* Posts by JaitcH

3904 publicly visible posts • joined 12 Oct 2009

Kodak fails to stifle iPhone and BlackBerry imports

JaitcH
Unhappy

Kodak, a company whose time has passed

Kodak-Eastman had some great moments in technological history, unfortunately things have moved on.

They were well aware of the digital imaging age as I remember them issuing a paper about 10-15 years ago advising how their business would change with the then impending digital transition.

You can't even get Kodachrome processed any more. Thank goodness for Fuji!

BlackBerry to Balance free time and the daily grind

JaitcH
Happy

Great idea - sorts out who owes how much to whom

Some companies charge employees for use of facilities, some as a result of tax regulation, so this will provide a clean way of separating 'government' work from an employees company endeavors.

Toshiba shows second-gen tablet

JaitcH
Happy

Great news - no feet!

Toshiba, along with Acer, lacks the ability to permanently attach rubber feet to it's products.

This unit is a great step forward - no feet.

The cost of beating Apple's shrewd screws? £2

JaitcH
Happy

Canada has the unique Robertson headed screw!

The Robertson headed screw is unique to Canada - see < http://www.mysteriesofcanada.com/images/robertscrew.jpg > -

There are four sizes and no other screwdrivers fit! It wasn't designed for security - just an easy, reliable design to use with a power driver.

A Canadian company I worked for had some U.S. Navy contracts and the packing/shipping directions were so detailed they were a pain to follow. Failure to comply involved return of the goods.

The only thing they didn't specify was the type of screw to be used to build the wooden crates. To show our appreciation we always used Robertson headed screws which always floored them!

Google backslaps Schmidt with $100m award

JaitcH
Pint

Schmidt: Worth every cent!

Seeing how Google has progressed under Schmidt's guidance, along with it's share appreciation, $100-million is a bargain.

Beeb say sorry for Stephen Fry A-bomb quip

JaitcH
FAIL

Stephen Fry - the target for the Dummies book series

Stephen Fry must be the most serial dummy around - heard his description of how GPS works - none of his verbal diarrhoea is worth commenting on. A real dummies dummy.

No doubt the inmates were happy to see him leave after three months in Pucklechurch Prison - luckily for Fry, alive. (See: < https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Stephen_Fry >)

If the BBC wants somewhere to cut - start with Fry.

McDonalds samples NFC swipe-tech in UK

JaitcH
Pint

"Android users aren't cool enough for Starbucks"

Actually it's the fact that Android users only drink REAL coffee, served in containers using normal nomenclature rather than flavoured coffee dust, prepared by dubious talent and served in strangely named cups.

As for McBarf, no technology they adapt will work in VietNam as we are fortunate enough to have NO McBarf stores here. Since the Vietnamese have a better sense of good food taste they go for fresh cooked-in-the-store juicy chicken served in KFC!

Lawyer wants WikiLeaker kept off suicide watch

JaitcH
FAIL

Pfc. Bradley Manning has NOT been convicted of anything

so he can not be named as the source of Wikileaks material.

The treatment he is suffering is unadorned governmental torture as he is very lightly, partially clothed, denied all reading material, prohibited from exercising in his cell where he remains for 23 hours each day.

Every 5 minutes he is visually checked on and if he is sleeping face to the wall, he is awoken.

By any measure he is being tortured but what else would you expect from a country that abducts people (rendition) and then tortures them in an isolated prison. Hypocritically the U.S, accuses other countries of torture.

I might possess a U.S. passport but I refuse to use it as the government abuses it's very own citizens it is duty bound to protect.

Open sourcerers port media centre to iOS

JaitcH
Unhappy

Enough to make Jobs check out of hospital

Not only have they hacked their way into his Walled Garden, violating all that is dear to him but they have also breached his Treasury by rendering iTunes unnecessary.

Even changing screw head formats has been defeated ... and it's still only January.

Big new wind turbines too close together, says top boffin

JaitcH
Alert

Would a simple solution be to ...

remove every other turbine in existing farms - which improve efficiency - and simply build new mounting bases to re-install the removed turbines.

Hopefully UK wind-farm designers read The Register so they have time to make sure they optimise their configurations.

