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User: Fjord

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Comments · 1,781

  1. Re:Thief. on Talk To a Convicted Warez Guy · · Score: 2

    Did you acquire something that you did not have access to before your theft? No, I bought the CD-R I used

  2. Re:Do DOD convictions show DMCA et. al. uneeded? on Talk To a Convicted Warez Guy · · Score: 2

    That's pretty much what he said. For example, you can get most Macromedia products for a free trial off the website, and keygens for them are ubiquitous.

    There would still be copyright issues when you tried to run the program, since the program would make an unauthorized copy into RAM. Title 17, Chapter 1, Sec. 117. only says that if the owner of a program needs to do this, it isn't copyright infringment.

  3. Re:The Economics Of Warez on Talk To a Convicted Warez Guy · · Score: 2

    Actually, in most cases the second form is questionable too. You are only trespassing if you are told you shouldn't be there (either by request, posted sign, or a locked area). If your home door is unlocked, I can go in (I can't steal anything, though) and I don't have to leave until I'm asked to. The two universities I've been to had very open campuses.

  4. Re:Life, Fairness, and the dollar on Musicians vs. RIAA At USA Today · · Score: 1

    Now prove it.

    If the RIAA happened to give Hillary Rosen a $3m bonus the year the law went into effect and Hillary decided to make a $3m donation to her favorite senators, what could you do?

  5. Re:Not quite on Turn your PS2 into a Tivo · · Score: 2

    And if you're wondering how to hook the ethernet up to is, check this out.

    Out can pretty much have a cable line into your PC in one room, for recording, a powerline network to connect your PC to the PS2 in the other room, and the PS2 hooked up to the TV.

    I guess if you are really hardcore, you don't even need a cable line in your TV room. Depends on if you can stream programs as they are going (which I imagine you should be able to). With multiple PS2s, you could use this to have cable in multiple rooms.

    The only thing I don't like about this is that I do enjoy being able to leave a game running for a day or so because it doesn't have convinient save spots, while switching over to cable to watch something. I guess the fact that the PVR is recording it makes it so I don't have to switch over, though.

    I guess it's time to buy one of those 320 GB harddrives.

  6. Re:Life, Fairness, and the dollar on Musicians vs. RIAA At USA Today · · Score: 2

    Then the money would be laundered through individuals. Companies would pay people to donate to politicians.

    Campaign Finance Reform isn't a simple problem because you are dealing with large powerful entities that have the will to do whatever it takes to protect and grow themselves.

  7. Re:Michael Jackson on Musicians vs. RIAA At USA Today · · Score: 2

    No, that was reconstructive surgery.

  8. Re:How about this for a ridiculous contract term? on Musicians vs. RIAA At USA Today · · Score: 2

    Getting a lawyer isn't like figuring out which grocery store to go to. You can't just open the phone book and pick one. In all likelyhood a random lawyer knows nothing about your particular legal problem, but will give advice anyway. Typically that advice is "this is pretty standard for the industry." This is true from everything from employment contracts to book writing to band contracts. Pretty much all work for hire.

    Not that I'm strongly disagreeing with you. I do believe in the idea that a person who signs a contract should know what they are getting into, but I also believe in the foundation of contract law: that any contract can be broken.

  9. Re:What's Keith Worth? on Musicians vs. RIAA At USA Today · · Score: 2

    of heroin

  10. Re:Michael Jackson on Musicians vs. RIAA At USA Today · · Score: 2

    Why did Michael Jackson change his race? Does he want to be white? Why does he bleach his skin? These are familiar questions concerning the change in color of his skin. Contrary to popular opinion, Michael Jackson does not bleach his skin in an attempt to change his identity; but instead, he shares a surprisingly common ailment with between 1 and 2 million Americans, known as vitiligo. Vitiligo is a skin condition that depigments the skin, resulting in blotches of porcelain-white skin or total loss of skin pigment (Atkinson, 1). The cause is a bit of a mystery, treatments are unsatisfactory, and the mental effects of vitiligo are significant.

    Vitiligo destroys pigment cells called melanocytes, which are special cells that release skin pigment melanin. Although it is not certain what the cause of vitiligo is, vitiligo is believed to be an autoimmune disease. The immune system reacts to normal skin pigment cells as if they are harmful to the body and destroys them. The amount of pigment loss is different in each afflicted person, and it is impossible to predict the severity of depigmentation (American Academy of Dermatology 1). Vitiligo often starts with depigmentation occurring rapidly, followed by a phase when depigmentation ceases; then cycles of gradual pigment loss begins again (2).

