The Yahoo article seems to talk about patenting the gene sequence fragment used to detect the sequence in a human. The company that isolated that gene sequence wants patent protection so they can sell the test without competition from another company that reads the patent to generate a similar test without the R&D costs. This sounds similar to Drugs vs Generic Drugs.
I think they can patent their test, but not the genes they are looking for. If they do have a patent on the gene sequence, then can't they do a cease and desist on all humans with that sequence of genes? Doesn't make sense to me. Of course, if there is a generic test that can look for any gene sequence, then that test can't be patented either. e.g. Invent a device that can look for any sequence, enter the sequence GATTACA = some specific disease. Oops, you're not allowed to look for that sequence because it's patented by XYZ Corp.
So, how do you protect an initial company's R&D investment (finding that sequence of genes)? Should it just be kept secret until they find a therapy or drug or test? If the tests are easy to replicate, then there's no first mover advantage and the drug company has to keep the gene sequence a secret and sell tests without a patent and just say "Trust Us" without peer review.
If another company independently finds the same sequence, then shouldn't they be allowed to use that sequence? I think Yes.
But how do you know if they found the sequence themselves or reverse engineered a competitor's test?
I couldn't find the video, otherwise I'd put the link here, but a few months ago, I saw a video by 3 customers of Groupon: scuba dive shop, steak restaurant, and cupcake shop. Basically, Groupon takes 50% of the coupon value. So, if a merchant gives 50% off retail on the coupon, they only get 25% of retail. The cupcake shop experienced the same thing as this baker, but revised his idea of what Groupon is and is using it successfully. He now thinks Groupon is marketing with associated costs and just budgets accordingly. He also put some stipulations on the coupon: 1. No choice of flavors, you get what he has in stock and they choose what you get. 2. You must notify him advance (2 days), if you have a big order.
I just don't understand why Groupon doesn't set expectations properly with their merchants. When these bad things happen, all 3 (Groupon, Merchant, Customers) lose. Groupon loses follow-on business from the Merchant. Merchant gets overwhelmed and a bad reputation. Customers get a bad product or experience. If Groupon sets the expectations properly, I don't see why all three can't have a good experience. I assume the Groupon sales people are just pushing volume and don't have any training. But it should make sense that by setting expectations properly and coaching the Merchants, that Groupon would have follow-on business from the Merchant -- a much better business model than pushing a one-shot coupon.
There are no more incandescent light bulb factories in the US. This is another way to keep jobs in China. Hello Congress. WTF. Let's save energy and save the environment at the same time.
1. Odd that during political races, (4) is fair game. Political opponents dig up dirt and sling it. 2. Convicted sexual predators and their locations are put on government websites. Here, (4) seems like fair game too.
So, I guess the key word is "unfair" consequences which is a judgment call -- and thus up to the jury.
People forget that repeated tries to login with random passwords will raise a red flag. Stealing the password and using it to get in without failures can be done without being flagged.
If you read the article, the 90% drop is after requiring registration for the free service. That's not a paywall. It's a free-registration-wall. Only 15,000 are paying.
"1.2 million daily unique users" "150,000 users registered for access to the Times and Sunday Times while they were free, with 15,000 apparently agreeing to pay money." 15k/1.2M = 1.25%
From the article: "List of potential routes:
California corridor : Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego"
Just last year, CA voted and passed a proposition for a high speed rail. It looks like this is just a way of shifting the cost to the Fed. I bet the other high-speed rail lines are also planned routes by regional governments. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_High_Speed_Rail
From the Researchers at HP Palo Alto article: 'Their rather depressing finding is that "the more frequently an individual uploads content the less likely it is that it will reach a success threshold."'
I would think the die-off in popularity is the same phenomenon as Hollywood making sequels that aren't as good as the original than due to the dilution of brand. For example: Rocky, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars. In all those cases, success = bigger budget for the sequels and slicker movie, but better movie? Rarely.
I doubt that farmer has trademarked simpledog. But you might as well check the US Patent and Trademark office first.
Go here to search for existing registered trademarks:
http://www.uspto.gov/main/profiles/acadres.htm
Trademarks aren't the same as copyright. You must register your trademark with the US Gov.
Obviously they're trying to solve a problem the Commie Mutant Traitor way:
Greetings Citizen, the Computer has gotten complaints about people lying online. Please prove who you are.
Hello Computer, I'm glad to comply. How do I do that?
Please turn on your webcam and show your ID.
I don't have a webcam.
That is not acceptable. All citizens are required to have a webcam.
Err, mine is broken.
Citizen, please report to the nearest disintegration chamber.
