User: jj421

Re:Too bad we don't have rules to deal with this

On: Midwest Seeing Red Over 'Green' Traffic Lights

This only works if the cars behind you can do the same. Not a sure thing in a snow storm.

Re:Customer Service?

On: Google Has All My Data – How Do I Back It Up?

Ads? What ads?

Re:Colour?

On: First Pictures From Mars Phoenix Lander

Why are the photos black & white? The purpose of these photos is to confirm that the lander has deployed correctly. Because of the limited bandwidth size == speed and black and white pictures are smaller.

One more closed service

On: Jaiku Bought By Google, Some Fear Privacy Issues

I have to admit, I am getting a little sick of Google purchasing Web 2.0 sites and closing them to new users. I was literally on my way to register when I found out that Jaiku had gone the way of GrandCentral...

Re:I suspect that there is more to the story...

On: Coppola Loses All His Data

(I offsite a 500gb backup every month or so) Unless you use Comcast or some other ISP with an upload limit.

Re:vim 7 does this

On: Programmer's Language-Aware Spell Checker?

Vim's on-the-fly spell checking is particularly well suited to programming. When syntax highlighting is enabled, it will only check the spelling of comments and strings. Try ':help spell' for more information.

Re:Why it existed

On: AT&T Stops 'Time', Ends An Era

That's probably because they use that "metric" time over there. :-)

Re:Wow!

On: Building a Fast Wikipedia Offline Reader

There *IS* a PDA version using http://tomeraider.com/. The 2005 dump of the database weighs in at about 1.1GB without images (or less if you want a smaller, less complete set). For a 2007 version of the database, you can buy a version on DVD or process it yourself using the instructions here: http://infodisiac.com/Wikipedia/index.html.

Is the patent chest open for everyone?

On: Groklaw Explains Microsoft and the GPLv3

Lets assume that Microsoft is "caught" by GPLv3. I don't think that the implications are as broad as some assume. From TFA (and GPLv3):

If, pursuant to or in connection with a single transaction or arrangement, you convey, or propagate by procuring conveyance of, a covered work, and grant a patent license to some of the parties receiving the covered work authorizing them to use, propagate, modify or convey a specific copy of the covered work, then the patent license you grant is automatically extended to all recipients of the covered work and works based on it. As I read it Microsoft would be required to grant a patent license to the specific package and derived works that were conveyed under GPLv3 and that contained code covered under that patent. Linux, the kernel, would not then be protected from patent assault since it won't be distributed under GPLv3 and it isn't a derived work. As I read it, the only way to get patent protection from GPLv3 is to release your code under GPLv3.

Re:Inaccurate? Maybe if you misread it badly...

On: CBC News Interprets GPL - Poorly

If only there was a way to mod Zonks "article" -1 troll or - 1 flamebait... Ah ... That would be Digg.

Re:Computers are more complicated than cars...

On: VM Enables 'Write-Once, Run Anywhere' Linux Apps

User: OK, I just got into my new car. Nothing happens. Now what? Support: Well, have you installed an engine? User: An engine?!? I just bought a new car, why should I need an engine? Support: We could hardly know how you are going to use your new car. How could we know which engine to install? User: Fine. Where can I get an engine. Support: I can't tell you that. There are patent restrictions regarding engines you will have to look for the correct engine in a repository somewhere. User: Well how am I supposed to drive my new car??? Support: Don't get me started on drivers...

Re:meta-editing

On: Nanotechnology Reveals Hidden Fingerprints

I am positive it will be helpful in solving many a criminal mini-series.