Posts by Joe Drunk

Seize your moment, Microsoft: iPad is RUBBISH for enterprise

Re: iPads in the enterprise

Thank you Quentin you nailed it. Present day Ipads and tablets in general aren't meant to be desktop replacements. They were originally created as a shiny toy for consuming content. I believe their evolution will lead to eventual replacement of desktops if Windows 8, the increasing sales of tablets and all-in-one PCs with touch screen are any indication.

We have meetings where some bring Ipads and some bring laptops - I belong to the latter category although my netbook weighs about the same as an Ipad. It's just more versatile and can do more than any tablet can do - presently.

I've always wondered why tablet manufacturers and devs haven't been more focused in trying to seize a bigger chunk of the corporate pie. Limited hardware resources?

Beer icon because it's Friday and pub o'clock approacheth!

Google makes Opera bloggers an offer they can't refuse: Use Chrome

The only fail is on Google's behalf. Granted, I haven't used Opera on the desktop since V8 but if changing user agent string magically makes the website function as it should then this is just a Google scam. Your typical non-IE user is above average technically and won't fall for this sham so I'm wondering who they are targetting since the message doesn't seem to appear in IE8 (I just tried).

Microsoft silently kills silent, automatic Skype install via Updates

Re: Test the updates ?

Indeed - as some wsus updates have caused problems in the past we have lab machines that get automatic updates and only after they have been deemed safe are they then rolled out enterprise-wide from our own servers.

If wsus broke several of your machines AND you're in the middle of an IT audit you're obviously in the wrong line of work and you should consider a career change - maybe pastry chef.

Android Jelly Bean won't get Flash Player

Not surprising

Considering Adobe had annouced they were discontinuing development of the Mobile Adobe Flash this isn't exactly a news flash.

Ok I'm going..but before I do I just want to add the only thing I find surprising is IE10 will have embedded Adobe Flash. Does anyone know if Windows 8 phones or tablets have adobe flash?

Android Firefox: Screaming, awesome, you'll go blind etc

AC @10:23 GMT

You are correct sir there are only 4 browsers available for Android - stock, Firefox, Opera and Chrome beta. The rest are just fancy shells that use stock webkit to render pages.

It's like saying you don't use IE you use Maxthon.

I hated Android Firefox 10, 11, relcutantly installed 12 and skipped 13 altogether. This is a vast improvement especially in the area of speed. I haven't tried the flash support but it does crash frequently on my stock android 2.2 device.

Crossing fingers for version 15.

Hackers expose 6.5 MILLION 'LinkedIn passwords'

Yeah. Reminds me of when Monster.com got hacked. I had an email account used solely for Monster, never ever got spam. After the hack, so much spam I cancelled the email.

LinkedIn users can expect the same I suppose.

Windows 8: We kick the tyres on Redmond's new tablet wheels

This is definitely a HUGE gamble by MS. I don't think your average home user will care - 'Wow, this works almost like my IPad - my Facebook, twitter, email all work! Yay!!!'

Power users? I really doubt it.

Corporate users? Probably will be fine since start menu is still there but I wonder what the costs will be for user training on new Metro UI. I Also wonder about the costs for apps that may have to be re-written. The migration costs for Win 8 could be unprecedented.

I agree that this looks like it may be a disaster for the PC industry - more and more consumers are buying tablets instead of laptops and with Win 8 most consumers won't be able to differenatiate between either. Tablet will become laptop without keyboard.

>Speaking of which, will windows 7 still be available to buy, and will it be available on new machines >when 8 is out?

I doubt it. MS wants everyone on the new OS (whichever one just came out) so no Win 7 on new machines and stores will stop stocking Win 7 as sales diminish.

Who knows. Maybe the era of desktop/laptop is slowly coming to an end. We may be entering the era of strictly tablet/thin client and servers/clouds.

It's anyone's guess as to how this movie will end so just break out the popcorn.

It's Friday and nearly pub o'clock!

Crooks sell skint fanbois potatoes instead of iPhones

But how can anyone NOT living in a cave still fall victim to this well-publicized scam? Zero sympathy for these people. Just means these bottom-feeding victims will have less money to spend on lottery tickets.

Norwegian teens arrested over SOCA DDoS attack

More likely they fessed up and fingered cohorts in the face of jail time/heavy fines and the threat that would cause any leet wanna-be to ponder suicide - having their internet taken away.

Microsoft ejects DVD playback from Windows 8

I had forgotten that 2000/XP couldn't play DVDs. I do remember an XP Thinkpad I had came with WInDVD 4 and a subsequent XP Dell Laptop with PowerDVD 4.

