In reply to my own comment, and to answer a few of your questions... with VLC's Server, I could watch this stream from my PDA, Mac, or PC. You can even encode a stream perfectly sized for your PDA. =)
Cheers!
- Insolence
in a embedded linux-based network video recorder using a USB webcam (phillips-based, using pwc). After trying everything, we ended up using VLC's video streaming server. It is a little quirky, and all of its codecs don't work with standard video clients (but they always work with VLC curiously). I've also setup a security system with 4 pwc-based cams and a linux-based server to record and monitor activity.
With VLC's Server, you can have it record to the hard drive in a higher-quality format and also have it lower the FPS and stream it to your VLC from anywhere (firewall rules notwithstanding). You can tell it to turn off the audio to save disk-space/bandwidth (depending on if you're recording or streaming). I typically used the msmpeg4 codec for streaming because it's the smallest (bandwidth) and highest quality video codec at about 5 FPS for my security project. It worked rather well, and there was enough USB bandwidth to capture from 4 cams on the same USB port with a USB hub.
It's just something worth checking out! I know it worked for me, and if I had a child, I know I'd be setting one of these up in my place! =) Take care!
I find it interesting that they creatively left out the count of actual security holes found on Windows XP and only reported the percentage. I'm betting that the amount of critical flaws in Windows XP is actually a lot higher (in count, not percentage) to any of the other operating systems compared.
Did anyone else notice this creative trick to NOT display the statistics for Windows XP?
I dunno about you guys... but to me, it isn't the "percentage" of bugs that allow system comprimise, but how many, period. =P I love it how people can bend statistics to make their favorite (or their sponsor) company look better.
Anyone know the missing statistic from the article?
I'm in the same boat here... I have two local reseller mac stores that are WAY too overpriced, and inside they both only have a front-area with a single desk that no one sits at, and a larger room in the back with a bunch of macs that I used about 5-6 years ago. They're a complete mess, have no prices anywhere for anything, no catalog, no displays, just ask some weird-looking guy, or his wife (or... whatever she is) whom you can ask how much something is, then they make a few calls to "someone" and tell you how much it is... which is always at least 4 times more than I can get it elsewhere. When I can get something cheaper at a CompUSA than a mac reseller... that is sad...
I think Apple and Jobs realized that macs were never really selling that well because their only business was repeat business. It was a niche/cult kinda thing, always was. With the move to these VERY awesome storefronts, they are showing off their cool, neat, innovative technologies to the public, attracting all kinds of new customers... and as you can tell, it's working! I praise Apple for their awesome innovations in design and technology, and hope to see some of these third party resellers step it up. I've seen a few good ones up in Silicon Valley, good mac area up there!
Ahhh well... maybe my opinions are biased, but come on now... just look at the Airport Express! There are NO devices on the market like it, so small, so cute, so feature-rich, so... awesome. I'm buying 3 of 'em myself! And for once... I think Apple priced it pretty damn well. Anyway...
Viva la Apple! =P
Instead of "claiming" that OS-X has a horrible security issue, with practically no proof to back that statement up, I'd really LOVE to see a OS-X worm. In-fact, I would put up some money to the author of such a worm. Because up to this point, there has still been 0 serious security problems in OS-X.
I do tech support all over So. CA, for mac and pc clients. And I have made 10x as much money from running to the PC client's LAN and ridding it of worms, spyware, and such, than to my Macintosh clients.
I've been using OS-X since the original OS-X Public Beta, and have proudly upgraded ever since to the latest version (10.3.3). I seriously laugh at anyone that attempts to dog on OS-X's security (well, lack-thereof). I am proud to be able to take my 12" Powerbook G4 anywhere, and fix/troubleshoot anyone's computer or network without worrying about getting a virus, or worm, or anything.
I easily backup friends and clients PC's through firewire and OS-X (w/ NTFS Addin for Pre OS-X 10.2) and reinstall their system in a heartbeat, without worrying about getting a boot virus, or prefetch virus (what a pain!) or a random piece of sh*t adware software.
I am proud to own a Mac. And yes... I really do LAUGH in the face of anyone attempting to put down the Mac, when their reasons are 99% crap. (unless of course they are talking about playing games!)
In conclusion, I really would love to see a "outbreak" of a virus for OS-X. This happens DAILY for Windows. This event might actually let some reporters report that OS-X isn't so secure. But... until that day my friends... read 'em and weep.
In reply to everyone griping about OS-X and OS-X bundles and permissions becuase they are in "fear" of viruses... please show me a OS-X virus. Seriously. Feel FREE to e-mail me, or reply with links to one. Because I am in serious doubt that any exist.
I've done freelance tech support around the area, and in all the macs of my own and that I support that use OS-X, not 1 virus yet. Some PICNIC/PEBKAC problems 95 percent of the time, and the other 5 percent is some weird "issue" of os-x that required a workaround or fix. =P
The drag-and-drop installs on OS-X are a godsend when compared to Windows, or even Linux. When I want to remove an app on OS-X, I just delete it, and it's gone! No registry to hack through, no dll's to find and delete, and pray that no other app required them. No 50 directories to search through and delete files/apps one by one. Simply put... no bullshit. (yes, on OS-X there is that Preferences folder, but usually that's about it)
This ROX environment does remind me of OS-X, and they aren't the first to really implement this whole thing, but it's a good idea, and I'm always optimistic to see how far someone can develop a good idea.
I just wanted to comment that the Staircase they have a patent for is the staircase design in every two-story Apple Store. I have been to four of them, and each with this exact design. (did anyone realize this?)
