Yes, I'll accept that it is fanciful, even far-fetched. But, if followed through with, it'll put out of business certain activities. Of course, it'll give rise to others, but since the UN has shown it has not jewels for certain policing roles, a whole new entity not under UN or US control probably is in high order.
And, to clarify, it's not that CHINA would "rule the world", threaten Japan, and send the USA into tail-spin by or after kicking it out of Korea (by aiding a reunification along a MUCH faster timetable than the one that currently benefits USA, Japan, & SK's militaries, governments and maybe some of the wealthier, connected types), it's that China would simply JUMPSTART these new hulls, then bring together the global shipyards to have a piece of the construction pie.
Nations wishing to cling on to their now-deprecated "men of war" (men of war, often referred to as "she", affectionately... sheesh, talk about gender-crisis militaries, particularly the US' in which untold uniformed personnel loyal to their country have suffered more than ANY damage the caused to their respective services... but that's a digression...) can sit on the sidelines and be monitored 24x7. Any act of blocking constant monitoring would be tantamount to acting like a Darrel Gatesean stealth police force, which the world definitely does not need.
China's "peaceful rise" as China calls it is not going to cause WW III. Western nations are all to eager and greedy enough to ship work orders there for the cheap labor, but bellyache when up comes the question of what national sovereignty means in a monetarily connected world. Cross-ownership of land, infrastructure and political personnel means nobody WANTS to destroy assets abroad. So, it's time to fast track the ruthless, unabashed, honest teardown of the smoke and mirrors.
The world needs less bullshit warmongering, and needs a nation strong enough (and motivated enough to regain her stature among seafarers... hey, Chinese sailors sailed without suffering scurvy, something the "west" couldn't do back then, around 1420's. The Chinese mapped the continent, and left landmarks, never (abroad) hijacked nations from the locals, and build sea-compatible clock, and were able to accurately ( or to within some 20 miles or so) retrace their steps to any point on the GLOBE, something the Portuguese tried and failed at when facing that challenge. The Chinese ALSO knew how to do this by knowing how to shoot the Northern star and by extrapolating data from observations of various non-North Star-like celestial bodies to compensate.
Sure, China has an ugly, brutal, unshakable past, even present (considering labor laxities, but many are being addressed) set of issues. But, let no one dare say the US or the West are clear, cleaner, or holier than...
The real maritime bitch for the West will be watching China directly or indirectly (via stateless, non-war-seeking proxies) challenge the West to the point that it makes sense and is politically correct to create stateless, internationally-crewed maritime police forces to supplant or deprecate the feckless elements part of the UN as we know it.
And, yes, I am a fan of ST, BSG, and other shows. I AM a former USN sailor, and the USN and FBI for YEARS have known about me and my hobby. I declined an offer/suggestion of the MPA (Main Propulsion Assistant) of my second ship when he suggested I let him write me orders for the Navy drafting school. I didn't want to learn REAL navy/contractor/shipyard secrets or trade secrets that would threaten my hobby. While my shipmates on my first ship played D&D & ST RPGs, I drew my subs and ships.
The world needs MY ships, not existing nations' ships. The illusions and bullshit have to come to their logical conclusions if taxpayers are to start recovering THEIR money.
They don't HAVE to be in support of all software imaginable or not yet imagined. Why can they NOT be multi-carrier? Better, stable, continual kick-backs from AT&T? How'd such a deal ever make it past any Congressional hearings or sub-committees?
Maybe some of them, too, are on the take? (Assuming there's a "take"...)
OK, FINALLY, a Slashdot topic to which I can bluntly state (some of) my political stance:... Which is WHY the world needs a new stateless naval and military/policing force made of individuals released from their nations' "sovereignty" so that these uniformed volunteers cannot be commanded to invade some country at the behest of their own home countries.
Basically, the maritime police force *I* envision would "deprecate all power-projecting nations' flag-waving navies into nothing more than own-shore coastal patrol units", thereby neutering/spaying or restraining other nations.
