janhct - Slashdot User

Australian AvP Ban Reversed 71

Posted by Soulskill on Friday December 18, 2009 @05:51AM from the people-have-spoken dept.

Earlier this month, we discussed news that Sega's new Aliens vs. Predator video game had been refused classification in Australia, effectively banning it. After a scathing response from the developer saying they wouldn't censor the game, and later news that the classification scheme may be updated to include an R18+ rating, it now seems that the Classification Board has seen fit to give the game a green light after all. Sega's Darren Macbeth told Kotaku, "We are particularly proud that the game will be released in its original entirety, with no content altered or removed whatsoever. This is a big win for Australian gamers. We applaud the Classification Review Board on making a decision that clearly considers the context of the game, and is in line with the modern expectations of reasonable Australians."

Saboteur Launch Plagued By Problems With ATI Cards 230

Posted by Soulskill on Wednesday December 09, 2009 @01:58AM from the more-or-less-finished dept.

An anonymous reader writes "So far, there are over 35 pages of people posting about why EA released Pandemic Studios' final game, Saboteur, to first the EU on December 4th and then, after knowing full well it did not work properly, to the Americas on December 8th. They have been promising to work on a patch that is apparently now in the QA stage of testing. It is not a small bug; rather, if you have an ATI video card and either Windows 7 or Windows Vista, the majority (90%) of users have the game crash after the title screen. Since the marketshare for ATI is nearly equal to that of Nvidia, and the ATI logo is adorning the front page of the Saboteur website, it seems like quite a large mistake to release the game in its current state."

Mozilla Thunderbird 3 Released 272

Posted by kdawson on Tuesday December 08, 2009 @06:48PM from the hot-bits dept.

supersloshy writes Today Mozilla released Thunderbird 3. Many new features are available, including Tabs and enhanced search features, a message archive for emails you don't want to delete but still want to keep, Firefox 3's improved Add-ons Manager, Personas support, and many other improvements. Download here."

Sharp Rise In Jailing of Online Journalists; Iran May Just Kill Them 233

Posted by timothy on Tuesday December 08, 2009 @10:20AM from the your-ethics-may-vary dept.

bckspc writes "The Committee to Protect Journalists has published their annual census of journalists in prison. Of the 136 reporters in prison around the world on December 1, 'At least 68 bloggers, Web-based reporters, and online editors are imprisoned, constituting half of all journalists now in jail.' Print was next with 51 cases. Also, 'Freelancers now make up nearly 45 percent of all journalists jailed worldwide, a dramatic recent increase that reflects the evolution of the global news business.' China, Iran, Cuba, Eritrea, and Burma were the top 5 jailers of journalists." rmdstudio writes, too, with word that after the last few days' protest there, largely organized online, the government of Iran is considering the death penalty for bloggers and webmasters whose reports offend it.

Comment Help Eliminate Software Piracy (Score 0, Troll) 291

by janhct on Wednesday September 30, 2009 @08:36PM (#29600619) Attached to: Microsoft Blocks Pirates From Security Essentials Software

The whole argument about software piracy is driving the world crazy. If Microsoft are serious about the elimination of piracy of their licensed software here are a few pointers they might consider:

1) Demand that all governments institute extremely severe penalties for every instance of copyright or license violation. At least that will ensure that the subject gets taken more seriously. (I can't advocate the death penalty, but something close to it would help make a resounding statement.)

Also, show zero mercy, otherwise the message will not be strong enough! (PS: The RIAA and MPAA should take hint also to help educate the public that use of proprietary copyrighted material is a VERY serious matter. Eliminate any concept or form of "fair use" - there is no room for it in a DRM locked up world.) It is only reasonable to make the consumer aware that organizations that pursue such controls really do not want customers, they want prisoners. Prisoners have no rights! It is time to come out of the woods and into the clear!

2) Eliminate the bundling of Microsoft products from all computer sales.

Microsoft should insist that the consumer must obtain duly licensed software (operating system and applications) and must comply with well published and clearly presented licensing terms. The current practice of bundling MS Windows with laptops and desktop systems is a source of endless confusion for the consumer. Microsoft are the primary cause of end-user confusion.

The purchase of a bundled system requires the consumer (or user) to enter into a compulsory contract (EULA) with a third-party who is NOT involved in the purchase transaction between the purchaser and the supplier of the hardware (laptop or desktop system). This is a patently unjust business practice because the user is coerced into a contract with a company that interferes with the purchase transaction between buyer and seller. Separating out the purchase of an operating system would clearly separate the business and licensing transactions, and thus will create greater awareness of the responsibility to comply with licensing terms.

