ChronoFish 's Techdirt Comments

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  • On the post: Court Says That Google's Scanning Email Content To Place Ads Could Violate Wiretap Laws

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 27 Sep, 2013 @ 04:54am

    Neither intercepted nor inserted

    Google does not intercept email nor insert ads into the email.

    If you were to examine the message at any point in the transmission, you would never see "ads" placed in them.

    Additionally, the email is not "scanned" by the servers. It's scanned by the client. The client is the end-point. That's why as you scroll through your content, the ads change. The ads are based on what is being displayed at that moment. This means that the "scanning" of the email is being done completely on the users computer.

    -CF

  • On the post: Kevin Spacey: Give Users Control, What They Want, When They Want It, At A Fair Price, And Stop Worrying About Piracy

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 26 Aug, 2013 @ 12:24pm

    My Experience

    I'm not going to talk in the "royal we" form - just myself (and Wife).

    We gave up cable in 2001. Did the NetFlix disk for a year or so for a specific show - and then ditched NetFlix when we had binged all we could.

    Did Hulu+ for a bit because of the promise of up-to-date shows, but found that they weren't so up-to-date and couldn't binge-watch effectively for the shows we wanted. Plus paying for commercials just rubbed me the wrong way.

    Then NetFlix offered Arrested Development. Yes it was a disappointment (I enjoyed it, but only because I knew the first 3 seasons so well), but it got us to try NetFlix streaming...and then we started watching House Of Cards.

    The show is so well done that we were trapped. Then we started watching Orange is the New Black, and we binged-watched it. Trapped again. Along with some other fringe offerings that aren't available elsewhere (Portlandia) and typical collection of "last season shows" it seems I am hooked (happily) for a long time.

    Sports continues to be the Achilles heel of the Cable Cord Cutter. But I have ways of pirating that (wouldn't if I could find a similar offering (or in conjunction with) NetFlix). There is no need for me to spend $1000/year for mobile NFL access. But $7/month just for 1 or 2 teams in low-grade streaming I would do.

    -CF

  • On the post: Why Does Rep. Mike Rogers Always Mock The Internet And Its Users?

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 25 Jul, 2013 @ 11:48am

    The terrorist won

    It has been said that the "terrorist" hate "our freedoms" and "our country".

    Yet the biggest supporters of the police state insist that "9/11" changed everything. That the only way to be free is give up being free.


    The "terrorist" have won. Because of the actions of 9/11 and the unsuccessful attempts since then, we live in a less free country. It doesn't matter that the "terrorist" are not in control. It only matters that we are less free.

    Their (the terrorist) "Mission is Accomplished"

    -CF

  • On the post: Judge: Aereo Case Was Decided Incorrectly, Because I Don't Like Previous Ruling

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 17 Jul, 2013 @ 02:22pm

    Re: Re:

    I've complained about this several times (obviously with no positive outcome). I tend to fall on the TD follower side...except for this very issue (The "reporting" of messages that are "offensive"). The irony of a community which abhors censorship and walled gardens - is itself "hiding" dissenting views seems to be escaping the core readership.

    The protectionism of this feature is comical.

    -CF

  • On the post: Judge: Aereo Case Was Decided Incorrectly, Because I Don't Like Previous Ruling

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 17 Jul, 2013 @ 02:13pm

    Where is the line

    Yes I've posted this to TechDirt before. But in theory a new set of eyeballs will be reading this, and I've yet heard a good argument against Aereo:

    Aereo isn't just "rebroadcasting". They are providing a legitimate service. A maintained wireless antenna service.

    Aereo Haters - Please draw the line - because I'm not seeing it:

    Some citizen (Cit) of Manhatten lives in 2nd basement (2 floors under ground) of a popular high-rise. Cit loves to watch Big Bang Theory, but reception does not penetrate to the depth of his apartment.

