I don't think it's so much a case of liking free-loading as not liking having to shell out lots of cash for software that is poorly written (you know what I'm talking about). Mandrake 9.1 however, is a well done distro - I've been using it since RC1. I can safely say really wouldn't mind paying for it and have just joined the Mandrake Club, since I think these guys have EARNED my support.
is that people will go about quoting the numbers that please them until there is solid evidence to the contrary (and even then some won't stop).
I am an avid Linux supporter. Right now my guess is that Windows does outnumber Linux. Why? Because we're talking home user and:
FACT : Majority of home users are near computer ignorant FACT : Linux is not an OS for the computer ignorant FACT : Put those two together and it makes sense that most home users have windows.
Now I dont have a doubt that most servers run some flavor of Linux, but that's not the point! Why? Because the largest number of machines (the largest potential market) is for home users.
So what do we have now? The question : Is Linux suitable for the home? My personal answer is "not for someone who is comp ignorant"
This boils down to the question of Linux user friendliness and I must say it has been improving a LOT in the last months - KDE 3.1 and mozilla are great examples.
I think it will take about 2 to 3 years and then you won't need numbers to tell you more people are using Linux because you'll see the fact for your own eyes. I personally think this will hinge on Linux game support and I do see a lot more support for games on Linux if OpenGL 2.0 kicks off.
To be honest though, we do need an opensource equivalent to DirectX.
Until then, I'll say there are more windows machines in the homes and rightly so.
Games don't use the windows registry at all, or they use temporary registry settings if necessary. All configuration info is kept on the CD. The game is essentially playable off the CD. Your saved games go BACK ON the CD. Which is nice. That way you can carry around all your settings in a neat little package whereever you go. (If this looks familiar, it's nothing but the Linux concept of keeping configs in files).
Why would games want to do this? 1) There is no issue of hard drive space. 2) The entire game is now portable. 3) It would be so much more convenient to customers. 4) It wouldn't cost them more. 5) They could even take this one step further by creating their own bootable CD thereby eliminating the need for a specific OS, but then...I'm not sure that's a very good idea as it turns a game company into an OS producer too, unless the micro kernel the game runs on is standardised for all games. If you manage that, you've essentially given PC users almost all the convenience of console gaming!
"Which house shall we pick?" "I've already chosen one. It's running Windows Home Edition" "But those have biometric scanning" "Yeah. A buffer overflow will take care of that" "I don't think so." (busy trying to hack into the wireless LAN)..."seems they've patched it" "Rats! I didn't want to do this. The home owners don't deserve it, but here goes...send in Slammer..."
Re:Will it live up to the hype? I don't think so
on
The Long-Awaited MOO!
·
· Score: 1
The problem with games that take long to release is usually that by the time they make it to market, technology has evolved quite a bit (especially graphics). At the same time, the hype has also increased and this creates a level of over expectation - also note that people who wait anxiously for it are comparing it to the current standards in graphics and gameplay. This usually isn't the case when games take forever to ship. Therefore, the over expectation leads to disappointment.
...that Mandrake Linux ships with Apache 1.3.27 and that RedHat ships with Apache 2.0.something. However, RedHat users have reported PHP compatiility problems, especially PHP 4. There have also been issues with SQL and Apache 2.0. I wonder if 2.0.44 fixes these issues.
By now, it's well known that the PC is a lot faster than the Mac when it comes to just about anything - PCs overtook Macs around the time of the P3 800.
What people should be asking is not price/performance, but why customers will still fork out over $3000 for a Mac that is slower than a much cheaper PC. The answer is in the usability.
First, the Mac looks good - which is important - hell PCs look downright square when placed next to a Mac.
Next, it has a great GUI - what's key here is that it's a great FUNCTIONAL GUI, unlike even WinXP where though it might look good, things are still buried under layers of menus and dialog boxes.
Third, it has a consistent interface - the basic layout has never changed. Contrast that with Windows where the settings that matter generally tend to jump around.
