Controlling computers

so i finally figured out how to control my mac computer, kinda. i've got one computer on 10.4 and another on 10.5. i can control 10.4 from 10.5 but i'm wondering if i can control 10.5 from 10.4?
i've got remote desktop turned on in 10.4 and screen sharing turned on in 10.5. if i had remote management turned on in 10.5 i couldn't figure out how to make it work. then i turned on screen sharing and also opened up vnc ports in 10.4 in my firewall settings.
i'm preferring to do it natively with software already on the computer, but if it isn't possible than what's the best free software? i've read of chickenvnc, or something like that. anyone know if it's possible?

Yes, Chicken of the VNC is the front end you need for 10.4, the other parts are built in...
http://sourceforge.net/projects/cotvnc/

Similar Messages

Can I Use Java to make an application than can control computers?

I want to make a program than can control other computers in a local area network using one of the computers connected to the network. What do I need to know to make this possible in java?

How do you mean "control"?
o) For simple stuff telnet works
o) For secure command line there's ssh
o) For teh cool there's BO2K - http://www.bo2k.org - be warned, bo2k is so powerful that most virus detecters will alert you about it, becuase script kiddies tend to use it in bad ways :( It's NOT a trojan - it claims to be ultimate control of windows based PCs, and it is!
None are java though, but you could always make a java clone of them...
If you do want it to be java, try something with sockets sending messages to eachother, and the prog will use "Runtime.getRuntime().exec(yourprogram)" when it is given specific signals. For mouse and keyboard control try java.awt.Robot

Mac OS X 10.7.4 ARD Issues When Observing/Controlling Computers with Display Mirroring/Different Resolutions

As if Macs in an enterprise environment could be more difficult to manage, now since our upgrade to OS X 10.7.(4) I have lost the ability to remotely control numerous Macs in our organization. The issue occurs when attempting to control a Mac running OS X 10.7.(4) that has their Display mirrored and the resolution does not match on both displays. What happens is that I can see the remote screen however it does not fill the entire Observe/Control window. Instead, the remote screen takes up about 50% of the window, the rest is black but sometimes will display a mirror image of the remote screen in the black area. What?! Yeah, I've attached a screenshot because this is ridiculous. The real problem is that I cannot control the computer when it has reached this state, the mouse no longer functions properly, it is not clicking where I place the mouse, etc. I have made sure that I have all updates including ARD Client/Server updates. I even tried VNC but as I have come to find out that is a whole other issue (doesn't work, sends me to the login screen, etc).
So here's what I need:
- A patch that is going to fix this issue
- A script to run that is going to change the remote screen resolution (I still have the ability to run remote scripts, etc. simply not Observe/Control)
Ideas?
<Image Edited by Host>

I found a way to work around this issue. Not a fix but a work around.
This is little application some one wrote to toggle mirroring on and off.
Mirror Displays
If you put this application in the client computer's /Aplications folder
you can use ARD or SSH to run the app and switch modes.
The problem only occurs for me when a client is set to mirror dissimilar displays with different aspect ratios.
I am only seeing this in Lion 10.7.4 and 10.7.5
Hope it helps someone....

Neuroheadsets controlling computers by mind

http://blog.gsmarena.com/emotiv-epoc-neuroheadset-review-the-telepathy-device-you-were-looking-for/
Now go crazy hahahaa

Excellent
Don't forget to mark the Correct Answers & Helpful Answers
unrelated topic, if you have some time please check this thread
http://talk.sonymobile.com/thread/44888
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." Kurt Cobain (1967-1994)

E3000 parental controlled laptops require router reboot

I have an E3000 router connecting 4 laptops wirelessly. They are all the same model and OS machines, Dell Latitude E6510 with Windows 7 Pro.
I have 2 of the computers under parental control to disable the internet each night.
In the morning after the time to re-enable internet to the two controlled computers, they still won't connect
until I reboot the router.
I tried rebooting the machines instead.
I have to re-boot the router every day since we started last week to re-enable their internet access.
I called support who checked out my router settings through a remote connection and they said the settings are correct.
Call if it happens again.
Any help is appreciated,
Dan

I have found that if either of the restricted computers are left on through/during the time reset boundry, that we have this problem. Once I made sure the computers were shut down (not just in sleep or hibernate) then the restoration to access works.
Maybe this is normal?
Dan

Can Photoshop 4, upgraded to 5, be installed on my Windows 7 64 bit OS ?

