You want the thing they buy once to be a loss leader, but the thing they keep paying for to make you money...
That's exactly what they're doing. Digital Music files don't wear out, they last virtually forever. iPods, however, do wear out. iPods are only $200/year. That's FAR less money anually than most serious music fans spend on music in a year. If you buy your 2 or 3 CDs per month on iTunes instead of in the store for $11.99 instead of $16.99 and you hang on to the $10-15/month that you save, you can buy a new iPod every 12-18 months and it's basically a wash. The music you'll never need to replace.
That's the other reason record labels hate it. Many music fans have fully replaced their music catalogs in the ever-changing format of choice: from vinyl -> cassette -> compact disc, with no discount for having owned the prior media. Buy it digitally, and you don't ever have to buy it again. You can simply transfer it to whatever physical medium is relevant. Why do you think record companies and movie companies are trying to find a way to popularize time-sensitive media? You know, the DVDs that die after a few days?
If you're truly concerned, you might investigate the source of their funding. It is entirely possible (and probably likely) that this is funded by a research grant of some sort. Those funds are unlikely to be available to the State's Government for general education expenses.
I don't know for sure, but it would be worth looking into if you are concerned.
That comment MIGHT be interesting IF private schools hadn't demonstrated the ability to educate students (usually with better educations) for fewer dollars per student per year. Often, too, they pay teachers pretty well.
And NO, not all private schools are for rich kids.
The problem with funding our education system is that the bureaucracy built around education is so massive, and generally scarfs all the money.
That's not what I've taken away from what I've read so far. I think the distinction is this: What Apple has done appears to be wrong, but is most likely not illegal. There are a great many things in this world that, while not illegal, are generally accepted to be un-ethical. Our legal system, in fact, implicitly encourages this type of behavior by being at its core and adversarial system. I try to get over on you, you try to get over on me -> loser gets what he deserves. This creates a system where a corporation with money & attorneys beats out the average employee in terms of legal agreements.
A quick note: If the guy had written a book about the migrating patterns of birds, it is doubtful Apple would have a claim. Additionally, if he invented a new kitchen machine, he could likely profit endlessly without Apple's interference. It's outside of Apple's logical market place. As many others point out, the exceptions arguably cover Apple's position here. A judge may disagree in the long run, but it would appear that Apple's position is defensible enough to not be thrown out entirely.
A good company would find a way to put him on the team that is developing a similar app for Apple, or compensate him in some way (bonus, etc.) for this unfortunate turn of events. It is entirely possible that Apple had, without this guy's knowledge, a similar product in the works. They may additionally have a relationship (or a pending relationship) with Netflix to develop such an application.
These issues are rarely as clear cut as they seem.
QuickTime 6.4 for Jaguar (10.2) doesn't include QuickTime Java support.
I will make the leap that a) a fix is effectively in place for Jaguar (no support for vulnerable software) and b) the issue doesn't exist in versions of QuickTime's Java support prior to 6.4.
If all of the above is true, this is simply a big, fat FUD piece.
Actually, there isn't. At least not that I can see.
What there IS is a drop-down that allows one to view the path hierarchy "above" the current path. The effect of an "up" button can be achieved, however, with the keyboard sequence cmd-up (where up is the up arrow key).
the 10.2.x updates you describe are hotfixes, and the 10.x are service packs
That is a ridiculous analogy right there...
Microsoft doesn't usually introduce significant new features in a service pack (Fast User switching, updated Mail.app, Expose, revamped Finder, etc.). Usually, in fact, a service pack is simply a condensation of hotfixes. 10.x releases are much more akin to 95 -> 98 -> ME in terms of change, however, Apple typically includes a larger number of features in a given step than MSFT did from 95 -> ME. Microsoft DID charge for those upgrades BTW. In fact, for many, Microsoft actually charged for 98 twice, by charging for the 98 2nd Edition Upgrade as well (at a reduced price).
I currently work in a smallish office with about 15 workstations and 3 or 4 different file servers. Our workstations are about 70% Mac and 30% Windows. The servers run FreeBSD 4.x, Linux (with a 2.2.x kernel) and Windows 2000/XP. On the FreeBSD/Linux servers we run two different versions of Samba (2.2.x & 2.0.x).
No matter which server we connect to, if we copy files from the Mac to the server using SMB as the protocol, we experience a significant amount of file corruption (it appears to be that there are just chunks of the file that don't get copied). It is repeatable, but doesn't happen every time. This is a serious inconvenience. I should also point out that we did NOT have this problem prior to upgrading to 10.2 (we also have upgraded to 10.2.1).
