DB 's Techdirt Comments

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  • Autodesk Sued By eBay Seller For Pretending Right Of First Sale Doesn't Exist

    DB ( profile ), 28 Jul, 2009 @ 11:34am

    Re: Re: Re: Lawyers

    It's called a contingency fee. I've seen them where the lawyers get 25 - 33 %, but only if they "win." If the client wants to pay as they go, the client keeps all the money. If it isn't important enough to pay for a professional to do the work, then skip it. Same as if you wanted to hire a software engineer or a plumber. If you can do it yourself, don't pay. If you can't do it yourself, but it isn't important enough to pay, then don't do it.
    I don't see why people think lawyers should work for free.

  • Time Magazine May Join Newspapers In Committing Suicide By Charging Online

    DB ( profile ), 02 Jun, 2009 @ 08:06am

    Magazines, Subscriptions and Internet

    Professional journalists are far from perfect, but the best make a real effort to find and tell the truth. While they don't necessarily have regulations for their conduct (doctors, lawyers, accountants, professional engineers etc. all have legally imposed standards, journalists don't), they certainly have voluntary standards and ethics. So if I read an article in a mainstream publication like Time, the Tribune, the Times, etc. I have a fairly high confidence it's the truth. I do not have that confidence about what I read on the Internet, where anyone can say anything, true, false, meeting a hidden agenda or just a nutcase.
    I subscribe to a paper newspaper and get their electronic updates. Would I keep the subscription to keep the electronic updates? Probably.