I'd like to also announce the adopt-a-coder program. After working long hours debugging why their program segfaults when given an input of 64910 characters long, but only if it doesn't contain the letter a and it's an even-numbered day, some programmers understandably.. lose it.
You see, this is where the adopt-a-program comes in.. after these poor souls go mad, somebody else needs to work on the code.. and then they go mad, and so on. Eventually the program will be put into a usable state, but there's an excess number of insane programmers out there.
Here's what I suggest: Adopt-a-Coder. For $10 per day, you can help feed an insane coder. All you need is a 12 pack of cola and cold pizza and/or ramen noodles. Provide him/her with a dedicated DSL line, and rehabilitate him. It's a hard job, but it's also rewarding. You see, most people don't know that programming has little to do with computers, and more to do with large quantities of caffeine and memory loss. Unfortunately, the fallout from this is very serious.
PLEASE, help an insane coder. It's the least you can do.
I don't know. Maybe it's because you're nitpicking? I said that because it's 100% accurate - I can install linux and have it fully operational on my hardware in 15 minutes. Including the time it takes to repartition, reformat, and tweak the XF86config file. Setting up windows to my tastes takes considerably longer - upwards of an hour. The author was making an opinionated statement. So was I.
As to your "95% sarcasm" - atleast 6 other moderators disagreed with you. Chew on that for awhile.
Unfortunately, that would require executive approval as well as a formal declaration of war from congress. Given the breakneck pace of congressional actions, we can expect an approval by the end of 2008.
However, the alternative would be to enable a 'peace-keeping action' in the Redmond, WA area. Napalm was dropped on the Campus to prevent dissidents, you know. However, this would only happen if the DOJ could catch our president with his pants down again. Desperate for an excuse to get him out of the hot seat, I'm sure he'd sign an executive order to napalm mr. gates' mansion. Unfortunately, the white house is fresh out of interns.
The other problem is, of course, that most of the military's infrastructure now runs on NT. Like Arnold in Terminator 2... it cannot self-terminate. So, even if you managed to somehow bypass the 32 safeguards preventing launch, you'd still be stuck at a BSOD on the console.
Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, Windows is a decent operating system.
You can go right on admitting that, too. It does one thing, and only one thing, well, and that is user interface. With uptime measured in the hours, hundreds of millions being spent in technical support for NT servers, a half-billion dollar state-of-the-art Navy ship sitting dead in the water over a divide by zero error, and questionable security, I would disagree with you. Windows is good UI.. nothing else. I've been in tech support going on three years. A substantial (almost 10%) of my calls are due to windows-related instability which results in secondary problems - the ones I deal with. Corrupt data, confusion, non-working programs, just to name a few of the more obvious problems.
It's a whole lot easier to set up and use "out of the box" than Linux.
Maybe for you.
ome may argue that it's "good" because of anti-competitive integration with the operating system, but regardless,
Well, this WAS an anti-trust trial... heaven forbid they'd be found guilty and then allowed to keep screwing over the competition.. and the customer.
Breaking up Microsoft will have little effect on its day-to-day business.
Hey, I'm going to take you, and put your arm across the street, your head on the kitchen stove, your legs will be in the shower. And your car keys are in your pants.. in the dryer. This won't affect your day's planning, will it?
Microsoft shouldn't be punished for having a better product.
You're right. It should be punished for so completely oblitherating competition that no other products existed to compare it to.
And one more note: why open up the Windows source code?
Oh, I don't know. Interoperability, put a stop to the extend-and-embrace tactics, proprietary standards, and higher costs as a result of needing to work around that?
Perhaps forcible documentation of everything in Windows is a good idea
You mean like they're doing now? "Sure, we're using Kerberos, an open and highly documented standard.. and don't worry about that unused field over there.. even though we're using it to keep you out of our network.."
MS: Well, I know I beat you up for most of your life, but it's okay now.. I mean, I can change.
DOJ: Well, I don't know, are you sure you've changed?
