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I'm very disappointed in the over all tone of this whole article. I did not finish this article because something of such a negative tone is a waste of my time. Your opinions are very close minded and extremely biased. Sure most of the items you are discussing have there issues but not anywhere to the extent that you are portraying them.
The very title said the article would be negative, so what did you expect?
The article was not 'one sided' 1, 2, 4, 8, and 10 are not related to Microsoft specifically. It started off #1 with a Linux Issue (Gnome). 3, 6, 9 speak directly to Microsoft, so what. 5 speaks to M$ and LibreOffice. Nothing stated is untrue.
Not sure what you were expecting but for those who aren't looking at things through M$ supplied glasses this is a fair article that hits Microsoft, Gnome (Linux) and LibreOffice (Open Source) all pretty hard. That is what it was meant to do.
The article was not 'one sided' 1, 2, 4, 8, and 10 are not related to Microsoft specifically. It started off #1 with a Linux Issue (Gnome). 3, 6, 9 speak directly to Microsoft, so what. 5 speaks to M$ and LibreOffice. Nothing stated is untrue.
Not sure what you were expecting but for those who aren't looking at things through M$ supplied glasses this is a fair article that hits Microsoft, Gnome (Linux) and LibreOffice (Open Source) all pretty hard. That is what it was meant to do.
I heartily agree... there is way too much brokeness due to Windows wanting/wishing to own the Internet with non-standard protocols, that are subject to change on a whim. Scruum. Ric
Your point on hard drives is only half right. While there are no moving parts in SSDs to break, there is a limit to how many time you can write to one before it degrades to being unusable.
Is it necessary to list ten things even though only seven or eight things belong on the list?
If it were flawless, nothing would advance.
3: Windows security - I never seem to have any problems.
5: Office suites - do home users really need these? They seem bloated an resource intensive.
8: Cross-platform technology - Linux has to be the worst. How many distros are there now?
3: Windows security - I never seem to have any problems.
5: Office suites - do home users really need these? They seem bloated an resource intensive.
8: Cross-platform technology - Linux has to be the worst. How many distros are there now?
...that don't even manage networking or security properly?
At least with Linux I have a choice. With Windows, choice only exists if you pay a premium. In Oz, that premium is significant.
http://mobile.news.com.au/technology/why-is-windows-7-so-expensive-in-australia/story-e6frfro0-1225789970152
At least with Linux I have a choice. With Windows, choice only exists if you pay a premium. In Oz, that premium is significant.
http://mobile.news.com.au/technology/why-is-windows-7-so-expensive-in-australia/story-e6frfro0-1225789970152
In general moving parts are less reliable than solid state, but I'm unconvinced that SSDs are more reliable than HDs.
Against my better judgement, after reading endless descriptions of failures in a 120 GB SSD, I bought one. It was great for about a week. Then one day I faintly smelled that 'roasting electronics smell." My SSD had become a brick with little warning and no chance to recover anything from it.
I've never had that experience with an HD. I've never had one that's life wasn't measured in years and I've never bought another SSD since.
Against my better judgement, after reading endless descriptions of failures in a 120 GB SSD, I bought one. It was great for about a week. Then one day I faintly smelled that 'roasting electronics smell." My SSD had become a brick with little warning and no chance to recover anything from it.
I've never had that experience with an HD. I've never had one that's life wasn't measured in years and I've never bought another SSD since.
Your brief paragraphs don't do each topic justice. Like the Metro mess. Windows 8 is a perfect example of why good tech companies are small and quick. Win8 is a typical product made by a group and shows that corp group think. A phone is not a tablet and a tablet is not a PC or laptop. What do these boneheads do no doubt at the prodding of the bean counters? They make one GUI for all devices and as typical of one of these abortions it doesn't work well on any of them.
What Microsoft is doing rather than being the "go to" guys for a computer operating system is to try and jump on the pay to play content market. A parade that has past and one they probably won't catch up to any time soon. The "store" is a joke and most of the UI has been twisted to satisfy the lowest common denominator.
While I am still forced to use Microsoft products; I have moved to Linux and carry a copy of Win 7 on a USB when I am forced to deal with the Microsoft walking dead.
