This certainly doesn't mean that biometrics-based on fingerprints should be ruled out.
Just as you need both a username and a password to log in to any computer system, a combination of a fingerprint and password, or fingerprint and pin should be used for any reasonable authentication.
Combined with decent access controls (this person may only do X at Y time) and a complete audit of actions, fingerprint biometrics can fit nicely into an extremely secure environment.
I'd certainly rather use my finger than my RSA number keychain!
I'm not defending Acacia or the patent process by any stretch of the imagination. I worked for an online calendaring company, and somehow got my name on the patent for the ability to search metadata online. Which of course was silly. I and the developers pointed out that it was silly and revolted against the filing of the patent.
The lawyers convinced us that filing the patent is the only way to prevent someone else from filing a patent, covering your technology, and then suing you, forcing you to PROVE to a court (always a chancy thing) that you had created prior art. And quite frankly every innovation we made to our online calendar showed up 3 months later in someone elses calendar. In fact we even found instances where people had literally cut and pasted our code, comments and all!
So we knew that there were unscrupulous bastards out there, willing to completely rip us off. So bearing that in mind, we agreed to file for patents, not so much to enforce them, but to protect ourselves from future suits. I agree, if the system was healthy and working, we wouldn't need to have done that, but the system is already full of sharks -- I don't blame people for getting shark repellant. Applying for the patent HAS to be done nowadays. Enforcing the patents is when I start to get mad. I know it's a fine line, but scruples and business operate in different realities.
He should have invested in a massive battery backup system, because there's nothing more annoying than waiting for something to boot up - every time you go out to drive.
"My only question is: If they can't seem to patch their OS fast enough, what makes them think they can keep their AV software up to date?"
Microsoft patches their software very quickly (ie, generally BEFORE exploits are widespread), and I don't think the Slashdot community is in any place to mock them after the whole crash exploit fiasco.
Everyone's DNA should be stored as such - no one is harmed unless they are criminals who leave DNA evidence behind later. There's no invasion of privacy or anything like that to worry about.
I'm the author of this thing. I read slashdot quite regularly and I'm very suprised this found it's way here. In my opinion it is not slashdot worthy. It relies on lots of experimental stuff, and is just generally not up to production standard. It was my mess-around one afternoon when I should have been studying. I entered it into the competition because I wanted to do something different. I chose intentionally not to use PHP-GTK for various reasons. I wanted to start out from scratch and see if I can do everything myself. It was not my intention to do this all 'properly' as such.
I want a watch that tells the time and just tells the time. A cell phone that only makes calls. A keyboard without Internet Keys. Why do I end up paying a premium for these simple devices?:(
Look at the ingredients list on that Mountain Dew bottle next to you. What's on there? Brominated Vegetable Oil. The FDA says it's safe, although I read of a case where someone developed skin lesions (he drank something like 6L of Mt Dew a day), which went away right after cutting his dose. He was considered to be exceptionally sensitive to it.
AT&T Worldnet (dialup) did exactly that, and since they shared mail servers with ATTBI, I would assume that the feature was there too. Unfortunately Comcast did not get that technology when they purchased ATTBI.
Slashdot Mirror
Scenario 1A: Copyright holder uses police to go after copyright infringers.
p 3z-technology emerges.
Slashdot Response: "Why do the police have to do the **AA's dirtywork! This is blah blah blah corporate shills blah blah blah."
Scenario 1B: Copyright holder privately goes after copyright infringers.
Slashdot response: "Can you believe the nerve of these people. This is what the police are for! blah blah blah nazi stormtroopers blah blah blah."
Scenario 2A: New, obviously-designed-primarily-for-warez-pr0n-and-m
Slashdot Response: "Technology is blameless! Go after the infringers, but leave technology alone!"
Scenario 2B: Infringers gone after.
Slashdot Response: "Can you believe the nerve of those people shaking down college students!"
Scenario 3A: Copyright is used to protect somebody else's intellectual property
Slashdot Response: Copyright has outlived its usefulness! Viva la revolucion!
Scenario 3B: the GPL is violated.
Slashdot Response: Hang em high!