Fourth, it's simple to use, basically because of all 3 reasons above.
Now this may seem like an Operating system comparison, but check this out : to most people, PC = Windows. So you compare two pieces of hardware, you're comparing the OS whatever and Windows whatever.
So to get back to the point, it's not about the speed. PCs have long been faster than Macs and if a new Mac comes out with a processor than changes that you can be sure you'll hear about it. Till then, I say old news.
I agree. The main point here is that folks will start to realise that a computer can have something OTHER than windows on it and STILL browse the internet, send and receive email and print pictures.
That should start a nice interesting little avalanche once word spreads about "that nice computer for less than 200 bucks that does everything I want it to".
Hell...it just occured to me...it'll now be real easy for schools to buy these and set them up. Even wipe Lindows and put on Mandrake or RedHat - that'll make things even better. Also, since it's Linux there's no need to keep upgrading and adding hardware every year or so. Plus these are NEW computers! It would really make a difference to the kids...working on a new machine as opposed to working on some old donated one.
Anyway, the point I'm making is...the majority of PC users have what I'd like to call basic computer literacy and for them, this is a GREAT deal.
M$ needs to get ready...people aren't going to notice an expensive butterfly if a small BUT CHEAP moth does the job well enough.
First... The capacity of the generator is only 1000 watts! What the hell? that's not more than 3 PCs! You get some really quiet generators that would do the same for a lot less.
Second... What's the deal with a 1 year warranty? Surely, a backup system is meant to be reliable. You'd think the company would atleast put a 5 year warranty on this thing.
Third... "Provides electricity as long as hydrogen fuel is provided". First, hydrogen is flammable. Second, they don't seem to mention what the consumption rate of this generator is...which leads me to the third point - hydrogen fuel will be quite expensive.
that it doesn't do what it says on the tin - it does more.
Let's take a common situation - a person looking for information on the internet for a presentation/paper/assignment/whatever. Have you ever considered how much time is saved just by the speed you get your search results? Also, how about loading page two of the search results while downloading a PDF or email or a picture? Or even when you visit some crappy company's website and it's all in some really impractical format like flash or has tons of useless java applets?
I think the conclusions arrived at are wrong. People say they don't care about the speed - sure! the digits in kbps/Mbps might not mean much. But don't try and tell me they don't care about things that are not a direct consequence of the speed.
Basically, people don't realise it, but they really do care about speed. I mean..sure, your usual guy might not care about the difference between say 768kbps and 1.5Mbps, but tell him instead that he won't be able to watch a video online while downloading the latest copy of windows bloatware and he will sit up and take notice and WILL ask you for a FASTER line.
Mainstream : Apache, Sendmail, Pine (used in almost every university of the country), GCC.
Potential Mainstream with primary need: Mozilla - word of mouth and improvement in stability Ximian Evolution - word of mouth and hands on use. OpenOffice - word of mouth, universal office document format Linux - for the general internet browser: better GUI, fonts, documentation, games and more applications. for the new power user: better GUI, fonts, documentation for the professional: better documentation
Microsoft is offering zero percent financing until early 2003... later, small fast voice in background says: Offer valid on select Licensing 6 programs geared toward small business customers.
Now this is one of those few products that you see from time to time that could really come in useful. That's emphasised when the drive is priced at $299 which is quite a steal considering you don't have to power on your PC OR be limited to your PC monitor OR lug your PC next to your television so you can hook up the TV-out from your Video card. Yeah, I know a DVD player does the same - but this does what a DVD player doesn't do for all us poor folks out there who are still watching DVDs on their PCs. Here, we basically have a DVD player with CD burn capability. The difference is that you can use the a nice GUI from the PC (your favorite burn software) to control what you want burnt - very useful I say as compared to a standalone burner which would basically be limited to duplicating discs. I do have one complaint though - It seems to me that the physical drive itself has very few controls ON it. I'm also not sure if the little red piece of glass between the 2 buttons is a display of some sort or an IR receiver - the latter would make more sense and be more useful (think remote control). This would mean though, that the drive does not have a display of it's own which can be a little inconvenient at times. But it's definitely a step in the right direction. Phillips has been quiet on the CD front for some time - it's nice to see them in the limelight again. Now hopefully, they'll get the guts to go ahead and combat those copy-protection schemes head on.
