Books provide valuable information and the internet provides DIFFERENT valuable information. You simply can't get this month's research for a book. You also aren't going to find most local support groups in any book either.
Over the past 8 years at least, as far as I know, the breast self-exam hasn't changed. And all the time where I live, there are totally free mammograms. The key is prevention and early detection, not finding out that if you were born under the Gibbous moon in August, you have a greater chance of getting Breast cancer (Next month, the data will refute it. Everyone knows it's the New moon in September).
Ok, you don't have a "right" to christmas gifts, but people have a right to give each other christmas gifts. Libraries have a right to exist. They have a right to provide access to books. They have a right to provide internet access.
Yup! They do, just like your local movie theater has the right to have a "kiddie night" where kids 12 and under get in for $1 and get to see 3 movies. Now, if those three movies consist of a G, an R, and a XXX, you can expect there to be a bit of outrage and a demand that they make "kiddie night" more "kiddie-friendly". Why do people get legislators involved in this? Because if the government facilities don't change by themselves, we can't exactly tax boycott them out of existence.
This is no different than congress trying to ban libraries from carring Harry Potter books because some bible-thumpers think Harry Potter is a harmful Satanic influence on children. If some bible-belt idiots choose not to carry Harry Potter in their local library then fine. If they choose to filter their internet access that's fine too. But (as far as I know) MY local library carries Harry Potter and provides full internet access.
I think there is a difference. I think there's a consensus among responsible adults that children should no view or be involved in the creation of pornography. That's not like Harry Potter which has not only got the blessing of teacher's association, but has been O.K.'d by the Catholic Church. I'd like you to see pr0n get thumbs up from the Catholic Church and your local school union.
Of course, that's if you ignore the other several hundred books out there on breast cancer (several of which are located in most libraries with internet access). I mean, it's not like you could take this book home to reference the information in a more private forum (for stuff like breast self-exams, which aren't happening at MY library. If it was, I'd be there more often then I am at Slashdot).
If only there was a method of "checking out" these sacred texts written on this rare material known as "paper" from these libraries.
(It's funny, you'll overlook the books for the internet, when it's not as if you can take the internet information with you without paying for the printing, but it's 100% free to check out books as long as you return them on time.)
I'm sorry, saying someone has a "right" to internet is like saying that I have a "right" to get a Christmas gift each year. It's a service paid for by the taxpayers. People paid for it to be there for EVERYONE who can use the machines. And like TV and movies, when the phrase "Everyone" or "General Audiences" is used, it means that it's safe for kids. It's really fricken easy for pr0n to ram into a kids eyes.
When I transferred from Northern Virginia to Central Georgia, I learned that the Jasper County school system in Georgia has Middle School students separated into three different classes based on their reading level.
If you transfer from another state, odds are you haven't been tested on their testing system. They use some test program called "S.T.A.R." or something, and it consists of roughly 35 questions dealing with vocabulary, reading comprehension and some other gobbledegook.
In the month I was waiting to get tested, they defaulted me to the lowest-reading-level class, because if I had a low reading level, I wouldn't miss anything, and if I had a higher reading level, the "review" wouldn't hurt.
Jesus Christ, these people couldn't read. Imagine a class of 8th graders. 35 of them. Ranging in age from 13-15 (there's a high failure rate in that class). All reading books like "See Spot" and being required to listen to a "Hooked on Phonics" derivative. And the saddest part is listening to it and these people, no matter how many times they go over the recording, they can't figure out how to read it. "Dee ket run fram dee dug. Dee dug r..r..r... Ms. Strength, I need help!"
I was so happy when they finally tested me. I scored perfect on their test, and they assessed me as a "13.0" grade-level reader.
Problem is, in Jasper County, there are 3 books registered in their system on that grade level, and two of them are by Tolstoy. They require you to read at least 2 books a month. For 9 months out of the year. I'd have to read 18 books, but I'd only be allowed to read 3 of them for credit. I had to make a special deal with the teacher and principal in order to fricken pass it.
