I actually have a Blackberry Playbook (I realize you don't know me, so it doesn't invalidate your claim). It is really nice hardware. The OS is a little weird in places, but it is very fast. The killer is there are so few apps that I want to download. Discovery of useful apps in their store is not very easy either.
It is sad. Mostly use it for email and web surfing.
I've been running Windows 7 (MSDN final) on Snow Leopard bootcamp since it came out. So not sure what this "update" adds. One problem I did have was with the mini-dvi to VGA adapter forcing it into 640x480 resolution, but that appeared to also be an issue for Vista. Hopefully they finally fixed it!
Actually a cold war is fairly accurate. Many patent rich companies use the patents they hold, that they know others are infringine upon as a defense to keep other patent rich companies from suing them.
Anytime a patent infringement lawsuit comes in they will examine the business of the one suing them to see which patents they can counter-sue on. Their goal is to counter sue for enough damages to exceed the original complaint.
Most companies in the computer industry know not to sue IBM because they hold so many patents that everyone is most likely infringing on. Occasionally some small company does attempt to sue them and IBM makes an example of them.
True all we have is bandwidth, but this is starting to cross the line between people and computers. If we learn a way to interface with the human brain through this system then the skys the limit!
Check out the Client-Pro All-In-One by MPC. I don't have one, but all the reviews I have read have been very positive. The whole PC is in the LCD, and it has wireless connectivity for network, keyboard and mouse. Ultra portable too.
It is basically laptop hardware in an LCD. You pay a little extra, but it has the smallest footprint you can find.
That is a good idea. Maybe putting one in the crawl space too.
Another posibility would be to drill small holes in the walls (along the baseboards or close the to ceiling maybe) and run a wire through the wall with an antena attached on both sides. Maybe a powered repeater.
I'd try the attic / crawl space first. Let us know if that works.
Go through all the effort to make a patent disclosure, then make sure there is a public record of it. What you could do is also mail a copy of the disclosure to yourself via certified mail.
At least in the US once a public disclosure is made, if a patent is not filed within one year then the invention is not patentable. As long as you can later prove that you made said public disclosure (this the certified mailing) then it will be un-patentable by others.
If someone else tries to patent it after your disclosure and before the year then that is where the complete disclosure you made comes in. If you can prove that your disclosure is for the same invention as theirs then you successfully provided prior art.
Shouldn't cost you much.
The main draw back is that someone else could patent an improvement on your invention, and there would be nothing you could do to stop them. They would control that improvement, and if the improvement is a logical progression from your invention then it would effectively block your invention.
Ideally we need an organization like Creative Commons to hold public patents. It would be important that the organization could not have their portfolio purchased. If they had some funds to file for patents, and then the patents would be freely licensable. The catch is the license would have to disallow licensing to anyone who leverages an improving patent on those patents.
Since an improving patent is useless without a license on the patent on which it improves then an improved invention could not be manufactured. The only reason a business would have to file such a patent would be to block someone else from using the technology, but in doing so they would rob themselves of access to the entire patent portfolio of the holding organization.
The company you described as being responsible has become the victim of the countless of bad companies. Sad but there are worse things.
While the example of the company I gave is not a very big deal, the overall principle is we are continuing to trade freedoms for a sense of safety. The Patriot Act is just another example in a long stream of traded freedoms. Just like speed limits. We decide as a group of people that we are unable to make safe and intelligent decisions ourselves so we allow a governing body to make those decisions for us.
Sure, we each know as individuals that we are safe drivers and that we are not terrorists, but it is our untrust of our neighbors (usually rightfully so) that motivate us to give up our freedoms.
We give up our freedoms little by little. In the old west most people wouldn't dream of giving up their pistols, but today we no longer carry them, and are even considering laws to outlaw handguns all together. 100 years ago that couldn't even be considered. I wonder how many freedoms we will give up in the next 100 years?
It all comes down to what you are willing to trade your freedom for. Is reducing spam worth paying a fee for each e-mail you send? Maybe. But what is next? Paying to post to slashdot? Maybe paying for each page view?
What would be ideal is to offer a "permalink" to a specific revision. You can get a link to a revision from the history page, but if that link was accessible via the main page.
