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Monday, August 05, 2002 |
Here's an article I think everyone who's ever bought a CD or downloaded music should read. It's from an old artist who's learned some things about the industry and has a very insightful point of view on the whole music industry vs. the internet affair. The writer requests that I include a link to her website which I have no problem complying with. http://www.janisian.com If you couldn't tell the article was written by Janis Ian.
8:04:08 PM 
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Ok I'm gonna do a quick sound-off on the Microsoft thing for one last time.
Yes Microsoft has pulled some dirty tricks. Yes they've tried to maintain their position at the top, and yes sometimes questionably. I agree to all of that. Now what I do not agree to is the idea that the government gets to say what Microsoft can do with it's product. The idea of the Free Market is that the consumer ultimately decides what they consider fair and reasonable.
The article linked to below makes my point perfectly. In effect they would like Microsoft to not only include but promote their competitors products within Windows. Let me give you another example of what this is akin to. I go to an auto dealership, I see a Dodge Ram truck that I think will suit my purpose. I decide that I like Chevy's console better. I call the government and tell them it's unfair that Dodge gets to put all of it's parts in it's trucks. Why can't I make them put a Chevy console in my Ram? They have a monopoly on the Ram truck. Guess why? It's their truck. Much like Windows is Microsoft's operating system to do with as they chose. If that last example seemed rediculous to you take a minute to think about what the DoJ is proposing for Microsoft to do. They would like, among other things, for a computer store or OEM (think dealership) to be able to remove Windows Media Player (think Ram console) and replace it with Real One Player (think Chevy Console). Not only that, but make Microsoft make it easy to do to boot. Just think about that. That's all I can ask these days.
7:11:20 PM
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"The states insist it’s a prototype of the kind of system they want Microsoft to sell to the general public and they want Bach to demonstrate for the court an operating system he designed using Windows XP Embedded. " This little quote is courtesy of MSNBC in an article here. Since when did the DoJ or the States in this union get decide what kind of product a company should produce, and then enforce this decision with the law? Hell I'd like Microsoft to ship a few things myself, maybe I should call G.W. Bush. This is just absolutely ludicrous. Someone remind me who puts these guys in power and why we stand for it.
7:00:14 PM
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Ok this link isn't for the faint of heart. The reading it displays requires moderate to high levels of understanding in the fields of Philosophy, Bio-Informatics, and a light understanding of quantum mechanics. It's a chat between the public and some of the contributors to a new book, Are We Spiritual Machines? Ray Kurzwiel, Jay W. Richards, and William A. Dembski. So, as promised, here's the link Live Moderated Chat: Are We Spiritual Machines?.
5:05:49 PM
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When brains meet computer brawn. People linking their brains together to form a global collective intelligence. Humans living well beyond 100 years. Researchers say with the proper funding, this could be our future. [CNET News.com]
This is a relatively well informed article that also links to the full 405 page report. I've been telling friends to pay attention to stuff like this. This is the future, it's time to prepare.
4:18:46 PM
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© Copyright 2002 Michael Hellesen.
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