i have a similar piece of sports equipment that is a watertightly sealed metal cylinder. i have to check it, despite the fact that it is worth over $800 because it "looks like a bomb." idiotic.
this ranks up there with the Aquil Abdullah, the U.S. National Rowing Team member who was detained at security because of his name, despite the fact that he a) represents the U.S. in numerous international competitions and b) is a practicing catholic.
Jon 'maddog' Hall, author of "Linux For Dummies," speak and explain your PoV. How can you, as an advocate of Free Software and therefore Free Speech, lend your name to a company that does this to people? Andrew G. Feinberg
We harass Cuba and Iraq for human rights violations, because it is popular. We're harassing Austria (and with good reason) because it is popular. What about Russia? The Evil Empire of my childhood has become ruled by weak governments who oppress civillians (chechnya?) the same way that other unpopular regimes do (Milosevic?) but we do nothing. Now this happens, and we will say nothing. Why? Russia has the potential to be a huge market, and already is. They have nuclear weapons, and we're afraid to take a stand on anything with them because of this. This post probably is incoherent and offtopic, but can't we, the slashdot community(!) use the supposed far-flung power of collaboration to take a stand on at least this one issue, and force the US and other governments to take action? Let's put our resources to good use, eh? Let's save the Internet. Andrew G. Feinberg
Has anyone noticed that the media keeps referring to those who wrote this software as "hackers?" Yes, this does meet our definition of hacker, but at the same time portrays them in a bad light. Last night I spoke to Mike Mussgrove, the Washington Post reporter linked above. His article is no better than any of them, even after we discussed the whole reason for the software existing. Even after we agreed that it was not for piracy but for watching DVDs with Linux, he only stated that at the end of his story after numerous references to "allowing people to copy DVDs" and "cracking the encryption that prevents piracy". How can we trust the media if they always spin the story against us? Andrew G. Feinberg
If this is a modified Linux kernel, you must release source. If it is based on an already GPL program, you must release source. If it is your original code that just runs on Linux, you have the option of not licensing it under GPL. However, the Linux binaries you distribute must have source for them available, even if it is a webpage. Compiling a program under Linux does not a derrived work make. Andrew G. Feinberg
ugh, dudes. from what i have heard you must pay to update your DNS info after x time after the initial registration, plus you have to give them your information just the same. Andrew G. Feinberg
I'm suprised that people haven't been touting the "free speech" end of GPG as well as the "free beer" when it comes to crypto algorithms. Cryptography that doesn't cost anything is good, but for the truly security-conscious individual i think that we need to stress the fact that he can check the source code for shabby implementations of algorithms (none that i see in GPG) and even blatant backdoors. I've seen people use closed-source crypto products, and I wonder when someone is going to discover a backdoor that was put there by some government. Price and politics are good, but security should be the selling point of GPG. Andrew G. Feinberg
Well, I suppose I should mention this. Myself and some others are currently writing a proposal to use GIMP/Win32 as the program of choice for a Digital Art course at our high school. I'll keep the slashdot population posted. Meanwhile, has anyone tried something similar? Thanks.
According to the former head of the FBI's Computer Crime division, as told at the USENIX '99 Security Symposium, the reason for CALEA was to allow Law Enforcement the capability to tap calls on the digital side of the phone switch, since some RBOCs would not even allow them into the Central Offices. The FBI asserted that they needed the capability to perform something like 4000 simultaneous wiretaps when there are roughly only 1500 per year under both Title III and FISA. Someone is exaggerating, but why?
