One bit I read quite awhile back noted that the screen can be detatched and, it seems, replaced. Sure - this enables a quick replacement for what seems like the most damage-prone component. But there is also speculation and rumor over a color screen replacement in the works.
As for the scrollwheel... I suspect its cheaper than a full color LCD screen.:P
What I would like the goverments to do is to define open fileformats/protocols and only accept/buy software which supports these formats 100%.
Its a nice idea. But it would not stand up to real life implementation.
First, it could be argued that an "open file format" is just as aribrary as "open source". Who defines that format? And "why can't we just use the best format for the job?"
Secondly, this sort of policy leaves the agencies following it wide open to "embrace and extend" tactics. And while this is a famous quote from Microsoft, it doesn't mean they are the only ones to adopt the tactic. Safeguarding against this would require vigilant staff with a full understanding of the issues at all level of government and a plan to backpeddle data that has been "tainted" by propriatary extensions. Most government agencies do not have the kind of resources that this process would require.
Finally, you would be entirely dependant on your agency's leadership to properly implement this requirement. Granted - this is a given with any directive. However, allowing proprietary software with a long history of closed formats or not-quite-open formats allows for an amazing amount of "wiggle room". A real-life example:
The Information Systems Directorate at JSC/NASA did a study on various file formats to specify JSC standards. The report was rather well done and the agency was able to identify a number of file formats that were cross-platform and met the center's requirements. The Director then "standardized" on Microsoft Word.
Sure, MS Word handled some of the formats suggested in ISD's report. But there was no education to the user base to use these formats. So everyone used the proprietary.doc format. And thus JSC was placed firmly on an upgrade cycle as each major revision of Word generated a new wave of incompatible documents (until everyone was upgraded, of course).
...oddly enough, just last week I got some dead-tree spam advertising a line of sauces and cookware with the Blue Ginger branding and Ming Tsai's confident approval. From Target, none the less.
To put it simply: Enough of the blue screen jokes, let's move on to some refreshing MS material.
OK. I can buy that. While I don't think the issue is completely put to rest, I can see how stability is now improved to the point of being minor compared to the other issues out there.
Maybe someone needs to write up a "Smart Basher's Guide to Windows" and denote BSOD jokes as "deprecated".
I appreciate that ya didn't make the same assumption most do. Im so sick of people saying that Microsoft's paying me to say nice things about them. Frankly, I just want more intelligent comments and less idiotic ones that seem to always get +1's.
Hey - I can believe that Microsoft has gen-u-ine fans. Even if they're misguided.;) And not every positive Microsoft statement is paid for. Which, of course, doesn't mean astroturfing campaigns aren't happening. Nonetheless, there IS genuine support.
When I started my IT career, I couldn't understand the Mac zealots. Then I began to work with a few and began to understand their gripe (even if I never warmed to MacOS personally). As my career progressed, I got tired of Windows and its issues and redirected my focus towards Unix.
Oddly enough, a good friend of mine (working many of the same IT environments I was) introduced me to Linux before I made that jump to Unix. He is still firmly in the Windows camp and we occasionally banter back and forth over MS vs Linux (as well as offer help for Linux/Unix or Windows issues accordingly).
I noticed a couple things. First, Windows supporters are not all technically blind idiots... and some of them aren't entirely misguided. Secondly, I found myself dangerously close to being like those Mac Zealots who used to puzzle me so much.
The world is much more complex than the zealots on either side of any issue would make it seem.:)
The language in the EULA for SP3 includes a lot of the same language that showed up in WMP6.x (I think that's the right version) and falls in line with the overall theme of WinXP's EULA. Basically, its the right to modify the OS even if it causes something to no longer work. It seems to be a precurser to force-fed DRM "features".
Now... I could accept an argument for it with WMP. That is, after all, a media player. And DRM, etc, is a part of that. But I what I can't see is this being a part of bugfixes for Win2K. After all, the Service Packs don't include the latest DirectX.
I could have sworn Slashdot ran a story about it. Poke around. Shouldn't be hard to find someone talking about the issue - be it Slashdot, the Register, or somewhere else.
By your definition... gamers don't give a damn what they're using. Be it Windows, a PS2, or even Linux. If the game runs, they're happy.
