2) It's the modern day version of a fictional game in a Phillip K. Dick story. (Sorry, don't remember which one. I just remember that The Sun Also Rises was used as an example.)
A very interesting study that dovetails with some thoughts I've had on the subject.
I've seen similar "control of personal space" with cell phones (and not suprisingly here in Los Angeles) automobiles.
All three offer a way to insulate yourself from your immediate surroundings, albeit in slightly different ways.
A simple example of this is driving a car thru a neighborhood, rather than driving in a neighborhood. The car is an environment unto itself that allows one to pass through another physical space with a minimum of interaction.
As an experiment, I've stopped driving my car in favor of public transportation. Granted, I listen to an iPod, as do many of my fellow riders, but even in this case, I am much less insulated. This is also the case when I walk to and from bus stops and rail stations.
I am actually preferring this mode of transport, and have a renewed love of my city. This probably has much to do with the fact that I am experiencing it differently, interacting with my fellow Angelenos more (despite my iPod), and actually being in my environment, rather than being in my car. Previously, much of my Los Angeles experience was that of being stuck on the freeway, "interacting" with other cars (and sometimes their drivers), most of which were either going too slow or too fast. There are no roses on the freeway.
I haven't owned a cell phone in several years, but I notice a similar phenomena. While one is talking on the phone, a large part of one's attention is placed on the person on the other end of the conversation. There is an overlap between one's presence in the real world and a sort of virtual telephone world. This is most noticeable with people using ear sets, and positively dangerous with people driving cars (especially SUVs, but that's another topic!).
I once watched what I thought was a crazy person walking down the street, ranting and raving about hockey of all things. It was a bit puzzling, since he seemed to be dressed to nicely to be a crazy street person. When he came close enough, I saw that he was talking on a hands-free phone, and was totally oblivious of his surroundings. Other than the fact that he was on the phone, his behavior was completely that of a mentally deranged person hearing voices.
Something of further interest that I haven't spent much time reflecting on is the passive aggressive nature of behavior I've observed in those that use these insulating technologies; especially obnoxious/oblivious drivers, loud cell phone talkers, and the now thankfully less common boom box wielders.
We haven't yet reached the rest of the world with our message, so there really is more than hope. Part of the inertia that must be (and is being) overcome is the idea that Linux is a CLI interface only OS.
As much as I disdain Lindows and hate Walmart, I cannot deny that they are doing much to create acceptance of Linux as a viable alternative to Windows.
And honestly, Linux isn't ready as my primary desktop. I'm a very happy OS X user (also a koolaid drinking fanatic). However, at some point I have no doubt that Linux will surpass OS X and when that happens, I won't look back.
I will still recommend Linux as the low cost desktop alternative to my favorite OS. All arguments of TCO aside, some people are unable or unwilling to spend more than $400-$500 for a computer. It's a great thing that there is a good alternative for these folks.
We Mac users have had our share of 3rd party hardware compatibility issues, especially during the transition to OS X. This seems to be settling down now, thank god.
(Disclaimer: I'm a card carrying, banner waving, koolaid drinking fanatical mac zealot.)
One reason why Windows viruses and worms are so devastating to EVERYONE is because of the magnitude of the vector. An OS X worm, if someone could actually create one, would not have a sufficient base and the vector would soon peter out before gaining enough momentum.
The problem with MS windows is threefold: Overwhelming market share makes it a perfect vector, overwhelming market share makes it a target of opportunity, and lousy security implementation makes it an easy target.
If OS X had the same marketshare AND deficiencies that Windows does, we'd be in the same sorry state of affairs.
He said it right before Al Gore invented the internet.
I really don't know if there is anyway to contain a widespread, untrue meme. The facts don't seem to matter if a fiction is repeated often enough and loud enough.
My iPod can display my contacts, calendar, to-do lists, notes, etc. True, I cannot input that info directly into the iPod, but I don't seem to be missing that function very much. My needs might be simpler than yours, though.
