Well, since I got my boxes backed-up, and still haven't gotten the okay for the hardware for that trinux network monitor I want to set up - cool packgae BTW - this was just right for a Friday read. Funny, overall. Could be titled "How I fucked up a 2-car funeral".
What I like about Jon's postings is that they always provoke spirited responses; the other reason I read/. so often. So, keep writing, Jon, I'll read it all, and the entertaining responses you incite!
Since I bought my 2nd-hand machine w/ Linux preinstalled, I guess I have to pass on this. It's such a good feeling to know that bg isn't anywhere near my 'puter.
Well written, too. The most telling part, for moi, is this:
Personally, I like the idea of giving all those potential new users a nasty shock to the complacency. (which is just above the navel, next to the spleen.) I don't want Linux to be "Just like Windows only Better!", I want it to challenge the basic assumptions that the Microsoft engineers have made. Windows is a poor copy of the Macintosh is a poor copy of the Xerox Star, now 20 years old. We haven't challenged the basic WIMP(windows, icons, mouse, pointer) paradigm in 20 years? Come on!
Using Linux can make you smarter. Most important. I know, I know, most people just want to use the 'puter, they don't give a rat's ass what's inside or how it works. Okay. But. Linux gives you a change to LEARN. How about that? Learning one new thing each day is the best way to improve your condition. Period.
Way to go... now that's a way to send the signal. No more MS! No more MS! No more MS! heh.
hassle the hardware dealers demand no os on new systems drives support Linux-only system sellers Boycott the MS tax - no taxation w/o representation: I vote no for MS on my hdd! Now, all I need is money to buy a new system.
I thought it was pretty interesting, myself. Dunno about the fella who wrote it - a poster above seems to give him less than sterling credentials. But I think from a technical pov, it's kind of a neat concept.
Sure, the best defense is a good admin with up-to-date info and the latest patches for the server/router/firewall. If the kiddies can't get in, they can do no harm. If they can't dos or hjack you, you're cool. But it's still kind of tempting, I would think, to stick some reactive armor out there.
I think it's a worth-while experience for geeks. Even if the coursework isn't immediately relevant, you get a good backgrounder on where things have come from. The history of your profession is impt. Add to that the opportunities for future contacts, exposure to other disciplines, a chance to do some work on-campus, etc. Not to mention the possible lure of grad school. College is or should be an adventure. A real good start. If I could, I'd go back and get another degree.
Really. I've worked in a variety of settings - academic, public service (ugh), large corporate, small startup (not counting summer jobs, of course). And I've enjoyed working in the academic and small startup only. The positions I had in each were different - academic: ESL instructor/department head; public service: library drone; large corporate: library technical advisor; small startup: sysadmin.
One thing I've learned is that if you concentrate on what you can learn and how that turns around into what you can produce, the happier you'll be. The less you learn, the less you'll produce.
Basically the work that has sucked for me has been the work that has degenerated into routine. I'm not saying that the marketplace isn't hard, fast and cutthroat, but IMHO it's always been. In each of the work settings I've found myself, I have always taken it for granted that tomorrow may bring a reorg/cutback/loss of financing, etc. Fact of life, sorry but we have to let you go.
My point being: the more you know how to learn, the longer you stay marketable.
If this will run Linux, I'll buy one. Stretch out on the couch, old Star Trek re-runs on the Sci-Fi channel, and browse/. Now that is a relaxing evening. Oh, with a tall cold one within reach. Ah, civilized computing!!!
There's a ton of good stuff in this issue. The Answer Guy has a lot of really good networking info - perfect for home lans/gateways, Linux firewalls and a neato article on subnetting - something that I completly forget if I don't reread a good explanation at least once a week - what can I say, I'm number-challenged, heh. The Dec 1998 Linux Journal also has a good article on subnetting.
I remember using Hayes silver and black modems at work years ago. 1200 up to 9600, I think. Always liked the way they looked - kinda tough sitting there on top of the crufty old rs6k 320. Heh. Nothing like old tech...think I'll go visit the Computer Garage for a shot of nostalgia.
