It's not totally about me (I'm just the "burgerflipper" mentioned about halfway down), but about a VC project that I do some consulting for. Anyway, three cheers for the "real" FC!
It's SSL, and they take many forms of payment, including PayPal and e-gold. I've heard that one reason the Mormon church does so well politically despite the fact that they are small numerically is that almost all of them tithe their income. Well, when are geeks gonna start?
I guess, but I don't think it's any more inflamatorry than saying that people want to maximize their own advantage. That's not news - most economic models (but interestingly enough, very few compsci models) assume that user-agents are "greedy maximizers" out for their own gain. The trick to creating a market is to set up a system in which everyone wins without having to change this property. Whenever you see a black market (like Napster, as another user already pointed out), you're witnessing a problem with the market structure. Greedy maximizers (IMHO) will be willing to sacrifice their time and energy to get a poor copy of a pop song rather than spend $20 for a high-quality copy. However, I also believe that these same people would gladly pay for a nice, clean, high-quality copy of that same song for a reasonable price. I bet they'd even be willing to pay microcharges on a per-listen basis.
Anyway, you should go look up the old MP3.com editorial "Drug Dealers Don't Sell Aspirin" for a good summation.
...after all that work, and still not see a dime. Why don't we just find someone who's willing to do this work for $50k - why is this contest format so popular all of the sudden?
Have you guys seen the specs on how these games were ripped? Dreamcast GD-ROMs are supposed to be incompatible with CDRs a hundred different ways. For one, they hold more data. These hackers managed to rip the games, edit them down to CD-size and then create a boot disk for the dreamcast that disables all the country-code checking. These are some serious 3l33t HaX0rZ. Sega should hire them immediately. Hell, maybe even pay them to start whacking the PSX2:)
I've been shopping around a book proposal to several publishers about a more narrative-style (and highly real-world based) book on PHP+MySQL based on m experiences with the Enzyme open-source project (http://enzyme.sourceforge.net). The proposal itself used to be available online at kuro5hin.org, but after the DDoS, it's no longer available. I'd be curious if anyone has ideas about this area, and if they'd like to take a look. Basically, I think most of these existing references on PHP are not that useful. I want to create something that will take a reader from zero db/php knowledge all the way up to creating a major app, using 100% real-world examples. And when I say zero knowledge, I don't mean a beginner - I just mean an advanced programmer who hasn't dabbled in web/db programming yet.
Also, what about the tremendous proliferation of job sites and other high-tech recruiting solutions since 1996? I'd like to get some stats on that. Are Monster, Techies, etc etc etc making a dent in the hiring process at all?
Who does this surprise? Just watch CNN or the New York Time's political coverage - and those reporters actually know a fair bit about politics. Of course, we don't mind when it's *our side* that's getting the leg up (and why should those racist-evil-corporate-religious-nuts-or-whatever-t hey-are crazies get any more breaks?), but media bias is everywhere.
Pretty sad, but unless we're willing to crack down on _all_ media bias, it's not going to change for RedHat...
anybody remember good old HSLINK from the "old days?" I never learned how it worked, but it somehow managed to magically allow you to upload and download from a BBS simultaneously with no apparent loss of bandwidth. It was really great for ratios:)
Anyone know how it worked? If only some kind of equivalent existed for the 'net.. hehehe
Just wanted to share an interesting experience I just had. Summary: I called the MPAA, as 2600 suggested. I eventually spoke with their PR Manager for Anti-piracy. She recommends that anyone who wants to discuss the DeCSS case feel free to email her personally at: emily_cutner@mpaa.org.
At the bottom of the 2600 article, it reads: We would give out an address for the MPAA but they've been blocking e-mail for some time and blaming hackers for every problem they have. So give them a call at (818) 995-6600 from 9 am to 5:30 pm Pacific Time. Be civil but make sure you get your point across. After all, where do you think that $4 million ultimately comes from?
So, I called. The call went something like...
MPAA-Drone #1: Hello, Motion Picture Association of America.
Me: Hello, I'd like to speak to somebody about the DeCSS case.
MD1: The what?
Me: The DeCSS case.
MD1: Ok, um... [fumbles around] Let me transfer you.
MPAA-Drone #2: So-and-so's office, how can I help you?
Me: I'd like to know if the MPAA has an official position on the recent DeCSS ruling.
MD2: You want what? In what capacity would you like to know?
Me: I am a consumer of many of the MPAA's fine products, and would like to discuss the DeCSS case.
MD2: [thinks long and hard] OK, let me transfer you...
Emily Cutner: Hello, MPAA PR dept. How can I help you?
Me: Hello, I would like to discuss the DeCSS case with a representative of the MPAA.
