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Per my subject-line above: Since I couldn't use "APK", my 'std. handle/nickname' web-wide, on /. itself, when it was already taken by another - I decided to "give it a go" here on SOYLENT NEWS (lol, "is people" per the great Charleton Heston's film Soylent Green I assume).
E.G./I.E.-> Some guy named "Andrew" something made one on /. in 1998, & stopped using it (iirc) around 2000 so I couldn't use "APK"... what's the point I figured then? I went "pure AC" (with a difference, in that I'd "sign off" on mine with APK @ their bottom prior to their termination with a 'p.s.' as is "per my usual inimitable style", lol, there on /. ...).
Why? Well, see - I don't *LIKE* pretending to be someone I am not!
The world's way, Way, WAY TOO FULL of "that type" - reprehensible cowards that don't have the balls to stand behind their own words AND are up to NO GOOD imo & yes, VAST experience dealing with "their kind" - the LOWEST of the LOW online, & I don't believe a person has much integrity *IF/WHEN* they "hide" under pseudonyms online (or is it "pseudonames"?) - THAT, is for "trolls" & weasels, no not always, but LARGELY that's the truth of it (i.e. scum that are out to bother others since they're "butthurt" by their OWN bogus actions they brought on THEMSELVES, then taking it out on others)!
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Anyhow/anyways:
Here I am - & I gave this site a try upon Hairyfeet's suggestion http://soylentnews.org/~Hairyfeet/ per a conversation we had by email to give this site a try, & here I am.
So far, I like the news stories better than /.'s (more along the lines of sciences + engineering as well as computing related topics, rather than the stuff that makes me F'ING ILL in political arenas (the province of parasites & screwups that are making the world a worse place for THEIR OWN BENEFIT not anyone else's, sociopaths galore), daily in my estimation based on observation).
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This use of a "registered 'luser'" account also, of course (shameless plug!) let's me experience "slashcode" using hosts files:
APK Hosts File Engine 9.0++ 32/64-bit:
http://start64.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5851:apk-hosts-file-engine-64bit-version&catid=26:64bit-security-software&Itemid=74
Albeit, here on THIS site, vs. slashdot itself, from the REGISTERED 'LUSER' perspective this time (unfortunately so far @ least, javascript + cookies & all activated) using my program in the link above to generate them!
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My program above truly is, unquestionably, the best one there is of its kind on several valid grounds!
Mine does more/has more features of actual use + FAR SUPERIOR DIRECT CONTROL OF THE DATA, & does more than the nearest "competitor" hostsman & in 64-bit capable code too which hostsman lacks!
Hostsman also uses a DB engine - mine's HAND WRITTEN & completely portable due to its FAR smaller design as well!
(I.E./E.G. -> Mine's 1/2 hostsmans' size when comparing "apples-to-apples" in the 32-bit version of my program, & yet MINE is EVEN STILL SMALLER even in my 64-bit model vs. 32-bit, which usually DOUBLES THE SIZE++ easily)
That's partially since hostsman only has a 32-bit model, vs. my also offering native 64-bit Win64 PE code - which is, again, amazing it's tinier there + portable on MY end also.
My program also offers a FAR simpler OVERALL design yet does more than hostsman, & with "less moving parts compexity & room for breakdown" design hostsman uses, ala SQLite used, in hostsman as well!
Why?
Well - I *never* ever liked depending on the work of others due to potential "bugs" in it or lack of support IF said lib/dll etc. (more on that from Mr. Spafford below in fact) - et al, went out of production!
Yes - That's a BAD overall move, & also lends to less control of the codebase & its intended functions as well as understanding of the process AND data involved too (been doing software development professionally since 1994, & before that, from 1983 to present - it's only experience talking here on this account is all)...
Unquestionably - Mine is, quite simply put, the best there is, bar-none & recommended as such by the security community in Malwarebytes' hphosts page @ the top -> http://hosts-file.net/?s=Download
Yes, & hosts ARE unquestionably better than browser addons in added:
A.) Speed
B.) Security
C.) Reliability
D.) Anonymity
(For FREE, no strings, malicious code, OR tracking involved & since you already have them present NATIVELY in your system, working with what you have instead of STUPIDLY "bolting on more" that's GOT BUGS or is UNPROVEN - per Spafford himself even agreeing on that account http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=5325811&cid=47318825 (Morris worm disassembler))!
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"The premise is quite simple: Take something designed by nature & reprogram it to make it work for the body rather than against it..." - Dr. Alice Krippen: "I am legend"
"A fool makes things bigger + more complex: It takes a touch of genius & a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." - Einstein
"Less is more" = GOOD engineering!
