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8 November, 2002

A Classic Quote on Palladium

Here's a link to a news story headlined: Trust or Treachery? Security technologies could backfire against consumers. The article focuses on Microsoft's Palladium architecture, which is rumored to be a key element in the next version of Windows. This quote, from David Farber, a telecommunications law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, is destined to become a classic:

"I have seen no signs that Microsoft and Intel are out to screw the world; and if they do screw the world, I think Congress will stop them."

Posted on 8 November, 2002

Copy-Protected CDs

There's an interesting article at The Register: All CDs will be protected and you are a filthy pirate. It presents an English translation of a letter supposedly sent by a  representative of EMI Music in Germany. It reveals two things: (1) This company views its customers as the enemy, and (2) The guy is incredibly stupid if he thinks that adding copy protection to all CDs will actually increase sales.

And then there's an article in New Scientist: Copy protection of CDs is 'worthless'.

The technology built into some CDs to stop people copying them is futile, according to a computer scientist who has put today's antipiracy systems under the microscope. He believes the continual software and hardware upgrades issued by the makers of computer CD drives and audio CD players render copy protection systems pointless in the long run.

Having lived through the '80's, when copy protected software was the norm, I'm reminded of a quote: He who does not learn from history is doomed to repeat it. Copy protection didn't work in the '80's and it won't work in the '00's.

As a consumer, your best course of action is to simply not purchase any copy protected CDs. Better yet, don't buy any new CDs. The used CD market offers a ton of excellent music, reasonably priced. And, of course, there's emusic.com, which I highly recommend. This site provides an excellent and very inexpensive alternative to buying CDs

Posted on 8 November, 2002

MS Releases Tablet PC -- Huge Boost For Freedom of Expression

After two years of previews and sneak peeks, Microsoft and partners officially unveiled the Tablet PC in New York and San Francisco on Thursday. (InfoWorld story)

I'm sure some people will find this useful. I haven't seen it, and I have no interest in it (you'll have to pry my keyboard from my cold, dead hands).

In related news, Aardman (the production company for Wallace and Gromit) has designed 25 emoticons for the Tablet PC.

A Microsoft spokesman said that, although emoticons are hugely popular, they are limited in the emotions they can express... "The launch of the Tablet PC gives people unlimited freedom to individually express themselves," said the company.

This is a direct quote from the article. He really said that. I'm not making it up. :-)

Posted on 8 November, 2002

TCP/IP Pipe Scrubber

Go here to clean your TCP/IP connection. This latest version now scrubs 2 byte Unicode connections for international ISPs. They recommend a weekly cleaning, but for maximum cleanliness I prefer a daily schedule.

You've probably tried other TCP/IP pipe scrubbers. Now it's time to try the best. I'm not 100% certain, but I think they use some type of patented pH balanced non-abrasive super scrubbing action that's gentle, yet extremely effective -- even for sensitive connections.

This service has been available for several years. Amazingly, it's still free! The word on the street is that Microsoft is developing their own TCP/IP cleaning service, and it will be available on a subscription basis.

Posted on 8 November, 2002