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User: HikingStick

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Comments · 1,063

  1. Re:radio! on Dell Launches Flash Music Player · · Score: 1

    When devices can be consolidated, I find little purpose in a single-use device. It's a good move to offer the radio option. People are free to purchase whichever best meets their needs.

  2. Re:radio! on Dell Launches Flash Music Player · · Score: 1

    Have you ever tried to use an AM radio when there is a storm nearby? It's like sticking a microphone into a bowl of Rice Crispies. And, no, radios are not what are needed to protect us from terrorism or save our lives, but they are still a valuable tool that can be used to keep informed of vital information.

  3. Re:radio! on Dell Launches Flash Music Player · · Score: 1

    I'm not running to the basement any time a lightening strike blows a transformer, or any time a tree branch takes out a feeder line. The number of storm-related power outages far outnumber the number of severe weather incidents. Given a choice to buy a digital music device that has a radio v. one that does not, I'll go with the radio-enabled model.

  4. Re:radio! on Dell Launches Flash Music Player · · Score: 2, Insightful

    My sentiments exactly. We just had a major severe weather system move through our area last night (straight line winds, tornados, and 2-3" hail). Having that radio available is what lets most families get into their basements in time to be safe, especially when the power is out. If only for that reason, the radio circuitry should be included with any digital music device.

  5. Re:Honeypot edition on Dvorak on Microsoft Confusing the Market · · Score: 1

    I couldn't resist. I teach Microsoft in my "other life", so I know the Gospel according to Bill. When they do get things right, I'm the first to admit it... Happy reading to you!

  6. Honeypot edition on Dvorak on Microsoft Confusing the Market · · Score: 1, Redundant

    They could release a version of VISTA that is susceptible to all kinds of viruses, worms, and other security exploits--VISTA Honeypot Edition...

    ...oh, wait...they already have that...

    ...It's called Windows XP!

  7. Re:Keyboard specific? on Keyboard Sound Aids Password Cracking · · Score: 1

    I would contend that it could work on all keyboard types, including "projected" keyboard arrays, and even if the users type using non-standard methods ("hunt and peck"). In some ways, this is just like voice recognition. It has come a long way toward identifying spoken words from different people with different vocal quality, tones, inflections, and even accents. Given enough time, any system could be trained to decode a specific typist's particular idiosyncrasies. As the technology matures, the algorithms will learn to accomodate for a broader range of factors and patterns. This is tangental to previous research that discovered screen content could be recreated by collecting light overflow from CRT and LCD displays. Should someone combine both methods, it would be just like sitting home and watching the desktop remotely...

  8. Re:Mutual? on How About a Nice Game of Global Thermonuclear War? · · Score: 1

    If China really wanted to launch a nuclear assault on the US, it wouldn't need missiles. It could launch enough planes with bombs that we wouldn't have a hope of stopping them all. There is strength in numbers. Fortunately, the waking giant that is China currently is more interested in breakfast (food and other necessities) than in expanding its holdings.

  9. The hard way (Re:The essentials of desktop repair) on What's On Your Tech Bench? · · Score: 1

    I felt much the same until I fried a MUX board valued at $50k (this was in the early 90s). Some environments are just giant static generators. When dealing with high-price components: play it safe, unless you can afford to eat the loss. I do prefer ESD mats over straps, but I will still strap myself if I am working on something more critical than an expansion card or drive unit.

  10. Re:Why so long on New Legal Threat To GMail · · Score: 2, Informative

    A careful review of the full article reveals that the company attempted to resolve this with Google out of the courts over 15 months ago. In the business world it is the responsibility of the newcomer, not the existing business, to conduct a name search when launching a new product or service, so as to avoide disputes like the one described here. Google may have conducted such a search, but may have felt that its service was sufficiently unique so that its use of the name "Gmail" would not cause confusion in the marketplace. The courts generally hold that other businesses can use the same name if 1) the newcomer is not trying to leverage (claim) the reputation or the name of other existing businesses, and 2) the new business is in a different sector than the existing business so there will be no brand confusion. For example, the courts would generally disallow another restaurant from claiming the name "McDonalds", but they probably would allow an antique store named "McDonalds", providing the antique store doesn't try to piggyback on the hamburger chain's image (by using, for example, golden arches in its logo).

  11. Re:BartsPE and Windows Server 2003 Evaluation vers on Windows XP In Your Pocket · · Score: 1

    You're taking a legal risk there. The files on the CD are in support of the eval copy and are not licensed for other uses. That is where MS is going to come back against Bart's PE and similar products. They are not the full MS software, but they rely on MS files to make them work. That places them in the derivative works category. I'll stick with my trusty Knoppix CD. An audit finding that even suggests unlicensed software can cause years of pain...

  12. Re:common carrier? on The Case for Free WiFi? · · Score: 1

    They may be able to get out of a conviction, but when the Feds barge in and want to grab all computer equipment because they traced the source IP from a kiddie porn ring down to the local access point, who has the resources to argue. I recently switched hotel chains to gain free Internet access. The other "luxury" chain lost a frequent customer because it wanted its $6 per day for Internet access. The other chain provided free access (wired and wireless), but users had to click through a EULA screen once every 24 hours. The EULA (specifying acceptable use and all that jazz) may provice the businesses some additional protection in those cases. I don't think the question is "if" these cases will come to be, but "when."

  13. Select what YOU will be working with on Creating a High-Tech Meeting/Conference Room? · · Score: 1

    Since the primary user is non-technical, you can imagine who will be responsible for making the room sing at a moment's notice, so get gear you are comfortable with. That said, were it any other lower level lackey in the pecking order, I would tell him to take a hike unless he can substantiate a business need. Since it is the CEO, you likely don't have anyone to appeal to for the sake of reason, unless you have an in with the Board. It just sounds like a lot of this technology will be overkill and the user won't be able to use it, so he'll revert back to flip charts and handouts when he can't get things to work.