I bought Photoshop 4, 16 or 17 years ago, and upgraded it to version 5 later on, and I never had trouble with this combo, on any other of my Windows controlled computers, but they were all 32 bit. I'm now in my early 60's, so another upgrade is no longer possible, but I have Photoshop CS2 and Imageready CS2, downloaded and installed. And up until now, that has been enough for my use. But this coming Friday, Feb 21, the woman I was married to passed away three years ago, and the last good photo, if it can be called that, was of her in a wheelchair in the hospital, less than 6 months before she passed on. Her skin on her arms and face, has some damage showing, as well as the trachea they gave her, to help her breathe. Thinking about it, I decided to try and remove all the skin defects, using Photoshop CS2, and I did..., except I also removed the lines of her jaw, nose and such, leaving her looking as bad without the flaws, as she looked with them. I researched it a little, and found some tips and tutorials, to BRUSH her flaws away instead of by using the magic wand and skin color, to paint over them. But it seems that what I was reading concerning the types of brushes there are and what I should use, I can't find inside CS2, so I tried to install Photoshop 4, but it came back with an error message, that this version, is not compatible with 64 bits, and said to ask the makers of the software, if there was a way to load it on the 64 bit version of Windows 7.
There are some suggestions I've found on how to bypass this problem and load it in the 64 bit machine, but I decided to reach out to Adobe,to see if there was a way to make this combo of Photoshop 4 and 5, work on my computer. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you in advance.
Paul

Noel,
I must admit, your reply at the start of your answer, seems a bit confusing
to me. Photoshop CS2 here in south Louisiana, is a FREE PROGRAM that
someone can download and install..., absolutely no cost to get it.
Photoshop 4 and other upgrades, are damn sure not free. Photoshop 4 ran me
a bit over $800, and upgrade 5 at almost $425. Now, maybe I am an OLDER
PERSON, and maybe being in my 60's, means I'm a bit POOR, but where do you
get this, " there's no allowance in the law that makes it okay for older or
poor people to use unlicensed software". I know what the term PIRACY
applies to, and I'm not aware that I suggested or asked for any type of
illegal answer to my question. Photoshop CS2 was not criticized by me
except if my saying it did not have ALL the tools inside it, that the full
version of Photoshop does, is being TOO CRITICAL? How does it make any
sense, to have a FREE VERSION OF PHOTOSHOP CS2 AVAILABLE, if it has ALL THE
ABILITY THE EXPENSIVE PHOTOSHOP VERSIONS HAVE? So, please don't say I need
not be offended because I DID NOT ALLUDE TO ANY ILLEGAL SOLUTIONS, to my
question.
If your answer is what I was supposed to get, asked to someone in the
Photoshop community, then Microsoft's Windows error pop-ups, should simply
be ignored. As I had said, there were suggestions I ran across, on how to
convert past Photoshop installs on 32 bit systems into working on 64 bit
OS. One way, was to download an installed version of Photoshop off an older
Windows OS that you may have, on a Flash USB, and then take it off the
Flash USB and NOT INSTALL, but MOVE the files into x86, again, not
installed. That would leave 6 or 7 missing .dll files, which can be gotten
online, put in the Photoshop files in x86, and according to those who were
discussing it, it works just fine. I have Windows XP on my last pc, and it
is still saved up, so I could have gone that route, or maybe even another.
I'm not a lawyer, nor am I an employee of Adobe, but since I already PAID
for Photoshop 4 and 5, I am not aware of STEALING ANYTHING, by taking an
installed older version, and trying to access it on my newer pc. I'm not a
software GEEK, but if Photoshop was made in 16 bit format, and can be used
in 32 bit, but not 64 bit, then about the only loser in this attempt, would
be Adobe, since I'm not planning on spending another small fortune, buying
a Photoshop version that actually works on 64 bits. Is doing this something
that makes me a thief? Being I've been on computers nearly 20 years now, I
have ran across previous software, that was compatible on BOTH 32 AND 64
BIT SYSTEMS. So that is a possibility, but again, I am NOT A SOFTWARE
PROGRAMMER or DESIGNER, so why this software from Adobe is not compatible
with 64 bit, there may be a reason, but if there was, I sure am not aware
of that. But what do I know, asking a logical question as it was suggested
I do, and getting this type of reply for my effort. And all this, just
because I was trying to clean up a photo my deceased wife took in the
hospital, a few months before she passed on and is now with God. Go
figure...
Paul