    Case 1.
    So an electrical engineer (of which Cit is not) offers to mount an antenna on the roof, runs a long wire down to the basement and into Cit's TV. The improved performance is great and he gladly pays the EE for his time.

    Case 2.
    EE was happy to help out Cit for a nominal fee, but the long wire gets cut by maintenance crews and other tenants of the building. So he begin charging Cit a yearly fee for maintaining the antenna.

    Case 3.
    EE likes the arrangement he has with Cit, but realizes that his repair costs would shrink if he made the antenna connection wireless. So he configures several WAPS to send the digital information from the top of the building to Cit's apartment.

    Case 4.
    EE realizes that the wireless connection could just as easily run from the top of his building as it could from the top of Cit's building. His building has fewer pigeons that break the antenna, so he moves the antenna and is able to provide Cit with better service.

    Case 5.
    EE realizes that Cit does have an internet connection, so he configures the setup to provide the signal over the internet instead of a dedicated WLAN.

    Case 6.
    EE realizes that Cit is not the only one in this predicament, so he start Aereo and offers the service to everyone who lives in the city...each getting their own dedicated antenna.

    Case 7.
    EE realizes that providing everyone with their own antenna is ridiculous and consolidates it down to one antenna which is then shared with all his customers.

    Please tell at which case you draw the line - and then why.

    -CF

  • On the post: Pilots Want To Know Why The DHS/CBP Are Searching Their Planes Without Warrants

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 28 Jun, 2013 @ 07:49am

    Re: Re: Re:

    Armed citizens being disarmed by the ATF (or your favorite G-men) is significantly more palatable by the public than UN-armed citizens being harassed by the same G-men.

    The government is NOT afraid of armed citizenry. They ARE afraid of a knowledgeable and vocal citizenry.

    Politicians would much rather you be armed with your mouth tapped shut than unarmed with a bull-horn in your hand and the freedom to voice your opinion.

    Guns and weapons are not going to save "us" from the government. Demand for transparency and an engaged/informed electorate WILL save "us".

    Which is why we are doomed (via complacency of our public).

    -CF

  • On the post: NSA Infringed Adam Hart-Davis' Photograph For Its PRISM Logo

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 13 Jun, 2013 @ 06:39pm

    Re: Re: Re: That's strike 1

    Or Mr. F.

  • On the post: Google Opens Up Some More: The 'Secret' Computer System It Uses To Give Info To NSA Is Secure FTP

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 12 Jun, 2013 @ 07:43pm

    Re: Re: Re: ftp

    You're under the impression that the government fears gun owners? You honestly think that the 2nd amendment is what is keeping the the Government at bay?

    The only thing the Government fears is knowledge. With out freedom of speech and freedom from warrentless searches the 2nd amendment doesn't mean squat.

    -CF

  • On the post: Google Opens Up Some More: The 'Secret' Computer System It Uses To Give Info To NSA Is Secure FTP

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 12 Jun, 2013 @ 08:24am

    Re: ftp

    The per-capita death toll from guns now exceeds per-capita death toll from traffic accidents.

    Traffic is highly monitored by governments (directional signs, police monitoring, traffic lights, "red light" cameras, multiple levels of licensing, speed limits, alcohol check points, age requirements, safety requirements mandated, yearly inspections, etc etc etc), and because of it the death tolls have been dropping considerably.

    You're right, protection from "terrorist" can be measured in 100's per year (IF you include domestic terrorist) while traffic/guns are measured in 10,000s per year (about 30,000 each).

    The same politicians that want to keep you safe from terrorist will not touch the 2nd amendment with a 10' pole. If we had 30,000 deaths per year from terrorist, I would probably relent on giving the NSA more power to monitor my email. But clearly (from my perspective) legally owned guns are a significantly larger problem than the US being attacked by terrorist.

