Your argument claiming I'm ignoring simple facts is an interesting attempt at ignoring the parent post.
Spyware doesn't target servers like it targets home users. It's two different markets. IIS on a server != Windows at home Apache != OS
Plus, I never said windows gets infected more because more people are targeting it, despite that: a) Windows gets infected more b) More people are targeting it.
Windows gets infected with more spyware because more users use it, and they're the target audience. I'll say it again: When it becomes profitable to target other OSes, they will be targeted and infected. Windows isn't the best OS out there, but it's not the only one that can and will be targeted by viruses. No OS is immune to viruses and spyware.
And, as I intended with the original post, simply telling somebody to change to a different system is like telling somebody who just got robbed to move ten blocks over because nobody has been robbed on that block yet. Maybe there's lots of crime on the first block but none on the other. Does that mean crime is impossible on the other? No.
No, they are not immune, neither is Linux or any other OS.
Exactly. And I agree wholeheartedly. My point was that we just haven't seen it yet.
The damage is more isolated and easier to clean, unless some moron enters his admin password This is where it gets interesting. At the moment, a large percentage of Mac users would understand what you mean. I'd bet the same percentage of Windows users would say "What?". This isn't a Windows vs. Mac thing, this is a statistics thing. There's just WAY more Windows users and more users who know a lot about systems will be using something other than Windows, which leaves the majority of users (people who don't know that much about computers - read: some-assembly-required-victims) using the majority OS. That's why there's so much spyware for Windows. It may be a little easier to code, but I doubt that's the only reason.
We'll see Mac spyware just like we'll see Linux, Unix, Solaris, *BSD, etc. spyware: Whenever the user numbers are big enough. And when the user numbers get big enough, expect the user base to include a percentage of AOL-type users who would type in their admin password to get smilies, or have it as their default account because it's convenient. Especially in some cases (I can think of one in my family) where people specifically use their admin account because they don't want to have to be constantly switching; people know enough to know what an admin account is, but not enough about why not to use it.
And, because most of the point of the rest of my comments was lost because the parent was just a troll, the answer is not just 'buy a Mac'.
The "oh, I don't have time for that stuff, it's too hard" mentality is everywhere.
I think the scariest prospect is when those people are placed in a position where those around them trust their computer knowledge. Think about it: We all have friends and family who ask us questions and generally trust our help when their computer breaks down. What about the people who don't know a geek? They call on their resident computer 'expert'. In one case, I was working on a remote site and set up Mozilla with their new install. Wood skin and imported mail contacts and the 60+ year old woman running it was happy as could be. I leave the contract for a few months, come back, and get asked to go out and diagnose a router problem. Her daughter, a 'computer professional' tells me to "Get that Mozolla thing off Mom's computer, it's just confusing her when I try to help". It wasn't that it was a bad idea, she just didn't want to learn how to use something that wasn't IE. Not only that, she couldn't even be bothered to learn what it was called. And I've run into a lot of people who won't even learn that. It's just 'not IE, so I don't want to know'.
Scary when you think how many of these people are in authority positions!
Disagreements: Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers. - Most of them are not as stupid as we accuse them of being but dear Lord are some of them ever close.
Stupidity and Ignorance are two different things. I'm noticing more and more that when I try to talk to someone I know about keeping their machine clean of spyware and ads (i.e. don't run IE) they either ignore it or just refuse to listen because they "aren't a hacker and don't know this computer stuff". People don't want to learn something totally unfamiliar for fear of seeming stupid, so they avoid it so as to not have to deal with it.
Agreements: People will unplug. People will go do other things with their lives. It's a hell of a lot easier than reformatting a system and losing all your data (backing up or partitioning is 'too hard' for the average user, regardless of how easy we make it) or learning why it works. They don't want to know that, so it's easier to just stop doing it.
Sure, you can use Windows successfully and without spyware, but it's far too complicated and restrictive for the average user to care about. "What? You mean I can't just download that new picture-taking (pronounced 'pitcher') program to get the red eyes off Bill? Why can't I get this downloader program so I can watch porn?"
It's just easier to go find something else to do, especially if your X-Box 360 or PS3 will let you send pictures to Grandma.
