Yes, Virginia, there are people who are that stupid. There are drones working in large dinosaur organizations who are spending $1K per seat for Windows and Office when they would be better off with Chrome OS.
Linux upgrades are a piece of cake. I just upgraded an ancient Ubuntu install (out of support band on an old laptop) to a current LTS version. It did take a day but I just let it run. In the end, everything "just worked" and I am now on an LTS version where I will stay until the next LTS version arrives. Nice thing is that all of my old hardware (webcams, scanners, printers, etc.) is still nicely supported unlike Windows and Mac where support for old hardware just disappears.
It's nice that Microsoft introduced a "proper security model" in Vista. Unfortunately, the malware writers have not noticed this and have continued to write very effective hacks for Windows. So... I will continue to mock Windows (all versions) for being a pathetic excuse for an OS which should be avoided by everyone except the clueless. Windows security is still a joke. (Disclaimer... I have had a fair amount of good Scotch and Bordeaux tonight which may have influenced my opinion... YMMV)
Wikipedia has some good references here: "Shielding from gamma rays requires large amounts of mass, in contrast to alpha particles which can be blocked by paper or skin, and beta particles which can be shielded by foil. Gamma rays are better absorbed by materials with high atomic numbers and high density, although neither effect is important compared to the total mass per area in the path of the gamma ray. The higher the energy of the gamma rays, the thicker the shielding made from the same shielding material is required. Materials for shielding gamma rays are typically measured by the thickness required to reduce the intensity of the gamma rays by one half (the half value layer or HVL). For example gamma rays that require 1 cm (0.4) of lead to reduce their intensity by 50% will also have their intensity reduced in half by 4.1 cm of granite rock, 6 cm (2½) of concrete, or 9 cm (3½) of packed soil. " So, gamma rays can pass through black tape, plastic and glass lenses without much difficulty.
TFA states that the "may" release the app but there are already a few gamma radiation detectors on the Play Store for Android such as these: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.camdetector.radiationalarm&hl=en https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rdklein.radioactivity&hl=en Basically you cover the lens with black tape to block light but of course gamma radiation can get through. The apps need to be calibrated to your individual phone since random noise in the sensor can give false readings. The apps provide a method to do that. As the article states... the best radiation detector is the one you have with you.
According to this article: http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2014/1/10/energy-markets/negative-spin-europes-amazing-electricity-prices "Over the Christmas holiday, which typically causes a drop in energy demand, wholesale electricity prices in Germany, the Nordic region, the Czech Republic and Slovakia turned negative on excessive renewable energy production and mild weather." On December 24, 2013, when industrial and business power demand dropped sharply, the price of German power for intra-day delivery fell to an average of -€35.45 per megawatt-hour between 0000 and 0600 in the morning, touching lows of -€62.03/MWh halfway through that period.
Not sure what you are thinking or if you're confused about units, etc. but... A quick search of US Wholesale prices shows a range of $31 to $71 for last year with highest prices in the Northeast. California was $42/MWh which is close to the euro 35 ($47) price in TFA. So... price for this wind power is on par with US wholesale prices for all (coal, hydro, NG, etc.) averaged together... not really 3x.
Whale watching season is over for the year. It was great in November and we did see a few driving down the coast in December but they've gone to Baja and they won't be back until spring.
It's interesting how all of the news articles just copied the Fox-IT blog post and that post itself doesn't give a clue about the target machines. I guess we all should assume that these viruses are all Windows only although it would have been nice of them to be explicit about the target machines. I don't have anyone running Windows so I don't keep up on malware. I certainly don't expect you to do the research for me although it would have been nice if someone in the Windows world would admit that these are only Windows viruses. I guess I can just assume that Linux and OSX are immune (until we get big headlines on Slashdot announcing Linux malware).
But do any of these run on Linux.. or Mac OSX? I guess we should just assume that they all run on Windows although the article is silent on this subject. Does any antivirus program detect or block any of these? What should I do if I think I have been "exposed"?
As usual (unfortunately). Both the article and the summary are pathetic examples of journalism which should try to at least inform. For instance, it would be useful to know (at a minimum) which OSs, browsers, etc are vulnerable, whether any of the virus detection programs will block or remove the malware and what effects the malware has on systems when they are infected. In other words, this article is just "scareware" warning about some unspecified threat to do something bad to somebody and no idea who, what, when or where.
Sub-prime lending was low (and even declining) until 2003 then increased dramatically and peaked in 2006 ending with the crash starting in July 2007 when Bear Stearns funds folded... I believe that this is Junior Bush's reign.
"Oh, BTW, Reagan was also so stupid that he couldn't tie his own shoes." I think we'd need a citation for that... however, given his early onset Alzheimer during his presidency, it's plausible. "Everything bad that has ever occurred in the 20th century is due to Reagan and Reagan alone." I think you're not really giving credit to many other Republicans who came after and expanded his policies. Both Bushes are prime examples... also, the enablers, Rove, McCain, Gingrich and the whacko Koch Tea Party. There's lots of people who can take credit for destroying our democracy.
I am a doctor with many years experience working in the ER. I have encountered many schizophrenic patients who have stopped taking their meds, end up unable to cope and need hospital admission. What happens is that people feel better (because of their meds) and begin to think that they don't need the meds so they stop. Just don't stop taking your meds. The reason you are feeling better is because of the meds. Just don't stop.
The Supreme Court just struck down the specific state provisions of the voting rights act. The act was passed by the Senate so presumably the needs of all states were considered when it was originally passed. No need for the Senate. The "commerce clause" has been broadly interpreted as the justification for a lot of Federal legislation. There are limits on what you can do to your citizens. Frankly, I trust the Federal government to do a better job of passing "fair" legislation than the States. Mississippi would probably still have segregation if it weren't for the Federal government.
I'm not sure if any legislation infringes on the rights of some states and gives others preferences. States rights are enshrined in the Constitution and the Judiciary takes care of that. The Senate must approve all legislation and is extremely undemocratic. If the Senate were to vote on only "states rights" issues and not stuff which affects actual people, they would have very little to do and would be of little consequence. As it is, the people living in large states are hostage to the small states. (I do agree with your Gerrymandering comment about the House. This is completely out of hand.)
I was noticing that the boundaries seem arbitrary. For instance, his area 2 goes from the coast north of San Francisco to the Nevada state line. This area incorporates at least three very different cultures. At the coast, Marin County should really be part of the San Francisco, Silicon Valley area. Heading West through the Central Valley to Sacramento is really a completely different area (primarily farming). Then you get to the Sierra Nevada Range which is a third area which is completely different culturally and economically.
Actually, I think it would be best to just get rid of the Senate completely. It's totally non-functional due to arcane rules and inherently undemocratic since states like Rhode Island and Wyoming (population less than 1 million) get the same number of senators as large states like New York and California. A parliamentary system would make for a much more functional government.
I don't really understanding what you are saying. Most phones will operate without a SIM (wifi and bluetooth connectivity). If you want access to the cell network, you need a SIM... any SIM will do... preferably pick one from a company that doesn't screw you to badly (in the US, T-mobile or one of the many resellers tend to have the best deal). Of course, if you bought a SIM-locked phone, you are screwed... Why did you buy a SIM-locked phone?
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Yes, Virginia, there are people who are that stupid.
There are drones working in large dinosaur organizations who are spending $1K per seat for Windows and Office when they would be better off with Chrome OS.
Linux upgrades are a piece of cake. I just upgraded an ancient Ubuntu install (out of support band on an old laptop) to a current LTS version. It did take a day but I just let it run. In the end, everything "just worked" and I am now on an LTS version where I will stay until the next LTS version arrives.
Nice thing is that all of my old hardware (webcams, scanners, printers, etc.) is still nicely supported unlike Windows and Mac where support for old hardware just disappears.
It's nice that Microsoft introduced a "proper security model" in Vista.
Unfortunately, the malware writers have not noticed this and have continued to write very effective hacks for Windows.
So... I will continue to mock Windows (all versions) for being a pathetic excuse for an OS which should be avoided by everyone except the clueless.
Windows security is still a joke.
(Disclaimer... I have had a fair amount of good Scotch and Bordeaux tonight which may have influenced my opinion... YMMV)
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-941262.html
Pics of the devices from the NSA catalog.
It's turtles all the way down.
Wikipedia has some good references here:
"Shielding from gamma rays requires large amounts of mass, in contrast to alpha particles which can be blocked by paper or skin, and beta particles which can be shielded by foil. Gamma rays are better absorbed by materials with high atomic numbers and high density, although neither effect is important compared to the total mass per area in the path of the gamma ray.
The higher the energy of the gamma rays, the thicker the shielding made from the same shielding material is required. Materials for shielding gamma rays are typically measured by the thickness required to reduce the intensity of the gamma rays by one half (the half value layer or HVL). For example gamma rays that require 1 cm (0.4) of lead to reduce their intensity by 50% will also have their intensity reduced in half by 4.1 cm of granite rock, 6 cm (2½) of concrete, or 9 cm (3½) of packed soil. "
So, gamma rays can pass through black tape, plastic and glass lenses without much difficulty.
TFA states that the "may" release the app but there are already a few gamma radiation detectors on the Play Store for Android such as these:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.camdetector.radiationalarm&hl=en
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rdklein.radioactivity&hl=en
Basically you cover the lens with black tape to block light but of course gamma radiation can get through. The apps need to be calibrated to your individual phone since random noise in the sensor can give false readings. The apps provide a method to do that.
As the article states... the best radiation detector is the one you have with you.
According to this article:
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2014/1/10/energy-markets/negative-spin-europes-amazing-electricity-prices
"Over the Christmas holiday, which typically causes a drop in energy demand, wholesale electricity prices in Germany, the Nordic region, the Czech Republic and Slovakia turned negative on excessive renewable energy production and mild weather."
On December 24, 2013, when industrial and business power demand dropped sharply, the price of German power for intra-day delivery fell to an average of -€35.45 per megawatt-hour between 0000 and 0600 in the morning, touching lows of -€62.03/MWh halfway through that period.
Not sure what you are thinking or if you're confused about units, etc. but ... /MWh which is close to the euro 35 ($47) price in TFA.
A quick search of US Wholesale prices shows a range of $31 to $71 for last year with highest prices in the Northeast. California was $42
So... price for this wind power is on par with US wholesale prices for all (coal, hydro, NG, etc.) averaged together... not really 3x.
Whale watching season is over for the year.
It was great in November and we did see a few driving down the coast in December but they've gone to Baja and they won't be back until spring.
It's interesting how all of the news articles just copied the Fox-IT blog post and that post itself doesn't give a clue about the target machines.
I guess we all should assume that these viruses are all Windows only although it would have been nice of them to be explicit about the target machines.
I don't have anyone running Windows so I don't keep up on malware.
I certainly don't expect you to do the research for me although it would have been nice if someone in the Windows world would admit that these are only Windows viruses.
I guess I can just assume that Linux and OSX are immune (until we get big headlines on Slashdot announcing Linux malware).
But do any of these run on Linux.. or Mac OSX?
I guess we should just assume that they all run on Windows although the article is silent on this subject.
Does any antivirus program detect or block any of these?
What should I do if I think I have been "exposed"?
Useless articles.
As usual (unfortunately). Both the article and the summary are pathetic examples of journalism which should try to at least inform.
For instance, it would be useful to know (at a minimum) which OSs, browsers, etc are vulnerable, whether any of the virus detection programs will block or remove the malware and what effects the malware has on systems when they are infected.
In other words, this article is just "scareware" warning about some unspecified threat to do something bad to somebody and no idea who, what, when or where.
Sub-prime lending was low (and even declining) until 2003 then increased dramatically and peaked in 2006 ending with the crash starting in July 2007 when Bear Stearns funds folded... I believe that this is Junior Bush's reign.
I went to view your reply and handily posted at the bottom of the page was this quote:
"Facts are stupid things." -- President Ronald Reagan (a blooper from his speeach (sic) at the '88 GOP convention)
Thank you, Slashdot.
"Oh, BTW, Reagan was also so stupid that he couldn't tie his own shoes." I think we'd need a citation for that... however, given his early onset Alzheimer during his presidency, it's plausible.
"Everything bad that has ever occurred in the 20th century is due to Reagan and Reagan alone." I think you're not really giving credit to many other Republicans who came after and expanded his policies. Both Bushes are prime examples... also, the enablers, Rove, McCain, Gingrich and the whacko Koch Tea Party. There's lots of people who can take credit for destroying our democracy.
Well, look at Chicago, for example.
Most large cities are nice for rich folks and a kind of living hell for the poor.
So... best to give up and not offer advice at all?
I believe that the OP was asking for advice: "Ask Slashdot".
I am a doctor with many years experience working in the ER. I have encountered many schizophrenic patients who have stopped taking their meds, end up unable to cope and need hospital admission. What happens is that people feel better (because of their meds) and begin to think that they don't need the meds so they stop.
Just don't stop taking your meds. The reason you are feeling better is because of the meds. Just don't stop.
...for any reason... Ever!
The Supreme Court just struck down the specific state provisions of the voting rights act.
The act was passed by the Senate so presumably the needs of all states were considered when it was originally passed.
No need for the Senate.
The "commerce clause" has been broadly interpreted as the justification for a lot of Federal legislation. There are limits on what you can do to your citizens. Frankly, I trust the Federal government to do a better job of passing "fair" legislation than the States. Mississippi would probably still have segregation if it weren't for the Federal government.
I'm not sure if any legislation infringes on the rights of some states and gives others preferences. States rights are enshrined in the Constitution and the Judiciary takes care of that. The Senate must approve all legislation and is extremely undemocratic. If the Senate were to vote on only "states rights" issues and not stuff which affects actual people, they would have very little to do and would be of little consequence.
As it is, the people living in large states are hostage to the small states.
(I do agree with your Gerrymandering comment about the House. This is completely out of hand.)
I was noticing that the boundaries seem arbitrary. For instance, his area 2 goes from the coast north of San Francisco to the Nevada state line. This area incorporates at least three very different cultures. At the coast, Marin County should really be part of the San Francisco, Silicon Valley area. Heading West through the Central Valley to Sacramento is really a completely different area (primarily farming). Then you get to the Sierra Nevada Range which is a third area which is completely different culturally and economically.
Actually, I think it would be best to just get rid of the Senate completely.
It's totally non-functional due to arcane rules and inherently undemocratic since states like Rhode Island and Wyoming (population less than 1 million) get the same number of senators as large states like New York and California.
A parliamentary system would make for a much more functional government.
I don't really understanding what you are saying.
Most phones will operate without a SIM (wifi and bluetooth connectivity).
If you want access to the cell network, you need a SIM... any SIM will do... preferably pick one from a company that doesn't screw you to badly (in the US, T-mobile or one of the many resellers tend to have the best deal).
Of course, if you bought a SIM-locked phone, you are screwed... Why did you buy a SIM-locked phone?