Explore topic-wise InterviewSolutions in .

lol. I was going to put the last youtube video you watched, but that would waste all of our TIME...

i thought this was good because i kinda like the actual song. i thought their sound effects were funny.

"MIA - Paper Planes Cover (Acoustic)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1Hb4phxLLUQuote from: gamerx365 on September 28, 2008, 06:58:58 PM

lol. I was going to put the last youtube video you watched, but that would waste all of our time...

i thought this was good because i kinda like the actual song. i thought their sound effects were funny.

"MIA - Paper Planes Cover (Acoustic)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1Hb4phxLLU

like 0:56? lol

I've always thought I had a good sense of humour- but I noticed this THREAD was hypocritical from the beginning as well- I just didn't find it as FUNNY as you guys.Quote from: BC_Programmer on September 29, 2008, 07:06:51 PM

I've always thought I had a good sense of humour- but I noticed this thread was hypocritical from the beginning as well- I just didn't find it as funny as you guys.

I dont know what the Heck I just said Just Ignore the Rest of my posts in this thread until further notice.

Quote from: !~*:.Pink Floyd.:*~! on September 29, 2008, 07:14:06 PM

I dont know what the Heck I just said Just Ignore the Rest of my posts in this thread until further notice.

Way ahead of you.

Quote

I am not waveing my arms

you are quite incorrect. i used to be one for years, some of my close friends were part of anon for years before i even became one. even though i left anon, they are still part of it. so all in all, i think i know how anon works...

Would you say we have a plethora of humor?

Would you say we have a plethora of humor?

I did a little research into your claim

You surf a website of which we both know and as you i have also used the same site, nothing more mearly a website.

You know nothing of the real Anon.

I am quite busy at the moment homer

I will tomorrow provide a full update on our movements to date (public movements).

you know what site that’s from

This is Thread is turning into a flame war.

Going to get a SCREW driver tomorrow so I can fix this annoying sound issue. I have a set of headphones that work in EITHER mono or stereo. If I tilt the laptop to the right, I get stereo sound and sound from the internal speakers. Bit bizarre, seeing as nothing is rolling AROUND inside that I can tell. Anyway, I'll pull this laptop apart tomorrow and see if it isn't a loose cable. I think it is, the daughter board is on the right side of the laptop, and tilting it to the right to make it work in stereo makes sense.Hey Man I have a question I have Walkman Headphone for a CD player.

Do you think it will work if I put them in my head phone area
NVm this works.Quote from: Carbon Dudeoxide on October 02, 2008, 05:24:24 AM

Oh joy.....another argument.

I don't see any problem with Dell and quite FRANKLY, I don't know what everyone else is saying when they say 'Dells are cheap pieces of rubbish that break easier'.
One of my 'experimental' laptops sitting next to me is a Dell Inspiron 4000. Tough little bugger, too. 5 years old after constant ABUSE from its previous ownerS.

freak-out!!!!

Media Monkey FTW!!!




Hah, that about sums up the issue in the middle east. Aside from the fact that they didn't fit Blackwater into it subliminally .can i have the picture of that guy evil?thanks!!!!!!Heh.Windows Media Player.

EmielAll this hating on Ipod! GO make your own poll. The results WOULD be interesting.

Quote from: jamesj2001 on September 29, 2008, 07:06:39 AM

Dude, XBMC is the best media player/center EVER. Anybody that doesn't have it needs to spend the $50 bucks to get a used xbox on ebay, softmod it and install XBMC. You will not be sorry.

No. I can't photoshop a circle onto a triangle. Search for "PAINTED cats." You'll FIND the results INTERESTING.lol yes very interesting im genna paint a cat in photoshop right now

there i painted a cat!heres another

Lol. Now we know why you LIKE it so much.

I was right! I knew Holiday INN Express was a good idea!WOW!!
I could look a those IMAGES all day!
They could keep me amused for hours lmao

Quote from: Aegis on October 04, 2008, 11:34:13 AM

My "they" was the government which allowed all this to happen.

I also didn't think anyone would care too much. But thanks.

