"I feel that inclusion of FastTrack access with KCeasy is not worth a legal
battle between Sharman and myself"
Couldn't someone, who is willing to fight Sharman Networks, fork
KCeasy and then await another
letter? Also if you want, you can still access the fasttrack network with
a previous version here (0.11)
I think it was
0.12 that was nerfed.
Excellent point you made: We need to look at the big picture of these
companies using patents to stifle P2P progress.
The Public Patent Foundation and the
EFF (Patent) are starting campaigns (Story
here) to invalidate bogus patents like the one here,
#5,978,791 , you mentioned. Time to donate your money to these
organizations (or your time with letters, and email to inform the public if you
cannot afford it) to curb corporate threats to technological innovation.
"I feel like a total ass (thus posting as AC) but someone explain what exactly is meant by free as in beer versus, free as in freedom, and all the other free as in... that people reference
Don't worry, lots of ppl dont know and they don't bother to make the distinction which is very important, at least to me. I dont care if something is free or not, I want to make sure that people can edit and look at the code (to make sure there are no virus in it etc.).
Free beer = free samples (i.e. $0.00) = gratis
Freedom = freedom to modify and use the code = libre
"I think I'd rather stick to professionally written and edited material for my kids."
There are many professors on the wikipedia mailing list, so I assume they are contributing to wikipedia and wikibooks. Do you expect them to stand by and do nothing if they see something not factual go into an article or book?
As well, one person doing a book or article is likely to make more mistakes then 1000's reviewing the samething. This arguement should sound familiar since its used for open source software as well as 'open source' books and content too:).
And even better, use free (as in freedom) text books from
wikibooks on the laptops.
Wikibooks has free (beer / freedom) books
and textbooks that anyone can edit, by the makers of
Wikipedia. A whole list of
projects are found here at Wikimedia (yes
they like the word Wiki alot;-) ).
Topstyle -
Free version of the excellent CSS editor for webdevelopment, if anyone knows a
good free alternative, im open to suggestions:)
SmartFTP - Great free for
personal use FTP client, not found a better one yet! (I have,
Filezilla it is
excellent AND fully GPL, none of this non free shit, bub.:-) )
MySQL-Front - Old version of
the MySQL windows front end, much much better than the new one you pay for.
Source isnt open and the old developer discontinued development, possibly one
of the best advertisements for why OSS is good:(
Editplus - Possibly the best
editor ive found, not free im afraid, costs around $25
VLC -, like you mentioned, Free
media player is a great media player, it blew me away. Better then Window's
media player, and I know that my porno viewing habits are not going straight to
Bill Gates.
One you didn't mention is
Filezilla which is a
good GPL ftp program instead of SmartFTP if you want to try another one out.
(I must confess I use LeechFTP since I haven't gotten use to Filezilla just yet,
although if you are into hosting files Filezilla is even better).
"IZArc may be freely distributed on the Internet, on CD/DVDs or on disks,
provided that the original files inside the distribution file are not
modified, the program is not bundled with illegal or offensive material..
Feel free to contact us at anytime regarding the distribution of IZArc."
I'll take 7-Zip free (as in FREEDOM) program instead, thanks.
"Last time I checked, it seems the only rights you have in the U.S. are to
privacy and to not be offended.
Neither of these are guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution."
Then it is time to make it apart of the constitution. Enough with this
penis-vagina anti gay people amendment no one needs, lets get a useful privacy
amendment started.
This is what I really didn't like from the summary:
"...pass laws to force users to provide their encryption keys and the plain text
of their encrypted files"
That is insane. If someone has documents in which they would be embarrased to
have shared (yes, I'm looking at your direction the pro-animal necrophilia
crowd) then what business is it of government's that they have them.
One interesting solution to having to hand over your pass keys is provided by the
Phonebook Encryption
Project. This program encrypts a file to have TWO keys which will
decrypt into TWO different files. One key decrypts the file to reveal the
beastiality porno, one key decrypts the file for pictures of barney the dinosaur:).
Also those that say Freenet
wouldn't be necessary in North America, I thought the same for the Phonebook
project just yesterday. Now I am very glad both Freenet and Phonebook are here.
The point is that trying to shore up the artifical barrier that is copyright with protection schemes is tilting at windmills, it will not work.
