Of course, I heard this from a friend who heard it from an AutoDesk rep.
My experience with AutoDesk reps is that they don't have a clue what AutoDesk is doing. They will generally tell you anything if they think it will generate a sale.
I have to wonder on this. Can we send the discs back to Microsoft for disposable? Or do we fill our local landfill with more plastic? I read a while back that Microsoft is talking about buying AOL. I guess they would fit right in.
Fair Use only allows the end-user exemption from copyright law when the copying of the content is possible. The doctrine doesn't state anywhere that the content has to be made copyable.
But all content is copyable until you use the DMCA to prevent it.
I've seen a few articles lately where certain artists have come out in support of fair use. My personal thought is that someone should put up a site that lists artists who are against fair use. This would make it easier to boycott their crap.
I remember basicly going over the idea in college, but it's been a log time. I read the Wikipedia article to refamiliarize myself with the concept. I can see how the idea might apply to the average person. However, for me and my wife at least, the levels seem in the wrong order.
Me, I'll take love over food or sleep any day. Her, she fits most of the model, with the exception of safety. When safety is missing, she looks for love.
We've both been called freaks from time to time, something we're happy being. Maybe we really are as messed up as some people think...
Did the people who died before Jesus all go to hell no matter what they were like?
It seems strange that the Jews believed you'd go to heaven if good, hell if you were bad...
Wish I had something to link to. I watched a Discovery program a while back. It covered the formation of the modern Bible. One of the interesting parts was the concept of hell. According to the program, the current concept of hell didn't exist until several hundred years after Christ died. The previous concept was that you simply ceased existing at death. Kind of like what most Atheists belive will happen when they die. Heaven was a reward to early Christians. The only punishment was failure to receive the reward.
So true happiness must not be physiological and must reside somewhere other than the body/brain?
I've thought about this from time to time. Personaly, I think drugs can help. However, I don't think they are the solution for everything. Being the geek I am, when thinking about how the brain functions, I use a computer as an analogy. There are two parts to a computer: hardware and software. There are two parts of the brain that equate: neurochemicals and consciousness.
Now, if I have a bad memory chip in the computer that is causing problems, I replace it. If I have a gland in my head that's defective, I'd replace it. Or given that brain surgery is rather primitive, I might take a medicine that compensates. If I have a computer program that's randomly deleting bits from the hard drive, I remove it. If I'm depressed because my dog died, I morn the dog and move on with my life.
With the right tools, maybe I could break a couple links in my head to make the memory of the dog more distant. With the right drugs, maybe I could increase the levels of happiness hormones in my head and stop caring about the dog. However, on the conscience level, I can learn to accept the death without harming the memory.
With the computer program, If I could watch the hard drive while it operates, I might be able to detect when the head started to randomly delete bits. I could then see where the head was just before this action and delete the bits in that area. This isn't really that different from the old days when you had to peek and poke memory. However, by analysing the logs, learning which program is causing problems and how it got there, I can actually fix the problem. This isn't something I'd want to do on the hardware level.
I agree that the brain is pure chemistry, just like a computer is pure hardware. That doesn't mean that all repairs should be done at that level.
Not that I'm really sure what control the top level domains have over the Internet (other than naming a new www.somesite.moronic_stuff... However,
You're right. Let's give control to Syria, North Korea, and China.
Wasn't one of the main points of the American revolution lack of representation in England? Now we have a service that's used internationaly, but controlled by a country that refuses to allow representation.
wanting to retain control over their own creation, which they so presumptuously chose to share with the rest of the world.
I wonder, just how much of the Internet was created by the US? Sure, all of that fiber in the US and the lines connecting the US to Europe were funded and developed by Americans. However, computer networks existed before the current Internet. I remember, back about 1986 or so, calling Italy to download messages from their networks to share on my BBS. Europe had their own networks that agreed to connect America's Internet in the interest of communicating with America.
Ever heard of the great fire wall? Imagine giving china, saudi arabia, egypt, Libya, Zimbabwe and Cuba a say in running ICANN (or it's replacement)..XXX would be a joke, we'd be fighting over whether ISPs have to be registered with their state government, whether you have to be registered with the censors to have an IP address, etc.