The second failure in 25 launches. That's a success rate of 92%? That's also a 1 in 13 chance of failure with multi-million dollar equipment.
T+plus 6 minutes. Second stage separation should have occurred, followed by third stage ignition. However, ILS has stopped its live commentary to show a video. We'll provide any additional information on the actual flight performance as it becomes available.
Problems started here maybe?
T+plus 8 minutes. Confirmation has now been received that the second stage engines shut down, the spent stage was jettisoned and the third stage has ignited. Also, the payload fairing enclosing the Astra 1K spacecraft atop the rocket has separated.
seems ok...
T+plus 10 minutes. The third stage burn should have been completed by now, followed by separation from the Block DM upper stage. However, no word has been received from ILS.
Looks like ILS noticed trouble brewing here and were trying to redeem the situation........
FAILURE. International Launch Services has announced that the second burn of the Block DM upper stage suffered an anomaly, failing to deliver the Astra 1K spacecraft into the proper orbit tonight.
Looks like the most technologically forward nation will be the last to embrace OSS. Then again, it's nice to see a reversal in roles. Usually, it's trends in the US that are absorbed by other nations after having proven themselves here. In this case, it looks like the US is waiting to see how OSS works around the world. Then again, you could argue that the US was caught in it's own trap, since in it's eagerness, it has turned a blind eye to the obvious. So far, we've seen two good decisions come out of India. This is the third and it is based on sound reasoning. It is also nice to se ethis coming from Kerala - I think just about the only state of India that boasts a 100% literacy rate. It shows the right people are thinking. However, taking things from idea to reality has always been a weakness of any state or national government in India unless they're really committed to the cause. I guess it's now just a matter of "wait and see" as to how soon these policies will be implemented. We all know the sooner the better, but try explaining that to a politician while sifting through red tape. Wait. Don't flame me. I'm merely stating a fact. There is a lot of red tape in India. However, you always need to start somewhere and it's great to see three decisions along the same lines within a relatively short period of time. Let's hope they're serious about it.
It's actually a case of stating the obvious. However, things never get accepted until someone "does a study" or "submits a paper". It's the classic water leak problem...the RIAA is trying to bail out the extra water while what they should be doing is plugging the leak - ie. take out the root cause - expensive CDs.
This doesn't mean that file sharing will stop altogether. But it DOES mean that a LOT of people out there would cough up the cash because it doesn't burn a hole in their pockets. It also means that artists would get more revenue.
The problem though is that this means cutting all those profit margins - the RIAA would like to have their cake and eat it too. Sorry. Can't happen. In addition, trying to force the issue would just make sure that they end up with some super strict CD protection scheme which will hurt sales and basically backfire in the long run.
Also, it's not like CD sales have decreased. How many studies need to be published before they get it into their heads that sharing music also increases an artist's popularity?
I want my PC to work and to work well. I want security to be good without constant security updates and REBOOTS most of all...and I want to be able to run as many apps as I can without noticing a slowdown. Windows cannot do that for me. Even XP...the moment you even try to open PhotoShop things start slowing down. I hate the file system getting fragmented and constant defrags...need something better...What I need is a more EFFICIENT operating system...hence I switched to Linux.
I'm now running Linux as the main OS. I do miss the great 3d Games on Windows, but I figure I'll just get me a PS2 or a GameCube (not an XBox:) ) and use that for the cool games till the market for linux games opens up enough so that developers release new games with Linux versions.
