A digital collection of the complete works of art of Humanity
Not only that, but by the time we're ready to start sending people outside the solar system a truly viable Virtual Reality system will probably be available.
A laser-link or something similar to give them fresh news
Maybe. The news will matter to members of the first two or three generations, but after that won't be as important. By that point, the colonists probably won't have any real emotional ties to the Earth (or solar system).
What I would be concerned is to how to convince their descendants to continue the work started by their parents.
IIRC, in several countries persons who come of age are required to perform several years of service (civil, military, etc), and keep their skills up-to-date. Instead of training all 18-year-olds how to shoot a gun, everyone gets cross-trained in several functional areas. If the number of adults who want to work in a particular area is too low, economic incentives can be brought into play (just like in the real world:)
The educational infrastructure will probably take care of quite a few problems as well. The "interstellar" equivalents of Boy/Girl Scouts, Shop Class, and Driver's Education would be centered around life on the ship and teach necessary survival and technical skills.
What will be really interesting is to see how their culture changes over time. Will the colonists develop their own writers, thinkers, and musicians, or just rely on what is in the database? How will they deal with individuals who can't contribute to society (the sick, severely handicapped, and elderly)?
My aunt Benita isn't going to track down a Microsoft Word bug and fix it even if she HAD the source.
Source code doesn't allow for bug fixes if the initial design is flawed. Even if your Aunt Benita was an expert programmer, she can't fix all of the security holes in Internet Explorer or Outlook without the risk of breaking compatibility.
Where the source code does become useful is in the hands of developers...
I can't say that I agree with that. When I've been writing software, I've never had the time to debug the OS, compiler, or database that I'm working on. YMMV, but the last thing I need during a deadline cruch is to stop developing my application and start reading source code for the underlying systems!
I keep waiting for somebody to take the breathtaking implications of things like nanotech, hacking matter, hacking biology, quantum computing, AI, the Internet, etc., and weave them into a breathtaking, serious novel.
Try Greg Bear's "Slant", "Queen of Angels", and "Moving Mars".
The RIAA still has a chance however. Above I mentioned selling mp3 cd's with many many goodies... The only way I see for them to profit off of digital audio is this. Sell FULL mp3 cds.
Another set of problems with your idea is song exclusion and duplication. I've looked at the "greatest hits of year X" CDs, and the popular songs (the top 20 or so) of that year are over-represented, while everything else is hit-and-miss. The other issue is holding back a few songs for the first "greatest hits", and then releasing a new CD that is more complete. If there's anything the RIAA can do to leech more money out of their customers, they'll do it.
There is a demand for digital music. There is no legal supply.
And considering the RIAA's current attidude, there probably never will be (without government intervention).
I can also see some interesting things happening in the future with Never Winter Nights. I mean, would you pay ten bucks a month if someone wrote a compelling story would you consider paying for access to a private NWN server?
From what I've read about Neverwinter Nights, there will be a clause in the license prohibiting the sale of user-created dungeons, items, etc. That doesn't stop Bioware from licensing out "pay-for-play" persistent servers, though.
NWN is going to be an interesting beast. If everything works as promised, it's going to have the storytelling and roleplaying capabilities of the Baldur's Gate series, plus the ability to create and customize as much as a 3D FPS as well as running "free" servers. Considering some of the great work that's come out of the BG and FPS communities, NWN could be the "next big thing" if it catches on.
Yahoo Personals used to be free: no cost to post an ad, or to read them. Now they are on a subscription-based service. Worse yet, it's an auto-renewing membership.
That makes me wonder which free services are next on the "chopping block". There's email, clubs, groups, start pages, web space... did I forget anything?
Best case: AOL either makes some open source enhancements and releases them to the community, or creates a self-contained PC or set-top box to run their OS. Either way, it's a kick in the monopoly pants for Microsoft.
