Linus Torvalds: patents "have no real value"; Microsoft is "convicted monopolist"Wow, Linus Torvalds of Linux fame was really dishing and dealing during a podcast interview released today by the Linux Foundation.On our Open Source blog my colleague Paula Rooney shares with my longtime friend and colleague Dana Blankenhorn, Paula posts some juicy let 'er rip quotes from my fellow Portlander Linus.February 4, 2008 by Russell Shaw in Enterprise Software
Here's the SECRET number for Comcast's National Support Desk: It's 1-888...First of all, if you publish a "secret," is it still a "secret?" I mean, is Victoria's Secret a secret still?February 4, 2008 by Russell Shaw in Developer
Collaboration-over-Skype tool now officially certifiedCheck out Skype Journal's Jim Courtney's extensive test drive of Yugma SE Team Collaboration. This Web-based utility is the most newly certified Skype Extra.February 4, 2008 by Russell Shaw in Social Media
Hey, Steve Jobs, since the economy sux, why not a $699 MacBook?Our own Tom Krazit notes a MacRumors posting using screenshots reportedly from Best Buy's inventory system to point to a $1,999 MacBook Pro arriving at Best Buy in mid-February.The airtightness of such a clue-hypothesis-conclusion chain is far from certain.February 4, 2008 by Russell Shaw in Apple
These three Flickr images sum up some users' opinion of any Yahoo-Microsoft dealIf, as Wired.com blogger Scott Gilbertson notes, you go to Yahoo!February 1, 2008 by Russell Shaw in Microsoft
Poll: Should Microsoft acquisition of Yahoo be allowed?Microsoft's efforts to acquire Yahoo! will receive regulatory examination like few other deals in corporate history.February 1, 2008 by Russell Shaw in Social Media
Yahoo chair Semel's departure, Microsoft bid just hours apart. H-m-mTerry Semel left the CEO position at Yahoo! back in June, 2007.February 1, 2008 by Russell Shaw in Legal
Microhoo: what would the voice services components be?As you likely know by now, Microsoft made an offer to buy Yahoo! today.February 1, 2008 by Russell Shaw in Enterprise Software
Midwest, western Pennsylvania outages on AT&T EDGE networkReports have been pouring in for the last several hours.Devices such as the iPhone and BlackBerry, both of which run on AT&T's not so edgy EDGE network, are really having a rough patch with connectivity today.January 31, 2008 by Russell Shaw in Data Centers
Tornado destroyed woman's house: then she gets this $2,025.45 bill from Time Warner CableFrom Wisconsin's Kenosha News comes this story that after a January 7 tornado demolished her home, and ensuing rain and snow made it a bear to fix, a woman from the area has received a $2,025.45 bill from her (now former, well duh) cable television service.January 31, 2008 by Russell Shaw in Hardware
Microsoft Patent App would add "trust system" to some cut-and-paste operationsThere's a newly published Microsoft Patent application that - at least the way I read it- seems to both alter and add significant options to the way in which cut-and-paste is performed between various Windows-compatible documents and utilities.That's not to say you will have to reprogram your brain to c&p from say, Word into a PowerPoint presentation.January 31, 2008 by Russell Shaw in Enterprise Software
Hosted vs. server-based Unified Communications: come and join the debateLet's get a conversation going here about the relative costs and merits of server-based unified communications in the enterprise vs. hosted unified communications solutions.January 30, 2008 by Russell Shaw in Servers
Porn on your iPhone? "Adult dates?" They're coming!..As is, on the way.They are talking about this issue at the Mobile Adult Content Congress, now being held in Miami Beach.January 30, 2008 by Russell Shaw in iPhone
YouTube view-Ron Paul voting result gap tells me some of his fans are people-phobicThe chart on the left of this canvass represents CNN's just-about-final results of yesterday's 2008 Republican Presidential primary results in FloridaOn the right is the latest tally of YouTube views from various candidate sites, both Republicans and Democrats. This is from the website Tech President.January 30, 2008 by Russell Shaw in Mobility
Can you believe it? Net2Phone sues Skype over 2000 Patent!Net2Phone, the pioneering Internet phone company that was destined to become a subsidiary of IDT despite objectons from some shareholders, seemingly has figured out a way to strike back against their enduring irrelevance.Now, they're taking Skype to court for patent infringement.January 30, 2008 by Russell Shaw in Networking