How many people don't know the first thing about using a browser? Not very many. Almost everyone that has a computer can at least get to a web site and navigate around.
I've kicked around starting a desktop Linux program at my company, but it is extremely difficult due to training aspects and people's comfort level. It is solutions such as this that help to drive people such as me to new installations because we have more tools at our disposal. Don't discount it without trying to use it.
Actually, finance people LOVE it when you tell them that a fully depreciated PC can go another year or two. They get to hold onto $1,000 - $2,000 per machine for another 1-2 years and earn interest on it instead of spending it.
As IT Director for my organization, we are working on extending our replacement cycle from 3 to 4 years and 5 years for lower usage PCs. They simply don't need to be turned over so quickly, unless there is a pressing need like video editing, graphics, etc.
As this post eluded, the ITAA is around to help secure the futures of the IT companies, not the individial workers in those companies.
Maybe it's time for IT pros to really start taking a hard look at the laws that are being passed and band together to help each other. While the EFF and such as doing their part on behalf of the consumers and some tech people, they have a much different focus -- on the technology rather than the people for the most part.
If there was an Information Technology WORKERS Association of America, how many of you would join to support the cause? How many of you would be willing to pay a membership fee to this organization to support its operations -- ie - staff (lawyers would be needed since we would be interacting on a large scale with the hill), assistants, equipment, rent, etc?
Personally, I would be more than happy to join this kind of association to get my voice heard somewhere other than Slashdot.
gTsiros -
These are excellent points. I am on the cusp of introducing desktop Linux in my organization, but still floundering because of the small, nagging things. I also like Linux -- a lot, but its still a little too "technical" for the average end user. I've read a number of the comments in this discussion and a lot of the die hard Linux folks have had the attitude that the end user is stupid or that they should be forced to go out and learn on their own rather than have the basic design problems fixed in the OS.
One of the reasons that I have not taken a Linux migration plan and ROI figure to my CFO and Executive Director is very simple -- THERE WILL BE VERY LITTLE COST SAVINGS when user retraining is taken into consideration -- and it does need to be considered.
Also, I'm sorry that you felt that you had to put the all caps disclaimer at the end of your message asking not to be flamed for your views. Therein lies a third problem with migration to Linux -- the folks backing it are a little overzealous in their views and pointing out problems with their favorite products does not result in productive communication.
Having worked for both local and state government in IT, I think that the comment about these people being bozos is a little over the top. State and local governments are suffering huge budget shortfalls with no relief in site in the foreseeable future. While a maintenance contract may only cost $850 a month for this machine, that $850 may simply not be available. Even a local government can't spend what they don't have. And keep in mind that Wilkes-Barre is in the middle of PA and in a depressed area. If the IT department was told to cut something, this may have been the best candidate. I'm sure that they are more professional than you give them credit for and sometimes people have to work within parameters that do not please them.
Here's how I see the privacy issue. First off, sensitive personal information should never be shared without explicit, up front consent -- not just a lick through.
On the issue of less sensitive information, I think we will eventually have two choices. The first is to simply accept that our information is being shared and continue to use the service without additional fees. The second is that we do not allow our information to be shared in which case the content providers, such as Yahoo, will have to find some way to make money -- ie - charging for access and other services.
Sun may have created Java to make money, but that is the purpose of being in business, unless you are a non-profit. If they didn't make money, they wouldn't last long.
What is your stand on MP3?
This is one of those urban myths like alligators in the toilet. MP3 is just a technology and the technology itself never did anything wrong! There are lots of legal MP3s from great artists on many, many online sites. The problem is that some people use MP3 to take one copy of an album and make that copy available on the Internet for hundreds of thousands of people. That's not fair. If you choose to take your own CDs and make copies for yourself on your computer or portable music player, that's great. It's your music and we want you to enjoy it at home, at work, in the car and on the jogging trail. But the fact that technology exists to enable unlimited Internet distribution of music copies doesn't make it right. To learn more about digital music, visit the Music and the Internet section.
The only time I find a CD really useful is when it is included with some type of certification book and includes practice exams. Other than that, I generally never open them. Some people, however, will go to great lengths to get the CD. At Borders the other day, I picked up an IT book that I intended to buy and when flipping through, noticed that someone had torn open the CD envelope and stolen the CDs! Since I didn't need the CDs anyway, I asked the clerk for a discount and got 25% off. I was pleased. Whoever stole them is really hard up, though.
