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Windows 8 - Deeper Impressions


JorgeA

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"If I had known how popular it would become and how many computers it would've been on I should've negotiated a [better] deal and said, 'Just give me a fraction of a cent for every time it's seen' and that would've been a nice arrangement," O'Rear said.

"It was not a royalty type of situation," O'Rear added. "It was a flat 'here's what we're paying you, thank you very much and let's get it on the [computer] screen and get moving'".

--JorgeA

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There's quite a shocker on page 2 that could traumatize you... some user revealed the incredible: Did you know that Apple provides software like iWork to ultimately... make money from it?!!!!!!

SHOCKING!

:o:w00t:

Yeah, really. ;)

I sure hope MSFT knows what they're doing with this app. Seems to me that issuing a modestly priced app with just-enough functionality (including document editing) could serve as a marketing tool to interest iPad fans in graduating to more complete software, either on the tablet or when they sit down to do serious work on their real machines. But an "office" app that works as little more than a viewer is just annoying.

--JorgeA

Edited by JorgeA
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Philips Smart TVs wide open to Gmail cookie theft, other serious hacks

In a video posted Wednesday, Auriemma showed how authentication cookies for valid Gmail accounts were siphoned off a Philips TV running the latest firmware. The video also demonstrated how videos, images, and other data stored on a USB drive connected to the TV can also be accessed. The theft took seconds to carry out, and there was no visible indication to an end user that anything was amiss.

In addition to cookie and file theft, Auriemma's hack makes it possible for nearby attackers to carry out a variety of mischievous pranks. Imagine the horror of an unsuspecting user with a living room full of guests as she discovers her TV is suddenly and inexplicably displaying porn or other content that not everyone in attendance considers appropriate. Hackers could also change channels, mute or unmute the sound, or control any number of other functions of the TV in real time, with no clear indication to casual users how it's happening.

Just wait 'til TVs come standard with a webcam that can look around the room.

"Internet of Things," anyone?

--JorgeA

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Philips Smart TVs wide open to Gmail cookie theft, other serious hacks

In a video posted Wednesday, Auriemma showed how authentication cookies for valid Gmail accounts were siphoned off a Philips TV running the latest firmware. The video also demonstrated how videos, images, and other data stored on a USB drive connected to the TV can also be accessed. The theft took seconds to carry out, and there was no visible indication to an end user that anything was amiss.

In addition to cookie and file theft, Auriemma's hack makes it possible for nearby attackers to carry out a variety of mischievous pranks. Imagine the horror of an unsuspecting user with a living room full of guests as she discovers her TV is suddenly and inexplicably displaying porn or other content that not everyone in attendance considers appropriate. Hackers could also change channels, mute or unmute the sound, or control any number of other functions of the TV in real time, with no clear indication to casual users how it's happening.

Just wait 'til TVs come standard with a webcam that can look around the room.

"Internet of Things," anyone?

--JorgeA

You mean like the Xbox one the kinect is never off, and always watching. (I know you said tv)

Edited by Flasche
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You mean like the Xbox one the kinect is never off, and always watching. (I know you said tv)

Yup.

--JorgeA

The new kinect is one of the reason I wont move of the 360 till the console is dead. I just really hope the new halo comes out for 360 too.

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May I add, in passing by, how in the US a judge is usually elected by the people, and being the career of a judge very interesting (culturally and socially) and quite rewarding (financially) it is not-so-common the case that someone who managed to be elected as judge chooses to become ex-judge (unless the people decided to elect someone else).

On the other hand, while in charge a judge is to all effects a representative of the people, while once he/she is an ex-judge, he/she is only an ex-judge.

His/her opinion on any legal matter may well be authoritative, legally sound, accurate and what not, still it is and remains an opinion, without the dignity that a decision of a "real" judge has in court.

Additionally, an "ex-judge" may well be an absolutely unbiased, honest person (and I believe the large majority of judges and ex-judges are like that), but he/she could well be if not outright a crook, somewhat sensible to bribing or simply strongly biased.

Maybe the good MS guys should put together, besides the ex-judge opinion, a private Grand Jury :w00t:;).

jaclaz

:thumbup: epic points! Try this for that last part ...

Microsoft should be criminally investigated by a private Grand Jury. If they so choose we will even allow them to consult their bought and paid for retired judge, and we will objectively consider and then promptly disregard his esteemed arguments.

