With a title like that, people might think I'm writing an essay.

Well, I'll spare you, I'm not. Its already been written:
http://blog.lobby4linux.com/index.php?/archives/71-MS-Assaults-Customers-with-First-Wave-of-Attacks.html

and

http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2005/07/28/dont-trust-trusted-computing-microsofts-next-generation-secure-computing-base/

From the TPM artcile;
Still, Microsoft notes that a skilled person can attack the TPM from hardware. Thus, someone who steals a laptop might be able to use the PC equivalent of a video game console mod chip to bypass the TPM protections and recover data. The hardware necessary for this attack is inexpensive, but the skill and time required are fairly great ... If hardware attacks against the TPM become cheap and readily available, the kind of protection TPM-based trusted computing offers ... may appear increasingly inadequate.

All that effort into "locking" a machine, and its still possible to break in. Lovely.

So, quick bit of rhetoric/evangelism; Jump the MS ship now before you walk the plank

From The Register's letters page at: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/26/letters/

"

3500 People, they searched 130 homes.
Isn't that like, almost 27 people per home?
Friendly.
Anthony

Actually, it's a known fact that filesharers commonly cohabit in large anarchocommunist clusters, practicising pagan free love and ritual human sacrifice. They still argue over who drank the last of the milk, though.
"

That made my morning.

I'm a happy bunny. The Linksys router arrived today. I have to surpress the urge to tinker with it until I move house [reinstallable Firmware ... mmmm]
It worked until I'd finished tinkering and plugged it into the Internet and let people connect. Then they couldn't get the Net. I was more worried about looking a fool than anything, but I managed to fix it [this is why manufacturers provide nice hard-reset buttons ] It's all well and doing stuff properly now.
In snobs news, I was called fit whilst trying to clear a table of bottles [this is why I try to keep moving when collecting glasses, keep the conversation to a minimal]. Bad news is I'm rostered Fri, Sat and Sun. Cheapskates trying to minimise taxis over the Bank Holiday. Can't wait till I get another job and leave, that'll be fun.

First I'm going to have a rant; http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/5005848.stm

Yeah. Right.
"She added that reducing piracy significantly would mean a boost for the UK economy." How? Please tell us how? The BSA exists to strong arm companies into compliance for every software licence available. The main backer of the BSA is Microsoft. So how does decreasing piracy in the UK benefit us? Are Microsoft gonna move here if we do? Increase the work force if we do? Like hell they will.

And wheel out the mobsters: "There was increasing evidence, said Ms Carroll, that organised crime groups were behind many sophisticated counterfeiting efforts and profiting from the continued use of illegal software." Really. I believe that organised crime is more interested in trafficking people/drugs/booze etc and credit card fraud than pirating software. There isn't that much to be made by pirating software. But of course, the BSA wouldn't say that.

Do you think she'd have the same sorta thing to say if everyone turned to F/OSS? That would be funny

Anyway, rant over. I was meant to be at 2 exams yesterday, but I felt crap; feverish, stomach cramps and dizzyness. And today I'm fine, so I can't get to the doctors to get a sick note for mitigations. Damned body. Ah well, I have resits in august anyway.

Work last night was very quiet (as ever) and I hit sick-count 4.
The 4th one was the interesting one. Some woman was stood in it when I got there was all "Ugh is that sick??" I'm just thinking get outta the way woman, I need to be collecting glasses not cleaning sick.

"can you clean my shoes for me?"
"Yeah sure"
>insert mopping and cleaning of shoes, then the floor<
"you've got excellent mop control, I tried to teach my husband but he's useless. You'll make someone a brilliant husband when you get married"
>insert sam getting very red<
"Erm, Yeah I hope I will"
>woman shows off ring<
"Get a 1/3 of a carrot, not a 1/4, a 1/3, thanks!"
>woman walks off<

They say work should be a learning experience, and what a lot I've learned