I don't see any reason why gamers couldn't move to Linux if they so chose to. I don't expect a sudden flood of Linux converts; non-technical users tend to stay with their old install base (witness the entrenched win9x architecture). But eventually people move on - be it to the next version of their familiar OS or to completely alien environments.
I run Linux on my home network as well as Windows. My household has had no problems with getting around GNOME and KDE to use whatever Linux apps they want (and they're not overly technical users). But they do play a fair amount of games and so they're mostly in Windows. If these same games were offered for Linux - they would have no problem abandoning Windows. Although, it would probably be at my prodding.
What we're ending up with is the same old "Linux on the desktop" discussion. Whether it becomes commonplace for the average user makes for an interesting discussion. But really... when it comes down to it... I'm not overly concerned with it. I already have Linux on my desktop. I'm happy with it. And having NWN to add to my (small) list of games is a Good Thing.
NWN for Linux isn't necissarily cool because it opens the floodgates to Linux on the desktop. Its cool because its something I, and it seems a lot of others, want.
I prefer Linux. But I do run Win2k when I need Windows. Win2k is, by far, the best thing put out my Microsoft. However, it is not without fault. But it is much more stable and makes a pretty decent gaming platform if your hardware has drivers for it (I was suprised to find out because of Win2k's marketing, isn't always guarenteed).
Are the BSOD jokes outdated? Well. They're a bit dated, perhapse. But not completely out of line. There is a rather hefty legacy install of the Win9x line - one that Microsoft extended with release of WinME. Win2K is not infallible. And WinXP can be amazingly horrid at times. Microsoft has a certain history developed over its lifetime and not just during a small 4 year period - otherwise we'd all still be making Bob jokes.
Having said all that - there are so many other issues around Microsoft that I'm suprised the BSOD/crash jokes are the one thing that concerns you the most.
I used to be rather happy with Win2K; its the only Windows that runs at my home. I rather dislike XP and I especially disliked the politics around it. None of that for me or my family.
And then Win2K's SP3 hit.
It is apparent that ANY involvement with Microsoft in the future will include the same legal attitude. And I'd prefer to have nothing to do with it. Sadly, it looks like Win2K is on its way out.
I've already got some nice games for Linux. In the future, I'll have some more. I can live with that. And I don't have to stick my fingers in my ears and ignore whats going on around me to do it.
Its not zealotry. Its not stale rhetoric. It is, in fact, making my choice as a consumer to protect my best interest.
The list is interesting... but I wish there was a brief blurb on WHY these tools are essential. Granted - I'm not exactly up on good cooking. So maybe its my ignorance that gets in the way. But then, this would have been a great way to start chipping away at that ignorance.
While reading this article, I couldn't help but notice that these people were not technologists. They were not passionate about technology. They were business people; focused on growing a business. Ultimately, they are entrepreneurs first. The product being focused on by their business seems to be a second consideration. They are dedicating their lives and passion towards the act of growing a business... which is good. Growing a small business takes that kind of drive.
I would suspect that Slashdot's readership is a bit different. To this group, technology IS the focus. In some cases, the business of technology is never an issue as one does not make one's living at it. In other cases, business comes a close second as it enables one to make a career out of working with the technology one finds interesting. Would this group be just as happy running their own hotdog stand? Perhaps not.
So what about that feeling of a fulfilled life? Seek balance.
One does not have to achieve all of life's satisfaction out of one's professional life. One should have other activities in one's life; hobbies, friends, community, etc. Feel like you don't accomplish things at work? Pick up a creative hobby and create on your own. Feel isolated during the weekday? Go be a part of your community on weekends or a social activity with friends. Balance your personal and professional life.
The only benefit to a RAM disk would be the lack of traces left behind if it were rebooted regularly.
...which, I believe is the point.
One of the problems being addressed is the dragnet style of evidence collection. This collects large amounts of data that has absolutely nothing to do with the stated case and, frankly, is a lot more likely to be abused once its in the hands of the agency in question and out of site of those who would be more inclined to safeguard it (ie: the libraries). Long-term detailed records and discrete data left behind on individual workstations are perfect sources for this kind of data collection.
A ramdisk-based workstation would help limit the amount of data available during a sweep. It would force an investigative agency to be a lot more targeted in its activites (perhapse more on a time-critical scale than overall scope) and it would limit collateral data that could be used outside the scope of the specific investigation. It could even render these workstations as useless sources of intelligence and limit the damage done by these overly broad laws.
