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User: poetmatt

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  1. even better - an actual working solution on National ID Cards Mandated in the US, If You're Under 50 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    but of course, why not just have EVERYONE be required to have passports and accept that as ID like the rest of the world? It's not like the rest of the world does that or something.

  2. Re:Republican? on FCC To investigate Comcast Bittorrent Meddling · · Score: 1

    Please, what makes you think the Dems are any more or less corrupt than the Republicans, honestly? More money is more money but that doesn't justify a lesser or greater level of corruption. I'd say they're both on the same level - slightly below that of Musharraf at this point. I support more Liberal/Democratic views than Republican, but by no means do I think that either side is ever innocent. Or would you rather pull a blind eye to Republicans in the name of "they get less money for corruption" which could just as equally imply that they are easier tempted into corruption and/or are already so corrupt that they just take the money as a political welfare check. However, that might be misconstruing things a little, no?

    Berman and Hollings are horrible, but would it make a difference if they were Republicans promoting the same agenda? We also could get a Republican, promoting the same agenda you said is bad.

    What we need truly, is to flush both sides and start fresh and add things to prevent corruption. Would it occur all over again? Unfortunately, yes.

  3. Re:Hmm, maybe.. on Legalize File Sharing, Say Swedish MPs · · Score: 1

    Please show me where you have some example of how piracy right now in sweden is equivalent to infringement? There is nothing in there now that makes it infringement as far as I recall, they are defending against creating laws to do so, and voicing in support of creating laws to outright support it instead, right? Please correct me if I was wrong in that understanding, but that is the general gist of things I have gotten so far.

    I agree with you on the rest as far as petty crimes but I question what could have been the way to prevent this from ever happening - it seems nobody was unaware of MPAA/RIAA and ASCAP's tactics from the start, and yet they just rolled over the rights of citizens in the US to bring their idea of law on people. In Sweden the average individual seemed far more aware of what went on and went straight to political action on it. Beyond the money and political influence, what really could have been done? Every time I sent well written and not excessively long letters to senators, etc there was nothing but canned responses (let alone as if they even read letters in the first place).

  4. workplace on Firefox Struggling to Compete as Corporate Browser · · Score: 1

    I know in my workplace they have some kind of conflict with using firefox....they openly allow it for normal web browsing but there appears to be some parts of oracle that "only work with IE". Our techs have expressed desire to have things work in FF instead, but corporate doesn't regard it as a priority yet (nor is it even on their to-do in the future lists). Beyond that they allow it to be installed, but they don't put it on the PCs in advance. So I can understand where IE is still locking people down, certainly.

    How hard is it to program oracle to use firefox instead of IE? Currently it "doesn't work". They are using oracle for a database with multiple arrays for storing customer information and orders/quote/service request tracking, primarily.

  5. Re:End the Security Theater? on $500,000 Prize for Faster Airport Security Checks · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It really is that easy, and I never said there wouldn't be repercussions. If someone chooses not to stand up for their values that would not be our fault/deserving of sympathy/give a shit though, would it? As I said though, make sure you have time, and backup plans.

    If you have no problems with the current situation, fine. You can give up your amendment rights all you want, since someone in that situation is so used to giving up their rights that they don't even know fo the ones they have. If you do have problems with the current situation, quit whining and do something about it. The options mentioned above would indeed count as doing something about it. Sit ins and nonviolent protest are other methods.

    Or, you can just read about it, and whine. I don't know what you plan, but I've got my own plate of crap to fix (that of which I need help making a website since I suck at setting up an online data array/etc) but if I have time I would certainly love to try to tackle the airline issue with actual demonstrations/etc.

  6. Re:So how could MS lose with this scenario? on OLPC, Microsoft Working Toward Dual-Boot XO Laptops · · Score: 1

    Please, mod parent funny for "Where windows excels in comparison with Linux". I want my UT3 on OLPC as well! I'm sure the specs are close enough! Or maybe we can play Zero Wing on it! /snicker

  7. Re:End the Security Theater? on $500,000 Prize for Faster Airport Security Checks · · Score: 1

    you are dead on correct, there's a more than likely chance that could occur. Of course, thats when lawsuits and apologies get flung, and on a small level thats how you end up having to defend your rights vs a corporation. Also you can declare things in some way before you fly to get through, I don't know how its done but you have to call the TSA or the airline or something (I don't remember the exacts - but they give you like a pass-through). Make sure you have plenty of free time of course before doing this too, and this is why things are not changed or action is taken. Because people in the US are like sheep, and will do whatever they are told in this sea of complacency.