3) Governments should insist that under freedom of information conditions all consumers must be made aware of the alternatives they can choose from when faced with a need to select an operating system and application software. The consumer should be made aware of the existence of free software so that the consumer is not coerced into an unnecessary financial or legally oppressive relationship.

4) Microsoft should educate their users that the original license to use a product they supplied applies only to the originally supplied product. In other words, all modifications made to the operating system, or to application software, as a result of a maintenance process is a sub-license of the original license and can not be severed from the original license. Please help loyal Microsoft users to keep the consumer honest.

Too often IT people are approached by someone who received a second-hand computer from which the original purchaser had erased the MS Windows operating system, but left the activation key sticker on the machine, only to be asked to install some version (any version) of MS Windows because they do not have original installation media, and yet believe that the activation key sticker is a license to any version of Windows since they can not use the computer without an operating system installed.

Microsoft, please help us to eliminate these myths! Why should Microsoft's loyal supporters make themselves out to be the bad guys? Gentlemen, the confusion does not belong to those of us who respect licensing terms. Most open source software advocates are zealous to ensure that the terms of use of open source software are fully complied with. With the right leadership from Microsoft they can be just as zealous to help educate Microsoft's customers of the importance of compliance with Micrsoft's EULAs. After all, this would be only reasonable. Right?

- A Concerned Licensing Advocate

Submission + - When an Electric Car Dies, What Will Happen to the (scientificamerican.com)

Submitted by TheClockworkSoul on Tuesday September 15, 2009 @02:33PM

TheClockworkSoul writes: This year, President Obama laid out the goal of putting 1 million electric cars on the road by 2015, which raises a question: how the heck are we going to recycle millions of lithium ion batteries be recycled?

As part of the $2.4 billion in stimulus funds awarded last month to jump-start the manufacturing and deployment of a domestic crop of vehicle batteries, the U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded $9.5 million to California-based recycling company Toxco Inc., the only company in the U.S. currently able to recycle all sizes and models of lithium-ion batteries, the kind used to power most of the new hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles entering the world market. With most of the world's lithium production centered in Bolivia, Chile and China, some say having a recycling infrastructure in place for vehicle batteries could help save the United States from trading "peak oil" for "peak lithium."

Submission + - Fla. boaters urged to look out for missing robot (bablodos.com)

Submitted by

Johann10

on Saturday September 05, 2009 @03:59PM

Johann10 writes: "AP — Scientists on Floridas Gulf Coast are trying to find an underwater robot that has mysteriously vanished."

Submission + - For Your Health, Froot Loops? (nytimes.com) 1

Submitted by DesertNomad on Saturday September 05, 2009 @03:59PM

DesertNomad writes: William Neuman of the New York Times reports today on a new food-labeling campaign called Smart Choices, backed by most of the nation's largest food manufacturers, which is "designed to help shoppers easily identify smarter food and beverage choices." The green checkmark label that is starting to show up on store shelves will appear on hundreds of packages, including — to the surprise of many nutritionists — sugar-laden cereals like Cocoa Krispies and Froot Loops. Eileen T. Kennedy, president of the Smart Choices board and the dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, said the program's criteria were based on government dietary guidelines and widely accepted nutritional standards.

Submission + - 3-D Gaming Terrain & Craft Robots! (worldworksgames.com)

Submitted by GameGeek Supreme on Saturday September 05, 2009 @03:59PM

GameGeek Supreme writes: Untitled Page

If you're a geek you've probably sat at the table for some oldschool dice throwing, graph paper, a strong imagination and associated smell ;) In your geeky heart though, you always had a fantasy of actually seeing these richly detailed worlds from your mind, spilled out onto the table in the flesh! Well http://www.worldworksgames.com/ is something you should REALLY check out. They make 3-D gaming terrain that you print from home! They've even started to incorporate automated "robo cutting" (Craftrobo/Silhouette SD) into their latest terrain products as well, so like 90% of the work is done for you by a machine! Its like being your very own slave driving manufacturer but the staff are all robots!

From their press release:

WorldWorksGames announces the launch of their latest 3-D gaming terrain products TerrainlinX & Himmelveil. Based on WorldWorksGames TerrainlinX system first conceived in 2004, these two foundation releases promise to change the way terrain is used on the gaming table. Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEsqxLrlNA0

Himmelveil Streets is: Elevated, "lift-out" multi-story roads and buildings for easy access to sublevels, foot & road bridges of any span, towers and city infrastructure of any height or configuration, removable "on-the-fly" walls and roofing, "Anti-Warp" wall designs, plug-in railings, city stairs, street ramp, over 23 unique street tiles in 1", 1.5" and No-Grid options, street lamps, custom configurable street signs. And in an industry first for this type of terrain, this product includes GSD cut path files for automated cutting (CraftRobo.Sillouette SD)! Visit the product page here for free samples and more information.

