I think you have that backwards... The 'pubs and the Media groups in each other's pockets.. The media groups want the officals in office because they will favour them. (read: special interest groups) and the officals enjoy the media groups because of the exposure it gives them.
The DCMA which is written so broadly that almost anyone can sue for anything. (just waiting for the thought police, then we will round up those people who are silently thinking of TV shows)
And the Republicans for using this to try and censor everything that does not show them in the best possible spotlight.
So break out that Flakgun Sparky.. Its time for a good old fashion splay.
I sort of wonder if this is just a PR stunt which will backfire on is (the linux users).
Think about it.
Most of the people in the linux crowd won't touch a Microsoft item with a ten foot pole, and even then we are checking for germs and creepy crawlers.
So, MS gets into a deal with Novell/SuSe.
The users back away.. running to red hat (or some other distro).
Then they can go (in public, because its FUD).
"See, even we, of Redmond, can't make Linux pay off. Its too "unfocused" and subject to the whims of others".
And they have data which shows this because the linux market has declined (for them). And don't forget people, you can proove anything with stats. (look at the RIAA and MPAA)
Bingo.. Novell/Suse is deprived of money, which reduces their ability to fight MS in court.. Plus it has the ability of weakening the arguements for linux in a way that can't be easily rebutted. (not a technical one or even a legal one, but a perception)
The concern is that they are going after the distros that have the most corporate friendly images.
Yes, it won't kill linux. But it will hurt linux's adoption in the corporate world, which trickles down to the end users.
So yes, no harm for me and you. But when you go to your IT director who has been sucking at the MS teat for a while, and say, lets go get RedHat, do you want him to laugh at you and ask you "Bob, are you happy working here?" or do you want him to say "Umm... thats a good idea, put together a plan and come back to me.
Microsoft is no fool. If they wanted linux tech, they would go after something like Ubuntu, or Debian, or Slackware. Any of the quite popular and stable distros would have made a better choice.
Don't forget, they played this game before with the Unix crowd. (during the days of NT 3/4). They said, oh yeah, we'll make nice with UNIX. Share some code, lets all get happy.. Its a good world. And the pillows were put away, and the knives were brought out. (anyone remember UNIX services for Windows?)
I believe you hit the proverbial nail on the head.
This is not about sowing discord within the ranks, nor it is about making money (though they will). Microsoft has never wanted to get into the "FOSS" market because anything actions along those lines would legitimize the model (humourious when you consider that for years they have been publishing and sponsoring FUD about how it doesn't work, how it never makes money, etc...
Microsoft hires IBM's ex-main Patent Lawyer, who then bolsters MS's patatent portfolio by launching a series of patent purchases. Then all of a sudden, this little deal gets inked with the number 2 player in the Linux world (SuSE/Novell, who I suspect is in many ways similar to IBM back in the old days: We don't really believe in it, but we want money in case this goes well, so lets put something together).
Ummm.. and I think most of us know the history of that and how well that played out with who holding the marbles.
I think much of this goes into the notion that GPL is based on "free as in beer" model. (not a GPL expert so put down the flamethrowers) But if MS can somehow change that perception, they are in a very good position to bring the concept (eg: linux) to court and possibly win.
Granted, much of us are soured on the possibility that MS is doing some good by enbracing other technology. But when 90% of your moves are bad and results in the death of your competition/business "partners".. It would be foolish not to frisk them for weapons and don't eat the macaroons.
And besides, if you are indeed the 800lb gorrilla, even a "gentle" embrace can become deadly. So who's up for first hugs?
The reason I ask the question is that what you say is quite true for specific branches of the military.
Having worked for all the branches at various times (both during peaceful times and "escalations") I can certainly attest that what has been said by others ("meat heads") is true to a limited extent.
The Airforce has always been a specialist branch. (A 9-5 job. Wake up, have your coffee, go bomb a few people, come home for lunch, bomb a few more, have dinner then enjoy the entertainment of your choice).
The same is true for the Marines (which historially has been a elite and small outfit). Except no 9-5, and less perks.
The Army and Navy have at times recruted on the basis of being able to listen and shoot (and not always both of them, depending on the need for bodies).
I can't say the timing isn't a little too conincidental. (first Orcale with their Linux-O and support, which takes a nibble out of Redhat and puts them on the defensive).. Then MicroShark teams up with Novell and basically promises everything (we'll see how they deliver) which further damages redhat.
And of course, Red Hat has been the "legitimate face" of linux in the corporate world.
Umm... Granted, I don't actually SEE the black helicopters, but you know.. if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck....
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
MS a history of doing exactly that. Get in close, learn the business, get recognized as a player. And then, use their clout and money to wipe out the rest.
Granted, it MAY not be their intention, but would you want to willingly put your hand in the allegator's mouth that has a history of snapping other people's off?
