Blaze said the calibration function on the ES&S machine isn't password-protected, making it easy for a poll worker — or even a voter — to access the calibration menu in the middle of an election using a PEB device (Personalized…

Voting, on the other hand, is purely a cost. There's no money to be made from having voting systems, so operators will naturally be attracted to the cheapest possible option. That accurate voting has a value all of its own doesn't attract the accountants

There are unfortunate parallels with parts…

bank ATM's manage it

And didn't Diebold make both?

Emphasis on the past tense. Diebold Election Systems or whatever it was called got flogged off. They decided that there wasn't enough money in election systems, particularly for the harm being done to their reputation.

Banks pay good money for quality…

And didn't Diebold make both?

Diebold: making Kiwibank customers vaguely uneasy since quite a while ago.

You know the system is corrupt when they say it's too expensive to give voters a paper reciept of their cast ballot. (Yet bank ATM's manage it)

And didn't Diebold make both?

watch this video of a screwed up voting machine:

"You should never leave the voting booth without knowing who you voted for" says the technician, who will be on hand to 'recallibrate' as required.

Yeah, right. Considering how many PAS ppl hit 'post reply' when they mean to hit 'preview' (myself…

"The battle for the hearts and minds of voters on whether electronic systems are good or bad has been lost," Brace said. The academics and computer scientists…

Again, paper works quite well for this whole voting thing. The #1 requirement for a voting system is surely 'getting it right'.

Unless you're the US, in which case the #1 requirement is "Keeping t3h meedja happy" by giving them a result as quickly as possible. Accuracy is entirely optional.…

I have this wonderful vision of young people waiting patiently to enter the booths, with the silence occasionally broken by cries of "Boom! Headshot!"

Hmm. Practical implications. Wonder if they'd also…

But touch screens add a whole other layer of potential for fucked-uped-ness, because they have their own software for interpreting where on the screen the user has pressed.

Only some touch screens do that. Infrared and ultrasound models stay aligned.

Why counties are using technology that goes out of whack…

You are sure about that, are you?

Well, I think the last shoot-em-up game I played was Wolfenstein 3D, and it worked then.

It's possible that the wondrous advances in computer technology since the 1980s have broken the simple algorithms they used to figure it out. If they can break…

an amendment would 'only' need a 2/3 majority in both houses.

Plus approval by 3/4 of the states, which is why the 27th Amendment took 200 years to ratify.

If computer game designers can tell when my avatar in a shooting game hits the bad guy

You are sure about that, are you?

If computer game designers can tell when my avatar in a shooting game hits the bad guy, when both my avatar and the bad guy are moving around, I'm not sure why they can't tell when a person is pushing a static button.

Because it's not a real button. It's…

I believe that voting on Tuesday is written into the Constitution, no?

Nah, it's just a regular ol' law. And even if it was in the Constitution, an amendment would 'only' need a 2/3 majority in both houses.

Let's get the game designers to make the voting systems work. Might make the polling booth more exciting and attract the yoof vote. :)

I have this wonderful vision of young people waiting patiently to enter the booths, with the silence occasionally broken by cries of "Boom! Headshot!"

Happened across the States in 2004. Just enough votes to switch from Kerry to Bush to not be too noticeable but enough to win.

Yeah, I know it happens. It's just stupid.

If computer game designers can tell when my avatar in a shooting game hits the bad guy, when…

Oh, but America is Far Too Special And Unique for paper to work.

(See also: voting on a Saturday, having a tolerable health care system, etc)

I believe that voting on Tuesday is written into the Constitution, no? Changing that would be no small feat.

As for paper, the usual…

Seriously, an argument for little bits of paper if ever I saw one.

Oh, but America is Far Too Special And Unique for paper to work.

(See also: voting on a Saturday, having a tolerable health care system, etc)

Since when does software need to be calibrated? Am I missing something?

I presume calibration means "when a person pushes in this part of the screen, put a tick by this name". The machine is probably generic and you can recalibrate it using that little memory card he had to…

Over the other side of Pacific, watch this video of a screwed up voting machine:

Since when does software need to be calibrated? Am I missing something?

If you get 1.75% of the party vote (which is roughly one seat) and you win an electorate, you only get one seat total.