Sorry, but there was a recent article - I'll find it and post it here - that pointed out the the research division at ms has not produced anything of significant value in 7-10 years and millions in operating budgets - with the notable exception of Bob. Ms does not innovate - it's just not built in to the corporate culture. They acquire and immitate, not innovate.
"Professor Fisher's testimony would give readers of his 1983 book whiplash," Microsoft's statement continued, referring to Fisher's text entitled "Folded, Spindled, and Mutilated: Economic Analysis and U.S. vs. IBM" (with John J. McGowan and Joen E. Greenwood; 1983). Fisher acted as chief economic witness for IBM when it was subject of its own lengthy DOJ antitrust investigation, according to Microsoft's rebuttal.
In Fisher's book, he claims that "monopoly profits are earned through high prices and inferior products,"(emphasis mine) says Microsoft in its statement.
Throughout the antitrust trial proceeding thus far, Microsoft has attempted to show that it has not jacked up operating system or application product prices, despite the fact that it has added numerous features and functionality to its offerings.
Duh, that's exactly what ms has done. Granted that they haven't radically jacked up prices, but they sure haven't cut them down either - except of course when they do so to wipe out a competing product. They have a monopoly on the desktop - they can charge what they want, and they can continue to make inferior products. So, where's the inconsistency here?
1999 prediction: If ms gets off with less than an order to dismantle itself, folks in this country - USA - will be in for even more marketdroid newspeak than ever before. So, just repeat after me
white is black yes is no war is peace innovation is microsoft
Tv... hmmm The Simpsons still hangs in there as best (biting social commentary, or is that bite-me social commentary?), followed closely by X-files, and B5. Star Trek reruns on the Sci-fi channel actually rule.
Slashdot Mirror
Well, since I got my boxes backed-up, and still haven't gotten the okay for the hardware for that trinux network monitor I want to set up - cool packgae BTW - this was just right for a Friday read. Funny, overall. Could be titled "How I fucked up a 2-car funeral".
/. so often. So, keep writing, Jon, I'll read it all, and the entertaining responses you incite!
What I like about Jon's postings is that they always provoke spirited responses; the other reason I read
That was really funny. A perfect start to a Friday.
I got electro-magnets in my TCP.
ROTFL!!!!
Since I bought my 2nd-hand machine w/ Linux preinstalled, I guess I have to pass on this. It's such a good feeling to know that bg isn't anywhere near my 'puter.
In the current dead-tree issue of InfoWorld, there is a full-page for the Netwinder. Looks good.
Well written, too. The most telling part, for moi, is this:
Personally, I like the idea of giving all those potential new users a nasty shock to the complacency. (which is just above the navel, next to the spleen.) I don't want Linux to be "Just like Windows only Better!", I want it to challenge the basic assumptions that the Microsoft engineers have made. Windows is a poor copy of the Macintosh is a poor copy of the Xerox Star, now 20 years old. We haven't challenged the basic WIMP(windows, icons, mouse, pointer) paradigm in 20 years? Come on!
Using Linux can make you smarter. Most important. I know, I know, most people just want to use the 'puter, they don't give a rat's ass what's inside or how it works. Okay. But. Linux gives you a change to LEARN. How about that? Learning one new thing each day is the best way to improve your condition. Period.
Way to go... now that's a way to send the signal. No more MS! No more MS! No more MS! heh.
hassle the hardware dealers
demand no os on new systems drives
support Linux-only system sellers
Boycott the MS tax - no taxation w/o representation: I vote no for MS on my hdd!
Now, all I need is money to buy a new system.
Someone mentions a figure more than 7 million, which seemed to hang in there with the tenaciousness of a nasty cold.
I thought it was pretty interesting, myself. Dunno about the fella who wrote it - a poster above seems to give him less than sterling credentials. But I think from a technical pov, it's kind of a neat concept.
