I hate Microsoft as much as the next geek, but really, what do we expect from a company? Companies aim to make as much money as possible -- excluding not-for-profit & charitables -- so why should anyone be surprised that they do anything within their power to make their software as widespread as possible?
It seems to me that every time there is a posting about something else MS does, it's the same old stuff: they want more market share, just like everyone else. That's it, it should be expected by now.
Keep in mind that I am not excusing them for any unethical practices, just something that nags at me.
> The more abusive the Patent Office is in granting these absurd patents, the sooner the entire patent scheme will be abolished!
It'll be either that, or it'll become impossible to create any slightly-complex item you wish to sell without hiring a lawyer to make sure it doesn't break any patents.
> What, you don't mind skin-cancer prone laborers from the third world putting food on your table
What part of "I DON'T WANT THEM HERE" don't you understand? Do you have the ability to read? try it, it's fun. 1st of all, skin cancer doesn't have SHIT to do with this. And who said I don't mind them putting food on my table. I repeat: What part of "I DON'T WANT THEM HERE" don't you understand?
I don't want them doing anything for me. Then I don't owe anything to them.
> but when it comes to freedom of association, so much for the first amendment?
Are you a flamemonger, or are you truly this stupid? I didn't say that they shouldn't have the freedom of association, but they should NOT be given extra American rights when they shouldn't have the right to be here. They can form Unions in their own country to attempt to protect their rights there instead of jumping off a sinking ship just to overwhelm (& risk the future sinking of) another ship.
Hey, don't yell, I agree. Unless one lives in the largest few cities, or lives within a few blocks of their jobs, a car is a necessity. I drive 45 min to work every day, no way I'd survive without a car.
> I made 104$ and I get 95$ paycheck this past two weeks.
Nine bucks? While 10% is a pretty good percentage, about 20% of my paycheck is taken every week to pay taxes, etc.
I apologize for being blunt in the other post: it's easy for me to do that when I can't make eye contact with the person I am talking to. I guess that's why I don't do phone support. I also think I misunderstood what you were saying -- I thought you meant that you had $300 taken out of 1 pay and claimed you made crap money ($300 in SS on one check would give you a hell of a gross pay, compared to what you are actually making right now).
How insightful, except that when insulting someone by claiming they are stupid, make sure you spell the name of their country correctly. Especially one that's simple, as opposed to Phreokliektenstav or something.
I didn't realize Illegal Immigrants were allowed to become members of a Union. They shouldn't be able to.
> Apologists for undocumented labor such as hesiod disgust me
As well I should, I am a sick, twisted individual who deserves no remorse for being mad that people are tresspassing on our (the country's) property.
Either you didn't read correctly or I didn't write correctly (probably the latter) -- I'm not apologizing for undocumented labor... I DON'T WANT THEM HERE AT ALL. I don't want them working in the fields or restaurants or ISPs or anything. Unless, of course, they apply for citizenship just like anyone else. And don't think it's 'cause I am afraid of poor people -- I don't want the French here either. (a bit of sarcasm, but it's an image of the truth)
> Undocumented immigrants and their children work because they are the victims of poverty.
Bullshit. They work because they left their homes to come into another country that didn't ask, nor accept them there. They are not "victims," no one put them in that place. They are UNFORTUNATE, and I understand why you feel sorry for them -- I wouldn't want to be in their shoes. But just because I can understand feeling sorry for them does NOT mean I'm willing to give them a damn thing, and nor do they deserve it.
> By working without the opportunity for health care and education, they perpetuate their poverty cycle.
By continually flooding into this country illegally they perpetuate the dislike for themselves.
> five million [people] work without health insurance with the tacit complicity of their agribusiness employers
Please excuse me if I am wrong, but this statement sounds like you are blaming these businesses for something. I don't hear the workers complaining about it. Better to have a little money & no insurance than no money and no insurance.
That's funny. It's supposed to be. But then every weak-hearted (or argument-wanting) person jumps all over this. It's a disgrace that someone can't make a simple joke without being beaten on the head by some overly sensitive/.ers. Just wish I had mod points to bring this up to piss them off.
> I'm making crap money as it is and it is REALLY discouraging to see ~300 dollars of my paycheck [going to Social Security]
Unless you get paid once a month, either you aren't paying that much in SS, or you aren't making "crap money." Maybe you are a spoiled brat who has no clue what "crap money" really is.
> Does anyone have the guts to not vote the party line, anymore?
Sure, there are some, but they usually only are there for one term because the others "on their side" make them look like idiots and rabble-rousers, and stop supporting them, contributing to not being reelected.
> I have an email address. But I don't have a server.
I'm sorry, I didn't realize you didn't know what a network was. For you to have Email, it has to be hosted on a computer called a server, therefore if you have an email address, you have to have a server on which to store that email. That's why you have access to a server.
Now that you are coming up with some witty reply to why I can't read, or I'm an idiot, or some equally moronic thing...
> No, someone else has a server. I don't
You see, to function correctly in our world, we have to give some flexibility to our language, or else it would be impossible to learn. When I say "you have a server," it is assumed that I mean "you have access to a server." You knew what I meant perfectly well, yet you insisted on being an asshole simply for the purpose of inflating your ego. Let me assure you that no one thinks any higher of you because you can nitpick any sentence to death until the meaning changes. I could do the same to you...
You don't really have an EMail address either, then. The address belongs to the company that hosts your Email, you are only paying for the right to use it.
Try being a little more flexible in your life, and you might actually learn to communicate with strangers for once.
> My ISP doesn't have any mail servers or hard drives. As for T3s, I'd like to see you use P2P without any of them.
Your ISP is the first I have ever seen that doesn't have any computers -- that is amazing. As fot T3s, they are completely unnecessary for P2P, I don't know from where you got that strange idea.
> Anyway, how long can it be before the bands realize that they don't have to deal with the crap from the record companies
The problem is that the RIAA is (arguably) a monopoly, and therefore even if they realize that fact, they have little choice. Either sign with the company to get the initial exposure (and usually, subsequent ass-raping) you need to "hit it big," or go indie & have almost 0 chance of it.
> It couldn't be that a decline in sales came from a decline of readily available money on hand, could it > They're spending an awful lot of money on people who will be able to do one of two thing: make them regret it,
Maybe the RIAA spending all this money on lawsuits, etc, is a good thing. If they waste every dollar they have to try to fight back against the evil consumer (okay, that's a slanted remark), maybe it will cut into their operating budget enough to start their own demise.
Probably not, as they have HUGE legal budgets to waste, but I can hope, eh?
You misunderstood him, "your stoned" is an honorable title, such as "your majesty." You should be thrilled, as I am the only person I know with that title (and you're the second).
At least he realized that he misspelled it and announced it. And don't bring up a dictionary, if you don't know the second letter of the word, it does no good. That's one reason I hated primary school english teachers. Instead of teaching you the facts they tell you to go look it up somewhere, but won't tell you how to find it.
Slashdot Mirror
I hate Microsoft as much as the next geek, but really, what do we expect from a company? Companies aim to make as much money as possible -- excluding not-for-profit & charitables -- so why should anyone be surprised that they do anything within their power to make their software as widespread as possible?
It seems to me that every time there is a posting about something else MS does, it's the same old stuff: they want more market share, just like everyone else. That's it, it should be expected by now.
Keep in mind that I am not excusing them for any unethical practices, just something that nags at me.
> select * from items where name like 'PO%' order by number_of_requests_last_week
Hey, you shouldn't be giving out trade secrets like that!!!
> The more abusive the Patent Office is in granting these absurd patents, the sooner the entire patent scheme will be abolished!
It'll be either that, or it'll become impossible to create any slightly-complex item you wish to sell without hiring a lawyer to make sure it doesn't break any patents.
