The Feds are in Microsoft's pockets

I wonder if Mr Babcock Sr realises that much of the slang he's denigrating is actually older than the first colonists to the Americas. Much of english slang terminology has its roots in "modern" english dialects that were spoken around this country as recently as the 1920s. Those weird regional accents and a few odd sounding words we have are often all that's left of highly unique dialects that were almost languages in their own right, and which had been spoken in england when the so-called first nation of Canada was still the *only* nation.

Not that this explains vole, of course (microtus redmondii for those that don't know, a pre-historic species of vole that was some 30ft long, weighed about 800 tons and tended to eat anything that might potentially be competition at some point), but complaining about that is just sour grapes. After all, we don't complain aboot canadian slang eh?

Graham Dawson

Subject: Vista licensing

Dear Inq,

Microsoft has stated in the past that their licensing is per physical processor, not per core. I think it is safe to assume in this instance, that they're continuing this trend, especially since they haven't put out any docs stating otherwise.

I don't think there are any rabbits hidden in the Vista EULA hat.

Troy Fontaine

Subject: R.Marchand

Yes! Stop using strange language!! Be normal!! Conform!! Down boy, down!!!

Mr Marchand, just a few words for you:
google
inquirer vole
3rd link
use your imagination

David MC Coelho

Subject: A Home Gnome

The response that "A Home Gnome" wrote reguarding Linux, Vista, and gaming. Strikes awfully close to home for me. With the exception that I can't stand Linux. Yet I totaly agree with him. as of 3 months ago I've installed Linux on my home PC. Ubuntu, to be exact though I may to give PCLinux OS a go soon.

http://www.pclinuxos.com/news.php

Don't get me wrong I'm still not a fan of Linux, yet I use it daily now simply because I'm tired of the Voles attempts to wrestle control of my PC away from me one release/update at a time. I too used Windows specifically because, let's face it, it's basically a gaming platform, that lets you do spreadsheets. however I've recently come to the conclusion that for my circumstances upgrading my PC with a dual core processor, $150-$200. Then adding a $300-$400 video card. (that's as energy efficient as an Hummer H1) Then purchasing Vista... which ever one will let me play games, $200-$600 is it? Totaling $650-$1200 just to play games isn't how I want to go about doing things right now.

So I'm buying a Wii(MS and Sony can both KMA), downgrading my PC's video card from a 6800GT to a passively cooled 6200, and begrudgingly start to use Linux. The learning curve is STEEP, the system as a whole is clunky, and there are snags, and UI(if one is even available) bugs everywhere. Yes Windows isn't perfect but it's a heck of a lot more polished than this. I don't have the time I used to have, to invest in learning something new... but I feel like MS has given me no other option. So I'm leaving this sandbox, and taking my toys too... not before I Wii in it however.

I just wish I could recommend Linux to people that aren't computer dorks as well.

Sorry about the lame Wii pun,

matt

Subject: The centrino to p4m article

hey there. have you noticed that in the intel information that you quote they say: the centrino is faster by 15% but they fail to make it clear the the p4m machine is using half the ram, and slower ram at that!(pc2100 compared to pc2700) I just thought that I would mention that.

thanks

jonn

Subject: HD format wars...

And you know what's really amusing? It could be that HD-DVD and Blu-ray will both lose, because HD formats are a hard sell compared to DVD, due to the fact that there are no compelling new features on the discs besides a higher-resolution image.

The case does not parallel the early uptake of DVD, which was driven by PS2 sales and special features on DVDs like commentaries and documentaries on top of the higher-res image. But these days, the extra disc features are taken for granted, and PS3 is nothing like as easy a sell as PS2 since it's lagging Xbox 360 in the market, is pricey and does not have either Wii's innovation or range of exclusive AAA game titles. The fact that you can currently buy PS3's off the shelf in Long Beach CA a month after launch is very revealing - try getting hold of a Wii and see how far you get!

What it comes down to is that if you have an HD TV, you might stretch to buying new movies in HD, if the price difference on the disc is not too great - say £12-14 as opposed to £10 for the DVD - and you happen to have a player lying around. But I just don't see people shelling out £500 for a player... so my money's on a slow trickle of HD-DVD players entering the market, with saturation taking 3-4 years, and PS3 to end up with an installed userbase about 1/4 of the size of Xbox 360 (since Sony cannot afford to subsidize hardware costs much further), and Wii to be the non-premium but fairly ubiquitous second in the next-gen console race.

We live in interesting times :)

grasdyk

Subject: the vole is a microtus, hence, microsoft

i am not a native english speaker but i have a theory that "the vole" used as an appellation for Microsoft originated from the latin name of the genus of these rodents (Microtus).

an exhaustive list can be found in everywhere-girl-denying Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microtus

i suggest the inquirer further enriches our vocabulary by nominating individual microsoft representatives with corresponding volish species. i'd like to know, for example, who could qualify to be called Microtus abbreviatus, or breweri or even longicaudus.

respect!

profan

Subject: Microbloat

Screw Microbloat and their DRM infected new OS. I am staying with Apple or Linux for my PC needs. I may get a 360 for games but as far as a new PC in the guise of Vista, forget it!

This headline does not surprise me either, "Government spooks helped Microsoft build Vista" I always knew the FEDS were in Microsoft's pockets after they let them off the court cases against them back in the 90s.

Trust me when I say the FEDS have the key to your OS if it is Microsoft. Why do you think they (MS) guard the kernel and such so closely?

Have a great day,
Glenn

Subject: Language cry babies

I have been an avid reader for many years now and at times have found some of your choice words and slang hard to follow. That been said, last time I checked I have never, nor any other reader, paid you or provided you any obligation to write your articles in a manner I see fit. So until these "Cry Babies" start paying you a salary or subscription fee, they need to read the articles as is. If they don't like it, find another site they can comprehend. If they cannot manage a simple search to decipher the language or idioms, maybe they're just not intelligent enough to understand the site content or get the jokes in the first place.

Carry on!!!!!!!!!

CZ

Subject: Canadians who have a problem with the term 'vole'

Hi, I'm Canadian and, unlike "Lorne Babcock Sr", I have no issue with The Inquirer using terms such as 'Vole' to describe a company.

I believe the reason why some Canadians have a problem with terms such as 'Vole' is because of budget cuts to our publicly medical system.

You see, while the medical procedure to remove sticks, pickles, etc. from one's ass is still covered, the wait times are really bad and the medication needed during recovery isn't covered anymore. Plus they send you home so soon that for some people, it can cause things to tighten up worse than before.

This causes some Canadians to avoid getting the medical attention they need.

It's really bad. And it will get worse because it's just a matter of time before the Chinese build The Great Vole of China.

Peter Stern
Toronto, Canada

Subject: Microsoft's Department of Name Sillyness

On the silly names front. A colleague of mine has recently been informed by Microsoft that his Xbox live name is inappropriate and he has to change it. Herr Flick's gamer tag was "Flick". Does anyone know what language Flick is rude in?

Regards,
Russ

Subject: AMD eight-core anyone?

Oh for chrissakes, we can't even get a 4 core to market.

Suing and Puking And Gestapo Raids At Dawn, Hector