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Slashdot Keybindings, Dynamic Stories 220

We've been working hard on the new dynamic Slashdot project (logged in users can enable this by enabling the beta index in their user preferences). I just wanted to quickly mention that there are keybindings on the index. The WASD and VI movement keys do stuff that we like, and the faq has the complete list. Also, if you are using Firefox or have Index2 beta enabled, you can click 'More' in the footer at the end of the page to load the next block of stories in-line without a page refresh. We're experimenting now with page sizes to balance load times against the likelihood that you'll click. More features will be coming soon, but the main thing on our agenda now is optimization. The beta index2 is sloooow and that's gotta change. We're aiming for 2 major optimizations this week (CSS Sprites, and removing an old YUI library) that I'm hoping will put the beta page render time into the "Sane" time frame (which, in case you are wondering, is several seconds faster than that "Insane" time frame we're currently seeing).

Comment Re:No proof yet... (Score 1) 1056

Autism rates are not climbing, the types of 'disabilities' classified as autism are climbing. Like ADHD = autism, shyness = autism.

You know, if you didn't feed your kids a pound of sugar a day and then not let them run around or interact during recess, they probably wouldn't be hyperactive twits with no friends.

Feed Techdirt: A Patent-Holding Software Engineer Explains Why Software Patents Harm Innovation (techdirt.com)

It's no surprise that many technologists and engineers dislike software patents -- even as their company's execs and lawyers push them to get more patents. Stephen Kinsella highlights an anonymous comment from a software engineer who clearly works for IBM (though he doesn't come out and say that directly), where he explains how IBM actively encourage engineers to file for as many patents as possible (it rewards them with monetary bonuses). This is not new of course -- an awful lot of companies do this. However, the guy goes on to explain why even though he holds patents and believes very strongly that his company makes and sells nuermous innovative products, he believes all this patenting is damaging to the process of innovation:

Speaking from my own experience, corporations (such as the one I work for) spend a lot of money to innovate. However, I would "press that button" and get rid of IP law immediately, given the chance. I agree completely with the arguements made in the article - as such, I'll just bring up a few other issues:

I think IP law is incredibly damaging to innovation and competition. In the case of software patents, moreso in that they take resources (primarily money which gets redirected to legal teams) from firms who are forced to research existing patens, and also defend themselves against IP lawsuits.

Many software patents are particularly silly. Many of these are issued for algorithms - the vast majority of the time, these algorithms are only available outside the company via patent! That is, when they are shipped externally, it is in a form that is not readable (object code). Sure - this can be reverse engineered. But for a particularly complex program or operating system, this in itself would be a colossal endeavor. Yet, a patent is issued for it - and the patent describes exactly what the algorithm does!

Another firm could look at the patent and use the invention. In most cases, it would be impossible to tell that they've "stolen" anything. Here they are counterproductive.

I should also mention the obvious - the corporation which holds the patent already has a huge advantage! They will ship a product with these innovations before any other corporation can ship its' product. Quite frankly it will generally be a significant period of time before another product can be shipped which contains these innovations - even if the innovation was immediately obvious and known. This will not generally be the case.

Then you have the patents for user interface - these are just silly. I've seen patents issued (granted, this was a long time ago) for using a particular color on a "dummy" terminal.

Anyway, I hope I do not sound like a hypocrite (because I hold IP patents). As I said, it is a part of my job. I also cannot fault my company for taking advantage of whatever silly laws are created. I simply view this as another case of the state interfering with the market, and the market adjusting to exploit the foolishness of the laws.
Well said.

