I've never quite understood why stores allow such easy access to their demo PC units. I realize that the idea is to allow shoppers to test the functionallity of the computer before purchase, but how many times have you walked by a demo to see a locked screen saver or a BSOD? This does nothing to convince me to buy and keeps me from trying out the product. It would seem retailers could come up with some better ideas.
I've seen demo units that play the crappy "here is the PC" movie over and over again, but that doesn't help much. At least put a few passwords on the things to protect the system.
Easiest way to prevent this from happening again... physically block access to external peripheral ports. You don't need a USB connection or FireWire connection open on a PC on a shelf.
If MS loses anywhere soon, it will be in their constant upgrade/upgrade/upgrade parade for Office and related products. Individuals and companies will continue to upgrade Windows (since it comes with that new PC they just HAVE to get), but most people are perfectly happy with old Office '97. MS pushing the upgrades and dropping support for older versions is a MUCH bigger turn-off than buying a new PC with a flashy OS desktop on it.
IANAL, but I have taken many HR courses and passed many certifications.
Many of the posts here have made an excellent point: As long as you are discussing facts (ie attendance, documented work completion, etc) your are GENERALLY safe (consult lawyer for state by state specifics).
As to the question of verbal vs. written, thats a tougher question. I used to give a lot of "off the record" reviews verbally. Could I be sued for those? Sure, I had to trust the individual I was giving them to (usually HR people at other companies I knew). You can get in just as much trouble for a verbal review as a written one. At that point it just comes down to proof.
Best bet: If you're afraid of repercussions or have nothing positive to say - DON'T GIVE A REVIEW AT ALL.
Why do we need any more laws protecting copyright? Copyright is already protected by U.S. law and always has been.
The question is: Can they go after each person who violates Copyright. Often, they do go after groups that are in violation and they win. If I am violating Copyright on a small scale, though, it ISN'T WORTH IT to them. If its not worth it, no new law is going to change that.
IANAL, but as the article said, quoting the BetaMax decision, the standard is not "Primary Purpose."
To Quote the article directly: The Supreme Court decided that, in order to avoid contributory liability, a new technology 'need merely be capable of substantial non-infringing uses.'
I think all these networks have "non-infringing uses.' I can share music I wrote and recorded or any other type of file I created.
I don't think there is anything wrong with "stupid" people wanting to use Linux.
I'm not 1337. I'm not a guru. I tried Linux many times years ago and gave it up. When SuSE 7.3 came out, I gave it another try. I LOVE IT. I feel tortured having to use a Win box at work. I don't think an elitist attitude will ever help Linux in any way.
"WHAT??" you scream, "That's piracy too!" Yeah, Maybe.. but at least someone is paying for the damn show.
Not a very convincing argument. SOMEONE is paying for the show in any event. SOMEONE has to record it or it would never be on the net. The question becomes,"How many people are paying for the show and are they recording it for 'fair use'?"
I've been using Linux on a laptop for quite a while now...
Although I don't have DVD, I have to disagree about the swapping bit of your statement. I regularly hot-swap CD and 3.5" and it works every bit as well as under Win.
Two words... Embedded Fonts.
If you have that nice little feature on, you can easily balloon a small DOC into a large one.
Still doesn't explain the story about how a single line of "mailto:blah@blah.com" can change it that much...
Slashdot Mirror
All this proves it that they have been successful.
They already wore the Department of Justice Down.
I've never quite understood why stores allow such easy access to their demo PC units. I realize that the idea is to allow shoppers to test the functionallity of the computer before purchase, but how many times have you walked by a demo to see a locked screen saver or a BSOD? This does nothing to convince me to buy and keeps me from trying out the product. It would seem retailers could come up with some better ideas.
... physically block access to external peripheral ports. You don't need a USB connection or FireWire connection open on a PC on a shelf.
I've seen demo units that play the crappy "here is the PC" movie over and over again, but that doesn't help much. At least put a few passwords on the things to protect the system.
Easiest way to prevent this from happening again
I totally agree with your point.
If MS loses anywhere soon, it will be in their constant upgrade/upgrade/upgrade parade for Office and related products. Individuals and companies will continue to upgrade Windows (since it comes with that new PC they just HAVE to get), but most people are perfectly happy with old Office '97. MS pushing the upgrades and dropping support for older versions is a MUCH bigger turn-off than buying a new PC with a flashy OS desktop on it.
IANAL, but I have taken many HR courses and passed many certifications.
Many of the posts here have made an excellent point: As long as you are discussing facts (ie attendance, documented work completion, etc) your are GENERALLY safe (consult lawyer for state by state specifics).
As to the question of verbal vs. written, thats a tougher question. I used to give a lot of "off the record" reviews verbally. Could I be sued for those? Sure, I had to trust the individual I was giving them to (usually HR people at other companies I knew). You can get in just as much trouble for a verbal review as a written one. At that point it just comes down to proof.
Best bet: If you're afraid of repercussions or have nothing positive to say - DON'T GIVE A REVIEW AT ALL.
"Calls to the new company were not returned yesterday."
Not a good start for inspiring customer confidence in a product that has already taken a company down the bankruptcy path once.
Otherwise, sounds like a really cool product.
TODAY might be a good day to be living in Europe ... but, remember, there's always tomorrow.
Why do we need any more laws protecting copyright? Copyright is already protected by U.S. law and always has been.
The question is: Can they go after each person who violates Copyright. Often, they do go after groups that are in violation and they win. If I am violating Copyright on a small scale, though, it ISN'T WORTH IT to them. If its not worth it, no new law is going to change that.
IANAL, but as the article said, quoting the BetaMax decision, the standard is not "Primary Purpose."
...
To Quote the article directly:
The Supreme Court decided that, in order to avoid contributory liability, a new technology 'need merely be capable of substantial non-infringing uses.'
I think all these networks have "non-infringing uses.' I can share music I wrote and recorded or any other type of file I created.
Just my 2
I don't think there is anything wrong with "stupid" people wanting to use Linux.
I'm not 1337. I'm not a guru. I tried Linux many times years ago and gave it up. When SuSE 7.3 came out, I gave it another try. I LOVE IT. I feel tortured having to use a Win box at work. I don't think an elitist attitude will ever help Linux in any way.
"WHAT??" you scream, "That's piracy too!" Yeah, Maybe.. but at least someone is paying for the damn show.
Not a very convincing argument. SOMEONE is paying for the show in any event. SOMEONE has to record it or it would never be on the net. The question becomes,"How many people are paying for the show and are they recording it for 'fair use'?"
I've been using Linux on a laptop for quite a while now ...
Although I don't have DVD, I have to disagree about the swapping bit of your statement. I regularly hot-swap CD and 3.5" and it works every bit as well as under Win.
Two words ... Embedded Fonts.
If you have that nice little feature on, you can easily balloon a small DOC into a large one.
Still doesn't explain the story about how a single line of "mailto:blah@blah.com" can change it that much ...
if the CDROM will only be released in MSWord format ...