Re:Americans talk about freedom
on
Press freedom
·
· Score: 1, Insightful
Not to nit-pick, but wasn't the venue and the function a private one? As in any store or shop or movie or auditorium has the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason? Now, if it were a public function/place, like the ladies being tossed from the local Secretary of States' office or a post office, I'd be concerned. When it's a candidates' rally at a privately-owned facility for which they've paid, and could possibly be held responsible, both financially and even criminally, for negligence if a riot or fight broke out and someone got hurt, (nevermind how careful the Secret Service must be to keep the president safe) I'm neither surprised nor offended.
I'm sure a Kerry event in the same circumstances would not allow a t-shirt worn inside that said "Support Our Second Amendment Rights" or even the *same* shirt the ladies tried to wear to Bush's event. I wouldn't have a problem with that, either. It's their dog-and-pony show in a privately-owned venue, and they can refuse anyone entry they like, and you have the right to vote against that candidate if you don't like how/where they hold their functions. If it offended enough people that badly, they wouldn't do it, as that would endanger their whole goal..election.
" Troll? Ok - I guess others can quote bumper stickers without any issues."
OK, I've got the karma, so here we go.
Don't worry about it. It's to be expected. Nothing to see here, move along. This is a tech news/issues site, with, I'd guess, a majority of posters under 30 and many even younger. Very generally speaking, they don't have the benefit of having *lived* through 4-5 decades or more of history for reference, and have only seen what the liberal schools and media have shown them. I mostly refrain from posting my political views here for that very reason.
I forget who said it, and don't have the exact quote, but someone once said that if you're not a liberal when you're young, you have no heart, and if you're not conservative when you're older, you have no brain.
Don't expect any sympathy from the non-US crowd, as the USA has always been the whipping boy of the world, even more so since the fall of the USSR. I liken it to a schoolyard, where the really bright and successful kid gets picked on by the bullies and cowards and the less bright students for their success, as that very success points out their own failings, something no one wants to be confronted with (or the leaders of said less-successful countries held responsible for).
Just my once-young-liberal, now more mature-conservative two cents.
"All you need to do in a 2 party state is say: " I am recording this." How hard is that?"
How much good will a recording of a dialtone do you? Nothing says they must stay on the line. They can blame the phone system or use just about any excuse for a 'dropped connection', if just not being required to allow you to record them is insufficient reason to hang up on you.
I've posted this URL several times in various threads where music industry-artist relations come up. I'm a semi-pro (not sure what may formally qualify one to be called "pro"..I've made a living at it for significant periods, but not exclusively, so I include the "semi" tag) musician myself, and can attest to some of the facts in this excellent piece. Worth a read.
"My concern is that we use wisdom in the race to build bigger and better weapons. Do we REALLY need a weapon like this?"
A weapon is just a tool used a certain way. Besides, it may turn out to be the only practical way to deflect/destroy an object on a collision course with Earth.
IAAM (I am a musician) and here's an excellent piece on what bands go through wrt the music business/labels. I have posted this URL before in past comments to other/. threads concerning musicians/labels/RIAA. Definitely worth a read.
http://www.negativland.com/albini.html
My band, through an unbelievably lucky break, managed to obtain the services of a respected recording engineer/producer and his mobile recording truck that he uses to record "name" artists at live venues for next to nothing (comparatively) and recorded an 11-track CD (all original songs). We dupe/label/package them ourselves, and sell it from tables at gigs, or even from the stage. We're currently looking at distributing it online at one of the independent music distribution sites. We'd personally rather give it away (and we *do* give away a large number) or just keep it for ourselves if it meant having to do business/sign a "standard" contract with a label. We remain barely able to keep the band equipment truck insured/fueled/repaired and ourselves fed, clothed, and keep in fresh strings, etc., but we'd most likely be in the same spot if we *did* sign, with the addition of a debt and a time-limited contract to fulfill, plus lose rights over everything we had recorded. I just don't see what's in it for bands/artists to sign one of these "boilerplate" contracts with a label. Btw, just as an aside, I'm also a linux-user (Mandrake, Debian, DSL) and have found an increasing number of musicians using linux. Some for cost reasons, but more and more because of performance/security/stability, and for reasons of rights-awareness (thanks RIAA!).
