I'm not much of a gamer, and the other day I saw a game called "Area 51" (A FPS) for the PC. Looked cool, the system requirements were modest, and I didn't see anything about content protection. So I bought it.
Gameplay is nice, but from seeing this article, it installed "gameforce" crap on my system.
Damn, 1st malware I've had in decades on any PC I've owned.
Case in point: I do IT support for a major car-dealer chain. 300+ PCs, all tied into a central database of servers for real-time updates on pricing, recalls, etc.
The system, run on as/400s (I believe) *MUST* have Admin privileges or the program *will not* run. Yes, who ever wrote this is brain dead. But consider this, no one else makes this software. This company has an effective lock on the market.
You could not even get your foot in the door, even if you wanted to, no car-dealership would switch, for fear of going out of business, or worse (being subjected to lawsuits because of errant data)
Thsi Admin-only system has been in place since car-dealerships 1st started going to computers (mainframes and dumb terminals) and as the software was ported over, so did all the bugs (like the Admin-only level)
This is just one case, I can name several others for you if you would like. But this is *extremely* common in the business world for businesses that relay on 3rd-party specific apps to conduct business.
So, a boycott is a nice idea, but simply will not work. Daily I have to live with the security problems of the users at the dealships, because the app demands nothing less that absolute access.
and yet, the AiW boards were 100% supported (via 3rd party drivers natch) under BeOS, one of the reasons I used an AiW for my first few BeOS boxes.
Go figure.
>>Comitted human relationships are much more important than computers, jobs, video games, school, anything.
Bullshit.
I'd trade my family off in a heartbeat, if only to get my TVR2500M or Lancia Scorpion back. You know, the cars I loved dearly that I had to sell to pay for the upkeep of my wife...
Re:Admin permissions required in windows? Hogwash.
on
Antispyware Shootout
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· Score: 1
I'll see your bank and raise you a state-wide auto dealership whose main application *requires* users to run as Administrator, else the program *will not run*.
It is a sad fact of life but many many business applications demand the user run as admin.
Safe mode isn't a complete solution anymore. Several spyware type apps will load in safe mode, by loading as a Service. Off the top of my head I can think of PSGuard, and a few versions of CoolWebSearch.
You could give out a 0 dollar laptop to millions of starving kids across the world and it wouldn't change one goddamn thing.
They would be sold on the blackmarket, traded for food, or outright stolen by roving gangs of "revolutionaries" eager to trade them for arms, or drugs, or worse.
It's a monumentally stupid idea to think that low-budget laptops will solve *any* problems in 3rd world cesspools, and sheer arrogance on the part of those involved in even trying to attempt this misguided effort.
You're assuming these laptops can be magically connected to the Internet.
How? The infrastructure isn't in place, and even if it oculd somehow be put in place, who is to say the local corrupt gov't would allow unfettered access to it? Think China.
The how idea of giving laptops to the poor in 3rd world countries is so blisteringly stupid, as to defy imagination.
A shiny new laptop is the *last* thing these people *need*, let's start with what they *do* need:
(1) Food (2) Healthcare (3) Shelter. and here comes a big one:
(4) a non-corrupt gov't that isn't hell-bent on wiping out its own people. (aka most of the current gov'ts in Africa)
The laptop will solve *none* of those things. None. And to think otherwise is arrogant, egocentric, or just plain dumb.
e.mail is not the key to victory, neither is plug n play, nor games, nor any of that other stuff.
The key to victory is corps willingly adopting linux on the desktop, and furthermore, vendors *supporting* it (you know, as in writing drivers and recognizing when someone calls in with linux on their dell box.)
Until that point in time, linux will be a niche player.
TSR created Dungeons and Dragons in the 70s. Back then, it started as a tabletop game called "Chainmail" and was mostly a board game, with miniatures, as opposed to true roleplaying.
In any case, you are correct, WotC did NOT create DnD, TSR did.
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I'm not much of a gamer, and the other day I saw a game called "Area 51" (A FPS) for the PC. Looked cool, the system requirements were modest, and I didn't see anything about content protection. So I bought it.
/., at least I know about it.
Gameplay is nice, but from seeing this article, it installed "gameforce" crap on my system.
Damn, 1st malware I've had in decades on any PC I've owned.
Ah well, thanks to
4) Profit!
That's a great idea, except it won't work.
Case in point: I do IT support for a major car-dealer chain. 300+ PCs, all tied into a central database of servers for real-time updates on pricing, recalls, etc.
The system, run on as/400s (I believe) *MUST* have Admin privileges or the program *will not* run. Yes, who ever wrote this is brain dead. But consider this, no one else makes this software. This company has an effective lock on the market.
You could not even get your foot in the door, even if you wanted to, no car-dealership would switch, for fear of going out of business, or worse (being subjected to lawsuits because of errant data)
Thsi Admin-only system has been in place since car-dealerships 1st started going to computers (mainframes and dumb terminals) and as the software was ported over, so did all the bugs (like the Admin-only level)
This is just one case, I can name several others for you if you would like. But this is *extremely* common in the business world for businesses that relay on 3rd-party specific apps to conduct business.