MS: Sure! I mean, check out the polls.. 68% think I'm a great guy now! Honest. I'm ready to get back to being a contributing member of society.
DOJ: And what about the 32 other counts of misconduct that are still pending?
MS: Oh, they're all out to get me, but don't worry.. when I get out I'll squash the f-- er, really nice people and give them all kinds of innovative love.
the sky, the sky, the sky is on fire.. we don't need no cell phones let the mother #$@! burn... burn mother #@$! burn...."
And why, exactly, would I care? If the open-sourcers want a satellite, spend $100 million and launch it from Sealaunch. It's not expensive - you could put six high quality, modern comm satellites in orbit. Better than a deteriorating bunch of substandard equipment left out there. Let it burn! I mean, why not start a "Save the 486!" foundation? Maybe "Keep FORTRAN alive"? Comeon people.
This doesn't mean a thing. They spend, what, 4 hours reviewing a 100 page patent? Often more. So let's say they spend 8 hours staring at "A method whereby an digital input translation effects change in the enumerator by means of a multi-press electrical impliment"... does this improve things? No.
Here's what I propose:
Option 1: revise the patent system Provide a method for people to not only dismiss frivolous patents, but also to FINE people who abuse the system. Begin creation of patent 'classes' - you can apply for a 2 year patent, 4 year, or 10 year... for electronics, science, web, etc. Create a pricing structure. Start hierarchal organization of existing patents: make it like Yahoo - click, click, click, and there.. now you have all the patents for ("a method whereby..") computer-based input devices. Also make mandatory expirations, and disallow the use of 'extensions': X days after it's approved, it expires. No extensions, no modifications, once it's dead, it's dead. Here's another thought: expand the concept of 'fair use' into patents on a broader scale. ie, 'free for non-commercial use'. If you can prove that you aren't profiting directly by using somebody else's invention, they shouldn't be able to sue you. A remarkable idea, eh? Lastly, how about giving the patent office the ability to 'draft' people for 'jury duty' to review patents from people in their respective fields? a RANDOM cross-section would do nicely to curb abuses.
Option 2: Abolish the patent system A radical option, but nothing in the Constitution mandates the use of patents. We don't need to give corporations monopoly-power over their inventions. I don't need to give the benefits, I think I'd be preaching to the chorus here.
That's my idea... but this announcement just serves as a political cover. It's saying to me "Hey, we gave you this (little tiny) concession, now leave us alone!" There is no real change occuring.
I would like to remind everyone that even if the ruling DID come down today, that doesn't mean they won't appeal it, nor does it mean they'll be broken up. Settlement is the quickest solution for both parties - a ruling would certainly be appealed by one of the two parties.
Now I nothing about Dr Yevgeny Podkletnov's experiments, maybe he is a loon, but if no other scientists has tried to reproduce the experiments then you can't just ignore them.
I'd like to remind you that until people do, there's no reason to believe him either. A certain cold-fusion experiment comes to mind.
Hell, we can do that today. All we need is a big enough electromagnet to repel against the magnetism of the earth. Nevermind it would need to be about 20 square city blocks long and require nuclear power plants on top to power it.. and weigh only a few pounds. Sure, we could do it. Now, where's my $450 million research grant?
Read the fine print. They have not modified the boxes. You can still buy them at Circuit City for $99.
What's the big deal? Some guy got the shaft. This is news? Yes, netpliance dropped the ball, but we have the court system to deal with this. This just shows that this poor sap doesn't know how the financial system works. did you know that all I need to withdraw from your checking account is the first two sets of numbers on the bottom left of your check? No signature. Not even an amount. Just the number, and I can electronically suck you dry.
Credit cards have similar non-safeguards. If you think you've been ripped off, you need to contact your credit card person RIGHT NOW (within 24 hours, usually) and your liability is limited. You, and them, can then jointly go after the illegal debit. This kind of crap is dealt with predictably and swiftly: if you're right, the legal system will drop kick them down the stairs and then turn around and cut you a check (*cough*).
