What people are forgetting about the previous moon missions:
The US pushed the envelope of technology
The missions were very dangerous (CRef: Astronaut Armstrong's comments on the risks involved)
The Technology and methodology was not sustainable
I'm thinking this time, that perhaps we will see some additional leaps of technology. We certainly got enough technology breakthroughs from the space program. Perhaps, even with pesky physics still requiring the same effort to launch payloads into space, we can find a way to create a system that can better sustain itself. The Shuttle failed to create the space presence we should have. This time, let's do it right. Which is what NASA is trying to do.
Sure some of the commercial ventures are making progress, but unless they get some massive capital, I can't see any of them making a serious commitment to a permanant presence in space (and the ISS does not count as a permanant presence, anymore than Skylab or any other tin cans in space would).
What we really need to do is verify if there is water on the moon. If there is, then suddenly the value of the moon skyrockets. After all, with water, you get hydrogen, and oxygen, which means that the sustainability skyrockets. But we can't find out what's really there until we can make a more complete exploration. Sure, there's risks, with abrasive rocks and with radiation. And I'm sure it'd be even better to grab an asteriod and park it in orbit around the Earth, to use as a stepping stone, but the Moon isn't a bad place to start, with a shallower gravity well, and... I don't think we'll be killing any lifeforms if we end up having toxic by products from any productions.
So let's get up there and start looking around!
Of course, my big fear is that somehow, a future president or congress will think that thre are better things to spend the money on, or that having radiation emitting objects in space is bad (bad for what, I have no clue, evidently they haven't seen the sun in a while or something). But maybe this time, we'll stick to it. Here's hoping
And yet Europe seems to be doing fine
on
Pornified
·
· Score: 5, Insightful
All this talk about how bad pron is makes me scratch my head. I understand that there is validity to a lot of the statements. But personally, I'm more worried about how quickly we had gangs of thugs running through New Orleans. Which is the whole point of the subject line. Europe has a very liberated sexuality. America does not. Perhaps there is some causation to Americas reaction to porn because of the cultural stigma attached to sexuality.
IMO, atom is a far better protocol. The creators obviously tried to integrate the protocol with existing XML standards, v. RSS which basically gets as far as tag>. Its far more clear about its payload and is way better suited towards XML delivery.
Better? Perhaps, but then again, so was Beta. And we all know how Beta fared against VHS.
But you are correct, Milla is amazing, and incidently, is a pretty damn good singer too. www.millaj.com and if you haven't taken the time to hear anything from 'The Divine Comedy'... shame shame shame....
I know it sounds odd, but what would be the odds that anyone who has ever had a scratched Sony DVD could sue Sony for violation of their 'fair use' and preventing their copying of the now useless DVD. I mean, at this point, why not fight fire with fire?
Could it be worth a shot? Hit their bottom line with something that would make em sit up and take notice. With any DVDs that are now out of print, I can see some sort of viable monatary damage (above and beyond a simple coupon towards the purchase of a 'new sony DVD that's just as broken as the old')
And if they don't change their ways... keep hammering them with law suits every year...
-Mark
this is nice for someone who does not fileshare and gives protection to someone who had momentarily left their system shared (or might be visible but behind a firewall...) and had the RIAA grab a list of files they had and ran a risk of having the hammer brought down upon them
I'm not condoning the downloading of music, but it means that someone who downloads a song to sample it and check out an artist before plunking down 10 - 20 bucks on a CD won't be reamed by the RIAA.
Of course, how long will it take for Congress to pass a bill that redefines the civil law to include having access to an index to mean you're offering and offering == Sharing.
I wonder if we'll one day be travelling out to Titan to grab some of those hydrocarbons that are everywhere on the planet. It's probably not very economical, but I can visualize any future colonies going there to grab what they need. Hey, it's pie in the sky, but you never know.
Simple and to the point, has there been any efforts to sue to declare the act of creating rider amendments unconstitutional. I don't think it'd fly, but it'd be worth a shot to claim that without each individual provision having an up or down vote, you are effectively passing a bill without voting on it. Yes I know that Congress votes on the entire measure, but did each rider get a seperate vote to be included into the origional bill?
Then if each rider is in fact a seperate item, why can't the Senate simply pass the bill without the offending rider and kick it back to the House and say, here, pass this measure without the rider.
