I never thought I'd say this, but you are my hero. I've never come across a post this moving to me.
You know, I sometimes feel I am utterly awash in stupid, evil, unempathetic, worthless people. Bad government. Bad leaders. People with broken logic. People who seek to control or simply profit from others against their will.
You provided a small bit of hope for me tonight. Thank you.
Vibrant doesn't mean much of anything to me... About as much as audio sounding "warm".
Hey now. I can't speak to photography terminology, but "warm" has a very distinct, universally accepted definition in the audio production world. Warmness refers to the amount of equalization applied to the midbass band in a track.
And in the audiophile world, it's no different... "warm" speakers or amplifiers tend to accentuate the midbass (port tuning, nonlinear amplifiers, etc) or depress the band associated with sibilance (6-8khz).
Sorry, but audiophiles generally ignore PC's for serious listning. There hasn't been a sound card invented yet that has the same quality of output as even mid-grade hi-fi stereo equipment. Sure, you folks that consider your Bose system "audiophile" quality won't understand this, but actual audiophiles will.
My credentials: I'm using a home-built First Watt F1 clone to drive my AKG K-1000, and a 41hz Tripath-based Amp5 to drive my Paradigm S2s. So I've got some experience in the field.
Having stated that, the older generation of audiophiles are ignoring PCs for serious listening, and at their peril. A high quality, stably clocked S/PDIF output connected to a high quality DAC will produce sound with precision that rivals any recorded "pure analog" setup (ie short of an amplified mic). I'm personally running a Lavry DA10 fed from an M-Audio Audiophile 24/192 in a balanced (XLR) config to my F1 clone. Playing properly ripped CD audio (or better), FLAC compressed, it sounds very, very good.
Now more than likely this isn't really the guy you want as he's just some poor sod that a real bad guy paid to have do this. The bad guy that paid him isn't really even the really bad dude, he's just some farmer that got mixed up with the wrong crowd.
How does fighting an enemy who has invaded your homeland make you a real bad guy?
If you had planted an IED in Washington after the Nazis successfully landed there in WW2 (in some alternate scenario), would you be a bad guy, with the wrong crowd?
As I've said before, the goal and effect of repressive sexual mores (and by extension laws) is to instill a sense of guilt into young people. So-called virgins are often referred to as innocent. The opposite of innocent is guilty. Guilty of what?
People who live their lives in shame and guilt are easier to manipulate, and often seek other forms of acceptance. The church seeks to provide this acceptance in exchange for control (money, influence, etc.) and if you look closely, the vast majority of the truly vile hypocrites (sex is evil, k? Dunno how I got here...) are typically older, very religious people. They perpetuate the inner frustration they doubtless feel from years of repression because hey, if they're old and bitter, everyone else should be too, right?.
It's backwards, but you really get a sense of how backwards it is when you talk to people in other countries who speak other languages. It's amazing how pervasive english TV is at promoting puritanism.
So let me get this straight: They sell you a small brick for more than a notebook computer costs. You get a slow processor, small screen, small hard drive, worse battery life than the average PC or Mac laptop, a keyboard you can't type on, and you're supposed to believe that it's revolutionary? I'm not following.
That's fine; you're not the target market for it.
I've been following the flipstart since the web site appeared in 2004/2005. Vaporware to the extreme. If it comes out, I'll pay whatever they're asking.
Why? Because it's small enough to fit in my coat pocket. A linux box in my coat pocket. When I travel (which I do frequently) it won't be an issue of hauling my laptop around with me. That's worth a lot to me.
Think GPS software, music, SSH for remote management, videos for flights, instant messaging, web browsing, emails, etc.
I currently have a Zaurus C760 which is only slightly smaller, and it would be great (I can type ~ 50wpm on its tiny keyboard), but it's just not quite powerful enough (and has no hard disk).
If the screen is too small, get glasses. If your fingers are too sloppy to type reasonably quickly (~50wpm is fine when you're in a bind; you're not writing 100 page documents on it), practice. I know people who can type 50wpm on a blackberry.
On behalf of all Canadians, I invite you guys to move your great company to Toronto, Vancouver, or better yet, Montreal! We have cheap labour here, strong liberty and privacy protections, a great communication network, and best of all: modern copyright laws (which deal relatively well with the Internet).