Hell, I don't even feel like playing games that much anymore...there's so much great stuff to learn in Linux...so much to customize...I'm like a kid in a tub of toys. I love the speed and stability of Linux and the fact that it is already more secure than Windows by default. So my major concerns are taken care of...but I can now run more applications simultaneously...the CPU usage is distributed more evenly....I can chop and change anything I like...most of the software I need comes pre-installed...I HAVE BEAUTIFIED THE LINUX DESKTOP TO MAKE IT EASIER ON THE EYE - very important that....and now, in my opinion, it looks, runs and FEELS better than Xp did, albeit after days of tweaking. So I love it.
So right now, as a former Windows power user, this is what I feel Linux is missing: 1) Great 3d Games 2) A Universal Partition tool that's the equivalent of something like Partition Magic. 3) Improvements in the menu structure and GUI - a user shouldn't have to hack for hours or days. it would be better if it looked great out of the box.
And since we're talking beautification, kudos to RedHat 8.0 - it's a step in the right direction.
Sure, biometrics have advantages. My point is that you cannot call biometrics secure. You forget one thing - when people tout something as secure, that usually means it will keep your information from getting into the wrong hands. As far as defeating the fingerprint scanner, for the starting point, you need the fingerprint of the owner. Now unless you hold the PDA with gloves all the time, or wipe it off regularly, chances are a little dusting will get the fingerprints off the PDA itself. So what's the point of locking something and keeping the key next to it? Once you have the fingerprint, it's been shown that a fingerprint scanner can be defeated by a dummy rubberised finger with your fingerprint embedded in it. I agree, biometrics is a novel idea in security. I do not agree that it is ready for primetime and that it is ready to be touted as a secure system.
Slashdot Mirror
I don't think it's so much a case of liking free-loading as not liking having to shell out lots of cash for software that is poorly written (you know what I'm talking about). Mandrake 9.1 however, is a well done distro - I've been using it since RC1. I can safely say really wouldn't mind paying for it and have just joined the Mandrake Club, since I think these guys have EARNED my support.
is that people will go about quoting the numbers that please them until there is solid evidence to the contrary (and even then some won't stop).
:
I am an avid Linux supporter. Right now my guess is that Windows does outnumber Linux. Why? Because we're talking home user and
FACT : Majority of home users are near computer ignorant
FACT : Linux is not an OS for the computer ignorant
FACT : Put those two together and it makes sense that most home users have windows.
Now I dont have a doubt that most servers run some flavor of Linux, but that's not the point! Why? Because the largest number of machines (the largest potential market) is for home users.
So what do we have now? The question : Is Linux suitable for the home? My personal answer is "not for someone who is comp ignorant"
This boils down to the question of Linux user friendliness and I must say it has been improving a LOT in the last months - KDE 3.1 and mozilla are great examples.
I think it will take about 2 to 3 years and then you won't need numbers to tell you more people are using Linux because you'll see the fact for your own eyes. I personally think this will hinge on Linux game support and I do see a lot more support for games on Linux if OpenGL 2.0 kicks off.
To be honest though, we do need an opensource equivalent to DirectX.
Until then, I'll say there are more windows machines in the homes and rightly so.
That's EXACTLY why people should use xpde! Finally! a nice method for revenge at MS!
Yeh...and guess what? It's going to be double your RAM size :)
Put the chip in a virgin fly and HTTP 403 takes on new meaning! :)
Yeh, and add a little 802.11b to the mix and you have a Wi-Fi-Fly-Fest :)
Consider this scenario :
Games don't use the windows registry at all, or they use temporary registry settings if necessary. All configuration info is kept on the CD.
The game is essentially playable off the CD. Your saved games go BACK ON the CD. Which is nice. That way you can carry around all your settings in a neat little package whereever you go.
(If this looks familiar, it's nothing but the Linux concept of keeping configs in files).
Why would games want to do this?
1) There is no issue of hard drive space.
2) The entire game is now portable.
3) It would be so much more convenient to customers.
4) It wouldn't cost them more.
