One thing you should keep in mind is that a police state doesn't happen over night. Its a slow erosion of freedom, almost imperceptable. These things happen over several lifetimes, so no one notices and no one remembers how it used to be. So just because a current piece of legislation doesn't seem too bad, you have to be aware of the cummalative effect of many laws over time.
Apparently, Brits don't have the distrust of government that seems inherent in Americans. It just seems amazing to me that people are so willing to trade liberty for (perceived) saftey.
People also like Word documents, but I'm a lot less eager to support that format for a whole lot of reasons (cross-platform issues, cross-version issues, macro viruses, Word sucks, etc:).
Please don't use Word, or Wordperfect, or any format that someone can't read for free. PDFs are good, but if your using the latest version, make sure that older PDF readers can use them. And of course HTML or plain text is acceptable.
I work for a state government agency and I also frequent other government web sites looking for information. I think the usability is the most important factor although that isn't specific to government.
I think most people are unaware of exactly what some government agencies do. I think each site should describe the agency's mission and its organizational structure. People come to government web sites to get information, and they should be able to find it quickly. You may want to log the traffic on your site to help you design it more efficiently. Find out which pages people frequent the most and track their path as they navigate your site.
I'm a big data user, if possible provide any data your agency produces which the public may find useful in electronic format. Preferably something everyone can use like delimited text.
Keep the site as simple as possible. I don't mean it shouldn't look good, but for God's sake don't use java or javascript for a link (our site does that and some of the links don't work most of the time), in fact don't use it at all. Server side scripting like asp or php is good if you need it.
Don't assume that everyone has a T1, a 21 inch monitor, and a 1 ghz processor. Design your site so that the user at home with a 15 inch monitor, a 56k modem, and a pentium 200 can reasonably access it.
Wow! I caught the attention of Phillip himself. Thanks for the reply. Yeah, there are alot of factors I left out in the interest of simplicity. I read over the job information on your site several months ago and my memory is a little sketchy. There's the $10k signing bonus, weekly massage (is that for real?), and several other things that made it sound like a cool place to work. Hell, if I thought I qualified, I'd apply for a job, so I'm not knocking it.
I see alot of people comparing salaries on the web without taking into consideration the cost of living. Its an important factor and can't be overlooked. That was the primary reason for my post. I do consider 70 hours per week excessive though. I'm not saying I would never work that much, but if I do it, I want it to be because I want to, not because its required (explicitly or implicitly).
I think "Phillip and Alex's Guide to Web Publishing" is great by the way. I read the online version but I plan to buy the hard copy eventually. Thanks for making all of that information available.
...but I'm not sure I agree with his concept that it is necessary to work 70-hour weeks (though for unreasonably long hours, they do pay unreasonably large salaries).
What do you consider to be an ureasonably large salary? Are you talking about the $70k they (ARSDigita) pay their entry level programmers? Let's think about that for a minute. $70k for 70 hours per week, that would be $40k for for a 40 hour per week job. Mmmm, not looking so good now, but wait, there's more. Let's consider the location of the job, Mass. What's the cost of living there compared to your current location (hint: its pretty high). According to this site $40k in cambridge is equal to about $24k where I live. That just plain sucks. Remember, big numbers don't always mean big quality of life!
Could you tell us a little about this upcoming book? Will it discuss Bastille Linux in more depth? I've run the Bastille script several times and I find that I really need more information about certain things. I would really like to see something (a book, website, etc...) that goes into each question of the script in greater detail.
Also, can you give us some specifics about your plans for the future of Bastille Linux? What's the next big feature we'll see, and where do you see it going in the long run?
Ah, the Vic20, my first computer. An incredibly useful device that allowed you to create an endless loop which scrolled your name across the screen. If you were unusually talented, you could make a bird fly from one corner of the screen to another. Since it had no hard drive, it had to be left on in order to save your program, and after a few hours the power converter could double as a hot plate.
Actually, it was pretty cool at the time. I remember spending hours typing in a program from Compute's Gazette just to play some crappy little text based race car game. You kids and your./configure, make, make install. Why, in my day we typed in our programs line by line. Who needs install programs anyway. Ah, the good old days.
It is rather hypocritical that/. clamors for one form of censorware, but fights against another, the forced censorship of internet connections in public schools and libraries, which is also a decision which is made without the input of the user, and which also supposedly protects the user from something which is bad for them.
I don't think its necessarily hypocritical. If you think about it, some kind of control or filtering is necessary. The problem most people have with filtering is that the decision of what is filtered is a closed process. People aren't allowed to provide input or to know what is being censored. If I understand it correctly, MAPS allows you to see what is blocked and it at least allows people more input than a more closed proprietary product does.
