URGENT: PLEASE READ!!!

[DanFungus]

all i can say is that they suck.

 

[Warin]

Russ,

I wish I had faith in the legislators you American folk elect. But htey continuouslyy ow to pressure from big business / big media.

Look at all the copyright extensions for Disney. How many works are stifled because ideas are kept under restraint for as long as they are now (What..75 years?)

Look at the DMCA. It is truly odious and used as a bludgeon on many less powerful folks (bnetd)

It is time for Americans to take a stand and preserve the freedoms that so many have fought and died for in the past for those freedoms. It's time that you stop being apathetic and assuming that 'it'll never happen in the land of the free'.

Again, being Canadian, I dont have to worry about this law so much. But if it becomes law, I am certain those very same groups will lobby the Canadian government to reciprocate in the spirit of free trade.

Anyone remotely involved in the tech sector should stand up and yell from the highest tower 'WAKE UP!'

Dont sell your freedoms for apathy.

 

[Russ]

WilsonTung,

It's a legitimate bill. Fritzy-boy has been regularly proposing garbage like this for quite some time. He fancies himself a technocrat. You may not be finding it, because it hasn't even been introduced - just written.

Warin,

I don't have any faith in them. I just look at history. Nearly identical legislation to this has been introduced, not only at the federal level but also at the state level, and it has never gone anywhere.

Now, that said, it has never gone anywhere because it goes too far too fast, and creates an uproar that the politicians cannot ignore. Far more dangerous are all the incremental erosions of rights that nobody seems to care about. So, they steal a tenth at a time and after ten bills, they have it all.

Russ, NCNE

 

[WilsonTung]

For the Engineers out there!

http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20010928S0110

 

[RagingWind]

after reading that article and reading everything on this thread... it really makes sick how some people just want to ban certain to benifit themselves and not for the others....

 

[BoberFett]

Well, I'm just a simple guy, and don't know much about them thar letters to congress. But if any of y'all are planning a violent rebellion against corporations and government alike, gimme a holler.

 

[ViRGE]

<< Well, I'm just a simple guy, and don't know much about them thar letters to congress. But if any of y'all are planning a violent rebellion against corporations and government alike, gimme a holler. >>




It's 3pm next Friday. Our timing is rather screwed up however, so if we haven't arrived yet, start without us.

 

[db]

This legislation will not pass, it is too outrageous.

 

[Linux23]

well I just voted.

 

[Jokeram]

<< well I just voted. >>

me 2

 

[Martin]

<< Warin,

I don't have any faith in them. I just look at history. Nearly identical legislation to this has been introduced, not only at the federal level but also at the state level, and it has never gone anywhere.

Now, that said, it has never gone anywhere because it goes too far too fast, and creates an uproar that the politicians cannot ignore. Far more dangerous are all the incremental erosions of rights that nobody seems to care about. So, they steal a tenth at a time and after ten bills, they have it all.

Russ, NCNE >>




I can see that happening


Perhaps there will no longer be PCs as we know them in 20 years. I do hope Canadian politicians have more sense, but I doubt it.

 

[Freejack2]

Considering these days that the current government is very big business friendly, don't think this won't get passed. It wouldn't suprise me if Hollywood has enough money to throw around to get all the votes they need.
If people don't raise a big stink about this it will become law. Quite literally the only thing that will stop this bill is people like us.

I can already imagine what life will be like after this law is passed. People whose worst crime has been driving 5mph over the speed limit will all of a sudden become criminals. Say it's 2004 and you want to upgrade your aging computer. If you upgrade to the latest equipment the media industry controls any media you run. Your other choice is to get hardware from a country that doesn't have this law. You live a few hours from the Canadian border and decide to take a drive. You get your hardware and you are coming across the border. The agent asks you if you have anything to declare. Never having commited any crimes before you nervously answer no. The agent wonders why you seem so nervous and decides to inspect your vehicle. Low and behold the agent finds the contraband computer equipment in your vehicle. Next thing you know, you are in cuffs and off to a 5 year tour of your local prison. Oh and did I mention the drug dealer who went through the border about an hour after you did only got 3 years in jail for smuggling drugs?

This law won't keep terrorists from harming people, all it will do is take away our freedoms. Vote no or kiss another of your freedoms goodbye.

 

[Orsorum]

If you closely read the article, I'm fairly certain both Intel and Microsoft are opposing the push. I'm surprised, but not really. In the end, Microsoft and Intel both enjoy a distinct advantage (whether they admit it or not) and gain a lot of revenue from the enthusiast communities... any innovation can be considered good, it also gives Intel and Msoft new ways to innovate and react. Maybe that's just me.

 

[RoninRXN]

Just because it's illegal doesn't mean we can't do it.

Whatever Microsoft comes up with, there are a million guys out there that can crack it. Look how fast Product Activation went down.

 

[Orsorum]

<< Just because it's illegal doesn't mean we can't do it.

Whatever Microsoft comes up with, there are a million guys out there that can crack it. Look how fast Product Activation went down. >>



Regardless of what the enthusiasts can do (and we will), there's a humongous danger here for ordinary consumers... and companies that we know and love and support may be endangered by this.

 

[Zorba]

I just want to know where I can get that crack that Hollings is smoking.

 

[rgwalt]

This bill won't pass. So many PUBLIC universities use open-source software (Linux) to power computer clusters. It is used to power supercomputers that do serious research. It would be like shooting the NSF in the foot.

Won't go through.

Politicians are dumb.

Ryan

 

[joohang]

This is bullsh*t. :|

But it is very unlikely to happen.

 

[Bluga]

<< It will go nowhere. >>

 

[AzNmAnJLH]

bump.... i signed the petition... i doubt it will get passed

 

[Czar]

I hope I never have to fall under this stupid law

 

[Moonbeam]

You guys just got to get used to the idea that collateral damage can actually affect you. This idea seems very conservative to me. What's the problem?

 

[xyyz]

that's right all you right wing bastards... it's time for you to unite!!!!

take away ALL our liberties for the sake of "security."

i'd much rather live in a dangerous world and use my own ablities to secure myself than to rely on Big Brother to dictate my life and monitor my actions 24/7

this is appaling that anyone could even THINK of something like this... why don't we make it a fellony to go for a walk.

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

 

[SyahM]

wow .. this is such a huge BS. Will this stop terrorism? NO, big NO NO infact it will increase the amount of criminals .... i'm moving back to my country if this law is actually passed.

 

[Rookie]

Let me just say that it amazes the sh!t out of me the amount of intelligence that some of these Senators.
you think they would have better things to do...christ almighty.