New York Red Cross Needs Tech Help

zosa writes: "The New York American Red Cross is in dire need of technology equipment and services. The field workers and sites have little, if any, means of communication and the central office is processing way too much on completely paper systems. Your help in acquiring these resources would be greatly appreciated." You can read more over at this page. Finally something that the average Slashdot reader can do to help.

Comments

Sprint PCS

[foo(foo(foo(bar)))]

Sprint PCS is donating Cell phones to the red cross as we speak.

I'm sitting at my desk right now writing a script to activate the phones to the network elements and create the account.

cvg

Re:Sprint PCS

[Anonymous Coward]

I contract for a certain large phone company. Not Sprint, however we are being told that this weekend we are to remain free because Sprint is in danger of losing it's connectivity completely and Lucent is in dire need of rebuilding their data center. Sprint's phones might not be good for too much longer...

Interesting Network Layout Challenge

[Skyshadow]

I wonder what the most effective method of quickly achieving mass connectivity after a disaster like this is.

I'd think you'd want to use as much commodity hardware as possible -- maybe series of 802.11 hubs with integrated satelite uplinks? Definately useful for mass email, downloading instructions, etc....

Frankly, I'm a little shocked that the Army can't set 'em up on this front.

Re:Interesting Network Layout Challenge

[echoSpades]

Well, the Army does have the capability but they might not have much for compatability on the 802.11 front. They have major equipment that sits in the back of a hum-v to establish wide area radio networks.

Re:Interesting Network Layout Challenge

[geekoid]

HAM radio

Re:Interesting Network Layout Challenge

[Pinball Wizard]

I can't make it there, but here are my suggestions for very quickly setting up a 50 PC Microsoft-based network.

The easiest way to get this network going? I'd go with DCHP and set up a firewall. Once you get those, the PC's should all automatically connect.
Then a quick file and print server. Get SQL Server going, and load your database(I am assumming the clients are using Access).

A couple of other suggestions. Forget Exchange if all you need is email. Install SLMail instead. If you really want to get this done quickly, use a ghost program like Symantec's. Put everything you need on the first computer, set up the DHCP client and ODBC connection, then let it replicate across the network. Each user can set up his/her own email address with a copied set of instructions.

This could be done in four hours or less by a few good MS-techs.

Finally

[UberOogie]

I'm so glad there's something my pasty ass can do besides give money to the Red Cross at Amazon. (Can't give blood. Too much time in England as a carnivore.)

almost 24 hours old......

[tiwason]

This call for help is almost 24 hours old.. I would like to think they have most of the list already.. except for some of the rarer things...

strange list

[Arctic Fox]

I assume those specific items are for integration to existing infrastructure.... although it does seem strangely specific.

MS Donating $10 Million

[Anonymous Coward]

E-mail below:
---------------
Thank you for your inquiry to Microsoft.

Microsoft Corporation has announced that it will make a donation of $10 million cash and technical services to support the relief and recovery efforts in the areas devastated by the tragic events of September 11.

The company will make a $5 million cash donation to The September 11 Fund, created by the United Way of New York City and The New York Community Trust. A remaining amount up to $5 million in services, software and volunteers will be made available to organizations serving people in the affected areas who are seeking technology-based solutions.

Microsoft will begin an outreach program to governmental agencies, nonprofit agencies and other community-based organizations to inform these organizations of the availability of technology assistance. Microsoft has already asked NPower New York, a recently created nonprofit technology service provider, to assess and dispatch technology services through their network of local agencies.

The technology assistance could possibly include:

- Providing internet access in temporary shelters,
- Creating a tracking system to assist in relief and recovery efforts,
- Coordinating technical volunteers to set up networks,

Microsoft's intent is to work with the various organizations active in the disaster and recovery response that may be ready to deploy a technology solution though an assessment of the technology needs must be made first.

For more information, please visit our website at
www.microsoft.com/giving.

Sincerely,
Microsoft Community Affairs

Re:MS Donating $10 Million

[dachshund]

A remaining amount up to $5 million in services, software and volunteers

First of all, this is a great thing. Thanks to Microsoft and all of the corporations for their generosity in the face of this disaster.

Having said that-- does anyone know how the software component of the second $5 million is being valued? How much does it cost Microsoft that much to give out software licenses?

I'm not trying to tear down what I consider to be an act of great good-- especially as Microsoft has also donated $5 million in cash. But the overvaluing of software and information has been used in so many negative ways that I would hate to see it here. It would be somewhat tasteless to inflate your perceived generosity by valuing software at list price. Perhaps this is not at all what Microsoft is doing. Please set me straight.

Re:MS Donating $10 Million

[loraksus]

Not to crap on MS too much, ten million is a nice sum, but how much do you think MS will get from selling new licences for the thousands of boxes that will eventually be replaced?
Same thing with cisco donating 4 million, how much do serious cisco routers cost? At least there is a tangible object there.
I don't want to sound overly negative, but at $10 million, it's not like MS will lose any money overall. I'm sure there is some cold hearted motherfucker who calculates this shit out to the penny. I'm sure Bill can spare a bit as well. His house _did_ cost FIFTY million.

Overall, every bit (or $10 million) helps the people in NYC, but I'm sure some more imaginative things (like actually bringing in a "shelter on a truck", or implementing a person finding system would be more productive.
I can't complain too much, something being done is still better than nothing at all.

Wireless, of course!

[eric434]

This is the perfect situation for all those people who like wireless networking to jump in-they need a flexible, field communications system! Lesse here... WAP11s (in repeater mode)linked to eachother with yagis or parabolics, and each having on the other connecter an omni (8dBi or so) for APs and some el-cheapo D-Link client cards... A network on a budget.

Re:MS Office

[Anonymous Coward]

"Gates Kills Bin Laden with Bare Hands -- Slashdot users critical of 'selfish' move"

Re:A bit off topic, but

[dopplex]

Update... According to msnbc teh story about Osama bin Laden's hosue arrest is false, being spread by a report in an Arab newspaper. The Taliban has denied this.

ham radio

[kkirk007]

Where is the amateur radio community in this? I know that many ham radio operators practice emergency communications simulations just for situations like this, and I'd guess that there are quite a few ham radio ops in NYC.
Yet another reason why the FCC shouldn't auction off the amateur radio spectrum to corporations for a little bit of extra $$.

Re:ham radio

[DeathB]

I spent much of yesterday and last nigtht as a RACES operator in NYC. They are looking for many more amateurs than they currently have for both the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Ideal equipment for helping either organization: a dual-band mobile with a mag-mount antenna and a power supply. That said, there are definatly places where they can use H/Ts. The repeater they use is good enough that I was able to hit it with a 5W H/T with a rubber duck from WTC plaza last night.

