also a bit of a worry are the new little laptops which are almost 
embedded devices, they tend to run everything as root. I have seen it 
described as "a single user version of the secure Linux operating 
system" worryingly they miss the point that the reason Linux/Unix is 
secure is that it was designed from the ground up to be a multi-user 
operating system and the actions of one user are not permitted to break 
anything for another user.
Alan.
Dr Adam J Trickett wrote:
> On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 at 12:10:26AM +0100, Alan Pope wrote:
>   
>>>    2.  Linux users generally do not download precompiled binaries
>>>       from random sources.
>>>       
>> Hah! They _so_ do.
>>
>> Video drivers, printer drivers, tv playback software, voip systems, games.
>>
>> You might have sensible precautions on a linux system but in my
>> experience your average Linux user installs just as much crap as they
>> ever did on Windows.
>>     
>
> I fear Popey is right, the average Linux users use to be a 
> cautious "Unix like" user. Now the average Linux user grew up on 
> Windows and treats Linux the same way they treated Windows, i.e. 
> very badly.... 
>
> Though there are less problems on Mac OS and Linux than there are 
> on Windows, as more people migrate in, with less understanding 
> there will will be more problems - even though the Unix design is 
> superior to the Windows one.
>
>   
-- 
Alan Bell
The Open Learning Centre
Web: 
www.theopenlearningcentre.com
Mob: +44 (0)7736 778908
Tel: +44 (0)8444 3576000 
The Open Learning Centre is a trading name of Bell Lord Ltd,
a company registered in England and Wales #05868943.
VAT Registration #GB 901 4715 55