Jackass 2.5, an interesting title selection for MS, and one that fits too.

I downloaded Silverlight just for grins and my impression so far is poor. What happened was, I got a pop-up saying I could use the Silverlight version of some update I was looking at, so I opted for the Silverlight format for the page. Big Mistake! I got a huge, overly bright, jumpy animated banner ad at the top for some Microsoft product, and below that some overly tiny, hard to navigate selections for the updates.

In other words it was all about a banner ad, and then a very poorly formatted page for the information. To me this was a Very Bad First Impression, and I will not opt for Silverlight again. Microsoft will have to do much better than this! Should you be offered a chance to try the Silverlight version of a page, RUN THE OTHER WAY BECAUSE IT IS NOT VERY PLEASANT IF YOU GO THERE.

mgo,
It is funny how much Micrsoft had to settle with Eolas for just to put out that crap(Silverlight 1.0)!

VCSY is not letting Microsoft off that easy, for the use(licensing) of VCSY's XML Enabler patent(521) so they could finally put out a product such as Silverlight 2.0 that will finally "WOW" the tech world!
---------------------------------------------
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2006

Vertical Computer Systems, Inc. Receives a Notice of Allowance From The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office For a Patent Application Covering Various Aspects Of The XML Enabler Agent

Fort Worth, Texas, March 29, 2006--Vertical Computer Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: VCSY) announced today that it has received a notice of allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a patent application serial number 09/882,494 for a "Web-based collaborative data collection system." The notice of allowance states that all 41 patent claims of the patent application are deemed to be allowable to issue in a patent. VCSY intends to file with the USPTO to issue the patent shortly thereafter with all 41 claims being valid and enforceable.

This patent application covers various aspects of the XML Enabler Agent. The XML Enabler Agent, which was featured in the "XML Handbook" by Charles Goldfarb, 4th edition was created to XML-enable any database and developed with the Emily XML Scripting Language.
----------------------------------------------
Above is not even the patent that VCSY is suing Microsoft for infringing on, that would be the Siteflash(744) patent.
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2007

Vertical Computer Systems, Inc. Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Microsoft Corporation

Fort Worth, TX, April 20, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE)? Vertical Computer Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: VCSY)(www.vcsy.com) announced today that on April 18, 2007, Vertical Computer Systems, Inc. filed suit for patent infringement against Microsoft Corp. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. VCSY claims that the Microsoft .Net System infringes U.S. Patent No. 6,826,744.

Cracking open the cybercrime economy

http://resources.zdnet.co.uk/articles/features/0,1000002000,39291463,00.htm

"Over the years, the criminal elements, the ones who are making money, making millions out of all this online crime, are just getting stronger and stronger. I don't think we are really winning this war."

As director of antivirus research for F-Secure, you might expect Mikko Hypponen to overplay the seriousness of the situation. But according to the Finnish company, during 2007 the number of samples of malicious code on its database doubled, having taken 20 years to reach the size it was at the beginning of this year.

It is difficult to establish exactly how organised this malware economy is but, according to David Marcus, security research manager, McAfee Avert Labs, it's relatively straightforward to buy not only the modules to build malware, but also the support services that go with it.

"From Trojan creation sites out of Germany and the Eastern bloc, you can purchase kits and support for malware in yearly contracts," says Marcus. "They present themselves as a cottage industry which sells tools or creation kits. It's hard to tell if it's a conspiracy or a bunch of autonomous individuals who are good at covering their tracks."

Joe,

I of course disagree, but one thing I find overall concerning is your statement:

"..I've got nothing against this movie (or TV) series.."

And then you go onto saying...

".. Where do you go when you're content is too terrible for Flash? Microsoft's response should be: YouTube..."

I'm no expert, but that sounds like you do have an issue with the content associated to the film? (did misinterpret this if so I apologise).

I just draw this point out to simply state that JackAss isn't for everyone (hey I'm not a fan of many things) but the fact a powerhouse brand such as Blockbuster has faith in Silverlight technology (along side many other brands) indicates that there are motivators behind it's ability that are very positive. This along side other "hollywood" brands for example (ie sticking to the genre) has to be positive for one and all.

I like the fact you're in a position to disect the content and not the technology, as that's a nice problem to have really...

*shrug*

-
Scott Barnes
RIA Evangelist
Microsoft.

Strange Xbox Signal Suspected of Jamming Wireless LANs
Microsoft's Xbox 360 game console can create a strong and strange signal that disrupts wireless LANs.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,140567/article.html

Quotes from the link:

"Microsoft's popular Xbox 360 game console can create a strong and strange signal on wireless LANs, according to IT staff at Morrisville State College.

It's not clear whether the signal disrupts the college's WLAN access points or students' wireless notebooks. There is some anecdotal evidence, however, that it at least affects other radios in the same 2.4GHz band."

Inside Windows 7: What We Know So Far

http://www.osnews.com/story.php/19048/Inside-Windows-7-What-We-Know-So-Far

Quote from the link;

" new streamlined kernel, an inbuilt VM for running old software, a revised and simplified UI..."
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Well, most of what M$ does turns out to be Vaporware, it never happens. But interesting enough, this is what Joe Willcox has been telling them they should do all along. A good idea BTW. Its mostly the same thing Apple did with OSX.

Now I posted a comment earlier on "Cracking open the cybercrime economy." In it I quoted "during 2007 the number of samples of malicious code on its database doubled, having taken 20 years to reach the size it was at the beginning of this year." If this is true, that malware for windows has doubled in just one year, its very doubtful that sercurity software providers will be able to keep up with the bad guys. In other words, no matter how hard you try to protect yours windows computer, the malware people will harm it.

If for this reason alone, Windows 7 needs to come out as a "real secure" os, and needs to come out sooner than later. M$ could develop several versions of their desktop OS, like they used to do in the days of 98 and NT, based on different kernels. But they need to do limited user accounts correctly, get rid of activeX, get IE out of the operating system entirely, just for starters.

In fact, getting IE unbundled, and out of the operating system, is something they should be doing right now. As the EU may end up mandating it to be sold that way, and only that way in the future. M$, isn't it about time you fixed the sercurity problems in Windows? At least, give your users another choice, and develop another desktop OS that is secure, and that will run some windows apps, there is no law that you have to make only Vista. or Seven.

Firefox 3.0 to Include 'Get Me Outta Here' Malware Protection

http://securitywatch.eweek.com/browsers/firefox_30_to_include_get_me_outta_here_malware_protection.html

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This is called innovation. Google too. M$, are you listening?

What's good about Vista?
The new system is yet more proof of Microsoft's gift for maximizing profits rather than benefiting users

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2007/12/16/2003392798

Quotes from the link:

"The first person at my company to use Vista was our executive vice president. He was furious. Vista and Office 2007 came with his new Dell computer by default. Dell didn't ask: "Would you prefer the old versions of the operating system and MS Office that you know how to use?" So our VP got a shiny new computer that he didn't know how to use: Functions were rearranged, and keyboard shortcuts were different.

Think of the productivity cost of millions like him having to adjust to a new system. Moreover, his coworkers couldn't read the Microsoft Word files that he sent them in the new ".docx" format. They wrote back and asked him to resend files in the older ".doc" format -- which might not have worked if he had inadvertently used some new-fangled formatting feature.

To be sure, Microsoft does provide a patch that allows old versions of Office to read the new ".docx" format. But Microsoft doesn't publicize it -- or warn you if your Office 2007 file is about to become incompatible with older versions.

While Microsoft could have kept the traditional ".doc" as its default format for MS Word, this would not have served its purpose: Eventually, after enough of the world pays for Office 2007, holdouts will be dragged along, kicking and screaming. Then, in four or five years, Microsoft will begin our agony all over again.

According to "the Coase Conjecture," a monopolist selling a durable good must sell it at marginal cost. For Microsoft, the problem is that the marginal cost of software is zero. As a result, Microsoft cannot extract anything close to its full monopoly rents unless it sells upgrades. After all, even though Microsoft has a monopoly of primary sales of its software, copies sold this year compete with those sold last year.

So, by creating incompatibilities, some subtle and some obvious, that make its old software obsolete, Microsoft can sell its operating systems at high profit margins without fear that people will wait until the price drops. The price will never drop, because Microsoft will just roll out a new system, again at high profit margins."

H3,
Is this the extra part of the article you wanted pasted in?

Quote;

"To be sure, Microsoft does provide a patch that allows old versions of Office to read the new ".docx" format. But Microsoft doesn't publicize it -- or warn you if your Office 2007 file is about to become incompatible with older versions."

