For instance, you are required with any television package whether it is cable or satellite, to have a certain set of local-type channels.
This particular rule was meant to advance Canadian content on Canadian TV. I agree with that stance. We have a national broadcasting network - *CBC* (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) which offers very high quality TV viewing. It includes programs like "The Fifth Estate", various news programming spinoffs, and comedy nights, etc. The CBC is available locally throughout Canada including remote areas such as the NWT and the Yukon. I live in the USA now and have yet to see an American TV network supply anthing even remotely close to the quality CBC offers. Canadians can still get a certain amount of American network TV in, but IMHO, it's generally cheap sitcom garbage TV.
I have a question. I was the sole inventor of a product which bears my name alone. I invented this program while working for a company and they use this same program in all of their international operations. If I am not mistaken, I am the copywrite holder (by default)? At one time this company was making plans with me to patent the program (in my name) and then it fell through when the company dropped their patent department. As far as I know it is still not patented. Can I patent this program today? I have left the company.
Since your email address is shown... some "helpful" slashdot reader might have decided to welcome you into the wonderful world of SirCam by sending you a copy manually.
Ironically I think that's exactly how I got my two copies. Sorry I will not send you one coz I never was too good at sharing:P.
My friend has his car in the garage for a tuneup. An employee of the garage took the car on a joyride late Saturday night and crashed into a guy's hedge. The hedge owner sued the car owner (my friend) and won damages. Screwy laws.
Now I'm confused. If when launched, this worm automatically goes out to everyone in your address book and then goes out to everyone in someone else's address book that launches it, why are you to be held responsible? I don't get it and I'd really like an explanation please
Thank you for your well thought out and meticulous reply. My experience with switching o/s's was limited to only 150 machines (not 1,000). The transition was done slowly (over a year) and involved just a few machines at a time. It did involve much retraining but it wasn't as painful as we thought it would be. Our documentation was drawn up and redrawn several times as needed. Our UNIX staff worked with small groups of people at a time and a help desk was initiated for ongoing support. We were very lucky in that we did not have to deal with a lot of politics.
It has been just over a year now since we migrated over to Linux. The staff have come
to appreciate the o/s and are quite comfortable with it. Most have expressed a feel-good sense about learning a whole new set of skills:). While it is true we did lose six people in the transition, we
were able to replace them. Amazingly enough, those that did leave were not the veterans.
Your situation is far more complex than ours was. Maybe one day it will happen for you:).
Again thank you for the insight into the mindset of huge corporations.
Yes there are other o/s's that are vulnerable to exploits. Check out Bugtraq and click on Linux. Just because Macrosquish is getting most of the attention, doesn't mean us linux users aren't getting any.:P
The logic is simple. Business wants a new manageable internet. First, prove to the world that end-to-end is broken. Then, advance proposals to fix it.
Waiting for the other shoe to drop. ..
No need to wait... http://www.g7.utoronto.ca/g7/summit/2001genoa/dotf orce1.html
Annoy a politician today - THINK!
In part reads: the DOT Force has examined in depth the challenge of bridging the digital divide and harnessing the power of information and communications technologies (ICT) and global networks to assure opportunity, empowerment and inclusion for all. The DOT Force has analyzed the underlying causes of the digital divide, the poverty-reducing and empowering potential of new technologies, and the complex mix of strategies, policies, investments, and actions required to create digital opportunities for all while addressing key development imperatives.
What you're advocating is civil disobedience. I don't think you'll get the support of your co-workers who have families to feed and bills to pay. There are other effective means of getting your voice (or silence) heard. Come to Washington, DC from Sept.28 to Oct.4 and peacefully protest the IMF/World Bank meeting .
Be there when the bureaucrats have their parade to the White House (they're holding it there because they feel they can be secure within its confines) turn your back to the procession . It screams volumes. Hold a silent vigile with your placard held high. You may get beat up (as peaceful protestors did in Genoa), but that's a small price to pay for your liberty. I'm encouraged by world protests, it shows that some people still have the guts to stand up for what they believe in. In Seattle there were 30,000, in Quebec there were 60,000, in Genoa there were 150,000, in 30 cities across Italy after Genoa there were 250,000. How many will there be in Washinton? Be there!
I'll tell you what. I may not make the trip to DC on Sept.8, but I'll be there from Sept 28 - Oct 4 to protest at the IMF/World Bank meetings.