This is something I have never really understood. Why do we have.XXX,.COM,.ORG,.GOV,.MIL,.NET,.EDU, or any of the others I might have missed? Every country already has it's own code. Not that most people in the US realize it. What is wrong with.XXX.US,.COM.US,.ORG.US,.GOV.US,.MIL.US,.NET.US,.EDU.US, etc.? Personally, I wish more people would use the country codes. Then I wouldn't waste my time browsing a.COM only to find out they don't ship to my country. Imagine giving China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya, Zimbabwe and Cuba a say in running ICANN (or it's replacement). However, imagine limiting the international root servers to country codes and letting the indevidual countries control the subdomains. The only question I see then is how large an IP block to assign to each country. Of course, IPv6 should make this question moot.
Um, how familiar are you with open source software?
...that has a habit of going down quite often, interrupting downloads... 'Lightning Download' can remedy this problem; but it is for windows users only
Firefox has a download manager built in. There are also several others available.
track and sector editors, secure deletion and shredding programs, easy formatters, registry and log file editors and secure deleters, internet cookie and intrusive spyware secure deleters, obsessive 'history' shredders, and other hardware and low level software utilities
You think Linux has a shortage of utilities? With the exception of spyware removal (No spyware currently exists for Linux), all of these utilities have existed for Linux for years.
Because the high speed internet companies... has decreed support only for windows
Ok, you call them up and they say "Not Windows? Don't know what to do." I will admit, most Windows "Techs" don't have a clue without a database telling them what to do. However, I have yet to find a broadband service that won't work with Linux. QWest isn't too bad on tech support. You do have to get past their "Please install our software for idiots". But they are good about helping you after that. They also give the choice of MSN or QWest for the ISP.
Seriously, take the time to learn your software. Since you mention SuSE, check out the thousands of software packages in Yast. If that fails, try sourceforge or freashmeat.
Just some thoughts... And no, I haven't read TFA yet.
I've seen some questions asked concerning using other client software to get around this. Yes, that will work for now. However, it sets precedent that the ??AA can point to and say "If they can do it, you can too." It might even be strong enough to outlaw players that don't support this technology.
This can only be good for LimeWire. They have first access to the technology. Maybe they have a patent? Perhaps they set up a server that checks hashes agaist the database. Not in the database? You don't get shared. There is already a service simular to this. Bearshare has the option of verifying a file by running the hash agaist a database. Users have the option to leave comments associated with the hash. It's a good way to tell bs files from good ones. I wish I could remember the name of the service.
Now, if they can force other clients to use this technology, LimeWire can profit. They could charge artists to register with their license service. They could charge license fees for other clients that use their license service. If they have a patent, the other clients might be forced to use their service.
Now a smart start would be to offer CC or Public Domain certification for free. You you then charge commercial rates for people that wanted a more restrictive license. I wonder if this could become a modern patent office, but for licenses and privately owned?
So even though completely innocent, should the Feds decide to detain you for any reason, your genetic data will grace their database
I have to ask, why the farce of being investigated? Why not just force every resident of the US to submit DNA material. They could build a complete genetic profile, find paterens that match criminal behavior, and arrest people based on the probability of criminal behavior. Given the value placed on DNA evidence, it should be easy to convince people that this is in their best interests.
Why even bother with word processors these days when LaTeX is more than capable of the vast majority of document typesetting needs?
Thinking back to the DOS/Windows 3.0 days, I have to laugh when I read stuff like this. Back then, the most common complaint against Word Perfect and Word was that there were too many type setting functions. I think it's funny that it's suggested today that word processors be replaced by a type setting program.
Now I should make a disclaimer here. I have never used LaTeX. I have heard a lot about what it can do, but I've never had a use for a type setting program. That said... Oh, and a question, is LaTeX a format or a program? I keep hearing people talk like it could be either.
I can see where a lot of the functionality is shared with an office suit. It would be interesting to use LaTeX as a backend. You could have several GUI apps with functionality limited to what the person needs. It would easily work for word processing and presentations. It might be nice to have a slick desktop publising GUI included. Can LaTeX create spreadsheets, access databases, interface with e-mail, and create clip-art? If so, than maybe it could be a replacment for today's office suite. On the flip-side, if Latex is just a type-setting program, then I don't see how it would be a good replacment. After all, 99% of business documents don't need formating. The few that do are sent to a publisher to look pretty for the public.
we have put a jammer in space that will allow us to disrupt enemy communication systems at will.
