they can't even produce a secure simple os - I mean when you just buy windows what do you get. nothing but a bunch of open ports, a few games, and wordpad. why don't they spend some money on making ie standards compliant.
they can take their drm ridden crap and put it and the DMCA where the music doesn't play.
at least with a cd I can take it and rip it and put on as many devices as I see fit.
I see itunes going away in the future because I think artists are getting sick of the record companies and now with the internet they can distribute their own songs that people will buy and not be DRM ridden.
I hope all the other artists out there see this and tell their record companies and their lawyers to get screwed. I think they will realize that they shouldn't treat their fans as automatic criminals.
Instead treat them like honest hard working people that will pay for their music on their terms and not some lawyers.
"The US executive charged with leading Microsoft's global drive against spam and phishing frauds paid a flying visit to Wellington last week to try to talk the Government out of passing its proposed anti-spam bill in its current form.
Microsoft's Technology Care and Safety Group, headed by Ryan Hamlin, is celebrating a blow against spam in the US after securing a $US7 million settlement from former spammer Scott Richter, who Mr Hamlin describes as the third largest spammer in the US, responsible for sending out more than 20 billion spam messages in just one year.
However, he says the New Zealand Government's Unsolicited Electronic Messages Bill is "too broad" and could impinge on "the amazing vehicle of e-mail marketing".
Mr Hamlin says Microsoft would like to see the bill changed so that businesses could be confident they could continue to use databases that they had already compiled to send out e-mail. "
and there you have the source of spam. If microsoft the os choice for idiots says some spam is okay because it is legit so please don't pass this law.
bullshit - I want no spam and no marketing crap. just fuck off microsoft and stay out of government. I don't want any sales crap in my mail. Keep your corporation bullshit to yourself.
"At the heart of the problem are dueling digital-rights-management (DRM) systems from bitter rivals Apple Computer and Microsoft. Files using either company's DRM are incompatible with players that support the other DRM."
is this from the linked story but this says it all and what DRM is really all about LOCKIN!!!
I think the Open DRM is a good idea. Because the RIAA is getting their technology advice from microsoft and all they are doing is locking people in so we have to buy their drm crap software. I am sick of seeing their asx,asf files everywhere just because they offer drm with them. I also bet they patented the hell out of them too.
story about how drm is slowing growth of music sales.
"At the heart of the problem are dueling digital-rights-management (DRM) systems from bitter rivals Apple Computer and Microsoft. Files using either company's DRM are incompatible with players that support the other DRM."
and there you have the real reason for DRM - LOCKIN pure and simple - you have to buy my piece of drm trash software or you can't read it.
the riaa is in microsoft's pocket. riaa has no technical clue so they are getting all their crap from microsoft. doesn't that give you the warm and fuzzies. just look at cnn free video - microsoft crap format - iptv will be microsoft drm crap software. I am sure they patented the hell out of their codecs too.
I think the open drm is a good idea we need to have a base so that EVERYONE can read all video/audio formats.
DRM is being pushed by companies just to lock customers into their crap software. PURIED!
I look at all the people who have windows around me and I just shake my head when they have trouble.
Linux just gets out of way and lets me get my work done. It takes a hell of lot less maintenance than windows despite what the mainstream press would like you to believe.
"Faced with its fiercest competitor in the past decade, Microsoft responded with a series of aggressive moves."
well ya - like create a patent arsenal.
I don't care what os people use - just don't lock your company into one platform. That is what is great about linux is that it forces open standards. I have never ran into a web page yet that renders beatifully on Linux does not do the same on windows.
The same cannot be said about windows. There you have the desktop dilema - companies are locked into shitty windows web pages that will only work in windows and not linux. And Bill and Steve are laughing all the way to the bank.
until so called technology boards/persons that make technology buying decisons for enterprises ensures the company sticks to open standards there will be no desktop linux.
it really isn't that hard - just say no to lockin.
anybody who writes for internet explorer only web pages for intranet or extranet web pages should consider a career change.
not sure what you mean about OO/SO but I assume you mean open source software OSS - if it so compatible and there are so many viewers out there why is this department switching then?
