Another NSA Data-Mining Site Being Built

Seems that the Virgina site was just getting way too crowded with all of our phone and email records, so the NSA is building a new data-mining operation in Texas. As luck would have it, this facility is right next to Microsoft's immense data center there, and the NSA wanted assurance that Microsoft's data would be in the area before choosing to move in next door. As if crappy products weren't enough of a reason to not use Microsoft stuff.

But... you... just... released... ?????

Bill Gates has just told a bunch of "influential bloggers" that DRM is too complex for the consumer.

This statement is quite strange, coming on the heels of the release of the Zune and Vista, both of which are heavily loaded with DRM. So what does this statement signify? The easy interpretation is the hypocrisy of Microsoft, saying one thing and then doing another. A second, more interesting, interpretation is that Bill Gates is drifting further from Microsoft. As he becomes less Microsoft executive and more charity-donating social-welfare-promoting all-round good guy, he is starting to take positions that don't necessarily reflect Microsoft's corporate interest. Therefore, the idealism of his statements conflict with the reality of Microsoft's product offerings.

Let's hope Microsoft listens to Bill Gates on this issue -- they certainly could use a little guidance.