Have a 386/33 running DOS 6.22 and windows 3.0 (both installed via the 5 1/4 drive from original disks). A mighty 512k 16 color vid card and a CGA monitor. The ONLY purpose of the computer for the longest time was to be a clock in the living room, but because it's located right next to the phone, it has become a sticky note as well.
I'd like to say it's been up 24/7 for the past 3 years or so, but we've had 3 power outages in the last 2 years that were longer than the UPS could deal with. But as soon as the power was back, the computer was back.
*begin flamebait* Even though it's Microsoft OS and GUI, and not *nix....It's never 'crashed'*/end flamebait*
As a Canadian I am glad that the Canadian government is doing a bit of standing up for us against American politics (laws, rules, guidelines, political views, etc).
The American Government in it's mitilarianistic views have always complained that encryption is bad, and no strong encryption can leave America...whereas the Canadian government (sorry, can't remember exactly when, but it was a couple years ago) said that they think everyone in Canada should have personal encryption on thier information.
The RIAA spends a lot of cash to "nudge" laws and things the way they want, and with that, America seems (IMHO) to becoming less and less "for the people" and more and more "for the dollar/corporations". Maybe this is a good thing (seeing as how the American dollar is WAY more valuable than the Canadian dollar) but what happens when it get's to the point where the people get fed up because only those with a 6 figure income get any benefits? Will it become a society where your 'net worth' becomes your 'vote worth'?
I'm not saying we are perfect up here, but some of the things our government is doing seems to be a bit more geared towards what the people want, as apposed to what the companies pay for.
I always like being the devils advocate, and will probably get modded to flamebait for this, but here's something to put in your pipe and think about....
The lead story says "'riddled with obvious and easily exploited vulnerabilities.'"...How many people found the exploit that the blaster worm uses? Maybe a couple dozen at most? That doesn't seem like an obvious exploit to me. Heck, any exploit (*nix or Windows) that requires a buffer overflow of a certain amount of characters, or a specifically formed packet, is not that obvious to me.
My post may be redundant, and I fully support your view of freedom of choice, but (there's always a but) I think that if linux can get more of a desktop market, then more people will be exposed to it (and I'm mainly talking about the kids here). Expose them more as they are learning computers and they'll realize the value of linux over windows. Then, they'll start looking into how to customize their linux install to how they want it. Look at how many applications are coming out that are skinnable...because everyone wants things to be their own way, have thier own style.
So, if that means creating a standard base from which to start, I say go for it. There's nothing stopping other people from writing other desktops/apps/whatever, but that base would be there for creating the usability that most people desire.
If you look at Apple, then you can easily see that a lot of people who use Apples as their first computer become Apple lovers. They can't stand windows, but quite a few of the ones that I know (more so since OSX) can at least sit down and work with my linux install. They like the way Gnome works 100 times better than how windows works...sure they complain that it's not OSX, but they will grin and bear it.
So, IMHO, dumbing down and creating a base for linux will help the initial exposure, and as those people use it more and more, they'll become more comfortable with it, and more accustomed to it that it will become thier OS of choice...Maybe the base GUI will not be their chosen GUI, but the core OS will be linux.
Flying in a bit of another direction, of those who are exposed to linux more as they are learning computers, some of them will become developers, and instead of writing some small collection of programs to catalogue their MP3's, they'll start work on a new GUI to take advantage of things they feel are missing, and leave out some of the things that are not used. It could end up being that there is a base for those who just want to log on and surf, and then a wide open variety of specialized programs that have no added features except the specific ones that you are looking for. Example: Take any new spreadsheet application and stip away all the things that 75% of the people don't use. What you are left with would probably resemble Lotus 123 (except in a GUI form). It would be lean and fast, and I would love it.
So, in summary, keep choice (there will always be choice) but make a standard base that someone can turn on, log into and do some surfing and email. Trim the distro's down, but get more people to work together on one application instead of six for that base install. And get more people exposed to it as an initial computer experience. I think all of this will help choice, and desktop penetration.