Paul Thurrott takes the clearest step yet toward advocating for the REAL Windows:

In Windows, Veritas

Although Windows won't be the primary personal computing platform going forward, it's still an important and vibrant platform that can dominate the competition in the key market for productivity. Let Android and iOS wallow in "Candy Crush": Windows is where real people go to get real work done.

[...]

...[W]hen you consider the general usage patterns that will occur across these 300 million PCs, not to mention the 1.5 billion installed base, one obvious trend emerges. Although, yes, some people can get "real" work done on tablets or even smartphones, the fact remains that PCs are now, and will continue to be, where real work gets done.

This is the bit that really does get me excited about the future. And while Microsoft wrong-headedly pursues some vain and ultimately fruitless consumer strategy, it's here where I'd ask the company to step back and ask itself who its real users are. They're often individuals, of course, but they're not "consumers." They're people who are being productive, getting work done. They're the doers.

[...]

Microsoft has an opportunity to shore up its most important marketbusiness customers and those individuals who need to get real work doneand all it has to do is . . . wait for it . . . just stop focusing on all this consumer stuff that frankly isn't resonating with anyone. Just give it up. Walk away. Let Windows be . . . Windows.

In its desperation to repeat the successes of Apple and Google in consumer-oriented devices and services, Microsoft has subverted Windows's key strength. This is misguided, and while the Windows of the future will no longer dominate personal computing as it did in the past, the Windows of the future can most certainly dominate an important market of doers getting things done.

Microsoft just needs to start listening to our needs.[...]

:o:thumbup

--JorgeA

Looks like he's found some meds that work! :thumbup

Forget about Thurrott's medication, from reading all his ups and downs I now need Dramamine. :lol

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

Well said.

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The last few desperate gasps of the Windows XP FUDpocalypse ...

ATM operators looking to replace outgoing XP with Linux ( TechSpot 2014-03-24 )

A number of financial firms and ATM operators are considering a move to Linux as Microsofts April 8 end-of-support date for Windows XP is quickly approaching. Migrating to the open source OS would reportedly give operators more control over both hardware and software upgrade cycles.

As outlined in a recent article from Computerworld, operators would prefer to sync their hardware and software upgrade cycles. That is difficult to do now with Microsoft in charge of the software upgrade schedule. As such, some operators and financial firms are exploring the use of non-Microsoft operating systems according to David Tente, executive director of the ATM Industry Association in the US.

Amp up the scare tactics trying to get customers to change operating systems ( and pad Microsoft's wallet even more ). You just might not like the results you get Redmond. Hehehe, Linux!

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Criminals Rob ATMs with Text Messages ( Tom's Hardware 2014-03-26 )

At least one brand of ATM can be robbed by sending the machine a text message, then walking up and collecting the ejected cash.

It's not quite as simple as it sounds. The ATMs, which in this case are actually Windows PCs, need to be running Windows XP and need to be infected with a Trojan called "Backdoor.Ploutus.B" or simply "Ploutus," which can only be installed by loading a CD into the ATM's optical-disk reader.

Criminals also have to open the plastic cowling covering the ATM's innards to access the computer. But they don't have to crack into the ATM's safe, where the money is held.

Once the malware is installed, the ATM also has to be hooked up to a mobile phone via a USB port, as Symantec reports on its blog. But if you can complete these two steps without anyone finding out, you can then command the infected ATM to spit out cash just by texting a message to the attached mobile phone.

When the mobile phone receives a properly phrased text message, it then translates the text into a network packet and send it to the ATM. Ploutus then transforms the packets into command-line instructions.

Of course you have to read farther into the article to see past the FUD ...

The reality may not be that dire. Most ATMs running XP actually run a stripped-down version called Windows XP Embedded, which Microsoft will support until December 2016. Most ATMs are not connected to the Internet and are at minimal risk of network-based attacks. And most non-bank ATMs, such as you'd find in a convenience store, run something other than Windows.

What is indisputable is, as Regalado wrote, that "cybercriminals are targeting ATMs with increasingly sophisticated techniques." But that would true no matter which operating system an ATM runs.

A great question would be why the frack would any ATM be networked to anything other than its host system, especially the Internet? Who could possibly be that stupid?

Here is NeoWin's take on it ...

Symantec: Hackers already attacking ATMs as Microsoft's Windows XP deadline looms ( NeoWin 2014-03-25 )

Symantec says they were able to replicate this kind of attack in their labs. They claim that protecting older ATMs that still have Windows XP installed from this kind of method will be "more challenging" and offer a number of ways banks can protect their machines, not the least of which is upgrading to Windows 7 or 8. Many banks are already in the middle of their ATM OS upgrade and play to pay Microsoft lots of money to continue to support Windows XP past April 8th until that task is finished.