Worst case: DRM. Weakening Microsoft's monopoly sufficiently that MS no longer has to make concessions to the "little guys". And with two major OS manufacturers supporting DRM, how can the SSSCA fail?
Similarly, if you don't even bother to consider the thought and effort someone else put in to giving you something they felt you'd enjoy, you also suck. Hard.
Gifts are like code. If the situation is bad, sometimes you can make the best of it. Then there are times when no matter how much thought and effort went into something, it's just wrong - start over.
If a gift is so inappropriate that it's going to go unused, or be thrown/given away, then it's a waste of money to not return things. The clothes that don't fit, the items you already have (and don't warrant the space for two), the things that don't fit your home or lifestyle - why accept a gift that can become a burden?
I really don't think that Microsoft discontinuing support for old versions of Windows will make anyone switch to Linux.
That won't make people switch. The lack of automated support -- the "Windows Update" feature -- will drive a few people to upgrade or switch. What's going to be the acid test are the new features added to Windows and the current crop of users are left out in the cold. Windows 95 users can't play the new Everquest supplement because it's not supported by the DirectX 8.1 upgrade. For an Evercrack addict, that's a good reason to buy 98SE, ME, or XP.
Also, I could be thinking of something else, but doesn't XP have a 3-year license? If so, starting around Q42004 people are going to have the option of paying again, pirating, or choosing a "free" OS. If the Linux interface keeps improving, and the stability of legacy Windows apps through Wine/Lindows increases, then Linux will be in a perfect position to gain market share.
I've got 98SE on both my home machines (a 233mhz and an 833mhz), and the "upgrade shutoff" is a concern to me. The older one is going to be given to my parents or in-laws in 6-12 months, requiring a reformat and reinstall -- I won't be able to download patches from MS at that point. I tried Redhat 7.2 (my first Linux install), but it fails the "mom test" miserably at this point.:(
"The main cause of this isn't closed source software, but lack of competition."
I think lack of competition is only half of the story. The biggest competitors for a new version of software are the older versions. Most users don't need the features in the latest and greatest version, so companies need another way to force an upgrade. The choices are sunset clauses or feature bloat.
Some companies are better than others when it comes to retiring software. Informix (RIP) had a policy that as long as a top-level maintenance contract was paid for, support would be available for that version. (It helps that the product was extremely stable at that point).
"When you go to the book store, you never see free books. It is also very rare to find books containing advertising. "
But you can go to a library and read the book for free -- or read parts of the book while in the bookstore. And I have a number of books whose last few pages are dedicated to selling the publisher's line.
"Imagine what a penny per page would do to: NASA (or any other government site providing tons of content) "
That's taken care of with tax money. I somehow doubt that I can dedect my use of the IRS's page for getting forms from my income tax.
"Right now people pay for cable TV, newspapers, magazines, telephone calls, directory assistance, video tapes, movie tickets, DVDs, pay-per-view, CDs, books,... The fact that they don't pay for Web content is a historic anomaly. "
Here's my problem with the article: it keeps saying that the Web is a new medium that needs a new billing model... but keeps comparing itself to other incompatible media. People pay for media (CD, book, etc), but get a pay-once and use-forever deal. Cable TV gives unlimited access -- whether you use it an hour a week or 24/7. Local telephone calls (in the US) are unmetered.
It sounds like the author is mostly jealous of the "big" web sites that can charge subscriptions, while his site is "free". At a penny per page, the first site to benefit would be Howstuffworks.com.
The problem with DRM is that it's purpose is to profit the corporations at the consumer's expense. Since the question is how it _should_ work, here's my take:
1. "First Sale" rules would apply. If I purchase (well, license) something, I should be able to sell it at any time.
2. Multiple media and devices would be covered. I don't want to have to purchase the CD, then buy MP3's for each of my portable devices and my home MP3 server! Buying the item once would entitle me to use it on any of the devices that I own, *at any time*, without restriction (or further payment).
