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Talking over their heads?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4413155.stm
Quote:
Eighty-four percent did not know that phishing describes faked e-mail scams.
And of that Twenty percent wonder how many are actually doing something.Quote:
Twenty percent admitted they did not know what to do to protect themselves generally online.
I'm a geek and sometimes even I have to look it up...
Slashdot is a good example... I'm always seeing geek speak on there I don't know.
I didn't think you could get much geekier than me... but I guess you can.
While the statistics may make sense, I'm curious about their methods, etc of gathering the statistical data. Whenever I don't want my grandparents to understand what I'm saying to my bro, we can speak in technical jargon and l33t sp33k..
When talking to users about tech stuff I usually ask them straight out how comfortable they are with tech terms. The majority of the ones who say they're ok still get glazed eyes when you use basic terms. I find I have to use a lot of non-computer analogies to get my points across. Like recommending password changes after cleaning or reloading an infected computer -> If you thought someone made a copy of your house keys you'd probably get new locks. Crap like that.
People are embarassed to admit when they don't know something especially in a work environment. Obviously skill sets are different and everyone isn't expected to everyone else's job. I think the people who evercome the stigma and get the information in terms that the understand are way ahead of the others and are a benefit to their organization.
So when you wanna ask him if he slept with the girl last night, you say " Did you get you floppy disk (3.5 inch :p) inside the drive ? lolQuote:
Whenever I don't want my grandparents to understand what I'm saying to my bro
Why don't you want your gradparent to know about something if your talking about computers ? No need to use extra elite terms. Like they care if you talk about PC's.
Enough said. Aol users are n00bs. Although as stated above, I have had to google some Slashdot geek speak. Some of those guys are a lot geekier than I am.Quote:
Many are often left vulnerable because they have no idea what they are supposed to be protecting themselves against, a survey for AOL UK has found.
So you mean if somebody uses AOL he's a n00b ? So basicly you're syaing he can not reach the same website you can and read the same information you can and be as smart as you can ? Wow, that's kind of a dumb statement. I was on AOL for 3 years (cuz i was tuck with it), i recently switched to high-speed broadband, and let me tell you, i didn't get smarter or 1337 just because i had a faster connection. Yes i had more time to read since the pages loaded faster but still, pages looked same to me :)
You have to admit CopyRight that a lot of trolls come from people on AOL.Quote:
Originally posted here by ©opy®ight
So you mean if somebody uses AOL he's a n00b ? So basicly you're syaing he can not reach the same website you can and read the same information you can and be as smart as you can ? Wow, that's kind of a dumb statement. I was on AOL for 3 years (cuz i was tuck with it), i recently switched to high-speed broadband, and let me tell you, i didn't get smarter or 1337 just because i had a faster connection. Yes i had more time to read since the pages loaded faster but still, pages looked same to me :)
Just check out Attrition's Postal section http://attrition.org/postal/
AOL is also one of the largest ISPs around. More users = more trolls...its probably proportionalQuote:
You have to admit CopyRight that a lot of trolls come from people on AOL.
Not all AOL users are n00bs but this is the starting point for a lot of people new to computers and the internet so I would say a good portion are n00bs.
And if you stayed with AOL for 3 years I would say that doesnt make you a n00b but I have pity for you.
You definatley cant untap the power of the internet with dial up.
I have friend that uses AOL...and has for almost 10 years now.
He does not have access to high speed where he lives....and he has had the same email address for as many years....which he usually uses for business...and like us all I am sure he has some "alter" identities he uses..when in the mood.
He uses high end dell laptops that he upgrades every 2 years...and is able to hook into highspeed access points when available.
He is not a n00b..but he does use AOL
I guess it just depends on your preferences on what provider you use.
Just cause you dont have access to high speed...doesnt make you a n00bie :rolleyes:
MLF
AOL users are those who don't give a **** about computers, don't care to learn about computers and don't know or care that their computer is crawling with malware, they just want to have email, surf porn and chat with their friends. Generalization? Yes. But, as the old saying goes "there's always the exception that proves the rule".Quote:
Just cause you dont have access to high speed...doesnt make you a n00bie
Of all my users that finally give up and come to me with problems with their home computer being unusable they have all been dial-up users and, in the 90th percentile, have been AOL users. Every single one of them that has taken my advice, gone to high speed and implemented my "protection package", have not had subsequent issues in years.
