Or.. perhaps rather than blaming the PC manufacturer, for doing what PC manufacturers do (including the newest and greatest in PC hardware), blame the Video Card company for not releasing with Linux drivers. Isn't it about time that these folks woke up and smelled the coffee? (Oh sweet juice of Caffine, how we've missed you.)
Seriously, we have to recognize as a community that attacking folks who have shown an interest in helping us is worthless, polite but pointed discussion works much better. Why don't PC manufacturers sell blank and/or OEM linuxed boxes? Because they lose their margin. The highest profits come from NEW hardware, in the first month or two after it arives on the market, we can't expect them to be happy setting aside thier bussiness models to support an OS and a community that they suffer risks to support at all.
Leave the PC OEM folk alone, Kill the Hardware manufacturers that choose to continue to ignore Linux.. why.. because they know that with Linux, eventually, someone else will do the work.
It's been awhile since I looked this up, but back around March 19th when MS had the PS2 tossed out of cebit, I looked up their revenues and head counts;
To quote: Microssoft:
Employees: (last reported count): 47,600
For the six months ended 12/01, revenues rose 13% to $13.87 billion.
Sony:
Employees: (last reported count): 181,800
For the nine months ended 12/31/01, revenues rose 6% to Y5.712T (Yes, 5.712 trillion yen, or about $44.2 billion US)
So yes, let's see the 'Unending Resource' of Microsoft bring this 'little' company down to size.
So.. their revenue is equal to microsofts 'massive' stored cash.
oh, and if you're keeping track, Sony makes 3 times Microsoft's yearly revenue.
The purpose of college is life experience, and task qualification. Let me just say, no-one in their right mind should try to get through the time period from when they turn 19 - 24 in a steady job enviroment.
Ignore the early loss of youth, there are fluctuations in mood and objectivity that will occour in that time period that WILL alter your ability to concentrate on job tasks. They WILL detriment the consistency of your efforts, and could get you slotted as a B level individual, lower wage increases, less need to train, more likely to get laid off.
Now, that said, from the position of reaping the rewards of your youth.. it depends. Real World experience is invalible for the 'hands on' jobs, but in the long-term higher level design and management positions will not be open to you based on your background. Night school is an option, and I don't feel that lost prestige will hold you back if you can get 10 years of working experience. On the other hand, 'self employed', and 'various contract positions' do not count as work experience.
College offeres the advantadge of allowing you the oppourtunity to 'pay for play', give them money, for a little bit of practical experience. Plus all the intangables, Life-long freinds, one of the best places in the world to find someone to be a life partner, and a nice little shelter from reality for a few years.
If it were up to me, I'd go back. But then again I dropped out and got a job.. now I'm doing night school to support my switch from engineer to management.
Got it backwards kiddo, Xbox is playing catch-up to PS2 on the price drop.
This is the ancient game of 'one year post release, drop the price by one hundred' next year the PS2 will go to 100, and microsoft will still be on the side lines not quite getting it.
Of course it dosen't help that all the native talent quit MS shortly after Xbox made it out the door.
The MS issue here is that they have presumed too much in their decision to take on Sony, whose cash reserves make MSes look like a child's savings account. There is a reason that a hard drive was not delivered in the PS2.. because people are willing to pay for it seperately. And I will, happilly even, do so when they release the ethernet/HD combo. Why? Because I've watched MS do this before, sneak into an area and pander their two bit crap as free gold for a few years until they've scared off the competition, and then they use that new control as a lever. You don't get a free ride anywhere. If you're getting something for free, check for the Brilliant 3d Projector. Linux is free right? Nope, you're doing pro-bono QA and system compatability testing.
Given a choice, I'll go for the volunteer work over the extortion.
Want to use our network? Gotta use out browser. Oh.. and our browser isn't available on all those operating systems we don't like. Want this service, you gotta commit baby. Yeah, don't worry.. I love ya, just turn around and grab your heels.
Bah.. Give me Freedom, or you can shove your data stream.
