But is there any really any pressing need to have 24/7 instant email delivery?
Granted, it seems to be a great service and has useful applications. Personally, I have my smartphone setup to poll my POP3 box every 30 minutes during week days. If an issue is that pressing that it requires immediate attention, then the sender can drop me an SMS (text message) or even call me (and leave a voice message if I'm not available or busy).
Get this straight: censorship is a violation of your rights as surely as assassination is. It is at a minimum a violation of your right to free speech. The only difference is the severity of the violation.
I wasn't aware free speech was a right in the PRC.
I would guess it's different for most people and how they use mobile browsing (if at all). Here's my take on it.
I use a mobile device quite frequently to access the internet when travelling and aside from the applications such as IRC and other such utilities, I don't usually use the web browsing facility for anything *too* serious; I'll catch up on the latest news, look up the phone number for the nearest Pizza Hut and activities like that.
If there's a website I want to purchase something from, or even find information out about a particular business, I'll stick the URL in my to-do list and check it out when I'm at a PC or laptop, allowing me to look into it in more depth.
I have one of those 18 month contracts with T-Mobile UK. Paying £13 for 12 months and £28 for 6 months works out less than the actual purchase price of the handset overall and comes with a nice data and voice allowance.
Even though the handset I got (Nokia N70) will be obselete shortly when the N80 comes out, it's a good deal and I'll probably end up purchasing the latest and greatest Nokia smartphone after 10-12 months SIM free anyway, and giving my existing N70 to my dad as a Christmas present - he doesn't like contracts, and the handset came unlocked when purchased so he'll just be able to use it with a pay as you go SIM.
I believe in some European countries (Finland springs to mind) SIM locking is actually illegal, but it's certainly not across the board in the whole of Europe. I disagree with it too, but I can see it from the mobile network's point of view to protect revenue from customers (mainly using it with a foreign SIM whilst on holiday).
(Disclaimer: I work for one of the UK mobile networks.)
Whilst I'm not totally au-fait with how the HSDPA technology works, the fact that it comes with backwards compatibility for UMTS and GPRS suggest some sort of SIM/USIM; whether the SIM will be built in or be supplied by the mobile network as a plug-in module isn't totally clear. Furthermore, if it's an external module the user would plug in, would the actual device be SIM locked solely to Vodafone or would SIMs provided by other networks be compatible?
This deal might bring mobile broadband to the masses, but with the mobile phones available these days - and the fact that most new laptops include bluetooth as standard, is it really necessary?
I have a Nokia N70 handset which uses 3G technology and provides me with connection speeds of around 400Kbps in 3G-enabled areas - 115Kbps in GPRS (2.5G) areas - and even though it's a separate device, I can simply hook it up to my laptop using bluetooth (or USB if I'm using a machine without bluetooth built in) and connect to the Internet anywhere. However, the flexibility of having a small handset allows me to sit in bed, on the couch, on public transport - ie, anywhere a laptop can be somewhat inconvenient - and check my email, logon to IRC, access web-pages and catch up on the latest news.
Even most non-smartphone devices these days are bluetooth enabled and allow this sort of wireless hookup to laptops and allow for the flexibility I mentioned earlier.
I know Nokia have - certainly some of their Series 60 / Symbian OS and the utilities it comes with are licensed under the L/GPL and other licenses
Not actually checked the box and manual for an "offer" on paper, but it's all detailed under the "About" section of my Series 60-based handset and the "offer" is there and details where the code can be downloaded from. It even mentions that you can purchase it on CD-ROM for the cost of providing it (as specified in the GPL).
I don't really trust the Government(s) not to misuse my data now that it seems there are a few free speech issues and they can invade any aspect of any of their citizens.
The disadvantages of such privacy invading schemes where my buying habits can be tracked don't seem to bother me so much; something like my mobile phone number being associated with several movie tickets won't give them all the details necessary to "be me".
I don't get phone calls I haven't asked for, I don't receive mail or email i don't want. It's easy if you put a small amount of time in to click remove links in legitimate emails, and you just need to register free of charge once for telephone & mail preference companys, so organisations can't send you junkmail or cannot call them.
An alternative to simply writing to your bank; you could use one of those Birthday cards which plays an annoying and repetitive tune when opened, and simply compose a clear and concise letter within letting the bank know how annoying sound can be when trying to work or relax. You'd also have the added advantage that the advisor dealing with your complaint would be able to fully appreciate just how frustrating unexpected and unwanted noise can be.
Prepaid cellular phones in Europe, at least in the UK, tend to be a lot more expensive than their contract-based counterparts. Furthermore, the range of handsets available tends to be much lesser than those available on contract.
If I really wanted/needed true privacy then sure I would buy a £20 handset and a £10 SIM each time I needed to swap "identities". However, whilst my privacy is very important to me, the benefits of my plan and the handset I received with that plan more than outweigh the benefits of going prepaid. And yes, you do need to provide ID and proof of address and all other details needed for credit checking purposes here too.
