So does this mean that since I am the owner of the information and Amazon is simply borrowing/renting/licensing/stealing it from me, I have the right to charge Amazon for selling my information? If it is a business asset to them, it is also certainly a business asset to me and they are a customer to that.
I believe it's time we all sent them a bill and a AUP for renting our information.
This was the first bit of news I came across after waking up this morning. I realize that everyone dies, but Douglas Adams deserved to have a long and happy life with his family for all the joy he's brought to everyone. I've never met anyone who's read the H2G2 series that didn't enjoy it and sneak a grin just at the mere mention of "42" or "towel." I read the books at a very young age, and they had a profound impact on my sense of humor - and I've never grown tired of reading and re-reading his work.
I don't think I've been this sad since John Lennon was shot. The fact that Douglas Adams has passed away so young, but Michael Bolton is still alive proves there is no justice in the world...
This one is my second...my first died about a month after I got service. I didn't wait for them to replace it, though - I drove to one of their service centers and got a replacement after the call tag that they promised never showed up. Qwest isn't one of my favorite companies...:)
I'm not sure if mine overheated or what, but the best bet is just take matters into your own hands if you can. Don't wait for good service from them - you won't get it.
I'm located in Denver and I'm about to move to a location where it's quite likely that I will not be able to get DSL through Qwest - but I have it now.
The modem is a Cisco 675, does anyone know of any cool hacks for it? I'd like to turn it into a regular router if I can't get DSL - I already know I can have @Home. I'll probably get both if DSL is available (backup) but would like to have a plan for this modem otherwise. Qwest pretty much gives them away here, so I don't think reselling is much of an option.
I hate to see perfectly useful hardware go to waste, though.
Yeah, and it's a shame that Stormix is going under. Stormix installs pretty easily on laptops and other computers... I really liked their install and management tools. Granted, I could get Debian to run on the same computers, but configuring sound and printers is way easier with Stormix. (I've found one or two instances, though, where Stormix would bomb during the install...but Debian just plowed through).
Frankly, I think Stormix got burned by jumping straight into retail and by getting into bed with distributors like Ingram-Micro (they own Buy.com and have a bad tendency to let Buy sell stuff at cost - which screws over all the other retailers...) and they had some over-generous rebates trying to rapid-build market share.
All-in-all, though, I think their heart was in the right place, figuratively speaking.
Too much significance should not be read into this, though - many businesses fail, especially in new markets. Hell, I used to live in a small town that had a number of mom 'n' pop diners fail one after another - not because the market for diners or food was weak, but because a succession of poor businesspeople opened restaurants that they didn't know how to run. Eventually, a decent manager got hold of the place and has been running a diner successfully for five or six years...
Anyway, I hope the folks I've worked with at Stormix have managed to find new jobs. They deserve some luck.
I don't know if that would apply, but I think it might be a good idea for the Free Software Community to try to get a law passed that would give companies and individuals credit for releasing code under an Open Source or Free Software license.
I don't see why a company shouldn't get tax credits if they release code... if they spent money on hardware and gave the hardware away to a charitable organization, then it'd be deductible, right?
Useful Free or Open Source code is a benefit to the government and organizations that can't afford to pay for proprietary licenses.
#5 is a Really Good Point - don't waste coverage on pre-announcing a product or trying to get coverage of your beta product - if you get coverage of that, you'll likely lose press later when you really could use it.
Remember this too - if you're working with print magazines, figure two to three months between the time the journalist writes up something to the time it hits the newsstands. Timing is very important...
Zonker
Here are a few tips - they're not sure-fire, and they won't guarantee coverage for crappy products - but they might help.
1. Leave no stone unturned - try to touch base with the right person at any publication - Web or print - that might cover your product.
2. Be open to collaborating on any kind of coverage, not just reviews or getting press releases covered. Sometimes a product just isn't review material - but it might make a good feature or "how to" story.
3. Don't be stingy with review products. I've had a few software companies that have told me "just download the demo" instead of sending me a review copy. Guess what? If it's my decision, I instantly drop it. Not because I'm hunting for a freebie - I get plenty - but because that is a poor attitude and communicates a total lack of interest in working with me.
