Subscriptions
on
LWN in Trouble
·
· Score: 5, Interesting
Just a quick glance at the discussion list showed a good number of posters suggesting a subscription. Though it seems obvious, just pay for the product, subscriptions also offer another benefit: Payment in advance. This will ensure a steady stream of cash for production of the magazine.
Interception of computer trespasser communications (House 105, Senate 217)-
Allows ISP's, universities, network administrators to authorize surveillance without judicial order
Who left these entities to decide what's right or wrong? IMHO, this is too much power left to entities not expert in the field of law.
What's even worse is that there is no expectation of privacy for "unauthorized use" although that term is not defined. So it's up to the individual interpreter of the proposed law. Even the downloading of an unauthorized mp3 can allow the tapping of all communications by that individual, with no time limit!
The effects could be far-reaching, from unnecessary accusations of terrorism, to less privacy in the workplace.
Essentially, all devices and software that fall into this vague definition of digital interactive technology will have to include encryption so it can't be copied. This could include VCR tapes, compact discs, and the devices that run them, as well as computers and open source software.
Surprises me. This is one of the most heavy-handed pieces of legislation I've seen. I can understand the digital aspect of it, but even encrypting videotapes, the last bastion of small-scale piracy? I'm really not for piracy, but I thought the videotape issue fell under "don't sweat the small stuff".
Gotta give credit for the thoroughness of the proposed legislation, though.
It says that bundling new features into Windows and Windows server software "has a chilling effect on innovation and competition," according to the report.
That kind of wording is almost identical to that used by the companies which have complained to both Brussels and the US Justice Department about Microsoft's behaviour.
The DoJ and the EU say the same thing, but only the EU will have the resolve to see this through. Opposed to the DoJ's potential wristslpa, the EU starts with a monetary fine and then gets to the heart of the problem! Instead of trying to break up the company, just break up the software, get rid of the bundling which causes the interoperability with other software, allowing other software vendors to break into the MS Windows software market.
A shame that AOL doesn't make this kind of information more easily available.
This reminds me of the same sort of complaint found in a recent Slashdot article on Microsoft. Do you really think AOL/Time Warner wants this type of information spread around so they can lose subscribers?
I see your point, but I do not know how to sway a Congress that is easily bought by corporate interest money. An example is when the copyright on Mickey Mouse is close to expiration, Disney will lobby and grease the palms of legislators to extend the term. This is what happened with the Sonny Bono Act of 1998. In fact, it takes only act of Congress to extend copyright term limits now.
Our proposal is to have short terms for works for hire, where a corporate entity owns the right. This would put movies into the public domain much sooner, for example, as well as much of the archives of newspapers.
OK, this seems a bit vague. A corporate entity holding the copyright? I do not think it would lend itself to a short copyright term. Also, what defines this "short term". How long is "short"?
It was an excellent question but the answer was quite vague. Disappointing.
No matter what it is. Sure, this isn't major news, but at least the Supreme Court has the wisdom to see how Microsoft was conducting business was wrong.
Now, I figure it's back to the lower courts to see what kind of penalty is recommended.
You bring up good points, however, the internet is still untested for truly long-term storage. Unlike the NASA tapes, the format of the Internet is fairly stable, and any format updates will be reflected in the browsers used at that time.
Research stored on the internet might be as enduring as dead-tree papers. We shall see in 100 years.
To add to above...I seem to have sent it off before it was ready.
Since bandwidth is an issue, priority can be given to audio, since audio takes up much less bandwidth than video for a proportiionate level of quality.
The networks have learned that if they keep the images simple, the live shots feed with higher resolution. There is a reason. Sharp says the system only updates the pixels in the screen that change from frame to frame. So if a correspondent is standing in the dark with a few lights in the deep background, the only thing that is changing on the screen is the reporter's face. If the background is busy with activity, the whole screen has to refresh every frame, so the image is not as clear. All of the bandwidth is being spent updating the entire frame.
It will take two days for the sub to be transported to dry dock if fair weather, but since forecasts are calling for foul weather, it'll take about four days.
File extensions and associations were a way of reconciling between a GUI interface and the matching of files to apps.
