Bill Gates Working Hard To Prove His Own Prediction Was Correct
from the there-will-be-a-digital-wallet,-dammit dept
In the mid-90s, if you saw Bill Gates speak, he almost always brought up the idea of the digital wallet he expected us all to be carrying by the end of the decade/century/millennium. Of course, things didn't quite turn out that way, but it appears Gates has gone back to pushing the idea. His latest speech sounds an awful lot like those talks from a decade ago, and you almost get the feeling that Gates is now pushing for the digital wallet more to prove he was right than because he actually thinks that's what people want.
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Gated
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Re: Gated
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Re: Gated
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Re: Gated - More like Jaded.....
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Bill, both may be gone with the wind.
Oh Bill Gates, if only you could use your power for good, instead of Evil. ::chuckle::
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Re: Bill, both may be gone with the wind.
We the 5% of the planet rich enough to own our own PC's are being "robbed" by Bill as he overcharges us for buggy stuff, then he gives billions of his ill gotten gains to people in the Third world so they can get clean water .
Seems to me he's the closest thing to Robin Hood that we have these days.
(And believe me, I'm no blind Windoze lover).
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Re: Re: Bill, both may be gone with the wind.
If you don't like those facts, sell your PC and your car and walk to your job at McDonalds.
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Re: Bill, both may be gone with the wind.
And he's not evil: he has some charities
#1 hit the nail on the head, imitation not innovation (IE 7???)
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paperless currency? not in my grandkids' lifetime
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currency matters........
When we can fully trust each other, there will be peace on earth. LRH
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Its already happened..
Im not saying paper currency will vanish anytime soon, but Bill is right. Its pretty much old news by now.
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Gates is like water in the bridge...
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Slowly but Surely
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Re:
He's still the devil though, if that makes you happy!
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re: texnofobix
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Credit Cards and Charge Cards
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Tipical Microsoft's way of thinking
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go bill
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Re: go bill
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Re: go bill
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Re: go bill
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Re: go bill
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bill - not necessary for us !
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Digital Wallet
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Re: Digital Wallet
Oh right! So if I don't like their product, all I need to do is not buy it. That's brilliant!!!
Now, let's go to Dell and buy a computer... and let's try to (easily) find one that doesn't have Windows packaged with it.
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Re: Re: Digital Wallet
Then find a vendor who doesn't force you to buy windows, seems simple really. IBM/Lenovo, Apple, and HP all sell non-windows boxes.
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Re: Re: Digital Wallet
Dell has a wide variety of Computers that come with Red Hat Linux pre-installed.
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Awesome
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What Cash!
(and I was kind of hoping it was about 640k too! - Microsoft Code bloat can stop any time now)
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Money is dead
I use it as a credit card most of the time so I don't have to use my pin in front of prying eyes. But It even counts as cash at those antiquated mom and pop gas stations that charge more for credit cards.
All of my Bills are paid online and I can't tell you the last time I wrote a check its been 3 years or more.
I received a phone call at 6PM on Saturday from my bank. They called to alert me, that my Debit Card Number and Pin Number had been compromised at a local retailer. They deemed the risk significant, lowered all of my maximums for withdrawals, and POS limits, left my card operational until my new card arrived, (but gave me the option to cancel it outright until then) and promised to ship me the new one in 3 days. I got it in 2.
That’s pretty good. My bank can't be held responsible for the breach since it was at a retailer, but they stepped up to the plate, and managed the situation wonderfully. I couldn't be happier with the way they did it.
By the way if this type of stuff happens to you do one very important security measure. Get the persons name and extension, hang up open the yellow pages or call 411 get the number for fraud for the bank in question, and confirm the story and ask to be transferred back to that person, BEFORE Revealing any personal information about you or your account. Don't call them back at a number they give you, do the work it's worth every penny.
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Re: Money is dead
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Digital wallet
All of the bad things stated about Bill are true, though.
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plik
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digital Wallet
Listen.....all the nags and concerns we have with these systems will eventually be ironed out....peer pressure will see to that....young programmers coming on line will alter the way things work 'cause they are as frustrated as you with the bizzare quirks an stuff......
Difference is they will be doing something other than whinging!! Turn your mind to more weighty matters please such as the way the state is taking control and bit by bit criminalising us all and passing ever restrictive legislation to CONTROL YOUR LIFE....
Get a grip please......
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Choices. Whats wrong with that?
"they can't even get compatability with music and video systems....."
they would if there was more demand for it -- it cant be so because of the overwhelming Windows dominance,
"there has to be a standard to work from...."
POSIX compliance.
"getting it all to work consistently is a wonder in itself....."
Not if you understand how it works (aka educated).
"Turn your mind to more weighty matters please such as the way the state is taking control and bit by bit criminalising us all and passing ever restrictive legislation to CONTROL YOUR LIFE...."
At least we agree on something :-)
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Re:
Don't hold your breath. They don't want to poke the prod that far into microsoft's side.
And if they did it would just be a linux based distribution, you might as well just go download Ububtu or something.
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RFID
On top of that there is so much work being done with RFID, and the hope currently is that the RFID system will replace barcodes. There was a commercial a couple years back that illustrated the idea. It was a guy at a grocery store packing groceries into his trench coat then walking straight out the door. As he left the computer in the door frame printed out the reciept for everything he carried out with him. Once the research finishes up in this field it will catch on much faster than Bill's notebook sized computer...it still doesn't fit in a pocket and how many people carry a briefcase with them EVERYWHERE.
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When will people stop whining?
And as far as moving to a digital wallet, yeah, probably not far off. I, too, rarely carry cash. Who doesn't take "plastic" now? I'm constantly finding new places that take it and am amazed. I like the fact that it's convenient and I never have to carry around a bunch of change. But it isn't cool when I think about how I probably spend more because I don't see it as money. Just walk up, swipe the card and it's yours. And when you think about it, though, although it is convenient, it is scary, too. Yes, the government must love the fact that all of our purchases can be traced via the beloved Visa/MC as well as the merchants who cash in on this feeling of not really paying for your purchases.
That's technology at work. We love all of our "toys" and the way everything is smaller, faster and does more for us than the last device. Will it ever stop? Probably not, whatcha gonna do? Same thing as I alluded to in my first paragraph, stop using it. Probaly 95-99% of daily transactions/purchases could still be done with cash or check (food, gas, bills etc). If we all did that, the CC companies would eventually go out of business. We, as a society don't know what we want and are never happy with anything. We can always find fault with something.
Deal with it or do something about it.
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Gates haters
All of you people are just jealous of Gates and Microsoft. Envy has made you say things without even thinking about what you are saying.
Someone complained that they cannot buy a non-Windows PC, because they wanted to use Linux instead. Well, since you are so keen on using Linux one can only assume that you are not a "n00b" when it comes to computers. So why in the first place would you go to Dell to get ripped off? Why don't you just buy the parts, and put your PC together, and then you'll get a perfectly clean HD. It'll be cheaper than buying the same one from whichever manufacturer. It would be the smart thing to do, obviously.
The first comment also says that Gates/Microsoft are not about innovation, but only immitation. Now that's a bit ironic, since Gates has a huge contribution towards making computers what they are today. And then, someone started talking about Linux. Its GUI is a spitting image of Windows. It loads up (takes about 5x as long as Windows on the same machine), and there's a "task bar". On the left there is a "Start" menu organized like Windows'. There is also a "quick launch" just beside it. On the bottom right, there are icons of some of the processes running, and the time is displayed there as well. You open an application (say Firefox), and dang... everything is build by Microsoft's "standards". There are [minimize][maximize/restore][close] buttons on the top right of the window (with the same icons). All the options settings, exactly the same as if they were built by MS (There is a "File" menu, "Edit"...).
I mean, maybe Gates/MS are not innovative, but am I glad that we have Linux to be the innovative one.
Now I'm not just bashing Linux, but as hard as it might seems for all die-hard Linux fans, for everyday use, Windows is the OS to use. There are a couple of things as to why *nix is better, but it's not for the majority of computer users.
Just on the side, here is a short bio of Bill Gates. Evil? I don't think so. Self-made billionare that everyone seems to envy? Definitely.Cheers,
sleeps
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Re: Gates haters
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Re: Re: Gates haters
Thats far from the truth. You don't have access to the Windows Source, so you cant change it how you like. With Open Source applications, you can do whatever you want. it is freedom, not reinvention.
"Take that effort and push the limits vs redoing what is already out there."
Yo ucan't push limits without having something to work from, and you sure can't work from closed source applications.
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Re: Re: Gates haters
The whole point of open source is that it is non-proprietary, and thus encourages innovation. Does anyone really need to "re-invent" office, for example? not really, if you're willing to live with what microsoft gives you. But if you have an open source version that provides all the same services, you're free to tinker, reprogram, change, whatever you want, however much you want. That leads to a lot more innovation, and is the whole point of open source projects.
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What will I be rapping about in my music videos?
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Way Off Subject
1. The subject is "Digital Wallet" not "Bash Bill". It sounds like a lot of people are just jealous they didn't have the motivation/knowledge to do what he did. Would you feel the same way if you had done it and had his kind of money? I wouldn't, I'd just laugh at everyone who called me evil and say, "Well, too bad for you".
