NationStates Jolt Archive

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?feed=FT&Date=20050610&ID=4884671

Microsoft's new Chinese internet portal has banned the words "democracy" and "freedom" from parts of its website in an apparent effort to avoid offending Beijing's political censors.

Just one more reason to switch to Mac or Linux.

switching to mac won't do much..... Bill Gates holds shares with them as well, guess that means we'll all have to use Linux

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?feed=FT&Date=20050610&ID=4884671

Does anyone but me think it's funny that the source for this story is Microsoft?

Does anyone but me think it's funny that the source for this story is Microsoft?

Yeah kinda weird.

bah, who needs Linux when theres rorofloix...

Heh, the Chinese can probably still get around it; that's what 1337's original purpose was.
You now have something like d3/\/\0cr4cy, fr33d0m

bah, who needs Linux when theres rorofloix...

Roro-wha?

Heh, the Chinese can probably still get around it; that's what 1337's original purpose was.
You now have something like d3/\/\0cr4cy, fr33d0m

Assuming they're not using the chinese alphabet, where symbols represent ideas - they'd have to use metaphors instead or something.

"We can't entrust the future of the Patriot Act to the democratic process. It's the best tool we have to defend liberty."
- Rep. James Sensenbrenner

:confused:

What relevance does this have to the topic at hand?

:confused:

What relevance does this have to the topic at hand?

Who cares, it's a good quote.
And since many will come to this threat for some of ye olde China-bashing, some right-wingers might hear it too.

As a proud Chinese (sorry, Chinese-American for you PC nuts), I bash China for its policies. One is threatening to invade Taiwan and another is the intolerable amounts of Human Rights violations in Tibet. I can't believe MS would do this. Goes to show that it's really the neo-liberals that the fat-cats support, eh?

I'm not surprised, so many countries have adopted a policy of appeasement towards China these days.

has anyone heard of Lindows?

I am glad Microsoft is having to be subservient to someone.

Now if only the EU wielded such power.

What relevance does this have to the topic at hand?Not to condone or excuse the actions of those in power in China, but to provide a window into their thought processes. James Sensenbrenner is working hard to do what he thinks is the best for the citizens of his nation and I'm sure most people in the Chinese government think what they are doing is the best for their citizens.

Not to condone or excuse the actions of those in power in China, but to provide a window into their thought processes. James Sensenbrenner is working hard to do what he thinks is the best for the citizens of his nation and I'm sure most people in the Chinese government think what they are doing is the best for their citizens.
Bahahahahahahaha.

Yeah, I'm sure that both Microsoft and China didn't care about the immense profit they'll make from the deal.

No, Microsoft and China are working together for moral reasons, for a very, humanitarian and philantrophical cause. Microsoft is working as an industrial ambassador to China, and China is welcoming them, with open arms!!

God, you're delusional.

Pride and greed are more addictive and detrimental to rational thought than heroin and acid combined.

I wish I didn't have to use Windows. It's reset my computer (for no reason) about six times in one hour.

switching to mac won't do much..... Bill Gates holds shares with them as well, guess that means we'll all have to use Linux

But Linux is open source! It's free, and therefore communist! And evil!

Just do like me: get a typewriter and get into ham radio.. That cuts out Microsoft AND the phone company at once.

Of course, so long as I'm required to use WebCT for classes, I need the internet.. but I didn't use the Web before college, and won't afterward.. of course, political speech is forbidden on the Ham bands, so that's a nifty side-benefit of being forced to use the internet, NS and all. ;)

I am glad Microsoft is having to be subservient to someone.

Now if only the EU wielded such power.

they do, they fined micro$oft 400million remember

they do, they fined micro$oft 400million remember
So? Thats pocket change to microsoft.

Now if only the EU wielded such power.


*shudders at the thought*

I wish I didn't have to use Windows. It's reset my computer (for no reason) about six times in one hour.


Yeah, that keeps happening to my boyfriend's computer.....I hope he hasn't been hacked :(

Microsoft ought to be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. It's this kind of slef-debasement carried out by companies to gain markets in oppressive dictatorships like China that gives capitalism a bad name. I dont think that Western Democracies should have anything to do with China.

Profit is profit.