Okay, I'm going to bite, because this has been irking me a bit this week.
Macs are not immune to viruses, we just haven't seen a virus or spyware author take the time to exploit it, yet. Why? Because it isn't profitable RIGHT NOW.
Lots of users (likely the ones who would initially be succeptible to a virus) are running windows. This makes it easy to spread.
Most computers run windows. You don't see a lot of human viruses that only attack people with anemia; it's just more profitable to attack the majority (or everything, if you can get it).
Spyware makes its money on user numbers. The more users you can get, the more you want to develop a product. Why spend the time to write for the small % running macs when you can take some already-proven techniques and go for the big money (i.e. the lots of users) on Windows machines.
Programmers are lazy. If there isn't a really good reason to do it (i.e. not enough profit potential in their eyes) they generally won't do it unless they're really keen on it. Mostly, these people are not making spyware/viruses.
When you see the Mac userbase hit a decent number (and I don't pretend to know what that is) then you'll see spyware and viruses for it. Fact. Until then, stop being a mactard and just deal with the situation at hand: there is a lot of spyware out there and something needs to be done now. That something is not ignoring the problem until it swims up and bites you in the ass.
Re:Piracy for the Sake of Piracy. A.K.A. hoarding
on
Internet Movies Before DVD
·
· Score: 4, Interesting
Sadly enough, I find myself in this situation, to the point that there is a torrent or two running at all times on my machine at home. However, most of the time the download is in lieu of actually watching TV to the point that I almost watch TV shows exclusively on my computer. Lately I've also been burning DVDs of TV shows and distributing them around to friends who haven't managed to see them yet.
I think some of it is one giant pissing contest as to who can have the most movies, sometimes it's the "I'll get around to watching it later" syndrome, and sometimes it's just to have something to watch that you've never seen before available at all times. Sort of like saying "I've only seen this Simpsons 20 times before, so maybe I'll just finish watching Cowboy Bebop instead". And sometimes, it's because we remember waiting three days to download the first half of Blade in crap Telesync before realizing that the actual movie came out the next day. Even with the slowness, being (most likely) the first people in the community to have a movie from the 'internets' was a pretty big thing back then. Maybe some people just haven't gotten over it.
But you're right. It could get way out of hand...
Unless we're talking about Pr0n. Then it will likely never get out of hand.
Just Frenchmen? Hook me up. I want work. Plus, I could stand to live in the south of France and improve my french from 'abysmal' to 'bad'. Jobs, anyone?
Re:It makes you wonder...
on
P2P and TV
·
· Score: 1
It's brilliant! A reality show where you follow a number of producers, racing to get a pilot out to the networks. Then, the viewing audience can vote on the best shows, which will be turned into series! Sell the rest on a DVD of the reality show, and you make two times the money! If the show works, they can start cancelling some of the crap out there (maybe start with all the rest of the 'reality' shows) and replace them with what the audience voted for.
Plus, the audience then feels a link to the shows on TV from the get-go because they helped it get on the air!
"finally bring us into the 20th century"
on
P2P and TV
·
· Score: 1
And not a moment too soon, I say. Right now, the only reason I pay for cable is that it's bundled with DSL and I keep telling myself I'll find out how to stream from it some day. Other than that, it's Bittorrent all the way, and when something comes out that's worthwhile (Firefly, Dr. Who, Harvey Birdman,...) I'll buy the DVDs. The question is if this is more or less profitable for the studios. People will pirate things so just throw an episode or two up there, wait a few months for distribution, and BAM. Box Set. Lose the ad revenue, gain the DVD revenue. It won't work for everything, but that could have something to do with so much TV being crap. Can't hurt to try it with a few more things.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to download some Global Frequency...
That just officially made my afternoon. Nothing like the thought of my -favourite- person in the world (who, incidentially, works on the iPod) being sliced to death by tens of thousands of tiny paper cuts.
Clicking through to the aurora review, I was surprised to see that the text in the 'scan your computer' dialog box (image) looked strikingly like the text at respectcopyrights.org; a site run by our favourite Media Cartel in the whole wide world.
