A Stitch in Haste

Here are two quick updates to previous technology-related posts of mine:

ITEM: Microsoft continues to suppress its gag reflex for the Eurocrats –

Microsoft said Tuesday it will adopt all of the main changes demanded by European Union antitrust regulators for its stripped-down version of Windows sold without the Media Player program.
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Microsoft officials said they had accepted the European Union's offer to call the European version of Windows sold without Media Player "Windows XP Home Edition N" - with "N" standing for "not with media player."
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The EU has said it could impose additional prohibitive fines of up to 5 percent of the company's daily global sales if Microsoft refuses to cooperate with last year's ruling.

MY TAKE: With this particular story, always keep in mind two things: (1) There was no evidence anywhere that customers actually wanted this stripped-down version of Windows. This was done for Microsoft’s competitors, not its customers. (2) Why should Europe have the right to impose fines based on Microsoft’s global sales, rather than its European sales? (Previous post with archive here.)

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ITEM: I blogged previously about the disgraceful abuse of the Politics of Pull by an online dating company called true.com. This would-be monopolist, as the only service that performs background checks, is — surprise — lobbying states to require that all online dating services provide the same service or be required to display huge warnings and disclaimers on their listings and emails. Here’s an update from Michigan:

Sandie Cornillie did a double take when she first heard about a bill that would force online dating sites to say whether criminal background checks have been conducted on their members.

The 46-year-old divorcee from Portage prefers finding dates on the Internet over visiting the local bar or relying on a friend to play matchmaker. The Web is less intimidating, more convenient and arguably safer, she said.
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Some lawmakers, though, say that as online dating becomes more popular, users need better protection from predators. ... The [Michigan] Senate is considering legislation that would require an Internet dating company serving Michigan residents to disclose on its Web site whether it has conducted criminal background checks on users, based solely on the names provided. ... Republican Sen. Alan Cropsey of DeWitt is sponsoring the bill. "There are inherent dangers in the whole area of the Internet," he said. "Something needs to be done."

MY TAKE: Something needs to be done? Um, why exactly? Are people being slaughtered day in and day out by fiendish online dating ghouls everywhere we turn? But of course, with politicians, when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

The piece also notes the painfully obvious: People on the Internet use fake names! Go figure. UPDATE: Wired has a detailed piece about alternatives to true.com. Marginal Revolution also has a post on the subject.