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... it'll be interesting to see what happens to the prices of the competing AMD offerings.

From more coverage at ZDNET:

Advanced Micro Devices, Intel's rival in processors, will likely cut prices to match Intel's cut. AMD typically announces price cuts a day or so after Intel. The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company is also expected to soon release "Thoroughbred," a faster version of its Athlon chip, made on the 130-nanometer manufacturing process, for desktop computers. The company is currently shipping the chip to PC makers, a spokesman confirmed, and will release the chip to the public shortly.

Sig: What Happened To The Censorware Project (censorware.org)

Does IBM have more plans to invest the financial sector now that banks are moving to Linux for economic reasons in the september 11th aftermath ? http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-887961.html http://www.forbes.com/home/2002/03/27/0327linux.ht ml

Doesn't anyone remember some russians spoofing paypal.com by registering paypai.com. The two domains look similar (especially with an uppercase i). They were able to steal account information by sending offical looking email to unknowing users asking them to click a link and log in, giving away their username and password. I remember Paypal using x.com for a while to prevent this.

http://zdnet.com.com/2100-11-522401.html?legacy=zd nn&chkpt=zdhpnews01

The would lose even more money by porting their entire game line over to the xbox.

If these come with any kind of survey card asking what type of games people would like to see, I think Minesweeper and free cell. Maybe even mention their trian simulator (which Union Pacific hates). Who buys that game? driving a train down a track. Do you steer with the joystick? I keep picking up the boxed game at software stores and look at asking my self, Why?

A real trick would be to convince them that you want somethink like "Microsoft Bob" on your xbox.

I figure all cars are going to become part of a tracking network anyway, most likely GPS-based, but making concerns about the effect on privacy of car-based wireless networks redundant. In the same way that car rental companies are starting to use technology to protect their interests (CNet article: Rental-car firm exceeding the privacy limit?), I expect that insurance companies will, at some point in the near future, insist upon something similar.

They won't exactly make it madatory but their fees for unmonitored coverage will be too prohibitive for the average Joe to consider.

This SP does NOT make Windows more modular... You can't uninstall IE or its libraries - they still will load on startup.

A prior poster said it best: How in hell do these people get away with claiming incompetency as a defense?

From the Cnet article:

Another change seeks to curb about 90 percent of Windows XP piracy. Microsoft introduced Product Activation with the operating system, which uses a numeric key to lock the software to the hardware. But code stolen from a large Microsoft customer allowed rampant illegal Windows XP copying. People using Windows XP with the stolen key will not be able to apply the service pack or any future updates available from Microsoft's Web site.

"Basically we're freezing their computer where it is," Cullinan said. "We're not preventing them from using it, but obviously one of the benefits of having a license is keeping your PC updated."

Not that any /.ers would use pirated software, but interesting nonetheless

Quoting:

Among the changes is a new control that will allow PC makers or consumers to replace Microsoft software with third-party applications from Microsoft's competitors, such as AOL Time Warner and RealNetworks.

Under the Justice Department settlement, Microsoft must allow consumers or PC makers to hide user access to five pieces of so-called middleware: Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Windows Media Player, Windows Messenger and Microsoft's version of the Java Virtual Machine.

News.com is reporting that IBM has signed a deal with Landmark Graphics, a subsidiary of Halliburton, to build Linux supercomputers and PCs for oil and gas companies, the companies will announce Friday. Read the story: http://news.com.com/2100-1001-922068.html">

This event may not be a win for Linux but is definitely a lose for Solaris. Sherwin Williams must have been tantalized by the latest performance results from IBM for TPC-C. Check out "IBM takes top spot in server-speed race".

IBM literally smokes with a top score of 405,000. It is a world record for Oracle atop Linux or Unix.

However, 2 years later, same situation, different judge, different result, here.

Of course, the above involve crypto, and there were still strong export restrictions in the US in effect.

Beyond that, I can't think of any off hand...

However, 2 years later, same situation, different judge, different result, here.

Of course, the above involve crypto, and there were still strong export restrictions in the US in effect.

Beyond that, I can't think of any off hand...

The story that ZDNet is carrying says that Google has also created some new experimental add-ons to the Google Toolbar:

"The second page features experimental add-ons to Google's toolbar, a software download that lets people surfing the Web with Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser search the Google database through a persistent application built into the IE interface."

And here are the descriptions of said add-ons:

"One feature called 'browser control,' sure to raise eyebrows about Google's ambitions and direction, lets people suppress advertising pop-up windows that appear when the browser attempts to leave a Web site. The feature works by clearing the JavaScript event 'onUnload.'

"Asked to clarify whether this browsing feature marked a departure from Google's traditional search mission, the Google representative would only say that 'it's something we're experimenting with to see if there's any level of demand or interest.'

"Another experimental navigation feature, albeit with a more direct connection to search, helps Google toolbar users navigate through results with a 'next' and 'previous' button, eliminating the need to double back to the search results page.

"A third toolbar experiment is a 'combined search' button, letting people search Google's image, newsgroup and general databases in combination."

However, I looked on the Google Toolbar site, Google Labs, and even searched the web (with Google), and I couldn't find this "second page" that ZDNet's article mentioned.

My question is, does anyone here know where the experimental add-ons for the Google Toolbar are at? Perhaps they are only for a private beta group (like the Folding@home Google Toolbar add-on)? Perhaps ZDNet's info isn't quite right?

CNet has a longer article with quotes from testimony, etc. @ Kazaa, Morpheus legal case collapsing.

Yeah, no one except the first trial court and the court of appeals. Yep, the most business friendly court in the land, with all the Reagan appointed judges, the one everyone said Microsoft wanted. They said 7 to zero that Microsoft was a monopoly and they abused that Monopoly, among other things.

However, I've come up with an easy explanation of why Microsoft is a monopoly.

First, read this.

Now, imagine if the hard drive maker, or the memory maker, or the video card maker (etc., you get the point) tried to do the same thing? Compaq would have dumped them in a second and gone to a competitor.

Now, listen carefully:

THEY CAN'T DO THAT WITH WINDOWS BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER CHOICE!!! If they dumped Windows and went to Red Hat instead, they would GO OUT OF BUSINESS! And they know it all too well.

This is precisely what is a legal definition of a monopoly (as opposed to an absolute monopoly. Many people say Microsoft doesn't have a monopoly because you can buy a copy of Red Hat and install it. These people are confusing a legally defined monopoly with an absolute monopoly like what AT&T had.)

It's technically legal for Microsoft to have this monopoly, but it's illegal to abuse it by forcing other products down computer manufacturers throats (First Explorer, Office, MSN, now Windows Media Player, Windows Messaging, etc.) or to tell them they can't sell computers with 2 operating systems or with no OS or any of the other dozens of things that Microsoft does that they couldn't do if there were any REAL competition in the desktop OS market.

Some folks say that Linux is now to Microsoft what AMD is to Intel. This is simply not accurate for one simple reason: AMD processors run ALL the same software that Intel processors do. If you have an Intel processor, you can simply replace it with an AMD one (yes sometimes you need to replace the motherboard and perhaps the memory) without changing ANY of the software on your computer.

Linux DOES NOT run the same software as Windows. Why is this? Well, Microsoft's license agreements say that you agree to not reverse-engineer their software. If you don't agree to the license, you can't use it (legally). Hmm, let's see, it's legal to reverse-engineer Intel processors, but not Microsoft operating systems. How nice for Microsoft.

To all you Microsoft apologists out there: Do you REALLY want Microsoft in control of EVERYTHING to do with computing? Because, without the anti-trust case, that's exactly where we'd be heading. Without this "government interference", every computing experience would be handled by Microsoft. We'd all use Windows, Explorer, Office, MSN, Media Player, Windows Messaging, Passport, etc. and then Microsoft could charge whatever they want for all this. Not true, you say? You don't think that Microsoft would "encourage" ISP's to only support IE? You think any web pages created with Microsoft Front Page would be readable in Netscape?

Also, without "interference", NONE of the major companies currently supporting Linux to varying degrees (IBM, HP, Compaq, Dell, etc., etc.,) would have had anything to do with Linux. The repercussions from Microsoft would have been much too severe.

Not to mention all the security problems that would arise out of all of this. Melissa/Love Bug/Sircam/Code Red anyone?

I am pleased and relieved that the case is going the way it is. This will preserve some measure of computing freedom for us all.

I would have to agree with the other reply to the parent, AIM gets a lot of spam as well. Pretty much any client you use will give you that, name of the game unfortunately. However, with ICQ, I just set it so only people on my contact list can message me. Of course then I get spammers asking me to add them to my contact list (never stop do they...), but thats only a few times a week, if that. And its far less intrusive then getting spam messages.

Also, its not as if AIM hasn't has its share of security problems. Even then, however, AOL controls both ICQ and AIM. If there are security problems intigrating the two, its their own fault and they have the power to fix them. Its not as if they'd have to go to Microsoft and get them to fix a security hole between their client and AOL's.

AOL isn't going to be stupid enough to try foisting a noticeably slower browser on their users.

Actually, AOL's most recent beta for Mac OS X uses Gecko in place of IE. I think this is a sign of things to come.

Actually, Take2 announced that GTA3 will NEVER be released to the X-Box. They have scrapped the whole X-Box port. "Hirai added that "Grand Theft Auto 3," the top-selling video game for the past few months, will remain exclusive to the PS2, with publisher Take-Two canceling previous plans to bring the game to the Xbox." Here's a link to the article on CNet.

