Why would they being doing this supporting other platforms thing? Here's my best guess: 1) knock Adobe Flash down from the top of the hill -why? Adobe has nearly the same distribution channels as Microsoft since Flash is installed on nearly all computers sold. Flash is an API Microsoft does not control and its multimedia underpinnings are a threat to Microsoft's media file formats, ie control.
2) Makes Silverlight look like it's good to everyone in the industry by supporting the three major platforms, Windows, Linux, Mac. -why? initial support from the industry for one thing. Linux is embedded in way too many devices to be ignored and Mac isn't doing too bad either. As stated by the parent, this won't last if Silverlight is successful in displacing Flash in the market. Microsoft has NEVER been a friend to anybody who's not a Windows-only vendor and they've never considered other platforms in their business model/methods other than how they threaten the cash flow of the Windows monopoly.
3) Make a platform to replace the browser neutral AJAX kits and eventually bring it all home to Windows-only. -why? AJAX is spread all over the place and businesses are migrating old apps and/or creating new apps which run on any browser/platform. There is no NEED for Windows in this world and Silverlight brings that all home to Bill, Steve, and the friendly people at Microsoft.
Microsofts motives in everything they have done over the past 15+ years has been to keep Windows in a position of power and control. There has never been any desire to profit from cross platform software and nothing shows they've changed. This attempt at cross platform support is only a tool, or hammer if you will. It's going to smack everyone but Windows users on the head. But Microsoft has changed you might say. Just look at how they are manipulating the ISO process in attempts to get a proprietary format, MS-OOXML, as an international standard. They have not changed and Silverlight on Linux and Mac is nothing but a carrot hanging over the trap. There is no trusting of Microsoft and Novell is the fool for thinking once again, they can play in the pen with the wolf. IMO.
big deal, they are trying to patent a rating system where an identified user can join a rating list to filter shows/news/etc. BFD, rating systems already exist and this rating system within a rating system shouldn't even be patentable. Besides, isn't Tivo already doing this with their Recommended Lineup thing? It's not blocking shows but instead providing shows which others also liked/watched. Not patentable due to prior art. IMO.
hmmm, I wonder how Microsoft could have put so little effort into the DHCP networking system of Windows Vista with all the time they spent developing it? Whatya think, they don't put much value in networking? They know it breaks connecting to open source DHCP servers and did it on purpose? Or are they such hacks at software development that over five years, billions of dollars, and 10's of thousands of developers to upgrade Windows XP to Windows Vista resulted in a flaw in their software to communicate with their number one threat in servers and growing threat in desktops?
IMO, make the ignorant bastards who purchased a computer with Windows Vista suffer the consequences of their action. They don't deserve to be connected to a network and should be told to call the company who sold them the computer for support. ie, make sure the money trail includes those who brought this on in the first place.
As if it is the responsibility of businesses to make sure governments get a cut of their profits so the church folk and live better off. The Pope should stick with dealing with religion and his particular followers instead of expecting handouts from others.
It's governments responsibility to regulate how businesses operate withing their boundaries. IMO.
watch it or I'll throw a wikipedia at you so freak'n hard it'll go THROUGH your big mouth and out the hole in the back of your head.;-) What are you, an unemployed english teacher?
The DOJ states: "Microsoft was never found to have acquired or increased its monopoly market share unlawfully" but what they don't say is that Microsoft was never tried on whether they illegally acquired or increased their monopoly market in operating systems. There are many in the industry who can say they did. One more thing, had Caldera not settled with Microsoft on the DR-DOS case, SCO would be associated with organization, Caldera, which would have opened the floodgates of anti-trust suites against Microsoft for illegally using and increasing it's monopoly in operating systems.
The current settled case with the DOJ was about Netscape and Microsoft Office originally but MS Office was dropped when the states joined the DOJ in the case. IIRC, it was found that Microsoft used its monopoly in OS's to limit distribution of Netscape Navigator and the Netscape Server products. It all ended up getting bent into a settlement to provide "better" access to Microsoft middleware APIs and some issues with charging different prices to large OEMs for MS Windows OS's. They still charge different prices only they move money around via Microsoft Marketing programs and kickbacks.
Seeing how Microsoft is steamrolling their proprietary pseudo standard( MS OOXML ) threw the various ISO committees around the world, any moron who says that today we have a kinder, gentler Microsoft because of the DOJ vs Microsoft settlement should get a pie in the face. And they should be forced, hands tied, to watch a computer screen running Microsoft BoB and Rover. IMO.
