IBM did not move for dismissal, to the surprise of some observers. My theory is that IBM thinks they have SCO on the run, and want to make sure there is nothing left of them but a glowing crater when this is all done.
Party in Utah when all this is over dudes. I'll bring the marshmallows.
Re:Lets hope that the result is progress
on
Google v. Microsoft
·
· Score: 1
My point was their first two results seemed to be advertisements for companies that had paid for their spots. I wouldn't call that fair and comprehensive.
In fairness though yes it has improved. I just don't think it will move too far away from being another "Product", "Value-Add", "Potential Avenue for Revenue" or whatever.
Cheers Stor
p.s. Google has ads too, yes but they've been a bit clever about it: the ads don't tend to be mixed in with the search results but rather sit in their own little boxes on the RHS.
When I worked at a university computer lab, I had the lab supervisor tell me that it was SAFER to work with the machine when it was plugged in, because that kept it grounded.
Yeah someone else has replied to this correctly but I thought I better chime in:
He was correct back then. Today's x86 machines have their motherboards powered even when the machine is "powered down" so you need to unplug the power from the mains:(
Yeah I reckon it sucks a bit too.
Cheers Stor
Re:Lets hope that the result is progress
on
Google v. Microsoft
·
· Score: 5, Interesting
a. Go to http://search.msn.com b. Type in the keywork "linux" c. Click "Search" d. Examine the top 2 results:
1. Buy Linux software at the Amazon.com software store.
2. Find great deals on Linux software and accessories. Also find millions of other items in over 18,000 categories.
It was even funnier a few months ago: one of the top search results was some "migrating from Linux to Windows" article.
Microsoft's search engine will undoubtedly be geared towards selling their products and the products of businesses that have a strategic alliance with Microsoft. Doesn't sound like a comprtehensive tool to me.
This seems to be the best explanation of this oddity.
I quote Tim Connors:
AFAIK the definition of jump scrolling is that if xterm is falling behind, it jumps. Jump scrolling is enabled by default.
What this slowness means is that xterm is getting CPU at just the right moments that it isn't falling behind, so it doesn't jump - which means X gets all the CPU to redraw, which means your ls/dmesg anything else that reads from disk[1] doesn't get any CPU.
Xterm is already functioning as designed - you can't force jump scrolling to jump more - it is at the mercy of how it gets scheduled. If there is nothing more in the pipe to draw, it has to draw.
These bloody interactive changes to make X more responsive are at the expense of anything that does *real* work.
[1] Others say that it only affects them first time through - after something is cached, it goes back to normal speed. For me - it is slow *all* the time. If I pipe it to cat or tail or something, it is a *lot* quicker.
I find the desktop generally a bit more responsive. The mouse feels a lot smoother under 2.6 for one thing.
I _really_ notice the responsiveness, though when I start up a I/O-hungry job on one workspace, switch to another workspace and continue working.
With 2.4, the background job would tend to starve the system of resources, making the mouse jerky and windows unresponsive. With 2.6, often I forget I'm running the background job.
This is FC-1, 2.6.1 vanilla with modules, preemption ON. Measuring device (my perception) may not be accurate, but I'm not going back.
Our refrigerator at work doesn't have a freezer. Yeah I know, I couldn't believe it either when I first opened it.
After reading your post, the penny has dropped. I have a really smart boss.
I guess you were indirectly referring to the "liquid nitorgen" incident?
From he article:
51 I say, Nigel, you look like you're freezing your bum off. In January, British radio station BRMB is fined 15,000 for holding a contest in which entrants are challenged to see who can sit on a block of ice the longest, with the winner getting free concert tickets. The station got the idea from a New Zealand website, but unlike the Kiwis, the Brits use dry ice, which, at -109 degrees Fahrenheit, is unkind to human flesh. Three participants are hospitalized.
That one wins imnsho. That's definitely one of the dumbest incidents I have ever heard reported. I can't believe that noone at the station thought this was dangerous. This is primary school science class stuff.
