So, what is to stop the same 'coder agent' from doing the same to closed source? Sure, he/she's got to get hired, or contracted to work on it, but if the stakes are high enough, that would be just a temporary setback.
If you look at Apache and IIS, there are far more exploits for IIS, even though Apache is installed on many more servers.
There are no circumstances where code cannot be modified. The Xbox is a good example - there is always an exploit, be it hardware or software. If you want to keep something secret and safe, destroy it and never speak of it again.
That said, rather than only allowing use of the internet to those who 'take security seriously', how about mandating software to be basically secure?
Whose fault is it that a XP machine is 0wzeD within 2 minutes of being connected to the net? Should someone be required to know the ins and outs of Windows exploits in order to use Windows, or should Windows come secure by default?
Most people aren't going to learn, until you force them to. They might miss Will and Grace.
All George (you pick) wants is a list of troublemakers - the ones with smarts are the ones you need to look out for. Thankfully, I won't be on the list.
I realize it sucks when your candidate loses an election. But just because you lose doesn't mean that the other side cheated. There is a reason a lot of this evidence doesn't go anywhere. It is pretty much all grasping at straws. Very little of it is hard evidence. Consider the sheer number of people who would have to be in the deception. Someone would eventually talk.
Let's get this straight. I don't give a good goddamn who won or lost. What I do care about is being ABLE TO TELL. If there is one unverifiable vote out there, that is one too many. If, for whatever reason, a recount is needed, how are we to proceed?
We don't.
The problem, as you see it, is incorrect. A 'huge' number of people are no longer needed to fix an election. The majority of e-voting machines are insecure, unreliable, and are subject to a single point of failure, be it of hardware, software, or human.
At work, we started getting calls from disgruntled or eager-to-be-disgruntled customers of a SatTV service. After answering the millionth call of people telling me to stop calling them, I finally got one of the victims to give me the name on the flyer and the phone number. The name was enough to find the company and tell them to change their marketing materials, as their phone number listed was ours.
Of course, I got thrown in the 'endless hold for angry customers' (Verified on the newsgroups). After five times trying to get ahold of someone who could fix this ever increasing volume of calls, I lost it and started a barrage of calls using 5 lines and an autodialer. I would get to just before where an operator picked up, and put them on hold, then move to the next line. I got amazingly good at it, and picked up the line on some telemarketing stragglers screaming, "WHO IS THIS!?!".
I kept this up for an hour, which I am pretty sure fucked up their profit margin on that day.
Still more calls a few days later - I guess they thought I wasn't serious. Another polite request to talk to the manager, and a dump into endless hold.
Operation Eternal Freedom went into effect again, and this time I feigned an old lady's voice, "I'm trying to reach my son, -insert name here-", on every seventh call. The others went right to hold, until they found no one on the line and hung up. Of course, I was ready with an autodialed response. 45 minutes (while waiting for a backup to complete) later, I called it a day.
Third time, three 45 minute sessions - I got where I could do it one handed on speakerphone, and get some real work done.
I think it's a good idea - there are a few people I know who are so fed up with constant spyware, virus and trojan removal, they don't even use their computer anymore.
One person I know hasn't been able to get online for months, and has spent hundreds on getting their computer fixed. I gave them a linux CD (install) after making sure they didn't mind that everything would be wiped, and they knew enough to configure their dial up. I haven't heard back yet, so maybe they're dead, or catching up on porn.
My suggestion for a window manager is definitely Gnome. I'm no dummy, but KDE seems to have a bigger learning curve. My coworkers are happily using Gnome, and don't really notice a difference from Windows 98. As they were already moved to Firefox and Thunderbird, I didn't have much trouble.
As far as the busted hardware, I am one of the few people (that will admit it on here) who blew up a monitor with a wanky custom Knoppix, NOT the one from Knoppix, and probably due mostly to a tard sandwich I enjoyed earlier that day. It can happen, but most likely not - if you shut off any way to get into the 'mess with your video' at start up, everyone should be fine. At worst, they're out a cool Linux CD, at best they'll call you up and ask how to get it working. (Then you're in trouble - at least it's not Windows - 'Uh, ok, go into the registry...' Ugh.)
I think its a fine idea, and encourage you to do it. There may be one person out there who really appreciates the ability to use their computer again, if only to surf the web and use email without fear.
So ends my Expert and Unassailable Take on This. (Which was really just to get you to read this comment - I know how/.ers can't resist a challenge:)
I think you'll find the tinfoil hats around here were made *before* Reynold's started putting alien-made mind wave enhancing RFID atoms on the dull side.