Plus, hint, hint, executives, you won't get arrested under some random new anti-porn/gambling/freespeach law-of-the-day!
The free market has its flaws, but the Internet a place where they are manifested.
If my ISP is too slow for me (as a consumer or content provider), then I will terminate my contract and seek a better provider. It is in a provider's best interest to provide a good product. Those that continually fail go out of business, and those that install adequate capacity at reasonable prices thrive.
It is through this mechanism that the internet flourishes, and in this context the question itself is somewhat ridiculous.
Another way to look at it is: which links have a crisis? Let's upgrade those or seek alternate link providers. Luckily the internet is very easy to trace.
It only seems moronic because you're not thinking in the right mindset.
Think like a religious nutcase, and it'll make sense.:) The sex hysteria laws are on the books to be interpreted literally - to promote hysteria.
Rape is repugnant and illegal regardless of the age of those involved. Extending the law to include cases that aren't rape is simply church law, disguised.
Further, it's unclear if he assaulted her in the literal sense or just in the legal sense.
Though it's still illegal in Texas, it's a possibility that it was a consentual relationship; people should consider that. Again the article is unclear.
Communication sites like myspace (though not myspace in particular) are too important to the human race to damage over the abuse of one person. People are abused day in, day out, around the world. Closing or damaging myspace's ability to permit free communications will not solve this issue.
We must move forward as a species - not backwards. Our future lies in free exchange of ideas and communications, and anything that works contrary to this should be opposed.
We're a planet of billions. Keep things in perspective.
The federal government collects this money from all the working members of society, then they withold it from anyone who won't accept rules that they are not actually supposed to be able to make. That's generally considered extortion.
Heyyyyy.. here's an idea. There must be some way to apply this logic to citizens. Perhaps increase the federal tax, and provide credits for various forms stating that you will behave a certain way. For example, the republican tax credit. If you vote republican and can prove it, they will send you a cheque of $350 of your tax dollars back.
Or come up with a system that proves that you watched at least 14 hours of TV that week, or that you abstained from premarital sex. $50/week tax credit.
This neocon thinktank stuff is easy when you get rolling.
This is why the internet is destined to become just another medium like television where you only consume and are limited in what you can produce and how many hearts and minds you can reach.
Laws like this one are illegal throughout much of the world, so I wouldn't worry about the Internet turning into some kind of television-like medium.
Eventually the situation will get bad enough in the US that true Americans will stand up and say "enough is enough." When they see the rest of the world constantly outpacing the US in areas of entertainment, politicial development, science, etc., they will make noise and shut laws like this down.
It would be an interesting bar discussion indeed.:) But I don't have the time or motivation to do it on slashdot.
In short - yes, I do. I believe you are being honest as well. We both work from different models of the world, influenced by the intersection between our personal experiences and our ethics or mindset.
You've clearly had a different upbringing and set of experiences than I have.
I'll quickly list some of the things that influenced my attitude in such matters:
I live in a very multicultural city so am exposed to many viewpoints
I communicate with people, directly, all over the world (irc, msn, phone, in person, etc), and do not rely greatly on mainstream media outlets for information, or "op-ed"
My technical background (now almost 20 years) has lent itself well to political research
My parents had a very liberal attitude - live and let live (don't try to control/interfere with others)
I studied history throughought high school and much of university, and continue to study it carefully to this day
I'm not generally "patriotic" in the traditional sense; I love my country, but no more than anyone else's
I've lived my whole life with many socialized services (health care, EI, etc.) and have taken advantage of several
Above all, I am wary of overburdening governmental power. Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely. It seems to me that the risk today (in the US) is great, and in general it is better to err on the side of caution.
You know I read the article before the comments, and I'm quite surprised to see how many comments here are dissing this guy and supporting "the man" on this one.
You guys are living in very scary times right now: illegal wiretaps, perpetual warfare, a criminal executive branch passing no-bid military contracts to stakeholders in the very same government... And it's a well observed phenomenon that journalism is under fire in the US.
What he did was certainly not in his own best interest, for sure. But I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss his patriotism. He is making the tough calls at a time many journalists are asleep at the wheel.
They're investigating a violent protest - a policeman (apparently) had his skull cracked, for goodness sake.
