OK, it's completely unofficial, but all of the people I work with are buying Game Cubes as oppossed to Xbox. The main reasons I get include they are familiar with Nitendo, trust Nitendo and believe that great games will be coming in the near future. However, I must say , even more already own the PS2 and believe it is the best choice. Some PS2 owners are talking about getting a Game Cube as well.
One interesting note on Game Cube - the biggest PS2 hit of all times , "Resident Evil" will be only be on Game Cube in the future This Is making many PS2 owners consider buying a Game Cube in additon to their PS2. This will hurt PS2.
Not Impressed at all...
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XBox Released
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· Score: 1
Well, it came. I compared and not impressed at all. I didn't see much difference between the quality of the three units side by side, MS, Nintendo and Sony all looked good. However, when I looked at the new available titles for the PS2, I could not resist spending money on more games for the PS2 rather than investing in a additional system. As they used to print in all the computer magazines - when choosing an operatings system - it all boils down to the apllications and that is where Sony really shines.
Microsoft does have the monopoly power to force stores to keep empty shelf space for all the vaporware, and that lack of space does hurt the smaller developers for Sony or Nitendo. People usually buy what they can easily see, not what is hidden in some drawer.Many smaller companies with less than great games will be forced to write for Microsoft just to get a place on the shelf, as the competition for shelf space under the Sony PS2 and Nitendo name will be tough and only the best games will survive. Under the Microsoft umbrella anything will make the shelf, regardless of quality - yeah, that is when the blue screen of death will become a regular site. Not really the Microsoft hardware's fault, the imfamous "good enough for Microsoft hardware" curse will set in.
BTW:Picked up Metal Gear Solid 2 and it is pretty good.... just wished we would have gotten there sooner, before they ran out of free MGS2 t-shirts, guess you gotta line up before the store opens, much like they did to get the PS2.
One would think Sony has the edge with superior craftsmanship, more software and a strong base, but Microsoft has more support in the White House, which could make the diffference in America.
Does anyone know how linux works with the PS2? I know they are releasing an AOL interface as well as Netscape for the Playstation 2, but are they written in Linux ( we already know linux has been proted to the Playstation 2 ) or are they written directly to the PS2 hardware? If Sony/AOL use linux in any way this could also help linux users obtain more software choices.
As a quick followup: Although the "DOJ VS MS" got all the news, there were over 100 other such investigations by the DOJ ( more than any other administration) and the DOJ collected over 1.4 billion dollars in fines for various price fixing viloations. These price fixing violations ranged from raw products needed in sporting goods to the needed prescription medicines needed by Americans. The other side would have you believe that because the DOJ could not stop all the price fixing by cartels, it wasted it's time. Reality is law enforcement doesn't always get all the criminals. Futhermore, by keeping prices down the DOJ helped fight inflation and also contributed to the booming economy. Once again, the other side would have you believe it had nothing to do with politics, just chance that the economy did so well.
PS; sorry for errors, running late, no time to check
American is going to see a big change in the political landscape. Since Anne Bingaman was appointed head of the DOJ antitrust division in 1993, the DOJ has fought hard to keep the market open to all newcomers to allow small startups to grow. Linux did very well in this climate, got a lot of major players on board to help develop new products. All that is going to change, we are going back to the pre Clinton era where the DOJ will take a hands off approach. This will allow Microsoft to go back to business as usual. Yes you can say Linux is free, but if licensing pressure was put on major players such as IBM ( According to the findings of facts in the DOJ VS MS case ) were forced to drop support of their own products (OS/2) to get Microsoft licenses,and Microsoft does the same for linux support how good can that be for linux? Some former OS/2 users can remember software products being killed just before they were finished and released with no reason other than their was a decision there was no market. The same can happen to linux application products from major players. Also hardware suppliers such as Gateway that were forced to not support OS/2 could easily be forced not to support linux. It won't happen overnight, but a constant gradual movement. Suddenly you will read about one major player deciding there is no money in supporting linux, then another then another it will just grow, with the magazines reporting it on the covers every release with headline such as " Company X decided to pull the plug on linux development"
No, Microsoft can't take linux away from the hackers, but expect linux growth to slow if major players such as IBM, DELL ect. are forced to stop supporting linux. Having a DOJ that believes in "hands off" policies when it comes to monopoly power, be prepared to see those monopolies flex their muscles.