Sure, the best defense is a good admin with up-to-date info and the latest patches for the server/router/firewall. If the kiddies can't get in, they can do no harm. If they can't dos or hjack you, you're cool. But it's still kind of tempting, I would think, to stick some reactive armor out there.
can't hurt.
I think it's a worth-while experience for geeks. Even if the coursework isn't immediately relevant, you get a good backgrounder on where things have come from. The history of your profession is impt. Add to that the opportunities for future contacts, exposure to other disciplines, a chance to do some work on-campus, etc. Not to mention the possible lure of grad school. College is or should be an adventure. A real good start. If I could, I'd go back and get another degree.
Really. I've worked in a variety of settings - academic, public service (ugh), large corporate, small startup (not counting summer jobs, of course). And I've enjoyed working in the academic and small startup only. The positions I had in each were different - academic: ESL instructor/department head; public service: library drone; large corporate: library technical advisor; small startup: sysadmin.
One thing I've learned is that if you concentrate on what you can learn and how that turns around into what you can produce, the happier you'll be. The less you learn, the less you'll produce.
Basically the work that has sucked for me has been the work that has degenerated into routine. I'm not saying that the marketplace isn't hard, fast and cutthroat, but IMHO it's always been. In each of the work settings I've found myself, I have always taken it for granted that tomorrow may bring a reorg/cutback/loss of financing, etc. Fact of life, sorry but we have to let you go.
My point being: the more you know how to learn, the longer you stay marketable.
My $0.02.
If this will run Linux, I'll buy one. Stretch out on the couch, old Star Trek re-runs on the Sci-Fi channel, and browse /. Now that is a relaxing evening. Oh, with a tall cold one within reach. Ah, civilized computing!!!
There's a ton of good stuff in this issue. The Answer Guy has a lot of really good networking info - perfect for home lans/gateways, Linux firewalls and a neato article on subnetting - something that I completly forget if I don't reread a good explanation at least once a week - what can I say, I'm number-challenged, heh. The Dec 1998 Linux Journal also has a good article on subnetting.
Anyway, good job LG folks!
I remember using Hayes silver and black modems at work years ago. 1200 up to 9600, I think. Always liked the way they looked - kinda tough sitting there on top of the crufty old rs6k 320. Heh. Nothing like old tech...think I'll go visit the Computer Garage for a shot of nostalgia.
Sorry, but there was a recent article - I'll find it and post it here - that pointed out the the research division at ms has not produced anything of significant value in 7-10 years and millions in operating budgets - with the notable exception of Bob. Ms does not innovate - it's just not built in to the corporate culture. They acquire and immitate, not innovate.
"Professor Fisher's testimony would give readers of his 1983 book whiplash," Microsoft's statement continued, referring to Fisher's text entitled "Folded, Spindled, and Mutilated: Economic Analysis and U.S. vs. IBM" (with John J. McGowan and Joen E. Greenwood; 1983). Fisher acted as chief economic witness for IBM when it was subject of its own lengthy DOJ antitrust investigation, according to Microsoft's rebuttal.
In Fisher's book, he claims that "monopoly profits are earned through high prices and inferior products,"(emphasis mine) says Microsoft in its statement.
Throughout the antitrust trial proceeding thus far, Microsoft has attempted to show that it has not jacked up operating system or application product prices, despite the fact that it has added numerous features and functionality to its offerings.
Duh, that's exactly what ms has done. Granted that they haven't radically jacked up prices, but they sure haven't cut them down either - except of course when they do so to wipe out a competing product. They have a monopoly on the desktop - they can charge what they want, and they can continue to make inferior products. So, where's the inconsistency here?
1999 prediction: If ms gets off with less than an order to dismantle itself, folks in this country - USA - will be in for even more marketdroid newspeak than ever before. So, just repeat after me
white is black
yes is no
war is peace
innovation is microsoft
I guess my vote would be for Primary Colors. .
Tv... hmmm The Simpsons still hangs in there as best (biting social commentary, or is that bite-me social commentary?), followed closely by X-files, and B5. Star Trek reruns on the Sci-fi channel actually rule.