Every once in a while I catch a story about someone breaking into a computer and taking control of a satellite. It seems to me that this satellite would be a prime target for terrorists. Just think what would happen if cell phones all over the US stopped working. Add to that, TV and Radio, and you would have a full-scale, country-wide panic.
could that be because there are so few linux users that it makes no sense to publish linux games separately? x86 linux users can also easliy boot into windows for games like they do now.
I wonder, now that Apple is coming out with x86, will game companies drop support for MacOSX? I'd think Wine would work on these machines. Mac users could just play games that way.
"Compare that to a game like City of Heroes where the developers post on a daily basis."
Remind me to check out City of Heroes. I'm always interested in a good game where the developer talks regularly about game development and incorporates the thoughts and ideas generated back into the game. However, I think I'll avoid WoW. Reading this interview and the comments attached, it sounds like a dull, static world.
No, not just a PR flunky, a PR flunky with a minor in marketing. All of us at Blizzard strive to study the challenges of development and apply those lessons to our next project.
So...the answer is Buy our next game and find out!
I've been watching a TV show on DirectTV that's called Current Google or some such. I figured Google TV already existed. I wish I could remember the exact name of the show and which channel it was on. I'll have to see if I can find it tonight.
Hmm, I have to think about this for a minute. Microsoft going after Google by buying AOL. Funny, I always thought AOL would be the one to kill Microsoft (thinking more about AOL customers than AOL itself).
AOL does have a lot of customers. However, that's not all they have. Thinking back on my favorite Windows applications, one of the best alternative media players was WinAMP. I still use XMMS, a WinAMP clone. AOL owns WinAMP. Back when instant messageing first started to become popular, you had AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo, and ICQ. AOL bought ICQ. I still use ICQ. As I recall, AOL also owns a nice chunk of Netscape technology. It would be interesting to see Microsoft buy AOL. Merge WinAMP into Windows Media? Merge AIM and ICQ into Messager? Merge Netscape into IE? I'm really glad I have Google Talk, Xine, and FireFox now.
That said, I looked into LyX. At least, I looked through the graphical tour. It's an interesting piece of software. However, I'm not sure how it's rethinking word processing. Word also allows you to mark sections of text for formating purposes. I've never used the ability, but it's there.
To rethink the idea of an office suite, I'd need to think about what I use it for and how I use it. A lot of times I just want to jot down some notes. Maybe I just found some interesting Linux tidbit or I have a story idea I want to write down. I've found KDE's Kate perfect for this, though ispell sucks... I keep a personal journal. I'd love to find an application that puts the date a page was started in the header. I could probaly write a macro in OpenOffice for this, but I haven't yet. My resume made use of formated sections. However, I wrote that in Notepad and saved it as HTML. HTML is the only format I've found that is guaranteed to be readable on any desktop system. I keep my check register in Calc (OpenOffice). I should keep it in a database, but I don't want to have to learn how to start and configure a database backend just for a check register.
All of my uses so far have been personal. Work offers a multitude of different uses. I'd say e-mail is the heaviest use. I've found the editor in Evolution to work well. It has all of the basic function needed to make your point, even some nice stationary. Next, I'd say, are forms. Every action requires a form it seems. Excel is a good form generator. Lists would be next. I'm always receiving lists in Excel format via e-mail. Cost changes, inventory received, etc. Excel makes a good database when you just want to get the data where it needs to go. Printing labels is a daily task. Every package needs a sku number attached to it. Word just asks for the Avery product number and what I want on them. Mail merge gets used a lot when I need to bulk e-mail vendors, customers, or departments. Every once in a while I need to generate simple manuals and pamphlets to be included with produsts. This is the only time I print anything (other than the labels).
Now, there are an amazing number of applications that can handle one or two of the functions I require. However, I don't want to have a completely different command set everytime I do something different. Thus, I want an office suite. This holds over to home use as well. As I said, I use Kate for simple things. However, when I need something that's a bit more complex, like my home budget, I use what I know.
