Go into your/. user settings (preferences) and on the comments page, set 'Display Link domains' to 'Always show link domains'.
It does at leat give you the chance to think before you click. I mean, what do you think a link to a site named Goatsex is going to reveal?
Happy hunting.
The only reason the competitor could possibly have for dissassembling the binary code would be to copy it for their own benefit.
Absolutely. And to be honest, why not? Fixing your software bugs (because you won't) and improving the interoperability of my software (with yours) are definitely for my benefit.
In regard to the wider issue, the courts here in Australia would by no means automatically agree to the legality of an EULA that placed 'undue restrictions' on my common law right, especially when those restrictions can be seen to be anti-competative. In this particular case however, after having read the article and assuming that the information given was accurate, I think the American courts made the right decision. To be honest, this actually appears to be more an issue of software component theft (exact reproduction of errors in a UI?), than one of reverse engineering.
There's little, however, that can be done (in today's corporatist environment) to prevent the granting of idiotic patents.
I cannot agree that the inaction of those who are in a postition to actually do something (most likely because they are polititians who have been bought out by big corporations) means that nothing can be done. Plenty can be done. It's a simple matter that those who can will not.
Making internet available to them allows them to be at least somewhat competitive on the global market.
Making internet available to them allows them to study up on the rediculous tariff protection which countries like the USA will be using to ensure that they can never really compete in the biggest markets.
Which might be a relevant fact were blackmail occuring.
A group of XBox hackers, who may well live in placed where reverse engineering products is legal (for compatibility etc), have found a way to run Linux on the XBox without a modchip. The method used will also assist with running pirated games, but this is *clearly* not the intended use. To this end, the group have asked Microsoft to release a signed Linux boot loader. This will achieve the exact same result, whilst allowing Microsoft to help address the issue of piracy.
They have informed Microsoft that further development and an eventual release will occur, should they decline the offer to assist. If further development and an eventual release is a legal right for those concerned, then no laws are broken.
A key issue here is that the only people breaking any laws, will be those who are subject to the provisions of the DMCA, and who also obtain\distribute\use the end result.
And you know who that is don't you. God bless America.
Actually, the only claim I can find as to it being a total conversion, is the claim made in the summary above by the submitter to slashdot. It's a case of the (anonymous) slashdot submitter making things up as they go along.
We have this where I live. There are two main motorways exiting the city heading north and south (city stretches north and south along a coastal plain). The north motorway has a train track running up the middle and one is being constructed in similar fashion down the middle of the other. The train stations are either serviced by buses (bringing people in from the outlying areas) or have secure parking available (or both).
Many people still prefer to crawl through traffic jams though. It's quite funny cruising along the cycle paths next to the motorway, knowing that despite the distance, I'll get to town before they do in peak hour.
Apart from the obvious colour coding already mentioned, how about an embedded RFID tag in the sticker, and some strategically placed monitoring stations. That way, they don't even need the cops. Maybe they could go and do something useful instead, like fighting crime or something. Continue using the lane when your sticker expires and your fine could be waiting in your inbox when you reach your home/office.
You must have missed the bit about a population 3 times the size. For China, that equates to significantly more educated brain power than the good old USA.
Hate to break it to ya, but the DMCA doesn't apply in Australia... it's an American law...
Even better still, mod chips are legal here in Australia. Some of you will remember a previous/. article where Microsoft threatened to stop selling the XBOX here because of a court ruling that selling mod-chips for the PS2 was not a violation of Australian law.
Don't get to carried away with Australian law though. Some of ours are tougher than American laws. This is a country where recording TV programs to watch at your convenience actually breaks the law. Not a lot of people realize this.
No, it is not a dupe. This story is a follow-up to a previous one. The linked article is an on-line response to that which was previously covered. Follow ups are a part of good journalism.
Using the images of copyrighted characters for "skins" doesn't fall under any of "criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research".
What if someone modified the skins by adding "Marvel sucks" written across the characters chest or back. Would that constitute critisism?
Non-transferrability, now, there is an interesting idea. Let's talk about that.
If I was to invent and patent something, where the patent lasted for 20 years before the idea became public property, I could then sell an exclusive right to use the idea for 20 years. How is this any different to selling the patent outright (transfer of ownership)?
How long until SCO claim that SCO IP was stolen and put into plan9?
They already have. The linked article is dates June 16 2003. Since many do not appear to read the articles...
