Trash. I can hack it into typical command line rm type usage. Even intervene in the clearing of i-node's through any program's call. Delete through Samba and it goes to the.recycle directory for that tree.
I miss Netware's implementation where a deleted file is basically marked as such and placed in queue to actually be removed. As more space is needed or more files deleted it is moved up in the queue to actually be removed or until the specified timeout period has passed.
Watching a 100 users beat up a properly set up Novell Netware server and knowing nothing is going to easily be deleted (and easily be salvagable) is a God-send. Elevator seeking anyone? Watching 20 users choke a Windows server on the *same* hardware was comedy in motion. Linux can easily handle the "Netware" load, but...
Of course those really interested are watching Suse very closely. I know I am.:)
What are you talking about!? If all the hacked Windows boxes were using mail relays the problem would REAL easy. They are not. Those hacked Windows boxes are trying to connect DIRECTLY to the mail servers -- they are the relay themselves.
Well, let's start by saying that YOUR idea of a "PC" and mine are probably drastically different. My desktop "PC" had SCSI hard drives in it that I fully expect to last a decade. My home server has the same SCSI hard drives in it with redundant power supplies, CPU's, fans, hard drives, NIC's -- pretty much everything except the main motherboard. Sure, lightening could strike and take out the redundant line conditioners and UPS' along with the entire network. I've seen it happen. But for "normal" day to day failure is a non-issue.
Now, when I say "PC" I tend to either be talking about a Apple (my wife still uses her 10 year old Mac laptop) -- which with the default configuration(s) probably won't last 10 years [IDE hard drives stink[... or my "PC" home server is a server. For what I've watched people buy Dell's for, and replace them, and replace them again -- I'm still using the same HP LC-2000 which is rolling into the fifth year of service. It'll last 5 more.
The last server [at one of the offices] I shut down literally ran for almost 10 years (9 years, 49 weeks)... without *EVER* being rebooted. Absolutely... services were shutdown, replaced, and restarted within the running operating system as needed which was in a live 24x7 environment. When it was shutdown the backup server instantly took over and nobody noticed. Ironically the backup server had been replaced a couple of times due to failed hardware. They ran Novell Netware.
My last home brewed actual Intel "PC" also ran from 1992-2002 and stayed on during two moves. I simply unplugged the UPS, and carted off the running machine [because I could;]. Care to guess which Un*x it was running?
Notice one operating system missing from this entire discussion? Everything you mention seems to be problems seen with Windows.
I simply have to say "NO". My email address is the SAME one I've had since 1988 or 1989 when it was setup originally (by me). In those days it was fed through a UUCP connection and has gone through various providers and types of feeds over the years.
Of course today it's directly on the Internet fed with a 10Mbit wireless uplink in the 5Ghz range which is solid enough to have over taken my phone service (now VoIP based). My email is still the same.
I still accept email to the.COM version of the domain, but for political reasons have since shifted to the.US flavor. My email is still the same though.
I have done some very specific tests over the years, ranging from using address' on USENET, to posting on the web. And yes, I have specifically setup a Windows box, added one address to the Outlook address book, and watched closely as the system was infected, time and again, with it sitting on a DMZ'd type IP address. Ultimately your email _will_ be harvested and used as soon as somebody you know is infected. Not if, but when (today). Making it difficult to remember/type is a futile effort.
I still run into old friends (usually from college days) that attempt to find me at my old email address -- and they do. Even though I may see 1-2 spams in front of me [inbox] every week. Behind the scenes the Mac is properly flagging/filing the junk that does make it with the Linux server eating that junk mail and blocking ~1,500 attempts daily with another 100 or so being dealt with through spam-trap address' along with it find ~200 (still daily) through its own means (hint: it talks a lot with the Mac:). The key in this mix is the lack of... Windows.:) The problem is the virus infected Windows users out there.
