Yeah, I heard about the Afghans. They love "The Archers", which is a radio soap-opera about a rural farming community in yorkshire which is also incredibly dull:-\
Youre right about bbc news being a bit shallow. I quite like the guardian and le mande, but they are slightly biased. However, i think its the other content that the bbc provides that is pretty cool and interesting....
If other people around the world want to use the facilities of the BBC then I have no problem with that, the BBC World Service have been doing just that for the last 70 years anyway.
Although you could the reasons for the bbc website and world service culd be viewed as the same (provide content to UK nationals both home and abroad), there is a technical differnce.
Radio is a conectionless, broadcast media. Therefore, they can broadcast to ex-pats around the world for a nominal cost. Heck, if some native wants to tune in for some reason the cost is exactly £0.00.
However, with the internet, every heathen and ex-crim who uses the website cost the Great British Empire about £0.0001
why would you want to use Perl over a flat file data set
Good Question. Answer is yes and no.
Flat Files are really quite useful in biology (btw, when a biologist mentions a "database", he almost certainly mean a "flatfile"). DNA/RNA/Proteins are just a long sequence of letters, and therefore these are perfectly represented by good 'ol ASCII. This is particularly useful for means of distribution etc. When annotations are added to the data, they are traditionally added to the flatfile by way of an "annotation table", to keep the simple ease of ASCII.
However, more advanced ways are used to store annotations of biological data, although traditional databases arent allways that good at expressing the rather messy, randomness of biology;-) Therefore, specialised databases such as acedb are quite useful and intuitive to the biological mind. Furthermore, projects such as ensembl (which ambitiously attempts annotations on the whole genome) store their data in an SQL database. However, they still make extensive use of perl to interact wiht the database.
Please excuse the slight change of topic - there has been a bit of wierdness on/. about off-topicness recently so i am a little worried about posting this. However, it is still pertinent to the conversation.
if you're in the US and want 15% less state propaganda in your news.
This is an interesting comment about the British Broadcasting Corporation (a not for profit organisation funded by the british taxpayer). Its primary role is to provide non-biased News, Education and original entertainment to the british populace both home and abroad (through the fantastically cool world service). However, the bbc website throws this role wide open. Plenty of non-british (particularly ossies and usians) now use the website. And they use it for good reasons - its (relatively) non-biased, apoliticol and non-commercial nature. However, these people pay nothing towards the upkeep of the site, unlike british taxpayers like myself.
So, what is the role of the bbc website in a global market? Should they seek avenues for revenue from non-british peoples?
As this thread shows, they seem to be quite good at pushing new technologies and investing/experimenting with the internet (furthermore, news.bbc.co.uk is apache on linux, which is nice;-). Which is a good thing, and seems to be sticking to the original remit of the bbc. They also seem to be doing a good job of raising the british profile abroad, which in an economic sense is a good thing.
But i cant help feeling a little bitter. Do any other rich countries have any non-commercial websites, up to the standard of the bbc? What I really, really want to do is get my revenge by leeching some taxpayers money back from America or Australia;-)
Due to recent legal proceedings by Sony towards our sale of the 'M' chip we have decided to remove it, and all Sony related devices from the website.
We were eager to promote this device, which arguably had a legal side (we may still yet have to fight on this, depending on their actions). Our main argument (which is received from reading court actions of something similar), was to be that the 'M' could in fact play imported games, this is a GOOD argument, and although we possibly should have been more restricted in advertising it's other capabilities. The rest of the argument is that because our eastern colleagues do not have access to (and SONY would never give) their patented media-authoring technology, they could not make something that could decipher the media. Therefore, if the original imports played, everything else played... it was just part and parcel of the design. You know, there was even an exerted effort to make sure the Playstation 2 logo remained running on the console when loading games. It was thought this was a 'complimentary feature' and the developers actually wrote code that ensured the logo remained intact, although other modchip developers had blatently completely removed it !
To clarify the statement about the control system above, here's an explanation:
Sony have a system running in the PS2 console that detects when a media is both non-licensed, and also which country it arises from. In the case of their licensed media (territorial lockout, and in the PSX known as the SCEA WIZ Code). It is currently unknown by ourselves as to what this system is called in the PS2. There are some interesting things to look at with this system, because of some factors:
A) Sony do not allow anyone to use this system, and therefore because it is patented, the use of the detection technology is unlawful. In the case of Bleem (emulator software) that won legal standing, it appears that they could not implement region or copy protection control into their software, because Sony did not allow them to use the patented technology. Therefore, Bleem software actually ran copied software and imported games because it had no control system used to stop this. So where is the circumvention (which is exactly what it is in basis) in context ? inside the machine, outside the machine, in the electronic guts of the console, or on the disks themselves ?
Looking closely:
It becomes obvious that the territorial and licensed media information is actually on the game disks themselves (otherwise the console will not be able to recognize the difference between disks), so if a software is allowing the import, and non-licensed versions to run, then the system on the disk MUST have been defeated ?
B) In the case of manufacturing a modchip device to play imported games, the fact that the region / copy control is defeated in the same case, it is not possible to have one without the other. Therefore, similar to the case of Bleem, the technology to control this system is not available, and even if were available, is not possible to use due to patent laws and Sony holding this close to their chest. So end result = same as Bleem, the whole kit and kaboodle must play, because you are 1) not allowed to use the technology, or 2) you use a workaround the patented control, but then lose the ability to define any control parameters.
C) To look a little closer:
Datel & Gameshark produces software that runs on the PS2. When this software runs, it produces a disclaimer of the following: 'this product is not licensed blah blah blah' (cannot remember exactly what !). Anyway, this is unlicensed software running on the console, so how is it done ?