I don't know how I feel about this - myself and most power users have always used third party apps such as VLC so this would have no effect. I did ask most of the noobs I know and they watch DVDs on a dedicated player and never knew that their Vista PC could play DVDs. This feature will probably be missed by the masses as much as SLIP.

Even though I hate the new WIndows 8 interface maybe MS is on to something here - The majority simply won't care that their new PC can't play DVDs.

Opera retires Unite, widgets in latest browser cut

Opera for PC lost me at around V9..

Became too bloated and certain websites just wouldn't render properly. Firefox lost me after V3 because of bloat. Chrome is ok is definitely aimed at noobs - you can tell because as someone else here mention they go out of their way to make it unconfigurable. These days I don't really care, a browser is a browser. Security and speed is all that matters and they all do it much the same..IE9 is starting to look good, we'll have to wait and see...

For handsets it depends. Opera mobile doesn't offer any advantage on Android 2.2+ devices over the stock browser with wrappers (most android browsers Dolphin, Miren, etc are just wrappers for the stock browser). Opera Mobile 12 doesn't render some pages correctly, Flash websites are choppier and changing from mobile to desktop view often has no effect. Still in development so I'll keep an eye on it.

Opera Mobile however was the best on my Windows Mobile 6 handset and most of the J2ME feature phones I've owned.

Indiana cops arrest violent 6-year-old

Defective parents produce defective kids

A six year-old kid acting that way? Ouch. Here in the US kids like that are classified as E.D. (emotionally disturbed) and get put in special classes with teachers certified in special education. My mon is a retired special ed teacher and tells me most of these kids act out because they are physically/emotionally abused, neglected and come mostly from broken homes. There's always the exception of a spoiled brat who's taught to get their way whenever they act out but mostly it's what happens at home.

Crappy home life always equals crappy school life for children.

Apple, Google and Intel to face angry ex-IT workers in court

Re: "Sued my ex-company"

Bahahahahhahahahahhahahahaha!!!!!!

Hrmm....sorry...I always burst out laughing when I read about someone who works in IT who expects fair treatment and respect.

You can always spot the newbs in this field.

Class action here in US against corporations

Typically equals corporate monoliths paying a settlement while admitting no wrongdoing which means nothing will change for current or future employees. I expect corporate monoliths will do a better job of hiding this collusion as a result of this class action. Naturally plaintiffs' will lawyers get majority of settlement while plaintiffs themselves get tiny fraction. And as AC 10:39 GMT pointed out suing your ex-company is always good to have on your CV.

Incidentally some of my past gigs required me to sign a non-compete agreement valid for 6 months after my last day.

WTF is... UltraViolet

Re: Control Freaks

You must be new on the internet to think that any media that is virtual or streamed can't be made into physical. You must also not travel often to think that the internet is available everywhere with a reliable high-speed connection thus ensuring the content you paid for will display without sputtering or buffering.

I understand from a business perspective the content owners wanting to make as much money from their products as possible but until 'high-speed internet everywhere' truly becomes that this UV model is destined to fail. If you can only watch movies when you have good internet you will end up with a lof of disgruntled customers.

Some movies come with a digital copy and although DRM'ed is a better alternative. Personally I rip my own DVDs/Blu-rays sans DRM then delete from my tablet after viewing.

Windows 3.1 rebooted: Microsoft's DOS destroyer turns 20

If you really want a good Windows 3.1/WFW 3.11 experience AND you are running a Windows host OS use MS Virtual PC 2007. No weird mouse jumping problems, copy/paste works well and you can choose video drivers with resolutions up to 1280x1024 32bit. I still have a VM that I like to fire up every once in a while when I feel nostalgic.

Like many others here I used DOS for most of my tasks, running Windows only when I needed fancy fonts or graphics (MS Publisher for Win 3.1).

I also agree with those comments comparing Word back then and Word now. A few more features were added but the resource requirements have increased by unprecedented amounts. Think about it. You were using Word back then in Windows 3.1. You time travel from 1994 to 2012 and are shown a modern era PC. Wow, cool flat screen! You fire up WIndows then Word and after checking them both out you ask, "Cool, what else does it do? THAT'S IT?!?". I'm going back to 1994!"

Re: networking?

Windows 3.1 required Trumpet, I remember using it when I first got on the interwebs via dial-up slip which trumpet provided.

Windows for Workgroups 3.11 came with its own TCP stack that included dialup so Trumpet was unnecessary.

RIM to exit the consumer phone market

Re: Security banned!