It would be nice if we _could_ build radiometers cheaply. What could I imagine being utilized on every vehicle in the country? Data collecting GPS enabled radiometer that could easily tell the drive local temp/humidity (as they do now:) and "phone home" with the data.
What could you do with data collected from even 1 in 20 vehicles in the country? I could also see where this type of device could be dual-utilized as a collision warning detection type system...
No, but working on getting the file. Hint: try https:// [sneaky "back door" works like a charm;]
Re:It's the future I guess
on
The Other VoIP
·
· Score: 1
In my opion the etiquette is if there is something I don't want you to see -- it's covered. Just like if there is something I don't want you to hear the mouth piece is covered.
On a side note -- if you're also using iSight with iChatAV take a look for iGlasses. It gives you all the options that _should_ be included in the camera basic setup (contrast, exposure, brightness, manual focus, shutter time, etc). With it in "Night Vision" mode you can easily use the camera from the light of the LCD monitor in a black room.
You insensitive clod -- that was _my_ account, thank you very much. And yes, I have a Citibank account. Well, HAD.:)
Safari with Block Pop-Up Windows (Command-K) turned ON and this hack simply does not work (using tabbed browsing _if_ that matters). Allowing pop-ups and sure enough... it too would be vulnerable. Who allows pop-ups anymore? Oh yeah, IE users.
On a back end web server listening on a re-directed port along with a password and you're prompted with: ENTER CURRENT #: (let's enter 19998887777)
TRANSFER TO #: (let's enter 15554443333)...and then the "old" modem in that computer taps C-Kermit and dials specifically: atdt,19998887777,,,,5,!,*97,15554443333,,;
So, it calls me (pauses due to finding the cell phone I may be holding), dials "5" for the heck of it (lets me know it is working:), flashes the line, dials my transfer code (*97) and dumps me to the phone number I entered.
Free unlimited calls anywhere I go already... as long as I can tap a web browser somehow.:)
All you have to do is look around. I can't count the number of business' that need networking 101 help.
One business was running (20+ workstations) complete peer-to-peer wireless. No Internet, no router, no switches, no hub, just a bunch of Dell's -- some with XP Home, others with XP Pro, and of course 95 still in the mix, with wireless network cards in them. They couldn't understand why their Quickbook users kept getting bumped from the database (first off, it wasn't a multi-user license:), and why moving files from various "servers" (people desktop PC's:) was laggy as hell. Fix: remake one old PC + hardware to bring it to decent memory and at _least_ raid-1 setup (Linux of course). For $200 in parts and $200 in my time you'll have 1) a system you'll never think about again, and 2) something "cheaper", yet more reliable than their Windows anything. A few hundred more to wire up the building and add a decent switch and three other local business' call whose owners eat at the same coffee shop. Word of mouth, if/when you're good:), is a _very_ powerful thing. I still don't have a listed number in my work life.
You would be surprised how much help those poor people living in those multi-mullion dollar homes in various communities need networking 101 help. Wireless when applicable, absolutely killer X-Serve storage system(s) [serving the home theatre among other things] with Gigabit networking and the fun begins with people who want auto-sensing remote-control lighting, water, or blinds in the pool house. Those jobs are _always_ fun.
Microsoft borne virus', worms, trojans, spyware, hacks, tricks, and baffles are also just more $$$ to the pot. I love to hate Windows. The good clients learn what a Mac is, however.:)
Charge what you can and know that as a independent contracted professional you'll most likely be getting a 1099 (so be prepared to $ave to pay the tax man:). Client contact is a powerful thing, and you're only doing yourself a favor by keeping current with various certifications that may interest you. I've yet to go through classes or seminars where there wasn't at least _one_ thing I walked away learning. Apply said knowledge.
In the US midwest mom & pop shops will range from $60-$90 for carry-in to $100-$200 on-site service. Now call Microsoft technical support and have credit card in hand to compare prices. What do _you_ make per hour at your regular job? What is fair to charge? What are you worth? I can only answer for myself (and won't here... technically ya'all are my competition:)...
