Golly, people whine on and on about the RIAA and the MPAA as if there is music and movies out there that are worth listening to or watching.
The fact is, the stuff that comes out of the "Entertainment Industry" is 99% A-Grade crapola, and the sooner people come to realise that fact the sooner we will cease to care what these dinosaurs do to their ever-shrinking customer base.
Get over it guys. Who cares what these numbnuts do? Go read a book and stop lining the pockets of these cretinous music and movie execs for a change.
"your "invention" is nothing more than an idea or words on a piece of paper. You cannot patent that. You need a fuckin prototype at LEAST"
It would make sense if this were true, but I'm afraid that many people have patented many whacky and stupid inventions that have never got off their drawing boards.
If the US got into a shooting war with China, the last thing they would be concerned with is the interest rates on their Chinese debt, I assure you.
Who the hell repays cash debts to a country they are currently at war with? And you'd better believe that China would hurt real bad too if Western countries stopped buying their stuff.
If China were to maliciously hike up their US debt interest rates, you can bet your bottom dollar that the US would embargo China, or at the very least tax Chinese imports through the roof.
I can understand the first step, but really, is remagnetising the magnetic media really neccesary and all of the steps after that really neccesary?
I mean, you have more chance of sticky taping a shredded document back together than you do of reassembling the magnetic materials and actually reading anything usefull off it.
Talk about your raving paranoiacs. Oh wait, we are talking about the government here, carry on.
> really serious gamers would opt to build > their own machine and shop around for the > best prices on components...and that means > they don't get the OEM version of Windows, > and the retail cost of XP does look pretty > hefty.
I'm not sure what you mean here, but most component hardware suppliers are quite happy to provide you with OEM Windows when you buy some hardware off them. It doesn't need to be a complete system. I've even seen people selling older OEM versions of Windows on Ebay. What they do is give you a stick of some crappy old RAM they pulled out of a scrapped PC with it as the "hardware" part.
Besides, the truly hardcore gamers install their Windows XP off a gold CDR anyway;-)
Your definition of "Gamers" appears to include everybody who casually plays the occasional game on a PC which is primarily dedicated to another use.
That is not my definition of a Gamer. I would say you could more accurately describe such a person as a "game player". It is a subtle distinction to be sure.
In my experience of the geek world, when someone refers to "a Gamer", they're generally assumed to be referring to a person who is dedicated to the "sport" of gaming, generally using a custom built or spec'ed "gaming rig"
Anybody who doesn't know what sort of graphic card they use has, by definition, not made a choice at all, therefore my original point stands.
"integrated chipsets are not the high performance graphics solution of choice amongst gamers"
"Firing up the PS2" is a great option, but ony in a limited number of cases (IMHO of course).
Quite frankly, my three most favourite gaming genres (FPS, RTS and Management Sims such as Roller Coaster Tycoon) all suck immensely on consoles. Titles in the last two catagories are rarely if ever even produced for that market, and for good reason.
They'd suck.
Without a kbd+mouse they become unplayable. I am aware that some (younger) gamers actually like using a console controller to play FPS but I can't say I agree with them. Console FPS games all need a significant amount of autoaim just to make Good luck to them anyway, I guess that is why there are plenty of FPS games on consoles.
Beat-em-ups, sports, RPGs and classic arcade are all fine on consoles, but I don't particularly like any of those style of games.
So, your contention that you can effectivly relocate all your gaming joy to the lounge room because PC's are too hard just doesn't wash with me.
I have an XBOX. I hardly ever use it. When I do it is just to play games with my kids.
"discrete graphics" means they are not counting chipsets with integrated graphics chips. I think we can safely assume that integrated chipsets are not the high performance graphics solution of choice amongst gamers.
What is so attractive about collagen induced "trout lips"?
If I wanted a plastic woman I would buy myself a RealDoll and be done with it.
Jolie is a freak. You guys can have her, with my blessing even.
Re:A computer for half the price of Windows?
on
How Cheap Can A PC Be?