Since it will not work it is time to stop wasting time dicking around and locking people up in jail and instead get on with the task of coming up with a business model that works.
With technologies like Freenet coming online, unless you outlaw P2P the business model of scarce information is dead.
This guy is a hero for standing up to coroprations, unlike you who can only bitch on Slashdot about how other people get all the glory and your stuck there picking your ass all day long.
If you are really concerned about him going to jail, then do something about it rather then bitch about *him* doing *his* part.
I think it is time for a major boycott against the RIAA. Downloading copyrighted material released under a CC or GPL type license is perfectly LEGAL.
Is there no organization that has as its #1 goal the reduction of copyright lengths, the removal of patents from software, the promotion of the public domain all in one? The 'Anti-IP' groups, if you want to call them as such, need to come together.
Also I think that the Green Party could do very well to implement a progressive 'Intellectual Property' adgenda.
"Apparently, the local phone companies are scared shitless because the
internet is capable of destroying their stranglehold on the telecommunications
market."
The phone companies might hurt for the short run, but they still seem to own the
vast majority of the connections on which the internet (and thus
VoIP) ultimately
operate.
People creating their own
interconnected wireless internet networks will probably hurt them more in the
long run. Get a large enough tower you can transmit to people like a pirate TV
or radio station.
"As much as I hate to admit it, software "piracy" is bad and no matter what excuses peiople come up with."
Ya that's exactly right. If copyright was 5 years and it was 4 years and 364 days after release and I copy it God is sending me straight to hell. The next day though I can copy it and God cut's me a break.
Ya right. I think *you* need to examine the idea that copyright is an artifical barrier to the free flow of information. A barrier, that was suppose to promote the creation of new ideas, that does not seem to be working that great esp. since this barrier continues to be increased in length.
I have no problem with copying software I know I'd never buy, and buying software I know I will like and use.
"you suggest that we only address the most heinous crimes and ignore all of our other laws?"
Nah not ignore the law, change it. Let us reduce copyright and enshrine fair use in law.
Let us stop the corporation before they outlaw libraries and we need their permission to borrow or read any type of copyright, including books, videos... anything.
"Most of the world is still on dialup (at least in the home for those lucky enough to have internet access at home). 53/56K is faster than 300 baud, but still not very fast at a very graphics intensive site."
That is true, but the trend towards faster bandwidth will continue. I wonder if this lawsuit will simply be the tipping point towards the png format? If not now, I predict the png format will be the standard soon.
With the rate bandwidth throughput is increasing, why not make png the standard? Then we can have lossless copies of our images.
When baud was 300, the difference between a JPG and BMP/PNG type was HUGE. Now the compression gains from the jpg standard is decreasing as bandwidth increases (i.e. the 0.01 seconds saved for downloading a jpg compared to a png is negligible.)
But if we extend that line of reasoning, why not prosecute a library for
copyright infringement?
I have no doubt that is exactly where we are heading. The logical conclusion
would be that books, and all copyrighted material, would not be freely available
for anyone unless they paid the copyright holder.
What would such a world look like?
RMS guesses that
this is what such a world would look like
here.
"I issue a call for Google to encrypt your mail to avoid these issues"
No... I have a better idea, instead of getting the government involved if you don't like it then you can choose to use a email service more to your liking.
Me? I can't wait to use Gmail, and if I don't like it then I will stop using it. See how simple it is?
If they can't read english (at least enough to offer an english version of their sign up area) that makes me feel better that they *won't* be reading my mail.
1) Overprice your product and offer a rebate
2) Bank on the fact that only a small percentage of customers actually mail in
for the rebate, and do so correctly.
3) Profit
MUTE-Net is a searchable
anonymous p2p application that just came out in December 2003, and is working
well (for anonymous p2p).
They did not put in file resume yet because they wanted to fix all the problems
other then a node disconnecting first. After file resume is in it should be a
great program, esp. since it has file hash like emule/edonkey.
Slashdot Mirror
"I feel that inclusion of FastTrack access with KCeasy is not worth a legal battle between Sharman and myself"
Couldn't someone, who is willing to fight Sharman Networks, fork KCeasy and then await another letter? Also if you want, you can still access the fasttrack network with a previous version here (0.11) I think it was 0.12 that was nerfed.