Also, the fact that the decision to use it is up to the ISP is at least better than everyone being forced to use a closed system. Individual users have a larger voice with their respective ISPs than they would with a large corporation or with the Federal government. The truth is, there probably isn't a perfect solution, but this is the best I've seen so far.
Re:One last defense of my gender on /.
on
Deja For Sale
·
· Score: 2
Ignoring them is the best thing to do. No, it won't make them go away. There will always be trolls, here on Slashdot and everywhere else in the world. When the current crop of trolls grows up (most of them anyway), there will be more to take their place. Unfortunately, the stupid people far outnumber the intelligent.
A troll only wants one thing, to be fed. Replying to them or their ignorant remarks only feeds them and makes them grow. Browse at +1 or +2 and don't worry about it.
I think you hint at why there are more men in computer science than women. Men like gadgets, for some reason its part of our nature. I can imagine it having something to do with a survival skill harking back to the caveman days. I'm not saying women don't like gadgets, I'm just saying that they have less interest in them than men do.
I don't believe that men are any better than women in the field of computer science, I think it just interests us more. We get more satisfaction from it so we spend more time and effort on it. Though, the culture aspect may be a reinforcing factor in keeping more women from entering the field.
...and open source programmers write code (to get laid).
If that were true, I think we'd see a hell of a lot more open source software. Mozilla would have been finished long ago and the job market would be overflowing with computer programmers.
Sir, you obviously hold great contempt for my enlightended world view. No doubt you are nescient and incapable of comprehending it. If it were up to me, you sir would feel the lash of the whip across your neck. I wish to have no further contact with a barbarous philistine such as yourself,
Your working boy,
Ted
warning, this post may contain sarcasm, which is known to cause absolutely no reaction in laboratory animals.
: exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace
This is obviously part of a PHB conspiracy. And besides, the word bullshit isn't necessarily uncourteous, unconscientious, or unbusiness like. Its all a matter of perception.
The reason I have a dislike for this word is or course, my boss. He loves the word "professional". He's a typical PHB. When I give him a report, he isn't concerned with whether the calculations are correct, only with how much higher or lower the numbers are than what he considers "normal". I'm more concerned with technical accuracy, function rather than form. Form will follow function.
Profesional? What does that mean? Due to the various ways which I've seen that word used, its lost all meaning to me. You mistakenly believe like so many others, that being professional is about appearance, whether that be dress or speech. Being professional should be about actions, outcomes, performance. Just because he used the word bullshit doesn't mean he's not professional, in fact it has nothing to do with it. I'd trust someone who uses the word bullshit as he did before some of the suit wearing, smiling bastards I've know who call themselves professionals.
There will be no sync issues with Ogg Vorbis. The quality of an N-Sync song is so low that not even Ogg Vorbis can make it sound better. Therefore, n-sync is not supported.
---------- AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
Case in point: How they differ in handling opening messages. Outlook will keep each subsequent opened message maximized after the first one was, whereas Outlook Express doesn't seem to be able to remember such a simple thing, even after several major revisions. Amazing innovation there, eh?
There is actually a fix for this, although it seems like a kludge. Open up an email and it will open up in a small window. Now use your mouse to drag the corners until the window takes up the entire screen. You can now close that window and every window you open in Outlook Express should open up maximized from now on.<br> ---------- AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
oops, your right. I should have looked first. The two choices in Outlook Express are "Internet Zone" and "Restricted Zone". "Restricted Zone" is the one to use.
---------- AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
I don't expect to change your mind about outlook, but I think a few things need to be mentioned about security. I think the two main reasons people have problems with outlook is because they don't make use of the security settings and they don't keep on top of updates and patches. These are two things you have to keep on top of with any program, not just outlook. Remember the latest problem with FTP, even OpenBSD suffered from that.
There is a setting in outlook which tells it to use the "Internet Zone" security setting. This should be the default but I don't think it is. This is what I have my Outlook security set to. You also have to adjust the "Internet Zone" settings to not allow scripting of any kind. I suspect that if everyone had the correct security settings, the Melissa and ILoveYou viruses would never have caused any damage whatsoever. I'm not saying that outlook is perfect (Scripting in email is a dangerous thing and should be turned off by default) but I think it gets a bad rap because its from Microsoft. Remember, basic security principles must be followed no matter what program or OS you're using.
PS: One advantage of Outlook, is that it integrates fairly easily with PGP. Eudora also does this. One note about Pegasus, we have it at work and its the ugliest most user unfriendly email program I've ever used. And this is coming from a person whose first email program was Pegasus.
---------- AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
If your interested in GPS, you may also be interested in GRASS Geographic Information System (GIS) Software. It won't help you interface your Garmin with your PC but it will let you put all that data you collect with your GPS to good use.