What Microsoft is doing rather than being the "go to" guys for a computer operating system is to try and jump on the pay to play content market. A parade that has past and one they probably won't catch up to any time soon. The "store" is a joke and most of the UI has been twisted to satisfy the lowest common denominator.
While I am still forced to use Microsoft products; I have moved to Linux and carry a copy of Win 7 on a USB when I am forced to deal with the Microsoft walking dead.
but then I love to gripe! 
I would bet that fellow TR member M Wagner has it closer to reality - however.
I would bet that fellow TR member M Wagner has it closer to reality - however. 
1. "...GNOME is governed along meritocratic principles...." LOL! That is the only response worthy of your whine that they stopped listening to the user base. Did you honestly expect a company that relies on voluntary handouts for income to stay true to the ideal that is GNOME? Did you honestly expect the largely volunteer contributors of code to continue volunteering time unpaid? Seriously, LOL.
2. The single point concept, as you should know by now, is mostly about security and/or integrity of data. Its strength is its weakness, and vice versa. If you did understand the concept of single point of entry, and its strengths and weaknesses, you would not be whining about #3.
3. If you want a secure environment, where you can't do anything you want, have very few options, and are just stuck with what you're given, go to Unix or Mac. Oh, that also means that your beloved *free* open source junk is out of the running, too.
4. Did you really just ask for something that works all the time, never breaks down (mechanically or software), and is compatible with all platforms, regardless of version? Would you also like the printer to magically refill its own paper trays and change out ink/toner cartridges? Maybe the printer should also telepathically guess if you really only meant to print a selection, or the orientation? What else would you like this fictional device to do?
5. "Microsoft has to understand that some businesses and organizations simply cant afford Office, and LibreOffice needs to understand there might be features that users might want (regardless of logic)." I'm sure if you told your landlord that you couldn't find it in your heart to prioritize paying your lease, that he'd let you keep running your business on premise. If you cannot afford the tools to do the job, find another job. I just don't know where to begin with your statement about LibreOffice. But then again, I paid for my copy of Microsoft Office, and I thought it was a fair price.
6. Error, does not compute.
7. You already complained about Microsoft security. We know you hate Microsoft. We get it. Seriously. Please retitle your article with the appropriate number.
8. Who's throwing the fit? Oh, and this seems to be an extension of your fit from #6. Please retitle your article again.
9. While I do agree with many of your points, I must fairly state that I have not even entertained becoming familiar with the UI...yet. I do understand that, while I may resist certain things that Microsoft may force upon us, some of them do not make sense until I actually take the time to learn them. I'm not saying they are all good, but it's a bad idea to adopt the old dog mindset in the technology industry.
10. Moving parts exist because they are cheaper alternatives to better quality products. As long as cheap people keep buying them, they will continue to be used.
From what I gathered of your ranting, you want the following:
1. Everything should be free.
2. Everything should be accessible to everyone, at all cost.
3. Everything should be completely secure, while giving the end user all options.
4. Everything should work, at all times, the way you want it to, forever.
5. Even if you produce the best work, you should not ask people to pay you for your time. Be the better person, and give it away!
6. Every product manufacturer should support other manufacturer's product, even when they won't even support their own product.
7. Microsoft must die!
8. Forget patents, since everything is free!
9. Innovate perfectly the first time.
10. Technology should only allow the best solutions as an option, regardless of cost, for the same cost (heck, it is free, afterall).
Did I misunderstand anything you wrote?
2. The single point concept, as you should know by now, is mostly about security and/or integrity of data. Its strength is its weakness, and vice versa. If you did understand the concept of single point of entry, and its strengths and weaknesses, you would not be whining about #3.
3. If you want a secure environment, where you can't do anything you want, have very few options, and are just stuck with what you're given, go to Unix or Mac. Oh, that also means that your beloved *free* open source junk is out of the running, too.
4. Did you really just ask for something that works all the time, never breaks down (mechanically or software), and is compatible with all platforms, regardless of version? Would you also like the printer to magically refill its own paper trays and change out ink/toner cartridges? Maybe the printer should also telepathically guess if you really only meant to print a selection, or the orientation? What else would you like this fictional device to do?
