How is it any different...
on
iPod-Jacked
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· Score: 1
... from the iTunes sharing of tunes over the LAN? No copies are made to the receiving party, after all (even less of a copy even, if you consider that you could record the incoming stream from iTunes), and the "listen only" model might just encourage the listener to buy the new music they just heard.
If the American people are so blind as to ignore the obvious problems with these e-voting machines, then they DESERVE whatever form of government corruption they end up with
I agree with the rest of your comments but not your opening statement, and I'm not even American.
If it was some backwater country that had little ability to affect its neighbours, and the people's apathy let a tyrant get into power, who then screwed over the people, that's another story.
But like it or not, the US is one of the biggest influences in the world today, capable of, among other things, waging a major war halfway around the world with or without consent by the UN. If that is truly the will of the majority of American voters, as represented by the president they voted in, then so be it. But if that president is in reality put in place by a minority of people that can affect election results behind the scenes, and have a vested interest in putting or keeping that person in power, then that's to the detriment of all of us.
I want nothing to do with a banking group that tolerates the operations of one of its susidiaries, Primerica, which is nothing more than a multi-level marketing scheme. After one of their many, many "regional vice presidents" tried to recruit me into their scheme, I cancelled my credit card with them.
the spoilsports with the non proliferation treaties probably have something to do with this lack of tactical nukes in your christmas stocking
Not a problem if you're Captain John "Glowboy" Sheridan, no siree!
His answer to any intractable enemy is to hit them with tactical nukes. First the Minbari, then the Shadows, then Shadows AND the Vorlons, and finally against the Thirdspace aliens. I reckon he set off more nukes personally in ten years than did all the Earthforce brass combined.
Say, those non-proliferation types are kind of an intractable foe, aren't they...?
Mostly you're forgetting about pedestrians. Every try crossing the road when no one gives a damn that you have the right of way? When I was in China the drivers facing the red honked at you if you even dared step onto the road like the "walk" sign said you could. They didn't even slow down.
Secondly there are too many intersections in a city to have no traffic controls. It'd be like having a stop sign at every major intersection, without the benefit of knowing who gets to go next.
Roundabouts? Impractical in the middle of a city, and have fun plowing the snow from there in the winter. Bonus points if there's been freezing rain.
OK, seems everyone's jumping on me for that "votin in Australia is compulsory" statement;-)
I knew Aussies weren't forced to actually choose someone, and they just show up at the polls, as everyone's been saying. In my mind though this has always amounted to the same thing, even if you spoil your ballot.
You could just add a second column, i.e. there are "yes" and "no" boxes for each candidate. With every candidate having a set preference the corrupt official can't add a tick to count a vote to his master, and he can't take one away either, without spoiling the ballot.
I'd suggest a blank line for each candidate where voters have to write Y/N (or T/F) to the question "do you support this candidate?"), but that's inherently machine-unfriendly.
Takes a bit more time, having to fill out every single box (especially considering California's recent election, where IIRC over a hundred candidates were running for governor?)... but a move to proven e-voting would fix this quick. Check off all the ones you prefer then click the "say no [or yes] to all unmarked candidates on my ballot". Confirm, print receipt, done.
How about this then, if you didn't vote then you cannot in all reason expect to be taken seriously when you complain about the actions of the government.
Mind you, in the current system those in power aren't supposed to know whether you voted or not. Or, for that matter, whether you voted for him or the other guy.
The representative is supposed to represent ALL of those in his electoral district, whether or not they did vote. Or even *could* vote (minors fr example).
Though I suggested voting be forced I don't really consider it an option myself, believe it or not. Canada doesn't have forced voting either. I don't know how Australia handles the issue of "check off any random candidate because I have to vote"; in an ideal world everyone would just know the issues and candidates better, but then in an ideal world everyone would vote to begin with.
On the draft issue--Canada also doesn't have a draft, and the couple times it came up in our history (WWI and II) it was such a contentious issue the actual draftees never saw action before the war was over. BTW, I never said I was in favour of a draft--just pointing out it's a cumpulsory duty that comes with living in the US (and other countries too).
