If you want to check to make sure your child isn't abusing his freedom you can ask for a detailed bill and check the hours, and if he has been abusing his freedom you can then yank the phone until he has proven to be responsible enough, given that you have enough patience.
That's waaay too complicated. Prepay. He used it up, he won't send another one till the end of the month.
If you give them an unlimited resource, it's not abuse if they use it without limits.
It seems that the problem isn't only about budget, it's also about sleeping. Even if you limit the credits your child will still be able to stay awake at night texting to friends. Unfortunately there are no shortcuts to proper parenting.
I agree. Shielding your child from reality makes them unprepared for it. By doing so you're doing your child absolutely no favor. They rely on you to teach them the world and how to get by in it. Of course I'm not saying you should teach your kids how to declare taxes at the age of 8, but as soon as you know they'd understand it you should. The same goes with sex ed, cooking, budgeting, etc. Even the horrors in life should be taught to them. If they know about the horrors and how to handle them there's a chance that the mountains become mowhills, giving them a higher chance to live a less troublesome life. You teach them budgeting = less chance of debt. You teach them cooking = less change of diseases due to poor diet. You teach them sex ed = less chance of unwanted pregancy and STDs. And before anyone jumps to the sex ed thing. Just because it's taught in school it doesn't mean they learn it. It's your responsibility as a parent to see to that they do, and in a proper way. Parents whom rely on school to be their kids primary teachers of life aren't parents, but rather guardians. There's nothing more sad, if you ask me.
These things are always ridiculous. Kids, just as adults, aren't all equally responsible. If you teach your kid how responsibility rewards itself with extended freedom there's no need to yank the phone after dark. If you want to check to make sure your child isn't abusing his freedom you can ask for a detailed bill and check the hours, and if he has been abusing his freedom you can then yank the phone until he has proven to be responsible enough, given that you have enough patience. If you don't then probably you shouldn't be a parent in the first place.
The fundamental aspect of the Wikipedia concept was the fact that there wasn't a bureaucratic layer between your information and the world.
Grow a pair, Mr Wales.
Well as always when something is public there's a bunch of people sabotaging it and another bunch of people manipulating it to their personal gain. I'm sorry but I fail to see how the current wikipedia structure is going to save me from bullshit. Much like anything in life supervising isn't bad by default, as long as you have a supervisor dedicated to have the best end result, and to deliver the information intact rather than his/her view of it -- that would be journalism, and we don't want any of that.
How long until Google or someone else hacks around this?
Given how often Microsoft updates IE for major changes *cough*, I'd say this won't be a problem, no.
IE 7 did minor but important changes, and IE 8 is something like an exception. Otherwise I think the lastr major engine/standards update was with, uh, IE 4?
IE 8 is MS trying desperately to hang on when browser benchmarking is this moments hot topic, with the competing browsers pushing new version with higher and higher benchmark scores. They have never release a follow-up browser so quickly before. There's nothing new and of value in IE 8 that hasn't already been seen in other browsers. What goes for IE 7, well let's be honest here, it can't be compared to IE 6 as calling IE 6 a browser should be prohibited by law.
Troll? That's just being fucking ignorant. Someone mod the guy back up. TPB might not be the best resource for Linux distros, but it is still a popular site and the torrents holding distros are more often seeded. Take Ubuntu for example. The torrent has 103 seeders, that's not bad at all.
The mouse is a superior controller for anything that involves aiming (FPS) or pointing (RTS). The PC can have superior graphics to any console (at the price of a $300 GPU). That said, PC gamers still aren't justified in claiming the overall superiority of their platform because certain types of controllers aren't really there for PC gaming yet.
If one of the major game publishers (EA or Valve?) were to start selling Bluetooth-enabled motion sensor style controllers, and supporting them on multiple titles, we really could see PC gaming become superior to console gaming in all categories (except price, of course).
I don't know, I'm still waiting for the worlds first touchscreen adapted RTS. I think a touchscreen would be far better, especially for quick screen wise scattered operations. However I'm talking about proper touchscreens with nanosecond delay and low friction surface, not any of that iPhone bullshit.
