So be it. Why should I endure a "dumbed-down" computing experience just because far too many other people are too clueless and too lazy to learn about how a computing device works?
Yes, I use Android and Linux. Yes, both are great for what I want to do with computing devices. No, I couldn't give a toss how many people use either of them or about some fictitious "Linux Vs. Everyone Else" war.
Worshipping the leader of a large corporation is not capitalism but smacks more of religious funtamentalism, similar to when Ayatollah Khomeni came to power in Iran.
It gives advance warning to the fanbois to get their sleeping bags cleaned in good time because at some point in the near future there will be a mass migration of them to the pavements of some Apple-owned premises somewhere in the world.
Apple releases new products on a yearly basis to the mass orgasms of enraptured fanbois - those sleeping bags get mighty crackly very quickly!
If we walked past each other in the street, we would not know it.
I have no interest in the opinions of anyone I do not know and have nothing to prove to such a person. I have stated all I have to say, you are entirely within your rights to accept them or disbelieve them, to me it is of no consequence.
For the same reasons, trying to goad me into revealing more will achieve nothing, I am far too old and wise to fall for that trick.
You are also getting repetitive. By all means continue this with another repeated posting if you feel the need for the last word on me, I will not respond any more.
With all respect, I have nothing to prove to you as I have no idea who you are and actually care little of your opinion as to my skills.
I've got three decades experience in telecoms, OSes and security, I've written a few technical whitepapers in my time, developed training courses on TCP/IP, Linux, Shell Scripting and Security but beyond that I am not prepared to go into more detail - it's an illustration for you as to the depths of my skills, but I've no interest in boasting to you more specifically as to what I've done - suffice it to say, I had just started my telecoms career in 1982.
And, if I'm honest, you do sound a bit too much like a petulant child to have the maturity and experience that you claim to, so I'll take that with a pinch of salt.
That's enough about me anyway. If you want to continue discussing the core topic then please continue, otherwise I've no interest in getting into a pissing contest with you or anyone else.
Sorry, were we discussing Windows at any point in this conversation? I thought we were talking purely about Linux & Android from the perspective of you clearly having little understanding of UNIX topology and what might or might not constitute a threat attack vector on those.
At this stage, my advice to you is to restrict the topic of conversation rather than trying to broaden it, you will find the assimillation and learning process much easier.
And PLEASE stop with the endless Secunia links. I am relaxing after a nice home-cooked meal this evening and you're making this whole thing feel a bit too much like work.
You have a real opportunity to learn something really useful from an OS & security professional with three decades of experience in the field - so make the most of it.
Your mastery of CTRL-C and CTRL-V is impressive indeed but cutting and pasting links to security advisories is wasted on me as I already subscribe to updates from Secunia, Bugtraq, Cert, Red Hat, Oracle and probably a few others you haven't heard about - do you not remember me saying that I am in a well-paid security job?
You seem to be doing your best to rile me on the somewhat mistaken assumption that I treat operating systems like a religion and that therefore anything said against Linux in particular would have me foaming at the mouth and crying to the heavens demanding that a plague of demons be brought down upon your head.
Unfortunately, the reality is that whilst Linux is my favourite OS platform to use, it has got there because I've used it and UNIX for so long so know it well and find it perfect for most of the computing and entertainment tasks that I need a computer to do. However, it does not preclude me from using other OSes, I actually like using Windows XP for certain tasks and for gaming, neither do I give two hoots whether or not Linux wins some fictitious war over Microsoft.
The fact is, I like using it, have a well-paid job as a result of it's very existence and would therefore consider myself a "happy chappie" all-in-all, content with occasionally casting out a verbal challenge on here occasionally in order to see what thrashing dervish of a fish is willing to take a bite.
So please, it's a quiet evening, indulge me more...
You are improving. You have mastered "Cut & Paste" keys, well done!:-)
Now go read a few security manuals, get a few years experience in OSes and security, then you can set your sights on one day being able to speak to me at the same intellectual level. Hell, I may even reach down and help pull you up those last few steps of your very tiring climb.
