You don't need to be a Russian spy to get irradiated

Hi,

Well in this case, the project failed because of the "human factor". The people doing the transition didn't ask for help, whether it was paid support/consultation OR doing a search on Google or asking for advice in forums/mailinglists. (as Linux was a new platform to them).

They ended up doing really stupid things...Like spending stupid amounts of taxpayers money on 200 boxes! (I suggest the locals complain about the issue of wasted taxpayers money. Maybe an inquest?)

HOWEVER, *raises finger*, it is well-known that companies use Linux or some other platform to "blackmail" Microsoft into dropping their "taxes". I believe they call this "doing a Newham" in the United Kingdom.

Here in Australia, the big telecommunications provider, Telstra, did this. They delibrately announced that they were trialing Sun's Java Desktop in place of Windows boxes. (So its to also affect the public image of MS).

No doubt if you've ever experienced a visit from a Microsoft sales rep, and they find out you're not using their solutions, they will FUD your existing solution (its not secure, etc) and conduct massive discounts of their own.

If the situation becomes of desperation, they will literally give their solutions out for free!

The most interesting part of MS's obvious tactic of "discounts to win the customer over", is in Unversities and schools.

I've talked to a number of admins from local and overseas, and it seems to confirm that Microsoft does this delibrately in an effort to "infect" and "addict" their solutions onto the young.

This way they will be forever depended on them. ie: Unlimited source of future income.

Again, they offer extremely favourable discounts such that there is no reason to even think about alternatives like Linux. Because the price is so low, that they are literally given away for Free! It also doesn't help when there's an MCSE on the board. :-(

This is what I call MS's "Get them while their young" tactic.

Maybe everyone should use this tactic to "blackmail" Microsoft into removing "Activation" and "Genuine Advantage" programs. LOL!

Regards
Stmok

Subject: Linux movement destroys Ballmer's dream

While your article is correct in saying that GPLv3 will not affect the Linux kernel since it is explicitly listed as being under the GPLv2 and will not change to GPLv3, you are ignoring the fact that the kernel is but a small part of a full Linux distribution such as Novell's SuSE.

There is a great deal of software included in a Linux distribution that will be licensed under GPLv3 when it is finalized. Important pieces that are maintained by the FSF, such as the compiler, the shell and most of the standard Unix tools. In addition it is likely that some other pieces not controlled by the FSF will also adopt the GPLv3 for their future versions.

In effect, unless SuSE wanted to permanently maintain ever more obsolete versions of this software to avoid the GPLv3 license placed on the newer versions, or fork/replace them, future versions of SuSE will have to have large parts licensed under GPLv3. Thus MS would be forced to cancel their indemnification program if they wish to avoid indemnifying all users of GPLv3 licensed software.

Microsoft's lawyers may have carefully scrutinized the GPLv2, but it is possible they did not consider the current drafts of the GPLv3, or that it could be modified before it is finalized in response to Microsoft's deal with Novell. They may end up having paid Novell a good sum of money and getting very little in return before they feel they are forced to pull out of the deal.

Novell may have accidentally done the Linux and free software community a service after all by helping further strengthen the GPLv3. But I still will never consider SuSE Linux for any project ever again. What is it about Linux companies located in Utah that causes them to go bad and deal with the devil in Redmond? First SCO, now Novell!

Doug

Subject: Health Effects of WiFi and other Microwave RF Sources

While this subject might merely be amusing to some, microwaves do not affect tissue by mere EM electromagnetic effects as from say 50-60Hz powerlines.

The mechanisms of physiological and DNA / possible cancer effects from Ghz Microwave frequency RF, are vastly different compared to 60Hz powerline radiation, due to the fundamental difference in depth of power absorption with the GhZ - gigahertz frequencies of the following MICROWAVE RF sources -

1] CELL PHONES (with service dependent duty cycles - with PCS the safest due to lowest RF duty cycles, analog services the worst and typical current digital non-PCS services still nearly as dangerous as analog cell service ).

The anecdotal evidence is that primary routes of cancer from cell phone Microwave RF emission is in the ear, where tumors are barely noticeable, and thereafter formation of severe and deadly brain tumors in susceptible cases.

The fragile thin structures of the ear are most easily damaged by Microwaves exposure from cell phones, and if the shape of the ear canal is just "right" in an individual, the likelihood that one contracts cancer from extended cell use without a headset is not negligible over time.

The first point for safety is use a headset, as this dramatically reduces one's risk for deadly brain tumors.

The second point is do not leave the cell on when placed in direct contact to the body (ie in a holster) as while the risk is lower than for ear/brain cancers, it is still not odds in favor of your long term health for day in day out wearing the idle powered on cell next to your body.

And in the case of men, don't use a headset and place the damm cell in your crotch as yes the second area sensitive for Microwave induced cancers are one's "jewels".

For those who laugh at this, it is fairly well known that MICROWAVE TELECOM tower technicians - those who maintained the telephone microwave transmitter towers (long before cell phones) had unusual incidences of testicular cancer. FACT.