If it is running, then it must have defeated the consoles control system ? (this time within the console), it certainly is not licensed, therefore does it break rules, or simply bend them ?
We know EXACTLY how Datel fools the console, and make it think it's software is a 'legal' media ('legal' as in a technical form, 'illegal' being one that is not allowed). Sony have tried to counter-act the loading of Datel disks on subsequent releases of their console models, but Datel have reverse engineered this and usually within a few weeks have produced a 'compatible' version.
Now look at all that has been written above, and start to analyze what you find:
A) Bleem plays imported and unlicensed software, therefore it defeats (or shall we say 'ignores') the control system implemented within the disks from Sony.
B) Datel & Gameshark disks play on the PS2 console (and are unlicensed), therefore they defeat (or shall we say 'ignores') the control system implemented within the console from sony.
So, we must now look at the 'M' and take into context with the information given above (we'll call it 'C')
C) Messiah plays licensed and unlicensed software, therefore it defeats (or shall we say 'ignores') the control system implemented within the disks from Sony, OR it defeats (or shall we say 'ignores') the control system implemented within the console from Sony ?
When you start to try to get your brain wrapped around what's written above, it can become completely confusing, but there are grey area's of legal matter that must be answered:
Does the 'M' actually defeat BOTH systems?, and IF NOT, does it then become any more illegal (or legal) than those products stated above ?
THE ANSWER IS: NO !
'M' defeats ONLY the consoles control systems, therefore it can be deemed to be akin to the Datel / Gameshark in its way of working. Of course, he Datel / Gameshark disk are the ONLY disks that load directly from the defeat (lucky them), so it appears that this defeat of the system can be 'overlooked' conveniently !
technically, the ways of owrking are completely different, but in context with the 'end reasult', we are merely stating that the 'M' fools the console, and so does the Datel and Gameshark to attain it's desired results, and this 'foooling' is the requirement of defeating the control system. (or protection).
(But its interesting to see that these disk from Datel / Gameshark are quite easily 'upgraded' to provide the necessary functions with such as simple item as a paperclip, knife or a credit card): some interesting links given below:
http://www.ps2ownz.com/cardswap.htm
http://www.ps2ownz.com/paperclipswap.html
http://www.ps2ownz.com/cogswap.html
The above methods used by those that seek an expanded result from the defeated control system.
It should be noted, that with all the above, the control system on the game disks from Sony still remains intact.
It's interesting to think on a few matters:
Channel Technology have NEVER sold a pic-type modchip of the type such as for instance (take a NEO 2) for the PS2. This by far is probably the most popular brand of modchip, and sites all over the internet sell them without hinderance. There must be millions of these devices sold throughout the world, and the software for such devices (hex code), is freely available for download. (their purposes clearly explained where Subsequently, the sale of Datel & Gameshark Software rocketed because of the public's knowledge of their unison.
(using a pic-mod with Datel software = Interesting results). The end result of this unison is of course, playback of unlicensed media. Although there are 'millions' of these devices on sale, and we never sold any of them, we are apparently deemed 'more culperable' because our version did not need a disk-swap.
SHEESH !!!
Is not the end result exactly the same thing ?
We could understand a little more if the unison between these two products allowed Imported Games to play, but they DO NOT... FACT, therefore, the ONLY use of a PIC-BASED modchip, is to play Unlicensed Media.. this is a BIG FULL STOP !
It's interesting to note how a 'level of Technology' now comes into play with the onslaught of Sony against Channel Technology. Although Channel Technology NEVER contributed ONE single pic-based modchip to the millions in use on PS2 consoles throughout the world, the one Professional design in the world that allowed legal playing of Imported Original games, and gave improvements such as full screen playback on these, and also took care to leave the copyrighted logo in place in the machine, is the one that stirs the mighty wrath of the giant Sony Corporation to see an end to it even before release, and will probably end the Channel Technology business.
Is it a fair world we live in ?
As proprietor of Channel Technology, I have to say a big NO to that question. I sat by here and NEVER became involved in the mass sales of these crappy 'pic-based' mods that were being advertised as 'play your CDR backups' and were flooding the world etc. and watched the world go by without becoming a part of this. If we were to bring forward a design, it would be a technically CORRECT design, that MUST play original imported games. (Our BM3 design was capable of playing imported PSX titles (a first on PS2), but the PS2 titles capabilities were not to come until developed by our eastern colleagues).
Moving on to a slightly altered topic, let's look at the scenario of someone who has a modified 'M' machine, and compare it to someone who has a modified NEO 2 Machine, with a Datel Action Replay disk, and these people are going to 'possibly' break the law by running pirated software:
Firstly the 'M' machine:
Human being has modified machine, wishes to play duplicated software. He may A) obtain a copy, or B) produce a copy himself.
If he travels road A), there is argument that he has bought pirate software, BUT, he HAS NOT defeated the control system on the disk himself, therefore there is argument that if he were to say purchase a HK Silver game (pressed disk manufactured in a factory), although he may well have bought a pirate disk (NOT ALL HK SILVER DISKS ARE PIRATE, THERE ARE MANY SLIDE-SHOW (XXX Rated) TITLES AVAILABLE FROM ASIA THAT ARE HK SILVER PRESSED DISKS THAT RUN ON THE PS2), he has NOT defeated the copy protection himself, therefore does not contravene any laws (such as section 296 of the Copyright, Patents and Designs act).
If the human produces a copy himself (using a cd-writer), then he MAY have infringed the law (This is not solid-set, and the law changes between different countries of the world). The UK laws state that 'where necessary', it is allowed that ONE backup of software be allowed.
