True life story . . .
on
Firefox In Print
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· Score: 4, Interesting
I work for a small university library in Mississippi as the Automation Librarian. Frustrated with spyware, viruses, and the like, infecting our public Internet workstations (and with no money to work with), I decided that change was needed. So, I installed Linux on the workstations and customized the desktop so that only the icon for Firefox was visible. That was earlier this month, and so far I haven't heard any complaints from the students. I know that I'm sleeping better at night now. Soon, I will have Firefox loaded on all our computers and tell people to use that rather than IE. Just a small effort, but as Kosh once said, "The avalanche has already started. It is too late for the pebble to vote."
what would happen if Linux became as popular as Windows? Where spyware writers start targeting Linux users? As much as I use (and love) Linux, I can't help but wonder if too much popularity is a bad thing. I know this may sound elitist, but I'm sort of glad that Linux is a niche product; it helps keep the scum (spyware and virus writers) focused on tormenting Windows users. (Not that I'm happy to say that, since I have to provide support for Windows computers, too.) At least for now, I can safely say that I little to worry about concerning my Linux boxes.
Personally, I prefer paper to electronics when it comes to reading books. Why? Well, for starters, books don't require batteries. That's not to say that eBooks aren't useful. I think that eBooks are ideal for periodical materials, like newspapers and magazine, simply for the sake of conversing paper. I doubt I'll want to keep every newspaper or magazine article just in case I want to read or refer to it later, but books I want to keep just for that very reason; they become reference material and mementos of what I read and who I am. Likewise, I often learn a lot about someone by scanning the books on his/her bookshelf. Not an easy thing to do with eBooks.
I got 100%, too. Where's my prize? j/k This is an excellent way to drive home the point to family, friends, co-workers, etc. about the perils of clicking on anything and everything that comes up. Of course, there is that big red button on my computer. The beautiful shiny button. The jolly candy-like button.
One of the greatest misconceptions about Linux is that the free availability of its source code ensures that the "many eyes" with access to it will surely find any attempt at sabotage. Yet, despite the "many eyes," new security vulnerabilities are found in Linux every week in addition to dozens of other bugs.
Excuse me, but isn't it because "many eyes" were reviewing the source code that the bugs were found and fixed? And how fast have the patches come out after the bug was found? Now compare that to, oh, I don't know, Windows and some of the flaws there (including some that have been known for months) and still haven't been fixed?
Even if Linux were as secure as Windows, Windows is the wrong benchmark. Defense systems should be held to a higher standard.
Well, I should hope so. After all, why is the DOD, CIA, DOHS, FBI, and NSA paying all those computer programmers they hired? To create new mods for Doom3? I don't think so.
True, an intern is probably reading the letters, faxes, etc. that come in (that's part of their job, after all), but some times Senators and Congress members listen. I wrote my local Congress critters about SCO lobbying Congress against Open Source and got a response from one of my Senators that was not (at least from all appearances) a stock reply. Of course, YMMV. Some times if you yell loud enough and long enough, they'll hear you.
Is it just me, or is the tablet PC a solution in search of a problem? I mean, really. If you need a PDA, buy one. If you need a laptop, buy one. The way I see it, tablet PCs don't perform either task better than the aforementioned devices. Of course, that doesn't take into account its paperweight capabilities.
I use wTicker for my Windows computer and KNewsTicker for my Linux boxes. The latest version of wTicker won't run on my XP computer, but an older version does. It's still in beta and a little clunky, but the crawler takes up far less screen space than any other RSS reader I've tried.
Actually, the Wiccan Rede states "An it harm none, do what ye will", which is very broad and vaguely defined. What constitues harm? Who (or what) is none? This leads to many moral dilemmas, which is the whold point behind Asimov's "Three Laws of Robotics". At what point does one action (or inaction) constitute a greater harm than another? HAL 9000 from "2001: A Space Odyssey" had to struggle with and ultimely went psychotic (if such a term can be applied to an AI computer) in trying to resolve it.
I think this quote best reflect the state of denial that Microsoft is currently in:
Black Knight: Have at you.
King Arthur: You are indeed brave, sir knight, but the fight is mine.
Black Knight: Oh, had enough eh?
King Arthur: Look, you stupid bastard. You've got no arms left.
Black Knight: Yes I have.
King Arthur: Look.
Black Knight: Just a flesh wound.
Agreed. I'm a librarian and oppose censorship on principle, but there is such a thing as "age appropriate" material. I don't think eight year olds need to stumble across a porn site while surfing the web. However, I would like the ability to know and change the blacklist as I see fit. That is what being a responsible parent is all about.
At least they're coming out with a replacement for the VCR. Sure, TiVO is great, if you've got analog. If you have digital satellite or digital cable, you're limited to the DVR models (if any) the provider has. Not much in the way of selection, IMO. Of course, it's going to be a few years before they become available in the States and prices drop to the point where the average person can afford, but it's a step in the right direction.
