Ok, just a quick bit of information on Windows license details (I would prefer everyone buy Linux, but sometimes you have to feed the beast). These are as I understand them, and your mileage may vary….

If you purchase the retail version of Windows the software is yours and you can move it from machine to machine as you upgrade etc. You cannot have it on two machines at one time, but you can take it with you.

If you purchase the OEM version at your local computer store (why not it’s cheaper eh?) that software is only licensed for the first motherboard you install it on. If you replace your motherboard to get the next latest and greatest features, or maybe your motherboard just died and you had to replace it with another one, you no longer own a license for Windows. I don’t know of Microsoft enforcing this, but since Windows XP has the capability, so I wouldn’t think it’s too far down the road. This is also what happens with many of the retail computer systems. When you buy the system it has a OS disk with the system, but it will not install on that system if you replace the motherboard with another one. It will also not install on another computer if the original one dies. I’m not sure about academic licenses, but if I find any information on them I will post it here.

Here is one of my favorite online comics. I’m posting it more as a reminder to me, so I will remember to check it more often.

The language is a bit over the edge for sensitive folks.

I believe the chronology is bottom to top, right to left.

Enjoy…

Ok, this email is currently spreading like wildfire. Naturally I have a few items to point out. ;-)

1. If you watch the news, understand human nature, and have ever been in the “Third World” much less to the mid-east, the letter does seem completely plausible (I have been in countries that had much less terrorist activity where I would not be allowed to leave the hotel without armed security escort). However, if you meet all the above criteria, you had probably already assessed that the environment described in the letter would not be out of line as being called “The current state of affairs” before the letter was made public.
2. I haven’t been able to find the Wall Street Journal’s confirmation of authenticity anywhere except this site, can anyone else find it?
3. Regardless, of all other factors, this is a personal letter. Even though the letter may be true, and may be the current state of affairs in Iraq, it must still be treated as subjective opinion. Remember, an email leaked email from a Wall Street Journal reporter is measured to the same standard for accuracy, objectivity, and lack of conjecture any personal email you send to your friends. Which is none. Even fair and balanced reporters have opinion, and can have political affiliation, which is appropriate. This is very well suited in private letters, however, none of this could be associated with the reputation and creditability of the Wall Street Journal, since they would not print the information as news (maybe as editorial, or opinion). I’m only commenting on this item because, from the emails I’m receiving, many people seem to be making the mistake of accepting the opinion in the letter as truth if the factual items in the letter are truth.
4. Due to the convenient timing and mix of opinion and conjecture that almost perfectly match those at the center of the Democratic Parties campaign, this letter also sets off my political ploy alarm.
5. Links and some other reports/sources can be found here.

Presidency Outsourced

Washington DC – Congress today announced that the Office of President of the United States will be outsourced as of Sept.30th, the end of this fiscal year. The move will save $400K a year in salary, a record $521 billion in deficit expenditures and related overhead. “The cost savings will be quite significant” said Rep. Adam Smith (D – Wash) who, with the aid of the General Accounting Office has studied outsourcing of American jobs.

“We simply can no longer afford this level of outlay and remain
competitive in the world stage,” Smith said.

Mr. Bush was informed this morning that his office will be terminated. He will receive health coverage, expenses and salary until his final day of employment. After a two week waiting period, he will be eligible for $240 dollars a week unemployment insurance for 13 weeks.

Sanji Gurvinder Singh of Indus Teleservices, Mumbai, India will be assuming the Office of President of the United States as of Oct. 1.

Mr. Singh was born in the United States while his parents were here on student visas, thus making him eligible for the position. He will receive a salary of $320 a month but with no health coverage or other benefits. Due to the time difference between the US and India, Mr. Singh will be working primarily at night, when offices of the US Government will be open.

A congressional spokesperson noted that Mr. Singh has been given a ZZZscript tree to follow which will allow him to respond to most topics of concern.

“Additional savings will be realized as these scripting tools have been successfully used now and in the past and will enable Mr. Singh to provide an answer without having to fully understand the issue itself”, the spokesman said.

Since David and his friends don’t really know if he is a facist, a commie pinko, or just somewhere in the middle, I recomend one of my favorite little tests — The World’s Smallest Political Quiz

OK, so I have quite a bit of information that I’m always thinking “Man that might be useful to someone else one day, but I lack the dedication to sit down and edit my web page (or my old original web page)to archive the information for posterity. ;-)

Oh yea, I’ve been known to get on the soapbox from time to time. My liberal friends consider me a fascist. My conservative friends consider me a communist. I guess that makes me a Moderate (or since you have to affiliate yourself with a party to avoid confusing everyone) maybe a Libertarian.

I seem to have more than my share of nasty things to say about both of the major parties and their candidates, so there will probably be quite a bit of uninformed, irrational ranting on my part until the presidential election is over.

Enjoy…