If you want to help by doing more than just participating in local ARES and RACES nets, you can actually show up to help. As of last night, the place to go was 150 Amsterdam Ave (corner of Amsterdam and 66th St. What you should really do though is check into the 147.000 (-, PL 136.5) repeater on your way into the city or the 444.050 (pl 114.8) repeater. These are controlled nets at the moment, so communicate with net control. You do not need to be currently affiliated with ARES or RACES to help. Over the next few days as the fervor dies down, operators will be needed more and more for the shelters which will be continuing to be open, as well as the support operations in the hot zone.

The area is truly a scary sight (These photos were taken last night by me.) and no matter where you are volunteering for them, you are supposed to participate in a debrief which includes psychological counseling if necessary.

If you are not a licensed ham, the Red Cross can still use your help, they desperatly need volunteers to man the shelters expecially nurses, doctors, and mental health professionals, but volunteers with no special training as well.

73,
Adam pennington - KB1ELI

Re:ham radio

[Lumpy]

They are there runnig the packet network that is tied to a program called ARESDATA. it's a disaster victim location system.

Great software.... runs on XT laptops and uses 1200BPS standard Packet radio.

Re:ham radio

[Lumpy]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=aresdata turned up several pages including the Virginia emergency services pages that has a link to download the actual program.

Here in Michigan many of the emergency services volunteer teams are very familiar with this package and coupled with APRS makes a super efficient disaster data communications system that rivals most commercial solutions. XT/286/386 laptops are free, a used TNC is $35.00-$75.00, new they are $130.00. a radio for about $50.00 and a battery+charging system (also around $50.00) for when the power is on allows a ham station in every hospital and evacuation center including 911 call centers and police command. an entire system can be set up in less than 3 hours, with cheap digipeaters installed at key locations.

3 hours and you can have an information stream flowing already.... Only in ham radio can this be done.

unfortunately there's not enough interest in Amateur radio Emergency services, we have very few members and most are older (35 or older) as younger men/women are not interested in ham radio or losing 1 weekend every 2 months for training.

Want to help? contact your local ARES members and join! you dont even have to be a ham radio operator. Search and Rescue volunteers are always needed, espically ones that are trained.

real-time inventory list

[zama]

Aargh. It needs a real-time list, with all the people seeing that news I bet items are being fulfilled already. I just got our peoples to try and get them the Citrix and PC Anywhere licenses but by the time it's done they may no longer be needed. It's got to be worse for people scrambling to gather and transport hardware to find out the need has already been met. Well, just a thought and certainly insignificant in the big picture but it would be nice.

Re:real-time inventory list

[geekoid]

Get your peoples to make them a real time list.

Re:real-time inventory list

[Fencepost]

If you're a Citrix shop in the area, consider finding out whether any of your people would be willing to spend a few days, a week, maybe a couple of weeks helping them get everything set up, working smoothly, supported and torn down.

Expertise is probably going to be in more demand than hardware or software - vendors and large companies will tend to provide HW & SW, but they may have a lack of people to get it set up and support it.

As always, check with them first before throwing someone in a car to go over there. There are normally some training requirements for volunteers, and I don't know how that changes in a situation like this.

Sounds like a job for SuperOEM

[Jeffrey Baker]

Seems like some OEM will just jump in and do whatever the RC wants. IBM, Compaq, and HP have serious resources and the support infrastructure to back it up.

Check with the Red Cross FIRST.

[b1t r0t]

Before people start throwing stuff at the Red Cross that they can't handle, based on instructions in an article from a third-party, check with the Red Cross web first. Keep in mind that giving them stuff (other than commodities like blankets, etc.) requires them to divert resources to processing the stuff. As this comment says:

• Q. How can I help out with the World Trade Center disaster?
• Q. Does the Red Cross accept donations of food, clothing, and supplies (gifts in kind)?

It looks to me like if you have a container-load of blankets or something, or want to just give them money with your credit card, they would be happy to have it. But wouldn't just mailing them one monitor (with desktop???) or one PC just add to the logistical load?

I like the idea of sending them some hardware, but follow their instructions, not some third party. If you can find something on the Red Cross's site saying they want this equipment, send it. Otherwise, only send what they have asked for.

Re:Check with the Red Cross FIRST.

[aozilla]

If you have a non-commodity you want to donate to the red cross, auction it on ebay, then donate the money to the red cross. If you'd like mention on ebay that the proceeds will be donated, but don't expect anyone to believe you.

Re:Check with the Red Cross FIRST.

[aozilla]

Wow... Well, Ebay has made it official.

Our goal is to raise $100 million within 100 days. Your contributions ? through buying, selling, or donating cash directly ? will go to benefit work of organizations like the September 11th Fund. No matter how you contribute, eBay and eBay Online Payments will waive 100% of all related listing, final value, and processing fees to help maximize the impact of your participation. In order to ensure that 100% of your contribution goes to the Auction for America effort, eBay Online Payments, VISA, MasterCard, Wells Fargo and Discover have come together to offer something truly unprecedented for this effort: fee-free transaction processing online. This extraordinary contribution will ensure that millions of extra dollars go to relief charities rather to pay processing fees.

I hope this is something they keep even after the 100 days, for other charities as well.

Advocacy Later

[bentini]

Note: If you do help...
Leave advocacy for later!
Do not push Linux. If people can't use it, it won't help right now.
There probably won't be 802.11b links. This will probably networking Pentium class machines so people can do data entry. They will almost certainly run Windows.
This is good, because this will make sense to the people who can directly help. If you go there, be prepared to deal with these systems and don't bitch about it.
Not to mention, you'll give Linux a bad name if you still push it in this time of crisis.
-Dan

This guys e-mail is so overloaded!

[Neck_of_the_Woods]

I tried to get in touch with him early early today, and still have not heard from him. Please don't bog him down with useless stuff, I am sure his e-mail was strained to the max at 9am eastern when I tried, and it is sure to get /.ed now.

Re:Wondeful

[zama]

Actually, being the technical director of ad ops for a dot-com I feel obligated to go OT for a sec: we've been getting mercilessly flamed for sending out an email ad campaign the morning of the tragedy. People don't realise that these things are booked in advance, frequently happen overnight, and aren't easy to shut off (especially when the company hosting our email delivery servers was in NY and was understandably unresponsive). The same goes for ads on a website - we're all running around taking care of business (and reading slashdot as a brief escape) and something like a rich media ad on the site can be easily over-looked. I mean, my company is having to take care of things like adding tons of news content, taking down the British Airways campaign that just went live, putting up Red Cross ads, etc, etc. Cut them some slack. TechTV is located in SF but as they were a client I can tell you for a fact that a lot of their employees are New Yorkers - the ad is probably low on their thoughts right now.

Re:What about the rest?

