Posts by John Widger

Ubuntu shops believe in Ubuntu

Ungrateful and clueless

Ungrateful and clueless. I suppose I fit in that category. I've used MS OS's since Windows 3.1 up to XP Pro. My problem is that I'm a user and couldn't give a monkey's what OS I use as long as it does what I want. In the past I have tried various Linux distros and always reverted back to Windows because there wasn't a program for what I want. Because I'm a 70 year old numpty. I'm not interested enough to try my hand at programming or to try and get my head around the command line. 18months ago I tried Ubuntu and guess what. I found it could do all the things I want except play some of the games I like. I'm still a noob and hopefully I won't be one for too long. It certainly won't be due to the sanctimonious nerdy geeks on the forums who, because of their selfish 'elitist' attitude, think it's fun to deter noobs from making progress.

Remember. Not all the answers are in the man pages or books.

Boffin dubs global warming 'irreversible'

Scaremongering

IMHO I think that it's all an excuse to force a technology change. Fossil fuel BAD. Nuclear fuel GOOD. Common sense has nothing to do with it. We're looking at the latest/restyled Cash Cow.

BSA: Turn in workmates, make fat dollar a few quid

No Title

In these cash strapped times it could also mean a greater shift to open source software.

HP puts Linux on business PCs

Linux is for geeks?

I've used MS Windows since Windows 3.1. Mainly because of the availability of programs that I like. Last year I decided to skip Vista and try Linux. I installed Ubuntu's Gutsy Gibbon from a cover disk and liked it. Then I updated to Hardy Heron and now I'm thinking of trying Intrepid Ibex on my laptop. It is now my OS of choice although the desktop is dual boot with XP (for games). I mention this because 1. I won't see seventy again and 2. I have always avoided the command line like the plague whenever possible and so far it is no harder to use than Windows just different. As was the Archimedes from the Commodore machines.

2008 goes into one-second overtime

Time?

I use a sundial. Once set it's always right.

Main BBC channels to be broadcast live via web

TV licence for a pc wtf

Unless the law has just changed, you need a tv licence only for equipment capable of receiving television signals. I don't have a tv because I don't want one. Yet I have been hounded by the licencing authorities for years. Received several threats of legal action and so on. I think this is a blatant con to extort money under false pretences.

Federal judge halts Defcon talk on subway card hacking

This beggars belief

I can only wonder why they don't want a secure system. Apart from the obvious, 'We don't want to fix it because it will cost money and we have share holders to worry out.'

I agree with Will Godfrey, now the world knows where the problem lies the crackers will soon be at it. A Federal judge saying they cant discuss it at Defcon is as effective as highlighting it with neon signs saying "DO NOT LOOK FOR OUR BIG SECURITY PROBLEM. PLEASE IGNORE IT'S NOT THERE. HONESTLY AND WE'RE GOING TO SUE THOSE PESKY STUDENTS FOR BREAKING OUR NICE SECURE SYSTEM.

Well I'm convinced. Aren't you?

Public sector faces hefty fines for data breaches

I'ts a joke. Isn't it?

Just shifting taxpayers money around. It isn't even a slap on the wrist.

eBay Australia ditches PayPal scheme

Wots da prob?

I've ditched ebay for lower prices elsewhere AND I can use my preferred method of payment.

ISO certifies Adobe's PDF

@Anon Cow Re: Foxit

I agree with you but now use Open Office 3.0. I'm a miser for space as I started using computers in the days when you only had 1Kb and every byte counted. This was further enforced when I began using greedy M$ OSs and programs. Now, since switching to a Gnu/Linux distro, I have over a Tb free.

Back on topic. Yes anything but Adobe.

Would a data notification law improve UK data security?

ffs

In the case of government/public sector/military there shouldn't be an option. It should be prison - not for the drone but whoever heads the department. In the private sector it should be senior management who goes to prison and the company gets heavily fined. I think you would only need one example.

Meanwhile they are only discussing what 'needs' to be done. It will take years for anything to happen. By then it will be so watered down that it will end up no different from what it is today. This should also apply to data pimping ISP's.

