I agree completely. I'm no MS fanboi, having experience with both Windows and Linux, but there are a lot of good things that could be said about Windows, which are just being left out of intellectual conversation largely because most contributors are MS-hating fanboys. I could think of a number of criticisms of Linux off the top of my head - non-intuitive installation, difficulity for newb users to switch platforms easily (whether because of intentional design or simply because of it's mass spread throughout society as a whole, the Windows interface is, for the large part, intuitive.) But just look up "Criticism of Linux" on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_linux/ and it's nothing but a poorly worded paragraph with links towards criticisms on the windows OSs. A very easy way to get modded Troll or a low mod score in/. is simply to write anything in support of Windows.
Nobody is denying that there is nothing wrong with MS, and Windows. But say what you want about shady business practices, if people continously, consistently remain on Windows, there must be something in it they like, something that works for them. I know many people who chose to use Windows, even after knowing of Linux. To quote author of TFA, that's just the stream they CHOOSE to swim in.
Microsoft has been badly ravaged by mostly childish, backhanded insults on Wikipedia and other forums. It's about time they take some positive action to boost their good name. It is a company, after all.
Why do I have a feeling I'll be modded Troll? Hell, screw my karma, I'm sleepy.
Children: Japanese authorities decided to start chipping schoolchildren in one primary school in Osaka a couple of years ago. The kids' clothes and bags were fitted with RFID tags with readers installed in school gates and other key locations to track the minors' movements.
Legoland also introduced a similar scheme to stop children going astray by issuing RFID bracelets for the tots.
Pub tables: Thirsty students can escape the busy bar and still get a pint thanks to RFID tables that deliver orders remotely.
The high-tech bar is fitted with touchscreens so students can get a round in, order a taxi or even chat-up someone at the next table.
Fulham Football Club: Fulham FC has started issuing RFID-enabled smartcards to fans to cut queues at the turnstiles and increase safety around the stadium.
Around 20,000 of the smartcards have been issued to mainly season ticket holders and club members and contain data on matches each cardholder has paid for.
Air passengers: It was also suggested by boffins at University College London that air passengers should be RFID-tagged as they mingle in the departure lounge to improve airport security.
silicon.com's audience called the idea, amongst other things, Orwellian, intrusive and detrimental to airport security.
Tanks: RFID has also made an appearance in the army to try and reduce casualties from 'friendly fire' incidents.
Last year Nato's Operation Urgent Quest exercise tested the potential of a number of combat identity systems under battlefield conditions.
Hospital in-patients: In an effort to trim clinical errors, hospitals in New York and Germany have been tagging their patients. Visitors to the hospitals are given RFID-chipped wristbands to wear which are scanned by medical personnel to bring up their records and make sure the patients are given the correct dosages of drugs.
Blood: The same clinic which tags its patients is also tagging blood. No vampire-pleasing effort this, rather the Klinikum Saarbruecken is using the tags to make sure the right blood reaches the right patient. Nurses will be able to scan the tags using reader-equipped PDAs or tablet PCs and check that the blood data matches the information held on an RFID-tagged bracelet worn by the patient.
The National Patient Safety Agency in the UK is also considering a similar move.
Suits: Marks and Spencer has long been associated with being at the forefront of flogging ladies' undies. It's also now at the forefront of item-level tagging, having chipped some of its men's clothes. The retailer has avoided questions of privacy protection by attaching the tag to a label on the suit that can be cut off.
M&S has now extended the trials nationwide.
Passports: One of the more controversial applications is soon-to-be mandatory use of RFID in passports. The US is leading the way in deployments and the UK isn't far behind.
As well as the obvious privacy fears that surround such rollouts, experts have questioned how secure the passports are with some claiming to have cracked and cloned them already.
Books: The first item-level rollout in Europe has already taken place in Dutch book store BGN. Each of the books in BGN's Almere store is chipped and a second store, in Maastricht, will soon go the same way, allowing the retailer to track each book from its central warehouse to the shop floor.
not really. I'm well aware on the existence and benefits of Linux, yet i still use Windows. I'm quite happy with my XP, and don't really see a major reason to change. I use Linux in my friend's laptop (he runs SUSE) ad am always happy to return to windows. until XP develops a MAJOR fcukup, i doubt i'd change. if not for any reason, than because i'm too lazy to change.
i've used windows, like, ever, and am quite happy with it. it's very easy to use for my completely-non-tech-savvy parents, and created no major problems so far.
and spyware, eg isn't a major problem for me. i'm (and my parents) are not stupid enough to download random programs off the net, and most emails now have anti-virus programs anyway (that's all my parents use the internet for - email, online banking, chatting on MSNmessenger) so it isn't a problem. i have AVG anti-spyware, AVG anti-virus, AD-Aware, Spybot S&D, and SpywareBlaster, and i make sure to update and run them occasionally.