3. Replacement data or media would be the producer's liability. If the item in question --either a physical product like a CD/DVD, or a set of MP3/MPEG files -- is lost or destroyed, the content producer would be obligated to provide replacements in a timely manner and at no charge.
4. Handle "life-issues". People cohabitate or get married. Households can split up. Children may enter the situation, and then leave ~18 years later. Any consumer-friendly DRM would have to take all kinds of real-world situations into account.
5. Right of return. Regardless of the reason for dissatisfaction, a consumer should be able to return a copy-protected item with no hassles. The rules would have to different for various kinds of media: spending four hours with a computer game is not the same as spending four hours watching a movie. But if it can't be pirated, then there's no reason to refuse returns!
As to what will _really_ happen in the future, I think that the media companies are going to screw consumers until legislation or legal action stops them. And then they'll choose another angle and start the consumer-rights erosion again.
It's not that the bank's computer stores where your debit card is used. If that information is _truly_ private and never circulates, no big deal. The problems begin when databases are merged and technologies start to converge.
Let's use simple shopping as an example: Did you buy a lot of snacks or desserts at the grocery store? That could be reported to health and life insurance providers for a rate hike. Alcohol could be treated the same -- except that the police are notified to keep an eye out for your vehicle (potential drunk driver). Even if you bought those items for someone else (ie, stocking up for a party), how do you appeal?
Now consider face recognition technology. A lot of uninformed people applaud the idea of catching wanted criminals and deadbeat dads using the technology. Who gets put into the database? Violent criminals and white-collar offenders? Drivers with parking tickets? Regular folks with an overdue video rental or library book? Now that there's a system for locating and detaining citizens, what checks and balances exist to prevent and/or punish abuse?
If you've purchased a CD-burner or MP3 player, you could be barred from record stores; you'd fit the RIAA's definition of a copyright infringer. Ever bought an "adult" magazine or movie? Forget about ever working with children in any capacity... and worry about that information coming up in a potential custody battle.
Far fetched? Yes.
Possible? Yes.
Likely? In one form or another, yes. (Remember the Borders face-recognition story?)
>> For all other purposes I withdraw cash - from as many random ATM's as I can manage. I'll continue to do so until I receive an absolute guarantee from my bank that my purchasing habits are completly private.
Does cash from an ATM (or bank) really guarantee that your purchasing remains private?
Consider this: The ATM knows which bank account to debit (obviously). The $20 bills you get our of the ATM have serial numbers. The stores you go to will at some point return those $20 bills to a bank. From there it's just a matter of scanning the serial numbers and putting the information into a database.
It's still _possible_ to track your purchases via cash. There's not a lot of detail: timestamp information smaller than a day may be lost, and the bank may not even know which cash register was used. But where you make purchases isn't private.
The data might not necessarily be accurate -- money can be lent, given, or stolen. But how often do you give people (outside your household) $20 bills, and how often do you get a $20 in change when you're shopping??
(Am I paranoid? Nope... I keep on using my debit card and ATMs. Just food for thought.)
"Have you been to a headhunter lately? It pains me when they're asking for MCSEs. [snip] It's a paper qualification, not indicative of any real insight into how a Windows machine works."
I've found that many headhunters and most Human Resources personnel have no clue about anything involving technology. HR staff usually don't understand the job requirements of the position either, so you end up with positions that should read "5-10 years experience" that are listed as requiring "5-10 years of Windows 2000 experience". They don't have the background to know that 10-15 years of computer experience is more valuable than buzzword-compliance.
Headhunters can be worse. They don't understand the terms and really don't care if you fit the qualifications, as long as you can hold the job long enough to for them to get paid. At least Human Resources seem to be looking out for their company's best interest.
I once had a headhunter ask me what the difference was between C and C++. After I told her, then she asked me how they were different from COBOL.
Being unemployed, I've had to deal with way too many of these people the past few months.
