Nobody seems to have mentioned if PrtScn would work. Is that what the author meant by copy (beyond automating a screenshotting process)? If you can do a screenshot, then what's the big deal? (besides wanting to copy unauthorized portions of books online).
There are always libraries and bookstores and copy machines. I haven't seen anyone say why it's so crucial that we be able to have unrestricted digital copies of books just because Google (and Amazon) make it possible to search them thus.
I'm not too clear on the scope of the patent, but I should point out that Honeywell DID license their technology. From the article, "The two largest LCD manufacturers, LG.Philips LCD and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., have previously taken licenses under this fundamental patent," said Donofrio.
I would also add that sometimes patenting actually serves the greater good. There's a lot of knee-jerk mentality on Slashdot toward any large corporation that tries to defend its IP. But if patent law works well (which it may or may not), it both rewards the inventor and adds knowledge to society. I'm sure there are plenty of examples (lightbulbs? toilets?). [not to be construed as support for this particular case]
While I certainly understand your concern, is it really that hard to CTRL-F for "Bowser" or something? Not to mention it's free. I say this as a major GameFAQs leech.
...he's right about polling. Here's a few reasons why:
Polling drives news. Instead of reporting on Kerry's health care plan or Bush's plan for Iraq, we get a race. "Kerry rounds the third turn, pulling ahead because of this, Bush is lagging because of this." Except that none of the talking heads can prove that they know why anything has changed, so it's all a farce.
Polling is pointless. What the heck does a poll 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years early even mean? "If the election was today, who would you vote for." It's not today, so why ask? It's also meaningless to say anyone is "ahead" until the race starts, which is when votes start being cast.
Polling is inaccurate. Now that people have cell phones, polling is rapidly losing its statistical significance. Polling depends on the sample being proportionately similar to the actual population. If cell phone users are not identical to non-cell users in their political preferences, then polls are wrong.
Polls are a way to make a good story out of campaigns that are way too long. If I actually got the information I needed about the candidates' record and proposals (with facts, not spin), I could choose in a day (and many people wait until the last day anyway). Polls are pointless.
That's why the Toyota Prius is selling much faster than the hybrid Honda Civic. The former is hybrid-only...if you have a Prius, you are Green. The latter can be both, so you can't be as conspicuous a Green.
I agree with your main point...the active Slashdot poster seems to be legal-happy. It's a funny, irreverant project that seems to be in good humor.
I would, however, point out that since he knows the student(s) went to Vanderbilt, it probably wouldn't have been that hard to get the card back to the owner (especially now that he has the name of one of the people in the pictures).
By the same logica, if a Slashdot poll showed 33% of respondents used Linux, you could claim that Linux is seriously threatening Windows (and that the CowboyNeal OS has 10% market share). It's a self-selecting crowd. When a techie website shows high Firefox use, it's because techies are more likely to try alternatives--we actually know of them.
...lead programmer for the experiment, Heinrich Uberfast, was asked the motivation for attempting such a high speed transfer. "Jenna Jameson's new DVD just game out and we wanted to see how fast we could send a copy...er, backup...to our pals at MIT. We wanted to send the whole thing in two seconds, but we would have had to leave out the special features. No way we could do that."
Scientists expect even greater speed will be achieved when CalTech's l33t team gets a hold of the Star Wars Trilogy on DVD.
I decided to take a peek at their web-based "buckle" and it's clear that either the Slashdot trolls have found a new hobby or their server maintenance guys are not thrilled to see us.
Porn content is being downloaded at ever greater speeds, say analysts from the Porn4All Institute. "While always popular, it's clear that the amount of action increases as the pipes get bigger."
I think it would be interesting to watch if you could have coverage from "inside the game." Real-life sports are fun because the camera allows you to see the players in their appropriate context (in left field, on the sideline, etc). I wouldn't want to watch FPS gaming from a first-person perspective of a character or over the shoulder of a player, but it might be cool to have a 3/4 view of a CTF map where I could see the characters (with names floating overhead) moving around.
