This seems like beating a dead horse, but I'll do it again...

Microsoft provides toolkit for Office 2003 to open MS 2007/2010 formatted files. (Without buying an upgrade).

Here is the link.

While I admit to being a bit jealous (since I live in Jacksonville-Camp Lejeune), this is very cool. What is the average bandwidth speed of this "super-wifi", just curious?

Perhaps you haven't seen shares of Berkshire Hathaway. Apple is a mere raindrop in the bucket to some investors.

I'm certain they probably regret that action.

Just out of curiosity (since I don't really care either way personally), why is DRM bad?

I understand the technical limitations it imposes on various groups, however if we consider that without it, content (in general) will be forced to go down in price which means less pay for the creators; due to the fact most people will just "share it" rather than purchase it. And considering that the creation of content is a real investment (i.e. cost) what would be the incentive to create it, since time and equipment and support all cost money?

I'm just trying to get my head around this, so any answers would be appreciated.

"Make your software send it..."

And make sure you let your users know that it will send you this information; too many times people start screaming crazyiness like "spyware, malware, etc." without understanding what it is that the program is sending. So inform your users first.

This reminds me of an Edding's book I read once, "Guardians of the West" where the lead character started playing around with the weather (to prove a point to some very inept thinking people). Several months later his grandfather comes to his castle, and virtually berates him for tampering with the "most powerful force in nature".

Somehow I think this very fitting considering (1) this is China we're talking about and (2) anyone (including the US) who plays around weather is virtually certain to cause an adverse effect somewhere else. So please DO NOT TAMPER WITH THE WEATHER!!.

Thanks. :)

"And you've got the cream of the crop of thieves reporting in here...let's see...real-estate agents...car salesmen....home contractors....all we're missing are some dead-end charities and a handful of political operatives, and that money will be gone"

Kinda stereotyping there dont'cha think? Not that there is not unscrupulous individuals in any profession; but only a foolish businessman does not plan for potential customers (especially ones who soon will or may have the cash to afford your products and services).

Its called "firing a customer" and it makes perfect sense. If the customer is not profitable and cannot be made to become profitable, why keep them as a customer? Basic cost accounting there.

Fair enough, I did not read the analysis by NMap, I admit that. :) Not understanding the stupid part or the seething hate but that's a different story.

Having read the analysis and then went perusing though CNet, I found this interesting bit on the vendor upload side: CNET DOWNLOAD.COM INSTALLER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

See Stumbles, rather than just assume that CNet had an altruistic reason for providing a software repository, I assumed there would be a catch (in life there ALWAYS is a catch). In this case they clearly provide to both end-user and vendor the reason for the installer and the foreknowledge that they will be adding a piece of pre-screened software along with the install.

So in this case, the vendor, NMap, perhaps should have read the terms and conditions a bit more carefully. I know I certainly do before I enter any transaction.

I understand the sentiments, but I'm curious as to why some (most it seems) feel that the repository should not add the wrapper software (which they don't charge the end-user, the ultimate customer I believe)?

Software creator is getting market exposure....This is good.
End User gets the software they want for little to no charge...This is good too.
CNet gets to make some money for hosting / providing a repository of software...Also good.

So if everybody wins, where is the downside, lol?