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User: quetzalblue

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  1. Re:Remember NAFTA! on Trump's Officials Suggest Re-Negotiating The Paris Climate Accord (msn.com) · · Score: 1

    You're right: admitting there are hidden motives is the problem. Not the screwy weather.

  2. Re:Remember NAFTA! on Trump's Officials Suggest Re-Negotiating The Paris Climate Accord (msn.com) · · Score: 1

    > The Paris Accord won't actually accomplish anything beyond being some feel-good self-masturbatory act that serves as a good photo op probably not. I'm fearing its going to be the camels' nose in the tent: just like the EU itself wasnt supposed to be what it morphed into. It will start with the Paris "accord" but there will be a clamour for more tangible goals and eventually penalties. All the while the hypocrites will be raking in the bucks for supposed weather influence ? gimme a break. Remember folks, the weatherman cant predict 7 days accurately but we are to believe they can model the worlds' weather for the next 10, 20 or 50 years ? how about predicting where your money will go: that'll be more accurate.

  3. Re:Homeland Security's gonna love this... on Qu8k Rockets Above the Balloons · · Score: 1

    > You do need to currently train to become an astronaut/cosmonaut which takes at least six months of intense study and a physical exam that not everybody with that kind of money can pass

    So are you saying that the US and USSR's budgets were mostly spent in the old days in training chimps and dogs to pass those grueling exams ?

    Sorry, but I just cant see what "intense study" you're going to need on a 9 minute flight. In case of emergency (you'll know when that will happen) just scream - for all the good it'll do you.

  4. Re:Hunting... on Australian Users Petitioning Against Windows 8 Secure Boot · · Score: 1

    > My opinion is that MoBo makers will provide the key with each motherboard, just like software packages provide a key with each box. While this is also not an argument or logical, it is at least more plausible on the surface.

    So why is the bios on my laptop signed ? Sorry to pop your bubble but I think some manufacturers would gladly jump on this bandwagon since they want control over their own gear (despite the niggling detail that you own it). So what's the opposite of FUD ? Certainty ? I dont think so. In this case it looks like misdirection.

  5. Re:I downloaded it, but didn't watch it, am i guil on Hurt Locker Lawsuits May Reach Canadians, Too · · Score: 1

    > I downloaded the movie, but never could watch, it well, just sounded way too dumb.

    Isnt that kinda like saying you were smoking marijuana but not inhaling .. I dont think it'll fly. Maybe you'd be better off saying you made a mistake and downloaded the wrong movie since a lot of people here said it was a five star stinker. ;-)

  6. Re:MS-Brain Tumor v1.01 on Microsoft's Hottest New Profit Center: Android · · Score: 1

    > Linux DOES infringe on MSFT patents, because it would be mathematically impossible for it NOT to with the sheer number of patents MSFT has,

    Darl McBride, is that you ? You still going on about that Linux patent issue ? I'd have thought that when IBM was in court defending itself against SCO this particular issue has been put to rest. Boy, that was big big news here a few years back and now we get MSFT shills flogging this dead horse ? I believe if there are patents out there that are being infringed (and when boneheads try to patent individual letters in an alphabet .. kinda like "i", I'm sure there are infringements), the lawyers involved will be active - or not. Depends how big the target.

    Lets wait and see if MSFT will go after GOOG. This should be good entertainment Break out the popcorn !

  7. Re:Oh thank goodness... on New Approach For Laser Weapons · · Score: 1

    > USA's military involvement in Mexico and South America.

    Yup, USA is involved but shows no sign of wanting to take over. Why would it ? They're aligned with US's purpose.

    On the other hand, China invading Tibet may (or may not) be addressing territorial issues based in past history, but after Tibet is pacified and repurposed, Tibet becomes China and they can proceed to their next territorial issue.

    As for America attacking Iraq, it was purely for the oil - and that seems to have backfired somewhat so they're building some megabases there to discourage other foreign investment.

  8. Re:Serious question; on Germany To End Nuclear Power By 2022 · · Score: 1

    >(Ontario is over 50% nuclear) and as a result we have some of the cheapest hydro rates in the world.

    We live next door to said province and we think their "hydro" aint that cheap. ..and if it's nuclear, it aint hydro ! ;-)

  9. Re:Never trust it on Microsoft TouchStudio Uses Phone To Program Phone · · Score: 1

    > You're using an equals sign for both and assignment and a comparison here. Even though this is pseudocode, you couldn't write a parser that could compile it.

    And to think all these years my PL/I programs have been compiling wrong because there wasnt a compiler for it. I better go back to BASIC then, but according to you, that's not possible either.

    Granted they're not the current crap .. uh ..crop of eye test inducing languages, it's not the parser that was lacking. Pseudocode or otherwise.

  10. Re:Would you rather they... on How Major Film Studios Manipulate YouTube Users · · Score: 1

    > Or is it because you feel special when you watch pirated films but all sad when you find out that that pirated movie was *gasp* from a legitimate source?

    hmm .. lets ponder this a sec.
    The "pirate" really really liked the movie and shows selected clips of the best parts.
    The "pirate" really hated the movie and showed only the worst parts (same parts ?! who'd have thunk!)
    The "pseudo-pirate" shows only the very best parts since he's being paid to do so, to boost revenue.