Now, we only have his word to go on, but apparently the police car sped up to ram a group of protestors; one of the officers then exited the vehicle and began to choke one of the protestors.
IF this is the case (and again, why wouldn't he show the video?) then there's certainly no shame in cracking one of the officer's skulls; he is committing (aggravated?) assault against a citizen and need's an ass whoopin. Officers of the law cease to be officers of the law when they engage in criminal activity (regardless of whether or not they're wearing their uniform).
I stress one more time: IF what he said is what actually happened, I can't find myself shedding much of a tear for the officer who apparently received a concussion. I mean how would you feel about the cop beating down Rodney King getting his ass kicked, on the spot, for his crime?
Having said that, I do drive. I actually ride to work in the summer (mainly for health), but in the winter, I drive. Yes, I burn oil to do this, and that is a very bad thing. I will move to electric the second I can afford an electric car. I will be an early adopter.
I think what you need to consider is that "this kind of crap" is not just needed because many of us drive oil burning cars. There are many sources of CO2 emissions and you are 90% as guilty as I am at producing them. You and I are westerners. We waste enormously. I don't know if you realize how much you waste, relative to the vast majority of the inhabitants on this planet.
So you don't drive. Cool. I appreciate that. Do you own a leather couch? A private condo? A house? Do you take hot showers in the morning? That water was likely heated by electricity generated at a coal power plant.
Do you eat processed food? Lots of meat? Do you take jets to go on vacation? Perhaps you buy musical instruments? Computers?
Cars are ONE waste of energy, but there are thousands.
Living "in harmony with nature" to some people means more than not driving, it means abandoning our modern society: the chemicals we use to grow enough food to feed everyone, the dams we use to prevent flooding, the fire planes we use to stop forest fires, the hot showers, the delivery of luxury sofas, and abandoning worldwide travel.
To me it means nuclear power and emission free transportation. If the science supports "meddling" with atmospheric properties (and I don't think it does in this case) then I don't have a problem with it to preserve our way of life.
Don't forget - you will always eat. You and I are rich. It is the poor who will starve when the price of food triples.
The members of the RIAA and the Canadian equivalent will be the first against the wall when the revolution comes.
I know it's a (half?) joke, but our anger shouldn't be directed towards these guys. They're scum, but there's nothing wrong with asking the government for money or another tax.
The problem would come if our government listened to them. They are supposed to be the kernel that protects our country from errant groups like this one.:)
You know stories like this always make me kinda chuckle. The idea that people living in the third world have a "problem" with pirated software.
First world problem: My SUV costs $57 to fill instead of $51.
Third world problem: My water is dirty and the market has no meat left.
First world problem: My son's team lost at their football championship.
Third world problem: My son's school collapsed and 4 of his classmates died.
First world problem: My baby formula might contain GMO products.
Third world problem: My baby is dying because of malnutrition and lack of medication.
First world problem: This war is expensive.
Third world problem: My stepfather died in the hospital that was just bombed.
I could go on, but there's no point. All of this to say that when you don't have any real problems, you make them up.
The idea that intellectual "property" is on the same radar as food, drinking water, medicine, or hell even physical property in the third world is ludicrous.
Sure, it would be nice to not be in Iraq, but the fact remains that we're there and we're not pulling out anytime soon. Even if we were pulling out of Iraq immediately, there will be other wars in the world. This technology has nothing to do with politics, so knock it off.
As sad and as sick as it sounds, the quicker American casualties mount, the quicker you guys can get out of the war. No one cares about the hundreds of thousands of dead civilians. They care about their own.
If 2,500 servicemen died on day 18 of the Iraq war, it would have been over by now and 500 American lives would have been saved (not to mention those of the Iraqi civilians).
Sorry, but to sound quote a neocon: War is war. And THIS, the blood of your sons and daughters, is both the price you pay, and the reason reason you must speak up and prevent your leaders from making it.
IMO, if you put on camo, and travel to a foreign country with an assault rifle, there's a good chance you're gonna die a horrible, painful death. It's the risk you take. Better luck next life.
Slashdot Mirror
CTS!?
I never thought I'd say this, but you are my hero. I've never come across a post this moving to me.
You know, I sometimes feel I am utterly awash in stupid, evil, unempathetic, worthless people. Bad government. Bad leaders. People with broken logic. People who seek to control or simply profit from others against their will.
