Something's already fundamentally wrong with a first world country if it suddenly turns into a third world country when all contact with the USA is severed.
As far as the guns go, I'm sure you don't believe in that scenario yourself.
I don't understand why you've been modded down as a flamebait, because you are absolutely correct.
Nothing stresses a system like a CPU and memory intensive simulation that grinds out gigabytes of data every second. How about some serious physics like evaluating quantum wave-functions of complex systems using path integrals or the configuration interaction formalism.
This is yet another idiotc micromanaging laws from EU. The good thing is that these unenforceable laws will simply get ignored by the general population and the law-enforcement people alike.
So, nothing to worry about here. No need for a revolution - just ignore this stupid law and rip out those RFIDs.
Jesus Christ, stop it already. I mean I've seen rabid open source people before - a whole lot of them actually - but you gentoo types are just unbelievable.
Gartner and company MUST start factoring this in to the TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP of running Microsoft software.
Bullshit. Microsoft does not make any guarantees that their software is secure. Neither does Linux, by the way.
The last issue is that Microsoft is the worlds largest software maker with around 40 BILLION in the bank. What if they took around say 5 BILLION and really focused on their products security. I guess the question is why didn't they do that?
Because people in general will keep using their software even if they don't spend that 5 billion. Does that answer your question? It's all about the demand and supply. You may feel mad about it, but as long as millions and millions of users care more about the usability than security of the software it's not going to change. Yes. Those two are actually mutually exclusive properties.
In reply to: "So we should continously buy new hardware when older hardware will server because of a shallower learning curve?" and the rest of your comments)
You do realize that the explosion in the amazing computing power available to the masses is due to the improved ease of use. First step: you don't have to have a goddamn industrial hall and a power station for your computer. Second step: you don't have to program it by flipping a switch to input those zeros and ones. Use a punch card instead. Third step: use a keyboard and a mouse. Fourth step: you know the rest.
Running a (web) server should be made just as easy as running a program on your PC. Anything to achieve this goal is real progress.
Oh yeah, go for it anonymous coward - resort to namecalling. Well, in all likelyhood you and your fellow linux fanbois will eventually mod me down to oblivion for not bowing to the lunix-groupthink. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother...
Which is an unfair comparison since Linux is not as popular - and therefore not as exposed - as Windows.
speed, elegance and lack of overhead
Which is irrelevant given the increasing CPU power and network performance.
no real functional gain
It provides a shallower learning curve. I for one would not have neither the patience or inclination to learn how to set up a server with some goddamn script files.
The exploits in Windows were DEFECTS in the product.
And how would Linux, FreeBSD or even OpenBSD be different in this sense? Do you think that they are secure out of box? No. Install a vanilla RedHat, expose it to the net and you're just asking for trouble. You'll still have to up2date and then "wait for the latest patch and then immediately go and install it" with all the possible ill effects that might bring about.
Microsoft deserves the same treatment in the courts. Its the only true way they will EVER take security seriously.
The fact is that software engineering cannot be compared to nuts-and-bolts engbineering because of its complexity. Your example is thus void.
Microsoft has talked about security for too long, they're the boy crying wolf now
Neither LoveSan or SoBig is not Microsoft's fault. They had the patch ready months before a potential exploit became reality - the idiot system administrators who do not read security advisories are to blame.
I'll keep saying this until someone proves me wrong: if Linux were as prevalent and popular as Windows is today, we would be in exactly the same position because of the stupid system administrators.
I bet you're one of the people who thinks that Gnome is great because it's different from Windows GUI and KDE sucks because it looks like Windows (which it does not).
Face it. Windows GUI is a de facto standard. Break it and you'll just have trouble attracting the crowds to adopt Linux on desktop. If you don't care about crowds, well, why don't you go and hack HURD or something as useful instead.
I take it you are one of those linux-fanbois who still think Windows means Windows 95 first edition. XP is a damn robust system that is easy to use, Windows 2003 server is even better and I have no doubt that Longhorn will be a further improvement.
I've started compressing my DVDs only recently but I would definitely choose the latest DivX PRO over XviD or ffmpeg. The quality of a DivX compressed video is way better than that of XviD and the DivX compression codec is fast. One high quality pass with XviD takes about the same time as two high quality passes using DivX.
Sure XviD is open source. So what? As an end-user I don't do anything with the source.
Slashdot Mirror
As far as the guns go, I'm sure you don't believe in that scenario yourself.
I think the US nuclear subs/ships are still not allowed in New Zealand ports - in spite of significant pressure.
