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It all sounds pretty exciting. I just hope that the CoolStreaming.org website isn't representative of their SW's quality. Because it's badly broken in so many ways. Apparently "they've ended their experiment", but that's no reason to leave the lab bench cluttered with broken detritus. Which suggests that perhaps there's a more public-oriented org waiting in the wings to package this new protocol right - or maybe just these guys on their next reemergence.

Let's be clear: Google doesn't show even a single page to users who find copyrighted books through this program (unless the copyright holder gives us permission to show more). At most we show only a brief snippet of text where their search term appears, along with basic bibliographic information and several links to online booksellers and libraries. Here's what an in-copyright book scanned from a library looks like on Google Print.

Let's be clear: Google doesn't show even a single page to users who find copyrighted books through this program (unless the copyright holder gives us permission to show more). At most we show only a brief snippet of text where their search term appears, along with basic bibliographic information and several links to online booksellers and libraries. Here's what an in-copyright book scanned from a library looks like on Google Print.

Check out what Google has to say about this lawsuit.

There's a compelling response to the lawsuit posted on the official Google Weblog.

Makes one think....

I've been reading a blog that has been following the issue for some time now. The blogger (or blawger if you prefer) is a lawyer who represents authors in cases like this, so his POV is probably both biased and knowledgable.

Will all those observations help us protect us from the rabid weather movements here opn this planet?

http://tarrysingh.blogspot.com/

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2005/09/google-prin t-and-authors-guild.html
Let's be clear: Google doesn't show even a single page to users who find copyrighted books through this program (unless the copyright holder gives us permission to show more).

Not wanting Google to scan your book is like not wanting Google to crawl your website. Pretty silly but authors can completely opt out.

... any copyright holder can exclude their books from the program.

Someone just started Anti-Microsoft parody http://antimsft.blogspot.com/ Looks the same and stuff...

http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/microsoft-com pany-meeting-im-looking.html
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/troubling-exi ts-at-microsoft-business.html
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/forbes-micros ofts-midlife-crisis.html
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/three-quick-t hings-jobs-dynamics.html
if you use google/ig for your homepage then just add the rss feed.
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/atom.xml

http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/microsoft-com pany-meeting-im-looking.html
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/troubling-exi ts-at-microsoft-business.html
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/forbes-micros ofts-midlife-crisis.html
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/three-quick-t hings-jobs-dynamics.html
if you use google/ig for your homepage then just add the rss feed.
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/atom.xml

http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/microsoft-com pany-meeting-im-looking.html
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/troubling-exi ts-at-microsoft-business.html
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/forbes-micros ofts-midlife-crisis.html
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/three-quick-t hings-jobs-dynamics.html
if you use google/ig for your homepage then just add the rss feed.
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/atom.xml

http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/microsoft-com pany-meeting-im-looking.html
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/troubling-exi ts-at-microsoft-business.html
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/forbes-micros ofts-midlife-crisis.html
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/three-quick-t hings-jobs-dynamics.html
if you use google/ig for your homepage then just add the rss feed.
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/atom.xml

http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/microsoft-com pany-meeting-im-looking.html
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/troubling-exi ts-at-microsoft-business.html
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/forbes-micros ofts-midlife-crisis.html
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2005/09/three-quick-t hings-jobs-dynamics.html
if you use google/ig for your homepage then just add the rss feed.
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/atom.xml

As for my boss firing me, he's cool as long as I add a disclaimer (done - yes, I had a mini-coming-out party Friday) and while I can write about policy violation if I go and manifest that into reality then I will find myself badge-less in Redmond.

We don't have to wait for Woodward or Bernstein to die, or anything.

It is inevitable that this guy is screwing up.

He is? He's done a pretty good job of not getting caught for over a year. If that's "screwing up", I have no idea what "getting it right" would be.

They will find him, and when they go, I expect he will have a meeting with Ballmer. It will not be pretty.

The guy has never revealed trade secrets, so there's no legal recourse. Worst case, he could be covered as a whistle blower and be legally protected. So what will be ugly? The guy may lose his job, but do you know how many other companies would be fighting to snatch him right up? (Google, Yahoo, Apple, etc.) And that's just the repercussions for him. Microsoft would suffer a huge PR blow if they found out who the guy was and make a big stink about it. I don't see how they could do it quietly, however, because if the guy was caught you know he'd be screaming bloddy murder.

