After years of describing what I do to eventually got tired of it and just succumbed to calling myself an "IT Guy" or "Works in IT". Its a label most people can understand, or at least not have to think too much about, and it is better than spending ten minutes of my life explaining things to a bunch of blank stares.
I think it is odd in this, our age of progress and technological prowess that we can no longer afford the infrastructure of the past.
New nuke plants are now somehow out of reach, as are new oil refining facilities, rail, bridges, sewers. Somehow in the last 30 years we lost the ability to undertake large infrastructure, which you would think given the wealth, technology, etc... that it would be easier.
I wonder if this is political or simply part of a new phase. It just seems to me that everything was constructed in the 60's and 70's and now everything is crumbling and falling apart around us, and we lack the ability or will replace it.
Another example of this is the new Palm smart phone trying to pretend it is an iPhone so it can connect to iTunes (or some such thing).
Apple banned their access, and Palm eventually gave up trying to connect.
Apple likes to have total control over everything, this is how they get things to "just work". They can take 9 of 10 variables out of the equation, because they don't allow them.
Corporate IT does the same thing using templates and approved software, etc... so when something goes wrong, there is only a limited number of things that it could be, and thus it is easier to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it. However at the same time it is annoying as you are very limited.
Apple accepts this limitation as its core functionality in most of its business.
It has gotten a bit more flexible, and uses more standard PC hardware (which is why we are having this discussion now, and it makes it possible for people to hack it easily onto a "clone"). In the past they were made mostly with fairy dust, and unicorn dreams, but as a result, were even more horribly incompatible with anything, and if you thought Apple was expensive now, when everything was custom made, it was more expensive and less profitable, and less current (because they had a separate development path and less money). I believe the chips were Motorola, and not sure of the rest. So they have made some concessions to opening up their brand in the name of profits, but of course now this whole Pystar thing is a direct result of this. However as seen this is now the role of the courts...
Microsoft does in the form of badges or certification.
Vista Approved, Designed for Vista, etc... These come from Microsoft and not the hardware maker.
However for Microsoft they go the opposite route. Rather than trying to restrict it, they label it to hardware that can barely do the job.
Of course this was an Intel/Microsoft clusterfsck, where Intel wanted to sell lots of old crappy motherboards, with terrible crappy integrated video, and Microsoft really wanted to release their new OS.
From some perspective it makes sense for Apple to limit. It keeps idiots from complaining, and most Apple users are idiots (ducks!). For example, if you try and run some software, on hardware that can't handle it, and you don't know what the hell you are talking about, you can come to the definite conclusion that their software must suck because it runs so slow, not that your hardware is obsolete and utter garbage. This works the other way as well. If you try running some horrible bunged up software on some awesome cutting edge hardware, they can come to the conclusion that the hardware clearly isn't powerful and not worth your time.
As I said Apple, knowing their users (idiots), know they do not really want to know all this fiddly stuff like information, and facts, they just want it to "work". They core market isn't interested in hacking OS X onto some crazy hardware. They want to go to iTunes, and buy all their "stuff" at the Apple Store. So it makes sense to limit the functionality, at least from their perspective, as this is the market to which they serve.
Anyway I am jk about the whole idiot thing, I just like stirring the pot...:)
I could fly 2000km and not leave Canada, let alone the US, let alone North America.
It is a stupid thing to say. I can fly unassisted intercontinental, by walking up to the line, and jumping over it. There, I can fly intercontinental unassisted... lame.
I actually RTFA and the cause was "Sterzel said the wing malfunctioned, possibly due to engine failure".
Which I find kind of funny......because when you are flying what is essentially a wing, with an engine strapped to it... that's a pretty much catastrophic (total) failure.
Well at least the parachute worked (sounds like it was the only thing that did), so I guess it wasn't a total loss.
Oh course anyone that has watched Anime can tell you, the new Anime version of Ubuntu is going to have some really long load times...
Likely it will timeout and shut itself off mid load, however not to worry, the engineers have devised a way to, continue the load from where you left off at the next boot. It is estimated that it should only take 36 boots or so to finish.
While the British did have quite the empire at one time and are consummate tea drinkers, they are hardly the manly men, with their "pip pip" and "tally ho"! (Not to mention their crazy drag humor)
Of course on the other hand, China and India pretty much ensure that more men drink tea on this green earth. Of course while populous, I am not sure how many statistically are in the manly men VS Nancy Boy variety, but I would defiantly say as a straight up comparison, even given a moderate prediction that manly men prefer coffee to tea, the manly men who do drink tea likely outnumber those that do not.