The French and Poles have, however, a fantastic sense of humour. In particular, while talking with two uncles (one French, one Polish), the topic switched to similarities between the two countries. Of course, that led to my Polish uncle mentioning how the Poles bought the idea of the Maginot Line from France. With the most subtly sarcastic tone ever, my French uncle looked at him and said "yeah, I see it worked out really well for you guys, too."
If I'd have to name just one thing stopping me from using XP it's that damnable DOG! I don't recall a time where I quickly fired up (Win-F) a good old search and then had to stop to tell that God-forsaken mutt that I wanted to find a -file-. Nah, I think this time I want to find a shoebox. No, wait, maybe what I'm looking for is actually a song. Those don't come in files, they're just songs, right?
But there are other reasons why every computer of note in our house runs 2K, one being the stupid way that users are handled by default. I know there's got to be a way to add the functionality of 2k's user manager to XP, but it shouldn't have to be hunted down. Just do it. And DON'T make me talk to that dog to do it. Worse than clippy.....
Unfortunately, you're probably right. There are artists out there with way too much talent with a spray can who are getting a bad name from the other 99% - often just kids with nothing better to do. But in those few cases, the results are artistically equal to paying somebody a truck of money to paint an 'approved' mural on the side of a building, just cheaper.
Personally, when I'm stuck waiting for a freight train to pass, looking at the graffiti isn't a bad way to pass the time. It's kind of like an art show on rails to pass the time.
There is a distinct difference between "availability of pornography" and "availbility of video of women pleasuring themselves with small dogs while explosively defecating all over some guy tied up in a jacuzzi filled with jell-o"
There's porn, and then there's PORN. At 12 years old, you could argue that seeing 'sex' would answer some questions about reproduction and puberty. Seeing hardcore fetish porn like you can find online these days can screw anybody up.
We also had a gaming night on campus recently with the students' society. Warioware went in when we got tired of 7-player LAN Mariokart on 2 projectors (I now have 2 Broadband Adapters for that purpose alone) and didn't come out for 4 hours. People were literally lining up to play! Plus, the game itself regulates skill so the massive skill gap that was apparent in Double Dash was lessened to a great degree.
Now if only we could track down enough bongos for 4-player Donkey Konga (1 or 2)
I agree entirely. My brother and I went and bought a couple of bongos, Jungle Beat, and Donkey Konga on a whim a few months back and haven't regretted it one bit. I believe the exact description I heard was "Bongos should be the natural input for a game console". Even more, people I know who "don't like video games" were getting me to come over with the 'cube just to play Donkey Konga for hours on end. High School "I'm too cool for kids games" kids who dismissed it at first couldn't be torn away from it after playing once.
Nintendo makes games with the WTF factor that you can throw down with some friends of varying skill levels and all have a blast. Warioware is another perfect example of this. "This looks lame" quickly makes way for "This game is awesome", despite the lack of plot or "mature" content.
Revolution, just like anything else, is going to be dependent on games before system specs, and if Nintendo keeps on innovating we will all be around to do this again at their next launch.
As I discovered with the Serenity Trailer, you can run most (if not all) MOV files under VLC and not have to install any more garbage just because you want to do one thing. Plus, VLC is just a fine piece of media player when my old Windows Media Player 4.0 won't do.
Hmmm. Sounds like a person I knew who got hired by Apple a wuile back. Smart guy, just a total ass-hat to deal with, and there are a lot of people (most of them) who would love to see him and wolves in an unpleasant relationship. Doesn't necessarily say he'll be good for the company, though.
Actually, Hindi is right up there on my 'to-learn' list also (just need to get more fluent in German, first). Anyway, the solution I found was simply the 'roll your own' one.
Basically, I had access to an old server with PHP and MySQL installed, so I wrote a flashcard database that took any language (good old $key -> $var) and produced a random, lesson-based run of cards in either english or the chosen language (selectable or random) that auto-corrected for you. It did me fantastically well in introductory German classes, at least.
But yeah, as another post said, this works best when combined with a class or two. Too bad there's nobody teaching Hindi where I live right now...
Maybe this time they won't pick a weekend where everybody and their dog is trying to get to a football game and we can actually get some buses to go! Seriously, the Physics Students' Society at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon (about 2 hours away) has been working on a trip out to watch the launch, and renting buses has been a nightmare. We basically had to try to book a pub crawl through a local bar that starts at 2:00 AM (to make it out with time to set up for the proposed 5:30 launch). Maybe this time we can get some buses! Woohoo!
