Not holding my breath. It's not that I don't have faith in the samba folks, but rather I accept that the company that BUILT the desktop might have the drop on server implementations necessary to manage said desktop.
Having a cause is nice, but then after you've fought for a couple years shoehorning your "kinda" products in to production, complete with their own unique and troublesome glitches, you begin to understand that the "Evil Software Company" may actually know a thing or two about their own desktop software. You stop wanting to fight problems for hours on end. You simply expect things to "just work", and to keep "just work"ing until something changes.
See, in IT administration, when you grow up you figure out that IT is less about tinkering with fun bits of tech, and more about making each dollar spent on IT return value to the company.
Now get off my lawn.
Funny, this is why I CHOOSE
Not holding my breath. It's not that I don't have faith in the samba folks, but rather I accept that the company that BUILT the desktop might have the drop on server implementations necessary to manage said desktop.
Having a cause is nice, but then after you've fought for a couple years shoehorning your "kinda" products in to production, complete with their own unique and troublesome glitches, you begin to understand that the "Evil Software Company" may actually know a thing or two about their own desktop software. You stop wanting to fight problems for hours on end. You simply expect things to "just work", and to keep "just work"ing until something changes.
See, in IT administration, when you grow up you figure out that IT is less about tinkering with fun bits of tech, and more about making each dollar spent on IT return value to the company.
Now get off my lawn.
Not holding my breath. It's not that I don't have faith in the samba folks, but rather I accept that the company that BUILT the desktop might have the drop on server implementations necessary to manage said desktop.
Having a cause is nice, but then after you've fought for a couple years shoehorning your "kinda" products in to production, complete with their own unique and troublesome glitches, you begin to understand that the "Evil Software Company" may actually know a thing or two about their own desktop software. You stop wanting to fight problems for hours on end. You simply expect things to "just work", and to keep "just work"ing until something changes.
See, in IT administration, when you grow up you figure out that IT is less about tinkering with fun bits of tech, and more about making each dollar spent on IT return value to the company.
Now get off my lawn.
...funny, that is EXACTLY why as an administrator I use Linux. I build a server,... And it keeps running.... 24/7..
By "Boring details" I assume he means the ability to follow a support script verbatim long after it has become amazingly obvious that it does not apply to the problem that needs to be solved.
I have it on both my laptops, and even installed it on a virtual machine on my work Mac.
BUT... I won't be recommending it to friends and family until they get the damn sound working immediately upon installation. If people can't use Flash and watch Youtube on it, it might as well be green letters on a black background.
Ummm, last time I installed Vista I couldn't even view a.pdf right from a base install, let alone Flash. What Koolaid ya drinkin' there Sparky?
I use it for worm control and attack detection on a corporate network: nothing wrong with that at all. It is completely untrue that the only application of DI is for spying or nefarious activity. Its like blaming bit torrent protocol for piracy. Again, it is use of the tool that is the problem.
D.I. is neither good or bad, it is the illegal or immoral application of the technology that is the problem. I really am amazed that no-one on a technology site noted that the heart of the debate on net neutrality is free speech, not deep inspection.
1) That is true, but it is also pretty close to the average. 5% is not a currently accepted figure, that info is quite old. Many of the market figures utilize only US sales data. Computers are a world wide market. Apple has a 8-10% share of that market. I don't know what the next couple years will bring, but I am guessing on around 15% - 20% market within 2 years (depending on the effect of Windows 7). I think 15% is the more likely number.
2) Also true, and I mostly agree. This is why I think investigating it is worth time. Alot of these companies have been burned by supporting the Mac platform in the past, and need to test the waters before supporting Mac. I am not a "typical" Mac user, so my purchase habits may not match the norm. I have noticed a shareware/electronic delivery preference among Mac users whereas Windows users seem to prefer a boxed product. This may lead to sluggish sales of Mac software from the Brick-and-Mortor gang. It may well be that these products just plain dont sell on the platform.