And your personal stories about Windows freezing are always amusing, especially considering that the main cause of that is user incompetence. I could go on about how XP has yet to freeze on me. But what's the point when everyone seems to hate Microsoft for its market share and "oppressing" ways?

People hate Microsoft because it's products dont work 100% of the time and cost "too much". This is a standard reaction that monopolies seem to induce in people, and it seems very healthy. It's that kind of resentment that stops people just "putting up with their lot" and actually striving to make their lives better. Microsoft shouldnt be blamed for its success, but it has made several rather dubious moves.

For example, releasing Internet Explorer for free knowing it had another section of business to back it up, whereas its rival Netscape did not. It also, despite being fined hundreds of millions by the EU for including IIRC a program that allows spyware onto your system, then released a new version (because it was forced to on pain of being banned from trading in the EU) without the porgram marketted as a "minimal" or "stripped-down" version, indicating it was not as good as the regular version, despite the only difference being the absence of spyware.

Regardless, I don't see how anyone can defend the actions of a corporation to undermine the ability of others to communicate to fight a government system under which Microsoft would not have been able to survive, had it been in the US. It's sheer hippocrisy, and I hope that it makes at least some people stop buying microsoft products.

People hate Microsoft because it's products dont work 100% of the time and cost "too much". This is a standard reaction that monopolies seem to induce in people, and it seems very healthy. It's that kind of resentment that stops people just "putting up with their lot" and actually striving to make their lives better. Microsoft shouldnt be blamed for its success, but it has made several rather dubious moves.

For example, releasing Internet Explorer for free knowing it had another section of business to back it up, whereas its rival Netscape did not. It also, despite being fined hundreds of millions by the EU for including IIRC a program that allows spyware onto your system, then released a new version (because it was forced to on pain of being banned from trading in the EU) without the porgram marketted as a "minimal" or "stripped-down" version, indicating it was not as good as the regular version, despite the only difference being the absence of spyware.

Regardless, I don't see how anyone can defend the actions of a corporation to undermine the ability of others to communicate to fight a government system under which Microsoft would not have been able to survive, had it been in the US. It's sheer hippocrisy, and I hope that it makes at least some people stop buying microsoft products.


Microsoft is pure evil .... full stop.

If you actually read up on its history you'll find that Gates did some hideously illegal stuff in the early days, anti competitive stuff. the only reason he wasnt brought down was because IT was such a new industry and it was totally unregulated, there was no such concept as copyright on programs and code, so he could just rip others work and pass it as his own, put it this way if he'd done that in anyother industry he would have got 10-15 years

In China there is a saying: wealth does not extend for over three generations. The Microsoft empire will collapse in favour of competitors. The matter is when.

Profit is profit.

And your personal stories about Windows freezing are always amusing, especially considering that the main cause of that is user incompetence. I could go on about how XP has yet to freeze on me. But what's the point when everyone seems to hate Microsoft for its market share and "oppressing" ways?

Two things about "user incompetence":

1. Users shouldn't have to have special knowledge to use a computer. You don't need to be an expert to use any other household electronics.

2. I've been using computers since I was five years old.

3. I wasn't aware there were "competent" and "incompetent" ways to press the power button.

Two things about "user incompetence":

1. Users shouldn't have to have special knowledge to use a computer. You don't need to be an expert to use any other household electronics.

2. I've been using computers since I was five years old.

3. I wasn't aware there were "competent" and "incompetent" ways to press the power button. Please, don't get me started on how much more user-friendly Macs are… PC owners treat Macs like Nero treated Christians. Except the lions are metaphorical.

Of course Microsoft will eventually collapse. The matter is indeed when; when a "competitor" can get a product out that is as versatile and user-friendly as Windows.

I wouldn't doubt that Bill Gates used illegal means to secure his success, but I would definitely like to see some non-partisan sources to this claim. As you seem to know exactly what he did, I'm sure it'd be easier for you to find them than it would be for me.

Two things about "user incompetence":

1. Users shouldn't have to have special knowledge to use a computer. You don't need to be an expert to use any other household electronics.

2. I've been using computers since I was five years old.

3. I wasn't aware there were "competent" and "incompetent" ways to press the power button.

Well I counted three items, but I suppose counting is different for some people.