Nope. You fanbois definitely ignore it because you find it embarrassing when it is brought up as a subject.
Which is why I will continue to raise it as a subject every time a fanboi starts criticising Microsoft, Linux or any other technology type/company while peering down his long pointy nose at the rest of the world.
Linux is just the kernel, the small but complex piece of software that sits between the user's operating system and the system hardware. It's function is to ready the hardware for use by the operating system, so is responsible for loading drivers and setting up parameters specific to the CPU it is running on.
Anything else beyond that is the operating system that gets loaded once the kernel is in place. For convenience, the whole thing is referred to as "Linux" but, in reality, it is just a myriad of programs doing various tasks on that piece of hardware.
Bearing in mind that the OS tools running on top of the kernel are Open Source, there are no "rules" as to how you design that system to run once the kernel has loaded. Therefore, if you want to design an OS schema whereby everything runs at the highest root permissions, there is nothing stopping you doing that.
Having explained the above to you, I have permitted you to divest yourself of your clear ignorance when it comes to how Linux and free operating systems work.
With the above in mind, Android does indeed use a Linux kernel to initialise the hardware in a smartphone, touchpad, netbook, etc. etc. However, beyond that there are numerous reasons why an Android system would boot into the OS very differently to, say, a Ubuntu or Fedora Linux desktop - one of the major diffences would be because storage space and memory are far more limited on a smartphone or tablet than on an average desktop PC.
Consequently, your comparison between Android and Linux is invalid - if anything, a piece of malware running on an Android system probably wouldn't run on a Ubuntu system if it was transferred across, or indeed vice versa.
Any computer system needs to be hardened against security threats but your comments clearly show that you possess little knowledge of the subject - therefore you would be better employed spending your free time becoming better-informed on the subject first, and then coming on here to make what could be some very valid points about Linux security.
This would be a constructive alternative to just spewing out random comments and appearing like a complete and utter plonker.
Friend, I work as a Linux/UNIX security consultant and if I thought you had enough knowledge about Linux/UNIX to understand an explanation I could give you about how a UNIX-like OS differs from, say, Windows in terms of threat attack vectors, then I would do so. But because I doubt your IQ barely reaches 3-digits in length, such an explanation would be wasted on you.
Suffice it to say, I do not recall anyone on here ever saying that Linux is immune to malware because, the fact is, any program you run on any OS anywhere that you cannot guarantee is malware-free could be malware - so clearly anyone making such a statement would be a bigger fool than yourself.
But you can satisfy yourself in the knowledge that, by virtue of the well-paid job that I do, that there are security considerations you must take into account when deploying any Linux or UNIX server - beyond that, you need not worry yourself as clearly your lack of knowledge shows you don't use Linux in any shape or form. Therefore how secure or insecure it is would be irrelevant within your small and blinkered view of reality.
I think Slashdot should reveal your real ID on that posting as a joke - because I'd love to think about you shitting your pants in fear when it happened.
It's amazing how little courage you need hiding behind AC.
Actually, whilst it wasn't the funniest wisecrack I've ever read on here, it was mildly amusing - so I defend that person's right to make it.
Plus it's basically just your opinion and actually got bugger all to do with you (or me for that matter) on the basis that by virtue of us having posted a comment here, neither of us will have the ability to use or not use any mod points on it anyway.
So if he/she does earn karma for the comment, it will be from neither of us - and by the sounds coming from you, it definitely looks like someone or something has taken a good shit on or in something you own, so you might be better off going to find out who or what it was, then get over it and come back when you are a bit more cheerful.
Actually, on second thoughts, I will grace your response with one from me.
I would just like to highlight to anyone else reading this who is not currently a Linux user but thinking of trying it, that the above type of abusive response is not typical of most Linux professionals.
I personally consider an operating system to be a tool to get a job done and I consider Linux to be an exceptionally good tool at getting the jobs I need to get done.
