Jeff: I can mirror this excellent article for you, either redirect to or link in slashdot post to alt source. That is if you don't mind political blog / site ? helping out!
Also, give WP-super cache a try in place of W3TC, I switched awhile back and noticed better overall performance, however, slashdot/reddit spikes are difficult to handle at times regardless.
Apologize for my scattered / rambling / thoughts in advance...working 25/8 does that.
There's a lack of appreciation or rather "awe" with todays generation in regard to semi-pre-mainstream technology..shows such as Tron, VideoDrome, Star Wars, Trek, org Who series, Twilight Zone, Last Star Fighter, anyone born around the mid 70's - early 80's can fill in the rest. Even older reviewers that rated this Tron rehash negative apply to the following observation. When I was young, I couldn't wait until the day/future came that I could own a tricorder...that day has come and gone, I throw them away without hesitation today (mobile devices). The idea of holographic images far fetched then, owning Hal a reality and common place today, Max is idle in the other room, which I just woke up via voice command from the couch. I can track friends via GPS, reach them in near real-time..no more phone tag, tape based answering machines or having to plan the weekend with friends before the bell rang on Friday....there wasn't any real "msg me" or update your places status and I/We'll catch up with you..no planning ahead resulted in a weekend at home. However, fighter pilots could communicate between planets / universities with ease. The idea that TV could control your brain or news media creating facts-from-lies was spooky yet, interesting...much of the headroom universe is present today. Being able to compile code or hack mainframes in seconds was an unreal thought..left for the big screen and to witness all these things, required leaving the house and siting in a room with other humans...not a glass of wine and boxee or mythtv. Movies were once projected on to objects..not the other way around (3D TV). Most remakes or re-released sci-classics require a certain level of "awe" to be enjoyed.....the imagination of yesterday is todays boredom or obsoleted/rev'd quickly. I admit technology has spoiled me some but I can still appropriate a time in my life when it was a future goal to own an 286 an 80MB HDD was a wet dream..being able to beam data from one point to another wireless WOW or a cordless phone that could be used more than 100ft from its base...anyway, my scattered point is: older genre based shows are boring....to most of us now. CGI matters more than actual imagination and desire to live long enough to see Jetsons tech. So its okay for the story line in Tron to suck today.....it was never really about the plot..more how far can we bend the mind...the visual concept of giving code human like form was epic for its time, today it actually a reality ( AI/NanoBots ) . Today we take for granted the technology we have.........back then it was a dream of some future and far off time. Today.....COMpuER submit post!
" The US is the "juiciest target" in the entire world? "
I'm curious as to what Canada is hiding...behind all that politeness.:-)
Even without additional country leaks, indirectly equal [harm] is being done to other governments. A big concern for everyone right now, making sure irrational leaders that tend to over indulge in alcoholic drinks remain sober while perusing the leaks. Take for example, Lil-ill in N Korea he was trigger happy enough before this happened, though I have to admit, I'm confused as to what he has, seem to think he has, or might be capable of doing.
The Karma Sutra issue, really there is nothing new about malware like this one. Every day I watch and monitor much worse threats. I feel this one was escalated by the back seat approach Microsoft has taken.
On the M$ site it states that, 3rd party security vendors already have in place solutions to suppress the Karma Sutra threat. Also that they [ M$ ] will not break their patch cycle to address this problem, but.......if you have purchased additional support packages, you can get the patch in advance. They acknowledge the problem, that they have in place the patch already....but the average end-user must wait for the next patch day. Or fork out more cash M$'s way [ Still scratching my head on that one ].
I have one question for M$
" When are you going to allow 3rd party vendors [ security ] to release their own version(s) of the M$ OS [ Windows ] ???? "
I would have zero problems handing over cash to any 3rd party that could offer a secure version of XP. Especially, when it seems that M$ doesn't feel that the every day users of their products are important. It is rather puzzling....3rd party vendors address and watch out for M$'s customers when they don't. Yes, Anti-Virus companies make money by providing computer security and solutions. That's not the real issue at hand, the real issue is the lack of responsibility M$ seems to take for their own products.
An ex-programmer for a rather ' large ' OS provider once told me. " Microsoft and their products are one of only a few services offered that people will accept fault and flaws in, and always return to.....and to boot, they continue to shell out big bucks, not only in the price of the OS, but also in 3rd party technical services that clean and repair their systems of viruses".