"Tweaking your own box is just a misdemeanor. However, if you and two of your buddies sit around and talk about how to do it. but don't do it, that is a conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor, which is a felony crime. Another four years of the Shrub, and it'll make you an enemy combatant."
What makes you think that either Bush or Kerry would be any different in regards to DMCA/copyright/et al? Remember, it was under Clinton that the DMCA was passed, and though there was a Republican-controlled congress at the time, I didn't see the Democrats fighting it like they have done GWB's judge appointments. Face it, both parties are equally at fault, and blaming either party alone is simply partisanship. Also, one of the worst politicians for proposing these kinds of laws is Fritz Hollings (D-SC) of "Fritz chip" fame.
"IMO a government using OSS is almost a waste because even if they do find a bug or add an enhancement, do you think they will release it back into the community? NO. Big companies and government use the free aspect and dont give anything back. kinda defeats the spirit of the OSS community if you ask me."
Not sure about how much "giving back" exists in state governments, although I doubt there is none at all. At federal levels, though, there is plenty of "giving back", the SELinux (Security Enhanced Linux) NSA project is the first example to come to mind. I also seem to recall over the last few years hearing about several other government entities working on/with various F/OSS projects, and releasing code back to the various projects. Not saying that the government didn't/couldn't withhold code, but I haven't heard about it. If they aren't distributing the code, they wouldn't have to release any modifications anyways under GPL, IIRC. So, IMHO the government using F/OSS is far from "almost a waste", even disregarding all the other benefits F/OSS reaps from being utilised by government and vice-versa. Big corporations and F/OSS licensing is another topic, and I won't go into that here. Just a couple quick thoughts.
"Can't remember exactly the context, but this is especially relevant since congress said you can do mess with your car since you bought it."
I wonder if any of the more recent IP/data security/DMCA laws may apply to hacking one of these modules? I'm unsure as to how much protection from all applicable categories of laws that any 'right to work on your own car'-type laws/regulations or court precedents might provide. That determination would most likely be an extended court battle, IMHO..that is, if the challengers have deep enough pockets (which could be an extremely small subset). Just a couple thoughts I had.(IAANL,YMMV,etc.)
"[..]and you try to project that 'truth' upon others, you are setting yourself up for an unpleasant result."
I accept that imposition of values has created great harm in many instances through history, but the 'values' were almost always of a negative nature, as in people losing more freedom and self-determination among other harmful results. What about when you give those same things they could otherwise never have had (short of a coup or revolution, which may be impossible/suicidal under many totalitarian societies) to them? I know of no humans anywhere that don't want more power over their own lives, or to be unafraid of themselves or their families being arbitrarily killed. As far as there being many more bad things that have happened because of values imposition, it's still a big world, with many power-hungry men and ambitious countries that have been around much longer, and which all seek to impose their values on others, regardless of our actions. Just a thought I have, how do you offend a man by telling him "You are free to do as you please" when he wasn't before?
"I don't disagree with your claim that people must exercise personal discretion and conscience and challenge laws they percieve as unust. But in doing so, they must be aware it is only their own point of view they represent, their own perception, not any particular idealized or absolute definition of what is true and right. That kind of thinking (that one is in possession of or has access some absolute moral or social truth) doesn't lead in very good directions - I think history speaks to that point."
Yes, history *did* speak to it. "We hold these truths to be self-evident[..]"
" Perhaps the next step for this is to project the movie from the car onto the road or the sky (good cloud cover allowing)."
In other news, the MPAA has launched a lawsuit against God for contributing to copyright infringement by creating clouds, which can be used to illegally publically project copyrighted visual material upon. There is no information as of press time about any countersuits being filed, although the MPAA released a statement praising and encouraging the efforts of heavy-industrial air polluters and government reluctance to regulate stiffer clean air regulations on auto emissions as "Essential to combating the ongoing terroristic threat of our copyright infringement-friendly environment."
"I have difficulty seeing my projector sometimes on my cream, flat, wall. Are there that many buildings kicking around that have surfaces suitable for a projector to throw a visible picture on?"
You won't have to worry about it soon..the MPAA will use the INDUCE act to force all buildings and surfaces viewable to the public to be surfaced with projection-unfriendly materials or coatings. Paint a house white, go to jail!:-D
" [The problem is with the mere idea of patenting software. Software is protected by trade secrets and copyrights. Patents should apply to things, not virtual things.]
Why? I don't necessarily disagree but I also believe this is a point that needs to be explained, not just stated. Is it the fact that software can be easily and perfectly reproduced that means it shouldn't be patentable?"
(IANAP/CL-I am not a patent/copyright lawyer) The problem here is that a copyright protects a *specific* implementation, where a patent protects an entire concept. You can copyright the specific code you used to implement a clickable button to perform a function on a webpage, leaving room for others to "build a better mousetrap", whereas a patent locks up the entire concept of a clickable button to perform a function on a webpage, preventing *any* other implementation of a similar concept without the patentholders' grant of a license to do so.
"Patents are meant to protect the investment required to create a brand-new thing and the ability to recoup those costs. That fundamental concept can still apply to software, if not in its present broken form."
There has been a method for accomplishing all those goals for a long time. It's called copyright, and protects specific implementations, not whole concepts, which is one of the major (if not THE major problem) problems with patenting software.
I would recommend letting Creative know how you feel. My e-mail to Creative:
Gentlemen,
I've recently become aware of the situation with Creative/Id Software regarding software patents held by your corporation, and the pressure brought to bear on Id Software as a result. I am against software patenets in general, and especially when used in the ways in which Creative seems to be using them. I've always used Creative products, and recommended them to friends, as well as used and recommended them in buisiness/industrial venues. Sadly, I find myself unable, in good conscience, to continue to use or recommend Creative products and will recommend against using or purchasing Creative products, as the patent tactics being used by Creative to maintain/increase revenue/marketshare are unacceptable to me. I earnestly hope Creative re-thinks its' position(s) on the use of the threat of patent litigation as a buisiness model/tactic. I am not afilliated in any way with Id Software, or its' partners or afilliates, nor with any other competitor of Creative.
Regards,
I know it doesn't do much, but just maybe if enough negative PR is generated they may rethink their tactics.
"Now I hear him. He's dressed in that old 70's outfit he wore on Sonny and Cher and singing. Singing Sunday, Bloody Sunday!"
Hey, be thankful it's not U2s' Bono singing "I Got You Babe"!..oh,no!!..a horrible thought..I hope
that's not what he plans to release on this album if it hits P2P!! Oh, the Humanity!! Every 4 hours on any Clearchannel pop station. Excuse me while I find an icepick for these eardrums.
" I know that most people who actually USE their handguns use them illegally to shoot someone."
Umm, you don't know that, at least in the U.S.A., as the data here:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/guns.htm seems to show. From the section under "Offenders", it looks as if most guns used in crimes were obtained non-legitimately/illegally. Interesting also to note that though guns are more numerous than ever, both in totals and in per-person in the U.S.A., gun crime rates seem to be steadily declining, and have been for some time.
Makes one wonder what *else* the people who are always in such a hurry to illegalise something 'know'.
Just my USD$0.02
Strat
Being a retired avionics tech and aviation enthusiast (not a licensed pilot..just too damned expensive:( ) I think, like you, that this new certificate class is a Good Thing(tm). I'm wondering though, what minimum avionics are required for the Sport Class rated aircraft, and most particularly, what airworthiness certifications will it/they need? (the avionics) I ask this because just a couple years ago, the shop I worked at charged a minimum of $400 for anything, even just certifying a VHF Comm, (the onboard radio, for non-aviation types) which costs about $400(IIRC) at a minimum. This adds up quick, (comm, altimeter, HSI, airspeed indicator, etc.) and could be another obstacle/cost to owning/flying a small private aircraft of this class for the average person.
"Many people get their latest [favorite_linux_distro] ISO images this way. It's very legitimate and has been going on long enough to show it's not an exception to the rule at all."
Actually, it may be viewed by legislators brib^H^H^H^Hlobbied by certain competitors of linux to be another reason to try to outlaw P2P.
"Fortunately a number of contracts are expiring and there's a job fair coming up in November.:-]"
Unfortunately, the proposed replacements are enough alike that this (and most other things) won't change. (Meet the new boss, same as the old boss-The Who)
"Also, for the couple dozen linux guitarists that are out there: what does everyone out there use to reduce hiss in the incoming guitar signal? For that matter, is anyone doing anything more exotic than just running the guitar cable to your soundcard's line in?"