I wonder if he ever annoys himself when he picks on his employees.
Heh, I do. I'm constantly self-deprecating:
"Stor, you _knew_ that thing had to be done by _this time_ and it _had_ to be correct. But it's 11.07am and it's still spewing out errors under certain conditions. What's the fucking story?"
Then I get resentful towards my harsher self: "Shuddup and let me work on this thing! You're really not helping!"
Then I beat my head against the monitor until the voices go away. It's all good.
Wierd thing I've noticed is colleages at work are not whinging to me about technical problems as often.
1. Static electricity is a potential problem. You should have have carpet in a server room, or a workbench area. But this is a minor point.
You should NOT have carpet in a server room. That's what you were saying yes?
The rubber soles of your shoes, rubbing on the carpet will generate static. I have seen people kill CPUs and other equipment this way.
When you work on computers/network equipment you should use a static strap. If you're not using a static strap while you install that new interface in the router, I won't be able to help myself: I WILL yell at you.
You also need climate control and temperature monitoring. Depending on the size of the installation you should have a raised floor, decent racks, patch panels for ethernet and conduit for all cabling.
Of course your home PC is another matter. You SHOULD use a static strap but - speaking for myself as a fairly full-on geek - that's just too geeky. BUT you should in the very least discharge static by: 1. Plugging the machine into the wall power. 2. Touching an unpainted section of the case.
Then unplug the machine when you want to start working on it. Oh yeah, this is all *before* you pull that shiny new video card out of it's anti-static bag, which you have on hand because walking across the carpeted room to get the video card will generate static (duh).
Hey nothing's perfect, even Linux itself but we still use it.
You can criticise a product that you use: that's not hypocritical.
For instance I don't like the amount of pollution car's cause but I can't do without one: there's no compelling alternative available. That's why I bought a 1.6L 4cyl small car. I don't think it's hypocritical of me to not approve of the emissions coming out of my car: as soon as an affordable alternative (hydrogen/elec engine, anyone) I'll switch.
A geek on/. suggesting that we waste bandwidth in order to artifically inflate KPIs.
*Ren voice* What's gotten in to you man?
Cheers Stor
Re:It's another case against OS monoculture
on
More MyDoom Gloom
·
· Score: 1
I thought that was interesting.
Not sure about the accuracy of the simulation though, for one thing the author states:
every infected machine would attempt to infect one other machine chosen at random.
Did they try this with machines attacking multiple targets at random? The results may be similar to what the author found (i.e. little difference between monoculture and diversity) but it would be a good idea to test that, yeah? Worms don't usually stop trying to infect other machines after one attempt.
He also states that the simulation modelled a "perfect network" that won't be congested by the virus. Sure that's cool but I'd also be interested in seeing the results when more accurate representation of a network is used.
While i'm at it, there's nothing about RECOVERY in that document. When a worm spreads we want a decent percentage of machines to not be susceptible while we work on fixing the broken ones. It is possible that key internet infrastructure could be rendered practically unusable for a period but it will be a lot easier to deal with spotfires than one huge bushfire.
That's great until you find there's a bug in your program: like, say, it doesn't check whether the "hidden dir" on the server is full before starting the delete operation...
Yeah I must admit the Queen (bless her) seems to be handing out Knighthood like the USPTO awards patents. I mean seriously, Mick Jagger? Sure he's an impressively successful rock musician but what has he protected the British Empire from? All he's done is prove that rock-star druggies need not die before they hit 40.
Bill Gates? A shining example of a man who selflessly does good for the British Empire? hmm?
Seems "Knighthood" has become an "extra prize" for anyone who is already hugely successful and massively rewarded. Heh, you don't even have to be English. The conservatives in England must be going insane.
I'm thinking of writing to the Queen requesting Knighthood for the dodgy POS Perl script I just wrote.
I agree mostly. I have helped more people (all for free) than I can remember. I still do. When others charge, I just do the work for free. To me, "doing someone a favour" is a lot more rewarding than "doing a job".
