IANAL, but I know the basics of patent law. I wasn't trying to state the law as it currently stands, but what changes it would take to bring it into the realm of "common sense" (IMHO). If you take years to bring to light a known abuse of a patent (the run people made with the MP3 patents wasn't a secret), then in "my world" (patent pending 2002), you shouldn't have a leg to stand on (does someone have standing on legs patented?).
I'm just one of those folks who would like to see a little reform in this country...
The problem isn't the patents themselves. I have not heard anyone dispute any innovation that may have resulted in these patents.
The problem is the way that these patents were handled. Patents that are not enforced immediately should be automatically revoked by law. Protect them immediately, or lose them.
The use of MP3 wasn't low profile. People weren't using the patents without the patent holders knowlege.
I'm from the City of New Orleans, and I have seen stranger things happen in that state.
It has a history of corruption and "strange deals". Study it's history! And, don't believe that these are things from the past.
Mod this as a troll if you like, but I would be VERY interested in seeing who gets what money and when.
So, while I agree that the city's infrastructure wouldn't get updated without this, here are the two thoughts that immediately pop into my mind:
1. I believe that somebody will get their pockets lined somewhere.
2. The city isn't undergoing any other type of growth or updating. I'm not sure the IT infrastructure should be the first thing "updated" in New Orleans.
Born and raised there. I love the city, but there are MANY other things New Orleans could use before an IT upgrade. Don't even get me started on the Arena...
How about we setup a "standard" for finding unpublished documents on a P2P network. That way techs can get the information necessary to do our jobs, and the authors can be somewhat safe in publications.
AND, just in case anyone from HP is listening. I handle purchasing for my company. Our order is being canceled due to "lack of information about vulnerabilities"....
Well, any RPM distribution shouldn't be used. Maybe debian as a base??? the "apt" system is pretty decent, and could be overlayed with a much simpler interface. Remove all the "unnecessary packages", and instead of the apt configuration files for sources, have the system look for sources in more of a P2P manner??? Have it connect to a system that only provides addresses for "validated" servers in an area???
I have told my immediate and not-so-immediate family that I'm currently supporting my last version of Microsoft software. After this, they have to move to "something else". They wouldn't know an operating system if it bit them. So I guess I better "put my money where my mouth is" and offer to help with this.
Now, I'm not talking about using much of the Debian "stuff", just the basic premises for package handling. We'll have to come up with our own GUI and whatever. (There I go, talking like I'm working on this project).
In my world, I thought you had to protect your IP in a reasonable time. If your ideas were released into the public domain and you didn't fight to regain control (I.E. DeCSS) then your IP wasn't worth a damn.
If your IP has been running around in the public domain for oodles of years, then it seems that you couldn't fight to put the genie back in the bottle....
Wouldn't this type of argument apply here?
Politically incorrect
on
Techno Teddy
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· Score: 4, Funny
I read the headline, and immediately thought of girls in wearable computers......
Unfortunately the majority of installations out there, in my experience, use blank SA passwords.
FYI, I didn't do it! But, I finally have the ammo to prove to people that this is a bad idea...
Aren't we supposed to be pushing the envelope?
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Dog Bites Website
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· Score: 1
Most of us are not into a "corporate culture". If that's the case, then why are we slamming someone who is trying to figure out an alternative method? If a music artist puts an article about how they are trying to sell music without the benefit of RIAA or it's members are we going to also slam them? And then slam RIAA for mistreating them?
You can't have it both ways. Personally, I'm glad that someone is attempting to do something in a new manner (even if it is Jon Katz). If the people who post here would engage their brains before typing, they might realize that there is hope for all of us to accomplish something in our miserable lives (yours, not mine...).
So, here's my suggestion. How about some positive suggestions/ideas on how to make something like this work? Hell guys, I've been trying to figure out alternatives to RIAA, the MPAA and all the publishing associations. But, I'm only one guy...
As a society, we have seen people addicted to everything from Maalox, to shopping, to water (Yes, you can find stories about people who drink so much water that they physically hurt themselves).
Before the advent of the current iteration of the internet, many people were addicted to Multi-User Dungeons (MUDs). There were no graphics, but there was a definite social structure. Some current MUDs, keep stats on who is on the highest percentage of the time Some even allow special powers or privileges to people who spend most of their time logged into the systems.