Rather surprisingly even the NeoKids aren't fooled by this deception ...

The title of this article is the definition of "Link Bait"

Symanetec Title " Texting ATMs for Cash Shows Cybercriminals' Increasing Sophistication "

Neowin's Title " Symantec: Hackers already attacking ATMs as Microsoft's Windows XP deadline looms"

Busted!

Malwarebytes pledges to provide lifetime support for XP users ( TechSpot 2014-03-24 )

Anti-virus specialist Malwarebytes announced today its new Anti-Malware Premium suite. According to the company, the suite will provide lifetime support to XP users, which still make up 20 percent of its user base.

Smart people at MBAM. :yes: Comment of the day nomination ...

I guess the folk at Anti Malwarebytes have tried Win 8.

:lol: Yep!

Microsoft reminds us Office 2003 support ends with Windows XP April 8th ( NeoWin 2014-03-24 )

Today, Microsoft has a new post on its Office blog, along with a humorous infographic (shown below) that shows how much the computing world in general has changed in the past decade since the launch of Office 2003 in August 2003. While the software had a number of interesting features, including the first version of OneNote and the final version of "Clippy", Microsoft now says that individuals and businesses who are still using the software now need to move on.

Funny thing about that infographic, it doesn't mention that Xbox was born just after Windows XP in late 2001. They also ignore that Skype came around in 2003. While Xbox has had several generations since the thing is unquestionably as old as Windows XP RTM, yet when referring to the latter they conveniently leave off the RTM/SP1/SP2/SP3 iteration for some reason. Skype itself is eleven years old by any measure that can be applied to Windows XP and yet they omit it whenever they spout this self-serving FUD and propaganda. How devious.

Of course the predominant characteristic that defines Windows XP is that the operating system was developed before 9/11 and all the subsequent spook developments. Years ago this was a "tinfoil hat" tidbit of information, but since last summer only a fool would advance that line of reasoning. The fact is that every subsequent Windows generation ( Longhorn/Vista forward ) was written under NuWorld rules, likely with spook oversight and with huge concessions given to the Feds. They had no choice, I'm sure it was do it or else. The 9/11 NuWorld paradigm is noticeably absent from the infographic and all the FUD and propaganda perpetrated by Microsoft and her sycophants. Just say no to lies, deceit and propaganda.

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Bumping ugly with the Apple enemy ... Hellraiser edition! ... ( and already mentioned by FF :thumbup: ) ...

Microsoft announces Office for iPad, available for download today ( TechSpot 2014-03-27 )

Microsoft on Thursday revealed Office for iPad during a press briefing in San Francisco as part of their goal of empowering people to be productive across all devices. The product has reportedly been years in the making but according to Microsoft, theres good reason for that.

This is an all-new version of Office built specifically for the iPad, not a ported version for Windows or a 2x zoom of the iPhone version.

Oh boy. This is not gonna sit well with the MicroZealots. :no: Considering that Microsoft has yet to create a native Playskool edition for Windows 8 or RT, this will be quite the pity party.

Office for iPad is official, downloads now available ( NeoWin 2014-03-27 )

Office on the iPad rumors have been around for more than 2 years with the first alleged screenshot being released back in February of 2012. Since then, the release has been rumored time and time again but finally, Microsoft has come forward and announced Office for the iPad.

[...]

Office is the real deal, it allows collaborative work like you have known to love with documents in the cloud and it works with markup and threaded comments. The app is also native, this is not a port of a previous version of Office.

That's NeoWin's chief MetroTard Brad Sams again. Yes he really uses that phrase: "Office is the real deal"! Actually it's not, it is not much more than the traditional Word/Excel/Powerpoint VIEWERS that Microsoft keeps releasing. But we'll get back to this later I'm sure.

Let the suffering commence ...

"Personally I don't think they should have released it. This definitely can't help the Surface in the future, especially as far as corporate buyers are concerned."

---

"No one cares about or wants Surface. This is the right step for MSFT."

---

"A LIMITED version of Office is no comparison to the full versions you get on Surface. The iPad version is not much more than a glorified version of Office on the Web."

Sweeeeet! It can't get much better than this! :lol: Or can it?

Tim Cook and Satya Nadella offer Twitter congrats for Office on iPad debut ( NeoWin 2014-03-28 )

While we do think it's a tad odd that Apple leaders didn't want to show up to Microsoft's event in person. that didn't stop its CEO Tim Cook giving a virtual "Congrats" via Twitter to Nadella for the Office on iPad launch.

