If you own Google stock, you can say that your an investor in this patent squatter of startup as well.
So this is what Google is spending their IPO money on...I was wondering if they had some great ideas that would change things and take the company to some heretofore unknown level. I guess not. This investment makes them a VC fund without the track record.
I would consider this a signal to sell Google stock.
"But in the end, the US never "takes" anything even though it could."
Except, you know... half of Mexico.
The USA did not "take" anything from Mexico. Mexico used to be associated California, et al, but Mexico seceded from the western half of North America over the issue of joining the USA. Please check your facts next time.:)
To clarify this, I was was talking about the database protection act that was passed in Europe, not in the US and five years ago, you could copy copy a phonebook in the US, just not in Europe. The main exception appearing to be some soft of sweat of the brow principle where in certain extreme cases, such as copying a CD instead of manually inputting the data, were disallowed in the US.
I am sure someone else knows more about it, I just thought it was worth discussing (as I am too lazy to look elsewhere for answers).
Five years ago, when I studied IP, you could copy a directory. There was even a case in Kansas where one company copied another company's phone book and published the book as their own. Personally, I think the benefits outweight the costs.
Five years ago, however, there was a database protection act that was passed that did protect data - such as phonebooks. So, things have changed greatly in the last five years or you are talking about another country.
Many of us receive free magazines. Why not a free PC?
Perhaps streaming banners, perhaps AOL like marketing, perhaps whatever we'll find useful and that can be profitably provided for free. How about giving away a PC that is designed to automate your personal finances; That knows what sort of mutual funds you might want; That prompts you through financial planning?
Yeah, there's privacy. But then there's convenience too. And if it comes from a trusted source then perhaps you won't care. That trusted source could be Google. But, it's more likely that a new company will be born that will follow a consistent series of messages, actions, and product lines that will garner your trust. Such a company could knock Google from the roost.
There's certainly room for a company that you'll trust more than you'll trust the typical mortgage company, the typical bank or (oh my) the typical credit card company.
Thanks for the useful link. I haven't worked a lot with DTDs, but I a schema that descibes the articles grahpics would be helpful. That way your xml editor could create an auto-complete skeleton of the recipe graphic once you type in the top tag - or perhaps even that can be automated.
Once that's done, there's also the xsl part to work on. And then there's also the possibility of working on a transformation to XSL-FO or SVG so you can dump the graphics out in a variety of media. Seems like this guy and people like him could use it.
I've actually considered working on such stuff since I could actually learn learn something while working with an interesting topic. However, there's all this other stuff to work on and my cousineau book just arrived...
Your point is a typical specious argument offered by OSS supporters: an for-profit organization doesn't care about customers as much as people who are just interested in developing software.
I seem to remember being taught that companies are in the business to make money, not necessarily do right be their customers. I'm sure that your experience / stat data is correct in some instances, just not all.
Where I'm working, we use MS SQL Server an awful lot. And we write an awful lot of code that uses it. We don't spend any time reading source, or trying to find holes / improvements to it. We're too busy.
You might not be reading the source code, but others will and their interests are probably more closely aligned with yours than a for profit institution that is more concerned about customer lock-in. But hey, do what makes you happy.
Ok, I'll ask. What's a "prototype-based object-oriented" language and how does it differ from C++ and Java?
I was wondering the same thing and found the following items:
http://www.dekorte.com/Proto/Chart.html
Prototype-based languages are object oriented langauges where a new object instance is "cloned" from existing live object(a prototype) instead of being constructed by a class. This makes the language simpler by requiring one less data type and solving the infinte regress problem of classes(if you use a class to create an object, what do you use to create a class?). It is also ideal for systems such as GUIs where the pattern of creating one object by copying and modifying another is already handled by the language itself.
Check out the site to see a table of similar languages.
http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?PrototypeBasedProgramming
In a class-based language (like Java or Smalltalk), every object is an instance of a class. An object contains its own data (instance variables), but its class holds its behaviour (methods). To make a new object, you ask a class to "instantiate" itself.
In a prototype-based language, an object can contain both data and behaviour. It's a self-contained thing. To make a new object, you just call the "copy" method on an existing object.