I'm not in any way anti Microsoft, I do however feel that they need to ' FIX ' their products, provide more information to the general public about the harm Windows for example can cause [ think big tobacco and the Surgeon General Warning ]. Provide equal product care to all, and again FIX your product(s).
With Karma Sutra the public was made aware of an issue that could have been worse. That is if 3rd party vendors had not provided security solutions for Microsoft and their customers. I do not feel M$ will ever FIX their product(s), nor will they take responsibility for their flaws, so maybe we need to look else where for a middle ground. One where M$ can continue to produce and sell ' snake oil ' and the customer has enough heads up to purchase/seek if needed extra 3rd party product protection. How ? , one way is the main stream news media, here in the USA we have Amber alerts, emergency weather, etc. notices on both tv and radio. I suppose they could include Windows security alerts also ? and I would encourage malware writers to include document trashing in all of their code. It seems to wake people up when they hear that their documents and pictures are at risk !!!
Apple Computer has been slapped with a lawsuit by Tiger Direct Inc.
When M$ went after Lindows I did not agree, however since both were in the OS business.I understood!!!??? Kind Of
Most likely some one did not get their way here.
I wonder how all the zoo's around the world will handle this?
They should call a hungry Tiger to the witness stand,
at least eliminate the Lawyer(s) behind this.
And who really owns the Name, didn't the Tiger come before the computer retailer? What idiot behind trademarking let a company take ownership of a common name, dictionary word/term/description?
And why doesn't some one put restrictions on 'Common name' trademarking,
example: You can package/label your product with these names, long as the
visual output is altered to reflect a uniquely identifiable image or alteration in the font/color.
Ok, ok, ok I know, what about Apple Computers or 'Windows'? If Microsoft packages their products as "Microsoft Windows" and trademarks it, fine with both words as one meaning. But taking 'Windows' out and handing out lawsuites or forcing smaller companies 'Lindows' to change, nope.
Apple uses the name 'Tiger' as in "Apple OS X - King of the jungle" a leader, big, bold, powerful...the dominant OS solution.
Not "Apple OS X 'The online retailer 50% off all modems this week at Tiger Direct'"
Another comment was 'confusing the consumer' hmmmmmmmmmm
If a customer is confusing a 'retail computer hardware/software company, with an operating system'.you might be better off not having them clicking around your sales and support site! Could lead to some wasted customer service or Tech support calls.
I suppose I should email my mother about the possible lawsuit, its a shame since Tiger
is such a fitting name for her cat.
Before Windows there was DOS a simple command line, users back then could start apps and/or generate their own custom menus. Jane in the office could start word-perfect, Bob the accountant could open and work in Lotus with out problems, might I add both Jane and Bob could manage to reset the dot-matrix printer and load paper. Users back before windows could do quite a bit more than they can do today 'and all from the command line'. Windows made people lazy, a single 'shortcut' took away that knowledge they once had of the command line and configuration files. I'm not sure what happened or when but once the GUI 'Windows' hit the market, the same users that could do for themselves 'or with little support' can no longer handle simple tasks. When I started out in the Tech business, calls were about hardware issues, OS2, DOS driver problems, jumper on a modem or Hard Drive needed some tweaking...even then the user had already tried the most common solutions 'without much thought'. Skip to present day, 'I repeat...users are lazy', today most of the call I receive are non-technical, Jane has an Icon that Bob doesn't have on his desktop, How do I change my desktop back ground, create a shortcut, software installer is asking me if I want to install to 'X-location...is that OK?, OH and "I just bought my PC two weeks ago and it is now SLOW" Yeah welcome to Windows worms, virus, spy ware etc.... Will Linux take over Windows? who really cares, when I say this I mean, who in linux community will benefit from a complete or at least major market share takeover? No one really owns Linux its a community effort with many solutions and flavors. As a user of Linux/BSD do I really want my OS to become mainstream? with all of the trouble 'extras' that come with owning a Windows machine? Virus,spy-ware etc are not far from hitting the Linux OS or at least becoming more widespread then it is already, do I want that to escalate? Just to knock M$ off the hill? To be selfish, if it was not for Microsoft and all the problems that plague it, I would be out of business! I think if anything I would like to see that 'common knowledge' of the operating system come back if not anything else. Linux in its current state could do this, but again 'users are lazy'. Linux can be just as eye candy enabled as Windows, it provides the same level of 'productivity' tools as Windows, if not more and its free 'to a certain' degree. It still requires the user to read, learn and understand their tool(s), (OS, Computer). That will not happen any time soon. On a side note, I would like to address the virus, spy-ware issue....one service call out to fix and clean a system is fine, another call to fix, clean the same system after explaining and providing tools...fine too, another call to fix, clean and re-explain to the same user is 'TechAbuse', in cases like this I would like to see a national 'DMV' of Computer owners or since we must register and pass training to own guns, maybe something similar. Even though an infected machine 'Windows' doesn't affect me directly (productivity of daily business), it does to a degree slow down my email or my really important new-group feeds, not to mention the flood of Mass-email from un-patched dialup Windows XP users...........
