Recent Posts

6826

Living Room / Re: People Turning on Trolls?

« Last post by wraith808 on October 22, 2012, 07:48 AM »

Yeah, iceberg tips are right, and some of this assumes it's "innocent people with nothing to hide righteously turning in the trolls." We'll also get trolls "turning in" the innocents, the government and corporations turning people in to each other, and all the variants in between.

-TaoPhoenix (October 22, 2012, 06:57 AM)

This. 

This is how liberties are lost.  With the best of intentions.

IMHO, of course.

6827

General Software Discussion / Re: Help me choose an online backup service

« Last post by wraith808 on October 20, 2012, 09:44 PM »

One VERY important note for people setting up backups of multiple family PCs:  *ALL* computers are forced to have the SAME encryption password and account access(!).  This means that anyone on any of these PCs could access the backed up files of any of the other PCs.

This feels like a major security risk to me, though I suppose it's useful in keeping people from sharing a family plan with non-family members.  But you should know that this fact may severely limit the usefulness of the family plan.

-mouser (October 20, 2012, 03:47 PM)

Are there any that don't share like that?  All of the ones that I've tried share if they're on the same account.

6828

Developer's Corner / Re: There's Apple in my Microsoft

« Last post by wraith808 on October 20, 2012, 03:43 PM »

There were other companies who had app stores, way before Apple.

Steam is an example of an download/updater for games, it was around way before ITunes started doing non-music. In fact, Steam has now started selling utilities/applications too.

-dtsouers (October 20, 2012, 10:54 AM)

Steam is quite a different animal.  They don't have lock in to every part of the ecosystem.  That's a big thing to leverage.  Steam is more of a distribution platform than what these are.

6829

Living Room / Re: Outing the Internet's worst troll.

« Last post by wraith808 on October 19, 2012, 12:37 PM »

The rational part of me believes that outing is a bad thing. There's the risk of framing innocents, but even if the information is 100% correct, it's a pretty darn slippery slope. On the other hand, I'm glad to see a bully stopped...

-f0dder (October 19, 2012, 02:28 AM)

And I think this is the part where balance is required.  Is it good to stop someone that's exploiting others?  Yes.  But do you throw the rights of everyone out the door in order to do so?  Especially when you could have done it in a more constructive way?  I think that's where gawker's feet need to be held to the fire.  They didn't even try to coordinate with law officials, and still haven't to my knowledge.  If they were so concerned, LE would have been involved long before now, and they could report on the results of that investigation.  That takes care of the problem.  Of course, in that case, there's the chance that they lose their exclusive.  And I think that the exclusive came before the benefits, truthfully.

6830

DC Gamer Club / Pay What You Want for Interplay Games

« Last post by wraith808 on October 19, 2012, 12:04 AM »

DRM free on GoG

Pay anything - get 8 games
CONQUEST OF THE NEW WORLD
M.A.X. + M.A.X. 2
JAGGED ALLIANCE 2: UNFINISHED BUSINESS
SHATTERED STEEL
SCREAMER
EVOLVA
KINGDOM: THE FAR REACHES
VR SOCCER '96

Pay above the average - get 20 games
(the above +)
FREESPACE + EXPANSION
GIANTS: CITIZEN KABUTO
DESCENT 3 + EXPANSION
STONEKEEP
CASTLES + CASTLES 2
LIONHEART: LEGACY OF THE CRUSADER
MESSIAH
BATTLE CHESS SPECIAL EDITION
DIE BY THE SWORD + EXPANSION
EARTHWORM JIM 3D
F/A-18E SUPER HORNET
INVICTUS: IN THE SHADOW OF OLYMPUS

Pay 34.99 or more - get 32 games
(the above +)
FALLOUT
FALLOUT 2
FALLOUT TACTICS
FREESPACE 2
DESCENT + DESCENT 2
REDNECK RAMPAGE COLLECTION
SACRIFICE
EARTHWORM JIM 1 + 2
MDK
MDK 2
SHOGO: MOBILE ARMOR DIVISION
KINGPIN: LIFE OF CRIME

Have some of them, you say?  You get a giftable code that you can use to give away your duplicates (though the code has to go to one person for all of the dupes; you can't split them up).

