Great post. I wish I had mod points. I don't know why anyone would be surprised by this news. They have to enforce laws on the books. Frankly, it would be news if they didn't side with record companies. I guess the surprising thing is that the some one in government is doing their job, which brings up a great Simpson's quote from the Stampy episode.
DJ 3000: Those clowns in congress did it again. What a bunch of clowns.
Bill (KBBL DJ): [laughs] How does it keep up with the news like that?
Here's a former employer plug. Try Beyond Books. The link takes you to the free live tour. To access the whole site you've gotta pay, but the free section is pretty deep. When I worked there, I wrote most of the Java activities and recorded most of the audio. Aahh, the days when work was fun. I miss those.
In these situations, I prefer the word dickweed. I find that all to often the word dickweed is forgotten in our fast-paced, work-a-day world. It's easy to throw out a word like "fuckwad" and think you are hot stuff. However, if you would have used dickweed, you would have been the man. So, to anyone who reads this post, lets bring back dickweed.
While I don't think Toho would win a case like this, I think they are in a bit of a bind. If they don't make an effort to protect their trademark, they'll lose it, and I imagine losing the Godzilla trademark would be disasterous for the company. The Mozilla name and image are clearly a take off on Godzilla. Frankly, the Mozilla people should have approached Toho beforehand.
I recently picked up Frank Zappa's autobiography (The Real Frank Zappa Book) and he had a chapter on failure where he listed all the ideas he had that never took off. One of those ideas (and this was back in the 80s) was to have record companies sell albums using using modems connected directly to home recording decks. His theory was they lose the overhead of packaging and shelf space and would be able open up the industry to new artists (who no longer had to compete for shelf space with more well known people). In addition, there was no concept of out-of-print, and people could get better sound fidelity rather than recording of your buddy's crappy LP. While this probably has little to do with the article, I found it fascinating that this guy was thinking about delivering music directly to people well before Napster and all its clones. Further proof that the man was a genius
When did it become a crime to criticize the Armed Forces? No one is making fun of the soldiers; they are making fun of the PR campaign. It doesn't say something like "All soldiers are fat and stupid". It doesn't belittle anyone. He was simply making a point about turning Army life into a true to life game, and how stupid the concept could be. The Army is part of OUR government. If I think it's doing something stupid, I'm damn well going to make that point. The military isn't immune from criticism just because people have died serving in it.
Like other posters. I have to agree that I don't think this is as clear cut a free speech issue as you would think. Web sites are already catagorized loosely by function -.com,.net,.org,.edu,.info. What's the problem with a new.prn domain? It isn't making the content unavailable. In fact, it is making it easier to find. I mean no one thinks putting the adult videos behind a curtain is a violation of free speech. When we want it, we all know where to get it.
And, as far as deciding what goes under the.prn domain, start simply - anything that requires an age verification click through to get into. I have yet to be anywhere that requires a click through other than an adult website (yes, I've been to them, and yes, I've clicked through). If you've got examples post 'em.
My only reservation is that I don't think the US should be making laws regarding how the internet is structured. There is already a governing body set up to deal with domain name stuff. Isn't this their job?
I think one of the biggest problems with the bill is that it doesn't take into account what happens when the copy protection is cracked. Sure there is a provision that the scheme has to be updatable, but computers are manufactured well in advance of their sale. I mean there are warehouses full of computers as we speak. Well, say those computers had government mandated copy protection. The copy protection board or whoever decides that the copy protection scheme needs updating because the old one is ineffective. What happens to those millions of computers in warehouses and on store shelves? Are BestBuy and CicuitCity engaging in illegal activities? Are these millions of computers not available for salea ll of the sudden? Can you see the lost dollars piling up? To me, this is a major problem with the law. It doesn't really address the problem because one way or another the copy protection will fail, and when that happens non-copy protected versions will be available again. The bill solves a problem for the entertainment industry, but it sets up a whole bunch of new problems for the tech and retail sectors. Anyway, that's just something I've been thinking of lately.