Hey, I've got a patent on using computers to automate things:
Patent #6f79207572612065696d656e000a Method and System for the Traversal of Electrical Impulses Through a Transmission System Resulting in Photonic Element Representation Regardless of Human or other Interactions.
this is probably a technique for establishing a president and to help build a case for getting the big bucks form the larger players. Think about it, get a cheap ass patent, hammer on a bunch of smaller players and then settle with tiny licensing fees such that it's far far cheaper to just license the crappy patent instead of fighting it for hundreds of thousands. Then, go for the big guys for big bucks and have the ability to say, truthfully, that dozens of other companies are licensing the 'tech' so pay up big boy.
The only problem with this is when companies such as Google, etc who make this tech part of their business plan get pricked by these assholes, they're not likely to cave even for a tiny licensing fee when they realize it's all a scam. they've got $$$ to fight this and the scammers should be smart enough to stay away from the big guys because of this but they obviously are not.
It's all pathetic and those leaches are just a drain on society. IMO.
I'm still laughing at how poorly this is implemented and it is what year? 2007! What idiot at Microsoft gave this 'fix' the OK for a shipping operating system and one they charge money for? And a laugh goes out to the suckers who are buying this crapware called Windows Vista.
I also would not doubt that Microsoft's contract with BMW requires they not publish anything negative or otherwise regarding their Windows based iDrive systems. Microsoft sucks as a technology company but is number one in legal and marketing contracts, publications, and PR.
What clown will be next to fill a position appointed by Bush/Cheney? Is he going to have god tell him who's next in line since he talks directly to him/her/it and got such good guidance on Iraq. Or maybe the pope can help Dubya. Maybe Cheney will fire up that hidden speaker in Dubya's bathroom and pretend to be Dubya's 'Wizard of Oz'/god and tell him who's next again. So many great ways for the Dopey Dubya to make the wrong choice...
Waiting til the day these people leave office already. And curious who the American idiots^H^H^H^H^H^Hpopulation vote for next.
I thought BMW was dumping the Windows based iDrive for a Linux based iDrive some years ago. They had so many problems with it they sent out a press release stating such. IIRC, they mentioned that iDrive for the 7xx class cars would continue using MS based iDrive for something like 5 more years while all the other models would be getting the udated version. This, I figured, was probably due to a contract they had with Microsoft since the 7xx class vehicles were the first to get iDrive.
BMW got some really bad press when their systems were crashing and 7xx series cars where stopping suddenly, trunk lids opening unexpectedly and even door locks not unlocking. IMO, it just showed how foolish companies are to think that it would be a good idea putting a Microsoft OS in control of mission critical processes. And doing it in a car is just plain stupid. Microsoft must have paid them well to use Windows.
it made sense when they first came out with it. It means Microsoft has no idea what the future holds so they must use an ad asking you what you want to do today as a way to make you think they know what you need. Even Bill Gates' book, "The Road Ahead" has the metaphor for the future( the road ) quickly veering off to the right and out of view. Someone else is building that road and providing options for where the future can go.
That ad, "Where do you want to go today?", always reminded me of a pig with a nose ring. Not only can it be lead to slaughter easier but it's normal everyday life, rooting, is greatly restricted. So, where do you want to go today little piggy? We're Microsoft and we don't have a clue but we'll drag you around for a while and take your money for doing so.
what is really silly is they hung the virtual dice from a virtual rearview mirror. If you think people have trouble understanding and using rear/side view mirrors now, just wait til they not only have the real one, but Microsoft thought everyone should have a virtual one too.
It's like having a freak'n titlebar on a QVGA PDA/handheld computer screen. WTF?
what blows me away is that nobody has mentioned, nor the manufacturers implemented, a simple RF shield around the keyfob. Simply shielding the keyfob, which should have an actual key in it too, prevents someone from just sitting next to you or atleast in front of your home, and hacking away at your keyfobs security. Did the auto manufacturers think we are so lazy we can't even temporarily pop the xmitter outside the shield long enough for the car to "see" us at a distance and unlock? And the other thing they should have done was designed the shield such that direct contact or close range( 1m ) with the shielded keyfob could still result in identification so once in your car, it's still able to validate and operate the vehicle securely.
