I was in the original VFTH Katz wrote - I was Nick in the second column. I spoke of two of my friends getting into a fight. I wonder if I got in:-)
Re:Stocks *have been* and will continue to be cove
on
Tech Stocks Tumble
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· Score: 2
Note further that Senor Taco didn't post a single one of those.
How ironic:P
In the spirit of the Quickie:
on
Quickielanche
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· Score: 2
An esteemed colleague, Brian Eng, has decided to dye his gigantic afro. Being the procurer of an afro myself, I feel I have an obligation to endorse this on a site that might contain more afro-wearers per capita than any other.
"Due to the current lower level of consumer demand, which had led to congestion in the retail channel, Eidos said it would now delay the release of certain products, including Nomad Soul for Dreamcast, F1 World Grand Prix for PC, Tomb Raider for Game Boy Color and Daikatana for PC until the first quarter of 2001."
They're not just considering delaying Daikatana - they already have. And for once, I was actually going to buy the game.:-(
They talked a while back about them getting pr0n as submissions. Obviously, they deleted those. But they won't "censor" anyone's artistic expression by not posting anything. The rules are really quite lax; this should lead to a lot of creative things.
I live in Chicago. You'd figure that we'd be among the first to have DTV, but apparently the FCC is making us get it last because all the tall buildings in the Loop lack any more space for antennas.
Skyscrapers like the Sears Tower and the Hancock Building are totally full with radio transmitters and massive cells for cell phones. They just don't have any more room anymore.
In a few years, though, we might have another building built (1 block away from the Sears) that will not only reclaim the world's tallest label (*g*) but it'll have sufficient space for DTV transmitters.
But what I fail to understand is... why do we even need such a thing? I've never complained about my TV's picture, and Lord knows I don't want to spend more money for something I don't need. Chances are the proponents of DTV used buzzwords like "Digital" and "TV" in the same sentence to make the FCC wet their pants in sheer joy, just so I have to drop a few hundred bucks for a new TV.:-(
PC-UNITE is able to perform data synchronization with Microsoft® Outlook(TM), one of the most popular PIM applications among business professionals the world over. This means you can download your existing personal data resources and take them along with you.
1) Is there a way to link to it without Outlook? I don't use outlook under Win2K. 2) Is there a way to get this to work under Win2K/NT in the first place? 3) Linux support?!
Perhaps Casio has forgotten its target audience here. Geeks will want linux support and not many normal people will want an mp3 watch:)
...changing nothing about how we see the world? If political/corporate BS comes our way, we just deal with it. A new year doesn't mean geeks have to change their views about the world. Just let things happen.
I had the fortune to talk to Chris DiBona through email the other day. I feel confident that nothing harmful will come out of this case. After the overwhelming support these people have seen come out of the open source community and especially Slashdot in general, it seems hard to fathom how we can - through normal logic - lose this one.
Date sent: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 22:07:42 -0800 (PST) From: "Chris J. DiBona" To: Nick Disabato Subject: Re: DVD ordeal
Logic has little to do with the Law. That said, it's probably on our side this time. This is just very expensive lawyers who are used to going after idiots and getting thier way. I'll make them eat thier words.
chris
On Mon, 27 Dec 1999, Nick Disabato wrote:
> I'm sure you got emails like this from a lot of people today, but you and all > the other people who have been targetted like this have my full support. I > have DeCSS on my hard drive currently and I'm pondering posting it on my > site, nickd.org. Unfortunately, I don't want to get into any major legal battles > at the moment (hey, who does?):\. > I, like what seems to be all of slashdot *g*, find this entirely out of line on > the part of the movie industry. If this case is won by them, it very well could > represent a major step back in the advancement of open source and it also > could set a precedent for major corporations to rule our lives even further. > > I found this little tidbit of info on 2600.com's site today and I thought it was > a very sensible explanation of what's going on. You can find the full > statement at http://www.2600.com/news/1999/1227.html . Best of luck at > the courthouse. Us geeks are rooting for you.:-) > > "It never ceases to amaze us how those supposedly in command of > technology are hopelessly lost when it comes to real world correlation. Or > maybe it's more sinister - perhaps they are counting on a court system > which will buy into their corporate slant and hang the rest of us out to dry > without stopping to realize that none of it makes any sense. > > "DVD encryption was cracked. That is a fact. And all of the legal papers in > the world will not erase that fact. But the DVD industry believes they can do > exactly that, through intimidation and wasting valuable court time and > probably millions of dollars that will be paid by the consumer in the end. If > they get their way, they will actually continue to use an encryption > algorithm that has been proven inferior. Where is the logic in this?" > -- > Nick
I know this is probably going to fall victim to Late Post Syndrome(TM), but here goes. If you do see this, please moderate it to just a 2 or a 3 just so as many people as possible can see it. That's all I ask. Thank you.
