Yahoo!'s GameProwler appears to be the application it feels was compromised by the XFire client. Industry sources tell GameSpot that Xfire currently has a patent pending for its service.
Sounds like an infectious deadly corporate culture. Nuke from orbit.
I'm not sure I'd want to find out how the software would deal with -274C. Setting itself on fire might seem like a good idea. (All cars have explosive charges in the gas tank. That's why they blow up all the time in TV shows and movies.)
I admit that I was thinking of Diamond Age net actors for hire, but yeah, it would be like telemarketing factory cages where they're all on the clock, monitored, and chained to a rigid script.
Until one day.. Virtual Revolt: Rise of the Outsourced! (Make naked gnomes look like a tea-party.)
Well then, I'm surprised that I haven't received a phish from slashdot.org, but I guess Richard Craig doesn't do that. (Not that I ever remember my password. Lost my first account that way.)
How about if the gaming companies hired those cheap workers to run their NPCs? Rather than shopkeeper bots and such, they could give the roles a human touch. (If they don't speak English so well, hey, welcome to the real fantasy world!) If they do well, they could be promoted to more important virtual jobs, like Lord British's secret service bodyguards or something. Or perhaps sell their services on the open market, like in Diamond Age.
Just wait until crime catches up. "Mr Anderson, you are charged with virtual theft exceeding 500 gold pieces in value. How do you plead?" Maybe the next round of viruses and trojans won't be about spam or DDoS but to steal virtual goods.
Or maybe phish attacks? "Our records indicate that someone has tried to gain access to your World of Warcraft account. Unless you contact us immediately, we will be forced to suspend your account for security reasons. Please click on this innocent looking link and give us all your logon information."
It could be worse. There could be a Daikatana online game and a market for its virtual goods. Luckily no one would want to buy virtual islands or goods in a really crappy game.. right?
Mind you, all that cheap labour could be useful for outsourcing NPCs rather than hiring expensive AI to do the job.
On late night TV with Sally Struthers: "This is Juan. He's 14. He works in sweatshop in Thirdo Worlda producing Evercrack virtual goods. For just $2 a day, your contribution could ensure that Juan no longer has to do this to survive. Won't you please help?" (Contribute now and receive a Juan screen saver with RSS feed from Juan's blog. You can make a difference.)
Yup. As I said, I wish people would stop overloading names. Firebird the DB or the browser? Pick some random two word name like Big Puppy and stick to it. (I have a program for that, and that's what it just generated. Hmm, it could have rolled Fire Bird so a little checking for previous use is still required.)
Cairo or Longhorn, same thing. (I wish people would (a) stop overloading "code names", (b) telling everyone what their new thingy is called now until they figure out the real name.)
On Usenet headers from Rogers customers, I notice that they actually have an address for DMCA complaints:
X-Complaints-To: abuse@rogers.com
X-DMCA-Complaints-To: radman@rogers.wave.ca
X-Abuse-and-DMCA-Info: Please be sure to forward a copy of ALL headers
X-Abuse-and-DMCA-Info: Otherwise we will be unable to process your complaint properly
I would have figured that the proper processing for a DMCA complaint would be to laugh and say that it doesn't apply in Canada. However, if they're outsourcing to a company within reach of the DMCA, are they putting their customers in its grasp too?
Sam Lowry: My name's Lowry. Sam Lowry. I've been told to report to Mr. Warrenn. Porter: Thirtieth floor, sir. You're expected. Sam Lowry: Um... don't you want to search me? Porter: No sir. Sam Lowry: Do you want to see my ID? Porter: No need, sir. Sam Lowry: But I could be anybody. Porter: No you couldn't sir. This is Information Retrieval.
Back in the 70s, there used to be "Handwriting Analysis Computer" travelling shows that toured the shopping malls. Lots of consoles, flashing lights, spinning tape drives, clicky-clack noises.. and 100% snake-oil bogus fake!
"I'm Chiquita Ballmer and I've come to say,
Software have to ripen in a certain way.
Software like the route of the proprietary course,
So you should never put software in the open source."