The specific revision page indicates that it is a revision as of a specific date right bellow the title. Ideally it should offer a obvious link to the most recent revision.
I don't see how the premeditate installation of a DVD player is that different from the premeditated purchasing of fast food at a drive up window. Eating while driving is more dangerous then cell phones or DVD's. The officers originally thought his was reaching for a soda was the cause of the crash, and no one was so worried. What's next, specific laws against drinking soda while diving! The only reason we don't out law that is everyone does it, and they have forever.
Regardless of what distracted him, he was distracted. Soda, DVD player or Aardvark, it is all the same.
. . . more likely you are just a person who like to cold-call people themselves and want to make it appear that this is in demand.
Don't get me wrong, I hate cold-calls, and I really don't have much compassion for those who make them.
Let me explain.. No, there is too much; let me sum up. There is this company that I do business with that offers this promotional package to our friends (Dinner for two and a $50 Best Buy gift card) to see if they are interested in doing business with them too. I always explain to my friends all about it before introducing them, since I don't want them to be blind sided. I tell them what they are selling, how much it costs, etc. Then if they are still interested I introduce them.
Now before the do-not-call list they just verbally got their phone number and permission to call them, and would call them later on to arrange things. After the do not call list they have to physically obtain a signed form giving permission to be called. Most of my friends find this extra step of completing the form a pain.
Now this is just one example, but very often laws are made to protect the innocent, and the innocent are the ones who are hurt.
I know a lot of businesses who are leery to send e-mails to people who signed up for e-mails from them now because the person might have changed their mind and claim it is spam.
I would imagine that we all get e-mails from companies that we would like to keep getting. Ever wonder how many companies have stopped sending you e-mails, that you want, because they are afraid they will get in trouble under current spam laws?
My point is that the legitimate businesses are the ones that are most likely to change their behavior because of a new law simple because they want to continue being a "good" business. The illegitimate businesses don't care.
As was previously pointed out 80% of SPAM comes from Zombies. Last I checked it was already illegal to spread viruses / worms and take over other peoples computers. <sarcasm>Those laws seems to be making a real huge impact.</sarcasm>
The main problem with laws in this area is when legitimate e-maillers are threatened. With the no-call list here in the state I have delt with a number of companies that have to jump through hoops just to call me on the phone.
It took the judge 18 minutes to stop laughing so he could rule on the case.
What happened to the "Ambulance Chasers"?
on
Red Hat Vs. The Lawyers
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
The title of this article was "Red Hat vs. The Ambulance Chasers" yesterday, now it is "Red Hat vs. The Lawyers". Since when did/. start worrying about being politically correct. Many of these comments are about the title containing Ambulance Chasers, now they seem irrelevant.
At least in the US a company has to protect its trademark, or they loose it. But an alternative that most companies never use is to license their trademark. Then another company can use their trademark and be officially licensed. We see officially licensed merchandise all the time.
Most likely what happened is Odeon got a new lawyer, or they had an audit. It was pointed out that they cannot have someone else using their trademark so they sent a letter. Even if the president of Odeon uses the site and thinks it is cool the fact is that ignoring infringement of a trademark can cause the trademark to be invalidated. It is unfortunate that their lawyers didn't think to offer him an official license.
Steve Jackson Games is really progressive in this regard. Realizing that their fans would like to create software to add value to their product line they created the GM Aid License Program. They have a page that explains their program and provides a license application form. (It is worth noting that their system way predates the d20 Official Gaming License system by WotC.)
Borland Software takes it a step further providing benefits like free copies of their products you support.
Systems like these are a win for everyone.
The enthusiast gets to make their officially licensed product.
The other consumers get the benefit of the added value.
And the company gets the benefit of a strong user community making their products move valuable.
I don't know why more companies don't have similar systems in place.
The thing with Google text ads is the site owner does not get any money unless someone actually clicks through. Just displaying the ads does not good if you don't visit the sites.
Slashdot Mirror
I actually have a Blackberry Playbook (I realize you don't know me, so it doesn't invalidate your claim). It is really nice hardware. The OS is a little weird in places, but it is very fast. The killer is there are so few apps that I want to download. Discovery of useful apps in their store is not very easy either.