You need to be a bit careful though and ensure that those you're helping appreciate the time you're taking out of your life to help with their latest computer problem.
I have had people call me up and say "I've got this friend. He wants to buy a computer but isn't sure which one he should get. Can you call him?" I've had to refuse: I only have a mobile phone with *astronomical* charges (Sales dude called me, I was stoopid... I still can't believe I was suckered in again). If I called some stranger about his/her computer requirements it will cost me a lot of money.
Actually I've got a million stories like the above: I've had people screaming at me because their computer is broken and I'M NOT THERE FIXING IT. Some people don't understand that I have a life of my own and I don't enjoy fixing other people's computers. Isn't it funny how some people think "He's good with computers and uses them a lot: he must enjoy fixing random computer problems"
We don't _enjoy_ it, it's just that we _can_ fix the problem.
There's no need to be an asshole but don't be a doormat either: you'll end up resenting the people you help, which is really problematic when those people are/were your friends. Knowing where to draw the line is an important skill.
Oh btw I've only lost one friend over issues such as the above: he wanted me to set up an entire network for a bunch of soho-hub owning gamer kids on a Friday night for free when I _needed_ to see my girlfriend (I would have lost her otherwise). When I told him "Sorry I can't do that buddy, I have to see my girlfriend" he went ballistic, telling me that I had *promised* to do this and that they would be lost without me. I felt terrible at first, then resentful as I realised he didn't appreciate my time at all.
SCO can do absolutely anything they want. Lie, steal, commit slander and fraud. There are no repercussions.
The linux community, meanwhile, has to be absolutely perfect and saintlike and have not a single user do anything that could be interpreted as unethical, or they get blasted as scary anarchists.
Absolutely. It's the price you pay for being a superior human being.
Or do you believe that because there are theives in the world, it's OK for you to be one?
Slashdot Mirror
I loved Labyrinth.
You're dead right though: Bowie was wearing rude pants. Bowie himself wouldn't be able to deny that.
I must have blocked it out. All those glam bands wearing similar stuff must have desensitized me.
"You remind me of the babe..."
Cheers
Stor
IBM did not move for dismissal, to the surprise of some observers. My theory is that IBM thinks they have SCO on the run, and want to make sure there is nothing left of them but a glowing crater when this is all done.
Party in Utah when all this is over dudes. I'll bring the marshmallows.
Cheers
Stor
After all, who needs a bug to d0s someone from the face of the earth?
/.
Exactly. All it takes is a fractal on the Google homepage or a link from
Cheers
Stor
Yeah that's it man,
With friends like these, who needs viruses?
Cheers
Stor
My point was their first two results seemed to be advertisements for companies that had paid for their spots. I wouldn't call that fair and comprehensive.
In fairness though yes it has improved. I just don't think it will move too far away from being another "Product", "Value-Add", "Potential Avenue for Revenue" or whatever.
Cheers
Stor
p.s. Google has ads too, yes but they've been a bit clever about it: the ads don't tend to be mixed in with the search results but rather sit in their own little boxes on the RHS.
Yeah someone else has replied to this correctly but I thought I better chime in:
He was correct back then. Today's x86 machines have their motherboards powered even when the machine is "powered down" so you need to unplug the power from the mains
Yeah I reckon it sucks a bit too.
Cheers
Stor
a. Go to http://search.msn.com
b. Type in the keywork "linux"
c. Click "Search"
d. Examine the top 2 results:
1. Buy Linux software at the Amazon.com software store.
2. Find great deals on Linux software and accessories. Also find millions of other items in over 18,000 categories.
It was even funnier a few months ago: one of the top search results was some "migrating from Linux to Windows" article.
Microsoft's search engine will undoubtedly be geared towards selling their products and the products of businesses that have a strategic alliance with Microsoft. Doesn't sound like a comprtehensive tool to me.
Cheers
Stor
...and all the infected machines blew themselves out of existence.
I like the sound of that: millions of windows boxes simultaneously commit suicide. 8)
Cheers
Stor
for a long, long time, Linux kernel performance really WASN'T all that it was hyped up to be by Slashdotters.
