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User: Sorklin

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  1. Re:what I'm wondering... on Bubbleboy Virus Gets Wild · · Score: 1

    I don't agree. I think its not the attention that brings these particular brands of viruses (virii?). Its the fact that its so damn *easy* to write a virus for MS email products. Their products guarantee that your attachment will get processed. This was found with melissa, and each permutation is exploring just how insecure MS left their email.

    The fact that gets my goat is that the media establishment seems to keep saying that this will affect everyone, when in fact there are large parts of the population that do not have to worry about getting infected from an unopened email. No one has yet blown the whistle that the problem isn't the viruses but the company that makes email so insecure that it actually took many hours to get it that insecure. They had to *work* at it.

    The attention doesn't hurt, but its the fact that MS left the door wide open that keeps these 'viruses' circulating.

  2. Re:what I'm wondering... on Bubbleboy Virus Gets Wild · · Score: 1

    Doesn't mean you have to USE it. The problem isn't whether IE is installed or not, but what Email software you are using. If you use Netscape's email, or Eudora, or something besides Outlook, Outlook Express, or Exchange (and Notes I think) then you won't have this problem. If IE is integrated, so what? Don't use MS Email apps. They are the problem.

  3. Re:what I'm wondering... on Bubbleboy Virus Gets Wild · · Score: 1

    What amazes me is that the press isn't at all latching on to the fact that the problem is mostly with *MS* products. I think in a couple of these cases Lotus Notes is affected as well, but I've yet to hear of Netscape, Eudora, or any Linux based mail programs being affected. They make it sound like everyone should run for cover, when all one really has to do is UNINSTALL IE (and outlook). Sheesh

  4. Electronic Age - Products Tend Towards Free on deCSS Listed On Download.com · · Score: 5
    I read an excellent article in Wired Magazine that partially explains what is happening here. As we enter the electronic age (sheesh what a hokey statement) leaving the industrial age behind, we have a new set of rules that naturally start to govern this new economy. My favorite new 'rule' is Follow the Free which assigns the most value to those things that are given away. Such is one of the principals in which the Open Source community operates (consciously or unconsciously).

    But we still have many businesses (including the motion picture industry) which are still operating under the old industrial age rules. Those rules favor protecting property to preserve scarcity to help assign higher product value. That we can copy movies with no real overhead, threatens the scarcity, which in turns lowers the assigned value of the product. They see the need to try to protect their property, so that they can continue to retain value assigned to it. A great example of the extreme of this mindset was Disney (until recently) which not only protected their IP, but actually would take products off the market for extended periods of time to drive up the 'value' (by making the product more scarce).

    The Electronic world compensates. Its just the beginning of the new economy, and what we are seeing is that the wired folks are starting to act in a new way. Notice the increase of attention regarding issues of intellectual property and privacy. Both of these issues have to transition to a new set of rules in this new economy and we have a conflict of the old-economy businesses and the new-economy public. Expect to see more of this for the next few years.

    The popularity of DeCSS (in our community) and the proliferations of MP3s are just two examples of the new rules in action. DeCSS is a correction to the old rules, and MP3 is the principals of the new economy in action. Not that most people have any idea that this is going on. Like rules of any economy, they 'just make sense.' We like MP3s cause it just makes sense to distribute and collect music this way.

    Of course, I could be just blowing smoke.

  5. Makes me feel all warm inside on Gore: White House May Get Involved in MS Settlement Talks · · Score: 1

    I love nothing more than politicians snuggling up to Big business. Makes me feel all warm and gooey inside.

    Gosh, I love this countries political process! I just hope Gore meets with his other "children" i.e. aol, etc. Being the 'father of the internet' is a hard and thankless job.

  6. Re:This Rules! on FCC May Force Telcos to Cut Rates for DSL Providers · · Score: 1

    Actually, I would expect a good percentage of that to trickle down for the competitors. The idea of the article is that local carriers are already charging themselves less to rent the phone loops, approx. $20 in some instances. If you look at the pricing scheme in NYC, you'll find about a $20 difference from BA to other competitors. If this ruling goes in our favor, you can expect the competitors to be able to drop prices and actually begin to compete with Local carriers for service.

  7. Would this slow down the rollout? on FCC May Force Telcos to Cut Rates for DSL Providers · · Score: 2

    Just curious if this decision (if it does go the way for consumers) might decrease most phone companies incentive to roll out DSL? We've seen similar threats from the Cable carriers when talking about sharing the cable line. Would this decision slow down the already snail paced rollout?

