Seriously, if you're setting up a network for a long term project, you set it up once, and move it all over there with everythig ready to go... (which means the Amundsun base might have been permanently been stuck with a network of 386's, had things worked that way.) Of course, my guess is that the computers wandered over there one at a time, with no coordinated plan - and no through beyond "we need a few computers, which people in the states need access too, located at the south pole!)
The key issue is that if an academic is given a computer, they're not going to have the faintest idea of what's required security wise. [In fact, I've seen academics go out and buy really big (30") screens and fancy macintoshs just to run email and a browser, if that gives you an idea of the mindset of many in the scientific community.] - and other than the penguins (who only work for herrings and probably don't want to pay tax), there aren't any "neighborhood geeks" nearby to help them with their machines.
I just spent two years in a science laboratory in North America at a VERY large institution. Of the two hundred or so scientists in that department alone, maybe ten or fifteen knew enough about computers to write HTML - and probably not a lot further. As the department evolved over time, computers were added in one at a time, by whom ever felt like putting in a computer. Thus, there wasn't a single coordinated plan , and some of the computers were left completely vulnerable intentionally! If there's no one in charge, no structure to coordinate the addition of computers, and no one able to make the decisions to put an infrastructure in place, there's no one to insist on security standards. Can you say welcome mat to hackers?
I'd be willing to bet that that's exactly what happened at the South Pole. Someone decided they wanted to be able to share files with another scientist, and I'd doubt either had ever heard of SSH. Net result: they intentionally put a hole in the flimsy security they had to begin with. I can imagine the thought process: "I need to share a file with someone 30000km away.. lets just create an annonymous ftp to c:\, that way I won't have to worry about them not having access to anything they need!"
Finally, the key point is that if you have computers at the south pole, it's going to cost an exorbitant amount to send someone out to mantain them, and the only alternative is to have the scientists call "tech support" back in the states (or is india closer?), which is probably like talking my father through a computer problem. It's bad enough when you're there, but 100x worse when you're at opposite ends of the country. Of course, if you leave a few "holes" open intentionally, someone back home can log in and maintain it for you. (-;
For Microsoft's new product, which removes your soul, and replaces it with a MS Soul(tm).
I totally get the impression that microsoft is now hiring these Linux advocates for a job that looks something like a scene out of Clockwork Orange, where they just watch pictures of Linux applications crashing, and Mr. Gates handing out candy to children.
And if we invest 80 billion to understand how to survive in earth orbit, we might bring down the price tag on putting people in orbit around saturn. I can certainly see a few uses for that.
I'm a huge supporter of manned space flight, but I have to agree with Van Allen on one thing: We need to have our goals clearly defined. Why is there a space station if the science isn't being done? Why are we going to the moon? Simple things we need to answer before we go.
Wouldn't it be nice to set our milestones before we try to achieve them? After that, lets move 100% towards the goal.
Interesting - taking your theory that the penguins are outsourcing provides an interesting glimpse into the outsourcing process: Instead of outsourcing to computer geeks, they're hiring scientists - an even cheaper form of labour!
This explains some of the co-op jobs I had as an undergrad!
At this rate, if the outsourcing trend is just going to keep heading to the cheapest and least developed countries and territories, you have to wonder where it'll end! Next thing you know, the penguins in antarctica will be running the show!
Hey... maybe tux can pick up a few contracts. "Microsoft support, tux speaking!"
This just gets my imagination going... wouldn't it be cool to have this unit do a laser show too? Just point it at the wall, and not only can you play all your favorite games, your cat can enjoy it too!
And who is going to maintain the rails?
on
By Road and Rail?
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· Score: 2, Interesting
I can't exactly see the railroad companies being eager to let these on their rails. And who pays for the cleanup when one of these bails - the operator, the company that owns the rails or some insurance company that is supported by a federal government?
Interesting that a computer magazine would publish an article like this. Last time I checked, there weren't any self-help books mixed in with my O'reily collection.
Both in science and in IT, you constantly read articles about how "scientists don't communicate effectively enough." Can anyone tell me a profession outside of the media that does communicate effectivly with people who haven't a clue what's going on?
Slashdot Mirror
Defending it? No - Just explaining it.
In order to survive in an instutition like that, you need to be able to think like it, but only to understand why nothing ever works like it should.
