Posts by DryBones
120 posts • joined Sunday 7th February 2010 00:04 GMT
I'm Surprised
Not one comment about how on the left side of the pond "beating off" means something else...
Posted in RIAA: Google failing on anti-piracy push
No, that's very true. In theory Google could just delist these sites entirely, I suppose... But that way lies morality police so no, the RIAA gets to go suck eggs.
Posted in RIAA: Google failing on anti-piracy push
Re: "Legitimate download sites like amazon.com"
Works for me. Might do a little search and see if the band's got a PayPal or other donation box that some coin can be tossed in, but hey.
"It's a global economy, you might want to try harder to keep up."
Re: @Psyx
So the short summary of your position is "I have enough street smarts to see problems coming, and am fit and tough enough to deal with anything I can't avoid. In my situation the chance of my needing a gun looks like it'll be in behind being struck by lightning".
Well done, gold star. Bit of a pity that the situation varies, isn't it? Here's an interesting one. No relation, no acquaintance, no indication anything was the matter, no desire for money. Just... her phone? Didn't even demand that, just wailed on her. Evidently an out of the blue flip-out. If the train had been close, it might have finished with her being struck and killed.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-man-arrested-in-subway-assault-in-philadelphia-20130118,0,2712387.story
The awareness bit is too hindsight to discuss. Should she have had a gun? Don't know, a force multiplier of some sort certainly would have been nice. Oh, the point? Some prefer the option to be prepared but not need, rather than need but not be prepared.
Brisk business in tasers, there?
Is it just me, or is the video chat rather pants? Speech breaks up, lots of feedback
I'm not sure about Google Toolbar, I don't use any of those as they take up screen space that I'd rather use for what the hell I'm trying to read. Chrome's just fine, though. I imagine the real determining factor is how cleanly easily the stuff uninstalls.
I will agree that they really ought to see about dropping some of that bundling incentive stuff. They're not helping by using a similar MO to crapware.
Re: Bye SpaceX, t'was nice hearing you
Well, not quite. There may be nothing currently on the manifest, but that's because the NRO, air force, NASA are tossing stuff at them. They've launched several commercial sats, ICO-1 for one.
This development will help level the playing field of the launch business, but not how most might expect. To participate in government contacts, SpaceX must comply with requirements for reporting, testing, audits, quality management, and the vagaries of a more particular customer, which ULA and its parent companies have been dealing with for a while, and which do figure in their costs.
So as SpaceX comes into the government contracting fold, their costs are going to rise. It is possible that ULA costs will fall, as if SpaceX is excused from certain requirements inherent in the EELV program, ULA can make a good case for also not having to abide by them.
This should be good, seeing the fur fly.
Posted in Bah humbug! Google cancels Christmas
Re: The Real Google Calendar
Obvious troll is obvious.
Nope! But neither can anyone else, which was my original point. IOS has the user base and monetary motivation to make hackers look for exploits. You just haven't heard about them.
What, you mean the same one that's pwned first every Pwn2Own?
Nice troll, but we know this sort of story about Android always leaves out or willfully ignores the start of the process, which goes something like "well if you install this app from a dodgy third-party app store (after having agreed you knew you were at your own risk by enabling sideloading and seeing the warning)..."
The attachment to the shuttles is entirely an emotional reaction, with no grounding in rational, reasoned thought. The shuttles had a lot of stuff in them that was unnecessary and expensive because the Air Force wanted it, and those specials were used only a handful of times. Things are done faster, better, and cheaper without them. Why? Because as thrilling as it is, launching humans is horribly wasteful in terms of results per pound, per launch.
Witness the X-37B. Launched on a simple rocket, spent 468 days in space, came down autonomously. Surgeons can do surgery remotely, once state-of-the art telepresence and robotics systems are provided there won't be a real need to go outside the station. You log in, and you are There. You log out, and go to the pub for a pint. People are so caught up on the thrill of sending a person into space that they don't ask if it wouldn't be more efficient to simply extend their reach.
If the ISS was built as a science platform, using the sort of technical acumen that vending machines and warehouse logistics systems use, it'd be a quarter the size and have four times the experiments going on. Why? Simple. Most of that volume is for people and the support for them. Living space, sleeping space, food, water, air. I'm not saying that there's not good value to studying the long term effects of people in space, and in having a manned station. Merely pointing out that they are inherently inefficient to include in an industrial design. And yes, an orbital science platform could be an entirely industrial design. We just haven't done it that way.