There is no "cyber-attack" that doesn't currently plauge us already. Unless the chinese are going to bomb our routers (with explosives), I think we can deal with it.
"The mission of Chinese special forces includes physical sabotage" of vulnerable systems, the report says
So.. I believe that would in fact be their plan.
I remember a past article here on/. regarding the security of the root name server... the issue stressed was not the physical safety of the server (which can be dropped out of the system with minimal damage), but the loss of life that would be involved in blowing through all the surrounding security.
It's time to design death-traps with our central equipment in the center... sure you can blow up that name server... you just have to be willing to have your legs blown off. No you won't die till you starve to death.
Brutality, especially so the sickening sort, is an old specialty of ours. War with the US is such a distrubing concept not only because of our sheer might, but also an individual citizens ability to become a killing machine. We are a nation of psychotics. Dosen't that make you feel safe?;)
"There was also a tabletop roleplaying game, called Amber Diceless Roleplay [rpg.net], by the now-defunct (I think) Phage Press."
I can't speak for Phage Press' continuing existence directly, but new copies of the Amber game keep showing up at the game store I shop at.. then being bought.. then replaced.. etc. About a year ago I went in there and picked up the core book, as well as shadow-knight, I wanted to pick up extra copies for the rest of my group, but they unfortunatly only keep one on hand.. implying that someone is still shipping books sold by Phage.
Anyway, if you live anywhere near chicago, I'll always kill to jump in a game of Amber.. or you can go to Gen Con and play in one of the pick-ups Wujcik runs there.
1- inform your friends and colleauges what's up.
2- start a petition program, pledging to vote for your congressmen's opponent party, not only in that election, but in all election in which you take part, unless they perform as required to mitigate this issue.
3- inform all effected parties, such as the congressman, senator, local judges, mayors, and state reps.
Observe as the Democratic and Republican machines raise all kinds of hell to keep these 'rebel congressmen' from continuing their witch hunt.
For the six months ended 12/01, revenues rose 13% to $13.87 billion.
Sony: Employees: (last reported count): 181,800
For the nine months ended 12/31/01, revenues rose 6% to Y5.712T (Yes, 5.712 trillion yen, or about $44.2 billion US)
So yes, let's see the 'Unending Resource' of Microsoft bring this 'little' company down to size.
They're out gunned and outmatched in this battle, in a time in which the continued existance of Microsoft as we know it is still being debated by the courts of this country, developing an enemy who's concept of 'deep pockets' is a multiple of 10 higher than your own.. is suicide.
hmm.. perhaps it's the common misconception that college is some form of unified experience. When in fact it's different based on a million different possible factors, including the school's atmosphere, profs, project requirements, prestige, etc.
Any way you cut it.. *I* had alot more free time in college than now. Then again, I had yet more in high school and elementary.. so perhaps it's just part of the continuous absorption of our free time by modern society.
My college experience taught me many things, manily, college students have one thing going for them; free time. In all other ways, college kids are screwed, cash, respect, etc.
In the early years, there is only the beer, some have cars, but we're talking basic transportation here, nothing snazzy. Some have jobs, second year those with jobs often move into an appartment or somesuch.. and they learn the pleasure of giving up all their money to not live in the dorms.
and 39 dollars for art software? Please, tell me where? The student deal for Microsoft VC++ 3 years ago was 99 bucks. For adobe.. HAH!
Better yet, let's say you want to learn 3d modeling.
It could be less a decrease in piracy, and more a decrease in willingness to admit to piracy. I remember when I was in college, we used to talk openly about who had the newest 0-day site on the floor, no fear. Then one of the kids got busted for selling burned PS1 games. Suddenly no-one on the floor was pirating anymore.. no really officer.. we all gave it up and got jobs...
Seriously though, with the insanity of the RIAA and MPAA lately attacking their own customers and the fans of their lables, maybe more folk are just spooked about owning up to trading warez.