3) I will stand by the opinion that demographically Mac users tend to be a bit more affluent. If you can afford a new Prius you generally do not purchase a Ford Focus. I don't really think performance is a huge concern to most users as long as the system responds adequately. Price is probably the 1 out of 3 objection to Mac. This is because the price is expensive for alot of folks, they are not generally doing a cost/performance analysis. I agree that Mac plays the status/image game, no argument there.
Your simplification numbers are too simple.
You are cutting the Mac numbers basically in half:
http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=11
Win:
XP: 65.22%
Vista: 21.12%
2000: 1.47%
ttl: 88% est
Mac:
Intel-Based: 7.19%
Legacy: 2.44%
ttl: 10%
It seems to me that a 10% possible gain is well worth going after - Don't you wish YOUR income went up 10%?
Note also that those who buy expensive (Over $1000) computers are currently more likely to buy a Mac than a PC:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-9947501-37.html
I'm thinking entering a market with more high-income users would be a good move for any company.
That said, there are no guarantees, but it certainly a good market to look into.
These points are often true in professional realms as well. I can easily tell an actual reality based argument against using an OS solution VS Microsoft brain wash-drivel by talking to an admin or tech for a few mins. It really limits you professionally when you don't know when and when-not to use OS products. Not that I dislike MS at all. Your point c) is called unconscious incompetence: where you don't know what you don't know. An awesome point. No-one in education should be at that point.
I don't think the DRM changes will be a big deal unless it intrudes on the actual user experience. If the actual operation of the OS is hindered by DRM, then it will ruin ease of use and cause users to look elsewhere.
A good example is how itunes works vs the old buymp3.com site. itunes is pretty easy to use, and I have not faced any arbitrary DRM limitations (buymp3 only allowed playback on the 2 initial computers and 3 CD burns -- this is draconian - and stupid, I could just burn the CD and re-encode it to mp3).
Apple is pretty good at UI, and hopefully has not made a major misstep, but I am going to keep an eye on the situation before buying my next Mac. If this new layer of DRM hinders usability, it's back to Ubuntu for me. I agree with so many others who posted here -- DRM only hurts the honest folk.
Points:
1) Hardcore gaming is not a concern of the majority of Windows users (and XP outperforms Vista there anyway). Linux has plenty of games (and at least in Ubuntu they are MUCH easier to install and do not have confusing and arbitrary DRM restrictions) for "casual" gamers, which the majority of Windows users are. The hardcore folks I will admit need Windows.
2) In Ubuntu I don't download drivers, It configures that for me automatically in 90% of the systems I installed it in (well over 50 systems - admittedly that last 10% really sucked).
3) I run MS Office and Outlook using Crossover. I really don't need to since I have never had problems using Open Office. We use Exchange 2007 sooo. I have to run Outlook + I actually like MS Office.
4) Ummm I think you better fact check. In business Linux is highly respected. Almost everyone and their mother is MS certified. I am as well, But I can also support Linux. This makes my skill set more desirable than a MS only admin: I can provide a much wider solution set to projects that may require interoperability or have small budgets with large requirements. Linux is good for business - and it is installed on appprox. 1 in 4 new servers. LINK:
http://news.cnet.com/IDC-Linux-server-sales-to-hit-9.1-billion-in-2008/2100-1010_3-5479681.html
I think Linux will continue make inroads as long as Microsoft continues down the road of "bigger is better" and continues to annoy users with registration nightmares and empty marketing ploys. Business-wise, the Server 2008 platform has some great features,and certainly is very competitive but their home market will continue to lose ground to OSX and Ubuntu if they don't start improving the average user's experience.
I also know a lot of self-described "hackers" who don't know their ass from their eyebrows when working in a real IT environment. I find that a cross between enthusiasm, know-how, and certification works well.
With no certs or educational achievements you are hurting your career options. I mean honestly if you are that good, your career is worth spending a lousy couple hundred on a cert that will help you get a job.