This 'where necessary' clause can be deemed to be a little wide. For instance:
Human lives in the UK, and goes to the USA, and purchases / returns with a licensed game, and he will play on his 'M' upgraded console. BUT, after a few days in the grubby hands of the kids, he notices the disk is suffering. So he decides to make a backup, in the knowledge that he has little chance of obtaining a replacement from the USA as he will not receive 'support' outside the country. Is this now a 'where necessary' situation ?
But to dig deeper:
He now has his backup, which he has made under belief of the 'where necessary' clause. He places this backup in the console and 'M' boots the game.
What is now the scenario ?
Is 'M' illegal because it is booting a 'where necessary' instance ?
And if the owner of the 'where necessary' backup tried to boot his 'where necessary' backup on an UN-modified console, would the 'restrictions' imposed by the console actually be denying him of a legal right ?
Let's go another step further:
'M' would have had no way of knowing if the 'where necessary' title that was loaded was an original or backup. This is because as mentioned at the very top of this page, the patented technology was not available to it, so it must be asked:
QUESTION: Is 'M' playing the backup, or is the Human playing the backup ?And further, is the backup actually illegal, or falling under the 'where necessary' clause ?
The answer is summed in one quotation that I gave once on Messiah-worlds:
" 'M' does not play pirate software, Humans do" !
OK, so the human played the backup, and he did this by placing the disk in the tray and it booted. BUT, what happens if its a NEO2 ?:
Forget all the mumbly-jumbly, lets just look at the human playing his 'where necessary' backup:
To play with this version of chip, he first needs to load the Datel disk (defeats preliminary control system), and then he will use the NEO 2 to eject the disk tray and place his 'where necessary' backup in and the game will load.
WHAT is the difference ????, the backup is loaded and is playing !!!!!!!
Does 1+1 being sold as a package make ANY difference whatsoever ?
It appears it does, and although millions of 1+1's are on sale, its only the '1's that matter.
More food for thought:
Definitions: (in relative context)
CDR
(Media that is on recordable disks, can be software developed that will run on the PS2 if modified, this software can be found many places on the internet, and you will come across small game programs, graphics demonstrations, art etc. etc. 'M' will direct boot these without swap.
DVDR
The same as above, but a different medium, 'M' will direct boot these without swap.
BACKUP
Could be a backup of the above mentioned software (not the original disk). 'M' will direct boot these without swap.
HK SILVERS
Factory pressed disk (usually silver bottomed), can be duplications of the software mentioned above, or in fact as seen recently, slide shows etc.
The 'conception' that HK Silver means 'illegal is totally false. 'M' will direct boot these without swap.
DVD SILVERS
Exactly the same as above.
'M' will direct boot these without swap.
IMPORTS
Games / films purchased abroad, but shipped into your resident country. This is not illegal, and neither is the business of importing consoles. 'M' will direct boot these without swap.
PS2 BACKUPS
Software written to run on the PS2 operating system, and then 'backed up' from the original disk (many forms of this available on the internet, again, graphics, animations, games etc.) 'M' will direct boot these without swap.
PSX Backups
Same as the above, but written for the PSX operating system. 'M' will direct boot these without swap.
So, when you look at the 'capabilities' of a design on a site, you make sure you understand the exact meanings that can be implied by functions stated.
Only the Illegally thinking mind thinks illegally !
'He's NOT the Messiah, and certainly not my savior,
But I followed him faithfully' !
(Gazza, 2001)
I get very good results with this. I have extensively subjected it to my "Matmos" test of file sharing programs, and shown it to be as good as kazaa/morpheus.
The main strength of the program is that it has its own p2p protocol, but also allows you to connect to multiple OpenNap servers at once (unlike napigator). If you are patient, you can log onto a sh*t load of servers and get excellent results.
However, there are some drawbacks. The interface is a little buggy (but a little more for the "power" user than morpheus). Also, getting a good list of OpenNap servers into the program can be a real bastard. I strongly advise looking here and here for solutions to this problem. Also, as the name suggests, there is no linux version:-(
Re:but it would make for killer....
on
Time for a Beer?
·
· Score: 5, Funny
Yes. A friend once dragged me out on a pub crawl after a trekky convention. I was the only one not dressed as a Klingon, StarFleet, Data (3 of them) or Vulcan.
Furthermore, one of them constantly had out his tricorder:
"High levels of antonioum-C indicate that a licensed establishment is somewhere in the vicinity. The phase-inducer indicates that there could be a "wine-bar" 200 yards south-east and a "public-bar" further to the north. Captain, what do you suggest?"
I, like many others, have already stuck the boot in with a sarcastic comment about this turn of events.
However, could there not be a link between on-line "clans" and off-line "gangs"? Where rivalry and competition on-line spills over into violence and bloodshed in the real world? After all, this has happened elsewhere in the world before, as reported by slashdot.
Mod this guy up. I live just near the place. Its a lovely place, real gentile. The name "garden grove" sums it up real nice./sarcy
Maybe while their at it, they should ban the hairdresser down the road - someone got shot outside it. Personally, i blame those pointy sharp scissors and the fact that hair dryers look distinctly like guns.
Ahh, the Great Karma Massacre of 16-01-2002. A day, my friends, that will incoporate and mingle with the folklore and history of this famous arena.
The day we learned the terms "Threadslap" and "Postslap".
The day the slashdot world learned of the all-powerful god-like powers of the editors. The day we learned these Slash Gods were not benign masters - like our beloved Tsorvalds - but more malignant, totolatarian entitites, with control-freakerish tendencies.
