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User: mikiN

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Comments · 951

  1. Re:Invest in AA on Snooping Through Walls with Microwaves · · Score: 5, Informative

    There is no such thing as the English language. There are, however, at least two widely spoken dialects, both of which use different spellings for the word aluminium.

  2. Documentation? Hmm, time machine not included on Andy Tanenbaum Releases Minix 3 · · Score: 1

    Frim the Minix 3 site:

    The main documentation for MINIX 3 is the book

    Operating Systems: Design and Implementation 3/e by Andrew S. Tanenbaum and Albert S. Woodhull, Prentice Hall, 2006


    Too bad they don't list one of those handy prepaid 2-time-use time machines to buy and actually get the book...guess they're out of stock in the 26th Century.

  3. Re:A Simple Solution on Violating A Patent As Moral Choice · · Score: 1

    It is happening all the time.
    Now if this doesn't convince you, I don't know what will. Anyway, this is the last I will contribute to this particular thread. If you want more information, contact your local Patent Office for more information.

  4. Re:A Simple Solution on Violating A Patent As Moral Choice · · Score: 1

    Now that "3c" was a typo: 'late night blues'. Moreover, the section I mentioned deals with possible withholding of publication or granting of patents.

  5. Re:A Simple Solution on Violating A Patent As Moral Choice · · Score: 1

    That was part of my missing "3." point. I couldn't find any 'unclassified' links to make that point, so I leave it out.
    I add 3c: There is explicit mention of witholding patent publication for inventions for which secrecy is deemed necessary. See 35 U.S.C section 181 (PDF warning).

  6. Re:A Simple Solution on Violating A Patent As Moral Choice · · Score: 1


    1. If he told you, he would have to kill you.
    </p>
    2. It is not only sample size that matters here, but also response time. If someone from the Slashdot community responds to your post pointing out 2 (alleged) cases, I'd like to bet you there are many more (very real) cases out there.
    3a. Google is your friend. I'll just dump number 1 on the hitlist for "classified patents": Patent search at LANL. No small fry indeed...

  7. Re:A Simple Solution on Violating A Patent As Moral Choice · · Score: 1

    Well, yeah, but with eminent domain you need pay the market value for what your taking.

    #include "disclaimers/ianal.h"

    Since eminent domain is about acquiring private property for use in public interest, it applies to the government taking over a production facility for these antiviral drugs. The compensation value would be either the current market value of the facility or the cost of replacing that facility (not sure which), but not the value of the drugs that would be produced there (which theoretically could be none at all, if this particular drug is later deemed ineffective, a very real possibility in this case as there have been reported cases of H5N1 that is resistant to current antivirals).

  8. Re:maybe, but here's a way better article on The End Of The Light Bulb? · · Score: 1

    First off, that's a good link. Second off, maybe the submitter of the original article intentionally linked to MSNBC because it is a site with a big badass server farm, so as not to cause a Slashdotting of the Vanderbilt server.
    People who read Slashdot and are really interested in this subject probably know how to use Google to find the main article (and its link to the publication in JACS).
    Lucky for you, this time Google has already cached the main article...

  9. Re:Misuse of the term on Rootkit Creators Turn Professional · · Score: 2

    A very good way to detect malware (in fact any unauthorized changes to system files is to md5sum (or better) all system files (which are preferrably stored on NAS on a local network) regularly by a separate heavily fortified system and send out an alert on differences.
    A framework for this (mtree, tools for package file checksumming, cron scripts etc.) has been part of the default installation on the *BSDs for ages, but I haven't seen anything like it in the default installation for any Linux distros.
    Of course there may always be holes, but at least they will require an attacker always use in-memory tricks to gain and maintain access, at least until the next vulnerability gets fixed.

  10. Re:Why on Microsoft Thinks Africa Doesn't Need Free Software · · Score: 1
  11. Re:It's just a new way of stupidity brewing on Microsoft Thinks Africa Doesn't Need Free Software · · Score: 1

    If you are poor you are not going to have the funds to even begin getting computer equipment of course software prices are irrelevant.

    Every day truckloads of used computer hardware (deemed 'obsolete') get dumped on landfills (or at best 'recycled'). When you are poor and might have use for computer hardware you are probably happy even with slightly less 'state of the art' hardware than none at all.

    There are many projects that collect older computer hardware, repair it when necessary, then ship it to developing countries and train people there in how to use it.
    Because (usually) these projects are on a tight budget, free software seems like an obvious choice to me. It also seems like a wonderful way for people in developing countries to improve their computer skills without the ongoing financial burden of recurring software license fees, paid updates, etcetera.

  12. Re:It's just a new way of stupidity brewing on Microsoft Thinks Africa Doesn't Need Free Software · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It's like saying that Gnome is Mexican because it was started by Miguel de Icaza and Federico Mena who are both from Mexico. ...and it is also like saying that the Internet is American just because it was started by ARPA and initially funded by American taxpayers.

  13. Re:Net Installations on Firefox Tops 100 Million Downloads · · Score: 1

    It would be really nice if Google (or CNN, or eBay, or any other companies with website that has a LOT of visitors) would make their browser stats available, ssuming of course that they have no conflicting 'sponsor interests' to comply with, and also that most browsers report their 'true' user agent string.