The point is that if we as humans are not careful, we as individuals can become addicted. And, we can't put warning labels on everything. Are you willing to have a tattoo put on your body just in case someone becomes "addicted" to it and kills themselves?
So, while I feel sorry for this mother's loss of her son, I don't personally feel that Sony is liable for this issue. If it hadn't been Everquest, in probably would have been something else.
Personally, I would like to congratulate the guys on a job well done. I think the implications of what these guys have done have yet to be seen.
What I would suggest is that people look past what some consider to be the "limited" aspect of what has been completed, and imagine what can be accomplished with what they have learned.
Yep, I'll buy a copy. It won't be the first "non-open" software I've run on my linux box, and if they continue on the path they've chosen, hell, I'd like to help them!
Well, if RIAA hadn't released the music on CD, then the music could not have been ripped to MP3s. Therefore, the artists should sue RIAA for causing this "viral" type of piracy!
I'll be sending my consultation bill to the artists. (IANAL, but I'll bill them anyway.)
Re:Informative - More like criminal action actuall
on
Hotmail Hacked
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· Score: 2, Funny
Well, you run into two problems right off the bat:
1. Perception - People will suddenly perceive that they are "not getting their money's worth". And the number of "eyeballs" visiting the various sites will decline. End result: Venture fails
2. People like to know what they are spending. When someone is thinking about their bills, they don't worry about the cost of their basic phone line, cable, etc.... These are after all, "stable" and monthly. They worry about the cost of long distance, pay-per-view movies... The variable bills in a modern humans life.
But, they will worry about how much they will end up spending in "micro-charges". Be prepared for the first set of "micro-payment" lawsuits, from groups of people who feel they were mislead into clicking on a particular site!!
Also, look at what happens whenever someone "opens up a new market on the internet". The first thing they do is patent everything they have setup in their process. Automatically, other companies won't use it (Oops, I seem to fit into that group). What do you get? Multiple methods of doing the same thing. You really can't expect any sane, semi-technical (if even that) individual to not go into cardiac arrest at having to sign-up for multiple micro-payment engines. Especially knowing that they will all hit his/her/their bank account every month.....
The internet isn't going to do what people are hoping.
My thoughts? The internet isn't currently, nor will become in the near future, a great forum for commercial endeavor. It is one of the tools, though!
Use the internet for the exchange of information. Hell, maybe even for the betterment of mankind. Well, at least until the DMCA makes that illegal.
What can I say. Try the micropayments thing. I'll watch for your company's demise on f***edcompany.com....
Actually, IMHO the advantages/disadvantages of the RAMBUS technology aren't the issue here. This discussion is about "litigation as a business model". Personally, I could care less whether DRDRAM has advantages or not. I am personally not willing to purchase materials from a company that uses litigation of "broad patents" as a method of making money.
I would say that people are punishing RAMBUS for this attempt. What can I say, I won't shop at Amazon. I won't buy RAMBUS ram. And not using either technology isn't going to affect my busines one bit!!!
RAMBUS upset it's own customer base. Think before you litigate!!!
Wow, that sounds exactly like my current condition. I'm a CTO for a company that has a good tech base, but currently nothing else. I'm constantly being inundated with odd decisions from other members of the executive staff...
And, I have friends in my company also.
Here is my decision as it stands. The offers I have will hold out until the end of February (lucky for me). I will stay until the end of February and do what I can to correct the situation. If I'm not completely thrilled about the companies chances, I'm moving on.
My company may not fold, but will have to alter dramatically. The odd part is that the bulk of the techs (who are currently doing a great job) will be let go as a result of my leaving. That's just an example of the types of decisions I'm seeing from the executive staff.
If you don't believe in the companies capability for success, then you won't be able to help.
I'm sorry, but move on...
Did anyone read Bill Press's article about the need to remove the electoral college?
As anyone who has actually LEARNED anything about the government of our country knows, we were not setup as a true democracy for a reason.
Without giving any supporting reasons, or even any disputes as to why our founding fathers set things up in the manner they did, he just calls the electoral college "archaic".
Well, Bill, at least CNN could have put a place on the website for people to challenge you. After all, 2 outcomes were possible: 1) you could change my mind, or at least prove me wrong, or 2) I could prove you wrong, or change your mind.
If, after all, Al Gore invented the internet, why not use it as a forum for the exchange of ideas and a manner of discussion.
In the future, if your not going to "discuss", keep you analysis to yourself...