Who did it? Taco? Michael? Not Jon Katz, surely? Maybe CowboyNeal?
Yes, maybe the editors are rightfully wary of naval-gazing. Keeping things on topic - Science, technology, computers. But surely any organisation needs a certain level of feedback, interaction with customers and clients, re-direction of stratagies and goals.
I dont believe a huge overturn of the moderation system is required. If you change it, people will still complain. What I do have a problem with is negative inteference from the slashdot editors when anyone stands up to criticise them or their beloved system.
"I can see this festering if there isnt a legitimate thread on it soon." -- as seen on/.
CRAP: Campaign Relegiously Against Postslapping
Goal: Public admission by slashdot editors to NOT unnecessarily Thread/Postslap comments which are critical of them or the slashdot system.
Required: An elite force of High-Karma slashdotters with some trolling tendencies. Must be willing to burn large quantities of Karma to achieve a high profile. Only +2 posters need apply.
Further Info: You may lose Karma, fast. But this is for the Greater Good, dude. You may find yourself unable to post due to being modded down too many times in 24hrs. I would suggest using multiple accounts and shifting your IP address.
Ahh, the Great Karma Massacre of 16-01-2002. A day, my friends, that will incoporate and mingle with the folklore and history of this famous arena.
The day we learned the terms "Threadslap" and "Postslap".
The day the slashdot world (and others)learned of the all-powerful god-like powers of the editors. The day we learned these Slash Gods were not benign masters - like our beloved Tsorvalds - but more malignant, totolatarian entitites, with control-freakerish tendencies.
Who did it? Taco? Michael? Not Jon Katz, surely? Maybe a new/. poll is in order?
Yes, maybe the editors are rightfully wary of naval-gazing. Keeping things on topic - Science, technology, computers. But surely any organisation needs a certain level of feedback, interaction with customers and clients, re-direction of stratagies and goals.
I dont believe a huge overturn of the moderation system is required. If you change it, people will still complain. What I do have a problem with is negative inteference from the slashdot editors when anyone stands up to criticise them or their beloved system.
Burning Karma to protect the rights of slashdot users everywhere since 16-01-2002
Yes, I actually agree with you. But you missed my point.
If real moderaters put me at offtopic or flaimbait, then fair enough. What I have a problem with is the slashdot editors using infinite moderation points.
Maybe I'm going to labour the point a bit here, but one of the tools of a totalatarian state is to afford the authorities rights well above and beyond those of ordinary people.
This is a community site, and therefore judjement should be passed by the community, not the authorities (and their limitless powers). As you can see, my other post got modded both interesting and offtopice. IMHO, both moderations were correct. But obviously someone found it interesting, and they would not have read it had the slashdot editors come along and bithslap censored it to -1
My parent post to this is now at -1 (originally +2).
All three moderations were e-mailed to me at _precisely_ the same time (09:44:35), all with consecutive ESMTP id's.
This is too coincedental to be multiple moderaters acting in concert. No *true* moderator had touched it. So the authorities (slashdot editors) are placing controls on what can and cannot be said on the forum, despite the fact that a fair number of moderators must have seen my post before it was bitchslapped - it was there for about half an hour before being whacked.
Furthermore, I disagree with the ascertation that moderation is not censorship.
It stifles free and open debate: AKA censorship.
Incidentally, X-files couldnt really work without mulder, and it hasnt really worked since series 2.
He's Right. I checked this thread perhaps 15 minutes ago (more interesting than most stuff on slashdot at the moment...). The parent was at +5, and there were a number of posts at 2, and many at 1 and 0. Within 15 minutes, the whole thread got bitchslapped to -1.
What does this tell us?
-The slashdot editors (unsuprisingly) have tools to moderate a whole thread in one go.
-They are willing to use these tools.
As this thread was highly critical of the slashdot moderation system, this would appear to be a form of hypocritical censorship.
this specific breathing rate is a design of my own creation.
This specific breathing rate is a design from Nature. You state that Nature is your own creation. Therefore, you must be....... God!
I once heard that you (God - patent #1) is an all powerful, ever present, all knowing Great Entity. Therefore, you must have thought of everything, and knew everything, at the Dawn of Time.
Does this not mean that the basis of any patent, ever, anywhere, was already known by God? Does God not have prior art on *everything*.
Therefore, all patents everywhere must be invalidated if the law accepts the existence of God.
Edmund, I have a cunning plan........
The Christian far-right of America and Slashdot Readers everywhere must join hands in a holy union to fight the evil powers of MS, RIAA, and the Devil (patent #2).
Incidentlly, I have just made my own patent application:
Method of recieving Karma Points from www.slashdot.org utilising process of relying entirely on external sources and/or hyperlinks - "Karma Whoring".
Slashdot Mirror
Nice Reply. Thankyou.
:-\
Yeah, I heard about the Afghans. They love "The Archers", which is a radio soap-opera about a rural farming community in yorkshire which is also incredibly dull
Youre right about bbc news being a bit shallow. I quite like the guardian and le mande, but they are slightly biased. However, i think its the other content that the bbc provides that is pretty cool and interesting....
After significant scientific endeavour, I have calculated the speed of slashdot to be a whopping 53720mph!
Time the register posted the original story:
28 January 2002 5:58pm
Time slashdot posted the link:
Tuesday January 29, @06:04PM
Therefore:
5.58pm - 06.04pm = 6 minutes
Distance from London, England to California, USA:
5372 miles
Therefore:
5372/6 = 895.3333333 miles per minute
=53720mph
Is this some kind of world record?