"MS supplies a free viewer under Windows" thats just it under windows - why should the general public have to buy windows to view the documents.
also it is hard to do compatibility when the company keeps their little patented formats to themselves.
I think all governments need to be sued that use any proprietary system like microsoft's that require the general public to look at THEIR information. It's called freedom (as in speech and the press).
"early this year, however, the agency reviewed its IT infrastructure as part of an effort to meet performance targets, comply with Scotland's Freedom of Information Act and work more closely with other law enforcement groups. Following the review, and a follow-up study in March, it decided to switch back to Microsoft."
ya freedom of information - now people will have to pay to see the information that they are entitled to. makes sense to me. wonder if any of those other agencies are american. hmmmm!
if I was a citizen anyway I would wonder why is my governement buying proprietary software when good open source alternatives exist like openoffice. all agencies should be running open office and not spending a dime on anyting else.
somebody should be like an american and sue them so they don't have to buy office just to see information that they are entitled to see.
also the article is incorrect in saying they are switching from open source - they are not - they are switching from staroffice which isn't open source.
"In all business cases, supporting two competing, parallel systems is going to cost you more, regardless of what they are."
why is this? Please explain.
"Add to the mix that MS Office is the defacto standard for office docs"
I also don't agree with that statement. Might of been four years ago. But not now.
"As for the comments about being able to do a police desk job using a textarea in a browser? Hmmm... quite laughable."
No need to laugh at him. It is probably true that is all they need. You know do more with less - wasn't that one of microsoft's recent campaign slogans.
why it is up to openoffice to try to read microsoft's documents. you know its a free download go get it and install it so you can read the people's documents that are created in openoffice.
openoffice uses open standards for file saving and microsoft doesn't - this isn't rocket science people. just run them side by side until you totally switch to open office.
""In a way, Linux is now perhaps turning the corner," says Eric Singleton, chief information officer at retailer Tommy Hilfiger Corp. His company had been running its Web shopping site, Tommy.com, on Linux -- but recently switched it to Microsoft software. He calls Linux "a great product," but adds, "it's got to get the final tier of reliability and predictability that I'm going to bet a multibillion-dollar corporation's future on.""
I don't want responsible of a product - if something goes wrong I want somebody else's job on the line not mine.
Typical CIO corporate babble. This just tells me I can't hire the people to do the job that needs to be done. I need vendors to certify my people and then I don't want anybody in my department to take any responsiblity for their job. I want to purely blame the vendor when something goes down. Then the vendor can blame the drivers you just installed - there was a bug in them - go get the new drivers and install them.
There, wasn't pointing the fingers so much fun. And nobody got fired. We wasted a lot of the companies time and money but we didn't get fired. And that is what matters most.
This kind of politicking goes on on every fricken day at my job - nobody knows how to do anything but point the finger at someone else.
CIO's like this need to get a fricken clue and take some of that money you spend on vendors and hire some people beside MCSE's that think they know what they are doing.
IT in corporations have become nothing but paper shufflers keeping track of Eula's. Far be it that they actually code/script anything. Just as long as you are trained on the latest "Intellectual Property" laws and you stay away from that open source communist software.
Oh ya I got to meet you for golf and that luncheon. Our vendor is taking us out for lunch and a golf game. Ya never got that with that open source communist software.
"OpenServer administrators will be pleased to see that Version 6 supports dynamically loading kernel modules. Previously, basic operations in OpenServer, such as changing the IP address of an Ethernet device, required kernel relinking and a reboot--an inconvenience that's no longer required."
what a crock of shit - cisco should be thanking this guy for finding their bug in the first place.
doesn't the FBI have anything better to do like find Osama bin laden and their followers.
