Wally 's Techdirt Comments

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  • On the post: Bad Move: Google Removes AdBlock Plus From Google Play Store

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 10:42am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Side-loading

    " some devices don't allow access to the SIM cards inside them..."

    *some devices don't allow access to the SIM Lock code stored inside the firmware of a device...

  • On the post: Bad Move: Google Removes AdBlock Plus From Google Play Store

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 10:40am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Side-loading

    With the iPhone's firmware, there is no access to a SIM card on AT&T and T-Mobile. The SIM lock is built into the firmware. It is illegal to undo the SIM lock on your own. Some manufacturers do not use a SIM card and store carrier data that would normally be stored on the SIM card, is stored directly on the firmware of the device. You effectively change the firmware on your device when you root it. Even if jail breaking and rooting is actually legal, some devices don't allow access to the SIM cards inside them and require a HARDWARE CODE TO UNLOCK THEM.

  • On the post: Bad Move: Google Removes AdBlock Plus From Google Play Store

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 10:34am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Side-loading

    " In 2012, EFF asked for - and won - exemptions for jailbreaking or rooting mobile phones to run unapproved software, and for using clips from DVDs and Internet video in noncommercial vids. Consumers Union and several smaller wireless carriers asked for an exemption for unlocking phones. The Copyright Office granted their exemption too - but sharply limited the window to just a few months."

    "First, the good news. The legal shield for jailbreaking and rooting your phone remains up - it'll protect us at least through 2015."

    https://www.eff.org/is-it-illegal-to-unlock-a-phone

  • On the post: Bad Move: Google Removes AdBlock Plus From Google Play Store

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 10:32am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Side-loading

    "I mean sheesh. You'd think the iPhone lover would know that ANY device on AT&T's network uses a user replaceable SIM card."

    I mentioned Apple and you assume I'm an iPhone lover...that being said I do love my 4th Gen iPod Touch...which is not tied to a carrier of any kind. My phone is my Android device for which I only use as a phone only as I find that Android's interface does not suit me or my needs well. I suppose after reading that you won't read any further and miss my point (which is below this paragraph) and will try to say that I am wrong because I am using an iDevice and therefore know nothing about Android, even though through this entire comment here I stated that it was a Google decision that had nothing to do with comparing Android to iOS

    You're only mad because I said Google made a dick move in pulling "AdBlock Plus" specifically as it does not interfere with ads in apps. That move indicates that they care more about their advertising business more than their own customers' security. Other ad blockers may have blocked ap ads, but not AdBlock Plus.

    "Adblock Plus for Android is an Android app that runs in the background and filters ads, using the same filter lists as the Adblock Plus browser extensions."

    http://adblockplus.org/en/android-about

  • On the post: SimCity Always-Online DRM Lets Hackers Play Godzilla With Anyone's Cities

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 05:21pm

    I wonder if EA used the Sony BMG Rootkit source code for the DRM contained in the game and in their servers....this sounds an awful lot like the Sony BMG Rootkit vulnerability.

  • On the post: Bad Move: Google Removes AdBlock Plus From Google Play Store

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 10:18am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Side-loading

    So pointing out terminology flaws automatically negates my point? You have no knowledge of US law and you tried correcting me there. The carrier has to unlock the SIM card for it to be upgraded and guess how most carriers do it...side booting.

    You missed this directly below my Wikipedia link. Learn to comprehend as it is clear you know how to read.

    "The problem is that most carriers in the US that don't do pay as you go services have the Software Unlock codes built into the firmware of the device and they don't use a replaceable SIM card. "

    You see a mistake or something I missed, you then proceed to flip out and not continue on reading. Stop making yourself look like a fool by arguing with a (self admitted) fool.

    I have a much higher comprehension of the law than you do concerning this case.