One thing that helped me feel more comfortable in my cube was having a small mirror on top of my monitor. The one I had was actually a small piece of plastic with a chrome tape surface, but it worked! Position it so that you can see anyone who walks behind you (either in your cube, or a little into the hallway).
I get irritated when someone just walks up behind me while I'm at my desk -- working or not, it's the only "personal space" you get at work. (I've had a few easily amused managers who try to make a game out of it.) And it takes the risk out of reading Slashdot at work...
CmdrTaco said he wants a flexible, easy-to-use media convergence box that's not a PC. Let's look at what he asks for:
User scripting: It's a nice idea, but how does a person key a script using a Universal TV remote? You either need a keyboard/USB port or a PC to work on. Let's not forget that user scripting creates a big security hole for non-technical users -- a trojan horse might not be able to upload data to the net or delete your checking account, but it could ruin the work you've done with your system. Ripped CD's, TV listings, preferences... all deleted.
Networking: There are three primary means of connecting a network for home users: phone-line, Ethernet, and wireless. Rather than builing a box with three different kinds of adapters, it would be easier (and cheaper!) for the manufacturer to just have some kind of generic connector (like USB). Since there's a large hard drive and CD/DVD player, installing drivers would be simple even for non-technical users.
Expansion: For the unit to be "future-proof", it would need the ability to use new hardware and software. Firewire, USB, Serial ATA, etc would solve the hardware side of things, and standardized drivers and open specifications would assist on the software side.
What we've got is a media box with open hardware expansion (Firewire and USB, or some other standard), networking capability, high-resolution display, high-end audio, large amounts of processing power and massive storage capabilities. I'm not seeing how this is different from a PC -- just with a friendly, unified interface and a nifty remote.
"Presumably the subscription will continue to be source of assets that somone will be interested in. As long as support costs a company less than they make in renewal fees somone will have an interest in collecting money"
That assumes that it's not in another company's best interests to buy the subscription assets and use them to force user upgrades.
What's to stop the leading company in a "service type" (word processing, hardware drivers, industrial, etc) from purchasing a failed competitors assets and burying them in a hole?
Had a company that sold modems (or not cared about customer satisfaction) bought the rights to your Hayes drivers, would most users have an option other than upgrading?
I almost feel bad for this guy. Why? It would only take a couple dozen or so consulting companies with a big influx of Y2K income to pool their funds and initiate a lawsuit of their own. $50,000 is pocket change to a big company, but small and medium companies would feel it.
Does anyone know if a "class" for a class-action suit (in American courts) includes companies, or is it just for individuals?
"And wouldn't we be able to see missiles coming at us (we have a rather good radar system, I believe)? "
That reminds me of the stories I'd heard about the U.S. military performing tests on the ionosphere in Alaska. I can't remember many of the details, but if the experiments were successful the military would be able to develop a detection system that would make even stealth aircraft ("invisible" to radar) easy to detect.
Slashdot Mirror
The educational infrastructure will probably take care of quite a few problems as well. The "interstellar" equivalents of Boy/Girl Scouts, Shop Class, and Driver's Education would be centered around life on the ship and teach necessary survival and technical skills.
What will be really interesting is to see how their culture changes over time. Will the colonists develop their own writers, thinkers, and musicians, or just rely on what is in the database? How will they deal with individuals who can't contribute to society (the sick, severely handicapped, and elderly)?
Source code doesn't allow for bug fixes if the initial design is flawed. Even if your Aunt Benita was an expert programmer, she can't fix all of the security holes in Internet Explorer or Outlook without the risk of breaking compatibility.
Where the source code does become useful is in the hands of developers...
I can't say that I agree with that. When I've been writing software, I've never had the time to debug the OS, compiler, or database that I'm working on. YMMV, but the last thing I need during a deadline cruch is to stop developing my application and start reading source code for the underlying systems!
Try Greg Bear's "Slant", "Queen of Angels", and "Moving Mars".