I wouldn't go that far. While, Windows Media may be on the desktop. QuickTime (I was going to say QT but that means something completely in the world Slashdot); however, is being built in to a lot of the camcorders and Digital Cameras people are buying today. The problem with Windows Media is that it is purely a delivery format. You don't archive with Windows Media Format. QuickTime provides a streamlined method for encoding, archiving AND delivery. In the industry, that makes a big difference. So, I wouldn't give Windows Media Player a free pass yet just because it ships pre-loaded. Apple isn't giving up on QuickTime; so, this battle could go on for quite a while.
I have to say I am very impressed with the reference to "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock". If I had the ability or knew how, I would mod you through the roof. That is my favorite poem of all time. It's nice to see some one else appreciates it.
Hey There,
Everyone is mentioning that this is an opinion, which is correct. However, there is a little link at the bottom of the article for replying to the author. If you click that link an email is also sent to FoxNews. If enough people send email in response to the author, I think it would send a message to Fox to put an actual reporter on the story. I have a feeling at least the O'Reilly Factor would pick it up. Just my two cents. Joe
Actually, don't send paper letters. Real mail is barely getting through in Washington with that whole Anthrax thing. Most reps and sens web sites encourage emailing because of the problems with the mail.
Actually, it would be writable on standard equipment but you would still be getting broadcast quality. The only way to take advantage of the digital aspect when writing would be in one of three ways:
1) Hook it up to an HDTV source.
2) Hook it up to another DVHS player and link them digitally.
3) Hook it up to a DVD player or computer.
Frankly, given the reluctance of major broadcasters to deliver anything but live sports events in HDTV and all the fuss about NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) has had to endure with major players protesting events and walking out of conventions (this was all a few years ago), I can't see DVHS being a success. Of course, maybe that's why I'm not on Fox's payroll.
I'm sorry. I didn't realize that only brash statements. I will try to be more aggressive and adversarial in the future. Furthermore, when I can't think of interesting reply, I will simply look for typos and call people out when I think they aren't being forceful enough. After all, what good is an opinion if you can't state it in a boarish and callous manner.
That really isn't a good analogy. A car is pretty much self sustaining except for gas and maintenance. All cars run on gas and most maintenance can be performed at a reasonable number of garages. MS products aren't like that. They all guide you back to MS for all your needs.
I don't know. Don't people like Intel and Motorola have product strategy maps for their next two or three processor revisions. It doesn't seem like a "marketing" thing. Not to defend MS or anything, just saying I don't think this is something that is not done elsewhere in the business world. I guess I think it is kind of a cheap shot.
Hey, remember the memo. Future MS products won't have security because Bill sent a memo to everyone (no literally everyone, employees, media outlets, researches. Apparently, it was even broadcast into outer space along with "Ray Of LIght" in hopes of contacting intelligent life.).
Apple ships with one button mice for simplicity sake. I've had to help a few people get started on computers, and I can't tell you the number of times I've said click and they've asked left or right. (Believe it or not, I've actually witnessed a a guy using the mouse two hands. Dargging it around with the right and reaching over to click with his left. And the university wanted to teach him to publish web pages!)
Frankly, the one button mouse is left over from when newbies were just getting into GUI stuff. What Apple should do is continue shipping one button standard, but offer a two button version upgrade that is pretty cheap.
As a side note, there are plenty of two or more button mice available from third parties that a pretty inexpensive. With rebates maybe $10. All the ones worth buying work on a Mac.
Actually, it needs one of those external speech boxes. We used to have an old TI home computer with one of those connected to it. You type something on the screen and the voice synthesizer box would say it back to you. My sisters name was Theresa. It always pronounced it The Resa. What a great way to get a nickname.
Actually, that brings up a good point about the word innovation. Of course an economist, some one who studies things like profits and what not, would see innovation as finding a way to make more money. A technologist, sees innovation as finding a better way to do things. It's all pretty relative. Just my two cents. (Actually, it took me two cents worth of company time to write this response. So, it's my companies two cents. Of course, opinions expressed in this response are not neccesserily those of my company. So, I'll get back to you when I figure out whose two cents it actually is.)