Of course, I've seen some super-certified idiots as well too.
mikkelm: As a network security administrator I have to mention that often security is implemented DESPITE the fact that has impact on user productivity. I generally operate off of the "One weak link" theory: if any machine on my network has poor security, it puts everything at risk. Sometimes I have to implement security measures because they are for the good of the organization as an entire entity. I spend hours agonizing over the impact that some of the policies and systems I implement have on productivity, and the folks at my work are very understanding about it. I'm glad I work with folk who know that I am looking out for their best interests and are willing to work out compromises instead of going negative. Usually I can find a middle ground to maintain security while providing availability that my guys need to get work done. Mikkelm's attitude would make it really frustrating to work in my environment.
That said. I would bring this issue up with the IT department first. I generally only encrypt drives if necessary; If you do not work with classified data I just would not waste my time. Maybe an alternate arrangement where only certain folders are encrypted could be made. We do this regularly by my work.
In my 9 years in technology I have always worked in places where the IT department was pretty well regarded: I think this is because the departments were not antagonistic towards each other and did not hold grudges.The seeming lack of communication between the poster and his IT dept. puzzles me; why post it on slashdot instead of communicating concerns to IT?
If your tech dept makes it difficult to communicate with them then there is a more serious issue here than just encryption -- they have a service issue.
If you scream to Slashdot before contacting your IT department, then maybe you have an issue.
Wow, though this story is not a perfect example of it the RIAA actually maintains that every time I rip an MP3 I am stealing it. Man!! I rip every CD I buy so I can play it on my MP3 player! This is a huge weight off my shoulders! Since I am stealing the music anyway according to the RIAA I might as well skip buying the CD's any more and just download it for free. Thanks guys!
Look, I know people say hard stuff is easy all the time, but it really is VERY FRIGGEN' easy to replace your internal wireless card in most laptops. We do it regularly at my work on our M class stuff when they get sick of PCMCIA cards or want G instead of B. The only ones that are a pain are IBM's which require a slight hack to accept a card different from the mfg. original Most of the time it is is as easy as popping off the cover, disconnecting 2 wires, removing the old card and installing and connecting the new one (Intel tends to work well). No soldering or special skills/tools required. It sure is hella cheaper than a new laptop (about $25 on eBay).
On the Broadcom cards, most Linux's have a step by step walk-through you can complete to install and configure ndiswrapper and the driver within 15 minutes if you can ACTUALLY FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS. It is not rocket science, It just requires the ability to focus. Really, seriously.
The wireless problems with Linux (I admit it should be easier) are no worse than the problems folks upgrading to Vista (better check that HCL!) are facing. It just requires a change in skill set.
Kind of a funny story considering some security venders claim Vista is less secure than XP:
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/soa/Microsof t-partner-Vista-less-secure-than-XP/0,130061733,33 9274261,00.htm
Based on my early experiences with Vista in our Beta roll out users are generally annoyed with Vista's security features and will likely turn them off once they are saavy enough to do so.
The VPN compatability problems they are having with major vendors such as Juniper's VPN solutions also give me reason for pause. Some users will basically start taking files home with him and emailing them to co-workers since they cannot use the VPN. This is a major concern when it involves personal data. Vista may be an improvement on the home front, but it is plain not ready for business.
I would hope that since anyone prosecuted as a child molester is punished for the rest of their lives (by being added to a registry) the highest level of care is taken to ensure that the right person is being arrested.
The RIAA should be held to task for accusing innocent people of criminal behavior.
Could you sue for Defamation if the RIAA sent a letter to your ISP and you ended up in court due to such a reckless method of determination?
I sure would try.
I am pretty sick of the free ride that the RIAA and MPAA have been given as far as infringing on the rights of individuals. Its about time they got a taste of their own legal
Just a quick response to this one. I understand your feelings on this, as it has brought some good to you. The majority of corperate welfare money however, goes overseas, and into the pockets of the wealthiest 5% of Americans. As a middle class citizen if I want to add an addition to my house, I have to pay for it myself even though it generates jobs. I suggest that multi millionaires should have to do the same.