5) They could even take this one step further by creating their own bootable CD thereby eliminating the need for a specific OS, but then...I'm not sure that's a very good idea as it turns a game company into an OS producer too, unless the micro kernel the game runs on is standardised for all games. If you manage that, you've essentially given PC users almost all the convenience of console gaming!
...they run commercials!! Hell...all the companies in the phone book could run their stuff by you by the time you get there :)
:)
And, ofcourse, all this would done to "enhance the customer's experience" hehe
Conversation between 2 burglars :
"Which house shall we pick?"
"I've already chosen one. It's running Windows Home Edition"
"But those have biometric scanning"
"Yeah. A buffer overflow will take care of that"
"I don't think so." (busy trying to hack into the wireless LAN)..."seems they've patched it"
"Rats! I didn't want to do this. The home owners don't deserve it, but here goes...send in Slammer..."
The problem with games that take long to release is usually that by the time they make it to market, technology has evolved quite a bit (especially graphics). At the same time, the hype has also increased and this creates a level of over expectation - also note that people who wait anxiously for it are comparing it to the current standards in graphics and gameplay. This usually isn't the case when games take forever to ship. Therefore, the over expectation leads to disappointment.
...that Mandrake Linux ships with Apache 1.3.27 and that RedHat ships with Apache 2.0.something. However, RedHat users have reported PHP compatiility problems, especially PHP 4. There have also been issues with SQL and Apache 2.0. I wonder if 2.0.44 fixes these issues.
Hasn't Microsoft used a similar clause in their .NET license agreement? Can that be challenged too?
By now, it's well known that the PC is a lot faster than the Mac when it comes to just about anything - PCs overtook Macs around the time of the P3 800.
What people should be asking is not price/performance, but why customers will still fork out over $3000 for a Mac that is slower than a much cheaper PC. The answer is in the usability.
First, the Mac looks good - which is important - hell PCs look downright square when placed next to a Mac.
Next, it has a great GUI - what's key here is that it's a great FUNCTIONAL GUI, unlike even WinXP where though it might look good, things are still buried under layers of menus and dialog boxes.
Third, it has a consistent interface - the basic layout has never changed. Contrast that with Windows where the settings that matter generally tend to jump around.
Fourth, it's simple to use, basically because of all 3 reasons above.
Now this may seem like an Operating system comparison, but check this out : to most people, PC = Windows. So you compare two pieces of hardware, you're comparing the OS whatever and Windows whatever.
So to get back to the point, it's not about the speed. PCs have long been faster than Macs and if a new Mac comes out with a processor than changes that you can be sure you'll hear about it. Till then, I say old news.
I agree. The main point here is that folks will start to realise that a computer can have something OTHER than windows on it and STILL browse the internet, send and receive email and print pictures.
That should start a nice interesting little avalanche once word spreads about "that nice computer for less than 200 bucks that does everything I want it to".
Hell...it just occured to me...it'll now be real easy for schools to buy these and set them up. Even wipe Lindows and put on Mandrake or RedHat - that'll make things even better. Also, since it's Linux there's no need to keep upgrading and adding hardware every year or so. Plus these are NEW computers! It would really make a difference to the kids...working on a new machine as opposed to working on some old donated one.
Anyway, the point I'm making is...the majority of PC users have what I'd like to call basic computer literacy and for them, this is a GREAT deal.
M$ needs to get ready...people aren't going to notice an expensive butterfly if a small BUT CHEAP moth does the job well enough.
First...
The capacity of the generator is only 1000 watts! What the hell? that's not more than 3 PCs! You get some really quiet generators that would do the same for a lot less.
Second...
What's the deal with a 1 year warranty? Surely, a backup system is meant to be reliable. You'd think the company would atleast put a 5 year warranty on this thing.
Third...
"Provides electricity as long as hydrogen fuel is provided". First, hydrogen is flammable. Second, they don't seem to mention what the consumption rate of this generator is...which leads me to the third point - hydrogen fuel will be quite expensive.
