Ok, I work at a power company (no BS), and there are a few facts I'd like to get out there.
As to the former Cleveland Mayor's article: Nice write-up, but those issues have nothing to do with the cause of this blackout. It's a technical, not political thing. And if you think Gov't workers would do it better, go visit your local Bureau of Motor. Side note: You seem to be implying organized crime ties to power. Power used to be tied in with big labor unions. No shit there were mob ties. Those same ties with labor barely exist today. Unions are limited to lineworkers, on of the smallest departments of a power company.
Deregulation: As others have pointed out, this applies only to Generation. It was a transmission problem. Not related.
The cause: No one knows yet. Including the power companies. But thanks to the 24news cycle, people think they have an idea.
Something to consider: In the 'new structure of power companies', a lot of transmission is controlled by power pools, like PJM and MISO. They are like an electrical version of the stock market. This system is new and carries risks. The effect of these pools on the blackout has yet to be investigated.
Keep an open mind about these things...
-t
Re:I wonder if it's usefull
on
Absolute OpenBSD
·
· Score: 4, Informative
That's like asking why doesn't everybody drive the same car?
The BSD license is more attractive to some, while others prefer the GPL. Each OS has strengths, and people use them for many different reasons.
OpenBSD security
NetBSD portability
RedHat Corporate acceptance
Mandrake User Friendly
Debian Strong ties to FSF
Gentoo Customization
Some people don't agree with those characterizations. People don't agree on many things. That's why there are choices.
As for whether it's worth having all these? It's survival of the fittest. If enough people don't like an support an OS/Distro, it will die.
This is a good reminder of why people should be supporting the EFF and FSF. This stuff is getting out of control. Copyright law was intended to prevent companies from taking advantage of one another. Not to prevent common and fair use, including sharing. And patent law was meant to encourage innovation, but it no longer does that. People invent stuff, and some company that owns the patents makes money. And people who want to use the idea but not charge for it should not be messed with.
I saw a previous post like this that was joking, but you actually appear to be serious.
Of course not, MS is simply saying if they will pick up the tab if the USE OF THEIR PRODUCT is the issue. If the issue is piracy, or hacking, then it does not matter that you used their product in the act.
-t
Proprietary Linux?
on
Saving the Net
·
· Score: 3, Insightful
From the article: And I'm hearing from people who insist that Linux is not exactly ownerless, either. "Linux is a registered Trademark of Linus Torvalds" appears on 268,000 Web documents, Google tells me. In at least one sense, these folks say, Linus owns Linux. That means it is, in a limited sense, proprietary.
This should really be corrected. The trademark is simply on the name. You can't go write your own software and call it Linux. But the software and code is as far from proprietary as you can get. If Linus started wrecking Linux with patches, you could take the code, rename it, and have your own kernel. This guy should RTFL (license) before he writes an article.
Drop the GPL. Your software is much more useful and far more likely to be included in non-Linux systems if the license isn't tainted
Which systems are you referring to? I know the BSDs avoids GPLed code for drivers and core programs, but user packages is a different story. And OSX includes GPLed code. *BSD, All GNU/Linux, and OS X, I'd say that the GPL can get you into plenty of OSes.
Slack was one of the first that I used for a while. I first tried Redhat, but didn't feel enough control. I really liked slack, and only left it for Gentoo. Still, If I had to do a mass server install (where source only distros are useless in a non-hemogenous environment), I'd probably use slack or debian.
Incidentally, I keep an old slack cd in my laptop bag, as it makes a nice partitioning tool. And it can be a quick startup kit if you want to go through the LFS stuff.
I still can't see a lot of big companies switching because of embedded scripts/macros. The embedded vb stuff is pretty handy and makes up a lot of dynamic spreadsheets and stuff.
I wonder if ooo.org will work in perl or some other handy dandy scripting tool. For what I do at home, it's good enough now, though.
I wonder what scope of errors they are looking at? For instance, are they counting assignment errors (overflow), IIS->Com higher level type errors, or both. -t
Firstly if you are a gamer then you still need to upgrade every 6 months to keep up with the jones's (I get away with upgrading evey two years tho).
I am a gamer. And my box I built 15 months ago will still run any game on the market (at hi res, with good framerate).
Secondly, if this a thinly veiled attack at M$ bloat then...
It wasn't. Who knows where you got that. Maybe you're looking for a fight.
Basically I don't think that easy upgrade was ever an important for consumers.
