Poppycock! The only people whom are rewarded for their patents fall into two categories: a) the very rich, as they can afford to win a legal pissing contest against any infringers and b) the small guy that doesn't really ask for what the innovation is worth.
Sorry guy, you missed the point... barleyguy is speaking about the cost of a patent holder enforcing their own patent rights. You know, trying to get the license fees from someone who "stole" their idea.
Of course, this guy with the Y2K windowing patent had the right idea...ask for a license fee cost of showing up in court. Um, that was sarcasm. I'll say it one more time, for those of you that missed me saying it the first time: Abolish the Patent Office!
vservers.com has been good for me too. they proactively notify me when maintenance occurs and also after the fact when unexpected failures occur (i think the power supply got toasted on my box, once upon a time). point is they seem to be responsible. tech support has provided good answers (via email) and typically within 12 hours or so.
The idea of say, auctioning off unexclusive licenses to interested companies that they may create a competitor to Windows sounds good on the outside. For a period of time, Word will run on these competitors, well maybe.
After that, what is to prevent the MS version of Windows from coming up with more secret APIs and the MS App guys "reverse engineering" (yeah, right), or discovering top secret documents in a dumpster, so they can use these APIs in the next version of Word? We will be right back where we are today.
People need to exchange documents, and without applying the Rube Goldberg techniques us geeks are so fond of. Especially with people from outside companies, so forget the "everyone can use WordPerfect or GNUmeric" argument. From my perspective, this need is what keeps people running Windows -- enhanced probability of easy file exchange. My proposed solution to this is an above-board, "free" disclosure of file formats. And not just from M$ either. Perhaps embed the data storage in the OS via free plugins.
At the risk of my kharma points, I take a turn toward the off-topic at this point. Who the hell are these app vendors to lock me into using their application to view my own data. Proprietary file formats got to go.
I use a LinkSys 4 Port switch unit. No complaints, switch-via-keystrokes. and it costs less than the Belkin unit too.
Whatever you choose, make it an electronic one. The mechanical ones have an attractive price. In my experience they are problematic and have a short lifespan.
Disclaimer:I am not a lawyer, so basically, I don't know if this is relevant or not.
Seems to me that this is a criminal activity vis a vis unauthorized use of a private computer system. Hypothetically speaking, of course, if someone visited my website (if I had one:), downloaded a program, ran it, and the program sent data back to my site, what then? I think it would at least earn me a visit from the FBI. I hope the DOJ is paying attention.
How about theft of bandwidth? I don't recall them asking me if they could borrow a cup 'o bits.
Anyone with some background in law care to shed some light?
The license fee that Unisys has proposed applies only to sites that have graphics created with software that did not pay a GIF license fee to Unisys. Basically, if you used one of the major software packages to create your GIFs, then the GIF license fees have been satisified.
While I strongly feel we need to abolish the Patent Office, as it no longer serves to common man, and I also tend to respect many of ESR's writings and his role as an open source advocate, I really object to this type of yellow journalism that is hype-oriented and does not convey an accurate picture of the truth. The last time this thread came up on/., I wrote off the sensationalism of every webmaster has to cough up $5000 simply as ignorance./. revealed the truth on this matter and I find the continued dishonesty via omission to be reprehensible.
How is the open source movement to have any credibility when we choose to employ the same tactics as da man?
those who have learned how to use their looks as a tool to manipulate men will almost always make your life miserable in the long run - Whew! I can attest to that through several painful experiences. Some of the manipulating hotties have looked great without makeup, etc. too. One of the warning signs: you spend more time with x than me
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I learned a couple of things from your article. For instance, typically my first attempts to touch a woman usually involve some exchange of saliva (either uni- or bi-directional). While it can do the trick to get some nookie, I'm sitting here alone in this big house right now. (laughs) A touch on the arm seems a slightly less accelerated and wiser approach.
Really fast and really loud. Some of the old faves: Dead Kennedys, Fear, Sex Pistols, Stranglers, Generation X and some of the new faves: Dwarves, Voodooo Glow Skulls, The Humpers. Other than that, MeatBeatManifesto, B-Boys, Negativland and all Command and Conquer soundtracks.