New Z710 Win 8.1 is slower than my 8-year-old AMD!!!!

Hi...
I got my brand-new Z710 a week ako. I haven't finished setting it up yet & I've already got weird problems... My AMD PC, which is running win 7 pro (64b) boots to the login screen 2x as fast as the Z710 - no lie - both units side by side. That simply shouldn't be. I wasted my money on the z710 if this is the speed it runs at with an i7 & 8G Ram. I understand that I've got to get used to W8.1, but regardless... I got an error 0xc000021a yesterday, the wireless link decides whenever it wants to connect... I've done a little searching & there are a number of articles that talk about taking out the "Intel-Dynamic-Platform-Thermal-Framework" being at fault & to take it out - except I can't find it. I called Lenovo support & they seemed fixated on my wireless & trying to blame my router when the z710 is the only one having connectivity troubles. Going hardwire doesn't make it any faster.
I don't recall having this much trouble with a new laptop out of the box. Not sure if anyone has any ideas or thoughts on this? I'm just not sure what I'm supposed to do next.
Any feedback appreciated!
Thanks,
RR.

Hi…
Hopefully this message goes through. Apparently, my Lenovo community login user name is suddenly not valid anymore. I’ve been on a number of forums over the years & I gotta say this one is one of the tougher ones to use.
I don’t have traditional BIOS in this machine - it’s that “UEFI”. I went through it & there’s really not much in there. It took a while to figure out how to get in - can’t imagine how fun updating it would be if that were possible.
All the windows updates ran, updates for the video went through… don’t have any other peripherals attached yet & hadn’t started loading any programs yet because of the trouble.
Sine my initial post, I’ve been staying off wifi, got my programs loaded & getting far less crashes. That said: IE just crashed this morning just trying to open it.
At work, I deal with process control computers & servers - have to deal lots with I.T. & their contractors & ya, they give us new & recycled machines all the time - built from images that aren’t always up to date, so - video drivers 6 months old, etc. but for a brand new OEM machine, this thing should be a lot more solid & certainly quicker than the old AMD.
I’ve done some other reading/investigating… another popular theory is to create a new admin account & blow away the original. Not sure how that works, maybe I’ll try it… I did that once on my W7 o/s I it created more trouble than it solved.
Very frustrating to get a new machine to have it not work right & can’t even get the manufacturer to help you. On the Lenovo site there appears to be some software diagnostic tools available - maybe one of those could help…
Thanks for the reply… the only one I got in a week or so of posting. I had given up. more so now that my account seems to suddenly be invalid.
RR.

Once a month my email contacts get sent out to everyone without me sending them what can i do to stop that?

once a month my email contacts get sent out to everyone without me sending them,what can i do to stop that?

Check you haven't been infected by a Botnet:
Simply put, a bot – which is short for robot – is an automated computer program that allows outside sources to control computers remotely without the users' knowledge. A botnet is a network of hundreds or thousands of computers infected with botnet malware that communicates covertly with a command-and-control (CnC) server run by a type of cybercriminal called a botmaster. Unbeknownst to the individual users, their computers are linked in a rogue network which the botmaster can utilize for a variety of nefarious purposes.
Detailed information here:
http://mac-internet-security-software-review.toptenreviews.com/how-do-i-know-if- my-computer-is-a-botnet-zombie-.html
Contact your ISP.

