Yeah, ok, so I'm listening to sound quality that's less because I went from one lossy to another. BFD - I can't hear the difference anyway.
As long as I have my Napster subscription -- I can download all the stuff I want, and I'll rely on Fair Use Copyright Law to rest my conscience. No, I don't upload or share.
I work in IT (as people probably know) consulting and service a 911 dispatch call center.
The workstations are restricted from using the Internet, with the exception of a (very) few government and/or explicitly job related sites - through a proxy server (squid).
Also, in the same government complex, 5 of the computers in the jail are also restricted in the same way (different site list, though).
Why?
Because having free and unrestricted access to the Internet only ends up with people downloading games/spyware/junk/explicit content. Intentionally or not. And when you rebuild a machine (that you're on-call for 24/7) in the middle of the night a few times, you'll also lobby the management to allow the restriction.
That's right. I recommended and implemented the almost total Internet ban on those machines.
And no, the computers do not run with Administrator users (they DO have to be Power Users, for the applications that are used) - but some of the nasty malware bypasses the Windows security models....
Hey. I'm not flaming Linux here. I love it. What I don't love everyone sitting here and circle jerking about how good they think something is already, when there's vast amounts of room for improvement.
For instance: Will Linux run QuickBooks? No. Old versions under WINE, but that's a kludge at best. Quickbooks, like it or not, is the industry standard for small business accounting. I'm not going to a CPA with a Linux only datafile and expect him/her to be able to read it.
GAIM isn't the silver bullet. Have you tried using it? Have someone invite you into a multi-user chat room on MSN. You won't get the invite, nor will you be in the room with the others.
OOo is good "enough" for writing letters to Mom. Try to do advanced forms with it? Not happening. Or try to open a document from a state agency, that is a complex document. Not happening. Yeah, sure, they should use PDF (or ODF) but most states are locked into M$. Want proof? I can hook you up with an IT director for a state in the U.S. who will argue till he's blue in the face that Outlook / Exchange has a lower TCO than any other email solution.
Be locked into DRM from a certain vendor? Nice. What if I wanna use iTunes? Napster? Sorry, Windows / Mac only on iTunes, Windows only for Napster. And no, buying illegal music from allofmp3 or whatever isn't the ticket.
Does it: Play DVDs out of the box? Play MP3s out of the box? Work with Microsoft / Apple DRM music files out of the box?
No. It doesn't. For something to be even considered useful, it needs to be able to do the above three things. Or else it's WORTHLESS IMO. Sure, you can bring up Ubuntu, find some site, download XMMS with the MP3 plugins. Then you gotta troll Google to find out how to play DVDs.. and you're just screwed when it comes to DRM'ed files because THEY DONT MAKE THE SOFTWARE FOR LINUX. Oh yeah, how about my mouse?
Can I re-program it's multiple buttons by clicking on an interface and saying "do this with this button and do that with that button"? Nope. I have to drop to a terminal, edit an xorg.conf file and restart X, to test. If I futz the file up, my X is trashed.
In my Dell notebook, the wireless card in it works only once. When I close the lid and suspend the computer, then re-open the lid and come back to the OS -- Linux cannot figure out what to do with the Wireless card. It TRIES to use it.. but it doesn't work as it should.
While I understand how much better Linux is because of security, usability is FAR less than what people are willing to admit. Linux has a LOOOOONG way to go before it's ready for prime time on the desktop.
For a server? Hell yes, slap Linux on it. Desktop? I think not.
Gentoo really isn't an OS you hand your grandmother to install.
Yeah, because most people give their grandmothers 500mhz machines (you know, because they're old and slow). They'd be dead before the OS was compiled...
This will work until some 5c|21p7 k1dd13 gets a bluetooth connection to one and downloads pr0n on it, or someone's virus infected phone will spread the infection.
All of a sudden the cars will be sending me emails about where I can get
Behind 2 locked doors, monitored (camera and physically) by people who have guns. The computers are locked in wooden cabinets (albeit with ventilation).
