What other tale in the world has had it's own Encryption Algorithym created just to lend plausability to the story?
It wasn't Cryptonomicon. If you were to read the epilogue/addendum, the author of Solitaire clearly states it was used to transfer messages between prisoners of war in hostile environments.
Aside from that, I agree, Cryptonomicon was one of the best books I have ever read. But it still doesn't beat out Abbott's Flatland (Look for it on Amazon/B&N, absolute must-have)
Haiku is, in and of itself, merely a simplistic meter format:
Linux DVD Chafes the MPAA so. Kill the rat-bastards.
When Haiku originated, it was intended to be a medium for conveying imagery about nature in general, (not 'seasons' as you would have us believe) and over the years some American english/writing teachers have decided that haiku must neccessarily involve some sort of natural reference.
Linux DVD Chafes the MPAA so; As vines to the oak.
Or, as His Cowardice has put it:
Linux DVD Chafes the MPAA so. Drown them in spring rain.
But this restriction need not be enforced unless the traditional japanese haiku poets somehow rise from the dead and seek out all those who would destroy their artform. In which case, there are approx. 523 billion angst-struck teenagers who are further up on the list than we at slashdot are. Therefore, I present this alternative haiku:
MPAA will, from comment-boards on Slashdot, find out where you live.
Hmm. I disagree. My Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer is the best thing to happen to my right hand in a looonnng time (sexual innuendos aside, please). Microsoft's initial leap into ergodynamics (the Natural Keyboard) was a complete waste IMNSHO, although I'll admit some people swear by them. The chrome-and-red-glow mouse rocks my world. And I do actually use those two extra buttons.
Definately under the non-sucky column.
Levine
Re:Bill Gates' loss = everyone's gain
on
Tech Stocks Tumble
·
· Score: 1
From the replies to this comment, one of two generalizations can be validated:
1. An outright joke, as this comment was, is no longer considered as such due to either the pseudointellectual fodder that seems to hold the minds of most repliers in a catatonic state, or the remote but distinct possibility that the aincent art of KIDDING has been lost in the sea of time.
2. Jupiter and Saturn have aligned, and for one day, the masses of Microsoft bashing/.ers have been assimilated into Microsoft advocates.
As I don't have a telescope, I'm going to go with the first, but very tenatively. Any astronomers care to stipulate on the latter?
Anything that depreciates the value of Gates' portfolio is a Good Thing(tm) in my eyes. Of course, I say this without any investment in the stock market myself. *grin*
I was discussing EverQuest with the developers around two and a half years ago, when the game was in pre-alpha stages and still being tested by Charles Flock and Brad McQuaid. Even then, one of the major issues up for discussion was the use of names.
Face it: when you're adventuring with your guild or group, killing zombies and giant spiders, you absolutely do NOT want to walk into someone with the name 'WuTangMasta' or 'PuffDaddie' spouting rap lyrics and laughing at anyone who tells them to take it to the OOC channel, or whatever. Sony has created a Virtual World, and the rules that apply in that world - be it forcibly naming your character something that MAKES SENSE! or pretty much anything they want to do - are not subject to constitutional rights, as the poster of this comment would have you believe. You are voluntarily going to this world, and although you are paying for it (and thus expecting certain things to be there; for the hard core players, this is an in-character atmosphere, which they deserve) you have no room to claim that anything is unfair. If you think it's unfair, leave. No one's forcing you to stay.
In conclusion, Libya is a country of many contrasting ideals.
Thank you, O Geekmeister of the Geeks, for this completely objective and thought-provoking look into the topic of the decade, the Internet. No doubt this will spawn thousands upon thousands of debates and point-counterpoint discussions. The depth and detail you have gone into here is certainly worthy of my highest praise.
I haven't stocked up any more than usual. I figure if the time comes, I'll have much more fun making personal attack helicopters and fully automatic gunpods out of standard household items. Already on the planning board: a gun that launches breakfast cereals at Mach 1.
Please don't get mad at me, as I have not read every post on this yet, but upon a brief glance it appears that the debate is, in part, over the 'rights' a DVD user has to the DVD. Okay, fair enough. Taken straight from the letter...
The proprietary technology is not accessible to unlicensed third parties because it is either incorporated in hardware devices -- chips -- or made tamper resistant if distributed in the form of actual software. Both forms of distribution are such that the proprietary technology cannot be viewed by non-licensees.
