3759319
submission
cheros writes:
OK, the conclusion isn't new, but these people have put some more science behind the conclusion. Key question: will anyone listen?
Patent system needs overhaul , say Swiss researchers.
Markets are much better than patents in stimulating intellectual curiosity and discovery, according to Swiss-led research.
An international team, led by Professor Peter Bossaerts from Lausanne's Federal Institute of Technology, carried out experiments to quantify the ways patent systems and market forces might influence someone to invent and solve intellectual problems.
Their findings were published in the latest issue of the journal Science.
The researchers claim that a market economy, where inventors buy and sell shares of the key elements of their discoveries, beats the winner-takes-all patent system, especially in terms of the number of beneficiaries, levels of collaboration and pace of development.
1164757
submission
Too-late-too-fight-boredom writes:
As I sit watching a 3G iPhone absorb the latest 237.8MB upgrade (that's before unpacking, btw) I realise that here too is really no way of telling just how far it has progressed, and it struck me that I haven't seen a *real* progress bar for quite some time other than, ironically, on the iPhone itself.
Let me define "real": a progress bar that gives me an idea of how far a computer program has progressed during a time consuming (> 30 seconds) task. What I do NOT consider a progress bar:
- one that starts again after it has completed its journey from left to right (a "feature" of most newer installers, probably aimed at users busy)
- an animation that tells me nothing at all — demonstrated by what PC based iTunes shows when it pushes the aforementioned update up the iPhone's rear end.
- one that tells me it needs another 31456 hours and some minutes and then finishes 10 mins later (Vista).
Now, I understand that it's sometimes hard to predict just how long things are going to take, but then maybe an overview bar and one per task would be more informative. It's not like that is a new idea, if I recall correctly that was something used by the Norton Commander. If not, well, look at the Linux Midnight Commander — same idea. Useful.
I've seen enough "keep 'em busy" animation to last me a lifetime, starting with the animated Windows hourglass which mainly appears to suggest that the system you paid for is presently off doing something else like smoking a joint or copying some potentially confidential information, so I really don't need any more of that, thanks.
Just bring back the progress bar, please. I would consider that, umm, well, progress..
1156247
submission
No-more-iPhones writes:
From Apple update: "iPod touch gets better with the App Store, Genius, and other new features. All for just $9.95".
What Apple doesn't mention is that there are also security updates behind this version, see the SANS page, so we are having a first here: Apple has finally gone where even Microsoft didn't dare to venture: charging for security updates.
In principle, this could be construed as someone deliberately selling you a defective product to later charge you for fixing it, and that's going to be very interesting with respect to the trading laws I know in most countries. Countdown to formal complaints starts now..
Oh, for the record: I couldn't care less about the "Genius" feature that appears to be the argument for the charge. I spend most of my time switching off all the electronic nannying I'm subjected to (including online spell checks) because they interrupt me when I can least use it. I use computers as tools, not babysitters.
I would like to thank Apple for providing me more ammunition to keep their phone of the list of approved corporate phones. I'm glad we barred it from day one.
606094
submission
cheros writes:
Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan has posted a video on YouTube asking for people to send in stereotypes.
Her aim is to start a dialogue (which is IMHO long overdue) to address the impression people have of the Arab world and Islam.
It's a brave start of an uphill struggle, she has decades of propaganda and biased reporting to undo..
243699
submission
cheros writes:
I don't think this needs any further comment. The accidental synchronisation provides for interestng highlights:
Senate passes Bush-backed spy bill
Mugabe approves surveillance law
So, what do you think? Is it time to update the Wikipedia entry on Direct Democracy?
159447
submission
cheros writes:
The BBC has an article about mobile use of Ubuntu
From the article:
Linux evolves for mobile devices
A version of the increasingly popular Linux operating system Ubuntu will be developed for use on net-enabled phones and devices.
The Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded project aims to create the open source platform for initial release in October 2007.
The operating system will be developed by members of the Ubuntu community, along with staff from chip giant Intel.
Well, I personally wouldn't mind a Linux phone so I can finally ditch Windows based sync software..
157009
submission
cheros writes:
At Tux 500 someone is trying to get enough money together to sponsor a Linux logo'd car in the Indie 500. It seems to be aiming for a lot of money (min $25k) for creating Linux awareness, and has so far apparently collected $11k .. $12k.
However, is this really a good use of community money or is this blatant opportunism to sponsor a hobby? A discussion at YouTube seems to throw a handful of nuts in the gearbox of this prospective event.
I don't think it's a scam, but the whole idea doesn't seem so bright after reading the YouTube comments.
What is your opinion? Good idea, nice try or contribution scam?
147505
submission
cheros writes:
Just when you thought the horror had died down, Mattel has come up with a new ploy to sell its view of fashion to impressionable young girls. The franchise continues with an MP3 equipped Barbie, and to make matter worse, they have created a 'safe' internet portal to go with it.
The idea of a safe location for children to communicate is OK-ish, I guess (I just wonder how they're even going to learn about the threats 'out there' to prevent a default lack of wariness, but I digress), but there are two amusing revelation there: it appears the perfect Barbie wannabee only needs a vocabulary of about 2000 words (actually, that shouldn't really come as a surprise), and Britney has apparently "imploded".
Good news all around then :-)
Oh, and for the record, I was looking at the Sony video sharing article when I spotted the link, I don't go out of my way to visit Barbie sites :-). That's my story and I'll stick to it ..
128869
submission
cheros writes:
I just happened to check on a domain name to see if it was de-registered, and much to my surprise I ended up on an alike sounding domain name at Network Solutions. I then just typed a totally random domain name (yaboo1234.com), did a quick whois (just to be safe) and got nil back.
Yet, entering this in Firefox I end up at GoDaddy who tells me that they have kindly parked the domain — which is very evident nonsense.
Now, I may have missed this, but wasn't this supposed to be a Very Bad Idea? And if so, where is it implemented — at browser (works in both IE and Firefox), OS, ISP or DNS?
= Ch =
