You don't really think the establishment will relinquish control, do you?
Cuban prisons, reduction in funding for abortions or embrionic stem cells... all stuff the big money does not really care about. Most all of it is just window dressing.
I really hope I am wrong, but after raising that much cash for an election campaign, I almost don't want to know how long the list of people he owes is.
I'm sorry you are surounded by such a large group of utterly wasteful and lazy people.
I find some groups in the U.S. to be especially wasteful. I think we need more travel, people need to live/work in other parts of the world for a while. Maybe then they will realize that the lifestyle they live is unsustainable, and really no better than it would be if they wasted less.
Part of the reason we are in this recession/depression is this wasteful consumerist attitude. When you don't think about the pennies and dollars, suddenly you are a nation that is in debt to the rest of the world, dependant on others for even the basics like energy.
I was just thinking about this the other day. The $379 laptop is often good enough for what I watch, low power consumers and quiet enough to be a HTPC. (and for sound I would plug it into a Home theater system any time I could)
And then I saw one of the MS Media servers being cleared out and I realized... I would have bought one a few years ago, but that seems like so long ago. Nowadays, I could make about any PC into a media server by installing GNU/Linux, and if I was worried about power consumption, I would just use a slightly older laptop. Get one of the Laptops where the screen is going/gone, most people throw them out. Put them on a Kilowatt meter and you will often be amazed how little current is drawn. (P4's fare worst)
Ouch, "That is why Linux is limited to 2% market share." You really should get at least one troll mod for that. lol
OK, I've installed Linux on maybe a dozen computers in the last few years, and if you get a good distro (especially Mandriva) it is a no brainer.
Not a single thing to fix EXCEPT for on the IBM thinkpads. I use them at work, and sometimes like to run wireshark or a term emulator, so I try to fire up live distro. Well, I have had to work around issues on two of the four I have had.
BTW, did you know that many of the problems with installing Linux is because the Mobo manufacturers pump out crappy BIOS versions that the Linux guys actually work around?
"OS X supports many of the Windows Protocols (a lot better then linux in some ways) "
Oh ya? As an "OS Slut" I like to try out everything that comes along. Yep, even Bob, NeXT and BeOS. NOTHING touches linux for windows interoperability, and nothing has been close since the days of OS-2 Warp. Linux has other weaknesses, but credit the guys for all the work they have done here.
I have NEVER found any Apple OS more stable than a version of windows released the same year. Yes, Windows ME was bad, but did you use the Mac that year? (Apple has real strengths, but often stability has not been one)
I am sorry that you are working on old VAX systems. If you are, DEC made a PS2 style VT keyboard for your PC. It is a thing of beauty. Try to find one. (All my OpenVMS work has been on Alpha or Itanium for the last 12 years, but my largest client still has 16 uVax's that are being retired next year after over 20 years in operation. No software has been changed for that long either)
Nice smear with the RMS comment. I don't need RMS to tell me I am not too excited about the cloud. BTW, What do they say - "Sheep go to heaven, goats, go to hell" (so I guess I'd better join the RMS flock, lol)
"Only recently has Sun opened Solaris to non-Sun hardware."
Nope, sorry, wrong. I worked on REBEL.COM computers in the late 1990's. I installed SOLARIS on them.
And even though mikael_j thinks that this would have been difficult, it was as easy as slipping the cd in, and answering a few questions. Brain dead simple even to a Solaris non fanboy like me.
Mods, the parent does not really deserve Score:5 Insightful for a topic he does not know. Give him the points on something he does.
This issue is almost already dead. It is OLD news, and there are changes to legislation going through the provincial(state) parliment to fix this problem.
The reason for these rules were to prevent UNLICENCED operators from running a bus or taxi service. Obviously the rules need to be changed, and they are.
No sorry I will stick with my statement "No, I prefer them to be operating legally in a framework that is well designed, where the engineers have worked out the bugs."
