You can blame a company who obtained an asinine patent for doing what is perfectly legal. If it doesn't do it, some other company would, and than that Xybernaut would be screwed.
If you have a problem with what Xybernaut did then you should move to change the law. To expect corporations (and citizens) to follow laws which do not exist is as asinine as the patent that Xybernaut obtained.
God, I must be losing it. I thought it was hilarious and obviously a joke. I guess I'll stick to more serious posts and drop the humor from now on. Sorry!
There are two ways to get rid of spam. Stopping spammers and stopping people from buying via spam. The former never works because spammers will always find ways around it. The latter could work, here's how:
First, equate spam with child pornography and terrorist activity. Get Congress to make it illegal to buy products via spam. Start arresting and imprisoning those who do buy via spam. After a couple years, spam will stop.
First, no business patents. Can you imagine if such patents were around in the 1800s?! Someone would have patented horse and buggy repair shops, grocery stores, pharmacies, etc. These examples seem ludicrous, but they would all be perfectly legal now.
Second, no software patents. There will be a time when no new company will be able to innovate as any new idea could somehow be construed to impact on a patent. Old companies won't innovate because that's not what old companies do. Technological innovation will come to a stand still.
Third, the granting of a patent should be a very rare instance.
Fourth, even if a patent is granted, it should always be the patent holder's burden at any subsequent trial or hearing to prove the patent's validity.
I nearly agree with you, and I was just about to mod you up, but there is one minor disagreement. I run Win2k. I'll never switch to XP for one simple reason: Product Activation.
I'm a hardware junkie so I typically change my motherboard at least twice a year. I'm swapping videocards, soundcards, hard drives, etc, like.. like... a wife swapper at an orgy full of supermodels. (Heck, it's the best I can do this early in the morning!)
There is just NO way I'm going to let Microsoft dictate when and how I use my computer. Accordingly, when it comes time to dump Win2k, I'll likely choose Linux. You're right that it won't be for cost, it'll be solely for freedom.
I've never been into singles. I figure if an artist can only come up with one good song out of 10-15 songs on a CD, that one song is probably not very good to begin with.
The only thing I have against iTunes (and all such services) is that you're paying essentially the same price as the CD, but you're getting your music in a lossy format. And sure you can burn and re-rip, but then you're getting MUCH less for nearly the same price.
I'd only buy from iTunes (or any other such service) if the music was a LOT cheaper (e.g., ten cents per song) or came in a flac type format (at a buck per song). I'm simply not going to pay the same amount and get less.
Personally, I like buying CDs from Amazon. The prices are good, I have yet to find any DRM, I pay no shipping, no taxes, and usually get my CDs in about a week. I can then rip them to any format I choose.
Right now citizens in the US have the right to record TV shows and watch them at a later date. It's called time shifting. The concept came out of the US Supreme Court case called Universal v Sony.
Many people use that right via TIVOs, via VCRs, or via computers. It's engrained into our culture like free air. It's something we take for granted.
That's all about to change. Broadcasters will even be able to block the time shifting/recording of public domain programming. Heck, after 2006, it will be illegal for any TV device to have analog out, so don't think your VCR will be of any help. And lastly, while you might be able to get around it, doing so will be illegal under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Considering that 12-year-old girls are being sued now for downloading music, you can rest assured that broadcasters will be happy to sue adults.
Here's the deal: We will still be able to timeshift the vast majority of our shows. If suddenly one day we're unable to record our favorite shows, there will be a riot. Congress will get involved and will put limits on the use of the flags. Broadcasters do not want that.
Here's what will happen. Broadcasters will allow the vast majority of programming to be time-shifted with limits, e.g., unlimited re-viewings but you'll be unable to skip commercials.
Some shows, e.g., sporting events and big movies, might be totally blocked from recording, or the restrictions for later viewings will be stricter. But it won't happen often.
And here's the real reason the Flag will be rendered meaningless, over time the recording devices will be smart enough that the Nelson Ratings company will be able to know how many times a recorded show is watched. At that time broadcasters will not care how much we re-watch shows, because each re-watching will increase the viewership of the particular show. Thus it will be to the broadcaster's advantage to allow as much timeshifting as possible!
However, what will change is that we will not be allowed to keep libraries of our favorite shows. There will be no legal way to get shows off the recorders. But since the Court in Universal v Sony specifically stated that such libraries violate copyright, we won't be losing any rights in the process.
A poster argued that the DMV should switch to Linux. You argued that that would not have solved the problem.
Here is a fact: The viruses involved only affect Windows Machines.
Here is another fact: Those viruses would never have affected machines running Linux.
From those two facts, it necessarily follows, that means it is also a certain fact, that if those machines would have ran Linux, the problem would never have occurred.
You argue that "malicious scripts" could be used to bring down Linux. But, your argument is not based on any facts. You admit that malicious scripts were not used.
We could speculate about a million things, but that would not change the fact that the problem would not have occurred IF those machines were running Linux.
Sure Linux machines can be attacked, sure bombs can be exploded, sure we could all die from alien invasions... but all of that is just speculation.
When you have some FACTS that the problem would have occurred even if Linux was used, please provide them. But if you are going to keep speculating, I not going to waste my time responding.
First, the inability for the DMV to give out licenses is clearly more than a "minor malfunction." Also, you said "one" glitch. Exactly how are multiple computers being infected "one" problem?
Second, how would the use of Linux prevented it? The computers at the DMV were infected by viruses. Those viruses would not have impacted any machine running Linux. Accordingly, it is necessarily true, that if those machines were running Linux, the viruses would not have impacted the machines.
Third, you speculate that other means could have been used to impede those Linux machines. But you are speculating. There is no evidence what so ever that such "malicious scripts" came into play here. You could also argue that even if Linux was used a bomb could have blown up the entire DMV administration building, and you'd have exactly the same amount of evidence to back it up.
Fourth, you analogize that because Firefox has problems, that Linux may have problems. Heck, I'll analogize too. Merely because the BSA has shut down organizations before for using proprietary software, it could do the same to the DMV. Thus, to avoid being shut down by the BSA, everyone should switch to Linux and Open Source.
http://news.com.com/2008-1082_3-5065859.html?tag =l h
To summarize: The machines were infected by a Windows only problem. Thus, not using Windows would have necessarily stopped the problem from occurring.
One glitch?! An entire government bureaucracy is shut down for nearly a week (and who knows how much longer) because numerous computers are crippled is hardly "one glitch."
And considering that the problem would not have occurred if Linux had been used, I'm not sure how you can say, "Oh yeah, that will solve it." Please explain that to me please!
And also please explain how a flaw found and fixed in Firefox has anything to do with Linux.
Do we need any more proof as to why the music industry is in the dumps?! The top dog of the music industry cannot distinguish between a good song or a bad song. He appears to believe that any succession of notes could be a hit merely by marketing.
I hear people say again and again that they buy less music because music sucks today. (At least the crap pushed by the industry.) Now we have evidence to back that up.
Of course large companies are in favor of software patents because patents protect the status quo. Large companies can file absurd software patents, e.g., one click shopping, to keep smaller companies from competing.
Once all software patents are enforced throughout the world, innovation will come to a standstill. It will be impossible for any new company to create anything. And large companies will rest on their laurels.
But I'm not sure why you'd want them on a portable system. Can anyone really tell the difference between an OGG file and a Flac file via headphones while riding in a subway, walking in the street, or driving in your car?!
I consider Flac more appropriate for home entertainment systems.
Sure, everybody is ignorant about something. I'm ignorant about surgery. Thus, I should not perform surgery. My wife is ignorant about computers, so she should not repair computers. I could go on and on.
Following that same logic, if a gambler believes that an average 97 cents return for every dollar spent is a good thing, he is utterly ignorant about money. Thus, he should not be allowed to have it.
I could take all my stolen music, warez AND porn wherever I go! Damn, it's only 8 gigaBITs. One gigabyte is nothing to get excited about. Heck, I've got a one gig CF card in my Canon PowerShot G2. Exactly why is this news?!
Or for people who are too stupid to simply put their "bookmarks.html" file up on their personal website, so they can easily access it anywhere in the world.
The CXT is for wimps. Check out these REAL trucks! http://homepage2.nifty.com/ztath/starthp/ subpage15.html http://homepage2.nifty.com/ztath/starthp/su bpage16.html
I remember the first time I went to Las Vegas. I saw signs bragging about how "loose" each casinos slots were. Some bragged that they paid as high as 97%.
I just loved it, they ADMITTED that for every dollar you gave, on average you'd get back only 97 cents. To put it another way, you get better odds from a change machine.
It's my opinion that the stupid and ignorant should not have money. Casinos do a great job at ensuring that.
Slashdot Mirror
You can blame a company who obtained an asinine patent for doing what is perfectly legal. If it doesn't do it, some other company would, and than that Xybernaut would be screwed.
If you have a problem with what Xybernaut did then you should move to change the law. To expect corporations (and citizens) to follow laws which do not exist is as asinine as the patent that Xybernaut obtained.
