Another vote for DeepFreeze here. I use it at our library's computer lab and can get a good night's sleep at night. Faronics also has other security programs worth looking into, including Anti-Executable and WinSelect. Hopefully, the school has a firewall in place to keep intruders out, if not, look into a good firewall program, like Zone Alarm, or get an old computer and set up a SmoothWall firewall.
Unless you are willing to put the time into setting up Koha or need more control and granularity of data (subject cataloging, cross-references, etc.), I suggest keeping things simple. OpenOffice 2.0's Base has a built in template for setting up a personal library database. Having done original cataloging of books for a library, I can say that you can spend a LOT of time cataloging just a handful of books if follow standard library practice.
One thing I do love about the Oreilly titles is their choices in cover art. The cover of "Time Management Tips for Sysadmins" is a wolverine. Very appropriate choice.;)
Or, work to destroy (or, at least, greatly weaken) copyright law, which is my preferred option.
Nice thought, but according to Lawrence Lessing practically everything that is published these days is automatically copyrighted. There are alternative copyrights out there (GPL, Creative Commons) that give the end-user certain rights, but the original author/publisher/creator still retains the copyright. However, GPL and Creative Commons have yet to be tested as being "legal" copyrights. So until GPL and/or Creative Commons are tested, the copyright laws will stay on the books. The only other way is to get the copyright laws changed to strengthen the Fair Use clause. Personally, I give that a snowball's chance in Hell of happening given the power of the entertainment lobby groups.
Well, John C. Dvorak ranted about this earlier. Yeah, I know, it's Dvorak, and I'm not his biggest fan either, but he does have a point: Why correct the problem when you can provide another piece of software to make up for the defect? Think about it. If it's going to cost you $1000 to replace the A/C compressor on your ten year old car, are you going to fork over the money or roll down the windows instead? I'm sure in Microsoft's way of thinking, it's more cost effective not to fix the code but instead have a outside application that should (in theory) protect the system from spyware. Of course, the underlaying problem still exists, but it's now out of sight, out of mind. That is until something fails, which almost invariably happens in complex systems.
So, for Microsoft, it's a purely business decision. That does not make the decision the right one for consumer. Which comes down this: would you prefer an operating system that is widely known to be flawed, will never be made secure and, in addition to regular patches (which may break) needs additional software to be even remotely considered to be secure; or are you going to buck the system and go with one of the alternatives that have smaller market share and may not currently run the software you need?
Microsoft is betting that consumers choose the former. I, myself, choose the latter.
IBM's Lawyers: (hands judge and SCO's attorny's each a blank sheet of paper) Here is all the documentation we have on our contributions to the Linux 2.7 kernel.
SCO's Lawyers: Is this some kind of joke? There's nothing on here.
IBM's Lawyers: Precisely! Just as you requested. Point of fact, your Honor, is that there is no Linux 2.7 kernel; never has been, never will be.
Judge: (to SCO's Lawyers) Is this motion a joke?
SCO's Lawyers: (blathering like idiots)
Judge: I find SCO guilty of criminal stupidity. Case dismissed!
But seriously, isn't this akin to a computer virus? Who's to say that the RIAA/MPAA/IFPI/(other unknown entitiy) wouldn't/won't use this or similar program to spread a virus that deletes your MP3/Ogg/WMV/etc. files, even the legit ones? I'd file this under "Extremely Bad Ideas".
Sales of Apple computers recently spiked today. Projected sales figures for the day are expected to more than double the number of compuers Apple sold last year.
Meanwhile, Microsoft's stock took a nosedive, dropping 30 points.
(Hey, if you're going to dream, dream big)
I agree with you that this a good start, but, as you said, this is not a solution for the clueless, and there in lies my point; until something like this, or the aforementioned Opera feature, is implemented into all browsers, the clueless will still be victimized.
And I would also like to extend my thanks to you. I first saw this extension last night on my computer at home and was meaning to install it on my computer at work. It is very interesting to see how many sites use JavaScript. Eleven out of thirteen of my bookmarked tabs use JS. (Okay, one of my tabs is for my POPFile interface, so it really should be 11 out of 12.)
