I remember in 6th-form, near the end of the day, entering the IT suite and seeing about 30 guys clustered around 4 people - one of whom was the IT Administrator - sat at computers playing what I instantly recognised as Doom. They all seemed unusually excited, though I couldn't see why.
It wasn't until someone shouted across the room "He's gone into WH Smiths - get him!" that I realised they were playing on a map of our local shopping centre.
Weapons & ammunition were available in the stationers, of course, but the explosive chemical barrels in Boots (the chemist) was a particularly nice touch. (Health was available at the various eateries, and the BFG9000 was in the Security office).
I don't think this would hold true in the corporate world.
Most businesses who refuse to pay up get someone in quickly to prevent their internet tubes getting clogged. Either that or (if it's cheaper) just let it happen, and find a way around it or ride it out. Either way, they won't actually publicise the proposed extortion as it's bad PR for them. Similarly, if they do pay up, nobody ever finds out about it - so there's no PR again. (Obviously there are exceptions in both cases, but for every exception you can guarantee there will be a few that meet this pattern).
To piggy-back the analogy; if nobody ever found out about the murders or the threats thereof, it would be all effort and no PR return for the dealer.
While that's certainly true, I think you're missing the point of the article - that DDoS attacks simply aren't worth the effort and risk when compared to the perfectly viable alternative of spamming.
If you can choose two ventures, one of which will almost certainly generate revenue with very little risk to you, and the other of which often generates no revenue at all but poses a high risk to your liberty and your resources, which do you choose?
I think there should be a "+1 Evangelinux" mod option. I'll grant that it's interesting, but I'd like to be warned that I'm about to start reading another Linux testimonial;)
BTW, you say you had a small partition for your Windows games? As in, less than 80% of your HD space was required? Not since the days of NetHack, in my experience. You surprise me sir...
Calendaring. TB is not used in the (office) workplace - even progressive workplaces that are happy to go with FF - because Outlook calendar support doesn't exist. I've no idea how good Sunbird (is that right?) is, but FF managed to get a foothold because the switch was painless. Without the ability to integrate with Outlook calendars, TB's not going to get that foothold.
I'm not suggesting this is Mozilla's fault, I'm just stating what I understand to be the real stumbling block for TB - and TB2 hasn't fixed it. It's a real shame.
Incidentally, TB really didn't need an overhaul, as far as I could tell. Prolly one of the most stable apps I've used in a long time, and quite powerful enough. Still, I'll have a look...
I've been wanting something like this for a long time now. We're off travelling in a couple of years, and expect to be moving around for at least three (especially SE Asia). I've seen loads of clever things that I'd like to implement into a travelog site before I go - but never all in one place. My ideal blog would have the following features:
Obviously, text blog entries stamped by date, location etc. Ideally, the ability to update the blog by email (in case the Great Firewall becomes a problem).
Photo album, stamped by date & location. Hoping that GPS cameras will be well developed by the time we go, so the uplaod process can be semi-automated.
Indiana Jones Red-line travel thingy, like your site, with photos AND blog entries marked along the way.
Really REALLY want to have the red line draw itself showing the passage of time, similar to Indiana Jones. Tragic, geeky and ultimately pointless, but come on - you would, wouldn't you? If it could be implemented so you see the map change in the corner as a photo slideshow runs, that'd be even better.
As I said, I've seen most of these features in more than one place, but never in the same place. If I had the skill or the time, I'd do it myself, but the beauty of the interweb is that there's always always someone out there with more time, skill and enthusiasm than oneself, whatever the subject...
I think you're dead right about the company, although the case looks more like polished marble (or just grubby black plastic, from a distance).
Honestly, I think this is just some very enterprising case-modder's attempt to make a nice quick profit out of any very stupid rich celebrity who happens across this news item.
For the most-part (ie where you're a company, and investigators from the police, FBI or insurance company will be involved), you're dead right. Just kill the power.
After that: DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING.
You'll preserve everything on the hard-drive exactly as-is (this server IS logging everything, right?) without any shut-down scripts or anything else. Then the drives can be imaged in such a way as to be permissible as evidence. Sadly it's often the case in serious breaches that well-meaning, talented and curious DBAs will try to compile the logs, do some sniffing on the drives or (god forbid) just plain wipe everything and reboot. Most of these actions will make an investigator's job harder and, if they do find anything useful for prosecution, will most likely render the evidence useless in a court.
If someone with a doctorate in forensic criminal investigation (or whatever) discovers a body, he may be very tempted to do a bit of fiddling and such, but should know full well that doing so invalidates the evidence and ruins the investigative process. So should it be for system administrators.
