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"They're abandoning TradElect and the platform it happened to be on. The OS is really a background to all of this. The primary cause of the switch has more to do with TradElect sucking than anything else

What exactly were the problems with TradElect and not caused by the underlying platform. According to this an 'external test environment' was in place, at least since Jan 2009.

"Availability of the external test environment (Customer Development Service or CDS) for TradElect and Infolect: early January 2009"

"Using the Microsoft® .NET Framework in Windows Server® 2003 and the Microsoft SQL Server(TM) 2000 database, the new Infolect® system .. with support from Microsoft and Accenture, shows the London Stock Exchange's leadership in developing next-generation trading systems"

"Stock Exchange, like many transaction based business, needs real time systems and Windows 2003 plus SQL" - by ihavenospine (541249) on Friday July 03, @09:52AM (#28571113)

Correct, & agreed, 110% (with evidence thereof): NASDAQ is an example of this, & yes - NASDAQ has maintained the "fabled '5-9's" of 99.999% uptime on Windows Server 2003 + SQLServer 2005 (in failover clusters) since late 2005, acting as the official dissemination system of official trade data:

----

FIRST - the actual PROOF of that "stability/uptime":

http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/Trader.aspx?id=MarketShare

"NASDAQ is renowned for its high performance technology and has proven reliability with 99.999+% uptime. Whats more, firms count on NASDAQ for unsurpassed speed and tested capacity to execute trades quickly and efficiently."

----

NASDAQ Migrates to SQL Server 2005:

http://windowsfs.com/enews/nasdaq-migrates-to-sql-server-2005

&/or

NASDAQ Uses SQL Server 2005 - Reducing Costs through Better Data Management:

http://blog.sqlauthority.com/2007/09/17/sqlauthority-news-nasdaq-uses-sql-server-2005-reducing-costs-through-better-data-management/

"NASDAQ, the worlds first electronic stock market replaced its aging mainframe computers with Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 on two 4-node clusters to support its Market Data Dissemination System (MDDS). Every trade processed in the NASDAQ marketplace goes through the system with Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 handling some 5,000 transactions per second at market open. The system also responds to about 10,000 queries a day and is able to handle real-time queries against data without slowing the database down."

+

Case Studies - Financial Services:

http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2005/en/us/cs-financial-roi.aspx?pf=true [microsoft.com] [microsoft.com] [microsoft.com] [microsoft.com]

"NASDAQ Deploys SQL Server 2005 to Support Real-Time Trade Booking and Queries

NASDAQ, which became the worlds first electronic stock market in 1971, and remains the largest U.S. electronic stock market, is constantly looking for more-efficient ways to serve its members. As the organization prepared to retire its aging large mainframe computers, it deployed Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 on two 4-node clusters to support its Market Data Dissemination System (MDDS). Every trade that is processed in the NASDAQ marketplace goes through the MDDS system, with SQL Server 2005 handling some 5,000 transactions per second at market open. SQL Server 2005 simultaneously handles about 100,000 queries a day, using SQL Server 2005 Snapshot Isolation to support real-time queries against the data without slowing the database. NASDAQ is enjoying a lower total cost of ownership compared to the large mainframe computer system that the SQL Server 2005 deployment has replaced."

----

AND, "There ya are"... Evidence of the possible stability, security, & speed on Windows, AND, in a high tpm environs (and, in a Stock Exchange, specifically)...

(Keeping stable & running F A S T, + "24x7", & for 1/2 a decade++ going strong, acting as the official trade data dissemination system for NASDAQ!)

APK

P.S.=> Personally, & especially based on the evidences here (the thread topic itself, & the NASDAQ data I just provided here)?

Well - I think a great deal of stability & uptime has to do a LOT with the skills of those architecting a system, first, AND later those that have the task of maintaining it also (this means the network engin

From Microsoft's case study http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/Case_Study_Detail.aspx?CaseStudyID=200042

In the development, roll-out, and implementation processes, Microsoft worked closely with the London Stock Exchange to ensure not only that they understood their immediate requirements, but that the solution fitted their long-term business plans as specified in the TRM project.

Microsoft was equally involved in this project no matter how you try to spin it.

"Looking at other exchanges, there are trading platforms that have been able to last 10+ years while scaling quite well." - by Jerky McNaughty (1391) on Friday July 03, @09:40AM (#28571007)

NASDAQ is an example of this, & yes: NASDAQ has maintained the "fabled '5-9's" of 99.999% uptime on Windows Server 2003 + SQLServer 2005 (in failover clusters) since late 2005, acting as the official dissemination system of official trade data:

----

NASDAQ Migrates to SQL Server 2005:

http://windowsfs.com/enews/nasdaq-migrates-to-sql-server-2005

&/or

NASDAQ Uses SQL Server 2005 - Reducing Costs through Better Data Management:

http://blog.sqlauthority.com/2007/09/17/sqlauthority-news-nasdaq-uses-sql-server-2005-reducing-costs-through-better-data-management/

"NASDAQ, the worlds first electronic stock market replaced its aging mainframe computers with Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 on two 4-node clusters to support its Market Data Dissemination System (MDDS). Every trade processed in the NASDAQ marketplace goes through the system with Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 handling some 5,000 transactions per second at market open. The system also responds to about 10,000 queries a day and is able to handle real-time queries against data without slowing the database down."

+

Case Studies - Financial Services:

http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2005/en/us/cs-financial-roi.aspx?pf=true [microsoft.com] [microsoft.com] [microsoft.com] [microsoft.com]

"NASDAQ Deploys SQL Server 2005 to Support Real-Time Trade Booking and Queries

NASDAQ, which became the worlds first electronic stock market in 1971, and remains the largest U.S. electronic stock market, is constantly looking for more-efficient ways to serve its members. As the organization prepared to retire its aging large mainframe computers, it deployed Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 on two 4-node clusters to support its Market Data Dissemination System (MDDS). Every trade that is processed in the NASDAQ marketplace goes through the MDDS system, with SQL Server 2005 handling some 5,000 transactions per second at market open. SQL Server 2005 simultaneously handles about 100,000 queries a day, using SQL Server 2005 Snapshot Isolation to support real-time queries against the data without slowing the database. NASDAQ is enjoying a lower total cost of ownership compared to the large mainframe computer system that the SQL Server 2005 deployment has replaced."

----

NOW - the actual PROOF of that "stability/uptime":

http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/Trader.aspx?id=MarketShare

"NASDAQ is renowned for its high performance technology and has proven reliability with 99.999+% uptime. Whats more, firms count on NASDAQ for unsurpassed speed and tested capacity to execute trades quickly and efficiently."

----

AND, "There ya are"... Evidence of the possible stability, security, & speed on Windows, in a high tpm environs, keeping stable & running F A S T 24x7 for 1/2 a decade++ going strong, acting as the official trade data dissemination system for NASDAQ!