5. "Microsoft has to understand that some businesses and organizations simply cant afford Office, and LibreOffice needs to understand there might be features that users might want (regardless of logic)." I'm sure if you told your landlord that you couldn't find it in your heart to prioritize paying your lease, that he'd let you keep running your business on premise. If you cannot afford the tools to do the job, find another job. I just don't know where to begin with your statement about LibreOffice. But then again, I paid for my copy of Microsoft Office, and I thought it was a fair price.
6. Error, does not compute.
7. You already complained about Microsoft security. We know you hate Microsoft. We get it. Seriously. Please retitle your article with the appropriate number.
8. Who's throwing the fit? Oh, and this seems to be an extension of your fit from #6. Please retitle your article again.
9. While I do agree with many of your points, I must fairly state that I have not even entertained becoming familiar with the UI...yet. I do understand that, while I may resist certain things that Microsoft may force upon us, some of them do not make sense until I actually take the time to learn them. I'm not saying they are all good, but it's a bad idea to adopt the old dog mindset in the technology industry.
10. Moving parts exist because they are cheaper alternatives to better quality products. As long as cheap people keep buying them, they will continue to be used.
From what I gathered of your ranting, you want the following:
1. Everything should be free.
2. Everything should be accessible to everyone, at all cost.
3. Everything should be completely secure, while giving the end user all options.
4. Everything should work, at all times, the way you want it to, forever.
5. Even if you produce the best work, you should not ask people to pay you for your time. Be the better person, and give it away!
6. Every product manufacturer should support other manufacturer's product, even when they won't even support their own product.
7. Microsoft must die!
8. Forget patents, since everything is free!
9. Innovate perfectly the first time.
10. Technology should only allow the best solutions as an option, regardless of cost, for the same cost (heck, it is free, afterall).
Did I misunderstand anything you wrote?
Do you realize what a whiny bunch of crybabies you people sound like? It's like watching George Jetson from the first movie complaining that had to push the button FOUR times today and his finger was throbbing!
Seriously, imagine yourself as a Neanderthal who went to High School in the 70's...
Seriously, imagine yourself as a Neanderthal who went to High School in the 70's...
I went to High School in the 1960s (graduated 1969.) I guess I'm Cro-Magnon ....
We have deployed Exchange online AKA Office 365, for several customers over this year. At this point I'm just about tired of apologizing to customers about the shortcoming and dysfunctions of this web interface and screwed up email formatting, not to mention the frequent outages. And don't tell me to use it with Outlook, that POS has been mentioned in previous list for a good reason as it tends to break and cost customer even more money to have it fixed. The sad thing is so many of them are so dependent on this trash email client they are not willing to try anything else. My Google email is so much more capable than the Microsoft competition that it makes me wonder what keep Microsoft two generations behind. Gmail had its own outage today which was very disappointing but they still have a long way to catch up to Microsoft record of outages.
I guess you can't even remember what security used to be like in pre-sasser/blaster days
@Neon Samurai. your comments " The issue is being forced to use the
Windows 8 touch interface on Desktop
devices which may or may not include"
First I'd like to ask you have you ever used windows 8 on a desktop? I'm very certain you have not. I have.
i had the windows 8 version after the consumer Preview installed, on an Hp pavillion dv 6000 entertainment pc series, which came pre installed with Vista and has a major Heating issue. i installed windows 8, and the freaking over heating stopped.
the touch UI is very very easy to navigate with a mouse and keyboard. i had no problem with it, niether did my wife who who knows nothing about computers as a matter of fact, windows 8 was the first computer she actively started using.
because of how easily she was able to interact with the operating system, i intend buying her a Nokia lumnia 920.
if you tell me you have no problem using windows 7 but find windows 8 difficult, then you're not being sincere. if you tell me that you hate the fact that there's no start button, well truth is, your start button has been moved to your desktop.
in my opinion, windows 8 is the best windows UI i have seen from Microsoft yet.
remember the days of windows 95? when Windows Xp came along, it got exactly the same hate, dislike and contempt thrown at it, several years past and it became one of the most popular OS by Microsoft.
