* Posts by Ben 54

42 publicly visible posts • joined 7 Aug 2009

Milton Keynes: Come for roundabouts, stay for near-gigabit broadband

Ben 54

Re: Openreach

I lived for several years in Singapore, and trust me, when you had 1gbs at home, you miss it when it's gone. Imagine no buffering while all your kids and their friends play online, watch youtube, netflix streaming on guests devices etc with absolute zero slowdowns. Uploading large database snapshors for my company took a few minutes for several gigabytes. My upload speed tested over 600mbps.

Australia considers joining laptops-on-planes ban

Ben 54

I don't take my laptop in the cabin to work on it nor for entertainment. I do it since I had stuff stolen from my baggage before and had a Gibson guitar broken which were checked in as fragile.

'Tech troll' sues EFF to silence 'Stupid Patent of the Month' blog. Now the EFF sues back

Ben 54

Re: Personal opinion

^^^^

"

Personally I intend to fire up the time machine go back a few decades and patent the idea of ...

"Purchasing rights of Intellectual property, for the sole purpose of suing or threatening to sue potential infringers of said intellectual property."

"

You just won the internet :D

Ben 54

Personal opinion

I think there should be a limit on what you can patent as an original idea (or trademark for that matter, but that is a different discussion). As it stand people can patent a fart, and it will probably be granted. Someone even patented a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

First case: patents for the sake of extortion - If you patent something, i think they should give you a period of time to implement it into your own working products. If you just patent something without the intent to use the design yourself, in a product you own, the patent should expire if you haven't use it in a working product in a set period. What is the point of inventing and not actually market your invention?With this amendment you could get a preliminary patent and still safely talk to investors to market and fund you product, since the intent is there. There will be the exceptions of course which could be granted since it is being researched, but at least they can prove research is in progress.

Second issue: Vagueness for maximum litigation options - Most of the patents out there, especially around software and design, are so vague that it covers a broad spectrum of existing products. This leaves the system open for abuse. So instead of getting a patent for a counter on screen, the patent should be for a counter on screen, position, font, working script and business case on where it will be applied. It has to be very specific for what you invented it for, as well as the target market, not just "Something will happen when it reach 0".

Huge if true: iPhone 8 will feature 3D selfies, rodent defibrillator

Ben 54

Re: I'm still waiting

Did you also report that Wave doesn't charge you phone when you put it in a microwave?

But seriously, some people might think you are serious here :D That video you mention was making the rounds as fact in some place in Asia those days. Top management in the one company showed it to me asking my opinion while I traveled on a roadshow, and were very disappointed when I told them it is probably fake.

BBC detector vans are back to spy on your home Wi-Fi – if you can believe it

Ben 54

Re: So, now you need to pay even though you only use it to watch pornhub?

It was a joke, but wow on your response.

Quite honestly, the statement is that anyone using the iPlayer to watch BBC should be paying a TV license, so it should exclude wifi or lan traffic. I am sure there are better ways to monitor the iPlayer users (like a subscription) than threatening letters. However, it has been proven that more people will respond to a legal letter, no matter how unlawful, and cough up. There are the few who will call and question it, but being a bully served the lazy corps well up to now. I for one haven't lived in the UK for well over 5 years, and my property was vacant for two years while contractors renovated it. During that time there were zero electronics in the house. To my amusement I got threatening letters to pay up or face a fine. I didn't pay it of course, but I know many who did.

Ben 54

So, now you need to pay even though you only use it to watch pornhub?

So effectively you now need to pay a TV license for watching youtube, browse reddit and pornhub. Lol, that is taking it too far.

Naked cyclists take a hard line on 'aroused' protest participant

Ben 54

Looked at the original article and..

for cyclists they all look horribly out of shape. I honestly don't know why he got aroused. Even so, public nudity seems to be ok here, but getting aroused while nude is not? Not something you can easily control. It is like single someone out who is sweating while walking.

'To read this page, please turn off your ad blocker...'

