May 2007

Microsoft has made specific claims that open source software violates at least 235 of it’s patents and it’s time to pay up. Obviously you have to take this seriously. By claiming a specific number of violations it could mean that Microsoft is ready to pursue this in court.

Most interesting to me was Microsoft’s assertion that “the one reason free software is of such high quality is that it violates more the 200 of Microsoft’s patents.” WOW…so only Microsoft has ever developed hight quality software and all those free software developers out there are too stupid to come up with something good on their own without copying Microsoft?

I find this all very sad. If Microsoft pursues this in court it will be a huge mistake. I hope it’s only a matter of Microsoft flexing their public muscles. They stand to lose much more in public opinion then it could ever gain in revenue.

It also stinks to high heaven of Microsoft running scared.

Technorati Tags: foss, linux, microsoft, patents

According to the latest rumors, Apple may soon be unveiling new hardware based upon Intel’s Santa Rosa technology. It could even be as soon as tomorrow, Tuesday, May 15th. These updates could include the MacBook, MacBook Pro and perhaps even the iMac and Mac Mini.

In addition, the MacBook may get the faster Intel 3000 graphics processor.

via HardMac

UPDATE: 5/16/07

Apple released minor updates to the MacBook laptop line on Tuesday, May 15th, increasing the maximum processor speed from 2.0 to 2.16, installing 1GB as standard memory on all models, and offering larger hard drive options.

Technorati Tags: apple, hardware update, santa rosa

Last night was “Spring Night Out” in the small town where I live. The downtown stores and restaurants stayed open later then normal and there were bands and musicians playing on the sidewalks at different areas with chairs for those who wanted to sit and listen.

For someone who is rumored to have passed away, Elvis still makes it to a remarkable number of events…even if he does look a lot like the local postman. I don’t know who the young lady was, but she could certainly make some moves.

It was an evening where my wife and I strolled through downtown, ate diner, saw some friends, listened to some good music, and for a few moments relaxed in what could of passed for simpler days.

Technorati Tags: fun, salisbury, spring+night+out

Just when you think maybe the discussions concerning digital media rights might be heading in a more reasonable direction you’re slapped back to the sad reality by two events this week.

First, Media Rights Technologies issued formal non-binding warnings to Adobe, Apple, Microsoft and Real Networks that they were in violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) by marketing products with unprotected media streams that could be copied or ripped. Now it just so happens that Media Rights Tech. has a RIAA approved software control that will lock down those streams. Media Rights Tech. thinks the mentioned companies should be forced to use it’s copy protection software due to the huge scale of the “potential” problem. Of course they think that. Give me a freaking break! Someone tell these guys that “build it and they will come” only happens in the movies.

Second, I’m sure glad we’ve got the DRM issue solved. It’s all been a terrible misunderstanding. HBO CTO Bob Zitter thinks we should just call DRM “Digital Consumer Enablement (DCE)” so that people would understand that this technology enables them to use content in so many new and wonderful ways. So this guy’s a CTO?…I’m thinking he’s butt kissing looking for a promotion? I know how stupid I think he is, but the question here is how stupid does he think we are? Mr. Zitter, you call it whatever you want, but it still sucks and it’s still doomed to failure no matter how hard you corporate types struggle. But thanks for my laugh of the day!

via Engadget and Wired Blog Network

Technorati Tags: dmca, drm, digital+rights+management