Re: MyDoom generation (Jan. 28)
I do not quite understand the problem. I don’t care who sends me e-mail, I never open any attached document without first saving it. This triggers my
anti-virus app and gives me a change to find malicious files.
Why can we not demand all mail clients change their functionality to only allow saves for attachments prior to opening the file? Get rid of the open as, or open with, or double click — double trouble options.
Thanks, I liked your article.
Philip Lucas
P.S. I use a Line mail server and third party client to avoid the virus attacks focused on Outlook, Microsoft and related products. This helps a bit.
Re: Word to your motherboard (Jan. 26)
BTX exists to force us all to buy new PCs to replace the ones we have now that are still doing exactly what we need them to.
Perhaps the industry has gotten used to the large cash flow generated by the adoption of computer hardware. Well, it’s been adopted. Of necessity, the number of computers being sold will be now be reduced. This means that the pain and anguish in the computer industry is far from over. It will be lean times for years to come for the traditional vendors of PC products working in the markets already served. Only those companies pursuing new markets, perhaps with new technologies, will continue to experience dramatic growth.
Scott White
Re: Rowe vs. Gates (Jan. 20)
Thank God someone finally tells it like it is about these shameless self-promoters! I think it’s akin to Marilyn Manson et al who love the free advertising from any organizations stupid enough to make a fuss about their music. Luckily, the organizations that oppose musicians are finally starting to catch onto the promotional aspect of controversy. Let’s hope that the general media smartens up and learns to distinguish between intelligent, hard-working youth, and leeches such as Mr. Rowe.
I’ve worked in IT for many years, and was working on many “”serious”” Web projects for big business in the late 1990s. When the dot-com boom hit, I had to cancel my subscription to the Globe and Mail since I couldn’t stand another article on 14-year-old Internet entrepreneurs. I have friends that are business reporters, and they have the good sense to ask my opinion every now and then about a technology story, but sometimes their need to sell papers to the general public overrides their common sense.
Andrew Monti
Re: Rowe vs. Gates (Jan. 20)
I seem to remember, back in the mid ’70s when I got my first desktop computer, a young “”kid”” by the name of Bill Gates who possessed the same traits that Mike does.
You won’t get any sympathy for Bill Gates and Microsoft from me. The only regrettable thing I see in this situation is that Rowe’s mother isn’t a highly-placed computer company executive and his father isn’t a New York corporate lawyer.
Don Kendall
Re: Rowe vs. Gates (Jan. 20)
I find it a shame that everyone can’t see the truth also that this is not a David and Goliath story. I watched this story on my local news last night and couldn’t help but notice how Mike choose “”soft”” for his url when as a website company the word soft has no meaning. Your article hit the nail square on the head and I wish people would stop jumping on the bandwagon of hating Microsoft to the point where they can’t see that this kid is trying to get fame and riches off a play on words that resembles one of the most recognizable company names.
I would also like to note that I have been receiving these newsletters from ITBusiness.ca and many other magazines for about two years now and this is the first time that an article has touched me to the point I wanted to send the writer an e-mail thanking him for writing such a great column.
Jason Smith
Re: Rowe vs. Gates (Jan. 20)
Sorry, I can’t agree with you on this. So many of us have from time to time agonized over a name for a business (or a child, as you mention in your article — I remember it well). The fact that he can put across a little play on his name and a universally recognized name in the computing sector is just fortuitous (I assume his parents didn’t deliberately name him thus).
The yellow pages are full of equally sappy parodaisical names. Do you think there is some danger that a client might mistakenly think they are purchasing services from Gates and Company? Come off it. I think this can equally be panned as a symptom of our overlitigious times (especially in the U.S. where it seems to be a major industry).
Why shouldn’t he force Microsoft to consider how serious a threat this is to their good name by demanding $10,000 to desist? If it’s such a perceived threat, take it to court then. He seems to be content to continue using the name if Microsoft doen’t want to pay. Why should he throw over his work in setting up his Web site for a paltry $10 just because some legal heavyweights suggest he do so.
Guy Wright
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