...So in layman's term, computer is an electronic appliance...
I disagree. They need to know that it's _not_ an appliance like a washing machine or a toaster. A computer is a tool.
An appliance like a washing machine or a toaster are different for a couple of very important reasons:
-- an appliance doesn't normally contain personal/financial information that can be used maliciously by others
-- an appliance normally can't be used maliciously towards others
People are fond of using car analogies when referring to computers, and in some aspects, those analogies work... especially when you consider that people don't just get into a car and "know how to drive". They first learn how the car works (at least a bit), in terms of user interface (gas pedal, brake pedal, oil changes, etc), for the mere fact that they can hurt themselves or others if the car is used improperly.
The first thing I try to teach people is that a computer is NOT an appliance - it's a tool - like a circular saw or a kitchen knife. And like most any other tool, if it's not used properly and not maintained properly, harm can come to the user or others.
...Maybe the M$ release cycle is just uselessly slow for today's hardware market?
Yes, it's a pretty sad indication of Microsoft's release cycle when Debian actually gets out 2 new Stable distros (Woody, Sarge) within the time period of Microsoft WindowsXP and LonghH^H^H^Vista.
Run WindowMaker instead of KDE or Gnome. It'll work just fine, and likely better than Windows.
Actually, run something along the lines of Fvwm95 for comparison against Microsoft Windows95... with a similar menu and layout scheme, it'll run circles around it, and even give you 4 desktops.
...Besides, for old hardware, where's Debian in their comparison?...
Exactly.
The laptop I have is an old Dell Latitude CP M233XT, circa 1997. It runs Debian Sarge... you know the one... released 5 years after Microsoft WindowsXP. I wasn't willing to shell out 200 bucks to buy XP just to find out that it would be awful, but you, me, Bill Gates, the mailman, and his dog knows that it would most likely be unusable. The machine's by no means fast, but it works fairly well and I get close to 5 hours out the 2 batteries I have for it. I use this laptop everyday for my business and I have zero complaints about usability.
"Are Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, or Windows Millennium Edition critically affected by one or more of the vulnerabilities that are addressed in this security bulletin? No. Although Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Millennium Edition do contain the affected component, the vulnerability is not critical because an exploitable attack vector has not been identified that would yield a Critical severity rating for these versions." from http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin /MS06-001.mspx
Oooooooh boy, I feel for those folks that have older machines... they're basically fucked. MS doesn't even call this "critical".
Yep, the fact that it was a hoax is, of course, one main aspect.
However, the fact that so many people were neither surprised nor outraged that the original story might have happened in the US... just indifferent... was rather depressing.
Exactly. My sister's owned a computer since 1998. She's a whiz when it comes to email, using Word, or manipulating her photos in Photoshop. Her first machine was a Gateway monstrosity that she paid way too much for. Now she's got a G5.
A couple of months back, she was absolutely flabbergasted when she saw me switching between open windows... all this time she's had no idea that one can minimize a window to the taskbar and continue on in another.
No, criminal profiteering. The only type of person who could make use of the information apart from Microsoft is a criminal...
Bullshit. To paraphrase one of the full-disclose list participants... It's ok for cert to sell 0-days or idefense to buy 0-days and sell info to clients? Because that's whay they do, but that's ok?
EBay has a right and a duty to stop trade in vulnerabilities same as they have a right and duty to stop trade in any other illegal material...
Just what, exactly, is this alleged "illegal material" you're referring to?
You think the marketers are bad? At least they (I mean really, "boost"... just a coincidence eh?) were able to get an "article" posted to slashdot containing a solitary link to the corporate press release along with a one lin blurb about the "new" product. I hope taco got at least a new car out of the deal.
Slashdot Mirror
...So in layman's term, computer is an electronic appliance...
I disagree. They need to know that it's _not_ an appliance like a washing machine or a toaster. A computer is a tool.
An appliance like a washing machine or a toaster are different for a couple of very important reasons:
-- an appliance doesn't normally contain personal/financial information that can be used maliciously by others
-- an appliance normally can't be used maliciously towards others
People are fond of using car analogies when referring to computers, and in some aspects, those analogies work... especially when you consider that people don't just get into a car and "know how to drive". They first learn how the car works (at least a bit), in terms of user interface (gas pedal, brake pedal, oil changes, etc), for the mere fact that they can hurt themselves or others if the car is used improperly.
