Comment with my compliments (Score 1) 131
>compliment IT's role in the enterprise
IT's role in the enterprise is very important. Can I be an Enterprise Architect now?
Comment Re:FFS (Score 1) 412
If you can have it both ways, then why are certain people offended at its use, while simultaneously using it themselves? I think that is a tad hypocritical.
That's easy.
If you say, "I am an idiot!", it's self-criticism and not offensive.
If I say, "Yes, you are an idiot", then you will probably be offended.
Hence, using words offensive to the group you belong to or criticizing a group you belong to is different that using the same words regarding a group you are not a member of.
Submission + - As Big As Net Neutrality? FCC Kills State-Imposed Internet Monopolies (fastcompany.com)
tedlistens writes: On Thursday, before it voted in favor of "net neutrality," the Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 to override state laws in Tennessee and North Carolina that have barred local governments and public utilities from offering broadband outside the areas where they have traditionally sold electricity. Christopher Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance said the move was as important for internet competition as net neutrality: "Preventing big Internet Service Providers from unfairly discriminating against content online is a victory, but allowing communities to be the owners and stewards of their own broadband networks is a watershed moment that will serve as a check against the worst abuses of the cable monopoly for decades to come." The laws, like those in over a dozen other states, are often created under pressure from large private Internet providers like Comcast and Verizon, who consequently control monopolies or duopolies over high-speed internet in these places.
Submission + - Ask SD: How do you handle the discovery of a web site disclosing private data?
An anonymous reader writes: I recently discovered that a partner web site of a financial institution I do business with makes it trivially easy to view documents that do not belong to me. As in, change the document ID in a URL and view someone else's financial documents. This requires no authentication, only a document URL. (Think along the lines of an online rebate center where you upload documents including credit card statements.) I immediately called customer service and spoke with a perplexed agent who unsurprisingly didn't know what to do with my call. I asked to speak with a supervisor who took good notes and promised a follow-up internally. I asked for a return call but have not yet heard back. In the meantime, I still have private financial information I consider to be publicly available. I'm trying to be responsible and patient in my handling of this, but I am second guessing how to move forward if not quickly resolved. So, Slashdot, how would you handle this situation?
Submission + - Comcast and Time Warner - Match Made in Heaven
whitesea writes: I must admit that I protested the merger and even submitted a comment to FCC that they needed to protect Time Warner customers from Comcast. I have now discovered that I was wrong, and this is indeed a perfect match. Remember all these articles that told us about Comcast employees changing names of complaining customers to something obscene? Here is a proof that Time Warner employees have already been trained in such customer service niceties.
Comment Ask the authority (Score 2) 260
I don't understand what all the brouhaha is about. The best authority in this case are your children. If there is a way to lock someone out of Internet access they will stumble on it or figure it out. Ask for their help. You may lose your internet access, but at least your children will be safe.
Comment Re:Need doublethink training (Score 1) 376
I am not talking about artificial colors. I am talking about different ways to look at things that are underrepresented in a particular culture.
If half of your customers are women you may want enough women in your culture to make your product attractive to women. If you have other segments of your customers that are underrepresented among your developers, you may want to encourage that group to get into programming.
Of course, a free course is not supposed to be their whole education and training. It is supposed to be their welcome mat, their foot in the door. A lot of people need encouragement to get going. This course is such an encouragement.
Comment Re:Need doublethink training (Score 2) 376
It looks like you are looking at it from the political viewpoint instead of the practical one.
Google discovered that they already have plenty of white males working for them. They want more diversity and this course is their way to increase the pool of available talent.
Diversity (variety of backgrounds, experiences and viewpoints) is good for business. Google has many programs to solve different problems. This program is to resolve a problem of too homogeneous workforce. Don't read too much into it.
If I want a vegetable soup and I already have plenty of potatoes at home, I buy what I am lacking. Will you criticize me for discrimination against potatoes? I posit that all the indignation about this particular program omitting white males is as silly as criticizing me for omitting potatoes from my shopping list.
I also agree with other posters that attacking and denigrating any group will drive some of its members away, even if they are otherwise interested, talented, and competent.
Submission + - Roku Finally Adds YouTube to its Iconic Media Player (linuxgizmos.com)
__aajbyc7391 writes: Roku's popular Linux-based media players have long been criticized for their glaring omission of YouTube video support. As of Dec. 17, that is no longer the case, provided you have the high-end Roku 3 player and live in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, or the U.K. Google's YouTube channel is available immediately for the Roku 3 in resolutions up to 1080p, and will be supported on additional models (though probably just Roku 2) next year, according the company. Previously, the only way to run YouTube over a Roku box was to use the third-party, subscription based PlayOn service, which requires a connected PC or Mac running the PlayOn app. The YouTube update also adds a Send to TV feature, letting you send videos to the Roku for display on the TV with a single click.
Submission + - Your LinkedIn Password Is On Display in a Museum in Germany (vice.com)
Daniel_Stuckey writes: Earlier this year, it was London. Most recently, it was a university in Germany. Wherever it is, Bartholl is opening up his eight white, plainly printed binders full of the 4.7 million user passwords that were pilfered from the social network and made public by a hacker last year. He brings the books to his exhibits, called 'Forgot Your Password', where you're free to see if he's got your data—and whether anyone else who wanders through is entirely capable of logging onto your account and making Connections with unsavory people. In fact, Bartholl insists:
"These eight volumes contain 4.7 million LinkedIn clear text user passwords printed in alphabetical order," the description of his project reads. "Visitors are invited to look up their own password."