However, unlike the AC above, I am not an abusive Linux zealot who clearly has very deep personality issues such that he/she needs to turn an operating system into a religion.
If, for example, a relation or colleague gives me their Windows PC to fix, they do not get it back a week later with Windows wiped, Ubuntu installed in its place and a finger-wagging lecture from me about the sins of Microsoft - no, they get back a repaired Windows PC along with some useful Windows OSS software and some instruction on how to use it so they can avoid getting into trouble again.
So please disassociate me from morons like the AC above who do nothing to further OSS or Linux because they are far too concerned about their miniscule penile dimensions.
Thanks again for a succinct explanation and correcting my error.
I have used Linux for some years and did try one or two 2.5 kernels before 2.6 came out properly. Now that you mention it, I do remember Linus mentioning it at some point, and it's good to be reminded.
Thanks, and I am more than happy to stand corrected & go away feeling good that I have learnt something today from someone kind enough to explain it succinctly.
Hence not gracing the AC trolling above with any form of a response.
You do realise that for any a.b.c Linux kernel, if b is an odd number then that means a development kernel, which is likely to not work that well and be very unstable.
So comparing a Linux 3.1.1 kernel to Windows 3.1.1 is...
I think what's sadder is that there is already talk of iPad 3 and iPhone 5 so soon after the release of iPad 2 and iPhone 4 - it just goes to show you how Apple views its customers to be milkable for complete replacements on an annual basis.
Still, as the saying goes, "A fool and his money are easily parted".
Slashdot Mirror
So be it. Why should I endure a "dumbed-down" computing experience just because far too many other people are too clueless and too lazy to learn about how a computing device works?
Yes, I use Android and Linux. Yes, both are great for what I want to do with computing devices. No, I couldn't give a toss how many people use either of them or about some fictitious "Linux Vs. Everyone Else" war.
Worshipping the leader of a large corporation is not capitalism but smacks more of religious funtamentalism, similar to when Ayatollah Khomeni came to power in Iran.
There is a very specific reason for doing this.
It gives advance warning to the fanbois to get their sleeping bags cleaned in good time because at some point in the near future there will be a mass migration of them to the pavements of some Apple-owned premises somewhere in the world.
Apple releases new products on a yearly basis to the mass orgasms of enraptured fanbois - those sleeping bags get mighty crackly very quickly!
If we walked past each other in the street, we would not know it.
I have no interest in the opinions of anyone I do not know and have nothing to prove to such a person. I have stated all I have to say, you are entirely within your rights to accept them or disbelieve them, to me it is of no consequence.
For the same reasons, trying to goad me into revealing more will achieve nothing, I am far too old and wise to fall for that trick.
You are also getting repetitive. By all means continue this with another repeated posting if you feel the need for the last word on me, I will not respond any more.
With all respect, I have nothing to prove to you as I have no idea who you are and actually care little of your opinion as to my skills.
I've got three decades experience in telecoms, OSes and security, I've written a few technical whitepapers in my time, developed training courses on TCP/IP, Linux, Shell Scripting and Security but beyond that I am not prepared to go into more detail - it's an illustration for you as to the depths of my skills, but I've no interest in boasting to you more specifically as to what I've done - suffice it to say, I had just started my telecoms career in 1982.
And, if I'm honest, you do sound a bit too much like a petulant child to have the maturity and experience that you claim to, so I'll take that with a pinch of salt.
That's enough about me anyway. If you want to continue discussing the core topic then please continue, otherwise I've no interest in getting into a pissing contest with you or anyone else.
Oh, you're back. And SO quickly!
Sorry, were we discussing Windows at any point in this conversation? I thought we were talking purely about Linux & Android from the perspective of you clearly having little understanding of UNIX topology and what might or might not constitute a threat attack vector on those.
At this stage, my advice to you is to restrict the topic of conversation rather than trying to broaden it, you will find the assimillation and learning process much easier.