Details available at
Mobilization for Global Justice
Companies choose microsoft software because it's cheap. It's cheap because you don't have to train people (very much) how to use it. Everyone writes applications for it. Hardware comes with it already installed, saving time. And businesses take in entire picture into consideration when coering the costs.
None of these reasons hold any water.
What's cheaper than free? Either you have a fairly new company that started off with Win95 or you've been down the training road before. Remember training your people to go to Word from Wordperfect? If you don't then you're a new company. I remember working for a firm switching from WP to Word and the transition was easy enough although not popular among the clerical staff. WP is a far
more superior product.
More people write apps for Linux than MS. MS buys apps and loads faulty code into it and that's why it's soooo unstable. Those writing apps for Linux are real coders. When's the last time you checked out the apps available on Linux? Did you ever?
Hardware comes installed with MS? Funny, I thought MS only sold software. Oh you mean the PCs? You don't need to buy new PCs to install Linux... it's so versatile that it works on even older PCs.
If business takes in entire picture into consideration when considering the costs then Linux would win hands down. IMHO business either take in the entire marketing BS spewed out by MS or they stick with the "old boys" business practices. My guess is the latter.
PS... if you have that little confidence in the adaptability of your staff then it's time to sack them and hire people with more flexibility. Of course you may have to pay them more than min. wage.:P.
Somebody should put together a site of "fair-use friendly" countries with decent Internet access...maybe we should all move there.
That won't work because at the recent G8 summit in Genoa, Italy, matters like this were discussed the crux of which follows:
Over several months, through a rich and unprecedented mix of plenary meetings, informal consultations, meetings with stakeholders , and electronic outreach to broader audiences across the world, [read WTO] the DOT Force has examined in depth the challenge of bridging the digital divide and harnessing the power of information and communications technologies (ICT) and global networks to assure opportunity, empowerment and inclusion for all. The DOT Force [Digital Opportunity Task Force] has analyzed the underlying causes of the digital divide , the poverty-reducing and empowering potential of new technologies, and the complex mix of strategies, policies, investments, and actions required to create digital opportunities for all while addressing key development imperatives.[read multi-national corporations
The interests that were included in these high level talks included....
OECD Dubai Emerging Market Economy Forum on E-Commerce, 16-18 January 2001
Berlin,
DSE Policy Forum on "Digital Inclusion", 23-24 January 2001
Davos, World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, 29 January 2001
Cairo, IDSC/Egyptian Cabinet Conference on E-Business and Development, 12-15 February, 2001
This whole thing reminds me of the *language police* in Quebec run by Office de la Langue Francais". I believe their tactics were ruled unconstitutional. Now that Canada is considering adopting a piece of crap...ummm errr... legislation... much like the DMCA, I wonder if the courts will use the *language laws* as a precedent against the new law.
I think the tactics being used by the BSA, DMCA, etc., need to be challenged in the courts. Perhaps they are targetting mostly small to medium sized businesses because they know they do not have the funds the backers of their actions do. I'd like to see those businesses under attack file a class action suit against the BSA et.
Anyway they can! I have a feeling the only way people will get off Winsquish is when they start running commercials on the install cds.
Now opening word.. "have you had your Coca Cola break yet?" with a brightly colored ad for coke appearing on the screen.
Now opening.NET... "Hello Mr & Mrs Feffercorn... it's me Bill!"
It would be nice if it took this to drive ppl off winsquish but alas when's the last time you paid $8.50 to see a movie and have to sit through a half hour of commercials?
OT but parental abuse goes two ways... kids abusing parents. When my son was a rebellious teen he threatened to turn me in for grounding him... my response... hehe fine son I sure as hell hope you've been saving your allowance coz I'm going to countersue for parent abuse:P. He never threatened again:).
"Excuse me? You're here to investigate? And who the fsck are you?"
Exactly? Who the fsck are the BSA or any other corporate interest to act as law enforcement authorities? Did they attend a police acedemy or are they part of the National Guard? Are they Sheriffs? Are we turning over law enforcement to corporations now?
When a person is evicted for not paying the rent, does the landlord come in and evict the tennants? NO! It's the sheriff's office. This is a very disturbing trend of late. What with this bogus BSA having powers of attorney granted by Microsquish, Adobecrataics, et al.