Hah, I was RIGHT. Don't know why he said Soviet Battle Elephant though.. shue giberish is fineSeriously, why did you say Soviet Battle Elephant?The name of the topic is gibberish....Who is 'you know who'? Is it who I think it is?On satdaty i saw doggeral jon
He saw a little flutter
acane i saw if yesterday
he shot only a sure shutter

how foney oblen honda breaks
upon my FRECKLED brow
spiv tea moon gone and telly bull
he could only be a pal

That was the end of doggeral jon
he livered in a tree
Man united won 5-1
and rovers lost 4-3

(now THATS gibberish)Brison Green farmed all manner of crops.
He reaped and he SOWED and grew all types
of plant like radios and tapes.

He kept sheep mules under his porch to guard
the dandilions he had planted.

He kept his garden watered from the liquid he
got at the 'Nicrosity VILLIAGE of Stew'.

Many is the time he shopped at the local
grocery store for vegetables....
I wouldn't like to have a rash
on a bit of balderdash
but i wouldn't care a bit
if i had one on a zit

I'd hate it if its on my nose
or in the cracks between my toes
the one thing that would make me glum
is if i had one on my bum

one thing that would make me start
is if someone jumped me with a fart
not if its loud or if its smelly
but if someone farted on my belly


I must go back to beach one day

To the sea, the sun and the sky

I left my shoes and socks there

I wonder if there dry

The above are actually Limericks and not gibberish at all.....

Boy some do howdy yah......
Now that's gibberish !
They are not limericks, limericks have 5 lines. How y'all gonna be look ?
Well i should gonna, yup!Quote from: reddevilggg on October 07, 2008, 01:28:59 AM

They are not limericks, limericks have 5 lines.

Quote from: computeruler on October 05, 2008, 03:18:06 PM

not another!! are you the ORIGINAL annon??

Quote from: computeruler on October 05, 2008, 03:18:06 PM

not another!! are you the original annon??

Oooooh....I feel like pressing the "delete post' button.......

Quote from: Ivy on SEPTEMBER 29, 2008, 11:34:21 PM

No Squall I did not mean you, I meant Carbon.

and Robert?? What are you so confused about?

some people think that I am a women at times

some people think that I am a women at times

some people think that I am a women at times

dont get any thoughts. dirty old man

I don't believe I was thinking...... -_-

Ah, but the subtle difference here is that this is the realm of imagination!

Now, video games are imagination, too -- but it's someone else's imagination. Sometimes, that vision allows some violent images and actions which others may not choose to partake.Some just won't get it Brian, so I don't even try I love senselessly violent video games, good release from life, you know? One particular game I'm looking forward to is Fallout 3. The makers of Fallout 3, Bethesda has setup a website called Prepare For The Future. When Fallout 3 comes out on the 28th, don't expect me to be online much.I understand that games are a good release from life, and I don't totally disagree with some of the violence in video games. Nor is this criticism because you like them.

I think the games may be going too far in the sense that I wonder if our subconscious / unconscious minds knows the differences? I've never played the Grand Theft Auto titles because I object to the content. That's just me.

The military games at least reflect the purposes of fighting for one's country, or to free others. The argument has been made that perhaps war games could be substitute for the real thing, but my problem is that with the rise of more realistic outlets, it seems the violence in our societies has gone up, and not down -- even with better outlets.

I just don't know...Violence rises because of many things, look at the price of gas, the pay for labor, the return of a life of servitude under some company, what do you get out of life these DAYS? I mean really, what do you get? I'd do fine without modern societies luxuries. I'm not saying we should technologically regress to cave men, I'm just saying that certain material values have gone to far, they control our lives and how we live them. I dislike the idea of being controlled or even nudged in a general direction against my will; but that's modern society, and my reason to retreat from it to a place where where societies binds are not so strongly felt.

Most people don't like the things I have to say because they know I'm right, right that society is backwards, got us caring more for material values than what matters in the long run. I don't care about material items, there optional ENTERTAINMENT and make survival a tad easier. We could live without them though, just stop and think how easily our society could crumble in an instant the way so many have before it. I'd be ready for the new world laying ahead, but would anyone else? I doubt it, there to absorbed into there current lives to survive the slightest change. People are too easily guided by simple influence like games, material values and items, the media, and most of all other people. Personally, I'd take a STONE house in the woods with a small creek nearby with a hydroelectric dam to keep the lights on and some other basic luxuries, that, as I said, make life a little easier.