This is common practice among patent trolls. Often they will even acquire defunct product designs (cheaply) from other companies just so that they can say "see, we make a product that uses this IP". But if you scratch just past the surface you will see there is really no intention of selling that product. Case in point, you can't actually download this supposed product and there is no pricing information. They don't have a sales team, they don't issue press releases, the don't try in any way to market the product, it's all a facade.
Wait a second, you're babbling about "common practice among patent trolls" and this is somehow supposed to prove that this is the case? You're just speculating! There's no substance what-so-ever in none of your claims, and you have the guts to call me gullible because you're guessing!?
Case in point, you can't actually download anything because it's proprietary software, but you can request a demo. You're full of shit and obviously you have never been involved in B2B sales. There's no price list in B2B and the procedures are very different from B2C. B2B is all about haggling, custom contracts and legal issues. Also this list shows their current customers, which proves that there is a sales department.
I don't usually feed the trolls you're one of a kind, because you sneak in a one line comment trying to be "above it" while failing so horribly, without even realising that you're the gullible one for instantly assuming that it's a patent troll case. All (and I mean ALL) evidence point to the fact that it is a legit business and your word isn't worth shit. Now troll somewhere else.
I read somewhere the average bill only lasts 12-18 months in constant circulation (can't cite source, so take this with a grain of salt). Of course there's still cross contamination, I'm just pointing out that our nation's currency supply is not a closed system.
Oh absolutely not, which is probably why it isn't closer to 99%.
I did and it was retarded. However in my defense English isn't my native language and I speak 4 other languages as well. Shit is bound to get mixed up at occasions. I would have reviewed the post but I was in a hurry to leave work. It was two minutes past six already. True story.;-)
Scientists have found that up to 90% of US paper money has some cocaine contamination, up from the 67% mark measured two years ago.
The contamination "spreading" is solely due to clean bills getting in contact with contaminated bills. 90% of the US dollars have not been used to sniff cocaine. If 67% were contaminated two years ago it is only logical that in time the rest would be bound to become contaminated as well, even if cocaine had seized to exist completely.
I find it ironic that product is designed to work with Word. I can see why they would want to sue though, seeing as how MS just bundled in software that removes the need for their add on. From what I've read, the patent is on something which strips the raw text from the surrounding tags -- meaning I can call "open" on a file stream in C++, read in the data as a string, all without worrying about the tags (because the tags are logically separated already in a different location.) Eitherway, I'm not a fan of copyright, no matter who's getting f'd'n'the'a. (Though, for the record, this is Slashdot -- everyone hates MS. But they hate patent trolls more, hence the response.)
I agree with you completely. It is ridiculous, but so are MS patents, and so are the rest of the existing software patents. Ridiculous or not they are still valid, and I see no reason why MS can defend their patents and others cannot. To me it seems that people just assume that it's a patent troll simply because it's a lawsuit against MS (who god forbid would never do such a thing). I'm not bashing MS in particular, I've said this before and I'll be happy to say it a thousand times more but luckily HTTP saves me the trouble.
you can't be serious. an XML authoring tool? there were tons of such tools a decade ago.
Please understand my point of view. I'm not saying that this is right nor wrong. If you ask me software patents are one of the most worthless products of mankind. However in the current system I don't see why some should be allowed to file suit, and other not. I don't see why MS should be allowed to hold ridiculous patents and others shouldn't. So don't try to convince me that such patents are idiotic, for you are only preaching to the choir. However I don't see any other way to have this changed other than if the situation would become so absurd that the corporations themselves push for removal of software patents, or at least a serious reform of it. Corporates are very easy to figure out you see: if it means profit, they want it. As long as software patents mean profit no corporation is going to push for a reform, so the only way to have this reform is to play by their own rules and change that simple fact, by making patenting a source of loss.
Well how about the fact that the company is in Canada and the lawsuit is taking place in Texas. You gotta be kidding, you seriously think this is legit? This company is a parasite. Even its "product" is just some crapware which plugs into word and it's suspect that there is even a product, it looks like they made that page simply for the court case.