The licensees they refer to, BTW, are people (or companies, more accurately) who paid US$10k in order to obtain the specs and hardware/software to decode everything so that they can do their own little thing, manufacture DVD players, etc.
So, then, how does the author of this 'crack' program (I use the term hesitantly) manage to, well, 'crack' DVD without the associated hardware or software required? Two answers.
1. He was given the software/hardware by a licensee illegally. In this case, the CCA have a legitimite case. However, this is not what happened.
2. The proprietary technology was not as proprietary as the CCA had hoped. The encryption was bad, and it took a relatively short amount of time for the tech-saavy among us to adapt the DVD to their needs. Like anything else in the open source movement, they posted their accomplishments for the world to share. Things spread like wildfire, it seems.
I'm not going to get into my views on this issue - that if I buy something, I have every damn right in the world to do whatever the hell I want to do with it (I enjoyed the 'if I buy a brand new BMW, there's nothing BMW can do to prevent me from slicing it's roof off, gutting it and using it as a flowerbed, can they?' argument someone said above) or that if the company is unwilling to spend the time/energy to create decent encryption, they have no ground to stand on when that weak encryption breaks.
How about this - Acme Company produces Acme Brand Widgets. These widgets only function when attached to Acme Brand Power Stations, because their plug only fits Acme Brand Power Stations. And in the guts of every Widget is a standard power plug, hidden behind some wires, with a little sign taped on it - "Do Not Use Unless Licensed".
I'd like to see any Judge that ruled in favor of Acme company if they took everyone who used the 'encrypted' power plug to run their widgets to court. I'd smack him around a little.
And everyone who is capable of downloading it, please, if it is possible, mirror the files somewhere else. Geocities, angelfire, tripod, xoom, your ISP, whatever. Stupidity is a demon we _can_ overcome.
It is interesting to note that generally, now more companies are interested with compatibility with Linux than with Macintosh.
When do you all think that hardware companies will consider Linux part of the 'norm' - in that driver support is no longer optional, it is expected? Creative and nVidia are paving the way, but they are a very small minority.
When will everyone realise that if audio can be played, it can be recorded - and recorded to anything, be it WAV or MP3 or WMA or frickin' cassette tapes. Audio out to audio in, hit record, hit play.
Now is RealNetworks going to sue me because I'm defeating their copy protection? Give me a break. I've had a thing against Real since I was forced (!) to upgrade to the latest RealPlayer, which proceeded to try and hijack every single audio and video file extension present in the known universe and claim it as it's own. I was even 'strongly discouraged' (from the installation wizard) from unbinding these extensions. That sort of thing annoys me to no end.
I've noticed a lot of people I know in the professional field have moved from a technical position to a 'Market Analyst' position. Apparently they see the demand, and as far as I can tell, the workload is easier for much more money.
Anyone ever read 'The Peter Principal'? (No relation)
The thing with prepaid cell phones is that they usually operate on a 'buy x minutes of time over the phone' philosophy. The problem lies in this: the lowest denomination of minutes you can buy is usually high (around 30) and are fairly expensive, and the phone requires that you buy minutes every [other] month, or it stops working and you have to get it re-activated.
So, in other words, it's still basicially a monthly fee, they just disguise it a little.
Wasn't WoTC bought by TSR a little while back? If so, I'm sure they've got plenty of money to go around. $29.95 for a 60 page D&D guide? Somewhere, the magic left.
The 3rd or 4th generation RCA dishes (ASK BY NAME!) kick major ass in terms of UI. Sleek, modern look, fast, and amazing programmibility. 8 Timers, plus profiles, and low and high speed home access (read: serial!) ports.
Slashdot Mirror
How do they say it in the ghetto... "my bad."
Chalk that one up to sleep depravity.
Levine
What other tale in the world has had it's own Encryption Algorithym created just to lend plausability to the story?
It wasn't Cryptonomicon. If you were to read the epilogue/addendum, the author of Solitaire clearly states it was used to transfer messages between prisoners of war in hostile environments.
Aside from that, I agree, Cryptonomicon was one of the best books I have ever read. But it still doesn't beat out Abbott's Flatland (Look for it on Amazon/B&N, absolute must-have)
Levine
> ...a raiding Church of Scientology commando group...