If I only had a mod point, I'd give you one gladly.
While turning off JS would prevent things like mousetraps, pop-ups/unders and other nasty things, the truth is that JavaScript is also used for some good interative web features as well and is well entrenched in the web culture. Like a lot of other things in life, it can be used for positive and negative purposes. Extensions like NoScript will help, but I'm not so sure if it's a cure, just treating the symptoms.
I still debate the issue that ActiveX is a bug and not a feature. If code is introduced (whether it's the browser, application or OS) that allows unknown programs (good or bad) to be installed without the user's knowledge and consent, then it's a bug. Then again, the PEBCAK when users just click "OK" without understanding the ramifications of their actions, until it's too late.
I have Linux installed on several workstations (mostly public access points) and would not go back to Windows on any of them even with a 155mm Howitzer pointed at my head.
I have to agree with the BSOD statement. I was at the bank last week when all the computers crashed at once. The operating system? Windows XP.
As for the fragmentation, from what I understand, the differences between XP Home and XP Pro are 1) some features are turned off for the Home Edition, but otherwise it's the same code (I'm not sure if the same is true of the other versions or not) and 2) the price.
Personally, I think MS will have a hard sell in SE Asia for the XP Starter Edition since Linux has such a good foothold right now and MS can't really compete on price and the ready supply of priated XP Home and Pro Editions. Which reminds me of a quote from The Princess Bride: "Never get involved in a land war in Asia".
How is this bill going to prevent the documents that are required to get a RealID from being forged in the first place? Granted, this is outside the realm of most illegals, but if the intention is to stop terrorists from coming into the country under guise, than they are more than likely well-funded enough to get forged documentation to get a real Real ID. This is, at best, a short term solution that will, more than likely, become a long-term problem.
Don't think that libraries aren't already looking into this. I am the Automation Librarian for our university and I am slowly and carefully making the transition from expensive, closed-source software to inexpensive, open-source software. As a matter of fact, the library at Arizona State University West has already switched to linux.
In fact, schools and libraries are excellent starting points for the switch from Microsoft to Linux since both institutions are traditionally underfunded. Where the problem comes in is that the vendors that libraries deal with often don't write their software for Linux, but, from what I hear with one of our vendors, that may change as well.
Sorry, after a quick check on the Santayana quote, it should read: Those who cannot remember the past
are condemned to repeat it. -- George Santayana"The Life of Reason"
True, frighteningly sad but true. While I'm far from being a member of the tin-hat crowd, I am very, very afraid of what our goverment, and the right, have been done over the past four-plus years. I can't help but think back to my history classes and what I learned about Germany during the 1930's and the rise of the Nazi Party and the Third Reich.
"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." -- George Santayana
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Another vote for DeepFreeze here. I use it at our library's computer lab and can get a good night's sleep at night. Faronics also has other security programs worth looking into, including Anti-Executable and WinSelect. Hopefully, the school has a firewall in place to keep intruders out, if not, look into a good firewall program, like Zone Alarm, or get an old computer and set up a SmoothWall firewall.
Unless you are willing to put the time into setting up Koha or need more control and granularity of data (subject cataloging, cross-references, etc.), I suggest keeping things simple. OpenOffice 2.0's Base has a built in template for setting up a personal library database. Having done original cataloging of books for a library, I can say that you can spend a LOT of time cataloging just a handful of books if follow standard library practice.
Someone should take this guy to the bar and explain it to him over a 'free beer'.....
You mean like this?
One thing I do love about the Oreilly titles is their choices in cover art. The cover of "Time Management Tips for Sysadmins" is a wolverine. Very appropriate choice. ;)
Are the people who purchased the DRM/spyware CDs due a replacement copy without the DRM/spyware?
