[Am-info] Flaw Detected In Windows Media Player

[Erick Andrews]

On Tue, 20 Nov 2001 16:14:58 -0500, John J. Urbaniak wrote:

>Reconditioned computers!!!  They're going to supply the poor schools
>*reconditioned computers*!?!
>
>Good God, where is Justice?
>
>John
>
>madodel@ptdprolog.net wrote:
>
>> From: Computerworld_Daily@Computerworld.com
>>
>> Microsoft may be close to settling private suits
>>
>> After reaching a deal in its antitrust fight with the Justice Department
>> and nine states this month, Microsoft may now be close to settling a more
>> than 100 of the private suits still aimed at it.
>>
>> http://computerworld.com/nlt/1%2C3590%2CNAV47_STO65917_NLTAM%2C00.html
>>

What's been an interesting development over the past couple of years here in
Massachusetts is that in many communities the schools will not accept
donations of used PC's.  I don't know about Macintoshes, but I would
speculate that the more affluent schools will have both them and PCs,
and up to date.

It's no wonder because much of the used stuff is worth little:  the hardware
speed and storage capabilities are behind Moore's "curve" and they're 
perceived as hindering so-called "computer education" classes.  More
to the point, the old software, like MS Office, is no longer compatible with 
the Microsoft's new foistings.

Slightly OT, but get this...

Last month my 1992 HP DeskJet500, which I bought new ($325?), finally
wore out a segment gear that feeds paper.  I went to my friendly junk man
(errr...used PC dealer) in hopes to get the part and fix it myself, because the
old 500 suits most of my daily needs perfectly.

I picked up two DeskJets for $5 apiece and brought them home with the intent
to cannibalize them for parts.  Guess what!  I plugged them in and they
both worked perfectly...and one one turned out to be a 500 C (color) so I never
bothered fixing my old one.  I spent $8 for an A/B switch, another $13 for
a color refill kit and I haven't looked back.

Schools should be selective for their needs if they're on a tight budget,
and they shouldn't have to get into the junk biz.

-- 
Erick