    I'm naturally for cheaper pricing schemes. In NYC (where I reside), the cheapest DSL you can get is from Bell Atlantic themselves. Any other carrier, the prices increase by about $20-30 for equivalent service. I'd love to use one of these alternatives, cause I don't much like BA, but with that kind of price differential (and a two year contract -- or the price increases again), I just can't see myself doing it.

    What do you think?

  8. I've heard this before on Grand Unified Theory Possible by 2050 · · Score: 1

    Matter of fact, I've heard this all the way through high school. Many physicist have said we are on the verge of a grand unified theory for most of my life. Now perhaps it will happen, but i'm not really holding my breath.

    So much for the view from the peanut gallery.

  9. Hurting of consumers on Interview: Ask Antitrust Experts About Microsoft · · Score: 1

    I've heard over and over again from mainstream media that the weekest point of the finding of fact is the impact on consumers. How do you address these pundits that say there has been no finding of damage for the consumers and that a win on appeal is likely?

  10. Re:Piracy in the Post Modern World on The BSA Going After IRC Warez Channels · · Score: 1
    Nothing is really going to crack down on piracy and warez on a full force level IMHO except a shift in how the end-users perceive themselves.

    While I'm not advocating piracy, you say that its the end users view of themselves that has to change. I would argue that part of the reason that so many are willing to violate their own sense of ethics and steal software has to do with being ripped off again and again.

    I've bought countless pieces of software that I've been very dissatisfied with. Software that does not work as advertised (on the box no less) and/or does not work with my hardware. Can I get a refund? Nope. Most software stores will not take a piece of software back after it has been opened. Do I get any satisfaction for my 39-49 bucks? Nope. According to the EULA, its all my fault. So why do I need to change the way I perceive myself?

    I too buy software I really like. I'm probably one of the relative few who actually bought quake (when they released the cheap cd that you could call and get the unlock code for). I knew it was broken, but I called anyway and put my $$ down to buy something I *knew* was worth the price. I got more value for my money than I have in most software. I've paid for MS products that I feel are worth it. I'm probably one of the few who actually plunked my money down for win95 (much to my current embarressment).

    So why do I download warez? Simple. Most of the stuff is dreck. I delete over 90% of what I download for the PC. Its often not even close to what was advertised and not terribly useful to me. When i do find a program that is useful, I buy it. Simple. May not agree with your ethics, but it works for mine. I sure feel a lot better than when I was getting screwed everytime I bought a piece of software.

  11. Re:Long way to go in IP on Yahoo Patents Dynamic Page Generator · · Score: 1

    From what I understood from that program (and I could be wrong), you are patenting the use of the genes in question. Using an example, lets say the sequence of genes that have been patented are related to breast cancer. So doing a test that looks at these genes to see if someone might get breast cancer is infringing on the patent. Developing a drug that uses these genes to target breast cancer is infringing on the patent. Anything that uses these genes in relation to breast cancer infringes on the patent.

    Reminder: IANALBMSIETSWFTNLRB (I am not a lawyer buy my sister is even though she works for the NLRB) and I could be wrong, even though its never happened before. ;)


  12. Long way to go in IP on Yahoo Patents Dynamic Page Generator · · Score: 3

    I think we will soon hit critical mass with patents. Couple of nights ago, one of the major evening news magazines (like 60 minutes or 48 hours -- side note, why do they always use a number as the first word in the title?) was doing a story on human genome patenting. They covered the fact that several institutions cannot even screen for Alzheimers or breast cancer, because the genes were patented. The doctor made it clear that the tests were not patented, just the genes, making *any* test that screens these genes subject to the patent.

    Patents like that -- where there is a direct detrimental effect on people as a result (who are unable to even get a test done!) might push the patent reform to front and center. Perhaps then, we can push the absurd software patents to the forefront and try to get some good ole fashioned reform going ("Its a good ole patent lynching, mama").

    The need for reform *is* coming to the consciousness of the mainstream. Lets make sure that software patents are not forgotten when that happens.

  13. Re:HotMail *IS* a spam filter on Hotmail Implements Spam Filter System · · Score: 1
    All spam starts with the line: "THIS IS NOT SPAM"

    My favorite starting line is "THIS EMAIL IS NEVER SENT UNSOLICITED." Funny, I don't remember searching out spam and requesting it.

    That one is followed closely by "TO UNSUBSCRIBE YOU MUST CALL THIS NUMBER. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO UNSUBSCRIBE." That one is good cause if you are stupid enough to call them, you have a nice charge on your bill, and I guarantee that you will be completely inundated in spam (having been one of three people who actually called).

