bpalone
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Posts posted by bpalone
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As to the ageing, I have told a granddaughter that we have raised that "Getting older is mandatory, but growing up is Optional.", and I live by that. Still enjoy my toys.
I agree, if it is really better (by your apt definition), I will adopt it in a nano second. But, I think the current crop of interface designers has lost the ability to think it through. All they do, is GEE this COOL, but fail to see that in reality it is cool but USELESS. I am in fact still a fan of the command line, so I may be just a bit jaded in the fact that I expect things to be STRAIGHT to the point, not hidden away in some obscure place without words menu.
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JorgeA... did I hear a Penguin in the background??
I agree, it is a tool. Although becoming one that is hard to want to use. Saw some purported comments from MS' CEO that indicated that they are DEAD SET on continuing down the path. Now, off to play a bit of Devil's Advocate.
I would venture to guess that most of us here have started to either see our hair color change or seen most of it go away. That being said, could it be that we are so set in our ways, that we can't conceive a different way of doing things? For myself, there is no better Word Processor than WordPerfect. But, I think that I finally figured out why I dislike MS Word (and those that copy it) so much. It is because I learned to type on a typewriter. I don't need a style sheet (that only works for X), I know what it is supposed to look like before I even start typing and get there with carriage returns and tabs (and some word processor goodies such as underline, bold, etc.). That is an example that I personally can relate. So is it that we, as the older set, just don't want to explore and or use a different method?
Oh, and by the way, it isn't just Windows that this is happening to. I see it in Linux as well, just not to the same degree. At least there, if the Desktop is to annoying I can change to a totally different one with a few clicks. I should disclose, that my main OS has not been anything made by Microsoft for a few years now. I still use some of their older stuff, but primarily in virtual machines.
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Noel your roots are showing.
VARX equals "work" (VARX == "work) rather than VARX set to "work" (VARX = "work"). :-)
But, I agree with you it does to appear of been redefined while we were not looking.
Now, I may be just old school or anally retentive but I hate any software that tries to think for me. You know the type, it says OH, I know what you are doing so here I will help you out (NOT!!!). Those features have cost me hours of productivity in many of the newer software packages. Of course, it could also be that I am non-conformist, or the round peg in the square hole.
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WE ARE MICROSOFT, YOU WILL ASSIMILATE, RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!!!
Well, it looks like they are really, really, really bent on total destruction. Check out the following:
"Microsoft Replaces Command Prompt with PowerShell in Latest Windows 10 Build"
Have never used powershell, so can't make comparison, but is certainly a slap in the face for those that like CMD. Sure am glad I only use OLD versions of their stuff and then only on limited terms and time.
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Back when UEFI was being announced, I stated verbally to friends and associates that it was going to be taking us to this:
1.) You will only be able to run our OS (Microsoft).
2.) You will only be able to run our software (Microsoft) or software approved by us (Microsoft), which now appears to be the "App Store".
It is beginning to look like I had it pegged. This is not a good development. Advancement will slow to a crawl or even move in reverse. It is probably to late for Microsoft to recover, but time will tell. I'm so glad that I am watching from the outside, as I've stated before my main OS is the Penguin these days.
Now, some food for thought. Out of the whole populace of the world, just how many really need a computer? I say, not many. But, those that do, need to truly have 100% control over their systems and that is going away on all OS fronts. Some are more controllable than others, but overall we are losing the ability to have 100% control.0 -
Just a side note, this new (which is not always better) software, is quite unholy!
Noel, I think you nailed it!!! One cannot play with the Devil and not get their hands burnt.
The following was found on pcworld.com:
All this means that the process of locking in customers to the Microsoft platform might be taking longer than expected. To date, investors haven't minded, generally cheering Nadella’s leadership and sending the company’s stock up to near its all-time high in 1999.
But given Microsoft's lower earnings and revenue—and downward guidance in key business units—it’s possible Microsoft may come under greater pressure to make its Windows 10 vision a reality. That’s not necessarily great news for consumers.
End of quote.
The entire article is a decent read and in between the lines one sees the AARD code mentioned above. Sure am glad I am not on this train, my decision a few years ago is looking better all the time. However, one is not safe from the lunacy there either.
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NoelC,
Short answer, A and B.
In my opinion, and it is just that, my opinion, XP was a step down and everything newer than that is somewhat worthless, with the newest stuff being pure garbage. Now, I came into the GUI world kicking and screaming, so I may be just a tiny bit Jaded. My argument back then, was that we finally have enough horse power to do some real computing, but NO we are supposed to put this slug onto our hardware and continue to SLOW. I equated it to going out and buying the Triple Crown winner and taking him home and hooking him up to a plow.
