Can you describe what the atmosphere was like at your company after the initial post on Slashdot? Why has your company chosen Slashdot as your forum of choice? Does this mean we're your demographic?
There are still NT workstations everywhere. Especially SPRNET computers.
MY servers are NT. We have not received any more Win2K licenses so we install what we have which is mainly NT. The situation is improving as all of the new computers shipped to us have Win2K on them.
What you see at where you work and what actually goes on in the Fleet Marine Corps are two different animals apparently.
OK, can you point me to some of that "dark fiber" in Kuwait or anywhere the military deploys?
We're talking about tactical networks here, set up out in the field running off of diesel generators and using satellite uplink.
Try sharing 256K over an encrypted up and down link through microwave radios to satellite throughout your 100+ user network. Don't forget the Marine Corps only uses NT 4.0 servers and Internet Explorer. Then watch some idiots who claim they NEED their LAN drops install AIM and Kazaa and forward a money making scheme from "Bill Gates" to your whole network and kick your Exchange server's ass in the process.
Then fantasize about your Linux boxes at home as you try to salvage some idiot officer's "important files" from his Outlook virus infested brand new Dell laptop that he didn't deserve and no one loaded Norton on since he took it home every night and "was too busy" to let some enlisted IT guy fix w/ our standard program load.
Can you tell I'm not looking forward to deploying?
Thank you for taking time to contact us here at AMI. We are sorry to hear of your decision to not seek out an AMI solution for your next purchase. While we respect your right to make that decision we would like to take a minute to underline some relevant points about our announcement that were not adequately conveyed in the "article" posted on Slashdot. We urge you to please give us a minute of your time to fully understand what AMI is offering and thus be able to make a fully informed decision.
It must be noted that AMI has not announced support for Palladium. Palladium is an initiative by an OS entity that is slated for the future. To be honest, though we do know about it, AMI has not begun any development related to it. At this point we have not made any decisions on support either.
TCPA does not equal Palladium. While certainly there is some future development overlap between the two, TCPA is being introduced by OEM's as a security option to protect systems through hardware and firmware. This feature is completely optional to our customers (OEM's, ODM's, CM's and other system builders) that they may choose to make it available or not depending on the needs of their market. We have had requests from a number of customers for this technology.
Regarding the limitations of a system with TCPA I would offer the link below to the public specification for further information on compatibility with different OS's, and hardware. Based on that spec we can tell you that it does not limit the ability to run Linux (or any other open source solution).
As a smaller company itself, AMI has always supported innovation and creativity as these have been our main tools in competing against much larger companies in our industry. We would not do anything that in our minds would damage our credibility or reputation for world class BIOS solutions and will carefully evaluate this type of feedback when it does come time to examine any future technologies. We would also like to recommend that anyone who is opposed to a Palladium-type solution in the future, please make that known to OEM's and system builders. As they are our customers, we definitely listen to them in terms of what they (and hopefully their customers) will want in future BIOS.
Thank you again for your time in contacting us and we hope that this and some of the links below will shed some light on AMI's plans.
AMI TCPA module Whitepaper http://www.ami.com/support/doc/TCPA_wh itepaper.pdf
TCPA Website
Basically wrote them and told them I wouldn't be buying from them from now on. I would reckon this looks like the company is receiving a bit of angry emails from people who build their own computers and/or are involved in the computer industry.
Maybe they're worried about what WE think!? Nahhh...
First the corporate policy of only providing Linux support for your commercial printers and now this? I'm selling my X83 to my neighbor and am now in the market for a multifunction printer that works in Linux. Any suggestions?
Buy a biycle. Cheap, fast, and actually good for you. Get one with front suspension and some nice riser handlebars. Maybe even a suspension post seat and a cargo basket. All of this will cost you less than a $1,000 U.S. dollars.
How many people do you know that can admit to getting too much exercise?
