* Posts by Sixtysix

142 publicly visible posts • joined 28 Apr 2011

Page:

Calm down, dear: Woman claims sexism in tech journalism

Sixtysix

Re: One thing leads to another...or not

Obvious troll is....

Second Dell backdoor root cert found

Sixtysix
Go

OEM Builds...

Sometimes (goes in phases) I get asked why we go to the bother of creating our own Gold Image, and rebuilding every machine that we use when they are delivered with the latest and greatest O/S, trial software and up-to-date drivers for the modern wiz-bang add-on toys that everyone wants to play with...

Then this sort of thing happens, and I get to point and laugh. Thanks boys, for helping justify good security practice!

Too easy...

How much do UK cops pay for Microsoft licences? £30 a head or £137? Both

Sixtysix

Re: This has been going on for years

> Goverments buy a PC from say Crapita with windows installed and then Crapita image it with

> Select version of same OS so they can charge them twice for the OS.

Not quite as laid out: buying a PC without O/S is impossible - last downgrade I managed was to a NDOS version that saved me a total of less than £8 per PC (in bulk), but the re-image still has to happen because of the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Licence terms, not the integrator making a buck.

> These sites rarely have roaming applications because their external server teams are

> clueless IMHO and cause more problems than they solve and so everything is imaged

> by hand complete with a generic application set and usually the wrong drivers.

A little harsh, but a single Gold Image is the support nirvana, and compromises WILL be accepted it it works. Roaming applications depend a LOT on the end to end architecture, and wioth my users on the end of VPN over ADSL, I'm not about to get "creative" without really slowing the poor old users (did I really just say that) down to an unacceptable crawl!

Sixtysix
Headmaster

For the most part they don't... but that would'n make a good news story.

There is always some spend off-framework, but that's rarely the issue - compare start and end dates, and versions being used, and the support models, and the true picture would *start* to emerge.

The headline bills tell you nothing of interest.

Sixtysix
FAIL

Re: Off-topic - but...

I have no plans to go to Windows 10 AT ALL - but telemetry is just the START of the reasons why not. l'll be sticking with Windows 7 on Desktop and Laptop until the end of extende support.

Sadly tablets are another story, and some will sneak by...

Sixtysix
Flame

Re: Or they are just buying different stuff

Indeed - my first though was one's near total Oracle, the other has more SQL*Server.

No where near enough information for that headline

Sixtysix
Unhappy

Re: Why pay fees at all?

Very tough question to answer, and a lot of the response is uncomfortable...

Databases first: All Government hage a HUGE library of legacy applications. THis means that any migration to a new technology stack would require an extensive period of parallel running and full redevelopment of the legacy applications and processes. This is stunningly expenive, ridiculously hard to resource, and prone to catastrophic failure, as it is an all or nothing solution. This also ignores the productivity bonuses that using Oracle toolsets can give: we estimate our programmers are four times (seriously - we tested it) using Oracle ApEx than pure Java for front end: this also means that future development on Open Source will, until someone releases a similarly comprehensive IDE toolset, be four times as expensive.

As for Microsoft, sadly the compatibility issue strikes again: not just for Office (the recent insistence on external compatibility with ODF is a start) but for the other applications that Councils, Agencies, NDPBs and Departments use like confetti: don't run on Linux, and nothing similar available (yet).

Moving to FOSS based desktop is in my sights, but never seems to get appreciably closer.

Gutted.

Eight things people forget when buying infrastructure

Sixtysix
Thumb Up

Re: Back to Basics

Well said... and kudos for the breakers comment.

Yes, your server hall staff DO need a key to the breaker cabinets, and also need to be able to get access to distribution risers and plant rooms in a hurry.

Also access to all building layout/wiring diagrams...

Plan ahead for all failure opportunities, as surprises are not what you need under pressure

Sixtysix
Stop

LABELS SAVE LIVES (and time, skin, pub time)

When he says label everything, really folks, *literally* label everything...