Sounds like the guy didn't bother to pay for a good lawyer. Also, couldn't he have offerred to buy a years worth of coffee from the shop and have them drop the charges or plead on his behalf? If I were him, I'd fight this all the way up to the Supreme Court. It'll probably cost a $1 million in lawyer fees, but it's the principle of the thing.:-)
Michigan Cops have nothing to do. Why didn't he just give the guy a warning after he figured out it was a felony instead of arresting the guy? Can you imagine 3 strikes you're out (in California)? I'm sorry, bud, but we got a warrant on your laptop and you're under arrest for 20 counts of unauthorized access of wi-fi, that's 20 felonies, you're facing minimum prison time in a State Prison with rapists, murderers, and drug dealers.
Coffee shop owner didn't care. "Oh, you mean it's illegal? I guess he should have come in for a coffee." e.g. she thought it was ok. See someone's previous comment about using a premises bathroom without paying.
Let's see...
Fire Swamp (underground nukes, check)
Cliffs of Insanity (been there, check)
Pit of Despair (in basement, check)
Rodents of Unusual Size (... check)
The push to develop environmentally friendly cars is also an attempt by GM to distance itself from its close association with gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles, a reputation executives say has hampered its sales in some markets.
So, it looks like a half-hearted PR move to just sell more mid and small sized cars by changing their image an eco-friendly car company. If they really wanted to do this for real, they could have brought back the ev1 today vs an announcement for a car several years in the future.
US Passports have a 10 year expiration date. 10 years from now, they'll probably require the RFID in all passports. Any non-RFID passports will probably be considered invalid after that date. So, this is just an interm period where passports with and without are considered valid. Just your normal upgrade period.:-)
using an optical concentrator, sunlight intensity can be increased, squeezing more electricity out of a single solar cell.
In 1994, DOE's National Renewable Energy laboratory broke the 30 percent barrier, which attracted interest from the space industry. Most satellites today use these multi-junction cells.
So, what? It is now 40.7% vs 30% (12 years ago). It is obvious from the article that it requires special and expensive solar cells and an optical concentrator and probably some sort of motorized assembly to keep it focused.
Nothing new. It's not one of those cheap 12% solar panels you put on your roof. Not a revolution at all.
I'm single and left my job for a year-long consulting position and after shopping around I settled with a high deductable PPO. I was not worried about the $2500 deductable since I was getting paid a fair amount. I was more worried about catastrophic illness that would require a hospital stay or surgery. This plan covered up to $5 million dollars.
I rarely see the doctor and I only needed a safety net just in case.
Cost was about $130/month. Cobra would have been about $300/month. I kept my dental Cobra because it was a better plan than what BlueCross offered.
There were two choices. 1. Short-term temporary insurance you can renew every 6 months, but you can renew only once - which was cheaper (2 million cap). 2. Long-term insurance, month to month which is what I picked (5 million cap).
The difference (according to the insurance broker), was that if you get sick on the short-term insurance, they can refuse to renew at the end of the term.
I'm in California, so there is a law about pre-existing conditions where the insurance company must cover it if you get insurance within a certain time period. So, don't decline the Cobra insurance until you get the new insurance. Cobra lets you signup retroactively for at least a month after termination, so you can decide to get Cobra if the new insurance declines coverage. The insurance company granted coverage within 2 days of my online application with a 25% premium over their advertised rates for a minor existing condition.
As for your wife, I would try to get the new coverage first and if they decline coverage, go the Cobra route. Since you know she'll be giving birth, you might be better off going for a lower deductable or an HMO. Also you'll need to get health insurance for the baby.
Some of his blanket statements are pro-MS foo
on
In Search of Stupidity
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
Most recently, when Microsoft found itself behind the 8-ball and lacking a browser, Internet Explorer was quickly developed and in time, surpassed the capability of Netscape Navigator. By 1998, most reviews were giving IE a higher rating than Navigator. Of course, Microsoft has more cash and developers than Netscape, but that alone was not what doomed them.
I worked at Netscape and I can tell you exactly what happened. Latest versions of the Netscape Browser was free to download, but companies and organizations (e.g. gov't) had to buy licenses. When MS launched ie, they gave it away for free and it put a price pressure on Netscape when it went to re/negotiate licenses. Customers would say, "Your browser is better than ie, but their's is free, we can't pay you as much as you want, we'll only pay x." After ie launched, though obviously inferior, it cut Netscape's income by 50%. As each new version of ie was launched, the Netscape's income from the browser dropped, and eventually went to zero.
There was no income coming from the Browser, so Netscape focused on their server software, webservers, LDAP, etc. That is why browser development fell behind Microsoft's ie. Microsoft effectively killed Netscape's revenue stream from the browser.
