IronWil Blog » Microsoft

Online Authentication

Iron Wil — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:47:17 +0000

This is a huge subject that covers many aspects. We have Facebook pushing Facebook Connect, we have Open Authentication, a small group looking at delivering a distributed ID system, and browsers taking a crack at possible ways to deliver our online identities. There are opinions all over the map from guys like Jason Calacanis, Leo Laporte, and Steve Gibson.

I am not sure what the answer is; but I have to admit that I like Diaspora and am interested in what they end up doing. They received massive amounts of cash to deliver a product they came up with. Each person will hold their own ID and control how it is used. Mozilla has presented Thirdparty and Fingerprinting. Jason Calacanis has also ranted his displeasure on Facebook‘s Privacy while Leo Laporte has walked away from Facebook because the Privacy Policy has changed several times.

Facebook has now reached 500 Million daily users and is showing very little slowdown. Twitter is great for short messages and sharing right now news. Google is now working on a not so secret project titled ‘Google Me‘ a potential competitor to Facebook. Then we have Open Authentication or Open ID which is designed to deliver single sign on across the web; something that Microsoft tried to deliver years ago with Passport. There is such confusion over what the best solution will be.

Diaspora seems to bring the best ideas together by allowing the users to own the server, software, and information. It provides a single sign on that is controlled by the user.

What should the solution be?

That is a really good question. One, I have been considering for weeks, which is obvious since I am just getting this article finished & posted. I think that the best solution will allow for cross platform compatibility and easy user deployment. Software that can be installed similar to WordPress or Joomla. Plug-ins to enable additional features and content or games and video. It should be easy to update and take care of so that the average web user can manage their account and software. I imagine that several hosting companies, like DreamHost and SquareSpace, will provide managed installs. I hope that it will interface with Facebook and Twitter and several other services. It would make sense to me, that is always the hitch, that in order to compete and over take the competition; it will have to be very open and powerful. It would also need to provide Open Authentication [Open ID] like access to websites and deliver single sign-on services to a multitude of sites and services.

When it happens … the next social network evolution will change the way we communicate and interact. It will also change who owns the data and where that data resides. My personal hope is that projects like Diaspora will finally overcome the larger social juggernauts.

iron wil

Macs get attacked!!!

Iron Wil — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:55:17 +0000

The real bottom line is people use what they need. They may use Linux/Mac/Windows it doesn’t really matter except to them. I actually have all 3 boxes working in my house. I use 3 operating systems and they all have a specific use; however, I use my Mac for 95% of what I do. A computer is the reflection of the owner like a car or bike or home; it is a tool that many people don’t know how to live without.

The following is a conversation that I had with some friends, I changed some things to protect the original speakers.

SC: Finally got my own laptop…and no it is NOT a Mac.

DCB: did you invent Windows 7 too?

EvC: Good. 90% of the people who own macs don’t need them.

LVT: Shame really.

BD: Macs are too expensive….

Wil: Macs are not to expensive & yes every Mac owner needs it. It isn’t the perfect computer yet; however, all the computer security guys I know prefer them over Windows hands down. Yet, cost for many is a driving factor & when I consult the first question I always ask is what is your budget & then what do you want it with do?

ErC: You will be eating those words in a year…

Wil: me? Nope, we have 2 & I am looking @ more.

LVT: I agree haven’t any problems with a mac in 20 years!!! They are fast and awesome!! I’m glad not to have to deal with regular computers anymore!! Yay me! LOL.

EvC: The only reason Macs have less “issues” is because they aren’t as mainstream. PCs are far more popular, thus hackers, viruses, etc. are geared towards them. There are two solutions to this if you want to save money AND learn a couple of useful things about computers (which can be useful in your life):

1. Learn how to properly secure your PC and how to properly clean it out when necessary.
2. Install Linux on it. It’s free, not mainstream, and destroys PC and Macs as far as customizing goes.

The only people who should be buying Macs are the graphic/music/video editing artists. The software that runs applications for them are specially designed for macs, and are thus better on macs. Everyone else who buys Macs are either way too misinformed, have a “liberal” way of thinking, are gay, or are just too intimidated by PCs for some reason.

GKC: Quit hating on Apple – Steve Jobs rocks my face!! You’re just jealous because you’re not as cool as us Mac folks ; )

ErC: When you say “gay” do you mean “homosexual” or “stupid”…

EvC: Macs are aesthetically pleasing I’ll admit… so yes, I meant gay, because most gay people like aesthetically pleasing things.

GKC: Oh and no Wil, he wasn’t talking about you – he was talking to SC …. ErC is a Mac lover like myself. And Macs are not too expensive…they are worth every penny. ErC and I had a Dell that crashed and burned within 8 months of buying it….I’ve had my Mac for over a year and not one issue and it still runs like the day we bought it. I can see why some people would prefer a PC….they are better for gamers.

LVT: LOL macs are Topline and for people with brains.

