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User: aaarrrgggh

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  1. Re:What is being missed... is the $2 million part. on Commodore PC Still Controls Heat and A/C At 19 Michigan Public Schools · · Score: 1

    Not really. If I had to guess, the C64 turns things off and on. A modern system optimizes energy performance, is variable volume or variable temperature, monitors CO2 levels to increase outside air when needed, etc. While BMS controls are overpriced relative to comparable consumer devices, $2MM would be around $500/point for a typical school.

    Keep in mind the numbers likely include new sensors, actuators, and all that fun stuff...

  2. Re:No, well maybe on Linux World Domination Creates Shortage of Linux-Skilled Workers · · Score: 1

    No, I am switching to windows so I can actually find a person that will charge me $125-135/hour. I will admit though, the preferred consultant's hourly rate is $85/hour. He does "know Linux," but he thinks we are best served with windows..

  3. Re:No, well maybe on Linux World Domination Creates Shortage of Linux-Skilled Workers · · Score: 1

    Sadly, as someone who has been using Linux about as long as I have been visiting /., I am switching our servers to windows for this very reason. I cannot find consultants that can support our systems for a reasonable cost, and I don't have the time to do it myself. It is really going to kill me when I have to dump asterisk for the same reason and go with some hosted cloud BS that costs 3x per line.

  4. Re:Business-grade features on Ask Slashdot: If You Were Building a New Home, What Cool New Tech Would You Put In? · · Score: 1

    Then staple at regular intervals and keep good bending radii. For the record though, if you have 2x12's 16"oc with one 2" hole and the rest 1.25" you can feed pretty good lengths of schedule 20 PVC conduit through. No more than 3 90 degree bends...

  5. Re:Business-grade features on Ask Slashdot: If You Were Building a New Home, What Cool New Tech Would You Put In? · · Score: 1

    Careful with 3/4"; 1" handles multiple drops of Cat6 much better. Also... For those who have never tried pulling cable, don't let the contractor install flexible conduit.

  6. Re:Just GBE everywhere! on Ask Slashdot: If You Were Building a New Home, What Cool New Tech Would You Put In? · · Score: 1

    Also HDMI extenders and matrix extenders. Haven't priced fiber matrix extenders, but anywhere you might want artwork or a TV, give at least two Cat6. An always use it just as a power source for lighting...

    Another comment-- healthy service loops at the top of each drop or where you go from j-hooks/cable tray into conduit. Makes re-purposely the cables much easier.

  7. Retire Early... Retire Often! on Ask Slashdot: What Do You Wish You'd Known Starting Your First "Real" Job? · · Score: 1

    Everyone should retire once before getting married, or at least before having kids. Retirement doesn't have to be forever, but before you are 30 some things are much easier.

  8. Re:Those of you who are? on Let's Take This Open Floor Plan To the Next Level · · Score: 1

    I have had good cubicles most of my career, and personally prefer the collaboration. The main downside is not being able to use the speakerphone at your desk. For my role today that is not practical.

  9. Re:Those of you who are? on Let's Take This Open Floor Plan To the Next Level · · Score: 1

    They reduce rent not capital cost. Furnishing either is the same.

    If the company you work for pays $36/SF per year, would you take an office if it meant you were paid $2,000 less per year?

    I appreciate software is different than engineering, but the collaboration, mentoring, and comorodory of an open office environment really helps build the business for us. While I do have an office, I would hope for more collaboration space rather than a larger workstation, although much smaller than 10' of desk space is a challenge.

  10. Re:One possible way forward... on Insurer Won't Pay Out For Security Breach Because of Lax Security · · Score: 2

    Both levels need insurance, but I think you are right that the consultant needs the E&O coverage. One failure in the parallel though is time; if a bridge is built, the claim period lasts about 5-10% of its life. Same goes for most nonresidential buildings. What happens when a consultant is replaced on an account? Where does the new consultant assume liability for existing changes? Software bugs? Unpatched systems?

  11. Re:Seems reasonable on Insurer Won't Pay Out For Security Breach Because of Lax Security · · Score: 1

    Technically, insurance companies never pay; they keep working down the chain of liability to get the next guy to pay.

    How do you insure against hardware failures of the shrink wrap EULA washes hands of any liability? It will be a major change in the industry.

  12. Re:Seems reasonable on Insurer Won't Pay Out For Security Breach Because of Lax Security · · Score: 1

    How many it consultants have Professional Liability Insurance? What would the premiums be--3-5%?!

    This is going to be a big problem in the industry.

  13. Re:Wrong on Why PowerPoint Should Be Banned · · Score: 1

    But to PDFs, they have at least incorporated conferencing and "studios" into Bluebeam. Why does PowerPoint not have a collaborative conferencing solution built in?

    I was going to invest in a dual-screen presentation system for my company to simplify the process of giving reference and content at the same time in a presentation without being forced into awful split-tile powerpoints, but it was just too hard at the time.

    Most people aren't graphics designers, nor are they engaging presenters. It takes having professionals to build a good deck. Barring that, dynamic mind maps (Omni Graffle on steroids) would be great for presentations... But Bluebeam is our go-to now.

