And if you just define it as 'locate, select' then you're right, that's not enough to do something useful. But once you've done those two operations, the filesystem no longer enters the equation. It is no longer a distraction.
If you define it as using standard Unix tools like awk, grep, sed, vi, cut, paste, join, split, tee, etc., then there are plenty useful things you can do on a computer, just 'handling' files.
I think the whole 'the filesystem is a distraction' line is really just a distraction.
The main problem I see with creative tasks and the Unix way is that it constantly forces the user to interact with the file system, which can be a needless distraction.
A needless distraction from what? One of the beauties of Unix is that everything is a file, hence once the user knows how to handle files, they know how to handle everything. "Interacting with the file system" is just a long way of saying "using the computer". So, needless distraction from what?
The implication being that it's a free for all in animals.
I don't really want to go hunting for the link, but there's some woman in the States breeds cats with deformed legs which prevents them walking normally. She calls them 'flippies' or something because that's how they move about. People buy them for their novelty value, apparently. That's eugenics, with a peculiar definition of 'best'. You might not think there are political issues with that, I do.
Yep, I've thought for a long time that the anti-virus software companies have a lot to be gained by writing viruses themselves (I'm using a loose definition of the word 'virus' here).
A few years ago I was perusing the virus database of a large anti-virus company. They categorised virii in various ways, and one of the attributes was where it had been found. The majority were 'laboratory only'.
Now, what does that mean? If it's only been found in the 'laboratory', then it must have been created there.
I'd be delighted if someone who knows can enlighten me as to what 'laboratory only' really means.
And, yes, vulnerable setuid executables can be run by local users to compromise the system in such that unauthorized remote administration is possible. This can happen either through the user's evil intentions or by a trojan.
However, last time I looked, the user requires root privileges to make the file setuid root. And you can't copy setuid root files from one place to another as a non-priveleged user whilst retaining the setuid bit.
So no, this bit is not a concern when combined with trojans, given reasonably normal security practices.
Indeed. We need a "rich tapestry" of business models based around free software so that evolution can take care of progress.
In that context, I don't mind seeing the passing of 'service and support', if that is to happen.
I am not yet convinced it will though. One of the problems I had with Great Bridge was that they don't operate from my country... hard to explain to your local PHB that your 'service and support' is based across the Atlantic. Otherwise, I might have been able to sort out a contract with them. I don't know of a UK based alternative. I think 'global' or at least 'nice bits of global' might be an idea.
I never liked Caldera, and don't really care that they are gone. They were half-hearted about Free Software / Open Source and I could never understand why they stayed around.
Great Bridge on the other hand is probably a real loss. They stood for the Service & Support business model. I shed a tear.
While I agree with your sentiments about copyright, I am confused about your logic in not applying similar reasoning to trademarks (and presumably other forms of intellectual 'property').
If trademark duplication can diminish reputation, and this makes such duplication undesirable, surely copyright violation can diminish the copyright-holders reputation too (if, for example, the copyrighted work was modified to include inaccuracies, or otherwise subverted). Additionally, copyright violation can certainly reduce the copyright holder's income from said work. Is income to be held to lower value than reputation?
You say that copyright is government-sanctioned theft from the commons of thought. Are trademarks not government-sanctioned theft from the commons of imagery, or 'devices'?
And where do you stand on patents?
As I said, I don't necessarily disagree but I'm always on the lookout for good arguments for and against "IP", and perhaps you have some.
Re:they say cut back, we say FIGHT BACK!
on
HP Buys Compaq
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· Score: 1
HP and Compaq Intel boxes are not the same as 'commodity PCs'. They tend to have features which make them very 'enterprise' friendly - hot swap components on servers, screwdriver-free maintenance on desktops. Street-corner clone-builders working with cheap Taiwanese components can't do this.
Additionally, both companies have large corporate-wide installations with many companies. Big corps like standardisation on decent hardware with good support contracts. Again, your clone-builders can't do this.
I'm not saying that the HP and Compaqs of this world always make good products, just that for QA, support and 'enterprise' features, you don't really have much choice.
As for loyalty or concern, HP have a long history of tech innovation and, probably up until the Agilent spin off, were a 'cool' place to work, i.e. I'd have joined if I had the chance. Compaq... well, first real challengers to IBM in the PC industry.
I take your point about viruses, but privacy and freedom? Desire for those is just a side-effect of being humble individuals. Borg members will have no such flaws.
Re:But the only problem is...
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Working Nerve Chip
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· Score: 0, Offtopic
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That depends on your definition of 'handle'.
And if you just define it as 'locate, select' then you're right, that's not enough to do something useful. But once you've done those two operations, the filesystem no longer enters the equation. It is no longer a distraction.
If you define it as using standard Unix tools like awk, grep, sed, vi, cut, paste, join, split, tee, etc., then there are plenty useful things you can do on a computer, just 'handling' files.
I think the whole 'the filesystem is a distraction' line is really just a distraction.
Maybe you just need a better filing system. I was going to recommend a system to you, but mine stinks too. I keep running out of drawers.
