For a simple fix try Workrave. It's primary use is to prevent RSI, however it also works to prevent stress on the eyes. It has a spiffy popup list of streching exercises and eye exercises to do at your desk.
It appears that Mr. Barr at least feels he has a good reason for applying for the patent. If you read the statement he made before the FTC during their hearing on "Competition and Intellectual Property Law and Policy in the Knowledge-Based Economy" he argues against the current patent system. However, he also explains why Cisco, under his direction, applies for so many patents:
"It makes more business sense to assume that, despite the fact that we do not copy other company's products, and despite the fact that we do not derive solutions to problems from the patent literature, we will be accused of patent infringement. The only practical response to this problem of unintentional and sometimes unavoidable patent infringement is to file hundreds of patents each year ourselves, so that we can have something to bring to the table in cross-licensing negotiations. In other words, the only rational response to the large number of patents in our field is to contribute to it."
He goes on to make some very interesting arguments saying...
"The patent system does not exist to protect the rights of inventors, or any particular interest group. It doesn't exist to protect what we now call "intellectual property", as if it were protectable for its own sake. The patent system exists to protect the progress of science and the useful arts. If the patent system fails to do that in certain areas, then the costs and negative effects of the patent monopoly cannot be justified. Where the patent system enables true innovation, true progress, where it enables companies to bring new products to consumers in circumstances where they otherwise would not do it, or where it disseminates knowledge that others need and want, then it's working."
So, Cisco appears to be doing this as a matter to protect their own ability to use this fix, not to prevent other from using it. That would seem to fit with his explanation posted earlier...
"That's not what it says, or what I mean to say. It says that nobody has to pay anything, or even ask for a license, unless they want to
assert patents against Cisco."
Using a MS Word template, ActiveState Perl, and a number of modules including Win32::OLE I created a documentation generation system that pulled information from a database and created a Word document with dynamic headers, footers, formating, content, etc. I used it to created 1000+ password protected, pre-formatted Word documents that we provided to the client. Anytime the format needed updating or any data needed to be changed all I had to do was rerun the Perl script rather than update all of those docs.
I'm not going to say that this was easy by any means, it took quite a bit of research and tweaking to finally get right. XML would, no doubt, make this task easier but I don't necessarily think it is the panacea that will FINALLY permit us to automate docs and reports that need to be generated and shared. My point is that with "a Perl script and a bit of intelligence" document automation is something that can be done now.
I too received this email, went to the page to opt out, and had trouble doing so. However, if you keep reading the page they also give a toll free number to call in case you have trouble using the web page.
The number is 1-800-EGGHEAD (Mon - Fri 7AM - 5PM PST).
Following that logic, shouldn't they be able to also sue the recording industry for releasing their songs on media that allowed, in effect, the same thing (i.e. redistribution via Napster)?
You should listen to this. This is some of the best advice you're likely to get short of wasting your money on a "consultant." Where I work, we have three stages to production. In addition to the test box, we have a more tightly controlled "production test" environment and then changes get promoted to production.
On the other hand, if you're a smaller company with limited resources and you happen to be running Linux, you may want to give serious consideration User-mode Linux. From the site:
"User-Mode Linux gives you a virtual machine that may have more hardware and software virtual resources than your actual, physical computer."
I've played with it a bit and it gives you a complete (and completely sealed off) environment. It creates the entire environment within a file. So you could create the environment you want and then simply make duplicates using cp.
It does require quite a bit of disk space since each VM is a complete system. So, if you want a virutal system with a 2GB filesystem you'll need +2GB of disk space, but heh, disk space is one of the cheaper components, certainly cheaper than a new system.
Also keep in mind that it does "split up" your real system resources so you'll want to make sure you have plenty of RAM if you do any real work with it.
Anyway, check it out and see if will help. Either way, you really do need to seperate test and new "stuff" from production.
...But it would seem that the ISPs named in the law suit could simply put a disclaimer (the other legal favorite) that says to use the hyperlink one MUST use a mouse. Based on the description of the patent...
"...an operator is enabled to key-in to a key pad provided for the terminal numbers identifying a particular page of information which he requires
"
it would seem that they have a patent on hyperlink use with a keyboard/keypad.
Of course, the drawback to this is that they would then try to sue the makers of Lynx, w3m, and other browsers that rely on the use of the keyboard.
So, surf with the mouse and use the fingers you save for BT.
I'm not sure if BellSouth is doing different protocols in different areas or if they're migrating, but unless you're willing to spend several hundred dollars on a router, don't bet on using Linux with these guys. I bought an Alcatel 1000DSL from a guy for $100 because their support told me they use DHCP. When it didn't work I called back and found out that they use (at least now and in Alabama) PPPoA.
I happened to catch BellSouth while they were running a special. They waived the set-up fee and the cost of the modem and I did the installation myself. So, to actually get the service cost me nothing and everything arrived within 2-3 weeks like they said.
Other than the incorrect information that cost me $100, their support hasn't been bad. 'Course I haven't had the opportunity to test them very much.
Slashdot Mirror
When does spin doctoring cross the line and become false advertising?
As soon as it's posted, printed, released, etc., but then, I'm a bit of a cynic. If it's true then it's not spin doctoring.
Q: How can you tell they're lying?
A: Their lips are moving.
For a simple fix try Workrave. It's primary use is to prevent RSI, however it also works to prevent stress on the eyes. It has a spiffy popup list of streching exercises and eye exercises to do at your desk.