Forecast calls for a 100% chance of fun had by all in attendance, regardless of the outcome.
Slashdot Mirror
Your argument claiming I'm ignoring simple facts is an interesting attempt at ignoring the parent post.
Spyware doesn't target servers like it targets home users. It's two different markets.
IIS on a server != Windows at home
Apache != OS
Plus, I never said windows gets infected more because more people are targeting it, despite that:
a) Windows gets infected more
b) More people are targeting it.
Windows gets infected with more spyware because more users use it, and they're the target audience. I'll say it again: When it becomes profitable to target other OSes, they will be targeted and infected. Windows isn't the best OS out there, but it's not the only one that can and will be targeted by viruses. No OS is immune to viruses and spyware.
And, as I intended with the original post, simply telling somebody to change to a different system is like telling somebody who just got robbed to move ten blocks over because nobody has been robbed on that block yet. Maybe there's lots of crime on the first block but none on the other. Does that mean crime is impossible on the other? No.
People exactly like that! Sorry to hear that one of them managed to get in a position of authority and you have to deal with it, though.
No, they are not immune, neither is Linux or any other OS.
Exactly. And I agree wholeheartedly. My point was that we just haven't seen it yet.
The damage is more isolated and easier to clean, unless some moron enters his admin password
This is where it gets interesting. At the moment, a large percentage of Mac users would understand what you mean. I'd bet the same percentage of Windows users would say "What?". This isn't a Windows vs. Mac thing, this is a statistics thing. There's just WAY more Windows users and more users who know a lot about systems will be using something other than Windows, which leaves the majority of users (people who don't know that much about computers - read: some-assembly-required-victims) using the majority OS. That's why there's so much spyware for Windows. It may be a little easier to code, but I doubt that's the only reason.
We'll see Mac spyware just like we'll see Linux, Unix, Solaris, *BSD, etc. spyware: Whenever the user numbers are big enough. And when the user numbers get big enough, expect the user base to include a percentage of AOL-type users who would type in their admin password to get smilies, or have it as their default account because it's convenient. Especially in some cases (I can think of one in my family) where people specifically use their admin account because they don't want to have to be constantly switching; people know enough to know what an admin account is, but not enough about why not to use it.
And, because most of the point of the rest of my comments was lost because the parent was just a troll, the answer is not just 'buy a Mac'.
The "oh, I don't have time for that stuff, it's too hard" mentality is everywhere.
I think the scariest prospect is when those people are placed in a position where those around them trust their computer knowledge. Think about it: We all have friends and family who ask us questions and generally trust our help when their computer breaks down. What about the people who don't know a geek? They call on their resident computer 'expert'. In one case, I was working on a remote site and set up Mozilla with their new install. Wood skin and imported mail contacts and the 60+ year old woman running it was happy as could be. I leave the contract for a few months, come back, and get asked to go out and diagnose a router problem. Her daughter, a 'computer professional' tells me to "Get that Mozolla thing off Mom's computer, it's just confusing her when I try to help". It wasn't that it was a bad idea, she just didn't want to learn how to use something that wasn't IE. Not only that, she couldn't even be bothered to learn what it was called. And I've run into a lot of people who won't even learn that. It's just 'not IE, so I don't want to know'.
Scary when you think how many of these people are in authority positions!
I'm going to agree in part with that. First:
Disagreements:
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers. - Most of them are not as stupid as we accuse them of being but dear Lord are some of them ever close.
Stupidity and Ignorance are two different things. I'm noticing more and more that when I try to talk to someone I know about keeping their machine clean of spyware and ads (i.e. don't run IE) they either ignore it or just refuse to listen because they "aren't a hacker and don't know this computer stuff". People don't want to learn something totally unfamiliar for fear of seeming stupid, so they avoid it so as to not have to deal with it.
Agreements:
People will unplug. People will go do other things with their lives. It's a hell of a lot easier than reformatting a system and losing all your data (backing up or partitioning is 'too hard' for the average user, regardless of how easy we make it) or learning why it works. They don't want to know that, so it's easier to just stop doing it.
