Actually, they should fire the people who even gave the patent to Microsoft in the first place. Obviously somebody at the patent office didn't think about all of the ramifications of this patent.
Just what we need, an "SCO" of the handheld world. Of course, Pocket PC's running Microsoft CE would be exempt.
Meanwhile, Heritage Minister Helene Scherrer wants the federal govt. to ratify a couple of international treaties that protect the ownership of copyrighted materials. If signed they would give the CRIA's case more legal weight.
Isn't that like Quebec changing their referendum question to get a "winning condition"?
If you lived in the Northeast US or Canada what were your memories of the August Blackout?
Cursing myself that I didn't fill up my car on the way home. Traffic was horrible and I just got home on fumes. However, for some reason, I remember waking up at 2AM, looking out my apartment window, and noticing my local McDonalds and Petro Canada gas station had power. So, I phoned them to find out they had power and were pumping gas (at regular prices, not the "99.9/l" price). So, my wife and I went and got gas at 2AM. Even though it was late, the lineup about 5 cars deep per lane. Sure beats waiting for hours for overpriced gas.
Of course, I do find it ironic that McDonalds had power before most of Northeast Canada or US.
Many of the million or so people who have so far infected their computers with MyDoom say it is not their fault. The virus often comes in a message that appears to be from someone they know, with an innocuous subject line like "test" or "error." It is human nature, they say, to open the mail and attachments.
I've lost count of the number of people I've talked to who said, "Um, I think I'm infected..." and don't even have anti-virus software installed. To them, I ask:
Do people not read the news? Every time a major virus is sent across the Net, the morning news talks about it and even specifies that the email has the "From" address from infected people who has your email adderss in their contact list. So, with radio, T.V. and newspaper telling you exactly what to look out for and what not to do (i.e. open it), you would think people would get the hint! However, chaos reigns.
Agreed. I use Spybot myself and am very happy with it. As a matter of fact, my father-in-law's computer was hijacked by a program that came with Kazaa (their 22 year old daughter used Kazaa). For some reason, every time he logged onto the 'Net, he would get advertisements for adult sites (with full motion too;) ). Spybot was able to isolate these programs and kill them. His machine was clear from any "hijacking" software. So, I have nothing but good things for Spybot.
There are a few quotes from the article that are of interest:
Search results appear as points on a map instead of as a list of documents. The company says this information can be used, for example, to track patterns of criminal activity and identify spots of intensity.
Just wait. Businesses will be requiring this data for "demographics". The RIAA can search for those who talk about "downloading music". Police can use it to track those who distribute kiddie porn. (Uh oh! I just used "kiddie porn" with my name! They'll be after me next!)
The point is that anyone can say the data will be used for "tracking criminals", but we all know that will not be the case. Heck, the "Patriot Act" was supposed to combat terrorism, but we all know of the abuses of it. IMHO, this software will do more harm than good (unless you're the one collecting the data).
PS: Since September 11, US security agencies have increasingly turned to technology to help them process website postings, internet chat and e-mail traffic....and still no sign of Osama Bin Laden.
Personally, I'm looking for a serious apology (or at least a retraction) for the 'alleged' link between this ugly little nasty and Open Source / Linux users.
Don't hold your breath on this one. When has Darl or SCO even apologised for anything? Let's face it, accusations come quick - retractions are almost never.
This whole "lawsuit" with the RIAA is nothing but a freeking joke. My buddy wrote EMI Music Canada complaining he couldn't download music from his (store bought) CD to his new IPod because of the copy protection. So, EMI Music gave him an unprotected CD and actually told him not to buy copy protected CD's until the technology changes! So, what's he supposed to do if he can't buy CD's? I guess the only thing left is to download them (but then he'll get sued by the RIAA even though the music company told him not to by the CD).
Like I said, what a joke.
(If you're interested, I've got the e-mail chain between my buddy and EMI.)
Wasn't SCO supposed to show the evidence of "infringing code in Linux"? I've been keeping a watchful eye on Yahoo! news and Slashdot, but I cannot find any other news.
So what? Darl decided to "Wag the Dog" with another lawsuit?
I also saw this one - I found the show enjoyable, but the ending could have been better.
Just out of interest, how would you have ended the episode? Personally, I kinda liked the ending. It seemed to prove a point at the end (and I'm a sucker for happy endings:) ).
CBS Marketwatch also another story on this issue. In it, Blake Stowell, an SCO spokesman said, "The fact that we are now offering a license for SCO's intellectual property for Linux in the U.K. opens up the door now to the fact that if customers in the U.K. choose not to purchase a license from us, the threat of legal action could be forthcoming".
Translation: we're not making enough cash from North America because they're not taking us seriously. So, we'll hit you guys up for a few bucks.
I really wonder if anybody in Europe will really take these guys seriously? Since SCO was sooooooooo successful in launching their lawsuits in the U.S., I'm sure they'll do just fine in Europe.