It was important. When processor speeds were doubling in a matter of months, and several desktop apps could slow down a box. Opening up a box and dropping in more ram or a compatible new cpu was cheaper than getting a new box. Such advances made old laptops virtually unusable.
It's no longer true today. I use a 800 MHz PC in an office setting with no problems. -t
Is this a sign that 'joe user' starting to realize that software is no longer requiring upgrades every 6 months? (ease of Desktop ugrade is no longer a driving factor)...
I think a lot of people are missing the point. Yes, RMS has said all of those things before. But this case demonstrates why it is important. Free software users on slashdot know the difference in GNU and Linux (I hope), but corporations do not. Therefore, a company that uses GNU/Linux on an Enterprise level may overeact
and go back to proprietary software. They don't realize the problem is with one specific part of their OS.
And as he points out in the column, it can now be replaced, if the situation were irreconcilable. I think the point of his article is that Free Software is bigger than this case and will continue.
I think he did a fairly good job of writing that without saying "I told you so" about proprietary companies.
A thought for GNU/Linux users, BSD users, Mac users, and even MS users:
The more the desktop market becomes fractured, them more open standards have to be. The more companies will be willing to release hardware documentation (let the community write drivers, instead of attempting to write for 8 OSes). So, even if you don't like this distro, consider that the 'the average home user' buying a distro like this might still be a good thing.
I think you only read the part of my comment you quoted. If you'll read the rest, you'll see I'm saying that there are a lot of bad-half finished projects out there in the ports and packages sections of the various distros (along the lines of your CVS rant).
Regardless, I'll add that since this is supposed to be for business managers, quality is important.
Sometimes the opensource community has it(apache, openBSD, Grub), sometimes it doesn't. However, many hobbyist and slashdotters are big on opensource for other reasons (less bloat, flexibility, ideology).
The author assumes some things. High Quality? Some software is. OpenSSH for starters. However, anyone who's spent some time installing packages on various GNU or BSD systems knows there are some really awful projects out there too.
Now that I think about it though, thanks to the Java version of ICQ, I think closed source still holds the worst app of all time record...
-t
It might seem strange at first. But consider this a body that IBM backs. It's not like they have a controlling vote. If this move is too drastic, they could pull out of the body, but that's unlikely. I think most of IBM's software that runs on GNU/Linux is commerce based, like Websphere. Gov't isn't going to load up on websphere. IBM is probably just as happy to sell the UK Gov't stuff running on AIX or Windows.
I know you're kidding, but this brings up an interesting question. IIRC, Dennis Ritchie worked on Plan 9. He also wrote the original Unix at Bell Labs. If he wrote certain functions similarly (as one would expect him to reuse code snippets he had successfully written before), could there be intellectual property issues. Could a company in SCO's position claim that he has to completely avoid writing anything that similar to the code he wrote for a previous company?
Is that while MS is flagrantly ignoring the DOJ settlement with our Gov't our tax dollars are also being used to promote MS in global markets. Why wasn't the removal of that support a part of the DOJ settlement?
I'm glad to see there are two dozen plus nerds combing slashdot waiting to pounce on anyone who does their math wrong. Keep up the noble work, boys and girls.
Personally, I'm busier trying to figure out if we will be able to see the shield, a la episode I, or if it is invisible, a la tech advances of episode IV and beyond. If invisible, will Billy D. Williams be available to tell us if it is up or down?
I think you've got it backwards. Switching hardware is exactly when people switch OSes. Sure, geeks like us slashdotters might install a new OS every week, but not the average user.
I don't think I could get the average user to let me erase try something new on thier existing PC. But, walk in to a store with a mac and put them at the mouse. They'll find an office app, a browser, and their chat clients. It works, and support comes with the purchase. That, they might do. That's why GNU and BSD systems need to be installed on machines when they are bought, then they can start posting real desktop numbers.
Don't get me wrong, I use Gentoo and OpenBSD. But I have no delusions when it comes to moving my parents or friends from windows. The only way I could do it _now_ is with apple.
Slashdot Mirror
Ok, I work at a power company (no BS), and there are a few facts I'd like to get out there.
As to the former Cleveland Mayor's article: Nice write-up, but those issues have nothing to do with the cause of this blackout. It's a technical, not political thing. And if you think Gov't workers would do it better, go visit your local Bureau of Motor. Side note: You seem to be implying organized crime ties to power. Power used to be tied in with big labor unions. No shit there were mob ties. Those same ties with labor barely exist today. Unions are limited to lineworkers, on of the smallest departments of a power company.
