[quote]You read his answers, but not well enough. He said parents can decide for their children if they want them to be playing violent video games.[/quote]
I think you might want to go back and re-read them again... Specifically:
[quote]Sen. Yee: No. Time and time again, the ESRB has proven it can not be trusted and is not a very valuable tool for parents.[/quote]
The ESRB is not responsible for the sales/distribution of games to minors. They are responsible for rating games so that distributors know who it is appropriate to sell the game to. By saying that the ESRB is a failure, he is saying someone else needs to perform those ratings. That someone else will be the Government. And if the Government were to instruct retailers on which video games they could sell to whom, regardless of content or purchaser, that is the definition of censorship.
[quote]Congress shall make no law [...] abridging the freedom of speech[/quote]
If the law says "Sell this game to that person and go to jail!" it sure sounds like a law abridging the freedom of speech to me.
Holy crap~ $10 week!?!? Man, when I was a kid I got $1 a week and I had to work my ass off for it. I even got a raise when I got to Junior High, $2 a week.
While I agree that the money argument doesn't necessarily hold water, I don't think that parents giving their children hundreds of dollars a year for unsupervised spending is exactly a wise idea either. Not that I think there should be a law against it though;)
Well that's good to know! I'll make sure that my parenting skills are top notch for 2 hours a day to ensure that I complete my "good parent time quota" to ensure that my son doesn't watch a bad movie. And ya know, when 'Cars' finishes, if 'Debbie Does Dallas' winds up in the DVD player, who am I to stop him? I mean, I made sure that he behaved himself through the entirety of 'Cars' I'm good for the day.
There was actually a community project that recreated the original Doom using the Doom 3 engine, my buddy did the music for it, and the whole thing turned out awesome.
Anyways, check it out if you are looking for a beautifully remastered version of the original Doom: http://cdoom.d3files.com/
He was a lawyer from the Bush/Chenney '00 election campaign and his wife is one of Chenney's aides. He is by all accounts, in the pocket of the president.
How sophisticated is it? I mean really? The new Linksys routers come with an auto configure button right on the front. You plug the wireless router in to the modem and hit the button. You plug the other into the hub on the back of the wireless router and hit the button on it. Two cables, two button clicks, done. Your network is secure (err, as much as would be expected with a default configuration), and you WiFi is open for business. Using the products as they were designed to be used, you have created a system that does just what you want in a matter of seconds, minutes if you take the time to read the instructions.
And last I heard, it was not illegal to have a unprotected wireless network running in your house.
I don't download songs illegally... But I do have a linksys wireless router plugged straight into my cable modem. Then I have a firewall/router between that and the PCs on my network. So just in case anyone does get a hair up their ass about something that I supposedly did, it is completely plausible that any of our neighbors or a war driver could have easily used my network.
It strikes me as ironic that the best form of personal security in this case, is an utter lack of network security.
-Rick
Re:Getting closer... still not there.
on
ZOMG New Zunes
·
· Score: 1
Maybe I'm just not picky enough. I have the far left button set to open media player with my default play list on random. I use the flipper for skip forward/back/pause/play, and I plug it straight into a set of desk speakers. It works fine for me. And like I said, if you're really into the i-Pod interface, code one yourself.
Ahh, thanks for the clarification. If I am understanding you correctly, the ruling, specifically applied to the ministry, was stating that IP's were covered under the existing law. So the ruling did not ban anything, it just clarified was what included in the existing ban.
-Rick
Re:Getting closer... still not there.
on
ZOMG New Zunes
·
· Score: 1
It's windows mobile. Windows media player mobile is included, which isn't great, but supports multiple play lists and basic audio playback interaction. And there is the.Net Compact Framework, which opens up the option of making your own audio playing app with what ever interface you like. I can play DRM and non-DRM music. I have a touch screen and manual controls. I can play video. I can check my email, browse the web (albeit a sucky browser), etc...
After 4 years of development, all they are going to wind up with is a re-branded pocket-pc with a built in hard drive and a tuned up piece of software. Heck, you could even create a virtual iPood interface using.Net and tie it directly into Amazon.com's new mp3 sales system. Given 6 months and enough motivation you could turn a 4 year old Axim into the next Zune/iPood killer with software alone.
