While that is true, what impact does it have? The same arguments being made against this type of technology could be made against using any kind of technology that contains personal information. So go close your bank accounts and get rid of your computer!
I'd rather have the requirement to use a fingerprint to authorize purchases on my credit card than what exists now, which is authorization without any form of ID at all. Anyone who get your card can go buy gas, groceries, and make online purchases without any type of identity authentication!
I do agree with someone else's post, though, that the store itself has no business keeping a database of my credit cards, or even my biometric ID. The scan of your fingerprint should be sent as part of the credit authorization process.
When I worked for company that required security, I was trained that security measures will never completely eliminate a breach of the security. They only make it more difficult and, when possible, more noticeable.
Novell offers SUSE in 5 different forms only one of which requires licensing.
1: SUSE Linux Retail Solution
2: SUSE Linux Professional
3: Novell Linux Desktop
4: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
5: Open Enterprise Server (OES)
Items 1 through 4 will continue to be open and available to anyone.
OES, on the other hand, contains a combination of proprietary and open sourse products. The proprietary products (specifically eDirectory, NetWare, and (I think) ZENworks) must be purchased to use whether or not you want to pony up for annual maintenance.
Additionally, Novell has added some features to the OES release of SUSE that are dependent on these proprietary products (such as Novell Storage Services which taps into eDirectory to provide NetWare file rights management on the Linux platform).
If you think about it, this is in line with Novell's official stance on their approach to the Open Source community. They have made it clear that they want to support and encourage open source software but they also feel that there is an appropriate place for the continued presence of proprietary solutions running on open source platforms. They have repeatedly stated that they view themselves as a hybrid between the two communities; fully participating in both.
If you don't want to pay for the proprietary stuff, just download your choice of items 1-4. (For those who don't know, the "30 day evaluation" download of Novell Linux Desktop doesn't require any purchase after the 30 days. That's just a limitation on unpaid support for the product.
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While that is true, what impact does it have? The same arguments being made against this type of technology could be made against using any kind of technology that contains personal information. So go close your bank accounts and get rid of your computer! I'd rather have the requirement to use a fingerprint to authorize purchases on my credit card than what exists now, which is authorization without any form of ID at all. Anyone who get your card can go buy gas, groceries, and make online purchases without any type of identity authentication! I do agree with someone else's post, though, that the store itself has no business keeping a database of my credit cards, or even my biometric ID. The scan of your fingerprint should be sent as part of the credit authorization process. When I worked for company that required security, I was trained that security measures will never completely eliminate a breach of the security. They only make it more difficult and, when possible, more noticeable.
1: SUSE Linux Retail Solution
2: SUSE Linux Professional
3: Novell Linux Desktop
4: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
5: Open Enterprise Server (OES)
Items 1 through 4 will continue to be open and available to anyone.
OES, on the other hand, contains a combination of proprietary and open sourse products. The proprietary products (specifically eDirectory, NetWare, and (I think) ZENworks) must be purchased to use whether or not you want to pony up for annual maintenance.
Additionally, Novell has added some features to the OES release of SUSE that are dependent on these proprietary products (such as Novell Storage Services which taps into eDirectory to provide NetWare file rights management on the Linux platform).
If you think about it, this is in line with Novell's official stance on their approach to the Open Source community. They have made it clear that they want to support and encourage open source software but they also feel that there is an appropriate place for the continued presence of proprietary solutions running on open source platforms. They have repeatedly stated that they view themselves as a hybrid between the two communities; fully participating in both.
If you don't want to pay for the proprietary stuff, just download your choice of items 1-4. (For those who don't know, the "30 day evaluation" download of Novell Linux Desktop doesn't require any purchase after the 30 days. That's just a limitation on unpaid support for the product.