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Slashback: MyCrowzOft, Inundation, Taxation

Tonight's Slashback brings updates on Microsoft's softened stance on MikeRoweSoft.com, good news on the thankfully exaggerated demise of Niue's wireless network, and an update on Windows 98's revised appointment with fate. Read on below for the details.

You have until April 15 ... quickenman writes "I used TurboTax for many years but used TaxCut last year (2002) after they Put C-Dilla spyware into the program. TaxCut worked well (it lacked 1 form I needed) but TurboTax seemed to be a little more user friendly. I publish several free internet newsletters, "Dr M's Computer Tip List" and also "Dr M's Computer Tips"and have told my subscribers that the link to eliminate that C-Dilla spyware is still available even though Intuit no longer lists it on their web site. Go to: support.turbotax.com/kb/ViewDocument.asp?do cumentId=491&categoryId=80068"

All publicity is probably good publicity ... for Mike Rowe. bwhaley writes "Microsoft has eased is reins after the an unexpected battle from teenager Mike Rowe in defense of his "trademark infringing" domain, mikerowesoft.com. According to a Reuters article, 'Microsoft has indicated it may have overreacted to the Web site' run by Microsoft's namesake. Thanks to this Slashdot story and lots of others like it, Mike Rowe may be able to keep his domain after all."

I doubt that Mike Rowe is Microsoft's namesake ;)

Niue free wi-fi is not gone freitasm writes "In a previous Slashdot article the author said "The world's first free national wireless grid is no longer with us, after waves from Cyclone Heta swept over Niue's thirty metre cliffs, destroying everything." This turned now not to be what actually happened there. It is now known that the The Niue Internet Users Society stored everything in water proof containers before the cyclone hit the island" "Most of the equipment survived," said IUS-N technical manager, Richard St. Clair. "That's because we stored it all in a water-tight metal shipping container before the cyclone hit." "Some WiFi antennas were lost," said Emani Lui, who originally installed and tuned the antennas for the WiFi service. "But many have now been repaired or replaced and are functioning normally." Since then Telecom New Zealand has restored communications with the island."

CosmacVIP writes "The .nu domain manager says anyone who wants to help should make donations to the New Zealand Red Cross's Pacific Cyclone Relief Fund (www.redcross.org.nz), instead of registering .nu domain names, so the aid will go directly to those who need it most."

All depends on whom you ask. Greedo writes "This article at Wired contradicts earlier news that HP was working on getting WMA support built into their branded iPod. "We're not going to be supporting WMA for now," said Muffi Ghadiali, product marketing manager for HP's digital entertainment products group. However, one analyst said that between now and summer, HP may come up with a way to convert WMA to AAC, or an equivalent technical fix. I guess we wait and see."

After that, if it breaks, you get both pieces. Ieshan writes "Microsoft has just decided to resume support for Windows 98 and apparently other product lines, as mentioned in this CNN article. Well, I guess it didn't die for long. They say customers in developing countries weren't made aware of the changes. I say they probably realized that people in developing countries couldn't afford to upgrade entire networks, and might pursue alternatives."

18 of 175 comments (clear)

  1. Domain names? by Quasar1999 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Mike Rowe gets to live? Yeah!!! :)

    Seriously, it's getting to the point where I wouldn't put it past microsoft to actually require a name change for guys like Mike in the next ten years... How blatantly wrong could they be? I'm surprised they didn't go after any website that had "Bob" in the name... cuz after all, that's a lot like their MS Bob...

    On the flipside though, how long before people start changing their names just so they can get domain names? I'm eyeing Natalie H. Gritts myself... sure I'm a guy... but the domain name, and the right to keep it would be priceless, and worth the ackwardness... :)

    --

    ---
    Programming is like sex... Make one mistake and support it the rest of your life.
    1. Re:Domain names? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny
      On the flipside though, how long before people start changing their names just so they can get domain names? I'm eyeing Natalie H. Gritts myself... sure I'm a guy... but the domain name, and the right to keep it would be priceless, and worth the ackwardness... :)

      Who is Natalie H. Gritts? You completely lost me there.
      Sincerely,
      Emma Soffass

      Visit my on-line trading and auction site at: http://Emma'sExchange.com !