If other people around the world want to use the facilities of the BBC then I have no problem with that, the BBC World Service have been doing just that for the last 70 years anyway.
Although you could the reasons for the bbc website and world service culd be viewed as the same (provide content to UK nationals both home and abroad), there is a technical differnce.
Radio is a conectionless, broadcast media. Therefore, they can broadcast to ex-pats around the world for a nominal cost. Heck, if some native wants to tune in for some reason the cost is exactly £0.00.
However, with the internet, every heathen and ex-crim who uses the website cost the Great British Empire about £0.0001
why would you want to use Perl over a flat file data set
;-) Therefore, specialised databases such as acedb are quite useful and intuitive to the biological mind. Furthermore, projects such as ensembl (which ambitiously attempts annotations on the whole genome) store their data in an SQL database. However, they still make extensive use of perl to interact wiht the database.
Good Question. Answer is yes and no.
Flat Files are really quite useful in biology (btw, when a biologist mentions a "database", he almost certainly mean a "flatfile"). DNA/RNA/Proteins are just a long sequence of letters, and therefore these are perfectly represented by good 'ol ASCII. This is particularly useful for means of distribution etc. When annotations are added to the data, they are traditionally added to the flatfile by way of an "annotation table", to keep the simple ease of ASCII.
However, more advanced ways are used to store annotations of biological data, although traditional databases arent allways that good at expressing the rather messy, randomness of biology
Please excuse the slight change of topic - there has been a bit of wierdness on /. about off-topicness recently so i am a little worried about posting this. However, it is still pertinent to the conversation.
;-). Which is a good thing, and seems to be sticking to the original remit of the bbc. They also seem to be doing a good job of raising the british profile abroad, which in an economic sense is a good thing.
;-)
if you're in the US and want 15% less state propaganda in your news.
This is an interesting comment about the British Broadcasting Corporation (a not for profit organisation funded by the british taxpayer). Its primary role is to provide non-biased News, Education and original entertainment to the british populace both home and abroad (through the fantastically cool world service). However, the bbc website throws this role wide open. Plenty of non-british (particularly ossies and usians) now use the website. And they use it for good reasons - its (relatively) non-biased, apoliticol and non-commercial nature. However, these people pay nothing towards the upkeep of the site, unlike british taxpayers like myself.
So, what is the role of the bbc website in a global market? Should they seek avenues for revenue from non-british peoples?
As this thread shows, they seem to be quite good at pushing new technologies and investing/experimenting with the internet (furthermore, news.bbc.co.uk is apache on linux, which is nice
But i cant help feeling a little bitter. Do any other rich countries have any non-commercial websites, up to the standard of the bbc? What I really, really want to do is get my revenge by leeching some taxpayers money back from America or Australia
Yeah, but does it come with a free Apple iAnglePoiseLamp?
More coverage from the reg
Getting a good list of OpenNap servers into the program can be a real bastard. I strongly advise looking here and here for solutions to this problem.
Got this from Gary (aka Gazza) before ruling:
Due to recent legal proceedings by Sony towards our sale of the 'M' chip we have decided to remove it, and all Sony related devices from the website.
We were eager to promote this device, which arguably had a legal side (we may still yet have to fight on this, depending on their actions). Our main argument (which is received from reading court actions of something similar), was to be that the 'M' could in fact play imported games, this is a GOOD argument, and although we possibly should have been more restricted in advertising it's other capabilities. The rest of the argument is that because our eastern colleagues do not have access to (and SONY would never give) their patented media-authoring technology, they could not make something that could decipher the media. Therefore, if the original imports played, everything else played... it was just part and parcel of the design. You know, there was even an exerted effort to make sure the Playstation 2 logo remained running on the console when loading games. It was thought this was a 'complimentary feature' and the developers actually wrote code that ensured the logo remained intact, although other modchip developers had blatently completely removed it !
To clarify the statement about the control system above, here's an explanation:
Sony have a system running in the PS2 console that detects when a media is both non-licensed, and also which country it arises from. In the case of their licensed media (territorial lockout, and in the PSX known as the SCEA WIZ Code). It is currently unknown by ourselves as to what this system is called in the PS2. There are some interesting things to look at with this system, because of some factors:
A) Sony do not allow anyone to use this system, and therefore because it is patented, the use of the detection technology is unlawful. In the case of Bleem (emulator software) that won legal standing, it appears that they could not implement region or copy protection control into their software, because Sony did not allow them to use the patented technology. Therefore, Bleem software actually ran copied software and imported games because it had no control system used to stop this. So where is the circumvention (which is exactly what it is in basis) in context ? inside the machine, outside the machine, in the electronic guts of the console, or on the disks themselves ?
Looking closely:
It becomes obvious that the territorial and licensed media information is actually on the game disks themselves (otherwise the console will not be able to recognize the difference between disks), so if a software is allowing the import, and non-licensed versions to run, then the system on the disk MUST have been defeated ?
B) In the case of manufacturing a modchip device to play imported games, the fact that the region / copy control is defeated in the same case, it is not possible to have one without the other. Therefore, similar to the case of Bleem, the technology to control this system is not available, and even if were available, is not possible to use due to patent laws and Sony holding this close to their chest. So end result = same as Bleem, the whole kit and kaboodle must play, because you are 1) not allowed to use the technology, or 2) you use a workaround the patented control, but then lose the ability to define any control parameters.
C) To look a little closer:
Datel & Gameshark produces software that runs on the PS2. When this software runs, it produces a disclaimer of the following: 'this product is not licensed blah blah blah' (cannot remember exactly what !). Anyway, this is unlicensed software running on the console, so how is it done ?