Looks a little iffy if you ask me.
that it doesn't do what it says on the tin - it does more.
Let's take a common situation - a person looking for information on the internet for a presentation/paper/assignment/whatever. Have you ever considered how much time is saved just by the speed you get your search results? Also, how about loading page two of the search results while downloading a PDF or email or a picture? Or even when you visit some crappy company's website and it's all in some really impractical format like flash or has tons of useless java applets?
I think the conclusions arrived at are wrong. People say they don't care about the speed - sure! the digits in kbps/Mbps might not mean much. But don't try and tell me they don't care about things that are not a direct consequence of the speed.
Basically, people don't realise it, but they really do care about speed. I mean..sure, your usual guy might not care about the difference between say 768kbps and 1.5Mbps, but tell him instead that he won't be able to watch a video online while downloading the latest copy of windows bloatware and he will sit up and take notice and WILL ask you for a FASTER line.
Mainstream :
: : :
Apache, Sendmail, Pine (used in almost every university of the country), GCC.
Potential Mainstream with primary need:
Mozilla - word of mouth and improvement in stability
Ximian Evolution - word of mouth and hands on use.
OpenOffice - word of mouth, universal office document format
Linux -
for the general internet browser
better GUI, fonts, documentation, games and more applications.
for the new power user
better GUI, fonts, documentation
for the professional
better documentation
Microsoft is offering zero percent financing until early 2003... :
later, small fast voice in background says
Offer valid on select Licensing 6 programs geared toward small business customers.
Now this is one of those few products that you see from time to time that could really come in useful.
That's emphasised when the drive is priced at $299 which is quite a steal considering you don't have to power on your PC OR be limited to your PC monitor OR lug your PC next to your television so you can hook up the TV-out from your Video card.
Yeah, I know a DVD player does the same - but this does what a DVD player doesn't do for all us poor folks out there who are still watching DVDs on their PCs. Here, we basically have a DVD player with CD burn capability. The difference is that you can use the a nice GUI from the PC (your favorite burn software) to control what you want burnt - very useful I say as compared to a standalone burner which would basically be limited to duplicating discs.
I do have one complaint though - It seems to me that the physical drive itself has very few controls ON it. I'm also not sure if the little red piece of glass between the 2 buttons is a display of some sort or an IR receiver - the latter would make more sense and be more useful (think remote control). This would mean though, that the drive does not have a display of it's own which can be a little inconvenient at times.
But it's definitely a step in the right direction. Phillips has been quiet on the CD front for some time - it's nice to see them in the limelight again. Now hopefully, they'll get the guts to go ahead and combat those copy-protection schemes head on.
The second failure in 25 launches. That's a success rate of 92%? That's also a 1 in 13 chance of failure with multi-million dollar equipment.
.. ...
T+plus 6 minutes. Second stage separation should have occurred, followed by third stage ignition. However, ILS has stopped its live commentary to show a video. We'll provide any additional information on the actual flight performance as it becomes available.
Problems started here maybe?
T+plus 8 minutes. Confirmation has now been received that the second stage engines shut down, the spent stage was jettisoned and the third stage has ignited. Also, the payload fairing enclosing the Astra 1K spacecraft atop the rocket has separated.
seems ok...
T+plus 10 minutes. The third stage burn should have been completed by now, followed by separation from the Block DM upper stage. However, no word has been received from ILS.
Looks like ILS noticed trouble brewing here and were trying to redeem the situation...
FAILURE. International Launch Services has announced that the second burn of the Block DM upper stage suffered an anomaly, failing to deliver the Astra 1K spacecraft into the proper orbit tonight.
Looks like the most technologically forward nation will be the last to embrace OSS. Then again, it's nice to see a reversal in roles. Usually, it's trends in the US that are absorbed by other nations after having proven themselves here. In this case, it looks like the US is waiting to see how OSS works around the world.
Then again, you could argue that the US was caught in it's own trap, since in it's eagerness, it has turned a blind eye to the obvious.