Maybe the second idea would have a shot if someone can get the ear of the senate and suggest the idea. Anyone got any movers and shakers that can get the ball rolling?
The movie was an enjoyable diversion. Was it the greatest thing ever? no. But it was a hell of a lot of fun and I sat through the entire movie with a silly grin on my face. Would I have tweaked a few things? Yes, but then again I think you can say that of almost any movie. But I'd see the sequals if they maintain the level of quality and a good mix of Adam's insanity (in a good way) and a bit of pacing.
Just browsing because this has been a topic in Georgia for a while on the sex offender list. Keep in mind all of the following are defined as sex offenses in the State of Georgia, and as such are required to be on the Sex offender list in the state of georgia.
16-6-8 Indecent Exposure, Circumstances do not matter, if you are at the side of the highway at 2am the crime is considered the same as if you were in front of a day care.
16-6-18 Sexual relations while not married (The law has been challenged but has not been overturned as of yet)
Adultry
16-6-23. Publication of the name or identity of female raped or assaulted with intent to commit rape. That is considered a crime that will get you on the sex offenders list.
16-12-80. Distributing obscene materials
Of course, there are people still listed in georgia's sex crime list for sodomy who cannot get their name removed from the list even though the law was declared unconsitutional . There is no provision for removing names from the list, and frankly since the prevailing attitude is, "they're all damn perverts and deviants, who cares about them anyway." Nothing gets done. So yeah, I hope you have fun in Georgia. keep your pants on and don't have sex! it's the only way to be safe.
Forgive me if I misquote this or attribute it to the wrong country/time. But I remember reading a story about how an emperor was increasingly frustrated by the various crimes that were occuring in his country, so he imposed harsher and harsher penalties in an effort to deter the criminals. One day a group of soldiers were gathering to report for conscription to help fight a rebellion and were running late, so their leader looked to his troops and asked, "What is the penalty for reporting late?"
"Death," they responded.
"And what is the penalty for rebellion?"
"Death," They replied.
The commander looked at his troops for a moment then shrugged, "Congratulations gentlemen, welcome to the rebellion."
As punishments become more and more out of line with the crime, and as the laws become more ubiquitous, eventually the population will feel obligated to protect itself from a government that has gone insane. I'm not saying that the criminalization of a civil matter will be the last straw, but each straw tossed on will start to pile up unless some sanity is restored to the system.
Well, what if Apple pulled all Wiley books because Wiley demanded more money, or Apple wanted to pay less?
Because that is not how book sales work in america. A very short primer: Publishers have lists of books and companies decide what books to carry. Depending on the type of books, (Text, and then hardcover, trade, and paperback sometimes lumped together) there are various discounts available. For example, Textbooks typically have a 20% discount to purchase from the publisher (In otherwords, a retail bookstore purchases the book for 80% of the publishers listed retail price), Other books will have discounts ranging from 25% to 47%. But that range depends on the volume of books that is purchased from the publisher. However, the amount of volume needed to receive the largest discounts is not terribly high. So I would suspect Apple would receieve the same discount as any other large chain (200 stores, with an online pop should have some volume). Hence I think there would be no negotiation about money. (Even if Apple didn't pay in a timely fashion, publishers typically want their product out on the shelf so bad, they won't even stop shipping product if the bookstore is 3+ months behind on invoices.) (who would have thought working for a year in the shipping and receiving department of a bookstore would come in handy on slashdot?)
As far as as non matching dates? it could be something as simple as lazy reporters, which does happen. The books aren't on Apple Store shelves, nor are they available on the Apple store website. And does it really matter if it happened last week or two weeks ago? Apple has not challenged Wiley's version of the story. Which as negative a light as the story casts upon Apple and company, I would have expected a PR response by now if the facts mentioned by Wiley were in any way incorrect.
From Reuters: "Technology publisher John Wiley & Sons (JWa.N) said on Tuesday that Apple Computer Inc. had removed all of its books from Apple store shelves ahead of the publication of a biography of Apple CEO entitled "iCon Steve Jobs." "
From The San Francisco Chronicle: Andy Ihnatko, whose books on Apple's Macintosh computers were also removed, said he first suspected something was amiss when he and his friend couldn't find one of his titles at an Apple store in Cambridge, Mass., two weekends ago.