    I'd have to say I'd rather hear it from the pirate since he might be less biased than the studios. After all, I have to imagine as someone else said that no studio would trash their own films. I also have to consider you simple minded if you have'nt noticed that the (carefully selected) previews rarely translate consistently to a great two hour film.

    In my opinion the piracy aspect is unimportant, it's the bias aspect that counts. And as for loosing control over the carefully crafted marketing of their films, what's next : NDA's from the viewers so they cannot trash the films to their friends and family ?

  11. Re:Only me on How Major Film Studios Manipulate YouTube Users · · Score: 1

    > I am a free slashdotter. I will not be modded, blogged, DRM'd, patented, podcasted or RFID'd. My life is my own.

    But you are registered - are you not ? :-)

  12. Re:Money on An Open Letter To PC Makers: Ditch Bloatware, Now! · · Score: 1

    > Do a fresh install.
    Spend the $100 and get the Windows DVD if it bothers you that much

    Whoa right there buddy ! :-) if you've already PAID for the shlepping thing (as I have) and you got your nice shiny Windows serial number on the bottom; then the only thing missing is the install media (as I did). Funny thing that Micro$oft (or Lenovo) had enough money - just barely I suppose - to cut an upgrade DVD to include in the box but that somehow or rather (maybe the money ran out at this point, or there was just no more space left in the box) they couldnt cut an original install DVD - despite having given you the blessing of God (Micro$oft) with that serial number. Well !! It just so happens our good friends at Pirate Bay are running a special on all Vista and Windows/7 install medias. It's free. Help yourself and do yourself a favour.

    You *are* licensed to run one of those Windows are you not ?

  13. Re:Learning Curve? on An Open Letter To PC Makers: Ditch Bloatware, Now! · · Score: 1

    Given your environment, I'd stay with Windows. No, I'm not a Windows fan, but I recognize that software development, subsidized software development that is, is much more heavily tilted toward where the market is. Since Windows used to be 90% of the market, it's not hard to tell where vendors would be spending their resources. That's not to say that open source wont eventually have what you're looking for, but it would probably be a longer wait. Also, :-) by then your requirements would have changed and you will want something that the opensource crowd will be running to catch up to.

    On the other hand, if you come from a teletype / dialup background like me, your wants would be drastically fewer and simpler. Eventually your TV/DVD/Game console will probably be doing all sorts of computer kinda stuff and you will fondly remember how you could waste several hours figuring out how to put italics into your emails. :-)

  14. Re:Learning Curve? on An Open Letter To PC Makers: Ditch Bloatware, Now! · · Score: 1

    > either go with Linux and waste valuable time or go with the Windows/MacOS oligopoly and waste dollars.

    :-) I've probably wasted as much time troubleshooting my Windows as I have my linux (and freebsd!) installs. BTW, my first attempt at Ubuntu (not v1.0.0.0!) crashed on install : not ready for primetime. A year later, it managed to install but ran like a tortoise on depressants. THIS is what the masses seem happy with ? sheesh ! I now run Debian; plain ol' boring Debian. Twiddle a few bits here and there and voila : good enough.

    BTW, maybe what we (that's you and me) need is something truly standardized. Maybe this Android stuff might have something going for it. Cuz I dont think the problem is the OS but rather how to shoehorn it onto inconsistent systems and still work consistently - Apple is probably damned close to this but I'm not an Apple-fan.

  15. Re:Money on An Open Letter To PC Makers: Ditch Bloatware, Now! · · Score: 1

    > If you want to go the free-market route you are stuck with Linux which has a significant learning curve and probably will take up more of most peoples time than its worth to them in savings.

    Didnt somebody higher ask who let the newbies in here ? ;-) .. Linux with Gnome or XDE or whatever is easy as pie. If you dont like the defaults, there's google for ya: look it up. If you dont like the distro, try another one. You could also try *BSD. And if the idea is that you dont like to run a bloated windows machine then it's principle, not cost related.

    > I tried to run for office as an honest politician, but I couldn't raise enough money to pay for my campaign.

    Then try running as a dishonest one - it would be a refreshingly honest thing to do ! :-)

  16. Re:Right on! on Usage Based Billing In Canada To Be Rescinded · · Score: 1

    > (generally Ontario and Quebec)

    Vous me shittez !! I live in Quebec and I need an alignment each and every time I get my oil changed (~3000km). It's nice that you mentioned Michigan, I can safely avoid that if I'm going that way but I can tell you that New York and Vermont have bee-oo-tifull roads - even the back country roads than Quebec's. You should just get off the main tourist roads.

