'OOo won't replace MSOffice quite yet. Which incidentally is why I think MS is pulling the plug on the Mac Office suite'
'The threat to Cancel Mac Office 97 is certainly the strongest bargaining point we have, as doing so will do a great deal of harm to Apple immediately'
If it's not a threat then why is Microsoft 'partnerning' with Novell to get SLED in the door at Wal-mart, in the process giving Linspire the big heave-ho.
'By dropping software from Microsoft and avoiding "Intel inside," retailer Wal-Mart Stores is offering a $199 computer it says is a hot seller on its Web site', Dec 2002
Microsoft and Novell Alliance Embraced by Wal-Mart, Jan. 22, 2007
'MS won't care if everybody uses the ODF standard, because at the end of the day, just like with Windows, people will continue buying their software in large numbers because'
How do people get to choose their software when the OEM contract with Microsoft prevents them from selling any other OS, else they are penalized with higher prices. The last time DELL tried to get into the LInux Desktop market MS moved very quickly to shut it down.
'A PC dealer in Europe has begun selling Dell desktop computers equipped with Linux, but Dell has distanced itself from the announcement, saying that the systems were customized by the dealer, and that it is not the first time a reseller has loaded Linux onto Dell computers'
'Questar claims that in the 24 hours since it began shipping the Linux computers, which can be delivered to 20 countries in Europe, its Web site has received over 200,000 hits'
'The question remains, why devote 150 staff to a business unit, spend millions investing in start-ups, only to can the exercise a few weeks later?'
'Lewis Mettler sums up the story from trial documents'
While I don't think he actually used the word Charles Darwin had this to say:
'Let us now see whether the several facts and rules relating to the geological succession of organic beings, better accord with the common view of the immutability of species, or with that of their slow and gradual modification, through descent and natural selection', Charles Darwin.
'evolution is generally associated that there is an advancement, or the "thing" becomes better in our view'
That's a common misconception, if you don't mind me saying so. Actually evolution refers to species adapting to their environment through natural selection where the less sucessful members die off as they don't get to pass on their genes. The religious object as if you follow it to its logical conclusion evolution can account for the emergence of humanity, consequently there is no need of a man in Rome telling us what God thinks.
'In a scientific study review, using the word evolve is like me saying the program I wrote got better'
In mammals at fertilization, a zygote is formed from the fusion of a sperm and egg. Each contributes half the genetic information required to grow. At the first cell division chromosomes are randomly selected from each parent. This process as well as gradual random movement of the position of certain DNA sequences and mutations are the mechanism by which offsprings change and adapt to environmental pressures.
That's why children are not identical, except for twins of course. How the genetic information from those two particular cells got there is decided by the environment. As such the species as a whole is better adapted to a particular environment. Terms like advancement or better are an antromorphism, that is reading into nature human values and intentions.
Finally the scientific method observes specific phenomena, draws up conclusions and then tests it with experiment. An experiment is only successful if it repeatidly gives the same results. As such giving creationism equal time with evolution is nonsensical, as God is a transcendental entity, can't be measured and can do miracles which would void any results.
was Re:Evolution is not a specific scientific term
'If Oracle can say "Yes, this will run" to their customers, and their customers try it out and it does actually run, then no one will care'
I think they are correct and should never certify Larry Ellisons stolen Linux code. Personally speaking I don't want to do business with a self confessed software thief.
"We can just take Red Hat's intellectual property and make it ours, they just don't have it."
was: I Hate Linux Distro Certification
(Score:4, who modded this up Insightful !!)
All that article is about is an attempt to get more H-1B allowed. There isn't a shortage of IT staff, what there is a shortage of is cheap IT staff. The average IT job here pays less than a bus driver (£16k average). Oh, by the way Bill gets to say 'innovation' six times.
If there is a decline of people going into IT, maybe it's because of the following reasons. People don't want to spend their entire productive life sitting in a room endlessly reinstalling, configuring and fine tuning software that performs the same task as last year, only to discover their carefully put together toolkit of usefully utilities don't work anymore because you decided to change the OS and move the icons around for no great reason. Also my MCSE is deemed void at the end of the year and I have to fork over another £2,000 grand to get re-certified.
