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Comment: What about machine tools? (Score 1) 856

by Cyfun (#43699735) Attached to: California Lawmaker Wants 3-D Printers To Be Regulated

I don't understand the sudden uproar about 3D printers. Machinists have been able to make their own custom weapons for a very long time now, but I don't see anyone wanting to regulate the sale of metal lathes, welders, or milling machines.

Also, when was the last time a "terrorist" used a gun? The Mass Media, who are the foremost experts on the subject, tell us that terrorists prefer the efficiency of targeting groups of people, and that usually necessitates exploding a bomb or crashing a vehicle. And from what we've seen of these 3D guns, you'd be lucky to kill a handful of people with one.

Comment: This is not new (Score 1) 509

by Cyfun (#43587329) Attached to: Cracked Game Released To Get Back At Pirates

The Operation Flashpoint / ArmA series started doing this about 12 years ago using a system called FADE. If the game detected an illegitimate disc, rather than just kicking you out or throwing an error message, it would would screw with you. Over time, it would reduce the accuracy of your weapon, randomly switch your controls around, and eventually turn you into a bird.

Very cleverly done, in my opinion, because a crack designer would have a helluva time testing his work. He couldn't just boot up the game and see if it functioned, he would have to spend hours and hours playing to see if the game would wig out. And it wouldn't always do it, either.

I had several friends who pirated the game and started playing, only for FADE to eventually kick in. By that time they'd gotten hooked on the game, and were inspired to go out and buy a legit copy. Mission accomplished, developers!

Let him choose out of my files, his projects to accomplish. -- Shakespeare, "Coriolanus"

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