Taking a degree in computer science and then complaining that you were not taught how to configure a Cisco router is like taking a degree in physics and then complaining that you were not taught how to run a power plant.
I work for a US government lab (NIST) and the software I write is freely available and not subject to copyright, by law.
The US government cannot use US copyright law to enforce its copyright in works created by US government employees on government time. The law does not say that the copyright does not exist: just that the government cannot sue to enforce it. This distincrion is meaningless in most cases but not in this one.
The lack of copyright actually causes a problem for us, because the GPL requires that authors copyright their code so that they can apply the GPL to it. That means that we can't apply the GPL...
Please talk to your legal department. You are quite wrong about this.
and therefore can't use GPL code.
And especially this.
I would expect the same rule to apply to NASA.
NASA, NSA, and the DoD all make extensive use of GPL code and contribute to GPL projects. Please talk to your lawyers about this.
I wrote: Squall indignantly about what an outrage it all is while refusing to inconvenience himself in the slightest in order to protect his "details" (most of which are matters of public record).
hedwards writes: Maybe they shouldn't be, the last 4 digits of the social security, the ones they typically ask for are typically completely unguarded on bank websites, mother's maiden name frequently used as a way of confirming ones identity is easily looked up in most cases online.
And yet you give them the information anyway because it would be inconvenient for you not to. That's my point.
And only a fool would answer with his mother's actual maiden name if he is actually concerned about such matters.
Individually it's not that big a deal, but when you add those things up, it becomes relatively easy to break into other people's accounts using publicly available information.
Only the accounts of those who choose to give out the information.
And since companies frequently don't bother to secure their sites with appropriate measures without being forced, it gets to be a real problem real soon.
Only for those who choose to allow it to.
I have secrets (boring ones). I secure them by not disclosing them to anyone without both a need to know and a contractual obligation to keep them confidential. This is occasionally inconvenient. That's life.
> And if the feds can track my every movement â" who cares?
Depends on who you are. I don't believe that they track very many people: they simply have no reason to. If they are tracking me they are fools. Of course, if I did think that they might want to track me I certainly would not discuss it here nor am I endorsing what tracking they do .
> What does the average Slashdotter do to preserve their privacy...
Squall indignantly about what an outrage it all is while refusing to inconvenience himself in the slightest in order to protect his "details" (most of which are matters of public record).
And, of course, you are free to start your own football league (or foosball if you prefer).
This stuff needs to be diluted down to its rational level, and fast.
"Rational"? It's entertainment. I don't find it interesting myself but if others want to amuse themselves with it why should I care? It's their money, not mine.
Slashdot Mirror
Now, they are going to accept the "Christian Cure" app as well, of course...
n/t
"Crime" being defined as "people doing things without permission"...
Many (perhaps most) people do not want to be anonymous. This is Zuckerberg's market.
You'll be forgotten. And not just "on-line".
It's a good first step toward metered service.
I'd guess he's never been outside his village. Which is just as well.
Yes. It irritates me twice a year, raising my blood pressure.
Doesn't that comment belong in the TSA thread?
Taking a degree in computer science and then complaining that you were not taught how to configure a Cisco router is like taking a degree in physics and then complaining that you were not taught how to run a power plant.
And to speed things up they've already started writing up the results.
n/t
The US government cannot use US copyright law to enforce its copyright in works created by US government employees on government time. The law does not say that the copyright does not exist: just that the government cannot sue to enforce it. This distincrion is meaningless in most cases but not in this one.
Please talk to your legal department. You are quite wrong about this.
And especially this.
NASA, NSA, and the DoD all make extensive use of GPL code and contribute to GPL projects. Please talk to your lawyers about this.
There is none. Nor should there be.
You mean when your Roomba bumps into your foot?
..."swindling". It is not new.
n/t
And yet you give them the information anyway because it would be inconvenient for you not to. That's my point. And only a fool would answer with his mother's actual maiden name if he is actually concerned about such matters.
Only the accounts of those who choose to give out the information.
Only for those who choose to allow it to. I have secrets (boring ones). I secure them by not disclosing them to anyone without both a need to know and a contractual obligation to keep them confidential. This is occasionally inconvenient. That's life.
No.
> What's wrong with targeted advertising?
I don't know. I've never seen any.
> And if the feds can track my every movement â" who cares?
Depends on who you are. I don't believe that they track very many people: they simply have no reason to. If they are tracking me they are fools. Of course, if I did think that they might want to track me I certainly would not discuss it here nor am I endorsing what tracking they do .
> What does the average Slashdotter do to preserve their privacy...
Squall indignantly about what an outrage it all is while refusing to inconvenience himself in the slightest in order to protect his "details" (most of which are matters of public record).
Oh. Wait...
...listening to the radio than playing a video game.
Wow. Who'd a thunk it.
"Monopolies"? There's competition: football, baseball, basketball...
And, of course, you are free to start your own football league (or foosball if you prefer).
"Rational"? It's entertainment. I don't find it interesting myself but if others want to amuse themselves with it why should I care? It's their money, not mine.
Just simulate it and publish the score.
Call it what it is: religion. And no, that does not exclude the "Left".
...can just fall fast enough keep up with the falling supply perhaps there will be some hope of relieving the shortage.