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Microsoft Loses Appeal of "Vista-Capable" Lawsuit
bfwebster writes "Microsoft has lost its appeal to remove class-action status for the 'Vista Capable' lawsuit that has already resulted in some embarrassing internal e-mails being released publicly. As Computerworld reports, in its appeal to the US Ninth Circuit Court, Microsoft argued (among other things) that 'continuing the lawsuit might mean new disclosures of insider e-mails, which could "jeopardize Microsoft's goodwill" and "disrupt Microsoft's relationships with its business partners."' Given what's been released so far (158-page PDF), not to mention Microsoft's history of rather frank internal e-mails, that's probably putting it mildly. There could be some interesting reading ahead."
Microsoft's Goodwill? Everyone (including ISVs and OEMs) know how to work with Microsoft.
What's depressing is that a number of the execs complained about the Vista Capable thing too (Mike Nash being one of them, but there are others who didn't complain in their emails).
The Vista Capable debacle happened the exact same way both the Challenger and Columbia disasters happened; the only reason those with objections went with the majority decision was due to group suppression of judgment. Psychological conformity, essentially.
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Interesting how lawyers can put words together that are utterly meaningless.
Microsoft + Goodwill = ?
Those words can not be used in the same sentence in English.
Cheers
* Carthago Delenda Est *
I wonder, though, how much this will really cost.
Some of the machines that said "vista capable" were, some were barely capable. But they've been downplaying the minimum requirements forever. If you had a system with the minimum requirements for XP, it ran like a dog. Did people expect that buying something with the minimum requirements for Vista would generate better results?
In the end, I think some entertainment might come out of the trial, but the financial award will end up being little more than a slap on the wrist to Microsoft. Time will tell.
- Greg
Start a happiness pandemic
Who cares about the eventual outcome? I just want to read more of the damning stuff that gets uncovered in discovery, and clap my hands together with glee!
~Philly
As Computerworld reports, in its appeal to the US Ninth Circuit Court, Microsoft argued (among other things) that 'continuing the lawsuit might mean new disclosures of insider e-mails, which could "jeopardize Microsoft's goodwill" and "disrupt Microsoft's relationships with its business partners."'
Are they serious? "We're assholes, and we've been caught, and being caught being an asshole makes the world think you're an asshole, which would be bad for business. Therefore, we should not allow the courts to expose the fact that we're assholes. Our precious money stream relies on being able to be assholes without getting caught." I hope the judge hit their lawyer in the face with a shovel before saying, "denied."
Stop-Prism.org: Opt Out of Surveillance
With whom? OEM manufacturers who were forced to stuff the system with "MS recommended" additional "content" (read: adcrap)? Resellers who were browbeat to sell MS systems, and MS systems only, if they wanted to be able to offer competitive prices? Users who have been subjected to activation procedures and data collection machinations that make even some secret services blush?
Anyone still got MS in high esteem?
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
Are they planning on calling it "Duke Windows Forever?"
Good, inexpensive web hosting
quick reset it! thats the key give away that its not a windows machine >90% uptime.
IranAir Flight 655 never forget!
My business would be harmed by a lawsuit? DUH!
It reminds me of "Liar Liar":
Fletcher: Your honor, I object!
Judge: Why?
Fletcher: Because it's devastating to my case!
Judge: Overruled.
Fletcher: Good call!
I like freedom and competition. Freedom is about my being able to choose what I like and need based on real information about real option--not just the advertising propaganda. Competition creates those options. Together they work to drive progress and the evolution of better products.
Microsoft's idea is that I should only be free to choose some flavor of Microsoft, and Microsoft gets to tell me what me needs are and what the options are. Change? Only when Microsoft has bled the revenue stream dry. Evolution? Only if the better ideas outside of Microsoft are getting too much cursed publicity.
I see this as a philosophic deadlock. However, there is an easy solution. Chop Microsoft into four or five pieces. Give each of them a copy of the source and let them compete with each other (and with Linux and Apple and the rest of the current crop of dwarfs).
Freedom = (Meaningful - Coerced) Choice != (Speech | Beer^2), and sad sock puppets' bad mods avail them naught.
...has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down
"We live in a global world" - Harvey Pitt, former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman
I'm constantly amazed at peoples threshold for tolerating pain as long as they're told it won't hurt =)
So you're saying Microsoft is like the nurse who lies and says him/her taking some blood wont hurt, right before stabbing you with a massive needle and deliberately scraping the needle against the bone for 5 minutes only to tell you they couldn't find a vein and needs to try the other arm. You make some comment but ultimately you need a blood test to find out if the pound of flesh you had to give up to buy your 5Ghz Core4 PC with 24gig of ram barely able to run Vista has resulted in an infection of some kind.
I am a free slashdotter. I will not be modded, blogged, DRM'd, patented, podcasted or RFID'd. My life is my own.
Whitehouse/Government and just "lose" emails?:)
Don't get too excited the 9th Circuit court of appeals is the most often overturned court int he land. Maybe because they don't actually take the LAW into account when making their decisions. http://www.centerforindividualfreedom.org/legal/9th_circuit.htm
Some here might prefer "Nuke Windows Forever."
(Not me though, but it had to be said.)
All your base are belong to Wii.
So please, in the future put more care and thought into your trolling. Remember that you are walking the path blazed by such luminaries as the GNAA and that you stand beside such greats as the shit eater troll and the ASCII goatse guy. So in the future try to remember the greats that came before you along with your trolling peers and live up to their high standards. Thank you for your time and may you have a successful career trolling here at slashdot!
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.