Slashdot Mirror


User: Angostura

Angostura's activity in the archive.

Stories
0
Comments
1,618
First seen
Last seen
Profile
(view on slashdot.org)

Comments · 1,618

  1. Re:How about on Turning the Tables On "Phone Tech Support" Scammers · · Score: 2

    The bizarre thing is that I've had several argue with me for 10 minutes even after we've got to the point when I'm saying 'Look I know this is a scam, you should reall stop doing this and do something else" they have vociferously denied that they were scammers, even when I'm saying "I don't understand why you're continuing with this call".

    Bizarre.

  2. Re:Why explain himself? on Google Ordered Back To UK Parliament To "Explain Itself" Following Investigation · · Score: 1

    Because in this case the large companies aren't actually doing anything illegal. In most cases they are using a very detailed understanding of the law to stay within the letter of it, if not the intent.

    Much as I dislike the way Google, Apple, Microsoft et al operate in this regard, it is up to the legislature to create their laws precisely and carefully - and in this case clearly the tax laws need to be amended.

  3. Sorry to be contrarian, but.... on What's Actually Wrong With DRM In HTML5? · · Score: 1

    When the W3C charter includes making: "the benefits of the Web 'available to all people, whatever their hardware, software, network infrastructure, native language, culture, geographical location, or physical or mental ability." that also includes making the benefits available to folk who would like to get paid for the content they create.

  4. Re:I think I'll wait for something Free on Google Forbids Advertising On Glass · · Score: 4, Informative

    You appear to be confusing the end user with the service/app provider.

  5. "Because CDs aren't digital" on Music Industry Sees First Revenue Increase Since 1999 · · Score: 1

    Yes they are.

  6. Re:Apples to oranges on The Coming Wave of In-Dash Auto System Obsolescence · · Score: 1

    Thank you for that. Useful stuff.

  7. Re:When are people going to learn on Coffee and Intellectual Property · · Score: 1

    Clearly something exists since it does exist and have value. So either your argument is over the nomenclature, or the philosophy. If the former, fine - invent your own nomenclature. If the latter, you have to recognise that people labour long and hard to produce 'something'. The question is whether those people should have any ability to take ownersship of the 'something' that they produce. If no, then you've just consigned a number of people to penury.

    I think it is perfectly fine for people to create things that they want to create and then let other people use those creations by agreeing to the terms that the creator determines.

  8. Where's the beef? on Google Doubts Apple Will Approve Its New Maps Application · · Score: 1

    Why not link to the original article? http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/nov/05/google-maps-doubt-iphone

    The problem that I have with this article is that Google seems to studiously avoid the question "Have you actually written and submitted the app?" If they haven't it seems rather like politicking on Google's behalf. This isn't the world's most complex app - just submit it and **then** complain if it is rejected.

  9. Re:Just buy them an iPhone with a strap on Would You Put a Tracking Device On Your Child? · · Score: 1

    The thing is though, it depends how you and your kid see the device. If it's coercive, sure they'll turn it off. If it's a device you both agree its worth using so that the kid can have a bit more freedom and 'it stops Dad worrying', then turning it off really isn't an issue.

    I have 6 and 9 year old daughters and I live in East London. We're lucky enough to have a nice large open area close to the house, with woods and fields. I don't have a tracking device for my kids, but I do give them a walky talky. It means they can go climbing trees and mucking about on their bikes without me feeling I have to helicopter too much. I've *asked* them to just give me a buzz every half an hour or so just to say their OK and they're perfectly fine about it. They can roam further than I would normally feel comfortable letting them go solo, they get a feeling of independence and responsibility.

    Win, win really.

  10. Re:Just ship with a low-draw driver on Will EU Regulations Effectively Ban High-End Video Cards? · · Score: 3, Informative

    Well, the UK for one.

  11. Re:Just ship with a low-draw driver on Will EU Regulations Effectively Ban High-End Video Cards? · · Score: 1

    This is akin to the way that kitchen appliance manufacturers work. Ovens, dishwashers and washing machines all have an 'Eco' setting - all of which will get the machine the coveted excellent energy rating but which will, in most cases never be used. I've seen something similar on a car.

  12. Before you write a letter... on Ask Slashdot: How To Ask College To Change Intro To Computing? · · Score: 1

    Why not have a chat to the people who are teaching the course, explain your concerns, find out who devised the curriculum and when it was last revised. You may find that you have allies in the faculty, who also feel that it needs updating and they will be able to advise in terms of who the most effective people to write to are, and how you should couch your arguments to get the best effect.