It's really hard to rethink the office suite. It's just used in too many different ways. People group actions together. They want to deal with everything in a group the same way. Office suites group secraterial actions together. Granted, OpenOffice doesn't get me coffee, but come to think of it, neither does my secratary.
In my experience, when security companies and security experts write or say anything derogatory about Linux/OSS security, OSS people try to explain why said experts are wrong. When they can't, OSS people fix the problem.
A thought on security companies and security experts: Most of them are marketers. They sell programs to patch insecure systems. If Linux is more secure, these security marketers must really hate it. After all, a secure by default system is a net loss to them.
Hmm, I haven't explored this as well as I need to. I can certainly see it. After all./configure is just a script. I know RPM allows scripts. So I can see it.
When I'm working outside the package system (./configure, make, make install), I generally run the first two steps as user and run make install as root. Any scripts or tests would then run as user.
Most of the time I use emerge to install applications. I would hope that emerge uses a simular system. I know there is a portage user. I'll have to check into this. I don't know how RPM, apt-get, or any of the other installers handle it.
You install mozilla as root, right? Debian apt runs as root, so you'd better be trusting those apt repositories, and all of the contributers.
Right, apt-get runs as root. Mozilla does not. Unlike most Windows applications, most Linux applications do not need to run a setup.exe to install. Apt-get treats any information gathered from the net as data. It just copies that data to where it needs to go. If you were to get a virus in the apt-get program itself, you would have a problem. However, you can install all of the virus infected applications you want with apt-get. You won't have an infection until you run those applications as root.
I see some interesting responses to your post though. Several posts say they don't install as root; they install as the default user. I don't see how this is safer. True, only the default user's part of the system will get infected. However, if your default user has write access to all of their applications, then a virus installed by your default user can infect all of those other applications. I've found it much better to install as root and run as user. After all, a virus can't infect what it can't write to.
Slashdot Mirror
Of course, I heard this from a friend who heard it from an AutoDesk rep.
My experience with AutoDesk reps is that they don't have a clue what AutoDesk is doing. They will generally tell you anything if they think it will generate a sale.
I have to wonder on this. Can we send the discs back to Microsoft for disposable? Or do we fill our local landfill with more plastic? I read a while back that Microsoft is talking about buying AOL. I guess they would fit right in.
[Macintosh] If you have a Macintosh computer you can copy the songs using your iTunes Player as you would normally do.
So playback in only broken on Windows? If this is the case, the simple solution would be to NOT use a broken operating system.
Fair Use only allows the end-user exemption from copyright law when the copying of the content is possible. The doctrine doesn't state anywhere that the content has to be made copyable.
But all content is copyable until you use the DMCA to prevent it.
I've seen a few articles lately where certain artists have come out in support of fair use. My personal thought is that someone should put up a site that lists artists who are against fair use. This would make it easier to boycott their crap.
I remember basicly going over the idea in college, but it's been a log time. I read the Wikipedia article to refamiliarize myself with the concept. I can see how the idea might apply to the average person. However, for me and my wife at least, the levels seem in the wrong order.
Me, I'll take love over food or sleep any day. Her, she fits most of the model, with the exception of safety. When safety is missing, she looks for love.
We've both been called freaks from time to time, something we're happy being. Maybe we really are as messed up as some people think...
Did the people who died before Jesus all go to hell no matter what they were like?
It seems strange that the Jews believed you'd go to heaven if good, hell if you were bad...
Wish I had something to link to. I watched a Discovery program a while back. It covered the formation of the modern Bible. One of the interesting parts was the concept of hell. According to the program, the current concept of hell didn't exist until several hundred years after Christ died. The previous concept was that you simply ceased existing at death. Kind of like what most Atheists belive will happen when they die. Heaven was a reward to early Christians. The only punishment was failure to receive the reward.
So true happiness must not be physiological and must reside somewhere other than the body/brain?
I've thought about this from time to time. Personaly, I think drugs can help. However, I don't think they are the solution for everything. Being the geek I am, when thinking about how the brain functions, I use a computer as an analogy. There are two parts to a computer: hardware and software. There are two parts of the brain that equate: neurochemicals and consciousness.
