I won't pretend to be a real techie guy, you can go ahead and stick me in the "Joe Average" category. Although as a Mr. Average I do hang around/. a bit and so am aware of these kind of topics and concerns, which is more than (can I say most?) could say.
Anywho...with that said here's my $.02:
I think that everyone posting above me has their own valid points which I shall paraphrase here.
1. We don't want money being thrown away to fight a battle that may or may not be won, if winning is even a real possibility.
2. We can agree that the actions of these "script kiddies" is to some degree detrimental to business. Seeing as how s#it rolls down hill, it can also have an impact on us blue collar folks. I think it's accurate to say that the negative impact will grow and become more noticeable as time passes.
So, what kind of happy medium can be found amidst the viewpoints which say either "It's a waste of resources to fight." or "Something must be done."?
Should officials not try to trim the fat from current programs and then allocate the new resources to fight this growing problem? I'm responding here off the cuff so I sheepishly admit I don't have a prepared list of potential candidates for severence. But, therein lies my question; Where is the government and general law enforcement concentrating that is perhaps irrelevant.
I know plenty of people here can come up with a long list of things our government wastes money on. Furthermore I'll bet'cha we can get over half those involved in the discussion to agree to the slashing of this or that. What say ye pantheon of knowledge?
"Initially, the system will be tested on Ford-owned and municipal vehicles."
I think they mean Ford-owned and manipulated vehicles.
Combine this genius idea with the New Mexico breathalizer device and you have an instant migraine as the result of severe stupidity.
Maybe if human cloning gets rolling along nicely they can clone The Man so that we will all have one for ourselves. Ah yes, a personal The Man for every citizen to monitor us 24/7, wouldn't that be fan-f*cking-tastic!?
Ooh ooh! If they can clone The Man and then shrink Him down he could even climb in your ear and take control of your brain! *rubbing hands together* Excellent...
Has anybody here read Tad Williams' Otherland series? Mr. Sellars wrote some viri that interacted with each other and eventually leaked out into the net, where they "evolved" into some pretty complex thing-a-ma-bobs.
That's a pretty lame synopsis, but it's been a number of years since I've read the series. It was pretty excellent though, I remember that quite clearly!
"For now the scanners seem like a decent way to keep close track of actual time worked; and provide the secure knowledge that Bob is Bob and if the scanner says he came in then he did."
When I said that, I wasn't trying to say these scanners should be banned at all. Rather, I was acknowledging the good part about them, while also nodding at the possibility of misuse. This being a new topic and all, I think even the obvious possibility should be noted.
As for the barcode thing I was just being facetious. Dark Angel is a TV show right? I don't watch TV, and that isn't facetiousness.:)
All in all I don't think I would be horribly opposed to these scanners being installed at my workplace. Except for the fact that I see some of my coworkers walk immediately from the restroom, eschewing soap let alone water, entirely.
To be stalwartly opposed to the things simply because of the possibility of misuse would be like trying to ban knives the way you suggested. (I know you weren't serious.) I liken that thought process to folks who are overly afraid of "big brother"...he may not be after you ya know.;)
It's easy for a good well meaning idea to get carried away and end up restricting rights, encumbering workers, or causing HR issues. read: employee relations could become a bit strained if the cattle similie is commonly felt to have a ring of truth.
For now the scanners seem like a decent way to keep close track of actual time worked; and provide the secure knowledge that Bob is Bob and if the scanner says he came in then he did.
All things in moderation or somesuch. I think there's some adage or other in there.
Oh, and tatooed barcodes would be going to far so if that crops up then I may have more to say.:)
I'll tell ya what; 9 times out of 10 it seems to me a salesperson screws the customer not the store. Working in a service department for a retail store (the only one that has a REAL service department...) showed me that it is all to common for sales folk to misunderstand or misstate the terms of an extended warranty. I won't try to justify their incompetance in the matter, but the thing is there is a veritable quagmire of stipulations to any extended warranty. (namely for electronics)
Heck, even when the salesperson explained things properly you may be surprised to find out how often what they say is crazily misinterpreted by the customer. If you haven't worked in a retail environment then personally I'm inclined to take anything you say well salted, as it's an eye opening experience that everyone should have. (that and/or working in a restaraunt)
Anyway, for the most part every store offers some form of decent extended protection and it should be taken into account when making a purchase because for those all to common occasions where it CAN be applied it has the power to make you smile and sigh in relief.
To address the topic however, I concurr that it is ridiculous that one is not typically able to obtain pieces like a bezel on a laptop, as it is branded a "cosmetic" piece. Or we can't do it at a reasonable price.
I guess I just feel that it's important for everyone to keep just a little more open mind when they go shopping. The customer is not always right these days because we all have so much to learn when it comes to the technology industry. It's really up to the salesperson to be well informed and a good communicator so that you may make an educated decision. Oh, and if you're shopping for tech stuff and your salesperson speaks in definates ie: "This is definately all you'll ever need of *insert misc. here*" or "Toss it out a window and we'll replace it for you no problem!" then you better question the heck outta them and probably verify that info with a manager because it's oh so rare that definates can be used in these matters.
Just my $.03
Slashdot Mirror
Anywho...with that said here's my $.02:
I think that everyone posting above me has their own valid points which I shall paraphrase here.
