Novell will keep Unix assets away from Microsoft

CONCERNS that Microsoft might manage to get its hands on Unix patents have been relieved.

Such was the concern that John Dragoon, chief marketing officer at Novell penned a separate message focusing solely on the issue of Unix copyright ownership. Dragoon stated clearly that Novell, which is being bought by Attachmate, will not include Unix copyrights as part of its $450 million sale of assets to a Microsoft-led consortium.

Dragoon said, "Novell will continue to own Novell's UNIX copyrights following completion of the merger as a subsidiary of Attachmate."

Following a lengthy legal battle, Novell prevailed in its position that it did not sell the Unix SVRX copyrights it obtained from AT&T to SCO. Even though a Microsoft backed consortion will spend $450 million to acquire most if not all of Novell's patents, it seems that the firm decided to hold on to the Unix copyrights. The original Unix patents that were granted in the 1970s have since expired, although they should remain good evidence of prior art, should anyone attempt to assert any similar patents in the future.

There had been some concerns about what any sale of Unix related assets would have on Novell's business, as it develops and maintains the popular Linux distribution, Suse. Attachmate has already announced it will continue to run Suse as a separate business unit and will keep contributing code to Opensuse. And the community led Opensuse project has posted a message to reassure users that it won't be going anywhere.

At least for now it seems that Unix will remain out of the hands of, and that Linux will remain safe from legal attack by, the Vole. µ

Source  http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1900731/novell-unix-assets-away-microsoft

Improve Your Oral Health in 2011

Many people ring in a new year by making health-related resolutions to improve their lives, but how many of those lifestyle changes are kept past January? The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), a professional association of more than 35,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up to date in the profession through continuing education, has compiled some easy-to-keep oral health tips that consumers can work into their everyday routines and continue to perform throughout the year.

"Oral health means more than just an attractive smile," says AGD spokesperson Raymond Martin, DDS, MAGD. "Poor oral health and untreated oral diseases and conditions can have a significant impact on quality of life. And, in many cases, the condition of the mouth mirrors the condition of the body as a whole." 

Source  http://www.sunherald.com/2010/12/01/2679670/improve-your-oral-health-in-2011.html

5 tips to thinking outside the box

They say creativity comes from thinking outside the box. But as we all know, that sometimes is hard to do. Whether you’re trying to solve a tough problem at work, start a business, get attention for that business or write an article, creative thinking is important. It’s not easy to change your perspective and see things differently. I think a creative person is someone who tends to always look for a new angle, is motivated and keeps their perspectives fresh. As professionals, we can’t just sit down and plan to come up with a brilliant idea or the perfect motivation for a project. But if we live life always looking for great reasons to be motivated, I think we can find that creativity. 

I don’t have all the answers, but I do have some tips for you that have worked for me in the past. 

Think of yourself as creative. 

Yes, just think it. Even if you don't think of yourself as creative person, creativity is expressed in different ways. I believe we all have a spark of creativity inside us; it’s just a matter of how you use it, as well as knowing where and when recognize a great opportunity. Think positively. For example, if there are two solutions to a problem, try them both. Which one works best? Which one is more creative? 

Put your new “idea” into action. 

Don't worry what other people think. By trying out your creative ideas, even if you don't succeed at first, you'll learn something and give your creativity a chance to shine. My friend (who is recent entrepreneur in Janesville) says rather than thinking of all the reasons not to do something, think positively and take a risk. What a proactive way to think. In college, I wanted to start a professional blog. But I waited, kept waiting, until finally … I just did it. Truth is, I was afraid I wouldn’t know what to write or that people wouldn’t want to read what I had to say. Three years later, http://trish skram.com gets hundreds hits a day and has triggered writing/blogging jobs for me. Take action on your ideas!

Be inspired! 

Visit a museum, watch a documentary, read a book you wouldn’t normally read or go to a show at the Armory. Try going somewhere you’ve never been or seeing something you've never seen. Inspiration can spark creativity. 

Play board games. 

This is a fun way to foster creativity. Get together with friends/family and play charades or another game where winning is based on being expressive and coming up with creative ways to communicate. 

Take a break. 

If you’re stuck for ideas, don’t just sit at your desk and stare at the walls. Get outside for a bit and recharge your mind. Many folks have the next few days off for Thanksgiving. If that’s you, now is a great time to take advantage.

Source  http://gazettextra.com/weblogs/professional-flair/2010/nov/24/5-tips-to-thinking-outside-the-box/