4. Be polite, and know when to drop it. I've had a few overly persistant PR folks who practically demand that I cover their product. Sometimes large companies can get away with this - but don't press your luck.
5. Talk to the right person and once you've established who the right person is, keep in contact. Ask what you can do for them.
6. Don't send Microsoft Word docs to Linux press. Not a good idea. (Okay, this is of pretty limited interest to companies doing business outside the Linux market, but I've run into it a lot and I'm always stunned that someone in a PR job will send a Word doc to me.)
7. Don't ask "can I see the review before it goes to print?" The answer from any serious journalist is NO.
8. Write a decent press release - I get SO many press releases that are so full of jargon, or are completely content-free! Assume that a journalist may write a blurb about your company and product straight from the release without ever talking to you. Can they get all the relevant information and does the release read well?
9. Don't count on press releases.
10. Never, ever, fail to respond to a journalist. Ever. And don't try to force them to call you for more information. Put it all out there.
Anyway, I hope that helps. Also, you have to realize that there are infinitely more products and companies trying to get coverage than there is available space in the press - be sure to make good use of your Web site. I took a look at your site and it could use a little more content, and a bit less cutesy graphics. Also, a press section would be a Very Good Idea.
I have used the bsi fieldgo portables http://www.fieldgo.com they are great but very pricey, a laptop may be cheaper than these things. I've had one apart, they seem to have very standard pc stuff in them. The military bought lots of these things to run linux out in the field on. So maybe with luck we can pick these things up at surplus sales or on ebay in a few years.
Is all of the poor stupid people who wasted their moderator points to moderate posts today.
Of course it could be no worse than what I'm doing right now however.
serpens` When I was a kid, April Fools Day ended at noon.
Don't really exist - I've dealt with a few publishers now, the bigger ones will offer an advance between $5K - $10K or more for an entire book. You'll also get a royalty if you're the sole or co-author, starting around 10% for the book. You can try to get more, depending on:
A) How bad they want to publish your title...
B) Who you are...
C) If they can get someone else to do it...
Dealing with publishers can be very frustrating, make sure you get a sense of the editors you'll be working with BEFORE you get fully involved. Be honest with yourself, too...does sitting down sifting through tons of information to distill one good chapter sound like fun? How are your writing skills? How are you at deadlines?
The bottom line is that publishers are looking to get the best deal, and some editors are very good to their authors and some aren't. Ask the AE to speak to other authors they've worked with - or don't! Go to Barnes and Noble and browse some of their books that the AE has worked on and contact the authors without asking them. If you're talking about an entire book, you'll be giving up a huge portion of the next several months, possibly a year, of your life. (Note - tech publishers try to push books through much faster than other types of publishing - for instance, a book on gardening isn't going to change dramatically when they release Soil 2.0, but your book will likely have a very limited shelf life.)
Finally, ask about promotion. What will they do to promote your book? My first publisher was a dud on promotion, and now I'm seeing my first title in Microcenter for $3.98. Very depressing. It might not have sold well anyway, but they did nothing to promote it - not even sending it to review editors. If royalties figure heavily in your calculation, you'd better be with a publisher that will push your book.
But, even though book publishing has been frustrating and less rewarding financially than writing articles...I'll continue to do it. It does have its rewards, and it's certainly good at building respect from your peers and for your resume...
This is Libranet's 15 minutes of fame, I hope they enjoy it while it lasts.
Frankly, from what I've seen of their distro, it's not really worth paying for hard copy and a manual, much less for a download. The people who are doing Libranet seem to think that re-branding Debian should be an instant path to riches. I dealt with them directly once, when I worked for a (pretty much defunct now) Linux ecommerce site. (We didn't...)
When I asked what separated them from any other distro they were hard pressed to come up with any answer, and refused to send a sample - and expected us to pick up their product off the bat simply because they had made a Linux product.
As for the suggestion that Linux users won't pay for software - that's not entirely true. I use both Debian and Slackware, I'm a Slack subscriber and generally buy the CD set even after I've downloaded the distro. (Hey, it's available quicker that way...) But, I want to support the Slack team so they can keep developing. But, I don't feel I'm really paying for software - I'm paying for the media, a little support and a manual if I get the full kit. I'm also paying because they do good work, and with any luck they'll continue to.