Task status: Not Authorized

Hello:
I just upgraded from ARD2 to ARD3 and am no longer able to generate reports. Whenever I try, the Task Status column reads; Not Authorized (with a red exclaimation point). I am able to observe and control computers, but cannot generate reports, which I had been able to do in version 2. Thanks for any help with this.

Hi,
I have the same problem here, where some clients are able to be reported and other not ("! Not Authorized" immediately after starting the report).
I have just find a (curious) workaround:
1. Select the client(s), go to Report > User history, select "Rebuild data for report" and press "Generate Report". You will obtain as result a "! Couldn't collect report data" error.
2. Select the client(s) and go to Report > Administration Settings... Check all fileds to be included in report an press "Get Report". For me all fields are "on" expected "Collect Application Usage Data" and "Collect User Accounting".
3. Try to report again. For me it works. I have tried to report "Software Version..." what failed on 8 for 13 computers (all running 10.4.5) and after this trick it works fine.
Regards,
Yann

11g client can't see ws java package

All,
I've created a WS project - Web Service Annotations - SecureWS. Data Controls layer was created. It tests out ok.
Now, I'm creating a client for Web Service Annotations in a different project - SecureClient.
Access is via JAX-WS
When I get to step 5 of 9 in the proxy wizard, I can't find the package that exists in the SecureWS project.
I can see others such as sun.beans
What is the proper way of handling this? Do I need a JAXB binding setup?
Thanks

Things seem to be working in reverse. From the computer in my office i can not observe or control computers in our classroom. I installed ARD on one of the classroom computers and can get to my computer no problem.
the ACL goes something like this for all the needed ports
access-list 150 permit tcp any host <my ip address> eq 5900
access-list 150 permit udp any host <my ip address> eq 5900

Administrating from afar... Please help.

Hello, I am going to be giving an old iMac to a family member who is not very tech savvy, I know they are going to have issues (mostly dumb questions that are easy to fix), so I have installed Remote Desktop on my Mac and have it set up to work with the iMac. Everything works fine on my local network where we all have static internal IP addresses and Remote Desktop can scan for the computer. But when I give him this computer, it will no longer be on our network and will have an always changing external IP address. So how do I set up Remote Desktop to always be able to connect to this iMac? I assume I would have to do something with a DNS service, but what? Anyone want to give me some steps in setting this up?
--Thanks so much!

Benjamin,
I do this for my mom who resides in SC while I live in Montana. That is pretty "afar," too. <G> But it works well.
You did not say what kind of iMac you are giving your family member. If it is one of the old fruit colored jobs and does not run Tiger you may have some Version issues if you run ARD 3.x at home and there's only has 2.x etc. Other's can speak to that since I do not have that problem. Matter of fact, a simple search on this support site will give you loads of info on those compatibility issues.
If they do not enjoy a static ip address, you have several choices. I use ipmenu by Loopware. You may download it here: http://www.loopware.com/ipmenu/download.php . Install it on their computer, and, in the program preferences, I advise you to activate the icon in the command bar as well as to √ the box for email notification when the ip address changes. Once checked you put your email address in the box. This way, if and when their ip address changes, you get a nice email from loopware with the new ip address. Also, if they were to call and tell you need help, but you cannot connect, you can have them click on the command icon at the top of their computer screen and tell you their IP address. It will list their External ip address and any DHCP assigned address. You will need the external address to put into ARD. Finally, to control computers across the internet you will have to make sure their router pass commands thru the following ports:
5900 TCP Observe and Control
5900 UDP Send screen, share screen
3283 TCP Reporting
3283 UDP Everything else
22 TCP Encrypted file transfer, observe, and control (via SSH tunnel)
For full control using all the ARD features port forwarding will have to be activated on your router and theres, otherwise, when you connect, you will see VNC on and only be able to observe their computer and control their mouse. ARD, however, has loads of other features but they will not work if all these ports are not open on both ends of the internet tunnel.
Goodluck,
NPSRangerDoc

