In all reality, there is little reason for PCs to ship with multi-button mice. I did technical support for 3 years and you would not believe the odd silence, tantarums, and general ignorance exposed when asking someone (who's had their computer for two years) to 'right click' on an icon. I would say a solid third of the people I dealt with had never used that mouse button and confused by it.
I use a Apple keyboard on my PC, so I can't blame a Apple user using a PC mouse. Thank god for USB, eh?;-)
Regardless, if you have a box that is stuck running an older OS, software build, etc, then it's likely a server. It does not matter what browser you have installed on the box, since you probably shouldn't be browsing the web with it to begin with.
If it were my network, a server dedicated to a specific task wouldn't have blanket net/proxy access to begin with. Security on the application level is secondary to having it wrapped snuggly in a set of firewall rules; not only to protect the box from outside intruders, but to protect it from a silly admin who wants to browse the web in IE from it.
Yeah they were. It's amazing how many noobs come to slashdot to complain about how expensive things are.
Little do they realize, upgrading isn't a requirement until they actually have an application that demands it. Especially nowadays. I interact with a systems ranging from 400mhz to 3.2ghz daily, after 1ghz it seems most non-game applications run about the same (assuming you have enough ram). It only seems to matter when I launch BF1942 or UT2004.;)
Something else I thought was funny, I picked up a 16MB USB drive for $9.00 last week. To think, I spent $744 for the same amount of ram only about 9 years ago. That was at our store's cost, too.
Next time, try just asking. 'Doctor, I read that the usual dosage for this is higher, so I was curious. Can you tell me a little about it?'
That's actually what I did, mentioned it in the parent. My problem was with his response basically telling me not to read about this stuff online. There was no further explanation, thus I found a new doctor.
It's not like someone put a gun to your head and said you have to upgrade.
Your best bet is to research before buying. We've known for a while that AGP is not going to be the fastest option for much longer.
Anyway, for a game box or workstation, there is no need to spend more than $170 for the highest end, basic, motherboard of the day. That'll get you a fine overclocking board with SATA RAID, network card, all the ports you need, etc.
My advice: Ignore marketing, buy what you need, and always tweak your system to the fullest. Accept the fact that your gear will depreciate in value quickly.
The last time I was grumpy over innovation was spending almost $400 on a first generation Matrox card, just to have to turn around a year later and pay $300 for a 3DFX card. $700 worth of video in a PPro200, which was ~ $1500 for the motherboard and CPU. It was the 'best' for a short time, then old, now worthless.
Re:See a doctor
on
Cyberchondria
·
· Score: 3, Insightful
Seriously, not everything is a conspiracy, people are just human.
Right. Humans that like golf, boats, and big houses.
I do not trust a typical doctor any more than an auto mechanic. I'm sure my mechanic doesn't want me getting online and reading about the quality differences in his OEM parts versus brand named ones, either.
Re:See a doctor
on
Cyberchondria
·
· Score: 4, Informative
Funny, the next doctor I went to said he had never heard of that low a dosage before, too.
I'm not sure what you are trying to prove. There are plenty of independant studies of drug effects online. Not that they are any more factual than anything a particular doctor's word, but when I present a doctor with a question about my dosage, then get a blanket answer to not read online, I assume he doesn't have a more intelligent answer and find services elsewhere.
I questioned my dosage after continuing to worsen in my condition, which took a U-turn as soon as I was on the recommended dosage.
So what's your point again? So I saved myself further pain and frustration by finding out my particular doctor was making up his own dosages, then giving to me without explanation. Perhaps you and 30 other trolls could inject further wisdom about how wrong I was. Right.
Re:See a doctor
on
Cyberchondria
·
· Score: 5, Interesting
Doctors vists are a great way to get piece of mind, which IMO is well worth the cost/hassle.
While this is true, I do not trust a doctor to not make mistakes. For instance, my reading online has caused friction between myself and a doctor I used to visit. He gave me a presciption, I looked it up online, found the dosage he gave me was far smaller than anything I had seen written. Upon asking him about it, he advised not reading websites when it comes to drugs. What about the drug company's website? What if you are curious how the drug works or how it was tested before coming to the market? How about the LD50 and side effects in animal testing? What about alternative medications? Ah yes, the doctor isn't making a profit if he's not pushing sheepish patients out the door as quickly as possible, with no questions.
