Monday, November 15, 2004

Computer loophole hits hi-tech NHS trial says the Sunday Times. Apparently there are security problems with the appointments booking system, which gives all doctors access to all GPs' patient records and the facility to edit them.

Also from Sunday, Dan Gillmor laments Microsoft's ability to buy its way out of trouble.

"Microsoft's $536 million settlement with Novell, which had sued on antitrust claims, was big money for Novell. It was less than pocket change for Microsoft, which at last count had nearly $65 billion in cash and short-term investments -- and not a dime of debt.

In a slew of financial settlements with companies Microsoft has trampled over the years, the payout for wrongdoing is roughly $3 billion to date. That represents about three months of profit for a company that literally can't spend its cash fast enough, and is giving shareholders a one-time bonus of $3 a share early next month. That payout will put only a temporary dent in the cash hoard.

What does all this mean? Simple. When governments fail to enforce the rules of capitalism, monopoly profits can buy one's way out of almost any kind of trouble...

...n a report last week about Microsoft's new search technology, for example, the Wall Street Journal observed: ``Microsoft brings a big wallet and a track record of coming from behind in areas that it deems critical. The company belatedly recognized the importance of the Internet and ultimately steamrolled Netscape Communications in Web browser software.''

You'll note there's not even a hint here that one of Microsoft's most essential tactics in achieving that browser dominance was breaking the law. Even the best and most important business newspaper in the world can't be bothered to remember history."

Not Microsoft's biggest fan.

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