I was looking into getting one of these licenses, I figured it wouldn't be much more work than setting up a 2 meter fm station ( basically easy and doesn't take too big of an antenna). I found that individuals were not allowed to apply for licenses, had to be groups such as churchs, education institutions and public safety ect. I found some (right wing) christian groups that promote getting these licenses. My idea was to feed from the internet into the transmitter, rebroadcasting a lot of show that I find interesting. It's a great idea to get a different message out there, in our area we have only right wing hate radio, having a different perspective available, even if it was only with 3 mile radius sounded like fun. We liken it to running a bbs in the early 90's before the internet was avaialble in our area. Oh well, looks like they don't want to allow many different voices to be heard.
We did win one though, a bill was passed to allow local law enforcement to enforce the CB radio regulations, so now the local cops can do something about the illegal CB operators that are causing a lot of interference.
Although I would like to see the repeater on the moon, I don't think this is all that newsworthy, at least from a ham perspective. Perhaps the slashdot fans just are not familiar with ham radio enough to understand this type of experimentation has always been going on. There are radios built into tuna and even altoid cans. Almost every issue of the QST ( the magazine of the ARRL) has a new and different project idea. Although some hams are only interested in buying fancy equipment and using it, there are a great number of them that will sit down and think of "new ways to make the wheel". Hams are already bouncing signals off the moon, a repeater is just another step forward.
One area I do find hams a little lacking is using linux, I would have thought that the majority of individuals that pride themselves in being able to take their equipment apart and redesign it would demand an open source operating system where they have more control, but unfortunately, the majority of hams and ham related software is for windows.
I really planned on upgrading to 6.4, but the more I consider it, I keep asking myself "why". SuSE 6.3 has been working great on my system, everything is the way I like it. Except for upgrading kmail,krn and netscape, I have nothing that I would like to upgrade.
Perhaps I will change my mind later, as I learn more about the added benifits of using SuSE 6.4. However, for now I will stay with 6.3, if it ain't broke, don't fix it....
I orginally started with Redhat, but really glad that I switched to SuSE. RedHat was ok and is very popular, but for me SuSE has been much more pleasant to use. Some people I know often offer me copies of the latest distros, but I always turn them down, I am sure they are nice, but if my system is working fine why would I want to change? Let's be honest, all linux is similar, especially if you choose which window manager you want to use. My favorites are XFCE and ICEWM, both work well, and on occassion I use kfm as well. KDE is nice, but a bit too much for my system.
I do recommend SuSE 6.4 for anyone new that is still in the process of searching for the best distribution for their personal tastes. SuSE people are great to work with, and the mailing lists are very informative and friendly.
Likewise has everyone forgotten back in the early part of the 90's Microsoft was against the internet? Did you forget that Microsoft believed they would replace the internet with the MSN?
What about Java, did you forget all the public messages Microsoft sent that Java would be nothing and that everyone would use the MS proprietary ActiveX instead?
A lot of people refuse to give the current administration any credit for anything good that has happened in the last seven years, but if you research you will find that the current administration really did push the internet and all the small businesses that it created. This "push" was long before Microsoft even thought the internet was worth investing in. Read some of the old ASUS articles about Gates in 1993-1994, and how they ( ASUS, associated with Forbes magazine) prodded him into following the lead and getting involved with the internet. Microsoft missed the boat but later tried to "muscle" their way in using their Desktop monopoly power to control the internet.
The DOJ would not let Microsoft have it's way, it kept competition alive as best it could and the internet exploded taking the entire economy with it. Microsoft is not some evil empire, they are only one business looking out for their own concerns, the DOJ is looking out for the nation as a whole. Microsoft had the best lawyers money could buy, they tried thier best case ( also made many mistakes trying to decieve the judge) and the judge made his decision on the facts of the case.
It is understandable that Microsoft wants to buy as many politicians as they can right now to protect their monopoly.
The real anger should be at the current campaign finance laws. John McCain tried to make an issue of it, but it he could not overcome the money George Bush was spending.
Al Gore has made several offers to not use ANY soft money and also agreed to not use the media sound bites but rather regular debates where the American people could see how the candidates think and feel about the various issues. George Bush is not interested.
It's no secret that Ridge, that failed miserably to get his school voucher plan passed. Even though he tried every scheme in the book, the people of Pennsylvania refused to let him do it. Ridge is now looking for a way to sound like the candidate, George W Bush that promises to give huge budget breaking tax cuts, even though most Americans feel it is more important to pay off the debt and preserve social security/medicare.