But of course we know all real manly men are like in the Western USA...er like San Francisco and stuff... Can't get more western and manly than that! Go West...
I saw investigative news report a couple of years ago (CBC), and one of the things they identified by mislabeled fish, possibly on purpose from Chinese import.
All the places tested were sushi restaurants. When confronted, the would produce the package of frozen fish which would say Tuna or whatever, however when tested would contain some cheaper fish. The store owners were pretty much to be found to be complacent (ie. it says tuna on the package, and that was enough for them), or uncaring as to what the sold, or really not knowing enough about what they are doing to really be able to tell the difference anyway. Likely the imported fish from China was cheaper than say other more reputable sources. Anyway from the story, this seemed VERY common, or at least it was portrayed that way anyway.
I originally read this story on CBC last week and wrote up a comment explaining how A) this was the wrong thing to do, both ethically, and legally as they are not qualified to make that determination based on the information they found, and B) how they were likely going to get sued for their actions anyway (and lose), and C) How anyone that puts this stuff online should not expect that if will be kept private. I also detailed how security is a personal responsibility, and all the technological wizbangs in the would will not keep your information secure if you are an idiot, or at least not careful about what you do. I also illustrated how easy it would be to get at her information on facebook and outlined a step by step procedure should one want to do something unethical. It mostly involved just googling her old high school chums, finding one without a facebook account, creating an account posing as the friend, and then sending a friend request, and bingo bango you have full access to all her photos, as likely they will accept the request. While this is unethical I don't think this is particularly illegal (though you might break the facebook EULA, if you can call such a flimsy agreement legally binding), and really just outlines how lax security in on facebook, and also how blithely unaware most people are about how secure their information is. Anyway after writing that all up and posting that, also indicating that while I am posting that while there is a degree of protection also on the CBC commenting forum, not to treat it like you are anonymous or something, because you are not (just look at the teacher that resigned due to posting inappropriate things on a news paper comments section down in the US). In any event, after writing that all up.... it seems CBC took some exception to something I said thinking I must have violated their submission guidelines (though I am not sure how, perhaps they thought by laying out step by step instructions about how to circumvent facebook security I was somehow encouraging people to do so, if that is even illegal in the first place. Key is my whole point was that it wasn't an ethical action for which they were likely being sued. The other point being to be careful about what you post online as it isn't as safe as you might think.), and decided to censor my comments entirely. Its their site, I suppose they have the right to if they so choose. However I just thought if was funny given the topic.
by making linux an open and free OS, he has enabled many developing and 3rd world areas opportunities that they might not be able to afford, particularly in this age of technology we live in. Look at all the initiatives like OLPC or providing surplus PCs to these areas, most if not all would be running some flavor of linux on them. I say that is pretty significant. That's a pretty big impact on that part of the world.
as many have said, he has a better claim than simply "not being Bush"...
that said, ever since they did that, I have a hard time taking the award even a little bit seriously anymore.
I looked into this problem myself, and it isn't pretty. I use a Windows box for everyday stuff, a Linux based server, and my Sister uses a Mac.
Basically I had the idea that I wanted to share some Anime videos with my Sister who also enjoys the TV shows. Anyway originally my idea was to buy an external USB HD, copy the files and then give her the HD, this way she also gets a new external HD out of the deal. However when I looked into it, not as simple as I thought. While most external drives are compatible with Mac or PC, the emphasis is on "OR". Usually they are formatted differently and are not compatible with the other once formatted.
The only other solutions I could find were to use a NAS (Networked Attached Storage), and this would work, because you would be using the network protocol to translate the data between OS, SMB I think it is called. Anyway at the time, they were very expensive and still are to a degree however they have come down in price more recently and I have seen solutions out there for 200-300$ range. Which is still more than I wanted to spend as an external HD only runs you about 100-200$.
I settled for the getto version and just spent the time and burned like 10 8GB DVD-R's as it was easiest. However for a continual solution, this would not work. I would say your only choice is some sort of NAS with SMB. I am sure given the time and know how you could also build your own linux box to do the same thing, but for price it likely depends if you have an extra kicking around someplace. Either could likely be set up for remote FTP. I would recommend just buying a NAS, likely simpler that way.
