Funny how one of his last books ever written had to do with this very same possibility. Of course, if we later discover that Nemesis is, in fact, heading on a collision course for Earth, we'll have to hail the man as a prophet and then start evacuating as fast as we can.
But seriously, I would imagine that this potential discovery could change the way we think about the formation and dynamics of our own solar system. The presence of an additional solar body (by solar I mean sun-like) could have serious and significant implications on both the gravitics of the solar system (and there are several Einsteinian experiments underway to prove or disprove Einstein's theories of gravity that could be scrapped as a result) and the formation of the planets in the solar system. I'd say, all in all, it's going to get to be very interesting very fsat...
They decided to use a Mac or boot off of a Linux machine instead!:)
Bet that definitely got some laughs out of their brass -- the thought of infecting a Linux or Mac with spam. LOL
Part of the problem, as I have been reading about it, isn't so much the wiretapping law but a particular part of the law. The part of the law in question would require ALL VOIP operators to completely rewire their systems in order to be in compliance with the law. There are easier ways to go about doing this, but those ways were not addressed in the law. Now, as a Vonage customer, I would hate for Vonage to have to send me the bill so they are in compliance with FCC wiretapping regulations.
On the other end of the spectrum, there is another issue at hand. This quote is taken from a Yahoo News article on the same subject:
"By adopting the VoIP wiretapping rule, the FCC backtracked on an earlier decision to treat computer-to-computer VoIP much like it treats other Internet-related communication, as an unregulated information service, the groups said. The FCC overstepped limits in the CALEA law exempting information services, and federal law enforcement agencies have not shown they need additional help to intercept online communications, said John Morris, staff counsel for the CDT." (Taken from: http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20051025/tc_pcworl d/123204)
There you have it. In fact, the Yahoo article puts things in a better light than the CNN article does, because the Yahoo article also mentions potential problems down the line with integration of wiretapping capabilities into what is essentially IP technology.
In that case, I need to have a word with my former school district. It seems that they have some questions to answer... Thank you again, and my apologies for cluttering the thread up with an obviously wrong statement!
I never said I believed it. I said it seems to be the way things are. Students in public schools do not have the full range of rights that citizens are guaranteed under the Constitution. I, myself, when in High School challenged this and was told that, because I was a minor, I was subject to the rules and regulations of the school OVER the Constitution while on school property. Maybe it was just the particular school that I attended -- at which point I apologize if my example is an extreme case and not the norm.
What in the world gives you the idea that free speech applies to anyone who is not an adult? Last time I checked, a student under the age of 18 had to abide by the rules of the school first and foremost before the Constitution could apply. Don't believe me? Read the school's handbook. Most of their policies run slightly counter to the Constitution but are there for specific and important reasons.
"For us, this case is about whether the First Amendment protects journalists from being turned into informants for the government, the courts or anybody else who wants to use them that way," Mr Tomlin said.
The issue here is that of sources. Apple is forcing, through court action, the identies of the sources in question. As the newspapers and the AP see it, this sets a dangerous precedent and one that is quite blurry. Up until now, the media has been protected from having to reveal its sources -- a guarantee that allows for better journalism (in their eyes at least) through the First Amendment. If the courts rule in favor of Apple, then everyone else and their brother can use this case as an example when they go after "unnamed sources" and journalists who have insider information on wrongdoings.
Funny, if you'd bother to check the link, I think you'd find this one appears, at least, to be real. I don't have a Mac, so I can't test it for myself... lol
"Opera Computer Techs Discover Outside"
Opera's computer technicians made an amazing discovery today -- they learned that there actually exists an outside world beyond the one they know and inhabit. This outside world has blue skies with white fluffy clouds and green grass (ignoring the pavement, cars, etc.)
This would be after Dracula turned it down, citing a lack of "fresh blood" in the company and the presence of too many zombies as well thanks to Bill Gates. =)
Or, for that matter, extremely socialite family members who enjoy forwarding on EVERY e-mail they recieve, even if the e-mail's size is 2 MB or more... and they do it from a 56K modem too!
Then I'd know it was April Fools for sure! Actually, truthfully, the day that comes is the day of the coming apocolypse -- for on that day good will have triumphed over evil.
Well, given that it is April Fools Day... I guess this was to be expected. It's a good way to chuckle about things, though.
