Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 1 Nov 2010 @ 7:35am
Re: Who Stands to Benefit
I'd imagine the taxi companies would be all for this - think if they could eliminate most of their labor expenses while at the same time making their entire fleet of vehicles available 24/7. Big profits.
Once these things are proven safe and reliable, insurance companies will love them. They could offer marginally lower rates while greatly reducing their costs for accidents. Big profits. And if something goes wrong - you can bet they'll be suing the manufacturers.
Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 1 Nov 2010 @ 7:27am
Re: Re: Re: Re: Oh, please
"You don't have children, do you? I love kids, but they are absolutely not equal to adults in many ways other than physical power. Judgment, emotional maturity, ability to reason through consequences, etc. It is completely appropriate and necessary for the law to treat children differently from adults."
That same argument has been made in the past to deny civil rights to other groups including women and minorities.
Now, I'm not saying that a 3-year old should be able to scribble their name on a document in crayon and be liable for it - but be aware that '18-years and you're an adult' is completely arbitrary. I've known 16-year olds more mature than college graduates - and I bet you could find others pretty easily if you looked.
Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 29 Oct 2010 @ 12:40pm
Re: Ethics & Morality
I agree with much of what you said. But, in not being a Trekkie, you may have missed the competing debates/arguments on this theme that Spock and Kirk frequently had. Sometimes the needs of the few (or even the one) outweigh the needs of the many.
As a default standard, going for the greatest good of the many is usually a good course. If taken to the extreme, however, it turns into a 'tyranny of the majority' and can be very bad for disenfranchised groups.
The ruling takes this into account - the second part where it says 'justified only by urgency, not expediency' refers to the balance that must be taken.
Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 25 Oct 2010 @ 2:15pm
Re: I say this is just a hoax
The football contains the different plans and scenarios for various nuclear launches. Plan 1: Nuke Moscow and everywhere else before the enemy can react. Plan 2: High altitude air burst to disrupt enemy communications. And such.
The card that this story is referring to contains a bunch of different sets of numbers. The President picks one of those sets when he first gets the card, it is programmed into the control systems, then he must repeat that same set to actually launch the nukes. That card is supposed to be on him at all times, and he is the only one that is supposed to know which set of numbers he picked.
At least, that's what Tom Clancy novels have in them - but he's usually right about how this stuff works.
Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 25 Oct 2010 @ 10:51am
Re: Re:
"Last I knew even WPA2 was crackable given enough time at the AP, so better use a VPN."
Since I'm a bit of a crypto-geek, I just want to point out that ALL encryption is crackable 'given enough time.'
Now, enough time may be 'until the heat death of the universe with current technology' but that doesn't mean that whatever encryption scheme you're using for a VPN is not crackable. And it also doesn't mean that some new technology couldn't be developed that could make all existing encryption obsolete (theoretical quantum computers, but I'm not holding my breath on those ever working the way some think they could).
Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 22 Oct 2010 @ 8:25am
Re: cryptonomicon
Cryptonomicon is my favorite book.
The idea isn't new, and unless things start getting better in the copyright/internet surveillance front, it is bound to happen eventually. At that point, there will be enough money to be made off a data haven that it will only be a matter of economics.
Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 21 Oct 2010 @ 11:56am
Re: Re: encryption
"it doesn't actually obscure or transcode data"
While a password in and of itself does not constitute encryption, nearly everything on a computer is encrypted or encoded in one way or another.
This is a big problem that archiving data runs into. After a certain time period, file formats and programs that can understand a particular encoding or encryption method are no longer available, even for open and once widely used formats.
Even if you don't accept open formats as encryption, all DRM systems are encryption. Can this guy not listen to old iTunes from a few years ago? Can he not watch DVDs or BRs on a computer? What about on a set-top box, since those are computers in every sense of the word.
All modern web browsers have encryption built-in - otherwise accessing your bank account online or purchasing something from Amazon with your credit card would be problematic. Guess he can't use a smartphone either, as most have web browsers.
This guy couldn't sit down at a hospitality computer where I work. All of our computers' hard drives are (or will be shortly) encrypted with a full disk encryption product. I know, I support it.
Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 19 Oct 2010 @ 8:37am
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
"Mike, I was commenting on the fact that as far as I have ever seen, you never side with the plaintiff. Can you point me to one of your posts where you thought the plaintiff was right to bring a suit? If not, I'll stand by my observation that you never think it's a good idea. If you want to disprove that, simply point me a counterexample."
Took me all of 3 minutes to do one search and find an article from 3 weeks ago.
While Mike didn't come straight out and say 'it is a good idea', so without putting word in his mouth, I would imagine that he agrees with the plaintiff in this case.
Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 15 Oct 2010 @ 8:06am
Re: Profiling?
Just because someone can play 'six degrees of separation' and link a random person to a terrorist does not make them a terrorist.
Due process? Innocent until proven guilty? Separation of powers? Oversight? In fighting the 'enemy' we are throwing away everything that made us different.
Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 14 Oct 2010 @ 3:02pm
Dammit Mike!
Mike, thanks a lot.
Now all of us who comment on Techdirt have to go sweep our cars, houses, secret workshops, and safehouses for bugs because you wrote about this story. :(
Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 14 Oct 2010 @ 2:51pm
Globe with arrow
If I had to make a wild guess, I'd say whoever designed the CDA copied from the CEG based on the globe with arrow image alone.
On the CEG page next to that image, it says 'Web Collect' - so someone obviously wanted an image that involved the 'world' wide web (for those that remember when the Internet was referred to by that name).
How a globe with an arrow relates to 'Recovery Specialists' - I'm totally lost on that.
Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 14 Oct 2010 @ 7:24am
Re: It's a risk you run when *copying*.
Ideas cannot be owned.
All art is built on the ideas and techniques of previous artists.
Without the ability to freely copy other artists, the only art we would have would be a few stone or wood sculptures of early hunter-gatherers and some cave paintings greater than 10,000 years old.
Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 14 Oct 2010 @ 6:50am
To Entrepreneur:
Nice job showing your target audience that you don't know how to innovate and instead are run by a bunch of lawyers who only know how to litigate.
On the post: Lessig Asks WIPO To Overhaul Copyright; Not Designed For When Every Use Is A Copy
Re-arranging deck chairs
Copyright law is like re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic as it sinks.
On the post: Getting Closer To Autonomous Cars: Vans Make The Trip From Italy To China
Re: Who Stands to Benefit
Once these things are proven safe and reliable, insurance companies will love them. They could offer marginally lower rates while greatly reducing their costs for accidents. Big profits. And if something goes wrong - you can bet they'll be suing the manufacturers.
On the post: Free Speech vs. Anonymity Gone Wild: Women Suing Joe Francis Fight To Remain Anonymous
Re: Re: Re: Re: Oh, please
That same argument has been made in the past to deny civil rights to other groups including women and minorities.
Now, I'm not saying that a 3-year old should be able to scribble their name on a document in crayon and be liable for it - but be aware that '18-years and you're an adult' is completely arbitrary. I've known 16-year olds more mature than college graduates - and I bet you could find others pretty easily if you looked.
On the post: Dedicated Fans Bring Movie Back To Life, Contributing $346k In Just A Few Weeks
Too bad
I'm still bitter.
On the post: Texas Supreme Court Cites The Wisdom Of Spock On Star Trek
Re: Ethics & Morality
As a default standard, going for the greatest good of the many is usually a good course. If taken to the extreme, however, it turns into a 'tyranny of the majority' and can be very bad for disenfranchised groups.
The ruling takes this into account - the second part where it says 'justified only by urgency, not expediency' refers to the balance that must be taken.
On the post: US Lost The Codes For Nuclear Launch For Months
Re: Re: Re: I say this is just a hoax
On the post: US Lost The Codes For Nuclear Launch For Months
Re: I say this is just a hoax
The card that this story is referring to contains a bunch of different sets of numbers. The President picks one of those sets when he first gets the card, it is programmed into the control systems, then he must repeat that same set to actually launch the nukes. That card is supposed to be on him at all times, and he is the only one that is supposed to know which set of numbers he picked.
At least, that's what Tom Clancy novels have in them - but he's usually right about how this stuff works.
On the post: Focusing On Google Getting Emails & Passwords Via Data Collection Misses The Point: Anyone Could Have Done It
Re: Re:
Since I'm a bit of a crypto-geek, I just want to point out that ALL encryption is crackable 'given enough time.'