Within 5 years, doubtful, but definately before the 10 year mark. To many things are lining up against the very principles of this country and all to "defend" against the "boogie man".
I think they mean two that tried that had a LOT of other things going on. (and ironically failed).
Two things bug me about this.
Number #1. Has anyone noticed that much of these laws that are either being debated or enacted are done quietly. (no public discussion, no public forum, just done quietly and the majority of people won't know until they are actually directly effected, and by then, the argument will be "well, we've been doing this for a while and its for your protection"
Number #2: Its scary because I happen to know that much of what has happened in the world theater is well documented. So I wonder what twist the US will put on this. Remember, much of these oppressive acts in other countries were done for at the time reasonable reasons, and the people supported them. Somewhere along the time, things went from bad to worse very quickly. I don't think the US will take the EXACT slide, but they are definitely at the cliff's edge, and history has shown that eventually someone will jump. And all for some indefinable "enemy" or "unwanted ideologies/thoughts" which quickly turned xenophobic or just plain nutty.
Actually, there are laws circulating in the house that are speaking of denying people from obtaining a passport.
And lets be honest. Assuming the government does not deny a person a passport, what good will it do if you can't use it for its intended purpose (ie: international travel) UNLESS, they want to backdoor a National ID system via Passport (well, you need a US passport to travel domestically because we don't trust the states ID/DL system).
When one large firm partners with a smaller firm, its only a matter of time before the larger firm takes over and absorbs the smaller one. And especially since MS has a history of this. (partnering with a firm, and then "deciding" that they can do better if they just purchase the smallr firm).
Considering that MS is the king of Draconion DRM restrictions, and the fact that most likely it will be tied (DRM wise) and maybe even hard drive wise to a windows box. And coupled with the fact that most of the gearheads I know that use the "pod" use it for a LOT more than just music. (data storage, etc..) I don't think the "Zune: 1st Strike" will make a big change. MS is going to have to pull a price dump to get it in the hands of the people with the most influence. (ie: the tweeny boppers) who play the "who has the coolest "x" game) If the price point is the same, and my friends don't have it, I think they are in for a rough ride.
But then again, we know MS has a history of this.
Issue #1: Sucks, but gets the name out with promises. Issue #2: Better, and now relies of word of mouth. (still leaking money, but we got a good share of the market) Issue #3 (and beyond): Now that we have a significant share of the market, lets kill everything else out there that can POSSIBLY compete or make us look bad. (yeah granny, you don't escape the wraith of Bill).
Most of the foolishness that his dem is doing is because its an election year. I mean come on, you have the mexican boarder fence act being passed because no one wants to be smart and say (and DO) It won't work. Even bush himself said it won't work, but he signed it anyway because its an election year. So we have someone that may very well be hung because no one wants to appear "soft on security". Dispite the fact that they know its a wash and a foolish thing.
Ironically this goes back to my old arguement of people not taking responsibility for their actions.
You watch, pretty soon, someone is going to sue Blizzard for making the game because it caused "undo stress in their lives and is addictive".
Re:This is soo sad, its not even funny..
on
School Bans 'Tag'
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· Score: 1
I know some of the japanese variants you are speaking of... (and quite a few in China and Taiwan as well).
It is one of the older games in world (not the oldest, but considering that it requires nothing more than 2 or more people, its easy to understand why) and has change very little in its basics.
Re:This is soo sad, its not even funny..
on
School Bans 'Tag'
·
· Score: 1
Speaking as someone that had sports pushed on them growing up, I can agree with your sentiment. But my concern is that this, like so many of these "think of the children" really has no limit. If we ban one game, what is to stop banning other things. (ironic when you consider that in the same breath, everyone is worried about their children not getting sufficent exercise.
We are already on a slippery slope from a societal stance that encourages children to take no responsibility for their actions. This only increases that notion when a school decides that its better to ban something before getting sued, rather than letting them be children.
Indeed... life is harsh. Look at nature. I'm sure there are no lawyer ants for the few that get trampled upon by their fellow ants trying to get that bread crumb. ("My antenna was crushed by Bob. I'll sue that ant, and the queen too..")
There is a big difference between a intentionally dangerious game (ie: dodge the bullet. You only get it once) and Tag (or other "unsupervised games"). Let the children be children.. let them skin their knees, hurt their fingers, etc... The bloody parents got here (and in large numbers I might add) going through all of that.
Slashdot Mirror
Heck, I'd go so far as 50 dollars for a no screaming baby flight. (and a extra 25 for that cute lady I ALWAYS see walking 7 rows behind).
I think you have that backwards... The 'pubs and the Media groups in each other's pockets.. The media groups want the officals in office because they will favour them. (read: special interest groups) and the officals enjoy the media groups because of the exposure it gives them.
Trust me, its a circle jerk of the first order.
To all three..
