AOL Time Warner intends to encourage actively other cable operators similarly to provide consumers with a choice of broadband ISP offerings.
This is the key. AOL/TW is trying to look good to others, and say, "Hey, look. We're doing it. Why don't you?" AOL's biggest problem right now is that they can't break into the cable arena. Most communities are forcing the phone companies to open up DSL (for a price, of course), but a lot of cable providers just aren't set up to allow multiple ISP's.
When I was in Portland, I couldn't get a cable modem, because TCI/AT&T was tied up in the courts with AOL. AOL wanted access to their network, and TCI/AT&T didn't want to give it to them. They were both wrong. AOL wanted access to their infrastructure for free (which AT&T had spent billions on, if I remember correctly). AT&T did not want to give them access at all, even if they paid for it. Hmmm... Seems like there's a happy medium somewhere in there.
#ifdef DISCLAIMER I'm not a lawyer, just my opinion. #endif
Perhaps we can file a class-action lawsuit against this guy for violation of our rights. He has violated the rights of everyone who downloads it. Does that not constitute a "class"?
The thing that everyone seems to be missing, is that this is run similar to a mutual fund. You don't have to buy a full share. If you get a bunch of people to contribute a dollar, say, 10000, and the stock is $50/share, you can buy 200 shares. You can then vote with these 200 shares. The more people put in, the larger the block. It doesn't need to be a large chunk, but the chunk can grow as more and more people are in.
What are the "features" that the article mentions? Does anyone have any more detail on this? I think it's great that they could force Microsoft to actually change the code. Good luck, in that 25 million line behemoth.:) Can you say, "another beta cycle" boys and girls?
I really think it is time for our government to take a look at patent law. It is time that these obviously outdated laws be revised. I think this type of patent could be easily contested, as it is far to broad in scope. Any dolt with a little perl and db knowledge and a CD burner could create something like this. Doesn't really sound like all that much of an accomplishment. Argh. It hurts just to think about these stupid patents.
Nothing but pure, unadulterated hype. It's been blown WAY out of proportion, and people like the Red Cross who tell people to prepare for the worst, are doing nothing but raising the fears of the people. It's the worst kind of FUD.
Definitely have to agree with you there. It will only make Billy boy more money to break them up. Here's why.
Microsoft got into it's position by using Windows to get Office entrenched. They would give you Office as long as you bought Windows. Now, companies will have to pay for BOTH. This is exactly what M$ wants. They can't break the company up themselves, because the stockholders would be furious. But it the DoJ does it, well "We couldn't do anything about that!"
This doesn't surprise me at all. This is something that I have always signed, knowing that it would never hold water. It is good to see the judicial system recognizing and understanding technology. Now, if we could only get Congress up to speed...
Actually, no. E-Trade specifically says that the only people that can indicate interest are those who got the letter. If you did not, you stand a chance of forfeiting a future interest in other IPOs.
One other thing. If you go to the Account Services tab on their site, you will see your account there after you log in. If it has a positive balance, your account is active. They got the paperwork on Friday, and Monday my account was active.
Slashdot Mirror
This is the key. AOL/TW is trying to look good to others, and say, "Hey, look. We're doing it. Why don't you?" AOL's biggest problem right now is that they can't break into the cable arena. Most communities are forcing the phone companies to open up DSL (for a price, of course), but a lot of cable providers just aren't set up to allow multiple ISP's.
When I was in Portland, I couldn't get a cable modem, because TCI/AT&T was tied up in the courts with AOL. AOL wanted access to their network, and TCI/AT&T didn't want to give it to them. They were both wrong. AOL wanted access to their infrastructure for free (which AT&T had spent billions on, if I remember correctly). AT&T did not want to give them access at all, even if they paid for it. Hmmm... Seems like there's a happy medium somewhere in there.
#ifdef DISCLAIMER
I'm not a lawyer, just my opinion.
#endif
Perhaps we can file a class-action lawsuit against this guy for violation of our rights. He has violated the rights of everyone who downloads it. Does that not constitute a "class"?
It's good to hear that they didn't add more grease to the fire.
The thing that everyone seems to be missing, is that this is run similar to a mutual fund. You don't have to buy a full share. If you get a bunch of people to contribute a dollar, say, 10000, and the stock is $50/share, you can buy 200 shares. You can then vote with these 200 shares. The more people put in, the larger the block. It doesn't need to be a large chunk, but the chunk can grow as more and more people are in.
Especially since I can't get to the article right now. hehe... It's all /.'s fault!
Lynch Rob!
What are the "features" that the article mentions? Does anyone have any more detail on this? I think it's great that they could force Microsoft to actually change the code. Good luck, in that 25 million line behemoth. :) Can you say, "another beta cycle" boys and girls?
http://crl.rese arch.compaq.com/downloads/register.cgi?download=It sy
I really think it is time for our government to take a look at patent law. It is time that these obviously outdated laws be revised. I think this type of patent could be easily contested, as it is far to broad in scope. Any dolt with a little perl and db knowledge and a CD burner could create something like this. Doesn't really sound like all that much of an accomplishment. Argh. It hurts just to think about these stupid patents.
Nothing but pure, unadulterated hype. It's been blown WAY out of proportion, and people like the Red Cross who tell people to prepare for the worst, are doing nothing but raising the fears of the people. It's the worst kind of FUD.
Definitely have to agree with you there. It will only make Billy boy more money to break them up. Here's why.
Microsoft got into it's position by using Windows to get Office entrenched. They would give you Office as long as you bought Windows. Now, companies will have to pay for BOTH. This is exactly what M$ wants. They can't break the company up themselves, because the stockholders would be furious. But it the DoJ does it, well "We couldn't do anything about that!"
Just my 2/100 of a dollar.
This doesn't surprise me at all. This is something that I have always signed, knowing that it would never hold water. It is good to see the judicial system recognizing and understanding technology. Now, if we could only get Congress up to speed...
First post?
Actually, no. E-Trade specifically says that the only people that can indicate interest are those who got the letter. If you did not, you stand a chance of forfeiting a future interest in other IPOs.
One other thing. If you go to the Account Services tab on their site, you will see your account there after you log in. If it has a positive balance, your account is active. They got the paperwork on Friday, and Monday my account was active.