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User: bunbuntheminilop

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  1. Its a legal issue on Looking Forward, Ubuntu Linux 6.06 · · Score: 1
    The following is quoted from here

    Below is the reason why Ubuntu lacks media support for closed codecs "out of the box."

    A single example will be used- MP3's.

    The group that holds the patent on MP3's demands that for each player with MP3 support a 75 cent fee must be paid:

    http://www.mp3licensing.com/royalty/index.html

    It might not seem like a lot, but when the distro is free then even such a small fee is too much. The only other option is to pay a large one time fee that could otherwise pay a developer to work on Ubuntu for a whole year! So it costs money to distribute software that pays MP3s.

    If Ubuntu ignored this, it could be sued in nations like the U.S. where this patent is valid. Either Ubuntu would have to pay up or the developers could never set foot in a country with such patent laws ever again (not reasonable). So because it costs money, Ubuntu has no MP3 support.

    Now take this situation, and multiply it times every type of restricted software out there (that isn't a free like OGG) and you see what the situation is. So in order to spend money on developers, not laywers, Ubuntu has to avoid touching these codecs. Even an easier way to install them such as "click here to install" would make Ubuntu an accessory to a crime in many nations.

    This is why its important to support open codecs and standards. But Ubuntu can't provide restricted software, or make it any easier because of the law.

  2. Re:I remember this 5 years ago, any ideas? on Star Trek's Synthehol Now Possible? · · Score: 1

    cheers mate. I was going crazy!

  3. I remember this 5 years ago, any ideas? on Star Trek's Synthehol Now Possible? · · Score: 0

    I remember a guy (in New Zealand) was selling CD cleaner and people were drinking it like alcohol, and claimed it had the same effect as alcohol, but without the hangover. Does anyone remember what it was? It wasn't GHB (Fantasy), and definatly not diethanol (ethylene glycol). I keep thinking it was 1,4 Dibutanol. Any ideas anyone?

  4. Economically feasible? on Star Trek's Synthehol Now Possible? · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I don't think you would be able to organically synthesise anything and then expect to put it 5% in a aqueous solution, and STILL make it for less than $1 a bottle.

  5. Thanks guys, they've been slashdotted. on You Say You Want A Revolution? · · Score: 0
    Does EVERYONE have to read the article?

    I'm a little late, and now I can't. Not that I want to really read the article. I'm just a little bored. I'm sure its the same. If you're not going to read it, don't go to it. I've learnt my lesson now. I hope everyone will learn from me.

  6. Movies please anyone? on Windows Vista 5342 Screenshots · · Score: 0

    Anyone want to post a link of a movie of it running? I want to compare it to the Novell xgl demo. I can't get a feel for the desktop without a demo movie.

  7. Linux commnet = not karma whore on GDC - Sony Keynote · · Score: 0

    If they want to give tech, not game, then how come there is no discussion on Linux...eg, what kernel, will they update the kernel over its life, how will sony contribute to kernel development etc. Those aren't good examples, but us /.ers want to hear this stuff. Its possible I'm out of the loop, so flame tastefully if I am!

  8. Re:Scientific Revolution on On the Future of Science · · Score: 0

    Why can't science proceed for capitalistic gains? It seems to have worked in chemistry for the last 100 years.

  9. All you have to do to bring down the defence on Security Flaws Could Cripple Defense Network · · Score: 0

    system is to get the AI to play tic-tac-toe against itself. I saw it on a documentary ages ago. I think.

  10. Its a shame its fake on Accordion Hero Postmortem · · Score: 0

    because I would prolly buy it. I'll never try and buy a game from these crazy Germans ever again.

  11. I get laughed at on Seven-Ounce Linux 'Wrist PC' · · Score: 0

    when I wear a wireless headset for my phone. Well, I hope that's what they're laughing at.

  12. I give it 6 months.... on Cocaine Biosensor · · Score: 0

    until someone realises that Ritalin sets off the sensor, due the the similarities of their structure.

  13. I'm still paying off Christmas! on February Game Sales Flop · · Score: 0

    I won't be able to afford new games until at least April!

  14. MythTV has web front end on TiVo to Let Users Record Shows Via Cellphone · · Score: 0

    Thats almost as good. If you can browse the net on your phone, it would be the same thing.

  15. Re:Its not exactly GPL. on Open-Source Router to Take on Cisco? · · Score: 0
    :P BSD sux0rs, GPL roolzzz!

    j/k

    The GPL licence spreads faster and easier than the BSD licence, which is the point of the extra restrictions. Uptake by hardware manufactures is therefore better if they are uptaking GPL licenced firmware than BSD firmware.

    The arguement is redundant, however, as XORP could be forked to be GPL, if I'm not mistaken.

  16. Its not exactly GPL. on Open-Source Router to Take on Cisco? · · Score: 0
    Open source may not equal GPL, but its the first think I think of. Likewise, a psudo Berkeley is not quite open source.

    If RMS is reading, you'd agree no?

  17. Yes but on SpaceX Developing Orbital Crew Capsule · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    does it run linux?

  18. Allofmp3 it seems on Attorney General Investigates Music Price Fixing · · Score: 1, Informative
    escapes unharmed.

    http://www.allofmp3.com/

  19. Sounds like... on Stress Inhibits Brain's Ability to Grow · · Score: 0

    ...an explaination to the book 'the Bell curve'.

  20. Everybody down on the ground! on Kids Build Soybean Fueled Sports Car · · Score: 0

    Empty the deep fryer into this container, and those big macs into this bag!

  21. Re:primordial soup... virii... on Viruses May be the Precursors of All Life · · Score: 0

    Any evidence for the 'spontaneous generation' of life would be a scientific achievement rivalling Darwin's achievements.

  22. Re:Enough Tolerance on Utah Votes 'No' to Darwin's Critics · · Score: 0
    The problem with this is that Evolution and Speciation aren't science. They're just more faith based explainations for things that human beings can't possibly ever know with certainty.

    You're confusing the lab sciences (physics, chemistry, some biology) with the field sciences (geology, geography, some biology). All use the scientific method to determine the most reasonable explanation by Occam's Razor. Darwin's speciation is accepted as reliable because it can be demonstrated in the field many different ways, in the same way geologists look at rock structure and determine geological activity in the past. Speciation is not easy to demonstrate in a lab setting, but I remember reading in the National Geographic about an article entitled 'Was Darwin Wrong?' where laboratory evidence for speciation was discovered. Unfortunatly, the link is only a summary.

    http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0411/featur e1/

  23. Re:Enough Tolerance on Utah Votes 'No' to Darwin's Critics · · Score: 0

    We could always just demand that Evolution and Speciation be taught in religious courses, but I don't think we care enough to do that. Its not like science is just going to go away if we ignore it.

  24. Framebuffered Console?! on Gentoo 2006.0 Screenshot Tour · · Score: 0

    Thats all the graphical installer I need!

  25. I wasn't gonna.... on Independent Games Festival Free Play · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    but I just kept being pestered to! I come here to get AWAY from Gamespot.