    -CF

  • On the post: Clapper: I Gave 'The Least Untruthful Answer' To Wyden's 'Beating Your Wife' Question On Data Surveillance

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 10 Jun, 2013 @ 01:44pm

    I'm surprised

    In all of this, I'm surprised. Especially with the TechDirt - /. crowd, that nobody has seen the obvious link.

    NSA is only asking for phone numbers (and call durations). There are claims that need to be looked at deeper about Google, Facebook, et al giving the NSA access to their data in one form or another. What do the two have in common?

    Every *major* social media site is requesting that your account be validated by your cell phone.

    It's an obvious way to tie the two data sources together. And it gives the NSA a cover ("we are not looking at phone account information"). At least not from the phone company....


    -CF

  • On the post: Awesome Stuff: Print Stuff, Make Stuff

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 03 Jun, 2013 @ 04:51am

    Re: Re: Re:

    Hence the reasons for patents.

    Some will argue that it takes LONGER to secure patents than it does to go to market. Others will be fundamentally against patents for all the issues that the TD readership will be more than happy to tell you about.

    Regardless, that IS the reason that the patent system was created. To give inventors a temporary monopoly in order to allow them time to bring their product to market without some large corporation burring them before they even get off the ground.

    -CF

  • On the post: Awesome Stuff: Print Stuff, Make Stuff

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 02 Jun, 2013 @ 06:00pm

    Re:

    I fully admit that I could be wrong.... but my understanding is that CNC machines are subtractive in nature (drill, saw, cut, sand, etc) Where as 3D Printing is additive (print x, y till "picture" is complete; drop (or increment) z-axis; print next picture).

    To your point, a combined additive, subtractive, parts placement, assembly "robot" would be awesome.

    -CF

  • On the post: Ima Fish's Favorite Techdirt Posts Of The Week

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 02 Jun, 2013 @ 06:57am

    Re:

    "... Sadly I think people won't learn better until they've been abused for another ten years....."

    Consumers will never learn. And corporations have already learned that:

    Verizon recently raised their rates in a very underhanded way. All the Internet was in an uproar. Of those who complained the loudest, how many actually dropped Verizon?

    Companies do what makes sense monetarily. As Monsanto says "We're in business to make money. It's the FDA's responsibility to keep the public safe." (Nevermind the revolving door between the FDA and Monsanto....)

    -CF

  • On the post: CBS Tells Court: No One Could Possibly Read Our Statements 'We Will Sue Aereo' To Mean We Will Sue Aereo

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 31 May, 2013 @ 06:57pm

    via twitter

    Dana McClintock ‏@Dana_McClintock 23 Apr

    And we will be there to sue them RT: ?@TimAMolloy: Aereo Expands to Boston - First City Outside NYC - Next Month http://www.thewrap.com/tv/column-post/aereo-expands-boston-first-city-outside-nyc-next-month-87266 ??

    Dana McClintock ‏@Dana_McClintock 3 Apr

    "Just because a company gets sued by the broadcasters doesn?t make their service/business 'disruptive.'" http://blog.streamingmedia.com/the_business_of_online_vi/2013/04/the-media-loves-to-use-aereo-to-create-panic.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+mediaredef+%28jason+hirschhorn%27s+Media+ReDEFined%29 ?

  • On the post: CBS Tells Court: No One Could Possibly Read Our Statements 'We Will Sue Aereo' To Mean We Will Sue Aereo

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 30 May, 2013 @ 06:25pm

    Re: The prior case isn't exactly over.

    Aero isn't just "rebroadcasting". They are providing a legitimate service. A maintained wireless antenna service.

    Aereo Haters - Please draw the line - because I'm not seeing it:

    Some citizen (Cit) of Manhatten lives in 2nd basement (2 floors under ground) of a popular high-rise. Cit loves to watch Big Bang Theory, but reception does not penetrate to the depth of his apartment.

    Case 1.
    So an electrical engineer (of which Cit is not) offers to mount an antenna on the roof, runs a long wire down to the basement and into Cit's TV. The improved performance is great and he gladly pays the EE for his time.