6831

Living Room / Re: Outing the Internet's worst troll.

« Last post by wraith808 on October 18, 2012, 09:55 PM »

But in the meantime, if I hear a commotion next door, or see signs of physical abuse on someone who lives there, I'm not going to sit idly by and ponder how we can "raise awareness" and "best address" the "problem of domestic abuse." I'm going to call the police and go over and bang on the door.

-40hz (October 18, 2012, 09:45 PM)

That's what I'm talking about.  And that's what was said in the quote.  And that's what I said in my post.  Didn't I?

If you have the information, and think that the person did wrong, then report them to the correct authorities, and let them take it from there.

-wraith808 (October 18, 2012, 07:32 PM)

That's all I'm saying.  Outing isn't solving the problem.  Mob rule isn't the key.  Going to the police with the information is.  And is actually more constructive, as they can build up a case without him knowing.  And thereby have a better chance of being able to do something with it.  So it seems like a win win to me.  

It seems that you took part of my post without reading the whole thing.

6832

Living Room / Re: Outing the Internet's worst troll.

« Last post by wraith808 on October 18, 2012, 07:32 PM »

^Apples and oranges. If you work long and hard enough, anything can be made to look "almost" like anything else.

-40hz (October 18, 2012, 04:08 PM)

Same thing happened on the article.  People focused so much on the substance of what the 'outing' was used for, that they missed the point.

He wasn't defending Brutsch.  He was condemning outing as a tool.  And I totally agree.  As much as I don't want the government in my life, either via social or financial issues, some things are better handled by an impartial party.  And whether as the result of internet or 'real life' interaction, prosecution is one of those issues.  Mob rule is never going to be the right thing.  It may make short term gains, but in the end, the mob is too fickle, and too subject to direction by a minority of the mob and emotion for an unregulated group of people to ever come up with a truly reasoned and rational approach to any problem.  This is a slippery slope, and one that's far too easy to find one's self downhill of unjustifiably.

If you have the information, and think that the person did wrong, then report them to the correct authorities, and let them take it from there.

But, as I said in a response to this, true change moves too slowly for short term emotion to be satisfied- so that's where the mob comes in. If this is bad, and there is not a law against it, it's easier to pillory the person and put them on display in the town square rather than work for true change that won't just apply in this one situation.  And one that won't put the needs of those that are in similar but different situations at risk.

6833

Living Room / Re: Outing the Internet's worst troll.

« Last post by wraith808 on October 18, 2012, 03:14 PM »

I found an interesting comment on a follow up article, and thought it good food for thought.

'Remus Shepherd' is not my real name.

In 1996, I was publicly outed for my sexuality. I chose to flee from the net and all contact with people. I lost my job and many friends, but I survived.

In 2000, a friend of mine was publicly outed for his sexuality. He was the owner of a business and could not vanish the way that I did. He chose instead to take his own life.

Stripping of another person's anonymity is a vile tactic, no matter how flimsy that anonymity may be. If you suspect someone of a crime then yes, out them to the authorities. Let the legal system work. But publicly shaming people for activities with which you do not agree is a tactic used by blind mobs and righteous zealots. Outing is used to prevent rape victims from speaking out, it is used to harass and kill homosexuals and other minorities, and it is used to enforce social dogma on those who are merely different. It cannot and must not become an accepted tactic. The consequences on the weak and vulnerable will be far worse than any good that may come from using it.

6834

Living Room / Re: Social media icon set, including one for DC

« Last post by wraith808 on October 17, 2012, 01:45 PM »

That makes sense... but even looking at the others, they have definitive edges.  For Cody, the edges are there- but you have to look really close to see them.  That's what I like about the splash version; it delineates that edge, while not adding anything like the DC.  Perhaps if the edges were just made a bit sharper, it wouldn't even require doing anything to the background?

6835

Living Room / Re: Social media icon set, including one for DC

« Last post by wraith808 on October 17, 2012, 01:12 PM »

It's just a little hard to make out cody on the white background.. Maybe it could stay grey if the grey background was darkened a bit.