be open minded about windows 8, and yes it requires a little learning curve but once it sinks in, and you are hooked
Windows 8 touch interface on Desktop
devices which may or may not include"
First I'd like to ask you have you ever used windows 8 on a desktop? I'm very certain you have not. I have.
i had the windows 8 version after the consumer Preview installed, on an Hp pavillion dv 6000 entertainment pc series, which came pre installed with Vista and has a major Heating issue. i installed windows 8, and the freaking over heating stopped.
the touch UI is very very easy to navigate with a mouse and keyboard. i had no problem with it, niether did my wife who who knows nothing about computers as a matter of fact, windows 8 was the first computer she actively started using.
because of how easily she was able to interact with the operating system, i intend buying her a Nokia lumnia 920.
if you tell me you have no problem using windows 7 but find windows 8 difficult, then you're not being sincere. if you tell me that you hate the fact that there's no start button, well truth is, your start button has been moved to your desktop.
in my opinion, windows 8 is the best windows UI i have seen from Microsoft yet.
remember the days of windows 95? when Windows Xp came along, it got exactly the same hate, dislike and contempt thrown at it, several years past and it became one of the most popular OS by Microsoft.
be open minded about windows 8, and yes it requires a little learning curve but once it sinks in, and you are hooked
I too have had it installed on 1 machine since the preview days...
It is not difficult to 'use' but it is FAR less efficient for someone who tries to actually, I don't know GET WORK DONE. Everything takes more clicks and more motions.
Your exactly right about one thing. Windows 8 was made so a three year old could use it. Well I am not 3, and I do have extensive experience with computers.
I can't wait to roll out some Win 8 Desktops to some of my clients. I know the exact response I will get when I do. "What the hell, everything I do is three times as many clicks!"....
I've said it before, and I will say it again, you can't treat a 23" (or two 23" monitors) like you treat a 4" display.
Windows 8 is a nice little 'information consumption engine' but it sucks if you want to get real work done!
It is not difficult to 'use' but it is FAR less efficient for someone who tries to actually, I don't know GET WORK DONE. Everything takes more clicks and more motions.
Your exactly right about one thing. Windows 8 was made so a three year old could use it. Well I am not 3, and I do have extensive experience with computers.
I can't wait to roll out some Win 8 Desktops to some of my clients. I know the exact response I will get when I do. "What the hell, everything I do is three times as many clicks!"....
I've said it before, and I will say it again, you can't treat a 23" (or two 23" monitors) like you treat a 4" display.
Windows 8 is a nice little 'information consumption engine' but it sucks if you want to get real work done!
I have two Windows 8 desktop PCs and one laptop, all with Windows Media Center installed. One is a 3 year old HP Pavilion. One is a 5 year old IBM clone that I built. And the laptop is a 3 year old Asus G51Jx. All got Windows 8 Pro 'clean installed' into new partitions, so as not to drag along any corrupt baggage. All of the installs went off without a hitch.
I don't understand why many continue to complain about the Win8's UI. The Start Page (Metro) can easily be rearranged to suit your needs unlike a start menu. Frequently used apps can easily be pinned to the Task Bar. It's simple to get to your Desktop (press Win Logo + D) or simply select the Tile. Once you're there, it pretty much looks the same as previous versions of Windows.
Windows 8 boots up and shuts down much quicker than previous versions. The ongoing complaints about How difficult it is to Shutdown with no Start Button is inane. All you have to do is use a commonly used 'Ctrl-Alt-Del'. The screen will display a Power button in the bottom, right corner.
Virtually everything I've thrown at it seems to work and with little effort involved. That's a lot more than I ca say about Ubuntu, which I've grappled with on the side for 5 years and usually end up with a lot of wasted time and frustration. I plan to purchase a Surface Pro when they're released near the end of January and a Win8 phone on the Lumia 920 as soon as I'm eligible the end of this month. I currently use an iPhone 4 with terrible voice communications and an iPad 3, Wifi only, to amuse myself when I can't sleep (USA Today crosswords, solitaire, and Sudoku).
My opinion after supporting all my friends and family members, is that most users never have learned how to use, configure, or maintain any version of Windows. Mostly due to never putting in any time to do so. My wife who is somewhat technically challenged has been stumped by Windows 8 or asked me to resolve an issue for her since her upgrade 3 weeks ago.