APK

P.S.=? Personally, & especially based on the evidences here (the thread topic itself, & the NASDAQ data I just provided here)? Well - I think a great deal of stability & uptime has to do a LOT with the skills of those architecting a system, first, AND later those that have the task of maintaining it also (this means the network engineering staff AND coding teams around said projects), as well as their personal work-ethics - not so much on the Opera

I don’t know if Accenture sucks, but Microsoft itself was involved in first person in the development of the project (they were proud to announce this until now).
The fact that not even Microsoft’s involvement was able to make the system meet its requirements looks *very* indicative to me.

It's not Windows vs Linux.

No, it's Microsoft vs Linux.

Microsoft had full control over the stack of tools they used (Windows Server 2003, C#/.NET, Sql Server 2000, I believe) and they invested a lot of resources, both technical and marketing, into making this system run. It was suppose to show that Microsoft software could handle this kind of system as well or better then *nix. And it was a failure.

See Get the Facts for more details.

It was not entirely outsourced to Accenture. It was a joint Acenture Microsoft project. Microsoft was involved at all levels of development, testing, deployment, and support.

As one poster to the SJVN article (Bernard) points out, both Microsoft and LSE confirm Microsoft's complete involvement in the project:

"(I found the study http://switch.atdmt.com/action/FY07_Linux_LSE_Download on MS's own site.) http://www.microsoft.com/uk/getthefacts/lse.mspx

to wit; page 4:

"In the development, roll-out, and implementation processes, Microsoft worked closely with the London Stock Exchange to ensure not only that they understood their immediate requirements, but that the solution fitted their long-term business plans as specified in the TRM project."

"Robin Paine, Chief Technical Officer at the Exchange, says: âoeThe London Stock Exchange was looking for a responsive partner to engage across all phases of the Technology Roadmap programme. The collaborative approach Microsoft offered made it an ideal choice."

Any more questions on whether Microsoft was "really" involved?

There never was any doubt -- Microsoft was deeply and intimately involved, and bragged about it as loudly as they could. In fact, it was Microsoft which presented this an issue of Windows and Microsoft "technology" capabilities as compared to Linux -- Ironic, isn't it?"

Given Microsoft's history of FUD, their habitual use of paid commentors, or even dead people writing letters, I think we should all sit back and enjoy the spin the paid apologists will have to go through to tell everyone how it wasn't MS's fault.

I bet that link on Microsoft's own site telling hoe closely involved they were in the project won't last through the Holiday weekend! Any takers?

Didn't you know? IE8 is the world's best browser - there's a totally unbiased comparison table and everything:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/get-the-facts/browser-comparison.aspx

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 has an interesting take on trees in tables in form of a special data type for unique tree node IDs that make relatively efficient queries on ancestors/descendants possible. It does that at a cost of referential integrity, however.

I'm sure that other major vendors have something in that department, too. There might not be a standard, but "SQL" and "standard compliance" haven't been in the same sentence in practice for the last, what, 15 years or so - so it's not really any different than countless variations on other common things (such as autogenerated PK).

Like i said, if the BIOS reports 4gb memory you should be able to see 4gb in the OS. In my case i get 4gb in the BIOS and only 3.2gb in Vista. If my BIOS had memory remapping i could enable it and see 4gb and use it. So i had to install the 64-bit version to do this.

From Microsoft:

For Windows Vista to use all 4 GB of memory on a computer that has 4 GB of memory installed, the computer must meet the following requirements:

...

The BIOS must support the memory remapping feature. The memory remapping feature allows for the segment of system memory that was previously overwritten by the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) configuration space to be remapped above the 4 GB address line. This feature must be enabled in the BIOS configuration utility on the computer. View your computer product documentation for instructions that explain how to enable this feature. Many consumer-oriented computers may not support the memory remapping feature. No standard terminology is used in documentation or in BIOS configuration utilities for this feature. Therefore, you may have to read the descriptions of the various BIOS configuration settings that are available to determine whether any of the settings enable the memory remapping feature.

Here is the article
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605

You're talking about this, right? I think that page was used for IE7 but IE8 takes you ieaddons.

I know I'll probably get modded as a troll for this, but the article doesn't offer any actual evidence that Microsoft is changing search engine preferences without users knowing it. Even the author himself doesn't say that there's conclusive evidence. He writes in his article:

"Vista's Event Viewer identified the Windows Search Service as the likely source of the attempt to change my search default."

and

"Well, I can't prove it based solely on the Event Viewer logs, but it's safe to say the search service is the prime suspect."

The author of the article doesn't bother to conduct any meaningful research into the purpose of the Windows Search service or what it actually does. Now I'm all for throwing the punches at Microsoft for the stupid crap they pull and I wouldn't put it past them to do something shady and underhanded like this. However, this article is little more than the rambling conjecture of a computer illiterate who can't tell the difference between a system service and an online search engine. If you're going to post articles about the devious, dirty deeds of Microsoft at least have the common sense to post articles with at least some level of truth behind them.

It has come to my attention that the entire Linux community is a hotbed of so called 'alternative sexuality,' which includes anything from hedonistic orgies to homosexuality to pedophilia.

What better way of demonstrating this than by looking at the hidden messages contained within the names of some of Linux's most outspoken advocates:

• Linus Torvalds is an anagram of slit anus or VD 'L,' clearly referring to himself by the first initial.
• Richard M. Stallman, spokespervert for the Gaysex's Not Unusual 'movement' is an anagram of mans cram thrill ad.
• Alan Cox is barely an anagram of anal cox which is just so filthy and unchristian it unnerves me.

I'm sure that Eric S. Raymond, composer of the satanic homosexual propaganda diatribe The Cathedral and the Bizarre, is probably an anagram of something queer, but we don't need to look that far as we know he's always shoving a gun up some poor little boy's rectum. Update: Eric S. Raymond is actually an anagram for secondary rim and cord in my arse. It just goes to show you that he is indeed queer.

Update the Second: It is also documented that Evil Sicko Gaymond is responsible for a nauseating piece of code called Fetchmail, which is obviously sinister sodomite slang for 'Felch Male' -- a disgusting practise. For those not in the know, 'felching' is the act performed by two perverts wherein one sucks their own post-coital ejaculate out of the other's rectum. In fact, it appears that the dirty Linux faggots set out to undermine the good Republican institution of e-mail, turning it into 'e-male.'

As far as Richard 'Master' Stallman goes, that filthy fudge-packer was actually quoted on leftist commie propaganda site Salon.com as saying the following: 'I've been resistant to the pressure to conform in any circumstance,' he says. 'It's about being able to question conventional wisdom,' he asserts. 'I believe in love, but not monogamy,' he says plainly.

And this isn't a made up troll bullshit either! He actually stated this tripe, which makes it obvious that he is trying to politely say that he's a flaming homo slut!