I just hope that Rogers isn't the one who develops the network layout. I get to deal on a daily bases with what they have done with the cable internet, and man does it suck.
I wonder if they'll roll Wi-Fi into a service offered to their highspeed internet customers? Small extra fee, but you'll be able to access the internet without being at home. This would be great for the business guy who's doing meetings all over town constantly.
How many times was there a false positive identification made and some innocent person picked up or questioned by the police? How many manhours were wasted on these false positives?
I personally think that having that officer patrolling that area would be a more valuable use of his time anyway. Just the presence of an officer can help to keep the crime down a bit. It also doesn't worry people with the privacy concern. And how about the response time? If the officer is right there, then the response time is cut down to almost zero.
However, if it was one officer watching more than one camera, then you run into a problem, because now it'll take more than one officer to do the job. But, I think the benefits of an officer on location outweigh the benefits of one officer watching multiple locations.
At my last job, we didn't install restricted versions of 98, instead set the firewall up so that those machines that didn't need the internet couldn't access it. Everyone was still able to access the internal web site for various company related things, but there was no way to browse the net from them.
I understand the sarcasm, heck, I've even been known to install software at work without the proper licenses. HOWEVER, the companies I've worked for all had valid licenses for all the workstations to use whatever version of Windows they happened to be using.
So, there's the OS side, and the other big MS product is Office. And if you are going to be using it on all your computers (probably at the very least for Outlook and/or Word) then you should have licenses for all those.
There's your two big MS bits of software, and most companies roll these out on brand new machines, each and every time, so all of your MS software should be licensed, there should be no reason to be upset with Microsoft and switch from them because you "don't want to pay them another dollar".
I could be way out in left field here, but in just about any business that I can think of that uses computers, you need an operating system, and some sort of communication/office setup...and that's just about all MS is known for.
and just for the record, I'm not condemming him for switching to linux, even though the cutover must have been hell for the workers to relearn how to use their workstation, I just don't understand why you'd blame it on MS if the core of your workstations were licensed properly.
If it's a case of implementation of SMP, then wouldn't all OS's be infringing on SCO's IP? XP uses multi-processing, OSX uses multi-processing, so would this mean they are next on the list to be hit by SCO?
Part of me hopes so. As much as I don't like a lot of the tactics used by MS and their legal team, it'd be nice to see them take SCO's foot and plant it nicely into their mouth.
Now excuse my ignorance, but, how hard would it be for someone to sit down with the Linux Kernel code, rip out the existing SMP code and code it from scratch? Preferably someone who's never looked at the current Kernel SMP code so as to not be influenced by it.
Or would it be easier for me to just ask for the RIAA to accept the MP3 format and work with it online?
I actually like the sound that comes from the fans in my system. It has much the same effect on me going to sleep as white noise would have on most people.
Or maybe it's just me....I mean, I am the one who moved right beside an expressway because I liked the dull sounds that come from cars rushing past while I am falling asleep.
Admittedly, I'm a Windows guy...but just think what this is doing for the reputation of Microsoft....and how much better Linux is looking for the companies servers...
Why not desktops? well, I think it still has a way to go before the average user will be able to just sit down and work away, but not that much. However, they want things to be the same both at home and at work. SO, Linux needs to break into the homes. And for that to happen, it needs to be a little easier to set up, administer, and use. Therefore the major distro's (I'm thinking RedHat, Mandrake, Lindows, etc) may take a harder look at the home user for a short time period.
Since trying to break into the office market at full force is still not working as well as anyone hoped, why not try starting at the home user? Break in there, maybe there'll be more people at least willing to use it at work (if not installing it on the computer without the admin knowing). Maybe that's the back door to get into the office market....but that's just my $0.0144 CDN.
I've managed to see a BSOD on the McDonalds drivethrough screen one morning, but when I asked the lady at the window, she said that that display was running off of a different computer than what the registers use.
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Have a 386/33 running DOS 6.22 and windows 3.0 (both installed via the 5 1/4 drive from original disks). A mighty 512k 16 color vid card and a CGA monitor. The ONLY purpose of the computer for the longest time was to be a clock in the living room, but because it's located right next to the phone, it has become a sticky note as well.