Now, that could be some of the reason I have gotten on so well with the Penguin. You can do as little or as much as you want from the command line. But, the bottom line is this: Whatever you use for an OS, that is all it is, an OS. And, if it works for you and you like it, then by all means use it. With Micro$oft's latest, I can't imagine anyone accepting their taking of your personal information and DATA, but then I guess if all you use a computer for is to read your email and surf the Web, then you might figure it doesn't matter. But, anyone that generates any data at all, could not sleep at night knowing that you no longer have control over that data.
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I moved back to Win 7 has my primary and the only issue I have come across I the lack of desk space. I have been converting my what was my Windows 8.1 system into a Linux system and using my W7 system for support. I need it terminal commands; I have been stuck in dependency he**! lol
If you only load programs from the Distro's Repository you shouldn't have any dependancy issues. Now, you may be having some hardware issues, which for new hardware is still sometimes an issue, then I understand. Might want to try a different distro if there are to many issues. Once, you get the hardware working, it will probably be very stable and easy to use.
@Noel:
You nailed it on the head. The Trust Factor is LONG GONE. And, for what it is worth, I never trusted updates, from day one. So, we must get our headware from the same source.
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Bit OT, but carries with theme of a lot of the discussion.
It isn't just Microsoft, the Linux community seems to be losing its way as well. I had reason to NEED Adobe Acrobat Reader 9 and found a version for Linux from the good folks at Adobe. Talk about an ill behaved program, it totally took over ALL PDF activity and did not respect browser settings. That to me is really BAD MANNERS. It does appear that it uninstalled in entirety. But, I still wonder with its behavior.
The flat interfaces has also shown up many of the desktops. The good thing about the penguin is that it is a piece of cake to install a different desktop. The kids/youth are now making the decisions and a large number of them are not good. I can't understand why they have failed to learn from history, they are he!! bent on repeating the same mistakes that were made in the past.
I'll return you to your normally scheduled programming now.
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Run 2K almost daily in a VM, main machine dual boots 2K and a version of the Penguin.
I would say this section is quieter for a couple of reasons. 1.) 2K was and still is a good OS. 2.) The good folks at MS didn't pitch this OS to the masses. If they had, XP probably would of been a flop. :-) But, then again, the timing of the release of 2K there were some hardware issues that could have backlashed on them with the masses.
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noelc said:
"I found something on the Win 7 system where the "Windows Activation Validation Task" has to run every few months. I allowed it through the firewall so hopefully the next run on December 14 will just succeed. I assume something like that if not allowed to run will just kill the activation."
I wouldn't put it past them to do just such a thing. I was going to say that I had a 7 instillation that had never seen the internet and that it had continued to run. Then I remembered it is a Dell Laptop, that has the Bios authorization, so not a good reference point. Do keep us posted, as I have often wondered if they might do something like this. Or, even more neferarious (sp?), release something into the wild that kills evrything of theirs that requires activation, that is older than X.
The Penguin waddles off stage. :-)
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It has been a while since I've said/posted anything. Since I really don't have a horse in the race, (The Penguin has become the primary) thought probably better to just watch from the sidelines. But, the Microsoft TV ads, here in America, anyway, use children and show absolutely no hint of inovation. This has caused me to have a question.
Are they using children because....
1.) it is an OS for children?
or
2.) it is a childish OS?
I've been stumped about this now for a while.
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I may be wrong, but I can not imagine the corporate world, accepting this massive intrusion into their way of dealing with tech. It may turn out that the year of the Linux Desktop actually happens.
I do recall something in this thread stating that corporate was being cut a little slack in the forced update timing. But, they were still required to update. I agree, it looks like a mighty big train wreck is coming. Sure am glad that I am on the outside looking in.
Probably a good time to short msft stock. This will not end well for them.
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Is it possible that all this wailing and nashing of teeth, is the result of:
Most all software and operating systems matured in the last 10 to 15 years. Leaving no place for major improvements or reasons for going there? Taking the automobile analogy, all they are doing is changing the look of the fenders and slope of the windows.
How many people actually NEED 64 bit capabilities? There are a FEW that really need it, but the vast majority don't even come close to using up their 32 bit availability. I do understand there is something to bragging rights, you know the cool factor of I have 16 cores and 128 gigabytes of Ram, you kind of like having a Lamborgini (sp??) or a Ferarri (sp??).
Just some thoughts.
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There would be those who would say that if everyone refused to be made a full fledged cloud member (i.e., sharing one's resources with the world for their use on demand) that the whole cloud concept wouldn't work.
I've often wondered... What would be wrong with that?