    Sheesh.

  14. Re:This is _exactly_ what is needed on Microsoft To Go Straight to the Supreme Court? · · Score: 1

    If Microsoft still possesses market control in the OS area and is leveraging that area to stifle competition in another area, it falls under anti-trust.

    If Microsoft did *not* have market control with their OS, this whole discussion would be moot. Consumers would not be feeling the same crunch that they are now. If they didn't like the OS MS came up with, a switch to the competition would solve that problem. This is not currently the case.

    In order to switch, one faces large costs (whether its measured in $ or in lack of applications or compatibility). This arguement is the basis of market control that Jackson establishes in the FoF.

    The fact that MS uses this market control (the inability for the average consumer to switch to another OS) to gain unfair advantage in the browser application market is just one of the uncompetitive practices that MS has engaged in. If this changes in the future (or their ability to engage in it changes) it doesn't negate the fact that they have already done it. It may mitigate the penalty, but it doesn't negate the record.

    Another point you didn't make but I've heard elsewhere in the thread is that MS shouldn't fall under Antitrust guidelines (ie. that it was only meant for B&M companies). According to the lead litigator for Justice (on charlie rose last night) this argument has been used by many companies that have come under Sherman Antitrust. In every case this argument has been thrown out. According to the established interpretation of the law, the antitrust statute applies to *EVERY* company that operates in the U.S.

  15. Ahh yes, I remember on 5 Novels · · Score: 1

    Pinkwater was the best 'find' of my young adult life. My friends and I modeled ourselves after the Dada club in Young Adult Novel. We came up with code words linked to odd actions - like "3" meant to trip, "4" meant to fall, and "34" was trip and fall. By yourself, kind of stupid. But imagine about 6 people walking in the mall and triping at exactly the same time. Got quite a few looks. We had about 25-30 code words (mostly based on softdrinks) and quite a few odd actions in response to mundane questions. If anyone asked one of us our name, we would all point to the person to our left and say "this is John." Again, evidence of a very pinkwater warping of our minds.

    I still remember the 'feel' of Snarkout boys, though its been some time since I've read it. i ran across a copy of Lizard Music not too long ago and almost sat down to read it.

    Anybody else similarly warped by Pinkwater?

  16. Re:Rotate the antenna? No way! on Digital Television Transmission Standards · · Score: 1

    Do you have a Transcender for that CPCS? TIA!!!

    ;)

  17. Re:Well... on Mainstream Media on Slashdot and Microsoft · · Score: 1
    ...isn't necessarily what they think we think. It's what they think people would like to read about us thinking.

    Great sentence man! Took me a few minutes to get it. So its like we have meta-reporting -- reporting on reporting. Nothing like doing something, reading that you've done it, and then reading that people are reading about what you've done -- all within a weekend. Whew!

  18. Re:It would be fair enough if they *linked to it*. on Mainstream Media on Slashdot and Microsoft · · Score: 1

    You actually think they will give any more links than they feel 'necessary?' They want to keep eyeballs on their site. The last thing they would do is link to the source of their stories. Why would you read their simplistic summary if you can read the source? They are aware of this. So in the effort to look 'interactive' they will link to thousands of their own stories but never really link off site.

    Also, its obvious why they wrote these stories. Slashdot effect. Boosts the ad revenues. Works for Berst. One of the articles even mentions it (can't remember which -- my mind doesn't retain garbage for long).

  19. Re:Bandwidth not so a plenty... on VDSL Demoed · · Score: 1

    I wish NYC were where these marketing types were aiming their rollout. Alas, it aint so. This year (only in the last few months), Manhattan is starting to rollout Bell Atlantic's DSL. You could get DSL from other networks (like covad, red) for a big price premium and a big fight with the local office. I had a friend trying to get a connect through an alternative DSL provider before BA started the rollout and the delays mounted up into the multi-month scale. Apparently BA was conveniently 'forgetting' appointments at the local office to let the competitors install DSL. This situation has changed when BA started their rollout.

    As for Cable, I got to laugh. About a month ago was the first time Time Warner (who serves the vast majority of NYC customers) acknowledged a cable modem rollout. When? Sometime in 2000-2001 they will start this rollout.

    So DSL is a couple months old and Cable modems have yet to be seen. Folks, don't believe it when people say that NYC is what is being catered to. Look to Boston and SF and other 'target' markets for that rap. I live in Brooklyn and won't see broadband for about a year.

