If they choose to believe that non-interfering RF is causing them great harm, what is the harm in allowing them to hold that belief? It appears they are only harming themselves in so doing; outsiders can choose to visit other towns instead. Make no mistake that I don't agree with their ideas of Wi-Fi causing harm to humans, but I also don't see how their idea hurts anyone outside their own group.

Ignorance is harm in and of itself, let alone the idea that, if they choose to blame something on an incorrect source (cows are dying because witches) they remove the possibility of finding and fixing the actual problem. (Cows are dying because contaminated feed, water, disease, whatever).

"Blocked that as well, you never know what they spam you with..."

At present, the best way to update Windows 7 is to use Autopatcher. The Autopatcher group helps everyone avoid Microsoft's anti-customer "updates".

Microsoft's updates are usually poorly described. The business rules Microsoft has made for itself do not include being honest or complete in describing the control Microsoft wants over computers.

Mod parent up!!

If Microsoft had communicated more clearly, this discussion wouldn't be necessary. Microsoft is extremely badly managed.

You appear to be mistaking someone who is stating the facts of the situation for someone who agrees with the situation.

Laws should be written simly, cleanly, and transparently, and the security forces of a nation should be working for the greater good of the nation rather than against the native citizens of that nation.

As an aside, I have spent most of my working life working (both as an employee, and as a contractor) with a company that is alleged to have been a direct target of GCHQ.

-- Pete.

From the Intelligence Services Act 1994 you will see that GCHQ's powers are quite well defined.

This involves giving advice and assistance "to any other organisation which is determined for the purposes of this section" - which includes MI5 (Security Service) as they are a member of the Intelligence and Security Committee. And the constraints are:

The functions referred to in subsection (1)(a) above shall be exercisable only—

(a)in the interests of national security, with particular reference to the defence and foreign policies of Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom; or

(b)in the interests of the economic well-being of the United Kingdom in relation to the actions or intentions of persons outside the British Islands; or

(c)in support of the prevention or detection of serious crime.

Although their powers to activate a warrant under section 3(2)(c) may not relate to property in the British Islands, that doesn't mean that they cannot work with, and provide assitance to the Security Service (MI5) under section 3(2)(a). Do note that only 3(2)(c) [and 1(2)(c), which is identical except in reference to SIS instead of GCHQ] is excluded for GCHQ to use as justification for a warrant to snoop on property within the UK.

Just because people don't like the idea or that they find it unpalatable, that doesn't make it less true.

-- Pete.

The OP states that GCHQ is, "purported by officials to be focused on foreign intelligence and counterterrorism". Since when?

My understanding has always been that there are 3 main "legs" to British Intelligence:

• MI5 for internal security within the country
• SIS (aka MI6) for international security outside the country
• GCHQ for providing communication intelligence and security towards both of the above, and for advice on protecting key national infrastructure (via CESG)

In this context, GCHQ should have always been providing internal communications intelligence for MI5, I'm not sure why this should be news to anyone?

-- Pete.

Unless you want to spend several months a year of your life auditing inefficient "charity" organizations and trying to make judgments about whether they're doing it right and spending your dollars wisely...and hey if you think you're good at that you should probably start your own charity. But if you do, everyone will expect you to work for free. It's a viscous circle.

Donate your time, you'll meet people too.

Unless you're a multi-billionaire, then start a foundation and direct where the money goes.

The term you're looking for is 'stress inoculation.'