Slashdot Mirror
Great post. I wish I had mod points. I don't know why anyone would be surprised by this news. They have to enforce laws on the books. Frankly, it would be news if they didn't side with record companies. I guess the surprising thing is that the some one in government is doing their job, which brings up a great Simpson's quote from the Stampy episode.
DJ 3000: Those clowns in congress did it again. What a bunch of clowns.
Bill (KBBL DJ): [laughs] How does it keep up with the news like that?
Here's a former employer plug. Try Beyond Books. The link takes you to the free live tour. To access the whole site you've gotta pay, but the free section is pretty deep. When I worked there, I wrote most of the Java activities and recorded most of the audio. Aahh, the days when work was fun. I miss those.
In these situations, I prefer the word dickweed. I find that all to often the word dickweed is forgotten in our fast-paced, work-a-day world. It's easy to throw out a word like "fuckwad" and think you are hot stuff. However, if you would have used dickweed, you would have been the man. So, to anyone who reads this post, lets bring back dickweed.
While I don't think Toho would win a case like this, I think they are in a bit of a bind. If they don't make an effort to protect their trademark, they'll lose it, and I imagine losing the Godzilla trademark would be disasterous for the company. The Mozilla name and image are clearly a take off on Godzilla. Frankly, the Mozilla people should have approached Toho beforehand.
I recently picked up Frank Zappa's autobiography (The Real Frank Zappa Book) and he had a chapter on failure where he listed all the ideas he had that never took off. One of those ideas (and this was back in the 80s) was to have record companies sell albums using using modems connected directly to home recording decks. His theory was they lose the overhead of packaging and shelf space and would be able open up the industry to new artists (who no longer had to compete for shelf space with more well known people). In addition, there was no concept of out-of-print, and people could get better sound fidelity rather than recording of your buddy's crappy LP. While this probably has little to do with the article, I found it fascinating that this guy was thinking about delivering music directly to people well before Napster and all its clones. Further proof that the man was a genius
When did it become a crime to criticize the Armed Forces? No one is making fun of the soldiers; they are making fun of the PR campaign. It doesn't say something like "All soldiers are fat and stupid". It doesn't belittle anyone. He was simply making a point about turning Army life into a true to life game, and how stupid the concept could be. The Army is part of OUR government. If I think it's doing something stupid, I'm damn well going to make that point. The military isn't immune from criticism just because people have died serving in it.
Like other posters. I have to agree that I don't think this is as clear cut a free speech issue as you would think. Web sites are already catagorized loosely by function - .com, .net, .org, .edu, .info. What's the problem with a new .prn domain? It isn't making the content unavailable. In fact, it is making it easier to find. I mean no one thinks putting the adult videos behind a curtain is a violation of free speech. When we want it, we all know where to get it.
.prn domain, start simply - anything that requires an age verification click through to get into. I have yet to be anywhere that requires a click through other than an adult website (yes, I've been to them, and yes, I've clicked through). If you've got examples post 'em.
And, as far as deciding what goes under the
My only reservation is that I don't think the US should be making laws regarding how the internet is structured. There is already a governing body set up to deal with domain name stuff. Isn't this their job?
I think one of the biggest problems with the bill is that it doesn't take into account what happens when the copy protection is cracked. Sure there is a provision that the scheme has to be updatable, but computers are manufactured well in advance of their sale. I mean there are warehouses full of computers as we speak. Well, say those computers had government mandated copy protection. The copy protection board or whoever decides that the copy protection scheme needs updating because the old one is ineffective. What happens to those millions of computers in warehouses and on store shelves? Are BestBuy and CicuitCity engaging in illegal activities? Are these millions of computers not available for salea ll of the sudden? Can you see the lost dollars piling up? To me, this is a major problem with the law. It doesn't really address the problem because one way or another the copy protection will fail, and when that happens non-copy protected versions will be available again. The bill solves a problem for the entertainment industry, but it sets up a whole bunch of new problems for the tech and retail sectors. Anyway, that's just something I've been thinking of lately.