"These eight volumes contain 4.7 million LinkedIn clear text user passwords printed in alphabetical order," the description of his project reads. "Visitors are invited to look up their own password."
Submission + - Google Makes it Harder for Marketers to Collect User Data
cagraham writes: In a seemingly minor update, Google announced that all Gmail images will now be cached on their own servers, before being displayed to users. This means that users won't have to click to download images in every email now — they'll just automatically be shown. For marketers, however, the change has serious implications. Because each user won't download the images from a third-party server, marketers won't be able to see open-rates, log IP addresses, or gather information on user location and browser type. Google says the changes are intended to enhance user privacy and security.
Submission + - Philadelphia Voters Elect First Whig To Public Office In 160 Years (myfoxny.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Fox News reports, "Voters in Philadelphia have elected a Whig to public office for what the victor believes may be the first time in nearly 160 years. Robert "Heshy" Bucholz, a member of the Modern Whig party, campaigned door-to-door and won 36 votes to his Democratic opponent's 24 on Tuesday to become an election judge in the city's Rhawnhurst section. Election judges, who serve four-year terms, receive about $100 annually and are responsible for overseeing equipment and procedures at the polls. Now a heavily Democratic city, Philadelphia's last Whig mayor was elected in 1854. It's hard to verify whether Whigs won any lower offices after that, said Stephanie Singer, one of three commissioners overseeing local elections. Previously an independent, Bucholz said he joined the Whigs three years ago because of their fiscally conservative but socially liberal views. They represent a sensible "middle path" between Democrats and Republicans, especially in light of the recent government shutdown, he said. "That pretty much told us we can't trust either party and the system is broken," Bucholz said Thursday. Four U.S. presidents were Whigs in the mid-1800s."
Submission + - Edward Snowden Speaks to Peter Maass .. (nytimes.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Peter Maass: Why did you seek out Laura and Glenn, rather than journalists from major American news outlets (N.Y.T., W.P., W.S.J. etc.)? In particular, why Laura, a documentary filmmaker?
Edward Snowden: After 9/11, many of the most important news outlets in America abdicated their role as a check to power — the journalistic responsibility to challenge the excesses of government — for fear of being seen as unpatriotic and punished in the market during a period of heightened nationalism. From a business perspective, this was the obvious strategy, but what benefited the institutions ended up costing the public dearly. The major outlets are still only beginning to recover from this cold period ..
Edward Snowden: After 9/11, many of the most important news outlets in America abdicated their role as a check to power — the journalistic responsibility to challenge the excesses of government — for fear of being seen as unpatriotic and punished in the market during a period of heightened nationalism. From a business perspective, this was the obvious strategy, but what benefited the institutions ended up costing the public dearly. The major outlets are still only beginning to recover from this cold period
Submission + - Helping Snowden Spill His Secrets (nytimes.com)
mspohr writes: Great article in the NYTimes Magazine section by Peter Maass. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/magazine/laura-poitras-snowden.html
It goes into a lot of detail on how Snowden first attempted to contact Glenn Greenwald (who couldn't use secure communication at first) and then contacted Laura Poitras who was making a documentary about security. Lots of detail about their getting together, vetting each other, and personal threats to Greenwald and Poitras (as well as Snowden) as well as a good timeline of how events unfolded.
After reading this article I am more concerned than ever about the extent of US surveillance and the extent to which the USG will go to suppress information and intimidate whistle-blowers. Good to see that the NYTimes finally publish some real journalism on this subject.
Also... accompanying transcript of "Q&A — Edward Snowden" http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/magazine/snowden-maass-transcript.html
It goes into a lot of detail on how Snowden first attempted to contact Glenn Greenwald (who couldn't use secure communication at first) and then contacted Laura Poitras who was making a documentary about security. Lots of detail about their getting together, vetting each other, and personal threats to Greenwald and Poitras (as well as Snowden) as well as a good timeline of how events unfolded.
After reading this article I am more concerned than ever about the extent of US surveillance and the extent to which the USG will go to suppress information and intimidate whistle-blowers. Good to see that the NYTimes finally publish some real journalism on this subject.
Also... accompanying transcript of "Q&A — Edward Snowden" http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/magazine/snowden-maass-transcript.html
Submission + - Credit Card Swipe Fees Begin Sunday in USA
An anonymous reader writes: A speedbump on the road to a cash-free economy will go into effect Sunday in the USA, as retailers in 40 states will have the option of passing along a surcharge to customers who pay with credit cards. The so-called swipe fees arose from the settlement of a seven-year lawsuit filed by retailers against Visa, Mastercard, and big banks, who collect an electronic processing fee averaging 1.5 to 3 percent on transactions involving credit cards. The banks naturally have opposed the consumer surcharges, preferring that the extra costs to be passed along in the form of higher prices. Consumers in ten states (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, Texas) won't be affected, since laws in those states forbid the practice (it seems that gasoline station owners here in Massachusetts got a different memo, though). Also, the surcharges won't be collected for debit or prepaid cards.