Speaking about 'flaming,' who better to point out as a filthy chutney ferret than Slashdot's very own self-confessed pederast Jon Katz. Although an obvious deviant anagram cannot be found from his name, he has already confessed, nay boasted of the homosexual perversion of corrupting the innocence of young children. To quote from the article linked:

'I've got a rare kidney disease,' I told her. 'I have to go to the bathroom a lot. You can come with me if you want, but it takes a while. Is that okay with you? Do you want a note from my doctor?'

Is this why you were touching your penis in the cinema, Jon? And letting the other boys touch it too?

We should also point out that Jon Katz refers to himself as 'Slashdot's resident Gasbag.' Is there any more doubt? For those fortunate few who aren't aware of the list of homosexual terminology found inside the Linux 'Sauce Code,' a 'Gasbag' is a pervert who gains sexual gratification from having a thin straw inserted into his urethra (or to use the common parlance, 'piss-pipe'), then his homosexual lover blows firmly down the straw to inflate his scrotum. This is, of course, when he's not busy violating the dignity and copyright of posters to Slashdot by gathering

It has come to my attention that the entire Linux community is a hotbed of so called 'alternative sexuality,' which includes anything from hedonistic orgies to homosexuality to pedophilia.

What better way of demonstrating this than by looking at the hidden messages contained within the names of some of Linux's most outspoken advocates:

• Linus Torvalds is an anagram of slit anus or VD 'L,' clearly referring to himself by the first initial.
• Richard M. Stallman, spokespervert for the Gaysex's Not Unusual 'movement' is an anagram of mans cram thrill ad.
• Alan Cox is barely an anagram of anal cox which is just so filthy and unchristian it unnerves me.

I'm sure that Eric S. Raymond, composer of the satanic homosexual propaganda diatribe The Cathedral and the Bizarre, is probably an anagram of something queer, but we don't need to look that far as we know he's always shoving a gun up some poor little boy's rectum. Update: Eric S. Raymond is actually an anagram for secondary rim and cord in my arse. It just goes to show you that he is indeed queer.

Update the Second: It is also documented that Evil Sicko Gaymond is responsible for a nauseating piece of code called Fetchmail, which is obviously sinister sodomite slang for 'Felch Male' -- a disgusting practise. For those not in the know, 'felching' is the act performed by two perverts wherein one sucks their own post-coital ejaculate out of the other's rectum. In fact, it appears that the dirty Linux faggots set out to undermine the good Republican institution of e-mail, turning it into 'e-male.'

As far as Richard 'Master' Stallman goes, that filthy fudge-packer was actually quoted on leftist commie propaganda site Salon.com as saying the following: 'I've been resistant to the pressure to conform in any circumstance,' he says. 'It's about being able to question conventional wisdom,' he asserts. 'I believe in love, but not monogamy,' he says plainly.

And this isn't a made up troll bullshit either! He actually stated this tripe, which makes it obvious that he is trying to politely say that he's a flaming homo slut!

Speaking about 'flaming,' who better to point out as a filthy chutney ferret than Slashdot's very own self-confessed pederast Jon Katz. Although an obvious deviant anagram cannot be found from his name, he has already confessed, nay boasted of the homosexual perversion of corrupting the innocence of young children. To quote from the article linked:

'I've got a rare kidney disease,' I told her. 'I have to go to the bathroom a lot. You can come with me if you want, but it takes a while. Is that okay with you? Do you want a note from my doctor?'

Is this why you were touching your penis in the cinema, Jon? And letting the other boys touch it too?

We should also point out that Jon Katz refers to himself as 'Slashdot's resident Gasbag.' Is there any more doubt? For those fortunate few who aren't aware of the list of homosexual terminology found inside the Linux 'Sauce Code,' a 'Gasbag' is a pervert who gains sexual gratification from having a thin straw inserted into his urethra (or to use the common parlance, 'piss-pipe'), then his homosexual lover blows firmly down the straw to inflate his scrotum. This is, of course, when he's not busy violating the dignity and copyright of posters to Slashdot by gathering

It has come to my attention that the entire Linux community is a hotbed of so called 'alternative sexuality,' which includes anything from hedonistic orgies to homosexuality to pedophilia.

What better way of demonstrating this than by looking at the hidden messages contained within the names of some of Linux's most outspoken advocates:

• Linus Torvalds is an anagram of slit anus or VD 'L,' clearly referring to himself by the first initial.
• Richard M. Stallman, spokespervert for the Gaysex's Not Unusual 'movement' is an anagram of mans cram thrill ad.
• Alan Cox is barely an anagram of anal cox which is just so filthy and unchristian it unnerves me.

I'm sure that Eric S. Raymond, composer of the satanic homosexual propaganda diatribe The Cathedral and the Bizarre, is probably an anagram of something queer, but we don't need to look that far as we know he's always shoving a gun up some poor little boy's rectum. Update: Eric S. Raymond is actually an anagram for secondary rim and cord in my arse. It just goes to show you that he is indeed queer.

Update the Second: It is also documented that Evil Sicko Gaymond is responsible for a nauseating piece of code called Fetchmail, which is obviously sinister sodomite slang for 'Felch Male' -- a disgusting practise. For those not in the know, 'felching' is the act performed by two perverts wherein one sucks their own post-coital ejaculate out of the other's rectum. In fact, it appears that the dirty Linux faggots set out to undermine the good Republican institution of e-mail, turning it into 'e-male.'

As far as Richard 'Master' Stallman goes, that filthy fudge-packer was actually quoted on leftist commie propaganda site Salon.com as saying the following: 'I've been resistant to the pressure to conform in any circumstance,' he says. 'It's about being able to question conventional wisdom,' he asserts. 'I believe in love, but not monogamy,' he says plainly.

And this isn't a made up troll bullshit either! He actually stated this tripe, which makes it obvious that he is trying to politely say that he's a flaming homo slut!

Speaking about 'flaming,' who better to point out as a filthy chutney ferret than Slashdot's very own self-confessed pederast Jon Katz. Although an obvious deviant anagram cannot be found from his name, he has already confessed, nay boasted of the homosexual perversion of corrupting the innocence of young children. To quote from the article linked:

'I've got a rare kidney disease,' I told her. 'I have to go to the bathroom a lot. You can come with me if you want, but it takes a while. Is that okay with you? Do you want a note from my doctor?'

Is this why you were touching your penis in the cinema, Jon? And letting the other boys touch it too?

We should also point out that Jon Katz refers to himself as 'Slashdot's resident Gasbag.' Is there any more doubt? For those fortunate few who aren't aware of the list of homosexual terminology found inside the Linux 'Sauce Code,' a 'Gasbag' is a pervert who gains sexual gratification from having a thin straw inserted into his urethra (or to use the common parlance, 'piss-pipe'), then his homosexual lover blows firmly down the straw to inflate his scrotum. This is, of course, when he's not busy violating the dignity and copyright of posters to Slashdot by gathering

Not true if your platform properly supports fork() semantics.

