●● IRC: #techbytes @ FreeNode: Sunday, December 06, 2020 ●● ● Dec 06 [00:43] schestowitz > https://miro.medium.com/max/4000/1*q4caF4xbAQumVUysRordOw.png [00:43] schestowitz > [00:43] schestowitz > [00:43] schestowitz > Personally I think it's better to take a hard line against DRM. [00:43] schestowitz > [00:43] schestowitz > I've been boycotting Sony products for the past 15 years because they [00:43] schestowitz > installed a rootkit to protect their audio CDs. [00:43] schestowitz > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_BMG_copy_protection_rootkit_scandal [00:43] -TechBytesBot/#techbytes-en.wikipedia.org | Sony BMG copy protection rootkit scandal - Wikipedia [00:43] schestowitz > [00:43] schestowitz > [00:43] schestowitz > If you support DRM, the people who produce this sort of software want [00:43] schestowitz > increasing control of the entire platform. Saying you support it in [00:43] schestowitz > userspace but not the kernel is one heck of a slippery slope, because [00:43] schestowitz > the same companies who produce DRM in userspace are also seeking methods [00:43] schestowitz > that require kernel support. [00:43] schestowitz > [00:43] schestowitz > It's a bit like saying GNOME saying theyre're against racism and take it [00:43] schestowitz > seriously but not "reverse-racism"-- DRM in userspace and DRM in the [00:43] schestowitz > kernel ultimately have the same effect, whether you mean it [00:43] schestowitz > technologically or politically. [00:43] schestowitz > [00:43] schestowitz > But people who were playing audio CDs on their computer were treated to [00:43] schestowitz > a "DRM" scheme that basically gave Sony (and anybody who knew how to [00:43] schestowitz > take advantage of the rootkit in place) root access to your computer. [00:43] schestowitz > [00:43] schestowitz > This is the real mindset producers of DRM have, and the ethics of [00:43] schestowitz > companies trying to own the products they sell you after purchase is [00:44] schestowitz > simply the opposite of what free software stands for. [00:44] schestowitz > [00:44] schestowitz > The idea that it can be a grey area is sort of wishful thinking. DRM [00:44] schestowitz > isn't simply non-free, it's almost Ultra-non-free. To control one game, [00:44] schestowitz > or even one file, it would control the firmware if possible. [00:44] schestowitz > [00:44] schestowitz > But just from a political standpoint, saying "we are against DRM except [00:44] schestowitz > for games" is a very weak stance. One or two years after I started [00:44] schestowitz > boycotting Sony, I started boycotting Amazon because they made [00:44] schestowitz > Stallman's "Right to Read" into a true story. [00:44] schestowitz > [00:44] schestowitz > These are companies who treat people like criminals for using their own [00:44] schestowitz > computer to access their own purchases-- these are companies who [00:44] schestowitz > detained Dmitry Sklyarov for helping people access BOOKS on their computer. [00:44] schestowitz > [00:44] schestowitz > I'm against the death penalty, even for treason-- but if someone had [00:44] schestowitz > these people were lined up against a wall in a revolution, I'd be going [00:44] schestowitz > to watch them die with popcorn in hand. [00:44] schestowitz > [00:44] schestowitz > I don't want to do business with them-- I don't want those businesses to [00:44] schestowitz > succeed. The world neither needs such people or such companies. [00:44] schestowitz > [00:44] schestowitz > If I start making exceptions, it truly weakens my argument when I tell [00:44] schestowitz > people "this is evil, we shouldn't tolerate this". Especially for books. [00:44] schestowitz > [00:44] schestowitz > "But for games it's cool, right?" [00:44] schestowitz > [00:44] schestowitz > "Oh, sure-- I mean that's *totally different*!" [00:44] schestowitz > [00:44] schestowitz > I'm sorry Roy, but if you support DRM for games, that's only helping [00:44] schestowitz > (not fighting) DRM for books. That's not the society I want to build. [00:44] schestowitz > [00:44] schestowitz > And what am I supposed to say when I tell people I'm against telemetry [00:44] schestowitz > in Mozilla, but not DRM in games? It's not like DRM can't (or never [00:44] schestowitz > does) include examples of Every Single Kind of malware we have ever [00:44] schestowitz > complained about. [00:44] schestowitz > [00:44] schestowitz > Can YOU "pick your battles?" Sure you can. But does supporting DRM hurt [00:44] schestowitz > every