[JohnGalt]

So trade liberty for temporary security?

I think we should license author's of stupid proposals.

[TheAngryClam]

This would devastate AOL's business.

[cornelis]

Here's my solution to this problem

Been there done that. Here's another one for ya: a license for intercourse.

[taxcontrol]

Ok, a quick course in security.

Three things are required to carry out ANY attack including attacks in cyberspace. They are:

People
Means
Tools

In cyberspace these are Hackers, the attack method and tools (computers, scripts etc.). What the author proposes is to try and control tools. This is NOT what acheives results. The focus needs to be on tracking down and apprehending people. You do this by observing and following the means.

The problem with focusing on the tools is that there will always be a supply of tools. In cyberspace, even more so as the tools can be created by the hackers.

Trying to license computers is much like stating that we need to license all Bibles or firearms.

[mhking]

Dvorak's gone over the edge this time....

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[VxH]

I can see the bumperstickers already... "WHEN COMPUTERS ARE OUTLAWED, ONLY OUTLAWS WILL HAVE COMPUTERS" and the ever popular: "THEY CAN HAVE MY IP ADDRESS WHEN THEY PRY IT OUT OF MY COLD, DEAD HANDS"

[spunkets]

"Here's my solution to this problem: a license to use computers."

Here's our answer.

[Paleo Conservative]

The company has also chosen to give users the wrong defaults, so file extensions are hidden unless you track down the settings to make them visible. Why? So Windows systems can appear more like Macs? Or what? I can do a whole column on dumb defaults.

One of the first things I do with a new Windows machine is to uncheck the box to hide known extensions.

[B Knotts]

ROFL

Dvorak is such a nut. Although, frankly, I think he just says completely idiotic stuff to make waves.

[DLfromthedesert]

I guess you never heard of unlicensed drivers.

[Pyrion]

IMO, what needs to happen is the ISP's need to get off their butts and start forcing the idiots off the 'Net. It's a lot like owning a gun. Just because you paid a heck of a lot of money for one doesn't mean you should leave it out for anybody to play/mess with. Instead of this ridiculous system of port filtering (which doesn't solve the problem since the users don't get any smarter when they aren't TOLD what they need to fix) just kick the morons offline until they get their acts together.

[BlazingArizona]

Dvorak likes throwing out silly proposals just to generate comment. It's the literary equivalent of trolling.

Having to design hardware and software to function despite abuse from unknowledgeable users is what promotes the evolution of better computers. The automobile industry has been dealing with this problem for years, and without requiring that users know much about how their cars work.

If we required users to be experts, we would find ourselves back in the age of mainframes.

[dday76]

Yep, Stupid Hall of Fame. I started explaining why, but it's too stupid even to address.

[E.G.C.]

Here are my thoughts on the subject.

I agree with everyone here this article belongs in the Stupid Hall of Fame.

Instead of licensing computer users, how about we go those who are perpetuting these worms and viruses and terminate their ISP services.

We have already seen enormous harm result from the msblaster worm last week. Imposing licensing requirements on people who want to use the internet would only add more harm and injury.

In case it hasn't occured to anyone, a lot of people using computers are homebound and don't have any other way to keep in touch. For many the computer is a matter of life or death and the only connection to the outside world.

Are we really willing to force everyone to suffer simply for the actions of a few malcontents who have too much time on their hands and seek to cause harm and injury through their malicious actions? Anyone with a brain would say no way.

I don't know what idiot's been smoking to think that every computer user should have to be licensed in order to use one but there are far better ways to address the virus and worm problems than this idea.
Regards.

[Mr. Bird]

This reads like an angry screed by one of the countless uptight geeks pissed that the jocks have found their super-neato tree fort.

I get miffed at moronic computer users all the time, but I have a little perspective.

Licenses don't work for cars. There are still about 200 million (essentially everyone but me) horrible drivers out there. I'm joking of course, but in every joke lies a grain of truth...

[Criminal Number 18F]

Dvorak likes to crap in his hand and throw his own excrement, like a particularly disagreeable monkey at the Bronx Zoo. This is one of his 'troll' columns.

If people don't want to risk viral disruption, they don't have to use the systems whose security is so weak. Indeed, most net-attached servers don't.

One OS ships with a rock solid default install, and has literally never been hacked. But it's a tweak's system. (OpenBSD). MacOS X is almost as solid but most people don't want to use it.

Fair enough... it's a free country. What bothers Dvorak is what bothers lots of would-be emperors: people who have free choice, and don't make the choices he wants them to. Sorry bout that, John D, but last time I looked we hadn't elected you to anything.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Publius6961]

Here's my solution to this problem: a license to use computers.

That ought to work as well as licensing automobiles and guns.

Everybody knows that bad people are meticulous about observing laws and rules.

Sounds like Dvorak is overdue for a vacation....

[Voltage]

Guys...immediately download SpamPal from http://www.spampal.org. Its free and for me its trapping 98% plus of all spam. There are free plugins for it which will also trap attachments which can execute.

I was getting about 150 spams/day, now perhaps 1 or 2 get through each day!

[glorgau]

The solution is to quit using Windows. QED.

[6ppc]

Been reading Dvorak for years...he's not serious, just disgusted. Microsoft really needs to do a better job of preventing the average computer user from shooting themselves in the foot.