EC: Well, we would greatly prefer it if you would send us your opinions via Email. You see, we have only a few legal analysts on staff [ed: yeah right!] and they are busy pursuing other matters. With Email, your digital voice can be heard, and we will gladly respond. Also, please check out our web page, where we have a FAQ [etc. etc.]
I'm gonna keep on posting this link till they mark 'redundant' on my grave. IANAL, but if you are, and if you know why something in this piece is wrong, please let me know. It seems pretty sound to me:
OK, I admit it. I've taken some cheap shots at Katz before. I think some of his articles recently have been over the top, basically on the level of FUD.
That said, I think that since folks like me are quick to point out his mistakes, that we owe him some credit. I think his last two articles on RIAA/Napster and related issues have been excellent. No "geekgeekgeek" and no post-Columbine.
Tell you the truth, I completely agree with you. I think MP3.com is far superior, and far more worthy of being supported. I have no problem with attacking the Napster corporation, which is probably making money without giving it back to artists. But Napster users are not the same as the Napster corporation.
Keep up the good work. Also, please get people to do some reading about copyright, etc. before they go around defending "piracy" (hint: there is no such thing). For starters, I recommend:
Intellectual property rights are not as black and white as the record companies would like you to believe. Copyright is a relatively new concept in the history of Civilization. I won't belabor the point, I'll let RMS do it. Seriously, if you haven't read this article, read it. It's the clearest and most concise analysis of the situation I've seen. Just like you would never use the word "hacker" to describe scr1pt k1d33Z, you shouldn't use the word "pirate" to describe Napster users.
Actually, there is legislation that prevents the FBI from using things like wire taps and carnivore improperly. Does that make you sleep better at night? Didn't think so. Gov't self-regulation is no different from industry self-regulation.
Over here at the Enzyme open-source project, we've been working on several libraries that help PHP developers access data in a RDBMS using OO techniques designed to promote code reuse. We don't have a lot of theoretical stuff done yet, but we're giving away a lot of code:)
Aw man, we really gotta limit Katz' access to simplistic one-sided "thought-provoking" movies, or else we're going to get a lot more of this FUD. And now I'm really worried, since I noticed another poster mentioned reading Huxley's Brave New World. What if Katz learned to read? Good god! Just think of the material he could remake into post-Columbine geekgeekgeek...
Slashdot Mirror
http://www.fuckedcompany. com//ubb/Forum1/HTML/000403.html
It's not totally about me (I'm just the "burgerflipper" mentioned about halfway down), but about a VC project that I do some consulting for. Anyway, three cheers for the "real" FC!
well thought out and reasonable response. thanks.
amen
https://www.eff.org/support/joineff.html
It's SSL, and they take many forms of payment, including PayPal and e-gold. I've heard that one reason the Mormon church does so well politically despite the fact that they are small numerically is that almost all of them tithe their income. Well, when are geeks gonna start?
Oh, you mean actions like posting rants as an AC? Good point, I stand corrected.
I guess, but I don't think it's any more inflamatorry than saying that people want to maximize their own advantage. That's not news - most economic models (but interestingly enough, very few compsci models) assume that user-agents are "greedy maximizers" out for their own gain. The trick to creating a market is to set up a system in which everyone wins without having to change this property. Whenever you see a black market (like Napster, as another user already pointed out), you're witnessing a problem with the market structure. Greedy maximizers (IMHO) will be willing to sacrifice their time and energy to get a poor copy of a pop song rather than spend $20 for a high-quality copy. However, I also believe that these same people would gladly pay for a nice, clean, high-quality copy of that same song for a reasonable price. I bet they'd even be willing to pay microcharges on a per-listen basis.
Anyway, you should go look up the old MP3.com editorial "Drug Dealers Don't Sell Aspirin" for a good summation.
...after all that work, and still not see a dime. Why don't we just find someone who's willing to do this work for $50k - why is this contest format so popular all of the sudden?
Have you guys seen the specs on how these games were ripped? Dreamcast GD-ROMs are supposed to be incompatible with CDRs a hundred different ways. For one, they hold more data. These hackers managed to rip the games, edit them down to CD-size and then create a boot disk for the dreamcast that disables all the country-code checking. These are some serious 3l33t HaX0rZ. Sega should hire them immediately. Hell, maybe even pay them to start whacking the PSX2 :)
I've been shopping around a book proposal to several publishers about a more narrative-style (and highly real-world based) book on PHP+MySQL based on m experiences with the Enzyme open-source project (http://enzyme.sourceforge.net). The proposal itself used to be available online at kuro5hin.org, but after the DDoS, it's no longer available. I'd be curious if anyone has ideas about this area, and if they'd like to take a look. Basically, I think most of these existing references on PHP are not that useful. I want to create something that will take a reader from zero db/php knowledge all the way up to creating a major app, using 100% real-world examples. And when I say zero knowledge, I don't mean a beginner - I just mean an advanced programmer who hasn't dabbled in web/db programming yet.
