Interesting story, I was in the army for a while straight out of high school (in Australia)...one of our medics was gay. Most people knew, but it wasn't made obvious (I knew him for a year b4 someone told me). Thing is, it's not like he had a big sign, or acted differently or anything (as I'm sure is the same for most gay men:) ), and, if I have to admit it, he was more of a blokes bloke (into football, drank, worked on his car etc), than I was. It came as a shock when I found out, but after the initial 15 seconds passed it was like, "ok, yeah, whatever, he's a good bloke and that's what counts"...but...the funny thing is, as most of us know, military organizations aren't the most liberal places...and there were a lot of "bloody poofter" comments at the boozer when everone was drinking...but they were all followed closely by "oh, but not you mate"...I have no opinion or insight here, just found it interesting how ppl could hate (and they did) a particular stereotype of people, but in the same sentence exclude their friend, who most of us deeply admired and liked (cause he was a top bloke, always helpful and really good at his job)...always wondered why that didn't cause some internal conflicts within them.
In Australia...to solve the problem of underaged drinking, the govt brought in laws that not only the club owner was fined, but the bar person that served the drink was also fined (personally, up to $15k)...so, my thought is, if we say we can fine the ppl that send the spam, and we can fine the companies that hire the spammers...why don't ppl suggest fining the programmer that _wrote_ the software. It's a lot easier to pin down (not all programmers are going to move to an offshore haven to write the software), and I know, that I, as a programmer, would really think twice if someone hired me to write a spam program if I was looking down the barrel of a 50K fine...just my 2 cents worth:)
I remember reading an article back in 1998 in (I think) fortune magazine...it talked about the sustainability of the dotcom economy...they said that, it would continue to go crazy, until early into 2000, when there would be lots of industry shake outs, lots of ppl loosing jobs etc, which would continue till 2005, and by 2005 the industry would settle down into a stable industry of development, mainly populated by the a hand full of companies that actually made their cash in the boom and didn't waste it...with little new development (or startups) entering the market...wow, they were kinda right on the money huh?
I remember when I lived in the states, a guy I worked for (owned a gym) and used to get law suits slapped on him all the time (successful gym, easy target...I worked out and have sore muscles now etc)...his immediate response was counter-sue for damages and expenses...kinda like a poison pill...they have to _make sure_ they win, because if they loose, it sets precedence for the counter suit to be successful...or something like that, IANAL. So my obvious question to all these postings about big guy clobbering the little guy with cash is, doesn't that work anymore (or maybe isn't allowed anymore?)...or am I misinformed as to the purpose of a counter claim in the U.S.?
crickey...that's dangerous...but I tell ya what, she must be a little beauty, I'm just gunna get my mate russ to 'ave a look
(by the way, Australian and loving the stereotype for 29 years;) )
I did (replace windows as my primary)...about the time mandrake 9.0 was release...windows crashed, and took everything with it...I spent weeks trying to recover the data (thank god for cvs or the baseline would have been screwed too). I had mandrake 8 on another machine, so I thought I'd give it a go on my primary, go 100% linux. At the beginning, I thought I'd have to re-install windows, I just didn't see how it would be possible to not have one windows machine around, but I have to tell you, I haven't looked back since...I'm more productive and a hell of a lot more stable. I don't stress nearly as much as I used to about the state of my systems and the change over was really quite painless. I'm now slowly converting the company I work for to the same way of thinking.
Every one is going about this the wrong way...I here so much justification...oh, I just wanted to sample the music...that's ok
And so much...You shouldn't steal music...it's bad mkay
Hell with the justification I say...be proud of your pirate heritage...and if they want a war...let's give em one...instead of whining about how terrible it is that they're trying to crack down on legitimate users that are only stealing because of some lame ass reason that really, truly, when you think about it, is saving refugee children, patching the ozone layer hole, and doing RIAA a big big favour...go hard the other way
PIRATE EVERYTHING!!!
as much stuff as you can...download and share mp3's that you don't even like...trade michael bolton mp3's...and not just mp3's...pirate trade the cd cover art work, the formula for the plastic that makes the casing,and the highschool term papers of the music executives....and when people ask you why, proudly proclaim "arrgghhh, 'cause it be a pirates lot in life to plunder me matey"
BRING ON THE PIRATING
Then....then we'll get boats...lot's of them...big one's...and put wheels on them....and drive into L.A. arrrrrharrr....jumping from cd factory to music and movie studios...plundering as we go aarrahhaaarrrr....