If it is running, then it must have defeated the consoles control system ? (this time within the console), it certainly is not licensed, therefore does it break rules, or simply bend them ?
We know EXACTLY how Datel fools the console, and make it think it's software is a 'legal' media ('legal' as in a technical form, 'illegal' being one that is not allowed). Sony have tried to counter-act the loading of Datel disks on subsequent releases of their console models, but Datel have reverse engineered this and usually within a few weeks have produced a 'compatible' version.
Now look at all that has been written above, and start to analyze what you find:
A) Bleem plays imported and unlicensed software, therefore it defeats (or shall we say 'ignores') the control system implemented within the disks from Sony.
B) Datel & Gameshark disks play on the PS2 console (and are unlicensed), therefore they defeat (or shall we say 'ignores') the control system implemented within the console from sony.
So, we must now look at the 'M' and take into context with the information given above (we'll call it 'C')
C) Messiah plays licensed and unlicensed software, therefore it defeats (or shall we say 'ignores') the control system implemented within the disks from Sony, OR it defeats (or shall we say 'ignores') the control system implemented within the console from Sony ?
When you start to try to get your brain wrapped around what's written above, it can become completely confusing, but there are grey area's of legal matter that must be answered:
Does the 'M' actually defeat BOTH systems?, and IF NOT, does it then become any more illegal (or legal) than those products stated above ?
THE ANSWER IS: NO !
'M' defeats ONLY the consoles control systems, therefore it can be deemed to be akin to the Datel / Gameshark in its way of working. Of course, he Datel / Gameshark disk are the ONLY disks that load directly from the defeat (lucky them), so it appears that this defeat of the system can be 'overlooked' conveniently !
technically, the ways of owrking are completely different, but in context with the 'end reasult', we are merely stating that the 'M' fools the console, and so does the Datel and Gameshark to attain it's desired results, and this 'foooling' is the requirement of defeating the control system. (or protection).
(But its interesting to see that these disk from Datel / Gameshark are quite easily 'upgraded' to provide the necessary functions with such as simple item as a paperclip, knife or a credit card): some interesting links given below:
http://www.ps2ownz.com/cardswap.htm
http://www.ps2ownz.com/paperclipswap.html
http://www.ps2ownz.com/cogswap.html
The above methods used by those that seek an expanded result from the defeated control system.
It should be noted, that with all the above, the control system on the game disks from Sony still remains intact.
It's interesting to think on a few matters:
Channel Technology have NEVER sold a pic-type modchip of the type such as for instance (take a NEO 2) for the PS2. This by far is probably the most popular brand of modchip, and sites all over the internet sell them without hinderance. There must be millions of these devices sold throughout the world, and the software for such devices (hex code), is freely available for download. (their purposes clearly explained where Subsequently, the sale of Datel & Gameshark Software rocketed because of the public's knowledge of their unison.
(using a pic-mod with Datel software = Interesting results). The end result of this unison is of course, playback of unlicensed media. Although there are 'millions' of these devices on sale, and we never sold any of them, we are apparently deemed 'more culperable' because our version did not need a disk-swap.
SHEESH !!!
Is not the end result exactly the same thing ?
We could understand a little more if the unison between these two products allowed Imported Games to play, but they DO NOT... FACT, therefore, the ONLY use of a PIC-BASED modchip, is to play Unlicensed Media.. this is a BIG FULL STOP !
It's interesting to note how a 'level of Technology' now comes into play with the onslaught of Sony against Channel Technology. Although Channel Technology NEVER contributed ONE single pic-based modchip to the millions in use on PS2 consoles throughout the world, the one Professional design in the world that allowed legal playing of Imported Original games, and gave improvements such as full screen playback on these, and also took care to leave the copyrighted logo in place in the machine, is the one that stirs the mighty wrath of the giant Sony Corporation to see an end to it even before release, and will probably end the Channel Technology business.
Is it a fair world we live in ?
As proprietor of Channel Technology, I have to say a big NO to that question. I sat by here and NEVER became involved in the mass sales of these crappy 'pic-based' mods that were being advertised as 'play your CDR backups' and were flooding the world etc. and watched the world go by without becoming a part of this. If we were to bring forward a design, it would be a technically CORRECT design, that MUST play original imported games. (Our BM3 design was capable of playing imported PSX titles (a first on PS2), but the PS2 titles capabilities were not to come until developed by our eastern colleagues).
Moving on to a slightly altered topic, let's look at the scenario of someone who has a modified 'M' machine, and compare it to someone who has a modified NEO 2 Machine, with a Datel Action Replay disk, and these people are going to 'possibly' break the law by running pirated software:
Firstly the 'M' machine:
Human being has modified machine, wishes to play duplicated software. He may A) obtain a copy, or B) produce a copy himself.
If he travels road A), there is argument that he has bought pirate software, BUT, he HAS NOT defeated the control system on the disk himself, therefore there is argument that if he were to say purchase a HK Silver game (pressed disk manufactured in a factory), although he may well have bought a pirate disk (NOT ALL HK SILVER DISKS ARE PIRATE, THERE ARE MANY SLIDE-SHOW (XXX Rated) TITLES AVAILABLE FROM ASIA THAT ARE HK SILVER PRESSED DISKS THAT RUN ON THE PS2), he has NOT defeated the copy protection himself, therefore does not contravene any laws (such as section 296 of the Copyright, Patents and Designs act).
If the human produces a copy himself (using a cd-writer), then he MAY have infringed the law (This is not solid-set, and the law changes between different countries of the world). The UK laws state that 'where necessary', it is allowed that ONE backup of software be allowed.