Yes, I agree that it's likely that someone would add relaying back into a GPL'd distro, it wouldn't matter nearly so much if there were only 5-12 per 1000 mail servers relaying mail. It's when the default installations of the major distros still leave relaying available. It's unfortunate, but true, that we're going to have to view the average user on the net in the next dozen years or so, as being 'not that bright' when you get right down to it. Sure they may be brilliant in their own area of expertise, but let's keep this to computing needs.
Worse, more and more people are playing around with software they don't understand, or shoe-horning themselves into jobs for which they are unfit. I hate to say it, but it's the responability of those of us who do know more or less which direction is up, to turn off all the bells and whistles by default. Default linux distros should not install a web server/mail server/ftp server unless the user takes the time to select those packages (at which point joe-admin is probably behind the wheel).
But for god's sake, let's not turn around and blame the fools using the software we left behind for them when that software leaves them open to be exploited.
The problem is that English speakers have had a 'bad attitude' about expecting all those 'grimy third world' places to learn our language. It's almost a shame that the majority of Europe has now complied. But we got the money, they want it, etc etc.
Hmm.. I wonder if they ever considered blocking english speakers at the border.
Oh yeah, also don't forget that there is a shortage of skilled techs that read/write manderin/cantonese, This makes it much more difficult for admins to find folk that speak their native language and also have the nessecary expertise.
Or rather than excluding huge portions of the internet and taking massive strides in a negative direction, why not re-think e-mail stanards and fix this fsking problem once and for all.
Step one: Remove the Open Relay from the e-mail server software.
Step two: Consider changing the process of sending/recieving e-mail. What if rather than actually recieving an e-mail message, a link note was sent to your mail server, The user would see an e-mail address (sender), and a subject line pop-up in their mail box. If they delete the message, a reply is sent to the originating mail server, End of Story, if they open it, a request is sent to sending server to recieve the full text.
The only real gain on this is that the sender would then be forced to carry the burden of expense.
Or we can just block people from the net in large groups, which is obviously in keeping with the inclusive nature of the original architecutre, and the free information movement in general.
I'm going to need a PC to run the CD-rom or web-site on, in a case, based on the premise that Microsoft has a monopoly on the Operating System market for PCs?
Next they'll propose to distro them in MS.doc 2002 format.
Just because the leach user dosen't pay by the minute does not mean that someone isn't paying for their service. Either the node provider, his ISP, or their connection company.
Any way you cut it, we have to push for state backed network-by-air systems like Daley here in chicago has been talking about lately.
Actually, I've been using AIM pretty steadily for a few years, and I can't remember ever waiting for an update to go through. I believe the changes that are made are mostly on the server side.
As far as serving the ads through.. wouldn't suprise me if that worked, that's what saved metacrawler.
-GiH
Re:Let's all destroy a good thing.
on
AOL vs. Trillian
·
· Score: 0
AOL bought ICQ (Mirabilis) years ago. In fact ICQ 2000 uses Oscar, the AIM protocol...
I actually remembered that shortly after finishing the post.. still, parts 2 and 3 are being left alone. It's the whole, Turning the Product into Real Proffits thing that would clinche the deal.
And their Investor's would sue them if they didn't. AOL is a for-proffit company that MUST takes steps to ensure they protect their profit margin. The Top Execs are liable to the investors if they don't. Particularly bad decisions can also land their Cxx level folk in jail.
Added liability in exchange for pleasing folk that have no intention of ever giving you money?
-GiH
ps - how many of you mock those same AOL users that pay for that service you demand they give away for free?
Let's all destroy a good thing.
on
AOL vs. Trillian
·
· Score: 1, Interesting
Yes, By all means, Topple AOL. After all, they can't just shut down the service if it becomes to heavily used to remain popular right? Oh wait, they can and will.
I love this; a company produces a free product, does nothing to stop free competition (hello, if AOL were smart they're outright buy ICQ and Others, then charge 2 bucks a month to use their software.), they simply refuse to let other companies profit at their expense. What does this earn them? Cries of monopoly, and folks linking thier practices to Microsoft. Please note the lack of court proceedings. Please note the lack of impotent threats. Please note the lack of whining. AOL and Microsoft are linked only in that the two are succesful software companies, in an age when that is becoming rare (thanks to MS). When they Roll out the Lawyers to destroy Tillian for daring to exist in their space, then come talk to me. Until then, it's an amusing battle between the corp techs at AOL, and the corp hackers at Trillian.