LVT: LOL I’ve never been intimidated by PC’s LOL that’s ignorance talking mister!! when I use a PC elsewhere they are exhaustively stupid!! It’s like running on asphalt without shoes when you have a wonderful perfect pair that would save your feet and joints from unnecessary pain and damage!!

EvC: I assure you, your 20 year old mac is not as fast as today’s current PCs. That’s just impossible from a technological standpoint. I’ll go to the Mac = overpriced tricycle example: http://208.116.9.205/10/content/10348/1.jpg

They are safe… you won’t fall, and if you don’t care to ever learn how to ride a “real bike,” they are just fine. … I don’t get how you can argue that they are not overpriced… b/c they most definitely are. Go to any site, store, and see for yourself. You can get the same thing on a PC WAY cheaper… and like I said Mac is ripping you one, because the only reason you don’t have problems is due to the fact that they aren’t mainstream. They are pretty much charging you up the rear for a “pretty looking” computer.

GKC: PC ripped off Mac’s OS with Windows…Bill Gates is a stinkin’ thief….and their current version looks a whole lot like the Leopard OS Mac has had for a while now. PCs are constantly changing to just keep up with Mac’s innovations….but we don’t have to buy all the software or upgrade to a new unit – we simply just install the updates. I understand EvC, you like to tear your computer apart and build your own unit…but I don’t. If I’m going to spend money on a computer, it better do what I want with minimal effort on my part – and that’s exactly what Mac provides…and yes, in a pretty package too.

Wil: wow EvC, you opened up one big can o’Mac-ness. I will agree that you can get “comparable” hardware. However, I agree with GKC that when you want a computer to just work … get a Mac. I have & do PC repair for others often, I recommend 4 applications to help protect their computer from infection.

But the real seller for me besides ease of use is sex appeal, they are very good looking computers, and cost. I would spend about the same or more on my PC over it’s life on components plus I then lost the time it took to put them in & upgrade all the software. OS costs are lower & so are many of the other basic software packages.

Do an actual price comparison for the hardware & software … there is a difference … oh yeah & they have the BEST customer service!!!

LVT: I have traded up every few years….I just meant that over the past 20 years I’ve never had problems…only traded up to the newer faster models.

LVT: I’ve had this argument with friends all the time!! It stops once they get one themselves and then apologize for their stupidity!! Hee hee this is fun!!

LVT: What’s even funnier is this whole conversation has yet to be seen by SC!

GKC: Lol!!! That’s what happened with ErC, he made fun of me for my love of Mac….and then he experienced the awesomeness of Mac for himself – now it is all things Apple in our house.

LVT: EXACTLY!!! =D

LVT: *high five* GKC.

EvC: I took a digital design class with macs. I’m not claiming they are bad computers… I just have no real reason to buy one, nor do I think a majority of owners have any real reason to own one. But I do recall that the mac lab at school (name removed) had terrible issues with connecting to the school network that they were never able to fix. About a fifth of the computers were unable to ever connect to the network that whole semester. Macs have their issues, too.

I can understand, though, wanting “minimal effort” when it comes to handling computers (hence the tricycle comparison). I’ll admit I’m the same way with some of the necessary things in life… for example, I suck at buying cars and getting car repairs. I know next to nothing about cars. In the end, don’t dis the PC/Linux folks. Macs aren’t any better in anyway when it comes to speed and even reliability (depending on how you define it). They are just a “safer” option for people who just want “minimal effort.”

EvC: And GKC, that happens EVERYWHERE in corporate America.

KB: Shoulda gone with a MAC

LVT: Sigh… I’ve been there done that!! Can’t ever prove anything until ya take the plunge!! You’ll never know until then….sorry….

SC: Wow! I am good at starting these long drawn out conversations.

First off. I don’t have any problem with Macs. In fact, I was the one who convinced AC to get one. I just can’t justify the extreme cost.
Second, EvC is absolutely correct about the security issues and the reason why there aren’t more viruses on Macs. They just aren’t as … popular especially in the business world.
Third, I have used the Mac OS and the Windows 7 OS and I have to say just after one day of using it…the Windows 7 OS is better. Plain and simple. Also there are some really silly things about Macs. An example would be that there is no way to easily force out a stuck DVD like you can with a PC. That is a simple design flaw.

As far as Microsoft ripping off the Mac OS, who cares! Bottom line is that I got a PC laptop for a THIRD of the cost of a Mac and it actually has a bigger screen and more hard drive space. I didn’t get a Dell I got an ASUS (the guys that started the netbook craze). I hope my friends will forgive my but this conversation was just to hilarious to not share.

ironwil

New TWiT NetCasts – 2009.12.28

Iron Wil — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 10:00:02 +0000

TWiT 226: The Sacred Straw Man

Hosts: Leo Laporte, John C. Dvorak, Lisa Bettany, and Andrew Warner

Guests: Adam Jones and Johnny Worthington

The inside story on the Crunch Pad, mandatory ISP filtering in Australia, and the 3D tech in Avatar…

IronWil Blog » Microsoft

Online Authentication

Macs get attacked!!!

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