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User: SiaFhir

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  1. Re:My favorite theory (non-conspiracy) on Beagle 2 Probe Lands; No Signal Received Yet · · Score: 1
    The "First Ones" were the Atlanteans. Perhaps the continent sank because their technology went out of control and caused a devastating cataclysm.

    With our nuclear technology we're on our way to repeat the Atlanteans' mistakes, but on grander scale, since we've spread our technology throughout the world instead of one continent. We'll cause world-wide devastation that will likely destroy 99% of all life on Earth.

    That's my favorite theory. We're the Second Ones. The Third Ones will be the race that successfully colonizes other planets and achieves faster-than-light travel, thereby colonizing other solar systems.

  2. Re:Unlimited = ?? on Have You Fought Your ISP Over Bandwidth Limits? · · Score: 1
    I work at an ISP, and though we don't have any limits on broadband access, we do have an "unlimited" dialup plan. This means (in our agreement) unlimited for *one* computer. Each extra computer is counted separately, and when going over the 750 hours that make a single-computer connection unlimited, regular rates apply for extra hours.

    For example, if you connect one computer to the internet for the entire 744 hours of a 31-day month, the system counts 744 hours, and you're within the limit. But if you connect *two* computers (dialed in separately) for the entire 744 hours, the system counts each computer separately and brings up the total to 1488 hours, giving the user a hefty bill for 738 hours over the limit (at $1.00/hr).

    That kind of incident is very rare nowadays, since internet junkies connected full time are almost always using broadband.

  3. ST vs. B5 on Star Wreck Trailer · · Score: 1

    Holy Crap! Star Trek pitted against Babylon 5... I never thought I'd see the day (in a full-length feature film anyway). I CAN'T WAIT!

  4. Re:There's nothing wrong with SCO's request. on SCOrched Earth · · Score: 1

    Oh oh and I almost forgot. If they could print out all their webpages and fax them to SCO, that would be terrific, m'kay? Yeeaaah.

  5. Re:Licencing on Economic Analysis of the Nanotech Future · · Score: 1

    I have read The Diamond Age. Very good book, but also disturbing in some ways. Nanobots can be replicated as easily as a car, and can be programmed to spy on you, or infect you, among its many uses. Computer viruses and biological viruses will merge, creating a pandemic every day (great for the terrorists), and Big Brother will be everywhere. There's a drawback to every new invention. Nano technology is no exception.

  6. Re:Which Unix? on On The Death Of Unix · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Then again, Unix could be to operating systems what Latin is to languages. It's a basis for other OS's to work from, but proprietary Unix itself will not be used directly.

  7. Re:Web 'Rules' Changing? on Web 'Rules' Changing? · · Score: 2, Informative

    Here's a site that presents the worst websites on the Internet from a design standpoint. These are the sites that break the web 'rules'. My favorite is Mystery Meat Navigation, where you have to float your mouse over some obscure design to see where the link goes.

  8. Re:Web 'Rules' Changing? on Web 'Rules' Changing? · · Score: 1

    It's all etiquette. If you want to present a good webpage, some de facto rules must be followed. Otherwise you won't get much traffic.

  9. Re:Ummmm...I don't think so! on Magnetic Induction Technology Headset Reviewed · · Score: 1

    ...Which will happen on December 21 or 22, 2012 (among everything else, including the end of the world).

  10. Re:IMO on Israeli Ministry of Commerce Picks OO.org Over MS · · Score: 1
    There's a few bugs I find very annoying in Writer, and as a result considering going with Star Office instead. One is that bullets never seem to stay put. If I save my file, close, and re-open, some bullets are gone.

    The other more serious bug is that lines of text often get outdented past the left margin. I hoped this was just a display problem, but as it turns out it also appears when printed. The only way to fix it is to rewrite the entire document. Cutting and Pasting seems to also copy the problem.

    Other than those two things, OO is okay. The other modules all work properly (as far as I can see) But it's those two problems that really "bug" me. And yes I made sure I had the latest version (Ximian Red Carpet lets me know when a new version is available).

  11. Re:For the love of all that's good and holy on L.A. County Bans Use Of "Master/Slave" Term · · Score: 1
    While we're at it, let's remove every reference to the word "icon". Some religions don't believe in icons, so they and non-religious people alike may find that word offensive. We should instead call them "little pictures with words beneath them".

    When is this political correctness crap going to end???

  12. Re:X Windows? on NERC Releases Interim Report on Aug 14th Blackout · · Score: 1

    I also heard "X Server" a few times.

  13. Re:Go get 'em! on NERC Releases Interim Report on Aug 14th Blackout · · Score: 1
    runs on IBM AIX6000

    ...Which is licensed by SCO, and is the system that SCO alleges IBM took code out of a put into Linux. AIX is essentially the reason the SCO vs. IBM case exists.

