There is a very high chance most if not all the systems will have to be retrofitted in some way to accommodate another operating system.
All of our systems came with MS Windows and we just loaded ubuntu on them. Of over 100 computers we haven't had any problems and we've got some machines from 2002. Virtually all common hardware is supported by ubuntu, with the possible exception of some multi-function printers.
We've seen this over and over again. Microsoft will just offer to give the software for free. They know that it's not in their best interest for it to become general knowledge how functional open-source alternative have become.
And if that doesn't work they might threaten to sue, saying making a decision to limit the choice to open software unfairly restricts their ability to compete. I remember hearing something like that in another case where the government made a decision to use open source.
Apple, like Microsoft, didn't really invent anything. They bought or stole it. Apple with the GUI and mouse just as an example and Microsoft with SQL Server, DOS, Windows. But they are not alone. This has been going on since the industrial revolution. They are just the modern versions of the the railroads and Standard Oil. And, just like there are streets, universities and buildings named after these people there will most certainly be the same for these people.
Who knows who influences who gets to work at the USPTO. When I see patents like this that are clearly not patentable it makes you wonder. Perhaps in the software world, it's not who you know but who you know at the patent office.
I was noticing that too. I find it odd, since Google is doing exactly what I thought we all wanted a truely innovative company to do. Apple made some great stuff but they also were/are pretty adamant about patents, many of them questionable, even though they owe a lot of their success to "stealing" (Steve Jobs words) other peoples ideas.
Good article about this. I don't think "stole" is a fitting word. Recognized that it was a revolutionary idea, improved upon it, and made it available to everyone. Xerox didn't know what they had and wasn't going to do anything with it.
Xerox didn't market their idea as successfully as Apple but that doesn't really matter. Xerox invented it and developed it to a demonstrable technology. Apple saw it, liked it, and used it without Xerox's permission. I personally think that's great and everyone benefits but they shouldn't be changing their tune now that others are doing it to them.
And, Windows 8 tablets will have the advantage of being able to run standard Windows programs if they want to (.NET apps should work even without recompiling).
Actually, Metro will only run apps which have been compiled for the architecture. So, if your tablet is running on Intel, yes, it will run standard windows apps, but if it is running on ARM then it won't.
Or, it might not be. I played around with Win Phone 7 and it is a big improvement over Windows Mobile but it doesn't compare to Android 2.3 or IPhone. Of the people I was out with last night, there was not one computer scientist in the bunch and of all those with Smart Phones, only one had something other than Android (IPhone).
Google+ users are most likely talking to each other, if they're talking at all.
Isn't that what a social network is all about. Aren't FB users talking to each other? (Granted there are a whole lot more FB users to talk to at the moment).
Agreed. And I'm not saying that makes it good or bad (to witt MS Windows) but it's worth caring about and you may be more affected by it directly than you know.
"Teabagging", in this context, refers to the homosexual act of dipping your balls into your gay lover's mouth, like a tea bag in a cup of hot water. This (along with cock smoking, posting to slashdot, and taking screenshots of your gnome/kde theme) is a common activity for linux users.
Really? Our ~100 company desktops and our servers run on Linux which saves us tens of thousands on license fees and is reliable and intuitive. What binds most of the Linux users I know is that they are smart enough to see those advantages.
Granted they were going at it in an anti-competitive manner
I think that is more of the problem. MS hasn't innovated anything -- they wield their patent portfolio and extort or steal technology and/or revenue. And the biggest selling point they offer in non-windows products is compatibility with Windows which is their monopoly anchor. Other companies, such as google, are innovating and providing better products. Compare bing results to googles, compare Picasa to Windows Live phots, compare gmail to windows live. The MS products seem simple and primitive compared to the google products. So what does MS do instead? They extort patent royalties for patents they are not even willing to disclose.
I know there is a lot of software available for municipalities but I'm wondering if there is a market for a complete stack standard software from the OS up. Despite FUD about Munich's Linux move, it is saving the city huge amounts of money in licensing fees now that it is in use.
What city wouldn't be excited about a full stack of software that would be secure, single-source and relatively complete?
How does one notify the patent office of prior art? This is exactly how our print service works with our application: we create a print job from any device that supports one of three standard print formats: PDF, PS and text. The print job is given to a central repository with the only requirement that it be accessible over a network or internet connection. The system also allows the use of a local printer, if it supports the format. It's been in documented and provable use since 2003.
Slashdot Mirror
Trademark owners have to defend it or risk losing it.
I think there has to be some possibility of dilution or confusion which there clearly isn't here.
Solution: Change the name to "A red or green tree fruit a day" ??? Sheesh!
There is a very high chance most if not all the systems will have to be retrofitted in some way to accommodate another operating system.
All of our systems came with MS Windows and we just loaded ubuntu on them. Of over 100 computers we haven't had any problems and we've got some machines from 2002. Virtually all common hardware is supported by ubuntu, with the possible exception of some multi-function printers.
We've seen this over and over again. Microsoft will just offer to give the software for free. They know that it's not in their best interest for it to become general knowledge how functional open-source alternative have become.
And if that doesn't work they might threaten to sue, saying making a decision to limit the choice to open software unfairly restricts their ability to compete. I remember hearing something like that in another case where the government made a decision to use open source.