"... We believe that UNIX System V provided the basic building blocks for all subsequent computer operating systems, and that they all tend to be derived from UNIX System V (and therefore are claimed as SCO's intellectual property)."
This obviously included Microsofts operating systems as well. And despite Microsoft having paid for a licence recently, they do not appear to be ruling out going after the beast at a later date.
"So is anybody clean? What about Apple and Microsoft?" I wondered. "Sun is clean," he saidâ"but he gave no answer in regards to Apple and Microsoft.
"But I thought that Microsoft had signed a license agreement?" "No," Sontag said. Microsoft merely licensed an "applications interface layer."
Personally I'm looking forward to the day when I can put all my (legally purchased) movie and music collection on my hard drive and throw away those DVDs, CDs and VHS tapes that take up so much space.
Well I hope you have kept all of your receipts, otherwise you are throwing away all proof that you have a legitimate right to have the said movies and music on your hard drive in the first place.
Principles concerning the right of reply in the on-line environment
Definitions
For the purposes of this Recommendation:
the term "professional on-line media" means any natural or legal person or other entity whose main professional activity is to engage in the collection, dissemination and/or editing of information to the public on a regular basis via the Internet. [Emphasis mine]
Right. That clears most of the bloggers, amongst others.
Now just imagine for one second, that a company like Microsoft who has a habit of posting much FUD on its web sites regarding Linux, and Open sourced Software in general, might be required to post, or at least link directly (and prominantly) to, replies which refute many of their claims.
Sure, this proposed convention might have some downsides, but it could also serve a very worthy purpose.
Slashdot Mirror
If you must know, the Australian bastardisation of the English language is known as 'Strine'.
Seriously, what beer do Ausies drink?
:)
When someone else is shouting, we'll drink any beer
Go into your /. user settings (preferences) and on the comments page, set 'Display Link domains' to 'Always show link domains'.
It does at leat give you the chance to think before you click. I mean, what do you think a link to a site named Goatsex is going to reveal?
Happy hunting.
Reverse engineering is nothing more than the common theft of intelectual property.
Here in Australia, reverse engineering of software is actually my legal right.
The only reason the competitor could possibly have for dissassembling the binary code would be to copy it for their own benefit.
Absolutely. And to be honest, why not? Fixing your software bugs (because you won't) and improving the interoperability of my software (with yours) are definitely for my benefit.
In regard to the wider issue, the courts here in Australia would by no means automatically agree to the legality of an EULA that placed 'undue restrictions' on my common law right, especially when those restrictions can be seen to be anti-competative. In this particular case however, after having read the article and assuming that the information given was accurate, I think the American courts made the right decision. To be honest, this actually appears to be more an issue of software component theft (exact reproduction of errors in a UI?), than one of reverse engineering.
No. You are free to use whatever you develop. That will never change. What you will not be able to do is to sell your product and make money with it.
There's little, however, that can be done (in today's corporatist environment) to prevent the granting of idiotic patents.
I cannot agree that the inaction of those who are in a postition to actually do something (most likely because they are polititians who have been bought out by big corporations) means that nothing can be done. Plenty can be done. It's a simple matter that those who can will not.
Can we please drop this pretense that DNF stands for 'Duke Nukem Forever'. We all know that it really means 'Do Not Finish'.
Making internet available to them allows them to be at least somewhat competitive on the global market.
Making internet available to them allows them to study up on the rediculous tariff protection which countries like the USA will be using to ensure that they can never really compete in the biggest markets.
You do know that in the summer, the sun never goes down either?
What, like a geeks non-existant girlfriend?
Actually, he's the bastard child of a thousand maniacs.
Which might be a relevant fact were blackmail occuring.
A group of XBox hackers, who may well live in placed where reverse engineering products is legal (for compatibility etc), have found a way to run Linux on the XBox without a modchip. The method used will also assist with running pirated games, but this is *clearly* not the intended use. To this end, the group have asked Microsoft to release a signed Linux boot loader. This will achieve the exact same result, whilst allowing Microsoft to help address the issue of piracy.
They have informed Microsoft that further development and an eventual release will occur, should they decline the offer to assist. If further development and an eventual release is a legal right for those concerned, then no laws are broken.
A key issue here is that the only people breaking any laws, will be those who are subject to the provisions of the DMCA, and who also obtain\distribute\use the end result.