Another set of problems with your idea is song exclusion and duplication. I've looked at the "greatest hits of year X" CDs, and the popular songs (the top 20 or so) of that year are over-represented, while everything else is hit-and-miss. The other issue is holding back a few songs for the first "greatest hits", and then releasing a new CD that is more complete. If there's anything the RIAA can do to leech more money out of their customers, they'll do it.
There is a demand for digital music. There is no legal supply.
And considering the RIAA's current attidude, there probably never will be (without government intervention).
From what I've read about Neverwinter Nights, there will be a clause in the license prohibiting the sale of user-created dungeons, items, etc. That doesn't stop Bioware from licensing out "pay-for-play" persistent servers, though.
NWN is going to be an interesting beast. If everything works as promised, it's going to have the storytelling and roleplaying capabilities of the Baldur's Gate series, plus the ability to create and customize as much as a 3D FPS as well as running "free" servers. Considering some of the great work that's come out of the BG and FPS communities, NWN could be the "next big thing" if it catches on.
That makes me wonder which free services are next on the "chopping block". There's email, clubs, groups, start pages, web space... did I forget anything?
Best case: AOL either makes some open source enhancements and releases them to the community, or creates a self-contained PC or set-top box to run their OS. Either way, it's a kick in the monopoly pants for Microsoft.
Worst case: DRM. Weakening Microsoft's monopoly sufficiently that MS no longer has to make concessions to the "little guys". And with two major OS manufacturers supporting DRM, how can the SSSCA fail?
Gifts are like code. If the situation is bad, sometimes you can make the best of it. Then there are times when no matter how much thought and effort went into something, it's just wrong - start over.
If a gift is so inappropriate that it's going to go unused, or be thrown/given away, then it's a waste of money to not return things. The clothes that don't fit, the items you already have (and don't warrant the space for two), the things that don't fit your home or lifestyle - why accept a gift that can become a burden?
That won't make people switch. The lack of automated support -- the "Windows Update" feature -- will drive a few people to upgrade or switch. What's going to be the acid test are the new features added to Windows and the current crop of users are left out in the cold. Windows 95 users can't play the new Everquest supplement because it's not supported by the DirectX 8.1 upgrade. For an Evercrack addict, that's a good reason to buy 98SE, ME, or XP.
Also, I could be thinking of something else, but doesn't XP have a 3-year license? If so, starting around Q42004 people are going to have the option of paying again, pirating, or choosing a "free" OS. If the Linux interface keeps improving, and the stability of legacy Windows apps through Wine/Lindows increases, then Linux will be in a perfect position to gain market share.
I've got 98SE on both my home machines (a 233mhz and an 833mhz), and the "upgrade shutoff" is a concern to me. The older one is going to be given to my parents or in-laws in 6-12 months, requiring a reformat and reinstall -- I won't be able to download patches from MS at that point. I tried Redhat 7.2 (my first Linux install), but it fails the "mom test" miserably at this point. :(
I think lack of competition is only half of the story. The biggest competitors for a new version of software are the older versions. Most users don't need the features in the latest and greatest version, so companies need another way to force an upgrade. The choices are sunset clauses or feature bloat.
Some companies are better than others when it comes to retiring software. Informix (RIP) had a policy that as long as a top-level maintenance contract was paid for, support would be available for that version. (It helps that the product was extremely stable at that point).
From the article:
... The fact that they don't pay for Web content is a historic anomaly. "
"When you go to the book store, you never see free books. It is also very rare to find books containing advertising. "
But you can go to a library and read the book for free -- or read parts of the book while in the bookstore. And I have a number of books whose last few pages are dedicated to selling the publisher's line.
"Imagine what a penny per page would do to: NASA (or any other government site providing tons of content) "
That's taken care of with tax money. I somehow doubt that I can dedect my use of the IRS's page for getting forms from my income tax.