Google clones Groupon to rival e-coupon site

JaitcH
Pint

The field is really crowded and Groupon is just another large one

Given that there are so many coupon dispensers it's unlikely there will be any/many claims.There was a piece recently on one of the international business channels about coupon web sites and I was surprised how crowded the field is with city, regional and national outfits.There are others denominated by commodity types.

Charlie Rose also interviewed the Groupon founder recently on Bloomberg TV.

Google has an advantage few others have. Android. Just imagine as you about your daily business that little green robot can offer you location related deals or may be a generic choice say food, clothing, automotive, etc.

With Google vendors could post coupons when waiting lines thinned out - just as is done on radio. Any way you cut it Google can scoop the field.

Google better make sure no Apple Tosh has been served up laying claim to this idea!

Massive US rocket sends top-secret cargo into space

JaitcH
Pint

I'm waiting for Wikileaks ...

to publish the full satellite specifications as soon as they have finished with the Bank of America release.

Job application scam fleeces company of $150,000

JaitcH
Pint

Re: JaitcH's plan only works if your local bank branch hasn't been closed

My branch is seven time zones away from where I am presently, at other times it is 12 zones distant. Haven't been there for over seven years!

JaitcH
Pint

There is away to avoid this ...

I use InterNet banking and hold money in a 'savings' account, which has no other means of access, only transferring money to my 'banking' account, which has ATM access, only just before I make withdrawals.

The ability to set-up new transfer facilities to any other account have been disabled which means such attacks are minimised.

I can only set-up new accounts by way of a personal attendance at my bank branch.

Apple lawyers land London lawsuit on Nokia

JaitcH
WTF?

Apple Tosh patent filings facing the test of foreign courts

If you really want to view some technological 'wet dreams' go visit < www.PatentlyApple.com > to see just how messed up the patent business is.

All electronic patents should gave a non-renewable life of 5 years and software none whatsoever.

Apple just wants the fruits of others work for nothing, as it started out when it purloined the work of Xerox Parc - which Jobs admits.

Apple tightens screws on hardware hackers

JaitcH
FAIL

Another petty Jobs' game

Apple is really wasting it's time as these 5-point Torx variants are easily defeated.

Start with <http://silverhilltools.com > or < http://www.brycefastener.com/ >.

If you can't access these sources locate a machine shop. The one we use uses PINS, made from hardened steel 'wire' mounted in a stainless steel handle. Taking a casting and subsequently making a mould is hardly worth while for low quantities.

The idea for using pins comes from the extraction tool sold by the manufacturers of the 'clutch' screw - the slotted style with 'ramps' that force a regular screwdriver out of the screw-head.

Another interesting point is that few of these security fasteners are patented - another opportunity for more Apple Tosh - although the principle is likely outside even Apples range of plagiarism.

Perhaps Apple could try reverse threading screws for their next failure of securing their boxes. I can understand why their their latest portable is secured - there's so little in it for the price charged.

Google swaps old CEO Schmidt for older CEO Page

JaitcH
Pint

Now that CEO Page has prematurely grey hair ...

he will be taken more seriously in the business world!

Schmidt had the staid personality to suit his role, though, and his business skills have arguably advanced Google in the past ten years.

Rumours reported on Bloomberg this morning suggest he is headed for a government position which should cover his daily expenses, he has made millions/billions in his time with Google.

HP wants final probe into Hurd's departure

JaitcH

Late breaking news - HP board ejects 5 Hurd supporters

Whitman, the old bat who lost out in the California elections, remains but all the Hurd supporters have been ejected likely to make the new CEO feel more comfortable, undoubtedly hoping he was also CEO when SAP stole software from Oracle.

At least his venal character will match that of the new 'screw you' HP that has emerged.

JaitcH
FAIL

HP lost 'face' (credibility) and likely nothing will restore it

HP screwed up, abandoning all the principles of the founders, in it's handling of Hurd.

I haven't seen any substantial allegations with respect to the female, although HP claims Hurd spilt the beans about potential M & A that she was to assist with.

It is reasonable to acquaint an assistant with details of a project making this claim against Hurd a little weak.

Hurd diddled his expense claim by changing the actual description of items claimed for rather than trying to goose the totals to score extra cash, rather to expense items - false accounting in the strictest sense, not theft, though. Of course, do we know who actually prepared the expense claims?