Of course, now I've said too much. Please mod this down!
If I was 'hacking teh 3l3c710n' for Bush, I would make sure that Kerry received some 'extra' help - in all the places it would do no good.
Look at the polls and results where favorable mistakes happened for Kerry. Are they only in states with few electoral votes, or already assured of a Kerry win?
I mean, c'mon. All you need to ask yourself is one question.
IIRC, I heard about the 'badness' on an old/. reply, so go figure, it would be benign.
I just assumed it would be like 'con con' on Windows or some such thing.
I don't know what you are talking about. I ONLY infringe on the good stuff. Why bother downloading a Britney Spears CD? Seriously?
Do people think that there are hidden moments of genius on there? That's like saying that there's hidden moments of genius on Slashdot.
I've downloaded 3 movies ever. In my case, nobody lost anything. I don't see movies.
Not because I'm 'protesting' per se, but because movies are not that big of a deal to me. I think I've seen maybe 10-15 movies in the last 5 years. This includes DVD. I haven't seen LOTR, Spiderman, or any of the giant things that come out. I say, "Huh, that would be cool." and promptly forget about it.
Really, why bother 'stealing' sucky things? We've got enough pushed on us every day as it is.
There was this one good example in November I recall....
Ensuring that the voting process is fair, consistent, auditable and correct is perhaps the only thing that will encourage people to vote, and the only thing that will 'save' this country.
If 99% of all votes were tabulated correctly and fairly, we most likely wouldn't have a divided country right now.
Sure, there will always be the hardcore tinfoil hat wearers, and there will always be those will blame everyone else for the results of elections, but accurate and auditable voting will alleviate the doubt that 'regular Joes' have in spades since 2000 (and before).
Why does the US have such a haphazard, backwards method? Why are our new and 'improved' methods not auditable or accurate?
Most importantly, why is fixing this not a priority? (Unless of course, it's easy to manipulate...)
When the people have no faith in their vote, they sure as hell ain't going to have any in their government, no matter what party is in power.
Anyone who calls into question the results of the election will be dismissed by the 'winners' as having a case of "Sour Grapes". This attitude will be pushed out until it is all anyone hears. The actual reports of fraud, 'lost' ballots, voter intimidation and malfunctioning machines will be discarded.
I have to hand it to Karl Rove, he truly stood on the shoulders of giants.
Slashdot Mirror
If you look at Apache and IIS, there are far more exploits for IIS, even though Apache is installed on many more servers.
There are no circumstances where code cannot be modified. The Xbox is a good example - there is always an exploit, be it hardware or software. If you want to keep something secret and safe, destroy it and never speak of it again.
That said, rather than only allowing use of the internet to those who 'take security seriously', how about mandating software to be basically secure?
Whose fault is it that a XP machine is 0wzeD within 2 minutes of being connected to the net? Should someone be required to know the ins and outs of Windows exploits in order to use Windows, or should Windows come secure by default?
Most people aren't going to learn, until you force them to. They might miss Will and Grace. All George (you pick) wants is a list of troublemakers - the ones with smarts are the ones you need to look out for. Thankfully, I won't be on the list.
Let's get this straight. I don't give a good goddamn who won or lost. What I do care about is being ABLE TO TELL. If there is one unverifiable vote out there, that is one too many. If, for whatever reason, a recount is needed, how are we to proceed?
We don't.
The problem, as you see it, is incorrect. A 'huge' number of people are no longer needed to fix an election. The majority of e-voting machines are insecure, unreliable, and are subject to a single point of failure, be it of hardware, software, or human.
This sounds like a hacked together item that requires OSS community work to function. Is that the new business model now?
1. Make Linux device with no functionallity.
2. OSS geeks with too much money and time will write the real software for it.
3. Profit!
Geez. Get an Airport Express - it's cheaper and does way more, and doesn't look like a Smurf's office building.
Of course, I got thrown in the 'endless hold for angry customers' (Verified on the newsgroups). After five times trying to get ahold of someone who could fix this ever increasing volume of calls, I lost it and started a barrage of calls using 5 lines and an autodialer. I would get to just before where an operator picked up, and put them on hold, then move to the next line. I got amazingly good at it, and picked up the line on some telemarketing stragglers screaming, "WHO IS THIS!?!".
I kept this up for an hour, which I am pretty sure fucked up their profit margin on that day.
Still more calls a few days later - I guess they thought I wasn't serious. Another polite request to talk to the manager, and a dump into endless hold.