It won't be like Deep Throat, who, even though suspected, managed to not get found out until recently. Even with him, folks had their suspicions.

Deep Throat wasn't "found out". He decided to come forward on his own. If he'd just stayed quiet, nobody would've ever known. The same goes here. If things start getting a little hairy, surely Mini has a plan in place to nuke it all and hide out for a while (in plain sight, as a normal employee).

Especially now that this guy attracts attention. All Ballmer has to do is tell his team of mini-Ballmers, "find him!" and it won't be long.

Getting linked by Slashdot isn't "attracting attention". Getting an article written about him in Business Week is a much bigger deal. However, Mini has been notorious for quite a while now. Business Week and Slashdot are just a drop in the bucket, making sure that he's on the radar of Balmer (I'm sure he was already).

Aside from that, the guy has some very good ideas that any sane executive could get behind (well, mostly). The only sticking point is his insistence on getting rid of Balmer, but then there are others who are much more vehement on that point.

Yes and more...Mini Microsoft is "looking for some dates!".
Now does he want someone to go out with, or is he actually after the chocolate starfish?

His first Mini-Microsoft article:
http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2004/07/blast-off-for -mini-microsoft.html

I wonder if he was at PDC?

http://rhfootball.blogspot.com/

(Now that blogs are searchable, we're finding all sorts of things!)

There are two general purpose robot announcements, a smallest robot, this contest, and a life guard. Links to articles here. Kinda makes one think.

Question: How do you know that's fair use?
Answer: You don't.

And some very smart people think it isn't.

Anyone who's been following Mini-MSFT's blog (highly recommended read, especially the comments from anonymous Microsoft employees!) is aware of the dire need for some reorganization in this company and the plague of overmanagement that has taken root since Ballmer took over as CEO. Of course, it remains to be seen if they'll actually make the necessary changes or if this is just more shifting around to put on a show for the shareholders (the stock's been flat since '98). But Vista has been, to put it nicely, a debacle.

If you can hear it, you can copy it.
Audioconsumer: Pristine digital copies from noisy analog sources.

Similar methods could be used with video.

Yeah, and they're changing that now in future releases: http://operawatch.blogspot.com/2005/07/opera-to-st op-spoofing-user-agent-as.html

Larry did listen to me!

"...both of which ensure that the academic center retains plausible objectivity in its dealings with corporate sponsors."

Yeah, well, it would be better ensured by not allowing it at all, IMHO. the only reason why it was allowed in the USA, was because it was supposed to be beneficial in stimulating R&D and new products. It would seem (yes, yes, based on limited data, but still) that this isn't the case. thus:

1)if it's not working, there is no reason for it
2)even if it is working, there are maybe alternatives that are better with less risk for losing academic integrity

"They did. It's called the Bayh-Dole Act. ;)"

Ermm...no. The system I proposed (if it would be necessary to change our current system, which is debatable on itself) would involve no direct funding/influence of companies and universities. Funding of university research by corporations (in a direct way) would not be allowed.

"If you're arguing that the prior model was well-grounded but badly implemented..."

I was. Possibly with some adaptations. Maybe the state needs to promote it better, or something.

"Let ye who is without bias cast the first stone... ;)"

I'm searching for a boulder to cast right now!! ;-)

Anyway, I think this dicussion has reached it's end, for now. This is a fact, because it's now mentioned on my blog. ;-)

As I said; if you ever make a paper about the issue, I'll be interested to read it. Of course, you'll better make sure you have a lot more of hard data then Fortune, since you so lament the lack of it with them! :-)

Yes, the guy is called ClintCJL: one of his posts. You can find the same post in his blog, but he says, that he just copied it from /..

Some research at Google reveals a lot about this guy.

A few things I'd note from my Burning Man experience in 2003:

* Lanceland: the "power nexus" of Burning Man, where many a kW of power is being generated and shipped out on 1.25 mile long legs to other power distribution boxes. One semi-trailer mounted generator after another.

* Fire/EMS: One of the best organized event emergency medical teams I've seen. 24 hour computer aided dispatching (CAD) was used, and teams were coordinated on multiple channels, with repeater support from towers around the city (some permanent). This is in addition to the REMSA "Life Flight" helicopter, (paid) ER docs/nurses, and professional wildland firefighter companies staged AT Burning Man. This is, in part, the reason for the price of the ticket NOT being free.