That's my prediction. As one who has already had personal data lost, thanks to this government, I sure as hell would like to be proved wrong.

Microsoft touts trustworthy browsing with IE8

Yep. I believe them

So far everything they've produced is "The Best One Ever" but leave off the "We've Managed So Far."

Paris because...

Google plays musical chairs with affiliate ad networks

@ adnim

ditto

CenturyTel joins Charter in data pimping freeze

Huh.

I'm impressed, not. It's bound to be accepted because of the money to be made. Now that's what really matters. Or so I am told.

Cardiff 'copter coppers give chase to UFO

The day?

It's Saturday not Friday.

BOFH: Shafting the consultants over the new layout

Brilliant

They're getting better all the time. It took a while to stop laughing.

UK civil servant leaves Top Secret Iraq war intelligence documents on a train

Security - Where?

Not only is your data safe with the government. It appears state secrets are also as safe.

Security breach at Belgacom exposed

Great!

Now lets see the rest of the world rebel.

So how will the new US prez handle IT issues?

If -

Obama gets elected. If Danny Weitzner's views become policies. If...

BBC website suits slapped for cash splurge

Any guesses...

As to who pays for this incompetence?

FIPR slams central communications database

WTF?

The government want to to kill off the internet obviously.

Microsoft urges developers to tag sites for IE8

I'd like to see it.

If this conforms to any standard, other than a Microsoft one, it'll be a first.

Electrical grid overlords take drubbing over cyber attack vulnerability

My Guess Is

it's probably all locked up (for security reasons) and managed over the net from India or where ever to save on costs, to them not the consumer.

Just leaving.

Bush tests Castro with mobile phone gift barrage

wtf

Basic commodities! Toasters to burn slices of bread! Alfred burnt cakes and he did it without your 'basic toaster' or even electricity but then he was a king.

Seriously though, the US embargo dates back to JFK because Cuba was going to allow Russia to have a military presence on Cuban soil. It would be interesting if the US maintained an embargo on China for being undemocratic communists.Where would the world get its cheap goods from then?

end of rant.

Tory proposes street-legal Segway legalisation

O.k?

You're in a shopping precinct (Mall for you 'Merkins.) do you park your segway or what?

Asus Eee PC 901 spied on web... in black

@Stef

I agree.

Paris - same reason.

US Congress questions legality of Phorm and the Phormettes

Simple

Either it's invasion of privacy or it isn't. Deep Packet Inspection is. Both sides of the pond.

BOFH: The PFY's comeuppance

Classic

How can you read this and keep a straight face? I'm still laughing.

Next Ubuntu LTS in 2010, unless Linuxes synchronize

Yes!

I like Mark Shuttleworth's idea in principle. If Gnu/Linux is to seriously rival closed source OSs there needs to be more common ground between the different distros. Otherwise what chance is there of attracting the technology challenged non-geek. At the moment, IMHO, Ubuntu comes closest although others are now slowly closing that gap. Until then the likes of Micro$haft will dominate.

How ComScore can track your mouse clicks

Frightening

It should be illegal but with all that taxable turnover it won't be. Thanks El Reg.

FBI probe discovers counterfeit kit in US military networks

Where's the problem?

Isn't it amazing. We give these countries all the technology and know-how so we can outsource commerce and industry because foreign labour is so much cheaper. This is something I've observed since WWll. First Germany and Japan. Then when their cost of living goes beyond a certain point commerce and industry finds some other cheap labour source. Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and now, just to keep the shareholders happy, we pick the country with THE largest workforce in the world as a cheap source of labour.

Since the postwar years Germany has gone on to have one of the worlds strongest economies while Japan began by producing cheap imitation rubbish and where are they today? Look at the other cheap labour pools we've used along the way and look where they are, then imagine where China will be tomorrow.

Mine's the one hanging over the walking frame with the go-faster stripes.

Jacqui Smith un-downgrades cannabis

WTF

How much taxpayers money is wasted on paying these 'government's scientific advisors'. It would not surprise me if said 'advisors' are family members employed to bump up a politician's inadequate pay.

ISP reporting network to pierce bandwidth smokescreens

Maybe, just maybe...

this could be my chance. I've been asked and have agreed to the test. ATM I'm waiting for confirmation and as I use BT I'm very interested.

Paris. Cos she looks how I feel Monday mornings. Who needs an angle?

The battle of Lesbos: Exclusive combat pic

Thanks

...for reminding me it's Friday.

Microsoft to punt pensioner-proof PC

A 'state' pensioners viewpoint

First, I live on a state pension. this means my rent and 'community' tax is paid out of your taxes along with health,dental and optical care. As is usually the case of us oldies, I have no savings to fall back on. This general overview is typical of my generation but I'm not complaining because I now have all the time in the world to do the things I really want to do. (finances permitting).

Second, my hobby, interest, past-time, obsession (delete as suits) is computers both inside and out. Basic economics dictate that I build my own computers. ATM a 3Gb machine hopefully soon to become a 3.2Gb dual core machine. Last year I installed Ubuntu because I couldn't keep up with Micro$hafts OS's so with the advent of 6 flavours of Vi$ta I decided enough was enough and thought I'd try Gnu/Linux. What a wake-up call that was. I still have problems with the learning curve but I'm happy with that, (gotta chase the braincells around now and again even if there is only two of them left). I only know two people, both almost half my age, who know as much or more than I do and they're both M$ orientated, in fact it is their field of work, so help can be a bit limited there.

Back to the point. The idea of a 7th? version of Vi$ta makes me cringe, especially as the cost will be way out of my income bracket, besides I don't want a sawn off version of an OS. I want the real thing. ATM I dual boot with M$ XP Pro and Ubuntu ver:8.04. I've managed to find all the programs I need in open source with the exception of games so I keep XP. I could waffle on but I must shuffle along. I still need to worry about the obscene necessities of life, you know, like food, clothes etc. Anyway I'm determined to beat that snail to the corner of the road this time as I've now got 'go faster' stipes on my walking frame. Tata for now.

Yes! It's the sawed-off USB key!

Awesome ;)

The possibilities are endless. Industrial espionage for starters. You are limited by your imagination.

Red Hat scurries away from consumer desktop market

@ The Big Yin

My sentiments exactly.

One of the advantages with MicroShaft is I can use it straight out of the box.

I have no interest in the command line as such. I just want to use the computer without the hassle of a command line. If you want to convert M$ users to Gnu/Linux it needs to have similar abilities. I have a penchant for some games which, unfortunately can only be played on M$ Windoze. All my other need/want programs run quite happily on Ubuntu so I, regrettably, use a dual boot system.

Virgin Media mops up CEO's 'boll*cks' outburst

Never mind the b*ll*cks

I thought the idea of an ISP was to provide a service that the customer paid for. It appears that I was wrong. I use a land-line and I pay a rental. In addition I pay for the calls I make. The same applies to gas, electricity etc. Where's the problem? I think the ISP's need to get themselves sorted out. Like *rapid*.

Dubai impounds cable slicing ships

@ Vikash Joshi

There is usually some kind of marker, i.e. a buoy or marker of some sort, to indicate a hazard as with road signs. These were either in place, in which case the ships were at fault, or they weren,t then the cable owners were at fault for failing to notify the proper authourity.

Yahoo! to post Google ads on Yahoo!

Let FUD battle commence

Monopoly! Not wonderful Micro$haft No wonder they're shedding crocodile tears. Where's the justice in someone else having a monopoly. They want to embed it in their own operating system. I suppose they'll now bring out their FUD army. I am no lover of any of them but if M$ get hold of it there will be even more vulnerabilities. No thanks. I'm getting to grips with Ubuntu Linux and enjoying it. Bye M$.

AMD shoves delayed Barcelona chip out of the door

Chuffed to bits

I've used Cyrix, IBM, Intel and AMD. Given the choice I'll go for AMD every time so this is good news for me.

Microsoft makes final heroic grab for OOXML votes

Lest we forget

What's to stop M$ producing OOXML r2 with an EULA tighter than a duck's a*se which, like M$ Office, won't be backward compatible.