Douglas Godbey

Amid all the rumors and hype over Microsoft's Vista, it seems there are a fairly large number of instances where Microsoft is being shown the door. Here in the U.S., we have read that the Department of Transportation ( for certain states ), the ... Federal Aviation Administration , and others are dumping Microsoft for Linux. It's strange, however, to note that the action taken by those organizations seems to have triggered reactions in the European Union! It has been reported that the French Government has decided to install Linux on the PCs used by the 577 deputies and their assistants, ... (view more)

The past few weeks, I started following a news story that raises my ire! No, it isn't about Microsoft and Vista -- it's about a substitute school teacher that has been caught in what is termed a ... well, we'll call it an adult-oriented Pop-up Trap ... (if you know what I mean). To begin with, a 'Pop-up' Trap (or a 'Mouse' Trap) is when an Internet surfer clicks on a web site and is treated to a cascade of pop-ups, usually advertising offensive material geared toward twisted individuals. These ads come in at such a high rate of speed, the user cannot keep up with them. The content is also rather ... (view more)

The past few weeks, I started following a news story that raises my ire! No, it isn't about Microsoft and Vista -- it's about a substitute school teacher that has been caught in what is termed a ... well, we'll call it an adult-oriented Pop-up Trap ... (if you know what I mean). To begin with, a 'Pop-up' Trap (or a 'Mouse' Trap) is when an Internet surfer clicks on a web site and is treated to a cascade of pop-ups, usually advertising offensive material geared toward twisted individuals. These ads come in at such a high rate of speed, the user cannot keep up with them. The content is also rather ... (view more)

Last November I wrote about an article concerning the Microsoft/Novell Pact , where Inter-operability was supposedly the aim of both companies. I also said that only the future would disclose the truth of the matter. Well, the truth is out and it ... ain't pretty! Over the past few months, Mr. Steve Ballmer (CEO of Microsoft) made a series of claims to the effect that Linux was infringing on Microsoft's Intellectual Property and that certain monies were owed to compensate Microsoft for that infringement. The Linux community has responded to those charges with an Open Letter To Steven Ballmer that ... (view more)

We have all seen them: the Apple Mac versus Microsoft Windows PC. Some times they're funny, and sometimes they're scary -- but they always leave the lingering question in the back of our minds as to which is truly better. I must admit, I do not own ... a Mac. I do own a number of Windows and UNIX/Linux based PCs, though. And of the systems I own, many of them are from spare parts. They all run reliable and efficiently, and are updated regularly. With that being said, I stumbled upon a blog the other day that stated Bill Gates had voiced distaste for one of the newest of the aforementioned ... (view more)

As I was working with my email today, I realized that I was not alone in trying to combat the scourge of Spam! Many are working to reduce the space and time it takes to transfer the stuff, in many cases at very real expense since there are a number ... of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that charge the user for the amount of data transferred. Some companies, such as AOL and Yahoo, have come up with preventative strategies that don't really work all that well (charging bulk emailers for Preferred Status) and tend to cause difficulties for everybody. When it comes to the user reporting spam in ... (view more)

Is Microsoft getting the message? For those of you that haven't heard, there is an annual event known as CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. CES is the place where every electronics geek in the world would love to be because everything ... new in the world of electronics for the year is showcased. Typical items found at CES includes computers, coffee pots, TV's, tooth brushes (yes, even those), the latest gadgets, toys, software, and more. This year, CES 2007 invited Bill Gates to be the Keynote speaker. He addressed a crowd of about 15,000 attendees and got the shock of his life. ... (view more)

According to VAR Business Magazine (VAR), Microsoft recently commissioned an independent research firm to determine the impact of their upcoming (January 30) general release of Vista on the computer industry. The answer? $72 Billion! That's the ... conservative US Dollar amount Microsoft Vista is going to cost the consumers when they upgrade their systems. However, the figure is likely to be much higher. VAR suggested that $18 in hardware, software, and services would be spent for every $1 Microsoft makes from Vista alone. Every PC component and system manufacturer wants their piece of the ' ... (view more)

This is an Editorial. Actually, it is more of a commentary on my last posting concerning Microsoft's CEO and his remarks that declared his 'position' on the Novell/Microsoft agreement. Mr. Ballmer stated that Microsoft was preparing to take Linux to ... task over Intellectual Property rights. He stated he was doing this for his 'share holders' to increase their 'profits'. It appears that Mr. Ballmer was speaking about himself more than anyone else since he owns a fairly large chunk of Microsoft stock. However, there are a few things that Mr. Ballmer needs to be made aware before he speaks out on ... (view more)

In my last article, I likened Microsoft to the fabled leopard that couldn't change its spots. As it happens, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has proven that indeed, the leopard is still covered in spots. Mr. Ballmer declared his belief that the Linux ... operating system infringes on Microsoft's intellectual property. What is so laughable about his assertion is that Microsoft has had those exact same charges leveled at them by companies such as Apple, Xerox, and several other entities. (Source: openaddict.com ) What is Intellectual Property? Intellectual property (or "IP") is a method of legal ... (view more)