Windows 8 - Deeper Impressions

[JorgeA]

NOT "strictly" Windows 8 connected, but near :

http://www.osnews.com/thread?551437

Wow, that was an eye opener, thank you for posting the link. And it does have a relation to this thread, as another example of a vendor trying to channel, limit, and control what the end-user (the customer) does:

The whole point of this technology has always been to shift control over the software users install over to the hardware vendor.

the reasons for UEFI's and SecureBoot's widespread adoption aren't to help protect users, but to transfer control over the machine from the user to the manufacturer and the security thing is just a cloak under which they want to hide it. News sites such as OSNews are doing users a disservice by not calling the vendors out on it at every opportunity. This isn't about securing your machine from attackers. It's about securing the machine from you, the owner.

And, while we're on the subject of vendors controlling what users may do with their own PCs, consider where users will be left if and when Windows goes all-Metro and the ONLY way to install new software is via the App Store: they (we) won't be able to use something like this.

--JorgeA

Edited March 19, 2013 by JorgeA

[TELVM]

... the reasons for UEFI's and SecureBoot's widespread adoption aren't to help protect users, but to transfer control over the machine from the user to the manufacturer and the security thing is just a cloak under which they want to hide it ...

'It's for your security': The perfect Letter of Marque nowadays .

[jaclaz]

RE: Windows 8 Accounts

Some more interesting points:

http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-windows/the-hidden-danger-of-windows-8-microsoft-accounts-191185

http://community.skype.com/t5/Windows-8-from-Windows-Store/Windows-8-Disconnecting-a-Microsoft-Account-and-a-Skype-account/td-p/1148638

http://www.infinitechusa.net/blog/2012/04/24/windows-8-microsoft-account/

Please do notice the dates of the above, I hope the good MS guys won't come back saying "you talked, we listened" or "noone ever told us that" ....

The same user that started the thread Tripredacus referenced:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w8itproinstall/thread/8124f5da-dd2f-4866-85de-5d369abe1450/

also posted:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w8itproinstall/thread/78ab2085-e3b7-4e28-9805-a2a07026e04b/

For the record, in Preview there were some issues and a tool was actually released, looking at the checks that the thingy does with a critical eye some items appear to be worth a raised eyebrow:

http://www.ghacks.net/2012/07/04/windows-8-troubleshoot-microsoft-accounts-issues/

The following issues are checked by the program:

• Corrupt Microsoft Account settings
  
• Can't connect to the sync service
  
• Problems with Microsoft account Policy
  
• Microsoft Account required
  
• Connection issues due to proxy or certificate issues
  
• Check for roaming GPO enabled status
  
• Problem with system registration
  
• Signed in with a guest account, or Roaming User Profiles enabled
  
• You are not connected to the Internet
  
• Proxy Settings
  
• You have reached your daily sync quote
  
• Sync your settings is turned off
  
• Check system not activated.
  

I mean, if there should be an issue *somewhere* in a connection it seems like issues may arise:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w8itprosecurity/thread/8c9dad97-1eb7-4960-91ca-0755f0bb2e44/

And of course there are issues even on the non-business use, check the point "The one that got away" here:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2013667/8-worst-windows-8-irritations-and-how-to-fix-them.html

jaclaz

[Formfiller]

Here's an pretty amusing rant by someone who got W8 with a new computer and didn't know it before:

http://sparklements.blogspot.de/2013/01/how-microsoft-windows-8-is-just-like.html

I guess that story repeated many times in the past few months...

[jaclaz]

Here's an pretty amusing rant by someone who got W8 with a new computer and didn't know it before:

http://sparklements.blogspot.de/2013/01/how-microsoft-windows-8-is-just-like.html

I guess that story repeated many times in the past few months...

Nice one .

Besides the main ones and the nice conclusion:

In conclusion, yes, I will "get used to" the lack of a Start button, I will "get used to" the useless Start/App screen, I will "get used to" the annoying Charms bar (I'm not even going to get into the lack of a native email program or the Restart button never working or the fact that Media Player no longer plays DVDs)...but I will NEVER like it.

B)

I particularly appreciated the Bonus Rant about the ribbon interface, and the possible issues with the "average Suzie secretary" needing to fight with .XML.

jaclaz

[Formfiller]

Technology is meant to adapt to customer demands, NOT vice versa.

