I guess when you look at this, the best question is: why are these systems being used now? And the even better question: what are the legal uses of the system now?
My answer is that the best reason to use these right now is to share ideas, music, pictures, etc. with other people, including strangers: things that you own and have the right to redistribute, either because you created it, or you have permission from the creator. Email is used heavily in this fashion, but it has the limit of most providers attempting to make attachments a no-no: either for cost considerations (size); or for the fear of viruses. So, is there a legitimate use? Yes.
Next question would be: what are the usage numbers for these legitimate uses? Well, that one I can't answer too well. My first guess would be that it is a relatively small percentage of the current traffic, with a VERY high figure being around 40%. So, is that enough to keep these things around? Yep.
Okay, so, my conclusion is that P2P serves a useful purpose, outside of the illegal ones. So, the next question becomes, can a commercial solution replace these P2P solutions? That one is really easy - no! There is no way that any organization can afford the freedom that is required in moving these files back in forth. Anyone in IT is quite aware of all the potential dangers to the network, and anyone involved in the whole law side can see how heavily exposed these companies would be if they were allowing viruses, etc. to be damaging customer's systems.
So, ultimate conclusion? Unless they are outlawed, P2P networks are useful, and are likely to remain in existance for a long time.
Yep, I get that, but I don't see any examples, or reasons, etc., except for the Microsoft Office one, and that needs MORE explanation, since I don't see how running a Linux office suite doesn't have automation, etc. needs. Anyway, more info anyone?
Main thing that bothers me about this article is how obviously slanted it is, without really going into what's important. I mean, I see all of these statements about how things that are true in the Microsoft environment are not true in the Linux environment (or at least, aren't best practice). So, the missing information is this - if the design is flawed, and the solutions are wrong for the problem, then what are the solutions (at least give us a hint) to these problems in oh-so-perfect, everything-else-sucks Linux? Okay, so maybe I'm feeling a little annoyed, but if I'm supposed to be developing/supporting solutions in multiple platforms, perhaps some lucid discussion of the issues and their solutions would be useful? Certainly this article pretends to be hitting these things, but it fails to execute. I'd love to see some links that try to hit these issues in a more complete manner. Anyone?
Well, it's 7:15 PM (PST), and I actually see some posts that look like people who have read the article. Go./'ers! And, to those moderators who keep modding this status check as off-topic, well, have a look 'er under my kilt....
Time Check (can this be modded down too?)
on
Echolocation for Humans
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· Score: -1, Flamebait
It is now 6:50 PM (PST) and not one single person who has posted to this have yet to read the article, or at least, post anything about it. Yay! (and how is this offtopic, punks?):)
Excellent! I see some actually, factually, referenced pieces of information that connect to things happening in the real world in this reply! The FIRST I've seen on the subject. Thank you!
Okay, again, same comment here as with Spider's little piece. What facts, what statistics, what anything can these people point to that shows the "decline of Science Fiction" as anything near reality? Some of the best science fiction I have EVER read has come out in the last three years. What the hell are these people smoking?
Yes, there is climate change, and no one has any real clue as to whether it is natural or human-caused. I'm inclined to believe mostly natural, with a bit of human-ingeniuty in there somewhere. Anyway, the data will be able to be used by other people, so yeah, I think it's a good idea.
Who the heck paid for this? Can I have some money for my "Sensory Deprivation, I want some money" idea? I mean, am I the only one that is kind of hoping this is a joke?
Interesting at least. It wasn't an optional (aka non-critical - I assume that was what you meant) patch for any of the 30-40 computers I patched way back when. So, damn, dunno where YOU are going for your patches (might want to check that - it could be a VIRUS! *gasp). Regardless, there are some other replies that seem to be saying the patch wasn't installing properly for some people. Well, if that is true, I retract the harshness of my first statement.
