sumgai 's Techdirt Comments

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  • On the post: Marco Rubio Jumps To The Head Of The Line Of Ignorant Fools Pushing Dumb Social Media Regulation Bills

    sumgai ( profile ), 28 Jun, 2021 @ 01:37pm

    What chaps my ass the most is this: No one sees that as soon as they (yes, the magic They) get something like this to stick, it won't stop with just killing off the internet, all other news media (which are social media in disguise (letters to the editor, anyone?)) will be the next on the chopping block. Next think you know, handbills on power/phone polls will be the only way politicians can beg for your vote.

    And that will be just fine with them, trust me.

  • On the post: Streamer Raptors Continue To Test Twitch's Appropriate Content Guideline Fencing

    sumgai ( profile ), 25 Jun, 2021 @ 08:14am

    .... company continues to respond to crisis after crises, conflict after conflict, with pure confusion and callous behavior.

    You expected otherwise from a company named Twitch? I mean, these guys are the epitome of "appropriately named" company behavior.

  • On the post: Ohio Republicans Are Using State Budget Battle To Kill Community Broadband

    sumgai ( profile ), 24 Jun, 2021 @ 04:37pm

    Re:

    That was pretty negative. If I'm elected for only so long (term limits), why should I seek your "campaign donations" if I can't use them?? Why shouldn't I just do what my constituents ask of me, and be able to hold my head high when I return to the fold?s And keep in mind that the bureaucrats that you speak of are already getting their money, regardless of who's in "elected" power. As for the rest of the staff, they are replaced with people that the newly elected bring with them, so that's not much help either. Together, term limits and public funding of political advertising are likely the only way that we might get out of the current jam. I don't claim it will be a sinecure, but it'll go a long ways toward sanity in our leadership.

  • On the post: Ohio Republicans Are Using State Budget Battle To Kill Community Broadband

    sumgai ( profile ), 24 Jun, 2021 @ 04:08pm

    Re: Re:

    R.H. Thanks for that link, I was unaware of that particular conversation. And sadly, I have to admit that I know at two of those participants, from other sites. But the fact remains - a person or a team that writes a language has the ability to include or exclude whatever they wish. Users, such as Mike and TD, don't have any more "say" in the matter than what a 'suggestion box' might permit... all of that is true. But in the end, ease of implementation is not at issue - that's simply a programming design goal, subject to the same compromises as any other goal. My argument would be (and since that particular discussion took place nearly 9 years ago!), the basic "CommonMark Standard" really should've been decided by now. Overwhelmingly, stating that the strikethrough is a crutch for those who are lexicologically challenged is an insult, nothing more. If even a modest segment of users request a "feature", then serious thought should be given to the idea, and not flippantly dismissed with "let's get the basics settled first". That was stated in a civil manner, but it wasn't actually civil... at least not in my mind. Mike (or other responsible parties) might wish to discuss and investigate use a different Markdown implementation, one that includes my requested feature, or they might not, either way is cool with me. But if I don't ask, it's a sure bet that the feature will never show up. At least not in my remaining lifetime, if that 9-year-old conversation is any indication of how fast things happen. ;) Let me close with another thanks for that link and site, I'll be habituating that domain more often, trust me.

  • On the post: Changing Section 230 Won't Make The Internet A Kinder, Gentler Place

    sumgai ( profile ), 22 Jun, 2021 @ 03:05pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Moderation is not speech?

    You really think that you're correct about that potential lawsuit, don't you. I wonder what'll happen when you grow up enough to realize that private property rights don't disappear just because one allows members of the public to come onto said property. There is nothing illegal about refusing to associate with someone else, regardless of one's status as the owner of a private property, or as a member of the public, or somewhere in between. Notwithstanding the above, unlawful discrimination is a horse of a different color than the more general examples herein. But do note, the burden of proof is still incumbent upon the plaintiff to prove that the property owner committed an unlawful act. Chances of winning a lawsuit for discrimination: difficult, but not impossible.
    Same for being on the receiving end of "because I said so": don't bet the farm on it.

  • On the post: Ohio Republicans Are Using State Budget Battle To Kill Community Broadband

    sumgai ( profile ), 22 Jun, 2021 @ 02:42pm

    .... but it's not sure their concerns will be heard over the din of the daily ration of coins hitting the wallet, due to "campaign donations."