- Every rack to ensure people know which one

- every power drop, with phase and circuit detaile

- every UPS with phase and circuit

- every PDU with UPS/phase/circuit

- every power lead with server details, num of PSUs (1/2) - target phase can be invaluable if using two UPS in adjacent racks to split load/risk

- front *and* back of every server/switch/appliance/modem/etc

- every network cable both ends

- every wall wart with equipment details (so MANY ADSL boxen)

- every telco box with number and owner/purpose

- every cable that transits a frame (regardless of end labels)

A good label machine can be a literal lifesaver

Sixtysix

Re: Also, make sure you have something to plug that serial line into

Indeed - very old laptop with serial cable running Ubuntu just for console access lives in the server hall...

Our cookies save you from TERRORISTS, Facebook thunders to Belgian judge

Sixtysix
Go

Re: Ad Block Plus

I used to recommend ABP, and use it myself, but while still on my machine I have not enabled in several months... it is now MUCH too resource intensive if you have more than one or two tabs open (I regularly get to over one width full - about 10, YMMV) and regularly sat at over 50% CPU and over 1.5GB memory - everything ran slowly, if at all, and random crashes were the final straw.

I now rely on Ghostery and No-Script which prevent the obvious behaviours I dislike: privacy, tracking, linking, and criple "bad" ads.

Removing Flash and Java also has a hugely positive effect on many sites, but leaves others completely non-functional: surely a breach of accessibility law?

Sixtysix
Flame

Re: Apostrophes or apostrophe's

An understandable consequence of a foolish choice - add requirement for caffiene to Lessons Learned

Sixtysix
Happy

Re: Facebook Connect

Indeed - Facebook and two twitter.

All blocked - Ghostery FTW

WIN a 6TB Western Digital Black hard drive with El Reg

Sixtysix
Devil

Close, but...

Striking the hand that bites IT

Sixtysix
Facepalm

The "I'm Feeling Lucky" return for "Vulture Pron" search set Syd seething.

Seeking warmth, we here observe a troll in it's natural environment, searching for the next hot topic to set alight.

Syd still wished he'd picked a laptop with discrete GPU as trying to warm up by trolling the "Most read" posts wasn't really working.

The Register: the site with a bite that even reptiles respect

Don't want to upgrade to Windows 10? You'll download it WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT

Sixtysix

Re: @iMap

@ Infernoz

- I also have URL blocking rules in my router for all the Microsoft telemetry domains,

- just-in-case.

Upvote just for that common sense and practical approach

;D

Wileyfox smartphones: SD card, no bloatware, Cyanogen, big battery – yes to all!

Sixtysix
FAIL

Re: But how good is the vital radio tech?

Well said.

There is one window in my house that sometimes allows mobiles to rope in 1 bar and make intermittent calls... IF one has a reasonably quality mobile from a "big name" that is. My China clone 2SIM with baked in Malware struggled to see the Wi-Fi router in the next room.

Fancy a mile-high earjob? We've had five!

Sixtysix
Stop

I find the foam ones too uncomfortable, but do use a pair of "-18db noise reducing in-ear" plugs under other defence to be good.

The in-ear noise reducing I wear to concerts - I have all the tinitus I need for the rest of my life already thanks your sound engineer very much...

Sixtysix
Happy

Re: Shame no Sennheiser and AT.

I have had a pair of activeNC Audio Technica that I bought on special offer and have used on trains and planes for upwards of 8 years. came with a soft case and replaceable cable (and that should be essential in my view!) Fantastic things and I don't hesitate to pack/use/recommend them...

I also have some "bud" type in-ear NC phones which I cannot stomach for long - too sore unless your jaw is absolutely still... no eating drinking swallowing etc. possible without increaing pain and the damn things working out of my ears. Originally in tended for flying, only used once, relegated to using under ear defenders when mowing/strimming, but not even really useful for that as head movement still has them leaping out.

I have tried foam plugs under headphones - dissatisfied - but now use a pair of -18db sound reducing plugs under eardefenders and under my AT, and that works very well.

Welp, PEAK GIF is upon us! Facebook now supports animated images

Sixtysix

Uses FLASH to deliver...

Really? In this day and age?

At least I'll not see the damn things - no flash installed on my boxen.

Governance the key if you don't want mobile workers escaping your control

Sixtysix
Pint

Re: Time to hack by bad actor

> " I wonder if everyone in large companies is an irresponsible 14 year old."

It sure feels that way sometimes, but in their defence, they think they know better than those whose job it is to understand the technology, do the risk assessments, comply with regulations, configure approved solutions, implement coprorately agreed controls, and enforce the standards.

