Actually, the thing thats amazing to me is the Patent. What they're trying to patent is really very interesting. The first reply to this message seems to have it right. People have been distributing crappy versions over P2P since the earliest days. Lets take a look at what is claimed.
1. A method of preventing reduction of sales amount of records due to a digital music file illegally distributed through a communication network, comprising the steps of: a)producing an advertising digital music file by deteriorating or damaging a sound quality of an original music file of a record of a cooperating record corporation; and b)distributing the advertising digital music file through the communication network.
Well, they're not saying they're the first to distribute crappy music over P2P networks, but they are claiming using this a method of preventing reduction of record sales. This is interesting because, first, I'm not sure if the data shows that P2P networks actually reduce sales. If they can't prove that, is that portion of the patent invalid? I don't know. Lets give them the benefit of the doubt and say that it does. Well, in that case, this method has been used by everyone whos ever posted a 64bitrate file on a network. The difference, I suppose, is the intent. (Yes, you too were degrading the viability of P2P networks, but the difference is we meant to.)
Points 2-5 are just how they cruft up the music, and not of much interest. Its been happening unintentionally for a long while.
Point 6-10 seems to be saying the same thing as 1-5 but with a file taken from a P2P network.
This is an interesting patent to me, because it seems to be patenting intent. Can't think of any other patents like this.
Though the way things are going, I'd bet dollars to donuts that there are a hell of a lot of them.
Jim Profit. He was that guy who lived in the cardboard box, right? That show was different and interesting. I think it made a full five episodes...
Ah well. I shouldn't be watching T.V. anyway. Theres drinkin' to be done!
Re:Balancing Issues in NS
on
Gaming Goodness
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
You know. I just heard about this mod this morning from my brother. He said the exact same thing about the balancing issues. I just thought it was cool that fun new mods are still coming out for Halflife.
Any game devs out there? How do you restrict the ability to rush in games like this?
Re:According to my calculations...
on
Unmaking The Game
·
· Score: 1
I prefer to think of it as printing stock.
Now if Sony starts itemizing platinum created as a business expense, then the IRS gets involved.
Well, there are many technical questions one can ask to get a handle on a programmer's skill level, but I've always felt that that's only part of the issue. I once worked in a place where, after an interview, each interviewer would answer three questions.
1) Can the person do the job? - This would be the technical part of the interview. Does the person have the appropriate technical skills to get the job done? Do they have a good, problem-solving mind?
2) Will the person do the job? - This is as important as number one. You want to get someone motivated to work. Also, if you're hiring someone to do program maintainance, for example, you don't want someone who looks at the job as a three month stepping stone. They need to be excited and ready for the specific task at hand.
3) Am I willing to work with this person while they do the job? - We all like to think that we can be rational, detached creatures at work, but its important to be able to get along with workmates. It makes work more enjoyable, and workers more productive.
The best hires I've seen, are the ones who receive strong passes on all three questions.
I can vouch for the no-violence before 1952 theory. I've watched several Fred Estaire/Ginger Rogers movies on AMC that date to the era, and apparently, no matter how extreme the difference between people, they always settled their problems through dance, not violence.
I think violence was invented around the same time as color. I wonder if there's a connection? -Mezz
Actually, there's quite a lot of this going on right now. Be is going on because they do have one very strong asset... A potential lawsuit against microsoft. Often a board will shut down a company (almost), sell off its assets, then go and find investors who invest in the remaining shell company. What the investors are actually doing, is funding and investing in a lawsuit. They're gambling that Be will get enough of a settlement from the big 'M' to make it worth their money.
This type of thing has been happening a lot with patents as well. Failing companies will spin off holding companies, whos assets consist of some patent that that company came up with. The shell will then go and find its own money to fund lawsuits against existing violators.
Agreed.
It's not just a part of the game. Its a huge part. If X-Boxes are not readily available for the christmas season, I'd guess that there are a large number of families out there who will go for a 'reasonable alternative' in the GameCube.
In the long run, however, the battle will probably be won by the system that produces the most high quality games. For that reason, Microsoft bought the rights to 'Halo', and the president of Nintendo is planning on selling his 10 percent stake of the company and pumping the money into Games start-ups that support the nintendo system.
The most advanced form of communications technology used in these attacks thats I've seen released, was a handwritten letter, photocopied and distributed to the terrorists.
Lets demand funding for posting federal marshalls at every photocopy machine.
That would help americans feel safe again.. Yeah.
If you don't live in NY State, it might be a good idea to call for an appointment. Blood has a shelf life, and once you give, the banks over here in Seattle anyway won't let you give again for 53 days. Its possible that they'll say that they have enough for now, but will be needing blood within the next few weeks.
If you live in/near seattle, call this number to schedule a donation.
Hmmm. When I was younger I was curious how wide (actual length) a bolt of lightning actually was. I was curious if it was just brightness or actual size that gave a bolt its appearance. I went to the extent of calling local Seattle meteorologists and asking them. The answer was always a polite 'shove off'. I wonder if these guys would know.
Slashdot Mirror
Actually, the thing thats amazing to me is the Patent. What they're trying to patent is really very interesting. The first reply to this message seems to have it right. People have been distributing crappy versions over P2P since the earliest days. Lets take a look at what is claimed.