Yeah, it's not as if 90% of all people happen to use an OS that doesn't support fork(), right?

It has come to my attention that the entire Linux community is a hotbed of so called 'alternative sexuality,' which includes anything from hedonistic orgies to homosexuality to pedophilia.

What better way of demonstrating this than by looking at the hidden messages contained within the names of some of Linux's most outspoken advocates:

• Linus Torvalds is an anagram of slit anus or VD 'L,' clearly referring to himself by the first initial.
• Richard M. Stallman, spokespervert for the Gaysex's Not Unusual 'movement' is an anagram of mans cram thrill ad.
• Alan Cox is barely an anagram of anal cox which is just so filthy and unchristian it unnerves me.

I'm sure that Eric S. Raymond, composer of the satanic homosexual propaganda diatribe The Cathedral and the Bizarre, is probably an anagram of something queer, but we don't need to look that far as we know he's always shoving a gun up some poor little boy's rectum. Update: Eric S. Raymond is actually an anagram for secondary rim and cord in my arse. It just goes to show you that he is indeed queer.

Update the Second: It is also documented that Evil Sicko Gaymond is responsible for a nauseating piece of code called Fetchmail, which is obviously sinister sodomite slang for 'Felch Male' -- a disgusting practise. For those not in the know, 'felching' is the act performed by two perverts wherein one sucks their own post-coital ejaculate out of the other's rectum. In fact, it appears that the dirty Linux faggots set out to undermine the good Republican institution of e-mail, turning it into 'e-male.'

As far as Richard 'Master' Stallman goes, that filthy fudge-packer was actually quoted on leftist commie propaganda site Salon.com as saying the following: 'I've been resistant to the pressure to conform in any circumstance,' he says. 'It's about being able to question conventional wisdom,' he asserts. 'I believe in love, but not monogamy,' he says plainly.

And this isn't a made up troll bullshit either! He actually stated this tripe, which makes it obvious that he is trying to politely say that he's a flaming homo slut!

Speaking about 'flaming,' who better to point out as a filthy chutney ferret than Slashdot's very own self-confessed pederast Jon Katz. Although an obvious deviant anagram cannot be found from his name, he has already confessed, nay boasted of the homosexual perversion of corrupting the innocence of young children. To quote from the article linked:

'I've got a rare kidney disease,' I told her. 'I have to go to the bathroom a lot. You can come with me if you want, but it takes a while. Is that okay with you? Do you want a note from my doctor?'

Is this why you were touching your penis in the cinema, Jon? And letting the other boys touch it too?

We should also point out that Jon Katz refers to himself as 'Slashdot's resident Gasbag.' Is there any more doubt? For those fortunate few who aren't aware of the list of homosexual terminology found inside the Linux 'Sauce Code,' a 'Gasbag' is a pervert who gains sexual gratification from having a thin straw inserted into his urethra (or to use the common parlance, 'piss-pipe'), then his homosexual lover blows firmly down the straw to inflate his scrotum. This is, of course, when he's not busy violating the dignity and copyright of posters to Slashdot by gathering

It has come to my attention that the entire Linux community is a hotbed of so called 'alternative sexuality,' which includes anything from hedonistic orgies to homosexuality to pedophilia.

What better way of demonstrating this than by looking at the hidden messages contained within the names of some of Linux's most outspoken advocates:

• Linus Torvalds is an anagram of slit anus or VD 'L,' clearly referring to himself by the first initial.
• Richard M. Stallman, spokespervert for the Gaysex's Not Unusual 'movement' is an anagram of mans cram thrill ad.
• Alan Cox is barely an anagram of anal cox which is just so filthy and unchristian it unnerves me.

I'm sure that Eric S. Raymond, composer of the satanic homosexual propaganda diatribe The Cathedral and the Bizarre, is probably an anagram of something queer, but we don't need to look that far as we know he's always shoving a gun up some poor little boy's rectum. Update: Eric S. Raymond is actually an anagram for secondary rim and cord in my arse. It just goes to show you that he is indeed queer.

Update the Second: It is also documented that Evil Sicko Gaymond is responsible for a nauseating piece of code called Fetchmail, which is obviously sinister sodomite slang for 'Felch Male' -- a disgusting practise. For those not in the know, 'felching' is the act performed by two perverts wherein one sucks their own post-coital ejaculate out of the other's rectum. In fact, it appears that the dirty Linux faggots set out to undermine the good Republican institution of e-mail, turning it into 'e-male.'

As far as Richard 'Master' Stallman goes, that filthy fudge-packer was actually quoted on leftist commie propaganda site Salon.com as saying the following: 'I've been resistant to the pressure to conform in any circumstance,' he says. 'It's about being able to question conventional wisdom,' he asserts. 'I believe in love, but not monogamy,' he says plainly.

And this isn't a made up troll bullshit either! He actually stated this tripe, which makes it obvious that he is trying to politely say that he's a flaming homo slut!

Speaking about 'flaming,' who better to point out as a filthy chutney ferret than Slashdot's very own self-confessed pederast Jon Katz. Although an obvious deviant anagram cannot be found from his name, he has already confessed, nay boasted of the homosexual perversion of corrupting the innocence of young children. To quote from the article linked:

'I've got a rare kidney disease,' I told her. 'I have to go to the bathroom a lot. You can come with me if you want, but it takes a while. Is that okay with you? Do you want a note from my doctor?'

Is this why you were touching your penis in the cinema, Jon? And letting the other boys touch it too?

We should also point out that Jon Katz refers to himself as 'Slashdot's resident Gasbag.' Is there any more doubt? For those fortunate few who aren't aware of the list of homosexual terminology found inside the Linux 'Sauce Code,' a 'Gasbag' is a pervert who gains sexual gratification from having a thin straw inserted into his urethra (or to use the common parlance, 'piss-pipe'), then his homosexual lover blows firmly down the straw to inflate his scrotum. This is, of course, when he's not busy violating the dignity and copyright of posters to Slashdot by gathering

It has come to my attention that the entire Linux community is a hotbed of so called 'alternative sexuality,' which includes anything from hedonistic orgies to homosexuality to pedophilia.

What better way of demonstrating this than by looking at the hidden messages contained within the names of some of Linux's most outspoken advocates:

• Linus Torvalds is an anagram of slit anus or VD 'L,' clearly referring to himself by the first initial.
• Richard M. Stallman, spokespervert for the Gaysex's Not Unusual 'movement' is an anagram of mans cram thrill ad.
• Alan Cox is barely an anagram of anal cox which is just so filthy and unchristian it unnerves me.

