I don't really _hate_ Microsoft per se, but I find that they don't really have my needs in mind (as a developer and long-time computer user)
This is something I read a lot on Slashdot. The complaint/argument that a certian company does not have the customer in mind. What some people fail to see is that the only responsibility a company has is to its shareholders. The only reason a business exists is to make money for its owners.
However, companies do have a responsiblity to the law, the evrionment, and its employees. And my personal distaste for the corporation relates to their anti-trust violations. It is not illegal or even morally wrong to make crappy software - I don't have to buy it. On the other hand, it is wrong to abuse a monopoly and break the law.
A counter example to this list was The Matrix - Reloaded. Where a documented exploit was used to gain access to the power grid. As for how a single system was able to bring down power for an entire city - well thats touches a subject called Willing Suspension of Disbelief.
Sir, I recommend what is called a "disaster recovery plan". Many institutions use asynchronous replication to mirror their data to a far away place. Should there be a complete disaster like a fire, or even worse a hurricane (can you say Katrina?), your data is all nice and cozy tucked away in a disaster recovery data center. You could even take it a step further and setup a large VM box hosting replicas of your systems. They would not be full speed of course, but who cares - in this scenario you're probably dead. And the cost isn't even that outrageous. And besides, if your business will be impacted that drastically by the loss of 5 days worth of data, then you're probably big enough to afford setting up some real DR.
The company I work for (mid-sized manufacturing) is a Novell shop. We are in the process of getting NetWare out, and moving to Linux. Until working here I was never familiar with GroupWise. While it is not the end-all, be-all of messaging platforms, it is by far less of a castrafuck that is Exchange or even Notes. Is runs on Linux (both Client and Server) has all the functionality that is needed - mobile messaging, webmail, etc. The only drawback is the horrible management interface (ConsoleOne). But there are third party apps to replace that.
There is absolutely no way that a customer could have planted this bomb. Nobody who has ever been a PayPal customer has any idea how to contact PayPal, let alone their actual physical address...
1) Setup Active Directory and create accounts and passwords for all students and faculity
2) Apply group policies to users to lock down settings and installations
3) Use Microsoft ISA Server to filter and monitor web activity and put any students who go to porn sites in detention
This is no minor investment, but Microsoft does give a nice discount for academic outfits. This will cut down on 95% of all computer abuse, and the for the enterprising young minds who manage to get around it (because no system is full proof), give them access to a Linux distribution and embrace their passion. This is a WIN-WIN; computers will function for those people who just need to use them, and you give students with a passion for computers the opportunity to explore more powerful operating systems.
I am not sure what you concider "gouging" but my DSL from Verizon (3.0mbps downstream) is only $30.00/month. Compare that to cable from Comcast (all that is available in the area) for ~$60/month, and Verizon is not a bad deal. Been working fine for as long as I've had it.
Btw, their website says that DSL is as low as $15/month.
What I dont understand is if this guy doesn't have a modem that works, how is he talking on IRC? Unless he has another computer that connects to the internet, in which case could of just downloaded the drivers on that machine. It makes no sense. *weep*
Another reason to watch movies at home.
You can put the movies on your date, without risking going to jail.
Not going to jail always makes for a good date.
If only those people at Google would only get their act together and start acting and dressing professionaly, then maybe Google would make some money and their stock would go up. Jeeze.
[/sarcasm]
No, no, no! It should be part of the OS. If I buy an OS and it is vulnerable to viruses, it is a flaw in the OS's design. Why do I have to pay extra to make my machine usable?
I'm seeing a contradiction. On one hand we drag Microsoft to court for bundling software with their os because its anti-competitive. But now we expect Microsoft to include antivirus utilities with the OS. Seems to me nobody can make up their mind what they want Microsoft to do.
Im not saying which is right, I just feel bad for these guys who cant seem to make us happy no matter what they do.
With my hardware firewall, and ActiveX disabled I am not afraid to use IE. It's faster and smaller, and renders sites better than Firefox. I do, however, love the WebDeveloper extension for FF.
Just because you aren't afraid of using IE, doesn't mean you shouldn't be. I'm sure most people who's computer is riddled with spyware arn't afraid of using IE either.
i have many good friends who know i use linux. they jave often come to me asking "Can you teach me Linux?".
And i always tell them "Here are my Mandrake CD's... have fun".
My personal belife that you cant teach someone how to use and OS. You can only teach them the specifics of the OS. So the best way to learn is to play. Thats how you learned Windows... why can't you do the same with Linux. Well their excuse is Linux is hard. But they are wrong linux is easy... Once you stop thinking in a Windows mindset.