It is sad. Mostly use it for email and web surfing.
I've been running Windows 7 (MSDN final) on Snow Leopard bootcamp since it came out. So not sure what this "update" adds. One problem I did have was with the mini-dvi to VGA adapter forcing it into 640x480 resolution, but that appeared to also be an issue for Vista. Hopefully they finally fixed it!
Actually a cold war is fairly accurate. Many patent rich companies use the patents they hold, that they know others are infringine upon as a defense to keep other patent rich companies from suing them.
Anytime a patent infringement lawsuit comes in they will examine the business of the one suing them to see which patents they can counter-sue on. Their goal is to counter sue for enough damages to exceed the original complaint.
Most companies in the computer industry know not to sue IBM because they hold so many patents that everyone is most likely infringing on. Occasionally some small company does attempt to sue them and IBM makes an example of them.
Just imagine a beowulf cluster of people!
True all we have is bandwidth, but this is starting to cross the line between people and computers. If we learn a way to interface with the human brain through this system then the skys the limit!
No battery as far as I know. It runs on AC power, which could very well be its only cord.
Check out the Client-Pro All-In-One by MPC. I don't have one, but all the reviews I have read have been very positive. The whole PC is in the LCD, and it has wireless connectivity for network, keyboard and mouse. Ultra portable too.
It is basically laptop hardware in an LCD. You pay a little extra, but it has the smallest footprint you can find.
I was mostly stiring the pot (aka Trolling) with the taxpayers and thermodynamics comments.
That is interesting about your girlfriend and popsicles. I think you are right on the money with the rods and cones.
Sorry about the bad link. Here it is again:
s e-of-women.shtml
http://www.mckeeth.org/2004/09/superior-color-sen
I am pretty sure their research went something like this:
e ns e-of-women.shtml
http://www.mckeeth.org/2004/09/superior-color-s
I wonder how much this study cost us tax payers?
I was just working with my Palm OS PDA right before reading this so I was totally confused what it had to do with the Palm.
Might need to change the name to keep from getting in hot soup!
That is a good idea. Maybe putting one in the crawl space too.
Another posibility would be to drill small holes in the walls (along the baseboards or close the to ceiling maybe) and run a wire through the wall with an antena attached on both sides. Maybe a powered repeater.
I'd try the attic / crawl space first. Let us know if that works.
Now that you mention it I think I have heard this too. Your best bet is to get it notarized then I guess.
Go through all the effort to make a patent disclosure, then make sure there is a public record of it. What you could do is also mail a copy of the disclosure to yourself via certified mail.
At least in the US once a public disclosure is made, if a patent is not filed within one year then the invention is not patentable. As long as you can later prove that you made said public disclosure (this the certified mailing) then it will be un-patentable by others.
If someone else tries to patent it after your disclosure and before the year then that is where the complete disclosure you made comes in. If you can prove that your disclosure is for the same invention as theirs then you successfully provided prior art.
Shouldn't cost you much.
The main draw back is that someone else could patent an improvement on your invention, and there would be nothing you could do to stop them. They would control that improvement, and if the improvement is a logical progression from your invention then it would effectively block your invention.
Ideally we need an organization like Creative Commons to hold public patents. It would be important that the organization could not have their portfolio purchased. If they had some funds to file for patents, and then the patents would be freely licensable. The catch is the license would have to disallow licensing to anyone who leverages an improving patent on those patents.
Since an improving patent is useless without a license on the patent on which it improves then an improved invention could not be manufactured. The only reason a business would have to file such a patent would be to block someone else from using the technology, but in doing so they would rob themselves of access to the entire patent portfolio of the holding organization.
While the example of the company I gave is not a very big deal, the overall principle is we are continuing to trade freedoms for a sense of safety. The Patriot Act is just another example in a long stream of traded freedoms. Just like speed limits. We decide as a group of people that we are unable to make safe and intelligent decisions ourselves so we allow a governing body to make those decisions for us.
Sure, we each know as individuals that we are safe drivers and that we are not terrorists, but it is our untrust of our neighbors (usually rightfully so) that motivate us to give up our freedoms.
