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User: FascDot+Killed+My+Pr

FascDot+Killed+My+Pr's activity in the archive.

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  1. Fiserv! on Internet Banking Security Hole · · Score: 1

    I used to work at a bank that utilized Fiserv for backend stuff. They have many, many different services and so on, but if the rest of the company is anything like the people I dealt with this won't be fixed any time soon. We had to file paperwork (in triplicate) to add a field to a downloaded data extract. And give them at least 30 days lead time. And then re-submit when it came back wrong, or the field was empty, or some damn thing.
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  2. No screensaver on Distribute Stuff: Cosm Project's CS-SDK · · Score: 2

    The Folding@home people are "currenty working on" a screensaver for Linux. Right now it's just console.
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  3. I may be helping soon... on Gnutella Not Scaling? · · Score: 2

    Remember my message of a few days back about how I wasn't helping because it's written in Java? Well, I got spanked for that (and I've gotten spanked re: other anti-Java postings) so I downloaded Kaffe last night. I'll be doing some ramp-up on Java for a while and if my negative view of Java melts away I'll pitch in with FreeNet.
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  4. Can someone fill me in? on More on NVIDIA's Involvement In X Box · · Score: 3

    I don't understand why you'd wait for the next version of DX--why not just use OpenGL? It's already here AND it's cross-platform.
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  5. For that matter.... on Revelation Space · · Score: 3

    Heinlein - engineer
    Asimov - PhD in biochemistry
    Niven - PhD(?) in mathematics
    Haldeman - Masters (PhD?) in physics (astronomy?)
    And many many others. Nearly ALL science fiction authors have technical backgrounds. Fantasy (unfortunately but understandably lumped together in most bookstores/libraries) authors generally do not.
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  6. Oh, and about star wars on Next Batman to be Directed By Pi's Darren Aronofsky · · Score: 2

    "Today we have kids/adults/teenagers that are so used to knock-offs of the original that we've become too jaded to see the good in it. Episode 1 was great for those younger than twelve who didn't yet have that 'I'm too cool for this' attitude."

    I was born too late to see the original 3 movies in the theater (combined with the fact that I didn't go to a theater until relatively late in life). I was also older than 12 when I saw Episode 1. I also agree that there are knock-offs that are worse done. HOWEVER.

    None of those things mean that Star Wars was all that good (or even original). Nor does it automatically infuse Episode 1 with any quality. Prediction: Anyone who read any quantity of science fiction (science fiction, not Anne McCrappy dragon junk) before seeing Star Wars likely found it mediocre at best. A lot of flashy effects, but no story (when compared to things like the Foundation series, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, and the like). Episode 1 was even worse. Prediction 2: Find 10 people who saw Episode 1 fewer than 3 times. Ask each of them to tell you what the plot was (the plot, not just a series of scenes like "first there was the floating ship and the poison gas, then the race, then..."). No more than 2 people (if that many) will be anywhere close. Point? Episode 1 either had no plot or hid it behind too-flashy effects.
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  7. Re:Let's clear it all up on Next Batman to be Directed By Pi's Darren Aronofsky · · Score: 2

    "...a wonderful never-done-before plot..."

    Is this a joke? Never done before? Have you every read any science fiction? Ever watched Twilight Zone, Outer Limits or even Hollywood movies? Good gravy, the basic plot of The Matrix was invented by Rene Descartes!

    As for being a "tour-de-force on the senses": I agree. Too bad it didn't entertain the brain a little more.

    "Pi broke through the barriers of mathmatics being boring..."

    That barrier is something that exists between SF and everything else, not between Pi and everything else. That is, there are many many stories/books (and some movies, try "Donald in Mathemagicland") that deal with these issues. I'm not saying Pi (or even The Matrix) was no good--I'm saying they aren't particularly original or "amazing".

    "...maybe you should go into films with lower expectations."

    If this is the best defense that can be mustered for the low quality of movies as compared to written works, it's no wonder Hollywood isn't improving.
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  8. Let's clear some things up on Next Batman to be Directed By Pi's Darren Aronofsky · · Score: 2

    First, Pi wasn't "amazing". It was good, but not amazing. It was pretty average science fiction, if you compare books and movies together. (To gauge, "The Matrix" was sub-par, "Star Wars" is lame).

    Second, the only good Batman was the first half of the first movie. Starting with the moment Joker pulls the absurdly long gun from his pants the entire series began to suck. No really, that's the exact point it begins to suck. Go back and watch the first movie. Keep track of Kim Basinger's spoken line-to-scream ration before and after that point.
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  9. Communication. Unity. Comm-unity. on Debian 2.2 Reviewed, Interview on Embedded Debian · · Score: 2

    Here at OmniTouch (tm) (a subsidiary of CountryTime Lemonade [tm]) it's all about caring. And feeling. When you use OmniTouch, you are touching people--and you are touching the people those people touched.

    I've been looking forward to using Debian for quite a while--until I read your post. You make it sound like some whacked-out religious cult "Join us. You'll never look back." I'll probaby still use Debian--there are good technical and political reasons to do so. But if the people on IRC ever start chanting "Love the Leader", I'm out of there.
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  10. Corel? Corel?? on Mozilla-KDE Integration · · Score: 3

    Of course I appreciate any effort expended in making Free Software more usable--but what on earth is Corel thinking? They are on the brink of disaster, surely they should be working on something that will Make Money Fast.
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  11. Hey, good reading skills on Cisco Patents NAT RFC? · · Score: 3

    "Applicant: Cisco Technology Systems."
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  12. Two years ago (or more) on Handspring To Release 65k Color Visor · · Score: 2

    Unfortunately it's just a kernel and a few (mostly useless) programs (like lissajous).
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  13. Re:Oh no!--Carnivore wasn't free on Carnivore-like tool released as Open Source · · Score: 2

    "They have to keep using Carnivore because they paid for it."

    They may very well try to use this argument, but it carries no weight. It's the fallacy of "sunk costs"--whether or not they use Carnivore they've already paid for it. Continuing to use an inferior product doesn't regain that value--might as well ditch it and use something better. Especially so if the "something better" has no associated cost.
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  14. Re:Limitations of NSS security on Open Source Mozilla Crypto Released · · Score: 1

    From a technical point of view, I have no idea how good RSA is, but I *do* know that RSA (the company) isn't "releasing" anything--their patent is expiring.
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  15. Oh no! on Carnivore-like tool released as Open Source · · Score: 4

    From a "Kill Carnivore" POV this was an excellent move. As noted in the summary, the FBI now has to explain why Carnivore is to be preferred over the open version with the same functionality.

    But from a "Promote Open Source/Free Software" POV it's unfortunate because the explanation the FBI is likely to use is "open source can't be trusted". We already know that's false (whether diametrically opposed or orthogonal is a matter of debate), but how imagine Bill Gates quoting Louis Freeh or Janet Reno as saying that "our secrets have to be protected by secret software" or "open source == child molesting terrorists".
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  16. What about Mandelbrot? on Creating a Black Hole With OpenGL · · Score: 3

    I would argue that Hawking IS an explorer--more so than a non-theoretician. If you believe (as I do) that the laws of physics (and especially of mathematics) are REAL in the platonic, idealistic sense then what Hawking does is exploration. He's certainly not an inventor...
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  17. Don't bother on Set Digital Music Free · · Score: 1

    From the click-thru: "Who Can Participate? The SDMI Public Challenge is open to everyone except that a proponent of a particular technology (and the proponent's present and former employees) or any person who has obtained confidential information under a confidentiality agreement applicable to a particular technology may not participate in the SDMI Public Challenge for such technology."

    In other words, security through obscurity. End of story.
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  18. Online polls are meaningless on MSNBC Accused of Rigging OS Poll · · Score: 4

    The sample is non-random in several ways.

    1) Only online people are included--less than 4% of the world is online. Probably moot in this particular example, though.

    2) Only people who read the site see the poll. Imagine if they put a poll about "best skin color" at the end of "Mein Kampf"--do you think "black" would win?

    3) Only those people who care enough to answer respond, even if they see the poll. A real poll goes out and asks people (on the street, on the phone, whatever) and requires an answer be marked down (even if it is "no response"). If an online poll marked a "no response" category for every webhit that didn't vote we'd see an alarming amount of apathy...

    4) It is always possible to stuff the box--setting a cookie is useless since it can be deleted. Recording IP address is mostly useless since it doesn't work very well for dialup--not to mention privacy and spoofing issues.

    In short, never pay any attention from an online poll. Magazine polls have most of the same problems, ignore them as well.
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  19. I would be working on this... on Freenet 0.3 Released · · Score: 3

    ...if it wasn't written in Java.

    FreeNet has two basic needs:

    1) Programmers: Everyone knows C, many people know C++. Nobody I know personally knows Java. Clearly there ARE people who know Java--but how do the numbers compare? Why not write the core in C (which is, face it, just as portable as Java if done correctly) and then a UI in Java?

    2) Testers: I run a home network. In order for people on the Internet to see my FreeNet node, I'd have to run it on the public side of my firewall. But there is no way in hell I'm taking the time and security risks to install Java on my server.
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  20. And the answer is: on Pentium IV Problems? · · Score: 2

    A pencil! Sure, it does hardly an work per second--but it also uses minimal power!
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  21. Huh? on Sun Finds & Exploits Hole in the GPL *Update* · · Score: 2

    I read the summary (which is a maelstrom of bad grammar and phrasing), I read the link (which is almost entirely content-free) and I still don't understand what the hole is supposed to be.

    Are Becker's drivers GPL'd?
    Did Sun distribute binary versions of those drivers (or derivations thereof) without making source available?

    If the answer to either is "no" there is no problem. If the answer to both is "yes" Sun has a legal issue. I still don't see a hole.
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  22. Business angle on Apple's Ad Agency Goes After Mac Rumour Sites · · Score: 2

    Maybe Jobs has realized where the real money is at: rumors. Think about it, MacOS Rumors, Slashdot, ZDNet--all non-fact-based journalism sites, all with high-traffic. Just like they killed off the clone makers a few years ago, they are killing off the rumor-clone makers now. Then they'll launch the iRumor.
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  23. Bad karma on Apple's Ad Agency Goes After Mac Rumour Sites · · Score: 1

    You think that's bad Karma, what about this:

    Karma 318070 (mostly the sum of moderation done to users comments)

    What's up with this? My Karma is bouncing around at random (always in the 5, 6 or 7 digits though).
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  24. VA's stock is up... on Inexpensive Do It Yourself MP3 Players · · Score: 4

    That's the only explanation I can think of for calling $140 + $50 + $250 "inexpensive".
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  25. Re:Why bother "boycotting"? on Boycott of Music Industry's Hacker Challenge Urged · · Score: 2

    If it's inaudible, how is my "mic" port going to detect it in order to refuse?
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