And PLEASE stop with the endless Secunia links. I am relaxing after a nice home-cooked meal this evening and you're making this whole thing feel a bit too much like work.
You have a real opportunity to learn something really useful from an OS & security professional with three decades of experience in the field - so make the most of it.
Friend,
Your mastery of CTRL-C and CTRL-V is impressive indeed but cutting and pasting links to security advisories is wasted on me as I already subscribe to updates from Secunia, Bugtraq, Cert, Red Hat, Oracle and probably a few others you haven't heard about - do you not remember me saying that I am in a well-paid security job?
You seem to be doing your best to rile me on the somewhat mistaken assumption that I treat operating systems like a religion and that therefore anything said against Linux in particular would have me foaming at the mouth and crying to the heavens demanding that a plague of demons be brought down upon your head.
Unfortunately, the reality is that whilst Linux is my favourite OS platform to use, it has got there because I've used it and UNIX for so long so know it well and find it perfect for most of the computing and entertainment tasks that I need a computer to do. However, it does not preclude me from using other OSes, I actually like using Windows XP for certain tasks and for gaming, neither do I give two hoots whether or not Linux wins some fictitious war over Microsoft.
The fact is, I like using it, have a well-paid job as a result of it's very existence and would therefore consider myself a "happy chappie" all-in-all, content with occasionally casting out a verbal challenge on here occasionally in order to see what thrashing dervish of a fish is willing to take a bite.
So please, it's a quiet evening, indulge me more...
Excellent.
You are improving. You have mastered "Cut & Paste" keys, well done! :-)
Now go read a few security manuals, get a few years experience in OSes and security, then you can set your sights on one day being able to speak to me at the same intellectual level. Hell, I may even reach down and help pull you up those last few steps of your very tiring climb.
Nope. You fanbois definitely ignore it because you find it embarrassing when it is brought up as a subject.
Which is why I will continue to raise it as a subject every time a fanboi starts criticising Microsoft, Linux or any other technology type/company while peering down his long pointy nose at the rest of the world.
Just because Microsoft may or may not have made more money on it does not change it from an Apple perspective, does it?
After all, Apple had every opportunity to not take the money...
Linux is just the kernel, the small but complex piece of software that sits between the user's operating system and the system hardware. It's function is to ready the hardware for use by the operating system, so is responsible for loading drivers and setting up parameters specific to the CPU it is running on.
Anything else beyond that is the operating system that gets loaded once the kernel is in place. For convenience, the whole thing is referred to as "Linux" but, in reality, it is just a myriad of programs doing various tasks on that piece of hardware.
Bearing in mind that the OS tools running on top of the kernel are Open Source, there are no "rules" as to how you design that system to run once the kernel has loaded. Therefore, if you want to design an OS schema whereby everything runs at the highest root permissions, there is nothing stopping you doing that.
Having explained the above to you, I have permitted you to divest yourself of your clear ignorance when it comes to how Linux and free operating systems work.
With the above in mind, Android does indeed use a Linux kernel to initialise the hardware in a smartphone, touchpad, netbook, etc. etc. However, beyond that there are numerous reasons why an Android system would boot into the OS very differently to, say, a Ubuntu or Fedora Linux desktop - one of the major diffences would be because storage space and memory are far more limited on a smartphone or tablet than on an average desktop PC.
Consequently, your comparison between Android and Linux is invalid - if anything, a piece of malware running on an Android system probably wouldn't run on a Ubuntu system if it was transferred across, or indeed vice versa.
Any computer system needs to be hardened against security threats but your comments clearly show that you possess little knowledge of the subject - therefore you would be better employed spending your free time becoming better-informed on the subject first, and then coming on here to make what could be some very valid points about Linux security.
This would be a constructive alternative to just spewing out random comments and appearing like a complete and utter plonker.
Friend, I work as a Linux/UNIX security consultant and if I thought you had enough knowledge about Linux/UNIX to understand an explanation I could give you about how a UNIX-like OS differs from, say, Windows in terms of threat attack vectors, then I would do so. But because I doubt your IQ barely reaches 3-digits in length, such an explanation would be wasted on you.
