Bryan Strawser

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Bryan Strawser

Oh, bullshit.  The “War on

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Oh, bullshit.  The “War on Terror” is Still Nonsensical. For the past months the media has been using the term “war on terror” as though it were a neutral description of U.S. military action in Afghanistan or of U.S. threats of future attacks elsewhere. On its face, the “war on terror” — or even “war on terrorism” — is at best a misnomer. How, exactly, does one declare war on a concept, on a tactic, and how would such a war be won? Even if we assume that what Washington really means when it says “war on terror” is “war on terrorists”, the term is deeply problematic. [kuro5hin.org]

I have plenty of Linux

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I have plenty of Linux CD-ROMs for this machine.  No licenses or other crap.  I still like what Wal-Mart did!  Walmart’s PC without an OS.  I think the analysts are missing the point.  I have lots of spare Windows 98 and Me disks that I could use to run this machine.  I also have lots of nice monitors that are still usable.  This is a discount PC for people that have PC parts (Windows and Monitors) lying around the house unused.  This is a relatively fast PC for a kid’s room.  My problem with most new systems is that I can’t unbundle the package and drop the monitor or the O/S to cut the cost of the system.  Due to bundling agreements with Microsoft, PC companies pay a Microsoft tax for every PC that ships.   Walmart clearly thought that this was a low cost niche they could fill as long as they didn’t cut a deal with Microsoft.  Nice. [John Robb’s Radio Weblog]

Be glad that we have

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Be glad that we have a constitution to protect our freedom of speech.  The Globe and Mail: Angry consumer wins out over bylaw.

A furious Quebec consumer had the constitutional right to erect a sign denouncing an insurance company that he felt had done him wrong, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled yesterday.


The court said that consumers not only have a right to express their dissatisfaction with products or services — including on Internet sites — but also to read what others have to say.


Consumers may express their frustration or disappointment with a product or service,” Mr. Justice Louis LeBel wrote for a 9-0 majority. “This type of communication may be of considerable social importance — even beyond this merely commercial sphere.”

[Privacy Digest]