And you've got any evidence of this resistance, because I've seen absolutely nothing. Zero. Nada. Zilch.
So?
If you don't like the terms, nobody's forcing you to close the deal.
Nothing stresses a system like a CPU and memory intensive simulation that grinds out gigabytes of data every second. How about some serious physics like evaluating quantum wave-functions of complex systems using path integrals or the configuration interaction formalism.
That's exactly why I could never become a businessman.
I find the idea of screwing people over like that just abhorrent.
I buy lots of stuff from Amazon and I like the way they suggest books and movies I might be interested based on my previous purchases.
So, nothing to worry about here. No need for a revolution - just ignore this stupid law and rip out those RFIDs.
Since when was monopoly illegal?
Your car example is also getting tired. Comparing PC software (does not get people killed) to a car (gets people killed) is just ridiculous.
You sign to a contract, you've better live by it.
Jesus Christ, stop it already. I mean I've seen rabid open source people before - a whole lot of them actually - but you gentoo types are just unbelievable.
Well, based on the replies in this thread I'd say that the people who try it will, in general, switch over to Gentoo.
It is therefore highly recommended that you do not try SuSE - unless you like to have casual sex and get your kicks out of risking getting syphilis.
Bullshit. Microsoft does not make any guarantees that their software is secure. Neither does Linux, by the way.
The last issue is that Microsoft is the worlds largest software maker with around 40 BILLION in the bank. What if they took around say 5 BILLION and really focused on their products security. I guess the question is why didn't they do that?
Because people in general will keep using their software even if they don't spend that 5 billion. Does that answer your question? It's all about the demand and supply. You may feel mad about it, but as long as millions and millions of users care more about the usability than security of the software it's not going to change. Yes. Those two are actually mutually exclusive properties.
If it's a part of the top (crushed skull), that's not a problem. Just interpolate.
If it's a crushed face, then you've got some real trouble.
You do realize that the explosion in the amazing computing power available to the masses is due to the improved ease of use. First step: you don't have to have a goddamn industrial hall and a power station for your computer. Second step: you don't have to program it by flipping a switch to input those zeros and ones. Use a punch card instead. Third step: use a keyboard and a mouse. Fourth step: you know the rest.
Running a (web) server should be made just as easy as running a program on your PC. Anything to achieve this goal is real progress.
Oh yeah, go for it anonymous coward - resort to namecalling. Well, in all likelyhood you and your fellow linux fanbois will eventually mod me down to oblivion for not bowing to the lunix-groupthink. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother...
I've dealt with that argument above.
it's less secure then Linux...critical flaws
Which is an unfair comparison since Linux is not as popular - and therefore not as exposed - as Windows.
speed, elegance and lack of overhead
Which is irrelevant given the increasing CPU power and network performance.
no real functional gain
It provides a shallower learning curve. I for one would not have neither the patience or inclination to learn how to set up a server with some goddamn script files.
And yet it successfully competes with the stripped down command-line servers. What does this tell about the efficiency of the underlying structure?
I'd rather have an easy-to-administer GUI on a server than a use-your-unixmagic-to-edit-the-script-server even if it meant a slight performance drop
And how would Linux, FreeBSD or even OpenBSD be different in this sense? Do you think that they are secure out of box? No. Install a vanilla RedHat, expose it to the net and you're just asking for trouble. You'll still have to up2date and then "wait for the latest patch and then immediately go and install it" with all the possible ill effects that might bring about.
Microsoft deserves the same treatment in the courts. Its the only true way they will EVER take security seriously.
The fact is that software engineering cannot be compared to nuts-and-bolts engbineering because of its complexity. Your example is thus void.
Neither LoveSan or SoBig is not Microsoft's fault. They had the patch ready months before a potential exploit became reality - the idiot system administrators who do not read security advisories are to blame.
I'll keep saying this until someone proves me wrong: if Linux were as prevalent and popular as Windows is today, we would be in exactly the same position because of the stupid system administrators.
It's not the OS - it's the human factor.
Face it. Windows GUI is a de facto standard. Break it and you'll just have trouble attracting the crowds to adopt Linux on desktop. If you don't care about crowds, well, why don't you go and hack HURD or something as useful instead.
I take it you are one of those linux-fanbois who still think Windows means Windows 95 first edition. XP is a damn robust system that is easy to use, Windows 2003 server is even better and I have no doubt that Longhorn will be a further improvement.
BTW, try reporting something like that to the cops and they'll just say that there's nothing they can do - no crime has been committed, yet.
Sure XviD is open source. So what? As an end-user I don't do anything with the source.
It's just so funny that you are telling me that.