Well, if you need help with any of the games I listed above, you can email me. Biggest hurdle was getting nVidia drivers installed bt once I asked the question on my distro's mailing list, it was no problem. baxshep(at)hotmailDOTcom
No, I'm not. I've already had one Slashdot handle limited to one post a day for stating my opinion and getting into troll wars and opinion wars. You don't think it's kind of hypocritical for all of these Open Source zealots to talk trash about Microsoft and then go run Windows for gaming on more often than not, a warez XP install? I prefer games that run on my Linux box. I support manufacturers that make these games. I wrote that post because on first glance I saw one of those "I keep a Windows box around just for gaming" posts. Gaming is just not that important to me.
have a Windows box around "just for gaming." Yet we lambast Microsoft regularly on Slashdot and to our friends? Seriously, if you want people to switch, how about only buying games that run on Linux or other Open Source OSs'? All I play is Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Quake III, and Unreal Tounament 2003 which run great on Debian Testing (my Redhat 8 laptop is another matter-HELP!). Is gaming that important that you have to run a Windows box and buy Windows-only games? A little monetary support to the manufacturers who help us could go a long way. Gaming could be the "killer app" for a lots of would be Open Source converts.
Just try Libranet. Also has a great tool (XAdminMenu) that makes it easy for even newbies to recompile a kernel. I wish all of you bitching about Debian's installer would try Libranet. There's no reason to put up with Rpm-hell when you have a Libranet CD laying around.
"The campaign finance debate is probably the most important political issue in the U.S. right now. You should pay attention, even if you hate politics."
The most important political issue in the US to me being that I'm a US Marine is whether or not we go to war with Iraq. I can understand an editor stating his preferences on hardware, software, TV shows, movies, et cetera but save the political comments for k5.
I'll take a crack at your challenge. How about the Mormon Church?
" Representatives in your area would like to deliver your copy of the Book of Mormon and share a message about how the teachings of Jesus Christ have helped individuals and families find greater happiness. Their visit will last about an hour. May we arrange to have representatives deliver your free copy of the Book of Mormon?"
I don't know what the world 30 years ago was like. I doubt you do either other than from what you read or see on movies. However I don know I am sick and tired of people whining about how things were so much better way back when. I'll bet the people of yesterday were no different basically than people of today. I will also bet some people like yourself 30 years ago were bitching about their current state of affairs and how much nicer it was 30 years before your ideal time.
Johnny Cash basically said the same thing I'm saying right now but a lot more eloquently in his autobiography. God, I'm tired of people whining about the "good old days."
I pick this novel as my favorite for Zelazny's ability to seamlessly blend myth and science fiction to create a novel with real characters that have real strengths and weaknesses. Dune is a close second but no one can evoke so many emotions in the reader like Zelazny. The main character, Sam, is as human as you or I not larger than life.
On a side note, I regret seeing what type of person bought the film rights to Lord of Light (www.lordoflight.com). This guy thinks he can make a theme park out of the idea and has a few other wild money making schemes. I think he's crazy as a shithouse rat but read the book and then check out the site for yourself.
Gee, you think it might be something like dope is illegal here in the US? Assault rifles is a term bandied about by the media and it can mean anything, any type of rifle. Also, the Beltway Snipers weren't. They was taking shots anyone could do w/ that rifle. The media also uses the word "sniper" to mean anyone who shoots a rifle. There's a world of difference between those 2 murderers and say, a Marine Corps Scout Sniper.
I also liked how I got no warning whatsoever when I visited their site since I'm using Debian and Mozilla.
Seriously, this is not directed towards the poster above but why of all sites do people come complaining to Slashdot about their IE/Microsoft spyware? Use Mozilla if not Linux! It really boggles my mind... must think turkey....
You're not saying that's the ONLY thing holding back Open Source are you? How about Winmodems? How about the most popular distros running the RPM package mess with all of the dependencies?
I think no easy install/uninstall for recent converts from Windows and lack of hardware support such as the Mobile Radeon 9000 are what is holding Open Source back. Not windows managers. By the way, I run Debian. Switching to Debian with apt-get made my transition to Linux neraly painless after all of those damned lib dependencies in Redhat/SUSE/Mandrake.