I will tend to take a doctor's advice, but no doctor's opinion is absolute. I would like to know why he chose a particular drug and dosage. I would also like to know some things about the medication that most people would prefer not to think about. While I wish I could find myself in a stupor of feeling comfort in what other people tell me, I can not escape the need to verify information given to me from multiple sources.
Agreed. My friends and I all build all our own systems, and most take some sense of pride in having a nice, custom system once it's done.
I tend to update some components at times when I need to squeeze every bit of power out of the system. For instance, I will often buy a next-generation graphics card when it's line is brand new, but hold off replacing the CPU, Mobo, and RAM. This way, there's a constant rise in FPS and system speed, without having to throw down a big chunk of change for a new system every year.
There is also the visual appearance of your machine. There's no point in replacing a stylish Lian Li case you spent a lot of time working on with a dremel or adding sound dampening materials to. If the case looks good, functions well, etc -- then it can remain a fixture on your desk until the ATX standard is no longer used. The same goes with your PSU, assuming you get one that is of premium quality and has enough wattage to safely power a system for several more years.
I often refer to the cost of upgrading my gaming system to upgrading my secondary computer, which will inherit all of the main system's components. Any parts that aren't immediately used go into the closet as spares, loaners, or freebies for friends.
None of this is possible with a $3300 laptop. When you want a better video card in 2 years, then you have to go spend another $3k for a whole new laptop. None of the parts, except for the HDD will likely be useful. Even then, a 7200 RPM 60GB drive won't be something you will want to put in a brand-new laptop in a couple of years. You could stick it on Ebay and hope some sucker bids more than it's worth.
"Looking for a little weekend reading? You might try the cover story from this week's NY Times Magazine. It's titled The Virus Underground, and it takes a look at the world of malware scripters, virus writers and worm designers."
It's not a "world". It's something someone does when they sit down at a desk. I really wish the things some geeks do would quit being portrayed with such silly words.
Over-dramatized, to portray an image that is very rarely accurate. It's, most often, some boring person with a bone to pick with the system or a company. Yeah, so they used code instead of throwing a brick through a window. That doesn't make them any more interesting than a teenager bashing a mailbox.
I'd suggest modding the parent up. There are not many good reasons for having port 22 (or whatever port you happen to run your sshd on) open to the world. You can, easily, configure your FW to only allow access from certain IPs or subnets.
Sadly, most people who probably think port knocking is great security probably have yet to learn how to use DSA keys.
Personally, I keep a DSA key on a keychain USB device and only allow one IP access to my sshd. This is adequate to satisfy my level of paranoia.
Aside from shopping sites and very random, hard to find things, I don't see where Google is so important when it comes to being broken.
Most businesses seem to use the web as an extension of their brick and mortar business. It's a place you visit when you need extended information on a company or a quick way to communicate with a corporate office.
Simply putting your site on your next batch of business cards will probably produce more relevant visits to your site than having every person who typed a word that happens to match with your advertising scheme with Google.
For instance, if I am going to do research on window curtains, I will probably hit up a few big brick and mortar store's websites, then go check out the products in person. Since the big corporations seem to be the only people running stores these days, it would seem that most people would know what is in their area without the assistance of the web (except for driving directions). Most folks would know Linens 'n Things, Bed Bath 'n Beyond, Riches, Target, Walmart, etc have such items and would not need to do a blanket search on Google for 'window curtains'.
Personally, when I do a search and see where a company obviously paid for their search location, I will rarely visit. I tend to assume they are just concerned about getting a bunch of hits for banners and redirection to sites I would have already visited on my own.
I know it's important to some web-only, small companies without a well-known name. But this is not something I would consider 'make or break' on a wide scale. It sounds more like a case of a small minority making a majority of noise over something they do not think is fair.
Most of the non-technies I know are pro-outsourcing to India due to the illusion they will save money on their ISP or support bills. After the market has demonstrated that this practice does absolutely nothing for the end-user experience, since the suppply and demand metric is what controls prices. Show me one ISP or software company that's dropped it's prices since this practice began.
But I digress, I've all but quit helping people due to this broad attitude of "too bad for them".
I'm small, yes. But I'm bitter and angry, so screw 'em. They can talk to the Indians. >:-O
Do you actually think they run another line for a business-class account?
I think that's the point, exactly. There are others paying for the bandwidth, while some kid with a hacked firmware is, in essence, stealing it.
