You still need someone to give you some money in advance to pay some bills. If your team works for shares or little money you might pull it off without a publisher / investor. The concept is rather unique though and I can't really tell whether or not it will work. It is a gamble.
One thing that could really give it a kick-start would be a good mission editor, so you could use it to create your own movies and scripts. How many people have been (ab-)using game engines that were never created for such things to make stuff like red vs blue and the like?
In my humble opinion the attitude in the finance sector has to change away from gambling and back to investing. Btw. How comes those people only get bonuses and not fines to?
Yes, the "method" of science is similar in the disciplines of astrology and climate science - in general - but not even close in practice.
I would dare to say that studying climate models is a bit more sophisticated than laying out Tarot cards and telling peoples future by their date of birth.
So what? This guy was sent to prison with completely overrated accusations and paid dearly for his wrongdoings. He has my blessing for using his "fame" in order to make some money.
If you were asking if the circumstances would have been different had my hacking occurred ten years later, then I would say yes. The prosecutors would not have been able to convince the Court that I was a serious National Security threat, which resulted in me being held in solitary confinement for nearly a year, based on ridiculous claim that I could launch a nuclear weapon by whistling into a phone. Also, they would not have been able to claim the damages were the total R&D costs associated with the development of source code, which I merely looked at, without distributing it. I think my sentencing and treatment in the justice system would have been much different, as they would not have been able to exaggerate the harm like the Government did in my case.
They might have used it as an excuse to label him a terrorist though. At least back then they had to work around the law to pull off such shady stuff...
I do accept the point they might have the law on their side. Still the MPAA was specifically created as a lobbying and if necessary bullying organization. The creators do have rights and people have to be paid. But maybe, just maybe they also should rethink their business practices to. If you just haul a few not exactly innocent, but small fish into court and threaten them with an army of lawyers that might help a bit on the short term, but people (more or less rightly) conceive you as a big evil corp (TM). You should also look for the reasons and look for a sensible solution. Give them a cheap and convenient alternative to illegal downloads, stop artificial delays and encourage proper behavior. Then start a warning and information campaign on eye level. The start issuing warnings to the remaining offenders. Target the big offenders and folks who make money with piracy. Tell people why, make sure they understand and at least partially agree. Do that in public. Do not threaten small offenders with insane fines, let them of cheap the first time (like 100$).
Issuing a fine of this size will be accepted, serve as a warning to all hearing of it and will decrease private piracy IF a decent alternative is given.
Backing such a fine with a threat of hundreds of thousands in damages will not.
But these studios are the victims here. Not the bullies.
Poor, wretched victims... Where is the MPAA relief fund when they are in such dire need.
*Glues plastic tear under left eye*
Close...
The aliens told the UN they where not happy with humanities puny wars, their conflicts and the bitching between nations trying to negotiate peace. Humans asked for a chance to prove their worthiness and were granted another day.
The next day they came back and the UN speaker handed them a contract for world peace, signed by every nation. All hostility world wide had ended, nukes dismantled, peace for all.
The aliens shook their heads and explained they had planted the seed for intelligent life on earth in order to create a warrior race to fight for/together with them. They had waited a couple of million years and now came back to check the results. Humanities love for peace (as proven by the world peace contract presented to them) was considered to be a fatal flaw and therefore it was decided to clear the planet and start all over.
Why can't I remember useful information as well as stuff like this?
(btw: if someone calls for citation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Small_Talent_for_War )
Except that utility company have monopolies only because those monopolies are granted by law. Monopolies don't persist if there are no laws to protect them.
OPEC? (although technically an oligopoly)
Monopolies occur all the time if not regulated. Main reasons being high costs of entry, technological or market share advantages or control over resources.
Going back to the example: IF said water company decides not to serve you anymore, the chances a different company would start laying a second set of pipes to your place are rather dim. Society accepts this fact and therefor attaches strings to "accepted" monopolies. Like having to serve every customer, or putting caps on the prices.
Don't they teach basic business theory anymore?
If Visa would shut down it's operation in Germany today, I'd say 90% of the people would not even notice and for 9.5% the minor inconvience would last less than two weeks (until car rental companies changed the insurance process). The remaining few would bicker a little bit and then move on.
I'd say for the Netherlands and France the same will hold true. The UK might feel a little more impact, but would probably stop caring about the issue in three or for weeks (that means until everyone noticed, sighed once and used their bank issued ec card instead).
if there was a simple tax rate for each state, it would not be so bad, but each county, each city, certain merchandise all have different tax rates. What a accounting nightmare to keep up with. Every time you turn around another city council is passing another tax on something, having to keep up with would be next to impossible.
