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posted by janrinok on Wednesday July 03 2024, @11:59PM   Printer-friendly

https://qz.com/mcdonalds-broken-ice-cream-machines-federal-regulators-1851339089

Federal regulators want to fix McDonald's broken ice cream machines, and they're asking to expand right-to-repair laws to address the issue. In a letter to the U.S. Copyright Office on Thursday, regulators asked for commercial soft-serve machines to be exempt from current laws making them difficult to repair. The laws also make it more difficult for you to get a McFlurry.

"In the Agencies' view, renewing and expanding repair-related exemptions would promote competition in markets for replacement parts, repair, and maintenance services," said the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission in a joint letter.

The McDonald's broken ice cream machines have found themselves at the center of the right-to-repair movement. The reason McDonald's ice cream machines are always down is because of copyright law. Only technicians licensed by the company that made the device are allowed to touch the machines, and they charge over $300 for a 15-minute servicing, according to the letter. The DOJ and the FTC identified commercial soft-serve machines as one of four device categories that would benefit from an easing of copyright laws.


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  • (Score: 1) by Runaway1956 on Friday July 05 2024, @12:50PM (5 children)

    by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Friday July 05 2024, @12:50PM (#1363170) Journal

    A lot of damned fools like to quote and/or misquote that post I made jan. There was a discussion about another civil war in the United States. I pointed out in that discussion that in our first civil war, 0.8 million Americans died - officially. That doesn't count civilian deaths, that were direct and indirect results of combat. Nor does it count some of the "irregular" forces casualties, who weren't officially part of the Union or the Confederacy. I pointed out that we can expect a helluva lot more deaths in a more modern day civil war, for reasons including a much greater population, as well as more efficient killing methods. And, I clearly stated that I want those deaths to be disproportionately high on the liberal/left/Democrat side.

    You have alluded that you take great pride in your military service, jan. Tell me that if you were involved in a hot war, that you would want anything other than disproportionately high casualties on the other side? You know, the sort of thing we see in Gaza today, where Israel has killed hundreds of enemies for each casualty they have suffered. Are you going to tell me that you would PREFER that your side suffered all the casualties? Or, "proportionate" casualties? That concept of 'proportionality' is so god-damned retarded, I can't find the words to properly describe it.

    And, please stop hiding behind declarations of impartiality. Your comments over the years quite clearly put you well over on the progressive side of the spectrum.

    You want a poll? Get of your backside and organise it. Make it fair. Include everyone. Don't try to pass that task to the handful of volunteers that are currently trying to save this site

    Trying to save this site by silencing ME???? Really? I endanger this site? Explain that. In depth. Seriously, you need to publish for all the world to see how Runaway1956 endangers this site's future. Could it possibly be that one or two or three individuals who help to finance the site are threatening the site, if I am allowed to post my thoughts to the site? Please, publish those details for all the members to see. Transparency. Soylentnews once seemed to pride itself on transparency. And freedom of speech. Please explain how freedom of speech endangers the site.

    I'll state plainly here, for all to see: If there are one, or six, or even twelve supporters of this site who require my silence for them to continue supporting the site, then THEY are the danger to the site. Not me, jan, but them. The gatekeepers are the danger, not me. You don't need gatekeepers in a free society.

    Also, once again, you compare me to HeWhoWillNotBeNamed. And, you are blowing smoke out your ass every time you do so. That individual clearly stated his mission or goal of "taking down" SN well before the sock puppet war. You may apologize to me at any time, for casting me in the same light with that individual. I started that sock puppet war for the purpose of exposing him, and that little war was a complete success from my point of view. Not only did I expose him, but I enraged him to the point that he spelled out his own mission in life, for everyone on SN to see. Only the blindest of the blind could pretend that he wasn't out to destroy the site.

    Do you think maybe it's time for a reset? Stop treating me like the enemy. I contribute to the site, financially and otherwise. Stop comparing me to that damned fool who was quite properly banned years ago. And, don't make another offer to PAY ME to go away. Yes, that's right, I still have that email in which you offered me money to just go away, and stop bothering you. Was that your idea, or one of those Sensitive Sallies who keep whining about my posts?

    Transparency, jan. Put all your cards on the table. WTF do you want from me? You put it all out there, so that all the membership can see, and understand what you are demanding of me. We ain't hiding any of this in emails.