The first thing I try to teach people is that a computer is NOT an appliance - it's a tool - like a circular saw or a kitchen knife. And like most any other tool, if it's not used properly and not maintained properly, harm can come to the user or others.
In Minnesota, just having PGP on your computer is evidence of criminal intent.
Welcome to the land of the free...
Like that'd be a tough thing to do...
...Maybe the M$ release cycle is just uselessly slow for today's hardware market?
Yes, it's a pretty sad indication of Microsoft's release cycle when Debian actually gets out 2 new Stable distros (Woody, Sarge) within the time period of Microsoft WindowsXP and LonghH^H^H^Vista.
Run WindowMaker instead of KDE or Gnome. It'll work just fine, and likely better than Windows.
Actually, run something along the lines of Fvwm95 for comparison against Microsoft Windows95... with a similar menu and layout scheme, it'll run circles around it, and even give you 4 desktops.
Exactly.
The laptop I have is an old Dell Latitude CP M233XT, circa 1997. It runs Debian Sarge... you know the one... released 5 years after Microsoft WindowsXP. I wasn't willing to shell out 200 bucks to buy XP just to find out that it would be awful, but you, me, Bill Gates, the mailman, and his dog knows that it would most likely be unusable. The machine's by no means fast, but it works fairly well and I get close to 5 hours out the 2 batteries I have for it. I use this laptop everyday for my business and I have zero complaints about usability.
More specific info here.
"Are Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, or Windows Millennium Edition critically affected by one or more of the vulnerabilities that are addressed in this security bulletin?n /MS06-001.mspx
No. Although Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Millennium Edition do contain the affected component, the vulnerability is not critical because an exploitable attack vector has not been identified that would yield a Critical severity rating for these versions."
from
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulleti
Oooooooh boy, I feel for those folks that have older machines... they're basically fucked. MS doesn't even call this "critical".
Step 3: ????
Step 4: profit!!!
clicky clicky
clicky clicky
...How do you explain to an 11 year old that it sucks now.. but may get better by next year?
You go out and get a baseball and a couple of mitts, and take him to the park and have a catch.
And I'm sure that Microsoft thanks you graciously for paying $400 for the privilege of being a beta tester.
Yes, it sure would be terrible if someone knew I was walking down a certain street at a certain time. What is the BFD?..
clicky clicky
And that was WITHOUT the fucking cameras.
Learn some history son.
Yep, the fact that it was a hoax is, of course, one main aspect.
However, the fact that so many people were neither surprised nor outraged that the original story might have happened in the US... just indifferent... was rather depressing.
Why, because Microsoft worries about bad PR or something?
Hi again Roland!
and smunky
Search Bastard!
well... perhaps if its kiddie porn...
Imagine the number of every day products which have "true" inventors without a cent to their name...
Sorta sounds like the music industry...
Oh wait, this is SONY.
Exactly.
My sister's owned a computer since 1998. She's a whiz when it comes to email, using Word, or manipulating her photos in Photoshop. Her first machine was a Gateway monstrosity that she paid way too much for. Now she's got a G5.
A couple of months back, she was absolutely flabbergasted when she saw me switching between open windows... all this time she's had no idea that one can minimize a window to the taskbar and continue on in another.
damn... I thought it was all the one-handed typing
...But frankly, for 99% of the population, the fonts are just fine.
I'd wager that close to 99% of the population doesn't even know wtf a font is.
...they've had to discount anyone with military training, physics education and anyone...
UK equivalent of No Child Left Behind, eh?
...Who wants to run a program where two eyeballs are constantly following my mouse around the screen? Seriously...
You're joking, of course...
No, criminal profiteering. The only type of person who could make use of the information apart from Microsoft is a criminal...
Bullshit.
To paraphrase one of the full-disclose list participants...
It's ok for cert to sell 0-days or idefense to buy 0-days and sell info to clients? Because that's whay they do, but that's ok?
EBay has a right and a duty to stop trade in vulnerabilities same as they have a right and duty to stop trade in any other illegal material...
Just what, exactly, is this alleged "illegal material" you're referring to?
You think the marketers are bad?
At least they (I mean really, "boost"... just a coincidence eh?) were able to get an "article" posted to slashdot containing a solitary link to the corporate press release along with a one lin blurb about the "new" product. I hope taco got at least a new car out of the deal.