VoIP Base Rate Component $20.00 This does include unlimited US/CANADA calls terminated to a PTSN converted phone number [tax] where if I dial 911 [tax] it will show as my home address -- regardless of location (for which I signed off that I would not use 911 anywhere but home).
VoIP Fed Excise Tax $0.38 VoIP State Excise Tax $1.63 VoIP State USF $0.04 VoIP Fed USF $0.70
Seems to me they are already getting involved. As all calls are "free" along with all the other services (call forwarding, three-way, CID, Voice-Mail, etc)... there is nothing more to tax.
No, not specifically. I have, however, shown the people annoyed by the pop-ups [going to Windows Update] how the Mac updates itself. 3 out 5 have since bought a Mac.
Well, *69 is typically call-back the previous caller. *67 is usually block the next caller -- though I'm seeing VoIP providers, for whatever reason, use *67 to block ALL calls, but I digress.:)
You may block caller-id, but there's a few problems. If you call my 800# I get your ANI information which is completely different. If you call my regular [VoIP] number and block caller-id your phone number [at a minimum] is still transmitted, but simply flagged as "P"rivate (which I have my equipment set to ignore).
Using such a service as advertised here today (hey, I call it as I see 'em:) and yes, you will have easily "hacked the hacker".:)
And with all that power they feel the need to.ZIP their.JPG images which actually shaved off an entire 4K on this single 848K file. Wow. I should have thought of that.
That's not what I saw (your reference is commented out). I see the logo coming from: http://www.redhat.com/g/chrome/logo_rh_home .png...which would be nice if Redhat could change their pages to not use that photo... and replace that photo with some like: THIS IS A FAKE UPDATE NOT SUPPLIED BY REDHAT -- DO NOT DOWNLOAD! (until the site can be taken down completely)
There's a reason my entire movie library (ripped from owned DVD's which are stored away -- just like my CD collection now:)... has the.MP4 extension at this time. There's also a reason that the entire library resides on Linux partitions and was created using a Mac. Microsoft has enough money. They get $0 now.
Well, I'm hoping that I'm not the exception (this time). Considering that my desktop GUI is OS X, my laptop/entertainment TV player [PowerBook] is again, OS X -- and the supplied router by my ISP [Microsoft based] was tossed in the trash. Not to mention the main server in every office I work for [IT admin] is Linux based along with my home server and mass storage device [24 drives set up in various RAID configurations mounted to a piece of plywood gives me many terabytes;].
I highly doubt me, my wife, or any blood relative will be allowed to own such a car.
Most of you have to know that your employers have utter disdain for you by now. If not, keep working and it will become evident one day. We are expected to accomplish miracles, we take the heat from both management and the userbase, work stupid hours, and most likely will die young doing it. For what? To make something work that never should have passed the first meeting of the minds. The trouble is, the minds in the meeting were not fit to determine if the solution was correct in the first place. You optimists can have one less resume' to compete against, I no longer want to work in IT. It is a thankless, never-ending struggle that solves nothing at the end of the day.
You are so close. Switch OS', not occupations. Those that _have_ done this (completely remove Windows) *will* simply understand. Those that don't will probably hate their job and still be fighting off all of Windows malwares.
I can't get this information if I wanted it for a good business reason? My name is: My birthday is: I am who I am, born here as my father, his father, and well back many a generation. I have to sign a non-disclosure agreement and pass a security check? Fine. I had to to legally carry a gun as well -- which is in itself understandable, but another bothersome issue that existed well before 9/11... (my concern would be war, invasion, and if _I_ was invading the first list to round up would be the gun carriers).
I thought it was also ridiculous that the phone company tries to hide and doesn't want to give me a list show all area codes and prefix and which band (A, B, C, or D) they're in. 15 years ago I could request a NAMP list (I think it was) and get it. 5 years ago they simply refused. I have VoIP now, which is tapped I'm sure, but I digress...
