That is what I thought first, too.
Well, I still think it is a very interesting angle on social engineering as you put it.
However, if you do that with a large enough company to get "undetected" (assuming smaller companies would recognise something fishy is going on) there should be a large risk that this laptop goes to the IT-people first to get completely altered to companies standards.
That usually should mean complete format and using an image of whatever the company is using as client OS. So there goes your malware (at least most of it).
So I am very confident that this has to be taken into account.
Well, so....how long will they shut down?
on
Duke Nukem For Never
·
· Score: 5, Funny
Will they be shutting down the coming next 10 years?
SCNR...it is bad for the devs at 3d, but still...it opens a whole new series of jokes.
scheuri
As far as I recall correctly IE7 was supposed to be forced on Windows (XP) as well and was IIRC shipped with Windows Vista.
Now IE8 is forced by Windows Update
Now how is this going to change ANYTHING at all if millions and millions (okay, not that many, but you get my point) of pirated (and even not pirated) copies of Windows XP will not be updated...ever.
Remember the near uprising when windows 98 was not supported anymore. While I was "what, you still use that" thousand of people still were "Hey, I am using this...it just works...I never touched it".
First of all...when it can be turned on, it can be turned off again. Simple rule. I have a hard time believing that turning this thing off again is not possible.
Second...why are cells stolen? Mainly because their sim card? I doubt it. Because people call their mobile company telling them the sim got stolen and it should be blocked or something. In other words, the sim card should be rendered useless. Therefore thiefs are after the mobile phone itself to sell it.
Soooo...the only "harm" being done is, that you lost your mobile phone and data. Whereas data might be sensitive you MIGHT think about securing your mobile a bit better. It is the same with laptops in my opinion. If electronical devices care sensitive data, you look after them WAY better!
I think this is just a way to increase cell phone sales!
Why? Simple...if that screaming really can not be turned of easily enough then the cell phone is useless...to the thief as well as the righteous owner. So, beside of playing pranks to "friends" by turning on the screaming and making them buying a new cell anyway...a theft leads to a brand new cell.
Just imaging you lost your mobile thinking it was stolen and you turn that screaming on...you lost a mobile phone. The way with all the text messages all over you ("this mobile got/is knicked") seems kinda better as the false positivs do not necessarily lead into a buy of a new mobile phone.
In my opinion "Installing a Linux distribution" is not the biggest problem anymore. The graphical installation GUIs are uprising and the ncurses installation "GUIs" are very common (and in my opinion totally sufficent).
What is more a problen is: Which software does what and what kind of linux software does make the same like the software I was used to before? How is it named and how do I install it (and I dont mean "make install", I mean distribution based install)?
"This item is not on stock, it will be delivered within 14 days to your home"
or
"This item is on Stock. Delivery will take 5 days to you"
or
"New at Amazone Grocery! The talking Meat by Bestseller Author Dan Brown! Coming out next month"
14 computers sounds quite fair to handle...however, its up to you how much time you are willing to dedicate into that network or infrastrucure.
As it has been said several times:
1) Check out was is NEEDED, not what YOU (or other) want...make a list.
2) Check this list you made with the teacher...are there alternatives within Ubuntu or Edubuntu (as an example)
3) check the hardware...is it possible to run XP, Ubuntu or whatever might be possible (see 1) and 2)) or do you need to upgrade anyway?
3a) if you need to upgrade, why not taking the licenses that comes with the new stuff (unless you build them yourself)
4) lets suggests, that there are none or minor upgrades to be done: Use a LIVE-CD to check out if hardware is working.
5) Use a Live-CD (eg. ubuntu or edubuntu) to check if the list at 1) is matched and if pupils and teachers are okay using that stuff...if it fails, back to Win98 or whatever is used right now.
I am no fan of Windows, but I am very uneasy if it comes to change from one OS to another in a hurry at an area where I dont have full responsibility...if it fails, linux won't get a second chance there anytime soon and you won't be let near those computers (if that is a drawback or not to you, is another story).
Therefore I suggest you to use Live-CDs to check out how people react on the new OS and applications and if the hardware is able to cope with whatever OS you choose.
Just take your time to reconsider all options and prepare everything well...there is nothing more deadly than to do something like a change of OS-flavour in a hurry.
Well, most of the documents which are scanned in and needs to be safed are documents which are not likely to change every month or not even every year, right?
So all the medical data, licenses, diplomas, certificates of any kind can be stored on a CD as well...right?
I still believe that CDs are easier to access on all kind of computers (which computer does NOT have CD-ROM?) and are not that OS-dependent (or driver dependent, whatever). Whereas with flash drives you just might be unlucky enough not to access your data anymore. AND CDs might be just able to survive more than a flash drive (eg. water).