I agree with your point that it seems a lot of "CIS" students are really MCSE's in training. I have met several younger geeks lately, and their curriculums are like: designing networks, NT administration, and, oh yes a semester of c/c++ thrown in for good measure.
I think to myself sometimes (while glancing at the Altair 8800 callous on my right index finger), Doesn't anybody learn what a computer does right after the power goes on any more?
On another note, in the interest of fairness, I would like to throw out this info about RIT. I stumbled across the Computer Science House at RIT Page when checking out IMP. (Link is at the bottom of the page) Checking out their "house projects" page indicates, to me at least, that they are learning a tad bit more than just configuring NT boxes. A couple of highlights from that list: Porting NetBSD to DECStation 5000 and writing an FTP server for BeOS...Sounds a little beyond textbook, IMO.
While I don't totally disagree with Section9, I want to say a few things. Before I get started, I want to say that while I believe abortion is a gruesome choice (ask anyone who has witnessed one), I also believe it is a choice any human female ought to be entitled to.
might deprive the human race of the next Einstein or Hawking
Why is it that when we place a value on a human life, we measure it by intellectual achievement? Maybe a baby with severe mental or physical challenges can help its parents to know love. Or maybe help a stranger to know humility.
I think what is dangerous about a law that would allow termination of infants due to genetic "defects" is what are the "defects". Some people allude to the "wrong color eyes or hair".
Here's some other examples that may hit close to home... Some genetic scientists say that drug addiction is predetermined by DNA. I have heard some gay people tell me that they are "naturally gay". Perhaps there is a genetic connection there too. Maybe if we look deep enough into the human genome, we will find those DNA strands that make someone an asshole (or a geek) too.
Once we take the step to accept killing infants with horrible physical challenges, how much farther of a step is it for us to advocate killing drug addicts, gay people and assholes? I'll bet there's a strand in our DNA that causes us to be rebellious... I say if we look for the love within all of us, we'll find the tax money to support these lives.
I would like to point out that by your own post you support the notion that ideas themselves are not dangerous, but rather, acting on those ideas is where the danger lies.
It is not a crime to think about stealing someone else's car. Stealing it is. This "ideas are dangerous" rhetoric in this thread is dangerous. It suggests that certain thoughts should be criminalized. I would also like to point out that suggesting the repression of ideas is akin to security via obscurity, and we all know that obscurity is no security at all.
Lastly, Socialism and Communism are far more than ideas. They lay out a set of actions that are executed by certain governments and their populations.
Break out the black lists! Mc Carthyism is coming back in style.
I think the bandwidth consumption they are really concerned about is that the cable company will actually have to pass traffic onto their upstream link to the backbone instead of serving content to your home from the cache of a transparent proxy they have conveniently installed at the head end.
I have to agree with you that patents were originally introduced to grant the patent holder exclusive right to the revenue generated by an invention or discovery.
Stimulate innovation vs. protect IP is a moot argument. They are one and the same, for the purpose of this discussion. Patent laws were conceived (or at least in a government of the people, by the people, for the people, they would have been) to enable our country to tap into its diverse resources by making it possible for the average individual to create something cool in their garage and enhance the quality of our lives.
Clearly, this is not the case any longer. Patents are only enforcable by the rich, meaning large corporations. If you don't believe me ask any individual that has any kind of a patent. Unless the patent holder can afford a small army or posse of lawyers, any IP instruments are unenforcable.
And corporations, do they need this type of protection (or encouragement to innovate)? I think not. Companies will continue to innovate because they can make a buck by selling their wares. And would not the possibility of open competition encourage the pharmaceutical companies to streamline their mfg. processes and be a bit more prudent about which drugs to research? Do we really need Ritalin? How about the high cost of treating HIV? Whatup wit 'dat? And to think, we call it civilized to hold people with life threatening diseases hostage to some corp.'s patent.
Basically, saying that large corporations (or Joe average citizen) need patents to encourage them to innovate is simply more FUD. Plenty of philanthropic organizations will answer the call to fund research to help humanity. Backyard inventors will innovate because it fills them with a sense of joy and achievement.