It's the Windows die-hards that I find amusing to watch in the various offices -- with few exceptions (AutoCAD) when their system dies it will be replaced with either a Linux based or a Mac. *Every* Mac convert has come up to me, about a year later, and expressed how happy they are with it once they "got it"... and that they've purchased a Mac for their home use too.
The statement of not blaming Microsoft for the instability brought about by bad/outdated drivers is horse puckey and a REALLY bad excuse. If the software is failing then IT, and it alone, should fail and be disconnected/ignored by the OS. With Microsoft a bad font can (and will) bring down the ENTIRE house of cards. So yes, I very much place blame squarely on Microsoft's shoulders and due to their inabilities Win2K was the _last_ release that I'm forced to still support.
In the trial days (releasing "other" OS' out to the remote user base) it became very obvious very quickly what was going to happen to the help desk (nearly gone:). Remote Windows users were almost always having some issue, lockup, hang, or crash of some sort. The Mac users... almost never call.
Bottom line: we're now spending less on licensing, less in support costs, and less in user counter-productivity...which does mean we've had more $$$ to hire a few more people (yeah, that much in savings) to work on what we do in our business.
With Windows you'll find yourself constantly fighting or babying the computer -- with the Un*x's the computer just works for you.
Agreed - 256M is not nearly enough. 512M minimum and 1G is really a good _start_. With every Mac I've requisitioned the memory has been capped where possible.
Upgrading via the Apple Store will negate a return, but by no means will they not service/replace the unit when/where needed. Besides, once you buy a Mac and use it for a bit you will not WANT to return it.
If you do decide to upgrade in the future you'll also find that Mac's tend to hold some decent resale value. PC's are worthless.
Slashdot Mirror
Trash. I can hack it into typical command line rm type usage. Even intervene in the clearing of i-node's through any program's call. Delete through Samba and it goes to the .recycle directory for that tree.
:)
I miss Netware's implementation where a deleted file is basically marked as such and placed in queue to actually be removed. As more space is needed or more files deleted it is moved up in the queue to actually be removed or until the specified timeout period has passed.
Watching a 100 users beat up a properly set up Novell Netware server and knowing nothing is going to easily be deleted (and easily be salvagable) is a God-send. Elevator seeking anyone? Watching 20 users choke a Windows server on the *same* hardware was comedy in motion. Linux can easily handle the "Netware" load, but...
Of course those really interested are watching Suse very closely. I know I am.
What are you talking about!? If all the hacked Windows boxes were using mail relays the problem would REAL easy. They are not. Those hacked Windows boxes are trying to connect DIRECTLY to the mail servers -- they are the relay themselves.
Well, let's start by saying that YOUR idea of a "PC" and mine are probably drastically different. My desktop "PC" had SCSI hard drives in it that I fully expect to last a decade. My home server has the same SCSI hard drives in it with redundant power supplies, CPU's, fans, hard drives, NIC's -- pretty much everything except the main motherboard. Sure, lightening could strike and take out the redundant line conditioners and UPS' along with the entire network. I've seen it happen. But for "normal" day to day failure is a non-issue.
... or my "PC" home server is a server. For what I've watched people buy Dell's for, and replace them, and replace them again -- I'm still using the same HP LC-2000 which is rolling into the fifth year of service. It'll last 5 more.
... without *EVER* being rebooted. Absolutely ... services were shutdown, replaced, and restarted within the running operating system as needed which was in a live 24x7 environment. When it was shutdown the backup server instantly took over and nobody noticed. Ironically the backup server had been replaced a couple of times due to failed hardware. They ran Novell Netware.
;]. Care to guess which Un*x it was running?
Now, when I say "PC" I tend to either be talking about a Apple (my wife still uses her 10 year old Mac laptop) -- which with the default configuration(s) probably won't last 10 years [IDE hard drives stink[
The last server [at one of the offices] I shut down literally ran for almost 10 years (9 years, 49 weeks)
My last home brewed actual Intel "PC" also ran from 1992-2002 and stayed on during two moves. I simply unplugged the UPS, and carted off the running machine [because I could
Notice one operating system missing from this entire discussion? Everything you mention seems to be problems seen with Windows.