It's not so much companies allowing you to use your own phones on the corporate network as them refusing to provide you with a cell phone for business use. About 30% of the firms I've worked at provided one at no cost, others at a discount rate and the rest left you on your own. They ALL wanted your mobile phone number listed in the corporate directory however.

RIM is and has always been the corporate standard in mobile although I am seeing some IOS creep.

Personally I carry 2 cell phones, not because I am a gadget freak or want to look important. It's called sanity maintenance. I used to be overcome with dread when the cell phone rang - there was always that "please don't let it be work, please don't let it be work" feeling.

That's why I have a business and personal cell. The business number gets posted on corporate directory, is handed out freely to business contacts, is on the footer of all outgoing emails, etc. When this phone rings I KNOW it's work related. The personal phone is given to girlfriends, friends, family, etc. When this phone rings I KNOW it's someone I want to talk to. Personal cell I carry 24/7. Business cell during business hours and off-hours when I am expecting calls. Somehow the business cell often gets left behind when I am with my girl, having lots of brews with my friends or just don't want to be bothered by work. I wonder why that keeps happening.

Since all employers demand you broadcast your mobile to all business contacts I highly recommend this corporate survival strategy to all who work in IT. Mobile plans with unlimited minutes, at least here in the US are about $50 USD/month. Data plans will set you back an additional ~$25/Mo if you need to access corporate email. Even if it's $100/month it's worth every penny to be able to tune out work when you need to.

My cable TV operater provides my home phone service and I pay an additional $15 for an extra phone line for work. Of course work wants to bother you at home too!

HP offers contractors a choice: 5 per cent pay cut ... or 100 per cent

Based on your comment I can deduce the following:

A. You're not a consultant

B. If you are you never read the actual contract - shame on you.

As a contractor you're on the absolute bottom of the food chain so what do you expect? 5% isn't bad considering we had to take 15% at my last gig Q4 2010 - why I'm not there anymore. Transience is consultant mantra - if you start getting too comfortable at one place you are an employee-wanabee and deserve all the bad treatment you get.

Beer icon because some of the most successful interviews I've been to were at pubs, at my request.

CD: The indestructible music format that REFUSES TO DIE

One format to rule them all

My prefererred format for digital music is definitely audio CD. If I buy from Itunes it's stuck on that Ipod with no way to transfer to another device. Audio CD can be ripped to Itunes, Zune, whatever you want. Buy it once and use multiple times, not buy same song and pay for each device.

I never cared much for the scratchy poppy sound of vinyl.

Facebook: Your boss asks for your password, we'll sue him! Maybe

Doesn't change much

As prospective employers can still compel you to friend them. I am one of the few remaining humans on this planet who doesn't use Facebook, Twitter, etc. due to an active social life and lack of craving for constant attention. It's a shame that companies are taking advantage of desperate job seekers and I believe it will only get worse.

The only advice I can offer is the same offered by Dominic Connor who recently wrote an article here which pretty much sums up the last 12 years of my life in IT.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/03/21/how_to_get_paid_more/

After taking a 15% pay cut I moved to a new position with 25% increase, 40 hour work week and somehow was exempt from pre-employment credit check and drug screening. Perception is all that matters in corporate not education, experience or certifications.

Microsoft's Azure cloud down and out for 8 hours

Re: Cloud Computing.

Wholeheartedly agree. I am absolutely NOT sold on this marketting gimmick called 'Cloud Computing' based on outages reported by major providers besides MS.

As with all IT marketting campaigns, this looks really good in the Powerpoint presentations and balance sheets but in practice is a business continuity disaster.

Sony website defacer pwned by second hacker

Ahahahhaahahhaahahhahahahahahhahahahahahhahaha

A script kiddy pwned by another script kiddy! Maybe they'll start DDOS'ing each other. Get the popcorn ready.

I know, I know, it's Friday, on my way to the pub!

Anti-piracy laws will smash internet, US constitution - legal eagles

Most Ironic/Moronic Law in a while

Darryl you just nailed it.

This law will only affect those internet users who don't have a clue what DNS is, they just type something into the URL bar and it takes them to their favorite website. These people have no idea about IP addresses, bittorrent, filehosters, OpenDNS etc. The majority of these people will be blocked from infringing websites that they probably would have never visited anyway.

Meanwhile those who are rabid copyright infringers will find it trivial to bypass any blocking these two proposed laws will enact.

More knee-jerk legislation from politicians and their wealthy lobbyists.

Android app maker settles claims it exposed sensitive files

A P2P app for my mob? Awwwesome!! Now I can hit the 2 GB data cap faster than ever!!

