Oh, that's ok then.
So long as it's only inexperienced users being tricked. It's not like they make up any significant numbers or anything. I mean, how many people visit Myspace every day? Only a couple of dozen, right?
And by the way, if you read the article, you'd realise you are wrong - the critical form elements can be hidden.
Couldn't agree more. The article exposes an incredible undercurrent of racism:
these people...
The assumption that the whole 3rd world is sitting, waiting for us to give them food cos they're busy doing nothing but starving to death is unacceptable. Saying that providing cheap, workable technology misses the need of "these people" denies "these people" any help at all, especially when the author things that you can feed a village for a year on $100 (you cannot. Try $5000).
Just as an aside, if he's so convinced there are thousands of villages sitting around, waiting for him to feed them, I wonder how many villages he's fed in his lifetime? Or do "Africa watchers" take the same view as "nature watchers," believing that involvment is interference?
2. According to the World Bank, small amorphous silicon solar panels are replacing kerosene lamps in rural African villages
I work for MAF, a charity supporting NGOs, aid agencies etc with aviation and logistics support around the third world.
In several villages I visited in Tanzania, people have installed small panels in communal centres (a small shop, or social area). I saw this supplying both lighting and refrigeration in a shop, along with supplying a battery charger for portable radios, torches (flashlights) and so on.
While it may still cost more than power from a conventional grid in Western countries, where electrical needs are enormous, in the third world the tiny quantities of electricity used, especially in rural areas, are easily and economically provided by what we would consider 'unconventional' means.
Costing around 120 pounds ($224.3) a year the technology is not 100 percent fool proof however, with organized tech savvy thieves likely to have the equipment and know how be able to get round the security measures
The phone is stolen, battery removed and it's taken to the wee booth at the back of the market (where they can already unlock phones, upgrade firmware, backup memory etc) and restored. The loud noise is only ever heard for about 20 seconds, while in the booth in the market (when it's conveniently stuck under a pillow). The owner, who's paid £600 (over $1000) over the last 5 years for the service, more than double the value of the phone, is left with less than if they'd played the old *#06# trick (available for years for free).
Good to see the march of technology being put to good use.
Don't be lazy and actually, you know, port the code so it works natively without having to use Wine internally to run
Why?
If this installs and runs easily on Linux, why does it matter whether it's a 'native port' or some other hoops and tricks method? If it installs and runs, the that counts as released for linux.
One of the biggest prospects for Linux's wide-scale adoption will be the ability to run programs designed for Windows. If the end result of Wine's development is that programs only need written once and then can either use a customised Wine to run under Linux, or slot into a supported, pre-installed and easy to use version of Wine (like Crossover Office or Cadega), then that counts as a better conclusion in terms of getting all vital software running on Linux than requiring a complete re-write of every app we want which, let's face it, will never happen.
I've used Linux for over 2 years as my primary operating system. 2 months ago, I installed Microsoft Office via Crossover Office. It works as well as under Windows, installed as easily as under Windows thanks to Crossover's fine work, and has given me no problems. Although I still use Openoffice for most things, I have software in Access that I am currently porting to an Apache/PHP/MySQL system to which I need access from Linux. Plus, compared to 'Impress', Powerpoint is a breath of fresh air in terms of usability.
Wine provides the promise to be able to run any software on Linux. Where's the problem when companies like Google take advantage of that to release software they wouldn't otherwise have the time or manpower to re-write?
Let's see. I've picked out a few highlights from the license agreement to see set my eyes on Microsoft's holy property (the specification of it, at least - the inner court is presumably reserved for those who have sold their entire soul...)
...License Agreement...
LEGAL AGREEMENT
YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS ...YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED...
You may review these Materials only...
All other rights are retained by Microsoft
This Agreement does not give You rights...
Microsoft patents...
You may not duplicate any part of these Materials...
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Your right... automatically terminates
You must destroy them
Microsoft may freely use, reproduce, license, distribute, and otherwise commercialize Your Feedback in any Microsoft Offering
You also grant third parties, without charge
patent rights ...subject to any patent, copyright or other intellectual property
license terms
Microsoft intellectual property
Microsoft has no obligation to maintain... confidentiality of... Your identity
Any dispute ...federal or state superior courts
You waive any defenses
litigation
attorneys' fees
unenforceable
enforceable
Just to take a few of your assertations one at a time:
ask someone what was the last web ad they seen?
Can't remember. Must have been a few weeks ago thanks to a good adblocker.
now ask someone what was the last tv commerical?
Can't remember. I use ad breaks to go to the toilet, make a cup of tea etc.
Video ads usually get your attention with something entertaining... Some nice eye candy...
So I assume there are no boring ads on TV?
Maybe advertizers will start demanding better content?
Advertiser: "Oh, look, new media format. Suddenly I can see the light!"
But finally, here's the one that really got me.
this might be the push we need to have average joe buy a new computer and broadband...
I live in central Tanzania. "Broadband" here costs $3,500/month, and runs at 312K. The average national wage is about $400. "Average" may not mean exactly what you think it means.
This actually makes a good point, and one worth noting.
Just because the system is computer based, doesn't mean the reporting method has to be computer based. Complete anonymity is extremely easy to secure - send a letter. Include screen shots, printouts, whatever, if necessary.
Every transaction on the internet leaves some form of trail. Walking to the nearest post-box doesn't.
Creative proactively held discussions with Apple in our efforts to explore amicable solutions,' a spokesman for Creative said. 'At no time during these discussions or at any other time did Apple mention to us the patents it raised in its lawsuit.'
Fact number 2: At no time during the discussions were Creative proactively suing Apple.
