Archive for December, 2008

More Sherman in the holy land

Posted: December 29, 2008 by datechguy in amazon reviews, opinion/news
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I’ve invoked William Tecumseh Sherman several times in the last few weeks. Via Glenn The Other McCain does so as well:

Sherman’s sober words about the “terrible hardships of war” were written to the mayor of Atlanta, who had complained about the cruelty of the Union commander’s order for the evacuation of the civilian population of the city. Sherman’s merciless attitude was motivated by his belief that the South bore responsibility for starting the war, and thus had no legitimate grounds to complain about the consequences of war. Sherman furthermore believed that by devastating the interior of the Confederacy, destroying its infrastructure and resources, he would hasten the end of the war and thereby end its attendant misery:

This is exactly right.

He also says this:

If the IDF had a Sherman in command, he would no doubt vow to “make Gaza howl” with a March to the Sea.

Boy that sounds familiar.

Sherman BTW is a fascinating person I suggest finding a good biography to read of him, but not this one by Lee Kennett which managed to make the story of an interesting man into a boring tale.

The invisible man

Posted: December 28, 2008 by datechguy in opinion/news
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War in the middle east.

The economy in tatters.

Scandal in Chicago.

The Patriots 11-5 but eliminated from the playoffs.

And the invisible president elect is nowhere to be seen and not heard.

Update: Do ya think that the resign early crowd are happy that Bush didn’t take their advice and quit early?

The Never Ending XP

Posted: December 28, 2008 by datechguy in tech
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It looks like Microsoft has heard the cry of the Customer again and is extending the OEM period of windows XP through May 2009.

Microsoft system builder partners who’ve been feeling queasy about the impending Jan. 31, 2009, deadline for selling PCs with Windows XP pre-installed can now breathe a bit easier, as Microsoft is giving them a way to obtain XP licenses through distribution after the deadline.

In an e-mail to ChannelWeb, a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed the existence of a flexible inventory program that will allow distributors to place their final orders for Windows XP OEM licenses by Jan. 31, 2009, and take delivery against those orders through May 30.

At Amazon Aric Annear has a theory why this is the case:

Some are speculating that Microsoft is extending this deadline to ease the overlap into the release of Windows 7, slated to drop in mid-2009, rather than risk losing Vista-averse customers in the downtime between XP’s demise and Windows 7’s arrival.

Of course if windows 7 is the dog Vista was then I might see my grandchildren buying XP systems.

Full disclosure: I am typing this on a Vista system that I “upgraded” from XP two years ago.

You know Microsoft actions concerning Windows XP remind me of the old Robin Williams live performance mocking Libya and the “line of death” back in the 80’s. Maybe he can modify it as Bill Gates with the a “deadline of death” skit.

Now THIS takes guts

Posted: December 28, 2008 by datechguy in opinion/news
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Remember this name Abdallah bin Bakhit. He is a Saudi columnist in Saudi Arabia and he is a brave man:

Abdallah bin Bakhit, Saudi liberal and columnist for the Saudi daily Al-Jazirah, stated in an interview on Al-Arabiya that “the time has passed” for the Saudi religious police, and that it should be abolished.

He has been banned from writing for Al-Jazirah hopefully that is the lest of what happens.

Via LGF who notes its a start. I think it is huge. A Saudi writer publicly coming out against the religious police in a state where the death penalty is in full force? That is bravery.

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