[TrueKaiser]

http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/w ... mary.shtml

reading this i get the impression the author has no clue on how database software in any shape or form. while i admit there might be cia hooks to allow them to do this in windows and the windows only database servers, most of the linux / bsd ones are open sourced making it nearly impossible for them to sneak said hooks in. they would be found if not by the actual maintainers(if they were in a user submitted patch) then they would be removed by the distribution maintainers via a patch and if not by them then by the people who actually use the software and customize the source to there needs. in fact the whole idea of this promis/tia seems ludicrous if you look at all the different platforms it would not only need to know about but somehow have hooks in them to allow unnoticed access.

[gnm]

Most large government DB systems are NOT running open source. even if you are running an open source OS it is possible to run closed source (therefor hook-able) DB software on it. Software like Oracle and MS Database engines. I see know reason that this would be implausible since we have known for some time that MS and other major software vendors (like IBM) have inserted code which allows for external monitoring (whether from them or government sources) I believe there was even a case where the Fed's had dictated what needed to be inserted into MS operating systems for just that reason ( but I will need to find the article - it was like 1999)

-G

[TrueKaiser]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('gnm', 'M')ost large government DB systems are NOT running open source. even if you are running an open source OS it is possible to run closed source (therefor hook-able) DB software on it. Software like Oracle and MS Database engines. I see know reason that this would be implausible since we have known for some time that MS and other major software vendors (like IBM) have inserted code which allows for external monitoring (whether from them or government sources) I believe there was even a case where the Fed's had dictated what needed to be inserted into MS operating systems for just that reason ( but I will need to find the article - it was like 1999)

-G

[gnm]

True, the claim that they are all hooked in is over the top... The open source systems are easier to lock down if you take the time to scour the code, compile the kernel and lock down all the ports. I can't speak for the windoze boxen though - they could ALL be hooked in since it would run at the OS level....

Anything passed over the net would be subject to intecption and scrutiny if the switch/routers are comprimised though...

-G

[TrueKaiser]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('gnm', 'T')rue, the claim that they are all hooked in is over the top... The open source systems are easier to lock down if you take the time to scour the code, compile the kernel and lock down all the ports. I can't speak for the windoze boxen though - they could ALL be hooked in since it would run at the OS level....

Anything passed over the net would be subject to intecption and scrutiny if the switch/routers are comprimised though...

-G

[gnm]

Yup - think compromised CISC-OS...

-G

[savethehumans]

People:

If they haven't found a way to totally monitor us YET, they will!

Plain and simple....

[TrueKaiser]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('savethehumans', 'P')eople:

If they haven't found a way to totally monitor us YET, they will!

Plain and simple....

[shakespear1]

This sounds like the oil industry in the 70-80 worried that people would continue to use buses and other modes of mass transit.

"The Free Software Challenge In Latin America"
In 2002, then-U.S. ambassador to Peru, John Hilton, delivered a threatening letter to the Peruvian congress using his public office to act on behalf of a very powerful American private interest. The letter, which was leaked to the press, stated that Microsoft Corporation and its chairman Bill Gates dissaproved of Peru debating a proposed law, Special Bill 1609, which favored the use of free software in public administration. Hilton warned its passage would harm U.S.-Peru relations.
link Enjoy the article

[Dvanharn]

Many people here at peakoil.com don't understand the benefits of capitalism, especially how it benefits the "common man."

That which good for major corporations is good for the people and the nation, because a thriving capitalistic system benefits everyone through open competition. This is why Microsoft products are so cheap and accessible – the intense competition from other software companies like WordPerfect and Borland and all of the other software vendors keep them honest and on their toes.

Conversely, that which is good for the people, if it reduces corporate profit or potential profit, if bad actually bad for society. Therefore, things such as freeware should be banned.

If Microsoft were a monopoly, or a near monopoly that tried to use it’s monopoly status and influence the government to crush the competition, including freeware, then that government, especially under the free-market Republicans, would immediately jump in to curb monopolistic practices and facilitate the return to competition by protecting smaller competitors from being crushed by a monopoly.

That’s how America works, and it’s a wonderful, functioning system that everyone in the world should adopt.

Dave

[The_Virginian]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'C')onversely, that which is good for the people, if it reduces corporate profit or potential profit, if bad actually bad for society. Therefore, things such as freeware should be banned.