Religionists are not the ones that are constantly twisting things too support a half baked theory or moralistic system. If you look at it, the fundamental belief system of christianity has been pretty much the same for the last 2000 years. Science and politics are the ones that has been all over the place.
If I had mod points right now, I'd mod this one up as "funny". I hope it was intended as such - there's more than a small number of people who believe this kind of thing.
My opinion was originally aimed at the average slashdotter, which you do not seem to be a part of. Their are some people that are educated on the DMCA facts, and I think you're on of them. However, the majority of slashdot readers that like to talk about the DMCA and how it affects them are little more than software pirates looking for a moral soapbox from which to sound their quasi-freedom fighter bullshit ideals.
In any popular debate, there are individuals who take up one side or the other without really understanding or educating themselves on the issue. I would suggest that this is fine as long as both sides have a chance to make their point (whether this happens on Slashdot is a subject for another time). The point of the debate isn't to "win" but rather to put forth ideas and, hopefully, be exposed to ideas and information one wouldn't normally consider on one's own. Debate can be educational.
Yea, I have to agree there is a good amount of ignorance expressed on Slashdot from time to time. It might even be safe to call it a majority of readers if one wants to assume Slashdot exists because people wish to debate and learn. Though I wouldn't go so far as to say a majority harbor alterior motives behind their arguments.
They've somehow got it into their mind that everytime they burn photoshop for their friends they elevate themselves to a modren day Che Guervas[sp?]. This is what I hate, and the people my opinions were directed at.
I can agree on this point too. Call a spade a spade. If you're burning copies of Photoshop because you and your buddies don't wish to pay the (hefty) price and don't mind the legal and moral issues of doing so... admit that's why you're doing it.
If you're looking for a moral high-ground, buy software that does what you need for the price you can afford. Or support Free (beer/speech) software (The GIMP).
The "piracy is moral" bit does remind me of an old BBS text I read years ago by someone calling themselves Bugs Bunny. The overall concept was that hackers were destined to be the future's champions. When future communications medium are tightly controlled, one will see events such as the use of a virus to distribute an unauthorized news story. It will be illegal, but it will be moraly just.
Like I said... one concept I like to ponder over is that to protect our rights in the near future, we may have to turn to those who are used to commiting crimes; the dealers in warez and other illicit data. But that is then. This is now. Warez is most often traded for the thrill of dealing in illicit data itself or to get free stuff.
A spade is a spade.
I eagerly await your reply(seriously) and anytime to ever want to discuss this further, unicron@thcnet.net
Its been interesting. I'll keep your address in mind.
Actually... I have. And I tend to agree with a lot of it. Granted, sometimes it goes over the line (OK, I admit not paying attention to how often Michael goes over the line). But at the same time, I believe Microsoft deserves the majority of criticism it receives.
At this point, I'm more or less done with this debate. We'll never see eye-to-eye, and we probably think some relatively negative things about each other.
Perhapse we won't agree. But I don't take this personally and don't attribute any particularly negative things to you for the debate (beyond the belief that you're misguided:). Debate is good - thanks for taking the time.
I honestly believe you've chosen this issue because it could possibly affect your ability to partake in illegal activites, and that alarms you. Maybe it doesn't directly affect you, and you've chosen it because it's a safe, trendy, and easy issue to be a part of.
You're wrong on both accounts.
As I pointed out before, people involved in illegal activity have little to fear in this law. Illegal activity is continuing on undaunted by the DMCA. It is those who wish to remain on the legal path who will be restricted by it.
As an aside, I'd like to suggest that even law-abiding citizens will soon support those who perform illegal actions (either by paying or patronizing). The time is fast approaching where those who wish to exercise their fair use rights or safeguard their privacy will have to turn to illegal copies of the media they own. And once they begin to go through the trouble to do that... one has to wonder why they would also bother with the legal copies.
So why do I care about this issue?
Because I have been involved in the IT industry for years now. I've seen the raising importance of the digital medium and see the power and money involved in controlling it. And the remarkable change that happens when control is left in public hands and not select corporate or government entities. I also work with information security and am very used to dealing with issues that are largely overlooked by the public and other IT professionals but can lead to major issues down the line.