I don't understand why many continue to complain about the Win8's UI. The Start Page (Metro) can easily be rearranged to suit your needs unlike a start menu. Frequently used apps can easily be pinned to the Task Bar. It's simple to get to your Desktop (press Win Logo + D) or simply select the Tile. Once you're there, it pretty much looks the same as previous versions of Windows.
Windows 8 boots up and shuts down much quicker than previous versions. The ongoing complaints about How difficult it is to Shutdown with no Start Button is inane. All you have to do is use a commonly used 'Ctrl-Alt-Del'. The screen will display a Power button in the bottom, right corner.
Virtually everything I've thrown at it seems to work and with little effort involved. That's a lot more than I ca say about Ubuntu, which I've grappled with on the side for 5 years and usually end up with a lot of wasted time and frustration. I plan to purchase a Surface Pro when they're released near the end of January and a Win8 phone on the Lumia 920 as soon as I'm eligible the end of this month. I currently use an iPhone 4 with terrible voice communications and an iPad 3, Wifi only, to amuse myself when I can't sleep (USA Today crosswords, solitaire, and Sudoku).
My opinion after supporting all my friends and family members, is that most users never have learned how to use, configure, or maintain any version of Windows. Mostly due to never putting in any time to do so. My wife who is somewhat technically challenged has been stumped by Windows 8 or asked me to resolve an issue for her since her upgrade 3 weeks ago.
I'm really getting tired of a die hard Linux user/advocate and writer for TR bashing Microsoft the way he does. I really feel he does not fully understand what he is writing about sometimes.
Windows 7's UAC was no where near as annoying and hindering as Vista's, which I should point out goes down in line with Windows ME. That said, Windows 7 is presently the most secure version windows to date. I suspect that over time Windows 8 will emerge to overtake Windows 7 in terms of overall security, however for now Windows 7 will remain on top.
Windows 8 will be a change for everyone using it, however time and time again Microsoft has driven change within the desktop industry. Whether it be through applications or within the Operating System itself. If you go to a big box retailer now, you will see that most, if not all PC hardware manufacturers are embracing the touch technology that Windows 8 is geared towards. You now have Ultrabooks that fold up to function as a tablet, you have full desktops with large monitors, and you have the all in one systems; all of which utilize various forms of touch screen technology. Windows 8 will take hold and will thrive, however the first year will probably be a bit painful for users. I've been using Windows 8 since the original beta's and while yes it is not exactly geared towards corporations as their next OS, it is very consumer friendly as it is extremely simple to use and navigate once you see where things have moved to. But just like the changes with Office from 2003 to 2007 and on, it will take time to learn where things have moved, but once learned, it will prove to be a much simpler interface to use.
Windows 7's UAC was no where near as annoying and hindering as Vista's, which I should point out goes down in line with Windows ME. That said, Windows 7 is presently the most secure version windows to date. I suspect that over time Windows 8 will emerge to overtake Windows 7 in terms of overall security, however for now Windows 7 will remain on top.
Windows 8 will be a change for everyone using it, however time and time again Microsoft has driven change within the desktop industry. Whether it be through applications or within the Operating System itself. If you go to a big box retailer now, you will see that most, if not all PC hardware manufacturers are embracing the touch technology that Windows 8 is geared towards. You now have Ultrabooks that fold up to function as a tablet, you have full desktops with large monitors, and you have the all in one systems; all of which utilize various forms of touch screen technology. Windows 8 will take hold and will thrive, however the first year will probably be a bit painful for users. I've been using Windows 8 since the original beta's and while yes it is not exactly geared towards corporations as their next OS, it is very consumer friendly as it is extremely simple to use and navigate once you see where things have moved to. But just like the changes with Office from 2003 to 2007 and on, it will take time to learn where things have moved, but once learned, it will prove to be a much simpler interface to use.
Jack bashed more than just Microsoft. Besides when you have a damn near monopoly, you are going to get bashed, so buck up and take it.
Over sensitive much?
Take off those M$ glasses and take a look at the real world would you.
Over sensitive much?
