"Everything that can be invented has been invented." Charles H. Duell, commissioner of the U.S. Patent Office, 1899
It just seems that way because our tecnological progress has outstripped our society's capacity to deal with it. Once we get rid of the sociopolitical bottlenecks, we can restart innovation and maybe in another hundred years, the next in the Duell/Huebner chain can make the same observation.
But wait, they're talking about spyware, viruses, and phishing. So, those things can install themselves now?
Until recently, I've had no real problems with viruses/malware myself, but last week I was setting up a (friend's) computer with a fresh install of XP. I'd completed the install and downloaded a few tools, drivers etc to finish the job, and had started cleaning up the debris - temporary dirs etc. I switched to the desktop and noticed a file there that I didn't recognise, but assumed was one I'd downloaded. I double-clicked the file to see what it was... I realised just how dumb that was even as I was doing it, but too late. Explorer started up and tried to visit some gambling site. Closing it just started another instance. I pulled the net cable from the back, did some checking and found I'd installed something called "Surf Buddy".
There was no uninstall, killing the task in the Task Manager didn't work - it'd just respawn. Edits in the registry would be "healed", and in the end, it took more than an hour of work and several reboots into safe mode to track down and clean the infestation. Yep, you're right that only people who do dumb things will get compromised when they're behind firewalls etc, but how many people never do a dumb thing in their lives?
The problem with Windows isn't just that its easily compromised. It's that its bloody hard to fix when it has happened.
You know, I find it odd that these people (Who likely tried Fedora) have all these problems
That's because it's not real. These posts are troll/astroturf red herrings designed to deflect discussion from the topic. Take a look at TFA. It's about Microsoft, politics and corruption. Now look at the 400+ postings and you'll see most of them are "My OS is better than yours".
Props to the dude that put this one together. It's successfully stifled what could have been a very interesting discussion about the way business influences policy.
but what happens when you go over that quota. That whopping 12Mbit/s becomes no faster than a dial-up, which kinda sucks.
It would if I could download enough to get over quota. Currently I can download 80Gb in any thirty day period before I get shaped. I've never got close.
As opposed to what - advanced Australian technology?
Well, yeah. I'm on iiNet's ADSL2 connection which gets 12 Mbit/s. Their support people not only know about Linux, they run Debian themselves and support it. So what's your problem with Aussie tech?
If you need to find out about the state of broadband over here, try http://www.whirlpool.net.au/. You might be surprised.
All three are public companies, and therefore obligated BY LAW to maximise shareholder profit.
I keep hearing this, but I've never seen any statute which says that a public company has to do anything of the sort. How would it fit in with a company constitution which says "Do no evil"? Can you point out a link to this infamous law?
So what you'd suggest is that he downloads the video from the MiniDV tape to the computer, then archives it onto backup tapes. Why not just keep the original MiniDV?
So, if I want to harass my competitors, I can release spyware with their ads on it
So, if I want to harass my competitors, I can telemarket their ads to the "Do Not Call" list?
It's not competitors companies should be worried about, it's resellers. How much trouble do you think Pfizer would be in if they had to account for every advert for their product?
Their set of rights is smaller than yours or mine. Why?
The concept of redemption is fundamental to christianity, so it is part of the legislature of societies based on the judeo-christian ethic. The concept of vengeance is fundamental to most human beings, so a key goal of victims and potential victims is punishment. We are now seeing a renegotiation of the boundaries between these two conflicting ethical systems.
The operating system, on the other hand, is a natural monopoly.
It may seem that way now, but the best outcome for consumers will be when we have commodity software on commodity OS on commodity hardware. Apple is heading down a part of that path by switching to fat binaries and abstracting the architecture and OS. Virtualised Linux, projects like WINE and even Hypervisor under Windows will contribute to the trend. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen.
Ilford appears to have recovered well from their bankruptcy, and Kentmere and Foma are still making great paper. I don't think b&w will be going anywhere soon.
Slashdot Mirror
How long until Apple sues?
When they find out the first step in the transmutation of base metals into gold is "Eat up Martha."
See? See?! MORE innovation!
It'd be innovative if they had frickin' laser beams attached to their heads...
"Everything that can be invented has been invented." Charles H. Duell, commissioner of the U.S. Patent Office, 1899
It just seems that way because our tecnological progress has outstripped our society's capacity to deal with it. Once we get rid of the sociopolitical bottlenecks, we can restart innovation and maybe in another hundred years, the next in the Duell/Huebner chain can make the same observation.
In Soviet America, Pi recites you!
Only one digit is recited in American Pi
But wait, they're talking about spyware, viruses, and phishing. So, those things can install themselves now?
Until recently, I've had no real problems with viruses/malware myself, but last week I was setting up a (friend's) computer with a fresh install of XP. I'd completed the install and downloaded a few tools, drivers etc to finish the job, and had started cleaning up the debris - temporary dirs etc. I switched to the desktop and noticed a file there that I didn't recognise, but assumed was one I'd downloaded. I double-clicked the file to see what it was...
I realised just how dumb that was even as I was doing it, but too late. Explorer started up and tried to visit some gambling site. Closing it just started another instance. I pulled the net cable from the back, did some checking and found I'd installed something called "Surf Buddy".
There was no uninstall, killing the task in the Task Manager didn't work - it'd just respawn. Edits in the registry would be "healed", and in the end, it took more than an hour of work and several reboots into safe mode to track down and clean the infestation.
Yep, you're right that only people who do dumb things will get compromised when they're behind firewalls etc, but how many people never do a dumb thing in their lives?
The problem with Windows isn't just that its easily compromised. It's that its bloody hard to fix when it has happened.
You know, I find it odd that these people (Who likely tried Fedora) have all these problems
That's because it's not real. These posts are troll/astroturf red herrings designed to deflect discussion from the topic. Take a look at TFA. It's about Microsoft, politics and corruption. Now look at the 400+ postings and you'll see most of them are "My OS is better than yours".
Props to the dude that put this one together. It's successfully stifled what could have been a very interesting discussion about the way business influences policy.
there was a long line of people waiting to go through that checkpoint and be checked for bomb residue
Why would you need to check for that? Wouldn't bomb residue just be a big pile of broken stuff and some nasty pink smears?
You'll be revived by the last remaining living people who have somehow managed to avoid the zombie dogs and their humanoid zombie pets.
More likely you'll be thawed by the zombies themselves, hungry for brains, braaiinss.
"Honey, can you get me another cold one from the fridge? I'm all out over here."
At any rate, I could just see them over compensate and then "Opps...."
Yes, but that's where the giant magnifying glass in space comes in. "Wait, no! Those aren't ants"...
but what happens when you go over that quota. That whopping 12Mbit/s becomes no faster than a dial-up, which kinda sucks.
It would if I could download enough to get over quota. Currently I can download 80Gb in any thirty day period before I get shaped. I've never got close.
As opposed to what - advanced Australian technology?
Well, yeah. I'm on iiNet's ADSL2 connection which gets 12 Mbit/s. Their support people not only know about Linux, they run Debian themselves and support it. So what's your problem with Aussie tech?
If you need to find out about the state of broadband over here, try http://www.whirlpool.net.au/. You might be surprised.
All three are public companies, and therefore obligated BY LAW to maximise shareholder profit.
I keep hearing this, but I've never seen any statute which says that a public company has to do anything of the sort. How would it fit in with a company constitution which says "Do no evil"? Can you point out a link to this infamous law?
First that comes to mind is Tape backup.
So what you'd suggest is that he downloads the video from the MiniDV tape to the computer, then archives it onto backup tapes. Why not just keep the original MiniDV?
So, if I want to harass my competitors, I can release spyware with their ads on it
So, if I want to harass my competitors, I can telemarket their ads to the "Do Not Call" list?
It's not competitors companies should be worried about, it's resellers. How much trouble do you think Pfizer would be in if they had to account for every advert for their product?
People don't like paying for legal theory (licences).
I don't mind paying for licenses either. What disgusts me is when I have to pay for a licence and the physical items over and over.
Their set of rights is smaller than yours or mine. Why?
The concept of redemption is fundamental to christianity, so it is part of the legislature of societies based on the judeo-christian ethic. The concept of vengeance is fundamental to most human beings, so a key goal of victims and potential victims is punishment. We are now seeing a renegotiation of the boundaries between these two conflicting ethical systems.
I mean, I knew the editors were blind, but musical too? Who knew?!
*ducks*
How did the ducks know? And why should they care?
The operating system, on the other hand, is a natural monopoly.
It may seem that way now, but the best outcome for consumers will be when we have commodity software on commodity OS on commodity hardware. Apple is heading down a part of that path by switching to fat binaries and abstracting the architecture and OS. Virtualised Linux, projects like WINE and even Hypervisor under Windows will contribute to the trend. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen.
Name the US Senator who is in office by any means other than an at-large election.
Name the US Senator whose opponent was not an almost identical politician.
You go first.
Ilford appears to have recovered well from their bankruptcy, and Kentmere and Foma are still making great paper. I don't think b&w will be going anywhere soon.
IT was ment to be a-lot , shouldn't leave spell checker on auto correct
If you meant ment to mean meant, you should leave the spell checker on auto-correct or allot a lot more time to your dictionary.
Did Johnnie Howard's nagging pay off in the end?
Yeah, I bought a nice new iPod and left it at Cheviot Bay for him.
Firefox > ?
Browser.
Why not? It's no worse than calling a word processor "Word".
lol I don't think the insurgents are attacking US soil.
Wasn't the threat of that used as the justification for the war?
I don't think anyone is going to be getting a freighter or container ship into US ports during a time of war buddy.
The US is at war now. Is it blockading ports?