Submission + - ASK SLASHDOT
nirvash writes: Could one use a photo(face?) recognition program to identify plants by the leaf? maybe utilizing a big database like eol, etc.
Check out the new SourceForge HTML5 internet speed test! No Flash necessary and runs on all devices.
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Comment ha! (Score 1) 109
"These animals are basically oversized rhinos with a whole lot more horns on their heads. ..."
wah? mammals on the triassic????? fuck me
Submission + - Life span of copper vs optical fibre?
john.lyle writes: The proposed government-built fibre-to-the-home National Broadband Network in Australia has generated a lot of debate, most of it centred around the $40 billion plus price tag. One argument against it that I heard recently is that optical fibre only has a physical life span of 15-20 years, after which the entire network would have to be replaced. I've searched the web and not found any reliable sources indicating the life span of either copper or optical fibre, but if this claim is valid, then it does seem like an important factor that has largely been overlooked in the debate. What does the slashdot community think?
Comment Re:only 640x480 (Score 1) 187
but thats the resolution of a dvd, right?
Submission + - MegaUpload refuses payout - claims "fraud" 2
Farasha SilverSand writes: "Earlier this year, in October to be precise, LiveJournal user Cleolinda Jones updated her blog with an entry regarding a special campaign known as Project Download.
To make a long story short, Oregon resident Erin (LJ username redscorner) needed a series of brain surgeries that were both expensive and life-saving.
I suffer from two neurological disorders (Chiari malformation and cranial lesions) that will require a combined total of 2-4 brain surgeries. I'm unemployed and uninsured and the state I live in is so broke, they have strictly limited who qualifies for Medicaid. Because I have no children and am not pregnant, I don't qualify.
To Erin, MegaUpload's download reward program must have seemed like a godsend. For five million downloads, Erin would recieve $10,000, enough to pay for her brain surgeries.
The file to be downloaded was a small .txt file, basically thanking the downloader for participating and again explaining her situation.
In December, Erin reached her first milestone — 100,000 download points, listed on the reward page as paying out $100. Instead of waiting until the five million mark to cash in, Erin decided to claim her $100 reward, just to make sure MegaUpload really meant business.
Instead of her reward, Erin received an e-mail from MegaUpload stating that they would not pay her.
Dear Erin,
Our apologies for the late reply, our rewards staff was not in during Xmas.
We have decided not to pay you because of fraud. Your reward points were earned through small 2 KB txt files which were downloaded many times from the same IP's. This against our terms of service and reward rules.
Sincerely,
Megaupload Abuse Department
Aside from being wholly unprofessional, the e-mail is not even consistent with MegaUpload's own Terms of Service regarding their rewards program, which state:
What is a qualifying download?
Up to one download per IP address per file per day will be counted. Downloads from certain countries or territories do not qualify. Click here for the current list of qualifying countries.
Absolutely no fraud
You will be disqualified and banned if you try to manipulate the results. Automated mass downloads are easily detected and strictly forbidden.
Only files up to 100 MB
Files larger than 100 MB do not qualify for the Rewards program.
The ToS do not state that files must meet a minimum requirement. They also do not state that multiple downloads from the same IP address on different dates are fraudulent and against the rules.
Erin is considering filing suit in small claims court, but since MegaUpload is allegedly based in Hong Kong, little to nothing might come from legal action.
MegaUpload's rewards program was more of a last-ditch effort than anything for Erin, and he whole situation should reiterate what most of us already know — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
To make a long story short, Oregon resident Erin (LJ username redscorner) needed a series of brain surgeries that were both expensive and life-saving.
I suffer from two neurological disorders (Chiari malformation and cranial lesions) that will require a combined total of 2-4 brain surgeries. I'm unemployed and uninsured and the state I live in is so broke, they have strictly limited who qualifies for Medicaid. Because I have no children and am not pregnant, I don't qualify.
To Erin, MegaUpload's download reward program must have seemed like a godsend. For five million downloads, Erin would recieve $10,000, enough to pay for her brain surgeries.
The file to be downloaded was a small
In December, Erin reached her first milestone — 100,000 download points, listed on the reward page as paying out $100. Instead of waiting until the five million mark to cash in, Erin decided to claim her $100 reward, just to make sure MegaUpload really meant business.
Instead of her reward, Erin received an e-mail from MegaUpload stating that they would not pay her.
Dear Erin,
Our apologies for the late reply, our rewards staff was not in during Xmas.
We have decided not to pay you because of fraud. Your reward points were earned through small 2 KB txt files which were downloaded many times from the same IP's. This against our terms of service and reward rules.
Sincerely,
Megaupload Abuse Department
Aside from being wholly unprofessional, the e-mail is not even consistent with MegaUpload's own Terms of Service regarding their rewards program, which state:
What is a qualifying download?
Up to one download per IP address per file per day will be counted. Downloads from certain countries or territories do not qualify. Click here for the current list of qualifying countries.
Absolutely no fraud
You will be disqualified and banned if you try to manipulate the results. Automated mass downloads are easily detected and strictly forbidden.
Only files up to 100 MB
Files larger than 100 MB do not qualify for the Rewards program.
The ToS do not state that files must meet a minimum requirement. They also do not state that multiple downloads from the same IP address on different dates are fraudulent and against the rules.
Erin is considering filing suit in small claims court, but since MegaUpload is allegedly based in Hong Kong, little to nothing might come from legal action.
MegaUpload's rewards program was more of a last-ditch effort than anything for Erin, and he whole situation should reiterate what most of us already know — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
Submission + - Suprnova.org Is About To Return
An anonymous reader writes: The legendary BitTorrent site Suprnova.org will be back in action soon. Sloncek, the former owner of suprnova.org decided to donate the domain to The Pirate Bay lads, who will relaunch the site in a few days, staying true to its original design. The return of a Legend.
Submission + - SuprNova.org Transferred to The Pirate Bay (slyck.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Andrej Preston, ex-administrator of legendary BitTorrent SuprNova.org, has turned over the keys to The Pirate Bay.
"My deal with [The Pirate Bay] was that the role of SuprNova can't change much," he tells Slyck.com. "It needs to be community orientated, but I hope they make some updates the SuprNova was sooo missing. But what they will do, it's not my thing to decide anymore. But I know they will do [well] and will try to keep the community spirit running."
"My deal with [The Pirate Bay] was that the role of SuprNova can't change much," he tells Slyck.com. "It needs to be community orientated, but I hope they make some updates the SuprNova was sooo missing. But what they will do, it's not my thing to decide anymore. But I know they will do [well] and will try to keep the community spirit running."
