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Message 1494534 - Posted: 24 Mar 2014, 15:33:36 UTC

Prepare to pay more for your downloads.....

Tax change effective 1/1/15
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Message 1499204 - Posted: 3 Apr 2014, 17:15:27 UTC

1st look at reversible USB cables

Should make things easier.
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Message 1505778 - Posted: 18 Apr 2014, 21:06:48 UTC

Is this the takeover of the known cyber-world by Google?


Major media publisher admits it is 'afraid of Google'

... one of Europe's largest media publishers, has said that his company is afraid of the power that Google has accumulated, and worries that the search giant is becoming a "superstate" immune from regulation...



IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin
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Message 1505975 - Posted: 19 Apr 2014, 8:57:01 UTC - in response to Message 1505778.  

Is this the takeover of the known cyber-world by Google?


Major media publisher admits it is 'afraid of Google'

... one of Europe's largest media publishers, has said that his company is afraid of the power that Google has accumulated, and worries that the search giant is becoming a "superstate" immune from regulation...



IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin

Not really a surprise, they have been quietly building their empire.

Look at Android, the "acceptable Linux OS" Google made sure that it succeeded, it may be free to use and modify, but where do people go for their "Apps" the Google Play store and "by reusing the "Android" trademark; however, device manufacturers and wireless carriers have licensed the trademark from Google".

Whatever people may think Google "own" Android and I am sure are quite happy that "As of May 2012, Android became the most popular mobile OS, having the largest installed base, and is a market leader in most countries

So we have a choice MS, Apple or Google, I wonder who in 20 years will be running the consumer IT market, my moneys on Google.

Should we worry, well as you say Martin, "IT is what we allow it to be.." However do the masses actually care?
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Message 1506891 - Posted: 21 Apr 2014, 11:47:27 UTC

For those who have experienced Windows System Restore issues, try this (use the latest version as it covers Win 8 & 8.1)...

Restore Point Creator
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Message 1507062 - Posted: 21 Apr 2014, 23:59:32 UTC - in response to Message 1505975.  

... Should we worry, well as you say Martin, "IT is what we allow it to be.." However do the masses actually care?

Very unfortunately, from my own experience, it is more a case of 'The Masses' being totally unaware to even know to care about that aspect of IT...


IT is what we know to allow it to be...
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Message 1507063 - Posted: 22 Apr 2014, 0:08:11 UTC - in response to Message 1506891.  
Last modified: 22 Apr 2014, 0:09:22 UTC

For those who have experienced Windows System Restore issues, [and other 'issues'...]

I've yesterday just done a dual-boot for a Win7 laptop for a user to add a Mageia 4 linux install dual boot:


And all works sweet and smooth and a far faster setup that trying to 'fix' the Win7... Looks like the Win7 is not going to get touched!

The only shame is that the user is on gmail for all email...! :-/


IT is what we know it to allow it to be...
Martin


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Message 1507212 - Posted: 22 Apr 2014, 8:20:58 UTC - in response to Message 1507063.  

Just for once, is it possible that you provide assistance on these boards rather that denigrate anything that is not for your "pet project"?

A Good I.T tech provides what's best for his client, not himself!
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Message 1507215 - Posted: 22 Apr 2014, 8:32:07 UTC
Last modified: 22 Apr 2014, 8:32:22 UTC

Obviously I don't think that Martin really understands the workings of Windows at all which is why he tries to push Linux at people.

Cheers.
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Message 1507266 - Posted: 22 Apr 2014, 13:31:38 UTC - in response to Message 1507215.  
Last modified: 22 Apr 2014, 13:43:26 UTC

Obviously I don't think that Martin really understands the workings of Windows at all which is why he tries to push Linux at people...

It's more that I understand it rather deeply and see what is hidden behind the thin surface veneer...

So... I support various 'hybrid' office/research systems spanning multiple vendors so I get to see and 'experience' first hand how they all work and importantly how well or otherwise they work with other vendors. For my multiple examples, the Microsoft support has by far the highest costs and greatest needless frustration. Should I cynically take the customer money and run with it? Or is it 'better' to do what is better for the users and lessen the user frustrations?


IT is supposed to be of help to 'empower' people to do things better, faster, more easily. Not to be a plaything of Marketing to enslave the users with lock-in and the forever promises of "it'll be better after the next upgrade"... (Or indeed dictate that "Thou must expensively 'upgrade'"...)


Alternatively, take a look around at what else there might be?



IT is what we allow it to be...
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Message 1507270 - Posted: 22 Apr 2014, 13:43:02 UTC - in response to Message 1507215.  
Last modified: 22 Apr 2014, 13:45:44 UTC

Obviously I don't think that Martin really understands the workings of Windows at all which is why he tries to push Linux at people.

Just two recent examples to let you see what you think...