After update, no computer information, no reports

After installing OS X 10.5.x on a PPC (upgrade from 10.4.11.) I experience several issues. One of them is related to ARD 3.3:
After doing the upgrade, installing all other updates and security fixes, I'm just able to view and control computers via ARD, but don't get any system information, cannot create reports or even copy files by drag&drop.
For example, the column "ARD" which shows the installed ARD version on the remote computer still holds the old version information, although I created a custom client installation program and installed it on the remote computer (XServe PPC G5).
I tried everything (at least, what I know). Even trashing the preferences file of ARD did not work (just caused some work to me to set up everything again).
At the remote computers, I ensured that ARD is enabled in system preferences and the user that logs in has sufficient permissions in ARD to create reports, etc..
Have been there any changes made to new version of ARD regarding required ports that must be accessible on the remote computer ?
Is there anything to check ? Are there known errors ?
How can I verify that ARD client runs on the remote computers ?

We have the same issue here on G5 2x2 GHz with Mac OS X 10.5.8:
When I am try to get reports with the newly updated Apple Remote Desktop Admin Software 3.3, it works around a while and then tells me success for all clients.... and that's it. The only feedback I get is the fields which was received, but no report.
Anyone any ideas?

Local admin priveleges required for Mobile Client

Anyone overcome a problem with the mobile client requiring local admin priveleges to run?

hi peter,
pls see the below urls.......
https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/docs/library/uuid/953928ff-0701-0010-43a0-b18b5e6ffeed
The Passwords Control Panel has a "Remote Administration" tab that
   works only if you have networking installed. If you use a central
   server, you can assign administrative privilege to a SUPERVISOR or
   Domain Admin.
   First, install File & Print Sharing for either MS networks (for a pure
   Win95 or NT domain network) or NetWare (For NetWare networks). If you
   use FPS for NetWare, keep SAP advertising OFF. In addition, install
   the Remote Registry service from Network Control Panel, as a Service
   (in ADMINNETTOOLSREMOTREG on the CD-ROM) on the remote machines. You
   can do this (and even enforce this) when you install Win95 as well.
   Now, if the workstations use User level security (highly
   advisable on NT Domains and NetWare networks), Setup will
   automatically enable remote administration for ADMIN and SUPERVISOR
   (NetWare) or DOMAIN ADMINS (NT Domain). If the stations use passwords
   instead of user lists (Share level security), or you don't have a
   central server, you will need to manually enable Remote Administration
   and supply a password to each station. Remote Administration settings
   will differ with each type of network client installed.
   Once done, you (the administrator) can control computers via Network
   Neighborhood. Right-click on any Win95 station and select
   "Properties". You will see a "Tools" tab that lets you edit the
   Registry, view network activity, or even browse the hard drives, on
   the remote computer. REGEDIT and POLEDIT also works on these stations.
   Of the tools listed, Remote Registry service is the biggest service
   (250 KB). To free up memory so you don't slow down the machines, check
   out How to Prevent Random Hard Drive Access, which also frees
   lots of memory for these services.
7.6.3.1. ...on a Windows NT network?
   Install FPS for MS networks, install Remote Registry service, and
   enable User level security. Remote Admin privileges are
   automatically given to anyone in the Domain Admins group on the domain
   controller. Re-boot. Then, go to another Win95 station, log in as
   Administrator (or anyone else in Domain Admins) and get properties on
   the remote station from Network Neighborhood.
   WARNING: This service will allow you to remotely edit an NT Server's
   Registry! I was able to get in to several (but not all) Registry keys
   on my own NT server by logging in as a member of Domain Admins. I'd
   hate to think what could happen to my poor server if someone ran
   REGEDIT on this network with malicious intent!
   WARNING: Remember the NetWare C$ bug? It's back, this time in FPS for
   Microsoft networks! Now if you perform a Remote Admin session on a
   Win95 station and view its hard drives, the Admin shares
machinec$) remain active, available for read-only viewing when a
   user types
machinec$ from Start Menu/Run. This bug may have always
   been around, but I suspect it emerged with Service Pack 1.
7.6.3.2. ...on a Peer Win95 network?
   You don't need to install Remote Registry service on the workstations
   to use peer to peer remote administration. You only need a file and
   print sharing service. When you use the Admin tools, the target
   computer will prompt you for a password.
   Be sure to set this password on all the workstations you want to
   administer remotely.
   NOTE: According to the Remote Registry readme files, Remote Registry
   service only works if you use User Level Security from a central
   server.
7.6.4. ...user level access?
   User Level access spares us the potential of lost passwords and
   multiple, security-killing, cached passwords, because the passwords
   remain on the central security provider. You need only log in once and
   type your password once, and you have access to any resources shared
   on the network that have you on their access list.
   Enable User Level security from Network Control Panel, in Access
   Control. Pick a security provider (the name of an NT domain, NetWare
   server, or other central server if your client/service software allows
   for it). The next time you re-boot, all your share requesters and
   password requesters will have user list requesters in their place. You
   could also enforce user level security via system policies.
   If the server is a NetWare 4.x server, you will need to set a Bindery
   context on it. This will allow all NDS clients access to any Win95
   stations sharing resources via FPS for NetWare.
   Unusual combinations to avoid:
FPS for MS networks, using a NetWare server as security provider
       (WFWG stations can't get access then! Win95 machines could get
       access, however)
FPS for NetWare, using an NT server as a security provider (Quite
       impossible, as the NCP server doesn't recognize NT security)
FPS for NetWare, using Share level security (It won't let you; NCP
       servers don't allow separate logins)
7.6.5. ...server-based setup and MSBATCH.INF
thanks
karthik