  17. Re:An outbreak of sense on Usage Based Billing In Canada To Be Rescinded · · Score: 1

    > I go over my cap every month and have yet to be charged for it

    I'm on a no-cap plan too and so far didnt get dinged. But I did get an advisement (coincidently) a few days ago saying that they'll have to impose usage fees thanks to the large providers having gotten their way with the CRTC. So, I have the option of dropping out or choosing a usage plan. Here's the blurb from their email:

    Starting March 1, 2011, there will be an additional charge of $2.50 for every additional Gig of bandwidth used above 60 Gig, to a maximum charge of $60.00 per month. Additionally, for every Gig of traffic above 300 Gig, you will be charged an additional $2.00 per Gig with no limit.

    Needless to say this makes things like netflix not as attractive .. or happy days of bittorrent sharing. I guess it's not a lot different than toll roads - if you dont need to use 'em, you dont need to pay for 'em, but when you've gotten used to a fine road and someone else was paying for it, even if it was you as a taxpayer; then it'll bite.

    Oh well, time to dust off the ol' 56K modem again. Hardly matters if they put usage caps on dialup ;-)

    BTW, what's the point about how much money..uh .. I mean data you can squeeze into a light fibre if the industry jerks wanna get paid more for every bit of it - even if the media is getting cheaper and cheaper.

  18. Re:Einstein figured out what gravity was. on Italian Scientists Demonstrate Cold Fusion? · · Score: 1

    > Great. What's space?

    Hmm, lets see. If TIME is what the physicists invented to keep everything from happening all at once, then SPACE must be what physicists invented to keep everything from happening all at the same place. There, problem solved. ;-)

  19. Re:Here is the list. on NASA Names Best & Worst Sci-Fi Movies of All Time · · Score: 1

    Most Realistic Films

    .. I dont see my favorite film, "Mars Attacks!" here .. dont you people have ANY sense of realism ? ;-)

  20. Re:Like college and grad school on Chinese Intellectual Property Acquisition Tactics Exposed · · Score: 1

    Here in the US you can take just about anybody to court and, if you have enough money you can still win. Either in court or out of court. Please dont use the compromised legal system as a crutch for your argument.

  21. Re:A kernal of sense in an insane mind on Armed Man Takes Hostages At Discovery Channel HQ · · Score: 1

    > Ever used the highways? How about city water? If so, shut up about goddamned taxes,

    Yeah, I used to think like that 35 years ago. I drive on broken roads and drink questionable city water. And I dont believe my taxes went down to the same degree as the aforementioned "services". In fact, I think they went up. The problem is what OTHER nonsense my taxes are paying for now. Also, who asked me if I'd mind running up a deficit - I dont carry balances on my credit cards ya know.. why should I have to keep a deficit that's not likely to be paid off for another 20 years - if I'm lucky. As for REP RE SEN TA TIVE goverment you should already know that election promises or even just vague concensus dialogs have no value whatsoever. So how well does that REP RE SEN TA TIVE goverment represent the common shlep ? :-) or maybe they do actually represent the common shelp pretty well: fickle, uninformed, emotional/irrational and easily manipulated. 43% .. isnt that President Obama's popularity rating today ? How well does he prepresent you ?

    Signed, An Adult
    Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

  22. Re:client-side enforcement is stupid on Tech Specs Leaked For French Spyware · · Score: 1

    > Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.

    Is this from the lemming bible ?

  23. Re:Hmmm... on Police Stop Journalists From Photographing Metrorail System · · Score: 1

    >the government is the people, it owns the roads/transport. if a = b & b = c, surely a = c.

    Why is it that I vividly imagine Farmer:sheep when I read the above. :-)

    As I see it, the "people" have long ago allowed the establishment to run the show. Be it government or corporations or just pseudo legal thugs like the TSA or DHS. Sure you can fight back. You can also try to keep the tide from coming in. Call it enlightned democracy.

    By the way, just to kill the time around here while I was waiting for the subway, I was reading the "rules and regulations while being present in their jurisdiction" and I had to look really closely to see if I was allowed to breathe.. at all. Never mind camera work - I'd heard informally that I'd get into trouble if I even tried; although they didnt put THAT into their rules .. probably a nice, sufficiently grey area they can ding you with if they dont like what you look like.

  24. Re:HF Trading reduces spread, increases liquidity on Flash Crash Analysis of May 6 Stock Market Plunge · · Score: 1

    > High Frequency Trading is _beneficial_ to the public markets at large

    Ya .. that might be true, but I'm not looking at the bull from the front, I'm looking at it from the back and what I see is *output* ! I might be utterly wrong about this, but if you read this article you might not believe that HF trading is all that beneficial. I think in market lingo, it's called paying the rent - with small investors' money.

    http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/KH05Dj03.html

    Granted my references might be just as dubious as the OPs' site, but my reference looks a lot less like a blog from a shill.

  25. Re:Nobody knows what stocks are for? on Flash Crash Analysis of May 6 Stock Market Plunge · · Score: 1

    > Stocks are for dividends.

    The highest percentage gain right now on the NY stock exchange is Santander Bancorp (NYSE:SBP) at 12.54%. It pays no dividend. It would seem that there are a lot of baseball card hobbyists out there.. even if they have'nt got a clue who the players on the cards are.. or whatever baseball is. :-)