But that should give you a picture of the dismal failure of the school system. Sure, our illiteracy is low, but it isn't scattered. It's in large clumps like Ms. Strength's 8th Grade Reading class.
Thanks for making my point. I mean, it's not like companies require money to get product development to the point of commercial viability. Please, DO blame BeOS for not taking the path of least resistence and copying Apple or Microsoft and then slapping a new interface look on it.
BeOS had major corporate problems. They made the same mistake Apple made. They concentrated too much on hardware sales (BeBoxes worked very well, BTW) instead of seeing itself as a software company with a beautiful OS, they tried to push out BeBoxes. They also didn't exactly have large amounts of funding.
Then, after they finally realized that "It's the OS, stupid", they get bought out by Palm. And it wasn't their decision. I conversed with Gassee about it, and he didn't want it. At least the guy can enjoy retirement while people keep the faith in his vision.
Basically, it could run down the runway, building up momentum and use the ramp to help direct the ship upward. It's hard to explain, and I don't have a link, but the ideas been around in Japan for a while, even though they have yet to implement it themselves, as it would be a fairly large construction project, and not necessary to them, when the US does all the experiments they need done.
Yeah, I guess we should give up on all OS's if they don't have 100% product support from the get-go.
I could see applying the logic to Linux when it first came out, "Aw, dammit. No AutoCAD, no WinModem support, all we have is some source code, dammit. We barely have any documentation. This OS is ass. Fuck it, let's go back to Windows."
I think he was saying people will buy the original X-Boxes before the new ones come out so they can mod them, which probably won't be an option on the new one for some time.
I've been holding off on the X-Box, but I might buy the small one because I mod Japanese machines. Except for linux, it's almost pointless to mod X-Box, and I have a machine that runs Linux quite nicely, thanks.
Corporations are considered individuals for Financial and Liability purposes only. Like if Microsoft were to go bankrupt, and after selling off all assets, they couldn't cover the bonds and stock debt (which come last after debts to the governments, banks, and other corporations), the bondholders and stockholder couldn't sue Steve Ballmer to get their money back, because the "Buck stops" at the individual entity known as Microsoft. If Steve Ballmer, was solely responsible for the loss of money, then they could sue him for that, but they couldn't take from his personal estate to cover the corporate debt.
Likewise, if someone uses an unmodded X-Box and it blows up, kills a kid and causes a house to catch on fire, the parents would most likely sue Microsoft, and not those in charge of the company or the design department or the quality control guys. The company would take the hit, but the money wouldn't be taken from the actual humans estate.
That is the limitation of the "Corporation". It has been noted, however, that companies can act in a limited political capacity by giving money to certain candidates, but the company itself doesn't have a vote during an election, as that would violate the concept of "One man, one vote." (If the president casts the vote, it's a violation, if the stockholders decide on who to elect, it'd be like a person having 1.00000000000001 vote, which is still technically more than one, and a blatant rape of the electoral system).
All I gotta say after all this is "I'm just fucking happy I'm joining the Air Force". Yes, we have AFSC's (Air Force Equivalent to MOS) that are similar to the Infantry positions in the Army, but seriously, when Rumsfeld is thinking "Who should I send in first?" I bet he's saying "Army Infantry" or "Marines [Period], and not "Air Force Security."
Of course, I'm lucky enough to be going in as a Weatherman (For my "Guaranteed Job", I picked something with a "Cronically Critical Shortage" job).
Godspeed to both of you gentlemen, and see you on the way.
Someday to be [Insert Rank Here] Davis
Future 1W0X1
Oh, I'll just give it up now. This is pointless for me right now.:(
It seems they are getting real close to Voigt-Kampff. Watch out fellow replicants.
"Reaction time is a factor in this, so please pay attention."
