Ok, so the demo is lame. I can just see his big dorky grin as he gets all excited about his little blinking LED. Reminds me of my past... science fairs, etc. -- and gives me a frightening glimpse into my future. *sigh* I think I need to get out more.
Anyway, this does sound cool.. the reduction of costs for things like LCD panels could make a lof our cool dream gadgets become an affordable reality... I just hope the economy doesn't end up killing this research..
Why in the world would the/. editors use a SSL (https://) link for the LA Times story? Irony [since it's an article on security]? Or do they just want to tax the server a little bit more to make it more likely to be/.'ed? Bah, silly silly editors.
Ok, since when is Microsoft's troubles with security flaws being bad for business news? Anyway....
XP users said the updates cause systems to become unstable and some device drivers to stop working. [companion article]
I'll note that I haven't seen any problems recently on my XP box - in fact thanks to a BIOS update and a new video driver it's running smoother than ever (for what that's worth). Have any/. users [those brave enough to admit they run XP on at least one box] seen these problems?
Either way, I certainly always like to know what's going on in my system - so I never have it automatically install updates. For those interested in turning off the automatic downloads (highly recommended) - go to Control Panel, System, and the Automatic Updates tab. I have it set on the middle option (to notify, but not download/install automatically). Of course, I have a *legal* version of the OS, you warez kiddies will probably be a little more paranoid about any notifications. *grin*.
I wonder when IBM or someone will build a HD with a self delete 'fail safe' system. When the drive powers down without a password, wipe.
And the first time I'm away from home, the power fails, and my UPS dutifully shuts down my computer but I'm not there to enter the password??? ooooppss.... ah well, I've been meaning to do some housekeeping and try out a different flavor of *NIX anyway *grin*
Those that don't take the time to understand or care about these (tech)issues will never be persuaded, and will resist discussion. Their eyes will glaze over, and their attention will turn to Survivor 4.
Valid point. However -- these are NOT just tech issues, although that's where a lot of our 'steam' lies. These are fundamental issues of privacy, freedom, and the Constitution and Bill of Rights -- as well as all applicable laws and documents in countries other than the United States (YES, we are not the only country -- and NO, we are not the only ones entitled to privacy).
Our challenge is to do what geeks aren't naturally adept at: communicating (in person.. not via e-mail or a weblog) and marketing. Yes, marketing - that's what this is all about, selling our ideas. We need to continue to go after our tech-related causes, but we need to organize and attack these problems from a logical standpoint. Tech issues need to be boiled down for our lawmakers to understand, our causes need to be Lowest-Common-Denominated for John Q Public to somewhat understand and support. Even if that means pitching the basic ideas -- that our freedoms are being taken away -- rather than the specific causes.
I don't have all the answers on how to do this, but I'd love to see fellow readers respond and discuss this. In my opinion the best way to make a change is to support those who are already organizing and fighting (donate/join EFF for example). With combined resources we can do real lobbying, afford PR and marketing teams who might know how to pitch ideas, and get spokes-people who know how to talk rather than hide behind CRT's and LCD's.
In this post 9/11 world, sure - we need to think about security. But we need to remember PRIVACY! and all other freedoms we too-often take for granted.
If most of us addicted to/. would take less time reading and bitching about all of these issues and spent some time actually lobbying and petitioning and holding rational discussions/debates on all levels (from the neighborhood greasy spoon to Washington), we'd see more of a difference.
Don't like the Rosens of this world? [MP|RI]AA got you down? Worried about Carnivore? Take this not just as a reminder of an important (and neglected/forgotten) part of the net's history, but as a battle call...
Seriously. Let's do something, instead of bitching. Don't post a comment unless you're going to write a congressman/woman or sign a petition today. I'm going right now...
We've still got 9 tracks pumping away week after week, on a good ole' 6250 that makes the place look like a modern art sculpture depicting old vs. new =)
Interesting thing to me is that our source tapes (and the ONLY reason we use that behemoth drive) are coming from the State of Texas - DPS (Department of Protective Services, the bureau that handles motor vehicle licenses). I've always wondered why they still used these tapes (other than beurocracy) -- now I see that the supposed last supplier of media is based in Texas. Hmmmm..... more government suck-ups for business??
Anyway, I'll miss the *thwap* sound of loading those tapes... and the lovely EBCDIC conversions.. and re-coding our import applications every time their format specification changes. I'm guessing we'll start getting CD's soon....
Slashdot Mirror
He proudly unpacks the company's demo unit: ......
