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This message is intended for potential ZMail users only, if you are not a potential ZMail user, this message has reached you in error. If this is the case, please disregard this message. Click here to remove yourself from distribution of future ZMail announcements.
(Disclaimer: We will determine the exact features of ZMail at a later date. It will most likely involve having no email account, no internet access, and if at all possible, no computer.)
Well, I can at least say that my place of employment has changed out a few Windows servers for Linux. I know that in the grand scheme of things, it is not much, but for us it was a big move. We changed over four servers that had been running Windows 2000. The only purchase cost involved in the move was a distro of Linux because we (the IS staff) wanted to support the Linux world with company money. We already had the hardware, and the rest was our own labor, which isn't all that expensive around here.:/
Those four machines count for 20% of our servers. The rest are, at this time, not viable for migration due to either being locked into specific applications, or the expense of designing the custom applications we would need. So, we will be keeping an eye for future possible changes, but for now we are done switching server platforms.
Workstations on the other hand, we (the IS staff) would love to use Linux with Open Office. Unfortunately we have not been able to convince the execs that this is a good thing. We continue to work on that.
So, like I said, it isn't a lot, but if every sompany could replace 20% of their servers with Linux systems, that would be a hit that Microsoft would feel next time those systems don't get upgraded to "Windows Next (tm)". Sadly, there is no way to make the change hit Microsoft's cash flow right now. All we can do is deny money in the future. Well, that's better than not doing it. Hmm, by transferring the copies of Windows Server we had been using to another business unit, we are actually not giving money to Microsoft. I guess that counts.
From my own past experience, and speaking with Govt. employees, the rules for clearances at some contractors is more strict and exclusive than many govt jobs themselves.
I cannot attest to a security/intelligence agency, but more in the Defense Dept/military stuff.
I never held any security clearance, but my company had submitted me for the process. I quit the job (better opportunity) before the clearance process went anywhere beyond the paperwork.
Another great location, depending on your particular interests, is the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park area. Until December 31, 2003, they have an exhibit of skulls that is amazing. A friend of mine saw it recently, and he said it is very impressive. I hope to go see it as well.
You're welcome. We hope you enjoy your stay in our new province. Please be sure to pay your rent (taxes) on time, or we will be forced to evict you and place another tenant on the land to caretake it for us.
If you have any further comments, please direct them to our new Office of Yourlandisours, a local branch is located in every major metro area of each province we have acquired.
In 1999/2000 I worked at as a civilian contractor employed as network/desktop support at a Navy base. The company I worked for had been the contractor for a few years. The way things worked previously, each department at the base was responsible for its own support. Some used primarily government employees, some primarily contractors. In the network of over 2000 people, and around 8 departments, I was but one small fish for a department of around 300. We had 3 people from our company contracted, working for one government employed network manager.
We had that department working. We had that department happy (well, mostly).
When NMCI was coming, we saw the marketing of it. How it would solve everything, it would tie the entire Navy and Marine Corps into one seamless unified network. We didn't believe it. No one I spoke with in our department believed it. They would turn to us and ask "You guys are going to still support us, right?". We responded with "We have no idea". Because we honestly didn't. The worst part was... our base was to be one of the "pilot program" sites where it was to be implemented first. Everyone was so thrilled that they got to be the guinea pigs for such a large new plan.
Well, the company we were employed by tried to get into the NMCI contract. The team they were on lost to the EDS team. (There were 4 final teams for the contract award.) So they tried to get into the EDS team for the site work.
Well, with the end of the year 2000 approaching, the NMCI contract was awarded, our specific contract was extended to the end of the calendar year by the dept manager to cover the "transition" period, but we had no clue if we would have jobs after then. So I jumped overboard and swam for it. I got a new job.
I have heard through various people I know who are still involved out there (around where I live, you can't throw a rock without hitting someone who is involved with the Navy bases, it is very important to our region's economy.) Apparently no one is happy. Slow response time on support (computer crashing? we will come out next week some time, need a program installed for a new project? see you next week some time) is probably the biggest complaint. I can understand being busy, but causing your users to wait over a week to get a functional computer? That's just bad management/planning.
