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All Work And No Play ...
Clifton Forlines writes: "Jupiter Media Metrix released a report on Monday about PC gaming - here's one of the more interesting tidbits: 'Similar to past years, Microsoft Windows-bundled games dominated the top rankings in October 2001: Solitaire was number one, with 21.3 million users.' A little math tells us that americans spent about 24 million man-hours in October on Solitarie (estimating that each user spent a little more than an hour over the whole month) That corresponds to about 1 million man-days, or around 2740 man-years! For comparison, I looked up these numbers...
Empire State Building: 7 million man-hours (a mere 9 days of Solitaire), Panama Canal: 20 million man-hours (a mere 26 days of Solitaire), Apollo project: 15.5 billion man-hours (or a mere 52 years of Solitaire) Think about it!"
By Ted Bridis
Associated Press Writer
Thursday, December 20, 2001; 1:24 PM
WASHINGTON -- Microsoft's newest version of Windows, billed as the most secure ever, contains several serious flaws that allow hackers to steal or destroy a victim's data files across the Internet or implant rogue computer software. The company released a free fix Thursday.
A Microsoft official acknowledged that the risk to consumers was unprecedented because the glitches allow hackers to seize control of all Windows XP operating system software without requiring a computer user to do anything except connect to the Internet.
Microsoft made available on its Web site a free fix for both home and professional editions of Windows XP and forcefully urged consumers to install it immediately.
The flaws, discovered five weeks ago by independent security researchers, threatened to undermine widespread adoption of Microsoft's latest Windows software, which many hope will be an economic catalyst for the sagging technology industry.
The company sold more than 7 million copies of Windows XP in the two weeks after it hit stores Oct. 25.
The vulnerabilities were discovered by three young security researchers with eEye Digital Security Inc. of Aliso Viejo, Calif., led by Marc Maiffret, a 21-year-old former hacker. In recent months, Maiffret, who calls himself the firm's "chief hacking officer," has advised the FBI and the White House on Internet security questions and testified before Congress.
The Windows XP problems affect a little-used feature that eventually will allow consumers to control high-tech household appliances using their computers. Called "universal plug and play," the feature is activated by design in every copy of Windows XP and can be added manually to Microsoft's earlier Windows ME software, also used by millions of consumers worldwide.
"This is the first network-based, remote compromise that I'm aware of for Windows desktop systems," said Scott Culp, manager of Microsoft's security response center. "Every Windows XP user needs to immediately take action." He called it a "very serious vulnerability."
Microsoft said a new feature of Windows XP, known as "drizzle," can automatically download the free fix, which takes several minutes to download, and prompt consumers to install it. Microsoft also is working with other software companies, such as leading antivirus and firewall vendors, to build protection into their products.
Maiffret and his researchers demonstrated the flaws for The Associated Press by hacking into a reporter's laptop running Windows XP from 2,300 miles away and successfully instructing the computer to connect automatically several times to the Web site for the National Security Agency, the government's super-secret spy agency.
© 2001 The Associated PreSS
It is truly inspiring that one of the tallest buildings in the world, the Empire State Building, was built in under a year. I was just there last weekend and visited the tower for the first time.
It was both a humbling experience and encouraging. People can do both great and horrible things when working in concert. We just need good ideas to rally around, rather than sitting idly by or doing repetitive tasks.
Anyone want to help me with my spaceship?
hahahahahhahaha (takes a moment to wipe tear away from eye) hahahahhahhahahha
ROTFLMAO!!! Dude, like that was so funny!!!
Windows sure does sux0rs! The plural or Lego is Lego, not Legos.
\/\/()()T!
Happy birthday!
HERE IT IS!
It's a war, people die. Yes, civilians too. Look at past wars. Wars destroy the landscape, killing many.
We, as humans, do not participate in war merely to win land, but for power! Killing is one way to achieve power. Your whiny little self screaming "Oh no! They killed a civilian!" is pointless.
Is a civilian more important than a soldier? A soldier who joined his country's army to protect his home, or who was forced to, does that make his life worthless? More likely you are worthless, since all you're doing is sitting around whining all day.
A friend of mine (A girl who can do expert on windows in under 80s consistently!!!) found the following bug... can you spot the error?
minesweeper-error.gif
Trust Micrsoft to fuck up something as simple as Minesweeper.