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The Bride of Son of JerryLeeCooper

Because you're stupid.

The extra chip in the Mac OSX

Very interesting. You mention that the Mac OSX machine includes an extra chip that handles the security ? Well Ill have you know that Microsoft Vista includes a BitLocker in the system which takes this a step further. The BitLocker is software based, and so protects the data flow within the computer above and beyond what happens over the serial line. In addition to this fact, the Microsoft SQLServer wraps the data in a form that can be made accessible on a user by user basis. The Mac OSX chip is hardware, and so cannot distinguish activities at the user level. This dual existence of both BitLocker and SQLServer is what is termed 'Double Data Protection', which I am sure you will admit is a more secure methodology than the single chip that the Mac OSX appears to be using. This gets very exciting when one imagines what might happen when the operating system and the SQLServer are integrated as one unit. Microsoft will be leading the way in computer security when this very vision is realized with the release of the Win FS as part of Vista II. You mark my words, it will make the Mac OSX obsolete. But there is more .... I happen to have extensive experience at the very heights of the corporate enterprise IT, and this includes exclusive contacts deep within the heirachy of a certain company in Redmond. I can assure you that there are moves afoot to include a very similar chip that is in the Mac OSX in the next version of Vista. Whilst not being privy to exact details of discussions at the highest level of the corporate IT, I can extrapolate my experience to present a scenario which is entirely realistic : 1 - Microsoft worked alongside the Apple to develop the next generation of security measures, using a 'Triple Data Protection' scheme involving BitLocker, SQLServer, and an as yet untested security chip. 2 - After providing Apple with its best virus protection algorithms (an algorithm is an advanced computer code), Microsoft discovers that Apple has no equivalent offering to add to the partnership. 3 - The partnership dissolves, but Apple pirates the Microsoft algorithm, which is designed around the Pentium super chip, and then proceeds to convert their machines across to the Intel. 4 - Apple adds this 'security chip' that you mention, (which more than likely contains the Microsoft anti virus algorithm), giving it a highly secure offering to bring to the market. An unfair advantage in anyone's eyes you would have to admit. Well, the simple fact that the Mac OSX already has over 700 malwares, despite the existence of the security chip AND Microsoft's dearly guarded anti-virus algorithm, indicates that Apple does not have the expertise to engineer an IT miracle on this scale. That will all change soon when Microsoft completes the engineering on their next generation of Vista. Hold onto your seats gentlemen, its going to be a blast !!

Scalability is the key

Much of this analysis consists of splitting hairs over the finer details of decisions that were made at the very dawn of the computer IT industry. So Microsoft leveraged their success with DOS off of mainframe systems such as the CP/M ? Clunky old machines with green screens and keyboards so big and heavy that they are physically impossible to type on. I remember them well. That was then - lets fast forward now to 2007. Computers are so much faster, graphics cards are 3D capable, the keyboards are easier to use, and the mouse makes life a breeze. And we have the internet - 99% of which runs on Internet Explorer. How can you be so blind as to say that Microsoft has not given us any innovation ? I find that comment simply astounding !! You cant honestly suggest that we would be better off using the CPM machines on a mainframe ? On the surface there are many obvious innovations .. such as a graphical system with a mouse, the Office, not to mention the internet that is basically a totally Microsoft platform these days .. (need I go on ?) But if you care to look below the obvious surface, you will find the true innovation that Microsoft has bought us. Let me spell it out for you : SCALABILITY The ability to extend performance above and beyond the ordinary. Thats the true innovation that Microsoft has bought to the world, and they have done it by redefining software engineering, and backing it with billions of dollars. Who else has been able to do this ? Nobody that I can see.

Secure erase not so secure

When writing finite bits to the disk sector, there is a finite probability that the resultant string of randomised bits MAY in fact generate something incriminating. For example: (regardless of how unlikely this may seem), any string of random characters may well create a brand new wordfile on the computer by pure chance .. which contains legible words, which string together to form sentences which may in turn connect the previous owner of the hard disk with Al-Qaida, the Mafia, insider trading, un-patriotic activites, Linux 'development', or any manner of unsavory activities. The larger the hard disk being randomly 'wiped' in this fashion, the greater the probability that some new and undesirable content would be created by chance. I for one would NOT place my trust in such a tool, risking a lifetime of torment in Guantanimo Bay in exchange for the 'security' of having my hard disk cleaned prior to resale. The solution ? One should purchase a new copy of the Vista for the said hard disk, and install this on the disk. This would effectively wipe clean the disk of any previous content. The disk could then be disposed of cleanly, with a note that the new owner must purchase another legal copy of the Vista before installing the disk. In this situation - everyone wins.