Microsoft already limits access to msn.com and Hotmail to a handful of browsers. And they have every right to do so, as they own the servers and bandwidth. What's your point?
And don't forget, every user they turn down creates an opportunity for their competitors.
My libertarian side says that AOL is providing a paid service to users. If there is no clause for this kind of action in their agreement, then AOL is in breach of contract. Even if it is, these users certainly aren't getting what they thought they were paying for. If I was one of them, I'd be looking for a new company to give money to.
Also, I am sure that this little fiasco will not improve AOL's long-term image on the market.
From what I understand, AOL has a pretty large number of users, but nothing close to a monopoly on web hosting. (Not that a monopoly is the devil.)
E-mailing customers was a big mistake, but for a different reason. The article doesn't mention how he got all of the customers' e-mail addresses, but I doubt that they are publicly listed.
There is no way in heck that it would be legal for him to still possess the list of customers after severing employment, or acquiring that list without the company's consent.
The days of the epic, themed rock and roll album are pretty much over.
This is only true if you listen to mainstream pop and nothing else. Sure, most of it is crap. But it's not all the music being made. The Internet makes it extremely easy to find good music, even legally. For example, have a look on MP3.com or Epitonic.com. Or even your neighborhood P2P service.
Do [spammers] really believe that people who install anti-spam software on their PC's are going to buy penis-enlargement pills from spammers that defeat the software?
No, they believe that customers of ISPs that install anti-spam software on their networks might buy penis-enlargement pills from spammers.
MR: Ironically, it was Milton Friedman who said that Silicon Valley was committing suicide by trying to leverage the government in their competition with Microsoft. Today, many of those same companies now find themselves under scrutiny.
Cheap aerial photography has already been around for a while. A lot of people have been using kites to accomplish this, but a cheap balloon is much less dependent on the environment being just right. (It doesn't have to be windy.)
Why in the world would a user-friendly computer targeted at newbies have services running on it by default? And why would they have to be unprotected just because the physical local access to computer is?
Also, if you are living with someone you wouldn't trust to be around your computer (even after asking them not to), you might want to reconsider living with that person.
(Yes, I realize that situations where such protection is needed exist, and that's why it would be nice for operating systems to present such a choice. But not by default.)
The reason people are required to have a license to drive a car is because driving a car puts everyone in the vicinity in real physical danger. Requiring people to have some kind of basic skills and understanding of this danger is a good idea.
Requiring people to have a license before they can get on the Internet is like requiring them to have a license before they can read a book or go to a party. Sure, some parenting and protection is required in both situation, but licensing for it is absurd.
I think it's not that far fetched to have a computer that just works, and doesn't put the newbie user or those that can be effected by them at great risk. Oh wait...
So now we have a sea of internet users who don't know or care one whit about security all because they've been taught from the very beginning that all they ever have to do is plug it in, turn it on, and start browsing.
Isn't that the idea for home users? Just come up to the computer and start browsing? Why would a home user need a login password for his computer?
Business environments are a different story, but then there is usually a person with a clue around. (Or at least half a clue.)
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And don't forget, every user they turn down creates an opportunity for their competitors.
Also, I am sure that this little fiasco will not improve AOL's long-term image on the market.
From what I understand, AOL has a pretty large number of users, but nothing close to a monopoly on web hosting. (Not that a monopoly is the devil.)
All you have to do is target the link into a new window () and the referrer header doesn't get passed. Still a pain, but this could be a temporary solution.
Is it really that safe to stick your card into so many terminals?
There is no way in heck that it would be legal for him to still possess the list of customers after severing employment, or acquiring that list without the company's consent.
Ok, so how many of us followed the link to Tiny OS but didn't go to the actual article? ;-)
The outage may not be due to a terrorist act, but it's a perfect opportunity to carry one out...
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(For the lazy)
Do you have a mirror of the other missing files, like http://www.geekissues.org/www.policyanalysismarket .org/pam_trade_info.htm?
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Kite Aerial Photography
Mosaics of kite aerial photographs
Aerial photography using a balloon at Burning Man
Other types of aerial photography (balloon, helicopter, kite, even periscope!)
Also, if you are living with someone you wouldn't trust to be around your computer (even after asking them not to), you might want to reconsider living with that person.
(Yes, I realize that situations where such protection is needed exist, and that's why it would be nice for operating systems to present such a choice. But not by default.)
Requiring people to have a license before they can get on the Internet is like requiring them to have a license before they can read a book or go to a party. Sure, some parenting and protection is required in both situation, but licensing for it is absurd.
I think it's not that far fetched to have a computer that just works, and doesn't put the newbie user or those that can be effected by them at great risk. Oh wait...
Unfortunately, the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is being turned into a mall attraction. Come spend your money at Independence Mall(TM)!
Business environments are a different story, but then there is usually a person with a clue around. (Or at least half a clue.)
Two sites to check out are egovos.org and this one at netaction.org. There's also the other side.
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