Star Trek TNG revamped for Blu-ray in 2012

Agreed. Was a fan of TOS but could never get into TNG. Too sterile.

4G or 'faux G', it's a mealy-mouthed marketing mishmash

Irrevelant G

Doesn't matter how fast you make the network. The 2 GB data cap means no streaming for me, I'll only be checking email and sports scores till 'unlimited data' truly becomes unlimited data.

Popular Android modder takes job with Samsung Mobile

Anythingboi

Agreed, it's just a phone. My SGS does what I need it to now and does it very well. I know there's better phones out there, always is. I don't care and won't care until this phone breaks or my contract comes up for renewal.

I do find it amusing that buyers of electronics expect any kind of loyalty from manufacturers. I expect it's due to their lack of understanding of how to run profitable businesses.

"One of the chief complaints from Android users is the considerable time it takes for many carriers to offer updates for the Google operating system." "So it seems especially cruel that users with contracts from Verizon and other providers are forced to use woefully out-of-date Android versions unless they customize their devices using CyanogenMod or other kits."

Yea you're right. They should keep investing in devices soon to be legacy just to appeal to a few nerds who are broke instead of new devices released every 6 months with improved hardware and technology that appeals to the money spending masses.

IT admin cops to crippling ex-employer's network

Revenge of the nerd

Fail on 2 levels. Fail on the perp for creating chaos and mayhem for his ex-coworkers just so he can feel better about getting sacked. Imagine one of your collegues gets canned, the next day you come into work and key systems are inaccessible, phone is ringing of the hook, panic rages throughout the floor. You know just from the tidbits of information you gleaned that a major meltdown has occurred and that this is going to be a week from hell. You already had backlogs and backlogs of work because your staff has been cut to the bone resulting in your coming into work when it was dark outside and leaving work when it was dark outside. And now this, caused by whats'isname?

Jason Cornish's life is over. I'm sure he's popular (for a few hours) with all the script kiddies in IRC and underground forums, they go for this kind of stuff. Ask them for a job Jason because no one else will want to hire you.

Once again another sod who has no business working as IT admin or the in this field at all. If you want recognition and appreciation IT is not for you. You get your paycheck. That's it. Period. Lose the rose-colored glasses and forget everything you were promised by the tech school adverts. You are and always will be viewed as an overpaid factory worker by management. You want recognition and appreciaton? Become a sales guy bringing in high volume accounts to your firm, you will be GREATLY appreciated. You'd have to lose the neckbeard though and wear clean shirts from now on.

Fail #2 on the company. Most firms I've worked at including this one cancel all system access prior to notifying you of your termination. SecurID, Email, everything. An engineer who worked with my staff called me in June around 9pm telling me that his email wasn't working. He contacted help desk which informed him that his account was terminated and couldn't answer any other questions. I checked my email and found notification that all systems passwords had changed and new passwords would be provided the following morning at a meeting. So basically yea he was canned.

Sad for both of us really since to me he was a valuable technical resource and was always professional in his demeanor (something rare in IT). I forwarded him a letter of recommendation and he has already found another job. But that's part of working in IT and being a professional. It's just a job, you take nothing personal, don't bring your work life home or your home life to work. I see lots of desks with pictures of wives/girlfriends/kids/pets etc. I have no personal effects whatsoever on my desk (only in my phone), there's only calendars, schedules, diagrams and other work-related documentation. It's part of my philosophy and acceptance that I am only here temporarily. The day my pink slip arrives there's no "cleaning out my desk". The only personal propery I have here are my 2 phone chargers, and they're spares anyway. They can keep'em.

14 arrested in crackdown targeting Anonymous

Won't someone think of the children in their late 20's+ ?

First let me start once again by saying, "Lulz @ script kiddies".

In your quest to be l337 (fame and recognition from random anonymous strangers, for those not in the know AKA those who have active social lives and see Lulzsecs/Anon's activities as pointless) you failed to realize the consequences of your actions. I can sympathise somewhat with the under 18 crowd because you don't know any better and some of those up to 25 years old cuz you're still shedding the stupidity of youth.. But 30 + years old? 46?!?!?

Let's take a walk down memory lane. The BBS era, I was 16. There were several underground l337 boards, I was on a few. Some were active carder boards wherein if you agreed to receive kit at your house you would get to keep 1 or 2 items (new PC etc.). Tempting as it was there were always rumours on the message boards (never covered by mainstream media) about the FBI waiting and subsequently seizing all the loot, whatever other computers & electronics were in the house and arrest of recepient.

No thanks, I didn't need that in my life, so there went my chance to be super l337. Point is even then with all the illegal activity on the primitive version of the internet I was still aware of the consequences and chose to be a l@m3r. Thankfully I was off to university at 19 and was too busy studying/partying/working to care about being l337 anymore.

With all the mainstream coverage of people getting caught why do people persist? Even if YOU don't get caught one of your 'associates' who is will spill the beans and cooperate with the authorities to avoid stiff sentence. The next time you see 'toxic' in a chatroom it may be someone else looking over toxic's shoulders as you both chat.

The worst part for the members of Lulzsec/Anon have is they have no life and getting caught means having all their PC and electronics seized, meaning no more internet meaning the end of their life!

Dell's faulty PC legal woes worsen (again)

Rhymes with some crap

"Regularly saw 'identical' models with totally different hardware inside, because Dell love to solder together whatever remaining stock they can buy cheaply at the time they build your computer. Makes image and driver management a real joy."

They all do it. When I was a PC tech same Compaq model desktop PC had 6 different motherboards. Thinkpads same deal. I used to build & troubleshoot PCs for fun, still do. Never again for a living, it's pure suck. You're basically a white collar assembly line worker.

Before that I did phone support for a large electronics firm's printer division. There were known defects on some lasers printers (cold solder joint). The printer would stop working and a specific error code would be displayed, had to be sent in for service. If the error ocurred during warranty period it was repaired for free. After 90 days customer had to fork over ~$200 USD. We had a lot of screaming customers because eventually it was leaked that it was a known defect. It was trivial to repair and a few technically inclined individuals did their own repair once I and a few collegues described the exact part of the motherboard that had to be re-soldered. Their warranty was over so they didn't mind if it saved them some money. Naturally management frowned upon this and we were discouraged from encouraging self repair anymore.

Phone support is another job from hell I would never do again. I'm there to apologise for something I had nothing to do with and blatantly lie to customers.

But those two experiences changed the point of view of a once wide-eyed college grad. That's the way business is done. It's more important to get a product out the door regardless of defect, maybe fix or patch it later than it is to produce something that works as advertised. Once you have a customer's money, fuck 'em. Ok, provide them with some toll-free support line so they have someone to bitch at, just so we can pretend to care.

Italian and Swiss cops cuff 15 Anonymous suspects

lulz @ script kiddies

see title

New PlayStation Network hack hijacks user accounts

re: Consultant

From the wisdom of Scott Adams, author of Dilbert.

Consultant is derived from two common english terms:

Con - (ruse, to persuade by deception). You need my services because I am an independant third party with some sort of industry certification that is deemed more essential than practical experience by marketing drones and I am cheaper since I require no medical, vacation, severance or other expenses. Since the IT team is a hodge podge of revolving door rent-a-techs documentation is available...somewhere...in bits and pieces....but probably not.

Insult - what is charged for services.

Consultants are there to con and insult you. However the Powerpoint presentation always bedazzles, contract gets signed!

Hopefully we get to know the name of what vendor they outsourced the maintenance of PSN to. Doesn't say they outsourced but c'mon, do we really need to connect the dots? 3 weeks and still hackable by simple means?

PS I am a consultant. Over 3 years here, used to have a really good team of engineers, all left for greener pastures and I now manage a group of revolving door rent-a-techs!! woohoo!!

Firefox 4 squeezes onto phones

beta means regular updates

Opera Mobile for Android has been in the same beta since November. No announcements on Opera site on further developments. Opera Mobile 10 was the best browser I used for WM6, have not tried Symbian. Android version seems forgotten. Opera Mini was nice on my old phone but proxy based browsers are unnecessary on Android 2.1 or greater when you have browsers that can render sites just like on your PC. If your running Android 2.2 or greater Skyfire becomes irrevelant since Flash support is built-in.

Firefox for Android gets updated regulary (beta 2, 3, 4) unlike Opera Mobile for Android.

Getting there

Javascript rendering seems faster than previous builds - Try espn.go.com that site brings most mobile browsers to their knees, it's quicker than Dolphin, Miren, Xscope or stock browser.

However it is slow to start and much much slower to exit. You have to keep hitting back arrow to exit the browser which means all websites have to reload till you get back to the home page, then and only then will the browser exit.

This is the only android browser I've come across that handles scroll bars. Animated GIFs also animate (Opera is the only other android browser that can do this).

Need to add a user agent option so I can force desktop or mobile view on some sites (if I just want to check sports scores the mobile sites load much quicker). Getting better and better with each release but not ready to be my main android browser especially with no flash support. Can't wait to see the final product - and I despise FF on the PC.