Everyone who is going to the courthouse: print out a copy of this page on Slashdot. I know it seems crazy, but have your threshhold set to 3 before you do it. That's still over fifty very good, insightful things people have said.
What I've seen on/. for the past day or so has convinced me that this entire thing is absurd. It would certainly do the same to any other judge or jury. Anyone who argues at the courthouse, consider beginning your argument with a quote from Slashdot! The people who talk on this are incredibly intelligent, talented writers; most of the time, their opinions are unheard in the general public. This is your chance.
Sometimes, corporations are ignorant of your advisories, as they feel the general hacking community is only destructive and has little to offer. It also seems obvious in ABCNews' report that people have an inherent fear of the hacking/cracking community in general. The intent of some groups (cDc comes to mind) is different from others (gH), and as a result it becomes difficult to create an accurate definition of what hacking/cracking really is.
My question is this: do you feel the negative publicity and stereotypes of hackers and crackers rubs off on l0pht to some extent?
Linus didn't make Linux this year; if I remember correctly, it was made ~8 years ago.
People should have applauded his efforts then, not now.
My suggestions for man of the year would be people who did groundbreaking things this year... the people who organized the first Linux expo, ESR for being what amounts to the open-source diplomat to the real world, etc. etc. etc.
I read the 20/20 story and I just had to repost this:)
Do You Practice Safe Computing? Here are a few tips on keeping your computer safe from computer viruses:
Use anti-virus software and be sure regularly to update the software from the vendor's Web site. Don't open files sent to you via e-mail from unfamiliar sources. Check with colleagues and associates before opening files they send you without notification. Be aware of how viruses operate and watch for the telltale signs. Don't download anything from unfamiliar Web sites.
How about these: AOL employees will never ask for your screen name or password. Never go into private rooms "leet" or "warez" or "coldice." NEVER, EVER, EVER say "yes" when someone asks you to "cyber" them!!
Wouldn't the... you know.. love juices go all over the place? >;) Hrm, first post?:)
Why Katz is picking the wrong audience
on
Planet Gattaca
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· Score: 1
Jon Katz doesn't seem to realize who he's talking to here.
Given the fact that this is a "News for Nerds" site, I'm under the assumption that many of us are scientifically oriented. With that in mind, what gives Katz the right to write an article essentially flaming science to an audience that loves learning about scientific things?
BAD ANALOGY COMING UP: It's like someone walking into the democratic national convention with a giant sign promoting conservative republican ideals. You just don't do it.:-) Katz takes a position very anti-science in this article and it appalls me that he tries to impart this editorial upon several thousand geeks who have loved and toyed with science for probably their entire lives.
I hope to pursue a career in biomedical engineering - does that mean I'm going to withstand the ridicule and hate from "anti-genetics" fanatics (not unlike doctors in abortion clinics today)? I certainly hope not.
Katz is attempting to stifle the scientific minds of the geek community - the exact same group of people he tries to NURTURE AND HELP in his new book.
It was in the chapter from Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! where he was in Brazil sitting in at a college class. Here are some excerpts:
"I explained how useful it was to work together, to discuss the questions, to talk it over, but they wouldn't do that either, because they would be losing face if they had to ask someone else. It was pitiful! All the work they did, intelligent people, but they put themselves into this funny state of mind, this strange kind of self-propagating "education" which is meaningless, utterly meaningless!"
"The lecture hall was full. I started out by defining science as an understanding of the behavior of nature. Then I asked, "What is a good reason for teaching science? Of course, no country can consider itself civilized unless... yak yak yak." They were all sitting there, nodding, because I know that's the way they all think. "Then I say, "That, of course, is absurd, because why should we feel that we have to keep up with another country? We have to do it for a good reason, a sensible reason; not just because other countries do." Then I talked about the utility of science, and its contribution to the improvement of the human condition, and all that - I really teased them a little bit. "Then I say "The main purpose of my talk is to demonstrate to you that no science is being taught in Brazil!"