Even better: this AIM version lets you log on to the ICQ network so that you can talk with ICQ pals, too. Unfortunately, you'll have to log out of one IM to access the other; there's no three-way chatting with friends from the two IM networks.

Kutaragi sees PS2 as Sony's Trojan horse. The idea is that consumers will bring the device into their living rooms to play WipeOut and Crash Bandicoot and end up using it for all kinds of broadband entertainment. If everything goes according to Kutaragi's plan, PlayStation will lead Sony in a transformation from a producer of games, gadgets, CDs and movies to a "broadband delivery company." Future versions of the console will still give you games, but also music, online shopping, even interactive services. Already Sony has signed a deal with J.P. Morgan to deliver home banking through the PS2.

Some may remember the hubub last week about EA expressing an unwillingness to participate in the XBox network, citing (among other things) Microsoft wanting a piece of the pie, as opposed to Sony's free-for-all approach.

this will set a horrible precedent.
Um, it's already been set. Have you seen the kind of patents being handed out recently? Like the one on slashdot a couple weeks ago for using text and images on a webpage for commerce?

How many other things then could be patened? Links?
They're working on that.

Seriously, I think this is kind of funny. The more silly patents that get granted, the more irrelevant our patent system becomes... Ditto for copyright law. It's a joke, and becoming more of one all the time.

I like how google jokes on their lab site: Please email us your ideas, comments, suggestions, and patent infringement notices or post a message on the newsgroup for the particular demo you're referencing. (emphasis mine)

Btw, interested persons might enjoy checking out that labs.google.com site (thanks to k10k for the link..)

There's a big difference between marketers/sales people and inventors.

Look at Edison...The man went on a propaganda campaign to make
Tesla's AC look EXTREMELY DANGEROUS
by publicly displaying an elephant being electrocuted with AC!
This is how he decided to win peoples' hearts (and wallets)...
with one of the worlds biggest FUD tactics!
(Thankfully, he lost that war.)

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate ALL inventors and "visionaries"
but the better technology should win, not the biggest marketing campaign.

For all those looking for the missing link (and that includes any anthropologists) check here.

The story is here. As for free vs. $20, it looks like it's free for now and they want to start charging $20 eventually.

http://slashdot.org/Pittsburgh,whereanoutdoorpubli cWi-FinetworkwaslaunchedMonday

Maybe you meant: http://news.com.com/2100-1033-918439.html

I don't know what's up with the link in the blurb, but here's a working link to the article: http://news.com.com/2100-1033-918439.html?tag=fd_t op

Mr. Spey

With what the Internet did for information sharing, Grid computing will do for resource sharing. Grid application developers will be in high demand to tap into this new area which has the potential to change the way we use the Internet. Just ask IBM, Microsoft, and Sun.

--
The state of Grid Computing
The Grid Report

With what the Internet did for information sharing, Grid computing will do for resource sharing. Grid application developers will be in high demand to tap into this new area which has the potential to change the way we use the Internet. Just ask IBM, Microsoft, and Sun.

--
The state of Grid Computing
The Grid Report

Why I love spam

by Barry Dennis info@Netweb.com

Am I crazy or what? I love spam! My spam is important to me. In this new age of the Internet, I need the information and opportunities that e-mail marketing provides. So what's the big deal about spam? I think a few well-meaning but uninformed politicians and advocacy groups have decided what's good for us.

In the ancient, pre-Internet days, I used to get all kinds of mail in my U.S. Postal Service mailbox. The mail had stamps on it; later on it had imprinted postmarks of one kind or another. I was in the direct-marketing and mail-order business, so I used my name and address as a quality-control measure, just to see how long the mail would take to actually arrive at my house. As you can imagine, my name found its way to many different lists of one type or another, and I got lots of mail. Depending on the perspective of the recipient, it was called "junk mail" or "file 13 candidates," or "recyclable materials." Individual pieces included catalogs of every type and description, magazine and book club offers, resort vacation packages and credit cards. Can you believe it? Offering me, an entrepreneur, a credit card? Had they lost their minds?

And I loved it.

I loved reading the offers; I learned things and I even bought some things. They say the easiest sale is to a salesperson, and maybe that's true. But I was a tough customer. I only bought what I needed, or in some cases what I wanted, because they convinced me with good copy, attractive product art and presentation, and with offers backed by a guarantee. They convinced me I had made a great decision. They were (and still are) reaching out to satisfy my needs as their research indicated. Now, in addition to my mail at home and at the office, I get e-mails. Lots of e-mails. And for the most part, I love them. They tell me about things I'm interested in, such as services and products that might satisfy some of my needs. They provide information referrals, ideas and food for thought. And e-mails are smart. They don't require a postcard or envelope with postage to get more information--you just click "reply." Or in many cases, click on the "hot link" direct to the e-mailer's Web site.