There is a lot of talk about Ridge expecting to be George W. Bush running mate. However, Ridge, like Bush has not accomplished anything except turn Pennsylvania into the King of Trash, yes Pessnylvania takes in more trash from other states such as New York than any other state in the union. Ridge believes this is the best thing for our economy, while it forces people to move out to get away from all the landfills.
Pennsylvania, like Texas are both doing well these days because the entire national economy is doing better than it ever has. Neither has new or onovative ideas that will work, as posted earlier, the 6% sales tax is NOT the reason people can't afford $2000 computers. However, it will get Ridge attention, and now he can say he is moving into the next millinium promoting technology... and some people will actually believe it
Shot heard around the world !
on
Sex in Space
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· Score: 1
Well, maybe it won't be heard around the world but if they are in a weightless state the shot could float around the world or even several worlds. Of course there is also the possiblilty the shot would collide with something yet unknown to man and create a totally new life form...
please don't take this seriously, we don't want to start a panic:)
I think ALL posts from "Anonymous Coward" are given a "0". If you believe your information is of more value, why not use your name? It's easy to register, gives you the more choices of how to view things and will allow you to get those special moderation points you are seeking.
Breaking up Microsoft will probably increase the personal wealth of Bill Gates and other top investors in Microsoft, as their stocks are split and those splits increase in value. Breaking up Microsoft will create a new type of competition which will bring out the best in all of the individual divisions. Rather than rely on their monopoly power, they will become more dependent on thier own innovations. Microsoft competitors will do better as well, as they will have a better chance to succeed when they bring new innovations to the market.
Likewise, breaking up Microsoft will be cheaper for the taxpayer than paying the the costs on monitoring any consent decrees.Breaking up Microsoft is the best solution, some may not enjoy it at first but in the long run everyone will benifit from it.
OS/2 users that are using SIO, can still access a few old-time bbs systems via telenet. Using the vmodem (virtual modem) feature allows you to start up and run your favorite dos or windows (3.1) terminal program such as Qmodem, Telix, or any other termnal program, including those with RIP graphics. The virtual modem would ring and answer, just like a modem on a telco line, but would work via the internet. The lag would prevent you from playing some faster ansi games, but mostly everything else worked the same. You could download the messages in.qwk format etc read and post etc... It really was like using the telco lines,almost no difference!!!
I can only remember one OS/2 bbs that is still on line using vmodem - you can also reach it with "telnet juge.com " . Bob Juge doesn't have on line games but does have the FIDO message system and there you can find other BBS systems that are using both telnet and telco lines. He was/is using the old faithful "Maximus" bbs system, so well known with FIDO and Binkley users.
Using Vmodem was/is very close to using the modem over telco lines, as a BBS operator, all you needed to do was add another com port in your config.sys with the SIO driver. Your OS/2, or dos BBS program (and mailer such as Binkley) and all that worked over the telco lines would now work via the internet as well. Vmodem made it really easy for any bbs running on OS/2 to open a port to the internet. However, to truly enjoy using these systems you need to run your favorite terminal program on a virtual modem with all the RIP graphics, off line readers etc.
Unfortunately, OS/2 isn't very popular these days, so the number of people still using Vmodem for their bbs system and/or terminal programs are smaller than back in 1994 when Vmodem was more popular. However, as posted earlier, there are still a few on line.
good luck...and have fun
PS: I am not affilated in any way with IBM (OS/2), Bob Juge or the bbs located at juge.com, or Ray Gwynn ( creator of vmodem), Scott Dudley ( Maximus BBS) or the multible writers of Binkley Term.
Xfce is my favorite and Olivier Fourdan has been very responsive to suggestions from existing Xfce users. Olivier is very friendly and really does a fantastic job trying to make Xfce the perfect window manager.
I recommend Xfce to everyone I talk with about linux, especially those individuals that don't have a really high powered system. It is as easy to configure and use as KDE.
There are times when I like to use KFM, so I added that in one of the terminal windows. A simple click and I have my personalized desktop icons and folders, another click and I am back to running just the XFCE toolbar.
Before you make any judgements, install XFCE and try it.
Let's not forget it was one month after Janet Reno's appointed Anne Bingaman was in office that she had the DOJ take the Microsoft case from the FTC, where they had been sitting on the evidence for years; undecided if they shoud do anything. The first attempt by the DOJ was not too sucessful, but the DOJ continued on.