In my experience many busy CEO's leave the mundane form filling to an assistant, who uses credit card slips as a basis and the CEO just signs off - likely without line by line checking.

What really wound HP up was when Hurd signed on with Oracle at which time HP lost all sense of proportion and simply went for revenge, a poor thing for any company.

The whole episode is a sad comment on HP's board of directors who abandoned all the ethics and business practices of Messrs. Hewlett and Packard. Shame on them.

FAA to pilots: Expect 'unreliable or unavailable' GPS signals

JaitcH
Happy

If there are any accidents or odd disappearing acts ...

they can always blame it on the Bermuda Triangle phenomenon. (See: < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bermuda_Triangle >) Users should also read he terms and conditions of their GPS devices - most have clauses disavowing responsibility for everything.

This makes 'nature' responsible and you can't sue 'nature' even in the U.S.A.!

This service interruption is another reason for having a Euro system.

Apple seeks touchscreen display mouse patent

JaitcH
Unhappy

Never ending stream of Apple Tosh: Fibre optics hardly price sensitive

Forgetting about Apple plagiarising prior art,. the concept of using fibre optics in this application cannot overcome the cost of the fibre and accessories.

Just trolling for more legal fights.

WikiLeaks accused of tapping P2P for secret docs

JaitcH
WTF?

Just another company trying to ride WikiLeaks coat tails

Even people without their on server can spoof addresses, those with their own servers can do it more effectively.

Given WikiLeaks penchant for security they more than likely use VPN's terminating in many countries.

Acer backpedals from 'phasing out netbooks' claim

JaitcH
FAIL

PR fuddle-duddle

Why not an honest statement admitting foot in mouth instead of using the old excuses 'misquoted' (on a recorder?), 'taken out of context'. or a 'language problem'?

At least 'talking out of turn' is new!

Extension of flexibility 'may help solve retirement problems'

JaitcH
WTF?

(Neanderthal) Business groups have argued against the change

It is hardly as if the UK would be breaking new ground with this and other countries experiences have shown many positive results. No person should be forced to retire just because some number comes - and this includes pilots.

Older people have experience and, usually, patience, they tend to be reliable (and turn up on time), they don't need time off because a child is sick, their wisdom can be shared with younger newcomers. They can act as role models and mentors.

Minorities in other cultures treasure the knowledge of their elders instead of throwing them on the slag heap younger folk try to learn from them.

Older workers can be holiday or sick day relief. They can help out when there are need for skilled temporary workers when order books are overfilled.

As for the employer groups, their cousins across the Atlantic can fill them in and bring them out of the Ice Age.

Police DNA test plan to put off prostitutes' punters

JaitcH
FAIL

"ACPO confirmed to us today, police are continuing to take samples, as usual"

When is the UK government going to rein in this commercial outfit that seems to dictate policy rather than the Home Office doing what it's duty is?

ACPO even sells police data, with the profits going to ACPO, and sources 'experts' for certain court cases. Talk about prejudicial, biased witnesses.

Why does Chief Superintendent Alison Rose think that the Yorkshire or any Plod outfit can defeat human nature / or a history measured in centuries? As for her statement: 'they would obviously be removed from any database' she is either smoking some funny stuff or deliberately lying. Plod is like most people, why destroy data?

Prostitution, pers se, is a victimless crime as two parties come to a commercial agreement and consummate it. I am not referring to juvenile hookers. If the trade was liberalised to modify the business end, pimps and procurers would lose their hold.

Once again Plod seeks to govern the people it allegedly 'serves' by imposing it's idea of morals on people. Plod should concentrate on real crime, not just filling databases and creating statistics.

If there is a neighbourhood problem with hookers, go create them a neighbourhood in an industrial park so that in-town neighbourhoods will be freed up from the circular driving patterns of potential purchasers and the sordid reputation resulting from the world's oldest trade. Works in other countries, why not the UK?

Likely because of the Plod attitude.

UK doctor loses unencrypted laptop containing patient data

JaitcH
WTF?

Question: What justifiable reason is there to take patient data home in the first place?

Peoples health data not only affects their privacy BUT is a very valuable commodity for insurance companies.

If the UK insurers are anything like those in the U.S. and Canada, all claim data - procedures, consultations and prescriptions - are stored on yet another database which is used to establish pre-existing conditions for both medical and non-medical insurance policy premium determination.