Anyway.. that's just my rant. I am so glad I got out of that place before it went into the dumpster.
jafac wrote: "I want my money back. I want my two hours back"
This forces me to ask the question... what movie did you go see? MiB2 was only about 70 minutes long!! That's 1 hour 10 minutes for the mathematically disinclined. It wasn't even long enough to be considered "feature length". That takes 90 minutes.
Sure, it is listed as having a running time of 85 minutes, but that includes the moronic "Chub Chubs" junk at the beginning. That isn't even a part of the actual film.
In case anyone is wondering, yes, I am disappointed in the length, I felt if they were going to give me half a movie, I should only have been charged half price.
I laughed a few times during this, but mostly, I just sat there wondering "why, oh God, why did I come see this??"
There was one bright point, I did enjoy the part where Agent Kay stuck his finger into the orb when they were in MIB headquarters, and subsequently caused the major disruptions to the contents thereof. That's about the best part of the movie. And that wasn't even real good. Just kinda funny.
All in all, my review would be summed up as: "Somewhat amusing, don't pay full price though."
Whoa now, I have to take exception to that "educate your users..." part.
I can vouch that we have tried at my office... REPEATEDLY.... to do just that. Some users just don't learn. After many attempts and incidents, they continue to open and execute every darn thing they are sent. These are usually the same people who send out all the "cute little utilities" that will run supposedly humorous animations and whatever. Sure, the next step would be some sort of administrative control/intervention, but as expected.. management (non-IT dept) is more interested in keeping people happy than in properly run systems. Our hands our tied.
As to the highly paid people on retainer.. maybe somewhere, but at my company, it's just us regular working stiffs who get to deal with this.
Of course, in our case... we run anti-virus on our mail system. Over 20 blocked messages so far. Not bad, but I expect a lot more before this runs its course.
Easiest way to handle this, as a site administrator, is what we do at work. Block all transmission of *.exe (among a few other known risky file types) on our mail server. It was a tough transition, lots of people complained, but the number viral incidents on our network has dropped to almost none. If they want to send or receive one of the blocked file types, all they need to do is zip it. Makes the sending/receiving of files a *conscious* process they have to think about. A painful and annoying activity for some, but they survive. Yes, that can still pass a virus, but the point is to catch the auto-mailed ones.
-Zzyzzx
-----
They have begun. For reference, check out the Navy Marine Corps Intranet contract .
As a IS worker who has recently left his government contracting job, largely due to this coming, I can say that the government is at least TRYING to do this. The contract basically gives all handling of computer and related tech to contractors. From providing the systems/hardware, to desktop support, to cell phones and PDAs. It has slowly begun to take effect. I jumped ship from my contractor company before it directly affected my job (which would be gone soon, due to this). I wasn't a captain.. no reason to stay aboard as the ship sank.:)
You are right about the gov. computer admins not coming in after hours and such. The one admin who was in charge of our department would regularly leave after his nice little 8 hour day (well... if 7 AM to 2 PM counts as 8 hours). Often we would be explaining to him the big problem we were in the middle of, and he would simply say somehting like "Wow, what a mess. Oh well, I will see you tomorrow."
Shortly before I left, we were in a mad rush to have a major project done, and one user needed a new machine which had been purchased and configured for him, to be set up on his desk and prepared for his use (NT Domain system.. users couldn't log in local, so we had to join the thing to the domain for him, etc.). Anyway, in the middle of this rush, our gov. admin tells the user "Nope, can't do it.. we are too busy.".. then our admin promptly returns to his game of solitaire.
This is not isolated, I am sure. The biggest problem with US gov jobs is that the employees are not fired. Once the initial 90-day evaluation period is passed, it pretty much takes commission of a felony crime to be dismissed. And even that isn't a sure thing. Employees who are not performing their job are not incompetant or failing to perform their duties. It is the job. The job is "not defined properly for the employee". In other words, the gov. needs to give them something more suited to their abilities. Like play-testing solitaire (from my own experience, this was a popular job task).
Now don't get me wrong, there are many government employees who do their job (and the jobs of their co-workers). However, it is the large amount of non-productive workers who are the problem. This is why the government has contractors. If the contractor does not perform, they can be replaced. Quickly (relatively).