-mouser (October 17, 2012, 12:49 PM)

That's what I meant said better

6836

Living Room / Re: Social media icon set, including one for DC

« Last post by wraith808 on October 17, 2012, 12:32 PM »

I guess the reason I like the other one is that the edges are more pronounced- not necessarily for the blue.  If the splash of blue was removed,leaving it with just the edges cleaned up, it would look good to me also.

6837

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: MakeMKV beta 1.7.8

« Last post by wraith808 on October 17, 2012, 12:15 PM »

Thanks for updating with this info

6838

Living Room / Re: The Apotheosis of The Pirate Bay

« Last post by wraith808 on October 17, 2012, 06:34 AM »

@Renegade: Apotheosis? You actually used apotheosis in a sentence? I love it!

-40hz (October 17, 2012, 06:17 AM)

This.  So much this!  Better than the actual subject matter, truth be told LOL

6839

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: MakeMKV beta 1.7.8

« Last post by wraith808 on October 16, 2012, 10:14 PM »

I've been using makemkv for everything and just saying I'll buy more space after my initial problems with encoding.  I might try this though- if I can keep two copies of everything for backup purposes, I'll be happier than just cherry picking my backups.

6840

Living Room / Re: Social media icon set, including one for DC

« Last post by wraith808 on October 16, 2012, 10:12 PM »

Nice tweaks Edvard 

-mouser (October 16, 2012, 09:53 PM)

agreed... I like the second one (codysplash) better

6841

Living Room / Re: What A Different World Than What I Grew Up In :(

« Last post by wraith808 on October 16, 2012, 10:10 PM »

Some laws have been added to the books since then so that case might be handled differently today if it came up today. But even so, it's different in that the harassment was primarily conducted by Lori Drew. Which is different than posting some things on the web and then see other people go into "Vanna White mode" on the victim.

I'll have to do some digging. I'm not sure you can be held accountable for everything that follows from something you said except under very extraordinary circumstances. Even advocates of vigilante action are seldom charged in cases where somebody took them at their word and actually went out and killed somebody. Some prosecutors have tried, albeit unsuccessfully so far. At least with the cases I'm familiar with.

-40hz (October 16, 2012, 05:12 PM)

Incitement perhaps?  The same thing as if your words to a person cause an action?

http://en.wikipedia..../Brandenburg_v._Ohio

http://www.law.corne...CR_0395_0444_ZS.html

Of course, correlation would have to be proven, which would be problematic at best...

There does seems to be a feeling that blanket abridgment of free speech (just because somebody might "do something" because of it) doesn't seem to fly with the pubic or the courts. (Something I agree with BTW. I much prefer a surgical strike over carpet bombing when it comes to drafting criminal law.)

-40hz (October 16, 2012, 05:12 PM)

Well, I think there's a difference between reporting on what someone has done, and a call to act, or the supply of the means to act.  I do agree that abrogation of free speech is something that should be off the table.  But how do you draw the line?  What you say crosses the line, I don't... and vice versa.  It's not clear cut.  And truthfully, I don't trust our legislative branch to decide at this point.  I've become more (not less) cynical as time has gone on.  And in the case of our legislature, sometimes less is best.

6842

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 8 prices seem to have been announced during period to 31st January

« Last post by wraith808 on October 16, 2012, 09:56 PM »

^ Thanks.  I might actually do that.

6843

Living Room / Re: Outing the Internet's worst troll.

« Last post by wraith808 on October 16, 2012, 09:55 PM »

Did he do any more than what I said, or what was said in the article?

-wraith808 (October 16, 2012, 04:11 PM)

Here's one of his:

Warning: Graphic, NSFW, VDA

http://metareddit.com/r/PicsOfDeadKids

-40hz (October 16, 2012, 04:43 PM)

Very sick.  Very very sick.  And no, I wouldn't cross the street to piss on someone that did that if they were on fire.  But, no.  Still doesn't meet my definition of evil.  Just sick and twisted.

Now if he posted up stuff like that about things that he had done, or did any of that stuff to the kids, then yeah.  Or (and I read this recently about him) if what he said was true about what he did to his step-daughter, even if she was of 'legal age', then yeah.  But just reposting stuff that is around is sick and perverse.