I'm constantly frustrated with the needy and greedy, jaded by the demanding and special, and more often than not cantankerous about the lot of them. To paraphrase a certain android: Users, loathe them or ignore them, you can't like them. Because they know better than you of course.

So obviously and nearly beer'o'clock... and I really, really, need it after this week.

It pays to fake it: Test your flash SAN with a good simulation

Sixtysix

Re: Nick Slater makes the most important point of the whole article

I do agree that proper configuration of a flash enabled SAN is critical, but I suspect the argument and questions that should arise are actually different, and whilst I don't want to cut into the used Unicorn Market, I think there is real merit in taking the original direction of thought further.

I can appreciate that most current "real world" scenarios may not fit the "all sequential" scenario, but that is no reason not to realise the issue, and plan for it.

If your server stores multiple types of data - mixtures of little files, big files, massive files, audio, video, and who knows what else, why does it all need to live in one file system/virtual disk/LUN/container/whatever. The take-away here is that the small and frequently used stuff should be homed on electric silicon, and the big files and steaming stuff tucked into centrifugal storage. Analyse, model and break down the storage needs by use case to make sure you can best use the capabilities of the storage facilities you've got available!

Yes, that is what a top range well configured and specified SAN will do on the fly, but similar benefits can be realised without top dollar with some forethought. Horses for courses no less.

Flash banishes the spectre of the unrecoverable data error

Sixtysix

Re: Ouch - but basically agreed

Sigh - 4*500GB NAS obviously :(

At least it's Friday.

Sixtysix

Ouch - but basically agreed

Ouch - the typos... have you drafted in a new copywriter/ghost writer?

Also, I think some commentards are getting het up about the wrong things: I think TP is taking a consistency viewpoint - once you've "lost" a bit (all that's needed) due to error, yes the technology will soldier on, but your data may now be worthless.

The math is indeed complex, however the same observation is why I stopped backing up our nightly multiTB GIS databse to tape: Disk->Disk->tape means at least three reads/writes (including one off tape which has a higher error rate in real life backup cycles) to construct a restore point: way over the point of guaranteeing data consistency, and without a consistent database it cannot be used as we require...

And I find rebuilding my home 4*500MB NAS painful enough to be another one who will blitz rather than rebuild.

Why are enterprises being irresistibly drawn towards SSDs?

Sixtysix

Re: Its because they're small

Our corporate build is deployed onto a 24GB partition... the rest of the drive is virgin territory, untouched since it left the factory (and yes, that means over 460GB "wasted" on most of our desktops!

'Security, privacy' main barrier to 'government cloud' rollout in EU

Sixtysix

Point Missed

I have contributed to numerous studies on why I am not moving my infrastructure wholesale to the cloud - but no-one appears to actively RATE the answers provided: I do flag up security, because it is an issue currently, but it could be managed away. There are three* reasons, and only three* why I'm still not going to hop on board this hype train (yet):

1 - Information Management

2 - Cost*

3 - Connectivity/Bandwidth/Service

1 - Information Management - moving to cloud would utterly destroy our ability to control our Information Management policy, and Office365+Sharepoint would drive a coach and 4 through any excuse for a controlled document repository - essential for Government related organisations.

2 - cost*: it is substantially more cost effective for me to to leverage existing investment in rooms, hardware and skills, and will remain so as I'd have to go cloud for everything ALL AT ONCE due to the interrelationship between all our systems.

3 - Connectivity/bandwidth/service: I really do not want to have to extend my hops from client to server, increasing latency and creating a chain of new single points of failure ALL OF WHICH are outwith my control, and at the end of expensive bandwidth (organisation size/location dependent).

* - bonus cost point - for my main job it is still cheaper to buy hardware, licences and cost operater time for (example) Exchange than use a cloudy solution - this is extrememly sensitive to organisation size however, and one smaller org I manage is now firmly "in the cloud" because the reverse was true for them!

Elite:Dangerous goes TITSUP

Sixtysix
FAIL

Disappointed in the extreme...

I was an early kickstarter.

Missed the Launch completely, but what the hey.

Downloaded (and then really downloaded, slowly, oh so slowly) the game. B*******D DOWNLOAD TOOK THREE DAYS. REALLY? THAT'S ACCEPTABLE?