The draft may have been a bad example, and ok, paying taxes is also necessary to keep the government running (and voting isn't necessary in the strictest sense)... how about jury duty? Just a month ago I had to respond to a request for possible jury duty in the next year. Failure to respond within 6 days without valid reason would've landed me with a sizable fine and/or jail. Unlike the draft, jury duty does not put my life in danger (leave aside hypothetical blackmail, because it can happen to voters too), but unless I have a good reason to refuse I may have to serve as part of a jury. I imagine the US has a similar system. Who *wants* to serve as a juror in a case involving criminal acts against children? Most wouldn't, but they aren't free to refuse serving their country in that capacity without a good reason.
I didn't mean to seriously suggest compulsory voting, but my point was to address the "duty to country" principle. No political system allows the people to be truly and completely free, not even the US.
BTW, I've been thinking maybe there should be a "negative count" ballot for elections. I think we've gotten too cynical of our politicians of late, so we can't really say we want so and so in office. However, I would LOVE if there were a "I DO NOT want this candidate in power" option, and checking off a candidate would DEDUCT a vote (or maybe just a half-vote) from him/her. I bet that would increase turnout substantially...
Aside from the double-meaning of my title (e.g. SI = metric system, something the US is also adverse to adopting), I see a couple obstacles facing the Aussie company if they want to break into the US market.
1) Imagine the outcry from Americans when they learn they're contracting a foreign company to handle their voting system. Oddly enough they won't have cared that Diebold's being all secretive and evasive about their own flaws while SI is open and honest and better suited to uphold the fair democratic system the US claims to cherish. To them I'd say ditch the NIH (not invented here) syndrome--if it works better than what you have, either make a competing product that's truly better or shut up about it.
2) Diebold will use MS' tactics, calling SI's system "un-American". Again, double meaning, but this time I mean because it's open source.
3) Watch Diebold play points 1 and 2 to the hilt, calling on its political ties to ensure SI never gets a foothold in the US. In so doing they pull a two-fer, by simultaneously kicking out a leg from under the democratic underpinnings of the US, as well as another leg from the "capitalist" system the US also claims to be, e.g. where companies compete based on the merits of the product and marketing, without political interference.
Incidentally, the Australian system requires you by law to vote. Maybe that's something the US ought to consider importing too. Argue if you want about being free to NOT vote, but voting is a duty, not just a right, and you should be compelled to do it. Just like you are to report to training if you get drafted, or filing a tax return--you're not free to refuse either of those without legal consequences, right?
What's sad about my writing this is that I have no influence in US politics, being a Canadian, but I seem to have more interest in your politics than the majority of voting Americans, who don't even bother to go to the polls.
Motorcycles. Generally I cannot trigger a light change to save my life, so I sit there like an idiot waiting for a car to come up behind me and hopefully get close enough to trigger it for me. Especially annoying at intersections where one must wait for a green arrow to turn left
Not a problem where I live. Our traffic sensors are sensitive enough that a simple bicycle--which has way less metal than any motorcycle--will trigger them. At most intersections this area is indicated with three yellow circles arranged in a line. I've used these often in left-turn lanes to trigger advance greens with no cars behind me.
Oddly enough, Apple. After Steve Jobs came back though. Word is Apple agreed not to sue MS for stealing code from Quicktime, in exchange for cross-licensing of technologies, a $150M investment in non-voting shares of Apple (more PR than anything; Apple was still financially fairly secure at the time), and a commitment from MS to develop Office for Mac (and get a port to the then-forthcoming OS X) for another 5 years (which is now up).
Look where Apple is now. Market share may still be small, but they're the bleeding edge in many corners of the industry.
Funny thing is the new iPod software has a simple game that does exactly the reverse. It plays a few seconds from a song, gives the list of five titles and YOU have to guess which song it is!
The potential for an "In Soviet Russia" crack is too easy...
For all the comments saying "1 million songs bought != 1 million Windows buyers", it should also be noted that it's highly unlikely that all 1 million Windows iTunes downloads were from the US either. You probably have a fair number downloading from countries that can't buy music from iTMS yet.