What the hell is WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? What the hell happened to due process? Shouldn't it be up to the BSA to sue a company for non-compliance and bring them into court? Have corporations gotten so powerful that they dictate how due process works now? Christ they have the same powers as IRS don't they? Correct me if I'm wrong here PLEASE!
Have you ever heard of DOT Force? You'll want to read all about it as it was discussed at the G7 summit in July 2000 at the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit and was also discussed at the G8 summit in Genoa Italy. Check out DOT Force which basically states:
"Over several months, through a rich and unprecedented mix of plenary meetings, informal consultations, meetings with stakeholders, and electronic outreach to broader audiences across the world, the DOT Force has examined in depth the challenge of bridging the digital divide and harnessing the power of information and communications technologies (ICT) and global networks to assure opportunity, empowerment and inclusion for all. The DOT Force has analyzed the underlying causes of the digital divide, the poverty-reducing and empowering potential of new technologies, and the complex mix of strategies, policies, investments, and actions required to create digital opportunities for all while addressing key development imperatives."
I think you would agree with me that when governments and corporations get together and hold (behind doors) meetings about the Internet and its control that we had better put our seatbelts on because we're in for a rough ride. I for one will do everything in my limited power to expose this sham - too bad./ rejected my submission today regarding these important events. I'm sure the entire./ community would be interested to know the future of our beloved Internet is at stake. *sigh*
In part.. The Public Library of Science wrote in an open letter
We recognize that the publishers of our scientific
journals have a legitimate right to a fair financial return for their
role in scientific communication. We believe, however, that the permanent,
archival record of scientific research and ideas should neither be owned
nor controlled by publishers, but should belong to the public, and should
be freely available through an international online public library.
As a social scientist I agree fully with this stance. We cannot leave the open publications of intellectual property "scientific journals" in the hands of publishers. It's a form of censorship IMHO.
If you firmly believe that nonsense then take a test. Collect a series of newpapers from July 20-23 and show articles here that depict the police violence against peaceful protestors at Genoa Italy. Can't find anyhing? OK find one with substance regarding the G8 or WTO summits (or whatever catch name they're calling it next). Can't find anything substansial?
Next test... considering you get your news from pop media, try switching channels between all the pop channels. What? It's all the same news? Imagine that!
Slashdot Mirror
For instance, you are required with any television package whether it is cable or satellite, to have a certain set of local-type channels.
This particular rule was meant to advance Canadian content on Canadian TV. I agree with that stance. We have a national broadcasting network - *CBC* (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) which offers very high quality TV viewing. It includes programs like "The Fifth Estate", various news programming spinoffs, and comedy nights, etc. The CBC is available locally throughout Canada including remote areas such as the NWT and the Yukon. I live in the USA now and have yet to see an American TV network supply anthing even remotely close to the quality CBC offers. Canadians can still get a certain amount of American network TV in, but IMHO, it's generally cheap sitcom garbage TV.
I have a question. I was the sole inventor of a product which bears my name alone. I invented this program while working for a company and they use this same program in all of their international operations. If I am not mistaken, I am the copywrite holder (by default)? At one time this company was making plans with me to patent the program (in my name) and then it fell through when the company dropped their patent department. As far as I know it is still not patented. Can I patent this program today? I have left the company.
I don't use outlook. I use Pronto mail ... a linux mail client.
Since your email address is shown ... some "helpful" slashdot reader might have decided to welcome you into the wonderful world of SirCam by sending you a copy manually.
:P.
Ironically I think that's exactly how I got my two copies. Sorry I will not send you one coz I never was too good at sharing
Another true story ...
My friend has his car in the garage for a tuneup. An employee of the garage took the car on a joyride late Saturday night and crashed into a guy's hedge. The hedge owner sued the car owner (my friend) and won damages. Screwy laws.
Well I got two letters using Pronto, but of course I didn't open them. With Outlook attachments auto open ... huge difference.
For a contract to be binding it must include 3 elements ... and 3) Legal Purpose .... A virus contract would also fail this test.
... that's the answer I was after above :).
Thank you
Now I'm confused. If when launched, this worm automatically goes out to everyone in your address book and then goes out to everyone in someone else's address book that launches it, why are you to be held responsible? I don't get it and I'd really like an explanation please
Thank you for your well thought out and meticulous reply. My experience with switching o/s's was limited to only 150 machines (not 1,000). The transition was done slowly (over a year) and involved just a few machines at a time. It did involve much retraining but it wasn't as painful as we thought it would be. Our documentation was drawn up and redrawn several times as needed. Our UNIX staff worked with small groups of people at a time and a help desk was initiated for ongoing support. We were very lucky in that we did not have to deal with a lot of politics.
