I agree that cops can get out of hand sometimes, but in this case, its not their fault. Cops are required to enforce the law. They don't have the privilege of making or interpretting it.
In this case, I believe the university is in the wrong by calling the cops into the matter. Like some other posters have said, this is something that could have been handled in-house. It's not that big of a deal, there are much bigger problems in the world and our court system should not be wasting its time with this. The university should be trying to build these peoples' future, not jeopardize it by trying to convict them of theft.
The other potential problem is the judge. I would hope he would be smart enough to realize that this should have never gone to court. He could always ask the univerity of drop the charges, but if they wouldn't I don't think he would have any other choice but to follow the law.
Don't blame the cops in this situation. The university is the one who made the decision to prosecute.
I had a Stafford Loan while in college. I'm still paying on it now (oh what fun).
The loan is a government subsidized loan. That is why you don't have to make payments or pay interest on it while your in school. The federal government pays the interest for you. Also, I believe the interest rate is kept lower through government subsidies (but I'm not sure about that part). So I'm pretty sure at least some tax money is used for this program.
I think there may also be something called a capitalized stafford loan. With this one, you still don't have to make payments while your in school, but the feds don't pay the interest for you. In this case the interest accrues on your loan. I'm not sure how much tax money is used in this case.
I got my Stafford loan yesterday, and since the IPO price is still within the "tolerable" range, I'm still going to nab 100 shares with an investor friend of mine.
Does this mean your going to use your stafford loan to buy stock? Gee, what a great use for student financial aid. I feel better about paying my taxes already.
WARNING! This post contains sarcasm. If you are using prescribed medication, please consult your doctor before reading.
I understand your point that allowing eveyone to view what is being blocked and how its being blocked might allow people to circumvent the software. But, I don't think your getting my point.
First, this is about Free Speech. Censorware is potentially dangerous not because it prevents someone from speaking their mind, but because it prevents people from hearing it. People should be allowed to view both sides of an argument and make up their minds for themselves and not have the decision of what is right left up to someone like CyberPatrol. I think the fact that they block Peacefire.org is a perfect example of how this software can and is being used incorrectly.
Second, censorware isn't really a security device and your analogy isnt very accurate. I would define a security device as being meant to protect you from others, whereas censorware is essentially meant to protect you from accessing information which may or may not be harmful.
In the case of a parent using this on their computer to "protect" their children, its fine. After all, the parent has made the choice to use the software. They should, however, be aware of the fact that some harmless sites will be blocked in the process.
Where this software is used in schools and libraries, I think the issues of censorship and Free Speech are far more important. People visiting a library have no choice in the software being used. I think they should have much more freedom to access a variety of information (this does not include porn, as far as I'm concerned, if a person wants to look at porn, thats fine, but they should do it in the privacy of their own home and should not expose other people to it).
I think the point is that people need to be educated on what exactly this software is doing. Unless the list of web sites being blocked is available to public scrutiny, the public's only source of information is from the company itself. "Trust us" they say, "We know what's good for you and what's bad for you".
The public should also be educated as to why this information should be available. If this is done properly, I think people will realize its a good thing. These lists should be open to public scrutiny so that the company will have to justify why a certain site is being blocked.
Yes, I think there is a need for filtering software in certain situations (schools, libraries, childrens' computers), but I think censorship is just as dangerous as some of the porn, hate sites, etc.. that this filtering software is supposed to be protecting people from.
Do you think/hope many people will use the Mozilla browser instead of the Netscape branded browser?
At Mozilla.org, we're really targeting developers more than end users. We're hoping that we can get a lot of developers using Mozilla, for sure. As for end users, I think that most of them would benefit most from sticking to a released branded version of Netscape or some other released browser version from another vendor.
I was supprised to see his answer to this question. I thought Mozilla was meant to be an open source browser for everyone. I realize anyone who wants to can use it, but I didn't think it was targeted at developers. Personally, I plan on using it as my browser just as a matter of principle. I mean, I just like the idea of using Mozilla. Although, depending on how good it is, Netscape 6.0 may change my mind, I'll have to wait and see.
This article brought something to mind which I had thought about after the recent DOS attacks. People don't always consider how their misuse of something they enjoy can be used against them. The recent attacks have been very effective ammunition for the people who want to have control on people using the internet.
Those that are in power always seem to take those steps which will keep them in power. The anonymity of the internet is useful to the little guy because it alows him to speak his mind without fear of being squashed. But this usefulness to the little guy comes at the cost of power to the big guy. After all, what good is power if you can't excercise it over someone. Of course Clinton wants to implement some sort of method of identifying users of the internet, he has nothing to lose by it, and something to gain.
People should always keep in mind that while you may think your being clever by taking jabs at the system, you may actually be playing into the hands of those who would like to say, "See, look what has happened, we need new laws regulating this thing".