"Right now people pay for cable TV, newspapers, magazines, telephone calls, directory assistance, video tapes, movie tickets, DVDs, pay-per-view, CDs, books,
Here's my problem with the article: it keeps saying that the Web is a new medium that needs a new billing model... but keeps comparing itself to other incompatible media. People pay for media (CD, book, etc), but get a pay-once and use-forever deal. Cable TV gives unlimited access -- whether you use it an hour a week or 24/7. Local telephone calls (in the US) are unmetered.
It sounds like the author is mostly jealous of the "big" web sites that can charge subscriptions, while his site is "free". At a penny per page, the first site to benefit would be Howstuffworks.com.
The problem with DRM is that it's purpose is to profit the corporations at the consumer's expense. Since the question is how it _should_ work, here's my take:
1. "First Sale" rules would apply. If I purchase (well, license) something, I should be able to sell it at any time.
2. Multiple media and devices would be covered. I don't want to have to purchase the CD, then buy MP3's for each of my portable devices and my home MP3 server! Buying the item once would entitle me to use it on any of the devices that I own, *at any time*, without restriction (or further payment).
3. Replacement data or media would be the producer's liability. If the item in question --either a physical product like a CD/DVD, or a set of MP3/MPEG files -- is lost or destroyed, the content producer would be obligated to provide replacements in a timely manner and at no charge.
4. Handle "life-issues". People cohabitate or get married. Households can split up. Children may enter the situation, and then leave ~18 years later. Any consumer-friendly DRM would have to take all kinds of real-world situations into account.
5. Right of return. Regardless of the reason for dissatisfaction, a consumer should be able to return a copy-protected item with no hassles. The rules would have to different for various kinds of media: spending four hours with a computer game is not the same as spending four hours watching a movie. But if it can't be pirated, then there's no reason to refuse returns!
As to what will _really_ happen in the future, I think that the media companies are going to screw consumers until legislation or legal action stops them. And then they'll choose another angle and start the consumer-rights erosion again.
> what in the devil are you so afraid of?
It's not that the bank's computer stores where your debit card is used. If that information is _truly_ private and never circulates, no big deal. The problems begin when databases are merged and technologies start to converge.
Let's use simple shopping as an example: Did you buy a lot of snacks or desserts at the grocery store? That could be reported to health and life insurance providers for a rate hike. Alcohol could be treated the same -- except that the police are notified to keep an eye out for your vehicle (potential drunk driver). Even if you bought those items for someone else (ie, stocking up for a party), how do you appeal?
Now consider face recognition technology. A lot of uninformed people applaud the idea of catching wanted criminals and deadbeat dads using the technology. Who gets put into the database? Violent criminals and white-collar offenders? Drivers with parking tickets? Regular folks with an overdue video rental or library book? Now that there's a system for locating and detaining citizens, what checks and balances exist to prevent and/or punish abuse?
If you've purchased a CD-burner or MP3 player, you could be barred from record stores; you'd fit the RIAA's definition of a copyright infringer. Ever bought an "adult" magazine or movie? Forget about ever working with children in any capacity... and worry about that information coming up in a potential custody battle.
Far fetched? Yes.
Possible? Yes.
Likely? In one form or another, yes. (Remember the Borders face-recognition story?)
>> For all other purposes I withdraw cash - from as many random ATM's as I can manage. I'll continue to do so until I receive an absolute guarantee from my bank that my purchasing habits are completly private.
Does cash from an ATM (or bank) really guarantee that your purchasing remains private?
Consider this: The ATM knows which bank account to debit (obviously). The $20 bills you get our of the ATM have serial numbers. The stores you go to will at some point return those $20 bills to a bank. From there it's just a matter of scanning the serial numbers and putting the information into a database.
It's still _possible_ to track your purchases via cash. There's not a lot of detail: timestamp information smaller than a day may be lost, and the bank may not even know which cash register was used. But where you make purchases isn't private.
The data might not necessarily be accurate -- money can be lent, given, or stolen. But how often do you give people (outside your household) $20 bills, and how often do you get a $20 in change when you're shopping??