If I meant to say something else, I would have. (this goes for the MANY times in this thread where I have been told I mean something other than I said.:) )
IF they had been using the space illegally, I would have advocated the FCC giving them a 3 month window of permission while they did further testing.
Now that I have done even more research, I realize that the Doctrine of Latches does not apply to this case. Because: This activity was recognized and permitted by the FCC. Thus, this was not spectrum squatting. This explains why wireless mics have been sold everywhere for around 30 years without the FCC saying anything.
Man, as a heavy Google user, and a believer in the mantra "do no evil", I must say that I am dissapointed with the untruths they have been spreading so effectively. I look forward to the spectrum being open, but them spreading misinformation(lies?) to gain a few more months is not cool.
As you already know, broadcasters don't care about unlicenced mics.
What I want to address is your constant claim that being unlicenced means illegal.
I've done some more research, and this is NOT the case. Unlicenced is just unlicenced.
Use of this space is just like my use of FRS radio's, unlicenced but permitted.
The latest ruling from the FCC acknowldges this as well. If you doubt me please read he FCC ruling on 11/4/2008 named "Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands; Additional Spectrum for Unlicensed Devices Below 900 MHz and in the 3 GHz Band, Second Report and Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order".
I note you avoided addressing the doctine of latches, which not only makes these devices legal, but arguably gives ownership of this RF space to the wireless devices. (but after the tone of the last messages, maybe it is for the better)
"Given a ruling that makes them legal, you oppose the ruling. That means you prefer them to be operating illegally" Wow, after explicitly asking you not to put words in my mouth, you do. Not nice! No, I prefer them to be operating legally in a framework that is well designed, where the engineers have worked out the bugs. A buggy standard is good for no one!
DID I NOT MENTION IN THE FIRST EMAIL THAT I AM IN FAVOR OF OPENING UP THIS SPECTRUM??? So why all the strawmen attacks, we should be on the same side. (Just with me not agreeing that all the MS and Google money speeding this thing up is healthy, and me not agreeing that all these people who bought devices are criminals. (And I won't call you a criminal just because you have exceeded the speed limit))
It seems that some people are assuming the broadcasters have issues with the wireless mics being interfered with. The broadcasters have rights to enough spectrum that they can find new areas to operate wireless mics. (It is the guys who just lost the investment)
The broadcasters are more concerned with these devices affecting TV signals in fringe areas. While these devices are low power, they will totally overwhelm a weak TV signal if they are close to a reciever. (And we have not proved these devices will not cause intermodulation issues.)
Wow, lets stick to a discussion and not get excited. Please don't put words in my mouth, I did not do that to you.
You said "there is an entire illegal underground full of people committing felony conspiracy" First, if the government is allowing every Radio Shack and Music store to run underground businesses, we have a much bigger issue than wireless mics. lol
"Given the choice, you'd also rather reward people who conspire to break the law." Sorry, where is the conspiricy? The innocent people who bought them are the VICTIM not conspiritors.
"And why should law-breaking squatters get preference over those that follow the law?" Ok, it is interesting you brought up squatting. As a matter of fact, according to basic law principles regarding squatting the FCC has given this spectrum away by inaction. (the concept is called the Doctrine of Laches and when it applies to real estate it is called Adverse Possession)
I enjoy a good debate, it opens the mind, but please don't sensationalize what I say. (eg "Wait, so you are saying that you *want* people to be operating illegally")
John
P.S. I have not found any case law to show the innocent parties that bought wireless systems (because they were allowed by the FCC to be sold), were committing a crime.
Well, that would be one way to look at it. BUT, we all know from experience that if you cannot get a low production prototype working, there is NO way it will work in mass production.
As for the wireless mics, while we now know they were not explicitly licenced, they have been in use with the full knowledge of the FCC. The FCC said NOTHING for 30 years. As a result, a lot of institutions have innocently invested thousands of dollars in the equipment and rely on them. As a result of the inaction of the FCC, the FCC has a moral obligation to make sure the transition goes smoothly.
Thus, and extra 2 - 3 months to get the specs and prototypes working is not an onerous request.