This little tantrum on the part of Libranet has inspired me to send a check to the FSF and Debian. I really don't see much difference between Libranet and LinuxOne...
Zonker
Guess when MIR will crash outcome?
on
Mir Deathwatch
·
· Score: 2
Posted by serpens:
I looked through all the guesses and came to the conclusion that cowkiller was the winner of the Slashdot T-shirt. Anyone confirm this? I was only 10 hours and 20 or so minutes off.
Only 7 or 8 people closer than me.
Am I the only one who thinks this? The insanity is just going to far... and Bush Jr gives me the willies. Don't get me started on that issue.
Do we not have enough problems as it is, we have to make up more? Do we seriously have nothing better to do with our resources than to sue and litigate trivial things? It seems like every time there is the smallest problem there will be a media frenzy and someone running to congress to whine and complain like a spoiled kid does to their parents. Are we so far removed from the cold harsh reality of life? I think what the country needs is a good spanking.
It's no wonder we've not had any contact with aliens. All they'd have to do is take one look at what's been going on lately and they'd write the earth off as "a bad idea". Maybe the "mostly harmless" description wasn't so far off after all (thank you, Douglas Adams...)
Speaking as a Canadian (uh oh, here come the flames!) and one who's spend a little while in Europe, the whole issue of pornography and alcohol are only problems because we make them problems. We've been taught that nudity means sex, and since sex is bad for anyone less than legal age we must shield our delicate children from that evil evil incarnation.
Here's an interesting question: What would happen if we didn't?
In Toronto a few years ago we had a big fight come up for the right for women to go topless on the beaches. They made it legal, and.. well.. nothing happened. Some women took advantage of it, and that was about it. Once it was accepted as being common, suddenly seeing a pair of brests on the beach simply wasn't that big a deal.
I suspect that the same thing would happen. Once it's commonly accepted, it's not unusual. Think about the 1800's, where if people saw an ad for Calvin Klein they'd faint, nevermind watch a fashion show. I'm sure they'd say much the same thing as we're saying now, but now that it's a usual thing to happen, it's not a big deal.
North Americans (yes, Canadians included) are particularly anal when it comes to these issues. Over here there are commercials on at any given time during the day with full female frontal nudity and TV shows with the same. In fact I was watching a primetime TV drama show with some friends a few weeks ago and there was a scene where two women had a quite-a-bit-more-than-just-a-kiss moment (no nudity however, but close to it), and another where a woman walked out of the shower, front view, completely naked. While I stood there with my mouth on the ground nobody else here so much as blinked.
The point is they don't make it a big deal here, and so it isn't. Proof of concept. Is life any worse over here? If anything I'd say it's better (no patent wars over here:P)
Same goes for alcohol. Basically if you're old enough to reach the bar counter they'll let you in. You can go to McDonalds (which is just wrong to have here, I'm sorry) and order beer with your happy meal. Every corner store has a nice selection of alcohol of all kinds, and people freely walk around drinking without a second thought.
Seriously, I think that we just need to grow up and stop the whining and bitching and complaining. Everyone over here is laughing at Americans. Maybe if we grow up the rest of the world will start to look at us with some sort of respect, but until then...
You could send your company's fake domains to spam filter list websites. That way at least you could ease your conscience by helping to giving people fair warning.
(I'm assuming that spam filter lists are available online. They do, right? I don't filter my e-mail, so I'm not sure... it sounds like it would make sense though)
Someone give that man a medal:o)
We've got an anti-spam hacker in our building. He tells long technical jokes about the security on spam relay machines that he's "investigated" - I don't understand them but they make the other techies laugh...
That's a good angle - my company would never consider spamming just because of the bad press it would generate. Unfortunately if your company is marketing a dubious product (as seems to be the case with 99% of spammers) they probably won't care...
"Incorrect! Here are the seven elements that define a cult:"
My God! I'm in a cult! According to whoever dreamed themselves up as an authority on the issue, a cult is defined by:
"A centralized form of leadership that rules with unquestioned authority "
Yup, that's the Senior Partners of the firm to a T.
