Fascinating
The new version of Photoshop, Photoshop CS, doesn’t allow you to open scanned images of currency. I understand that counterfeiting is bad. But considering that there are already geeks coming up with tons of ways to get around this, there are lots of other programs that don’t have this limitation, and all it will do is give Adobe bad publicity, why do it?
It also makes me wonder – will they be blocking porn images next? Will word processors be “watching” what you’re reading and writing? This isn’t so far-fetched. Remember the Microsoft Smart Tags fiasco? That was back in 2001, when Microsoft was going to alter its browser so they could change any word displayed to a link to a Microsoft product or other ad. Evil, and only got squelched when there was an outcry over it.
But these days, we’re pretty OK with others managing our freedoms (for our own good, of course). Think John Ashcroft doesn’t lick his lips with anticipation of the day he can monitor all your communication, and all your computer use? Then I’ve got a bridge to sell you.
Are our image recognition capabilities so great that they can identify any scanned image of currency? Seems like there would be false positives.
I think the new 20’s look like old 20 that have been through the wash. Will GE prevent future washers from running if a 20 is in a pant pocket?