Here's some other agencies that'll be interested in hearing from you:
Consumer Affairs (ralph nader!)
Better Business Bureau
Your local State Attorney General
Most states have a 'consumer fraud' department. They'd like to hear from you too.
Your local small claims court would like a $20 deposit to initiate action against them. Let them FLY down to defend themselves. You bought it from your state, they need to show up there.
In short, slashdot is not the forum to discuss Shafting 101 - yeah, it happens. But it's caveat emptor out there, I'm sorry to say. Call this an inexpensive lesson - it could have been worse. You could have signed a mortgage....
I'm sorry, but if she felt it was too political, I will respect that. I really have to wonder about people that drag gender into the issue - if women feel like they don't belong here because there aren't 60% of them in this field, bummer - but that is no reason to not try. The vast majority of REAL geeks treat women as equals and anyone espousing views about women being inferior to men in this field is usually met with freezing contempt. That isn't what is keeping them out of the field. I see very little gender bias around here (where I work), and have yet to see a genuine case of sex-discrimination in the computer field. Call me inexperienced, but I've been around some 700 odd people, and not a one of them has ever been discriminated against.
I'm not about to start advocating that we allow people to be judged on anything BUT technical skills. End of story. I don't believe in 'equal opportunity' because it's a misnomer - minorities ought to be judged just like everyone else, especially considering they're not a minority.
Sorry Robin, this one is far too political and way too off topic.
Well, I don't know about the rest of slashdot, but I respect someone who lays out the rules and sticks to them. Thanks for being honest, and keeping things clean. It's a rarity around here and it's appreciated.
I must say I'm not surprised by any of these responses in a predominately caucasiod forum.
And how, exactly, did you determine that we're all white? This is a text-only forum.. which is entirely color-blind.
White folks have always downplayed black culture until they see the profit potential.
You call me a racist and then you go on to stereotype 'white folks'. Hello?
Most of you don't like rap music because you just can't relate...
That's a convenient life-line to use - it's akin to saying that since I don't believe in what you believe in I'm stupid. Is it possible that I simply have different tastes? It is also not possible that rap is a medium instead of a message? People can rap about road rage, or rap about computers, or make rap about violence.. none of that is inherently racist.. and to say that it is is at best ignorant, and at worst a willful misrepresentation of the facts.
People forget that what you hear on the radio is what the majority of the people
*cough* 23 radio stations in my area. Most of them aren't rap.
I think the real issue is that you don't like me instead of my posts. I notice you don't even post with a real name. Better to attack someone anonymously and avoid retribution, right? "Keep criticism away from me" seems to be your rallying cry. What happened to being judged on what you said rather than who you are? Has slashdot deteriorated to the point that people like you are taken seriously?
Eric Raymond> Aww, if youz ain't doin' the open source thang, you ain't fer real, boy! Bruce Perens> Well then, break yo-self! Richard Stallman> *singing* ssshhhaarree the software and be goooood hackers toooooo.... Eric Raymond> You my beeatch richard, come over here and I'll bust a 40 on you! Bruce Perens> True, true. Richard Stallman> *keeps singing* Eric Raymond> Aight, I warned you boy! *gunshots* Bruce Perens> Let's right a song about it, we'll call it "kicking out the source"...
Re:I don't want my toilet to talk to other people.
on
The Home Of The Future
·
· Score: 2
Yeah, the problem is alerting the users.. you see, we tried a flautulent sound alert, but some people found it more offensive than the craptions. We're working now on the more politically correct 'human biobyproduct digital communication network'. We also have the problem of bandwidth - 8 gallons is too small for messages more than 20 characters or so. Layering the craptions has been met with limited success. We're currently working on a bathtub-to-toilet conversion kit to ship with the concraption, but engineering says there's still a minor detail to work out with regards to the size of the 'exhaust' port.