'Windows.. does have the advantage of hosting a user interface that even the most basic-knowledge recruit will know'
'I would imagine military systems of the same vintage.. force a serviceperson to endure many months of training. Training, by the way, that will prove useless in the real world'
You have got to be kidding. I don't know about you, but I want someone in control of nuclear missile launches to have a tad more than two weeks training in filling in check boxes.
No one in their right mind would use a desktop PC to operate a warship. The decision to go with Windows was a political and financial one and made in opposition to criticism from BAE's own engineers.
'A specialized, stripped-down, offline version of Windows 2000 is going to be stable and secure'
Why are they using seven year old technology. Why not upgrade to Vista. Actually, now that I think of it, the WinTel 'computer' also has a number of failure modes, like forgetting what hardware is attached if it isn't rebooted once a fortnight. Tell me they're not going to be using PCs..
'The main issues are the huge amount of unrelated code that is imported with the kernel and the need for incredibly fast response times'
I beg to differ, is any kind of server OS suitable to the task. How about a distributed system running on embedded hardware with multiple 'failure modes' and communication channels. And I don't mean code running from a rom, something like small independent devices running as finite state machine with known predictable behavour.
That way when a shell blows a hole in your computer, the whole ship don't go dead in the water.
Do you have any links as to what software it uses. The 'half-assed programmer' should have allowed for crossing the IDL. That's what you should do if you are designing a navigation system.
What IBM think of SCO's patent claims tells us nothing about what they think regarding Microsoft's patent claims
In the context of your original remarks, the fact that IBM went to bat against SCO tells us, I believe, where they are on alleged IP violations in Linux. Now excuse me, but in the universe the rest of us occupy it is up to the plaintive to produce the evidence, else they can be accused of pulling a Darl (you stole my IP!, what IP?, you tell me!).
What IBM thinks of 'Microsoft's patent claims' is irrelevant. What matters is concrete claims backed up by evidence. The onus is on Microsoft to tell us where the alleged violations occur, not IBM to prove they didn't. Else Ballmer is merely engaged in nothing more than a FUD campaign.
"Ballmer is carrying on about "Intellectual Property" (ie patents), not copyright infringments"
"In patent cases there is no "code" to be shown because theer is no allegation that any code was in fact stolen"
Tell your method for proving Linux violates Ballmers intellectual property. The source code can be easily produced to prove or disprove that 'Linux violates our intellectual property'
"I think there are experts who claim Linux violates our intellectual property", Steve Ballmer
"someday.. somebody will come and look for money owing to the rights for that intellectual property", Steve Ballmer
was: These guys have totally lost the plot (Score:5, yet another modded up astro.troll)
"if Ballmer says nothing in response, this reaction looks childish and entirely NOT reassuring"
If someone repeatedly accuses you of stealing his 'property' and you respond with a request to enumerate the alleged stolen items, how is this in any way 'childish'. No, if Ballmer says nothing it exposes his threats as baseless.
"What it really needs is IBM, (not Redhat, the FSF, or Canonical)"
Well IBM is actually fighting SCO in court against claims that IBM put SCO code in Linux, as is Red Hat, Novell, AutoZone and DaimlerChrysler. So presumably IBM thinks Ballmers claims are also baseless.
'A standard is going to limit innovation in word processors'
A novel argument if I ever heard one. For argument sake lets say innovation in GPS is being limited by a lack of multiple standards.. ?pause to cogitate.... nop, still don't make any sense . How is a document format going to affect a display format. I always suspect where the argument is coming from when they have to invoke the 'i' word.
'If the goal is to send out a document that anyone can read, then convert to PDF or a web page'
No the goal is to send a document that anyone can edit, display and print the same on any Word Processor. The real reason the file formats change with each new version of msOffice is to force us back each time for some more 'innovation'.
Your best bet is to send them an OpenDocument file and point them to the Open Office site.