:). While it is true we did lose six people in the transition, we
were able to replace them. Amazingly enough, those that did leave were not the veterans.
:).
Again thank you for the insight into the mindset of huge corporations.
It has been just over a year now since we migrated over to Linux. The staff have come to appreciate the o/s and are quite comfortable with it. Most have expressed a feel-good sense about learning a whole new set of skills
Your situation is far more complex than ours was. Maybe one day it will happen for you
Yes there are other o/s's that are vulnerable to exploits. Check out Bugtraq and click on Linux. Just because Macrosquish is getting most of the attention, doesn't mean us linux users aren't getting any. :P
The logic is simple. Business wants a new manageable internet. First, prove to the world that end-to-end is broken. Then, advance proposals to fix it. Waiting for the other shoe to drop. . .
No need to wait ... http://www.g7.utoronto.ca/g7/summit/2001genoa/dotf orce1.html
Annoy a politician today - THINK! In part reads: the DOT Force has examined in depth the challenge of bridging the digital divide and harnessing the power of information and communications technologies (ICT) and global networks to assure opportunity, empowerment and inclusion for all. The DOT Force has analyzed the underlying causes of the digital divide, the poverty-reducing and empowering potential of new technologies, and the complex mix of strategies, policies, investments, and actions required to create digital opportunities for all while addressing key development imperatives.
What you're advocating is civil disobedience. I don't think you'll get the support of your co-workers who have families to feed and bills to pay. There are other effective means of getting your voice (or silence) heard. Come to Washington, DC from Sept.28 to Oct.4 and peacefully protest the IMF/World Bank meeting .
Be there when the bureaucrats have their parade to the White House (they're holding it there because they feel they can be secure within its confines) turn your back to the procession . It screams volumes. Hold a silent vigile with your placard held high. You may get beat up (as peaceful protestors did in Genoa), but that's a small price to pay for your liberty. I'm encouraged by world protests, it shows that some people still have the guts to stand up for what they believe in. In Seattle there were 30,000, in Quebec there were 60,000, in Genoa there were 150,000, in 30 cities across Italy after Genoa there were 250,000. How many will there be in Washinton? Be there!
Dubya's party isn't the only one caving in to business. Who was president when the DMCA became law?
An American politician.
I'll tell you what. I may not make the trip to DC on Sept.8, but I'll be there from Sept 28 - Oct 4 to protest at the IMF/World Bank meetings. Details available at Mobilization for Global Justice
Don't steal. The government hates competition.
the BSA comes with police escort most of the time.
Yea I know, the police were too busy holding the BSA's hand while entering our company to notice this hooded guy in the parking lot picking car locks.
Don't steal. The government hates competition.
Companies choose microsoft software because it's cheap. It's cheap because you don't have to train people (very much) how to use it. Everyone writes applications for it. Hardware comes with it already installed, saving time. And businesses take in entire picture into consideration when coering the costs.
... it's so versatile that it works on even older PCs.
... if you have that little confidence in the adaptability of your staff then it's time to sack them and hire people with more flexibility. Of course you may have to pay them more than min. wage. :P.
None of these reasons hold any water. What's cheaper than free? Either you have a fairly new company that started off with Win95 or you've been down the training road before. Remember training your people to go to Word from Wordperfect? If you don't then you're a new company. I remember working for a firm switching from WP to Word and the transition was easy enough although not popular among the clerical staff. WP is a far more superior product.
More people write apps for Linux than MS. MS buys apps and loads faulty code into it and that's why it's soooo unstable. Those writing apps for Linux are real coders. When's the last time you checked out the apps available on Linux? Did you ever?
Hardware comes installed with MS? Funny, I thought MS only sold software. Oh you mean the PCs? You don't need to buy new PCs to install Linux
If business takes in entire picture into consideration when considering the costs then Linux would win hands down. IMHO business either take in the entire marketing BS spewed out by MS or they stick with the "old boys" business practices. My guess is the latter.
