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User: Blindman

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  1. Re:not particularly exciting on Court Rules "Locker" Site Is Not Direct Copyright · · Score: 1

    Linking is slightly different in that it may direct people to copyrighted material. In this case, Hotfile provides an empty box that people may fill with copyrighted material. To me, this is similar to a storage facility. People could store stolen goods at the facility, but it is difficult to say that this is the storage facilities fault.

  2. Re:The interesting question of Wikipedia's policy on Palin Fans Deface Paul Revere Wikipedia Page · · Score: 1

    This is a very interesting question. I think there is a big gap between Sarah Palin and a historian of American history. However is is not clear how one generally declares a source to be authoritative. Is a graduate student enough? Untenured professor? Tenured professor? Tenured for X number of years? Obviously, there are cases where all of the recognized experts and neophytes agree. However, when it comes to issues of interpretation, there will likely be disagreement. For the time being, we just have to play it by ear.

    Of course, the declaration of authoritative sources could be an area of research. I'll leave that to others.

  3. Re:Jeez... on Palin Fans Deface Paul Revere Wikipedia Page · · Score: 1

    I agree with your sentiment. I am completely against revising Wikipedia articles for improper purposes (political or otherwise), but this practice isn't new. Reporting on certain instances makes Slashdot appear biased and reporting on all instances would be extremely tedious. An article about defacing Wikipedia pages generally would fall under "news for nerds," but this article suggests its own political agenda.

  4. Re:Take that Terry Childs on Judge Orders Former San Francisco Admin Terry Childs To Pay $1.5M · · Score: 1

    I agree that he acted like a prick. However, I think it is much harder to claim that he denied service, which is what he was convicted of. At the time he created the passwords, he was clearly acting within the scope of his job so that wasn't a crime. When he was fired, he refused to turn over those passwords to his former superiors. Why is this different than refusing to work once he was fired? Technically speaking, he didn't do anything. At one point, he did give his former superiors bogus passwords. However, lying is a different offense, if it is criminal at all.

  5. Re:yes but... on Texas Bill Outlaws Discrimination Against Creationists In Academia · · Score: 2

    Basically, this law carves out a particular scientific theory and demands that there be no discrimination. Obviously, the purpose of this is bill is to advance a religious agenda, but that isn't the biggest problem. Scientific research shouldn't be legislated. Otherwise, you give wacky theories a podium that they don't deserve. For example, let's assume that a mathematician was trying to prove that pi is equal to 3. I'm not a mathematician, but I suspect that this type of research is ridiculous and its advocates should be admonished. But that is the point, I am not a mathematician, which is why I don't tell them how to do their jobs.

    In the case of evolution, people should kick its tires and determine where the evidence supports it and where the evidence doesn't it. We will learn more about evolution and identify areas where more research is needed. That is a good thing. In the case of intelligent design, however, the only "research" that I am aware of consists of alleging flaws in the theory of evolution and assuming that intelligent design is the only alternative. If there really is a flaw in evolution, prove it. If intelligent design is the only alternative, prove that too. That being said, if there is a way to apply the scientific method to researching intelligent design, then people should be allowed to do it. If the scientific method is not used, then people should be treated accordingly. But that is true of all research, and we don't need legislation to enforce it.

  6. Self-sustaining? on What Would You Do With Open.org? · · Score: 1

    What does "self-sustaining" mean? Obviously, there is the cost of hosting the site and maintaining the domain registration, but that isn't a lot of money. Is $20/month on the conservative side really that hard to get? Recouping the cost of purchasing the website is a different issue, but that money has already been spent.

  7. Re:You know, the story can be quite diferent. on Teenager Tries To Hire Hitman Via Facebook · · Score: 1

    She went to him first. Then he posted the bounty. Then she went to the police.

  8. Re:A good lawyer should have no problem with this on Teenager Tries To Hire Hitman Via Facebook · · Score: 2

    Since he pleaded guilty, it would take a very good lawyer indeed

  9. Re:misleading headline on Teenager Tries To Hire Hitman Via Facebook · · Score: 1

    I'm not disputing that he is douche, but the posting right after he left the police station is just plain stupid. I assume the original posting came up during the interview, so it should have taken less than half of a second to realize that updating the death threat was a bad idea.

  10. Re:From a buddy of mine on Underwear Invention Protects Privacy At Airport · · Score: 2, Funny

    Why not do both?

    I see you aren't carrying a bomb, and you might want to get this mass checked out by a doctor. This would probably make the scanning more popular, although it might cause people without insurance to act suspicious when flying to get a free scan.

  11. Re:Well... on Underwear Invention Protects Privacy At Airport · · Score: 2, Funny

    When you obscure genitalia, only the outlaws will have genitalia.

    More accurately, only the outlaws will wear underwear.

  12. Where is the entire e-mail? on UK Teen Banned From US Over Obscene Obama Email · · Score: 2, Interesting

    From the article, it seems that he might have said a little more than the one sentence quoted above. Not that he is an American citizen, but calling the President names should qualify as protected speech, albeit juvenile protected speech. However, if he also made threats against the President, then that is an entirely different matter.