Mount one a a frickin' aircraft carrier and see what kind of damage you can do. I mean those things got what a nuclear plant on them to draw energy from!
Just make sure you point it away from your eyes...
Not to be nit pick, but I am pretty sure that is incorrect.
If my memory serves me (and it usually does), it was the crossbow not the longbow that made heavy Armor obsolete.
I'll not argue that the longbow at close range could certainly ruin you day if you were wearing plate, however that is not how it was typically used. It was used from afar in large volleys. The main strength of the long bow was that due to its pull, the range was significantly larger, meaning you could place your archery units well out of harms way, and more importantly out of range of the enemies archers, so essentially be able to strike with impunity. Perhaps the first known instance of "Air Superiority"...lol
The PROBLEM with the long bow was A) they were difficult to manufacture in any quantity, and B) it took quite a bit of training to get your average serf proficient with it.
The crossbow on the other hand was just as deadly at close and medium range, could easily be produced in large quantities, and training on the thing was very simple. Point and shoot. Wind the crank. Repeat.
So when any jerk can basically run up to you with a 5$ crossbow and kill you in your 1000$ armor, well the rest is history.
My current one is something like "StupidITPassWordPolicy#23"
I can't wait til I somehow get locked out or something and have to call IT help desk to look it up...
Notice length, upper and lower, special chara, numbers..... and know that that number is required to change frequently...
The one concession they made was it used to also compare the only and the new and if ANY part of it was identical it wouldn't accept it (like Password3 and Password4, etc...)
I am sure that not brings down the percentage of people that write their password each week on a sticky note and stick it to their monitor from 95% to 80%... Well done IT genius, well done. Truly we are all more secure for your wonderfully well through out ideas.
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After years of describing what I do to eventually got tired of it and just succumbed to calling myself an "IT Guy" or "Works in IT". Its a label most people can understand, or at least not have to think too much about, and it is better than spending ten minutes of my life explaining things to a bunch of blank stares.
I think it is odd in this, our age of progress and technological prowess that we can no longer afford the infrastructure of the past.
New nuke plants are now somehow out of reach, as are new oil refining facilities, rail, bridges, sewers. Somehow in the last 30 years we lost the ability to undertake large infrastructure, which you would think given the wealth, technology, etc... that it would be easier.
I wonder if this is political or simply part of a new phase. It just seems to me that everything was constructed in the 60's and 70's and now everything is crumbling and falling apart around us, and we lack the ability or will replace it.
Another example of this is the new Palm smart phone trying to pretend it is an iPhone so it can connect to iTunes (or some such thing).
Apple banned their access, and Palm eventually gave up trying to connect.
Apple likes to have total control over everything, this is how they get things to "just work". They can take 9 of 10 variables out of the equation, because they don't allow them.
Corporate IT does the same thing using templates and approved software, etc... so when something goes wrong, there is only a limited number of things that it could be, and thus it is easier to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it. However at the same time it is annoying as you are very limited.
Apple accepts this limitation as its core functionality in most of its business.
It has gotten a bit more flexible, and uses more standard PC hardware (which is why we are having this discussion now, and it makes it possible for people to hack it easily onto a "clone"). In the past they were made mostly with fairy dust, and unicorn dreams, but as a result, were even more horribly incompatible with anything, and if you thought Apple was expensive now, when everything was custom made, it was more expensive and less profitable, and less current (because they had a separate development path and less money). I believe the chips were Motorola, and not sure of the rest. So they have made some concessions to opening up their brand in the name of profits, but of course now this whole Pystar thing is a direct result of this. However as seen this is now the role of the courts...
Microsoft does in the form of badges or certification.
Vista Approved, Designed for Vista, etc... These come from Microsoft and not the hardware maker.
However for Microsoft they go the opposite route. Rather than trying to restrict it, they label it to hardware that can barely do the job.
Of course this was an Intel/Microsoft clusterfsck, where Intel wanted to sell lots of old crappy motherboards, with terrible crappy integrated video, and Microsoft really wanted to release their new OS.
From some perspective it makes sense for Apple to limit. It keeps idiots from complaining, and most Apple users are idiots (ducks!). For example, if you try and run some software, on hardware that can't handle it, and you don't know what the hell you are talking about, you can come to the definite conclusion that their software must suck because it runs so slow, not that your hardware is obsolete and utter garbage. This works the other way as well. If you try running some horrible bunged up software on some awesome cutting edge hardware, they can come to the conclusion that the hardware clearly isn't powerful and not worth your time.
