[LINK] Question: How do you protect Windows?

[Howard Lowndes]

On Mon, 2004-12-13 at 09:50, Stilgherrian wrote:
> At 23:12 +1100 12/12/04, Howard Lowndes wrote:
> >The problem is that that does not get past the ppl who:
> >
> >1. Have a vague experience with Windows and think they "know computers"
> >2. Accept that regular reboots, viruses, spyware and adware are a fact
> >of life
> >3. Are too stupid and egotistical to admit that they don't know better
> >4. Listen to sales droids
> >5. Are in positions where they make decisions about expenditure.
> 
> On a related point, I've noted a certain type of "problem client" 
> which seems to be a similar species to what Howard just described...
> 
> They're a small business manager, I daresay exclusively male. The 
> business' main server sits in their office -- not next to the desk of 
> a staff member, and certainly not hidden away in a cupboard. Indeed, 
> the server's monitor and keyboard are usually right there on this 
> boss' desk, not on a side table, and the screen usually displays 
> real-time monitoring of the server's status -- lots of impressive 
> blinking lights.

Funnily enough, my least problematic clients are where the decision
maker is female.  Egos don't get in the way, they listen to what you are
saying, they can recognise bullshit a mile away.
> 
> I've learnt to avoid taking on this kind of business as a client, 
> because in addition to whatever functions the IT network serves, THE 
> most important one is ego-support for that boss. And so, as you're 
> working, he'll need you to confirm how clever he is by complimenting 
> his "excellent choices" -- when in most cases they're based on a 
> parrot-like rote learning of the blurb from advertising.
> 
> The problem isn't so much having to deal with the tediously boring 
> boss -- hell, boys-and-their-toys stuff is everywhere, not just in 
> IT. It's because everything will be slowed down by his "involvement" 
> in routine tasks, punctuated by numerous "helpful suggestions".
> 

Amen

> A friend of mine does various handyman things. And he has this sort 
> of problem licked. If someone wants to "help" they're made aware of 
> the costs:
> 
>      "How much to sand back that floor and polish it?"
> 
>      "That'll be $600."
> 
>      "Oh, how much would it be if I gave you a hand?"
> 
>      "Oh, that'll be $800 then."
> 
> Hmmm... I just noticed that my own business' server sits under my desk...

I have a similar situation.
"What will it cost to put Linux on that old box over there?"
"The same as it will cost for me to provision a brand new box with Linux
fully installed."
I have learned that fiddling with old hardware just ain't worth it.

> 
> *sigh*
> 
> Stil
-- 
Howard.
LANNet Computing Associates;
Your Linux people <http://www.lannetlinux.com>
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