You provided a small bit of hope for me tonight. Thank you.
Vibrant doesn't mean much of anything to me... About as much as audio sounding "warm".
Hey now. I can't speak to photography terminology, but "warm" has a very distinct, universally accepted definition in the audio production world. Warmness refers to the amount of equalization applied to the midbass band in a track.
And in the audiophile world, it's no different... "warm" speakers or amplifiers tend to accentuate the midbass (port tuning, nonlinear amplifiers, etc) or depress the band associated with sibilance (6-8khz).
Sorry, but audiophiles generally ignore PC's for serious listning. There hasn't been a sound card invented yet that has the same quality of output as even mid-grade hi-fi stereo equipment. Sure, you folks that consider your Bose system "audiophile" quality won't understand this, but actual audiophiles will.
My credentials: I'm using a home-built First Watt F1 clone to drive my AKG K-1000, and a 41hz Tripath-based Amp5 to drive my Paradigm S2s. So I've got some experience in the field.
Having stated that, the older generation of audiophiles are ignoring PCs for serious listening, and at their peril. A high quality, stably clocked S/PDIF output connected to a high quality DAC will produce sound with precision that rivals any recorded "pure analog" setup (ie short of an amplified mic). I'm personally running a Lavry DA10 fed from an M-Audio Audiophile 24/192 in a balanced (XLR) config to my F1 clone. Playing properly ripped CD audio (or better), FLAC compressed, it sounds very, very good.
Take a look at Lessloss, Empiricle Audio and Lavry Engineering for some serious high quality PC audio gear.
Now more than likely this isn't really the guy you want as he's just some poor sod that a real bad guy paid to have do this. The bad guy that paid him isn't really even the really bad dude, he's just some farmer that got mixed up with the wrong crowd.
How does fighting an enemy who has invaded your homeland make you a real bad guy?
If you had planted an IED in Washington after the Nazis successfully landed there in WW2 (in some alternate scenario), would you be a bad guy, with the wrong crowd?
As I've said before, the goal and effect of repressive sexual mores (and by extension laws) is to instill a sense of guilt into young people. So-called virgins are often referred to as innocent. The opposite of innocent is guilty. Guilty of what?
People who live their lives in shame and guilt are easier to manipulate, and often seek other forms of acceptance. The church seeks to provide this acceptance in exchange for control (money, influence, etc.) and if you look closely, the vast majority of the truly vile hypocrites (sex is evil, k? Dunno how I got here...) are typically older, very religious people. They perpetuate the inner frustration they doubtless feel from years of repression because hey, if they're old and bitter, everyone else should be too, right?.
It's backwards, but you really get a sense of how backwards it is when you talk to people in other countries who speak other languages. It's amazing how pervasive english TV is at promoting puritanism.
Wow. You truly took the words out of my mouth.
[repeats desperately] The internet will save us.... :/
So let me get this straight: They sell you a small brick for more than a notebook computer costs. You get a slow processor, small screen, small hard drive, worse battery life than the average PC or Mac laptop, a keyboard you can't type on, and you're supposed to believe that it's revolutionary? I'm not following.
That's fine; you're not the target market for it.
I've been following the flipstart since the web site appeared in 2004/2005. Vaporware to the extreme. If it comes out, I'll pay whatever they're asking.
Why? Because it's small enough to fit in my coat pocket. A linux box in my coat pocket. When I travel (which I do frequently) it won't be an issue of hauling my laptop around with me. That's worth a lot to me.
Think GPS software, music, SSH for remote management, videos for flights, instant messaging, web browsing, emails, etc.
I currently have a Zaurus C760 which is only slightly smaller, and it would be great (I can type ~ 50wpm on its tiny keyboard), but it's just not quite powerful enough (and has no hard disk).
If the screen is too small, get glasses. If your fingers are too sloppy to type reasonably quickly (~50wpm is fine when you're in a bind; you're not writing 100 page documents on it), practice. I know people who can type 50wpm on a blackberry.
The copyright law in the US is pretty old school.
On behalf of all Canadians, I invite you guys to move your great company to Toronto, Vancouver, or better yet, Montreal! We have cheap labour here, strong liberty and privacy protections, a great communication network, and best of all: modern copyright laws (which deal relatively well with the Internet).