Anyone out there got a really good filing system, either real world or computer-based?
The main problem I see with creative tasks and the Unix way is that it constantly forces the user to interact with the file system, which can be a needless distraction.
A needless distraction from what? One of the beauties of Unix is that everything is a file, hence once the user knows how to handle files, they know how to handle everything. "Interacting with the file system" is just a long way of saying "using the computer". So, needless distraction from what?
Such evidence is called "circumstantial" and you can't find someone guilty based on circumstantial evidence.
That's called "giving in to terrorism" and is not de rigeur.
Eugenics presents political problems in humans.
The implication being that it's a free for all in animals.
I don't really want to go hunting for the link, but there's some woman in the States breeds cats with deformed legs which prevents them walking normally. She calls them 'flippies' or something because that's how they move about. People buy them for their novelty value, apparently. That's eugenics, with a peculiar definition of 'best'. You might not think there are political issues with that, I do.
Just take up one of those Leatherman multitools, or a Victorinox knife...
With one of those, you could just blast the ISS out of space and forget about the wrench/screwdriver...
one of those machines could cut down on the amount of "extra" items that need to be shipped to the ISS
Yes, but you still need to take the raw material (ABS) to the ISS... once matter itself becomes zero-cost-copy then things will change...
Yep, I've thought for a long time that the anti-virus software companies have a lot to be gained by writing viruses themselves (I'm using a loose definition of the word 'virus' here).
A few years ago I was perusing the virus database of a large anti-virus company. They categorised virii in various ways, and one of the attributes was where it had been found. The majority were 'laboratory only'.
Now, what does that mean? If it's only been found in the 'laboratory', then it must have been created there.
I'd be delighted if someone who knows can enlighten me as to what 'laboratory only' really means.
No it won't, because those 'shills' (whatever that means) are still right.
However, last time I looked, the user requires root privileges to make the file setuid root. And you can't copy setuid root files from one place to another as a non-priveleged user whilst retaining the setuid bit.
So no, this bit is not a concern when combined with trojans, given reasonably normal security practices.
Sure, they're not, but I wouldn't mind too much if they were :-)
Of course I care about their employees and so on, just as I would worry about Microsoft's employees if they were to go down the tubes.
Caldera has SCO-type ways to make money. Frankly that is not relevant to my life in any way, shape or form and I'm thankful for it.
In that context, I don't mind seeing the passing of 'service and support', if that is to happen.
I am not yet convinced it will though. One of the problems I had with Great Bridge was that they don't operate from my country... hard to explain to your local PHB that your 'service and support' is based across the Atlantic. Otherwise, I might have been able to sort out a contract with them. I don't know of a UK based alternative. I think 'global' or at least 'nice bits of global' might be an idea.
I never liked Caldera, and don't really care that they are gone. They were half-hearted about Free Software / Open Source and I could never understand why they stayed around.
Great Bridge on the other hand is probably a real loss. They stood for the Service & Support business model. I shed a tear.
And you are a troll.
Damn, you beat me to it.
Here's the correct link for those who'd like to register before they read the article.
If trademark duplication can diminish reputation, and this makes such duplication undesirable, surely copyright violation can diminish the copyright-holders reputation too (if, for example, the copyrighted work was modified to include inaccuracies, or otherwise subverted). Additionally, copyright violation can certainly reduce the copyright holder's income from said work. Is income to be held to lower value than reputation?
You say that copyright is government-sanctioned theft from the commons of thought. Are trademarks not government-sanctioned theft from the commons of imagery, or 'devices'?
And where do you stand on patents?
As I said, I don't necessarily disagree but I'm always on the lookout for good arguments for and against "IP", and perhaps you have some.
HP and Compaq Intel boxes are not the same as 'commodity PCs'. They tend to have features which make them very 'enterprise' friendly - hot swap components on servers, screwdriver-free maintenance on desktops. Street-corner clone-builders working with cheap Taiwanese components can't do this.
Additionally, both companies have large corporate-wide installations with many companies. Big corps like standardisation on decent hardware with good support contracts. Again, your clone-builders can't do this.
I'm not saying that the HP and Compaqs of this world always make good products, just that for QA, support and 'enterprise' features, you don't really have much choice.
As for loyalty or concern, HP have a long history of tech innovation and, probably up until the Agilent spin off, were a 'cool' place to work, i.e. I'd have joined if I had the chance. Compaq... well, first real challengers to IBM in the PC industry.
Yeah, I've thought about that for years too... then the Matrix came out... and now the dream looks more like a nightmare.
Readers of Carlos Castaneda's books should probably sympathise.
I take your point about viruses, but privacy and freedom? Desire for those is just a side-effect of being humble individuals. Borg members will have no such flaws.
Um... informative?
I laughed, but I was not informed. Moderators?
Oh look! Slashdot just let me change their page!
As far as violating clause 6 of the OSS definition, that's really a matter of perception
Um.. no... as I read the OSD, the SPL meets neither clause 1 nor clause 6. And I don't see where it comes into being a matter of perception.
Not open source. Therefore closed source.