Did you not read my post? Where in there did I say that poor people deserve more rights than anyone else? Where did I recommend theft? I did not. I suggest that our legal system should not be "bought" by the rich. I ask for a level playing field.
Should I assume from your post that you think all poor people should just be thrown in jail? No. I do not, please do not put words in my mouth, I put enough in for myself.
AGAIN, for the LAST TIME since you did not do your homework. She did not know that she was commiting an illegal act. She purchased her fileshare on a website which gives the impression that downloading songs from them is legitimate. She was mislead. This is a case of accidental infringement. Otherwise I would not be so caustic in my defense of her. I am still against the RIAA targeting individuals, but when they know what they are doing, it is their own lookout.
She did not steal the product the RIAA had to offer. She downloaded an MP3, She did not shoplift a CD. Again, READ AND COMPREHEND. You do not need to assume, it is spelled out. I mentioned the PUBLISHERS need to produce something the masses want to buy, not the artists. Obviously if people download MP3's, the artist made something they want. It was plainly written in my post. The publishers are not producing a product that as many people want as they used to, which is why CD sales are dropping. MP3's are replacing them. Instead of shifting their focus and selling MP3's at a reasonable cost download site, they have chosen to gain revenue by litigation, never a good sign in any industry.
As I don't have time to reply to every post, a quick note about my listening habits, as there has been some assumption. I own alot of CD's that I purchased legally, used and new. I regularly get my music from buymusic.com, because it is a nice legal, fair way to get my music. I do NOT fileshare music, because it is Illegal. Period.
Finally, please save the name calling for the schoolyard. It only relects on your poor breeding.
I stand corrected. I will definately check the RIAA radar out. I also like the idea of an organized boycott. Who wants to setup a site? I have some web space, but I dont think it can handle much traffic. Let me know. -NEXT TOPIC- I regularly download music from buymusic.com. It has some weaknesses (I had a bad CDR drive and wasted my burn limit on a couple of songs trying to burn them) but at least it is a step in the right direction. I am willing to pay a buck a song, but I really have a bad feeling giving any money to the RIAA vultures. Maybe I should go buy a cassette deck.:P
I am dazzled by the lack of knowledge by "Jerry"
(1) The child did not know she was stealing. A website fooled her into thinking she was downloading these songs legally. This is akin to someone setting up a fake checkout in a store. Who would be prosecuted in that case? I would imagine in any court in the land would prosecute the person who put up the fake checkout. She had no intent to break the law, and the website in question had intent to mislead her.
(2) In Jerry's opinion appearently there should be an income limit for owning computers. Tell me, how musch should one make before they are "allowed" a computer? How much did this computer cost? Thrift shops regularly sell 300mhz machines for around $100.00 in my area. Is it O.K. for a poor person to spend $100.00 on something that her child will need to gain job skills in the future? Or should poor kids just play with sticks and Boxes?
(3)This I find in particularly poor taste: The assumtion that public housing families are all on crack. Sorry buddy, not every poor person is on crack, just like not every rich person is a thief.
(4) Finally, how do you know the mother doesn't have a job? The vast majority of assistance recipients do work.
(5) Corporate welfare costs American taxpayers 8-10 times more than poor person welfare. Whos robbing us taxpayers? Poor people who NEED the money, or Rich people who use it to eek out another few million?
Maybe Jerry should spend some time in the real world instead of in his insulated lifestyle.
The American public should be outraged by what the RIAA has done to this family, and I for one willk not buy one more CD until they give this family back their money and issue an apology.
I agree that musicians have a right to protect their creative properties, and that companies have the right to make money from products they produce. But the fact is that the record industry is a Dinosaur wallowing in a mud pit. They need to make a product that the public wants to buy instead of using litigation to attempt to make income.