I also care about individual rights. I dedicated 8 years to, amoung other things, protect the rights of the citizens of my country. During that time period (and possibly still today), I legally gave up some of those same rights. My service also included other personal sacrifices. And during that time, I saw other countries and environments where the same individual rights enjoyed by citizens of my country did not exist.
In the end, I came away from that experience convinced that individual rights are a fundimental part of the positive growth of the United States and any free society. It is an important issue and an issue well worth fighting for. And the DMCA falls squarely in line with the issue of individual rights.
I may or may not be over reacting. But I am certainly not driven by some trivial motivation as petty theft or trendiness.
Ahh. The infamous "trains running on time" bit. Yes, in extreme circumstances it leads to these situations. But one can hardly equate the DMCA to the ultimate evils of Hitler's administration.
99.9% of these self-proclaimed slashdot freedom fighters who love to speak of the evils of the DMCA are so misguided it's sad. They, possibly you, love to ramble on about something boils down to something as pathetic and trivial as the inability or lack of desire to purchase their software and music. People, like me, who can afford to buy pretty much an cd or software package we desire(which isn't a lot, I maybe buy 1 game/software app and 1 cd a week) really don't care about the DMCA.
Sorry, you're the one who's misguided here.
The issue is NOT the ability to buy software, music, and other media. If you pay attention to posts (even this mythical 99.9% figure) you'll note that when price is mentioned, its often from someone who states that they are (or were) heavy music comsumers. They CAN afford it. Its whether they think the pricing structure and their fair use rights (which includes converting tracks to MP3 for their computer or burning a CD to keep in the car, etc) are being tampered with (which only begins to cover one's rights the DMCA removes).
I'm glad you can also afford the weekly purchase of these products. Though I find it sad that you don't care about your rights as a consumer. But then again, we've already established your level of apathy.
I look at all these warez groups with their extremely clever and impressive tactics and then I see them get out-done by the DMCA they start bitching about unfairness. It's like watching 5 year olds throw dirt clods and then whining about sand in the eye.
I'm curious as to how you think warez groups are being "out-done" by the DMCA. It reminds me of the old joke "stop crime; the Government hates competition" - is theft of copyrighted material being outdone by theft of personal rights?
The DMCA does little to curb warez group activity. Distributing copyrighted material was illegal well before the DMCA came in to existance. Yet it happened then and continues to happen even with the DMCA. Even after the somewhat recent and rather large-scale "chilling effect" busts in the warez scene... some of the game industry's most anticipated tittles show up as "zero day warez". Meanwhile music continues to be traded - the Eminem album had to be released early to compete with its brisk trade online and street counterfeits.
The tools, speech, and actions being prohibited affect law-abiding citizens, not warez groups and counterfeiters. Take a deeper look at the issue. Educate yourself. And get your facts straight.
My comment was just centered around the notion that they couldn't just make their compliment and leave well enough alone. They had every right to sue, and didn't, which was pretty nifty in my book.
Again - you miss the point. Its all good that Microsoft did The Right Thing but the issue at hand is that they had, as you put it, "every right to sue" in the first place. Its amazing how those with apparent pro-Microsoft leanings feel that this is some kind of dig against Microsoft. Re-read the comment. Its not.
I cannot express in words the great feeling I get knowing that I have the maturity, perspective, and humility to know that should the day come that the DMCA gets everything it wants, and my warez collection goes bye-bye and I can no longer burn cd's for any purpose, I'll shrug, think about some people in the world that are starving or getting shot at or watching their parents hauled off to some death camp and think "Well, if I bitch about this and call unfairness, I'll really be nothing but a whiny bitch that thinks his problems mean shit in this world". It's a really awesome feeling, you should try it.
I'm glad you feel great about it. Throughout history, there are always people who manage to justify the removal of theirs (or other's) rights. They come up with various justifications or label inaction as a kind of moral high ground. You can be rest assured that there has been a long history of your type logic. But don't kid yourself - its not maturity, perspective, NOR humility. It is the role of sycophant, apologist, or... at best... the tragicly passive.
The world's issues of human rights, hunger, and power struggles have little to do with the issues surrounding the DMCA. True. But then, giving up your right to copy a CD will not end world hunger. And the fact that there is civil war somewhere in the world does not detract from the importance of fair use - its still all about money, control, and power. Try to maintain some of that perspective you claim to hold.