(Steam managed to aquire two similarly sized AAA titles in less than an evening...)

THEN found I needed to sign onto Internet to start the damn game or do anything! NOT HAPPENING.

Never even launched my ship.

Space Commanders rebel as Elite:Dangerous kills offline mode

Sixtysix

Re: Seriously? Again? The Internet has Ruined... everything

Indeed.

Used to be able to play Valve stuff without any sniff of an internet and I ran LAN meets in those days. Gave that up as a bad joke up once an internet connection was starting to be essential to get everyone on the same patch, and the whole remembering to go to off-line issue is just as bad!

We originally thought my son had some other issue that was forcing "offline mode" to die as the timing was not consistent, but no. Designed that way because developers cannot understand that not everyone has internet, even intermittently/low bandwidth. Sometimes it times out after a day or two - more usually about 6 days but he's never managed more than 8 days before Steam, and ALL games associated with Steam, refuse to load unless they can smell the interwebs.

Living in deep dark rural Scotland my internet speed/latency has never been great, but it's always miles better than his! After timeout he has six weeks transit to the next port, and the faint off-chance that he can get someone to cover his shifts (rare) to rush to a shore based Seamans mission, chance some dodgy extremely low bandwidth Wi-Fi, fight with Steam Authentication ("You seem to have logged in at a new location"), and then get the inevitable Steam update to download/complete before he has to rush back...

Sixtysix

Polls about off-line mode... Obvious FLAW is OBVIOUS

The folks who CARE about off-line mode are...

...guess what...

...go on...

...obvious flaw reveal...

THE LEAST LIKELY TO VOTE IN AN ON-LINE POLL.

Oh FFS...

Sixtysix

Seriously? Again? The Internet has Ruined... everything

I'm livid.

I do not want a "connected game" - I wanted a cross between Freelancer and Elite that I could run on my laptop, step into and away from for long periods WITHOUT change and worrying if I was on-line (not usually in trains / B&B / hotels which are about the only places I get time to game these days...).

My son wanted something he could play at Sea (six months at a time) without getting locked out (and yes Steam "Off-line mode", I'm looking at your crude "lock out all games after a week of no internet" operation).

Bah.

Sixtysix

Don't speak for those you don't know - you just expose your ignorance and predjudice.

There are thousands of people who work in places where there is NO WAY to get INTERNET FOR MONTHS at a time. Seamen, offshore workers, and plenty of others working in remote locations where even work access is limited.

My son does 6 months hitches at sea, and had ordered this as he'd finally be able to play a modern game. Not so much now.

And please don't take about Steam and other distribution platforms - don't work without a heartbeat, so completely useless. Steams "offline mode" times out within a week locking ALL steam games whether on-line or offline: seriously irritating...

New GCHQ spymaster: US tech giants are 'command and control networks for terror'

Sixtysix

Re: Surveil?!?

Been good enough for the Army for many years - don't see in common use much tho.

Sixtysix

No, I do not want or condone ANY more spying...

AT ALL

Top Ten 802.11ac routers: Time for a Wi-Fi makeover?

Sixtysix
Stop

Re: OpenWRT

Absolutely. The expensive joke that is the Linksys WRT1900AC has made many claims about it's hackability, yet the code and drivers needed to actually achieve it are missing in action.

I'll stick with my "G" Open-WRT compatible devices until either a true Tomato/Open-WRT AC is widely available or one of these devices can really offer multiple DMZ/routing flexibility, QoS that works and is configurable, Guest networks that can be bandwidth limited and modules/add-ons/plug-ins for all the nice network protection/ad-filtering/iptables things that we'd like to do in an ideal world.

Tom Hanks NICKED my COPYRIGHTED PIC, claims Brit photog

Sixtysix
Joke

Re: Re: WTF

Trevor, all your post needed was a TL:DR...

...but you nearly nailed it in the addendum.

El Reg's Deep Outback XP upgrade almost foiled by KILLER ARACHNIDS

Sixtysix

Server hall temps.

Your average server and SAN is comfortable at higher temperatures than your average techie.

We run a cold aisle with a target temp of 27.5 degrees - but regularly get asked to turn it down - usually to 23 degrees - when visiting techies find their "it'll be 18 degrees in there mate" issued uniforms are a little on the warm side. Uses less than half the power required to keep the hall at the 18 degrees that was previously deemed essential, with no difference in fail rates (still zero after 3 years).

