Re:How to clean boot Windows?
on
Windows Rootkits
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
Create a bootable Linux CD with whatever you need on there. I happen to throw on McFee's UVSCAN Linux based scan software and go.
The downside is everytime I need one I have to re-create/burn a CDR that is garbage as soon as another virus is found and the database is updated (pretty much daily).
I personally like to make it VERY CLEAR what I am running and how I am doing what I am doing when I do bother to help yet another lost Windows user. My parting statement to many has become, "I told you to buy a Mac..."
My going rate for such garbage services is $125/hr. I also happen to have many "clients" where I work on their Linux machines for... free. Because I *ENJOY* it.
Um, yeah, the *REASON* I use VirtualPC (for DOS to access accounting no less -- which I have ZERO intention on replacing anytime soon)... was to get AWAY from Microsoft.
Interesting that with every revision of Windows the DOS layer (and printing) changed enough that it required minor tweaks to MAJOR re-writes of code to make it work seemlessly across the platforms.
Interesting that my original 1992 code in VirtualPC (DOS) had no issues at all. The accounting program used is a custom job and can easily handle payroll in all 50 US States (which we need/do). In addition there has been added/custom in-house programming to add functionality to cover ACH (Automated Clearning House -- direct deposit) and IDES (Illinois Department of Employment Security). Functionality that re-working in a Windows package is non-trivial... and NO Windows package can handle our payroll and jobcosting needs/wants.
VirtualPC on the Mac was my "out". Now with updates to OS X VirtualPC may die REQUIRING a update to VPC. A normal update, from Microsoft, can (and will) very easily just DISABLE DOS, Windows 95, or anything else I may decide I want to run. Boycott? Oh yeah...
With the Power5 coming from IBM... and if, only if, Linus took that job offer by Jobs. Not his gig, that's cool.
We came this close }.{ to having Mac OS X being Linux based... We'd all be singing, "It's a Mac world after all.."
Either way... the Power5 will be running my next Mac (G4 being my first:) and I can't wait to sink my Linux teeth into it too. I'm also very interested in what BSD will do on it...
Windows? Nah. I'll let Mickey try it. He'll use anything. I wonder if IBM will let Windows even run on it? Oh the games they could play... Lotus, Quicken , shall I go on?
Wow. Apple listens. Day 1 I sent a bug report to them for their own website. I could see tabs on the site, but not in my browser?
I wonder if they'll do one of my other requests. Sync'ing the bookmarks across.Mac connected systems. One bookmark file. Always managed. Always the same.
I have to agree 100%. All too often people that have pretty much only used Windows spout off like this. They think they know it all because they _did_ visit the Apple store and in their un-biased/un-buying mood thought it *was* slow.
I sit on the side of seeing the EXACT same hardware running Windows, Linux (Netware, BSD, OS/2, and BeOS for that matter) all side by side.
I've seen IE on Windows and IE on the Mac. Compare Mozilla on Windows then to the Mac. Now take a look at Linux. How about Safari. Wow.
Now -- go to your Windows box. Transfer 8G out while getting 9G dumped to you while encoding a video stream while ripping a CD with the music playing and even have another operating system running to see IE6 about: mozilla all while posting to/.
Go ahead try it... If a Windows user were to sit down and _learn_ to use Linux or a Mac as they did, at one point, _learn_ to use Windows then, and only then, do I think people will begin to understand. I show them daily...:)
Yeah, yeah yeah -- in Russia this may be off topic.
What's going to happen when people don't update? Or only a small portion update and people keep complaining to them that they can't read their documents? Or they have to down-save their documents to share with the world making the DRM garbage null and void?
For this to really don't don't we all really just have to switch? I know I'm not going to allow this release in my company...
Yep, been there, done that. Oh wait, not on my Mac? IE for OS X stinks and my bank only support older OS 9 based browsers. What a pain.
