Slashdot Mirror


User: Eccles

Eccles's activity in the archive.

Stories
0
Comments
3,740
First seen
Last seen
Profile
(view on slashdot.org)

Comments · 3,740

  1. Re:I'm sick of you uninformed idiots on Copyright Comments Redux · · Score: 2

    Bell's Second Law of the Internet: No matter how facetious or satirical your message is, someone will take you seriously.

  2. Re:I thought we were protected from this nonsense. on Copyright Comments Redux · · Score: 2

    Fair use is written into law: check out this link, for one.

  3. Re:Will this player allow me to... on Intervideo LinDVD 'To Be Released' · · Score: 1

    You know, IANAL, but even I realize that 1) The copyright holder is allowed [...]

    Perhaps, but one large part of the issue is what should be the default. If you want to make a contractual agreement with me that's one thing. However, DVD and similar sales are through commercial channels, which have an implicit contract as spelled out in the UCC (Uniform Commercial Code.) (Note that UCITA is a proposed change to the UCC.) So yes, a copyright holder could place some harsh restrictions, but if you want it sold on the shelves of Best Buy and Amazon, your ability to make such restrictions is removed.

  4. Re:My standard response... on Hoax-a-go-go! · · Score: 1

    Yet another thing you might add:
    If you're really, really worried about some warning or virus you hear about online, take the time to investigate it *before* you pass it on. Sunscreen causing blindness? Go to your favorite search engine, type "sunscreen blind" as the thing to search on, and see what comes back.

  5. Re:Sweet. on Adopt-a-Free-Software-Project Program Launched · · Score: 1

    bugs fixed in the past week

    That's as maybe, but last night's Windows build crashed on my office machine within eight pages, and still has problems with the "back" button (hit back, nothing happens, hit it again and it goes two pages back.) I'd like to help out, but unfortunately apparently there's no way for me to get a meaningful stack trace with the Windows build which I think could be fairly helpful.

  6. Re:go england? on UK's Demon Settles Usenet Libel Case · · Score: 1

    The point here is that demon were told that there was defamatory material and refused to take it down.

    So if I say your posting has defamatory content and tell Cmdr Taco to remove it and he refuses, can I get $400K from him? Sweet! It was the plaintiff, not a judge, who requested the removal.

  7. Re:The only thing missing from the ruling... on Judge Rules Deep Hyperlinking OK · · Score: 2

    Ticketmaster is NOT a monopoly.

    I point you to this site, and I'll leave it at that.

  8. Re:Cute on Cphack, the GPL, And So Much More · · Score: 1

    This is all assuming that the GPL is, in fact, revocable. That still sounds kind of fishy to me.

    It does to me too, I was just explaining the possible legal "logic." Particularly disturbing is the judge warning people about possible contempt of court; not being a party to the court case, how can I possibly be expected to have heard the judge's warning? And in general, gifts are allowed and aren't revocable by the giver.

  9. The only thing missing from the ruling... on Judge Rules Deep Hyperlinking OK · · Score: 3

    The only thing missing from the ruling is the judge didn't also rule that Ticketmaster is *the* company most deserving of a Justice Department anti-trust investigation.

    Oh well, maybe next time.

  10. Re:Hmm on National Association of Broadcasters Sues RIAA · · Score: 1

    Haven't you ever heard of cash cows? I'd think the advertisers would want to milk them for all they're worth. And they're good tippers too...

  11. Re:Cute on Cphack, the GPL, And So Much More · · Score: 2

    A particularly interesting piece is an off-the-cuff comment at the end of the article which says that free licenses are generally held to be revokable.

    This sounds like an extension of contract law, where contracts can't simply be one-sided -- each party has to give the other party something. I could pay you a dollar for GPLing your code, and you would not be able to undo that GPLing without my consent. (You could, however, undo it *with* my consent.)

    Note that for a piece of GPLed software with a number of authors, I would think *all* the authors would have to agree to change it from GPL. So Linux is quite safe.

    As usual, I'm not a lawyer...

  12. Re:How is this trick illegal? on PS2 + Upscan Converter = Easy DVD to VHS Copying · · Score: 1

    However, there are limited legitimate reasons for wanting to copy a DVD to VHS.

    I have one DVD player, and two rooms where I watch videos. So I've used my Apex to copy a movie I bought onto DVD so it can also be watched in the other room. (Actually not for me, for my kids, but the effect is much the same.)

  13. Re:Bandwidth on Interview: Lynda Weinman · · Score: 2

    How to prevent it? Easy. Force every web designer to view their work... with a 56k dialup.

    What's needed is a simslowconnection.com, which simulates a slower connection for a given web page. Thus you could send e-mail to a bandwidth-hog webmaster, saying "look at your site through
    http://www.simslowconnection.com/test.pl?page=ht tp://www.toomanygraphics.com
    and see if you still like using your page.

  14. Re:Glaring error in article on Richard Stallman Audio Interview at Wired · · Score: 1

    Linux != GNU.

    One thing to remember is that FSF != GNU != RMS, as far as Stallman thinks of it. GNU is the project to create a totally free, open software system, and is larger than the FSF. Labelling this end result as GNU, therefore, is just identifying it all as part of this grand project, not claiming it as FSF's/RMS's work. Linux, on the other hand, clearly (if not by original intent) associates the whole kit and kaboodle with Mr. Torvalds, as one can witness from the press attention.

    That being said, I think it is counter-productive to insist on a namechange now. Stallman may end up helping snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by creating a schism (or at the least, marginalize himself and, by association, his ideas by getting people annoyed at him) by insisting on the change. And clearly GNU is closely associated with RMS and the FSF.