I wouldn't go that far. While, Windows Media may be on the desktop. QuickTime (I was going to say QT but that means something completely in the world Slashdot); however, is being built in to a lot of the camcorders and Digital Cameras people are buying today. The problem with Windows Media is that it is purely a delivery format. You don't archive with Windows Media Format. QuickTime provides a streamlined method for encoding, archiving AND delivery. In the industry, that makes a big difference. So, I wouldn't give Windows Media Player a free pass yet just because it ships pre-loaded. Apple isn't giving up on QuickTime; so, this battle could go on for quite a while.
I have to say I am very impressed with the reference to "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock". If I had the ability or knew how, I would mod you through the roof. That is my favorite poem of all time. It's nice to see some one else appreciates it.
Hey There,
Everyone is mentioning that this is an opinion, which is correct. However, there is a little link at the bottom of the article for replying to the author. If you click that link an email is also sent to FoxNews. If enough people send email in response to the author, I think it would send a message to Fox to put an actual reporter on the story. I have a feeling at least the O'Reilly Factor would pick it up. Just my two cents.
Joe
Actually, don't send paper letters. Real mail is barely getting through in Washington with that whole Anthrax thing. Most reps and sens web sites encourage emailing because of the problems with the mail.
Actually, it would be writable on standard equipment but you would still be getting broadcast quality. The only way to take advantage of the digital aspect when writing would be in one of three ways:
1) Hook it up to an HDTV source.
2) Hook it up to another DVHS player and link them digitally.
3) Hook it up to a DVD player or computer.
Frankly, given the reluctance of major broadcasters to deliver anything but live sports events in HDTV and all the fuss about NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) has had to endure with major players protesting events and walking out of conventions (this was all a few years ago), I can't see DVHS being a success. Of course, maybe that's why I'm not on Fox's payroll.
I'm sorry. I didn't realize that only brash statements. I will try to be more aggressive and adversarial in the future. Furthermore, when I can't think of interesting reply, I will simply look for typos and call people out when I think they aren't being forceful enough. After all, what good is an opinion if you can't state it in a boarish and callous manner.
That really isn't a good analogy. A car is pretty much self sustaining except for gas and maintenance. All cars run on gas and most maintenance can be performed at a reasonable number of garages. MS products aren't like that. They all guide you back to MS for all your needs.
I don't know. Don't people like Intel and Motorola have product strategy maps for their next two or three processor revisions. It doesn't seem like a "marketing" thing. Not to defend MS or anything, just saying I don't think this is something that is not done elsewhere in the business world. I guess I think it is kind of a cheap shot.
Hey, remember the memo. Future MS products won't have security because Bill sent a memo to everyone (no literally everyone, employees, media outlets, researches. Apparently, it was even broadcast into outer space along with "Ray Of LIght" in hopes of contacting intelligent life.).
Apple ships with one button mice for simplicity sake. I've had to help a few people get started on computers, and I can't tell you the number of times I've said click and they've asked left or right. (Believe it or not, I've actually witnessed a a guy using the mouse two hands. Dargging it around with the right and reaching over to click with his left. And the university wanted to teach him to publish web pages!) Frankly, the one button mouse is left over from when newbies were just getting into GUI stuff. What Apple should do is continue shipping one button standard, but offer a two button version upgrade that is pretty cheap. As a side note, there are plenty of two or more button mice available from third parties that a pretty inexpensive. With rebates maybe $10. All the ones worth buying work on a Mac.
Actually, it needs one of those external speech boxes. We used to have an old TI home computer with one of those connected to it. You type something on the screen and the voice synthesizer box would say it back to you. My sisters name was Theresa. It always pronounced it The Resa. What a great way to get a nickname.
Actually, that brings up a good point about the word innovation. Of course an economist, some one who studies things like profits and what not, would see innovation as finding a way to make more money. A technologist, sees innovation as finding a better way to do things. It's all pretty relative. Just my two cents. (Actually, it took me two cents worth of company time to write this response. So, it's my companies two cents. Of course, opinions expressed in this response are not neccesserily those of my company. So, I'll get back to you when I figure out whose two cents it actually is.)