I think it is good for everyone if unused parts of the spectrum are utilized.
But my goodness... what is the rush that it could not wait a few more months while they tweaked the prototypes so they did not stomp on weak TV signals or wireless mics?
A few more months devoted to getting a succesful trial is nothing.
Lets pretend that you could actually buy the Linux ecosystem. I believe MS would pay over $50 billion just to get rid of it, let alone to aquire some of the tech.
I often hear that the value of an object is whatever someone is willing to pay, so I say - the Linux ecosystem for $25 billion undervalued!
One thing to remember when you are on/. (and the internet in general) is OVER HALF THE WORLD DOES NOT SPEAK ENGLISH AS A FIRST LANGUAGE. (yes, I am yelling at the few who can't seem to comprehend this)
Whose fault is it that English is not their first language? Whose fault is it that the education system sucked? Whose fault is it that they have a learning disability that makes them suck at grammar or spelling? Is it bad that they are more interested in earning some cash to "feed the kids", or "spend quality time with the family" than go back to school to brush up on Grammar.
I am amazed at the high quality of the writing here considering peoples background, and the fact they are trying to whip off these messages and get back to the day job(or whatever).
Slashdot Mirror
I think we have to be careful not to dismiss interpreted languages, and not to think they should be used everywhere either. Each language has a place.
I have to disagree with statement #2 though. In my research, it seems that it is usually quicker to prototype and THEN write in C++.
To prototype in something like python usually saves a lot of time.
You don't really think the establishment will relinquish control, do you?
Cuban prisons, reduction in funding for abortions or embrionic stem cells ... all stuff the big money does not really care about.
Most all of it is just window dressing.
I really hope I am wrong, but after raising that much cash for an election campaign, I almost don't want to know how long the list of people he owes is.
I'm sorry you are surounded by such a large group of utterly wasteful and lazy people.
I find some groups in the U.S. to be especially wasteful. I think we need more travel, people need to live/work in other parts of the world for a while. Maybe then they will realize that the lifestyle they live is unsustainable, and really no better than it would be if they wasted less.
Part of the reason we are in this recession/depression is this wasteful consumerist attitude. When you don't think about the pennies and dollars, suddenly you are a nation that is in debt to the rest of the world, dependant on others for even the basics like energy.
Eat meat? Just a thought.
* Games, games and more games. (When will Wine support 100% Windows apps?)
When will any verson of Windows support 100% of windows apps?
I was just thinking about this the other day. The $379 laptop is often good enough for what I watch, low power consumers and quiet enough to be a HTPC. (and for sound I would plug it into a Home theater system any time I could)
And then I saw one of the MS Media servers being cleared out and I realized... I would have bought one a few years ago, but that seems like so long ago.
Nowadays, I could make about any PC into a media server by installing GNU/Linux, and if I was worried about power consumption, I would just use a slightly older laptop.
Get one of the Laptops where the screen is going/gone, most people throw them out. Put them on a Kilowatt meter and you will often be amazed how little current is drawn. (P4's fare worst)
Ouch, "That is why Linux is limited to 2% market share." You really should get at least one troll mod for that. lol
OK, I've installed Linux on maybe a dozen computers in the last few years, and if you get a good distro (especially Mandriva) it is a no brainer.
Not a single thing to fix EXCEPT for on the IBM thinkpads. I use them at work, and sometimes like to run wireshark or a term emulator, so I try to fire up live distro. Well, I have had to work around issues on two of the four I have had.
BTW, did you know that many of the problems with installing Linux is because the Mobo manufacturers pump out crappy BIOS versions that the Linux guys actually work around?
"OS X supports many of the Windows Protocols (a lot better then linux in some ways) "
Oh ya? As an "OS Slut" I like to try out everything that comes along. Yep, even Bob, NeXT and BeOS.
NOTHING touches linux for windows interoperability, and nothing has been close since the days of OS-2 Warp. Linux has other weaknesses, but credit the guys for all the work they have done here.
Wow, you sound good, but where do I start.