CTRL-ALT-DEL --> loads VirtualPC. You pick the OS, I have licensing over the years for them all. Sad, but Microsoft thinks THAT is illegal and STILL wants more money. I agree -- screw them.
Navigate sub-system as needed. Heck, I encrypt a text file to a EXE on Windows once a week (about the most it's used anymore) to send info to the bank...
Of course Linux is running the house from the basement and the office from the data centers.:)
Wow -- as much as I'm, well, a Mac man now (w/ Linux holding all the keys and data:)...
I too just booted my Mac into single user mode and can access EVERYTHING. Oh my!
Give me any Mac and putting it in 'T'ransfer mode... wow, I can COMPLETELY copy somebody elses computer. Oh my!...we *all* know how seriously flawed Windows security it, but come on -- this is a non-issue. Put me on the console of a Cray and I can "hack" into it too in about 5 minutes.
I have to agree 100%. I've always told people that spikes in storage and/or spikes in bandwidth usually get my attention automagically.
Have them do something on their system to demonstrate. My pager then goes off as they begin to understand.
Explain "spam" and what to do with inbound. Outbound is, well, just unacceptable. Other minor guide lines, etc.
I have a secretary that I *know* is instant messaging with her daughter in a far away state. I "monitor" phone bills too and have seen such calls from time to time. Nothing regular and lengthy -- but family *is* part of who you hire. People, we *are* all just people...
I'd rather have her chat when she can. I know when the work isn't getting done. People also know that anybody and everybody wanders the building and may end up looking at your screen at any time. What was the passing game to do 20 years ago in your office? Same problem, different era.
Yeah, I _could_ try and *CONTROL* people and make their will mine. I would also have very hostile employees...
I ditched using tape a couple of years ago after comparing tape libraries, tape drives, and hard drive costs.
Setting up the systems to all dump to a remote ftp client is trivial -- and most actual backup programs such as Retrospect do just that. I just happen to prefer a 3DES/Blowfish tar gzip'd file myself (maybe not in that order:).
The only odd ball util I'm using is the encryption program which is located across all backup systems. Easily compiles under the Linux's, BSD, and OS X [today]. Other needed tools such as gzip, tar, and ftp are readily available...
Fortunately I don't see the need to backup entire computers -- I'm just after the data. Rebuilding a Linux box from scratch _with_ all the configuration files is trivial -- heck, I just did it to rebuild a needed Netware 3.12 server (!) [so I *know* my backups _are_ working:-]
Stuffing a couple of 120G (or bigger) IDE into any old whatever computer is trivial. This I've done locally at the office. In transit is the portable firewire Lacie drive (30G). In my basement is another RAID-1 system matching the one at the office which is where the transit info become transferred. I've even added ANOTHER remote system for just another copy of a copy of a copy. Because I can.
Delete the oldest days backup. Daily backup. Repeat.
For everything I'm at about 4G for data. Replacing the 120G drives will happen when I see +250G versions or as needed. Of course this entails a little data management as well.
Larger file collection which quickly go stale are offloaded to CD/DVD (x2). Pictures for some job in 1998 for example. File and catalog CD's as required. Sure I also personally have gig's worth of movies, sounds, etc that I need to backup @ home. Ok, reverse the process...
Movies are the worst for size. Offload to DVD. I do have a 45G "temp" partition for a reason... It is also TEMPORARY. Songs are my worst next enemy and keeping/backing 10G is trivial. I know people that have 80G worth of stolen MP3's (the 10G comes from CD's I *own*:) and are scared to lose it, can't back it up, yet don't even know/listen to half the garbage anyway. But I digress...
I only need to keep a months worth of live backups. I used to do a 20 tape library rotation covering the last four weeks. Tapes aren't cheap. Add to that a +$3K tape drive (x2 -- one onsite and one off) and maintenance costs it gets expensive. For even my trivial needs DLT would be the right option with DAT's potentially requiring 2 tapes daily.