How many bloody revolutions are we gonna have this year? I mean, for christ's sake, it's only MARCH and we've already been through...
A vi v. emacs holy war
f1r$t p0$t3r$ cause Malda to aquire tactical nukes and ICMP addresses
Minor linux kernel update gets press, major freebsd doesn't.. causes daemon-mongering.
US drops some more bombs on a bunch of brown people in a country nobody knew about until last night's CNN special
Imminent death of the 'net predicted!
Some dude poured hot grits down his pants, and then sued slashdot editor 'Roblimo.' for suggesting it.
The chinese threw a few more people in jail for trying to get the internet revolution kicked off in their country. Summary executions will follow soon.
Geeks with Guns march on congress over DMCA act.. real bloody - one guy lost his mouse on the subway (check out usa today for details) and some dude threw a custard cake at a legislator. He was later beaten to death by the NYPD (imported for the event).
Next week we'll be interviewing the Slashdot readership for their comments on patents. Current polls:
I think patents... Are a good idea ___________________ 3 votes Microsoft sucks! ||||_______________ 230 votes Information wants to be free |||||||||||________ 1394 votes f1$t p0$t d00d! |__________________ 1 votes Hemos/Katz/Malda sucks ||||||_____________ 694 votes
Let's get a few things straight. Music and movies are not 'ideas'.
So music doesn't carry any emotional value.. no ideas.. it doesn't communicate with you or make you feel different? You're probably a tree stump then. Everyone I know listens to music because there's a message in it - whether it's constructed with words or with musical notes.. but it's there. It's communicating an idea.
They are actually a product. When someone steals this, they are stealing property, like taking someone author's novel or some company's car design. It's theft of an actual product, not an idea.
I disagree. Music was made thousands of years ago to record our history... the trials of our day to day existance. It was a means of communication which survives even today. It is art. I will further state that intellectual property doesn't exist. You have physical, tangible property.. and that's it. You can't own an idea any more than you can own a sound or an image. If I copyright flipping you off and you give me the bird, can I sue you? You see, once you start saying that images, music, thoughts, ideas, are 'property' then you start fencing off which areas of MY mind I can be in. That's flat out wrong.
People have no respect for musician's and their distributors rights. I want the system changed as much as anyone, but the fact is, there's a right way and a wrong way. Breaking the law is the wrong way. Changing the law is the right way.
Haven't you heard of civil disobedience? I'm willing to break the law because I don't believe in it. "any fool can make a law, and any fool will mind it". Laws are SUPPOSED to be reflective of the ideals and values a society holds. I can tell you right now that our society on the whole does not agree with 'intellectual property'. It's a misnomer.. it doesn't exist.
Now, that being said, you may not respond to, cricicize, modify, quote, or reverse-engineer in whole or in part, any of this post under the terms of the DMCA and international copyright law.
I spoke with Circuit City and they said they would be selling them as soon as they are restocked (in two weeks) up here in Minnesota. I have verified this with several of the stores in my area.
I suspect this affects only web-based purchases. I will also point out they are cutting off a revenue stream - these are perfect birthday presents for people who are maybe not as computer-literate as you or I (like our parents). Increasing the price and/or forcing this kind of TOS makes that kind of purchase impossible... which is very unfortunate.
It's a nice idea.. and having them use linux was a neat hack.. I would pressure them to come out with a "linux-ready" version at a higher price.. as you must recognize that they can't support their revenue model with us eating into it - $99 probably does not even cover wholesale costs of the device.
Slashdot Mirror
You see, this is where the adopt-a-program comes in.. after these poor souls go mad, somebody else needs to work on the code.. and then they go mad, and so on. Eventually the program will be put into a usable state, but there's an excess number of insane programmers out there.
Here's what I suggest: Adopt-a-Coder. For $10 per day, you can help feed an insane coder. All you need is a 12 pack of cola and cold pizza and/or ramen noodles. Provide him/her with a dedicated DSL line, and rehabilitate him. It's a hard job, but it's also rewarding. You see, most people don't know that programming has little to do with computers, and more to do with large quantities of caffeine and memory loss. Unfortunately, the fallout from this is very serious.