And to say Netscape dropped the ball and was doomed by a port to Java and not by Microsoft seems like an incorrect analysis of what really happened. It was mostly the predatory behavior of Microsoft business practices which killed Netscape. This books looks like an analysis by an armchair quarterback (with very heavy leanings towards MS) instead of a well researched scholarly work.
Slashdot Mirror
They sent them "The Artist." :-)
Are they talkies at least?
The Yahoo article seems to talk about patenting the gene sequence fragment used to detect the sequence in a human. The company that isolated that gene sequence wants patent protection so they can sell the test without competition from another company that reads the patent to generate a similar test without the R&D costs. This sounds similar to Drugs vs Generic Drugs.
I think they can patent their test, but not the genes they are looking for. If they do have a patent on the gene sequence, then can't they do a cease and desist on all humans with that sequence of genes? Doesn't make sense to me. Of course, if there is a generic test that can look for any gene sequence, then that test can't be patented either. e.g. Invent a device that can look for any sequence, enter the sequence GATTACA = some specific disease. Oops, you're not allowed to look for that sequence because it's patented by XYZ Corp.
So, how do you protect an initial company's R&D investment (finding that sequence of genes)? Should it just be kept secret until they find a therapy or drug or test? If the tests are easy to replicate, then there's no first mover advantage and the drug company has to keep the gene sequence a secret and sell tests without a patent and just say "Trust Us" without peer review.
If another company independently finds the same sequence, then shouldn't they be allowed to use that sequence? I think Yes.
But how do you know if they found the sequence themselves or reverse engineered a competitor's test?
I couldn't find the video, otherwise I'd put the link here, but a few months ago, I saw a video by 3 customers of Groupon: scuba dive shop, steak restaurant, and cupcake shop. Basically, Groupon takes 50% of the coupon value. So, if a merchant gives 50% off retail on the coupon, they only get 25% of retail. The cupcake shop experienced the same thing as this baker, but revised his idea of what Groupon is and is using it successfully. He now thinks Groupon is marketing with associated costs and just budgets accordingly. He also put some stipulations on the coupon: 1. No choice of flavors, you get what he has in stock and they choose what you get. 2. You must notify him advance (2 days), if you have a big order.
I just don't understand why Groupon doesn't set expectations properly with their merchants. When these bad things happen, all 3 (Groupon, Merchant, Customers) lose. Groupon loses follow-on business from the Merchant. Merchant gets overwhelmed and a bad reputation. Customers get a bad product or experience. If Groupon sets the expectations properly, I don't see why all three can't have a good experience. I assume the Groupon sales people are just pushing volume and don't have any training. But it should make sense that by setting expectations properly and coaching the Merchants, that Groupon would have follow-on business from the Merchant -- a much better business model than pushing a one-shot coupon.
There are no more incandescent light bulb factories in the US. This is another way to keep jobs in China. Hello Congress. WTF. Let's save energy and save the environment at the same time.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/07/AR2010090706933.html
Now I get it. This works that same way as the Cone of Silence in Get Smart.
1. Odd that during political races, (4) is fair game. Political opponents dig up dirt and sling it.
2. Convicted sexual predators and their locations are put on government websites. Here, (4) seems like fair game too.
So, I guess the key word is "unfair" consequences which is a judgment call -- and thus up to the jury.
People forget that repeated tries to login with random passwords will raise a red flag. Stealing the password and using it to get in without failures can be done without being flagged.
If you read the article, the 90% drop is after requiring registration for the free service. That's not a paywall. It's a free-registration-wall. Only 15,000 are paying. "1.2 million daily unique users" "150,000 users registered for access to the Times and Sunday Times while they were free, with 15,000 apparently agreeing to pay money." 15k/1.2M = 1.25%
Sounds like a prank pulled by the 3 astronauts. I mean, it wasn't just a rock they found on the ground and gave to the Dutch, but petrified wood.
From the article: "List of potential routes: California corridor : Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego" Just last year, CA voted and passed a proposition for a high speed rail. It looks like this is just a way of shifting the cost to the Fed. I bet the other high-speed rail lines are also planned routes by regional governments. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_High_Speed_Rail
From the Researchers at HP Palo Alto article: 'Their rather depressing finding is that "the more frequently an individual uploads content the less likely it is that it will reach a success threshold."' I would think the die-off in popularity is the same phenomenon as Hollywood making sequels that aren't as good as the original than due to the dilution of brand. For example: Rocky, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars. In all those cases, success = bigger budget for the sequels and slicker movie, but better movie? Rarely.
I doubt that farmer has trademarked simpledog. But you might as well check the US Patent and Trademark office first. Go here to search for existing registered trademarks: http://www.uspto.gov/main/profiles/acadres.htm Trademarks aren't the same as copyright. You must register your trademark with the US Gov.