Hmmmm, anyone know some good venture capitalist? I'm having the sudden desire to write an MP3 player with a direct purchase system for this ancient chunk of hardware.
-Rick
Getting closer... still not there.
on
ZOMG New Zunes
·
· Score: 1
It's got Wifi, and it has a screen... but I still can't check my email or/. on it.
As such, my 4 year old Axiom still beats the pants off of either a iPood or the Zune.
I'm no expert on German law, but it doesn't sound like they've made IP logging illegal. It sounds like the ruling states that the government can not retain IP info.
the local court of the Berlin district of Mitte has barred the Federal Ministry of Justice from retaining personal data acquired via its website beyond the periods associated with the specific instances of use of the site. It sounds kinda like free speech in the US. The Constitution hasn't outlawed censorship, it only bars the government from censoring(err... to some extent). So I would guess the big question is how does German's legal system work, and how does this ruling? apply to non-state actors.
Yeah, that does makes sense... since those kids who were bullied were those who weren't socially accepted... And how many kids are there in most US high schools that are bullied because they do not fit in? The new guy, the goths, the uber geeks, the brain kids, the fat, the gay and lesbian... All it takes is a few students with good moral character standing up for others, and the outcasts will flock to them. By uniting the week into a cohesive social group you can cut down on bullying in a few ways. First is that the targets are now more socially accepted, they will not stick out like a sore thumb (as much). Second is that since they are socially accepted, they will likely spend more time with other people. That means they are less likely to be alone, and an easy target, for bullying. And third, having a large social group to belong to means that the social group will work to protect itself and to continue its own existence. Which means that a bully would have to face reprisals not just from the intended target, but from any member of the group.
I have seen bullies before, they're not really part of a social group, their friends are usually other bullies and that's about it. So, your plan is technically already in effect here. I have seen bullies before as well. I have had my ass kicked by them a number of times. And of all the bullies I knew, only 1 was not a member of some form of social circle, but he had some other issues well beyond the scope of bullying and was incarcerated before completing high school. I have also seen my plan work, I lived it. My only regrets are that I didn't follow that plan earlier in my life and that I didn't do more to teach that plan to my underclassmen friends before I left high school.
When I was a teenager: Losing the phone, since I didn't particularly enjoy the company of others in my class anyway. Phone gave me access to people who were not there (although I rarely used it because of how expensive it was). You have my sympathy. And had you been a student at my school at the same time as me, you likely would have had protection as well.
Which is kinda the point. Humans are social beasts, they will do what ever it takes to remain in a social circle. And just a heads up, bullies aren't the most likely people to join gangs. The abused are. A gang gives a sense of belonging, safety, security, and comradery. And gangs, in and of themselves are not bad things. The abused, likely having less self esteem and confidence will bow to more dominant personalities and will suspend their moral qualities if they get in the way of that social acceptance.
When I was a kid, I got my ass kicked regularly. And much like the GP I finally had enough one day, freshman year of high school. One little tussle and a bloody lip later, and most of the bullies laid off. But, unlike the GP, I wasn't content will achieving only my own minor victory, I wanted more. So when I saw a friend get shoulder checked in the hall, I shoulder checked the bully right back. Not only did that make bullies not want to pick on me, but it made them not want to pick on my friend. Slowly, over a few more incidents, and friends, we began seeing something. We were becoming popular. Not with the jocks, or preps, and any of that 'in' crowd. But the goths, the brain children, the weak, the handicap, the gays/lesbians, etc... By the time I was a senior, bullying was not nearly the problem it was when I was a frosh for any student. Not because of what I had done, but because of how we had created a socially accepting group for those kids who had previously been left to rot in a social wasteland. What had started out as 4 kids who had been abused by bullies since the 2nd grade, turned into a social group of over a hundred students.
Unfortunately, my close friends and I failed to realize a lot of this at the time, and we did not do enough to inspire leadership and unity in the lower class men. So years later, talking to my friends that graduated after me, I heard horror stories about how the bullying, abuse, and harassment had come back as soon as we had graduated.