*IF* you got in (which is unlikely in the first place), you'd be in handcuffs before you ever got close enough to "hack" into those systems with a laptop. I mean, kick in the first door (uh huh, I dont think King Kong could, but let's say for argument's sake), you'd have about 90 cops coming at you full speed, guns drawn. Then you'd get to check out the other side of the facility......
Detention...
Point is, there's no network to speak of (and the hub that IS there isn't connected to anything remotely near the Internet.. yes unhooked networks DO exist), and physical security is there.
Oh, you have NO idea of what you're talking about.
"Back in the day" (TM), 911 dispatch was an old green screen with a serial connection to Ma Bell for the ANI/ALI information. Radios were 20 year old cards in a rack of radio equipment. Stuff gets hard to find replacements for, it gets upgraded.
Enter new systems:
The phone switch? Windows controls the user accounts. The phones are Windows interfaces to hardware. Controls which line gets switched to the dispatchers headset. Completely out of my control on those boxes. They're vendor provided, vendor controlled.
The other box? The 2k one? Radio interface control. Controls what channel the dispatcher's headset talks on.
None of these boxes are on the Internet. Security? Uhhm. Ok. These boxes have no external drives, run non-admin user, the phones are on a hub network with each other but nothing else (not connected in or outbound to the Internet), and are not on our main network. The radio computers aren't even networked. The computers are locked behind two wooden doors, inside an underground secure facility that is monitored 24x7 with people who have guns.
Now, as far as the dispatch software? The thing that keeps track of calls? That runs on Netware (soon though to be converted to MS-SQL). That app runs on Win2k or WinXP (vendor suggests NOT running SP2). Those computers DO have outbound internet connections to about 15 hand selected sites (all state or government agencies, or public service sites, like the hospital tracking system, crime victim notification sites). They do have email installed, but the email goes through a server running MailScanner, set to disallow every kind of executable file (and vbs, etc, etc). They are NOT configured to run any Windows Media, no IM. They're locked down tight.
We've had no virus problems here.. for 3 years now. Malware on some computers? Occasionally, but our antivirus detects most Java dropper programs and kills them.
ive had vonage since november. consider me a happy customer. i have no issues with them, service is great. no dropped calls, and quality is dandy (except when I upload a huge file at a large outbound rate, and that's more of a cable modem issue than a vonage issue...
the only switching problem i had was with MCI.. they would not release my phone number due to a mistake on their part. vonage had nothing to do with that.
Slashdot Mirror
Because not everyone is Mr. Sonic Ears.
I can tell a crappy MP3 encode of something.
But I'd bet that if I did a double blind test with you, you would not be able to pick out which file was which.
Fair use allows me to use content that I purchased.
I don't distribute.
I don't download via torrent.
I pay for the content. And I should be able to use it where I please.
14.99 / month for Napster 2 Go.
.WMV files...
$15.00 one time charge for WMAConvert software..
All the unprotected MP3 files I could ever need.
Yeah, ok, so I'm listening to sound quality that's less because I went from one lossy to another. BFD - I can't hear the difference anyway.
As long as I have my Napster subscription -- I can download all the stuff I want, and I'll rely on Fair Use Copyright Law to rest my conscience. No, I don't upload or share.
I just can't stand slow assed
Digital Immigrant?
Uh huh.
I work in IT (as people probably know) consulting and service a 911 dispatch call center.
The workstations are restricted from using the Internet, with the exception of a (very) few government and/or explicitly job related sites - through a proxy server (squid).
Also, in the same government complex, 5 of the computers in the jail are also restricted in the same way (different site list, though).
Why?
Because having free and unrestricted access to the Internet only ends up with people downloading games/spyware/junk/explicit content. Intentionally or not. And when you rebuild a machine (that you're on-call for 24/7) in the middle of the night a few times, you'll also lobby the management to allow the restriction.
That's right. I recommended and implemented the almost total Internet ban on those machines.
And no, the computers do not run with Administrator users (they DO have to be Power Users, for the applications that are used) - but some of the nasty malware bypasses the Windows security models....
Well, that explains everything.
Microsoft has a floating point bug in the software that tells us what year their new products will be released...
Now I understand.
Game on!
Why has Google bought all the dark fibre that they can? Easy! When telcos start clamping down on 'Net connections, we'll all be on the GoogleNet.
Net Neutrality problems solved, at least for Google.
actually, it WILL play MP3 files out of the box. And it will play WMV DRM files out of the box..
Hey. I'm not flaming Linux here. I love it. What I don't love everyone sitting here and circle jerking about how good they think something is already, when there's vast amounts of room for improvement.
For instance: Will Linux run QuickBooks? No. Old versions under WINE, but that's a kludge at best. Quickbooks, like it or not, is the industry standard for small business accounting. I'm not going to a CPA with a Linux only datafile and expect him/her to be able to read it.
GAIM isn't the silver bullet. Have you tried using it? Have someone invite you into a multi-user chat room on MSN. You won't get the invite, nor will you be in the room with the others.
OOo is good "enough" for writing letters to Mom. Try to do advanced forms with it? Not happening. Or try to open a document from a state agency, that is a complex document. Not happening. Yeah, sure, they should use PDF (or ODF) but most states are locked into M$. Want proof? I can hook you up with an IT director for a state in the U.S. who will argue till he's blue in the face that Outlook / Exchange has a lower TCO than any other email solution.
Be locked into DRM from a certain vendor? Nice. What if I wanna use iTunes? Napster? Sorry, Windows / Mac only on iTunes, Windows only for Napster. And no, buying illegal music from allofmp3 or whatever isn't the ticket.
Gaim itself is an issue. Won't do conversation windows in MSN for one..
I don't know about his parents, but my parents have close to 1.6 TB of disk space (and I'm the geeky one!)
They do more than browse and play games and email.
They'd notice..
Parents are not stupid..
Linux didn't come with anything useful. How do I watch DVDs or play MP3s without having to go get software to do it?
Excuse me for a second.
.. and you're just screwed when it comes to DRM'ed files because THEY DONT MAKE THE SOFTWARE FOR LINUX. Oh yeah, how about my mouse?
.. but it doesn't work as it should.
So, Ubuntu doesn't cost a dime.
Does it: Play DVDs out of the box? Play MP3s out of the box? Work with Microsoft / Apple DRM music files out of the box?
No. It doesn't. For something to be even considered useful, it needs to be able to do the above three things. Or else it's WORTHLESS IMO. Sure, you can bring up Ubuntu, find some site, download XMMS with the MP3 plugins. Then you gotta troll Google to find out how to play DVDs
Can I re-program it's multiple buttons by clicking on an interface and saying "do this with this button and do that with that button"? Nope. I have to drop to a terminal, edit an xorg.conf file and restart X, to test. If I futz the file up, my X is trashed.
In my Dell notebook, the wireless card in it works only once. When I close the lid and suspend the computer, then re-open the lid and come back to the OS -- Linux cannot figure out what to do with the Wireless card. It TRIES to use it
While I understand how much better Linux is because of security, usability is FAR less than what people are willing to admit. Linux has a LOOOOONG way to go before it's ready for prime time on the desktop.
For a server? Hell yes, slap Linux on it. Desktop? I think not.
Basically, what you're saying, is I must open an EXE from a non Walmart "Walmart" email, or I have to use IE?
Nothing to see here, move along..
Yeah, because most people give their grandmothers 500mhz machines (you know, because they're old and slow). They'd be dead before the OS was compiled...
I'm here all night. Please tip your waitstaff..
Remeber, lunch on the top shelf, e.Coli on the bottom!
I love their tools too, but why the commotion?
Good for them. Now they get fat paychecks, good bonuses, and they work for the empire.