I have mandrake 9 on my laptop and am very happy with it...however, being not a linux guru at all (which, in itself is testimony to how good mandrake is), upgrading versions very much concerns me. Can anyone comment on what kind of issues I can expect to experience during an upgrade from 9 to 9.1 (just general issues like is it a full reinstall, will it blow away data etc)
Like other poster...how about letting us know how you go about acquiring them (do you contact the company directly, or does it have channel partners)?
Thanks in advance:)
First up...excellently refuted on all points...well done on some very convincing arguments.
allow me first, some clarifications:
big tv: Don't own one... though by choice not by lack of finances (being your point). Though, if I fit your profile, I would buy one just to look good...however, I happen to despise them...I listen to the radio and read (and no, I'm not 80 years old, I'm 28).
nice car: Old 4X4, not worth much...again, by choice (personally think it's a pretty cool car)...but you can see again, divergence from your profile of me.
nice house: Sorry...no luck there either (despite what you may believe, I come from quite a destitute background...yes, I could have used the word 'poor', but trust me on the word I chose).
nice nest egg: ahh, there's the kicker...did you know, that as a high income earner I get taxed twice on all retirement savings...and, guess what...I also pay twice as much (30% vs 15%). So I work and work, and save and save...thinking I'll enjoy my golden years...and I retire on the same amount as everyone else...that's pretty fair (sarcasm)
ok, and now for some rebuttal:
It's just not right to assume that everyone who doesn't make a lot of money does so simply because they're lazy
I wouldn't say it's right or wrong actually, it's an opinion, but that's beside the point...you are correct, that is a vast generalization...and I understand your point about generalizations, they are hurtful to those that are the exception. But generalizations wouldn't exist if not for the vast majority fitting that profile (you may remember, you've already made some generalizations yourself:) ). Your parents sound like wonderful people, that did a lot of good...but in my view, they are the minority...and I'm not just talking about low income here...good, selfless people are the minority in all brackets. On the point of their calling in life not bringing them a lot of money...I know a mechanic that earns 80kpa...why, because he decided to work hard, and advance himself IN HIS FIELD...you don't have to specifically be in IT or business to earn a good wage...the top 20% of all fields will always make good money...for a teacher..that might be becoming so good for his student that he is wanted by the best private schools in the land...and if he chooses to stay public for altruistic reasons, well done him...but that's his choice, not mine. Yes, that's a bit narrow minded, and I would say that if there weren't so many no hopers being supported by my taxes I would be a lot more open to those that choose to low income to contribute...if my taxes weren't supporting the majority low income (lazy), then your dad and mom would have made a lot more money, and I would still be paying less tax.
You didn't refute the point... me thinks I'm right.
I didn't refute it because it wasn't worth refuting...it was soap box squaking, and you've proven yourself more intelligent than that by your other comments.
well screw that. Life isn't all about work
I was pretty sure I covered a lot more than just working extra hours...I covered education and the like. It's not the hours that are my point...whether he gets home at 5pm or 7pm...my guess is he still cracks a beer and switched on TV. Correct, life isn't just about work, but why should I have to work harder, so that others can have a 'great life'. (disclaimer: I mean others that can obviously help themselves to a better life)
Yup... and I'm happy with that
No your not, because the ultimate outcome of that is people stop trying...are you saying you support communistic ideals...that everyone should be brought back to the same level (whether you do it through taxes, or through your army, the concept is the same). Look at what happens to countries that have gone that route.