and seriously? it's the linux zealots (die microsoft die linux rules people are bloody idiots to use windows eg eg) who give linux a bad name. seriously. respect that people have made a choice, and if they don't have enough information, inform them nicely. respect that the OS choice isn't really that big a deal in most people's lives, and it doesn't matter to them as long that they can surf the net, eg. it's a CHOICE. they made it. you don't like it, fine, but respect it.
that being said, i looking forward to getting my personal laptop so i can install linux (SUSE, probably - i'm used to it with my friends laptop, and hey, as an added bonus, it'll work with my windows! - THAT'S A GOOD THING, people. it means more people won't be afraid to try linux, and after they tried it, if they decide they like it, they might ditch windows and work with linux full time.) and play around with it:)
life, ultimately, is a choice. respect choices made, even if you disagree. that's the ultimate freedom, freedom of CHOICE.
heheh... mine are, in random order...
FlashBlock - you know:)
Foxmarks Bookmarks synchronizer - coz i have a habit of using my friend's laptop to read webcomics which i've bookmarked:)
Long Titles - it prevents tooltip breaks
NoScript - it lets me block javascript - i normally set it to block unless i specify a website is safe - saved my eyes on lemonparty:)
StumbleUpon - even though i almost never use it
and VideoDownloader - lets me download videos from youtube, google, eg:)
yeah, that's all. Since firefox is customized the way i like it, my completely non-tech savvy parents use IE, although occasionally my mom uses firefox. they don't do much except check their email and some other stuff, so i guess my machine is safe:)
oh, thanks dude. you've been a great help! i just installed flashblock 1.5.2, and tried it on friendster, it works great! it didn't play the flash animations automatically, and i had the option of deleting it!
you know, this set me thinking. there are various solutions available for all the problems any user can face, but most users are "oh great this doesn't work the way i want to, this sucks" and leave that particular program. i know i almost fell into that. so thanks, and lesson learnt:)
firefox is still great:D
today i switched back to IE after getting sick of firefox.
yes, i am ashamed to admit it. but help me solve the problem anyway.
i read about this somewhere (slashdot i think), where sites with flash ads make firefox hang, where i have to end process using the task manager in windows. the site in question is friendster. turning off flash isn't really an option, as i use flash for other sites, and my adblock plus doesn't work on flash ads.
Will this *not work* over Linux? Then I might have to consider switching.
Yes, I still use Windows. Don't have my own PC, or I'd have installed Suse.
And this wouldn't apply for non-Swiss countries, so I'm safe! For now, anyway.
Slashdot Mirror
I agree completely. I'm no MS fanboi, having experience with both Windows and Linux, but there are a lot of good things that could be said about Windows, which are just being left out of intellectual conversation largely because most contributors are MS-hating fanboys. I could think of a number of criticisms of Linux off the top of my head - non-intuitive installation, difficulity for newb users to switch platforms easily (whether because of intentional design or simply because of it's mass spread throughout society as a whole, the Windows interface is, for the large part, intuitive.) But just look up "Criticism of Linux" on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_linux/ and it's nothing but a poorly worded paragraph with links towards criticisms on the windows OSs. A very easy way to get modded Troll or a low mod score in /. is simply to write anything in support of Windows.
Nobody is denying that there is nothing wrong with MS, and Windows. But say what you want about shady business practices, if people continously, consistently remain on Windows, there must be something in it they like, something that works for them. I know many people who chose to use Windows, even after knowing of Linux. To quote author of TFA, that's just the stream they CHOOSE to swim in.
Microsoft has been badly ravaged by mostly childish, backhanded insults on Wikipedia and other forums. It's about time they take some positive action to boost their good name. It is a company, after all.
Why do I have a feeling I'll be modded Troll? Hell, screw my karma, I'm sleepy.
-Mugi.
yeah.. damn those genuine advantage..
Children:
Japanese authorities decided to start chipping schoolchildren in one primary school in Osaka a couple of years ago. The kids' clothes and bags were fitted with RFID tags with readers installed in school gates and other key locations to track the minors' movements.
Legoland also introduced a similar scheme to stop children going astray by issuing RFID bracelets for the tots.
Pub tables:
Thirsty students can escape the busy bar and still get a pint thanks to RFID tables that deliver orders remotely.
The high-tech bar is fitted with touchscreens so students can get a round in, order a taxi or even chat-up someone at the next table.
Fulham Football Club:
Fulham FC has started issuing RFID-enabled smartcards to fans to cut queues at the turnstiles and increase safety around the stadium.
Around 20,000 of the smartcards have been issued to mainly season ticket holders and club members and contain data on matches each cardholder has paid for.
Air passengers:
It was also suggested by boffins at University College London that air passengers should be RFID-tagged as they mingle in the departure lounge to improve airport security.
silicon.com's audience called the idea, amongst other things, Orwellian, intrusive and detrimental to airport security.
Tanks:
RFID has also made an appearance in the army to try and reduce casualties from 'friendly fire' incidents.
Last year Nato's Operation Urgent Quest exercise tested the potential of a number of combat identity systems under battlefield conditions.