Operation Eternal Freedom went into effect again, and this time I feigned an old lady's voice, "I'm trying to reach my son, -insert name here-", on every seventh call. The others went right to hold, until they found no one on the line and hung up. Of course, I was ready with an autodialed response. 45 minutes (while waiting for a backup to complete) later, I called it a day.
Third time, three 45 minute sessions - I got where I could do it one handed on speakerphone, and get some real work done.
No more calls after that.
Did they get my message? I left about 2,463.
One person I know hasn't been able to get online for months, and has spent hundreds on getting their computer fixed. I gave them a linux CD (install) after making sure they didn't mind that everything would be wiped, and they knew enough to configure their dial up. I haven't heard back yet, so maybe they're dead, or catching up on porn.
My suggestion for a window manager is definitely Gnome. I'm no dummy, but KDE seems to have a bigger learning curve. My coworkers are happily using Gnome, and don't really notice a difference from Windows 98. As they were already moved to Firefox and Thunderbird, I didn't have much trouble.
As far as the busted hardware, I am one of the few people (that will admit it on here) who blew up a monitor with a wanky custom Knoppix, NOT the one from Knoppix, and probably due mostly to a tard sandwich I enjoyed earlier that day. It can happen, but most likely not - if you shut off any way to get into the 'mess with your video' at start up, everyone should be fine. At worst, they're out a cool Linux CD, at best they'll call you up and ask how to get it working. (Then you're in trouble - at least it's not Windows - 'Uh, ok, go into the registry...' Ugh.)
I think its a fine idea, and encourage you to do it. There may be one person out there who really appreciates the ability to use their computer again, if only to surf the web and use email without fear.
So ends my Expert and Unassailable Take on This. (Which was really just to get you to read this comment - I know how /.ers can't resist a challenge :)
Not to pick nits. ;)
To paraphrase the AC who posted earlier, why add to the problem?
to summon Bevets to this thread!
Of course, now I've said too much. Please mod this down!
Look at the polls and results where favorable mistakes happened for Kerry. Are they only in states with few electoral votes, or already assured of a Kerry win?
I mean, c'mon. All you need to ask yourself is one question.
What Would Karl Rove Do?
(Other than eat gay babies)
I don't put it past them, as the evil aura that surrounds MS is enough to be confused with Northern Lights in Redmond. Do you have a source for this?
IIRC, I heard about the 'badness' on an old /. reply, so go figure, it would be benign.
I just assumed it would be like 'con con' on Windows or some such thing.
It's been awhile. I do remember that it's not good.
Are you impotently angry because you're still running 10.1? You ineffective pussy.
Copy & Paste is empowering, isn't it?
this one was so good, my PC feels snappier!
Do people think that there are hidden moments of genius on there? That's like saying that there's hidden moments of genius on Slashdot.
I've downloaded 3 movies ever. In my case, nobody lost anything. I don't see movies.
Not because I'm 'protesting' per se, but because movies are not that big of a deal to me. I think I've seen maybe 10-15 movies in the last 5 years. This includes DVD. I haven't seen LOTR, Spiderman, or any of the giant things that come out. I say, "Huh, that would be cool." and promptly forget about it.
Really, why bother 'stealing' sucky things? We've got enough pushed on us every day as it is.
There was this one good example in November I recall....
Hmmmm. Suffice to say it made an excellent point and was funny and insightful.
My estimates and yours are all a stab in the dark because there is no way to recount, audit, or check votes that have no 'physical' existence.
That is unacceptable, no matter if you support Bush, Kerry or Cthulhu.
Every game I've tried on my 1.25 g4, gig o' ram, 64 meg
If 99% of all votes were tabulated correctly and fairly, we most likely wouldn't have a divided country right now. Sure, there will always be the hardcore tinfoil hat wearers, and there will always be those will blame everyone else for the results of elections, but accurate and auditable voting will alleviate the doubt that 'regular Joes' have in spades since 2000 (and before).
Why does the US have such a haphazard, backwards method? Why are our new and 'improved' methods not auditable or accurate?
Most importantly, why is fixing this not a priority? (Unless of course, it's easy to manipulate...)
When the people have no faith in their vote, they sure as hell ain't going to have any in their government, no matter what party is in power.
I have to hand it to Karl Rove, he truly stood on the shoulders of giants.
Fritz Hollings is gone. (Has enough entertainment money to retire?? It's telling that the 3rd Google result is opensecrets.org...)