..usually.
As another poster..posted, I dont mind software that makes *wise* use of resources. That said, as a Software QA dude (and Power user for far longer) I have noticed that the rapid expansion of cheap hardware resources have made developers and the programs created very lazy. Hard drives are littered with unnecessary files, memory efficiency is unheard of, etc. Every program acts like it is the only app being run. Most programs I encounter are like bad roommates. They consume resources they don't need or own (like a roommate drinking your last beer), they collide with other apps (like bad roommate arguing with your visitors and friends) and they dont clean up after themselves unless ordered to at gun-point (like...well yeah you get the idea)
IMO, there would be far better quality in applications if devs had to make them work within a much smaller resource set *before* they were permitted to expand and use more resources. But then I wouldnt have so much fun detailing how a developers app/feature is "teh suck"
Hell, they should have purposely fed misinformation through that channel. Man, what fun could have been had. Such a missed opportunity. Hmm. Maybe I should set up a tracker site just as a honey pot for them.
Which security programs would you use? Which ones would you recommend to less tech-savvy friends and family?
Assuming -
The person is a "user" not power, super or otherwise having extra abilities or knowledge
The machine is a windows pc (lets say XP for argument's sake)
The user is willing to use what you recommend or install for a product price range of $0-$30US
Thus far I have gone for the basic "freebie suite": AVG Free, Zone Alarm Free, Ad-Aware and Spybot. I also run these on my windows box so I am able to help if anyone has a question (about a dozen friends and family members)
I did a 5 week motorcycle trip last fall. If there is anything prone to gadgetry it is motorcycle touring. I tried to keep it to a minimum tho.
Garmin 56cx. Not too big, not too small. Ruggedized. fits in a pocket. not a replacement for a paper map, but very useful. A one gig micro SD holds detailed maps and routing info for 2/3 of the US.
Palm TX + Palm keyboard. Turned out to be far more useful than I had thought. I jotted notes, exchanged email and had an extensive list of contacts for folks on the road. With the wi-fi capability and the freebie 30 day trial with the Tmobile hotspot, I could let folks know where I was anytime and contact folks nearby when I needed a place to stop. It aint no laptop, but it packs down to the size of a paperback plus AC adaptor. SPeaking of which..if you are backpacking in the wilderness, the TX wont be very useful without AC outlets.
Creative Zen jukebox - although the TX could store the music on SD cards, the controls are easier to manipulate on the Zen. I didnt use it that much. But making time through some of the flatter chunks of texas was less tedious.
Canon Camera - despite being tossed in a tankbag and dropped repeatedly, it took great shots and kept working.
One thing folks havent pointed out (or maybe it was and I didnt spot it)
there is a difference between enforcing no-competes in court and the actual practice. not long ago when I was shifting jobs I was contacted by a large contracting agency recruiter. He asked if I was still or recently had been working for another large contracting agency noted on my resume. He then asked if I was still under their NCA. I said no and that I will seriously examine any NCA put in front of me even though they are meaningless. His response: "We honor their NCA and if you are under it we wont even attempt to find a fit until it expires"
So it dont matter what the law says if the companies are all on board with it.
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..usually. As another poster..posted, I dont mind software that makes *wise* use of resources. That said, as a Software QA dude (and Power user for far longer) I have noticed that the rapid expansion of cheap hardware resources have made developers and the programs created very lazy. Hard drives are littered with unnecessary files, memory efficiency is unheard of, etc. Every program acts like it is the only app being run. Most programs I encounter are like bad roommates. They consume resources they don't need or own (like a roommate drinking your last beer), they collide with other apps (like bad roommate arguing with your visitors and friends) and they dont clean up after themselves unless ordered to at gun-point (like...well yeah you get the idea) IMO, there would be far better quality in applications if devs had to make them work within a much smaller resource set *before* they were permitted to expand and use more resources. But then I wouldnt have so much fun detailing how a developers app/feature is "teh suck"
Hell, they should have purposely fed misinformation through that channel. Man, what fun could have been had. Such a missed opportunity. Hmm. Maybe I should set up a tracker site just as a honey pot for them.
Which security programs would you use? Which ones would you recommend to less tech-savvy friends and family? Assuming - The person is a "user" not power, super or otherwise having extra abilities or knowledge The machine is a windows pc (lets say XP for argument's sake) The user is willing to use what you recommend or install for a product price range of $0-$30US Thus far I have gone for the basic "freebie suite": AVG Free, Zone Alarm Free, Ad-Aware and Spybot. I also run these on my windows box so I am able to help if anyone has a question (about a dozen friends and family members)
I did a 5 week motorcycle trip last fall. If there is anything prone to gadgetry it is motorcycle touring. I tried to keep it to a minimum tho. Garmin 56cx. Not too big, not too small. Ruggedized. fits in a pocket. not a replacement for a paper map, but very useful. A one gig micro SD holds detailed maps and routing info for 2/3 of the US. Palm TX + Palm keyboard. Turned out to be far more useful than I had thought. I jotted notes, exchanged email and had an extensive list of contacts for folks on the road. With the wi-fi capability and the freebie 30 day trial with the Tmobile hotspot, I could let folks know where I was anytime and contact folks nearby when I needed a place to stop. It aint no laptop, but it packs down to the size of a paperback plus AC adaptor. SPeaking of which..if you are backpacking in the wilderness, the TX wont be very useful without AC outlets. Creative Zen jukebox - although the TX could store the music on SD cards, the controls are easier to manipulate on the Zen. I didnt use it that much. But making time through some of the flatter chunks of texas was less tedious. Canon Camera - despite being tossed in a tankbag and dropped repeatedly, it took great shots and kept working.
One thing folks havent pointed out (or maybe it was and I didnt spot it) there is a difference between enforcing no-competes in court and the actual practice. not long ago when I was shifting jobs I was contacted by a large contracting agency recruiter. He asked if I was still or recently had been working for another large contracting agency noted on my resume. He then asked if I was still under their NCA. I said no and that I will seriously examine any NCA put in front of me even though they are meaningless. His response: "We honor their NCA and if you are under it we wont even attempt to find a fit until it expires" So it dont matter what the law says if the companies are all on board with it.