As a linux user for 5yrs (and ex PC design engineer) - I really cannot see linux becoming the OS of choice of the masses (i.e. your dumb neighbor or the kooky lady in accounting). The Windows XP environment is what they know (more or less).
They are not motivated or driven to learn a "new way" of doing things. As an IT guy I easily bounce between XP - OS X - and linux... my normal friends are running XP and a few OS X.
And both Apple and M$ learned that making wholesale GUI changes generally upsets the masses who just want to get shit done - no retraining.
My take is someone needs to do a truly seam-less integration of XP / Windows 7 running as a virtual OS (ala parallels or virtual box) - where linux enhances security - monitors the data stream for viruses - and of course is there to be used a second OS (and of course to repair XP etc).
Linux... silently guarding average users from the crap M$ churns out. Now that would sell.
And don't mention WINE -- I said integrated - seamless - invisible.
Re:MS seems to have already done it..
on
Phoenix BIOSOS?
·
· Score: 1
I'm not aware of the issue around Asus quickboot - but if true it would be the "M$ way". They own over 80% of the OS market and aim to keep it that way. By nature they are anti-competitive which also means anti-innovative.
Which allows them to go over 5yrs between OS releases and then churn out crap like Vista and still survive. Who else could do that but a company that is a monopoly operating in a country where they can buy-off legislators to stop them from breaking up the company (I'm a US citizen).
Its a sad story - while Intel could also be called a monopoly company - AMD has kicked them in the ass several times forcing innovation via competition. Microsoft pretty much operates in a vacuum. Linux is bringing some pressure on M$ but its minimal in the real world office place.
Great Idea ... M$ will kill it
on
Phoenix BIOSOS?
·
· Score: 3, Insightful
Or at least pee on it and create a wall of FUD. Their mighty and perfect OS usurped by lowly BIOS - and a BIOS running Linux. How totally non-elegant !
Its a great idea and I would actually have a reason - a real reason - to upgrade my hardware. But I can see M$ telling Dell - HP - etc. if you want to put Windows a BIOSOS system... no OS discount for you !
However I would love to see the industry find a way to shove this down Balmers throat.
I run Ubuntu - I am a geek. Some close friends of ours let their PC with XP get totally infested - they are average users email - browsing - MS Office - a bit of music - some photos. Thats it. Not wanting to spend hours on a XP rebuild - I slapped a 20GB Hd in their box loaded Ubu 8.10 - set up thunderbird email and dragged a copy of their windows MyDoc folder to the Ubu desktop. Showed them how things work - Open Office etc. Extolled the security virtues etc. Yea !
I then said, lets get together in a couple of weeks - do a pot-luck and watch a movie and then visit --- and I can babysit the XP install as needed. Its been four days and they now insist we come over so they can do the whole BBQ thing for us - they'll rent a movie etc. And I can do the XP thing. Four days was all it took and they are jonesing for XP viruses be damned.
First off let me say I have the utmost respect for Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) - but in just talking to a LEO about "an event" circumstantial or otherwise basically erodes any rights you have (or thought you had).
As Noted: Now in a narrow ruling, US District Judge William K. Sessions III said the man had waived his right against self-incrimination when he initially cooperated with border agents.
There are a couple of great vids on this topic on youtube. Yes if had or discovered info on a nasty crime I would go to the police. But if you marginally involved or entangled in a dispute or some legal F-up --- talking to the police will not help you. Just read the Miranda and that says it all.
Many school districts / schools are dying for any type of fairly recent technology - not some Pentium II or III crap or your old 20" CRT.
Tech classes can use PCs or servers. Get this --- we are in a large (38000 students) district that is fairly well connected etc. --- yet the district only provides our entire high school (2000 students) with 20GB of server space. Of course we have 37 schools + offices so they are pushing a terabye of data.
I'm building Linux servers out of clapped-out Pentium IV's and 160gb hard drives to augment student storage of large digital projects.
No it makes you wonder if people actually think about what they read, or if the main stream media reporting goes for zippy headline over facts.
Both Scientific American and Reuters should ashamed and fined for reporting like that.