To put my point into a simple straight forward statement. People are controlled, manipulated, and programmed to fit into society as certain individuals have engineered it. I mean look how sure most of you are that tomorrow, you could get up and sign onto this forum and everything will be here same and simple as it was yesterday. But that's not the truth, anything can happen, and I'm open for that possibility. Everyone is so programmed and conditioned to believe that there way of life is right, that it will always be there until they die only changing for the better, and only changing if the majority accepts the change. People who believe that are flat wrong, we control few of our actions in this modern world. Its built to make it that way.

Simple truth, its human nature to challenge the world and what is, always asking and usually not getting answers. It doesn't take much to turn a person into a rampaging lunatic with a automatic handgun or assault rifle. Anyone can do it, the question is, why would anyone do it? What drove them to do it? No one does anything without reason, you can't blame video games solely as the root of societies violence, nor can you blame movies, music, or any of that crap. You should be blaming society as a whole for there actions. Blamed Down to the very first person or thing that sprouted the tree that would grow wild into whatever violent events occur. Fact is, the whole system is designed to control and program people, some people don't fit in with that, like me, whereas some people don't fit in with anything. Some people are pushed and snap, some people get famous, some people do something stupid and get dead, others just go with it and survive. Its just human nature, pure and simple, that's all that drives the greed and violence in this society, human nature.Yes, it is human nature. Violence has always been around in some form or another, true. I know, too, that it's not just the games -- but part of the problem, large or small, is that parents let the kids at the games and movies and other media at way too young of ages. No child should see or play the GTA titles, for example.

Maybe Thoreau was right when he wrote "Walden" -- although even he returned to his previous lifestyle, afterward. Human nature.wow DR you typed a lot i accually herd that violent crimes within teens have gone down scence more and more teens have started playing themQuote from: Aegis on October 09, 2008, 12:05:42 AM

Yes, it is human nature. Violence has always been around in some form or another, true. I know, too, that it's not just the games -- but part of the problem, large or small, is that parents let the kids at the games and movies and other media at way too young of ages. No child should see or play the GTA titles, for example.

Maybe Thoreau was right when he wrote "Walden" -- although even he returned to his previous lifestyle, afterward. Human nature.

Thats stupid, its just a google search:

http://downloadanystuff.org/Hah, its a "CUSTOM" google search. GUESS that MAKES it "Special".Haha, that's pretty FUNNY. How did you stumble across that?I hjave no idea...his user name should tell ya

I encrypted parts of my laptop's hard drive when I was toying with TweakUI a while back, now the laptop is busted (dropped it and the sound port got screwed when the headphone jack got rammed into the laptop). So, here I sit trying to get files from my Installs and ARCHIVES folder with my laptop drive plugged into the SATA bus on my desktop. Its encrypted, and while I have managed to inherit permissions, I cannot decrypt it. I used windows to encrypt it, so has anyone got any idea how to decrypt the drive when its not installed in the computer which encrypted it?

If this proves too difficult, I'll just wait until the laptop COMES back in the mail from being repaired and decrypt it with the laptop its self. Wait you encrpyted it.

Which Bassically messed up the code in everything and that screwed up windows?To decrypt it, you have to have the same hardware, since the decryption software reads a string from the bios directly (I think) to do it. You could use brute force, like John the RIPPER, to decrypt it, but that would likely take 2000 years or more. You're best bet is to wait until your laptop comes backWas afraid of that, OH well. I only encrypted documents and such, important eyes only documents and installs I have on my laptop. I thought that the encryption was hardware side though? Oh well, at least I didn't encrypt the whole drive. Quote from: Dead_Reckon on October 10, 2008, 11:14:21 AM

Oh well, at least I didn't encrypt the whole drive.

I encrypted my laptop's hard drive

I'll also answer the call ''hellooooo, who is this''?

QUOTE from: Ivy on OCTOBER 09, 2008, 05:25:50 AM

I'll also answer the call ''hellooooo, who is this''?

*Huffing and Puffing*

Whoops, there goes your house.

Huffing and Puffing

Does any ONE know about this? I was watching NSIC an seen a RERUN of Abby playing a game she said was the immortals. I just wanted to CHECK it out an poke around with it.It's NCIS and yes i believe that was the game she was playing...is this the Episode when Donozo and the Director are both lying to Gibbs ? ?Its NCSI too many words to remember. I think thats it. What do you now on it?Naval Criminal Investigative Service...I now what it stands for but I still think its the other way, its on tonight.Naval Service Investigative Criminal ? ? Okay your right I LOOKED it up. You now anything?

im just trying see if my....gif works...

nvm posts usually go to the offtopic!QUOTE from: Ivy on October 06, 2008, 11:54:41 AM

nvm posts usually go to the offtopic!

