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Comment My experience (Score 1) 891

It was the constant crashing, the buggy feeling, So many problems with the drivers I really don't want to think about it. To get the computer to behave somewhat like I wanted I had to install extra software that were even more buggy with lots of annoying pop-ups. It felt very amateurish and slow, very very slow. So finally I decided to dump that crap Windows and install Slackware.

In the beginning it was a challenge, there was no gui and i didn't know any commands at all. "dir","c:", "help" all failed. I started typing random things and pressing buttons. "" was a great accident, there was a list of commands! I tried them all, started from the top. It was hard and frustrating but in the same time rewarding and exciting, uncharted territory! I had had enough of Windows so going back was not an option, at least not then. I have since tried Windows on a couple of occasions and it is like it always was. Even a clean installations is on its knees when you do just one or tho things at the same time. The gui is cluttered and the command line is horrible. That is just besides the lousy security and persistent buggyness. It feels so good it is physical to sit down in front of my Gentoo box, I'm in control again!

That was you meant, right?
The Internet

In the UK, a Plan To Criminalize Illegal Downloaders 382

krou writes "It looks like the launch of the UK Pirate Party came not a moment too soon. The Independent reports that Business Secretary Lord Mandelson is going to take a hard-line stance to preserve copyright after intense lobbying by the music and film industry. 'Under the proposed laws, Ofcom, the industry regulator, would be given powers to require Internet service providers to collect information on those who downloaded pirate material. The data would be anonymous, but serious repeat infringers would be tracked down through their computer ID numbers.' Prospective punishments included restricting internet access, either slowing down an offender's broadband or disconnecting them altogether, and fines up to £50,000. The Pirate Party came out against the scheme, calling it a gross invasion of civil liberties, while Tom Watson, the former minister for digital engagement, spoke out against the move, saying that the government should stop trying criminalize downloaders just so as to 'restore 20th-century incumbents to their position of power,' but should instead be 'coming up with interventions that will nurture 21st-century creative talent.'"

Comment Re:I don't understand (Score 1) 311

That is just plain wrong.
In my country we have cheap, fast broadband with no caps at all (only some form of caps on cellular internet). We have several large companies providing internet and they survive just fine. At my last place I lived we had 100/10 Mbit and at times I maxed it 24/7, for days. Cost $40/month. The only time I have ever heard an ISP complain was when internet traffic made a big dip when we got a new law helping the likes of MPAA. People got a bit scared and cut down on downloading. This ISP reasoned that if people use less bandwith they may settle for slower speeds paying less. This makes the ISPs' profits go down.

Comment Re:First Laugh (Score 1) 508

I like to talk to pretty but insecure girls on online communities, making them think I'm their friend but in reality I manipulate them to feel that they are worthless. Then I give them confirmation when they do what I want if you catch my drift.. This of course in no way makes me a "bad" person, I'm only doing this for my own gain like everybody else. At least I'm genuine. /S
Microsoft

Microsoft's Code Contribution Due To GPL Violation 508

ozmanjusri writes "While Microsoft presented its recent embrace of the GPL as 'a break from the ordinary,' and the press spoke of them as going to great lengths to engage the open source community,' as is often the case with Microsoft, it turns out they had an ulterior motive. According to Stephen Hemminger, an engineer with Vyatta, Microsoft's Hyper-V used open-source components in a network driver and the company released the code to avoid legal action over a GPL violation. Microsoft's decision to embrace the GPL was welcomed by many in the open source community, but their failure to honestly explain the reason behind the release will have squandered this opportunity to build trust, something which is sadly lacking in most people's dealings with Microsoft."

Comment Re:debate rules (Score 1) 197

Considering the only people motivated enough to participate in such an apparent flame-fest are going to the people who lives in the illusion that their favorite language really is the best. Therefore if they can only come up with good enough arguments the others will finally understand and be enlightened. Of course they will be frustrated when the others don't listen properly and instead tries to argue for their painfully sub-standard choice. So in more and more desperate attempts to break through they will use increasingly more provocative arguments quickly deteriorating the whole mess in minutes. They wont last an hour.
Microsoft

Microsoft Releases Linux Device Drivers As GPL 362

mjasay writes "Microsoft used to call the GPL 'anti-American.' Now, as Microsoft releases Hyper-V Linux Integration Components (LinuxIC) under the GPL (version 2), apparently Microsoft calls the GPL 'ally.' Of course, there was little chance the device drivers would be accepted into the Linux kernel base unless open source, but the news suggests a shift for Microsoft. It also reflects Microsoft's continued interest in undermining its virtualization competition through low prices, and may suggests concern that it must open up if it wants to fend off insurgent virtualization strategies from Red Hat (KVM), Novell (XEN), and others in the open-source camp. Microsoft said the move demonstrates its interest in using open source in three key areas: 1) Make its software development processes more efficient, 2) product evangelism, and 3) using open source to reduce marketing and sales costs or to try out new features that highlight parts of the platform customers haven't seen before."
The Courts

Australian Website Bans ... Australians 247

Nazlfrag writes "Earlier this month the blog and discussion forum ZGeek was sued for $42 million AUD over a user's comment. The plaintiffs are aspiring movie producers who claim to have lost a movie deal due to a 9/11 conspiracy discussion thread. Even though the initial lawsuit has been thrown out, and the company complied with lawyers' demands by taking down the offending posts, it is believed the plaintiffs will file suit again. In addition to suing the forum, in an Australian first they have been granted an injunction to force the ISPs to disclose the IP addresses of the two posters involved. Due to the risk of incurring even greater legal costs the company is closing its doors in Australia, and will ban their fellow countrymen from posting there again."

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