As someone who has written Windows drivers I can tell you that this isn't true.
All you need to write basic drivers is a $150 certificate to sign them with. The user will see a warning about "Do you trust $COMPANY?" when installing, but they will install and work fine. It's a good compromise and gives some basic security for modules that operate in the kernel space and were often used by malware writers. It's a lower bar than required to get an app onto iOS, for example, as Microsoft don't check anything. You just need to buy the cert from a vendor who does a few basic checks to see if you are who you claim to be (e.g. name on certificate matches corporate email address/web URL).
You can buy a more expensive type of cert that makes the warnings go away. It involves more detailed checks. You can also get your drivers WHQL certified, but that isn't by any means a requirement for them to work. They just get a nice logo and can be put on Windows Update for automatic download and installation.
And yes, there is a developer mode that lets you use unsigned drivers for testing or your own purposes if you really don't want to pay. It's not a perfect system but it has reduced driver based malware significantly while not placing a particularly large burden on companies like mine that just need to sign a few drivers for their low volume products.
I think it's pronounced "Rape-y Scan".
Can someone explain why websites being targeted don't submit bulk count-notices in response? There is no penalty for that either, other than inviting a lawsuit. Since most of the sites are not in the US and have no assets there they presumably don't care about US lawsuits anyway.
Fortunately they don't have a monopoly in Helsinki, or almost anywhere that has really good public transport. It's pretty much a requirement of the system not sucking.
This is why you should avoid using US based hosts and registrars. Pick one that isn't subject to the DMCA and can ignore takedowns sent to it.
I've had a couple of DMCA takedown messages. Sometimes I just respond with "wrong jurisdiction, dipshit", but sometimes I try to string them along for a while since lawyer time costs them money.
The problem is the amount of planning and control that would be needed. To make smaller areas viable to live in they need really good and really cheap transport links, as well as a minimum set of high quality services. For example, it would require there to be a certain number of local doctor's surgeries so that people don't have to travel far just to see one. That isn't too bad if you have socialized healthcare, but in many places such practices are businesses run for profit and won't want to operate in unprofitable areas.
They are not suggesting getting rid of private vehicles completely, just making public transport so good that no-one really needs them most of the time. And yeah, Finland is one of those countries where people treat public property with respect.
Japan is similar, and it's pointless having a car in Tokyo for many journeys.
I prefer hearing "we don't want to hire you because you're gay" to lame excuses, or worse, ending up in a workplace that doesn't accept me.
I don't know what the law is like where you live but if someone said that here it would be illegal. They would likely be prosecuted for discrimination, and you could sue them personally too. I really don't see how that is worse than just accepting you can't get some jobs because of your sexuality.
I'd make the comparison with being black. I don't think many black people would agree that simply accepting overt discrimination is better than having laws and a society that supports equality for them, even if they still have to fight from time to time. Unlike you they can't hide the fact that they are black either.
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/p_...
If the government doesn't act on your behalf you can attempt a private prosecution. It's not easy but it does sometimes happen.
Don't you have private prosecutions in the US? Sure, they cost money, but in cases like this there are usually plenty of interested parties willing to chip in.
Remember, UNIX spelled backwards is XINU. -- Mt.