Take off those M$ glasses and take a look at the real world would you.
I agree, for a phone.. great. I am configuring an 8 for the first time for our network and wow is it a challenge to get around with the new UI. I see no added functionality for me in the "metro" or app area. Hopefully the users like it.
It seems like the author misunderstood "single point of failure". He prefers complexity instead of simplicity. Good luck!
When you take hard diskks of an exemple for moving parts that should be removed, is seems more than a religious statement than a pragmatic approach. The hard disk is marvelous example of wher modern tecnology works, where there is perfect competition. It's certainly noty an example of wher moving parts should be banned.
When you take hard diskks of an exemple for moving parts that should be removed, is seems more than a religious statement than a pragmatic approach. The hard disk is marvelous example of wher modern tecnology works, where there is perfect competition. It's certainly noty an example of wher moving parts should be banned.
I understand some technologies are just plain broke, but it the article makes it sound like these are universal experiences and they are not. Wouldn't it be better to offer a solution or better yet a balanced view?
No moving parts - I agree. Sounds a lot like a tablet. Can we get SSD costs closer to those of mechanical drives? The world has gotten used to $100 or less per terabyte. How big a heat sink to eliminate PSU fans? Or how do we reduce the sources of heat? As for the 'modern' UI critque in Win8, sounds like someone has noticed that the emperor is wearing only his birthday suit. And printers that just work across platforms....ooh... Number One, make it so! Do that, and Linux becomes a real alternative for the masses.
Sorry to capitalise the Subject, but I'm shouting!!
About time someone bad-mouthed Win8. I think the 8 suffix is ripe for some new names for what is just a crap idea: WIndows Fate, WindowGate (play here on 8 and Gates from Watrergate), Gates Fate (if Windows 8 is a REAL flop), Gates Hates 8, Always Late, Gates Mate, Windows Irate, Windows Wait. There'll be so many derisory comments for this version of WIndows, that has no place in in a business.
Hey, it took me a couple of hours of looking around (I've not read any info about how to use Win8) to work out how to use it. So much for intuition! The move to Win7 was a reasonably smooth one and I have to admit a successful OS from MS, but 8!, it should have taken top spot. It's a business tool (for the lions share of MS revenue), not a freakin'phone! Does MS think everyone is dumb and cannot cope with learning a way with a Desktop OS and a different way with a phone. Dumb Asses!
About time someone bad-mouthed Win8. I think the 8 suffix is ripe for some new names for what is just a crap idea: WIndows Fate, WindowGate (play here on 8 and Gates from Watrergate), Gates Fate (if Windows 8 is a REAL flop), Gates Hates 8, Always Late, Gates Mate, Windows Irate, Windows Wait. There'll be so many derisory comments for this version of WIndows, that has no place in in a business.
Hey, it took me a couple of hours of looking around (I've not read any info about how to use Win8) to work out how to use it. So much for intuition! The move to Win7 was a reasonably smooth one and I have to admit a successful OS from MS, but 8!, it should have taken top spot. It's a business tool (for the lions share of MS revenue), not a freakin'phone! Does MS think everyone is dumb and cannot cope with learning a way with a Desktop OS and a different way with a phone. Dumb Asses!
I've seen more misplaced vitriol on Modern UI than I remember on any other subject.
I have several clients, unsophisticated computer users but excellent performers in their businesses, who never could figure out Android phones but immediately took to Windows Phones. There are a lot of people with less computer sophistication than those of us who read this site.
Modern UI takes nothing away from Desktop, which is still with us, is not deprecated, and will be with us in Windows 9. Modern UI is for apps that want to use it.
Desktop is not going anywhere, runs almost anything that runs on Windows 7, and looks different. In my own opinion I didn't like Aero when Vista introduced it, but it grew on me and I now like it better than Windows XP's appearance. I also miss the Start button once in a while, but it's not a major loss. I'm not as concerned about losing Aero and the Start button as I appreciate the better memory management, security, Client Hyper-V, and other features of Windows 8. Existing Desktop applications are still being supported and new ones will continue to be created.
I don't need full screen apps on my large monitor so I don't use them. Desktop applications work great and I really don't care about cosmetics.