PLEASE, help an insane coder. It's the least you can do.
As to your "95% sarcasm" - atleast 6 other moderators disagreed with you. Chew on that for awhile.
However, the alternative would be to enable a 'peace-keeping action' in the Redmond, WA area. Napalm was dropped on the Campus to prevent dissidents, you know. However, this would only happen if the DOJ could catch our president with his pants down again. Desperate for an excuse to get him out of the hot seat, I'm sure he'd sign an executive order to napalm mr. gates' mansion. Unfortunately, the white house is fresh out of interns.
The other problem is, of course, that most of the military's infrastructure now runs on NT. Like Arnold in Terminator 2... it cannot self-terminate. So, even if you managed to somehow bypass the 32 safeguards preventing launch, you'd still be stuck at a BSOD on the console.
You can go right on admitting that, too. It does one thing, and only one thing, well, and that is user interface. With uptime measured in the hours, hundreds of millions being spent in technical support for NT servers, a half-billion dollar state-of-the-art Navy ship sitting dead in the water over a divide by zero error, and questionable security, I would disagree with you. Windows is good UI.. nothing else. I've been in tech support going on three years. A substantial (almost 10%) of my calls are due to windows-related instability which results in secondary problems - the ones I deal with. Corrupt data, confusion, non-working programs, just to name a few of the more obvious problems.
It's a whole lot easier to set up and use "out of the box" than Linux.
Maybe for you.
ome may argue that it's "good" because of anti-competitive integration with the operating system, but regardless,
Well, this WAS an anti-trust trial... heaven forbid they'd be found guilty and then allowed to keep screwing over the competition.. and the customer.
Breaking up Microsoft will have little effect on its day-to-day business.
Hey, I'm going to take you, and put your arm across the street, your head on the kitchen stove, your legs will be in the shower. And your car keys are in your pants.. in the dryer. This won't affect your day's planning, will it?
Microsoft shouldn't be punished for having a better product.
You're right. It should be punished for so completely oblitherating competition that no other products existed to compare it to.
And one more note: why open up the Windows source code?
Oh, I don't know. Interoperability, put a stop to the extend-and-embrace tactics, proprietary standards, and higher costs as a result of needing to work around that?
Perhaps forcible documentation of everything in Windows is a good idea
You mean like they're doing now? "Sure, we're using Kerberos, an open and highly documented standard.. and don't worry about that unused field over there.. even though we're using it to keep you out of our network.."
DOJ: Well, I don't know, are you sure you've changed?
MS: Sure! I mean, check out the polls.. 68% think I'm a great guy now! Honest. I'm ready to get back to being a contributing member of society.
DOJ: And what about the 32 other counts of misconduct that are still pending?
MS: Oh, they're all out to get me, but don't worry.. when I get out I'll squash the f-- er, really nice people and give them all kinds of innovative love.
DOJ: Well... we'll need some time to consider it.
If only convicted felons had it this easy....
Aight, you win. Touche. ;)
And why, exactly, would I care? If the open-sourcers want a satellite, spend $100 million and launch it from Sealaunch. It's not expensive - you could put six high quality, modern comm satellites in orbit. Better than a deteriorating bunch of substandard equipment left out there. Let it burn! I mean, why not start a "Save the 486!" foundation? Maybe "Keep FORTRAN alive"? Comeon people.
The other thing is the lack of expert review of patent applications, by real code gurus who've been around since the dawn of time.
I think that's addressed with my proposal that we use 'jury duty'-style draftings from people in the industry the patent would affect.
