If you receive IT in an text email, don't worry, you're ok. If the email is HTML, delete immediately, then run a virus scan of your entire system. DO NOT under any circumstance run an IT.exe, or other attachment, delete (or better yet shread) immediately. If IT should arrive in a package, fill a bathtub (or other suitabale container) full of water, then place package and entire contents totally submerged in the water for a full 24 hours before removing. If properly handled IT is not dangerous.
"The one disturbing thing I found about the letter was the paragraph where he talks about not competing with
GNOME. I don't know if its just me, but it seemed like he was saying that they weren't trying to compete with
GNOME only because there weren't many GNOME users, and that if there were more, they'd do everything
possible to steal them away. As I said, its probably just me, but that paragraph still sounds somewhat odd."
What I got out of reading that, was that KDE would rather expand their userbase by pulling new users from present Windows users. KDE has essentially defined their competition as Microsoft, rather than GNOME. I'd rather see M$ userbase get smaller, than GNOME's. Seems to me they are compeeting against the right opponent. Just my $0.02 FWIW, YMMV
A ZDNet comentary critiques the GNOME Foundation and KDE League, and compares it to the infighting among brands of UNIXes. The commentary postulates that forking of DEs will occur, and further fork OSS OSes.
The Windows community and Tech press don't seem to get it, choice is good. Microsoft has dominated so completely, for so long, that people have forgotton that, choice is good and drives competition. Just my $0.02 FWIW.
Does anyone know if there is any past caselaw that applies? For instance, what happened when videotapes of films were first sold? Did actors recieve any royalities? If not, were they able to recover royalities?
This election I'm kinda leaning towards voting for 'The Father of the Internet,' Al Gore. More as a vote against George Bush, than for Al.
During the last election, I used the write-in option, the ballot (Wisconsin) had at least a dozen choices. Anyway, my write-in vote was 'none of the above':-)
thegeek.org has an article with a link that talks about how the PS2 may not be such a good deal. The PS2 has fewer games now, programing games to take advantage of the capabilities is difficult, the games currently available aren't much better than those from other console makers, also the PS2 does not come with a modem. The article rates the Dreamcast a better value. They actually compare the PS2 to the rather disappointing Saturn platform. But with Sony's PR machine in hyperdrive, who knows!?
should contact M$ sharks and get signed affidavits from M$ suits and programers swearing that no GPLed source code was used in any Windows product. Afterall the source for GPL programs has always been available. Time to go on the offensive.
AOL has done a great job of sabotaging the AOL/Time-Warner merger. Do you think you could do better?
They shot themself in the foot when they offered ISPs cable access at 75% of fee charged and 25% of advertising revenue generated. Now it appears they are shooting themself in the other foot by requiring AOL to be the only HomePage. Plus they are taking aim at their kneecaps by pissing-off(and pissing-on) their partners.
I don't think the SEC, FTC, and FCC will have any trouble in trashing the merger. If it does get approved there will most likely be major changes in disvestment, and provisions for regulating how it conducts its business.
why he didn't contact Bruce Perens, instead of richard Stallman? Richard told him he was a 'Free Software' advocate and that his answer would be based upon that. RMS made many attempts (sucessfully)to steer him to sources that explain 'Free Software.'
Had he asked Bruce Perens his question about 'Open Source Software,' he would probably have gotten an answer in reply to his first e-mail. Oh well! It was an interesting read:-)
>...I didn't purchase Windows ME in order to
prolong my life, I did it so I could play cool video games. And Bill Gates did not send large, burly goons to beat
me up to get me to agree to the license.
I agreed to the license of my own free will, knowing the terms of it (I read EULAs), so I am ethically bound to
abide by the terms.
Wrong! You can't read the agreement until after you have opened the package and loaded the software. Just by breaking the shrinkwrap you agree to the terms of the software. They have your click to prove you've agreed to the terms...yhea right.
If you have in fact actually read and understand the terms and decide NOT to load the software, just try to return it for a refund. You have already broken the seal and most places will refuse to accept the software back, you'll be stuck with software you don't want!