Slashdot Mirror
Not holding my breath. It's not that I don't have faith in the samba folks, but rather I accept that the company that BUILT the desktop might have the drop on server implementations necessary to manage said desktop.
Having a cause is nice, but then after you've fought for a couple years shoehorning your "kinda" products in to production, complete with their own unique and troublesome glitches, you begin to understand that the "Evil Software Company" may actually know a thing or two about their own desktop software. You stop wanting to fight problems for hours on end. You simply expect things to "just work", and to keep "just work"ing until something changes.
See, in IT administration, when you grow up you figure out that IT is less about tinkering with fun bits of tech, and more about making each dollar spent on IT return value to the company.
Now get off my lawn.
Funny, this is why I CHOOSE
Not holding my breath. It's not that I don't have faith in the samba folks, but rather I accept that the company that BUILT the desktop might have the drop on server implementations necessary to manage said desktop.
Having a cause is nice, but then after you've fought for a couple years shoehorning your "kinda" products in to production, complete with their own unique and troublesome glitches, you begin to understand that the "Evil Software Company" may actually know a thing or two about their own desktop software. You stop wanting to fight problems for hours on end. You simply expect things to "just work", and to keep "just work"ing until something changes.
See, in IT administration, when you grow up you figure out that IT is less about tinkering with fun bits of tech, and more about making each dollar spent on IT return value to the company.
Now get off my lawn.
Not holding my breath. It's not that I don't have faith in the samba folks, but rather I accept that the company that BUILT the desktop might have the drop on server implementations necessary to manage said desktop.
Having a cause is nice, but then after you've fought for a couple years shoehorning your "kinda" products in to production, complete with their own unique and troublesome glitches, you begin to understand that the "Evil Software Company" may actually know a thing or two about their own desktop software. You stop wanting to fight problems for hours on end. You simply expect things to "just work", and to keep "just work"ing until something changes.
See, in IT administration, when you grow up you figure out that IT is less about tinkering with fun bits of tech, and more about making each dollar spent on IT return value to the company.
Now get off my lawn.
...funny, that is EXACTLY why as an administrator I use Linux. I build a server,... And it keeps running.... 24/7..
By "Boring details" I assume he means the ability to follow a support script verbatim long after it has become amazingly obvious that it does not apply to the problem that needs to be solved.
I have it on both my laptops, and even installed it on a virtual machine on my work Mac.
BUT... I won't be recommending it to friends and family until they get the damn sound working immediately upon installation. If people can't use Flash and watch Youtube on it, it might as well be green letters on a black background.
Ummm, last time I installed Vista I couldn't even view a .pdf right from a base install, let alone Flash. What Koolaid ya drinkin' there Sparky?
I use it for worm control and attack detection on a corporate network: nothing wrong with that at all. It is completely untrue that the only application of DI is for spying or nefarious activity. Its like blaming bit torrent protocol for piracy. Again, it is use of the tool that is the problem.
D.I. is neither good or bad, it is the illegal or immoral application of the technology that is the problem. I really am amazed that no-one on a technology site noted that the heart of the debate on net neutrality is free speech, not deep inspection.
Funny, I was thinking "lynch them". boycotting, protesting, and vandalism leave witnesses.
Can this post get a +3 for plagiarism?
1) That is true, but it is also pretty close to the average. 5% is not a currently accepted figure, that info is quite old. Many of the market figures utilize only US sales data. Computers are a world wide market. Apple has a 8-10% share of that market. I don't know what the next couple years will bring, but I am guessing on around 15% - 20% market within 2 years (depending on the effect of Windows 7). I think 15% is the more likely number.
2) Also true, and I mostly agree. This is why I think investigating it is worth time. Alot of these companies have been burned by supporting the Mac platform in the past, and need to test the waters before supporting Mac. I am not a "typical" Mac user, so my purchase habits may not match the norm. I have noticed a shareware/electronic delivery preference among Mac users whereas Windows users seem to prefer a boxed product. This may lead to sluggish sales of Mac software from the Brick-and-Mortor gang. It may well be that these products just plain dont sell on the platform.
