On Fri, 10 Dec 1999, you wrote:
> --- hippyman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > On Fri, 10 Dec 1999, you wrote:
> > > Another good case for Linux :)
> >
> > Here, here!!
> >
> > Why do people allow themselves to be infected? It's
> > not a matter of
> > choosing to be a victim. It's a matter of
> > *allowing* yourself to be a
> > victim.
> >
> > You choose whether you want to be infected by what
> > OS you operate, what
> > mailer you use, what options you select in that mail
> > reading program
> > you use, what browser you use, what options you
> > choose for that
> > browser, etc...
> >
> > The 'net is not the safe haven that people expect
> > out of it. Your
> > computer is as secure as you make it. Period.
> >
> > I just don't get the idea that people get pissed off
> > because a new
> > virus is released. Every virus that is released can
> > be bypassed with
> > proper measures. Again, another Period.
>
> I understand why people get ticked off. They either
> have the skills to stay up with the methods of
> preventive maintenance ( or practicing "safe"
> computing) or they're lazy and don't want to do
> anymore
> upgrading or maintence. I really think that it's the
> former, though. A lot of my friends are buying home
> PC's this Christmas and don't have any idea of what to
> buy for their needs beyond what Best buy showson it's
> front sales page! I've printed off several articles
> for them about how to determine the best package to
> buy depending on their needs and expectations. do you
> think they'll read that? NO! I've even given them
> the name and phone number of a "consultant"
> (affiliated with the local PC User's Group ) who does
> just this type of consulting for a very nominal fee.
> ($25). Do you think they've CALLED??? NO! They are
> going down to Best Buy or Circuit City to buy the
> first thing they can afford that the sales clerk
> pushes on them. Of course I can afford to talk here
> because my husband builds our computers and upgrades
> them regularly. But if I didn't have him I'd probably
> be doing the same thing my friends are. And I really
> think my friends are going to be disappointed. And I
> KNOW they won't know what to do about virus prevention
> beyond not turning on their computer on Jan. 1, 2000.
It appears that the desktop computer is nothing more than another
household appliance. Anymore, it's grouped along with your TV, VCR,
Microwave oven, and toaster. Enter - the Imac. This is a perfect
example of a household appliance. The Imac sucks. It's a machine that
requires little thought, but looks good on your family cherry wood
roll-top desk. It's just slightly more complicated than web-tv (don't
even get me started on web-tv), but not complicated enough to keep
morons off the 'net.
The computer market influences people to buy the most simplistic,
easiest to use appliance that will get them connected, just like the
Jones's next door. God forbid that you don't have a computer and
you're not "connected to the Internet".
The Seek and Find list here is a perfect example of illiterate
computing. I don't mean to dis this list, as it's of great convienance,
even to myself, as I've used it to find stuff that I was having trouble
finding on my own. But people do not know how to use the Internet as
it was designed - as an information sharing tool.
This list does offer up a great convienance to people in aiding them in
a quest for information searches. But if people would educate
themselves in how the Internet works, then this list would not exist.
Don't think that I don't appreciate the list. The collective whole of
intellect is of value. But the list members who do offer up their
services have to admit that if the comp was not an appliance, as it is
recognized today, then there would be no need for this list.
Just some random thoughts tonight... My $0.02 for what's it's worth.
-hippyman