Watch this video:

http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=s97k42ifry

Its one of many that carry the same facts, I could probably dig up dozens of them. If you still think I'm nuts, so be it. Maybe things won't come to pass as certain people wish it to be, maybe they will, in the end, who can say what will or wont happen? I'm just speaking of the likely future. you're doing just fine.
what made you think we thought you were crazy?You obviously didn't watch the whole video. I can pull up evidence on crap like this all day long if you want me too. I'm just justifying my claims at various conspiracies I've mentioned that people have denied on this forum. If you neglect the truth, you'll be the way they want you. DEAF and Dumb, obedient and tame, just a cattle ready for the slaughter.1984What about 1984?I assume you've read it of course!


Anyway I'm waiting for some of this movie to buffer so I can watch it without those darn pauses.

The last video like this I saw was on TV, some weirdo saying aliens built the pyramids. that one made me LMAO.

from what I've seen of it so far- it should at least be at least a good watch.This is pretty neat.Even if this thing WAS to get established- it claims that it's power will NEVER be questioned or challenged...

For every "New World Order" there is an equal and opposite rebellion later down the road that squelches it.Yeah, I know, I'm not one to sit by and let things happen EITHER. I wonder how many people have even bothered to read The Patriot Act? That alone would be enough to open the eyes of anyone not blinded by the farse that is global terrorism.

EDIT: These some of the many reasons why I intend to go off the grid within a few years.hey... if the US LOOSENED their immigration laws- why is it getting so much harder to cross the border?It isn't hard to cross, they just make it seem to be. Look up the Real ID Act. Stop, look, and think, why do you think the education system is so generic? Its designed to standardize and manipulate the minds of Americans. Its designed so you will subliminally accept what they say are facts, instead of what is the truth. Just stop, look, think, you'll realize more than you want to know about the world around you.Quit trying to force this stuff on me. Besides, I've never said it wasn't possible- just that some of the theories are a little farfetched to just put "out there".

I've always known there was SOMETHING behind *censored*, higher then government leaders. Wether this is them- I don't know. You can easily find similar videos that declare aliens as the real leaders, so it get's difficult to sift out the BS.

Besides- it doesn't matter how well laid anybody's plans are.

"The Best laid plans of mice and men often go awry"Alright, if the U.S go to Venezuela I swear to god I will believe this entire thing.Quote from: BC_Programmer on October 01, 2008, 03:33:31 PM

I've always known there was SOMETHING behind *censored*, higher then government leaders. Wether this is them- I don't know.

Walmart CLOWN Ad. Why so funny?
Or do you think it is TERRIBLE?Did I MISS something?
It has become, tin just a few day, one of the most poplar videos on the internet.
Maybe I don't get it.
Please explain this, if you can.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVqyt4iS7uI

Wait, I just looked at it again. Now I see the point.
It's a clown screaming at children while they RUN away in FEAR. What's not funny about children running away in fear?

No

Even when I have WINDOWS DEFENDER set up to inform me of when it DETECTS any spyware it has never done so. I KEEP it DISABLED..

Cheers...ENJOY ! !Thanks mate!

Cake for everyone

Happy B-day Carbon, hopefully with many more.Wow...i got it right this time....

Happy Birthday CD - Enjoy Happy B-day dude. I hope you have a really good and many more to come.Have a Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday! Happy birthday, make it a good ONE. QUOTE from: patio on MARCH 31, 2010, 07:26:10 AM

Wow...i got it right this time....

4/1 is mañana.
Do you have the Windows XP LOGO on your desktop?
You MAY want to put my 'IRS-Audit-Edition.gif' on the desktop. Drag it on top of the current XP logo.
http://geek9pm.com/art/IRS-Audit-Edition.gif
(SAVE it to you downloads. customize your desktop WHIT 'Web' tab, add new, browse to the gif file you downloaded. Drag it over the current logo. See if anybody notices. Disclaimer, Windows XP is a TM)
The link doesn't work for me.Quote from: soybean on March 31, 2010, 03:51:36 PM

The link doesn't work for me.

Some amazing setups.

http://wikibon.org/blog/inside-ten-of-the-worlds-largest-data-centers/Pretty impressive STUFF. I was really impressed with the wiring quality at the MS sites. That's a lot of wire to keep that organized.