Now, if I have a bad memory chip in the computer that is causing problems, I replace it. If I have a gland in my head that's defective, I'd replace it. Or given that brain surgery is rather primitive, I might take a medicine that compensates. If I have a computer program that's randomly deleting bits from the hard drive, I remove it. If I'm depressed because my dog died, I morn the dog and move on with my life.
With the right tools, maybe I could break a couple links in my head to make the memory of the dog more distant. With the right drugs, maybe I could increase the levels of happiness hormones in my head and stop caring about the dog. However, on the conscience level, I can learn to accept the death without harming the memory.
With the computer program, If I could watch the hard drive while it operates, I might be able to detect when the head started to randomly delete bits. I could then see where the head was just before this action and delete the bits in that area. This isn't really that different from the old days when you had to peek and poke memory. However, by analysing the logs, learning which program is causing problems and how it got there, I can actually fix the problem. This isn't something I'd want to do on the hardware level.
I agree that the brain is pure chemistry, just like a computer is pure hardware. That doesn't mean that all repairs should be done at that level.
Not that I'm really sure what control the top level domains have over the Internet (other than naming a new www.somesite.moronic_stuff... However,
You're right. Let's give control to Syria, North Korea, and China.
Wasn't one of the main points of the American revolution lack of representation in England? Now we have a service that's used internationaly, but controlled by a country that refuses to allow representation.
wanting to retain control over their own creation, which they so presumptuously chose to share with the rest of the world.
I wonder, just how much of the Internet was created by the US? Sure, all of that fiber in the US and the lines connecting the US to Europe were funded and developed by Americans. However, computer networks existed before the current Internet. I remember, back about 1986 or so, calling Italy to download messages from their networks to share on my BBS. Europe had their own networks that agreed to connect America's Internet in the interest of communicating with America.
Ever heard of the great fire wall? Imagine giving china, saudi arabia, egypt, Libya, Zimbabwe and Cuba a say in running ICANN (or it's replacement). .XXX would be a joke, we'd be fighting over whether ISPs have to be registered with their state government, whether you have to be registered with the censors to have an IP address, etc.
.XXX, .COM, .ORG, .GOV, .MIL, .NET, .EDU, or any of the others I might have missed? Every country already has it's own code. Not that most people in the US realize it. What is wrong with .XXX.US, .COM.US, .ORG.US, .GOV.US, .MIL.US, .NET.US, .EDU.US, etc.? Personally, I wish more people would use the country codes. Then I wouldn't waste my time browsing a .COM only to find out they don't ship to my country. Imagine giving China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya, Zimbabwe and Cuba a say in running ICANN (or it's replacement). However, imagine limiting the international root servers to country codes and letting the indevidual countries control the subdomains. The only question I see then is how large an IP block to assign to each country. Of course, IPv6 should make this question moot.
This is something I have never really understood. Why do we have
Um, how familiar are you with open source software?
...that has a habit of going down quite often, interrupting downloads... 'Lightning Download' can remedy this problem; but it is for windows users only
... has decreed support only for windows
Firefox has a download manager built in. There are also several others available.
track and sector editors, secure deletion and shredding programs, easy formatters, registry and log file editors and secure deleters, internet cookie and intrusive spyware secure deleters, obsessive 'history' shredders, and other hardware and low level software utilities
You think Linux has a shortage of utilities? With the exception of spyware removal (No spyware currently exists for Linux), all of these utilities have existed for Linux for years.
Because the high speed internet companies
Ok, you call them up and they say "Not Windows? Don't know what to do." I will admit, most Windows "Techs" don't have a clue without a database telling them what to do. However, I have yet to find a broadband service that won't work with Linux. QWest isn't too bad on tech support. You do have to get past their "Please install our software for idiots". But they are good about helping you after that. They also give the choice of MSN or QWest for the ISP.
Seriously, take the time to learn your software. Since you mention SuSE, check out the thousands of software packages in Yast. If that fails, try sourceforge or freashmeat.
Just some thoughts... And no, I haven't read TFA yet.
I've seen some questions asked concerning using other client software to get around this. Yes, that will work for now. However, it sets precedent that the ??AA can point to and say "If they can do it, you can too." It might even be strong enough to outlaw players that don't support this technology.
