BRUCEB NEWS
Dark Patterns Are Evil – And They’re Everywhere
I hate to interrupt the steady flow of happiness and joy in the news, but I want to call your attention to a small way that our civilization is degrading into a dystopian hell. Once I describe it, you'll notice it everywhere. The web is filled with dark patterns -...
YAHOO ESSENTIALS
Microsoft is fond of saying it actually encourages competition by developing programs that can be customized. Yahoo has stepped up and released a clever bit of software that will...
PREPARING FOR WINDOWS XP
Some good advice from TechRepublic. ========================== BEFORE YOU INSTALL WINDOWS XP. . . Today is release day for the Windows XP operating system, which means that...
MORE COPYRIGHT HIJINKS
Those daffy jokesters at the RIAA are in high gear these days. Last week the recording industry attempted to insert provisions in anti-terrorism legislation that would have...
REMOTE CONTROL
I just had a very positive experience with a service that offers an intriguing alternative to PCAnywhere. PCAnywhere has traditionally been the only choice for controlling your...
WINDOWS XP PRODUCT ACTIVATION
I have a lot of problems with the relentless attacks on Microsoft in the media these days, but the one that's most on my mind is the campaign to discredit Windows XP. Microsoft...
WINDOWS XP PROMOTION BEGINS
Microsoft is beginning its $200 million advertising campaign for Windows XP today. There was a calculated decision not to start promoting it early, to avoid a repeat of the...
TERRORIST LEGENDS
The Register has a good article about the various urban legends that have circulated by e-mail since the terrorist attacks. Most of them will be familiar: the doctored photos,...
URBAN LEGENDS AND VIRUS HOAXES
When I get e-mail messages that don't smell right, the web site I check first is the Urban Legends site at About.com. You're likely to find solid information about any e-mail...
MORE CHEAP COMPUTERS
I don't know if I'd buy one of these, but it's a good illustration of how goofy prices are in the computer world these days. Emachines has introduced new systems running Windows...
SIRCAM VIRUS WARNING
SirCam is a widely distributed virus. Within the next four days, you'd like to become very confident that you're not infected with it. According to one analysis of SirCam's code,...
KAISER BUYS WEBVAN ASSETS
A fascinating look at technology recycling - and a sobering example of how little the assets of failed dot-coms are worth. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals is taking over Webvan's...
WINDOWS XP REVIEW
Here's a look at Windows XP by GamePC.com. It's called a "gamer's perspective," but it's more than that - it's a pretty good discussion of a lot of the new features in Windows...
COPYRIGHT POLICE WANT TOUGHER LAWS
UPDATE 10/10: The proposals are quite real - but the meeting last week apparently didn't happen. The Register sends its apologies. POSTED 10/7: The music and entertainment...
THE FUTURE AS SCIENCE FICTION
John Heilemann wrote an article for PC Magazine a few weeks ago describing some of the things that might become part of our world in the next thirty years. It's always dangerous...
LEGO RACERS 2
The original Lego Racers is a fabulous game - simple, addictive, fun. I spent a lot of time with it myself. (You can pick it up for under ten bucks now. Do it!) Lego Racers 2...