So Real Networks has jumped on the "we can't compete in the market, gee, let’s resort to litigation" bandwagon, and filed an antitrust suit against Microsoft (lots of details and links at news.com). As per the filing, Microsoft used "monopoly power to restrict how PC makers install competing media players while forcing every Windows user to take Microsoft's media player, whether they want it or not." And that is why people are not using Real? With all due respect Mr. Rob Glaser, I am one of those users who did download the Real Player, and even paid for a copy at one point. But that was a long time ago, I stopped when the player started becoming intrusive, popping up windows and ads, embedding itself in my taskbar despite my having removed it a short while earlier, nagging me to buy add-ons and newer versions, continuing to send me e-mail despite my having checked the "don't e-mail me" box, and worse. And that is nothing to do with Media Player being included with Windows, I installed QuickTime, and have installed Windows Media Player updates, so apparently there are indeed users who don't mind downloading, installing, and even paying for software, despite what comes pre-installed with the operating system. The reason I don't use Real now is because it is big and bloated and intrusive, and that Mr. Glaser is your problem, not Bill Gates' problem.

SearchDatabase.com just posted an editorial on databases and object abstractions, stating quite emphatically that object design should not be mapped to database design (I agree). The author also lists three rules (all of which I agree with); keep your business rules in the database, use the proprietary features of your particular DBMS, and control your own SQL. This is not a ColdFusion article (actually, it is intended to be a Java Data Objects article, ColdFusion is mentioned in passing as one of several presentation layer options), but it is worth the read. See http://searchdatabase.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid13_gci942025,00.html.