madasahatter 's Techdirt Comments

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  • On the post: Horrifying Supreme Court Ruling Lets Police Collect DNA Because You Might Just Be A Horrible Criminal

    madasahatter ( profile ), 04 Jun, 2013 @ 07:52am

    Re: Re:

    I have been fingerprinted for certain jobs so mine are on file in the FBI database. Many are required to submit their fingerprints for specific jobs and security clearances.

  • On the post: Horrifying Supreme Court Ruling Lets Police Collect DNA Because You Might Just Be A Horrible Criminal

    madasahatter ( profile ), 04 Jun, 2013 @ 07:48am

    Re:

    Fingerprints are unique to the individual while DNA is not always unique. Identical siblings have the same DNA. There was a case in Florida where there was DNA and no fingerprints. The police found themselves with a serious problem because the DNA matched identical twin brothers. They had to determine who was present at the crime scene (I believe a murder) by employment records. One was at work when the crime was committed.

    Identical twins do not have the same fingerprints which is why they are superior in many respects for identification.

  • On the post: Horrifying Supreme Court Ruling Lets Police Collect DNA Because You Might Just Be A Horrible Criminal

    madasahatter ( profile ), 04 Jun, 2013 @ 07:39am

    Re: Re:

    Fingerprints are useful to identify the criminal and the victim and fingerprinting children makes identify them easier. Also, there is nothing illegal about voluntarily giving your fingerprints or DNA. The issue was the state law mandated involuntary, warrantless DNA samples must be taken before conviction.

    The issue is whether a warrant should be required to obtain involuntary DNA samples of a suspect.

  • On the post: Horrifying Supreme Court Ruling Lets Police Collect DNA Because You Might Just Be A Horrible Criminal

    madasahatter ( profile ), 04 Jun, 2013 @ 07:31am

    Re: Re:

    Point 2 - Fingerprints are more rapidly processed than DNA. Many more people are fingerprinted than have had their DNA analyzed. Fingerprints are required for certain jobs and for security clearances.

    Thus a rapid check of fingerprints is more likely confirm the identity of the person and incidentally possibly link the person to an unsolved crime. DNA samples have only been required for convicted felons in most jurisdictions so the database has far fewer entries.

  • On the post: New York Continues Its Trademark Bullying Ways: Threatens Coffee Shop With Bogus Threats

    madasahatter ( profile ), 01 Jun, 2013 @ 11:33am

    Re: "I ♥ NJ" vs. "I ♥ NY"?

    Because New York and New Jersey detest each other. The two states had a recent lawsuit over whether Ellis Island was in NJ or NY with NJ mostly winning. New Yorkers were upset because immigrants actually entered the US in New Jersey not New York.

    There is a fondness in New Jersey to mock the pretentions of New Yorkers.

  • On the post: Prank Resulting In 2 NFL GMs Talking To Each Other Results In Up To 5 Years Of Prison, $500k Fine

    madasahatter ( profile ), 30 May, 2013 @ 03:01pm

    Re: Re: Re:

    Also, in some states if one party is aware of the recording it is legal, maybe not very ethical.

  • On the post: Prank Resulting In 2 NFL GMs Talking To Each Other Results In Up To 5 Years Of Prison, $500k Fine

    madasahatter ( profile ), 30 May, 2013 @ 02:58pm

    Re: Re: Re:

    Recording the converstion without permission or being a party to the conversation is the what they are charged with. Also, the dimbulbs made a Federal matter by calling two out of state GM's if it is not already a Federal charge. Even stupider was selling the recording without the knowledge or permission, apparently, of the two victims.

    The reason they might get fried for the prank is this is version of espionage and that gets people very upset.

  • On the post: IP Commission Thinks YOU Should Pay For China's Infringement

    madasahatter ( profile ), 30 May, 2013 @ 02:51pm

    Re: Re: Stupidity

    Ah yes, the Linux distro was stolen because no money changed hands eventhough the distro makes it impossible to pay for the download. Got to love the **AA's logic on that one.

  • On the post: John Steele's Claims About Alan Cooper Contradicted By History

    madasahatter ( profile ), 30 May, 2013 @ 12:56pm

    The problem with lieing

    I have heard the problem with lieing is remembering what lie you told someelse. But if you always tell the truth the problem disappears; everyone is always told the same story because you are telling the truth and only need to remember the truth.

    John Steele should learn this lesson.

  • On the post: Massive Growth In Independent Musicians & Singers Over The Past Decade

    madasahatter ( profile ), 30 May, 2013 @ 12:48pm

    Musicians making a living

    What is overlooked by the RIAA, conveniently perhaps, is that the Internet allows one to discover musicians they would never otherwise heard. Many very talented regional acts can now have an international following without the promotion or blessing of the RIAA. Given that digital music or video distribution is very, very cheap for the artist and easy to do, the artist does not need retail distribution in the US when they are in Europe.