Just because it's there, does not mean it's there for the taking. If you need the extra bandwidth, don't steal it. Buy it.
Also, just because the cable modem ring concept is flawed and difficult to control, by design, that does not make it justifyable to steal from them any more than it does to steal from music artists by downloading Mp3's. If you are going to be a criminal, don't play like it's not wrong. Accept that it's wrong, and get your kicks on the idea you stole something. That's less sick than the relentless and asinine justification I see all through this thread.
I apologize for, maybe, missing the point but after looking at a few portions of the article, I am beginning to wonder why. For instance:
RFID isn't a household word today, but within the next few years manufacturers hope to put it into many household products.
Why would these be needed in 'household products'? I understand they want to track merchandise, but this could be accomplished by putting an RFID sticker on the bottom of the product. That way, you take it home and tear the sticker off when you take it out of the box.
Perhaps, for clothing, just put an RFID on the main tag. I've worked for a clothing store who used the locking pin security devices found in most stores. They work wonderfully, as you have to destroy the garment to steal it and it only costs a couple of thousand to enough of those things to last a lifetime. I do not see the flaw that needs a new product, not in regards to clothing.
Both Wal-Mart and the US military have already told their hundred largest suppliers that cartons and pallets must be equipped with unique RFID tags by January 2005.
This is what I would like to see RFID used for. This will really speed things up at distribution centers, as a forklift coming off a trailer will simple have to drive through the dock doors (assuming the sensor would be there) to put an entry in the company's database saying "this pallet entered the building", meanwhile the operator keys into the computer on his forklift the actual product count.
For people who will "bite" and say something about computers on forklifts, they have been around for over a decade. I know, I fabricated a prototype mounting platform for a small, wireless computer back in 92. They had blueish LED displays, and were shaped similar to an old RS Model 100 portable, but housed in a sturdy black metal case. I made a nice adapter for Crowne forklifts that allowed the operator to swivel, tilt, and adjust it to his/her most comfortable viewing position. Too bad I didn't know anything about patents back then. They started using this design at all their distribution centers, which equates to thousands of lift trucks.:O
I do not miss working for Kraft foods. We had weekly 'rallies' where the managers would have a guest speaker. The most memorable one was Penske (wealthy bastard) came to tell us what a great job we were doing, then proceeded to talk about efficiency for the next 45 minutes. More often than not, everyone left with a broken sense of pride due to wealthy investors talking to us like we were children. It seemed that after every meeting, new poop would appear on the bathroom walls.
True. I'm just going by my personal dealings. I'm 31 and had one credit card from 20-24. I was 28 by the time I had paid it off (thank you tech boom stock options!). After that, I never got another credit card. They are nice when you are in a bind, but are a nightmare later on. All that money could go to a house, car, retirement, etc.
I've decided the only credit I need will be related to car and mortgages. I'll just live skinny when I have to, but never build up debt unless absolutely needed (like if I was going to lose everthing, otherwise).
I spent a good part of my afternoon visiting pages linked to that google logo. The first page of results was so slow, and half the links were timing out.
I wondered why they didn't just return random results from the first 20-30 pages of links. That would have seemed more respectful to the poor bastards running sites off freebie dial-up and university hosting accounts.
"I live in a 4 storey building, and pretty much everyone in this building is into gaming and computers. I have just received, through the death of a great aunt, about $7,000."
I would suggest putting that $7k towards your retirement. Invest it in a solid fund or IRA. This would be much wiser than blowing it on a technology that will be outdated in a couple of years.
Seems like I got a watch that just tells time, and saved $1000. The advantage to the expecsive analogs is what exactly?
I think the previous poster summed it up. I would rather have a mechanical work of art on my wrist than a silicon gadget. Most of the higher end watches are not priced so high because of the brand-name, but for the materials and difficulty in producing them.
If you spend $400 on a GPS watch and it breaks, you are SOL if it's not under warranty. There will be no place to buy a replacement crystal lens or case. The only option would to be replacement.
I'll leave the $15 Casio for people with a Bill Gates sense of style.
Slashdot Mirror
I think he was kidding around about it.
;-)
In all reality, there is little reason for PCs to ship with multi-button mice. I did technical support for 3 years and you would not believe the odd silence, tantarums, and general ignorance exposed when asking someone (who's had their computer for two years) to 'right click' on an icon. I would say a solid third of the people I dealt with had never used that mouse button and confused by it.
