there seem to be many many people who view a degree as pointless unless it fast tracks you to a job.
That's because we have seen it all too often: companies consider your application when it meets the education criteria. Since most of the companies I'd like to work for don't (usually) consider work experience or self-training to be valuable commodities, I'm forced to get an exceptionally expensive piece of paper to back it up.
Translated, that means 'No degree, no job.' And since there are plenty of college grads out there with degrees, it often also means 'No specific degree, no job.'
*rant*
It just drives me nuts. I get a little smidge of school, go way into debt to do it, and then spend the next couple years slaving away to catch up on my finances. Now maybe I'm just financially inept, but for pity's sake, why must college be so overwhelmingly expensive? I don't have the saving graces most seem to, that is, money, familial support, decent paying job opportunities. I just seem to keep running into a financial ceiling I can't get past. I can do the course work, God and the schools know I float through most college classes I've taken, and those I had to work at were the most fun.*/rant*
Back to your other question, I'd love to be able to take classes just because they were interesting to me. When I've taken classes I've tried to make good decisions on what to take to fill the criteria and peak my interest('Classical Music Studies' was one I enjoyed.) However, most classes I was required to take were not only irrelevant and uninteresting, but because the ones that were even slightly intriguing were filled to capacity quickly, I often was forced to take a different class or drop it entirely. (Did I say the rant was ended up there? Sorry.)
I'm a repair tech, and I can tell you, I have several regular customers that do this. The worst offender loves his Hotbar. Others won't leave the Incredimail alone. And they have kids who are just as clueless.
Overheard at the shop: "The two groups of people I have the most trouble working on computers with are those over 80 and under 20."
They're called the marketing department. To them, any chance to put an ad in front of your eyes is another buck for them. And guess what? They don't care if you like it. In fact, they'll usually respond just as positively to an overtly negative reaction from the public. Why? Because that means they got noticed, and these fiendish demons live for attention.
Seriously - take a look at the garbage they're trying to foist off on people. (Wouldn't do this with IE!)
Hushware - these kinds of utilities have been feeding on peoples fears for years. Personally, I take pride in the fact I know how to use the 'Delete' key.
Interboost - Heh. Yet another 'dial-up speed booster' that does nothing of the sort. I can't beleive companies like AOL and Earthlink fall prey to this marketing scheme too.
Popupblocker - So who's pop ups are they blocking, anyway?
SecureFavorites - ? I just don't get it. Hiding my bookmark list?
SpywareAvenger - Been removing this one from machines for months.
Uninstaller - Like I need something other than Add/remove programs.
VirusHunter - Another one I've been removing for a while now. And as noted on a previous post, not listed with the ICSA.
WindowsMessengerKiller - This is easy. TURN IT OFF.
From what I can see, it's just a bunch of junk trumped up to make you think it's doing something. The sad part is, Joe User will never know the difference.
So instead of one highly-trained crew and gobs of expensive equipment stranded in space, we can have two? Seriously - if they're that worried about the first flight, how can they be confident in the 'rescue' flight?
Not at all. The current system of house-arrest equipment is done this way, and at about the same cost to the offender. And not paying is a parole violation.
While I don't think the GPS is going to stop a felon from commiting violent acts, it'll definitely be a boon to prosecutors. What better way to 'restrain' a known offender than saddling him with an invisible leash, and recording his every move?
That said, just wait till They make them small enough not to be noticed. *tinfoilsuit*
I see a great opportunity for tech consultants!
Just think: you could spend your days explaining what the Internet is to a bunch of uncaring government politicos.
Hey, wait, I don't even have to leave the US!
We, the representatives of the RIAA and MPAA, have determined that video games are the cause of our recent loss in sales. We will now file frivolous lawsuits against everybody and their weird Uncle Bob to stop playing video games so they can watch our movies instead. Those refusing to do so will wake up with their eyes sewn open, strapped to a movie seat, and have to watch every movie that was less than successful because of their devious habits. We're thinking of starting out with 'White Girls'.
Thanks! I knew I should've tried that one first...
Seriously, why do you think one unchanging password that protects the rest of them is better? And when someone cracks that, now they'll know your root access as well. Ooops.
This is exactly the reason I continue to go to their competitors. It's not that difficult to write a page that works in all browsers.
Unless you're using proprietary crap, like, say, ActiveX.