So, basically I think they need a breakthrough in how you can observe games (which probably includes designing levels for easier viewing like Lava Giant in UT).
Given Real's proprietary and clunky format and their resistance to third-party players of their file format, does anyone else find it a little odd that they're talking about "compatibility and choice" now?
Ted Turner is pretty eloquent in his explanation for why new TV stations and programming are endangered. Slashdot story: Ted Turner's Beef with Big Media.
It's not that the show was bad (I thought it was good). Probably just didn't smash the ratings charts for the megabuck$$$.
There was plenty of pontificating right here on Slashdot that the iPod Mini was ridiculously priced at $250, making it only $50 to triple your capacity (to the 15GB model). Obviously, size isn't everything. Perhaps this will also hit the "sweet spot" in price/performance (although I doubt it, in good Slashdot fashion).
All I can think of when I hear webmonkey is that ridiculous "Punch the Monkey" banner ad. I was celebrating its demise--there was much rejoicing--until I realized I had no idea what was being discussed.
Your point is well taken, but I have an example. I am not willing to pay for cable TV. I just don't watch it enough. My roommate, however, is. Because it is available, I do occasionally watch it (mostly for sporting events not shown on broadcast).
Like it or not, it is a perfectly legitimate claim that I would not watch the game if it wasn't free. After all, I would not be able to access it if there was no cable.
Same for P2P files. Without it, I would not have access to the song and would only hear it via radio (I wouldn't buy it because that's the fundamental assumption--that I did not consider it worth it). Hence, the availability of free music does allow me to listen to songs more often (or at all) that I otherwise would not.
Fortunately, new economic models (iTunes) are trying to bridge the gap (successfully, since I have purchased music via iTunes). We needed a new economic model and we're finally getting it.
Slashdot Mirror
No wonder the armed forces are stretched thin...
There are always libraries and bookstores and copy machines. I haven't seen anyone say why it's so crucial that we be able to have unrestricted digital copies of books just because Google (and Amazon) make it possible to search them thus.
Obligatory:
1. Hold massive console auction
2. Post to Slashdot
3. ???
4. Profit!
I would also add that sometimes patenting actually serves the greater good. There's a lot of knee-jerk mentality on Slashdot toward any large corporation that tries to defend its IP. But if patent law works well (which it may or may not), it both rewards the inventor and adds knowledge to society. I'm sure there are plenty of examples (lightbulbs? toilets?). [not to be construed as support for this particular case]
Polls are a way to make a good story out of campaigns that are way too long. If I actually got the information I needed about the candidates' record and proposals (with facts, not spin), I could choose in a day (and many people wait until the last day anyway). Polls are pointless.
I would, however, point out that since he knows the student(s) went to Vanderbilt, it probably wouldn't have been that hard to get the card back to the owner (especially now that he has the name of one of the people in the pictures).
I'm waiting for the CNN/Gallup Poll
Scientists expect even greater speed will be achieved when CalTech's l33t team gets a hold of the Star Wars Trilogy on DVD.
One of the search terms was "die slashdotters."
So, basically I think they need a breakthrough in how you can observe games (which probably includes designing levels for easier viewing like Lava Giant in UT).
It's not that the show was bad (I thought it was good). Probably just didn't smash the ratings charts for the megabuck$$$.
Like it or not, it is a perfectly legitimate claim that I would not watch the game if it wasn't free. After all, I would not be able to access it if there was no cable.
Same for P2P files. Without it, I would not have access to the song and would only hear it via radio (I wouldn't buy it because that's the fundamental assumption--that I did not consider it worth it). Hence, the availability of free music does allow me to listen to songs more often (or at all) that I otherwise would not.
Fortunately, new economic models (iTunes) are trying to bridge the gap (successfully, since I have purchased music via iTunes). We needed a new economic model and we're finally getting it.