YouTube for being spineless
The DCMA which is written so broadly that almost anyone can sue for anything. (just waiting for the thought police, then we will round up those people who are silently thinking of TV shows)
And the Republicans for using this to try and censor everything that does not show them in the best possible spotlight.
So break out that Flakgun Sparky.. Its time for a good old fashion splay.
I sort of wonder if this is just a PR stunt which will backfire on is (the linux users).
Think about it.
Most of the people in the linux crowd won't touch a Microsoft item with a ten foot pole, and even then we are checking for germs and creepy crawlers.
So, MS gets into a deal with Novell/SuSe.
The users back away.. running to red hat (or some other distro).
Then they can go (in public, because its FUD).
"See, even we, of Redmond, can't make Linux pay off. Its too "unfocused" and subject to the whims of others".
And they have data which shows this because the linux market has declined (for them). And don't forget people, you can proove anything with stats. (look at the RIAA and MPAA)
Bingo.. Novell/Suse is deprived of money, which reduces their ability to fight MS in court.. Plus it has the ability of weakening the arguements for linux in a way that can't be easily rebutted. (not a technical one or even a legal one, but a perception)
The concern is that they are going after the distros that have the most corporate friendly images.
Yes, it won't kill linux.
But it will hurt linux's adoption in the corporate world, which trickles down to the end users.
So yes, no harm for me and you. But when you go to your IT director who has been sucking at the MS teat for a while, and say, lets go get RedHat, do you want him to laugh at you and ask you "Bob, are you happy working here?" or do you want him to say "Umm... thats a good idea, put together a plan and come back to me.
Microsoft is no fool. If they wanted linux tech, they would go after something like Ubuntu, or Debian, or Slackware. Any of the quite popular and stable distros would have made a better choice.
Don't forget, they played this game before with the Unix crowd. (during the days of NT 3/4). They said, oh yeah, we'll make nice with UNIX. Share some code, lets all get happy.. Its a good world. And the pillows were put away, and the knives were brought out. (anyone remember UNIX services for Windows?)
I believe you hit the proverbial nail on the head.
This is not about sowing discord within the ranks, nor it is about making money (though they will). Microsoft has never wanted to get into the "FOSS" market because anything actions along those lines would legitimize the model (humourious when you consider that for years they have been publishing and sponsoring FUD about how it doesn't work, how it never makes money, etc...
Microsoft hires IBM's ex-main Patent Lawyer, who then bolsters MS's patatent portfolio by launching a series of patent purchases. Then all of a sudden, this little deal gets inked with the number 2 player in the Linux world (SuSE/Novell, who I suspect is in many ways similar to IBM back in the old days: We don't really believe in it, but we want money in case this goes well, so lets put something together).
Ummm.. and I think most of us know the history of that and how well that played out with who holding the marbles.
I think much of this goes into the notion that GPL is based on "free as in beer" model. (not a GPL expert so put down the flamethrowers) But if MS can somehow change that perception, they are in a very good position to bring the concept (eg: linux) to court and possibly win.
Granted, much of us are soured on the possibility that MS is doing some good by enbracing other technology. But when 90% of your moves are bad and results in the death of your competition/business "partners".. It would be foolish not to frisk them for weapons and don't eat the macaroons.
And besides, if you are indeed the 800lb gorrilla, even a "gentle" embrace can become deadly. So who's up for first hugs?
So what would a police officer taste like considering that your average "joe" and "jane" taste like Bacon to the Robot?
The reason I ask the question is that what you say is quite true for specific branches of the military.
Having worked for all the branches at various times (both during peaceful times and "escalations") I can certainly attest that what has been said by others ("meat heads") is true to a limited extent.
The Airforce has always been a specialist branch. (A 9-5 job. Wake up, have your coffee, go bomb a few people, come home for lunch, bomb a few more, have dinner then enjoy the entertainment of your choice).
The same is true for the Marines (which historially has been a elite and small outfit). Except no 9-5, and less perks.
The Army and Navy have at times recruted on the basis of being able to listen and shoot (and not always both of them, depending on the need for bodies).
If I may ask, what branch were you part of?.. Army, Navy, Airforce, marines?
I can't say the timing isn't a little too conincidental. (first Orcale with their Linux-O and support, which takes a nibble out of Redhat and puts them on the defensive).. Then MicroShark teams up with Novell and basically promises everything (we'll see how they deliver) which further damages redhat.
And of course, Red Hat has been the "legitimate face" of linux in the corporate world.
Umm... Granted, I don't actually SEE the black helicopters, but you know.. if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck....
My response to that, is:
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
MS a history of doing exactly that. Get in close, learn the business, get recognized as a player. And then, use their clout and money to wipe out the rest.
Granted, it MAY not be their intention, but would you want to willingly put your hand in the allegator's mouth that has a history of snapping other people's off?
Not me.
I'll see your $5.00 and raise you $50.