Sure, you can use Windows successfully and without spyware, but it's far too complicated and restrictive for the average user to care about. "What? You mean I can't just download that new picture-taking (pronounced 'pitcher') program to get the red eyes off Bill? Why can't I get this downloader program so I can watch porn?"
It's just easier to go find something else to do, especially if your X-Box 360 or PS3 will let you send pictures to Grandma.
Macs are not immune to viruses, we just haven't seen a virus or spyware author take the time to exploit it, yet. Why? Because it isn't profitable RIGHT NOW.
When you see the Mac userbase hit a decent number (and I don't pretend to know what that is) then you'll see spyware and viruses for it. Fact. Until then, stop being a mactard and just deal with the situation at hand: there is a lot of spyware out there and something needs to be done now. That something is not ignoring the problem until it swims up and bites you in the ass.
Sadly enough, I find myself in this situation, to the point that there is a torrent or two running at all times on my machine at home. However, most of the time the download is in lieu of actually watching TV to the point that I almost watch TV shows exclusively on my computer. Lately I've also been burning DVDs of TV shows and distributing them around to friends who haven't managed to see them yet.
I think some of it is one giant pissing contest as to who can have the most movies, sometimes it's the "I'll get around to watching it later" syndrome, and sometimes it's just to have something to watch that you've never seen before available at all times. Sort of like saying "I've only seen this Simpsons 20 times before, so maybe I'll just finish watching Cowboy Bebop instead". And sometimes, it's because we remember waiting three days to download the first half of Blade in crap Telesync before realizing that the actual movie came out the next day. Even with the slowness, being (most likely) the first people in the community to have a movie from the 'internets' was a pretty big thing back then. Maybe some people just haven't gotten over it.
But you're right. It could get way out of hand...
Unless we're talking about Pr0n. Then it will likely never get out of hand.
Just Frenchmen? Hook me up. I want work. Plus, I could stand to live in the south of France and improve my french from 'abysmal' to 'bad'. Jobs, anyone?
It's brilliant! A reality show where you follow a number of producers, racing to get a pilot out to the networks. Then, the viewing audience can vote on the best shows, which will be turned into series! Sell the rest on a DVD of the reality show, and you make two times the money! If the show works, they can start cancelling some of the crap out there (maybe start with all the rest of the 'reality' shows) and replace them with what the audience voted for.
Plus, the audience then feels a link to the shows on TV from the get-go because they helped it get on the air!
And not a moment too soon, I say. Right now, the only reason I pay for cable is that it's bundled with DSL and I keep telling myself I'll find out how to stream from it some day. Other than that, it's Bittorrent all the way, and when something comes out that's worthwhile (Firefly, Dr. Who, Harvey Birdman, ...) I'll buy the DVDs. The question is if this is more or less profitable for the studios. People will pirate things so just throw an episode or two up there, wait a few months for distribution, and BAM. Box Set. Lose the ad revenue, gain the DVD revenue. It won't work for everything, but that could have something to do with so much TV being crap. Can't hurt to try it with a few more things.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to download some Global Frequency...
That just officially made my afternoon. Nothing like the thought of my -favourite- person in the world (who, incidentially, works on the iPod) being sliced to death by tens of thousands of tiny paper cuts.
Clicking through to the aurora review, I was surprised to see that the text in the 'scan your computer' dialog box (image) looked strikingly like the text at respectcopyrights.org; a site run by our favourite Media Cartel in the whole wide world.
The French and Poles have, however, a fantastic sense of humour. In particular, while talking with two uncles (one French, one Polish), the topic switched to similarities between the two countries. Of course, that led to my Polish uncle mentioning how the Poles bought the idea of the Maginot Line from France. With the most subtly sarcastic tone ever, my French uncle looked at him and said "yeah, I see it worked out really well for you guys, too."
Laughed for days, we did.
In other news, EU officially redefined to mean "European Universe".
If I'd have to name just one thing stopping me from using XP it's that damnable DOG! I don't recall a time where I quickly fired up (Win-F) a good old search and then had to stop to tell that God-forsaken mutt that I wanted to find a -file-. Nah, I think this time I want to find a shoebox. No, wait, maybe what I'm looking for is actually a song. Those don't come in files, they're just songs, right?