6 months from now they'll post a story like "Bill Gates sacrifices self to save boat full of children and puppies" and the editors will find a way to make us hate him for it. Like his shoes weren't environmentally sound or some shit.
Yet today's headline is akin to "Bill Gates decides NOT to squeese trigger on gun aimed at puppy's head." A Slashdot editor points out that while this is all good of Bill, the real issue is the gun itself. You decide its further proof that Slashdot editors are out to get Bill.
If you want to run Windows programs stabably you have this OS called Windows 2000.
First off, I think I agree with you in principle. I'd prefer native Linux apps.
Having said that, Win2K is loosing its lustre. I use to consider it the closest thing to a shining example of a decent OS from Microsoft. But with SP3's EULA, its plain that Win2K is headed down the same road as WinXP and anything else that will come from Microsoft in the near future.
Its no suprise. We all knew Microsoft was going in that direction. Its one of the reasons I have made Linux my preferred platform. But its a shame that Win2K becomes less and less viable an option.
On a side note - I believe Moore's Law has turned to Linux's advantage. Theres only so much Windows can do with additional horsepower (bashing aside). But all those extra cycles can be put to excellent use by Linux as it crunches that extra compatability layer / emulation layer. Linux gains applications that, while they may not (although sometimes do) run as efficiently on Linux as they do on Windows, appear to run just as well to the end user.
Wow! You're getting some great experience. You've learned how to do something, how experienced coders know how to do it better, and how much of the world views security issues as so much distraction that gets in the way of the real task at hand.;)
Slashdot Mirror
One bit I read quite awhile back noted that the screen can be detatched and, it seems, replaced. Sure - this enables a quick replacement for what seems like the most damage-prone component. But there is also speculation and rumor over a color screen replacement in the works.
:P
As for the scrollwheel... I suspect its cheaper than a full color LCD screen.
...and all I got was a lousy sticker offer.
Not even a tshirt.
Its a nice idea. But it would not stand up to real life implementation.
First, it could be argued that an "open file format" is just as aribrary as "open source". Who defines that format? And "why can't we just use the best format for the job?"
Secondly, this sort of policy leaves the agencies following it wide open to "embrace and extend" tactics. And while this is a famous quote from Microsoft, it doesn't mean they are the only ones to adopt the tactic. Safeguarding against this would require vigilant staff with a full understanding of the issues at all level of government and a plan to backpeddle data that has been "tainted" by propriatary extensions. Most government agencies do not have the kind of resources that this process would require.
Finally, you would be entirely dependant on your agency's leadership to properly implement this requirement. Granted - this is a given with any directive. However, allowing proprietary software with a long history of closed formats or not-quite-open formats allows for an amazing amount of "wiggle room". A real-life example:
The Information Systems Directorate at JSC/NASA did a study on various file formats to specify JSC standards. The report was rather well done and the agency was able to identify a number of file formats that were cross-platform and met the center's requirements. The Director then "standardized" on Microsoft Word.
Sure, MS Word handled some of the formats suggested in ISD's report. But there was no education to the user base to use these formats. So everyone used the proprietary
...oddly enough, just last week I got some dead-tree spam advertising a line of sauces and cookware with the Blue Ginger branding and Ming Tsai's confident approval. From Target, none the less.
OK. I can buy that. While I don't think the issue is completely put to rest, I can see how stability is now improved to the point of being minor compared to the other issues out there.
Maybe someone needs to write up a "Smart Basher's Guide to Windows" and denote BSOD jokes as "deprecated".
Hey - I can believe that Microsoft has gen-u-ine fans. Even if they're misguided.
When I started my IT career, I couldn't understand the Mac zealots. Then I began to work with a few and began to understand their gripe (even if I never warmed to MacOS personally). As my career progressed, I got tired of Windows and its issues and redirected my focus towards Unix.
Oddly enough, a good friend of mine (working many of the same IT environments I was) introduced me to Linux before I made that jump to Unix. He is still firmly in the Windows camp and we occasionally banter back and forth over MS vs Linux (as well as offer help for Linux/Unix or Windows issues accordingly).
