MSI, the Taiwan based motherboard maker, threatened to take down its DNS entry for the MSI HQ User Community Forum, a free site supported by MSI and run by enthusiasts. The threat came after a user who visited the site downloaded a beta BIOS and then sued MSI most likely after flashing his motherboard with it and getting a somewhat negative result.
The site's policy includes disclaimers for the use of beta BIOS files, but initially this didn't deter MSI from telling the forum administrator, Bas, their decision to drop support by removing the DNS entry to msi.com.tw. He called on members to email their thoughts to MSI and the result was a positive outcome for the forum, which shows how much weight the free enthusiasts community have up against the commercial companies they support.
Its always a risk for companies to show direct support for communities they have no direct support over, in this case they are able to remove the msi.com.tw entry from their own name servers, but in all fairness this issue isn't the community forum's fault, its the fault of the guy who played with fire by using unsupported BETA software and then needed someone else to take the fall.
View: MSI threatens 'Take down'
View: MSI backs down
News source: Timmah's post in Back Page News
The site's policy includes disclaimers for the use of beta BIOS files, but initially this didn't deter MSI from telling the forum administrator, Bas, their decision to drop support by removing the DNS entry to msi.com.tw. He called on members to email their thoughts to MSI and the result was a positive outcome for the forum, which shows how much weight the free enthusiasts community have up against the commercial companies they support.
Its always a risk for companies to show direct support for communities they have no direct support over, in this case they are able to remove the msi.com.tw entry from their own name servers, but in all fairness this issue isn't the community forum's fault, its the fault of the guy who played with fire by using unsupported BETA software and then needed someone else to take the fall.
View: MSI threatens 'Take down' View: MSI backs down News source: Timmah's post in Back Page News
Microsoft neither denied nor confirmed Shimpi's findings - instead deciding to play a wildcard. "Xbox 360 will have the hardware, software and services to enable breakthrough gaming and entertainment experiences that will blow consumers away." Which means we'll find out when the platform launches, later this year.
Finally, last week saw another Nintendo Revolution poster creep onto the internet. This time containing the words "Something is going ON" which is oddly suggestive. Those who remember the fake VirtualBoy-esque "headset" can once again get excited, as this new poster suggests that the Revolution will sense movement, via the headset.
Unfortunately the headset is extremely unlikely, however a movement sensor could still be implemented.
Don't they have a EULA about this sort of stuff?
I think the real issue is that we need more computer-literate judges.
Nice write up
they mite as well smack this guy with a whale and call him DUMB
guess what my car doesn not move and just gives me loads of smoke from under the bonnet
LETS SUE MICHELIN TYRES
Some manufacturer hands away free prototype tires made of a rubber substitute, and they also caution that the tires may explode if too much friction is applied to them. Some idiot tests these tires on his souped up car, starts the car, floods the gas - and the tires explode. Then he sues the manufacturer.
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Back on topic. Let's just hope that on the software side, for something like the Longhorn betas, that some incompetent user won't sue MS if the beta screws up his HD.
OT: at least these guys have updated BIOSes for their motherboards. My motherboard never had a BIOS update.
hate to tell yah but you never have to flash your bios because of windows
hmm let's see... nothing?
Even if just a threat, this sounds like a stupid way just alienating yourself from your community that has/will purchase your products.
Wrong group to threaten, MSI.
It wouldn't even help if they did do what they threatened with. What relationship has a community site and stupid people using unsupported BIOS'es and suing them? With that one dead, they could get that stuff from many other computer sites.
Maybe the warning wasn't included, visible enough. Or, likely, its another person taking advantage of the American court system and suing because he can.
BTW- Happy Independence Day, Americans. Wooooooo.
At what stage are people going to take responsibility for their actions instead of suing everybody to fix their problem? This is just plain stupid and there should be no way on earth he should win. For starters, it's beta software, which is buggy in nature, they are more than likely not supported by MSI, and the fact that they do the community a service by providing that forum for people just goes to show that even when you try to help, you can be sued.
Why would anyone even Flash their BIOSes (without having bad intentions, that is)? That's stuff only black hats do so they can circumvent security features of popular websites such as cnn.com.
I'm certain that BIOS flashing is a scheme by terrorist groups so they can declare cyberwar against the greatest country in the world, the USA. It will not work, for nothing can even come close to stop the USA. Nothing did, nothing will!
ive had to flash a bios before due to a bug in the usb keyboard/mouse support.
Justifications to hide your sin! I just hope you get jailed soon enough for supporting terrorism!
...is the response of those without any logical arguments to respond properly.
I'm certain that you sir are a grade A fruitcake, Seriously where did you come up with that idea, When companies such as dell will not even provide support unless you have flashed to the latest BIOS on their machines( as happened with the 700 Plus SX280's my employer has just bought) I'm sure dell are supporting cyber warfare against their home nation.
but at least you gave me a laugh
Your opinion is noted though, even if I feel its invalid.
Whatever the reason, the MSI user-to-user forum seems to be down completely now. Hope so to speak it is for maintenance only, and not political or something.
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