Apple, like Microsoft, didn't really invent anything. They bought or stole it. Apple with the GUI and mouse just as an example and Microsoft with SQL Server, DOS, Windows. But they are not alone. This has been going on since the industrial revolution. They are just the modern versions of the the railroads and Standard Oil. And, just like there are streets, universities and buildings named after these people there will most certainly be the same for these people.
Re: Apple is not gaming the system.
Who knows who influences who gets to work at the USPTO. When I see patents like this that are clearly not patentable it makes you wonder. Perhaps in the software world, it's not who you know but who you know at the patent office.
System's fucked?
They play it to fuck everyone else?
They're as guilty as the system.
Well put.
I was noticing that too. I find it odd, since Google is doing exactly what I thought we all wanted a truely innovative company to do. Apple made some great stuff but they also were/are pretty adamant about patents, many of them questionable, even though they owe a lot of their success to "stealing" (Steve Jobs words) other peoples ideas.
On one hand, yes, the features probably are largely stolen.
On the other hand, that’s kind of how technology evolves.
Granted, but Apple shouldn't be complaining that others are doing the same thing they did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0DUg63lqU
Keep repeating a myth and people believe it. Apple did not steal from Xerox. Apple was already developing a GUI back in the late '70s.
That's simply not true. Both Apple and Microsoft admitted to being getting the idea from Xerox.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/05/16/110516fa_fact_gladwell
Good article about this. I don't think "stole" is a fitting word. Recognized that it was a revolutionary idea, improved upon it, and made it available to everyone. Xerox didn't know what they had and wasn't going to do anything with it.
Xerox didn't market their idea as successfully as Apple but that doesn't really matter. Xerox invented it and developed it to a demonstrable technology. Apple saw it, liked it, and used it without Xerox's permission. I personally think that's great and everyone benefits but they shouldn't be changing their tune now that others are doing it to them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0DUg63lqU
As I recall, there was this guy they called Woz who did most of the heavy lifting for Cult Of Steve Jobs.
Good Point. Woz was the one who made the original Apple II so successful. Jobs was the salesman.
Stop repeating this myth. Apple paid Xerox (in stocks) for the GUI and the mouse. Apple did not steal them - Xerox gave (sold) them away willingly.
I never heard that. They might have donated to Xerox after the fact, but the mouse and the GUI were not patented by xerox as far as I know.
And, Windows 8 tablets will have the advantage of being able to run standard Windows programs if they want to (.NET apps should work even without recompiling).
Actually, Metro will only run apps which have been compiled for the architecture. So, if your tablet is running on Intel, yes, it will run standard windows apps, but if it is running on ARM then it won't.
It might even be better than iPhone's UI
Or, it might not be. I played around with Win Phone 7 and it is a big improvement over Windows Mobile but it doesn't compare to Android 2.3 or IPhone. Of the people I was out with last night, there was not one computer scientist in the bunch and of all those with Smart Phones, only one had something other than Android (IPhone).
Google+ users are most likely talking to each other, if they're talking at all.
Isn't that what a social network is all about. Aren't FB users talking to each other? (Granted there are a whole lot more FB users to talk to at the moment).
Agreed. And I'm not saying that makes it good or bad (to witt MS Windows) but it's worth caring about and you may be more affected by it directly than you know.
Java is on more machines than any other platform on the planet.
Your android phone is running linux. It's not a desktop but I don't think that's the target anymore.
"Teabagging", in this context, refers to the homosexual act of dipping your balls into your gay lover's mouth, like a tea bag in a cup of hot water. This (along with cock smoking, posting to slashdot, and taking screenshots of your gnome/kde theme) is a common activity for linux users.
Really? Our ~100 company desktops and our servers run on Linux which saves us tens of thousands on license fees and is reliable and intuitive. What binds most of the Linux users I know is that they are smart enough to see those advantages.
Granted they were going at it in an anti-competitive manner
I think that is more of the problem. MS hasn't innovated anything -- they wield their patent portfolio and extort or steal technology and/or revenue. And the biggest selling point they offer in non-windows products is compatibility with Windows which is their monopoly anchor. Other companies, such as google, are innovating and providing better products. Compare bing results to googles, compare Picasa to Windows Live phots, compare gmail to windows live. The MS products seem simple and primitive compared to the google products. So what does MS do instead? They extort patent royalties for patents they are not even willing to disclose.
My 2 cents .. YMMV
I know there is a lot of software available for municipalities but I'm wondering if there is a market for a complete stack standard software from the OS up. Despite FUD about Munich's Linux move, it is saving the city huge amounts of money in licensing fees now that it is in use.
What city wouldn't be excited about a full stack of software that would be secure, single-source and relatively complete?
Excellent points. Thanks.
basicly printers built with a universal "api" inside
That universal API is called Postscript
How does one notify the patent office of prior art? This is exactly how our print service works with our application: we create a print job from any device that supports one of three standard print formats: PDF, PS and text. The print job is given to a central repository with the only requirement that it be accessible over a network or internet connection. The system also allows the use of a local printer, if it supports the format. It's been in documented and provable use since 2003.
It appears to be a "sand-like" powder, not sand:
"Low cost materials – our cells use a common sand-like powder instead of precious
metals like platinum or corrosive materials like acids"