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This issue has already been addressed. The Galaxy S4 has hardware for LOJACK. Even after a factory reset. here's a link http://www.zdnet.com/new-lojack-solution-for-galaxy-s4-makes-theft-meaningless-7000016433/

Thats great, except it doesnt work like that in Civilized world:
http://www.zdnet.com/oracle-cannot-block-the-resale-of-its-software-in-europe-7000000189/

Absolute Software has been in the business of tracking and recovering stolen computers for years. They've recovered nearly 29,000 stolen computers, and they've just expanded to phones - Samsung has just integrated their technology in the firmware level on the S4, with other devices coming soon. Their tracking agent will survive a phone reset and their forensic tools (deployed post-theft) mean that they can actually catch the guy that knocked you over the head and stole your phone.

http://www.zdnet.com/new-lojack-solution-for-galaxy-s4-makes-theft-meaningless-7000016433/

Unlike a software solution only, the Absolute Software LoJack system is both a hardware and software solution. Starting with the Samsung Galaxy S4, Absolute's persistence technology is built into the firmware of the S4 and cannot be removed, even if the device is restored to factory settings.

The Galaxy S4 has the technology built in now, but the necessary Absolute software solution is not yet available. When it is available, you will be able to remotely lock your device, locate it, erase the data from the device and storage card, or have the Absolute Investigation and Recovery Services Team attempt to recover it.

The Recovery Team is made up of experts from law enforcement, the FBI, the Marines, the US Army, and other government positions. To date, they have recovered 28,000+ devices (laptops and PCs) in over 95 countries.

Because http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-no-longer-the-windows-company-does-wall-street-agree-7000015573/?s_cid=e589&ttag=e589

MSFT stock is up, and the company is making more profits than ever. For all the arm-chair predictions of certain doom, the people that count are rallying behind the company.

Sorry to break it to you Slashdot, but for the people here that have predicted the glorious end to the evil empire, such as TFA submitter (who amusingly can't even get the product-names right; what does that say about quality of analysis?) are way off the mark. Investors disagree with you - http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-no-longer-the-windows-company-does-wall-street-agree-7000015573/?s_cid=e589&ttag=e589

Now this is a hugely unpopular opinion which anti-MS geeks don't like being confronted with so I expect to be censored/buried by "-1 Overrated" anytime now. Good times! :)

The Transformer Book Trio is actually two computers - an Atom-based tablet that runs Android plus a i7-equipped keyboard/CPU that runs Windows 8. This article http://www.zdnet.com/asus-doubles-down-with-the-transformer-book-trio-7000016269/ states it a bit more clearly.

It's not a question of that, it's a question of wholesale exportation of jobs overseas to get 1) cheaper labor 2) avoid government regulation 3) dodge taxes. There's lots of reasons why things cost more to produce in some countries vs. others. Because kids are small, they can get into small areas so why not use them in the manufacturing process for say ships? I can see Korean kids getting into all of those nooks and small areas. That's a niche market isn't it?

It's not like it hasn't all been done before.

I'm not arguing against globalization, far from it. US Consumers have also wrought most of this on themselves because that $19.99 thing from China is a must have item or a new Walmart opened up down the street so everybody has to shop there. Competition is healthy when everybody is playing by the same rules, not when one country dumps products and blocks its markets from US product . Or when it happens in other economic areas.. surprise!.

So, greed is everywhere from the consumer to the companies that export jobs to nations with policies to undermine entire industries. It's time people woke up and started smelling the cat shit otherwise it'll be cat food that you'll be eating when you get too old and can't retire comfortably.