This can only be good for LimeWire. They have first access to the technology. Maybe they have a patent? Perhaps they set up a server that checks hashes agaist the database. Not in the database? You don't get shared. There is already a service simular to this. Bearshare has the option of verifying a file by running the hash agaist a database. Users have the option to leave comments associated with the hash. It's a good way to tell bs files from good ones. I wish I could remember the name of the service.
Now, if they can force other clients to use this technology, LimeWire can profit. They could charge artists to register with their license service. They could charge license fees for other clients that use their license service. If they have a patent, the other clients might be forced to use their service.
Now a smart start would be to offer CC or Public Domain certification for free. You you then charge commercial rates for people that wanted a more restrictive license. I wonder if this could become a modern patent office, but for licenses and privately owned?
So even though completely innocent, should the Feds decide to detain you for any reason, your genetic data will grace their database
I have to ask, why the farce of being investigated? Why not just force every resident of the US to submit DNA material. They could build a complete genetic profile, find paterens that match criminal behavior, and arrest people based on the probability of criminal behavior. Given the value placed on DNA evidence, it should be easy to convince people that this is in their best interests.
Why even bother with word processors these days when LaTeX is more than capable of the vast majority of document typesetting needs?
Thinking back to the DOS/Windows 3.0 days, I have to laugh when I read stuff like this. Back then, the most common complaint against Word Perfect and Word was that there were too many type setting functions. I think it's funny that it's suggested today that word processors be replaced by a type setting program.
Now I should make a disclaimer here. I have never used LaTeX. I have heard a lot about what it can do, but I've never had a use for a type setting program. That said... Oh, and a question, is LaTeX a format or a program? I keep hearing people talk like it could be either.
I can see where a lot of the functionality is shared with an office suit. It would be interesting to use LaTeX as a backend. You could have several GUI apps with functionality limited to what the person needs. It would easily work for word processing and presentations. It might be nice to have a slick desktop publising GUI included. Can LaTeX create spreadsheets, access databases, interface with e-mail, and create clip-art? If so, than maybe it could be a replacment for today's office suite. On the flip-side, if Latex is just a type-setting program, then I don't see how it would be a good replacment. After all, 99% of business documents don't need formating. The few that do are sent to a publisher to look pretty for the public.
we have put a jammer in space that will allow us to disrupt enemy communication systems at will.
Every once in a while I catch a story about someone breaking into a computer and taking control of a satellite. It seems to me that this satellite would be a prime target for terrorists. Just think what would happen if cell phones all over the US stopped working. Add to that, TV and Radio, and you would have a full-scale, country-wide panic.
could that be because there are so few linux users that it makes no sense to publish linux games separately? x86 linux users can also easliy boot into windows for games like they do now.
I wonder, now that Apple is coming out with x86, will game companies drop support for MacOSX? I'd think Wine would work on these machines. Mac users could just play games that way.
"Compare that to a game like City of Heroes where the developers post on a daily basis."
Remind me to check out City of Heroes. I'm always interested in a good game where the developer talks regularly about game development and incorporates the thoughts and ideas generated back into the game. However, I think I'll avoid WoW. Reading this interview and the comments attached, it sounds like a dull, static world.
Spot the one response written by a PR flunky
No, not just a PR flunky, a PR flunky with a minor in marketing.
All of us at Blizzard strive to study the challenges of development and apply those lessons to our next project.
So...the answer is Buy our next game and find out!
I've been watching a TV show on DirectTV that's called Current Google or some such. I figured Google TV already existed. I wish I could remember the exact name of the show and which channel it was on. I'll have to see if I can find it tonight.
Hmm, I have to think about this for a minute. Microsoft going after Google by buying AOL. Funny, I always thought AOL would be the one to kill Microsoft (thinking more about AOL customers than AOL itself).
AOL does have a lot of customers. However, that's not all they have. Thinking back on my favorite Windows applications, one of the best alternative media players was WinAMP. I still use XMMS, a WinAMP clone. AOL owns WinAMP. Back when instant messageing first started to become popular, you had AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo, and ICQ. AOL bought ICQ. I still use ICQ. As I recall, AOL also owns a nice chunk of Netscape technology. It would be interesting to see Microsoft buy AOL. Merge WinAMP into Windows Media? Merge AIM and ICQ into Messager? Merge Netscape into IE? I'm really glad I have Google Talk, Xine, and FireFox now.