Again, are you really hurting from those tax dollars? No? Neither am I
I grew up in Australia, moved to Hawaii, then to San Fran, and now am back here...in the short time (bout 4 years) I was gone, I have seen absolutely dramatic changes...to the point where I truly believe I had MORE freedom in the U.S. Again, I have nothing in particular to back this up one way or the other, just my general opinions since I've been back. Most Australians don't notice this, because they live with it each day...but go away for a while, and come back...and it really stands out...it seems like we're adopting all the bad parts of American culture, and leaving the good stuff...so IMHO, we're really becoming a lot like america, without the balance that evolution brings (does that make sense? systems that evolve generally evolve with more checks and balances than systems that are adopted because you only adopt piecemeal?)
lmao....yep it is...global warming --> art students, overcrowding in cities --> art students, war in iraq --> art students......but hey, shouldn't alienate them too much I suppose...when oil supplies run out they could make a good, inexpensive replacement fuel source.
good to see you believe so deeply in those opinions of yours...so deeply in fact, that you post anonymously...way to courageously back up your ideals:)
Ahhh...good point, except when you take in to account the history of education in Australia...one of the reasons that people here didn't mind paying relatively high taxes (still lower than they are today) is that education was free, medical was free, all was good and wonderful. Now, tax is high, the old education system has been completely screwed up, and now they're taking an axe to medical. It used to be a matter of you would make your contribution to the university scheme through the higher wage you would get when you graduated (ie, higher wage = higher tax contributions)...and I was so fine with that...go to uni, study something with a chance of getting a job at the end, pay more tax to support the system...that seems totally fair to me...but now you have to pay not only for your education, but also contribute that higher tax...why? because again, no hoper arts and communications students want to spend 8 years at uni because it's better than having to get a job and they didn't study hard enough at school to get into a degree that would get them a decent job...so it's a matter of stay at uni, or work at a shopping center..so, now diligent students have to pay for their education, as well as contribute back through higher taxes...yeah, for sure, WE'RE the leeches.
that's why I say leave to all graduates...if the country won't reward your hard work, or treat you well...go somewhere that will...and see how well the country does when all it's talent leaves, maybe then they'll wake up and start changing things a little.
Oh come on. I'm in the 'went to uni for 5 years' boat, I'm in the 'earn more than $50kpa' and I'm all for the level of tax I pay... I can afford it... I am able to live comfortably on my wage (On over $50kpa, so should you)
Hmmm, so you think that effort should not equal reward? You say that because I am 'comfortable', I should be happy...so by your logic, I should stop trying when I am 'comfortable'? What if I'm a little more driven than that?
The poor get more from the government because they NEED it more.
Did I once mention 'poor'...or 'poverty'...no, I said low income earners...there is a big different between a street kid, and a guy that wants to crack a beer when he gets home at 5:00pm while the 'wealthy' he complains about are still working
Oh... and yeah.... the government is all for the poor hey? Yeah, they aren't at all giving tax breaks for businesses to start up here, while closing hospitals? The GST didn't favour the rich at all by increasing the tax paid on required items while reducing it on things like luxury cars... The rampant onslaught of Globalisation doesn't continue to encourage lower wages so that campanies can compete 'on a world scale'. Naah... cause the government just LOVES the poor... they do not, they love their wealthy business mates, and do all they can to benefit them, while at the same time hoisting their own damn wages as high as they can before they leave office.
Regurgitated crap...think before spewing something you read off a pamphlet at me.
my guess is that you had quite a good home base to get you through school and uni, that you haven't really ever had to struggle for money
That is so cliche..."the wealthy have always been wealthy and the poor have always been poor"...this is exactly what I was commenting on..the automatic assumption in Australia that those on a good wage haven't struggled and worked themselves into the ground to get where they are. Thank you, you just proved my point.
and think about how you can use your position to help those less fortunate.
I give regularly to a number of charities, even help out at a few...however again, you are talking about the impoverished, whereas I wasn't...even a charity stops supporting you once you're on your feet...a WHOLE bunch of people in the low income and social security bracket could quite easily support themselves, and quite well, if they (shock) worked harder and studied more...instead of switching on TV and cracking a beer when they get home...books are free from the local library, and anyone can put in more hours to get that promotion...but it's real easy to bitch at the peole that do that, rather than do it yourself
Fact: Generally, hard work = more income. In a free market society, more often than not, the harder you work and more you study, the more you're worth and the more money you get paid (I'm not commenting on whether this is a good way for a society to be or not...just stating the fact)
Fact: The more money you make in australia, the more money you get taxed, and the less other benefits (like medicare, and hospital coverage etc) you get to take advantage of.
Fact: Australia is one of the highest taxing nations in the western world, and that tax is predominantly targetted at the middle to high income brackets.