You also need to take note of who the first person was that "squawked" about AOL users not being noobs.... I think a nerve was touched..... ;)
As if Geek Speak isn't enough for these people, consider their "DUH'ness" when they encounter Internet Acronyms, such as:
Abbreviation and Meaning:
404 - I haven't a clue
AFAIK - As far as I know
AFK - Away from keyboard
A/S/L? - Age/sex/location?
BRB - Be right back
CYA - Cover your ass
FAQ - Frequently asked question
HUB - Head up butt
IIRC - If I recall/remember/recollect correctly
IMNSHO - In my not so humble opinion
JBOD - Just a bunch of disks (like redundant array of inexpensive disks)
FMTYEWTK - Far more than you ever wanted to know
OTOH - On the other hand
PEBCAK - Problem exists between chair and keyboard
PIBKAC - Problem is between keyboard and chair
PITA - Pain in the ass
PM - Private message
PMFJIB - Pardon me for jumping in but...
RAID - Redundant array of inexpensive disks
ROTFLMAO - Rolling on the floor laughing my a** off
ROTFLMAOWPIMP - Rolling on the floor laughing my a** off while peeing in my pants
RTFM - Read the fine manual
SHCOON - Shoot hot coffee out of nose
TFH - Thread from hell
TTFN - Ta-Ta for now
WTF - What the ??
YMMV - Your mileage may vary
It's a subculture all it's own.
Thats the thing though, people like you make AOL users look bad.Quote:
So you mean if somebody uses AOL he's a n00b ? So basicly you're syaing he can not reach the same website you can and read the same information you can and be as smart as you can ? Wow, that's kind of a dumb statement. I was on AOL for 3 years (cuz i was tuck with it), i recently switched to high-speed broadband, and let me tell you, i didn't get smarter or 1337 just because i had a faster connection. Yes i had more time to read since the pages loaded faster but still, pages looked same to me
Why thank you Specialist. That means a lot coming from you. Retard make me laugh, sorry.
I think it's a testament to geekiness if you use any of this in everyday spoken conversation. I've been known to say "I'm 404" and most people (even the geekier ones) get the glazed look...Quote:
Originally posted here by ZT3000
As if Geek Speak isn't enough for these people, consider their "DUH'ness" when they encounter Internet Acronyms, such as:
Abbreviation and Meaning:
404 - I haven't a clue
AFAIK - As far as I know
AFK - Away from keyboard
A/S/L? - Age/sex/location?
BRB - Be right back
CYA - Cover your ass
FAQ - Frequently asked question
HUB - Head up butt
IIRC - If I recall/remember/recollect correctly
IMNSHO - In my not so humble opinion
JBOD - Just a bunch of disks (like redundant array of inexpensive disks)
FMTYEWTK - Far more than you ever wanted to know
OTOH - On the other hand
PEBCAK - Problem exists between chair and keyboard
PIBKAC - Problem is between keyboard and chair
PITA - Pain in the ass
PM - Private message
PMFJIB - Pardon me for jumping in but...
RAID - Redundant array of inexpensive disks
ROTFLMAO - Rolling on the floor laughing my a** off
ROTFLMAOWPIMP - Rolling on the floor laughing my a** off while peeing in my pants
RTFM - Read the fine manual
SHCOON - Shoot hot coffee out of nose
TFH - Thread from hell
TTFN - Ta-Ta for now
WTF - What the ??
YMMV - Your mileage may vary
It's a subculture all it's own.
AOL is a starting point for most, and it seems to have a high representation of n00bs, but CRight makes a good example of the exception. However, I side with Tiger Shark and his classic argument that the majority of AOL users are NOT technical people, NOT primarily of the hacker (classic sense) mentality, and don't have any interest in squeezing the most from their computer/internet experience. That generalization leads IMNSHO to what I would suggest is a disproportional number of n00bs, trolls, and L-users @aol.com. Doesn't mean they are ALL that way, but I would argue they have a higher than normal percentage.
man I cant believe you forgot one of the most important ones...
STFU - Shut The ***** UP!
its sad that I use many of these in spoken conversation...at work none the less. Perhaps it is worse that we all understand eachother?