I'd like to say it's been up 24/7 for the past 3 years or so, but we've had 3 power outages in the last 2 years that were longer than the UPS could deal with. But as soon as the power was back, the computer was back.
*begin flamebait* Even though it's Microsoft OS and GUI, and not *nix....It's never 'crashed'*/end flamebait*
As a Canadian I am glad that the Canadian government is doing a bit of standing up for us against American politics (laws, rules, guidelines, political views, etc).
The American Government in it's mitilarianistic views have always complained that encryption is bad, and no strong encryption can leave America...whereas the Canadian government (sorry, can't remember exactly when, but it was a couple years ago) said that they think everyone in Canada should have personal encryption on thier information.
The RIAA spends a lot of cash to "nudge" laws and things the way they want, and with that, America seems (IMHO) to becoming less and less "for the people" and more and more "for the dollar/corporations". Maybe this is a good thing (seeing as how the American dollar is WAY more valuable than the Canadian dollar) but what happens when it get's to the point where the people get fed up because only those with a 6 figure income get any benefits? Will it become a society where your 'net worth' becomes your 'vote worth'?
I'm not saying we are perfect up here, but some of the things our government is doing seems to be a bit more geared towards what the people want, as apposed to what the companies pay for.
but that's just my $0.0144 worth.
I always like being the devils advocate, and will probably get modded to flamebait for this, but here's something to put in your pipe and think about....
The lead story says "'riddled with obvious and easily exploited vulnerabilities.'"...How many people found the exploit that the blaster worm uses? Maybe a couple dozen at most? That doesn't seem like an obvious exploit to me. Heck, any exploit (*nix or Windows) that requires a buffer overflow of a certain amount of characters, or a specifically formed packet, is not that obvious to me.
My post may be redundant, and I fully support your view of freedom of choice, but (there's always a but) I think that if linux can get more of a desktop market, then more people will be exposed to it (and I'm mainly talking about the kids here). Expose them more as they are learning computers and they'll realize the value of linux over windows. Then, they'll start looking into how to customize their linux install to how they want it. Look at how many applications are coming out that are skinnable...because everyone wants things to be their own way, have thier own style.
So, if that means creating a standard base from which to start, I say go for it. There's nothing stopping other people from writing other desktops/apps/whatever, but that base would be there for creating the usability that most people desire.
If you look at Apple, then you can easily see that a lot of people who use Apples as their first computer become Apple lovers. They can't stand windows, but quite a few of the ones that I know (more so since OSX) can at least sit down and work with my linux install. They like the way Gnome works 100 times better than how windows works...sure they complain that it's not OSX, but they will grin and bear it.
So, IMHO, dumbing down and creating a base for linux will help the initial exposure, and as those people use it more and more, they'll become more comfortable with it, and more accustomed to it that it will become thier OS of choice...Maybe the base GUI will not be their chosen GUI, but the core OS will be linux.
Flying in a bit of another direction, of those who are exposed to linux more as they are learning computers, some of them will become developers, and instead of writing some small collection of programs to catalogue their MP3's, they'll start work on a new GUI to take advantage of things they feel are missing, and leave out some of the things that are not used. It could end up being that there is a base for those who just want to log on and surf, and then a wide open variety of specialized programs that have no added features except the specific ones that you are looking for. Example: Take any new spreadsheet application and stip away all the things that 75% of the people don't use. What you are left with would probably resemble Lotus 123 (except in a GUI form). It would be lean and fast, and I would love it.
So, in summary, keep choice (there will always be choice) but make a standard base that someone can turn on, log into and do some surfing and email. Trim the distro's down, but get more people to work together on one application instead of six for that base install. And get more people exposed to it as an initial computer experience. I think all of this will help choice, and desktop penetration.
But that's just my $0.014 CDN worth
I just hope that Rogers isn't the one who develops the network layout. I get to deal on a daily bases with what they have done with the cable internet, and man does it suck.
