Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2000/09/22/best_of_the_rest_variation/

Best of the Rest: variation is the spice of life

Is this right? Oh well, it is in this case, alright?

By Kieren McCarthy

Posted in Bootnotes, 22nd September 2000 17:15 GMT

[Fascists, porn, AMD monsters and autopsy pics. What a lovely blend]

Industrial tribunal gets down and dirty

I love all this crap with anti-porn software...

I seem to remember an anti-port device a while back that worked on TV pictures, by looking at the quantity of skin colour on the screen.

Unfortunately, like so many other censorship devices, it had the staggering accuracy of deciding to block out pictures of Murray Walkers' head. Not a bad thing, you might argue.

Still, anyone fancy a Sa!$%^ay in S*%^&horpe?

Gordon



eBay removes murdered child autopsy pics

eBay has removed more and more things from the "permitted list" of things one may sell on their system. These child morgue photos aren't the first things they banned due to the complaint of whining lefties.

I predicted this sort of thing would happen way back when they banned the auctioning of firearms by licensed American dealers, and I quit using eBay precisely because of this creeping prejudicial trend. Once I wrote the eBay staff an e-mail in jest, suggesting they ban the sale of World War Two memorabilia. Much to my horror, they wrote me back in a serious tone stating they'd think about doing just that.

Soon one won't be able to sell anything on eBay but used jewelry, antique dinner plates and Pokemon cards. Mark my words. eBay needs to stop banning things that are legal or formally declare themselves to be in the censorship business.

Perhaps they might change their name to oRwellbay.com or something.

Regards
E. Anglin



Blind leading the dumb: the local loop fiasco

Maybe your European sensibilities are blinding you to reality - Oftel's customer is BT, and you are the goods to be sold. BT pays Oftel for the privilege of holding you ransom. Your not the consumer in this business relationship, you're the commodity. With this perspective everything becomes clear.

Paul Komarek



Olympics shaft the Internet

Snr Samaranch, of course, knows all about fascist dictators because he was part of General Franco's attrocious and illegal regime in Spain.

"I was with many, many Spaniards with Franco. He had the support of many countries around the world. He did three exceptional things: He kept Spain out of the war, he transformed Spain into an industrial country, and he chose Spain's next leader, the king." (Juan Antonio Samaranch, quoted in the Boston Globe, December 11 1999)

Err.. history relates that Franco kept Spain out the WWII by dividing and decimating it, with Hitler's assistance, during the Civil War in the years just prior to 1939; so that by the time the shooting started everywhere else in Europe Spain was already under the fascist jackboot.

Further, there's no reason to expect that Spain would not have become an industrialised country under its legitimate and democratic Republican government - the government and people he betrayed when he deposed it without mandate, murdered thousands, and imposed himself as dictator for twenty years before shamefully reinstating the monarchy in spain.

Unfortunately, Spain had to wait for Franco to die before they were rid of him, and they are still suffering his legacy. I guess it will be the same with the Olympics and Samaranch.

Tom



Just wanted to let you know, as a Rambus long, I have enjoyed reading your articles recently. A few months ago, I was very unhappy with your articles.



If I heard one more quote from Sherry Garber, I was going to scream. Just my speculation, but she has to be paid because her comments are so wrong, and I mean fundamentally factual incorrect. But anyways, I find your reporting to be much more factual today...and it's great you are giving Rambus the attention it deserves.

I just wonder though, is it the current events that has changed your bias...or do you just try to maintain even objectivity, regardless of the news events?

Avegfreak

Mike replies: Actually, think I've only mentioned said Sherry Garber once, or at the most
twice, ever. I don't know the lady (presume Sherry is a woman's name).