Conclusion: Work hard in Australia, and you will be financially penalized for it more than you will in any other country that your degree with get you a good paying job in...not only that, but the people that are taking advantage of your hard work ethic by getting a free ride, will not once stop to say thank you, but will criticize you, and demand that you pay more...and the government will listen, because those are the same stupified, TV watching morons who's vote can be swayed by letting them know that it's ok for them to blame everyone else for their lack of ambition.
What a wonderful story...I always pay out on people (funny enough, using the same maths related def as above)...I never will again. Thanks for the unique perspective.
Or worried about the fact that you will spend 4 years at uni, then another 4 years slugging your way from graduate employee to senior (working weekends or not taking holidays)...then sit back and try to enjoy all your hard work only to discover that you, as a non-married person earning over $50kpa, give almost 50% of your earnings back to the government, and get significantly less than low income earners from the gvt in return. An then you'll have to put up with some trailer trash on TV every night commenting that 'those rich bastards get all the breaks', just before they go pick up their free medical and their social security and family pensions. Take some advice...get your degree...then go work somewhere else, that way you don't even have to pay back your hecs. In Australia the government sacrifices the dedicated and hard working to buy votes from the unemployed and lazy.
The Department of Justice and federal law enforcement will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals and groups that violate the federal criminal copyright laws at home and abroad
How about the U.S. goes and f#$%s itself and stops believing that because it's law in the U.S., it's law everywhere...guess what fellas...there's other governments and legal systems in the world besides yours. Hands up who things the biggest threat to global stability is U.S. arrogance!
Does it strike anyone else as odd that there are 3 (or more?) open source initiatives competing in this area...can anyone tell me the difference between them (because they look pretty much the same on specs to me)...and, if they do serve the same functionality, why they're bothering competing with each other when obviously collaboration would turn three not too bad systems into one insane one?
I should have clarified, by flashy, I meant having a definitely 'commercial' feel to it rather than most os sites...that's just the take I got from it, hey, I've been wrong before...like I said, just my opinion on that one.
You make a good rebutal, and, I hope that I am completely wrong...only time will tell I guess. I give you full rights to post a big "I told you so" in 12 months if this product is still completely open source.
Slashdot Mirror
Interesting story, I was in the army for a while straight out of high school (in Australia)...one of our medics was gay. Most people knew, but it wasn't made obvious (I knew him for a year b4 someone told me). Thing is, it's not like he had a big sign, or acted differently or anything (as I'm sure is the same for most gay men :) ), and, if I have to admit it, he was more of a blokes bloke (into football, drank, worked on his car etc), than I was. It came as a shock when I found out, but after the initial 15 seconds passed it was like, "ok, yeah, whatever, he's a good bloke and that's what counts"...but...the funny thing is, as most of us know, military organizations aren't the most liberal places...and there were a lot of "bloody poofter" comments at the boozer when everone was drinking...but they were all followed closely by "oh, but not you mate"...I have no opinion or insight here, just found it interesting how ppl could hate (and they did) a particular stereotype of people, but in the same sentence exclude their friend, who most of us deeply admired and liked (cause he was a top bloke, always helpful and really good at his job)...always wondered why that didn't cause some internal conflicts within them.
In Australia...to solve the problem of underaged drinking, the govt brought in laws that not only the club owner was fined, but the bar person that served the drink was also fined (personally, up to $15k)...so, my thought is, if we say we can fine the ppl that send the spam, and we can fine the companies that hire the spammers...why don't ppl suggest fining the programmer that _wrote_ the software. It's a lot easier to pin down (not all programmers are going to move to an offshore haven to write the software), and I know, that I, as a programmer, would really think twice if someone hired me to write a spam program if I was looking down the barrel of a 50K fine...just my 2 cents worth :)
I remember reading an article back in 1998 in (I think) fortune magazine...it talked about the sustainability of the dotcom economy...they said that, it would continue to go crazy, until early into 2000, when there would be lots of industry shake outs, lots of ppl loosing jobs etc, which would continue till 2005, and by 2005 the industry would settle down into a stable industry of development, mainly populated by the a hand full of companies that actually made their cash in the boom and didn't waste it...with little new development (or startups) entering the market...wow, they were kinda right on the money huh?