I have NEVER found any Apple OS more stable than a version of windows released the same year. Yes, Windows ME was bad, but did you use the Mac that year? (Apple has real strengths, but often stability has not been one)
I am sorry that you are working on old VAX systems. If you are, DEC made a PS2 style VT keyboard for your PC. It is a thing of beauty. Try to find one. (All my OpenVMS work has been on Alpha or Itanium for the last 12 years, but my largest client still has 16 uVax's that are being retired next year after over 20 years in operation. No software has been changed for that long either)
Nice smear with the RMS comment. I don't need RMS to tell me I am not too excited about the cloud.
BTW, What do they say - "Sheep go to heaven, goats, go to hell" (so I guess I'd better join the RMS flock, lol)
"Only recently has Sun opened Solaris to non-Sun hardware."
Nope, sorry, wrong. I worked on REBEL.COM computers in the late 1990's. I installed SOLARIS on them.
And even though mikael_j thinks that this would have been difficult, it was as easy as slipping the cd in, and answering a few questions. Brain dead simple even to a Solaris non fanboy like me.
Mods, the parent does not really deserve Score:5 Insightful for a topic he does not know. Give him the points on something he does.
This issue is almost already dead. It is OLD news, and there are changes to legislation going through the provincial(state) parliment to fix this problem.
The reason for these rules were to prevent UNLICENCED operators from running a bus or taxi service. Obviously the rules need to be changed, and they are.
No sorry I will stick with my statement "No, I prefer them to be operating legally in a framework that is well designed, where the engineers have worked out the bugs."
If I meant to say something else, I would have. (this goes for the MANY times in this thread where I have been told I mean something other than I said. :) )
IF they had been using the space illegally, I would have advocated the FCC giving them a 3 month window of permission while they did further testing.
BUT since it is not illegal...
Now that I have done even more research, I realize that the Doctrine of Latches does not apply to this case.
Because:
This activity was recognized and permitted by the FCC. Thus, this was not spectrum squatting.
This explains why wireless mics have been sold everywhere for around 30 years without the FCC saying anything.
Man, as a heavy Google user, and a believer in the mantra "do no evil", I must say that I am dissapointed with the untruths they have been spreading so effectively.
I look forward to the spectrum being open, but them spreading misinformation(lies?) to gain a few more months is not cool.
As you already know, broadcasters don't care about unlicenced mics.
What I want to address is your constant claim that being unlicenced means illegal.
I've done some more research, and this is NOT the case. Unlicenced is just unlicenced.
Use of this space is just like my use of FRS radio's, unlicenced but permitted.
The latest ruling from the FCC acknowldges this as well. If you doubt me please read he FCC ruling on 11/4/2008 named "Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands; Additional Spectrum for Unlicensed Devices Below 900 MHz and in the 3
GHz Band, Second Report and Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order".
I note you avoided addressing the doctine of latches, which not only makes these devices legal, but arguably gives ownership of this RF space to the wireless devices. (but after the tone of the last messages, maybe it is for the better)
"Given a ruling that makes them legal, you oppose the ruling. That means you prefer them to be operating illegally"
Wow, after explicitly asking you not to put words in my mouth, you do. Not nice!
No, I prefer them to be operating legally in a framework that is well designed, where the engineers have worked out the bugs. A buggy standard is good for no one!
DID I NOT MENTION IN THE FIRST EMAIL THAT I AM IN FAVOR OF OPENING UP THIS SPECTRUM??? So why all the strawmen attacks, we should be on the same side. (Just with me not agreeing that all the MS and Google money speeding this thing up is healthy, and me not agreeing that all these people who bought devices are criminals. (And I won't call you a criminal just because you have exceeded the speed limit))
It seems that some people are assuming the broadcasters have issues with the wireless mics being interfered with. The broadcasters have rights to enough spectrum that they can find new areas to operate wireless mics. (It is the guys who just lost the investment)
The broadcasters are more concerned with these devices affecting TV signals in fringe areas. While these devices are low power, they will totally overwhelm a weak TV signal if they are close to a reciever.