Keep in mind that Haley Barbour, former head of the RNC,is a paid lobbyist for Microsoft is also a campaign advisor for George W Bush
Recently:
Ny York Post Online ran an article titled "Microsoft waits for GOP to bail them out!" In it they suggest that George W will win, replace janet Reno and the others with more Microsoft friendly department heads!
Just what do you expect Al Gore to say to a group of influencial Microsoft employees? Can he really afford to tell them they are screwed if he gets elected? No, the only thing he can do is say things that are not too definite, he didn't say the White house would let Micorsoft go, just that they would be involved.
As I posted before, time is running out, the DOJ could be replaced by a more Microsoft friendly group after the next election. Don't be misled by a few, investigate all the facts before you vote next election. The Microsoft FUD machine is hard at work in Washington, has been for the last two years, they are there protecting their own interest, not the conusmer. Just because this is politics, don't get stupid.. it's still the same Microsoft using the same type of FUD, just trying to get everyone to support their candidates.
PS, I'm running late, can't do much proof reading, please excuse any typos
Conservative callers ON CSPAN once agin echo the cries of the ditto heads "People are only jealous of Bill Gates and want to take his hard earned money away from him" Another one is "the government under Janet Reno are destroying too many compainies with their regulations". This trial is not about regulations, it's about an illegal use of a monopoly power.
The real problem isn't writing a suitable application. The real problem is the standards that people follow. As long as Microsoft can use it's monopoly power to change or extend the commom standards whenever in benefits Microsoft and hurts their competitors, linux programmers will always be playing catch up. This is the same thing IBM faced with OS/2, as soon as IBM got things working , Microsoft would make changes to stop it.
The only thing that will save open standards is the DOJ , and only if they remain steadfast in their effort to make Microsoft stop abusing it's monopoly power. However, as, I have posted before, the real problem may end up being politics.
The DOJ only got involved after Anne Bingaman was appointed head of the anti trust division of the DOJ. About one month after her appointment she contacted the FTC and told them that if they did not intend to do something about Microsoft, to send the case over to the DOJ. However, time is running out, with elections coming up next year it is possible that a new administration will remove Anne Bingaman ( that was appointed during the Clinton/Gore administration), and the DOJ will go back to the way it was, before she was appointed.
The DOJ is fighting to keep a level playing field, where everyone can compete fairly, but Microsoft will not allow that to happen if the DOJ backs off. It is no secret that Microsoft is already giving money to some politicians to cut the budget for the DOJ , certainly they also would like to have the person removed that started all this trouble and the only way is to have a new administration take over that will replace Anne Bingaman with a more Microsoft friendly department head.
You may not be a programmer, but you may be an American voter, if you feel it is important to keep the DOJ on Microsoft's case then vote to keep the same people at the DOJ.
Java is everywhere, and still growing. The threat of thin clients running Java forced the competition to produce the lowest cost pcs yet.
The same can be said of Linux, still growing and forcing the competition to produce a better product to stay alive. Open competition is great for the consumer and it promotes the best products for the best prices.
Linux does one thing more, because it is open, it assures that no one entity will control it and make changes that will hurt other competitors, thus keeping the market open for all to compete.
Microsoft sees their pc software market shrinking down to primarily having games, they know the biggest money is in console games, so they need to get into that market. The only problem is the competition, Microsoft will not be able to bully their way into the console market as long as Sony is still king.
Great, as if we don't have enough to worry about, they now suggest we need to watch the cooling towers at the nearby nulcear plant new years eve?
With all the new years celebration how will we tell if the "melt down" sirens are going?
What about the Middletown airport (HIA) that is close to TMI? What happens to the planes flying over the cooling towers?
Maybe we should install one of those web cams on our roof to let everyone watch as new years rolls around...nah, they would probably say we were terrorists...
IN all reality, I will bet that TMI is one of the safest nuclear plants in the world, they have to be, because, everyone always thinks of TMI whenever they mention nuclear plant safety.
One of the anti OS/2 tools Microsoft promoters used well was to make sure the public believed that TEAMOS2 was a bunch of fanatics, and no respectable businessman would associate with them, including IBM. Now that the anti linux campaign has officially been started by Micorsoft, expect to see a lot more of these type of postings from every linux fanatic they can find - it's just part of the complete anti-linux campaign
Slashdot Mirror
OK, it's completely unofficial, but all of the people I work with are buying Game Cubes as oppossed to Xbox. The main reasons I get include they are familiar with Nitendo, trust Nitendo and believe that great games will be coming in the near future. However, I must say , even more already own the PS2 and believe it is the best choice. Some PS2 owners are talking about getting a Game Cube as well.
