Re:What really killed Usenet for me...
on
Requiem for Usenet
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· Score: 1
Well, I didn't want to name names. But, you're right. As far as I'm concerned AOL killed Usenet.
My father-in-law used AOL until only recently. Back in the mid/late-90s I was at his house and wanted to check some newsgroups. The way it was set up AOL users had NO idea they were leaving AOL. Thus, AOL users treated Usenet as their private little area.
And you're right about the culture clash too. It was horrendous. It got to the point where my signature line was: "There's this thing called a search engine. Learn how to use it BEFORE you come here."
But of course AOL users didn't know what a search engine was or why one should be used because they didn't really know what the internet was. It was all the same program to them.
AOL is a great example of how making things too simple can lead to problems.
I used to love Usenet. It was a great place to find answers to computer problems and to help others with their problems. What killed Usenet for me were the newbs. Those morons who wanted answers but refused to do any work to solve the problems themselves. E.g., "My computer won't start, what's the problem?" Or, "I want to buy a video card, which is the best?"
It got to the point where it simply wasn't fun because as the more experienced people were pushed away the groups were left with arrogant people without a clue.
It makes you feel good to help others. But it makes you feel used to help others who can't be bothered to help themselves.
Where do you morons come from?! What pleasure do you get spouting nonsense?! The discussion is about HOME copying of TV content with is perfectly legal under Sony v Universal! Or at least it was, until the content industries bought our federal government.
You just proved his point. If you buy online you can read reviews from actual users. When you're dealing with a retailer you're stuck with his or her biased opinion.
When you buy online you can quickly read all of the products detailed features, including the product manual. When you buy retail you're stuck with a retailer saying, "Sure it has those features, I promise."
"I swear the comments at that site make me wonder just how stupid people can get."
What worries me about the future of our planet is that young people seem to like the style of comments over at Digg. Essentially, well thought-out, articulated, and supported opinions are in disfavor. Very scary.
I read about this story days ago. I was hoping it wouldn't get lost. In a way this is even bigger than the root-kit story. You've got to love the irony of stealing code to create a DRM infested ripper!
I agree that language can be a part of an illegal activity. For example, if two guys plan a crime, and make a step towards the crime, they can be charged with conspiracy to commit the crime. However, if one guy says to another "we SHOULD rob such and such bank" thats is NOT a conspiracy to commit a crime as it is not specific. The use of "should" does not show an intent to actual carry out the plan.
And furthermore, as I stated, even if the statement is specific enough, there has to be some physical movement to carry out the plan. For example, after saying "Let's go rob the bank." They have to stand up to carry out the plan. Buy some masks. Write out a note. SOMETHING to show an intent to carry it out. Language in and of itself does not justify such a conspiracy.
In the case of inciting a riot, the cases deal with a person IN FRONT OF A CROWD telling them to carry out an act. That is specific enough to warrant a charge.
You're wrong. This is clearly on opinion: "Anita Coney SHOULD be shoved through a meat-grinder because he's such an idiot." Exactly how is this opinion a threat?!
Destroying property, raping, killing people, all of those are bad. But when these radicals go so far as to EXPRESS OPINIONS on the internet. Well, they've gone to far. Let's hope France does the world a favor and puts these radicals to death!
I agree with the parent. The key phrase is "growing hodge-podge of state laws." It's much easier for Microsoft and its lobbyist to get what it wants out of the federal government versus the fifty various states. Essentially, Microsoft wants one stop shopping to make it easier for them to screw us over.
I highly doubt anyone would go through the effort to run OSX on "some crappy consumer PC." Almost certainly, they'd install it on an awesome homebuilt system.
"You'll never see parents rioting over a $600 game console"
I beg to differ. If Microsoft markets the high demand and expected shortages, parents will fight to get it. We'll see who's right the day after Thanksgiving.
I disagree. It's very rare but every so often I come across a site that requires the use of IE. The larger the marketshare of Firefox grows, the less that will happen.
Slashdot Mirror
Well, I didn't want to name names. But, you're right. As far as I'm concerned AOL killed Usenet.
My father-in-law used AOL until only recently. Back in the mid/late-90s I was at his house and wanted to check some newsgroups. The way it was set up AOL users had NO idea they were leaving AOL. Thus, AOL users treated Usenet as their private little area.
And you're right about the culture clash too. It was horrendous. It got to the point where my signature line was: "There's this thing called a search engine. Learn how to use it BEFORE you come here."