My next phone, however, will have all those PDA functions.
You've got a very good point that fits into one of the first article's conclusions, that IBM priced the original micro drive too high. If the price of a component is too high, no one will bother to create interesting uses for the technology.
Another example: Apple's ROM chips installed into there machines. Mac OS used to (still does?) look for this ROM before it will boot up.
Nope. Used to be, now Apple uses Open Firmware. Apple Rom's are a thing of the past. This is not to say that portions of the firmware don't lock out non-apple PPC hardware. It's just not done with a ROM.
Apple didn't develop ADC to sell adapters to PC owners, but it's still annoying. I own a 22" Cinema Display, and I can plug it directly into my Tibook because, thank god, it's the DVI model. Of course, I need an adapter to plug it into my G4 tower.;n)
No where did the poster suggest that the behavior was excusable. He suggested that it might be explainable. It takes a certain amount of sophistication and intelligence to see that if you understand a problem behavior that you might be able to prevent it. Prevention is usually cheaper than reacting to the problem after the fact.
The main reason the FBI is ignoring problems like these is to help along "trusted" computing. They say now it's not worth their time to investigate. Later they will say the problem is too big to combat without the right tools, those tools being your loss of control of your computer and other civil liberties.
It's true. And it's too bad, because he's pretty good thinker once you "translate" him. Maybe we should all chip in and buy him a spellchecker. Would you like that? Just meow once for yes, twice for no.;n)
Oh, please! How much are they saving in manufacturing costs by not filling a cartridge up all the way? My guess is 3. If your really think they are saving $20 by leaving a MSRP $30 2/3rds empty, you really have no idea of how we're getting raped on prices.
The point is to get you to start buying the expensive consumables sooner.
You have a pretty good point on 1). I'm probably being overly optimistic. It's still very unclear if MS doesn't have ammunition to use against Linux on the patent front.
It's not just a matter of people considering MS bad, but of how bad, or in what ways they are bad with specificity. Within IT departments with internal struggles between the MS camps and the Linux camps, this will (hopefully) give the Linux guys a little more juice.
I don't know how many companies have slowed Linux adoption, but by most accounts there hasn't been a meaningful slowdown. However, as you say, there hasn't been a definitive study. If you want to accuse me of mindlessly repeating Linux Happy Talk, I'd have to plead Guilty As Charged.
Anyway, thanks for the reminder not to get too smug. There are more battles ahead, to be sure.
He lied about who owned the domain name, saying he had sold it to someone else. If this was in the course of a police investigation, then it is a crime.
Lying is almost always wrong, and in some cases it is illegal.
If you plan on playing hardball with the cops, get a good lawyer and follow his or her advice BEFORE you commit to a course of action.
I'm going to have to give some ground here. If the guy was just holding your data or my data hostage, it's unlikely that we could get the local sheriff to go seize the data and any related assets as well as arrest him. You and I don't have the juice and we'd need a court order to get any assistance from law enforcement.
However, what makes this slightly different is that he was interfering with the operation of a public safety agency. If he had been a mechanic and done free work on the fire department's fire engines, and then stolen one after demanding money . ..OK, that's pushing it a little. Fire Engine != Data
I guess the point is, if you're going to do something illegal, don't do it to the police.
Slashdot Mirror
Pansy. The real way is to score the bottoms of your feet with a razorblade, then pour the grounds into your shoes.
1) It's funny.
2) It's the modern day version of a fictional game in a Phillip K. Dick story. (Sorry, don't remember which one. I just remember that The Sun Also Rises was used as an example.)
and harass them with pop ups.
A very interesting study that dovetails with some thoughts I've had on the subject.
I've seen similar "control of personal space" with cell phones (and not suprisingly here in Los Angeles) automobiles.
All three offer a way to insulate yourself from your immediate surroundings, albeit in slightly different ways.
A simple example of this is driving a car thru a neighborhood, rather than driving in a neighborhood. The car is an environment unto itself that allows one to pass through another physical space with a minimum of interaction.
