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Slashback: Heat, Thought, Time
from the finest-corinthian-leather dept.
It's the incredible edible, heavy-investment waffle double gainer! steevo.com writes: "Intel has decided to stay with Rambus. Say it ain't so! Details are at C-NET.
Time was when ... wilkinsm writes: "When I tuned my shortwave to 5 Mhz today, I learned that NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) is currently doing a open survey on the time and frequency user community. I encourage all of you unix admins that use the network time protocol to show your support and fill the online survey out."
Has the code been tossed out with the bathwater? nonAI writes: "The Israeli company, which promoted a competition against an AI, closed its gates, as reported by an Israeli economic magazine (sorry, babelfish doesn't help). That's the end for the Child Machine HAL."
Now imagine you know of a freewheeling, opinionated discussion board ... Wael Islam, a member and volunteer with IslamWay.com, writes with some words on the objections B'nai Brith Canada raised to postings on IslamWay's message boards.
"In IslamWay.com discussion board we've more than 4000 Member and at the time of the media attack there was more than 28,000 posts!! Bnai Brith didn't only take one of the posts, but even took a statement out of context to prove that IslamWay.com is a terrorist website! ...
... The discussion post was between two people who were fighting each others by words, one called the other one that you are a hypocrite, so the other one was very angry so he told him - I'm just giving the meaning- : Let's see who is the hypocrite, Come with me to Afghanistan and let's train ourselves there .. so the person meant that army exercises will be a way to prove who is the coward and who is the brave!"
The people who attacked IslamWay.com based on the Discussion Board post didn't clarify that it was mentioned in the discussion board, and they just said a post on IslamWay.com."
Of course, we could require that all public communications be approved in advance, licensed, and inoffensive.
Please resume watching your educational audio-visual materials. echoSpades writes: "I guess I wasn't the only one to be annoyed with Apple's DVD playback. Apple's website has a small text link to info about a class action suit against them: 'There is a proposed settlement of a class action lawsuit against Apple Computer, Inc. involving issues with DVD playback in earlier models of the Apple iMac DV, iMac DV SE and Power Mac G4 computers."
Slashdot is a hacker site (Score:3, Redundant)
Or neither is true. But the same argument has been used against both. The difference is, when Microsoft and the Church of Scientology attacked Slashdot, they used the DMCA. Islam Way was attacked with the threat of new legislation.
The fact is, every weblog is going to have a seamy underside [n3.net]. Hopefully the public will not be so easily swayed by emotion as to outlaw weblogs because of the comments posted by a handful of fools.
As long as Intel gives us the choice (Score:5, Insightful)
Intel stays with Rambus (Score:1)
This of course isn't to be critical of Intel, they're just trying to cover their hiney, but it is to mention WHY they would.
Child Machine HAL (Score:1)
That's a babelfish phrase if I've ever seen one.
Already fixed... (Score:5, Interesting)
This software was available as a free download. I believe it was even included with the Software Update control panel (so that with minimum user input, it would update itself), also as a free download.
So now Apple settles this lawsuit, and they have to provide the software for free (been there, done that, now they just have to provide the CD) and provide support on the update.
It seems that the only real winners in this lawsuit are the lawyers. Apparently they get a cut based on possible takers. So they figure there are 100,000 people effected by the bum software. They figure that 20,000 might take Apple up on their over-priced offers. They get a cut of those 20,000 people's purchases, even if they do not actually buy the items in question.
Strange...
Anyway, this just shows commercial software places "Do not 'Release early, release often.'" - you might get sued if it is too buggy, even if you provide free updates.
We wouldn't have war if everyone was cold... (Score:2, Funny)
All part of the master plan... (Score:2, Interesting)
one way to get traffic (Score:2)
Like we have never seen this before.!
But be sure to thank them for the free advertising! Especially once it is made clear the the comments were rhetorical questions in the middle of a heated discussion.
The may feel rather silling about it after the fact.
Rambus is fine! (Score:2)
I don't know why Intel is cutting its own throat, tying its processor to the most expensive memory around, especially since that same memory is holding the processor back. I suppose they signed some agreement years ago and now they're stuck.
IslamWay.com (Score:1)
Nevertheless, it is very irresponsible to misrepresent a statement deliberately.
For example, I could take the quote above and claim Slashdot is about to sensor posts. Ridiculous, yes, but to an outsider it makes sense.