(Am I paranoid? Nope... I keep on using my debit card and ATMs. Just food for thought.)
"Have you been to a headhunter lately? It pains me when they're asking for MCSEs. [snip] It's a paper qualification, not indicative of any real insight into how a Windows machine works."
I've found that many headhunters and most Human Resources personnel have no clue about anything involving technology. HR staff usually don't understand the job requirements of the position either, so you end up with positions that should read "5-10 years experience" that are listed as requiring "5-10 years of Windows 2000 experience". They don't have the background to know that 10-15 years of computer experience is more valuable than buzzword-compliance.
Headhunters can be worse. They don't understand the terms and really don't care if you fit the qualifications, as long as you can hold the job long enough to for them to get paid. At least Human Resources seem to be looking out for their company's best interest.
I once had a headhunter ask me what the difference was between C and C++. After I told her, then she asked me how they were different from COBOL.
Being unemployed, I've had to deal with way too many of these people the past few months.
One thing that helped me feel more comfortable in my cube was having a small mirror on top of my monitor. The one I had was actually a small piece of plastic with a chrome tape surface, but it worked! Position it so that you can see anyone who walks behind you (either in your cube, or a little into the hallway).
I get irritated when someone just walks up behind me while I'm at my desk -- working or not, it's the only "personal space" you get at work. (I've had a few easily amused managers who try to make a game out of it.) And it takes the risk out of reading Slashdot at work...
CmdrTaco said he wants a flexible, easy-to-use media convergence box that's not a PC. Let's look at what he asks for:
User scripting: It's a nice idea, but how does a person key a script using a Universal TV remote? You either need a keyboard/USB port or a PC to work on. Let's not forget that user scripting creates a big security hole for non-technical users -- a trojan horse might not be able to upload data to the net or delete your checking account, but it could ruin the work you've done with your system. Ripped CD's, TV listings, preferences... all deleted.
Networking: There are three primary means of connecting a network for home users: phone-line, Ethernet, and wireless. Rather than builing a box with three different kinds of adapters, it would be easier (and cheaper!) for the manufacturer to just have some kind of generic connector (like USB). Since there's a large hard drive and CD/DVD player, installing drivers would be simple even for non-technical users.
Expansion: For the unit to be "future-proof", it would need the ability to use new hardware and software. Firewire, USB, Serial ATA, etc would solve the hardware side of things, and standardized drivers and open specifications would assist on the software side.
What we've got is a media box with open hardware expansion (Firewire and USB, or some other standard), networking capability, high-resolution display, high-end audio, large amounts of processing power and massive storage capabilities. I'm not seeing how this is different from a PC -- just with a friendly, unified interface and a nifty remote.
"Presumably the subscription will continue to be source of assets that somone will be interested in. As long as support costs a company less than they make in renewal fees somone will have an interest in collecting money"
That assumes that it's not in another company's best interests to buy the subscription assets and use them to force user upgrades.
What's to stop the leading company in a "service type" (word processing, hardware drivers, industrial, etc) from purchasing a failed competitors assets and burying them in a hole?
Had a company that sold modems (or not cared about customer satisfaction) bought the rights to your Hayes drivers, would most users have an option other than upgrading?
I almost feel bad for this guy. Why? It would only take a couple dozen or so consulting companies with a big influx of Y2K income to pool their funds and initiate a lawsuit of their own. $50,000 is pocket change to a big company, but small and medium companies would feel it.
.sig, no slogan.
Does anyone know if a "class" for a class-action suit (in American courts) includes companies, or is it just for individuals?
No
"And wouldn't we be able to see missiles coming at us (we have a rather good radar system, I believe)? "
That reminds me of the stories I'd heard about the U.S. military performing tests on the ionosphere in Alaska. I can't remember many of the details, but if the experiments were successful the military would be able to develop a detection system that would make even stealth aircraft ("invisible" to radar) easy to detect.