I'm sure that Eric S. Raymond, composer of the satanic homosexual propaganda diatribe The Cathedral and the Bizarre, is probably an anagram of something queer, but we don't need to look that far as we know he's always shoving a gun up some poor little boy's rectum. Update: Eric S. Raymond is actually an anagram for secondary rim and cord in my arse. It just goes to show you that he is indeed queer.

Update the Second: It is also documented that Evil Sicko Gaymond is responsible for a nauseating piece of code called Fetchmail, which is obviously sinister sodomite slang for 'Felch Male' -- a disgusting practise. For those not in the know, 'felching' is the act performed by two perverts wherein one sucks their own post-coital ejaculate out of the other's rectum. In fact, it appears that the dirty Linux faggots set out to undermine the good Republican institution of e-mail, turning it into 'e-male.'

As far as Richard 'Master' Stallman goes, that filthy fudge-packer was actually quoted on leftist commie propaganda site Salon.com as saying the following: 'I've been resistant to the pressure to conform in any circumstance,' he says. 'It's about being able to question conventional wisdom,' he asserts. 'I believe in love, but not monogamy,' he says plainly.

And this isn't a made up troll bullshit either! He actually stated this tripe, which makes it obvious that he is trying to politely say that he's a flaming homo slut!

Speaking about 'flaming,' who better to point out as a filthy chutney ferret than Slashdot's very own self-confessed pederast Jon Katz. Although an obvious deviant anagram cannot be found from his name, he has already confessed, nay boasted of the homosexual perversion of corrupting the innocence of young children. To quote from the article linked:

'I've got a rare kidney disease,' I told her. 'I have to go to the bathroom a lot. You can come with me if you want, but it takes a while. Is that okay with you? Do you want a note from my doctor?'

Is this why you were touching your penis in the cinema, Jon? And letting the other boys touch it too?

We should also point out that Jon Katz refers to himself as 'Slashdot's resident Gasbag.' Is there any more doubt? For those fortunate few who aren't aware of the list of homosexual terminology found inside the Linux 'Sauce Code,' a 'Gasbag' is a pervert who gains sexual gratification from having a thin straw inserted into his urethra (or to use the common parlance, 'piss-pipe'), then his homosexual lover blows firmly down the straw to inflate his scrotum. This is, of course, when he's not busy violating the dignity and copyright of posters to Slashdot by gathering

I wouldn't be particularly amazed, I'm reasonably aware of what calls home (re your examples, I don't have a hardware printer installed and didn't bother installing the chince-ware that came with my camera).

On my mothers computer, which is probably a more reasonable example of a 'typical' user, I want the various apps 'calling home' and installing updates.

Beyond that, something like Tcpview is sufficient if something seems to be an issue:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897437.aspx

(Maybe combined with Process Explorer: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx )

As far as Microsoft and your paranoia, between a conspiracy to keep users in the dark and a conspiracy to avoid enormous support headaches, I find the latter quite a bit more likely.

I wouldn't be particularly amazed, I'm reasonably aware of what calls home (re your examples, I don't have a hardware printer installed and didn't bother installing the chince-ware that came with my camera).

On my mothers computer, which is probably a more reasonable example of a 'typical' user, I want the various apps 'calling home' and installing updates.

Beyond that, something like Tcpview is sufficient if something seems to be an issue:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897437.aspx

(Maybe combined with Process Explorer: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx )

As far as Microsoft and your paranoia, between a conspiracy to keep users in the dark and a conspiracy to avoid enormous support headaches, I find the latter quite a bit more likely.

Yeah, that's right. Especially since the DRM happy fools at Microsoft built the ability to record what's being played right into the audio engine without requiring a patch cable at all (see the AUDCLNT_STREAMFLAGS_LOOPBACK flag.

Oh wait...

32-bit Windows can support more than 4GB of RAM on processors that support PAE. This capability is not available to XP but can be had on some versions of Win2K, Server 2003, and 2008.

The virus itself is a complicated one. As per the article, it was installed on the system during a mass exploit dubbed Nine-Ball, which was loaded onto 40,000 legitimate websites. Visiting those sites caused the Nine-Ball script to execute, which redirected an iframe to a page containing malicious code which mounts a series of attacks. Those mentioned by the site are:

• Exploit MS06-014, which targets the MDAC ActiveX control
• Exploit CVE-2006-5820, which targets the AOL SuperBuddy ActiveX control
• [Some] targeting Acrobat Reader"
• [Some targeting] QuickTime

So basically, an application (browser) visits this malicious page. If that application runs the ActiveX controls mentioned (and presumably Acrobat Reader and/or QuickTime), it was vulnerable to the initial Nine-Ball exploit. IE qualifies for all 4 of those; Firefox can use ActiveX (I believe, with a plugin), but not out of the box... however, it does have plugins for Acrobat Reader and QuickTime.

If any of those vulnerabilities were present with the applicaton visited the iframe, it runs malicious code that installs a crapton of viruses on the host computer, among them the FFSearcher virus.

Once FFSearcher is on your computer, it causes itself to get run all of the time, probably as Administrator. It then proceeds to:

1. Executes a Windows root-kit to hide its presence
2. Injects code into browser application processes; for IE, it will inject an IE-specific payload, and for Firefox, it will inject a Firefox-specific payload. Each payload causes the infected browser to do all the malicious redirecting that is described in lower-level detail in the article.

So a nice, clean, and secure IE / Firefox get started up, but Windows, itself infected, loads the virus into them! No vulnerabilities are exploited, here. Since FFSearcher runs as Administrator, everything it does is straightforward and allowed by the system; it can do basically anything. What it chooses to do is target IE and Firefox. Since it's running as Administrator, it doesn't have to exploit any vulnerabilities in either; it just barges in and rewrites parts of them to do its bidding. Administrator can do things like that.

In conclusion, there isn't any vulnerability in IE or Firefox that's involved in FFSearcher, and the only reason FFSearcher doesn't pwn other browsers is because the author didn't bother to write a payload for them, too. FFSearcher, itself, was installed due to some browser vulnerability that happened sometime, and now, permanently present on the system, takes advantage of its Administrator privileges to do some pretty wicked stuff.

Firefox and IE are the targets of the trojan once it already has control over your computer. That doesn't mean they are "vulnerable" or are in need of patches.

Only the last link in the Slashdot article discusses how these attackers gained control over your computer:

After redirection, the exploit payload site returns highly obfuscated malicious code. The malicious code attempts to exploit MS06-014 (targeting MDAC) and CVE-2006-5820 (targeting AOL SuperBuddy), as well as employing exploits targeting Acrobat Reader and QuickTime. The MS06-014 exploit code will download a Trojan dropper with low AV detection rate. This dropper drops a dll with the name SOCKET2.DLL to Windows' system folder. This file is used to steal user information. The malicious PDF file, served by the exploit site, also has very low AV detection rate.