As for encryption...why not using a opensource program which is available for linux AND windows and put it on the CD or flash drive as well? So, encrypt your data with that programm and the only thin YOU need to remember is the password, which might just be choosen easy enough not to be cracked within minutes. You wont put that CD or stick outside a safe anyway in non-emergency days, right?
I must admit that I'd choose a CD-ROM with all my data, encrypt the data, put it in a safe (or even banksafe) and exchange it every...lets say...2 years (with more updated date even).
No need to worry if the gouverment or my helpful friend next door might just help me getting back my info from a CD.
I like the idea and the approach, that the city turn s to linux on the desktop AND using a own distro for this.
After all, with this everything is implemented THEY need, nothing more and nothing less...they take advantage of the biggest advantage of OSS: Choice!
Instead of using a company or existing product per se (I know, its based in Debian), they changed it to their needs and they offer a voluntary change for the employees (at least at the beginning).
I wish them luck and hope they will make progress fast.
...that they used Windows XP with SP2, which is pretty much the newest Windows available (not considering Server 2003) and not the newest Versions of the tested Linux-Distros?
SuSE is available as 9.2 (newer 2.6 kernel, newer KDE, etc. pp.) and Mandrake as 10.1 (as far as I know).
...well, then lets hope we wont get DDoSed (or slashdotted) by any interplanetary scriptkiddies or get hacked and used for a DDOS against, uhhmm..Alpha Centauri...
Ultima Online might not have that eyecandy 3d-graphics or earcandy sound...but its still my favourite as well.
IMHO it has depth and the possibilty to make real RP, the other (granted, I never played them or at least not really long) didnt really appeal to me.
Origin made a breakthrough (I am aware, there were some before Origin) and brought MMORPG to the masses.
And before someone just thinks about arguing that UO is only "l33t roXor wtf n00b"-stuff...there are really good Freeshards out there (something that will be possible with the upcoming MMORPGs?) and the newer games will end up like that as well (even start with it)...
no, if the game already existed in windows for a certain time and they want money from you again for the linux-version...
In this case most likely the people bought the windows version, especially if you havent announced a ported version!
yes, if they release a new game and tell people that there will be a port...
In this case, people with linux might wait and buy the ported version!
If you are really really smart and want to please your costumer (which is nowadays not that popular though) you give them CDs or DVDs with BOTH...linux installer and windows installer...
To your other questions...see above...ported games are more stable, more featurerich (or fully featured because not emulated*) and speedier...compared to emulated* ones.
So, I am pretty sure, that they sell their games big time, especially if they support both, and wont lose that much to WineX...
just my thoughts...
scheuri
*Wine is not an emulator...though...I call it like that...
I am really wondering...did you manage to solve the font issue for Starcraft in BattleNet?
well, for some reason people (like me) have some difficutlies running one or more of your listed games...
why arent you giving out your specs (hw and sw) and give us some hints how you installed them? Point to Play? config-files of WineX?
...where developers have a glance at the new OpenGL?
such changes are perfect to look around instead of hurrying to the next "standard"-MS-stuff....with some luck game devs might see, that OpenGL is neither dead nor old-fashioned!
well, there is hope...even if it is just a little!
...although I enjoyed some of the jokes here, I must admit that the "fear" and the concern of people wanting more privacy and the protection of it are right...
how the h*ll did he manage to get that information?
he used GPS? but the mobile is communicating with the mobile-antennas...isnt it?
so, if he is able to get her signal (or at least the one of the mobile) does that mean every single person on planet earth can be tracked by everybody else easily?
I dont know...but it will be a hard time to explain me how not everybody is able to do so, after that...gentleman...was capable of stalking in such a manner.
...isnt there a grammar checking module available already?
in OOo 1.1.2 (or even earlier) you can download it within the program.
OOoDict...that is the keyword, isnt it?
AFAIK I am not only using a grammar checker, also thesaurus.
granted, it may not that easy to install as it is in MS Word...because you have to download it first and configure a bit...
Slashdot Mirror
Nope, it is Debian based! -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S... and http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/201...
That is what I thought first, too. Well, I still think it is a very interesting angle on social engineering as you put it.
However, if you do that with a large enough company to get "undetected" (assuming smaller companies would recognise something fishy is going on) there should be a large risk that this laptop goes to the IT-people first to get completely altered to companies standards.
That usually should mean complete format and using an image of whatever the company is using as client OS. So there goes your malware (at least most of it).
So I am very confident that this has to be taken into account.