Plus, hint, hint, executives, you won't get arrested under some random new anti-porn/gambling/freespeach law-of-the-day!
On the other hand, St. Ambroise Creme Ale is the finest invention mankind has produced. :D
If you want to read something scary, read through this site.
The same thing is happening right here at home. The subject matter is different, but process is the same.
It gives me nightmares knowing that this could happen to my son or daughter.
The free market has its flaws, but the Internet a place where they are manifested.
If my ISP is too slow for me (as a consumer or content provider), then I will terminate my contract and seek a better provider. It is in a provider's best interest to provide a good product. Those that continually fail go out of business, and those that install adequate capacity at reasonable prices thrive.
It is through this mechanism that the internet flourishes, and in this context the question itself is somewhat ridiculous.
Another way to look at it is: which links have a crisis? Let's upgrade those or seek alternate link providers. Luckily the internet is very easy to trace.
It only seems moronic because you're not thinking in the right mindset.
Think like a religious nutcase, and it'll make sense. :) The sex hysteria laws are on the books to be interpreted literally - to promote hysteria.
Rape is repugnant and illegal regardless of the age of those involved. Extending the law to include cases that aren't rape is simply church law, disguised.
Further, it's unclear if he assaulted her in the literal sense or just in the legal sense.
Though it's still illegal in Texas, it's a possibility that it was a consentual relationship; people should consider that. Again the article is unclear.
Communication sites like myspace (though not myspace in particular) are too important to the human race to damage over the abuse of one person. People are abused day in, day out, around the world. Closing or damaging myspace's ability to permit free communications will not solve this issue.
We must move forward as a species - not backwards. Our future lies in free exchange of ideas and communications, and anything that works contrary to this should be opposed.
We're a planet of billions. Keep things in perspective.
The federal government collects this money from all the working members of society, then they withold it from anyone who won't accept rules that they are not actually supposed to be able to make. That's generally considered extortion.
Heyyyyy.. here's an idea. There must be some way to apply this logic to citizens. Perhaps increase the federal tax, and provide credits for various forms stating that you will behave a certain way. For example, the republican tax credit. If you vote republican and can prove it, they will send you a cheque of $350 of your tax dollars back.
Or come up with a system that proves that you watched at least 14 hours of TV that week, or that you abstained from premarital sex. $50/week tax credit.
This neocon thinktank stuff is easy when you get rolling.
This is why the internet is destined to become just another medium like television where you only consume and are limited in what you can produce and how many hearts and minds you can reach.
Laws like this one are illegal throughout much of the world, so I wouldn't worry about the Internet turning into some kind of television-like medium.
Eventually the situation will get bad enough in the US that true Americans will stand up and say "enough is enough." When they see the rest of the world constantly outpacing the US in areas of entertainment, politicial development, science, etc., they will make noise and shut laws like this down.
In the mean time, hang on tight.
So, my choices are: support damage to our copyright laws, or winding up on a US industry's "blacklist?"
I know I speak for many of us up here when I say to the lobby groups in the US: fuck yourself with a screwdriver.
If you don't want us to pay for your films, fine. Stop selling them to us. We make our own, and frankly they're better anyway. Go to hell.
It would be an interesting bar discussion indeed. :) But I don't have the time or motivation to do it on slashdot.
In short - yes, I do. I believe you are being honest as well. We both work from different models of the world, influenced by the intersection between our personal experiences and our ethics or mindset.
You've clearly had a different upbringing and set of experiences than I have.
I'll quickly list some of the things that influenced my attitude in such matters:
Above all, I am wary of overburdening governmental power. Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely. It seems to me that the risk today (in the US) is great, and in general it is better to err on the side of caution.
You know I read the article before the comments, and I'm quite surprised to see how many comments here are dissing this guy and supporting "the man" on this one.
You guys are living in very scary times right now: illegal wiretaps, perpetual warfare, a criminal executive branch passing no-bid military contracts to stakeholders in the very same government... And it's a well observed phenomenon that journalism is under fire in the US.
What he did was certainly not in his own best interest, for sure. But I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss his patriotism. He is making the tough calls at a time many journalists are asleep at the wheel.
They're investigating a violent protest - a policeman (apparently) had his skull cracked, for goodness sake.