Some people might just give their cool innovations away because it is their contribution to humanity, and find some other way to make a living. Why should we think computer geeks hold a lock on giving their work away? Perhaps other techies, tinkerers and scientists would like to as well.
Slashdot Mirror
Poppycock! The only people whom are rewarded for their patents fall into two categories: a) the very rich, as they can afford to win a legal pissing contest against any infringers and b) the small guy that doesn't really ask for what the innovation is worth.
Of course, this guy with the Y2K windowing patent had the right idea...ask for a license fee cost of showing up in court. Um, that was sarcasm. I'll say it one more time, for those of you that missed me saying it the first time: Abolish the Patent Office!
vservers.com has been good for me too. they proactively notify me when maintenance occurs and also after the fact when unexpected failures occur (i think the power supply got toasted on my box, once upon a time). point is they seem to be responsible. tech support has provided good answers (via email) and typically within 12 hours or so.
After that, what is to prevent the MS version of Windows from coming up with more secret APIs and the MS App guys "reverse engineering" (yeah, right), or discovering top secret documents in a dumpster, so they can use these APIs in the next version of Word? We will be right back where we are today.
People need to exchange documents, and without applying the Rube Goldberg techniques us geeks are so fond of. Especially with people from outside companies, so forget the "everyone can use WordPerfect or GNUmeric" argument. From my perspective, this need is what keeps people running Windows -- enhanced probability of easy file exchange. My proposed solution to this is an above-board, "free" disclosure of file formats. And not just from M$ either. Perhaps embed the data storage in the OS via free plugins.
At the risk of my kharma points, I take a turn toward the off-topic at this point. Who the hell are these app vendors to lock me into using their application to view my own data. Proprietary file formats got to go.
OFFTOPIC? What, some M1 not getting enough nookie or sumpin... Should be: FUNNY. Thanks dude - its been awhile since I laughed until I cried.
The "baby diarrhea" yellow has got to go.
Whatever you choose, make it an electronic one. The mechanical ones have an attractive price. In my experience they are problematic and have a short lifespan.
What I want to know is where is the Pronunciaion How-To?
Any chance to extend your interview to cover this question?
Seems to me that this is a criminal activity vis a vis unauthorized use of a private computer system. Hypothetically speaking, of course, if someone visited my website (if I had one :), downloaded a program, ran it, and the program sent data back to my site, what then? I think it would at least earn me a visit from the FBI. I hope the DOJ is paying attention.
How about theft of bandwidth? I don't recall them asking me if they could borrow a cup 'o bits.
Anyone with some background in law care to shed some light?
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. -- Commander Scott, USS Enterprise
While I strongly feel we need to abolish the Patent Office, as it no longer serves to common man, and I also tend to respect many of ESR's writings and his role as an open source advocate, I really object to this type of yellow journalism that is hype-oriented and does not convey an accurate picture of the truth. The last time this thread came up on /., I wrote off the sensationalism of every webmaster has to cough up $5000 simply as ignorance. /. revealed the truth on this matter and I find the continued dishonesty via omission to be reprehensible.
How is the open source movement to have any credibility when we choose to employ the same tactics as da man?
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I learned a couple of things from your article. For instance, typically my first attempts to touch a woman usually involve some exchange of saliva (either uni- or bi-directional). While it can do the trick to get some nookie, I'm sitting here alone in this big house right now. (laughs) A touch on the arm seems a slightly less accelerated and wiser approach.
You mean like any of the textbook examples in Chapter 5 of Writing Apache Modules with Perl and C
Really fast and really loud. Some of the old faves: Dead Kennedys, Fear, Sex Pistols, Stranglers, Generation X and some of the new faves: Dwarves, Voodooo Glow Skulls, The Humpers. Other than that, MeatBeatManifesto, B-Boys, Negativland and all Command and Conquer soundtracks.
Why, so we can surf while driving, of course.
I think to myself sometimes (while glancing at the Altair 8800 callous on my right index finger), Doesn't anybody learn what a computer does right after the power goes on any more?