Amen. Amazon has no problem collecting sales tax in other countries and probably wouldn't have in California - IF California got their act together and found a way for them actually calculate the taxes. Even zipcode->xy% would do. And sign a waiver that says "if we send you the wrong data, it is our fault, not yours"
I don't see California managing to do this though, ever.
Adrenalin is one, Testosterone is not. It makes hairy balls and sweaty thoughts. It also stays active your whole life and only the level varies.
High levels do increase aggressive behavior though. Still no fight and flight hormone, sorry.
For those of you who don't know what "full private coverage" means (eg everyone not from germany):
* Single or double room if you are in hospital (your choice)
* free choice of clinic
* treatment by the chief physician
* full dental care
* glasses, contact lenses
* alternative medication and treatment (eg acupuncture)
* massage and physiotherapie
* psychotherapy
All paid for. You usally get the best your hospital / doctor has to offer.
You know that you can't set of dynamite that easily. Basicly the whole idea of dynamite is to have an explosive that doesn't blow in your face. C4 can even be used in some camping stoves to heat your dinner.
You have obviously never lived in Scandinavia. Most people in Europe envy their way of live. Culture, social security, healthcare - but that is all nanny style communism is suppose.
As for the alcohol: Try living in a place where the sun shows up for 2 hours a day during winter, where your traveling options a severely limited by ice and snow for several months and where winter depressions are common. (No not the "I'm not feeling happy today, so I must be depressed" kind, but the "I am going to drink my self senseless from October to March or simply kill myself" kind.)
The laws weren't implemented because people were drinking vodka like soda and had a mortality rate not even heard of in any other country in the world.
Well, maybe in the next "update" the FBI agents will carry calculators instead of walkie-talkies instead of guns. Who knows.
Good news is ET will have his phone call either way
Slashdot Mirror
Do you get to use a Canon for this?
You still need someone to give you some money in advance to pay some bills. If your team works for shares or little money you might pull it off without a publisher / investor. The concept is rather unique though and I can't really tell whether or not it will work. It is a gamble. One thing that could really give it a kick-start would be a good mission editor, so you could use it to create your own movies and scripts. How many people have been (ab-)using game engines that were never created for such things to make stuff like red vs blue and the like?
In my humble opinion the attitude in the finance sector has to change away from gambling and back to investing.
Btw. How comes those people only get bonuses and not fines to?
Yes, the "method" of science is similar in the disciplines of astrology and climate science - in general - but not even close in practice.
I would dare to say that studying climate models is a bit more sophisticated than laying out Tarot cards and telling peoples future by their date of birth.
So what? This guy was sent to prison with completely overrated accusations and paid dearly for his wrongdoings. He has my blessing for using his "fame" in order to make some money.
If you were asking if the circumstances would have been different had my hacking occurred ten years later, then I would say yes. The prosecutors would not have been able to convince the Court that I was a serious National Security threat, which resulted in me being held in solitary confinement for nearly a year, based on ridiculous claim that I could launch a nuclear weapon by whistling into a phone. Also, they would not have been able to claim the damages were the total R&D costs associated with the development of source code, which I merely looked at, without distributing it. I think my sentencing and treatment in the justice system would have been much different, as they would not have been able to exaggerate the harm like the Government did in my case.
They might have used it as an excuse to label him a terrorist though. At least back then they had to work around the law to pull off such shady stuff...
At least ERGO had the courtesy to supply hookers in addition to the booze.
I do accept the point they might have the law on their side. Still the MPAA was specifically created as a lobbying and if necessary bullying organization. The creators do have rights and people have to be paid. But maybe, just maybe they also should rethink their business practices to. If you just haul a few not exactly innocent, but small fish into court and threaten them with an army of lawyers that might help a bit on the short term, but people (more or less rightly) conceive you as a big evil corp (TM). You should also look for the reasons and look for a sensible solution. Give them a cheap and convenient alternative to illegal downloads, stop artificial delays and encourage proper behavior. Then start a warning and information campaign on eye level. The start issuing warnings to the remaining offenders. Target the big offenders and folks who make money with piracy. Tell people why, make sure they understand and at least partially agree. Do that in public. Do not threaten small offenders with insane fines, let them of cheap the first time (like 100$).