You can read the comments here. Most of the comments are in PDF format, many of the comments reflect the Free/Open Source community view of UCITA, among them are, American Association of Law Libraries, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, PHD professors, and of course Richard M Stallman. Perhaps things aren't so bleak after all! Perhaps the FTC will support consumer interest! There would be some embarassed politicians in two states if the FTC ruled against the major provisions of UCITA including the legality of shrink-wrap and click-through licenses, remote recall/disabling of software, liability for individual programeers, NO liability for commercial software developers, etc:-)
Read 'Code and Other Laws of Cyberspace,' by Lawrence Lessig. The book discusses how the internet could be regulated. One of the ways discussed is the archecture of the internet, ie, protocals, standards, etc. It also discusses the role of 'Open Source,' programs, protocals, standards, etc, in relation to regulation. Worth a read.
My entry will enable business to increase sales and profit margins, the CheckOutFromHell. When you go to check-out after entering credit card data, the program refuses to allow exit from web site until the credit card is maxed-out and purchases finallized. All attempts to link to another site, or start a new application fail. Upon reboot the computer system automatically connects to the web site. Sufficient data is stored in the system BIOS so that even a complete reinstall will automatically connect to the web site. Afer finalizing purchases, a Smiley Face with the legend below reads, 'Thanks for choosing to shop at xxxxxxx, have a good day!'
deals with the local ISPs for cable access. In my hometown the local ISP, Northnet has written letters of protest to the FCC and FTC about the deal offered them. AOL wants $30 per ISP customer, plus 25% of the ISP's advertising revenue. Seems a deal like that would put local ISPs out of business.
Seems awful stupid to me to offer such an outrageous deal to ISPs in light of the proposed merger. Who do they think they are, Micro$oft?
They should have offered leased lines at reasonable prices, not a per customer charge, and perhaps 1% to 2% of generated ad revenue. AOL/TimeWarner had better watch their step, or they may become the next target of the DOJ!
x.0-CER (Cutting Edge Release) This is a Major Release that has been beta tested, but may contain known bugs and bugs not found in beta testing. This release is recomended for Advanced users only. Not for use in Mission Critical Applications or for New Linux Adopters.
x.1-MIR (Mid-term Improved Release) Contains improvements, updates and bug fixes found after public release of x.0. Recomended for users of previous.1 or.2 releases that wish to upgrade. Software should be evaluated by IT departments before implementing in Mission Critical Applications.
x.2-SIR (Stable Improved Release) This software has been thoroughly tested and debugged, it includes minor bug fixex and improvments for increased usability and stability. This software is recomended for Mission Critical Applications and New Linux Adopters.
These statements should appear prominently on the front and back of shrinkwrapped packages. Perhaps an explaination of all three could appear on the back so that those looking for Mission Critical or New Adopter releases would know which release to look for. It wouldn't hurt other distributors to adopt a similar system. Just my $0.02 worth:-)
on canvas with acrylic paint:-) Am I violating the licensing terms? I gotta do something with that OEM copy of Windoze now that I have Linux loaded on my machine. Is it ok if I break the CD into several pieces making it totally unusable before applying to canvas and painting? You know representing the forthcoming (?) MS break-up. Anyone want an original acrylic artwork that includes MS Win95SR2 and other M$ software?
sarcasm on-Testing should be done by the Linux community in the same unbiased way that the MS community did previous tests. sarcasm off- Previous message was submitted with 'sarcasm' as html, it disapeared, should have previewed:-)
Maybe someone should send a letter to the Clueless Cats at Digital Devergence stating: By opening this letter Digital Devergence agrees to compensate all receipents of harrassing cease and desist letters in the amount of $100.00. (Maybe someone should patent this 'letter license':-) The letter should be as legitimate as the ones they've been sending. Perhaps they'll get a clue.
Slashdot Mirror
If you receive IT in an text email, don't worry, you're ok. If the email is HTML, delete immediately, then run a virus scan of your entire system. DO NOT under any circumstance run an IT.exe, or other attachment, delete (or better yet shread) immediately. If IT should arrive in a package, fill a bathtub (or other suitabale container) full of water, then place package and entire contents totally submerged in the water for a full 24 hours before removing. If properly handled IT is not dangerous.
