My Opinion Page
My Personal opinion on the world as I see it. Enjoy the comments....
The War....... some basic ramblings
It is funny, how the left in America is no longer willing o protect the defenseless, just people who can vote for them. Out of the top 20 critics of President Bush, none have college degrees, some have not even got HS degrees, the top ones even flunked the college entrance exam to Dayton University, (at the time it was not and still is not a Big college), yet President Bush has an MBA, graduated from Harvard and Yale, and yes his father help get him in, but as both Harvard and Yale will tell you, your family ties may help you in the door it will not help you graduate. Supports the troops, and don't protest until after the war is over, and be smart, if you are going to protest, check the protest organizer out, most of them have ties to terror groups and anti-American groups, and question wither it is a anti-war protest or anti-bush protest.
The Government vs. MS 2nd time around.
The judge in the case claims that Microsoft is an monopoly, and has harmed the consumer, yet there was not hard evidence of this. MS Charge more for the product then the basic price is illegal, and is actual good business practice. I personal have reviewed the judges report and feel that it is vastly flawed. The competitors of Microsoft claim that MS is strong arming everyone, and harming the consumer, yet they can't prove anything. Last time I checked, America is a free country, and this includes the right of business to make money and create jobs. Sun Systems' CEO has forgotten this, and from the way he talks, must be a communist.
The Lawyers whom now filling suits against Microsoft, in civil court are scum. Cincinnati attorney Stanley M. Chesley is an example of on of these vermin. He pushes for a suit to be filed against Gun makers because some people use guns improperly, and now he wants to get his hands into Microsoft's pockets. If Microsoft charges $89 or $49, it doesn't matter, most have forgotten that most people didn't pay this $89, and with the rebates and discounts it was much less. Let's see Sun Solaris is free for end users, but for Corporate America, it will cost about $199, OS/2 Warp v4 will cost $149, Linux is free in some forms, or could cost you up to $89, and Be operating system will cost you $89, and Windows NT will cost $149, so the cost of $89 is in the middle. These so called keepers of the law, or Rats as I call them, don't care.
Drivers and Driving, what's the deal?
What ever happened to common courtesy ? If every one would remember this and practice this, we could cut out over 50% of all accidents. Remember, you are not an Island in your car, and treat everyone like you want to be treated, if you practice the golden rule, driving will go a lot easier.
Halloween; Trick or Joke???
Back when I was a kid, ( I hated my grandparents or other relatives start a story like this), Halloween was a fun, go get it holiday. There were no curfews, no "This is a religious Holiday" crap, just go out and have fun. I remember going out 5-7 times a night, with a different costume each time, Hitting a lot of the same homes several times. Now it's limited to 2-3 hours, may require a license, and you might get a handful or two. I remember the days when I would only get 5-6 bags on a bad night,( shopping bag that is), full of candy. It was fun, and we all enjoy the time. Today, it's very commercial, and limited. It's loosing the charm that it has as a holiday. Personal I only gave candy to 6 kids, and a lot just to them. The major problem that I see is that children are lazy, with parents house hopping, ( driving the kids, door to door). I do miss the old days, ( the late seventies and early eighties.).
Government and Microsoft
Personal and professional, I think that the Government should leave Microsoft alone. MS has started making changes in the industry, and most of these changes are good. What does the government think that they can do??? Well besides losing a lot of money in court, ( MS can and Should fight this in court, until the Federal Government gives up. Bill Gates can out spend the justice Department, and should do so.) and taking the spot light off Bill Clinton for his and Al Gore's crime, there is nothing that the court settlement will do for us, expect cost all of us a lot of money. I call it the cost of litigation, and have written an article to talk about it.