*jaw drops* No... way!
Cheers
Stor
This seems to be the best explanation of this oddity.
I quote Tim Connors:
There's a few flames in that thread
Cheers
Stor
I find the desktop generally a bit more responsive. The mouse feels a lot smoother under 2.6 for one thing.
I _really_ notice the responsiveness, though when I start up a I/O-hungry job on one workspace, switch to another workspace and continue working.
With 2.4, the background job would tend to starve the system of resources, making the mouse jerky and windows unresponsive. With 2.6, often I forget I'm running the background job.
This is FC-1, 2.6.1 vanilla with modules, preemption ON. Measuring device (my perception) may not be accurate, but I'm not going back.
Cheers
Stor
Duh of course. Brain-fart. I better not start any competitions today.
Cheers
Stor
That would have been funnier if your alias was "Dr Evil's Father"
Cheers
Stor
Our refrigerator at work doesn't have a freezer. Yeah I know, I couldn't believe it either when I first opened it.
After reading your post, the penny has dropped. I have a really smart boss.
I guess you were indirectly referring to the "liquid nitorgen" incident?
From he article:
51 I say, Nigel, you look like you're freezing your bum off.
In January, British radio station BRMB is fined 15,000 for holding a contest in which entrants are challenged to see who can sit on a block of ice the longest, with the winner getting free concert tickets. The station got the idea from a New Zealand website, but unlike the Kiwis, the Brits use dry ice, which, at -109 degrees Fahrenheit, is unkind to human flesh. Three participants are hospitalized.
That one wins imnsho. That's definitely one of the dumbest incidents I have ever heard reported. I can't believe that noone at the station thought this was dangerous. This is primary school science class stuff.
Cheers
Stor
I wonder if he ever annoys himself when he picks on his employees.
Heh, I do. I'm constantly self-deprecating:
"Stor, you _knew_ that thing had to be done by _this time_ and it _had_ to be correct. But it's 11.07am and it's still spewing out errors under certain conditions. What's the fucking story?"
Then I get resentful towards my harsher self: "Shuddup and let me work on this thing! You're really not helping!"
Then I beat my head against the monitor until the voices go away. It's all good.
Wierd thing I've noticed is colleages at work are not whinging to me about technical problems as often.
Cheers
Stor
1. Static electricity is a potential problem. You should have have carpet in a server room, or a workbench area. But this is a minor point.
You should NOT have carpet in a server room. That's what you were saying yes?
The rubber soles of your shoes, rubbing on the carpet will generate static. I have seen people kill CPUs and other equipment this way.
When you work on computers/network equipment you should use a static strap. If you're not using a static strap while you install that new interface in the router, I won't be able to help myself: I WILL yell at you.
You also need climate control and temperature monitoring. Depending on the size of the installation you should have a raised floor, decent racks, patch panels for ethernet and conduit for all cabling.
Of course your home PC is another matter. You SHOULD use a static strap but - speaking for myself as a fairly full-on geek - that's just too geeky. BUT you should in the very least discharge static by:
1. Plugging the machine into the wall power.
2. Touching an unpainted section of the case.
Then unplug the machine when you want to start working on it. Oh yeah, this is all *before* you pull that shiny new video card out of it's anti-static bag, which you have on hand because walking across the carpeted room to get the video card will generate static (duh).
I love floorboards. Carpet sucks.
Cheers
Stor
Hey nothing's perfect, even Linux itself but we still use it.
You can criticise a product that you use: that's not hypocritical.
For instance I don't like the amount of pollution car's cause but I can't do without one: there's no compelling alternative available. That's why I bought a 1.6L 4cyl small car. I don't think it's hypocritical of me to not approve of the emissions coming out of my car: as soon as an affordable alternative (hydrogen/elec engine, anyone) I'll switch.
Cheers
Stor
My word.
/. suggesting that we waste bandwidth in order to artifically inflate KPIs.