Ben 54

Let's talk about youtube pre-roll ads

I have a two little ones who like to watch Team Umizoomi (a baby program) and other kid programs on youtube. And this is some of the ad content the past two months :-

1. Skin care products (Yes, my kids are REALLY interested in that, mmm)

2. A taxi service

3. Local noodles

4. Oil for motorbikes

If you cannot make your ads relevant, don't force it on people.

London cops cuff 20-year-old man for unblocking blocked websites

Ben 54

Re: What law has been broken.

Now that you mention FACT - the name doesn't even make sense. Federation against copyright theft. Can someone tell me how you steal a copyright?

Ben 54

And in the mean time....

The real criminals stealing and robbing people get away while they waste their time with trivial nonsense like this.

Helpdesk/Service Desk Recommendations

Ben 54

Re: Helpdesk?

Oh yeah, correct! It is perl. It has been a long time since we installed it. It just keep on running, never broken down on us in any way.

Ben 54

Helpdesk?

This is too small for the paid ones. Open ITSM (otrs.com) is probably the best in this case, since it's free, and you have the source to expand on. It does the job, and is very easy to configure. This is PHP based, and can be self hosted. Just see the current userbase portofolio for this free solution, measure up the out of the box features, and make judge it yourself.

Sick of walking into things while gawping at your iPhone? Apple has a patent app. for that

Ben 54

Uhm,,,

Not sure how isheep hold their phones while texting, but if it is like normal do. then the camera will show a fabulous stream of the pavement.

Millions of unloved iPhone 5Cs gather dust in warehouses – report

Ben 54

Apples next court case

I think if it was even remotely possible apple with sue the public for not buying their products. Seems their only recourse for lost revenue these days is to blame everyone else and make some lawyers richer.

'No, I CAN'T write code myself,' admits woman in charge of teaching our kids to code

Ben 54

QUOTE: and could be learned in a day.

Soooooo, why can't she code then if it can be learned in a day?

New wonder slab slurps Wi-Fi, converts it into juice for gadgets, boast boffins

Ben 54

Next news article...

And a patent troll who don't even know what this is, never invented anything useful in their lives, and have no scientific knowledge nor a team swoops in with a patent claim.

You like iPads, you like things called 'Air'. You will LOVE this puppy

Ben 54

Re: Lol @ the hate.

I suggest you read up on who actually MANUFACTURE the processor in your ithings. Apple assemble, they hire foxcon to do their dirty work. They don't manufacture any processor themselves. How can you even class them the best tech company when they are merely assembling other peoples tech? Even more embarrassing, the "brain" is made by the people fanbois hate all the time. Don't believe me? One example of the 5s http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/09/20/samsung-confirmed-to-be-manufacturer-of-apples-new-a7-chip-in-iphone-5s

Ben 54

Did you just???

Did you just compare the performance to an XBOX360? Well, not going to rip into the tech details there, not worth my time. I will reserve my conversation with people of my peers who actually design and work with HW and SW design.

Lets talk architecture. Yes, it's a 64bit processor. Hooray you say? Well, it's because all fanbois are sheep, and just knows terminology without actually understand the implications. Let me clarify this point, unless software were written to utilize the low level changes, and actually were optimized for it, the gain is zero (sorry, some existing apps might have a negative gain). This has been the issue on all platforms, as soon as they migrated from 8 to 16 to 32 - there were always new obstacles to overcome. For one, memory. I will not going into mem structures with fanbois, since most will not understand 99% of it, but it's best you read up and educated yourself. There is so much more apple is not telling people on this change, it's a joke.

And btw, enjoy your Samsung manufactured processor (yes fanbois, your enemy actually MAKE your beloved brain for your ithingy).

Apple tries to trademark the term 'startup'

Ben 54

Yes, it seems they got confused with the fact that Apple starts with an "A", not "i".

Ben 54
Devil

Re: I'd like to annouce that I am patenting electricity

I'm patenting the use of metal in any form, and I will trademark the word "Smartphone". With these idiot drones approving all these stupid requests, I think I stand a good chance. Even the "Toilet Snorkel" (Look it up) is more innovative than Apples (or any other trolls) claims.

