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Comment Re:Security by obscurity (Score 1) 112

Someone who has a problem with private code voted my initial post down to troll.
Interesting
What I was trying to point out is that private encryption can be much more secure than public.
obviously there needs to be oversight.
A carefully managed system with a private encryption system can be very safe, and far less costly than an open one. But it does mean you can't publish the code.
Given the recent heartbleed issue. How secure is open source?

Comment Security by obscurity (Score -1, Troll) 112

A system that few know is far more secure than an open one.
Quit trying to find fault with those who legitimately desire security over openness. Not every close system is suspect.
The stupidest mickey mouse cypher will thwart some of the best hackers, if they don't know the algorithm.
For those that say the count must be open. How can a secret ballot be open? At some point you have NO control. You HAVE to trust someone. If you don't, go home.
Rigging elections is ancient, been done for thousands of years. Computers are just the new toy on the block.
It comes down to if the people that run the system want to game it they can. Actually it's easier to mess with paper ballots. Messing with software leaves a trail.

Comment Energy Use? too short a time frame (Score 1) 710

I've been deliberately conserving my energy use. Adding insulation. Only using room air conditioners (Any one with central air needs to get a clue). For over 2 decades.
Not perfect, but trying to strike a balance. The AC runs less than a few weeks a year.
I'm not sure what this study is about. Probably someone is trying to game the system.

Comment Re:It was bound to happen (Score 1) 163

For the guy that's done time. Most likely he has to admit he has.
For the average person caught in this, this isn't likely to make a big difference. They can't afford the costs of trying to have their records hidden. And for the most part, no one cares, beyond the obvious.
This is about RICH, WEALTHY, individuals who have been reasonably damned, and want to hide it.
Can't sue for slander in the US if it's true.
The EU seems to have a different opinion of past records.
Not that it really maters. The EU ban only applies to EU sites. Simple enough to proxy around to get the details. It only deters the casual browser.

It's a brave new world. Despite some country's laws, you don't have the right to be forgotten. Until every country enacts such laws, you're out.
There are other similar battles, will be interesting to see which island wins.

Comment It was bound to happen (Score 1) 163

I feel sorry for those who legitimately should have stories removed. Falsely accused, slandered, etc. Though if the site takes the time to put the truthful rebuttals up front it would mitigate that.
For those legitimately outed I have no sympathy. With one exception: someone whose criminal record has been expunged. That is a legal proceeding, which carries weight. Of course the site owner opens himself and the site to prosecution for slander. Forget international borders, someone anywhere in the world can sue you in the US for slander.

Comment There is supposed to be a penalty. (Score 4, Insightful) 157

When the DMCA laws were first proposed, there was supposed to be a penalty for making a false claim.
Obviously this needs to be re-visited.
Automated or not, someone set up the system. "Oh. I'm sorry. My Automated script did it". Make them pay a fine. One which increases for each false claim.
Another problem is third party enforcement. Rights holders hire companies to do this for them, then wash their hands of it. Make the original rights holders responsible. That's the way is works in the brick and mortar world. Own a building, you're liable. If a contractor does shoddy, you're responsible. Though you may be able to sue the contractor.
As people and companies are claiming (and in many cases justly so) real rights to content on the internet. It's time to bring the other side of that coin into play. If someone wrongly says they own part of your yard, you're entitled to damages.
Get off my yard.

Submission + - Independance Day from big corporate campaign money (actblue.com)

chromaexcursion writes: This is Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig.

I am stunned.

In the last 24 hours, literally thousands of PCCC members responded to our call of Mayday! — and donated to our "Super PAC to end all Super PACs."

Our ambitious goal is to raise $5 million by the end of July 4, to declare our independence from the big-money funders who hold our democracy hostage. We have one day left!

We just passed $3.3 million raised. I don't know where we'll end up by midnight tomorrow, but between now and then, we need to give this everything we've got.

Can you watch our video explaining MayDay PAC — and with just one day left, chip in $3 to help take back our democracy?
http://act.boldprogressives.or...
This has always been a long shot. And until today, our shot was looking even longer.

But I'm seeing a glimmer of hope. Every minute, new people are coming in to save our democracy.

If you've been waiting to pledge, or learn more about this, now is the time.

Watch our MayDay PAC video. And chip in $3 or more to be part of history.

With hope,

Lawrence Lessig

Comment Re:Linux? (Score 3, Insightful) 145

This is just a guess, but I believe your assessment why you were modded down is correct. Making comments that might offend people has consequences.
Your post is off topic, and bashes Microsoft for things not relevant. As for your previous posts, having modded comments, previous posts are pretty much impossible to find. Modding is based on the current comment.
I'm not a fan of Microsoft. I've been playing and working with computers since before Microsoft existed. I've posted on this thread. Canada is the party at fault, Microsoft is just responding to a stupid law.
I love bashing Microsoft, but the pickings have been slim lately, they're failing. They won't go out of business, but their clout is gone.

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