...but the percentage decrease could easily be attributed to these people installing other crap, like 3GB games. Something like that could easily skew these numbers.
We had a good balance of order and freedom as it was outlined in the Constitution. Libertarian != Anarchist.
And yes, I understand that some regulation is necessary to keep corporations honest (of course we see how well that works in practice). And yes, the law needs to evolve with technology and culture.
It's shameful though that politicians have expanded the influence of government to a point where people depend upon it for daily sustinance.
"...since people will be able to buy more CDs without feeling quite so ill at the prices."
Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't one of Slashdotters' more consistent gripes been that music CDs are overpriced? Even though this is Wal-Mart (and we all know that Wal-Mart is evil), this would be a step in the right direction.
Does it really matter what their numbers are? We know it's all bullshit, but nobody seems interested in putting the RIAA in their place.
Ya see, downloading copyrighted music to rail against The Man(tm) only gives them ammunition in congress? Don't we get it?
If we really want to see the RIAA crumble, STOP buying their music, STOP downloading it, STOP listening to it on the radio. Make it clear to the RIAA that thier actions have alienated us and we no longer want their product.
Of course, if this is really about getting Shit For Free, then I guess the RIAA is right after all.
No it didn't have to be said. The same could be argued, then, of people who have cars, or of people who can read/write, or a host of other conditions that you would argue that make it "easier" for one group to vote.
That said, voting from home is a TERRIBLE idea because of all the insecure points between a home PC and the vote database.
"I'd rewrite the law to allow software patents but require a working Open-Source implementation as a condition of getting one."
Aside from whether software patents are good or bad, wouldn't that totally defeat the purpose of getting a patent in the first place? Why would people pay the patent-holder royalties if they can get the source for free?
"Actually, it comes close to the Internet tax idea that Congress is punting about, but applied to spams."
That's a rather simplisitc approach, but it fails to differentiate between online purchases made in response to spam, and an those made in response of solicited e-mail. For taxation purposes, how could you possibly make that distinction? And how could you possibly enforce it?
Sure, the parent post is a little offtopic, but it brought an interesting dilemma to mind that many Slashdotters may or may not find themselves in.
As a whole, we're generally a pretty environmentally-conscious bunch. That said, we geeks find ourselves dependent on more and more powerful, long-lasting batteries that do horiffic damage to the environment when not properly disposed of.
How then do we balance our concern for the environment against our ever-increasing portable power needs? For the time being, these seem to be conflicting goals.
But remember, from the perspective of your average pretentious Linux zealot, anything that makes Linux easier to use is an attack on the open source religion.
"but it is high time the wto encouraged countries such as India to impose taxes on these boom industries and feed the revenues back into thier own infrastructure "
It's also high time that countries such as India enact labor laws similar to those in more developed countries. Companies would find developing countries a far less attractive outsourcing option if those countries were held to the same workplace standards as their competition.
"Under socialism, the state owns the means of production"
Wrong. That's communism. In a nutshell, socialism is characterized by private entities generating wealth and government redistributing it via taxation and social programs. Basically, the companies make the money, and the government takes it.
Slashdot Mirror
...from an udder mashed in the cow's own feces several hours a day.
Of course you could also go and buy it legitimately and avoid that headache.
...but the percentage decrease could easily be attributed to these people installing other crap, like 3GB games. Something like that could easily skew these numbers.
Not to mention that in 77 degrees (F), people in typical business attire would sweat their balls off. This sounds like a load of bunk to me.
If people can get ahold of cheaper hardware, then good for them. That isn't going to make them more willing to pay full price for software.
Some people will always want to get shit for free. Inexpensive hardware doesn't make that $125 OS any cheaper, let alone free.
We had a good balance of order and freedom as it was outlined in the Constitution. Libertarian != Anarchist.
And yes, I understand that some regulation is necessary to keep corporations honest (of course we see how well that works in practice). And yes, the law needs to evolve with technology and culture.
It's shameful though that politicians have expanded the influence of government to a point where people depend upon it for daily sustinance.
You say that as if the "modern state" is so great; as if our government isn't trying to curb our rights and make us more dependent.
I'd say our standard of living has improved despite government, not because of it.
Yacking is what I do after spicy nachos and a twelve-pack of beer.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't one of Slashdotters' more consistent gripes been that music CDs are overpriced? Even though this is Wal-Mart (and we all know that Wal-Mart is evil), this would be a step in the right direction.
I concur. That's a lot like saying that McDonald's has a monopoly over the fast-food industry.
But then this is Slashdot. People tend to use big, ominous words for effect, even when they don't know what the words mean.
Then don't listen to the radio, period. Buy music from independent labels, and download their stuff from P2P (if you have their permission to do so).
It's possible to not consume RIAA garbage with a relatively small lifestyle change.
I suppose people would be downloading this as a backup to the product they already legally own, right? Oh wait, the game hasn't been released yet...
Does it really matter what their numbers are? We know it's all bullshit, but nobody seems interested in putting the RIAA in their place.
Ya see, downloading copyrighted music to rail against The Man(tm) only gives them ammunition in congress? Don't we get it?
If we really want to see the RIAA crumble, STOP buying their music, STOP downloading it, STOP listening to it on the radio. Make it clear to the RIAA that thier actions have alienated us and we no longer want their product.
Of course, if this is really about getting Shit For Free, then I guess the RIAA is right after all.
BWAHAAHAAHAAHAHAHAAHAH!!!!
*deeep breath*
BWAHAHAHAHAAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
I thought it was supposed to be more like the High Seas... ya know with the pirates and all that!
How do these things keep changing on me??
No it didn't have to be said. The same could be argued, then, of people who have cars, or of people who can read/write, or a host of other conditions that you would argue that make it "easier" for one group to vote.
That said, voting from home is a TERRIBLE idea because of all the insecure points between a home PC and the vote database.
Aside from whether software patents are good or bad, wouldn't that totally defeat the purpose of getting a patent in the first place? Why would people pay the patent-holder royalties if they can get the source for free?
Maybe I just don't understand what he's saying...
In other words, "choose-your-own-adventure". It doesn't sound so impressive without the big words, does it?
That's a rather simplisitc approach, but it fails to differentiate between online purchases made in response to spam, and an those made in response of solicited e-mail. For taxation purposes, how could you possibly make that distinction? And how could you possibly enforce it?
Agghk! Black-flagged on the opening lap!
As a whole, we're generally a pretty environmentally-conscious bunch. That said, we geeks find ourselves dependent on more and more powerful, long-lasting batteries that do horiffic damage to the environment when not properly disposed of.
How then do we balance our concern for the environment against our ever-increasing portable power needs? For the time being, these seem to be conflicting goals.
But remember, from the perspective of your average pretentious Linux zealot, anything that makes Linux easier to use is an attack on the open source religion.
You could have saved some words and simply said "It's good because it's not Windows."
It's also high time that countries such as India enact labor laws similar to those in more developed countries. Companies would find developing countries a far less attractive outsourcing option if those countries were held to the same workplace standards as their competition.
Wrong. That's communism. In a nutshell, socialism is characterized by private entities generating wealth and government redistributing it via taxation and social programs. Basically, the companies make the money, and the government takes it.