"A body of convictions, beliefs, and practices set forth boldly as "the truth" "
Yup, that's what everyone in the firm is supposed to read, cite in briefs, and advise clients of all day.
"A compelling presentation of the group vision to prospects that is inviting and challenging"
Well our clients often invite themselves into the office because someone challenged them with a complaint to the court, mostly, but we sure do present the inviting and challenging vision of them prevailing in the dispute if we can.
"A series of manipulative socializing sessions to instill psychological dependence on the group"
Doctors have their bedside manner, we have our advising role designed to get the clients socialized to be dependent on us rather than muttering threats to the judge about bombing his car unless he rules favorably.
"A definable process of group dynamics used to unethically control and manipulate members "
Proof of this is left as an exercise for the student.
"A history of abuses of authority by group leaders freely using deception and fear tactics"
Proof of this is left as an exercise for the student.
"A history of psychological and spiritual abuses of group members that destroy lives"
Proof of this is left as an exercise for the student.
Yup, down here at the Law Offices of Dewey, Cheatum & Howe we're a cult down to the gruelling hours, stereotypical dress, and sad devotion to a destructive and socially harmful ideology that venerates men and women in black robes who sit higher than us, talk down to us, and can personally squeeze our balls into oblivion should we displease them.
Slashdot Mirror
Posted by serpens:
So does this mean that since I am the owner of the information and Amazon is simply borrowing/renting/licensing/stealing it from me, I have the right to charge Amazon for selling my information? If it is a business asset to them, it is also certainly a business asset to me and they are a customer to that.
I believe it's time we all sent them a bill and a AUP for renting our information.
Posted by serpens:
Is there anything that Americans don't copy off of other cultures just because they think they can make a better version of it?
Posted by polar_bear:
This was the first bit of news I came across after waking up this morning. I realize that everyone dies, but Douglas Adams deserved to have a long and happy life with his family for all the joy he's brought to everyone. I've never met anyone who's read the H2G2 series that didn't enjoy it and sneak a grin just at the mere mention of "42" or "towel." I read the books at a very young age, and they had a profound impact on my sense of humor - and I've never grown tired of reading and re-reading his work.
I don't think I've been this sad since John Lennon was shot. The fact that Douglas Adams has passed away so young, but Michael Bolton is still alive proves there is no justice in the world...
Posted by Kewlhandtek:
all you base are belong to us . JeffK lvies aigan get a new cup for you cumputar
Posted by polar_bear:
:)
This one is my second...my first died about a month after I got service. I didn't wait for them to replace it, though - I drove to one of their service centers and got a replacement after the call tag that they promised never showed up. Qwest isn't one of my favorite companies...
I'm not sure if mine overheated or what, but the best bet is just take matters into your own hands if you can. Don't wait for good service from them - you won't get it.
Posted by polar_bear:
I'm located in Denver and I'm about to move to a location where it's quite likely that I will not be able to get DSL through Qwest - but I have it now.
The modem is a Cisco 675, does anyone know of any cool hacks for it? I'd like to turn it into a regular router if I can't get DSL - I already know I can have @Home. I'll probably get both if DSL is available (backup) but would like to have a plan for this modem otherwise. Qwest pretty much gives them away here, so I don't think reselling is much of an option.
I hate to see perfectly useful hardware go to waste, though.
Posted by polar_bear:
Yeah, and it's a shame that Stormix is going under. Stormix installs pretty easily on laptops and other computers... I really liked their install and management tools. Granted, I could get Debian to run on the same computers, but configuring sound and printers is way easier with Stormix. (I've found one or two instances, though, where Stormix would bomb during the install...but Debian just plowed through).
Frankly, I think Stormix got burned by jumping straight into retail and by getting into bed with distributors like Ingram-Micro (they own Buy.com and have a bad tendency to let Buy sell stuff at cost - which screws over all the other retailers...) and they had some over-generous rebates trying to rapid-build market share.
All-in-all, though, I think their heart was in the right place, figuratively speaking.