One other thing is why didn't all their ccna's or whatever find the bug? Aren't they certified? My snort logs still pick up unpatched cisco routers at work all the time.
so then we can start patenting math equations - then they would get more revenue than they could ask for.
patents are just another revenue channel for the government - why would they want to do anyting to it - it is bringing in money and looking at the patents they hand out they can't be doing that much research. so it is low budget high profit department - why touch it from the governments point of view. Its a moneymaker.
security enhancements = you can only run software that we say you can run -
security by obscurity just can't get any better than that. sounds like something an American corporation would do. Oh nevermind.
also isn't "They can also establish folders that will automatically update, such as "files edited in the last week" or "documents from Jane."" just another name for creating a folder called "files edited in the last week" and "documents from Jane"?
I can't wait it all sounds so innovating. They are just geniuses in Redmond.
Microsoft doesn't give a crap about anything except keeping their billions in the bank.
Just switch to something else - it is really that easy. It will be hard at first but you can do you it really you can.
When will the world wakeup and smell the coffee - there is really some quality open source software out there that is much better than anything Redmond can come up with.
and to all the pirates out there you need to get a life and start being honest. you are the ones probably spreading the trojans and worms too because you just don't give a crap.
I applaud the move by Microsoft - it is about time they start cracking down on the piracy of their software.
Slashdot Mirror
microsoft is spreading themselves a little thin.
they can't even produce a secure simple os - I mean when you just buy windows what do you get. nothing but a bunch of open ports, a few games, and wordpad. why don't they spend some money on making ie standards compliant.
microsoft will probably make him sign an nda and then use his code in vista.
they probably think it is a great marketing tool
if itunes totally goes away.
_ F.shtml
they can take their drm ridden crap and put it and the DMCA where the music doesn't play.
at least with a cd I can take it and rip it and put on as many devices as I see fit.
I see itunes going away in the future because I think artists are getting sick of the record companies and now with the internet they can distribute their own songs that people will buy and not be DRM ridden.
I.E.
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20050826/0920259
I hope all the other artists out there see this and tell their record companies and their lawyers to get screwed. I think they will realize that they shouldn't treat their fans as automatic criminals.
Instead treat them like honest hard working people that will pay for their music on their terms and not some lawyers.
"The US executive charged with leading Microsoft's global drive against spam and phishing frauds paid a flying visit to Wellington last week to try to talk the Government out of passing its proposed anti-spam bill in its current form.
Microsoft's Technology Care and Safety Group, headed by Ryan Hamlin, is celebrating a blow against spam in the US after securing a $US7 million settlement from former spammer Scott Richter, who Mr Hamlin describes as the third largest spammer in the US, responsible for sending out more than 20 billion spam messages in just one year.
However, he says the New Zealand Government's Unsolicited Electronic Messages Bill is "too broad" and could impinge on "the amazing vehicle of e-mail marketing".
Mr Hamlin says Microsoft would like to see the bill changed so that businesses could be confident they could continue to use databases that they had already compiled to send out e-mail. "
and there you have the source of spam. If microsoft the os choice for idiots says some spam is okay because it is legit so please don't pass this law.
bullshit - I want no spam and no marketing crap. just fuck off microsoft and stay out of government. I don't want any sales crap in my mail. Keep your corporation bullshit to yourself.
"At the heart of the problem are dueling digital-rights-management (DRM) systems from bitter rivals Apple Computer and Microsoft. Files using either company's DRM are incompatible with players that support the other DRM."
is this from the linked story but this says it all and what DRM is really all about LOCKIN!!!
I think the Open DRM is a good idea. Because the RIAA is getting their technology advice from microsoft and all they are doing is locking people in so we have to buy their drm crap software. I am sick of seeing their asx,asf files everywhere just because they offer drm with them. I also bet they patented the hell out of them too.
story about how drm is slowing growth of music sales.