I am forced to run XP on my laptop because of the sorry wireless in Linux. Recently I ran just about every tweak for XP at www. tweakhound.com and I am AMAZED? XP almost (almost!) feels like KDE 3.04 on my Debian desktop! Start Menu snaps into place, application run quicker and the bandwidth tweaks really worked. You really don't need all of the pretty GUI effects XP has. W/out those, you have Win2K w/ the System Restore, backwards compatible (rarely works but nice to have sometimes!) driver settings, and since Microsoft doesn't like to ship 2K anymore, you may have to learn to live w/ XP in an enterprise environment.
Bottom line. Go to www.tweakhound.com Tweak XP and trade GUI effects for speed and less useage of graphics memory. Save said graphics memory for Return to Castle Wolfenstein. Of course, if you're running a desktop, you have no excuse not to run Linux and install Unreal Tournament 2003 (Linux installer on the 3rd disk) and frag away!
Lib dependencies when attempting to install packages even via the vaunted urpmi. I tried Mandrake on my laptop, got a lib dependency, gave up, installed Libranet, updated it to Debian testing and continued working. I used rpm based distros for 2 years. Never again.
As for "United Linux is crap", I just hope it incorporates Conectiva's rpm management tool and maybe it will be more widely used and bring about well maintained apt repositories and other rpm-based distros might fix the rpm install mess.
I understand every BSD user's complaints about Redhat/Mandrake and the rpm package mess but how does Debian and apt-get compare? I figure that w/ the design philosophy and package system Debian has, it's quite comparable to all of the benefits of BSD. After installing Debian, I'm not ruled by my Linux box, I have time to do other things. Rock solid, secure (enough for me), and easy to update and install packages. Anyway, I'm still a newbie and ask newbie questions.
Slashdot Mirror
Can you describe what the atmosphere was like at your company after the initial post on Slashdot? Why has your company chosen Slashdot as your forum of choice? Does this mean we're your demographic?
There are still NT workstations everywhere. Especially SPRNET computers.
MY servers are NT. We have not received any more Win2K licenses so we install what we have which is mainly NT. The situation is improving as all of the new computers shipped to us have Win2K on them.
What you see at where you work and what actually goes on in the Fleet Marine Corps are two different animals apparently.
OK, can you point me to some of that "dark fiber" in Kuwait or anywhere the military deploys?
We're talking about tactical networks here, set up out in the field running off of diesel generators and using satellite uplink.
Try sharing 256K over an encrypted up and down link through microwave radios to satellite throughout your 100+ user network. Don't forget the Marine Corps only uses NT 4.0 servers and Internet Explorer. Then watch some idiots who claim they NEED their LAN drops install AIM and Kazaa and forward a money making scheme from "Bill Gates" to your whole network and kick your Exchange server's ass in the process.
Then fantasize about your Linux boxes at home as you try to salvage some idiot officer's "important files" from his Outlook virus infested brand new Dell laptop that he didn't deserve and no one loaded Norton on since he took it home every night and "was too busy" to let some enlisted IT guy fix w/ our standard program load.
Can you tell I'm not looking forward to deploying?
Thank you for taking time to contact us here at AMI. We are sorry to hear
/ /www.theinquirer.net/?article=7103
h itepaper.pdf
of your decision to not seek out an AMI solution for your next purchase.
While we respect your right to make that decision we would like to take a
minute to underline some relevant points about our announcement that were
not adequately conveyed in the "article" posted on Slashdot. We urge you to
please give us a minute of your time to fully understand what AMI is
offering and thus be able to make a fully informed decision.
It must be noted that AMI has not announced support for Palladium. Palladium
is an initiative by an OS entity that is slated for the future. To be
honest, though we do know about it, AMI has not begun any development
related to it. At this point we have not made any decisions on support
either.
TCPA does not equal Palladium. While certainly there is some future
development overlap between the two, TCPA is being introduced by OEM's as a
security option to protect systems through hardware and firmware. This
feature is completely optional to our customers (OEM's, ODM's, CM's and
other system builders) that they may choose to make it available or not
depending on the needs of their market. We have had requests from a number
of customers for this technology.