But there are other reasons why every computer of note in our house runs 2K, one being the stupid way that users are handled by default. I know there's got to be a way to add the functionality of 2k's user manager to XP, but it shouldn't have to be hunted down. Just do it. And DON'T make me talk to that dog to do it. Worse than clippy.....
Ah, Copper. Timeless -AND- timely.
Unfortunately, you're probably right. There are artists out there with way too much talent with a spray can who are getting a bad name from the other 99% - often just kids with nothing better to do. But in those few cases, the results are artistically equal to paying somebody a truck of money to paint an 'approved' mural on the side of a building, just cheaper.
Personally, when I'm stuck waiting for a freight train to pass, looking at the graffiti isn't a bad way to pass the time. It's kind of like an art show on rails to pass the time.
A couple of keyloggers will display window switches, making it a lot easier to get around this, however I'm not sure if it's really widespread...
There is a distinct difference between "availability of pornography" and "availbility of video of women pleasuring themselves with small dogs while explosively defecating all over some guy tied up in a jacuzzi filled with jell-o"
There's porn, and then there's PORN. At 12 years old, you could argue that seeing 'sex' would answer some questions about reproduction and puberty. Seeing hardcore fetish porn like you can find online these days can screw anybody up.
We also had a gaming night on campus recently with the students' society. Warioware went in when we got tired of 7-player LAN Mariokart on 2 projectors (I now have 2 Broadband Adapters for that purpose alone) and didn't come out for 4 hours. People were literally lining up to play! Plus, the game itself regulates skill so the massive skill gap that was apparent in Double Dash was lessened to a great degree.
Now if only we could track down enough bongos for 4-player Donkey Konga (1 or 2)
I agree entirely. My brother and I went and bought a couple of bongos, Jungle Beat, and Donkey Konga on a whim a few months back and haven't regretted it one bit. I believe the exact description I heard was "Bongos should be the natural input for a game console". Even more, people I know who "don't like video games" were getting me to come over with the 'cube just to play Donkey Konga for hours on end. High School "I'm too cool for kids games" kids who dismissed it at first couldn't be torn away from it after playing once.
Nintendo makes games with the WTF factor that you can throw down with some friends of varying skill levels and all have a blast. Warioware is another perfect example of this. "This looks lame" quickly makes way for "This game is awesome", despite the lack of plot or "mature" content.
Revolution, just like anything else, is going to be dependent on games before system specs, and if Nintendo keeps on innovating we will all be around to do this again at their next launch.
As I discovered with the Serenity Trailer, you can run most (if not all) MOV files under VLC and not have to install any more garbage just because you want to do one thing. Plus, VLC is just a fine piece of media player when my old Windows Media Player 4.0 won't do.
Hmmm. Sounds like a person I knew who got hired by Apple a wuile back. Smart guy, just a total ass-hat to deal with, and there are a lot of people (most of them) who would love to see him and wolves in an unpleasant relationship. Doesn't necessarily say he'll be good for the company, though.
Actually, Hindi is right up there on my 'to-learn' list also (just need to get more fluent in German, first). Anyway, the solution I found was simply the 'roll your own' one.
Basically, I had access to an old server with PHP and MySQL installed, so I wrote a flashcard database that took any language (good old $key -> $var) and produced a random, lesson-based run of cards in either english or the chosen language (selectable or random) that auto-corrected for you. It did me fantastically well in introductory German classes, at least.
But yeah, as another post said, this works best when combined with a class or two. Too bad there's nobody teaching Hindi where I live right now...
Maybe this time they won't pick a weekend where everybody and their dog is trying to get to a football game and we can actually get some buses to go! Seriously, the Physics Students' Society at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon (about 2 hours away) has been working on a trip out to watch the launch, and renting buses has been a nightmare. We basically had to try to book a pub crawl through a local bar that starts at 2:00 AM (to make it out with time to set up for the proposed 5:30 launch). Maybe this time we can get some buses! Woohoo!
Forecast calls for a 100% chance of fun had by all in attendance, regardless of the outcome.