AMD big in Japan, weird new laws, MS buying Claria, chai, and more...

AMD is throwing everything but the kitchen sink at its spat with Intel. Now it's filed two complaints in Japan, totaling $55M. Don Tennant teases us and says plausible deniability isn't an option. GMSV says it, "Looks like it's pizza and Mini Thins for AMD legal again." The Slashdot discussion has some good high points: how Intel attacks in Mexico // an Intel OEM customer's experience // Intel deserves spanking // AMD is hypocritical // AMD never had a chance with Apple // VIA's also around; a compelling platform. Morgan Stanley maintains that AMD stock is underpriced.

Weird new laws in Michigan and Utah, enacted to prohibit illegal content from being emailed to children. Although well-meaning, these laws will do very little to protect children from spammers, but will do much to increase the costs and risks of legitimate business. Anne Mitchell's Institute for Spam and Internet Public Policy summarizes. "The Seeker" is less critical: "This is good, tough, necessary protection for kids." Greg Krehbiel is undecided: "I don't know whether these particular laws are good or bad, but at least they're trying..." Austrian blogger Christoph Cemper calls it "overly administrative overkill." WhatCounts president David Geller asks, "What were you thinking?" ClickZ warns that the laws, "May Catch Marketers Off-Guard." Stop press: Utah's law has been delayed at the eleventh hour.

Microsoft buying Spyware maker? Yes, says the NYT. Indeed so, says the WSJ. No way, say TechDirt and SiliconBeat. Where there's smoke there's fire, says Todd Russell. Think about it .. it makes sense, says Australian blogger Nik Cubrilovic:

Microsoft buying Claria has nothing to do with Gator, spyware or blocking popups. Common sense tells you that the valuation price is not so that Microsoft learns more about how spyware works. What they are after is Gain, which is a Claria product. The reason why? Gain is the most advanced targeted advertising system on earth. [read more]

Buffer overflow:

• The downside of Embedding RSS in Longhorn
• Bottom-up broadband
• Little trouble with the old MasterCard, Sen. Leahy?
• The coming Intel/Qualcomm wireless clash
• The Best Places to Work are fun
• The death of the pure-RFID market
• Microsoft: The biggest IT outsourcer?

And finally... A recipe for chai (a delicious Asian spiced tea latte).

Richi Jennings is an independent technology and marketing consultant, specializing in email, blogging, Linux, and computer security. A 20 year, cross-functional IT veteran, he is also an analyst at Ferris Research. Contact Richi at blogwatch@richi.co.uk.