I've have sent numerous reports with details to Apple with no response.
While it's not a long term solution, nor do I suggest that it is to be expected from the average user, there IS one way that those of you comfortable with the CLI can often "resolve" the spinning wheel of death. Usually, this "wheel of death" only affects the finder itself. Sometimes other apps will be slowed as well, but 9/10 times they'll respond eventually. With that in mind, the below solution often gets me out of jam with this issue.
All mounted network volumes (at least appletalk and samba, dunno about DAV) are mounted in the/Volumes hierarchy. Depending on which one (ones?) you are dealing with do the following:
1. open terminal.app 2. in terminal.app run:
% sudo umount/Volumes/
3. Force Quit / Relaunch the Finder using the interface that pops up when you press cmd-option-esc.
This usually works for me to remove the spinning wheel of death that is mentioned without forcing me to forceably reboot the machine.
Basically they have released damaging information to stimulate sales of a product they produce...not exactly ethical.
The problem with this position (that eEye is acting unethically) is that eEye doesn't appear to have misled anyone in anyway. This is the MOST ethical marketing you can do--be honest. Would you rather see a marketing department disingenuously attempt to mislead large groups of people about the nature of Free Software by calling it virul?
It is dis-heartening to see that FUD is now the 'appropriate' method of comparing product, while pointing out legitimate inadaquacies in competing products is considered un-ethical.
With all of the comments about Microsoft's propensity to use BSD licensed software, is it possible that they have also coopted GPL'd code and are in fact beginning to mount an attack on the GPL's validity (legally) in a manner that allows clears them of wrongdoing or liability for their infringement?
A twisted thought, but a thought none-the-less. Feel free to flame away. I just wrote what came out. I didn't spend much time thinking about it...this is/. after all. If the editors don't have to, why should I?;)
I'm using a 5 button optical mouse on my G4 right now under Linux. The issue here is that this is a notebook computer with an integrated pointing device. While most PC notebooks include 2-4 buttons, Apple notebooks only include 1. While this is not, IMHO, the issue that it is made out to be by Mr. Malda (there are various other buttons on my keyboard that can be mapped to serve as additional buttons under X), it is at least moderately inconvenient for the average user.
The PPC Linux distributions (LinuxPPC, YellowDog, et al) ALSO run on RS6000 boxes and would be the distro to run on power4s and other PowerPC architectures, not just Apple Macintosh boxen, though they happen to be the largest consumer-level use of this particular port.
apt-get, the Red-Hat Network, Mandrake...all have auto update facilities for those interested.
I would hope that there is at least a bit of `thinking person' in every user. Since it's 3 am for you, we can cut you some slack on that, but the service is there and actually much more advanced.
With MS auto-update, you get what they give you no matter what it'll do to your apps. With Debian, it goes through, checks dependencies and knows what will be broken by changes, etc. You don't see MS Update fixing your DLL problems automagically...
The buffer overflow of the week shows up and you have boxes with a sign saying "0wn m3".
This is largely misleading. Most issues discovered are local exploits. These, while concerning, aren't QUITE comparable to operating systems that don't even restrict local access. (This is a discussion of consumer desktop apps, so I consider comparisons of Win2K or NT moot for the purposes of this discussion).
Also, the majority of remote exploits are in third-party packages. The typical linux distribution contains increadible amounts of software NOT included with Windows. As well, the majority of these exploits are fixed VERY quickly and are only typically exploited on administratively neglected machines in spite of CERT advisories and other notices.
You also fail to recognize the inherrent vulnerabilities in Outlook, IE, and other MAJOR windows components that have actually been at the root of MAJOR disruptions in service.
Updating windows just requires a few clicks.
Hmmm...you must not work with Windows too much in a service capacity. When one of the first solutions (from the manufacturer even) suggested for simple registry/library conflict problems is a complete format and reinstall of the operating system, your few clicks suggestion is humorous at best.
Please, continue to enjoy Windows and all it's shortcomings. I'll stick with a system where I can at least fix things myself when they're broken.
It would definately be difficult to argue that the usage here could be construed as an endorsement by Apple nor could it be easily argued that it dilutes their brand.
The use of their logo, however, in a window manager theme would be such a use. Also, Apple can write C&D letters all they want, but that doesn't make them right. Apple has lost a LOT of lawsuits because they attmpted to file baseless legal suits in an effort to intimidate other companies.