Will they be shutting down the coming next 10 years?
SCNR...it is bad for the devs at 3d, but still...it opens a whole new series of jokes.
scheuri
As far as I recall correctly IE7 was supposed to be forced on Windows (XP) as well and was IIRC shipped with Windows Vista.
Now IE8 is forced by Windows Update
Now how is this going to change ANYTHING at all if millions and millions (okay, not that many, but you get my point) of pirated (and even not pirated) copies of Windows XP will not be updated...ever.
Remember the near uprising when windows 98 was not supported anymore. While I was "what, you still use that" thousand of people still were "Hey, I am using this...it just works...I never touched it".
Why is this different?
First of all...when it can be turned on, it can be turned off again. Simple rule. I have a hard time believing that turning this thing off again is not possible.
Second...why are cells stolen? Mainly because their sim card? I doubt it. Because people call their mobile company telling them the sim got stolen and it should be blocked or something. In other words, the sim card should be rendered useless. Therefore thiefs are after the mobile phone itself to sell it.
Soooo...the only "harm" being done is, that you lost your mobile phone and data. Whereas data might be sensitive you MIGHT think about securing your mobile a bit better. It is the same with laptops in my opinion. If electronical devices care sensitive data, you look after them WAY better!
I think this is just a way to increase cell phone sales!
Why? Simple...if that screaming really can not be turned of easily enough then the cell phone is useless...to the thief as well as the righteous owner. So, beside of playing pranks to "friends" by turning on the screaming and making them buying a new cell anyway...a theft leads to a brand new cell.
Just imaging you lost your mobile thinking it was stolen and you turn that screaming on...you lost a mobile phone.
The way with all the text messages all over you ("this mobile got/is knicked") seems kinda better as the false positivs do not necessarily lead into a buy of a new mobile phone.
Well, I dont like the idea...
In my opinion "Installing a Linux distribution" is not the biggest problem anymore.
The graphical installation GUIs are uprising and the ncurses installation "GUIs" are very common (and in my opinion totally sufficent).
What is more a problen is:
Which software does what and what kind of linux software does make the same like the software I was used to before? How is it named and how do I install it (and I dont mean "make install", I mean distribution based install)?
so long
YOU....
"This item is not on stock, it will be delivered within 14 days to your home"
or
"This item is on Stock. Delivery will take 5 days to you"
or
"New at Amazone Grocery! The talking Meat by Bestseller Author Dan Brown! Coming out next month"
oh well, this is going to be funny...:)
14 computers sounds quite fair to handle...however, its up to you how much time you are willing to dedicate into that network or infrastrucure.
As it has been said several times:
1) Check out was is NEEDED, not what YOU (or other) want...make a list.
2) Check this list you made with the teacher...are there alternatives within Ubuntu or Edubuntu (as an example)
3) check the hardware...is it possible to run XP, Ubuntu or whatever might be possible (see 1) and 2)) or do you need to upgrade anyway?
3a) if you need to upgrade, why not taking the licenses that comes with the new stuff (unless you build them yourself)
4) lets suggests, that there are none or minor upgrades to be done: Use a LIVE-CD to check out if hardware is working.
5) Use a Live-CD (eg. ubuntu or edubuntu) to check if the list at 1) is matched and if pupils and teachers are okay using that stuff...if it fails, back to Win98 or whatever is used right now.
I am no fan of Windows, but I am very uneasy if it comes to change from one OS to another in a hurry at an area where I dont have full responsibility...if it fails, linux won't get a second chance there anytime soon and you won't be let near those computers (if that is a drawback or not to you, is another story).
Therefore I suggest you to use Live-CDs to check out how people react on the new OS and applications and if the hardware is able to cope with whatever OS you choose.
Just take your time to reconsider all options and prepare everything well...there is nothing more deadly than to do something like a change of OS-flavour in a hurry.
Good luck
Well, most of the documents which are scanned in and needs to be safed are documents which are not likely to change every month or not even every year, right?
So all the medical data, licenses, diplomas, certificates of any kind can be stored on a CD as well...right?
I still believe that CDs are easier to access on all kind of computers (which computer does NOT have CD-ROM?) and are not that OS-dependent (or driver dependent, whatever). Whereas with flash drives you just might be unlucky enough not to access your data anymore. AND CDs might be just able to survive more than a flash drive (eg. water).
As for encryption...why not using a opensource program which is available for linux AND windows and put it on the CD or flash drive as well? So, encrypt your data with that programm and the only thin YOU need to remember is the password, which might just be choosen easy enough not to be cracked within minutes. You wont put that CD or stick outside a safe anyway in non-emergency days, right?