I can copy sustained ~10M/sec using RAID-1 drives which is all the network can do anyway (for me right now:). The cost is a couple to few hundred dollars per drive (x4 or 6).
Of course this is all to really backup SCSI systems (ranging from 2 to 3 to 160) with RAID-5 and redundant everything (CPU, NIC, power, fans, memory, etc:). The one that did finally recently die off was a decade old (with uptime to match shy of 3 days).
Nobody I know saves their data locally to their Windows box anymore. On a smaller scale I'm happy to take anybodies old PC which can't run Windows anymore and stuff a couple hard drives in it and setup a quick/easy home network. They all are amazed when their email just appears to flow rather _instantly_. Broadband users really enjoy such a setup actually -- even if _they_ feel they must use Windows for whatever reason. I do this setup with many Mac users as well with no problem (myself for example:).
Bill Gates *should* be very worried actually... No licensing costs required and I can be in and out for usually under a couple of hundred dollars. Even recently I'm having people calling for help with their new Lindows box and trying to learn it. It's becoming a Unix'y world, eh?
Getting "the buzz" out there and getting people to talk about.NET _is_ just good marketing.
Fortunately nobody in my company will be asking me if/when we will be "rolling with it". They all know I hate Microsoft as a business and laugh at their technologies.
Ok little boys. Move along now. Facts are facts -- and I *know* how to lock down a Windows box (MSCE among others). Come to think of it -- there has not been one (1) virus that successfully installed itself on any of my Windows boxes.
I'm not going to turn this into a pissing match or my winkie processor is bigger than yours. The facts of the matter ARE that Windows is a nightmare to maintain compared to ANY of the Unix's. The facts are also that our internal analysis says that the ROI for Windows just isn't there comapred to any of the Unix's. Apparently it scares you that business' are waking up to the fact that your computer does NOT have to run Windows and ironically is more productive running Unix... not to mention the end user.
You may pull your thumbs out of your asses and go back to sucking them now.
And knowing this problem with the Windows framework as a Sys Admin has driven me border line NUTS for years now. Fortunately I'm in a position to _completely_ control OS' in use and have the patients to put up with a little pissing match from Microsoft.
I went with DOS and then WFW3.11 at the office.
Of course the servers were Netware. Quietly I went from using Coherent to Linux at home...
Windows NT and 2K were each re-evaluted for use and lost in all my benchmarks and security tests. Thankfully Netware has won many rankings and Linux has also quietly slipped into the mix.
Actually moved Linux to the basement. Still "running the house" -- X10, files, web, email, dns, HV/AC, anything/everything.
OS X was a fresh breath after drooling over the NeXT years back. GUI of choice for myself at least.
Linux has since out numbered Netware for server deployments with thankfully sleep filled nights with -0- Windows server based deployments.
My first and original Netware 3.12 server still lives to this day. I can't bring myself to shut it down.
We skipped Windows 95 and 98 due to HORRIBLE networking issues. 98se made the desktops with 2K being a too quick replacement IMHO. XP has not even been a consideration nor does it appear to be on the horizon. Palladium is also a major turn off for privacy reasons.
In re-evaluating the Windows desktop situation at the office with the board of directors it was decided that for obvious _security_ reasons that the desktop environment should be AT LEAST a 50/50 mix of OS'. At no point shall any one operating system have 100% penetration into any facility.
Those X-Serve servers sure are looking intersting too... Behind Netware in operation today for server use is good 'ol BSD.
Unix at the left. Unix to the right.
I'm starting to think the writing is on the wall for Microsoft. Heck, on OS X I stay 100% away from their applications myself -- Word and Excel unfortunately excluded... I think there are six (6) virus' for OS X in the wilds today. You can thank Microsoft and their applications for that...
Bufffer overflows and just plain stupid programming and mistakes can (and will) happen. In dealing with the security problems with the various operating systems listed I can personally say that Windows, by far, is the problem child.