This discussion is largely moot. MacOS X (Contrary to popular belief) is not UNIX. It's not even UNIX like. Yes, there is a layer burried deep under Aqua and the NEXTStepish file system, and most unix software can be made to compile, but for most UNIX/Linux enthusiasts, using OS X as a Unix variant would be like mainstream Mac users trying to switch to Linux to improve stability--yes, you can probably live with what you'll get, but it's far from ideal...even compared to what you left.
I'll trade my ppclinux G4 for Mac OS X when I see mac users flocking to Linux for it's ease of use. Probably not any time soon.
My issue is largely with the idea that a lawsuit is an appropriate measure to take here. The legal system is a means to right aggregious wrongs, not an everyday conflict resolution system. News Flash! Sometimes things don't work out. It doesn't seem to justify litigation.
As to your final point, it is not legal to file a lawsuit under this pretext. It happens, often enough, however, because a semblance of an actual arguement can be made. It would, however, be contrary to the actual intent of the system.
The idea that something CAN be done means that it is therefore an appropriate choice is something that has long troubled me. Exercising one's perogotive is not in and of itself an inherrantly appropriate or `good' act. While the inevitable flamewars about whether or not `good' can actually be defined would likely ensue were this thread not nearly dead by slashdot standards, it remains that the point of view you forward does more (in my opinion) to damage the system, the agressor(employer?) and most certainly the victim. Lawsuits are not fun.
To each their own, I guess...but don't ask me to feel sorry for them when they get stomped.
Slashdot Mirror
You want the thing they buy once to be a loss leader, but the thing they keep paying for to make you money...
That's exactly what they're doing. Digital Music files don't wear out, they last virtually forever. iPods, however, do wear out. iPods are only $200/year. That's FAR less money anually than most serious music fans spend on music in a year. If you buy your 2 or 3 CDs per month on iTunes instead of in the store for $11.99 instead of $16.99 and you hang on to the $10-15/month that you save, you can buy a new iPod every 12-18 months and it's basically a wash. The music you'll never need to replace.
That's the other reason record labels hate it. Many music fans have fully replaced their music catalogs in the ever-changing format of choice: from vinyl -> cassette -> compact disc, with no discount for having owned the prior media. Buy it digitally, and you don't ever have to buy it again. You can simply transfer it to whatever physical medium is relevant. Why do you think record companies and movie companies are trying to find a way to popularize time-sensitive media? You know, the DVDs that die after a few days?
Baystar's #1 largest investor, Vulcan Ventures is, for all intents and purposes, Paul G. Allen, Microsoft Co-Founder and major MSFT stockholder.
Baystar's #9 largest investor is Microsoft itself.
Where is the confusion?
If you're truly concerned, you might investigate the source of their funding. It is entirely possible (and probably likely) that this is funded by a research grant of some sort. Those funds are unlikely to be available to the State's Government for general education expenses.
I don't know for sure, but it would be worth looking into if you are concerned.
That comment MIGHT be interesting IF private schools hadn't demonstrated the ability to educate students (usually with better educations) for fewer dollars per student per year. Often, too, they pay teachers pretty well.
And NO, not all private schools are for rich kids.
The problem with funding our education system is that the bureaucracy built around education is so massive, and generally scarfs all the money.
-fp
Hmm...
That's not what I've taken away from what I've read so far. I think the distinction is this: What Apple has done appears to be wrong, but is most likely not illegal. There are a great many things in this world that, while not illegal, are generally accepted to be un-ethical. Our legal system, in fact, implicitly encourages this type of behavior by being at its core and adversarial system. I try to get over on you, you try to get over on me -> loser gets what he deserves. This creates a system where a corporation with money & attorneys beats out the average employee in terms of legal agreements.
A quick note: If the guy had written a book about the migrating patterns of birds, it is doubtful Apple would have a claim. Additionally, if he invented a new kitchen machine, he could likely profit endlessly without Apple's interference. It's outside of Apple's logical market place. As many others point out, the exceptions arguably cover Apple's position here. A judge may disagree in the long run, but it would appear that Apple's position is defensible enough to not be thrown out entirely.
A good company would find a way to put him on the team that is developing a similar app for Apple, or compensate him in some way (bonus, etc.) for this unfortunate turn of events. It is entirely possible that Apple had, without this guy's knowledge, a similar product in the works. They may additionally have a relationship (or a pending relationship) with Netflix to develop such an application.
These issues are rarely as clear cut as they seem.