I simply have to say "NO". My email address is the SAME one I've had since 1988 or 1989 when it was setup originally (by me). In those days it was fed through a UUCP connection and has gone through various providers and types of feeds over the years.
.COM version of the domain, but for political reasons have since shifted to the .US flavor. My email is still the same though.
:). The key in this mix is the lack of ... Windows. :) The problem is the virus infected Windows users out there.
Of course today it's directly on the Internet fed with a 10Mbit wireless uplink in the 5Ghz range which is solid enough to have over taken my phone service (now VoIP based). My email is still the same.
I still accept email to the
I have done some very specific tests over the years, ranging from using address' on USENET, to posting on the web. And yes, I have specifically setup a Windows box, added one address to the Outlook address book, and watched closely as the system was infected, time and again, with it sitting on a DMZ'd type IP address. Ultimately your email _will_ be harvested and used as soon as somebody you know is infected. Not if, but when (today). Making it difficult to remember/type is a futile effort.
I still run into old friends (usually from college days) that attempt to find me at my old email address -- and they do. Even though I may see 1-2 spams in front of me [inbox] every week. Behind the scenes the Mac is properly flagging/filing the junk that does make it with the Linux server eating that junk mail and blocking ~1,500 attempts daily with another 100 or so being dealt with through spam-trap address' along with it find ~200 (still daily) through its own means (hint: it talks a lot with the Mac
And my email is still the same. ~17 years now.
It would be nice if we _could_ build radiometers cheaply. What could I imagine being utilized on every vehicle in the country? Data collecting GPS enabled radiometer that could easily tell the drive local temp/humidity (as they do now :) and "phone home" with the data.
What could you do with data collected from even 1 in 20 vehicles in the country? I could also see where this type of device could be dual-utilized as a collision warning detection type system...
No, but working on getting the file. ;]
Hint: try https://
[sneaky "back door" works like a charm
In my opion the etiquette is if there is something I don't want you to see -- it's covered. Just like if there is something I don't want you to hear the mouth piece is covered.
On a side note -- if you're also using iSight with iChatAV take a look for iGlasses. It gives you all the options that _should_ be included in the camera basic setup (contrast, exposure, brightness, manual focus, shutter time, etc). With it in "Night Vision" mode you can easily use the camera from the light of the LCD monitor in a black room.
iEat
You insensitive clod -- that was _my_ account, thank you very much. And yes, I have a Citibank account. Well, HAD. :)
... it too would be vulnerable. Who allows pop-ups anymore? Oh yeah, IE users.
Safari with Block Pop-Up Windows (Command-K) turned ON and this hack simply does not work (using tabbed browsing _if_ that matters). Allowing pop-ups and sure enough
On a back end web server listening on a re-directed port along with a password and you're prompted with: ...and then the "old" modem in that computer taps C-Kermit and dials specifically: ,19998887777,,,,5,!,*97,15554443333,,;
:), flashes the line, dials my transfer code (*97) and dumps me to the phone number I entered.
... as long as I can tap a web browser somehow. :)
ENTER CURRENT #: (let's enter 19998887777)
TRANSFER TO #: (let's enter 15554443333)
atdt
So, it calls me (pauses due to finding the cell phone I may be holding), dials "5" for the heck of it (lets me know it is working
Free unlimited calls anywhere I go already
All you have to do is look around. I can't count the number of business' that need networking 101 help.
:), and why moving files from various "servers" (people desktop PC's :) was laggy as hell. Fix: remake one old PC + hardware to bring it to decent memory and at _least_ raid-1 setup (Linux of course). For $200 in parts and $200 in my time you'll have 1) a system you'll never think about again, and 2) something "cheaper", yet more reliable than their Windows anything. A few hundred more to wire up the building and add a decent switch and three other local business' call whose owners eat at the same coffee shop. Word of mouth, if/when you're good :), is a _very_ powerful thing. I still don't have a listed number in my work life.