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How so? Simple:
Hosts just do FAR more with less moving parts complexity + room for breakdown acting as a filter for the kernelmode PnP design TCP/IP subsystem (w/45++ yrs. of optimization into it no less) vs. slower usermode design layering over SLOWER usermode webbrowsers (slowing them even more in messagepassing overheads - use a few concurrently - you'll see), and CPU & RAM + other resources (e.g. I/O) overuse
https://blog.mozilla.org/nnethercote/2014/05/14/adblock-pluss-effect-on-firefoxs-memory-usage/
Hosts = BETTER BY FAR, vs. the "so-called REDUNDANT & WASTEFUL + CLEARLY INFERIOR poorly designed CRIPPLED BY DEFAULT & 'SOULED-OUT' addons (ala "Almost ALL Ads Blocked" - whose author wrote me 1st saying "hosts are a shitty solution" & when I asked him to PROVE his shitware addon could do more for users than hosts AND more efficiently? HE OUTRIGHT RAN), the so-called 'competition'"!
Additionally/BONUS:
Hosts even shore up DNS' redirect security deficiences, allowing resolution to occur faster, locally, from RAM (vs. calling out to a REMOTE & potentially downed OR "bushwhacked" redirected DNS server...) - acting for BOTH reliability AND security in the same stroke, from a SINGLE file you have native to your systems!
APK
P.S.=> First journal entry - was fun! Time to go back to doing rental properties maintenance in:
A.) Sheetrock cut/hang/mud-tape-mud-sand & paint (damn tenant cigarettes + knocking holes into walls & not reporting a leak in ceiling (fixed))
B.) Carpentry (NEW KITCHEN SINK + CABINETS 'upgrades'!!!)
C.) Plumbing on a sink insert + trap replacement (ugh, but GOTTA be done)
FIRST though? Hey - time for "consciousness fuel" (coffee) to get "properly motivated" (lol) & there is NOTHING as wonderful as a properly motivated human being!
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OH (edit) nice to see you CAN edit journals too - pretty cool (as I tend to write "stream of consciousness" quite often, overlooking salient points or details & could NOT edit them in in the "normal" slashcode/slashdot forums system)
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EDIT: I wish slashdot would allow users to CONFRONT who downmodded them fairly, allowing one to confront a detractor... which even courts of LAW allow!
(Yes folks - that is the 1 HUGE FAULT in slashdot & speaks WORLDS of those that designed the code for it - they seem to have forgotten that "their ghost is in the machine" showing they are WEASELS with no integrity themselves, playing "troll games", in & OF itself, in that you cannot CONFRONT AN ACCUSER/DETRACTOR fairly, with facts, to defend yourself)
I.E.-> So much for the /. mantra on "Freedom of Speech" (WHEN THEY THEMSELVES ARE THE WORST ABUSERS OF IT effetely *trying* to "hide posts" that do NOT "fit their personal agenda" & motives) & yes:
Especially when they use downmods to do so, without validly justifying the downmod with verifiable, concrete, & UNDENIABLE FACTS to back them!
No... lol, instead, they only use "hit & run" downmodding + trolling by AC afterwards!
(... & nobody can tell me the slashdot "so-called 'moderation system'" can't be cheated, when I've caught several scumbags there doing it via downmod, logout of their registered account, & troll by AC (defeating their "you can't make a downmod stick if you already posted in a thread" bullshit) OR by sockpuppet alternate 'fake account' usage as well!
Seriously - who are they *trying* to FOOL there? Themselves?? That's about it on THAT account... apk
(Score: 1) by APK on Tuesday July 08 2014, @06:55PM
To be able to SEE who it was who downmodded you exactly. Per what you stated, *IF* & when that occurs, you can handle it yourself, face-to-face/mano-a-mano using FACTS (then, if you don't? The mods can step in anyhow & "break it up" etc. - et al). See, I am of the SAME beliefs as a man I greatly admire out there today, & he's doing the RIGHT thing based on the RIGHT grounds - Elon Musk of Tesla Motors!
(I.E./E.G.-> Recently, he left a consortium of "big industry names" who apparently were going to use nefarious & reprehensible means to "p.r. their causes", whatever they were... he is NOT "with that", nor does it HAVE to be (he's better than that is why) - apparently, they were out to use the bogus means, in part, that I alluded to: Sockpuppetry, & the like - he, on the other hand, pretty much stated this: "I left since I do not want to be part of such an 'effort'. I believe a subject ought to be discussed on its valid merits/demerits - & that is all, rather than using other less reputable means...")
That's pretty much MY "pov" here, in a nutshell, & about what does go on over @ /. , all the damn time since the "so-called 'moderation system' is SO easily abused via sockpuppets + downmod, logout, troll by ac, & then alter the state saving cookie to make it APPEAR that their "you can't downmod in the same thread you posted in" b.s. is the truth - when it is *ANYTHING* but that... & easily cheated).