"Three days later, I got a call from Wiley explaining the situation," he said. "I'm disappointed that my books won't be in Apple stores anymore for the foreseeable future."
(End quoted material)
While I'm sure it's possible that Wiley is blowing smoke up peoples collective butts, At this point, I'm confident that Apple has in fact removed all Wiley titles. In fact I just did a search at the apple online store and couldn't find any mac related titles at their store.
Anyone want to call or go into one of their stores to double check?
Keep in mind, the entire threat that was plied against J. Wiley & Sons was "Do not publish the book or we will stop carrying any of your works" There was no effort to have the book shipped to the various Apple stores (and even if there were, it would have been a simple matter for apple to quietly ship them back). This is simply a strong arm tactic when Apple decided to do some dick waving and Wiley called them on it. Now Apple can either continue to give the book free publicity and at the same time deny it's customer base access to some damn good reference books (in Apple stores, as I'm sure Borders or B&N Would be happy to sell you their reference stores); or they can sit down, and shut up, and in a few months (or years) quietly let the Wiley titles back into their stores.
There will be no issue of lawsuit against the author or Wiley, unless somehow there were libel statements made in the book. The truth can't be libel, by definition. Remember once you're a public figure, you have a more limited right to privacy than otherwise is the case (It's may not seem fair, but those who wish to have the spotlight shined upon them, will sometimes have to accept the spotlight when it's not welcome).
Maybe a new version of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy will fall through a temporal worm hole right to the passage that says, "Their backs were first against the wall when the revolution came."
First thing I noticed was that once a movie has hit DVD in the US, the law no longer applies. (Section 3, Sub-section B, part ii). In addition, the idea of a reasonable expectation of commercial distribution is a very vague clause. I wish the clause were more specific, IE. a test that must be passed by the copyright holder: For example, that there is a distributor lined up, or a demonstration of good faith negotiations with a distributor to release the works in question.
The next major thing to jump out at me, Sections A and B of part 1 appear to apply to ALL copyright violations. Anyone who has up an 'abandoned warez' site had best be aware of the implications of the new law if the copyright holder (or the corporation who controls the copyright) decides to test Section 1, Sub-section B.
Anyone have any differing views on how the law may be Interpreted?
There are people who follow linux with a fanatical bent. There are people who believe Windows is the greatest thing since sliced bread. My boss falls in the latter camp (even as I reinstall windows xp on his machine for the 3rd time in a month after he managed to screw it up... yet again, but that's another story).
If they're not on a microsoft pay, show us the books. Prove to us that in fact you're not influenced by anything more than the facts (and your own personal judgement).
Oh, btw, if you're going to be a public figure, get a thicker skin.
That in a way, this is what I would expect from Microsoft. To have their dominance challenged, then to react by putting out a product that's almost as good as the challenger. Then to stomp the challenger into the ground with their massive market dominance.
What makes it even sadder?
That this is the only way to get microsoft to put something "new" out (new, of course, being new to Microsoft, and not to the start up company they end up squashing).
I gnash my teeth as I lament the demise of my Diablo2 level 46 druid!
Level 46? that's like 2 hours work (or 5 minutes if you use a trainer)
Oh and all the pictures of both my kids.
Ironicly I had the opposite problem, I'd taken all my digital images, backed them up onto a cd rom and a unix machine I had space on.
In the course of a week, i had my car broken into, and all my computer stuff stolen (Except for the computer itself ironicly enough), and the unix machine had a harddrive failure. (and they didn't have a backup)
From now on, I'm keeping my important documents on my computer, I think they're safer there!
What I would want to see are Provisional Work Permits given. Specificly, I think anyone who is willing to brave the dangers involved in getting into the US, who is then able to find work, and then able to show themselves to be capable of supporting themselves and/or their family. Should be able to stay in the US.
In a way the system creates an 'indentured servitude' of sorts (I know I'm not using the term quite right, but tough), The problem is, there is no way to get out and become legal. Why do I consider that a problem? Because honestly, anyone who is willing to risk their very lives to come to the US, and then toil at risk and adversity for years, should be able to stay. They should no longer fear the INS will come knocking on the door to drag them off.
Would it be difficult to implement? Yes, because you would have to find a way to track 'illegals' without having the information used against them. ie, having law enforcement or the INS use the information.
Why does it take something spectacular just to make people realize the obvious truth? That the people who come to the US, are among the brightest, most determined, and hardest working people. We as a country need that kind of initative and drive.
The Kids in the article should have earned their permanent residence by their performace. But their very exposure leaves them vulnerable to being sent out of the US back to a country they probably don't know. And what makes it worse, there are plenty of people who think that's the 'right' thing to do.
Correction, they're F-16's not F-15's. And not to be an apologist for the Bush Administration, but the same offer was made to India (to sell them F-16's). In addition, The US has offer to Sell F-18 Hornets to India to mollify them (not that India can be easily mollified).
Like it or not, Sometimes the United States makes decisions to help prop up countries that are "Holding the Line" so to speak. It shouldn't make you happy, but at the same time, abandoning the region to Fundementalists doesn't seem to make much sense. (insert snippy comment about the US already having been abandoned to the Fundementalists here)
To be honest, the United States doesn't have a coeherent opposition to the Republican Party at this point. It's quite likely that the Democratic party will be in the minority for the next 20 years or so, or until the Republicans manage to get themselves involved in a scandal they can't control. (CRef: Nixon)
Not flamebait, or troll just keeping it real
Slashdot Mirror
I'm thinking this time, that perhaps we will see some additional leaps of technology. We certainly got enough technology breakthroughs from the space program. Perhaps, even with pesky physics still requiring the same effort to launch payloads into space, we can find a way to create a system that can better sustain itself. The Shuttle failed to create the space presence we should have. This time, let's do it right. Which is what NASA is trying to do.
Sure some of the commercial ventures are making progress, but unless they get some massive capital, I can't see any of them making a serious commitment to a permanant presence in space (and the ISS does not count as a permanant presence, anymore than Skylab or any other tin cans in space would).
What we really need to do is verify if there is water on the moon. If there is, then suddenly the value of the moon skyrockets. After all, with water, you get hydrogen, and oxygen, which means that the sustainability skyrockets. But we can't find out what's really there until we can make a more complete exploration. Sure, there's risks, with abrasive rocks and with radiation. And I'm sure it'd be even better to grab an asteriod and park it in orbit around the Earth, to use as a stepping stone, but the Moon isn't a bad place to start, with a shallower gravity well, and... I don't think we'll be killing any lifeforms if we end up having toxic by products from any productions.
So let's get up there and start looking around!
Of course, my big fear is that somehow, a future president or congress will think that thre are better things to spend the money on, or that having radiation emitting objects in space is bad (bad for what, I have no clue, evidently they haven't seen the sun in a while or something). But maybe this time, we'll stick to it. Here's hoping
All this talk about how bad pron is makes me scratch my head. I understand that there is validity to a lot of the statements. But personally, I'm more worried about how quickly we had gangs of thugs running through New Orleans. Which is the whole point of the subject line. Europe has a very liberated sexuality. America does not. Perhaps there is some causation to Americas reaction to porn because of the cultural stigma attached to sexuality.
Correlation does not equate to causation.
IMO, atom is a far better protocol. The creators obviously tried to integrate the protocol with existing XML standards, v. RSS which basically gets as far as tag>. Its far more clear about its payload and is way better suited towards XML delivery.
Better? Perhaps, but then again, so was Beta. And we all know how Beta fared against VHS.
Zorg Zorg Zorg Zorg. (Gary Oldman Rocks)
But you are correct, Milla is amazing, and incidently, is a pretty damn good singer too. www.millaj.com and if you haven't taken the time to hear anything from 'The Divine Comedy'... shame shame shame....
I know it sounds odd, but what would be the odds that anyone who has ever had a scratched Sony DVD could sue Sony for violation of their 'fair use' and preventing their copying of the now useless DVD. I mean, at this point, why not fight fire with fire?
Could it be worth a shot? Hit their bottom line with something that would make em sit up and take notice. With any DVDs that are now out of print, I can see some sort of viable monatary damage (above and beyond a simple coupon towards the purchase of a 'new sony DVD that's just as broken as the old')
And if they don't change their ways... keep hammering them with law suits every year...
-Mark
I'm not condoning the downloading of music, but it means that someone who downloads a song to sample it and check out an artist before plunking down 10 - 20 bucks on a CD won't be reamed by the RIAA.