Clearly people do not like the ugly truth when it's presented plainly, and probably a lot of them would not choose to share THEIR resources for others' use freely, so Microsoft has to coerce and mislead (or just outright do it with assumed permission) in order to get people to do it.
There is a TV commercial going on presently here in the US that claims (in a roundabout way) that doctors will only be able to cure cancer if they use the resources of the Microsoft cloud, because the processing needed on computers the doctors themselves could fund would take weeks to do what the cloud could do in minutes.
Socialized computing. Just what we need to bring everyone down to the same level.
-Noel
First thought through my shallow mind was, are we moving from STDs to CTDs?
Sounds like sure fired recipe for a MAJOR security issue. From our computer history, it seems that we as humans seem to lack the ability to test things well enough before we release them and thus have a terrible record as for security. This is all OSes, not just Redmond's beast. The various government spook agencies love the idea though.
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I vote for Power Supply issues.
I had one that tested as fine with a tester, but was found to be WEAK after more issues appeared. It started as you describe, random lockups, etc. Inspected MB and found bulged capacitors, so decided then and there that that had to be the issue (may of been part, but it wasn't it at the time), so replaced the MB and decided to upgrade the CPU to a dual core at the same time. Machine would not boot, wouldn't even get to the BIOS checks. Figured I had a D.O.A. O.E.M. CPU and just put the old CPU in.
Everything seemed to work just fine with the old CPU and new MB. Then a couple days later the old symptoms appeared again. At that point, I figured that the only thing left is that the power supply was laying down under load. It's stated wattage was well above what was possibly being called for by the hardware. So, I replace the power supply and haven't had an issue since. Or, at least until something fails.
If at all possible, I would try a NEW power supply. My case was not with 98 but with 2K and Linux, but if it is the power supply, it doesn't care what OS is there.
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Still makes me want to smash something! I did have to find this right after I finished my lunch, making me have to swallow hard a few more times.
That and I saw something over on slashdot.org about 10 going to be a subscription service. You know, you rent it or we won't allow you access to your data (oh, my mistake, that's ransom ware).
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Andrew,
It sounds like the only reason you are considering an upgrade is to have better internet access to a handful of sites. It also appears that your hardware is OK but somewhat limited.
First thing is, all any of them are is a vehicle to run your software on your hardware. It is only an Operating System. Now, with that said, have you given any thought to trying a light weight Linux distro to access the Internet with? You could either dual boot or run Linux from a live CD/DVD. That way you could keep using the OS of your choice for your tasks and use Linux for the Internet. I saw where someone made a comment about having trouble finding an ISP that supports Linux. I have only had one issue one time and that was aboard a cruise ship a few years ago.
I believe that a person should have the freedom to use the OS and software of their choice. We also have to recognize that things do sometimes improve over time and that what meets our needs is not what is currently available. However, with some thought and effort one can adapt and modify some parts of their work flow to work around the vendor/society upgrades (or possibly downgrades, as beauty is in the eye of the beholder).
Just wanted ot throw it out as a thought for you to consider. I came into the GUI kingdom kicking and screaming. Win95 warmed me up to the GUI, Win98 won me over, Win2K Cemented me in and XP shattered the concrete. 2K is the last good OS they made and is my preference for Windows. However, these days Linux is my primary OS. However, I use my 2K in a virtual machine almost daily, so I guess I'm still a Windows user.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
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As one commenter says, if you'e going to go this far, you'll be limiting the PC's functionality so much that you may as well go back to using a typewriter.
Using a typewriter isn't all that secure either. Back in the old days, the spook agencies would plant a bug to measure the EMF in the room and could decode what was typed. They may of even been able to do it by focusing some form of antenna on the target from a nearby building. Now if you were using a mechanical typewriter, they used accustical (sp?) methods and achieved the same results.
Plus you had to be sure to destroy the back (pad) piece of paper, as they could also gather the impressions from it. Also, don't forget the carbon paper.
bpalone
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Remember that I mentioned defection from Windows by Governments? Well here is one or should I say two from England.
Barking and Dagenham switches from Windows XP to Google Chromebooks, saves around £400,000Though, it doesn't mention security as reason, it does make a point on the high cost of Microsoft product usage. It also appears that we, as a whole, are making a retreat to the old ways and days of doing things.
One key difference from the previous Windows XP setup at the council is that the Chrome devices will require a constant wireless connection for staff to be able to use them due to the Citrix remote desktop system in place. However, Lucock said Barking and Dagenham has invested in its wireless infrastructure to support this, and also wants its staff to take the opportunity to work remotely using home broadband or other connectivity.
