high enough that we'll be able to do what we've always wanted to do." That's paraphrasing of course, but the message is consistant.

  2. Wrong path.. on Stallman: Thousands Dead, Millions Deprived of Liberties · · Score: 1

    I agree with RMS, even though is "unelected President" bit was over the top. We can *not* afford to give up our basic liberties, at least not before we try other means of stopping terrorism.

    The path we are currently going down, this "war against terrorism" is the wrong path. If the goal of our war is to rid the earth of "evildoers" then we've established our failure before we begin. This is an impossible task. There is no easy answer, but a war - a direct attack - will only create more "America" haters and give more meaning to their cause.

  3. Re:Difference on Don't Forget That Worms Happen Everywhere · · Score: 1

    Have any data to back up your claim that *nix admins are less likely to let a machine to go unpatched?

    I find it funny that most *nix advocates start with "our software is better" and end up with "er, I mean our admins are better" when it's shown their software isn't anywhere near perfect.

  4. Anyone else find this a little out there? on Constants Not Constant? · · Score: 1

    Drawing conclusions based on the behavior of *atoms* 12 billion light years away seems ridiculous. Jeez, they had to land a probe on Mars to get a really accurate picture of the landscape. Why don't scientists just say, "Based on our current known facts (which change every 5 years), and using our best measuring sticks (mostly a software-based approach) we think this is what is going on."

  5. Let's get a little reason in this discussion on Killing Video Games · · Score: 1

    First, let's stop being hypocritical here. Katz points out: "Gaming isn't merely hunt-and-kill challenges for adolescents -- it includes everything from urban-planning, trivia, gambling, bridge and chess puzzles to complex, sophisticated journeys into the imagination. "

    It seems he is implying that children are learning something from these other types of games. What are they learning from the hunt-and-kill games? Or, is it the case that kids suddenly stop learning from the same medium because the context of the game has changed?

    Do I think these types of games should be banned for kids under 18? No. But I think my belief is based more on my liking to play these games and and unwillingness to believe kids are learning something evil from them.

    Anyone here with a degree in behavioral psychology that could actually lend an opinion that matters?

    Also, I like the idea of banning R-rated previews for movies when kids might be exposed to them. I don't want to take my child to a PG movie and have them looking at an R-rated preview. And just so everyone is clear here, I'm talking about an R-rated preview of an R-rated movie. Not a PG preview of an R-rated movie. There is a difference.

  6. What is the alternative? on 'Hacking' To Be Declared Illegal · · Score: 1

    The overriding goal of the treaty is to allow for more efficient prosecution of computer crimes occuring across borders - which countries possess but the Internet does not. I believe the overriding goal is a good one for both business and the individual.

    Assuming this treaty is poorly worded/misdirected, how do we as individuals protect ourselves from crimes committed by those in other countries?

    Let's give realistic alternatives so we don't end up with some over-reaching piece of tripe that is the current proposal.

  7. Re:Hawking a liberal on Hawking On Earth's Lifespan · · Score: 1

    Yeah, we should judge the validity of all science based purely on the scientist's political affiliations.

  8. Slashdot FUD on Microsoft's New Spamming Technique · · Score: 1

    Why is this news? What does MS being a monopoly have anything to do with spamming? BTW, the program *asks* people if they want to send the updates to the people in their address book...so not only is this not spam, it's a horrible story.

  9. Labor shortage is a myth on Questioning The IT Labor Shortage · · Score: 1

    The following two links give interesting insight into the perceived labor shortage:

    http://heather.cs.ucdavis.edu/itaa.real.html
    http://www.urban.org/TESTIMON/lerman4-23-98.html

    Basically, the claims made by the testimony from the above links indicate that the labor shortage is due to a corporate reluctance to train their employees. Employers are looking for people with very specific skill sets. So even people with 20 years of programming experience may be passed over for a job because they haven't used the latest and greatest version of an SDK. Or, an experienced networking engineer may be passed over because they haven't used a specific router model. Training these people doesn't seem to be an optoin.

    The enrollment in CS programs rose dramatically in the late 90's, maybe in response to all of the labor shortage claims. Many of these graduates will find themselves unemployable.

    Follow the links, read the information and decide for yourself.

  10. Re:This isn't such a big change... on The Right To Read: Time Limited Textbooks · · Score: 1

    No, I'm not referring to ISP's. I'm referring to many of the different research and news services that people pay for.

    As for your other three points:

    1. If Slashdot decided to arbitrarily close up shop, for all intents and purposes, the entire body of work of the Slashdotters is gone. Sure, some will show up in a cache somewhere for a while, but it won't be forever and it won't be easily found by the majority.

    2. If the professor decides a new book is needed, the old book is useless and the new book must be purchased. The permanancy of information has no impact on a student at university. Multiple companies do exist and will continue to do so - information is the new currency and everyone will want a piece.

    3. Irrelevant since I wasn't talking about access but rather content and information.

  11. This isn't such a big change... on The Right To Read: Time Limited Textbooks · · Score: 1

    Currently, most of the people involved with this thread are paying a monthly/yearly/whatever fee for access to information in the form of subscriptions. Subscriptions give you a form of limited access to certain types of information. True, you can print off pages from a service you subcribe to you can also take down notes - whatever. You can do the same with these sources of information as well.

    Another way to look at it is to view this product as getting consulting time. In an age where things are becoming more virtual why not a virtual consultant in the form of text? Why should you expect to get unlimited access to a consultants time?

    I agree that it is scary to think about the possibilities this raises. It is extremely unlikely that this type of information transfer will win out over textbooks for school kids and replace libraries. I don't think the public would stand for it. (Then again, you never know.)