jjjeffrey | 12 years ago | on: How Nancy Pelosi Saved the NSA Surveillance Program
jjjeffrey's comments
jjjeffrey | 13 years ago | on: Use a Software Bug to Win Video Poker? That’s a Federal Hacking Case
I really don't like trying to judge this case with analogies to non-electronic gambling. It's not a terrible way to start thinking about the issue, but taken too far it allows someone to come up with almost arbitrary conclusions.
Rather, I think it's best to judge this by what a certain outcome would do to the greater picture.
(And now to argue for my own interpretation, which happens to use the above argument.)
I was in the middle of writing what I thought was a pretty interesting argument, when I realized...
Why the hell is the federal government even getting involved in this? I mean, I know why, but it has nothing to do with them. This is (or should be) a case about what constitutes fair play at a casino. Jumping into this and flexing the CFAA just seems beyond ridiculous.
jjjeffrey | 13 years ago | on: 2nd year Comp Sci student that just now figured out I have ADD
Seriously, there's nothing wrong with seeing a psychologist and/or psychiatrist. There are many possible scenarios, including that something other than ADD is causing your symptoms, or even that there's nothing "wrong" with you. I think there are many good mental health professionals who focus on providing a minimal viable treatment for patients. Simply getting diagnosed with something doesn't mean you need to be medicated, and being diagnosed with something isn't even a necessary condition for a professional to help you find a way to help yourself succeed.
jjjeffrey | 13 years ago | on: Solar panels could destroy U.S. utilities, according to U.S. utilities
Taking a look at things from society's perspective, society decided that individuals should privately own for-profit businesses because, for a large subset of society's needs, that is the most efficient way to produce these needs. In that sense, capitalism as it exists is meant to serve society. It merely works out that the incentive to maximize profit in this system _approximately_ aligns with society's interest in acquiring goods at minimum cost---that is, if certain conditions, such as adequate competition, are met.
Of course this isn't the only reasonable perspective, but it certainly isn't false.
jjjeffrey | 13 years ago | on: Voyager 1 has left the solar system
If a spacecraft were to travel orthogonal to the plane on which planets orbit the sun, would it experience the heliosheath as it exits the solar system? For that matter, have there been any spacecraft launched that didn't travel on the orbital plane (ignoring earth-orbiting spacecraft)?
jjjeffrey | 13 years ago | on: The inside story of Lenovo's ThinkPad redesign
I've had a T61p for 4 or 5 years. 1920x1280 screen. A Core 2 Duo that doesn't feel dated. I dread the day that something happens and I need to get a new laptop. I think other fans will know what I mean when I say this one is perfect.
jjjeffrey | 13 years ago | on: Show HN: Pick a better background pattern for your website
I'm going to try using this next time I find a web site that I can't read because the background and foreground mix together.
jjjeffrey | 13 years ago | on: Why do microwaves all have different controls?
I hate using a microwave when other people are sleeping. Loud beeps on every button press. Beeps at 30 second intervals saying it done (as if something terrible will happen if you don't rescue your food!). Even opening and closing the door makes an excessively loud noise.
jjjeffrey | 13 years ago | on: Dear Hacker Community – We Need To Talk
This article is exceptionally difficult to read because of the low contrast between text and background color and because Firefox won't allow me to highlight the text for some reason.
jjjeffrey | 13 years ago | on: You Are Naturally Short Housing
Somehow I can't imagine lab-produced gold being worth less than naturally occurring gold for jewelry, etc. I imagine the only potential difference would be the distribution of isotopes. But I suppose it could still happen if large players would benefit.
jjjeffrey | 13 years ago | on: A single line of Basic sends readers into a labyrinth
ascii works for me if I escape the \, ie: / \\
jjjeffrey | 13 years ago | on: The CD is 30 years old today
TFA from this past submission was the thing that finally persuaded me to believe that CD quality audio is all you need for optimal stereophonic listening.
//news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3668310
page 2
Er, I don't think there is any way to misunderstand a vote. It's really as simple as it gets. I doubt that some supposed underlying strategy holds more truth than the vote itself.