Free Tech Diving Magazine

[Ron Mahoney]

Folks, some of you may be interested to know that the first free issue of Beyond The Blue Magazine is available for download -there's a good article on the USS Aaron Ward in there.

As I write, it is up on our site for PC only. Apparently there has been an upgrade to Mac OS software that is giving the designers a problem and they say they'll have it sorted ASAP but we are putting the pdf download up as we speak.

I hope you'll enjoy the magazine - please let me know your thoughts and don't forget if you like it pass the word on - don't forget it's FREE!!

Diving Magazine - Beyond the Blue Technical Diving Magazines

Ron

 

[mike_s]

This seemed pretty interesting, so I clicked on the above link.

So I went to download and it says "PC only" and you have to download an EXE (excutable file).

Now I've got a PC, so that's not a problem, but many folks out there on Unix/Linux/Mac systems can't read your magazine.

Also, even with a PC, I don't like downloading EXE files and running them on my computer. No telling what could be imbedded in them, what they are doing, etc...
It's just enough to make us leary. I chose not to download it because of this reason.
Most of us don't want to have to download an application to read an article.

Why not distribute it in a PDF file that is much safer to download and can be viewed on any system?


So like I said, it seems pretty interesting, but I'm not willing to download an unkown third party application to read an article. Let me know when it's available via HTML or PDF.

Thanks. Mike

 

[mwhities]

I downloaded it and checked it against three different anti-virus programs. None of them detected any. I ran it and I'm in awe of it. I'd much rather have this than PDFs. I use FreeBSD at home and I can execute this program, just have to have the right stuff installed.

Michael

 

[mike_s]

I downloaded it and checked it against three different anti-virus programs. None of them detected any. I ran it and I'm in awe of it. I'd much rather have this than PDFs. I use FreeBSD at home and I can execute this program, just have to have the right stuff installed.

Michael

I'm sure the Original Poster (Magazine Editor) didn't insert any Virus's in his program.... But you never know who might have later as it's emailed around.

But why go through all the hassle of having to install/run the EXE when PDF readers are already on everyone's machine?


One more limiting note. Many corporate IT policies don't allow installation of any application EXE by users or without IT, Corporate, Corp Legal Dept, and Security approval. This is to control violations of loading shareware that contribute to virus, hacker, spyware and intruder programs. My company has such a policy, and even though I'm an adminstrator, I still have to follow corporate procedure. (They set an example of this procedure by firing someone once for violating it. hmmm... easy choice now isn't it?)

What I meant by this originally is why have to go to extra steps to install a 3rd party application to read an article when you can use avenues that are already in existance and already in mass use. If you want people to read the magazine, make it as easy as possible to do it, otherwise they won't read it.

 

[Teamcasa]

I'm sure the Original Poster (Magazine Editor) didn't insert any Virus's in his program.... But you never know who might have later as it's emailed around.

But why go through all the hassle of having to install/run the EXE when PDF readers are already on everyone's machine?


One more limiting note. Many corporate IT policies don't allow installation of any application EXE by users or without IT, Corporate, Corp Legal Dept, and Security approval. This is to control violations of loading shareware that contribute to virus, hacker, spyware and intruder programs. My company has such a policy, and even though I'm an adminstrator, I still have to follow corporate procedure. (They set an example of this procedure by firing someone once for violating it. hmmm... easy choice now isn't it?)

What I meant by this originally is why have to go to extra steps to install a 3rd party application to read an article when you can use avenues that are already in existance and already in mass use. If you want people to read the magazine, make it as easy as possible to do it, otherwise they won't read it.

All good and valid points.

Dave

 

[mwhities]

I'm sure the Original Poster (Magazine Editor) didn't insert any Virus's in his program.... But you never know who might have later as it's emailed around.

But why go through all the hassle of having to install/run the EXE when PDF readers are already on everyone's machine?