Regarding the limitations of a system with TCPA I would offer the link below
to the public specification for further information on compatibility with
different OS's, and hardware. Based on that spec we can tell you that it
does not limit the ability to run Linux (or any other open source solution).
As a smaller company itself, AMI has always supported innovation and
creativity as these have been our main tools in competing against much
larger companies in our industry. We would not do anything that in our
minds would damage our credibility or reputation for world class BIOS
solutions and will carefully evaluate this type of feedback when it does
come time to examine any future technologies. We would also like to
recommend that anyone who is opposed to a Palladium-type solution in the
future, please make that known to OEM's and system builders. As they are
our customers, we definitely listen to them in terms of what they (and
hopefully their customers) will want in future BIOS.
Thank you again for your time in contacting us and we hope that this and
some of the links below will shed some light on AMI's plans.
LINKS
Original Articles on theinquirer.net
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=7089
http:
AMI TCPA module Whitepaper
http://www.ami.com/support/doc/TCPA_w
TCPA Website
Basically wrote them and told them I wouldn't be buying from them from now on. I would reckon this looks like the company is receiving a bit of angry emails from people who build their own computers and/or are involved in the computer industry.
Maybe they're worried about what WE think!? Nahhh...
OK, but I need a multifunction printer that works in Linux, not ME.
First the corporate policy of only providing Linux support for your commercial printers and now this? I'm selling my X83 to my neighbor and am now in the market for a multifunction printer that works in Linux. Any suggestions?
Buy a biycle. Cheap, fast, and actually good for you. Get one with front suspension and some nice riser handlebars. Maybe even a suspension post seat and a cargo basket. All of this will cost you less than a $1,000 U.S. dollars.
How many people do you know that can admit to getting too much exercise?
Well, if you need help with any of the games I listed above, you can email me. Biggest hurdle was getting nVidia drivers installed bt once I asked the question on my distro's mailing list, it was no problem. baxshep(at)hotmailDOTcom
No, I'm not. I've already had one Slashdot handle limited to one post a day for stating my opinion and getting into troll wars and opinion wars. You don't think it's kind of hypocritical for all of these Open Source zealots to talk trash about Microsoft and then go run Windows for gaming on more often than not, a warez XP install? I prefer games that run on my Linux box. I support manufacturers that make these games. I wrote that post because on first glance I saw one of those "I keep a Windows box around just for gaming" posts. Gaming is just not that important to me.
have a Windows box around "just for gaming." Yet we lambast Microsoft regularly on Slashdot and to our friends? Seriously, if you want people to switch, how about only buying games that run on Linux or other Open Source OSs'? All I play is Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Quake III, and Unreal Tounament 2003 which run great on Debian Testing (my Redhat 8 laptop is another matter-HELP!). Is gaming that important that you have to run a Windows box and buy Windows-only games? A little monetary support to the manufacturers who help us could go a long way. Gaming could be the "killer app" for a lots of would be Open Source converts.
Just try Libranet. Also has a great tool (XAdminMenu) that makes it easy for even newbies to recompile a kernel. I wish all of you bitching about Debian's installer would try Libranet. There's no reason to put up with Rpm-hell when you have a Libranet CD laying around.
"The campaign finance debate is probably the most important political issue in the U.S. right now. You should pay attention, even if you hate politics."
The most important political issue in the US to me being that I'm a US Marine is whether or not we go to war with Iraq. I can understand an editor stating his preferences on hardware, software, TV shows, movies, et cetera but save the political comments for k5.
I'll take a crack at your challenge. How about the Mormon Church?
" Representatives in your area would like to deliver your copy of the Book of Mormon and share a message about how the teachings of Jesus Christ have helped individuals and families find greater happiness. Their visit will last about an hour. May we arrange to have representatives deliver your free copy of the Book of Mormon?"
Guess what Alan chose?
I don't know what the world 30 years ago was like. I doubt you do either other than from what you read or see on movies. However I don know I am sick and tired of people whining about how things were so much better way back when. I'll bet the people of yesterday were no different basically than people of today. I will also bet some people like yourself 30 years ago were bitching about their current state of affairs and how much nicer it was 30 years before your ideal time.