The population of China could be 1.2B, but when you compare the amount of literature written in Chinese langauge(s) to that written in English, Chinese comes in a very poor second place.
Who are we to say what they can do with the new tools that they will be provided? The combination of Yahoo going to China and the following article regarding the "deep web" makes me think that there will be new ways of conceptualizing and approaching the online universe.
Old-style content, assuming the word is still relevant, may not be the only content people are interested in and especially may not be relevant to other countries and cultures with different social, political and economic attributes. Who is to say that new internet surfers will go about the internet the same way the old internet surfers have done?
I think it'll be interesting to see what types of new and revolutionary products do come out of initiatives such as these.
I am left handed and this is the only pen that I like.
Like many left handers I grab the pen fairly close to the tip. Bics, or any of the expensive status pens are not comfortable.
Also, as a left hander, I tend to smudge the ink, so I need a fine point that doesn't dump too much ink on the paper.
I am surprised that more companies don't make sure that left handers can also use their pens comfortable - I don't think any other aspect of the design is compromised by becoming left hander compliant.
His statement about how he "designed solutions for problems that people didn't yet know they had" either shows a complete lack of understanding of the way NORMAL people use technology or he's started believing his own marketing spin about Java and Sun's other technologies.
As an MBA and proud founder of a failed startup, I read this more of a quote that I had memorized, but did not realize until we were packing it in: "they were a solution looking for a problem".
Looking back and forward, I would much rather have a mediocre solution to a problem that people are desperate to resolve than a brilliant solution to a problem that nobody really cares about. If the customer is desperate, you only have to meet them half way with a fair price to make a quick sale. If the customer isn't totally convinced that they have a problem then you need to get ready for a long, involved, and financially depressing sales process.
A perfect example of a painful problem with a desperate customer that he did talk about: the inability to secure systems from attack. People are in pain and they are actively looking for solutions. Come up with something decent in this area and the world will use your stuff (aka beat a path to your door).
You're a small manufacturer and you just realized that none of the major retail chains will carry your product because they already cut a high-volume deal with the existing large manufacturers...if you need to make it media specific, you can make yourself a small independent film maker...
Or how about, some of the kids are the shareholders, some are CEO's and some are rule makers. The kid shareholders make money by giving their monies to the kid CEOs that make profits. However, according to the rules of the free market the kid CEO's can't make consistent profits without cheating the free market rules...the CEO's then make appeals, promises, and payments to the group rule makers to change the free market rules...they aquire property via these rule changes and then further argue that they this property is protected. The more property you get, the more effectively your arguments are evaulated.
When I find myself slow in the morning, it is usually because I am not exactly sure what it is that I am supposed to be doing. My solution has been to plan the next day, particularly the first tasks, before leaving at the end of the previous day.
The other approach is not to worry about being slow in the morning. If fact, you may want to skip the mornings altogether on the basis that productivity is particularly low at that time.
My approach is to get up earlier than anyone else gets up - currently this is 4:30am. I am then able to use my prime productivity hours to pursue my own interests. I then work my weekly job from 9:30 to 6:00 or 7:00pm. In the evening, I can never get anything done due to "all the things that are going on". I'm basically worthless by that time anyway.
I would also recommend giving up coffee and alchohol. I have tried to use these and other stimulants/depressants as tools and was never successful in the end. Now, I just drink good water.
Come to think of it, I don't know anyone that has come out ahead by attempting to override their natural biocycles. I'm sure that there are exceptions. I just haven't seen one.
There is still hope with the smaller companies...in fact, when I hear slashdotters talk about opportunities that serve small businesses, the tone typically sounds upbeat.
Although, a large company may cut 80% of their IT workers via outsourcing, a small company with 2 developers, will not be able to downsize their IT staff by 80%.
Also, large organizations will still need IT-savvy people to manage the outsourcing. So, if you want to code, you can work for a small company. If you want to work for a large company, you can still work towards being one of the well paid managers of the complex outsourcing efforts.
Finally, outsourcing can not be done 100%. Outsourcing sounds good and easy on paper, but in reality, companies that outsource are putting themselves at the mercy of another organization that may not always have their best interests at heart.