Welcome to the #iPad and @AppStore! @satyanadella and Office for iPad Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 27, 2014

Nadella quickly returned the message from Cook with a Twitter post of his own:

Thanks @tim_cook, excited to bring the magic of @Office to iPad customers #cloud4mobile Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) March 27, 2014

How awesome would it have been if Tim Cook had then said: "Thanks @satyanadella, excited to bring the magic of Apple hardware to @Office users!"

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Unbearable, isn't it? The suffering of strangers, the agony of friends. - IMDB

But there is still much more agony to come ...

Microsoft makes Office for Android and iPhone free for home users ( TechSpot 2014-03-28 )

Office Mobile for iPhone and Android smartphones now free for home use ( NeoWin 2014-03-27 )

The announcement was made as part of the Office for iPad post on the Microsoft's Office blog. Previously, Office Mobile required a Office 365 subscription, but that has now been eliminated for home use. Office 365 is still required if the apps are used for business purposes; Office Mobile for Windows Phone is already free to download and use.

Ouch! That's like a kick in the nuts right after a kick in the gut! Sweet suffering continues ...

"Seriously, is Microsoft abandoning the devices part of their "devices and services" business model? Apple hasn't release any of their iWork or iLife mobile products to Android or Microsoft. Microsoft has to know that hardly anyone will think twice to buy a Surface or a Windows Phone product. Like i said on another thread, there is zero reason to buy Microsoft hardware."

---

"Umm... "Office" is not a device, it's a service."

:lol: I think it's hysterical that the second guy is even more clueless than the first ( who was right about abandoning "devices" like Surface )!

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Save your tears. I'll reap your sorrow slowly. I have centuries to discover the things that make you whimper. - IMDB

And still another shot to the heart ...

Apple gets 30 percent cut of Office 365 subscriptions if made within Office for iPad apps ( NeoWin 2014-03-28 )

EDITORIAL: Office for iPad revenue model called 'unfair' for Apple, except it's not ( NeoWin 2014-03-29 )

Re/code has confirmed with Apple that they will get a 30 percent cut of any revenues generated from Office 365 subscriptions if they are made within the iPad apps.

[...]

Considering that there may be a lot of iPad owners who have yet to sign up for Office 365, that could represent not just a new revenue stream for Microsoft but also a significant boost for Apple's bottom line as well. Of course, people who already have Office 365 subscriptions, like the 3.5 million people who already signed up for the Home Premium version, won't see any of their money going to Apple.

If that's not funny enough that he says "already signed up" ( already? They got only 3.5 million out of over a billion ), check out the 'Tards suggesting that people should screw Apple for money ( the same ones that have strokes over Microsoft bootleggers ) ...

"Couldn't they just push the users to the mobile web to sign-up to avoid Apple's 30% cut?"

---

"So apple think they deserve 30% of the price for doing NOTHING?"

---

"30% is fairly steep. Microsoft's cut in the Windows Store is much lower."

---

"Nope."

Seriously, some of the MicroZealots don't even know that Microsoft is doing the exact same thing. I wonder if they would be embarrassed that Microsoft literally copied ( stole? ) the Apple store model right down to the letter?

And here's one more kick to the gut ( that's four by my count! ) ...

Microsoft does not "strictly enforce the limit" on Office for iPad installations ( NeoWin 2014-03-29 )

However, as CNet reports, it looks like anyone with a Microsoft account and a paid Office 365 subscription can simply pass that login information to others in order to activate more Office on iPad apps beyond the five tablet limit. In fact, there seems to be no restrictions on just how much an Office 365 subscription can be shared.

In a statement, Microsoft admits, "Similar to our commercial use rights, we do not strictly enforce the limit on tablet installations, but trust that our users respect and understand the device limits outlined in the EULA." The company did say that it tracks the number of tablet installs on each Office 365 account so in theory someone who abuses the limit could be discovered.

So they're willing to let the AppleTards slide on intellectual property theft while nailing the MicroTards at every opportunity! Ouch. Not a great week to be a MicroZealot.