The messy wiring at the NJ2 site is a lot more common.

I dealt with one professional wiring company that was wiring the DORM rooms at WVU. They were running coaxial CABLE and cat 5. The guy actually doing the work didn't have a clue about the technology, but he sure did pretty work.Neat.


@rt, you don't have to KNOW what stuff does/is to be ABLE to lay it out neatly.

Come on nerds,

It was a compliment. =)

IS THERE A SITE I COULD GET FREE HEADERS FOR A BLOG SITE

sorry , i'm not GOING to re-type

This is an old topic. Been going on for over 150 years. However, the AP found a new twist to the story dated March 6, 2010.
Quote

Top home-school texts dismiss Darwin, evolution
By The Associated Press
Published: March 6, 2010

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Home-school mom Susan Mule wishes she hadn't TAKEN a friend's advice and tried a textbook from a popular Christian publisher for her 10-year-old's biology lessons.

Mule's precocious daughter Elizabeth excels at science and has been studying tarantulas since she was 5. But she watched Elizabeth's excitement turn to confusion when they reached the evolution section of the book from Apologia Educational Ministries, which disputed Charles Darwin's theory.

Wile countered that Coyne "feels compelled to lie in order to prop up a failing hypothesis (evolution). We definitely do not lie to the students. We tell them the facts that people like Dr. Coyne would prefer to cover up."

they seemed to ignore the same odds QUOTED by noted SCIENTISTS when the atomic bomb was DEVELOPED. Nobody was SURE how big the resulting explosion was going to be.Still only 35% of its capacity...so the Big One is a WAYS away...

My NEW HD camcorder can shoot 120fps. Amazing

Example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0zXk5aOsAY


My SLOW MOTION archive:
http://www.youtube.com/user/CarbonDudeoxideCH#grid/user/7A0EDF098C2459DCI like the waterfall...nice.nc one man..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzdaMp7ybEI


cool

psychedelic man fantastic video HOMEWORK =

HGISM = Hot Girl In Slow Motion

get on it chap.

I can't stop laughing with this, lmao:

EVIL Easter Bunny - YouTube
Heh YEAH this is a pretty funny video. Belongs in off topic though. Why didn't you move it yet then.. =Pgot a few laughs out of it, myself There were a few shocked expressions here. Not from me, but people who just happened to glance at my monitor. Quote from: Helpmeh on APRIL 01, 2010, 08:06:41 PM

There were a few shocked expressions here. Not from me, but people who just happened to glance at my monitor.

Did they say, "Gosh darn Helpmeh, if you're not playing video games all night, you're watching some crazy bunny video ! ?"

Shocked noooobs!

This GUY is out-of-this-world-funny

Here's a RANT he does on computer PROBLEMS..

HTTP://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF56rjJJzJY


He's got a whole bunch more rants he does on his WEBSITE..

So TELL me! Firefox.Windows XPCamel cigarettes and a bottle of scotchMap of Borneo...10-9-8-7.....6-5-4...An unworking 486 computer. Grande Mocha The question REMINDS me of George Carlin's hippy, dippy weatherman ( don't remember the quote word for word).

Forcast for tonight is dark. With continued dark until morning.gotta love carlin. sad hes DEAD. The most important question ever to any person is the "BURNING" question that he/she is asking. You certainly can care about other people's questions, though!
npersn31Perfect.
This Topic has now out-lived it's usefulness.

Closed.

http://www.tineye.com/search/71aee432740658ef8ba2a44069a1264ae49073d8
All the sites that use the image ^^^ (or that TinEye has found)

Gosh, Helpmeh makes me feel bad. I thought I was the only person who ever used the raining.gif image.

Talking about yourself in the third person is deeply weird.
Quote from: greg on April 03, 2010, 12:24:02 PM

The BillRichardson account has been inactive for several MONTHS. No one has currently logged into the BillRichardson account. Where does BC get his bogus information?

The BillRichardson account has been inactive for several months. No one has currently logged into the BillRichardson account. Where does BC get his bogus information?

Not Just Inactive.

Banned. But, still a <present> account. you can view profile information and so forth.

Ban the witch!

If BillRichardson had been "Banned", the account would have been removed.

in the hospital?