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Government

Obama Edicts Boost FOIA and .gov Websites 400

Ian Lamont writes "The Electronic Frontier Foundation and the National Security Archive are praising President Obama's executive orders to make the federal government more open. Yesterday, Obama issued two memos and one executive order instructing government agencies to err on the side of making information public and not to look for reasons to legally withhold it. The moves are expected to make it easier for people to file Freedom of Information Act requests, and should also boost the amount of information that agencies place on their websites. The general counsel for the National Security Archive (an NGO that publishes declassified documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act) even predicts that agencies will use blogs to share information. Obama's directives reverse a 2001 memo from former US Attorney General John Ashcroft instructing federal agencies to generally withhold information from citizens filing FOIA requests."
United States

Researcher Finds No Link Between Violent Games and School Shootings 116

GamePolitics writes "A researcher at Texas A&M International University has found no link between playing violent video games and school shootings. Prof. Christopher Ferguson cites 'moral panic' and criticizes politicians, the news media and some social scientists for playing up what he believes is a false connection between video games and school shooting incidents. Quoting: 'Actual causes of violent crime, such as family environment, genetics, poverty, and inequality, are oftentimes difficult, controversial, and intractable problems. By contrast, video games present something of a "straw man" by which politicians can create an appearance of taking action against crime.'"
Portables (Apple)

Users Rage Over Missing FireWire On New MacBooks 820

CWmike writes "Apple customers, unhappy that the company dropped FireWire from its new MacBook (not the Pro), are venting their frustrations on the company's support forum in hundreds of messages. Within minutes of Apple CEO Steve Jobs wrapping up a launch event in Cupertino, Calif., users started several threads to vent over the omission. 'Apple really screwed up with no FireWire port,' said Russ Tolman, who inaugurated a thread that by Thursday has collected more than 300 messages and been viewed over 8,000 times. 'No MacBook with [FireWire] — no new MacBook for me,' added Simon Meyer in a message posted yesterday. Several mentioned that FireWire's disappearance means that the new MacBooks could not be connected to other Macs using Target Disk Mode, and one noted that iMovie will have no way to connect to new MacBooks. Others pointed out that the previous-generation MacBook, which Apple is still selling at a reduced price of $999, includes a FireWire port. Apple introduced FireWire into its product lines in 1999 and championed the standard."
Censorship

Nation-Wide Internet Censorship Proposed For Australia 424

sparky1240 writes "While Americans are currently fighting the net-neutrality wars, spare a thought for the poor Australians — The Australian government wants to implement a nation-wide 'filtering' scheme to keep everyone safe from the nasties on the internet, with no way of opting out: 'Under the government's $125.8 million Plan for Cyber-Safety, users can switch between two blacklists which block content inappropriate for children, and a separate list which blocks illegal material. ... According to preliminary trials, the best Internet content filters would incorrectly block about 10,000 Web pages from one million."
Patents

Submission + - IBM has found a new way to profit from patents (breitbart.com)

vandon writes: "Breitbart.com is running a story about a new IBM patent.
From the article "IBM Corp. says it has dreamed up a new method for profiting from its vast storehouse of patents. And by the way, the company wants to patent the idea.
Beyond the circularity of the concept, IBM's application is notable because the company — the world's top patent holder — has been campaigning to improve the quality of patent filings and reduce so- called "business method" patents. "
Read the full story here."

It's funny.  Laugh.

Submission + - If you've ever wondered why Brooklyn smells...

vandon writes: "The Consumerist is running a story about why Brooklyn smells like urine. From the article:
A postman threw what looked like a piss-filled glove right in front of us on the street yesterday.
We were rounding the corner of 5th ave and Union and passing right by a parked USPS truck. The postman inside tossed a blue glove out the door onto the asphalt, and we glanced over to see a yellow liquid pouring out.
Read the full story and see the pics."
United States

Submission + - DC circuit strikes down Washington DC handgun ban

-=Moridin=- writes: "A panel of the DC circuit today struck down the District's law that has denied new handgun permits since the 1970s and forces current owners to keep them disassembled, ruling 2-1 the law violates the Second Amendment. This is a significant decision, as the DC Circuit is generally considered to rank second only to the Supreme Court in terms of authority, and the Mayor of DC has stated that the District will appeal. For decades, the Supreme Court has avoided cases that would force it to rule on the scope of the Second Amendment. Will this be the case that the Supreme Court can't refuse?"

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It seems that more and more mathematicians are using a new, high level language named "research student".

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