We even operated at full capacity for a few hours at 32 degrees once (by accident), but found some things didn't like it much. We also know that one brand of server will fail spectacularly at 36 degrees, and blow every circuit breaker feeding the hall in the process.

Cooling is relative...

Massively leaked iFail 5S POUNDS pundits, EXCITES chavs

Sixtysix

Jumped the Shark

Seriously.

These two phones seem to prove that the regular release are more about milking cows than changing the world.

And sadly that seems to apply to most of the top Smartphones, except that the other big player does at least provide their variants with truly distinguishing "features" even if most of them are so niche that they approach pointless.

Hopefully we can jump off the "it's faster" bandwagon soon and get real improvements like more memory and cheaper prices. Cannot BELIEVE that a £350 phone is considered "mid market" - for me that's about DOUBLE what I'm prepared to pay if it would last three years!

So no surprise that I own A Kogan Agora (spotted here on El Reg) and am quite content with both the device and it's limitations.

Women in IT: ‘If you want to be taken seriously, dress like a man’

Sixtysix
Go

Re: Sexist numpty

<<Maternity leave is a real problem for technical careers, as a bloke I know how hard it was to keep on top of things with new kids at home - and lets be honest as the man even though I did night feeds, changes, etc... I got less of the stress.

The brutal truth is that deciding to have children does impact on your career for either sex, but its significantly more pronounced for women. But I do think a key word here is *deciding*>>

I get where you are coming from, but disagree, not specifically with you, with the concept that coming back after long absence (both sexes) means they'll be sidelined: if they were valuable before they took a break, they are a resource to be treasured and nurtured.

My Service Desk manager is female, our engineers are mostly male - but ONLY JUST. And we've had female engineers off on maternity leave (up to 9 months here once some Annual Leave is tagged on!) and come back: but we had management plans to re-integrate them. None of them took more than a couple of weeks to get back to full speed: but IS management worked at it, prepared in advance, and monitored progress.

The approach of managers is suspect throughout IT: it's rightly observed that the noisy but potentially less brilliant people get recognised and rewarded - but this only happens where the manager is not sufficiently aware and involved to spot the phony.

Guys and Gals need a slightly different management approach: if you put a lady under a proper "lad" the results won't be pretty - I think the article makes it clear her original manager was at least aware of the differences required (he talked to her about it!), but I'd be really interested to know if it was the same manager who let her return to work without a plan to maximise the firms sunk investment by establishing what she expected, and getting her back to speed as quickly as possible... But then as she says, she didn't push - and without a manager who notices the lack of engagement and asks the right questions, looking for a new job is almost inevitable.

If you've bought DRM'd film files from Acetrax, here's the bad news

Sixtysix
FAIL

Re: Don't buy an Xbox One

Irongut said: "Lies. MS have said that an internet connection is not required so all you are is a fud spreading FUD."

Please, check your facts - MS have clarified that "always on internet connection wil not be essential" , but they have implied in many many places that regular internet access is essential, and always-on internet is assumed to be the normal operating mode.

Quite how the DRM will work has been argued by many, and not confirmed by MS... yet. I doubt it ever will be, except by third parties.

IT Pro confession: How I helped in the BIGGEST DDoS OF ALL TIME

Sixtysix
Pint

Top banana

A post that can be logged as CPD after reading.

Win win - virtual pint on me.

Cheers

Farewell, Novell

Sixtysix
Pint

End of an error^h^h^ha

Time to bail - taking my org out to MS as I type.

Stupid support costs soured, sale killed.

Bye bye, last to the lifeboats please turn out the lights

Vote now for the best sci-fi film never made

Sixtysix
Happy

Tough call - Legacy creeps it...

So many good books (and a few I obviously need to read) but many would fail to work due to concepts involved (..."A Fire upon the deep" for instance) but I suspect all of these would work at some level:

The Player of Games – Iain M Banks

The Mote In God's Eye – Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

The Legacy of Heorot - Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle and Steven Barnes

Footfall – Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

Altered Carbon – Richard K Morgan

Legacy has the atmosphere, twist and beasts to work... but I'd LOVE to see parachuting Proto-elephants!

Yay!

Page: