xkcd, Devotion To Duty
167
xkcd really hit the nail on the head today.
xkcd, Devotion To Duty
Submission + - UK ID card service footguns with online ad 2
Aim Here writes: According to The Register, a new Flash advertisement for the controversial identity card system from the UK government's Identity and Passport service shows exactly how the card could be used by a tyrannical government. The ad shows a number of cartoon fingerprints claiming to be 'Spartacus', until the real ringleader gets singled out, presumably for crucifixion, by his identity card. One wonders how the obvious message 'Identity cards will make the world safe for slavery and government tyranny' was lost on the makers, or if the anti-cards pressure group 'No2ID' could have made better anti-card propaganda if they tried.
Submission + - Being penalized by employer for Facebook entry 2
jkyrlach writes: A friend of mine recently got written up by his employer for posting the following comment on his/her Facebook page: "I'm either a really well paid technical support person or a really poorly paid Integration Engineer. Either way, my new motto is 'Have you tried turning it off and back on again?' (from The IT Crowd)." I don't understand how this type of penalization can be legal. This friend lives in OH. Any recommendation, especially those of you with legal expertise, on what my friend should do? Isn't this a violation of his/her freedom of speech?
Submission + - The top ten techs to look forward to in 2010 (pcpro.co.uk)
Barence writes: Another year, another CES with a couple of overwhelming themes — this year seemingly slate PCs and 3D — but what else might be the big movers in 2010? PC Pro makes its annual list of the techs it sees making a difference this year, as well as looking back with a critical eye at last year's predictions.
Submission + - India to get new copy-right laws (medianama.com) 1
prayag writes: "India, is supposed to introduce a new copyright law. Despite opposition from broadcasters, the Indian government has approved the introduction of a bill to amend the Copyright Act of 1957 in a far-reaching step that will give artists and musicians protection, long overdue recognition and locus standi. According to the government's communique, the "Amendment is proposed to give independent rights to authors of literary and musical works in cinematograph films, which were hitherto denied and wrongfully exploited, by the producers and music companies."
The amendments are in line with international treaties such as the WIPO Copyright Treaty and WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty. Though India has not signed either treaty as yet, it is trying to align its laws with them."
The amendments are in line with international treaties such as the WIPO Copyright Treaty and WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty. Though India has not signed either treaty as yet, it is trying to align its laws with them."
Submission + - Privacy Issues Of Data Collecting (net-security.org)
An anonymous reader writes: Will 2010 see the beginning of a change in regulations regarding net privacy? It's hard to tell. The issue has been a matter for dispute for quite some time now, but there have been no significant steps toward dealing with it and the "enemy" is strong: money. The simple fact is that advertising is what makes free content possible. And, if we look at it from the marketers point of view, we can't but agree that they have to get something in return. But, looking at it from our common user perspective, we feel a little naked, a little vulnerable knowing that someone out there can use the gathered information to steer us towards choices we may wish we hadn't.
Comment Although heavy on subterfuge... (Score 2, Interesting) 252
I'd be willing to bet that it's actually an attempt to encourage probing/attacks on it's website /network. $40k is a pretty good incentive to try and find the answer sheet. Possible goals range from your traditional smoke-out-the-troublemakers-by-having-an-archery-contest to using it to identify skilled individuals for recruitment.
Comment Reminds me of a certain Redmond Company... (Score 4, Interesting) 171
Lotus Notes makes it clear where MS got their evil genes from. Because Lotus notes was released as both email client and MS Access equivalent, companies that adopteded it have found themselves hopelessly locked in. In the spirit of "getting things done" my company has allowed its users to create thousands of apps in our Notes system, making it impossible to ever switch to anything else. IBM has nice reliable income, and employees everywhere suffer.
Comment Why keep it external? (Score 1) 196
Why worry about getting a lot of graphics onto a small surface. Let's focus on the optical version of a cochlear implant. Just graft into the existing data stream and overlay extra information. We will need this technology anyway to help the blind, might as well get it developed and over with.
Comment Important Ingrediants for Terraforming (Score 1) 442
IMHO, the problem of terraforming lies not so much with current supplies (although it makes it much easier if these are not scarce) but with the planetary supplies of the materials for water, namely hydrogen and oxygen. Remember, water accumulation is accomplished through various geological and biological processes. One way water is formed/accumulated is through the formation of new plant and animal organisms. Introduce a population capable of thriving without off-world supplies, and the process of water accumulation will begin. This route is a little on the slow side, but it is much more economical than attempting to transport water in from off-world.