Look, here's the deal. Spam is the "junk mail" of a few years ago. There is still "junk" mail, although I prefer to think of it as marketing mail--searching for new customers and reinvigorating established clients. My spam is important to me. In this new age of the Internet, I need the information and opportunities that e-mail marketing provides. The Internet is a new marketing channel, an information research assistant, and a replacement for some of those mail-order catalogs I used to request. And man, the response time!

The courts and the Federal Trade Commission long ago thrashed out the framework for people taking their name off mailing lists by using the Direct Marketing Association-maintained "opt out" list. Mailers run their list through the DMA and matches are culled for each person from that list. People don't get what they don't want. But did you know that many of the people on the DMA file have requested catalogs or information by direct mail within a few months of their "opt out?" Why? Because we have grown used to getting information this way. If we need to, we can do the same thing using the DMA, or the Internet Advertising Bureau, or another industry trade group.

So, what's the big deal about spam? I think a few well-meaning but uninformed politicians and advocacy groups have decided what's good for us, and in their zeal, they are trying to establish a new and unwarranted benchmark for the marketing channel we call the Internet, and for one of its components: e-mail.
We really have to fight this intrusion. E-mail is no less commercial speech than other forms of communication; e-mail is a new and--in some cases--a better way of quickly identifying, qualifying and servicing customers. Large catalog marketers are pleased with the growing percentage of Internet-driven business, and they use e-mail to offer specials and other information potentially valuable to their customers, at less expense than mail-only contact programs.

Not everybody has an e-mail address or access to the Internet: Approximately 70 million U.S. households have computers, out of 120 million total, but not all of the 70 million have access to the internet or e-mail. Most businesses do have Internet and e-mail. There are some e-mails I get that I don't want or appreciate: pornography, two credit card offers every day (give me a break!), and some others. But you know what I do?

Hit delete. I hit delete, and I'm free. As for the rest of my spam: Keep it coming!

about the writer
Barry Dennis (domain@netweb.com) is president of Netweb, an Internet and offline marketing and public relations agency.

Why I love spam

by Barry Dennis info@Netweb.com

Am I crazy or what? I love spam! My spam is important to me. In this new age of the Internet, I need the information and opportunities that e-mail marketing provides. So what's the big deal about spam? I think a few well-meaning but uninformed politicians and advocacy groups have decided what's good for us.

In the ancient, pre-Internet days, I used to get all kinds of mail in my U.S. Postal Service mailbox. The mail had stamps on it; later on it had imprinted postmarks of one kind or another. I was in the direct-marketing and mail-order business, so I used my name and address as a quality-control measure, just to see how long the mail would take to actually arrive at my house. As you can imagine, my name found its way to many different lists of one type or another, and I got lots of mail. Depending on the perspective of the recipient, it was called "junk mail" or "file 13 candidates," or "recyclable materials." Individual pieces included catalogs of every type and description, magazine and book club offers, resort vacation packages and credit cards. Can you believe it? Offering me, an entrepreneur, a credit card? Had they lost their minds?

And I loved it.

I loved reading the offers; I learned things and I even bought some things. They say the easiest sale is to a salesperson, and maybe that's true. But I was a tough customer. I only bought what I needed, or in some cases what I wanted, because they convinced me with good copy, attractive product art and presentation, and with offers backed by a guarantee. They convinced me I had made a great decision. They were (and still are) reaching out to satisfy my needs as their research indicated. Now, in addition to my mail at home and at the office, I get e-mails. Lots of e-mails. And for the most part, I love them. They tell me about things I'm interested in, such as services and products that might satisfy some of my needs. They provide information referrals, ideas and food for thought. And e-mails are smart. They don't require a postcard or envelope with postage to get more information--you just click "reply." Or in many cases, click on the "hot link" direct to the e-mailer's Web site.

Look, here's the deal. Spam is the "junk mail" of a few years ago. There is still "junk" mail, although I prefer to think of it as marketing mail--searching for new customers and reinvigorating established clients. My spam is important to me. In this new age of the Internet, I need the information and opportunities that e-mail marketing provides. The Internet is a new marketing channel, an information research assistant, and a replacement for some of those mail-order catalogs I used to request. And man, the response time!

The courts and the Federal Trade Commission long ago thrashed out the framework for people taking their name off mailing lists by using the Direct Marketing Association-maintained "opt out" list. Mailers run their list through the DMA and matches are culled for each person from that list. People don't get what they don't want. But did you know that many of the people on the DMA file have requested catalogs or information by direct mail within a few months of their "opt out?" Why? Because we have grown used to getting information this way. If we need to, we can do the same thing using the DMA, or the Internet Advertising Bureau, or another industry trade group.