First of all, what difference does it make if the company HQ is based in Canada or not? Secondly these are all your assumptions, and you have no data nor proof backing up your theories. With all due respect brother, your assumptions are useless to me and all others whom demand empirical data. Right now you're just trolling, and using words such as "parasite" in such rhetorical manner is not going to help your case.
This seems to be a product which is related to this patent. I don't know, slashdotters seem to be very quick to judge on the behalf of MS, claiming that i4i are patent trolls. I haven't seen any proof that they are, and until I do I'll consider this suit valid. Ironically those just spewing the phrase "patent troll" without providing any proof nor data are what? That's right -- trolls themselves.
It sounds promising that we now have a "Pirate Party" in the UK who will stand up on copyright issues, but I suspect they'll take it too far. It makes sense to decrease the legislation that is heavily in favour of the company rather than the consumer (things like making it illegal to make personal backups or making fines for infringement hugely out of proportion) but if they get to complete freedom to pirate everything then they've taken it too far the other way and the economy will falter again.
People need the right to own what they've bought, but people don't need the right to own everything for free that's digital.
They're supposed to take it too far. Sweden was one of the first countries (if not the first, I'm not sure) to have a pirate party, nowadays with mandate in the European Parliament. The Swedish PP are very down to earth. They openly admit to not having a thorough agenda based on ideologies, such as the traditional party. However their intentions are not to win any election. Their intentions are to raise these questions, and force other parties to take a stance on them. The same year as the Swedish PP was formed many other parties officially took a stance on filesharing, privacy concerns and copyright/patenting. They are just as important for the societies of the modern world, as RMS is for FOSS. We all think RMS takes things a bit far sometimes, but you have to remember that there are far more "extremists" on the other end, those pushing for rights to more intellectual property and patenting. His function is absolutely necessary in order to land somewhere in the reasonable middle. Where producers and consumers get fair terms. Sadly people tend to think in black and white without realising the difference the pirate parties make without ever stepping a foot inside the parliament.
On the one side I am glad I can walk holding my head high and saying I have never ever broken my ethical and moral standards in the name of business.
Unfortunately the reality is this, whether you like it or not, and if holding your head high gets you through the night then so be it. But don't even for one second think that anybody who's doing business with you is thinking about anything else than himself. Not even the extended arm of a corporation, i.e. the salesman.
On the other hand it is scary that somebody doing business today is prepared to endorse such an statement in such a casual manner.
If nobody did, how else would you know about it? The terms aren't unfair. If you choose your morals over profit then it's your choice. Your morals differ from every person on this planet, including mine. What makes you think that I don't consider it fair? It's not really difficult to understand how capitalism works. If you choose to shut your eyes then it's fair game brother. I'll however keep mine open, and when possible insert another one in the back of my head.;-)
No I think it's much simpler than that. I think it's more about the teenage mentality of "well if everybody is doing it, so should I". 15 years ago we didn't hear about security breaches daily, such as we do now, and the scarcity of these cases separated and labeled the affected few as "careless". Today there are so many reports regarding so many businesses that it has become rather blase (/. hates stress). What's to be "marked" about when both the business left and right to me have had similar issues? Unfortunately teens don't tend to reflect too much when taking their decisions, and of course it's a really bad angle to view it from. It shouldn't get to reputation, what about the internal complications of having your system compromised? Surely this is the biggest concern. The reputation part must come after that, after someone decides to crash something that will cost you a lot to repair, if it's even possible to repair.
Microsoft's many things, but they're never a patent troll, so I'm not sure what you mean there beyond simple schadenfreude.
Look, it's a matter of trust. These silly patents obviously hold water so it's not a matter of "can" or "can't". I don't trust any corporation, not because I'm paranoid but because the whole point of trading is to gain as much profit as possible. All businesses, especially larger corporations, have one goal and that is profit. If Microsoft finds itself in a difficult position (obviously not today, but perhaps about in 10 or 20 years), you can be damn sure that they will do anything in order to regain profit. You can't blame a corporation for having this ultimate goal, it's their end purpose. But it doesn't mean you should trust them, or even encourage them. I myself work within a corporation, and anybody who has ever worked in business management knows these very simple rules of business. Morals are shit, cash is king.