Suffice it to say, I do not recall anyone on here ever saying that Linux is immune to malware because, the fact is, any program you run on any OS anywhere that you cannot guarantee is malware-free could be malware - so clearly anyone making such a statement would be a bigger fool than yourself.
But you can satisfy yourself in the knowledge that, by virtue of the well-paid job that I do, that there are security considerations you must take into account when deploying any Linux or UNIX server - beyond that, you need not worry yourself as clearly your lack of knowledge shows you don't use Linux in any shape or form. Therefore how secure or insecure it is would be irrelevant within your small and blinkered view of reality.
Dear Steve
I hope the $150M bailout I gave you in 1997 was useful to your then-failing company.
Love and Kisses
Billy G.
Apple was a joke until Microsoft bailed them out with $150M in 1997 - the single fact that the fanbois conveniently ignore.
Yes, but then Apple would just be paying them back for the $150M bailout that Microsoft gave to Apple in 1997.
I think Slashdot should reveal your real ID on that posting as a joke - because I'd love to think about you shitting your pants in fear when it happened.
It's amazing how little courage you need hiding behind AC.
Actually, whilst it wasn't the funniest wisecrack I've ever read on here, it was mildly amusing - so I defend that person's right to make it.
Plus it's basically just your opinion and actually got bugger all to do with you (or me for that matter) on the basis that by virtue of us having posted a comment here, neither of us will have the ability to use or not use any mod points on it anyway.
So if he/she does earn karma for the comment, it will be from neither of us - and by the sounds coming from you, it definitely looks like someone or something has taken a good shit on or in something you own, so you might be better off going to find out who or what it was, then get over it and come back when you are a bit more cheerful.
Actually, on second thoughts, I will grace your response with one from me.
I would just like to highlight to anyone else reading this who is not currently a Linux user but thinking of trying it, that the above type of abusive response is not typical of most Linux professionals.
I personally consider an operating system to be a tool to get a job done and I consider Linux to be an exceptionally good tool at getting the jobs I need to get done.
However, unlike the AC above, I am not an abusive Linux zealot who clearly has very deep personality issues such that he/she needs to turn an operating system into a religion.
If, for example, a relation or colleague gives me their Windows PC to fix, they do not get it back a week later with Windows wiped, Ubuntu installed in its place and a finger-wagging lecture from me about the sins of Microsoft - no, they get back a repaired Windows PC along with some useful Windows OSS software and some instruction on how to use it so they can avoid getting into trouble again.
So please disassociate me from morons like the AC above who do nothing to further OSS or Linux because they are far too concerned about their miniscule penile dimensions.
Thanks again for a succinct explanation and correcting my error.
I have used Linux for some years and did try one or two 2.5 kernels before 2.6 came out properly. Now that you mention it, I do remember Linus mentioning it at some point, and it's good to be reminded.
Thanks, and I am more than happy to stand corrected & go away feeling good that I have learnt something today from someone kind enough to explain it succinctly.
Hence not gracing the AC trolling above with any form of a response.
"Applux" anyone?
[SHUDDER]
That I can handle.
"Steve Jobs today announced the Apple release of Linux kernel 3.1.1" definitely *WOULD* drive me over the edge!
-25 SAN with no sanity roll.
You do realise that for any a.b.c Linux kernel, if b is an odd number then that means a development kernel, which is likely to not work that well and be very unstable.
So comparing a Linux 3.1.1 kernel to Windows 3.1.1 is...
Oh wait.
I think what's sadder is that there is already talk of iPad 3 and iPhone 5 so soon after the release of iPad 2 and iPhone 4 - it just goes to show you how Apple views its customers to be milkable for complete replacements on an annual basis.
Still, as the saying goes, "A fool and his money are easily parted".
Sorry, but anyone who can come up with a word like "encunt" probably needs to get out more and definitely needs to get a real girlfriend.