See I worked out it was 0.83%. 100/120. Which is why Act got 1.5% or whatever it was last time, and got to bring Heather Roy…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q9NSVUu8nk

Seriously, an argument for little bits of paper if ever I saw one.

I could be wrong, and often am, but re your calculations for the Maori Party, I'm pretty sure you don't actually get list MPs if you have an overhang, by definition. List MPs top you up to the level of MPs you should get based on the percentage of your…

And if they did actively support on confidence and supply, you'd have to wonder how many pieces of legislation…

Kyle: I could be wrong, and often am, but re your calculations for the Maori Party, I'm pretty sure you don't actually get list MPs if you have an overhang, by definition. List MPs top you up to the…

Jackie and Craig, I'm sorry but having your head in the sand won't stop this recession.

No, but I'd asphyxiate in fairly short order. :) You're right, using your head as a butt-plug isn't a smart move and it's not happening in this house. But neither is being Chicken Little.…

Except this cynical post:

i had the sneaking suspicion it was only a flashy layer of coins around a hollow centre.

in other words, a bit like an actual rich person.

Says a lot about the author, I suspect.

Kyle, there could be 5% of wasted votes (Winston plus Kiwi, Family etc). So 47.5% = 50%.

I was meaning after they eliminated that lot.

And yes, I know a couple of polls are showing National at about that level, but I think they'll get 43, maybe 44, which will…

The grass roots will say "go with Labour", Turia will stand up and say "this is why we are going with National", and that's what will happen.

So the Maori Party is really just another personality-based breakaway? They don't want to go with Labour because Helen dissed them over the…

I'd also point out, Rich, that the linked story was rather careful not to allege any criminal wrongdoing against Key.

And I don't believe he's engaged in any. He worked as an FX trader. That's about making money any (legal) way you can. Mostly. Some players in that game don't…

the Maori Party "going with" National (probably means abstaining and allowing, but the nuances won't let them off the hook)

That will be interesting. If you assume that Maori Party get two list MPs (plus overhang electorate MPs), and Peter Dunne and Jim Anderton are both overhang MPs, then those…

Scrooge preferred notes; coins were for burrowers.

Idiot: Really? Try a google image search of "Scrooge McDuck"... :)

Having written that column yesterday, I went out drinking last night with a journalist far more in-the-know than I am when it comes to Maori Party politics. He believes Maori Party are…

Stocks rise after Fed cuts rates by half a point The Associated Press
US stocks drop despite Fed interest rate cut International…

Jackie and Craig, I'm sorry but having your head in the sand won't stop this recession.

No, but I'd asphyxiate in fairly short order. :) You're right, using your head as a butt-plug isn't a smart move and it's not happening in this house. But neither is being Chicken Little.…

Agreed, although the first I hear to complain, but yes

They didn't get rich by not knowing when to complain.

One very likely local scenario is that an incoming National government will plausibly use this disaster as…

So let me get this right, the world is falling apart (for those poor wee souls with lots of money)

Not quite that simple. I'm not quite literally walking away from my home because I can't make the payments on my mortgage. Haven't gotten a pink slip for an early…

The funny thing is, that even when I thought Labour were a pack of cynically opportunistic rat-bastards, you had to give them their props for being disciplined and effective to a fault. Among much else, I can't believe Labour was sloppy enough to give National a free shot to…

"And to be fair to Key (whether you like him or not) fraudster tend NOT to telegraph what they're up to."

bye bye election. this is proof in the old maxim about governments losing elections...

In the end, I think John Armstrong…

I keep hearing that, and you know what? I don't feel it. And there's no point quoting figures at me, I just don't feel like understanding them.

Were we separated at birth, Jackie? :) I think there's a fair point to be made that we don't want to be getting…

Unless something pretty astounding breaks today

Which it isn't: 'Neutron bomb' on Key proves fizzer for Govt

Money quote:

Last weekend, the party believed it had a smoking gun – a signature on the A$39m first H-Fee cheque bearing a striking resemblance to Mr Key's. Senior party figures advocated making…

The nation is deciding who governs us for the next three years. The attitudes of that party to financial shenanigans at the smart end of town are fully relevant to that. It isn't like accusing somebody of having a custard fetish or whatever.