Now, we only have his word to go on, but apparently the police car sped up to ram a group of protestors; one of the officers then exited the vehicle and began to choke one of the protestors.
IF this is the case (and again, why wouldn't he show the video?) then there's certainly no shame in cracking one of the officer's skulls; he is committing (aggravated?) assault against a citizen and need's an ass whoopin. Officers of the law cease to be officers of the law when they engage in criminal activity (regardless of whether or not they're wearing their uniform).
I stress one more time: IF what he said is what actually happened, I can't find myself shedding much of a tear for the officer who apparently received a concussion. I mean how would you feel about the cop beating down Rodney King getting his ass kicked, on the spot, for his crime?
Firstly, I respect your choice not to drive.
Having said that, I do drive. I actually ride to work in the summer (mainly for health), but in the winter, I drive. Yes, I burn oil to do this, and that is a very bad thing. I will move to electric the second I can afford an electric car. I will be an early adopter.
I think what you need to consider is that "this kind of crap" is not just needed because many of us drive oil burning cars. There are many sources of CO2 emissions and you are 90% as guilty as I am at producing them. You and I are westerners. We waste enormously. I don't know if you realize how much you waste, relative to the vast majority of the inhabitants on this planet.
So you don't drive. Cool. I appreciate that. Do you own a leather couch? A private condo? A house? Do you take hot showers in the morning? That water was likely heated by electricity generated at a coal power plant.
Do you eat processed food? Lots of meat? Do you take jets to go on vacation? Perhaps you buy musical instruments? Computers?
Cars are ONE waste of energy, but there are thousands.
Living "in harmony with nature" to some people means more than not driving, it means abandoning our modern society: the chemicals we use to grow enough food to feed everyone, the dams we use to prevent flooding, the fire planes we use to stop forest fires, the hot showers, the delivery of luxury sofas, and abandoning worldwide travel.
To me it means nuclear power and emission free transportation. If the science supports "meddling" with atmospheric properties (and I don't think it does in this case) then I don't have a problem with it to preserve our way of life.
Don't forget - you will always eat. You and I are rich. It is the poor who will starve when the price of food triples.
The members of the RIAA and the Canadian equivalent will be the first against the wall when the revolution comes.
I know it's a (half?) joke, but our anger shouldn't be directed towards these guys. They're scum, but there's nothing wrong with asking the government for money or another tax.
The problem would come if our government listened to them. They are supposed to be the kernel that protects our country from errant groups like this one.You know stories like this always make me kinda chuckle. The idea that people living in the third world have a "problem" with pirated software.
First world problem: My SUV costs $57 to fill instead of $51.Third world problem: My water is dirty and the market has no meat left.
First world problem: My son's team lost at their football championship.Third world problem: My son's school collapsed and 4 of his classmates died.
First world problem: My baby formula might contain GMO products.Third world problem: My baby is dying because of malnutrition and lack of medication.
First world problem: This war is expensive.Third world problem: My stepfather died in the hospital that was just bombed.
I could go on, but there's no point. All of this to say that when you don't have any real problems, you make them up.
The idea that intellectual "property" is on the same radar as food, drinking water, medicine, or hell even physical property in the third world is ludicrous.
Perhaps the title could be changed to:
Blood vessel shunt may save American limbs in war.
Not that the limbs of the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi casualties are worthy of saving, right?
Sure, it would be nice to not be in Iraq, but the fact remains that we're there and we're not pulling out anytime soon. Even if we were pulling out of Iraq immediately, there will be other wars in the world. This technology has nothing to do with politics, so knock it off.
As sad and as sick as it sounds, the quicker American casualties mount, the quicker you guys can get out of the war. No one cares about the hundreds of thousands of dead civilians. They care about their own.
If 2,500 servicemen died on day 18 of the Iraq war, it would have been over by now and 500 American lives would have been saved (not to mention those of the Iraqi civilians).
Sorry, but to sound quote a neocon: War is war. And THIS, the blood of your sons and daughters, is both the price you pay, and the reason reason you must speak up and prevent your leaders from making it.
IMO, if you put on camo, and travel to a foreign country with an assault rifle, there's a good chance you're gonna die a horrible, painful death. It's the risk you take. Better luck next life.