Cost of Litigation:
Have you ever wonder how much litigation cost you? Did you know that every piece of software that you purchase has some litigation charges built in it? Some at Microsoft will tell you that the cost of litigation adds an additional 10% plus to the cost of software, (off the record of course). MS has a full time law staff, like many big and small computer companies. Why is a full time staff needed? Well if you don't like what a company is doing, sue them, or even better file charges against them with the FTC, and then call the a press conference, and watch the lawyer’s scramble. This sounds great for the little guy, but it can cost us plenty in the long run. During the complains about Microsoft including MSN with Windows 95, everyone and their brother's software company were jumping in and attack MS and join the FTC complain against MS. In the end (and an estimated $4.7 million in Government cost, tax dollars, and a ballpark of $5 million plus of Microsoft’s money), the end was nothing more then the start. Did anyone bother to look at IBM's OS/2 Warp to see that it included direct support for IBM's Internet support, and CompuServe for OS/2? What makes this worst is the fact that IBM support for using other dialup ISP was not available and was confusing to many when they did document it. IBM even jumping on the bandwagon against MS and attack them publicly.
Even worst then the built-in cost is the additional cost you pay for software to avoid litigation. Example of this is Microsoft Windows 95/NT/3.11 WFW TCPIP stack. Microsoft gives you a TCPIP stack, basic components and pieces, but leaves out the important parts that many need. The result is that we have to purchase a 3rd party suite to give us what is missing. Take a look at OS/2 Warp, IBM includes full TCPIP software with all components, and no need for 3rd party products, an no one was complaining about IBM integrating this product into there OS. I'm not saying that they shouldn't do this, but feel a vendor should offer as much as they can, and not limit products based upon possible litigation. The cost is greater then most realize. Add it up for your self, a Terminal that supports VT-220/320 Win95/NT will cost you $20 to $100 dollars to cover what MS didn't because they might be sued. On average the cost per users for what is left out and built in legal cost, for Windows 95/NT is around $250 more the it should be.
A possible solution for this problem would be a Computer arbitrary board that would step in and eliminate the need to the FTC to overstep their boundaries. I propose that the Computer arbitrary board be made of professionals and end users, and lawyers (of course) to hear cases and rule on them. The board should be 50% end users, and then 1 board member from each of the major software companies, (and some minor ones) and 1 lawyer to review and give advise and clear up any confusion. The board would meet regularly, and be full funded equally by the major/minor software companies. In addition to the cases be heard before them, it would eliminate hassle and problems, because the Courts recognize aberration board rulings, and also all major companies would have to agree to abide by the rulings, with in reason.
Other Thoughts:
What's up with the teamsters ??? Why are hurting there own members, ( obviously they don't care about them ), and not listening to them???? This strike shows why unions are not needed in the US any more. They teamsters are fighting over 4.5 billion dollars ( $ 4,500,000,000, ( American Billion ) ) for control of the pension money, to which they want to add to there kitty. It's not like the contract is bad or even questionable it a good contract that many of the UPS drivers want. I also think that congress should pass a job protection bill.
Minimal Wage, what a joke
Minimal Wage, what a joke. The minimal wage a cruel job that some in congress think will get them votes if they raise it. Guess what, according to the New York times, and Wall Street Journal, the hardest hit by the raise are single moms, and teen agrees. The big benefactor is Big Labor, Mainly the Unions. This is how, maximum OT at 1.5 wage is 6.5 times minimal wage. This means that a lot of people who are making $30 plus an hour must now be paid at 1.5 for OT instead of straight time. You may say so what, that a lot of money, but really this effects the $60,000-$72,000, giving them a pay raise, but not much for the little guy. This also has cost a lot of jobs in the consulting area, example computers; which most contractors are making $29.32 ( national average ), and are on contracts that call for OT at straight time, and they can raise the billing to the client, so they eat the additional cost. This doesn't sound like much, but 1 contracting company that I know of was trying to convert the workers over to salary to help elevate this problem, because it was going to cost them $3 million a year. This is just some of the numbers that I have to show that the minimal wage is a joke and doesn't help who it was spouse to. Also relies that most major employers are pay about minimal wage, ( $7-$8) an hour to start.
More on the way.