Well, it could be that you're just very egotistical and/or anthropocentric. Not that everyone else isn't, but why exactly is Earth interesting? Maybe there are hundreds of worlds like ours, and the Aliens already know about a bunch of them, and they just dismiss us as another boring statistic.
Well, since we have yet to discover what exactly makes us sentient, and therefore don't know all of what that brings along with it, perhaps it is an inherent trait of all intelligent life to develop highly inefficient and overly beaurocratic systems of government, such that nothing useful or interesting ever actually gets done, unless it's by a total wacko who then gets locked up in a mental hospital. In which case, even if they're millions of years older than us, they're probably not much farther along, and don't have those probes.;}
I'm probably gonna get flamed, or modded as a troll for this, and it's probably a bad idea, but I'm gonna say it anyways. So, here we go:
The article says "Of course here I'm assuming Palladium won't become the next Microsoft Bob. It could meet with severe consumer rejection, as I hope it will." And I hope it's right. But most average Joes (or Bobs) are just going to use what's best hyped and most redily available, even if the hype is false and only intended to make you paranoid about everything else. Of course, we have to take into account the fact that this could backfire because of all the Windows software that exists now, which, obviously, isn't certified for Palladium. But we all know how famous Microsoft and it's cronies are for releasing patches and updated versions. So, here's an idea, to make sure it backfires- Every self-respecting linux geek who has any good feelings towards Open Source and/or GPL simply refuse to have anything to do with windoze for a while. Of course, it's not possible, because programs can lie if thet're told to, and then there's your boss who is one of those average Joes and forces you to work with windoze, but you could keep interaction down to a minimum. Now, either two entirely separate tech communities will form, one ruled by the users and one by Microsoft, or all the MS junkies will just get sick of it all and convert. Siege tactics, see? And both outcomes aren't all that bad. Unless wars start braking out between the two communities, but heck, that's as good as happened already.
First off, empirical data points to just the opposite being true. Second, if that were true, it'd still a good thing because The World would be a better place without those groups.
This is news? The teaser for the Two Towers movie has been out for a looong time. It can be found at most bookstores. Unless you want to call that a pre-view, or a novelization. You don't NEED teasers for movies of classic books if you can read.
A patched version of OpenSSH could be released as soon as Friday, incorporating vendor patches received by this Thursday.
Now, why can't MS and the like be that fast? With gazillions of coders on hand, you'd think they'd be able to at least match that. I like how open source projects allow lots of people to work on a problem independantly, all at the same time. The ultimate parallel processing!
It seems that in addition to manufacturing new threats, they're also rehashing old threats to keep subscription renewals up. Perhaps it's time for Slashdot to add an Ethics topic?
Well, MF has been known blow virus threats way out of proportion, almost to the extent of completely making them up, as is highlighted in this article. And there are probably many other examples of bad ethics. But perhaps a Business topic would be more inclusive? Maybe that's covered by The Almighty Buck, but TAB doesn't seem to fit with ethics as well. Would people stand for replacing TAB with Business, or should an Ethics topic be created, or should we just forget the whole thing?
First, I barely know anything about all the little details of the DMCA. As with most laws, I just know what it's generally supposed to do, as does most of the general public. And from what I know of it, I can sincerely say: Who the heck cares! And I believe most other techies would back me up on that statement.
This may be a bit off-topic, but some sort of organization that monitors the web for illegal activities may be a good idea. Just as long as it's completely disconnected from any national or local governments, anywhere in the world. Maybe something like The CyberArmy. Unfortunately, their homepage doesn't seem to be working presently. In my opinion, the internet should function like a country that doesn't own any land, with it's own, completely autonomous, government and laws.
Since water vapor and clouds are not human creations (unlike CO2?), they therefore cannot be bad?
Ummm... CO2 is not a human creation. It existed long before humans ever evolved (or were created by a supreme being, whichever you prefer). Non-human animals produce it every time they exhale. And some rocks produce it when heated. And even plants produce it when there is no light available for photosynthesis (in which case they switch to respiration). And I could go on.
What I need are some good resources for formulating a business and political argument against this bill, so that I can speak to these politicians on their level.
Well, compare that with the Northeast (note the caps), whose settlers had to survive the boat ride over, not just a luxury ride in a wagon or on a horse.
Luxury? What? You think a covered wagon is luxurious?
Slashdot Mirror
Well, it could be that you're just very egotistical and/or anthropocentric. Not that everyone else isn't, but why exactly is Earth interesting? Maybe there are hundreds of worlds like ours, and the Aliens already know about a bunch of them, and they just dismiss us as another boring statistic.