2. There are ways to implement a "cashless" society that doesn't involve government control, but I doubt they will ever promote or endorse it. They may endorse a cashless system, but only if they control it. You won't be able to transfer money from your digital wallet to another's without the government's knowledge because they'll want there part. They'll probably say things like, "Our way prevents tax evasion" or "It will help us catch drug dealers because we'll be able to track the money transfers" The government's greed is the only real obstacle to a truly innovative cashless system.
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So yea, just because someone wants to use Linux, doesn't automatically make them an expert. I was pretty much a 'noob', but I knew that I didn't like Windows.
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Re:
Good for you that you learned how to put a computer together. But as much as you can disagree, Linux is not nearly as user-friendly as Windows (though they try to immitate). There are certain things that have to be done from the shell, and unless you know exactly what you are doing (you don't have to be an expert, but this can't be the first time you are in front of a computer either), you can't work with the shell. You can agree or disagree.Two people can have different opinions, but if you ask me, one (say who's never been infront of a computer) cannot just start using Linux (withough having someone showing him around), but with ease can use Windows. And once you get on the internet (with Windows) you can learn pretty much everything about everything (even how to build you own PC, install Linux, and learn Linux.)
sleeps
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Re: Re:
I assume you've never used Gnome.
"(though they try to immitate)."
Linux doesn't imitate Widnows, and you obviously dont know jack about it if you believe that. Speak not from your ass lest you be flamed.
"cannot just start using Linux (withough having someone showing him around), but with ease can use Windows."
Yeah, try to install windows if you're that illiterate. You have to partition a disk either way. There are people that can't even grasp the concept clicking a button with the mouse -- this isnt a Linux issue, this is an ignorance issue.
"And once you get on the internet (with Windows)"
You can't expect Average Joe to know how to hook up a router and modem.
And on a final note:
Linux is a congregation of the knowledge and expertise of countless people from all around the world, annd all from the goodness of their hearts. They don't get paid to do any of it. Linux is pure human intent created so that YOU have an alternative OS. So that you have a CHOICE.
Might I also suggest any of the BSDs, and any other Open Source OS.
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Re: Re: Re:
I was speaking of the GUI when I was saying they are immitating, as a response to MS being all about immitation. Here are few random pix (from images.google.com). It looks a hell of a lot like Windows to me:
Oh no, some of these have the task bar on top of the screen. But hey, Windows can do that too. It seems like the "Start" button has been replaced with a different image :). Oh, and I'm sure that they came up with the idea to use [min][max][close] in the top right corner. Also, I can see that everything is organized in several drop down menus... Hmm.. I can see: File, Edit, View... how creative that Linux apps are designed like that. I wonder why? But hey, that's not immitating. It's just comming up with the same idea that MS had, only few years later :).
You are right. If you are illiterate you can't install Windows, but as long as you can read you are fine. It's true, you have to partition the HD, but it's a lot easier than doing it while installing Linux. All the options are layed out for you (Create/delete a partition). As a matter of fact if you don't understand what partitioning is you can just press enter, and it's going to create 1 partition, and install Windows on it. All you need to install Window is be literate, nothing more.
Setting up a router and modem is not up to MS. That's up to the manufacturers of that hardware. And they always provide detailed description, with a setting up diagram. Of course, unless we are talking about a dial-up modem that needs to have software installed on the PC. In that case, as soon as it's plugged in, Windows goes: "Hey buddy, there's new hardware, you want me to install it". It's that simple for every single hardware that is connected to your machine.
And on a final note:
I have nothing against Linux, but as you said, it is made by individuals who don't get paid (and I can respect that). But don't try and tell me that a software put together by thousands of individuals all over the world (who btw do not get paid) will be better for the general public than an OS that probably costs well into the 100,000s (if not 1,000,000s) of dollars to produce.
I can understand if it works better for you, but the dominance of Windows clearly shows that it is a better solution for the general public (since WE choose Windows even though we have a CHOICE -- we being the majority).
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Re: Re: Re: Re:
why do looks matter? under the hood, its not kansas anymore -- its mars.
They look the same because they follow the same concepts? there are only limited ways of expressing certain ideas, particularly Graphical User Interfaces. other than Lists, Icons, and Buttons, theres NO other way of expressing it.
Look up screenshots of Fluxbox, Blackbox, Enlightenment, XFCE, Windowmaker, etc if you like -- nothing line windows. The only windows-like Desktop Environments I can think of are KDE and Gnome.
Not to mention you don't need a GUI to operate A Linux system at all. You can run a web server, file server, browse the web, etc etc, all from the command line (a shell). Try doing THAT in windows!
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The idea of a digital wallet may or may not be a good one, but I think we can all agree that Billy just wants credit for it if it comes to be, not because he wants to evolve our way of life.
He's a businessman, you can't expect much from him.
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Bill Gates Predictions
Try to bring the knowlegde for everyone, let eveyone hold their own identity as it should be.