Come on Ronco, where's this pocket car security device? Xmas manufacturing is already ramping up.:-)
IIRC, they said they'd not sent out any checks or something like that. They didn't say they were not involved financially, just that they'd not yet sent out any checks. And as far as Microsoft not being involved in HD-DVD, you've got to be kidding. They were the ones putting out the press release early on saying how great HD-DVD was and who was behind it. IE, a PR stunt with the only purpose being to promote HD-DVD. Yes, Microsoft did that, not Toshiba. And what about Microsoft not offering a Blu-ray DVD with the Xbox? Only comes with HD-DVD.
Microsoft wants nothing to do with the Sony based and Java running Blu-ray system. They've got all their eggs in HD-DVD and they'll do anything to move it forward. Anything.
open source software could only by a short term play for Microsoft. They maintain their position by having control of the Windows ecosystem from OS API's to distribution channels. Opening the source to applications on that platform in a none restrictive manor hands away some control. Therefore, it can only ever be a short term play. And if there was any history of them actually competing on product merit with a competitor then it could be otherwise but alas, there is no history of such business practice at Microsoft.
promoting open source egg timers does not constitute support IMO. Let Open Office or the like play in their new found love for open source and see what kind of love that gets from Microsoft.
it's a short term play and nobody should waste there time with them. IMO.
I did RTFA and I did not see where Toshiba admitted to the financing. And, had I seen that, I would have wondered why Microsoft was asked about the financing and why they were so coy with their answer. Sorry but I walked away from the article with the sense that Microsoft was involved in a big way in this deal regardless of Toshiba's involvement.
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So Microsoft wants to kill off Adobe, got a reason why this might be? Have they done something to Microsoft?
And I would not even touch the idea that Microsoft does not want to kill off Linux.
LoB
what is in it for Microsoft and why are they doing this?
everything they've done in the past has been to kill off some competitor so why do you think they have no motives to do the same here?
LoB
Why would they being doing this supporting other platforms thing? Here's my best guess:
1) knock Adobe Flash down from the top of the hill
-why? Adobe has nearly the same distribution channels as Microsoft since Flash is installed on nearly all computers sold. Flash is an API Microsoft does not control and its multimedia underpinnings are a threat to Microsoft's media file formats, ie control.
2) Makes Silverlight look like it's good to everyone in the industry by supporting the three major platforms, Windows, Linux, Mac.
-why? initial support from the industry for one thing. Linux is embedded in way too many devices to be ignored and Mac isn't doing too bad either. As stated by the parent, this won't last if Silverlight is successful in displacing Flash in the market. Microsoft has NEVER been a friend to anybody who's not a Windows-only vendor and they've never considered other platforms in their business model/methods other than how they threaten the cash flow of the Windows monopoly.
3) Make a platform to replace the browser neutral AJAX kits and eventually bring it all home to Windows-only.
-why? AJAX is spread all over the place and businesses are migrating old apps and/or creating new apps which run on any browser/platform. There is no NEED for Windows in this world and Silverlight brings that all home to Bill, Steve, and the friendly people at Microsoft.
Microsofts motives in everything they have done over the past 15+ years has been to keep Windows in a position of power and control. There has never been any desire to profit from cross platform software and nothing shows they've changed. This attempt at cross platform support is only a tool, or hammer if you will. It's going to smack everyone but Windows users on the head. But Microsoft has changed you might say. Just look at how they are manipulating the ISO process in attempts to get a proprietary format, MS-OOXML, as an international standard. They have not changed and Silverlight on Linux and Mac is nothing but a carrot hanging over the trap. There is no trusting of Microsoft and Novell is the fool for thinking once again, they can play in the pen with the wolf. IMO.
LoB
Microsoft wants Linux and any other who threatens their monopoly power gone . There is no end to their madness and so they must go.
Oh, and ask you boss if these are the kind of developers you want behind your enterprise software, because they are there too.
and you don't want me writing your technical papers either
LoB
Microsoft wants Linux and any other who threatens their monopoly power. There is no end to their madness and so they must go.
Oh, and ask you boss if this is the kinds of developers you want behind your enterprise software, because they are there too.
LoB
big deal, they are trying to patent a rating system where an identified user can join a rating list to filter shows/news/etc. BFD, rating systems already exist and this rating system within a rating system shouldn't even be patentable. Besides, isn't Tivo already doing this with their Recommended Lineup thing? It's not blocking shows but instead providing shows which others also liked/watched. Not patentable due to prior art. IMO.
