Become a fan of Slashdot on Facebook

 


Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
×

Comment Re:Wake-up call (Score 1) 24

by ScrewMaster (#48479311) Attached to: Volcanic Eruption In Japan Disrupts Flights
I really hope you are trying to be funny.

One can always hope, but it seems we've managed to go from "climate change isn't real" to "it causes everything bad that happens."

Of course, a big enough eruption would actually trigger a global cooling trend for a while. Think Krakatoa and Mount Pinatubo.

Comment Re:Makes you wonder... (Score 2) 187

by ScrewMaster (#48293747) Attached to: Denuvo DRM Challenges Game Crackers
Technically, what they care about is control of distribution, because in their (relatively tiny) minds, that equates directly to profit. Loss of control is likewise perceived as inevitably causing loss of profit. That they might make even more money with a less dickish business model is way outside their comfort zone, because all they understand is what always worked before.

So yes, they are analogs to the recording industry. Those legitimate customers who are harmed by the quest to control content distribution are acceptable collateral damage.

Comment Re:It's time to start a trade war. (Score 2) 106

by ScrewMaster (#48161711) Attached to: FBI Warns Industry of Chinese Cyber Campaign
voiced by 'muricans online it is very hard to tell.

Just a quick note: insulting people with differing opinions (no matter how right you may think you are) doesn't actually help you make your case, although it may increase your innate sense of superiority. In addition, those "'muricans" who might otherwise agree with you may just write you off as another bigoted foreign asshole who lumps everyone in a given country together.

Comment Re: Sue them for all they're worth (Score 1) 495

by ScrewMaster (#47369997) Attached to: Microsoft Takes Down No-IP.com Domains
Actually, I read that the proceedings were _ex-parte_ ... No-IP wasn't even informed that there were any proceedings. Consequently they had zero chance to defend against this forfeiture. And that's exactly how Microsoft wanted it. There's more going on here than malware. My guess is that Microsoft's big media buddies want to use Microsoft as a front for domain seizures under cover of "protecting the public", without having to get their hands dirty or take any PR hits.

Comment Re:Lather, rinse, rage (Score 1) 507

Ripples occur when there are rapid stops. A very gradual slowing down should really minimize the downstream effects, providing other drivers are paying attention and not following so closely that they have to slam on their brakes when the speed of the car in front of them decreases even the slightest.

Everyone seems to believe that, but it's not really true. Here's what some Japanese researchers found (watch the video):

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/04/those-inexplicable-traffic-jams/

Comment Re:Lather, rinse, rage (Score 1) 507

It's the idiots who accelerate to the last possible moment to close the gap with the guy slowing down in front of them who are causing the ripples.

A common misconception. Some Japanese scientists demonstrated, using several cars on a closed track, that even when people are trying their best to maintain a constant speed and distance ... they simply can't. Those "ripples" occur regardless of driver behavior when there is sufficient traffic.

Comment Conversely ... (Score 1) 1

by ScrewMaster (#40345337) Attached to: Zero-Day Exploit Market's Biggest Customer: the US Government

The article also claims most exploits are being sold to agencies of the U.S. government. It does raise a concern though. What if Black Hats got more serious, and the US government would become a victim?"

Conversely, what if the cyberwarfare units of certain other countries (one in particular comes to mind) stepped up their game ... and we weren't ready?

Comment Re:Treaspassing (Score 1) 376

by ScrewMaster (#40198791) Attached to: Whose Cameras Are Watching New York Roads?

None of this is a problem. There is a paint available that makes it very hard to photograph your license plate and as far as I can tell, this is a great thing.

This paint is designed to overexpose photos from cameras that use a flash to illuminate the license plate (i.e. most redlight cameras). It's doubtful that these cameras are using a powerful flash to illuminate each passing car or they wouldn't be so stealthy.

There are a few of those flash types around where I live. Damned irritating, especially at night where I get my retinas blasted on the way to the grocery store.

Comment Re:Treaspassing (Score 2) 376

by ScrewMaster (#40198779) Attached to: Whose Cameras Are Watching New York Roads?

Your supreme court agrees you have no expectation of privacy on a public road, now shut the hell up and enjoy your "freedom".

Maybe not. But we still have to right to know where the Hell our tax dollars are going. The police may have the "right" to put up those cameras (and that is debatable) but to deny knowledge of the things, or who or what is monitoring them ... well. That simply should not be allowed. Having no expectation of privacy does _not_ mean that anyone can put up a camera on public property.

Slashdot Top Deals

Remember, UNIX spelled backwards is XINU. -- Mt.

Close