    Another method to change things is nonviolent protest. Sure, they can say they refuse to let you cross the line but if you never raise a finger but simply walk forward, hello nonviolent protest, ghandi style. That and sit-ins do work. Reason people get away with this? One person doing that = corporation can care less. Tons of people doing that = bigger deal. Would you win in court? Absolutely. Would it take multiple years and would you probably get a TSA blacklist? Absolutely.

    Same thing happens if you refuse to give up your license as bond to a police officer as well. You are not required to do that, you are required to give them your information but not physically.

  8. Re:End the Security Theater? on $500,000 Prize for Faster Airport Security Checks · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I just wanted to clarify a small part of this issue that you don't realize. Some places have notices that say you consent to search by coming through their line. However, the difference with the 4th amendment rights is people are stupid enough to GIVE them up, which is what is happening. Someone can say "I want to search you" but you can reply "I am not giving up my 4th amendment rights/where is your warrant" and if they do any form of searching/even touch you for any reason other than arrest, they just violated your rights.

    Instead, we get retards that say "oh, okay, take a look, I have nothing to hide". Likewise when they ask you if you have anything harmful, even if you don't, thats asking you to give up your 5th amendment rights. Want to know why lawyers get through lines faster? It's because they ask the people who ask them a question this: "are you asking me to give up my right to the 5th amendment by answering your question" to which they have to answer no. Or, the security people know not to even bother asking (which is more common).

    Welcome to logic, and where it is missing.

  9. Re:Are they doing this everywhere? on FCC To investigate Comcast Bittorrent Meddling · · Score: 1

    Upload traffic is just as demanding as download traffic to a server. So why would they allow much higher amounts of bandwith downstream than upstream? The only difference is who pays for what connection and the cost on that part. I mean lets take 6mb (500KB) downstream vs 40KB upstream. Which has a ton more bandwith? Duh....thats why I question whether this was just to have "more bandwith offered".

  10. Re:Are they doing this everywhere? on FCC To investigate Comcast Bittorrent Meddling · · Score: 1

    FYI, downloads were never the issue, uploads were. See nobody has a problem leeching data, cable is made for that even (since it supports far higher download speeds). The big issue was it wouldn't allow seeding at all, and if you were to download at your upload speed (to keep a 100% seed), things would take forever. Also if you can't seed, the torrent basically dies completely. If nobody is sharing the file and 100 people want to download it, 0 copies are going to be distributed.

    On its own you can call this prevention of piracy, but the reality is that legitimate things are blocked in the same fashion (linux distros, maybe stuff you make and upload yourself to a torrent site, maybe your own music you make) - now what in those scenarios? This is the main issue that surrounds all the DRM and treating customers like criminals debate. Because there is no way to treat all customers the same and prevent criminal intent without it stopping legitimate use as well. The debate itself usually has ended in a "for the children" debate for that reason, or something else stupid.

    Now I hate comcast for having done this, but I still suspect that the MPAA/RIAA has more behind this than comcast itself. I'm sure there was some cash exchanging hands in some form to provoke this, as sandvine has a variety of very significant and useful uses, and this is not in that group.

  11. bout freakin time on FCC To investigate Comcast Bittorrent Meddling · · Score: 1

    having been part of the original research with DSLreports.com, I'm glad this is finally coming around to something. They have been abusing this for far too long, and if FCC takes action it will be an interesting power check to comcast. Of course, we could be wrong, and they could suddenly and magically lobby the hell out of things to prevent this, unfortunately.

    I am greatful at least this will be investigated before Docsis3, not after.

  12. UP TO? on Comcast Promising Ultra-Fast Internet · · Score: 1

    I can just see the comcast offer now: You can get speeds up to 160MB/s! Average user speed capped at 6mb/s. Not even megabyte. Price increase? Definitely.

    (in all reality, docsis 3 will help the need for higher bandwith but I highly doubt comcast's network will be able to handle 160MB/s from the average consumers even in the next 5-10 years - but boy will it cause one hell of a slashdot effect!)

  13. Re:Toshiba Fell Victim To The Xbox Demographic on Toshiba Execs Declare HD DVD Not Dead Yet · · Score: 1

    not quite. I am trying to draw the best comparison I can but compared to what you described I think neither the BD/HDDVD situation nor the vhs/dvd situation is an apples to apples comparison of the situation.

    What we're lacking, is a single format due to MS trying to monopolize the competition. I honestly hope that china HD format kicks off instead and crushes both, or that people just pick one and accept it. We all know each of these format changes is completely retarded, with blu ray saying they won't play adult film and other assorted stupid things. This is standard MS policy, create "options" in ways they aren't needed.

  14. Re:Toshiba Fell Victim To The Xbox Demographic on Toshiba Execs Declare HD DVD Not Dead Yet · · Score: 1

    and both are still a complete waste of money and time. I'm still not even remotely enticed to buy BD or HDDVD, regardless of the increase in quality. They both are stupid. Who would want to buy into a format where you can only play "some" movies? Thats like buying a car that can only drive on highways and not local streets. If only this format war woudl end, both die off, and something new comes up.

