"Andrew Gideon" wrote in message
online.com...
C J Campbell wrote:

You could not even go back to the days when only
research facilities and the military had Internet access.

Considering the economic damages caused by each major worm run, that might
not be a Bad Thing. We'd lose a *lot*. But it might be better, in the
long run.


Better for whom? I submit that your protests are essentially the same as
those of the priests when Gutenberg started printing Bibles. Your high
priesthood is threatened now that the unanointed masses have access to
computers and networks. The reaction was violent when personal computers
were first introduced. The IT priesthood constantly warned of the dangers of
personal computing. Most big corporations and government agencies adopted
policies prohibiting employees from using anything but the company
mainframe. Never mind that the IT priests could not deliver what people
wanted: their own spreadsheets and word processors. Employees had to meet
off site in secret to get real work done on their personal computers.

After thirty plus years, nothing has changed. The ancient priesthood still
tries to hold onto its power, railing against the dangers of Microsoft and
Windows and, yes, personal computing. The days of the priests are numbered.
I think that is a Good Thing.

Still, there's a third alternative: safe computing.

Again, safe for whom? Apparently the high priests are concerned only for
their own safety, ie, jobs.


People don't mind using mechanics or A&Ps because we're told it's
necessary.

As a matter of fact, many people do mind.