This touches on two talks I had the pleasure of hearing at yesterday's USENIX Security Symposium. The first dealt with the usability of PGP 5 for the Macintosh. The results of the study clearly showed that for crypto to be used by the masses, it must be able to pass the so-called "parent test." The second talk was on US Crypto policy. AFAIK, only California has a law that recognizes digital signatures. This must change. Even if the US continues its idiotic crypto policy they must recognize unforgable digital signatures if they want electronic commerce to take off. Regarding US Crypto policy: Much of it is built on exaggerations, lies, and misinformation. Regardless of its basis, it must change to allow all people to feel as secure sending email as they are sending a letter if email is to be an important mode of everyday communication for everyone the world over. Andrew G. Feinberg
Y'all, even if something like SAFE does pass, it is not only the country's responsibility, but in everyone's best interests to have some manner of even attempting to retrieve encrypted information. It looks good on paper. In reality, if you follow good key security (ie, keep your secret key on a floppy disk that only you know of) then even with a "warrant" feds shouldn't be able to get to your information, at least not with the methods I know of. The US seems to be intent on pursuing a self-defeating policy, so we should be realistic in thinking that we're going to have to deal with something. Besides. Even if it passes, it won't be easy to put over on someone who knows their shit. Andrew G. Feinberg
Jonathan Hubbard and the rest of the gang should be rather pleased with themselves. With a miniscule amount of support and publicity compared to Linux, the FreeBSD team has done a superlative job in creating an OS that, for the x86 platform, is hands down one of the best. While Linux is the media darling, we shouldn't forget the efforts of the Free/Net/OpenBSD teams, as all of them have a niche. Besides, the FreeBSD daemon is just about as cute as tux, and is alot more sinister looking. They deserve a show of their own! Andrew G. Feinberg
I, for one, pay my $4.50 to see TPM. It took so much time and effort to put together, that ripping it off would be a smack in the face to all who love Star Wars, by not giving them the compensation for their wonderful work. Andrew G. Feinberg
It seems to me that people are still under the impression that they have privacy. There is none. The government already has your personal information. It is an illusion that they can't get to it without a warrant. Having you carry it with you is probably not so bad an idea. Besides, the SSN can't be used for anything but tax and social security purposes. The fingerprint thing scares me, but hey, if we ever use biometric authentication for things (fingerprints, retinal scans, voiceprints) they'll be in databases, too. It seems to be a good idea if not misused, but keep in mind that they have all the information now anyway, and you don't know what they can do with it.
Disclaimer: I am associated with OSI's 'rival' SPI via the Debian project. ESR seems to see himself as something greater than the whole of us. Sure, he has been around during this whole "Open Source" fiasco, but face it. That would have happened anyway. Linux has become so widespread that it was a matter of time before someone noticed. ESR has made many contributions to our community, but he also has the maturity of a 2 year old. I've seen the bullshit he's pulled with BP (not to say that BP is a saint) and it seems to me that he is more interested in publicity and corporate acceptance of himself then contributing to our community.
E-commerce taxes are perfectly legitimate. The only hurdle is that Congress should decide whether merchants should collect taxes for their state, or the state of the buyer.
RedHat isn't the big bad penguin...yet.
on
Red Hat Backlash?
·
· Score: 1
There are alot of things about RedHat that should be applauded. They have greatly advanced the development of GNOME with RHAD labs, and they have brought corporate support to Linux by way of a company to back up the free software. However, some things about their distribution could be changed. For instance, their implementation of X (in the form of AnotherLevel) is rather byzantine, and alot of things they do come close to breaking the Linux File System Standard. However, they do put out pretty solid code. I'm not a RedHat user (I'm partial to Debian, being a developer myself) but I do believe that they are remaining true to the Free Software model. Otherwise, the community will turn against them faster than you can say restrictive license.
Although I normally scoff at people's desire to port any and all apps to the pilot, a PGP-clone that interfaces with the Pilot's mail app would be great. The problem is, there isn't enough memory space on a pilot for the required apps and keys. If the application were built-in, it would severely hamper 3Com's efforts in International markets due to the United States Gov't's idiotic and shortsighted crypto policies. It would be great, but it probably can't happen.
Slashdot Mirror
i have a similar piece of sports equipment that is a watertightly sealed metal cylinder. i have to check it, despite the fact that it is worth over $800 because it "looks like a bomb." idiotic.
this ranks up there with the Aquil Abdullah, the U.S. National Rowing Team member who was detained at security because of his name, despite the fact that he a) represents the U.S. in numerous international competitions and b) is a practicing catholic.