  15. Re:what it is on There's No Such Thing as 'Wireless HDMI' · · Score: 2

    its an acronym for: screwing over the consumer yet again via putting DRM in hardware. Don't forget how much microsoft will downrate the quality of things if they don't support microsoft's DRM using vista over HDMI - basically you cant watch high def with netflix (remember that recently?).

    Between HDMI, Bluray, and HD-DVD, consumers have gotten the shaft. The only use for HDMI is to go from your computer to your TV (which is about the only way to get quality out of the HDMI). If I recall correct, HDMI stands for high definition multimedia interface . I would suggest avoiding any forms of HDMI and any current form of high def, because although it looks nice its just a political powerplay by major media companies.

    You are correct that things that require HDMI over windows as mentioned above, are basically not supported on anything else. So if you are new to the "consumers are criminals" as being the motto of the media company, I welcome you as you are no longer outside of that loop.

  16. Re:isn't democracy great? on FCC Ignores Public, Relaxes Media Ownership · · Score: 1

    so you mean the dead people that political folks write the names in on votes?

  17. Re:All Hail the Lowest common denominator on BBC iPlayer Welcomes Linux (and Macs) · · Score: 1

    I didn't know they did that, awesome. I'd like to see it h.264, that stuff is devastating in how efficient it appears for the quality it provides.

    Whatever the youtube/other flash video sites originally used was a total piece of crap, even beyond their total downsampling of the quality to make the RIAA/MPAA happy (talk about oldschool methods of anti infringement AKA downsampling radio quality)

    I do remember reading about the h.264 thing, but I don't see anything as of yet of implementation. Have they done any? (links anyone?)

  18. Re:All Hail the Lowest common denominator on BBC iPlayer Welcomes Linux (and Macs) · · Score: 1

    Answer: Easily

    however the quality is crap with anything flash, the codecs are horrible too. So eh, whatever. Flash works well with shockwave and such, but as far as for video it is a pitiful shameful piece of garbage.

  19. Re:Nice exclamation point on Telecom Immunity Showdown in the Senate Today · · Score: 1

    there is a difference between tapping the line upon warrant and just opening the line for them to monitor absolutely everything. The former being okay, the latter being what is going on and being investigated. You know, kinda a big deal if someone goes through your mailbox every day before you get to it right? As opposed to just the handlers to make sure you get things.

  20. This isn't new on TV Industry Using Piracy As A Measure Of Success · · Score: 1

    Hollywood has actually been doing this for years. They use the negative publicity after a torrent is "unintentionally released" specifically to generate more press. Take careful notice of who in Hollywood fights for DMCA versus the ones that get media coverage for "something leaking that I never meant to leak". How many years has that been going on?

    Its only the really shitty ones that have been going after consumers as criminals, the rest caught on, I'd say.....8 years ago ish.

  21. Re:Better yet, just don't send them on Nigerian Company Sues OLPC · · Score: 1

    yes, thank you for the correction. Early morning stupids.

  22. Re:Better yet, just don't send them on Nigerian Company Sues OLPC · · Score: 1

    They are abusing law, because it is a Design patent, not an invention patent. As in the physical design. Think there's prior art out there for changing the letters on a keyboard via putting stickers on it? or the french canadian keyboardS? hmmm.

    So yes, patent troll. Follow the money, I'm sure the MS or IBM is involved due to obvious competitive reasons.

  23. Re:This is ridiculous on Worry Over VZW, Sprint Phones' 911 Alarm · · Score: 1

    although I agree with your premise, I would imagine you can yell louder than your phone unless you're unconscious (in which case how would you dial 911 in the first place?). 100% agree about must be mandatory and hope verizon gets their act together real quick on this. I smell a class action.

  24. I hate to ask on Amazon Sneaks One-Click Past the Patent System · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I'd hate to present this as an option but is it able to be reviewed again after they snuck more bogus crap back in?

  25. Whats the point? Biodiesel? on 6 Major Pre-Production Electric Vehicles Compared · · Score: 1

    IIRC, wasn't biodiesel just as safe on the environment and lasts longer versus electric? Isn't the problem with electric that the batteries die after a few years whereas a biodiesel will last hundreds of thousands of miles and also have minimal economic impact as well as actually increasing performance? So why do we push these slow ass inefficient as hell golf carts versus biodiesel getting 25MPG in a hummer with twice the horsepower?? It sure seems to look like they want something that will still fall apart after 5 years to keep market prices high, in the same fashion that apple stopped releasing the older models of their IPODs since you would have been able to find one for under 250 dollars if you were willing to settle for a 40 or 80 gig.