Tuesday, November 20, 2001

>>>> Here are a couple of things to turn off in your Microsoft media player on XP (so much for the freedoms we thought we were going to get via the Internet).  Select tools > options: 1) uncheck "allow Internet sites to uniquely identify your player" and 2) "acquire licenses automatically" This sucks. 6:08:07 PM    Comment_ Trackback []

>>>> Celebrity blogmatch.  Although I don't have celebrity in this particular community, I probably have as many major media quotes as any of the potential contenders (which should qualify me for entry).  Anyone want to take me on?   You pick the topic (within reason) and let the contest begin.  This is great:  online mind vs. online mind. 5:49:30 PM    Comment_ Trackback []

>>>> I think that recent moves by the White House to consolidate power depicts a trend line that is profoundly anti-historical.   Let's examine each: 1) Constitutional power.  The White House has arrogated to itself powers once reserved for the Congress and the judiciary.  2) Control over the Internet.  Richard Clarke is spear-heading a move to create an alternative Internet, controlled by a cyber-czar.  This government owned network will soon become the required place for all secure transactions, impoverishing the current Internet. 3) Control over information.  The DoJ's moves to quickly exonerate Microsoft of wrong-doing point to a backroom deal where Microsoft will function as a surrogate of the US government.  In this role Microsoft will provide the Government with the means to collect information from any desktop or network worldwide.  This move also gives Microsoft the green light to radically expand its franchise to all facets of the economy, which will over time effectively make it more powerful than a European state. This consolidation runs counter to the over-arching historical trend towards the decentralization of power and control to individuals.  It is also going on during a time of economic (we are close to a depression in the US) and national (our Asymmetric War) crisis that serve to divert our attention.    11:02:11 AM    Comment_ Trackback []

>>>> Washington Post.  Bush White House grabs new powers.  New moves to grab power from Congress and the judiciary make Bush the most powerful President since FDR.  Wow.  9:31:56 AM    Comment_ Trackback []

>>>> Newsbytes.  Microsoft offers to pay the legal fees of the 9 states that oppose the settlement. 9:28:12 AM    Comment_ Trackback []

>>>> WSJ.  Microsoft to settle 100 private anti-trust suits against it through a give-away of computers to poor schools. ""According to lawyers and others briefed on the deal, Microsoft would provide software valued at about $900 million over five years to schools where most students qualify for free federal lunch programs. Microsoft also would be responsible for making available 200,000 reconditioned computers and laptop computers during that period, $90 million in teacher training and $38 million in technical support. It would provide as much as $250 million to set up an independent foundation to meet project goals, and would seek an additional $200 million in matching funds.""  Funny, this is probably going to hurt Apple, which has focused on educational sales over the last several years.  9:23:21 AM    Comment_ Trackback []