This 'where necessary' clause can be deemed to be a little wide. For instance:
Human lives in the UK, and goes to the USA, and purchases / returns with a licensed game, and he will play on his 'M' upgraded console. BUT, after a few days in the grubby hands of the kids, he notices the disk is suffering. So he decides to make a backup, in the knowledge that he has little chance of obtaining a replacement from the USA as he will not receive 'support' outside the country. Is this now a 'where necessary' situation ?
But to dig deeper:
He now has his backup, which he has made under belief of the 'where necessary' clause. He places this backup in the console and 'M' boots the game.
What is now the scenario ?
Is 'M' illegal because it is booting a 'where necessary' instance ?
And if the owner of the 'where necessary' backup tried to boot his 'where necessary' backup on an UN-modified console, would the 'restrictions' imposed by the console actually be denying him of a legal right ?
Let's go another step further:
'M' would have had no way of knowing if the 'where necessary' title that was loaded was an original or backup. This is because as mentioned at the very top of this page, the patented technology was not available to it, so it must be asked:
QUESTION: Is 'M' playing the backup, or is the Human playing the backup ?And further, is the backup actually illegal, or falling under the 'where necessary' clause ?
The answer is summed in one quotation that I gave once on Messiah-worlds:
" 'M' does not play pirate software, Humans do" !
OK, so the human played the backup, and he did this by placing the disk in the tray and it booted. BUT, what happens if its a NEO2 ?:
Forget all the mumbly-jumbly, lets just look at the human playing his 'where necessary' backup:
To play with this version of chip, he first needs to load the Datel disk (defeats preliminary control system), and then he will use the NEO 2 to eject the disk tray and place his 'where necessary' backup in and the game will load.
WHAT is the difference ????, the backup is loaded and is playing !!!!!!!
Does 1+1 being sold as a package make ANY difference whatsoever ?
It appears it does, and although millions of 1+1's are on sale, its only the '1's that matter.
More food for thought:
Definitions: (in relative context)
CDR
(Media that is on recordable disks, can be software developed that will run on the PS2 if modified, this software can be found many places on the internet, and you will come across small game programs, graphics demonstrations, art etc. etc. 'M' will direct boot these without swap.
DVDR
The same as above, but a different medium, 'M' will direct boot these without swap.
BACKUP
Could be a backup of the above mentioned software (not the original disk). 'M' will direct boot these without swap.
HK SILVERS
Factory pressed disk (usually silver bottomed), can be duplications of the software mentioned above, or in fact as seen recently, slide shows etc.
The 'conception' that HK Silver means 'illegal is totally false. 'M' will direct boot these without swap.
DVD SILVERS
Exactly the same as above.
'M' will direct boot these without swap.
IMPORTS
Games / films purchased abroad, but shipped into your resident country. This is not illegal, and neither is the business of importing consoles. 'M' will direct boot these without swap.
PS2 BACKUPS
Software written to run on the PS2 operating system, and then 'backed up' from the original disk (many forms of this available on the internet, again, graphics, animations, games etc.) 'M' will direct boot these without swap.
PSX Backups
Same as the above, but written for the PSX operating system. 'M' will direct boot these without swap.
So, when you look at the 'capabilities' of a design on a site, you make sure you understand the exact meanings that can be implied by functions stated.
Only the Illegally thinking mind thinks illegally !
'He's NOT the Messiah, and certainly not my savior,
But I followed him faithfully' !
(Gazza, 2001)
Another good one is WinMX
:-(
I get very good results with this. I have extensively subjected it to my "Matmos" test of file sharing programs, and shown it to be as good as kazaa/morpheus.
The main strength of the program is that it has its own p2p protocol, but also allows you to connect to multiple OpenNap servers at once (unlike napigator). If you are patient, you can log onto a sh*t load of servers and get excellent results.
However, there are some drawbacks. The interface is a little buggy (but a little more for the "power" user than morpheus). Also, getting a good list of OpenNap servers into the program can be a real bastard. I strongly advise looking here and here for solutions to this problem. Also, as the name suggests, there is no linux version
Yes. A friend once dragged me out on a pub crawl after a trekky convention. I was the only one not dressed as a Klingon, StarFleet, Data (3 of them) or Vulcan.
Furthermore, one of them constantly had out his tricorder:
"High levels of antonioum-C indicate that a licensed establishment is somewhere in the vicinity. The phase-inducer indicates that there could be a "wine-bar" 200 yards south-east and a "public-bar" further to the north. Captain, what do you suggest?"
And that was before they got drunk.......
oh boy.
Why do I want to be stumbling around in a bar full of drunk MEN?
Cos it's the only time in your life you will look beautifull, darling.
I, like many others, have already stuck the boot in with a sarcastic comment about this turn of events.
However, could there not be a link between on-line "clans" and off-line "gangs"? Where rivalry and competition on-line spills over into violence and bloodshed in the real world? After all, this has happened elsewhere in the world before, as reported by slashdot.
Mod this guy up. I live just near the place. Its a lovely place, real gentile. The name "garden grove" sums it up real nice. /sarcy
Maybe while their at it, they should ban the hairdresser down the road - someone got shot outside it. Personally, i blame those pointy sharp scissors and the fact that hair dryers look distinctly like guns.
Ahh, the Great Karma Massacre of 16-01-2002. A day, my friends, that will incoporate and mingle with the folklore and history of this famous arena.
The day we learned the terms "Threadslap" and "Postslap".
The day the slashdot world learned of the all-powerful god-like powers of the editors. The day we learned these Slash Gods were not benign masters - like our beloved Tsorvalds - but more malignant, totolatarian entitites, with control-freakerish tendencies.