The insurers will not reject applications for coverage containing false information, and they will happily accept your money BUT when it comes to claim time they suddenly drag out all their data and deny all claims.

The NHS, nor any medical facility, should permit any data to leave it's jurisdiction - does this mean they would allow doctors to cart files and charts off home? I don't think so.

That's why I like the Canadian system that contains data in separate databases, each individual one on it's own is less than useful.

More privacy for the Queen, less for everyone else

JaitcH

ACPO - a law unto itself

ACPO needs more than a little bit of window dressing. Any policy decisions should be made by the elected government and not by an incestuous arrangement of the governed setting their own rules.

Boeing customers spy distant Dreamliner

JaitcH
WTF?

PR words of comfort "the 787 problems are not a show stopper ... impact"

Why should we believe a banking analyst? All his interest is ROI for investors in Boeing.

All companies have 'teething problems' the difference with aircraft is that peoples lives are at risk.

As with any new item, they should be avoided until they have some history of use - let someone else be the guinea pig.

With nearly a two year delay in delivery you have to wonder just how airworthy these aircraft will be - is the FAA going to change the rules for Boeing again? (Prior to the 777 two-engined aircraft had limitations on their distance to the nearest airport).

As a frequent traveller, along with other frequent travellers. my travel agent (a live body) knows my seat preferences, my drop-dead seats (never, ever fly) as well as my aircraft choices (again, a never use decision). (The greatest, most reliable aircraft was the DC3!)

Early version of 737's should be avoided as should some American carriers (AA has a virtual aeronautical fleet of flying rustbuckets) and definitely the American regional carriers.

The youngest fleets are to be found with many LLC's and other airlines in the Far East.

Think this is unnecessary worrying? Think again if you take a South America/European flight (where did that Air France flight go?) or 'over the top' across the vast wastelands of the Arctic.

New Taser made to take down angry bears, moose

JaitcH
WTF?

Did Rick Smith, Taser CEO, try it out on himself like other models?

Rick Smith, Taser CEO, has claimed that he and others in his company, have 'sampled' the effects of their products.

I wonder if has tried these latest versions of his product out on himself.

The reaction of a bear whose fir prevented sufficient conductivity on the Taser user would be interesting - maybe they would go for a three-barrelled Taser rifle. (See: < http://www.taser.com/products/law/Pages/TASERXREP.aspx >)

Google gins search formula to favor its own services

JaitcH
Unhappy

'three times more often than other search engines'

So maybe the other three got their algorithms wrong?

In any event, Google makes no charges for this search function, so I have no problems with any bias - real or imagined.

If it was a paid service things would be different.

Pavement hogging Segway rider convicted

JaitcH
Unhappy

Segway unsafe for road use, unsafe for pedestrians on sidewalks, too

I live in a country where Segways are used on the road way.

They have no signals, horns, etc.

The funniest thing is watching the rider handle an emergency stop - another thing they are incapable of - even funnier when the driver discovers the limitations of the Segway as the wheels continue to drive sufficiently long enough for the handle bar support to hit the vehicle in front, lowering the handle bar so as to form a perfect take off point for the Segway driver, propelled by the drivers kinetic energy, to propel them over the lowered handle bar.

Anyone witnessing such an incident would have little doubt about whether a Segway is "intended or adapted for use on roads". In my opinion it is definitely not!

Apple's Jobs stand-in touts iPad's enterprise reach

JaitcH
WTF?

"kind of a scaled-up smartphone – which is a bizarre produc, in our view."

Obviously their view is not shared by many others. Older users tend to need eyeglasses and/or larger type - which is not too easy if the screen is as small as Apple's smartphone.

Equally, unless you are wearing a trench coat, the Apple tablet is too large to fit in a pocket and is a bit heavy in the hand.

The mid-size tablet is the best of both worlds: a larger screen for those who need it; small enough to fit a suit breast pocket and even hand carry for a period of time. Using either a wired headset or a Bluetooth connected device, voice communications can be conveniently achieved. The larger case permits a better speaker and bigger batteries, as well as providing more real estate for external connections.

My company has just complete a Test of Concept where service/production manuals for complex numerically controlled industrial machines. The manuals were made available on three sizes of screens - smartphone, 7 inch and 10 inch. There were sufficient pad/tablets to let the test subjects all choose identical units. One condition was they were to use each size at least twice.