1. We don't want money being thrown away to fight a battle that may or may not be won, if winning is even a real possibility.2. We can agree that the actions of these "script kiddies" is to some degree detrimental to business. Seeing as how s#it rolls down hill, it can also have an impact on us blue collar folks. I think it's accurate to say that the negative impact will grow and become more noticeable as time passes.
So, what kind of happy medium can be found amidst the viewpoints which say either "It's a waste of resources to fight." or "Something must be done."?
Should officials not try to trim the fat from current programs and then allocate the new resources to fight this growing problem? I'm responding here off the cuff so I sheepishly admit I don't have a prepared list of potential candidates for severence. But, therein lies my question; Where is the government and general law enforcement concentrating that is perhaps irrelevant.
I know plenty of people here can come up with a long list of things our government wastes money on. Furthermore I'll bet'cha we can get over half those involved in the discussion to agree to the slashing of this or that. What say ye pantheon of knowledge?
---
"Initially, the system will be tested on Ford-owned and municipal vehicles."
I think they mean Ford-owned and manipulated vehicles.
Combine this genius idea with the New Mexico breathalizer device and you have an instant migraine as the result of severe stupidity.
Maybe if human cloning gets rolling along nicely they can clone The Man so that we will all have one for ourselves. Ah yes, a personal The Man for every citizen to monitor us 24/7, wouldn't that be fan-f*cking-tastic!?
Ooh ooh! If they can clone The Man and then shrink Him down he could even climb in your ear and take control of your brain! *rubbing hands together* Excellent...
Yeah I'm not bitter or anything. *sigh*Has anybody here read Tad Williams' Otherland series? Mr. Sellars wrote some viri that interacted with each other and eventually leaked out into the net, where they "evolved" into some pretty complex thing-a-ma-bobs.
That's a pretty lame synopsis, but it's been a number of years since I've read the series. It was pretty excellent though, I remember that quite clearly!
Tad Williams anyone? I want a T jack...
"For now the scanners seem like a decent way to keep close track of actual time worked; and provide the secure knowledge that Bob is Bob and if the scanner says he came in then he did."
When I said that, I wasn't trying to say these scanners should be banned at all. Rather, I was acknowledging the good part about them, while also nodding at the possibility of misuse. This being a new topic and all, I think even the obvious possibility should be noted.
As for the barcode thing I was just being facetious. Dark Angel is a TV show right? I don't watch TV, and that isn't facetiousness. :)
All in all I don't think I would be horribly opposed to these scanners being installed at my workplace. Except for the fact that I see some of my coworkers walk immediately from the restroom, eschewing soap let alone water, entirely.
To be stalwartly opposed to the things simply because of the possibility of misuse would be like trying to ban knives the way you suggested. (I know you weren't serious.) I liken that thought process to folks who are overly afraid of "big brother"...he may not be after you ya know. ;)
-=Every hour wounds. The last one kills.
It's easy for a good well meaning idea to get carried away and end up restricting rights, encumbering workers, or causing HR issues. read: employee relations could become a bit strained if the cattle similie is commonly felt to have a ring of truth.
:)
For now the scanners seem like a decent way to keep close track of actual time worked; and provide the secure knowledge that Bob is Bob and if the scanner says he came in then he did.
All things in moderation or somesuch. I think there's some adage or other in there.
Oh, and tatooed barcodes would be going to far so if that crops up then I may have more to say.
I'll tell ya what; 9 times out of 10 it seems to me a salesperson screws the customer not the store. Working in a service department for a retail store (the only one that has a REAL service department...) showed me that it is all to common for sales folk to misunderstand or misstate the terms of an extended warranty. I won't try to justify their incompetance in the matter, but the thing is there is a veritable quagmire of stipulations to any extended warranty. (namely for electronics)
Heck, even when the salesperson explained things properly you may be surprised to find out how often what they say is crazily misinterpreted by the customer. If you haven't worked in a retail environment then personally I'm inclined to take anything you say well salted, as it's an eye opening experience that everyone should have. (that and/or working in a restaraunt)
Anyway, for the most part every store offers some form of decent extended protection and it should be taken into account when making a purchase because for those all to common occasions where it CAN be applied it has the power to make you smile and sigh in relief.
To address the topic however, I concurr that it is ridiculous that one is not typically able to obtain pieces like a bezel on a laptop, as it is branded a "cosmetic" piece. Or we can't do it at a reasonable price.
I guess I just feel that it's important for everyone to keep just a little more open mind when they go shopping. The customer is not always right these days because we all have so much to learn when it comes to the technology industry. It's really up to the salesperson to be well informed and a good communicator so that you may make an educated decision. Oh, and if you're shopping for tech stuff and your salesperson speaks in definates ie: "This is definately all you'll ever need of *insert misc. here*" or "Toss it out a window and we'll replace it for you no problem!" then you better question the heck outta them and probably verify that info with a manager because it's oh so rare that definates can be used in these matters.
Just my $.03
Gosh I only just today found this darned post. Now that I have I'll just say thanks to everyone who posted a good response. (which is most of ya)
.nfo
I know my friend will appreciate all the great
-------
"Champagne for my true friends, and true pain for my sham friends!"