This is always where I get stuck. What problem does Windows 8 solve? Sure I can get used to it, but why would I? What's in it for me? If I really wanted an app store experience, why wouldn't I use an iOS and/or Android device which I already own? In light of the bolded statement, Microsoft's market doesn't even make sense: they're targeting a segment who wants "apps" but hasn't bought into either of the mature ecosystems. And they charge more for a less developed experience.

The enablers actually think that's a plus. "Apple shows customers are fed-up with cheap plastic devices" is what 8tards love to tout.

Edited March 19, 2013 by Formfiller

[Tripredacus]

Windows 8 in the Enterprise are causing headaches for administrators apparently. Some of the functions of Windows 8 such as Mail and others absolutely require that you are logged in using your Live account in order to function. Companies that are now purchasing Windows 8 systems have 2 problems with this:

1. They do not want to administer/manage hundreds of Microsoft accounts for their users

2. They do not want their users to use their personal accounts (if they even have them).

Read some frustrated posts here:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w8itproinstall/thread/8124f5da-dd2f-4866-85de-5d369abe1450

However... isn't it possible to avoid the Metro mail and remote desktop apps, as one commenter suggests? Or are those services only available, in Win8, as Metro apps?

That user's major complaint is that he requires the Microsoft Account in order to install the Touch Remote Desktop app onto the computers. I don't know if he is making images himself or if they are just purchasing PCs with Windows 8 preinstalled on them already.

[Formfiller]

I have the feeling that you guys will love this thread:

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1751038

Lots of good 8tard stuff there. I am feeling like a child in a candy store.

[JorgeA]

RE: Windows 8 Accounts

Some more interesting points:

http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-windows/the-hidden-danger-of-windows-8-microsoft-accounts-191185

That thread was from April of last year, when the Consumer Preview was out. With this in mind, check out the comment by "Bob" (second on the list). It's infuriating to see this kind of "argument" being put out. Basically, it's a demand to shut up and not point out problems -- which of course can only help to ensure that the problem doesn't get fixed. (And it never did get fixed, right?)

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w8itprosecurity/thread/8c9dad97-1eb7-4960-91ca-0755f0bb2e44/

I am having the same issue. I only have the option to log in with a Microsoft Account and I keep getting the error "Your pc is offline pls sign in with the last password used on this pc.".

I don't see any options for logging in other than through this Account and that doesn't work. If there is another option to login, can you please provide some specific guidance on how to do this?

Clearly, the push is for turning PC's into dumb Internet terminals that can't do any work on their own.

--JorgeA

[JorgeA]

... the reasons for UEFI's and SecureBoot's widespread adoption aren't to help protect users, but to transfer control over the machine from the user to the manufacturer and the security thing is just a cloak under which they want to hide it ...

'It's for your security': The perfect Letter of Marque nowadays .

If it weren't so frustrating, that would be funny!

"Here here, we have determined that you are incompetent to run your own life computer, so in our superior wisdom we are going to make it so that you are physically able to do only the things that we approve of."

Looked at from another angle, your "Letter of Marque" observation gives a new twist to the title of the movie, Pirates of Silicon Valley.

--JorgeA

[JorgeA]

Here's an pretty amusing rant by someone who got W8 with a new computer and didn't know it before:

http://sparklements.blogspot.de/2013/01/how-microsoft-windows-8-is-just-like.html

I guess that story repeated many times in the past few months...

That was great. He has a ton of pointed comments on the UX, too many to start quoting here! My "favorite" one is the final Follow Up Observational Rant, where he's trying to carry out some complicated instructions off a Web page, and a Metro-style screen takes over his monitor, covering up the instructions he needed to read. Stoopid sh*t. (Now I'm sounding like that guy. )

--JorgeA

[HalloweenDocument12]

RE: Windows 8 Accounts

Some more interesting points:

http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-windows/the-hidden-danger-of-windows-8-microsoft-accounts-191185

http://community.skype.com/t5/Windows-8-from-Windows-Store/Windows-8-Disconnecting-a-Microsoft-Account-and-a-Skype-account/td-p/1148638

http://www.infinitechusa.net/blog/2012/04/24/windows-8-microsoft-account/

Please do notice the dates of the above, I hope the good MS guys won't come back saying "you talked, we listened" or "noone ever told us that" ....