[ekrout]

So Slashdot, Microsoft donated $10 million. Where is Red Hat, VA, Sun, or others?

As if their share prices weren't low enough, they're all probably about to be sold out of existence by stockholders on Monday.

Sad, but true.

Microsoft Licenses ??

[matt-larose]

The article says...

50 Microsoft Exchange CALs
35 Microsoft SQL CALs
50 Microsoft Office Professional licenses

Fuckit, its a national disaster just break the god-damn licensing issues.. Love to see MS try to sue the Red-Cross in their time of need.

Then of course, after this disaster switch the gear over to publicly-licensed software.

Re:Microsoft Licenses ??

[imadork]

Fuckit, its a national disaster just break the god-damn licensing issues.. Love to see MS try to sue the Red-Cross in their time of need.

I think this is rather sad also, but not because of Microsoft. After all, Microsoft is donating money and technical support, which is sorely needed. They should be commended for it, even in this forum.

What I think is sad is that the Red Cross thinks that they NEED software licenses to be donated. As the previous poster so eloquently put it, nobody would be upset, under the circumstances, if they just got ONE copy of Office and put it on all their laptops. But they think they need 50. Sad.

Re:Microsoft Licenses ??

[geekoid]

I agree, screw the liscenese. I to would love to see MS raise a stink about it. Although they probably would make an exception. You can complain about a lot of things at MS, but not there ability to PR there stuff.

I had no shoes and complained, Until I met a man with no feet. And stole his shoes.

Re:Microsoft Licenses ??

[Invisible Agent]

Love to see MS try to sue the Red-Cross in their time of need.

Pull your head out man. You say that you would "love" to see MS sue the Red Cross? So they'd get egg all over their faces, right?

At a time of national disaster, maybe you should stop worrying about petty shit like this. Of course MS won't mess with the Red Cross over this, and they've given a ton of aid money and resources out of compassion. Guess what - the people who work at MS aren't actually inhuman monsters, but people like you and me. You should be ashamed at taking this opportunity to mock them.

Re:Microsoft Licenses ??

[dstone]

Love to see MS try to sue the Red-Cross in their time of need.

On the MS note... This morning MS donated $5 million to the NYC United Way Sept 11 Fund. Not a bad start -- there may be more. They also gave an additional $5 million in software and services. They are also matching dollar for dollar contributions employees give, up to $12,000 per employee. And I'm sure there are some well-heeled MS employees that will take them up on that.

Re:Microsoft Licenses ??

[kryptik_79]

Someone should just email them a bunch of serialz...

Microsoft Donation

[buzzini]

Whatever folks think of Microsoft, they have donated $5 million in cash and $5 in software, including consulting services to relief groups and government agencies.

Reuters articles is here.

Important: Needed supplies in NYC

[VP]

ABC News just reported that contrary to earlier reports, rescue workers do need "small" things like gloves, work boots, Neosporin, flashlights, rain ponchos (rain is coming to the area), oxygen tanks, Kleenex, Band-Aids. If you are in the area, maybe you can point people to the proper places to help (and verify this info).

Re:Important: Needed supplies in NYC

[unitron]

And new socks! I'm serious, there was a volunteer talking about it on the tube this morning.

They could probably use new underwear, blue jeans, and work shirts too.

It took me a moment to realise that "underware" wasn't the proper spelling. Been messin' with computers too long.

Re:Important: Needed supplies in NYC

[bryan1945]

For anyone in the Eatontown, NJ area who wants to donate items, my company (Booz-Allen) is delivering donated items daily.

Items needed:
Food (wrapped, with no need to be cooked)
Power bars
Work gloves
Peanut butter
Sandwiches (dry and wrapped)

Anyone who wants to drop off items can do so at our Industrial Way East site. My user page has my real email address for more info.

Re:Proprietary Software Kills People

[NetJunkie]

I'm sure lack of licenses isn't stopping use of it right now, they'd just like to be legit when this is all over.

Microsoft donated $10 million in money and licenses anyway, so they don't have to worry about that.

Re:Not to be MS bashing at a time like this...

[macpeep]

Yes. Microsoft donated $10 million.

Re:Not to be MS bashing at a time like this...

[RedX]

MS gave $10 million, as posted up above, 12 minutes before your post (you must've missed it since you surely read the thread before posting).

IBM

[Anonymous Coward]

Part of a memo sent out by Lou:

You may be surprised to learn that more than 1,200 IBM customers were located in the World Trade Center or within a two-block radius.
...
Currently, we're managing or have already resolved 20 full-blown emergency situations. We're rolling in large servers, thousands of ThinkPads and workstations; we're providing thousands of square feet of data center capacity; re-creating data processing environments that were destroyed; and relocating customers' operations to IBM facilities.

Re:Not to be MS bashing at a time like this...

[fredbsd]

To be sure, Gates and the rest of the wealthy will be donating money. I know of several prominent families who have already pledged multi-million dollar contributions. Most do it anonymously. No one likes a glory hound.

I just called the Red Cross here in MA. They requested that we give blood in about thirty days. Their fear is that once the crisis here has calmed, people will not replenish the much needed supply. Apparently our red stuff has a shelf life of forty-two days.

Do your best to donate anything you can afford. The salvation army is looking for new clothing and medical supplies for the rescue workers.

-Donald

There is something very fishy about all of this

[ellem]

I read this early this morning and the lest seems suspiciously detailed.

3Com NICs
Licences? (How long are you planning to use this stuff?)
10/100 Hubs (All the 10 hubs I was going to bring down there (20 ish) would be refused?)

I don't like this at all. I am on 14th I could have dropped the stuff off in about 10 minutes after Stern told us where to look but to be honest there's something very weird with this list. I will help any other way they like.

Re:There is something very fishy about all of this

[geekoid]

Take the stuff there and ask them. The person who did the list was probably just rading from the 'standaer' list.You can bet that if they need a hub, they'll take a 10. even if its only until they get a 10/100.
Most likely there conserned with getting a 100 that can't switch down to a 10.

Re:There is something very fishy about all of this

[cabbey]

others have addressed the licence issue, i'll take a crack at the 3Com NICs one... they don't have time to debug driver issues, or to fiddle with IRQs or DMA lines or anything... they need stuff that "just plain works, anywhere and everywhere".

Odds are the list was generated from a parts list that was written up the last time they ordered office machines, someone just grabbed it and said "get us 100 of these".

What MS is doing in time of crisis....

[Anonymous Coward]

Microsoft is donating millions of dollars to the relief funds, and they're matching employee donations as well.

Here's what is actually in the forefront of the Borg's mind the day after the attack.

Other action. Please mod up.

[bernz]

The Red Cross IT dept. is swamped with calls and email right now and I don't know if it's a great idea to just start sending stuff to them.