Slashdot Mirror
Oh, that's ok then. So long as it's only inexperienced users being tricked. It's not like they make up any significant numbers or anything. I mean, how many people visit Myspace every day? Only a couple of dozen, right? And by the way, if you read the article, you'd realise you are wrong - the critical form elements can be hidden.
Using FF 2.0 on Ubuntu Eft (6.10), got exactly the same results as you describe.
There is also a code-box underneath the video that looks out of place, and perhaps broken.
Suspect the site is slashdotted.
Couldn't agree more. The article exposes an incredible undercurrent of racism:
The assumption that the whole 3rd world is sitting, waiting for us to give them food cos they're busy doing nothing but starving to death is unacceptable. Saying that providing cheap, workable technology misses the need of "these people" denies "these people" any help at all, especially when the author things that you can feed a village for a year on $100 (you cannot. Try $5000).
Just as an aside, if he's so convinced there are thousands of villages sitting around, waiting for him to feed them, I wonder how many villages he's fed in his lifetime? Or do "Africa watchers" take the same view as "nature watchers," believing that involvment is interference?
Another law with good intent.
Another set of wording so vague it's no use against those it's meant to stop.
Another set of abuses waiting to happen.
I work for MAF, a charity supporting NGOs, aid agencies etc with aviation and logistics support around the third world.
In several villages I visited in Tanzania, people have installed small panels in communal centres (a small shop, or social area). I saw this supplying both lighting and refrigeration in a shop, along with supplying a battery charger for portable radios, torches (flashlights) and so on.
While it may still cost more than power from a conventional grid in Western countries, where electrical needs are enormous, in the third world the tiny quantities of electricity used, especially in rural areas, are easily and economically provided by what we would consider 'unconventional' means.
From the fabulous article:
The phone is stolen, battery removed and it's taken to the wee booth at the back of the market (where they can already unlock phones, upgrade firmware, backup memory etc) and restored. The loud noise is only ever heard for about 20 seconds, while in the booth in the market (when it's conveniently stuck under a pillow). The owner, who's paid £600 (over $1000) over the last 5 years for the service, more than double the value of the phone, is left with less than if they'd played the old *#06# trick (available for years for free).
Good to see the march of technology being put to good use.
I've just instructed my lawyers to send you the suit. You are clearly infringing on my patent:
Did hell just freeze over? Is Windows Media Player Vista going to recommend .OGG for media files?
Asimov was from one of those mysterious previous generations where having your ideas built upon by others was considered an honour.
It's amazing they could ever make any money.
Learn more about fuel cells - read the whole article!
Why?
If this installs and runs easily on Linux, why does it matter whether it's a 'native port' or some other hoops and tricks method? If it installs and runs, the that counts as released for linux.
One of the biggest prospects for Linux's wide-scale adoption will be the ability to run programs designed for Windows. If the end result of Wine's development is that programs only need written once and then can either use a customised Wine to run under Linux, or slot into a supported, pre-installed and easy to use version of Wine (like Crossover Office or Cadega), then that counts as a better conclusion in terms of getting all vital software running on Linux than requiring a complete re-write of every app we want which, let's face it, will never happen.
I've used Linux for over 2 years as my primary operating system. 2 months ago, I installed Microsoft Office via Crossover Office. It works as well as under Windows, installed as easily as under Windows thanks to Crossover's fine work, and has given me no problems. Although I still use Openoffice for most things, I have software in Access that I am currently porting to an Apache/PHP/MySQL system to which I need access from Linux. Plus, compared to 'Impress', Powerpoint is a breath of fresh air in terms of usability.
Wine provides the promise to be able to run any software on Linux. Where's the problem when companies like Google take advantage of that to release software they wouldn't otherwise have the time or manpower to re-write?
Let's see. I've picked out a few highlights from the license agreement to see set my eyes on Microsoft's holy property (the specification of it, at least - the inner court is presumably reserved for those who have sold their entire soul...)
...License Agreement...
...YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED ... ... automatically terminates
...subject to any patent, copyright or other intellectual property ... Your identity
...federal or state superior courts
LEGAL AGREEMENT
YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS
You may review these Materials only...
All other rights are retained by Microsoft
This Agreement does not give You rights...
Microsoft patents...
You may not duplicate any part of these Materials...
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Your right
You must destroy them
Microsoft may freely use, reproduce, license, distribute, and otherwise commercialize Your Feedback in any Microsoft Offering
You also grant third parties, without charge
patent rights
license terms
Microsoft intellectual property
Microsoft has no obligation to maintain... confidentiality of
Any dispute
You waive any defenses
litigation
attorneys' fees
unenforceable
enforceable
Just to take a few of your assertations one at a time:
Can't remember. Must have been a few weeks ago thanks to a good adblocker.
Can't remember. I use ad breaks to go to the toilet, make a cup of tea etc.
So I assume there are no boring ads on TV?
Advertiser: "Oh, look, new media format. Suddenly I can see the light!"
But finally, here's the one that really got me.
I live in central Tanzania. "Broadband" here costs $3,500/month, and runs at 312K. The average national wage is about $400. "Average" may not mean exactly what you think it means.
This actually makes a good point, and one worth noting. Just because the system is computer based, doesn't mean the reporting method has to be computer based. Complete anonymity is extremely easy to secure - send a letter. Include screen shots, printouts, whatever, if necessary. Every transaction on the internet leaves some form of trail. Walking to the nearest post-box doesn't.
Fact number 2: At no time during the discussions were Creative proactively suing Apple.
Parent points to the child's question on NASA from which the grandparent is copied-and-pasted.
Long live Google.
Question: What is a karma whore?