Wow, very nice comment screen SlashDot!
That said, I looked into LyX. At least, I looked through the graphical tour. It's an interesting piece of software. However, I'm not sure how it's rethinking word processing. Word also allows you to mark sections of text for formating purposes. I've never used the ability, but it's there.
To rethink the idea of an office suite, I'd need to think about what I use it for and how I use it. A lot of times I just want to jot down some notes. Maybe I just found some interesting Linux tidbit or I have a story idea I want to write down. I've found KDE's Kate perfect for this, though ispell sucks... I keep a personal journal. I'd love to find an application that puts the date a page was started in the header. I could probaly write a macro in OpenOffice for this, but I haven't yet. My resume made use of formated sections. However, I wrote that in Notepad and saved it as HTML. HTML is the only format I've found that is guaranteed to be readable on any desktop system. I keep my check register in Calc (OpenOffice). I should keep it in a database, but I don't want to have to learn how to start and configure a database backend just for a check register.
All of my uses so far have been personal. Work offers a multitude of different uses. I'd say e-mail is the heaviest use. I've found the editor in Evolution to work well. It has all of the basic function needed to make your point, even some nice stationary. Next, I'd say, are forms. Every action requires a form it seems. Excel is a good form generator. Lists would be next. I'm always receiving lists in Excel format via e-mail. Cost changes, inventory received, etc. Excel makes a good database when you just want to get the data where it needs to go. Printing labels is a daily task. Every package needs a sku number attached to it. Word just asks for the Avery product number and what I want on them. Mail merge gets used a lot when I need to bulk e-mail vendors, customers, or departments. Every once in a while I need to generate simple manuals and pamphlets to be included with produsts. This is the only time I print anything (other than the labels).
Now, there are an amazing number of applications that can handle one or two of the functions I require. However, I don't want to have a completely different command set everytime I do something different. Thus, I want an office suite. This holds over to home use as well. As I said, I use Kate for simple things. However, when I need something that's a bit more complex, like my home budget, I use what I know.
It's really hard to rethink the office suite. It's just used in too many different ways. People group actions together. They want to deal with everything in a group the same way. Office suites group secraterial actions together. Granted, OpenOffice doesn't get me coffee, but come to think of it, neither does my secratary.
Shoot, such a lovely image in my head, until the end. But then, I also thought you wrote girls until I reread it and seen grits.
In my experience, when security companies and security experts write or say anything derogatory about Linux/OSS security, OSS people try to explain why said experts are wrong. When they can't, OSS people fix the problem.
A thought on security companies and security experts: Most of them are marketers. They sell programs to patch insecure systems. If Linux is more secure, these security marketers must really hate it. After all, a secure by default system is a net loss to them.
Hmm, I haven't explored this as well as I need to. I can certainly see it. After all ./configure is just a script. I know RPM allows scripts. So I can see it.
When I'm working outside the package system (./configure, make, make install), I generally run the first two steps as user and run make install as root. Any scripts or tests would then run as user.
Most of the time I use emerge to install applications. I would hope that emerge uses a simular system. I know there is a portage user. I'll have to check into this. I don't know how RPM, apt-get, or any of the other installers handle it.
You install mozilla as root, right? Debian apt runs as root, so you'd better be trusting those apt repositories, and all of the contributers.
Right, apt-get runs as root. Mozilla does not. Unlike most Windows applications, most Linux applications do not need to run a setup.exe to install. Apt-get treats any information gathered from the net as data. It just copies that data to where it needs to go. If you were to get a virus in the apt-get program itself, you would have a problem. However, you can install all of the virus infected applications you want with apt-get. You won't have an infection until you run those applications as root.
I see some interesting responses to your post though. Several posts say they don't install as root; they install as the default user. I don't see how this is safer. True, only the default user's part of the system will get infected. However, if your default user has write access to all of their applications, then a virus installed by your default user can infect all of those other applications. I've found it much better to install as root and run as user. After all, a virus can't infect what it can't write to.
I thought the best "technology" was to make a decent product.
While technology makes really cool things easy to do, I have yet to see any technology produce a good story.