You can install CyanogenMod in most android phones and restrict yourself to use only open source apps too. Or try Mer based ones (i.e. Sailfish), Tizen, Ubuntu Touch, or Firefox OS

Australia's unannounced 'totalitarian' web filter causes alarm http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-05/17/australia-internet-block Internet chiefs call for checks, balances in censorship battle
http://www.afr.com/p/technology/internet_chiefs_call_for_checks_Ey7wPYhsXUaMqvnZavS1SP

Reckless Oz regulator runs roughshod over rights
http://www.zdnet.com/reckless-oz-regulator-runs-roughshod-over-rights-7000015473/

ASIC request sparks internet censorship
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/asic-request-sparks-internet-censorship/story-e6frgakx-1226644514861

New fears for web censorship in Australia
http://www.itwire.com/it-policy-news/govenrment-tech-policy/59872-new-fears-for-web-censorship-in-australia

don't want to get in the way of good ol MS hate but it's looking more inocent than your making out. http://www.zdnet.com/is-microsoft-reading-your-skype-instant-messages-7000015388/

You should consider leaving your mom's basement more often. Windows Phone is the fastest growing phone OS right now

Yes, and if two people buy phones tomorrow, it'll have doubled in growth for 2 days in a row.

The API comes with terms of service.

Meaningless. As Google has argued itself, an API is not subject to copyright, therefore you cannot impose TOS on someone writing code that uses it.

I'm no fan of MS, but Google sucks also. Google doesn't get to tell MS what sort of software MS can write. It's a remarkable and accidental occurrence, but it looks like MS is on the side of software freedom here.

You should consider leaving your mom's basement more often. Windows Phone is the fastest growing phone OS right now

Selling 1 winphone last year and 2 winphones this year is ohhhhhhhhh my gooooooooooood an increase in 100%. Ha, we're growing faster than IOS and Android. Take that hipsters and freetards. Winphone will conquer the world.

You should consider getting out of your mom's basement more. Windows Phone is the fastest growing smartphone OS right now.

You posted the exact same comment (word-for-word) further up this thread.

You should consider leaving your mom's basement more often. Windows Phone is the fastest growing phone OS right now

Going from 1 to 6 users, would make them the fastest growing.

You should consider leaving your mom's basement more often. Windows Phone is the fastest growing phone OS right now

Google isn't a charity - they aren't going to spend the time developing an app for all 20 users of Windows Phone when the web pages also work.

You should consider getting out of your mom's basement more. Windows Phone is the fastest growing smartphone OS right now.

So basically the tech naive types get this thing installed and it thoroughly messes up their internet experience, but they are not sure how it happened... thanks Oracle! I cannot think of a better way of getting nobody to use Java.

I would like Java to thrive and compete with other languages, so I'm trying to make sure Oracle to get all the bad press it deserves for this abusive practice. Heh, every time there's a Java story, I try to post a reminder for people to be super careful when applying Java updates. Posting this warning repeatedly I think means I've satisfied one of the three tests for becoming a certified Internet Crazy Person. I just need to figure out what the other two are and I'm all set!

I don't use Win 8 by choice. I've used it; I don't like it. My roommate didn't have a choice; it came with her computer. She doesn't know if she has downgrade rights but she's seriously thinking about it. And we are not the only ones. Pro-Microsoft writers like Adrian Knightly-Hughes thought that Win 8 was a design disaster. His gripes echo most of what everyone has said here on slashdot. Metron is fine for a touch tablet; it's horrible for desktops.

http://www.zdnet.com/firefox-os-puts-a-good-50-smartphone-within-reach-7000015212/

Firefox is getting into the cellphone market with a $50 phone. In a year all this arguing over $600 phones may be over. http://www.zdnet.com/firefox-os-puts-a-good-50-smartphone-within-reach-7000015212/

Android: 59.50%

Apple: 19.30%

Microsoft: 18.10%

Other: 3.10%

(source: Canyls/ZDNet)

http://www.zdnet.com/android-is-crushing-apple-and-microsoft-in-the-mobile-device-market-7000015206/

We have two companies admitting failure here, B&N and MSFT.

Microsoft isn't admitting failure, it's a brilliant strategy. What they're no doubt planning to do is port Windows Nothing (formerly Windows RT, renamed due to its 0.00% market share), to the Nook. Anything divided by nothing is infinity, so Microsoft will gain infinite market share through this move. Sheer brilliance.

He's a shill. Read this story, which seems to be nothing more than rehashing a press release from CDW and Google.

http://www.zdnet.com/cdw-to-offer-enterprise-chromebook-support-7000010875/

All Google needs to do is offer a commercial licence, for a small fee, to all Android OEM's that indemnifies them. This way if Microsoft has an issue with Android or Linux they can take on Google directly. But, we all know that would never happen because Microsoft clearly knows that Google would single handily invalidate all of their obvious, worthless and prior art ridden patents one by one.

