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User: quintiusc

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Comments · 15

  1. Re:D&D as Prior Art? on Are Video Game Patents Next? · · Score: 1

    The patent specifically mentions an "electronic device." While there have been electronic games that do most of what the patent claims it also talks about allowing players to set their own goals and award points based on whether those goals are accomplished or not.

    Parts of it are covered elsewhere but the patent as a whole hasn't been done yet from my knowledge. I don't see how a scoring method can be moved completely unchanged from a paper and dice based game to an electronic game and get patented. It doesn't take any ingenuity to do that.

  2. Cross-platform on Browser Wars 2: Electric Boogaloo · · Score: 1

    I commonly use both PCs and Macs and I want a broswer that I can use on both. As other operating systems gain users this will become more of an issue.

    If Firefox can hold on for a while longer I believe that more web pages will start to comply to the actual standards and IE will take a hit due to that.

  3. Re:Encryption use != evil on PGP Ruled as Relevant For Criminal Case · · Score: 1
    One thing you forgot to mention is that this was the ruling of an appeals court. The fact that he had PGP on his computer was mentioned in the case but what he was really convicted on was personal testimony of some of the girls.

    If the appeals court had said that PGP had absolutely no relevence to the case the perv would have needed to be retried (at the taxpayers cost) just to get convicted based on personal testimony again. By saying that the fact that he had PGP on his computer was relevent the judges were saying not that it was a criminal act but that whatever was said about it (which isn't mentioned in the article) applied to the case enough to not throw it out. This is like a phone call that has a little relevence to the case but isn't the bulk of the prosecution's argument.

  4. Re:Encryption use != evil on PGP Ruled as Relevant For Criminal Case · · Score: 1

    Written documents are no longer protected forms of speech when it comes to criminal prosecutions. Before people start complaining that this isn't right it's been this way since before you were born. In fact, it's been this way since about when the Magna Carta got passed. Before that private diaries weren't admissable in court. After that they were fair game.

    I regard this as a good thing because crooked lawyers could argue that a signed check is protected under the fifth amendment and keep legitamate evidence out of the court.

  5. Re:Mic & Speakers on Really Remote Internet Access · · Score: 2, Informative

    Not really a good solution. The listening party would have to listen to a computer generated voice which isn't as good as a human voice yet. There's also more lag in a typed conversation so combine that with the satellite lag and I don't think it would work.

  6. Escape on Wormholes Unstable (BBC) · · Score: 3, Funny

    According to the article theoretically a wormhole that opens to a random place/time is still stable. It would make a great getaway. "You don't know where I'm going and neither do I. *poof*"

  7. Choice or Genes? on Engineers Have More Sons, Nurses More Daughters · · Score: 1

    I've heard that other studies have found that it's the male's contribution that decides whether a child will be male or female. The ABC article seemed to imply that both contribute.

    This also opens questions as to whether the "chosen" profession affects it or is the genetic makeup that is more likely to produce a male is also more likely to choose an engineering profession and visa versa. The media took this a couple steps farther than the origional scientists to try and show that we can naturally control the sex of our babies.

  8. Re:I can't figure out what might be in it on Liquid Metal Cooling in New ATI Video Card · · Score: 1

    And gallium it is. The New Scientist article doesn't state the melting temp but it does say the boiling temp is 2000 degrees so it can take a lot more than water and can be moved by quieter electromagnetic pumps.

    Hazardous fumes result from being heated to decomposition and contact to water for at least one gallium compound. I wasn't able to find out exactly which "gallium alloy" is used for cooling.

  9. Re:SPAM vs spam on Hormel Back on The Spam Offensive · · Score: 1

    This wouldn't be the first time that a company got stripped of a trademark because it got incorporated into common language. This happened to both frisbee and hola hoop. It will be interseting to see if the fact they are only trying to stop use of the all caps use makes a difference.

    Of course, DSPAM can easily become Dspam and Hormel would have to drop their suit based on the fact that they have said that they don't object to the all lowercase usage.

  10. Re:Change the results... on Contagious Media Showdown · · Score: 1

    Ahh, nothing like screwing with poll results. It makes me feel like the American media.

  11. Re:Stupid on VoIP Providers Given 120 Days to Provide 911 Service · · Score: 1

    VoIP providers have been getting around many rules that apply to traditional telecoms for a long time. If you are carrying voice traffic there are certain standards that should apply. Some of the rules can't be applied to VoIP providers (such as running cable to a remote location) but safety is something that I believe should apply. Either they should follow the 911 rules or require a seperate line that does comply with those rules. If a county uses 911 as the primary way of supplying emergency services any company that provides voice service should integrate with those systems. When it comes to reliability, for many calls the same lines are being used now so that isn't an issue. Any cordless phone has a seperate power line so those become useless when the power goes out. Any congestion should degrade the quality of the transmission but not cut it off entirely. If VoIP wants to be a viable alternative to traditional voice service it will get to the point where it is regulated exactly like traditional POTS.

  12. Re:Get some balls, man on Which is Better, Firefox or Opera? · · Score: 1

    The article raised some good points about both and compared their strengths against each other and described what kind of user would be good for each. I think that's better than saying "Opera comes with more options, Firefox is slimmer but has a lot of extensions which makes browser x better."

    That's like writing an article saying a truck is better than a car even though they are made for different things. Think of it not as much as "Which is better" but rather "These are the differences."

    The same thing with Windows/Mac/Linix. There is no distinct best if you take in account the variety of users, programs, and systems. For a specific use there is a best but not overall.

    Tell me, screwdriver or hammer?

  13. Re:How is that determined? on Effects of China's Software Policy on World Economy? · · Score: 1

    Other Chinese business laws. Even in America there's a decent amount of paperwork involved in setting up a company. More highly restricted countries like China are bound to have more and there are also social barriers such as language, customs, and business practices. There are ways around all of these but if China doesn't want a company set up there are ways to stop it. This is why it's a bad idea to get someone at OSHA mad. Most companies can probably be shut down by OSHA if they were made to follow the strict rules.

  14. Increased BAC levels on Kudzu Helps Curb Binge Drinking · · Score: 2, Informative

    The article states that the BAC levels in the kudzu group were still raised. This is the most dangerous part of binge drinking which leaves me wondering if using it is really safer. It may help break the habit but doesn't seem like it's safe method of trying to be able to drive home sooner.

  15. Re:Not sure how I feel... on Washington State Outlaws Spyware · · Score: 1

    I see some more class action lawsuits coming because of this. This law doesn't mention any specific penalties other than to say that the party who committed the act is subject to penalties in other laws and can be sued. Class action lawsuits don't usually result in much money for anyone but the lawyers. It would be intersting to hear from someone more familiar with Washington penal codes to know what criminal penalties apply in this case.