APK
P.S.=> IF this place had the feature I request? It'd be perfect (many other boards do, iirc, many UBB types do for instance/example)... apk
APK Hosts File Engine 9.0++ 32/64-bit -> http://start64.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=585
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday July 08 2014, @07:27PM
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 1) by APK on Wednesday July 09 2014, @01:24PM
Took your advice, headed up to "github" to submit the idea, & it spit back this -> "Something went wrong with that request. Please try again." so, please "HELP!!!"
* The Mighty Buzzard, PLEASE tell me I don't *have* to sign up and create an account there too (like I did here, which is for admittedly, my OWN purposes in research using hosts files with slashcode/slashdot forums code in conjunction with hosts files on MY end).
(Man, do us ALL A HUGE FAVOR - submit it yourself, take credit for it from me IF YOU WISH - you're going to do the work, you ought to imo - as anyone can come up with an idea like I did here, since I've only seen it before on UBB forums circa 1997-present is all, & IT IS EFFECTIVE + AIDS THE MODERATION STAFF bigtime, helping folks police themselves...)
APK
P.S.=> Heh, this having a "registered 'luser'" account, after YEARS of posting "AC" on /. on my end (with good reasons - trolls who stalk me & constantly downmodded my posts, especially on hosts value to end users in more speed, security, reliability, & anonymity done FAR MORE EFFICIENTLY + doing FAR more than browser addons & even shoring up DNS redirect security deficiencies - It would've been MASSIVELY ILLOGICAL to allow them to track me by post history attached to said user accounts is why - & I will NOT do that, making it easier for them there.. heck, I even caught an ADVERTISER IN THE ACT doing it (clickbank & vertis employee raymorris) -> http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=5351503&cid=47379233 [slashdot.org] AND HERE TOO http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=5351503&cid=47381099 [slashdot.org] using the EXACT MECHANICS noted here by myself AND others (which says to me everyone is onto them, knows it happens, but nobody DOES A THING ABOUT IT THERE, for the reasons I outlined here - they are furthering their OWN PERSONAL AGENDAS there which are NOTORIOUS, REPREHENSIBLE, & completely BOGUS - no questions asked @ this point!)... apk
APK Hosts File Engine 9.0++ 32/64-bit -> http://start64.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=585
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Wednesday July 09 2014, @06:06PM
No, I'm pretty sure, though not absolutely certain, you can submit anonymous issues. I went ahead and posted it for you though; https://github.com/SoylentNews/slashcode/issues/238 [github.com].
Don't expect to see a whole lot of discussion on it right away though. We try for a big code upgrade every even numbered month and we'll be in feature lock mode for the 14-08 release very soon. If you want to get immediate discussion, though not action, going on it from staff and non-staff alike, bring it up in IRC
Am staff as of last night by the way but I'm dev staff, so essentially no more authority than I had yesterday but plenty more responsibility.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 1) by APK on Thursday July 10 2014, @03:59AM
You seem to be quite confident in your ability to "make it happen" & know what? IF you do, I can almost guarantee (call it a "hunch") that it will draw users away from /. BY THE DROVES, just to be able to confront detractors - especially with valid facts vs. their sockpuppet "hit & run" bogus downmods that place has become RAMPANT with (there is no defeating truth, or concrete, verifiable & UNDENIABLE facts - period, well... @ least in MY book)).
Despite all their BULLSHIT about "Freedom of Speech" there? I have found them to be the BIGGEST ABUSERS OF IT ONLINE I HAVE EVER SEEN, by allowing what Alan Moore & "V" said - "the truncheon being used in lieu of conversation"...
* I wish you the best of luck & I will be following that one, closely!
APK
P.S.=> Guess who would be the FIRST PERSON to yell about that feature from the rooftops @ slashdot? I bet you could NEVER guess it would be me... right?? LOL - thanks for your efforts & consideration, above all else, as "it is the thought that counts" & more importantly, the effort should it happen and be put into practice here (I just KNOW it would "go over big" & draw people sick of the sockpuppet utilizing troll infested wreckage that /. has sadly become)... apk
APK Hosts File Engine 9.0++ 32/64-bit -> http://start64.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=585
(Score: 3, Insightful) by The Mighty Buzzard on Thursday July 10 2014, @03:27PM
Oh technically it's not that difficult. Who moderated what how is already saved in the database. I'm undecided on if it should be done though.