Jon 'maddog' Hall, author of "Linux For Dummies," speak and explain your PoV. How can you, as an advocate of Free Software and therefore Free Speech, lend your name to a company that does this to people?
Andrew G. Feinberg
We harass Cuba and Iraq for human rights violations, because it is popular. We're harassing Austria (and with good reason) because it is popular. What about Russia? The Evil Empire of my childhood has become ruled by weak governments who oppress civillians (chechnya?) the same way that other unpopular regimes do (Milosevic?) but we do nothing. Now this happens, and we will say nothing. Why? Russia has the potential to be a huge market, and already is. They have nuclear weapons, and we're afraid to take a stand on anything with them because of this. This post probably is incoherent and offtopic, but can't we, the slashdot community(!) use the supposed far-flung power of collaboration to take a stand on at least this one issue, and force the US and other governments to take action? Let's put our resources to good use, eh? Let's save the Internet.
Andrew G. Feinberg
Has anyone noticed that the media keeps referring to those who wrote this software as "hackers?" Yes, this does meet our definition of hacker, but at the same time portrays them in a bad light. Last night I spoke to Mike Mussgrove, the Washington Post reporter linked above. His article is no better than any of them, even after we discussed the whole reason for the software existing. Even after we agreed that it was not for piracy but for watching DVDs with Linux, he only stated that at the end of his story after numerous references to "allowing people to copy DVDs" and "cracking the encryption that prevents piracy". How can we trust the media if they always spin the story against us?
Andrew G. Feinberg
YAMS (yet another mirror site). http://everest.debian.net/dvd. Get the bits while they're hot. I'm not afraid of lawyers.
Andrew G. Feinberg
http://everest.yooniks.org/dvd. come on, sue me.
Andrew G. Feinberg
If this is a modified Linux kernel, you must release source. If it is based on an already GPL program, you must release source. If it is your original code that just runs on Linux, you have the option of not licensing it under GPL. However, the Linux binaries you distribute must have source for them available, even if it is a webpage. Compiling a program under Linux does not a derrived work make.
Andrew G. Feinberg
I don't claim to speak for the whole project, but on behalf of _this_ debian developer, thanks to everyone who nominated us.
Andrew G. Feinberg
ugh, dudes. from what i have heard you must pay to update your DNS info after x time after the initial registration, plus you have to give them your information just the same.
Andrew G. Feinberg
I'm suprised that people haven't been touting the "free speech" end of GPG as well as the "free beer" when it comes to crypto algorithms. Cryptography that doesn't cost anything is good, but for the truly security-conscious individual i think that we need to stress the fact that he can check the source code for shabby implementations of algorithms (none that i see in GPG) and even blatant backdoors. I've seen people use closed-source crypto products, and I wonder when someone is going to discover a backdoor that was put there by some government. Price and politics are good, but security should be the selling point of GPG.
Andrew G. Feinberg
Well, I suppose I should mention this. Myself and some others are currently writing a proposal to use GIMP/Win32 as the program of choice for a Digital Art course at our high school. I'll keep the slashdot population posted. Meanwhile, has anyone tried something similar? Thanks.
Andrew G. Feinberg
According to the former head of the FBI's Computer Crime division, as told at the USENIX '99 Security Symposium, the reason for CALEA was to allow Law Enforcement the capability to tap calls on the digital side of the phone switch, since some RBOCs would not even allow them into the Central Offices. The FBI asserted that they needed the capability to perform something like 4000 simultaneous wiretaps when there are roughly only 1500 per year under both Title III and FISA. Someone is exaggerating, but why?