Of course, how long will it take for Congress to pass a bill that redefines the civil law to include having access to an index to mean you're offering and offering == Sharing.
He thought he had it tough against the aliens, wait until he runs into CthulhuGates!
As an aside, I hate it when slashdot tells me I'm not human, I mean, come on! Just because I'm not doesn't mean we have to start having speciesism!
I wonder if we'll one day be travelling out to Titan to grab some of those hydrocarbons that are everywhere on the planet. It's probably not very economical, but I can visualize any future colonies going there to grab what they need. Hey, it's pie in the sky, but you never know.
Then if each rider is in fact a seperate item, why can't the Senate simply pass the bill without the offending rider and kick it back to the House and say, here, pass this measure without the rider.
Maybe the second idea would have a shot if someone can get the ear of the senate and suggest the idea. Anyone got any movers and shakers that can get the ball rolling?
Just some thoughts...
Yes indeed, I knew that. But in this case, my fingers got ahead of my brain. but thanks for pointing it out :)
Hell, I'll be seeing the movie again...
Of course, there are people still listed in georgia's sex crime list for sodomy who cannot get their name removed from the list even though the law was declared unconsitutional . There is no provision for removing names from the list, and frankly since the prevailing attitude is, "they're all damn perverts and deviants, who cares about them anyway." Nothing gets done. So yeah, I hope you have fun in Georgia. keep your pants on and don't have sex! it's the only way to be safe.
Of course it won't do you a bit of good to send this unless you include the french copy as well!
"Death," they responded.
"And what is the penalty for rebellion?"
"Death," They replied.
The commander looked at his troops for a moment then shrugged, "Congratulations gentlemen, welcome to the rebellion."
As punishments become more and more out of line with the crime, and as the laws become more ubiquitous, eventually the population will feel obligated to protect itself from a government that has gone insane. I'm not saying that the criminalization of a civil matter will be the last straw, but each straw tossed on will start to pile up unless some sanity is restored to the system.
Because that is not how book sales work in america. A very short primer: Publishers have lists of books and companies decide what books to carry. Depending on the type of books, (Text, and then hardcover, trade, and paperback sometimes lumped together) there are various discounts available. For example, Textbooks typically have a 20% discount to purchase from the publisher (In otherwords, a retail bookstore purchases the book for 80% of the publishers listed retail price), Other books will have discounts ranging from 25% to 47%. But that range depends on the volume of books that is purchased from the publisher. However, the amount of volume needed to receive the largest discounts is not terribly high. So I would suspect Apple would receieve the same discount as any other large chain (200 stores, with an online pop should have some volume). Hence I think there would be no negotiation about money. (Even if Apple didn't pay in a timely fashion, publishers typically want their product out on the shelf so bad, they won't even stop shipping product if the bookstore is 3+ months behind on invoices.) (who would have thought working for a year in the shipping and receiving department of a bookstore would come in handy on slashdot?)
As far as as non matching dates? it could be something as simple as lazy reporters, which does happen. The books aren't on Apple Store shelves, nor are they available on the Apple store website. And does it really matter if it happened last week or two weeks ago? Apple has not challenged Wiley's version of the story. Which as negative a light as the story casts upon Apple and company, I would have expected a PR response by now if the facts mentioned by Wiley were in any way incorrect.
-Mark
"Technology publisher John Wiley & Sons (JWa.N) said on Tuesday that Apple Computer Inc. had removed all of its books from Apple store shelves ahead of the publication of a biography of Apple CEO entitled "iCon Steve Jobs." "
From The San Francisco Chronicle:
Andy Ihnatko, whose books on Apple's Macintosh computers were also removed, said he first suspected something was amiss when he and his friend couldn't find one of his titles at an Apple store in Cambridge, Mass., two weekends ago.
"Three days later, I got a call from Wiley explaining the situation," he said. "I'm disappointed that my books won't be in Apple stores anymore for the foreseeable future."
(End quoted material)
While I'm sure it's possible that Wiley is blowing smoke up peoples collective butts, At this point, I'm confident that Apple has in fact removed all Wiley titles. In fact I just did a search at the apple online store and couldn't find any mac related titles at their store.
Anyone want to call or go into one of their stores to double check?