To quote the tragically-underexposed '80s BBC film-noir-in-space show Star Cops, regarding space:
"Anything you forget to take with you will kill you; anything you do remember to bring but that doesn't work will kill you; and if you're in any doubt, assume everything will kill you."
Sound advice, although I suspect the missus takes it to heart whenever we go on holiday for a weekend.
The missus' box got to the point where it was literally unusable - boot-up took at least 5 minutes, and never quite got to a stable state where you could open anything useful. Pulled off all Symantec crap (and a few rubbish utilites she'd installed) and behold! The damn thing works like it did when it was first built. I don't know much about AV - I leave that to the software - but I know that rendering a perfectly decent computer unusable is an unacceptable irony. (AVG works like a charm, btw).
I'll grant you, I've simplified. Price-fixing by the Big Bad Cartel is the way of the gaming world ATM, and it's done for various reasons, but it basically comes down to "If we fix games at a price-spot for a while, we won't have to worry about free-market competition dragging down all of our revenues. So let's agree on a price-spot that maximises revenue for the whole industry".
Price fixing is a complicating factor in basic economics, but overall it's still a question of finding the sweet-spot on the supply/demand curve. Price fixing just makes the effect on that curve of a free-market economy less treacherous for the Big Bad Cartel.
Okay, great, but WHY? Isn't building disease-resistance into an even fitter pest just... well... stupidly short-sighted?
If they're trying to supplant existing mosquitoes with a breed more suited to survival, can't they just make them NOT feed on humans, for example? That'd be infinitely preferable, surely.
It's interesting to see where that money goes & how it's divided, but to suggest that the ultimate destination of that revenue is the reason for the price of games is ignorant and foolish. Supply and demand, people. Any company who doesn't get all the revenue they can for a release won't last long.
Skipping past that last paragraph which made my eyes bleed, you are absolutely correct.
The problem is not that (maths) teachers aren't paid enough - this was merely suggested as a possible solution to the real problem - which is that there aren't enough qualified maths teachers.
Given that people who are qualified to teach maths but choose not to are probably already in careers that pay significantly more, an incremental salary increase will not attract them.
There are two other ores from which to refine more qualified teachers:
1. Maths teachers who are not fully qualified. 2. People who don't teach and are not qualified to do so, but might do so given better opportunities to become qualified.
What's the most effective way to get these people to be qualified maths teachers? Offer training programmes with bursaries and other incentives. The first group will appreciate the improved job-security so will be inclined to take it up, and the second will have an easier route into doing something they want to do. Hell, it'll be a lot cheaper and less painful in the long-run than increasing salaries, and it will make all those who undertake the training feel more valued.
Incidentally, there have been studies on what makes people feel valued in their jobs, and one of the biggest and longest-lasting is to have training invested in them. Increased salary, perks and bonuses, on the other hand, quickly become expected rather than appreciated, and have little long-term impact.
Slashdot Mirror
Okay, different intonation so different syllable, but still.
It wasn't until someone shouted across the room "He's gone into WH Smiths - get him!" that I realised they were playing on a map of our local shopping centre.
Weapons & ammunition were available in the stationers, of course, but the explosive chemical barrels in Boots (the chemist) was a particularly nice touch. (Health was available at the various eateries, and the BFG9000 was in the Security office).
Ahh, great days.
Most businesses who refuse to pay up get someone in quickly to prevent their internet tubes getting clogged. Either that or (if it's cheaper) just let it happen, and find a way around it or ride it out. Either way, they won't actually publicise the proposed extortion as it's bad PR for them. Similarly, if they do pay up, nobody ever finds out about it - so there's no PR again. (Obviously there are exceptions in both cases, but for every exception you can guarantee there will be a few that meet this pattern).
To piggy-back the analogy; if nobody ever found out about the murders or the threats thereof, it would be all effort and no PR return for the dealer.
(Groucho or Harpo, I forget which).
If you can choose two ventures, one of which will almost certainly generate revenue with very little risk to you, and the other of which often generates no revenue at all but poses a high risk to your liberty and your resources, which do you choose?
Urgently, pivotally critical, even.
(Of course, it'll be a Gazelle, but hey.)
Er... I mean "Prior art!"
BTW, you say you had a small partition for your Windows games? As in, less than 80% of your HD space was required? Not since the days of NetHack, in my experience. You surprise me sir...
*ducks*
I'm not suggesting this is Mozilla's fault, I'm just stating what I understand to be the real stumbling block for TB - and TB2 hasn't fixed it. It's a real shame.
Incidentally, TB really didn't need an overhaul, as far as I could tell. Prolly one of the most stable apps I've used in a long time, and quite powerful enough. Still, I'll have a look...