Or else.. receive a word doc, send it as Word 2000 file to someone who has word XP who sends it to someone who has Word 2003 and saves it as DOCX who sends it back to me, who can't open it, who saves it as RTF, which then loses all the lovely shaded boxes.
"It doesn't support open standards like Microsoft OpenXML. *snark*"
You have to be kidding, but I will address the one issue. In your alternative universe how is an ISO approved standard - not standard. Why didn't MS use OpenDocument as the default file format, that way there wouldn't have to be a file converter written. What was the Microsoft Linux lab doing up to now.
'OpenDocument is an approved ISO standard.. Office Open XML is an approved Ecma standard'
'the Linux world can replace that code with something else that is not infringing'
I think he realises they claims that OSS violates MS Intelluctual Property are void. Else why are they going about reinventing open protocols. According to the Halloween documents one way of deny OSS projects entry into the market is to de-commoditize protocols & applications.
Slashdot Mirror
'OOo won't replace MSOffice quite yet. Which incidentally is why I think MS is pulling the plug on the Mac Office suite'
'The threat to Cancel Mac Office 97 is certainly the strongest bargaining point we have, as doing so will do a great deal of harm to Apple immediately'
was: Re:That's why kids... (Score:5, Insightful)
If it's not a threat then why is Microsoft 'partnerning' with Novell to get SLED in the door at Wal-mart, in the process giving Linspire the big heave-ho.
..
'By dropping software from Microsoft and avoiding "Intel inside," retailer Wal-Mart Stores is offering a $199 computer it says is a hot seller on its Web site', Dec 2002
Microsoft and Novell Alliance Embraced by Wal-Mart, Jan. 22, 2007
'MS won't care if everybody uses the ODF standard, because at the end of the day, just like with Windows, people will continue buying their software in large numbers because'
How do people get to choose their software when the OEM contract with Microsoft prevents them from selling any other OS, else they are penalized with higher prices. The last time DELL tried to get into the LInux Desktop market MS moved very quickly to shut it down.
'A PC dealer in Europe has begun selling Dell desktop computers equipped with Linux, but Dell has distanced itself from the announcement, saying that the systems were customized by the dealer, and that it is not the first time a reseller has loaded Linux onto Dell computers'
'Questar claims that in the 24 hours since it began shipping the Linux computers, which can be delivered to 20 countries in Europe, its Web site has received over 200,000 hits'
'The question remains, why devote 150 staff to a business unit, spend millions investing in start-ups, only to can the exercise a few weeks later?'
'Lewis Mettler sums up the story from trial documents'
'Microsoft held a series of meetings with Dell in regard to Linux'
'Dell in June of 2001 informs Microsoft that Dell has canceled their Linux business unit'
was: Not necessarily a "threat" at all (Score:1, Insightful)
ps: I'd prefer to be a 'zealot' rather than a bought and paid for media whore like you
There are so many nice features in Office that aren't available in OpenOffice
..
Name them
Open source is a nice idea, but so is socialism
I made a bet with myself that the thread would be seeded with such nonsence as the above statement., looks like I won.
was Re:Compelling
Your post makes no sense, whatsoever
..
.. :)
It's how Microsoft usually innovates. Buy in a product and repackage it as MS whatever.
was Re:insert free ad for MS Dynamics here
Please go to my pet supply store
yet another rehash of bought in 'product' in a bright new shiny package ..
..
Hi, Steve
Re:Still cheaper
While I don't think he actually used the word Charles Darwin had this to say:
'Let us now see whether the several facts and rules relating to the geological succession of organic beings, better accord with the common view of the immutability of species, or with that of their slow and gradual modification, through descent and natural selection', Charles Darwin.
'evolution is generally associated that there is an advancement, or the "thing" becomes better in our view'
That's a common misconception, if you don't mind me saying so. Actually evolution refers to species adapting to their environment through natural selection where the less sucessful members die off as they don't get to pass on their genes. The religious object as if you follow it to its logical conclusion evolution can account for the emergence of humanity, consequently there is no need of a man in Rome telling us what God thinks.