I'm not a replicant, but after that movie, I'd still run if I heard that phrase. It's like Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle. The test dealing with my response will, in turn, affect my response. That's what polygraphs base themselves on, that if you lie, it'll detect your nervousness due to the fact that the test looks "real"
I've heard several comments (on TV) from veteran soldiers that have worked with the younger generation of recruits about this. Many feel that many of the new recruits do not have any remorse or feeling for the other soldiers or the innocents in battle.
Well, here's the thing: Gamers talk shit. All the time. Of course, these l33t h4x0rz are going to talk shit about how cool they are and how many people they are going to kill if they get in. So, if they judge on that, I can see why they make that judgement.
Also, when you're in a battle, you're pumped full of adrenaline and feeling the "fight or flight" and if you choose to fight and you kill someone, the odds are you won't care about it until it's worn off. If they are making judgements based on reactions in battle, I can see why they make that judgement.
But unless they are spending time with the "younger generation" who are in their homes crying in their hands, weeping because they realized that they ACTUALLY destroyed a life, and it sunk in that someone's father, son, or brother was killed in battle by them...unless they spend THAT time with them, it's impossible to make that judgement. And you can't have that reality sink in before a fight, during a fight, or the hours directly following a fight (when your buddies are slapping you on your back for the "good job" you did). It's when you sit down, and you go over it with your mind over and over and over again...that's when it sinks in.
I don't speak from experience on this, but I've talked to Vets, and I know when I've done something bad that I thought was okay at first, that it didn't sink in until I'd actually thought about it.
It is a recruiting tool but not a bad idea overall. Consider how difficult selling enlistment in the armed forces is.Every little bit of positive PR helps achieve that goal. Having served 8 years in the Army, and being old enough to remember the draft, I really appreciate the importance of having a dedicated volunteer force rather than a conscripted army.
I agree, but maybe if they stopped chopping up benefits like the end of the various clubs, the price increases on the bowling alleys, and the re-introduction of the PX as something that actually saves you money (it's tax free, but you can find stuff for way cheaper off-base at Wal-Marts and Target), maybe they could get people interested by giving people benefits to join. Glorifying the Infantry (which, unless you are Special Forces, you probably will never be in a real combat situation) doesn't help much. Besides, most of the people I know who play this game don't want to join the Army. In fact, it sorta turns them off to the idea, because they get 0wned all the time.
I'm joining the Air Force. As a weatherman. In a nice and quiet domestic AFB (I don't fit the physical requirements for a combat-deployed weatherman).
When companies pay their half of the social security tax, it is either reflected on the employee's check as a lack of a raise, or on a customer's bill as a price increase.
Why not just have private armies, as well? Let's go properly fuedal instead of the half-assed version current nutty libertarians want...
Heh, that'd be a modded up "Insightful" post if you hadn't mixed up libertarians with something else.
Libertarians believe government exists for only a couple of reasons.
1. Protect its citizens. (that means police)
2. Protect its borders. (that means military and border patrol)
3. Ensure freedom of the people to acquire, collect, and sell property or money. (that means laws that keep large corporations from anal raping you with loopholes)
Libertarians do not believe:
1. That everyone should go naked and roam free on the land.
2. That everything should be privately owned. (There is a place for government, it's just not supposed to be in 80% of my pocketbook through payroll, sales, and about 50,000 other obscure taxes that have been excised towards punishing me)
3. That government should run everything.
I love it when the nutty socialists get uppity about cutting wasteful government spending.
Slashdot Mirror
Books provide valuable information and the internet provides DIFFERENT valuable information. You simply can't get this month's research for a book. You also aren't going to find most local support groups in any book either.
Over the past 8 years at least, as far as I know, the breast self-exam hasn't changed. And all the time where I live, there are totally free mammograms. The key is prevention and early detection, not finding out that if you were born under the Gibbous moon in August, you have a greater chance of getting Breast cancer (Next month, the data will refute it. Everyone knows it's the New moon in September).
Ok, you don't have a "right" to christmas gifts, but people have a right to give each other christmas gifts. Libraries have a right to exist. They have a right to provide access to books. They have a right to provide internet access.