So, what's the big deal about spam? I think a few well-meaning but uninformed politicians and advocacy groups have decided what's good for us, and in their zeal, they are trying to establish a new and unwarranted benchmark for the marketing channel we call the Internet, and for one of its components: e-mail.
We really have to fight this intrusion. E-mail is no less commercial speech than other forms of communication; e-mail is a new and--in some cases--a better way of quickly identifying, qualifying and servicing customers. Large catalog marketers are pleased with the growing percentage of Internet-driven business, and they use e-mail to offer specials and other information potentially valuable to their customers, at less expense than mail-only contact programs.

Not everybody has an e-mail address or access to the Internet: Approximately 70 million U.S. households have computers, out of 120 million total, but not all of the 70 million have access to the internet or e-mail. Most businesses do have Internet and e-mail. There are some e-mails I get that I don't want or appreciate: pornography, two credit card offers every day (give me a break!), and some others. But you know what I do?

Hit delete. I hit delete, and I'm free. As for the rest of my spam: Keep it coming!

about the writer
Barry Dennis (domain@netweb.com) is president of Netweb, an Internet and offline marketing and public relations agency.

So the Blue Screen of Death can lead to YOUR Blue Screen of Death.

"Reboot the car?!?!?"

Why I love spam

by Barry Dennis info@Netweb.com

Am I crazy or what? I love spam! My spam is important to me. In this new age of the Internet, I need the information and opportunities that e-mail marketing provides. So what's the big deal about spam? I think a few well-meaning but uninformed politicians and advocacy groups have decided what's good for us.

In the ancient, pre-Internet days, I used to get all kinds of mail in my U.S. Postal Service mailbox. The mail had stamps on it; later on it had imprinted postmarks of one kind or another. I was in the direct-marketing and mail-order business, so I used my name and address as a quality-control measure, just to see how long the mail would take to actually arrive at my house. As you can imagine, my name found its way to many different lists of one type or another, and I got lots of mail. Depending on the perspective of the recipient, it was called "junk mail" or "file 13 candidates," or "recyclable materials." Individual pieces included catalogs of every type and description, magazine and book club offers, resort vacation packages and credit cards. Can you believe it? Offering me, an entrepreneur, a credit card? Had they lost their minds?

And I loved it.

I loved reading the offers; I learned things and I even bought some things. They say the easiest sale is to a salesperson, and maybe that's true. But I was a tough customer. I only bought what I needed, or in some cases what I wanted, because they convinced me with good copy, attractive product art and presentation, and with offers backed by a guarantee. They convinced me I had made a great decision. They were (and still are) reaching out to satisfy my needs as their research indicated. Now, in addition to my mail at home and at the office, I get e-mails. Lots of e-mails. And for the most part, I love them. They tell me about things I'm interested in, such as services and products that might satisfy some of my needs. They provide information referrals, ideas and food for thought. And e-mails are smart. They don't require a postcard or envelope with postage to get more information--you just click "reply." Or in many cases, click on the "hot link" direct to the e-mailer's Web site.

Look, here's the deal. Spam is the "junk mail" of a few years ago. There is still "junk" mail, although I prefer to think of it as marketing mail--searching for new customers and reinvigorating established clients. My spam is important to me. In this new age of the Internet, I need the information and opportunities that e-mail marketing provides. The Internet is a new marketing channel, an information research assistant, and a replacement for some of those mail-order catalogs I used to request. And man, the response time!

The courts and the Federal Trade Commission long ago thrashed out the framework for people taking their name off mailing lists by using the Direct Marketing Association-maintained "opt out" list. Mailers run their list through the DMA and matches are culled for each person from that list. People don't get what they don't want. But did you know that many of the people on the DMA file have requested catalogs or information by direct mail within a few months of their "opt out?" Why? Because we have grown used to getting information this way. If we need to, we can do the same thing using the DMA, or the Internet Advertising Bureau, or another industry trade group.

So, what's the big deal about spam? I think a few well-meaning but uninformed politicians and advocacy groups have decided what's good for us, and in their zeal, they are trying to establish a new and unwarranted benchmark for the marketing channel we call the Internet, and for one of its components: e-mail.
We really have to fight this intrusion. E-mail is no less commercial speech than other forms of communication; e-mail is a new and--in some cases--a better way of quickly identifying, qualifying and servicing customers. Large catalog marketers are pleased with the growing percentage of Internet-driven business, and they use e-mail to offer specials and other information potentially valuable to their customers, at less expense than mail-only contact programs.

Not everybody has an e-mail address or access to the Internet: Approximately 70 million U.S. households have computers, out of 120 million total, but not all of the 70 million have access to the internet or e-mail. Most businesses do have Internet and e-mail. There are some e-mails I get that I don't want or appreciate: pornography, two credit card offers every day (give me a break!), and some others. But you know what I do?