This has been stated less clearly in other responses to this "project", but let's be clear here - hypocrisy is bad. And when you point to articles that have been "censored" (which doesn't mean they weren't published, just that they weren't front page news on all the major outlets), and these articles are all obvouisly tied to a specific agenda (and ignore articles that we find interesting - for example, most of the open-source communities' response to SCO), then you invalidate your ability to present this information with honesty, accuracy, etc. Bottom line - this "project" is pure propaganda. I don't recommend ignoring it - these stories should be read, and understood. But screw the "conspirancy" feel - that's bunk.
Impressive & Professional
on
Back To SCO
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· Score: 4, Insightful
We should all take a look at how this letter was written, and why, and try to apply it to our own comments in this forum. Thanks for the great example, guys!
Is there a law that we can use to smack the RIAA around for pretending to be a law enforcement agency? The RIAA has absolutely no right under the law to offer amnesty for a crime, and they ought to be smacked to hell and back for trying. Why in all hell isn't the FBI/government all over their ass for this? I mean, if Microsoft said they would offer amnesty to all software pirates, it would pretty much be the same thing. WTF?
Is there a law that we can use to smack the RIAA around for pretending to be a law enforcement agency? The RIAA has absolutely no right under the law to offer amnesty for a crime, and they ought to be smacked to hell and back for trying. Why in all hell isn't the FBI/government all over their ass for this? I mean, if Microsoft said they would offer amnesty to all software pirates, it would pretty much be the same thing. WTF?
Did anyone else notice that this is all based on an impression, no facts, no data? I mean, it isn't even mentioning whether there are less sci-fi books being written or read, just a feeling. So, sorry, not interested. I don't "feel" like this is true, so it isn't, since my "feeling" is just as valid an argument as his. Enjoy your discussion about a non-phenom.
The Billy Goat tool is not very well described in the article, I'm assuming, since the implementation details are quite vague. However, some things are clear:
1) It looks for computers that are trying to hit unassigned IP address (assuming these are local ones, btw).
2) When it finds a computer trying to hit unassigned IPs (unknown on the required frequencies), it acts to isolate the computer from the rest of the network.
Now, this could be a nice tool. #2 is problematical - if it automatically isolates a computer, this could be bad, but then, hopefully it would be rare, and for some users, they wouldn't even notice. If an administrator is notified that there is some sort of issue going on, here, here, and here, that gives them a heads up to take some action. It wouldn't stop the initial infection, nor would it stop the entire network from being infected, but it might slow down the problem, maybe even enough for us, the slow and stupid human administrators, to get things under control.
Overall, based on what I can see here, a potentially useful tool in a big toolbox.
ID's? That's so horrible. I might get recognized, or oh, so horrible, my jacket might get id'd. Can't I get my privacy anywhere? Oh yeah, I forgot, privacy just went on sale at JCPenney's. Anyone for a shopping trip? Better yet, let's focus on privacy issues, not paranoia.
I'll go ahead and read the paper when I get the chance.. I've got to admit that I didn't. But I have to say, this is a predictable and rather unsatisfactory response. S curves and overall trends are like statistics - twist all you want, and maybe come out with something that you like. Ignore the facts at your peril however. These are hardly blips to be ignored "in the scheme of things"
So, the dark ages, the plague, these things didn't happen? Oh, and less human-centric - the great kill-offs? Or are you being really specific, maybe talking about technology? If so, then what happened to the technology of concrete? Does the disappearance and redevelopment of this technology fit this upward scale? Or maybe, I don't know, maybe you can't point to a specific technology and have this work?
Seems kinda likely that you can't point to much and have this "exponential growth" theory hold for long...
True, at this point. But isn't the point that Microsoft IS the biggie out there, and Linux isn't, but we all (well, there is an assumption here) would like to see that reversed? If that's true, then your arguement is effectively null and void.
Down with voting for money.
Down with voting for politics.
Down with voting with the union.
Down with voting on issues.
Down with voting on popularity.
Viva voting for the most attractive woman! Who cares if she makes sense? (and if she has some knowledge of computers, then hell, she has GOT to be the best choice!)
Slashdot Mirror
I guess when you look at this, the best question is: why are these systems being used now? And the even better question: what are the legal uses of the system now?