I assume the US, Japan, and South Korea, as well as the UK, Australia and some others wont' like it, but tough. 200 years from now we have to have arrived at improvement, and I see one way, one potential way.
Suppose Chinas growing wealth is diverted to funding the construction of STATELESS (read: non-nation-owned) policing ships that pack enough punch to SINK ANY US or other vessel that DARES to sink a stateless, multi-nationally-crewed policing vessel, and then after 25 years of service, these ships are turned over to the last captains home nation. If such an entity could gain favor, it would put the US Coast Guard in charge of US border security and have the USN and similar navies looking toward (but not forward to) retirement or deprecation.
The idea is that NO EXISTING warships are eligible to be in this program. Only new, monk or rabbi or priest-blessed/etc ships constructed for the SOLE PURPOSED of being maritime police to reduce the legitimacy of claims standing-navy nations now have and use as excuses to deliver a punch to people they don't like.
Moreover, such an entity/organization would stand a better chance at demolishing regimes of massive, global waste and redundancy.
Primary missions of the entity would be:
- rescue at-sea storm victims - rescue victims of piracy or terrorism at sea or near sea - rescue land-based earthquake/tsunami/flood victims - use fresh-water over-production capacity of these ships to deliver potable water to lessen water wars - locate, apprehend and bring to justice any seafaring scofflaws/criminals - force the surfacing of submarines lurking along coasts where they don't belong, collecting datum, and distributing that tracking data globally to ensure the obsolescence of bad-ass-wannabe subs - other missions as arrived upon that don't involve: sinking ships, killing crews en-masse, waving national flags, propping up corrupt regimes...
And, these ships I design won't carry nukes, nor will they carry any intercontinental weaponry, just only what it takes to take out retribution against incursion faction ships of nations that can't seem to get it in their heads that if the coast is not theirs, they shouldn't be prowling or lurking or setting down lying in wait.
Humanity needs to move forward. Sure, a lot of national pride might be globally blunted, but humanity deserves better. And, if anything, it *MIGHT* help reduce terrorism aimed at specific countries.//steps down from soap box...
I'm gonna be off-topic, but THIS kind of sloppy conduct by msoft is why msoft should not be buying Facebook, or ANY social-networking/non-ms-information-centric companies. If msoft is THIS sneaky or incompetent with its OWN products, imagine what else can happen at their hands.
1. Means for computing probability of damage to an item located a specified distance from a detonation site of a weapon having a predetermined yield comprising: (a) stationary means, having a plurality of stationary means scales associated therewith,"
I bought one for one YEN (one PENNY) in Dec 04, the price being so low because the Yodabashi salesman said "It's already obsolete". Early adopters only 5 or 8 months earlier might have paid US$250 to $350.
Now, if only Samsung would remodel the A900M to be similar to the now-retired V402SH made by Sharp....
But, I think South Korea's mobile and data electronics prowess should be examined and compared to Japan, as well as Europe. Better cells are definitely OUTSIDE of the USA.
This is probably a case of ms trying so c*ck-hard to beat Linux KDE/Gnome/Enlightenment/et al to the new punch and take a swipe and Apple, too. Just LOOK at the radical departure in ms windows. Even XP and 2K were not terribly distant cousins to 95/98. I could be wrong but is obvious to me that the various interface changes in windows vista were inspired by open source- and Apple-related disclosures, as well as some 3rd-party products or enhancements.
So, here we have it: ms rushed ahead, and for all the money they spent, the market uptake is not growing for them as much as they wanted for Vista. Besides, thousands, hundreds of thousands of companies collectively spent BILLIONS on stabilizing what they acquired in XP and 2K. Why should they throw it all out after only 5 years? Now, with cranky, dodgey (sp) "stealth upgrades", it's likely 50% incompetent or non-foresight or a plan to compel people to migrate/upgrade/sidegrade to Vista.
Now, if ONLY the Dells and others would sell more laptops and desktops tuned for KDE, Gnome, et al. The GUI bells and whistles, with enterprise kiosk features (security, etc.) could surely only HELP Linux, something msoft fear.