    Case 2.
    EE was happy to help out Cit for a nominal fee, but the long wire gets cut by maintenance crews and other tenants of the building. So he begin charging Cit a yearly fee for maintaining the antenna.

    Case 3.
    EE likes the arrangement he has with Cit, but realizes that his repair costs would shrink if he made the antenna connection wireless. So he configures several WAPS to send the digital information from the top of the building to Cit's apartment.

    Case 4.
    EE realizes that the wireless connection could just as easily run from the top of his building as it could from the top of Cit's building. His building has fewer pigeons that break the antenna, so he moves the antenna and is able to provide Cit with better service.

    Case 5.
    EE realizes that Cit does have an internet connection, so he configures the setup to provide the signal over the internet instead of a dedicated WLAN.

    Case 6.
    EE realizes that Cit is not the only one in this predicament, so he start Aereo and offers the service to everyone who lives in the city...each getting their own dedicated antenna.

    Case 7.
    EE realizes that providing everyone with their own antenna is ridiculous and consolidates it down to one antenna which is then shared with all his customers.

    Please tell at which case you draw the line - and then why.

    -CF

  • On the post: Why The Networks Are Really Afraid Of Aereo: Time Warner Cable Says It Might Offer Aereo-Like Service

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 03 May, 2013 @ 12:31pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    There was a time on TD when the great Dark Helmet whom I miss dearly would come on here and throw down the gauntlet and ACs would try their best (and fail spectacularly) in a no-holds bar discussion about the topic du jour.

    Those discussions where never censored "or flagged" or what-ever you want to spin it.

    That time is obviously long gone when the "Insiders" can't even see the irony of their own special blend of censorship.

    Granted... TD never claimed to be Fair and Balanced.

    Sad.

  • On the post: Why The Networks Are Really Afraid Of Aereo: Time Warner Cable Says It Might Offer Aereo-Like Service

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 03 May, 2013 @ 12:19pm

    Re: Re: Re:

    Does it or does it not take an extra click to see this one comment?

    Are all comments treated the same?

    You'd be okay with only dissenting comments being displayed fully with all other comments hidden behind a "This comment is preaching to the choir. Click here to show it"?

    Maybe you'd be okay with that, but I think the site would be become pretty worthless.

    The whole point in having the "flag" is to mark messages that are threatening or obscene or just spam. Sadly it has become a "mark of 'alternate viewpoint'"

    -CF

  • On the post: Why The Networks Are Really Afraid Of Aereo: Time Warner Cable Says It Might Offer Aereo-Like Service

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 03 May, 2013 @ 12:06pm

    Re: Re: Re:

    Rikuo,

    It was hidden for "This comment has been flagged by the community. Click to show it."

    While not strictly "inaccessible" many will skip over it so it is effectively censored. Why? I don't see one thing in his comment that was trolling or offensive. I've brought this up before - it was essentially flagged because it brought a view that does not jive with the "community".

    For a site that puffs its chest for "free and open", the readers are amazingly thin-skinned. It's the most hypocritical aspect of this website.

    -CF

  • On the post: Why The Networks Are Really Afraid Of Aereo: Time Warner Cable Says It Might Offer Aereo-Like Service

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 03 May, 2013 @ 11:53am

    Re:

    I've never understood why they are so opposed to their advertising getting more eyeballs....for free (no infrastructure investment)!

    Plus with the 'net you can get real data rather than estimation based on a sample.

    The combination should allow for higher advertising fees.

    Seems to me like a no-brainer....

  • On the post: Blackberry CEO Predicts Tablets Will Be Obsolete In Five Years

    ChronoFish ( profile ), 03 May, 2013 @ 10:34am

    Re: You all missed the underlying implication

    I expect plugging into nothing.

    I set my phone down and my two 20" monitors come to life. I type on my keyboard and it just works. No "plugs" necessary - except maybe for power.

    -CF

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