On a technology basis it is lucky to run sphagetti code IMHO. Ironic that my original training was for programming and I've done some development across all the platforms with the various tools. Nothing hard core by ANY means -- not since my college days at least. Microsoft's development platform isn't all that encouraging, but I'm not even close to being prepared to go into THAT debate.
I've found it both easier and cheaper to use/rape THEM (Microsoft) when I so see fit. Today I have yet to replace one (1) application that is in use on Windows today -- and that would be AutoCAD. Their days are numbered too -- unless they pull a Unix based release (again).
HHhhhmmmmm.... At least all the other users around me (family & friends) *have* been listening. 3 Linux users actually shocked me and literally everybody else have bought Mac's. Of course I won't talk about the 20 or 30 other people running Linux that I've setup that could't/wouldn't afford the new Windows with a new PC or a new Mac.
No problem. Re-use the old equipment. A buddy of mine can't understand how his old P2-450 seems more responsive than his whatever-Ghz P4 running 2K.
Games? Playstation of course.:)
Microsoft has ticked off too many business' on too many fronts AND haven't been able to prove they can REALLY product yet. Prediction within 10 years: they'll still be around as a APPLICATIONS and or SERVICES type company. May Windows rest in peace...
Seems interesting that Windows is trying to continue to emulate what Unix already does. Thanks, but no thanks. For my DOSsy needs I'll stick with 'old DOS and lay on top of it JPSoft's 4DOS or 4NT and run with that as needed.
Otherwise many scripts I have for use with tcsh/bash today are +15 years old and still working just fine.
Ironically I just cancelled SBC DSL
on
DSL Amidst Phone Wars
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
I originally had Ameritech (now SBC) DSL installed at both the office and home. 1.5M sDSL @ the office and 768/168K aDSL @ home.
Garbage service and _reliability_. Lasted a month at the office before being replaced with a T1 with another provider.
Kept it at home as it was the _only_ choice in town. Was. Due to ongoing poor service and a sudden speed to 384/128K for no apparent reason -- yet their billing and website for me have is at the already gotten 768K speed.
They asked me if somebody else in the neighborhood recently got DSL. I hung up the phone laughing...
Current trend in this area is 5Ghz wireless with the ISP currently _easily_ giving you 2Mbs/768K bandwidth for the same cost.
This is my _only_ option as I refuse to get a phone line to try and get DSL with another provider. They all say SBC *requires* a POTS line even though I do have my backup/voice ISDN line with them. Not for long -- that's going to ANYBODY else for that service due to their games.
Not to mention I'm in charge of the office lines covering a couple of T1's, PRI's and a few dozen POTS and BRI lines peppered about. All about to be changed to other providers over their DSL games.
Not even close or interested. What WOULD interest me is a touch pad that could read my thumbprint. I walk away it would idle locked, or I could just move my mouse somewhere or hit some key combo. To[re-] authenticate just give it a finger print...
I've personally added keyboards with touch pads for general/quick mouse movements -- after being "forced" to use on a laptop. A mouse _is_ quicker and I'll grab that for heavier mousing.
A fingerprint would also allow me to give the computer 'the finger' if I felt it was needed as well...stress relief and all.
Slashdot Mirror
Create a bootable Linux CD with whatever you need on there. I happen to throw on McFee's UVSCAN Linux based scan software and go.
... free. Because I *ENJOY* it.
The downside is everytime I need one I have to re-create/burn a CDR that is garbage as soon as another virus is found and the database is updated (pretty much daily).
I personally like to make it VERY CLEAR what I am running and how I am doing what I am doing when I do bother to help yet another lost Windows user. My parting statement to many has become, "I told you to buy a Mac..."
My going rate for such garbage services is $125/hr.
I also happen to have many "clients" where I work on their Linux machines for
Bill raped 'em, why can't I?