    T, FTFY

    *Note to whoever's in charge: We need the strikethrough codes to work, as called for in the standard Markdown langauge - double tilde marks (~~) before and after, just like the asterisk for italics. I wanted to write the word "graft" before "campaign donations", with an obvious strikethrough.

  • On the post: DOJ Asks DC Court To Compel Decryption Of Device Seized In A Capitol Raid Case

    sumgai ( profile ), 21 Jun, 2021 @ 07:10pm

    Re: Re: Re:

    The fundamental difference is who is unlocking it. Your file cabinet analogy fails because the government can open the file cabinet [in some manner] without the defendant doing it for them.
    No, the locked file cabinet still has the same protections - it needs a warrant of compulsion, too. Even if most folks don't keep their personal lives in the filing cabinet (they more often used a Rolodex... look it up), there is still the bit about privacy that's pretty much set in stone, aka 4A and 5A.

  • On the post: DOJ Asks DC Court To Compel Decryption Of Device Seized In A Capitol Raid Case

    sumgai ( profile ), 21 Jun, 2021 @ 07:09pm

    Re: Re:t

    What.... is the difference between a computer password and a combo lock combination?
    I'd imagine it to be something on the order of 256 bits versus 5 bits (tumbler pins). Thank you, I'll be here all week. Try the veal!

  • On the post: No, Facebook's Argument In Response To Muslim Advocates' Lawsuit Is Not 'Awkward'; Facebook Caving On 230 Is What's Awkward

    sumgai ( profile ), 21 Jun, 2021 @ 06:42pm

    Re:

    I call Bojer.

    They made the same exact argument in FTC v. Facebook 2019....
    No, that fine was for privacy violations and not for "consumer-merchant" relationship idiocy. Instead of relying on your memory, you should operate on the principle that DuckDuckGo is your friend.

  • On the post: No, 'Big Tech' Should Not Give 'Big Telecom' Billions Of Dollars For No Reason

    sumgai ( profile ), 18 Jun, 2021 @ 07:04pm

    Re:

    what can we the people do to make a change?
    Errr, implement term limits? You get only so many years to suck at the public teat, and then you receive a free ride to go home. And stay home, you've done your civic duty, TYVM.

  • On the post: Letting Newspapers Band Together To Demand Payments From Internet Companies Is Bad For The Internet And Bad For Journalism

    sumgai ( profile ), 18 Jun, 2021 @ 08:39am

    I'd be fine with this, given one proviso: no paywalls, period. If you're getting money for linking, then you don't get to double-dip for the same operation, that of actually using the link. The law should read: "You are permitted to earn revenue from one source or the other, but not from both at the same time.".

  • On the post: House Transportation Committee Looking To Restart Federal Funding Of Red Light Cameras

    sumgai ( profile ), 17 Jun, 2021 @ 08:29pm

    Re:

    I also use it when driving into Mexico or Canada....
    What I wanna know is, do you honestly travel 1,380 miles to cross the border into other countries, only for the pleasure of pissing off the border patrol??? Weird sense of humor there, Jack. Expensive one, too. (Interstate 5 is alleged to be 1,379.4 miles between the two end points, San Ysidro, CA and Blaine, WA.)

  • On the post: FBI Ignored Its Own Warrant And Search Policies To Seize Millions From People's Safety Deposit Boxes

    sumgai ( profile ), 16 Jun, 2021 @ 07:17pm

    Re: Re: Re:

    Jeez, I don't even understand how that happened! I even checked it with Preview, like I always do.... no sign of doubling up like that. Hope that doesn't start happening any too often.....

