First Eolas, Now Nomadix

It's amazing how the U.S. Patent Office lets minuscule companies hold entire industries at ransom. Everyone and their dog in the Wi-Fi business know about the idiotic Nomadix patent already - and a lot of people have been taking it apart and finding prior art, but I'll just restate the obvious - ditch browser logins and go to 802.1X as soon as possible, since the patent is expressed in such vague terms that Nomadix can try to claim rights on just about anything, including aloe vera shampoo. It should have been thrown out (since it's not really a concept, but a consequence of current technology state-of-the-art), but it will take a while to get it repealed.

Besides, the only reason 802.1X isn't in common use already is lack of vendor interest (since nobody wants to sell interchangeable gear conforming to a really open standard) and interoperability (vendors have been dragging their feet and making proprietary extensions to lock-in customers), so this patent might just be the right incentive.

Of course, it's entirely possible some vendors will just walk up to you and say they have a licensed solution (on which they offer a significant discount to make your boss at ease with the "legal issues"). My advice is to point out the ethical flaws in their sales pitch and direct them to the nearest exit.

• Panther for Developers, a nice PDF book to read on the plane (if you're into such things).
• Another Virus is making the rounds. I'll spare you the details, other that I won't get it for sure.
• Just like MyDoom, this link reporting on an EU decision to fine Microsoft for breaking anti-competitive law is spreading like wildfire. I don't think they'll do more than the U.S. DOJ - in fact, I seriously doubt it. We'll see.
• The guy who has an ARM cross-compiler for Mac OS X is apparently building a GNUstep clone for the Zaurus, which is pretty interesting.
• SanDisk delays the SDIO Wi-Fi card drivers for Palm yet again. Talk about vaporware.
• KOffice reaches 1.3, focusing on improved file format support. I wonder how long until we get a fresh Mac OS X KDE version.
• GarageBand gets a review and a way to import MIDI files (sort of).
• Now this is impressive: MP3 recordings, taken between 1932 and 1975, of former slaves telling their stories.
• I've always wanted to see a live Chinese New Year celebration - here's the next best thing as a QuickTime VR.