Um, yeah, the *REASON* I use VirtualPC (for DOS to access accounting no less -- which I have ZERO intention on replacing anytime soon) ... was to get AWAY from Microsoft.
... and NO Windows package can handle our payroll and jobcosting needs/wants.
Interesting that with every revision of Windows the DOS layer (and printing) changed enough that it required minor tweaks to MAJOR re-writes of code to make it work seemlessly across the platforms.
Interesting that my original 1992 code in VirtualPC (DOS) had no issues at all. The accounting program used is a custom job and can easily handle payroll in all 50 US States (which we need/do). In addition there has been added/custom in-house programming to add functionality to cover ACH (Automated Clearning House -- direct deposit) and IDES (Illinois Department of Employment Security). Functionality that re-working in a Windows package is non-trivial
VirtualPC on the Mac was my "out". Now with updates to OS X VirtualPC may die REQUIRING a update to VPC. A normal update, from Microsoft, can (and will) very easily just DISABLE DOS, Windows 95, or anything else I may decide I want to run. Boycott? Oh yeah...
I have a suggestion if you're worried about sendmail's security flaws ... and don't like Exchange or Postfix or QMail or some other:
... the post office. There all you have to worry about is Anthrax.
... this world does suck.
Use Mail. You know
Between the terrorists and Bill Gates
With the Power5 coming from IBM ... and if, only if, Linus took that job offer by Jobs. Not his gig, that's cool.
... the Power5 will be running my next Mac (G4 being my first :) and I can't wait to sink my Linux teeth into it too. I'm also very interested in what BSD will do on it...
We came this close }.{ to having Mac OS X being Linux based... We'd all be singing, "It's a Mac world after all.."
Either way
Windows? Nah. I'll let Mickey try it. He'll use anything. I wonder if IBM will let Windows even run on it? Oh the games they could play... Lotus, Quicken , shall I go on?
Oh my goodness ... and there are people as stupid as you.
I fully understand the differences you nit-wit. The original point of topic still stands...
Dumb ass.
Wow. Apple listens. Day 1 I sent a bug report to them for their own website. I could see tabs on the site, but not in my browser?
.Mac connected systems. One bookmark file. Always managed. Always the same.
I wonder if they'll do one of my other requests. Sync'ing the bookmarks across
"+/- 7% margin of error"
I have to agree 100%. All too often people that have pretty much only used Windows spout off like this. They think they know it all because they _did_ visit the Apple store and in their un-biased/un-buying mood thought it *was* slow.
/.
:)
I sit on the side of seeing the EXACT same hardware running Windows, Linux (Netware, BSD, OS/2, and BeOS for that matter) all side by side.
I've seen IE on Windows and IE on the Mac. Compare Mozilla on Windows then to the Mac. Now take a look at Linux. How about Safari. Wow.
Now -- go to your Windows box. Transfer 8G out while getting 9G dumped to you while encoding a video stream while ripping a CD with the music playing and even have another operating system running to see IE6 about: mozilla
all while posting to
Go ahead try it... If a Windows user were to sit down and _learn_ to use Linux or a Mac as they did, at one point, _learn_ to use Windows then, and only then, do I think people will begin to understand. I show them daily...
Yeah, yeah yeah -- in Russia this may be off topic.
What's going to happen when people don't update? Or only a small portion update and people keep complaining to them that they can't read their documents? Or they have to down-save their documents to share with the world making the DRM garbage null and void?
For this to really don't don't we all really just have to switch? I know I'm not going to allow this release in my company...
Yep, been there, done that. Oh wait, not on my Mac? IE for OS X stinks and my bank only support older OS 9 based browsers. What a pain.
:)
CTRL-ALT-DEL --> loads VirtualPC. You pick the OS, I have licensing over the years for them all. Sad, but Microsoft thinks THAT is illegal and STILL wants more money. I agree -- screw them.