I noticed a couple things. First, Windows supporters are not all technically blind idiots... and some of them aren't entirely misguided. Secondly, I found myself dangerously close to being like those Mac Zealots who used to puzzle me so much.
The world is much more complex than the zealots on either side of any issue would make it seem.
The language in the EULA for SP3 includes a lot of the same language that showed up in WMP6.x (I think that's the right version) and falls in line with the overall theme of WinXP's EULA. Basically, its the right to modify the OS even if it causes something to no longer work. It seems to be a precurser to force-fed DRM "features".
Now... I could accept an argument for it with WMP. That is, after all, a media player. And DRM, etc, is a part of that. But I what I can't see is this being a part of bugfixes for Win2K. After all, the Service Packs don't include the latest DirectX.
I could have sworn Slashdot ran a story about it. Poke around. Shouldn't be hard to find someone talking about the issue - be it Slashdot, the Register, or somewhere else.
By your definition... gamers don't give a damn what they're using. Be it Windows, a PS2, or even Linux. If the game runs, they're happy.
I don't see any reason why gamers couldn't move to Linux if they so chose to. I don't expect a sudden flood of Linux converts; non-technical users tend to stay with their old install base (witness the entrenched win9x architecture). But eventually people move on - be it to the next version of their familiar OS or to completely alien environments.
I run Linux on my home network as well as Windows. My household has had no problems with getting around GNOME and KDE to use whatever Linux apps they want (and they're not overly technical users). But they do play a fair amount of games and so they're mostly in Windows. If these same games were offered for Linux - they would have no problem abandoning Windows. Although, it would probably be at my prodding.
What we're ending up with is the same old "Linux on the desktop" discussion. Whether it becomes commonplace for the average user makes for an interesting discussion. But really... when it comes down to it... I'm not overly concerned with it. I already have Linux on my desktop. I'm happy with it. And having NWN to add to my (small) list of games is a Good Thing.
NWN for Linux isn't necissarily cool because it opens the floodgates to Linux on the desktop. Its cool because its something I, and it seems a lot of others, want.
I prefer Linux. But I do run Win2k when I need Windows. Win2k is, by far, the best thing put out my Microsoft. However, it is not without fault. But it is much more stable and makes a pretty decent gaming platform if your hardware has drivers for it (I was suprised to find out because of Win2k's marketing, isn't always guarenteed).
Are the BSOD jokes outdated? Well. They're a bit dated, perhapse. But not completely out of line. There is a rather hefty legacy install of the Win9x line - one that Microsoft extended with release of WinME. Win2K is not infallible. And WinXP can be amazingly horrid at times. Microsoft has a certain history developed over its lifetime and not just during a small 4 year period - otherwise we'd all still be making Bob jokes.
Having said all that - there are so many other issues around Microsoft that I'm suprised the BSOD/crash jokes are the one thing that concerns you the most.
I used to be rather happy with Win2K; its the only Windows that runs at my home. I rather dislike XP and I especially disliked the politics around it. None of that for me or my family.
And then Win2K's SP3 hit.
It is apparent that ANY involvement with Microsoft in the future will include the same legal attitude. And I'd prefer to have nothing to do with it. Sadly, it looks like Win2K is on its way out.
I've already got some nice games for Linux. In the future, I'll have some more. I can live with that. And I don't have to stick my fingers in my ears and ignore whats going on around me to do it.
Its not zealotry. Its not stale rhetoric. It is, in fact, making my choice as a consumer to protect my best interest.
The list is interesting... but I wish there was a brief blurb on WHY these tools are essential. Granted - I'm not exactly up on good cooking. So maybe its my ignorance that gets in the way. But then, this would have been a great way to start chipping away at that ignorance.
While reading this article, I couldn't help but notice that these people were not technologists. They were not passionate about technology. They were business people; focused on growing a business. Ultimately, they are entrepreneurs first. The product being focused on by their business seems to be a second consideration. They are dedicating their lives and passion towards the act of growing a business... which is good. Growing a small business takes that kind of drive.
I would suspect that Slashdot's readership is a bit different. To this group, technology IS the focus. In some cases, the business of technology is never an issue as one does not make one's living at it. In other cases, business comes a close second as it enables one to make a career out of working with the technology one finds interesting. Would this group be just as happy running their own hotdog stand? Perhaps not.
So what about that feeling of a fulfilled life? Seek balance.