Workrave
"It makes more business sense to assume that, despite the fact that we do not copy other company's products, and despite the fact that we do not derive solutions to problems from the patent literature, we will be accused of patent infringement. The only practical response to this problem of unintentional and sometimes unavoidable patent infringement is to file hundreds of patents each year ourselves, so that we can have something to bring to the table in cross-licensing negotiations. In other words, the only rational response to the large number of patents in our field is to contribute to it."
He goes on to make some very interesting arguments saying...
"The patent system does not exist to protect the rights of inventors, or any particular interest group. It doesn't exist to protect what we now call "intellectual property", as if it were protectable for its own sake. The patent system exists to protect the progress of science and the useful arts. If the patent system fails to do that in certain areas, then the costs and negative effects of the patent monopoly cannot be justified. Where the patent system enables true innovation, true progress, where it enables companies to bring new products to consumers in circumstances where they otherwise would not do it, or where it disseminates knowledge that others need and want, then it's working."
So, Cisco appears to be doing this as a matter to protect their own ability to use this fix, not to prevent other from using it. That would seem to fit with his explanation posted earlier...
"That's not what it says, or what I mean to say. It says that nobody has to pay anything, or even ask for a license, unless they want to assert patents against Cisco."
You can read Mr. Barr's full statement before the FTC online (ironically enough) at
Freedom for a Free Information Infrastucture
"and a bit of intelligence"
Using a MS Word template, ActiveState Perl, and a number of modules including Win32::OLE I created a documentation generation system that pulled information from a database and created a Word document with dynamic headers, footers, formating, content, etc. I used it to created 1000+ password protected, pre-formatted Word documents that we provided to the client. Anytime the format needed updating or any data needed to be changed all I had to do was rerun the Perl script rather than update all of those docs.
I'm not going to say that this was easy by any means, it took quite a bit of research and tweaking to finally get right. XML would, no doubt, make this task easier but I don't necessarily think it is the panacea that will FINALLY permit us to automate docs and reports that need to be generated and shared. My point is that with "a Perl script and a bit of intelligence" document automation is something that can be done now.
I would avoid Reptialian Ambassador.
You wouldn't want anyone confusing Mitchell Baker with a M$ sales rep.
I too received this email, went to the page to opt out, and had trouble doing so. However, if you keep reading the page they also give a toll free number to call in case you have trouble using the web page.
The number is 1-800-EGGHEAD (Mon - Fri 7AM - 5PM PST).
Following that logic, shouldn't they be able to also sue the recording industry for releasing their songs on media that allowed, in effect, the same thing (i.e. redistribution via Napster)?
You should listen to this. This is some of the best advice you're likely to get short of wasting your money on a "consultant." Where I work, we have three stages to production. In addition to the test box, we have a more tightly controlled "production test" environment and then changes get promoted to production.
On the other hand, if you're a smaller company with limited resources and you happen to be running Linux, you may want to give serious consideration User-mode Linux. From the site:
"User-Mode Linux gives you a virtual machine that may have more hardware and software virtual resources than your actual, physical computer."
I've played with it a bit and it gives you a complete (and completely sealed off) environment. It creates the entire environment within a file. So you could create the environment you want and then simply make duplicates using cp.
It does require quite a bit of disk space since each VM is a complete system. So, if you want a virutal system with a 2GB filesystem you'll need +2GB of disk space, but heh, disk space is one of the cheaper components, certainly cheaper than a new system.
Also keep in mind that it does "split up" your real system resources so you'll want to make sure you have plenty of RAM if you do any real work with it.
Anyway, check it out and see if will help. Either way, you really do need to seperate test and new "stuff" from production.
...But it would seem that the ISPs named in the law suit could simply put a disclaimer (the other legal favorite) that says to use the hyperlink one MUST use a mouse. Based on the description of the patent...
"...an operator is enabled to key-in to a key pad provided for the terminal numbers identifying a particular page of information which he requires "
it would seem that they have a patent on hyperlink use with a keyboard/keypad.
Of course, the drawback to this is that they would then try to sue the makers of Lynx, w3m, and other browsers that rely on the use of the keyboard.
So, surf with the mouse and use the fingers you save for BT.
I'm not sure if BellSouth is doing different protocols in different areas or if they're migrating, but unless you're willing to spend several hundred dollars on a router, don't bet on using Linux with these guys. I bought an Alcatel 1000DSL from a guy for $100 because their support told me they use DHCP. When it didn't work I called back and found out that they use (at least now and in Alabama) PPPoA.
:) for about $150.
:)
From what I've found, you can patch the 2.4 kernel to support PPPoA, but the hardware is what gets ya. The modem that BellSouth ships with their service is an internal PCI or external USB Windows© only POS. I borrowed a Windows© machine and installed the included modem to make sure that the service was working and for the two weeks that I had the it, the connection was great.
They do offer an external modem/router that I could use, but it's $300. I realize that isn't very much, but I can get a cheap computer, put Windows© on it, and stick it the corner(where it belongs) and forget about it(until I have to reboot it or it reboots itself
I happened to catch BellSouth while they were running a special. They waived the set-up fee and the cost of the modem and I did the installation myself. So, to actually get the service cost me nothing and everything arrived within 2-3 weeks like they said.
Other than the incorrect information that cost me $100, their support hasn't been bad. 'Course I haven't had the opportunity to test them very much.
eclecticIO
PS Anyone out there need an Alcatel 1000DSL?