"At the heart of the problem are dueling digital-rights-management (DRM) systems from bitter rivals Apple Computer and Microsoft. Files using either company's DRM are incompatible with players that support the other DRM."
and there you have the real reason for DRM - LOCKIN pure and simple - you have to buy my piece of drm trash software or you can't read it.
the riaa is in microsoft's pocket. riaa has no technical clue so they are getting all their crap from microsoft. doesn't that give you the warm and fuzzies. just look at cnn free video - microsoft crap format - iptv will be microsoft drm crap software. I am sure they patented the hell out of their codecs too.
I think the open drm is a good idea we need to have a base so that EVERYONE can read all video/audio formats.
DRM is being pushed by companies just to lock customers into their crap software. PURIED!
for anything.
I look at all the people who have windows around me and I just shake my head when they have trouble.
Linux just gets out of way and lets me get my work done. It takes a hell of lot less maintenance than windows despite what the mainstream press would like you to believe.
"Faced with its fiercest competitor in the past decade, Microsoft responded with a series of aggressive moves."
well ya - like create a patent arsenal.
I don't care what os people use - just don't lock your company into one platform. That is what is great about linux is that it forces open standards. I have never ran into a web page yet that renders beatifully on Linux does not do the same on windows.
The same cannot be said about windows. There you have the desktop dilema - companies are locked into shitty windows web pages that will only work in windows and not linux. And Bill and Steve are laughing all the way to the bank.
until so called technology boards/persons that make technology buying decisons for enterprises ensures the company sticks to open standards there will be no desktop linux.
it really isn't that hard - just say no to lockin.
anybody who writes for internet explorer only web pages for intranet or extranet web pages should consider a career change.
Stick to open standards!
not sure what you mean about OO/SO but I assume you mean open source software OSS - if it so compatible and there are so many viewers out there why is this department switching then?
"MS supplies a free viewer under Windows" thats just it under windows - why should the general public have to buy windows to view the documents.
also it is hard to do compatibility when the company keeps their little patented formats to themselves.
I think all governments need to be sued that use any proprietary system like microsoft's that require the general public to look at THEIR information. It's called freedom (as in speech and the press).
"early this year, however, the agency reviewed its IT infrastructure as part of an effort to meet performance targets, comply with Scotland's Freedom of Information Act and work more closely with other law enforcement groups. Following the review, and a follow-up study in March, it decided to switch back to Microsoft."
ya freedom of information - now people will have to pay to see the information that they are entitled to. makes sense to me. wonder if any of those other agencies are american. hmmmm!
if I was a citizen anyway I would wonder why is my governement buying proprietary software when good open source alternatives exist like openoffice.
all agencies should be running open office and not spending a dime on anyting else.
somebody should be like an american and sue them so they don't have to buy office just to see information that they are entitled to see.
also the article is incorrect in saying they are switching from open source - they are not - they are switching from staroffice which isn't open source.
"In all business cases, supporting two competing, parallel systems is going to cost you more, regardless of what they are."
why is this? Please explain.
"Add to the mix that MS Office is the defacto standard for office docs"
I also don't agree with that statement. Might of been four years ago. But not now.
"As for the comments about being able to do a police desk job using a textarea in a browser? Hmmm... quite laughable."
No need to laugh at him. It is probably true that is all they need. You know do more with less - wasn't that one of microsoft's recent campaign slogans.
why it is up to openoffice to try to read microsoft's documents. you know its a free download go get it and install it so you can read the people's documents that are created in openoffice.
openoffice uses open standards for file saving and microsoft doesn't - this isn't rocket science people. just run them side by side until you totally switch to open office.
does anybody really care what this guy says anymore.
like I am going to buy openserver and rip out my linux installations. riiiight.
why does he need an open letter anyway - doesn't anybody want to listen to him or does his stock need some boosting.
""In a way, Linux is now perhaps turning the corner," says Eric Singleton, chief information officer at retailer Tommy Hilfiger Corp. His company had been running its Web shopping site, Tommy.com, on Linux -- but recently switched it to Microsoft software. He calls Linux "a great product," but adds, "it's got to get the final tier of reliability and predictability that I'm going to bet a multibillion-dollar corporation's future on.""
