Hasta la Vista, Bill (and BOFH-style inventory disposal)

Hasta la Vista, Bill, says the eponymous company, founded in 1999. Founder John Wall (of Wall Data fame) is livid. Michael Hampton shakes his head, "You’d think someone would have noticed that company just down the street." Bart Xerocool quips, "Microsoft could really care-less as they get sued like everyday."

>> UK blogger "Annie" shrugs and says it...

may well not bother me, as this PC is less than a year old & I’m seriously thinking of going for a Mac next time around. [read more]

>>Alex Scoble is incredulous, asking what was wrong with "Windows 2006"?

I know that coming up with a product name is difficult, but if this is all that the biggest moneymaking machine on the planet, this side of the IRS, could come up with, we are in big trouble as a species. [read more]

>>Antonio Ortiz thinks Wall doesn't have a leg to stand on (assuming my Spanish is up to it):

In principle, no matter how much Microsoft can be criticized, I believe that in this dispute they are going to be more right than John Wall... It's very clear to me that Windows Vista and Wall's company are two different things and there is no overlap between an operating system and a services company... However, the boot's on the other foot this time: Microsoft should recall its confrontation with Mocosoft. [read more (in Spanish)]

>>Bill Quick fumes, "Do As We Say, Not As We Do":

How hard would it have been for mega-moneybags Gates and his company to negotiate a licensing deal with Vista? But no, they are MICROSOFT, and while they defend their own marks at the drop of a hat, they don't have to play by their own rules with anybody else. I hope Wall rips a big chunk out of their wallet. [read more]

>>Chris Camargo points out that it's up to Wall to be seen to protect his trademark:

Knowing very well how protective Microsoft is of its trademarks, I'm sure ol' John doesn't want to see himself get tangled into a lawsuit when Microsoft comes for him after the launch of the OS. Good luck with that, John. [read more]

>>Engadget notes that Wall is not alone:

Among the companies that could be affected by the new name are La Jolla, California, based Vista Software, and Warren, Ohio’s Vista Window Co., which makes, you guessed it, Windows. Somehow we suspect that, if any of these companies make a run at Microsoft, they’re going to face a reaction that makes Apple’s successful defense of the Tiger brand against Tiger Direct look meek by comparison. It’s Windows Vista, now and forever (or at least until Blackcomb comes out). Get used to it. [read more]

>>German blogger Sebastian Hirschmann asks,

Could it be, that Microsoft’s struggle to get patents on everything - including smiley creators - is finally turning on them again? Or will Microsofts [sic] response be to just buy Vista and make them shut up by that? [read more]

>>Lukasz Maciak first notes that "Višta" is Lithuanian for "Chicken" and then loses it, badly:

Come on people! It's Chicken! You are fighting over a chicken! This is silly! I have this mental image of lawyers playing tug of war with a rubber chicken! [read more]

Buffer overflow:

• UK police chiefs seek powers to attack terror websites
• HP fires Alan Kay
  
• Google Maps Hybrid mode
• CardSystems’ Take: IT’S NOT FAIR!!!
• Small Organizations Good Prospects for Linux-Based Email, Beware Cost of Sales
• Now businesses take bite of the Apple
• VB 6 Rides Again!! (well, not really)
• Accessing obsolete media -- a permanent solution
• Sometimes the CIO has to say 'no' to the business
• Coming in November: CyberStorm
• Wanted: Long lasting disks
• Open source means more than just replacements

And finally... BOFH: Chuck it and leg it.

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.