I don't get the logic here...saying that a person's connection is directly related to their knowledge or interest in computers is like saying a guy driving a standard knows more about fixing his car than the guy driving an automatic...it's a ridiculous assumption that something as irrelevant as a hook-up can be directly related to a person's knowledge.
I'd be willing to bet that there are just as many n00bs per capita using high-speed internet as dial-up...what's next? Is someone going to suggest that anyone not using Linux is a n00b because they use the more user-friendly...cough...sorry, n00b-friendly Windows or Mac ? :rolleyes:
Let's do a survey on the OS that n00bs use most...Windows or Linux ?..this would be more relevant than what connection people use. Can I then assume that all Windows users are now n00bs? This is a ridiculous discussion...because there's no logic behind it at all.
AOL is another discussion entirely...I don't use or recommend AOL because it infects your system...but if memory serves me correct, I do use Firefox...and Mozilla is somehow connected to AOL...I believe it's a division of AOL.
-YES INDEED!Quote:
AOL is another discussion entirely...I don't use or recommend AOL because it infects your system...but if memory serves me correct, I do use Firefox...and Mozilla is somehow connected to AOL...I believe it's a division of AOL.
For complete hacker's jargon (geek stuff), it is in AO's page (right side) - Hacker Jargon - http://www.antionline.com/jargon/ Never finished reading it all yet.Quote:
Source from Mozilla.org - http://www.mozilla.org/foundation/
About the Mozilla Foundation
Established in July, 2003, with start-up support from America Online's Netscape division, the Mozilla Foundation exists to provide organizational, legal, and financial support for the Mozilla open-source software project. The Foundation has been incorporated as a California not-for-profit corporation to ensure that the Mozilla project continues to exist beyond the participation of individual volunteers, to enable contributions of intellectual property and funds and to provide a vehicle for limiting legal exposure while participating in open-source software projects.
Yo!
I am not geek but I studing and is very intresting in computers, security and recovery. I reading/visiting AO very often. For now I got powerup my coputer and have just ClamAV running.
I few month I did not get any spy or vir on my computer. (i do check with programs from my USB)
I am may a noob yet but I become be better.
I may be cannot all therms yet but I am ably to protect myself and help others with some kind of problem.
Most users don't know much about computers and really don't want to know.
To them a PC is a machine just like a car or a microwave if it does something odd then it is broken and should be fixed or thrown away. I've heard of many machines that were thrown away when all that was needed was a reformat.
Most of the machines I've fixed in the last year have problems caused with spyware. The users are usually quite surprised to find out what a nasty place the interweb is. I'm finding I spend at least as long explaining what has happend to their machine as I do fixing it.
The users are not usually thick they just find the workings of a PC a bit abstract. If you use a metaphor they can cope with they will get the idea quite quickly. I often describe using spyware scanners as being a bit like washing your car, the crap builds up over time and mileage and you should give it a clean once a week or so.
It's not accurate and it's overly simplistic but it gets the idea across. Similar silly stories work with AV and updates.
They're not geeks after you speak with them but they are a bit less of a noob.
Now that's funny :D Maybe we should 'advise' all those people that come here asking "How can I hack into my girlfriend's hotmail, I think she is cheating on me" to install spyware :lildevil:Quote:
A quarter said they knew what "spyware" was, although almost one in 10 of those thought it was a computer program that kept an eye on unfaithful partners.
I loved the phishermen's cartoon :D
Whoa whoa, a lot of name calling and no one stepping foward to explain why. The reason AOL users are typically looked down upon is not because of their ISP choice merely being OMFGWTFBBQ aol, it's because of how limiting AOL is as an ISP.
I remember being on it WAY back in the day. Limited telnet access depending upon country, multiple proxy/firewalls (aol-based) inbetween you and the page you connect to, thus eliminating proper origonal proxy usage, incompatible standards meaning ssh was always a little buggy, and that you are never actually on the internet, but just on their network. Rather than being on the 'net, per say, and asking backbones to download the information to your computer... on AOL you end up asking the AOL proxies to ask the other proxies to download the information from a backbone computer and then send it back to the proxy chain to send it to you. A lot of bandwidth wasted and time spent waiting.
It isn't that the AOL users are dumb by nature. We assume they are newbs because they are using an internet service which is going to hinder their network security testing/exploration/learning. And because of this hinderence and incompatability, it is eventually going to leave them far behind in terms of hand-on knowledge and 'at home' capability.