The key fact is in the tags --- NOT PER CAPITA ! Meaning if you factor in our population we don't really have diddly-squat wind or solar power compared to Germany. BUT they got you to form an opinion based on pure bullshit.
I was in Germany last year - you can't drive 45-60mi without driving past a few turbines or seeing a wind farm on a hill. You DO NOT see that type of density here
super-duper systems and sensors and now a high tek stretcher --- whoopee for the military-industrial complex and their lobbyists.
In a related story, insurgents blew-up one of the Army's latest $20M troop transports using explosives scraped from old weapons, formed into a shaped charge in a discarded brake drum, and detonated by a light sensor from a jihad elmo doll.
From the Citrix site: "the increasing computing savvy of enterprise users are forcing IT organizations to consider a new service model for the desktop. The BYOC model goes a long way to solving these issues for the enterprise. "
Increasingly savvy enterprise users... where ? who?... Not where I work (very large school district). And Citrix marketing plays that old siren song to IT depts --- visualization - thin client - everything works - no support costs -- happy users. All sounds great until corporate ship hits the "Rocks of Reality"... all hands we are taking on water... is there a Tech in on board...
Before we bash the user --- Linux distros shoould take a cue from XP. You recall that when XP is first launched it offers to take you on a "tour of windows"....
All or part of this could have been averted if the new user was given a tour of the OS / GUI features - compatibility - and possible issues (i.e. some PC software will not work etc.). The new user is then armed with some information and ideas on how to proceed.
Also shame on Dell for not having decent Ubuntu support --- having worked in the mainstream PC biz - one would think Dell would want some level of success with Linux. Primarily to use as something to hammer MS with.
FWIW - I sat in on a senior meeting with MS back in '04 and they said in their own words "Linux scares the shit out of them". I'm a serious Linux user and I hope it still keeps them peeing in their pants.
Its good to see a 9th grader posting on slashdot. I do tech support at a large high school - and we have a fairly strong technology program. But Tech classes are electives -- and like any elective if you can't get students interested than the program will not last. In a sense you must market your program(s) so students will sign up.
And you must adapt the course material to be relevant. As any programmer knows, you need to know how to create a database structure in the more advanced classes. Even for a moderate techie that sounds kinda boring -- but if you say learn how to create a facebook like application then hmmm that sounds like fun. They will have to code a database but for a relevant reason.
The other thing we do is have a is a game programming class. Using a simple game creation program - students learn basics of programming and planning. We also hybrid this class with one of our graphic design classes --- at mid term the two classes meet and form teams to create a new game. The artsy graphic design kids and the gaming kids work out a game story. Then the artsy kids do the graphic sprite designs and gaming kids write the game code.
We are just starting some 3D CAD classes on the same model. The sad truth is a lot of teachers - administrators and parents don't know how to approach technology classes.
As a regular slashdot reader and someone who provides local support at a large urban high school, I see its time to beat this ole horse again.
I think its great that the original poster at least got himself involved in providing some technology - support for his wifes school. And his question - "What can be done" is a good one. The answers as I've learned are not clear cut in general, but also vary from grade to grade and district to region.
A dissertation (or several thousand) could be written on this - so I'll keep it short.
1. Technology in schools is comprised of many elements:computers, projectors for computers, and document cameras (lets teachers project various materials for the class). All of this costs money and like any technology has a 5 - 7 year life. Bottom line here is support your school bonds/measures, and if you feel the money is not being spent well --- still support the bonds and get your ass to the school board meetings.
2. Technology in the classroom is very relevant - if not for the teacher to use every day, then for students to use for finishing assignments or doing research. At high school level - a cart of 30 laptops lets students do writing assignments and also share via blogging. Computers combined with USB sensors allow student to do experiments and collect data for their analysis.
3. Open Source is great - but the educational software is very limited and most of what I've seen is more for elementary and middle school. So if you are a open source programmer - get in touch with your kids teachers and see what software they are using (on macs or PCs) and then start a project on sourceforge to develop some kick-ass free software.
