Posted on 04/05/2006 8:39:22 AM PDT by luthers_inkwell
At http://www.no-lobbyists-as-such.com/florian-mueller-blog/ballmer-linux/ we're reminded that Microsoft wants Linux dead. Ballmer is once again making noise about patents.
Unfortunately, Microsoft likely does have patents it could use against Linux. IBM can probably be replied upon to fight back on the side of Linux with its own patents - supposedly they've called Microsoft patent bluffs in the past just by pointing out that they also have stacks of patents and idle lawyers ready to look for violations by Windows code. However, Microsoft might now be willing to risk the battle.
Microsoft is not in a happy place right now. Vista is delayed, and both Apple and Linux are gnawing at its toes. The increasing interest in virtualization and particularly in package/OS bundling like VMware Player is a bumpy road for Microsoft because of OS licensing. Microsoft doesn't want its OS sales pirated, but it doesn't want to miss out on that market either. Linux apps can be shipped with a free OS; Microsoft apps cannot.
(Excerpt) Read more at aplawrence.com ...
Well, way back in the Dark Ages when I was in a high school choir, our director was known for doing exactly that. Maybe I've come to accept that as normal for some people. :-)
Typical bunk from those that side with Richard Stallman and his goal to destroy all US software patents, as evidenced by an article in Business Week today about a guy who sued IBM for patent infringement and won.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/bw/20060405/bs_bw/tc20060404780606
It's nothing new with this pack, they're completely devoted to anything "open source" or anti-patent, as championed by that radical leftist Richard Stallman who is behind 75 percent of all open source software and works closely with the UN to spread it in place of US commercial products like Windows.
Here's his site, if you want a glimpse at his political notes and articles, search for his picture somewhere if you truly want to see how whacked out some of these leftists are.
http://www.stallman.org
Nice to see that after our last discussion on the subject you've restricted your statement to software patents. It was so hard to get you to take that one simple step.
Let's rephrase that goal: To return the status of software patents to what it was before the judiciary forced the USPTO to start granting them.
Your link doesn't work.
I know. That was in no way a shot at you. Just pointing out the confusion of multiple Steves and Allens and all that.
Plus, Steve Allen rocks!
That ususally hasn't been an issue for them. Why should they care now?
I apologize for bristling. You're right about Mr. Allen. :)
Incorrect. His license is behind a majority of open source projects (if you count by pure numbers and don't mind that most are beta and below). He is behind a relatively small number of popular software tools.
And, Todd, don't let our resident troll suck you in with guilt by association. Whatever lies he may spew, our posting histories show condemnation for Stallman's radical left politics.
I believe Microsoft made a big shift (positive and admirable IMHO) a while back and is trying to do the right thing and release a major version of Windows that is stable from release. Vista would have been out last year if Microsoft were playing its old games.
You don't think that patents in general and software patents in particular are out of control? The patent system in the United States is broken.
So, are you trying to say that E. Pluribus Unum, who posted the original article, is rabidly "open source" and "anti patent", because he posts an article that's less that complimentary of Bill Gates?
Sorry about the link, not easy working from a cellphone. Here's the story in BW from today, which shows you can take on IBM et al with patent suits and win.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/bw/20060405/bs_bw/tc20060404780606
So much for your claim they can't, and of course, you oppose all software patents in perfect lockstep with Stallman.
You got that right. Did you hear about Netflix suing Blockbuster because they want to use the same business method as Netflix?
"Blockbuster has been willfully and deliberately copying Netflix's business methods," Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey was quoted by the AP as saying.
http://www.forbes.com/2006/04/05/netflix-blockbuster-lawsuit-cx_gl_0405autofacescan08.html
Apparently, Netflix holds patents for it's "business methodology'. Stupid.
Our high school band director was too...hmmm.
Wonder why it's always the music people?
Well, he has been pushing open source around here for years, so yeah, probably so.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/803506/posts
"Nice to see that after our last discussion on the subject you've restricted your statement to software patents."
I'll add it to the lie list!
He's posted less often on the tech threads than you have...
If anybody here fits the adjective "rabid", it would be you.
Still no-go.
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