One more limiting note. Many corporate IT policies don't allow installation of any application EXE by users or without IT, Corporate, Corp Legal Dept, and Security approval. This is to control violations of loading shareware that contribute to virus, hacker, spyware and intruder programs. My company has such a policy, and even though I'm an adminstrator, I still have to follow corporate procedure. (They set an example of this procedure by firing someone once for violating it. hmmm... easy choice now isn't it?)

What I meant by this originally is why have to go to extra steps to install a 3rd party application to read an article when you can use avenues that are already in existance and already in mass use. If you want people to read the magazine, make it as easy as possible to do it, otherwise they won't read it.

I agree and understand. I guess we (my job) are more relaxed. At least until someone DOES open something up with a virus and it shuts down the network. "so far; so good"

Michael

 

[Ron Mahoney]

I'm sure the Original Poster (Magazine Editor) didn't insert any Virus's in his program.... But you never know who might have later as it's emailed around.

But why go through all the hassle of having to install/run the EXE when PDF readers are already on everyone's machine?


One more limiting note. Many corporate IT policies don't allow installation of any application EXE by users or without IT, Corporate, Corp Legal Dept, and Security approval. This is to control violations of loading shareware that contribute to virus, hacker, spyware and intruder programs. My company has such a policy, and even though I'm an adminstrator, I still have to follow corporate procedure. (They set an example of this procedure by firing someone once for violating it. hmmm... easy choice now isn't it?)

What I meant by this originally is why have to go to extra steps to install a 3rd party application to read an article when you can use avenues that are already in existance and already in mass use. If you want people to read the magazine, make it as easy as possible to do it, otherwise they won't read it.

Mike,

All very valid points, and things we've taken into account. I understant that coroprations don't alloe exe. files - we sort of figured most people who work at a computer work-station will have either a PC or laptop at home.

I should have stated that we have the option to download a pdf and Mac version -the pdf will be on the site in the next hour or so - just didn't want to cause confusion. The MAC version will take a few days more - apparently my designers have a problem with an OS Software update.

Anyway this method of distribution is new territory for us (as a free magazine) so look forward to all your feedback

Ron

 

[mike_s]

I agree and understand. I guess we (my job) are more relaxed. At least until someone DOES open something up with a virus and it shuts down the network. "so far; so good"

Michael

Well they are also concerned with legal ramifications also besides viruses.

For example, if illegally obtained software or software information (data files) was used to work or bid on a government contract, it puts the contract in legal jepardy because of legal and/or Ethics Violations. This happened at Boeing recently and people went to jail for it. (They also lost the contract and people lost jobs because of it).

Now this doesn't pertain exactly to this magazine download, but corporations simply 'draw the line' by not allowing these type this type of action per corporate policy to protect themselves. (That and if's not a written policy, it's harder to enforce over employees).

Mike,

All very valid points, and things we've taken into account. I understant that coroprations don't alloe exe. files - we sort of figured most people who work at a computer work-station will have either a PC or laptop at home.

I should have stated that we have the option to download a pdf and Mac version -the pdf will be on the site in the next hour or so - just didn't want to cause confusion. The MAC version will take a few days more - apparently my designers have a problem with an OS Software update.

Anyway this method of distribution is new territory for us (as a free magazine) so look forward to all your feedback

Ron

I look forward to reading your magazine and will definately downlod the PDF of it.

Looking back up the thread, I didn't mean to 'sidetrack' your thread with distribution issue statements. I want to apologize about that.

I think everyone here will look forward to the articles your magazine has to offer.

Thanks for taking the effort to distribute it.

Thanks. Mike

 

[Meng_Tze]

If it is not a doc (pdf or other format) or HTTP/XML type of data.........it is not downloaded or executed. I don't think the editor is going out to infect, but executing foreign apps is opening one up for that. Especially with one of those platforms that has 20,000,000 hot fixes, patches and still has holes in basic places...:shakehead

Editor: pdf is the way to go. Downloading .com and .exe files is so 80's

 

[mwhities]

Especially with one of those platforms that has 20,000,000 hot fixes, patches and still has holes in basic places...:shakehead

HAHAHAHA

I concur.

Michael