Okay, who do I make the check out to? You've just earned my confidence.
Levine
Haiku is, in and of itself, merely a simplistic meter format:
Linux DVD
Chafes the MPAA so.
Kill the rat-bastards.
When Haiku originated, it was intended to be a medium for conveying imagery about nature in general, (not 'seasons' as you would have us believe) and over the years some American english/writing teachers have decided that haiku must neccessarily involve some sort of natural reference.
Linux DVD
Chafes the MPAA so;
As vines to the oak.
Or, as His Cowardice has put it:
Linux DVD
Chafes the MPAA so.
Drown them in spring rain.
But this restriction need not be enforced unless the traditional japanese haiku poets somehow rise from the dead and seek out all those who would destroy their artform. In which case, there are approx. 523 billion angst-struck teenagers who are further up on the list than we at slashdot are. Therefore, I present this alternative haiku:
MPAA will,
from comment-boards on Slashdot,
find out where you live.
Levine
Hmm. I disagree. My Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer is the best thing to happen to my right hand in a looonnng time (sexual innuendos aside, please). Microsoft's initial leap into ergodynamics (the Natural Keyboard) was a complete waste IMNSHO, although I'll admit some people swear by them. The chrome-and-red-glow mouse rocks my world. And I do actually use those two extra buttons.
Definately under the non-sucky column.
Levine
From the replies to this comment, one of two generalizations can be validated:
/.ers have been assimilated into Microsoft advocates.
1. An outright joke, as this comment was, is no longer considered as such due to either the pseudointellectual fodder that seems to hold the minds of most repliers in a catatonic state, or the remote but distinct possibility that the aincent art of KIDDING has been lost in the sea of time.
2. Jupiter and Saturn have aligned, and for one day, the masses of Microsoft bashing
As I don't have a telescope, I'm going to go with the first, but very tenatively. Any astronomers care to stipulate on the latter?
Lev^H^H^H21523 of 42854
Anything that depreciates the value of Gates' portfolio is a Good Thing(tm) in my eyes. Of course, I say this without any investment in the stock market myself. *grin*
Levine
I was discussing EverQuest with the developers around two and a half years ago, when the game was in pre-alpha stages and still being tested by Charles Flock and Brad McQuaid. Even then, one of the major issues up for discussion was the use of names.
Face it: when you're adventuring with your guild or group, killing zombies and giant spiders, you absolutely do NOT want to walk into someone with the name 'WuTangMasta' or 'PuffDaddie' spouting rap lyrics and laughing at anyone who tells them to take it to the OOC channel, or whatever. Sony has created a Virtual World, and the rules that apply in that world - be it forcibly naming your character something that MAKES SENSE! or pretty much anything they want to do - are not subject to constitutional rights, as the poster of this comment would have you believe. You are voluntarily going to this world, and although you are paying for it (and thus expecting certain things to be there; for the hard core players, this is an in-character atmosphere, which they deserve) you have no room to claim that anything is unfair. If you think it's unfair, leave. No one's forcing you to stay.
In conclusion, Libya is a country of many contrasting ideals.
Levine
Thank you, O Geekmeister of the Geeks, for this completely objective and thought-provoking look into the topic of the decade, the Internet. No doubt this will spawn thousands upon thousands of debates and point-counterpoint discussions. The depth and detail you have gone into here is certainly worthy of my highest praise.
God bless you, Jon!
Levine
Is there a 0th day of the month? Is there a 0th month of the year? Days, months, and years start at 1. Hours, minutes, seconds start at 0.
Levine
My Win98SE boxen booted up just fine today. No fatal errors, no Windows Protection Errors, and no giant man eating ladybugs popping out of my screen.
Well, yet, at least.
Levine
I haven't stocked up any more than usual. I figure if the time comes, I'll have much more fun making personal attack helicopters and fully automatic gunpods out of standard household items. Already on the planning board: a gun that launches breakfast cereals at Mach 1.
Levine
CS people differentiate between an O and a 0 (an 'oh' and a zero) by slashing the zero. If it's wrong, so be it. It still happens.
Levine
Please don't get mad at me, as I have not read every post on this yet, but upon a brief glance it appears that the debate is, in part, over the 'rights' a DVD user has to the DVD. Okay, fair enough. Taken straight from the letter...