Teacher: (turns dial up to full) Bully: (panting) My name IS!!!... Geyuh-hooo-hoo-hoo Simon... Van...Gelder.... HIYAM!!!... Geyuh-hooo-hoo-hoo... the resident.... booohhhleeee... Geyuh-hooo-hoo-hoo
Now if lifting a kid by the mane (hair) happens, they'll learn to retain a barrister or attorney. It would an interesting sight in the US if those excess new lawyers hit the pavement soliciting students for whom to represent.
Then the teachers would have their own, and the schools their own.
Then, everybody will have mics and telemetry wiring up their ass. Then, kids will hone their long-range assaults out of victim camera view. (Until they attack a geek who was "wired into the system" and every camera and mic on everybody else was protecting the geek....)
"The punishment should be swift, harsh and feared."
"A short, sharp shock may be enough to put them back on the straight and narrow coupled with some kind of therapy."
Boy, you don't mince words.
I infer that a 45,000v, 2,500 Watt, 256 Hz cattle prod to the forehead will swift, harsh, fearsome, short enough, sharp enough, and certainly shocking enough to jolt their asses onto a straight and narrow posture...
Maybe mshaft is going to change the user terms of agreement and grant themselves the "right" to sell our information, profiles, and more. Or, they're trying to angle in on us to make us addicted to their upcoming products/services.
Looks like I'm going to start back editing my postings to be "copyrighted material" and dare fb or ms to remove it from my postings. Looks like I'll have to prepare to find another social networking site and minimize my use of fb... maybe...
I heard (from a Korean) it was released in Korea before iPod (was released there?)...
(Note, the Techeblog site fracks with my Mozilla Firefox browser in that it DELAYS my getting off their page and back into my Slashdot tab... I suspect some fracked up ad code, cookies/java/other code interrupting my keyboard and mouse...)
Now, on the techeblog site, someone remarked that the phone was not touchscreen capable.... Their comments were in February.
The MacNN site has commentary that it is touchscreen.
The NewsFactor site article is also in Feb 07. See "Features Galore" section.
But, as for regular phones, check out things that kick the pants off US-market phones (tho I realize most of the cell phones here ARE from Japan or Korea):
Isn't this whole fiasco REALLY about Apple helping verizon maintain a sweetheart deal when Apple AND the consumer would be better off if verizon were NOT the only carrier to support the iPhone. I bet verizon is putting the screws to Apple to take the brunt of the criticism, and that Apple execs are winning more than the rank-and-file Apple employee, and telephone consumers are being screwed.
I mean, just LOOK at the phones available in South Korea, Japan, the rest of Asia, and even in Europe. Hell, I just learned that Samsung had released its own phone better than the iPhone-- BEFORE the iPhone was available. I don't CARE about which local cell phone makers/distributors/carriers get hurt, but short of going to Europe or Asia to buy a killer phone that is ALSO compatible with the relatively decrepit US carrier system, I don't see why I should have any concern for the well-being of US-based carriers. Apple's conduct in tying the iPhone to ONLY verizon is endemic of how software companies are in some form or another SCREWING the US tech-savvy, but price-sensitive would-be-loyal consumer/prosumer.
How many people buy from a company that is basically BEGGING you to use its product?
I have a friend who ordered one of TVP's computer training videos. He felt he could have taught himself BETTER. So, he or people like him forget about this product due to other things on their mind. They often don't return the material.
His mistake was in NOT returning it before the trial period ended. IIRC, HE has to pay for the disc/box set or for its return. Either way, it's NOT free. What I think is going on is TVP is making money off those who do NOT return the materials AS STIPULATED/REQUIRED.
As for me, I kinda feel a little pity, and annoyance at the part:
"Won't chu buy my product? Please?" He looks sooooo sad, as if playing on the average person's sensitivity to another's plight....
They'll just require you to be interactively conversing. (Which could be useful in case someone is planning to fly a predator through your window.) They'll require you to enter --at random intervals-- the captchas on your screen.
Talk about telephon... if you DON'T enter the code, they'll zap you remotely (or, your free service at the least...)
On top of that'll, they'll have some claws, umm, claUSE that says you agree not to use pre-recordings to monkey with they system, that you won't use profanity, or languages not in your service contract signature....
Will they REQUIRE the "consenting"/"opt-in" parties to speak in an "intelligible", decipherable manner or language? I mean, what if the conversation switches into pig Latin or some variant of that. I'm not even talking Esperanto or Klingonese... And, what if all the callers do is...
"KHaaaaaaan" "Khannnnnnn" and say "Shatner, Nimoy", "Danger, Will Robinson", and (from Carpenters? 'The Car'"Up you ass with a splintered fiddle you son-of-a-bitch", or from the Thing (the original) "Cut me loose man, cut me loose" or the like?
Or, what if many users conspire to say the same, repeated things? Or, just hook up a recorded conversation the two play on each end of the line (duplex double-speak?)
It could get WORSE if those who suspect this is an open-surveillance tool decide to hold "mock" pseudo-slander/libel conversations that pollute the collection pool of conversations....
Slashdot Mirror
Yes, I'll accept that it is fanciful, even far-fetched. But, if followed through with, it'll put out of business certain activities. Of course, it'll give rise to others, but since the UN has shown it has not jewels for certain policing roles, a whole new entity not under UN or US control probably is in high order.
And, to clarify, it's not that CHINA would "rule the world", threaten Japan, and send the USA into tail-spin by or after kicking it out of Korea (by aiding a reunification along a MUCH faster timetable than the one that currently benefits USA, Japan, & SK's militaries, governments and maybe some of the wealthier, connected types), it's that China would simply JUMPSTART these new hulls, then bring together the global shipyards to have a piece of the construction pie.
Nations wishing to cling on to their now-deprecated "men of war" (men of war, often referred to as "she", affectionately... sheesh, talk about gender-crisis militaries, particularly the US' in which untold uniformed personnel loyal to their country have suffered more than ANY damage the caused to their respective services... but that's a digression...) can sit on the sidelines and be monitored 24x7. Any act of blocking constant monitoring would be tantamount to acting like a Darrel Gatesean stealth police force, which the world definitely does not need.
China's "peaceful rise" as China calls it is not going to cause WW III. Western nations are all to eager and greedy enough to ship work orders there for the cheap labor, but bellyache when up comes the question of what national sovereignty means in a monetarily connected world. Cross-ownership of land, infrastructure and political personnel means nobody WANTS to destroy assets abroad. So, it's time to fast track the ruthless, unabashed, honest teardown of the smoke and mirrors.
The world needs less bullshit warmongering, and needs a nation strong enough (and motivated enough to regain her stature among seafarers... hey, Chinese sailors sailed without suffering scurvy, something the "west" couldn't do back then, around 1420's. The Chinese mapped the continent, and left landmarks, never (abroad) hijacked nations from the locals, and build sea-compatible clock, and were able to accurately ( or to within some 20 miles or so) retrace their steps to any point on the GLOBE, something the Portuguese tried and failed at when facing that challenge. The Chinese ALSO knew how to do this by knowing how to shoot the Northern star and by extrapolating data from observations of various non-North Star-like celestial bodies to compensate.
Sure, China has an ugly, brutal, unshakable past, even present (considering labor laxities, but many are being addressed) set of issues. But, let no one dare say the US or the West are clear, cleaner, or holier than...
The real maritime bitch for the West will be watching China directly or indirectly (via stateless, non-war-seeking proxies) challenge the West to the point that it makes sense and is politically correct to create stateless, internationally-crewed maritime police forces to supplant or deprecate the feckless elements part of the UN as we know it.
And, yes, I am a fan of ST, BSG, and other shows. I AM a former USN sailor, and the USN and FBI for YEARS have known about me and my hobby. I declined an offer/suggestion of the MPA (Main Propulsion Assistant) of my second ship when he suggested I let him write me orders for the Navy drafting school. I didn't want to learn REAL navy/contractor/shipyard secrets or trade secrets that would threaten my hobby. While my shipmates on my first ship played D&D & ST RPGs, I drew my subs and ships.
