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User: DingoBueno

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Comments · 86

  1. CREEPIEST...POST...EVER! on Child-Suitable Alternatives To Passwords? · · Score: 1

    that's all

  2. Just taking necessary steps to protect trademark on Apple Goes After the Term 'Podcast' · · Score: 1

    When are people going to understand that, under the current law, that's what it takes?

  3. For the preservation of individual IP rights on Students Protest Turnitin.com · · Score: 1
    Do you think any of them are concerned about IP rights then?

    I do believe that some are concerned about IP. Had I been involved in the movement, I'd have participated on priciple, i.e., "you can't have it both ways." If a record company or a software company or a bio-tech company can claim far-reaching rights, then individuals must do the same. This is a means to an end. I really don't care so much about the cause, but I do care about the impact it may have, namely the increased awareness of ownership rights. We need activists.

    That being said, I'm not clear on who maintains ownership of papers. In an undergrad world, I imagine the institution retains the rights to student works. Anyone more aware of the particulars?
  4. Not a Joke -- Hofstadter's Law on TUAW Recommends Joke App · · Score: 1
    Joke?! This application was designed under a rigorous process and soundly performs in accordance with Hofstadter's Law:
    It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter's Law.
  5. Version Cue on Graphical File Revision Control for Non-Techies? · · Score: 2, Informative

    Well...since you already use photoshop, I'd have to suggest Version Cue. It's made precisely for your purpose. I've used subvserion, myself. But I've also fought and lost the same battle when it come to non-techie conversion. Best of luck...

  6. Port-knocking for the real world. Next up... on Unlock Your Doors With a Knock Code · · Score: 1

    ...installing snort in your front yard...

  7. How does this work? a few questions... on HD DVD to Screw Early HDTV Adopters · · Score: 1

    I don't follow the technology behind this, but as this news breaks I become more interested. So the DVD player outputs a digital signal. If I'm lucky, my TV has a digital input. If I'm not, what's stopping me from using a DAC? I understand there's some encryption going on, but I'm not sure what kind. Why can't my DAC do the decryption? Or is it as simple as a bandwidth limitation on my old TV? Do these new electronics have embedded keys? If so, how are they shared? Who's responsible for assigning them?

    It seems reasonable that I should be able to (legally) obtain a device to perform all of the necessary operations externally to support my legacy device.

  8. In related news... on UK Government Wants a Backdoor Into Windows · · Score: 1

    The UK government asks Uzbekistan to ready their cauldrons...

  9. 8% Fabulous on Algorithms Determine Mona Lisa's True Emotions · · Score: 1
    The program, developed with researchers at the University of Illinois, US, draws on a database of young female faces to derive an average 'neutral' expression.
    I'd be curious to see what the result would be when compared to male expressions. Some say she is Leonardo in drag, while others go so far as to suggest she is a boy.

    Either way, Leonardo was a crazy character. Love to see that notebook that Bill Gates aquired...
  10. Re:Sarbanes-Oxley on Merck's Deleted Data · · Score: 1

    And before SOX, there was the SEC. Just as the SEC was formed during a time when "information technology" meant "file clerk", the FDA has grown inefficient. (This includes bringing new drugs to market, not just dealing with practices of the industry.) Now that attention has been called to this issue, we need to focus on improving the process. Congress is going to write laws anyway--let's try to shift attention toward the important issues.

  11. Sarbanes-Oxley on Merck's Deleted Data · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Although targeted at financial data, legislation such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is precisely what is needed in such high-risk industries. It imposes strict information controls and audit requirements, and makes an effort at putting the responsibily where it belongs, namely at the Director and Executive levels.

  12. Treat the problem, not the symptoms on Gaming Fanatics Show Hallmarks of Drug Addiction · · Score: 1

    It seems to me that there are many, many things to which one may be addicted. Shouldn't we try to exercise some self-control and learn the recognize when we're in over our heads? This isn't new--it's the newest manifestation of core human behavior.

  13. No lilability without decision-making ability. NM on Holding Developers Liable For Bugs · · Score: 1

    that's all

  14. It's just on a different partition on Google Launches Google Reader at Web 2.0 · · Score: 1
  15. The flaw in the argument is... (from both POVs) on Surefire Way To Stifle Innovation · · Score: 1

    But if HR-1201 becomes law, every consumer could legally hack any TPM by claiming fair use, and as fair use isn't codified, there would be as many definitions of it as there are consumers. Consumers would be legally sanctioned to break their contracts with the content provider.

    No sane business operator enters a contract in which one party has the right to disregard its terms at will, but that's what HR-1201 permits.