I use a Apple keyboard on my PC, so I can't blame a Apple user using a PC mouse. Thank god for USB, eh?
Download a Mozilla installation?
Regardless, if you have a box that is stuck running an older OS, software build, etc, then it's likely a server. It does not matter what browser you have installed on the box, since you probably shouldn't be browsing the web with it to begin with.
If it were my network, a server dedicated to a specific task wouldn't have blanket net/proxy access to begin with. Security on the application level is secondary to having it wrapped snuggly in a set of firewall rules; not only to protect the box from outside intruders, but to protect it from a silly admin who wants to browse the web in IE from it.
Yeah they were. It's amazing how many noobs come to slashdot to complain about how expensive things are.
;)
Little do they realize, upgrading isn't a requirement until they actually have an application that demands it. Especially nowadays. I interact with a systems ranging from 400mhz to 3.2ghz daily, after 1ghz it seems most non-game applications run about the same (assuming you have enough ram). It only seems to matter when I launch BF1942 or UT2004.
Something else I thought was funny, I picked up a 16MB USB drive for $9.00 last week. To think, I spent $744 for the same amount of ram only about 9 years ago. That was at our store's cost, too.
Next time, try just asking. 'Doctor, I read that the usual dosage for this is higher, so I was curious. Can you tell me a little about it?'
That's actually what I did, mentioned it in the parent. My problem was with his response basically telling me not to read about this stuff online. There was no further explanation, thus I found a new doctor.
It's not like someone put a gun to your head and said you have to upgrade.
Your best bet is to research before buying. We've known for a while that AGP is not going to be the fastest option for much longer.
Anyway, for a game box or workstation, there is no need to spend more than $170 for the highest end, basic, motherboard of the day. That'll get you a fine overclocking board with SATA RAID, network card, all the ports you need, etc.
My advice: Ignore marketing, buy what you need, and always tweak your system to the fullest. Accept the fact that your gear will depreciate in value quickly.
The last time I was grumpy over innovation was spending almost $400 on a first generation Matrox card, just to have to turn around a year later and pay $300 for a 3DFX card. $700 worth of video in a PPro200, which was ~ $1500 for the motherboard and CPU. It was the 'best' for a short time, then old, now worthless.
Seriously, not everything is a conspiracy, people are just human.
Right. Humans that like golf, boats, and big houses.
I do not trust a typical doctor any more than an auto mechanic. I'm sure my mechanic doesn't want me getting online and reading about the quality differences in his OEM parts versus brand named ones, either.
Funny, the next doctor I went to said he had never heard of that low a dosage before, too.
I'm not sure what you are trying to prove. There are plenty of independant studies of drug effects online. Not that they are any more factual than anything a particular doctor's word, but when I present a doctor with a question about my dosage, then get a blanket answer to not read online, I assume he doesn't have a more intelligent answer and find services elsewhere.
I questioned my dosage after continuing to worsen in my condition, which took a U-turn as soon as I was on the recommended dosage.
So what's your point again? So I saved myself further pain and frustration by finding out my particular doctor was making up his own dosages, then giving to me without explanation. Perhaps you and 30 other trolls could inject further wisdom about how wrong I was. Right.
Doctors vists are a great way to get piece of mind, which IMO is well worth the cost/hassle.
While this is true, I do not trust a doctor to not make mistakes. For instance, my reading online has caused friction between myself and a doctor I used to visit. He gave me a presciption, I looked it up online, found the dosage he gave me was far smaller than anything I had seen written. Upon asking him about it, he advised not reading websites when it comes to drugs. What about the drug company's website? What if you are curious how the drug works or how it was tested before coming to the market? How about the LD50 and side effects in animal testing? What about alternative medications? Ah yes, the doctor isn't making a profit if he's not pushing sheepish patients out the door as quickly as possible, with no questions.
I will tend to take a doctor's advice, but no doctor's opinion is absolute. I would like to know why he chose a particular drug and dosage. I would also like to know some things about the medication that most people would prefer not to think about. While I wish I could find myself in a stupor of feeling comfort in what other people tell me, I can not escape the need to verify information given to me from multiple sources.
I always imagined the EMP gun frying itself.
Good for you. I hope when you sell the car you inform the buyer.
