Category Archives: Legal & Political

TRS-DOS as possible prior art for MS patent on exFAT, and reference request

Microsoft introduced a new “exFAT” file system a few years ago, and I wouldn’t care about it in the least, except that it is now the official filesystem for SD-XC cards.  I only care about that in that digital cameras … Continue reading

Posted in Patents, Retrocomputing, Software | 3 Comments

Is privacy a lost cause?

When I see the frequent news stories about theft of personal data, such as the recent theft of medical records of more than 160,000 individuals from the University of California at Berkeley, I start to fear that Scott McNealy, former … Continue reading

Posted in Privacy | Leave a comment

Surveillance state

A WIsconsin appeals court has issued a decision (HTML, PDF) that it is acceptable for the police to surreptitiously plant GPS tracking devices onto the cars of suspects without getting warrants, because doing so is not a search or seizure.  … Continue reading

Posted in Privacy | 1 Comment

Google Latitude privacy

Google has taken steps to address the privacy concerns over their Latitude service, and most people seem to be satisfied.  One thing I’m slightly surprised about is that no one seems to be particularly suspicious of what their statement Google … Continue reading

Posted in Blog/website/news comments, Freedom and liberty, National Security, Privacy | Leave a comment

Leaders need to earn our respect

Asked about the Bush shoe incident, Liu Jianchao, spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, said that all leaders deserve respect.  I’m sure that leaders would like to believe that, but actually, just like anyone else, they need to earn our respect.  … Continue reading

Posted in Blog/website/news comments, Legal & Political | 2 Comments

DMCA notice

It is with great reluctance that I have just sent two DMCA notices to parties that are distributing software I’ve written in violation of the licenses.  I sent informal notices to the parties a month ago, and received no replies.  … Continue reading

Posted in Copyright, Software | Leave a comment

Suboptimal Retail Experience — Apple iPhone 3G Sales Tax Overcharge

I went to the Apple store at Valley Fair mall in Santa Clara CA yesterday afternoon to get an iPhone 3G. My mother paid for half of it as my graduation present. Only after I got home did I discover … Continue reading

Posted in Customer satisfaction, Gadgets, Hardware, Taxes, The Suboptimal Way | 16 Comments

World Peace out of stock

My friend Sellam Ismail is going to visit this weekend, and I might sell him a computer. I also might have a coin-op video game for him. In an email exchange to make plans, he asked: Do you need anything … Continue reading

Posted in Freedom and liberty, Humor, War | Leave a comment

Petition to End Women’s Suffrage

I wish I could say that I was surprised at how many female students at Padua Academy were willing to sign a petition to end women’s suffrage. The issue seems to be controversial at UVM. Personally, I’m in favor of … Continue reading

Posted in Freedom and liberty, School & Education | Leave a comment

Decisions, decisions!

Mike, Diane and I went to Santa Cruz today to watch Blade Runner: The Final Cut.  Afterward we stopped by Bookshop Santa Cruz.  Aside from a few books, I faced a dilemma as to whether I’d rather buy the George … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Film, Legal & Political, Science Fiction & Fantasy | Leave a comment