Now all we need is Intel taking over AMD or M$ taking over Google or somesuch and the day is complete!
Funny how one of his last books ever written had to do with this very same possibility. Of course, if we later discover that Nemesis is, in fact, heading on a collision course for Earth, we'll have to hail the man as a prophet and then start evacuating as fast as we can. But seriously, I would imagine that this potential discovery could change the way we think about the formation and dynamics of our own solar system. The presence of an additional solar body (by solar I mean sun-like) could have serious and significant implications on both the gravitics of the solar system (and there are several Einsteinian experiments underway to prove or disprove Einstein's theories of gravity that could be scrapped as a result) and the formation of the planets in the solar system. I'd say, all in all, it's going to get to be very interesting very fsat...
They decided to use a Mac or boot off of a Linux machine instead! :)
Bet that definitely got some laughs out of their brass -- the thought of infecting a Linux or Mac with spam. LOL
Part of the problem, as I have been reading about it, isn't so much the wiretapping law but a particular part of the law. The part of the law in question would require ALL VOIP operators to completely rewire their systems in order to be in compliance with the law. There are easier ways to go about doing this, but those ways were not addressed in the law. Now, as a Vonage customer, I would hate for Vonage to have to send me the bill so they are in compliance with FCC wiretapping regulations. On the other end of the spectrum, there is another issue at hand. This quote is taken from a Yahoo News article on the same subject: "By adopting the VoIP wiretapping rule, the FCC backtracked on an earlier decision to treat computer-to-computer VoIP much like it treats other Internet-related communication, as an unregulated information service, the groups said. The FCC overstepped limits in the CALEA law exempting information services, and federal law enforcement agencies have not shown they need additional help to intercept online communications, said John Morris, staff counsel for the CDT." (Taken from: http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20051025/tc_pcworl d/123204)
There you have it. In fact, the Yahoo article puts things in a better light than the CNN article does, because the Yahoo article also mentions potential problems down the line with integration of wiretapping capabilities into what is essentially IP technology.
In that case, I need to have a word with my former school district. It seems that they have some questions to answer... Thank you again, and my apologies for cluttering the thread up with an obviously wrong statement!
I never said I believed it. I said it seems to be the way things are. Students in public schools do not have the full range of rights that citizens are guaranteed under the Constitution. I, myself, when in High School challenged this and was told that, because I was a minor, I was subject to the rules and regulations of the school OVER the Constitution while on school property. Maybe it was just the particular school that I attended -- at which point I apologize if my example is an extreme case and not the norm.
What in the world gives you the idea that free speech applies to anyone who is not an adult? Last time I checked, a student under the age of 18 had to abide by the rules of the school first and foremost before the Constitution could apply. Don't believe me? Read the school's handbook. Most of their policies run slightly counter to the Constitution but are there for specific and important reasons.
Don't forget the gun collection... and the knife collection as well. ^_^
The issue here is that of sources. Apple is forcing, through court action, the identies of the sources in question. As the newspapers and the AP see it, this sets a dangerous precedent and one that is quite blurry. Up until now, the media has been protected from having to reveal its sources -- a guarantee that allows for better journalism (in their eyes at least) through the First Amendment. If the courts rule in favor of Apple, then everyone else and their brother can use this case as an example when they go after "unnamed sources" and journalists who have insider information on wrongdoings.
Funny, if you'd bother to check the link, I think you'd find this one appears, at least, to be real. I don't have a Mac, so I can't test it for myself... lol
"Opera Computer Techs Discover Outside"
Opera's computer technicians made an amazing discovery today -- they learned that there actually exists an outside world beyond the one they know and inhabit. This outside world has blue skies with white fluffy clouds and green grass (ignoring the pavement, cars, etc.)
This would be after Dracula turned it down, citing a lack of "fresh blood" in the company and the presence of too many zombies as well thanks to Bill Gates. =)
Or, for that matter, extremely socialite family members who enjoy forwarding on EVERY e-mail they recieve, even if the e-mail's size is 2 MB or more... and they do it from a 56K modem too!
Then I'd know it was April Fools for sure! Actually, truthfully, the day that comes is the day of the coming apocolypse -- for on that day good will have triumphed over evil.
Well, given that it is April Fools Day... I guess this was to be expected. It's a good way to chuckle about things, though. Now all we need is Intel taking over AMD or M$ taking over Google or somesuch and the day is complete!