"The one disturbing thing I found about the letter was the paragraph where he talks about not competing with GNOME. I don't know if its just me, but it seemed like he was saying that they weren't trying to compete with GNOME only because there weren't many GNOME users, and that if there were more, they'd do everything possible to steal them away. As I said, its probably just me, but that paragraph still sounds somewhat odd."
What I got out of reading that, was that KDE would rather expand their userbase by pulling new users from present Windows users. KDE has essentially defined their competition as Microsoft, rather than GNOME. I'd rather see M$ userbase get smaller, than GNOME's. Seems to me they are compeeting against the right opponent. Just my $0.02 FWIW, YMMV
...meanwhile the Rebel Alliance, in a secret base is plotting to challenge Darth Vader and destroy the DeathStar...
A ZDNet comentary critiques the GNOME Foundation and KDE League, and compares it to the infighting among brands of UNIXes. The commentary postulates that forking of DEs will occur, and further fork OSS OSes.
The Windows community and Tech press don't seem to get it, choice is good. Microsoft has dominated so completely, for so long, that people have forgotton that, choice is good and drives competition. Just my $0.02 FWIW.
Does anyone know if there is any past caselaw that applies? For instance, what happened when videotapes of films were first sold? Did actors recieve any royalities? If not, were they able to recover royalities?
This election I'm kinda leaning towards voting for 'The Father of the Internet,' Al Gore. More as a vote against George Bush, than for Al.
:-)
During the last election, I used the write-in option, the ballot (Wisconsin) had at least a dozen choices. Anyway, my write-in vote was 'none of the above'
What surprises me is that the media didn't refer to it as a 'trojanwormvirus' ;-)
thegeek.org has an article with a link that talks about how the PS2 may not be such a good deal. The PS2 has fewer games now, programing games to take advantage of the capabilities is difficult, the games currently available aren't much better than those from other console makers, also the PS2 does not come with a modem. The article rates the Dreamcast a better value. They actually compare the PS2 to the rather disappointing Saturn platform. But with Sony's PR machine in hyperdrive, who knows!?
should contact M$ sharks and get signed affidavits from M$ suits and programers swearing that no GPLed source code was used in any Windows product. Afterall the source for GPL programs has always been available. Time to go on the offensive.
by stealing the source to Linux, BSD, and FSF software!
AOL has done a great job of sabotaging the AOL/Time-Warner merger. Do you think you could do better?
They shot themself in the foot when they offered ISPs cable access at 75% of fee charged and 25% of advertising revenue generated. Now it appears they are shooting themself in the other foot by requiring AOL to be the only HomePage. Plus they are taking aim at their kneecaps by pissing-off(and pissing-on) their partners.
I don't think the SEC, FTC, and FCC will have any trouble in trashing the merger. If it does get approved there will most likely be major changes in disvestment, and provisions for regulating how it conducts its business.
why he didn't contact Bruce Perens, instead of richard Stallman? Richard told him he was a 'Free Software' advocate and that his answer would be based upon that. RMS made many attempts (sucessfully)to steer him to sources that explain 'Free Software.'
:-)
Had he asked Bruce Perens his question about 'Open Source Software,' he would probably have gotten an answer in reply to his first e-mail. Oh well! It was an interesting read
>...I didn't purchase Windows ME in order to prolong my life, I did it so I could play cool video games. And Bill Gates did not send large, burly goons to beat me up to get me to agree to the license. I agreed to the license of my own free will, knowing the terms of it (I read EULAs), so I am ethically bound to abide by the terms.
:-)
We will be praying for your soul
Wrong! You can't read the agreement until after you have opened the package and loaded the software. Just by breaking the shrinkwrap you agree to the terms of the software. They have your click to prove you've agreed to the terms...yhea right.
If you have in fact actually read and understand the terms and decide NOT to load the software, just try to return it for a refund. You have already broken the seal and most places will refuse to accept the software back, you'll be stuck with software you don't want!