Albeit, I've been an AOL user since before they allowed access to the 'net, so I'm certainly biased.
-GiH ps - I'll put my money on Aztechnology buying them both in 20 or so years;).
Okay,
So let's see how this works. Trade restrictions, what does that mean. Oh right, higher import taxes, limits on import quantity. Hmm. Iron and footwear industries.
So, to support the RIAA we're going to take steps that may lead to marginally increased prices in iron goods. You know--the stuff they use to make steel and such for the automobile industry and other such groups.
Heh, but okay.. it's only a 1 penny a pound difference right? And I mean.. so what if there's about 600 + pounds of steel in even the lightest of US cars. It's not like this will actually effect our economy right.. I mean.. that's like.. only a few million in a year!?
And after all! These are the good times! We're in such an economic boom time that the RIAA is complaining that sails growth is down 40% from last year. Man, if there was a 40% reduction in sales growth just for burned discs, imagine what the rest of the economy must be doing.
Damn, I wish my local economy was that good here in Chicago. Where is this dream land called the US.. I want to move their. I mean, hell.. anywhere that can afford to increase their cost of doing bussiness as a nation by billions of dollars so that one small group of corporations can increase proffits by a few million. I'd love to live there!
-GiH
On the contrary, Buy, buy, and buy another. Go home, open it up, place it in your macintosh, or your PS2, observe the errors. Now stand up, and protest in a true and meaningful way! Return the Disc. They eat the cost of production, packaging, and now, refunding the retailer!
Slashdot Mirror
Just makes me glad I don't watch TV much.
Who needs TV? I've got BOOKS!
-GiH
Or.. perhaps rather than blaming the PC manufacturer, for doing what PC manufacturers do (including the newest and greatest in PC hardware), blame the Video Card company for not releasing with Linux drivers. Isn't it about time that these folks woke up and smelled the coffee? (Oh sweet juice of Caffine, how we've missed you.)
Seriously, we have to recognize as a community that attacking folks who have shown an interest in helping us is worthless, polite but pointed discussion works much better. Why don't PC manufacturers sell blank and/or OEM linuxed boxes? Because they lose their margin. The highest profits come from NEW hardware, in the first month or two after it arives on the market, we can't expect them to be happy setting aside thier bussiness models to support an OS and a community that they suffer risks to support at all.
Leave the PC OEM folk alone, Kill the Hardware manufacturers that choose to continue to ignore Linux.. why.. because they know that with Linux, eventually, someone else will do the work.
Damn Leaches.
-GiH
Man oh Man oh man.
Get it?
-GiH
The difference between a Manager and an Engineer; The Manager reads the introduction, the Engineer scans the useful bits. -GiH
It's been awhile since I looked this up, but back around March 19th when MS had the PS2 tossed out of cebit, I looked up their revenues and head counts;
To quote:
Microssoft: Employees: (last reported count): 47,600 For the six months ended 12/01, revenues rose 13% to $13.87 billion. Sony:
Employees: (last reported count): 181,800
For the nine months ended 12/31/01, revenues rose 6% to Y5.712T (Yes, 5.712 trillion yen, or about $44.2 billion US)
So yes, let's see the 'Unending Resource' of Microsoft bring this 'little' company down to size.
So.. their revenue is equal to microsofts 'massive' stored cash.
oh, and if you're keeping track, Sony makes 3 times Microsoft's yearly revenue.
-GiH
The purpose of college is life experience, and task qualification. Let me just say, no-one in their right mind should try to get through the time period from when they turn 19 - 24 in a steady job enviroment.
Ignore the early loss of youth, there are fluctuations in mood and objectivity that will occour in that time period that WILL alter your ability to concentrate on job tasks. They WILL detriment the consistency of your efforts, and could get you slotted as a B level individual, lower wage increases, less need to train, more likely to get laid off.
