I don't care about the relative benefits (or weaknesses) of whatever installer is on my system (Suse9/rpm - I know. I'm illustrating a point here, okay?). I just want to install and use the damn application.
I don't understand why I should have to have multiple graphics/development libs (nevermind different minor revs) because several different applications each specified it wanted something Completely Different. There have been things that I've tried to install that have had up to 3 or 4 different LEVELS of dependencies that I've had to go chase down: package A needed B - B needed C - C needed D, and it has been a massive pain in the ass. All these different libs have their supporters who say that each one is "better" - but that's "better" for the developer; the end user can't see any difference, and really doesn't care: they just want the pretty pictures on the screen. THIS is why Linux isn't kicking Microsofts ass.
I can compile and install from sources, but Joe Average User can't/won't be bothered - it confuses him too much. Why should he screw around with Linux and the plate of spaghetti that is its libraries and dependencies when he can just download and USE the damn software on a Windows box? If the software he's installing has a newer version of a lib, it just installs it seamlessly; the old version goes bye-bye, and nothing breaks.
I'm slowly switching everything I can over to my Linux box from Windows (some stuff simply isn't available on Linux), and I've been encouraging people to try FOSS software - but only those apps that run on Windows. Why? Because I'm not about to try and convince people that see the computer as a way of actually getting things done to start having to screw around with the lack of standards that Linux suffers.
(Now adjusting Nomex underwear in anticipation of flaming resulting from saying Linux isn't do-all and end-all of OSs)
Until/unless that actually happens, we're stuck with software patents.
Yes, there are ongoing challenges and such - but the companies that would benefit from patents have a lot more money to throw at the problem than the anti-patent bunch. And as long as the USPTO (government) thinks that it's okay, they'll keep on issuing them, too.
Finally, if they do invalidate software patents, what happens with the ones that have been issued? Do they get their money back? Are they just out of luck? Do they sue the gov't for issuing them in the first place? I suspect that these questions will be enough to convice those in Authority to keep software patents around as long as possible: why address problematic questions today when they can put them off in the hopes of not having to deal with them EVER?
if we Americans can voice support for the EU to ban software patents, then we must might be able to use that as a flanking maneuver to ultimately get them stopped here.
might not have an OS (yet?), but anything they do that shakes up Microsoft can't be all bad. If nothing else, the platform-independence of the Google offerings cracks open the door for FOSS a little more.
I'd expect that the majority of the zombie-fication could be stopped through the simple expedient of installing a firewall (or even firewall software). There's also the situation of the idiots that think antivirus software lasts forever, and don't keep it updated. Finally, there are the morons that click on any damn thing that shows up in their email.
Having a few machines seized for a couple of months would convince the rest that computers aren't as maintenance-free as they think. No, I don't jack up my car every week or any of the rest of that (other than checking the tires and fluid levels); but if the brakes start making noise, the car is pulling to one side or the other, and a fender is falling off, yes, I would get it tended to. Keeping a computer virus/trojan/zombie-free is no different than making sure the cars windows are clean, the brakes work, and that it isn't burning oil: basic maintenance that SHOULD be assumed when one assumes the liability of operating it "in public" (on the net for computers, on the highway for cars).
On the same page where I do all this, I also include links to the House and Senate email address pages, figuring if I get spammed, Congress should, too:-)
There's currently no penalty for being stupid/careless enough to let a machine be zombie-fied. Why not impound the zombie machines, too, for a while (say a couple months) for "investigation" before returning them. A few stories in the press about how umpteen hundred zombie machines were seized might accidentally motivate more folks into securing their systems.
One place I worked at, they had a problem where EVERY Monday morning, they'd have to recreate boot floppies for the PC/XT machines some of the secretaries were using. This went on a few weeks before one of the techs noticed something: said secretaries were 'storing' their boot floppies by affixing them to a nearby filing cabinet - with fridge magnets!
Dam grammer Nazis. Next thing yew no, sumone will start biching about speling, to.
Re:schools and computer literacy
on
IT Literacy Test
·
· Score: 2, Insightful
I thought I was going to get an IT degree from Montana State University, but after 2 semesters of GenEd classes, I finally found out that the _entire_ CS/IT curriculum is MS-based: MS Office for "productivity software", FrontPage for web design, Access for database, etc.
I've reworked my degree program so I'm only getting a general AA; I'll use that to get into a school that teaches IT versus Microsoft for my B.Sc.
we need a Source Code Industry of America (SCIA) to handle such flagrant copyright violations by suing the snot out of anyone transferring unauthorized source code.
The SCIA would need a web spider to go around checking pages for appropriate keywords so that it could send out generic Cease and Desist orders via email. Adding Generic Legal Threats(tm) optional.
vote early, then spend the rest of the day stabbing myself periodically with an icepick. With any luck, I'll have bled out by the time the results are in.
Slashdot Mirror
I don't care about the relative benefits (or weaknesses) of whatever installer is on my system (Suse9/rpm - I know. I'm illustrating a point here, okay?). I just want to install and use the damn application.
