As our economic problems continue, we should continue to look around and discover ways to improve our situation. If I had political power, my first order of business would be to stop frivolous lawsuits. It seems like you can log onto a news site, or flip open a newspaper without seeing someone being sued over patent infringement, or a copyright issue.

It seems like the encompassing effect of patents is growing, and any general outline is enough to sue someone over. Of course, protecting your IP is important, but just where is that line between justified and frivolous?

The latest lawsuit comes by way of Worlds.com. They are suing the MMO game publisher NCSoft for their use of 3D virtual worlds. Worlds.com claims that they are in possession of a patent, dating back to the 90’s that, “enables thousands of simultaneous users in a 3D virtual space”. Doesn’t get more general than that does it?

As of now Worlds.com is only going after NCSoft. According to this article, this could just be the beginning. Be weary all you virtual world travelers out there.

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If you visited Circuit City over the weekend, then as you were bargain shopping you were also witness to the last hurrah for electronics retailer. I would say that I’m sad, but with Circuit City’s business practices it’s not a huge surprise to see them go under.

It’s odd to look back through the years and see how Circuit City went from #1 in electronics to filing for bankruptcy. Awful management, and less the competitive prices will do that to a company though. I worked for Best Buy for around two years, and I’ll be the first to say that it wasn’t perfect. However, during my experiences at Circuit City they make Best Buy look like employees of the month.

During Circuit City’s liquidation process, I made a visit to the store a couple of times. Even with their ‘going out of business’ sales, there wasn’t a whole lot to show up for. CD’s, DVD’s, still selling for $10 or more. I could go to Wal-Mart and find movies cheaper than what most were going for at Circuit City’s sale.

I’ve been checking various blogs to see people’s experience at Circuit City in its final hours. Most have said that the stores have been completely emptied. Though the store I visited still had some merchandise left which will undoubtedly bee sent to a processing center for pennies on the pound.

When looking a Circuit City’s failure, I don’t think that online purchasing or the current economy can be blamed. Business’ have to realize that that awful, and inefficient practices just don’t cut it. I’m not sure if it’s where I live, but you really can’t tell we’re in a recession. The mall has been packed, and all the retail stores I’ve been in have been brimming with customers. You just have to make sure you know what you’re doing, if you want to succeed.

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I remember the good ol’ days when all you could get caught with in terms of communication in a classroom, was a note. Those days are over now, and the communication taking place in classrooms today is really astounding. Just turn your phone on silent, keep it handy, but not seen under the desk, and you’re never missing out on the latest gossip.

A 14 year old student is paying the price for this in-class communication. To be fair, she wasn’t taken into custody for the texting, but her refusal to give up her phone to the school’s security officer. The student in question was caught by a teacher while texting in class. When the teacher told the student to stop, she refused. Later, the student was confronted by the security officer. The officer asked if she had a cell phone on her, and the student lied, telling the officer she didn’t have one.

This lie, led to a frisk by the officer who did find the phone. The real kicker is that for lying about her phone, she was charged with “disorderly conduct”, and will actually have to make a court appearance. She had her phone confiscated, and will have to pay a fine of $298. On top of all this, the student will be suspended from school for ten days.

All because of some texting in a classroom. Man, sure seems like school has gotten more strict since I was there.

[via: TheSmokingGun]

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It was a sad day yesterday when news spread of Ricardo Montalban’s death, as we lost one of the coolest of cool actors. I haven’t been able to round up details of his death, so I’m assuming it was accounted to old age. Montalban, at least in this humble writer’s eyes will always be an icon.

Ricardo Montalban, started as a famous Mexican actor before making his way over to the United States. He starred in numerous soaps, was the famous Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island, and was the villain in the original Naked Gun movie. Of course his most famous role will always be of the original Klingon, Khan Noonien Singh.

Montalban played as Khan during the Star Trek series, before famously revising the role in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. He brought a certain flair to the character that really made him stand out. It definitely would take something special to cause that ever famous line from Captain Kirk:

If you listen to those who were around Montalban, he was supposed to be one of the classiest people in Hollywood. It’s sad to lose such a figure, but I will honor his life by watching some Star Trek II tonight, remembering the good times.

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