Microsoft .NET AJAX ad is Blocking Downloads for JUndo Runtime

I just tried to move a file across using the JUndo Runtime download, and there is an advertisement for Microsoft .NET AJAX on the the download page that is blocking access to the direct download link (it is visually extending outside its bounds and covering the link). Meanwhile the automatic download refuses to proceed. Thus, the Microsoft ad is effectively preventing the JUndo Runtime from being downloaded on Sourceforge. The workaround is to view source on the page, and then use the link tag in the source to manually build the HTTP location for direct download. Thank you, Microsoft.

Update: It's clearly visible when I use the Safari browser. The link for "direct" downloads is on the left of the Sourceforge download page for JUndo Runtime, and the Microsoft ad is on the far right of the page. The ad extends its region all the way to the left (while remaining visually transparent) so that when you click on the direct download link the click activation is taken by the Microsoft ad. Hence, one's mouse click is usurped by the Microsoft ad, and never goes to activate the link. Clicking the area of the link clearly highlights the ad instead.

It's Time For Open Source-- Part 2

A chinese student has recently sued Microsoft for using Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) to infringe in his privacy. See the link below.


http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/13/content_6718045.htm


This highlights a much bigger problem. Without the source code one simply doesn't know how much information a product (e.g. Microsoft Office) is collecting about its users and then sending back over the network to some other location like a corporate headquarters. The ability to collect information plus the ability to apply a reduced functionality mode (see my previous blogs) adds up to a lot of power.

Open source is not only THE choice for the protection of privacy, it is potentially the ONLY choice for the protection of privacy. Perhaps Verdantium, perhaps something else, but I think an open-source productivity suite makes a lot of sense today.

Microsoft Reduced Functionality Mode-- It's Time for Open Source Software

Microsoft has recently announced that it has activated a "Reduced Functionality Mode" for Windows that allows it to defunctionalize particular copies of Microsoft Windows. It is also believed that Microsoft will extend their technology for "reduced functionality" to other products such as Microsoft Office (if they haven't done so already). According to the following news report:


http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9035478


the reduced functionality includes reducing one's computer to a black screen after one hour of browsing, no start menu or task bar, and no desktop.

Certainly this is legal, conforms with Microsoft license agreements, etc. But who's to say that the functionality will only be reduced for legitimate purposes? Suppose Microsoft doesn't want people using Google. Who is to say Microsoft couldn't defunctionalize Windows for those people? Suppose Microsoft doesn't like your business. Who is to say Microsoft couldn't defunctionalize all of your copies of Windows? The only way to know for sure is to look at the source code, and Microsoft always jealously guards the source code so that nobody knows the extent to which functionality can be reduced. One could seek remedy using a civil suit against Microsoft, but the suit would drag on for years. Meanwhile, you have no working computers and no revenue. And of course the fact that you signed your life away by accepting Microsoft's license agreement will be raised in court. Your business will probably end its death spiral before the case is resolved (i.e. shades of Stac vs. Microsoft).

One of the advantages of open source projects over software such Microsoft Office is that in the open source world there isn't a large entity that can remotely defunctionalize your software. You can see the source code. Other people can see the source code. There are no surprises. I think the time for open-source productivity software has come. Perhaps Verdantium, perhaps something else. But definitely something that can't be defunctionalized on a whim.