Yup! They do, just like your local movie theater has the right to have a "kiddie night" where kids 12 and under get in for $1 and get to see 3 movies. Now, if those three movies consist of a G, an R, and a XXX, you can expect there to be a bit of outrage and a demand that they make "kiddie night" more "kiddie-friendly". Why do people get legislators involved in this? Because if the government facilities don't change by themselves, we can't exactly tax boycott them out of existence.
This is no different than congress trying to ban libraries from carring Harry Potter books because some bible-thumpers think Harry Potter is a harmful Satanic influence on children. If some bible-belt idiots choose not to carry Harry Potter in their local library then fine. If they choose to filter their internet access that's fine too. But (as far as I know) MY local library carries Harry Potter and provides full internet access.
I think there is a difference. I think there's a consensus among responsible adults that children should no view or be involved in the creation of pornography. That's not like Harry Potter which has not only got the blessing of teacher's association, but has been O.K.'d by the Catholic Church. I'd like you to see pr0n get thumbs up from the Catholic Church and your local school union.
Of course, that's if you ignore the other several hundred books out there on breast cancer (several of which are located in most libraries with internet access). I mean, it's not like you could take this book home to reference the information in a more private forum (for stuff like breast self-exams, which aren't happening at MY library. If it was, I'd be there more often then I am at Slashdot).
If only there was a method of "checking out" these sacred texts written on this rare material known as "paper" from these libraries.
(It's funny, you'll overlook the books for the internet, when it's not as if you can take the internet information with you without paying for the printing, but it's 100% free to check out books as long as you return them on time.)
I'm sorry, saying someone has a "right" to internet is like saying that I have a "right" to get a Christmas gift each year. It's a service paid for by the taxpayers. People paid for it to be there for EVERYONE who can use the machines. And like TV and movies, when the phrase "Everyone" or "General Audiences" is used, it means that it's safe for kids. It's really fricken easy for pr0n to ram into a kids eyes.
The opt-in is having lots of pr0n cookies on your computer.
Unethical, yes. Against the rules? Probably not.
When I transferred from Northern Virginia to Central Georgia, I learned that the Jasper County school system in Georgia has Middle School students separated into three different classes based on their reading level.
If you transfer from another state, odds are you haven't been tested on their testing system. They use some test program called "S.T.A.R." or something, and it consists of roughly 35 questions dealing with vocabulary, reading comprehension and some other gobbledegook.
In the month I was waiting to get tested, they defaulted me to the lowest-reading-level class, because if I had a low reading level, I wouldn't miss anything, and if I had a higher reading level, the "review" wouldn't hurt.
Jesus Christ, these people couldn't read. Imagine a class of 8th graders. 35 of them. Ranging in age from 13-15 (there's a high failure rate in that class). All reading books like "See Spot" and being required to listen to a "Hooked on Phonics" derivative. And the saddest part is listening to it and these people, no matter how many times they go over the recording, they can't figure out how to read it. "Dee ket run fram dee dug. Dee dug r..r..r... Ms. Strength, I need help!"
I was so happy when they finally tested me. I scored perfect on their test, and they assessed me as a "13.0" grade-level reader.
Problem is, in Jasper County, there are 3 books registered in their system on that grade level, and two of them are by Tolstoy. They require you to read at least 2 books a month. For 9 months out of the year. I'd have to read 18 books, but I'd only be allowed to read 3 of them for credit. I had to make a special deal with the teacher and principal in order to fricken pass it.
But that should give you a picture of the dismal failure of the school system. Sure, our illiteracy is low, but it isn't scattered. It's in large clumps like Ms. Strength's 8th Grade Reading class.
Seriously, what kind of warped people think up tentacle rape porn, and then proceed to actually DRAW it, frame by frame?
Very rich Japanese artists counting their American dollar bills.
Thanks for making my point. I mean, it's not like companies require money to get product development to the point of commercial viability. Please, DO blame BeOS for not taking the path of least resistence and copying Apple or Microsoft and then slapping a new interface look on it.