Wow, I didn't mean for this to turn into a rant... guess I have more pent-up hostility about my former job than I thought. Time for some therapy... where is my baseball bat?
"A method by which any Biological Entity(1) is enabled to bring in Air(2) through an intake system for use in External Respiration(3). This system specifically precludes any system which is based solely upon Internal Respiration(4)."
(1) Biological entity is defined as a living being which uses any gaseous material as part of its required functions to live.
(2) Air is defined as any gaseous material used in external respiration, usually containing primarily Oxygen (O2) but not limited to this substance.
(3)External Respiration is defined as the exchange of gases between the external environment and a distributing system of the animal body (as the lungs of higher vertebrates or the tracheal tubes of insects) or between the alveoli of the lungs and the blood
(4) Internal Respiration, which is subject to US Patent # aabcbdxxf, is defined as the exchange of gases (such as oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the cells of the body and the blood by way of the fluid bathing the cells.
Thousands of People have become united in their disgust towards this movie. People across the U.S., and perhaps even the world, if they have seen it, are finding this movie to be horrible, and are agreeing with each other.
I can see it now... a hundred years from now, the Anti-BE Reform Party has struggled to the top, and becomes the first truly multi-national socio-political force, bringing about changes. Using BE as the rallying point, the party causes changes to the Hollywood system of Enforced Entertainment, allowing for more independant productions to be widely seen, fostering creativity in movie-making. Hollywood loses its iron grip on the movie industry (yes, worldwide... face it) and we see a Rennaisance in film.
This leads into more open ideas and thought among the people. Radical new ideas such as Free Speech and Freedom of Information gain ground and flourish as people realize they don't have to live their lives as zombies.
People begin to care about things besides money and possessions. People begin to care about each other. People start improving the quality of life for not only themselves, but their fellow human beings. People around the world unite into a One-World Government based on Fairness and Equality.
I can see it now.. a hundred years from now... we finally achieve a level of "humanity" which has never been reached before.
Reduction in crime and violence lead to happier people, which leads to a more productive people, which leads to better living conditions for all, which leads to less disease and hunger, which leads to more people... wait....
Now we have over-population.. which leads to hunger and famine.. poor living conditions...disease.. unhappiness.. violence and crime.. hmm...
I seem to recall that I saw a notice some time ago, around when Windows 2000 was being released, that MS was changing their licensing for their server type products. These changes specifically addressed the rise in internet-based network connections. Note, the Windows 2000 license stuff applies to "Authenticated Users".. so anon web browsing doesn't count (for your *cough* Windows 2000 web server *cough*).. but if your users actually log in to the site using server-based authentication, bingo... license time.
NT's licensing can be set up connection based, but this only applied to local LAN type connections. Under the new Windows 2000 server licensing, even connections through the internet (as MS states: for use of server services -- file/print/remote services) must be licensed. As stated in the original post, it is rather difficult to properly license your internet users, so MS made available general licenses to use their products on the internet. Thus, the Internet Connector License. A flat-rate license to allow your server product to accept internet connections. Otherwise known as the "Microsoft Gouging for More Money License".
As I recall, this was going to be a new standard deal from them. The Windows 2000 Pricing and Licensing FAQ has info on this. You can, of course, choose to license on a standard per-user basis for a smaller userlist.
The specific FAQ entry for the SQL connection is the last one, quoted here: Q: How does this license relate to Microsoft SQL Server? If I use server authentication with SQL Server, will I need a Windows 2000 Internet Connector as well as a Site Server Commerce Internet Connector? Yes, if SQL ServerTM is used in server authentication mode, then Windows 2000 CALs or Windows 2000 Internet Connector (for authenticated Internet applications) are required. If SQL Server is used in non-authenticated mode (in other words, does not use server authentication), then Windows 2000 CALs or an Internet Connector license is not required.
I understand and agree that these are Internet-centric computers, and that is exactly my point.
