1) Picture quality So this somehow improves picture quality? Granted, image quality shouldn't degrade over time, but that's a big difference, especially if you get the NTSC feed which most of us will still be getting years after the required digital TV broadcasts in the US.
2) The ability to go to the bathroom without waiting for a commercial wow. I am amazed. You know that happens a lot. Just like when I am in the movie theater. Or I tape a program and can't be bothered to stop it.
3) Large amounts of temporary storage makes it easy to tape something for only 1 viewing without eaither wasting tape or wearing out a tape from overcopying. So what if I want to record more than 15 hours? Do I but extra "virtual tape"? Can I save and playback sessions in a conveinent format like tapes or DVD? How about exchange things with RePlay?
4) It's really not that much more expensive than a VCR Really? Personal price for 14 hours is $500. 30 hours is $1K. Plus a monthly fee of $10. Not cheap to me!
I think it's real advantages are instant access like CDs vs cassette tape and no programming. These aren't real advantages based on cost if you take the time to learn how to program a VCR or tape in SP mode. Plus, I cannot access other material. I can only access stuff I tape from TV,and really, there's not much on TV I *want* to have copies of. Those that I do are feature length films that aren't cut to begin with.
Sorry. I'm just skeptical and don't see any benefits to justify the cost. I'll wait for recordable DVD or a big pay raise.
Re:Didn't anybody even read Intel's press release?
on
Is firewire dying?
·
· Score: 2
"Read that last sentence carefully. Somehow, I don't read this as a declaration that firewire is dead, or even sick. The problem lies with biased reporting and provocative headlines, not with the technology or even the marketing."
Not to mention these common Slashdot responses that seem to be the main threads here: 1. Apple must die because they are greedy/closed/stupid: So therefore, Firewire must die. If A is bad then B must be great! 2. Ill informed or outdated knowledge: "That darn Apple, charging $1/port That's too much!" No, that's Intel FUD. Nevermind that Apple lowered the licensing cost to $.25 per system. People don't know/care about that. I also doubt many people here know how much money OEMs make on a particular hardware component, yet in this case they repeat what Intel said. 3. People not reading the actual article: Seems about half the time people here just post knee-jerk reactions to the headlines without even reading the original article. Much as you pointed out the supposed reporter did.
Look people. USB 2.0 is vaporware. You bitch about MS doing it, but in this case it must be okay because Apple owns the patent on IE1394. What logic! I guess if Intel released a press release saying Apple was dead and it was quoted in the PC press, that must mean it's true.
Its been known for some time (few months?) that MS was going to allow Office to be run off servers. It's just their ASP strategy reworded. Notice Ballmer didn't say it was going to be free. It'll be "rented".
Heck, I doubt it'd take much work to make Office2000 work on internet servers. The question is how to entice users to do that and to work out a reliable method of securing payment and preventing piracy. Although why anybody would want to run any word processing software over a dialup (or even broadband) connection is unclear to me.
Its not MS that has bought those works, but Gates himself.
I don't recall who owns Corbis, MS or Bill, but it is the largest image stock compnay in the world having relatively recently bought out one of its biggest competitors.
And besides, MS can only rewrite history for those that read their revisions!
Jeez. It looks impractical to use. How do I sit in front of this thing and comfortably type? Where do I use the mouse? If the keyboard comes out (didn't see it) is it wireless? If not there's a tangled mess like phone cords.
It seems very impractical for use but excellent to hide from thieves or gamers. Pray your visitor doesn't sit on it!
"Apple may state that the fastet G4 quite beats the fastest PentiumIII-Xeon, but they shouldn`t compete with others, like K7, Alpha."
I won't argue. But what consumer or PHB has heard of K7 or Alpha? How many know what OSs run on it? Geez, it's another part of the marketing game! You pander to what your audience knows (or thinks it knows).
I suspect Linux is cheaper to develop on the Alpha. With Compaq's finances in difficulty and no clear leadership on Alpha and where it's market should be it makes business sense to stop NT on Alpha. At least for now.
Developing Linux on Alpha and even Merced/McKinley is cheap because of the open software and eagerness of Linux developers. Given that Linux is gaining ground in the server market where Alpha would be strongest its a cheap way to hedge their bet on Alpha's future.
I think it was a business descision.
Of course, if MS is still arrogant enough to think they should be paid for the privelage of allowing NT on non-x86 systems...