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Down the dark decades of your pain, this will seem like a memory of Heaven. - IMDB

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What Our Customers Have to Say About Windows 8 ( PugetSystems 2014-03-25 )

Puget Systems Offers Free Service on New PCs to Make Windows 8 Look and Feel Like Windows 7 ( Maximum PC 2014-03-25 )

Puget: Windows 8 is not our fault, but we have to clean up after Microsoft's terrible UI decisions ( TechSpot 2014-03-25 )

Clever marketing gimmick from a system builder apparently to drum up sales. Of course this is all ancient news to everyone in this thread. Better late than never I guess. Hasn't been picked up by NeoWin yet, but it's just as well since they got their hands full at the moment crying about Apple.

Oh, excellent points made by a commenter ...

Microsoft had a decision to make with mobile: for our curated experience do we come up with something that's familiar-looking but very limited in function, or make an entirely new UI paradigm? They chose the latter and it was the worst decision in the company's history. Change for change's sake will never sell. Apple succeeded with the iPhone because it was *better* than any touch system that had come before. You can't just throw something that's "sort of" like what people are used to and pray it sticks. Microsoft should have addressed all the complaints regarding iOS and exploited them. Instead they kept none of the positive aspects of existing UIs (Windows included) and switched to an inefficient, non-intuitive interface while ignoring all feedback from the average consumer. The entire industry has become dependent upon the Windows-Office refresh cycle and proceeded to go down with the SS Ballmer. IMHO there are only two possible salvation for Microsoft. The ideal one would be for Windows 9 to combine every truly great idea Microsoft ever had for user interface design. The start menu, with both fly-out and scrolling styles, quick launch, jump lists, the sidebar...all of it in one glorious, highly configurable desktop. Windows 9 themes should save every aspect of your UI, allowing you to instantly switch from a desktop to pure touch experience or anything in between. The runner-up solution would be for an open standard of shell modification to emerge that let's us create our own Windows experience. Get all of the bright minds from Classic Shell, Pokki, Stardock and the other guys together to settle on an app support layer for any UI replacements they create. If every third party shell enhancement or replacement displayed Metro apps the same way then Metro apps could become fully integrated into any UI supporting the standard. You'd see people creating custom UIs that were almost totally composed of Metro apps. Of course it would be much simpler if Microsoft simply allowed Metro apps to be run just like regular desktop programs (ala gadgets) or at least in a reserved desktop area - "Windows Sidebar 2", if you will.

Microsoft Store selling Xbox One bundles with 'Titanfall' or 'Forza 5' for $450 ( NeoWin 2014-03-25 )

Microsoft Store locations to offer 1 free year of Office 365 to people who bring in iPad ( NeoWin 2014-03-28 )

Microsoft Store offering free Touch Cover with any Surface until Saturday ( NeoWin 2014-03-24 )

Why do companies have firesales in the first place? To clear out old stock or to give CPR to a a dead business. Clearly both are in play here contrary to what MicroZealots have been telling us. I've pretty much lost count as to how many price cuts and Crazy Eddie bargains have been trotted out.

Dell will pay Microsoft royalties for each Android and Chrome OS product sold ( TechSpot 2014-03-27 )

Microsoft and Dell sign cross-patent license agreement ( NeoWin 2014-03-27 )

More extortion of the Android platform by Microsoft, fleecing an operating system they did not even write but insist on collecting protection racket money from. If they actually have claim to some fractional percentage of the total code size of Android ( maybe 1% ) then they should collect that 1% of the cost. But since this is actually about lawyers, and companies that cave and settle rather than standing on principle this criminal Mafia action will continue. Let's hope that Google has something up their sleeve as payback for the Scroogle nonsense.

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25 year Microsoft Office and Windows veteran exec Antoine Leblond to depart ( NeoWin 2014-03-30 )

Microsoft is losing yet another long time employee, Antoine Leblond, who was a major force behind the company's Office division and later for the development of Windows 8. Re/code reports that Leblond sent out an email to team members late on Friday announcing his departure from Microsoft after nearly 25 years.

The email stated that his last official day at Microsoft will be on Monday, March 31st, which also happens to be his 9,000th day at the company.

[...]

During the recent company reorganization at Microsoft, Leblond was not named as an executive of the new operating systems division led by Terry Myerson,, In late 2013, two other major Windows team members who also were not named as part of Myerson's team, Jon DeVaan and Grant George, decided to leave Microsoft.

Leblond's departure email did not indicate where he might be working next, saying only that it was "time for me to go out and see what the non-Microsoft world has to offer."

Leblond was sure busy pimping Microsoft Tiles in this official Microsoft Windows Blog ( June 2013 ) and maintaining the Sinofsky line while getting hammered by commenters like this ...