Well, since we have yet to discover what exactly makes us sentient, and therefore don't know all of what that brings along with it, perhaps it is an inherent trait of all intelligent life to develop highly inefficient and overly beaurocratic systems of government, such that nothing useful or interesting ever actually gets done, unless it's by a total wacko who then gets locked up in a mental hospital. In which case, even if they're millions of years older than us, they're probably not much farther along, and don't have those probes. ;}
I'm probably gonna get flamed, or modded as a troll for this, and it's probably a bad idea, but I'm gonna say it anyways. So, here we go:
The article says "Of course here I'm assuming Palladium won't become the next Microsoft Bob. It could meet with severe consumer rejection, as I hope it will." And I hope it's right. But most average Joes (or Bobs) are just going to use what's best hyped and most redily available, even if the hype is false and only intended to make you paranoid about everything else. Of course, we have to take into account the fact that this could backfire because of all the Windows software that exists now, which, obviously, isn't certified for Palladium. But we all know how famous Microsoft and it's cronies are for releasing patches and updated versions. So, here's an idea, to make sure it backfires- Every self-respecting linux geek who has any good feelings towards Open Source and/or GPL simply refuse to have anything to do with windoze for a while. Of course, it's not possible, because programs can lie if thet're told to, and then there's your boss who is one of those average Joes and forces you to work with windoze, but you could keep interaction down to a minimum. Now, either two entirely separate tech communities will form, one ruled by the users and one by Microsoft, or all the MS junkies will just get sick of it all and convert. Siege tactics, see? And both outcomes aren't all that bad. Unless wars start braking out between the two communities, but heck, that's as good as happened already.
The second half of my argument still stands.
First off, empirical data points to just the opposite being true. Second, if that were true, it'd still a good thing because The World would be a better place without those groups.
This is news? The teaser for the Two Towers movie has been out for a looong time. It can be found at most bookstores. Unless you want to call that a pre-view, or a novelization. You don't NEED teasers for movies of classic books if you can read.
A patched version of OpenSSH could be released as soon as Friday, incorporating vendor patches received by this Thursday.
Now, why can't MS and the like be that fast? With gazillions of coders on hand, you'd think they'd be able to at least match that. I like how open source projects allow lots of people to work on a problem independantly, all at the same time. The ultimate parallel processing!
It seems that in addition to manufacturing new threats, they're also rehashing old threats to keep subscription renewals up. Perhaps it's time for Slashdot to add an Ethics topic?
Well, MF has been known blow virus threats way out of proportion, almost to the extent of completely making them up, as is highlighted in this article. And there are probably many other examples of bad ethics. But perhaps a Business topic would be more inclusive? Maybe that's covered by The Almighty Buck, but TAB doesn't seem to fit with ethics as well. Would people stand for replacing TAB with Business, or should an Ethics topic be created, or should we just forget the whole thing?
Micro$ofts problem is that they forget the "and fix it later" part.
First, I barely know anything about all the little details of the DMCA. As with most laws, I just know what it's generally supposed to do, as does most of the general public. And from what I know of it, I can sincerely say: Who the heck cares! And I believe most other techies would back me up on that statement.
We don't need "Internet" cops.
This may be a bit off-topic, but some sort of organization that monitors the web for illegal activities may be a good idea. Just as long as it's completely disconnected from any national or local governments, anywhere in the world. Maybe something like The CyberArmy. Unfortunately, their homepage doesn't seem to be working presently. In my opinion, the internet should function like a country that doesn't own any land, with it's own, completely autonomous, government and laws.
Since water vapor and clouds are not human creations (unlike CO2?), they therefore cannot be bad?
Ummm... CO2 is not a human creation. It existed long before humans ever evolved (or were created by a supreme being, whichever you prefer). Non-human animals produce it every time they exhale. And some rocks produce it when heated. And even plants produce it when there is no light available for photosynthesis (in which case they switch to respiration). And I could go on.
What I need are some good resources for formulating a business and political argument against this bill, so that I can speak to these politicians on their level.
You would sink that low?
I loved the series as well, and don't think the praise is at all overdone.
Dittos! Just about the best (non-LotR) fantasy I've ever read. I object to the suggestion that it's not for kids under 12, though.
Well, compare that with the Northeast (note the caps), whose settlers had to survive the boat ride over, not just a luxury ride in a wagon or on a horse.
Luxury? What? You think a covered wagon is luxurious?
Maybe Monaco. I don't think they have income taxes there.