I don't see this design patent all that funny... it's a unique design that is used in the real world. =) Very cool if you ask me!
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In reply to my own comment, and to answer a few of your questions... with VLC's Server, I could watch this stream from my PDA, Mac, or PC. You can even encode a stream perfectly sized for your PDA. =) Cheers! - Insolence
With VLC's Server, you can have it record to the hard drive in a higher-quality format and also have it lower the FPS and stream it to your VLC from anywhere (firewall rules notwithstanding). You can tell it to turn off the audio to save disk-space/bandwidth (depending on if you're recording or streaming). I typically used the msmpeg4 codec for streaming because it's the smallest (bandwidth) and highest quality video codec at about 5 FPS for my security project. It worked rather well, and there was enough USB bandwidth to capture from 4 cams on the same USB port with a USB hub.
It's just something worth checking out! I know it worked for me, and if I had a child, I know I'd be setting one of these up in my place! =) Take care!
- Insolence
I find it interesting that they creatively left out the count of actual security holes found on Windows XP and only reported the percentage. I'm betting that the amount of critical flaws in Windows XP is actually a lot higher (in count, not percentage) to any of the other operating systems compared.
Did anyone else notice this creative trick to NOT display the statistics for Windows XP?
I dunno about you guys... but to me, it isn't the "percentage" of bugs that allow system comprimise, but how many, period. =P I love it how people can bend statistics to make their favorite (or their sponsor) company look better.
Anyone know the missing statistic from the article?
Nah, Southern California.
I'm in the same boat here... I have two local reseller mac stores that are WAY too overpriced, and inside they both only have a front-area with a single desk that no one sits at, and a larger room in the back with a bunch of macs that I used about 5-6 years ago. They're a complete mess, have no prices anywhere for anything, no catalog, no displays, just ask some weird-looking guy, or his wife (or... whatever she is) whom you can ask how much something is, then they make a few calls to "someone" and tell you how much it is... which is always at least 4 times more than I can get it elsewhere. When I can get something cheaper at a CompUSA than a mac reseller... that is sad...
I think Apple and Jobs realized that macs were never really selling that well because their only business was repeat business. It was a niche/cult kinda thing, always was. With the move to these VERY awesome storefronts, they are showing off their cool, neat, innovative technologies to the public, attracting all kinds of new customers... and as you can tell, it's working! I praise Apple for their awesome innovations in design and technology, and hope to see some of these third party resellers step it up. I've seen a few good ones up in Silicon Valley, good mac area up there!
Ahhh well... maybe my opinions are biased, but come on now... just look at the Airport Express! There are NO devices on the market like it, so small, so cute, so feature-rich, so... awesome. I'm buying 3 of 'em myself! And for once... I think Apple priced it pretty damn well. Anyway... Viva la Apple! =P
Instead of "claiming" that OS-X has a horrible security issue, with practically no proof to back that statement up, I'd really LOVE to see a OS-X worm. In-fact, I would put up some money to the author of such a worm. Because up to this point, there has still been 0 serious security problems in OS-X.
I do tech support all over So. CA, for mac and pc clients. And I have made 10x as much money from running to the PC client's LAN and ridding it of worms, spyware, and such, than to my Macintosh clients.
I've been using OS-X since the original OS-X Public Beta, and have proudly upgraded ever since to the latest version (10.3.3). I seriously laugh at anyone that attempts to dog on OS-X's security (well, lack-thereof). I am proud to be able to take my 12" Powerbook G4 anywhere, and fix/troubleshoot anyone's computer or network without worrying about getting a virus, or worm, or anything.
I easily backup friends and clients PC's through firewire and OS-X (w/ NTFS Addin for Pre OS-X 10.2) and reinstall their system in a heartbeat, without worrying about getting a boot virus, or prefetch virus (what a pain!) or a random piece of sh*t adware software.
I am proud to own a Mac. And yes... I really do LAUGH in the face of anyone attempting to put down the Mac, when their reasons are 99% crap. (unless of course they are talking about playing games!)
In conclusion, I really would love to see a "outbreak" of a virus for OS-X. This happens DAILY for Windows. This event might actually let some reporters report that OS-X isn't so secure. But... until that day my friends... read 'em and weep.
Viva la OS-X!
- Insolence (Mac User/Evangelist)
In reply to everyone griping about OS-X and OS-X bundles and permissions becuase they are in "fear" of viruses... please show me a OS-X virus. Seriously. Feel FREE to e-mail me, or reply with links to one. Because I am in serious doubt that any exist.
I've done freelance tech support around the area, and in all the macs of my own and that I support that use OS-X, not 1 virus yet. Some PICNIC/PEBKAC problems 95 percent of the time, and the other 5 percent is some weird "issue" of os-x that required a workaround or fix. =P
The drag-and-drop installs on OS-X are a godsend when compared to Windows, or even Linux. When I want to remove an app on OS-X, I just delete it, and it's gone! No registry to hack through, no dll's to find and delete, and pray that no other app required them. No 50 directories to search through and delete files/apps one by one. Simply put... no bullshit. (yes, on OS-X there is that Preferences folder, but usually that's about it)
This ROX environment does remind me of OS-X, and they aren't the first to really implement this whole thing, but it's a good idea, and I'm always optimistic to see how far someone can develop a good idea.
I just wanted to comment that the Staircase they have a patent for is the staircase design in every two-story Apple Store. I have been to four of them, and each with this exact design. (did anyone realize this?)
I don't see this design patent all that funny... it's a unique design that is used in the real world. =) Very cool if you ask me!
Go Apple!