Hit delete. I hit delete, and I'm free. As for the rest of my spam: Keep it coming!

about the writer
Barry Dennis (domain@netweb.com) is president of Netweb, an Internet and offline marketing and public relations agency.

Why I love spam

by Barry Dennis info@Netweb.com

Am I crazy or what? I love spam! My spam is important to me. In this new age of the Internet, I need the information and opportunities that e-mail marketing provides. So what's the big deal about spam? I think a few well-meaning but uninformed politicians and advocacy groups have decided what's good for us.

In the ancient, pre-Internet days, I used to get all kinds of mail in my U.S. Postal Service mailbox. The mail had stamps on it; later on it had imprinted postmarks of one kind or another. I was in the direct-marketing and mail-order business, so I used my name and address as a quality-control measure, just to see how long the mail would take to actually arrive at my house. As you can imagine, my name found its way to many different lists of one type or another, and I got lots of mail. Depending on the perspective of the recipient, it was called "junk mail" or "file 13 candidates," or "recyclable materials." Individual pieces included catalogs of every type and description, magazine and book club offers, resort vacation packages and credit cards. Can you believe it? Offering me, an entrepreneur, a credit card? Had they lost their minds?

And I loved it.

I loved reading the offers; I learned things and I even bought some things. They say the easiest sale is to a salesperson, and maybe that's true. But I was a tough customer. I only bought what I needed, or in some cases what I wanted, because they convinced me with good copy, attractive product art and presentation, and with offers backed by a guarantee. They convinced me I had made a great decision. They were (and still are) reaching out to satisfy my needs as their research indicated. Now, in addition to my mail at home and at the office, I get e-mails. Lots of e-mails. And for the most part, I love them. They tell me about things I'm interested in, such as services and products that might satisfy some of my needs. They provide information referrals, ideas and food for thought. And e-mails are smart. They don't require a postcard or envelope with postage to get more information--you just click "reply." Or in many cases, click on the "hot link" direct to the e-mailer's Web site.

Look, here's the deal. Spam is the "junk mail" of a few years ago. There is still "junk" mail, although I prefer to think of it as marketing mail--searching for new customers and reinvigorating established clients. My spam is important to me. In this new age of the Internet, I need the information and opportunities that e-mail marketing provides. The Internet is a new marketing channel, an information research assistant, and a replacement for some of those mail-order catalogs I used to request. And man, the response time!

The courts and the Federal Trade Commission long ago thrashed out the framework for people taking their name off mailing lists by using the Direct Marketing Association-maintained "opt out" list. Mailers run their list through the DMA and matches are culled for each person from that list. People don't get what they don't want. But did you know that many of the people on the DMA file have requested catalogs or information by direct mail within a few months of their "opt out?" Why? Because we have grown used to getting information this way. If we need to, we can do the same thing using the DMA, or the Internet Advertising Bureau, or another industry trade group.

So, what's the big deal about spam? I think a few well-meaning but uninformed politicians and advocacy groups have decided what's good for us, and in their zeal, they are trying to establish a new and unwarranted benchmark for the marketing channel we call the Internet, and for one of its components: e-mail.
We really have to fight this intrusion. E-mail is no less commercial speech than other forms of communication; e-mail is a new and--in some cases--a better way of quickly identifying, qualifying and servicing customers. Large catalog marketers are pleased with the growing percentage of Internet-driven business, and they use e-mail to offer specials and other information potentially valuable to their customers, at less expense than mail-only contact programs.

Not everybody has an e-mail address or access to the Internet: Approximately 70 million U.S. households have computers, out of 120 million total, but not all of the 70 million have access to the internet or e-mail. Most businesses do have Internet and e-mail. There are some e-mails I get that I don't want or appreciate: pornography, two credit card offers every day (give me a break!), and some others. But you know what I do?

Hit delete. I hit delete, and I'm free. As for the rest of my spam: Keep it coming!

about the writer
Barry Dennis is president of Netweb, an Internet and offline marketing and public relations agency.

Austria already has it.

Any U.S. University can apply for it now if they don't already have it.

Many of Microsoft's larger customers have it

I don't see why it would be difficult for any terrorist organization to get it. How can they legitimately argue that it may possible be keep it secret at this point? If it's a national security risk to make the code available, the damage can no longer be avoided.

Ryan Fenton

Why I love spam

by Barry Dennis info@Netweb.com

Am I crazy or what? I love spam! My spam is important to me. In this new age of the Internet, I need the information and opportunities that e-mail marketing provides. So what's the big deal about spam? I think a few well-meaning but uninformed politicians and advocacy groups have decided what's good for us.