I think some kind of response by Microsoft, including discounts, to head this off is predictable. (Probably not as colourful as Steve doing a banana samba. Pity!)
Steve Ballmer was seen boarding Clippy One for a urgent flight. No news as to the destination, but he was seen packing huge discounts, a large tutti-frutti hat, and practicing various Carmen Miranda song and dance numbers. Where will the Ballmer Bombshell land? Stay tuned!
In the 80s, Brazil went the route of not respecting any outside IP rights for software or hardware. I imagine that digging themselves out of that hole is part of the reason that they're paying so much now. It would be ironic if punitive licencing fees "until the pips squeek" now drive them to OSS alternatives.
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I'm not sure I'd want to find out how the software would deal with -274C. Setting itself on fire might seem like a good idea. (All cars have explosive charges in the gas tank. That's why they blow up all the time in TV shows and movies.)
Thank God KITT didn't run iTunes... It could be worse. Also a popular ring-tone.
Cheaters, scammers and farm bots .. I'm glad to see that nothing has changed in online games in 22 years. ;)
Until one day .. Virtual Revolt: Rise of the Outsourced! (Make naked gnomes look like a tea-party.)
Well then, I'm surprised that I haven't received a phish from slashdot.org, but I guess Richard Craig doesn't do that. (Not that I ever remember my password. Lost my first account that way.)
How about if the gaming companies hired those cheap workers to run their NPCs? Rather than shopkeeper bots and such, they could give the roles a human touch. (If they don't speak English so well, hey, welcome to the real fantasy world!) If they do well, they could be promoted to more important virtual jobs, like Lord British's secret service bodyguards or something. Or perhaps sell their services on the open market, like in Diamond Age.
Or maybe phish attacks? "Our records indicate that someone has tried to gain access to your World of Warcraft account. Unless you contact us immediately, we will be forced to suspend your account for security reasons. Please click on this innocent looking link and give us all your logon information."
Mind you, all that cheap labour could be useful for outsourcing NPCs rather than hiring expensive AI to do the job.
On late night TV with Sally Struthers: "This is Juan. He's 14. He works in sweatshop in Thirdo Worlda producing Evercrack virtual goods. For just $2 a day, your contribution could ensure that Juan no longer has to do this to survive. Won't you please help?" (Contribute now and receive a Juan screen saver with RSS feed from Juan's blog. You can make a difference.)
I'd suggest blackholing the University of Calgary, but for Calgary, that'd be redundant.
Off to work on my Disciple Cheese project...
Cairo or Longhorn, same thing. (I wish people would (a) stop overloading "code names", (b) telling everyone what their new thingy is called now until they figure out the real name.)
You mean the Battlestar Witch Project jerky style?
RIAA lawyer responded to the MPAA lawyer: "Eat my shorts!"
Besides, the Bi-Centennial isn't until 2014.
Do not underestimate the power of the September side of the Force.
Would it help if we all claimed to be the Key Master?
Back in the 70s, there used to be "Handwriting Analysis Computer" travelling shows that toured the shopping malls. Lots of consoles, flashing lights, spinning tape drives, clicky-clack noises .. and 100% snake-oil bogus fake!
Software have to ripen in a certain way.
Software like the route of the proprietary course,
So you should never put software in the open source."
I think some kind of response by Microsoft, including discounts, to head this off is predictable. (Probably not as colourful as Steve doing a banana samba. Pity!)
Steve Ballmer was seen boarding Clippy One for a urgent flight. No news as to the destination, but he was seen packing huge discounts, a large tutti-frutti hat, and practicing various Carmen Miranda song and dance numbers. Where will the Ballmer Bombshell land? Stay tuned!
In the 80s, Brazil went the route of not respecting any outside IP rights for software or hardware. I imagine that digging themselves out of that hole is part of the reason that they're paying so much now. It would be ironic if punitive licencing fees "until the pips squeek" now drive them to OSS alternatives.
It probably involves a gesture something like Dr. Evil's air-quotes from the hip, combined with a .. Shatner-like .. delivery.