I find it interesting that a company of this nature would go this route.
I do understand how having your company black-listed would pose a threat to your business and PROFIT-'being key here'. I feel that if
your company and/or product made it to the antivirus, spyware, watch lists etc. that there is a major problem with your
service/product(s) and should be closely reviewed and fixed. This letter got me to thinking, why don't I bill this company for my time
and service. Why should I bill customers for time, service and repairs caused by this software and their partners. From the letter they
claim to be a legitimate business, if this is the case then they ship obviously buggy, insecure,faulty software. I have cleaned up many
systems with this software and their partners 'random' 3rd party add-ons. I noticed that while installed a 2GHZ, 1GB Ram
system can actually run 'neck and neck' with an Old beat up 486DX system. In most situations the 486DX would run circles around it
though. I'll not get into how a basic DSL/Cable connection can come to a near halt. Of course the issue with this company in particular
is that they do warn you about add-ons, privacy etc. To a degree only the user can be held responsible here. Since in 'fine print' and/or
agreement they do ask for permission before installing. What can be done in situations like this? Maybe forcing legitimate software
companies and developers, to include these warnings or disclaimer in plain view at or near the top line of each agreement. Insert
also: Bold, clear, and descriptive explanations; Non-technical information provided in a 'LARGE' legible box above the 'Next/OK' button,
explaining to users why slowing down, damaging, etc. their new $$$$$K desktop/laptop-DLS/CABLE connection is a benefit of using
their software. Maybe we should develop software that pulls information from these disclaimers and agreements, that would also stop
the install process until the 'BOLD, CLEAR' -'in their own words' legal 'damaging' content can be provided to the user. For some users
you would probably need to include some neon lights and loud bells.
Slashdot Mirror
Jeff: I can mirror this excellent article for you, either redirect to or link in slashdot post to alt source. That is if you don't mind political blog / site ? helping out! Also, give WP-super cache a try in place of W3TC, I switched awhile back and noticed better overall performance, however, slashdot/reddit spikes are difficult to handle at times regardless.
Apologize for my scattered / rambling / thoughts in advance...working 25/8 does that. There's a lack of appreciation or rather "awe" with todays generation in regard to semi-pre-mainstream technology..shows such as Tron, VideoDrome, Star Wars, Trek, org Who series, Twilight Zone, Last Star Fighter, anyone born around the mid 70's - early 80's can fill in the rest. Even older reviewers that rated this Tron rehash negative apply to the following observation. When I was young, I couldn't wait until the day/future came that I could own a tricorder...that day has come and gone, I throw them away without hesitation today (mobile devices). The idea of holographic images far fetched then, owning Hal a reality and common place today, Max is idle in the other room, which I just woke up via voice command from the couch. I can track friends via GPS, reach them in near real-time..no more phone tag, tape based answering machines or having to plan the weekend with friends before the bell rang on Friday....there wasn't any real "msg me" or update your places status and I/We'll catch up with you..no planning ahead resulted in a weekend at home. However, fighter pilots could communicate between planets / universities with ease. The idea that TV could control your brain or news media creating facts-from-lies was spooky yet, interesting...much of the headroom universe is present today. Being able to compile code or hack mainframes in seconds was an unreal thought..left for the big screen and to witness all these things, required leaving the house and siting in a room with other humans...not a glass of wine and boxee or mythtv. Movies were once projected on to objects..not the other way around (3D TV). Most remakes or re-released sci-classics require a certain level of "awe" to be enjoyed.....the imagination of yesterday is todays boredom or obsoleted/rev'd quickly. I admit technology has spoiled me some but I can still appropriate a time in my life when it was a future goal to own an 286 an 80MB HDD was a wet dream..being able to beam data from one point to another wireless WOW or a cordless phone that could be used more than 100ft from its base. ..anyway, my scattered point is: older genre based shows are boring....to most of us now. CGI matters more than actual imagination and desire to live long enough to see Jetsons tech. So its okay for the story line in Tron to suck today.....it was never really about the plot..more how far can we bend the mind...the visual concept of giving code human like form was epic for its time, today it actually a reality ( AI/NanoBots ) . Today we take for granted the technology we have.........back then it was a dream of some future and far off time. Today.....COMpuER submit post!