On another note, in the interest of fairness, I would like to throw out this info about RIT. I stumbled across the Computer Science House at RIT Page when checking out IMP. (Link is at the bottom of the page) Checking out their "house projects" page indicates, to me at least, that they are learning a tad bit more than just configuring NT boxes. A couple of highlights from that list: Porting NetBSD to DECStation 5000 and writing an FTP server for BeOS...Sounds a little beyond textbook, IMO.
-- Have you hugged your assembler lately?
might deprive the human race of the next Einstein or Hawking
Why is it that when we place a value on a human life, we measure it by intellectual achievement? Maybe a baby with severe mental or physical challenges can help its parents to know love. Or maybe help a stranger to know humility.
I think what is dangerous about a law that would allow termination of infants due to genetic "defects" is what are the "defects". Some people allude to the "wrong color eyes or hair".
Here's some other examples that may hit close to home... Some genetic scientists say that drug addiction is predetermined by DNA. I have heard some gay people tell me that they are "naturally gay". Perhaps there is a genetic connection there too. Maybe if we look deep enough into the human genome, we will find those DNA strands that make someone an asshole (or a geek) too.
Once we take the step to accept killing infants with horrible physical challenges, how much farther of a step is it for us to advocate killing drug addicts, gay people and assholes? I'll bet there's a strand in our DNA that causes us to be rebellious... I say if we look for the love within all of us, we'll find the tax money to support these lives.
I would like to point out that by your own post you support the notion that ideas themselves are not dangerous, but rather, acting on those ideas is where the danger lies.
It is not a crime to think about stealing someone else's car. Stealing it is. This "ideas are dangerous" rhetoric in this thread is dangerous. It suggests that certain thoughts should be criminalized. I would also like to point out that suggesting the repression of ideas is akin to security via obscurity, and we all know that obscurity is no security at all.
Lastly, Socialism and Communism are far more than ideas. They lay out a set of actions that are executed by certain governments and their populations.
Break out the black lists! Mc Carthyism is coming back in style.
Anybody ever read "1984"?
I think the bandwidth consumption they are really concerned about is that the cable company will actually have to pass traffic onto their upstream link to the backbone instead of serving content to your home from the cache of a transparent proxy they have conveniently installed at the head end.
I have to agree with you that patents were originally introduced to grant the patent holder exclusive right to the revenue generated by an invention or discovery.
Stimulate innovation vs. protect IP is a moot argument. They are one and the same, for the purpose of this discussion. Patent laws were conceived (or at least in a government of the people, by the people, for the people, they would have been) to enable our country to tap into its diverse resources by making it possible for the average individual to create something cool in their garage and enhance the quality of our lives.
Clearly, this is not the case any longer. Patents are only enforcable by the rich, meaning large corporations. If you don't believe me ask any individual that has any kind of a patent. Unless the patent holder can afford a small army or posse of lawyers, any IP instruments are unenforcable.
And corporations, do they need this type of protection (or encouragement to innovate)? I think not. Companies will continue to innovate because they can make a buck by selling their wares. And would not the possibility of open competition encourage the pharmaceutical companies to streamline their mfg. processes and be a bit more prudent about which drugs to research? Do we really need Ritalin? How about the high cost of treating HIV? Whatup wit 'dat? And to think, we call it civilized to hold people with life threatening diseases hostage to some corp.'s patent.
Basically, saying that large corporations (or Joe average citizen) need patents to encourage them to innovate is simply more FUD. Plenty of philanthropic organizations will answer the call to fund research to help humanity. Backyard inventors will innovate because it fills them with a sense of joy and achievement.
Some people might just give their cool innovations away because it is their contribution to humanity, and find some other way to make a living. Why should we think computer geeks hold a lock on giving their work away? Perhaps other techies, tinkerers and scientists would like to as well.
Hey, at least you can get the source to the patch, well, if you're willing to sign the NDA.
i believe they are not part of c-net, they just put the c-net news link on their site to try to steal some credibility. run a whois on the two domain names and come up with different registrants. their © message is different then c-net too.
real sleazy. tragic too... IMNSHO, plagiarism is an empty substitute for real creativity.
not bloody likely that you'll run out of things to do in perl =)