The article is an interesting read and can be read here: http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2337542/barking-and-dagenham-switches-from-windows-xp-to-google-chromebooks-saves-around-gbp400-000
May make for some entertaining reading as they work through this. Oh my, we can't check your bill status as our wireless connection has been hacked and it is now directing us to the xxxx.xxx p0rn site.
bpalone
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I get sick of all the flowerery and dolled up sites. By that I mean the sites with heavy graphics, that take far to long to load even on respectable broadband. I also hate the sites that have gone to all pictures because they figure we can no longer read.
I use the web to gather information primarily, so I don't want to waste my time waiting for some dumb picture to load, because some web designer thought it would make the thing look prettier. I don't know that pure text based is a good answer either, but I think I would prefer it over most things shoved at me today. Have wondered if maybe it isn't time for a NEW INTERNET, one that serves the literate community.
Now, I will confess that I stream video from Netflix and Hulu, etc. But, it is done with a Roku box and not on a computer (Yea, I know, the Roku is a small computer.).
I have ripped more than one web master for destroying a perfectly good and functioning web site by going to all the pretty crap in the name of making it more appealing. Some, have maintained the old format, but hidden it away from the masses by allowing something classic.xxxxxx.con or like slashdot with their switch of no beta. Give me the written word, if I want to see the picture, I'll click on it otherwise don't tax my connection or hardware, thank you.
bpalone
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Now, more news from the raising waterline front.
Microsoft sending out Surfaces with wrong processorMicrosoft is supplying Surface Pro 2 tablets with older processors, despite having promised customers upgraded components.
Now, I may not be the fastest uptake around here, but this sure looks like THEY HAVE A VERY LARGE UNSOLD INVENTORY of the old model. Not only that, it indicates that the demand is still NON EXISTENT. I guess it must be really painful to admit that you made a mistake, so much so, that you are willing to sacrifice the entire entity to avoid facing the truth.
The entire article can be read here: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/387760/microsoft-sending-out-surfaces-with-wrong-processor
I don't think they are going to go away, but they are going to end up being a mere shadow of their former self. You know, they will no longer be the 950 pound gorilla in the room but will be the 200 pound gorilla instead.
bpalone
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Paul elaborates on his change of mind in Windows Weekly 349:
[...]
I got a lot of feedback from Microsoft guys, past and present, one of them had a great quote about the real problem with Windows 8, which was that Windows Vista was a disaster in its own right, but Windows Vista was made with the best of intentions. Those people weren’t trying to hurt anybody. They may have released a bomb, but they were trying hard and wanted to do the right thing. Windows 8 was very deliberate. It deliberately stopped all of the backwards compatibility stuff with user experience, they very deliberately jammed this very mobile user experience down people’s throats whether they wanted it or not. I think the fundamental problem with Windows 8 is that it was not agnostic towards different types of users, it was hostile to the very users that matter most to Windows. Business users, productivity users, developers, it was just the wrong thing to do to those people, and it done deliberately and kind of belligerently. It should be no wonder why people have reacted to this thing the way that they did.
[emphasis added]
--JorgeA
And now, they will scratch their heads trying to figure out what happened when they find that a very large number of their base has left and will not return. Combined with their open hostility to their users and the recent revelations of just how far they will sink as to privacy issues, I can't see to many wanting to continue with them. We've already seen articles about companies and governments outside of the United States saying that they want something different, just for security/privacy issues. I'm afraid they have done irreparable damage unto themselves.
bpalone
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I found out about this in the forums over at LinuxVoice.com and thought that maybe it deserved being mentioned here. Maybe, some of the members might want to join in and help with the project.
It is not a total solution, but might be heading down a path could lead to a resolution of the outdated browser delima many here face.
The article is here: http://virtuallyfun.superglobalmegacorp.com/?p=3866
UPDATE: Link to Web Rendering Proxy by the same party: http://virtuallyfun.superglobalmegacorp.com/?p=3910
Here is a quote from it:
Quite a while ago I’ve came across Opera rendering proxy for mobile browsers. This got me thinking. If you could render a web page on a proxy server to a simplified HTML, say 3.x. This would make a lot of web browsers happy. For some unrelated purposes I have been using webkit2png which allows to create a whole web page snapshot in a single png image. Wait… what if such image had an image map of clickable regions pointing to the original links? Maybe…
I know this is getting off into a technical area, but more and more of us are facing the outdated browser issue and I thought this might be a better place, as more folks would see it. If the Mods think it needs moved, I understand.
bpalone
edit to add another link
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Windows 10 - Deeper Impressions
in Windows 10
Posted
No, they got the Camel's hump under the tent with 10. They now know all about you and what is on your computer. So, they really don't care what you or anybody else thinks of their product. They have all this valuable data to sell and/or use to blackmail the user with.