Soooooooooooo, part of me wonders if you've ever worked in IT, and than part of me sighs and says "no"
I really don't understand your argument on not allowing a user to set up his own OS and/or software. Will this user be responsible for supporting this? I'm pretty sure my response would be "Oh, you installed that nonstandard piece of software/hardware that I am not intimately familiar with? Sorry for your luck"
Standardization is important because it makes supporting things easier. Not trying to cramp a user's style, but make it easier to support.
"his computer will be taken away for "maintenance" for a week"
Possibly illegal in most civilised countries
I'm sure, since you made the comment, that you have some basis for this? Last time I took a user's machine away for repairs, a SWAT team didn't bust through the windows in my office and hold me at gunpoint, but I'm sure you'll refute this.
I worked at a university once where the users were complaining of the lack of admin rights they had. Our solution was to grant admin rights to those who wanted it, but at the point they signed the form to hand over those rights we (the IT department) wouldn't support them. And as soon as they had a problem big enough to force us to reimage the machine, admin rights were revoked.
From what I recall, it seemed to work in the local taverns. Of course, it really doesn't matter who wins an argument as long as a round of Guinness is to be shared. Long live ireland (and it's wonderful beers)
Now, I don't agree with Google's move anymore than you do, but I do have a couple of questions. How exactly is google a "crook"? It may just be where I live, but usually the word "crook" implies some sort of criminal activity. And as a former "journalist" one would hope you could grasp the usage of that word. And what crime again did google commit? As I understand it, Google just won't talk to reporters from CNet. Not a "criminal" activity.
Maybe someone could enlighten me, but I seem to recall that you get carpal tunnel syndrome via repetive motion (eg, typing, playing the cello, etc) Aren't there keyboards and other ergo devices that could be used with the people identified by this study? Not suggesting we all beg our employers to study our genes, but the American's with Disibilities Act requires that an employer makes reasonable accomadations for an employee with a disability. Since it's a genetic predisposition that the worker has absolutely no control over, if the company tried to oust them, or not hire them at all based on this pre-existing, genetic condition wouldn't this be considered discrimination?
I imagine it would be a bit of both. However, as politics and technology never seem to work well together, it would end up being the appointee's job to explain technical issues such as virus protection or cyber-attacks to those who have the power and money. I'd have to lean towards mostly political, and I think most IT workers would agree - just think of trying to convince a manager that a new firewall or server is needed. So, technical in the nature of keeping up on the current technology, but political in trying to convince lawmakers that the new technology is needed.
I know that my dad's truck gets XM satellite radio, and the antenna seems pretty bulky on top of his cab so I'm not sure how small it could be. Also, in terms of running it through the headphones, would it work if a different set of headphones were used? I actually use an outboard headphone amp to power a set of AKG 271s headphones and I don't want to be limited to the iPod headphones.
How much would this change the format of the iPod? As far as I remember (which isn't much I must admit) satellite radios must require some sort of antenna to pick up the signal. Would a relatively bulky add-in be required to pick up the signal?
Anything, including having nails pounded into my eyes by a mildly irritated Chewbacca, could have been better than the first two. However, I shouldn't hold my breath - Lucas can fail us yet . . .
I use a number of email lists for school groups and I know that everytime I sign up for one there are usually disclaimers telling me to check my spam for messages the first time an email is sent out and than mark it as not spam. I'm not familiar with AOL, is their system different?
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Soooooooooooo, part of me wonders if you've ever worked in IT, and than part of me sighs and says "no"
I really don't understand your argument on not allowing a user to set up his own OS and/or software. Will this user be responsible for supporting this? I'm pretty sure my response would be "Oh, you installed that nonstandard piece of software/hardware that I am not intimately familiar with? Sorry for your luck"
Standardization is important because it makes supporting things easier. Not trying to cramp a user's style, but make it easier to support.
"his computer will be taken away for "maintenance" for a week" Possibly illegal in most civilised countries
I'm sure, since you made the comment, that you have some basis for this? Last time I took a user's machine away for repairs, a SWAT team didn't bust through the windows in my office and hold me at gunpoint, but I'm sure you'll refute this.
I worked at a university once where the users were complaining of the lack of admin rights they had. Our solution was to grant admin rights to those who wanted it, but at the point they signed the form to hand over those rights we (the IT department) wouldn't support them. And as soon as they had a problem big enough to force us to reimage the machine, admin rights were revoked.
From what I recall, it seemed to work in the local taverns. Of course, it really doesn't matter who wins an argument as long as a round of Guinness is to be shared. Long live ireland (and it's wonderful beers)
Now, I don't agree with Google's move anymore than you do, but I do have a couple of questions. How exactly is google a "crook"? It may just be where I live, but usually the word "crook" implies some sort of criminal activity. And as a former "journalist" one would hope you could grasp the usage of that word. And what crime again did google commit? As I understand it, Google just won't talk to reporters from CNet. Not a "criminal" activity.
Maybe someone could enlighten me, but I seem to recall that you get carpal tunnel syndrome via repetive motion (eg, typing, playing the cello, etc) Aren't there keyboards and other ergo devices that could be used with the people identified by this study? Not suggesting we all beg our employers to study our genes, but the American's with Disibilities Act requires that an employer makes reasonable accomadations for an employee with a disability. Since it's a genetic predisposition that the worker has absolutely no control over, if the company tried to oust them, or not hire them at all based on this pre-existing, genetic condition wouldn't this be considered discrimination?
IIRC, when Google made the offer, they offered to pay for any time that he might be barred from work.
I imagine it would be a bit of both. However, as politics and technology never seem to work well together, it would end up being the appointee's job to explain technical issues such as virus protection or cyber-attacks to those who have the power and money. I'd have to lean towards mostly political, and I think most IT workers would agree - just think of trying to convince a manager that a new firewall or server is needed. So, technical in the nature of keeping up on the current technology, but political in trying to convince lawmakers that the new technology is needed.
I know that my dad's truck gets XM satellite radio, and the antenna seems pretty bulky on top of his cab so I'm not sure how small it could be. Also, in terms of running it through the headphones, would it work if a different set of headphones were used? I actually use an outboard headphone amp to power a set of AKG 271s headphones and I don't want to be limited to the iPod headphones.
How much would this change the format of the iPod? As far as I remember (which isn't much I must admit) satellite radios must require some sort of antenna to pick up the signal. Would a relatively bulky add-in be required to pick up the signal?
Anything, including having nails pounded into my eyes by a mildly irritated Chewbacca, could have been better than the first two. However, I shouldn't hold my breath - Lucas can fail us yet . . .
I use a number of email lists for school groups and I know that everytime I sign up for one there are usually disclaimers telling me to check my spam for messages the first time an email is sent out and than mark it as not spam. I'm not familiar with AOL, is their system different?