Now see? If the above post had been modded up, I wouldn't have spent the last ten minutes trying researching this, I would've gone on to something else.
As an addendum to catwh0re, I think it needs to be pointed out that Apple's primary targets are not those who wish to build/radically change their hardware.
The real competition comes from other companies that build PC systems (Dell, HP, Sony, Compaq). If you've ever looked inside one of these pre-built monstrosities, you'd be coming up with the same issues you face with a low-end Mac! Most have proprietary hardware of some kind inside them, such as:
1. Motheboards that don't conform to standards (this makes the replacement of a burned board with stock parts impossible) 2. Custom made RAM (thank you Compaq!) 3. Power supplies with custom power connections to mobo (see #1) 4. Case sizings that are just barely capable of holding the provided hardware, much less anything added later. (pick your villan) 5. BIOS rewrites/overlays that remove functionality from stock parts, when stock parts are used. (Booted a Compaq to BIOS lately?) 6. Because mobo, ram, and bios may all have been tweaked by the manufacturer, any additional tweaks are likely to make the machine unstable, or worse, fry a component. 7. Installed memory by most PC makers is well below 512. My last peek showed that most are still shipping with a measly 256.
Having said all that, try pricing a Dell with the same specs as a Mac, and you'll come pretty close to even. What's better, you can give one to your Mom and she can USE IT WITHOUT CALLING YOU.
Personally, this alone is why I suggest Macs to people with 0 computer skills.
Sounds like you've already decided you don't want to - that's your prerogative. Someone else may decide it makes sense - that is their prerogative.
While you are essentially correct, I find it my personal crusading duty to stop people from inflicting AOL on themselves and their equipment. As a tech support geek, I often have to fix the issues created by AOL and their Borg-like use of a hard-drive. To be sure, it could be controlled by some informed use of the installers, but how many AOL users do you know that can do anything other than click the Next button?
AOL is internet access for the stupid and lazy. It takes all of ten minutes for an AOL user to learn how to use something else, and 10 seconds to show them why. Most of my clients agree with me: My machine, my control. If you let someone else control your box, it will do things you don't want it to.
I also love how AOL sells the features of other, long-established software as something new and exciting. Every time I see it on TV, I want a disclaimer at the bottom that says "If you think this is original, I've got a brand-new bestelling book for you: I'm calling it 'The Bible'."
AOL comes in number 2 on my list of big evil companies. Guess who's number 1?
That might actually make a lot of sense. If they only sent the disks to registered customers, those who had unregistered (unpaid for) copies of Windows would be at a disadvantage. Of course, it might rival the size of my AOL cd pile.
In any case, MS doesn't really have anything to lose by doing it this way. CD's cost little to nothing, and they're (apparently) cheap to mail out. If they actually TEST the software first, they could cut their cost significantly.
Perhaps it _should_ be more like buying a car:
Are you ready for the responsibility?
Have you read about and studied the operators manual? A car is a machine, and people use it for getting from one place to another, and REALLY OUGHT TO take time out to keep it maintained!! Do you really want a mechanic, no matter how good he is, to break into your garage to do the basic maintenance that you're too lazy to take care of yourself??? As long as people don't consider their computers on the same level as their cars (not that everyone takes good care of their cars either) these problems will continue to exist.
And there are a great number of reasons why you would not want your OS patched by a third party, no matter the good intentions. Check other posts in this topic for lots of them.
Perhaps we should get a licensing system for computer operators, with different classes:
Class A license: Admin skills; these people can/will take care of their equipment, and need little to no outside help.
Class U license: User skills; these people cant/wont take care of their equipment, and need to have a Class A licensed person hold their hand when using anything more complicated than a caluclator.
I believe you are confused; Darlius McBridius is really a subspecies of executus stupidii which is actually a member of the assholus majorus family. I don't think this relates to the story at hand, though.
Now THERE's a thought: package the kit with a MAME, and a few ROMs. Get the game code owners in on the deal, and we've got a way to keep all the classics alive. Wasn't there a/. story about something like this a few days ago?
Slashdot Mirror
That's because we have seen it all too often: companies consider your application when it meets the education criteria. Since most of the companies I'd like to work for don't (usually) consider work experience or self-training to be valuable commodities, I'm forced to get an exceptionally expensive piece of paper to back it up.