I remember when I lived in the states, a guy I worked for (owned a gym) and used to get law suits slapped on him all the time (successful gym, easy target...I worked out and have sore muscles now etc)...his immediate response was counter-sue for damages and expenses...kinda like a poison pill...they have to _make sure_ they win, because if they loose, it sets precedence for the counter suit to be successful...or something like that, IANAL. So my obvious question to all these postings about big guy clobbering the little guy with cash is, doesn't that work anymore (or maybe isn't allowed anymore?)...or am I misinformed as to the purpose of a counter claim in the U.S.?
crickey...that's dangerous...but I tell ya what, she must be a little beauty, I'm just gunna get my mate russ to 'ave a look (by the way, Australian and loving the stereotype for 29 years ;) )
This is an outrage!
I'm going to take this all the way to the Prime Minister!
Hey Mr. Prime Minister!
Andy!
Aw, people can come up with statistics to prove anything, Kent. 14 percent of all people know that.
yeah...were rolling out...but in 'profitable' numbers?
I mean, this sort of thing should have been embraced five years ago by all of the labels.
Five years ago...1998...I don't know about u, but I knew almost noone that had the bandwidth to make this viable 5 years ago.
I did (replace windows as my primary)...about the time mandrake 9.0 was release...windows crashed, and took everything with it...I spent weeks trying to recover the data (thank god for cvs or the baseline would have been screwed too). I had mandrake 8 on another machine, so I thought I'd give it a go on my primary, go 100% linux. At the beginning, I thought I'd have to re-install windows, I just didn't see how it would be possible to not have one windows machine around, but I have to tell you, I haven't looked back since...I'm more productive and a hell of a lot more stable. I don't stress nearly as much as I used to about the state of my systems and the change over was really quite painless. I'm now slowly converting the company I work for to the same way of thinking.
Every one is going about this the wrong way...I here so much justification...oh, I just wanted to sample the music...that's ok
And so much...You shouldn't steal music...it's bad mkay
Hell with the justification I say...be proud of your pirate heritage...and if they want a war...let's give em one...instead of whining about how terrible it is that they're trying to crack down on legitimate users that are only stealing because of some lame ass reason that really, truly, when you think about it, is saving refugee children, patching the ozone layer hole, and doing RIAA a big big favour...go hard the other way
PIRATE EVERYTHING!!!
as much stuff as you can...download and share mp3's that you don't even like...trade michael bolton mp3's...and not just mp3's...pirate trade the cd cover art work, the formula for the plastic that makes the casing,and the highschool term papers of the music executives....and when people ask you why, proudly proclaim "arrgghhh, 'cause it be a pirates lot in life to plunder me matey"
BRING ON THE PIRATING
Then....then we'll get boats...lot's of them...big one's...and put wheels on them....and drive into L.A. arrrrrharrr....jumping from cd factory to music and movie studios...plundering as we go aarrahhaaarrrr....
COME ME MATEYS...IT BE WAR THEYSE BE WANTING
TRIM THOSE SAILS....SECURE THAT YARD ARM.
I have mandrake 9 on my laptop and am very happy with it...however, being not a linux guru at all (which, in itself is testimony to how good mandrake is), upgrading versions very much concerns me. Can anyone comment on what kind of issues I can expect to experience during an upgrade from 9 to 9.1 (just general issues like is it a full reinstall, will it blow away data etc)
Like other poster...how about letting us know how you go about acquiring them (do you contact the company directly, or does it have channel partners)? Thanks in advance :)
First up...excellently refuted on all points...well done on some very convincing arguments.
allow me first, some clarifications:
big tv: Don't own one... though by choice not by lack of finances (being your point). Though, if I fit your profile, I would buy one just to look good...however, I happen to despise them...I listen to the radio and read (and no, I'm not 80 years old, I'm 28).
nice car: Old 4X4, not worth much...again, by choice (personally think it's a pretty cool car)...but you can see again, divergence from your profile of me.
nice house: Sorry...no luck there either (despite what you may believe, I come from quite a destitute background...yes, I could have used the word 'poor', but trust me on the word I chose).
nice nest egg: ahh, there's the kicker...did you know, that as a high income earner I get taxed twice on all retirement savings...and, guess what...I also pay twice as much (30% vs 15%). So I work and work, and save and save...thinking I'll enjoy my golden years...and I retire on the same amount as everyone else...that's pretty fair (sarcasm)
ok, and now for some rebuttal:
It's just not right to assume that everyone who doesn't make a lot of money does so simply because they're lazy
I wouldn't say it's right or wrong actually, it's an opinion, but that's beside the point...you are correct, that is a vast generalization...and I understand your point about generalizations, they are hurtful to those that are the exception. But generalizations wouldn't exist if not for the vast majority fitting that profile (you may remember, you've already made some generalizations yourself
You didn't refute the point... me thinks I'm right.