The article says it's a Chinese game company.
Obviously they're trying to solve a problem the Commie Mutant Traitor way:
Greetings Citizen, the Computer has gotten complaints about people lying online. Please prove who you are.
Hello Computer, I'm glad to comply. How do I do that?
Please turn on your webcam and show your ID.
I don't have a webcam.
That is not acceptable. All citizens are required to have a webcam.
Err, mine is broken.
Citizen, please report to the nearest disintegration chamber.
Sounds like the guy didn't bother to pay for a good lawyer. Also, couldn't he have offerred to buy a years worth of coffee from the shop and have them drop the charges or plead on his behalf? If I were him, I'd fight this all the way up to the Supreme Court. It'll probably cost a $1 million in lawyer fees, but it's the principle of the thing. :-)
Michigan Cops have nothing to do. Why didn't he just give the guy a warning after he figured out it was a felony instead of arresting the guy? Can you imagine 3 strikes you're out (in California)? I'm sorry, bud, but we got a warrant on your laptop and you're under arrest for 20 counts of unauthorized access of wi-fi, that's 20 felonies, you're facing minimum prison time in a State Prison with rapists, murderers, and drug dealers.
Coffee shop owner didn't care. "Oh, you mean it's illegal? I guess he should have come in for a coffee." e.g. she thought it was ok. See someone's previous comment about using a premises bathroom without paying.
Let's see... Fire Swamp (underground nukes, check) Cliffs of Insanity (been there, check) Pit of Despair (in basement, check) Rodents of Unusual Size (... check)
US Passports have a 10 year expiration date. 10 years from now, they'll probably require the RFID in all passports. Any non-RFID passports will probably be considered invalid after that date. So, this is just an interm period where passports with and without are considered valid. Just your normal upgrade period. :-)
So, what? It is now 40.7% vs 30% (12 years ago). It is obvious from the article that it requires special and expensive solar cells and an optical concentrator and probably some sort of motorized assembly to keep it focused.
Nothing new. It's not one of those cheap 12% solar panels you put on your roof. Not a revolution at all.
I'm single and left my job for a year-long consulting position and after shopping around I settled with a high deductable PPO. I was not worried about the $2500 deductable since I was getting paid a fair amount. I was more worried about catastrophic illness that would require a hospital stay or surgery. This plan covered up to $5 million dollars. I rarely see the doctor and I only needed a safety net just in case.
Cost was about $130/month. Cobra would have been about $300/month. I kept my dental Cobra because it was a better plan than what BlueCross offered.
There were two choices. 1. Short-term temporary insurance you can renew every 6 months, but you can renew only once - which was cheaper (2 million cap). 2. Long-term insurance, month to month which is what I picked (5 million cap).
The difference (according to the insurance broker), was that if you get sick on the short-term insurance, they can refuse to renew at the end of the term.
I'm in California, so there is a law about pre-existing conditions where the insurance company must cover it if you get insurance within a certain time period. So, don't decline the Cobra insurance until you get the new insurance. Cobra lets you signup retroactively for at least a month after termination, so you can decide to get Cobra if the new insurance declines coverage. The insurance company granted coverage within 2 days of my online application with a 25% premium over their advertised rates for a minor existing condition.
As for your wife, I would try to get the new coverage first and if they decline coverage, go the Cobra route. Since you know she'll be giving birth, you might be better off going for a lower deductable or an HMO. Also you'll need to get health insurance for the baby.
I worked at Netscape and I can tell you exactly what happened. Latest versions of the Netscape Browser was free to download, but companies and organizations (e.g. gov't) had to buy licenses. When MS launched ie, they gave it away for free and it put a price pressure on Netscape when it went to re/negotiate licenses. Customers would say, "Your browser is better than ie, but their's is free, we can't pay you as much as you want, we'll only pay x." After ie launched, though obviously inferior, it cut Netscape's income by 50%. As each new version of ie was launched, the Netscape's income from the browser dropped, and eventually went to zero.
There was no income coming from the Browser, so Netscape focused on their server software, webservers, LDAP, etc. That is why browser development fell behind Microsoft's ie. Microsoft effectively killed Netscape's revenue stream from the browser.
And to say Netscape dropped the ball and was doomed by a port to Java and not by Microsoft seems like an incorrect analysis of what really happened. It was mostly the predatory behavior of Microsoft business practices which killed Netscape. This books looks like an analysis by an armchair quarterback (with very heavy leanings towards MS) instead of a well researched scholarly work.
Ancient Astronauts teach Syrians secret nano-tube technology in 900 AD...