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MS Asking Makers of 'Windows' Software To Rename
An anonymous reader writes "Today WebWereld is running a story (http://www.webwereld.nl/nieuws/13347.phtml) on Microsoft's attempts to stop other software makers from using 'Windows' in their names. Several software makers that are listed on the Lindows-list (http://www.lindows.com/lindows_home_list.php) have received a letter from Microsoft's lawyers. Basically Microsoft asks them to stop using the word 'Windows.' Windows Commander and Windows Spy have changed name as the result. Christian Ghisler (of Windows Commander) changed the name into Total Commander and Sureshot changed the name of Windows Spy into Farsighter.
Alexander Tchirkov of Windows Backup Wizard also received a letter from Microsoft, but he is not willing to change the name of his software, he tells WebWereld. 'I received a letter from attorneys Microsoft (SEED Intellectual Property Law Group) with the recommendation to change the program name into Backup Wizard for Windows(R).' Tchirkov says Windows is not a registered trademark in Russia."
The problem is that the word 'Windows' can be used for those transparent panes of glass. I suggest we rename them to "Gates Holes" as in The microsoft building has HUGE Gates Holes.
Joel "Windows" West
This reminds me of the case of MS against numerous local double-glazing companies (formerly known as 'Colorado Windows', 'Joe's Windows' and 'Windows Windows Windows').
The outcome of that case actually resulted in a proposal to Merriam-Webster to introduce a new alternative spelling of 'window' to 'whindow'. The M-W took up the offer as they like to change any words possible from British English for superiority reasons.. so now if you look it up, you'll see 'whindow' listed there.
mogorific carpentry experiments
If only Microsoft would send their lawyers after those WinFix spammers...
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Warning: Slashdot may contain traces of nuts.
These people have it coming! :-)
Try NetBSD... safe,straightforward,useful.
Well they say "hey look, there's a newsgroup called comp.windows.x - maybe someone can tell me how to use Outlook Express."
and Apple is any better with their Aqua based idesktop which lots of ipeople are switching to because it just iworks?
at least in the open source software we can kompletely get away from that ans use uber obfuscated names such as; QT, KDE, kalkulator, kalendar, and konrol panel to name just a few.
Who hasn't had this conversation in a modern workplace?
me.
Now would M$ add windex to the list?
;-)
I mean it is a windows product
Not windex, windex!
Posted by Hemos on Friday, November 29, @7:32PM
from the 500-pound-gorilla-named-Steve dept.
Clevername writes "It's not like we didn't see it coming. Micro$oft has apparently decided once again that all our Windows are belong to them. This time they're attempting to stop the use of the word Windows in all software packages but their own. This has affected such software packages as Total Commander (nee Windows Commander) and Farsighter (nee Windows Spy). When will the madness end? Another reader pointed us to this list of potential targets. Will I have to start getting Microsoft's prmission to rennovate my house?
( Read More... | 4 of 330 comments | Your Rights Online
Last post!
I think the article plainly answered this question when they said:
"Microsoft heeft diverse makers van software met in de naam 'Windows' gevraagd om een andere naam te kiezen."
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Abortions for some, minature American flags for others! - Kodos
A door is a door... Plural its "Doors"... A window is a window... Plural its ....Guess we have to rename that one don't we...
Hey buddy... Go over there and open those windowetts.
"Tchirkov says Windows is not a registered trademark in Russia."
Heh.. I hope he doesn't plan to ever come to the US :)
Burn the land and boil the sea, you can't take the sky from me
Because apparently dumbass newbie user who doesn't know how to use Outlook happens to know what usenet is...
and other news, somebody should register 'boot', 'clothing', 'mouse', 'monitor', 'vodka' , 'volume lever' & et c &etc &etc, and all other every day words.
As any avid /.er knows already, we can from here on out refer to any incarnation of Windows (software, automotive, or building portal) as a "security hole."
"Dear ___,
Please cease and desist the use of the phrase "security hole" as this is a registered trademark of the Microsoft corporation. As is well known throught the international community, we make the biggest and best security holes, and wouldn't want people to confuse your small, easily fixable holes with our more presigious, gaping security holes (heretofore refered to as "new features" and/or "Outlook") in all of our software products.
Thank you for your time.
Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies.
kYou gKnow, gI'm kGlad gMost kOpen gSource kDesktop gProgram kDevelopers gAre kPretty gOriginal kWhen gChoosing kTheir gProgram kNames.
Better make sure you're wearing an asbestos suit before asking that question...
If this stuff pisses everyone off, why doesn't everyone write to Microsoft instead of bitching on Slashdot? Bitching on Slashdot gets you nowhere.
Dear Microsoft.
Your product names are too ambiguios. Please change them now.
