Microsoft.. not so evil anymore?

Link to CNN's article

Edit: sorry had a borked link.

Edit #2: Wtf? When I edited my borked link my message went away.. anyway

MS basically is making a program that helps police sort and identify child pornography, so that 1) it's faster and 2) cops don't have to look at child porn all day to see if cases are related.
[Edited on 9-10-2003 by EWom]

[Edited on 9-10-2003 by EWom]

Ahh...but can it be altered to sort and identify other things by criteria as well? (such as conspiracy-related) Maybe not so innocent after all....

I think "microsoft" and "not evil" should not be pronounced in the same sentance.

They could and definitly WILL find other use for that program, believe me.

Originally posted by m0rbid
I think "microsoft" and "not evil" should not be pronounced in the same sentance.

They could and definitly WILL find other use for that program, believe me.

I totaly agree, microsoft are bastards. Doesn't stop the fact that im using microsoft software right now....dammit. They are corparate whores, I try not to by into huge corperations but microsoft is the only one i have falen down on. It is hard to avoid seeing as they have such a monopoly on the computer market/software market.

Today, most of us doesn't really have a choice. I work with it, and all of the customers we support use it too.

Of course at home I have a dual boot with slackware. But they monopolise almost all of the office computers of small or medium enterprise.

I don't really understand why a database of child porn pictures would be necessary for the cops. I thought child porn was one of those "you know it when you see it" sort of things. having a searchable database of pictures doesn't seem like it'd be much help at all.

While the idea of automated software to aid the police in their efforts to stomp out child pornography is a good idea, I have to say that it still needs to be controlled and checked thoroughly by a human. I've used alot of microsoft software, and as much as i hate to bash them(because i hear it every day) they aren't the best at coding software, and have made some pretty big mistakes lately, so I don't know if I would trust them. As for its other uses, yes, its entirely possible that it could be used for ends other than its intended purpose. Also, making the software shouldnt change the fact that microsoft is anti-competitive and uses some very uncool business methods to retain their control on the IT industry, and I hope this is a honest effort to do good on their part, and not some butt-kissing scheme to get the federal government off their backs.

[Edited on 9-10-2003 by alternateheaven]

Microsoft was evil in the first place? ...... This is confusing.

BTW I'm back. I couldn't login. Stupid 2.0.

I have totally changed my view about MS recently.

Bill and his wife plan to give away their entire fortune during their lifetime. He is funding anti aids and health projects throughout Africa and educational projects in America. The guy is turning into the greatest philanthropist in the world.

I am happy to support him based on that ....

That still doesn't excuse all the # Microsoft as did, but I don't feel like dwelling back into history.

Yeah, they want to look generous. But that's nothing for him, as we can merely just estimate how much money the guy made.

No mather how good and honnorable the guy become, I'll never trust a company that control such a big monopoly. Yeah, they're giving out money to the African people, at the same time they're implanting Palladium on the next OS to control and monitor every piece of hardware that compose our machine, while reserving the right for them-selve to refuse some hardware.