In the ancient, pre-Internet days, I used to get all kinds of mail in my U.S. Postal Service mailbox. The mail had stamps on it; later on it had imprinted postmarks of one kind or another. I was in the direct-marketing and mail-order business, so I used my name and address as a quality-control measure, just to see how long the mail would take to actually arrive at my house. As you can imagine, my name found its way to many different lists of one type or another, and I got lots of mail. Depending on the perspective of the recipient, it was called "junk mail" or "file 13 candidates," or "recyclable materials." Individual pieces included catalogs of every type and description, magazine and book club offers, resort vacation packages and credit cards. Can you believe it? Offering me, an entrepreneur, a credit card? Had they lost their minds?

And I loved it.

I loved reading the offers; I learned things and I even bought some things. They say the easiest sale is to a salesperson, and maybe that's true. But I was a tough customer. I only bought what I needed, or in some cases what I wanted, because they convinced me with good copy, attractive product art and presentation, and with offers backed by a guarantee. They convinced me I had made a great decision. They were (and still are) reaching out to satisfy my needs as their research indicated. Now, in addition to my mail at home and at the office, I get e-mails. Lots of e-mails. And for the most part, I love them. They tell me about things I'm interested in, such as services and products that might satisfy some of my needs. They provide information referrals, ideas and food for thought. And e-mails are smart. They don't require a postcard or envelope with postage to get more information--you just click "reply." Or in many cases, click on the "hot link" direct to the e-mailer's Web site.

Look, here's the deal. Spam is the "junk mail" of a few years ago. There is still "junk" mail, although I prefer to think of it as marketing mail--searching for new customers and reinvigorating established clients. My spam is important to me. In this new age of the Internet, I need the information and opportunities that e-mail marketing provides. The Internet is a new marketing channel, an information research assistant, and a replacement for some of those mail-order catalogs I used to request. And man, the response time!

The courts and the Federal Trade Commission long ago thrashed out the framework for people taking their name off mailing lists by using the Direct Marketing Association-maintained "opt out" list. Mailers run their list through the DMA and matches are culled for each person from that list. People don't get what they don't want. But did you know that many of the people on the DMA file have requested catalogs or information by direct mail within a few months of their "opt out?" Why? Because we have grown used to getting information this way. If we need to, we can do the same thing using the DMA, or the Internet Advertising Bureau, or another industry trade group.

So, what's the big deal about spam? I think a few well-meaning but uninformed politicians and advocacy groups have decided what's good for us, and in their zeal, they are trying to establish a new and unwarranted benchmark for the marketing channel we call the Internet, and for one of its components: e-mail.
We really have to fight this intrusion. E-mail is no less commercial speech than other forms of communication; e-mail is a new and--in some cases--a better way of quickly identifying, qualifying and servicing customers. Large catalog marketers are pleased with the growing percentage of Internet-driven business, and they use e-mail to offer specials and other information potentially valuable to their customers, at less expense than mail-only contact programs.

Not everybody has an e-mail address or access to the Internet: Approximately 70 million U.S. households have computers, out of 120 million total, but not all of the 70 million have access to the internet or e-mail. Most businesses do have Internet and e-mail. There are some e-mails I get that I don't want or appreciate: pornography, two credit card offers every day (give me a break!), and some others. But you know what I do?

Hit delete. I hit delete, and I'm free. As for the rest of my spam: Keep it coming!

about the writer
Barry Dennis is president of Netweb, an Internet and offline marketing and public relations agency.

the day the secret Kazaa/Brilliant network came to life is the day that this worm gets let loose.

CNET version of the same article.

Am I crazy or what? I love spam!

In the ancient, pre-Internet days, I used to get all kinds of mail in my U.S. Postal Service mailbox. The mail had stamps on it; later on it had imprinted postmarks of one kind or another. I was in the direct-marketing and mail-order business, so I used my name and address as a quality-control measure, just to see how long the mail would take to actually arrive at my house.

As you can imagine, my name found its way to many different lists of one type or another, and I got lots of mail.

Depending on the perspective of the recipient, it was called "junk mail" or "file 13 candidates," or "recyclable materials." Individual pieces included catalogs of every type and description, magazine and book club offers, resort vacation packages and credit cards. Can you believe it? Offering me, an entrepreneur, a credit card? Had they lost their minds?

And I loved it.

I loved reading the offers; I learned things and I even bought some things. They say the easiest sale is to a salesperson, and maybe that's true. But I was a tough customer. I only bought what I needed, or in some cases what I wanted, because they convinced me with good copy, attractive product art and presentation, and with offers backed by a guarantee. They convinced me I had made a great decision. They were (and still are) reaching out to satisfy my needs as their research indicated.