If you ask me any patent holder is a potential troll. Sure they're all nice and friendly when things are going well, but when the shit hits the fan the tables will turn, it's that or bankruptcy (e.g. SCO). So you see it's not a matter of "if", it's a matter of "when". Again I'm not blaming anybody and I would have done the same thing, as would any person who knows the first thing about business. But I'm not [currently] in that position, I'm on the other end, the consumer end, so naturally I have different motives. My question to you is, in what way do you, as a consumer, benefit from their patents? Don't say lower prices because we both know that's complete and utter bullshit, at least not in MS position. So you see there are none. Then what is your motive? Is it because you enjoy their products? Well there's no shame in that, but why side with the seller? If you enjoy the product you naturally want it, and by the fundamental goals of trading you want it for as little cost as possible. In order to get this you have to show your sceptism. Is the price really fair? Are the terms fair? Am I bound to anything which will make it difficult or expense when something better and cheaper comes along? If you don't trust them they will eventually meet you in the middle (not necessarily you as an individual, this applies to groups and audiences as well, but with even more effect), as long as there's some profit for them. Naturally any business must generate profit, but for your sake it should be as low as possible. Why else would MS want to lower prices or improve terms and products? To keep you as a customer? They do that simply by gaining your trust, which you've already given away.
So next time you think: "would a business do that for profit?" you should first ask yourself:
A) Is it legal? B) Would it mean profit? (In this example it would perhaps not mean profit today, but remember that patents are valid much longer than one day)
If the answer is yes to both questions then the answer to your questions would be the same. That's how business works my friend.
People keep saying it's "almost ready" because there are practical and functional HUDs, but they all require this bulky machinery to be strapped to your head in a way that looks stupid.
Slashdot Mirror
If you want to check to make sure your child isn't abusing his freedom you can ask for a detailed bill and check the hours, and if he has been abusing his freedom you can then yank the phone until he has proven to be responsible enough, given that you have enough patience.
That's waaay too complicated. Prepay. He used it up, he won't send another one till the end of the month.
If you give them an unlimited resource, it's not abuse if they use it without limits.
It seems that the problem isn't only about budget, it's also about sleeping. Even if you limit the credits your child will still be able to stay awake at night texting to friends. Unfortunately there are no shortcuts to proper parenting.
I agree. Shielding your child from reality makes them unprepared for it. By doing so you're doing your child absolutely no favor. They rely on you to teach them the world and how to get by in it. Of course I'm not saying you should teach your kids how to declare taxes at the age of 8, but as soon as you know they'd understand it you should. The same goes with sex ed, cooking, budgeting, etc. Even the horrors in life should be taught to them. If they know about the horrors and how to handle them there's a chance that the mountains become mowhills, giving them a higher chance to live a less troublesome life. You teach them budgeting = less chance of debt. You teach them cooking = less change of diseases due to poor diet. You teach them sex ed = less chance of unwanted pregancy and STDs. And before anyone jumps to the sex ed thing. Just because it's taught in school it doesn't mean they learn it. It's your responsibility as a parent to see to that they do, and in a proper way. Parents whom rely on school to be their kids primary teachers of life aren't parents, but rather guardians. There's nothing more sad, if you ask me.
These things are always ridiculous. Kids, just as adults, aren't all equally responsible. If you teach your kid how responsibility rewards itself with extended freedom there's no need to yank the phone after dark. If you want to check to make sure your child isn't abusing his freedom you can ask for a detailed bill and check the hours, and if he has been abusing his freedom you can then yank the phone until he has proven to be responsible enough, given that you have enough patience. If you don't then probably you shouldn't be a parent in the first place.
The fundamental aspect of the Wikipedia concept was the fact that there wasn't a bureaucratic layer between your information and the world.
Grow a pair, Mr Wales.