As an experiment, I've stopped driving my car in favor of public transportation. Granted, I listen to an iPod, as do many of my fellow riders, but even in this case, I am much less insulated. This is also the case when I walk to and from bus stops and rail stations.
I am actually preferring this mode of transport, and have a renewed love of my city. This probably has much to do with the fact that I am experiencing it differently, interacting with my fellow Angelenos more (despite my iPod), and actually being in my environment, rather than being in my car. Previously, much of my Los Angeles experience was that of being stuck on the freeway, "interacting" with other cars (and sometimes their drivers), most of which were either going too slow or too fast. There are no roses on the freeway.
I haven't owned a cell phone in several years, but I notice a similar phenomena. While one is talking on the phone, a large part of one's attention is placed on the person on the other end of the conversation. There is an overlap between one's presence in the real world and a sort of virtual telephone world. This is most noticeable with people using ear sets, and positively dangerous with people driving cars (especially SUVs, but that's another topic!).
I once watched what I thought was a crazy person walking down the street, ranting and raving about hockey of all things. It was a bit puzzling, since he seemed to be dressed to nicely to be a crazy street person. When he came close enough, I saw that he was talking on a hands-free phone, and was totally oblivious of his surroundings. Other than the fact that he was on the phone, his behavior was completely that of a mentally deranged person hearing voices.
Something of further interest that I haven't spent much time reflecting on is the passive aggressive nature of behavior I've observed in those that use these insulating technologies; especially obnoxious/oblivious drivers, loud cell phone talkers, and the now thankfully less common boom box wielders.
We haven't yet reached the rest of the world with our message, so there really is more than hope. Part of the inertia that must be (and is being) overcome is the idea that Linux is a CLI interface only OS.
As much as I disdain Lindows and hate Walmart, I cannot deny that they are doing much to create acceptance of Linux as a viable alternative to Windows.
And honestly, Linux isn't ready as my primary desktop. I'm a very happy OS X user (also a koolaid drinking fanatic). However, at some point I have no doubt that Linux will surpass OS X and when that happens, I won't look back.
I will still recommend Linux as the low cost desktop alternative to my favorite OS. All arguments of TCO aside, some people are unable or unwilling to spend more than $400-$500 for a computer. It's a great thing that there is a good alternative for these folks.
What you really want for one of these babies is a potato battery.
I know it's a joke, but. . .
Even an idiot like me can set up a webserver/fileserver with MacOS. You've got to give Apple ease of use points for that.
We Mac users have had our share of 3rd party hardware compatibility issues, especially during the transition to OS X. This seems to be settling down now, thank god.
I use Windows for work and games and Linux for home and am a web developer by trade. I've been using these boxes for well over 20 years now
And how long have you been using your time machine?
Uh, that's one of those questions you don't want to think about too much. My head is already locking up.
(Disclaimer: I'm a card carrying, banner waving, koolaid drinking fanatical mac zealot.)
One reason why Windows viruses and worms are so devastating to EVERYONE is because of the magnitude of the vector. An OS X worm, if someone could actually create one, would not have a sufficient base and the vector would soon peter out before gaining enough momentum.
The problem with MS windows is threefold: Overwhelming market share makes it a perfect vector, overwhelming market share makes it a target of opportunity, and lousy security implementation makes it an easy target.
If OS X had the same marketshare AND deficiencies that Windows does, we'd be in the same sorry state of affairs.
He said it right before Al Gore invented the internet.
I really don't know if there is anyway to contain a widespread, untrue meme. The facts don't seem to matter if a fiction is repeated often enough and loud enough.
PDAs? What are those?
My iPod can display my contacts, calendar, to-do lists, notes, etc. True, I cannot input that info directly into the iPod, but I don't seem to be missing that function very much. My needs might be simpler than yours, though.
My next phone, however, will have all those PDA functions.
