Macs, like Linux, default to running in a non-Administrator mode. You have to enter a password to do something major like installing programs or modifying system files.

It's been that way as long as I can remember.

Windows XP still runs as Adminstrator, by default, (this is one of two major fixes in Vista, along with taking system updating responsibilities out of the Internet browser) but they have identified most risky practices and require user intervention to approve it, by default. And, I, a self-employed computer repairman by trade, am seeing almost no viruses of the classic self-propagating sort anymore.

They're all Trojans, fooling users into overriding their systems security to install fake antivirus, registry fixers, or other 'utility' programs. However, there are still plenty of them out there. Also, unpatched Windows machines remain a rich market for infection.

The problem is that the bad guys (all professionals) who write these things are extremely good at making them well-nigh impossible to the average Windows user to remove. I don't think these guys have the necessary expertise on the Macintosh to make themselves quite to permanent.

Even if Windows does improve its security model to be equal to OSX and Linux, it still has the problem of the expert Windows-based malware writing industry it created by almost a decade of total obliviousness to the need for system security.

That problem isn't going away quickly. And with the Wintel marketshare remaining a big, fat, target, they're under no pressure to branch out to the smaller and more unfamiliar Mac and Linux spaces.

(Sorry if that's already been used)

I originally heard about this on a completely different forum, not having anything at all to do with Salon or even Joan Walsh. People were just amazed at what an incredible ass Armey had made of himself, and how well Joan had handled him.

The Internet Tubes are buzzing with the story of what a dickhead Dick was!

Congratulations of handling yourself so well, Joan. The comments here have been delightful, and, unusual for Salon, almost 100% postitive. The first two pages had zero support for Armey's outburst.

When even the trolls are on your side, you know you done good! Keep giving the jerks hell, Joan.

But don't marry any of them. You can do so much better!

I find little in the reported activities of Tom Daschle indicate anything other than jealousy over another person's accomplishments and expertise.

I see nothing wrong with someone getting paid for their expertise. Healthcare companies have to make decisions about how they will react to coming changes. Daschle's demonstrated value as a speaker and advisor is a testament to his ability. I am sure it is this valuable ability that influenced Obama to pick Daschle as his HHS nominee.

Daschle's marital status is none of my concern. Why he and his first wife split is their business, and I have seen nothing to indicate that it has any bearing on the HHS position. Defending Clinton's DOMA was both a political duty, and a political necessity in conservative South Dakota.

The use of obscene quotes by a foul-mouthed columnist for a rock magazine certainly set the story apart from traditional journalism, but to my mind, that does nothing to improve it. I can probably find a friend who will make disgusting aspersions about the habits of Glenn Greenwald, but would still not make them worthy of republishing. It is a cheap tactic by a writer who had nothing of substance to use in criticizing an Obama appointee.

The lack of substantial faults in the conduct of Tom Daschle was essentially admitted in the article, because, aside from the limo service taxes, (which must be paid, and should be considered in judging character) Greenwaldl admits that Daschle has not even accepted game tickets as any sort of payback for favors. This is somehow twisted into a character flaw, nonetheless.

Final point: One-dimensional attack columnists like Greenwald and Sirota, who apparently cannot write a story unless it involves tearing down people in power, find changes in administration hard to deal with. While valuable in the face of a corrupt and abusive regime such as that of Bush Jr, constant antagonism serves far less purpose when applied reflexively to a reform government such as the Obama Administration.

Press scrutiny of politicians and politics is required (and a given in the case of Democrats), but simple attacks on those in power without regard to merit or taste serve little purpose, except to feed disaffection and cynicism.

Feeding off such negative emotions, and encouraging them in readers, is not a sign of good character.

Again, we are treated to the sorry spectacle of a one-dimensional columnist who cannot evolve from the schtick of knee-jerk critique.

This inflexible lack of talent forces Sirota to squint feebly at the trunks of the trees while resolutely ignoring the forest.

In a week that featured 'corporate tools' like Tim Geithner standing beside Obama as the President made the truly radical (not progressive or liberal) pronouncement that the Government would use its power over bailed-out banks to force them to cap executive compensation, Sirota obsesses over biographies.

Skilled craftsmen can do many things, David. They can build ticky-tack suburban strip malls, ostentatious and wasteful McMansions, or the Guggenheim Museum in New York. It all depends on who is calling the shots.

Barack Obama is calling the shots. And he's working for us.

Try to expand your bag of tricks from merely parroting the same critiques to actually reporting on reality.

Really Open Source, instead of just vampiring off potential consumers.

Addictive too.

It isn't Halo, but it isn't bad either.

And you can't beat the price.

Or paste this into your browser.

http://www.alientrap.org/nexuiz/