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Microsoft Is Officially Out of Ideas
The Motley Fool ^ | May 29, 2008 | Anders Bylund

Posted on 05/29/2008 2:59:05 PM PDT by HAL9000

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To: joebuck
I would bet almost 90% of that number came installed with new computers manufactured by companies which really had no choice.

But don't you know that means that Vista has the marketshare over XP? And as we all know, marketshare equals superior product.

41 posted on 05/29/2008 9:42:32 PM PDT by MichiganMan (So you bought that big vehicle and now want to whine about how much it costs to fill it? Seriously?)
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To: msnpatriot
How to I transfer the administrator programs over to the standard user. I tried to change the standard account to administrator temporarily, but it changed back itself to standard.

Create a new administrator account. Use that for updates, software installations, etc. Then change your old administrator account, the one with all your docs, email settings, internet access, and stuff, into a standard account.

42 posted on 05/29/2008 10:31:19 PM PDT by Swordmaker (Remember, the proper pronunciation of IE is "AAAAIIIIIEEEEEEE!)
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To: Kleon
Apple didn't invent touch screen devices with the iPhone. Besides, Microsoft has been providing support for touch screen in its tablet PC OS's for years.

Touch screen is not the technology being demonstrated by Microsoft or that is already being shipped by Apple. It is Multi-touch, the ability of the screen to sense and react to multiple contacts at the same time. Apple holds the patent on that.

43 posted on 05/29/2008 10:37:28 PM PDT by Swordmaker (Remember, the proper pronunciation of IE is "AAAAIIIIIEEEEEEE!)
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To: HAL9000
Microsoft has ceased innovation and is content to rip off others ideas. That's what happens when you become a monopoly.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

44 posted on 05/30/2008 6:33:49 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: Swordmaker
Touch screen is not the technology being demonstrated by Microsoft or that is already being shipped by Apple. It is Multi-touch, the ability of the screen to sense and react to multiple contacts at the same time. Apple holds the patent on that.

They should sue Microsoft then, and put Google on notice their new Android phone can't have those features either. At least that's my understanding of what patents are for, unless there's a cross-patent license or other agreement that's more important. Companies and groups that innovate should be protected and nurtured, while those that duplicate protected technologies should have to wait a lawful time or face penalty.

45 posted on 05/30/2008 7:29:00 AM PDT by Golden Eagle
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To: Golden Eagle

So far, there is not much to sue over on either potential product. Neither is shipping and Apple may be negotiating to license the patents.


46 posted on 05/30/2008 8:13:15 AM PDT by Swordmaker (Remember, the proper pronunciation of IE is "AAAAIIIIIEEEEEEE!)
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To: goldstategop
Microsoft has ceased innovation...

They would have actually had to have innovated in the first place in order to cease.

47 posted on 05/30/2008 8:20:12 AM PDT by Knitebane (Happily Microsoft free since 1999.)
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To: Libertarianize the GOP
When did Microsoft ever have and idea that they didn't steal or maybe buy from the innovators in the industry?

Few ideas are completely in a vacuum, but Microsoft has added great value to some ideas. Right off the top of my head they produced the first decent mouse, and Photosynth takes VR photography to a whole new level (I've done VR photos, it was never this cool and easy).

48 posted on 05/30/2008 9:00:55 AM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: HAL9000

49 posted on 05/30/2008 9:48:06 AM PDT by Michael Barnes
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To: Swordmaker
So far, there is not much to sue over on either potential product. Neither is shipping and Apple may be negotiating to license the patents.

Good points. Licensing is definitely the way to go, in this case Microsoft should license the patent if they have not already done so, and Apple should be allowed to charge whatever they want for it. Wonder what, if any, agreements currently exist between the two, any idea?

Often such information is very difficult to obtain, even when actual partnerships are publicly announced, but surely they have met and have some sort of agreement. The ultimate conspiracy theory is there's a full partnership, but that's not one I believe, and the exact state of the relationship is always something of great speculation. I'd say if Apple is doing most of the innovating, they should be reaping most of the profits, and if others such as Microsoft want to use the same patented features they should be paying a royalty. If they're not, why isn't Apple asking for it?

50 posted on 05/30/2008 10:12:08 AM PDT by Golden Eagle
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To: antiRepublicrat
Right off the top of my head they produced the first decent mouse, and Photosynth takes VR photography to a whole new level (I've done VR photos, it was never this cool and easy).

Microsoft's first mice were not noticeably different from Genius mice and the optical technology was acquired from Agilent Systems.

Photosynth was developed by Seadragon Software and acquired by Microsoft in 2005.

Microsoft is magnificent in leveraging their considerable war chest to buy innovation and putting on a fresh layer of shrinkwrap.

51 posted on 06/18/2008 9:26:21 AM PDT by Knitebane (Happily Microsoft free since 1999.)
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To: Knitebane

I tried Genius mice, and they weren’t as good. I also tried optical mice, but up to that point I remember them requiring a special mouse pad that had markings the mouse could pick up. The Intellimouse was still the first really good mouse I ever used.

Didn’t know that about Photosynth though.


52 posted on 06/18/2008 12:32:54 PM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: antiRepublicrat
I also tried optical mice, but up to that point I remember them requiring a special mouse pad that had markings the mouse could pick up.

Yep. Sun boxes had optical mice for a long time but you needed a special mouse pad.

The Intellimouse was still the first really good mouse I ever used.

I use Microsoft mice. I like them. But Microsoft didn't invent it. They, as per usual, acquired the technology elsewhere.

53 posted on 06/18/2008 12:37:05 PM PDT by Knitebane (Happily Microsoft free since 1999.)
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