So, a boycott is a nice idea, but simply will not work. Daily I have to live with the security problems of the users at the dealships, because the app demands nothing less that absolute access.
>>Computers should be like appliances
But they are not. And wishing they were, will not make it so.
by those with a greater style than I, but it's worth saying again:
If you have to get sneaky or sleazy to try and sell your products, perhaps it's a sign no one wants it?
>>...Have you ever seen Microsoft come up with a application name that got that reaction? ...uuhhhh...Internet Explorer? ;-)
>>Linux: Beep Media Player>Linux: GIMP Image Editor>Xine>Gnome Toaster
Huh? What do I want to taost gnomes for? They aren't even real.
--
Two can play at this game, but my guess is you'll miss my point entirely.
My Wife is from Russia (St. Petersburg) and we discuss this topic from time to time.
Since you still live there, what do you see as the current priorities Russia has at the moment?
At one time I thought (one of them was) their naval power, but then Kursk happened...
I have seen, at Best Buy, Disney films (Oliver and Company comes to mind), that when 1st released were 29.95$.
Granted, Disney is a greedy bunch of scum merchants, but they are (sadly) not alone.
In their "special Interest" section, I've seen National Geographic Documentaries go for as high as 45$ for a single 75 minute long DVD.
and yet, the AiW boards were 100% supported (via 3rd party drivers natch) under BeOS, one of the reasons I used an AiW for my first few BeOS boxes. Go figure.
>>...perhaps we can find a discrete settlement to avoid any discomfort to our most valued citizens.
...perhaps we can find an agreement that would avoid any and all discomfort to our most valuable contributors.
I belieev you meant to type:
We just got Fristed?
>>Comitted human relationships are much more important than computers, jobs, video games, school, anything.
Bullshit.
I'd trade my family off in a heartbeat, if only to get my TVR2500M or Lancia Scorpion back. You know, the cars I loved dearly that I had to sell to pay for the upkeep of my wife...
I'll see your bank and raise you a state-wide auto dealership whose main application *requires* users to run as Administrator, else the program *will not run*.
It is a sad fact of life but many many business applications demand the user run as admin.
Safe mode isn't a complete solution anymore. Several spyware type apps will load in safe mode, by loading as a Service. Off the top of my head I can think of PSGuard, and a few versions of CoolWebSearch.
>>What is an arms dealer going to do with the couple hundred crappy little laptops ...
;-)
Dude, where the hell have *you* been? Honestly man, you *must* be new here!
The arms dealer would make a Beowulf cluster out of them.
Sheesh, some people!
>>As for (4)... do you know what the best way of countering corruption is? An educated populace.
Bzzzt, sorry, you're wrong. The best way to counter corruption is a populace that's *actively* involved in their gov't.
All the education in the world won't stop corruption if you don't give a rats ass what the gov't does.
In addition, having a large, well armed populace, that's actively involved in the gov't process is even better.
You could give out a 0 dollar laptop to millions of starving kids across the world and it wouldn't change one goddamn thing.
They would be sold on the blackmarket, traded for food, or outright stolen by roving gangs of "revolutionaries" eager to trade them for arms, or drugs, or worse.
It's a monumentally stupid idea to think that low-budget laptops will solve *any* problems in 3rd world cesspools, and sheer arrogance on the part of those involved in even trying to attempt this misguided effort.
You make a fatallly flawed assumption.
You're assuming these laptops can be magically connected to the Internet.
How? The infrastructure isn't in place, and even if it oculd somehow be put in place, who is to say the local corrupt gov't would allow unfettered access to it? Think China.
The how idea of giving laptops to the poor in 3rd world countries is so blisteringly stupid, as to defy imagination.
A shiny new laptop is the *last* thing these people *need*, let's start with what they *do* need:
(1) Food
(2) Healthcare
(3) Shelter.
and here comes a big one:
(4) a non-corrupt gov't that isn't hell-bent on wiping out its own people. (aka most of the current gov'ts in Africa)
The laptop will solve *none* of those things. None. And to think otherwise is arrogant, egocentric, or just plain dumb.
e.mail is not the key to victory, neither is plug n play, nor games, nor any of that other stuff.
The key to victory is corps willingly adopting linux on the desktop, and furthermore, vendors *supporting* it (you know, as in writing drivers and recognizing when someone calls in with linux on their dell box.)
Until that point in time, linux will be a niche player.
This is, quite possibly, the most insightful comment I have *ever* read, on the 'Net, anywhere.
If only we could really address the problems of society, then issues like this 'txtspeak' would never appear.
Do you know what a monopoly is?
>>I think he just might have the resources to do it.
He may have the resources, but he'll never have the talent.
AbiWord
Lotus SmartSuite
GoBe Productive
WHoever modded you troll is a fucking idiot.
TSR created Dungeons and Dragons in the 70s. Back then, it started as a tabletop game called "Chainmail" and was mostly a board game, with miniatures, as opposed to true roleplaying.
In any case, you are correct, WotC did NOT create DnD, TSR did.
Stupid mods