    The point I was making before you came in like a bull in a china shop ready to gore me for the littlest of provocation is that Google pulled an App that secures your privacy from advertisers on a mobile device by blocking them out. The mobile version of "AdBlock Plus" BLOCKS ADS ON THE INTERNET as you browse and WORKS the SAME EXACT WAY AS IT'S BROWSER EXTENSION VARIANT and that THERE WAS NO REASON TO HAVE THAT SPECIFIC AD PULLED FROM THE PLAY STORE.

    The only REASON you came after me is that I pointed out that this was a dick move on Google's part. I even stated earlier that this was not about my views on Apple/iOS/iTunes vs Google/Android/GooglePlay. The simple fact that you remotely tried to derail that point to other flaws you "saw" in my statements implies you are the most ignorant person between the two of us and are so blinded by your need to be authoritative over someone, you miss every single point that is made in any of my statements, or statements anyone else makes..though the latter is quite rare.

    Even when I bold, italicize or use both to highlight my point, yet you still miss it because of your obsession with correcting minor fundamental mistakes that you perceive as the singe catalyst for invaliding an entire statement. Your only goal is to harass and derail which actually makes you a troll.

    While I do not mind being corrected by you. I have issues with the way you carry out your corrections and convey them that sets me off, not the facts you show me I missed in the corrections.

    That being said you seem hellbent on "correcting" me. Get the hint that I do not listen to people who call me a liar and generally accuse me of intending to spread FUD and misinformation. That is the exact tone that I respond negatively to, and pretty much anyone else responds negativity to it to no matter how right you think you are or seem to be. Because of that, your statements and corrections cannot be taken seriously.

  • On the post: DailyDirt: Melding Humans And Machines

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 05:14pm

    Joyce, you forgot something here:

    "The Mercedes Formula One team gave a new bionic arm to a teenage fan, who was born without a left hand, after he offered to sell Mercedes advertising space on his prosthetic arm. The customized i-LIMB Pulse, created with the help of Touch Bionics, allows him to do things like grip a pen to draw pictures and write, tie his shoe laces, and catch a ball."

    A rudimentary sense of touch :-)

  • On the post: Bad Move: Google Removes AdBlock Plus From Google Play Store

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 08:57am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Side-loading

    Why are you sending me Wikipedia links? It was all over the news on the internet on January 26, 2013 that the law was officially in affect. It was supposed to be in affect in October 2012, but the Copyright Office in the US Library of Congress gave it a 90 day adjustment period.

    The only devices that currently use a removable SIM card in the US are those that are used by pay as you go services such as Net10 or AT&T's GoPhone.

    In the US, most carriers that do not use replaceable SIM cards. If they use a SIM card it is tied to the firmware of the device itself, otherwise the subsidiary lock is coded into the firmware of the device in stead of using the SIM card. Even if you used side booting to root your phone, the firmware of the device is still affected.

  • On the post: Bad Move: Google Removes AdBlock Plus From Google Play Store

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 08:40am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Side-loading

    "Just stop. For your own sake. Because you were annoying at first, but amusing, and now you're just getting desperate and I'd rather not make you cry or something. (As if we both don't know that you didn't already reply as an AC in defense of yourself. Anything you say denying that I'll just ignore. The guy writes just like you. Coincidence? Doubtful.)"

    I am not a psychiatrist, I am a psychologist. I can only recommend that you see a psychiatrist to get medication for your paranoia and delusions of grandeur concerning your assertive authoritative nature.

    The US does not use replaceable SIM cards because thats a feature of GSM based phones. The US uses CD/MA2000 (3G/4GLTE) and HPSA+ (Mainly used by AT&T). Rooting your phone also means modifying your locked SIM card on your own,once again...in the US...which cannot be done legally in the US as of 26, January 2013.

    Since you have a habit of trawling Wikipedia here is SIM Locking...which is done in the US. Side Loading is legal yes...but Boot Loading involves modifying the SIM.....once again, NOT LEGAL IN THE US. You are sounding more and more ignorant through your interpretation of US law, and the simple fact that you don't know that US carriers use SIM Locking.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_lock

    Rooting is bypassing the hardware lock on a device with a software code. It varies from device to device. The problem is that most carriers in the US that don't do pay as you go services have the Software Unlock codes built into the firmware of the device and they don't use a replaceable SIM card. Welcome to the US where most devices do not use a SIM card.