But of course AOL users didn't know what a search engine was or why one should be used because they didn't really know what the internet was. It was all the same program to them.
AOL is a great example of how making things too simple can lead to problems.
I used to love Usenet. It was a great place to find answers to computer problems and to help others with their problems. What killed Usenet for me were the newbs. Those morons who wanted answers but refused to do any work to solve the problems themselves. E.g., "My computer won't start, what's the problem?" Or, "I want to buy a video card, which is the best?"
It got to the point where it simply wasn't fun because as the more experienced people were pushed away the groups were left with arrogant people without a clue.
It makes you feel good to help others. But it makes you feel used to help others who can't be bothered to help themselves.
Where do you morons come from?! What pleasure do you get spouting nonsense?! The discussion is about HOME copying of TV content with is perfectly legal under Sony v Universal! Or at least it was, until the content industries bought our federal government.
You just proved his point. If you buy online you can read reviews from actual users. When you're dealing with a retailer you're stuck with his or her biased opinion.
When you buy online you can quickly read all of the products detailed features, including the product manual. When you buy retail you're stuck with a retailer saying, "Sure it has those features, I promise."
Or to put it another way, most "nerds" are overwhelmingly against technologies that restrict our fair use rights.
Imagine what we could do with a beowulf cluster of these!
AOL allows people and corporations you DON'T know to add themselves to YOUR buddy list?! Why oh why do people still put up with AOL's bullshit?!
... as we'll undoubtedly need a cluster to actually run Vista.
"I swear the comments at that site make me wonder just how stupid people can get."
What worries me about the future of our planet is that young people seem to like the style of comments over at Digg. Essentially, well thought-out, articulated, and supported opinions are in disfavor. Very scary.
You're right, I was trying to be ironic. "Stealing" should have been in quotes to better emphasize my sorry attempt at humor.
I read about this story days ago. I was hoping it wouldn't get lost. In a way this is even bigger than the root-kit story. You've got to love the irony of stealing code to create a DRM infested ripper!
It's a derivative work, but unless you have permission from the copyright holders saying otherwise, full rights go to them.
I agree that language can be a part of an illegal activity. For example, if two guys plan a crime, and make a step towards the crime, they can be charged with conspiracy to commit the crime. However, if one guy says to another "we SHOULD rob such and such bank" thats is NOT a conspiracy to commit a crime as it is not specific. The use of "should" does not show an intent to actual carry out the plan.
And furthermore, as I stated, even if the statement is specific enough, there has to be some physical movement to carry out the plan. For example, after saying "Let's go rob the bank." They have to stand up to carry out the plan. Buy some masks. Write out a note. SOMETHING to show an intent to carry it out. Language in and of itself does not justify such a conspiracy.
In the case of inciting a riot, the cases deal with a person IN FRONT OF A CROWD telling them to carry out an act. That is specific enough to warrant a charge.
You're wrong. This is clearly on opinion: "Anita Coney SHOULD be shoved through a meat-grinder because he's such an idiot." Exactly how is this opinion a threat?!
Destroying property, raping, killing people, all of those are bad. But when these radicals go so far as to EXPRESS OPINIONS on the internet. Well, they've gone to far. Let's hope France does the world a favor and puts these radicals to death!
But by refusing to hear the case, the United States Supreme Court is saying that the 2nd circuit is correct.
"Which would you prefer?"
Umm, how about no lock-in, like with the CDs I buy.
Couldn't they just download one copy of a real distro and let everyone have it for free?!
Why would I spend 8 bucks per movie when I can get them for less than a buck from Netflix and rip them in any format I want?!
I agree with the parent. The key phrase is "growing hodge-podge of state laws." It's much easier for Microsoft and its lobbyist to get what it wants out of the federal government versus the fifty various states. Essentially, Microsoft wants one stop shopping to make it easier for them to screw us over.
I highly doubt anyone would go through the effort to run OSX on "some crappy consumer PC." Almost certainly, they'd install it on an awesome homebuilt system.
"You'll never see parents rioting over a $600 game console"
I beg to differ. If Microsoft markets the high demand and expected shortages, parents will fight to get it. We'll see who's right the day after Thanksgiving.
I disagree. It's very rare but every so often I come across a site that requires the use of IE. The larger the marketshare of Firefox grows, the less that will happen.
Oh god man that was fucking funny!
It's called "looking up" folks!