* Sol System: They were present this year with the following system:
http://www.solsystem.org/solarium
In 2003, I stood in the middle of their setup and was blown away by how clear and authentic their spatializing technology sounded. Apparently, two of the camp's principals were heavily involved with acoustic research funded during the dot-com boom.

* Satellite Internet uplink: courtesy of the folks (hippies) at Oregon Country Fair. Attached to the related 802.11b network.

* Feats of Nifty Mechanical Engineering: Go to Google and do an image search for the following words (not phrase):
Burning Man Temple Of Gravity

One of many neat things I've seen out there.

For a different take on Burning Man that has little to do with drugs or hippies, see the piece I wrote on my ten days out there...

http://petelee.blogspot.com/ look for "The Man Has No Hands" under Pete's Favorite Links

Check out this guy's reply to the main article. Its really funny. Open source is bad you say...

I guess, there are a lot more employees pissed: MiniMSFT.

I don't know, I'm not involved in that, but I met a former MSFT employee and he is still kind of brainwashed, but as time goes by, he's getting back to normal and he tells me more and more very strange stories about his former job.

Actually, I don't care. Read the blog, it's very interesting.

Salesforce has something like 75% to 80% of the market compared to Microsoft CRM's 35%. Microsoft CRM hasn't been updated in ages.

See this Forbes article for the statement from Salesforce's CEO. This info also comes from blogs like Mini-MSFT.

(Neil Blender cited this blog on the earlier M$ story.)

(Neil Blender cited this blog on the earlier M$ story.)

(Neil Blender cited this blog on the earlier M$ story.)

(Neil Blender cited this blog on the earlier M$ story.)

As part of Google's Summer of Code, someone with much code-fu has released the initial version of a Python-to-C++ converter.

Check it out:

http://shed-skin.blogspot.com/

http://sourceforge.net/projects/shedskin/

My sig is at my blog.

My Tech Blog

When I started using linux for the first time, I first visited these sites to get my problems solved. I list some of them below.

http://linuxquestions.org/
http://linuxhelp.blogspot.com/
http://linux.org/
http://tldp.org/

http://minimsft.blogspot.com/

The biggest issue is pay.

Perhaps, but I think it depends on where you are in the US. In Portland, the biggest gripe I have heard from several teacher friends of mine is the fact that the union actively protects bad teachers. By bad, I mean incompetent, uncaring, and sometimes even openly racist or sexist. The whole circumstance is very demoralizing.

The other big issue my teacher friends have is the impressive amount of money devoted to standardized testing and bloated administration in Portland schools. It's not that they're opposed to testing, per se, but they're troubled by the policies that are attached to it, as well as the questionable quality of the NCLB. (see http://petelee.blogspot.com/2005/02/no-child-left- behind-or-so-wed-like-to.html)

The pay, ironically enough, has never really been that big of a concern. It's not great, but one can live decently in Portland on it (see http://www.all4ed.org/publications/NationalEducati onSummitOnHighSchools/Oregon.pdf) . My friends got into teaching because they felt a strong call to teach kids, not because they aspired to ride teh hype, take a company public and Profit!!!

While I applaud IBM's desire to support education, more needs to be done to change the intrinsic cultural problems in how schools are managed. No sense training new teachers if they're not going to stay: 3 out of the 5 friends of mine who got involved with teaching left because they became disillusioned and demoralized.

Often the people who go into K-12 teaching are liberal arts majors who were mediocre students in college, and decided relatively late in the game to become teachers, because they weren't really qualified to do much else.

According to the all4ed.org site I included above, that is not appear to be the case for high school teachers. And, my anecdotal experience with teachers indicates that they were high achievers in college. It's difficult to find teaching jobs in Portland, even with attrition, so it's almost a requirement to have a Master's degree. Also, after being accepted to Carnegie-Mellon University, a friend of mine shocked his parents by informing them that he planned to become a teacher. Not for the money, but an opportunity to pass a love of math on to future generations.

As an aside, I'd note that most of my instructors at Portland Community College (also not notable for good pay), were frequently Masters-level instructors and Ph.D's with extensive professional (pre-teaching) experience. One excellent Pre-Calculus teacher I had was formerly a mathematician for NASA).