Nice thought, but according to Lawrence Lessing practically everything that is published these days is automatically copyrighted. There are alternative copyrights out there (GPL, Creative Commons) that give the end-user certain rights, but the original author/publisher/creator still retains the copyright. However, GPL and Creative Commons have yet to be tested as being "legal" copyrights. So until GPL and/or Creative Commons are tested, the copyright laws will stay on the books. The only other way is to get the copyright laws changed to strengthen the Fair Use clause. Personally, I give that a snowball's chance in Hell of happening given the power of the entertainment lobby groups.
So, for Microsoft, it's a purely business decision. That does not make the decision the right one for consumer. Which comes down this: would you prefer an operating system that is widely known to be flawed, will never be made secure and, in addition to regular patches (which may break) needs additional software to be even remotely considered to be secure; or are you going to buck the system and go with one of the alternatives that have smaller market share and may not currently run the software you need?
Microsoft is betting that consumers choose the former. I, myself, choose the latter.
Steve Ballmer is Eric Cartman's father?!?!
Does anyone have a bittorrent for this?
But seriously, isn't this akin to a computer virus? Who's to say that the RIAA/MPAA/IFPI/(other unknown entitiy) wouldn't/won't use this or similar program to spread a virus that deletes your MP3/Ogg/WMV/etc. files, even the legit ones? I'd file this under "Extremely Bad Ideas".
Sales of Apple computers recently spiked today. Projected sales figures for the day are expected to more than double the number of compuers Apple sold last year. Meanwhile, Microsoft's stock took a nosedive, dropping 30 points. (Hey, if you're going to dream, dream big)
And I would also like to extend my thanks to you. I first saw this extension last night on my computer at home and was meaning to install it on my computer at work. It is very interesting to see how many sites use JavaScript. Eleven out of thirteen of my bookmarked tabs use JS. (Okay, one of my tabs is for my POPFile interface, so it really should be 11 out of 12.)
While turning off JS would prevent things like mousetraps, pop-ups/unders and other nasty things, the truth is that JavaScript is also used for some good interative web features as well and is well entrenched in the web culture. Like a lot of other things in life, it can be used for positive and negative purposes. Extensions like NoScript will help, but I'm not so sure if it's a cure, just treating the symptoms.
Weapons of Mass Distraction?
I still debate the issue that ActiveX is a bug and not a feature. If code is introduced (whether it's the browser, application or OS) that allows unknown programs (good or bad) to be installed without the user's knowledge and consent, then it's a bug. Then again, the PEBCAK when users just click "OK" without understanding the ramifications of their actions, until it's too late.
*applause*
That has to be the best use of that phrase, ever. If I had mod points, I'd gladly give you one.
I have Linux installed on several workstations (mostly public access points) and would not go back to Windows on any of them even with a 155mm Howitzer pointed at my head.
Mod parent 'Funny', please.
As for the fragmentation, from what I understand, the differences between XP Home and XP Pro are 1) some features are turned off for the Home Edition, but otherwise it's the same code (I'm not sure if the same is true of the other versions or not) and 2) the price.
Personally, I think MS will have a hard sell in SE Asia for the XP Starter Edition since Linux has such a good foothold right now and MS can't really compete on price and the ready supply of priated XP Home and Pro Editions. Which reminds me of a quote from The Princess Bride: "Never get involved in a land war in Asia".
Damn, hit Submit instead of Preview. Should read "expect 500,000 hits just from /. readers alone."
And after today, expect 500,000 today just from /. readers alone.
How is this bill going to prevent the documents that are required to get a RealID from being forged in the first place? Granted, this is outside the realm of most illegals, but if the intention is to stop terrorists from coming into the country under guise, than they are more than likely well-funded enough to get forged documentation to get a real Real ID. This is, at best, a short term solution that will, more than likely, become a long-term problem.
In fact, schools and libraries are excellent starting points for the switch from Microsoft to Linux since both institutions are traditionally underfunded. Where the problem comes in is that the vendors that libraries deal with often don't write their software for Linux, but, from what I hear with one of our vendors, that may change as well.
Sorry, after a quick check on the Santayana quote, it should read: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. -- George Santayana "The Life of Reason"
"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." -- George Santayana