In the meantime, my company would LOVE to put some stuff together. We've already started helping a bit. rational software is putting together a van full of equipment and people to deliver. Please contact Ali Kaufman to see if you can help at all.

If you know of anyone else who can use computers or equipment in the NYC area in relation to this disaster, please tell her or me, dave, and we'll try to coordinate!! It's better than just sending a bunch a stuff and people down and saying, "TAKE IT!"

Dave

Im in

[rrdejay]

I already contacted Joe Leo and he told me straight out that they are just looking for people to do data entry.
Now the big battle is in how to get there from Queens...
rrdejay

Re:Wondeful

[jgerman]

I work in that sector as well, I'm not aware of any flames that we've gotten yet. However, it's not just the fact that it's an ad, it's that it is so intrusive and annoying. Especially since it popped up about two seconds after I started reading and right over the paragraph I was on.

Re:Maybe...

[Jeffrey Baker]

You've never been to a Linux or Open Source convetion, have you? 99% of the attendees are obese pigs. They exist on cola and junk food. I wouldn't want their blood anywhere near my circulatory system.

Local tech help

[Odinson]

I mentioned this link on the Long Island Linux Users Group Mailing List. Unfortunatly I cannot make it there until this weekend if that, but at least one member can go down there.

One problem, he can't get through to the contact number for the red cross.

So if anyone figures out how to actually get them on the horn please post it here or on the LILUG Mailing List.

Matthew Newhall
President of LILUG.

Re:The REAL Great Satan.

[SoulSeller]

Even the REAL Great Satan (X10) suspended its' ads on Tuesday!!!

Re:Advocacy Later - PLEASE!

[Soko]

The last thing anyone needs is a stupid religious type scuffle when stuff just needs to be done. If Linux is the tool you need, use it. If Windows/Mac/BSD/whatever is what will do the job best - use it. Don't think - just do.

(Aside - isn't a stupid religious battle at the root of this evil?)

The Red Cross needs technical smarts on the ground right now - you're not in a board room, not in a data center. If you volunteer, just do the job and move on to the next. Concentrate on the users - now is not the time for training, so use what they're used to, or as close as possible to it. Heck, you may even learn something about other systems by deploying them.

I just wish I could get on a plane right now. :-P

Soko

Sort of related to you rcomment

[brunes69]

I live in the Maritimes of Canada, and work for the local telco here (Aliant Telecom). We do all the telecom for the Maritimes. Upon recieving some 25 or 30 Airliners originally intended for NY, our company donated literally hundreds of cell phones with unlimted airtime and long distance in all our relief centres. They also installed some 140 landlines with 0-area code long distance and installed some 20 or so DSL internet access sites so the people could get in touch with relatives. The company is saying they are experiencing traffic volumes over 2.5 times the amount they see on Monther's day (the busiest day of the year).

Re:Sort of related to you rcomment

[Rackemup]

What were the numbers on the local news yesterday? Busiest phone day of the year for Aliant is mother's day with about 1.3 million calls... and the events of this week have pushed the demand on the phone system to over 2.5 million.

That's a lot of calls... but it's good to know that local companies are willing to step in and provide essential services free of charge when they're needed. It's also good to know that our telecom system can handle the unexpected increase in volume.

I'll be donating some cash to the Red Cross as soon as their systems get some relief from the flood of people... I'd be willing to help out with the tech problems they're having too, but it would be a little difficult to get from Halifax to NY at the moment.

Re:All we can do?

[Zwack]

The average Slashdot reader can't bleed into a syringe? Can't donate to Red Cross? Hmmmm

INSIGHTFUL My Arse! I'm deeply offended by this comment. I would imagine that I am a fairly average Slashdot reader, and I can't "bleed into a syringe." I'm not allowed to. There are several categories of people that the US just doesn't want blood from. In my case I just happen to have lived in the UK for more than six months.

Please don't claim that giving blood is something that everyone can do. I'm not obese, I'm not underweight, I'm healthy... but I'm a Brit in the US.

Z.

Re:MS Office

[Anonymous Coward]

Mod parent up to insightful, you dolts!

Before I donated, I checked Netcraft hoping like hell they were not running IIS. Yep, I still made the donation, but I would have felt better if I hadn't also been making a donation to MS. I know, NOW they're getting thousands of free copies of Office XP because Microsoft is being so generous...

And to all those fucknuts who think it's acceptable in a time of crisis, please don't forget that not everyday is a disaster, and they have an IT staff knowing full well that they are spending donation money on inferior products.

Check Nanog List

[wetdogjp]

The nanog list has had tons of posts from people willing to lend a hand in networking and communications. Check http://nanog.org/mailinglist.html for the list archive. Contact info for a lot of people that want to help out can be found there.

-WetDog

Re:Advocacy Later - PLEASE!

[Lozzer]

(Aside - isn't a stupid religious battle at the root of this evil?)

No, but your other points are all excellent.

Still needed?

[Lumpish Scholar]

The TechTV article was posted Tuesday. It's late Wednesday. Has that Red Cross office gotten everything they need?

More to the point, does anyone know of other organizations (managing this crisis) that need tech equipment or services?

CALL TO ALL HAMS

[jessh]

I dont know much about hams in NYC but communication in disasters is what ham radio organizations such as ARES(http://www.ares.org) are for. Does anyone have any information on the use of ham radios in this disaster and how hams can help? Is it even being used at all? If they are having difficulties with communication im sure ham radio could help. I know cell phone systems are there, but as was shown during the attack, they arent reliable.

When i first heard about it and now I am very glad that I have my ham, No matter what disaster strikes and what communcations systems go down, I will always have a way to contact people. I highly recommend that anyone wanting a reliable means of communication get licensed and get a radio, its not hard to do and is a great thing to have. Plus you are able to provide a valuable service in disasters.

KD5LLI

50 Office licenses?

[nuclearsnake]

50 Microsoft Office Professional licenses

Ok, do you really think that Micro$oft would even think of taking legal actions against the Red Cross at a time like this for copying software that can help save lives? Sooo sad

Re:what do you know, troll?

[n3rd]

Wow, I'm amazed by what you're saying. I fully agree with the parent. In situations such as this, when someone asks for something, it's required to give them what they're asking for.

I have a few questions for you:

1 - Do you know why the Red Cross needs this software? Are you sure there is a fully functional Linux alternative for each requested piece?

2 - Do you feel it would speed up and help the relief effort to have the users learn new software and new interfaces or slow it down and hider it? NOTE: I'm not saying the interface is bad, but just different, which requires additional education which takes additional time, which is something that cannot be spared right now.

I'm sure the Red Cross will be happy to have anything up and working and that volunteers will follow their directions to the letter with good humor.