I've had pretty good results recording guitar tracks at home for messing around with using the onboard Intel i810 audio chipset on my desktop computer (NOT pro-level recording, but quite usable for a first demo, tracking/recording ideas, etc., my band had a pro recording engineer/soundtruck come out to do our first CD 2 weeks ago..Macs and ProTools there [drool]) using a Digitech Genesis 1 (under $100 USD). It has a 3-level noise gate, and line and instrument level outs. I was quite pleasantly surprised at the results, especially since I play a Strat w/single-coil pickups. Much of your noise reduction (assuming you've done the basics, like avoiding playng near noise sources like CRTs, etc.) will involve how you set levels, and using the softwares' capabilities to reduce/filter remaining noise artifacts, in that order. Experimentation here is the rule of the day, as there are so many variables that what works for one persons' setup/environment may not work for someone elses'. Hope that helps:).
"Umm, because you'd have to be pretty stupid to commit a crime in sight of one?
Sorry, I'm just not paranoid and that's not going to change. I'm not one of these people who gets uncomfortable just because someone is looking at me."
Neither are many of the types of people you'd not want to 'meet' camera shy, or even really aware of their surroundings, for that matter. Think that tweaking crack head who's been on an all-night binge and desperate for another hit is going to care? In the case of more premeditated crimes, more criminals will choose to stay away from cameras, but a large bit of trouble is from those criminals who don't plan or premeditate, who are impulse-offenders..too far gone on drugs/alchol or are mentally/emotionally unstable and/or just don't care. In those cases, having a camera doesn't prevent anything, only becomes a witness for the state if the criminal is ever caught and sent to trial.
I had the same problem on my mdk 9.2 install..try going into the "configure your computer" tool>System>DrakXServices and make sure you have acpi and acpid services enabled. If they're not listed, go to Software Management>RPMDrake-install and install acpi. If acpi is installed, and the service enabled, and it still doesn't work, try changing the settings in BIOS for plug-and-play/acpi. Also, take a look at your SysV-Init for any anomalies. One other thing that has caused this problem for me is some antivirus software..I tried unsuccesfully to get my computer to power down when I had Antivir Workstation installed, even going through the SysV-Init configuration. Seems like (could be wrong here) the daemon(s) for the A/V wouldn't accept the shutdown/TERM message, and caused the machine to hang at powerdown. Hope that helps:).
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Not to nit-pick, but wasn't the venue and the function a private one? As in any store or shop or movie or auditorium has the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason? Now, if it were a public function/place, like the ladies being tossed from the local Secretary of States' office or a post office, I'd be concerned. When it's a candidates' rally at a privately-owned facility for which they've paid, and could possibly be held responsible, both financially and even criminally, for negligence if a riot or fight broke out and someone got hurt, (nevermind how careful the Secret Service must be to keep the president safe) I'm neither surprised nor offended.
I'm sure a Kerry event in the same circumstances would not allow a t-shirt worn inside that said "Support Our Second Amendment Rights" or even the *same* shirt the ladies tried to wear to Bush's event. I wouldn't have a problem with that, either. It's their dog-and-pony show in a privately-owned venue, and they can refuse anyone entry they like, and you have the right to vote against that candidate if you don't like how/where they hold their functions. If it offended enough people that badly, they wouldn't do it, as that would endanger their whole goal..election.
Just my two cents
Cheers,
Strat
" Troll? Ok - I guess others can quote bumper stickers without any issues."
OK, I've got the karma, so here we go.
Don't worry about it. It's to be expected. Nothing to see here, move along. This is a tech news/issues site, with, I'd guess, a majority of posters under 30 and many even younger. Very generally speaking, they don't have the benefit of having *lived* through 4-5 decades or more of history for reference, and have only seen what the liberal schools and media have shown them. I mostly refrain from posting my political views here for that very reason.
I forget who said it, and don't have the exact quote, but someone once said that if you're not a liberal when you're young, you have no heart, and if you're not conservative when you're older, you have no brain.
