@JP
"they should probably go after those $4/disc stalls in certain shopping malls"
er...would that be the Pacific Mall?
Posts by Mike
64 publicly visible posts • joined 12 Apr 2007
BitTorrent site Demonoid.com downed by Canadian record industry
Ubuntu's latest OS not so Gutsy
Arnie terminates phthalates in kids' toys
Geeks and Nerds caught on film lacking geeky nerdiness
Friday 5th October 2007 18:17 GMT 
ha ha
This is something good technicians have known for some time. Most of these guys have graduated from some fast-track course that trains you how to pass the exams and teaches you very little about actually diagnosing and repairing computers. In addition these companies pay their technicians at rock-bottom rates that only newly certified techs would bother applying for. I already had 17 years computer experience as a hobbyist (hardware hacking, programming in assembly) before I decided to become a technician - not 6 months like most of these guys. I work in Toronto and have fixed more than one or two cock-ups caused by these inexperienced techs. Just google "insert tech company" complaints and you'll get an idea of what I'm talking about.
I inserted Paris for those of you looking for the Paris Hilton angle.
FBI redefines length of century
Microsoft dispels rumors of stealth Windows updates
Friday 14th September 2007 13:35 GMT
er...again
I think the portion of the EULA that applies here is this one.
2. AUTOMATIC INTERNET-BASED SERVICES. The Software features described below are enabled by default to connect via the Internet to Microsoft computer systems automatically, without separate notice to you. You consent to the operation of these features, UNLESS YOU CHOOSE TO SWITCH THEM OFF OR NOT USE THEM (my caps). Microsoft does not obtain personal information through any of these features.
Seems to me that by selecting "let me choose when to install them" or "notify me but don't automatically download or install them" in automatic updates you are effectively telling Microsoft not to automatically install software and if they go ahead and do it anyway then they committed a trespass.
Friday 14th September 2007 02:53 GMT
er...
In most countries isn't it against the law to access someone's computer without their consent? If Microsoft altered files on my computer without my knowledge or consent, regardless of their reason, then that is the same as someone hacking into my computer and accessing/altering my files. I think the relevant statute in the state of Washington is this one.
RCW 9A.52.120
Computer trespass in the second degree.
(1) A person is guilty of computer trespass in the second degree if the person, without authorization, intentionally gains access to a computer system or electronic data base of another under circumstances not constituting the offense in the first degree.
(2) Computer trespass in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor.
MIT in Matrix 'Crowd Farm' plan
NASA's drunken astronaut report released
Salesforce.com takes corp-anthems into the developer ghetto
iPhone autopsies conducted
Student lends an ear to Welsh-speaking dolphins
German boffins make sperm cells from bone marrow
ATM blagger cuffed after artificial leg falls off
Thursday 12th April 2007 17:34 GMT
losing limbs
The Bader link reminds me of the joke about the pilot who crashed in Germany during WWII. He was badly injured to the point that every couple of days the German doctors had to remove another limb due to infection. Before each limb was removed the pilot would ask if the doctors could package it up and send it home to England. While the doctors thought the request odd, they complied. Finally, the doctors had removed all limbs but his right arm. They approached him with the bad news that this would also have to be removed, and he made his usual request. "Nein" the doctors replied. "The gestapo thinks you're trying to escape"
Biting the hand that feeds IT