Opera fangirls - you obviously haven't tried other browsers on your android device. Opera has trouble rendering some sites properly (ESPN.COM being one) and will still re-direct you to the mobile version of websites despite setting the mobile view setting to off as well as no flash support. The only reason I still have Opera Mobile on my phone is because it can download from sites like filesonic, megaupload etc. whereas other browsers fail. It would also appear that Opera Mobile development has ceased (been in beta since forever) and are only focusing on Opera Mini.

Facebook riddled by 'my first ever status message' scam app

ooh nooss back to friendster i gooos

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

why do all these scammers do these things?!? i just want to be popular on the interwebs and my pc keeps getting slower!! i just want to be popular and make friends with everybody lol ;)

pls lol

oo a new post on my fb wall for security tool to fix and speed up my pc :) goody goody gumdrops

now i can be popular and safe ;) lol

Sorry...it's Friday, I just came back from a liquid lunch and couldn't help portraying what I perceive to be your typcial user of any social networking site.

Join in the Wikileaks DDoS war from your iPhone or iPad

Join in the Wikileaks DDoS war from your iPhone or iPad

Ok I will join right now this fruitless pointless battle for...err...ummm..what again? ohh that's right, to be l337 level 99999 h@x0r like this PFY:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/12/09/wikileaks_ddos_arrest/

Oh wait I can't!! Darn I just realized I have a life and since it's Friday afternoon it's time to go and realize it. Happy weekend to you all!

WinPho7 jailbreak kit locked down by Redmond 'dev mojo' man

RIP WM

Whoah!! Really? I can't install a custom ringtone in WM7? My old WM6 handset didn't have this restriction, allowing me to choose whatever MP3/WAV/MIDI I wanted for Ringtone or SMS. Installing un-signed apps on WM6 was a widely pubslished registry tweak or in some devices was an option selectable in setup.

So all the WM6 apps I paid for are now worthless if I want to upgrade to WM7. Odd, my 32 bit XP apps work fine in Windows 7 32 bit.

The worst part is you can no longer use Activesync/XP or Mobile Sync Center/Vista. Instead it relies on the horrid Zune software. I used to think iTunes was bloated until I went through the install and sync process for my Zune. The same PC I installed iTunes on in about 3 minutes took 40 minutes for the Zune software.

There is one ringtone that should be included on all current WM7 devices - Taps. This is the beginning of the end for Windows Mobile. IOS, Android and RIM are the only choices we'll soon have.

Pirate Bay appeal failure spawns more DoS attacks

tidal

This has nothing to do with changing the law or fighting for freedom on the internet. Their DDS attacks are of limited duration and serve nothing more than to cause annoyance to the target websites. What have they accomplished? Are IFPI/RIAA et al going to give in to the demands of freetards?

This is all about some introverted individual(s) of pre-pubescent mentality whom have never had contact with the opposite sex's ability to brag on underground forums and IRC about how l337 they are and can never be caught.

It's a desperate cry for attention, nothing more.

Most smartphoners don't give a flip about apps

The title is required, and must contain letters and/or digits.

Most people have no clue why they're buying a laptop or PC. To them it's just another appliance like a microwave oven. They press the right buttons and out comes heated up leftovers of last night's dinner or popcorn. They have no idea what the other buttons do nor do they care. These people buy smartphones because when it's time to renew their contract a fast-talking salesman shows them a phone shinier than their current phone and it has facebook. Sold!!

Smartphones are really nothing more than the merger of a PDA (and GPS unit in some cases) and cell phone. I agree that the most important part of any cell phone is phone calls and anything additional is just fluff....Since you do carry this thing with you all the time however it is nice to have additional functionality like being able to view the entire NYC subway map in PDF to plot my destination, viewing Word files received in email and replying with comments from any location, browsing news sites such as El Reg when waiting in line at Motor Vehicle Services, checking sports scores when I can't watch the game, playing games or watching Xvids during those long nights waiting for updates during network changes.

In summary most users don't give a flip about apps because they don't know why they're buying a smartphone in the first place other than it's new and shiny.

Big Blue eye glares at UK workforce

IT Career bahahahahhahahaha!!!

That's pretty much my reaction to any youngsters that have any computer skills and are planning on entering this field upon completion of a university undergraduate/graduate degree. In spite of the specialized technical knowledge you possess management will always view you as an overpaid factory worker.