The world needs MY ships, not existing nations' ships. The illusions and bullshit have to come to their logical conclusions if taxpayers are to start recovering THEIR money.
They don't HAVE to be in support of all software imaginable or not yet imagined. Why can they NOT be multi-carrier? Better, stable, continual kick-backs from AT&T? How'd such a deal ever make it past any Congressional hearings or sub-committees?
Maybe some of them, too, are on the take? (Assuming there's a "take"...)
/sets up soap box
... Which is WHY the world needs a new stateless naval and military/policing force made of individuals released from their nations' "sovereignty" so that these uniformed volunteers cannot be commanded to invade some country at the behest of their own home countries.
//steps down from soap box...
OK, FINALLY, a Slashdot topic to which I can bluntly state (some of) my political stance:
Basically, the maritime police force *I* envision would "deprecate all power-projecting nations' flag-waving navies into nothing more than own-shore coastal patrol units", thereby neutering/spaying or restraining other nations.
I assume the US, Japan, and South Korea, as well as the UK, Australia and some others wont' like it, but tough. 200 years from now we have to have arrived at improvement, and I see one way, one potential way.
Suppose Chinas growing wealth is diverted to funding the construction of STATELESS (read: non-nation-owned) policing ships that pack enough punch to SINK ANY US or other vessel that DARES to sink a stateless, multi-nationally-crewed policing vessel, and then after 25 years of service, these ships are turned over to the last captains home nation. If such an entity could gain favor, it would put the US Coast Guard in charge of US border security and have the USN and similar navies looking toward (but not forward to) retirement or deprecation.
The idea is that NO EXISTING warships are eligible to be in this program. Only new, monk or rabbi or priest-blessed/etc ships constructed for the SOLE PURPOSED of being maritime police to reduce the legitimacy of claims standing-navy nations now have and use as excuses to deliver a punch to people they don't like.
Moreover, such an entity/organization would stand a better chance at demolishing regimes of massive, global waste and redundancy.
Primary missions of the entity would be:
- rescue at-sea storm victims
- rescue victims of piracy or terrorism at sea or near sea
- rescue land-based earthquake/tsunami/flood victims
- use fresh-water over-production capacity of these ships to deliver potable water to lessen water wars
- locate, apprehend and bring to justice any seafaring scofflaws/criminals
- force the surfacing of submarines lurking along coasts where they don't belong, collecting datum, and distributing that tracking data globally to ensure the obsolescence of bad-ass-wannabe subs
- other missions as arrived upon that don't involve: sinking ships, killing crews en-masse, waving national flags, propping up corrupt regimes...
And, these ships I design won't carry nukes, nor will they carry any intercontinental weaponry, just only what it takes to take out retribution against incursion faction ships of nations that can't seem to get it in their heads that if the coast is not theirs, they shouldn't be prowling or lurking or setting down lying in wait.
Humanity needs to move forward. Sure, a lot of national pride might be globally blunted, but humanity deserves better. And, if anything, it *MIGHT* help reduce terrorism aimed at specific countries.
I'm gonna be off-topic, but THIS kind of sloppy conduct by msoft is why msoft should not be buying Facebook, or ANY social-networking/non-ms-information-centric companies. If msoft is THIS sneaky or incompetent with its OWN products, imagine what else can happen at their hands.
HEHE!!:
"What is claimed is:
1. Means for computing probability of damage to an item located a specified distance from a detonation site of a weapon having a predetermined yield comprising: (a) stationary means, having a plurality of stationary means scales associated therewith,"
http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=305011&cid=20701429
http://www.techonline.com/product/underthehood/193100895
I bought one for one YEN (one PENNY) in Dec 04, the price being so low because the Yodabashi salesman said "It's already obsolete". Early adopters only 5 or 8 months earlier might have paid US$250 to $350.