Yeah the no web page thing made me think this is a very small company. Never heard of them. But then I never heard of that other PPC computer company mentioned a month or two back.
If it happens, great. More PPCs in the market is good for every everybody. If it doesn't happen, well, I can't miss what never existed.
Check this out: Donna Weinstein, a principal at the law firm of Fish & Richardson, says she was stunned when she read eMachines' rationale for its new product.
"An eMachines spokesperson said in the paper that it was hoping to trade off Apple's brand name. If I was their lawyer, I would have died when I read that," says Weinstein, who practices trademark litigation. She says it gives Apple a chance to charge eMachines with willful infringement. Apple did not return calls seeking comment.
"It is very weird why Apple just didn't adopt NextStep straight out, but instead had to tack on extra stuff. But because Apple has chosen hardware over software, their long term outlook is grim."
Oh please. If this is true why doesn't Apple take steps to sell hardware for Be and Linux users?
And since when is being an OS innovator a sign of health? If that were true Linux would be dead. There's no innovation in Linux other than the means of distribution and contribution. Its that the Linux community makes a stable OS that is drawing all the attention. And Windows isn't very innovative. Last time I checked MS was still making money hand over clenched fist on that product.
So why didn't they adopt NextStep? Well for one, they tried to. They called it Rhapsody but developers didn't want to rewrite all their apps for it and who can blame them? So they come up with the Carbon strategy.
And within the next 6 months Apple will release *2* new OSs. OSX client and Sonata/8.7/9.0 which has features your other OSs don't have.
Just because some OS isn't Linux or commands 90% market share people here think it's dead. Well fine. Until I can do graphics intensive and professional level print work on Linux I'll stick to my Mac. And don't try to push off GIMP as an answer. It's great, but doesn't have the features needed for professional designers. Maybe when Linux gets ColorSync and I can take my files down to the print shop Mac will be dead. Or maybe when I can use an Avid like OS software it will be dead. Or maybe when Adobe and Macromedia port their apps to Linux it wil be dead, but I am not holding my breath.
I'm surprised nobody else mentioned this. Linux on laptops could be a BIG market in 1-2 years, especially in high stress environments.
I also am curious as to how Linux on dedicated machines like set top boxes, handhelds, game consoles etc could benefit from this decision. After all, small devices can't run on those oversized, overheated Intel chips. More likely they'll use PPC (although not necessarily G3/G4/G5). And isn't Nintendo's Dolphin supposed to use PPC? You think anybody else could make a cheap dedicated Linux games box using these boards?
I also don't think Altivec being from Motorola is a big impediment. OEMs can modify the mobo as they see fit. I'm sure Motorola wouldn't mind selling more chips.
I also wonder if this will be the means Microsoft will use to receive annual licensing fees. It was brought up in the trial and even though MS denies they decided to use it, this prognostication combined with UCTIA and MS's investment in broadband certainly lends an air of paranoia to the possibility.
It's Mr. B's references to up-to-date software that really pushes it home for me. Maybe its the differences in the latest Win98 updates and MS's recent refusal to allow updates/fixes in other media that makes me think they want to do this rental approach to their apps. It certainly allows for better market study.
And America is tops in this kind of approach. Do you know what credit card debt is in the US?
Good Design is subjective. I think the lights look cool, especially if you don't power the server room unless necessary. The design looks pretty good, I just don't like the materials.
Would i buy it? no. But I *would* buy some computers designed by hardcore industrial designers just for personal pride provided they could run whataever OS I want.
I'd be willing to spend about 5% - 10% of the total computer price based on aesthetics, but I'm a computer nerd and in the minority.
Remembering design is subjective, I'd look at designs similar to: http://www02.u-page.so-net.ne.jp/rb3/mrc/powerba g-500.html http://www02.u-page.so-net.ne.jp/rb3/mrc/ipalm.h tml http://design.uos.ac.kr/yangyh/ENGLISH/ENLG.htmL
Attempts at starting new nations are more often than not signs of protest with the status quo. There are many challenges that have faced attempts to start new nations in the traditional sense. Some occur even in cyberspace. 1. recognition: you have to be recognized internationally or you won't go anywhere. Somebody somewhere has to recognize you in order to communicate with others outside your "nation". Even Taiwan has some (23?) nations that recognize it as independent from Red China. Look at what happened when the PLO declared an independent nation in 88 or 89. nothing. 2. resources: a physical nation needs resources in order to survive and develop. Is intellectual resources enough in cyberspace? 3. citizenship: Is citizenship hereditary? Are you just going to have people "Sign up"? what about responsibilities? When does a citizen's interest conflict with the nations? If I got around claiming to be a citizen of some cybernation and do illegal or questionable things in name of said country, what kind of restraint can they place on me, particularly in a virtual environment? 4. identity: How is one identified as belonging to a virtual country? IS it valid or binding? Can it be revoked? 5. What benefits can I really receive? A nation supposedly offers benefits to its citizens or else there is no need for it. What concrete benefits can a cyber nation offer?