Now, that said, from the position of reaping the rewards of your youth.. it depends. Real World experience is invalible for the 'hands on' jobs, but in the long-term higher level design and management positions will not be open to you based on your background. Night school is an option, and I don't feel that lost prestige will hold you back if you can get 10 years of working experience. On the other hand, 'self employed', and 'various contract positions' do not count as work experience.
College offeres the advantadge of allowing you the oppourtunity to 'pay for play', give them money, for a little bit of practical experience. Plus all the intangables, Life-long freinds, one of the best places in the world to find someone to be a life partner, and a nice little shelter from reality for a few years.
If it were up to me, I'd go back. But then again I dropped out and got a job.. now I'm doing night school to support my switch from engineer to management.
-GiH
Got it backwards kiddo, Xbox is playing catch-up to PS2 on the price drop.
This is the ancient game of 'one year post release, drop the price by one hundred' next year the PS2 will go to 100, and microsoft will still be on the side lines not quite getting it.
Of course it dosen't help that all the native talent quit MS shortly after Xbox made it out the door.
The MS issue here is that they have presumed too much in their decision to take on Sony, whose cash reserves make MSes look like a child's savings account. There is a reason that a hard drive was not delivered in the PS2.. because people are willing to pay for it seperately. And I will, happilly even, do so when they release the ethernet/HD combo. Why? Because I've watched MS do this before, sneak into an area and pander their two bit crap as free gold for a few years until they've scared off the competition, and then they use that new control as a lever. You don't get a free ride anywhere. If you're getting something for free, check for the Brilliant 3d Projector. Linux is free right? Nope, you're doing pro-bono QA and system compatability testing.
Given a choice, I'll go for the volunteer work over the extortion.
Want to use our network? Gotta use out browser. Oh.. and our browser isn't available on all those operating systems we don't like. Want this service, you gotta commit baby. Yeah, don't worry.. I love ya, just turn around and grab your heels.
Bah.. Give me Freedom, or you can shove your data stream.
-GiH
There is no "cyber-attack" that doesn't currently plauge us already. Unless the chinese are going to bomb our routers (with explosives), I think we can deal with it.
/. regarding the security of the root name server... the issue stressed was not the physical safety of the server (which can be dropped out of the system with minimal damage), but the loss of life that would be involved in blowing through all the surrounding security.
;)
"The mission of Chinese special forces includes physical sabotage" of vulnerable systems, the report says
So.. I believe that would in fact be their plan.
I remember a past article here on
It's time to design death-traps with our central equipment in the center... sure you can blow up that name server... you just have to be willing to have your legs blown off. No you won't die till you starve to death.
Brutality, especially so the sickening sort, is an old specialty of ours. War with the US is such a distrubing concept not only because of our sheer might, but also an individual citizens ability to become a killing machine. We are a nation of psychotics. Dosen't that make you feel safe?
-GiH
"There was also a tabletop roleplaying game, called Amber Diceless Roleplay [rpg.net], by the now-defunct (I think) Phage Press."
I can't speak for Phage Press' continuing existence directly, but new copies of the Amber game keep showing up at the game store I shop at.. then being bought.. then replaced.. etc. About a year ago I went in there and picked up the core book, as well as shadow-knight, I wanted to pick up extra copies for the rest of my group, but they unfortunatly only keep one on hand.. implying that someone is still shipping books sold by Phage.
Anyway, if you live anywhere near chicago, I'll always kill to jump in a game of Amber.. or you can go to Gen Con and play in one of the pick-ups Wujcik runs there.
-GiH
1- inform your friends and colleauges what's up.
:)o
2- start a petition program, pledging to vote for your congressmen's opponent party, not only in that election, but in all election in which you take part, unless they perform as required to mitigate this issue.
3- inform all effected parties, such as the congressman, senator, local judges, mayors, and state reps.
Observe as the Democratic and Republican machines raise all kinds of hell to keep these 'rebel congressmen' from continuing their witch hunt.