One does not have to achieve all of life's satisfaction out of one's professional life. One should have other activities in one's life; hobbies, friends, community, etc. Feel like you don't accomplish things at work? Pick up a creative hobby and create on your own. Feel isolated during the weekday? Go be a part of your community on weekends or a social activity with friends. Balance your personal and professional life.
One of the problems being addressed is the dragnet style of evidence collection. This collects large amounts of data that has absolutely nothing to do with the stated case and, frankly, is a lot more likely to be abused once its in the hands of the agency in question and out of site of those who would be more inclined to safeguard it (ie: the libraries). Long-term detailed records and discrete data left behind on individual workstations are perfect sources for this kind of data collection.
A ramdisk-based workstation would help limit the amount of data available during a sweep. It would force an investigative agency to be a lot more targeted in its activites (perhapse more on a time-critical scale than overall scope) and it would limit collateral data that could be used outside the scope of the specific investigation. It could even render these workstations as useless sources of intelligence and limit the damage done by these overly broad laws.
If I had mod points right now, I'd mod this one up as "funny". I hope it was intended as such - there's more than a small number of people who believe this kind of thing.
In any popular debate, there are individuals who take up one side or the other without really understanding or educating themselves on the issue. I would suggest that this is fine as long as both sides have a chance to make their point (whether this happens on Slashdot is a subject for another time). The point of the debate isn't to "win" but rather to put forth ideas and, hopefully, be exposed to ideas and information one wouldn't normally consider on one's own. Debate can be educational.
Yea, I have to agree there is a good amount of ignorance expressed on Slashdot from time to time. It might even be safe to call it a majority of readers if one wants to assume Slashdot exists because people wish to debate and learn. Though I wouldn't go so far as to say a majority harbor alterior motives behind their arguments.
I can agree on this point too. Call a spade a spade. If you're burning copies of Photoshop because you and your buddies don't wish to pay the (hefty) price and don't mind the legal and moral issues of doing so... admit that's why you're doing it.
If you're looking for a moral high-ground, buy software that does what you need for the price you can afford. Or support Free (beer/speech) software (The GIMP).
The "piracy is moral" bit does remind me of an old BBS text I read years ago by someone calling themselves Bugs Bunny. The overall concept was that hackers were destined to be the future's champions. When future communications medium are tightly controlled, one will see events such as the use of a virus to distribute an unauthorized news story. It will be illegal, but it will be moraly just.
Like I said... one concept I like to ponder over is that to protect our rights in the near future, we may have to turn to those who are used to commiting crimes; the dealers in warez and other illicit data. But that is then. This is now. Warez is most often traded for the thrill of dealing in illicit data itself or to get free stuff.
A spade is a spade.
Its been interesting. I'll keep your address in mind.
Actually... I have. And I tend to agree with a lot of it. Granted, sometimes it goes over the line (OK, I admit not paying attention to how often Michael goes over the line). But at the same time, I believe Microsoft deserves the majority of criticism it receives.
No. I'm not Signal 11 (is he still around?). Mod away. But hey... I thought it was funny. :P
Perhapse we won't agree. But I don't take this personally and don't attribute any particularly negative things to you for the debate (beyond the belief that you're misguided
You're wrong on both accounts.
As I pointed out before, people involved in illegal activity have little to fear in this law. Illegal activity is continuing on undaunted by the DMCA. It is those who wish to remain on the legal path who will be restricted by it.
As an aside, I'd like to suggest that even law-abiding citizens will soon support those who perform illegal actions (either by paying or patronizing). The time is fast approaching where those who wish to exercise their fair use rights or safeguard their privacy will have to turn to illegal copies of the media they own. And once they begin to go through the trouble to do that... one has to wonder why they would also bother with the legal copies.
So why do I care about this issue?
Because I have been involved in the IT industry for years now. I've seen the raising importance of the digital medium and see the power and money involved in controlling it. And the remarkable change that happens when control is left in public hands and not select corporate or government entities. I also work with information security and am very used to dealing with issues that are largely overlooked by the public and other IT professionals but can lead to major issues down the line.
I also care about individual rights. I dedicated 8 years to, amoung other things, protect the rights of the citizens of my country. During that time period (and possibly still today), I legally gave up some of those same rights. My service also included other personal sacrifices. And during that time, I saw other countries and environments where the same individual rights enjoyed by citizens of my country did not exist.