I don't want responsible of a product - if something goes wrong I want somebody else's job on the line not mine.
Typical CIO corporate babble. This just tells me I can't hire the people to do the job that needs to be done. I need vendors to certify my people and then I don't want anybody in my department to take any responsiblity for their job. I want to purely blame the vendor when something goes down. Then the vendor can blame the drivers you just installed - there was a bug in them - go get the new drivers and install them.
There, wasn't pointing the fingers so much fun. And nobody got fired. We wasted a lot of the companies time and money but we didn't get fired. And that is what matters most.
This kind of politicking goes on on every fricken day at my job - nobody knows how to do anything but point the finger at someone else.
CIO's like this need to get a fricken clue and take some of that money you spend on vendors and hire some people beside MCSE's that think they know what they are doing.
IT in corporations have become nothing but paper shufflers keeping track of Eula's. Far be it that they actually code/script anything. Just as long as you are trained on the latest "Intellectual Property" laws and you stay away from that open source communist software.
Oh ya I got to meet you for golf and that luncheon. Our vendor is taking us out for lunch and a golf game. Ya never got that with that open source communist software.
ya should of proofed it - forgot the na at the end oh well.
this is excellent news - now microsoft will probably come out with some statement about the BSA and how piracy rates have risen in India.
I totally agree -
I have to have a login and signon just to get an update to the product I bought.
it is a waste of time. but like you said probably is kept just for statistics.
whoever moderated this insightful is a moron - you are not going to give everyone who accesses you public site a secure id card.
don't we pay enough for their wonderful training and secret information and cool products.
"OpenServer administrators will be pleased to see that Version 6 supports dynamically loading kernel modules. Previously, basic operations in OpenServer, such as changing the IP address of an Ethernet device, required kernel relinking and a reboot--an inconvenience that's no longer required."
thank god it fixes that problem.
is that people should be a lot more pissed off about all the drm being shoved down our throats.
I know my digital rights and I don't need them managed.
DRM is just bad, bad, bad.
what a crock of shit - cisco should be thanking this guy for finding their bug in the first place.
doesn't the FBI have anything better to do like find Osama bin laden and their followers.
One other thing is why didn't all their ccna's or whatever find the bug? Aren't they certified?
My snort logs still pick up unpatched cisco routers at work all the time.
so then we can start patenting math equations - then they would get more revenue than they could ask for.
patents are just another revenue channel for the government - why would they want to do anyting to it - it is bringing in money and looking at the patents they hand out they can't be doing that much research. so it is low budget high profit department - why touch it from the governments point of view. Its a moneymaker.
for microsoft to go away
I am sick of their proprietary crap and their empty talk.
How about making office support openoffice formats - now there is action and no talk.
I know they can do it - the formats are all out in the open and heck didn't they and sun just kiss and make up -
I think they are all talk and still and always will want to be the only desktop os on the planet.
security enhancements = you can only run software that we say you can run -
security by obscurity just can't get any better than that. sounds like something an American corporation would do. Oh nevermind.
also isn't "They can also establish folders that will automatically update, such as "files edited in the last week" or "documents from Jane."" just another name for creating a folder called "files edited in the last week" and "documents from Jane"?
I can't wait it all sounds so innovating. They are just geniuses in Redmond.
I totally agree with the parent.
Microsoft doesn't give a crap about anything except keeping their billions in the bank.
Just switch to something else - it is really that easy. It will be hard at first but you can do you it really you can.
When will the world wakeup and smell the coffee - there is really some quality open source software out there that is much better than anything Redmond can come up with.
and to all the pirates out there you need to get a life and start being honest. you are the ones probably spreading the trojans and worms too because you just don't give a crap.
I applaud the move by Microsoft - it is about time they start cracking down on the piracy of their software.