Navigate sub-system as needed. Heck, I encrypt a text file to a EXE on Windows once a week (about the most it's used anymore) to send info to the bank...
Of course Linux is running the house from the basement and the office from the data centers.
Wow -- as much as I'm, well, a Mac man now (w/ Linux holding all the keys and data :) ...
... wow, I can COMPLETELY copy somebody elses computer. Oh my! ...we *all* know how seriously flawed Windows security it, but come on -- this is a non-issue. Put me on the console of a Cray and I can "hack" into it too in about 5 minutes.
I too just booted my Mac into single user mode and can access EVERYTHING. Oh my!
Give me any Mac and putting it in 'T'ransfer mode
I have to agree 100%. I've always told people that spikes in storage and/or spikes in bandwidth usually get my attention automagically.
Have them do something on their system to demonstrate.
My pager then goes off as they begin to understand.
Explain "spam" and what to do with inbound. Outbound is, well, just unacceptable. Other minor guide lines, etc.
I have a secretary that I *know* is instant messaging with her daughter in a far away state. I "monitor" phone bills too and have seen such calls from time to time. Nothing regular and lengthy -- but family *is* part of who you hire. People, we *are* all just people...
I'd rather have her chat when she can. I know when the work isn't getting done. People also know that anybody and everybody wanders the building and may end up looking at your screen at any time. What was the passing game to do 20 years ago in your office? Same problem, different era.
Yeah, I _could_ try and *CONTROL* people and make their will mine. I would also have very hostile employees...
I ditched using tape a couple of years ago after comparing tape libraries, tape drives, and hard drive costs.
:).
:-]
:) and are scared to lose it, can't back it up, yet don't even know/listen to half the garbage anyway. But I digress...
:). The cost is a couple to few hundred dollars per drive (x4 or 6).
:). The one that did finally recently die off was a decade old (with uptime to match shy of 3 days).
:).
Setting up the systems to all dump to a remote ftp client is trivial -- and most actual backup programs such as Retrospect do just that. I just happen to prefer a 3DES/Blowfish tar gzip'd file myself (maybe not in that order
The only odd ball util I'm using is the encryption program which is located across all backup systems. Easily compiles under the Linux's, BSD, and OS X [today]. Other needed tools such as gzip, tar, and ftp are readily available...
Fortunately I don't see the need to backup entire computers -- I'm just after the data. Rebuilding a Linux box from scratch _with_ all the configuration files is trivial -- heck, I just did it to rebuild a needed Netware 3.12 server (!) [so I *know* my backups _are_ working
Stuffing a couple of 120G (or bigger) IDE into any old whatever computer is trivial. This I've done locally at the office. In transit is the portable firewire Lacie drive (30G). In my basement is another RAID-1 system matching the one at the office which is where the transit info become transferred. I've even added ANOTHER remote system for just another copy of a copy of a copy. Because I can.
Delete the oldest days backup. Daily backup. Repeat.
For everything I'm at about 4G for data. Replacing the 120G drives will happen when I see +250G versions or as needed. Of course this entails a little data management as well.
Larger file collection which quickly go stale are offloaded to CD/DVD (x2). Pictures for some job in 1998 for example. File and catalog CD's as required. Sure I also personally have gig's worth of movies, sounds, etc that I need to backup @ home. Ok, reverse the process...
Movies are the worst for size. Offload to DVD. I do have a 45G "temp" partition for a reason... It is also TEMPORARY. Songs are my worst next enemy and keeping/backing 10G is trivial. I know people that have 80G worth of stolen MP3's (the 10G comes from CD's I *own*
I only need to keep a months worth of live backups. I used to do a 20 tape library rotation covering the last four weeks. Tapes aren't cheap. Add to that a +$3K tape drive (x2 -- one onsite and one off) and maintenance costs it gets expensive. For even my trivial needs DLT would be the right option with DAT's potentially requiring 2 tapes daily.