One interesting note on Game Cube - the biggest PS2 hit of all times , "Resident Evil" will be only be on Game Cube in the future This Is making many PS2 owners consider buying a Game Cube in additon to their PS2. This will hurt PS2.
Well, it came. I compared and not impressed at all. I didn't see much difference between the quality of the three units side by side, MS, Nintendo and Sony all looked good. However, when I looked at the new available titles for the PS2, I could not resist spending money on more games for the PS2 rather than investing in a additional system. As they used to print in all the computer magazines - when choosing an operatings system - it all boils down to the apllications and that is where Sony really shines.
Microsoft does have the monopoly power to force stores to keep empty shelf space for all the vaporware, and that lack of space does hurt the smaller developers for Sony or Nitendo. People usually buy what they can easily see, not what is hidden in some drawer.Many smaller companies with less than great games will be forced to write for Microsoft just to get a place on the shelf, as the competition for shelf space under the Sony PS2 and Nitendo name will be tough and only the best games will survive. Under the Microsoft umbrella anything will make the shelf, regardless of quality - yeah, that is when the blue screen of death will become a regular site. Not really the Microsoft hardware's fault, the imfamous "good enough for Microsoft hardware" curse will set in.
BTW:Picked up Metal Gear Solid 2 and it is pretty good.... just wished we would have gotten there sooner, before they ran out of free MGS2 t-shirts, guess you gotta line up before the store opens, much like they did to get the PS2.
One would think Sony has the edge with superior craftsmanship, more software and a strong base, but Microsoft has more support in the White House, which could make the diffference in America.
Does anyone know how linux works with the PS2? I know they are releasing an AOL interface as well as Netscape for the Playstation 2, but are they written in Linux ( we already know linux has been proted to the Playstation 2 ) or are they written directly to the PS2 hardware? If Sony/AOL use linux in any way this could also help linux users obtain more software choices.
As a quick followup: Although the "DOJ VS MS" got all the news, there were over 100 other such investigations by the DOJ ( more than any other administration) and the DOJ collected over 1.4 billion dollars in fines for various price fixing viloations. These price fixing violations ranged from raw products needed in sporting goods to the needed prescription medicines needed by Americans. The other side would have you believe that because the DOJ could not stop all the price fixing by cartels, it wasted it's time. Reality is law enforcement doesn't always get all the criminals. Futhermore, by keeping prices down the DOJ helped fight inflation and also contributed to the booming economy. Once again, the other side would have you believe it had nothing to do with politics, just chance that the economy did so well.
PS; sorry for errors, running late, no time to check
American is going to see a big change in the political landscape. Since Anne Bingaman was appointed head of the DOJ antitrust division in 1993, the DOJ has fought hard to keep the market open to all newcomers to allow small startups to grow. Linux did very well in this climate, got a lot of major players on board to help develop new products. All that is going to change, we are going back to the pre Clinton era where the DOJ will take a hands off approach. This will allow Microsoft to go back to business as usual. Yes you can say Linux is free, but if licensing pressure was put on major players such as IBM ( According to the findings of facts in the DOJ VS MS case ) were forced to drop support of their own products (OS/2) to get Microsoft licenses,and Microsoft does the same for linux support how good can that be for linux? Some former OS/2 users can remember software products being killed just before they were finished and released with no reason other than their was a decision there was no market. The same can happen to linux application products from major players. Also hardware suppliers such as Gateway that were forced to not support OS/2 could easily be forced not to support linux. It won't happen overnight, but a constant gradual movement. Suddenly you will read about one major player deciding there is no money in supporting linux, then another then another it will just grow, with the magazines reporting it on the covers every release with headline such as " Company X decided to pull the plug on linux development"
No, Microsoft can't take linux away from the hackers, but expect linux growth to slow if major players such as IBM, DELL ect. are forced to stop supporting linux. Having a DOJ that believes in "hands off" policies when it comes to monopoly power, be prepared to see those monopolies flex their muscles.
.
