TimK 's Techdirt Comments
Latest Comments (83)
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On the post: Patents Threaten To Silence A Little Girl, Literally
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On the post: Patents Threaten To Silence A Little Girl, Literally
TimK ( profile ), 27 Mar, 2012 @ 07:54am2 better options...
As I see it, limiting connectivity of the iPad is not the best choice.
I'd like to see the app creators do two things.
1. Release the app on the side and not through iTunes. Then Apple can't block it or remove it. I think the girl's mother would have to jailbreak her iPad to install the app (as would anyone else - but my understanding is this is pretty easy) but this way she doesn't lose all the other usefulness of the tablet.
2. Port the app to Android. Any Android device can sideload apps without even being jailbroken, plus this gives more people access to the app with more affordable options than the iPad.
By doing these two things and making the app available elsewhere from the Apple app store, it pretty much makes it impossible to stop. The app can be mirrored, hosted outside the US, copied and redestributed endlessly, guaranteeing that it will always be available somewhere and even the greatest game of internet whack-a-mole won't stop it. -
On the post: NCAA Goes Backwards On Streaming The Basketball Tournament
TimK ( profile ), 19 Mar, 2012 @ 05:17amNo Thanks
As Tim pointed out in the article, this makes no sense for anyone. They are showing the same ads that people would be seeing with free OTA broadcasts or with their cable/dish feed. All it does is make it less likely that people will view those ads....and ad views is what pays the bills isn't it?
I for one refused to pay it. Not even a consideration. And I am a guy who played college ball, played in the tournament, and love this time of year. In fact, I take off from work every year to watch games on the first two days. It would've been great to be able to watch riding in the car or outside or on the toilet! But instead I didn't watch when I wasn't near a TV. I didn't watch the games. I didn't watch the ads.
Everyone lost. -
On the post: The Future Of Journalism Doesn't Have A Head Office
TimK ( profile ), 08 Mar, 2012 @ 05:11amHuffington Post
I've never read nor been to the Huffington Post site....until today. My God is it awful. I'm not talking about the content, but the layout and design. What a mess. It reminds me of MySpace. There is crap all over the place. I can't tell what's a story, what's a picture, what's an ad.
OK, maybe its not as bad as MySpace, but it still looks cobbled together and confusing. -
On the post: Microsoft Hires Key Anti-Google FTC Lawyer To Be Its New Chief Anti-Google Lobbyist
TimK ( profile ), 03 Mar, 2012 @ 02:04pmIts times like this I wish companies were more human....
So I could punch them in the face. Apple first, then Microsoft. -
On the post: EMI Sneakily Trying To Pretend Many Of Its Artists Can't Reclaim Their Copyrights
TimK ( profile ), 02 Mar, 2012 @ 12:12pmHow are the labels going to get around this specific language:
"...if the parties expressly agree in a written instrument signed by them that the work shall be considered a work made for hire."
I'm guessing none of these artists signed such a letter, but I guess the RIAA could just forge the documents.... -
On the post: Security Researcher Shows That — Despite Carrier IQ's Claims To The Contrary — CarrierIQ Records Keystrokes
TimK ( profile ), 02 Dec, 2011 @ 01:02pmClass Action Filed
It didn't take that long....
Filed 12/1/2011
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-samsung-and-htc-hit-by-wiretapping-lawsuit-over-tracking-software/ -
On the post: MPAA Kills More Innovation; Zediva Shut Down Permanently
TimK ( profile ), 31 Oct, 2011 @ 11:05amRe: Re: An innovative Startup?
I live "on" planet Earth. I know why Zediva operated in the ass-backwards low tech way that they did. I mentioned that it was a clever 'workaround' to a problem caused by the stupidity of the movie studios.
I could come to your house with a DVD player, a DVD and some cables and show you a movie "on demand" for money. It would be legal (in theory) and it would be a workaround to the studio's ridiculous licensing and windowing schemes. But it certainly isn't innovative... not when you are taking technology backwards to accomplish a goal.... and it certainly isn't sustainable or scaleable.
So much like Zediva, my stupid door-to-door movie service avoids the problems of licensing and delay windows... but I don't think that anyone would consider physically transporting digital media as "innovative". -
On the post: MPAA Kills More Innovation; Zediva Shut Down Permanently
TimK ( profile ), 31 Oct, 2011 @ 09:52amAn innovative Startup?
"....Zediva, an innovative startup..."