6844

Living Room / Re: Social media icon set, including one for DC

« Last post by wraith808 on October 16, 2012, 09:50 PM »

Very cool!  I recently found the site and subscribed (it has some really good themes), but this is great!  I just had to make some, and I like these better!

6845

Living Room / Re: What A Different World Than What I Grew Up In :(

« Last post by wraith808 on October 16, 2012, 04:18 PM »

AFAIK, there is no law that says it's a crime to do or say something which results in another person committing suicide.

-40hz (October 16, 2012, 03:55 PM)

Actually, someone has been convicted of the same, though I'm not sure what laws they were tried under... hmm...

http://www.metro.co....ver-girls-death-leap

http://en.wikipedia...._States_v._Lori_Drew

Neither of those were what I was looking for... but apparently felony harassment is a real charge that can be levied.

6846

Living Room / Re: Outing the Internet's worst troll.

« Last post by wraith808 on October 16, 2012, 04:11 PM »

Legal and regulated properly would leave far less casualties.

-Stoic Joker (October 16, 2012, 01:47 PM)

@SJ - Sounds more like a conclusion masquerading as a premise to me, but ok

Bad yes.  Reprehensible yes.  Evil?  Well, we have a different definition of that.  I leave that to the people who do more than troll on the internet.  But the differences in definition are fine.  But when someone says that the people that shot the Pakistani girl were evil and you lump him in with it... well, you have too wide a spectrum there in my opinion.

Really? Spend some time carefully examining and contemplating the concept of evil and you might come away with a very different understanding. Seriously. 

Use of certain words in hyperbole IMO reduces the effectiveness of them when they are accurately used.  Racism, bigotry, homophobia, rape... they are used too commonly now, which water the terms down.  And IMO, this is a prime example of hyperbole.

Wraith, my good man, you know I think the world of you. But I don't understand where you're coming from with the above. But so be it. If you can't see (or won't allow yourself to see) the difference between what is commonly considered 'trolling' and what this guy has been doing...well...I'll leave you to ponder effectiveness and accuracy of definition to your heart's content.

For my part, I'll just sit back and smile a little smile, knowing somebody finally belled this particular cat.

-----------------------------
Note: Did you mean Use of certain words in exaggeration rather than hyperbole? Because I think you might be misusing the word "hyperbole" in the above. Hyperbole is done with the conscious effort to exaggerate rather than persuade - and is not presented with the intent that it to be taken literally. At least from my understanding of the definition.   

-40hz (October 16, 2012, 03:26 PM)

Well, I think that words sometimes change in use- especially in the english language.  And from what I've seen it used- yes, hyperbole can mean intentional exaggeration not to be taken literally.  It can also (and what I meant) be taken to mean exaggerated in rhetoric, i.e. with the intent to persuade.  See this definition which highlights both.

And posting offensive pictures and subjects on the internet, especially those not produced and gathered from the same?  At least unless there are other sources.  They were truly offensive, and teenagers should not be sexualized in that manner (but that's a matter for parenting to remove the source- not taking the they deserved it approach so often taken, but I've seen people [and dress] that just shouldn't have been out there- you sexualize yourself, and some perverts are not going to take it as this girl just doesn't know better, but do exactly what they did)., but do you have sources that he did worse?  Nothing in that article was anything other than a creepy old man seeking attention and power, not evil.

Did he do any more than what I said, or what was said in the article?

6847

Living Room / Re: What A Different World Than What I Grew Up In :(

« Last post by wraith808 on October 16, 2012, 02:09 PM »

Okay... So can anyone cite an actual example of an outed cyber bully that really was tortured to death in the (digital) town square??

Seriously. Is the true crowd reaction actual, or assumed? ...The masses easily get bored (and move on) in a week I'd assert.

-Stoic Joker (October 16, 2012, 01:57 PM)

I forget the guy's name now... but the guy about the controllers.  And that was considered a 'win'.  But it was a kangaroo court of the masses.  The extent... well, he did bring it on himself.  But... really?

And on the other side, can anyone quote to me an example where the said example made works?