IF this happened, the directions from the Red Cross would be "Input data X". I don't think the Red Cross can provide user assistance as to how to use the new, unfamiliar software software. Even if hardcore Linux hackers get involved with supporting the software, it wll only slow down the efforts, to what extent I do not know.

They may then contribute more with the Free software in their hands. You're correct, they may. I feel, and others will agree, the situation warrants "give them what they want, not what we think they should have".

It's doubtful that the Red Cross is dependent on such things...

In response to this statement I'll ask you the same thing you asked the parent: What the hell do you know about Red Cross ops? Do you work for them? Have you ever? I have but not much. They are not a lame bunch.. It seems you're speculating, the same thing you ripped into the previous poster for.

...and the usual M$ bugs won't matter.

More Microsoft bashing and at a time like this. I think you need to re-assess your priorities right now.

Re:What about the rest?

[ichimunki]

Although I hate to get into partisan nonsense at a time like this, I feel it's important to note that half of the items on the request list appear to be licenses for expensive, proprietary software. Considering that MS made $7 billion in profit last fiscal year, I'd say $10 million is the least they could do. And there should be none of this having to ask for licenses-- that's ridiculous (and wouldn't be the case if the Red Cross was using Red Hat or most any other Linux, now would it?).

As for Sun, they had offices in the WTC and at least one executive on the plane that went into the building, so please have a little respect. Sun have bigger problems than how much they are donating to rescue efforts.

As for VA and RH? I dunno. Maybe just as soon as they have a monopoly on overpriced software and turn a profit, we can expect those companies to donate headline sums as well. In the meantime, consider that Slashdot provided news to a lot of people during this past week and a forum to discuss the events. Slashdot is a free service provided by VA at considerable expense in terms of hardware and bandwidth.

If you want to act three flavors of righteous, first do something yourself, and then take quiet pride in being a good person instead of bitching about what others haven't done. Sheesh.

Reality Check

[dachshund]

Please. Don't be ridiculous. For anyone who has seen the cloud where downtown used to be... I can't imagine any sane person in this city giving the Red Cross a hard time.

Re:Wondeful

[unitron]

Televsion doesn't have ads unless someone actually does some switching and button pushing. Web pages automatically have ads unless someone re-writes them.

Cisco and GE as well

[PCM2]

Cisco gave $6 million.

General Electric gave $10 million.

All three deserve our respect and thanks for their actions.

Re:A little bit off topic

[unitron]

What I'm a little concerned about is who is collecting all those loose financial documents blown out of those offices and possibly harvesting info they have no business having.

Re:Dude Fuck off...Let's see Linus pony up some $$

[Lumpy]

they **NEED** communication and systems software.
Office is a stopgap but they dont use office in the field they use disaster management software (office cannot do this task) that is on a Citrix Metaframe system. and they neet Techs that can set up connections with VPN tunneling, wireless secure connections and Systems engineers.

The last thing they need is MS office.

Corporate Donations

[Verence]

I've been very impressed lately with the frequency and size of donations from businesses/corporations:

Microsoft donated [www.microsoft.com] $5M in cash to United Way in NY, $5M in licenses/support/tech help.

Sprint has donated [www.sprint.com] handsets and redirected a cell from NJ to NYPD. They've also provided phones for city, state and local government officials and to the American Red Cross for use in recovery efforts.

GE has pledged $10 million to a fund that will assist the families of the firefighters, police officers and emergency rescue personnel who perished while responding to the attack on the World Trade Center. [from www.ge.com]

AT&T has donated [www.att.com] $1M to American Red Cross and $10M in prepaid calling cards.

Verizon has offered [newscenter.verizon.com] free local calling to and from payphones on Manhattan streets.

I'm sure there are many more. As I look at Amazon's donation center, it looks like it's going up at about $4000/min.

This makes me proud to be an American.

Re:Free Software

[unitron]

In other words, the same amount that donated licenses will cost Microsoft.

Of course, to be fair, if MS provides the necessary help desk support for that software, *that* will cost them a fortune.

"Donation" Spammers...

[Robber Baron]

Not entirely on topic, but I just heard a brief report on ABC that already there are already spammers soliciting bogus donations for WTC relief. Pretty bloody disgusting...anyone who would stoop so low is in serious need of a buckshot enema.

Re:"Donation" Spammers...

[Oztun]

If anyone receives one of these save the header and send it to the FBI. These bastards need to learn what prison rape is all about.

Re:"Donation" Spammers...

[datavortex]

This is true. Check out the article from MSNBC.

On a personal note, I am an abuse department employee for a major ISP, and I will eviscerate every one of the bastards that I catch. The /. community has my word.

Re:"Donation" Spammers...

[GigsVT]

Since when have you recieved a non-scam, non-overpriced, non-pornographic, legitimate business offer via unsolicited email?

When we say spammers, I don't think we mean the companies that "accidentally" email you the newsletter you didn't ask for. (Even though they are pusing the line)

We are generally talking about the forged return address, random characters in the subject, open relay exploiting, pop-up windows that won't let you exit the web browser bastards that no one likes. They always were in a legal grey area, and the products they sell are usually even greyer. These are criminals, white collar criminals, and don't convince yourself otherwise.

Is now the time to worry about licenses?

[morris57]

They want 50 MS Office licences and some PC Anywhere licences. What?

If that doesn't make the case for free (as in speech and/or beer) software, nothing will.

I can't even imagine the gall it would take for the BSA to try to audit the Red Cross now.

Important note on donating to the Red Cross!

[Fencepost]

Keep in mind that the Red Cross does not accept donations of used items for distribution - they aren't set up to deal with it, if you have items like used clothing, blankets, etc. that you want to donate consider the Salvation Army or another organization.

Red Cross Disaster Services only deals with new items and money, and new items are generally donated in bulk from manufacturers or retailers. Even there items are generally things that are needed for immediate care - sweatsuits, blankets, toiletries. The main exception to this is cleanup kits, which generally consist of a mop and cleaning supplies.

The preferred way to distribute assistance is money (in a way) when possible, particularly for major disasters. By providing Disbursement Orders (DOs) that local merchants have agreed to accept, the Red Cross is able to get money flowing back through affected areas. For the merchants, the DO is treated pretty much like a check, except they send it to the Red Cross instead of depositing it at their bank.

In general, Disaster Services is geared to provide support only during the disaster itself (Mass Care/shelters) and for a few days afterward while people get back on their feet (Family Services). In addition, it regularly provides other services such as canteening for disaster workers and others affected.

I suspect that the need for computers is so they can get more people set up for access to some of the existing systems they have for dealing with disasters. A lot of the software is client-server and even terminal-based, but without enough computers for the staff to use it doesn't do much good.