Nvidia with support for xorg 7.1 is out!

http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_disp … -8774.html
AIGLXAIGLXAIGLXAIGLXAIGLX! :-D :-D

Even a bleeding edge distro like Arch has to be careful about upgrades. We want to be up to date, but at the same time we don't want to worry that a "pacman -Syu" is going to hugely break our systems without warning. Anyone running an Nvidia card would have been awfully upset when their chosen distribution chose to break their previously flawless 3d acceleration. Given that it was reasonable to assume that Nvidia would produce a driver fairly soon (as indeed they have) I have no problem with the fact that the decision was made to delay the transition for a little while.
Surely if Nvidia had broken their tradition of above average Linux support the move to X.org 7.1 would have been made regardless. I don't think the plan was ever to wait "as long as it takes."
I like open source software a lot myself. If my every whim were to be satisfied, running a completely free-as-in-freedom system would near the top of my list. However, nothing ever gets done without compromise. A person has to give as they take. They give a driver, and we give by relaxing our principles a little. Is that wrong, or is that cooperation?
Stiff positions with no wiggle room don't solve problems or get you what you want. They start wars. Obviously a war over device drivers is what they call "unlikely", but the same mistrust, ill wishes, and lack of progress that wars entail are what you'll get. You've got to examine the trade-offs, and make a decision on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes you just can't work with the other guy. Much more often, you can.
The question is whether what Nvidia is doing is so awful and anti-freedom that we can't let it slide. You contend that it is, and if we use their system we'll be trapped in a hell of proprietary drivers and vendor-controlled computers. I contend that you're probably wrong.
It seems preferable to control your life completely. Do what you want, when you want. Sounds nice. In the real world we depend on others for nearly everything in our lives. There is nothing wrong with that. What is wrong is when the others we depend on attempt to force unfair terms on us. Nvidia isn't doing that. It's not unfair to keep their driver secrets to themselves. It's not the most generous thing to do, but none of us are as generous as we could be. Self-interest is par for the course in human affairs.
There is such a thing as "free enough" and it falls short of a completely open system. "Free enough" is different for everyone, but for me running a system which is entirely free software except for a few well-supported drivers is free enough to get by. Nvidia isn't stopping me from using my computer as I want. In fact, they're helping me to do it, by providing functional drivers that don't attempt to control me (as DRM software does, for example).
Would a fully free system be better? Possibly. I would like it better. More important though, is to say *why* it would be better. If the driver in question behaves like a "by us, for us" driver would, is available gratis, and comes with no odious restrictions, where is the problem? If they give us what we would make ourselves (or better), why complain? Because using free software gives us a warm, fuzzy feeling that proprietary software can't match. We like to feel "in control" of our computers even when that control would buy us nothing.
There are cases in which it's better not to be beholden to your vendors. Unsupported and poorly supported hardware is trouble. In that case, "open source or we won't buy" is completely appropriate. That company doesn't take care of its customers. Well-supported hardware? Not so much. Paranoia about running proprietary code rears its head. We're afraid of losing control over our systems, because we don't trust these evil proprietary corporations. After all, they're not with us, so they must be against us, right? Wrong. Nvidia isn't the enemy. They're a company that makes a product, and we are their customers. They've shown through their actions that they care about us enough to support us. That could change, but so could a lot of things. No one can be in your corner all the time. For the time being, Nvidia is.
