The FedEx example isn't quite the same. If you encrypted your text message so the carrier only saw a 'package' then yes it's still about the same. (could the accuser be made to 'decrypt' the message....that's an interesting question too)
But since the text message was essentially a postcard (and say they scan the card to read the address they've got the whole content) anyone along the way can read it.
As for storing phone conversations, don't you think that if the technology were in place to do it they'd require the TelCo's to do it? It's just not technically feasible with our aged TelCo infrastructure. VOIP will change that though. The right of privacy for phone conversations was something determined *later* by the courts. It doesn't apply to new mediums by default (though logically it should I agree).
Is Vonage a 'Phone Company'? I would say no. I pay for my broadband connection, how I *use* that service should be up to me and free from intrusion. I'm simply sending data bits back and forth. Gaming is pretty much the same thing; even has voice capabilities.
Now the other side, Vonage does interface with the POTS network. Should there be a fee for that? I think it's argueable that yes there should be. As many have agreed, paying for 911 seems acceptable. I can stretch that to other costs of running the POTS network provided the fees are reasonable. And that's where regulation of the Phone Companies came from to make sure they didn't abuse the monopoly they were granted. So regulate the costs to 'access' the POTS network but keep away from regulating *how* someone uses a separate service.
Does all this that make Vonage a 'Phone Company', no I still don't think so.
In summary, I think the classification as a Phone Company is wrong, but that yes there needs to be some remuneration(sp?) by the POTS network operators for use of their network.
"With Vonage, you are no longer tied to your "local area code". You can select any Area Code you want from our list of available area codes. This means even if you live in New York, you can have a California area code."
Just to give you an example of how it does help in modern day cities.
I live in the suburbs, and commute 25 miles to downtown DC. So my 2003 Hybrid charges me up while driving (it's not just regenerative breaking doing the charging) on the interstates to get to the city, then I use the battery power to 'help' me around through the streets. When I head home the battery is usually about 80% depleted by the time I get to the highways again.
So for me it works perfectly...charge during the most efficient time (highway) and use that charge in the least efficient (city).
And I'm getting on average 43-46 mpg over 16k miles. Easy 500 miles on a 13 gallon tank, though I've never put more than 12 gallons in filing up so I could probably do 575 pretty safely.
And I wish you lots of luck when you are handed a project to maintain where someone "just wrote the damn code" with little regard to specs, requirements, or documentation.
It's a long term view that needs to be maintained. Sure you can just write the code, but maintaining that code becomes much harder down the road.
Actually, since the vehicle is registered to YOU. YOU are responsible for it's actions.
If it's used in an illegal manner, they will come to you and you need to prove it wasn't you operating it at the time of the infraction. Driving is a 'priviledge' not a 'right' remember.
If an officer pulls someone over, then they have the 'operator' of the vehicle and then you won't be bothered. But if it's the new cameras, they use the plate number and then it's up to you to prove it wasn't you.
Change that to "turning capability" and suddenly non M$ cars go flying off the road when a 'non-standard' curve is encountered.
you *need* standards to have a base level of operation/interaction. The standard should have an option for letting people exceed it *IF* they allow people following the standard to proceed normally.
If you don't like the rules, work to change them, but don't just make your own...Present WhiteHouse occupant not withstanding.
Firefox...currently 80MB after doing most of a morning of surfing.
So the leaks aren't gone...
The only non 'standard' thing I use is the mouse gestures. Opera hooked me on it and I just can't go back, so I'm wondering if it's something in that code since I use gestures for pretty much every forward and back command. Probably should uninstall it and see if it makes a difference...oh wait this is/.
They are *just* phasing out the 2 cable system here in Fairfax (N. VA).
When they switched my apartment complex to digital cable, I had the joy of walking my old cable boxes to them and saying "Good Riddance!". The poor stiffs working the exchange couldn't quite grasp why I wouldn't want the digital cable boxes.