This first one had some disbelieving users hung up for a week with failed snapshots/backups and absolutely convinced that my server support was 'on the blink'. This is an old and "well known" problem for those that know. However, it is painful system idiocy repeatedly repeated for those that don't know:


Bug: Excel, PowerPoint files timestamp is always updated even when the file is not [used]

Confusingly:

Excel changes Modified date and time when you open the workbook

And a buggerup:

The modified date of the original.xls file is not reset to the original modified time stamp


And the "workaround" is something that no users will ever remember to do or indeed should even need to know about!

And no, for financial reasons the client is NOT going to upgrade everyone to Office 2013/365...


Another example is needing to buy third-party add-ons to Outlook for users so that they can interact with the rest of the world that is NOT Microsoft Exchange...


All rather silly.

And there is no anticipation that the file timestamp juggling is ever going to be fixed by Microsoft.


IT is what we allow it to be...
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Message 1507334 - Posted: 22 Apr 2014, 19:38:52 UTC - in response to Message 1507215.  
Last modified: 22 Apr 2014, 19:41:21 UTC

Obviously I don't think that Martin really understands the workings of Windows at all which is why he tries to push Linux at people.

Because I see too much of this sort of thing?...


OK, we get the message, Microsoft: Windows Defender splats 1000s of WinXP, Server 2k3 PCs

Microsoft has fixed a snafu with Windows Defender that took down thousands of business PCs and servers running Windows XP and Server 2003.

The software giant responded to sysadmins complaining on TechNet that large numbers of their machines were borked after they’d installed Microsoft’s latest set of antivirus definitions...



On this occasion, the still many WinXP machines I look after are all segregated on their own isolated network and so missed out on the latest updates from Microsoft. Just as well! (Expensive but the segregation is cheapest. And no, those WinXP systems cannot be replaced...)

I'm sure many others were greatly inconvenienced...


IT is what we allow it to be,
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Message 1507360 - Posted: 22 Apr 2014, 20:07:27 UTC - in response to Message 1507334.  

And no, those WinXP systems cannot be replaced...)

...now that is a surprise coming from you, maybe there's hope for you yet :-)
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Message 1507434 - Posted: 22 Apr 2014, 23:08:04 UTC - in response to Message 1507360.  
Last modified: 22 Apr 2014, 23:10:44 UTC

And no, those WinXP systems cannot be replaced...)

...now that is a surprise coming from you, maybe there's hope for you yet :-)

Note the emphasis is on the "systems". It is very much the case that it is not that WinXP itself is irreplaceable...

:-P


The "systems" include equipment connected to the WinXP computers that rely on software that only runs on WinXP...

And the reason we can't move to anything else is that old monopolistic boondoggle of proprietary lock-in and physical license key dongles... The client is not going to wastefully throw away perfectly useable and profitable equipment into the skip just because "Microsoft say so" and also due in part to a supplier hiding behind the word "proprietary"...

There is significant irritation and cost as it is at the inconvenience caused through no fault of the users... :-(


IT is what we allow it to be...
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Message 1507436 - Posted: 22 Apr 2014, 23:13:20 UTC

And as for the politics that we allow to happen:


Whoever you vote for, Google gets in

Analysis Google's lobbying and influence-courting in Washington DC is more intense and extensive than even Google-watchers thought, a must-read Washington Post investigation has revealed.

That's because much of it takes place off the books, where formal spending is not declared, according to the article...



IT is all that we allow it to be...
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Message 1507488 - Posted: 23 Apr 2014, 4:13:11 UTC - in response to Message 1507266.  

Obviously I don't think that Martin really understands the workings of Windows at all which is why he tries to push Linux at people...

It's more that I understand it rather deeply and see what is hidden behind the thin surface veneer...


No you don't. You continue to push half-truths and outright incorrect fallacies about Windows. Your angle has always been to denigrate and spread FUD about Microsoft and Windows. Your angle is to scare everyone away from all things Microsoft with comments like "all other OSes have eradicated viruses" or talking about all the "marketing" of Windows.

Your ability to "see what is hidden behind the thin surface..." is more like Don Quixote chasing those windmills, trying to warn all the good citizens to stay away from them dragons that you will slay.
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Message 1507556 - Posted: 23 Apr 2014, 9:44:47 UTC - in response to Message 1507488.  

... "all other OSes have eradicated viruses" or talking about all the "marketing" of Windows. ...

For the sake of accuracy:

I have never said that "all other OSes have eradicated viruses". What you will find is that my observations and personal opinion are that no other systems suffer or support (whether by ineptitude or by design or whatever) malware in the same way that Windows systems have evolved into.

Note that unfortunately now from what I observe, a second widely used system is risking slipping in a similar malware direction for the sake of Marketing... But that is for another thread!


And as for the Marketing specifically for Windows:

Can you simply individually buy the latest Microsoft Word word processing application all on its own and for a reasonable price? (... Thought not. All a game of 'vertical integration/entrapment'? IT needn't be...)


IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin


All just my humble personal observations and opinions from working with all this IT stuff...
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Message 1507590 - Posted: 23 Apr 2014, 14:28:43 UTC - in response to Message 1507556.  

... "all other OSes have eradicated viruses" or talking about all the "marketing" of Windows. ...

For the sake of accuracy:

I have never said that "all other OSes have eradicated viruses". What you will find is that my observations and personal opinion are that no other systems suffer or support (whether by ineptitude or by design or whatever) malware in the same way that Windows systems have evolved into.


Actually, you did:
http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/forum_thread.php?id=58201&postid=966397"ML1" wrote:
As far as I'm aware, ALL OTHER OSes are designed and are updated such that the Microsoft style of malware affliction was eradicated long ago.


And you're wrong that no other systems "suffer or support" malware. Malware is merely software designed to take advantage of flaws in an application's coding for malicious purposes. Windows, having the largest marketshare, is of course going to have the largest target for such attacks. As we've seen, other systems are starting to suffer much the same as mobile computing and "internet connected everything" become more popular.

And as for the Marketing specifically for Windows:

Can you simply individually buy the latest Microsoft Word word processing application all on its own and for a reasonable price? (... Thought not. All a game of 'vertical integration/entrapment'? IT needn't be...)


Oh, you got me there Martin! Wow, you've made me see the light of your arguments! /s

I hate marketing as much as the next person, but don't you ever get tired of complaining about every bit of marketing out there? I mean, we live in a capitalistic society and some marketing is to be expected. Many applications have been integrated into larger packages so as to provide a better value while still being able to charge what the market will bear and also allow a company to afford it's support costs. Remember when you could buy the Norton Utilities as a stand-alone product? It was gobbled up into Norton SystemWorks much like Word was gobbled up into Microsoft Office. I'm sure we both can come up with far more examples.

And "reasonable" price is a subjective term; it means something different to each person. Microsoft's OS Upgrades have traditionally cost around $89 for home users since Windows 3.1, as have many other software packages like the aforementioned Norton Utilities. Given the advancements in application programming and taking into account inflation of the dollar, most software is still "unreasonably" priced to many people. Heck, if it weren't for my TechNet subscription, I'd be using OpenOffice or LibreOffice exclusively (and I'll probably be switching over once my TechNet runs out in August unless they reverse their decision to close it down).
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Message 1507653 - Posted: 23 Apr 2014, 17:29:38 UTC - in response to Message 1507590.  
Last modified: 23 Apr 2014, 17:36:30 UTC

... For the sake of accuracy:

I have never said that "all other OSes have eradicated viruses". What you will find is that my observations and personal opinion are that no other systems suffer or support (whether by ineptitude or by design or whatever) malware in the same way that Windows systems have evolved into.

Actually, you did:
http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/forum_thread.php?id=58201&postid=966397"ML1" wrote:
As far as I'm aware, ALL OTHER OSes are designed and are updated such that the Microsoft style of malware affliction was eradicated long ago.

Good to see I'm staying consistent! :-P

Please note to read all of the words in the sentence... I'm sure we don't need to go into the subtleties of viruses, worms, trojans, exploits, and malware...


And you're wrong that no other systems "suffer or support" malware. Malware is merely software designed to take advantage of flaws in an application's coding for malicious purposes. Windows, having the largest marketshare...

There are various ways to design computer systems/software and there is an often stereotyped excuse about making a compromise between useability, security, and cost. However, there is also the important aspect of what the design goals are. For Microsoft Windows, my own personal interpretation of what I've seen, I believe the overriding design goal has been to gain market share and to profit from such a dominant market share. For that, Microsoft has undeniably been very successful so far (by 'whatever' means). However, note that such an assumed design goal can require very different features and operation compared to what is actually usable or good for those using such software/systems...



... I hate marketing as much as the next person, but don't you ever get tired of complaining about every bit of marketing out there? I mean, we live in a capitalistic society and some marketing is to be expected.

Does that excuse all Marketing? Even Marketing that is deliberately misleading or coercive or worse?


... most software is still "unreasonably" priced to many people. Heck, if it weren't for my TechNet subscription, I'd be using OpenOffice or LibreOffice exclusively (and I'll probably be switching over once my TechNet runs out in August unless they reverse their decision to close it down).

It is very good to have alternatives and a choice.


For real choice, we really do need at least another two big options with useful market share to choose from the present big players of Google, Apple, Microsoft and the Linux family. Maybe then we will be able to break away from being expensively "locked in" into any one world of one company and instead enjoy the freedom of free inter-operation and cooperation...

Note this example for an all too familiar story for the 'game of play' in the proprietary Marketing driven world: Windows8 thread Message 1507648

Or... Could our governments police a truly level cyber playing field?...


IT is what we make it...
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Message 1507665 - Posted: 23 Apr 2014, 17:54:59 UTC

Okay guys, that's enough. Please keep all O/S debates in their relevant threads.
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