'In a scientific study review, using the word evolve is like me saying the program I wrote got better'
In mammals at fertilization, a zygote is formed from the fusion of a sperm and egg. Each contributes half the genetic information required to grow. At the first cell division chromosomes are randomly selected from each parent. This process as well as gradual random movement of the position of certain DNA sequences and mutations are the mechanism by which offsprings change and adapt to environmental pressures. That's why children are not identical, except for twins of course. How the genetic information from those two particular cells got there is decided by the environment. As such the species as a whole is better adapted to a particular environment. Terms like advancement or better are an antromorphism, that is reading into nature human values and intentions.
Finally the scientific method observes specific phenomena, draws up conclusions and then tests it with experiment. An experiment is only successful if it repeatidly gives the same results. As such giving creationism equal time with evolution is nonsensical, as God is a transcendental entity, can't be measured and can do miracles which would void any results.
was Re:Evolution is not a specific scientific term
Similar to how no one in the media can say global warming. They have to use climate change instead.
was: Re:Who modded this insightful?
'If Oracle can say "Yes, this will run" to their customers, and their customers try it out and it does actually run, then no one will care'
I think they are correct and should never certify Larry Ellisons stolen Linux code. Personally speaking I don't want to do business with a self confessed software thief.
"We can just take Red Hat's intellectual property and make it ours, they just don't have it."
was: I Hate Linux Distro Certification
(Score:4, who modded this up Insightful !!)
Doesn't work with Firefox 2.0.0.1 with noscript. Allowing the site and it can't read boot.ini as I'm logged in as standard user.
I would respond to this but it is total gibberish.
..
"Ballmer is carrying on about "Intellectual Property" (ie patents), not copyright infringments", sad.sac
'Tell your method for proving Linux violates Ballmers intellectual property', rs232
In other words, you'd much prefer to engage in vague innuendo, just like Ballmer.
Causing your opponents to fall about the floor laughing at your "attacks" is not a good way to win a war
Refering to yourself as a scrotum is no way either
Belongs up there with mod trolling, that is someone getting all their buddies to mod someone down because he gets contradicted in a post.
.. Press OK or CANCEL ...
... (Score:5, Insightful)
Windows : do you want to CANCEL Missile Launch
was: Zzzzzz
All that article is about is an attempt to get more H-1B allowed. There isn't a shortage of IT staff, what there is a shortage of is cheap IT staff. The average IT job here pays less than a bus driver (£16k average). Oh, by the way Bill gets to say 'innovation' six times.
If there is a decline of people going into IT, maybe it's because of the following reasons. People don't want to spend their entire productive life sitting in a room endlessly reinstalling, configuring and fine tuning software that performs the same task as last year, only to discover their carefully put together toolkit of usefully utilities don't work anymore because you decided to change the OS and move the icons around for no great reason. Also my MCSE is deemed void at the end of the year and I have to fork over another £2,000 grand to get re-certified.
'Windows .. does have the advantage of hosting a user interface that even the most basic-knowledge recruit will know'
.. force a serviceperson to endure many months of training. Training, by the way, that will prove useless in the real world'
'I would imagine military systems of the same vintage
You have got to be kidding. I don't know about you, but I want someone in control of nuclear missile launches to have a tad more than two weeks training in filling in check boxes.
'Windows is amazingly better'
..
No one in their right mind would use a desktop PC to operate a warship. The decision to go with Windows was a political and financial one and made in opposition to criticism from BAE's own engineers.
'A specialized, stripped-down, offline version of Windows 2000 is going to be stable and secure'
Why are they using seven year old technology. Why not upgrade to Vista. Actually, now that I think of it, the WinTel 'computer' also has a number of failure modes, like forgetting what hardware is attached if it isn't rebooted once a fortnight. Tell me they're not going to be using PCs
'The main issues are the huge amount of unrelated code that is imported with the kernel and the need for incredibly fast response times'
I beg to differ, is any kind of server OS suitable to the task. How about a distributed system running on embedded hardware with multiple 'failure modes' and communication channels. And I don't mean code running from a rom, something like small independent devices running as finite state machine with known predictable behavour. That way when a shell blows a hole in your computer, the whole ship don't go dead in the water.