Well as always when something is public there's a bunch of people sabotaging it and another bunch of people manipulating it to their personal gain. I'm sorry but I fail to see how the current wikipedia structure is going to save me from bullshit. Much like anything in life supervising isn't bad by default, as long as you have a supervisor dedicated to have the best end result, and to deliver the information intact rather than his/her view of it -- that would be journalism, and we don't want any of that.
How long until Google or someone else hacks around this?
Given how often Microsoft updates IE for major changes *cough*, I'd say this won't be a problem, no.
IE 7 did minor but important changes, and IE 8 is something like an exception. Otherwise I think the lastr major engine/standards update was with, uh, IE 4?
IE 8 is MS trying desperately to hang on when browser benchmarking is this moments hot topic, with the competing browsers pushing new version with higher and higher benchmark scores. They have never release a follow-up browser so quickly before. There's nothing new and of value in IE 8 that hasn't already been seen in other browsers. What goes for IE 7, well let's be honest here, it can't be compared to IE 6 as calling IE 6 a browser should be prohibited by law.
You call that irony? This is irony!
Troll? That's just being fucking ignorant. Someone mod the guy back up. TPB might not be the best resource for Linux distros, but it is still a popular site and the torrents holding distros are more often seeded. Take Ubuntu for example. The torrent has 103 seeders, that's not bad at all.
No but the interplanet is.
The mouse is a superior controller for anything that involves aiming (FPS) or pointing (RTS). The PC can have superior graphics to any console (at the price of a $300 GPU). That said, PC gamers still aren't justified in claiming the overall superiority of their platform because certain types of controllers aren't really there for PC gaming yet.
If one of the major game publishers (EA or Valve?) were to start selling Bluetooth-enabled motion sensor style controllers, and supporting them on multiple titles, we really could see PC gaming become superior to console gaming in all categories (except price, of course).
I don't know, I'm still waiting for the worlds first touchscreen adapted RTS. I think a touchscreen would be far better, especially for quick screen wise scattered operations. However I'm talking about proper touchscreens with nanosecond delay and low friction surface, not any of that iPhone bullshit.
This is common practice among patent trolls. Often they will even acquire defunct product designs (cheaply) from other companies just so that they can say "see, we make a product that uses this IP". But if you scratch just past the surface you will see there is really no intention of selling that product. Case in point, you can't actually download this supposed product and there is no pricing information. They don't have a sales team, they don't issue press releases, the don't try in any way to market the product, it's all a facade.
Wait a second, you're babbling about "common practice among patent trolls" and this is somehow supposed to prove that this is the case? You're just speculating! There's no substance what-so-ever in none of your claims, and you have the guts to call me gullible because you're guessing!?
Case in point, you can't actually download anything because it's proprietary software, but you can request a demo. You're full of shit and obviously you have never been involved in B2B sales. There's no price list in B2B and the procedures are very different from B2C. B2B is all about haggling, custom contracts and legal issues. Also this list shows their current customers, which proves that there is a sales department.
I don't usually feed the trolls you're one of a kind, because you sneak in a one line comment trying to be "above it" while failing so horribly, without even realising that you're the gullible one for instantly assuming that it's a patent troll case. All (and I mean ALL) evidence point to the fact that it is a legit business and your word isn't worth shit. Now troll somewhere else.
I read somewhere the average bill only lasts 12-18 months in constant circulation (can't cite source, so take this with a grain of salt). Of course there's still cross contamination, I'm just pointing out that our nation's currency supply is not a closed system.
Oh absolutely not, which is probably why it isn't closer to 99%.
Please elaborate.
I did and it was retarded. However in my defense English isn't my native language and I speak 4 other languages as well. Shit is bound to get mixed up at occasions. I would have reviewed the post but I was in a hurry to leave work. It was two minutes past six already. True story. ;-)
Scientists have found that up to 90% of US paper money has some cocaine contamination, up from the 67% mark measured two years ago.
The contamination "spreading" is solely due to clean bills getting in contact with contaminated bills. 90% of the US dollars have not been used to sniff cocaine. If 67% were contaminated two years ago it is only logical that in time the rest would be bound to become contaminated as well, even if cocaine had seized to exist completely.