  14. Re:U.N. has sold out! on Scientific American's Sci/Tech Gifts for 2003 · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I think what we all need for Christmas is a Get Out Of Hell Free card!

  15. SCO Will Go Deeper... on SCO Hints at *BSD Lawsuits Next Year, And More · · Score: 1

    When the Unix code is compiled to binary, it contains nothing but ones and zeroes. So it's only a matter of time before they lay claim to those digits and go after anyone who uses them. And since Microsoft has already patented it, the next step for SCO is to sue them for the rights.

  16. Re:woohoo on Fox Considering a Return of "Family Guy" · · Score: 1

    ...or, "Swehehehet"

  17. The TRVTH on Microsoft to Launch MSN Music Service in 2004 · · Score: 1

    AH HA! So that's why M$ refuses to remove Windows Media Player from European versions of Windoze. It will undermine their ability to beat iTunes and Napster in Europe.

  18. Re:Must die? on NASA Debates How And When To Kill Hubble Telescope · · Score: 2, Insightful
    That 1/3 chance of hitting ground is skewed by the fact that it's orbiting in a straight predictable line, so you need to figure out how much land and water is along that path when it goes down, and which city it might hit.

    Long before Mir was brought down, they knew the station will fly/tumble over Japan, but they also knew it would be too high to cause any damage, and safely hit the South Pacific. If it wasn't a controlled fall, it would have been calculated as having a ~98% chance of hitting water.

  19. Re:Microsoft Biased? Never! on Why Microsoft Wants to Buy Google · · Score: 2, Informative
    ...which is why they want Google. It's the most popular because of it's superior engine technology, one Microsoft can't match.

    If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em.

  20. Re:Full disclosure wins on GameSpy Sends DMCA-Based C&D To Security Researcher · · Score: 1
    Unfortunately this infrastructure will quickly be shot down. Even if black hat hackers don't use it to exploit security flaws, the companies will expect them to. And since most execs are quite ignorant of the difference in hat color, they will send their lawyers if anyone raises a voice about a security flaw. Hence the C&D letter Luigi received.

    The unfortunate reality is that viruses such as Blaster and SoBig are the only real way to force companies to get off their asses and so something about their security flaws.

    Welcome to the 21st century, where freedom of speech is supressed by freedom to sue.

  21. Re:Down with Macromedia! on Longhorn's Flash Killer? · · Score: 1

    ...And you don't think advertisers will do this with Sparkle?

  22. Re:Great... on Handy Wristwatch Phone · · Score: 1

    I read a story a while ago about British(?) inventors who created a phone in the form of a tooth. You graft the "tooth phone" in your mouth, and the vibrations in your skull act as both earpiece and microphone. You have a hard time telling who's crazy now... wait until people don't have to stick their finger in their earwax! OH! And remember not to be eating anything while you're talking. Brings new meaning to "don't talk with your mouth full".

  23. Re:Version 2.0 on Handy Wristwatch Phone · · Score: 1

    Already been done in a way. Not in the form of a phone, but of a tape recorder. Monty Python showcased a man with a tape recorder up his nose. And with the help of a tape recorder up his brother's nose, can play music in stereo.

  24. Re:Since when is Bill Gates a security expert? on Gates: 'You don't need perfect code' for Security · · Score: 2, Informative
    What Gates forgets is that the average user doesn't know enough about computers to make sure their security is up to snuff. I work as a tech supporter at an ISP and you wouldn't believe how unknowledgeable people are with computers. I have to hold their hand just to get into the Control Panel! Does Gates really expect them to know how to configure their firewall and make sure they have the latest security patches? They know how to turn on the computer, and get into IE, OE, MSN and Word. That's it.

    Then there's the firwalls. I don't know about other ISPs, but firewalls wreak havoc on our connections. When a cust has a problem browsing, the first thing we do is blow away any software-based firewalls.

    Perhaps Gates should stop victimizing the laymens by blaming his company's problems on them, and GET IT RIGHT!

  25. Re:Not good. on NYT on RFID · · Score: 1

    The store could have a way to disable the RFID tags on your way out of the store. Once you've paid for everything and you get your receipt the motion sensor at the door can send a command to the RFID tags to disable them. This would only happen if the RFID has been labelled as "paid for" by the cash register, which will prevent a shoplifter from getting far. The customer may also have a store card (such as a frequest buyer card) that could indicate the shopper's preference and disable only the RFIDs that may not be useful to the customer, such as perishable foods or other items that don't need to be used by an RFID-reading washing machine or medicine cabinet.