PS
That won't work because at the recent G8 summit in Genoa, Italy, matters like this were discussed the crux of which follows:
The interests that were included in these high level talks included
- OECD Dubai Emerging Market Economy Forum on E-Commerce, 16-18 January 2001
- Berlin,
DSE Policy Forum on "Digital Inclusion", 23-24 January 2001
- Davos, World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, 29 January 2001
- Cairo, IDSC/Egyptian Cabinet Conference on E-Business and Development, 12-15 February, 2001
- Naples, Third Global Forum, March 14-17, 2001.
Full text available: hereThis whole thing reminds me of the *language police* in Quebec run by Office de la Langue Francais". I believe their tactics were ruled unconstitutional. Now that Canada is considering adopting a piece of crap ...ummm errr ... legislation ... much like the DMCA, I wonder if the courts will use the *language laws* as a precedent against the new law.
I think the tactics being used by the BSA, DMCA, etc., need to be challenged in the courts. Perhaps they are targetting mostly small to medium sized businesses because they know they do not have the funds the backers of their actions do. I'd like to see those businesses under attack file a class action suit against the BSA et.
Anyway they can! I have a feeling the only way people will get off Winsquish is when they start running commercials on the install cds.
It would be nice if it took this to drive ppl off winsquish but alas when's the last time you paid $8.50 to see a movie and have to sit through a half hour of commercials?
Don't steal. The government hates competition.
other forms of parental abuse.
... kids abusing parents. When my son was a rebellious teen he threatened to turn me in for grounding him ... my response ... hehe fine son I sure as hell hope you've been saving your allowance coz I'm going to countersue for parent abuse :P. He never threatened again :).
OT but parental abuse goes two ways
"Excuse me? You're here to investigate? And who the fsck are you?"
Exactly? Who the fsck are the BSA or any other corporate interest to act as law enforcement authorities? Did they attend a police acedemy or are they part of the National Guard? Are they Sheriffs? Are we turning over law enforcement to corporations now?
When a person is evicted for not paying the rent, does the landlord come in and evict the tennants? NO! It's the sheriff's office. This is a very disturbing trend of late. What with this bogus BSA having powers of attorney granted by Microsquish, Adobecrataics, et al. What the hell is WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? What the hell happened to due process? Shouldn't it be up to the BSA to sue a company for non-compliance and bring them into court? Have corporations gotten so powerful that they dictate how due process works now? Christ they have the same powers as IRS don't they? Correct me if I'm wrong here PLEASE!
Did anyone else see the irony of an anti-piracy campaign going around and scaring people and threating them with suprise raids unless given money?
Yep, it's called extortion.
Have you ever heard of DOT Force? You'll want to read all about it as it was discussed at the G7 summit in July 2000 at the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit and was also discussed at the G8 summit in Genoa Italy. Check out DOT Force which basically states:
./ rejected my submission today regarding these important events. I'm sure the entire ./ community would be interested to know the future of our beloved Internet is at stake. *sigh*
"Over several months, through a rich and unprecedented mix of plenary meetings, informal consultations, meetings with stakeholders, and electronic outreach to broader audiences across the world, the DOT Force has examined in depth the challenge of bridging the digital divide and harnessing the power of information and communications technologies (ICT) and global networks to assure opportunity, empowerment and inclusion for all. The DOT Force has analyzed the underlying causes of the digital divide, the poverty-reducing and empowering potential of new technologies, and the complex mix of strategies, policies, investments, and actions required to create digital opportunities for all while addressing key development imperatives."
I think you would agree with me that when governments and corporations get together and hold (behind doors) meetings about the Internet and its control that we had better put our seatbelts on because we're in for a rough ride. I for one will do everything in my limited power to expose this sham - too bad
In part .. The Public Library of Science wrote in an open letter
We recognize that the publishers of our scientific journals have a legitimate right to a fair financial return for their role in scientific communication. We believe, however, that the permanent, archival record of scientific research and ideas should neither be owned nor controlled by publishers, but should belong to the public, and should be freely available through an international online public library.
As a social scientist I agree fully with this stance. We cannot leave the open publications of intellectual property "scientific journals" in the hands of publishers. It's a form of censorship IMHO.
If you firmly believe that nonsense then take a test. Collect a series of newpapers from July 20-23 and show articles here that depict the police violence against peaceful protestors at Genoa Italy. Can't find anyhing? OK find one with substance regarding the G8 or WTO summits (or whatever catch name they're calling it next). Can't find anything substansial?
Next test... considering you get your news from pop media, try switching channels between all the pop channels. What? It's all the same news? Imagine that!