The proprietary technology is not accessible to unlicensed third parties because it is either incorporated in hardware devices -- chips -- or made tamper resistant if distributed in the form of actual software. Both forms of distribution are such that the proprietary technology cannot be viewed by non-licensees.
The licensees they refer to, BTW, are people (or companies, more accurately) who paid US$10k in order to obtain the specs and hardware/software to decode everything so that they can do their own little thing, manufacture DVD players, etc.
So, then, how does the author of this 'crack' program (I use the term hesitantly) manage to, well, 'crack' DVD without the associated hardware or software required? Two answers.
1. He was given the software/hardware by a licensee illegally. In this case, the CCA have a legitimite case. However, this is not what happened.
2. The proprietary technology was not as proprietary as the CCA had hoped. The encryption was bad, and it took a relatively short amount of time for the tech-saavy among us to adapt the DVD to their needs. Like anything else in the open source movement, they posted their accomplishments for the world to share. Things spread like wildfire, it seems.
I'm not going to get into my views on this issue - that if I buy something, I have every damn right in the world to do whatever the hell I want to do with it (I enjoyed the 'if I buy a brand new BMW, there's nothing BMW can do to prevent me from slicing it's roof off, gutting it and using it as a flowerbed, can they?' argument someone said above) or that if the company is unwilling to spend the time/energy to create decent encryption, they have no ground to stand on when that weak encryption breaks.
How about this - Acme Company produces Acme Brand Widgets. These widgets only function when attached to Acme Brand Power Stations, because their plug only fits Acme Brand Power Stations. And in the guts of every Widget is a standard power plug, hidden behind some wires, with a little sign taped on it - "Do Not Use Unless Licensed".
I'd like to see any Judge that ruled in favor of Acme company if they took everyone who used the 'encrypted' power plug to run their widgets to court. I'd smack him around a little.
Levine
And everyone who is capable of downloading it, please, if it is possible, mirror the files somewhere else. Geocities, angelfire, tripod, xoom, your ISP, whatever. Stupidity is a demon we _can_ overcome.
Levine
Most CS people write their zeros with a line through it.
Levine
It is interesting to note that generally, now more companies are interested with compatibility with Linux than with Macintosh.
When do you all think that hardware companies will consider Linux part of the 'norm' - in that driver support is no longer optional, it is expected? Creative and nVidia are paving the way, but they are a very small minority.
Levine
When will everyone realise that if audio can be played, it can be recorded - and recorded to anything, be it WAV or MP3 or WMA or frickin' cassette tapes. Audio out to audio in, hit record, hit play.
Now is RealNetworks going to sue me because I'm defeating their copy protection? Give me a break. I've had a thing against Real since I was forced (!) to upgrade to the latest RealPlayer, which proceeded to try and hijack every single audio and video file extension present in the known universe and claim it as it's own. I was even 'strongly discouraged' (from the installation wizard) from unbinding these extensions. That sort of thing annoys me to no end.
Levine
atc, abuse, xtrek, Q3A, Civ CTP, UT... oops, that's 6.
Levine
long live the command line
I've noticed a lot of people I know in the professional field have moved from a technical position to a 'Market Analyst' position. Apparently they see the demand, and as far as I can tell, the workload is easier for much more money.
Anyone ever read 'The Peter Principal'? (No relation)
Levine
The thing with prepaid cell phones is that they usually operate on a 'buy x minutes of time over the phone' philosophy. The problem lies in this: the lowest denomination of minutes you can buy is usually high (around 30) and are fairly expensive, and the phone requires that you buy minutes every [other] month, or it stops working and you have to get it re-activated.
So, in other words, it's still basicially a monthly fee, they just disguise it a little.
Levine
...could you advise a URL of such a thing?
See email link, above, also, if you know.
Levine
Wasn't WoTC bought by TSR a little while back? If so, I'm sure they've got plenty of money to go around. $29.95 for a 60 page D&D guide? Somewhere, the magic left.
Levine
The 3rd or 4th generation RCA dishes (ASK BY NAME!) kick major ass in terms of UI. Sleek, modern look, fast, and amazing programmibility. 8 Timers, plus profiles, and low and high speed home access (read: serial!) ports.
Nice stuff.
Levine