Signed,
Some angry slashdot reader.
That's what our emails look like to Microsoft. They could care less. At least on Slashdot we get karma points.
So what does the W stand for? :)
All major real estate agents in the US have received letters from Microsoft lawyers suggesting they replace all references to 'windows' with 'optical apertures'. So how many optical apertures are there in your bedroom?
I amd the recipient of one of these letters. Here's the deal:
I was told to stop using the term Windows(tm) in conjunction with my home improvement project. I was informed that now I have to call the items openings especially in the wall of a building for admission of light and air that is usually closed by casements or sashes containing transparent material (as glass) and capable of being opened and shut .
This has put a real crimp in my dealings with my contractor. They think I'm crazy for using such a long phrase when a common word would suffice.
Is that insane, or what?
So one day I was sitting in my home-[censored due to patent infringement], counting my [censored] when all of the sudden I read this story on Slashdot telling me that my science [censored] infringes on their intellectual property rights. Obviously Microsofts lawyers [censored] in finding new ways to annoy people.
...
This story is stupid on so many levels, but I can't think of an adequate [censored] to describe it
-- Jim
The RIAA rushed to the artists' defense and had this to say: "Bug off".
A court battle of unprecedented magnitude and length is expected to follow as the two Titans square off.
Elsewhere in the news ...
- a worldwide shortage of lawyers is forecast for the next 5 years for obvious reasons
- Webster's dictionary is bracing itself for a legal battle with Microsoft for including some definitions of the word "Windows" other than "An inexpensive and secure computer operating system from the philanthropic people at Microsoft (All praise Microsoft!) that should by law be the only operating system allowed on any computer".
- Home Depot has been requested by Microsoft stop advertising "We Sell Windows" and are evaluating a suggestion from Microsoft that they instead advertise "Well Sell Transparent or Semi-Transparent Glass Coverings for Holes Often Found In The Sides of Buildings and Other Structures That Usually Allow The Passage Of Some Degree Of Light"
Sigs are bad for your health.
When can we expect Y Windows to be released?
but I have a hard time seeing a judge buying it.
If the judge doesn't buy it, M$ will buy the judge.
He saw some dirty arabs and fired. Too bad it was just some friendly kurds, BBC reporters and his fellow cowboys.
When can we expect Y Windows to be released?
Don't we have it already? Everytime I see a Windows PC I ask myself "Y Windows?"
He saw some dirty arabs and fired. Too bad it was just some friendly kurds, BBC reporters and his fellow cowboys.
Also, if you are selling your house, you can no longer use the term Windows, you now have to call them "looking holes" or "those things made of glass"
my sig
According to the Jargon File [tuxedo.org], it was so named because it was the successor of an earlier window system called "W".
In the beginning there was 'B', then came from it 'C'. Followed by C++, which is technically 'D'(stemming from the ++ operator).
Unfortunately an infidel has broken the 'ye olde code of law' and mistified everyone with C#. How does C# follow? Is it from C? or is it from C++?
Rather, the infidel has created a bastard language after sipping some java!
That's not a joke. The window industry's trade association is called the National Fenestration Rating Council.
Hmm...Super Windows...sounds like good fodder
for a Simpsons episode.
*sigh* back to work...
selling some product called 'Hole in wall with glass'.
The English word 'Word', when capitalized, has been associated with Jesus Christ since at least the time of King James. I doubt that even Microsoft's attorneys are dumb enough to go there... The thought of ministers preaching that they are part of some kind of Satanic machinations in response should be sufficent to keep them from pulling that one.
[100% ISO 646 Compliant]
SVM, ERGO MONSTRO.
These people supported that proprietary platform and tied their fates to it and -- gosh, who would expect it? -- suddenly their, ahem, "partner" is trying to ram a pitchfork up their asses! Oh yes, bite the pain!.
Several years ago, Microsoft changed the license on their NT Workstation product so that it was only allowed to have a certain number of connections. Tim O'Reilly wrote a frustrated "open letter" whining about it, and it was funny the same way this story is. All that hard work that other companies put into legitimizing Microsoft's products, only to be stabbed in the back ... what a shame (*snicker*). Unfortunately, Microsoft caved in back then. I hope that by now they are arrogant enough to fight to the bitter end.
Few things give me as much pleasure as seeing Windows developers getting screwed by Microsoft. Oh, the crushed dreams, the shattered hopes and businesses, the shocked expression of pain and betrayal, ooh, is it getting warm in here?
As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.
... Fuck, i knew i should've refreshed the page before i posted that. I failed, i'm sorry. :/
Mistake "Microsoft Windows" -> Winclows
"Microsoft Winc" "lows "
And defenestration is the act of throwing someone or something out of a window. Usually because I've been thrown out of Windows by a BSOD.