You've got a very good point that fits into one of the first article's conclusions, that IBM priced the original micro drive too high. If the price of a component is too high, no one will bother to create interesting uses for the technology.
Unlike the original iPod (where Hitachi gave Apple a 1-year exclusive to the 5GB & later larger HDs, from spring 2001 to spring 2002,
I think you mean Toshiba for the original iPod. Interesting post, otherwise. Thanks.
Another example: Apple's ROM chips installed into there machines. Mac OS used to (still does?) look for this ROM before it will boot up.
;n)
Nope. Used to be, now Apple uses Open Firmware. Apple Rom's are a thing of the past. This is not to say that portions of the firmware don't lock out non-apple PPC hardware. It's just not done with a ROM.
Apple didn't develop ADC to sell adapters to PC owners, but it's still annoying. I own a 22" Cinema Display, and I can plug it directly into my Tibook because, thank god, it's the DVI model. Of course, I need an adapter to plug it into my G4 tower.
Ah, yes. The "knee jerk reaction" ploy.
No where did the poster suggest that the behavior was excusable. He suggested that it might be explainable. It takes a certain amount of sophistication and intelligence to see that if you understand a problem behavior that you might be able to prevent it. Prevention is usually cheaper than reacting to the problem after the fact.
The main reason the FBI is ignoring problems like these is to help along "trusted" computing. They say now it's not worth their time to investigate. Later they will say the problem is too big to combat without the right tools, those tools being your loss of control of your computer and other civil liberties.
It's true. And it's too bad, because he's pretty good thinker once you "translate" him. Maybe we should all chip in and buy him a spellchecker. Would you like that? Just meow once for yes, twice for no. ;n)
Oh, please! How much are they saving in manufacturing costs by not filling a cartridge up all the way? My guess is 3. If your really think they are saving $20 by leaving a MSRP $30 2/3rds empty, you really have no idea of how we're getting raped on prices.
The point is to get you to start buying the expensive consumables sooner.
You have a pretty good point on 1). I'm probably being overly optimistic. It's still very unclear if MS doesn't have ammunition to use against Linux on the patent front.
It's not just a matter of people considering MS bad, but of how bad, or in what ways they are bad with specificity. Within IT departments with internal struggles between the MS camps and the Linux camps, this will (hopefully) give the Linux guys a little more juice.
I don't know how many companies have slowed Linux adoption, but by most accounts there hasn't been a meaningful slowdown. However, as you say, there hasn't been a definitive study. If you want to accuse me of mindlessly repeating Linux Happy Talk, I'd have to plead Guilty As Charged.
Anyway, thanks for the reminder not to get too smug. There are more battles ahead, to be sure.
He lied about who owned the domain name, saying he had sold it to someone else. If this was in the course of a police investigation, then it is a crime.
Lying is almost always wrong, and in some cases it is illegal.
If you plan on playing hardball with the cops, get a good lawyer and follow his or her advice BEFORE you commit to a course of action.
I'm going to have to give some ground here. If the guy was just holding your data or my data hostage, it's unlikely that we could get the local sheriff to go seize the data and any related assets as well as arrest him. You and I don't have the juice and we'd need a court order to get any assistance from law enforcement.
.OK, that's pushing it a little. Fire Engine != Data
However, what makes this slightly different is that he was interfering with the operation of a public safety agency. If he had been a mechanic and done free work on the fire department's fire engines, and then stolen one after demanding money . .
I guess the point is, if you're going to do something illegal, don't do it to the police.
Sure you can. Just walk away, and don't attempt to extort money from your pro bono client. Leave them the website and the domain name.
"It's like giving the Sheriff a gun for his birthday and then having him shoot you with it!"
No, it's more like giving the Sheriff a gun, then trying to wrestle it away, and getting shot in the process.
He was holding the website and the domain hostage. If he merely walked away, why did he lie about ownership of the domain?
I think you dropped a zero, but I'm not sure, since you didn't show your work.