I find it ironic that product is designed to work with Word. I can see why they would want to sue though, seeing as how MS just bundled in software that removes the need for their add on. From what I've read, the patent is on something which strips the raw text from the surrounding tags -- meaning I can call "open" on a file stream in C++, read in the data as a string, all without worrying about the tags (because the tags are logically separated already in a different location.) Eitherway, I'm not a fan of copyright, no matter who's getting f'd'n'the'a. (Though, for the record, this is Slashdot -- everyone hates MS. But they hate patent trolls more, hence the response.)
I agree with you completely. It is ridiculous, but so are MS patents, and so are the rest of the existing software patents. Ridiculous or not they are still valid, and I see no reason why MS can defend their patents and others cannot. To me it seems that people just assume that it's a patent troll simply because it's a lawsuit against MS (who god forbid would never do such a thing). I'm not bashing MS in particular, I've said this before and I'll be happy to say it a thousand times more but luckily HTTP saves me the trouble.
you can't be serious. an XML authoring tool? there were tons of such tools a decade ago.
Please understand my point of view. I'm not saying that this is right nor wrong. If you ask me software patents are one of the most worthless products of mankind. However in the current system I don't see why some should be allowed to file suit, and other not. I don't see why MS should be allowed to hold ridiculous patents and others shouldn't. So don't try to convince me that such patents are idiotic, for you are only preaching to the choir. However I don't see any other way to have this changed other than if the situation would become so absurd that the corporations themselves push for removal of software patents, or at least a serious reform of it. Corporates are very easy to figure out you see: if it means profit, they want it. As long as software patents mean profit no corporation is going to push for a reform, so the only way to have this reform is to play by their own rules and change that simple fact, by making patenting a source of loss.
Well how about the fact that the company is in Canada and the lawsuit is taking place in Texas. You gotta be kidding, you seriously think this is legit? This company is a parasite. Even its "product" is just some crapware which plugs into word and it's suspect that there is even a product, it looks like they made that page simply for the court case.
First of all, what difference does it make if the company HQ is based in Canada or not? Secondly these are all your assumptions, and you have no data nor proof backing up your theories. With all due respect brother, your assumptions are useless to me and all others whom demand empirical data. Right now you're just trolling, and using words such as "parasite" in such rhetorical manner is not going to help your case.
Does i4i have an implementation of their patent?
This seems to be a product which is related to this patent. I don't know, slashdotters seem to be very quick to judge on the behalf of MS, claiming that i4i are patent trolls. I haven't seen any proof that they are, and until I do I'll consider this suit valid. Ironically those just spewing the phrase "patent troll" without providing any proof nor data are what? That's right -- trolls themselves.
He wanted to google "$USER jury". Some people take it too far.
It sounds promising that we now have a "Pirate Party" in the UK who will stand up on copyright issues, but I suspect they'll take it too far. It makes sense to decrease the legislation that is heavily in favour of the company rather than the consumer (things like making it illegal to make personal backups or making fines for infringement hugely out of proportion) but if they get to complete freedom to pirate everything then they've taken it too far the other way and the economy will falter again.
People need the right to own what they've bought, but people don't need the right to own everything for free that's digital.
They're supposed to take it too far. Sweden was one of the first countries (if not the first, I'm not sure) to have a pirate party, nowadays with mandate in the European Parliament. The Swedish PP are very down to earth. They openly admit to not having a thorough agenda based on ideologies, such as the traditional party. However their intentions are not to win any election. Their intentions are to raise these questions, and force other parties to take a stance on them. The same year as the Swedish PP was formed many other parties officially took a stance on filesharing, privacy concerns and copyright/patenting. They are just as important for the societies of the modern world, as RMS is for FOSS. We all think RMS takes things a bit far sometimes, but you have to remember that there are far more "extremists" on the other end, those pushing for rights to more intellectual property and patenting. His function is absolutely necessary in order to land somewhere in the reasonable middle. Where producers and consumers get fair terms. Sadly people tend to think in black and white without realising the difference the pirate parties make without ever stepping a foot inside the parliament.
