It makes sense that Comcast would act to protect their users right now, if I were under investigation for bandwidth caps that may or may not harm competitors business models thus harming users, I would probably try and look like I care about the user more than I do content too.
I noticed that while our country is sliding closer to default, the Senate Intelligence Committee took the time to meet about, and vote on, an amendment to the PATRIOT Act that would extend the Federal Governments unnecessary ability to continue warrantless wiretapping practices.
I personally do not believe that spying on U.S. citizens provides any additional protection from harm and as a matter of fact I believe it does the exact opposite.
I understand that this vote has already taken place and for that reason this letter cannot change or affect the outcome in any way, however I would like to know how you voted? Were you a 'yay' or a 'nay'?
I understand that you are a busy man, and as a whole I greatly respect the many things you have done for [REPRESENTED STATE], however I do need an answer to this letter quickly. If I have not received a reply stating what your vote was (yay or nay) by August 1st I will have to continue my current path with the assumption that your vote was 'yay' and the question I posed is not being answered to avoid public scrutiny.
I am not a fan of providing others with misinformation, but I will provide my stated assumption if I cannot obtain an answer soon, and if my assumption is wrong I will correct it as soon as it can be proven. Thank you for your time, God Bless.
Alright. I'm not the best programmer, however I am better than most. I say we create a game called... oh I don't know, FakeCars, or Kars... or maybe Mortal Karbat. I will only feature one nondescript race track and one "spyder" knock-off race car named Riq (pronounced "rick").
The project would probably take less than I week if we used pre-existing open source code to render everything, hell we could even crowd-source the whole thing.
Anyway, the goal is to release said game BEFORE the new cars movie. Lets get to it.
If 10% of all television viewing time is shifted and of that 10% only 65% of the ads are skipped, that means that 6.5% of all ads viewed by DVR owners get skipped. Once you allow for a 3%-%5 margin for error you probably end up in the ballpark.
We should also consider that there are likely more outliers that don't fast-forward out of habit than those doing the opposite.
I've been a techdirt reader for years and I have never been disappointed in the quality of the content produced. The way that you explain economics and politics as well as other topics trumps that of any formal instructor I have ever been exposed to.
The ironic thing is that very little of what I read here is news to me, however your method for delivering information is so effective that I retain it from techdirt far more often than the original source. This story is a prime example of a great educational resource and I will be archiving this article, as well as others, to teach my children when they enter public school in a couple years.
Thank you for providing such valuable information.
If Viacom were to win their appeal would that not change the way AIPLA operates? Would it not change the precedence, causing AIPLA to then focus lawsuits on large companies with lawyers and money to defend themselves rather than individuals who have on choice but to bend?
I think what lars was saying it that while he did not regret his actions, he accepts that his actions were ill informed and would not be a repeatable offense.
You have to remember that he has a persona to maintain that is a major asset to the band and coming out and saying sorry might actually hurt their bottom line.
Tomorrow is my wife and my 6th anniversary. Traditionally, one would receive iron and chocolate (for some reason), but I will be receiving a song about ACTA from Dan Bull... Awesome, just awesome.
This was touched on in the article, sort of, but I will clarify: 25% of households have not dropped landlines, the culmination of those dropping landlines and those choosing never to adopt a landline is 25%
I agree whole heartedly that the government is misusing tax dollars by funding patented research that cannot be easily or cheaply accessed. However, this country is in BAD financial shape and I don't think anyone would disagree that $170 million that is most likely coming from profitable companies is a good thing.
If patents (and I think the current patent system sucks) can help to prevent tax hikes for most of America maybe this could be an acceptable trade-off; albeit the kind of thing that should probably be put to a vote.
This is not surprising at all
It makes sense that Comcast would act to protect their users right now, if I were under investigation for bandwidth caps that may or may not harm competitors business models thus harming users, I would probably try and look like I care about the user more than I do content too.
Letter template to send to your senator
Dear Senator [SENATOR'S LAST NAME],
I noticed that while our country is sliding closer to default, the Senate Intelligence Committee took the time to meet about, and vote on, an amendment to the PATRIOT Act that would extend the Federal Governments unnecessary ability to continue warrantless wiretapping practices.
I personally do not believe that spying on U.S. citizens provides any additional protection from harm and as a matter of fact I believe it does the exact opposite.