[Aaron]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')herefore, things such as freeware should be banned.

[shakespear1]

Exactly, OPEN SOURSE.

If someone is allowing me to use a word processor software for free and I am a poor country such as Peru, HELL I do not want some bully coming to me and saying, "Hey, the best thing for you is to by from me for $300".

Whenever I am in Russia I think to myself that if software was to be bought AT the price it is sold in the US then there would be VERY VERY few that could afford it. Their earnings are on a level of 500 bucks/month if they are Lucky.

So I do not feel sorry for Bill and his Corporation. But to use such mafia style tactics in a Poor Country is to put it mildly Sad.

[FoxV]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Dvanharn', '.')This is why Microsoft products are so cheap and accessible – the intense competition from other software companies like WordPerfect and Borland and all of the other software vendors keep them honest and on their toes.

[Raxozanne]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Dvanharn', 'M')any people here at peakoil.com don't understand the benefits of capitalism, especially how it benefits the "common man."

That which good for major corporations is good for the people and the nation, because a thriving capitalistic system benefits everyone through open competition. This is why Microsoft products are so cheap and accessible – the intense competition from other software companies like WordPerfect and Borland and all of the other software vendors keep them honest and on their toes.

Conversely, that which is good for the people, if it reduces corporate profit or potential profit, if bad actually bad for society. Therefore, things such as freeware should be banned.

If Microsoft were a monopoly, or a near monopoly that tried to use it’s monopoly status and influence the government to crush the competition, including freeware, then that government, especially under the free-market Republicans, would immediately jump in to curb monopolistic practices and facilitate the return to competition by protecting smaller competitors from being crushed by a monopoly.

That’s how America works, and it’s a wonderful, functioning system that everyone in the world should adopt.

Dave

[Dvanharn]

and freeware and shareware on my next PC. I was a Novell CNE (Certified NetWare Engineer) during the dotcom heyday and watched Microsoft crush Novell's excellent product with excellent marketing strategy and execution, and an inferior product (Windows NT Server). Although I eventually learned NT and became certified on NT Server & Workstation, my heart wasn't in it, and I left the industry as the dotcom boom was winding down.

Had I been younger and inclined to stay in the industry, I would have worked hard to become a LINUX expert.

Windows XP, SP2 crashes more and more on my home and work systems - and seems to get worse with each Microsoft security patch and update. I had a hard crash this morning and had to turn off the power to recover. My Microsoft paranoia tells me there is a new version or Windows coming, and that they will tell me that the only way to maintain security and regain system stability will be to upgrade to the "new Windows."

That is the point at which I will switch to Linux & Open Office - or perhaps Apple's Macintosh/Unix system.

(In reference to my earlier post, it's fun to tweak pro-unbridled-capitalism conservatives by agreeing with them about it's "wonderfulness", but then touting the negative aspects in a pseudo-positive style. If you don't "confront" them, but "agree" with them, and make the outcome look ridiculous, they often have a hard time dealing with you.)

Dave

Promoting altruism over personal greed!

[gnm]

Running all open source here thank you very much and I'm not looking back. Billy can kiss my ass....

-G

[Tyler_JC]

Wow, I really have turned into a complete Lacky...

It's not Bill Gates' fault! He no longer runs the company. Blame the new guy. Bill isn't even working anymore (not that he has to). He spends most of his time and money helping out children's charities across the world. The Gates Foundation is one of the leading charitable organizations in the country. To suggest that Bill Gates is somehow evil escapes my realm of understanding. I thought you altruists liked charity...

[shakespear1]

Sorry, but Bill is the HEAD. I am glad that he shares some of that money because he and his company tries as hard as possible to get it out of those people the last cent he can.

This is a bit similar to the problem with AIDS medicine for the poor nations. The people clearly do not have the money to pay the price demanded in the West and yet it was demanded by these companies.

The software business is the same. I understand, they want to make money but there are limits. Limits which obviously are not understood in the boardrooms of major multinational companies that are making fantastic profits through these same poor countries. That is the reality that I watched.

[EdF]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Dvanharn', 'C')onversely, that which is good for the people, if it reduces corporate profit or potential profit, if bad actually bad for society. Therefore, things such as freeware should be banned.