As an IT professional for a large corporation, I picked up a saying when working with internal users and external customers.
PICNIC
Problem In Chair, Not In Computer!
Does not matter if Linux(users are generally smarter, but not always), Mac(users think they are invincible), or Windows(mostly clueless with a decent batch that have common sense).
Unfortunately, Corporations "vote" with the check book. It is called campaign donations and high spending lobby groups they fund.
And according to the standard Congress/Senate critter, that is the only "voting" they listen to.
Re: Re: Pelosi has to protect the California Porn industry
While I agree with the basic sentiment in your post, your attack on a single political party is extremely narrow minded. One of the key players behind this bill(and main sponsor if I am not mistaken) is Lamar Smith, a Republican from Texas(much as this shames a Texas citizen and native).
Both parties are equally evident in backing this inane and utterly useless piece of legislation in addition to the Senate equivalent, Protect IP.
As a lucky user of FIOS from Verizon, my current connection is listed as 35Mb up and 35Mb down. Thru multiple test sites and times, i was able to confirm 37 to 40 down consistently and 30 to 33 up consistently. As part of a bundled package with TV and phone, retail cost is less than $150/mo before taxes/fee and includes the top tier base package and STB rental cost.
As a Texas resident and mostly proud of the State in which I live(excluding the political and judicial jackwagons that abound here), I take no offense to Chonno's eye rolling and rolled my own eyes at this.
While I completely agree that Corporate America has taken/been given an alarmingly large role in driving US Government Policy, you stance that this Blog is an astroturfing operation for anyone is ridiculous and asinine. Especially when you point to the Entities that advertise as evidence. This Site/Blog has to fund itself. They use online advertisements for such purpose. Large corporations are willing to spend the most on web based adverts. Ergo...this site shows adverts from large corporations.
There is no conspiracy. It is simple economics.
The CIQ software is removed from most custom ROMs for Android devices, AFIK. I have a Samsung Fascinate running CyanogenMod 7.1 and know it is not in there.
I know there are a lot of people who just want to buy a smart device and have it work, but if you value your privacy, you can remove unwanted bloatware/spyware from your devices with relative ease. There are numerous sites, blogs, forums with instructions for rooting, hacking and reloading your Android device. This does include a solid majority of current and legacy units. Even devices that have a "locked" boot loader(Motorola comes to mind) have been cracked for loading custom ROMs.
Best part, most include instructions and Binaries to reset the unit back to OEM stock with all crap reinstalled.
OK so by your logic, all websites devoted to racial prejudice are illegal if there are statements about proposed/supposed actions that are illegal? If on the site there are numerous comments similar to: "Let's beat/burn/torture all "pick your ethnicity/race" then the site should be seized and taken down even if there is no actual proof of illegal action?
I loathe racial/ethnic prejudice. It is a haven for the weak minded. However, free speech is free speech. I may not like it or its content, but it is allowed under our Constitution. When and if there is proof that the speech led to and incited criminal action, then it can be viewed as criminal. But, remember, this requires multiple points and pieces of evidence before the label "criminal" can be applied.
The pacifiers and stuffed animals are the least of it. You should see the dress/attire! What the video seems to show is tame compared to most Raves. Take all of the neon color and psychedelic artwork of the 60s and 70s, mash it up with anime themes and clown like makeup and you might get close!
Congress makes/passes the laws. Done by voting for Bills in both Houses and then submitted to the current President. The Supreme Court and its lower District and Appellate Courts have the power to define the law through cases and judgments. Sometimes they get it right, and sometimes they don't. This is all part of the checks/balances of our Government.
To speak to this particular case, Stephens Media is the Copyright owner. This gives them the "rights" granted by current copyright law. They "assigned" the right to litigate over to Righthaven, LLC. They did not hire/contract Righthaven as their legal representation. This has been made painfully clear to Righthaven and Stephens Media. From the linked articles and this blog, most, if not all, defendants had/have very strong Fair Use claims for their use of the copyrighted media in question.
This leads us to 2 conclusions. First, Righthaven has absolutely no standing in this case. If a suit was to have been brought, it should be Stephens Media filing the suit.
Second, as for the actual copyright issue itself, Fair Use is an allowed privilege and each of these cases would have had a considerable argument for such.
Richard, while I understand the sarcasm in your comment, please remember that Texas is the 2nd largest state in land area. Marshall, TX is barely a drop in the bucket for this state. Those of us who actually pay attention to common sense, the many news articles and related information surrounding IP law and it stupidities actually take a very dim view of these hill billies and ignorant backwoods bumpkins. Sad as this following statement it, I have found that regardless of birth place, or actual education achieved, many who have "moved" to the smaller East Texas towns have mysteriously misplaced, been robbed of, or otherwise lost most of their intellectual capacities.
"Secrets aren't toxic to democracy, people who can't leave well enough alone are."
Democracy and our particular flavor of it was based on openness of decision and rule. Unfortunately, our "government" at all Federal levels has become so biased by financial and political viewpoints that they are now unable/unwilling to disclose any information that would cast a negative shadow on their "well meaning" decisions. Honestly, we the people vote for city, state and federal representatives. They in turn, get to vote for other versions of representation(Federal Judges/various committees). However, you will notice over the last double handful of elections, the options we are given to vote for are usually the ones the media has jumped behind and have the largest financial backing. Doesn't matter their true platform. Until we, as a country and voting population, get well and truly educated on the specifics and valid backgrounds of each potential candidate and take the power out of the media and financial behemoths, we will continue down the same path. The insane part is, we keep expecting different results.
This is actually becoming reality. Of course, DVD players are also dropping in price, but that would be expected with older technology. I purchased my WiFi enabled, Netflix playing and other media source accessing BD player for $80.00 last Black Friday. Recently I have seen normal sales for Network connected BD players in the $50.00 range with WiFi units running around the $80.00 range on "normal" sales.
Honestly, as ignorant as I think this move by the Studio is, I can go catch a current release, non-3D, movie for $4/ticket at the local Cinemark theater during matinee times, which covers all show times prior to 6PM. Add in that we usually "bring" our own snacks and split 2 large drinks for a family of 4, our over all cost for the showing is about $25 or less for the Big Screen. If we want to see the 3D option it is only $7/ticket for matinee.
You make valid arguments. And in reality, you can already tinker with the ECM in your car(or at least some cars). Many people who wish to extract more performance from their car/truck already do so. There are many companies, some "approved" by the manufacturer and some most definitely not approved have software and OBDII cables that can hook into your car and you can use the software to tweak timing, fuel management, air management, and possibly even disable some of the newer safety features like traction control, stability assist, etc...
Like you said, these are gray areas, but if the customer wants it, the customer is going to get it one way or another. It is about time the manufacturers stop relying on outdated business models and start working with the consumer base.
Hell, Samsung gave versions of the Galaxy S II to CyanogenMod just so they could develop/produce their version of the Android environment for the phones. And please lets not get into the legal World War that the mobile phone manufacturers are waging at this time.
On the post: Leaked Memo Confirms Apple, Nokia & RIM Gave Indian Gov't Backdoors
Re: Re: The 4th
PICNIC
Problem In Chair, Not In Computer!
Does not matter if Linux(users are generally smarter, but not always), Mac(users think they are invincible), or Windows(mostly clueless with a decent batch that have common sense).
On the post: Capcom Tries To Tapdance Out Of Its SOPA Support, Blames 'Bad Journalism' For Its Own Statements
Re: Re:
And according to the standard Congress/Senate critter, that is the only "voting" they listen to.
On the post: More And More Internet Infrastructure Players Coming Out To Say How Bad SOPA/PIPA Are
Re: Re: Pelosi has to protect the California Porn industry
Both parties are equally evident in backing this inane and utterly useless piece of legislation in addition to the Senate equivalent, Protect IP.
On the post: A Bunch Of RIAA Label Artists Endorse MegaUpload... As RIAA Insists It's A 'Rogue' Site
Re: Re: SO proves that ALL files on Megaupload are legal?
On the post: New Report Debunks The 'Bandwidth Hog' Myth
Re: Re: Re: Re:
On the post: What What (In The Butt) Case Continues: Brownmark Told To Pay Viacom's Legal Fees
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
On the post: Don't Roll Your Eyes At This Post, Or You Might Violate An Anti-Bullying Law
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: No Homers alowed
On the post: Questionable 'Consumer' Group Releases Most Misleading Report Imaginable, Falsely Claiming People Support SOPA
Re: Re:
There is no conspiracy. It is simple economics.
On the post: May The Dolphin Be Unflogged: Paskistani Government Censors Texting
Re: no
On the post: CarrierIQ Fails At The Internet: Threatens Security Researcher With Copyright Infringement Claim Over His Research [Update]
Definitely possible to remove/get rid of
I know there are a lot of people who just want to buy a smart device and have it work, but if you value your privacy, you can remove unwanted bloatware/spyware from your devices with relative ease. There are numerous sites, blogs, forums with instructions for rooting, hacking and reloading your Android device. This does include a solid majority of current and legacy units. Even devices that have a "locked" boot loader(Motorola comes to mind) have been cracked for loading custom ROMs.
Best part, most include instructions and Binaries to reset the unit back to OEM stock with all crap reinstalled.
On the post: SOPA Will Have Grave Effects On The Health Of Hundreds Of Thousands Of Americans
Re: Why Canada prices are lower
On the post: Russian Internet Content Monitoring System To Go Live In December
Re: Repressive Governments
Sorry...could not stop myself. ;-)
On the post: ICE Seized 20 Domain Names For The NFL Over The Weekend
Re: Re: Re:
I loathe racial/ethnic prejudice. It is a haven for the weak minded. However, free speech is free speech. I may not like it or its content, but it is allowed under our Constitution. When and if there is proof that the speech led to and incited criminal action, then it can be viewed as criminal. But, remember, this requires multiple points and pieces of evidence before the label "criminal" can be applied.
On the post: California Politician Discovers That You Can't Ban Specific Type Of Music; Admits 'I Didn't Know What Was Going On'
Re: Raves?
On the post: Judge In South Carolina Poised To Dismiss Righthaven Suit There As Well
Re: Re:
To speak to this particular case, Stephens Media is the Copyright owner. This gives them the "rights" granted by current copyright law. They "assigned" the right to litigate over to Righthaven, LLC. They did not hire/contract Righthaven as their legal representation. This has been made painfully clear to Righthaven and Stephens Media. From the linked articles and this blog, most, if not all, defendants had/have very strong Fair Use claims for their use of the copyrighted media in question.
This leads us to 2 conclusions. First, Righthaven has absolutely no standing in this case. If a suit was to have been brought, it should be Stephens Media filing the suit.
Second, as for the actual copyright issue itself, Fair Use is an allowed privilege and each of these cases would have had a considerable argument for such.
On the post: Silicon Valley Patent Lawyers Set Up A Dog Park In Eastern Texas To Keep Cases There
Re: Re: Texas
Amen to this.
On the post: Silicon Valley Patent Lawyers Set Up A Dog Park In Eastern Texas To Keep Cases There
Re: Texas
On the post: What If A Court Gave An Important Ruling, But We Were Not Allowed To Know What It Was?
Re: Re:
Democracy and our particular flavor of it was based on openness of decision and rule. Unfortunately, our "government" at all Federal levels has become so biased by financial and political viewpoints that they are now unable/unwilling to disclose any information that would cast a negative shadow on their "well meaning" decisions. Honestly, we the people vote for city, state and federal representatives. They in turn, get to vote for other versions of representation(Federal Judges/various committees). However, you will notice over the last double handful of elections, the options we are given to vote for are usually the ones the media has jumped behind and have the largest financial backing. Doesn't matter their true platform. Until we, as a country and voting population, get well and truly educated on the specifics and valid backgrounds of each potential candidate and take the power out of the media and financial behemoths, we will continue down the same path. The insane part is, we keep expecting different results.
On the post: No One Wanted To Pay $30 For In-Home Movie Rentals... So Now Universal Will Try $60?
Re: Re: Re: Re:
Honestly, as ignorant as I think this move by the Studio is, I can go catch a current release, non-3D, movie for $4/ticket at the local Cinemark theater during matinee times, which covers all show times prior to 6PM. Add in that we usually "bring" our own snacks and split 2 large drinks for a family of 4, our over all cost for the showing is about $25 or less for the Big Screen. If we want to see the 3D option it is only $7/ticket for matinee.
On the post: Nintendo Thrilled To Have Game Copy Devices Found Illegal In France
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Like you said, these are gray areas, but if the customer wants it, the customer is going to get it one way or another. It is about time the manufacturers stop relying on outdated business models and start working with the consumer base.
Hell, Samsung gave versions of the Galaxy S II to CyanogenMod just so they could develop/produce their version of the Android environment for the phones. And please lets not get into the legal World War that the mobile phone manufacturers are waging at this time.
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