How viable/likely would it be to contact a large information broker such as Google and get them to delete personal information about yourself? A lot of people probably have information stored in Google that they would prefer wasn't available to the public.
I think it's safe to say that Google has firmly cornered this particular market. Microsoft has had success playing the catch-up game in the past, but I think this time the lag is going to cost them.
Something can have value without it being worth money. For instance, I have a sizable music collection, because it has entertainment value to me. However I didn't pay for it because I didn't feel that it was worth supporting a greedy and corrupt industry. I imagine that a lot of people here would agree with me on that count.
"Encryption" is just another flawed method of concealing information behind obfuscated algorithms. History has proven time and again that such techniques are inevitably compromised, and therefore useless.
My suggestion: if you want your data to be protected that well, don't transfer it over electronic media.
So how does that translate to "citizens can be compelled by the government to fund [insert product or service] that competes with private-sector offerings"?
So not only do you want to spend tax money to develop software that competes with the private sector, you want to spend tax money on advertising for it too?
Why should OSS get a free handout when every other software business has had to make their own way?
"This leads us back to the point of this thread, that governments are here to help the population..."
BZZZZZZT!
Wrong answer! Government (in America, anyway) was created to uphold the freedoms guaranteed by the constitution. It does not exist to redirect tax money to certain privileged segments of the population.
What competition did Microsoft "shut down"? OS/2? BeOS?
I'm afraid those operating systems were halted by their own inadequacy. Microsoft won out simply because there was nothing better available. Now we have Linux, but Microsoft already had dominated teh market by the time Linux became a viable desktop OS.
Slashdot Mirror
I imagine you also felt pretty jaded when The Man forced you to replace your casettes with CDs, and VHS tapes with DVDs.
I'll wait for the "Netcraft confirms: Micro$oft is dying!" article.
How viable/likely would it be to contact a large information broker such as Google and get them to delete personal information about yourself? A lot of people probably have information stored in Google that they would prefer wasn't available to the public.
I think it's safe to say that Google has firmly cornered this particular market. Microsoft has had success playing the catch-up game in the past, but I think this time the lag is going to cost them.
Neither the recording industry nor the artists lost a single cent from me downloading their music.
Something can have value without it being worth money. For instance, I have a sizable music collection, because it has entertainment value to me. However I didn't pay for it because I didn't feel that it was worth supporting a greedy and corrupt industry. I imagine that a lot of people here would agree with me on that count.
Why are people so hell-bent on compensation beyond the value of their work?? Profit begets greed. Greed begets envy. Envy begets hatered.
If you aren't doing something for the love of doing it, don't do it at all. Society will be better off for it.
"Encryption" is just another flawed method of concealing information behind obfuscated algorithms. History has proven time and again that such techniques are inevitably compromised, and therefore useless.
My suggestion: if you want your data to be protected that well, don't transfer it over electronic media.
...or not take that money in the first place so people can decide how they want to spend it on their own.
Ironic
Security guards don't enforce the law, and aren't competing for "business" with police.
Try again.
So how does that translate to "citizens can be compelled by the government to fund [insert product or service] that competes with private-sector offerings"?
What the hell are you talking about?
And "sci-fi" should remind you that "fi" is short for "FICTION".
If a local government's only purpose is to "put money into the economy", it has outlived it's usefulness.
So not only do you want to spend tax money to develop software that competes with the private sector, you want to spend tax money on advertising for it too?
Why should OSS get a free handout when every other software business has had to make their own way?
BZZZZZZT!
Wrong answer! Government (in America, anyway) was created to uphold the freedoms guaranteed by the constitution. It does not exist to redirect tax money to certain privileged segments of the population.
...then why do I still feel an urge to castrate people who use words like "virii" and "boxen"?
Apple enforcing civil agreements (NDA) = good
RIAA enforcing civil agreements (copyright)= bad
Apple lost nothing as a result of his actions. In fact, they got a lot of free exposure.
And besides, we all know that there is nothing wrong with violating legal agreements when none of the involved parties is hurt.
I mean, that's why it's OK to share and download copyrighted music, right?
This is the last straw! I'm going back to MSN, where I know that my data and privacy are being protected!!
*duck*
You're only a customer if you buy the product. People who download music without paying for it are not customers of the music industry.
In the case of the RIAA, they trust their customers just fine. It's the freeloaders they dislike.
What competition did Microsoft "shut down"? OS/2? BeOS?
I'm afraid those operating systems were halted by their own inadequacy. Microsoft won out simply because there was nothing better available. Now we have Linux, but Microsoft already had dominated teh market by the time Linux became a viable desktop OS.
You must be referring to somebody else, because Bill Gates never said that.
Now they don't have to buy storage and bandwidth to host their music.
Not sure what hosting costs your average indy band, but anything that saves them even a few bucks is a boon.