But the Microsoft product people have a better plan. Remember when we introduced the Ribbon they tell Steve. There was a lot of wailing, but it went away. Same will happen with Windows 8 and soon, don't worry Steve, Windows 8 will be on tablets and smartphones everywhere.

Boy are they wrong. Times have changed. There are real alternatives out there now. LeBlond tells us with a straight face that they listened to users. Only thing I can suggest Antoine is that you need a hearing aid. Users, from grannies to power-users have complained, are complaining and will complain in the future and slowly drift away from the Microsoft franchise. Not to Linux of course, but to the Mac and Google's offerings.

This is way beyond a sea change now. It is a clean sweep of the MetroTards from management and the company ( obviously the rank and file is still infested though ).

Photograph of Terry Myerson wishing Leblond well ...

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Two stories that belong together and illustrate the hypocrisy of Microsoft ...

UK ad regulator allows Microsoft's "Scroogled" Pig Latin radio ad to be aired ( NeoWin 2014-03-26 )

The Advertising Standards Authority stated today that the group got two complaints about the message, which begins with a character speaking some words in Pig Latin. Another person then says, "Pig Latin may be hard to understand, but you probably need it if you use Gmail, because Gmail scans every word of your e-mails to sell ads. But Outlook.com doesn't." The two complaints claimed that Microsoft also scans all Outlook.com emails.

In their decision, the ASA said that Microsoft's Outlook.com does scan all of its emails, but just for the purposes of finding any viruses or spam, rather than for ad generation as Google's Gmail does. It stated:

They (Microsoft) explained that this protective scanning was not mentioned in the ad because, unlike scanning to target advertising, scanning for viruses and spam was standard practice of which consumers were likely to be aware. Therefore, they considered that omission of this practice in the ad did not render it misleading.

So here's a dumb@ss judge that literally restates Microsoft talking points, taking their word at face value (disgusting IMHO ). We can assume that THIS is exactly the kind of judge that Microsoft has promised to consult whenever they need to spy on user emails. :yes: Yep.

On the other hand, Microsoft is whole hog into policing Xbox players, hammering them with political correctness no doubt, in true Orwellian groupthink fashion ...

Microsoft will now tell you if you are a jerk on Xbox Live ( NeoWin 2014-03-26 )

Microsoft uses colors to represent Xbox One player reputation levels, with "Green" linked with "Good Player," "Yellow" meaning the score "Needs Work" and "Red" standing for "Avoid Me." In a post on Xbox Wire, Microsoft stated, "Beginning this month, some players will start receiving reputation warnings as their reputations drop due to feedback from the community."

If a player sees his or her online reputation fall into the Red level, they may experience limitations on playing games on the Xbox One until they can boost their score up. That may also include not being able to broadcast games via the Twitch app. On the other side of the equation, Microsoft says it has plans to offer rewards for players who are in the green and have been rated as having a good online reputation. Details about those plans should be released in the future. Microsoft insists that their algorithm will adjust if some people attempt to make false reports against Xbox One players.

Presumably these are all paying customers, so we can expect a future backlash and subsequent policy reversal here as well. I'm starting to wonder if there is a single landmine or sh!tpile that Microsoft avoids stepping on.

Most importantly, someone's gotta ask: If you really want to slap a childproof safety cap on the world then why are they in the business of marketing shooters in the first place?

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Computer Insecurity ...

Microsoft issues security advisory and 'Fix-it' patch for Word exploit ( NeoWin 2014-03-24 )

Recent Microsoft Word exploit won't affect WordPad [update: Word on iPad isn't affected] ( NeoWin 2014-03-27 )

Zero-day vulnerability found in Microsoft Word being actively exploited ( TechSpot 2014-03-25 )

Specifically, RTF files can be modified to cause the corruption of system memory in such a way that code could be executed. When a user opens the file in Microsoft Word, or previews a specially-crafted RTF email in Microsoft Outlook, a skillful attacker could execute code and gain the same privileges as the user. This could cause all sorts of havoc, including a remote takeover of the PC in question.

( What, no mention of Windows XP? ) But how can this be true when Windows 7 and Microsoft Tiles are super-duper secure operating systems? This must be a mistake, no? Oh well, time to move on from Microsoft Word I guess. I mean its thirty-one frickin years old! It had a great run.

California DMV compromised, credit cards breached ( NeoWin 2014-03-22 )

Earlier this week, MasterCard issued an alert noting that credit cards used online in transactions with California's DMV may have resulted in the theft of data and personal information - including credit card numbers, expiration dates, and three-digit security codes.

