Computer Chronicles

[John Doe]

One of a zillion good uses for YouTube. You can find practically
anything on it, in high-resolution graphics.

 

[Michael Black]

I loved that series on PBS channels when I was young. Too bad CC aren't made
these days. Archive.org has all the episodes I believe.

"Don't copy that floppy".

It's a different world. When the show began, it seemed aimed at
"insiders", and one could argue that even "that late", 1981, it was still
a relatively small field, driven by those interested in technology.

Yes, it was always evolving, but there were layers of iterations where
things got bigger, a new wave of less interested people coming in.

At some point, the masses arrived and it wsa a completely different field.
They weren't interested in what was inside, they weren't interested in
anything but the consumer aspect of it all. Computers became mundane, and
the masses used them for mundane things.

They have some guy on the local radio station each week to talk about
"technology". It's completely aimed at the consumer, what the new gadgets
are, what the new "facebook" is. The masses control things, right down to
deciding that we should all use facebook and twitter.

Michael

 

[Flasherly]

They have some guy on the local radio station each week to talk about
"technology". It's completely aimed at the consumer, what the new gadgets
are, what the new "facebook" is. The masses control things, right down to
deciding that we should all use facebook and twitter.

Michael

Pinch my $3-monthly bottom pink well while it lasts, but, about damn
time. There may be a little spunk left. ...Meanwhile, Google voice/
text, nearest I can figure dropped, recently opted out for POT/cell
viability, which sounds vaguely reminiscent, sometimes sadly so, of a
GoogleGroup orientation (guess nobody told them the writing on the
wall is located in a stall in Hong Kong). Chalk one fickle forte up
on board for MS and mission statements, anyway.

[MS Press Release/excerpts:] REDMOND, Wash., and LUXEMBOURG – May 10,
2011 – Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: “MSFT”) and Skype Global S.à r.l today
announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under
which Microsoft will acquire Skype, the leading Internet
communications company, for $8.5 billion in cash from the investor
group led by Silver Lake. The agreement has been approved by the
boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype.

“Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people
around the world,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “Together we will
create the future of real-time communications so people can easily
stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in
the world.”

Skype is communications software whose purpose is to break down
barriers to communication. With an Internet-connected device,
families, friends and colleagues can get together for free with
messaging, voice and video. At low cost, they can also call landlines
or mobiles virtually anywhere in the world. Skype has recently
introduced group video, allowing groups of more than two people to do
things together whenever they're apart.

....

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this release that are “forward-looking statements” are
based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to
risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially
because of factors such as:

*

Execution and competitive risks in transitioning to cloud-based
computing;
*

Challenges to Microsoft’s business model;
*

Intense competition in all of Microsoft’s markets;
*

Microsoft’s continued ability to protect its intellectual
property rights;
*

Claims that Microsoft has infringed the intellectual property
rights of others;
*

The possibility of unauthorized disclosure of significant
portions of Microsoft’s source code;
*

Actual or perceived security vulnerabilities in Microsoft
products that could reduce revenue or lead to liability;
*

Improper disclosure of personal data could result in liability
and harm to Microsoft’s reputation;
*

Outages and disruptions of services provided to customers
directly or through third parties if Microsoft fails to maintain an
adequate operations infrastructure;
*

Government litigation and regulation affecting how Microsoft
designs and markets its products;
*

Microsoft’s ability to attract and retain talented employees;
*

Delays in product development and related product release
schedules;
*

Significant business investments that may not gain customer
acceptance and produce offsetting increases in revenue;
*

Unfavorable changes in general economic conditions, disruption
of our partner networks or sales channels, or the availability of
credit that affect demand for Microsoft’s products and services or the
value of our investment portfolio;
*

Adverse results in legal disputes;
*

Unanticipated tax liabilities;
*

Quality or supply problems in Microsoft’s consumer hardware or
other vertically integrated hardware and software products;
*

Impairment of goodwill or amortizable intangible assets causing
a charge to earnings;
*

Exposure to increased economic and regulatory uncertainties from
operating a global business;
*

Geopolitical conditions, natural disaster, cyberattack or other
catastrophic events disrupting Microsoft’s business; and
*

Acquisitions and joint ventures that adversely affect the
business.