---------- AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
It wasn't a tabloid show. I think it was NBC's Dateline (which may be a tabloid). It was a problem I believe, but not nearly as serious as they made it out to be. I actually used to drive one of those trucks and I never got blown up:)
The tank was on the outside of the frame. The point behind the controversy was that it is safer to place it inside of the frame. NBC's problem was that they felt it was better to make the news rather than to just report it. I agree about the Simpsons though.
---------- AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
I know I'm way late with this comment, but I just stumbled on this topic. I do not consider using php code in your own web site as distributing that code. Its a little tricker with client side scripting, but I think I'd stick with this interpretation even with something like javascript.
So, they can take my code make some of changes, run there web service without giving back the changes to the community. This will give them a edge compared to me, therefore I hesitate to take the GPL step.
How will this give them an edge over you? Because you don't get to see the source to the changes they made? That only gives them an edge if the change somehow makes it a better product. And if that is the case, then it is their ideas which made it better, not yours. If they're only using this code for their own web site, then I don't think you should be entitled to their source. Now, if they sell this web site software as a package so that the buyer will be able to create his own site similar to theirs, then I think they should be required to provide the source not only to the buyer but to the world, because now they are distributing it.
If they only use the software for their own use, then I think the only advantage they really have over you is that they don't have to do their own development, whereas you do. But that is something you must accept when you decide to open your source. --------------------------------
Re:encryption, people, encryption!
on
Inside Echelon
·
· Score: 1
I'm not familiar with IntallShield, but PGP works just fine with Outlook Express.
---------- AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
Re:encryption, people, encryption!
on
Inside Echelon
·
· Score: 1
How effective is encryption? Are we sure they can't break it? Now that the USA seems to be relaxing its control over exportable crypto, can we take this to mean that they know they can defeat it? Also, if PGP is effective, what key length is necessary to really be secure?
I've just started using PGP and I'm still trying to learn all the in's and out's of it. Its definately harder to learn to use than your average email program. I think that's why most people don't use it anymore than they do.
---------- AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
Slashdot Mirror
Apparently, Brits don't have the distrust of government that seems inherent in Americans. It just seems amazing to me that people are so willing to trade liberty for (perceived) saftey.
Please don't use Word, or Wordperfect, or any format that someone can't read for free. PDFs are good, but if your using the latest version, make sure that older PDF readers can use them. And of course HTML or plain text is acceptable.
I think most people are unaware of exactly what some government agencies do. I think each site should describe the agency's mission and its organizational structure. People come to government web sites to get information, and they should be able to find it quickly. You may want to log the traffic on your site to help you design it more efficiently. Find out which pages people frequent the most and track their path as they navigate your site.
I'm a big data user, if possible provide any data your agency produces which the public may find useful in electronic format. Preferably something everyone can use like delimited text.
Keep the site as simple as possible. I don't mean it shouldn't look good, but for God's sake don't use java or javascript for a link (our site does that and some of the links don't work most of the time), in fact don't use it at all. Server side scripting like asp or php is good if you need it.
Don't assume that everyone has a T1, a 21 inch monitor, and a 1 ghz processor. Design your site so that the user at home with a 15 inch monitor, a 56k modem, and a pentium 200 can reasonably access it.
And finally, please, please do not use frames.
I see alot of people comparing salaries on the web without taking into consideration the cost of living. Its an important factor and can't be overlooked. That was the primary reason for my post. I do consider 70 hours per week excessive though. I'm not saying I would never work that much, but if I do it, I want it to be because I want to, not because its required (explicitly or implicitly).
I think "Phillip and Alex's Guide to Web Publishing" is great by the way. I read the online version but I plan to buy the hard copy eventually. Thanks for making all of that information available.
What do you consider to be an ureasonably large salary? Are you talking about the $70k they (ARSDigita) pay their entry level programmers? Let's think about that for a minute. $70k for 70 hours per week, that would be $40k for for a 40 hour per week job. Mmmm, not looking so good now, but wait, there's more. Let's consider the location of the job, Mass. What's the cost of living there compared to your current location (hint: its pretty high). According to this site $40k in cambridge is equal to about $24k where I live. That just plain sucks. Remember, big numbers don't always mean big quality of life!
Also, can you give us some specifics about your plans for the future of Bastille Linux? What's the next big feature we'll see, and where do you see it going in the long run?
Actually, it was pretty cool at the time. I remember spending hours typing in a program from Compute's Gazette just to play some crappy little text based race car game. You kids and your ./configure, make, make install. Why, in my day we typed in our programs line by line. Who needs install programs anyway. Ah, the good old days.
I don't think its necessarily hypocritical. If you think about it, some kind of control or filtering is necessary. The problem most people have with filtering is that the decision of what is filtered is a closed process. People aren't allowed to provide input or to know what is being censored. If I understand it correctly, MAPS allows you to see what is blocked and it at least allows people more input than a more closed proprietary product does.