I could go on for pages retelling of specific situations that occurred, looking back at them now and seeing the social and psychological importance of them all. But it wouldn't really contribute to the point. The point being: Bullying is a social issue, punishing individuals may stem the tide, but it will not prevent the flood. Teaching our kids that bullying is wrong, that it is OK to stand up for themselves, and that protecting those that are weaker are virtuous moral qualities. I'd rather teach my son what is right than have the state/school teach him what is wrong.
On my way into work this morning I heard a news story that reminded me of your post. A woman in Wisconsin has been convicted of fraud, forgery, and embezzlement, to the tune of over $400,000.00. I was trying to find a link to the story on a local news site, but I haven't had much luck, sorry. If I remember correctly, she got 30 days in a minimum security facility, a monetary fine (I can't remember how much) and probation after that. As opposed to this kid who's damages probably wouldn't amount to even $40,000.00, gets 90 days in jail and a year of work release/jail time.
I'll meet you half way on your argument. Fiscal crimes that pose a risk to our currencies financial stability are serious. But our government does not usually treat them as such. White Collar criminals wind up in "club Fed" for short terms and a monetary slap on the wrist. That is, unless there is a lobbying group or political influence driving the prosecutor.
In any case, the kid's actions did not pose any significant risk to anyone's financial stability. Worst case scenario, he costs a small number of companies a few thousand dollars. Give him 510 hours of community service, a fair restitution bill, and call it a day. The almighty dollar is safe, the offended companies get their money back, and the kid won't have enough free time for the next year to get into any more trouble.
As opposed to having the kid suck up a cot in the local jail for the next year, a slot on the work release program that could be used for someone in more need, and the cost to the tax payers for hosting and feeding him.
Ohh, don't get me wrong. I'm a firm believer in the 2nd amendment. I have no problem with legal guns. But there are a lot of gun crimes in the US, and the vast majority of those are not performed with legally owned guns. So the more you can inspire people to keep their guns safe, and the more limitations and pressure you can put on the illegal gun market, the safer the streets will become.
At least until Bush unveils his plan for the new Unitarian Republic of America, at which point the streets will most likely not be safe. Guns at that point are guns, legal or otherwise.
There is a much more powerful tool than discipline, especially in high school.
Social Acceptance. And that can be a knife and a shield. Kids who are socially accepted, even in difference social circles are significantly less likely to be bullied. And if we can teach our children that bullying is not socially acceptable, the bullies themselves will face losing their social acceptance.
Which do you think is more terrifying to your average teenage; losing their phone, or not having anyone to call?
violating intellectual property rights is a serious crime with significant consequences and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Murder is a serious crime. Rape, assault, illegal weapons possession, robbery, car jacking, drunken driving,those are SERIOUS crimes. Intellectual property theft especially on the scale that this guy was doing, is a financial crime. You don't lock him up for 90 days, you assess him a huge ass fine and hold his house as collateral. WTF are we burdening an already overloaded prison system with crap like this. Yeah, the guy broke the law. Pay your fine, play nice, 5 years probation, story ends.
I pay about $0.05/kilowatt here. Assuming I spent $1000 for 1Kw worth of panels, they would have to generate 20Mw worth of juice to pay for themselves. I average 700Kw/month, or about 8.4Mw/year. So if 1Kw worth of panels could entirely offset my electrical bill (sell back extra in the summer, buy back more in the winter), they would only have to last 3 years to make a profit. Who cares if they only last 5-10 years, at $1/watt they'll be a net gain for the consumer before they burn out. Even if they can only cut your annual costs in half, you are still hitting a ROI after 5 years. Factor in the tax incentives and your ROI is probably closer to 3 years.
Unfortunately though, my house is in a designated historic area. I don't think the city's historic preservation committee would be so keen on me installing solar panels on my roof.
The article could be accurate so long as SL and EVE have their own definitions for what a 'Server' is. The more important question IMO is, how many people can they have for $X in hardware.