This is little more than a club, which has been going on throughout history.
Check out the book "How to Start Your Own Country". I don't recall the author but it is available through Loompanics Books. Its a good resource on the history, challenges and opportunities of starting your own country.
According to an AP report I read on Thursday night (published in St Paul Pioneer Press), "Before the ban, an official estimate said 70 million people in China practiced Falun Gong, but the government later downgraded membership estimates to 2 million."
According to the New York Times (July 27) "The officials (1200 gov't followers of Falun Gong) were taken over the weekend to schools in a city in northern China, where they are being required to study Communist Party documents and to renounce any allegiance to the spiritual movement, the Information Center for Human Rights and Democratic Movement in China said Monday." and "Government organizations and quasi-governmental groups have been instructed to come forward to denounce Falun Gong, and to hold political study sessions to recite Marxist theory that few officials, and fewer ordinary people, believe in any more."
Great! Fight spiritual belief with Marxist propaganda! Let's see how effective that is in changing belief systems.
And of course, the PRC, have requested to extradite its founder who lives in the US. If the US does let Beijing have Li Hongzhi, its founder, the US will show it allows the PRC to do pretty much as it pleases.
Seems to me this is a typical crush the people ploy by the PRC, who cry wolf, suppress the perceived threat, then say the threat wasn't as bad as thought.
Regardless of whether or not a "script kiddie" spoofed addresses, it does not justify the PRC's use of intimdation and harassment against its own people. Since the movement was founded in 1992, I seriously doubt there is an organized attempt to take over the Chinese gov't by a bunch of religious fanatics as some have said here.
Please note I *do not* speak for anybody other than myself.
"Personally I believe that everyone should grow up and learn to live without censorware, but that isn't going to happen any time soon... 8-( "
Agreed. So I wonder if it there was no censorware if we'd already have laws against "indecent" or "Inappropriate" material on the net. I know it has been defeated twice before, but part of the justification for that defeat was the existence of filters.
Is it better to have imperfect filters that are driven by the market demand or a government demand banning registration or viewing of material THEY deem inappropriate?
I know neither is a realistic solution, but for me laws with *selective* enforcement are the worst kind and the kind that are passed more and more often by those in Washington.
Agreed. So pass laws that make anything (including believe it or not, destroying mailboxes) a "terroristic act" and you circumvent the law. Wouldn't be surprised in the future to see using encryption be a flag for terroist activity by LOCAL law enforcement.
I believe the FBI was involved in the army and embassy bombings because they occured on "american" soil. Still doesn't explain why they were in Australia.
Yep. The FBI does operate outside the US, mainly in a "consulting" capacity. See: http://www.info-sec.com/law/law_021998a.html-ssi (teaching Australian police profiling techniques)
http://www.csmonitor.com/durable/1997/09/02/intl /intl.2.html (about the FBI investigating the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia)
http://www4.zdnet.com/intweek/print/980309/29387 2.html (FBI targets offshore betting sites - not the users!)
http://www.nandotimes.com/nt/special/freeh0821.h tml (FBI agents and Kenyan police, meanwhile, raided the Nairobi offices of a Saudi Arabian charity, the Mercy International Relief Agency, in connection with the bombing, hauling away documents, computers and cash, an employee said Friday.)
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/JudithAlltop/War.ht ml (Executive Order No. 12333 also asserts the President's right to authorize CIA "special activities" (the official euphemism for covert operations) and has legally sanctioned such activities anywhere "in support of national foreign policy objectives abroad." It legalizes "counterintelligence activities...within the United States" on the part of the FBI, CIA, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. "Specialized equipment, technical knowledge, or assistance of expert personnel may be provided by any of these agencies "to support local law enforcement." All are free to mount electronic and mail surveillance without a warrant, and the FBI may also conduct warrantless "unconsented physical searches" (break-ins) if the Attorney General finds probable cause to believe the action is "directed against a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power.")