LoB
hmmm, I wonder how Microsoft could have put so little effort into the DHCP networking system of Windows Vista with all the time they spent developing it? Whatya think, they don't put much value in networking? They know it breaks connecting to open source DHCP servers and did it on purpose? Or are they such hacks at software development that over five years, billions of dollars, and 10's of thousands of developers to upgrade Windows XP to Windows Vista resulted in a flaw in their software to communicate with their number one threat in servers and growing threat in desktops?
IMO, make the ignorant bastards who purchased a computer with Windows Vista suffer the consequences of their action. They don't deserve to be connected to a network and should be told to call the company who sold them the computer for support. ie, make sure the money trail includes those who brought this on in the first place.
LoB
As if it is the responsibility of businesses to make sure governments get a cut of their profits so the church folk and live better off. The Pope should stick with dealing with religion and his particular followers instead of expecting handouts from others.
It's governments responsibility to regulate how businesses operate withing their boundaries. IMO.
LoB
watch it or I'll throw a wikipedia at you so freak'n hard it'll go THROUGH your big mouth and out the hole in the back of your head. ;-) What are you, an unemployed english teacher?
LoB
The DOJ states: "Microsoft was never found to have acquired or increased its monopoly market share unlawfully" but what they don't say is that Microsoft was never tried on whether they illegally acquired or increased their monopoly market in operating systems. There are many in the industry who can say they did. One more thing, had Caldera not settled with Microsoft on the DR-DOS case, SCO would be associated with organization, Caldera, which would have opened the floodgates of anti-trust suites against Microsoft for illegally using and increasing it's monopoly in operating systems.
The current settled case with the DOJ was about Netscape and Microsoft Office originally but MS Office was dropped when the states joined the DOJ in the case. IIRC, it was found that Microsoft used its monopoly in OS's to limit distribution of Netscape Navigator and the Netscape Server products. It all ended up getting bent into a settlement to provide "better" access to Microsoft middleware APIs and some issues with charging different prices to large OEMs for MS Windows OS's. They still charge different prices only they move money around via Microsoft Marketing programs and kickbacks.
Seeing how Microsoft is steamrolling their proprietary pseudo standard( MS OOXML ) threw the various ISO committees around the world, any moron who says that today we have a kinder, gentler Microsoft because of the DOJ vs Microsoft settlement should get a pie in the face. And they should be forced, hands tied, to watch a computer screen running Microsoft BoB and Rover. IMO.
LoB
Hey, I've got a patent on using computers to automate things:
Patent #6f79207572612065696d656e000a
Method and System for the Traversal of Electrical Impulses Through a Transmission System Resulting in Photonic Element Representation Regardless of Human or other Interactions.
All your asses are MINE, MINE, I say!
LoB
this is probably a technique for establishing a president and to help build a case for getting the big bucks form the larger players. Think about it, get a cheap ass patent, hammer on a bunch of smaller players and then settle with tiny licensing fees such that it's far far cheaper to just license the crappy patent instead of fighting it for hundreds of thousands. Then, go for the big guys for big bucks and have the ability to say, truthfully, that dozens of other companies are licensing the 'tech' so pay up big boy.
The only problem with this is when companies such as Google, etc who make this tech part of their business plan get pricked by these assholes, they're not likely to cave even for a tiny licensing fee when they realize it's all a scam. they've got $$$ to fight this and the scammers should be smart enough to stay away from the big guys because of this but they obviously are not.
It's all pathetic and those leaches are just a drain on society. IMO.
LoB
I'm still laughing at how poorly this is implemented and it is what year? 2007! What idiot at Microsoft gave this 'fix' the OK for a shipping operating system and one they charge money for? And a laugh goes out to the suckers who are buying this crapware called Windows Vista.
nice work on the investigations Mark.
LoB
I didn't see anything definitive either but did find this related item:
c e/source/7.htm
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/02/open_sour
I also would not doubt that Microsoft's contract with BMW requires they not publish anything negative or otherwise regarding their Windows based iDrive systems. Microsoft sucks as a technology company but is number one in legal and marketing contracts, publications, and PR.
LoB
What clown will be next to fill a position appointed by Bush/Cheney? Is he going to have god tell him who's next in line since he talks directly to him/her/it and got such good guidance on Iraq. Or maybe the pope can help Dubya. Maybe Cheney will fire up that hidden speaker in Dubya's bathroom and pretend to be Dubya's 'Wizard of Oz'/god and tell him who's next again. So many great ways for the Dopey Dubya to make the wrong choice...
