Given that internet search/indexing is a commodity Google will have a hard time sustaining any profitability in the long term.
As technologists, we're inclined to believe that technology is always the primary determinant of market success, but don't underestimate the power of just getting there first. When a product category has been sufficiently covered by a "good enough" early entry, it can be virtually impossible to unseat. The tip-off comes when its name becomes a common word in the language. People don't ask for a "facial tissue", or serve their kids a "gelatin dessert". They ask for a kleenex and give the kids jello (lower case intentional), regardless of the actual brand name on the product they're using. Kleenex and Jello will be on supermarket shelves long after you and I are gone.
Best of all is when your name becomes a verb. When students are "googling" George Washington to get material for their papers, you can bet that the "product" from which that verb is derived ain't going away soon.
At the very least this will be more fodder for the "Genuine Windows" effort to enforce one licensed copy of the OS per CPU. Any additional boxes running the same copy will be locked out of the anitvirus/antispyware cocaine.
It's interesting to note that Google and Starbucks, both companies that cultivate the "We're different, we're good guys" image, have recently hired lobbyists to make their cases in Washington.
Starbucks is a little further along the life cycle, and is already finding that there are only so many four-dollar lattes that people are willing to buy in day. Shareholders want things to be always improving, however. So, past a certain point the only option a company sees is to start influencing policy makers. Don't expect either company to put whats good for the citizenry ahead of what's good for the board.
Now, looking into my often cloudy crystal ball, I suspect that a total defense might indeed be possible in a century or so, but the technology required would produce, as a by-product, weapons so terrible that no one would need any longer bother with anything as primitive as ballistic missiles.
"Now, looking into my often cloudy crystal ball, I suspect that a total defense might indeed be possible in a century or so, but the technology required would produce, as a by-product, weapons so terrible that no one would need any longer bother with anything as primitive as ballistic missiles."
VirusScan is the worst piece of shit software I've ever been forced (by I.T.) to install. Its scans pin the CPU and make it impossible to work. I've disabled it, on the theory that any virus I get as a result can't be any worse than the McAfee program itself.
What about Jessica Mydek and her dying wish to clog as many email servers as she could before cancer takes her? Won't you help? (P.S. Try saying her name three times fast.)
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As technologists, we're inclined to believe that technology is always the primary determinant of market success, but don't underestimate the power of just getting there first. When a product category has been sufficiently covered by a "good enough" early entry, it can be virtually impossible to unseat. The tip-off comes when its name becomes a common word in the language. People don't ask for a "facial tissue", or serve their kids a "gelatin dessert". They ask for a kleenex and give the kids jello (lower case intentional), regardless of the actual brand name on the product they're using. Kleenex and Jello will be on supermarket shelves long after you and I are gone.
Best of all is when your name becomes a verb. When students are "googling" George Washington to get material for their papers, you can bet that the "product" from which that verb is derived ain't going away soon.
At the very least this will be more fodder for the "Genuine Windows" effort to enforce one licensed copy of the OS per CPU. Any additional boxes running the same copy will be locked out of the anitvirus/antispyware cocaine.
Starbucks is a little further along the life cycle, and is already finding that there are only so many four-dollar lattes that people are willing to buy in day. Shareholders want things to be always improving, however. So, past a certain point the only option a company sees is to start influencing policy makers. Don't expect either company to put whats good for the citizenry ahead of what's good for the board.
It sounds pretty random.
... welcome our Transformer overlords.
I for one welcome our new bimbo overlords.
I hope they include a teen version of KKKKKHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNN!!!!!!
This sounds like it was posted by a Seventeen reader. A new low for /.
The MySQL web site has a press release that briefly explains the dual-license business model.
Now, looking into my often cloudy crystal ball, I suspect that a total defense might indeed be possible in a century or so, but the technology required would produce, as a by-product, weapons so terrible that no one would need any longer bother with anything as primitive as ballistic missiles.
- Arthur C. Clarke
"Now, looking into my often cloudy crystal ball, I suspect that a total defense might indeed be possible in a century or so, but the technology required would produce, as a by-product, weapons so terrible that no one would need any longer bother with anything as primitive as ballistic missiles."
- Arthur C. Clarke
... took the Godzilla out of the World Series.
I'm going to get a job at Chotchkie's!
Actually, the bulge in the picture looks to be just about the size of a deck of cards.
Forbes also has an article about this.
... they make set a new TECORD!!!
VirusScan is the worst piece of shit software I've ever been forced (by I.T.) to install. Its scans pin the CPU and make it impossible to work. I've disabled it, on the theory that any virus I get as a result can't be any worse than the McAfee program itself.
I had exactly the same reaction. This guy was making complete sense, with a well-reasoned argument, until he ran into the Bull O'Really brick wall.
It's called "Linux"!
Miami-Dade "lost" the records the same way that Al Gore "lost" the 2000 election.
... Van Allen Belt tightening!
Does this include shopping mall security guards?
One word: Halo.
What about Jessica Mydek and her dying wish to clog as many email servers as she could before cancer takes her? Won't you help? (P.S. Try saying her name three times fast.)
Shares of players Symantec and Network Associates have gone way down due to this news.