These devices do not teach children real computer skills, which will be needed when they enter the "real world" of the job market. They may not NEED to understand things like directory structures, but it would make using a regular computer for day-to-day business (email, documents, budget reports, etc.) a bit easier if they did know. Yet, there appears to be a push in the direction away from educating them on these topics. Things like MySQL and such will always be the domain of the "advanced" user. I am simply talking about having users who can answer questions like:
"Where did you save this month's report?" "Where did you save the budget for next year?"
Simple, basic stuff. Just to show what I mean, the usual answers I get to those questions are:
"In Word." "In Excel."
At this point, I begin the file search. (No, they didn't mean a directory named Word or Excel, they meant inside the program itself, they just don't know any better.)
Scary. At least to me. And it seems to be happening more and more often as companies bring more systems onto computers. We have new-hires coming right from college who don't know this, so it isn't just adults who have been working for 50 years and never needed it before.
These computers can be useful, providing nice email access and such, but are they really that good in the long run? Is this where computers are heading? If not, why are we arranging for our children to learn on these things, and not on real computers, which will undoubtedly have more challenging interfaces, will be more capable, and will also be more complex. As a network administrator, I see users who cannot understand the simple (in my mind) concept of a directory tree structure. Shouldn't we be focusing on teaching our kids how to use actual computers? Unless, this is where computers are heading. I like to think not, however the current trend appears to be simplification of computers, rather than education of users. I think those two are both needed, but they should meet in the middle somewhere. Whatever. Random mumblings from a lunatic, take them as you will.
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Announcing, the new ZMail service. You too can have your own ZMail!
Zmail is a revolutionary new service that will eliminate all Unsolicited Commerical Email (SPAM) from your communication. No more adds for viagra or cialis! No more adds for mortgage refinance! Sign up for ZMail today! ZMail costs only $99.99 (US) for a lifetime account.
This message is intended for potential ZMail users only, if you are not a potential ZMail user, this message has reached you in error. If this is the case, please disregard this message. Click here to remove yourself from distribution of future ZMail announcements.
(Disclaimer: We will determine the exact features of ZMail at a later date. It will most likely involve having no email account, no internet access, and if at all possible, no computer.)
-Zzyzzx
Greetings!!
:/
Well, I can at least say that my place of employment has changed out a few Windows servers for Linux. I know that in the grand scheme of things, it is not much, but for us it was a big move. We changed over four servers that had been running Windows 2000. The only purchase cost involved in the move was a distro of Linux because we (the IS staff) wanted to support the Linux world with company money. We already had the hardware, and the rest was our own labor, which isn't all that expensive around here.
Those four machines count for 20% of our servers. The rest are, at this time, not viable for migration due to either being locked into specific applications, or the expense of designing the custom applications we would need. So, we will be keeping an eye for future possible changes, but for now we are done switching server platforms.
Workstations on the other hand, we (the IS staff) would love to use Linux with Open Office. Unfortunately we have not been able to convince the execs that this is a good thing. We continue to work on that.
So, like I said, it isn't a lot, but if every sompany could replace 20% of their servers with Linux systems, that would be a hit that Microsoft would feel next time those systems don't get upgraded to "Windows Next (tm)". Sadly, there is no way to make the change hit Microsoft's cash flow right now. All we can do is deny money in the future. Well, that's better than not doing it. Hmm, by transferring the copies of Windows Server we had been using to another business unit, we are actually not giving money to Microsoft. I guess that counts.
-Z
Greetings!!
From my own past experience, and speaking with Govt. employees, the rules for clearances at some contractors is more strict and exclusive than many govt jobs themselves.
I cannot attest to a security/intelligence agency, but more in the Defense Dept/military stuff.
I never held any security clearance, but my company had submitted me for the process. I quit the job (better opportunity) before the clearance process went anywhere beyond the paperwork.
-Z
Another great location, depending on your particular interests, is the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park area. Until December 31, 2003, they have an exhibit of skulls that is amazing. A friend of mine saw it recently, and he said it is very impressive. I hope to go see it as well.
-Z
Greetings!!
Okay, when reading that line about the "Snoopified" menu bar, am I the only person who was thinking "What does Snoopy have to do with menu bars?".
Then I read the rest and realized just what this was referring to, but the damage is done. I want a Snoopy theme for my Mozilla.