That will not happen because Google can't protect itself(i.e the Motorola it bought which loses billions every year by the way because of making crap phones), how can it protect its partners? It's about to get bitchslapped for trying to abuse FRAND standard patents on H.264 and WiFi for extortion.

http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/05/06/eu-rules-googles-motorola-abused-patents-in-seeking-injunction-against-apple
http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/26/4271432/does-anyone-know-why-google-bought-motorola
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/07/technology/07iht-google07.html?_r=0
http://www.zdnet.com/in-microsoft-patent-spat-ruling-hints-that-google-grossly-overpaid-for-motorola-7000014582/
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-29/motorola-buy-delivers-google-more-heartbreak-than-help.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-slapped-google-around-in-court-and-its-becoming-clear-google-overpaid-for-motorola-2013-4

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/storage/worlds-1st-exabyte-storage-system/1266

All US telephone conversations per day approx: 1.5 Petabytes

Fits easily.

Room for 2 years worth, or are you going to tell me US govt 3-letter agencies don't spend much on data centers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECHELON

The obvious weak point in the "smart" grid are the so-called "Smart" Meters. Which apparently aren't all that smart , are already being hacked, and tools for hacking them are readily available. It seems probable, even almost certain, that someone will use the authentication in the meters to hack into the grid itself. And from there, much mayhem, either intentional or unintentional (anyone remember the Morris Worm ?? ) I'd pass, but, of course, my utility didn't care, they installed one anyway, over both my objection and my HOA's objection. And, gee, ever since the "money-saving Smart Meter" was installed, my electricity bill has skyrocketed. . .

Reminds me of the hidden page patent.
I'm sure this will go the same way.

http://www.zdnet.com/bt-loses-hyperlink-patent-case-3002121257/

Yeah, bleeding money. Like 2.5B profit in 2010, 3.4B in 2011, , 1.1B in 2012.

I dunno about you, but I wish I were bleeding money like that. 7 Billion dollars is a lot of blood.

1200 viruses? I think you're exaggerating. Maybe you're counting some variants of the same "virus" - like several times each. I don't know the exact number, to be honest. I do know that I was repairing damage due to exploits on Windows monthly. When I switched to Linux, I stopped repairing computers, until hardware broke.

How many millions of viruses are available for Windows now? So few virus writers support Linux . . . *sigh*

Here's a number that will blow your mind:

"At day’s end on April 12, for example, Symantec published the summary shown below, noting that its latest Virus Definitions file contained 17,702,868 separate signatures."

Don't take my word for it - read the article!
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/the-malware-numbers-game-how-many-viruses-are-out-there/4783

... a retraction to this posted any moment.

Waiting...



(Detailed take-apart here.)

Most people will never fill up the local 32GB.

Not all phones have 32 GB. A lot of phone manufacturers sell 8 GB and 16 GB versions at a deep discount. I'm also aware of a mobile device whose operating system occupies half the included storage. Do most people know years in advance how much storage they plan to use by the time they retire a device?

What are you keeping on your damn phone?

Movies for offline viewing, TV series for offline viewing, and games eat up gigabytes fast.

The real problem is that ZDNet is a fear mongering news website: http://www.zdnet.com/ . Does anybody actually read this garbage?

The day news sites start to dictate how our economy functions, I'm leaving... oh wait...

1.... that organizations apply the security fixes as soon as possible

2.... that you install the Ask Toolbar

And here goes the credibility of Oracle.

The reason you have not heard about this more, is that Macs and Firefox/Chrome (not sure about IE) resist the Ask.com installer, so you just don't see it, but the crappy Oracle behavior is in fact going on each time. The result is that naive users are getting this toxic thing installed and it really messes up their whole internet experience.

Hey Oracle: you're pissing away tons of Java goodwill in exchange for pennies form the Ask.com spammers. Who on the heck thought that was a good trade? Like what techie who learns of this behavior is ever going to install Java anywhere? Aren't you trying to make JavaFX into a real client thing?