I completely agree with A.C. - working in a multinational publicly traded corporation is all about embracing transience. Keep the CV updated and circulating, maintain contact with collegues still employed in your field and don't take anything personally. "Just how many corners can we cut?" is the new corporate mantra meaning you will always be expected to do more and more with less and less. It can be frustrating at times when you go above and beyond the call of duty working long hours and weekends in the hopes that your efforts will be recognised and rewarded. Truthfully any major accomplishments are usually forgotten within a week and have the consequence of raising expectations. I suppose I should be grateful for the certificate of appreciation made with Powerpoint and printed on our color printer which was awarded to me even though I have to yet again cancel my plans for the weekend with my fiancee due to another last minute high-priority project.

I've been here for a little over 2.5 years - that's a lonngg time for IT. I've had a few offers for less money which is why I am still here. I've worked at enough firms to know that if I jump nothing will change other than the name of the company that is printed on my paycheck. I guess this what recruiters mean by "dynamic, fast paced environment" No one knows what the fuck is going on and it's just one constant knee-jerk reaction after another.

In short, never get too comfortable at your job. It is just a paycheck after all. Always do what's best for you not your employer and have as much loyalty to them as they have to you.

Should you lose your religion on your CV?

Verily, I say unto thee

As someone who's worked in IT for almost two decades I've met several individuals of various faiths and cultures, most whom I've had to work closely with as part of a technical team. None of these people let their religous backgrounds interfere with their professional obligations and quite frankly that's the way it should be. Whatever you practice has to be done on your own time, not mine. There may have been those that required select holidays but nothing extended that impacted their work or the rest of the team in any significant way.

My time in IT has been spent in pharmaceutical, technology and banking. I am currently a hiring manager for my department (no we're not hiring right now nor for the forseeable future) and have never come across a CV that included one's religion. The only content I find relevant for both candidates and for my own CV are education and experience. Hobbies and interests are listed for entry level positions which I have never had to fill. I find their inclusion questionable since I have never incorporated that into my CV from my first IT related job as first level help desk till now.

My advice would be to not include religion if you are applying for a professional occupation as it is irrelevant. The times I've had positions to fill and had applicants with equal qualifications the one with the best communications skills was always the preferred candidate.

Smut-ladened spam disguises WoW Trojan campaign

Click here for nude pics of Anna Kournikova!!

"A surprising amount of malware is designed to steal registration keys, passwords and data from players of computer games," said a consultant at Sophos.

The only real surprising part of this article to me is that there are still people with access to the internet that actually open and read emails with subjects like "Do you like to find a girlfriend like me?" instead of doing the logical thing of deleting them outright.

IT grad sues school over failed job hunt

@ AC Posted Thursday 6th August 2009 14:36 GMT

You really should consider at the minimum completing elementary school before posting in public forums with such appalling use of spelling and grammar. Small wonder you posted anonymously.

>>I already new Wordperfect and Lotus so I was promoted from delivery to secretary even

>Good god, is that what they teach on computer science courses, it's even worse than I'd >imagined.

Is it? You tell me. Oh wait, you can't. I can't speak for all who have taken computer science courses but I learned WP and Lotus on my own not at my alma mater. I never understood why some people needed a course to learn a word processor or spreadsheet.

>>Bill Gates cuz he dropped out his first year and look where he is today.

>He was also born into a rich family with a mother who was friendly with at least on of the board memebrs of IBM, which no doubt helped him get his foot in just a teeny weeny bit.

I have no doubt that his rich family had connections to get him into Harvard but his reputation was what got the attention of IBM after Microsoft released several versions of BASIC for other platforms (PDP, Apple, Commodore, etc.). He was also a gambler known for his love of poker along with his ability to sell anybody anything. Then there's the world famous story of Q-DOS/MS-DOS.

I agree with Oliver Jones. A good command of the english language and people skills are what separate those who earn bonuses from those who don't. It also seems to separate those who practice regular hygiene from those who don't. Good God some of the techies that I've met over the years!

Sigma Cum Loud

Only in the good ol' USA can you sue anybody for anything and have more 'colleges' per square mile than any other country in the world. Those of you who have kids that are planning on attending college need to be selective and not choose one merely on tuition. Scan the classifieds for practically any field and note how many require a degree from an "Accredited University". A good rule of thumb is if it advertises on TV or radio it's not someplace to get a degree from.

I graduated from a university (not a college) in '92 with a BS in Comp Sci and 3.7/4.0. My first job out of school was delivering airline tickets for a travel agency because all the IT related jobs wanted experience. My big break came when the administrative assistant quit and no one else knew how to operate a PC. I already new Wordperfect and Lotus so I was promoted from delivery to secretary even though my typing speed was 30 WPM. It was that experience that enabled me to get my first IT related job as first level help desk in an IT department for a different company.