Attention everyone!
Facebook is going to have a downtime from 4 PM until 17 april!
TELL it to everyone!Quote from: Treval on April 01, 2010, 04:45:15 AM

Attention everyone!
Facebook is going to have a downtime from 4 PM until 17 april!
Tell it to everyone!

This is a shame. No one's falling for the april fools! =P

The world is full of dumb people anyway.

Did a little searching. In the US the government is REQUIRED to ACCEPT all legal tender but public business can set their own rules.

You can pay Your TAXES in pennies and the government has to accept it. But a private business can refuse to accept certain legal currencies. Like TRYING to pay for a candy bar with a $100 dollar bill.Quote from: patio on April 04, 2010, 05:15:31 PM

30 lashes.

Guards !

I KNOW this is offtopic but is FUN, and I think you'll love it Quote from: grilltip on April 06, 2010, 01:42:19 PM

I know this is offtopic but is FUN, and I think you'll love it

I'm guessing this was intended to be spam but they forgot to include the link to whatever they are pushing.

"bbbbbbrowe"

She has a unique meow she uses that is more of a squeak, so that's her name, "squeak"

Dogs have Owners...Cats have Staff...

I use it.

I was wondering if anyone is going to go to watch any of the FIFA World CUP games in SOUTH Africa? Has anyone bought tickets?

I've seen all kinds of newspaper articels that are warning people not to go to South Africa because of the potential war. Has anyone heard about this?

Just wondering...i have heard they are worried about the MURDER 2 weeks ago will start trouble but THINGS should go of okWho's bright idea was it to hold such a big event there in the first place? Quote from: kpac on April 13, 2010, 11:46:30 AM

Who's bright idea was it to hold such a big event there in the first place?

Sounds like no one actually likes SA! I agree that the world cup should never have been given to SA (its making our lives *censored* - yes I live in South Africa)
I had been wondering how far the new of Eugene Terblanch's murder had gotten.

Quote from: Geek-9pm on April 14, 2010, 02:06:45 PM

Can I wait for it to come out in the...
Reader's Digest Large Print?

Can I wait for it to come out in the...
Reader's Digest Large Print?

The way I see it, when it comes to Microsoft Software, they are really just licensing <their> property to you- so you cannot dissassemble, modify, etc the windows components. This is based solely on the fact that you don't actually own a copy of windows but rather a license to use a copy of windows.

With the xbox, and xbox 360, you own the hardware; I feel this sort of changes the playing field a bit. With- for example- Nintendo consoles- you can modify it as you please. your warranty is void if you do (which is fair enough).

Now, the problem here is that a lot of people aren't modifying Xbox's and xbox-360's for things like new outputs (some people modify NES, SNES, and N64 systems to add new outputs that weren't supported or even existed at the time, such as N64 consoles with HDMI output and stuff) but rather so they can play pirated games.

This is sort of a gray area (IMO); really, they own the hardware, but by changing the hardware they make it easier for them to play software that isn't theirs. The solution is to disallow all hardware MODIFICATION; however, this sort of punishes those that would hack the hardware for a better game experience in the future.

Also, I must point out that if MS <really> wants to keep people from changing the hardware, they shouldn't actually be selling them- they should be "licensing" the consoles to people. However, in teh same way a person is perfectly entitled to change a desk fan by modifying the curvature of the blades, people are 100% entitled to mangle about with the hardware of the xbox. the best MS can do in this case is simply void warranties. It's not really the changing of the hardware that is illegal (in fact, it's a guaranteed right provided by property law) but rather the use of the pirated software. just because the two are related doesn't really mean they are both illegal- they are COVERED by completely different parts of law in almost every country.

I'm not really familar with xbox hardware, however, I do know that the NES had a sort of "anti-piracy" type feature. it wasn't intended to restrict consumers but rather to make sure that any games published for the console were by certified developers. This was in the form of a "symbiotic" pair of chips; one on the NES mainboard, which communicated with a mate chip that was present on the console. This worked fine, but publishers found ways of emulating the behaviour of this chip, (I believe tengen was one of them) so that they were wholly unlicensed to actually publish or distribute these games. would a person buying one of these games have been breaking the law? No. But was Tengen breaking the law? This is a curious question. they created a chip which did the same thing as the lockout chip, which licensees were <supposed> to buy from nintendo. does this not seem like some sort of monopolization? In order to create software for the NES, companies had to pay Nintendo not only for a license but also could only purchase the lockout chips from predesignated companies. What resulted from this was a "convenient" marketplace for Nintendo in that they for some reason had no quantity issues with acquiring the chips, but every other company did. this could translate to 6 or 7 months between what would have otherwise been the simultaneous release of a Nintendo game and a game released by another publisher. This translated directly into a huge market advantage for Nintendo themselves. Was this "fair" to the other publishers? was it fair to customers of those publishers to have to wait another 6 months simply because the licensee was not nintendo? Interesting questions.