What bothers me about this whole rant is that this time, Microsoft is not forcing users to do anything. Admittedly, it's not easy, but even I managed to do it well before the time I became a "power-user".
Microsofot is simply taking advantage of user inertia. Want a simple solution? Pass around the information in the article on how to change registered file types and gain users' attention by expouunding on its conveninece - convenience on using the app you want to do your task.
Currently, Intel's Pentium 4 microprocessor -- the primary computing engine of personal computers and servers -- has about 42 million transistors and runs at two gigahertz.
At my job, the IT tech gave instructions to all users to disable macros on all incoming attachments in Excel and Word, or not to even open them at all if they're not sure.
It's not foolproof but it does make the people at my job aware of one of the many ways that viruses are spread.
I noticed that in the article too, despite the Dept. of Defense adopting StarOffice. The German government seems to be taking it a step further; since StarOffice is a multiplatform app, the DoD can still run Windows as a primary OS.
However, IIRC the SSCA will affect open source OS development the most.
Stars are usually formed from nebulae, the dust from which blocks most light, but less of the longer wavelengths like red and infrared. So we see mostly the red light.
Yes, but part of the danger is not knowing the hazard exists. Since it has been discovered and publicized, corrective or preventive measures (including yours) can be taken.
The power supplies are as dangerous, but the danger level has fallen.
Since our government represenatatives seem to be somewhat lacking in basic know-how of technology, is there anything planned to somehow educate them of the existing and future technology (in layman's terms, of course) and the implications of laws restricting it?
Slashdot Mirror
Just a quick glance at the discussion list showed a good number of posters suggesting a subscription. Though it seems obvious, just pay for the product, subscriptions also offer another benefit: Payment in advance. This will ensure a steady stream of cash for production of the magazine.
It seems more like a gameboy than a business tool
Agreed. After looking at their music info page, I'd swear the target market is the teenage Napster crowd.
But with detachable faceplates for Nokia phones and such, that tactic has been used for a while now.
From the CDT summary:
Interception of computer trespasser communications (House 105, Senate 217)-
Allows ISP's, universities, network administrators to authorize surveillance without judicial order
Who left these entities to decide what's right or wrong? IMHO, this is too much power left to entities not expert in the field of law.
What's even worse is that there is no expectation of privacy for "unauthorized use" although that term is not defined. So it's up to the individual interpreter of the proposed law. Even the downloading of an unauthorized mp3 can allow the tapping of all communications by that individual, with no time limit!
The effects could be far-reaching, from unnecessary accusations of terrorism, to less privacy in the workplace.
He could be focused on one thing...developing Linux.
Look at his other answers for marketing. He's only focused on the code. Let others worry about marketing, etc.
From the Redhat article:
Essentially, all devices and software that fall into this vague definition of digital interactive technology will have to include encryption so it can't be copied. This could include VCR tapes, compact discs, and the devices that run them, as well as computers and open source software.
Surprises me. This is one of the most heavy-handed pieces of legislation I've seen. I can understand the digital aspect of it, but even encrypting videotapes, the last bastion of small-scale piracy? I'm really not for piracy, but I thought the videotape issue fell under "don't sweat the small stuff".
Gotta give credit for the thoroughness of the proposed legislation, though.
From the article:
It says that bundling new features into Windows and Windows server software "has a chilling effect on innovation and competition," according to the report.
That kind of wording is almost identical to that used by the companies which have complained to both Brussels and the US Justice Department about Microsoft's behaviour.
The DoJ and the EU say the same thing, but only the EU will have the resolve to see this through. Opposed to the DoJ's potential wristslpa, the EU starts with a monetary fine and then gets to the heart of the problem! Instead of trying to break up the company, just break up the software, get rid of the bundling which causes the interoperability with other software, allowing other software vendors to break into the MS Windows software market.
But it's Open Source:
The DoD does use StarOffice
It's cross platform, so they can still run Windows, etc. and use it.
A shame that AOL doesn't make this kind of information more easily available.
This reminds me of the same sort of complaint found in a recent Slashdot article on Microsoft. Do you really think AOL/Time Warner wants this type of information spread around so they can lose subscribers?