The price of greatness is responsibility.
Regarding IslamWay (Score:4, Interesting)
This leads me to two questions:
1) From all that we have seen on the news lately with Islamic scholars, Islam means peace and the Q'uran teaches that a Muslim should respect his Christian and Jewish brothers and love them since we all come from the same God. It goes back to Islam teaching that Abraham and Jesus were in the same vein as Muhammed as prophets. Why is then that there is such a thread of hate when it comes to Muslims and Jews? I understand the biblical aspect of the conflict (It goes back to Cain and Able if I remember my studies). But sitting that aside, why the hate?
2) Again, on the news, we keep hearing that true Islam does not teach Jihaad but the concept had to come from somewhere, correct? I can't find any unbiased reporting and I don't have a copy of the Quran here with me to check myself. If Jihaad is indeed mentioned in the Quran, what are the circumstances surrounding it and what are the justifications.
I understand that many Muslims are saying that Bin Laden has hijacked TRUE Islam but where did he get the ideas for Jihaad? Where did this all start? (not his hatred of the US but the concept of a holy war at all costs.
Further more, I've read all the passages about killing innocents and how it is forbidden but if a Jihaad is allowed does that bypass that rule?
I guess this is really a question for someone versed in Islamic apolegetics but it can't hurt to ask.
And no one post any bullshit condeming all religions and the typical comments we get on slashdot about religious people being sheep. It doesn't float.
Re:Regarding IslamWay (Score:4, Interesting)
It goes back to ancient Rome. When Rome uprooted the Jews for defying them (though I can't remember WHY), they let the Arabs move in. Starting around WWII (I believe), Zionism, or the desire for a Jewish homeland started to grow. The Allies (mainly England) said they would support Zionism for their support in WWII, but later gave the issue to the UN. The UN created Israel (sp?), uprooting the Arabs. Who had the right to the land? Both.
2) Again, on the news, we keep hearing that true Islam does not teach Jihaad but the concept had to come from somewhere, correct? I can't find any unbiased reporting and I don't have a copy of the Quran here with me to check myself. If Jihaad is indeed mentioned in the Quran, what are the circumstances surrounding it and what are the justifications.
Could this be the equivalent of the Crusades in the middle ages?
I understand that many Muslims are saying that Bin Laden has hijacked TRUE Islam but where did he get the ideas for Jihaad? Where did this all start? (not his hatred of the US but the concept of a holy war at all costs.
Further more, I've read all the passages about killing innocents and how it is forbidden but if a Jihaad is allowed does that bypass that rule?
This is a question that is NEVER taught in schools, but should be. Any "holy" war is a economic war being excused for religious reasons. This is used to encite the people to fight. During any "holy" war you will hear a protest, "Would God want us doing this?". The Jerry Falwells of the world use the Bible to push their opinion; why can't the economy?
Another level to look at it is this:The US, with their powerful economy and military, are the "Great Satan," because they deny, through not passing an "equal" share of the money (namely, that which would make the US and Arabs equally economically powerful).
I'm a senior this year, yet I have never had a social studies teacher come out and say "God is their excuse for war".
BTW, hate to say it, but all religions are the same. I believe in a God, but have yet to find a religion which I don't take exception with for some supposedly moral practice. God and religion are two seperate things, and if and when everyone realizes this, the world will be a better place.
Re:Regarding IslamWay (Score:5, Interesting)
I am getting my information out of a book called "Teach Yourself Islam", written by Ruqaiyyah Maqsood. It is a beginners guide to Islam and the Muslim way of life.
Actually, I think you're thinking of Isaac and Ishmail. From TY Islam:
TY Islam regarding Jihad:
It seems to me that the concept of jihad has been completely twisted by extremists to serve their ends. The only conflict that truely fits the description of jahad is the Afghan war against the Soviet invasion.
Whew! Close call! (Score:3, Funny)
intelligence standards (Score:2, Funny)
GWB: organic intelligence by some Americans.
funny how their fake "18 month old healthy baby boy" seems to have more decision making power and intelligence than our "uh, uh, um, uh, uh..."* pres.
woops. unity, right, not diessention, sorry.
*as quoted today in yet another mind poppingly whiny, gramatically incorrect, uninspiring presidential speech.