IIRC, there are also many instances of the FBI working with European law enforcement, but I think these samples prove the FBI works outside the US. I can dig up more cases of the CIA working domestically if necessary.
In short, don't believe law enforcement is obeying the law!
I used to think this as well, but the US has one thing going for it that will help alleviate (not necessarily eliminate) the pressure for political revolution. That thing is rampant consumerism, which is exactly what is causing a large part of the loss of privacy problem! As long as people continue to buy their SUVs, pay the interest on their credit cards, pay $3 for a gallon of milk at the conveinence store (give me conveinence or give me death!) they are unlikely to do anything that will change the political landscape radically.
Periods of radical protest in the US (the 20's, 30's, and 60's) were quietly and relatively easily quashed by portraying the protesters as unAmerican, radical, and stirring public opinion against them through smear tactics as well as actual violence. You don't need to read a lot of history to see how the US government's actions against the anarchists, Wobblies, Socialists, Communits, SDS, AIM, Black Panthers, Civil Rights movement, anti-nuke movement, and Central American Solidarity movements all used the same tactics and achieved the same goal - quashing any political challenges to the status quo.
However, even were there to be a radical government change (most likely through a Constitutional Convention rather than a violent overthrow) it'd be the vocal minority (mainly the X-ian Right) that would most likely take over. In any event, changing the government is very unlikely to change the practices of corporations (which have more rights than US citizens). It'd take a massive reformation of the legal code to fundamentally change any of these practices. At best, we'd have a middle of the road leader trying desperately to walk a line between the radical right and the clueless masses.
Given the means all governments (and to some extent the US government) go to to protect themselves I don't see changes coming barring some global meltdown. The US makes it changes too gradually to notice while focusing on all the great economic freedoms all law abiding citizens are granted.
Slashdot Mirror
1) Picture quality
So this somehow improves picture quality? Granted, image quality shouldn't degrade over time, but that's a big difference, especially if you get the NTSC feed which most of us will still be getting years after the required digital TV broadcasts in the US.
2) The ability to go to the bathroom without waiting for a commercial
wow. I am amazed. You know that happens a lot. Just like when I am in the movie theater. Or I tape a program and can't be bothered to stop it.
3) Large amounts of temporary storage makes it easy to tape something for only 1 viewing without eaither wasting tape or wearing out a tape from overcopying.
So what if I want to record more than 15 hours? Do I but extra "virtual tape"? Can I save and playback sessions in a conveinent format like tapes or DVD? How about exchange things with RePlay?
4) It's really not that much more expensive than a VCR
Really? Personal price for 14 hours is $500. 30 hours is $1K. Plus a monthly fee of $10. Not cheap to me!
I think it's real advantages are instant access like CDs vs cassette tape and no programming. These aren't real advantages based on cost if you take the time to learn how to program a VCR or tape in SP mode. Plus, I cannot access other material. I can only access stuff I tape from TV,and really, there's not much on TV I *want* to have copies of. Those that I do are feature length films that aren't cut to begin with.
Sorry. I'm just skeptical and don't see any benefits to justify the cost. I'll wait for recordable DVD or a big pay raise.
"Read that last sentence carefully. Somehow, I don't read this as a declaration that firewire is dead, or even sick. The problem lies with biased reporting and provocative headlines, not with the technology or even the marketing."
Not to mention these common Slashdot responses that seem to be the main threads here:
1. Apple must die because they are greedy/closed/stupid: So therefore, Firewire must die. If A is bad then B must be great!
2. Ill informed or outdated knowledge: "That darn Apple, charging $1/port That's too much!" No, that's Intel FUD. Nevermind that Apple lowered the licensing cost to $.25 per system. People don't know/care about that. I also doubt many people here know how much money OEMs make on a particular hardware component, yet in this case they repeat what Intel said.
3. People not reading the actual article: Seems about half the time people here just post knee-jerk reactions to the headlines without even reading the original article. Much as you pointed out the supposed reporter did.
Look people. USB 2.0 is vaporware. You bitch about MS doing it, but in this case it must be okay because Apple owns the patent on IE1394. What logic! I guess if Intel released a press release saying Apple was dead and it was quoted in the PC press, that must mean it's true.
Sheesh. Less quantity more quality.
Its been known for some time (few months?) that MS was going to allow Office to be run off servers. It's just their ASP strategy reworded. Notice Ballmer didn't say it was going to be free. It'll be "rented".
