Comment Re:Borg (Score 1) 150
I know that your post was a joke, but they already DO offer free beer and food. Everyone seems to get back to work quite easily. Is the porn a work stoppage requirement?
Is Wikipedia Failing? 478
An anonymous reader writes "A growing number of people are concerned about where Wikipedia is heading. Some have left Wikipedia for Citizendium, while others are trying to change the culture of Wikipedia from within. A recent essay called Wikipedia is failing points out many of the problems which must be solved with Wikipedia for it to succeed in its aim of becoming a reputable, reliable reference work. How would you go about solving these problems?"
Nine Reasons To Skip Firefox 2.0 606
grandgator writes, "Hyped by a good deal of fanfare, outfitted with some new features, and now available for download, Firefox 2.0 has already passed 2 million downloads in less than 24 hours. However, a growing number of users are reporting bugs, widening memory leaks, unexpected instability, poor compatibility, and an overall experience that is inferior to that offered by prior versions of the browser. Expanding on these ideas, this list compiles nine reasons why it might be a good idea to stick with 1.5 until the debut of 3.0, skipping the "poorly badged" 2.0 release completely." OK, maybe it's 10 reasons. An anonymous reader writes, "SecurityFocus reports an unpatched highly critical vulnerability in Firefox 2.0. This defect has been known since June 2006 but no patch has yet been made available. The developers claimed to have fixed the problem in 1.5.0.5 according to Secunia, but the problem still exists in 2.0 according to SecurityFocus (and I have witnessed the crash personally). If security is the main reason users should switch to Firefox, how do we explain known vulnerabilities remaining unpatched across major releases?"
Update: 10/30 12:57 GMT by KD : Jesse Ruderman wrote in with this correction. "The article claims that Firefox 2 shipped with a known security hole This is incorrect; the hole is fixed in both Firefox 1.5.0.7 and Firefox 2. The source of the confusion is that the original version of this report demonstrated two crash bugs, one of which was a security hole and the other of which was just a too-much-recursion crash. The security hole has been fixed but we're still trying to figure out the best way to fix the too-much-recursion crash. The report has been updated to clear up the confusion."
Update: 10/30 12:57 GMT by KD : Jesse Ruderman wrote in with this correction. "The article claims that Firefox 2 shipped with a known security hole This is incorrect; the hole is fixed in both Firefox 1.5.0.7 and Firefox 2. The source of the confusion is that the original version of this report demonstrated two crash bugs, one of which was a security hole and the other of which was just a too-much-recursion crash. The security hole has been fixed but we're still trying to figure out the best way to fix the too-much-recursion crash. The report has been updated to clear up the confusion."
Big Challenges for Vista Bug Hunters 213
The New York Times is reporting on the final rush to bug fix Windows Vista. Even with massive numbers of testers and five years of work behind them, the folks in Redmond are pushing it to the wire in order to make sure it releases soon. From the article: "Vista has also been tested extensively. More than half a million computer users have installed Vista test software, and 450,000 of the systems have sent crash data back to Microsoft. Such data supplements the company's own testing in a center for Office referred to as the Big Button Room, for the array of switches, lights and other apparatus that fill the space. (A similar Vista room has a less interesting name -- Windows Test Technologies.) This is where special software automatically exercises programs rapidly while looking for errors."
The Day Against DRM 320
Qubit writes, "DefectiveByDesign.org, a campaign by the Free Software Foundation, is making Oct 3rd a Day Against DRM: 'Defeating DRM is all about awareness. The direct actions that we have taken are all about this. Today we are asking you to let the people around you know that DRM is bad for our society. Let's create space for the debate. Do we want handcuffs and locks on art and knowledge? As our friends at Disney recognize, if there is this debate, we will have won.'" Bayboy adds an article from eWeek mentioning that members of DefectiveByDesign.org are going to descend on flagship Apple stores in New York and London to protest the company's embrace of DRM. And Another AC writes, "In honor of the Day Against DRM, DreamHost has released a new service called Files Forever (for Dreamhost customers only during beta) This seems to be basically an iTunes Music Store that anybody can sell any sort of files through... as long as they have no DRM. Dreamhost handles all the payment processing and stores the file forever, offering unlimited re-downloads to end users who buy files through the service. When somebody buys a file they're even allowed to 'loan' it to others for free!"
Spaceballs Animated Series in Production 176
Keith Russell writes "CNN is reporting that production has started on Spaceballs: The Animated Series, which will start a 13-episode run on G4 next year. Brooks himself will provide the voices of 'two characters', although they don't mention Yogurt or President Skroob by name." From the article: "Like the 1987 movie, which parodied well-known science-fiction movies, 'Spaceballs: The Animated Series' will spoof current blockbusters as well as every genre of entertainment from movies and reality TV to culture and politics. It is set to debut on cable network G4 in fall 2007. Production has already started on an initial batch of 13 episodes."
Outré USB Gadgets 102
PreacherTom writes, "We've all connected a myriad of useful things to USB ports: flash drives, printers, webcams. How about a vacuum cleaner? Pair of heated gloves? Anti-cubicle missile system? Joseph Pisani offers a listing of some of the most creative USB-controlled gadgets available, and includes a slide show of the most popular."
