I receive regular security notices from Mandrake. I received them even before I became a MandrakeClub member. That's right, I got them for free. Furthermore, I can set up my Mandrake box to download and install them without further intervention from me. At no cost, I might add. I don't do that, but I could.
I'd be somewhat surprised to find a major vendor that does not provide some similar service.
But the fact of the matter is that the RIAA members need to come up with a new business model. File sharing will always be around in some fashion, and the technology will just get more and more complex - making it easier to do truely anonymous swapping.
True dat. In fact, the internet is entirely file sharing. All of it. Every single thing you see on the internet is a shared file. File sharing is the very definition of the internet. The only question is the right to lawfully share any particular file. I just wonder how long it will take for most people to make that connection.
Their bullshit is no more reliable than Fox News. Someday people will reliaze that BOTH sides are full of liars, cheats, and self-serving scumbags.
Amen brother, and thanks for the reply. Reasoned arguments are much better than one-line condemnations.
However, just because those folks may be overly-paranoid does not mean that there is nothing to worry about. Some of the recent actions of the Republican Party (with help from some Dems) certainly lead one to wonder. For example, PATRIOT Acts I and II, the current redistricting debacle taking place in Texas, and the lies and deceit on the part of Republican hawks in their rush to war in Iraq spring immediately to mind as possible indicators of Bad Things [TM].
First off, when does "under reporting" = censorship?
It becomes censorship when some entity (The Guvmint, the Evil Mainstream Press, Bill Gates, etc.) does not wish the information to be known, and so causes the reports of it to be quashed when they would otherwise be published.
Some of the reports mentioned in the site may well qualify. On the other hand, some of the reports you mention may well qualify also. It is interesting that the site does seem to pick and choose it's targets according to some left-wing agenda, while ignoring those that do not further it's views. However, the validity of their arguments should still be considered (and rejected if you so choose).
I find talk like that extremely insulting to Africans as it suggests they are not as "advanced" as Western civilizations and cannot control themselves when presented with military technology.
It may be insulting, but it is also a quite accurate statement. Witness the fact that military technology has merely served to vastly increase the effectiveness with which they slaughter each other.
It is your last point that is most salient here. While it is true that a few geeks opting out of the service provided by the mega-corps (to use your term) will not significantly affect their strategy, a few geeks signing on to more independant ISPs can definately effect a more egalitarian internet by virtue of their (consequently) more powerful presence.
Personally, I use cable because it is cheaper, and because my provider (Time-Warner) has not yet displayed any tendancy to limit or (as far as I can tell) monitor my activities online. Should they start to do so, I will make the move to DSL.
I, for one, will not welcome our new Mega-Corp overlords.
That's right, everyone that doesn't buy into the mainstream bullshit machine is obviously a pinko communist terrorist fag.
How about finding some proof before condemning the report as incredulous?
Why? Do you wear clothes with labels on the outside? Drive a car with a dealer badge or license plate frame? Why not get paid for those as well?
Why indeed? When I bought my truck, I specifically told them to remove the advertising they placed on it, or I would not drive it out of the lot. They practically fell over themselves in their rush to get it removed. I don't see why I should have pay them for the privilege of doing their advertising for them, and I told them so.
So should you, IMO.
As for clothing, it's just plain silly to wear a Nike t-shirt (for example) that has a Nike logo emblazoned on it. They should be paying you to do that, not the other way around.
How so? Perhaps it sucked for you when you had to call them. When I had to call them regarding one of my two domains, they were very helpful and resolved the situation quickly and professionally. I've had terrific service from register.com, and I don't anticipate going to another domain registry service.
One bad experience does not imply that the entire service 'sucks'. Perhaps you could be a little more forgiving.
Slashdot Mirror
Eh, definitions...
FWIW, I agree.
Heh, that's funny.
My comment was a too subtle reference to the movie Raising Arizona.
H.I.: "It's a crazy world."
Glenn: "Somebody oughta (sic) sell tickets."
H.I.: "Hell, I'd buy one."
I receive regular security notices from Mandrake. I received them even before I became a MandrakeClub member. That's right, I got them for free. Furthermore, I can set up my Mandrake box to download and install them without further intervention from me. At no cost, I might add. I don't do that, but I could.
