This is the best discussion I've seen on Slashdot in ages. I thought I knew all the good Win32 free software, but I've picked up a bunch of tips here. Maybe someone should start a Freshwin site?
Anyway, free basic PDF functionality can be had using Ghostscript and GSView. Granted, it is a two step process to create PDFs with this method, but it works and it is free.
For some reason the current version of JZip is only at this other page.
UltimateZip was good, but seems to have gone adware and is now running out of steam. Try FilZip, even though it isn't open source yet. See the bottom of the page and let the guy know that open source matters!
We had similar experience in our thin client environment. There are many Office suites out there, but MSO seems to be the only one to support Terminal Services.
TooTall, maybe I didn't explain my point well enough. What I was trying to get across is that when a non-boycotter buys goes to buy a disc, they will buy used if available, and then go to the new section. Therefore, keeping the used discs on the shelf is in the best interest of the boycott cause.
The last story on these machines over at Newsforge was full of atta-boy posts for Walmart/Microtel. Lots of folks were pledging to put their money where their mouth is and getting a preloaded Linux machine from a major retailer.
These posts are nothing but really unfunny comments from stupid has-been tv stars and the frat boys who love them.
There are a lot of great suggestions here for desktop backups, but my biggest headache in this area has always been the laptops. CA has a new backup agent for remote systems. The first backup is a full and takes the normal amount of time, but after that it updates incrementally at the block level, hence it works effectively even at dial up speeds. Of course, this is done behind the scenes and requires no intervention other than the user connecting to the corporate network.
We just got a laptop drive (and a bill) back from Ontrack after a VP lost his load on the road. It only takes one or two such lessons before getting such a spend approved...
There has been some excellent coverage on BSA audits over at TechRepublic (free reg, blah). Nothing in depth about the legal aspect, but who really expects to get a legal defense strategy from Ask Slashdot?
John Hargrave used to do a similar schtick
on
He Writes Back
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· Score: 2, Interesting
If you enjoy such pointless but entertaining letters, check out Zug.
He writes letters to spammers, but also to companies, which is a little more fun because they usually respond at least once.
8-12 hours a day 6 days a week for 3 months and found both jobs I have now getting 1-3 interviews a week from the start.
Kudos to you! That's the kind of commitment it takes in a tough market. Just curious though, did you wear out your references? Even your best fans are bound to lose enthusiasm when asked about your past performance for the 300th time.
I agree, but I take it a step further. Copy protection is a blatant attempt to deny my fair use rights. I always avoid buying copy protected products wherever possible. It doesn't work, and it hurts the customer.
Computer Geeks often has decent refurb machines in the $99 to $300 range. They also have a lot of very cheap barebones systems if you're after more modern kit.
You are a real penisbird if you think version numbers mean anything at all. Microsoft has put out less than 5 versions of any of their products bar office, and Mandrake seems to think every little gui update is deserving of a major (whole number) upgrade.
Sun and Slackware both changed their version numbering in the last couple of years to "catch up" with the competition.
Meanwhile, you have the OpenBSD style, which really doesn't make use of the software revisioning system at all. They simply count from 0 to 9, and then call the next release a "major" revision.
I prefer the ones that use decimals to differentiate between bug fixes, minor changes, and major feature overhauls without being in a hurry to get to the number 10.
Later in the same page, it does explain that while it is not fully compatible with Outlook, it does all of the things most of us are looking for, i.e. calendar sharing, meeting requests, shared address book, etc.
Slashdot Mirror
Anyway, free basic PDF functionality can be had using Ghostscript and GSView. Granted, it is a two step process to create PDFs with this method, but it works and it is free.
UltimateZip was good, but seems to have gone adware and is now running out of steam. Try FilZip, even though it isn't open source yet. See the bottom of the page and let the guy know that open source matters!
Looks like development was halted a year ago.
For audio, there is FreeAmp.
We had similar experience in our thin client environment. There are many Office suites out there, but MSO seems to be the only one to support Terminal Services.
This restriction might be overcome by using Electricity over IP combined with 802.11x.
TooTall, maybe I didn't explain my point well enough. What I was trying to get across is that when a non-boycotter buys goes to buy a disc, they will buy used if available, and then go to the new section. Therefore, keeping the used discs on the shelf is in the best interest of the boycott cause.
Your argument on CDs does not hold water. Usually people check for the used version first, and if it isn't there, they often will buy a new copy.
Out of print stuff, on the other hand, does have the desired effect.
The last story on these machines over at Newsforge was full of atta-boy posts for Walmart/Microtel. Lots of folks were pledging to put their money where their mouth is and getting a preloaded Linux machine from a major retailer.
These posts are nothing but really unfunny comments from stupid has-been tv stars and the frat boys who love them.
We just got a laptop drive (and a bill) back from Ontrack after a VP lost his load on the road. It only takes one or two such lessons before getting such a spend approved...
I have tallied up the results of your poll, and the answer is two (2).
I agree that it is the most comprehensive source on this subject - much more informative than the other ssh book.
Only committers have voting priveleges.
There has been some excellent coverage on BSA audits over at TechRepublic (free reg, blah). Nothing in depth about the legal aspect, but who really expects to get a legal defense strategy from Ask Slashdot?
He writes letters to spammers, but also to companies, which is a little more fun because they usually respond at least once.
Kudos to you! That's the kind of commitment it takes in a tough market. Just curious though, did you wear out your references? Even your best fans are bound to lose enthusiasm when asked about your past performance for the 300th time.
The article stated a limitation of 5,000 feet. So if you don't qualify for DSL now, don't even think about this.
Doh! Forgot to mention the bit about cd-keys being a lesser evil than anti-copy schemes, but still an evil.
Troll? Hardly.
I agree, but I take it a step further. Copy protection is a blatant attempt to deny my fair use rights. I always avoid buying copy protected products wherever possible. It doesn't work, and it hurts the customer.
If you are in a Windows environment, this freeware interactive network mapping tool looks very promising.
Computer Geeks often has decent refurb machines in the $99 to $300 range. They also have a lot of very cheap barebones systems if you're after more modern kit.
As long as NAT is prevelent as an internet access method, we will need PPTP.
The topic seemed halfway interesting at the time. Ah well.
You are a real penisbird if you think version numbers mean anything at all. Microsoft has put out less than 5 versions of any of their products bar office, and Mandrake seems to think every little gui update is deserving of a major (whole number) upgrade.
Sun and Slackware both changed their version numbering in the last couple of years to "catch up" with the competition.
Meanwhile, you have the OpenBSD style, which really doesn't make use of the software revisioning system at all. They simply count from 0 to 9, and then call the next release a "major" revision.
I prefer the ones that use decimals to differentiate between bug fixes, minor changes, and major feature overhauls without being in a hurry to get to the number 10.
Later in the same page, it does explain that while it is not fully compatible with Outlook, it does all of the things most of us are looking for, i.e. calendar sharing, meeting requests, shared address book, etc.