:)
:). Client contact is a powerful thing, and you're only doing yourself a favor by keeping current with various certifications that may interest you. I've yet to go through classes or seminars where there wasn't at least _one_ thing I walked away learning. Apply said knowledge.
... technically ya'all are my competition :)...
One business was running (20+ workstations) complete peer-to-peer wireless. No Internet, no router, no switches, no hub, just a bunch of Dell's -- some with XP Home, others with XP Pro, and of course 95 still in the mix, with wireless network cards in them. They couldn't understand why their Quickbook users kept getting bumped from the database (first off, it wasn't a multi-user license
You would be surprised how much help those poor people living in those multi-mullion dollar homes in various communities need networking 101 help. Wireless when applicable, absolutely killer X-Serve storage system(s) [serving the home theatre among other things] with Gigabit networking and the fun begins with people who want auto-sensing remote-control lighting, water, or blinds in the pool house. Those jobs are _always_ fun.
Microsoft borne virus', worms, trojans, spyware, hacks, tricks, and baffles are also just more $$$ to the pot. I love to hate Windows. The good clients learn what a Mac is, however.
Charge what you can and know that as a independent contracted professional you'll most likely be getting a 1099 (so be prepared to $ave to pay the tax man
In the US midwest mom & pop shops will range from $60-$90 for carry-in to $100-$200 on-site service. Now call Microsoft technical support and have credit card in hand to compare prices. What do _you_ make per hour at your regular job? What is fair to charge? What are you worth? I can only answer for myself (and won't here
VoIP Base Rate Component $20.00
... there is nothing more to tax.
This does include unlimited US/CANADA calls terminated to a PTSN converted phone number [tax] where if I dial 911 [tax] it will show as my home address -- regardless of location (for which I signed off that I would not use 911 anywhere but home).
VoIP Fed Excise Tax $0.38
VoIP State Excise Tax $1.63
VoIP State USF $0.04
VoIP Fed USF $0.70
Seems to me they are already getting involved. As all calls are "free" along with all the other services (call forwarding, three-way, CID, Voice-Mail, etc)
No, not specifically. I have, however, shown the people annoyed by the pop-ups [going to Windows Update] how the Mac updates itself. 3 out 5 have since bought a Mac.
Well, *69 is typically call-back the previous caller. :)
:) and yes, you will have easily "hacked the hacker". :)
*67 is usually block the next caller -- though I'm seeing VoIP providers, for whatever reason, use *67 to block ALL calls, but I digress.
You may block caller-id, but there's a few problems. If you call my 800# I get your ANI information which is completely different. If you call my regular [VoIP] number and block caller-id your phone number [at a minimum] is still transmitted, but simply flagged as "P"rivate (which I have my equipment set to ignore).
Using such a service as advertised here today (hey, I call it as I see 'em
And with all that power they feel the need to .ZIP their .JPG images which actually shaved off an entire 4K on this single 848K file. Wow. I should have thought of that.
Columbia
That's not what I saw (your reference is commented out). I see the logo coming from:e .png ...which would be nice if Redhat could change their pages to not use that photo ... and replace that photo with some like:
:)
http://www.redhat.com/g/chrome/logo_rh_hom
THIS IS A FAKE UPDATE NOT SUPPLIED BY REDHAT -- DO NOT DOWNLOAD!
(until the site can be taken down completely)
That is what _I_ would do.
There's a reason my entire movie library (ripped from owned DVD's which are stored away -- just like my CD collection now :) ... has the .MP4 extension at this time. There's also a reason that the entire library resides on Linux partitions and was created using a Mac. Microsoft has enough money. They get $0 now.
PDF mirrored at:
Security Report: Windows vs Linux
Will Your Next Car Run Windows?
