Slashback: Python, Giveaway, Collection 194
Let's make this a closed collection, please. gmr2048 writes "In the WashTech section of the Washington Post there is a story about organizations (working with the Library of Congress) trying to catalogue and store web pages from the attacks of Sept 11, 2001. Towards the end of the article is this request for help: "...are developing a cataloguing system to help navigate the terrorist attack archives, and they are seeking the public's help in identifying Web pages that should be included. Their Web site is at www.webarchivist.org.
I thought slashdot'ers could lend a hand. I know I got most of my info the day of the attacks from /."
Hopefully, they will include Robert Liedlein's site. Lieblein writes: "Quick backstory, 4 or 5 years ago I shot footage for an IBM commercial down in the World Trade Center area. It was actually one of my favorite days that I ever spent in New York, just me and a camera. I kept thinking about that day after the tragic event. 5 years in New York city and only once was I right directly in the area that is ground zero, and I happened to have a camera and an objective of the day was to film the people, the energy, the life. A few days ago I finally found an old VHS tape that had about an hour of transfers of the footage. I knew I had that tape somewhere. I wanted to watch just for the reason of being able to go back there, to understand what it was like and what had happened. I realized that I had footage that was refreshing from the devastation we are all viewing and cut it into a 4 1/2 minute video. I hope the memory of the WTC alive and breathing life gives hope to a new day when that energy and vitality can thrive again."
Outliving the presumption of innocence. Keefe writes "I am sure that we all remeber the name Brian K. West. He is 24 year old sales and support employee for an internet service provider in SE Oklahoma. Mr. West alerted a local business to a serious security flaw in their website. The business had him investigated by the Justice Department for helping them fix a website security hole. The online community cried out to help him because of his innocence. It turns out that he actually was intending to modify the newspaper's Web applications -- written in the Perl language -- and modify them and market his own versions."
Patsy! Patsy! Patsy! (It's only a model.) Shere Ermilio wrote to point out that if you're interested in the Monty Python action figures hemos posted about not long ago, this could be your lucky month -- here's the link to Sideshow Toys' Monty Python giveaway for October. Those with spare cash and less hope can buy them the usual way. (And No, I'm not getting any free dolls ;))
Re:Speaking of WTC (Score:1, Interesting)
Free CD's you say? (Score:2, Interesting)
But that brings up a good question: How much does one donate to something like that, and what cost is that looking at? I got a deal with 100 CD's and cases for $0.50CDN apiece, but that was a deal. How much do you usually send? and where can I get some of those free CD's in the neverending quest to archive the internet (another noble pursuit)
The Danger of E-Records...? (Score:3, Interesting)
Proof? (Score:0, Interesting)
- Coward, Anonymous
WTC video (Score:4, Interesting)
Maybe its time is past... (Score:4, Interesting)
At this point, I think Linux has been around long enough, maybe it's time that people with slowband connections actually shell out for at least a CheapBytes CD or actually keep the companies that make distributions alive by buying a $40 box once a year. Is that really so much to ask?
Several companies still sell the cheap CDs, and I can't imagine too many people who can afford a computer that can't afford six bucks for the CD-ROM plus shipping. (Or whatever the total cost is...) Granted, there may be some "under-developed" countries who could use them, but the average teen or LUG member can afford to actually shell out a few bucks to help support the commercial efforts that support the software development.
It's one thing to buck insane licensing fees and want access to source code, it's another just to be a cheap-ass who is out to get everything for free. (This isn't a dig on the Free CD effort itself, they're trying to do the Right Thing. But I'd bet a lot of people sucking up the CDs could afford to buy one but instead take advantage of the generosity of others.)
Remember the WTC? (Score:2, Interesting)
That said, this bit of video brings up an interesting question that has crossed my mind: What will be the fate of the Center itself? While the focus has been on the destruction of the two main towers, the site itself is very large [npr.org].
I have heard various suggestions: the owner/developer of the property is considering putting up four new 50-story buildings; some are calling for the twin towers to be rebuilt exactly as they were. NYC officials have been quoted as saying that this is an opportunity for New York to rethink not only its skyline but its vision of itself.
I hope that whatever happens, it is something more interesting that another corporate filing cabinet. Of course there will be an extensive memorial (as well there should be), but doesn't the site deserve something at least as interesting as the twin towers were in the 60s? How about an arcology [arcosanti.org]? Ideas?
Re:Speaking of WTC (Score:2, Interesting)
Not quite as good a movie, but there are some good shots of the towers under construction when the thieves are
trying to fly the chopper they stole.