And no, not that stupid snoop-dogg crap. That stuff needs to go away and leave the English language alone (it's messed up enough already!).
-Z
You're welcome. We hope you enjoy your stay in our new province. Please be sure to pay your rent (taxes) on time, or we will be forced to evict you and place another tenant on the land to caretake it for us.
If you have any further comments, please direct them to our new Office of Yourlandisours, a local branch is located in every major metro area of each province we have acquired.
Thank you for your submission to our dominance.
Citizen,
United States of Earth
Greetings!!
Quote:
"Any idea how to take Active Desktop out of windows?"
Answer:
You just have to take the windows off the desktop.
Greetings!!
... our base was to be one of the "pilot program" sites where it was to be implemented first. Everyone was so thrilled that they got to be the guinea pigs for such a large new plan.
.. that's just my rant. I am so glad I got out of that place before it went into the dumpster.
In 1999/2000 I worked at as a civilian contractor employed as network/desktop support at a Navy base. The company I worked for had been the contractor for a few years. The way things worked previously, each department at the base was responsible for its own support. Some used primarily government employees, some primarily contractors. In the network of over 2000 people, and around 8 departments, I was but one small fish for a department of around 300. We had 3 people from our company contracted, working for one government employed network manager.
We had that department working. We had that department happy (well, mostly).
When NMCI was coming, we saw the marketing of it. How it would solve everything, it would tie the entire Navy and Marine Corps into one seamless unified network. We didn't believe it. No one I spoke with in our department believed it. They would turn to us and ask "You guys are going to still support us, right?". We responded with "We have no idea". Because we honestly didn't. The worst part was
Well, the company we were employed by tried to get into the NMCI contract. The team they were on lost to the EDS team. (There were 4 final teams for the contract award.) So they tried to get into the EDS team for the site work.
Well, with the end of the year 2000 approaching, the NMCI contract was awarded, our specific contract was extended to the end of the calendar year by the dept manager to cover the "transition" period, but we had no clue if we would have jobs after then. So I jumped overboard and swam for it. I got a new job.
I have heard through various people I know who are still involved out there (around where I live, you can't throw a rock without hitting someone who is involved with the Navy bases, it is very important to our region's economy.) Apparently no one is happy. Slow response time on support (computer crashing? we will come out next week some time, need a program installed for a new project? see you next week some time) is probably the biggest complaint. I can understand being busy, but causing your users to wait over a week to get a functional computer? That's just bad management/planning.
Anyway
-Zzyzzx
Greetings!!
jafac wrote:
"I want my money back. I want my two hours back"
This forces me to ask the question... what movie did you go see? MiB2 was only about 70 minutes long!! That's 1 hour 10 minutes for the mathematically disinclined. It wasn't even long enough to be considered "feature length". That takes 90 minutes.
Sure, it is listed as having a running time of 85 minutes, but that includes the moronic "Chub Chubs" junk at the beginning. That isn't even a part of the actual film.
In case anyone is wondering, yes, I am disappointed in the length, I felt if they were going to give me half a movie, I should only have been charged half price.
I laughed a few times during this, but mostly, I just sat there wondering "why, oh God, why did I come see this??"
There was one bright point, I did enjoy the part where Agent Kay stuck his finger into the orb when they were in MIB headquarters, and subsequently caused the major disruptions to the contents thereof. That's about the best part of the movie. And that wasn't even real good. Just kinda funny.
All in all, my review would be summed up as:
"Somewhat amusing, don't pay full price though."
-Zzyzzx
Greetings!!
... REPEATEDLY .... to do just that. Some users just don't learn. After many attempts and incidents, they continue to open and execute every darn thing they are sent. These are usually the same people who send out all the "cute little utilities" that will run supposedly humorous animations and whatever. Sure, the next step would be some sort of administrative control/intervention, but as expected .. management (non-IT dept) is more interested in keeping people happy than in properly run systems. Our hands our tied.
... we run anti-virus on our mail system. Over 20 blocked messages so far. Not bad, but I expect a lot more before this runs its course.
Whoa now, I have to take exception to that "educate your users..." part.