Here's what I propose:
Option 1: revise the patent system
Provide a method for people to not only dismiss frivolous patents, but also to FINE people who abuse the system. Begin creation of patent 'classes' - you can apply for a 2 year patent, 4 year, or 10 year... for electronics, science, web, etc. Create a pricing structure. Start hierarchal organization of existing patents: make it like Yahoo - click, click, click, and there.. now you have all the patents for ("a method whereby..") computer-based input devices. Also make mandatory expirations, and disallow the use of 'extensions': X days after it's approved, it expires. No extensions, no modifications, once it's dead, it's dead. Here's another thought: expand the concept of 'fair use' into patents on a broader scale. ie, 'free for non-commercial use'. If you can prove that you aren't profiting directly by using somebody else's invention, they shouldn't be able to sue you. A remarkable idea, eh? Lastly, how about giving the patent office the ability to 'draft' people for 'jury duty' to review patents from people in their respective fields? a RANDOM cross-section would do nicely to curb abuses.
Option 2: Abolish the patent system
A radical option, but nothing in the Constitution mandates the use of patents. We don't need to give corporations monopoly-power over their inventions. I don't need to give the benefits, I think I'd be preaching to the chorus here.
That's my idea... but this announcement just serves as a political cover. It's saying to me "Hey, we gave you this (little tiny) concession, now leave us alone!" There is no real change occuring.
I would like to remind everyone that even if the ruling DID come down today, that doesn't mean they won't appeal it, nor does it mean they'll be broken up. Settlement is the quickest solution for both parties - a ruling would certainly be appealed by one of the two parties.
I'd like to remind you that until people do, there's no reason to believe him either. A certain cold-fusion experiment comes to mind.
Hell, we can do that today. All we need is a big enough electromagnet to repel against the magnetism of the earth. Nevermind it would need to be about 20 square city blocks long and require nuclear power plants on top to power it.. and weigh only a few pounds. Sure, we could do it. Now, where's my $450 million research grant?
What's the big deal? Some guy got the shaft. This is news? Yes, netpliance dropped the ball, but we have the court system to deal with this. This just shows that this poor sap doesn't know how the financial system works. did you know that all I need to withdraw from your checking account is the first two sets of numbers on the bottom left of your check? No signature. Not even an amount. Just the number, and I can electronically suck you dry.
Credit cards have similar non-safeguards. If you think you've been ripped off, you need to contact your credit card person RIGHT NOW (within 24 hours, usually) and your liability is limited. You, and them, can then jointly go after the illegal debit. This kind of crap is dealt with predictably and swiftly: if you're right, the legal system will drop kick them down the stairs and then turn around and cut you a check (*cough*).
Here's some other agencies that'll be interested in hearing from you:
In short, slashdot is not the forum to discuss Shafting 101 - yeah, it happens. But it's caveat emptor out there, I'm sorry to say. Call this an inexpensive lesson - it could have been worse. You could have signed a mortgage....
Where are the naysayers now that a company is porting a game to linux (besides ID Software) simultaniously with windows?
I'm not about to start advocating that we allow people to be judged on anything BUT technical skills. End of story. I don't believe in 'equal opportunity' because it's a misnomer - minorities ought to be judged just like everyone else, especially considering they're not a minority.
Okay, enough ranting.
Well, I don't know about the rest of slashdot, but I respect someone who lays out the rules and sticks to them. Thanks for being honest, and keeping things clean. It's a rarity around here and it's appreciated.
They call the company "Sun" because the people who work for it don't see it often.
And how, exactly, did you determine that we're all white? This is a text-only forum.. which is entirely color-blind.
White folks have always downplayed black culture until they see the profit potential.
You call me a racist and then you go on to stereotype 'white folks'. Hello?
Most of you don't like rap music because you just can't relate...
That's a convenient life-line to use - it's akin to saying that since I don't believe in what you believe in I'm stupid. Is it possible that I simply have different tastes? It is also not possible that rap is a medium instead of a message? People can rap about road rage, or rap about computers, or make rap about violence.. none of that is inherently racist.. and to say that it is is at best ignorant, and at worst a willful misrepresentation of the facts.