I didn't refute it because it wasn't worth refuting...it was soap box squaking, and you've proven yourself more intelligent than that by your other comments.
well screw that. Life isn't all about work
I was pretty sure I covered a lot more than just working extra hours...I covered education and the like. It's not the hours that are my point...whether he gets home at 5pm or 7pm...my guess is he still cracks a beer and switched on TV. Correct, life isn't just about work, but why should I have to work harder, so that others can have a 'great life'. (disclaimer: I mean others that can obviously help themselves to a better life)
Yup... and I'm happy with that
No your not, because the ultimate outcome of that is people stop trying...are you saying you support communistic ideals...that everyone should be brought back to the same level (whether you do it through taxes, or through your army, the concept is the same). Look at what happens to countries that have gone that route.
Again, are you really hurting from those tax dollars? No? Neither am I
I must admit
Or you could just rely on your installer program and package the required activeX programs with your distributable...which is just as easy.
I grew up in Australia, moved to Hawaii, then to San Fran, and now am back here...in the short time (bout 4 years) I was gone, I have seen absolutely dramatic changes...to the point where I truly believe I had MORE freedom in the U.S. Again, I have nothing in particular to back this up one way or the other, just my general opinions since I've been back. Most Australians don't notice this, because they live with it each day...but go away for a while, and come back...and it really stands out...it seems like we're adopting all the bad parts of American culture, and leaving the good stuff...so IMHO, we're really becoming a lot like america, without the balance that evolution brings (does that make sense? systems that evolve generally evolve with more checks and balances than systems that are adopted because you only adopt piecemeal?)
lmao....yep it is...global warming --> art students, overcrowding in cities --> art students, war in iraq --> art students......but hey, shouldn't alienate them too much I suppose...when oil supplies run out they could make a good, inexpensive replacement fuel source.
good to see you believe so deeply in those opinions of yours...so deeply in fact, that you post anonymously...way to courageously back up your ideals :)
Ahhh...good point, except when you take in to account the history of education in Australia...one of the reasons that people here didn't mind paying relatively high taxes (still lower than they are today) is that education was free, medical was free, all was good and wonderful. Now, tax is high, the old education system has been completely screwed up, and now they're taking an axe to medical. It used to be a matter of you would make your contribution to the university scheme through the higher wage you would get when you graduated (ie, higher wage = higher tax contributions)...and I was so fine with that...go to uni, study something with a chance of getting a job at the end, pay more tax to support the system...that seems totally fair to me...but now you have to pay not only for your education, but also contribute that higher tax...why? because again, no hoper arts and communications students want to spend 8 years at uni because it's better than having to get a job and they didn't study hard enough at school to get into a degree that would get them a decent job...so it's a matter of stay at uni, or work at a shopping center..so, now diligent students have to pay for their education, as well as contribute back through higher taxes...yeah, for sure, WE'RE the leeches. that's why I say leave to all graduates...if the country won't reward your hard work, or treat you well...go somewhere that will...and see how well the country does when all it's talent leaves, maybe then they'll wake up and start changing things a little.
Oh come on. I'm in the 'went to uni for 5 years' boat, I'm in the 'earn more than $50kpa' and I'm all for the level of tax I pay... I can afford it... I am able to live comfortably on my wage (On over $50kpa, so should you)
Hmmm, so you think that effort should not equal reward? You say that because I am 'comfortable', I should be happy...so by your logic, I should stop trying when I am 'comfortable'? What if I'm a little more driven than that?
The poor get more from the government because they NEED it more.