... science fairs, etc. -- and gives me a frightening glimpse into my future. *sigh* I think I need to get out more.
.. the reduction of costs for things like LCD panels could make a lof our cool dream gadgets become an affordable reality ... I just hope the economy doesn't end up killing this research ..
Ok, so the demo is lame. I can just see his big dorky grin as he gets all excited about his little blinking LED. Reminds me of my past
Anyway, this does sound cool
Why in the world would the /. editors use a SSL (https://) link for the LA Times story? Irony [since it's an article on security]? Or do they just want to tax the server a little bit more to make it more likely to be /.'ed? Bah, silly silly editors.
Ok, since when is Microsoft's troubles with security flaws being bad for business news? Anyway ....
/. users [those brave enough to admit they run XP on at least one box] seen these problems?
XP users said the updates cause systems to become unstable and some device drivers to stop working. [companion article]
I'll note that I haven't seen any problems recently on my XP box - in fact thanks to a BIOS update and a new video driver it's running smoother than ever (for what that's worth). Have any
Either way, I certainly always like to know what's going on in my system - so I never have it automatically install updates. For those interested in turning off the automatic downloads (highly recommended) - go to Control Panel, System, and the Automatic Updates tab. I have it set on the middle option (to notify, but not download/install automatically). Of course, I have a *legal* version of the OS, you warez kiddies will probably be a little more paranoid about any notifications. *grin*.
I wonder when IBM or someone will build a HD with a self delete 'fail safe' system. When the drive powers down without a password, wipe.
And the first time I'm away from home, the power fails, and my UPS dutifully shuts down my computer but I'm not there to enter the password??? ooooppss.... ah well, I've been meaning to do some housekeeping and try out a different flavor of *NIX anyway *grin*
Those that don't take the time to understand or care about these (tech)issues will never be persuaded, and will resist discussion. Their eyes will glaze over, and their attention will turn to Survivor 4.
.. not via e-mail or a weblog) and marketing. Yes, marketing - that's what this is all about, selling our ideas. We need to continue to go after our tech-related causes, but we need to organize and attack these problems from a logical standpoint. Tech issues need to be boiled down for our lawmakers to understand, our causes need to be Lowest-Common-Denominated for John Q Public to somewhat understand and support. Even if that means pitching the basic ideas -- that our freedoms are being taken away -- rather than the specific causes.
Valid point. However -- these are NOT just tech issues, although that's where a lot of our 'steam' lies. These are fundamental issues of privacy, freedom, and the Constitution and Bill of Rights -- as well as all applicable laws and documents in countries other than the United States (YES, we are not the only country -- and NO, we are not the only ones entitled to privacy).
Our challenge is to do what geeks aren't naturally adept at: communicating (in person
I don't have all the answers on how to do this, but I'd love to see fellow readers respond and discuss this. In my opinion the best way to make a change is to support those who are already organizing and fighting (donate/join EFF for example). With combined resources we can do real lobbying, afford PR and marketing teams who might know how to pitch ideas, and get spokes-people who know how to talk rather than hide behind CRT's and LCD's.
In this post 9/11 world, sure - we need to think about security. But we need to remember PRIVACY! and all other freedoms we too-often take for granted.
/. would take less time reading and bitching about all of these issues and spent some time actually lobbying and petitioning and holding rational discussions/debates on all levels (from the neighborhood greasy spoon to Washington), we'd see more of a difference.
If most of us addicted to
Don't like the Rosens of this world? [MP|RI]AA got you down? Worried about Carnivore? Take this not just as a reminder of an important (and neglected/forgotten) part of the net's history, but as a battle call...
Seriously. Let's do something, instead of bitching. Don't post a comment unless you're going to write a congressman/woman or sign a petition today. I'm going right now...
Peace.
We've still got 9 tracks pumping away week after week, on a good ole' 6250 that makes the place look like a modern art sculpture depicting old vs. new =)
... and the lovely EBCDIC conversions .. and re-coding our import applications every time their format specification changes. I'm guessing we'll start getting CD's soon ....
Interesting thing to me is that our source tapes (and the ONLY reason we use that behemoth drive) are coming from the State of Texas - DPS (Department of Protective Services, the bureau that handles motor vehicle licenses). I've always wondered why they still used these tapes (other than beurocracy) -- now I see that the supposed last supplier of media is based in Texas. Hmmmm..... more government suck-ups for business??
Anyway, I'll miss the *thwap* sound of loading those tapes