Don't expect any sympathy from the non-US crowd, as the USA has always been the whipping boy of the world, even more so since the fall of the USSR. I liken it to a schoolyard, where the really bright and successful kid gets picked on by the bullies and cowards and the less bright students for their success, as that very success points out their own failings, something no one wants to be confronted with (or the leaders of said less-successful countries held responsible for).
Just my once-young-liberal, now more mature-conservative two cents.
Strat
"All you need to do in a 2 party state is say: " I am recording this." How hard is that?"
How much good will a recording of a dialtone do you? Nothing says they must stay on the line. They can blame the phone system or use just about any excuse for a 'dropped connection', if just not being required to allow you to record them is insufficient reason to hang up on you.
I've posted this URL several times in various threads where music industry-artist relations come up. I'm a semi-pro (not sure what may formally qualify one to be called "pro"..I've made a living at it for significant periods, but not exclusively, so I include the "semi" tag) musician myself, and can attest to some of the facts in this excellent piece. Worth a read.
http://www.negativland.com/albini.html
Strat
"My concern is that we use wisdom in the race to build bigger and better weapons. Do we REALLY need a weapon like this?"
A weapon is just a tool used a certain way. Besides, it may turn out to be the only practical way to deflect/destroy an object on a collision course with Earth.
IAAM (I am a musician) and here's an excellent piece on what bands go through wrt the music business/labels. I have posted this URL before in past comments to other /. threads concerning musicians/labels/RIAA. Definitely worth a read.
http://www.negativland.com/albini.html
My band, through an unbelievably lucky break, managed to obtain the services of a respected recording engineer/producer and his mobile recording truck that he uses to record "name" artists at live venues for next to nothing (comparatively) and recorded an 11-track CD (all original songs). We dupe/label/package them ourselves, and sell it from tables at gigs, or even from the stage. We're currently looking at distributing it online at one of the independent music distribution sites. We'd personally rather give it away (and we *do* give away a large number) or just keep it for ourselves if it meant having to do business/sign a "standard" contract with a label. We remain barely able to keep the band equipment truck insured/fueled/repaired and ourselves fed, clothed, and keep in fresh strings, etc., but we'd most likely be in the same spot if we *did* sign, with the addition of a debt and a time-limited contract to fulfill, plus lose rights over everything we had recorded. I just don't see what's in it for bands/artists to sign one of these "boilerplate" contracts with a label. Btw, just as an aside, I'm also a linux-user (Mandrake, Debian, DSL) and have found an increasing number of musicians using linux. Some for cost reasons, but more and more because of performance/security/stability, and for reasons of rights-awareness (thanks RIAA!).
Cheers!
Strat
"Tweaking your own box is just a misdemeanor. However, if you and two of your buddies sit around and talk about how to do it. but don't do it, that is a conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor, which is a felony crime. Another four years of the Shrub, and it'll make you an enemy combatant."
What makes you think that either Bush or Kerry would be any different in regards to DMCA/copyright/et al? Remember, it was under Clinton that the DMCA was passed, and though there was a Republican-controlled congress at the time, I didn't see the Democrats fighting it like they have done GWB's judge appointments. Face it, both parties are equally at fault, and blaming either party alone is simply partisanship. Also, one of the worst politicians for proposing these kinds of laws is Fritz Hollings (D-SC) of "Fritz chip" fame.
Strat
Ahh, I see..a variation on the O.J. Simpson defense.
"If the monkey won't stay lit, you must aquit!"
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Strat
"IMO a government using OSS is almost a waste because even if they do find a bug or add an enhancement, do you think they will release it back into the community? NO.
Big companies and government use the free aspect and dont give anything back.
kinda defeats the spirit of the OSS community if you ask me."
Not sure about how much "giving back" exists in state governments, although I doubt there is none at all. At federal levels, though, there is plenty of "giving back", the SELinux (Security Enhanced Linux) NSA project is the first example to come to mind. I also seem to recall over the last few years hearing about several other government entities working on/with various F/OSS projects, and releasing code back to the various projects. Not saying that the government didn't/couldn't withhold code, but I haven't heard about it. If they aren't distributing the code, they wouldn't have to release any modifications anyways under GPL, IIRC. So, IMHO the government using F/OSS is far from "almost a waste", even disregarding all the other benefits F/OSS reaps from being utilised by government and vice-versa. Big corporations and F/OSS licensing is another topic, and I won't go into that here. Just a couple quick thoughts.