What'ya think?
Also, what about the tremendous proliferation of job sites and other high-tech recruiting solutions since 1996? I'd like to get some stats on that. Are Monster, Techies, etc etc etc making a dent in the hiring process at all?
Hey, I just gave my $100 to the EFF - what's your excuse?
Who does this surprise? Just watch CNN or the New York Time's political coverage - and those reporters actually know a fair bit about politics. Of course, we don't mind when it's *our side* that's getting the leg up (and why should those racist-evil-corporate-religious-nuts-or-whatever-t hey-are crazies get any more breaks?), but media bias is everywhere.
Pretty sad, but unless we're willing to crack down on _all_ media bias, it's not going to change for RedHat...
anybody remember good old HSLINK from the "old days?" I never learned how it worked, but it somehow managed to magically allow you to upload and download from a BBS simultaneously with no apparent loss of bandwidth. It was really great for ratios :)
Anyone know how it worked? If only some kind of equivalent existed for the 'net.. hehehe
At the bottom of the 2600 article, it reads: We would give out an address for the MPAA but they've been blocking e-mail for some time and blaming hackers for every problem they have. So give them a call at (818) 995-6600 from 9 am to 5:30 pm Pacific Time. Be civil but make sure you get your point across. After all, where do you think that $4 million ultimately comes from?
So, I called. The call went something like...
MPAA-Drone #1: Hello, Motion Picture Association of America.
Me: Hello, I'd like to speak to somebody about the DeCSS case.
MD1: The what?
Me: The DeCSS case.
MD1: Ok, um... [fumbles around] Let me transfer you.
MPAA-Drone #2: So-and-so's office, how can I help you?
Me: I'd like to know if the MPAA has an official position on the recent DeCSS ruling.
MD2: You want what? In what capacity would you like to know?
Me: I am a consumer of many of the MPAA's fine products, and would like to discuss the DeCSS case.
MD2: [thinks long and hard] OK, let me transfer you...
Emily Cutner: Hello, MPAA PR dept. How can I help you?
Me: Hello, I would like to discuss the DeCSS case with a representative of the MPAA.
EC: Well, we would greatly prefer it if you would send us your opinions via Email. You see, we have only a few legal analysts on staff [ed: yeah right!] and they are busy pursuing other matters. With Email, your digital voice can be heard, and we will gladly respond. Also, please check out our web page, where we have a FAQ [etc. etc.]
Me: Well, who should I send my Email to?
EC: I am the PR Manager for Anti-piracy. My email address is emily_cutner@mpaa.org.
Me: You mean that anyone who wants to express their opinion about the DeCSS case shoudl feel free to email you personally?
EC: That's right.
Me: Well, thanks so very much.
http://www.gnu.org/philos ophy/reevaluating-copyright.html
Please read: http://www.gnu.org/philos ophy/reevaluating-copyright.html
OK, I admit it. I've taken some cheap shots at Katz before. I think some of his articles recently have been over the top, basically on the level of FUD.
That said, I think that since folks like me are quick to point out his mistakes, that we owe him some credit. I think his last two articles on RIAA/Napster and related issues have been excellent. No "geekgeekgeek" and no post-Columbine.
Way to go JK.
Tell you the truth, I completely agree with you. I think MP3.com is far superior, and far more worthy of being supported. I have no problem with attacking the Napster corporation, which is probably making money without giving it back to artists. But Napster users are not the same as the Napster corporation.
http://www.gnu.org/philos ophy/reevaluating-copyright.html
http://www.gnu.org/philos ophy/reevaluating-copyright.html
Actually, there is legislation that prevents the FBI from using things like wire taps and carnivore improperly. Does that make you sleep better at night? Didn't think so. Gov't self-regulation is no different from industry self-regulation.
Over here at the Enzyme open-source project, we've been working on several libraries that help PHP developers access data in a RDBMS using OO techniques designed to promote code reuse. We don't have a lot of theoretical stuff done yet, but we're giving away a lot of code :)
Have you seen Advogato? They do exactly this. I think it would be swell to see that technique expanded to other sites.
Aw man, we really gotta limit Katz' access to simplistic one-sided "thought-provoking" movies, or else we're going to get a lot more of this FUD. And now I'm really worried, since I noticed another poster mentioned reading Huxley's Brave New World. What if Katz learned to read? Good god! Just think of the material he could remake into post-Columbine geekgeekgeek...