My answer is that the best reason to use these right now is to share ideas, music, pictures, etc. with other people, including strangers: things that you own and have the right to redistribute, either because you created it, or you have permission from the creator. Email is used heavily in this fashion, but it has the limit of most providers attempting to make attachments a no-no: either for cost considerations (size); or for the fear of viruses. So, is there a legitimate use? Yes.
Next question would be: what are the usage numbers for these legitimate uses? Well, that one I can't answer too well. My first guess would be that it is a relatively small percentage of the current traffic, with a VERY high figure being around 40%. So, is that enough to keep these things around? Yep.
Okay, so, my conclusion is that P2P serves a useful purpose, outside of the illegal ones. So, the next question becomes, can a commercial solution replace these P2P solutions? That one is really easy - no! There is no way that any organization can afford the freedom that is required in moving these files back in forth. Anyone in IT is quite aware of all the potential dangers to the network, and anyone involved in the whole law side can see how heavily exposed these companies would be if they were allowing viruses, etc. to be damaging customer's systems.
So, ultimate conclusion? Unless they are outlawed, P2P networks are useful, and are likely to remain in existance for a long time.
Yep, I get that, but I don't see any examples, or reasons, etc., except for the Microsoft Office one, and that needs MORE explanation, since I don't see how running a Linux office suite doesn't have automation, etc. needs. Anyway, more info anyone?
Main thing that bothers me about this article is how obviously slanted it is, without really going into what's important. I mean, I see all of these statements about how things that are true in the Microsoft environment are not true in the Linux environment (or at least, aren't best practice). So, the missing information is this - if the design is flawed, and the solutions are wrong for the problem, then what are the solutions (at least give us a hint) to these problems in oh-so-perfect, everything-else-sucks Linux? Okay, so maybe I'm feeling a little annoyed, but if I'm supposed to be developing/supporting solutions in multiple platforms, perhaps some lucid discussion of the issues and their solutions would be useful? Certainly this article pretends to be hitting these things, but it fails to execute. I'd love to see some links that try to hit these issues in a more complete manner. Anyone?
Well, it's 7:15 PM (PST), and I actually see some posts that look like people who have read the article. Go ./'ers! And, to those moderators who keep modding this status check as off-topic, well, have a look 'er under my kilt....
It is now 6:50 PM (PST) and not one single person who has posted to this have yet to read the article, or at least, post anything about it. Yay! (and how is this offtopic, punks?) :)
It's 6:35 PM (PST) and ZERO people who've posted have actually read the article. Yay!
Excellent! I see some actually, factually, referenced pieces of information that connect to things happening in the real world in this reply! The FIRST I've seen on the subject. Thank you!
Okay, again, same comment here as with Spider's little piece. What facts, what statistics, what anything can these people point to that shows the "decline of Science Fiction" as anything near reality? Some of the best science fiction I have EVER read has come out in the last three years. What the hell are these people smoking?
Yes, there is climate change, and no one has any real clue as to whether it is natural or human-caused. I'm inclined to believe mostly natural, with a bit of human-ingeniuty in there somewhere. Anyway, the data will be able to be used by other people, so yeah, I think it's a good idea.
Who the heck paid for this? Can I have some money for my "Sensory Deprivation, I want some money" idea? I mean, am I the only one that is kind of hoping this is a joke?
Interesting at least. It wasn't an optional (aka non-critical - I assume that was what you meant) patch for any of the 30-40 computers I patched way back when. So, damn, dunno where YOU are going for your patches (might want to check that - it could be a VIRUS! *gasp). Regardless, there are some other replies that seem to be saying the patch wasn't installing properly for some people. Well, if that is true, I retract the harshness of my first statement.
Couple of things:
1. Your Dad's system was not patched. If it was, then he could not have gotten blaster.
2. Your company's systems were not patched. If they were, they could not have gotten blaster
That said, if your systems were patched, then you didn't get blaster.
If you want to say that the patch doesn't protect against blaster, well, please prove that.
That clear?
