User: Montgomery Burns III

It is all about the money

On: The Greying of the Mainframe Elite

Computing platform and associated support all make up part of the total cost of ownership for systems.
If corporations consider legacy mainframes to be a strategic part of their solutions, they will pay for the wages and training.

Therefore... If one reviews where the money is going, mainframes are not viewed by the corporate world as strategic.

Classic El Farol Problem

On: Computerized Navigation Systems to the Rescue

Isn't this a variation of a classic El Farol Problem?.

Thanks to slashdot User urbazewski.
My understanding would lead me to believe that a fully informed public would not neccesarily yield less congestion.

Re:This is a Serious Problem

On: Talk About A Security Hole, Go To Jail?

Look here for more info: SANS Certification Papers.

This is a Serious Problem

On: Talk About A Security Hole, Go To Jail?

In order to obtain a security certification, I had to write a paper on an aspect of security(insecurity).

I chose to write in detail about the particular implementation of a Remote control software for Windows. In order to demonstrate that I was not a loser, I needed to include packet traces, hex dumps, etc. to show detail of the password storage mechanism of the software in question.
To be honest, I was nervous submitting this paper.... It would be nice for people to be able to disclose such information without having to worry about joining the Witness Relocation Program.

Does Anyone Remember Cold Fusion?

On: More on Spintronics

IANAL nor am I involved in post doctoral study of Physics, but I wonder at the notion of being able to transfer energy (or motion) with 100% efficiency. Is it too good to be true?

Did you forget?

On: Kinko's Spy Case Illustrates Public Terminal Risk

But don't forget about Bob.

Some would say that the Bob attack launched by M$ was one of the most damaging ever ;-)

Implications to Organizational/National Security

On: IBM Moving Developer Jobs Overseas

Rhetorical Question:

At what point will the risks to Organizational/National Security be considered? How can we effectively defend key components of national critical infrastructure against domestic or international attack if all of the source code is being developed overseas. We have trouble securing our own banks domestically. How do we sustain a cyber perimeter that encompasses multiple continents?

sweet memories of youth

On: Old-school Nerdy Comics

"ah those were the days.... writing basic on the Color computer (coco) from radio shack.... riding my bike down to the local radio shack to bang on their TRS-80.... lusting after an Osbourn.... Those were the days...

Re:Troy McClure Singing...

On: Peter Jackson remaking King Kong

That is an excellent point, but I could not think of any tunes that were so memorable, so I stuck to the theme of apes.

Marge: "His name is Bart."
Psycho-BabbleGuy: "His name is not important."

Troy McClure Singing...

On: Peter Jackson remaking King Kong

"Oh my God, I was wrong, it was earth all along, you have finally made a monkey out of me..."

With Apologies to Matt Groenig

When will we get the Crazy Bit that we deserve!!

On: New RFC Adds "Evil Bit"

Please don't mis-interpret this post, I am very grateful for the good work that is conducted by the IETF, IEEE, DHS, NBC, and CNN.
But, IMHO, we have a desparate need for a standard concerning "The Crazy Bit."
Once this bit is detected, the remaining packets, message, media, disk drive, computer, Flame-email, etc can be discarded without risk to humanity.

More on Elbonians

On: Software Tariffs and US IT Outsourcing?

FYI, Scott Adams is trying something new : here.

How scary is this?

On: Life Made to Order

Consider this: How well have we done writing software to perfection?
How well have we done predicting all outcomes of chaos?
I submit not very well. Lets not multiply our error in living creatures.

Re:US National Security Considerations

On: Software Tariffs and US IT Outsourcing?

touche'
What was I thinking?
;-)

US National Security Considerations

On: Software Tariffs and US IT Outsourcing?

Lets not forget about the opportunity for mischief.
I frankly get a bit nervous about certain integrated systems that drive many aspects of the nation's critical infrastructure where there is no domestic producer.
I am not attempting to call into question the motives of the people of Elbonia... They are good folks. But might Elbonians have potentially higher motivation to introduce rogue backdoors?
Could the Elbonians have political or other motivation to do harm to the USA?

Re:space is still risky

On: Shuttle Data Recorder May be Key to Accident

Hello, I appreciate your response.
My final conclusion was not that we should quit or stop. I strongly believe that we should continue to reach beyond, explore etc. etc.
However, in doing this, we dare not forget the enormous risks to individuals. :-)

space is still risky

On: Shuttle Data Recorder May be Key to Accident

Was it Heinlin or Bradbury who wrote that there there are a thousand ways to die in space?

We have perhaps forgotten the thousands of details needed to go exactly right in order for people not to die.
Moreover, travelling and re-entry at 13,000 miles an hour is downright scary.

Simply another Counter Revolutionary Tool

On: Asia Opens Up to WLAN

Using the security vulnerabilities that are endemic with WI-FI, The Chinese government can take additional steps to repress free thought, and spy on the chinese people as well as any ignorant western business personnel who may be travelling there.

This is just the beginning

On: Watching Kids Via Mobile Phone

I believe a larger issue may have been missed here. Is it in 2006 when legislation takes effect in the USA that Cell phones must be tracable to a specific geographic coordinate?

Between employers, stalkers, and jealous spouses, there ought be plenty of room for unhappiness.

Instead of "You've Got Mail"

On: Beep! Beep! You have Broken the Law.

"You've Got an Arrest Warrant", including an all expense paid trip to the People's Center for Re-Education and enlightenment.

Re:an Ode

On: Linux Enhances Shakespeare

Thanks for the correction! I was not an English Lit. major (obviously).
:-)

an Ode

On: Linux Enhances Shakespeare

Oh Linus, Linus where art thou fair Linus?

2 Months ago? Bah, how about 2 days ago!

On: Microsoft: We Make Hackers Obsolete

This is crazy talk.

What about all of the critical level security announcements this week??

Re:Upswing where? - Going offshore :-(

On: A Positive Outlook on the Software Industry

I agree there are significant economic pressures to send as much of IT offshore.

The challenge for those in the states is to demonstrate their value, and show that they can differentiate themselves from the folks who can/or are forced to work for $1-$5 per hour.

No raises here... but

On: A Positive Outlook on the Software Industry

With all due respect to the author, My company has both pay and hiring freezes.

It seems that nearly all corporations are in a belt tightening mode, looking to save precious cash, etc.
I believe that there will be an upswing, it just hasn't happened yet.