Deregulation: As others have pointed out, this applies only to Generation. It was a transmission problem. Not related.
The cause: No one knows yet. Including the power companies. But thanks to the 24news cycle, people think they have an idea.
Something to consider: In the 'new structure of power companies', a lot of transmission is controlled by power pools, like PJM and MISO. They are like an electrical version of the stock market. This system is new and carries risks. The effect of these pools on the blackout has yet to be investigated.
Keep an open mind about these things...
-t
That's like asking why doesn't everybody drive the same car?
The BSD license is more attractive to some, while others prefer the GPL. Each OS has strengths, and people use them for many different reasons.
OpenBSD security
NetBSD portability
RedHat Corporate acceptance
Mandrake User Friendly
Debian Strong ties to FSF
Gentoo Customization
Some people don't agree with those characterizations. People don't agree on many things. That's why there are choices.
As for whether it's worth having all these? It's survival of the fittest. If enough people don't like an support an OS/Distro, it will die.
-thoolihan
Original copyright lasted 14 years. It now lasts many years past the life of the author.
Read up, then post.
-t
This is a good reminder of why people should be supporting the EFF and FSF. This stuff is getting out of control. Copyright law was intended to prevent companies from taking advantage of one another. Not to prevent common and fair use, including sharing. And patent law was meant to encourage innovation, but it no longer does that. People invent stuff, and some company that owns the patents makes money. And people who want to use the idea but not charge for it should not be messed with.
Wake up...
-t
One would _think_ that admins would protect against this now, but i'm sure many won't.
either way, it's a sweet hack, considering that the admin won't have any logs to show how the information leaked
-t
I saw a previous post like this that was joking, but you actually appear to be serious.
Of course not, MS is simply saying if they will pick up the tab if the USE OF THEIR PRODUCT is the issue. If the issue is piracy, or hacking, then it does not matter that you used their product in the act.
-t
From the article: And I'm hearing from people who insist that Linux is not exactly ownerless, either. "Linux is a registered Trademark of Linus Torvalds" appears on 268,000 Web documents, Google tells me. In at least one sense, these folks say, Linus owns Linux. That means it is, in a limited sense, proprietary.
This should really be corrected. The trademark is simply on the name. You can't go write your own software and call it Linux. But the software and code is as far from proprietary as you can get. If Linus started wrecking Linux with patches, you could take the code, rename it, and have your own kernel. This guy should RTFL (license) before he writes an article.
-t
Drop the GPL. Your software is much more useful and far more likely to be included in non-Linux systems if the license isn't tainted
Which systems are you referring to? I know the BSDs avoids GPLed code for drivers and core programs, but user packages is a different story. And OSX includes GPLed code. *BSD, All GNU/Linux, and OS X, I'd say that the GPL can get you into plenty of OSes.
-t
Slack was one of the first that I used for a while. I first tried Redhat, but didn't feel enough control. I really liked slack, and only left it for Gentoo. Still, If I had to do a mass server install (where source only distros are useless in a non-hemogenous environment), I'd probably use slack or debian.
Incidentally, I keep an old slack cd in my laptop bag, as it makes a nice partitioning tool. And it can be a quick startup kit if you want to go through the LFS stuff.
Happy B-day Slack, keep up the good work...
-t
Browser-Aid:
A benefit for Mozilla featuring Niel Young and U2.
-t
I still can't see a lot of big companies switching because of embedded scripts/macros. The embedded vb stuff is pretty handy and makes up a lot of dynamic spreadsheets and stuff.
I wonder if ooo.org will work in perl or some other handy dandy scripting tool. For what I do at home, it's good enough now, though.
-t
I think it still depends on how you do your gaming. Non-geeks are way more likely to be into console games than PC.
Also, the genres of games being made show that it's not just for geeks anymore. A lot more sports games, GTA3, etc.
I think the tendency for FPS and RolePlaying games to be online first, still shows the PC is home of the geek gamers (leading tech edge).
-t
I wonder what scope of errors they are looking at? For instance, are they counting assignment errors (overflow), IIS->Com higher level type errors, or both.
-t
wtf...
Firstly if you are a gamer then you still need to upgrade every 6 months to keep up with the jones's (I get away with upgrading evey two years tho).
I am a gamer. And my box I built 15 months ago will still run any game on the market (at hi res, with good framerate).