    --
    “I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
  • (Score: 1, Offtopic) by janrinok on Friday July 05 2024, @02:00PM (4 children)

    by janrinok (52) Subscriber Badge on Friday July 05 2024, @02:00PM (#1363176) Journal

    I have supported your right to say what you wish in your journal. I have argued with others here that your right to express yourself remains a right that I, and this site, support. You can say whatever you wish in your journal. Just do not bring it to the front page stories.

    Trying to save this site by silencing ME???? Really? I endanger this site?

    Nobody is trying to silence you. Where have I said that? You do not endanger the site. I requested that you leave your political views for your journal. You are the one that has blown it out of all proportion IMO (again). You could have just let my comment be and this would have been finished.

    I know that others found your comment funny - so did I. I acknowledged that humour has a place on this site. However, it is a slippery slope. If we allow you to start with little things such as an out-of-place joke then others will respond. You will possibly make further similar political statements. After all, nobody said anything after your previous one. I nipped it in the bud. it stopped. Please don't do it again.

    It does not matter what your motives are for making political jibes. If it results in the same thing that others wished to achieve such as turning people away from the site then it will have the same result. Leave the front page stories alone, please.

    I am not treating you as an enemy. But you are currently too sensitive. You object even to polite requests given in private via Admin-to-User messages. There isn't meant to be a way for you to respond to them other than email. Use it.

    And, don't make another offer to PAY ME to go away. Yes, that's right,

    Ah, so you like some jokes but not others? That is exactly how people feel about your political sniping. It is great fun to you, but others just want to have a site where they can have intelligent discussions. That is also a problem with humour - it can be misinterpreted. But I didn't publish mine. I thought you would see it for what it was. I am disappointed but perhaps not surprised.

    I want you to enjoy being on the site. I want you to participate as much as you wish without driving others away. If what you are saying is on-topic then fine. The discussion was about McDonald's broken ice cream machines about which some people have made informative comments which explain how the company forces the franchisees to fit the machines, but also has a second company that charges exorbitant prices to repair them. The Federal Regulators are arguing that the 'right-to-repair' the machine is being blocked. They are both topics (business / liberties) that we regularly discuss. It has absolutely nothing to do with your Presidents - current or past. It is NOT a political topic.

    I, along with other staff, are being entirely transparent. We have made our aims and intentions clear. They have been published. We do not want political comments anywhere that they do not belong. But if you want to continue this discussion then you had better be prepared to use emails. This is Off-Topic. I will moderate myself accordingly.

    --
    [nostyle RIP 06 May 2025]
    • (Score: 1) by Runaway1956 on Friday July 05 2024, @02:03PM (3 children)

      by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Friday July 05 2024, @02:03PM (#1363177) Journal

      You could have just let my comment be and this would have been finished.

      That is what I have told you, in emails, and elsewhere. Stop policing me.

      --
      “I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
      • (Score: 1, Flamebait) by Azuma Hazuki on Saturday July 06 2024, @01:24AM (2 children)

        by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Saturday July 06 2024, @01:24AM (#1363248) Journal

        Will you just shut the fuck up and take your L like a big boy? It's not the end of the world.

        Maybe, and I know this is asking the impossible, sit down and do some self-reflection. Ask yourself "am I, Runaway1956, so vile that the administrator of a site created around free speech uber alles sees the need to publicly humiliate me? And if so, what can I do to improve?" Yeah, probably not happening but a girl can dream right...?

        --
        I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
        • (Score: 0, Troll) by Runaway1956 on Saturday July 06 2024, @11:57AM (1 child)

          by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Saturday July 06 2024, @11:57AM (#1363286) Journal

          One word: no.

          Free speech uber alles is history, ask jan. What happened to AC posting? And, no, I don't need to "improve", so you just keep dreaming. Don't you have a queer pride to attend? Don't you want to watch naked men prancing among the children, with their junk hanging at eyeball height of the children? Just look at this little girl committing a hate crime against queers https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/heartbreaking-photo-young-girl-covers-her-eyes-as-nude-men-walk-past-during [lifesitenews.com]

          --
          “I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
          • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Saturday July 06 2024, @11:11PM

            by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Saturday July 06 2024, @11:11PM (#1363344) Journal

            I've actually never been to any sort of Pride event and find the entire concept baffling. It seems like a stupid idea to make people think you're any more bizarre than they already do, but what do I know...?

            That said, what does that have to do with Jan giving you a well-deserved public spanking and you whining and crying like a spoiled little toddler about it? The more you bitch, the worse it's gonna sting, bottom boy :D

            --
            I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...