Yeah, who knew associating an email address with a local account would be an issue?

How Apple and Amazon Security Flaws Led to My Epic Hacking

Well, I guess he would.

And worst of all, my AppleID account was broken into, and my hackers used it to remotely erase all of the data on my iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.

Ouch.

[jaclaz]

Hey mates , how many posts are actually ON Topic lately?

Too many!

Here is an Off Topic , but not much one:

http://phetdreams.tumblr.com/post/42959902001/massive-google-play-privacy-issue

If you bought the app on Google Play (even if you cancelled the order) I have your email address, your suburb, and in many instances your full name. Each Google Play order is treated as a Google wallet transaction and as such software developers get all of the information (sans exact address) for an order of an app that they would get from the order of something physical.

Let me make this crystal clear, every App purchase you make on Google Play gives the developer your name, suburb and email address with no indication that this information is actually being transferred. With the information I have available to me through the checkout portal I could track down and harass users who left negative reviews or refunded the app purchase. The problems on android of app permissions (and subsequent potential for malware aside) is one of active negative behaviour on the part of an app developer. This isn’t. This is a massive oversight by Google.

More here:

http://www.benedelman.org/news/021913-1.html

Nolan noted two clear problems: First, a developer could use customer contact details to track and harass users who left negative reviews or sought refunds. Second, an attacker could write malware that, running on app developers' computers, logs into Google's systems to collect user data. While one might hope app developers would keep their computers secure from such malware, there are tens of thousands of Android developers. Some are bound to have poor security on some local machines. Users' data shouldn't be vulnerable to the weakest link among these thousands of developers. An attacker could devise a highly deceptive attack with information about which users bought which apps when -- yielding customized, accurate emails inviting users to provide passwords (actually phishing) or install updates (actually malware).

jaclaz

[CharlotteTheHarlot]

RE: Windows 8 Accounts

Some more interesting points:

http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-windows/the-hidden-danger-of-windows-8-microsoft-accounts-191185

http://community.skype.com/t5/Windows-8-from-Windows-Store/Windows-8-Disconnecting-a-Microsoft-Account-and-a-Skype-account/td-p/1148638

http://www.infinitechusa.net/blog/2012/04/24/windows-8-microsoft-account/

Please do notice the dates of the above, I hope the good MS guys won't come back saying "you talked, we listened" or "noone ever told us that" ....

Yeah, who knew associating an email address with a local account would be an issue?

How Apple and Amazon Security Flaws Led to My Epic Hacking

Well, I guess he would.

And worst of all, my AppleID account was broken into, and my hackers used it to remotely erase all of the data on my iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.

Ouch.

Lots of Generation Xbox fanboys are learning a similar lesson, today. ...

UPDATED: Xbox Entertainment Awards blighted by security breach ( MCV 2013-03-19 )

Microsoft's Xbox Entertainment Awards website hit with security breach ( NeoWin 2013-03-19 )

Microsoft team members targeted in Xbox Live account attacks ( NeoWin 2013-03-20 )

Microsoft confirms 'high-profile' employee Xbox Live accounts hacked ( The Verge 2013-03-19 )

MCV reports they were alerted to the security breach by a reader who sent them a link where the private information was available for anyone else to see. The data on the page included the real names of the people who voted in the awards, along with their email addresses, birthdays and their Xbox Gamertags. The reader claims that about 2,892 names were shown on the site. It is not yet known how long the page was available to the public.

ScreenCap of the image at the links ...

... looks like that list is something that might be useful to a hacker and/or spammer. I guess a whole lot of people will now be changing email addresses and Xbox tags.

Welcome to our Brave New World where your personal data is perfectly safe.

EDIT: added more articles, updated image URL

Edited May 15, 2013 by CharlotteTheHarlot

[CharlotteTheHarlot]

Here's an pretty amusing rant by someone who got W8 with a new computer and didn't know it before:

http://sparklements.blogspot.de/2013/01/how-microsoft-windows-8-is-just-like.html

I guess that story repeated many times in the past few months...

Just as the author mentions, its amazing how many Dilbert cartoons accurately describe Windows 8 and/or Metro.

This one I used way back in this thread ( when Sinofsky and Harris justifying their destruction of Windows by citing bogus telemetry ) ...

EDIT: spacing, changed image URL

Edited May 6, 2013 by CharlotteTheHarlot