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Look at my Bat Wing beotch
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"...but with ease can use Windows..."
Maybe it's just the people i support, but all GUI needs to greatly reduce clutter and be more usable to someone who hasn't used a computer before. It should make sense.
back to the wallet discussion, It's not a good idea to have a digital wallet that has some of your money on it and the ability to transfer to people local, as some have mentioned in an attempt to maybe hide a transaction from the government. if it can be seen it can be taken.
Our current system is fine, altho i can't wait for the day when my cell phone does it all. Cause my debit card is about to break. as for phones tho it's not that the phone has the info, it's linked to a system that has it. so nothing can be tampered with directly.
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the dominance of windows shows nothing more than sucessful business practice by Microsoft. Ethical or not, still successful.
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Re: Gates
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By the way, ever picture you linked was a Gnome desktop.
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"the dominance of windows shows nothing more than sucessful business practice by Microsoft. Ethical or not, still successful."
Well, if this thought makes u feel better @ night, cool. But it's obvious that this is not what it really is. I am sure that 90% of the population knows what Linux is. It's just that they don't need to switch, because they are happy with Windows.
Oh, and one more thing: Speak not from your ass lest you be flamed.
I'm done here. Cheers
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"Why doesn't Linux do someting like that?"
I probably wasn't clear. let me reiterate: Machintcsh back in the day lost the law suite against microsoft over Microsoft using GUi elements in their OS because there are only limited ways to express ideas on a computer scree: Text, or Images. This is why I feel you think Linux looks like windows, because certain Desktop Managers bear a similarity to the Microsoft Windows gui Explorer (no, not the web/file browser). Maybe Gnome resembles Windows, Maybe KDE does too. Others don't.
Do what I said and google for screenshots of Enlightenment, Blackbox, Fluxbox, Openbox, Windowmaker, XFCE, Failsafe, FVWM, Metacity, Sawfich, IceWM.
There are so many desktop and window managers (GUIs) that you cant possibly count them all.
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"Linux looks too much like windows"
Contradiction, anyone?
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maybe 90% of the Programmers and other avid PC users. The world? people give me funny looks when I use the word "Taskbar"
Come on.
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Linux looks like windows
As for there being limited ways to display information on a screen, this is true. Just as there are limited ways to display information in a web browser.. but there are still a million and a half ways to DESIGN the stuff around the content.
For example, MacOS and Windows look similar, since there are "limited ways to display informaiton on a computer screen" but they look vastly different.
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Re: Linux looks like windows
Might I also add that MacOS is based on the Mach and BSD Kernels, which were also used in NeXTSTEP.
Everything is Unix-like. Everythign except Windows. Windows is the black cat in the mix, not Linux.
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My PDA runs linux.
My Tivo runs linux.
If I lived in Japan, my Cellphone would run linux too. Someday soon, it will.
It also makes my devices cheaper because they dont use a proprietary OS.
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Every transaction a tax?
The Gates plan puts someone in the loop to get paid just because I wish to exchange money for goods.
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Stop being jeleous of a guy with no degree just the will to be successful, much like the robber barons of our history, that can buy and sell your cheap, Ivy League ass a thousand times over and all before the morning Double Venti Americano and Blueberry Scone.
Crawl back under your rock, the world doesn't need you.
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linux although I have linux partitions on the ones I built.
The Best thing about linux for me are the devlopment tools and compilers. Compilers for windows are either expensive or crappy, somtimes both. Gnome Linux is more secure, faster and just as reliable as windows XP. Unless you got crappy hardware with crappy drivers that crash your system... But linux had SATA support way before windows.
The reason I think most people, even experienced users resist the open source movment is ignorence. They havn't used open office. They don't believe they can get the same kind of apps and development tools as with windows. They are worried they will up the code by and ruin their computers. The average user is content with overpriced windows and rampant viruses and bugs. Linux is scary. Middle aged users remember the stone ages in collage and their com major roomate. Linux reminds them of X-Files reruns and bad teeth.
Young users might move to linux if their were games for it. They
or their parents are uncofortable with emulators and Lame encoders. If game developers would take a little extra time to reproduce what they make for windows on linux more kids would make the switch.
But of course there is no reason for game developers to do that because they wouldn't sell any more copies. Because the kids all have "Killer gameing rigs" (with overpriced video cards that are worthless unless you are playing on a projector or video editing) running windows.
The only way out I see is that Google releases a cheap operating system that is backwards compatible to windows. They might use linux or invent their own structure. Probably the latter if they want compatablility with windows. Of course backwards copatiblility will open a legal can of worms...
neway... linux kicks for open-source development. Lame is ok... but like I said I run windows on all my computers...(even though I have less lisences than I have computers)
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