yagualterego - Slashdot User

Submission + - The Wikipedia and the End of Archaeology

Submitted by

Andy Updegrove

on Thursday November 02, 2006 @11:28AM

Andy Updegrove writes: "Far too much attention has been paid to whether or not the Wikipedia is accurate enough. The greater significance of the Wikipedia today, and even more for those in the future, is its reality as the most detailed, comprehensive, concise, culturally-sensitive record of how humanity understands itself at any precise moment in time. Moreover, with its multiple language versions, it also demonstrates how different cultures understand the same facts, historical events and trends at the same time. Today, archaeologists are doing digs to understand how people lived only 150 years ago, making guesses based on the random bits and pieces of peoples' lives that they find. In the future, that won't be necessary, as archaeologists are replaced by anthropologists that mine this treasure trove that are called Wikipediologists — but only if the Wikipedia of today is copied and preserved for that purpose. It's time that someone (Google?) commit to archive the entire Wikipedia on a regular basis, preserve it for posterity, and make each version available for study. For more, read The Wikipedia and the End of Archaeology."

Submission + - Pentagon Fears Combat Software Hacked

Submitted by PreacherTom on Thursday November 02, 2006 @11:17AM

PreacherTom writes: Pentagon officials report that "maliciously placed code" could compromise the security of the Defense Department and, ultimately, hurt its ability to fight wars. The culprits: offshore programmers. While the Pentagon has stepped up its vendor screening and software testing of late, it's becoming more difficult and costly to test every line of software code on increasingly sophisticated weapons systems. The task force assigned to this issue will be soon presenting its report, and most likely will determine that offshoring presents too great a risk.

IE7 Released As High-Priority Update 438

Posted by kdawson on Thursday November 02, 2006 @11:07AM from the meet-the-new-boss dept.

jimbojw writes, "Internet Explorer 7 was finally released this morning and is available via automatic update or download from Microsoft." And an anonymous reader notes stats on IE7 and FF2 downloads, adding: "Looks like FF2 is already outnumbering FF 1.5, while IE7 is having a hard time to find followers. Will today's release as a high-priority, force-fed update fix this issue?" The sans.org stats site will be updated throughout the day, so perhaps we'll get an indication.

Submission + - Surprises in Microsoft's Vista EULA

Submitted by androthi on Thursday November 02, 2006 @10:53AM

androthi writes: Scott Granneman takes a look at some surprises in Microsoft's Vista EULA that limit what security professionals and others can do with the new operating system.

You want to post benchmarking results? Well, Microsoft may now have a say in it.

Vista's EULA no longer shows up on Microsoft's software licensing page, but does still exist — also take note of Windows DRM deciding what you can and can not listen to, and Defender deciding and removing what it considers spyware automatically (by default).

Submission + - Forgent Settles JPEG Patent Cases

Submitted by

eldavojohn

on Thursday November 02, 2006 @10:46AM

eldavojohn writes: "As many of you know, the JPEG image compression is actually proprietary and has resulted in many lawsuits between its owner, Forgent Networks, and other companies that have used it. Yesterday Microsoft and about 60 other defendants settled with Forgent to the tune of $8 million. For a company with annual revenues of $15 million, that's nothing to sneeze at although it is a fraction of what they were initially asking for. You haven't heard the last of Forgent yet, as the article states, 'It is currently pursuing claims against cable companies over a patent that it says covers technology inside digital video recorders.' Sounds like that one could be worth a little bit of cash, wouldn't you think?"

Comment stay tuned, I'm waiting for my new mini (Score 5, Interesting) 629

by yagualterego on Saturday October 21, 2006 @01:58PM (#16529453) Attached to: Pros and Cons of Switching From Windows To Mac

First, it isn't 10 Pros, and 10 Cons, it's 10 Pros and Cons (which I guess is technically what the article "says").

I recently ordered and am expecting a Nov 29 ship date (why?) for a new Mac Mini, the very first Mac I'll have ever owned. I'd never hesitated in the past to recommend to friends and family an Apple over a Windows box, and those who chose Mac virtually never came back with support issues.

As the blogger states, he's never looked back - my reasons for getting a Mac are more for being able to test my software on all platforms. I will review my experiences in my journal when the box gets here and I've burned it in for a few laps. I'm looking forward to it.

For the record, though the author loves his machine, I'd guess anyone considering today a Mac should look at a heftier configuration. (I'm getting the dual-core, super drive, 2G memory, 160G drive configuration.) I guessing I'll be happy with this box.

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