The worst of scum are the people who run mod chips in their car for several years, put the original back in, then trade the car in at a dealership.
If you do this, you are really screwing someone. Sleep well now, for karma will visit later.
Agreed. My friends and I all build all our own systems, and most take some sense of pride in having a nice, custom system once it's done.
I tend to update some components at times when I need to squeeze every bit of power out of the system. For instance, I will often buy a next-generation graphics card when it's line is brand new, but hold off replacing the CPU, Mobo, and RAM. This way, there's a constant rise in FPS and system speed, without having to throw down a big chunk of change for a new system every year.
There is also the visual appearance of your machine. There's no point in replacing a stylish Lian Li case you spent a lot of time working on with a dremel or adding sound dampening materials to. If the case looks good, functions well, etc -- then it can remain a fixture on your desk until the ATX standard is no longer used. The same goes with your PSU, assuming you get one that is of premium quality and has enough wattage to safely power a system for several more years.
I often refer to the cost of upgrading my gaming system to upgrading my secondary computer, which will inherit all of the main system's components. Any parts that aren't immediately used go into the closet as spares, loaners, or freebies for friends.
None of this is possible with a $3300 laptop. When you want a better video card in 2 years, then you have to go spend another $3k for a whole new laptop. None of the parts, except for the HDD will likely be useful. Even then, a 7200 RPM 60GB drive won't be something you will want to put in a brand-new laptop in a couple of years. You could stick it on Ebay and hope some sucker bids more than it's worth.
"Looking for a little weekend reading? You might try the cover story from this week's NY Times Magazine. It's titled The Virus Underground, and it takes a look at the world of malware scripters, virus writers and worm designers."
It's not a "world". It's something someone does when they sit down at a desk. I really wish the things some geeks do would quit being portrayed with such silly words.
Over-dramatized, to portray an image that is very rarely accurate. It's, most often, some boring person with a bone to pick with the system or a company. Yeah, so they used code instead of throwing a brick through a window. That doesn't make them any more interesting than a teenager bashing a mailbox.
Not really. If I were the resident InfoSec geek, I would probably catch the traffic on Snort and go have a talk with them.
I didn't say you couldn't have both. I'm just speaking as for being sufficient in most scenarios. :)
I'd suggest modding the parent up. There are not many good reasons for having port 22 (or whatever port you happen to run your sshd on) open to the world. You can, easily, configure your FW to only allow access from certain IPs or subnets.
Sadly, most people who probably think port knocking is great security probably have yet to learn how to use DSA keys.
Personally, I keep a DSA key on a keychain USB device and only allow one IP access to my sshd. This is adequate to satisfy my level of paranoia.
Aside from shopping sites and very random, hard to find things, I don't see where Google is so important when it comes to being broken.
Most businesses seem to use the web as an extension of their brick and mortar business. It's a place you visit when you need extended information on a company or a quick way to communicate with a corporate office.
Simply putting your site on your next batch of business cards will probably produce more relevant visits to your site than having every person who typed a word that happens to match with your advertising scheme with Google.
For instance, if I am going to do research on window curtains, I will probably hit up a few big brick and mortar store's websites, then go check out the products in person. Since the big corporations seem to be the only people running stores these days, it would seem that most people would know what is in their area without the assistance of the web (except for driving directions). Most folks would know Linens 'n Things, Bed Bath 'n Beyond, Riches, Target, Walmart, etc have such items and would not need to do a blanket search on Google for 'window curtains'.
Personally, when I do a search and see where a company obviously paid for their search location, I will rarely visit. I tend to assume they are just concerned about getting a bunch of hits for banners and redirection to sites I would have already visited on my own.
I know it's important to some web-only, small companies without a well-known name. But this is not something I would consider 'make or break' on a wide scale. It sounds more like a case of a small minority making a majority of noise over something they do not think is fair.
Most of the non-technies I know are pro-outsourcing to India due to the illusion they will save money on their ISP or support bills. After the market has demonstrated that this practice does absolutely nothing for the end-user experience, since the suppply and demand metric is what controls prices. Show me one ISP or software company that's dropped it's prices since this practice began.
But I digress, I've all but quit helping people due to this broad attitude of "too bad for them".
I'm small, yes. But I'm bitter and angry, so screw 'em. They can talk to the Indians. >:-O
Do you actually think they run another line for a business-class account?
