Yeah the tech is there - an ASIC designed for identifying and dropping suspect traffic (or already marked traffic) on carrier networks is the obvious part. Whats needed is a protocol that can be implemented at layer 3/4 to allow global distribution networks to notify each other and perform wire-speed inspections/drops. Heck, an existing protocol like QoS marking at layer 2 or 3 could be partially leveraged to avoid changes to (already) standardized headers but im sure im about to be told why thats impossible or unsuitable. Someone makes this stuff lavaboy is talking about (or companies like Prolexic just clean your crap for you in real time) but all charge through the roof for it and THATS why we dont have the solution. Freakin a.

Good question, in fact Im just glad I dont play utopia anymore and actually talk to the 100+ msn messenger users with whom I used to game daily or Id be whining about msn too. For fsx I am referring to a requirement which is no longer available to be completed online, and for newer operating systems (8x) the install dll which is used to generate telephone activation is not discoverable by the software. In order to use this app whilst buying their new OS, at hundreds of dollars in cost between the two, I must engage support. But both of these scenarios anger me. Sincerely. This isnt just about how MS decides to discontinue one product or doesnt keep other products compatible with all previously released counterparts (while using various maneuvers to compel us to continually upgrade those other products) its about this idea that the software license is not only so much less than any trace of ownership but that its very use can be restricted/disabled at any time. I would hope that whether I directly make a purchase or indirectly fund a franchise like msn by using a free product that there be some assurances that the software we use never be taken away from us. I thought Skype would bridge that gap - and now this? I get it that app services have a cost and such, but people build social lives, businesses, daily routines into messaging software; and as far as expensive games or other products - they have no labeling that states "this may not work very well in 5-10 years, beware" I certainly dont expect ownership when I make a software purchase or create an account but if something is going to be only available to me for a limited time I want to know up front. Sure nothing lasts forever but 5, 10, 15 years? Think about the other purchases we make. These time frames are just too short imo.

it only took 7 years before Flight Simulator couldnt be activated properly in newer versions of windows. Is it time for another discussion of what paying for software means to the development company vs. consumer? F%ckwads

terror is a tactic, not an ism dude. never judge a man till you walk a kilometer in his shoes.

except my sig, dont need the sig there lol

Edit: The first italicized paragraph should have this appended: In fact, some have wanted the game so much that they’ve been using VPNs or IP Proxies to access the game. It’s about to get a whole lot easier, however, as Square Enix has removed the IP block for the game.

eg. offline - no internet connection - then I wouldnt worry about not having an operating system/software firewall enabled on the 2 systems. Heck, even if you had a linksys giving them shared internet access it could even prevent the RPC worms and stuff from getting in. The day you start surfing on them or otherwise let the internet in then its horrible practice to go without a good edge firewall on that connection; but if the network is entirely offline I wouldnt worry about it. In the larger networks firewalls are independent devices; we no use software firewalls. Oh no..

Im a little disappointed in these comments! I dont see anyone complaining that a utility is even spending money on this sorta thing, much less a publicly owned utility....did I miss the part where we started enjoying abuses from the mono/duopolies to which we are all conscripted?? From the rich right down to the poorest or poor in our citizenry, we all pay for utilities, one way or another. It could even be argued that the brand of gravy fed the homeless is one slot cheaper because soup kitchens pay these bills too. Has the world gone mad?? Since when can a public resource use funds in this way? Where is the outrage? Where is the inquisition? I would even go so far as to say even were this service offered for free of charge to this utility that they are engaging in a cover-up! Fraud! Deceit! Pitchfork, anyone? Hello? Anyone?

Hats off to google - but not really. This is what they do. This is what I have come to expect from every other ISP until this nonsense with Netflix paying that ridiculous ransom. These big old companies have been laughing all the way to the bank having sold all these speed tiers and now that we are more fully utilizing the service - and at the expense of their other business divisions - its become a tool of extortion. Instead of optimizing their traffic flows (for the benefit of all) they are holding this simple engineering work as a hostage. Regional interconnects used to just do this with a service request.

I count a lot more just on these 2 screens

More tech predictions from MBAs. Why is /. repeating this crap?

whoa! the public pays tuition in Virginia! Im so there...