Hospital in-patients:
In an effort to trim clinical errors, hospitals in New York and Germany have been tagging their patients. Visitors to the hospitals are given RFID-chipped wristbands to wear which are scanned by medical personnel to bring up their records and make sure the patients are given the correct dosages of drugs.
Blood:
The same clinic which tags its patients is also tagging blood. No vampire-pleasing effort this, rather the Klinikum Saarbruecken is using the tags to make sure the right blood reaches the right patient. Nurses will be able to scan the tags using reader-equipped PDAs or tablet PCs and check that the blood data matches the information held on an RFID-tagged bracelet worn by the patient.
The National Patient Safety Agency in the UK is also considering a similar move.
Suits:
Marks and Spencer has long been associated with being at the forefront of flogging ladies' undies. It's also now at the forefront of item-level tagging, having chipped some of its men's clothes. The retailer has avoided questions of privacy protection by attaching the tag to a label on the suit that can be cut off.
M&S has now extended the trials nationwide.
Passports:
One of the more controversial applications is soon-to-be mandatory use of RFID in passports. The US is leading the way in deployments and the UK isn't far behind.
As well as the obvious privacy fears that surround such rollouts, experts have questioned how secure the passports are with some claiming to have cracked and cloned them already.
Books:
The first item-level rollout in Europe has already taken place in Dutch book store BGN. Each of the books in BGN's Almere store is chipped and a second store, in Maastricht, will soon go the same way, allowing the retailer to track each book from its central warehouse to the shop floor.
not really. I'm well aware on the existence and benefits of Linux, yet i still use Windows. I'm quite happy with my XP, and don't really see a major reason to change. I use Linux in my friend's laptop (he runs SUSE) ad am always happy to return to windows. until XP develops a MAJOR fcukup, i doubt i'd change. if not for any reason, than because i'm too lazy to change.
:)
i've used windows, like, ever, and am quite happy with it. it's very easy to use for my completely-non-tech-savvy parents, and created no major problems so far.
and spyware, eg isn't a major problem for me. i'm (and my parents) are not stupid enough to download random programs off the net, and most emails now have anti-virus programs anyway (that's all my parents use the internet for - email, online banking, chatting on MSNmessenger) so it isn't a problem. i have AVG anti-spyware, AVG anti-virus, AD-Aware, Spybot S&D, and SpywareBlaster, and i make sure to update and run them occasionally.
and seriously? it's the linux zealots (die microsoft die linux rules people are bloody idiots to use windows eg eg) who give linux a bad name. seriously. respect that people have made a choice, and if they don't have enough information, inform them nicely. respect that the OS choice isn't really that big a deal in most people's lives, and it doesn't matter to them as long that they can surf the net, eg. it's a CHOICE. they made it. you don't like it, fine, but respect it.
that being said, i looking forward to getting my personal laptop so i can install linux (SUSE, probably - i'm used to it with my friends laptop, and hey, as an added bonus, it'll work with my windows! - THAT'S A GOOD THING, people. it means more people won't be afraid to try linux, and after they tried it, if they decide they like it, they might ditch windows and work with linux full time.) and play around with it
life, ultimately, is a choice. respect choices made, even if you disagree. that's the ultimate freedom, freedom of CHOICE.
-JMG- (sorry for the rant)
heheh... mine are, in random order... FlashBlock - you know :)
Foxmarks Bookmarks synchronizer - coz i have a habit of using my friend's laptop to read webcomics which i've bookmarked :)
Long Titles - it prevents tooltip breaks
NoScript - it lets me block javascript - i normally set it to block unless i specify a website is safe - saved my eyes on lemonparty :)
StumbleUpon - even though i almost never use it
and VideoDownloader - lets me download videos from youtube, google, eg :)
yeah, that's all. Since firefox is customized the way i like it, my completely non-tech savvy parents use IE, although occasionally my mom uses firefox. they don't do much except check their email and some other stuff, so i guess my machine is safe :)
oh, thanks dude. you've been a great help! i just installed flashblock 1.5.2, and tried it on friendster, it works great! it didn't play the flash animations automatically, and i had the option of deleting it! you know, this set me thinking. there are various solutions available for all the problems any user can face, but most users are "oh great this doesn't work the way i want to, this sucks" and leave that particular program. i know i almost fell into that. so thanks, and lesson learnt :)
firefox is still great :D
today i switched back to IE after getting sick of firefox.
yes, i am ashamed to admit it. but help me solve the problem anyway.
i read about this somewhere (slashdot i think), where sites with flash ads make firefox hang, where i have to end process using the task manager in windows. the site in question is friendster. turning off flash isn't really an option, as i use flash for other sites, and my adblock plus doesn't work on flash ads.
so what do you think?
Will this *not work* over Linux? Then I might have to consider switching. Yes, I still use Windows. Don't have my own PC, or I'd have installed Suse. And this wouldn't apply for non-Swiss countries, so I'm safe! For now, anyway.