For example a person who uses Windows would say. "Why cant I just open up the hard drive and see my files, like in explorer?"
The anwser is you can, just type "ls". Some people try to tell me "Why is that so hard?" And i tell them. its not, its alot easier then double-clicking on "My Computer", then C: or whatever.
So anyway.. my point is to learn Linux, all you have to do is stop thinking in a windows mindset. Anyone who expects Linux to be like Windows or visa-versa, i think they is missing the point.
We do have one thing going for us: If linux was vulnrable to a virus, as soon as the word got out it would be a matter of hours until a patch was available. that's just the nature of open source. And it's good.
it would be very irresponsable for us to jump to any conclusions. So nobody should be saying that it was, or was not, a terrioist attack.
Its true that planes do crash, and it is possible that this is a conicidence. But given the recent events, it would be just plain dumb to not take into consideration terriosm.
The AirBus A300 is a very reliable aircraft, and has been in use for 30 years.
We need to take the time to look at the facts, once the smoke clears.
You have a very valid point. People can encrypt their private data. And indeed, in some cases they should. This will prevent people from looking at it. But that's not the point. We shouldn't have to do this. There is no reason why our government should be that involved with our lives. They do this in the name of terriosm. How many of the packets that are traveling across at any giver moment, are from Osama Bin Laden or any other terriost? So little it's almost insane to try and detect. And surely this technolgy will get abused.
Anyway the government should be working around us. After all we put them there.
On Thursday, in San Jose, CA, free speech supporters can enjoy a double-header in Federal and State courts.
Free Speech Supporters... Well its nice to know a few people belive in the bill of rights. Shoundn't everyone who lives in this country be a free speech supporter? If you dont support free speech, then why the hell are you here? You really should move to China. Anyway... I just feel bad when i see people rights being violated by major corperations, or even the government. I mean people died for free speech. And we sit here talking about it like its a huge political issue. Its a basic human right granted to americans by the constituion. And when it is taken away (by the government or others) its wrong.
Slashdot Mirror
I like how Slashdot's way of showing support for the project is by reducing the server to a smoldering pile of wreckage.
Why would you run SQL Server on Vista anyway? Servers don't need shiny graphics.
This is something I read a lot on Slashdot. The complaint/argument that a certian company does not have the customer in mind. What some people fail to see is that the only responsibility a company has is to its shareholders. The only reason a business exists is to make money for its owners.
However, companies do have a responsiblity to the law, the evrionment, and its employees. And my personal distaste for the corporation relates to their anti-trust violations. It is not illegal or even morally wrong to make crappy software - I don't have to buy it. On the other hand, it is wrong to abuse a monopoly and break the law.
The process to improve your ability to program computers is the same as improving anything else - practice. Write some damn code. In fact write lots.
I know. Its crumbelievable.
A counter example to this list was The Matrix - Reloaded. Where a documented exploit was used to gain access to the power grid. As for how a single system was able to bring down power for an entire city - well thats touches a subject called Willing Suspension of Disbelief.
The most enjoyable part about these images is the fact that they are advertising a 17" CRT for $399.99. What a steal.
Sir, I recommend what is called a "disaster recovery plan". Many institutions use asynchronous replication to mirror their data to a far away place. Should there be a complete disaster like a fire, or even worse a hurricane (can you say Katrina?), your data is all nice and cozy tucked away in a disaster recovery data center. You could even take it a step further and setup a large VM box hosting replicas of your systems. They would not be full speed of course, but who cares - in this scenario you're probably dead. And the cost isn't even that outrageous. And besides, if your business will be impacted that drastically by the loss of 5 days worth of data, then you're probably big enough to afford setting up some real DR.
Cheers.
Novell GroupWise?
The company I work for (mid-sized manufacturing) is a Novell shop. We are in the process of getting NetWare out, and moving to Linux. Until working here I was never familiar with GroupWise. While it is not the end-all, be-all of messaging platforms, it is by far less of a castrafuck that is Exchange or even Notes. Is runs on Linux (both Client and Server) has all the functionality that is needed - mobile messaging, webmail, etc. The only drawback is the horrible management interface (ConsoleOne). But there are third party apps to replace that.
Is that so? I would have never guessed.
I would like to introduce you to Google Maps
The Intra-Web is Amazing!!!!!!111!