See http://www.zdnet.com/a-close-look-at-how-oracle-installs-deceptive-software-with-java-updates-7000010038/ for lots of details on how the Ask.com installer tries to trick the users and hide itself. It's kind of interesting arms race between the spamming toolbar and the browser vendors.

They've had a few articles about the death of W8 - that one's quite funny "neither Windows 8 nor its cousins Windows RT and Windows Phone 8 even appear on NetApplication's mobile and tablet reports for February 2013. How bad is that? Android 1.6, with is tiny 0.02% of the market, does make the list."

even Microsoft thinks they've made a booboo, now they're talking about adding boot to desktop and the start button back on Windows 8.1. You don't get u-turns like that very often, though you'll still be dropped back into MetroUI every so often if you click the wrong thing.

Want proof that Google, Verizon, etc. are in on the privacy nightmares of Android?

They keep releasing new versions that prevent people (who own their phones) from rooting them to

1) block ads ( from their Google Play store)

2) prevent you from using apps to control permissions (like LBE Privacy Guard that now reboots your phone in an endless loop)

With all the time and effort put into their OS, why have they not allowed users to control permissions on apps in any way, shape, or form? Why? Because they are marketing companies that also sell your data to other companies (including all the top mobile carriers). They make deals with these companies and propagate the problem - turning smart phones into a privacy nightmare. And it's not like the iPhone is any better.

Until people take a stand (and stop being a bunch of apathetic consumers), it's not going to change. People allow themselves to be taken advantage of. It's sad. Most don't even care. They'll happily give Facebook and Google all their information because "they don't have anything to hide" - which we all know is the lamest excuse for apathy possible and is easily dismissed as moronic. And it just keeps getting worse - and now our governments collect this data too.

And what is the effect? People are not getting jobs or losing their jobs due to their Facebook posts. Insurance companies are increasing rates on people who type certain terms into their search engines. And that's just barely getting started!

Wake up, folks!

"Microsoft made a bet on PC hardware and capabilities, and the PC industry pulled the rug out from under it .. Microsoft .. didn't trust OEMs to deliver on the promises the silicon vendors were making"

This is retrospective arse-covering by some Microsoft apologist. Microsoft got the OEMs to put a 'Vista Capable' label on the PCs and when people tried to upgrade - Vista couldn't run ... ref ref

I agree, and so does this article: http://www.zdnet.com/the-real-reason-for-the-pc-sales-plunge-the-era-of-good-enough-computing-7000013878/

Why is he labeled troll? I mean seriously who doesn't know that Windows 8 sucks? Its the first MSFT OS since WinME I won't allow in my shop and I'm making as much wiping it for Win 7 as I did wiping Vista for XP which was quite a lot.

And please do NOT give us that "Oh its just 7 with a start screen" bullshit because that is what it is, bullshit. I'd love nothing more than to talk to some of the internal devs of Win 8 because i truly believe that "refresh your PC" was NOT put in there to help users but because they knew there was serious flaws they couldn't fix before RTM. I haven't had to reinstall a single Windows 7 system that the user hadn't gotten infected, with Win 8 I've probably made a good $800 in the past couple of months from folks bringing their laptops in for me to do just that with Win 8 as it shits itself a LOT.

Frankly the confusion over Win 8 VS Win RT is just the stinky tip of a shit iceberg, the whole damned thing is just a mess. Oh and "keyboard commanders" don't bother replying, you are full of crap and here is a study proving it. The simple fact is when you HAVE to be a keyboard commander and memorize a shitload of keyboard commands on an OS that MSFT designed for keyboard-less touch tablets? Something has gone horribly horribly WRONG.

Lets cut through the bull, Win 8 and WinRT is gonna be on every "worst of" list come Dec and the fact that even the fricking retailers don't know the difference should just show how badly thought out the whole thing was. I only hope that after ballmer shits out "Windows Blue" and the board sees its just as fucking stupid and pointless as Win 8 (you are focusing on touch, when more than 98% of the PCs DO NOT HAVE TOUCH and the OEMs are saying "We can't sell the touchscreens as nobody wants 'em" and you don't see that as a problem? Really?) they will punt kick his fat sweaty ass like a 40 yard field return and bring somebody in there with a functioning brain...fuck put ME in charge and I'll double the numbers in 2 years or you won't owe me a dime!