Exactly what I'd like to have. Ever since they introduced the Crusoe chip and demoed one of those web pads, I've been wanting something like this. I think it should have wireless connection to other computers/devices in the house and to the internet. A docking station mounted at eye level on the wall could serve to recharge it and to hold it while your doing other things. I also think it would be cool if this could be taken into the car and mounted into another docking station which would give it access to power, a hard drive located in the car, and the sound system. This could be used for email, mp3s, and much more.
Things like this are probably possible to make yourself right now, I just wish I had the money to experiment with things like this. Hopefully they'll be comercially available before long.
Your post should probably be labeled a troll, but I'll bite anyway. First of all, the guy you responded to certainly did not hit the nail on the head. He didn't even mention Applixware so I hardly consider that a complete review of the current state of linux office suites.
Second, why do I need windows to use an office suite. More importantly, why do I need a bloated office suite in the first place. We use wordperfect suite here in my office and I don't use a tenth of the crap they pile in these things. All I really need is a decent word processor (which I beleive Wordperfect supplies) and a good spreadsheet. Packing uneeded, seldom used features into an application is what's wrong with many windows applications to begin with, why should linux applications be striving to emulate that?
Granted, there's alot of work to be done, but I think there's some good software out there already and its getting better all the time.
It looks like you live in Evans Hall. I used to live in that dorm. I haven't been to the campus in a while. Where are these TV's. The only ones I remember are the ones in the lobbys of the dorms and the one in the union.
If Netscape is crashing once an hour for you, you've got some serious problems that have nothing to do with your web browser. Are your other applications unstable as well? I use netscape on windows 95 at work and on macos and mklinux at home and it rarely crashes.
Given that a few previous posts suggest that this story isn't even true, I doubt its a good idea to start emailing the company. Especially considering the problems that has caused in the past. I also would never want to take a third party's advice about emailing the company. Unless the company has set up a special email account for this purpose, it will probably just irritate them.
I thought it was very strange that MkLinux was not included in the list of distros, especially since Apple was instrumental in creating it. MkLinux is alive an well, I'm using it right now. I see a few posts claiming that MkLinux is defunct. That's hardly true.
Admittedly it is behind other distros for the ppc and x86 machines but it is being worked on and is coming along nicely I think. The current version is DR3. Release 1 should be out within a few months. It is a very needed port in my opinion since its the only one which will work on a nubus powermac.
This may be way offtopic here, but since the topic covers XML I thought I'd ask. Is there any word processing application of the Word, WordPerfect, StarOffice genre that uses SGML to describe the text? And if not, why?
SGML or XML would seem to be perfect for an open source word processor. One of the biggest obstacles of exchanging information in business is the many proprietary document formats. It would seem that if such a program could become the standard (I know that's a big if), it could be a potential killer app for linux in the business world. Especially if it came out on linux first. But even if it didn't, the linux version could be free whereas a windows version would most likely be proprietary. And I would place far more trust in an open source application complying with standards than I would one which is closed.
I know word processing isn't fun or sexy, but its an extremely important part of computing and should receive more attention than it has.
I may have spoken too soon. Now that I look closer, it may not be the same company. The logos are different. And usually when there's a link like that one on the bottom of a page, its because they are two different organizations with similar domain names.
Its the same company, but all the content is on the.net site. There is now a link to www.linuxone.net at the bottom of the page. Strange, I didn't notice that before.
I agree with what Motely Fool said about Linux One, but their comments would carry more weight with me if they'd bothered to look for the correct web site.
The older versions of MySQL are GPL'd if I remember correctly. I'm not sure how much difference there is between the latest versions and the older GPL'd stuff though.
Re:Forget vaccuming.. how about mowing the lawn?
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Cool Personal Robots
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I think it used some kind wires imbedded in the ground, surrounding the perimeter.
Re:Forget vaccuming.. how about mowing the lawn?
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Cool Personal Robots
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· Score: 1
I really think this is an excellent idea. I've heard of a product that does this. I can't remember what it was or if it was actually in production. It may have been some kind of prototype.
Anyway, I've thought of doing something similar myself, but I've never really had the hardware to do it. I think it would be fairly simple to fit a small mower with servos (I think thats what their called) to control the wheels. It might be more practical to have a computer control the wheels by radio signal. That would prevent you from having to put an actual computer on the mower. You would'nt want a comuter exposed to all that dust, vibration, and grass.
Slashdot Mirror
In this case, I believe the university is in the wrong by calling the cops into the matter. Like some other posters have said, this is something that could have been handled in-house. It's not that big of a deal, there are much bigger problems in the world and our court system should not be wasting its time with this. The university should be trying to build these peoples' future, not jeopardize it by trying to convict them of theft.
The other potential problem is the judge. I would hope he would be smart enough to realize that this should have never gone to court. He could always ask the univerity of drop the charges, but if they wouldn't I don't think he would have any other choice but to follow the law.
Don't blame the cops in this situation. The university is the one who made the decision to prosecute.
The loan is a government subsidized loan. That is why you don't have to make payments or pay interest on it while your in school. The federal government pays the interest for you. Also, I believe the interest rate is kept lower through government subsidies (but I'm not sure about that part). So I'm pretty sure at least some tax money is used for this program.