-Mark
There will be no issue of lawsuit against the author or Wiley, unless somehow there were libel statements made in the book. The truth can't be libel, by definition. Remember once you're a public figure, you have a more limited right to privacy than otherwise is the case (It's may not seem fair, but those who wish to have the spotlight shined upon them, will sometimes have to accept the spotlight when it's not welcome).
-Mark
Maybe a new version of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy will fall through a temporal worm hole right to the passage that says, "Their backs were first against the wall when the revolution came."
IANAL
First thing I noticed was that once a movie has hit DVD in the US, the law no longer applies. (Section 3, Sub-section B, part ii). In addition, the idea of a reasonable expectation of commercial distribution is a very vague clause. I wish the clause were more specific, IE. a test that must be passed by the copyright holder: For example, that there is a distributor lined up, or a demonstration of good faith negotiations with a distributor to release the works in question.
The next major thing to jump out at me, Sections A and B of part 1 appear to apply to ALL copyright violations. Anyone who has up an 'abandoned warez' site had best be aware of the implications of the new law if the copyright holder (or the corporation who controls the copyright) decides to test Section 1, Sub-section B.
Anyone have any differing views on how the law may be Interpreted?
-Mark
There are people who follow linux with a fanatical bent. There are people who believe Windows is the greatest thing since sliced bread. My boss falls in the latter camp (even as I reinstall windows xp on his machine for the 3rd time in a month after he managed to screw it up... yet again, but that's another story). If they're not on a microsoft pay, show us the books. Prove to us that in fact you're not influenced by anything more than the facts (and your own personal judgement). Oh, btw, if you're going to be a public figure, get a thicker skin.
... and before anyone thinks otherwise, yes I know it's an april fools joke article.
That in a way, this is what I would expect from Microsoft. To have their dominance challenged, then to react by putting out a product that's almost as good as the challenger. Then to stomp the challenger into the ground with their massive market dominance.
What makes it even sadder?
That this is the only way to get microsoft to put something "new" out (new, of course, being new to Microsoft, and not to the start up company they end up squashing).
I gnash my teeth as I lament the demise of my Diablo2 level 46 druid!
Level 46? that's like 2 hours work (or 5 minutes if you use a trainer)
Oh and all the pictures of both my kids.
Ironicly I had the opposite problem, I'd taken all my digital images, backed them up onto a cd rom and a unix machine I had space on.
In the course of a week, i had my car broken into, and all my computer stuff stolen (Except for the computer itself ironicly enough), and the unix machine had a harddrive failure. (and they didn't have a backup)
From now on, I'm keeping my important documents on my computer, I think they're safer there!
In a way the system creates an 'indentured servitude' of sorts (I know I'm not using the term quite right, but tough), The problem is, there is no way to get out and become legal. Why do I consider that a problem? Because honestly, anyone who is willing to risk their very lives to come to the US, and then toil at risk and adversity for years, should be able to stay. They should no longer fear the INS will come knocking on the door to drag them off.
Would it be difficult to implement? Yes, because you would have to find a way to track 'illegals' without having the information used against them. ie, having law enforcement or the INS use the information.
Why does it take something spectacular just to make people realize the obvious truth? That the people who come to the US, are among the brightest, most determined, and hardest working people. We as a country need that kind of initative and drive.
The Kids in the article should have earned their permanent residence by their performace. But their very exposure leaves them vulnerable to being sent out of the US back to a country they probably don't know. And what makes it worse, there are plenty of people who think that's the 'right' thing to do.
Correction, they're F-16's not F-15's. And not to be an apologist for the Bush Administration, but the same offer was made to India (to sell them F-16's). In addition, The US has offer to Sell F-18 Hornets to India to mollify them (not that India can be easily mollified). Like it or not, Sometimes the United States makes decisions to help prop up countries that are "Holding the Line" so to speak. It shouldn't make you happy, but at the same time, abandoning the region to Fundementalists doesn't seem to make much sense. (insert snippy comment about the US already having been abandoned to the Fundementalists here) To be honest, the United States doesn't have a coeherent opposition to the Republican Party at this point. It's quite likely that the Democratic party will be in the minority for the next 20 years or so, or until the Republicans manage to get themselves involved in a scandal they can't control. (CRef: Nixon) Not flamebait, or troll just keeping it real