Himmelveil Sewers is: Multi-storied sewer exploration like you've never seen it before! Configure your sewer to any height or configuration, removable "on-the-fly" walls, Anti-Warp wall designs, plug-in railings, modular balconies which can skirt walls, 31 unique sewer floor tiles. The entire modular layout can co-exist beneath your street layout! And in an industry first for this type of terrain, this product includes GSD cut path files for automated cutting (CraftRobo.Sillouette SD)! Visit the product page here for samples and more information.

Submission + - How Snow Leopard Cut ObjC Launch Time in Half (sealiesoftware.com)

Submitted by

MBCook

on Saturday September 05, 2009 @03:04PM

MBCook writes: "Greg Parker has an excellent technical article on his blog about the changes to the dynamic linker (dyld) for Objective-C that Snow Leopard uses to cut launch time in half and cut about 1/2 MB of memory per application. He also has a post on the new thread local GC that Snow Leopard uses for Objective-C."

Submission + - SPAM: Comprehensive Background Check Information 1

Submitted by charliechaplin1984 on Tuesday June 30, 2009 @10:21AM

charliechaplin1984 writes: Learn about the ins and outs of background checks, and how it plays a role in society and our general safety. We go in depth and explore the truths and myths about background checks, the common misconception and misunderstanding, all the information on who, what, why, where, and how of background checking.

Submission + - If I switch to Linux do I have to type commands? (idreamoflinux.com)

Submitted by

Anonymous

on Tuesday June 30, 2009 @09:53AM

Anonymous writes: "New users are a little apprehensive about Linux. They believe that if they switch to Linux they will always have to type commands in the terminal. Today, with great and easy to use distributions such as Ubuntu and Linux Mint the user never has to use the terminal if they don't want to. Everything can be set up and customized just by clicking and selecting. The graphical user interface is well developed and you can use your mouse for everything you need. Even installing applications is pretty easy. In the past and even today some of the Linux distributions are not user friendly. These distributions are geared towards individuals that are familiar wiht GNU/Linux so if you are new to Linux just stay away from them. We highly recommend Ubuntu and Linux mint if you want to install GNU/Linux on your computer. These two distributions are very easy to use and require minimum tweaking to get you up and running. GNU/Linux has come a long way in the last few years and currently it is very user friendly. If you need additional help there is a lot of information on the Internet for beginners about Linux. So take the plunge and discover a great operating system and thousands of free applications that you can install."

Submission + - Max Butler Pleads Guilty (wired.com)

Submitted by

fudreporter

on Tuesday June 30, 2009 @09:39AM

fudreporter writes: "Wired.com reports: A skilled San Francisco-based computer hacker who once sought to unite the cyber underworld under his benign rule pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges here Monday, admitting he stole nearly 2 million credit card numbers from banks, businesses and other hackers, which were used to rack up $86 million in fraudulent charges. Max Ray Butler, 36, faces up to 60 years in prison for the two felonies under law, but his actual sentence will be influenced by a number of factors, not least a plea agreement with federal prosecutors that was filed under seal Monday. "Max Vision, known in this case as Max Butler, pled guilty today as a first step toward getting this sad chapter of his life behind him. It is unfortunate that his life circumstances in 2005 led him to participate in this criminal conduct, and he very much regrets doing so," he wrote. "Max has always preferred using his extraordinary computer skills — his computer vision — for the good of society and the cyber world, and he hopes that he will be given the opportunity in the future to once again don the white hat.""

Visualizing the Ideological History of SCOTUS 151

Posted by timothy on Thursday June 18, 2009 @11:19PM from the you're-just-objectifying-them dept.

langelgjm writes "An interesting exercise in quantifying and visualizing ideological shifts, the website ScotusScores.com tracks changes in the ideological history of the US Supreme Court from 1937 to 2007. Ideological positions are quantified using Martin-Quinn scores, and the chart highlights the often-bumpy transitions (Thurgood Marshall to Clarence Thomas), as well as tendencies within each Justice's career."

Penguin Poop Seen From Space 86

Posted by samzenpus on Friday June 05, 2009 @02:58PM from the don't-eat-the-brown-ice dept.

Scientists have found ten new emperor penguin colonies by spotting their skid marks on the Antarctic ice from satellite images (video on page). The ice around the penguins gets very dirty because they congregate in a small area in very large colonies for months. Peter Fretwell, Mapping Expert, British Antarctic Survey says, "What we find is that we can see the guano (excrement) from space. They stay in the same space in very large colonies for eight months of the year and the ice around them gets very dirty, and it's that that we can see on the satellite images."

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