17 years and countless changes in so-called Fortune 100 employers later not once has my degree or GPA been mentioned in an interview. My CV and experience have been the instruments towards my advancement and success.

Is higher education a waste of time? Not necessarily. It certainly is not essential in the IT field although I recommend it because I feel it is a good life experience. (winks at AngrySup)

College is definitely not for everyone but what you make out of that education and for that matter your life is up to you and the choices you make. Countless individuals have made vast fortunes with little or no higher education.

Bill Gates cuz he dropped out his first year and look where he is today.

PC repair shop caught trying bank fraud

Underpaid & overworked

Considering what a PC tech makes these days it's hardly surprising - just didn't think it was that rampant. I guess it's like trying to find an auto mechanic, repairman or building contractor who's honest.

I'm glad I'm the one who takes care of PC probs for several of my friends & relatives but I would never ever want to do this for a living. I pity those who rely on such places to solve PC problems but doesn't everyone have a friend/relative who's a PC techie these days?

IT admin sentenced for sabotaging employer's network

I want a nice cushy job

@AC 12:43

"You think every firm terminates you in a fair way so you can collect severance?"

No! I know that!! Not only have I been victim of that but so have several of my colleagues! Read current IT events much (HP, EDS, IBM, et al)? Why do you think I am a career consultant?

I work in a WAN/datacomm environment which means long hours/weekends and phone calls at the most inconvenient times due to knee-jerk reactions and misperceptions from less technical, upper management types. In spite of this I consider myself lucky that I have employment, am well-compensated (thanks to the long hours ugh) and have a good team of engineers. I also live with the fact that no matter how much effort I put forth to ensure my tenure here I may come in to work tomorrow morning and find my access card won't let me in the building. There will be no ill feelings on my behalf as I consider this a business, not personal relationship. Then there's the usual flood of phone calls wishing you good luck, asking for updated project statuses and whom they need to contact for further queries. What a routine this is.

This is the way it is in corporate IT, regardless of your technical skills. Your failure to accept this means you either haven't worked in IT that long or don't have many collegues who work in IT. I in no way condone the mistreatment of employees but you really have to re-evaluate your expectations if you think any employer anywhere owes you a living.

Incidentally El Reg doesn't mention this but Mr. Nunez has to pay restitution totaling over $31,000 in addition to community service and supervised release.

http://www.outlookseries.com/N1/Security/3298_Lesmany_Nunez_Sentenced_Quantum_Technology_Partners_QTP_Computer_Fraud.htm

Only dumbasses seek revenge on former employers

Booo hoooo hoooo!!!! My boss is such a meanie!!!!!! Just for that I'm going to spite him and sabotage his network!! That'll show him.

Lesmany Nunez and those who follow in your footsteps are a bunch of losers. If you want to be treated well you shouldn't be working in corporate IT. Good luck finding a job after you get out of the clink. Moving back in with your mum at 31 and being part of the crew that towels off my car after it goes through car wash looks like the best future you could hope for. Don't worry Lesmany I always tip well since I notice most folks don't.

The last 2 brokerage firms I worked for BTW disabled ALL building and network access prior to notifying you of your termination. I and a few other showed up to work on a Friday and our access badges wouldn't even allow us in the building. We were later met in the lobby by our managers who informed us that we were canned. Such is life in the IT world. On to the next gig. My current manager contacted my former employers and based on their positive feedback hired me so burning bridges is fucking dumb.

Software firm goes after Google for internet invisibility cloak

scumware

Last I checked Google will automatically filter out websites it deems to have "malicious content that could be harmful to your computer". Although no one is pointing a gun to your head and forcing you to use Google it does come as the default search in Firefox, Opera, and Chrome and has the largest number of users compared to others so it would be interesting to see where this lawsuit goes. It wouldn't be the first time scumware vendors sue to get themselves classifed as benign despite evidence indicating otherwise (Zango).

I've seen these "FinallyFast" commercials on TV and the actors are definitely portraying your typical noob who knows nothing about computers other than how to send an email or click on an icon to lauch a game. Therefore, this is their target consumer. Funny how they show the software running on a macbook when in fact this software is only offered for Windows.

I was going to install this in a VM with Vista to try it out but I said fuck it. Any AV that makes you pay to remove malware is an AUTOMATIC SCAM. Download trial versions of NOD32, Symantec, Kaspersky etc (well-known AV progs) and they are fully functional if only for a limited time but they will remove malware currently on your system.

Sorry folks these fake AV progs aren't going away especially with the slap on the wrist doled out to the perpetrators of AntiVirus 2008/2009.

Penguin because these AV scams are never targeted to *nix users, probably because not too many noobs run *nix.