I've read about that too. It's interesting, but it definitely doesn't apply to my situation. It seems like a very specific case (for very expensive software).
But I'm talking about the ethics of intentionally helping the person who made it available. I mean, TPB obviously knows the site facilitates the copying of copyrighted materials. It is called The PIRATE Bay.
It seems like that argument is ducking the ethical question.
The response to TPB here on Slashdot seems overwhelmingly positive, so maybe I've been missing something. I'm honestly curious. As a commercial software developer who works very hard and doesn't want to see my work made available for free, why would I approve of what TPB are doing? I mean, if people don't pay for the apps I make, then my kids don't eat (well, or I have to go find something else to do that I'd probably enjoy less).
I remember the first time I saw one of my apps made available on a pirate site. It was a horrible feeling. I wanted to find and beat the crap out of the guy who made it available.
I'm looking for a well written and researched piece that can tell me why TPB and other such sites are good for society, not some crap "I just want stuff for free" argument.
I mean, a lot of justifications I've seen for what they're doing are based around legal arguments (some would say loopholes). I'm actually more interested in the ethical side of things. Why is making it easy for people to steal ethical?
I always assumed that scanning yearbook photos and putting them on the web would violate copyright law.
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html
Am I missing something?
Still, I doubt that security is the only reason for this. I mean, why the licensing restriction then? Wouldn't a configuration UI suffice? Also, from what I remember, Blue Pill is mostly about fooling the primary OS instance (the "host" instance), not about the "guest" instance. Why restrict the "guest" instance at all?
Business Week recently did an article on alternatives to e-mail, which discussed wikis. The point of the article is that wikis are increasinly being used to replace e-mail as a collaboration tool (IM is also discussed). Anyone who as ever sent around an e-mail requesting comments from multiple people understands that technique's limitations. Nothing really new in the article, but it does indicate more mainstream adoption. It also gives some examples of companies who are using the technology (and how).
I achieved a MS in Software Development and Management through the Rochester Institute of Technology entirely online. There are positives and negatives, but (for me) the positives outweighed the negatives. When I started working towards the degree I lived in an area without many graduate degree options and I was travelling a lot, so it was pretty much the only option I had short of quiting my job and moving somewhere else.
The amount you learn is dependent on the amount of time you put into it, just like with ANY coursework. The thing that surprised me, and might surprise others, is that the interaction between students was actually greater with the online courses (your mileage may vary, of course). The reason is that in most courses you had to publish short essays that expressed your thoughts. The other students actually had to read and comment on them ("participation" grades generally depended on this). So you had a lot of discussion about various topics. The medium also allowed you to truely think through and research things before engaging in a discussion (just like everyone does here on Slashdot). Granted, the interaction is on a different (non-personal) level.
The major downside is that complex topics are sometimes difficult to communicate. The professors do carry office hours, just like traditional courses, so you can call or IM him/her.
Another thing to consider is that online options are growing significantly. A lot of the skepticism will disappear over time (this is already happening, I think). Most universities have or will get into this due to the economics. The market is quite large for people who want to further their education, but couldn't otherwise do it without a flexible program.
Now your mileage will vary depending on your personality. Are you the type of person who NEEDS a structured environment? If so, then this might not be for you.
I'd have to agree with those who suggest against the online option for undergrad work, but it really depends on your situation (i.e. what are your alternatives?)
Anyway, good luck.
Re:Yes, but who's fault is it? Not MS'!
on
Shattering Windows
·
· Score: 3, Informative
I'm not sure how you determined this, but on my computer the "New User" window on my system is put up by mmc.exe, which is being run by me.
I verified this using Spy++ (from Visual C++) and Proccess Explorer (www.sysinternals.com).
Slashdot Mirror
I've read about that too. It's interesting, but it definitely doesn't apply to my situation. It seems like a very specific case (for very expensive software).
But I'm talking about the ethics of intentionally helping the person who made it available. I mean, TPB obviously knows the site facilitates the copying of copyrighted materials. It is called The PIRATE Bay.
It seems like that argument is ducking the ethical question.
The response to TPB here on Slashdot seems overwhelmingly positive, so maybe I've been missing something. I'm honestly curious. As a commercial software developer who works very hard and doesn't want to see my work made available for free, why would I approve of what TPB are doing? I mean, if people don't pay for the apps I make, then my kids don't eat (well, or I have to go find something else to do that I'd probably enjoy less).
I remember the first time I saw one of my apps made available on a pirate site. It was a horrible feeling. I wanted to find and beat the crap out of the guy who made it available.
I'm looking for a well written and researched piece that can tell me why TPB and other such sites are good for society, not some crap "I just want stuff for free" argument.
I mean, a lot of justifications I've seen for what they're doing are based around legal arguments (some would say loopholes). I'm actually more interested in the ethical side of things. Why is making it easy for people to steal ethical?
I always assumed that scanning yearbook photos and putting them on the web would violate copyright law. http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html Am I missing something?
My initial reaction is that it's somehow related to Blue Pill. See http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1983037,00.as p for a brief discussion of Blue Pill. See http://theinvisiblethings.blogspot.com/2006/06/int roducing-blue-pill.html for the original publication.
Still, I doubt that security is the only reason for this. I mean, why the licensing restriction then? Wouldn't a configuration UI suffice? Also, from what I remember, Blue Pill is mostly about fooling the primary OS instance (the "host" instance), not about the "guest" instance. Why restrict the "guest" instance at all?
Business Week recently did an article on alternatives to e-mail, which discussed wikis. The point of the article is that wikis are increasinly being used to replace e-mail as a collaboration tool (IM is also discussed). Anyone who as ever sent around an e-mail requesting comments from multiple people understands that technique's limitations. Nothing really new in the article, but it does indicate more mainstream adoption. It also gives some examples of companies who are using the technology (and how).
I achieved a MS in Software Development and Management through the Rochester Institute of Technology entirely online. There are positives and negatives, but (for me) the positives outweighed the negatives. When I started working towards the degree I lived in an area without many graduate degree options and I was travelling a lot, so it was pretty much the only option I had short of quiting my job and moving somewhere else.
The amount you learn is dependent on the amount of time you put into it, just like with ANY coursework. The thing that surprised me, and might surprise others, is that the interaction between students was actually greater with the online courses (your mileage may vary, of course). The reason is that in most courses you had to publish short essays that expressed your thoughts. The other students actually had to read and comment on them ("participation" grades generally depended on this). So you had a lot of discussion about various topics. The medium also allowed you to truely think through and research things before engaging in a discussion (just like everyone does here on Slashdot). Granted, the interaction is on a different (non-personal) level.
The major downside is that complex topics are sometimes difficult to communicate. The professors do carry office hours, just like traditional courses, so you can call or IM him/her.
Another thing to consider is that online options are growing significantly. A lot of the skepticism will disappear over time (this is already happening, I think). Most universities have or will get into this due to the economics. The market is quite large for people who want to further their education, but couldn't otherwise do it without a flexible program.
Now your mileage will vary depending on your personality. Are you the type of person who NEEDS a structured environment? If so, then this might not be for you.
I'd have to agree with those who suggest against the online option for undergrad work, but it really depends on your situation (i.e. what are your alternatives?)
Anyway, good luck.
I'm not sure how you determined this, but on my computer the "New User" window on my system is put up by mmc.exe, which is being run by me.
I verified this using Spy++ (from Visual C++) and Proccess Explorer (www.sysinternals.com).