Signed,
Someone who no longer has respect for your writings.
I am going to start hurting them at the pocketbook today. As of now, I am currently boycotting CDs. I would ask anyone who can possibly do without new CDs for a short period of time to boycott also.
Hell, I would be willing to put time and effort into an official CD boycott information website and information dissemination service.
I am not advocating stealing music, bootlegging CDs or anything of that sort. Basically, if I don't hear the music on the radio, or on one of the CDs I currently own, then I won't buy them. I know that I may miss some great music, but I'm not going to supply money to someone who is threatening my freedoms and even my livelihood!!
Stand-up, be heard, and keep your money in your pocket!!
Well, as a VAR, I probably won't sell alot of SCO Linux for the same reason that I won't quote OpenServer to large clients.
When you sell SCO products to large clients, SCO quotes your pricing to the client. In theory, all you should have to do is sit back and complete the sale.
Reality is much different. After all the sales work is done, and the papers are about to be signed, a larger VAR can step in and beat your SCO provided quote by 30%. It probably wouldn't be so bad, but these larger VARs can track my sales through SCO's sales/support structures. (Yes, this has happened to me.)
When I asked SCO how I could avoid this problem with future clients, they told me that this would always be a possibility. They cannot provide me the pricing necessary to compete on large contracts.
My response has been to only sell Linux to large clients. And with our support structure, we've been able to get some pretty large clients to accept Linux as a corporate wide alternative to SCO's product line.
Also, they have a support structure, but it's not that good. After a few bad and expensive experiences with SCO's internal support group, I opted to drop any paid support, and hire 2 Unix/Linux specialists.
So, whether it be Debian, RedHat, TurboLinux, etc. I'll continue to sell and support these distros. SCO may be a big name, but they are only so trustworthy.
It will be interesting to see if SCO can move fast enough with updating drivers, etc.
Slashdot Mirror
IANAL, but I know the basics of patent law. I wasn't trying to state the law as it currently stands, but what changes it would take to bring it into the realm of "common sense" (IMHO). If you take years to bring to light a known abuse of a patent (the run people made with the MP3 patents wasn't a secret), then in "my world" (patent pending 2002), you shouldn't have a leg to stand on (does someone have standing on legs patented?).
I'm just one of those folks who would like to see a little reform in this country...
The problem isn't the patents themselves. I have not heard anyone dispute any innovation that may have resulted in these patents.
The problem is the way that these patents were handled. Patents that are not enforced immediately should be automatically revoked by law. Protect them immediately, or lose them.
The use of MP3 wasn't low profile. People weren't using the patents without the patent holders knowlege.
IMHO, this is WORSE than the Amazon patents.
I'm from the City of New Orleans, and I have seen stranger things happen in that state.
It has a history of corruption and "strange deals". Study it's history! And, don't believe that these are things from the past.
Mod this as a troll if you like, but I would be VERY interested in seeing who gets what money and when.
So, while I agree that the city's infrastructure wouldn't get updated without this, here are the two thoughts that immediately pop into my mind:
1. I believe that somebody will get their pockets lined somewhere.
2. The city isn't undergoing any other type of growth or updating. I'm not sure the IT infrastructure should be the first thing "updated" in New Orleans.
Born and raised there. I love the city, but there are MANY other things New Orleans could use before an IT upgrade. Don't even get me started on the Arena...
How about we setup a "standard" for finding unpublished documents on a P2P network. That way techs can get the information necessary to do our jobs, and the authors can be somewhat safe in publications.
AND, just in case anyone from HP is listening. I handle purchasing for my company. Our order is being canceled due to "lack of information about vulnerabilities"....
Well, any RPM distribution shouldn't be used. Maybe debian as a base??? the "apt" system is pretty decent, and could be overlayed with a much simpler interface. Remove all the "unnecessary packages", and instead of the apt configuration files for sources, have the system look for sources in more of a P2P manner??? Have it connect to a system that only provides addresses for "validated" servers in an area???
I have told my immediate and not-so-immediate family that I'm currently supporting my last version of Microsoft software. After this, they have to move to "something else". They wouldn't know an operating system if it bit them. So I guess I better "put my money where my mouth is" and offer to help with this.
Now, I'm not talking about using much of the Debian "stuff", just the basic premises for package handling. We'll have to come up with our own GUI and whatever. (There I go, talking like I'm working on this project).
Let's do this!