Fanbois taught to use Apple's new killer app: Microsoft Windows

Ben 54
FAIL

Re: Wow

So you chose to pay over 1K for Intel HD graphics or a GT650 at best? Which specs are you referring to? My kids have Asus laptops with higher specs for substantially lower prices, and these run high end games without frame drops. I am very sure you are this person in Starbucks sitting with your macbook trying to look cool.

Apple sucking triple the phone switchers as Samsung – report

Ben 54

One more point, Samsung actually manufacture some of their own components, so their cost is obviously lower in that regard. And for all those apple tarts out there, I suggest you read up who actually manufacture the Apple processor on their devices. That kind of will insult all the "younger and more educated" statement, since they obviously don't even know what they are buying. Who will you rather buy from, the guy on the corner store selling milk, or the farmer producing it?

Patent tank VirnetX fires 'secure domain name' design claim at Apple

Ben 54

More trolling!

If there is even one legislator out there with half a brain, STOP THIS PATENT NONSENSE!!! This is getting out of hand. I personally dislike apple, but this patent troll companies who just apply for patents vague and generic enough to take companies to court should all be abolished. This patent for example is so vague that it describe a concept which has been in place for more than 20 years. Are they going to sue to army as well? Unfortunately the Patent Economy is forming with the blessing of the idiots approving this crap.

Using encryption? That means the US spooks have you on file

Ben 54

Storage

Can anyone even see the impossible logistics with this whole setup? Storing audio takes up space, a LOT of space. Let alone doing it in real time. The technology is there, but how big of a server farm do they have to keep running as a library for this? And to check every call, every minute, for everyone?

Nintendo throws flaming legal barrel at YouTubing fans

Ben 54

RIP WII-U....

NRA: Video games kill people, not guns. And here's our video game

Ben 54

Re: An NRA spokespersons said...

If my games really de-sensitise people from violence, my lads would not be so squimish when they see blood. Up to today nor them or my wife can stand to see a wound. and the eldest played all these supposingly violent games.

Also, games DEFINATELY dont mirror real life, nor can real life mirror games. For one, in a game when you aim, you use BOTH eyes, so you definately dont learn to aim better playing games - in real life you have one eye on the scope (Did i mention steady a scope with the weight of a gun is also not as easy as it seem?). Also, not sure about medical enhancements these days, but i know i definately dont heal after been gunned or stabbed a couple of times just by ducking into cover.

Apple loses iPhone patent lawsuit

Ben 54

Apple are trolls normally, but..

I just looked at this companies website - they are obviously bigger trolls than apple! Someone should reform this insanity!

Drinking too much coffee can MAKE YOU BLIND

Ben 54

Fruits are dangerous as well!

In recent studies they found that everyone who ate fruit 200 years ago died. Conclusion is fruit MUST be bad for you.

On topic, been drinking 10 to 15 cups of coffee per day, i work in IT afterall. Been like this for 20 years, im the only one not wearing glasses in the office, and even more, im one of the few who havent walked into the glass door at the entrance because the auto door doesnt work. Coincidence?

Fuming fanbois flood 'flimsy iPhone 5 Wi-Fi' forum

Ben 54

Re: Woah, hold on there...

Um, that one was fixed with an update. Lets see how long this one takes to fix. And lets not forget the maps.

Apple iPhone 5 review

Ben 54
Trollface

ROFL

USB - None

Micro SD - None

And should I dare mention the map mess?

90% - WTF!? Maybe someone who is less biased and not a smartphone use do a proper review?

Judge: Apple must run ads saying Samsung DIDN'T copy the iPad

Ben 54
Thumb Up

Some common sense!

At last a legal outcome which makes sense. Now Apple can display this on their reclaimed apple.co.uk on opening night.

Apple wins skirmish in HTC-Google patent war

Ben 54
WTF?

WTF!?

If a stupid patent like this is passed to thugs like apple, what chance have small developers have to expand on their tech? They are just p-ssd that they are losing market share so go on a witch hunt instead of improving their own useless product.

Regulator reckons telly advert caps are just peachy

Ben 54
Thumb Down

9 minutes is still too long

..but I was shocked to see in Indonesia that they have around 5 minute ad breaks for ever 4 minutes of screening (or any random short number). Doesnt this people realize no-one watch these ads? Thats the time i take a leak or get a drink.

