The EU is difficult to describe (do you call it a country?), but there is no way youare going to convince me that Europe is not a region. A continent is a region...
Right, it is a region but since continent > region that was my first thought;)
The EU is not a country though, like the US, with several states. It's a confederation of 25 autonomous countries.
As for fighting internal monopolies, you may have better information than I do - but then again, you may not. My understanding is that most of Europe has complex laws governing competition between companies (which like all laws almost universally favor the incumbent) - and that startups are comparitively rare. Both of these point to me that there are hidden monopolies - though perhaps I am mistaken.
My understanding is that is many countries (outside of the US, Britain, and a few others) the onwership and control of corporations rests in the hands of a very few individuals through what are called "pyramid corporations." Because of this hidden control, many structures that externally appear competitive are actually monopolistic. Because this is all done behind closed doors, the only way to see it is through secondary effects - such as the two that I mentioned, few startups and complex laws concerning companies.
That might also be true, but only for very few sectors like telecommunications, postal services and gambling (although the gambling misery has been solved in the last few months, I think). Compared to the US we have few startups, that's also true. But not because the government makes it difficult for people to found a company. In Austria, where I live, the government actively supports startups (lower taxes for 3 years, less health insurance costs, cheap loans...). But people seem just to conservative to try something like that. I think I know a little bit about that, since i just founded a graphics/web marketing company and have received LOTS of help, information and money from both my country's government as well as the EU. So, no, we don't really have more monopolies than the US.
I'd like to know that too.
Also, I'd like to know how the PvP system will really work. I guess, sadly, that we won't get something like the UO PvP (the original one, not after they added new Facets) but will it be balanced better than WoW. Especially, will i be able to only casually PvP and still be able to win against the hardcore farmers?
So, it boils down to: Is SKILL the key (like it should be) or is it just another sad item farming crap?!
I wouldn't say that. The original Adobe reader is horrible in my opinion. But the PDF standard is quite solid and implements a lot of useful features, I think.
Especially the possibilities for inline fonts and ocr'd text using the original font are great.
But then again, what kind of technological world would we live in if we didn't have ANY restrictions (like set up by military, government, huge companies,...). Better cars, better material for clothing, etc.
Slashdot Mirror
Right, it is a region but since continent > region that was my first thought
The EU is not a country though, like the US, with several states. It's a confederation of 25 autonomous countries.
That might also be true, but only for very few sectors like telecommunications, postal services and gambling (although the gambling misery has been solved in the last few months, I think). Compared to the US we have few startups, that's also true. But not because the government makes it difficult for people to found a company. In Austria, where I live, the government actively supports startups (lower taxes for 3 years, less health insurance costs, cheap loans...). But people seem just to conservative to try something like that. I think I know a little bit about that, since i just founded a graphics/web marketing company and have received LOTS of help, information and money from both my country's government as well as the EU. So, no, we don't really have more monopolies than the US.
fyi, europe is not a country. or county. or region. or whatever.
It's called a CONTINENT.
And btw, the EU is doing everything to fight internal monopolies as well.
kthnx.
I'd like to know that too. Also, I'd like to know how the PvP system will really work. I guess, sadly, that we won't get something like the UO PvP (the original one, not after they added new Facets) but will it be balanced better than WoW. Especially, will i be able to only casually PvP and still be able to win against the hardcore farmers? So, it boils down to: Is SKILL the key (like it should be) or is it just another sad item farming crap?!
I wouldn't say that. The original Adobe reader is horrible in my opinion. But the PDF standard is quite solid and implements a lot of useful features, I think.
Especially the possibilities for inline fonts and ocr'd text using the original font are great.
But then again, what kind of technological world would we live in if we didn't have ANY restrictions (like set up by military, government, huge companies, ...). Better cars, better material for clothing, etc.
:(
Well, ain't gonna happen