3) I will stand by the opinion that demographically Mac users tend to be a bit more affluent. If you can afford a new Prius you generally do not purchase a Ford Focus. I don't really think performance is a huge concern to most users as long as the system responds adequately. Price is probably the 1 out of 3 objection to Mac. This is because the price is expensive for alot of folks, they are not generally doing a cost/performance analysis. I agree that Mac plays the status/image game, no argument there.
Your simplification numbers are too simple. You are cutting the Mac numbers basically in half: http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=11 Win: XP: 65.22% Vista: 21.12% 2000: 1.47% ttl: 88% est Mac: Intel-Based: 7.19% Legacy: 2.44% ttl: 10% It seems to me that a 10% possible gain is well worth going after - Don't you wish YOUR income went up 10%? Note also that those who buy expensive (Over $1000) computers are currently more likely to buy a Mac than a PC: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-9947501-37.html I'm thinking entering a market with more high-income users would be a good move for any company. That said, there are no guarantees, but it certainly a good market to look into.
These points are often true in professional realms as well. I can easily tell an actual reality based argument against using an OS solution VS Microsoft brain wash-drivel by talking to an admin or tech for a few mins. It really limits you professionally when you don't know when and when-not to use OS products. Not that I dislike MS at all. Your point c) is called unconscious incompetence: where you don't know what you don't know. An awesome point. No-one in education should be at that point.
I don't think the DRM changes will be a big deal unless it intrudes on the actual user experience. If the actual operation of the OS is hindered by DRM, then it will ruin ease of use and cause users to look elsewhere.
A good example is how itunes works vs the old buymp3.com site. itunes is pretty easy to use, and I have not faced any arbitrary DRM limitations (buymp3 only allowed playback on the 2 initial computers and 3 CD burns -- this is draconian - and stupid, I could just burn the CD and re-encode it to mp3).
Apple is pretty good at UI, and hopefully has not made a major misstep, but I am going to keep an eye on the situation before buying my next Mac. If this new layer of DRM hinders usability, it's back to Ubuntu for me. I agree with so many others who posted here -- DRM only hurts the honest folk.
Points:
1) Hardcore gaming is not a concern of the majority of Windows users (and XP outperforms Vista there anyway). Linux has plenty of games (and at least in Ubuntu they are MUCH easier to install and do not have confusing and arbitrary DRM restrictions) for "casual" gamers, which the majority of Windows users are. The hardcore folks I will admit need Windows.
2) In Ubuntu I don't download drivers, It configures that for me automatically in 90% of the systems I installed it in (well over 50 systems - admittedly that last 10% really sucked).
3) I run MS Office and Outlook using Crossover. I really don't need to since I have never had problems using Open Office. We use Exchange 2007 sooo. I have to run Outlook + I actually like MS Office.
4) Ummm I think you better fact check. In business Linux is highly respected. Almost everyone and their mother is MS certified. I am as well, But I can also support Linux. This makes my skill set more desirable than a MS only admin: I can provide a much wider solution set to projects that may require interoperability or have small budgets with large requirements. Linux is good for business - and it is installed on appprox. 1 in 4 new servers. LINK: http://news.cnet.com/IDC-Linux-server-sales-to-hit-9.1-billion-in-2008/2100-1010_3-5479681.html
I think Linux will continue make inroads as long as Microsoft continues down the road of "bigger is better" and continues to annoy users with registration nightmares and empty marketing ploys. Business-wise, the Server 2008 platform has some great features,and certainly is very competitive but their home market will continue to lose ground to OSX and Ubuntu if they don't start improving the average user's experience.
I also know a lot of self-described "hackers" who don't know their ass from their eyebrows when working in a real IT environment. I find that a cross between enthusiasm, know-how, and certification works well.
With no certs or educational achievements you are hurting your career options. I mean honestly if you are that good, your career is worth spending a lousy couple hundred on a cert that will help you get a job.