Reminds me of an episode of "The Outer Limits" called "Stream of Consciousness". It dealt with people in society hooked up to a super-computer to look up any information ever stored in the world as well as non-verbal communication. Unfortunately, it meant the loss of the ability to read, as books became redundant. However, the computer went haywire, making people do strange things (like counting the grains of sand on the beach - becuase it wanted to know), resulting in people's death. The only way to survive was to get "unplugged".
I don't watch "The Outer Limits" on a regular basis, but I caught this one. Very interesting.
Ideally the stock price reflects real value, in practice it often doesn't. During the.com phase, low value companies had high stock values.
That one always baffled me as an accountant. A company that makes no money (or even have a loss) can have a stock price in the $100's. Something in my head said, "Sell short! Sell short!", but I was not quick enough. (Sigh.)
You're assuming that stock prices reflect the "value" of a company - they don't. Investors aren't often all that smart and a bit of media buzz is often enough to make them invest. Media buzz != sound financial investment.
Actually, stock prices reflect more than just the value of the company. They reflect potential revenue targets, people on the board, direction of the company, and any other piece of information (or mis-information) that the company puts out to the public. In certain cases, stock prices may even include non-public data.
It is a hope that stock analysts of SCO would be smart enough to interpret the information coming out of SCO's office. If they felt there was validity to their claims and lawsuits, they'd see $$$ in their eyes and the potential value of the company would be much more than it is. Note that this is potential value. Thus, this potential value is built into the stock price, which in turn makes it go up. Usually, if a company is expected to have a certain $ for their revenue and/or net income, then the stock price would reflect it. If the company meets that expectation, then, when the results are released, the stock price doesn't move as the price already reflects the expected earnings. However, if a company either misses or exceeds the expected earnings, then the stock price adjusts to reflect the new reality.
As much as I've dumped on SCO and hoped they would crash and burn, I think the poster of the originial question has a good point: maybe there's more to SCO's claim than meets the eye. The problem is that there isn't much to see because they're holding their cards carefully. However, if stock analysts want to raise the share price, then either:
1. There is some merit to SCO's claim; or,
2. They don't understand what's going on and only see $.
My only hope is this whole mess ends soon. I haven't budgeted $699 for a license fee in my year's financial plans.
"Any bill that further increases the RIAA's power over consumers is extremely disconcerting to us," president of the Webcaster Alliance, Ann Gabriel told us today.
Great. This is what we need. More power to those who hold the purse strings. Give more power to big business and less to consumers.
The thing that concerns me is that the RIAA is trying to circumvent a diplomatic process. I always thought that, while not completely effective, challenging an organizations actions (even in court) kept what organizations do in check - that the could not overstep their boundries. Now, the RIAA is trying to be immune from it's actions, while suing consumers for their actions.
This could start a dangerous precident - allowing corporations immunity from their own actions. Hope SCO isn't watching.
...it's a PR piece. The whole article puts a "Microsoft is better" slant on the whole issue of Microsoft vs. Linux. Also interesting to note who the author is..."Matt Lambert is director of government affairs at Microsoft"
Since this audit is being paid by Microsoft and being done in conjunction with Ernst & Young, you know for sure it will not be an unbiased audit (which goes against auditor independence).
Personally, I'm not holding my breath on a fair and independent audit.
...unless you are a Fortune 1000 company, you can't buy a Linux license...
And the farce continues.
It looks like SCO is really trying to use FUD against the big guys. "If we scare them, they'll pay, right?". They know if they can get the big companies to pay, they've made their $. If they don't, then it's "big fish" to fry (read: sue). Suing users would be too much money for too little gain.
I really wonder who their PR department is. They keep saying one thing, then say the exact opposite. Their heads are so far up their asses, they cannot talk a consistent story. They should be fired.
Slashdot Mirror
Just what we need, an "SCO" of the handheld world. Of course, Pocket PC's running Microsoft CE would be exempt.
Isn't that like Quebec changing their referendum question to get a "winning condition"?
Cursing myself that I didn't fill up my car on the way home. Traffic was horrible and I just got home on fumes. However, for some reason, I remember waking up at 2AM, looking out my apartment window, and noticing my local McDonalds and Petro Canada gas station had power. So, I phoned them to find out they had power and were pumping gas (at regular prices, not the "99.9/l" price). So, my wife and I went and got gas at 2AM. Even though it was late, the lineup about 5 cars deep per lane. Sure beats waiting for hours for overpriced gas.
Of course, I do find it ironic that McDonalds had power before most of Northeast Canada or US.
I've lost count of the number of people I've talked to who said, "Um, I think I'm infected..." and don't even have anti-virus software installed. To them, I ask:
Do people not read the news? Every time a major virus is sent across the Net, the morning news talks about it and even specifies that the email has the "From" address from infected people who has your email adderss in their contact list. So, with radio, T.V. and newspaper telling you exactly what to look out for and what not to do (i.e. open it), you would think people would get the hint! However, chaos reigns.