  15. Re:Freedom? on Richard Stallman Audio Interview at Wired · · Score: 1

    Total freedom, IMHO, disappeared the day the second sentient being was born on this planet. Freedom is as much about everyone's freedom as it is about yours.

    Actually, we all have total freedom. That includes, of course, the freedom to set up governments and systems of laws, and to try and persuade others that those laws should be obeyed.

  16. Re:I hope we get Opensourced win9x! on DoJ Rejects Microsoft Settlement · · Score: 1

    I think the implications of the "OpenSource Windows" solution would be much more severe than those of a breakup.

    I think most of the folk here mainly want available source, not open source. In an interview, Judge Jackson said making Windows open source would violate the takings clause, and thus could not be required.

  17. Re:An extension to that analogy on The Dark Side Of Napster · · Score: 1

    If I could replicate unlimited diamonds, at fraction of the normal price, then I get the feeling that the diamond corporations would do anything to stop me.

    In fact, the de Beers corporations have ~100 scientists researching how to tell the difference between the best manufactured diamonds and mined diamonds. Their best way so far seems to be firing X-rays at them: manufactured diamonds glow for a bit after being hit with the rays. As an alternative strategy, de Beers is also starting to etch micro-labels on their diamonds as a marker of authenticity.

    I believe it was Nova that had an hour-long episode about this.

  18. Re:As a singer... on The Dark Side Of Napster · · Score: 1

    I know that making music for the love of music has somehow gotten way out of hand.

    It's not for the love of music, or the money: it's for the girls, man! You think Rick Ocasik would be married to Paulina Poriskova if he wasn't a musician? And Napster can't take that away...

  19. Re:Implausible Approach on Netpliance Ban I-Opener Mods · · Score: 2

    I really don't see how they could be forcing anyone to pay the $21.95 for much beyond the first month.

    If you sell it under a contract, you can do so, in the same way all these $400 off computer if you sign up with MSN deals work. However, and while IANAL, I believe what they are currently doing is not legal. There's no statement of how long you must pay (forever?), termination conditions, etc. You can't agree to a hidden contract. They need a statement of terms and conditions available on the web site for it to be binding.

  20. Re:Present Day Gaming System??????? on Microsoft Unveils Gaming Console · · Score: 1

    Is it just me, or am I the only one who thinks that this thing will already be outdated by the time it comes to market?

    Yes, you'll probably be able to spend 5 times as much (or more) for a machine that is much more capable than this one.

    On the other hand, a console with fixed specs has the serious advantage that it's worth a developer's time to take advantage of every capability of the hardware. You won't find many games taking advantage of a Matrox G400's bump-mapping, since only a small fraction of the game buyers will have a G400. But everyone who buys an X-Box game will have the same graphics cards, and thus all its features are worth optimizing for.

    Speaking of different computer systems, what I would like is like a laptop, except without the built-in keyboard, but with the computer bits built in to the screen. Add touchscreen tech so it's like a Palm, only with a 10"+ screen, full color, ability to run "real" OSes, etc. (With USB and maybe firewire for adding external devices, including keyboards, mice, et al.) Give it a roll-up screen cover for protection, or some other screen protection that keeps out of the way while using the device. I wonder if anyone is working on such a beast?

  21. Re:Where are $99 DVD recorders? 'til then, VHS liv on DeCSS Litigation Update · · Score: 1

    A fucking RCA VCR $120 can do the ad filter for you, uses dead cheap media (.8 to 1.0 for 2 hours, how much that consume your hard drivein compatable quality?)

    I can write to cheap CD-Rs for $1/hour of MPEG-1 video, that's pretty comparable. The setup cost (computer+capture card+CD writer) clearly is more expensive, although it does have extensive abilities beyond simply recording programs.

  22. Re:Help Kill DVDs, Support DeCSS!!! on DeCSS Litigation Update · · Score: 1

    Since the release of DeCSS, I have noticed a tremendous increase of pirated DVDs translated via VCD on this internet.

    If I wanted to make a VCD out of a DVD, I would take the standard video output of my Apex AD600-A, feed it into an MPEG card, and create the VCD with that. No DVD necessary. Even with a cable modem, transferring MPEG-2 just isn't worth the extra bandwidth.

    You've seen growth in pirate VCD files because of more people with cable modems, nothing more. DeCSS might allow perfect copies, but pirates have been selling off-quality for years. VHS quality is a step up for them.

  23. Re:Copy protection? on DeCSS Litigation Update · · Score: 1

    Well, I suppose in practice it's no worse than the NTSC/PAL problems, but at least that technological conflict was the result of historical accident, not because greedy broadcasters wanted to control access to their shows.

    In practice, as well as in theory, you can buy machines that will play tapes both in PAL and in NTSC format, and output it to whichever format you desire.

  24. Re:Where are $99 DVD recorders? 'til then, VHS liv on DeCSS Litigation Update · · Score: 1

    I am so sick of hearing how VHS is 'dead'. What are *YOU* recording off the air stuff with?

    Although I don't do it yet, if I didn't have a VCR I'd probably use a video capture card and a hard disk -- say an ATI All-In-Wonder 128...

  25. Re:This all just a ploy on NVidia and Linux Troubles · · Score: 1

    I'm sorry, but this is a load of hooey.

    At the time nVidia announced Linux drivers, their stock was ~30. It's currently 90. So what's the evidence that 'investors shy away from any company involved with "open-source", a dubious business model at best.'? None whatsoever. And hell, they've recently been tagged as the provider of graphics chips to Microsoft -- maybe you've heard of them? Rumor has it that company has pretty good financials.

    More likely, nVidia's reticence regarding open sourcing their drivers is the desire not to give 3DFx any ammo in their patent lawsuit.