" The US is the "juiciest target" in the entire world? " I'm curious as to what Canada is hiding...behind all that politeness. :-)
Even without additional country leaks, indirectly equal [harm] is being done to other governments. A big concern for everyone right now, making sure irrational leaders that tend to over indulge in alcoholic drinks remain sober while perusing the leaks. Take for example, Lil-ill in N Korea he was trigger happy enough before this happened, though I have to admit, I'm confused as to what he has, seem to think he has, or might be capable of doing.
A few thoughts,
The Karma Sutra issue, really there is nothing new about malware like this one. Every day I watch and monitor much worse threats. I feel this one was escalated by the back seat approach Microsoft has taken.
On the M$ site it states that, 3rd party security vendors already have in place solutions to suppress the Karma Sutra threat. Also that they [ M$ ] will not break their patch cycle to address this problem, but.......if you have purchased additional support packages, you can get the patch in advance. They acknowledge the problem, that they have in place the patch already....but the average end-user must wait for the next patch day. Or fork out more cash M$'s way [ Still scratching my head on that one ].
I have one question for M$
" When are you going to allow 3rd party vendors [ security ] to release their own version(s) of the M$ OS [ Windows ] ???? "
I would have zero problems handing over cash to any 3rd party that could offer a secure version of XP. Especially, when it seems that M$ doesn't feel that the every day users of their products are important. It is rather puzzling....3rd party vendors address and watch out for M$'s customers when they don't. Yes, Anti-Virus companies make money by providing computer security and solutions. That's not the real issue at hand, the real issue is the lack of responsibility M$ seems to take for their own products.
An ex-programmer for a rather ' large ' OS provider once told me. " Microsoft and their products are one of only a few services offered that people will accept fault and flaws in, and always return to.....and to boot, they continue to shell out big bucks, not only in the price of the OS, but also in 3rd party technical services that clean and repair their systems of viruses".
I'm not in any way anti Microsoft, I do however feel that they need to ' FIX ' their products, provide more information to the general public about the harm Windows for example can cause [ think big tobacco and the Surgeon General Warning ]. Provide equal product care to all, and again FIX your product(s).
With Karma Sutra the public was made aware of an issue that could have been worse. That is if 3rd party vendors had not provided security solutions for Microsoft and their customers.
I do not feel M$ will ever FIX their product(s), nor will they take responsibility for their flaws, so maybe we need to look else where for a middle ground. One where M$ can continue to produce and sell ' snake oil ' and the customer has enough heads up to purchase/seek if needed extra 3rd party product protection.
How ? , one way is the main stream news media, here in the USA we have Amber alerts, emergency weather, etc. notices on both tv and radio. I suppose they could include Windows security alerts also ? and I would encourage malware writers to include document trashing in all of their code. It seems to wake people up when they hear that their documents and pictures are at risk !!!
Apple Computer has been slapped with a lawsuit by Tiger Direct Inc. When M$ went after Lindows I did not agree, however since both were in the OS business.I understood!!!??? Kind Of Most likely some one did not get their way here. I wonder how all the zoo's around the world will handle this? They should call a hungry Tiger to the witness stand, at least eliminate the Lawyer(s) behind this. And who really owns the Name, didn't the Tiger come before the computer retailer? What idiot behind trademarking let a company take ownership of a common name, dictionary word/term/description? And why doesn't some one put restrictions on 'Common name' trademarking, example: You can package/label your product with these names, long as the visual output is altered to reflect a uniquely identifiable image or alteration in the font/color. Ok, ok, ok I know, what about Apple Computers or 'Windows'? If Microsoft packages their products as "Microsoft Windows" and trademarks it, fine with both words as one meaning. But taking 'Windows' out and handing out lawsuites or forcing smaller companies 'Lindows' to change, nope. Apple uses the name 'Tiger' as in "Apple OS X - King of the jungle" a leader, big, bold, powerful...the dominant OS solution. Not "Apple OS X 'The online retailer 50% off all modems this week at Tiger Direct'" Another comment was 'confusing the consumer' hmmmmmmmmmm If a customer is confusing a 'retail computer hardware/software company, with an operating system'.you might be better off not having them clicking around your sales and support site! Could lead to some wasted customer service or Tech support calls. I suppose I should email my mother about the possible lawsuit, its a shame since Tiger is such a fitting name for her cat.