Excellent point you made: We need to look at the big picture of these companies using patents to stifle P2P progress.
The Public Patent Foundation and the EFF (Patent) are starting campaigns (Story here) to invalidate bogus patents like the one here, #5,978,791 , you mentioned. Time to donate your money to these organizations (or your time with letters, and email to inform the public if you cannot afford it) to curb corporate threats to technological innovation.
[Winstein shows Valenti his six-line "qrpff" DVD descrambler.]
The Tech: If you type that in, it'll let you watch movies.
Jack Valenti: You designed this?
The Tech: Yes.
Jack Valenti: Un-fucking-believable.
The Tech: And look at this thing called Freenet, it allows you to publish movies without fear of being caught.
Jack Valenti: Oh my fucking heart, stop! <dies>
"probably mean a considerable loss in productivity. "
You then fire the lazy workers. No? Oh yes I forgot, no one gets fired anymore unless you goto work with a gun and kill a few people.
Then you get a few weeks of suspended pay.
"I feel like a total ass (thus posting as AC) but someone explain what exactly is meant by free as in beer versus, free as in freedom, and all the other free as in ... that people reference
Don't worry, lots of ppl dont know and they don't bother to make the distinction which is very important, at least to me. I dont care if something is free or not, I want to make sure that people can edit and look at the code (to make sure there are no virus in it etc.).
Free beer = free samples (i.e. $0.00) = gratis
Freedom = freedom to modify and use the code = libre
"I think I'd rather stick to professionally written and edited material for my kids."
:).
There are many professors on the wikipedia mailing list, so I assume they are contributing to wikipedia and wikibooks. Do you expect them to stand by and do nothing if they see something not factual go into an article or book?
As well, one person doing a book or article is likely to make more mistakes then 1000's reviewing the samething. This arguement should sound familiar since its used for open source software as well as 'open source' books and content too
And even better, use free (as in freedom) text books from wikibooks on the laptops.
;-) ).
Wikibooks has free (beer / freedom) books and textbooks that anyone can edit, by the makers of Wikipedia. A whole list of projects are found here at Wikimedia (yes they like the word Wiki alot
VLC -, like you mentioned, Free media player is a great media player, it blew me away. Better then Window's media player, and I know that my porno viewing habits are not going straight to Bill Gates.
One you didn't mention is Filezilla which is a good GPL ftp program instead of SmartFTP if you want to try another one out. (I must confess I use LeechFTP since I haven't gotten use to Filezilla just yet, although if you are into hosting files Filezilla is even better).
"Instead, use the other free alternative"
If you are going to make that claim, at least say it is ONLY free as in BEER and NOT FREEDOM.
IZArc's Distribution License right from their own website:
"IZArc may be freely distributed on the Internet, on CD/DVDs or on disks, provided that the original files inside the distribution file are not modified, the program is not bundled with illegal or offensive material.. Feel free to contact us at anytime regarding the distribution of IZArc."
I'll take 7-Zip free (as in FREEDOM) program instead, thanks.
"Last time I checked, it seems the only rights you have in the U.S. are to privacy and to not be offended.
:).
Neither of these are guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution."
Then it is time to make it apart of the constitution. Enough with this penis-vagina anti gay people amendment no one needs, lets get a useful privacy amendment started.
This is what I really didn't like from the summary:
"...pass laws to force users to provide their encryption keys and the plain text of their encrypted files"
That is insane. If someone has documents in which they would be embarrased to have shared (yes, I'm looking at your direction the pro-animal necrophilia crowd) then what business is it of government's that they have them.
One interesting solution to having to hand over your pass keys is provided by the Phonebook Encryption Project. This program encrypts a file to have TWO keys which will decrypt into TWO different files. One key decrypts the file to reveal the beastiality porno, one key decrypts the file for pictures of barney the dinosaur
Also those that say Freenet wouldn't be necessary in North America, I thought the same for the Phonebook project just yesterday. Now I am very glad both Freenet and Phonebook are here.
You miss the point entirely, i think.
The point is that trying to shore up the artifical barrier that is copyright with protection schemes is tilting at windmills, it will not work.
Since it will not work it is time to stop wasting time dicking around and locking people up in jail and instead get on with the task of coming up with a business model that works.
With technologies like Freenet coming online, unless you outlaw P2P the business model of scarce information is dead.