And I'd bet that if MSFT offered you $$$$ for whatever you were making, and a fat paycheck with good bonuses - you'd be a fool to not take it...
Developers .. (repeat x184 times)...
This will work until some 5c|21p7 k1dd13 gets a bluetooth connection to one and downloads pr0n on it, or someone's virus infected phone will spread the infection.
All of a sudden the cars will be sending me emails about where I can get
ch33333eap c14ls and v1aaagr4
95% of people don't KNOW what security is. But if someone tells them what could happen on their connection, most will take some action to secure it.
.. is run the jail and protect the courts..
The Sheriff's deputies in that county are showing good community service.
Remember, in most states the only thing the Sheriff's Department is REQUIRED to do
Anything extra, is gravy..
Bravo to the Sheriff of that county.
I'm gunna try it out on my laptop, what the hell. Computer guy .. gunna have to support it anyways.
Besides, I gotta know how to make it run and look like XP, right?
FWIW I might even put a different HD in my PC and install it to that just to take a looksee..
Listen to yourself.
.. yes unhooked networks DO exist), and physical security is there.
Sneak into a 911 dispatch center.
Behind 2 locked doors, monitored (camera and physically) by people who have guns. The computers are locked in wooden cabinets (albeit with ventilation).
*IF* you got in (which is unlikely in the first place), you'd be in handcuffs before you ever got close enough to "hack" into those systems with a laptop. I mean, kick in the first door (uh huh, I dont think King Kong could, but let's say for argument's sake), you'd have about 90 cops coming at you full speed, guns drawn. Then you'd get to check out the other side of the facility......
Detention...
Point is, there's no network to speak of (and the hub that IS there isn't connected to anything remotely near the Internet
Oh, you have NO idea of what you're talking about.
.. for 3 years now. Malware on some computers? Occasionally, but our antivirus detects most Java dropper programs and kills them.
;)
"Back in the day" (TM), 911 dispatch was an old green screen with a serial connection to Ma Bell for the ANI/ALI information. Radios were 20 year old cards in a rack of radio equipment. Stuff gets hard to find replacements for, it gets upgraded.
Enter new systems:
The phone switch? Windows controls the user accounts. The phones are Windows interfaces to hardware. Controls which line gets switched to the dispatchers headset. Completely out of my control on those boxes. They're vendor provided, vendor controlled.
The other box? The 2k one? Radio interface control. Controls what channel the dispatcher's headset talks on.
None of these boxes are on the Internet. Security? Uhhm. Ok. These boxes have no external drives, run non-admin user, the phones are on a hub network with each other but nothing else (not connected in or outbound to the Internet), and are not on our main network. The radio computers aren't even networked. The computers are locked behind two wooden doors, inside an underground secure facility that is monitored 24x7 with people who have guns.
Now, as far as the dispatch software? The thing that keeps track of calls? That runs on Netware (soon though to be converted to MS-SQL). That app runs on Win2k or WinXP (vendor suggests NOT running SP2). Those computers DO have outbound internet connections to about 15 hand selected sites (all state or government agencies, or public service sites, like the hospital tracking system, crime victim notification sites). They do have email installed, but the email goes through a server running MailScanner, set to disallow every kind of executable file (and vbs, etc, etc). They are NOT configured to run any Windows Media, no IM. They're locked down tight.
We've had no virus problems here
Should I be fired? Doubt it.
Those boxes are not on the Internet. They see no config changes, load no other apps than the one radio app. Why update?
Esp. if it "Just Works" (TM).
We have a WinXP Pro box that's been up over a year ...
Another box that's Win2k pro that's been up almost 2...
The one app they run is heavily used (dispatch for a 911 center).
ive had vonage since november. consider me a happy customer. i have no issues with them, service is great. no dropped calls, and quality is dandy (except when I upload a huge file at a large outbound rate, and that's more of a cable modem issue than a vonage issue...
.. they would not release my phone number due to a mistake on their part. vonage had nothing to do with that.
the only switching problem i had was with MCI