1. You sure don't need to be an expert to use household electronics, but common sense dictates that you don't rest the TV on the side of the bathtub while you're taking one. The same applies to Windows; more specifically IE. Common sense dictates that (for example) downloading porn is probably going to give your computer something you don't want.

2. At five did you use the computer to play games? Or were you learning to code/program/etc?

3. So you are implying that by turning on a computer installed with Windows it will immediately crash/display an error/be bugged/etc?

What problems do you all have with Windows and how did they display themselves? My particularly biased position is based on the fact that I haven't had any encounter of all these problems the enemies of Microsoft spout.

But I'm a simple man, using my computer for email, projects, web browsing and games.

And please, tell me how the much more expensive Mac system is more user-friendly than Windows.

has anyone heard of Lindows?
Best lawsuit ever ^_^

Microsoft ought to be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. It's this kind of slef-debasement carried out by companies to gain markets in oppressive dictatorships like China that gives capitalism a bad name. I dont think that Western Democracies should have anything to do with China.
China isn't a dictatorship, its an Oligarchy. You're thinking North Korea. And as long as capitalism continues to run rampant, companies will always be looking for cheap labor. Oh, and thought you might want to know something, China is the way it is due to run away Capitalsm, the rich get richer, and the poor are so broke there's no lower to go.

I'm not surprised, so many countries have adopted a policy of appeasement towards China these days.
Microsoft isn't a country, and appeasement in what sense? They can control their own citizen's lives if they wish, and by international law no other country can interfere.


1. Users shouldn't have to have special knowledge to use a computer. You don't need to be an expert to use any other household electronics.
<snip>
Like users shouldn't have to have special knowlage to use a car maybe? One of the strengths of computers is their flexablilty, which leaves them open to attack. If you just want to play games, get a console, if you just want to type, get a typewriter, if you want a complex, multipurpose machine, expect it to have a few bugs. You don't need much knowlage, just enough common sense to do virus checks and do simple research on what problems are...eg my computer ran slow earlier this week, a quick scan with spybot and googling a couple of system processes I didn't recognise later and it was fixed (and no I don't program, I just know how to delete programs, its hardly rocket science)

I wish I didn't have to use Windows. It's reset my computer (for no reason) about six times in one hour.
Run spybot and some anti virus software then, don't just moan about it.

Of course Microsoft will eventually collapse. The matter is indeed when; when a "competitor" can get a product out that is as versatile and user-friendly as Windows.
And please, tell me how the much more expensive Mac system is more user-friendly than Windows.
:Pets his iMac (2nd gen):
The reason Mac is so expensive is so few people buy them. Also, have you ever heard the saying "You get what you pay for?" Macs are infinately more user friendly, just not as friendly to said user's wallet, don't get the two confused. If I offered to sell you a Commadore 64 for 2 bucks, would you go on and on about it being user-friendly thanks purely to the cost? There are two reasons Macs have not completely taken over.

1)The cost, which is caused by the small demand, so if more people bought macs, Apple could produce it in larger quantities, which would reduce the cost per unit, which would drop the price to the consumer. Apple makes very little profit on each computer sold, and nearly NO profit if you use the nearly universally available education discount.

2)Windows was released in this country first, and due to Gates manuvering, quickly obtained a majority market share, which progressed into a stranglehold. When 70% of the world has your system, what are people most likely going to program for? The better system that 25% of people have? Nope, you. And Microsoft has a trend of buying the companies that DO make software for the Mac (Bungie, creators of Halo, used to make games for ONLY Mac, in fact, the Mac version of Halo was finished before the X-box was even a blip on the news, but Microsoft (their new owners) refused to allow them to release it until the VERY, after it had been released on X-box, and months later than it was released on PC). There is no arguing that Bill Gates is a brilliant business man, but so much of his crap pisses on anti-trust laws, that its not even funny. However, when you're the richest person in the country, you can afford good lawyers, and a small army of them at that.

umm, who cares if they did that so chinese people will buy microsoft? I personally dont think thats a big thing that they dont wanna offend people. Microsoft doesnt belong to one country, though its biggest market is the good ol' US of A.

:Pets his iMac (2nd gen):
However, when you're the richest person in the country, you can afford good lawyers, and a small army of them at that.



not country, WORLD

Well I counted three items, but I suppose counting is different for some people.
I had two things, then I added a third and forgot to change what I had written.