I was looking into getting one of these licenses, I figured it wouldn't be much more work than setting up a 2 meter fm station ( basically easy and doesn't take too big of an antenna). I found that individuals were not allowed to apply for licenses, had to be groups such as churchs, education institutions and public safety ect. I found some (right wing) christian groups that promote getting these licenses. My idea was to feed from the internet into the transmitter, rebroadcasting a lot of show that I find interesting. It's a great idea to get a different message out there, in our area we have only right wing hate radio, having a different perspective available, even if it was only with 3 mile radius sounded like fun. We liken it to running a bbs in the early 90's before the internet was avaialble in our area. Oh well, looks like they don't want to allow many different voices to be heard.
We did win one though, a bill was passed to allow local law enforcement to enforce the CB radio regulations, so now the local cops can do something about the illegal CB operators that are causing a lot of interference.
Although I would like to see the repeater on the moon, I don't think this is all that newsworthy, at least from a ham perspective. Perhaps the slashdot fans just are not familiar with ham radio enough to understand this type of experimentation has always been going on. There are radios built into tuna and even altoid cans. Almost every issue of the QST ( the magazine of the ARRL) has a new and different project idea. Although some hams are only interested in buying fancy equipment and using it, there are a great number of them that will sit down and think of "new ways to make the wheel". Hams are already bouncing signals off the moon, a repeater is just another step forward.
One area I do find hams a little lacking is using linux, I would have thought that the majority of individuals that pride themselves in being able to take their equipment apart and redesign it would demand an open source operating system where they have more control, but unfortunately, the majority of hams and ham related software is for windows.
I really planned on upgrading to 6.4, but the more I consider it, I keep asking myself "why". SuSE 6.3 has been working great on my system, everything is the way I like it. Except for upgrading kmail,krn and netscape, I have nothing that I would like to upgrade.
Perhaps I will change my mind later, as I learn more about the added benifits of using SuSE 6.4. However, for now I will stay with 6.3, if it ain't broke, don't fix it....
I orginally started with Redhat, but really glad that I switched to SuSE. RedHat was ok and is very popular, but for me SuSE has been much more pleasant to use. Some people I know often offer me copies of the latest distros, but I always turn them down, I am sure they are nice, but if my system is working fine why would I want to change? Let's be honest, all linux is similar, especially if you choose which window manager you want to use. My favorites are XFCE and ICEWM, both work well, and on occassion I use kfm as well. KDE is nice, but a bit too much for my system.
I do recommend SuSE 6.4 for anyone new that is still in the process of searching for the best distribution for their personal tastes. SuSE people are great to work with, and the mailing lists are very informative and friendly.
It was only a few months ago the story of Gates waiting for GOP bail out was posted on /.
Gates Waits for Bailout from GOP
Likewise has everyone forgotten back in the early part of the 90's Microsoft was against the internet? Did you forget that Microsoft believed they would replace the internet with the MSN?
What about Java, did you forget all the public messages Microsoft sent that Java would be nothing and that everyone would use the MS proprietary ActiveX instead?
A lot of people refuse to give the current administration any credit for anything good that has happened in the last seven years, but if you research you will find that the current administration really did push the internet and all the small businesses that it created. This "push" was long before Microsoft even thought the internet was worth investing in. Read some of the old ASUS articles about Gates in 1993-1994, and how they ( ASUS, associated with Forbes magazine) prodded him into following the lead and getting involved with the internet. Microsoft missed the boat but later tried to "muscle" their way in using their Desktop monopoly power to control the internet.
The DOJ would not let Microsoft have it's way, it kept competition alive as best it could and the internet exploded taking the entire economy with it. Microsoft is not some evil empire, they are only one business looking out for their own concerns, the DOJ is looking out for the nation as a whole. Microsoft had the best lawyers money could buy, they tried thier best case ( also made many mistakes trying to decieve the judge) and the judge made his decision on the facts of the case.
It is understandable that Microsoft wants to buy as many politicians as they can right now to protect their monopoly.
The real anger should be at the current campaign finance laws. John McCain tried to make an issue of it, but it he could not overcome the money George Bush was spending.
Al Gore has made several offers to not use ANY soft money and also agreed to not use the media sound bites but rather regular debates where the American people could see how the candidates think and feel about the various issues. George Bush is not interested.
It's no secret that Ridge, that failed miserably to get his school voucher plan passed. Even though he tried every scheme in the book, the people of Pennsylvania refused to let him do it. Ridge is now looking for a way to sound like the candidate, George W Bush that promises to give huge budget breaking tax cuts, even though most Americans feel it is more important to pay off the debt and preserve social security/medicare.