  13. Re:Pratchett does not translate to screen on Discworld Fan Film Possibly the Largest Scale Fan Film Ever · · Score: 2

    I'd quite like Gilliam to have a stab at it.

  14. Re:It's only 92% accurate ... on FDA Approves HIV Home-Use Test Kit · · Score: 1

    Precisely. The false negative rate is sufficiently large to make it pointless. Would anyone here have unprotected with someone on the basis of this test's result?

  15. Re:As a teacher, I'd put my money on "no" on Google Blockly — a Language With a Difference · · Score: 2

    Let me introduce you to my 8 year old daughter. She had quite a lot of fun trying to solve the maze problem and come up with an algorithm to do it. She was interested in the problem, trying to teach her the syntax of a programming language would have made the problem less accessible, I doubt she would have enjoyed it.

  16. Re:Another weakness on MorphOS 3.0 Released: Refusing To Let the PPC Desktop OS Die Gracefully · · Score: 2

    My wife's pretty happy with her iBook running 10.5 and an old version of Office v.X - she doesn't use it regularly, but gives her what she needs when she's off at a conference or whatever.

  17. Re:You maniacs! You blew it up! on UK "No Tracking Law" Now In Effect · · Score: 1

    Actually a new interpretation of the rules from ICO last week changes this. Presumed consent is now OK-ish.

  18. Re:Idiots on UK "No Tracking Law" Now In Effect · · Score: 1

    Where to start on this post. Let's kick off with DNA retention. Firstly it was the European Court of Human Rights that ruled on this - and that court is not an EU body, and has nothing to do with the EU. Secondly the UK Supreme Court has also ruled against the UK government on this one, and the government is **still*8 dragging its feet, so by your definitions, presumably the UK is not part of the UK since the UK government dissed a UK court.

    Tobacco imports? As far as I can tell the UK is not breaching any elements of EU law on imports and indeed last time it came up the EU courts ruled in the UK's favour http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2006/nov/24/news.retail

  19. Re:Idiots on UK "No Tracking Law" Now In Effect · · Score: 1, Informative

    You might like to Google the relationship between the European Court of Human Rights and the EU.

    In the meantime, I'll give you a hint - the ECoHR is not an EU body.

  20. Re:I wonder if YOU would be shocked to hear on Fox Sues Dish Over "Auto Hop" Ad-Skipping Feature · · Score: 1

    Well in that case, don't watch it or record it; it's not mandatory. Personally I like free-to-air ad supported TV and I'm not surprised that a TV company has at least tried a court challenge for a device that is explicitly designed to skip ads. Ad prices already factor in the fact the people may close their eyes, switch over, go boil the kettle or manually fast foward.

  21. Re:Exactly why we don't need IPv6 on Sales of Unused IPv4 Addresses Gaining Steam · · Score: 1

    I would, but I can't recall the address of the DNS server.

  22. Re:Hotter != more heat on Ivy Bridge Running Hotter Than Intel's Last-gen CPU · · Score: 1

    >Can I restate what you said but a little more clearly?

    No, apparently not.

  23. Re:Missing from summary on New Targeted Mac OS X Trojan Requires No User Interaction · · Score: 0

    You poor, delicate snowflake.

  24. Re:Mac's don't get malware on Apple Snubs Security Firm That Spotted Mac Botnet · · Score: 3, Informative

    Cast your mind back to the early 1980s, the era of the Commodore PET, the ZX81, the TRS 80. They were all personal computers, known as PCs. Then in 1981 IBM launched the IBM PC and swiftly manufacturers sprung up selling IBM PC compatibles. Within a year the letters PC had developed dual connotations - personal computer and PC compatible - compatible with the IBM PC. This duality of meaning has survived to today, so while you can (correctly) fulminate that the Mac is a PC, others will (correctly) fulminate that it isn't. You'll have to get used to that, I'm afraid.

  25. Re:Boo hoo for the dinosaurs on Major Textbook Publishers Sue Open-Education Textbook Start-Up · · Score: 2

    Has anyone here actually compared Boundless' offerings with the recommended texbooks? I know that 'dinosaur traditional publishers attempt to squash plucky upstart', but it may be that anyone dispassionate looking at the results would say 'hey thats an obvious rip-pff'. I have no idea - I haven't seen the output.