The Core Dump
It updates the blog, or it gets the hose again.
Geeks with torches and pitchforks
Fun article in the Gray Lady (free registration required) about how geeks are becoming increasingly frustrated with, ahem, naive users spreading viruses and trojans by their refusal to use the most basic forms of common sense in their computing, and then calling on their geek friends to help save them from the ensuing chaos.
This article really pushes a button for me. It used to be one thing when a person’s cluelessness would only hurt themselves, but now that we have teh intarweb, these peoples’ mistakes are everyone’s problem.
The fact that most people have absolutely no idea what they’re doing with their computers is one thing. There are people who will be happy to take their money in exchange for fixing whatever broke on their rigs.
But the fact that we’re all sharing a common through the Internet and being a cluebird means that you’re pissing in the commons, indicates that something has to be done. I wish I knew what, but it’s clear that something does have to be done. Education has failed miserably. Technological solutions like anti-virus software are making some dents, but still depend on people actually updating them. And some people simply will not, ever, learn.
From having spent my time in the trenches, both a system administrator (i.e., “digital janitor”) and tech support specialist (i.e., “punching bag for idiots”), the only thing I can say with any certainty is that there are people out there who should not be allowed to operate computers. Not under any circumstances.
The most common thing you hear, and it’s well echoed in the article, is that “computers are too hard to use.” And this is true. There is a definite learning curve to using a computer, not to mention fixing it. That’s the point here: people who are merrily clicking on attachments and responding to spams are failing at basic computer operation, not at fixing their computers. Certainly most people shouldn’t have to learn how to reinstall their OS or clean out their registry. Again, there are people who will be happy to take your money to perform that service for you if you don’t wish to learn how to do it yourself. But you can’t hire somebody to stand over your shoulder and say “Nononono! Don’t click on that.”
Computers are harder to use than they should be. But let’s face it, driving a car is also quite difficult at first, but people nevertheless learn to do it well enough to get a driver’s license. (Not that there aren’t people out there on the roads who should have that license taken from them.) The point of the analogy here is that you can learn, and at this point have to learn at least enough to use common sense.
Music: Stream from Secret Agent
Posted Thursday, 05 February, 2004 by Nic Lindh
For your enjoyment, the 10 latest posts
Book roundup, part eleven
Another book roundup, including some stellar athletes and soldiers, what might be the most jaded, soul-weary protagonist ever, and some grimdark fantasy.
Paywalls and tinfoil hats
The Internet is getting creepy, and Nic is breaking out his tinfoil hat after newspaper paywalls push him over the edge.
OK then, Mr. Gekko
Nic is tired of tech sites obsessing over Apple’s financials and business strategy. So very tired.
Read this book: Salt Sugar Fat
Nic reads a book about the processed food industry and is incensed.
The cargo cult of technology
Computers are complicated. This brings out the irrational in people.
Seen a Rechthaberei lately?
Nic proposes the loan word Rechthaberei be incorporated into American English.
Book roundup, part ten
The Core Dump is back! Books were read during the hiatus. Includes The Coldest Winter, Oh, Myyy!, Tough Sh*t, The Revolution Was Televised, The Rook, Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore, Gun Machine, Fortress Frontier, Standing in Another Man’s Grave, and The Memory of Light.
The Core Dump is hibernating
This site will return in February.
Book roundup, part nine
From a true patriot to a world-weary detective, a dead god, and a civilization about to sublime from the galaxy, this book roundup spans the gamut. Includes Where Men Win Glory, Wild, Inside the Box, The Black Box, Three Parts Dead, Red Country, and The Hydrogen Sonata.
Ode to joy
Springsteen gives a concert in Phoenix. It’s fantastic.
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