"Then I gave the analogy of a Greek scholar who loves the Greek language, who knows that in his own country there aren't many children studying Greek. But he comes to another country, where he is delighted to find everybody studying Greek - even the smaller kids in the elementary schools. He goes to the examination of a student who is coming to get his degree in Greek, and asks him "What were Socrates' ideas on the relationship between Truth and Beauty?" - and the student can't answer. Then he asks the student, "What did Socrates say to Plato in the Third Symposium?" and the student lights up ang goes "Brrrrrrrr-up" - he tells you everything, word for word, that Socrates said, in beautiful Greek. "But what Socrates was talking about in the Third Symposium was the relationship between Truth and Beauty!"
*phew* I apologize for any spelling errors in that, I copied it out of a book at a very rushed speed. Anyway, what Feynman gets to here is basically this: it's great to memorize facts, but when you can't APPLY those facts to ANYTHING in the real world, your knowledge is rendered functionless. Facts are great, but they don't give you the kind of analytical thinking that a math-centered education provides.
I get my news from/. . My parents read the paper. My twenty-one-year-old sister watches CNN. Very very infrequently do people I know go across media to get their news or information.
The fact of the matter is, PC magazines are based on the internet. There's also a paper-based alternative, should it be needed. But they're PC magazines. Nobody who doesn't have an Internet hookup will read a PC magazine anymore. It simply doesn't happen.
That's why people turn to the Internet. It's easier and they can do it while working (at the computer - big surprise there). If you read a PC mag, you usually already own a PC, so the Internet is available to you.
Slashdot Mirror
I was in the original VFTH Katz wrote - I was Nick in the second column. I spoke of two of my friends getting into a fight. I wonder if I got in :-)
Note further that Senor Taco didn't post a single one of those.
:P
How ironic
An esteemed colleague, Brian Eng, has decided to dye his gigantic afro. Being the procurer of an afro myself, I feel I have an obligation to endorse this on a site that might contain more afro-wearers per capita than any other.
Click here to gently nudge the vote!
Does Hemos get another Hemos Award on his birthday?
:P
"Due to the current lower level of consumer demand, which had led to congestion in the retail channel, Eidos said it would now delay the release of certain products, including Nomad Soul for Dreamcast, F1 World Grand Prix for PC, Tomb Raider for Game Boy Color and Daikatana for PC until the first quarter of 2001."
:-(
They're not just considering delaying Daikatana - they already have.
And for once, I was actually going to buy the game.
They talked a while back about them getting pr0n as submissions. Obviously, they deleted those.
But they won't "censor" anyone's artistic expression by not posting anything. The rules are really quite lax; this should lead to a lot of creative things.
On the contrary, individuals can do far greater harm, in my opinion.
The following people instantly come to mind:
- Hitler
- Stalin
- Marx (indirectly)
- Napoleon
- Genghis Khan
[GASP!] Napster SENT the COMPLETE location of the file!!!!
Does this mean that there is a way to coax the client to offer up ANY file?
Hrm.... I can just picture Cult of the Dead Cow writing a BO plug-in for Napster, allowing you to download any file off of a windows box.
:-)
Two completely unrelated points:
:-(
I live in Chicago. You'd figure that we'd be among the first to have DTV, but apparently the FCC is making us get it last because all the tall buildings in the Loop lack any more space for antennas.
Skyscrapers like the Sears Tower and the Hancock Building are totally full with radio transmitters and massive cells for cell phones. They just don't have any more room anymore.
In a few years, though, we might have another building built (1 block away from the Sears) that will not only reclaim the world's tallest label (*g*) but it'll have sufficient space for DTV transmitters.
But what I fail to understand is... why do we even need such a thing? I've never complained about my TV's picture, and Lord knows I don't want to spend more money for something I don't need.
Chances are the proponents of DTV used buzzwords like "Digital" and "TV" in the same sentence to make the FCC wet their pants in sheer joy, just so I have to drop a few hundred bucks for a new TV.
Linking with Microsoft® Outlook(TM)
:)
PC-UNITE is able to perform data synchronization with Microsoft® Outlook(TM), one of the most popular PIM applications among business professionals the world over. This means you can download your existing personal data resources and take them along with you.