Canadian Parliament says no liberty crackdown (Score:2, Insightful)
Jean Cretien: We will not curtail freedoms in this country in order to stop terrorism. Airport inconveniances, sure, but he very strongly said that we could not benefit from a reaction out of fear and hate, and that while a responce was deserved, we would not let anyone force us into an action that was not well thought out.
Stockwell Day: This action must be resolved, and it will be resolved (quoting Sir Winston Churchill) through 'blood, toil, sweat, and tears', but we will not give up our way of life, because when terror is allowed to flourish, the terrorists have won.
Alexa McDonough: Terrorists thrive on martyrs, and we must provide a measured, thought-out, and diplomatic action to counter this threat of terrorism.
Joe Who?: We must seriously reconsider things in this country, and not hold anything over if it needs to be changed - including funding for areas of government, laws, and so forth.
All in all, some quite rousing speeches (considering who was giving them), and definitely a lot that made me feel proud to be Canadian. What Ottawa's responce will actually be, we will have to wait and see.
--Dan
Where to look & Not God's War (Score:2, Offtopic)
On with tonight's rant:
There is a lot of debate, analysis, planning, work, sacrifice and struggle ahead for America in its battle against global terrorism. The first few days, in the wake of the September 11, 2001 tragedy, I saw well reasoned debate, much of which I agreed with. America seemed to have the right attitude about rooting out the fanatical zealots that had wrought so much death, destruction, suffering, and which if unchecked will cause far more. Four or five days later I see we are dangerously off message. Everywhere I look now I see American flag waving, and often accompanied with the phrase "God Bless the USA."
Nationalism and religious extremism is what motivated these misguided men. We must not answer it with nationalism and extremism of our own. This must not become Our-God versus Their-God. Say that we have one of the best governmental systems in the world, if not the best, and I will not argue. Extend this to say we are right and just because God favors our form of government or vise versa, and you will be no better than they, using religion to guide us into acts of retribution instead of justice.
Am I saying not to retaliate? No. I think terrorism must be rooted out everywhere for the sake of a safer and most just world. We cannot stop at fighting Islamic extremists in middle-east locations. We must tell the IRA, no more. We must look within our own borders and stop soldiers of fortune, eager to engage in the fight for the sake of the fight. We must not turn a blind eye to the plight of lower Africa just because we have no pressing concerns there, not just because it is right, but also because one day we will have interests there.
We must make sure our governmental agencies are not funding terrorists for short-term goals by calling them freedom fighters. Perhaps they are, but if we support them covertly, we are no better than those we must now deal with. If a cause is just then America must not be secretive or indirect in its support. We may have to choose our fights, and these may from time to time involve the practicality of considering if American interests are at stake (we cannot be everywhere at one), but the first question must always be "is this just?" The second question must then always be "is this a just way to achiever our goals?"
I warrant if you where to burn an American flag in public at the moment, you risk being put in the hospital if not the morgue. My point is not the burning the American flag is a good thing to do, but that it is easy to do the absolute wrong thing for what you think are just reasons, in this case assaulting someone because they have disrespected a symbol you hold dear. Certainly, the terrorists that have fought and died think they are doing the right thing. Dismissing them as evil, and making their Holy War our Holy War will pull us down into a morass from which there is no escape.
War must from time to time be waged by freedom loving people, but don't do it in God's name and don't make the American flag a surrogate for God. God is not for war of any kind. Most of Christianity's most cherished biblical figures are martyrs that refused to fight. I do not advocate turning the other cheek in this case, but to persecute a war with God in the rallying cry will surely keep us from our most basic goal here -- to prevent religious fanaticism from motivating men to barbaric acts.
What Bnai Brith is really after... (Score:3, Insightful)
HAL is alive (Score:2)
Their site [a-i.com] is up, the Machine Learning Challenge [a-i.com] is still under way and there is even a new article [a-i.com] about HAL, with logs of HAL's interactions with its teachers.
Since no link was supplied, I think it is safe to assume for now the original poster is just misinformed.
What If IslamWay.com Really Was A Terrorist Board? (Score:3, Insightful)
What If IslamWay.com Really Was A Terrorist Board? Wouldn't it be better to leave it in place and have the CIA monitor it?
In the wake of the attacks, there are just far too many people letting their emotions do the driving.
Take the attacks on Arab-Americans for instance. Not only are these vigilante idiots mistaking Sihks for Moslems, they are totally forgetting what Arab-Americans (even if persecuted) will probably end up doing for us in ways that we can only begin to imagine and may never know about becase many operations will be secret.