Posted in Apple iPhone 5 review
Re: better
Never in doubt that it is FRAND. However, the point of contention is on whether Apple needs to pay, or their chippery supplier already did. So basically it's yet another game of legal footsie.
Posted in Third of iPad owners want smaller slabs
Re: Apple fan buying a Nexus.
Milo.com is your friend in this, I think. Staples has 'em. Cheers.
Posted in Third of iPad owners want smaller slabs
Re: Apple fan buying a Nexus.
Try a Nexus out in store if possible, as with most things tech hands-on testing is best. That said, both OS will be (and are) pleasantly snappy. Obviously if the tablet is intended for the purse, a stern cover is needed.
Also:
* I half expect a $299 price point for the mini, between cost savings and a light subsidy. It needs some separation from the 3 to be looked at... Or maybe it doesn't. Proximity to the 10" iPad in price will show how loyal/rabid fans are.
* Swype beats every other virtual keyboard hollow. Yes, including SwiftKey. It's beta for ICS right now, but if it's not on the demo unit, make them install it. Seriously. Yes, this requires installing code not directly from Google Play.
* Nexus 7 has a replaceable battery. I like things where one has the option of replacing wear parts themself. But that's just me, I like having the option to do the work (pop cover off, unplug cable, swap battery, replace cable and cover).
It's WordPress. No, really. Once Reuters gets a clue and changes their blogging platform, they'll just have to find something else to try attacking on the site. As much as I hear WordPress and hacked used together, you'd think their unofficial icon was from Goatse. Wiiiide open.
A brief search suggests that the DRM has already been hacked around, and such solutions are easily available for those that choose to look for them, once again proving that the only ones inconvenienced by such things on the medium to long term (or however long such takes to patch around), are those that don't try to pirate them. Also notable is the fact that several of them say 'crack only', which naturally implies that it's only for folks that bought the game. No-CD crack, meet No-Net crack. Here comes the new boss, same as the old boss.
Please note, not espousing not paying for product, just that the benefit/drawback ratio for this sort of DRM is likely a fractional term.
Posted in Marlinspike demos MS-CHAPv2 crack
Re: Time to migrate? Well sure it is -- now!
Well, mostly it was for coming out flaming when they've had lots of warning and ignored it. Likewise, have an upvote for righting yourself.
I imagine there's a line in the BOFH handbook that goes, "If you want something done, kick over the anthill."
Posted in Marlinspike demos MS-CHAPv2 crack
Re: Time to migrate? Well sure it is -- now!
If it's been getting warned about for the past 11 years, and was still worth writing about in a fashion that doesn't come with the phrase "in the past, a rather weak encryption protocol was used... " then no, it wasn't sufficient warning. This is a little kick to get things moving. You know how it is, weaknesses in road design aren't shored up until someone gets killed.
Re: Wrong analogy
Is it just me, or does Verizon sound like they're trying to claim free speech as a defense against charges of wire fraud?
Re: "Innocent" Samsung
Not allowed to claim ownership of a previously established form factor, thickness, or geometric shape.
You may have a point, but what Apple is using for arguments is marketing. If the US applied the "reasonably educated" test like the UK did, Apple would have been dismissed with prejudice.
Hmm
http://www.sylvane.com/images/prodphoto/eu2503/eureka-airspeed-as1001a-vacuum-side-lg.gif
No, no resemblance at all...
Re: Locus of natural stupidity
You're speaking of general versus specific cases, there. In the latter case I'd say it was something on the order of "Failure to take appropriate measures". This means not having given sufficient familiarization to the kid as to what guns were, how they work, what not to do, and having left a round directly in the chamber vs in the magazine waiting to be charged.
This said, are we all still missing something that presents that magical combination of being ready to fire with perhaps a handful of seconds notice, and safe enough to emplace with children in the home? There have been stories that prove that both the separation of gun/ammo and pairing gun/ammo are bad ideas (unavailable for use when needed vs inadvertent discharge).
It appears that education is the best remedy, because we can see just how far ignorance is getting us. Yes, having no gun in the home is an option, but it ought to be a choice, not a law. Some of us like the criminals having reason to think twice about coming through that door, you know?
Re: but ZTE isnt an american firm
From how the article reads, it appears to be a case that they willfully misrepresented the purpose of purchases from the US in order to buy them, then turned about and resold the kit where it wasn't allowed to go. It's a resale question, just like at wholesale places you may get asked if an item is for resale. If so, they don't charge you tax as you're going to charge the end-user that.