On the one side I am glad I can walk holding my head high and saying I have never ever broken my ethical and moral standards in the name of business.
Unfortunately the reality is this, whether you like it or not, and if holding your head high gets you through the night then so be it. But don't even for one second think that anybody who's doing business with you is thinking about anything else than himself. Not even the extended arm of a corporation, i.e. the salesman.
On the other hand it is scary that somebody doing business today is prepared to endorse such an statement in such a casual manner.
If nobody did, how else would you know about it? The terms aren't unfair. If you choose your morals over profit then it's your choice. Your morals differ from every person on this planet, including mine. What makes you think that I don't consider it fair? It's not really difficult to understand how capitalism works. If you choose to shut your eyes then it's fair game brother. I'll however keep mine open, and when possible insert another one in the back of my head. ;-)
No I think it's much simpler than that. I think it's more about the teenage mentality of "well if everybody is doing it, so should I". 15 years ago we didn't hear about security breaches daily, such as we do now, and the scarcity of these cases separated and labeled the affected few as "careless". Today there are so many reports regarding so many businesses that it has become rather blase (/. hates stress). What's to be "marked" about when both the business left and right to me have had similar issues? Unfortunately teens don't tend to reflect too much when taking their decisions, and of course it's a really bad angle to view it from. It shouldn't get to reputation, what about the internal complications of having your system compromised? Surely this is the biggest concern. The reputation part must come after that, after someone decides to crash something that will cost you a lot to repair, if it's even possible to repair.
Microsoft's many things, but they're never a patent troll, so I'm not sure what you mean there beyond simple schadenfreude.
Look, it's a matter of trust. These silly patents obviously hold water so it's not a matter of "can" or "can't". I don't trust any corporation, not because I'm paranoid but because the whole point of trading is to gain as much profit as possible. All businesses, especially larger corporations, have one goal and that is profit. If Microsoft finds itself in a difficult position (obviously not today, but perhaps about in 10 or 20 years), you can be damn sure that they will do anything in order to regain profit. You can't blame a corporation for having this ultimate goal, it's their end purpose. But it doesn't mean you should trust them, or even encourage them. I myself work within a corporation, and anybody who has ever worked in business management knows these very simple rules of business. Morals are shit, cash is king.
If you ask me any patent holder is a potential troll. Sure they're all nice and friendly when things are going well, but when the shit hits the fan the tables will turn, it's that or bankruptcy (e.g. SCO). So you see it's not a matter of "if", it's a matter of "when". Again I'm not blaming anybody and I would have done the same thing, as would any person who knows the first thing about business. But I'm not [currently] in that position, I'm on the other end, the consumer end, so naturally I have different motives. My question to you is, in what way do you, as a consumer, benefit from their patents? Don't say lower prices because we both know that's complete and utter bullshit, at least not in MS position. So you see there are none. Then what is your motive? Is it because you enjoy their products? Well there's no shame in that, but why side with the seller? If you enjoy the product you naturally want it, and by the fundamental goals of trading you want it for as little cost as possible. In order to get this you have to show your sceptism. Is the price really fair? Are the terms fair? Am I bound to anything which will make it difficult or expense when something better and cheaper comes along? If you don't trust them they will eventually meet you in the middle (not necessarily you as an individual, this applies to groups and audiences as well, but with even more effect), as long as there's some profit for them. Naturally any business must generate profit, but for your sake it should be as low as possible. Why else would MS want to lower prices or improve terms and products? To keep you as a customer? They do that simply by gaining your trust, which you've already given away.
So next time you think: "would a business do that for profit?" you should first ask yourself:
A) Is it legal?
B) Would it mean profit? (In this example it would perhaps not mean profit today, but remember that patents are valid much longer than one day)
If the answer is yes to both questions then the answer to your questions would be the same. That's how business works my friend.
And then people wonder why some fear OOXML.
People keep saying it's "almost ready" because there are practical and functional HUDs, but they all require this bulky machinery to be strapped to your head in a way that looks stupid.
This was almost ten years ago.