Slashback: Dilemma, Privacy, Chess

Slashback tonight with updates on Deep Fritz, the interaction of Microsoft service packs and privacy laws, and the view from the shuttle tank-cam, and a depressing update on the Nissan squatting case. Read on for the details.

Front-row seats. zer0vector writes "The previously mentioned camera that was attached to the external fuel tank on Atlantis gave some great shots of launch this afternoon on NASA TV. During the feed, it looked like the ejection of the solid rocket boosters damaged or obscured the camera, leading to a fuzzy image during the fuel tank separation stage."

SkyNet has not yet achieved consciousness. DrEnter writes "According to this Yahoo article, Vladimir Kramnik has defeated 'Deep Fritz' (apparently the world's most powerful chess computer) to take the lead, 2.5-0.5 (the first game was a draw). You can find out more details at the contest site."

Damned if you do, but also if you don't. cybaea writes "A recent article in InfoWorld argues that the latest Windows 2000 and Windows XP Service Packs may be illegal for health care providers under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. To make matters worse, not installing the Service Packs may also be illegal. Damned if you do, damned if you don't ..."

Dad, please switch to a real operating system. It's still spreading. deego writes " An e-mail-borne computer virus that lets crackers control infected Windoze machines remotely continues to spread and constitutes the most severe attack this year. The worm, known as W32.Bugbear, or I-Worm.Tanatos, infects computers that use Microsoft's Windows operating systems. It was first spotted a week ago and has spread to dozens of countries. Article here."

Please sit down first. calib0r writes "CNN.com is running an article on the most recent events dealing with the nissan.com lawsuit. Salon.com ran an article about this a few months ago. More information can also be found here."

Comments

Moderation of "Dad, please switch to a real os"...

[NanoGator]

A user has given a "Troll" (-1) moderation to your comment.
Dad, please switch to a real operating system.
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=02/10/07/184121 0&mode=nested&tid=167

How bad can it be?

[dissonant7]

I mean really, Bugbears only have 3 hit die. Roll for initiative!

Windoze Sucks.

[rice_burners_suck]

Sing to the tune of "Who's afraid of the big bad wolf."

Verse 1:

Mi-cro-soft is a piece of shit,
A piece of shit,
A piece of shit,
Mi-cro-soft is a piece of shit,
La la la la la

Verse 2:
Win-doze is a piece of shit,
A piece of shit,
A piece of shit,
Win-doze is a piece of shit,
La la la la la

Voiceover:
I'll HUFF and I'll PUFF and I'll MAKE your computer crash!

This is because Microsoft does not worry about making their products work right. They have this enormous cash cow. All they have to do is make the graphics stupider, put more bugs in, and release it as the great new operating system that will save the day. And then the IDIOTS who use that piece of crap software wonder why bad stuff happens to their data.

LISTEN UP PEOPLE! There is an alternative! Or, more accurately, there ARE alternatives! PLURAL! All you have to do is get Linux or *BSD! Big successful companies like IBM and Apple are supporting these great systems! There is a TON of software out there for them! So yeah, you might not have all the whiz-bang UGLY *G*A*R*B*A*G*E* that comes with that piece of *G*A*R*B*A*G*E* , uh, what's it called? Oh yeah--WINDOWS. That piece of GARBAGE!!! Use free software. Make those evil people that make the garbage go out of business! That will bring joy and happiness to the world!!!

Ok, well maybe it ain't happening in the next two weeks. Ooooooooh well. It's nice to dream about it. TIME FOR ANOTHER BEER (as in free)!