    A question comes to mind with worldwide digital distribution, just what value to the band does a label add? True the band will need help with making deals with iTunes or Amazon, renting a recording studio, post production work, etc. But these do not require a label to do or arranging. I would not be surprised if the direct deal with iTunes or Amazon is more profitable per download than working through a label. Musicians have told me that with some comptent technical help they could avoid the labels.

  • On the post: IP Commission Thinks YOU Should Pay For China's Infringement

    madasahatter ( profile ), 30 May, 2013 @ 12:29pm

    Stupidity

    Recently Canonical and China announced the default OS for the Chinese government will be a variant of Ubuntu - UbuntuKylin. It is available like all other Ubuntu versions as a free download on Ubuntu.com (http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/zh-CN). Apparently Bejing wishes to avoid problems with these types of accusations by using FOSS software.

    My question for the dimbulbs "writing" this report is using Ubuntu IP theft? If it is then most Linux desktop users are by definition IP pirates eventhough the distro gave the IP away for free.

  • On the post: How Long Before A Patent Kills A Hundred Million People?

    madasahatter ( profile ), 29 May, 2013 @ 01:56pm

    Re: Facts

    The only fact that matters is they patented a process and are charging ransom to people who could die from the disease. If they were concerned about people they have a couple of options: publish the method in the scientific literature without filing or after filing release the patent to all to use free of charge.

    A careful reading of the US Constitution indicates the primary purpose of patents is the promotion of "useful arts". So if the patent law interferes with the promotion of "useful arts" in the US it could be struck down as unconstitutional.

  • On the post: Piano Instructor Claims Copyright On Writing Letters On Piano Keys

    madasahatter ( profile ), 29 May, 2013 @ 09:55am

    Re: Re:

    I took piano also but never wrote the letters on the keys, however.

    I suspect piano teaches having been doing this since the piano was invented and probably borrowed the idea from other keyboard instruments.

  • On the post: Danish Police Admit That Data Retention Hasn't Helped At All

    madasahatter ( profile ), 29 May, 2013 @ 06:52am

    Re: Re:

    That is assuming the IP address is not being spoofed. Also, the account holder may or may not be involved in the alleged crime.

  • On the post: Danish Police Admit That Data Retention Hasn't Helped At All

    madasahatter ( profile ), 29 May, 2013 @ 06:48am

    Re: On behalf of thieves, pedophiles, and blackmailers everywhere

    The problem highlighted is collecting irrelevant data. Most of these data collection schemes are devised by people who do not understand that too much background "noise" makes it harder to locate the important information. One of the problems all intelligence agencies have faced is separating this noise from the important information and this has been true for a long time.

  • On the post: The Aftermath Of Napster: Letting Incumbents Veto Innovation Slows Down Innovation Drastically

    madasahatter ( profile ), 29 May, 2013 @ 01:44pm

    Stupidity

    The consistent mistake the "content" industry makes is that they are only ones competing for our attention. Most people have a variety interests, hobbies, and responsibilities competing for their time. So for them to compete they most meet the consumer where the consumer is or risk being ignored in favor of other alternatives. If iTunes, Amazon, and YouTube are the best way to reach some consumers you had better be there or they will never notice you are missing.

  • On the post: High School Girl Faces Felony Charges For Yearbook Prank

    madasahatter ( profile ), 29 May, 2013 @ 06:42am

    Re:

    Larry Niven has a series of stories based on organ farming and transplantation. One the elements is to ensure a supply of organs for transplantation almost all crimes had to be mandatory capital offenses including jaywalking.

  • On the post: Reports Of Xbox One's Handling Of Used Games Mobilizes Playstation Fans

    madasahatter ( profile ), 29 May, 2013 @ 01:28pm

    Used Games

    Used games do not directly support publishers. But they support the infrastructure the publishers need such as retail outlets. Also, used games are a form of advertising that costs the publishers nothing even if the buyer does not like the game.

    Sony and Nintendo could really hammer MS if they continue to support used games.

    Also, MS appears to be pursuing "everything is in the cloud" strategy which requires users to be permanently connected to MS.

  • On the post: Dumb Idea Or Dumbest Idea: Letting Companies Use Malware Against Infringers

    madasahatter ( profile ), 28 May, 2013 @ 11:15am

    Re:

    Shot is too kind, boiled alive in sulfuric acid is more appropriate for this idiocy.

  • On the post: New York Times Tells Startup It Can't Even Mention The NY Times

    madasahatter ( profile ), 22 May, 2013 @ 12:57pm

    Re: Re: Copyright to promote the useful arts and science

    Correction
    *providing employment to shysters
    *enabling legalized racketeer and extortion by said shysters.

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