Unfortunately, security is much tighter at the border these days. More cars are checked than before and they don't generally let stuff get by as much as they used to. If they find it, they'll confiscate it. Hopefully they won't shoot you on the spot for attempting to subvert their "revenue" stream. (kidding, of course)
RANT: Why is jacking the public called "increasing revenue"? Eh.
Scott
So what we're saying is that we are working under a gravity 2.0 model currently. Maybe these guys are working under gravity XP. Gravity 2.0 likely added a lot of unnecessary bloat to the problem that XP removed, hence no gravity.
Err -- maybe. Or it could be that I'm just bored today.
I've used pretty much everything for Remote Administration. I also very much like Terminal Services, but there are some areas where it simply does not work. For example, if you have a service that needs to interact with the desktop -- ie the VNC service itself -- that service simply cannot be used. Terminal Services uses a virtual console and is not the actual server console, and this is one of the limitations.
Most recently, I have switched to Remote Administrator as it redirects the physical console and uses API hooks to do it, so it's FAST and it also encrypts 100% of the session so there is no need to mess around with SSH with VNC.
Like you, I often install both, depending on the server.
I used to be the Director of Network Services for a small (2000 students) private liberal arts college. I would have also disabled the port, based on the AUP I read. College network administrators have more to deal with than most people realize, and the easiest thing to do is simply disable things that cause problems and deal with it. I didn't get upset with anyone when they did things like this - I just disabled them, talked it over with them and in every case, they understood the reasoning and didn't do it again.
I read a post earlier where someone violated the rules, was caught and then set up Linux with IP masquerading to do it all over again. That sucks. Wait until you get a real job and try something like that.
Actually, his recruiter is doing him a favor by suggesting this as a possible alternative. He has the potential to save a lot of money by going this route as he will be able to buy things related to his job with pre-tax money.
I have been using Word for years, consistently with documents MUCH larger than 10-20 pages (some with over 100) and don't have these kinds of problems. Most of my large documents are training manuals and hence, include an inordinate number of screenshots/graphics.
I did have a few problems when I was running Word under Win9x, but under NT/2000, smooth sailing for docs of any size.
Scottt
Slashdot Mirror
How many people don't know the first thing about using a browser? Not very many. Almost everyone that has a computer can at least get to a web site and navigate around.
I've kicked around starting a desktop Linux program at my company, but it is extremely difficult due to training aspects and people's comfort level. It is solutions such as this that help to drive people such as me to new installations because we have more tools at our disposal. Don't discount it without trying to use it.
Scott
Actually, finance people LOVE it when you tell them that a fully depreciated PC can go another year or two. They get to hold onto $1,000 - $2,000 per machine for another 1-2 years and earn interest on it instead of spending it.
As IT Director for my organization, we are working on extending our replacement cycle from 3 to 4 years and 5 years for lower usage PCs. They simply don't need to be turned over so quickly, unless there is a pressing need like video editing, graphics, etc.
As this post eluded, the ITAA is around to help secure the futures of the IT companies, not the individial workers in those companies.
Maybe it's time for IT pros to really start taking a hard look at the laws that are being passed and band together to help each other. While the EFF and such as doing their part on behalf of the consumers and some tech people, they have a much different focus -- on the technology rather than the people for the most part.
If there was an Information Technology WORKERS Association of America, how many of you would join to support the cause? How many of you would be willing to pay a membership fee to this organization to support its operations -- ie - staff (lawyers would be needed since we would be interacting on a large scale with the hill), assistants, equipment, rent, etc?
Personally, I would be more than happy to join this kind of association to get my voice heard somewhere other than Slashdot.
Thoughts?
gTsiros - These are excellent points. I am on the cusp of introducing desktop Linux in my organization, but still floundering because of the small, nagging things. I also like Linux -- a lot, but its still a little too "technical" for the average end user. I've read a number of the comments in this discussion and a lot of the die hard Linux folks have had the attitude that the end user is stupid or that they should be forced to go out and learn on their own rather than have the basic design problems fixed in the OS.
One of the reasons that I have not taken a Linux migration plan and ROI figure to my CFO and Executive Director is very simple -- THERE WILL BE VERY LITTLE COST SAVINGS when user retraining is taken into consideration -- and it does need to be considered.