Lastly - donating a decent PC to a school is nice and we do use them... but you cannot run a school on a hodge-podge of dated technology. Why do we want our kids trying to use 2nd hand technology ? Why are we willing to throw billions at corporations who made poor decisions, but nickel and dime our schools ?
To be sure, many of our schools / school districts are still making the transition from paper+pencil to computers+technology. Volunteer - get involved - support your schools. After a successful career as an engineer -- I earn a decent (but modest) income and enjoy going to work every day to work with students, staff, and technology.
And lets also have them chip their assignments onto rock tablets of so they get used to hard work.
And while were at it teachers don't need white boards and fancy colored markers - a chalk board is good enough.
And lastly, lets allow corporal punishment so the teacher can beat the crap out of your kid because you let him/her use the computer too much at home and watch too much TV.
I note that your "solution" leaves the parents totally out of the equation ! shweet
""After all the billions you've brought to your state, who could possibly begrudge you $10,000 here or there? Heck, you DESERVE it!""
Corruption is like pregnancy... nobody is just a little pregnant. Whats his name Duke Cunningham (who used to be a Top Gun pilot) also found guilty corruption etc.
A lot of "good" can be washed (down the tubes) by a little bad.
Slashdot Mirror
As a linux user for 5yrs (and ex PC design engineer) - I really cannot see linux becoming the OS of choice of the masses (i.e. your dumb neighbor or the kooky lady in accounting). The Windows XP environment is what they know (more or less).
They are not motivated or driven to learn a "new way" of doing things. As an IT guy I easily bounce between XP - OS X - and linux ... my normal friends are running XP and a few OS X.
And both Apple and M$ learned that making wholesale GUI changes generally upsets the masses who just want to get shit done - no retraining.
My take is someone needs to do a truly seam-less integration of XP / Windows 7 running as a virtual OS (ala parallels or virtual box) - where linux enhances security - monitors the data stream for viruses - and of course is there to be used a second OS (and of course to repair XP etc).
Linux ... silently guarding average users from the crap M$ churns out. Now that would sell.
And don't mention WINE -- I said integrated - seamless - invisible.
I'm not aware of the issue around Asus quickboot - but if true it would be the "M$ way". They own over 80% of the OS market and aim to keep it that way. By nature they are anti-competitive which also means anti-innovative.
Which allows them to go over 5yrs between OS releases and then churn out crap like Vista and still survive. Who else could do that but a company that is a monopoly operating in a country where they can buy-off legislators to stop them from breaking up the company (I'm a US citizen).
Its a sad story - while Intel could also be called a monopoly company - AMD has kicked them in the ass several times forcing innovation via competition. Microsoft pretty much operates in a vacuum. Linux is bringing some pressure on M$ but its minimal in the real world office place.
Or at least pee on it and create a wall of FUD. Their mighty and perfect OS usurped by lowly BIOS - and a BIOS running Linux. How totally non-elegant !
Its a great idea and I would actually have a reason - a real reason - to upgrade my hardware. But I can see M$ telling Dell - HP - etc. if you want to put Windows a BIOSOS system ... no OS discount for you !
However I would love to see the industry find a way to shove this down Balmers throat.
.. the real world that is chained to XP / MS.
I run Ubuntu - I am a geek. Some close friends of ours let their PC with XP get totally infested - they are average users email - browsing - MS Office - a bit of music - some photos. Thats it. Not wanting to spend hours on a XP rebuild - I slapped a 20GB Hd in their box loaded Ubu 8.10 - set up thunderbird email and dragged a copy of their windows MyDoc folder to the Ubu desktop. Showed them how things work - Open Office etc. Extolled the security virtues etc. Yea !
I then said, lets get together in a couple of weeks - do a pot-luck and watch a movie and then visit --- and I can babysit the XP install as needed. Its been four days and they now insist we come over so they can do the whole BBQ thing for us - they'll rent a movie etc. And I can do the XP thing. Four days was all it took and they are jonesing for XP viruses be damned.
I am a geek - I use Ubuntu ...
to keep cutting and off shoring IT services and departments.
You've gotta have geeks on-site
First off let me say I have the utmost respect for Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) - but in just talking to a LEO about "an event" circumstantial or otherwise basically erodes any rights you have (or thought you had).