Software Licenses

[Oztun]

I notice they need PC Anywhere and Microsoft Licenses. I am pressed for ATM but someone post emails of company officials so we can encourage the companys to donate them.

Re:Software Licenses

[Oztun]

Sorry I was pressed for time. Looks like this is taken care of.

Armed Air Marshals on planes now(?) - FAA

[Lawmeister]

Will armed officers be put on flights?

Yes, FAA Federal Air Marshals who are armed and trained in the use of firearms on board aircraft will be flying anonymously. Federal Air Marshals are FAA civil aviation security specialists who are specially trained for deployment on anti-hijacking missions. The FAA will not reveal the number or identities of the marshals. The DOT is working with the Department of Defense to see if other highly trained agents may be deployed to augment the Federal Air Marshal force.

As seen on the FAA's website http://www.faa.gov/apa/faq/pr_faq.htm

Re:Armed Air Marshals on planes now(?) - FAA

[mikeee]

The DOT is working with the Department of Defense to see if other highly trained agents may be deployed to augment the Federal Air Marshal force.

There are reports they're borrowing members of Delta Force (Army elite hostage rescue team) for this short-term...

Re:Armed Air Marshals on planes now(?) - FAA

[macdaddy]

They already are. They've been on them for a short time now. Not all flights are covered. I saw a good special on it a month or so back. The details are kept very secret. They are trained and armed and ready to deal with just about any incident that comes up. I was talking with someone about this tonight and think that it's a great idea. At least two should be on each flight I think. An infinite number of disguises or gags could be used. Exact procedures need to be in place to deal with each incident (I think that's already been taken care of though). For example, on a 747 with two aisles, the marshal on the aisle with the straight on shoot (not across the plane towards the walls) should take the shots. No warning should be given either. You're wielding a gun or knife, you're a bullet sponge as far as I'm concerned. The other marshal should not make themselves known. They should stay seated and pretend they are a simple passenger. I remember reading about how numerous well-planned jackings have the boss on board or another accomplice sitting as a passenger. They don't make themselves known unless something goes south. If the marshal both made themselves known, they've just identified themselves as the two targets to eliminate to retake the plane. Anyhow, I thought I'd toss that out there. It's already being done. Just not to an extreme extent.

Off Topic: Warnings attack not taken seriously

[DenisD]

Tomorrows edition of German Newspaper "Neue Presse" from Hannover has an article (http://www.neuepresse.de/np-index.html) about ignored warnings about the WTC attack, which translated reads like this:
"It is a shock. Tracks of the terror lead also to Hannover: A Iran inmate in Langenhagen wanted to warn the American President and the Secret Service. Nobody did take him serious.

Riddle about Ali S.(29) from Iran. The man, who weeks ago immigrated illegaley into Germany. He was arrested in Goslar by Police and was to be deported to his home country until November 6th. For about one month he urged into officers at Langenhagen Deportation jail.

"I habe important information for the USA", he said the to the prison officers. He has to call there at all cost.

This was allowed to him. Consequence: The White House hung up, as soon as Ali S. identified as an inmate.

To the secret service the warnings of the man were just drool. Ali S. depite of this has mentioned this week as time for attacks, which "would change world order".

The Irani was estimated in Langenhagen as psychically disoriented. Yet he didnt give up, turned to the head of the department. He would knew, that something was about to happen next week.

Even hours before the the two airliners rammed into the WTC and another one into the Pentagon, Ali S. talked about information of a danger for world order. He wanted to fax the american president. This was rejected. Prison authority scored this behavior as pomposity.

According NP-information investigators are now taken it granted, that the Irani really had been looking for contact to USA-authorities. It may well be possible, that he has information, which can be useful for the clarification of the attacks.

Only Wednesday the lower-saxxony department of justice heard about the phone calls. The department of state in Hannover was informed. From there the schily-ministry in Berlin was brought into.

Thursday Secret Service and the federal attorney interviewed the Irani. Outcome unknown. "

I don't believe what I'm reading..

[Ikari Gendou]

I had some hope that at least during a time of crisis like this, zealots would get off their soapboxes and help out, even if it means possibly having to deal with MS.

Lobby the Red Cross to change to open source after all this is said and done.
This isn't the time to make a stand for the cause.

Re:Before anyone criticises...

[WNight]

Let me do it for you.

That's a pittance.

Moreover, MS is up to their same tricks, giving away software licenses and claiming the full retail value as a donation.

It's cheap. It's deceitful, and IMHO the IRS should be banging away at the door.

If we're cynical about MS the rest of the time, why can't we be cynical now? Bill has proven time and again that he's willing to lie to a judge and break the law just to make a buck, why should we assume all of a sudden that he's a great humanitarian?

Oh, I forgot... his company (not even Bill himself) donated $5m... And they make how many billion per year? It's a pathetic gimick, like tipping $.05 in a restaurant, to make a statement.

What wonderful human beings. I want, desperately, to carry Bill's child, because he is such a beacon to the world. [/sarcasm]

Just something I've noticed

[JimAM]

All the newspapers and articles - well the brittish ones at least, are reporting that blokes name as

Osama Bin Laden

whereas www.fbi.gov is reporting it as

Usama Bin Laden

which one's right?

Re:Just something I've noticed

[mwillems]

Both/neither. His real name is in Arabic, not in our latin alphabet.

Mike

How my company is helping out

[bjsvec]

Excerpt of an email sent to all Expanets employees by our CEO, Jim Walker:

As I mentioned yesterday, Expanets continues to reach out to clients in New York City and Washington, and to support emergency services organizations in the two cities. The National Accounts Organization has contacted over 375 clients, and is actively supporting 11 of those clients, including the New York / New Jersey Port Authority. Other clients who are based in lower Manhattan have been unable to assess their communications needs at this time. In addition to helping business clients set up temporary communication facilities, Expanets offices in the New York area are also working to supply additional capacity to area hospitals, have helped procure wireless phones for the New York Fire Department, and are in discussions with the FAA to establish a command center to help manage call volumes.

In Washington D.C., Expanets was on hand to monitor the operation of the American Red Cross' large Avaya switch, which received one million call attempts yesterday. We have also established an Emergency Response Center so clients who need our services can reach us at one, central number. That number for clients is 800-317-3811.

Re:what do you know, troll?

[ncc74656]

Will the moderators please blast this twit(ter) back to the Stone Age? Even in our nation's darkest hour, he can't help but blather on with his mindless "Linux good, Microsoft bad" drivel. There is a time and place for most things, and this is absolutely not it.

Re:Advocacy Later - PLEASE!

[cancrman]

>>(Aside - isn't a stupid religious battle at the root of this evil?)

>No, but your other points are all excellent.

I hate to tell you it is. Binny has taken Islam and twisted it into his own fucked up religion. To say that this isn't a religous battle is insane. It might not be on our end, but the other side certainly believes it to be.