The number of cards stolen is still unconfirmed, but according to security blogger Brian Krebs, at least five different financial institutions have confirmed the data breach. Krebs says the potentially compromised transactions all occurred in a range of six months, from August 2nd, 2013 to January 21st, 2014.

( What, no mention of Windows XP? ) Well then, who is the cloud provider? Is it Microsoft Azure perhaps? Who is providing backend security? Symantec? Microsoft? Who designed the system in the first place and connected the credit card database to the website? Who signed off on the architecture? As usual no answers will be forthcoming because they are protecting each other ( the politicians and the tech companies they hired ).

Privacy ...

Federal Judge smacks down porn copyright trolls: IP addresses are not people ( NeoWin 2014-03-26 )

A federal judge in Florida wasn't falling for Malibu's troll tactics however, as last week Judge Ursula Ungaro threw out Malubu's lawsuits and ruled that there is nothing that links the identity of the alleged pirate to the IP address that Malibu was providing.

"There is nothing that links the IP address location to the identity of the person actually downloading and viewing Plaintiffs videos, and establishing whether that person lives in this district." - Judge Ungaro

Malibu attempted to justify that the geolocation technology used is always accurate, but aside from being a ridiculous claim, the judge established that a geolocation is still not sufficient to incriminate a specific person.

An example of this is to consider the concept of a shared car: If 10 people share a car, then just having the license plate of the car is not sufficient to prove who was driving the car at some specific time. Likewise with IP addresses, it merely establishes that that specific internet connection was used, however it doesn't establish who the user was.

"Even if this IP address is located within a residence, the geolocation software cannot identify who has access to that residences computer and who would actually be using it to infringe Plaintiffs copyright." - Judge Ungaro

Well that's a nice little sliver of good news. The patent trolls are bad enough but there was double trouble possible here - the danger of precedent had it gone the wrong way. Thankfully the judge did the right thing. So along with some earlier example cases with identical outcomes the precedent appears to now be established that IP Address != Human Being. Thank you for small miracles. :yes:

Microsoft Alters Outlook and Hotmail Policy After Snooping a Blogger's Inbox ( Maximum PC 2014-03-21 )

Electronic Frontier Foundation slams Microsoft for searching a blogger's Hotmail ( NeoWin 2014-03-22 )

Google: It's hard to imagine us snooping in Gmail to investigate company leaks ( NeoWin 2014-03-26 )

Microsoft will no longer access email accounts that steal company IP ( NeoWin 2014-03-28 )

Several later articles about the MicroSpy case from over a week ago. BTW, look at that last NeoWin article title! Dripping with anger.

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Microsoft makes source code for MS-DOS and Word for Windows available to public ( The Official Microsoft Blog 2014-03-25 )

Computer History Museum Makes Historic MS-DOS and Word for Windows Source Code Available to the Public ( ComputerHistory.org 2014-03-25 )

Microsoft releases source code to MS DOS 1.1 and 2.0 and Word for Windows 1.1a ( NeoWin 2014-03-25 )

Microsoft releases early source code for MS-DOS and Word for Windows ( TechSpot 2014-03-26 )

On Tuesday, we dusted off the source code for early versions of MS-DOS and Word for Windows. With the help of the Computer History Museum, we are making this code available to the public for the first time.

Naturally the utterly shoddy journalism over at NeoWin manages to rear it's ugly head in a followup article ...

Microsoft's MS-DOS and Word source code is filled with Easter eggs ( NeoWin 2014-03-27 )

Leon Zandman, a software programmer based in the Netherlands, went through the code for all of the programs Microsoft released this week and posted what he discovered on his Twitter account, Some of what he found are NSFW but a few are pretty funny; he later collected all of what he dug up on a Storify page.

Um no! :no: Sorry NeoWin. Those are not Easter Eggs ( and the cited article does NOT use that term ). These are just source code comments and nothing more. I think the real point here though is that NeoWin really is now a neutered shallow image of its former self, over-run by MetroTard commenters and writers, all of whom display only the most distant child-like grasp of technology and computer history. In short, it is a blissful field where herds of sheeple congregate, the very demographic that they themselves had been previously assigned to iTards. They are content consumers, consumer electronic chimpanzees who are not even vaguely representative of the classic Windows universe. Only someone from this Tard camp could write such a mistaken description of source code comments, and only NeoWin could be counted on to let the article get published as is.

And now for something completely different ( not really ) ...