  14. Re:privacy smivacy on Google Changes Privacy Policy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    That's a pretty bad bummer if somene XSScripted/trojaned/hacked 'you' (i.e. your computer) into doing so. If this happens, how do "you" (i.e. organic lifeform) prove "you" didn't intend to sign anything?

  15. Re:How about this one? on Deadly Version of Bird Flu Found in Romania · · Score: 1

    Yep, that's the real risk there is with these virulent diseases. If you do nothing, assuming the infected bird indeed carries H5N1, most of the birds will die in a matter of days, with the real risk of spreading the disease during the incubation period (when many will be contagious without having any visible symptoms). If you do take action, you may be able to stop the spread.

    Culling isn't the only action that can be taken. High density poultry farming (much an issue in the West) and frequent direct contact with poultry (much an issue in SE Asia) are prime candidates for issues to be tackled.

  16. Re:61 deaths world wide in 3 years on Deadly Version of Bird Flu Found in Romania · · Score: 1

    Small causes may have big consequences.

    Scenario 1:

    Careless hiker throws away smouldering cigarette butt in tinder dry forest.
    Time passes.
    News at eleven: Large forest fire burning out of control.

    Scenario 2:

    Careless hiker throws away smouldering cigarette butt in tinder dry forest.
    Bird watcher with pair of strong mag binoculars happens to see careless hiker throwing away smouldering cigarette butt.Bird watcher alerts Rangers who immediately call in firemen and try their best to put out the fire.

    Spot the difference.
    2 scenarios with same initial conditions. Small detail noticed before things get out of hand. Appropriate action taken.

    'Nuff said.

  17. Re:LnxAddct on Your Favorite Math/Logic Riddles? · · Score: 1
    Allow me the indulgence to be pedantic with you - tod_miller.

    • When making a list in your comment, you can use <ul><li>/</li></ul> tags instead of asterisks, you know.
    • LnxAddct has one vowel in his name, last time I checked.
    • Python eats chick(en)s, few animals eat python. Also it is the chick(en) that gets liquified, not the python
    • Python and mathematics? So what?
    • Every programmer should worry whether his code is bug-free.
    • Python writes as Python does. Crush the bugs, concisely.
    • You think that code tags would keep the lameness filter from interfering? Think again. If it didn't, we would still have those ASCII art page-widening-crapflood-fests (although forcing the participants' entries to a monospaced font, which is more aesthetically pleasing IMHO).
    • Instructions on how to use something shows your respect for your intended audience. Lack of instructions merely shows respect for your own ego.
    • Not everyone has access to hosting services (depends on many things including restrictive corporate firewall settings, content and value of wallet/bank account in case of commercial hosting, etc.). Also, many free hosting sites I know of severely limit or disallow hosting of binary files because of their possible 'k3w1 w4r3z d00d' appeal.

    Last but not least (I am breaking the 'no spoilers in the posting' rule, I know), ironically, 'LnxAddct' is 8 characters long, a well-known filename length (excluding extension) limitation in some decidedly non-Linux operating systems.
  18. Re:conductive? on Insect Substance Synthesized For Science · · Score: 1

    Imagine a beowulf cluster of MY FISTS IN YOUR FACE.

    I'm sorry, but that configuration is not supported.

  19. Re:Bioterror Agents on Bacteria-killing Pencil · · Score: 1

    Well, how 'bout giving this a 'war on terror' slant? (I've already cut it down to Bush speech sized sound bites for convenience)

    ---
    The enemy is out there. He's mean and menacing, prepared to kill without mercy. He has taken innocent lives before. We have a good idea where he comes from, but it is not known how, where and when he will strike next. The world needs to unite against him and spare no resources in trying to defeat him.

    His code name is H5N1. The people know him as Avian Flu.
    ---

  20. Re:NASA World Wind on NASA BlueMarble: Next Generation · · Score: 1

    Too bad the link to the add-on download is broken now. Are there any mirrors?

  21. Re:conductive? on Insect Substance Synthesized For Science · · Score: 1

    Imagine a Beowulf cluster of this...yuck, imagine having to untangle it.

  22. Re:The Broken Interview on CNN Interviews Kevin Mitnick · · Score: 1

    I remember using an Elektuur modem (DIY modem kit) to dial up BBSes. It could be switched between 300/300 and 1200/75 baud.

    To use the latter you had to connect, besides the 'normal' RS232 lines what I believe was called the RS232 'back-channel' (a seperate, send/receive connection on the same RS232 port).
    Now which interface boards can you name that support this today? Even back in the day they were very hard to find. So this required heating up the 'rod, smelling that sweet solder juice again and rigging your own...

  23. Re:This sort of thing... on RIAA Sues a Child · · Score: 1

    When I frag someone in deathmatch, is that murder? Should I be locked up for life? If I run a mod that causes him to regen should I get a Nobel Prize for being able to bring back the dead?

  24. Truism? on PS2 Mod Chips Legal In Australia · · Score: 1

    Because they [...] are region coding devices, they were ruled to be regional coding devices.

    Next time a court will decide (unanimously, I hope) that a cow with constipation is indeed a cow with constipation.

  25. Re:Ethereal on Windows XP SP2 and WEP Encryption? · · Score: 1

    Install Ethereal, see what's happening.

    Fine if the problem is DHCP related, but doesn't Ethereal require special drivers (with 'monitor' support) to show 802.11 protocol info?