A potentially interesting separate topic would be stories of outsourcers using their leverage to negotiate themselves a greater piece of the pie.
Slashdot Mirror
If you own Google stock, you can say that your an investor in this patent squatter of startup as well.
So this is what Google is spending their IPO money on...I was wondering if they had some great ideas that would change things and take the company to some heretofore unknown level. I guess not. This investment makes them a VC fund without the track record.
I would consider this a signal to sell Google stock.
Not familiar with the Mexican-American War, are we?
There was an emoticon - I was kidding. But the Calhoun speech makes for an interesting note.Thanks!
"But in the end, the US never "takes" anything even though it could." Except, you know... half of Mexico.
:)
The USA did not "take" anything from Mexico. Mexico used to be associated California, et al, but Mexico seceded from the western half of North America over the issue of joining the USA. Please check your facts next time.
To clarify this, I was was talking about the database protection act that was passed in Europe, not in the US and five years ago, you could copy copy a phonebook in the US, just not in Europe. The main exception appearing to be some soft of sweat of the brow principle where in certain extreme cases, such as copying a CD instead of manually inputting the data, were disallowed in the US.
I am sure someone else knows more about it, I just thought it was worth discussing (as I am too lazy to look elsewhere for answers).
Since databases are currently copyrightable
Five years ago, when I studied IP, you could copy a directory. There was even a case in Kansas where one company copied another company's phone book and published the book as their own. Personally, I think the benefits outweight the costs.
Five years ago, however, there was a database protection act that was passed that did protect data - such as phonebooks. So, things have changed greatly in the last five years or you are talking about another country.
Many of us receive free magazines. Why not a free PC?
Perhaps streaming banners, perhaps AOL like marketing, perhaps whatever we'll find useful and that can be profitably provided for free. How about giving away a PC that is designed to automate your personal finances; That knows what sort of mutual funds you might want; That prompts you through financial planning?
Yeah, there's privacy. But then there's convenience too. And if it comes from a trusted source then perhaps you won't care. That trusted source could be Google. But, it's more likely that a new company will be born that will follow a consistent series of messages, actions, and product lines that will garner your trust. Such a company could knock Google from the roost.
There's certainly room for a company that you'll trust more than you'll trust the typical mortgage company, the typical bank or (oh my) the typical credit card company.
I guess this explains the initial IPO price of almost $135.
I guess this also explains why the insiders decided to sell less shares when the price was lowered.
Or is the stock going up just because there is no bad news and no major investors have been dumping their stock. Yet.
Very cool story - thanks for the post.
You don't understand the concept that abuse of monopolies is a problem.
:)
Glad you're sticking up for monopolies!
Already been done.
Thanks for the useful link. I haven't worked a lot with DTDs, but I a schema that descibes the articles grahpics would be helpful. That way your xml editor could create an auto-complete skeleton of the recipe graphic once you type in the top tag - or perhaps even that can be automated.
Once that's done, there's also the xsl part to work on. And then there's also the possibility of working on a transformation to XSL-FO or SVG so you can dump the graphics out in a variety of media. Seems like this guy and people like him could use it.
I've actually considered working on such stuff since I could actually learn learn something while working with an interesting topic. However, there's all this other stuff to work on and my cousineau book just arrived...
Your point is a typical specious argument offered by OSS supporters: an for-profit organization doesn't care about customers as much as people who are just interested in developing software.
I seem to remember being taught that companies are in the business to make money, not necessarily do right be their customers. I'm sure that your experience / stat data is correct in some instances, just not all.
Where I'm working, we use MS SQL Server an awful lot. And we write an awful lot of code that uses it. We don't spend any time reading source, or trying to find holes / improvements to it. We're too busy.
You might not be reading the source code, but others will and their interests are probably more closely aligned with yours than a for profit institution that is more concerned about customer lock-in. But hey, do what makes you happy.
The population of China could be 1.2B, but when you compare the amount of literature written in Chinese langauge(s) to that written in English, Chinese comes in a very poor second place.