  • On the post: FBI Ignored Its Own Warrant And Search Policies To Seize Millions From People's Safety Deposit Boxes

    sumgai ( profile ), 16 Jun, 2021 @ 07:14pm

    Re: Re:

    The way I see it, if the government declares it to be 'authorized', then it is so, and that puts the matter to rest. However, if a judge states otherwise, then indeed the insurance company may be on the hook, and you can be sure that they have enough high-caliber lawyers on call that they can and will rake the government over the coals until well and truly done to a crisp. Here's a dichotomy for you: suppose a victim actually gets a day in court. I can see an insurance lawyer filing an amicus curiae brief arguing that the government did no wrong. Talk about trying to have your cake and eat it too.... The way I see if, if the government declares it to be 'authorized', then it is so, and that puts the matter to rest. However, if a judge states otherwise, then indeed the insurance commpany may be on the hook, and you can be sure that
    they have enough high-caliber lawyers on call that they can and will rake the government over the coals until well and truly done to a crisp. Here's a dichotomy for you: suppose a victim actually gets a day in court. I can see an insurance lawyer filing an amicus curiae brief arguing that the government did no wrong. Talk about trying to have your cake and eat it too....

  • On the post: Nintendo Hates You And The Company Most Certainly Does Not Want You To Co-Stream 'Nintendo Direct'

    sumgai ( profile ), 16 Jun, 2021 @ 06:59pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    (it's tp btw)
    Yeah, caught that error right afterwards, sorry 'bout that. Yes in fact, that was the whole point of my treatise, that things are changing for Nintendo's economical outlook when they feel the need to pull a stunt like this. Prior to just now, I would've agreed with you that a decent budget would not attempt to take "free publicity" into account, but when things are tight you start looking into every corner for relief.

  • On the post: FBI Ignored Its Own Warrant And Search Policies To Seize Millions From People's Safety Deposit Boxes

    sumgai ( profile ), 16 Jun, 2021 @ 02:00pm

    Re:

    What happened to the vault company's record books showing the ownership of each box?
    They were meant to be kept hidden, presumably "for security purposes", until after June 24th. I'd like to think that any judge would see this for the sham it is, and order the return of all assets, period. But my dream world is a reality unto itself, so....

  • On the post: FBI Director Ignores More Than 500 Ongoing Capitol Raid Prosecutions To Complain That Encryption Is Keeping Criminals From Being Caught

    sumgai ( profile ), 16 Jun, 2021 @ 11:31am

    Re: at

    Apologies not needed. If he were alive today, he would've beat you to it.

  • On the post: FBI Director Ignores More Than 500 Ongoing Capitol Raid Prosecutions To Complain That Encryption Is Keeping Criminals From Being Caught

    sumgai ( profile ), 16 Jun, 2021 @ 11:28am

    Re: Our real challenge

    Assigns the status of 'factual truth' to feelings. Not acceptable as evidence. [Gavel:] BANG! Bailiff, call the next case please.

  • On the post: Think Tech Companies Are Too Monopolistic? Then Stop Giving Them Patent Monopolies

    sumgai ( profile ), 16 Jun, 2021 @ 04:31pm

    IMO patents shouldn't exist at all.

    I'm gonna leave that one alone, I've got a different fish to fry. I'm sure someone else will be along in good time to deal with this nonsense.

    To C. Gellis's list of patent reforms, I'd add that an applicant should be limited to re-applying only once in every 6 years. If it wasn't good enough the first or second time around, then you should not be allowed to waste the USPTO's time. If it's no longer worthwhile after 6 years, then you should've done a better job of innovating the first time out the door.

  • On the post: Nintendo Hates You And The Company Most Certainly Does Not Want You To Co-Stream 'Nintendo Direct'

    sumgai ( profile ), 16 Jun, 2021 @ 09:24am

    Re: Re: Re:

    Paul, I'm a bit tempted to give you the same treatment as you just gave to td, but I promised the wife I'd be a nice guy today, so.... td is correct, but he lacked using the one word that would've clued you in - beancounter. Yes, the times they are a'changing, and even Japanese companies have come to the realization that a company in fierce competition for entertainment dollars has to watch what it's doing, and has to make every effort to control costs and maximize profit. Beancounters have only one metric for this, and that's to... count visitors (read: eyeballs). Since these guys can't quantify anything outside of their immediate control, they get all upset when things like 'free publicity' come into play. After all, and it does make a kind of sense, you can't depend on free publicity, so how much should you allocate for your advertising budget. That's case study right there, in almost any business school. But the fact that said 'counters appear to 'running the show', that's a bit more concerning, at least to me. It tends to show that things in Japan are getting tense, and planning for the long-term is giving way to Harvard MBA-style thinking. And that's bad for everyone, not just the Japanese economy, trust me on that one.

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