Spin off mobile, make Metro OPTIONAL on systems that aren't ARM and focus on a "it must be simple and work no matter what" mantra, oh and toss the mess that is Win 8, build the optional metro on the much more solid Win 7, and add services that will allow you to monetize those that stick with previous builds. hell I can think of two just off the top of my head, make deals with the media companies to make any laptop with an HDMI out and Windows Media Center into a media powerhouse and use the MSFT servers to allow home users and SMBs with a thumbstick remotely access their PCs from anywhere.

But any other corp would look at the facts, Win 8 bombed, WinRT bombed, numbers falling, users not even able to shut the damned thing down without knowing shit they have no reason to know, and see the whole direction is a failure. Instead we get what we see in TFA, where even the retailers don't know WTF you are selling or the differences between the models. What a fucking mess.

Reselling media is only evil and wrong this week. It'll be absolutely fine, 'innovative' and mainstream as soon as Amazon, Apple or Google starts doing it:

http://www.zdnet.com/amazon-lands-patent-on-marketplace-for-selling-on-used-digital-content-7000010917/

http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/03/07/apples-digital-content-resale-and-loan-system-could-allow-drm-transfers-between-end-users

So why would they want a device that runs the same software and has the same capabilities, but doesn't have cellular data, sms, or voice?

Apple sold about 4 million iPod Touches in Q1 2013. As it turns out, there's a pretty decent market for exactly the device you're describing.

LMOL yeah pay attention Zippy http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-open-sources-more-of-its-asp-net-technologies/12290

Dude if you HAVE to use the keyboard in an OS that ironically MSFT is pushing for tablets? Then its broken, end of story. I can remove the keyboard from any Windows 7 PC and you'll be just fine, the fact that only "keyboard commanders" can tolerate that flaming turd known as Windows 8 should be all the proof one needs that its broken.

You know, touching and mousing are different things. I don't have a touchscreen. I dislike the modern ui, and I am considering switching to some kind of classing start menu program. [*] But you are missing my point. See below.

But if you didn't like the video perhaps you'll like Infoworld or ZDnet which even has a picture of Wily Coyote, kinda like that one,or maybe Consumer Reports and while they highlight different things the final verdict? Windows 8 suuuuuuccccckkkkkssss, its crap, its the wrong direction, it doesn't work, its just a bad OS.

While there's lots of bitching about the modern ui apps, Infoworld does mention: "There are few user-noticeable changes in the Windows desktop programs; as best I can tell, the changes are almost entirely cosmetic." The point: If you don't use the modern ui apps [**], you can use the 8 the same way as 7. Which was my original question: How did they break multitasking? Well. They didn't. They broke the start menu. And yes, I think you do need a keyboard to use it if you don't have a touchscreen. I guess I'm lucky that I got an advanced model with a keyboard....

[* The main problem in desktop use is that the start menu gets cluttered by the non-modern-ui programs (and I don't use others) as they [** To be more clear: Do NOT install and use the modern UI apps on desktop. Well... except perhaps Netflix, you get 5.1 sound and pausing playing with windows+tab, allowing you to alt-tab normally between other programs at the same time]

Dude if you HAVE to use the keyboard in an OS that ironically MSFT is pushing for tablets? Then its broken, end of story. I can remove the keyboard from any Windows 7 PC and you'll be just fine, the fact that only "keyboard commanders" can tolerate that flaming turd known as Windows 8 should be all the proof one needs that its broken.

But if you didn't like the video perhaps you'll like Infoworld or ZDnet which even has a picture of Wily Coyote, kinda like that one,or maybe Consumer Reports and while they highlight different things the final verdict? Windows 8 suuuuuuccccckkkkkssss, its crap, its the wrong direction, it doesn't work, its just a bad OS.

Google likes Linux. If there isn't a client now, I would expect either comparable web functionality or a Linux client in the works.