    2. Re:Domain names? by scowling · · Score: 3, Funny

      If you knew sweet fuck all, you'd know that it's their trademark that they have to defend, and that copyright is not an issue in this story.

      --
      www.kitchengeek.com -- Nosh for
    3. Re:Domain names? by i.r.id10t · · Score: 4, Funny

      You think that's bad? Feel sorry for anyone with the initials S C O

      --
      Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos
    4. Re:Domain names? by XO · · Score: 2, Funny

      Well, you know what Melissa Gates said to her mother, after her wedding night...

      "Mother, now I know why he calls it.. Micro... soft."

      --
      "Champagne for my real friends - and real pain for my sham friends!" http://ericblade.postalboard.com/
  2. he really ought to change it by ch-chuck · · Score: 1, Funny

    Now that MicRo is famous he could give in and change it to buttheadedsoftwarearchitect.com

    --
    try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }
    1. Re:he really ought to change it by Bistronaut · · Score: 4, Funny

      If he did that, Microsoft really would have a case against him. Nobody's going to confuse microsoft with mikerowesoft, but buttheadedsoftwarearchitect is getting a bit too close.

    2. Re:he really ought to change it by wolrahnaes · · Score: 3, Funny

      So that's how the BSA got their name!!!

      --
      I used to get high on life, but I developed a tolerance. Now I need something stronger.
  3. Re:Amazing.. by XorNand · · Score: 1, Funny

    You must be new here (along with your mods). Elesewise you'd know what "Slashback" means.

    --
    Entrepreneur : (noun), French for "unemployed"
  4. OldSchoolNapster by OldSchoolNapster · · Score: 3, Funny

    This seems as good a time as any to introduce my new screename. Im not worried about being sued because old-school Napster never cared about copyrights.

  5. Would they sue me? by kaizenfury7 · · Score: 5, Funny

    If I registered the site called MyGrowsSoft.com and used it to sell Viagra?

    1. Re:Would they sue me? by jpmkm · · Score: 5, Funny

      minegoessoft.com might be a bit more appropriate, but it doesn't sound much like microsoft.com anymore.

  6. My Crows Oft... by hndrcks · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...spake 'nevermore'.

    (apologies to Edgar)

    --
    Everyone will start to cheer when you put on your sailin' shoes.
  7. Re:Windows ME support? by M.C.+Hampster · · Score: 3, Funny

    Interesting? Um, ok. Let me try.

    Um, I have this friend who used to date Linus Torvalds. One time, this friend was watching Linus install Linux and um, he was really frustrated and said "Man, this whole thing sucks! Why did I ever write it!". Seriously, and then Linus pulled out a crack pipe and started smoking.

    --
    Forget the whales - save the babies.
  8. Obligatory Twilight Zone quote by OneIsNotPrime · · Score: 5, Funny
    "Dr M's Computer Tip List" and also "Dr M's Computer Tips"

    Wait a sec... DRM's Computer Tip List? DRM's Computer Tips?

    Don't fall for it! IT'S A COOKBOOK! IT'S A COOKBOOK!

    --

    ---

    WARNING:Slashdot karma not redeemable in the afterlife.

  9. I'm screwed though... by Pirogoeth · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...as my real name is Vishu Al-Bazik...

    --
    Happiness is like peeing yourself. Everybody can see it but only you can feel its warmth.
  10. Re:Seriously, people by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    If you can possibly confuse MikeRoweSoft web design with Microsoft Corporation, you shouldn't be sucking oxygen.

  11. And McDonalds Corp.... by r_j_prahad · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...sued the head of clan McDonald, Lord Godfery MacDonald. He said: "McDonald is one the most famous names in the world. McDonald's everywhere must be furious at the way their name is being used."

    There's nothing more dangerous than a bored lawyer.