I can vouch that we have tried at my office
As to the highly paid people on retainer.. maybe somewhere, but at my company, it's just us regular working stiffs who get to deal with this.
Of course, in our case
Greetings!!
Easiest way to handle this, as a site administrator, is what we do at work. Block all transmission of *.exe (among a few other known risky file types) on our mail server. It was a tough transition, lots of people complained, but the number viral incidents on our network has dropped to almost none. If they want to send or receive one of the blocked file types, all they need to do is zip it. Makes the sending/receiving of files a *conscious* process they have to think about. A painful and annoying activity for some, but they survive. Yes, that can still pass a virus, but the point is to catch the auto-mailed ones.
-Zzyzzx
-----
They have begun. For reference, check out the Navy Marine Corps Intranet contract . As a IS worker who has recently left his government contracting job, largely due to this coming, I can say that the government is at least TRYING to do this. The contract basically gives all handling of computer and related tech to contractors. From providing the systems/hardware, to desktop support, to cell phones and PDAs. It has slowly begun to take effect. I jumped ship from my contractor company before it directly affected my job (which would be gone soon, due to this). I wasn't a captain .. no reason to stay aboard as the ship sank. :)
You are right about the gov. computer admins not coming in after hours and such. The one admin who was in charge of our department would regularly leave after his nice little 8 hour day (well... if 7 AM to 2 PM counts as 8 hours). Often we would be explaining to him the big problem we were in the middle of, and he would simply say somehting like "Wow, what a mess. Oh well, I will see you tomorrow."
Shortly before I left, we were in a mad rush to have a major project done, and one user needed a new machine which had been purchased and configured for him, to be set up on his desk and prepared for his use (NT Domain system.. users couldn't log in local, so we had to join the thing to the domain for him, etc.). Anyway, in the middle of this rush, our gov. admin tells the user "Nope, can't do it .. we are too busy." .. then our admin promptly returns to his game of solitaire.
This is not isolated, I am sure. The biggest problem with US gov jobs is that the employees are not fired. Once the initial 90-day evaluation period is passed, it pretty much takes commission of a felony crime to be dismissed. And even that isn't a sure thing. Employees who are not performing their job are not incompetant or failing to perform their duties. It is the job. The job is "not defined properly for the employee". In other words, the gov. needs to give them something more suited to their abilities. Like play-testing solitaire (from my own experience, this was a popular job task).
Now don't get me wrong, there are many government employees who do their job (and the jobs of their co-workers). However, it is the large amount of non-productive workers who are the problem. This is why the government has contractors. If the contractor does not perform, they can be replaced. Quickly (relatively).
Wow, I didn't mean for this to turn into a rant... guess I have more pent-up hostility about my former job than I thought. Time for some therapy... where is my baseball bat?
Zzyzzx
Biological REspiration AuTomated Hematologic Enhancement
"A method by which any Biological Entity(1) is enabled to bring in Air(2) through an intake system for use in External Respiration(3). This system specifically precludes any system which is based solely upon Internal Respiration(4)."
(1) Biological entity is defined as a living being which uses any gaseous material as part of its required functions to live.
(2) Air is defined as any gaseous material used in external respiration, usually containing primarily Oxygen (O2) but not limited to this substance.
(3)External Respiration is defined as the exchange of gases between the external environment and a distributing system of the animal body (as the lungs of higher vertebrates or the tracheal tubes of insects) or between the alveoli of the lungs and the blood
(4) Internal Respiration, which is subject to US Patent # aabcbdxxf, is defined as the exchange of gases (such as oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the cells of the body and the blood by way of the fluid bathing the cells.
One good thing from this is:
....
.. which leads to hunger and famine.. poor living conditions ...disease.. unhappiness.. violence and crime.. hmm...
Thousands of People have become united in their disgust towards this movie. People across the U.S., and perhaps even the world, if they have seen it, are finding this movie to be horrible, and are agreeing with each other.
