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Steve Jobs Patents "The Dock"

theodp writes "If you're a PC, you may be unfamiliar with The Dock, the bar of icons that sits at the bottom or side of a Mac and provides easy access to Apple applications. But don't count on it becoming a standard on the PC. On Tuesday, the USPTO awarded Apple — and inventor Steve Jobs — a patent for their User Interface for Providing Consolidation and Access, aka 'The Dock,' after a rather lengthy nine-year wait."

11 of 580 comments (clear)

  1. The worst part is by Shin-LaC · · Score: 5, Funny

    Inventors: Ording; Bas (Sunnyvale, CA), Jobs; Steven P. (Palo Alto, CA), Lindsay; Donald J. (Mountain View, CA)

    Since when does the comma take precedence over the semicolon? Normally, that would be read as a list of four items: Ording, Jobs Bas, Lindsay Steven P., and Donald J. The fact that such vile abuse of punctuation is standard as the USPTO is irrefutable proof that the entire institution is corrupt.

  2. Re:Oh.. you mean the Quick Start Bar? by Trent+Hawkins · · Score: 3, Funny

    You know, that area on the windows tool bar that gives you quick access to applications? Been there since Windows95 I think..

    ooh! can Microsoft patent the icon? How bout right click? Well, I'm sure everyone can agree that they can patent the "crash".

  3. Good! by pmontra · · Score: 5, Funny

    Good! That row of icons that I never liked will be relegated to the Apple desktop and won't clutter anymore the screens of any other OS :-)

  4. Re:Oh.. you mean the Quick Start Bar? by elrous0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Actually, I base all my purchasing decisions on what John Hodgman tells me. Though this has led me astray many, many times; I still trust his judgment. He is an expert, after all.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  5. LISTEN...some of you are not paying attention by somethingwicked · · Score: 4, Funny

    Key pieces of this story:

    It's Apple.
    It's Jobs.

    It's therefore NOT eligible for scrutiny.

    Move along...

    --

    ---"What did I say that sounded like 'Tell me about your day?'"---

  6. So what if it's trivial? by tepples · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's an awfully trivial difference.

    Which is exactly what makes it patentable in the United States.

  7. o_0 by David+Gerard · · Score: 3, Funny

    Good Lord, Steve. Just patent PURE SHINY EVIL and be done with it.

    Authentic Apple iEvil! Not that ersatz Zune Evil, hahahahaha! Get only the best evil!

    --
    http://rocknerd.co.uk
  8. Re:CDE? by BlueStrat · · Score: 4, Funny

    PC. On Tuesday, the USPTO awarded Apple â" and inventor Steve Jobs â" a patent for their User Interface for Providing Consolidation and Access, aka 'The Dock', after a rather lengthy nine-year wait."

    Didn't everyone already have a dock 9 years ago ?

    Actually, I believe it's much longer ago than that. Otis Redding has prior art on that one.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzrXc68gNjQ

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(Sittin'_on)_the_Dock_of_the_Bay

    I know, I know, but what a great old song though. Just thought I'd add a little humor to a dry discussion and a little music to everyones' day. :)

    Cheers!

    Strat

    --
    Progressivism (aka US 'Liberalism'): Ideas so good they need a police/surveillance-state to enforce.
  9. Re:Oh.. you mean the Quick Start Bar? by 2nd+Post! · · Score: 3, Funny

    In my Dock there are little indicators that tell you if an app is running or not. Maybe you need glasses?

  10. Re:More like windows 3.1 by Culture20 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Ugh, I hated that Office toolbar, and how everyone would put it on the right side, hidden. Go to scroll on someone else's PC: Surprise! Office Toolbar! Go to the upper right hand to close an application: Surprise! Office Toolbar!

  11. Re:CDE? by spazdor · · Score: 5, Funny

    You're choice really.

    Why, you're right? I am choice!

    --
    DRM: Terminator crops for your mind!