Don't bother with that degree, say IT pros

Ben 54

Bedroom coders

Let me get straight down to the facts. Most people go and study IT since it used to be a quick way in making good money and support yourself. Point is that most of these people dont do it because they love it, or even capable of doing that.

Look at the hackers of today - kids doing it from their bedroom, putting security from corporations to shame with all their graduates scratching their heads on how it was done. Game mods done are also done by kids loving the challenge.

My experience is by taking someone from uni, they expect to be treated special, and want a fast career progression. This mean less coders who actually do the job. Architects etc designing is good, but sitting with a whole department of architects, analysts and managers just doesnt get the job done. Some are good, no doubt, but the majority we recycle quite frequently since they just dont cut it on real coding skills. Im talking about real time transactions, not some lame business form with fields.

For this reason thoroughly test applicants in my company. Uni or the not, if you can master our tests (Not some conceptual nonsense on paper, real programming) it counts in the favor.

It's official: IE users are dumb as a bag of hammers

Ben 54
Devil

Safari on graph

My wifes eyes are getting weaker. The tiny text below the chart didnt help, but she asked me what browser is called 'Satan'? hahahaha I had to magnify it so she could see its in fact Safari.

Glasgow cammer not thrown in slammer

Ben 54
FAIL

Cam vids are rubbish anyway

I dont get why people want to watch these cam vids anyway. And they actually pay for it! In Asia they sell these knock-offs in malls, and one i saw had a poster behind him asking people to report piracy!

But on FACT, their abbreviation doesnt even make sense. How can you steal a copyright? Seems they bastardized the english language just to make a word out of their abbreviation.

Go Daddy sued over email alerts

Ben 54
FAIL

Patents are killing business

Soon you wont be able to compete with new inventions because everyone have some stupid patent out stopping creativity. Seriously, this patent, like the peanut butter and jelly sandwich patent (Seriously, search for the article here on the reg) is getting stupid and out if hand. I say kill patents, what does it achieve other than trolls register nonsense and wait for a big fish to use that idea.

Android app sales skimpy, sluggish, slack, scanty...

Ben 54
Alert

Android release new builds too fast

I think opensource is just part of the problem on the Android market. Personally I would pay for an app which have support, open source or the not, if its useful with support.

My main beef with Android is the compatibility issue accross tablets. Android and older generation phones/tablets have people stuck on 1.6 Android, unable to upgrade, and google keep on releasing new builds for the more expensive newer models. At this rate most people keep on adjusting for the newer SDKs and olders ones get left behind.

Skyfire for one, left the 1.6 users to fend for themselves so they can utilize the new features in the newer builds. Problem is, a huge share of the market have older kit, and there is no way forward for them. Upgrading for older handsets is not possible without a kind dev building some custom builds of android, but its impossible to cover every single chipset out there on their unpaid own.

Samsung threatens Apple in response to patent lawsuit

Ben 54
Thumb Down

Tiles as well?

Got myself some rounded rectangle tiles for my bathroom. Maybe Apple want to make a claim on them as well? Seriously, the patent law is getting to the point where its completely rubbish.

Nintendo trades blows with The Sun over 3DS returns

Ben 54
WTF?

Surely this is a mistake

Since when does the Sun publish news?

Twitter sued for patent infringement

Ben 54
WTF?

Patents and laws

Its my firm believe the idea of a patent was invented to fatted some more laywers wallets. Seriously, the way its going now its seriously taking the piss. People invent NON-WORKING things on a back of a napkin (time machines and what have you), and patent this.

Next thing you'll know some legal eagle is going to patent speech and start taxing us having a chat over a beer or something stupid like this. Dont even get me started on the notion that you can patent mathematical formulas. What the hell????

Point is that people abuse this system for personal gain. They invent some thing which probably already exist on a napkin n the pub (think compression of images and sound as an example), and then wait for a bigshot to implement it and sue them.

Mass messaging - uhm, all the text spam in Asia and the UK should fall under that category. And im sure it was there for much longer than this shoddy claim.

Just to clarify, i dont do twitter or facebook or any of that blogs. I just think this patent thing is out of hand.