I think there may also be something called a capitalized stafford loan. With this one, you still don't have to make payments while your in school, but the feds don't pay the interest for you. In this case the interest accrues on your loan. I'm not sure how much tax money is used in this case.
Does this mean your going to use your stafford loan to buy stock? Gee, what a great use for student financial aid. I feel better about paying my taxes already.
WARNING! This post contains sarcasm. If you are using prescribed medication, please consult your doctor before reading.
First, this is about Free Speech. Censorware is potentially dangerous not because it prevents someone from speaking their mind, but because it prevents people from hearing it. People should be allowed to view both sides of an argument and make up their minds for themselves and not have the decision of what is right left up to someone like CyberPatrol. I think the fact that they block Peacefire.org is a perfect example of how this software can and is being used incorrectly.
Second, censorware isn't really a security device and your analogy isnt very accurate. I would define a security device as being meant to protect you from others, whereas censorware is essentially meant to protect you from accessing information which may or may not be harmful.
In the case of a parent using this on their computer to "protect" their children, its fine. After all, the parent has made the choice to use the software. They should, however, be aware of the fact that some harmless sites will be blocked in the process.
Where this software is used in schools and libraries, I think the issues of censorship and Free Speech are far more important. People visiting a library have no choice in the software being used. I think they should have much more freedom to access a variety of information (this does not include porn, as far as I'm concerned, if a person wants to look at porn, thats fine, but they should do it in the privacy of their own home and should not expose other people to it).
The public should also be educated as to why this information should be available. If this is done properly, I think people will realize its a good thing. These lists should be open to public scrutiny so that the company will have to justify why a certain site is being blocked.
Yes, I think there is a need for filtering software in certain situations (schools, libraries, childrens' computers), but I think censorship is just as dangerous as some of the porn, hate sites, etc.. that this filtering software is supposed to be protecting people from.
I was supprised to see his answer to this question. I thought Mozilla was meant to be an open source browser for everyone. I realize anyone who wants to can use it, but I didn't think it was targeted at developers. Personally, I plan on using it as my browser just as a matter of principle. I mean, I just like the idea of using Mozilla. Although, depending on how good it is, Netscape 6.0 may change my mind, I'll have to wait and see.
Those that are in power always seem to take those steps which will keep them in power. The anonymity of the internet is useful to the little guy because it alows him to speak his mind without fear of being squashed. But this usefulness to the little guy comes at the cost of power to the big guy. After all, what good is power if you can't excercise it over someone. Of course Clinton wants to implement some sort of method of identifying users of the internet, he has nothing to lose by it, and something to gain.
People should always keep in mind that while you may think your being clever by taking jabs at the system, you may actually be playing into the hands of those who would like to say, "See, look what has happened, we need new laws regulating this thing".
I never said that. Your use of quotation marks there doesn't make sense. Its not a quote, its not even a good paraphrase.
Things like this are probably possible to make yourself right now, I just wish I had the money to experiment with things like this. Hopefully they'll be comercially available before long.
Second, why do I need windows to use an office suite. More importantly, why do I need a bloated office suite in the first place. We use wordperfect suite here in my office and I don't use a tenth of the crap they pile in these things. All I really need is a decent word processor (which I beleive Wordperfect supplies) and a good spreadsheet. Packing uneeded, seldom used features into an application is what's wrong with many windows applications to begin with, why should linux applications be striving to emulate that?
Granted, there's alot of work to be done, but I think there's some good software out there already and its getting better all the time.
What kind of chip you got in there, a Dorito? :)
An mp3 encoded at a rate necessary to fit two hours of music into 64 mbs would sound like crap compared to a cd.
Admittedly it is behind other distros for the ppc and x86 machines but it is being worked on and is coming along nicely I think. The current version is DR3. Release 1 should be out within a few months. It is a very needed port in my opinion since its the only one which will work on a nubus powermac.
Check out www.mklinux.org.
SGML or XML would seem to be perfect for an open source word processor. One of the biggest obstacles of exchanging information in business is the many proprietary document formats. It would seem that if such a program could become the standard (I know that's a big if), it could be a potential killer app for linux in the business world. Especially if it came out on linux first. But even if it didn't, the linux version could be free whereas a windows version would most likely be proprietary. And I would place far more trust in an open source application complying with standards than I would one which is closed.
I know word processing isn't fun or sexy, but its an extremely important part of computing and should receive more attention than it has.
Linux One's web site is at LinuxOne
I think it used some kind wires imbedded in the ground, surrounding the perimeter.
Anyway, I've thought of doing something similar myself, but I've never really had the hardware to do it. I think it would be fairly simple to fit a small mower with servos (I think thats what their called) to control the wheels. It might be more practical to have a computer control the wheels by radio signal. That would prevent you from having to put an actual computer on the mower. You would'nt want a comuter exposed to all that dust, vibration, and grass.
What are your thoughts on a design?