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Microsoft Steals Code From Microblogging Startup
Readers davidlougheed and TSHTF both let us know that microblogging service Plurk reported today that Microsoft China not only copied look and feel from its interface, but also copied raw code from Plurk's service, when it released its own microblogging service called MSN Juku (or Mclub). In instances of the code released on the Plurk blog, the layout, code structure, and variable names were very similar or in some cases 100% identical. The story has been covered in multiple media sources. The software theft is hypocritical, given Microsoft's past threats against Chinese software piracy."
That's why, when I copy source code I always change all variables, functions and classes to a, b, c, ...
Copyright immunity and job security all in one.
Yeah! If only there were links in the story where you could go and see that it is actually a blatant and shameful copy-and-paste job, instead of just complaining about the editors and not bothering to actually RTFA for yourself.... If only....
Chinese moderators.
I hate to be a grammar Nazi, but it seems you misspelled "OMG teh internetz is bringing me into contact with poeplz from outher coutnriez!"
I hate printers.
Wouldn't it be great if there was a large on line repository of knowledge that could be linked to when making broad claims and repeated insistence that a reader should "review history". That way you could make broad claims and actually link to the facts that you are referring to. We could call it the "World Wide Spider's Home" or something like that.
I hate printers.
Because in this instance, the theft is used to build something productive for anyone to use.
The verse: "and wouldn't you know that the right I granted you to petition me " is part of the lyrics from my latest hit "Petition me, my love".
You owe me $65.000.000 in copyright fees and damages to my artistic image.
"You're brainwashed!"
"No, you're brainwashed!"
etc.
Unity? Screw that: XFCE. Slashdot Beta? Screw that: SoylentNews. Australis? Screw that: Pale Moon. UX developers DIAF
But you can't STEAL code because duplication of a purely digital medium doesn't deprive anyone.
Wait, what's that you say? Oh yeah, I forgot it was Microsoft we were talking about for a minute there. Carry on.
Unity? Screw that: XFCE. Slashdot Beta? Screw that: SoylentNews. Australis? Screw that: Pale Moon. UX developers DIAF
*puts finger in ears and chants:
We've always been at war with Eastasia.
We've always been at war with Eastasia.
We've always been at war with Eastasia.
We've always been at war with Eastasia.
We've always been at war with Eastasia.
"linux is just DOS with a UNIX like syntax" -- Galactic Dominator (944134)
If that's the case, how do you define "free"?
How ever he is told to.
It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends on not understanding it.
My guess is that it will be revealed to have been Bill G himself. This whole philanthropy thing is a cloak for his obsession with stealing html and changing the style sheets. Isn't that essentially how the web was built?