As Noted: Now in a narrow ruling, US District Judge William K. Sessions III said the man had waived his right against self-incrimination when he initially cooperated with border agents.
There are a couple of great vids on this topic on youtube. Yes if had or discovered info on a nasty crime I would go to the police. But if you marginally involved or entangled in a dispute or some legal F-up --- talking to the police will not help you. Just read the Miranda and that says it all.
Many school districts / schools are dying for any type of fairly recent technology - not some Pentium II or III crap or your old 20" CRT.
Tech classes can use PCs or servers. Get this --- we are in a large (38000 students) district that is fairly well connected etc. --- yet the district only provides our entire high school (2000 students) with 20GB of server space. Of course we have 37 schools + offices so they are pushing a terabye of data.
I'm building Linux servers out of clapped-out Pentium IV's and 160gb hard drives to augment student storage of large digital projects.
Off shore drilling and mining have caused a beneficial sea sponge to go extinct.
Sounds about as fun as a shit-sandwich after having your wisdom teeth pulled.
Maybe they can partner with Intel ... now there's an exciting couple.
Velvet drapes - check
Spike the Koolaide - check
Cue the Dirge music - check
No it makes you wonder if people actually think about what they read, or if the main stream media reporting goes for zippy headline over facts.
Both Scientific American and Reuters should ashamed and fined for reporting like that.
The key fact is in the tags --- NOT PER CAPITA ! Meaning if you factor in our population we don't really have diddly-squat wind or solar power compared to Germany. BUT they got you to form an opinion based on pure bullshit.
I was in Germany last year - you can't drive 45-60mi without driving past a few turbines or seeing a wind farm on a hill. You DO NOT see that type of density here
super-duper systems and sensors and now a high tek stretcher --- whoopee for the military-industrial complex and their lobbyists.
In a related story, insurgents blew-up one of the Army's latest $20M troop transports using explosives scraped from old weapons, formed into a shaped charge in a discarded brake drum, and detonated by a light sensor from a jihad elmo doll.
From the Citrix site:
"the increasing computing savvy of enterprise users are forcing IT organizations to consider a new service model for the desktop. The BYOC model goes a long way to solving these issues for the enterprise. "
Increasingly savvy enterprise users ... where ? who? ... Not where I work (very large school district). And Citrix marketing plays that old siren song to IT depts --- visualization - thin client - everything works - no support costs -- happy users. All sounds great until corporate ship hits the "Rocks of Reality" ... all hands we are taking on water ... is there a Tech in on board ...
Before we bash the user --- Linux distros shoould take a cue from XP. You recall that when XP is first launched it offers to take you on a "tour of windows" ....
All or part of this could have been averted if the new user was given a tour of the OS / GUI features - compatibility - and possible issues (i.e. some PC software will not work etc.). The new user is then armed with some information and ideas on how to proceed.
Also shame on Dell for not having decent Ubuntu support --- having worked in the mainstream PC biz - one would think Dell would want some level of success with Linux. Primarily to use as something to hammer MS with.
FWIW - I sat in on a senior meeting with MS back in '04 and they said in their own words "Linux scares the shit out of them". I'm a serious Linux user and I hope it still keeps them peeing in their pants.
How can you model in greed - corruption - and the ever popular human trait of freaking out ?
Tech bubble - Real Estate bubble ... next time I even see/hear the word bubble in the markets I'm cashing out for a while
I work at a high school - we have a really cool science teacher and on one wall of his classroom in large letters is the phrase:
"What is Nature trying to tell us"
What a great thing to have kids think about while doing science ..
where is a Sperm Whale when you need one ?
Dark alley in a city battle field
Robot "You have 5 seconds to drop your weapon"
The soldiers Weapon clatters to the ground
Robot "You have 4 seconds to drop your weapon"
Robot "The United States will treat you fairly"
Robot "You have 3 seconds to drop your weapon"
Soldier "What do you fucking want !!!"
Robot "I am authorized to terminate you under the Autonomous Artificial Battlefield Soldier Act of 2011."
Sound of running footsteps and burst of weapons fire.