DirecTivo rules in every sense. I can come up with a few nits about the service, but I'd have to really think about anything big that I'd change.
As for weather, as everybody else has said, only in the most severe weather do I see any signal loss. in 2 years, maybe 5-6 times for a few minutes each. Cable would go out that many times a MONTH!.
But then what to you expect from a cable company that can't even spell their own name properly...Cox Communications
but with the rampant greed there is out in the cellphone/telephone companies, this will never happen here in the USA
I beg to differ. The rampant commercialization/competition here in the USA is slowly forcing the cell phone providers to the same thing we have for landlines; unlimited usage for a flat fee. (Unlimited nights & weekends anyone?) Only a matter of time before one company springs for a really overpriced flat rate unlimited option. Then the price is set and competition starts bringing it down...
That's why a 'single' person from each party is present at the polling place. They witness each vote going into the box and the counts happen before the ballots are shipped off anywhere.
So there's no reasonable opportunity to stuff the ballot box.
Slashdot Mirror
oh *THAT* takes me back...I had a Frau Richards too....lol Where'd ya go to high school? Rochester NY here
The FedEx example isn't quite the same. If you encrypted your text message so the carrier only saw a 'package' then yes it's still about the same. (could the accuser be made to 'decrypt' the message....that's an interesting question too)
But since the text message was essentially a postcard (and say they scan the card to read the address they've got the whole content) anyone along the way can read it.
As for storing phone conversations, don't you think that if the technology were in place to do it they'd require the TelCo's to do it? It's just not technically feasible with our aged TelCo infrastructure. VOIP will change that though. The right of privacy for phone conversations was something determined *later* by the courts. It doesn't apply to new mediums by default (though logically it should I agree).
So they've patented being *faster* than already existing processes?
"I'm sorry officer you if you write me that speeding ticket I'll have to sue you for driving as fast as me, I patented that last year...."
I'll bite...somewhere in the middle anyway.
Is Vonage a 'Phone Company'? I would say no. I pay for my broadband connection, how I *use* that service should be up to me and free from intrusion. I'm simply sending data bits back and forth. Gaming is pretty much the same thing; even has voice capabilities.
Now the other side, Vonage does interface with the POTS network. Should there be a fee for that? I think it's argueable that yes there should be. As many have agreed, paying for 911 seems acceptable. I can stretch that to other costs of running the POTS network provided the fees are reasonable. And that's where regulation of the Phone Companies came from to make sure they didn't abuse the monopoly they were granted. So regulate the costs to 'access' the POTS network but keep away from regulating *how* someone uses a separate service.
Does all this that make Vonage a 'Phone Company', no I still don't think so.
In summary, I think the classification as a Phone Company is wrong, but that yes there needs to be some remuneration(sp?) by the POTS network operators for use of their network.
HA! thanks for the laugh at the moronic troll's expense :)
Yes Vonage customers can both make and receive calls from regular POTS customers. (I actually use it for my TiVo to dial up for it's guide data)
BZZZT Sorry buddy to you too. He's right and you're wrong.
Vonage Area Codes and the associated text:
"With Vonage, you are no longer tied to your "local area code". You can select any Area Code you want from our list of available area codes. This means even if you live in New York, you can have a California area code."
Um...after the /. crowd comes a knockin'....
All their server will be good for *IS* a doorstep!
actually it also serves a public good...
You run it off your car battery to keep the beer cold and when you're finished with the beer, your car battery is dead so you can't drink and drive!
Just to give you an example of how it does help in modern day cities.
I live in the suburbs, and commute 25 miles to downtown DC. So my 2003 Hybrid charges me up while driving (it's not just regenerative breaking doing the charging) on the interstates to get to the city, then I use the battery power to 'help' me around through the streets. When I head home the battery is usually about 80% depleted by the time I get to the highways again.
So for me it works perfectly...charge during the most efficient time (highway) and use that charge in the least efficient (city).