1) Is there a way to link to it without Outlook? I don't use outlook under Win2K.
2) Is there a way to get this to work under Win2K/NT in the first place?
3) Linux support?!
Perhaps Casio has forgotten its target audience here. Geeks will want linux support and not many normal people will want an mp3 watch
Software versioning based on the year has been around a long time.
:)
Fortran 77, anyone?
CWRU has changed their page just a smidge. My personal favorite is one of their sidebars off to the left of the page
CWRU Events
Sat. Jan 01 1900 EST
No events scheduled for today
Events Calendar...
Another mirror of DeCSS is here:
http://nickd.org/decss
Hope you guys find this helpful.
Steam consists of water.
Webcams do not consist of water.
Therefore, it is logical to infer that webcams wouldn't even steam in the first place.
...changing nothing about how we see the world? If political/corporate BS comes our way, we just deal with it.
A new year doesn't mean geeks have to change their views about the world. Just let things happen.
I had the fortune to talk to Chris DiBona through email the other day. I feel confident that nothing harmful will come out of this case. After the overwhelming support these people have seen come out of the open source community and especially Slashdot in general, it seems hard to fathom how we can - through normal logic - lose this one.
:\. :-)
Date sent: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 22:07:42 -0800 (PST)
From: "Chris J. DiBona"
To: Nick Disabato
Subject: Re: DVD ordeal
Logic has little to do with the Law. That said, it's probably on our
side this time. This is just very expensive lawyers who are used to going
after idiots and getting thier way. I'll make them eat thier words.
chris
On Mon, 27 Dec 1999, Nick Disabato wrote:
> I'm sure you got emails like this from a lot of people today, but you and all
> the other people who have been targetted like this have my full support. I
> have DeCSS on my hard drive currently and I'm pondering posting it on my
> site, nickd.org. Unfortunately, I don't want to get into any major legal battles
> at the moment (hey, who does?)
> I, like what seems to be all of slashdot *g*, find this entirely out of line on
> the part of the movie industry. If this case is won by them, it very well could
> represent a major step back in the advancement of open source and it also
> could set a precedent for major corporations to rule our lives even further.
>
> I found this little tidbit of info on 2600.com's site today and I thought it was
> a very sensible explanation of what's going on. You can find the full
> statement at http://www.2600.com/news/1999/1227.html . Best of luck at
> the courthouse. Us geeks are rooting for you.
>
> "It never ceases to amaze us how those supposedly in command of
> technology are hopelessly lost when it comes to real world correlation. Or
> maybe it's more sinister - perhaps they are counting on a court system
> which will buy into their corporate slant and hang the rest of us out to dry
> without stopping to realize that none of it makes any sense.
>
> "DVD encryption was cracked. That is a fact. And all of the legal papers in
> the world will not erase that fact. But the DVD industry believes they can do
> exactly that, through intimidation and wasting valuable court time and
> probably millions of dollars that will be paid by the consumer in the end. If
> they get their way, they will actually continue to use an encryption
> algorithm that has been proven inferior. Where is the logic in this?"
> --
> Nick
I know this is probably going to fall victim to Late Post Syndrome(TM), but here goes.
/. for the past day or so has convinced me that this entire thing is absurd. It would certainly do the same to any other judge or jury. Anyone who argues at the courthouse, consider beginning your argument with a quote from Slashdot! The people who talk on this are incredibly intelligent, talented writers; most of the time, their opinions are unheard in the general public. This is your chance.
If you do see this, please moderate it to just a 2 or a 3 just so as many people as possible can see it. That's all I ask. Thank you.
Everyone who is going to the courthouse: print out a copy of this page on Slashdot. I know it seems crazy, but have your threshhold set to 3 before you do it. That's still over fifty very good, insightful things people have said.
What I've seen on
Make their opinions heard.
Sometimes, corporations are ignorant of your advisories, as they feel the general hacking community is only destructive and has little to offer. It also seems obvious in ABCNews' report that people have an inherent fear of the hacking/cracking community in general. The intent of some groups (cDc comes to mind) is different from others (gH), and as a result it becomes difficult to create an accurate definition of what hacking/cracking really is.
My question is this: do you feel the negative publicity and stereotypes of hackers and crackers rubs off on l0pht to some extent?
People should have applauded his efforts then, not now.