So yeah... fraud to bypass export controls.
Re: Games?
Says the person posting to an IT news forum? Pot, meet kettle.
Posted in YouView recommends radio hams' pet peeve
Re: Hamateur radio?
Come now... A simple search on yon Internet will show things are still nicely active. At least with those that would like to be able to communicate long distances without touching the Internet, in case for example of natural disaster. In the States it's called ARES, amateur radio emergency system. Granted, HF can be more like chatroulette, but some like that for the surprise.
So yes, the advantages of the internet are information density, and consistent contact.
FB = FaceBork, Fut Bucker?
Epic.
Freaking.
Fail.
Wonder if this falls afoul of computer misuse act, etc. They changed data on the user's phone without notice or permission, may have lost valuable contact info... If you only had their email, they have a FB account but don't log in regularly... Oops!
My my. Let me see....
* I believe it's "novel and non-obvious", not practical.
* Black is a color. Colors cannot be patented, though it's possible the specific chemical composition of a material with that color might be.
* Location of controls is not patentable, or at least should fail hard for being too broad. So no requirement for them to be on the front, can be on the sides where lots of stuff (tvs!) have them.
* Standard geometric shapes are not patentable, so the rounded rectangle can't be patented. Also, according to http://www.uiandus.com/blog/2009/7/26/realizations-of-rounded-rectangles.html , Jobs took his inspiration for the shape for OSX's rounded rectangle interface from stuff already in existence, such as the "No Parking" sign. So prior art there anyway.
* Screen in the middle - Form factors are pretty standardized, borrowed from existing monitor
The point of all that? Mostly me being utterly gobsmacked at the fact that the US patent system can be used to force a company to put some sort of pointless tat on their design, and/or prevent them from simplifying its appearance/construction.
Re: What the IP in question?
Following the link, it appears that there are multiple examples of prior art and prior patents. So essentially this is a "... on a phone" patent. This, plus the fact that Google's search engine predates the filing of this patent by almost 10 years (yes I know it's evolved, but that's essentially what they're trying to target and that doesn't wash) makes me wonder if this wasn't granted just so the injunction could be reversed once funded, casually sweeping nearly $100M onto Samsung's balance sheet in under a week.
Re: Even within its present algorithm, iOS autocorrect is daft
Check and see if they're running 2.3. The vast preponderance of Android phones currently out there are on it because the carriers and manufacturers refuse to pull their finger out. Around 2.3.4 or so either Google or whomever baked the carrier's custom ROM were screwing around with how text entry worked... It got better in 4.0, or at least with the Nexus reference device it did. Also, see if they have Swype or not. If not, there's the problem right there.
If you want an Android phone, see if you can score the Galaxy Nexus GSM unlocked version? Google just dropped the price on it a bit, pop your sim in it or the iPhone for the day, swap at lunch, etc...
Re: content?
Mmmmnope.
5 years? Really? If you have a developed app, as in the source code, porting is much, much easier than the writing from scratch was. At least if your code is properly commented (it is, isn't it? Thought so.) The rest of your list is just so silly, I'm taking "intangibles" to mean "tunnel vision".
The difference is marketing and promo.
That's. It.
What utter tripe. They have a patent on minimalism? Black rectangle versus black rectangle... Of course the Samsung lawyer couldn't tell them apart, they haven't got enough distinctive features. The uniqueness test applied to only a part of a product is total fail.
Re: Cynical me.
Bang on. This is doublespeak for "We're going to look into all the different ways you can interact with data, and patent them. Then you'll be paying us if you want to use your technology in a new way."
Appropriate icon is appropriate.
Posted in Nintendo supersizes 3DS
Re: Nintendo has revealed an larded-up 3DS handheld
A "hower" then?
Re: Still don't see the point of MicroUSB...
There's a point to it for a tablet. A "docking station", for instance. Keyboard, drives, etc. I'm just waiting for a car with a dock connector, and the tablet is the touchscreen. Now if only they could get themselves sorted properly...
Re: No matter
They already did. It is called Micro-USB.
Re: Engage them in baiting
The logical conclusion to ranks in a fishing game. :)
Posted in Retina Display detachment
Re: Apple took out the Ethernet port
I cannot currently find it, but I seem to recall a magazine advertisement for PCMCIA ethernet cards which were fully flush with the case when installed. It featured a Hell's Angel in the middle of a lineup of nuns, and the tagline "Cause things that stick out get busted".