This certainly doesn't mean that biometrics-based on fingerprints should be ruled out.
Just as you need both a username and a password to log in to any computer system, a combination of a fingerprint and password, or fingerprint and pin should be used for any reasonable authentication.
Combined with decent access controls (this person may only do X at Y time) and a complete audit of actions, fingerprint biometrics can fit nicely into an extremely secure environment.
I'd certainly rather use my finger than my RSA number keychain!
I'm not defending Acacia or the patent process by any stretch of the imagination. I worked for an online calendaring company, and somehow got my name on the patent for the ability to search metadata online. Which of course was silly. I and the developers pointed out that it was silly and revolted against the filing of the patent.
The lawyers convinced us that filing the patent is the only way to prevent someone else from filing a patent, covering your technology, and then suing you, forcing you to PROVE to a court (always a chancy thing) that you had created prior art. And quite frankly every innovation we made to our online calendar showed up 3 months later in someone elses calendar. In fact we even found instances where people had literally cut and pasted our code, comments and all!
So we knew that there were unscrupulous bastards out there, willing to completely rip us off. So bearing that in mind, we agreed to file for patents, not so much to enforce them, but to protect ourselves from future suits. I agree, if the system was healthy and working, we wouldn't need to have done that, but the system is already full of sharks -- I don't blame people for getting shark repellant. Applying for the patent HAS to be done nowadays. Enforcing the patents is when I start to get mad. I know it's a fine line, but scruples and business operate in different realities.
I don't think anyone can deny the feasability of Linux now that the US GOV is using it! Yay!
Many entrants are investing substantially more into their entries than would be provided by the prize, assuming they won.
of how the government is a complete slave to industry
are worthless!
T4C & GNAA for life!
How does this affect me?
He should have invested in a massive battery backup system, because there's nothing more annoying than waiting for something to boot up - every time you go out to drive.
"My only question is: If they can't seem to patch their OS fast enough, what makes them think they can keep their AV software up to date?"
Microsoft patches their software very quickly (ie, generally BEFORE exploits are widespread), and I don't think the Slashdot community is in any place to mock them after the whole crash exploit fiasco.
ALOT is not a word!
It's "A LOT"!
See: http://dictionary.oed.com/ for further reference
Hahahha
You must be new to Linux
Everyone's DNA should be stored as such - no one is harmed unless they are criminals who leave DNA evidence behind later. There's no invasion of privacy or anything like that to worry about.
There's no disputing the fact
Yes, the l0de radio hour -- (shoutcast) radio for trolls, is commencing in 42 minutes! Join #LRH on EFNet, or #GNAA on irc.gnaa.us for details.
Claimed for LODE radio hour, #LRH on EFnet
I'm not trolling, but you should seriously consider Windows 2000. A P2-266 / 64M should handle it reasonably well.
I'm the author of this thing. I read slashdot quite regularly and I'm very suprised this found it's way here. In my opinion it is not slashdot worthy. It relies on lots of experimental stuff, and is just generally not up to production standard. It was my mess-around one afternoon when I should have been studying. I entered it into the competition because I wanted to do something different. I chose intentionally not to use PHP-GTK for various reasons. I wanted to start out from scratch and see if I can do everything myself. It was not my intention to do this all 'properly' as such.
It's worthless, you see, so the fact that Windows takes less time for most tasks means nothing to me
If it were me, I'd have used 4,294,967,296 of 'em
What we need is a popup window asking: "Do you want to execute the code at 0x802344323?" every time
I want a watch that tells the time and just tells the time. A cell phone that only makes calls. A keyboard without Internet Keys. Why do I end up paying a premium for these simple devices? :(
Look at the ingredients list on that Mountain Dew bottle next to you. What's on there? Brominated Vegetable Oil. The FDA says it's safe, although I read of a case where someone developed skin lesions (he drank something like 6L of Mt Dew a day), which went away right after cutting his dose. He was considered to be exceptionally sensitive to it.
AT&T Worldnet (dialup) did exactly that, and since they shared mail servers with ATTBI, I would assume that the feature was there too. Unfortunately Comcast did not get that technology when they purchased ATTBI.