Did I once mention 'poor'...or 'poverty'...no, I said low income earners...there is a big different between a street kid, and a guy that wants to crack a beer when he gets home at 5:00pm while the 'wealthy' he complains about are still working
Oh... and yeah.... the government is all for the poor hey? Yeah, they aren't at all giving tax breaks for businesses to start up here, while closing hospitals? The GST didn't favour the rich at all by increasing the tax paid on required items while reducing it on things like luxury cars... The rampant onslaught of Globalisation doesn't continue to encourage lower wages so that campanies can compete 'on a world scale'. Naah... cause the government just LOVES the poor... they do not, they love their wealthy business mates, and do all they can to benefit them, while at the same time hoisting their own damn wages as high as they can before they leave office.
Regurgitated crap...think before spewing something you read off a pamphlet at me.
my guess is that you had quite a good home base to get you through school and uni, that you haven't really ever had to struggle for money
That is so cliche..."the wealthy have always been wealthy and the poor have always been poor"...this is exactly what I was commenting on..the automatic assumption in Australia that those on a good wage haven't struggled and worked themselves into the ground to get where they are. Thank you, you just proved my point.
and think about how you can use your position to help those less fortunate.
I give regularly to a number of charities, even help out at a few...however again, you are talking about the impoverished, whereas I wasn't...even a charity stops supporting you once you're on your feet...a WHOLE bunch of people in the low income and social security bracket could quite easily support themselves, and quite well, if they (shock) worked harder and studied more...instead of switching on TV and cracking a beer when they get home...books are free from the local library, and anyone can put in more hours to get that promotion...but it's real easy to bitch at the peole that do that, rather than do it yourself
Fact: Generally, hard work = more income. In a free market society, more often than not, the harder you work and more you study, the more you're worth and the more money you get paid (I'm not commenting on whether this is a good way for a society to be or not...just stating the fact)
Fact: The more money you make in australia, the more money you get taxed, and the less other benefits (like medicare, and hospital coverage etc) you get to take advantage of.
Fact: Australia is one of the highest taxing nations in the western world, and that tax is predominantly targetted at the middle to high income brackets.
Conclusion: Work hard in Australia, and you will be financially penalized for it more than you will in any other country that your degree with get you a good paying job in...not only that, but the people that are taking advantage of your hard work ethic by getting a free ride, will not once stop to say thank you, but will criticize you, and demand that you pay more...and the government will listen, because those are the same stupified, TV watching morons who's vote can be swayed by letting them know that it's ok for them to blame everyone else for their lack of ambition.
Sounds like a fair deal to me?!? not
What a wonderful story...I always pay out on people (funny enough, using the same maths related def as above)...I never will again. Thanks for the unique perspective.
Or worried about the fact that you will spend 4 years at uni, then another 4 years slugging your way from graduate employee to senior (working weekends or not taking holidays)...then sit back and try to enjoy all your hard work only to discover that you, as a non-married person earning over $50kpa, give almost 50% of your earnings back to the government, and get significantly less than low income earners from the gvt in return. An then you'll have to put up with some trailer trash on TV every night commenting that 'those rich bastards get all the breaks', just before they go pick up their free medical and their social security and family pensions. Take some advice...get your degree...then go work somewhere else, that way you don't even have to pay back your hecs. In Australia the government sacrifices the dedicated and hard working to buy votes from the unemployed and lazy.
The Department of Justice and federal law enforcement will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals and groups that violate the federal criminal copyright laws at home and abroad
How about the U.S. goes and f#$%s itself and stops believing that because it's law in the U.S., it's law everywhere...guess what fellas...there's other governments and legal systems in the world besides yours. Hands up who things the biggest threat to global stability is U.S. arrogance!
Does it strike anyone else as odd that there are 3 (or more?) open source initiatives competing in this area...can anyone tell me the difference between them (because they look pretty much the same on specs to me)...and, if they do serve the same functionality, why they're bothering competing with each other when obviously collaboration would turn three not too bad systems into one insane one?
I should have clarified, by flashy, I meant having a definitely 'commercial' feel to it rather than most os sites...that's just the take I got from it, hey, I've been wrong before...like I said, just my opinion on that one. You make a good rebutal, and, I hope that I am completely wrong...only time will tell I guess. I give you full rights to post a big "I told you so" in 12 months if this product is still completely open source.