Category: Random

Microsoft and Online Storage

Carl Setzer

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/333748_software01.html

 

This move by Microsoft is, to me, a clever and well timed one. Yes, it’s a bit lacking when you consider that one can’t edit the documents without Office, but excellent when you consider that they’re trying to expand, not cannibalize themselves. And, I do believe, that the ability to edit online, independent of having Office software on a particular computer, will be forthcoming. They’re staying relevant, but not jumping too hard on the cutting edge, which is a good way to bleed.

 

Want

Carl Setzer

It would be interesting, indeed, to figure out if there is simply enough on this planet. If we flattened the income curve, would we eliminate want? This would answer a critical question about the sustainability of our current system, as well as question the morality of our system.

My believe is that, in this circumstance, want would be eliminated. When you hear statements like "the cost of one long-range bomber would feed all the world’s hungry", it gives great credence to this vision. What such a mechanism would look like has yet to be fully visualized, at least in a way that doesn’t mandate violent redistribution. Unless one considers the ideologies of Christ, Buddha, and the like.

» Everything you’ve read about Vista DRM is wrong (Part 1) | Ed Bott’s Microsoft Report | ZDNet.com

Carl Setzer

» Everything you’ve read about Vista DRM is wrong (Part 1) | Ed Bott’s Microsoft Report | ZDNet.com

It’s interesting how the blogosphere has gone rather nuts with Vista. It’s a significant upgrade to the major operating system and will have some “issues”. Personally, I don’t tend to upgrade until I need to. Whether it’s driver issues, no new software (or some piece of software that I want) is issued for the OS, it’s what’s installed on computers when my machines tanks, or some other such thing. I enjoy the Mac OS, but have a Compaq that I’ve been using quite happily for about 2 years (the best Wintel machine I’ve ever had, though awfully heavy nowadays).

Anyway, I’ve heard some of this stuff over the past few months and haven’t given it too much thought. It seems rather outlandish to me. However, it’s apparent that quite a few folks have taken these “issues” with Vista DRM to extremes. Mr. Bott does a nice job deconstructing this one.

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Burmese military threatens monks

Carl Setzer

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Burmese military threatens monks

As understandable as the energy surrounding Ahmadinejad’s speech at Columbia, the chain of events in Myanmar is much more compelling to me. The steady escalation has me convinced that we face one of two outcomes: another fierce crackdown by the junta, or their overthrow. And, it’s quite possible that a display of intense brutality could very well precipitate the collapse of the regime. Very tense times for a regime that might be a much better fit for the title “evil” leveled against Iran.

Thought of the day

Carl Setzer

Do you remember when beaming addresses was going to replace business cards? The delights of the original Palm. Of course, some would say that Google is about to do the same thing, but I doubt it. It’s too hard to sift the “wheat from the chaff”.

Quote of the Day

Carl Setzer

"The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them." — George Orwell

 

It’s frightening, at times, how relevant Orwell is currently. The man was amazingly prescient. It still amazes me how little his concerns have been heeded. Some find great comfort in the idea of a huge, omnipresent government. One irony is that this is true for many on either ideological extreme. Of course, for these folks, a large, deeply monitoring government is exactly what we need to ensure adherence to their brand of morality. If this government were to adopt the philosophies of their opposition, then it’s intrusive.