The end of MP3s?

A federal jury in San Diego has ordered Microsoft to pay $1.5 billion to Alcatel-Lucent in a patent dispute over MP3 audio technology used in Windows.

In its verdict, the jury assessed damages based on each Windows PC sold since May 2003. The case could have broader implications, should Alcatel-Lucent pursue claims against other companies that use the widespread MP3 technology.

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and
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Scores of technology companies, including Apple, Intel and Texas Instruments, license the MP3 technology, according to Thomson's MP3licensing.com. An Apple representative declined to comment on the verdict.

This will certainly play out to be an interesting episode.

What do you all think?

Microsoft hit with $1.5 billion patent verdict | Tech News on ZDNet

And this is only NOW on the front pages?

This has been available to terrorists for some years, however, the difficulty in transporting any nuclear material has made this an unpopular choice.

However, when you take into account the lack of control this country has on it's borders, it's a wonder why this hasn't happened yet...

If illegal drugs can move into our country, why can't nuclear, biological, and/or chemical weapons?

Wouldn't a city like LA make a nice target? Mix up some Sarin, Anthrax, and some dirty nuke, to make it a trifecta?

But hey, that's my 2¢, YMMV.

Reuters AlertNet - Nuclear terrorism risk grows more real - analysts

Decius wrote:
Hey, I know that bar tender! But, why, WHY is the press still saying things like this:

There are still lingering questions as to what threats they may have posed.

No there aren't you idiots!

If there WERE a threat, would
Ebay allow them to be
sold?

RE: mooninites in atlanta

The message is clear. Get out while you can. Microsoft's only interest is to empty your pockets and keep your computer hostage. It wants to turn computing into a monopoly content distribution channel and sell you to the highest bidder. Choose freedom and switch to Free/Open-source software.

This article simply confirms my belief that Microsoft is the devil. I love what Wombat told me... "Asta la 'Vista'"... I'm on to ubuntu.

A dystopian future - looking beyond Windows Vista

The industry needs to recognize that it'll be impossible to stop piracy. The more complex, innovative, or intricate the content protection system, the more interest and zeal crackers will have in subverting such protection. If the US was unable to keep nuclear weapons technology secret after WW2, there is no way the MPAA can ask consumer electronics companies to keep movies and music 100% secure, especially when the whole intent of music/movies is to be seen and heard.

This is a very well written article and one that I agree with...

DRM in the BitTorrent and Broadband Age

Dagmar wrote:

Decius wrote:

Bomb units scrambled across Boston and Somerville today to investigate several suspicious devices.

"It's a hoax -- and it's not funny," Gov. Deval Patrick said.

This is an extremely serious situation," former FBI Director Bill Gavin told FOX News during the investigation.

"Whoever did this — whether it be kids or adults — if they think it's funny, I think they'll soon learn it's not that much of a humorous situation."

What a bunch of idiots!

It gets worse. The stupid has spread to other cities now.

I love it...

From one of the articles: "It said the devices have been in place for two to three weeks in 10 cities: Boston; New York; Los Angeles; Chicago; Atlanta; Seattle; Portland, Ore.; Austin, Texas; San Francisco; and Philadelphia."

So, why does boston lose their mind? Because they're STUPID, look at the other cities....

New York = Understand Lights aren't bombs, thowies have been used in NY before.

Los Angeles = They needed the extra lights, so they didn't complain.

Chicago = the wind blew them all away, no one cared...

Atlanta = thought it was part of the rap scene, so it was cool yo'

Seattle = thought they were "floaties" in their eyes from drinking too much coffee

Portland = thought they were cool... and simply tuned into Adult Swim

Austin = thought they were part of the music scene, and played on.

San Fran = didn't even notice them.

Philadelphia = see Los Angeles.

Boston = With all their drinking and lack of thought, leapt to the conclusion that they looked like old IRA bombs, and freaked out.

RE: cbs4boston.com - Hoax Devices Creating Gridlock In Boston

And yet another loss of privacy, without so much as a whimper from anyone...

I can't believe it...

So much the better for using encryption, obfuscation, and one-time pads (all in combination) for securing email...

The Postal Accountability and Enforcement Act had a signing statement attached to it that said, "The white house believes the postal law has always given the president the right to open the mail, in quote, exigent circumstances."

This is a radical departure to our constitutional rights, and should be raised to the highest level of challenge, so that the President and the Attorney General would have to follow the current laws that require a warrant to open mail... not just anytime they "feel" threatened...

NPR : Federal Government Can Now Open Citizens' Mail

Finally, there is a company who knows that even if you don't like guns in your home, it pays to be prepared, Just In Case [zombies attack]--the new JIC M500 Cruiser, and the JIC M500 Mariner.

Both kits come in a watertight sealed tube containing a 12-gauge Mossberg 500 pump action shotgun, packed sealed in a watertight bag, just to be safe, and include various accessories like a multi-tool and a survival kit in a can (which oddly, contains not a single hand-grenade).

I am DEFINITELY buying the JIC500 Mariner! That's awesome!

The new Mossberg JIC M500 line

I'm a very excited. After a good year, I finally bought myself a new GPS unit, for the car, walking, and all around general use.

I ordered the Garmin Nuvi 660, and can't wait to get my hands on it.

(btw, if you're interested, I received this unit for under $750, and can get you in touch with my reseller)

nüvi 660 Features:

* Receiver: high-sensitivity WAAS-capable GPS receiver by SiRF
* Display: 4.3 diagonal, 480 x 272 pixels; WQVGA TFT landscape display, with white back-light and touch screen
* Unit dimensions: 4.9”W x 2.9”H x 0.9” D (12.4 x 7.4 x 2.3 cm)
* Weight: 6.2 oz. (190 g)
* Battery life: 3 to 7 hours
* Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling
* FM transmitter (U.S., Australia and New Zealand only)
* Alerts for traffic, road construction and weather-related tie-ups. nüvi 660 uses data to suggest alternate routes before problems are encountered
* Includes Garmin Lock™, an anti-theft feature
* Voice announces streets by name
* Preloaded maps for all of North America or Europe
* Fingertip touch-screen interface
* Look up addresses and points of interest
* Choose 2D or 3D map perspective
* Upload custom POIs, including alerts for speed zones and safety cams
* Built in Travel Kit includes MP3 player with sample MPs, audio books, picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters, calculator and more
* Add optional software such as Travel and Language Guides to personalize nüvi
* SD memory card expansion slot
* USB interface for loading data

New Toy on the way!!!

School headmaster Chamnong Chupatpong and Mano Sonkaew were driving a pickup truck on their way to Ban Baedo school in Yala province when they were shot, dragged out of the vehicle and burned to death, according to a witness, Lt. Tatsapol Suwannabul said.

And here we're worried about textbook stickers.

Of course we're worried about textbook stickers, because they undermine our rich southern heritage, like inbreeding, pushing religion on everyone that will and won't listen, and calling everyone that isn't southern, a "yahnkee".

To say that the south, and even the rest of this country, is blissfully ignorant of everything outside of their finely tuned myopia, would be an understatement.

Muslim rebels in southern Thailand target school teachers