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2007/12/16/2003392798
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As most people will not ever know about that patch, or the fact that it dosen't come with the software in the first place, or that M$ "doesn't publicize it" sort of makes your point worthless, dosen't it?

Joe:

"Something else: "Jackass 2.5" will go from its free streaming direct to DVD. Last time I checked, with perhaps the exception of Disney sequels, direct to DVD usually means bad movie. I've got nothing against this movie (or TV) series. But, again, I ask: Is this announcement something Microsoft really wants to promote."

Excellent point made, I mean of all movies, why this one? Me thinks maybe Microsoft bought the rights dirt cheap? I donno, but there could be a host of other movies or shows for that matter that might of made more of an impact on folks. "Die Hard IV" or "Borne Ultimatum" might of really got my attention.

"Adobe shouldn't let this one go. The "Jackass 2.5" Silverlight streaming is ready-made for FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) counter marketing. Where do you go when you're content is too terrible for Flash? Microsoft's response should be: YouTube."

Another excellent point, my man!

Hey Joe we are talking about Silverlight Streaming and MS's taste on the movie selection here, right?

Because I'm a little confused with Chip and his spamming his agendas here. I mean come on, this article of yours Joe makes no mention of crap like "Firefox 3.0 to Include 'Get Me Outta Here' Malware Protection", "What's good about Vista?
The new system is yet more proof of Microsoft's gift for maximizing profits rather than benefiting users..." and of course, "Inside Windows 7: What We Know So Far..."

Joe, is there some place for Chips to spew out his stuff, you know maybe some sandbox somewhere?

I know I don't have to read his stuff, and I most certainly do not, but the relentless diatribe and maddening tangents causes most readers such as myself to have to scroll, scroll, and scroll passed this to read interesting comments that do have something to do with the topic at hand.

I don't mean to complain, but maybe Chips needs to get his own "Show" somewhere else...

Basically what Mr Taylor is asking for is some kind of censorship here. Specifically against me, because I don't follow his "love for all things Microsoft" type of reasoning. One wonders the motive, but its not important.

Once you start down the road of censorship, it will be hard to draw the line, on what is allowed and what is not. An example would name calling still be allowed, example calling someone a fool or idiot,like Niel favorite terms. How about comments that are so dull and boring like what our esteemed Mr Taylor posts? Shouldn't they be censored too? You see, once started down this road, you may as well stop the comments, and then just close up shop.

Now Mr. Taylor and his fellow Microsofties could just skip over my comments, or post some of their own, but they are afraid that others are reading them, and are worried that they might learn enough to switch over to other software, such as Linux, Mac, OpenOffice, etc. And that is the real reason for their wanting censorship here. The bottom line, as each has their own interests and income in some form or another with Microsoft products.

Chips
No Mr. Taylor is Chips to get his "own" blog done because of how many times he posts here.
There is a stage show here in Australia which is very apt for Chips, it's called "Spamalot" !
If there is anything pro Linux Chips will post it here, if there is anything against microsoft Chips will post it here.
Basically anything that happens Chips will post it here !
On the subject (and not really all on the subject) 7 comments out of 13 !!

Scott Barnes wrote: "I'm no expert, but that sounds like you do have an issue with the content associated to the film?"

Hi, Scott,

I wondered if that YouTube and Flash content statement would make sense. Most YouTube content is distributed in Flash. That's the only point, in a humorous attempt so dry maybe it's a desert (e.g., humorless). Well, no one is going to call me to sub for striking Hollywood writers.

Joe

I do not know if Douglas Taylor is suggesting censorship at all, I think he is suggesting that Chips gets his own blog somewhere else. It's obvious in looking through these articles that Chips is out of control in posting a lot of spam and his own "agenda." I've been reading through a lot of MS Watch's articles and comments and see what Mr. Taylor and others are complaining about in regards to Chips' comments.

I also agree with everyone here in this regards, Chips get your own soapbox somewhere else. Register a domain name, design a website, or get a blog and fume your wares there. If I want to read about how miserable Microsoft is in comparison with Linux that you evangelize about, I'll go there.

I come here to read about what Microsoft is up to and the analysis writen by these journalists in regards to Microsoft itself, not some fanboy fuming on how good their non-microsoft software is. If Linux is so grand, why is it that hardly anyone in the IT world is really using it?