Strat
"Can't remember exactly the context, but this is especially relevant since congress said you can do mess with your car since you bought it."
I wonder if any of the more recent IP/data security/DMCA laws may apply to hacking one of these modules? I'm unsure as to how much protection from all applicable categories of laws that any 'right to work on your own car'-type laws/regulations or court precedents might provide. That determination would most likely be an extended court battle, IMHO..that is, if the challengers have deep enough pockets (which could be an extremely small subset). Just a couple thoughts I had.(IAANL,YMMV,etc.)
Strat
"[..]and you try to project that 'truth' upon others, you are setting yourself up for an unpleasant result."
I accept that imposition of values has created great harm in many instances through history, but the 'values' were almost always of a negative nature, as in people losing more freedom and self-determination among other harmful results. What about when you give those same things they could otherwise never have had (short of a coup or revolution, which may be impossible/suicidal under many totalitarian societies) to them? I know of no humans anywhere that don't want more power over their own lives, or to be unafraid of themselves or their families being arbitrarily killed. As far as there being many more bad things that have happened because of values imposition, it's still a big world, with many power-hungry men and ambitious countries that have been around much longer, and which all seek to impose their values on others, regardless of our actions. Just a thought I have, how do you offend a man by telling him "You are free to do as you please" when he wasn't before?
Just my USD$0.02
Strat
"I don't disagree with your claim that people must exercise personal discretion and conscience and challenge laws they percieve as unust. But in doing so, they must be aware it is only their own point of view they represent, their own perception, not any particular idealized or absolute definition of what is true and right. That kind of thinking (that one is in possession of or has access some absolute moral or social truth) doesn't lead in very good directions - I think history speaks to that point."
Yes, history *did* speak to it. "We hold these truths to be self-evident[..]"
" Perhaps the next step for this is to project the movie from the car onto the road or the sky (good cloud cover allowing)."
In other news, the MPAA has launched a lawsuit against God for contributing to copyright infringement by creating clouds, which can be used to illegally publically project copyrighted visual material upon. There is no information as of press time about any countersuits being filed, although the MPAA released a statement praising and encouraging the efforts of heavy-industrial air polluters and government reluctance to regulate stiffer clean air regulations on auto emissions as "Essential to combating the ongoing terroristic threat of our copyright infringement-friendly environment."
"I have difficulty seeing my projector sometimes on my cream, flat, wall. Are there that many buildings kicking around that have surfaces suitable for a projector to throw a visible picture on?"
:-D
You won't have to worry about it soon..the MPAA will use the INDUCE act to force all buildings and surfaces viewable to the public to be surfaced with projection-unfriendly materials or coatings. Paint a house white, go to jail!
" [The problem is with the mere idea of patenting software. Software is protected by trade secrets and copyrights. Patents should apply to things, not virtual things.]
Why? I don't necessarily disagree but I also believe this is a point that needs to be explained, not just stated. Is it the fact that software can be easily and perfectly reproduced that means it shouldn't be patentable?"
(IANAP/CL-I am not a patent/copyright lawyer) The problem here is that a copyright protects a *specific* implementation, where a patent protects an entire concept. You can copyright the specific code you used to implement a clickable button to perform a function on a webpage, leaving room for others to "build a better mousetrap", whereas a patent locks up the entire concept of a clickable button to perform a function on a webpage, preventing *any* other implementation of a similar concept without the patentholders' grant of a license to do so.
"Patents are meant to protect the investment required to create a brand-new thing and the ability to recoup those costs. That fundamental concept can still apply to software, if not in its present broken form."
There has been a method for accomplishing all those goals for a long time. It's called copyright, and protects specific implementations, not whole concepts, which is one of the major (if not THE major problem) problems with patenting software.
I would recommend letting Creative know how you feel. My e-mail to Creative:
Gentlemen,
I've recently become aware of the situation with Creative/Id Software regarding software patents held by your corporation, and the pressure brought to bear on Id Software as a result. I am against software patenets in general, and especially when used in the ways in which Creative seems to be using them. I've always used Creative products, and recommended them to friends, as well as used and recommended them in buisiness/industrial venues. Sadly, I find myself unable, in good conscience, to continue to use or recommend Creative products and will recommend against using or purchasing Creative products, as the patent tactics being used by Creative to maintain/increase revenue/marketshare are unacceptable to me. I earnestly hope Creative re-thinks its' position(s) on the use of the threat of patent litigation as a buisiness model/tactic. I am not afilliated in any way with Id Software, or its' partners or afilliates, nor with any other competitor of Creative.