Also, the fact that the decision to use it is up to the ISP is at least better than everyone being forced to use a closed system. Individual users have a larger voice with their respective ISPs than they would with a large corporation or with the Federal government. The truth is, there probably isn't a perfect solution, but this is the best I've seen so far.
A troll only wants one thing, to be fed. Replying to them or their ignorant remarks only feeds them and makes them grow. Browse at +1 or +2 and don't worry about it.
I don't believe that men are any better than women in the field of computer science, I think it just interests us more. We get more satisfaction from it so we spend more time and effort on it. Though, the culture aspect may be a reinforcing factor in keeping more women from entering the field.
If that were true, I think we'd see a hell of a lot more open source software. Mozilla would have been finished long ago and the job market would be overflowing with computer programmers.
Your working boy,
Ted
warning, this post may contain sarcasm, which is known to cause absolutely no reaction in laboratory animals.
This is obviously part of a PHB conspiracy. And besides, the word bullshit isn't necessarily uncourteous, unconscientious, or unbusiness like. Its all a matter of perception.
The reason I have a dislike for this word is or course, my boss. He loves the word "professional". He's a typical PHB. When I give him a report, he isn't concerned with whether the calculations are correct, only with how much higher or lower the numbers are than what he considers "normal". I'm more concerned with technical accuracy, function rather than form. Form will follow function.
Profesional? What does that mean? Due to the various ways which I've seen that word used, its lost all meaning to me. You mistakenly believe like so many others, that being professional is about appearance, whether that be dress or speech. Being professional should be about actions, outcomes, performance. Just because he used the word bullshit doesn't mean he's not professional, in fact it has nothing to do with it. I'd trust someone who uses the word bullshit as he did before some of the suit wearing, smiling bastards I've know who call themselves professionals.
There will be no sync issues with Ogg Vorbis. The quality of an N-Sync song is so low that not even Ogg Vorbis can make it sound better. Therefore, n-sync is not supported.
----------
AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
Well, if you don't use AIM, you'll miss out on all those stimulating conversations with 15 year olds asking you for your a/s/l.
----------
AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
There is actually a fix for this, although it seems like a kludge. Open up an email and it will open up in a small window. Now use your mouse to drag the corners until the window takes up the entire screen. You can now close that window and every window you open in Outlook Express should open up maximized from now on.<br>
----------
AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
oops, your right. I should have looked first. The two choices in Outlook Express are "Internet Zone" and "Restricted Zone". "Restricted Zone" is the one to use.
----------
AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
There is a setting in outlook which tells it to use the "Internet Zone" security setting. This should be the default but I don't think it is. This is what I have my Outlook security set to. You also have to adjust the "Internet Zone" settings to not allow scripting of any kind. I suspect that if everyone had the correct security settings, the Melissa and ILoveYou viruses would never have caused any damage whatsoever. I'm not saying that outlook is perfect (Scripting in email is a dangerous thing and should be turned off by default) but I think it gets a bad rap because its from Microsoft. Remember, basic security principles must be followed no matter what program or OS you're using.
PS: One advantage of Outlook, is that it integrates fairly easily with PGP. Eudora also does this. One note about Pegasus, we have it at work and its the ugliest most user unfriendly email program I've ever used. And this is coming from a person whose first email program was Pegasus.
----------
AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
If your interested in GPS, you may also be interested in GRASS Geographic Information System (GIS) Software. It won't help you interface your Garmin with your PC but it will let you put all that data you collect with your GPS to good use.
----------
AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
Does this include the sys-admins whose machines were used for K5 DDOS attacks?
----------
AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
The tank was on the outside of the frame. The point behind the controversy was that it is safer to place it inside of the frame. NBC's problem was that they felt it was better to make the news rather than to just report it. I agree about the Simpsons though.
----------
AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
So, they can take my code make some of changes, run there web service without giving back the changes to the community. This will give them a edge compared to me, therefore I hesitate to take the GPL step.
How will this give them an edge over you? Because you don't get to see the source to the changes they made? That only gives them an edge if the change somehow makes it a better product. And if that is the case, then it is their ideas which made it better, not yours. If they're only using this code for their own web site, then I don't think you should be entitled to their source. Now, if they sell this web site software as a package so that the buyer will be able to create his own site similar to theirs, then I think they should be required to provide the source not only to the buyer but to the world, because now they are distributing it.
If they only use the software for their own use, then I think the only advantage they really have over you is that they don't have to do their own development, whereas you do. But that is something you must accept when you decide to open your source.
--------------------------------
----------
AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor
I've just started using PGP and I'm still trying to learn all the in's and out's of it. Its definately harder to learn to use than your average email program. I think that's why most people don't use it anymore than they do.
----------
AbiWord: The BEST opensource word processor