OMG, LOL. heheheh. Whoops. Kinda pokes a hole in my argument, but you are absolutely correct. So some reason I had my head wrapped up in the Declaration of Independence. I feel like I've just face planted into a virtual rake while someone FRAPSed it and sent it in to "Slashdot's funniest videos".
Unlike a good number of politicians in the US, I am totally willing to fess up when I dropped the ball. Mods, if you could, knock my previous post down.
And why there is even a debate regarding the conveyance of the rights enjoyed by US Citizens in peacetime towards enemies and enemy combatants of the US, outside of the US, in a time of war, is simply beyond me. We are NOT, I repeat, NOT in a time of war. Period. End of story. Good night, sir!
We have an on-going occupation of a foreign sovereign nation. That is NOT A WAR.
The whole notion of calling anything after the first week of a US presence in Iraq a "war" is nothing more than spin, talking points, and repetitive lies. The Enemy Combatant designation is also a horrendous violation of rules of warfare. If we are at war, they should be treated as prisoners of war and be afforded rights as such. If we are not at war, they should be extradited and prosecuted in a criminal court. Calling them 'Enemy Combatants' so that we can lock them up indefinitely, torture them, and transport them across international boarders to avoid oversight, is just down right evil. A loophole created specifically for the purpose of stripping a person of their rights so that the government can do what ever they like with them. Sick and twisted is what it is.
Slashdot Mirror
[quote]You read his answers, but not well enough. He said parents can decide for their children if they want them to be playing violent video games.[/quote]
I think you might want to go back and re-read them again... Specifically:
[quote]Sen. Yee: No. Time and time again, the ESRB has proven it can not be trusted and is not a very valuable tool for parents.[/quote]
The ESRB is not responsible for the sales/distribution of games to minors. They are responsible for rating games so that distributors know who it is appropriate to sell the game to. By saying that the ESRB is a failure, he is saying someone else needs to perform those ratings. That someone else will be the Government. And if the Government were to instruct retailers on which video games they could sell to whom, regardless of content or purchaser, that is the definition of censorship.
[quote]Congress shall make no law [...] abridging the freedom of speech[/quote]
If the law says "Sell this game to that person and go to jail!" it sure sounds like a law abridging the freedom of speech to me.
-Rick
Holy crap~ $10 week!?!? Man, when I was a kid I got $1 a week and I had to work my ass off for it. I even got a raise when I got to Junior High, $2 a week.
;)
While I agree that the money argument doesn't necessarily hold water, I don't think that parents giving their children hundreds of dollars a year for unsupervised spending is exactly a wise idea either. Not that I think there should be a law against it though
-Rick
Well that's good to know! I'll make sure that my parenting skills are top notch for 2 hours a day to ensure that I complete my "good parent time quota" to ensure that my son doesn't watch a bad movie. And ya know, when 'Cars' finishes, if 'Debbie Does Dallas' winds up in the DVD player, who am I to stop him? I mean, I made sure that he behaved himself through the entirety of 'Cars' I'm good for the day.
-Rick
There was actually a community project that recreated the original Doom using the Doom 3 engine, my buddy did the music for it, and the whole thing turned out awesome.
Anyways, check it out if you are looking for a beautifully remastered version of the original Doom: http://cdoom.d3files.com/
-Rick
He was a lawyer from the Bush/Chenney '00 election campaign and his wife is one of Chenney's aides. He is by all accounts, in the pocket of the president.
-Rick
How sophisticated is it? I mean really? The new Linksys routers come with an auto configure button right on the front. You plug the wireless router in to the modem and hit the button. You plug the other into the hub on the back of the wireless router and hit the button on it. Two cables, two button clicks, done. Your network is secure (err, as much as would be expected with a default configuration), and you WiFi is open for business. Using the products as they were designed to be used, you have created a system that does just what you want in a matter of seconds, minutes if you take the time to read the instructions.
And last I heard, it was not illegal to have a unprotected wireless network running in your house.
-Rick
I don't download songs illegally... But I do have a linksys wireless router plugged straight into my cable modem. Then I have a firewall/router between that and the PCs on my network. So just in case anyone does get a hair up their ass about something that I supposedly did, it is completely plausible that any of our neighbors or a war driver could have easily used my network.
