Why does it have to be superior? Maybe it's just simply as good as something else. A different method. It's better for some organizations and not so much for others.

My opinion:

1. No one will read those emails / status updates, eventually. After reading 3 or 4 updates from the other team and realizing I have no interest in what they're doing, I'll never read another. Even though 4 weeks from now, they're going to get a new project or come across an issue I can offer some help/insight on.

2. Public speaking time is important is some organizations. Can I say what needs to be said in 60 seconds or so? Am I bumbling moron or making shit up as I go because the real brains on the project isn't here today?

If done correctly and kept focused without turning into a "meeting", then I see the benefit. It may not exist for all organizations, though.

-John

Why should there have to be deals made to watch Internet content on a box connected to my TV?

I think that method is different from what's in the "patent." It says "modifying the corresponding application user interface to include a switch application icon that is not displayed in the corresponding application user interface when there is no ongoing phone call." So as long as you don't modify the UI of the actual application that's running and make it different from when there is no phone call, it should be safe. Changing something in the permanent notification tray or a change in a "home" row of icons to return to the call is different from the patented method, I think.

Still a stupid patent, though. The specific implementation should be protected by copyright so that others have to write their own implementation.

-John

I see two extra lines of text on the Slashdot homepage when comparing Firefox to Chrome. Assuming FF3.x gives you the same "benefit" at the risk of eventually losing security updates and features, I just don't see it.

I'm not trying to get anyone to switch to anything... use what you want.

A hero would have exposed corruption, wrongdoing, etc. and not just released a database hoping others would figure it all out. The hero in this scenario would have no need to be anonymous.

Where did you get the idea that this is all a show from? It's as much a trial as it would be in the civilian system. If there is any prejudgement, it's wrong. I can't say whether this exact trial will be fair or not, but it is supposed to be.

Damn programs wanting to use CPU time! Unforgivable!!

People getting all bent over UIs is always funny to me. I could care less where the address bar or tabs are. Nearly all of my time is spent reading whatever is in the browser window, so why should I care about tab/address locations?

I find the same hilarity in people bitching and moaning about Unity. Again, nearly ALL of my time is spent in an application. I only interface with Unity to start the damn thing...

I realize that there are many other use cases and specific UI elements can cause issues for people even though I don't experience them... but vague wining about UI or Unity make me chuckle... Plus all you normally hear is bitching, so I like to throw out a "I don't care if it changed" voice every now and then.

The idea is obvious since it's exactly what you or I would do as we read through a text document. Oh, there's a phone number, let me store/dial/copy it. This "invention" just automates everything and adds the typical "on a computer" or "on the internet" clause. It's not a novel combination of prior actions.

The actual code, algorithms, modules, etc. used to implement this on a computer, phone, PDA, etc. would (and should) be protected by copyright. There is no "invention" to patent, though.

The novel part is Apple gives you MULTIPLE options based on the data... not just a dialer-app!