·
· Score: 4, Informative
AMD bought Geode some time ago, and they are soon to release a new device codenamed "Emma" with 128Mb RAM and a 10Gb HDD.
The price point is expected to be $185, but that includes Windows CE embedded and cut down versions of Word, Excel, IE and Outlook.
Who knows what the price point would be if they had have used Embedded Linux, firefox and OO instead.
I'm not arguing against you, I'm just pointing out that they are still manufacturing a 30 year old processor design, which in my books is a pretty impressive feat.
I think intel are still selling 8086 chips too, if it makes you feel any better.
I suppose all the malware producers would need to do is further entwine thier trojan apps with the distribution host (eg the "Aquarium Screensaver").
When the user discovers that their shiny new screensaver refuses to work unless the malware is executed (ie [NO] is clicked) then we would be back to square one.
BUT, I guess anything that makes it more difficult for malware "vendors" can't be a bad thing overall.
I still think a fixed (as in static) user environment is the best way to fully protect the ignorant masses from their own stupidity.
I have been thinking about this lately, and am currently toying with the idea of a limited function "root/administrator" account. Make it so that the root/admin priveleges account of whatever OS you are using has FULL access to install stuff but LIMITED (or somehow partially crippled) ability to do other stuff that normal users might like to do. Maybe have far stricter security policies in place for root accounts causing pop up windows galore whenever potentially dangerous stuff is happening. The idea is to make any account with "administrator" priveleges annoying enough that people will definitely NOT want to conduct their day to day usage with root priveleges.
You could then restrict the ability of general users to install stuff, with a corresponding decrease in the frequency of annoying YES/NO dialogue requirements. If people want to install stuff, they can log in temporarily as root and wade through the higher levels of annonying YES/NO dialogues. They will get what they want done and then log straight out and go back to their less annoying user account.
The trouble again would be that most clueless users won't understand what the window asking;
Do you want to allow application
"W1NPR0C32.EXE" to execute?
[YES] [NO]
means, which leads to the same "yes click reflex" problem I described above.
It is a problem, because no matter what you do, there is always going to be a group of numbnuts out there who will click yes on anything that pops up. Often, they won't even read what it says. Any solution that produces even greater numbers of YES/NO dialogues will only serve to make the problem worse I'm afraid.
The solution as I see it is to deny (for a particular class of) users the ability for them to install anything in the first place.
This can be acheived in theory by running Windows under a restricted user policy but in practice it doesn't work because too many programmers are too lazy to write their programs to run with anything other than "administrator" priveleges, so we are stuck with a dilemma that will be hard to overcome.
If I was to hack into an innocent parties server and gain control of its webserver program (or even install one of my own) then there is nothing to stop me from also;
a) ascertaining its IP address
b) registering a domain
c) pointing www.bodgy-domain.com at
that IP address
d) loading the trojan and a webpage
onto the compromised server
e) profit!
> The stupidest people I've ever met are the ones > who think they know everything."
Ain't dat da truth!
> Your average 14 year old who installs gentoo > and now considers himself a giant in the world > of computing fits the bill.
I've not met a 14yo who isn't completely wedded to Windows myself. As always, YMMV. What with all "da mad gamez" and "teh free music on kazaa" and all, the last thing most of them are interested in is compiling stuff from source code.
Slightly OT: I had a discussion this very weekend with a coupla 14 year olds. My nephew and his mate were visiting my place. Inevitably, I was asked whether they could "use the internet", so I sat them down at my Linux box and told them to go for it (I have a windows PC too, but I'm not stupid enough to let a pair of 14yo's surf the web with it)
It didn't take long before they were asking me how they can download all the "free music from the internet". I asked them what they meant by that. Apparently, according to one of these kids, all you need is Windows + Windows Media Player and you can download free music from the internet. He had no idea you had to pay a buck a song for the privelege let alone that it came fully infected with MS DRM. I haven't actually tried MSN music store, but I'm pretty sure that your chances of downloading the latest Usher crapfest from there for free are just about zero. Of course the subject of Kazaa followed soon after. I put the kaibosh on that as well.