As an aside, I work for one of the mobile networks here in the UK and have access to all manner of customer data; each time an employee accesses customer data a footprint is added onto the customer's account showing which employee has accessed the account. I'm pretty sure this is the same for other UK networks based on my experiences as a customer.
The great thing about the UK though is our Data Protection Act. Let's say for example I access a customer's account and gain information about a particular customer and provide this data to a third party; I am then personally responsible and face a large fine and possible criminal consequences as a result.
All too often we will critiscise Bill Gates for the actions of his company and practises they employ; but whether we're right or wrong to do so, both him and his wife must be congratulated for their donations and the work they have done through their charity.
On the other hand, what is important to you could be entirely different as to what's important to someone else.
I post a great deal on all sorts of forums and discussion boards; some are for pleasure (which is equally as important as anything else) and some are important to share knowledge etc.
Besides, when it comes to a library, if the library is public then those wanting to use it for pleasure or "unimportant" things have paid their taxes to use it just as much as you have. In the case of a school or college, then those using it for pleasure have paid to use it just as much as you have.
Thankfully I have noticed a few comments other than yours pointing the logical fallacy of this patent out.
I suppose it's the same as those companies who wants to demand royalties from Apple due to patents they claim the iPod infringes. So in that respect I suppose we should all get rooting for Microsoft and Creative.
It would also give Google the Wikipedia brand name, which is becoming more and more widespread; certainly, since the John Seigenthaler incident it received widespread press in the national news here, and only today on BBC News there was an article about how Wikipedia survived the "research test".
Over in the UK it's getting a lot better. I pay only £13.00 per month for my entire plan, which includes 100 voice minutes and 40MB data transfer at 3G speeds (384Kbps); it doesn't sound a lot, but it's ideal for using IRC for around 7-8 hours per day. The included Opera browser is a great application which is so useful for reading BBC News on the train to and from work too.
Oh, and you just can't beat their small screen rendering technology; I'd heard of the term before I used their mobile browser, but upon actually using it, it does make a massive difference compared to Nokia's standard "Web" application.
Looks to me that he was disputing the actual statement itself; that he was saying "hey don't generate this stuff for fun, they do it for income" is wrong, ie, an incorrect statement.
While I'll quite happily agree about the use of tobacco being human stupidity at its best (I'm a smoker trying to quit), I beg to differ about use of Windows.
Some of us can't afford to buy a Mac and, as such, we go for the next best thing; Windows. I'm guessing you're advocating the use of software such as GNU/Linux or similar, however human stupidity would be to use such a tool which isn't good enough for the job.
Compared to the other email solutions I've seen and used, Outlook is immensely powerful.
The calendar function is like none other, and Outlook 2003's junkmail handling and security is very good IMO; I especially like the fact that it will not display images and scripting within an email unless the address/domain is whitelisted.
All of that said, I am not aware of a court ruling that makes EULAs nonbinding, although certainly many people on Slashdot wish that they were not. If you are aware of such a court case, please provide a link or docket number. I'd be interested to read it.
Don't have any which rules them as non-binding, however here are links to a couple of cases which show that EULAs are very legally binding.
For £50 I can get a P2-based machine, if not better, on eBay; if I want to spend a lot of money on a 360, it wouldn't be for an expensive mail server...
In a case of libel, however, if an individual/corporation says/prints something, then no doubt they would be able to prove that what they are saying is true.
Otherwise you would have people saying & printing malicious information which the accuser has no way of proving is false.
Slashdot Mirror
Granted, it seems to be a great service and has useful applications. Personally, I have my smartphone setup to poll my POP3 box every 30 minutes during week days. If an issue is that pressing that it requires immediate attention, then the sender can drop me an SMS (text message) or even call me (and leave a voice message if I'm not available or busy).
Sure, Microsoft should be producing secure software - especially with their R&D budget and the amount of talent they have.
However, to believe that they're liable for an illegal crime committed by two greedy students wanting more money is nothing short of proposterous.
I wasn't aware free speech was a right in the PRC.
I use a mobile device quite frequently to access the internet when travelling and aside from the applications such as IRC and other such utilities, I don't usually use the web browsing facility for anything *too* serious; I'll catch up on the latest news, look up the phone number for the nearest Pizza Hut and activities like that.
If there's a website I want to purchase something from, or even find information out about a particular business, I'll stick the URL in my to-do list and check it out when I'm at a PC or laptop, allowing me to look into it in more depth.
Even though the handset I got (Nokia N70) will be obselete shortly when the N80 comes out, it's a good deal and I'll probably end up purchasing the latest and greatest Nokia smartphone after 10-12 months SIM free anyway, and giving my existing N70 to my dad as a Christmas present - he doesn't like contracts, and the handset came unlocked when purchased so he'll just be able to use it with a pay as you go SIM.
I believe in some European countries (Finland springs to mind) SIM locking is actually illegal, but it's certainly not across the board in the whole of Europe. I disagree with it too, but I can see it from the mobile network's point of view to protect revenue from customers (mainly using it with a foreign SIM whilst on holiday).
(Disclaimer: I work for one of the UK mobile networks.)