You can read the comments here. Most of the comments are in PDF format, many of the comments reflect the Free/Open Source community view of UCITA, among them are, American Association of Law Libraries, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, PHD professors, and of course Richard M Stallman. Perhaps things aren't so bleak after all! Perhaps the FTC will support consumer interest! There would be some embarassed politicians in two states if the FTC ruled against the major provisions of UCITA including the legality of shrink-wrap and click-through licenses, remote recall/disabling of software, liability for individual programeers, NO liability for commercial software developers, etc :-)
Read 'Code and Other Laws of Cyberspace,' by Lawrence Lessig. The book discusses how the internet could be regulated. One of the ways discussed is the archecture of the internet, ie, protocals, standards, etc. It also discusses the role of 'Open Source,' programs, protocals, standards, etc, in relation to regulation. Worth a read.
I am brain burn having from com-english getting while text reading I am.
My entry will enable business to increase sales and profit margins, the CheckOutFromHell. When you go to check-out after entering credit card data, the program refuses to allow exit from web site until the credit card is maxed-out and purchases finallized. All attempts to link to another site, or start a new application fail. Upon reboot the computer system automatically connects to the web site. Sufficient data is stored in the system BIOS so that even a complete reinstall will automatically connect to the web site. Afer finalizing purchases, a Smiley Face with the legend below reads, 'Thanks for choosing to shop at xxxxxxx, have a good day!'
Here is a link for an Open Letter written by NorthNet, here is the local news article.
deals with the local ISPs for cable access. In my hometown the local ISP, Northnet has written letters of protest to the FCC and FTC about the deal offered them. AOL wants $30 per ISP customer, plus 25% of the ISP's advertising revenue. Seems a deal like that would put local ISPs out of business.
Seems awful stupid to me to offer such an outrageous deal to ISPs in light of the proposed merger. Who do they think they are, Micro$oft?
They should have offered leased lines at reasonable prices, not a per customer charge, and perhaps 1% to 2% of generated ad revenue. AOL/TimeWarner had better watch their step, or they may become the next target of the DOJ!
How about labeling your releases as follows:
.2 releases that wish to upgrade. Software should be evaluated by IT departments before implementing in Mission Critical Applications.
:-)
x.0-CER (Cutting Edge Release) This is a Major Release that has been beta tested, but may contain known bugs and bugs not found in beta testing. This release is recomended for Advanced users only. Not for use in Mission Critical Applications or for New Linux Adopters.
x.1-MIR (Mid-term Improved Release) Contains improvements, updates and bug fixes found after public release of x.0. Recomended for users of previous.1 or
x.2-SIR (Stable Improved Release) This software has been thoroughly tested and debugged, it includes minor bug fixex and improvments for increased usability and stability. This software is recomended for Mission Critical Applications and New Linux Adopters.
These statements should appear prominently on the front and back of shrinkwrapped packages. Perhaps an explaination of all three could appear on the back so that those looking for Mission Critical or New Adopter releases would know which release to look for. It wouldn't hurt other distributors to adopt a similar system. Just my $0.02 worth
on canvas with acrylic paint :-) Am I violating the licensing terms? I gotta do something with that OEM copy of Windoze now that I have Linux loaded on my machine. Is it ok if I break the CD into several pieces making it totally unusable before applying to canvas and painting? You know representing the forthcoming (?) MS break-up. Anyone want an original acrylic artwork that includes MS Win95SR2 and other M$ software?
sarcasm on-Testing should be done by the Linux community in the same unbiased way that the MS community did previous tests. sarcasm off- Previous message was submitted with 'sarcasm' as html, it disapeared, should have previewed :-)
Testing should be done by the Linux community in the same unbiased way that the MS community did previous tests. BR>
Maybe someone should send a letter to the Clueless Cats at Digital Devergence stating: By opening this letter Digital Devergence agrees to compensate all receipents of harrassing cease and desist letters in the amount of $100.00. (Maybe someone should patent this 'letter license' :-) The letter should be as legitimate as the ones they've been sending. Perhaps they'll get a clue.