I fully support any military retaliation that the United States follows through with.

Actually, I'd want cellular modems

[ColGraff]

Assuming the cell towers were still up, or new ones could be put up, cell modems and regular dial-up servers would probably give you the most range and flexibility. It wouldn't be the fastest, and it would be expensive if the cell company didn't chip in for the service, but they would, so that's moot.

In addition, if they aren't RAIDing their database servers, they really need to. What if sore bad shit happens?

Re:The answer is None. Yet...

[budalite]

This I can speak to. There is no such thing as "mass connectivity" during the disaster. The issue is Money.

There are two issues here. (Caveat: I used to work for FEMA. I left FEMA four years ago, so things might be better now.).

1. There has been a "movement", for years, to try to get all government agencies on one "bandwidth", technically. during the emergency. To my knowledge, it hasn't happened yet. NO FEDERAL MONEY. (For some reason, the Feds, such as FEMA, the Army, etc., haven't been too enthused about this. Not sure why.) Check out the Extreme Information Infrastructure Initiative, pushed by the National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue. Still not happening. No money. During big disasters, every single agency and department is on a different wavelength using different info. Literally. Ideas like dedicated Secure Internet bandwidth have been floated, but not enough big dogs are buying into such ideas. Literally. There has not been enough money or agreement to get everyone in the same boat. The XII or something like it needs more consideration. It can work.

2. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has done great stuff getting all Federal agenies communicating together, but mostly in a post-emergency framework. The rebuilding needs,(money, again) and interim needs, the needs of those who have lost everything and sometimes everybody, both personal and commercial, are stunningly huge. To that end, in any big emergency in the USA, as soon as authorized by Presidential Declaration, FEMA rents an empty buildings, both away from and near to the area and completely installs, usually within 24 hours, a telephone system and network system for approx. 300 people. About 20-30 big blue or white trucks pull up with everything inside from telephone switches to servers to network routers, to miles of Cat5 cable and reams of connectors. Sometimes, these trucks get flown in via C-130's or C-5's cargo planes. A small army of experienced, highly qualified technicians fly in from all over the country and work 24-36 shifts to make it happen. All this stuff is for the long-term problems -- coordinating tent city needs, water supplies, electricity generators, hospital supplies, etc. Lots of etc, etc. This is the one agency that goes to "war" many, many times every year. The morale is amazingly high as these people can see everyday how they help make a difference. The stress is unbelievable. You have to get it right the first time since the People who have just lost everything don't need excuses for why something like water and basic help still hasn't arrived, yet.

Emergency Preparedness is, and always has been, the last priority on every gov't. list. It's not glamourous. It used to be worse. Until around 1990, it was considered demeaning to ask for States to ask for Federal help. It wasn't until the State Governors realized that Uncle Sam would practically give away hundreds of millions of dollars for disaster relief that FEMA started getting proper funding, at all. (Actually, FEMA sponsors grants up to around $12k and low-cost personal and commercial loans. I do wonder how much gets repaid. ) (Note: You can scream about big government or you can have good federal programs. You can't do both. ) FEMA is one agency that taxpayers can be very proud of.

ps. I just realized that the Red Cross guy mentioned in the original SlashDot article is someone I used to work with at FEMA. I think he used to be the main IT guy for FEMA in New York for that region. An outstanding person and technically brilliant across the IT field from telecomm to networks to app. development. They have the best man possible in place in NYC.

I think you missed the point

[ColGraff]

The guy was just trying to say that suing the Red Cross would be impractical - not that he wants MS to try.

No, it's just a sign of ignorance

[ColGraff]

There's no red cross conspiracy to score free software here, man. It's just that they're so in the habit of needing liscences, they're not realizing they don't need them for now. Maybe the guy who made the list wasn't their real tech guy, just who he told to make a list. The guy hears the region high-ups say "we need so-and-so copies of Office" and assumes that they must need liscences as well. No harm, just ignorance. I'm sure MS already told them to forget the liscences for now.

mod this up

[Technodummy]

data entry will be needed more and more before this is over

And the Cheap Bastard Award goes to ...

[pherris]

Last quarter Microsoft had a net income of $2,451M yet can only donate $5M in cash (or .2%)? And Bill (himself) has not given one dime. Considering that M$ will easily make back that $5M in software replacement sales I think they should get the Cheap Bastard Award.

Think of it this way: If you made $60000 per year minus 30% for taxes, divided by 4 and multipled by .2% you would only be giving $21.00. Most people I know that have donated have given atleast $50 and all make less that $60k.

This makes me ill. Thousands died, hundreds of thousands of people will suffer some kind of financial loss and M$ can only cough up $5M. It really pisses me off ...

pherris

Re:And the Cheap Bastard Award goes to ...

[tshak]

Considering that M$ will easily make back that $5M in software replacement sales I think they should get the Cheap Bastard Award. This makes me ill.

I simply can not STAND people who judge other charity givers. I personally make a large income for my age, and whenever I give people ALWAYS comment, "Well, that's not much for him". How dare you even have a thought of critisism against a donor. How much have YOU given? Why don't you get a part time job (on top of your full time job) so that you can donate more money. You're not doing enough. Why did you upgrade your computer? You could've donated that money. What, you bought an MP3 player while people go hungry?
What makes ME ill is your arogant attitude. You feel that you have some God given intelect that allows you to determine how much is the "right amount" for an organisation to give to the "right cause".

Re:And the Cheap Bastard Award goes to ...

[Lizard_King]

And Bill (himself) has not given one dime

Shame on you

This really pisses you off?!? How the fuck do you know that Bill himself, the Satan of the free world , has not given a dime? Where do you get your information? How dare you judge the charity of others....

Jon Katz could learn a few things from you about making unfounded statements.

Re:And the Cheap Bastard Award goes to ...

[tmark]

Who the hell are you to decide what is and is not a reasonable amount to give ? It pisses me off that you did not donate $3000 - after all, this is still a small fraction of your presumed $60000 income. While I hate Microsoft, I bet you would be hard pressed to name more than a handful of companies that have donated simiilar amounts. And I also wager most of your friends and family have NOT donated money at all.

Some perspective...

[dillon_rinker]

Microsoft's revenues in the last fiscal year were $25.3 billion; their net income was $7.72 billion. The total value of Microsoft stock is $309 billion, though that could change as soon as the markets re-open. Microsoft's "book value" is $47.3 billion.

Re: HAMs (scanners?)

[Kris_J]

I'd been umm-ing and ahh-ing over a scanner for months, so the day after (local time) I just went out and got one plus a book about frequencies. I've been learning how to use the thing. I may not be able to send, but in this sort of event I could at least help move crowds to needed areas.