Now, many other "hacks" for the NES console include the removal or disabling of the lockout chip, which is done quite simply by cutting a single trace on the mainboard. (or maybe it was creating a trace, I forget) Considering the NES can only really play cartridges and additionally that the only gain made by cutting the trace and disabling the chip is to be able to play games from other regions, it's rather an interesting concept; are they breaking the law? after all, they will still have to get the game from the other region.

Now, later, of course, Nintendo switched to a disc based SYSTEM. There isn't any super powerful piracy prevention; But- there is one that I think is pretty clever. The disc spins in the opposite way from any other DVD. This makes it nearly impossible to create duplicates of the game(s). Now, certain brands of DVD drives <are> able to spin in that direction and make it possible to burn pirated copies of gamecube games. This, however, requires a hardware hack.

I don't think it's morally ambiguous to perform hardware hacks, in and of itself, but rather that certain hardware hacks are morally ambiguous. you can change the console to, for example, add features, perhaps make it so it automatically saves memory card data into both slots, or something like that. It's when you change it to workaround the features designed to protect the intellectual property of the company and it's licensees that things get hairy.
um... that sounds a *censored* of a lot like communism. So you're saying that if you find a 5 dollar bill or something you cannot take it? are you supposed to report it to the government or something? "Hey, I found some of your money"

The fact is, the rules haven't been fully established. It's hard to properly protect intellectual property and still provide the rights guaranteed by the constitutions and charter of rights and freedoms of most countries.

The fact is, there is no "international copyright law"; the copyright law in one country differs from that of another and of another. Therefore it could be perfectly legal to, say, mod an x-box in one country. But what about bringing that modified Xbox into the U.S? It's already modified- the act of modification was already performed. Is it somehow illegal?

I think another question is with regards to the fact that the EULA is not actually legally binding in a lot of cases.

Consider many MS games; my Age of empires II box had a sticker that pretty much said that opening the box ENTAILS agreement ot the enclosed EULA... how is this legal? They could say anything on there- in fact, it's not legal. They changed this so that, upon installation, it displays the EULA.

However, consider for a moment that copying the software disc does not require that you install the software. So technically, you could copy the disc and never actually infringe on the EULA since you never agreed to it. However since doing so would entail some sort of circumvention of the anti-piracy thing used on the disc (I can't remember the specific one) it breaks the DMCA.

However, consider it from the other perspective- the perfectly legal and proper methods.

a user buys a game; let's say, age of empires II (a bit dated but *censored* shuddap).

they read the entire EULA. they find it fair, and agree. they then install the game.

However, the installer does not just install the game- it also installs the resident copy protection machanism from the game (I think it's starforce... or something like that). Note that the EULA said nothing about the installation of such down-level software. So did Microsoft breech the EULA? Yes. has any class action suite been enacted against them? No.

The protection of intellectual property is a lot more difficult then the protection of standard property; and in a lot of cases standard property ownership laws simply do not apply. also, the more protected a piece of software the fewer rights the purchaser holds; when you consider that such rights that the user no longer has include no longer being able to determine what get's installed on their own machine there has to be a question mark here.

It's one thing to state "this software will install certain copy protection mechanisms onto your PC" but most such EULA's make no mention of this. they install background processes that will actually cause disk imaging software to stop working or work slowly purely on the basis that there is a chance of using said software to circumvent the EULA. The possiblity of breaking the EULA, however, does not in and of itself constitute a breech of the EULA, so I think the question is, do the rights of intellectual property holder extend outside the domain of the EULA in such instances where breeches to that EULA are possible but not NECESSARILY likely? I have to say, no. If the EULA mentioned these "protections" then they are part of the EULA, but if it is not mentioned then do they not constitute a breech on the part of the company? the EULA is an agreement between the end-user and the intellectual property holder; this makes sense. however, the agreements I've read have all been terribly one-sided; they state what the end user can and cannot do, but they make no claims as to what rights the software publisher has over the end users machine. Is this presupposed to mean they can do what they wish? that by the user installing the software they are giving implicit permission to install any number of other bits of otherwise unrelated software purely in the interest of "protecting" their own rights under the EULA?