5 1&mode=thread
Who are we to say what they can do with the new tools that they will be provided? The combination of Yahoo going to China and the following article regarding the "deep web" makes me think that there will be new ways of conceptualizing and approaching the online universe.
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/03/09/13202
Old-style content, assuming the word is still relevant, may not be the only content people are interested in and especially may not be relevant to other countries and cultures with different social, political and economic attributes. Who is to say that new internet surfers will go about the internet the same way the old internet surfers have done?
I think it'll be interesting to see what types of new and revolutionary products do come out of initiatives such as these.
I am left handed and this is the only pen that I like.
Like many left handers I grab the pen fairly close to the tip. Bics, or any of the expensive status pens are not comfortable.
Also, as a left hander, I tend to smudge the ink, so I need a fine point that doesn't dump too much ink on the paper.
I am surprised that more companies don't make sure that left handers can also use their pens comfortable - I don't think any other aspect of the design is compromised by becoming left hander compliant.
His statement about how he "designed solutions for problems that people didn't yet know they had" either shows a complete lack of understanding of the way NORMAL people use technology or he's started believing his own marketing spin about Java and Sun's other technologies. As an MBA and proud founder of a failed startup, I read this more of a quote that I had memorized, but did not realize until we were packing it in: "they were a solution looking for a problem". Looking back and forward, I would much rather have a mediocre solution to a problem that people are desperate to resolve than a brilliant solution to a problem that nobody really cares about. If the customer is desperate, you only have to meet them half way with a fair price to make a quick sale. If the customer isn't totally convinced that they have a problem then you need to get ready for a long, involved, and financially depressing sales process. A perfect example of a painful problem with a desperate customer that he did talk about: the inability to secure systems from attack. People are in pain and they are actively looking for solutions. Come up with something decent in this area and the world will use your stuff (aka beat a path to your door).
You're a small manufacturer and you just realized that none of the major retail chains will carry your product because they already cut a high-volume deal with the existing large manufacturers...if you need to make it media specific, you can make yourself a small independent film maker...
Or how about, some of the kids are the shareholders, some are CEO's and some are rule makers. The kid shareholders make money by giving their monies to the kid CEOs that make profits. However, according to the rules of the free market the kid CEO's can't make consistent profits without cheating the free market rules...the CEO's then make appeals, promises, and payments to the group rule makers to change the free market rules...they aquire property via these rule changes and then further argue that they this property is protected. The more property you get, the more effectively your arguments are evaulated.
When I find myself slow in the morning, it is usually because I am not exactly sure what it is that I am supposed to be doing. My solution has been to plan the next day, particularly the first tasks, before leaving at the end of the previous day. The other approach is not to worry about being slow in the morning. If fact, you may want to skip the mornings altogether on the basis that productivity is particularly low at that time.
My approach is to get up earlier than anyone else gets up - currently this is 4:30am. I am then able to use my prime productivity hours to pursue my own interests. I then work my weekly job from 9:30 to 6:00 or 7:00pm. In the evening, I can never get anything done due to "all the things that are going on". I'm basically worthless by that time anyway. I would also recommend giving up coffee and alchohol. I have tried to use these and other stimulants/depressants as tools and was never successful in the end. Now, I just drink good water. Come to think of it, I don't know anyone that has come out ahead by attempting to override their natural biocycles. I'm sure that there are exceptions. I just haven't seen one.
There is still hope with the smaller companies...in fact, when I hear slashdotters talk about opportunities that serve small businesses, the tone typically sounds upbeat.
Although, a large company may cut 80% of their IT workers via outsourcing, a small company with 2 developers, will not be able to downsize their IT staff by 80%.
Also, large organizations will still need IT-savvy people to manage the outsourcing. So, if you want to code, you can work for a small company. If you want to work for a large company, you can still work towards being one of the well paid managers of the complex outsourcing efforts.
Finally, outsourcing can not be done 100%. Outsourcing sounds good and easy on paper, but in reality, companies that outsource are putting themselves at the mercy of another organization that may not always have their best interests at heart.
A potentially interesting separate topic would be stories of outsourcers using their leverage to negotiate themselves a greater piece of the pie.