I wonder if they'll roll Wi-Fi into a service offered to their highspeed internet customers? Small extra fee, but you'll be able to access the internet without being at home. This would be great for the business guy who's doing meetings all over town constantly.
This is a valid point.
How many times was there a false positive identification made and some innocent person picked up or questioned by the police? How many manhours were wasted on these false positives?
I personally think that having that officer patrolling that area would be a more valuable use of his time anyway. Just the presence of an officer can help to keep the crime down a bit. It also doesn't worry people with the privacy concern. And how about the response time? If the officer is right there, then the response time is cut down to almost zero.
However, if it was one officer watching more than one camera, then you run into a problem, because now it'll take more than one officer to do the job. But, I think the benefits of an officer on location outweigh the benefits of one officer watching multiple locations.
At my last job, we didn't install restricted versions of 98, instead set the firewall up so that those machines that didn't need the internet couldn't access it. Everyone was still able to access the internal web site for various company related things, but there was no way to browse the net from them.
Worked good for us.
I understand the sarcasm, heck, I've even been known to install software at work without the proper licenses. HOWEVER, the companies I've worked for all had valid licenses for all the workstations to use whatever version of Windows they happened to be using.
So, there's the OS side, and the other big MS product is Office. And if you are going to be using it on all your computers (probably at the very least for Outlook and/or Word) then you should have licenses for all those.
There's your two big MS bits of software, and most companies roll these out on brand new machines, each and every time, so all of your MS software should be licensed, there should be no reason to be upset with Microsoft and switch from them because you "don't want to pay them another dollar".
I could be way out in left field here, but in just about any business that I can think of that uses computers, you need an operating system, and some sort of communication/office setup...and that's just about all MS is known for.
and just for the record, I'm not condemming him for switching to linux, even though the cutover must have been hell for the workers to relearn how to use their workstation, I just don't understand why you'd blame it on MS if the core of your workstations were licensed properly.
AHHHH...ok, makes more sense now.
Thanks for Enlightening this Windows user.
Pulses...yes. Their cold black hearts give them a pulse.
If it's a case of implementation of SMP, then wouldn't all OS's be infringing on SCO's IP? XP uses multi-processing, OSX uses multi-processing, so would this mean they are next on the list to be hit by SCO?
Part of me hopes so. As much as I don't like a lot of the tactics used by MS and their legal team, it'd be nice to see them take SCO's foot and plant it nicely into their mouth.
Does this not sound retarded to anyone else?
Now excuse my ignorance, but, how hard would it be for someone to sit down with the Linux Kernel code, rip out the existing SMP code and code it from scratch? Preferably someone who's never looked at the current Kernel SMP code so as to not be influenced by it.
Or would it be easier for me to just ask for the RIAA to accept the MP3 format and work with it online?
I actually like the sound that comes from the fans in my system. It has much the same effect on me going to sleep as white noise would have on most people.
Or maybe it's just me....I mean, I am the one who moved right beside an expressway because I liked the dull sounds that come from cars rushing past while I am falling asleep.
Admittedly, I'm a Windows guy...but just think what this is doing for the reputation of Microsoft....and how much better Linux is looking for the companies servers...
Why not desktops? well, I think it still has a way to go before the average user will be able to just sit down and work away, but not that much. However, they want things to be the same both at home and at work. SO, Linux needs to break into the homes. And for that to happen, it needs to be a little easier to set up, administer, and use. Therefore the major distro's (I'm thinking RedHat, Mandrake, Lindows, etc) may take a harder look at the home user for a short time period.
Since trying to break into the office market at full force is still not working as well as anyone hoped, why not try starting at the home user? Break in there, maybe there'll be more people at least willing to use it at work (if not installing it on the computer without the admin knowing). Maybe that's the back door to get into the office market....but that's just my $0.0144 CDN.
Yeah. It's amazing where you'll find Windows.
I've managed to see a BSOD on the McDonalds drivethrough screen one morning, but when I asked the lady at the window, she said that that display was running off of a different computer than what the registers use.