God, I must be losing it. I thought it was hilarious and obviously a joke. I guess I'll stick to more serious posts and drop the humor from now on. Sorry!
Actually, my entire post was a joke. Sort of a parody on what's happening to P2P technology. Sorry it wasn't funny enough.
There are two ways to get rid of spam. Stopping spammers and stopping people from buying via spam. The former never works because spammers will always find ways around it. The latter could work, here's how:
First, equate spam with child pornography and terrorist activity. Get Congress to make it illegal to buy products via spam. Start arresting and imprisoning those who do buy via spam. After a couple years, spam will stop.
First, no business patents. Can you imagine if such patents were around in the 1800s?! Someone would have patented horse and buggy repair shops, grocery stores, pharmacies, etc. These examples seem ludicrous, but they would all be perfectly legal now.
Second, no software patents. There will be a time when no new company will be able to innovate as any new idea could somehow be construed to impact on a patent. Old companies won't innovate because that's not what old companies do. Technological innovation will come to a stand still.
Third, the granting of a patent should be a very rare instance.
Fourth, even if a patent is granted, it should always be the patent holder's burden at any subsequent trial or hearing to prove the patent's validity.
I nearly agree with you, and I was just about to mod you up, but there is one minor disagreement. I run Win2k. I'll never switch to XP for one simple reason: Product Activation.
I'm a hardware junkie so I typically change my motherboard at least twice a year. I'm swapping videocards, soundcards, hard drives, etc, like.. like... a wife swapper at an orgy full of supermodels. (Heck, it's the best I can do this early in the morning!)
There is just NO way I'm going to let Microsoft dictate when and how I use my computer. Accordingly, when it comes time to dump Win2k, I'll likely choose Linux. You're right that it won't be for cost, it'll be solely for freedom.
I've never been into singles. I figure if an artist can only come up with one good song out of 10-15 songs on a CD, that one song is probably not very good to begin with.
The only thing I have against iTunes (and all such services) is that you're paying essentially the same price as the CD, but you're getting your music in a lossy format. And sure you can burn and re-rip, but then you're getting MUCH less for nearly the same price.
I'd only buy from iTunes (or any other such service) if the music was a LOT cheaper (e.g., ten cents per song) or came in a flac type format (at a buck per song). I'm simply not going to pay the same amount and get less.
Personally, I like buying CDs from Amazon. The prices are good, I have yet to find any DRM, I pay no shipping, no taxes, and usually get my CDs in about a week. I can then rip them to any format I choose.
Right now citizens in the US have the right to record TV shows and watch them at a later date. It's called time shifting. The concept came out of the US Supreme Court case called Universal v Sony.
Many people use that right via TIVOs, via VCRs, or via computers. It's engrained into our culture like free air. It's something we take for granted.
That's all about to change. Broadcasters will even be able to block the time shifting/recording of public domain programming. Heck, after 2006, it will be illegal for any TV device to have analog out, so don't think your VCR will be of any help. And lastly, while you might be able to get around it, doing so will be illegal under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Considering that 12-year-old girls are being sued now for downloading music, you can rest assured that broadcasters will be happy to sue adults.
Here's the deal: We will still be able to timeshift the vast majority of our shows. If suddenly one day we're unable to record our favorite shows, there will be a riot. Congress will get involved and will put limits on the use of the flags. Broadcasters do not want that.
Here's what will happen. Broadcasters will allow the vast majority of programming to be time-shifted with limits, e.g., unlimited re-viewings but you'll be unable to skip commercials.
Some shows, e.g., sporting events and big movies, might be totally blocked from recording, or the restrictions for later viewings will be stricter. But it won't happen often.
And here's the real reason the Flag will be rendered meaningless, over time the recording devices will be smart enough that the Nelson Ratings company will be able to know how many times a recorded show is watched. At that time broadcasters will not care how much we re-watch shows, because each re-watching will increase the viewership of the particular show. Thus it will be to the broadcaster's advantage to allow as much timeshifting as possible!
However, what will change is that we will not be allowed to keep libraries of our favorite shows. There will be no legal way to get shows off the recorders. But since the Court in Universal v Sony specifically stated that such libraries violate copyright, we won't be losing any rights in the process.
There is no patent threat here. Sun is immune.7
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=1762
Then it'll explode over Florida, all those morons who can't figure out how to vote will die, and we'll get a real president this year!
No references to Ice nine?! I must be getting old.
The Green Hornet or the Green Lantern?!
Let's start from the beginning.
A poster argued that the DMV should switch to Linux. You argued that that would not have solved the problem.
Here is a fact: The viruses involved only affect Windows Machines.
Here is another fact: Those viruses would never have affected machines running Linux.