-fp
The problem only appears to apply to Panther. The version of QuickTime in Panther appears to be 6.4. According to this TechNote:
9 34 14
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=
QuickTime 6.4 for Jaguar (10.2) doesn't include QuickTime Java support.
I will make the leap that a) a fix is effectively in place for Jaguar (no support for vulnerable software) and b) the issue doesn't exist in versions of QuickTime's Java support prior to 6.4.
If all of the above is true, this is simply a big, fat FUD piece.
--fp
Actually, there isn't. At least not that I can see.
What there IS is a drop-down that allows one to view the path hierarchy "above" the current path. The effect of an "up" button can be achieved, however, with the keyboard sequence cmd-up (where up is the up arrow key).
--fp
the 10.2.x updates you describe are hotfixes, and the 10.x are service packs
That is a ridiculous analogy right there...
Microsoft doesn't usually introduce significant new features in a service pack (Fast User switching, updated Mail.app, Expose, revamped Finder, etc.). Usually, in fact, a service pack is simply a condensation of hotfixes. 10.x releases are much more akin to 95 -> 98 -> ME in terms of change, however, Apple typically includes a larger number of features in a given step than MSFT did from 95 -> ME. Microsoft DID charge for those upgrades BTW. In fact, for many, Microsoft actually charged for 98 twice, by charging for the 98 2nd Edition Upgrade as well (at a reduced price).
--fp
It's probably an analog board that needs replacing. That eventually goes on all of the original-shape iMacs.
-fp
Both are 19 letters long (excluding spaces of course)
Just to note, all my machines are on the same subnet and workgroup, and I still have the problem.
--fp
I currently work in a smallish office with about 15 workstations and 3 or 4 different file servers. Our workstations are about 70% Mac and 30% Windows. The servers run FreeBSD 4.x, Linux (with a 2.2.x kernel) and Windows 2000/XP. On the FreeBSD/Linux servers we run two different versions of Samba (2.2.x & 2.0.x).
No matter which server we connect to, if we copy files from the Mac to the server using SMB as the protocol, we experience a significant amount of file corruption (it appears to be that there are just chunks of the file that don't get copied). It is repeatable, but doesn't happen every time. This is a serious inconvenience. I should also point out that we did NOT have this problem prior to upgrading to 10.2 (we also have upgraded to 10.2.1).
I've have sent numerous reports with details to Apple with no response.
--fp
ERR...
/Volumes/offending_share_name
stupid filters...
% sudo umount
While it's not a long term solution, nor do I suggest that it is to be expected from the average user, there IS one way that those of you comfortable with the CLI can often "resolve" the spinning wheel of death. Usually, this "wheel of death" only affects the finder itself. Sometimes other apps will be slowed as well, but 9/10 times they'll respond eventually. With that in mind, the below solution often gets me out of jam with this issue.
/Volumes hierarchy. Depending on which one (ones?) you are dealing with do the following:
/Volumes/
All mounted network volumes (at least appletalk and samba, dunno about DAV) are mounted in the
1. open terminal.app
2. in terminal.app run:
% sudo umount
3. Force Quit / Relaunch the Finder using the interface that pops up when you press cmd-option-esc.
This usually works for me to remove the spinning wheel of death that is mentioned without forcing me to forceably reboot the machine.
-fp
Basically they have released damaging information to stimulate sales of a product they produce...not exactly ethical.
The problem with this position (that eEye is acting unethically) is that eEye doesn't appear to have misled anyone in anyway. This is the MOST ethical marketing you can do--be honest. Would you rather see a marketing department disingenuously attempt to mislead large groups of people about the nature of Free Software by calling it virul?
It is dis-heartening to see that FUD is now the 'appropriate' method of comparing product, while pointing out legitimate inadaquacies in competing products is considered un-ethical.
How absurd.
-fp
With all of the comments about Microsoft's propensity to use BSD licensed software, is it possible that they have also coopted GPL'd code and are in fact beginning to mount an attack on the GPL's validity (legally) in a manner that allows clears them of wrongdoing or liability for their infringement?
/. after all. If the editors don't have to, why should I? ;)
A twisted thought, but a thought none-the-less. Feel free to flame away. I just wrote what came out. I didn't spend much time thinking about it...this is
-fp
The apple airport basestation will do all of the above (but with only one ethernet port).
It'll do dial-up for your wireless (802.11) and wired lan computers, serve DHCP and do IP-MASQ.