Waiting til the day these people leave office already. And curious who the American idiots^H^H^H^H^H^Hpopulation vote for next.
LoB
I thought BMW was dumping the Windows based iDrive for a Linux based iDrive some years ago. They had so many problems with it they sent out a press release stating such. IIRC, they mentioned that iDrive for the 7xx class cars would continue using MS based iDrive for something like 5 more years while all the other models would be getting the udated version. This, I figured, was probably due to a contract they had with Microsoft since the 7xx class vehicles were the first to get iDrive.
BMW got some really bad press when their systems were crashing and 7xx series cars where stopping suddenly, trunk lids opening unexpectedly and even door locks not unlocking. IMO, it just showed how foolish companies are to think that it would be a good idea putting a Microsoft OS in control of mission critical processes. And doing it in a car is just plain stupid. Microsoft must have paid them well to use Windows.
LoB
it made sense when they first came out with it. It means Microsoft has no idea what the future holds so they must use an ad asking you what you want to do today as a way to make you think they know what you need. Even Bill Gates' book, "The Road Ahead" has the metaphor for the future( the road ) quickly veering off to the right and out of view. Someone else is building that road and providing options for where the future can go.
That ad, "Where do you want to go today?", always reminded me of a pig with a nose ring. Not only can it be lead to slaughter easier but it's normal everyday life, rooting, is greatly restricted. So, where do you want to go today little piggy? We're Microsoft and we don't have a clue but we'll drag you around for a while and take your money for doing so.
LoB
what is really silly is they hung the virtual dice from a virtual rearview mirror. If you think people have trouble understanding and using rear/side view mirrors now, just wait til they not only have the real one, but Microsoft thought everyone should have a virtual one too.
It's like having a freak'n titlebar on a QVGA PDA/handheld computer screen. WTF?
LoB
I've already( just ) filed the patent for the virtual bouncing doggie head. I called she Rover.
;-)
I've also just filed the patent on the virtual bouncing girlfriend head. Well, virtual back of head and there's support for theming too.
LoB
Microsoft product updates, 90% substance, 10% style? Me thinks you have got those numbers reversed.
LoB
Didn't you know that they had promoted the designer of Microsoft BOB to the auto research department?
LoB
what blows me away is that nobody has mentioned, nor the manufacturers implemented, a simple RF shield around the keyfob. Simply shielding the keyfob, which should have an actual key in it too, prevents someone from just sitting next to you or atleast in front of your home, and hacking away at your keyfobs security. Did the auto manufacturers think we are so lazy we can't even temporarily pop the xmitter outside the shield long enough for the car to "see" us at a distance and unlock? And the other thing they should have done was designed the shield such that direct contact or close range( 1m ) with the shielded keyfob could still result in identification so once in your car, it's still able to validate and operate the vehicle securely.
:-)
Come on Ronco, where's this pocket car security device? Xmas manufacturing is already ramping up.
LoB
IIRC, they said they'd not sent out any checks or something like that. They didn't say they were not involved financially, just that they'd not yet sent out any checks. And as far as Microsoft not being involved in HD-DVD, you've got to be kidding. They were the ones putting out the press release early on saying how great HD-DVD was and who was behind it. IE, a PR stunt with the only purpose being to promote HD-DVD. Yes, Microsoft did that, not Toshiba. And what about Microsoft not offering a Blu-ray DVD with the Xbox? Only comes with HD-DVD.
Microsoft wants nothing to do with the Sony based and Java running Blu-ray system. They've got all their eggs in HD-DVD and they'll do anything to move it forward. Anything.
LoB
open source software could only by a short term play for Microsoft. They maintain their position by having control of the Windows ecosystem from OS API's to distribution channels. Opening the source to applications on that platform in a none restrictive manor hands away some control. Therefore, it can only ever be a short term play. And if there was any history of them actually competing on product merit with a competitor then it could be otherwise but alas, there is no history of such business practice at Microsoft.
promoting open source egg timers does not constitute support IMO. Let Open Office or the like play in their new found love for open source and see what kind of love that gets from Microsoft.
it's a short term play and nobody should waste there time with them. IMO.
LoB
I did RTFA and I did not see where Toshiba admitted to the financing. And, had I seen that, I would have wondered why Microsoft was asked about the financing and why they were so coy with their answer. Sorry but I walked away from the article with the sense that Microsoft was involved in a big way in this deal regardless of Toshiba's involvement.
LoB