From those two facts, it necessarily follows, that means it is also a certain fact, that if those machines would have ran Linux, the problem would never have occurred.
You argue that "malicious scripts" could be used to bring down Linux. But, your argument is not based on any facts. You admit that malicious scripts were not used.
We could speculate about a million things, but that would not change the fact that the problem would not have occurred IF those machines were running Linux.
Sure Linux machines can be attacked, sure bombs can be exploded, sure we could all die from alien invasions... but all of that is just speculation.
When you have some FACTS that the problem would have occurred even if Linux was used, please provide them. But if you are going to keep speculating, I not going to waste my time responding.
First, the inability for the DMV to give out licenses is clearly more than a "minor malfunction." Also, you said "one" glitch. Exactly how are multiple computers being infected "one" problem?
g =l h
Second, how would the use of Linux prevented it? The computers at the DMV were infected by viruses. Those viruses would not have impacted any machine running Linux. Accordingly, it is necessarily true, that if those machines were running Linux, the viruses would not have impacted the machines.
Third, you speculate that other means could have been used to impede those Linux machines. But you are speculating. There is no evidence what so ever that such "malicious scripts" came into play here. You could also argue that even if Linux was used a bomb could have blown up the entire DMV administration building, and you'd have exactly the same amount of evidence to back it up.
Fourth, you analogize that because Firefox has problems, that Linux may have problems. Heck, I'll analogize too. Merely because the BSA has shut down organizations before for using proprietary software, it could do the same to the DMV. Thus, to avoid being shut down by the BSA, everyone should switch to Linux and Open Source.
http://news.com.com/2008-1082_3-5065859.html?ta
To summarize: The machines were infected by a Windows only problem. Thus, not using Windows would have necessarily stopped the problem from occurring.
One glitch?! An entire government bureaucracy is shut down for nearly a week (and who knows how much longer) because numerous computers are crippled is hardly "one glitch."
And considering that the problem would not have occurred if Linux had been used, I'm not sure how you can say, "Oh yeah, that will solve it." Please explain that to me please!
And also please explain how a flaw found and fixed in Firefox has anything to do with Linux.
Do we need any more proof as to why the music industry is in the dumps?! The top dog of the music industry cannot distinguish between a good song or a bad song. He appears to believe that any succession of notes could be a hit merely by marketing.
I hear people say again and again that they buy less music because music sucks today. (At least the crap pushed by the industry.) Now we have evidence to back that up.
Of course large companies are in favor of software patents because patents protect the status quo. Large companies can file absurd software patents, e.g., one click shopping, to keep smaller companies from competing.
Once all software patents are enforced throughout the world, innovation will come to a standstill. It will be impossible for any new company to create anything. And large companies will rest on their laurels.
I'm sorry about your blindness.
The reason MP3 is necessarily for portable music players is because MP3 is overwhelmingly the most popular portable music format in the world.
It'd be like building a car that wouldn't work on paved roads.
It'd be like building a commercial airline that only went to and from deserted areas.
It'd be like selling food that most people couldn't digest.
If the market says X is a winner, then it asinine NOT to support X.
But I'm not sure why you'd want them on a portable system. Can anyone really tell the difference between an OGG file and a Flac file via headphones while riding in a subway, walking in the street, or driving in your car?!
I consider Flac more appropriate for home entertainment systems.
Sure, everybody is ignorant about something. I'm ignorant about surgery. Thus, I should not perform surgery. My wife is ignorant about computers, so she should not repair computers. I could go on and on.
Following that same logic, if a gambler believes that an average 97 cents return for every dollar spent is a good thing, he is utterly ignorant about money. Thus, he should not be allowed to have it.
I could take all my stolen music, warez AND porn wherever I go! Damn, it's only 8 gigaBITs. One gigabyte is nothing to get excited about. Heck, I've got a one gig CF card in my Canon PowerShot G2. Exactly why is this news?!
Or for people who are too stupid to simply put their "bookmarks.html" file up on their personal website, so they can easily access it anywhere in the world.
The CXT is for wimps. Check out these REAL trucks!/ subpage15 .htmlu bpage16 .html
http://homepage2.nifty.com/ztath/starthp
http://homepage2.nifty.com/ztath/starthp/s
I remember the first time I went to Las Vegas. I saw signs bragging about how "loose" each casinos slots were. Some bragged that they paid as high as 97%.
I just loved it, they ADMITTED that for every dollar you gave, on average you'd get back only 97 cents. To put it another way, you get better odds from a change machine.
It's my opinion that the stupid and ignorant should not have money. Casinos do a great job at ensuring that.