[buug] Caveat Penguin!

Zeke Krahlin ezekielk at netzero.net
Wed Mar 8 14:00:25 PST 2000


Just some comments on the inevitable creeping commercialism that
follows on the heels of growing Linux popularity.

I recently planned to purchase Mandrake Linux 7.0 from Linux
Central <http://www.linuxbookstore.com/>, but before filling out
their order form, I checked out the security (as I always do). My
browser said "security unknown"...so I did not place an order,
and e-mailed support that I never fill out forms that aren't
secure. Here is their silly reply (and my rebuttal):

---begin message from Linux Central

> The real problem here I think is perception.  
> Although the form is presented non secure.  
> All the data submitted will be secure.  There 
> is no added security by presenting the Name 
> & address form via secure mode.
> However, their may be peace of mind.
> So we have taken your issue into consideration 
> and ammended our order process.

The "real problem"? What a ridiculous thing to say. There is no
such thing as a secure page that cannot be proven to be secure,
by any modern browser. What do you think the browser's "Page
Info" command is all about? 
No page somehow *becomes secure when it is submitted. If it's not
secure before submission, it is not secure at all. Even if it
were, there is no assurance provided for the customer; thus it
boils down to the same thing as no security at all.

This is a disservice to your customers: assuring them--even
though their browser says your form is *not secure--that it
actually *is, and they have nothing to worry about. So, all their
data (credit card number, etc.) are completely vulnerable to
identity fraud and other mischief, thanks to your company's
carefree regard. 

You have certainly not corrected this problem, as I just returned
to your order form...and my browser still says "Security: Status
unknown" regarding that page.

If there is an issue of "perception" here, it is your perception
that I'm clueless.

---end message from Linux Central

So I placed my order with Cheapbytes.

I wonder how much longer before we see our cherished penguin in
24-carat solid gold pendants dangling from earrings and
necklaces, worn by so many "penguin lovers"? It's only a matter
of time, I fear, before this happens...along with bumper stickers
proclaiming: "I hack for Jesus". 

I'm just glad I'm on the good side of the PC community, before
the Information Wars really go ballistic! At that point, it'll be
"hack and cover", and maybe the penguins of Antarctica will be
the sole survivors when all this intelligent dust settles.

Maybe it's time for a logo of a penguin crucified! And a church
to wrap around it?   :b


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