markwolfe Veteran Posted November 7, 2007 Veteran Share Posted November 7, 2007 Not really BPN item, as it is just a blog entry, but wanted to share this to the other *nix users out there. Source: Lobby4Linux / Komputers4Kids blog entry (the source has an obnoxiously large and garish image. you have been warned...) It was bound to happen.I am simply surprised it took this long. Microsoft Mind Control has been spotted and confirmed on Sagebrush Lane in Austin Texas. We all know that MS operates on a manipulative level on a grand scale, but unfortunately, that isn't where the damage has been done. It's been done on Sagebrush Lane... and Main Street, and on Ein bier Bitte Strasse and any other street that houses people and their computers. Many of you are aware that Lobby4Linux.com operates a charity called Komputers4Kids. We proudly and quietly set our 100th computer two weeks ago. It was one of these last few installs that triggered "the incident". Here is how it happened. I got a call three nights ago from one of our "clients". Amy is 13 and an extremely bright girl. She was not only thrilled to get a new computer, she was "totally and like way thrilled" to have an operating system that didn't require three other programs so the system would work like any other. That was until her mom got ahold of it. "Is this Ken?" "Yes it is." "Hi, this is Amy *********. You installed a computer for us last Monday...you know, I was the one with the black truck in the driveway you liked?" (a 55 Chevy 1/2 ton that was in the process of restoration - beautiful!) "Ah yes Amy...what can I do for you?" Amy was a bit hesitant and it became obvious that she was maybe just a tad frosted at her Mom. "Well, a couple days after you put the computer in, my mom's boyfriend came over and was messing with the computer and said that it was junk because it didn't have Windows on it. He left then came back with some Windows program and it was working but now when I turn it on it says that some program is illegal and that I need to call Microsoft. Can you come over and look at it. I really have to get this homework assignment done. Normally I would tell her that I wasn't responsible for anything done to the computer after I installed it but in this case, I made an exception. I knew right away what had happened and once I got there, my suspicions were confirmed. Windows Genuine Advantage strikes again. But this time, it got it right. Apparently there is a hacked version of Vista available. According to a "close source", this particular cracked version works perfectly but the idiot who installed it didn't do it right and he got busted putting it on a computer. Correction...a brain-dead mom and a 13 year old girl who had no control over the situation got busted. The idiot who stores his beat up pickup truck in their driveway isn't out a thing. Long story short I fixed it for her. I used Testdisk and a couple other programs via the Nimblex sub-100 live cd to recover the data that had been overwritten by the Vista install. I then put Linux back on HER computer. I don't install these computers so the parents can take control of them. It is called Komputers4Kids...not Komputers4slacker_Mom's_with_domineering_boyfriends. Not only did I give Amy her own account with USB key/fingerprint passoword...I password protected the bios and for her safety...I didn't tell her what it is. If she should need it, I am a phone call away but I warned her not to tell anyone that she knew how to get the password. Sure, it can be hacked...but not by these buffoons...those who can't even follow the simple instructions on how to install a cracked version of Vista. Trying to format or over-write a disk with another Windows attempt will fail miserably. Yeah, I know...it's all about choice. I don't give morons their choice ...especially when it stomps all over someone else's. This is the problem I seem to be facing more and more...and to be honest, I did expect to encounter it but not to this extent. The argument was that Linux is too hard to learn, yet these people were willing to sit down and fist-fight the learning curve of Vista? It's the thing Microsoft counts on. Human mental laziness and an adversion-to-change is where Gates made his billions... And besides...I thought Vista was the system that was going to end piracy. Must be something to the theory that MS WANTS Windows stolen... Superior numbers at any cost...huh Bill? You are perilously close to being on my "despise" list ol' buddy...and if I can...I am going to help do what it takes to loosen your grip...and you know what? There are millions behind me should I tire and fail. You should hope to stick with fighting me Mr. Gates...I know some of the people that will fill my space when it inevitably becomes vacant... You would rather sandpaper a panther's ass than tangle with some of them....trust me. All-Righty Then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Veteran Posted November 7, 2007 Veteran Share Posted November 7, 2007 While I like the guys attempt, I don't like him setting up secrets between himself and a14 year old girl without parental involvement. He should have lectured the mom about piracy and FOSS rather than subvert her all together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GatorV Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I think that sometimes is easyer to talk to the kids, after all they spend more time in the computer than a parent, and that counts for a lot, kids this days know more stuff (tech talking) than their parents... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwolfe Veteran Posted November 7, 2007 Author Veteran Share Posted November 7, 2007 I think Aaron's point is that he could have gone through the full explanation to the adults. Or, just told them that he had to put in a BIOS lock to prevent this "accident" from happening again. Making it a "shhh!" item was not necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheppard Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I dont like how he caller her mother braindead just because her boyfriend installed windows onto the kids PC, she probably didnt have a clue about it, he lost all credibility when i read that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Veteran Posted November 7, 2007 Veteran Share Posted November 7, 2007 I think Aaron's point is that he could have gone through the full explanation to the adults. Or, just told them that he had to put in a BIOS lock to prevent this "accident" from happening again. Making it a "shhh!" item was not necessary. Yep that was it. It wouldn't have even been a hard or long conversation, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helios17 Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 I dont like how he caller her mother braindead just because her boyfriend installed windows onto the kids PC, she probably didnt have a clue about it, he lost all credibility when i read that. Oh no!...It's going to take a while for me to stem the flow of tears here...I've lost credibility with you. How WILL I go on? OK, it's obvious you are fairly young so I'm gonna cut you a bit of slack. The mom is a friggin' punching bag for the drunk, drug addict boyfriend. You have no idea what it like to go into these homes where the kids are kicked around like dogs and their money taken from them so the parents can go buy pot or beer. the kid needed a friend. As soon as I talked with the parents about it, they would have waited until I left then beat the living sh** out of the poor kid. Sit there in your mommies brand new chair and make all the snide comments you want...then get out here in the world where kids get pounded bloody, raped and worse yet, pimped by the boyfriends of weak, drug addicted moms, then tell me how much credibility I've lost with you. I'm so distraught over this, I think I'll stop building computers for disadvantaged kids all together. Yeah right. Think about this a bit Pal before you dash off your brilliant BS against others who are trying to make a difference. h Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foub Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Not really BPN item, as it is just a blog entry, but wanted to share this to the other *nix users out there.Source: Lobby4Linux / Komputers4Kids blog entry (the source has an obnoxiously large and garish image. you have been warned...) I know exactly how this guy feels. I encounter this sort all the time........ Even on here. I see in other forums how they put down the One Laptop Per Child program just because it doesn't include Windows, but Linux instead... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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