Comment Integrating your personal music into the game? (Score 4, Insightful) 245
Sounds like something the 360 does right now.
Maybe the patent covers a system whereby you're forced to pay the console maker for the music you want to integrate.
Comment Re:State control (Score 1) 325
Requiring scripts is fine. Having a government database of them is not.
I'd much rather a few thousand addicts had an easier time getting their next fix than have my personal details on the open market. (I live in VA and have filled prescriptions at pharmacies here, so I can only assume my personal data is part of this breach.)
This incident (well, the threat of it) is pretty much the textbook argument against government databases. Too bad no one will pay attention when it actually happens.
Comment Re:Try Express PCB (Score 1) 262
The patent troll example was to illustrate the example between idea, (and in some cases, patent) and actual invention.
I didn't say our fair poster was a patent troll, merely that he hadn't invented the device in question yet.
Having an idea for something is not the same as inventing it.
Comment Re:Try Express PCB (Score 3, Insightful) 262
What, exactly, is your definition of "invent"?
Part of an invention is the process by which it operates and is constructed.
Patenting an "invention" that you have no ability to actually produce is no different than these companies who patented things like "an internet-connected gaming system with wireless controllers" but never built one, because they didn't know how, yet now feel sony, nintendo, MS et al owe them billions of dollars.
Comment Re:Here we go again (Score 1) 243
no, it's more like how 'audio' blank CDs have special pixie dust in the jewel case that makes them more 'audio-y' than regular blank CDs
Comment Re:Try Express PCB (Score 3, Insightful) 262
Even better, how about we stop encouraging/helping wild-eyed "entrepreneurs" who have these great ideas that are "probably patentable" but who are wholly incapable of actually inventing said devices.
Hell, I have an idea for a 400mpg car for the automotive market. It's probably patentable so I can't give details. I can handle the in-car dvd and entertainment system but have no automotive engineering or manufacturing experience. Does anyone have any recommendations for a company to handle the drivetrain design and manufacture? Instead of starting from scratch I've also considered approaching one of the companies (mostly in Michigan) that make similar vehicles and asking them to modify their hardware for my requirements, and to provide their in-car dvd and entertainment system source for me to modify. Has anyone taken this route before? How did it work for you?"
Comment Re:Get An NDA! (Score 1) 262
At least they didn't name the department Procurement and Importunation.
FOIA Request For Pending Copyright Treaty Denied 364
Penguinisto writes "According to CNET, Knowledge Ecology International's FOIA request for information about ACTA was denied. ACTA is the pending copyright treaty believed to have been authored by lobbyists for the content cartels. Even stranger, the denial cited 'national security reasons (PDF). While it is not unusual for the White House of any administration to block FOIA requests for national security reasons, one would think that a treaty affecting civil interests alone wouldn't qualify for such secrecy. Not exactly sure what involvement the former RIAA mouthpiece Donald Verelli (a recent Obama pick for the DOJ) may have in this." KEI is not alone; the European Parliament wants to see the ACTA documents too.
Berners-Lee Says No To Internet Snooping 113
Jack Spine writes "The inventor of the World Wide Web has pointed out some of the dangers of deep packet inspection. Sir Tim said that ISPs 'snooping' on data was similar to the interception of mail. 'This is very important to me, as what is at stake is the integrity of the internet as a communications medium,' Berners-Lee said on Wednesday. TBL's comments come as the UK government is gearing up to intercept all web communications in the UK through the Intercept Modernisation Programme, and echo comments he made last year about Phorm."
Comment Re:You want to be in control... (Score 5, Insightful) 535
the troll has a point. Apple is the king of installing background crap on your computer. (well, they are if you use their software on windows, at least)
Even if you kill apple software updater, no matter how many times I click "no" and "don't ask me again" iTunes still pops up a (@*&(#*&$@(* do you want to update box whenever I start it.
Submission + - Why don't people work? (networkworld.com)
coondoggie writes: "While there is a multibillion dollar industry out there that tracks every move of the working public, what nonworkers are doing remains somewhat of a mystery, according to the US Census Bureau. Today the agency released an interesting study that looks extensively at why people don't work. For example, for nonworkers 25 to 44 years of age, taking care of children or others was the main reason — 44% — for not working at a paid job. Nearly 2 out of 5 or 38% nonworkers 45 to 54 years old did not work because of a chronic illness or disability. Men nonworkers were more likely than women nonworkers to be retired or going to school. Almost 5% of respondents said they had no interest in work.
http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/19618"