1. You sure don't need to be an expert to use household electronics, but common sense dictates that you don't rest the TV on the side of the bathtub while you're taking one. The same applies to Windows; more specifically IE. Common sense dictates that (for example) downloading porn is probably going to give your computer something you don't want.
I don't use IE and I don't download porn. Not that these things are common sense - try asking a new computer user how to keep their computer safe - they won't say these, but a new TV user will know not to put it near water.

2. At five did you use the computer to play games? Or were you learning to code/program/etc?
Neither, but you shouldn't have to be a programmer to use a computer successfully. The term is user-friendliness.

3. So you are implying that by turning on a computer installed with Windows it will immediately crash/display an error/be bugged/etc?
No, but my computer reset itself simply trying to start up.

What problems do you all have with Windows and how did they display themselves?
Resetting itself seemingly at random.

My particularly biased position is based on the fact that I haven't had any encounter of all these problems the enemies of Microsoft spout.
So, because you (one person) had no problems, they don't exist?

And please, tell me how the much more expensive Mac system is more user-friendly than Windows.[/QUOTE]
I don't know anything about macs, I've never used one.

Like users shouldn't have to have special knowlage to use a car maybe?
Computers can't drive into people and kill them.

Run spybot and some anti virus software then, don't just moan about it.
I do run anti-virus and anti-spyware. If you don't like my "moaning" ignore it.

I hate Microsoft, but the Windowsbashing is too out of control. My 98 machine is 6 years old, and its only crashed about 14 times. Considering how most computers over 4 years old crash that many times a month, and most of the 2nd gen iMacs (OSX eMacs are much better} I use crash 14 times an hour, it's a damn good number. I've only had to reformat it once, and that was because my friend's little brother decided that compressing the entire C:\ drive would make the computer better. This machine right here is a 3 year-old XP SP1. It's crashed on me only once, and that was due to the massive amounts of videos I downloaded that caused Explorer.exe to go WTF? A simple mass-deletion fixed everything. Still though, it'd be nice to use Linux because apparently typing commands is faster than point-and-click if you type 75wpm or higher.
Yeah, that keeps happening to my boyfriend's computer.....I hope he hasn't been hacked :(
You might have MSBlaster. It's been known to infect NT-based and XP machines.
not country, WORLD
Microsoft is second-richest and Bill Gates is third-richest. Wal-Mart generates much more revenue and profit than Microsoft, and the owner of Ikea has the most money of all entrepreneuers.

No, but my computer reset itself simply trying to start up.


Resetting itself seemingly at random.




You wouldn't by any chance happen to have a speaker or speakers in spitting
distance of your computer tower? They cause computers of all makes to do such things, because of the magnets inside them. If you have powered speakers, you have to be extra careful of this, as the magnetic field is much larger and stronger than plain old speakers. I was very stupid when I beleived the BS the salesman @ PutridSlop, er FutureFlop, told me when I bought a sheilded tower for my PC. I unthinkingly put my big 60watt Ibanez bass amp beside my computer tower. Within days my computer was doing the exact same things you've described your computer doing. I lost almost a years worth of data from a whole slew of audio programs I use to make my music.

Through some social engineering, I did manage to get a refund on the tower plus a new HD and discounts on the motherboard and other items, but the pain of losing those works (some of them near to completion) hurt more than any money lost.

Um, Defragmenting weekly also helps prevent Computer Sepeku such as you are experiencing. Running Regclean regularily also helps prevent silicon misery.




I forget who said it here, but the multi-purpose nature of PCs as a reason for so many pain in the ass technical issues and faults with PCS is.....correct. Taking proper care of it helps eliminate about 95% percent of my Windows problems. The remaining problems are either through not thinking or getting infected with Spy/Ad/Malware.

Why do people go on about Macs "user friendliness"? Anyone who has ever tried to use Cubase (esp. the older versions) or ProTools can attest to the fact that user friendliness doesn't mean diddly-squat when the software interface and architechture are created by sadistic retards. Anyone who hasn't had a Mac crash either never had one, or if they did, never tried using it to its fullest potential (they just like having expensive, pretty toys)