Slashback: IEEE, Liquid, Swings

Slashback this evening brings you updates on silly patents, closer-to-mainstream watercooling for your desktop, the IEEE's publication rules, and more. Read on below for the details.

IEEE v. DMCA. Reacting to the IEEE's changing publication rules, Boone^ writes: "The IEEE has backed away from their stance that all papers submitted must comply with the DMCA. Their reason? 'The IEEE, publisher of nearly one-third of all computer science journals, said it is removing the requirement because it turned out to be more contentious than expected.' Personally I'd have preferred their reason to be based on the law instead of popular backlash, but maybe that's a step in the right direction to eventually bring about new legislation."

Many readers also pointed out this New Scientist story on the reversal.

Free as in Blender? tinus writes: "Ton Roosendaal, creator of Blender, submitted an update to Elysiun.com about finding solutions for continueing activities of the Blender projects. He describes the way Blender has been split up into smaller projects to make it both profitable as public domain software. Also, he gives us a preview of his setup for his new community plan, which even mentions 'Blender sources will be opened for members.'

Seems like there is a very promising future for Blender after all. Read the full story here."

Water meets your processor. Foss writes "You may remember this story about the dodgy-yet-extremely-cheap DIY water cooling block. Well, thanks to all your emails, Rob's getting better. It's still extremely cheap (under £10), but it's now pretty stable too, running a P3 933@1.1GHz for a few hours at a very stable 28 degrees. No dental floss this time round either!"

But don't worry, all the other patents issued were A-OK. Worried about getting slapped with a lawsuit for swinging different? f00zbll writes: "Cnet is running an follow up article on the patent posted earlier in the week. Apparently, the kid doesn't plan on suing anyone over swinging side ways."

We're here to save you money, Ma'am. Now, where do you keep it? guttentag writes "The NYTimes (reg req'd) is reporting on a MS and Mexico plan to develop digital community centers as part of a broader 'eMexico' initiative meant to bring the entire nation online by 2006. Microsoft will license its Windows, Office and Encarta software on the same terms that colleges and universities use. Some background: Microsoft's licensing deal with the University System of Maryland resulted in a mandatory $14 Microsoft tax imposed on all 130,000 students. Apparently, if you want to attend one of MD's taxpayer-funded university, you must pay MS. Is eMexico Microsoft's plan to tax Mexican citizens?" Hope they keep their licenses up -- Virginia Beach's taxpayers got to foot a city-size bill. The tab in Texas wasn't low either. What would it look like for all of Mexico?

swinging sideways

[frankmu]

i'm so glad that i can now go to the playground and not have to police my son.... that kid in wisconsin is very generous.

IEEE issues

[El_Nofx]

One of my professors was talking about the problems with the IEEE and the DMCA, he is a fellow in the IEEE too, head of the EE department at my college. He was definitely against it.

The fact that he has about 20 gigs of Divx movies on his laptop he brings to class might have something to do with it.

Next on the patent list

[KeatonMill]

Swinging upside-down, swinging standing up, swinging both ways, swinging both ways at ONCE, swinging with another person, using two swings, swinging without hands, swinging without feet, and finally, swinging with a brainless parent. What kind of parent actually files a patent, to teach about the patent process? That's like taking your kid to the bedroom with you and your wife (husband) to teach him/her about the birds and the bees!

pantalla azul de la muerte

[Anonymous Coward]

The subject is what the fish gave me for
"Blue Screen of Death" in Spanish.

Re:swinging sideways

[Anonymous Coward]

Saint Paul is not in Wisconsin.

The kid may be 5, but 20 years later....

[DraconPern]

Message for kids, 20 years from now... Kids everywhere, beware of a 25 year old man who will sue you for swinging sideways. Add your allowance to the 'Free Swing Fund' and defend your rights.

Re:Next on the patent list

[TeknoHog]

Swinging upside-down, swinging standing up, swinging both ways, swinging both ways at ONCE, swinging with another person, using two swings, swinging without hands, swinging without feet, and finally, swinging with a brainless parent. What kind of parent actually files a patent, to teach about the patent process? That's like taking your kid to the bedroom with you and your wife (husband) to teach him/her about the birds and the bees!

I wouldn't be surprised if the father actually did the latter.. especially if he's a swinger.

Business process patent

[ppanon]

Since in the US you can patent something as long as you file the application within 1 year of publication, I think somebody should file a patent on hijacking planes to use them for building demolition. There's still a few months left in which to do it. That way if somebody actually manages to pull off another grab & crash, you could sue their families for patent infringement and recover any money that Saddam Hussein is paying suicide terrorists. I'm afraid it wouldn't work for suicide bombers in Israel. Firstly, there's lots of prior art and, secondly, the US is probably the only country that provides the 1 year grace period.

If asked why you didn't publish and kept it as a trade secret, well the latest rash of copycat planes crashing into buildings should make the answer obvious: the public safety interest. It also indicates that this could become quite a lucrative patent in the future.

Re:Next on the patent list

[ahaning]

swinging both ways at ONCE

Do you mean, like, a quantum swing? Where you're not swinging forwards or backwards, but both simultaneously?

I can't wait to try one of those!

Re:MS Software cheap

[Stephen VanDahm]

At my school (which shall remain nameless), we the students can get MS software for only a small fee: basically the cost of the media. This is due, I'm sure, to Microsoft's academic volume license agreement...and you've got to admit, it's a damn good deal for us students.

At my school (which shall remain nameless), we the students can get MS software totally for free. This is due, I'm sure, to the big-ass w4r3z server run by the l33t h4x0r d00d down the hall. You've got to admit, it's a damn good deal for us students.

Only kidding,

Steve

Blue visualization of the inoperative women

[BLAMM!]

And this subject is what Lost in Translation [tashian.com] comes up with.