Who did it? Taco? Michael? Not Jon Katz, surely? Maybe CowboyNeal?
Yes, maybe the editors are rightfully wary of naval-gazing. Keeping things on topic - Science, technology, computers. But surely any organisation needs a certain level of feedback, interaction with customers and clients, re-direction of stratagies and goals.
I dont believe a huge overturn of the moderation system is required. If you change it, people will still complain. What I do have a problem with is negative inteference from the slashdot editors when anyone stands up to criticise them or their beloved system.
A breif history, for the uninformed:
In the beggining
And then news hit - elsewhere...
Then, the thread got bitchslapped to -1, by some evil SlashGod
And now, the Troll's first real campaign since Goatse...
Burning Karma to protect the rights of slashdot users everywhere since 16-01-2002
"I can see this festering if there isnt a legitimate thread on it soon." -- as seen on /.
CRAP: Campaign Relegiously Against Postslapping
Goal: Public admission by slashdot editors to NOT unnecessarily Thread/Postslap comments which are critical of them or the slashdot system.
Required: An elite force of High-Karma slashdotters with some trolling tendencies. Must be willing to burn large quantities of Karma to achieve a high profile. Only +2 posters need apply.
Further Info: You may lose Karma, fast. But this is for the Greater Good, dude. You may find yourself unable to post due to being modded down too many times in 24hrs. I would suggest using multiple accounts and shifting your IP address.
"I can see this festering if there isnt a legitimate thread on it soon."
As seen on slashdot
Burning Karma to protect the rights of slashdot users everywhere since 16-01-2002
Ahh, the Great Karma Massacre of 16-01-2002. A day, my friends, that will incoporate and mingle with the folklore and history of this famous arena.
/. poll is in order?
The day we learned the terms "Threadslap" and "Postslap".
The day the slashdot world (and others)learned of the all-powerful god-like powers of the editors. The day we learned these Slash Gods were not benign masters - like our beloved Tsorvalds - but more malignant, totolatarian entitites, with control-freakerish tendencies.
Who did it? Taco? Michael? Not Jon Katz, surely? Maybe a new
Yes, maybe the editors are rightfully wary of naval-gazing. Keeping things on topic - Science, technology, computers. But surely any organisation needs a certain level of feedback, interaction with customers and clients, re-direction of stratagies and goals.
I dont believe a huge overturn of the moderation system is required. If you change it, people will still complain. What I do have a problem with is negative inteference from the slashdot editors when anyone stands up to criticise them or their beloved system.
Burning Karma to protect the rights of slashdot users everywhere since 16-01-2002
Thanks. Nice link.
For those of you reading at +2, nested or whatever, the parent to this post provided a real nice link.
Check it.
Burning Karma to protect the rights of slashdot users everywhere since 17-01-2001
Check more on this thread
Yes, I actually agree with you. But you missed my point.
If real moderaters put me at offtopic or flaimbait, then fair enough. What I have a problem with is the slashdot editors using infinite moderation points.
Maybe I'm going to labour the point a bit here, but one of the tools of a totalatarian state is to afford the authorities rights well above and beyond those of ordinary people.
This is a community site, and therefore judjement should be passed by the community, not the authorities (and their limitless powers). As you can see, my other post got modded both interesting and offtopice. IMHO, both moderations were correct. But obviously someone found it interesting, and they would not have read it had the slashdot editors come along and bithslap censored it to -1
All three moderations were e-mailed to me at _precisely_ the same time (09:44:35), all with consecutive ESMTP id's.
This is too coincedental to be multiple moderaters acting in concert. No *true* moderator had touched it. So the authorities (slashdot editors) are placing controls on what can and cannot be said on the forum, despite the fact that a fair number of moderators must have seen my post before it was bitchslapped - it was there for about half an hour before being whacked.
Furthermore, I disagree with the ascertation that moderation is not censorship.
It stifles free and open debate: AKA censorship.
Incidentally, X-files couldnt really work without mulder, and it hasnt really worked since series 2.
He's Right. I checked this thread perhaps 15 minutes ago (more interesting than most stuff on slashdot at the moment...). The parent was at +5, and there were a number of posts at 2, and many at 1 and 0. Within 15 minutes, the whole thread got bitchslapped to -1.
What does this tell us?
-The slashdot editors (unsuprisingly) have tools to moderate a whole thread in one go.
-They are willing to use these tools.
As this thread was highly critical of the slashdot moderation system, this would appear to be a form of hypocritical censorship.
this specific breathing rate is a design of my own creation.
This specific breathing rate is a design from Nature. You state that Nature is your own creation. Therefore, you must be....... God!
I once heard that you (God - patent #1) is an all powerful, ever present, all knowing Great Entity. Therefore, you must have thought of everything, and knew everything, at the Dawn of Time.
Does this not mean that the basis of any patent, ever, anywhere, was already known by God? Does God not have prior art on *everything*.
Therefore, all patents everywhere must be invalidated if the law accepts the existence of God.
Edmund, I have a cunning plan........
The Christian far-right of America and Slashdot Readers everywhere must join hands in a holy union to fight the evil powers of MS, RIAA, and the Devil (patent #2).
Check these patents:
Silly patents
Really silly patents
Really Very silly patent
Plain absurd patent
Even law firms admit many patents are silly
Are you getting bored of all this silliness yet?
I can go on
And on
And on. Even in Spanish
Incidentlly, I have just made my own patent application:
Method of recieving Karma Points from www.slashdot.org utilising process of relying entirely on external sources and/or hyperlinks - "Karma Whoring".