Slashdot Mirror
I work for a small university library in Mississippi as the Automation Librarian. Frustrated with spyware, viruses, and the like, infecting our public Internet workstations (and with no money to work with), I decided that change was needed. So, I installed Linux on the workstations and customized the desktop so that only the icon for Firefox was visible. That was earlier this month, and so far I haven't heard any complaints from the students. I know that I'm sleeping better at night now. Soon, I will have Firefox loaded on all our computers and tell people to use that rather than IE. Just a small effort, but as Kosh once said, "The avalanche has already started. It is too late for the pebble to vote."
what would happen if Linux became as popular as Windows? Where spyware writers start targeting Linux users? As much as I use (and love) Linux, I can't help but wonder if too much popularity is a bad thing. I know this may sound elitist, but I'm sort of glad that Linux is a niche product; it helps keep the scum (spyware and virus writers) focused on tormenting Windows users. (Not that I'm happy to say that, since I have to provide support for Windows computers, too.) At least for now, I can safely say that I little to worry about concerning my Linux boxes.
Microsoft selling antispyware software seems to be as smart as putting Charles Whitman in charge of gun control enforcement.
I've already implemented my own antispyware software: Linux.
Or do all these resignations bear a resemblance to rats leaving a sinking ship?
Personally, I'm considering moving to Mexico and taking a job as a professional margarita drinker.
"Mein Führer! I can walk!"
it is a site worthy of a good slashdotting, if just to keep the unwary from reaching it.
'Nuff said.
So that's it, eh? Darl's been dropping acid this whole time. Cue Jefferson Airplane.
Personally, I prefer paper to electronics when it comes to reading books. Why? Well, for starters, books don't require batteries. That's not to say that eBooks aren't useful. I think that eBooks are ideal for periodical materials, like newspapers and magazine, simply for the sake of conversing paper. I doubt I'll want to keep every newspaper or magazine article just in case I want to read or refer to it later, but books I want to keep just for that very reason; they become reference material and mementos of what I read and who I am. Likewise, I often learn a lot about someone by scanning the books on his/her bookshelf. Not an easy thing to do with eBooks.
I got 100%, too. Where's my prize? j/k This is an excellent way to drive home the point to family, friends, co-workers, etc. about the perils of clicking on anything and everything that comes up. Of course, there is that big red button on my computer. The beautiful shiny button. The jolly candy-like button.
Screw 1934. From where I'm sitting, it's starting to look a lot like a 1984.
Excuse me, but isn't it because "many eyes" were reviewing the source code that the bugs were found and fixed? And how fast have the patches come out after the bug was found? Now compare that to, oh, I don't know, Windows and some of the flaws there (including some that have been known for months) and still haven't been fixed?
Even if Linux were as secure as Windows, Windows is the wrong benchmark. Defense systems should be held to a higher standard.
Well, I should hope so. After all, why is the DOD, CIA, DOHS, FBI, and NSA paying all those computer programmers they hired? To create new mods for Doom3? I don't think so.
- My vote counts as 8.33..% of the total
- I get a day (or more) off of work
- I get paid for it (since I'm salary, that's extra spending cash)
Can't get the same deal at the general election. Well, I suppose you could, but . . .True, an intern is probably reading the letters, faxes, etc. that come in (that's part of their job, after all), but some times Senators and Congress members listen. I wrote my local Congress critters about SCO lobbying Congress against Open Source and got a response from one of my Senators that was not (at least from all appearances) a stock reply. Of course, YMMV. Some times if you yell loud enough and long enough, they'll hear you.
To your Senators.
Is it just me, or is the tablet PC a solution in search of a problem? I mean, really. If you need a PDA, buy one. If you need a laptop, buy one. The way I see it, tablet PCs don't perform either task better than the aforementioned devices. Of course, that doesn't take into account its paperweight capabilities.
I use wTicker for my Windows computer and KNewsTicker for my Linux boxes. The latest version of wTicker won't run on my XP computer, but an older version does. It's still in beta and a little clunky, but the crawler takes up far less screen space than any other RSS reader I've tried.
Actually, the Wiccan Rede states "An it harm none, do what ye will", which is very broad and vaguely defined. What constitues harm? Who (or what) is none? This leads to many moral dilemmas, which is the whold point behind Asimov's "Three Laws of Robotics". At what point does one action (or inaction) constitute a greater harm than another? HAL 9000 from "2001: A Space Odyssey" had to struggle with and ultimely went psychotic (if such a term can be applied to an AI computer) in trying to resolve it.
That's as fast as I run out of the room whenever William Hung sings.
Black Knight: Have at you.
King Arthur: You are indeed brave, sir knight, but the fight is mine.
Black Knight: Oh, had enough eh?
King Arthur: Look, you stupid bastard. You've got no arms left.
Black Knight: Yes I have.
King Arthur: Look.
Black Knight: Just a flesh wound.
Agreed. I'm a librarian and oppose censorship on principle, but there is such a thing as "age appropriate" material. I don't think eight year olds need to stumble across a porn site while surfing the web. However, I would like the ability to know and change the blacklist as I see fit. That is what being a responsible parent is all about.
American Iron Magazine because AIM has a good balance of tech, reviews, and custom bikes.
Backpacker provides not only reviews of equipment and hikes, they're now including GPS waypoints with the maps.
At least they're coming out with a replacement for the VCR. Sure, TiVO is great, if you've got analog. If you have digital satellite or digital cable, you're limited to the DVR models (if any) the provider has. Not much in the way of selection, IMO. Of course, it's going to be a few years before they become available in the States and prices drop to the point where the average person can afford, but it's a step in the right direction.