"Attitudes", Rich? You're damn right this election…

If he says he didn't know about this fraudelent transaction, it will be about as believable as Winston saying he knew nothing about Owen Glenn's donation.

Eddie Clark replied:

In most of the organisations I've worked in the HEAD of any given department would actually have been…

Why? Honestly, I am curious as to why should media outlets not touch this story?

Well, Don, the Herald can touch it. But they better hope it ends up having a little more substance than an Ian Wishart hit piece. Labour basically doesn't lose — it's a pretty risky attempt…

This is interesting for two reasons:

First, it shows how the internet changes things – TV and radio political ads are outside the ASA's jurisdiction, and the only reason they…

Guess somebody complained. I suspect Eugene Bingham is not very happy about his story being rewritten by his bosses.

Russell: I'd think Eugene Bingham would want to be a little more careful about calling anyone a liar. And if he's that pissy about having his copy (and I can't really…

I'm wondering if this is going to backlash on Labour and any media outlet that touches it.

Why? Honestly, I am curious as to why should media outlets not touch this story?

John Key made his fortune in an industry where it's fairly well documented that sharp practice has often been the way to get ahead.

So is politics, but I'd really want to make sure my "neutron bomb" didn't turn out to be a damnp squib. Risky play from Labour, and…

he was the HEAD of foreign exchange.

If he says he didn't know about this fraudelent transaction, it will be about as believable as Winston saying he knew nothing about Owen Glenn's donation.

In most of the organisations I've worked in the HEAD of any given department would actually have…

This Is Not A Game of Rugby.

The nation is deciding who governs us for the next three years. The attitudes of that party to financial shenanigans at the smart end of town are fully…

But then I read over at the standard that Key wasn't a lowly tea boy at Elders Merchant…

Checks by the Herald of court documents made public by Labour have raised questions about several aspects of the version he told, including his memory of when he left the company. He resigned from Elders in June…

otherwise, please continue.

It will be interesting to see the details and the spin then applied – that Herald article doesn't really say much that's damning to me, except the "I definitely left before the payments were made" line he made when clearly he hadn't.

The (ahem) key paragraph of the Herald story…

I'm wondering if this is going to backlash on Labour and any media outlet that touches it.

John Key made his fortune in an industry where it's fairly well documented that sharp practice has often been the way to get ahead.

For others in that line of work, the sharp…

Personally I'd go down to my room of gold coins, and frolick like Scrooge McDuck.

Scrooge preferred notes; coins were for burrowers.

I'm sure that's the case Craig but not many of those other people are potential coalition partners for National

None actually, but I don't see any potential coalition partners doing a damn thing to keep the party solvent and functional. Nor do they get to vote on the leadership of…

Nope, when it comes to people around Key who have an entirely rational desire not to get back in that abusive marriage of inconvenience, Rodders is at the back of a very long line.

I'm sure that's the case Craig but not many of those other people are potential coalition…

The real reason Key is so adamant about not doing a deal with Winston is because of Rodney Hide's pathological hatred of Peters.

Nope, when it comes to people around Key who have an entirely rational desire not to get back in that abusive marriage of inconvenience, Rodders is at…

If that's what it takes, I'm sure we'll hear lots of parsing from John Key as NZF slithers in the back way.

Don't think so. The real reason Key is so adamant about not doing a deal with Winston is because of Rodney Hide's pathological hatred of Peters.

Key knows…

I'm wondering if this is going to backlash on Labour and any media outlet that touches it.

It will be interesting to see the details and the spin then applied – that Herald article doesn't really say much that's damning to me, except the "I definitely left before the payments…

Am great believer in the freedom of speech too but I can be annoyed at bigotry, which is surely prejudice against a person or party, with no greyness allowed.

In the end, I absolutely respect the one poll that really counts. if Peters wins Tauranga and/or New Zealand First gets…

I wonder if it will impact the "Honest John" image?

I'm wondering if this is going to backlash on Labour and any media outlet that touches it.

John Key faces accusations of misleading the public about his knowledge of one of New Zealand's most notorious white collar crimes.