> What, you don't mind skin-cancer prone laborers from the third world putting food on your table
What part of "I DON'T WANT THEM HERE" don't you understand? Do you have the ability to read? try it, it's fun. 1st of all, skin cancer doesn't have SHIT to do with this. And who said I don't mind them putting food on my table. I repeat: What part of "I DON'T WANT THEM HERE" don't you understand?
I don't want them doing anything for me. Then I don't owe anything to them.
> but when it comes to freedom of association, so much for the first amendment?
Are you a flamemonger, or are you truly this stupid? I didn't say that they shouldn't have the freedom of association, but they should NOT be given extra American rights when they shouldn't have the right to be here. They can form Unions in their own country to attempt to protect their rights there instead of jumping off a sinking ship just to overwhelm (& risk the future sinking of) another ship.
> dont give me bullshit about just dont drive
Hey, don't yell, I agree. Unless one lives in the largest few cities, or lives within a few blocks of their jobs, a car is a necessity. I drive 45 min to work every day, no way I'd survive without a car.
> I made 104$ and I get 95$ paycheck this past two weeks.
Nine bucks? While 10% is a pretty good percentage, about 20% of my paycheck is taken every week to pay taxes, etc.
I apologize for being blunt in the other post: it's easy for me to do that when I can't make eye contact with the person I am talking to. I guess that's why I don't do phone support.
I also think I misunderstood what you were saying -- I thought you meant that you had $300 taken out of 1 pay and claimed you made crap money ($300 in SS on one check would give you a hell of a gross pay, compared to what you are actually making right now).
> Obligatory kneejerk defensive response
:) (err, yeah, I misread it, so what?)
:)
Hey, I'm not on the defensive. In fact I'm very offensive!
> Obligatory questioning of your origin and its claim to fame!!
I am beaten on origin, as my entire family is from NJ, but I was born in WV *shudder*. Somehow we aren't hicks or white trash -- thank allah.
> Obligatory statement of New Jersey's superiority! Evidence optional!
NJ does have more trash per-capita than most states, that's got to count for something.. I guess it shows they buy a lot of stuff: strong economy
> to get himself back into his boss's daughter. ;-)
I understand it's a joke, but it's actually his boss's COMPETITION'S daughter. His GF's Dad is from a rival company and he still vouched for him.
> Too bad it sucks!
> Hah, easy there NYers, just yankin your chain.
Haha, good one. Yeah, everyone knows that New Jersey barely ekes out over NYC as sucking worse.
> Moronic Amerikans need to be educated.
How insightful, except that when insulting someone by claiming they are stupid, make sure you spell the name of their country correctly. Especially one that's simple, as opposed to Phreokliektenstav or something.
> by Anonymous Coward
> because I'm a loud-mouthed braggart desperately itching to publicly humiliate the RIAA.
But not loud-mouthed enough to be named?
> Obviously I construed your use of the term T3 to include any size internet connection.
Ah, I see the confusion on that point... The original poster who mentioned T3 was not me.
> Then you haven't been listening to them.
I didn't realize Illegal Immigrants were allowed to become members of a Union. They shouldn't be able to.
> Apologists for undocumented labor such as hesiod disgust me
As well I should, I am a sick, twisted individual who deserves no remorse for being mad that people are tresspassing on our (the country's) property.
Either you didn't read correctly or I didn't write correctly (probably the latter) -- I'm not apologizing for undocumented labor... I DON'T WANT THEM HERE AT ALL. I don't want them working in the fields or restaurants or ISPs or anything. Unless, of course, they apply for citizenship just like anyone else. And don't think it's 'cause I am afraid of poor people -- I don't want the French here either. (a bit of sarcasm, but it's an image of the truth)
> Undocumented immigrants and their children work because they are the victims of poverty.
Bullshit. They work because they left their homes to come into another country that didn't ask, nor accept them there. They are not "victims," no one put them in that place. They are UNFORTUNATE, and I understand why you feel sorry for them -- I wouldn't want to be in their shoes. But just because I can understand feeling sorry for them does NOT mean I'm willing to give them a damn thing, and nor do they deserve it.
> By working without the opportunity for health care and education, they perpetuate their poverty cycle.