BeOS had major corporate problems. They made the same mistake Apple made. They concentrated too much on hardware sales (BeBoxes worked very well, BTW) instead of seeing itself as a software company with a beautiful OS, they tried to push out BeBoxes. They also didn't exactly have large amounts of funding.
Then, after they finally realized that "It's the OS, stupid", they get bought out by Palm. And it wasn't their decision. I conversed with Gassee about it, and he didn't want it. At least the guy can enjoy retirement while people keep the faith in his vision.
BeOS, the commercial product has been around how long? When there's a company, it's alot easier for market monopolies (we know who) to fuck you over).
OpenBeOS has been around how long?
...involved Mag-Lev and a Ramp-like runway.
Basically, it could run down the runway, building up momentum and use the ramp to help direct the ship upward. It's hard to explain, and I don't have a link, but the ideas been around in Japan for a while, even though they have yet to implement it themselves, as it would be a fairly large construction project, and not necessary to them, when the US does all the experiments they need done.
Yeah, I guess we should give up on all OS's if they don't have 100% product support from the get-go.
I could see applying the logic to Linux when it first came out, "Aw, dammit. No AutoCAD, no WinModem support, all we have is some source code, dammit. We barely have any documentation. This OS is ass. Fuck it, let's go back to Windows."
Yeah, sounds like a great logic.
Bush: We've got the smoking gun. Saddam Hussein has been funding Weapons of Mass Spamming.
I think he was saying people will buy the original X-Boxes before the new ones come out so they can mod them, which probably won't be an option on the new one for some time.
I've been holding off on the X-Box, but I might buy the small one because I mod Japanese machines. Except for linux, it's almost pointless to mod X-Box, and I have a machine that runs Linux quite nicely, thanks.
All I have to say is.... $200 worth of Bawls.
Corporations are considered individuals for Financial and Liability purposes only. Like if Microsoft were to go bankrupt, and after selling off all assets, they couldn't cover the bonds and stock debt (which come last after debts to the governments, banks, and other corporations), the bondholders and stockholder couldn't sue Steve Ballmer to get their money back, because the "Buck stops" at the individual entity known as Microsoft. If Steve Ballmer, was solely responsible for the loss of money, then they could sue him for that, but they couldn't take from his personal estate to cover the corporate debt.
Likewise, if someone uses an unmodded X-Box and it blows up, kills a kid and causes a house to catch on fire, the parents would most likely sue Microsoft, and not those in charge of the company or the design department or the quality control guys. The company would take the hit, but the money wouldn't be taken from the actual humans estate.
That is the limitation of the "Corporation". It has been noted, however, that companies can act in a limited political capacity by giving money to certain candidates, but the company itself doesn't have a vote during an election, as that would violate the concept of "One man, one vote." (If the president casts the vote, it's a violation, if the stockholders decide on who to elect, it'd be like a person having 1.00000000000001 vote, which is still technically more than one, and a blatant rape of the electoral system).
Yes, well, if they can keep ass-tasting coffee from tasting as such, maybe they can make NyQuil less vomit-inducing.
All I gotta say after all this is "I'm just fucking happy I'm joining the Air Force". Yes, we have AFSC's (Air Force Equivalent to MOS) that are similar to the Infantry positions in the Army, but seriously, when Rumsfeld is thinking "Who should I send in first?" I bet he's saying "Army Infantry" or "Marines [Period], and not "Air Force Security."
:(
Of course, I'm lucky enough to be going in as a Weatherman (For my "Guaranteed Job", I picked something with a "Cronically Critical Shortage" job).
Godspeed to both of you gentlemen, and see you on the way.
Someday to be [Insert Rank Here] Davis
Future 1W0X1
Oh, I'll just give it up now. This is pointless for me right now.
It seems they are getting real close to Voigt-Kampff. Watch out fellow replicants.
"Reaction time is a factor in this, so please pay attention."