OTOH, they are the same as everyone else... why should they be any different?
Seriously, if you're setting up a network for a long term project, you set it up once, and move it all over there with everythig ready to go... (which means the Amundsun base might have been permanently been stuck with a network of 386's, had things worked that way.) Of course, my guess is that the computers wandered over there one at a time, with no coordinated plan - and no through beyond "we need a few computers, which people in the states need access too, located at the south pole!)
The key issue is that if an academic is given a computer, they're not going to have the faintest idea of what's required security wise. [In fact, I've seen academics go out and buy really big (30") screens and fancy macintoshs just to run email and a browser, if that gives you an idea of the mindset of many in the scientific community.] - and other than the penguins (who only work for herrings and probably don't want to pay tax), there aren't any "neighborhood geeks" nearby to help them with their machines.
I just spent two years in a science laboratory in North America at a VERY large institution. Of the two hundred or so scientists in that department alone, maybe ten or fifteen knew enough about computers to write HTML - and probably not a lot further. As the department evolved over time, computers were added in one at a time, by whom ever felt like putting in a computer. Thus, there wasn't a single coordinated plan , and some of the computers were left completely vulnerable intentionally! If there's no one in charge, no structure to coordinate the addition of computers, and no one able to make the decisions to put an infrastructure in place, there's no one to insist on security standards. Can you say welcome mat to hackers?
I'd be willing to bet that that's exactly what happened at the South Pole. Someone decided they wanted to be able to share files with another scientist, and I'd doubt either had ever heard of SSH. Net result: they intentionally put a hole in the flimsy security they had to begin with. I can imagine the thought process: "I need to share a file with someone 30000km away.. lets just create an annonymous ftp to c:\, that way I won't have to worry about them not having access to anything they need!"
Finally, the key point is that if you have computers at the south pole, it's going to cost an exorbitant amount to send someone out to mantain them, and the only alternative is to have the scientists call "tech support" back in the states (or is india closer?), which is probably like talking my father through a computer problem. It's bad enough when you're there, but 100x worse when you're at opposite ends of the country. Of course, if you leave a few "holes" open intentionally, someone back home can log in and maintain it for you. (-;
Sorry for the overlong rant!
Sleep, eat, work, eat, work, eat, sleep... repeat ad nauseum.
For Microsoft's new product, which removes your soul, and replaces it with a MS Soul(tm).
I totally get the impression that microsoft is now hiring these Linux advocates for a job that looks something like a scene out of Clockwork Orange, where they just watch pictures of Linux applications crashing, and Mr. Gates handing out candy to children.
And if we invest 80 billion to understand how to survive in earth orbit, we might bring down the price tag on putting people in orbit around saturn. I can certainly see a few uses for that.
I'm a huge supporter of manned space flight, but I have to agree with Van Allen on one thing: We need to have our goals clearly defined. Why is there a space station if the science isn't being done? Why are we going to the moon? Simple things we need to answer before we go.
Wouldn't it be nice to set our milestones before we try to achieve them? After that, lets move 100% towards the goal.
Fascinating articles, that way too, although the print is hard to make out. Something about Microsoft being sued by SCO, I think...
Interesting - taking your theory that the penguins are outsourcing provides an interesting glimpse into the outsourcing process: Instead of outsourcing to computer geeks, they're hiring scientists - an even cheaper form of labour!
This explains some of the co-op jobs I had as an undergrad!
At this rate, if the outsourcing trend is just going to keep heading to the cheapest and least developed countries and territories, you have to wonder where it'll end! Next thing you know, the penguins in antarctica will be running the show!
Hey... maybe tux can pick up a few contracts. "Microsoft support, tux speaking!"
This just gets my imagination going... wouldn't it be cool to have this unit do a laser show too? Just point it at the wall, and not only can you play all your favorite games, your cat can enjoy it too!
I can't exactly see the railroad companies being eager to let these on their rails. And who pays for the cleanup when one of these bails - the operator, the company that owns the rails or some insurance company that is supported by a federal government?
Interesting that a computer magazine would publish an article like this. Last time I checked, there weren't any self-help books mixed in with my O'reily collection. Both in science and in IT, you constantly read articles about how "scientists don't communicate effectively enough." Can anyone tell me a profession outside of the media that does communicate effectivly with people who haven't a clue what's going on?