That's "so secure" (NOT) from recent history 2011-2013? Take a read ("read 'em & weep"):

"Nearly nine out of ten security vulnerabilities in Windows computers last year were the fault of popular third-party applications, as opposed to Microsoft's own software." FROM -> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/03/15/secunia_vulnerability_research/

(And, that's "hot off the presses"/current...)

+

Linux STILL needs patches @ the core - all the way from kernel build 2.6 thru current ones (been there for ages on this one):

---

Linux STILL needs patching @ kernel level in 2013, thru ALL distros 2.6-3.8 current:

http://www.zdnet.com/linux-kernel-exploit-gets-patched-7000011844/

(Face facts, that THAT line of "b.s." of "Linux = Secure & Windows != Secure" just DOESN'T HOLD ANY WATER - the core of Linux STILL gets patched vs. vulnerabilities, just like Windows NT-based OS, & they ARE RELATIVELY THE SAME AGE too! Thus, proving (especially via ANDROID) that "the most used = most attacked"...)

---

Apparently, I need to put out more on that note, so here goes (as to Linux's "fine security showing" over the past couple years now/current history):

---

2012:

New Linux Rootkit Emerges:

https://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/new-linux-rootkit-emerges-112012

"A new Linux rootkit has emerged and researchers who have analyzed its code and operation say that the malware appears to be a custom-written tool designed to inject iframes into Web sites and drive traffic to malicious sites for drive-by download attacks. The rootkit is designed specifically for 64-bit Linux systems."

---

'FIRST ever' Linux, Mac OS X-only password sniffing virus spotted:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/08/29/linux_mac_trojan/

---

Medicaid hack update: 500,000 records and 280,000 SSNs stolen:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/medicaid-hack-update-500000-records-and-280000-ssns-stolen/11444

So, what's dts.utah.gov running everyone?

LINUX (and yes, it got HACKED) -> http://uptime.netcraft.com/up/graph?site=dts.utah.gov

What's health.utah.gov running too??

YOU GUESSED IT: LINUX AGAIN -> http://uptime.netcraft.com/up/graph?site=health.utah.gov

* Ah, yes - see the YEARS OF /. "BS" FUD is CRUMBLING AROUND THE PENGUINS EARS HERE & 2012's starting out just like 2011 did below!

===

2011:

KERNEL.ORG COMPROMISED - The Cracking of Kernel.org: (that's VERY bad - do you trust it now?)

http://linux.slashdot.org/story/11/08/31/2321232/Kernelorg-Compromised

---

Linux.com pwned in fresh round of cyber break-ins:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/12/more_linux_sites_down/

---

Mysql.com Hacked, Made To Serve Malware:

http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/09/26/2218238/mysqlcom-hacked-made-to-serve-malware

What's that site running? You guessed it - Linux -> http://uptime.netcraft.com/up/graph?site=mysql.com

---

London Stock Exchange serving malware:

That's "so secure" (NOT) from recent history 2011-2013? Take a read ("read 'em & weep"):

"Nearly nine out of ten security vulnerabilities in Windows computers last year were the fault of popular third-party applications, as opposed to Microsoft's own software." FROM -> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/03/15/secunia_vulnerability_research/

(And, that's "hot off the presses"/current...)

+

Linux STILL needs patches @ the core - all the way from kernel build 2.6 thru current ones (been there for ages on this one):

---

Linux STILL needs patching @ kernel level in 2013, thru ALL distros 2.6-3.8 current:

http://www.zdnet.com/linux-kernel-exploit-gets-patched-7000011844/

(Face facts, that THAT line of "b.s." of "Linux = Secure & Windows != Secure" just DOESN'T HOLD ANY WATER - the core of Linux STILL gets patched vs. vulnerabilities, just like Windows NT-based OS, & they ARE RELATIVELY THE SAME AGE too! Thus, proving (especially via ANDROID) that "the most used = most attacked"...)

---

Apparently, I need to put out more on that note, so here goes (as to Linux's "fine security showing" over the past couple years now/current history):

---

2012:

New Linux Rootkit Emerges:

https://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/new-linux-rootkit-emerges-112012

"A new Linux rootkit has emerged and researchers who have analyzed its code and operation say that the malware appears to be a custom-written tool designed to inject iframes into Web sites and drive traffic to malicious sites for drive-by download attacks. The rootkit is designed specifically for 64-bit Linux systems."

