7412 Responses to "Member's Area Discussion" (displaying 2161 to 2180)

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12/15/17
15:27:30

thedude

From what I know, I think Net neutrality is still a goal worth pursuing, but it's just part of the picture.. IDK what the best path is to take as I don't know all that should be considered. Yet I think these are some of the many ideas out there worth looking into more:

I tend to think it may be a good idea to split ISPs from the entertainment business. I think all web entertainment services should be on a fair playing field, with no ultimate power over access through the gate. As such, in the short term we will still have some ISP monopolies, but I think they would be much easier to regulate at that point, and the incentives of the ISPs would likely tend to be more in tune with the customers.. Also, when I say "ISP", that includes not just cable, but any service that offers access to the web, including phone companies.

Furthermore, it likewise may be prudent to split web entertainment services (i.e. Amazon, Google, Apple) away from other large services. Such splits may need not be complete, but at least a separation that allows more fair competition.. For example, Google is in the entertainment distribution business, also they are an ISP, and everything else. Sure they made a split with Alphabet, but I tend to think more should be done through new regulations. Same goes for the rest.

Also, consider that although Google, Apple, and Amazon are for Net neutrality, I doubt they are keen on the idea of being separated from the entertainment distribution business. In other words, I don't expect they always hold our collective public interest.

Furthermore, when it comes to the web, I think the FCC needs to be revamped, but that's another topic.


DISCLOSER:

I work for a sketchy multinational online conglomerate, but they don't pay me enough to lie, yet.

12/15/17
16:26:08

thedude

@web-blocked

Well, as things are in the "free world", piracy is a crime, so we should not be surprised of such measures. In fact, me being part of this pirate thing from the beginning, I'm very surprised it has been able to survive for so long as it has.

Also, unlike many consumers of pirated media, I have empathy for the media industry, which includes the artists. As such, I still pay for cable, go to the movies, and pay for various online services. Yet those are things I have the luxury to afford. Others are not so lucky, and I that saddens me, and then some.

Ultimately, although I'm a big fan of capitalism, I think the best solution to piracy involves making all media free. Now obviously nothing is free, so I am talking about world-wide government agencies that would pay for media via taxes. Countries like Canada and Sweden have successfully moved in this direction, but likely more needs to be done. Another good example is with Hoopla in the USA and Canada. Also, the US Dept. of State has paid for a lot of free, popular media all over the world. The Ukraine is just one example, before the Russians crashed that parade.

Now, that may sound like communism, and I admit it is. But look at the path we are on. Do we really want more draconian control over the web/media?

As it is, in the USA, PBS may lose much or all federal funding. Is that what we want?

In the end, knowledge is power and the media is knowledge. As such, I still hold the idealism of a world where we all have access to the knowledge that can make things better for us all.. Such thinking is not new, with the Library of Alexandra, Xanadu, and the US public library system.

Also, this is closely connected to education, but that's another topic.

DISCLOSER:

Although it was a while ago, my mind has been influenced by several years of moderate MDMA consumption, otherwise I'm sure I would be more of a fascist with such issues, ha.

12/15/17
17:29:20

thedude

@Atoz

I guess congress could send the bill back to the House for some tweaking, but regardless, it's clear to me that NN is dead for now.

12/16/17
04:01:55

Feersum

I have just signed-up for a RapidRar premium account. I am not impressed with the speed. it seems to settle at 300kb maximum no matter how many files using jDownloader, which tells me it's throttled. That's quite disgusting for a premium service. I'm getting my full ISP speeds of 5mbs for Rapidgator and Uploaded. Anyone else getting slow speeds?

12/16/17
04:53:34

thedude

@Feersum

IDK, I always use the free services. I just got 2 mbps from clicknupload and openload is often better as I can DL several files at once to max my 18 mbps connection, all with no ads (blocked).

Did you try it without jDownloader? There may be an issue there. Also, you may want to complain to RapidRar, and if need be alert RM admin via email.

Also, it may be your ISP is throttling that connection.

Other than than, it may be a temp glitch.

12/16/17
05:15:24

Feersum

@thedude

I will see how it goes for a month, but you make good points. It seems like they start out fast and half way through they drop to a crawl. I'm a long time Uploaded user but the reason I signed up for RapidRar was that the links stay alive far longer than the other hosts on this site.

12/16/17
05:28:58

thedude

@Feersum

IDK, but I tend to think this is a sketchy business strategy from RapidRar. I've seen as such from other companies, where you have to complain to get what you pay for.

A few months ago my ISP dropped all my DL speeds to no more that 2 mbps (I pay for 5). So I called them up and said I want to cancel because I'm no longer getting what I expected. Also, in our conversation I causally mentioned that I write tech reviews and such for a popular web site. In the end, they said to give them a chance to fix it, and I agreed. I now get 18 mbps and still pay for 5.

Now I'm not complaining, but I don't like having to deal with such BS, and it likely means other folks who don't know any better are likely getting cheated.

12/16/17
06:07:11

thedude

@Feersum

Just to make it clear, IDK. This could be no fault of RapidRar. Hopefully someone else who uses RapidRar will chime in here with their experiences.

Thing is, it's hard to know who to trust, as I reckon paid trolls are here to spin things.

In the end, I guess RM admin are likely the most trustworthy about such issues.

12/16/17
06:21:10

meridian

For the newer people that might not know, RM owns RapidRar. I'm sure you can figure out the rest from there.

12/16/17
06:45:30

thedude

@meridian

Wow, I never even considered that and I trust your info.

From a legal standpoint that doesn't seem like a safe business model, unless they are on Mars, ha.

Also, maybe it's RapidRar that owns RM now? Hmm.

Back in the day TPB seemed like it was a P2P among users, depending on the generosity of random seeders. Thing is, my research strongly hinted that TPB crew was actually serving those big swarms, all paid for by their ads, and "other stuff".

My point being, I always find it interesting how we are quick to think certain things that are not true, well, except for Santa Clause, he's the real deal.

12/16/17
06:48:59

thedude

CORRECTION:

..are not true = ..are true

As you may have noticed, I often always make a mistake, ha.

12/16/17
06:51:19

thedude

CORRECTION:

True, not true, both are relevant to may point.

I'm brain dead, time to sleep..

cya

12/16/17
06:52:06

thedude

may, my, lol

12/16/17
06:56:46

Feersum

I figured RM had something to do with RapidRar. I don't have a problem with that as long as the service is good. The files seem to be hosted in Rotterdam. The Netherlands have great ISP and big pipes for hosting, not to mention lax DRM laws.

12/16/17
07:11:18

thedude

@Feersum

Being part of the EU, NL has strict copyright laws and they do bust rings for that. But I guess their privacy laws help give smart pirates some wiggle room to play with.

That said, I'm seeing that RapidRar files are hosted in Germany. But who knows, as they can bounce things around.

Am I dreaming? Yawn.. cya..

12/16/17
07:15:43

thedude

@vandak

Yup.. I think so. An MDMA lab I reckon.

12/16/17
18:28:05

thedude

@vandak

Just to be clear, I don't know of any drug connections with TPB crew. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they were clean in that respect. Also, I'm sure the had their hands full with TPB. I guess what I was thinking (or rather not thinking) was, it was reported that CyberBunker had an MDMA lab in that bunker in Kloetinge NL, and they once hosted TPB, but that's all.

12/17/17
18:27:56

thedude

@Atoz

Thanks. Interesting article.

MDMA and mescaline have been my faves. I found LSD was best if I took it daily (micro doses) for several weeks.

I know much about psychoactive drugs, with much experience. I'm not a big fan of anything else. Meth, coke, H, pot = yuck IMO.

Back in the day I was published in High Times magazine (about MDMA) when most folks never heard of it and it was still legal.

I just found out our supply likely came from this guy:

"VICELAND Hamilton's Pharmacopeia MDMA Vulcano Documentary"

Back in the day I once had a 60 ML dropper bottle of liquid LSD (1200 doses). It was given to me by a friend. I in turn shared it with my friends. It was empty within a year, ha.

That all said, I pretty much only recommend pure MDMA, no more than once per month, and once a year is enough IMO.

FYI: If you're a student or such, MDMA and studying does not mix well. Best not to take it if you're a student who wishes to learn. Wait until vacation/summer. Also, MDMA does not mix well with alcohol. Those that do it with alcohol are often alcoholics that don't know any better. Also, if you tried MDMA and didn't like it, then you most certainly didn't have a dose of MDMA, and/or you were drinking. I can personally account for thousands of people who took pure MDMA alone, with nothing but great experiences. It really should be legal again.

That said, I'm pretty much sober now. I never quit, I just sort of moved on.

12/18/17
01:35:52

pedrobear

¿Qué es esto?

12/18/17
01:38:27

TomMex

Ese comentario no me hizo ninguna gracia.