People forget that what you hear on the radio is what the majority of the people
*cough* 23 radio stations in my area. Most of them aren't rap.
I think the real issue is that you don't like me instead of my posts. I notice you don't even post with a real name. Better to attack someone anonymously and avoid retribution, right? "Keep criticism away from me" seems to be your rallying cry. What happened to being judged on what you said rather than who you are? Has slashdot deteriorated to the point that people like you are taken seriously?
Psst, this is a rumor.
....First Annual Geeks With Rap Convention....
Eric Raymond> Aww, if youz ain't doin' the open source thang, you ain't fer real, boy!
Bruce Perens> Well then, break yo-self!
Richard Stallman> *singing* ssshhhaarree the software and be goooood hackers toooooo....
Eric Raymond> You my beeatch richard, come over here and I'll bust a 40 on you!
Bruce Perens> True, true.
Richard Stallman> *keeps singing*
Eric Raymond> Aight, I warned you boy!
*gunshots*
Bruce Perens> Let's right a song about it, we'll call it "kicking out the source"...
Yeah, the problem is alerting the users.. you see, we tried a flautulent sound alert, but some people found it more offensive than the craptions. We're working now on the more politically correct 'human biobyproduct digital communication network'. We also have the problem of bandwidth - 8 gallons is too small for messages more than 20 characters or so. Layering the craptions has been met with limited success. We're currently working on a bathtub-to-toilet conversion kit to ship with the concraption, but engineering says there's still a minor detail to work out with regards to the size of the 'exhaust' port.
Goddamn revolutions... what next, e-commerce?
I think patents...
Are a good idea
___________________ 3 votes
Microsoft sucks!
||||_______________ 230 votes
Information wants to be free
|||||||||||________ 1394 votes
f1$t p0$t d00d!
|__________________ 1 votes
Hemos/Katz/Malda sucks
||||||_____________ 694 votes
And there you have it!
So music doesn't carry any emotional value.. no ideas.. it doesn't communicate with you or make you feel different? You're probably a tree stump then. Everyone I know listens to music because there's a message in it - whether it's constructed with words or with musical notes.. but it's there. It's communicating an idea.
They are actually a product. When someone steals this, they are stealing property, like taking someone author's novel or some company's car design. It's theft of an actual product, not an idea.
I disagree. Music was made thousands of years ago to record our history... the trials of our day to day existance. It was a means of communication which survives even today. It is art. I will further state that intellectual property doesn't exist. You have physical, tangible property.. and that's it. You can't own an idea any more than you can own a sound or an image. If I copyright flipping you off and you give me the bird, can I sue you? You see, once you start saying that images, music, thoughts, ideas, are 'property' then you start fencing off which areas of MY mind I can be in. That's flat out wrong.
People have no respect for musician's and their distributors rights. I want the system changed as much as anyone, but the fact is, there's a right way and a wrong way. Breaking the law is the wrong way. Changing the law is the right way.
Haven't you heard of civil disobedience? I'm willing to break the law because I don't believe in it. "any fool can make a law, and any fool will mind it". Laws are SUPPOSED to be reflective of the ideals and values a society holds. I can tell you right now that our society on the whole does not agree with 'intellectual property'. It's a misnomer.. it doesn't exist.
Now, that being said, you may not respond to, cricicize, modify, quote, or reverse-engineer in whole or in part, any of this post under the terms of the DMCA and international copyright law.
I suspect this affects only web-based purchases. I will also point out they are cutting off a revenue stream - these are perfect birthday presents for people who are maybe not as computer-literate as you or I (like our parents). Increasing the price and/or forcing this kind of TOS makes that kind of purchase impossible... which is very unfortunate.
It's a nice idea.. and having them use linux was a neat hack.. I would pressure them to come out with a "linux-ready" version at a higher price.. as you must recognize that they can't support their revenue model with us eating into it - $99 probably does not even cover wholesale costs of the device.