Within 5 years, doubtful, but definately before the 10 year mark. To many things are lining up against the very principles of this country and all to "defend" against the "boogie man".
*clapping*.. This one gets it.
Exactly
I think they mean two that tried that had a LOT of other things going on. (and ironically failed).
Two things bug me about this.
Number #1. Has anyone noticed that much of these laws that are either being debated or enacted are done quietly. (no public discussion, no public forum, just done quietly and the majority of people won't know until they are actually directly effected, and by then, the argument will be "well, we've been doing this for a while and its for your protection"
Number #2: Its scary because I happen to know that much of what has happened in the world theater is well documented. So I wonder what twist the US will put on this. Remember, much of these oppressive acts in other countries were done for at the time reasonable reasons, and the people supported them. Somewhere along the time, things went from bad to worse very quickly. I don't think the US will take the EXACT slide, but they are definitely at the cliff's edge, and history has shown that eventually someone will jump. And all for some indefinable "enemy" or "unwanted ideologies/thoughts" which quickly turned xenophobic or just plain nutty.
Oh well, we had a good run.
Actually, there are laws circulating in the house that are speaking of denying people from obtaining a passport.
And lets be honest. Assuming the government does not deny a person a passport, what good will it do if you can't use it for its intended purpose (ie: international travel) UNLESS, they want to backdoor a National ID system via Passport (well, you need a US passport to travel domestically because we don't trust the states ID/DL system).
But hey, that won't happen right?
*thumbing through the history books*
naaa..
On paper it is a partnership, but lets be honest.
When one large firm partners with a smaller firm, its only a matter of time before the larger firm takes over and absorbs the smaller one. And especially since MS has a history of this. (partnering with a firm, and then "deciding" that they can do better if they just purchase the smallr firm).
That what is happening is NOT reminicent of Nazi Germany, is not similar to Mr. Orwell's 1984, etc...
Smile... you are on candid camera.
Considering that MS is the king of Draconion DRM restrictions, and the fact that most likely it will be tied (DRM wise) and maybe even hard drive wise to a windows box. And coupled with the fact that most of the gearheads I know that use the "pod" use it for a LOT more than just music. (data storage, etc..) I don't think the "Zune: 1st Strike" will make a big change. MS is going to have to pull a price dump to get it in the hands of the people with the most influence. (ie: the tweeny boppers) who play the "who has the coolest "x" game) If the price point is the same, and my friends don't have it, I think they are in for a rough ride.
But then again, we know MS has a history of this.
Issue #1: Sucks, but gets the name out with promises.
Issue #2: Better, and now relies of word of mouth. (still leaking money, but we got a good share of the market)
Issue #3 (and beyond): Now that we have a significant share of the market, lets kill everything else out there that can POSSIBLY compete or make us look bad. (yeah granny, you don't escape the wraith of Bill).
This is really funny but not really news knowing MS.
_ vista_eula_analysis/
5 6/5625
See this: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/10/29/microsoft
and this: http://www.gripe2ed.com/scoop/story/2006/10/24/04
and this: http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=158
MS is doing their best to kill Vista when/where they can. I wonder if they have OS/2'itis.
Most of the foolishness that his dem is doing is because its an election year. I mean come on, you have the mexican boarder fence act being passed because no one wants to be smart and say (and DO) It won't work. Even bush himself said it won't work, but he signed it anyway because its an election year. So we have someone that may very well be hung because no one wants to appear "soft on security". Dispite the fact that they know its a wash and a foolish thing.
Ironically this goes back to my old arguement of people not taking responsibility for their actions.
You watch, pretty soon, someone is going to sue Blizzard for making the game because it caused "undo stress in their lives and is addictive".
I know some of the japanese variants you are speaking of... (and quite a few in China and Taiwan as well).
It is one of the older games in world (not the oldest, but considering that it requires nothing more than 2 or more people, its easy to understand why) and has change very little in its basics.
Speaking as someone that had sports pushed on them growing up, I can agree with your sentiment. But my concern is that this, like so many of these "think of the children" really has no limit. If we ban one game, what is to stop banning other things. (ironic when you consider that in the same breath, everyone is worried about their children not getting sufficent exercise.
We are already on a slippery slope from a societal stance that encourages children to take no responsibility for their actions. This only increases that notion when a school decides that its better to ban something before getting sued, rather than letting them be children.
Indeed... life is harsh. Look at nature. I'm sure there are no lawyer ants for the few that get trampled upon by their fellow ants trying to get that bread crumb. ("My antenna was crushed by Bob. I'll sue that ant, and the queen too..")
There is a big difference between a intentionally dangerious game (ie: dodge the bullet. You only get it once) and Tag (or other "unsupervised games"). Let the children be children.. let them skin their knees, hurt their fingers, etc... The bloody parents got here (and in large numbers I might add) going through all of that.