I understand that this vote has already taken place and for that reason this letter cannot change or affect the outcome in any way, however I would like to know how you voted? Were you a 'yay' or a 'nay'?
I understand that you are a busy man, and as a whole I greatly respect the many things you have done for [REPRESENTED STATE], however I do need an answer to this letter quickly. If I have not received a reply stating what your vote was (yay or nay) by August 1st I will have to continue my current path with the assumption that your vote was 'yay' and the question I posed is not being answered to avoid public scrutiny.
I am not a fan of providing others with misinformation, but I will provide my stated assumption if I cannot obtain an answer soon, and if my assumption is wrong I will correct it as soon as it can be proven. Thank you for your time, God Bless.
[YOUR NAME]
if only...
Hold on, are you implying that elected officials can in fact listen? I thought the only reason people got elected was to shut them up.
Re: Re: Best headline ever
To Dark Helmet, thanks for the spirit lifter.
Best headline ever
I work for several newspapers and this story sports the greatest headline I have ever seen, made my day. Thanks Bas.
Dear Capcom
I only buy games I plan to play more than once.
Lets make a game out of this.
Alright. I'm not the best programmer, however I am better than most. I say we create a game called... oh I don't know, FakeCars, or Kars... or maybe Mortal Karbat. I will only feature one nondescript race track and one "spyder" knock-off race car named Riq (pronounced "rick").
The project would probably take less than I week if we used pre-existing open source code to render everything, hell we could even crowd-source the whole thing.
Anyway, the goal is to release said game BEFORE the new cars movie. Lets get to it.
Re: "Crazy low"?
2% sounds right to me.
If 10% of all television viewing time is shifted and of that 10% only 65% of the ads are skipped, that means that 6.5% of all ads viewed by DVR owners get skipped. Once you allow for a 3%-%5 margin for error you probably end up in the ballpark.
We should also consider that there are likely more outliers that don't fast-forward out of habit than those doing the opposite.
Re: Be Careful!
You could argue that Wired's Wyden quote was whistleblowing.
cant wait
oh, please let this go to trial.
70% reduction!?
My hat is off to you. Bravo.
Dear Mike
I've been a techdirt reader for years and I have never been disappointed in the quality of the content produced. The way that you explain economics and politics as well as other topics trumps that of any formal instructor I have ever been exposed to.
The ironic thing is that very little of what I read here is news to me, however your method for delivering information is so effective that I retain it from techdirt far more often than the original source. This story is a prime example of a great educational resource and I will be archiving this article, as well as others, to teach my children when they enter public school in a couple years.
Thank you for providing such valuable information.
Reader for life,
_Lucas Short_
hmmm...
If Viacom were to win their appeal would that not change the way AIPLA operates? Would it not change the precedence, causing AIPLA to then focus lawsuits on large companies with lawyers and money to defend themselves rather than individuals who have on choice but to bend?
(untitled comment)
I think what lars was saying it that while he did not regret his actions, he accepts that his actions were ill informed and would not be a repeatable offense.
You have to remember that he has a persona to maintain that is a major asset to the band and coming out and saying sorry might actually hurt their bottom line.
Thank you Dan
Tomorrow is my wife and my 6th anniversary. Traditionally, one would receive iron and chocolate (for some reason), but I will be receiving a song about ACTA from Dan Bull... Awesome, just awesome.
Re: Case in point
I saw this on Gawker and skipped right over it, however, as mentioned in the story, it has now gotten my attention.
Case in point
Not always dumping
This was touched on in the article, sort of, but I will clarify: 25% of households have not dropped landlines, the culmination of those dropping landlines and those choosing never to adopt a landline is 25%
Oddly, I support this.
I agree whole heartedly that the government is misusing tax dollars by funding patented research that cannot be easily or cheaply accessed. However, this country is in BAD financial shape and I don't think anyone would disagree that $170 million that is most likely coming from profitable companies is a good thing.
If patents (and I think the current patent system sucks) can help to prevent tax hikes for most of America maybe this could be an acceptable trade-off; albeit the kind of thing that should probably be put to a vote.
I'm not complaining but...
I would have liked to have seem the NSFW disclaimer prior to the link that I habitually clicked on as I read the story. Oops!