    Thirty percent of vitiligo cases have been discovered as inherited, supporting the idea that it is genetic (Atkinson 2). Further substantiating the genetic defect theory, vitiligo blotches discovered on opposite sides of the body and on identical twins are usually similar (Geraldo). Medical science is setting forth to uncover the mutation in the DNA that causes vitiligo in order to treat it with gene therapy (Atkinson 4). Vitiligo ordinarily erupts around the eyes, on the cheek or chin, or the backs of the hands or knees first. Eruptions of new blotches follow then anywhere on the body. Some people afflicted with the disease become completely depigmented within 6 months. The disease usually beings early in life claiming half its victims by age 20. Nearly all diagnosis are made by the age of 40 ("Michael's Malady" 1-2). Vitiligo affects men and women of all race and age equally (Geraldo).

    Unfortunately, vitiligo has no cure yet.. Vitiligo sufferers are faced with a few possibilities in treatments that are essentially only cosmetic; however, treatments have substantially improved over the years. Research of vitiligo is ongoing, and it is hoped that new treatments will be developed. There are three primary alternatives for treatment today - topicals, PUVA treatments, and complete degpigmentation (American Academy of Dermatology 2-3).

    The easiest way to conceal vitiligo is to camouflage it with make-up, dyes, or self-tanning lotions. Most department stores carry waterproof cosmetics to correspond with nearly all skin types. Dying the white blotches with a dye that matches regular skin color is also an option; although, these dyes gradually fade. The color from self-tanning creams is not lasting either. These techniques can improve appearance; nevertheless, none are permanent solutions (American Academy of Dermatology 2).

    For severe cases, the primary treatment for vitiligo patients is PUVA (psoralen ultraviolet A). PUVA is a repigmentation therapy. A chemical that causes the skin to be exceptionally light sensitive - psoralen - is applied. Then the skin is treated with ultraviolet light called UVA twice a week for up to a year. PUVA treatments have a 50-70% chance of successfully repigmenting the face, torso, and upper arms and legs. Hands and feet do not repigment well with this treatment (American Academy of Dermatology 2, "Michael's Malady" 2). Side effects of PUVA include sunburn responses, dizziness, and nausea (Atkinson 2-3). If used extensively, the risk of skin cancer increases. Special glasses must be worn during treatment because psoralens make the eyes more sensitive to light and susceptible to cataract development (American Academy of Dermatology 2-3).

    PUVA treatment costs approximately $6000 per patient. The cost includes medication, office visits, light therapy, lab tests and eye exams, which are necessary because of the possible damage to the eyes as a result of the light therapy. This figure does not include the patient's loss of work time or travel expenses to obtain treatments. Most insurance companies do not cover the cost of treatment; therefore, many patients are unable to receive proper care for the disease. As a result, some patients have lost their jobs or are unable to obtain work due to their cosmetic disfigurement, especially if the work involves interaction with the general public (Geraldo).

    Often, the PUVA treatments are unsatisfactory. Many patients' success of repigmentation regresses and they lose the pigment they were successful in regaining Ironically, often the best treatment for vitiligo is no treatment at all (Atkinson 2).

    In extremely extensive cases the most practical therapy for vitiligo is to remove the remaining pigment with a cream called Benoquin. This treatment creates the pigmentation of an albino and is permanent. The therapy takes around a year to achieve complete depigmentation. .(American Academy of Dermatology 3, "Michael's Malady" 2).

    Vitiligo can definitely shatter a life, even though it is not biologically life-endangering. It is in no way debilitating, except mentally. Vitiligo, while not deadly to the body, damages the spirit. Most vitiligo patients suffer some degree of emotional trauma related to the condition. The condition can be severely humiliating in a society that is inclined to associate attractiveness and good health with suntanned skin. Feelings of inadequacy, loss, frustration, and rejection are common for those afflicted with the disease. Self-consciousness and a lack of self-esteem are also typical sensitivities developed as a repercussion of vitiligo (Atkinson 2-3). Because of the change in appearance, shrinking from socializing is often an effect of the condition as well.

    Testimonies from patients show that when they do invoke the courage to venture out into public, they commonly face stares and displays of discomfort by others. Sufferers also face questions such as "What is wrong with you?" or "Were you burned in a fire?" (Geraldo).

    Make-up conceals blotches; however, when persons suffering from vitiligo wash their faces at night the pain felt is devastating. Pauline-Martell Smith, a sufferer of vitiligo, attests, "The activities we perform each day-waking up, washing our faces, brushing our teeth, getting dressed-seemed routine. But they no longer were for me. Each morning I had to confront anew what I saw as my abnormality. I felt that fate had singled me out for cruel and unusual punishment" (Martell-Smith 1).