In my world, I thought you had to protect your IP in a reasonable time. If your ideas were released into the public domain and you didn't fight to regain control (I.E. DeCSS) then your IP wasn't worth a damn.
If your IP has been running around in the public domain for oodles of years, then it seems that you couldn't fight to put the genie back in the bottle....
Wouldn't this type of argument apply here?
I read the headline, and immediately thought of girls in wearable computers......
It's hell being a geek...
Unfortunately the majority of installations out there, in my experience, use blank SA passwords.
FYI, I didn't do it! But, I finally have the ammo to prove to people that this is a bad idea...
Most of us are not into a "corporate culture". If that's the case, then why are we slamming someone who is trying to figure out an alternative method? If a music artist puts an article about how they are trying to sell music without the benefit of RIAA or it's members are we going to also slam them? And then slam RIAA for mistreating them?
You can't have it both ways. Personally, I'm glad that someone is attempting to do something in a new manner (even if it is Jon Katz). If the people who post here would engage their brains before typing, they might realize that there is hope for all of us to accomplish something in our miserable lives (yours, not mine...).
So, here's my suggestion. How about some positive suggestions/ideas on how to make something like this work? Hell guys, I've been trying to figure out alternatives to RIAA, the MPAA and all the publishing associations. But, I'm only one guy...
This gives me an idea for a spam version of a roach motel (Spam gets in, but it never gets out).
I wonder what it would take to create an open relay server that would fool spammers into using it.
Ideas would be welcome. This could be just the revenge I've been looking for!!!
Sig: "That's not a duck!"
As a society, we have seen people addicted to everything from Maalox, to shopping, to water (Yes, you can find stories about people who drink so much water that they physically hurt themselves).
Before the advent of the current iteration of the internet, many people were addicted to Multi-User Dungeons (MUDs). There were no graphics, but there was a definite social structure. Some current MUDs, keep stats on who is on the highest percentage of the time Some even allow special powers or privileges to people who spend most of their time logged into the systems.
The point is that if we as humans are not careful, we as individuals can become addicted. And, we can't put warning labels on everything. Are you willing to have a tattoo put on your body just in case someone becomes "addicted" to it and kills themselves?
So, while I feel sorry for this mother's loss of her son, I don't personally feel that Sony is liable for this issue. If it hadn't been Everquest, in probably would have been something else.
Well, maybe they should've come out with D-Betamax.
For those who may agree with what you are trying to accomplish: What can be done to help you, and your organization, with your efforts?
Personally, I would like to congratulate the guys on a job well done. I think the implications of what these guys have done have yet to be seen.
What I would suggest is that people look past what some consider to be the "limited" aspect of what has been completed, and imagine what can be accomplished with what they have learned.
Yep, I'll buy a copy. It won't be the first "non-open" software I've run on my linux box, and if they continue on the path they've chosen, hell, I'd like to help them!
Well, if RIAA hadn't released the music on CD, then the music could not have been ripped to MP3s. Therefore, the artists should sue RIAA for causing this "viral" type of piracy!
I'll be sending my consultation bill to the artists. (IANAL, but I'll bill them anyway.)
No, your not a lawyer, your an anonymous coward!
There is always the "Co-Op" model. An organization could be setup to help "setup" co-ops of people to purchase bandwidth on the internet.
Run them as companies that pay dividends to the members. Where I live, most services are provided by co-ops....
Well, you run into two problems right off the bat:
1. Perception - People will suddenly perceive that they are "not getting their money's worth". And the number of "eyeballs" visiting the various sites will decline. End result: Venture fails
2. People like to know what they are spending. When someone is thinking about their bills, they don't worry about the cost of their basic phone line, cable, etc.... These are after all, "stable" and monthly. They worry about the cost of long distance, pay-per-view movies... The variable bills in a modern humans life.
But, they will worry about how much they will end up spending in "micro-charges". Be prepared for the first set of "micro-payment" lawsuits, from groups of people who feel they were mislead into clicking on a particular site!!
Also, look at what happens whenever someone "opens up a new market on the internet". The first thing they do is patent everything they have setup in their process. Automatically, other companies won't use it (Oops, I seem to fit into that group). What do you get? Multiple methods of doing the same thing. You really can't expect any sane, semi-technical (if even that) individual to not go into cardiac arrest at having to sign-up for multiple micro-payment engines. Especially knowing that they will all hit his/her/their bank account every month.....