Cause everything old is new again...
Alternative Title...
George Takei Fans Get Shirty, Knock Over Website
Posted in Panasonic DMC-GX1 compact system camera
Re: Still waiting for the built-in Electronic Viewfinder.....
Might check the Olympus E-M5. Robin says it better than I can. http://robinwong.blogspot.com/p/olympus-e-5-review.html
Re: An interesting question would be.
The Russians do it fancy and drive straight in, but by having a human in the loop you get the adaptability and ability to recognize and recover from a wider range of errors. Plus meat is on a relative scale, cheaper. So by making the docking procedure "get it in this envelope with this range of angles relative to the station, and Bob's your uncle," there is less money (even more redundant and precisely designed) and less risk associated with docking. Recall, this is how the ATV and HTV do it .
Posted in Hands on with the Samsung Galaxy S III
Re: one day
Hey, I think I remember running into you once already!
1) Apple kit had a megalomaniac perfectionist that wouldn't settle for half baked kit like some will. Unfortunately, this attitude means a design that limits you to what they think you should have, and largely ignores anything else. I had a 3S, the OS was horribly dated looking even with 4.0. I presume your issue was with point 2, therefore.
2) Phone carriers are of the mindset that if they don't customize the OS, it won't distinguish them. They should look at the iPhone and its sales figures again. And again, until they understand: it's not the branding, it's the usability, stupid.
3) You cannot compare an iPhone to an HTC. Compare an iPhone to a Nexus. Both are as the OS maker intended. Yes, this makes a huge difference.
We know you're happy with Apple stuff, but the degree to which you are parroting their ad copy calls into question the amount of critical thinking taking place.
Posted in WiFi Alliance pimping Passpoint
Re: Why would I want this?
Let's see. Requires little thinking, and keeps you away from stuff that someone else thinks you shouldn't have access to. Obviously, the icon can only be a sheep. Can they get that down to indicator icon size?
Re: I have
Errr, no. HTC's and your carrier's's handling of the ICS update crippled the phone. They put in kruft it does not need, and do not focus on making sure their drivers are up to snuff, so cannot run the ota updates. Result, fission mailed. 4.0.4 is the current revision, did they make 4.0b?
Check out Google's latest Nexus for how it should be done. Cloud sync (in Android well before iOS) works fine. And hey, when I move to a different phone, my stuff shows up as soon as I register it. Swype isn't at full release, but the beta works and looks great.
Please don't blame Android for problems caused by ham handed integrators.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus.
Re: Er, No Galaxy Nexus?!
Got one, and it does rock. Like the look, like the lack of carrier kruft, like the direct line to the Android devs for getting updates. Even before the SIII came out I didn't want one, but all the new features that it supposedly sports make me think that either Samsung is going to fork Android, or it's just another case of "6 months to never for the next OS update".
Re: Linux
He who smelt it...
AMD's OpenGL support is absolute pants, at least under W7. They artifact and goof up z-buffering, Nvidia doesn't. Hmm...
Re: From James Gosling (father of Java at Sun and recent ex-Googler) himself
Thumbs all around. I had a phone with the Java on it, actually. An old Sony Erricson, it was... Games and stuff. The most godawful dog it was to use Java on it too, as that was a separate module that was only loaded while playing games, and unloaded after. Oh, and the music player. 20s wait to get it up. Faster than a pill, but certainly not faster than waiting, waiting, then pulling the battery in annoyance.
Re: yes, yes, that's all very well
Well, outside of a troll and the surprising possibility of someone that hasn't used computers for long enough to start learning the general rules that UI designers follow to start finding the answers, trying Linux for the first time comes to mind.
Which reminds me, I need to find and update my Linux test-drive so I can kick the tires more. Tyres? Anyway.
Re: I find it amusing, but also appropriate
Having worked at a home decor place, and actually been half cashier, half IT for an antiquated set of IBMs, I can assure you that this is no coincidence.
Re: FTL?
If you believe the sci-fi, yes it is. I think Orson Scott Card and others covered this. Quantum entangled transcievers, instantaneous communication. It's a matter of developing it to where they can stay entangled. Maybe once they hit entanglement all they need is a sync pulse in one and out the other now and then and they'll stay good, even if locked in unconnected rooms?
