Often there are insurance programs run by a state government or state medical association that is available for a reasonable cost. WPS in Wisconsin is an example. You just have to do your homework to see if such a thing exists where you live.
In Wisconsin the law states that we are required to pay taxes on out-of-state purchases anyway, even if the vendor does not collect it for us. The only problem is they can't enforce it. If the vendor doesn't have a physical presence in the state, it is nearly impossible (and generally not worth it) for the state to prove you bought something from them.
The companies with a physical presence will collect the sales tax, as the state will have at least some access to their records.
So yes, we cheeseheads don't usually pay taxes on stuff we order online.
I don't understand why the NFL insists on controlling how people view live TV broadcasts of their games. Their way of making money on these broadcasts is obviously through advertising. And to make advertising more valuable, you need as many viewers as possible. Therefore, logic suggests that they should want as many people watching the advertisements (and game) as possible, regardless of the means or venue.
Granted, the networks probably keep the profits from advertising, and the NFL is probably paid a predetermined flat rate for broadcast rights. But if advertising dollars increase, can't the NFL demand a higher rate for broadcast rights for the next season? It still would seem to be in their favor.
If nothing else, couldn't they save money on their legal expenses?
I looked at Vonage and decided it's still not that great of a deal. I use CallCentric myself. Two cents a minute and you only pay for what you use. They support SIP as well. The best part is, if you want to cancel, you don't have to talk to a customer retention specialist to do it.
As a fellow Microsoft partnered system builder, I feel your pain. I've had to talk to people in India who didn't know Vista downgrade rights existed as well.
I'll agree that it is censorship, but I also tend to think it's their right. Digg owns the servers this stuff is hosted on. If they want to delete something from it for any reason (even if it is censorship) then there's really nothing stopping them. If you want to put something on the interweb and not see it deleted, then go buy your own server.
Digg, like Slashdot, is supposed to be a means to distribute news and cool bits of information to whoever wants to see it. The only real difference is that Digg is built around the idea that the users should help moderate it. In my opinion, this should not reflect badly on Digg itself, but on the portion of the Digg community that insists on promoting spam. Grow up people.
"A comparison of first-week retail sales of Vista compared to first-week sales of XP back in 2001 found that Vista sales were 60% lower."
If you think about it, when Windows XP came out most people were running Windows ME or Windows 98 (which I kindly refer to as the random blue screen operating systems). Windows XP was a significant upgrade from 98 or ME.
Windows Vista doesn't offer much over Windows XP beyond eye candy. Just about anything you want to do with your computer can be done with Windows XP. On top of that, Windows XP is stable. There just doesn't seem to be much reason to upgrade to Vista if you are already running XP. And money is always a good reason not to upgrade.
Still an interesting point it raises, and a good example to give to none believers if you ever have to give the "Nothing is perfectly secure" speach to a client.
Bah! I'm sure if I unplugged a server and threw it into an active volcano it could be considered secure. It may be inaccessible, but I guarantee nobody is going to steal your data or plant a virus.
I can only see one way software patents could be fixed. The heads of 5 of the biggest software companies would have go to congress and tell them they need software patents abolished. That way congress could finally see the reality that the only people benefiting from software patents are the patent lawyers.
This shouldn't seem like an impossible idea either. Every major software company is loosing millions on software patent litigation.
Slashdot Mirror
Often there are insurance programs run by a state government or state medical association that is available for a reasonable cost. WPS in Wisconsin is an example. You just have to do your homework to see if such a thing exists where you live.
In Wisconsin the law states that we are required to pay taxes on out-of-state purchases anyway, even if the vendor does not collect it for us. The only problem is they can't enforce it. If the vendor doesn't have a physical presence in the state, it is nearly impossible (and generally not worth it) for the state to prove you bought something from them.
The companies with a physical presence will collect the sales tax, as the state will have at least some access to their records.
So yes, we cheeseheads don't usually pay taxes on stuff we order online.