Of course, I've seen some super-certified idiots as well too.
mikkelm: As a network security administrator I have to mention that often security is implemented DESPITE the fact that has impact on user productivity. I generally operate off of the "One weak link" theory: if any machine on my network has poor security, it puts everything at risk. Sometimes I have to implement security measures because they are for the good of the organization as an entire entity. I spend hours agonizing over the impact that some of the policies and systems I implement have on productivity, and the folks at my work are very understanding about it. I'm glad I work with folk who know that I am looking out for their best interests and are willing to work out compromises instead of going negative. Usually I can find a middle ground to maintain security while providing availability that my guys need to get work done. Mikkelm's attitude would make it really frustrating to work in my environment.
That said. I would bring this issue up with the IT department first. I generally only encrypt drives if necessary; If you do not work with classified data I just would not waste my time. Maybe an alternate arrangement where only certain folders are encrypted could be made. We do this regularly by my work.
In my 9 years in technology I have always worked in places where the IT department was pretty well regarded: I think this is because the departments were not antagonistic towards each other and did not hold grudges.The seeming lack of communication between the poster and his IT dept. puzzles me; why post it on slashdot instead of communicating concerns to IT?
If your tech dept makes it difficult to communicate with them then there is a more serious issue here than just encryption -- they have a service issue.
If you scream to Slashdot before contacting your IT department, then maybe you have an issue.
Wow, though this story is not a perfect example of it the RIAA actually maintains that every time I rip an MP3 I am stealing it. Man!! I rip every CD I buy so I can play it on my MP3 player! This is a huge weight off my shoulders! Since I am stealing the music anyway according to the RIAA I might as well skip buying the CD's any more and just download it for free. Thanks guys!
Look, I know people say hard stuff is easy all the time, but it really is VERY FRIGGEN' easy to replace your internal wireless card in most laptops. We do it regularly at my work on our M class stuff when they get sick of PCMCIA cards or want G instead of B. The only ones that are a pain are IBM's which require a slight hack to accept a card different from the mfg. original Most of the time it is is as easy as popping off the cover, disconnecting 2 wires, removing the old card and installing and connecting the new one (Intel tends to work well). No soldering or special skills/tools required. It sure is hella cheaper than a new laptop (about $25 on eBay). On the Broadcom cards, most Linux's have a step by step walk-through you can complete to install and configure ndiswrapper and the driver within 15 minutes if you can ACTUALLY FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS. It is not rocket science, It just requires the ability to focus. Really, seriously. The wireless problems with Linux (I admit it should be easier) are no worse than the problems folks upgrading to Vista (better check that HCL!) are facing. It just requires a change in skill set.
Kind of a funny story considering some security venders claim Vista is less secure than XP: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/soa/Microsof t-partner-Vista-less-secure-than-XP/0,130061733,33 9274261,00.htm
Based on my early experiences with Vista in our Beta roll out users are generally annoyed with Vista's security features and will likely turn them off once they are saavy enough to do so.
The VPN compatability problems they are having with major vendors such as Juniper's VPN solutions also give me reason for pause. Some users will basically start taking files home with him and emailing them to co-workers since they cannot use the VPN. This is a major concern when it involves personal data. Vista may be an improvement on the home front, but it is plain not ready for business.
I would hope that since anyone prosecuted as a child molester is punished for the rest of their lives (by being added to a registry) the highest level of care is taken to ensure that the right person is being arrested. The RIAA should be held to task for accusing innocent people of criminal behavior. Could you sue for Defamation if the RIAA sent a letter to your ISP and you ended up in court due to such a reckless method of determination? I sure would try. I am pretty sick of the free ride that the RIAA and MPAA have been given as far as infringing on the rights of individuals. Its about time they got a taste of their own legal
Just a quick response to this one. I understand your feelings on this, as it has brought some good to you. The majority of corperate welfare money however, goes overseas, and into the pockets of the wealthiest 5% of Americans. As a middle class citizen if I want to add an addition to my house, I have to pay for it myself even though it generates jobs. I suggest that multi millionaires should have to do the same.