Too much significance should not be read into this, though - many businesses fail, especially in new markets. Hell, I used to live in a small town that had a number of mom 'n' pop diners fail one after another - not because the market for diners or food was weak, but because a succession of poor businesspeople opened restaurants that they didn't know how to run. Eventually, a decent manager got hold of the place and has been running a diner successfully for five or six years...
Anyway, I hope the folks I've worked with at Stormix have managed to find new jobs. They deserve some luck.
Posted by polar_bear:
I don't know if that would apply, but I think it might be a good idea for the Free Software Community to try to get a law passed that would give companies and individuals credit for releasing code under an Open Source or Free Software license.
I don't see why a company shouldn't get tax credits if they release code... if they spent money on hardware and gave the hardware away to a charitable organization, then it'd be deductible, right?
Useful Free or Open Source code is a benefit to the government and organizations that can't afford to pay for proprietary licenses.
Posted by polar_bear:
#5 is a Really Good Point - don't waste coverage on pre-announcing a product or trying to get coverage of your beta product - if you get coverage of that, you'll likely lose press later when you really could use it. Remember this too - if you're working with print magazines, figure two to three months between the time the journalist writes up something to the time it hits the newsstands. Timing is very important... Zonker
Posted by polar_bear:
Here are a few tips - they're not sure-fire, and they won't guarantee coverage for crappy products - but they might help.
1. Leave no stone unturned - try to touch base with the right person at any publication - Web or print - that might cover your product.
2. Be open to collaborating on any kind of coverage, not just reviews or getting press releases covered. Sometimes a product just isn't review material - but it might make a good feature or "how to" story.
3. Don't be stingy with review products. I've had a few software companies that have told me "just download the demo" instead of sending me a review copy. Guess what? If it's my decision, I instantly drop it. Not because I'm hunting for a freebie - I get plenty - but because that is a poor attitude and communicates a total lack of interest in working with me.
4. Be polite, and know when to drop it. I've had a few overly persistant PR folks who practically demand that I cover their product. Sometimes large companies can get away with this - but don't press your luck.
5. Talk to the right person and once you've established who the right person is, keep in contact. Ask what you can do for them.
6. Don't send Microsoft Word docs to Linux press. Not a good idea. (Okay, this is of pretty limited interest to companies doing business outside the Linux market, but I've run into it a lot and I'm always stunned that someone in a PR job will send a Word doc to me.)
7. Don't ask "can I see the review before it goes to print?" The answer from any serious journalist is NO.
8. Write a decent press release - I get SO many press releases that are so full of jargon, or are completely content-free! Assume that a journalist may write a blurb about your company and product straight from the release without ever talking to you. Can they get all the relevant information and does the release read well?
9. Don't count on press releases.
10. Never, ever, fail to respond to a journalist. Ever. And don't try to force them to call you for more information. Put it all out there.
Anyway, I hope that helps. Also, you have to realize that there are infinitely more products and companies trying to get coverage than there is available space in the press - be sure to make good use of your Web site. I took a look at your site and it could use a little more content, and a bit less cutesy graphics. Also, a press section would be a Very Good Idea.
Take care,
Zonker
Posted by Nr9:
Mac OS X 10.0.0 = Cheetah
the older mac os series from 7.6 on are a bunch of musical terms.
Posted by Kewlhandtek:
the army does have computers that are running linux, redhat 4.2 they are kinda cool lunchbox pc's http://fieldgo.com
Posted by Kewlhandtek:
I have used the bsi fieldgo portables http://www.fieldgo.com they are great but very pricey, a laptop may be cheaper than these things. I've had one apart, they seem to have very standard pc stuff in them. The military bought lots of these things to run linux out in the field on. So maybe with luck we can pick these things up at surplus sales or on ebay in a few years.
Posted by polar_bear:
Why do I get the feeling that this guy writes a lot of letters to Hustler?
It's not politcally correct, but I have to admit, there are very few things that a friendly tall redhead couldn't get me to do...sigh...
Posted by serpens:
Is all of the poor stupid people who wasted their moderator points to moderate posts today.
Of course it could be no worse than what I'm doing right now however.
serpens`
When I was a kid, April Fools Day ended at noon.