    Vitiligo cannot be felt, smelled, heard, or tasted. It can only be seen. In the dark, alone, or with close family and friends, it is generally not a problem. Usually it is a problem when with strangers or casual acquaintances. This is because everyone wants to be normal, and wants to be thought of as beautiful by others. Vitiligo is embarrassing because sufferers think others look down on them because of the way they look.. One vitiligo sufferer advises, "So, if we refuse to be embarrassed, or worry about what someone else may think about us, we don't have a problem. We may not have a complete cure for vitiligo at this time, but we can have a cure over our feelings about it. It is called mental attitude" (Geraldo).

    Since singer Michael Jackson revealed in 1993 that the color of his skin was not due to bleaching in an attempt to change his race, vitiligo has become a more publicly empathized ailment (Atkinson 1). Hopefully this has made it easier for those who suffer from the disease; although, no matter how much others understand their disease the physical effects of the condition will always cause mental anguish for those afflicted, until a cure is found.

  11. Re:Signature? on Linux Worm Spreading, Many Systems Vulnerable · · Score: 2

    Aren't those scans by hackers looking for trojan cow, or is there a worm for TC as well?

  12. Re:but, but, but on Linux Worm Spreading, Many Systems Vulnerable · · Score: 2

    This would be insightful if the bug wasn't patched by the many eyes a long time ago.

  13. Re:Signature? on Linux Worm Spreading, Many Systems Vulnerable · · Score: 2

    Hmm, I'm guessing you just posted the IP of a vulnerable box.

  14. Re:Sorry, thats BS! on Linux Worm Spreading, Many Systems Vulnerable · · Score: 2

    I didn't because someone on the Debian project did it for me a long time ago.

  15. Re:Open Source Vulnerable Too on Linux Worm Spreading, Many Systems Vulnerable · · Score: 1

    I've found the ability to look in the source code to be valuable from an administration point many times. Sometimes, something isn't working, but you get line numbers that allow you to look at the code to see where it's failing. From that, you can tweak your configuration.

    Some people say that a closed source version would have a better error message, but that's hasn't been my experience. It's more often that you get as cryptic an error but can't do anythig about it except search on the net for other people with the error message (often helpful, but a lot of "yeah I have that too, don't know why") or email it to support (rarely helpful, unless you like reinstalling everything).

  16. Re:That's a bit arrogant, dontcha think? on Linux Worm Spreading, Many Systems Vulnerable · · Score: 2

    Very well put.

  17. Re:Plot, splot on Star Trek: Pick A Plot · · Score: 2

    How about when he fixed the nuclear leak with a chocolate bar?

    Of course, if you want repetative plotlines, how about "the Transformers".

    Granted, the movie did shake things up a little. Plus it was a kids show

  18. Re:Obesity on Alton Brown Answers, At Last · · Score: 1

    In this part of Florida (which considers itself part f "the south"), a 1/4 chicken, big pile of fries, and a dessert are a small lunch. 1/2 chicken is more like it, although thats a average lunch, 8 chicken legs from BW3s is more like it.

    The dinners put those to shame. My wife and I will often just split an entre between us.

  19. Re:Obesity on Alton Brown Answers, At Last · · Score: 1

    Restaurant portions here in Florida are certainly a lot larger than they are in Ontario Canada. My estimate is about twice as large. I also found the Portugese meals to be about the same size as the Canadian meals. I can't comment on the rest of Europe since I haven't been there since I was 10.

  20. Re:Wise Words on Alton Brown Answers, At Last · · Score: 2

    The question is, though, are do they eat a lot because the food tastes better, or does the food taste better because they've eaten so much?

    This assuming the activity actually has a causual relationship to their eating.

  21. Re:No major news, and still a memory hog on Mozilla 1.2 Betas Start Flowing · · Score: 1

    Too big for me and I almost always use alt-left/right-arrow

  22. Re:Faked Footage on One Year After September 11 · · Score: 2

    I don't buy it either. If I were a Palestinian, you couldn't stop me from dancing in the streets.

  23. Re:I honestly cant watch any of the footage on One Year After September 11 · · Score: 2

    It was an unrban legend. The pictures were real.

  24. Re:OK, so why did it happen on One Year After September 11 · · Score: 1

    Read the link in my sig.

    Some stuff for the lameness filter.

    Some more stuff.

  25. Re:A few points on One Year After September 11 · · Score: 1

    It doesn' count because we gain from that trade. Buying stuff from people isn't aide, it's buying stuff. I don't fed the people at Hot Topic out of good will, I do it because I like their clothes and want to own them.