There is a lot of talk about Ridge expecting to be
George W. Bush running mate. However, Ridge, like Bush has not accomplished anything except turn Pennsylvania into the King of Trash, yes Pessnylvania takes in more trash from other states such as New York than any other state in the union. Ridge believes this is the best thing for our economy, while it forces people to move out to get away from all the landfills.
Pennsylvania, like Texas are both doing well these days because the entire national economy is doing
better than it ever has. Neither has new or onovative ideas that will work, as posted earlier,
the 6% sales tax is NOT the reason people can't afford $2000 computers. However, it will get Ridge attention, and now he can say he is moving into the next millinium promoting technology...
and some people will actually believe it
Well, maybe it won't be heard around the world
:)
but if they are in a weightless state the shot
could float around the world or even several worlds.
Of course there is also the possiblilty the shot would
collide with something yet unknown to man and
create a totally new life form...
please don't take this seriously, we don't want to start a panic
I think ALL posts from "Anonymous Coward" are given a "0". If you believe your information is of more value, why not use your name? It's easy to register, gives you the more choices of how to view things and will allow you to get those special moderation points you are seeking.
Breaking up Microsoft will probably increase the personal wealth of Bill Gates and other top investors in Microsoft, as their stocks are split and those splits increase in value. Breaking up Microsoft will
create a new type of competition which will bring out the best in all of the individual divisions. Rather than rely on their monopoly power, they will become more dependent on thier own innovations. Microsoft competitors will do better as well, as they will have a better chance to succeed when they bring new innovations to the market.
Likewise, breaking up Microsoft will be cheaper for the taxpayer than paying the the costs on monitoring any consent decrees.Breaking up Microsoft is the best solution, some may not enjoy it at first but in the long run everyone will benifit from it.
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OS/2 users that are using SIO, can still access a few old-time bbs systems via telenet. Using the vmodem (virtual modem) feature allows you to start up and run your favorite dos or windows (3.1) terminal program such as Qmodem, Telix, or any other termnal program, including those with RIP graphics. The virtual modem would ring and answer, just like a modem on a telco line, but would work via the internet. The lag would prevent you from playing some faster ansi games, but mostly everything else worked the same. You could download the messages in .qwk format etc read and post etc... It really was like using the telco lines,almost no difference!!!
I can only remember one OS/2 bbs that is still on line using vmodem - you can also reach it with "telnet juge.com " . Bob Juge doesn't have on line games but does have the FIDO message system and there you can find other BBS systems that are using both telnet and telco lines. He was/is using the old faithful "Maximus" bbs system, so well known with FIDO and Binkley users.
Using Vmodem was/is very close to using the modem over telco lines, as a BBS operator, all you needed to do was add another com port in your config.sys with the SIO driver. Your OS/2, or dos BBS program (and mailer such as Binkley) and all that worked over the telco lines would now work via the internet as well. Vmodem made it really easy for any bbs running on OS/2 to open a port to the internet. However, to truly enjoy using these systems you need to run your favorite terminal program on a virtual modem with all the RIP graphics, off line readers etc.
Unfortunately, OS/2 isn't very popular these days, so the number of people still using Vmodem for their bbs system and/or terminal programs are smaller than back in 1994 when Vmodem was more popular. However, as posted earlier, there are still a few on line.
good luck...and have fun
PS: I am not affilated in any way with IBM (OS/2), Bob Juge or the bbs located at juge.com, or Ray Gwynn ( creator of vmodem), Scott Dudley ( Maximus BBS) or the multible writers of Binkley Term.
Xfce is my favorite and Olivier Fourdan has been very responsive to suggestions from existing Xfce
users. Olivier is very friendly and really does a fantastic job trying to make Xfce the perfect window manager.
I recommend Xfce to everyone I talk with about linux, especially those individuals that don't have a really high powered system. It is as easy to configure and use as KDE.
There are times when I like to use KFM, so I added that in one of the terminal windows. A simple click and I have my personalized desktop icons and folders, another click and I am back to running just the XFCE toolbar.
Before you make any judgements, install XFCE and try it.
Let's not forget it was one month after Janet Reno's appointed Anne Bingaman was in office that she had the DOJ take the Microsoft case from the FTC, where they had been sitting on the evidence for years; undecided if they shoud do anything. The first attempt by the DOJ was not too sucessful, but the DOJ continued on.