Microwave interaction as grossly oversimplified by some stupid idiots, is not garden variety low frequency EM electromagnetic effects, as from say powerline 50-60HZ, not in the least.

A physical property of a given electromagnetic radiation is depth of penetration or skin depth, where for higher frequencies the power is adsorbed at progressively shallower depths at higher frequencies, increasing the peak power density locally.

MICROWAVES are well known to not be ionizing radiation (the purported argument of the wild eyed idiots who claim Microwaves/Cell/WiFi is [falsely] safe)

BUT the goofballs (idiots) fail to realize that it is well known that MICROWAVES can trivially cause DNA damage by denaturing (damaging the structure of) DNA without IONIZING Radiation. (touche to you right wing nut jobs!)

Ionizing radiation directly breaks DNA where a high energy atomic / subatomic particle crashes through the DNA and cutting it from the emitted particle of nuclear radioactive sources ( this is NOT Radio Frequency ElectroMagnetic Radiation).

By contrast, NON-Ionizing MICROWAVE ElectroMagnetic radiation merely cooks the DNA selectively faster than temperature alone in the surrounding tissue exposed might otherwise - because the DNA is more susceptible to damage from MICROWAVE EXPOSURE than the rest of the cellular matter. Yes DNA is Fragile !!! (takes a pea brain to figure that one out)

So all those STUPID banal idiotic right wing finger pointers are wrong - MICROWAVES ARE DANGEROUS, and very much so.

At least if you want to live a long time cancer free.

Maybe they don't, but hey that is their stupidity.

2] WiFi - where the largest safety increase comes from, is staying further away from WiFi and cell handset antennas. IE Laptops (or some rare desktop) internal WiFi tends to place one close to the antenna and can pose considerable health risks from long term exposure, although not as bad a cell cell phone to one's ear.

For laptop use, I use a USB pen type WiFi link from Airlink101 ($10 at Frys electronics in California) or any other brand, which I attach to a 6+ foot longish USB cable to my laptop, and turn off my laptop's INTERNAL WiFi.

This lets me place the actual WiFi transmitter a good 3-6ft away from me, and makes it comfortable & safer for long term use.

When I used a PCMCIA laptop slot WiFi adapter I got noticeably flushed / red faced from excessive WiFi microwave power density very close to me from the PCMCIA WiFi adapter.

The USB WiFi cable trick fixed that quickly and cheaply. But best for safety is to use WIRED ethernet by far and turn off any WiFi.

And yes continual exposure to WiFi Microwaves can, as Kate Figes suffers, affect ones behavior from physiological effects of continuous exposure to MICROWAVES, without crossing the threshold to cancer necessarily.

As to those who say that AC powerline 50-60hz is evidence that microwaves could not cause problems, they are idiots for ignoring the differences between the frequencies and peak adsorbed power densities and specifically frequency dependent effects on body chemistry and DNA.

It takes a pea brain to figure out that there are orders of magnitiude differences between 60hz, and 1,000,000,000 hz ( Ac powerline and Microwaves - Cell, Oven and WiFi ), and those who study tissue effects know this well.

But even approx 60Hz when pulse shaped optimally with patient coils, has demonstrated significant increases in BONE healing when done optimally by orthopedic researchers trying to speed the rate of bone fracture healing (although not commonly done this is proven to work with the correct pulses and apparatus) So EM radiation of all kinds can materially affect tissue under specific conditions.

But right wing NeoCon nutjobs, well they are mentally challenged and surely don't read academic research literature, since that is merely a vast liberal conspiracy - academic research that is. ???

While some folks are disparaging of the possibility of risks from WiFi, I'd recommend to those folks to stick their heads into an operating Microwave Oven, or put their WiFi access point in their home under their pillow while they sleep every nite.

Either of these suggestions will help improve the CULL of stupid pompous idiots in the world, who don't read academic research into the physiological effects of Microwaves, before opening their loud, know it all mouths.

3] MICROWAVE Ovens are dangerous if they leak, and I'd bet NO ONE tests their ovens for MICROWAVE RF leakage regularly.

Some microwave ovens are considerably worse than others, and there is no way to tell unless one tests using proper technician equipment.

The power from a Microwave oven is considerably higher but the leakage tends to be directional ( angle specific ) typically from the door seals but no telling on a specific machine if there are other emission points. Simply put do not stand next to your microwave oven when cooking NEVER. Move away.

And yes the mode of exposure from ovens is not as specific as from cell phone use, so if one contracts a tumor from this, the point of entry is not as predictable as from cell phone use.

Or better yet USE a regular oven / stove. Far far safer.

As to loud mouth know it alls who purport something safe (with respect to cancer or behaviour / physiology risks) before it is tested, or properly known, well I would not trust them with anything, especially the health and safety of my family.

Yours Truly,
anonymous

Subject: Loads of Cobblers

Re: British users squirrel £16 billion of content.

I am Deaf and don't store any music tracks so ask them to recaluclate the finding!

With regards, Marcus.