Heck, I doubt it'd take much work to make Office2000 work on internet servers. The question is how to entice users to do that and to work out a reliable method of securing payment and preventing piracy. Although why anybody would want to run any word processing software over a dialup (or even broadband) connection is unclear to me.
Its not MS that has bought those works, but Gates himself.
I don't recall who owns Corbis, MS or Bill, but it is the largest image stock compnay in the world having relatively recently bought out one of its biggest competitors.
And besides, MS can only rewrite history for those that read their revisions!
Jeez. It looks impractical to use. How do I sit in front of this thing and comfortably type? Where do I use the mouse? If the keyboard comes out (didn't see it) is it wireless? If not there's a tangled mess like phone cords.
It seems very impractical for use but excellent to hide from thieves or gamers. Pray your visitor doesn't sit on it!
"Apple may state that the fastet G4 quite beats the fastest PentiumIII-Xeon, but they shouldn`t compete with others, like K7, Alpha."
I won't argue. But what consumer or PHB has heard of K7 or Alpha? How many know what OSs run on it? Geez, it's another part of the marketing game! You pander to what your audience knows (or thinks it knows).
should work fine but you don't get altivec support in linux. i'd recommend double checking with the distro though.
I suspect Linux is cheaper to develop on the Alpha. With Compaq's finances in difficulty and no clear leadership on Alpha and where it's market should be it makes business sense to stop NT on Alpha. At least for now.
Developing Linux on Alpha and even Merced/McKinley is cheap because of the open software and eagerness of Linux developers. Given that Linux is gaining ground in the server market where Alpha would be strongest its a cheap way to hedge their bet on Alpha's future.
I think it was a business descision.
Of course, if MS is still arrogant enough to think they should be paid for the privelage of allowing NT on non-x86 systems...
Yeah the no web page thing made me think this is a very small company. Never heard of them. But then I never heard of that other PPC computer company mentioned a month or two back.
If it happens, great. More PPCs in the market is good for every everybody. If it doesn't happen, well, I can't miss what never existed.
I'd love to run LinuxPPC and Be for under $1K.
They're not desperate for money. They're just greedy to make an excessive amount of money.
And no "revolution" is coming to stop NSI. Just the same shitty-ass market forces that say those with big money will make even more money.
Check this out:
8 18.html
Donna Weinstein, a principal at the law firm of Fish & Richardson, says she was stunned when she read eMachines' rationale for its new product.
"An eMachines spokesperson said in the paper that it was hoping to trade off Apple's brand name. If I was their lawyer, I would have died when I read that," says Weinstein, who practices trademark litigation. She says it gives Apple a chance to charge eMachines with willful infringement. Apple did not return calls seeking comment.
from: http://fnews.yahoo.com/street/99/08/18/valley_990
"It is very weird why Apple just didn't adopt NextStep straight out, but instead had to tack on extra stuff. But because Apple has chosen hardware over software, their long term outlook is grim."
Oh please. If this is true why doesn't Apple take steps to sell hardware for Be and Linux users?
And since when is being an OS innovator a sign of health? If that were true Linux would be dead. There's no innovation in Linux other than the means of distribution and contribution. Its that the Linux community makes a stable OS that is drawing all the attention. And Windows isn't very innovative. Last time I checked MS was still making money hand over clenched fist on that product.
So why didn't they adopt NextStep? Well for one, they tried to. They called it Rhapsody but developers didn't want to rewrite all their apps for it and who can blame them? So they come up with the Carbon strategy.
And within the next 6 months Apple will release *2* new OSs. OSX client and Sonata/8.7/9.0 which has features your other OSs don't have.
Just because some OS isn't Linux or commands 90% market share people here think it's dead. Well fine. Until I can do graphics intensive and professional level print work on Linux I'll stick to my Mac. And don't try to push off GIMP as an answer. It's great, but doesn't have the features needed for professional designers. Maybe when Linux gets ColorSync and I can take my files down to the print shop Mac will be dead. Or maybe when I can use an Avid like OS software it will be dead. Or maybe when Adobe and Macromedia port their apps to Linux it wil be dead, but I am not holding my breath.
I'm surprised nobody else mentioned this. Linux on laptops could be a BIG market in 1-2 years, especially in high stress environments.