  13. Re:Thanks for Nothing! on Supreme Court Throws Out Bilski Patent · · Score: 1

    Actually, the USPTO rejected this patent in the first place because it wasn't patentable material. Bilski, the applicant, appealed this decision all the way to the Supreme Court. Undoubtedly, the USPTO will continue to approve bogus patents, but this is not an example of that phenomenon.

  14. Re:Punish the problems created by the vice on Long Odds For Online Gaming Legislation In US · · Score: 1

    I was with you up until "debtor's prison." First, there may be some constitutional issues with debtor's prison. In addition, debtor's prisons are primarily for the benefit of lenders, and I don't see why people that lend to gamblers should be treated better than people than lend to figurine collectors. In addition, there is probably something that everybody buys that some other person things is a bad idea, so there really isn't a good way to objectively assess what is and is not "vice consumption."

    Sometimes you have to accept that you can't stop stupid people from acting stupid, its what they do.

  15. Re:And this is why... on Justice Not As Blind As Previously Thought · · Score: 1

    So, are you suggesting that we blindfold jurors as opposed to plucking out their eyeballs?

  16. Re:Take some time and think on Juror Explains Guilty Vote In Terry Childs Case · · Score: 1

    We may find that in his sentencing, he may be barred from doing that line of work in the future.

    Generally speaking, the Court cannot bar him from a particular profession as part of sentencing. However, as you point out, the fact of his felony conviction, may have the same effect.

  17. Re:They need something to do on FAA Says No More Minesweeper Or Solitaire In Cockpit · · Score: 1

    If you're so distracted you can't be reached by radio in the cockpit, something needs to be remedied.

    I agree with you 100%, but we are talking about Minesweeper and Solitaire. There is a big difference between minor diversion and totally engrossing secondary activity.

  18. Re:First-sale doctrine and copyright law on Supreme Court To Consider First Sale of Imports · · Score: 1

    First sale does apply to copyright. The issue for the Costco v. Omega case is whether a first sale that occurs outside of the United States triggers that doctrine with respect to subsequent sales within the United States.

  19. Bribery? on Raleigh Councilman Offers Child Naming Rights To Google · · Score: 1

    This isn't the classic example of a bribe, but technically he is offering something arguably of value to the founders of Google in return for them causing Google to give him something that he wants. I assume the names Sergey and Larry are more valuable to Google's founders than Google itself, and he isn't offering to name his children Google, Adwords, or some other Google trademark.

  20. Re:Real Question: Jurisdiction of Public School on Suspension of Disbelief · · Score: 1

    anything that disturbs the teaching going on in the classroom should be squashed.

    Are you saying that no one has the right to hold up a sign outside the school perimeter criticizing the principal? If so, then that would also restrict the rights of former students, parents, and teachers, as well. If the message is "disruptive," why does it matter who is saying it? Are messages from current students necessarily extra "disruptive?"

    Kids need to focus on the big picture and why they are there in the first place.

    Sure, this sounds good, but should be punish those kids that choose not to focus and don't hold up signs criticizing the principal?

  21. Re:Upside down or 180degrees? on USPTO Won't Accept Upside Down Faxes · · Score: 1

    Then wouldn't the reason be "we received a blank page"?

    Furthermore, there is no way to determine if a blank page is also upside down.

  22. Re:Think of the children on 6 Pennsylvania Teens Face Child Porn Charges For Pics of Selves · · Score: 1

    The answer depends on who did the seizure and the circumstances. I don't know if Pennsylvania schools, or this one in particular, can be considered to be an arm of the Pennsylvania government. If so, then Pennsylvania wouldn't be able to use the seized phone against the owner of the phone in most cases. However, they might be able to use the sending phone as evidence of the receiver's possession. They might also be able to argue inevitable discovery of the pictures as well.

    Also, if the inappropriate picture was visible on the screen when it was taken, then that would also have an effect on the outcome.

    In short, maybe.

  23. Re:Hey! on Class Teaches Nerds Social Skills · · Score: 4, Funny

    I flirt with that hot female blood elf on WoW, you insensitive clod!

    I *am* that hot female blood elf, you insensitive clod!

    Yep. Nothing wrong here. Geeks and nerds everywhere are going to be just fine.

  24. Re:Does this only apply in the 2nd district for no on Court Nixes National Security Letter Gag Provision · · Score: 4, Informative

    Technically speaking, yes. However, any circuit court or district court (in another circuit) will either follow this decision or explain why this decision is wrong. This ruling does make a contrary result in another circuit somewhat less likely.

  25. Re:What's the fuss? on USAF Violates DMCA, Escapes Unscathed · · Score: 1

    The plaintiff is still free to sue the USAF for copyright infringement.

    Actually, the Plaintiff's copyright infringement suit was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction based on sovereign immunity. The court also held that the DMCA does not waive sovereign immunity and dismissed that claim, too.