It strikes me as ironic that the best form of personal security in this case, is an utter lack of network security.
-Rick
Maybe I'm just not picky enough. I have the far left button set to open media player with my default play list on random. I use the flipper for skip forward/back/pause/play, and I plug it straight into a set of desk speakers. It works fine for me. And like I said, if you're really into the i-Pod interface, code one yourself.
-Rick
Ahh, thanks for the clarification. If I am understanding you correctly, the ruling, specifically applied to the ministry, was stating that IP's were covered under the existing law. So the ruling did not ban anything, it just clarified was what included in the existing ban.
-Rick
It's windows mobile. Windows media player mobile is included, which isn't great, but supports multiple play lists and basic audio playback interaction. And there is the .Net Compact Framework, which opens up the option of making your own audio playing app with what ever interface you like. I can play DRM and non-DRM music. I have a touch screen and manual controls. I can play video. I can check my email, browse the web (albeit a sucky browser), etc...
.Net and tie it directly into Amazon.com's new mp3 sales system. Given 6 months and enough motivation you could turn a 4 year old Axim into the next Zune/iPood killer with software alone.
After 4 years of development, all they are going to wind up with is a re-branded pocket-pc with a built in hard drive and a tuned up piece of software. Heck, you could even create a virtual iPood interface using
Hmmmm, anyone know some good venture capitalist? I'm having the sudden desire to write an MP3 player with a direct purchase system for this ancient chunk of hardware.
-Rick
It's got Wifi, and it has a screen... but I still can't check my email or /. on it.
As such, my 4 year old Axiom still beats the pants off of either a iPood or the Zune.
-Rick
-Rick
-Rick
-Rick
Which is kinda the point. Humans are social beasts, they will do what ever it takes to remain in a social circle. And just a heads up, bullies aren't the most likely people to join gangs. The abused are. A gang gives a sense of belonging, safety, security, and comradery. And gangs, in and of themselves are not bad things. The abused, likely having less self esteem and confidence will bow to more dominant personalities and will suspend their moral qualities if they get in the way of that social acceptance.
When I was a kid, I got my ass kicked regularly. And much like the GP I finally had enough one day, freshman year of high school. One little tussle and a bloody lip later, and most of the bullies laid off. But, unlike the GP, I wasn't content will achieving only my own minor victory, I wanted more. So when I saw a friend get shoulder checked in the hall, I shoulder checked the bully right back. Not only did that make bullies not want to pick on me, but it made them not want to pick on my friend. Slowly, over a few more incidents, and friends, we began seeing something. We were becoming popular. Not with the jocks, or preps, and any of that 'in' crowd. But the goths, the brain children, the weak, the handicap, the gays/lesbians, etc... By the time I was a senior, bullying was not nearly the problem it was when I was a frosh for any student. Not because of what I had done, but because of how we had created a socially accepting group for those kids who had previously been left to rot in a social wasteland. What had started out as 4 kids who had been abused by bullies since the 2nd grade, turned into a social group of over a hundred students.
Unfortunately, my close friends and I failed to realize a lot of this at the time, and we did not do enough to inspire leadership and unity in the lower class men. So years later, talking to my friends that graduated after me, I heard horror stories about how the bullying, abuse, and harassment had come back as soon as we had graduated.
I could go on for pages retelling of specific situations that occurred, looking back at them now and seeing the social and psychological importance of them all. But it wouldn't really contribute to the point. The point being: Bullying is a social issue, punishing individuals may stem the tide, but it will not prevent the flood. Teaching our kids that bullying is wrong, that it is OK to stand up for themselves, and that protecting those that are weaker are virtuous moral qualities. I'd rather teach my son what is right than have the state/school teach him what is wrong.
-Rick
On my way into work this morning I heard a news story that reminded me of your post. A woman in Wisconsin has been convicted of fraud, forgery, and embezzlement, to the tune of over $400,000.00. I was trying to find a link to the story on a local news site, but I haven't had much luck, sorry. If I remember correctly, she got 30 days in a minimum security facility, a monetary fine (I can't remember how much) and probation after that. As opposed to this kid who's damages probably wouldn't amount to even $40,000.00, gets 90 days in jail and a year of work release/jail time.