The most popular size proved to be the 7 inch screen based upon usage.

As a private project I used 7 inch screens in my home to provide, primarily, dictionary services - my wife's mother tongue is way different to mine - and were affixed to a wall in the kitchen and portable elsewhere.

The kitchen unit was also used to access recipes from the InterNet and the others for miscellaneous browsing including newspaper sites.

It is my experience that a 7 inch screen is very satisfactory for most uses, commercial or otherwise and doesn't support Cooks proclamation, which is somewhat bizarre in itself. Now we will have to wait and see what the market says.

Apple without Jobs: Who's next?

JaitcH
Jobs Horns

"Apple's board has a plan. They ... don't want to make it public." Scratch 'board' write in 'Jobs'.

Few other CEO's would get away with all this secrecy.

Apple isn't paying dividends (still) which means all the investors capital as well as dividends are all tied up with the success of Apple. When Jobs' latest vacation was announced the share value dropped quite a chunk.

When his number is called the value of Apple may well plummet. Promulgating the boards asset protection plans should be announced to sooth Apple investors.

Jobs' predilection for secrecy is all well and good, albeit not so successful given the Chinese leaks, but should not extend to corporate governance.

Apple tops $6bn in quarterly income

JaitcH

'Phenomenal,' says Jobs. Shareholders: "What about our bit."

The shareholders would like to share in the winnings as Apple does not currently pay dividends on its common stock. Apple paid dividends from June 15, 1987 to December 15, 1995. Perhaps the shareholders ought to vote in a new board who understand the meaning of "return on investment" and 'dividend". Bernstein Research’s Toni Sacconaghi said that Apple could pay out a 4% dividend.

Apple shareholders don't even get a discount on products.

Many celebrities, top politicians, company executives, military officials and TV talking heads get 'samples' as do compliant review writers. Guess that fixes The Register who tend to give: 'Just the facts, Ma'am.'

Hackers eyed sale of celebrity iPad data

JaitcH
Unhappy

High tech hackers blasé about their security

Maybe wanna-be hackers should set up their own secure scratch-pad comms, employing encryption, so the Feds don't cases served up on a platter.

There is 'one time' encryption software available that would even the NSA work overtime.

Galileo euro-satnav 'driven by French military', says sacked CEO

JaitcH
Pint

Two systems offer redundancy protection

The Euro system cost is pittance of around $600 million and is a bargain for the benefits that will accrue from it, especially when compared with wastage incurred under the farm subsidies.

The generosity of the Americans, coupled with the good deed by President Clinton - who signed the order resulting in increased accuracy, is acknowledged but given the 'politics' involved with the GPS system a secondary system controlled by a separate political entity is wise.

ATM's, public transport trains, etc. all depend on GPS so it is just plain smart to have the Euro system.

Sony Ericsson sues over Clearwire swirl

JaitcH
Stop

That 'Sony Ericsson swirl' was pinched from a mint-flavoured ...

gob-stopper I had years agp.

Talk about prior art.

Prosecutors opt for 'malfeasance' over DPA to charge officials

JaitcH
WTF?

Now that Blair has been 'outed' for ...

misleading the Commons, according to evidence from Lord Goldsmith, see < http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/lord-goldsmith-blair-did-not-reflect-legal-advice-on-iraq-war-2187031.html >, does this mean Blair could b charged with malfeasance?

Facebook suspends personal data-sharing feature

JaitcH
WTF?

Facebook: Act first, then engage brain

Time and time again FB introduces a new 'feature' then afterwards figures out the implications.

It is the sign of poor/immature management and equally poor planning.

Hard to believe there are 5.000,000 dummies who trust FB with their life data - happily plundered by police, lawyers involved in litigation, human resources departments, credit bureau's, bail bondsmen, etc. - and not necessarily in the users interests, either.

Prisoners cannibalise mice for mobile power

JaitcH
Happy

"smuggle in the cables too - presumably the same way the phones ... " Ouch!

The prongs of the chargers might prove a little painful on insertion and extraction from a suitably sized body orifice.

A pain like haemorrhoids?

US government could challenge Google's ITA travel plans

JaitcH
Unhappy

American has changed the game plan ...

by killing off the special deals it had with these complaining would be competitors thereby forcing passengers to use the AA web site to check for deals and driving prices higher.