As I see it there are two main aspects to consider: 1) Would it help avoid bad moderation? 2) Do the users like the idea? If the answer to either one is no, it shouldn't be done. My instincts tell me it would make moderation even more subject to group-think than it is now and lead to a lot less good modding of controversial but worthwhile comments and a lot more -1 Disagree's that the mob agree with. But I'd like to hear what other people think on the matter before I form an opinion. Turns out I'm not the only smart person on the planet and listening to other people argue about something is a good way to flesh out the nuances of my own opinion.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Foobar Bazbot on Wednesday July 09 2014, @02:07AM
As I see it, the biggest goal of our mod system is to keep trolls scored low, and secondarily to push good posts up. Revealing to an actual troll a list of who has correctly downmodded their posts gives them a way to harrass those people, and given that they are a troll, they're not unlikely to do so; the threat of that harassment provides a distinct disincentive to mod trolls down. OTOH, would-be mod-abusers are likely to have multiple accounts, both to ensure a steady supply of mod points, to play sock-puppet games, and (with your proposed change) to avoid revealing their identity when they're abusing the mod system. This would severely limit the benefit.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 09 2014, @03:10AM
You see part of it only though: By allowing someone to VALIDLY confront such a downmodder using sockpuppets, THEN the moderators can step in & SEE if you are doing so, using facts that disprove the trolls - vs. just "retrolling them" out of a sense of vengeance & spite with no real RIGHT or good cause to do so.
However, You DO see things EXACTLY as they are + the method used to do the abuse (which Mighty Buzzard sees as well), & what is KILLING /.'s forums, in the very mechanisms used (multiple account sockpuppet using trolls)
APK
P.S.=> You're also EXACTLY RIGHT in that seeing who downmods you constantly, would POINT TO THOSE sockpuppet abusing the system as it stands (that IS one of the MAIN weaknesses in & of itself - sockpuppets possibles) - of course, that'd also put "pressure" on the sockpuppet abusers to 'maintain' those accounts AND MORE OF THEM (work in & of itself) - posting constantly to make it APPEAR as if those 'accounts' are, in fact, the appearance/good illusion, of REAL legit users!
(However - their posts would tell the tale though - "1 line wonders types" & no real substance!)
E.G. -> Like gmhowell over @ /. who is one of the worst abusers of it there I AM CERTAIN OF in fact, & who I suspect is only a bogus account for the REAL "ringmaster troll" abusing it!
Now - the ones trying to maintain those multiple sockpuppets to get past the form of detection we're noting here wouldn't exactly be prone to posting LARGE posts using them, in other words... & that use of MANY SOCKPUPPETS would be work to maintain (again) & would also be easy to detect, due to short b.s. type posts to do it!
Which, would, of course, be HARDER TO DO HERE! Why? Well, as the traffic is not as vast as /. is yet - so patrolling it on the part of the mods here is still not "Tons of Work"...
This place can be EVERYTHING /. isn't (& better than it was @ its height in fact, imo)!
Yes, it CAN BE, if you do it right, & stop the idiots who do the method we're speaking of, here (assuming the mods here are straight & sick of that crap too, over @ /., as I long have been)... apk
(Score: 1) by pkrasimirov on Friday July 11 2014, @01:36PM
This. Modding is like jury duty (except you can ignore it). You don't get details on who voted what exactly to avoid retaliation. Sockpupets are detected by matching IP/browsers, not usernames.
(Score: 1) by cbiltcliffe on Saturday July 12 2014, @01:12PM
APK's problem is that he's paranoid. He assumes everyone who downmods him for any reason must be using sockpuppet accounts to do it. He assumes that he's so brilliant and insightful that all his posts should end up at +5 within a few minutes and stay there, so in order for anything to get -1, it MUST be a "n00b" that he's "put in their place," that's registered 6 accounts (all of which, incomprehensibly, have mod points at the same time) and uses them all to downmod APK's comment.
Or, I guess, maybe 50+ accounts, of which at least 6 have mod points at the same time. But even with this line of thinking: accounts get more mod points when they're active, helpful, and not abusive. Abusive accounts, or accounts that are rarely used, hardly get mod points, if at all. So a sockpuppet account would become useless in a very short time, or the "n00b" would have to have hundreds of such accounts, and it would take far longer to log into each and figure out which ones currently had mod points than it usually takes for one of APK's posts to get to -1.
He's accused someone of being a sockpuppet of mine before. I've only ever had one account on /., with the exception of a Jack Thompson account that I registered and briefly used in....2012?...during the "violent video games are the devil incarnate" debate. I only ever used it to post maybe a half dozen stupid comments in parody of Jack Thompson, and can't even remember the username, now. However, just because someone happened to agree with me in disagreement with APK, he MUST have been a sockpuppet of mine.
He only wants to be able to confront his accusers to attack these sockpuppet trolls. The only problem is, they don't actually exist. Although it could be funny to see him flailing at nothing.....
However, I suppose some way to display the IP address, even just the first three triplets to prevent too much privacy invasion (of both modders of a comment, and the comment poster), might finally put an end to his accusations of sockpuppetry. *If* the first three triplets match up between two different people downvoting, then it could be assumed that they might be the same person. When they're in two different countries, or even two different ISPs in the same country, it's pretty obvious it's different people.