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Don't lock me inDon't lock me inDon't lock me in 01/16/2004 11:04 AM There's no shortage of articles hyping the Google IPO and today the Washington Post contributes to the buzz machine with Google Fans Fill Web With Buzz Over IPO. Skimming through it, I came across a passage (on page 3) that struck me, though I've probably read the same sentiments a hundred times over the years. Regarding Google's competition, the Post writes, Yahoo is counting on its roster of registered users and its portal status to give it the upper hand...Microsoft, having seen the rich margins available in search, has also decided to make a play there...In comparison with Microsoft and Yahoo, many analysts say, Google is at an inherent disadvantage because it has no locked-in users: It doesn't require people to pay or register for its services. Shouldn't the goal be to have services people use, not because they're forced to, but because they want to? Though Google hasn't locked me in according to "analysts," I depend on them wholly for all kinds of things I do daily online, from spell-checking to news reading to basic old-fashioned searching, because they meet my needs. I have no interest in switching to some new improved Yahoo or Microsoft search unless Google fails me. It seems to me that Google's on the right track, and the analysts are full of bunk. Focus on pleasing the users, give them what they want, and they'll stick with you. You don't need to trap them with registrations, you need to make it easy and pleasant for them to do what they want to do and then let them get on with their lives. It will only be when Google stops giving me what I want that I'd consider changing search engines. Happy users are loyal users, and that's all the lock-in you need. This is a GrokNews Entry: (what is grok?)Don't lock me inGrok Headline matches for Don't lock me inCD-DVD Lock v1.8CD-DVD Lock v1.8 02/12/2004 06:15 PM CD-DVD Lock is intended for restricting read or write access to removable media devices such as CD, DVD, floppy and flash, as well as for restricting access to certain partitions of hard disk drives. CD-DVD Lock will allow you avoid many of headaches connected with unauthorized software installations from any removable media, and also prevent data leak by removable media. [Shareware $29.00 30 Days 800 KB] vp-usb-lock 0.1vp-usb-lock 0.1 08/29/2004 12:28 PM A Linux driver and PAM module for the USB wireless PC lock. Lock CupLock Cup 07/12/2004 12:38 PM
Lock down your SANLock down your SAN 06/24/2005 03:23 PM ZDNet Jun 23 2005 11:27PM GMT Thanko USB PC LockThanko USB PC Lock 12/29/2004 01:45 PM Engadget Dec 29 2004 4:32PM GMT IPO Lock-Up PeriodIPO Lock-Up Period 05/21/2004 11:26 AM Understand how IPOs work before you invest in any. Examples of Really Bad Lock-In?Examples of Really Bad Lock-In? 06/17/2005 04:33 PM It seems that Jason is annoyed because he's run into something that's rampant in the on-line services world: lock-in. I get a lot of inbound email and I like to upload those contacts to LinkedIn every couple of months so I can figure out which of my contacts are in there. However, as best I can tell (and I could be wrong here) the only way to get your contacts out of GMAIL is to cut and paste the “All... "Pint Lock""Pint Lock" 06/05/2005 11:45 PM Lock-down CD scores No.1 hitLock-down CD scores No.1 hit 06/18/2004 04:55 AM DRM-tastic! More Microsoft lock-inMore Microsoft lock-in 06/02/2004 11:18 PM Windows Media Player 10 Technical Beta.
The real questions is - and speaking of Real - can this jukebox mix and match music from Napster, MusicMatch, Rhapsody, WalMart, etc? How 'bout iTunes? Folder Lock v5.2.0Folder Lock v5.2.0 04/04/2005 04:05 PM Folder Lock lets you lock, hide or encrypt confidential files and folders. It can also be used to protect removable disks. [Shareware $35.00 20 Uses 1.77 MB] Everyone Wants to Lock DocsEveryone Wants to Lock Docs 02/18/2004 09:34 AM On Tuesday, Adobe unveiled its Adobe Policy Server technology. And Authentica has its own solution to the doc-lock challenge, with its Secure Office solution. Lock Folder XP v3.4Lock Folder XP v3.4 08/16/2004 06:39 AM Lock Folder XP is a new security tool that lets you lock your files, folders and drives with your personal password. The program uses advanced encryption algorithm approved by the US Government. The program protects your sensitive data from unauthorized access, malicious programs, accidental damage and intentional harm. Just drag your file, folder or drive over to the program's window and the rest is done automatically. Get Lock Folder XP now. [Shareware $19.95 30 Days 1.21 MB] Digital Lock-Down (NPR)Digital Lock-Down (NPR) 04/09/2004 04:12 PM This is a near-transcript of a commentary of mine that ran on NPR's All Things Considered on April 5. You can listen to it via Real or Windows Media Player. (And please forgive my over-simplifications and overstatements.; I only had 3 minutes, which makes it tough to be subtle.) From the begining the Web has seemed like the Wild West. But now we're being told that it's actually a looting spree, with people smashing-and-grabbing all the music and movies and copyrighted text they can, for free. The irony is that thanks to Big Content companies such as the recording... The Ultimate Lock-InThe Ultimate Lock-In 03/13/2003 10:22 AM Microsoft Office 2003, which recently went into public beta, has the potential to tie customers to Microsoft products all the way down the line: desktop, productivity applications and server systems. The pen is mightier than the lock.The pen is mightier than the lock. 09/14/2004 01:11 PM Use one of those heavy U-locks to secure your bike? You might want to t hink again. It seems the barrel style lock mechanisms some of them employ can be opened by a Bic pen [.mov movie]. Is vendor lock-in bad?Is vendor lock-in bad? 12/15/2002 02:28 AM CNET Dec 15 2002 1:03AM ET The Pen Is Mightier Than the LockThe Pen Is Mightier Than the Lock 09/17/2004 10:02 AM The bicycle thieves of New York always seem to be one step ahead of lock makers, and this time they figured out how to open the common U-shaped lock with a ballpoint pen. Microsoft ERP may lock in firmsMicrosoft ERP may lock in firms 03/25/2005 06:26 AM Personal Computer World Mar 25 2005 11:20AM GMT Keeping your identity under lock and keyKeeping your identity under lock and key 05/07/2004 01:29 PM Last issue, I talked about the differences between WS-Federation and the Liberty Alliance schemes for federated identity. While having a free-ranging discussion with Arvind Krishna, IBM's Vice President of Provisioning and Security Development, I realized that the major obstacle to consumer acceptance of federated identity might be the issue of where data is stored: on the local PC, at a single "identity provider" site, or scattered among all of the organizations with which the user has accounts. Is Caps Lock Dead?Is Caps Lock Dead? 06/05/2004 07:55 PM Lock Your Workstation from a ShortcutLock Your Workstation from a Shortcut 06/16/2004 02:43 PM NHL to Lock Out Players Thursday (AP)NHL to Lock Out Players Thursday (AP) 09/15/2004 01:13 PM AP - The National Hockey League will lock out its players Thursday, starting a work stoppage that threatens to keep the sport off the ice for the entire 2004-05 season. Don't Be Too Quick To Lock Down DesktopsDon't Be Too Quick To Lock Down Desktops 09/17/2004 10:38 AM Microsoft Attempts to Lock-Down As Much
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Microsoft
released their technical beta of Windows Media Player 10 for download.
The major features include a new interface, a built in online store
(with choice of stores), an all in one smart jukebox as well as the
most important item: