Another Day

DRM Ah yes this is suppose to save the RIAA's butt. But you know I don't think so. I believe just like all the other hoopla on software that has been hacked in the last 10+ years DRM will be no different. So what's the cure? Ask me in about ten years, or maybe even 20. Because everyone right now is treating the software industry as if it has been around for ever and it hasn't.

So how about the rest of the security industry for Software? Well that is iffy. You can lock a computer up as tight as you want too, but when you do that you loose also.

One thing though I would like to see is Hosting company's for websites they host for to start scanning more often to see what their customers are uploading. Did you know there are websites right now as you read this that are storing viruses, Trojans, all kinds of malware. I guess the Hosting company's just turn a blind eye. Meanwhile their customers are uploading this crap as fast as they can.

I'm disappointed with the Tech world

I was going to get a Cell Phone because I think I am the only member in my family, and among my friends that doesn't have one. I was even looking at a few different brands, plus different companies that offer them as a incentive to join up with the other millions who already have one.
I changed my mind though. It's one thing to fight tooth and nail online to keep the viruses and worms out of your computer. It's a whole different thing with a Cell Phone. I mean your not cool unless the phone has all of the new gadgets, or bells and whistles. You go around with a dinosaur version, and people look at you so un-cool.

So the second virus hit the phone market this week. Two is two too many for me folks. Besides how did that virus get to spread like that anyways? Can't they trace it back? I believe if they had of arrested someone in a timely matter when the first phone virus hit. The second one never would of happen. Guess we just have another tech industry out of control. So much for my Cell phone. :(
What a disappointment.

The monster of all downloads SP2 is coming!

Yup you have two weeks to block those updates on your box folks. Your computer will be sucked into Microsoft's website and stealing all your bandwidth if you don't block it now.

I don't want the SP2. Because I have a few of the older software that I truly love to use. I know as soon as I get that SP2 they will all go to the wayside. For you diehards that have no clue to what I mean go here:

http://www.techtree.com/techtree/jsp/showstory.jsp?storyid=57816&s=ln read it and weep.

For all of you that bosses told you to get that damn patch or else! Go here:

http://www.thechannelinsider.com/article2/0,1759,1771408,00.asp

This will help you get started now on what areas you need to get ready on your boxes. Better get started now though. Because it's going to take you up to the two weeks to get those boxes ready.


Oh boy now on to my buzz! :)

Microsoft is not allowing their customers a chance after the march 12^th deadline to say ya or na to the download. If you have Microsoft updates enabled then your box will download the SP2

I have many questions on this. Plus it would do no good to call Microsoft cause they will just transfer me and transfer me till I grow tired of it.

My first question is: Because Microsoft is not allowing their customers a choice in getting the download, then does this mean Microsoft also takes responsibility for the boxes?

second question is: I have the updates turned off so... If I still go to the Microsoft website to get my critical updates will I still be forced to get the SP2?

Third question is: For those in my shoes and having the Updates turned off how long will it be before Microsoft completely blocks us?

Forth Question is: Is Microsoft playing fair here?

Fifth Question is: Is Microsoft pushing the security patching for their benefit? Or someone else’s?

Sixth Question is: What the hell is in this SP2 that Microsoft is so dead set on us downloading?

Seventh Question is: Is this another scam, or does Microsoft really have their customers at heart?

I have to ask these questions because it sure looks like Microsoft is doing their best to force us to download this patch. I realize this patch addresses security issues with Windows. But if you are like me, use good firewall protection, and Anti-virus protection. Plus you are not click happy on the Email Client, and browser. And don't use Internet Explorer or Outlook or Outlook Express. Then you are in as good as shape as I am, and haven't had a virus in four and a half years just like me. I haven't had a virus in a long time. As for critical updates, i get the ones that only relate to my box and no more. I don't use a lot of Microsoft's crap. So why should I be forced to get the SP2 if I don't need it? I am serious on who will be responsible for my box if the SP2 didn't go well. Its one thing to say download this if you need it. It's one thing to say you have a choice to download or not. But when you take that choice away from the public and tell them download or else, then you take the responsibility away from the user and put it square on the vendor. Microsoft clearly stated you have no choice download or else. So to me that means they take responsibility.

Maybe some lawsuits in the near future? Could be. Lets see what happens in two weeks. Let’s see if the ones that don't have the SP2 are still able to get the critical updates or not. If not... Look out Microsoft. You are treading on thin ice now.

Security for OS? You Don't Count! You are not important!

I wish I could run a business of offering cars, appliances, and even those leer jets in the sky. And tell my customers screw you! You didn't buy my new model. So you can't update or fix the security flaws we found. Why even if there is known bad wiring I’m not going to fix it because you have the older model. So Buzz off! You don’t count! You are not important!
At eWeek this week, they had an article that said that Microsoft will only be offering their new browser to SP2 users. The article is here: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1765331,00.asp

Yes I kind of pick on Microsoft. But at least I don't call them names like dirtbag, scum sucker, Morons, and such. Or worse names!

*WeeBit pauses with thought. * ...

The software industry, like I have always said is the only industry that can push their customers away if they don't have the newer version.

Gosh if I built leer jets I could make a killing right now forcing my customers to buy a new model.

I could do the same with cars!

*WeeBit ponders on all that money she is missing out on.*

I am just curious though... Cars these days are being put out by the thousands with those computers in them. Does that mean that Microsoft eventually will come after them to also upgrade? Or will they be told “no patches for you!”

RFID su...!

Leave it too California to use our children as gunnie pigs. There next way to monitor children is the RFID. In case you don't know what this is... It's chip ware placed in or on a product such as clothing, or even our children in the form of a badge to monitor their comings and goings. But is it more than just monitoring their coming and going?

Well one thing I noticed is it kept tabs on students going into the restrooms and their cafeteria. BUT! They said it was just a attendance device to help the school to keep up with those that don't show up for school, and to get a accurate record of attendance for the school. So what the hell are they doing monitoring the bathrooms and the cafeteria in the first place? Do kids attend class in the bathrooms? Do they attend class in the cafeteria?



Because this chip ware was monitoring children in areas it had no business monitoring them in. I would THINK TWICE before allowing anyone to place one of these devices on my child. Plus the school was not forth comming with what the badge was all about. To top that off the meeting for the parents to air their concerns was only given one day notice. ( They did this to keep the attendance low for the meeting. Less people less complaints.)

What REALLY is the reason for this chip wear?

Why did the school go to such strains to hide this?

If your told your child will have to wear this device, think twice parents. As a matter of fact I would be telling them HELL NO!

Texas legislature is going too far!

First I want to direct your attention to this Editorial http://www.collegiatetimes.com/index.php?ID=4892 I didn't know which to do when I read this. I mean think about it folks today your children get marks for being good in school which is a good idea IMO. But years from now if this passes, schools will be able to grade not only your childs BMI, but also whom they hang with what they eat, and their habits rather if they are good habits or bad. What right do schools have putting these marks on a report card for all to see? Lets see these schools marks first before you pass judgment on a student. Where do these schools rank? Do they have a good PE curriculum for the students? Do they even have PE? How about sports? Who will guarantee that this wont hurt the students in the long run? I mean children today already have Ads on tv and in magazines flaunting 98 pound soaking wet beautys. And clothing stores cater to the anorexia bods. On the side of craziness, a few other laws in other states are just as nuts as this. Like this one: http://www.cnn.com/2005/EDUCATION/01/27/homework.dispute.reut/index.html This one school doesn't take into consideration of a students pass time in the summer. So they have their kids do homework all summer long. Your asking what is wrong with that? Plenty. Seeing many parents who run their own business. It's the only time these parents can play catch up and have their kids there to do either the menial task, etc. Plus it is their time with their familys. Regardless if the student is six or seventeen. It's quality time to a parent. Yes I know summer vacation last on average of three months. Yes I also know that some students may get the added benefit of extra homework. But shouldn't that be a elective?

Open your eyes people and take a stand. This stuff may be sneeking up on you now, but later on it will be a reality.

Come on people we are getting enough dictatorship in this country of ours. Tell them to Leave OUR Children alone!

Some say security for your box is a joke

Yup and in the eyes of maybe Bill Gates, and the many security software I am sure they are not laughing.

But lets eliminate Bill Gates and the many security software vendors and look at the users themselves for a moment.

Most of the users themselves have a very vague idea about securing their box. Perhaps this is because a great majority of them receive them as gifts over the holidays, or because they see their friend, or family member doing cool things on their computer and they just have to have one. But they have no clue at what awaits them online.

I have seen a few changes from some of the vendors selling computers to the consumer. A few have started to include a option for buying a Firewall and anti-virus software during the purchase of the new computer. But what good is that if they don't know how to use them? Or if they don't know how important they are? I would love to see vendors include a software that auto runs on these new boxes that explains why a firewall and anti-virus software is so important. Plus give some general guidelines on how to use them. It would also be a good idea to include information on those critical patches that Microsoft releases. Plus perhaps maybe family tips for security online. What do you think?

Looks like Bill Gates is human after all!

It looks like Bill Gates is not immune from his own software. I am sure that made many in the Linux community very proud of their Linux boxes software when at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bill Gates had some blue screens of death, and a few other glitches showing off his new inventions. Conan O’Brien had a few choice words during the presentation, and a few commented that Conan was just short of being bopped in the head for his remarks by the one and only Bill Gates. Well maybe not bopped, but I bet if looks could kill poor Conan would be dead right now.

I think this was a good lesson for Bill to learn. It even goes as far to prove that Gates pushes his software to market too soon. Plus not all the money in the world will guarantee a good reliable programming staff. How many staff does he have working on this anyway? I guess it proves too that it doesn’t matter how big of a company you have, it still can have flaws, bad products, and blunders. I will give Gates the benefit of the doubt and say that maybe the blunders were just a bad day on the work front. Could have been just bad products? Maybe, and maybe not. Moving a computer can cause problems. Flaws are iffy because I never knew a company to release something too soon when it was in very dire shape. I mean doesn’t a company want to put their best foot forward?

So how will Gates live up to this? Will he go around town with his lower lip poked out? Will he blame all the pitfalls of the Consumer Electronics Show on his staff and take all his frustration out on them? Or will he hide till all the humor of defeat has gone away? I am hoping that he just holds his head up just high enough, so everyone doesn’t think he is the proverbial jackass of all time.

Internet Consumers Don't Care?

On the Internet you never know whom you are conversing with. Or so that is the buzz online. But here is BUZZ I hear all the time about consumers online. "They don't care” As long as their computer gets them from point "A" to point "B" they could care less about the small stuff. The fact is small stuff is not really ALL that small. The consumer hasn't got a clue. They use every means they have at their disposal to get online, and check out everything they are interested in. Then they go in "stop mode” or "dull mode” If it doesn't fancy them they don't care. They only complain when something doesn't go right for them.

Gosh I wish I had a dime from every consumer that asked me " You can do that online?" "The net is or can be a dangerous place?" “My computer isn't secure?" Then they go on to say... "Well I haven't been hurt yet, and as for my computer, the only complaint I have right now is it's too slow” Or "I get these stupid popups only, and I guess I can live with that if I want to be on the Internet." OH! And the classic one is TA DA! "That security stuff is for people that have far more important stuff or information on their computer than what I have."

Lets look at TV temporarily... On TV they push everything from fast food to washing powders. You rarely see a commercial for anything related to your computer other than just the ISP commercials. Occasionally you might see a commercial for Firewall or anti-virus software. Even for a computer itself. But the majority of commercials are for everyday items of necessity for the home as in cleaning products, baby products, and personal products. Why is that? Because they sell that's why. Day time and prime time commercials are geared towards what sells the most. Those are prime spots. They can pay dearly for an Ad on some of the shows. A majority of them are geared towards who may be watching that TV program.

It would be nice if more of the online security software vendors advertised their security software during these TV Ad slots. Perhaps maybe even giving the viewers tips on why they need the software. How important the software is. Etc.
I am right in saying; "Internet consumers don't care." They don't care because not enough emphasis is put onto these products. So they get the assumption that the software is not that important. Tide is important, so are an ISP, and where your next meal from a fast food place is going to be. But, an anti-virus software and a firewall isn't because those advertisements are almost non existent. Show that the security software is important by advertising them on tv, and you will see a increase of consumers that "Will care". They will check into securing their boxes then because the products are advertised as important on TV. A last thought is... It's the head of household, the Mom and the Dad, and the kids that watch TV. They also are the same ones that use the computer. Regardless the time slot they all need to see these new commercials. Not the late night info commercials time slot. So vendors advertise 24/7 not at 3am when everyone is a sleep, or could care less what is on the TV.

And no people this is not a AD for all the vendors, it is just a way for them to be able to get the word out on the real important stuff for computers. Plus a way for consumers to know how important it is.

The Internet use to be fun what happened?

My very first post and the very first subject is on the Internet itself. Five years ago I joined the millions of Internet users. I now own two computers. I run both Linux Mandrake, and Windows XP each on their own box. I won't candy coat this. When I first came online the only thing I really had to worry about was setting up, Installing a firewall and a anti-virus software and downloading other cool software I was interested in. Now days... I have to worry about spyware, adware, Trojans, viruses, worms, script kiddies, EULA’s, DRM, spam, Internet safety for family members, and the list goes on.

Somewhere along the line a few select people decided to take the word "fun" out of the Internet. It's a chore to secure your computer, it's a chore keeping spam out of the inbox, and it’s a chore just to log on the Internet now. Of course if you don't worry about these things, then your box is not secure. But I just wonder where the line eventually will be drawn? How much is enough? What will it take to bring computers into the 21st Century because as a whole the laws made to protect us so far have not helped that much. How much is just too much Buzz when it comes to protecting the rights of Software makers? What about consumers rights? Lets work on the consumers rights for a change please. 2005 can be a very good year for consumers only if the right people listen and act on their behalf for a change.