AA was the originator of several passenger shafting moves including killing off travel agent commissions.

If other air carriers were to adopt this ticketing strategy, all the Expedias and screen-scrapers will have poblems. Some might say Ryanair started this, but is Ryanair a normal carrier?

One worth looking at is Travelocity, owned by GDS Sabre, which gets its data from the GDS rather than directly from the airlines.

Harder to read = easier to recall

JaitcH
Happy

New life for worn out laser drums?

Following this articles theory, am I to assume simply resetting my lasers "Change Drum" circuitry, I can carry on using my old drum whilst improving communications?

What a boost for saving the garbage dumps!

Creepy as hell: Facebook developers get to know you better

JaitcH
Unhappy

Word disassociations: Oil and Water; Facebook and Privacy; Facebook and Security ...

How long does it take to understand that social web sites can be trouble, especially Facebook.

If you have doubts ask those who have been convicted/imprisoned due to Facebook data, or those who have lost job opportunities.

Facebook treats peoples private information as a commodity to be traded, sold or given away. If you value your privacy, don't use them. It's nit that hard - billions around the world don't use FB.

US Eye-o-Sauron border scan tower project finally axed

JaitcH
FAIL

"permits stray cattle, tumbleweeds etc to be ignored" is the answer

Would be Mexican immigrants should use cattle to cross the border to avoid detection. Emulation a tumbleweed is somewhat challenging.

The border between the U.S. and Canada has, as part of the Olympics security many years ago, a sensing cable system that discriminates between humans and 4-footed animals crossing the border.

The northern border has some unique challenges: villages and houses straddle the border in the east (you can actually sleep in the U.S. and eat in Canada. Then there is the Kahnawake reserve at Akwesasne, which crosses the borders of Quebec, Ontario and New York (best known for cigarette and people smuggling) and people and drug smuggling at Niagara.

People still manage to cross the border without detection ... talk about a waste of money.

Facebook equity offer closed to US investors

JaitcH
Stop

Why would anyone trust Goldman Sachs after their recent sorry history?

The name Goldman Sachs is synonymous with fraud and cheating customers by betting against shares they promote. That U.S. investors can't buy in should serve as a warning, too.

Of course it could be a Goldman Sachs technique for pumping up the shares for obviously the wealthier Americans have little regard for borders, they can buy shares wherever they want with ease.

Remember the Dot.com bubble? This might be version 2.

Badness-browsing Belgian busted on Brit break

JaitcH
WTF?

Kind of dumb doing it in a public place & what of the much vaunted filtering?

Two things:

Anyone using a laptop should do in private or with their back to the wall;

I guess the UK filter wasn't working too well that night, either.

Steve Jobs takes 'medical leave of absence' from Apple

JaitcH
Unhappy

Let's hope Body Spare Parts Inc warranty is handled better than Apples

If Jobs is headed back for warranty work on the spare parts he was given, it is (remotely) possible he will gain understanding of how his customers view warranties and get tired of having to sign non-disclosure forms and fight for their rights.

The union shareholders demand for succession plans is quiet prescient and deserves an answer as Apple is, supposedly, a public company.

Jobs, in asking people to respect his privacy, is asking too much, given how much data he collects on others.

Man nabbed nude pics from women's email accounts

JaitcH
Happy

CHP - state police

The California Highway Patrol < http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/mission.html > are the state police. They were merged in 1995 < http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/merger.html >.

Guess you're not a CHiPs TV fan.

The 98 Crown Victoria also had a CHIP socket that provided special features for the police 'Interceptor' version of this automobile!

Steve Ballmer at 11: A Microsoft power play too far?

JaitcH
Unhappy

Too big to fire? Building job security.

I guess the increasing criticism of Balmer, both within and without MS, makes him feel vulnerable so he is building a little insurance.

Palin's email snooper sent to prison

JaitcH
Unhappy

Hardly surprising ... the Bureau of Prisons could have even freed him with a GPS locator

The Bureau of Prisons attitude is that once the judge has finished the body belongs to them - the only way to change it is to use the court system.

What surprises me more is that a deal wasn't set up before hand, but maybe they thought the judge had fixed it.

There is no good time early release in the U.S. Federal sentences.