The reason is because everything on Slashdot (as well as the responses, unless you want to be modded down) are required to be rabidly anti-Microsoft. I suspect the OS equivalent of penis envy.
See, the thing most people dont understand (since they dont actaully work in IT or especially MIS) is that, for the most part, the MARKET is what has given MS its dominance. They make a pretty stable product, it allows companies to standardize their services/support/software (ultimately important if you are managing anything greater than five computers), and another advantage a lot of companies like is 'one-stop-shopping'. If you look at companies who are supporting multiple desktop OS's, support is a big problem. So, instead of facing the reality, you have people coming up with straw-men like access to source code, the invented (and completely false) 'monoculture' arguement, and 'choice of software'. How the hell can somebody say Windows doesnt give them a choice in software? Try walking into a software store some time!
So, here is what will happen to this thread. It might get modded up by people who see the intelligence of what i am saying, but then the zealots will get ahold of mod points and start calling it 'over-rated', 'troll', or 'flamebait'. All terms for 'its true, but we dont want to hear it here'. Then, they will see what else Ive posted lately, and start modding that down as well.
How can this honestly surprise anybody? Since when HASNT Apple been overcharging for things that are comparitively cheaper with non-Apple branded products?
Mice, Laptops, MP3 Players, Monitors, Computers, etc, etc, etc. If it works with Apple products, they make sure they are the only ones selling it (and, especially since they opened the Apple Stores, they make sure they are the only VENDOR selling it). If it is branded Apple, you are going to be paying more than similiar products for other systems.
Evil as hell? Have they killed anybody, or raped your sister, or stolen your turkey on Thanksgiving?
Some people have a really weak definition of 'evil'. You need to get out there and get some real life experience- then maybe that word will actually mean something to you.
Gates has $50 odd BILLION and gives 0.01 % to charity. Big deal.
You may want to check those figures, i think they are a wee bit off.
Bill Gates OWNS Microsoft. Linux doesn't own Linux.
Gates = good businessman. Linus = bad businessman.
One is, in the capitalist sense, earning the most from their efforts, the other is not. Money isnt everything, but it sure is nice to have. For example, Gates has given at least a BILLION to charity (which is why your figures are way off), which he would never have been able to do if he werent a good businessman.
Now IANAL, but I think the guy posting this article may have a possible lawsuit for wrongful dismissal against his former employer. An assessment is meant to be a piece of information used to form a decision, it isnt supposed to make your decision for you.
Another point: yes, all admins are inherantly a security risk, because they have access to the system. But they are a managed risk (like they all should be), in that the company has history with this person, and there is most likely no wrong-doing in his record. What I view as a greater risk is outsourcing to a company- in this case, how can you manage the risk of a 3rd party outside your control? Answer- you cant.
So from just a risk-management viewpoint, the company has assumed MORE risk by outsourcing their security.
Its nice to see people like BillGates, now Paul Allen, and id Software's John Carmack doing things with their wealth that benefits humanity.
By contrast, all I hear about Linus is him buying some expensive sports car. Oh well, I guess the guy isnt really the second coming of Christ, after all.
I know people who work for Microsoft. They have nothing but good things to say about the work environment, pretty much to the point where they couldnt envision working for another company.
On another note, the only thing I see in the press regarding Oracle is Ellison whining about Microsoft, or some other non-technical related subject. The man is just a troll, plain and simple. He needs to focus on making his product better, rather than saying how bad their competitors are. The title "Everyone Else Must Fail" is a very good summation of the attitude Ive seen from Ellison.
Compare this with things Gates says in the press- he is always looking at better ways of applying technology, ways to make things easier, etc. He (correctly, IMO) wants computing a simple human experience, something people dont need five years of experience to do. Much like using a hammer or screwdriver: an experienced carpenter will still be able to use the tools more effectively, but a newbie can still drive a nail or screw into a wall with the same tools.
Note to self: prepare to be modded down for saying something good about Microsoft.
Yes, there are a lot more pressing needs for the Iraqi people as a whole. But F/OSS is certainly better for them, as a developing nation, than bondage to Microsoft which is no doubt in Bill Gates' plans.
A big LOL, buddy. Im sure Gates and all his other Illuminati buddies are sitting in their dark room with their hoods on, plotting on taking over the world via Microsoft. Chalk up another goofy conspiracy theorist.
BTW, I havent seen MS getting sweet treatment from the Bushies, unlike Halliburton. In fact, didnt the Gates' come out directly against most of GWB's positions, including his tax cut for the rich? Its a rhetorical question; yes they did. They are also actually DOING something about curing AIDS in the third world, instead of just talking about it like GWB.
The kernel exploit was first DISCOVERED by Debian. It was accessing a flaw in the linux kernel itself, not the distribution (take a look here.
Also, I hate how people say "oh, well, it was only a local exploit..." It shows they dont understand the methodology used by malicious hackers. You use one flaw to give you remote access, then leverage that remote access into exploiting the local access flaw.
How else do you think Debian was hacked with a mere local access exploit?
Slashdot Mirror
See, the thing most people dont understand (since they dont actaully work in IT or especially MIS) is that, for the most part, the MARKET is what has given MS its dominance. They make a pretty stable product, it allows companies to standardize their services/support/software (ultimately important if you are managing anything greater than five computers), and another advantage a lot of companies like is 'one-stop-shopping'. If you look at companies who are supporting multiple desktop OS's, support is a big problem. So, instead of facing the reality, you have people coming up with straw-men like access to source code, the invented (and completely false) 'monoculture' arguement, and 'choice of software'. How the hell can somebody say Windows doesnt give them a choice in software? Try walking into a software store some time!
So, here is what will happen to this thread. It might get modded up by people who see the intelligence of what i am saying, but then the zealots will get ahold of mod points and start calling it 'over-rated', 'troll', or 'flamebait'. All terms for 'its true, but we dont want to hear it here'. Then, they will see what else Ive posted lately, and start modding that down as well.
I went and say "Return of the King", then came home. So see, two things already happened. Oh ya, and I posted to Slashdot, so that makes three.
You have no chance to survive, make your time. Ha ha ha.
Oh well, as cheap, junky, consumer-level computers are being made, S3 will always have a customer. Its all about the profit margin.
All of it. BTW, you spelled "holiday" wrong.
HOLLIDAY - American comedian best remembered for her performance in the play (1946-1950) and film (1950) Born Yesterday.
$20, Apple Store
$10
Mice, Laptops, MP3 Players, Monitors, Computers, etc, etc, etc. If it works with Apple products, they make sure they are the only ones selling it (and, especially since they opened the Apple Stores, they make sure they are the only VENDOR selling it). If it is branded Apple, you are going to be paying more than similiar products for other systems.
Some people have a really weak definition of 'evil'. You need to get out there and get some real life experience- then maybe that word will actually mean something to you.
Hey, why not? It worked for Rush Limbaugh...
He is tainting KotOR just by mentioning it with those stinkers. Being a Jedi will never be the same again. Thanks, man.
You can always depend on the Linux community to put the cart before the horse, thats for sure.
Two words- Pluto Nash.
You may want to check those figures, i think they are a wee bit off.
Bill Gates OWNS Microsoft. Linux doesn't own Linux.
Gates = good businessman. Linus = bad businessman.
One is, in the capitalist sense, earning the most from their efforts, the other is not. Money isnt everything, but it sure is nice to have. For example, Gates has given at least a BILLION to charity (which is why your figures are way off), which he would never have been able to do if he werent a good businessman.
The more you have, the more you can do.
Another point: yes, all admins are inherantly a security risk, because they have access to the system. But they are a managed risk (like they all should be), in that the company has history with this person, and there is most likely no wrong-doing in his record. What I view as a greater risk is outsourcing to a company- in this case, how can you manage the risk of a 3rd party outside your control? Answer- you cant.
So from just a risk-management viewpoint, the company has assumed MORE risk by outsourcing their security.
By contrast, all I hear about Linus is him buying some expensive sports car. Oh well, I guess the guy isnt really the second coming of Christ, after all.
On another note, the only thing I see in the press regarding Oracle is Ellison whining about Microsoft, or some other non-technical related subject. The man is just a troll, plain and simple. He needs to focus on making his product better, rather than saying how bad their competitors are. The title "Everyone Else Must Fail" is a very good summation of the attitude Ive seen from Ellison.
Compare this with things Gates says in the press- he is always looking at better ways of applying technology, ways to make things easier, etc. He (correctly, IMO) wants computing a simple human experience, something people dont need five years of experience to do. Much like using a hammer or screwdriver: an experienced carpenter will still be able to use the tools more effectively, but a newbie can still drive a nail or screw into a wall with the same tools.
Note to self: prepare to be modded down for saying something good about Microsoft.
Finally, something to eat while drinking my morning coffee!!
Now that Walmart is a distributor of WMA files, you guys are going gonzo with conspiracy theories and anti-Walmart venom. Make up your minds!
A big LOL, buddy. Im sure Gates and all his other Illuminati buddies are sitting in their dark room with their hoods on, plotting on taking over the world via Microsoft. Chalk up another goofy conspiracy theorist.
BTW, I havent seen MS getting sweet treatment from the Bushies, unlike Halliburton. In fact, didnt the Gates' come out directly against most of GWB's positions, including his tax cut for the rich? Its a rhetorical question; yes they did. They are also actually DOING something about curing AIDS in the third world, instead of just talking about it like GWB.
Also, I hate how people say "oh, well, it was only a local exploit..." It shows they dont understand the methodology used by malicious hackers. You use one flaw to give you remote access, then leverage that remote access into exploiting the local access flaw.
How else do you think Debian was hacked with a mere local access exploit?