As I said Apple, knowing their users (idiots), know they do not really want to know all this fiddly stuff like information, and facts, they just want it to "work". They core market isn't interested in hacking OS X onto some crazy hardware. They want to go to iTunes, and buy all their "stuff" at the Apple Store. So it makes sense to limit the functionality, at least from their perspective, as this is the market to which they serve.
Anyway I am jk about the whole idiot thing, I just like stirring the pot... :)
WMD etc...
I think they had a copy.
What you mean like prison?
I could fly 2000km and not leave Canada, let alone the US, let alone North America.
It is a stupid thing to say. I can fly unassisted intercontinental, by walking up to the line, and jumping over it. There, I can fly intercontinental unassisted... lame.
I actually RTFA and the cause was "Sterzel said the wing malfunctioned, possibly due to engine failure".
Which I find kind of funny... ...because when you are flying what is essentially a wing, with an engine strapped to it... that's a pretty much catastrophic (total) failure.
Well at least the parachute worked (sounds like it was the only thing that did), so I guess it wasn't a total loss.
'Cause, like ya, that won't be totally abused to the point of uselessness.
Instead of cute dolphin, about about a really really sad wolf crying...
Oh course anyone that has watched Anime can tell you, the new Anime version of Ubuntu is going to have some really long load times...
Likely it will timeout and shut itself off mid load, however not to worry, the engineers have devised a way to, continue the load from where you left off at the next boot. It is estimated that it should only take 36 boots or so to finish.
What no Pedo Bear joke?
While the British did have quite the empire at one time and are consummate tea drinkers, they are hardly the manly men, with their "pip pip" and "tally ho"! (Not to mention their crazy drag humor)
Of course on the other hand, China and India pretty much ensure that more men drink tea on this green earth. Of course while populous, I am not sure how many statistically are in the manly men VS Nancy Boy variety, but I would defiantly say as a straight up comparison, even given a moderate prediction that manly men prefer coffee to tea, the manly men who do drink tea likely outnumber those that do not.
But of course we know all real manly men are like in the Western USA...er like San Francisco and stuff... Can't get more western and manly than that! Go West...
I saw investigative news report a couple of years ago (CBC), and one of the things they identified by mislabeled fish, possibly on purpose from Chinese import.
All the places tested were sushi restaurants. When confronted, the would produce the package of frozen fish which would say Tuna or whatever, however when tested would contain some cheaper fish. The store owners were pretty much to be found to be complacent (ie. it says tuna on the package, and that was enough for them), or uncaring as to what the sold, or really not knowing enough about what they are doing to really be able to tell the difference anyway. Likely the imported fish from China was cheaper than say other more reputable sources. Anyway from the story, this seemed VERY common, or at least it was portrayed that way anyway.
I originally read this story on CBC last week and wrote up a comment explaining how A) this was the wrong thing to do, both ethically, and legally as they are not qualified to make that determination based on the information they found, and B) how they were likely going to get sued for their actions anyway (and lose), and C) How anyone that puts this stuff online should not expect that if will be kept private. I also detailed how security is a personal responsibility, and all the technological wizbangs in the would will not keep your information secure if you are an idiot, or at least not careful about what you do. I also illustrated how easy it would be to get at her information on facebook and outlined a step by step procedure should one want to do something unethical. It mostly involved just googling her old high school chums, finding one without a facebook account, creating an account posing as the friend, and then sending a friend request, and bingo bango you have full access to all her photos, as likely they will accept the request. While this is unethical I don't think this is particularly illegal (though you might break the facebook EULA, if you can call such a flimsy agreement legally binding), and really just outlines how lax security in on facebook, and also how blithely unaware most people are about how secure their information is. Anyway after writing that all up and posting that, also indicating that while I am posting that while there is a degree of protection also on the CBC commenting forum, not to treat it like you are anonymous or something, because you are not (just look at the teacher that resigned due to posting inappropriate things on a news paper comments section down in the US). In any event, after writing that all up.... it seems CBC took some exception to something I said thinking I must have violated their submission guidelines (though I am not sure how, perhaps they thought by laying out step by step instructions about how to circumvent facebook security I was somehow encouraging people to do so, if that is even illegal in the first place. Key is my whole point was that it wasn't an ethical action for which they were likely being sued. The other point being to be careful about what you post online as it isn't as safe as you might think.), and decided to censor my comments entirely. Its their site, I suppose they have the right to if they so choose. However I just thought if was funny given the topic.