I must admit that I'd choose a CD-ROM with all my data, encrypt the data, put it in a safe (or even banksafe) and exchange it every...lets say...2 years (with more updated date even). No need to worry if the gouverment or my helpful friend next door might just help me getting back my info from a CD.
just my 2 cents
ehrm...ya...thanks....*blushes*
- Everything is better in Wien .. Wine, Chocolate, Food, Trains, Art, Music, Chocolate, Chocolate, and Chocolate.
Oh, Austria makes chocolat, too?
a swiss citizen
I like the idea and the approach, that the city turn s to linux on the desktop AND using a own distro for this.
After all, with this everything is implemented THEY need, nothing more and nothing less...they take advantage of the biggest advantage of OSS:
Choice!
Instead of using a company or existing product per se (I know, its based in Debian), they changed it to their needs and they offer a voluntary change for the employees (at least at the beginning).
I wish them luck and hope they will make progress fast.
of course they do, what do you think??
You even get the golden badge if you manage to do everything in the plan with a pocket-knive, a piece of cord and a small first aid kit!
I am acutally heading for that one...any volunteers?
Why can't they be like Debian? Those CDs, you can pass on to your children and they're still current.
<BR><BR>
you mean like...CDs for Windows XP?
...that they used Windows XP with SP2, which is pretty much the newest Windows available (not considering Server 2003) and not the newest Versions of the tested Linux-Distros?
SuSE is available as 9.2 (newer 2.6 kernel, newer KDE, etc. pp.) and Mandrake as 10.1 (as far as I know).
well, I am just wondering...
cheers
scheuri
...well, then lets hope we wont get DDoSed (or slashdotted) by any interplanetary scriptkiddies or get hacked and used for a DDOS against, uhhmm..Alpha Centauri...
scnr
scheuri
I have to agree...
Ultima Online might not have that eyecandy 3d-graphics or earcandy sound...but its still my favourite as well.
IMHO it has depth and the possibilty to make real RP, the other (granted, I never played them or at least not really long) didnt really appeal to me.
Origin made a breakthrough (I am aware, there were some before Origin) and brought MMORPG to the masses.
And before someone just thinks about arguing that UO is only "l33t roXor wtf n00b"-stuff...there are really good Freeshards out there (something that will be possible with the upcoming MMORPGs?) and the newer games will end up like that as well (even start with it)...
so...imho...UO is still a go...;)
well...yes and no (to your first question)
no, if the game already existed in windows for a certain time and they want money from you again for the linux-version...
In this case most likely the people bought the windows version, especially if you havent announced a ported version!
yes, if they release a new game and tell people that there will be a port...
In this case, people with linux might wait and buy the ported version!
If you are really really smart and want to please your costumer (which is nowadays not that popular though) you give them CDs or DVDs with BOTH...linux installer and windows installer...
To your other questions...see above...ported games are more stable, more featurerich (or fully featured because not emulated*) and speedier...compared to emulated* ones.
So, I am pretty sure, that they sell their games big time, especially if they support both, and wont lose that much to WineX...
just my thoughts...
scheuri
*Wine is not an emulator...though...I call it like that...
I am really wondering...did you manage to solve the font issue for Starcraft in BattleNet?
well, for some reason people (like me) have some difficutlies running one or more of your listed games...
why arent you giving out your specs (hw and sw) and give us some hints how you installed them? Point to Play? config-files of WineX?
thanks a lot... scheuri
...where developers have a glance at the new OpenGL?
such changes are perfect to look around instead of hurrying to the next "standard"-MS-stuff....with some luck game devs might see, that OpenGL is neither dead nor old-fashioned!
well, there is hope...even if it is just a little!
...although I enjoyed some of the jokes here, I must admit that the "fear" and the concern of people wanting more privacy and the protection of it are right...
how the h*ll did he manage to get that information?
he used GPS? but the mobile is communicating with the mobile-antennas...isnt it?
so, if he is able to get her signal (or at least the one of the mobile) does that mean every single person on planet earth can be tracked by everybody else easily?
I dont know...but it will be a hard time to explain me how not everybody is able to do so, after that...gentleman...was capable of stalking in such a manner.
...I would be happy if they just consider to make a port... thre isnt a port planned, is there?
...is there a chance she really reads this??
oh my, you lucky bastard....
...isnt there a grammar checking module available already? in OOo 1.1.2 (or even earlier) you can download it within the program. OOoDict...that is the keyword, isnt it? AFAIK I am not only using a grammar checker, also thesaurus. granted, it may not that easy to install as it is in MS Word...because you have to download it first and configure a bit...