Regards,
I know it doesn't do much, but just maybe if enough negative PR is generated they may rethink their tactics.
Strat
Being a retired avionics tech and aviation enthusiast (not a licensed pilot..just too damned expensive :( ) I think, like you, that this new certificate class is a Good Thing(tm). I'm wondering though, what minimum avionics are required for the Sport Class rated aircraft, and most particularly, what airworthiness certifications will it/they need? (the avionics) I ask this because just a couple years ago, the shop I worked at charged a minimum of $400 for anything, even just certifying a VHF Comm, (the onboard radio, for non-aviation types) which costs about $400(IIRC) at a minimum. This adds up quick, (comm, altimeter, HSI, airspeed indicator, etc.) and could be another obstacle/cost to owning/flying a small private aircraft of this class for the average person.
"Many people get their latest [favorite_linux_distro] ISO images this way. It's very legitimate and has been going on long enough to show it's not an exception to the rule at all."
Actually, it may be viewed by legislators brib^H^H^H^Hlobbied by certain competitors of linux to be another reason to try to outlaw P2P.
Strat
"Fortunately a number of contracts are expiring and there's a job fair coming up in November. :-]"
Unfortunately, the proposed replacements are enough alike that this (and most other things) won't change. (Meet the new boss, same as the old boss-The Who)
Strat
"Also, for the couple dozen linux guitarists that are out there: what does everyone out there use to reduce hiss in the incoming guitar signal? For that matter, is anyone doing anything more exotic than just running the guitar cable to your soundcard's line in?"
:).
I've had pretty good results recording guitar tracks at home for messing around with using the onboard Intel i810 audio chipset on my desktop computer (NOT pro-level recording, but quite usable for a first demo, tracking/recording ideas, etc., my band had a pro recording engineer/soundtruck come out to do our first CD 2 weeks ago..Macs and ProTools there [drool]) using a Digitech Genesis 1 (under $100 USD). It has a 3-level noise gate, and line and instrument level outs. I was quite pleasantly surprised at the results, especially since I play a Strat w/single-coil pickups. Much of your noise reduction (assuming you've done the basics, like avoiding playng near noise sources like CRTs, etc.) will involve how you set levels, and using the softwares' capabilities to reduce/filter remaining noise artifacts, in that order. Experimentation here is the rule of the day, as there are so many variables that what works for one persons' setup/environment may not work for someone elses'. Hope that helps
Strat
"Umm, because you'd have to be pretty stupid to commit a crime in sight of one?
Sorry, I'm just not paranoid and that's not going to change. I'm not one of these people who gets uncomfortable just because someone is looking at me."
Neither are many of the types of people you'd not want to 'meet' camera shy, or even really aware of their surroundings, for that matter. Think that tweaking crack head who's been on an all-night binge and desperate for another hit is going to care? In the case of more premeditated crimes, more criminals will choose to stay away from cameras, but a large bit of trouble is from those criminals who don't plan or premeditate, who are impulse-offenders..too far gone on drugs/alchol or are mentally/emotionally unstable and/or just don't care. In those cases, having a camera doesn't prevent anything, only becomes a witness for the state if the criminal is ever caught and sent to trial.
I had the same problem on my mdk 9.2 install..try going into the "configure your computer" tool>System>DrakXServices and make sure you have acpi and acpid services enabled. If they're not listed, go to Software Management>RPMDrake-install and install acpi. If acpi is installed, and the service enabled, and it still doesn't work, try changing the settings in BIOS for plug-and-play/acpi. Also, take a look at your SysV-Init for any anomalies. One other thing that has caused this problem for me is some antivirus software..I tried unsuccesfully to get my computer to power down when I had Antivir Workstation installed, even going through the SysV-Init configuration. Seems like (could be wrong here) the daemon(s) for the A/V wouldn't accept the shutdown/TERM message, and caused the machine to hang at powerdown. Hope that helps :).
Strat