A geek on
*Ren voice* What's gotten in to you man?
Cheers
Stor
I thought that was interesting.
Not sure about the accuracy of the simulation though, for one thing the author states:
every infected machine would attempt to infect one other machine chosen at random.
Did they try this with machines attacking multiple targets at random? The results may be similar to what the author found (i.e. little difference between monoculture and diversity) but it would be a good idea to test that, yeah? Worms don't usually stop trying to infect other machines after one attempt.
He also states that the simulation modelled a "perfect network" that won't be congested by the virus. Sure that's cool but I'd also be interested in seeing the results when more accurate representation of a network is used.
While i'm at it, there's nothing about RECOVERY in that document. When a worm spreads we want a decent percentage of machines to not be susceptible while we work on fixing the broken ones. It is possible that key internet infrastructure could be rendered practically unusable for a period but it will be a lot easier to deal with spotfires than one huge bushfire.
Cheers
Stor
Someone found that at linux.conf.au and showed Linus.
Linus' response: "I'm so proud"
Cheers
Stor
That's great until you find there's a bug in your program: like, say, it doesn't check whether the "hidden dir" on the server is full before starting the delete operation...
Cheers
Stor
Yeah I must admit the Queen (bless her) seems to be handing out Knighthood like the USPTO awards patents. I mean seriously, Mick Jagger? Sure he's an impressively successful rock musician but what has he protected the British Empire from? All he's done is prove that rock-star druggies need not die before they hit 40.
Bill Gates? A shining example of a man who selflessly does good for the British Empire? hmm?
Seems "Knighthood" has become an "extra prize" for anyone who is already hugely successful and massively rewarded. Heh, you don't even have to be English. The conservatives in England must be going insane.
I'm thinking of writing to the Queen requesting Knighthood for the dodgy POS Perl script I just wrote.
Cheers
Stor
I agree mostly. I have helped more people (all for free) than I can remember. I still do. When others charge, I just do the work for free. To me, "doing someone a favour" is a lot more rewarding than "doing a job".
You need to be a bit careful though and ensure that those you're helping appreciate the time you're taking out of your life to help with their latest computer problem.
I have had people call me up and say "I've got this friend. He wants to buy a computer but isn't sure which one he should get. Can you call him?" I've had to refuse: I only have a mobile phone with *astronomical* charges (Sales dude called me, I was stoopid... I still can't believe I was suckered in again). If I called some stranger about his/her computer requirements it will cost me a lot of money.
Actually I've got a million stories like the above: I've had people screaming at me because their computer is broken and I'M NOT THERE FIXING IT. Some people don't understand that I have a life of my own and I don't enjoy fixing other people's computers. Isn't it funny how some people think "He's good with computers and uses them a lot: he must enjoy fixing random computer problems"
We don't _enjoy_ it, it's just that we _can_ fix the problem.
There's no need to be an asshole but don't be a doormat either: you'll end up resenting the people you help, which is really problematic when those people are/were your friends. Knowing where to draw the line is an important skill.
Oh btw I've only lost one friend over issues such as the above: he wanted me to set up an entire network for a bunch of soho-hub owning gamer kids on a Friday night for free when I _needed_ to see my girlfriend (I would have lost her otherwise). When I told him "Sorry I can't do that buddy, I have to see my girlfriend" he went ballistic, telling me that I had *promised* to do this and that they would be lost without me. I felt terrible at first, then resentful as I realised he didn't appreciate my time at all.
Cheers
Stor
Why don't we just jump straight to Linux Enterprise 8i? Then people could be like, "Hey! They've got an Internet-enabled Linux now?".
Cheers
Stor
SCO can do absolutely anything they want. Lie, steal, commit slander and fraud. There are no repercussions.
The linux community, meanwhile, has to be absolutely perfect and saintlike and have not a single user do anything that could be interpreted as unethical, or they get blasted as scary anarchists.
Absolutely. It's the price you pay for being a superior human being.
Or do you believe that because there are theives in the world, it's OK for you to be one?
Cheers
Stor