1) Setup Active Directory and create accounts and passwords for all students and faculity
2) Apply group policies to users to lock down settings and installations
3) Use Microsoft ISA Server to filter and monitor web activity and put any students who go to porn sites in detention
This is no minor investment, but Microsoft does give a nice discount for academic outfits. This will cut down on 95% of all computer abuse, and the for the enterprising young minds who manage to get around it (because no system is full proof), give them access to a Linux distribution and embrace their passion. This is a WIN-WIN; computers will function for those people who just need to use them, and you give students with a passion for computers the opportunity to explore more powerful operating systems.
I am not sure what you concider "gouging" but my DSL from Verizon (3.0mbps downstream) is only $30.00/month. Compare that to cable from Comcast (all that is available in the area) for ~$60/month, and Verizon is not a bad deal. Been working fine for as long as I've had it.
Btw, their website says that DSL is as low as $15/month.
Dr. Emmett Brown
Great Scott!
What I dont understand is if this guy doesn't have a modem that works, how is he talking on IRC? Unless he has another computer that connects to the internet, in which case could of just downloaded the drivers on that machine. It makes no sense. *weep*
Another reason to watch movies at home. You can put the movies on your date, without risking going to jail. Not going to jail always makes for a good date.
If only those people at Google would only get their act together and start acting and dressing professionaly, then maybe Google would make some money and their stock would go up. Jeeze. [/sarcasm]
No, no, no! It should be part of the OS. If I buy an OS and it is vulnerable to viruses, it is a flaw in the OS's design. Why do I have to pay extra to make my machine usable?
I'm seeing a contradiction. On one hand we drag Microsoft to court for bundling software with their os because its anti-competitive. But now we expect Microsoft to include antivirus utilities with the OS. Seems to me nobody can make up their mind what they want Microsoft to do.
Im not saying which is right, I just feel bad for these guys who cant seem to make us happy no matter what they do.
With my hardware firewall, and ActiveX disabled I am not afraid to use IE. It's faster and smaller, and renders sites better than Firefox. I do, however, love the WebDeveloper extension for FF.
Just because you aren't afraid of using IE, doesn't mean you shouldn't be. I'm sure most people who's computer is riddled with spyware arn't afraid of using IE either.
i have many good friends who know i use linux. they jave often come to me asking "Can you teach me Linux?".
And i always tell them "Here are my Mandrake CD's... have fun".
My personal belife that you cant teach someone how to use and OS. You can only teach them the specifics of the OS. So the best way to learn is to play. Thats how you learned Windows... why can't you do the same with Linux. Well their excuse is Linux is hard. But they are wrong linux is easy... Once you stop thinking in a Windows mindset.
For example a person who uses Windows would say. "Why cant I just open up the hard drive and see my files, like in explorer?"
The anwser is you can, just type "ls". Some people try to tell me "Why is that so hard?" And i tell them. its not, its alot easier then double-clicking on "My Computer", then C: or whatever.
So anyway.. my point is to learn Linux, all you have to do is stop thinking in a windows mindset. Anyone who expects Linux to be like Windows or visa-versa, i think they is missing the point.
We do have one thing going for us: If linux was vulnrable to a virus, as soon as the word got out it would be a matter of hours until a patch was available. that's just the nature of open source. And it's good.
it would be very irresponsable for us to jump to any conclusions. So nobody should be saying that it was, or was not, a terrioist attack.
Its true that planes do crash, and it is possible that this is a conicidence. But given the recent events, it would be just plain dumb to not take into consideration terriosm.
The AirBus A300 is a very reliable aircraft, and has been in use for 30 years.
We need to take the time to look at the facts, once the smoke clears.
did it ever occur to them that manulipulating the Quake 3 binary just might mess it up a little, and make it run a tad bit slower?
You have a very valid point. People can encrypt their private data. And indeed, in some cases they should. This will prevent people from looking at it. But that's not the point. We shouldn't have to do this. There is no reason why our government should be that involved with our lives. They do this in the name of terriosm. How many of the packets that are traveling across at any giver moment, are from Osama Bin Laden or any other terriost? So little it's almost insane to try and detect. And surely this technolgy will get abused.
Anyway the government should be working around us. After all we put them there.
On Thursday, in San Jose, CA, free speech supporters can enjoy a double-header in Federal and State courts.
Free Speech Supporters... Well its nice to know a few people belive in the bill of rights. Shoundn't everyone who lives in this country be a free speech supporter? If you dont support free speech, then why the hell are you here? You really should move to China. Anyway... I just feel bad when i see people rights being violated by major corperations, or even the government. I mean people died for free speech. And we sit here talking about it like its a huge political issue. Its a basic human right granted to americans by the constituion. And when it is taken away (by the government or others) its wrong.