I saw that shit go up, never thought I'd see it come down.
Re:you are so confused (Score:3, Interesting)
First you say: Do you really think West "intended" to modify someone else's messy Perl script and make a business out of it? Seems pretty unlikely to me.
Then you say: I never defended the guy or made assumptions about his guilt or innocence.
Can you see why readers might be confused here? In the first statement you appear to be defending him and suggesting he didn't intend to commit a crime. In the second statement you are denying defending him.
If he's innocent, as you imply in the first statement, then the issue isn't whether it is a waste of money to prosecute him. The issue is that a miscarriage of justice occurred.
If he's guilty, which implies intent, then that intent becomes as big an issue as the value of what he stole. For instance, attempted murder receives a heavy sentence even though the victim may have suffered no actual harm.
In addition, this prosecution may have a deterent effect upon his future behavior, thus saving the cost of a more expensive prosecution in the future.
I'd say the taxpayers got good value for their money. Now if you were to argue that jail time in this case would be a waste of money, you might have a point.
WTC Life (Score:2, Interesting)
What about all the copy-protected streams? (Score:4, Interesting)
I think we should have a public archive law. All media that is distributed with copyright protection desired must make an archivable version of it available after N years. If the big money can shove stupid laws at us, we don't we shove some useful laws right back at them.
t.
WTC Image Now Transfixing (Score:3, Interesting)
I wanted to watch just for the reason of being able to go back there, to understand what it was like and what had happened
A few days ago, I walked by a local picture-framing store. They were selling a large framed picture of the skyline with the WTC towers intact and distributing profits to charity. As people walked by many of them, myself included, stood there transfixed by the image. Otherwise busy people stared at it for as long as 5 minutes. It seems like when you look at it, you can almost live in the yesterday for just a few more minutes.
Re:WTC Life : Pul-leeze ! (Score:2, Interesting)
May you find the way.
Jt
On further reflection.... (Score:2, Interesting)
If he was going to modify the script for profit, WTF would he notify the newspaper of the security hole?
I mean really, can anyone be _THAT_ arrogant and stupid?
Oh wait...who am i preaching to
</flamebait off>
Re:Speaking of WTC (Score:2, Interesting)
Since I've read that book, I probably should've remembered its cover. But, I didn't. Here it is [amazon.com]. Compare to this [time.com], which got a 2-page spread in Time's special 9-11 issue.
Re:WTC Life : Pul-leeze ! (Score:2, Interesting)
I think what the previous poster was referring to is people's tendency to mistake mawkishness for profundity, which, I admit, is tiring. For example,
Now, that's a shite poem. But, by virtue of being patriotic in this time of national fragility, it's beyond criticism.Wanker: Um, dude. That poem sucks.
Me: Apparently you don't realise the heart and love I put into that poem. Maybe it's not great art, but you need a serious attitude adjustment to say that it's not artistic. I know one thing... Until we understand and believe that every little thing that people create with their emotions, time, passion and love is art and respected for the effort the artist made, and until we all wake up and realise that the only thing worth doing is art, we will never be free of all of our hate, prejudice, intolerance, wars, poverty and destruction.
Re:government waste (Score:2, Interesting)
Isn't that kind of like saying "stealing a Playstation 2 from Toys R Us shouldn't be a misdemeanor. Toys R Us should just sue every shoplifter."
Well no, since stealing a Playstation 2 from Toys R Us deprives TRU from the benefit of that object. Hence there is a social policy issue that the state has an interest in prosecuting. That is, the "chaos" resulting from people going around and depriving people of their goods is contrary to public policy and so crimes are mandated. (I am not validating this position, just stating that it is the theory behind criminalising of certain acts. In the property case I find the justification straightforward, in the case of personal injury [battery, murder GBH] the justification is trivial. The criminalisation of economic wrongs is a development that disturbs since the justification is harder and many would argue [eg Nader] that it is more evidence of the socialasiation of corporate costs, but I digress)
It is important to note that the "criminality" of these property crimes is a function of the development of jurisprudence in England in the 18th century. Prior to that the only remedy for proprty related "wrongs" was a civil action. Clearly in this case, there was no "depravation" of utility since the company still had theor website _and_ they have the knowledge of the security flaw. So in fact they have a net utility gain out of this.
The fact that the guy was working on his own version of the code to remarket it, well, even if it is true, I don't believe in IP so good luck to him, once he publishes (or not if he too has security flaws) he is subject ot people taking his code and "improving" it themselves, so goose and gander my friend, goose and gander.