    This is completely without basis. If the contract states that I may not distribute copies of the material, then in no circumstance am I allowed to give away distribute copies of the material. The TPM (fancy guy, coined his own acronym, huh?) exists merely to help prevent unscrupulous users from performing the act that "breaks the contract."

    The proposed legislation does not allow one to "disregard [contract] terms at will"; rather, it allows one to use the material under the terms of the contract. That is what is meant when we through around Fair Use. The opposing argument suggests that fair use is antiquated and that there are a finite number of proper usages. So what if the majority cuts it steaks with a knife? I want to cut mine with a spoon. Those opposed: let's hear you...

    But perhaps there is a valid point, however poorly expressed. DRM is the equivalent of a bank guard. It's not within one's rights to rob a bank. I merely have the right to retrieve what is already mine. Does that suggest that having a guard is draconian? Perhaps a similar analogy was floating in his head when he wrote that rubbish.

    Thinking just slightly deeper, it seems that DRM is more akin to the following scenario: After withdrawing one's money from the bank, the guard follows the subject home. Suppose the subject wants his USD converted to pounds sterling. He goes to a currency exchanger, makes his request, and then guard then forcibly blocks the transaction.

    The point I'm trying to make is that both sides have valid concerns. These dialogs can go back and forth, but I feel that the Fair Use argument is significantly stronger, at least when compared to the angle at which the entertainment industry is approaching the issue.

  16. This is total crap on Microsoft Invents A 'Play-Once Only' DVD · · Score: 1

    Not until blockbuster and netflix are long dead... This has always been the worst idea ever. Why do people just keep doing it?

  17. Apple's Strategy on Sony Doing An End Run Around Its Own DRM · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This is quite interesting. Although the e-mail blames Apple, I think the users don't really care. By not licensing FairPlay, Apple is really turning the heat on the record execs. Nobody wants a Rio when there's an iPod available. And rather than go through all that work to load the tracks on an iPod, perhaps some users would sooner download the material. For many, that would technically easier. Things certainly do seem to be shaping up for a battle as Apple really starts to flex. Seems like it has the masses backing it, not to mention the disgruntled artists.

    iTunes vs Big Music and Google vs Microsoft: surely an exciting 2006...

  18. Which category is the worst offender? on Data Storage For Home? · · Score: 1
    My collection of family photos, web site content, TV episode captures, music files, and my archive of ISO files for various operating systems, they just eat up my hard drive space so fast.
    Yeah... we all know how much space web site content can consume...
  19. Dude, you're getting a Gibson! on Ultimate Software Developer Setup? · · Score: 1

    neato

  20. Injustice to the Students on OpenOffice vs. MS Office for Education? · · Score: 1

    Here me out:

    While OpenOffice is a fine collection of software, it's not a replacement for Microsoft Office, if only because of the Microsoft market position. (Personally, MS Office is still better in my book, but that's not the point.) It would be grossly unfair to try to push OpenOffice on the students, as office application skills are fairly important in many fields. They deserve to know MS Office.

    A high school is not the place to try to promote Open Office.

  21. I'm pretty sure we know what 11 is on 13 Things That Do Not Make Sense · · Score: 1
  22. BIOLOGY! on Best Degree to Pair w/ a B.Sc. in Computer Science? · · Score: 1

    It's called bioinformatics, and it's hot. If you ever considered pursuing the MD, get on it.

  23. Gas money to the Apple Store... on What Do You Charge for Tech Support? · · Score: 1

    ...plus $499 plus gas money home.

    Next Question.

  24. A Similar Situtation on PC Competition for the Mac mini? · · Score: 1

    I was in a similar situation over the holiday. I was asked for advice on purchasing a sff pc for a relative. I tried and tried and tried to convince that person to spend the extra $50 on an eMac. Well, the short of the story is that person spent an extra $150 on an overpriced low-end PC. Mind you this was December; guess how long it took to break?

    Unfortunately, this was before the realization of the Mac Mini. Not that it would have made a difference. I hope the person learned a lesson.

    I understand that this is Ask Slashdot, and your question is not whether or not the mac is worth it, but I think the following is worth saying. Especially in your case, being for your wife and all, I'll liken it to jewelery. Imagine Tiffany had a great sale. But just to be stubborn, I'll buy the same piece from Dan's Scrap Jewels for a similar (or greater) price. Maybe the quality is the same, but probably not. And on top of that, ladies love the blue box. There's something in a name.

    Quick illustrative quote: "Diamonds. She'll pretty much have to."

  25. Too bad these guys didn't notice... on PHP Vulnerabilities Announced · · Score: 1