I can copy sustained ~10M/sec using RAID-1 drives which is all the network can do anyway (for me right now
Of course this is all to really backup SCSI systems (ranging from 2 to 3 to 160) with RAID-5 and redundant everything (CPU, NIC, power, fans, memory, etc
Nobody I know saves their data locally to their Windows box anymore. On a smaller scale I'm happy to take anybodies old PC which can't run Windows anymore and stuff a couple hard drives in it and setup a quick/easy home network. They all are amazed when their email just appears to flow rather _instantly_. Broadband users really enjoy such a setup actually -- even if _they_ feel they must use Windows for whatever reason. I do this setup with many Mac users as well with no problem (myself for example
Bill Gates *should* be very worried actually... No licensing costs required and I can be in and out for usually under a couple of hundred dollars. Even recently I'm having people calling for help with their new Lindows box and trying to learn it. It's becoming a Unix'y world, eh?
I'll sit, thanks. And I'll happy with a Mac in my cold dead hands. Piss on Microsoft.
Getting "the buzz" out there and getting people to talk about .NET _is_ just good marketing.
Fortunately nobody in my company will be asking me if/when we will be "rolling with it". They all know I hate Microsoft as a business and laugh at their technologies.
I use Unix.
I'd love to have a iPod with a card reader (forget the internal hard drive) to go. Full? Want another "library"...
Or how about just sliding a card into the dash of your car for tunes on the road? THIS could replace household CD players as we know them today...
Raise of hands BMW owners...who has a Mac at home?
Dumb asses.
Ok little boys. Move along now. Facts are facts -- and I *know* how to lock down a Windows box (MSCE among others). Come to think of it -- there has not been one (1) virus that successfully installed itself on any of my Windows boxes.
... not to mention the end user.
I'm not going to turn this into a pissing match or my winkie processor is bigger than yours. The facts of the matter ARE that Windows is a nightmare to maintain compared to ANY of the Unix's. The facts are also that our internal analysis says that the ROI for Windows just isn't there comapred to any of the Unix's. Apparently it scares you that business' are waking up to the fact that your computer does NOT have to run Windows and ironically is more productive running Unix
You may pull your thumbs out of your asses and go back to sucking them now.
And knowing this problem with the Windows framework as a Sys Admin has driven me border line NUTS for years now. Fortunately I'm in a position to _completely_ control OS' in use and have the patients to put up with a little pissing match from Microsoft.
:)
I went with DOS and then WFW3.11 at the office.
Of course the servers were Netware. Quietly I went from using Coherent to Linux at home...
Windows NT and 2K were each re-evaluted for use and lost in all my benchmarks and security tests. Thankfully Netware has won many rankings and Linux has also quietly slipped into the mix.
Actually moved Linux to the basement. Still "running the house" -- X10, files, web, email, dns, HV/AC, anything/everything.
OS X was a fresh breath after drooling over the NeXT years back. GUI of choice for myself at least.
Linux has since out numbered Netware for server deployments with thankfully sleep filled nights with -0- Windows server based deployments.
My first and original Netware 3.12 server still lives to this day. I can't bring myself to shut it down.
We skipped Windows 95 and 98 due to HORRIBLE networking issues. 98se made the desktops with 2K being a too quick replacement IMHO. XP has not even been a consideration nor does it appear to be on the horizon. Palladium is also a major turn off for privacy reasons.
In re-evaluating the Windows desktop situation at the office with the board of directors it was decided that for obvious _security_ reasons that the desktop environment should be AT LEAST a 50/50 mix of OS'. At no point shall any one operating system have 100% penetration into any facility.
Those X-Serve servers sure are looking intersting too... Behind Netware in operation today for server use is good 'ol BSD.
Unix at the left. Unix to the right.
I'm starting to think the writing is on the wall for Microsoft. Heck, on OS X I stay 100% away from their applications myself -- Word and Excel unfortunately excluded... I think there are six (6) virus' for OS X in the wilds today. You can thank Microsoft and their applications for that...