This guy is a hero for standing up to coroprations, unlike you who can only bitch on Slashdot about how other people get all the glory and your stuck there picking your ass all day long.
If you are really concerned about him going to jail, then do something about it rather then bitch about *him* doing *his* part.
I think it is time for a major boycott against the RIAA. Downloading copyrighted material released under a CC or GPL type license is perfectly LEGAL.
Is there no organization that has as its #1 goal the reduction of copyright lengths, the removal of patents from software, the promotion of the public domain all in one? The 'Anti-IP' groups, if you want to call them as such, need to come together.
Also I think that the Green Party could do very well to implement a progressive 'Intellectual Property' adgenda.
"Apparently, the local phone companies are scared shitless because the internet is capable of destroying their stranglehold on the telecommunications market."
The phone companies might hurt for the short run, but they still seem to own the vast majority of the connections on which the internet (and thus VoIP) ultimately operate.
People creating their own interconnected wireless internet networks will probably hurt them more in the long run. Get a large enough tower you can transmit to people like a pirate TV or radio station.
"House and Senate bills that define VoIP as a software application have already been introduced but may not be voted on before the Internet tax vote."
;).
I wonder how they will collect the tax on an open source / free software version of a VoIP application?
15% of $0.00? Here's your 'tax' Mr./Ms. senator
I'm not sure if tax on a particular kind of software has ever been done before? I don't think it will work out that great in this case.
"Okay, everybody stare directly at the Sun."
;)
Don't forget to use your telescope too.
"As much as I hate to admit it, software "piracy" is bad and no matter what excuses peiople come up with."
Ya that's exactly right. If copyright was 5 years and it was 4 years and 364 days after release and I copy it God is sending me straight to hell. The next day though I can copy it and God cut's me a break.
Ya right. I think *you* need to examine the idea that copyright is an artifical barrier to the free flow of information. A barrier, that was suppose to promote the creation of new ideas, that does not seem to be working that great esp. since this barrier continues to be increased in length.
I have no problem with copying software I know I'd never buy, and buying software I know I will like and use.
"you suggest that we only address the most heinous crimes and ignore all of our other laws?"
Nah not ignore the law, change it. Let us reduce copyright and enshrine fair use in law.
Let us stop the corporation before they outlaw libraries and we need their permission to borrow or read any type of copyright, including books, videos... anything.
"Most of the world is still on dialup (at least in the home for those lucky enough to have internet access at home). 53/56K is faster than 300 baud, but still not very fast at a very graphics intensive site."
That is true, but the trend towards faster bandwidth will continue. I wonder if this lawsuit will simply be the tipping point towards the png format? If not now, I predict the png format will be the standard soon.
With the rate bandwidth throughput is increasing, why not make png the standard? Then we can have lossless copies of our images.
When baud was 300, the difference between a JPG and BMP/PNG type was HUGE. Now the compression gains from the jpg standard is decreasing as bandwidth increases (i.e. the 0.01 seconds saved for downloading a jpg compared to a png is negligible.)
Go go png format!
But if we extend that line of reasoning, why not prosecute a library for copyright infringement?
I have no doubt that is exactly where we are heading. The logical conclusion would be that books, and all copyrighted material, would not be freely available for anyone unless they paid the copyright holder.
What would such a world look like? RMS guesses that this is what such a world would look like here.
"I issue a call for Google to encrypt your mail to avoid these issues"
No... I have a better idea, instead of getting the government involved if you don't like it then you can choose to use a email service more to your liking.
Me? I can't wait to use Gmail, and if I don't like it then I will stop using it. See how simple it is?
If they can't read english (at least enough to offer an english version of their sign up area) that makes me feel better that they *won't* be reading my mail.
It's almost like those rebate programs:
1) Overprice your product and offer a rebate
2) Bank on the fact that only a small percentage of customers actually mail in for the rebate, and do so correctly.
3) Profit
Where is the missing
#) ???
step?
MUTE-Net is a searchable anonymous p2p application that just came out in December 2003, and is working well (for anonymous p2p).
They did not put in file resume yet because they wanted to fix all the problems other then a node disconnecting first. After file resume is in it should be a great program, esp. since it has file hash like emule/edonkey.
Wikipedia Article on MUTE