Now, if only Samsung would remodel the A900M to be similar to the now-retired V402SH made by Sharp....
But, I think South Korea's mobile and data electronics prowess should be examined and compared to Japan, as well as Europe. Better cells are definitely OUTSIDE of the USA.
This is probably a case of ms trying so c*ck-hard to beat Linux KDE/Gnome/Enlightenment/et al to the new punch and take a swipe and Apple, too. Just LOOK at the radical departure in ms windows. Even XP and 2K were not terribly distant cousins to 95/98. I could be wrong but is obvious to me that the various interface changes in windows vista were inspired by open source- and Apple-related disclosures, as well as some 3rd-party products or enhancements.
So, here we have it: ms rushed ahead, and for all the money they spent, the market uptake is not growing for them as much as they wanted for Vista. Besides, thousands, hundreds of thousands of companies collectively spent BILLIONS on stabilizing what they acquired in XP and 2K. Why should they throw it all out after only 5 years? Now, with cranky, dodgey (sp) "stealth upgrades", it's likely 50% incompetent or non-foresight or a plan to compel people to migrate/upgrade/sidegrade to Vista.
Now, if ONLY the Dells and others would sell more laptops and desktops tuned for KDE, Gnome, et al. The GUI bells and whistles, with enterprise kiosk features (security, etc.) could surely only HELP Linux, something msoft fear.
But, will is spin a new yarn?
Hee... weel... bee.. ass-.eem-lated...
Do you see the REAL deepthroats in this court room?
I'm sure the judge was nothing short of agog to issue a BINDING GAG order for this non-condomnable act inasspicious.
Filing paper beats ORAL discourse, I'm sure.
Will the judge hold him IN CONTEMPT IN court?
Tantalus Penal Colony, anyone?
Teacher: (turns dial up to full)
Bully: (panting) My name IS!!!... Geyuh-hooo-hoo-hoo Simon... Van...Gelder.... HIYAM!!!... Geyuh-hooo-hoo-hoo... the resident.... booohhhleeee... Geyuh-hooo-hoo-hoo
Now if lifting a kid by the mane (hair) happens, they'll learn to retain a barrister or attorney. It would an interesting sight in the US if those excess new lawyers hit the pavement soliciting students for whom to represent.
Then the teachers would have their own, and the schools their own.
Then, everybody will have mics and telemetry wiring up their ass. Then, kids will hone their long-range assaults out of victim camera view. (Until they attack a geek who was "wired into the system" and every camera and mic on everybody else was protecting the geek....)
"The punishment should be swift, harsh and feared."
"A short, sharp shock may be enough to put them back on the straight and narrow coupled with some kind of therapy."
Boy, you don't mince words.
I infer that a 45,000v, 2,500 Watt, 256 Hz cattle prod to the forehead will swift, harsh, fearsome, short enough, sharp enough, and certainly shocking enough to jolt their asses onto a straight and narrow posture...
Nah... do a Super Poke, then transform it by a Spoonerism...
Pooper Soak..
Maybe mshaft is going to change the user terms of agreement and grant themselves the "right" to sell our information, profiles, and more. Or, they're trying to angle in on us to make us addicted to their upcoming products/services.
Looks like I'm going to start back editing my postings to be "copyrighted material" and dare fb or ms to remove it from my postings. Looks like I'll have to prepare to find another social networking site and minimize my use of fb... maybe...
I heard (from a Korean) it was released in Korea before iPod (was released there?)...
(Note, the Techeblog site fracks with my Mozilla Firefox browser in that it DELAYS my getting off their page and back into my Slashdot tab... I suspect some fracked up ad code, cookies/java/other code interrupting my keyboard and mouse...)
http://www.newsfactor.com/news/Samsung-Introduces-an--iPhone-Killer-/story.xhtml?story_id=0210017RZFZR
http://www.macnn.com/articles/07/09/14/samsung.croix.for.vodafone/
http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/samsungs-iphone-killer-f700
Now, on the techeblog site, someone remarked that the phone was not touchscreen capable.... Their comments were in February.