In the end, I came away from that experience convinced that individual rights are a fundimental part of the positive growth of the United States and any free society. It is an important issue and an issue well worth fighting for. And the DMCA falls squarely in line with the issue of individual rights.
I may or may not be over reacting. But I am certainly not driven by some trivial motivation as petty theft or trendiness.
Ahh. The infamous "trains running on time" bit. Yes, in extreme circumstances it leads to these situations. But one can hardly equate the DMCA to the ultimate evils of Hitler's administration.
Sorry, you're the one who's misguided here.
The issue is NOT the ability to buy software, music, and other media. If you pay attention to posts (even this mythical 99.9% figure) you'll note that when price is mentioned, its often from someone who states that they are (or were) heavy music comsumers. They CAN afford it. Its whether they think the pricing structure and their fair use rights (which includes converting tracks to MP3 for their computer or burning a CD to keep in the car, etc) are being tampered with (which only begins to cover one's rights the DMCA removes).
I'm glad you can also afford the weekly purchase of these products. Though I find it sad that you don't care about your rights as a consumer. But then again, we've already established your level of apathy.
I'm curious as to how you think warez groups are being "out-done" by the DMCA. It reminds me of the old joke "stop crime; the Government hates competition" - is theft of copyrighted material being outdone by theft of personal rights?
The DMCA does little to curb warez group activity. Distributing copyrighted material was illegal well before the DMCA came in to existance. Yet it happened then and continues to happen even with the DMCA. Even after the somewhat recent and rather large-scale "chilling effect" busts in the warez scene... some of the game industry's most anticipated tittles show up as "zero day warez". Meanwhile music continues to be traded - the Eminem album had to be released early to compete with its brisk trade online and street counterfeits.
The tools, speech, and actions being prohibited affect law-abiding citizens, not warez groups and counterfeiters. Take a deeper look at the issue. Educate yourself. And get your facts straight.
You might want to note that the quote "every right to pursue" belongs to unicron, not myself.
Again - you miss the point. Its all good that Microsoft did The Right Thing but the issue at hand is that they had, as you put it, "every right to sue" in the first place. Its amazing how those with apparent pro-Microsoft leanings feel that this is some kind of dig against Microsoft. Re-read the comment. Its not.
I'm glad you feel great about it. Throughout history, there are always people who manage to justify the removal of theirs (or other's) rights. They come up with various justifications or label inaction as a kind of moral high ground. You can be rest assured that there has been a long history of your type logic. But don't kid yourself - its not maturity, perspective, NOR humility. It is the role of sycophant, apologist, or... at best... the tragicly passive.
The world's issues of human rights, hunger, and power struggles have little to do with the issues surrounding the DMCA. True. But then, giving up your right to copy a CD will not end world hunger. And the fact that there is civil war somewhere in the world does not detract from the importance of fair use - its still all about money, control, and power. Try to maintain some of that perspective you claim to hold.
Wiggle your mouse. Its just a screensaver.
Yet today's headline is akin to "Bill Gates decides NOT to squeese trigger on gun aimed at puppy's head." A Slashdot editor points out that while this is all good of Bill, the real issue is the gun itself. You decide its further proof that Slashdot editors are out to get Bill.
Grow up, indeed.
Having said that, Win2K is loosing its lustre. I use to consider it the closest thing to a shining example of a decent OS from Microsoft. But with SP3's EULA, its plain that Win2K is headed down the same road as WinXP and anything else that will come from Microsoft in the near future.
Its no suprise. We all knew Microsoft was going in that direction. Its one of the reasons I have made Linux my preferred platform. But its a shame that Win2K becomes less and less viable an option.
On a side note - I believe Moore's Law has turned to Linux's advantage. Theres only so much Windows can do with additional horsepower (bashing aside). But all those extra cycles can be put to excellent use by Linux as it crunches that extra compatability layer / emulation layer. Linux gains applications that, while they may not (although sometimes do) run as efficiently on Linux as they do on Windows, appear to run just as well to the end user.
Wow! You're getting some great experience. You've learned how to do something, how experienced coders know how to do it better, and how much of the world views security issues as so much distraction that gets in the way of the real task at hand. ;)