In an interdependant world, ultimatums are nothing more than sand clogging up the machinery of society. There are freedoms that we should under no circumstances surrender, and there are those which we can trade, for our long term or short-term good. The freedom to control our computers? Let's hold on to that one. The freedom to modify every single piece of software on the computer? Maybe being able to modify nearly every single piece of it is enough, as long as we are free to add or remove the unmodifiable software as we wish.
Deciding where to draw the line is a hairy question. Unfortunately, dodging that question by adopting an absolutist philosophy isn't an option. One extreme leaves you with no control over your computer. The other sounds nice until you remember that most of the world does not want to operate like you do. If you won't work with others, then they won't work with you. Big companies don't come around to your way of thinking just because they like you.
I mention Nvidia a lot, because they're the topic of the day. Other situations are different, which is my entire point. One-size-fits-all answers are wrongs answers.
Each situation must be evaluated according to its own merits. Sometimes "good enough" is good enough. I'd say this is one of those times.
markzzzsmith wrote:If you think I'm a open source "zealot", and binary and proprietary device drivers are quite ok, then I'm afraid you just don't get what open source is actually about. Linux wouldn't be where it is today if it wasn't for a very large number of manufacturers opening their programming specifications. I know this to be a fact, I've been using it since 1992, many years before the first binary driver showed up. The only way we could run it in those days was to use hardware with open programming specifications. If you're now using Linux with proprietary drivers, you're now supporting the idea of closed hardware specifications, which would have prevented Linux's birth in the first place. Would you much rather have not had Linux available ? Encouraging vendors to close their specifications by accepting that decision and continuing to buy their hardware will cause that to be the eventual result.
I think you're too uncompromising: that's what I think. I'm very glad that many manufacturers have made it possible to produce free software drivers, and that we have the Linux we have today.
I also think that your crystal ball is at least as foggy as mine. There's no way you can say for sure whether using proprietary drivers will ruin our free system or not. Perhaps favoring free drivers while reaching out to proprietary software companies will be more effective.
Linux might not have gotten of the ground without using only free software, but now is not then. Linux is well-established, as is free software. Perhaps now is the time to gain ground in another way (I sound like ESR here).
EDIT: This is way longer than I'd like it to be, but I've edited it as best I can right now.

I sent an email to a govt. Agency and got one back saying I was a spambot. What does that mean?

I sent an email to a govt. Agency and got one back saying I was a spambot. What does that mean?

Simply put, a bot – which is short for robot – is an automated computer program that allows outside sources to control computers remotely without the users' knowledge. A botnet is a network of hundreds or thousands of computers infected with botnet malware that communicates covertly with a command-and-control (CnC) server run by a type of cybercriminal called a botmaster. Unbeknownst to the individual users, their computers are linked in a rogue network which the botmaster can utilize for a variety of nefarious purposes.
Detailed information here:
http://mac-internet-security-software-review.toptenreviews.com/how-do-i-know-if- my-computer-is-a-botnet-zombie-.html

Controlling computers

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