<sarcasm>
But it IS made by apple, so it probably sucks just for that reason (it's a lucent setup under the funny shell)
</sarcasm>
-fp
I'm using a 5 button optical mouse on my G4 right now under Linux. The issue here is that this is a notebook computer with an integrated pointing device. While most PC notebooks include 2-4 buttons, Apple notebooks only include 1. While this is not, IMHO, the issue that it is made out to be by Mr. Malda (there are various other buttons on my keyboard that can be mapped to serve as additional buttons under X), it is at least moderately inconvenient for the average user.
-fp
Theo is the lead developer for the OpenBSD project. He is also a self-proclaimed kernel hacker, not a bloated X app writer.
Please, if you plan on overgeneralizing, make sure you get your facts straight.
-fp
The PPC Linux distributions (LinuxPPC, YellowDog, et al) ALSO run on RS6000 boxes and would be the distro to run on power4s and other PowerPC architectures, not just Apple Macintosh boxen, though they happen to be the largest consumer-level use of this particular port.
-fp
apt-get, the Red-Hat Network, Mandrake...all have auto update facilities for those interested.
I would hope that there is at least a bit of `thinking person' in every user. Since it's 3 am for you, we can cut you some slack on that, but the service is there and actually much more advanced.
With MS auto-update, you get what they give you no matter what it'll do to your apps. With Debian, it goes through, checks dependencies and knows what will be broken by changes, etc. You don't see MS Update fixing your DLL problems automagically...
-fp
The buffer overflow of the week shows up and you have boxes with a sign saying "0wn m3".
This is largely misleading. Most issues discovered are local exploits. These, while concerning, aren't QUITE comparable to operating systems that don't even restrict local access. (This is a discussion of consumer desktop apps, so I consider comparisons of Win2K or NT moot for the purposes of this discussion).
Also, the majority of remote exploits are in third-party packages. The typical linux distribution contains increadible amounts of software NOT included with Windows. As well, the majority of these exploits are fixed VERY quickly and are only typically exploited on administratively neglected machines in spite of CERT advisories and other notices.
You also fail to recognize the inherrent vulnerabilities in Outlook, IE, and other MAJOR windows components that have actually been at the root of MAJOR disruptions in service.
Updating windows just requires a few clicks.
Hmmm...you must not work with Windows too much in a service capacity. When one of the first solutions (from the manufacturer even) suggested for simple registry/library conflict problems is a complete format and reinstall of the operating system, your few clicks suggestion is humorous at best.
Please, continue to enjoy Windows and all it's shortcomings. I'll stick with a system where I can at least fix things myself when they're broken.
-fp
This would be called fair use.
It would definately be difficult to argue that the usage here could be construed as an endorsement by Apple nor could it be easily argued that it dilutes their brand.
The use of their logo, however, in a window manager theme would be such a use. Also, Apple can write C&D letters all they want, but that doesn't make them right. Apple has lost a LOT of lawsuits because they attmpted to file baseless legal suits in an effort to intimidate other companies.
-fp
This discussion is largely moot. MacOS X (Contrary to popular belief) is not UNIX. It's not even UNIX like. Yes, there is a layer burried deep under Aqua and the NEXTStepish file system, and most unix software can be made to compile, but for most UNIX/Linux enthusiasts, using OS X as a Unix variant would be like mainstream Mac users trying to switch to Linux to improve stability--yes, you can probably live with what you'll get, but it's far from ideal...even compared to what you left.
I'll trade my ppclinux G4 for Mac OS X when I see mac users flocking to Linux for it's ease of use. Probably not any time soon.
-fp
Maybe I wasn't clear. That's my fault.
My issue is largely with the idea that a lawsuit is an appropriate measure to take here. The legal system is a means to right aggregious wrongs, not an everyday conflict resolution system. News Flash! Sometimes things don't work out. It doesn't seem to justify litigation.
As to your final point, it is not legal to file a lawsuit under this pretext. It happens, often enough, however, because a semblance of an actual arguement can be made. It would, however, be contrary to the actual intent of the system.
The idea that something CAN be done means that it is therefore an appropriate choice is something that has long troubled me. Exercising one's perogotive is not in and of itself an inherrantly appropriate or `good' act. While the inevitable flamewars about whether or not `good' can actually be defined would likely ensue were this thread not nearly dead by slashdot standards, it remains that the point of view you forward does more (in my opinion) to damage the system, the agressor(employer?) and most certainly the victim. Lawsuits are not fun.
To each their own, I guess...but don't ask me to feel sorry for them when they get stomped.
-fp