Also, I'm sorry that you felt that you had to put the all caps disclaimer at the end of your message asking not to be flamed for your views. Therein lies a third problem with migration to Linux -- the folks backing it are a little overzealous in their views and pointing out problems with their favorite products does not result in productive communication.
Having worked for both local and state government in IT, I think that the comment about these people being bozos is a little over the top. State and local governments are suffering huge budget shortfalls with no relief in site in the foreseeable future. While a maintenance contract may only cost $850 a month for this machine, that $850 may simply not be available. Even a local government can't spend what they don't have. And keep in mind that Wilkes-Barre is in the middle of PA and in a depressed area. If the IT department was told to cut something, this may have been the best candidate. I'm sure that they are more professional than you give them credit for and sometimes people have to work within parameters that do not please them.
Here's how I see the privacy issue. First off, sensitive personal information should never be shared without explicit, up front consent -- not just a lick through.
On the issue of less sensitive information, I think we will eventually have two choices. The first is to simply accept that our information is being shared and continue to use the service without additional fees. The second is that we do not allow our information to be shared in which case the content providers, such as Yahoo, will have to find some way to make money -- ie - charging for access and other services.
Sun may have created Java to make money, but that is the purpose of being in business, unless you are a non-profit. If they didn't make money, they wouldn't last long.
What is your stand on MP3? This is one of those urban myths like alligators in the toilet. MP3 is just a technology and the technology itself never did anything wrong! There are lots of legal MP3s from great artists on many, many online sites. The problem is that some people use MP3 to take one copy of an album and make that copy available on the Internet for hundreds of thousands of people. That's not fair. If you choose to take your own CDs and make copies for yourself on your computer or portable music player, that's great. It's your music and we want you to enjoy it at home, at work, in the car and on the jogging trail. But the fact that technology exists to enable unlimited Internet distribution of music copies doesn't make it right. To learn more about digital music, visit the Music and the Internet section.
The only time I find a CD really useful is when it is included with some type of certification book and includes practice exams. Other than that, I generally never open them. Some people, however, will go to great lengths to get the CD. At Borders the other day, I picked up an IT book that I intended to buy and when flipping through, noticed that someone had torn open the CD envelope and stolen the CDs! Since I didn't need the CDs anyway, I asked the clerk for a discount and got 25% off. I was pleased. Whoever stole them is really hard up, though.
Unfortunately, security is much tighter at the border these days. More cars are checked than before and they don't generally let stuff get by as much as they used to. If they find it, they'll confiscate it. Hopefully they won't shoot you on the spot for attempting to subvert their "revenue" stream. (kidding, of course) RANT: Why is jacking the public called "increasing revenue"? Eh. Scott
So what we're saying is that we are working under a gravity 2.0 model currently. Maybe these guys are working under gravity XP. Gravity 2.0 likely added a lot of unnecessary bloat to the problem that XP removed, hence no gravity.
Err -- maybe. Or it could be that I'm just bored today.
I've used pretty much everything for Remote Administration. I also very much like Terminal Services, but there are some areas where it simply does not work. For example, if you have a service that needs to interact with the desktop -- ie the VNC service itself -- that service simply cannot be used. Terminal Services uses a virtual console and is not the actual server console, and this is one of the limitations.
Most recently, I have switched to Remote Administrator as it redirects the physical console and uses API hooks to do it, so it's FAST and it also encrypts 100% of the session so there is no need to mess around with SSH with VNC.
Like you, I often install both, depending on the server.
Scott
I used to be the Director of Network Services for a small (2000 students) private liberal arts college. I would have also disabled the port, based on the AUP I read. College network administrators have more to deal with than most people realize, and the easiest thing to do is simply disable things that cause problems and deal with it. I didn't get upset with anyone when they did things like this - I just disabled them, talked it over with them and in every case, they understood the reasoning and didn't do it again. I read a post earlier where someone violated the rules, was caught and then set up Linux with IP masquerading to do it all over again. That sucks. Wait until you get a real job and try something like that.
Actually, his recruiter is doing him a favor by suggesting this as a possible alternative. He has the potential to save a lot of money by going this route as he will be able to buy things related to his job with pre-tax money.
It's not a scam in any way, shape or form.
I have been using Word for years, consistently with documents MUCH larger than 10-20 pages (some with over 100) and don't have these kinds of problems. Most of my large documents are training manuals and hence, include an inordinate number of screenshots/graphics. I did have a few problems when I was running Word under Win9x, but under NT/2000, smooth sailing for docs of any size. Scottt