Translated, that means 'No degree, no job.' And since there are plenty of college grads out there with degrees, it often also means 'No specific degree, no job.'
*rant*
It just drives me nuts. I get a little smidge of school, go way into debt to do it, and then spend the next couple years slaving away to catch up on my finances. Now maybe I'm just financially inept, but for pity's sake, why must college be so overwhelmingly expensive? I don't have the saving graces most seem to, that is, money, familial support, decent paying job opportunities. I just seem to keep running into a financial ceiling I can't get past. I can do the course work, God and the schools know I float through most college classes I've taken, and those I had to work at were the most fun.*/rant*
Back to your other question, I'd love to be able to take classes just because they were interesting to me. When I've taken classes I've tried to make good decisions on what to take to fill the criteria and peak my interest('Classical Music Studies' was one I enjoyed.) However, most classes I was required to take were not only irrelevant and uninteresting, but because the ones that were even slightly intriguing were filled to capacity quickly, I often was forced to take a different class or drop it entirely. (Did I say the rant was ended up there? Sorry.)
I'm a repair tech, and I can tell you, I have several regular customers that do this. The worst offender loves his Hotbar. Others won't leave the Incredimail alone. And they have kids who are just as clueless.
Overheard at the shop: "The two groups of people I have the most trouble working on computers with are those over 80 and under 20."
They're called the marketing department. To them, any chance to put an ad in front of your eyes is another buck for them. And guess what? They don't care if you like it. In fact, they'll usually respond just as positively to an overtly negative reaction from the public. Why? Because that means they got noticed, and these fiendish demons live for attention.
I've got it!
Flash + Java = Flava!
And we can get Flava Flav to promote it!
YES! Bow before the mighty marketing droid!
Why wait?
Seriously - take a look at the garbage they're trying to foist off on people. (Wouldn't do this with IE!)
Hushware - these kinds of utilities have been feeding on peoples fears for years. Personally, I take pride in the fact I know how to use the 'Delete' key.
Interboost - Heh. Yet another 'dial-up speed booster' that does nothing of the sort. I can't beleive companies like AOL and Earthlink fall prey to this marketing scheme too.
Popupblocker - So who's pop ups are they blocking, anyway?
SecureFavorites - ? I just don't get it. Hiding my bookmark list?
SpywareAvenger - Been removing this one from machines for months.
Uninstaller - Like I need something other than Add/remove programs.
VirusHunter - Another one I've been removing for a while now. And as noted on a previous post, not listed with the ICSA.
WindowsMessengerKiller - This is easy. TURN IT OFF.
From what I can see, it's just a bunch of junk trumped up to make you think it's doing something. The sad part is, Joe User will never know the difference.
Have you ever USED x10? Their equipment is cheap, the reception is usually only line of sight, and they don't accept returns for any reason.
So instead of one highly-trained crew and gobs of expensive equipment stranded in space, we can have two? Seriously - if they're that worried about the first flight, how can they be confident in the 'rescue' flight?
Not at all. The current system of house-arrest equipment is done this way, and at about the same cost to the offender. And not paying is a parole violation.
naah, you get giant frisbee sawblades with homing devices.
While I don't think the GPS is going to stop a felon from commiting violent acts, it'll definitely be a boon to prosecutors. What better way to 'restrain' a known offender than saddling him with an invisible leash, and recording his every move?
That said, just wait till They make them small enough not to be noticed. *tinfoilsuit*
I see a great opportunity for tech consultants! Just think: you could spend your days explaining what the Internet is to a bunch of uncaring government politicos. Hey, wait, I don't even have to leave the US!
the martians simply grokked a wrongness with the dust on the panel.
We, the representatives of the RIAA and MPAA, have determined that video games are the cause of our recent loss in sales. We will now file frivolous lawsuits against everybody and their weird Uncle Bob to stop playing video games so they can watch our movies instead. Those refusing to do so will wake up with their eyes sewn open, strapped to a movie seat, and have to watch every movie that was less than successful because of their devious habits. We're thinking of starting out with 'White Girls'.
Thanks! I knew I should've tried that one first...
Seriously, why do you think one unchanging password that protects the rest of them is better? And when someone cracks that, now they'll know your root access as well. Ooops.
Should I try 'root' first or just 'password'?