So, basically an IE hole that was fixed in 2006, plus a handful of plugin vulnerabilities. They didn't even bother looking for an old Firefox vulnerability to exploit, perhaps because too many Firefox users are up-to-date.

I can wait for a sale and pick up MS Student and Home for 50 bucks and I get 3 licenses for that price...

If you are a student with an .edu address you can have it all for $60. The Ultimate Steal

If your employer participates in Microsoft's Home User program, it's all yours on disk for the price of S&H.

These are just three of the reasons why the free-as-in-beer office suite just doesn't generate all that much excitement.

Microsoft have replaced Robocopy with RichCopy

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/magazine/2009.04.utilityspotlight.aspx

For first-timers there are some GUI's that will help users select the options they need, such as Robocopy GUI and RichCopy

For first-timers there are some GUI's that will help users select the options they need, such as Robocopy GUI and RichCopy

Relying on a wrap-around/overflow possibly.

How? 32-bit binary running on a 64-bit OS is still pure 32-bit code, including size of machine word and pointers, dealing with 32-bit registers, etc. As such, it behaves exactly the same.

Unfortunately I know next to nothing about the registry, so what you are telling me doesn't mean a whole lot to me...

Registry redirection explained.
File system redirection explained.

I suppose you can point a finger at Microsoft for not catching and handling that kind of thing

Not really - it's a problem that cannot be resolved in the most general case (how would OS know that data you pass between processes is a registry or file path in the first place?).

Basically this is the whole 16->32 situation again. 16-bit lost, and we moved on to 32 bit. Why everyone wants to fight the same (losing) battle again is beyond me.

It still took some time to move to 32-bit, and the incentive there was much clearer (16-bit was really not enough even for mundane things, necessitating complicated hacks such as overlays). Meanwhile, 32-bit is still "good enough" for most desktop applications.

Also, when talking about 16-bit, keep in mind that 32-bit Vista can still run 16-bit Windows 3.x applications (heck, it can run Windows 1.0 applications!). I'm not sure if Win7 can do that - don't have any such apps to check it - but I wouldn't be surprised if it still works (as 16-bit DOS stuff does work for sure).

Relying on a wrap-around/overflow possibly.

How? 32-bit binary running on a 64-bit OS is still pure 32-bit code, including size of machine word and pointers, dealing with 32-bit registers, etc. As such, it behaves exactly the same.

Unfortunately I know next to nothing about the registry, so what you are telling me doesn't mean a whole lot to me...

Registry redirection explained.
File system redirection explained.

I suppose you can point a finger at Microsoft for not catching and handling that kind of thing

Not really - it's a problem that cannot be resolved in the most general case (how would OS know that data you pass between processes is a registry or file path in the first place?).

Basically this is the whole 16->32 situation again. 16-bit lost, and we moved on to 32 bit. Why everyone wants to fight the same (losing) battle again is beyond me.

It still took some time to move to 32-bit, and the incentive there was much clearer (16-bit was really not enough even for mundane things, necessitating complicated hacks such as overlays). Meanwhile, 32-bit is still "good enough" for most desktop applications.

Also, when talking about 16-bit, keep in mind that 32-bit Vista can still run 16-bit Windows 3.x applications (heck, it can run Windows 1.0 applications!). I'm not sure if Win7 can do that - don't have any such apps to check it - but I wouldn't be surprised if it still works (as 16-bit DOS stuff does work for sure).

It has come to my attention that the entire Linux community is a hotbed of so called 'alternative sexuality,' which includes anything from hedonistic orgies to homosexuality to pedophilia.

What better way of demonstrating this than by looking at the hidden messages contained within the names of some of Linux's most outspoken advocates:

• Linus Torvalds [microsoft.com] is an anagram of slit anus or VD 'L,' clearly referring to himself by the first initial.
• Richard M. Stallman [geocities.com], spokespervert for the Gaysex's Not Unusual 'movement' is an anagram of mans cram thrill ad.
• Alan Cox [microsoft.com] is barely an anagram of anal cox which is just so filthy and unchristian it unnerves me.

I'm sure that Eric S. Raymond, composer of the satanic homosexual [goatse.fr] propaganda diatribe The Cathedral and the Bizarre, is probably an anagram of something queer, but we don't need to look that far as we know he's always shoving a gun up some poor little boy's rectum. Update: Eric S. Raymond is actually an anagram for secondary rim and cord in my arse. It just goes to show you that he is indeed queer.

Update the Second: It is also documented that Evil Sicko Gaymond is responsible for a nauseating piece of code called Fetchmail [microsoft.com], which is obviously sinister sodomite slang for 'Felch Male' -- a disgusting practise. For those not in the know, 'felching' is the act performed by two perverts wherein one sucks their own post-coital ejaculate out of the other's rectum. In fact, it appears that the dirty Linux faggots set out to undermine the good Republican institution of e-mail, turning it into 'e-male.'

As far as Richard 'Master' Stallman goes, that filthy fudge-packer was actually quoted [salon.com] on leftist commie propaganda site Salon.com as saying the following: 'I've been resistant to the pressure to conform in any circumstance,' he says. 'It's about being able to question conventional wisdom,' he asserts. 'I believe in love, but not monogamy,' he says plainly.

And this isn't a made up troll bullshit either! He actually stated this tripe, which makes it obvious that he is trying to politely say that he's a flaming homo [comp-u-geek.net] slut [rotten.com]!

Speaking about 'flaming,' who better to point out as a filthy chutney ferret than Slashdot's very own self-confessed pederast Jon Katz. Although an obvious deviant anagram cannot be found from his name, he has already confessed, nay boasted of the homosexual [goatse.fr] perversion of corrupting the innocence of young children [slashdot.org]. To quote from the article linked:

'I've got a rare kidney disease,' I told her. 'I have to go to the bathroom a lot. You can come with me if you want, but it takes a while. Is that okay with you? Do you want a note from my doctor?'

Is this why you were touching your penis [rotten.com] in the cinema, Jon? And letting the other boys touch it too?

We should also point out that Jon Katz refers to himself as 'Slashdot's resident Gasbag.' Is there any more doubt? For those fortunate few who aren't aware of the list of homosexual [goatse.fr] terminology found inside the Linux 'Sauce Code,' a 'Gasbag' is a pervert who gains sexual gratification from having a thin straw inserted into his urethra (or to use the common parlance, 'piss-pipe'), then his homosexual

It has come to my attention that the entire Linux community is a hotbed of so called 'alternative sexuality,' which includes anything from hedonistic orgies to homosexuality to pedophilia.

