Though I see Melissa as a "good laugh" at Microsoft's expense, that's not what matters. It hurt a lot of people, as all widespread virii do. But people tend to learn from pain. Hopefully, they will be a bit wiser about online society, and learn to avoid poor products such as MS Word.
We don't need automatic protection from this sort of thing. That's not feasible... Virii thrive on automated systems. What we need is education about how to protect ourselves, and how to fight back.
People will learn one way or another.. If they aren't informed about this sort of thing, they'll have to learn the hard way.
We commonly teach our children to "Just say no" and "don't talk to strangers", so they won't have to learn about the world the hard way. The same sorts of teachings are just as important in the online society too; why don't people see this?
The Linux movement isn't just about Linux. It's not just about open sources and free software. It's a major change in the way information is perceived, in a social and political (as well as technical, of course) sense.
Technology changes fast. But social issues take decades to change, and political movements can take hundreds of years. We can't seriously expect human culture to keep up with technology... but people like RMS can help speed things up, and make change less painful.
Information wants to be free! (but is the world ready to let go?)
I was lucky enough to get one of these during their short life on the market, and I love it! I had been looking for exactly this sort of thing for years.
Besides its 3-part, completely configurable design, I also like that it has two sets of arrow keys, and I can detach the numpad entirely if I don't want to use it. It's also handy being able to put things between the two halves, such as the mouse, papers, food, etc... And there's no Windows keys to get in the way while playing games during my occasional visit to Bill-land.
The only complaint I have is that the cords between sections aren't long enough. I want to do really weird stuff like hang one half from each side of my chair, or off the sides of my desk, so a 6-foot cord would be necessary.
Combined with nifty Dvorak drivers, it's some of the best money I ever spent.
Slashdot Mirror
We need stuff like this more often.. Geez, it's been a long time since I fell off my chair. :)
"...like having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick."
Though I see Melissa as a "good laugh" at Microsoft's expense, that's not what matters. It hurt a lot of people, as all widespread virii do. But people tend to learn from pain. Hopefully, they will be a bit wiser about online society, and learn to avoid poor products such as MS Word.
We don't need automatic protection from this sort of thing. That's not feasible... Virii thrive on automated systems. What we need is education about how to protect ourselves, and how to fight back.
People will learn one way or another.. If they aren't informed about this sort of thing, they'll have to learn the hard way.
We commonly teach our children to "Just say no" and "don't talk to strangers", so they won't have to learn about the world the hard way. The same sorts of teachings are just as important in the online society too; why don't people see this?
Slashdot-effect mailbombing someone is cruel and unusual punishment.. I like it! :)
The Linux movement isn't just about Linux. It's not just about open sources and free software. It's a major change in the way information is perceived, in a social and political (as well as technical, of course) sense.
Technology changes fast. But social issues take decades to change, and political movements can take hundreds of years. We can't seriously expect human culture to keep up with technology... but people like RMS can help speed things up, and make change less painful.
Information wants to be free! (but is the world ready to let go?)
I was lucky enough to get one of these during their short life on the market, and I love it! I had been looking for exactly this sort of thing for years.
Besides its 3-part, completely configurable design, I also like that it has two sets of arrow keys, and I can detach the numpad entirely if I don't want to use it. It's also handy being able to put things between the two halves, such as the mouse, papers, food, etc... And there's no Windows keys to get in the way while playing games during my occasional visit to Bill-land.
The only complaint I have is that the cords between sections aren't long enough. I want to do really weird stuff like hang one half from each side of my chair, or off the sides of my desk, so a 6-foot cord would be necessary.
Combined with nifty Dvorak drivers, it's some of the best money I ever spent.