This deal might bring mobile broadband to the masses, but with the mobile phones available these days - and the fact that most new laptops include bluetooth as standard, is it really necessary?
I have a Nokia N70 handset which uses 3G technology and provides me with connection speeds of around 400Kbps in 3G-enabled areas - 115Kbps in GPRS (2.5G) areas - and even though it's a separate device, I can simply hook it up to my laptop using bluetooth (or USB if I'm using a machine without bluetooth built in) and connect to the Internet anywhere. However, the flexibility of having a small handset allows me to sit in bed, on the couch, on public transport - ie, anywhere a laptop can be somewhat inconvenient - and check my email, logon to IRC, access web-pages and catch up on the latest news.
Even most non-smartphone devices these days are bluetooth enabled and allow this sort of wireless hookup to laptops and allow for the flexibility I mentioned earlier.
Not actually checked the box and manual for an "offer" on paper, but it's all detailed under the "About" section of my Series 60-based handset and the "offer" is there and details where the code can be downloaded from. It even mentions that you can purchase it on CD-ROM for the cost of providing it (as specified in the GPL).
The disadvantages of such privacy invading schemes where my buying habits can be tracked don't seem to bother me so much; something like my mobile phone number being associated with several movie tickets won't give them all the details necessary to "be me".
I don't get phone calls I haven't asked for, I don't receive mail or email i don't want. It's easy if you put a small amount of time in to click remove links in legitimate emails, and you just need to register free of charge once for telephone & mail preference companys, so organisations can't send you junkmail or cannot call them.
An alternative to simply writing to your bank; you could use one of those Birthday cards which plays an annoying and repetitive tune when opened, and simply compose a clear and concise letter within letting the bank know how annoying sound can be when trying to work or relax. You'd also have the added advantage that the advisor dealing with your complaint would be able to fully appreciate just how frustrating unexpected and unwanted noise can be.
If I really wanted/needed true privacy then sure I would buy a £20 handset and a £10 SIM each time I needed to swap "identities". However, whilst my privacy is very important to me, the benefits of my plan and the handset I received with that plan more than outweigh the benefits of going prepaid. And yes, you do need to provide ID and proof of address and all other details needed for credit checking purposes here too.
As an aside, I work for one of the mobile networks here in the UK and have access to all manner of customer data; each time an employee accesses customer data a footprint is added onto the customer's account showing which employee has accessed the account. I'm pretty sure this is the same for other UK networks based on my experiences as a customer.
The great thing about the UK though is our Data Protection Act. Let's say for example I access a customer's account and gain information about a particular customer and provide this data to a third party; I am then personally responsible and face a large fine and possible criminal consequences as a result.
Keep up the good work, Mr & Mrs Gates.
I post a great deal on all sorts of forums and discussion boards; some are for pleasure (which is equally as important as anything else) and some are important to share knowledge etc.
Besides, when it comes to a library, if the library is public then those wanting to use it for pleasure or "unimportant" things have paid their taxes to use it just as much as you have. In the case of a school or college, then those using it for pleasure have paid to use it just as much as you have.
I suppose it's the same as those companies who wants to demand royalties from Apple due to patents they claim the iPod infringes. So in that respect I suppose we should all get rooting for Microsoft and Creative.
It would also give Google the Wikipedia brand name, which is becoming more and more widespread; certainly, since the John Seigenthaler incident it received widespread press in the national news here, and only today on BBC News there was an article about how Wikipedia survived the "research test".
Oh, and you just can't beat their small screen rendering technology; I'd heard of the term before I used their mobile browser, but upon actually using it, it does make a massive difference compared to Nokia's standard "Web" application.
Open Source != Non-Commercial
Looks to me that he was disputing the actual statement itself; that he was saying "hey don't generate this stuff for fun, they do it for income" is wrong, ie, an incorrect statement.
If an item is broken I would assume you have the right to return the faulty product to the retailer for refund or replacement, nothing more.
Have a guess how many bits of spyware or viruses I've ever encountered. Seriously, have a guess.
Zero. The problem is not Microsoft software; the problem is uneducated users.
Some of us can't afford to buy a Mac and, as such, we go for the next best thing; Windows. I'm guessing you're advocating the use of software such as GNU/Linux or similar, however human stupidity would be to use such a tool which isn't good enough for the job.
Indeed, the "Front Row" company is a joint venture, fully owned by NTL and Telewest, to provide NVOD & VOD services to customers of both companies.
The calendar function is like none other, and Outlook 2003's junkmail handling and security is very good IMO; I especially like the fact that it will not display images and scripting within an email unless the address/domain is whitelisted.
Don't have any which rules them as non-binding, however here are links to a couple of cases which show that EULAs are very legally binding.
http://www.svmedialaw.com/ecommerce-9-eula-upheld- in-dmca-hacker-case.html t m
http://www.kentlaw.edu/legalaspects/tony_brower.h
For £50 I can get a P2-based machine, if not better, on eBay; if I want to spend a lot of money on a 360, it wouldn't be for an expensive mail server...
Otherwise you would have people saying & printing malicious information which the accuser has no way of proving is false.