I did some HAM radio stuff in high school, but never got a licence because of the morse code requirement. I think that's been dropped now. Perhaps I should have another look.

BTW: What about CB?

Offer Taxation Benefits in Exchange

[Col. Panic]

How many dot-coms have but no longer use perfectly good equipment that they could donate for the cause. Of course, the government can sweeten the deal for everyone concerned by offering tax incentives for donations.

Re:licenses?!?

[tshak]

Yes, they asked for Office licenses. Microsoft said, "OK". That's the process. You ask. It's called stating a need. Microsoft never said, "sorry, go buy them yourselves". How does stuff like this get modded up in the first place?

Re:All we can do?

[macdaddy]

Blood also has a short shelf-life. Sure it can be seperated and frozen but that takes much more resources to do. Another things is that very little blood has been used so far in this rescue. There have been very few people pulled from the rubble. No nearly as many as we'd like there to be. The blood isn't getting used very fast.

Re:Before anyone criticises...

[WNight]

Nope. You're completely missing the point.

Most people (those not in the NYC area) went to Amazon, or Paypal's donation page, and quietly gave $100. They might mention it, but only to encourage others. People on Slashdot are effectively anonymous, they aren't posting "I gave $100" to make themselves look good, they're doing it to encourage others.

Now, Microsoft gave essentially sweet fuck all, and they're making a big deal of it.

I have no problem with people giving a lot, or not at all. Whatever, it's up to you. What I have a problem with is people who make a big deal about how holier than thou they are, and yet give essentially nothing.

Microsoft is giving fucking licenses, something of NO real value. And they're crowing about how wonderful they are.

Oh wow! Let me send my old OS/2 licenses, that's just as useless.

If Bill just went to the Amazon page and gave money, any ammount, and someone found out, I wouldn't care how much he gave.

It's the ulterior motive that's disgusting, they give just enough to justify notifying the press. Why did they do that? Why not send the money and not waste people's time with yet another useless press release? Because that press release and the tax write-off are the only reasons they did it.

Re:Clearly benefitting from the +5 MS bash moderat

[aralin]

Hey, I steel your wallet and donate half of it for AIDS medication for Africa. Does it make me better person? Or am I still the same bloody thief?

Database of offers of help

[karot]

There is a database up at http://www.srcdst.com where offers of technical help, space and equipment can be registered. This one is really intended to keep the Internet running around all of the problems its now seeing with power etc, but its all part of the same effort.

Why?

[Hard_Code]

...
lots of hardware
...
50 Microsoft Exchange CALs
35 Microsoft SQL CALs
50 Microsoft Office Professional licenses
15 PC Anywhere licenses
DSL lines
PDAs with wireless capacity and service
...

What?? I thought the Red Cross just handed out food and gave medical aid. I'm just curious, but why does it need to all this hardware and network equipment and crap??? Exchange? SQL? Is somebody creating a startup or something?? "Wait here sir while I just enter the data about your mortal wound into our database - clickity, clickity click"

Re:Sprint PCS - UPDATE

[foo(foo(foo(bar)))]

Just an update to my short post yesterday

Yesterday about 1,000 phones were sent to both the washington DC and NYC areas. (this is a pretty big deal since customer care workers activated all these by hand).

Last night we batch activated and programmed an additoinal 850 handsets (in about 25 minutes). These phones should be distributed today.

And to clarify...I don't work for Sprint PCS...but rather a Cincinnati based company called Convergys. Sprint is one of our clients.

I hope that these phones will be helpfull to all who need them.

Re:Before anyone criticises...

[tmark]

If Bill just went to the Amazon page and gave money, any ammount, and someone found out, I wouldn't care how much he gave.

Bullshit, if Gates did just this and donated $1M you would still be writing how he was such a cheap bastard.

I live in the stone age.

[twitter]

back to the Stone Age?

We use NT at work. The Red Cross deserves better and it's money could be better spent than paying the M$ tax.

"Linux good, Microsoft bad" drivel. There is a time and place for most things, and this is absolutely not it.

Bingo, you hit the nail on the head. More Linux FUD by the original poster was outrageous. I've clearly stepped into a nest of trolls who could worry about nothing more than filling Slashdot's pages with such uninfomative, intentionally missleading and outrageous material.

PC Anywhere

[rjbrown99]

I work for a Symantec reseller. I have contacted Symantec directly regarding the PC Anywhere licenses.

The Symantec sales team has contacted the Red Cross and sent 25 client access licenses for the software.

I just wanted you all to know that Slashdot DID do something to help. I wouldn't have known about the need without this article.

Re:Before anyone criticises...

[WNight]

Nope.

Listen, I'm saying two seperate things here, I'll spell them out for you.

1) Donating licenses is useless and costs MS nothing.

2) If you're going to crow about it to the news, make sure your donation is bigger, %-wise than most other people are making.

The Amazon donation page says people donate an average of $35 each. Now, consider my friends make a rough average of $1100 month takehome, this is 3% of their wage, MS makes 3.2B/month, and gave 5M (real cash) which is .1% of their income.

Ok, let's look at it another way...

Let's say a kid saw this horror, so he donated six months of saved allowance, for which he'd raked leaves and done odd jobs, and that came to $300. Now, I take $350 out of my wallet, just a couple days wages, and donate that, saying "Look how great I am. I donated a large sum of money!"

Who would you think was the generous one? The one who was willing to send in the fruits of six months of labour, or the one who sent it the most money, even though it was pocket change by equivalent?

Now, if I just silently let the kid inspire me, and I donated what I felt I could, and didn't try to make everyone think I was such a great guy, when we'd both be generous and kind.

Re:Before anyone criticises...

[WNight]

You're right, I don't have any info about what Bill is doing, other than this announcement.

Do you have any information on how much your next-door neighbor is donating? No. And that's because even if he gave, he's not going to hold a press conference to discuss it.

If Bill makes a private donation, then cool. I won't try to hack into the payment system to find out how much.

How many open source companies have made donations as generous? If you mean just by dollars, then I ask you how many open source companies make $5M a year, let alone can afford to donate it. $50 is more appropriate for them.

If you mean by licenses and stuff, then as the other reply to your post said - all of them. They give everything away to anyone who wants it.

Personally, I'd rather have donated to a charity that would help us work out race-relation difficulties. People here talk about how the Muslims in the USA are still supporting Osama, but then they drive past mosques and shoot at them... Maybe there's a reason they don't feel at home.

I am saddened to say, but I think that with a few exceptions, everyone in the tower collapse is dead. And the government is throwing its full weight behind getting them out.

What everyone is overlooking is trying to make this never happen again. Sure, if we kill Osama, he'll never do it again, but others will, as long as they hate Westerners, and they will as long as we're awful and foreign.