Posts by BenWilson

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  • Hard News: Brown bigots etc.,

    Peter, some good points but...

    "Considering the user base and the breadth of applications it is superb, especially over the last 4-5 years since Windows Software Update Services (WSUS) was implemented."

    I deliberately switched off automatic updating because I can't take the downtime it caused. I'd rather pick when Microsoft can destabilize my system and screw all my non-Microsoft software up. I'd do without it altogether except that they always claim there's a critical security hole to be fixed, and I'd like some comeback if I ever get exploited through one (cripes that sounds rude).

    Excel. Yes there is a massive conversion nightmare there. Especially custom made applications in VBA. Microsoft have cunningly locked a lot of corporations in there. But we are talking about schools.

    Linux desktop? Even I don't, and I'm *supposed* to. Linux server? Best choice by far. Not all open source and/or freeware is for Linux, either.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Brown bigots etc.,

    Danyl, I kind of agree. I compile my software for Linux, and many customers use that as well as our more popular Netware version, but I have to say I'd rather use Windows than SUSE for personal productivity. Server stuff, sure.

    Hence my point that it's a massive task. But if you're going to blow all that cash just on Microsoft licenses, it's probably a task that could be afforded.

    A midway point surely could be using OpenOffice and Firefox for Windows in schools. It's not that much of a culture shock. Windows as a workstation OS is still a good call for the meantime. Or Macs. They're cuter.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Brown bigots etc.,

    Graeme, perhaps a sample to make your point? From verse 2 (my emphasis):

    "Men of *every creed* and race
    Gather here before thy face,
    Asking thee to bless this place,
    God defend our free land"

    Verse 5 says "make us faithful unto thee", and " Preaching love and truth to man, Working out thy glorious plan." which sounds a bit Christian, but there's nothing explicit about it. Nor are any of the latter verses well known. Most religions that have large followings preach love and claim to preach truth, and most deities, and many non-deities, have glorious plans.

    I think it's left vague specifically to be open and inclusive of other religions and possibly even non-believers (so long as they are loving and truthful, and have a plan).

    It's only a side point what our song says anyway. I occasionally hum along to Ravi Shankar but that doesn't make me Vedic. I just like the music. I also like "By the rivers of Babylon" but that doesn't make me Jewish, or a Zionist.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Brown bigots etc.,

    Open source makes so much sense for government. It's one of the few organizations that could afford to have dedicated support people either fixing, or finding the fixes to, what's busted out there. They could really make it work, in a way that paying Microsoft $100 million never seems to. Imagine that, schools having systems they're not forced to upgrade every 3 years just to keep corporate profits from declining. Imagine how much code you could cut for $100 million. It's a team of 100 programmers for 10 years, ffs. They could write the whole suite themselves from the ground up.

    From inside info I have to say I'm not really that optimistic about a nationwide rollout of any sense or plan though. Sensible software in schools is a truly massive task, no government will ever have the courage to give it the budget it needs. School IT departments will always be run by overworked maths teachers for the forseeable future. Which is why Microsoft wins - turnkey solutions always appeal most to least technical customers, whether they really are turnkey or not.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Brown bigots etc.,

    I don't recall the word "Christian" in the national song, btw. "God of Nations" could mean anything, looks to me like a deliberate fudge implying freedom of religion. Could even be secular, in the same way that Richie McCaw is a "God of Rugby". He certainly defends our free land nicely around the ruck.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Brown bigots etc.,

    Michael, it all depends what you mean by a Christian state. If you mean one where most people are Christians, then possibly, by a very slim margin, you might be right. What do you mean by it?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Cracker: Is there a Sub in the City?,

    If she is talking about her actual experiences then there's something original in that. If not, why not, I'd want to know.

    "he really confusing part about this column is that she states that people in Auckland don't date- so what's it about?"

    Whatever they do instead, I hope. Which could be interesting if it's true. How the hell do people here hook up? If they don't hook up, why not? Someone who's genuinely trying could have some insights, or at least experiences to speak of.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Cracker: Is there a Sub in the City?,

    Yeah, Google is even the best way to search Wikipedia. Scares me. I confess to having a mate who is a search engine spammer, and he says Google is by far the hardest. MS is his bitch.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Cracker: Is there a Sub in the City?,

    The difference was follow up, Damian. But you're right, we don't get to define what a blog is. And it's too early to say if the Blonde isn't going to follow anything up. Perhaps she's still waiting for the first intelligent response.

    More accurate would be to say that it's a blog modelled around a column, rather than the more common free-for-all.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Cracker: Is there a Sub in the City?,

    Amen Neil, no follow up shows the Herald still don't know the difference between a blog and letters to the editor.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

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