This has been stated less clearly in other responses to this "project", but let's be clear here - hypocrisy is bad. And when you point to articles that have been "censored" (which doesn't mean they weren't published, just that they weren't front page news on all the major outlets), and these articles are all obvouisly tied to a specific agenda (and ignore articles that we find interesting - for example, most of the open-source communities' response to SCO), then you invalidate your ability to present this information with honesty, accuracy, etc. Bottom line - this "project" is pure propaganda. I don't recommend ignoring it - these stories should be read, and understood. But screw the "conspirancy" feel - that's bunk.
We should all take a look at how this letter was written, and why, and try to apply it to our own comments in this forum. Thanks for the great example, guys!
Is there a law that we can use to smack the RIAA around for pretending to be a law enforcement agency? The RIAA has absolutely no right under the law to offer amnesty for a crime, and they ought to be smacked to hell and back for trying. Why in all hell isn't the FBI/government all over their ass for this? I mean, if Microsoft said they would offer amnesty to all software pirates, it would pretty much be the same thing. WTF?
Is there a law that we can use to smack the RIAA around for pretending to be a law enforcement agency? The RIAA has absolutely no right under the law to offer amnesty for a crime, and they ought to be smacked to hell and back for trying. Why in all hell isn't the FBI/government all over their ass for this? I mean, if Microsoft said they would offer amnesty to all software pirates, it would pretty much be the same thing. WTF?
Did anyone else notice that this is all based on an impression, no facts, no data? I mean, it isn't even mentioning whether there are less sci-fi books being written or read, just a feeling. So, sorry, not interested. I don't "feel" like this is true, so it isn't, since my "feeling" is just as valid an argument as his. Enjoy your discussion about a non-phenom.
The Billy Goat tool is not very well described in the article, I'm assuming, since the implementation details are quite vague. However, some things are clear:
1) It looks for computers that are trying to hit unassigned IP address (assuming these are local ones, btw).
2) When it finds a computer trying to hit unassigned IPs (unknown on the required frequencies), it acts to isolate the computer from the rest of the network.
Now, this could be a nice tool. #2 is problematical - if it automatically isolates a computer, this could be bad, but then, hopefully it would be rare, and for some users, they wouldn't even notice. If an administrator is notified that there is some sort of issue going on, here, here, and here, that gives them a heads up to take some action. It wouldn't stop the initial infection, nor would it stop the entire network from being infected, but it might slow down the problem, maybe even enough for us, the slow and stupid human administrators, to get things under control.
Overall, based on what I can see here, a potentially useful tool in a big toolbox.
Yes, that is how silk is most often made. However, we are discussing spider silk here. Funny enough, that DOES come from spiders...
ID's? That's so horrible. I might get recognized, or oh, so horrible, my jacket might get id'd. Can't I get my privacy anywhere? Oh yeah, I forgot, privacy just went on sale at JCPenney's. Anyone for a shopping trip? Better yet, let's focus on privacy issues, not paranoia.
I'll go ahead and read the paper when I get the chance.. I've got to admit that I didn't. But I have to say, this is a predictable and rather unsatisfactory response. S curves and overall trends are like statistics - twist all you want, and maybe come out with something that you like. Ignore the facts at your peril however. These are hardly blips to be ignored "in the scheme of things"
But can you count to -242?
So, the dark ages, the plague, these things didn't happen? Oh, and less human-centric - the great kill-offs? Or are you being really specific, maybe talking about technology? If so, then what happened to the technology of concrete? Does the disappearance and redevelopment of this technology fit this upward scale? Or maybe, I don't know, maybe you can't point to a specific technology and have this work?
Seems kinda likely that you can't point to much and have this "exponential growth" theory hold for long...
True, at this point. But isn't the point that Microsoft IS the biggie out there, and Linux isn't, but we all (well, there is an assumption here) would like to see that reversed? If that's true, then your arguement is effectively null and void.
Yay!
Down with voting for money.
Down with voting for politics.
Down with voting with the union.
Down with voting on issues.
Down with voting on popularity.
Viva voting for the most attractive woman! Who cares if she makes sense? (and if she has some knowledge of computers, then hell, she has GOT to be the best choice!)