Mike, "an innovative startup"? Really? Clever certainly, but not innovative. Arguably, it was actually ass-backwards....instead of the forward-thinking concepts of storing a digital file on a server and streaming it (ala Netflix streaming) which would theoretically allow unlimited access, they actually housed limited physical copies of the media and limited physical players and had to physically play and transmit each movie individually. I get that it was clever that they found a loophole, and while a reasonable court should have seen that, it still wasn't "innovative". -
On the post: Another Report Shows Redlight Cameras Increasing Accidents
TimK ( profile ), 28 Oct, 2011 @ 07:34pmCaught by the Philly cam
As someone who was "caught" by one of the Philly traffic cams, I felt I should chime in here so you all understand just what a scam it is.
(Background: it was raining, light turned yellow - I thought it a bad idea to jam on the breaks)
So I get the violation in the mail. It shows a picture of my vehicle (my wife's minivan which is big, heavy and doesn't stop on a dime) nose at the white line at the moment of RED.
Here's where it gets crooked(er). The notice of violation tells you that if you pay the fine now, its only $100 and no points. OR. You can request a hearing.
Hearing requested! Take time off of work - yay!
Fair hearing it isn't. You sit in a room with a Philadelphia Parking Authority employee - yeah, the same people who manage the program and collect a portion of the revenue. Hmm. Seems impartial.
Ruling: The light is red, your car is behind the line. Violation upheld. You can appeal.
Appeal! (out of principal)
Oh, only catch, you have to pay $35 to appeal. Yeah, $35 to appeal a $100 fine. I wonder how many people bother to take ANOTHER day off work and risk paying $135 vs "winning" and saving $65.
And of course, at the appeal, the real "judge" has no interest in hearing any logical arguments, takes 18 seconds to declare the violation upheld. In his defense, at least he has plenty of other traffic cases to deal with besides some guy bitching about a red light camera.
I could appeal again, but at what cost. Time to give up and pay.
Scam. Scam. Scam. I used to love Philly. Born and raised there. Now I hate it and hope the corrupt local government brings the whole town to its knees. They deserve it for re-electing the same crooks year after year. -
On the post: E-PARASITE Bill: 'The End Of The Internet As We Know It'
TimK ( profile ), 27 Oct, 2011 @ 10:41amwhy?
Can someone tell me why the studios have this kind of clout in DC? I mean, seriously, do they really have the pockets to 'donate' the big bucks like that? I don't have access to the numbers, but I would have to think that at this point google alone has more $ than all the recording studios combined. I have to believe that the combined $'s of all the companies threatened by this legislation have to far exceed those of the movie and music studios who bought this bill. I mean, we are talking about google, ebay, isp's, hosting companies and more.
Unfortunately, I know we are at a time when the government is no longer by the people or for the people, rather by corporations for corporations. So, aside from voting all these career politicians out of office, and banning political contributions, we are left hoping that we get helped out by some other corporations who choose to fight this bill for their own benefit. Writing or calling 'our' representatives is a waste of time. They've already been bought.
Sad. It makes me feel helpless. -
On the post: Steve Jobs Was Willing To 'Rip Off' Everyone Else… But Was Pissed About Android Copying iPhone?
TimK ( profile ), 22 Oct, 2011 @ 11:18amJobs = Hypocrite
Jobs should retroactively go back and sue himself... quoting Picasso first....
"Good artists copy, great artists steal."
and then adding his own words...
"We have always been shameless about stealing great ideas."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CW0DUg63lqU#!
Yeah, its OK if WE (Apple) take your ideas, but its not OK if YOU take our ideas. Seems like Jobs was both a hypocrite and a crybaby. -
On the post: DailyDirt: Science That's Almost Indistinguishable From Magic
TimK ( profile ), 19 Oct, 2011 @ 06:26amEven better demonstration of Quantum Levitation
Saw this on Gizmodo yesterday. This video is a WAY cooler demonstration of Quantum Levitation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ws6AAhTw7RA -
On the post: Could Computers Predict Political Unrest Like They Predict The Weather?
TimK ( profile ), 30 Sep, 2011 @ 05:02amPerhaps the advantage of the computer is that it can 'read' thousands of articles whereas a person can read significantly less. Obviously, the more articles read the more valid the conclusions of the reader are. If I read 5 articles about the goings on in Saudi Arabia I may draw different conclusions than a computer that read 65,000 articles about Saudi Arabia.
I'm not saying that the computer is going to be a huge asset, but I think its wrong to discount it simply because a person can read articles and draw conclusions too. I can do math too, but a computer is faster and better at it. -
On the post: How Not To Make Music Social: The Way Spotify And Facebook Did It
TimK ( profile ), 27 Sep, 2011 @ 06:57amNo Spotify for me
Seems stupid of Spotify to require a user to be a member of a separate service. Even if it makes things easier on their integration it seems like it could be a big problem for them. I for one, de-facebooked this week. I barely ever used Facebook, have no interest in it, and it seems to get worse with every story I read about the company and its practices. For Spotify to team up with Facebook just seems like a foolish decision. I understand the "hugeness" of Facebook and wanting to tap into that network, but other companies tie into Facebook without requiring it.