1. A method of preventing reduction of sales amount of records due to a digital music file illegally distributed through a communication network, comprising the steps of: a)producing an advertising digital music file by deteriorating or damaging a sound quality of an original music file of a record of a cooperating record corporation; and b)distributing the advertising digital music file through the communication network.
Well, they're not saying they're the first to distribute crappy music over P2P networks, but they are claiming using this a method of preventing reduction of record sales. This is interesting because, first, I'm not sure if the data shows that P2P networks actually reduce sales. If they can't prove that, is that portion of the patent invalid? I don't know. Lets give them the benefit of the doubt and say that it does. Well, in that case, this method has been used by everyone whos ever posted a 64bitrate file on a network. The difference, I suppose, is the intent. (Yes, you too were degrading the viability of P2P networks, but the difference is we meant to.)
Points 2-5 are just how they cruft up the music, and not of much interest. Its been happening unintentionally for a long while.
Point 6-10 seems to be saying the same thing as 1-5 but with a file taken from a P2P network.
This is an interesting patent to me, because it seems to be patenting intent. Can't think of any other patents like this. Though the way things are going, I'd bet dollars to donuts that there are a hell of a lot of them.
Yeah. But It costs a bit over $10 a month to play that game.
Jim Profit. He was that guy who lived in the cardboard box, right? That show was different and interesting. I think it made a full five episodes...
Ah well. I shouldn't be watching T.V. anyway.
Theres drinkin' to be done!
You know. I just heard about this mod this morning from my brother. He said the exact same thing about the balancing issues. I just thought it was cool that fun new mods are still coming out for Halflife.
Any game devs out there? How do you restrict the ability to rush in games like this?
I prefer to think of it as printing stock.
Now if Sony starts itemizing platinum created as a business expense, then the IRS gets involved.
Well, there are many technical questions one can ask to get a handle on a programmer's skill level, but I've always felt that that's only part of the issue. I once worked in a place where, after an interview, each interviewer would answer three questions.
1) Can the person do the job?
- This would be the technical part of the interview. Does the person have the appropriate technical skills to get the job done? Do they have a good, problem-solving mind?
2) Will the person do the job?
- This is as important as number one. You want to get someone motivated to work. Also, if you're hiring someone to do program maintainance, for example, you don't want someone who looks at the job as a three month stepping stone. They need to be excited and ready for the specific task at hand.
3) Am I willing to work with this person while they do the job?
- We all like to think that we can be rational, detached creatures at work, but its important to be able to get along with workmates. It makes work more enjoyable, and workers more productive.
The best hires I've seen, are the ones who receive strong passes on all three questions.
I can vouch for the no-violence before 1952 theory. I've watched several Fred Estaire/Ginger Rogers movies on AMC that date to the era, and apparently, no matter how extreme the difference between people, they always settled their problems through dance, not violence.
I think violence was invented around the same time as color. I wonder if there's a connection?
-Mezz
Actually, there's quite a lot of this going on right now. Be is going on because they do have one very strong asset... A potential lawsuit against microsoft. Often a board will shut down a company (almost), sell off its assets, then go and find investors who invest in the remaining shell company. What the investors are actually doing, is funding and investing in a lawsuit. They're gambling that Be will get enough of a settlement from the big 'M' to make it worth their money.
This type of thing has been happening a lot with patents as well. Failing companies will spin off holding companies, whos assets consist of some patent that that company came up with. The shell will then go and find its own money to fund lawsuits against existing violators.
Its a weird weird world.
Agreed.
It's not just a part of the game. Its a huge part. If X-Boxes are not readily available for the christmas season, I'd guess that there are a large number of families out there who will go for a 'reasonable alternative' in the GameCube.
In the long run, however, the battle will probably be won by the system that produces the most high quality games. For that reason, Microsoft bought the rights to 'Halo', and the president of Nintendo is planning on selling his 10 percent stake of the company and pumping the money into Games start-ups that support the nintendo system.
I had to tape it for my friend. And he has a TIVO! His wife was Taping survivor and watching friends during that slot.
Brutal.
The most advanced form of communications technology used in these attacks thats I've seen released, was a handwritten letter, photocopied and distributed to the terrorists.
Lets demand funding for posting federal marshalls at every photocopy machine.
That would help americans feel safe again.. Yeah.
If you don't live in NY State, it might be a good idea to call for an appointment. Blood has a shelf life, and once you give, the banks over here in Seattle anyway won't let you give again for 53 days. Its possible that they'll say that they have enough for now, but will be needing blood within the next few weeks.
If you live in/near seattle, call this number to schedule a donation.
1-800-398-7888
or register online at
http://www.psbc.org
Hmmm. When I was younger I was curious how wide (actual length) a bolt of lightning actually was. I was curious if it was just brightness or actual size that gave a bolt its appearance. I went to the extent of calling local Seattle meteorologists and asking them. The answer was always a polite 'shove off'. I wonder if these guys would know.
There was actually a complaint (marketing complaint) from AMD regarding this recently.
0 11 ,2809018,00.html
Here's an article in eweek about it.
http://www.zdnet.com/eweek/stories/general/0,11