I wonder if it will impact the "Honest John" image?

Gareth, yes, it hinges on what "coalition" means, doesn't it. The Greens aren't in coalition with Labour, they're just voting yes on confidence and supply.

I did hear Key was specifically asked around abstentions and the like and he still said "no way" (can't find the source at the moment…

I wonder if Craig ever sees anything at all in shades of Grey?

Plenty, Ian. Getting users and wasters the fuck out of my life is not one of them. You know one circumstance under which I would welcome a fourth term Labour government with a smile? Winston Raymond Peters…

You gotta still respect yourself in the morning.

Indeed, Mr G. And in National's case, someone should remember my favourite definition of insanity: Doing the same old shit all over again and expecting a different result.

I think you should vote for who you really support, rather than take a tactical risk. But that's your call.

You might find this useful: put in your own views, and see where the parties stand. It's good fun!

http://glassbooth.org/home/election/5/

Personally, I think there's a hell of a difference…

So, small hands an'all, Whaddaya mean Craig?

Vote for New Zealand First, whatever your motivations, you better be perfectly clear what you're voting for — and pray we're not all going to live to regret it. As I've said on another thread, if Winston hasn't thrown his toys out of…

But if the hint went out from Labour HQ late next week that a strategic vote was in order… Apparently it’s already being talked about on the train (which is where the Thinking Person’s Upper Hutt congregates).

Remember how Bolger shafted the Nat candidate in Wgtn Central just before…

Umm? May be an Anus on legs to you Craig but a vote for NZF could be an out and out strategic vote for Labour which in an area like mine is being discussed quite a bit.

What you and your acquaintances do to their secret ballot in the privacy…

That is: to form a government. Odds on the government lasting 3 years, around 5-1. On John Key lasting that long: 100-1.

On t'other hand, if NZ First is in, and Clark gets her monster, the Nats can romp home next time.…

Conal Tuohy
From: Melbourne

Why, hello there.

Re: Putting all your chips on red

http://www.ipredict.co.nz/

Go on, then. 8-) It has a limit of $1000.

I'm betting something far more valuable than mere money Keith, I'm betting my credibility as a political pundit... :P

(yeah, sure...)

at the casino in melbourne they had a perspex cylinder full of one million $1 coins.

Probably safer than putting it in the bank these days.

My picks:

Act – 2 MPs – oh what a shame for Roger.
Greens – 9 MPs
Labour – 51
Maori Party – 7…

really ?

Really. They're even allowed to go out without the scarlet letter A (for Anus on Legs) pinned to their clothes.

http://centrebet.com/cust?action=GoSports&ev_sub_type_id=8617

I got in a couple of weeks ago when they were still paying $5 – yes FIVE BUCKS!!! WTF is all that about? A bunch of Aussie punters who…

As an Upper Huttian, so despised by all the latte-heads of Wellington, I should be flattered –
But, no, never Ron Mark...

in other words, a bit like an actual rich person.

Even a NZF voter is entitled to his/her view.

really ?

Personally I'd go down to my room of gold coins, and frolick like Scrooge McDuck.

at the casino in melbourne they had a perspex cylinder full of one million $1 coins.

jesus that mtherfkcer was big. maybe 3m high and 1.5 across?

couldn't key have like 50 of those tubes?…

Heh. Given the Siamese quality of the Labour/Progressive relationship, does it even count as a head ?

Maybe a bollock?

Four heads good, five heads bad?

Four heads goo five heads better !

(apologies to George Orwell)

Baaaaaa..

If NZ First makes the threshold or Ron Mark wins Rimutaka then it’s a 5-headed monster.

Otherwise it’s the 4-headed monster.

This way I'm either right or happy. I'd rather be happy, of course.

Four heads good, five heads bad?

Heh. Given the Siamese quality of the Labour/Progressive relationship, does it even count as a head ?

Back then National had a healthy lead, but not enough to govern alone.

I haven't started cutting the lime slices yet,…

And if National lead a four-headed coalition (with Dunne, Act and the Maori Party), is that something less than a monster?

Four heads good, five heads bad?

http://www.ipredict.co.nz/

Go on, then. 8-) It has a limit of $1000.