My suggestions for man of the year would be people who did groundbreaking things this year... the people who organized the first Linux expo, ESR for being what amounts to the open-source diplomat to the real world, etc. etc. etc.
Do You Practice Safe Computing?
Here are a few tips on keeping your computer safe from computer viruses:
Use anti-virus software and be sure regularly to update the software from the vendor's Web site.
Don't open files sent to you via e-mail from unfamiliar sources. Check with colleagues and associates before opening files they send you without notification.
Be aware of how viruses operate and watch for the telltale signs.
Don't download anything from unfamiliar Web sites.
How about these:
AOL employees will never ask for your screen name or password.
Never go into private rooms "leet" or "warez" or "coldice."
NEVER, EVER, EVER say "yes" when someone asks you to "cyber" them!!
Wouldn't the... you know.. love juices go all over the place? :)
>;)
Hrm, first post?
Given the fact that this is a "News for Nerds" site, I'm under the assumption that many of us are scientifically oriented. With that in mind, what gives Katz the right to write an article essentially flaming science to an audience that loves learning about scientific things?
BAD ANALOGY COMING UP: :-)
It's like someone walking into the democratic national convention with a giant sign promoting conservative republican ideals. You just don't do it.
Katz takes a position very anti-science in this article and it appalls me that he tries to impart this editorial upon several thousand geeks who have loved and toyed with science for probably their entire lives.
I hope to pursue a career in biomedical engineering - does that mean I'm going to withstand the ridicule and hate from "anti-genetics" fanatics (not unlike doctors in abortion clinics today)? I certainly hope not.
Katz is attempting to stifle the scientific minds of the geek community - the exact same group of people he tries to NURTURE AND HELP in his new book.
Doesn't that seem just a bit hypocritical? :(
Mental note: don't drink anything green from my faucet :-)
It was in the chapter from Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! where he was in Brazil sitting in at a college class.
Here are some excerpts:
"I explained how useful it was to work together, to discuss the questions, to talk it over, but they wouldn't do that either, because they would be losing face if they had to ask someone else. It was pitiful! All the work they did, intelligent people, but they put themselves into this funny state of mind, this strange kind of self-propagating "education" which is meaningless, utterly meaningless!"
"The lecture hall was full. I started out by defining science as an understanding of the behavior of nature. Then I asked, "What is a good reason for teaching science? Of course, no country can consider itself civilized unless... yak yak yak." They were all sitting there, nodding, because I know that's the way they all think.
"Then I say, "That, of course, is absurd, because why should we feel that we have to keep up with another country? We have to do it for a good reason, a sensible reason; not just because other countries do." Then I talked about the utility of science, and its contribution to the improvement of the human condition, and all that - I really teased them a little bit.
"Then I say "The main purpose of my talk is to demonstrate to you that no science is being taught in Brazil!"
"Then I gave the analogy of a Greek scholar who loves the Greek language, who knows that in his own country there aren't many children studying Greek. But he comes to another country, where he is delighted to find everybody studying Greek - even the smaller kids in the elementary schools. He goes to the examination of a student who is coming to get his degree in Greek, and asks him "What were Socrates' ideas on the relationship between Truth and Beauty?" - and the student can't answer. Then he asks the student, "What did Socrates say to Plato in the Third Symposium?" and the student lights up ang goes "Brrrrrrrr-up" - he tells you everything, word for word, that Socrates said, in beautiful Greek.
"But what Socrates was talking about in the Third Symposium was the relationship between Truth and Beauty!"
*phew* I apologize for any spelling errors in that, I copied it out of a book at a very rushed speed.
Anyway, what Feynman gets to here is basically this: it's great to memorize facts, but when you can't APPLY those facts to ANYTHING in the real world, your knowledge is rendered functionless. Facts are great, but they don't give you the kind of analytical thinking that a math-centered education provides.
I get my news from /. . My parents read the paper. My twenty-one-year-old sister watches CNN. Very very infrequently do people I know go across media to get their news or information.
The fact of the matter is, PC magazines are based on the internet. There's also a paper-based alternative, should it be needed. But they're PC magazines. Nobody who doesn't have an Internet hookup will read a PC magazine anymore. It simply doesn't happen.
That's why people turn to the Internet. It's easier and they can do it while working (at the computer - big surprise there). If you read a PC mag, you usually already own a PC, so the Internet is available to you.
It would seem so logical to people :P