Hasn't hit bottom yet, I guess

[elfs]

John C. Dvorak (yes, him), writes:

I use a utility called Prevx [link: www.prevx.com], a host-intrusion protection system, as well as one or two other antispyware packages to keep the stuff at bay. And it still sneaks in once in a while. Most recently, I forgot to turn off my CUTEftp client and left it running all night. In the morning some system had loaded some weird software called "active skin," and I had to use SpySubtract to remove 26 Registry entries. Exactly how anything manages to worm in through the open port and place items in the Registry is beyond me, but it happens all the time.

Emphasis mine.

Great Caesar's ghost, John, when are you gonna finally buy a Mac?

Comments

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

I am so tempted to send him an Ubuntu CD and label it, "The solution to all your woes".... but like most bigots he won't change with logic. I don't know what's got him addicted to VirusOS (money?) but he won't give it up.

Maybe I should start hacking on that virus that, when it activates, downloads Linux and leaves the console at a KDM login prompt with appropriate documentary wallpaper...

"Dear user: You left your Windows machine vulnerable one too many times. Now you're running Linux. Your old files are accessible on (....) and if you just HAVE to go back you can do so this way (...) but please. This is only going to happen again and again until you take control of your machine for real instead of allowing megacorps and skript kiddies free run of it."

[fallenpegasus]

There was a SFnal short story, a future prediction sort of thing, linked off BoingBoing I think, were someone had written exactly that sort of thing. In the story, Microsoft used it as leverage to call for banning Linux, and for requiring DRM such that a PC could never be loaded with any OS other than the one it was keyed for.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[mouser.livejournal.com]

Great Caesar's ghost, John, when are you gonna finally buy a Mac?

Uhh.....

You are being sarcastic, right?

[elfs.livejournal.com]

Well, no. I mean, I don't understand why someone who has that much need for advanced connectivity who leaves himself so open to outside invasion. It's a bit like being a celebrity and employinging the Keystone Kops to keep the paparrazi at bay.

I can only conclude that Dvorak is a victim of Stockholm Syndrome. He has been rooting for Microsoft so long that, while he feels safe finding fault with their actions he can't tear himself away from them no matter how vulnerable doing so leaves him.

[mouser.livejournal.com]

Ummm...

He used to write for MacUser. Don't remember the reason he stopped, but I -think- it was some high level of fustration at them for general business strategy (or lack there-of) where NO ONE could contribute if it wasn't Apple brand.

I thought you knew when you suggested he get a Mac.

[mouser.livejournal.com]

Research on the reason yeilds no results - it might have been anything from the magazine going out of business to just moving on....

This has nothing to do with this post...HOWEVER

[beketaten.livejournal.com]

When I was like between the ages of 11-12, I was going through a very specific obsession with Akehnaten....Sexually and "spiritually" (yep...I've never been particularly average)...
But to make this long tale quite short, I happened upon your rather old story "Akhenaten And Aye" and became obsessed with IT. I would actually masturbate to it quite frequently, and it seemed as though almost twice a week I would crouch on the floor, in the dark, reading it, and experience an orgasm each time I became so engaged.
I figured, (though this is rather awkward/odd) that this would be an interesting manner in which to acknowledge this to you.
So..."Thanks" I [haha...hehe]!

(I still have a dingy printed copy of it in my folder I'd put potentially "hazardous" items)

Re: This has nothing to do with this post...HOWEVER

[elfs.livejournal.com]

Wow, uh... *Gryn* Cool. I'm glad someone actually goes back and re-reads some of the old stuff. And I'm glad my writing has made someone happy!