By continually flooding into this country illegally they perpetuate the dislike for themselves.
> five million [people] work without health insurance with the tacit complicity of their agribusiness employers
Please excuse me if I am wrong, but this statement sounds like you are blaming these businesses for something. I don't hear the workers complaining about it. Better to have a little money & no insurance than no money and no insurance.
> The state is filled with hippy Californians.
/.ers. Just wish I had mod points to bring this up to piss them off.
That's funny. It's supposed to be. But then every weak-hearted (or argument-wanting) person jumps all over this. It's a disgrace that someone can't make a simple joke without being beaten on the head by some overly sensitive
> I'm making crap money as it is and it is REALLY discouraging to see ~300 dollars of my paycheck [going to Social Security]
Unless you get paid once a month, either you aren't paying that much in SS, or you aren't making "crap money." Maybe you are a spoiled brat who has no clue what "crap money" really is.
> Does anyone have the guts to not vote the party line, anymore?
Sure, there are some, but they usually only are there for one term because the others "on their side" make them look like idiots and rabble-rousers, and stop supporting them, contributing to not being reelected.
> I have an email address. But I don't have a server.
I'm sorry, I didn't realize you didn't know what a network was. For you to have Email, it has to be hosted on a computer called a server, therefore if you have an email address, you have to have a server on which to store that email. That's why you have access to a server.
Now that you are coming up with some witty reply to why I can't read, or I'm an idiot, or some equally moronic thing...
> No, someone else has a server. I don't
You see, to function correctly in our world, we have to give some flexibility to our language, or else it would be impossible to learn. When I say "you have a server," it is assumed that I mean "you have access to a server." You knew what I meant perfectly well, yet you insisted on being an asshole simply for the purpose of inflating your ego. Let me assure you that no one thinks any higher of you because you can nitpick any sentence to death until the meaning changes. I could do the same to you...
You don't really have an EMail address either, then. The address belongs to the company that hosts your Email, you are only paying for the right to use it.
Try being a little more flexible in your life, and you might actually learn to communicate with strangers for once.
> My ISP doesn't have any mail servers or hard drives. As for T3s, I'd like to see you use P2P without any of them.
Your ISP is the first I have ever seen that doesn't have any computers -- that is amazing. As fot T3s, they are completely unnecessary for P2P, I don't know from where you got that strange idea.
> Anyway, how long can it be before the bands realize that they don't have to deal with the crap from the record companies
The problem is that the RIAA is (arguably) a monopoly, and therefore even if they realize that fact, they have little choice. Either sign with the company to get the initial exposure (and usually, subsequent ass-raping) you need to "hit it big," or go indie & have almost 0 chance of it.
> It couldn't be that a decline in sales came from a decline of readily available money on hand, could it
> They're spending an awful lot of money on people who will be able to do one of two thing: make them regret it,
Maybe the RIAA spending all this money on lawsuits, etc, is a good thing. If they waste every dollar they have to try to fight back against the evil consumer (okay, that's a slanted remark), maybe it will cut into their operating budget enough to start their own demise.
Probably not, as they have HUGE legal budgets to waste, but I can hope, eh?
> > can block communications with untrustworthy hosts
> Ooo a list of trustworthy hosts.
I've said RTFA many times before, but I believe this is my first RTFP (post, parent, whatever).
> > No it's not, your stoned.
> My stoned what?
You misunderstood him, "your stoned" is an honorable title, such as "your majesty." You should be thrilled, as I am the only person I know with that title (and you're the second).
> That made no sense.
Or, maybe, you are too ignorant to understand it? It made perfect sense to me.
> why don't you actually buy their music and support them?
Because the music hasn't been released yet. Once it's available in stores (June 24th), I get the feeling that he will buy it.
At least he realized that he misspelled it and announced it. And don't bring up a dictionary, if you don't know the second letter of the word, it does no good. That's one reason I hated primary school english teachers. Instead of teaching you the facts they tell you to go look it up somewhere, but won't tell you how to find it.