I can see it now... a hundred years from now, the Anti-BE Reform Party has struggled to the top, and becomes the first truly multi-national socio-political force, bringing about changes. Using BE as the rallying point, the party causes changes to the Hollywood system of Enforced Entertainment, allowing for more independant productions to be widely seen, fostering creativity in movie-making. Hollywood loses its iron grip on the movie industry (yes, worldwide... face it) and we see a Rennaisance in film.
This leads into more open ideas and thought among the people. Radical new ideas such as Free Speech and Freedom of Information gain ground and flourish as people realize they don't have to live their lives as zombies.
People begin to care about things besides money and possessions. People begin to care about each other. People start improving the quality of life for not only themselves, but their fellow human beings. People around the world unite into a One-World Government based on Fairness and Equality.
I can see it now.. a hundred years from now... we finally achieve a level of "humanity" which has never been reached before.
Reduction in crime and violence lead to happier people, which leads to a more productive people, which leads to better living conditions for all, which leads to less disease and hunger, which leads to more people... wait
Now we have over-population
I like 100 years from now.. but 200? Not so sure.
I seem to recall that I saw a notice some time ago, around when Windows 2000 was being released, that MS was changing their licensing for their server type products. These changes specifically addressed the rise in internet-based network connections. Note, the Windows 2000 license stuff applies to "Authenticated Users" .. so anon web browsing doesn't count (for your *cough* Windows 2000 web server *cough*) .. but if your users actually log in to the site using server-based authentication, bingo... license time.
NT's licensing can be set up connection based, but this only applied to local LAN type connections. Under the new Windows 2000 server licensing, even connections through the internet (as MS states: for use of server services -- file/print/remote services) must be licensed. As stated in the original post, it is rather difficult to properly license your internet users, so MS made available general licenses to use their products on the internet. Thus, the Internet Connector License. A flat-rate license to allow your server product to accept internet connections. Otherwise known as the "Microsoft Gouging for More Money License".
As I recall, this was going to be a new standard deal from them. The Windows 2000 Pricing and Licensing FAQ has info on this. You can, of course, choose to license on a standard per-user basis for a smaller userlist.
The specific FAQ entry for the SQL connection is the last one, quoted here:
Q: How does this license relate to Microsoft SQL Server? If I use server authentication with SQL Server, will I need a Windows 2000 Internet Connector as well as a Site Server Commerce Internet Connector?
Yes, if SQL ServerTM is used in server authentication mode, then Windows 2000 CALs or Windows 2000 Internet Connector (for authenticated Internet applications) are required. If SQL Server is used in non-authenticated mode (in other words, does not use server authentication), then Windows 2000 CALs or an Internet Connector license is not required.
Zzyzzx
I understand and agree that these are Internet-centric computers, and that is exactly my point.
These devices do not teach children real computer skills, which will be needed when they enter the "real world" of the job market. They may not NEED to understand things like directory structures, but it would make using a regular computer for day-to-day business (email, documents, budget reports, etc.) a bit easier if they did know. Yet, there appears to be a push in the direction away from educating them on these topics. Things like MySQL and such will always be the domain of the "advanced" user. I am simply talking about having users who can answer questions like:
"Where did you save this month's report?"
"Where did you save the budget for next year?"
Simple, basic stuff. Just to show what I mean, the usual answers I get to those questions are:
"In Word."
"In Excel."
At this point, I begin the file search. (No, they didn't mean a directory named Word or Excel, they meant inside the program itself, they just don't know any better.)
Scary. At least to me. And it seems to be happening more and more often as companies bring more systems onto computers. We have new-hires coming right from college who don't know this, so it isn't just adults who have been working for 50 years and never needed it before.
-Zzyzzx
These computers can be useful, providing nice email access and such, but are they really that good in the long run? Is this where computers are heading? If not, why are we arranging for our children to learn on these things, and not on real computers, which will undoubtedly have more challenging interfaces, will be more capable, and will also be more complex. As a network administrator, I see users who cannot understand the simple (in my mind) concept of a directory tree structure. Shouldn't we be focusing on teaching our kids how to use actual computers? Unless, this is where computers are heading. I like to think not, however the current trend appears to be simplification of computers, rather than education of users. I think those two are both needed, but they should meet in the middle somewhere. Whatever. Random mumblings from a lunatic, take them as you will.