I think that's the point, exactly. There are others paying for the bandwidth, while some kid with a hacked firmware is, in essence, stealing it.
Just because it's there, does not mean it's there for the taking. If you need the extra bandwidth, don't steal it. Buy it.
Also, just because the cable modem ring concept is flawed and difficult to control, by design, that does not make it justifyable to steal from them any more than it does to steal from music artists by downloading Mp3's. If you are going to be a criminal, don't play like it's not wrong. Accept that it's wrong, and get your kicks on the idea you stole something. That's less sick than the relentless and asinine justification I see all through this thread.
I apologize for, maybe, missing the point but after looking at a few portions of the article, I am beginning to wonder why. For instance:
:O
RFID isn't a household word today, but within the next few years manufacturers hope to put it into many household products.
Why would these be needed in 'household products'? I understand they want to track merchandise, but this could be accomplished by putting an RFID sticker on the bottom of the product. That way, you take it home and tear the sticker off when you take it out of the box.
Perhaps, for clothing, just put an RFID on the main tag. I've worked for a clothing store who used the locking pin security devices found in most stores. They work wonderfully, as you have to destroy the garment to steal it and it only costs a couple of thousand to enough of those things to last a lifetime. I do not see the flaw that needs a new product, not in regards to clothing.
Both Wal-Mart and the US military have already told their hundred largest suppliers that cartons and pallets must be equipped with unique RFID tags by January 2005.
This is what I would like to see RFID used for. This will really speed things up at distribution centers, as a forklift coming off a trailer will simple have to drive through the dock doors (assuming the sensor would be there) to put an entry in the company's database saying "this pallet entered the building", meanwhile the operator keys into the computer on his forklift the actual product count.
For people who will "bite" and say something about computers on forklifts, they have been around for over a decade. I know, I fabricated a prototype mounting platform for a small, wireless computer back in 92. They had blueish LED displays, and were shaped similar to an old RS Model 100 portable, but housed in a sturdy black metal case. I made a nice adapter for Crowne forklifts that allowed the operator to swivel, tilt, and adjust it to his/her most comfortable viewing position. Too bad I didn't know anything about patents back then. They started using this design at all their distribution centers, which equates to thousands of lift trucks.
I do not miss working for Kraft foods. We had weekly 'rallies' where the managers would have a guest speaker. The most memorable one was Penske (wealthy bastard) came to tell us what a great job we were doing, then proceeded to talk about efficiency for the next 45 minutes. More often than not, everyone left with a broken sense of pride due to wealthy investors talking to us like we were children. It seemed that after every meeting, new poop would appear on the bathroom walls.
True. I'm just going by my personal dealings. I'm 31 and had one credit card from 20-24. I was 28 by the time I had paid it off (thank you tech boom stock options!). After that, I never got another credit card. They are nice when you are in a bind, but are a nightmare later on. All that money could go to a house, car, retirement, etc.
I've decided the only credit I need will be related to car and mortgages. I'll just live skinny when I have to, but never build up debt unless absolutely needed (like if I was going to lose everthing, otherwise).
I spent a good part of my afternoon visiting pages linked to that google logo. The first page of results was so slow, and half the links were timing out.
I wondered why they didn't just return random results from the first 20-30 pages of links. That would have seemed more respectful to the poor bastards running sites off freebie dial-up and university hosting accounts.
%50 overrated after generating ~15 thread posts. Valid points on both sides of the fence. We have some extra-special moderators today. :-)
"I live in a 4 storey building, and pretty much everyone in this building is into gaming and computers. I have just received, through the death of a great aunt, about $7,000."
I would suggest putting that $7k towards your retirement. Invest it in a solid fund or IRA. This would be much wiser than blowing it on a technology that will be outdated in a couple of years.
Seems like I got a watch that just tells time, and saved $1000. The advantage to the expecsive analogs is what exactly?
I think the previous poster summed it up. I would rather have a mechanical work of art on my wrist than a silicon gadget. Most of the higher end watches are not priced so high because of the brand-name, but for the materials and difficulty in producing them.
If you spend $400 on a GPS watch and it breaks, you are SOL if it's not under warranty. There will be no place to buy a replacement crystal lens or case. The only option would to be replacement.
I'll leave the $15 Casio for people with a Bill Gates sense of style.
Some .mil and .gov websites hit port 113, still. I guess they want to make sure I'm not spoofing my username.. in windows... :)