  14. Re:WTF on Attackers Use Email Spam To Infect Point-of-Sale Terminals · · Score: 2

    A lot of different things can constitute a POS terminal today. For an iPad, you have Square, Shopify, and any number of other comparable packages. Pretty hard to eliminate an email client.

    At one end of the spectrum, many of these types of systems use cellular service for their internet connection; pretty hard to lock them down at the network level as well.

    The old model for these types of systems was to provide dedicated "appliances" to solve the problem. Costs were absurd, so merchants worked hard to find alternatives. It has taken about 18 years to get to this point. (Second linux project I was interested in was a POS system, back in 1997...) Not every shop has an IT guy on staff... and not all IT guys are experts at security, networking, or much more than rebooting the system when it has a problem.

  15. Re:Internet Explorer is the only browser yet updat on 'Logjam' Vulnerability Threatens Encrypted Connections · · Score: 1

    Mobile Safari, and the Apple Watch OS were updated yesterday.

  16. ...oh, and can anyone recommend an exacto knife? on Ask Slashdot: Best Way To Solve a Unique Networking Issue? · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Sometimes, for diagnostic purposes I also need to add a second read head to the credit card scanner. It would really be helpful if I could add this to the network, along with the keypad's diagnostic port. Any ideas?

    In all seriousness though, there are some real fire protection issues with taking cables from the pump zone elsewhere. Everything in and out needs to be properly sealed to prevent explosive vapors from entering into a non spark-resistant system.

  17. Re:tried this in NC on Energy Dept. Wants Big Wind Energy Technology In All 50 US States · · Score: 2

    A wind turbine with 100m blades has fundamental frequency of about 6Hz. You don't hear that.

  18. Re:One Assumption on The Demographic Future of America's Political Parties · · Score: 2

    It all comes down to the money. The Republicans can't marginalize their core conservative base because then they lose 80% of their money. What's worse, if they kick the tea party out of their caucus then that 80% of their money goes to fund competitors, leaving the grand old party much less old... but also much less grand.

    TFS is about right; if the Republicans focus solely on economic issues in an honest rather than ideological manner then they will shine with GenX as well as Millenials. A lot of the people in those generations have seem to have shifted a bit on the social compass, and that doesn't help the social conservative cause.

    That said, I have said I was a social liberal/fiscal conservative since before I could vote, and the only real change in my mind is which aspect is more critical to me. Also haven't voted much over the last 20 years, so not sure if anybody really cares...

  19. Re:not the real question on Chris Roberts Is the Least Important Part of the Airplane Hacking Story · · Score: 1

    Maybe a stupid question, but can't you modify the port driver/settings to broadcast data on the RX pin for most systems?

  20. Re:What does it say about you? on Does Using an AOL Email Address Suggest You're a Tech Dinosaur? · · Score: 1

    And nothing says "get off my lawn" like 4123.7562@compuserve.com

  21. Re:offshore yourself on Ask Slashdot: Moving To an Offshore-Proof Career? · · Score: 1

    This is likely one of three options, the other two being entrepreneurialism and capitalism. An ideal solution mixes all three and provides diverse sources of income. With countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines you need to be a little vigilant about the possibility of needing to walk away, especially when you don't have dual citizenship.

    Between automation, outsourcing, and government behavior in general, there is no fool-proof solution unless you can buy your own country. You hedge your risks by understanding finance without working in the field, saving money, investing wisely, avoiding debt, and recognizing and taking advantage of opportunities when they arise.

    If you aren't willing to do those things, find a business under 50 people that is well run and work for them.

    (In IT, the key is actually being responsive (and good). I interviewed four consulting companies, and while they were happy to do an initial (and sometimes follow-up) meeting, all four of them failed to actually provide me with a proposal. #5 is next week... I am even willing to convert our servers to Windows to expand the talent pool; it seems hopeless to find anybody good with Linux in Los Angeles.)

  22. Re:Get over it on No Justice For Victims of Identity Theft · · Score: 1

    Cash has limited scope. I need to carry about $500 with me for cash incidentals most of the time, despite 75% of my spending being via credit card. I used to be fine with 90% cash and under $200 on my person, but that was a decade ago.

    The only thing I can do to manage risk is placing things in corporations.

  23. Re:Start spreadin' the rants... on The World's Most Wasteful Megacity · · Score: 1

    In terms of the metrics, NYC is penalized for the following: temperature extremes, humidity extremes, tall buildings (plumbing, elevators, etc), and a number of other lesser factors.

    NYC is benefitted by the fact that they don't grow anything, or really manufacture much.

    NYC should strive to do better. Buildings should be better insulated, HVAC systems should be more efficient, heat recovery should be more widely used, lighting needs to be upgraded with more efficient solutions, and the subway should really try to improve efficiency.

    But all these best and worst rankings are bunk without proper context.

  24. Viable 3rd Party Candidate?! on Former HP CEO Carly Fiorina Announces Bid For White House · · Score: 1

    Well, looks like this will be the election for a viable third party candidate. No dynasties, no Carly, no wingnuts. Please...

  25. Re:Detector, please on Unnoticed For Years, Malware Turned Linux Servers Into Spamming Machines · · Score: 1

    What did I do?! I know the answer... Or at least an answer.