I don't hold out much hope for the next generation of geeks, I must say.
> In conclusion. I want to say that I believe > if all people had: > > 1) Startup Monitor - Painfully simple, no one > should be without it.
I use startup monitor. It is good. The problem is that the vast majority of Windows users are so habitualised into clicking 'YES' all the time that nasties will often get installed anyway.
Malware: Do you want to install this nasty browser hijacker?
n00b: Yes, just give me my goddamn "tropical aquarium" screensaver already!
> 2) Kerio Personal Firewall, or equivalent
Agreed, although even better is to have a NAT/firewall device for your internet connection. I'm not a fan of having a local "personal" firewall on a n00bs PC, as n00bs have a habit of screwing things up, and this includes screwing up their firewall software. If your firewall functionality is sitting in a little NAT box in the the corner then they are not gonna accidently screw it up. Also, personal firewalls such as ZoneAlarm can also suffer from the "yes click reflex" problem.
Malware: Tries to 'phone home'
ZoneAlarm: Do you want to let application porn2u.exe have access to the internet?
n00b: Yes goddammit, and stop bugging me already!
> 3) An executable monitor as described above.
I'm not sure I understand what you are suggesting here. I assume you are referring to a process listing app, such as the Windows task manager? Most clueless n00bs are not capable of comprehending what task manager is showing them. There are too many "good" processes that are virtually unidentifiable listed.
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Golly, people whine on and on about the RIAA and the MPAA as if there is music and movies out there that are worth listening to or watching.
The fact is, the stuff that comes out of the "Entertainment Industry" is 99% A-Grade crapola, and the sooner people come to realise that fact the sooner we will cease to care what these dinosaurs do to their ever-shrinking customer base.
Get over it guys. Who cares what these numbnuts do? Go read a book and stop lining the pockets of these cretinous music and movie execs for a change.
They're simply not worth all the angst.
"your "invention" is nothing more than an idea or words on a piece of paper. You cannot patent that. You need a fuckin prototype at LEAST"
;-)
It would make sense if this were true, but I'm afraid that many people have patented many whacky and stupid inventions that have never got off their drawing boards.
Unless you believe that working prototypes of the Moon Capsule Suit or Instant Face Lift were actually built, of course.
[cough]oh, clearly I need another coffee infusion. Carry on, don't mind me.
If the US got into a shooting war with China, the last thing they would be concerned with is the interest rates on their Chinese debt, I assure you.
Who the hell repays cash debts to a country they are currently at war with? And you'd better believe that China would hurt real bad too if Western countries stopped buying their stuff.
If China were to maliciously hike up their US debt interest rates, you can bet your bottom dollar that the US would embargo China, or at the very least tax Chinese imports through the roof.
I can understand the first step, but really, is remagnetising the magnetic media really neccesary and all of the steps after that really neccesary?
I mean, you have more chance of sticky taping a shredded document back together than you do of reassembling the magnetic materials and actually reading anything usefull off it.
Talk about your raving paranoiacs. Oh wait, we are talking about the government here, carry on.
CRT monitors don't explode, they implode.
> really serious gamers would opt to build
;-)
> their own machine and shop around for the
> best prices on components...and that means
> they don't get the OEM version of Windows,
> and the retail cost of XP does look pretty
> hefty.
I'm not sure what you mean here, but most component hardware suppliers are quite happy to provide you with OEM Windows when you buy some hardware off them. It doesn't need to be a complete system. I've even seen people selling older OEM versions of Windows on Ebay. What they do is give you a stick of some crappy old RAM they pulled out of a scrapped PC with it as the "hardware" part.
Besides, the truly hardcore gamers install their Windows XP off a gold CDR anyway
I have a GF4ti4200/128Mb Great card, it runs Far Cry on "very high" settings (but no AA) and gives me a sustained 30fps.
I beg to differ.
Your definition of "Gamers" appears to include everybody who casually plays the occasional game on a PC which is primarily dedicated to another use.
That is not my definition of a Gamer. I would say you could more accurately describe such a person as a "game player". It is a subtle distinction to be sure.
In my experience of the geek world, when someone refers to "a Gamer", they're generally assumed to be referring to a person who is dedicated to the "sport" of gaming, generally using a custom built or spec'ed "gaming rig"
Anybody who doesn't know what sort of graphic card they use has, by definition, not made a choice at all, therefore my original point stands.
"integrated chipsets are not the high performance graphics solution of choice amongst gamers"
Q.E.D.
"Firing up the PS2" is a great option, but ony in a limited number of cases (IMHO of course).
Quite frankly, my three most favourite gaming genres (FPS, RTS and Management Sims such as Roller Coaster Tycoon) all suck immensely on consoles. Titles in the last two catagories are rarely if ever even produced for that market, and for good reason.
They'd suck.
Without a kbd+mouse they become unplayable. I am aware that some (younger) gamers actually like using a console controller to play FPS but I can't say I agree with them. Console FPS games all need a significant amount of autoaim just to make Good luck to them anyway, I guess that is why there are plenty of FPS games on consoles.
Beat-em-ups, sports, RPGs and classic arcade are all fine on consoles, but I don't particularly like any of those style of games.
So, your contention that you can effectivly relocate all your gaming joy to the lounge room because PC's are too hard just doesn't wash with me.
I have an XBOX. I hardly ever use it. When I do it is just to play games with my kids.
"discrete graphics" means they are not counting chipsets with integrated graphics chips. I think we can safely assume that integrated chipsets are not the high performance graphics solution of choice amongst gamers.
Oops. Sorry Fred.
Democracy is a fraud. It doesn't exist.
For the second time in as many minutes I will acquiesce to a far more eloquent writer.
Take it away Fred!
I think more coffee is the last thing you need.
Not to mention the Canucks to the north of the USA
What is so attractive about collagen induced "trout lips"? If I wanted a plastic woman I would buy myself a RealDoll and be done with it. Jolie is a freak. You guys can have her, with my blessing even.
AMD bought Geode some time ago, and they are soon to release a new device codenamed "Emma" with 128Mb RAM and a 10Gb HDD.
The price point is expected to be $185, but that includes Windows CE embedded and cut down versions of Word, Excel, IE and Outlook.
Who knows what the price point would be if they had have used Embedded Linux, firefox and OO instead.
I'm not arguing against you, I'm just pointing out that they are still manufacturing a 30 year old processor design, which in my books is a pretty impressive feat.
I think intel are still selling 8086 chips too, if it makes you feel any better.
Good point.
I suppose all the malware producers would need to do is further entwine thier trojan apps with the distribution host (eg the "Aquarium Screensaver").
When the user discovers that their shiny new screensaver refuses to work unless the malware is executed (ie [NO] is clicked) then we would be back to square one.
BUT, I guess anything that makes it more difficult for malware "vendors" can't be a bad thing overall.
I still think a fixed (as in static) user environment is the best way to fully protect the ignorant masses from their own stupidity.
I have been thinking about this lately, and am currently toying with the idea of a limited function "root/administrator" account. Make it so that the root/admin priveleges account of whatever OS you are using has FULL access to install stuff but LIMITED (or somehow partially crippled) ability to do other stuff that normal users might like to do. Maybe have far stricter security policies in place for root accounts causing pop up windows galore whenever potentially dangerous stuff is happening. The idea is to make any account with "administrator" priveleges annoying enough that people will definitely NOT want to conduct their day to day usage with root priveleges.
You could then restrict the ability of general users to install stuff, with a corresponding decrease in the frequency of annoying YES/NO dialogue requirements. If people want to install stuff, they can log in temporarily as root and wade through the higher levels of annonying YES/NO dialogues. They will get what they want done and then log straight out and go back to their less annoying user account.
Anyway, I'm really just thinking out loud here.
Ah ha, got it
The trouble again would be that most clueless users won't understand what the window asking;
Do you want to allow application
"W1NPR0C32.EXE" to execute?