other battle you engage in? You betcha. I'm against all DRM, the [00:44] schestowitz > same way I'm against all fascist dictators. Call me picky. [00:45] schestowitz > [00:45] schestowitz > Finally, *DRM* (and especially DRM with DMCA-like laws, which are [00:45] schestowitz > typically American in origin but tend to be even worse in other [00:45] schestowitz > countries that implement them) *circumvents first sale doctrine*. [00:45] schestowitz > [00:45] schestowitz > First sale says that regardless of copyright, what you buy, you own that [00:45] schestowitz > copy. Not so in France, where if you buy a painting your rights could be [00:45] schestowitz > limited and you may need the artists permission to even resell it. [00:45] schestowitz > [00:45] schestowitz > First sale is what makes libraries and used-book shops legal, and it [00:45] schestowitz > outweighs copyright which controls ADDITIONAL copies, not YOUR OWN copy [00:45] schestowitz > (more or less). [00:45] schestowitz > [00:45] schestowitz > First sale doctrine is a VERY important right, both for software and ALL [00:45] schestowitz > copyrightable works-- and it is eroded by ANY exceptions made in favour [00:45] schestowitz > of DRM. [00:45] schestowitz > [00:45] schestowitz > I LOVE first sale doctrine. DRM is its mortal enemy. I support free [00:45] schestowitz > games, but non-free games are not important enough to erode first sale [00:45] schestowitz > doctrine, or give a foothold to DRM in other media like books-- sorry. [00:45] schestowitz > [00:45] schestowitz > When people who erode our freedom want to do foolish things, they use [00:45] schestowitz > magical thinking like "secure backdoors" (no such thing) and "we removed [00:45] schestowitz > personally-identifying information" (in practice, the personal identity [00:45] schestowitz > can often be rebuilt, as each datapoint acts like the loop or whorl of a [00:45] schestowitz > real fingerprint -- as the EFF pointed out with their work on browser [00:45] schestowitz > fingerprinting). [00:45] schestowitz > [00:45] schestowitz > I'm afraid that even with your good intentions: let's bring more people [00:45] schestowitz > to free software, the idea that you can support DRM just for games is a [00:45] schestowitz > similar form of magical thinking. [00:45] schestowitz > [00:45] schestowitz > In other words: it isn't really possible to support some DRM without the [00:45] schestowitz > cost of helping it take over further. It's not a slippery slope fallacy [00:45] schestowitz > if you can show it happening reliably, as a function or a reliable [00:45] schestowitz > result of the action being discouraged. [00:45] schestowitz > [00:45] schestowitz > Ultimately if you support DRM for games, you WILL get more DRM in other [00:45] schestowitz > places. If you don't support DRM in other places, you really ought not [00:45] schestowitz > to support it for games. The neat separation you would like to support, [00:46] schestowitz > simply doesn't exist in reality. And just like with "secure backdoors"-- [00:46] schestowitz > that neat separation you want to support really isn't even possible to [00:46] schestowitz > create in the first place. [00:46] schestowitz > [00:46] schestowitz > But of course, we don't have to agree. My position is nonetheless that [00:46] schestowitz > what you're proposing is not only less ideal, it is impossible. [00:46] schestowitz Your message is based on a misunderstanding. I don't welcome games with DRM, but I welcome users who might also use Steam on GNU/Linux. Some say they're a liability and harm. ● Dec 06 [01:40] *rianne has quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds) [01:41] *liberty_box has quit (Ping timeout: 272 seconds) ● Dec 06 [02:04] *rianne (~rianne@host81-154-173-106.range81-154.btcentralplus.com) has joined #techbytes [02:04] *liberty_box (~liberty@host81-154-173-106.range81-154.btcentralplus.com) has joined #techbytes ● Dec 06 [03:27] *rianne has quit (Ping timeout: 256 seconds) [03:27] *liberty_box has quit (Ping timeout: 272 seconds) [03:32] *rianne (~rianne@host81-154-173-106.range81-154.btcentralplus.com) has joined #techbytes [03:32] *liberty_box (~liberty@host81-154-173-106.range81-154.btcentralplus.com) has joined #techbytes [03:43] *elevators (~renatogeh@103.154.98.20) has joined #techbytes ● Dec 06 [05:20] *liberty_box has quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds) [05:20] *rianne has quit (Ping timeout: 260 seconds) [05:31] *rianne (~rianne@host81-154-173-106.range81-154.btcentralplus.com) has