(And we have not proved these devices will not cause intermodulation issues.)
Wow, lets stick to a discussion and not get excited. Please don't put words in my mouth, I did not do that to you.
You said "there is an entire illegal underground full of people committing felony conspiracy"
First, if the government is allowing every Radio Shack and Music store to run underground businesses, we have a much bigger issue than wireless mics. lol
"Given the choice, you'd also rather reward people who conspire to break the law."
Sorry, where is the conspiricy? The innocent people who bought them are the VICTIM not conspiritors.
"And why should law-breaking squatters get preference over those that follow the law?"
Ok, it is interesting you brought up squatting. As a matter of fact, according to basic law principles regarding squatting the FCC has given this spectrum away by inaction. (the concept is called the Doctrine of Laches and when it applies to real estate it is called Adverse Possession)
I enjoy a good debate, it opens the mind, but please don't sensationalize what I say. (eg "Wait, so you are saying that you *want* people to be operating illegally")
John
P.S. I have not found any case law to show the innocent parties that bought wireless systems (because they were allowed by the FCC to be sold), were committing a crime.
Well, that would be one way to look at it. BUT, we all know from experience that if you cannot get a low production prototype working, there is NO way it will work in mass production.
As for the wireless mics, while we now know they were not explicitly licenced, they have been in use with the full knowledge of the FCC. The FCC said NOTHING for 30 years. As a result, a lot of institutions have innocently invested thousands of dollars in the equipment and rely on them.
As a result of the inaction of the FCC, the FCC has a moral obligation to make sure the transition goes smoothly.
Thus, and extra 2 - 3 months to get the specs and prototypes working is not an onerous request.
I think it is good for everyone if unused parts of the spectrum are utilized.
But my goodness... what is the rush that it could not wait a few more months while they tweaked the prototypes so they did not stomp on weak TV signals or wireless mics?
A few more months devoted to getting a succesful trial is nothing.
Thanks for the link.
The parent to my original post had said it was not circumvention. It IS circumvention whether authorized or not.
And, since the post was quickly removed - I have the feeling EA was VERY uncomfortable with authorizing circumvention.
It is circumventing. The protection/DRM is designed to require a whole "CD-Key" and lock out anyone who does not have it.
Whether you are missing one letter or 15, you are employing a Brute force attack to circumvent the system that requires a whole key.
Whether it is endorsed or not does not change what it is.
An Aside - I would not call this DRM Copy Protection. It does not prevent copying the DVD, just using it. (minor quibble, but that is another topic)
Lets pretend that you could actually buy the Linux ecosystem. I believe MS would pay over $50 billion just to get rid of it, let alone to aquire some of the tech.
I often hear that the value of an object is whatever someone is willing to pay, so I say - the Linux ecosystem for $25 billion undervalued!
While this car is impressive, I think the car designed in 1999 and going on sale in a year and a bit is much more amazing.
Just think, the pres of VW got 317 miles per (imperial) gallon driving this thing to a press conference. This is without any batteries or hybrid tech.
I would be happy with a runabout that achieved just half of that.
Below are links if you have not read about it yet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_1-litre_car
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/gw/vw1litre.htm
One thing to remember when you are on /. (and the internet in general) is OVER HALF THE WORLD DOES NOT SPEAK ENGLISH AS A FIRST LANGUAGE. (yes, I am yelling at the few who can't seem to comprehend this)
Whose fault is it that English is not their first language?
Whose fault is it that the education system sucked?
Whose fault is it that they have a learning disability that makes them suck at grammar or spelling?
Is it bad that they are more interested in earning some cash to "feed the kids", or "spend quality time with the family" than go back to school to brush up on Grammar.
I am amazed at the high quality of the writing here considering peoples background, and the fact they are trying to whip off these messages and get back to the day job(or whatever).
I needed to write a forth message. lol
Thanks for being cool. It is nice to have a rational debate about an issue without emotions.