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TomTom Sues Microsoft For Patent Infringement
CWmike writes "GPS device maker TomTom has shot back at Microsoft with a claim of patent infringement, after the software giant raised concerns in the Linux community with a recent lawsuit against TomTom. In a suit filed earlier this week, TomTom alleges that Microsoft infringes on four patents in mapping software Microsoft Streets and Trips. TomTom is asking for triple damages for willful infringement, since it says it had notified Microsoft about its alleged infringement. Microsoft said it was reviewing TomTom's filing and that it remains committed to a licensing solution and has been for more than a year."
I'm an ex empeg guy, so I just wana say urrr... microsoft sucks. And america sucks. And joos suck. All my f**kups are because of them, not me. I'm perfect - my expensive public school education told me so.
Has MicroSoft done anything innovative since MS Office?
There are millions of things that MS has invented and continues to invent that no-one realises are innovative because they are the defacto standard and therefore, by definition, not innovative.
Vista is a bloated hunk of junk, but lets be honest, a lot of the gui improvements and ways of organizing and interacting with your apps are very innovative. Windows 7 even more so. You may not like it because you're an old fuddy duddy averse to change but trust you me in 10 years people will think XP is ridiculous and awkward to use.
What does linux innovate? Ubuntu (which I use) is just a copy of XP. The entire desktop metaphor with the specifics of the way the task bar works, that a start button exists, the fact that windows have a close/min/max buttons, etc. is because of MS. Have you seen linux windows managers before they all started copying MS-Windows, with their ridiculous right-clicking for main menus, weird drag and resizing capabilities, and plain ugliness - just awkward.
There are very few software-related innovations that weren't started by or influenced by MS. Some things are so well done and so natural that it seems "obvious" and un-innovative the way they were implemented - but that's exactly the best type of design. Nothing is obvious when you are staring at a blank screen trying to invent how everything fits together.
Keep in mind I use Ubuntu and love it - but I'm not against giving credit where it is due or knowing the shortcomings of my systems. And please don't start referencing how Xerox invented gui, or how some FOSS project in sweden invented the "close" button for windows, or how some dude in Japan thought of a "start menu". Its about putting it all together and choosing the right ideas to copy.
And some less abstract innovations:
- SQL Management Studio: best db gui
- Visual Studio: best complete integrated dev environment
- Surface: that computer table thinggy
P.S. I don't claim that MS does no wrong. I am just arguing one specific point.