LOL.
I don't think you get the whole idea of this. I don't think it is the intent of the hackers to "do science" or to "make policy".
They are trying to stir up awareness.
Its like "Look at this stuff we found! Its real and its pretty messed up!"
This is begging for the association to say that "its not real", whereby it has to prove that...
Which would require them to open up their data to the world, which is obviously the hackers objective.
Not to mention the difference is a whopping 1.1%
OMG! Something that costs 300$ is 1.1% more likely to fail that something that cost 900$!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! BLAM! Head 'slosion...
by making linux an open and free OS, he has enabled many developing and 3rd world areas opportunities that they might not be able to afford, particularly in this age of technology we live in. Look at all the initiatives like OLPC or providing surplus PCs to these areas, most if not all would be running some flavor of linux on them. I say that is pretty significant. That's a pretty big impact on that part of the world.
as many have said, he has a better claim than simply "not being Bush"...
that said, ever since they did that, I have a hard time taking the award even a little bit seriously anymore.
http://xkcd.com/528/
I looked into this problem myself, and it isn't pretty. I use a Windows box for everyday stuff, a Linux based server, and my Sister uses a Mac.
Basically I had the idea that I wanted to share some Anime videos with my Sister who also enjoys the TV shows. Anyway originally my idea was to buy an external USB HD, copy the files and then give her the HD, this way she also gets a new external HD out of the deal. However when I looked into it, not as simple as I thought. While most external drives are compatible with Mac or PC, the emphasis is on "OR". Usually they are formatted differently and are not compatible with the other once formatted.
The only other solutions I could find were to use a NAS (Networked Attached Storage), and this would work, because you would be using the network protocol to translate the data between OS, SMB I think it is called. Anyway at the time, they were very expensive and still are to a degree however they have come down in price more recently and I have seen solutions out there for 200-300$ range. Which is still more than I wanted to spend as an external HD only runs you about 100-200$.
I settled for the getto version and just spent the time and burned like 10 8GB DVD-R's as it was easiest. However for a continual solution, this would not work. I would say your only choice is some sort of NAS with SMB. I am sure given the time and know how you could also build your own linux box to do the same thing, but for price it likely depends if you have an extra kicking around someplace. Either could likely be set up for remote FTP. I would recommend just buying a NAS, likely simpler that way.
News at 11.
1) "KILL ALL HUMANS!"
Mount one a a frickin' aircraft carrier and see what kind of damage you can do. I mean those things got what a nuclear plant on them to draw energy from!
Just make sure you point it away from your eyes...
OK am I the only one to think of the Apple commercial when reading the headline?
Don't get me wrong, I doubt I will every buy an Apple in the foreseeable future, but they make one heck of a commercial! :)
I think I just like John Hodgman... he funny!
Not to be nit pick, but I am pretty sure that is incorrect.
If my memory serves me (and it usually does), it was the crossbow not the longbow that made heavy Armor obsolete.
I'll not argue that the longbow at close range could certainly ruin you day if you were wearing plate, however that is not how it was typically used. It was used from afar in large volleys. The main strength of the long bow was that due to its pull, the range was significantly larger, meaning you could place your archery units well out of harms way, and more importantly out of range of the enemies archers, so essentially be able to strike with impunity. Perhaps the first known instance of "Air Superiority"...lol
The PROBLEM with the long bow was A) they were difficult to manufacture in any quantity, and B) it took quite a bit of training to get your average serf proficient with it.
The crossbow on the other hand was just as deadly at close and medium range, could easily be produced in large quantities, and training on the thing was very simple. Point and shoot. Wind the crank. Repeat.
So when any jerk can basically run up to you with a 5$ crossbow and kill you in your 1000$ armor, well the rest is history.
My current one is something like "StupidITPassWordPolicy#23"
I can't wait til I somehow get locked out or something and have to call IT help desk to look it up...
Notice length, upper and lower, special chara, numbers..... and know that that number is required to change frequently...
The one concession they made was it used to also compare the only and the new and if ANY part of it was identical it wouldn't accept it (like Password3 and Password4, etc...)
I am sure that not brings down the percentage of people that write their password each week on a sticky note and stick it to their monitor from 95% to 80%... Well done IT genius, well done. Truly we are all more secure for your wonderfully well through out ideas.
-Bitter.