What am I talking about? I'm talking about the Tuskeegee Airmen, The Navajo Code Talkers, and the Japanese "Nisei" who fought in Europe.
If you don't understand the last paragraph, do some reading and get back to me. Then let me know if it still makes sense to vandalize Mosques and shoot people who look like Arabs.
open letter to B'Nai Brith Canada (Score:2, Insightful)
I'm deeply disturbed at the news I'm reading on the tech websites that B'Nai Brith Canada is treating a single incident of exagerrated speech as a call to terrorism, and in turn accusing the website where such speech occurred as itself encouraging terrorism and thus liable to hate speech controls.
As an avid internet user for the past ten years, I have grown used to childish excesses of speech. These are a small cost to pay for genuine free exchange of ideas. Any effort to require editorial control of public exchanges on the internet is tantamount to the elimination of the new freedom that the internet affords every individual, to be a publisher as well as a consumer of information. No one can police any facility that allows people to say what they will - there are too many people.
In these grim times, it is good to remember that there are good people and bad people in every community. I don't want all Jews to have to shut up because one Jew may say something offensive, however offensive it may be. I can't see how we can rightfully do anything but extend the same right to every other community.
The internet allows people to contact people, to break out of the narrow constraints of the mass media. If we are to ever learn to live together in peace, there is hardly a better tool. The new freedom of speech that the internet affords has its costs, but its potential is enormous. This is a delicate time in the history of the internet, as many people are focussing on the difficulties and ignoring the immense potential.
The tragic events of the last year and especially the last week result from too little communication, not too much. Please don't join the forces that want to limit communication to the few and the powerful.
sincerely
Michael Tobis, Ph.D.
Submitted for you consideration: (Score:2, Interesting)
2. bin Laden is the head of a very sophisticated terrorist organization with contacts all over the world.
3. bin Laden probably uses highly sophisticated communication equipment to keep in contact with his network
4. bin Laden has eluded caputure for the last 10 years.
5. bin Laden is the prime suspect in the greatest acts of terrorism in history.
and finally
6. bin Laden is using a public web site that even my grandmother could monitor to recruit members to his cause.
Point 6 doesn't quit fit.
If You Owned As Many Rambus Options ... (Score:1)
apple class action. (Score:1)
Someone was too dumb/lazy to download the patch to the DVD player application and sued Apple.
Everyone with one of these models of Macintosh gets a fifteen dollar discount on a mouse or keyboard, or some equally ludicrous discount on painfully overpriced software.
Thanks, Apple, but I think rather than paying the "discounted" 44 dollars for one of your piece of shit no-button lucite mice, I'll just stick with my fifteen dollar Logitech three-button.
What a joke.
--saint
Another option for fans of HAL... (Score:1)
For those of you that might be interested, I just launched a new site dedicated to models of human language acquisition [greatmindsworking.com]. Over time I hope to provide a repository of relevant news on researchers, conferences, papers, and books from fields including A/I, computational linguistics, developmental psychology, machine learning, and cognitive science.
I will also use the site to share information about my own work. Like HAL, my model learns (and "learn" should always be taken with a grain of salt) from the bottom-up, but the words it acquires are grounded in visual perception. The basic idea is to resolve nouns to objects and verbs to actions/relationships in short spatial-motion videos. My work is based on work by Jeffrey Mark Siskind [nec.com], David Bailey [berkeley.edu], Jan Norris [lsu.edu], and Katherine Nelson [cuny.edu].
Upon completion of my dissertation, I hope to release some or all of the Java [sun.com] code for my model on the site [greatmindsworking.com].
RE: IslamWay (Score:1)
We need to be proactive and reach a decision regarding whether we (the world) are going to allow people --who refuse to adopt a peaceful frame of mind -- to continue to exist on this planet.
If it was my decision, I would wipe the entire middle-eastern bloc off the face of the earth -- preferably by carpet-bombing with 100 megaton, very dirty nukes. That way, after the survivors come out (as is inevitable) they would succomb to radiation-poisoning. Then start up a large Chevron station where the oil wells were.
Am I confused? (Score:1)
I'm not saying what Islamway is or isn't, but does this person honestly expect me to believe this was a challenge to a pushup contest?
Re:WTF? (Score:4, Informative)