We give up our freedoms little by little. In the old west most people wouldn't dream of giving up their pistols, but today we no longer carry them, and are even considering laws to outlaw handguns all together. 100 years ago that couldn't even be considered. I wonder how many freedoms we will give up in the next 100 years?
It all comes down to what you are willing to trade your freedom for. Is reducing spam worth paying a fee for each e-mail you send? Maybe. But what is next? Paying to post to slashdot? Maybe paying for each page view?
I should point out that currently you cannot get a link specifically to the current revision. You can only get a link specifically to a past revision.
Example:
The specific revision page indicates that it is a revision as of a specific date right bellow the title. Ideally it should offer a obvious link to the most recent revision.
I don't see how the premeditate installation of a DVD player is that different from the premeditated purchasing of fast food at a drive up window. Eating while driving is more dangerous then cell phones or DVD's. The officers originally thought his was reaching for a soda was the cause of the crash, and no one was so worried. What's next, specific laws against drinking soda while diving! The only reason we don't out law that is everyone does it, and they have forever.
Regardless of what distracted him, he was distracted. Soda, DVD player or Aardvark, it is all the same.
That is what I thought too. Took me a second to figure it out.
Don't get me wrong, I hate cold-calls, and I really don't have much compassion for those who make them.
Let me explain.. No, there is too much; let me sum up. There is this company that I do business with that offers this promotional package to our friends (Dinner for two and a $50 Best Buy gift card) to see if they are interested in doing business with them too. I always explain to my friends all about it before introducing them, since I don't want them to be blind sided. I tell them what they are selling, how much it costs, etc. Then if they are still interested I introduce them.
Now before the do-not-call list they just verbally got their phone number and permission to call them, and would call them later on to arrange things. After the do not call list they have to physically obtain a signed form giving permission to be called. Most of my friends find this extra step of completing the form a pain.
Now this is just one example, but very often laws are made to protect the innocent, and the innocent are the ones who are hurt.
I know a lot of businesses who are leery to send e-mails to people who signed up for e-mails from them now because the person might have changed their mind and claim it is spam.
I would imagine that we all get e-mails from companies that we would like to keep getting. Ever wonder how many companies have stopped sending you e-mails, that you want, because they are afraid they will get in trouble under current spam laws?
My point is that the legitimate businesses are the ones that are most likely to change their behavior because of a new law simple because they want to continue being a "good" business. The illegitimate businesses don't care.
As was previously pointed out 80% of SPAM comes from Zombies. Last I checked it was already illegal to spread viruses / worms and take over other peoples computers. <sarcasm>Those laws seems to be making a real huge impact.</sarcasm>
The main problem with laws in this area is when legitimate e-maillers are threatened. With the no-call list here in the state I have delt with a number of companies that have to jump through hoops just to call me on the phone.
Sorry, so she could rule on the case. My mistake.
It took the judge 18 minutes to stop laughing so he could rule on the case.
The title of this article was "Red Hat vs. The Ambulance Chasers" yesterday, now it is "Red Hat vs. The Lawyers". Since when did /. start worrying about being politically correct. Many of these comments are about the title containing Ambulance Chasers, now they seem irrelevant.
At least in the US a company has to protect its trademark, or they loose it. But an alternative that most companies never use is to license their trademark. Then another company can use their trademark and be officially licensed. We see officially licensed merchandise all the time.
Most likely what happened is Odeon got a new lawyer, or they had an audit. It was pointed out that they cannot have someone else using their trademark so they sent a letter. Even if the president of Odeon uses the site and thinks it is cool the fact is that ignoring infringement of a trademark can cause the trademark to be invalidated. It is unfortunate that their lawyers didn't think to offer him an official license.
Steve Jackson Games is really progressive in this regard. Realizing that their fans would like to create software to add value to their product line they created the GM Aid License Program. They have a page that explains their program and provides a license application form. (It is worth noting that their system way predates the d20 Official Gaming License system by WotC.)
Borland Software takes it a step further providing benefits like free copies of their products you support.
Systems like these are a win for everyone.
I don't know why more companies don't have similar systems in place.
The thing with Google text ads is the site owner does not get any money unless someone actually clicks through. Just displaying the ads does not good if you don't visit the sites.