I'll meet you half way on your argument. Fiscal crimes that pose a risk to our currencies financial stability are serious. But our government does not usually treat them as such. White Collar criminals wind up in "club Fed" for short terms and a monetary slap on the wrist. That is, unless there is a lobbying group or political influence driving the prosecutor.
In any case, the kid's actions did not pose any significant risk to anyone's financial stability. Worst case scenario, he costs a small number of companies a few thousand dollars. Give him 510 hours of community service, a fair restitution bill, and call it a day. The almighty dollar is safe, the offended companies get their money back, and the kid won't have enough free time for the next year to get into any more trouble.
As opposed to having the kid suck up a cot in the local jail for the next year, a slot on the work release program that could be used for someone in more need, and the cost to the tax payers for hosting and feeding him.
-Rick
Ohh, don't get me wrong. I'm a firm believer in the 2nd amendment. I have no problem with legal guns. But there are a lot of gun crimes in the US, and the vast majority of those are not performed with legally owned guns. So the more you can inspire people to keep their guns safe, and the more limitations and pressure you can put on the illegal gun market, the safer the streets will become.
At least until Bush unveils his plan for the new Unitarian Republic of America, at which point the streets will most likely not be safe. Guns at that point are guns, legal or otherwise.
-Rick
There is a much more powerful tool than discipline, especially in high school.
Social Acceptance. And that can be a knife and a shield. Kids who are socially accepted, even in difference social circles are significantly less likely to be bullied. And if we can teach our children that bullying is not socially acceptable, the bullies themselves will face losing their social acceptance.
Which do you think is more terrifying to your average teenage; losing their phone, or not having anyone to call?
-Rick
-Rick
I pay about $0.05/kilowatt here. Assuming I spent $1000 for 1Kw worth of panels, they would have to generate 20Mw worth of juice to pay for themselves. I average 700Kw/month, or about 8.4Mw/year. So if 1Kw worth of panels could entirely offset my electrical bill (sell back extra in the summer, buy back more in the winter), they would only have to last 3 years to make a profit. Who cares if they only last 5-10 years, at $1/watt they'll be a net gain for the consumer before they burn out. Even if they can only cut your annual costs in half, you are still hitting a ROI after 5 years. Factor in the tax incentives and your ROI is probably closer to 3 years.
Unfortunately though, my house is in a designated historic area. I don't think the city's historic preservation committee would be so keen on me installing solar panels on my roof.
-Rick
Hell, I'm still waiting for iPhone 1.0 to give me a blow job. For another $600, iPhone two better come with a twin.
-Rick
The absurdity of your post has left me at a complete loss for words.
-Rick
The article could be accurate so long as SL and EVE have their own definitions for what a 'Server' is. The more important question IMO is, how many people can they have for $X in hardware.
-Rick
OMG, LOL. heheheh. Whoops. Kinda pokes a hole in my argument, but you are absolutely correct. So some reason I had my head wrapped up in the Declaration of Independence. I feel like I've just face planted into a virtual rake while someone FRAPSed it and sent it in to "Slashdot's funniest videos".
Unlike a good number of politicians in the US, I am totally willing to fess up when I dropped the ball. Mods, if you could, knock my previous post down.
-Rick
We have an on-going occupation of a foreign sovereign nation. That is NOT A WAR.
The whole notion of calling anything after the first week of a US presence in Iraq a "war" is nothing more than spin, talking points, and repetitive lies. The Enemy Combatant designation is also a horrendous violation of rules of warfare. If we are at war, they should be treated as prisoners of war and be afforded rights as such. If we are not at war, they should be extradited and prosecuted in a criminal court. Calling them 'Enemy Combatants' so that we can lock them up indefinitely, torture them, and transport them across international boarders to avoid oversight, is just down right evil. A loophole created specifically for the purpose of stripping a person of their rights so that the government can do what ever they like with them. Sick and twisted is what it is.
-Rick