And I'm getting on average 43-46 mpg over 16k miles. Easy 500 miles on a 13 gallon tank, though I've never put more than 12 gallons in filing up so I could probably do 575 pretty safely.
And I wish you lots of luck when you are handed a project to maintain where someone "just wrote the damn code" with little regard to specs, requirements, or documentation.
It's a long term view that needs to be maintained. Sure you can just write the code, but maintaining that code becomes much harder down the road.
Have you looked at the US Congress recently? Full of blubbery types. (Ted Kennedy anyone?)
So saying you're a land of 'blubber' eaters might just make them scared for their own safety!
Actually, since the vehicle is registered to YOU. YOU are responsible for it's actions.
If it's used in an illegal manner, they will come to you and you need to prove it wasn't you operating it at the time of the infraction. Driving is a 'priviledge' not a 'right' remember.
If an officer pulls someone over, then they have the 'operator' of the vehicle and then you won't be bothered. But if it's the new cameras, they use the plate number and then it's up to you to prove it wasn't you.
Ha! I'm sure most don't quite get that...but Detroit was my parents hometown. Somehow Dad wouldn't give me the keys when we visited...go figure ;-)
Speed limit
Change that to "turning capability" and suddenly non M$ cars go flying off the road when a 'non-standard' curve is encountered.
you *need* standards to have a base level of operation/interaction. The standard should have an option for letting people exceed it *IF* they allow people following the standard to proceed normally.
If you don't like the rules, work to change them, but don't just make your own...Present WhiteHouse occupant not withstanding.
Firefox...currently 80MB after doing most of a morning of surfing.
/.
So the leaks aren't gone...
The only non 'standard' thing I use is the mouse gestures. Opera hooked me on it and I just can't go back, so I'm wondering if it's something in that code since I use gestures for pretty much every forward and back command. Probably should uninstall it and see if it makes a difference...oh wait this is
Assume that you're just as good at revising some lawyer's contract as you'd expect that lawyer to be at revising your code. Act accordingly.
Well said. you'd have my mod points if I had'em
I would suggest using Spoons
;-)
"Why a spoon cousin?"
"Becaue it's dull you twit...it'll hurt more!"
Now replace Spoon with Bush and you'll understand the last presidential election
They are *just* phasing out the 2 cable system here in Fairfax (N. VA).
When they switched my apartment complex to digital cable, I had the joy of walking my old cable boxes to them and saying "Good Riddance!". The poor stiffs working the exchange couldn't quite grasp why I wouldn't want the digital cable boxes.
DirecTivo rules in every sense. I can come up with a few nits about the service, but I'd have to really think about anything big that I'd change.
As for weather, as everybody else has said, only in the most severe weather do I see any signal loss. in 2 years, maybe 5-6 times for a few minutes each. Cable would go out that many times a MONTH!.
But then what to you expect from a cable company that can't even spell their own name properly...Cox Communications
but with the rampant greed there is out in the cellphone/telephone companies, this will never happen here in the USA
I beg to differ. The rampant commercialization/competition here in the USA is slowly forcing the cell phone providers to the same thing we have for landlines; unlimited usage for a flat fee. (Unlimited nights & weekends anyone?) Only a matter of time before one company springs for a really overpriced flat rate unlimited option. Then the price is set and competition starts bringing it down...
This WILL happen.
I thought it was a commentary on the last US Presidential election...
"1000 points of light...and we get the dim one"
That's why a 'single' person from each party is present at the polling place. They witness each vote going into the box and the counts happen before the ballots are shipped off anywhere.
So there's no reasonable opportunity to stuff the ballot box.
Ditto for me. Sorta wondering what I'm missing, or are they resetting as of Jan 1?
oh dear god
*wipes coke off monitor*
Mod Parent UP!
I believe it's possible to beam power via microwave transmission. Google gives a various number of articles on the subject...