The effective government monopoly on education is preventing math and science teachers from being paid anything more in line with what they could get in a free market, and it also turns schools into assembly lines that produce students who pretend to have learned math and science

I don't know if the government monopoly, per se, is the issue here. On several long trips to Europe, I was impressed with the math, verbal, and political science skills of the majority of people I encountered. I believe that restructuring how schools are managed and changing certain negative cultural contributions teacher's unions have made would be a good start. I agree with your point that schools shouldn't be assembly lines: students aren't "commodities." It may be that very view that's the crux of the problem...

Does this mean I can finally have Orb in my car instead of buying a grey-market Satellite Radio from US? http://wavesmash.blogspot.com/2005/08/get-orb.html How aboot a check mail notification light on my dashboard, eh? This could get interesting.

BZZT! Wrong Answer!

The correct answer is, "Ethanol has traditionally been more expensive than crude oil. However, with gas pricing rising, Ethanol blends have helped keep prices of gasoline down. Now the only issue remaining is to find a good method for phasing out gasoline rather than a direct cut over to Ethanol.

Why he is an idiot: http://mustelid.blogspot.com/2005/08/pielke-senior -has-blog.html#comments

He certain has been peer-reviewed, though. The feedback he got from his papers include:

The exchange is not worthy of publication. In fact, I do not understand why P&C even wrote their piece in the first place. They continually destroy whatever point they had in mind by noting Hansen 'did it right'... None of the participants in this pathetic exchange seem to have the slightest clue about the large decadal noise that exists in the oceans and some ocean models.

Which bring up the question about why he resigned, which in his own words:

The current discussion in the media based on the three Science Express articles misses the more significant issue of spatial trends in tropospheric temperature trends.

He quit because the committee was focusing on trends in the global average, and he was more interested in geographical locations.

Realclimate is a group blog focusing only on scientific analysis and which gives no recommendations for policy change. The views they give strike me as typically very cautious - so what do you consider to be alarmism?

His rationale is that people who are accustomed to Photoshop user interfaces can learn GIMP faster this way. Having never seen or worked with Photoshop myself (yes, I am a rarity), I've had no problem learning how to use GIMP at all (evidence: see the graphics I've created for my website, Sun and Fun), so it is all novelty to me.

You simply can't make 6 - 10 billion people (allowing for pop. growth) turn around and start using solar cells or hydrogen or whatever.

There are a few ideas being kicked around about that. Read my sig for a whole long story on phasing out of gas and into new fuels. :-)

I just got an OLED based VR visor from eMagin for $899, it has 800x600 resolution, headtracking, earbuds, and microphone built in. It was rumored for a while that it would be paired with the revolution for a complete VR experience, but that rumor has unfortunately since been dispelled. But I could definately see how the nintendo controllers could be paired with it to good effect.

At $900, the z800 is a big leap for VR in terms of quality. The closest LCD version sells for several hundred dollars more (many VR helmets costs many thousands of dollars) and is of lesser qaulity. It works very well with off the shelf first person shooters like HL2, Call of Duty, Doom and such and really adds a lot of depth to objects. It really helps, i mean both the wowness factor and being able to navigate and interact with close at hand objects.

At this point ATI doesn't support stereoscopic output, so you have to go with an nvidia card with their stereo 3d drivers.

Here is someone's (not mine) blog on what they have been doing with their eMagin 3d visor.

Maybe not ready for everyone, but certainly VR type equipment is starting to come back off the drawing board with many years of refinement and new technology being used to make the price and experience much better.

I'm currently a student at the University of Maryland, and our school uses the SSN for EVERYTHING. It's absolutely sickening because the administration makes these grand claims about moving away from the SSN for student security, but to get even the most menial tasks accomplished on campus, you have to use your SSN. Worst of all, I worked with a professor on campus to inquire as to their data collection practices under the Maryland Public Information Act, and we essentially discovered that they have absolutely no data security system in place whatsoever. Our swipe cards, which are used for everyhting from getting into a building to buying a meal-- also contain our SSNs in the magnetic strip.

You'd think this would be enough information to cause a massive overhaul of a woefully insecure system, right? Wrong, the school newspaper won't even print a story about it because they don't understand the inherent risk in all of this.

http://privacyumd.blogspot.com/ to learn more about the status of this issue at UMD

Here's an article describing the use of fish products to power Alaska processors