Robot encoded data transmission
Its good to see a 9th grader posting on slashdot. I do tech support at a large high school - and we have a fairly strong technology program. But Tech classes are electives -- and like any elective if you can't get students interested than the program will not last. In a sense you must market your program(s) so students will sign up.
And you must adapt the course material to be relevant. As any programmer knows, you need to know how to create a database structure in the more advanced classes. Even for a moderate techie that sounds kinda boring -- but if you say learn how to create a facebook like application then hmmm that sounds like fun. They will have to code a database but for a relevant reason.
The other thing we do is have a is a game programming class. Using a simple game creation program - students learn basics of programming and planning. We also hybrid this class with one of our graphic design classes --- at mid term the two classes meet and form teams to create a new game. The artsy graphic design kids and the gaming kids work out a game story. Then the artsy kids do the graphic sprite designs and gaming kids write the game code.
We are just starting some 3D CAD classes on the same model. The sad truth is a lot of teachers - administrators and parents don't know how to approach technology classes.
As a regular slashdot reader and someone who provides local support at a large urban high school, I see its time to beat this ole horse again.
I think its great that the original poster at least got himself involved in providing some technology - support for his wifes school. And his question - "What can be done" is a good one. The answers as I've learned are not clear cut in general, but also vary from grade to grade and district to region.
A dissertation (or several thousand) could be written on this - so I'll keep it short.
1. Technology in schools is comprised of many elements:computers, projectors for computers, and document cameras (lets teachers project various materials for the class). All of this costs money and like any technology has a 5 - 7 year life. Bottom line here is support your school bonds/measures, and if you feel the money is not being spent well --- still support the bonds and get your ass to the school board meetings.
2. Technology in the classroom is very relevant - if not for the teacher to use every day, then for students to use for finishing assignments or doing research. At high school level - a cart of 30 laptops lets students do writing assignments and also share via blogging. Computers combined with USB sensors allow student to do experiments and collect data for their analysis.
3. Open Source is great - but the educational software is very limited and most of what I've seen is more for elementary and middle school. So if you are a open source programmer - get in touch with your kids teachers and see what software they are using (on macs or PCs) and then start a project on sourceforge to develop some kick-ass free software.
Lastly - donating a decent PC to a school is nice and we do use them ... but you cannot run a school on a hodge-podge of dated technology. Why do we want our kids trying to use 2nd hand technology ? Why are we willing to throw billions at corporations who made poor decisions, but nickel and dime our schools ?
To be sure, many of our schools / school districts are still making the transition from paper+pencil to computers+technology. Volunteer - get involved - support your schools. After a successful career as an engineer -- I earn a decent (but modest) income and enjoy going to work every day to work with students, staff, and technology.
Yes, thats an excellent idea !
And lets also have them chip their assignments onto rock tablets of so they get used to hard work.
And while were at it teachers don't need white boards and fancy colored markers - a chalk board is good enough.
And lastly, lets allow corporal punishment so the teacher can beat the crap out of your kid because you let him/her use the computer too much at home and watch too much TV.
I note that your "solution" leaves the parents totally out of the equation ! shweet
>I spent a year teaching math in a high school as an emergency higher
higher ??? Yeah maybe that's part of the problem.
And to be fair being tossed in as an emergency hire puts you way behind the 8-ball especially in hihg school
MS providing a free AV solution will put pricing pressure on 3rd party providers and add some competition.
A decent basic malware package (AV and spyware -- not a security suite) should not cost more than $15 to buy and $10-$15 a year subscription
""After all the billions you've brought to your state, who could possibly begrudge you $10,000 here or there? Heck, you DESERVE it!""
Corruption is like pregnancy ... nobody is just a little pregnant. Whats his name Duke Cunningham (who used to be a Top Gun pilot) also found guilty corruption etc.
A lot of "good" can be washed (down the tubes) by a little bad.
to have a USB flash drive with a persistent - encrypted - bootable Linux OS.
Puppy 4.1 really rocks ... and leaves no trail
Many laptops are so depressed at reaching 40yrs old the are setting themselves on fire! Its so sad and unnecessary.
Talk to your laptop today