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Comment: And to add to my comments... (Score 2) 98

by daveschroeder (#40181829) Attached to: Google Highlights Censored Search Terms In China

You can still do the search by hitting "Search Anyway". Anywhere other than mainland China, this search will work. Just try it. If you're in mainland China and you elect to search anyway, that will result in your connection being reset and will temporarily break your ability to interact with Google. It is China, not Google, that is doing this.

Comment: China is doing the blocking — not Google (Score 2) 98

by daveschroeder (#40181705) Attached to: Google Highlights Censored Search Terms In China

You have no idea what you're talking about.

The search can still be performed, but it is China — NOT Google — that is doing the censoring by interfering with queries which contain offending terms.

Before, if someone in mainland China performed a search containing an offending term, equipment that is part of the so-called "Great Firewall" would interfere with the search, making it appear that the search results page was unavailable or resetting the browser's connection, and then making Google unavailable to the user for a period.

Now, Google is warning you that will happen based on observations of which search terms resulted in China's filters blocking the search results.

Why are there so many ignorant comments on this post claiming that it's "Google" the one doing the blocking? They're not.

Comment: Re:Finally the private sector is allowed to take o (Score 1) 217

by daveschroeder (#40109467) Attached to: ISS Captures SpaceX Dragon Capsule

So, how have the big traditional space contractors like the Rockwell, Boeing, Lockheed, etc., of old, and now United Space Alliance and United Launch Alliance not delivered on their contracts? Saying that it might cost too much by some measure is one thing, but in terms of space launch to LEO you don't get a better record than ULA. Note, too, that SpaceX is using a significant amount of government infrastructure and personnel to launch and manage its space systems — not to diminish what they're doing one bit.

Comment: If there is a lawful mechanism... (Score 2) 79

...to monitor communications, seize property, or perform searches before "the internet", should there not be a mechanism to do the same with communications on the internet (email, web sites, social media, etc.)? Or is something about the internet fundamentally different that means "the government" shouldn't be able to monitor it? If so, why? How does this reconcile with the rule of law and the social contract in democratic societies?

Comment: Re:More info and video (Score 4, Insightful) 282

by daveschroeder (#40075553) Attached to: SpaceX's Falcon 9 Successfully Reaches Orbit

So do you think the United States should divest itself of government-operated space launch capability? Should the lessons learned, capabilities gained, infrastructure created, and accomplishments of the last over-30 years be abandoned because the legislative, acquisition, and contracting landscape for government space operations isn't perfect? The "industry giants" in government space operations became "giants" for a reason.

SpaceX has shown that private enterprise has a place alongside government, but SpaceX isn't doesn't operate in a vacuum (pun intended!). Every launch on the SpaceX manifest through 2017 is happening via a US government launch complex, and for good reason. Just because existing space contractors benefit from SLS, it doesn't automatically follow that it's the "wrong way" to do things.

Space exploration is a key asset which serves to invigorate the national spirit, and government and private enterprise both have a significant place in the future of US space operations.

Comment: Re:More info and video (Score 3, Interesting) 282

by daveschroeder (#40075387) Attached to: SpaceX's Falcon 9 Successfully Reaches Orbit

If SpaceX delivers successfully on its manned spaceflight capability, I don't think anyone who actually cares about US manned spaceflight will be disappointed.

The fact that spaceflight has matured to the point that a private enterprise like SpaceX can now conduct this level of mission is a wonderful thing, but that doesn't obviate the need for government-supported and -operated space capabilities. The private sector isn't the only solution. They can apply what we've learned but do not have the same motivations of government space programs, which have resulted in nearly immeasurable advances and payoffs much closer to home.

The government acquisition and contracting system is far from perfect, but NASA, United Space Alliance, and United Launch Alliance are no slouches. ULA has success after success and knows how to reliably get research and military payloads to space. The fact that SpaceX is now in the mix is only a good thing. During this morning's press conference everyone involved from NASA to SpaceX was all smiles.

Often things ARE as bad as they seem!

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