Andrew G. Feinberg
This touches on two talks I had the pleasure of hearing at yesterday's USENIX Security Symposium. The first dealt with the usability of PGP 5 for the Macintosh. The results of the study clearly showed that for crypto to be used by the masses, it must be able to pass the so-called "parent test." The second talk was on US Crypto policy. AFAIK, only California has a law that recognizes digital signatures. This must change. Even if the US continues its idiotic crypto policy they must recognize unforgable digital signatures if they want electronic commerce to take off. Regarding US Crypto policy: Much of it is built on exaggerations, lies, and misinformation. Regardless of its basis, it must change to allow all people to feel as secure sending email as they are sending a letter if email is to be an important mode of everyday communication for everyone the world over.
Andrew G. Feinberg
Y'all, even if something like SAFE does pass, it is not only the country's responsibility, but in everyone's best interests to have some manner of even attempting to retrieve encrypted information. It looks good on paper. In reality, if you follow good key security (ie, keep your secret key on a floppy disk that only you know of) then even with a "warrant" feds shouldn't be able to get to your information, at least not with the methods I know of. The US seems to be intent on pursuing a self-defeating policy, so we should be realistic in thinking that we're going to have to deal with something. Besides. Even if it passes, it won't be easy to put over on someone who knows their shit.
Andrew G. Feinberg
Jonathan Hubbard and the rest of the gang should be rather pleased with themselves. With a miniscule amount of support and publicity compared to Linux, the FreeBSD team has done a superlative job in creating an OS that, for the x86 platform, is hands down one of the best. While Linux is the media darling, we shouldn't forget the efforts of the Free/Net/OpenBSD teams, as all of them have a niche. Besides, the FreeBSD daemon is just about as cute as tux, and is alot more sinister looking. They deserve a show of their own!
Andrew G. Feinberg
I, for one, pay my $4.50 to see TPM. It took so much time and effort to put together, that ripping it off would be a smack in the face to all who love Star Wars, by not giving them the compensation for their wonderful work.
Andrew G. Feinberg
It seems to me that people are still under the impression that they have privacy. There is none. The government already has your personal information. It is an illusion that they can't get to it without a warrant. Having you carry it with you is probably not so bad an idea. Besides, the SSN can't be used for anything but tax and social security purposes. The fingerprint thing scares me, but hey, if we ever use biometric authentication for things (fingerprints, retinal scans, voiceprints) they'll be in databases, too. It seems to be a good idea if not misused, but keep in mind that they have all the information now anyway, and you don't know what they can do with it.
Disclaimer: I am associated with OSI's 'rival' SPI via the Debian project.
ESR seems to see himself as something greater than the whole of us. Sure, he has been around during this whole "Open Source" fiasco, but face it. That would have happened anyway. Linux has become so widespread that it was a matter of time before someone noticed. ESR has made many contributions to our community, but he also has the maturity of a 2 year old. I've seen the bullshit he's pulled with BP (not to say that BP is a saint) and it seems to me that he is more interested in publicity and corporate acceptance of himself then contributing to our community.
E-commerce taxes are perfectly legitimate. The only hurdle is that Congress should decide whether merchants should collect taxes for their state, or the state of the buyer.
There are alot of things about RedHat that should be applauded. They have greatly advanced the development of GNOME with RHAD labs, and they have brought corporate support to Linux by way of a company to back up the free software. However, some things about their distribution could be changed. For instance, their implementation of X (in the form of AnotherLevel) is rather byzantine, and alot of things they do come close to breaking the Linux File System Standard. However, they do put out pretty solid code. I'm not a RedHat user (I'm partial to Debian, being a developer myself) but I do believe that they are remaining true to the Free Software model. Otherwise, the community will turn against them faster than you can say restrictive license.
-Andrew
Although I normally scoff at people's desire to port any and all apps to the pilot, a PGP-clone that interfaces with the Pilot's mail app would be great. The problem is, there isn't enough memory space on a pilot for the required apps and keys. If the application were built-in, it would severely hamper 3Com's efforts in International markets due to the United States Gov't's idiotic and shortsighted crypto policies. It would be great, but it probably can't happen.
Andrew