Did you not read my post? Where in there did I say that poor people deserve more rights than anyone else? Where did I recommend theft? I did not. I suggest that our legal system should not be "bought" by the rich. I ask for a level playing field.
Should I assume from your post that you think all poor people should just be thrown in jail?
No. I do not, please do not put words in my mouth, I put enough in for myself.
AGAIN, for the LAST TIME since you did not do your homework. She did not know that she was commiting an illegal act. She purchased her fileshare on a website which gives the impression that downloading songs from them is legitimate. She was mislead. This is a case of accidental infringement. Otherwise I would not be so caustic in my defense of her. I am still against the RIAA targeting individuals, but when they know what they are doing, it is their own lookout.
She did not steal the product the RIAA had to offer. She downloaded an MP3, She did not shoplift a CD. Again, READ AND COMPREHEND. You do not need to assume, it is spelled out. I mentioned the PUBLISHERS need to produce something the masses want to buy, not the artists. Obviously if people download MP3's, the artist made something they want. It was plainly written in my post. The publishers are not producing a product that as many people want as they used to, which is why CD sales are dropping. MP3's are replacing them. Instead of shifting their focus and selling MP3's at a reasonable cost download site, they have chosen to gain revenue by litigation, never a good sign in any industry.
As I don't have time to reply to every post, a quick note about my listening habits, as there has been some assumption. I own alot of CD's that I purchased legally, used and new. I regularly get my music from buymusic.com, because it is a nice legal, fair way to get my music. I do NOT fileshare music, because it is Illegal. Period.
Finally, please save the name calling for the schoolyard. It only relects on your poor breeding.
I stand corrected. I will definately check the RIAA radar out. I also like the idea of an organized boycott. Who wants to setup a site? I have some web space, but I dont think it can handle much traffic. Let me know. -NEXT TOPIC- I regularly download music from buymusic.com. It has some weaknesses (I had a bad CDR drive and wasted my burn limit on a couple of songs trying to burn them) but at least it is a step in the right direction. I am willing to pay a buck a song, but I really have a bad feeling giving any money to the RIAA vultures. Maybe I should go buy a cassette deck. :P
I am dazzled by the lack of knowledge by "Jerry" (1) The child did not know she was stealing. A website fooled her into thinking she was downloading these songs legally. This is akin to someone setting up a fake checkout in a store. Who would be prosecuted in that case? I would imagine in any court in the land would prosecute the person who put up the fake checkout. She had no intent to break the law, and the website in question had intent to mislead her. (2) In Jerry's opinion appearently there should be an income limit for owning computers. Tell me, how musch should one make before they are "allowed" a computer? How much did this computer cost? Thrift shops regularly sell 300mhz machines for around $100.00 in my area. Is it O.K. for a poor person to spend $100.00 on something that her child will need to gain job skills in the future? Or should poor kids just play with sticks and Boxes? (3)This I find in particularly poor taste: The assumtion that public housing families are all on crack. Sorry buddy, not every poor person is on crack, just like not every rich person is a thief. (4) Finally, how do you know the mother doesn't have a job? The vast majority of assistance recipients do work. (5) Corporate welfare costs American taxpayers 8-10 times more than poor person welfare. Whos robbing us taxpayers? Poor people who NEED the money, or Rich people who use it to eek out another few million? Maybe Jerry should spend some time in the real world instead of in his insulated lifestyle. The American public should be outraged by what the RIAA has done to this family, and I for one willk not buy one more CD until they give this family back their money and issue an apology. I agree that musicians have a right to protect their creative properties, and that companies have the right to make money from products they produce. But the fact is that the record industry is a Dinosaur wallowing in a mud pit. They need to make a product that the public wants to buy instead of using litigation to attempt to make income.