The MacNN site has commentary that it is touchscreen.
The NewsFactor site article is also in Feb 07. See "Features Galore" section.
But, as for regular phones, check out things that kick the pants off US-market phones (tho I realize most of the cell phones here ARE from Japan or Korea):
http://au.kddi.com/english/product/index.html
http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/
http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/product/3g/815t/index.html
I used to have a Vodafone phone that had a multicolor strobe emitting from the camera flash. It was independently activated.
http://www.sharp.co.jp/products/v402sh/
When I lost it I wanted to DIE.
WHuuuuppppssss! I meant AT&T... (NOT the right choice...either...)
Isn't this whole fiasco REALLY about Apple helping verizon maintain a sweetheart deal when Apple AND the consumer would be better off if verizon were NOT the only carrier to support the iPhone. I bet verizon is putting the screws to Apple to take the brunt of the criticism, and that Apple execs are winning more than the rank-and-file Apple employee, and telephone consumers are being screwed.
I mean, just LOOK at the phones available in South Korea, Japan, the rest of Asia, and even in Europe. Hell, I just learned that Samsung had released its own phone better than the iPhone-- BEFORE the iPhone was available. I don't CARE about which local cell phone makers/distributors/carriers get hurt, but short of going to Europe or Asia to buy a killer phone that is ALSO compatible with the relatively decrepit US carrier system, I don't see why I should have any concern for the well-being of US-based carriers. Apple's conduct in tying the iPhone to ONLY verizon is endemic of how software companies are in some form or another SCREWING the US tech-savvy, but price-sensitive would-be-loyal consumer/prosumer.
Thanks, Apple.
How about?:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abacus
They'll bee az bizzee az beez in a bizzee bocks... bzzzzzt!
"Won't chu buy my product? Please?" (Begging?)
How many people buy from a company that is basically BEGGING you to use its product?
I have a friend who ordered one of TVP's computer training videos. He felt he could have taught himself BETTER. So, he or people like him forget about this product due to other things on their mind. They often don't return the material.
His mistake was in NOT returning it before the trial period ended. IIRC, HE has to pay for the disc/box set or for its return. Either way, it's NOT free. What I think is going on is TVP is making money off those who do NOT return the materials AS STIPULATED/REQUIRED.
As for me, I kinda feel a little pity, and annoyance at the part:
"Won't chu buy my product? Please?" He looks sooooo sad, as if playing on the average person's sensitivity to another's plight....
Well, what's wrong with tampons and "beer"? that the "beer" is not beer, and the tampons are not "tampons"?
Some people, sheesh....
They'll just require you to be interactively conversing. (Which could be useful in case someone is planning to fly a predator through your window.) They'll require you to enter --at random intervals-- the captchas on your screen.
Talk about telephon... if you DON'T enter the code, they'll zap you remotely (or, your free service at the least...)
On top of that'll, they'll have some claws, umm, claUSE that says you agree not to use pre-recordings to monkey with they system, that you won't use profanity, or languages not in your service contract signature....
Rite...
If it wears shoes???
Speaking of legal morass....
Will they REQUIRE the "consenting"/"opt-in" parties to speak in an "intelligible", decipherable manner or language? I mean, what if the conversation switches into pig Latin or some variant of that. I'm not even talking Esperanto or Klingonese... And, what if all the callers do is...
"KHaaaaaaan" "Khannnnnnn" and say "Shatner, Nimoy", "Danger, Will Robinson", and (from Carpenters? 'The Car'"Up you ass with a splintered fiddle you son-of-a-bitch", or from the Thing (the original) "Cut me loose man, cut me loose" or the like?
Or, what if many users conspire to say the same, repeated things? Or, just hook up a recorded conversation the two play on each end of the line (duplex double-speak?)
It could get WORSE if those who suspect this is an open-surveillance tool decide to hold "mock" pseudo-slander/libel conversations that pollute the collection pool of conversations....
Nasty, VICIOUS legal morass...