I should think losing iexplore.exe would be a benefit.
Now you can order a collection of ALL the pornography on the internet on an easy-to-ship 150 disc set. Pioneer drive required.
Half the technology news organizations just gave them a free advertisement. I think they can make up for one hour.
It's not defamation if it's true.
Of course Jack Thompson's brain doesn't have any connection with reality. He probably believes he is in the right.
Did anybody else initially misread this as the DSRL?
I don't understand why the NFL insists on controlling how people view live TV broadcasts of their games. Their way of making money on these broadcasts is obviously through advertising. And to make advertising more valuable, you need as many viewers as possible. Therefore, logic suggests that they should want as many people watching the advertisements (and game) as possible, regardless of the means or venue.
Granted, the networks probably keep the profits from advertising, and the NFL is probably paid a predetermined flat rate for broadcast rights. But if advertising dollars increase, can't the NFL demand a higher rate for broadcast rights for the next season? It still would seem to be in their favor.
If nothing else, couldn't they save money on their legal expenses?
I looked at Vonage and decided it's still not that great of a deal. I use CallCentric myself. Two cents a minute and you only pay for what you use. They support SIP as well. The best part is, if you want to cancel, you don't have to talk to a customer retention specialist to do it.
Fox News attracts spectacular incompetence.
As a fellow Microsoft partnered system builder, I feel your pain. I've had to talk to people in India who didn't know Vista downgrade rights existed as well.
These people weren't from Boston were they?
I'll agree that it is censorship, but I also tend to think it's their right. Digg owns the servers this stuff is hosted on. If they want to delete something from it for any reason (even if it is censorship) then there's really nothing stopping them. If you want to put something on the interweb and not see it deleted, then go buy your own server.
Digg, like Slashdot, is supposed to be a means to distribute news and cool bits of information to whoever wants to see it. The only real difference is that Digg is built around the idea that the users should help moderate it. In my opinion, this should not reflect badly on Digg itself, but on the portion of the Digg community that insists on promoting spam. Grow up people.
If I were in a position of authority over a University network, would I outsource the email? Absolutely.
Would I outsource it to Microsoft? Not a chance in hell.
I'd find a company whose primary focus is email. That way I could expect some kind of service.
If you think about it, when Windows XP came out most people were running Windows ME or Windows 98 (which I kindly refer to as the random blue screen operating systems). Windows XP was a significant upgrade from 98 or ME.
Windows Vista doesn't offer much over Windows XP beyond eye candy. Just about anything you want to do with your computer can be done with Windows XP. On top of that, Windows XP is stable. There just doesn't seem to be much reason to upgrade to Vista if you are already running XP. And money is always a good reason not to upgrade.
Although somebody getting caught with wads of cash in their freezer can make one reconsider that statement...
They're still getting their updates out 6 months faster than Microsoft.
Make something, make it good, and sell it to a big corporation for lots of money.
A salesman telling you not to buy something is usually a good sign.
Just look at the Google map (zoom all the way in).
Who do you trust more?
A. ESRB
B. Congress
C. Cowboyneal
Personally I think A ranks much higher than B.
Bah! I'm sure if I unplugged a server and threw it into an active volcano it could be considered secure. It may be inaccessible, but I guarantee nobody is going to steal your data or plant a virus.
D. Hope that CowboyNeal acquires a Tok'ra cargo ship to come save you?
I can only see one way software patents could be fixed. The heads of 5 of the biggest software companies would have go to congress and tell them they need software patents abolished. That way congress could finally see the reality that the only people benefiting from software patents are the patent lawyers.
This shouldn't seem like an impossible idea either. Every major software company is loosing millions on software patent litigation.
People like to bid based on even dollar amounts. I've won auctions by bidding 2-3 cents more than the even dollar amount.
For example, if you want to bid $20 for something, bid $20.02 instead so if somebody else puts a bid of $20 on it, you still win.