I also am curious as to how Linux on dedicated machines like set top boxes, handhelds, game consoles etc could benefit from this decision. After all, small devices can't run on those oversized, overheated Intel chips. More likely they'll use PPC (although not necessarily G3/G4/G5). And isn't Nintendo's Dolphin supposed to use PPC? You think anybody else could make a cheap dedicated Linux games box using these boards?
I also don't think Altivec being from Motorola is a big impediment. OEMs can modify the mobo as they see fit. I'm sure Motorola wouldn't mind selling more chips.
I also wonder if this will be the means Microsoft will use to receive annual licensing fees. It was brought up in the trial and even though MS denies they decided to use it, this prognostication combined with UCTIA and MS's investment in broadband certainly lends an air of paranoia to the possibility.
It's Mr. B's references to up-to-date software that really pushes it home for me. Maybe its the differences in the latest Win98 updates and MS's recent refusal to allow updates/fixes in other media that makes me think they want to do this rental approach to their apps. It certainly allows for better market study.
And America is tops in this kind of approach. Do you know what credit card debt is in the US?
yep, but as long as the economy is perceived as "strong" it's dictatorship with a smile. When it turns south, blame immigrants or the poor.
But as long as people are happy with longer chains and bigger cages, they'll get them.
The Japanese site's stuff is computer generated, not photographs.
Good Design is subjective. I think the lights look cool, especially if you don't power the server room unless necessary. The design looks pretty good, I just don't like the materials.
a g-500.html h tml L
Would i buy it? no. But I *would* buy some computers designed by hardcore industrial designers just for personal pride provided they could run whataever OS I want.
I'd be willing to spend about 5% - 10% of the total computer price based on aesthetics, but I'm a computer nerd and in the minority.
Remembering design is subjective, I'd look at designs similar to:
http://www02.u-page.so-net.ne.jp/rb3/mrc/powerb
http://www02.u-page.so-net.ne.jp/rb3/mrc/ipalm.
http://design.uos.ac.kr/yangyh/ENGLISH/ENLG.htm
Attempts at starting new nations are more often than not signs of protest with the status quo. There are many challenges that have faced attempts to start new nations in the traditional sense. Some occur even in cyberspace.
1. recognition: you have to be recognized internationally or you won't go anywhere. Somebody somewhere has to recognize you in order to communicate with others outside your "nation". Even Taiwan has some (23?) nations that recognize it as independent from Red China. Look at what happened when the PLO declared an independent nation in 88 or 89. nothing.
2. resources: a physical nation needs resources in order to survive and develop. Is intellectual resources enough in cyberspace?
3. citizenship: Is citizenship hereditary? Are you just going to have people "Sign up"? what about responsibilities? When does a citizen's interest conflict with the nations? If I got around claiming to be a citizen of some cybernation and do illegal or questionable things in name of said country, what kind of restraint can they place on me, particularly in a virtual environment?
4. identity: How is one identified as belonging to a virtual country? IS it valid or binding? Can it be revoked?
5. What benefits can I really receive? A nation supposedly offers benefits to its citizens or else there is no need for it. What concrete benefits can a cyber nation offer?
This is little more than a club, which has been going on throughout history.
Check out the book "How to Start Your Own Country". I don't recall the author but it is available through Loompanics Books. Its a good resource on the history, challenges and opportunities of starting your own country.
According to an AP report I read on Thursday night (published in St Paul Pioneer Press), "Before the ban, an official estimate said 70 million people in China practiced Falun Gong, but the government later downgraded membership estimates to 2 million."
According to the New York Times (July 27) "The officials (1200 gov't followers of Falun Gong) were taken over the weekend to schools in a city in northern China, where they are being required to study Communist Party documents and to renounce any allegiance to the spiritual movement, the Information Center for Human Rights and Democratic Movement in China said Monday." and "Government organizations and quasi-governmental groups have been instructed to come forward to denounce Falun Gong, and to hold political study sessions to recite Marxist theory that few officials, and fewer ordinary people, believe in any more."
Great! Fight spiritual belief with Marxist propaganda! Let's see how effective that is in changing belief systems.
And of course, the PRC, have requested to extradite its founder who lives in the US. If the US does let Beijing have Li Hongzhi, its founder, the US will show it allows the PRC to do pretty much as it pleases.
Seems to me this is a typical crush the people ploy by the PRC, who cry wolf, suppress the perceived threat, then say the threat wasn't as bad as thought.
Regardless of whether or not a "script kiddie" spoofed addresses, it does not justify the PRC's use of intimdation and harassment against its own people. Since the movement was founded in 1992, I seriously doubt there is an organized attempt to take over the Chinese gov't by a bunch of religious fanatics as some have said here.
