I don't agree with everything in the article, but it does raise some interesting questions for me.
I've always subscribed to the notion that an OS is a tool. You should get it based on your needs. Not all OS's should act as servers. Not all OS's are good for newbies. Yet, everyone looks for THE OS to use as an all-purpose solution. If Debian wants to target the server market, then they shouldn't compromise the server functionality/configurability. That _doesn't_ mean that they should make it hard to use just to scare off inexperienced users.
So, the question that I wonder is, just what audience is Linux targeting? Perhaps the model I see emerging is a good one. The Linux is the underlying engine, there are different UIs for different users, and the support companies target different audiences.
I don't think the rape was the point. I think the bias displayed by the detective was the point. There's another issue here besides whether or not a rape took place. If the detective had said (in an appropriate circumstance), "Well, you're a black woman and everyone knows that black women can't get enough. How could it be rape?" There would be all kinds of protests. Now just insert "an Internet user" for "a black woman" and that's the problem.
The media-effect has reared it's ugly head. Every now and then, I see an article in Ann Landers or a piece on 48 Hours about what horrible, perverted, violent people are on the Internet and how you must protect yourself and your family from them. There is an element to truth in this, but no more so than in the rest of society (they've got to live somewhere; they're not just bits).
I wonder if there's a way to promote a more realistic picture of the Internet community. The analogy I prefer to use is that communicating over the Internet is like visiting a foriegn country. Learn the culture and don't trust anyone more than you would a perfect stranger.
It could have been a non-macro (traditional) virus that used OLE to do it's work. This possibly opens up other email programs that can be accessed through OLE as well.
Will we never cease to reap the benefits from Microsoft innovation:-P
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I don't agree with everything in the article, but it does raise some interesting questions for me.
I've always subscribed to the notion that an OS is a tool. You should get it based on your needs. Not all OS's should act as servers. Not all OS's are good for newbies. Yet, everyone looks for THE OS to use as an all-purpose solution. If Debian wants to target the server market, then they shouldn't compromise the server functionality/configurability. That _doesn't_ mean that they should make it hard to use just to scare off inexperienced users.
So, the question that I wonder is, just what audience is Linux targeting? Perhaps the model I see emerging is a good one. The Linux is the underlying engine, there are different UIs for different users, and the support companies target different audiences.
-Jennifer
I don't think the rape was the point. I think the bias displayed by the detective was the point. There's another issue here besides whether or not a rape took place. If the detective had said (in an appropriate circumstance), "Well, you're a black woman and everyone knows that black women can't get enough. How could it be rape?" There would be all kinds of protests. Now just insert "an Internet user" for "a black woman" and that's the problem.
-Jennifer
The media-effect has reared it's ugly head. Every now and then, I see an article in Ann Landers or a piece on 48 Hours about what horrible, perverted, violent people are on the Internet and how you must protect yourself and your family from them. There is an element to truth in this, but no more so than in the rest of society (they've got to live somewhere; they're not just bits).
I wonder if there's a way to promote a more realistic picture of the Internet community. The analogy I prefer to use is that communicating over the Internet is like visiting a foriegn country. Learn the culture and don't trust anyone more than you would a perfect stranger.
-Jennifer
It could have been a non-macro (traditional) virus that used OLE to do it's work. This possibly opens up other email programs that can be accessed through OLE as well.
:-P
Will we never cease to reap the benefits from Microsoft innovation
-Jennifer