    You are either from Spain or Mexico, or some other Spanish speaking nation. Judging by your reading skills you are using Google Translate.

  • On the post: Bad Move: Google Removes AdBlock Plus From Google Play Store

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 08:14am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: I use AdBlock because I don't want ads. Period.

    As an iOS user myself I can tell you that one can easily (well maybe not so easy as it is squirreled away in the settings in an obscure place)turn off targeted advertising in iOS 6.1.2. It was a feature added in the initial release of iOS 6 for all devices not matter what carrier. But a "bug" kept it from working so 2 updates later Apple made it actually work.

    The targeted advertising in iOS 6 basically analyzed which apps you had and "recommended" (advertise) the apps you might "like". It did not control any apps while browsing the internet. You check the option to turn Targeted Advertising off and use private browsing mode in Safari for the most effective way of not being tracked that way.

  • On the post: Bad Move: Google Removes AdBlock Plus From Google Play Store

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 08:03am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: I use AdBlock because I don't want ads. Period.

    It's not that difficult to explain on simple terms. Mobile devices are a perfect target for this because the ads cater to what ever data they analyze or study on you. They then take down your device ID and send adds that they think would appeal to you. It is not too hard to clear the cookies, but once an advertising company has your mobile device's ID they can still track your browsing and app habits to send you ads.

    To call BS on a simple explanation like that is either ignorance, trolling, or both. Facebook's "Sponsored Links" does just that. AdBlock Plus blocks that.

  • On the post: Bad Move: Google Removes AdBlock Plus From Google Play Store

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 07:55am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Side-loading

    "Okay, so we have someone defending Wally, I wouldn't be surprised if it was Wally himself. But whatever."

    That is full admission that you are attacking me and nobody else. Did I wrong you some how in a past life?

  • On the post: Bad Move: Google Removes AdBlock Plus From Google Play Store

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 07:52am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Side-loading

    The problem isn't whether or not it is possible. It is very possible to root or jailbreak a device. The problem is that it is currently illegal to do it in the US. The idiots/idiot attacking me above are likely not from the US and do not know current US news concerning phone unlocking. The petition to make it legal again got the required +100,000 signatures got sent to the White House where they also think it should be legal, but also mentioned that due to checks and balances, it is up to the Library of Congress to decide that 3 years down the line and all the White House can do is recommend that the LOC make phone unlocking legal again.

  • On the post: Bad Move: Google Removes AdBlock Plus From Google Play Store

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 07:45am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Side-loading

    The law became active on January 26th, 2013.

    http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/26/unlocking-your-phone-is-now-illegal-but-what-does-that-mean-for-you/

    "Everything was copacetic until this past October, when the U.S. Copyright Office and the Librarian of Congress spent time reviewing some of those exceptions made to the DMCA. Geekier endeavors like jailbreaking or rooting your devices are still totally kosher, but after extensive review the original exemption for unlocking phones was overturned, noting the ability for users to unlock their own phones for use on other networks just wasn?t necessary anymore given the perceived ease of obtaining either a pre-unlocked phone or a carrier-sanctioned way to unlock one"

  • On the post: Bad Move: Google Removes AdBlock Plus From Google Play Store

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 07:43am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Side-loading

    Have you ever considered that the US Library of Congress made that decision to make it illegal to root/jailbreak and thus unlock your phone was made the law signed and finalized on January 26th, 2013?

    http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/26/unlocking-your-phone-is-now-illegal-but-what-does-that-mean-for-you/

    "Everything was copacetic until this past October, when the U.S. Copyright Office and the Librarian of Congress spent time reviewing some of those exceptions made to the DMCA. Geekier endeavors like jailbreaking or rooting your devices are still totally kosher, but after extensive review the original exemption for unlocking phones was overturned, noting the ability for users to unlock their own phones for use on other networks just wasn?t necessary anymore given the perceived ease of obtaining either a pre-unlocked phone or a carrier-sanctioned way to unlock one"

    "So yes, unlocking your phone without your carrier?s explicit approval is technically verboten. But let?s not forget what this particular change doesn?t mean ? the police most likely aren?t going to knock down your door because you felt the compulsion to free your phone from your carrier?s shackles."