And you know who that is don't you. God bless America.
Actually, the only claim I can find as to it being a total conversion, is the claim made in the summary above by the submitter to slashdot. It's a case of the (anonymous) slashdot submitter making things up as they go along.
We have this where I live. There are two main motorways exiting the city heading north and south (city stretches north and south along a coastal plain). The north motorway has a train track running up the middle and one is being constructed in similar fashion down the middle of the other. The train stations are either serviced by buses (bringing people in from the outlying areas) or have secure parking available (or both).
Many people still prefer to crawl through traffic jams though. It's quite funny cruising along the cycle paths next to the motorway, knowing that despite the distance, I'll get to town before they do in peak hour.
Apart from the obvious colour coding already mentioned, how about an embedded RFID tag in the sticker, and some strategically placed monitoring stations. That way, they don't even need the cops. Maybe they could go and do something useful instead, like fighting crime or something. Continue using the lane when your sticker expires and your fine could be waiting in your inbox when you reach your home/office.
You must have missed the bit about a population 3 times the size. For China, that equates to significantly more educated brain power than the good old USA.
Hate to break it to ya, but the DMCA doesn't apply in Australia... it's an American law...
/. article where Microsoft threatened to stop selling the XBOX here because of a court ruling that selling mod-chips for the PS2 was not a violation of Australian law.
Even better still, mod chips are legal here in Australia. Some of you will remember a previous
Don't get to carried away with Australian law though. Some of ours are tougher than American laws. This is a country where recording TV programs to watch at your convenience actually breaks the law. Not a lot of people realize this.
"Who became an absorbing avatar with which to explore a virtual world, and who was just plain painful to look at?"
Lara "They can't possibly be real" Croft.
She fits the former group and is definitely not in the latter. Dare I admit it.
No, it is not a dupe. This story is a follow-up to a previous one. The linked article is an on-line response to that which was previously covered. Follow ups are a part of good journalism.
Using the images of copyrighted characters for "skins" doesn't fall under any of "criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research".
What if someone modified the skins by adding "Marvel sucks" written across the characters chest or back. Would that constitute critisism?
Non-transferrability, now, there is an interesting idea. Let's talk about that.
If I was to invent and patent something, where the patent lasted for 20 years before the idea became public property, I could then sell an exclusive right to use the idea for 20 years. How is this any different to selling the patent outright (transfer of ownership)?
How long until SCO claim that SCO IP was stolen and put into plan9?
...
They already have. The linked article is dates June 16 2003. Since many do not appear to read the articles
"... We believe that UNIX System V provided the basic building blocks for all subsequent computer operating systems, and that they all tend to be derived from UNIX System V (and therefore are claimed as SCO's intellectual property)."
This obviously included Microsofts operating systems as well. And despite Microsoft having paid for a licence recently, they do not appear to be ruling out going after the beast at a later date.
"So is anybody clean? What about Apple and Microsoft?" I wondered. "Sun is clean," he saidâ"but he gave no answer in regards to Apple and Microsoft. "But I thought that Microsoft had signed a license agreement?" "No," Sontag said. Microsoft merely licensed an "applications interface layer."
Personally I'm looking forward to the day when I can put all my (legally purchased) movie and music collection on my hard drive and throw away those DVDs, CDs and VHS tapes that take up so much space.
Well I hope you have kept all of your receipts, otherwise you are throwing away all proof that you have a legitimate right to have the said movies and music on your hard drive in the first place.
Convergence of Biology and Computers? It's already happened.
Everyone knows that planet earth is the biggest beowulf cluster in the universe.
[ducks]
I think people should go and read the proposal.
Principles concerning the right of reply in the on-line environment
Definitions
For the purposes of this Recommendation:
the term "professional on-line media" means any natural or legal person or other entity whose main professional activity is to engage in the collection, dissemination and/or editing of information to the public on a regular basis via the Internet. [Emphasis mine]
Right. That clears most of the bloggers, amongst others.
Now just imagine for one second, that a company like Microsoft who has a habit of posting much FUD on its web sites regarding Linux, and Open sourced Software in general, might be required to post, or at least link directly (and prominantly) to, replies which refute many of their claims.
Sure, this proposed convention might have some downsides, but it could also serve a very worthy purpose.
How high does the voltage need to be before one requires an electricians licence to work on such a vehicle. Could it put many mechanics out of a job?