I'm not a replicant, but after that movie, I'd still run if I heard that phrase. It's like Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle. The test dealing with my response will, in turn, affect my response. That's what polygraphs base themselves on, that if you lie, it'll detect your nervousness due to the fact that the test looks "real"
Our wonderful government just takes our money from buying blank media instead.
In Soviet Canada, Healthcare own you.
I'm waiting for the shameless "In Soviet Russia..." joking...
Oh, well...
In Soviet Russia, Bundles cost you File Sharing.
In addition, the first person to do this will get free room and board for life, courtesy of the U.S. Government
And don't forget the trip to Cuba courtesy of USAF.
I've heard several comments (on TV) from veteran soldiers that have worked with the younger generation of recruits about this. Many feel that many of the new recruits do not have any remorse or feeling for the other soldiers or the innocents in battle.
Well, here's the thing: Gamers talk shit. All the time. Of course, these l33t h4x0rz are going to talk shit about how cool they are and how many people they are going to kill if they get in. So, if they judge on that, I can see why they make that judgement.
Also, when you're in a battle, you're pumped full of adrenaline and feeling the "fight or flight" and if you choose to fight and you kill someone, the odds are you won't care about it until it's worn off. If they are making judgements based on reactions in battle, I can see why they make that judgement.
But unless they are spending time with the "younger generation" who are in their homes crying in their hands, weeping because they realized that they ACTUALLY destroyed a life, and it sunk in that someone's father, son, or brother was killed in battle by them...unless they spend THAT time with them, it's impossible to make that judgement. And you can't have that reality sink in before a fight, during a fight, or the hours directly following a fight (when your buddies are slapping you on your back for the "good job" you did). It's when you sit down, and you go over it with your mind over and over and over again...that's when it sinks in.
I don't speak from experience on this, but I've talked to Vets, and I know when I've done something bad that I thought was okay at first, that it didn't sink in until I'd actually thought about it.
No. But the fast food joint didn't use the threat of prison to get you to eat there.
I don't know. That one guy who is suing McDonald's seems to act as if he was FORCED to go there.
It is a recruiting tool but not a bad idea overall. Consider how difficult selling enlistment in the armed forces is.Every little bit of positive PR helps achieve that goal. Having served 8 years in the Army, and being old enough to remember the draft, I really appreciate the importance of having a dedicated volunteer force rather than a conscripted army.
I agree, but maybe if they stopped chopping up benefits like the end of the various clubs, the price increases on the bowling alleys, and the re-introduction of the PX as something that actually saves you money (it's tax free, but you can find stuff for way cheaper off-base at Wal-Marts and Target), maybe they could get people interested by giving people benefits to join. Glorifying the Infantry (which, unless you are Special Forces, you probably will never be in a real combat situation) doesn't help much. Besides, most of the people I know who play this game don't want to join the Army. In fact, it sorta turns them off to the idea, because they get 0wned all the time.
I'm joining the Air Force. As a weatherman. In a nice and quiet domestic AFB (I don't fit the physical requirements for a combat-deployed weatherman).
When companies pay their half of the social security tax, it is either reflected on the employee's check as a lack of a raise, or on a customer's bill as a price increase.
Why not just have private armies, as well? Let's go properly fuedal instead of the half-assed version current nutty libertarians want...
Heh, that'd be a modded up "Insightful" post if you hadn't mixed up libertarians with something else.
Libertarians believe government exists for only a couple of reasons.
1. Protect its citizens. (that means police) 2. Protect its borders. (that means military and border patrol)
3. Ensure freedom of the people to acquire, collect, and sell property or money. (that means laws that keep large corporations from anal raping you with loopholes)
Libertarians do not believe:
1. That everyone should go naked and roam free on the land.
2. That everything should be privately owned. (There is a place for government, it's just not supposed to be in 80% of my pocketbook through payroll, sales, and about 50,000 other obscure taxes that have been excised towards punishing me)
3. That government should run everything.
I love it when the nutty socialists get uppity about cutting wasteful government spending.