RIAA Wants to Depose Dead Defendant's Children 560
Exchange writes "In Michigan, in Warner Bros. v. Scantlebury, after learning that the defendant had passed away, the RIAA made a motion to stay the case for 60 days in order to allow the family time to "grieve", after which time they want to start taking depositions of the late Mr. Scantlebury's children. Recording Industry vs The People have more details"
Scientists Measure Gravity Change From Earthquake 99
Science Daily is reporting that scientists were able to use satellite data to watch changes in the Earth's surface caused by a massive earthquake. These changes had two major measurable effects on the region. The massive uplift in the seafloor changed GPS measurements, and the density of the rock beneath the seafloor changed which produced a detectable change in gravity.
Google Bundles Toolbar With Adobe Apps 157
grammar fascist writes "Sci-Tech Today reports that Google is paying a 'significant amount' to bundle Google Toolbar with certain Adobe downloads. From the article: 'The initial venue for the Google mini-app will be downloads of the popular and free Shockwave multimedia player. The move is seen by some observers as an effort to outflank Microsoft, especially as Internet Explorer 7 nears its formal launch this summer [...] Interestingly, Google's search toolbar will be available only when Shockwave is downloaded for use with Internet Explorer on Windows.'"
Will Sun Open Source Java? 700
capt turnpike writes "According to eWEEK.com, there's an internal debate going on at Sun whether to open-source Java. (Insert typical response: "It's about time!") Company spokespersons have no official comment, as might be expected, but perhaps we could hear confirmation or denial as early as May 16, at the JavaOne conference. One commentator said, "Sun should endorse PHP and go one step forward and make sure the 'P' languages run great on the JVM [Java virtual machine] by open-sourcing Java." Would this move Java up the desirability scale in your eyes? Could this be a way to help improve what's lacking in Java?"
Comment Here's some advice... (Score 2, Informative) 628
First of all, this may not be the best forum in the world to ask such a question (just read some of the other lame "funny" replies) but since you asked, I'm assuming you're looking for an answer from someone who actually works with this things on a daily basis and will be able to provide some insight.
The hardware on the computer does have to meet certain requirements but they're not really "set in stone". At my work, we typically use off-the-shelf Dell computers and then do some modifications to support removable hard drives on the systems. Additionally, you'll probably need to lock down all writeable removable media drives (think floppy and zip drive locks) as well as disabling USB and any built-in network interfaces, at least in the BIOS but possibly also with some stickers or physical locking devices. You'll have to work with your DIS person who approves the final system configuration to really hammer out the details and get it set the way he/she wants it to be set.
That being said, the only service I've seen Dell offer is their "Custom Factory Integration" program where they will install the removable hard drive chassis for you. Depending on the number of systems you need to support, it may be cheaper to have them do it at the factory than to do it yourself. One issue I had which caused us to do the removable drive install ourselves was the fact that we have multiple drives per system and needed extra drive trays but couldn't get information from Dell regarding the actual manufacturer of the trays nor pricing on additional units. It was just less hassle for us to purchase the removable kits ourselves.
As far as software, I believe another poster already mentioned some of the basic configuration requirements. Yes, you'll need to make sure you're pretty good on locking down Windows (I'm assuming your running Windows since you mentioned SolidWorks - BTW, SW2006 sucks configuring it to run with a non-admin user account). Auditing on certain directories is most likely going to be a requirement as well as a documented review and archive process for the system event logs. Backups are another process that will need to be done on a regular basis. Be prepared for this to eat into alot of your time since all these tasks pretty much have to be done manually since you can't have network connectivity.
If you've got any more questions, feel free to drop me an e-mail and I'll try to help you work through any issues. And don't mind any of the other sarcastic bastards posting here... I've seen the level of documentation the government gives for setting up secure systems and most of it is pretty f'ing obtuse. Best to get advice from someone who's done it before (and obviously double-check with your FSO and DIS officer).
Best of luck...
The hardware on the computer does have to meet certain requirements but they're not really "set in stone". At my work, we typically use off-the-shelf Dell computers and then do some modifications to support removable hard drives on the systems. Additionally, you'll probably need to lock down all writeable removable media drives (think floppy and zip drive locks) as well as disabling USB and any built-in network interfaces, at least in the BIOS but possibly also with some stickers or physical locking devices. You'll have to work with your DIS person who approves the final system configuration to really hammer out the details and get it set the way he/she wants it to be set.
That being said, the only service I've seen Dell offer is their "Custom Factory Integration" program where they will install the removable hard drive chassis for you. Depending on the number of systems you need to support, it may be cheaper to have them do it at the factory than to do it yourself. One issue I had which caused us to do the removable drive install ourselves was the fact that we have multiple drives per system and needed extra drive trays but couldn't get information from Dell regarding the actual manufacturer of the trays nor pricing on additional units. It was just less hassle for us to purchase the removable kits ourselves.
As far as software, I believe another poster already mentioned some of the basic configuration requirements. Yes, you'll need to make sure you're pretty good on locking down Windows (I'm assuming your running Windows since you mentioned SolidWorks - BTW, SW2006 sucks configuring it to run with a non-admin user account). Auditing on certain directories is most likely going to be a requirement as well as a documented review and archive process for the system event logs. Backups are another process that will need to be done on a regular basis. Be prepared for this to eat into alot of your time since all these tasks pretty much have to be done manually since you can't have network connectivity.
If you've got any more questions, feel free to drop me an e-mail and I'll try to help you work through any issues. And don't mind any of the other sarcastic bastards posting here... I've seen the level of documentation the government gives for setting up secure systems and most of it is pretty f'ing obtuse. Best to get advice from someone who's done it before (and obviously double-check with your FSO and DIS officer).
Best of luck...
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