Now, enough time may be 'until the heat death of the universe with current technology' but that doesn't mean that whatever encryption scheme you're using for a VPN is not crackable. And it also doesn't mean that some new technology couldn't be developed that could make all existing encryption obsolete (theoretical quantum computers, but I'm not holding my breath on those ever working the way some think they could).
On the post: Focusing On Google Getting Emails & Passwords Via Data Collection Misses The Point: Anyone Could Have Done It
Re:
On the post: File Sharing... In... Spaaaaaaace
Re: cryptonomicon
The idea isn't new, and unless things start getting better in the copyright/internet surveillance front, it is bound to happen eventually. At that point, there will be enough money to be made off a data haven that it will only be a matter of economics.
On the post: Visiting Australia? Make Sure You Tell The Customs Officials About The Porn On Your Hard Drive
Length of form?
On the post: Court Rejects Probation Rules On Teen That Ban Him From Using Social Networks Or Instant Messaging Programs
Re: Re: encryption
While a password in and of itself does not constitute encryption, nearly everything on a computer is encrypted or encoded in one way or another.
This is a big problem that archiving data runs into. After a certain time period, file formats and programs that can understand a particular encoding or encryption method are no longer available, even for open and once widely used formats.
Even if you don't accept open formats as encryption, all DRM systems are encryption. Can this guy not listen to old iTunes from a few years ago? Can he not watch DVDs or BRs on a computer? What about on a set-top box, since those are computers in every sense of the word.
All modern web browsers have encryption built-in - otherwise accessing your bank account online or purchasing something from Amazon with your credit card would be problematic. Guess he can't use a smartphone either, as most have web browsers.
This guy couldn't sit down at a hospitality computer where I work. All of our computers' hard drives are (or will be shortly) encrypted with a full disk encryption product. I know, I support it.
On the post: Google Told To Reveal IP Addresses Of Mean YouTube Commenters
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Took me all of 3 minutes to do one search and find an article from 3 weeks ago.
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100927/16595811186/privacy-international-plans-to-sue-acs -law-for-mishandling-information-on-those-it-threatened.shtml
While Mike didn't come straight out and say 'it is a good idea', so without putting word in his mouth, I would imagine that he agrees with the plaintiff in this case.
On the post: How Is It That A Random Comment On Reddit Leads To Your Friend Getting Tracked By The FBI?
Re: Re: Dammit Mike!
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20101003/23574911263/reuters-dumps-anonymous-comments-thr owing-out-a-bunch-of-babies-with-the-bathwater.shtml
On the post: How Is It That A Random Comment On Reddit Leads To Your Friend Getting Tracked By The FBI?
Re: Profiling?
Due process? Innocent until proven guilty? Separation of powers? Oversight? In fighting the 'enemy' we are throwing away everything that made us different.
On the post: Justin Bieber Connects With His Fans Via Shiny Nail Polish
Re: hi
On the post: How Is It That A Random Comment On Reddit Leads To Your Friend Getting Tracked By The FBI?
Dammit Mike!
Now all of us who comment on Techdirt have to go sweep our cars, houses, secret workshops, and safehouses for bugs because you wrote about this story. :(
On the post: Why Do The Various Copyright Pre-Settlement Lawsuit Factories Keep Copying Each Other?
Globe with arrow
On the CEG page next to that image, it says 'Web Collect' - so someone obviously wanted an image that involved the 'world' wide web (for those that remember when the Internet was referred to by that name).
How a globe with an arrow relates to 'Recovery Specialists' - I'm totally lost on that.
On the post: Could The Enterprise D Replica In Minecraft Be A Copyright Minefield?
Re: It's a risk you run when *copying*.
All art is built on the ideas and techniques of previous artists.
Without the ability to freely copy other artists, the only art we would have would be a few stone or wood sculptures of early hunter-gatherers and some cave paintings greater than 10,000 years old.
On the post: Entrepreneur Magazine Claiming It Owns The Word Entrepreneur?
Nice job showing your target audience that you don't know how to innovate and instead are run by a bunch of lawyers who only know how to litigate.
Next >>