The Tiger OS preview included a look at Dashboard
http://www.apple.com/macosx/tiger/dashboard.html
Which is a way of putting desk accessory gadgets on the desktop using JavaScript.
People have complained that this is a rip-off by Apple of the shareware program Konfabulator
http://www.konfabulator.com/
Except that konfabulator was neither unique nor first
http://www.stardock.com/products/desktopx/
So what Apple have done is take a good idea and decide to fold it into the OS. It is an independent implementation so copyright law doesn't apply. Since the overwhelming majority of computer users will never add such mods to their system (or even understand that you can) most people will never see anything like this unless it comes bundled with their computer. So by adding it they have added a value that most people would never have found otherwise.
So what Apple have done is see a good idea and move it from geek to mainstream by folding it into the next OS release.
Apple lost their 'look-and-feel' court case against Microsoft for exactly this kind of idea-copying in Windows so legally it is perfectly OK to do this. That is why there can be more than one word processor or spreadsheet program in the world :) You can't monopolize a category of software using IP law - which is a good thing.
So is Apple right or wrong to make Dashboard without any credit or payment to whichever are its precursors?
Legally they are right, and I don't see how shareholders could sanction paying for something you don't need to pay for.
'Morally' they were on the short end of the stick when the argument went the other way, so those are the lumps.
Comments?
-- William T Goodall Mail : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web : http://www.wtgab.demon.co.uk Blog : http://radio.weblogs.com/0111221/
INTEL INSIDE It's not a marketing gimmick, it's a warning label.
_______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