What better way of demonstrating this than by looking at the hidden messages contained within the names of some of Linux's most outspoken advocates:

• Linus Torvalds [microsoft.com] is an anagram of slit anus or VD 'L,' clearly referring to himself by the first initial.
• Richard M. Stallman [geocities.com], spokespervert for the Gaysex's Not Unusual 'movement' is an anagram of mans cram thrill ad.
• Alan Cox [microsoft.com] is barely an anagram of anal cox which is just so filthy and unchristian it unnerves me.

I'm sure that Eric S. Raymond, composer of the satanic homosexual [goatse.fr] propaganda diatribe The Cathedral and the Bizarre, is probably an anagram of something queer, but we don't need to look that far as we know he's always shoving a gun up some poor little boy's rectum. Update: Eric S. Raymond is actually an anagram for secondary rim and cord in my arse. It just goes to show you that he is indeed queer.

Update the Second: It is also documented that Evil Sicko Gaymond is responsible for a nauseating piece of code called Fetchmail [microsoft.com], which is obviously sinister sodomite slang for 'Felch Male' -- a disgusting practise. For those not in the know, 'felching' is the act performed by two perverts wherein one sucks their own post-coital ejaculate out of the other's rectum. In fact, it appears that the dirty Linux faggots set out to undermine the good Republican institution of e-mail, turning it into 'e-male.'

As far as Richard 'Master' Stallman goes, that filthy fudge-packer was actually quoted [salon.com] on leftist commie propaganda site Salon.com as saying the following: 'I've been resistant to the pressure to conform in any circumstance,' he says. 'It's about being able to question conventional wisdom,' he asserts. 'I believe in love, but not monogamy,' he says plainly.

And this isn't a made up troll bullshit either! He actually stated this tripe, which makes it obvious that he is trying to politely say that he's a flaming homo [comp-u-geek.net] slut [rotten.com]!

Speaking about 'flaming,' who better to point out as a filthy chutney ferret than Slashdot's very own self-confessed pederast Jon Katz. Although an obvious deviant anagram cannot be found from his name, he has already confessed, nay boasted of the homosexual [goatse.fr] perversion of corrupting the innocence of young children [slashdot.org]. To quote from the article linked:

'I've got a rare kidney disease,' I told her. 'I have to go to the bathroom a lot. You can come with me if you want, but it takes a while. Is that okay with you? Do you want a note from my doctor?'

Is this why you were touching your penis [rotten.com] in the cinema, Jon? And letting the other boys touch it too?

We should also point out that Jon Katz refers to himself as 'Slashdot's resident Gasbag.' Is there any more doubt? For those fortunate few who aren't aware of the list of homosexual [goatse.fr] terminology found inside the Linux 'Sauce Code,' a 'Gasbag' is a pervert who gains sexual gratification from having a thin straw inserted into his urethra (or to use the common parlance, 'piss-pipe'), then his homosexual

It has come to my attention that the entire Linux community is a hotbed of so called 'alternative sexuality,' which includes anything from hedonistic orgies to homosexuality to pedophilia.

What better way of demonstrating this than by looking at the hidden messages contained within the names of some of Linux's most outspoken advocates:

• Linus Torvalds [microsoft.com] is an anagram of slit anus or VD 'L,' clearly referring to himself by the first initial.
• Richard M. Stallman [geocities.com], spokespervert for the Gaysex's Not Unusual 'movement' is an anagram of mans cram thrill ad.
• Alan Cox [microsoft.com] is barely an anagram of anal cox which is just so filthy and unchristian it unnerves me.

I'm sure that Eric S. Raymond, composer of the satanic homosexual [goatse.fr] propaganda diatribe The Cathedral and the Bizarre, is probably an anagram of something queer, but we don't need to look that far as we know he's always shoving a gun up some poor little boy's rectum. Update: Eric S. Raymond is actually an anagram for secondary rim and cord in my arse. It just goes to show you that he is indeed queer.

Update the Second: It is also documented that Evil Sicko Gaymond is responsible for a nauseating piece of code called Fetchmail [microsoft.com], which is obviously sinister sodomite slang for 'Felch Male' -- a disgusting practise. For those not in the know, 'felching' is the act performed by two perverts wherein one sucks their own post-coital ejaculate out of the other's rectum. In fact, it appears that the dirty Linux faggots set out to undermine the good Republican institution of e-mail, turning it into 'e-male.'

As far as Richard 'Master' Stallman goes, that filthy fudge-packer was actually quoted [salon.com] on leftist commie propaganda site Salon.com as saying the following: 'I've been resistant to the pressure to conform in any circumstance,' he says. 'It's about being able to question conventional wisdom,' he asserts. 'I believe in love, but not monogamy,' he says plainly.

And this isn't a made up troll bullshit either! He actually stated this tripe, which makes it obvious that he is trying to politely say that he's a flaming homo [comp-u-geek.net] slut [rotten.com]!

Speaking about 'flaming,' who better to point out as a filthy chutney ferret than Slashdot's very own self-confessed pederast Jon Katz. Although an obvious deviant anagram cannot be found from his name, he has already confessed, nay boasted of the homosexual [goatse.fr] perversion of corrupting the innocence of young children [slashdot.org]. To quote from the article linked:

'I've got a rare kidney disease,' I told her. 'I have to go to the bathroom a lot. You can come with me if you want, but it takes a while. Is that okay with you? Do you want a note from my doctor?'

Is this why you were touching your penis [rotten.com] in the cinema, Jon? And letting the other boys touch it too?

We should also point out that Jon Katz refers to himself as 'Slashdot's resident Gasbag.' Is there any more doubt? For those fortunate few who aren't aware of the list of homosexual [goatse.fr] terminology found inside the Linux 'Sauce Code,' a 'Gasbag' is a pervert who gains sexual gratification from having a thin straw inserted into his urethra (or to use the common parlance, 'piss-pipe'), then his homosexual

Believe it or not, there are a whole lot of Microsoft users and some of them like their products. Automatically assuming someone is a shill because they speak positively about Windows is just plain retarded.

I am intrigued by your ideas, and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

Actually, I agree with you but I found the above response more likely to get me modded up, until I destroyed that likelihood with this admission...

Looking for a Better OS?

How about better users and better sysadmins? Seriously, sysadmins ought to have some liability when they aren't doing their due diligence. There was a critical patch that would have prevented Conflicker released way back in October.

Easy, http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/971492.mspx

Have a nice day!

Rolling out Windows Updates is not a difficult task

True but I would like to consider the line just before that one...

The answer is, is that it's because the IT staff obviously were not on top of the maintenance of the computers.

This statement slaps directly in the face of what Microsoft touts as their big advantage. Ease of manageability. In fact, they say that it is 60% the TCO of servers. See blue pie piece.

In fact what does Microsoft think Ease of manageability means? See first gray bubble

With a piece of software that just sooooooo easy to keep running, why do entire IT department fail to be "...on top of the maintenance of the computers?"