;].
Well, I'm hoping that I'm not the exception (this time). Considering that my desktop GUI is OS X, my laptop/entertainment TV player [PowerBook] is again, OS X -- and the supplied router by my ISP [Microsoft based] was tossed in the trash. Not to mention the main server in every office I work for [IT admin] is Linux based along with my home server and mass storage device [24 drives set up in various RAID configurations mounted to a piece of plywood gives me many terabytes
I highly doubt me, my wife, or any blood relative will be allowed to own such a car.
Can't we all take turns viewing the site ... or CACHE it first so that the ./ affect doesn't take hold?
I can't remember the last [current] article that I've actually been able to read. Few and far it seems.
Of course with ID# 605,395 it will feel like waiting in line at Jewel.
Most of you have to know that your employers have utter disdain for you by now. If not, keep working and it will become evident one day. We are expected to accomplish miracles, we take the heat from both management and the userbase, work stupid hours, and most likely will die young doing it. For what? To make something work that never should have passed the first meeting of the minds. The trouble is, the minds in the meeting were not fit to determine if the solution was correct in the first place. You optimists can have one less resume' to compete against, I no longer want to work in IT. It is a thankless, never-ending struggle that solves nothing at the end of the day.
You are so close. Switch OS', not occupations. Those that _have_ done this (completely remove Windows) *will* simply understand. Those that don't will probably hate their job and still be fighting off all of Windows malwares.
Time to move -- but where? Really...
I can't get this information if I wanted it for a good business reason? My name is: My birthday is: I am who I am, born here as my father, his father, and well back many a generation. I have to sign a non-disclosure agreement and pass a security check? Fine. I had to to legally carry a gun as well -- which is in itself understandable, but another bothersome issue that existed well before 9/11... (my concern would be war, invasion, and if _I_ was invading the first list to round up would be the gun carriers).
I thought it was also ridiculous that the phone company tries to hide and doesn't want to give me a list show all area codes and prefix and which band (A, B, C, or D) they're in. 15 years ago I could request a NAMP list (I think it was) and get it. 5 years ago they simply refused. I have VoIP now, which is tapped I'm sure, but I digress...
This was done a looooong time ago. It was called "UUCP"
It's the Windows die-hards that I find amusing to watch in the various offices -- with few exceptions (AutoCAD) when their system dies it will be replaced with either a Linux based or a Mac. *Every* Mac convert has come up to me, about a year later, and expressed how happy they are with it once they "got it" ... and that they've purchased a Mac for their home use too.
:). Remote Windows users were almost always having some issue, lockup, hang, or crash of some sort. The Mac users ... almost never call.
The statement of not blaming Microsoft for the instability brought about by bad/outdated drivers is horse puckey and a REALLY bad excuse. If the software is failing then IT, and it alone, should fail and be disconnected/ignored by the OS. With Microsoft a bad font can (and will) bring down the ENTIRE house of cards. So yes, I very much place blame squarely on Microsoft's shoulders and due to their inabilities Win2K was the _last_ release that I'm forced to still support.
In the trial days (releasing "other" OS' out to the remote user base) it became very obvious very quickly what was going to happen to the help desk (nearly gone
Bottom line: we're now spending less on licensing, less in support costs, and less in user counter-productivity...which does mean we've had more $$$ to hire a few more people (yeah, that much in savings) to work on what we do in our business.
With Windows you'll find yourself constantly fighting or babying the computer -- with the Un*x's the computer just works for you.
Make that 22. ...you have K-Mail...
Agreed - 256M is not nearly enough. 512M minimum and 1G is really a good _start_. With every Mac I've requisitioned the memory has been capped where possible.
Upgrading via the Apple Store will negate a return, but by no means will they not service/replace the unit when/where needed. Besides, once you buy a Mac and use it for a bit you will not WANT to return it.
If you do decide to upgrade in the future you'll also find that Mac's tend to hold some decent resale value. PC's are worthless.