  20. Open Guerrilla Source on Basic Patent Law for Programmers · · Score: 1
    Baring a change in Patent law or another solution presenting itself, our future is very bleak. Some have suggested a software patent repository group that keeps all its member's patents in order to fight this trend. I see something else making its way in the midterm future. Open Guerilla Source. How I see it is that OSS continues in the vein that it has been going, until the first major patent hurdle. After the outcome (which I don't think would be good), a new pattern emerges. Based on the crack culture, OS Hackers would shroud themselves in mystery (just think -- 'this update released by Kaptain Kernal') and release code updates in a hit and run manner. Maybe a few FTP sites in less restricted countries would be the place to find your updated code. Basically the abuse of patent law gives birth to a larger illegal underground who are *really* fighting for freedom. Freedom of code. With no one to sue, the patents are rendered defacto dead (another good pseudonym in my opinion).

  21. The Problems with Meta Languages on A Universal Networking Language for the Internet? · · Score: 1
    Original

    When you look at existing technology, like Babelfish at Altavista, you see that the 'devil in the details' might be more of a 'great satan' than one might think. I'm not sure you can have any kind of accurate translation without a human acting as a filter for meaning. Its easy to apply some rules to a metta language interpreter, but using it in discourse would probably create quite a bit of ambiguity. Just look at this translation if you don't believe me.

    English to German and Back

    If you regard available technology, like Babelfish with Alta Vista, you see you that the ' devil in the power of the details could think much more from a large satan than one. I am not safe you can type exact translation without human serve as a filter for meaning to have. Its easy, some guidelines to more mettasprachinterpreter to apply but at using it in the statement would probably create much ambiguity. Straight lines view of this translation, if you do not believe me.

    English to French and Back

    When you look at existing technology, like Babelfish at Altavista, you see that the ' devil in the force of the details much more than one great Satan which one A could think. I am not sure you then not to have any kind of precise translation without acting human as a filter for the significance. Its easy to apply some rules to an interpreter of language of metta, but to use it in the speech would probably create ambiguity much. Glance right with this translation if you do not believe me.

    and my personal favorite....

    English to Portuguese and Back

    When you look at it existing technology, as Babelfish in Altavista, sees that ' the devil in the power of the one details much more satan great of that one could think. I am not certain you I can have no type of the accurate translation without acting human as a filter for meaning. Its easy one to apply some rulers to an interpreter of the language of metta, but to use it in the speech would create probably the ambiguity sufficient. To look at just in this translation if you not to believe me.

    Need I say more?

  22. Re:Cats as voyeurism-enabling devices on The Cat Cam · · Score: 1
    ...a cockroach with implanted electrodes and a microphone

    Which also explains Drudge.

  23. The assumption of censorship on Robert Cringley on Slashdot Editing Jane's · · Score: 1
    What I found to be most interesting about his assesment of Jane's decision was his automatic assumption of censorship.

    The only way to write the news is to write the news. You have to do it the best that you can then take the heat, because the censorship of the nerderati is still censorship. That's why newspapers make corrections.

    So now its most important to write what you think might be "facts" because, god help us, these "facts" might be censored by experts in the field. Sounds like a great rationalization to keep writing the sensationalist and bogus articles that now proliferate the media.

  24. Re:Electronic Democracy on Short History of the 21st Century · · Score: 1

    It may not be true that you would need an absurd amount of education to make direct democracy work, but it would definetely help. One of the major drawbacks to direct democracy is the influence of advertisement on the general public. If you want to see this in action, just go to your local supermarket and look at what gets sold. Often there will be many products in a category at a certain price point. Usually the majority of the money goes to the product with the best advertising.

    I think there would no difference in a direct democracy. Most of the population would vote what is 'cool' and not necessarily what is good for us.

  25. Maybe they do have a point on ZDNet Admits Mistakes in Recent SecurityTest · · Score: 1

    I'm a linux newbie, even though I've been using it for a while. Slack was my distribution of choice. I have a question/comment about the security issues. Does any distribution have a way to update your system with a series of security patches to make your system secure with a minimum of intervention? If not, this would be greatly beneficial to the acceptance of linux. Better if this could be a method used by all the distributions to a series of centralized sites. That way, as a newbie, I could just run a program that will download and apply any patches I need to make my system secure. I wouldn't have to figure out what the latest patches are and where I need to get them.

    I say this for a couple of reasons. This provides a quick and easy way to make sure that you are running the latest and most secure programs on your OS. This is a must for newbies and system admins which must configure multiple machines. Of course you can use the old method, and if you are a serious admin, you probably would anyway. But it would be nice if a very easy option was ubiquitous on the linux platform.