"scale the tech up to manned versions"
It's already been done. The Canadian Avrocar was doing this in the 50's but, lacking todays electronics, was canned in the early 60's due to stability issues.
Posts by Drew
7 publicly visible posts • joined 12 Dec 2007
Brit firm to demo serious flying robo-saucer in 2009
Linux risks netbooks defeat to Microsoft
Monday 11th August 2008 14:23 GMT
@Andy Worth
"....but you're not making a fair comparison."
Oh yes I am!
"For a start you missed out the steps of having to download or obtain a copy of OpenOffice"
I didn't leave out any steps, obtaining a copy of the software is taken care of by the computer (as it should). It's called "innovation", I beleive.
"Then you compared it to an install of a completely different product."
That would be "equivalent product".
" How about describing the install process of OpenOffice on a Windows based PC? "
Add two steps "Download OpenOffice, double click installer". Still 8 steps and $500 easier.
"Most of the target audience are almost completely PC illiterate, and don't have the competency to work with Linux."
Overall, Linux is easier than Windows, especially for beginners. The problem lies in the informal support network that only has MS Windows experience. MS Windows experience is so hard won that who'd willingly to let it go?
(Note that my kids used to prefer my laptop running Linux over the household desktop running MS Windows until we got a Mac.)
As far as I can see, the major complaint against OpenOffice is that "it's not the same as MS Office" and that against Linux is "it's not the same as MS Windows". Of course their different! If they were the same then we'd all be stuck with MS Windows, wouldn't we?
Sunday 10th August 2008 10:33 GMT 
It's the Channel, stupid
Useability is not a barrier, it's a red herring. If useability was an issue, we'd all be using Macs.
How do you install MS Office on MS Windows? (The simplified version)
1. Search for an online vendor, choose one
2. Look at the licensing options.
3. Spend an hour or two figuring out the best and cheapest out of a dozen or so licensing options.
4. Get out your credit card.
5. Purchase from online store (a multi-step process in itself).
6. Wait for a couple of days.
7. Open box, insert disk.
8. Install software.
9. Enter 365-digit "license key" to "activate" the software (should Microsoft deign to allow it.)
10. Reboot
11. Go out and earn the $500+ that Visa is gonna bill you next month.
12. Use software
How to install OpenOffice on Linux? (In full)
1. Type "yum install openoffice"
2. Use software.
Windows: 12 steps (at least!), 2 days
Linux: 2 steps, half an hour.
Now tell me again how Linux suffers from poor useability.
The REAL barrier is the sales channel. Getting them to sell Linux devices
would involve CHANGE and they don't like that. Channel sales people are bottom feeders, they won't put any effort in. If they can't find the SKU inside a minute, they won't bother.
Stay on the path, follow the crowd, don't stand out, don't make waves.
Should they sell Windows and the standard add-ons at 10% margin?
Or should they sell Linux and make 100% margin on helpdesk and services?
Oh, no. That's too hard. They'll stick with the 10% they know. W*nkers.
Windows is NOT easier to use, it's just more familiar.
Now bugger aff and gie us peace.
Joke Alert? The channel is a joke.
Chinese crackers blamed for US power blackouts
Virgin Atlantic site reveals sky-high employee disgruntlement
Microsoft tries to talk its way into VoIP
Rogue servers point users to impostor sites
Wednesday 12th December 2007 14:48 GMT 
You're all missing the point!
This article is about a CLIENT vulnerability!
The malware is changing the DNS setting at the CLIENT (Windows) to make the CLIENT query the WRONG DNS server. You can secure your DNS server to the point of unplugging it and locking it in a bank vault 5 miles underground and it won't fix this problem. All of the servers are functioning as intended and designed (including the "bad" ones).
Sure, there are DNS server vulnerabilities (some highlighted above) but THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM.
"The malware ... typically involved a single line of code"
Only Microsoft can fix this, not the sysadmins for 17,000,000 DNS servers.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