Slashdot Mirror
... from the iTunes sharing of tunes over the LAN? No copies are made to the receiving party, after all (even less of a copy even, if you consider that you could record the incoming stream from iTunes), and the "listen only" model might just encourage the listener to buy the new music they just heard.
Nope--Ellen Feiss was a featured Switcher for Apple.
You realize there's no way in hell lawyers will let this happen, right?
Bring it on! Finally, chicks have incentive to hook up with us /. geeks!
read what *I* quoted. Sigh, I just *knew* someone would misinterpret what "pair" I was referring to.
Finally, a reality show I'd actually watch!
The very last thing a teenage girl needs, is for the bullying webpage to let the world know that she grew a pair.
You had me going up 'til there. Most Aussies HATE Fosters. VB (Victoria Bitter) is the preferred poison.
I agree with the rest of your comments but not your opening statement, and I'm not even American.
If it was some backwater country that had little ability to affect its neighbours, and the people's apathy let a tyrant get into power, who then screwed over the people, that's another story.
But like it or not, the US is one of the biggest influences in the world today, capable of, among other things, waging a major war halfway around the world with or without consent by the UN. If that is truly the will of the majority of American voters, as represented by the president they voted in, then so be it. But if that president is in reality put in place by a minority of people that can affect election results behind the scenes, and have a vested interest in putting or keeping that person in power, then that's to the detriment of all of us.
I want nothing to do with a banking group that tolerates the operations of one of its susidiaries, Primerica, which is nothing more than a multi-level marketing scheme. After one of their many, many "regional vice presidents" tried to recruit me into their scheme, I cancelled my credit card with them.
Not a problem if you're Captain John "Glowboy" Sheridan, no siree!
His answer to any intractable enemy is to hit them with tactical nukes. First the Minbari, then the Shadows, then Shadows AND the Vorlons, and finally against the Thirdspace aliens. I reckon he set off more nukes personally in ten years than did all the Earthforce brass combined.
Say, those non-proliferation types are kind of an intractable foe, aren't they...?
Mostly you're forgetting about pedestrians. Every try crossing the road when no one gives a damn that you have the right of way? When I was in China the drivers facing the red honked at you if you even dared step onto the road like the "walk" sign said you could. They didn't even slow down.
Secondly there are too many intersections in a city to have no traffic controls. It'd be like having a stop sign at every major intersection, without the benefit of knowing who gets to go next.
Roundabouts? Impractical in the middle of a city, and have fun plowing the snow from there in the winter. Bonus points if there's been freezing rain.
OK, seems everyone's jumping on me for that "votin in Australia is compulsory" statement ;-)
I knew Aussies weren't forced to actually choose someone, and they just show up at the polls, as everyone's been saying. In my mind though this has always amounted to the same thing, even if you spoil your ballot.
Thanks everyone for the clarification.
You could just add a second column, i.e. there are "yes" and "no" boxes for each candidate. With every candidate having a set preference the corrupt official can't add a tick to count a vote to his master, and he can't take one away either, without spoiling the ballot.
I'd suggest a blank line for each candidate where voters have to write Y/N (or T/F) to the question "do you support this candidate?"), but that's inherently machine-unfriendly.
Takes a bit more time, having to fill out every single box (especially considering California's recent election, where IIRC over a hundred candidates were running for governor?)... but a move to proven e-voting would fix this quick. Check off all the ones you prefer then click the "say no [or yes] to all unmarked candidates on my ballot". Confirm, print receipt, done.
Mind you, in the current system those in power aren't supposed to know whether you voted or not. Or, for that matter, whether you voted for him or the other guy.
The representative is supposed to represent ALL of those in his electoral district, whether or not they did vote. Or even *could* vote (minors fr example).
Though I suggested voting be forced I don't really consider it an option myself, believe it or not. Canada doesn't have forced voting either. I don't know how Australia handles the issue of "check off any random candidate because I have to vote"; in an ideal world everyone would just know the issues and candidates better, but then in an ideal world everyone would vote to begin with.
On the draft issue--Canada also doesn't have a draft, and the couple times it came up in our history (WWI and II) it was such a contentious issue the actual draftees never saw action before the war was over. BTW, I never said I was in favour of a draft--just pointing out it's a cumpulsory duty that comes with living in the US (and other countries too).
The draft may have been a bad example, and ok, paying taxes is also necessary to keep the government running (and voting isn't necessary in the strictest sense)... how about jury duty? Just a month ago I had to respond to a request for possible jury duty in the next year. Failure to respond within 6 days without valid reason would've landed me with a sizable fine and/or jail. Unlike the draft, jury duty does not put my life in danger (leave aside hypothetical blackmail, because it can happen to voters too), but unless I have a good reason to refuse I may have to serve as part of a jury. I imagine the US has a similar system. Who *wants* to serve as a juror in a case involving criminal acts against children? Most wouldn't, but they aren't free to refuse serving their country in that capacity without a good reason.
I didn't mean to seriously suggest compulsory voting, but my point was to address the "duty to country" principle. No political system allows the people to be truly and completely free, not even the US.
BTW, I've been thinking maybe there should be a "negative count" ballot for elections. I think we've gotten too cynical of our politicians of late, so we can't really say we want so and so in office. However, I would LOVE if there were a "I DO NOT want this candidate in power" option, and checking off a candidate would DEDUCT a vote (or maybe just a half-vote) from him/her. I bet that would increase turnout substantially...
Aside from the double-meaning of my title (e.g. SI = metric system, something the US is also adverse to adopting), I see a couple obstacles facing the Aussie company if they want to break into the US market.
1) Imagine the outcry from Americans when they learn they're contracting a foreign company to handle their voting system. Oddly enough they won't have cared that Diebold's being all secretive and evasive about their own flaws while SI is open and honest and better suited to uphold the fair democratic system the US claims to cherish. To them I'd say ditch the NIH (not invented here) syndrome--if it works better than what you have, either make a competing product that's truly better or shut up about it.
2) Diebold will use MS' tactics, calling SI's system "un-American". Again, double meaning, but this time I mean because it's open source.
3) Watch Diebold play points 1 and 2 to the hilt, calling on its political ties to ensure SI never gets a foothold in the US. In so doing they pull a two-fer, by simultaneously kicking out a leg from under the democratic underpinnings of the US, as well as another leg from the "capitalist" system the US also claims to be, e.g. where companies compete based on the merits of the product and marketing, without political interference.
Incidentally, the Australian system requires you by law to vote. Maybe that's something the US ought to consider importing too. Argue if you want about being free to NOT vote, but voting is a duty, not just a right, and you should be compelled to do it. Just like you are to report to training if you get drafted, or filing a tax return--you're not free to refuse either of those without legal consequences, right?
What's sad about my writing this is that I have no influence in US politics, being a Canadian, but I seem to have more interest in your politics than the majority of voting Americans, who don't even bother to go to the polls.
I call fake. It wasn't written in ALL CAPS.
First, iPod prices were Australian, not Canadian (where it'd be $439).
Second, exchaterate.com reports current rates are $1USD = $1.31 Cdn = $1.42 AUD
You got modded up. Conformist!
Not a problem where I live. Our traffic sensors are sensitive enough that a simple bicycle--which has way less metal than any motorcycle--will trigger them. At most intersections this area is indicated with three yellow circles arranged in a line. I've used these often in left-turn lanes to trigger advance greens with no cars behind me.
At least no one was camping in tents in the weeks before the release... as a number of Star Wars fanboys did for Ep I.
And Ep I can't even be called enhancing one's quality of life!
Look where Apple is now. Market share may still be small, but they're the bleeding edge in many corners of the industry.
Funny thing is the new iPod software has a simple game that does exactly the reverse. It plays a few seconds from a song, gives the list of five titles and YOU have to guess which song it is! The potential for an "In Soviet Russia" crack is too easy...
For all the comments saying "1 million songs bought != 1 million Windows buyers", it should also be noted that it's highly unlikely that all 1 million Windows iTunes downloads were from the US either. You probably have a fair number downloading from countries that can't buy music from iTMS yet.