I'd be somewhat surprised to find a major vendor that does not provide some similar service.
But the fact of the matter is that the RIAA members need to come up with a new business model. File sharing will always be around in some fashion, and the technology will just get more and more complex - making it easier to do truely anonymous swapping.
True dat. In fact, the internet is entirely file sharing. All of it. Every single thing you see on the internet is a shared file. File sharing is the very definition of the internet. The only question is the right to lawfully share any particular file. I just wonder how long it will take for most people to make that connection.
SCO scratch off tickets? Now there's an idea!
Hell, I'd buy one.
Their bullshit is no more reliable than Fox News. Someday people will reliaze that BOTH sides are full of liars, cheats, and self-serving scumbags.
Amen brother, and thanks for the reply. Reasoned arguments are much better than one-line condemnations.
However, just because those folks may be overly-paranoid does not mean that there is nothing to worry about. Some of the recent actions of the Republican Party (with help from some Dems) certainly lead one to wonder. For example, PATRIOT Acts I and II, the current redistricting debacle taking place in Texas, and the lies and deceit on the part of Republican hawks in their rush to war in Iraq spring immediately to mind as possible indicators of Bad Things [TM].
First off, when does "under reporting" = censorship?
It becomes censorship when some entity (The Guvmint, the Evil Mainstream Press, Bill Gates, etc.) does not wish the information to be known, and so causes the reports of it to be quashed when they would otherwise be published.
Some of the reports mentioned in the site may well qualify. On the other hand, some of the reports you mention may well qualify also. It is interesting that the site does seem to pick and choose it's targets according to some left-wing agenda, while ignoring those that do not further it's views. However, the validity of their arguments should still be considered (and rejected if you so choose).
Democracy Now is a Pacifica Radio program. Counterspin is produced by FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting - a left wing media watch group).
Both are carried by many NPR stations around the country. Both are considerably more progressive than NPR itself.
I find talk like that extremely insulting to Africans as it suggests they are not as "advanced" as Western civilizations and cannot control themselves when presented with military technology.
It may be insulting, but it is also a quite accurate statement. Witness the fact that military technology has merely served to vastly increase the effectiveness with which they slaughter each other.
It is your last point that is most salient here. While it is true that a few geeks opting out of the service provided by the mega-corps (to use your term) will not significantly affect their strategy, a few geeks signing on to more independant ISPs can definately effect a more egalitarian internet by virtue of their (consequently) more powerful presence.
Personally, I use cable because it is cheaper, and because my provider (Time-Warner) has not yet displayed any tendancy to limit or (as far as I can tell) monitor my activities online. Should they start to do so, I will make the move to DSL.
I, for one, will not welcome our new Mega-Corp overlords.
That's right, everyone that doesn't buy into the mainstream bullshit machine is obviously a pinko communist terrorist fag. How about finding some proof before condemning the report as incredulous?
Why? Do you wear clothes with labels on the outside? Drive a car with a dealer badge or license plate frame? Why not get paid for those as well? Why indeed? When I bought my truck, I specifically told them to remove the advertising they placed on it, or I would not drive it out of the lot. They practically fell over themselves in their rush to get it removed. I don't see why I should have pay them for the privilege of doing their advertising for them, and I told them so. So should you, IMO. As for clothing, it's just plain silly to wear a Nike t-shirt (for example) that has a Nike logo emblazoned on it. They should be paying you to do that, not the other way around.
Heh, I didn't see any popup adds at all, thanks to Mozilla.
How so? Perhaps it sucked for you when you had to call them. When I had to call them regarding one of my two domains, they were very helpful and resolved the situation quickly and professionally. I've had terrific service from register.com, and I don't anticipate going to another domain registry service. One bad experience does not imply that the entire service 'sucks'. Perhaps you could be a little more forgiving.
My archival Netscape 2.0 doesn't do popups either. What's your point?
OK, I guess you've updated since then. Well, Opera is a great product; especially if you pay for it. Mozilla is also great for these sorts of things.
Talk about stating the obvious...