Now, in addition to my mail at home and at the office, I get e-mails. Lots of e-mails. And for the most part, I love them. They tell me about things I'm interested in, such as services and products that might satisfy some of my needs. They provide information referrals, ideas and food for thought.

And e-mails are smart. They don't require a postcard or envelope with postage to get more information--you just click "reply." Or in many cases, click on the "hot link" direct to the e-mailer's Web site.

Look, here's the deal.

Spam is the "junk mail" of a few years ago. There is still "junk" mail, although I prefer to think of it as marketing mail--searching for new customers and reinvigorating established clients. My spam is important to me. In this new age of the Internet, I need the information and opportunities that e-mail marketing provides. The Internet is a new marketing channel, an information research assistant, and a replacement for some of those mail-order catalogs I used to request. And man, the response time!

The courts and the Federal Trade Commission long ago thrashed out the framework for people taking their name off mailing lists by using the Direct Marketing Association-maintained "opt out" list. Mailers run their list through the DMA and matches are culled for each person from that list.

People don't get what they don't want. But did you know that many of the people on the DMA file have requested catalogs or information by direct mail within a few months of their "opt out?"

Why?

Because we have grown used to getting information this way. If we need to, we can do the same thing using the DMA, or the Internet Advertising Bureau, or another industry trade group.

So, what's the big deal about spam? I think a few well-meaning but uninformed politicians and advocacy groups have decided what's good for us, and in their zeal, they are trying to establish a new and unwarranted benchmark for the marketing channel we call the Internet, and for one of its components: e-mail.

We really have to fight this intrusion. E-mail is no less commercial speech than other forms of communication; e-mail is a new and--in some cases--a better way of quickly identifying, qualifying and servicing customers. Large catalog marketers are pleased with the growing percentage of Internet-driven business, and they use e-mail to offer specials and other information potentially valuable to their customers, at less expense than mail-only contact programs.

Not everybody has an e-mail address or access to the Internet: Approximately 70 million U.S. households have computers, out of 120 million total, but not all of the 70 million have access to the internet or e-mail. Most businesses do have Internet and e-mail. There are some e-mails I get that I don't want or appreciate: pornography, two credit card offers every day (give me a break!), and some others. But you know what I do?

Hit delete.

I hit delete, and I'm free. As for the rest of my spam: Keep it coming!

Can be found here

For those looking for this story, it is posted on the IBM Research website. There are also news stories on the NY Times and C|Net.

A bit more to say about it

Besides, straight from Zdnet: "However, the software giant's profits are expected to fall about 9 percent from a year earlier even though revenues have risen, due to sales of more lower-margin products and heavy marketing expenses on new products like the Xbox video game console, analysts said."

-- Dyslexics of the world untie!

It's the outgoing that's the problem, not incoming.

If I want to prevent outgoing ftp from my system, I block port 21. I block port 25 from all IP addresses but my email server, and I no longer have to worry about unauthorized email servers, or MicroSoft viruses emailing directly out to the internet. MicroSoft finds it difficult to work with ports, and wants to get rid of them. Remember the story about MicroSoft calling HTTP the cockroach of the internet?!?

HTTP and port 80 are fine, unless you want to use it as an RPC mechanism. And with MicroSoft's track record for security, I really do not want them replacing my security mechanisms.

Microsoft and Sony will use their cash to push Nintendo out of the hardware market.

From CNET Article: "Nintendo, which launched GameCube last November, has shipped more than 4.5 million systems worldwide."

Oh yeah they're gonna get pushed right out with numbers like that! And don't forget, as others have said, Nintendo has Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, and Gameboy. They ain't goin' nowhere!

Looks like they won't have that same chance next year. EA doesn't take kindly to Microsoft's bully tactics and won't be releasing Madden 2003 with network support.

Michaels statement is very on topic for this story. EA has already said they don't like Microsoft's need for control and won't realease Madden 2003 with online support for the Xbox.

MS is going to have to learn how to cooperate in the console area, they don't have the stranglehold they have in other markets.

Speaking of cool keyboards, how bout those virtual keyboards on zdnet and elsewhere. They project keyboards on any surface and use cameras to sense where your fingers are. Msn story with a photo. Different model at ananova. I know there's no tactile feedback, but think of the compactness.

The measure is designed to increase Internet privacy by limiting how businesses can use phone numbers and purchase records and other data collected through their Web sites. Online businesses would be required to get customer permission before collecting or sharing sensitive personal information such as income level or religious affiliation.

In the House of Representatives, Florida RepublicanStearns' bill would not allow consumers to sue if their privacy is violated.

In the House of Representatives, Florida Republican Rep. Cliff Stearns has introduced a bill that would allow businesses to trade personal information unless consumers say otherwise. Stearns' bill would not allow consumers to sue if their privacy is violated.

hollings' bill still allows consumers the right to sue companies for misuse of their private information