So far, we've seen two good decisions come out of India. This is the third and it is based on sound reasoning. It is also nice to se ethis coming from Kerala - I think just about the only state of India that boasts a 100% literacy rate. It shows the right people are thinking. However, taking things from idea to reality has always been a weakness of any state or national government in India unless they're really committed to the cause.
I guess it's now just a matter of "wait and see" as to how soon these policies will be implemented. We all know the sooner the better, but try explaining that to a politician while sifting through red tape. Wait. Don't flame me. I'm merely stating a fact. There is a lot of red tape in India.
However, you always need to start somewhere and it's great to see three decisions along the same lines within a relatively short period of time. Let's hope they're serious about it.
It's actually a case of stating the obvious. However, things never get accepted until someone "does a study" or "submits a paper".
It's the classic water leak problem...the RIAA is trying to bail out the extra water while what they should be doing is plugging the leak - ie. take out the root cause - expensive CDs.
This doesn't mean that file sharing will stop altogether. But it DOES mean that a LOT of people out there would cough up the cash because it doesn't burn a hole in their pockets. It also means that artists would get more revenue.
The problem though is that this means cutting all those profit margins - the RIAA would like to have their cake and eat it too. Sorry. Can't happen. In addition, trying to force the issue would just make sure that they end up with some super strict CD protection scheme which will hurt sales and basically backfire in the long run.
Also, it's not like CD sales have decreased. How many studies need to be published before they get it into their heads that sharing music also increases an artist's popularity?
Corporate greed makes you stupid and blind.
I want my PC to work and to work well. I want security to be good without constant security updates and REBOOTS most of all...and I want to be able to run as many apps as I can without noticing a slowdown. Windows cannot do that for me. Even XP...the moment you even try to open PhotoShop things start slowing down. I hate the file system getting fragmented and constant defrags...need something better...What I need is a more EFFICIENT operating system...hence I switched to Linux.
:) ) and use that for the cool games till the market for linux games opens up enough so that developers release new games with Linux versions.
I'm now running Linux as the main OS. I do miss the great 3d Games on Windows, but I figure I'll just get me a PS2 or a GameCube (not an XBox
Hell, I don't even feel like playing games that much anymore...there's so much great stuff to learn in Linux...so much to customize...I'm like a kid in a tub of toys. I love the speed and stability of Linux and the fact that it is already more secure than Windows by default. So my major concerns are taken care of...but I can now run more applications simultaneously...the CPU usage is distributed more evenly....I can chop and change anything I like...most of the software I need comes pre-installed...I HAVE BEAUTIFIED THE LINUX DESKTOP TO MAKE IT EASIER ON THE EYE - very important that....and now, in my opinion, it looks, runs and FEELS better than Xp did, albeit after days of tweaking. So I love it.
So right now, as a former Windows power user, this is what I feel Linux is missing:
1) Great 3d Games
2) A Universal Partition tool that's the equivalent of something like Partition Magic.
3) Improvements in the menu structure and GUI - a user shouldn't have to hack for hours or days. it would be better if it looked great out of the box.
And since we're talking beautification, kudos to RedHat 8.0 - it's a step in the right direction.
with the Slashdot effect, we'd see how good those processors really are :)
Sure, biometrics have advantages. My point is that you cannot call biometrics secure. You forget one thing - when people tout something as secure, that usually means it will keep your information from getting into the wrong hands.
As far as defeating the fingerprint scanner, for the starting point, you need the fingerprint of the owner. Now unless you hold the PDA with gloves all the time, or wipe it off regularly, chances are a little dusting will get the fingerprints off the PDA itself. So what's the point of locking something and keeping the key next to it? Once you have the fingerprint, it's been shown that a fingerprint scanner can be defeated by a dummy rubberised finger with your fingerprint embedded in it.
I agree, biometrics is a novel idea in security. I do not agree that it is ready for primetime and that it is ready to be touted as a secure system.