Keep in mind that Haley Barbour, former head of the RNC,is a paid lobbyist for Microsoft is also a campaign advisor for George W Bush
Recently:
Ny York Post Online ran an article titled "Microsoft waits for GOP to bail them out!" In it they suggest that George W will win, replace janet Reno and the others with more Microsoft friendly department heads!
Just what do you expect Al Gore to say to a group of influencial Microsoft employees? Can he really
afford to tell them they are screwed if he gets elected? No, the only thing he can do is say things that are not too definite, he didn't say the White house would let Micorsoft go, just that they would be involved.
As I posted before, time is running out, the DOJ could be replaced by a more Microsoft friendly group after the next election. Don't be misled
by a few, investigate all the facts before you vote next election. The Microsoft FUD machine is hard at work in Washington, has been for the last two years, they are there protecting their own interest, not the conusmer. Just because this is politics, don't get stupid.. it's still the same Microsoft using the same type of FUD, just trying to get everyone to support their candidates.
PS, I'm running late, can't do much proof reading, please excuse any typos
Conservative callers ON CSPAN once agin echo the cries of
the ditto heads "People are only jealous of Bill Gates and want to take his hard earned money away from him"
Another one is "the government under Janet Reno are destroying too many compainies with their regulations". This trial is not about regulations, it's about an illegal use of a monopoly power.
The real problem isn't writing a suitable application. The real problem is the standards that people follow. As long as Microsoft can use it's monopoly power to change or extend the commom standards whenever in benefits Microsoft and hurts their competitors, linux programmers will always be playing catch up. This is the same thing IBM faced with OS/2, as soon as IBM got things working , Microsoft would make changes to stop it.
The only thing that will save open standards is the DOJ , and only if they remain steadfast in their effort to make Microsoft stop abusing it's monopoly power. However, as, I have posted before, the real problem may end up being politics.
The DOJ only got involved after Anne Bingaman was appointed head of the anti trust division of the DOJ. About one month after her appointment she contacted the FTC and told them that if they did not intend to do something about Microsoft, to send the case over to the DOJ. However, time is running out, with elections coming up next year it is possible that a new administration will remove Anne Bingaman ( that was appointed during the Clinton/Gore administration), and the DOJ will go back to the way it was, before she was appointed.
The DOJ is fighting to keep a level playing field, where everyone can compete fairly, but Microsoft will not allow that to happen if the DOJ backs off. It is no secret that Microsoft is already giving money to some politicians to cut the budget for the DOJ , certainly they also would like to have the person removed that started all this trouble and the only way is to have a new administration take over that will replace Anne Bingaman with a more Microsoft friendly department head.
You may not be a programmer, but you may be an American voter, if you feel it is important to keep the DOJ on Microsoft's case then vote to keep the same people at the DOJ.
Java is everywhere, and still growing. The threat
of thin clients running Java forced the competition
to produce the lowest cost pcs yet.
The same can be said of Linux, still growing and
forcing the competition to produce a better product to stay alive.
Open competition is great for the consumer and it promotes
the best products for the best prices.
Linux does one thing more, because it is open, it
assures that no one entity will control it and
make changes that will hurt other competitors,
thus keeping the market open for all to compete.
Both Java and Linux have suceeded, not failed.
Microsoft sees their pc software market shrinking down to primarily having games, they know the biggest money is in console games, so they need to get into that market. The only problem is the competition, Microsoft will not be able to bully their way into the console market as long as Sony is still king.
I thought it was just the opposite, they are
infamous for stealing other's work and passing
it off as their own.
please remove nospam
Great, as if we don't have enough to worry about,
they now suggest we need to watch the cooling
towers at the nearby nulcear plant new years eve?
With all the new years celebration how will
we tell if the "melt down" sirens are going?
What about the Middletown airport (HIA) that
is close to TMI? What happens to the
planes flying over the cooling towers?
Maybe we should install one of those web cams
on our roof to let everyone watch as new years
rolls around...nah, they would probably say
we were terrorists...
IN all reality, I will bet that TMI is one of the safest
nuclear plants in the world, they have to be, because,
everyone always thinks of TMI whenever
they mention nuclear plant safety.
maybe it's the new playstation
The version of SuSE you buy in USA defaults
to English.
One of the anti OS/2 tools Microsoft promoters used well was to make sure the public believed that TEAMOS2 was a bunch of fanatics, and no respectable businessman would associate with them, including IBM. Now that the anti linux campaign has officially been started by Micorsoft, expect to see a lot more of these type of postings from every linux fanatic they can find - it's just part of the complete anti-linux campaign