Let us consider another scenario.

Let's say, somebody is given a computer. that computer has a copy of windows 98 installed.

By the transference of ownership from the first person to the other, they first person is essentially "giving" the second person their license to have windows 98 installed.

But what if person 2 is unaware of the intricate laws and EULA restrictions that apply? what if person 1 <keeps> their windows 98 disc and uses it on other PCs? which one of these people are actually breaking the EULA? the second person is now the "user" in the eyes of the EULA, the first person is not. is the first person continuing the use the software disc for other installations somehow constituting a breech of the EULA on the part of the second person? additionally, and more interesting, did the second person ever actually <agree> to the EULA? remember, the software was already installed. somehow, this person that is using this copy of windows 98 is bound and restricted by the rules set forth in the EULA and yet they are completely unaware of such restrictions and might not even know such an agreement exists.

In contract law when one party transfers their obligations as per the contract to another party, the second party must know what these obligations are. They must also "sign" (note that agreeing to a EULA via button click has actually been accepted in lieu of a signature) said contract as the new upholder of that side of the contract.

Perhaps this is why it is not called a End User License Contract; since it is an agreement it no longer is bound by contract law. in fact, an agreement has absolutely no legal standing whatsoever. if you agree with Bob to give him 90 dollars next sunday as long as he rotates your tires, all that you can do if bob doesn't rotate your tires is not give him the 90 dollars.

Many games employ a number of anti-piracy tactics, such as StarForce (I can't remember any other ones, oh well) However, these mechanisms are almost never mentioned in the EULA. therefore does this mean that the software holder has some sort of implicit right to install other software on the users machine simply to protect their own rights as provided by the EULA? is this not, in and of itself, outside the scope of the EULA? If the company will not adhere to the agreement as they themselves have stated, all the end-user can do is not uphold their end.


Of course, most EULAs are actually complete; "omissions" of what "Special" software is installed are not quite as frequent as they used to be, but for games they are still rampant. Almost every commercial game has some sort of copy-protection software that get's "implicitly" installed on the end users computer. this can slow down disc burning, and other optical drive actions. was there an EULA clause saying they could do this? No.

Why do people stand for this? why do they continue to adhere to the various rules set forth in the EULA when it's clear that in many cases the publisher has absolutely no regard for holding up their end of it? The moment you allow the publisher to trample on the very rights they guaranteed you in the EULA and/or allow them to step outside the EULA in the interest of protecting <their> side of the EULA even to your disadvantage (installing software without your knowledge, for example) is when the EULA no longer matters. Consider the adage that the moment a hacker can run a program on your PC without you knowing, they control your computer. Dies this apply also to companies? If Electronic arts can install and run a copy protection driver without the users knowledge and especially without their agreement, does this not mean that EA now owns your computer and can do what they wish with it? Does this somehow invalidate the EULA with regard to the publisher's side, yet somehow mean the User must continue to uphold their end?


I'm all for EULA agreements; the windows EULA, for example, doesn't mention any sort of invisible processes'- and windows doesn't install any. Everything is rather clear and concise. and Because Microsoft seems intent on actually holding up their side of the agreement, it's only fair that we do as well. It's not a matter of morals or ethics but one of contractual obligations (which may or may not have moral and ethical repurcussions if broken) In fact, most programs fall into this category. It seems that the whole "implied copy protection" stuff is only in the domain of games. Probably because they are the most "tantalizing" targets for people to copy and give to friends or something. But does this "tantalization" in the eyes of pirates somehow give the company the right to install such protection software without our knowledge? I don't think so.

I wouldn't mind <at all> if such protection software was mentioned in the EULA. and sometimes, it is. But most of the time, it isn't. Is it really fair to omit such critical information in a agreement that pretty much works on the users trust? I don't think so.

Of course, the fact that they install such software doesn't really give the user some sort of inalienable right to trample on the publishers intellectual property rights, which are protected by other laws altogether. It does however raise some interesting questions. How much omission of these sorts of things is permissible? How far can publishers go before us users say, "ok, what the heck..."

I'm just curious..... How long did it take you to write that?