joined #techbytes [05:33] *liberty_box (~liberty@host81-154-173-106.range81-154.btcentralplus.com) has joined #techbytes ● Dec 06 [06:37] *liberty_box has quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds) [06:37] *rianne__ (~rianne@host81-154-173-106.range81-154.btcentralplus.com) has joined #techbytes [06:38] *liberty_box (~liberty@host81-154-173-106.range81-154.btcentralplus.com) has joined #techbytes [06:38] *rianne has quit (Remote host closed the connection) ● Dec 06 [07:43] schestowitz > *I'm feeling good right now as my favorite device for editing the weblog [07:43] schestowitz > is my laptop, but I was having all kinds of trouble, which I wont [07:44] schestowitz > detail and I did not ask for your help because the iPhone and iPad were [07:44] schestowitz > working perfectly, Tonight, an idea popped into my head, and I gave it a [07:44] schestowitz > try. I simply changed browsers from Safari to Google Chome and all is [07:44] schestowitz > better than normal and faster too.* [07:44] schestowitz Safari is a really terrible browser, for a lot of reasons. [07:44] schestowitz I guess Safari was at fault. [07:44] schestowitz > *I feel todays posting and the goodies posted for tomorrow will set [07:44] schestowitz > highs for trafficis there anyway you can let me know on Monday if [07:44] schestowitz > my hunch is correct?* [07:44] schestowitz Remind me if i forget. [07:44] schestowitz > *Also, newsworthy. For my birthday, my daughter gave me a home exerciser [07:44] schestowitz > that I love. The speed settings are from 1 to 50 and I gradually get to [07:44] schestowitz > 50 and stay there, I am on it about 30 minutes daily and have lost 6 [07:44] schestowitz > pounds, but that took some dieting as well as exercise. The [07:44] schestowitz > machine itself is a vibrating plate. The info panel on top shows time in [07:44] schestowitz > use, pulse rate, my set speed or the programmed setting. Its great for [07:44] schestowitz > oldies like me and I strongly recommend it. * [07:44] schestowitz > *P.S. The Yoga cords are a bitch as I have lost a lot of arm muscleI [07:44] schestowitz > cannot raise my arm straight up to 180 degrees, but I am about 3/4 of [07:44] schestowitz > the way, so soon I should be able to do that.* [07:44] schestowitz Are you still jogging along the beach where we went? Also, is that allowed and is safe? [07:44] schestowitz COVID is taking out its full brunt on the US now. [07:58] schestowitz " [07:58] schestowitz Hi Roy, [07:58] schestowitz Eric Goldman wanted to share the following Sec. 230 ebook news with you. [07:58] schestowitz With President Trump threatening to veto military funding unless it repeals Section 230, it is vital that defenders and critics understand this provision which protects platforms from being sued for content on their sites. [07:58] schestowitz Santa Clara University School of Law Professor Eric Goldman, a national expert on Sec. 230, has co-created the Zeran v. America Online ebook, with U.S. Naval Academy cybersecurity professor Jeff Kosseff. The ebook is available for free at SSRN; SCU Digital Commons; or Google Play. Goldman discussed the ebook in a Techdirt post today. [07:58] schestowitz " ● Dec 06 [08:24] schestowitz -------- [08:24] schestowitz I've put this terminal in desktop 4 [08:24] schestowitz ytalk confuses me in the way it clears buffers a lot [08:24] schestowitz and I lose sight of things I wrote [08:24] schestowitz yes, it's not so good for logging [08:24] schestowitz chat is ephemeral [08:26] schestowitz >> which medium was used? acryllic? [08:26] schestowitz Not sure if krita [08:26] schestowitz I finish work in 30 mins [08:27] schestowitz wanna helo w/ PDFs (EPO)? [08:27] schestowitz *help [08:27] schestowitz > In principle, but I am slow at reading and may miss a lot. [08:28] *schestowitz thinking how to make best use of ytalk [08:28] schestowitz >> Be sure to re-key the PDFs. They are scripts [08:28] schestowitz >> There is also Mumble on this server. [08:28] schestowitz mumble we used for techbytes a few times, it's impressive [08:28] schestowitz > The sound quality for that is much better than the mobile phones. [08:29] schestowitz our landlines are in a bad state, we use 4 cheap handsets [08:29] schestowitz >> It has a lot of group capabilities. [08:30] schestowitz I asked rianne yesterday if we can make videos/audio of most articles, like Lunduke does with his [08:30] schestowitz >> Yes, the last conversation we had was very hard to understand the