Please note I *do not* speak for anybody other than myself.
"Personally I believe that everyone should grow up and learn to live without censorware, but that isn't going to happen any time soon ... 8-( "
Agreed. So I wonder if it there was no censorware if we'd already have laws against "indecent" or "Inappropriate" material on the net. I know it has been defeated twice before, but part of the justification for that defeat was the existence of filters.
Is it better to have imperfect filters that are driven by the market demand or a government demand banning registration or viewing of material THEY deem inappropriate?
I know neither is a realistic solution, but for me laws with *selective* enforcement are the worst kind and the kind that are passed more and more often by those in Washington.
Guess it depends on whether political pressure is better than economic pressure. In this case you have a politically appointed economic monopoly.
Agreed. So pass laws that make anything (including believe it or not, destroying mailboxes) a "terroristic act" and you circumvent the law. Wouldn't be surprised in the future to see using encryption be a flag for terroist activity by LOCAL law enforcement.
I believe the FBI was involved in the army and embassy bombings because they occured on "american" soil. Still doesn't explain why they were in Australia.
Could be wrong though.
Yep. The FBI does operate outside the US, mainly in a "consulting" capacity. See:i (teaching Australian police profiling techniques)
l /intl.2.html (about the FBI investigating the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia)
7 2.html (FBI targets offshore betting sites - not the users!)
h tml (FBI agents and Kenyan police, meanwhile, raided the Nairobi offices of a Saudi Arabian charity, the Mercy International Relief Agency, in connection with the bombing, hauling away documents, computers and cash, an employee said Friday.)
t ml (Executive Order No. 12333 also asserts the President's right to authorize CIA "special activities" (the official euphemism for covert operations) and has legally sanctioned such activities anywhere "in support of national foreign policy objectives abroad." It legalizes "counterintelligence activities...within the United States" on the part of the FBI, CIA, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. "Specialized equipment, technical knowledge, or assistance of expert personnel may be provided by any of these agencies "to support local law enforcement." All are free to mount electronic and mail surveillance without a warrant, and the FBI may also conduct warrantless "unconsented physical searches" (break-ins) if the Attorney General finds probable cause to believe the action is "directed against a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power.")
http://www.info-sec.com/law/law_021998a.html-ss
http://www.csmonitor.com/durable/1997/09/02/int
http://www4.zdnet.com/intweek/print/980309/2938
http://www.nandotimes.com/nt/special/freeh0821.
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/JudithAlltop/War.h
IIRC, there are also many instances of the FBI working with European law enforcement, but I think these samples prove the FBI works outside the US. I can dig up more cases of the CIA working domestically if necessary.
In short, don't believe law enforcement is obeying the law!
I used to think this as well, but the US has one thing going for it that will help alleviate (not necessarily eliminate) the pressure for political revolution. That thing is rampant consumerism, which is exactly what is causing a large part of the loss of privacy problem! As long as people continue to buy their SUVs, pay the interest on their credit cards, pay $3 for a gallon of milk at the conveinence store (give me conveinence or give me death!) they are unlikely to do anything that will change the political landscape radically.
Periods of radical protest in the US (the 20's, 30's, and 60's) were quietly and relatively easily quashed by portraying the protesters as unAmerican, radical, and stirring public opinion against them through smear tactics as well as actual violence. You don't need to read a lot of history to see how the US government's actions against the anarchists, Wobblies, Socialists, Communits, SDS, AIM, Black Panthers, Civil Rights movement, anti-nuke movement, and Central American Solidarity movements all used the same tactics and achieved the same goal - quashing any political challenges to the status quo.
However, even were there to be a radical government change (most likely through a Constitutional Convention rather than a violent overthrow) it'd be the vocal minority (mainly the X-ian Right) that would most likely take over. In any event, changing the government is very unlikely to change the practices of corporations (which have more rights than US citizens). It'd take a massive reformation of the legal code to fundamentally change any of these practices. At best, we'd have a middle of the road leader trying desperately to walk a line between the radical right and the clueless masses.
Given the means all governments (and to some extent the US government) go to to protect themselves I don't see changes coming barring some global meltdown. The US makes it changes too gradually to notice while focusing on all the great economic freedoms all law abiding citizens are granted.
So do you get paid for the overtime? Are you on salary or do you work on commission?