The Uneducated Enduser (Re: Microsoft XP SP2 (was Re: Lazy network operators - NOT))

Tue Apr 20 16:00:45 UTC 2004

> As for the specifics of your comments, I could not disagree more, but it
> is a philosophy of life that distinguishes our views, not the analysis of
> the problem.   I believe (like a lot of other New Englanders and even
> some from California) that people must assume responsibility for their
> actions.  If responsibility is not enforced, society collapses (into e.g.
> the kind of chaos we see on the internet.)

I like the term responsibility but how is it applied? If I own a vehicle, 
what are my responsibilities? I have to obtain a drivers license which 
gives me the privilege of driving a motor vehicle. Driving a motor vehicle 
is an active choice, I am behind the wheel putting the vehicle in motion. 
I am responsible for all the consequences of my actions while driving. 
Where is my responsibility in vehicle ownership? Is is responsible to 
leave the vehicle locked at the curb, unlocked, keys in the ignition? What 
are my responsibilities when an unauthorized person uses my vehicle?
Driving a motor vehicle is a complex task. There is enforcement in place 
and it is common knowledge that training and license is required to use a 
motor vehicle.

What about a baseball bat? Where is my responsibility in owning a baseball 
bat? If I store my baseball bat leaning against my backdoor, am I 
responsible if my neighbour uses it without my permission to crack his 
wifes skull?

> In 2004 no one is "tricked" into using rubbish software; there are 
> plenty of alternatives, and the rubbishy nature of the leading OS is
> in almost every day's newspaper.  It's a choice people make, like overeating
> and gaining weight.  No one is there with a gun forcing people to gain 
> weight.

My argument is that a computer needs to be in a safe state by default. I 
firmly believe that if I buy a brand new box from any reputable vendor 
with a premium operating system of choice I should be able to connect this 
device to a local broadband connection indefinitely. It needs to be safe 
without user training or user intervention.

> As for "uneducated", the solution is the same as for bad drivers:
> training.  If you are a threat to the rest of the internet because of
> your ignorance (or irresponsibility) then you do not qualify for
> connectivity, just as bad drivers don't get licenses, bad credit
> risks don't get credit, and drunk airline pilots stop flying.  

I can walk, I can take a bicycle. Owning a computer today is like owning a 
performance car. There is no learning curve, it's all or nothing.

If this is the way it has to be, then service providers need to take 
responsibility and provide a safe environment for the uneducated users. 
This includes filtering ports, filtering emails, etc. A last resort is 
terminating service if a user is unwilling to learn at all.

Adi