Posted by Nr9:
you can always find much more info on definitive print sources than on the internet.
Posted by polar_bear:
Don't really exist - I've dealt with a few publishers now, the bigger ones will offer an advance between $5K - $10K or more for an entire book. You'll also get a royalty if you're the sole or co-author, starting around 10% for the book. You can try to get more, depending on:
A) How bad they want to publish your title...
B) Who you are...
C) If they can get someone else to do it...
Dealing with publishers can be very frustrating, make sure you get a sense of the editors you'll be working with BEFORE you get fully involved. Be honest with yourself, too...does sitting down sifting through tons of information to distill one good chapter sound like fun? How are your writing skills? How are you at deadlines?
The bottom line is that publishers are looking to get the best deal, and some editors are very good to their authors and some aren't. Ask the AE to speak to other authors they've worked with - or don't! Go to Barnes and Noble and browse some of their books that the AE has worked on and contact the authors without asking them. If you're talking about an entire book, you'll be giving up a huge portion of the next several months, possibly a year, of your life. (Note - tech publishers try to push books through much faster than other types of publishing - for instance, a book on gardening isn't going to change dramatically when they release Soil 2.0, but your book will likely have a very limited shelf life.)
Finally, ask about promotion. What will they do to promote your book? My first publisher was a dud on promotion, and now I'm seeing my first title in Microcenter for $3.98. Very depressing. It might not have sold well anyway, but they did nothing to promote it - not even sending it to review editors. If royalties figure heavily in your calculation, you'd better be with a publisher that will push your book.
But, even though book publishing has been frustrating and less rewarding financially than writing articles...I'll continue to do it. It does have its rewards, and it's certainly good at building respect from your peers and for your resume...
Posted by polar_bear:
This is Libranet's 15 minutes of fame, I hope they enjoy it while it lasts.
Frankly, from what I've seen of their distro, it's not really worth paying for hard copy and a manual, much less for a download. The people who are doing Libranet seem to think that re-branding Debian should be an instant path to riches. I dealt with them directly once, when I worked for a (pretty much defunct now) Linux ecommerce site. (We didn't...)
When I asked what separated them from any other distro they were hard pressed to come up with any answer, and refused to send a sample - and expected us to pick up their product off the bat simply because they had made a Linux product.
As for the suggestion that Linux users won't pay for software - that's not entirely true. I use both Debian and Slackware, I'm a Slack subscriber and generally buy the CD set even after I've downloaded the distro. (Hey, it's available quicker that way...) But, I want to support the Slack team so they can keep developing. But, I don't feel I'm really paying for software - I'm paying for the media, a little support and a manual if I get the full kit. I'm also paying because they do good work, and with any luck they'll continue to.
This little tantrum on the part of Libranet has inspired me to send a check to the FSF and Debian. I really don't see much difference between Libranet and LinuxOne...
Zonker
Posted by serpens:
:P
I looked through all the guesses and came to the conclusion that cowkiller was the winner of the Slashdot T-shirt. Anyone confirm this? I was only 10 hours and 20 or so minutes off.
Only 7 or 8 people closer than me.
Posted by Telek:
:P)
Am I the only one who thinks this? The insanity is just going to far... and Bush Jr gives me the willies. Don't get me started on that issue.
Do we not have enough problems as it is, we have to make up more? Do we seriously have nothing better to do with our resources than to sue and litigate trivial things? It seems like every time there is the smallest problem there will be a media frenzy and someone running to congress to whine and complain like a spoiled kid does to their parents. Are we so far removed from the cold harsh reality of life? I think what the country needs is a good spanking.
It's no wonder we've not had any contact with aliens. All they'd have to do is take one look at what's been going on lately and they'd write the earth off as "a bad idea". Maybe the "mostly harmless" description wasn't so far off after all (thank you, Douglas Adams...)
Speaking as a Canadian (uh oh, here come the flames!) and one who's spend a little while in Europe, the whole issue of pornography and alcohol are only problems because we make them problems. We've been taught that nudity means sex, and since sex is bad for anyone less than legal age we must shield our delicate children from that evil evil incarnation.
Here's an interesting question: What would happen if we didn't?