This is exactly the reason I continue to go to their competitors. It's not that difficult to write a page that works in all browsers. Unless you're using proprietary crap, like, say, ActiveX.
Now see? If the above post had been modded up, I wouldn't have spent the last ten minutes trying researching this, I would've gone on to something else.
MODDERS! GET TO IT!
As an addendum to catwh0re, I think it needs to be pointed out that Apple's primary targets are not those who wish to build/radically change their hardware.
The real competition comes from other companies that build PC systems (Dell, HP, Sony, Compaq). If you've ever looked inside one of these pre-built monstrosities, you'd be coming up with the same issues you face with a low-end Mac! Most have proprietary hardware of some kind inside them, such as:
1. Motheboards that don't conform to standards (this makes the replacement of a burned board with stock parts impossible)
2. Custom made RAM (thank you Compaq!)
3. Power supplies with custom power connections to mobo (see #1)
4. Case sizings that are just barely capable of holding the provided hardware, much less anything added later. (pick your villan)
5. BIOS rewrites/overlays that remove functionality from stock parts, when stock parts are used. (Booted a Compaq to BIOS lately?)
6. Because mobo, ram, and bios may all have been tweaked by the manufacturer, any additional tweaks are likely to make the machine unstable, or worse, fry a component.
7. Installed memory by most PC makers is well below 512. My last peek showed that most are still shipping with a measly 256.
Having said all that, try pricing a Dell with the same specs as a Mac, and you'll come pretty close to even. What's better, you can give one to your Mom and she can USE IT WITHOUT CALLING YOU.
Personally, this alone is why I suggest Macs to people with 0 computer skills.
Sounds like you've already decided you don't want to - that's your prerogative. Someone else may decide it makes sense - that is their prerogative.
While you are essentially correct, I find it my personal crusading duty to stop people from inflicting AOL on themselves and their equipment.
As a tech support geek, I often have to fix the issues created by AOL and their Borg-like use of a hard-drive. To be sure, it could be controlled by some informed use of the installers, but how many AOL users do you know that can do anything other than click the Next button?
AOL is internet access for the stupid and lazy. It takes all of ten minutes for an AOL user to learn how to use something else, and 10 seconds to show them why. Most of my clients agree with me: My machine, my control. If you let someone else control your box, it will do things you don't want it to.
I also love how AOL sells the features of other, long-established software as something new and exciting. Every time I see it on TV, I want a disclaimer at the bottom that says "If you think this is original, I've got a brand-new bestelling book for you: I'm calling it 'The Bible'."
AOL comes in number 2 on my list of big evil companies. Guess who's number 1?
They might. Take a look at this article from Wired magazine:
. html
http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,50811,00
That might actually make a lot of sense.
If they only sent the disks to registered customers, those who had unregistered (unpaid for) copies of Windows would be at a disadvantage.
Of course, it might rival the size of my AOL cd pile.
In any case, MS doesn't really have anything to lose by doing it this way. CD's cost little to nothing, and they're (apparently) cheap to mail out.
If they actually TEST the software first, they could cut their cost significantly.
Perhaps it _should_ be more like buying a car:
Are you ready for the responsibility?
Have you read about and studied the operators manual?
A car is a machine, and people use it for getting from one place to another, and REALLY OUGHT TO take time out to keep it maintained!!
Do you really want a mechanic, no matter how good he is, to break into your garage to do the basic maintenance that you're too lazy to take care of yourself???
As long as people don't consider their computers on the same level as their cars (not that everyone takes good care of their cars either) these problems will continue to exist.
And there are a great number of reasons why you would not want your OS patched by a third party, no matter the good intentions. Check other posts in this topic for lots of them.
Perhaps we should get a licensing system for computer operators, with different classes:
Class A license: Admin skills; these people can/will take care of their equipment, and need little to no outside help.
Class U license: User skills; these people cant/wont take care of their equipment, and need to have a Class A licensed person hold their hand when using anything more complicated than a caluclator.
thought that was called schizophrenia.
I believe you are confused; Darlius McBridius is really a subspecies of executus stupidii which is actually a member of the assholus majorus family. I don't think this relates to the story at hand, though.
I wish I had mod points right now!
Now THERE's a thought: package the kit with a MAME, and a few ROMs. Get the game code owners in on the deal, and we've got a way to keep all the classics alive. Wasn't there a /. story about something like this a few days ago?