They may be the first to legislate against Oxygen, but... well, have you seen LA?
I've been wanting something like this for a long time now. We're off travelling in a couple of years, and expect to be moving around for at least three (especially SE Asia). I've seen loads of clever things that I'd like to implement into a travelog site before I go - but never all in one place. My ideal blog would have the following features:
- Obviously, text blog entries stamped by date, location etc. Ideally, the ability to update the blog by email (in case the Great Firewall becomes a problem).
- Photo album, stamped by date & location. Hoping that GPS cameras will be well developed by the time we go, so the uplaod process can be semi-automated.
- Indiana Jones Red-line travel thingy, like your site, with photos AND blog entries marked along the way.
- Really REALLY want to have the red line draw itself showing the passage of time, similar to Indiana Jones. Tragic, geeky and ultimately pointless, but come on - you would, wouldn't you? If it could be implemented so you see the map change in the corner as a photo slideshow runs, that'd be even better.
As I said, I've seen most of these features in more than one place, but never in the same place. If I had the skill or the time, I'd do it myself, but the beauty of the interweb is that there's always always someone out there with more time, skill and enthusiasm than oneself, whatever the subject...Honestly, I think this is just some very enterprising case-modder's attempt to make a nice quick profit out of any very stupid rich celebrity who happens across this news item.
After that: DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING.
You'll preserve everything on the hard-drive exactly as-is (this server IS logging everything, right?) without any shut-down scripts or anything else. Then the drives can be imaged in such a way as to be permissible as evidence. Sadly it's often the case in serious breaches that well-meaning, talented and curious DBAs will try to compile the logs, do some sniffing on the drives or (god forbid) just plain wipe everything and reboot. Most of these actions will make an investigator's job harder and, if they do find anything useful for prosecution, will most likely render the evidence useless in a court.
If someone with a doctorate in forensic criminal investigation (or whatever) discovers a body, he may be very tempted to do a bit of fiddling and such, but should know full well that doing so invalidates the evidence and ruins the investigative process. So should it be for system administrators.
"Anything you forget to take with you will kill you; anything you do remember to bring but that doesn't work will kill you; and if you're in any doubt, assume everything will kill you."
Sound advice, although I suspect the missus takes it to heart whenever we go on holiday for a weekend.
The missus' box got to the point where it was literally unusable - boot-up took at least 5 minutes, and never quite got to a stable state where you could open anything useful. Pulled off all Symantec crap (and a few rubbish utilites she'd installed) and behold! The damn thing works like it did when it was first built.
I don't know much about AV - I leave that to the software - but I know that rendering a perfectly decent computer unusable is an unacceptable irony. (AVG works like a charm, btw).
Price fixing is a complicating factor in basic economics, but overall it's still a question of finding the sweet-spot on the supply/demand curve. Price fixing just makes the effect on that curve of a free-market economy less treacherous for the Big Bad Cartel.
Cross them with fruit-flies. Blood-orange Vampires!!!
If they're trying to supplant existing mosquitoes with a breed more suited to survival, can't they just make them NOT feed on humans, for example? That'd be infinitely preferable, surely.
It's interesting to see where that money goes & how it's divided, but to suggest that the ultimate destination of that revenue is the reason for the price of games is ignorant and foolish. Supply and demand, people. Any company who doesn't get all the revenue they can for a release won't last long.
Wow. I wonder who discovered the mineral...?
Don't worry, it'll need to be at least UV to be of any use at that frequency - you can just pretend it's a case mod.
Skipping past that last paragraph which made my eyes bleed, you are absolutely correct.
The problem is not that (maths) teachers aren't paid enough - this was merely suggested as a possible solution to the real problem - which is that there aren't enough qualified maths teachers.
Given that people who are qualified to teach maths but choose not to are probably already in careers that pay significantly more, an incremental salary increase will not attract them.
There are two other ores from which to refine more qualified teachers:
1. Maths teachers who are not fully qualified.
2. People who don't teach and are not qualified to do so, but might do so given better opportunities to become qualified.
What's the most effective way to get these people to be qualified maths teachers? Offer training programmes with bursaries and other incentives. The first group will appreciate the improved job-security so will be inclined to take it up, and the second will have an easier route into doing something they want to do. Hell, it'll be a lot cheaper and less painful in the long-run than increasing salaries, and it will make all those who undertake the training feel more valued.
Incidentally, there have been studies on what makes people feel valued in their jobs, and one of the biggest and longest-lasting is to have training invested in them. Increased salary, perks and bonuses, on the other hand, quickly become expected rather than appreciated, and have little long-term impact.