In Toronto a few years ago we had a big fight come up for the right for women to go topless on the beaches. They made it legal, and.. well.. nothing happened. Some women took advantage of it, and that was about it. Once it was accepted as being common, suddenly seeing a pair of brests on the beach simply wasn't that big a deal.
I suspect that the same thing would happen. Once it's commonly accepted, it's not unusual. Think about the 1800's, where if people saw an ad for Calvin Klein they'd faint, nevermind watch a fashion show. I'm sure they'd say much the same thing as we're saying now, but now that it's a usual thing to happen, it's not a big deal.
North Americans (yes, Canadians included) are particularly anal when it comes to these issues. Over here there are commercials on at any given time during the day with full female frontal nudity and TV shows with the same. In fact I was watching a primetime TV drama show with some friends a few weeks ago and there was a scene where two women had a quite-a-bit-more-than-just-a-kiss moment (no nudity however, but close to it), and another where a woman walked out of the shower, front view, completely naked. While I stood there with my mouth on the ground nobody else here so much as blinked.
The point is they don't make it a big deal here, and so it isn't. Proof of concept. Is life any worse over here? If anything I'd say it's better (no patent wars over here
Same goes for alcohol. Basically if you're old enough to reach the bar counter they'll let you in. You can go to McDonalds (which is just wrong to have here, I'm sorry) and order beer with your happy meal. Every corner store has a nice selection of alcohol of all kinds, and people freely walk around drinking without a second thought.
Seriously, I think that we just need to grow up and stop the whining and bitching and complaining. Everyone over here is laughing at Americans. Maybe if we grow up the rest of the world will start to look at us with some sort of respect, but until then...
Posted by HedgeCore:
You could send your company's fake domains to spam filter list websites. That way at least you could ease your conscience by helping to giving people fair warning. (I'm assuming that spam filter lists are available online. They do, right? I don't filter my e-mail, so I'm not sure... it sounds like it would make sense though)
Posted by skunkeh:
:o)
We've got an anti-spam hacker in our building. He tells long technical jokes about the security on spam relay machines that he's "investigated" - I don't understand them but they make the other techies laugh...
Someone give that man a medal
Posted by skunkeh:
That's a good angle - my company would never consider spamming just because of the bad press it would generate. Unfortunately if your company is marketing a dubious product (as seems to be the case with 99% of spammers) they probably won't care...
Posted by skunkeh:
:o/
I like to think I'd turn them down and walk out of there - but in the end how much cash are you prepared to lose for your principles?
Mind you it could look great on your CV provided you can find an ethical company to interview you
Posted by wonder mule:
"Incorrect! Here are the seven elements that define a cult:"
My God! I'm in a cult! According to whoever dreamed themselves up as an authority on the issue, a cult is defined by:
"A centralized form of leadership that rules with unquestioned authority "
Yup, that's the Senior Partners of the firm to a T.
"A body of convictions, beliefs, and practices set forth boldly as "the truth" "
Yup, that's what everyone in the firm is supposed to read, cite in briefs, and advise clients of all day.
"A compelling presentation of the group vision to prospects that is inviting and challenging"
Well our clients often invite themselves into the office because someone challenged them with a complaint to the court, mostly, but we sure do present the inviting and challenging vision of them prevailing in the dispute if we can.
"A series of manipulative socializing sessions to instill psychological dependence on the group"
Doctors have their bedside manner, we have our advising role designed to get the clients socialized to be dependent on us rather than muttering threats to the judge about bombing his car unless he rules favorably.
"A definable process of group dynamics used to unethically control and manipulate members "
Proof of this is left as an exercise for the student.
"A history of abuses of authority by group leaders freely using deception and fear tactics"
Proof of this is left as an exercise for the student.
"A history of psychological and spiritual abuses of group members that destroy lives"
Proof of this is left as an exercise for the student.
Yup, down here at the Law Offices of Dewey, Cheatum & Howe we're a cult down to the gruelling hours, stereotypical dress, and sad devotion to a destructive and socially harmful ideology that venerates men and women in black robes who sit higher than us, talk down to us, and can personally squeeze our balls into oblivion should we displease them.