It's not a shame, it's good business sense.
I see your point, but I do not know how to sway a Congress that is easily bought by corporate interest money. An example is when the copyright on Mickey Mouse is close to expiration, Disney will lobby and grease the palms of legislators to extend the term. This is what happened with the Sonny Bono Act of 1998. In fact, it takes only act of Congress to extend copyright term limits now.
Jamie's answer to "Neverending Copyright"
Our proposal is to have short terms for works for hire, where a corporate entity owns the right. This would put movies into the public domain much sooner, for example, as well as much of the archives of newspapers.
OK, this seems a bit vague. A corporate entity holding the copyright? I do not think it would lend itself to a short copyright term. Also, what defines this "short term". How long is "short"?
It was an excellent question but the answer was quite vague. Disappointing.
It worked for Saddam in the Gulf conflict, using dummy bases so the allied coalition would attack them instead of hidden, real missile sites.
We should not let technology be a substitute for sound strategy and planning.
No matter what it is. Sure, this isn't major news, but at least the Supreme Court has the wisdom to see how Microsoft was conducting business was wrong.
Now, I figure it's back to the lower courts to see what kind of penalty is recommended.
Most likely, it won't fit the crime.
You bring up good points, however, the internet is still untested for truly long-term storage. Unlike the NASA tapes, the format of the Internet is fairly stable, and any format updates will be reflected in the browsers used at that time.
Research stored on the internet might be as enduring as dead-tree papers. We shall see in 100 years.
To add to above...I seem to have sent it off before it was ready.
Since bandwidth is an issue, priority can be given to audio, since audio takes up much less bandwidth than video for a proportiionate level of quality.
From the article:
The networks have learned that if they keep the images simple, the live shots feed with higher resolution. There is a reason. Sharp says the system only updates the pixels in the screen that change from frame to frame. So if a correspondent is standing in the dark with a few lights in the deep background, the only thing that is changing on the screen is the reporter's face. If the background is busy with activity, the whole screen has to refresh every frame, so the image is not as clear. All of the bandwidth is being spent updating the entire frame.
can be found in Pravda.
It will take two days for the sub to be transported to dry dock if fair weather, but since forecasts are calling for foul weather, it'll take about four days.
File extensions and associations were a way of reconciling between a GUI interface and the matching of files to apps.
What bothers me about this whole rant is that this time, Microsoft is not forcing users to do anything. Admittedly, it's not easy, but even I managed to do it well before the time I became a "power-user".
Microsofot is simply taking advantage of user inertia. Want a simple solution? Pass around the information in the article on how to change registered file types and gain users' attention by expouunding on its conveninece - convenience on using the app you want to do your task.
According to the article:
Currently, Intel's Pentium 4 microprocessor -- the primary computing engine of personal computers and servers -- has about 42 million transistors and runs at two gigahertz.
IIRC, faster speeds can be achieved by smaller packaging, since data has shorter distances to travel.
And if we can fit a billion transisotrs on a processor by then, think of the possibilites for other components like the motherboard and such.
At my job, the IT tech gave instructions to all users to disable macros on all incoming attachments in Excel and Word, or not to even open them at all if they're not sure.
It's not foolproof but it does make the people at my job aware of one of the many ways that viruses are spread.
I noticed that in the article too, despite the Dept. of Defense adopting StarOffice. The German government seems to be taking it a step further; since StarOffice is a multiplatform app, the DoD can still run Windows as a primary OS.
However, IIRC the SSCA will affect open source OS development the most.
Stars are usually formed from nebulae, the dust from which blocks most light, but less of the longer wavelengths like red and infrared. So we see mostly the red light.
More info can be found on the NGST Science Page.
Yes, but part of the danger is not knowing the hazard exists. Since it has been discovered and publicized, corrective or preventive measures (including yours) can be taken.
The power supplies are as dangerous, but the danger level has fallen.
Since our government represenatatives seem to be somewhat lacking in basic know-how of technology, is there anything planned to somehow educate them of the existing and future technology (in layman's terms, of course) and the implications of laws restricting it?
If you want your privacy. The difference between the two is where the burden is placed.