Before Windows there was DOS a simple command line, users back then could start apps and/or generate their own custom menus. Jane in the office could start word-perfect, Bob the accountant could open and work in Lotus with out problems, might I add both Jane and Bob could manage to reset the dot-matrix printer and load paper. Users back before windows could do quite a bit more than they can do today 'and all from the command line'. Windows made people lazy, a single 'shortcut' took away that knowledge they once had of the command line and configuration files. I'm not sure what happened or when but once the GUI 'Windows' hit the market, the same users that could do for themselves 'or with little support' can no longer handle simple tasks. When I started out in the Tech business, calls were about hardware issues, OS2, DOS driver problems, jumper on a modem or Hard Drive needed some tweaking...even then the user had already tried the most common solutions 'without much thought'. Skip to present day, 'I repeat...users are lazy', today most of the call I receive are non-technical, Jane has an Icon that Bob doesn't have on his desktop, How do I change my desktop back ground, create a shortcut, software installer is asking me if I want to install to 'X-location...is that OK?, OH and "I just bought my PC two weeks ago and it is now SLOW" Yeah welcome to Windows worms, virus, spy ware etc.... Will Linux take over Windows? who really cares, when I say this I mean, who in linux community will benefit from a complete or at least major market share takeover? No one really owns Linux its a community effort with many solutions and flavors. As a user of Linux/BSD do I really want my OS to become mainstream? with all of the trouble 'extras' that come with owning a Windows machine? Virus,spy-ware etc are not far from hitting the Linux OS or at least becoming more widespread then it is already, do I want that to escalate? Just to knock M$ off the hill? To be selfish, if it was not for Microsoft and all the problems that plague it, I would be out of business! I think if anything I would like to see that 'common knowledge' of the operating system come back if not anything else. Linux in its current state could do this, but again 'users are lazy'. Linux can be just as eye candy enabled as Windows, it provides the same level of 'productivity' tools as Windows, if not more and its free 'to a certain' degree. It still requires the user to read, learn and understand their tool(s), (OS, Computer). That will not happen any time soon. On a side note, I would like to address the virus, spy-ware issue....one service call out to fix and clean a system is fine, another call to fix, clean the same system after explaining and providing tools...fine too, another call to fix, clean and re-explain to the same user is 'TechAbuse', in cases like this I would like to see a national 'DMV' of Computer owners or since we must register and pass training to own guns, maybe something similar. Even though an infected machine 'Windows' doesn't affect me directly (productivity of daily business), it does to a degree slow down my email or my really important new-group feeds, not to mention the flood of Mass-email from un-patched dialup Windows XP users...........
I find it interesting that a company of this nature would go this route. I do understand how having your company black-listed would pose a threat to your business and PROFIT-'being key here'. I feel that if your company and/or product made it to the antivirus, spyware, watch lists etc. that there is a major problem with your service/product(s) and should be closely reviewed and fixed. This letter got me to thinking, why don't I bill this company for my time and service. Why should I bill customers for time, service and repairs caused by this software and their partners. From the letter they claim to be a legitimate business, if this is the case then they ship obviously buggy, insecure,faulty software. I have cleaned up many systems with this software and their partners 'random' 3rd party add-ons. I noticed that while installed a 2GHZ, 1GB Ram system can actually run 'neck and neck' with an Old beat up 486DX system. In most situations the 486DX would run circles around it though. I'll not get into how a basic DSL/Cable connection can come to a near halt. Of course the issue with this company in particular is that they do warn you about add-ons, privacy etc. To a degree only the user can be held responsible here. Since in 'fine print' and/or agreement they do ask for permission before installing. What can be done in situations like this? Maybe forcing legitimate software companies and developers, to include these warnings or disclaimer in plain view at or near the top line of each agreement. Insert also: Bold, clear, and descriptive explanations; Non-technical information provided in a 'LARGE' legible box above the 'Next/OK' button, explaining to users why slowing down, damaging, etc. their new $$$$$K desktop/laptop-DLS/CABLE connection is a benefit of using their software. Maybe we should develop software that pulls information from these disclaimers and agreements, that would also stop the install process until the 'BOLD, CLEAR' -'in their own words' legal 'damaging' content can be provided to the user. For some users you would probably need to include some neon lights and loud bells.