    You have to ask your carrier here in the US to unlock your phone. Also, when you jailbreak or root your device, it unlocks your device.

    You have no real knowledge of the matter and this was a decision made by the Library of Congress. DMCA or not, the US LOC has control over such matters.

    I provided one link...just one link to all the Cornell Law Links you clearly did not read....and you had to trawl Wikipedia for the answer without working for the applied knowledge based upon the world around you.

  • On the post: Righthaven Copyrights 'Sold' Back To Stephens Media For $80k To Pay Legal Fees

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 12:48pm

    Babboons Big Red Ass of a Flag

    "Technically, Stephens Media tried to give the copyright to Righthaven, but since it retained all of the listed rights under copyright law, it was clearly not an actual transfer"

    My sick, dirty mind is willing to bet it was a Monroe transfer.....
    Shit was exchanged only to have the same shit returned to them.

  • On the post: Maxis: Your Reward For Buying Our Horribly Launched SimCity Is The Previous, Better Version Of It

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 10:52am

    Give us classic SimCity for the Macintosh and MS-DOS and Windows and stop posting take-down notices for those versions and give them away for free outside of Origin..then we have a deal...and while you're at it, give us Sim Farm, Sim Ant, Sim City and Sim Copter for free as well...Sim Copter updated to work on Windows 7 and SimCity 2000 with it.

    That would be the best apology.

  • On the post: Giant Pharma Company Claims Releasing Data On Drug Safety Is Illegal As It's Confidential And 'Commercially Sensitive'

    Wally ( profile ), 18 Mar, 2013 @ 09:39am

    What is really scary about these claims is that it puts human lives in very great danger. The transparency the AbbVie is fighting against prevents doctors from making sure that some of the medications a patient is using can safely be used with others. This transparency allows doctors to make sure that certain medications do not interfere with the functionality of other medications.


    From My Wife:
    "Not all prescriptions for birth control are used in contraception. They can be used in lower doses to treat PMDD and cases where a menstrual flow is abnormally high due to abnormally high hormonal levels of estrogen. You loose so much blood in these cases that you become dizzy and anemic during your monthly cycle to the point of fainting and blacking out. Without treatment, your period can last up to two or three weeks if you have either condition."

    Thanks Hun :-)

    The point is that not having transparency in the chemical reactions of different prescription drugs is dangerous and life threatening.

    As an example, the effectiveness of a birth control pill can be negated with the use of Prozac, Celexa, and Zoloft. If there was no transparency, and you suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or other forms of depression that would constitute the use of Prozac, Celexa, or Zoloft, you would run the risk of literally bleeding to death if you are a female in her monthly cycle while prescribed for said antidepressants.

  • On the post: Bad Move: Google Removes AdBlock Plus From Google Play Store

    Wally ( profile ), 17 Mar, 2013 @ 01:41pm

    Re:

    There is currently no way to turn off targeted advertising schemes in Android. iOS might have the option to turn targeted advertsing off, but admittedly it is squirreled away.

  • On the post: Bad Move: Google Removes AdBlock Plus From Google Play Store

    Wally ( profile ), 17 Mar, 2013 @ 01:35pm

    Re: Advantage of Android - app still available!

    "I assume it interferes with the adds that are bombarded within most apps - paid or free. Possibly interfering with app developers income etc. I assume that is where google are concerned."

    AdBlock Plus only blocks web browsing ads. No real honest reason to pull it for that.

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