Issuing a fine of this size will be accepted, serve as a warning to all hearing of it and will decrease private piracy IF a decent alternative is given. Backing such a fine with a threat of hundreds of thousands in damages will not.
But these studios are the victims here. Not the bullies.
Poor, wretched victims... Where is the MPAA relief fund when they are in such dire need.
*Glues plastic tear under left eye*
Close...
The aliens told the UN they where not happy with humanities puny wars, their conflicts and the bitching between nations trying to negotiate peace. Humans asked for a chance to prove their worthiness and were granted another day.
The next day they came back and the UN speaker handed them a contract for world peace, signed by every nation. All hostility world wide had ended, nukes dismantled, peace for all.
The aliens shook their heads and explained they had planted the seed for intelligent life on earth in order to create a warrior race to fight for/together with them. They had waited a couple of million years and now came back to check the results. Humanities love for peace (as proven by the world peace contract presented to them) was considered to be a fatal flaw and therefore it was decided to clear the planet and start all over.
Why can't I remember useful information as well as stuff like this?
(btw: if someone calls for citation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Small_Talent_for_War )
So that is behind the Maya calender!
don't forget Godzilla...
Wouldn't that make the 3000 miles driving, seeing different towns and stuff a little "complicated"?
Judging from the average level of common sense and intelligence in both groups, he might be right
Except that utility company have monopolies only because those monopolies are granted by law. Monopolies don't persist if there are no laws to protect them.
OPEC? (although technically an oligopoly)
Monopolies occur all the time if not regulated. Main reasons being high costs of entry, technological or market share advantages or control over resources.
Going back to the example: IF said water company decides not to serve you anymore, the chances a different company would start laying a second set of pipes to your place are rather dim. Society accepts this fact and therefor attaches strings to "accepted" monopolies. Like having to serve every customer, or putting caps on the prices.
Don't they teach basic business theory anymore?
If Visa would shut down it's operation in Germany today, I'd say 90% of the people would not even notice and for 9.5% the minor inconvience would last less than two weeks (until car rental companies changed the insurance process). The remaining few would bicker a little bit and then move on.
I'd say for the Netherlands and France the same will hold true. The UK might feel a little more impact, but would probably stop caring about the issue in three or for weeks (that means until everyone noticed, sighed once and used their bank issued ec card instead).
if there was a simple tax rate for each state, it would not be so bad, but each county, each city, certain merchandise all have different tax rates. What a accounting nightmare to keep up with. Every time you turn around another city council is passing another tax on something, having to keep up with would be next to impossible.
Amen. Amazon has no problem collecting sales tax in other countries and probably wouldn't have in California - IF California got their act together and found a way for them actually calculate the taxes. Even zipcode->xy% would do. And sign a waiver that says "if we send you the wrong data, it is our fault, not yours"
I don't see California managing to do this though, ever.
Testosterone is a fight or flight hormone.
Adrenalin is one, Testosterone is not. It makes hairy balls and sweaty thoughts. It also stays active your whole life and only the level varies.
High levels do increase aggressive behavior though. Still no fight and flight hormone, sorry.
I forgot: medication too, of course
For those of you who don't know what "full private coverage" means (eg everyone not from germany):
* Single or double room if you are in hospital (your choice)
* free choice of clinic
* treatment by the chief physician
* full dental care
* glasses, contact lenses
* alternative medication and treatment (eg acupuncture)
* massage and physiotherapie
* psychotherapy
All paid for. You usally get the best your hospital / doctor has to offer.
You know that you can't set of dynamite that easily. Basicly the whole idea of dynamite is to have an explosive that doesn't blow in your face.
C4 can even be used in some camping stoves to heat your dinner.
damn. feeding the trolls again.
You have obviously never lived in Scandinavia. Most people in Europe envy their way of live. Culture, social security, healthcare - but that is all nanny style communism is suppose. As for the alcohol: Try living in a place where the sun shows up for 2 hours a day during winter, where your traveling options a severely limited by ice and snow for several months and where winter depressions are common. (No not the "I'm not feeling happy today, so I must be depressed" kind, but the "I am going to drink my self senseless from October to March or simply kill myself" kind.) The laws weren't implemented because people were drinking vodka like soda and had a mortality rate not even heard of in any other country in the world.
Whenever I read stuff like this, I feel deeply sorry for the USA.
Well, maybe in the next "update" the FBI agents will carry calculators instead of walkie-talkies instead of guns. Who knows.
Good news is ET will have his phone call either way