Slashdot

I guess the syadmins could put in an option in a configuration file somewhere on what files to "keep untouched" when doing package upgrades, no? So that the configuration file wouldn't be overwritten. I think I've seen something similar in Debian distros. Anyway when I install a new (custom) kernel in Ubuntu for example, synaptic asks me if I want to overwrite GRUB's menu.lst with the newly generated one, view the differences or keep my old one etc. Surely there's something similar in Redhat?

samzenpus writes "Two things: First, I wish I knew what they were saying. Second, I'd like to know how much liability insurance is for throwing someone through the air with a siege weapon."

NewYorkCountryLawyer writes "MediaSentry, in an attempt to stonewall discovery in UMG v. Lindor, has turned over nothing other than a collection, apparently a complete collection, of its publicly filed affidavits. However, these do make interesting reading indeed, and as comments started trickling in on my blog, I realized that for the technically minded among you there are probably a number of good laughs in these materials. So in keeping with the Slashdot community's analysis of the RIAA's not very expert, 'expert' witness, I thought you might like to take a shot at its not very factual, 'fact' witness."

Today's xkcd has something painfully true about real programmers for you to peruse. It's funny because it's true: I keep my butterflies in box next to the bowl with all those extra screws I seem to accumulate.

mcnazar writes "Do you manage your Rails Plugins via svn:externals? Thinking of switching to Git but are concerned that Git lacks a direct equivalent of svn:externals? In this article I present a work-around or even IMHO a better solution than SVN's svn:externals."

Mr Robot writes "You know the best way to deal with fantasy sold as reality is to turn these lies into more damn lies. To re-fashion the stories that are meant to represent reality, in order to develop a new perspective on the story. This new perspective might just help you get to the truth. What causes us to doubt a story is the same intuition that we use to make the correct decisions in life. This intuition is buried deep in our soul, yet very few of us ever manage to maintain this connection — choosing rather to listen to the ego and analytical mechanisms in the brain. Truth is, The Matrix is a lie, unveiled to the world under the guise of setting humanity free, when all along was designed to enslave us all with the notion that we are all powerless in the face of an all-consuming, yet unknown enemy. Making us easy prey for the biggest con-men of all — Our own inner fear demons!"
http://intrench.blogspot.com/2008/01/anti-propogandarists-hack-conspiracy.html

Noticed this while doing my usual trauling of websites, It appears David Ritz, the veteran American spam-fighter, has been hit by $60,000 in fines plus lawyers fees after losing a civil suit that accused him of illegal hacking. The complaint alleged that Ritz "hacked" servers owned by Sierra (which describes itself as a specialist web hosting and internet services firm), obtaining confidential internal network configuration data (using a zone transfer, host -l command) and domain name information (using whois) before publishing that data on the net. This doesn't sound like a good trend and I stongly urge those who have to deal with the 90% (higher now?) spam to mail ratio to donate or help any way they can with this. The story is at theregister.com http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/17/anti_spam_activist_lawsuit/ Or due to the great style of journalism you may want to skip this and go direct to the Donate page. http://sfldf.org/donations.html or check Falk and Reynolds site found here http://www.rahul.net/falk/Nz/lawsuit.html#background

Paul Flannery writes "The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs has been without Internet access since 2001 thanks to a ruling in a civil trial. This is very important for the Commonwealth for the Massachusetts as the bureau can rule if the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe can open a casino and circumvent the commonwealth. "It impacts our job," said Bureau spokesman Gary Garrison. "When we put out a news release we have to spend an hour and a half at a fax machine faxing to our list.""
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/blogs/boston/2008/01/17/federal-bureau-still-waiting-for-internet/

Peil writes "Over on the Gamescoreblog MS have just announced their "sorry-we-screwed-the-service" apology following the Xbox LIVE issues seen over the holiday period.
From the blog: "Marc (Whitten, General Manager of Xbox Live) announced that all Xbox LIVE members (Gold and Silver) around the world would have access to a full Xbox LIVE Arcade game to download free of charge. We're pleased to announce that beginning next Wednesday, 2:00 a.m. PST through Sunday, 11:59 p.m. PST, Xbox LIVE members worldwide can download the full version of the recent award-winning Xbox LIVE Arcade game, Undertow. "

very short timescale for those whop have systems in for repair, and nothing beyond a vague recommendation to call support if you have already spent points on this game.

http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2008/01/18/UndertowFreeofCharge.aspx"

Whodathunkit writes "http://spectrum.ieee.org/jan08/5826 The latest real-world data. According to new numbers from the U.N.'s climate agency, there's evidence to suggest progress from Kyoto Protocol members and nonmembers alike."
http://spectrum.ieee.org/jan08/5826

Jones writes "WiMax is touted to be the next generation wireless broadband connection. With attainable speeds exceeding those exiting 3G networks, the adoption of WiMax is picking up in some countries. However, Firdooze cited the reluctance of ISPs (especially those who provides both internet and cellular services) as the one of the largest barrier that WiMax will face. Link"
http://tech.firdooze.com/2008/01/17/an-inconvenient-truth-why-countries-like-singapore-will-be-slow-to-adopt-wimax/

But only 1 in 10 will get the golden ticket

EDS has told its staff that it plans to make up to 250 job cuts by the end of this month.

http://go.theregister.com/feed/www.channelregister.co.uk/2008/01/17/eds_voluntary_redundancy/

http://www.itwire.com/content/view/16147/53/

WirePosted writes "Ubisoft are bringing the age of the Third Crusades to the portable gaming of the Nintendo DS with Assassin's Creed Altar's Chronicles."
http://www.itwire.com/content/view/16150/532/

According to CNET.co.uk, who randomly stumbled into a booth at CES, Toshiba have made a Microsoft Surface-type system without the unwieldy table. "The StarBoard system is really two technologies in one. Firstly, it features Hitachi's short-throw LCD projector. This is important, because the projector sits mere inches from the interactive surface. This means you get a huge — 50-inch, in fact — bright screen, which doesn't get blocked out by your head as you lean over the table. The image it projects is incredibly high-quality too, and there was no noticeable distortion." The video attached to the article, shows the system in action and it looks a lot more practical than Microsoft's offering.