Bufffer overflows and just plain stupid programming and mistakes can (and will) happen. In dealing with the security problems with the various operating systems listed I can personally say that Windows, by far, is the problem child.
On a technology basis it is lucky to run sphagetti code IMHO. Ironic that my original training was for programming and I've done some development across all the platforms with the various tools. Nothing hard core by ANY means -- not since my college days at least. Microsoft's development platform isn't all that encouraging, but I'm not even close to being prepared to go into THAT debate.
I've found it both easier and cheaper to use/rape THEM (Microsoft) when I so see fit. Today I have yet to replace one (1) application that is in use on Windows today -- and that would be AutoCAD. Their days are numbered too -- unless they pull a Unix based release (again).
HHhhhmmmmm.... At least all the other users around me (family & friends) *have* been listening. 3 Linux users actually shocked me and literally everybody else have bought Mac's. Of course I won't talk about the 20 or 30 other people running Linux that I've setup that could't/wouldn't afford the new Windows with a new PC or a new Mac.
No problem. Re-use the old equipment. A buddy of mine can't understand how his old P2-450 seems more responsive than his whatever-Ghz P4 running 2K.
Games? Playstation of course.
Microsoft has ticked off too many business' on too many fronts AND haven't been able to prove they can REALLY product yet. Prediction within 10 years: they'll still be around as a APPLICATIONS and or SERVICES type company. May Windows rest in peace...
Seems interesting that Windows is trying to continue to emulate what Unix already does. Thanks, but no thanks. For my DOSsy needs I'll stick with 'old DOS and lay on top of it JPSoft's 4DOS or 4NT and run with that as needed.
Otherwise many scripts I have for use with tcsh/bash today are +15 years old and still working just fine.
I originally had Ameritech (now SBC) DSL installed at both the office and home. 1.5M sDSL @ the office and 768/168K aDSL @ home.
Garbage service and _reliability_. Lasted a month at the office before being replaced with a T1 with another provider.
Kept it at home as it was the _only_ choice in town. Was. Due to ongoing poor service and a sudden speed to 384/128K for no apparent reason -- yet their billing and website for me have is at the already gotten 768K speed.
They asked me if somebody else in the neighborhood recently got DSL. I hung up the phone laughing...
Current trend in this area is 5Ghz wireless with the ISP currently _easily_ giving you 2Mbs/768K bandwidth for the same cost.
This is my _only_ option as I refuse to get a phone line to try and get DSL with another provider. They all say SBC *requires* a POTS line even though I do have my backup/voice ISDN line with them. Not for long -- that's going to ANYBODY else for that service due to their games.
Not to mention I'm in charge of the office lines covering a couple of T1's, PRI's and a few dozen POTS and BRI lines peppered about. All about to be changed to other providers over their DSL games.
Obviously I'm not the only one... How ironic.
Not even close or interested. What WOULD interest me is a touch pad that could read my thumbprint. I walk away it would idle locked, or I could just move my mouse somewhere or hit some key combo. To[re-] authenticate just give it a finger print...
I've personally added keyboards with touch pads for general/quick mouse movements -- after being "forced" to use on a laptop. A mouse _is_ quicker and I'll grab that for heavier mousing.
A fingerprint would also allow me to give the computer 'the finger' if I felt it was needed as well...stress relief and all.
I'm sitting here initially thinking, "Ghost in Shell" -- hhmmm view a PDF in tcsh?
News for Nerds. Stuff that matters...
One of the _last_ applications on my hot list to replace is ... AutoCAD. What are you using in the Maic world that you've found acceptable?
Early demo releases of Vectorworks didn't make the grade for me and I've only recently grabbed their latest attempt. Thoughts? Anybody?
What's the Microsoft sponsored study on the TCO for using Mozilla vs. Explorer? Is it WORTH it?
:)
Mod: TROLL