On 2018-01-04 16:06, RichA wrote:
On Thursday, 4 January 2018 12:38:41 UTC-5, Mayayana wrote:
"RichA" wrote

| VMs, javascript in webpages, and any other
| scenario where executable code runs, cannot
| be made safe. People just don't want to accept
| that.
|
| all the more reason to run ad/java/flash killers as often as possible.

Indeed. I only enable script when absolutely necessary,
and then only from sources that are absolutely necessary.
(By using NoScript.) I've never even had Flash installed.
After script it's by far the #1 risk and these days it's
rarely used except for ads. Ditto for Java and
Silverlight. Most people shouldn't need them installed
at all.

I'm wondering what enormous impact a 20-30% slowdown in processing is going to do with massive installations like internet pipes, server farms, etc?

Given Apple's benchmarked results to date, the 5-30% (not 20-30)
speculated slowdown might be exaggerated. They are seeing no measurable
performance hit (3 3rd party benchmarks) for one flaw's mitigation; and
a "up to" 2.5% hit in 1 of 3 benchmarks for the other.

Nonetheless a class action suit against intel (and AMD and ARM) could be
in the offing. AMD and ARM are also affected for the so-called
"Spectre" defect. Intel alone has the "Meltdown" defect and Spectre.

I'd love a $250 contribution from intel for my next Mac.

--
“When it is all said and done, there are approximately 94 million
full-time workers in private industry paying taxes to support 102
million non-workers and 21 million government workers.
In what world does this represent a strong job market?”
..Jim Quinn