Huh. All the links are correct. I tried them all before posting. I had just created the web site 5 minutes before posting which might have something to do with the user not found error. Other that that, I don't know.
Well, if anyone is having problems I can mail out copies. the tar.gz is only 42k.
Show me a LaTeX version of the Amazon page. Or the Slashdot main page.
I had the slashdot main page open already, so I thought I'd try it. Here's what I came up with (not a perfect match, but close enough to show it can be done):
It would require literally weeks of dedicated LaTeX hacking, and the result would be a horrific kludge.
Closer to a few hours. And I wouldn't call it a horrific kludge... I'm sure it would take some time to recreate the slashdot page in HTML as well.
You can set up quite complicated layouts with proper use of the TeX \hbox and \vbox primitives. Then you just need to visualize your layout as boxes in boxes in boxes in boxes in boxes, etc.
(Of course I'm not advocating replacing HTML with LaTeX, I just took exception to the statement that it was "for all practical purposes impossible" to do something as complicated as the slashdot homepage in LaTeX.)
But there is no access to the software if the "I Agree" button is not clicked or if the software package is unopened. The software is a compressed, encrypted archive until you push that button; it's just a cheap CD case until you open it. You have the right to use it, but you do not have the ability.
There's something that I've been wondering about after reading several of these discussions of shrink wrap licenses:
I know I have to read anything I put my signature on because the terms will be legally binding.
Am I expected from a legal point of view to read every single dialog box and every single envelope I get before clicking on or opening it, because it might have liscense terms on it?
Alternatively, can I reject the EULA and still open the envelope or click the Accept button, because I don't need anyone's permission to click a button or open an envelope?
I've also been hanging up if there is complete silence after I answer the phone (if I even bother answering when I'm not expecting a call).
The last time I was called by a telemarketer, they were more persistant. The phone would start to ring around 9 am, (Anyone who knows me knows I will not get up at 9 to answer the phone) and ring every 2-3 hours, until around 7 pm.
After three days of this I finally answered and waited for the telemarketer to come on the line and said "no thanks." and that solved the problem.
Now if only the computer would take the hint when I don't answer the phone ~15 times in a row.
You do have a right to the source code, under the GPL. This is law. However much like the Constitutional American "Right to Bear Arms". I have the right to deny you access for exercising this right. While you can bear a concealed handgun, you are not allowed to bring it on a public bus, or many places of business. The signs usually say something like 'No firearms beyond this point'. Which is basically making people to give up their Constitutional rights to bear arms. The rules here will be similar.
This does seem like a similar case, but I believe it supports the GPL instead of Slade.
Businesses are private property, and so, by default, you do not have the right to enter without the owner's permission. If you think you do have such a right, just try entering the business outside of business hours. Since you are a guest of the property owner's, they can make rules they expect you to follow while on their propery. They may require you to wear a tie, to not loiter, pay admission, not wield firearms, etc. If you do not follow their rules, they don't have to allow you access to their property.
Software, being under copyright law and thus intellectual property, has similar rules. So in reality, you do not have a god given right to use the source code. You are allowed to use the source code because the copyright holder grants permission for people to use the source code under a set of specific rules. If you do not agree with the rules, then you have no right to use the source.
Slade does have the right to ask people to follow rules before they can use his software. But Carmack has the right to ask Slade to give up his right to ask people to follow additional rules before allowing Slade to use *his* software. (Which is exactly what happened.)
Secion 6 of the GPL: You may not impose any further restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein.
I'm sorry sir, but if you will not wear a tie (distribute source), we will have to ask you to leave the premises (leave the GPL software alone).
Slashdot Mirror
Well, if anyone is having problems I can mail out copies. the tar.gz is only 42k.
I had the slashdot main page open already, so I thought I'd try it. Here's what I came up with (not a perfect match, but close enough to show it can be done):
LaTeX file., The package with the incomprehesible bits, All needed files in tar.gz, The postscript output (gzipped)
It would require literally weeks of dedicated LaTeX hacking, and the result would be a horrific kludge.
Closer to a few hours. And I wouldn't call it a horrific kludge... I'm sure it would take some time to recreate the slashdot page in HTML as well.
You can set up quite complicated layouts with proper use of the TeX \hbox and \vbox primitives. Then you just need to visualize your layout as boxes in boxes in boxes in boxes in boxes, etc. (Of course I'm not advocating replacing HTML with LaTeX, I just took exception to the statement that it was "for all practical purposes impossible" to do something as complicated as the slashdot homepage in LaTeX.)
There's something that I've been wondering about after reading several of these discussions of shrink wrap licenses:
I know I have to read anything I put my signature on because the terms will be legally binding.
Am I expected from a legal point of view to read every single dialog box and every single envelope I get before clicking on or opening it, because it might have liscense terms on it?
Alternatively, can I reject the EULA and still open the envelope or click the Accept button, because I don't need anyone's permission to click a button or open an envelope?
The last time I was called by a telemarketer, they were more persistant. The phone would start to ring around 9 am, (Anyone who knows me knows I will not get up at 9 to answer the phone) and ring every 2-3 hours, until around 7 pm.
After three days of this I finally answered and waited for the telemarketer to come on the line and said "no thanks." and that solved the problem.
Now if only the computer would take the hint when I don't answer the phone ~15 times in a row.
This does seem like a similar case, but I believe it supports the GPL instead of Slade.
Businesses are private property, and so, by default, you do not have the right to enter without the owner's permission. If you think you do have such a right, just try entering the business outside of business hours. Since you are a guest of the property owner's, they can make rules they expect you to follow while on their propery. They may require you to wear a tie, to not loiter, pay admission, not wield firearms, etc. If you do not follow their rules, they don't have to allow you access to their property.
Software, being under copyright law and thus intellectual property, has similar rules. So in reality, you do not have a god given right to use the source code. You are allowed to use the source code because the copyright holder grants permission for people to use the source code under a set of specific rules. If you do not agree with the rules, then you have no right to use the source.
Slade does have the right to ask people to follow rules before they can use his software. But Carmack has the right to ask Slade to give up his right to ask people to follow additional rules before allowing Slade to use *his* software. (Which is exactly what happened.)
Secion 6 of the GPL: You may not impose any further restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein.
I'm sorry sir, but if you will not wear a tie (distribute source), we will have to ask you to leave the premises (leave the GPL software alone).