[YES] [NO]
means, which leads to the same "yes click reflex" problem I described above.
It is a problem, because no matter what you do, there is always going to be a group of numbnuts out there who will click yes on anything that pops up. Often, they won't even read what it says. Any solution that produces even greater numbers of YES/NO dialogues will only serve to make the problem worse I'm afraid.
The solution as I see it is to deny (for a particular class of) users the ability for them to install anything in the first place.
This can be acheived in theory by running Windows under a restricted user policy but in practice it doesn't work because too many programmers are too lazy to write their programs to run with anything other than "administrator" priveleges, so we are stuck with a dilemma that will be hard to overcome.
If I was to hack into an innocent parties server and gain control of its webserver program (or even install one of my own) then there is nothing to stop me from also; a) ascertaining its IP address b) registering a domain c) pointing www.bodgy-domain.com at that IP address d) loading the trojan and a webpage onto the compromised server e) profit!
> The stupidest people I've ever met are the ones
> who think they know everything."
Ain't dat da truth!
> Your average 14 year old who installs gentoo
> and now considers himself a giant in the world
> of computing fits the bill.
I've not met a 14yo who isn't completely wedded to Windows myself. As always, YMMV. What with all "da mad gamez" and "teh free music on kazaa" and all, the last thing most of them are interested in is compiling stuff from source code.
Slightly OT: I had a discussion this very weekend with a coupla 14 year olds. My nephew and his mate were visiting my place. Inevitably, I was asked whether they could "use the internet", so I sat them down at my Linux box and told them to go for it (I have a windows PC too, but I'm not stupid enough to let a pair of 14yo's surf the web with it)
It didn't take long before they were asking me how they can download all the "free music from the internet". I asked them what they meant by that. Apparently, according to one of these kids, all you need is Windows + Windows Media Player and you can download free music from the internet. He had no idea you had to pay a buck a song for the privelege let alone that it came fully infected with MS DRM. I haven't actually tried MSN music store, but I'm pretty sure that your chances of downloading the latest Usher crapfest from there for free are just about zero. Of course the subject of Kazaa followed soon after. I put the kaibosh on that as well.
I don't hold out much hope for the next generation of geeks, I must say.
> Looks like somebody's gonna get arrested. ;)
Let's all hope that one day some Russian gangster picks your name out of his Random-Grab-Bag of names and uses it in a phishing scam.
Then you might understand the wisdom of "innocent until proven guilty"
> In conclusion. I want to say that I believe
> if all people had:
>
> 1) Startup Monitor - Painfully simple, no one
> should be without it.
I use startup monitor. It is good. The problem is that the vast majority of Windows users are so habitualised into clicking 'YES' all the time that nasties will often get installed anyway.
Malware: Do you want to install this nasty browser hijacker?
n00b: Yes, just give me my goddamn "tropical aquarium" screensaver already!
> 2) Kerio Personal Firewall, or equivalent
Agreed, although even better is to have a NAT/firewall device for your internet connection. I'm not a fan of having a local "personal" firewall on a n00bs PC, as n00bs have a habit of screwing things up, and this includes screwing up their firewall software. If your firewall functionality is sitting in a little NAT box in the the corner then they are not gonna accidently screw it up. Also, personal firewalls such as ZoneAlarm can also suffer from the "yes click reflex" problem.
Malware: Tries to 'phone home'
ZoneAlarm: Do you want to let application porn2u.exe have access to the internet?
n00b: Yes goddammit, and stop bugging me already!
> 3) An executable monitor as described above.
I'm not sure I understand what you are suggesting here. I assume you are referring to a process listing app, such as the Windows task manager? Most clueless n00bs are not capable of comprehending what task manager is showing them. There are too many "good" processes that are virtually unidentifiable listed.
"It has been that way since Intel started stamping out Zenith knock-offs in 1972."
"Zenith knockoffs"? Do you mean "Zilog" perhaps? As in "Zilog Z80"?
Zilog still make Z80's amazingly enough!