---

'FIRST ever' Linux, Mac OS X-only password sniffing virus spotted:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/08/29/linux_mac_trojan/

---

Medicaid hack update: 500,000 records and 280,000 SSNs stolen:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/medicaid-hack-update-500000-records-and-280000-ssns-stolen/11444

So, what's dts.utah.gov running everyone?

LINUX (and yes, it got HACKED) -> http://uptime.netcraft.com/up/graph?site=dts.utah.gov

What's health.utah.gov running too??

YOU GUESSED IT: LINUX AGAIN -> http://uptime.netcraft.com/up/graph?site=health.utah.gov

* Ah, yes - see the YEARS OF /. "BS" FUD is CRUMBLING AROUND THE PENGUINS EARS HERE & 2012's starting out just like 2011 did below!

===

2011:

KERNEL.ORG COMPROMISED - The Cracking of Kernel.org: (that's VERY bad - do you trust it now?)

http://linux.slashdot.org/story/11/08/31/2321232/Kernelorg-Compromised

---

Linux.com pwned in fresh round of cyber break-ins:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/12/more_linux_sites_down/

---

Mysql.com Hacked, Made To Serve Malware:

http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/09/26/2218238/mysqlcom-hacked-made-to-serve-malware

What's that site running? You guessed it - Linux -> http://uptime.netcraft.com/up/graph?site=mysql.com

---

London Stock Exchange serving malware:

I hope Apple manages to patch every single bug that would allow jailbreaking. They had a pretty good run with the iPhone 4s and 5, clocking in at 98 days and 136 days respectively.

Too many people buy iOS devices based on the premise they'll be able to jailbreak them in order to make full use of the hardware they bought. And that rewards Apple and its walled garden model, which is beyond broken. Sadly many consumers are too complacent, lazy or stupid to care they are only renting their iPhone or iPad. In 2013 I am not buying the "It just works" mantra, because many other devices just work better. However if even a fraction of those 18 million jailbreakers had opted for more open alternative, the marketplace would look very different right now.

At the very least, it would have forced Apple to reconsider their stance on the walled garden. If say 5 million of those 18 million people did NOT buy a new iPhone, on top of those opting for Android, BB or WP anyway, Apple would leave at least at least $2.2 billion on the table for competitors*. I have a feeling though that is already happening, as Apple's growth has slowed, and their share price has plummeted in the past few months.

Since this is slashdot, I know the Nokia N900 still has a cult following. Imagine if Nokia had been rewarded for its N900 by people buying it instead of jailbreaking their iPhone 3Gs? Identical hardware specs, but sooooo many more features in a completely open garden. We may have continued to have real Linux phones, with QT apps and repositories instead of the JVM garbage we currently consider the best alternative.

* Profit margins on the iPhone 5, similar to the 4s: http://www.zdnet.com/iphone-5-16gb-costs-an-estimated-207-to-build-7000004476/

Just to be clear, I said that WP7 [apps] won't run [unmodified] on WP8. Yes, that's correct. I still stand by the original gist of that claim.

That's misleading at best and outright false at worst. Microsoft has complied 100,000+ WP7 apps in the cloud so that they work for WP8. So from the perspective of a WP7 dev, the apps run unmodified from their end and they don't have to put any effort towards modifying their app. They DO NOT have to worry about the 35+ "breaking changes" that you quote.

Again, how different is a WP7 dev's situation with WP8 coming with the Android dev's situation with a new version coming?

http://blogs.windows.com/windows_phone/b/wpdev/archive/2012/04/05/windows-8-and-the-windows-phone-sdk-pt-2.aspx

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/windows-phone-8-whats-microsofts-developer-story/12353

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsofts-windows-phone-8-finally-gets-a-real-windows-core/12975

http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-details-its-strategy-for-compiling-windows-phone-apps-in-the-cloud-7000007185/

http://www.i-programmer.info/professional-programmer/i-programmer/4402-the-astonishing-tale-of-wp8-compiling-100000-apps.html