Do you have any links as to what software it uses. The 'half-assed programmer' should have allowed for crossing the IDL. That's what you should do if you are designing a navigation system.
F-22 Raptor swallows pilot
What IBM think of SCO's patent claims tells us nothing about what they think regarding Microsoft's patent claims
In the context of your original remarks, the fact that IBM went to bat against SCO tells us, I believe, where they are on alleged IP violations in Linux. Now excuse me, but in the universe the rest of us occupy it is up to the plaintive to produce the evidence, else they can be accused of pulling a Darl (you stole my IP!, what IP?, you tell me!).
What IBM thinks of 'Microsoft's patent claims' is irrelevant. What matters is concrete claims backed up by evidence. The onus is on Microsoft to tell us where the alleged violations occur, not IBM to prove they didn't. Else Ballmer is merely engaged in nothing more than a FUD campaign.
"Ballmer is carrying on about "Intellectual Property" (ie patents), not copyright infringments"
.. somebody will come and look for money owing to the rights for that intellectual property", Steve Ballmer
"In patent cases there is no "code" to be shown because theer is no allegation that any code was in fact stolen"
Tell your method for proving Linux violates Ballmers intellectual property. The source code can be easily produced to prove or disprove that 'Linux violates our intellectual property'
"I think there are experts who claim Linux violates our intellectual property", Steve Ballmer
"someday
was: These guys have totally lost the plot (Score:5, yet another modded up astro.troll)
"if Ballmer says nothing in response, this reaction looks childish and entirely NOT reassuring"
If someone repeatedly accuses you of stealing his 'property' and you respond with a request to enumerate the alleged stolen items, how is this in any way 'childish'. No, if Ballmer says nothing it exposes his threats as baseless.
"What it really needs is IBM, (not Redhat, the FSF, or Canonical)"
Well IBM is actually fighting SCO in court against claims that IBM put SCO code in Linux, as is Red Hat, Novell, AutoZone and DaimlerChrysler. So presumably IBM thinks Ballmers claims are also baseless.
IBM (Score:4, you're kidding)
'A standard is going to limit innovation in word processors'
.. ?pause to cogitate .... nop, still don't make any sense . How is a document format going to affect a display format. I always suspect where the argument is coming from when they have to invoke the 'i' word.
.. receive a word doc, send it as Word 2000 file to someone who has word XP who sends it to someone who has Word 2003 and saves it as DOCX who sends it back to me, who can't open it, who saves it as RTF, which then loses all the lovely shaded boxes.
A novel argument if I ever heard one. For argument sake lets say innovation in GPS is being limited by a lack of multiple standards
'If the goal is to send out a document that anyone can read, then convert to PDF or a web page'
No the goal is to send a document that anyone can edit, display and print the same on any Word Processor. The real reason the file formats change with each new version of msOffice is to force us back each time for some more 'innovation'. Your best bet is to send them an OpenDocument file and point them to the Open Office site.
Or else
http://www.openoffice.org/
was: Why is this an issue?
"It doesn't support open standards like Microsoft OpenXML. *snark*"
.. Office Open XML is an approved Ecma standard'
You have to be kidding, but I will address the one issue. In your alternative universe how is an ISO approved standard - not standard. Why didn't MS use OpenDocument as the default file format, that way there wouldn't have to be a file converter written. What was the Microsoft Linux lab doing up to now. 'OpenDocument is an approved ISO standard
Not to defend Microsoft, but... (Score:3)
Code::Blocks, The open source, cross platform Free C++ IDE
http://www.widestudio.org/
http://www.netbeans.org/
http://www.netcomputing.de/html/main.html
was: how about...(Score:1)
'the Linux world can replace that code with something else that is not infringing'
I think he realises they claims that OSS violates MS Intelluctual Property are void. Else why are they going about reinventing open protocols. According to the Halloween documents one way of deny OSS projects entry into the market is to de-commoditize protocols & applications.
Working with Zero Install