Agreed. I use Spybot myself and am very happy with it. As a matter of fact, my father-in-law's computer was hijacked by a program that came with Kazaa (their 22 year old daughter used Kazaa). For some reason, every time he logged onto the 'Net, he would get advertisements for adult sites (with full motion too ;) ). Spybot was able to isolate these programs and kill them. His machine was clear from any "hijacking" software. So, I have nothing but good things for Spybot.
Search results appear as points on a map instead of as a list of documents. The company says this information can be used, for example, to track patterns of criminal activity and identify spots of intensity.
Just wait. Businesses will be requiring this data for "demographics". The RIAA can search for those who talk about "downloading music". Police can use it to track those who distribute kiddie porn. (Uh oh! I just used "kiddie porn" with my name! They'll be after me next!)
The point is that anyone can say the data will be used for "tracking criminals", but we all know that will not be the case. Heck, the "Patriot Act" was supposed to combat terrorism, but we all know of the abuses of it. IMHO, this software will do more harm than good (unless you're the one collecting the data).
PS: Since September 11, US security agencies have increasingly turned to technology to help them process website postings, internet chat and e-mail traffic....and still no sign of Osama Bin Laden.
Don't hold your breath on this one. When has Darl or SCO even apologised for anything? Let's face it, accusations come quick - retractions are almost never.
Like I said, what a joke.
(If you're interested, I've got the e-mail chain between my buddy and EMI.)
So what? Darl decided to "Wag the Dog" with another lawsuit?
Now, that's the pot calling the kettle "black".
Just out of interest, how would you have ended the episode? Personally, I kinda liked the ending. It seemed to prove a point at the end (and I'm a sucker for happy endings :) ).
Translation: we're not making enough cash from North America because they're not taking us seriously. So, we'll hit you guys up for a few bucks.
I really wonder if anybody in Europe will really take these guys seriously? Since SCO was sooooooooo successful in launching their lawsuits in the U.S., I'm sure they'll do just fine in Europe.
I don't watch "The Outer Limits" on a regular basis, but I caught this one. Very interesting.
... a battery operated girlfriend/boyfriend? I'd start to worry if one gets intimate with anything stamped, "Panasonic", or has a 90 day warranty.
Guess it doesn't pay to have my unemployed brother downloading movies on my line.
That one always baffled me as an accountant. A company that makes no money (or even have a loss) can have a stock price in the $100's. Something in my head said, "Sell short! Sell short!", but I was not quick enough. (Sigh.)
Actually, stock prices reflect more than just the value of the company. They reflect potential revenue targets, people on the board, direction of the company, and any other piece of information (or mis-information) that the company puts out to the public. In certain cases, stock prices may even include non-public data.
It is a hope that stock analysts of SCO would be smart enough to interpret the information coming out of SCO's office. If they felt there was validity to their claims and lawsuits, they'd see $$$ in their eyes and the potential value of the company would be much more than it is. Note that this is potential value. Thus, this potential value is built into the stock price, which in turn makes it go up. Usually, if a company is expected to have a certain $ for their revenue and/or net income, then the stock price would reflect it. If the company meets that expectation, then, when the results are released, the stock price doesn't move as the price already reflects the expected earnings. However, if a company either misses or exceeds the expected earnings, then the stock price adjusts to reflect the new reality.
As much as I've dumped on SCO and hoped they would crash and burn, I think the poster of the originial question has a good point: maybe there's more to SCO's claim than meets the eye. The problem is that there isn't much to see because they're holding their cards carefully. However, if stock analysts want to raise the share price, then either:
1. There is some merit to SCO's claim; or,
2. They don't understand what's going on and only see $.
My only hope is this whole mess ends soon. I haven't budgeted $699 for a license fee in my year's financial plans.
I expect submissions from Daryl McBride soon. Hopefully I don't have to pay $699 for the book.
What's the difference between Larry Ellison and God?
And the answer...
...God doesn't think He's Larry.
...lame, I know.
...couldn't Google sue (or counter-sue) SCO for defamation?
Great. This is what we need. More power to those who hold the purse strings. Give more power to big business and less to consumers.
The thing that concerns me is that the RIAA is trying to circumvent a diplomatic process. I always thought that, while not completely effective, challenging an organizations actions (even in court) kept what organizations do in check - that the could not overstep their boundries. Now, the RIAA is trying to be immune from it's actions, while suing consumers for their actions.
This could start a dangerous precident - allowing corporations immunity from their own actions. Hope SCO isn't watching.
Nah, a new financing model for SCO.
That's a game I play with my 2 year old niece: she covers her eyes and thinks I'm not there.
Since this audit is being paid by Microsoft and being done in conjunction with Ernst & Young, you know for sure it will not be an unbiased audit (which goes against auditor independence).
Personally, I'm not holding my breath on a fair and independent audit.
And the farce continues.
It looks like SCO is really trying to use FUD against the big guys. "If we scare them, they'll pay, right?". They know if they can get the big companies to pay, they've made their $. If they don't, then it's "big fish" to fry (read: sue). Suing users would be too much money for too little gain.
I really wonder who their PR department is. They keep saying one thing, then say the exact opposite. Their heads are so far up their asses, they cannot talk a consistent story. They should be fired.