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0 pointsroywiggins2mo ago0 comments

> general-purpose computing device

This term doesn't seem defined in the law at all. How general is general?

Graphing calculators that support apps and Python? Of course, they don't usually have "accounts" either. But to a technologist it's a "general purpose computer" insofar as it can run new code that the user loads into it, it can definitely run games that it didn't come from the factory with, etc. It's a tiny multipurpose computing device.

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treve2mo ago

Laws in the US aren't taken as literal as in civil law systems. The intent and precedent is what carries much more weight in the end. Graph calculators are unlikely to be tested in court because it's irrelevant with respect to what this law is trying to accomplish.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_law

I often see laws discussed here and people finding some edge case and presenting this as a gotcha. The reality is that it's unlikely to matter.

dataflow2mo ago

Does your pocket calculator with Python have an account setup process?

knorker2mo ago

I guess it's gonna have to have it, now.

dataflow2mo ago

What? Nowhere do they stipulate you have to add that. They just say if you do account setup, then you need to provide such an interface.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

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treve2mo ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_law

I often see laws discussed here and people finding some edge case and presenting this as a gotcha. The reality is that it's unlikely to matter.

dataflow2mo ago

Does your pocket calculator with Python have an account setup process?

knorker2mo ago

I guess it's gonna have to have it, now.

dataflow2mo ago

What? Nowhere do they stipulate you have to add that. They just say if you do account setup, then you need to provide such an interface.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse