Thank you for your efforts! To repay you we will saturate your bandwidth and overload your server.
Probably not, considering this post happened at around 4 am CST. And by the time is 10 am CST it'll be a the bottom or of fallen off by then, so I think hes safe - for now:)
Can the same thing happen to linux? Or do exploit authors prefer windows?
Yes, of course it can happen in Linux, but heres the clincher - as soon as its found in linux, its patched instead of someone coding an exploit - spreading it around until some sysadmin gets pissed off and codes a patch for it. Which is probably why viruses in OSS are rare, because why try? It's going to get patched before any widespread infection can occur, and most users on the Linux platform are smart enough to stay up to date anyways.
Windows OTOH is a 6 month turnaround or more and your controlled by an entity whos decisions are based around profitability. If its more profitable to keep an exploit open on a O/S and get some nice contracts with some Anti-Virus companies for another couple months, then thats cool - unfortunately for the luser - this is a no win situation, and they have absolutely NO control over their computer.
To say this exploit isn't going to affect anyone is ignorant - There are still quite a few people using IE 5, granted about 20% of the entire IE surfing public, according to some of my weblogs.
Get a clue, folks. If you do stupid stuff as root you're going to break your machine no matter what OS it runs.
Sometimes its needed to be said, and I'll agree, as a linux newbie in my own right, I knew enough to know that running as root on my machine was the stupidest thing I could do. Also in Mandrake 9.2 - if you DO try to log in as root, your desktop is completely RED - a very annoying, but effective color.
I think the biggest problem is that people think that because they OWN their computer that they should immediately have full access to EVERYTHING, including the fact that i have the right to run as administrator. Now I'm not debating that you can't run as admin, I'm stating that if someone made you a pilot today and gave ya a nice DC-10 on the runway, just because someone gave you something you have no clue how to use, would you just go and run with it? The unfortunate part is that computers look and act so "easy-to-use" - that while happy user is happily clicking away on "remove spam from your e-mail - click here" windows, that the damage is already being done - and they don't even know it. Now heres the catch: when you TELL them that you should run as a regular user, they look at you like you came from another planet and say "yeah right - its my computer and I'll damn well do what i please with it!" - which is great until they start calling you up for tech support because "It runs slow", or "It doesn't work" or [fill in your worst nightmare here].
I'm also sure that there will be some helpful anonymous e-mails and patches sent to Microsoft..
..or how about all those helpful patches posted in Newsgroups and those e-mails that came from Microsoft! As said before, im sure there will be new worms (read:NOT VIRUSES) created as a result. Today its more social engineering than anything else thats causing widespread infections, more than the creativity/purpose of the worm itself - as said before also, I haven't seen a real virus in the last 2-3 years. Just annoying worms targetted to windows boxes, aimed at the mostly Mom and Pop types who check the Interweb for e-mails and such...
yup thanks, actually did it myself on the command line but was just making the point that most people who may migrate from Windows wouldn't go though that much hassle to begin with to make it work properly. And this was installing from CD to a formatted HDD. The FAQ's surrounding this issue are well documented, but then again its the ACTION that people don't want to do, kind of like plugging in your VCR and never setting the clock because hey, it works and it plays tapes and thats why I bought it in the first place. Wanna bet that if it was a prerequisite to have to set the clock before you could play your first tape, how many would be returned stating "It doesn't work". Just work a helpdesk once, and you'll know what im talking about:)
tiny details can have a significant impact on the user experience on operating ystems.
Okay, while I completely agree with that article, Ill share some of my 'user experiences' using Linux vs. Windows and how things in Linux coming from a Windows POV are still archaic at best.
For instance, yes like windows, you can hit the Print Screen button and get screen shots the same as windows, BUT it popups up a program asking you what to DO with the screenshot and how to save it - very nice.
However, From a user who used IE just for the convienance when on WIndows, I migrated to Linux beore the MyDOOM crap and heres what Ive found:
Mozilla still has a ways to go, and is still IMHO a superior browser to IE, mostly due to the fact it does not allow executable installations and popups enabled by default -- HOWEVER, installing Java as a plugin in the browser and making it a "symbolic link" in the plugins directory of the JavaVM is tricky at best. If i didnt have a clue about these things Id be trashing Linux right there. No one in windows land has no clue what a symbolic link is, or how to "create one" in a command line.
There are other things also, but ill stick to the most basic and most obvious problem that a linux newbie would encounter right off the bat after installing Linux after migrating from Windows.
Keep in mind, its the things that DON'T work that ultimately decides if a user is going to stick with a particular operating system/GUI/client or not -- unlike most of the slashdot crowd, the general public simply does not have the patience to try and troubleshoot a problem or PAY anyone, for that matter to get the same functionality that they had before.
all email programs should disable the feature that allows you to double click on an icon and launch a virus
You are not going to believe how many calls a week I get from people who ask me to help them disable the virus protection enabled in Outlook Express. Because the customer is always right, I have to show them the way, even though im cringing everytime I hear them click open that attachment Outlook Express thinks is a virus. Sorry folks, I might be contributing to the destruction of the planet, but I still get paid handsomly for doing it...
Whoa, you almost had me there! Talking about 3 computer related items, I was thinking Windex was a new Windows Operating system for a moment there:)
Re:Linux apps too hard to configure?
on
Build Your Own PVR
·
· Score: 2, Funny
It took me a day of compiling and configuring on gentoo
Whoa, stop the presses right there. Okay, I might not be the linux guru around here, but I KNOW I have better things to do with my life then sit infront of a/babysit a computer waiting for a program to compile? Ugh.
A few more days of tinkering
What your still not done after a day of tinkering? Wow.
Not hard, but then I'm not an idiot.
Well that all depends on what point of view your looking from. Have a nice day!
We call this "pre-slashbombing" because hey --- none of us really read the articles and know that the server isn't really online! I'm sure the people over in the UK right now are just laughing their asses off looking at all the requests to the server and saying "Americans..."
One thing, it just moves me to look at that BBC picture of Auswitz with the smoke coming up and knowing what the smoke stack represents. Unbelievable. It just gives me a new respect for what those people really went through, and thanking my lucky stars I was born now and not then.
Then you are gonna love once XP SP2 is finally released, working helpdesk for an ISP myself, I receive call upon call of people whos computers either
1. Run slow (its your connection!!!)
2. Boot slow (damn [ISP] software!)
3. GP error (Must be [ISP]'s fault - I didn't install anything!)
etc etc...
Simply disabling the "Enable Third-Party Browser extensions (requires restart)" option 'sometimes' fixes the issue, but being the root of all evil is the browser and the spyware embedded in the registry, most fixes are temporary until you get to the FORMAT C: prompt once again.
However I do hear yor pain, and FINALLY a firewall enabled by default in SP2 (XP's firewall is disabled by default), popup blockers in IE, and warnings when a program is attempting to install itself into your browser is one hell of a great start on improving the state of the nation. I am personally looking forward to supporting the original issues that I was paid to support - namely the CONNECTION.
With all those, all you need is a decent Anti-Virus software and a little luser education and they are set.
Rant is over. Move along.. nothing left to see here...
Yes, the old adage of "click here, end up there" scenario - unfortunately, the only people that will really benefit from all this fighting back and forth are the lawyers. Who really gives a damn about the users anyways?
"Would you fucking moron moderators do something right.."
I don't recall Slashdot being a software repository, and due to your tone in your "request" - do you actually think that by belittling the moderators, you'll be able to force them to mod up the parent? Lets be realistic for one millisecond here and assume that these are real people on the other end. Now I work helpdesk support for a major ISP, if someone like you ended up calling and I got your call, I'd be "accidentally" hitting the release button on my phone and you can dial back in and wait another hour to talk to someone useful. Belittling anyone on here will get you nothing but a -1 on your posts, no matter how important you think it is.
Maybe you should read the slashdot Moderation Guidelines and learn on how moderation works on here. Knowledge is power.
Slashdot Mirror
Thank you for your efforts! To repay you we will saturate your bandwidth and overload your server.
:)
Probably not, considering this post happened at around 4 am CST. And by the time is 10 am CST it'll be a the bottom or of fallen off by then, so I think hes safe - for now
Heck, why not use paint, with some skill that could work...
.GIF format!
Well I tried using paint but I couldn't get the damn thing to save in
errr... your talking about Paint in Windows right?
Can the same thing happen to linux? Or do exploit authors prefer windows?
Yes, of course it can happen in Linux, but heres the clincher - as soon as its found in linux, its patched instead of someone coding an exploit - spreading it around until some sysadmin gets pissed off and codes a patch for it. Which is probably why viruses in OSS are rare, because why try? It's going to get patched before any widespread infection can occur, and most users on the Linux platform are smart enough to stay up to date anyways.
Windows OTOH is a 6 month turnaround or more and your controlled by an entity whos decisions are based around profitability. If its more profitable to keep an exploit open on a O/S and get some nice contracts with some Anti-Virus companies for another couple months, then thats cool - unfortunately for the luser - this is a no win situation, and they have absolutely NO control over their computer.
To say this exploit isn't going to affect anyone is ignorant - There are still quite a few people using IE 5, granted about 20% of the entire IE surfing public, according to some of my weblogs.
Get a clue, folks. If you do stupid stuff as root you're going to break your machine no matter what OS it runs.
Sometimes its needed to be said, and I'll agree, as a linux newbie in my own right, I knew enough to know that running as root on my machine was the stupidest thing I could do. Also in Mandrake 9.2 - if you DO try to log in as root, your desktop is completely RED - a very annoying, but effective color.
I think the biggest problem is that people think that because they OWN their computer that they should immediately have full access to EVERYTHING, including the fact that i have the right to run as administrator. Now I'm not debating that you can't run as admin, I'm stating that if someone made you a pilot today and gave ya a nice DC-10 on the runway, just because someone gave you something you have no clue how to use, would you just go and run with it? The unfortunate part is that computers look and act so "easy-to-use" - that while happy user is happily clicking away on "remove spam from your e-mail - click here" windows, that the damage is already being done - and they don't even know it. Now heres the catch: when you TELL them that you should run as a regular user, they look at you like you came from another planet and say "yeah right - its my computer and I'll damn well do what i please with it!" - which is great until they start calling you up for tech support because "It runs slow", or "It doesn't work" or [fill in your worst nightmare here].
Cheers.
cock-smoking teabaggers
Jay and Silent Bob called: they want their attitude back.
I'm also sure that there will be some helpful anonymous e-mails and patches sent to Microsoft..
..or how about all those helpful patches posted in Newsgroups and those e-mails that came from Microsoft! As said before, im sure there will be new worms (read:NOT VIRUSES) created as a result. Today its more social engineering than anything else thats causing widespread infections, more than the creativity/purpose of the worm itself - as said before also, I haven't seen a real virus in the last 2-3 years. Just annoying worms targetted to windows boxes, aimed at the mostly Mom and Pop types who check the Interweb for e-mails and such...
So, uh, after reading the article, whats to stop someone from keying it?
Or maybe its not actually worth keying...
yup thanks, actually did it myself on the command line but was just making the point that most people who may migrate from Windows wouldn't go though that much hassle to begin with to make it work properly. And this was installing from CD to a formatted HDD. The FAQ's surrounding this issue are well documented, but then again its the ACTION that people don't want to do, kind of like plugging in your VCR and never setting the clock because hey, it works and it plays tapes and thats why I bought it in the first place. Wanna bet that if it was a prerequisite to have to set the clock before you could play your first tape, how many would be returned stating "It doesn't work". Just work a helpdesk once, and you'll know what im talking about :)
Oddly enough, mandrake 9.2 download edition. Which I was under the assumption that it was the most 'user friendly' :)
tiny details can have a significant impact on the user experience on operating ystems.
Okay, while I completely agree with that article, Ill share some of my 'user experiences' using Linux vs. Windows and how things in Linux coming from a Windows POV are still archaic at best.
For instance, yes like windows, you can hit the Print Screen button and get screen shots the same as windows, BUT it popups up a program asking you what to DO with the screenshot and how to save it - very nice.
However, From a user who used IE just for the convienance when on WIndows, I migrated to Linux beore the MyDOOM crap and heres what Ive found:
Mozilla still has a ways to go, and is still IMHO a superior browser to IE, mostly due to the fact it does not allow executable installations and popups enabled by default -- HOWEVER, installing Java as a plugin in the browser and making it a "symbolic link" in the plugins directory of the JavaVM is tricky at best. If i didnt have a clue about these things Id be trashing Linux right there. No one in windows land has no clue what a symbolic link is, or how to "create one" in a command line.
There are other things also, but ill stick to the most basic and most obvious problem that a linux newbie would encounter right off the bat after installing Linux after migrating from Windows.
Keep in mind, its the things that DON'T work that ultimately decides if a user is going to stick with a particular operating system/GUI/client or not -- unlike most of the slashdot crowd, the general public simply does not have the patience to try and troubleshoot a problem or PAY anyone, for that matter to get the same functionality that they had before.
Oh well, I wish being slashdotted and herds of geeks saying "WOW" paid bills.
Well... maybe the first 20 said WOW, the others all said "Page cannot be displayed!?!?!" err wait... wrong browser...
Real men type it in!
I do usually and then I get pr0n!
all email programs should disable the feature that allows you to double click on an icon and launch a virus
You are not going to believe how many calls a week I get from people who ask me to help them disable the virus protection enabled in Outlook Express. Because the customer is always right, I have to show them the way, even though im cringing everytime I hear them click open that attachment Outlook Express thinks is a virus. Sorry folks, I might be contributing to the destruction of the planet, but I still get paid handsomly for doing it...
Oh, they're a wild bunch!
Its so exciting that the two people in the background are busy recompiling a kernal as we speak! w00t!
Whoa, you almost had me there! Talking about 3 computer related items, I was thinking Windex was a new Windows Operating system for a moment there
It took me a day of compiling and configuring on gentoo
Whoa, stop the presses right there. Okay, I might not be the linux guru around here, but I KNOW I have better things to do with my life then sit infront of a/babysit a computer waiting for a program to compile? Ugh.
A few more days of tinkering
What your still not done after a day of tinkering? Wow.
Not hard, but then I'm not an idiot.
Well that all depends on what point of view your looking from. Have a nice day!
We call this "pre-slashbombing" because hey --- none of us really read the articles and know that the server isn't really online! I'm sure the people over in the UK right now are just laughing their asses off looking at all the requests to the server and saying "Americans..."
One thing, it just moves me to look at that BBC picture of Auswitz with the smoke coming up and knowing what the smoke stack represents. Unbelievable. It just gives me a new respect for what those people really went through, and thanking my lucky stars I was born now and not then.
Then you are gonna love once XP SP2 is finally released, working helpdesk for an ISP myself, I receive call upon call of people whos computers either
1. Run slow (its your connection!!!)
2. Boot slow (damn [ISP] software!)
3. GP error (Must be [ISP]'s fault - I didn't install anything!)
etc etc...
Simply disabling the "Enable Third-Party Browser extensions (requires restart)" option 'sometimes' fixes the issue, but being the root of all evil is the browser and the spyware embedded in the registry, most fixes are temporary until you get to the FORMAT C: prompt once again.
However I do hear yor pain, and FINALLY a firewall enabled by default in SP2 (XP's firewall is disabled by default), popup blockers in IE, and warnings when a program is attempting to install itself into your browser is one hell of a great start on improving the state of the nation. I am personally looking forward to supporting the original issues that I was paid to support - namely the CONNECTION.
With all those, all you need is a decent Anti-Virus software and a little luser education and they are set.
Rant is over. Move along.. nothing left to see here...
Yes, the old adage of "click here, end up there" scenario - unfortunately, the only people that will really benefit from all this fighting back and forth are the lawyers. Who really gives a damn about the users anyways?
Okay the instructions are in English - nice. The diagrams are in German? Need a little help here...
"Would you fucking moron moderators do something right.."
I don't recall Slashdot being a software repository, and due to your tone in your "request" - do you actually think that by belittling the moderators, you'll be able to force them to mod up the parent? Lets be realistic for one millisecond here and assume that these are real people on the other end. Now I work helpdesk support for a major ISP, if someone like you ended up calling and I got your call, I'd be "accidentally" hitting the release button on my phone and you can dial back in and wait another hour to talk to someone useful. Belittling anyone on here will get you nothing but a -1 on your posts, no matter how important you think it is.
Maybe you should read the slashdot Moderation Guidelines and learn on how moderation works on here. Knowledge is power.
You don't need a mirror - just cut and paste the "link" into a new browser window that isn't allready homepaged to slashdot - preferably a blank page.
Nah, privacy? Hrmph... Just surf to it from your corporate LAN, like I do! I'm just a number here anyways.
You don't have permission to access /users.compaqnet.be/cn203909/5/0000271629/noleech. gif on this server.
The effect continues....
Most people saw computing only as making a bigger and faster calculator.
Its achievments made by people like this that truly allow us to advance in this day and age! Hats off to those who "think outside the box".
Now, if only I can get Kcalc to stop calculating in HEX.