Oh well, I guess I'll never even try Spotify. -
On the post: Could Google's Motorola Buy To Fend Off Microsoft… Actually Drive More Business To Microsoft?
TimK ( profile ), 24 Aug, 2011 @ 05:44amI don't buy it.
I don't think for one second that these manufacturers are actually "considering a move to Windows phone". Android is exploding and has been for almost 2 years now. Windows Phone? pbbblt. Nothing. All of these companies have the option of building and selling Windows Phones right now, and some of them are doing so....along with Android phones. HTC, Samsung, LG....they are all making money on Android phones. HTC is making record profits on Android phones. Android is the #1 selling mobile OS. Companies are in the business of responding to market demands (or at least that's how they should operate... RIAA and MPAA members I'm talking to you). It would be ridiculous to think that any of them are going to stop making Android phones or "switch" to Windows phones simply because of the Motorola purchase. As long as people demand and buy Android phones, every single one of them is going to continue making them, and the "costs" of building Android phones (the risk of lawsuit and/or cost of licensing with MS) has just gone down thanks to the patents Google obtained through the sale.
Yes, I am sure they are all concerned about what Google will do with MM and whether MM will get special treatment. And yes, I am sure they are all cautiously looking at their other options should Google give MM unfair market advantages. But, unless and until Google actually does anything to change the Android marketplace for the worse, its ridiculous to think that any of these companies would turn their business away from a proven seller and proven moneymaker, to jump on board the Windows Phone train as it putt-putts along.
In summary:
It is good business for mfg's to be concerned about what Google does with MM.
It is good business for mfg's to continue on the successful course they've been on, all the while keeping a watchful eye on MM.
It is a good idea for Google to make sure they keep a level playing field so that their partners continue selling phones with the Android OS so they can continue raking in ad revenue.
-Tim -
On the post: The 18 Senators Who Approve Breaking The Internet To Protect Hollywood
TimK ( profile ), 26 May, 2011 @ 11:22amArlen Spector also failed to win re-election. You probably should review the list....
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On the post: If You Think Writing For Free Undermines Your Profession, Just Don't Do It!
TimK ( profile ), 21 Mar, 2011 @ 10:01amI've already got my lawsuit lined up for when Craigslist goes public. I want my share of the Billions for all the free content I wrote for them.
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On the post: As Expected, House Agrees To Extend Patriot Act With No Discussion, No Oversight
TimK ( profile ), 14 Feb, 2011 @ 07:10pmMore of the same
My rep voted for it. I thought maybe as a new member of congress we wouldn't just get more of the same...I was wrong. More fake security and more abuse of power. Just wrote him a message expressing my disgust.
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On the post: TSA Does Full Grope Search On Screaming Three Year Old [Update]
TimK ( profile ), 18 Nov, 2010 @ 07:50amJust say no!
I would never allow my child to go through that. The parent seemed to consent to it which boggles my mind. We teach our kids not to talk to strangers, and to never let a stranger touch them....but then to let a random TSA agent do a patdown? No sir. As for the backscatter machines, neither me nor my children will be going through any of them. Not sure what will happen if I ever go through an airport with them and get selected for "screening" because I'm not going to let the TSA scan or pat down my kids... or myself for that matter.
And with regards to the radiation "dose" being less than a chest Xray or high altitude flight, that's a matter of the TSA spinning the data. The "total dosage" is measured in the amount of radiation when spread evenly throughout the entire body. However, many experts point out that the backscatter machines only penetrate the skin. Therefore the actual "dosage" of radiation while being less than an Xray is actually concentrated on the skin and is thus actually a much higher dose.
To simplify I am making up numbers and measures.... if you get zapped with 300 gigawatts of radiation during a flight and weigh 150 lbs, your dose is 2 gigawatts per lb. If you are zapped with 150 gigawatts of radiation from a scanner that only penetrates 30 lbs of skin, the quantity of the dose may be half, but your skin is actually getting 5 gigawatts per lbs which is more than twice as much. Follow?
In other TSA spin, they love to quote that Johns Hopkins studied it and said its safe, but if you read the statement from one of the scientists at Johns Hopkins he very clearly states that they only measured the radiation produced by the machine and reported it to the TSA, they did not study its impact on people or state that it was safe/healthy.
Seems like this is about the time that one of these companies try to buy the mom's silence by offering them a free license to make this story go away before it becomes a huge PR nightmare.
Hopefully she gives them the old F U.