Johnny Cash basically said the same thing I'm saying right now but a lot more eloquently in his autobiography. God, I'm tired of people whining about the "good old days."
How about the Great Firewall of China?
I pick this novel as my favorite for Zelazny's ability to seamlessly blend myth and science fiction to create a novel with real characters that have real strengths and weaknesses. Dune is a close second but no one can evoke so many emotions in the reader like Zelazny. The main character, Sam, is as human as you or I not larger than life.
On a side note, I regret seeing what type of person bought the film rights to Lord of Light (www.lordoflight.com). This guy thinks he can make a theme park out of the idea and has a few other wild money making schemes. I think he's crazy as a shithouse rat but read the book and then check out the site for yourself.
Gee, you think it might be something like dope is illegal here in the US? Assault rifles is a term bandied about by the media and it can mean anything, any type of rifle. Also, the Beltway Snipers weren't. They was taking shots anyone could do w/ that rifle. The media also uses the word "sniper" to mean anyone who shoots a rifle. There's a world of difference between those 2 murderers and say, a Marine Corps Scout Sniper.
I also liked how I got no warning whatsoever when I visited their site since I'm using Debian and Mozilla. Seriously, this is not directed towards the poster above but why of all sites do people come complaining to Slashdot about their IE/Microsoft spyware? Use Mozilla if not Linux! It really boggles my mind... must think turkey....
You're not saying that's the ONLY thing holding back Open Source are you? How about Winmodems? How about the most popular distros running the RPM package mess with all of the dependencies?
I think no easy install/uninstall for recent converts from Windows and lack of hardware support such as the Mobile Radeon 9000 are what is holding Open Source back. Not windows managers. By the way, I run Debian. Switching to Debian with apt-get made my transition to Linux neraly painless after all of those damned lib dependencies in Redhat/SUSE/Mandrake.
KDE 3 runs just fine on my 400MHZ box w/ 192MB of RAM. Are you going to call me out on this?
I am forced to run XP on my laptop because of the sorry wireless in Linux. Recently I ran just about every tweak for XP at www. tweakhound.com and I am AMAZED? XP almost (almost!) feels like KDE 3.04 on my Debian desktop! Start Menu snaps into place, application run quicker and the bandwidth tweaks really worked. You really don't need all of the pretty GUI effects XP has. W/out those, you have Win2K w/ the System Restore, backwards compatible (rarely works but nice to have sometimes!) driver settings, and since Microsoft doesn't like to ship 2K anymore, you may have to learn to live w/ XP in an enterprise environment.
Bottom line. Go to www.tweakhound.com Tweak XP and trade GUI effects for speed and less useage of graphics memory. Save said graphics memory for Return to Castle Wolfenstein. Of course, if you're running a desktop, you have no excuse not to run Linux and install Unreal Tournament 2003 (Linux installer on the 3rd disk) and frag away!
Whenever I read about one of these spammers, a quote from Lester Bangs on the movie Almost Famous comes to mind:
"and they will ruin rock and roll and strangle everything we love about it."
Change rock and roll to the Internet and I think it fits.
"What the hell is wrong with Mandrake?"
Lib dependencies when attempting to install packages even via the vaunted urpmi. I tried Mandrake on my laptop, got a lib dependency, gave up, installed Libranet, updated it to Debian testing and continued working. I used rpm based distros for 2 years. Never again.
As for "United Linux is crap", I just hope it incorporates Conectiva's rpm management tool and maybe it will be more widely used and bring about well maintained apt repositories and other rpm-based distros might fix the rpm install mess.
I understand every BSD user's complaints about Redhat/Mandrake and the rpm package mess but how does Debian and apt-get compare? I figure that w/ the design philosophy and package system Debian has, it's quite comparable to all of the benefits of BSD. After installing Debian, I'm not ruled by my Linux box, I have time to do other things. Rock solid, secure (enough for me), and easy to update and install packages. Anyway, I'm still a newbie and ask newbie questions.