14 opinions for A Potentially Scary Thought

• Simon
  Jan 10, 2007 at 2:34 am

  Hubmed wasn’t created by the government, it’s an independent site. No tax dollars involved.

• Cathy
  Jan 10, 2007 at 7:37 am

  Thanks, Simon. I was just going by the Copyright and Disclaimers section on their site. “This site is maintained by the U.S. Government and is protected by various provisions of Title 18 of the U.S. Code. Violations of Title 18 are subject to criminal prosecution in a federal court.”

  Please tell me who does own the site. This is interesting!

  Cathy

• Mike Sierra
  Jan 10, 2007 at 7:23 pm

  I have no idea why governments using RSS should be considered “scary” or “discomforting.” Can you elaborate?

• Cathy
  Jan 11, 2007 at 8:38 am

  I can elaborate. I am generally suspicious of anything the government does. Are they turning that around and getting incoming feeds of US?

• Gray B.
  Jan 11, 2007 at 10:11 pm

  I agree with Mike. I am for fearing the specific acts, efforts that warrant it. I find rss to be a good and useful tool, just like a hammer and would not want my government to avoid its usage and be less efficient. I’d also want them to use the benefits as they well should.

  It was a new and interesting thought, though. Thank you.

• Cathy
  Jan 12, 2007 at 9:55 am

  My whole point is - are they using their powers for good?

• David Rothman
  Jan 13, 2007 at 2:29 pm

  Cathy, couldn’t you ask the same question about the government’s use of computers? Or cars? Or ball-point pens? What makes government use of RSS any more sinister or scary than any other technology or device?

  By thew way, did you notice how infrequently rssgov.com is updated? Bleah. How useless.

• Cathy
  Jan 13, 2007 at 2:38 pm

  I don’t mind them putting feeds out. I mind that they might have figured out how to take in ’stuff’ that isn’t a regular feed, but they can make it a feed.

  Even though they cry about their computer systems being so outdated, believe me - they aren’t.

  And I do ask the same question of just about everything the government does!

• David Rothman
  Jan 13, 2007 at 3:25 pm

  “I mind that they might have figured out how to take in ’stuff’ that isn’t a regular feed, but they can make it a feed.”

  But absolutely everyone can do this with free, web-based services. If we’re going to talk about frightening government use of technology, RSS isn’t even on the list. Carnivore is scary:

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivore_(FBI)

• Cathy
  Jan 13, 2007 at 3:34 pm

  Carnivore no longer exists! Well, the name anyway. It’s now called ‘DCS1000′ so no one will know what it is!+

  I still don’t trust the government with any technology - no matter what they call it!

• Brian Humphrey
  Jan 14, 2007 at 12:39 am

  Cathy,

  Interesting thread. One of the first things I always ask people to remember is that no faction of our society benefits from being painted with a broad brush - including the dreaded ‘government’ which largely mirrors the populace it serves.

  I happen to work for a government agency that both embraces and evangelizes RSS, and we’ve only scratched the surface.

  Again, an interesting thread. Please keep up the great work, and if you should make it to Los Angeles, please stop in and see your government at work at a Neighborhood Fire Station.

  Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,

  Brian Humphrey
  Firefighter/Specialist
  Public Service Officer
  Los Angeles Fire Department

• Cathy
  Jan 14, 2007 at 7:10 am

  Brian - Thanks for the ‘gentle slap’. You are so right. What I meant (but didn’t say - but will from now on) is the ‘inside the Beltway’ government.

  I live in a very rural area and our firefighters are volunteers. They are GREAT! In fact, for years I have been lobbying our local government for more funds for our firefighters, paramedics, and sheriff’s department.

  I almost got on my soapbox but I haven’t had my coffee yet and it could be dangerous!

  Thanks for your thoughtful comments and please keep reading .

• Emma Snow
  Jan 14, 2007 at 8:08 am

  There is even a directory that contains all Government Feeds - http://www.government-central.com

  HTH

• Cathy
  Jan 14, 2007 at 1:09 pm

  Very cool - Thanks Emma!

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