Mr Machine Is Your Friend
-GiH
A summary:
Microssoft:
Employees: (last reported count): 47,600
For the six months ended 12/01, revenues rose 13% to $13.87 billion.
Sony:
Employees: (last reported count): 181,800
For the nine months ended 12/31/01, revenues rose 6% to Y5.712T (Yes, 5.712 trillion yen, or about $44.2 billion US)
So yes, let's see the 'Unending Resource' of Microsoft bring this 'little' company down to size.
They're out gunned and outmatched in this battle, in a time in which the continued existance of Microsoft as we know it is still being debated by the courts of this country, developing an enemy who's concept of 'deep pockets' is a multiple of 10 higher than your own.. is suicide.
-GiH
hmm.. perhaps it's the common misconception that college is some form of unified experience. When in fact it's different based on a million different possible factors, including the school's atmosphere, profs, project requirements, prestige, etc.
Any way you cut it.. *I* had alot more free time in college than now. Then again, I had yet more in high school and elementary.. so perhaps it's just part of the continuous absorption of our free time by modern society.
-GiH
Where the devil did you go to college?
My college experience taught me many things, manily, college students have one thing going for them; free time. In all other ways, college kids are screwed, cash, respect, etc.
In the early years, there is only the beer, some have cars, but we're talking basic transportation here, nothing snazzy. Some have jobs, second year those with jobs often move into an appartment or somesuch.. and they learn the pleasure of giving up all their money to not live in the dorms.
and 39 dollars for art software? Please, tell me where? The student deal for Microsoft VC++ 3 years ago was 99 bucks. For adobe.. HAH!
Better yet, let's say you want to learn 3d modeling.
-GiH
It could be less a decrease in piracy, and more a decrease in willingness to admit to piracy. I remember when I was in college, we used to talk openly about who had the newest 0-day site on the floor, no fear. Then one of the kids got busted for selling burned PS1 games. Suddenly no-one on the floor was pirating anymore.. no really officer.. we all gave it up and got jobs...
Seriously though, with the insanity of the RIAA and MPAA lately attacking their own customers and the fans of their lables, maybe more folk are just spooked about owning up to trading warez.
-GiH
Yes, I agree that it's likely that someone would add relaying back into a GPL'd distro, it wouldn't matter nearly so much if there were only 5-12 per 1000 mail servers relaying mail. It's when the default installations of the major distros still leave relaying available. It's unfortunate, but true, that we're going to have to view the average user on the net in the next dozen years or so, as being 'not that bright' when you get right down to it. Sure they may be brilliant in their own area of expertise, but let's keep this to computing needs.
Worse, more and more people are playing around with software they don't understand, or shoe-horning themselves into jobs for which they are unfit. I hate to say it, but it's the responability of those of us who do know more or less which direction is up, to turn off all the bells and whistles by default. Default linux distros should not install a web server/mail server/ftp server unless the user takes the time to select those packages (at which point joe-admin is probably behind the wheel).
But for god's sake, let's not turn around and blame the fools using the software we left behind for them when that software leaves them open to be exploited.
-GiH
Opting for the second choice.
The problem is that English speakers have had a 'bad attitude' about expecting all those 'grimy third world' places to learn our language. It's almost a shame that the majority of Europe has now complied. But we got the money, they want it, etc etc.
Hmm.. I wonder if they ever considered blocking english speakers at the border.
Oh yeah, also don't forget that there is a shortage of skilled techs that read/write manderin/cantonese, This makes it much more difficult for admins to find folk that speak their native language and also have the nessecary expertise.
Or so it appears from where I sit.
-GiH
Or rather than excluding huge portions of the internet and taking massive strides in a negative direction, why not re-think e-mail stanards and fix this fsking problem once and for all.
;)
Step one: Remove the Open Relay from the e-mail server software.
Step two: Consider changing the process of sending/recieving e-mail. What if rather than actually recieving an e-mail message, a link note was sent to your mail server, The user would see an e-mail address (sender), and a subject line pop-up in their mail box. If they delete the message, a reply is sent to the originating mail server, End of Story, if they open it, a request is sent to sending server to recieve the full text.