speech. [08:30] schestowitz But my camera and mics are cheapo shite [08:30] schestowitz "" [08:30] schestowitz That would be good to add to Oddyssee [08:30] schestowitz or LBRY [08:30] schestowitz or any other competitor to YouTube [08:30] schestowitz " [08:30] schestowitz we use peertube now, the blender channel [08:31] schestowitz " [08:31] schestowitz Mics are inexpensive, if you can order one in a reasonable time. [08:31] schestowitz I think the shipping is backlogged some weeks now, at the least. [08:31] schestowitz Peertube is also a good choice. [08:31] schestowitz " [08:31] schestowitz brb [08:32] schestowitz The camera is not necessary, an artwork could be used for visuals. [08:33] schestowitz back. thinking was, if I proofread, I could just as well record, then go on a tangent [08:34] schestowitz downside: workflow related to upload, even sans editing, not to mention storage [08:35] schestowitz awfully slow news site, we might need to rethink how to juggle which things [08:35] schestowitz >> [08:35] schestowitz Audacity is nice for recording audio. [08:35] schestowitz Storage is a lot more than text, though. [08:35] schestowitz >> [08:35] schestowitz will think further re this [08:36] schestowitz Tim was a cop [08:36] schestowitz 2010 [08:36] schestowitz " [08:36] schestowitz the editing will take some time. [08:36] schestowitz Yeah I recall that being mentioned after the fact. [08:37] schestowitz " [08:43] schestowitz >> 2010 sucked in general [08:43] schestowitz Varghese is 70% spam [08:43] schestowitz Like scripted shit [08:44] schestowitz "his Week In Techdirt History" - can we filter those? [08:45] schestowitz >> [08:45] schestowitz I don't read him much any more, perhaps that is why. [08:45] schestowitz I can remove "This Week In Techdirt History" from the automated links. [08:45] schestowitz Yes [08:45] schestowitz << [08:45] schestowitz I think first paragraph in counterpunch is no longer promotional either [08:48] schestowitz https://liliputing.com/2020/12/linux-pc-company-zareason-goes-out-of-business-due-to-covid-19.html [08:48] -TechBytesBot/#techbytes-liliputing.com | Linux PC company ZaReason goes out of business due to COVID-19 - Liliputing [08:48] schestowitz "via Tux Machines and Phoronix" [08:48] schestowitz >> [08:48] schestowitz ok I'll adjust Counterpunch, too [08:48] schestowitz Scraping is brittle though [08:48] schestowitz Congrats! [08:48] schestowitz >> [08:54] schestowitz " [08:54] schestowitz Ok, automated feeds will now skip This Week In Techdirt History [08:54] schestowitz starting tomorrow [08:54] schestowitz Counterpunch will be just as easy but require a bit of focus [08:54] schestowitz can't multitask that [08:54] schestowitz Regarding Varghese and SJVN, I wonder what editorial changes have taken place [08:54] schestowitz and forced writing the way they do nowadays. [08:54] schestowitz " [08:55] schestowitz you answered the question: "forced writing" [08:55] schestowitz That's the real product ● Dec 06 [09:25] *rianne__ has quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds) [09:25] *liberty_box has quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds) [09:30] *rianne__ (~rianne@host81-154-173-106.range81-154.btcentralplus.com) has joined #techbytes [09:32] *liberty_box (~liberty@host81-154-173-106.range81-154.btcentralplus.com) has joined #techbytes [09:44] schestowitz > ok, both changes have been made to the feed scraper. Check tomorrow's automated feed to be sure. [09:44] schestowitz will do ● Dec 06 [10:46] schestowitz I have just turned off rering as per https://linux.die.net/man/1/ytalk [10:46] -TechBytesBot/#techbytes-linux.die.net | ytalk(1): multi-user chat program - Linux man page [10:55] schestowitz " [10:55] schestowitz Ok [10:55] schestowitz There is also prompt-rering [10:55] schestowitz " ● Dec 06 [13:36] *rianne__ has quit (Remote host closed the connection) [13:36] *rianne__ (~rianne@host81-154-173-106.range81-154.btcentralplus.com) has joined #techbytes ● Dec 06 [14:49] *GNUmoon2 has quit (Remote host closed the connection) ● Dec 06 [16:58] schestowitz x https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2020/12/03/meet-the-worlds-newest-and-youngest-self-made-billionaire-luminars-austin-russell/?sh=619a6ff2123b [16:58] -TechBytesBot/#techbytes-www.forbes.com | Meet The Worlds NewestAnd YoungestSelf-Made Billionaire: Luminars Austin Russell [16:58] schestowitz # too much of the article is about His Billness and not the kid. ● Dec 06 [17:23] *liberty_box has quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds) [17:23] *rianne__ has quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds) [17:29] *rianne__ (~rianne@host81-154-173-106.range81-154.btcentralplus.com) has joined #techbytes [17:31] *liberty_box (~liberty@host81-154-173-106.range81-154.btcentralplus.com) has joined #techbytes [17:38] *rianne__ has quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds) [17:39] *liberty_box has quit (Ping timeout: 265 seconds) [17:58] *rianne__ (~rianne@host81-154-173-106.range81-154.btcentralplus.com) has joined #techbytes [17:59] *liberty_box (~liberty@host81-154-173-106.range81-154.btcentralplus.com) has joined #techbytes ● Dec 06 [18:34] *randomgry (~test@unaffiliated/gryllida) has joined #techbytes [18:34] *gry has quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds) [18:36] *randomgry is now known as gry [18:58] schestowitz http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2020/12/is-it-time-to-move-on-from-ai-inventor.html?showComment=1607077411473#c3744325269751780072 [18:58] -TechBytesBot/#techbytes-ipkitten.blogspot.com | Is it time to move on from the AI inventor debate? - The IPKat [18:58] schestowitz "" [18:58] schestowitz Link should now be fixed. The paper can also be read here: [18:58] schestowitz https://academic.oup.com/grurint/article/69/5/443/5854752 [18:58] schestowitz http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2020/12/is-it-time-to-move-on-from-ai-inventor.html?showComment=1607076566935#c1854647431972218393 [18:58] schestowitz " [18:58] schestowitz When I want to look at the paper: "AI-Generated Inventions: Time to Get the Record Straight?" I get the following error message: [18:58] -TechBytesBot/#techbytes-academic.oup.com | AI-Generated Inventions: Time to Get the Record Straight? | GRUR International | Oxford Academic [18:58] -TechBytesBot/#techbytes-ipkitten.blogspot.com | Is it time to move on from the AI inventor debate? - The IPKat [18:58] schestowitz Your session has timed out. Please go back to the article page and click the PDF link again. [18:58] schestowitz Any help? [18:58] schestowitz " [18:58] schestowitz " [18:58] schestowitz Dear Rose, [18:58] schestowitz Many thanks! [18:58] schestowitz " ● Dec 06 [22:10] *GNUmoon2 (~GNUmoon@gateway/tor-sasl/gnumoon) has joined #techbytes ● Dec 06 [23:38] schestowitz https://twitter.com/jcjames_ca/status/1335278593178480640 [23:38] -TechBytesBot/#techbytes-@jcjames_ca: "A proposed new exemption for circumvention of technological protection measures on computer programs for the purpo https://t.co/mQGvOBH6qO [23:38] -TechBytesBot/#techbytes-@jcjames_ca: "A proposed new exemption for circumvention of technological protection measures on computer programs for the purpo https://t.co/mQGvOBH6qO [23:38] schestowitz " [23:38] schestowitz Jc James [23:38] schestowitz @jcjames_ca [23:38] schestowitz [23:38] schestowitz Dec 5 [23:38] schestowitz "A proposed new exemption for circumvention of technological protection measures on computer programs for the purpose of: (a) investigating potential copyright infringement [...]; and (b) making lawful use of computer programs [...]. [23:38] schestowitz " [23:38] schestowitz https://twitter.com/jcjames_ca/status/1335231154627162113 [23:38] -TechBytesBot/#techbytes-@jcjames_ca: Something that deserves strong attention: "The European Patent Office (EPO) has been granting software patents al https://t.co/hONt22ueQx [23:38] -TechBytesBot/#techbytes-@jcjames_ca: Something that deserves strong attention: "The European Patent Office (EPO) has been granting software patents al https://t.co/hONt22ueQx [23:38] schestowitz https://twitter.com/rufoguerreschi/status/1335230444930015233 [23:38] -TechBytesBot/#techbytes-@rufoguerreschi: @schestowitz We can both radically increase the state-of-the-art of IT privacy and ensure their legitimatr lawful a https://t.co/bBZBSNjdOY [23:38] -TechBytesBot/#techbytes-@rufoguerreschi: @schestowitz We can both radically increase the state-of-the-art of IT privacy and ensure their legitimatr lawful a https://t.co/bBZBSNjdOY [23:38] schestowitz "We can both radically increase the state-of-the-art of IT privacy and ensure their legitimatr lawful access (in-person offline) by applying the same extreme transparency, safeguards and oversight to all critical techs and processes involved, here's how:" [23:39] schestowitz https://twitter.com/KudeRaju/status/1335125097212833792 [23:39] -TechBytesBot/#techbytes-@KudeRaju: @schestowitz I am still trying to find an alternative to Dead Space for Linux, and Myst for Linux.