Facebook announces $2 billion acquisition of virtual reality headset maker Oculus VR ( TechSpot 2014-03-25 )

Facebook to Acquire Oculus Rift Developer for $2 Billion ( Maximum PC 2014-03-25 )

Facebook to buy Oculus VR for $2 billion ( PC Gamer 2014-03-25 )

Facebook buys Oculus VR PC Gamer debates the pros and cons ( PC Gamer 2014-03-25 )

Notch cancels Minecraft Oculus Rift deal: "Facebook creeps me out" ( PC Gamer 2014-03-25 )

How Facebook's Oculus Buy Changes Future of Rift, VR ( Tom's Hardware 2014-03-25 )

Facebook to acquire company behind Oculus Rift VR headset for $2 billion ( NeoWin 2014-03-25 )

CCP says Facebook acquisition of Oculus Rift won't change plans for EVE: Valkyrie launch ( PC Gamer 2014-03-26 )

Minecraft creator cancels plans for Oculus Rift port: "Facebook creeps me out." ( NeoWin 2014-03-26 )

New York Times reports Facebook will put its logo and UI on Oculus Rift hardware %5BUpdate%5D ( NeoWin 2014-03-26 )

Doom creator John Carmack is now employed by Facebook ( NeoWin 2014-03-26 )

Cliff Bleszinski defends Oculus-Facebook deal, calls Notch "pouty kid" ( PC Gamer 2014-03-27 )

Oculus Should Refund Kickstarter Money ( Maximum PC 2014-03-28 )

Facebook inside Oculus VR - nightmare come true.

Facebook has reached an agreement to acquire Oculus VR, makers of the pioneering Oculus Rift virtual reality headset, as part of a deal valued at $2 billion. The deal includes $400 million in cash and 23.1 million shares of Facebook common stock on top of a $300 million earn-out in cash and stock based on certain milestones according to a press release on the matter.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said mobile is the platform of today and now they're getting ready for the platforms of tomorrow. Oculus has the chance to create the most social platform ever and change the way we work, play and communicate, Zuckerberg added.

At least most of the blogosphere are angry about this nuclear bomb blast of a story. It is painful to read comments from the enablers though, a handful of commenters at the articles and some high profile people like Carmack and Bleszinski.

One angle that still needs to be explored is whether there was any quasi-insider trading by getting several of these folks onboard before the deal was announced. Even if it is found to be perfectly legal it still smells like crap. Some of these people stand to pocket a huge chunk of change from Facebook, while the actual grunts that kickstarted the product are left with nothing. I'm glad for this uproar even though it will change nothing.

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Office for iPad is official, downloads now available ( NeoWin 2014-03-27 )

Office on the iPad rumors have been around for more than 2 years with the first alleged screenshot being released back in February of 2012. Since then, the release has been rumored time and time again but finally, Microsoft has come forward and announced Office for the iPad.

[...]

Office is the real deal, it allows collaborative work like you have known to love with documents in the cloud and it works with markup and threaded comments. The app is also native, this is not a port of a previous version of Office.

That's NeoWin's chief MetroTard Brad Sams again. Yes he really uses that phrase: "Office is the real deal"! Actually it's not, it is not much more than the traditional Word/Excel/Powerpoint VIEWERS that Microsoft keeps releasing. But we'll get back to this later I'm sure.

Let the suffering commence ...

It already commenced :whistle:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/03/28/microsoft_already_pointing_out_bugs_in_office_for_ipad/

Microsoft has pointed out that the newly released Office for iPad won't immediately work for users of its SharePoint 2010 collaboration suite.

but the good MS guys managed to find a workaround :yes:....

http://blogs.technet.com/b/bgp/archive/2014/03/27/unable-to-open-powerpoint-files-from-a-sharepoint-2010-on-an-ipad.aspx

Please note how it is just a (though authoritative) blog post, not a real "Sorry chaps, we didn't though of this, temporarily use this workaround, we'll fix it with an update as soon as possible" kind of thing.

If anyone can translate this:

When the file opens it will be read only with the option to edit and save.

I would be happy ;) (so many years in the field and I had always thought that you cannot have an edit and save option for a read only file :ph34r:)

jaclaz

Edited by jaclaz
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If anyone can translate this:

When the file opens it will be read only with the option to edit and save.

I would be happy ;) (so many years in the field and I had always thought that you cannot have an edit and save option for a read only file :ph34r:)

Only thing I can think of is default behavior is read only, but you have the option to open it in edit mode?

ie as a default it opens as a viewer, but you can also open it in the editor. But that's just a guess.

Cheers and Regards

Edited by bphlpt
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