The only real gain on this is that the sender would then be forced to carry the burden of expense.
Or we can just block people from the net in large groups, which is obviously in keeping with the inclusive nature of the original architecutre, and the free information movement in general.
-GiH
Use Opera, it's better.
I'm going to need a PC to run the CD-rom or web-site on, in a case, based on the premise that Microsoft has a monopoly on the Operating System market for PCs?
.doc 2002 format.
Next they'll propose to distro them in MS
-GiH
Just because the leach user dosen't pay by the minute does not mean that someone isn't paying for their service. Either the node provider, his ISP, or their connection company.
Any way you cut it, we have to push for state backed network-by-air systems like Daley here in chicago has been talking about lately.
-GiH
Actually, I've been using AIM pretty steadily for a few years, and I can't remember ever waiting for an update to go through. I believe the changes that are made are mostly on the server side.
As far as serving the ads through.. wouldn't suprise me if that worked, that's what saved metacrawler.
-GiH
AOL bought ICQ (Mirabilis) years ago. In fact ICQ 2000 uses Oscar, the AIM protocol...
I actually remembered that shortly after finishing the post.. still, parts 2 and 3 are being left alone. It's the whole, Turning the Product into Real Proffits thing that would clinche the deal.
-GiH
And their Investor's would sue them if they didn't. AOL is a for-proffit company that MUST takes steps to ensure they protect their profit margin. The Top Execs are liable to the investors if they don't. Particularly bad decisions can also land their Cxx level folk in jail.
Added liability in exchange for pleasing folk that have no intention of ever giving you money?
-GiH
ps - how many of you mock those same AOL users that pay for that service you demand they give away for free?
Yes, By all means, Topple AOL. After all, they can't just shut down the service if it becomes to heavily used to remain popular right? Oh wait, they can and will.
;).
I love this; a company produces a free product, does nothing to stop free competition (hello, if AOL were smart they're outright buy ICQ and Others, then charge 2 bucks a month to use their software.), they simply refuse to let other companies profit at their expense. What does this earn them? Cries of monopoly, and folks linking thier practices to Microsoft. Please note the lack of court proceedings. Please note the lack of impotent threats. Please note the lack of whining. AOL and Microsoft are linked only in that the two are succesful software companies, in an age when that is becoming rare (thanks to MS). When they Roll out the Lawyers to destroy Tillian for daring to exist in their space, then come talk to me. Until then, it's an amusing battle between the corp techs at AOL, and the corp hackers at Trillian.
Albeit, I've been an AOL user since before they allowed access to the 'net, so I'm certainly biased.
-GiH
ps - I'll put my money on Aztechnology buying them both in 20 or so years
Okay, So let's see how this works. Trade restrictions, what does that mean. Oh right, higher import taxes, limits on import quantity. Hmm. Iron and footwear industries. So, to support the RIAA we're going to take steps that may lead to marginally increased prices in iron goods. You know--the stuff they use to make steel and such for the automobile industry and other such groups. Heh, but okay.. it's only a 1 penny a pound difference right? And I mean.. so what if there's about 600 + pounds of steel in even the lightest of US cars. It's not like this will actually effect our economy right.. I mean.. that's like.. only a few million in a year!? And after all! These are the good times! We're in such an economic boom time that the RIAA is complaining that sails growth is down 40% from last year. Man, if there was a 40% reduction in sales growth just for burned discs, imagine what the rest of the economy must be doing. Damn, I wish my local economy was that good here in Chicago. Where is this dream land called the US.. I want to move their. I mean, hell.. anywhere that can afford to increase their cost of doing bussiness as a nation by billions of dollars so that one small group of corporations can increase proffits by a few million. I'd love to live there! -GiH
On the contrary, Buy, buy, and buy another. Go home, open it up, place it in your macintosh, or your PS2, observe the errors. Now stand up, and protest in a true and meaningful way! Return the Disc. They eat the cost of production, packaging, and now, refunding the retailer!
Stick it to 'em where they'll feel it!
-GiH