Secondly, if this a thinly veiled attack at M$ bloat then...
It wasn't. Who knows where you got that. Maybe you're looking for a fight.
Basically I don't think that easy upgrade was ever an important for consumers.
It was important. When processor speeds were doubling in a matter of months, and several desktop apps could slow down a box. Opening up a box and dropping in more ram or a compatible new cpu was cheaper than getting a new box. Such advances made old laptops virtually unusable.
It's no longer true today. I use a 800 MHz PC in an office setting with no problems.
-t
Is this a sign that 'joe user' starting to realize that software is no longer requiring upgrades every 6 months? (ease of Desktop ugrade is no longer a driving factor)...
-t
The writing is already on the wall, people are moving to GNU/Linux. If ATI doesn't want to support them, Nvidia will sell them cards.
-t
I think a lot of people are missing the point. Yes, RMS has said all of those things before. But this case demonstrates why it is important. Free software users on slashdot know the difference in GNU and Linux (I hope), but corporations do not. Therefore, a company that uses GNU/Linux on an Enterprise level may overeact and go back to proprietary software. They don't realize the problem is with one specific part of their OS.
And as he points out in the column, it can now be replaced, if the situation were irreconcilable. I think the point of his article is that Free Software is bigger than this case and will continue.
I think he did a fairly good job of writing that without saying "I told you so" about proprietary companies.
-t
A thought for GNU/Linux users, BSD users, Mac users, and even MS users:
The more the desktop market becomes fractured, them more open standards have to be. The more companies will be willing to release hardware documentation (let the community write drivers, instead of attempting to write for 8 OSes). So, even if you don't like this distro, consider that the 'the average home user' buying a distro like this might still be a good thing.
-t
I think you only read the part of my comment you quoted. If you'll read the rest, you'll see I'm saying that there are a lot of bad-half finished projects out there in the ports and packages sections of the various distros (along the lines of your CVS rant).
Regardless, I'll add that since this is supposed to be for business managers, quality is important. Sometimes the opensource community has it(apache, openBSD, Grub), sometimes it doesn't. However, many hobbyist and slashdotters are big on opensource for other reasons (less bloat, flexibility, ideology).
-t
The author assumes some things. High Quality? Some software is. OpenSSH for starters. However, anyone who's spent some time installing packages on various GNU or BSD systems knows there are some really awful projects out there too.
Now that I think about it though, thanks to the Java version of ICQ, I think closed source still holds the worst app of all time record...
-t
It might seem strange at first. But consider this a body that IBM backs. It's not like they have a controlling vote. If this move is too drastic, they could pull out of the body, but that's unlikely. I think most of IBM's software that runs on GNU/Linux is commerce based, like Websphere. Gov't isn't going to load up on websphere. IBM is probably just as happy to sell the UK Gov't stuff running on AIX or Windows.
-t
I know you're kidding, but this brings up an interesting question. IIRC, Dennis Ritchie worked on Plan 9. He also wrote the original Unix at Bell Labs. If he wrote certain functions similarly (as one would expect him to reuse code snippets he had successfully written before), could there be intellectual property issues. Could a company in SCO's position claim that he has to completely avoid writing anything that similar to the code he wrote for a previous company?
Just a thought...
-t
Is that while MS is flagrantly ignoring the DOJ settlement with our Gov't our tax dollars are also being used to promote MS in global markets. Why wasn't the removal of that support a part of the DOJ settlement?
-t
I'm glad to see there are two dozen plus nerds combing slashdot waiting to pounce on anyone who does their math wrong. Keep up the noble work, boys and girls.
Personally, I'm busier trying to figure out if we will be able to see the shield, a la episode I, or if it is invisible, a la tech advances of episode IV and beyond. If invisible, will Billy D. Williams be available to tell us if it is up or down?
-t
I think you've got it backwards. Switching hardware is exactly when people switch OSes. Sure, geeks like us slashdotters might install a new OS every week, but not the average user.
I don't think I could get the average user to let me erase try something new on thier existing PC. But, walk in to a store with a mac and put them at the mouse. They'll find an office app, a browser, and their chat clients. It works, and support comes with the purchase. That, they might do. That's why GNU and BSD systems need to be installed on machines when they are bought, then they can start posting real desktop numbers.
Don't get me wrong, I use Gentoo and OpenBSD. But I have no delusions when it comes to moving my parents or friends from windows. The only way I could do it _now_ is with apple.
-t