Trust. Microsoft's automatic updates not haz it, to use the lolcatz of our times. People don't trust Microsoft's updates. They fear it will break what they have going. slight pause It may, it may not, but that's not the point. The point is that the ease of manageability argument fails when we subscribe to your idea of...

it's because the IT staff obviously were not on top of the maintenance of the computers.

We can either say that IT departments need to spend due diligence with updates and security announcements with Microsoft products. (much like Unix and Linux IT departments,) or we can say that Microsoft has issues with security and trust which leads to an environment that breeds ripe servers for malware attacks.

In the end, one of these two options will cost an IT department money. True, this article looks at it from the latter point of view, but say we look at it from the first point of view and what do we have? The TCO rising because the "ease of manageability" is reduced, the two being inversely proportional per Microsoft. So even if Microsoft does patch whatever exploit it is that we are questioning, the trust is not there from the end-users and that cost something as human as it may sound.

Rolling out Windows Updates is not a difficult task

True but I would like to consider the line just before that one...

The answer is, is that it's because the IT staff obviously were not on top of the maintenance of the computers.

This statement slaps directly in the face of what Microsoft touts as their big advantage. Ease of manageability. In fact, they say that it is 60% the TCO of servers. See blue pie piece.

In fact what does Microsoft think Ease of manageability means? See first gray bubble

With a piece of software that just sooooooo easy to keep running, why do entire IT department fail to be "...on top of the maintenance of the computers?"

Trust. Microsoft's automatic updates not haz it, to use the lolcatz of our times. People don't trust Microsoft's updates. They fear it will break what they have going. slight pause It may, it may not, but that's not the point. The point is that the ease of manageability argument fails when we subscribe to your idea of...

it's because the IT staff obviously were not on top of the maintenance of the computers.

We can either say that IT departments need to spend due diligence with updates and security announcements with Microsoft products. (much like Unix and Linux IT departments,) or we can say that Microsoft has issues with security and trust which leads to an environment that breeds ripe servers for malware attacks.

In the end, one of these two options will cost an IT department money. True, this article looks at it from the latter point of view, but say we look at it from the first point of view and what do we have? The TCO rising because the "ease of manageability" is reduced, the two being inversely proportional per Microsoft. So even if Microsoft does patch whatever exploit it is that we are questioning, the trust is not there from the end-users and that cost something as human as it may sound.

Actually encryption doesn't guarantee *things add up* after transfer. And ssh does not guarantee things add up any more than tcp does. It does have other advantages, like compression.

And tcp is just not a good file transfer protocol over microwave links. Sure you can fix the glaring issues, using huge windows, you can even change registry settings to improve the situation : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/224829.

Making it work really well, though, you'll need

If you're worried about correctness of transfer you might want to use rsync for windows, which *does* check correctness. You might want to use an interface like http://www.aboutmyip.com/AboutMyXApp/DeltaCopy.jsp.

Now rsync is no wonder. It is not something that is constantly trying to reconnect. You start it once ... it tries once. If you want an opportunistic reliable file transfer utility ... you might want to try bittorrent, it's quite good at that.

It uses the Microsoft Sync Framework - we've been using it for database backups for months and *love* it. You just install, set up your source/dest folders through the UI, then run them. For doing so on a schedule, just add a scheduled task for SyncToyCmd.exe -R

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SyncToy
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=c26efa36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52&displaylang=en
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Sync_Framework

If you just wanted "copy with retries" you could go with something simpler like Robocopy, but I think you'll be quite happy with SyncToy!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robocopy

Also look into Windows DFS.

We use it to sync webfarm filesystems in Server 2008 and it works perfectly. At least in 2008 only file changes are sent across so it is very efficient, even for WAN scenarios.

Best regards

Robocopy? http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2006.11.utilityspotlight.aspx

W

You can find even better examples than that. Your example arises from an automated crawling process. Here's a page on Microsoft's website that contains several human-inserted links to pages on Apple's website.

"Every application" can use IE's engine, except Outlook. They implement their own half-assed HTML renderer (not even up to HTML 3.2/CSS 1.0 standards; http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/aa338201.aspx) to help ensure pain and suffering for folks who "need" to send out HTML newsletters. The doc I link to there redefines "full" CSS 1.0 support to mean "the subset of CSS 1.0 supported by Word". *facepalm*

Not that I'm bitter about wasting many hours on working around Outlook's brain damage.

This is for "security reasons" but nobody's ever figured out why or how CSS's "float" is a security issue. I just love mutating a carefully designed-for-usability-and-accessibility div based layout into a nested tables abomination.

It is just a client protection, like Microsofts HttpOnly-Cookies. You can still send any packages to the server.

It depends entirely on what you do with your computer. As stated, MSN uses IE to view hotmail and here are some other things that ignore your preference and use IE instead.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810565

I can never find the home or end keys!

I discovered the Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard (that has since been generally discontinued, of course) which did shuffle around Home/End/Delete/P.up/P.down, etc., but did so in an entirely logical manner... at least for Windows usage. I wouldn't use it for editing in UNIX, but it matches the function of Windows text editors quite well. [It also compresses the horizontal width of the keyboard, moving in the numpad and arrow keys, thus making all key accesses somewhat easier for small hands.]

Instead of being a 3 column x 2 row 6 button layout, it is a 2 column x 3 row layout with an oversize Delete button (Insert got kicked off, which is fine by me given how rarely I actually use it). First off, this puts all the buttons in better reach of my small hands, and significantly increases the ease of hitting "Delete". (No, I haven't had a problem with accidental deletes, either).

Also, Home and End sit horizontally adjacent which is much more intuitive than the usual vertical layout given their far left/far right operation in Windows text editors. Page Up and Page Down remain vertically adjacent in the right column of the rectangle, as befits their operation.

All in all, I've found it to be a wonderfully comfortable keyboard, especially as it is missing the extra keys that often appear around the cursor arrows. They made the annoying move of giving the function keys odd shortcut abilities, but a single keypress (that is remembered by the keyboard, so it persists even during computer power-off) restores their normal functions. The "bonus" buttons along the top edge are completely customizable (I have them linked to things like Firefox, Gmail, iTunes, etc.) and more than make up for the function-key oddness.

"Who's protecting the innocent innovation from being preyed upon?"

Microsoft of course.

http://www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate/

I mean, think about it. You can get new machines for what? 500 Euros? Do they really think that a, almost, 60% bonus for the OS will fly? I realize that OEM deals will look decidedly different, but come on...

The geek always quotes retail list for the most expensive version of Windows he can find.

But that is a very thin slice of the market.

If you are home or SOHO user, what matters is the OEM bundle or the upgrade package. You might be shopping for the close-out price on a high-end system no one wants gathering dust on a pallet until October.

For a student, there are, typically, even better deals: The Ultimate Steal