6848

Living Room / Re: Outing the Internet's worst troll.

« Last post by wraith808 on October 16, 2012, 02:08 PM »

Legal and regulated properly would leave far less casualties.

-Stoic Joker (October 16, 2012, 01:47 PM)

True... but who regulates?  Haven't they already done so by fiat?  It's just that no one wants to have the conversation, because it's a political hot potato, and being in the shadows makes it more so.  So in the meantime, I think the point about respect of commitment and others applies...

6849

Living Room / Re: What A Different World Than What I Grew Up In :(

« Last post by wraith808 on October 16, 2012, 01:41 PM »

Exposing a bully does exactly that.

-40hz (October 16, 2012, 12:12 PM)

There are constructive means to do so, and unconstructive means to do so.  The internet is neither forgiving, nor discriminate, nor united.  Justice is what is deserved in these situations- but an exact level applied, not going around 'nuking ants'.  Exposing these things on the internet at large is the equivalent of 'using a nuke on an ant' in my opinion.  Nothing good comes of it, and nothing is learned.  It's a lot like the death penalty- it's supposed to be preventative, but instead, it's purely punitive.  People *don't* think about these things before they do them because (a) they think they're smarter, or a special case, or (b) something else is wrong with the person.  So why put them in the public stockade and cut their head off other than for a spectacle?  The information and evidence needs to be put into the right hands to be taken care of systematically, and legally.  Vigilantism only propagates the problem to a different stage, IMO.

It allows others to learn by (negative) example..

-Stoic Joker (October 16, 2012, 01:35 PM)

Maybe that's the purpose, but it does pretty bad job.

6850

Living Room / Re: Outing the Internet's worst troll.

« Last post by wraith808 on October 16, 2012, 01:13 PM »

A police friend of mine once told me they busted a guy with a ring and a baby seat in the back.  That's low.

-wraith808 (October 16, 2012, 10:55 AM)

Really, why? ...Maybe he wanted to try something that his wife didn't. Is he really obligated to be stuck eternally wondering what it would be like? Why is that fair?

-Stoic Joker (October 16, 2012, 12:04 PM)

Because he agreed to it?  And there's another uninvolved person whose life is totally affected by his choice.  If he gets something and passes it on to her... if both of them die of some infectious disease and leave the child alone... does that still fall in the realm of fair?

You don't have to get married- that's your prerogative, and many people are choosing that these days since marriage isn't such an imperative.  And you can get a divorce... that's becoming easier and easier.

But if you choose to commit, you should choose to treat that commitment (and the person you're committed to) with a modicum of decency and basic humanity, and not go around lying behind the person's back.  And before the whole "maybe it was agreed upon" argument comes up, he was begging to be let go with a warning so his wife wouldn't find out... so yes, the whole lying thing was present and in full effect.

Sorry. Doing what this person did is plain evil. And like most things truly evil, it's amazing how utterly pointless and banal it is in its practice and intent.

-40hz (October 16, 2012, 11:49 AM)

Bad yes.  Reprehensible yes.  Evil?  Well, we have a different definition of that.  I leave that to the people who do more than troll on the internet.  But the differences in definition are fine.  But when someone says that the people that shot the Pakistani girl were evil and you lump him in with it... well, you have too wide a spectrum there in my opinion.

Use of certain words in hyperbole IMO reduces the effectiveness of them when they are accurately used.  Racism, bigotry, homophobia, rape... they are used too commonly now, which water the terms down.  And IMO, this is a prime example of hyperbole.

anyone as is consenting

-Stoic Joker (October 16, 2012, 12:04 PM)

It's an ugly business. Until you see up close how it actually operates, you have no idea just how ugly it can be.

-40hz (October 16, 2012, 12:28 PM)

I totally agree with this.  It definitely doesn't just need to be legalized- but regulated in some way (which legalization would help) to get rid of some of the seamier practices that go along with it.  40 uses the example of a 14 year old... but the same thing applies to a 25 year old with two kids and no other way to make ends meet worried about offending her pimp.  Despair is a big part of that part of the industry that makes it as ugly as 40 says, and then some.