I don't understand why I should have to have multiple graphics/development libs (nevermind different minor revs) because several different applications each specified it wanted something Completely Different. There have been things that I've tried to install that have had up to 3 or 4 different LEVELS of dependencies that I've had to go chase down: package A needed B - B needed C - C needed D, and it has been a massive pain in the ass. All these different libs have their supporters who say that each one is "better" - but that's "better" for the developer; the end user can't see any difference, and really doesn't care: they just want the pretty pictures on the screen. THIS is why Linux isn't kicking Microsofts ass.
I can compile and install from sources, but Joe Average User can't/won't be bothered - it confuses him too much. Why should he screw around with Linux and the plate of spaghetti that is its libraries and dependencies when he can just download and USE the damn software on a Windows box? If the software he's installing has a newer version of a lib, it just installs it seamlessly; the old version goes bye-bye, and nothing breaks.
I'm slowly switching everything I can over to my Linux box from Windows (some stuff simply isn't available on Linux), and I've been encouraging people to try FOSS software - but only those apps that run on Windows. Why? Because I'm not about to try and convince people that see the computer as a way of actually getting things done to start having to screw around with the lack of standards that Linux suffers.
(Now adjusting Nomex underwear in anticipation of flaming resulting from saying Linux isn't do-all and end-all of OSs)
Until/unless that actually happens, we're stuck with software patents.
Yes, there are ongoing challenges and such - but the companies that would benefit from patents have a lot more money to throw at the problem than the anti-patent bunch. And as long as the USPTO (government) thinks that it's okay, they'll keep on issuing them, too.
Finally, if they do invalidate software patents, what happens with the ones that have been issued? Do they get their money back? Are they just out of luck? Do they sue the gov't for issuing them in the first place? I suspect that these questions will be enough to convice those in Authority to keep software patents around as long as possible: why address problematic questions today when they can put them off in the hopes of not having to deal with them EVER?
if we Americans can voice support for the EU to ban software patents, then we must might be able to use that as a flanking maneuver to ultimately get them stopped here.
It's a thought.
might not have an OS (yet?), but anything they do that shakes up Microsoft can't be all bad. If nothing else, the platform-independence of the Google offerings cracks open the door for FOSS a little more.
And how amusing will it be if (when?) a 911 "game" comes out?
I think I'm getting it on one of my public accounts. You want it back?
I'd expect that the majority of the zombie-fication could be stopped through the simple expedient of installing a firewall (or even firewall software). There's also the situation of the idiots that think antivirus software lasts forever, and don't keep it updated. Finally, there are the morons that click on any damn thing that shows up in their email.
Having a few machines seized for a couple of months would convince the rest that computers aren't as maintenance-free as they think. No, I don't jack up my car every week or any of the rest of that (other than checking the tires and fluid levels); but if the brakes start making noise, the car is pulling to one side or the other, and a fender is falling off, yes, I would get it tended to. Keeping a computer virus/trojan/zombie-free is no different than making sure the cars windows are clean, the brakes work, and that it isn't burning oil: basic maintenance that SHOULD be assumed when one assumes the liability of operating it "in public" (on the net for computers, on the highway for cars).
Personally, I use a combination of tarpits, poisoning their databases, and a website that is rumored to kill the little bastages.
On the same page where I do all this, I also include links to the House and Senate email address pages, figuring if I get spammed, Congress should, too :-)
There's currently no penalty for being stupid/careless enough to let a machine be zombie-fied. Why not impound the zombie machines, too, for a while (say a couple months) for "investigation" before returning them. A few stories in the press about how umpteen hundred zombie machines were seized might accidentally motivate more folks into securing their systems.
Now all they have to get it to do is climb over 60 thousand miles into space
Funny, I thought space was a lot closer than that.
more forking from Intel!
that would be $1.59 (just kidding, Canada!)
One place I worked at, they had a problem where EVERY Monday morning, they'd have to recreate boot floppies for the PC/XT machines some of the secretaries were using. This went on a few weeks before one of the techs noticed something: said secretaries were 'storing' their boot floppies by affixing them to a nearby filing cabinet - with fridge magnets!
Once Intel in marginalized, Microsoft must be soon to follow?
One can only hope...
would I need to make my own holodeck?
Dam grammer Nazis. Next thing yew no, sumone will start biching about speling, to.
I thought I was going to get an IT degree from Montana State University, but after 2 semesters of GenEd classes, I finally found out that the _entire_ CS/IT curriculum is MS-based: MS Office for "productivity software", FrontPage for web design, Access for database, etc. I've reworked my degree program so I'm only getting a general AA; I'll use that to get into a school that teaches IT versus Microsoft for my B.Sc.
Use the silicon for processors, or implants... processors, or implants...
I don't already get enough email.
if we could do a sustained slashdotting of the USPTO servers as a protest....
Good answer! Good answer!
we need a Source Code Industry of America (SCIA) to handle such flagrant copyright violations by suing the snot out of anyone transferring unauthorized source code.
The SCIA would need a web spider to go around checking pages for appropriate keywords so that it could send out generic Cease and Desist orders via email. Adding Generic Legal Threats(tm) optional.
PLEASE tell me you just forgot the <sarcasm> and </sarcasm> tags!
Can't Survive Slashdotting, apparently.
vote early, then spend the rest of the day stabbing myself periodically with an icepick. With any luck, I'll have bled out by the time the results are in.