The internet isn't going to do what people are hoping.
My thoughts? The internet isn't currently, nor will become in the near future, a great forum for commercial endeavor. It is one of the tools, though!
Use the internet for the exchange of information. Hell, maybe even for the betterment of mankind. Well, at least until the DMCA makes that illegal.
What can I say. Try the micropayments thing. I'll watch for your company's demise on f***edcompany.com....
Actually, I own 4 Hawaiian shirts...
Actually, IMHO the advantages/disadvantages of the RAMBUS technology aren't the issue here. This discussion is about "litigation as a business model". Personally, I could care less whether DRDRAM has advantages or not. I am personally not willing to purchase materials from a company that uses litigation of "broad patents" as a method of making money.
I would say that people are punishing RAMBUS for this attempt. What can I say, I won't shop at Amazon. I won't buy RAMBUS ram. And not using either technology isn't going to affect my busines one bit!!!
RAMBUS upset it's own customer base. Think before you litigate!!!
Wow, that sounds exactly like my current condition. I'm a CTO for a company that has a good tech base, but currently nothing else. I'm constantly being inundated with odd decisions from other members of the executive staff... And, I have friends in my company also. Here is my decision as it stands. The offers I have will hold out until the end of February (lucky for me). I will stay until the end of February and do what I can to correct the situation. If I'm not completely thrilled about the companies chances, I'm moving on. My company may not fold, but will have to alter dramatically. The odd part is that the bulk of the techs (who are currently doing a great job) will be let go as a result of my leaving. That's just an example of the types of decisions I'm seeing from the executive staff. If you don't believe in the companies capability for success, then you won't be able to help. I'm sorry, but move on...
Then AT&T shouldn't be allowed to offer local telephone services. Hey, maybe they shouldn't be allowed to offer local cable service..
Hmm, the ideas...
Did anyone read Bill Press's article about the need to remove the electoral college? As anyone who has actually LEARNED anything about the government of our country knows, we were not setup as a true democracy for a reason. Without giving any supporting reasons, or even any disputes as to why our founding fathers set things up in the manner they did, he just calls the electoral college "archaic". Well, Bill, at least CNN could have put a place on the website for people to challenge you. After all, 2 outcomes were possible: 1) you could change my mind, or at least prove me wrong, or 2) I could prove you wrong, or change your mind. If, after all, Al Gore invented the internet, why not use it as a forum for the exchange of ideas and a manner of discussion. In the future, if your not going to "discuss", keep you analysis to yourself... Signed, Someone who no longer has respect for your writings.
I am going to start hurting them at the pocketbook today. As of now, I am currently boycotting CDs. I would ask anyone who can possibly do without new CDs for a short period of time to boycott also.
Hell, I would be willing to put time and effort into an official CD boycott information website and information dissemination service.
I am not advocating stealing music, bootlegging CDs or anything of that sort. Basically, if I don't hear the music on the radio, or on one of the CDs I currently own, then I won't buy them. I know that I may miss some great music, but I'm not going to supply money to someone who is threatening my freedoms and even my livelihood!!
Stand-up, be heard, and keep your money in your pocket!!
Sound off on this!! Boycott RIAA, Sony, etc...
Well, as a VAR, I probably won't sell alot of SCO Linux for the same reason that I won't quote OpenServer to large clients.
When you sell SCO products to large clients, SCO quotes your pricing to the client. In theory, all you should have to do is sit back and complete the sale.
Reality is much different. After all the sales work is done, and the papers are about to be signed, a larger VAR can step in and beat your SCO provided quote by 30%. It probably wouldn't be so bad, but these larger VARs can track my sales through SCO's sales/support structures. (Yes, this has happened to me.)
When I asked SCO how I could avoid this problem with future clients, they told me that this would always be a possibility. They cannot provide me the pricing necessary to compete on large contracts.
My response has been to only sell Linux to large clients. And with our support structure, we've been able to get some pretty large clients to accept Linux as a corporate wide alternative to SCO's product line.
Also, they have a support structure, but it's not that good. After a few bad and expensive experiences with SCO's internal support group, I opted to drop any paid support, and hire 2 Unix/Linux specialists.
So, whether it be Debian, RedHat, TurboLinux, etc. I'll continue to sell and support these distros. SCO may be a big name, but they are only so trustworthy.
It will be interesting to see if SCO can move fast enough with updating drivers, etc.