I have several clients, unsophisticated computer users but excellent performers in their businesses, who never could figure out Android phones but immediately took to Windows Phones. There are a lot of people with less computer sophistication than those of us who read this site.
Modern UI takes nothing away from Desktop, which is still with us, is not deprecated, and will be with us in Windows 9. Modern UI is for apps that want to use it.
Desktop is not going anywhere, runs almost anything that runs on Windows 7, and looks different. In my own opinion I didn't like Aero when Vista introduced it, but it grew on me and I now like it better than Windows XP's appearance. I also miss the Start button once in a while, but it's not a major loss. I'm not as concerned about losing Aero and the Start button as I appreciate the better memory management, security, Client Hyper-V, and other features of Windows 8. Existing Desktop applications are still being supported and new ones will continue to be created.
I don't need full screen apps on my large monitor so I don't use them. Desktop applications work great and I really don't care about cosmetics.
At least on the AM side, HD (IBOC) is a disaster... A TOTAL disaster. The old C-QuAM/Motorola AM Stereo was worlds better than this failed experiment, which creates massive interference to adjacent stations and reduces the audio response on AM to that of a phone line. Add the fact that you almost have to *see* the towers to get a lock in HD mode on all but the biggest blowtorch stations. AM HD is so bad that there has actually been an increasing number of stations going to AM stereo while HD continues to lose stations.
I accept the fact that our current FCC aren't the sharpest tools in the shed, but if it wasn't for the money and politics involved, HD/IBOC on AM would have been a footnote in radio history years ago. The interference potential was foretold years before the FCC approved it's use. What they don't seem to get through their thick heads is that AM HD will *never* work, because of the inherent noise floor on the AM band. Analog is still usable even with the noise while HD can't lock if there is interference. Extreme FAIL!
I accept the fact that our current FCC aren't the sharpest tools in the shed, but if it wasn't for the money and politics involved, HD/IBOC on AM would have been a footnote in radio history years ago. The interference potential was foretold years before the FCC approved it's use. What they don't seem to get through their thick heads is that AM HD will *never* work, because of the inherent noise floor on the AM band. Analog is still usable even with the noise while HD can't lock if there is interference. Extreme FAIL!
Keeping Windows 8 (PC) and Windows 8 Mobile in step through more than 1 or 2 upgrade cycles will take real determination and a lot of compromises. So much so that I'm not sure it's worth it. Similarity of look and feel might be enough. And Auto Sync (see my earlier post).
Staying alive is an altogether different kettle of fish. I really can't see Nokia surviving with what Microsoft are giving them. I waited a long time for Windows Mobile 7 and while I stuck with it, I was in the main, pretty appalled by what eventually arrived (even after Mango). All the things that were wrong with WinMob7 have been documented and I'm not going to recite them here,
Suffice to say I waited (and waited, and waited) for WinMob8 only to get a clunker. What MS have spent 2 years doing is beyond me. Some fiddling around the edges but no show stoppers, no game changers such that it isn't immediately obvious what, if anything, has changed between the versions.
In tying up with MS Nokia have nailed themselves to a turd and will, inevitably, end up, in a last shake of the dice, a Me Too Android phone maker.
Staying alive is an altogether different kettle of fish. I really can't see Nokia surviving with what Microsoft are giving them. I waited a long time for Windows Mobile 7 and while I stuck with it, I was in the main, pretty appalled by what eventually arrived (even after Mango). All the things that were wrong with WinMob7 have been documented and I'm not going to recite them here,
Suffice to say I waited (and waited, and waited) for WinMob8 only to get a clunker. What MS have spent 2 years doing is beyond me. Some fiddling around the edges but no show stoppers, no game changers such that it isn't immediately obvious what, if anything, has changed between the versions.
In tying up with MS Nokia have nailed themselves to a turd and will, inevitably, end up, in a last shake of the dice, a Me Too Android phone maker.
There's nothing wrong with IE9 / 10, they are fast and work reliably. I have seen far more problems with Firefox. So many people here exhibiting unreasoned biases against things that work well. W8 is excellent, highly stable and productive. If you don't like it, say you don't like it. If you say it's broken, that reflects only on your poor ability to differentiate between commonly used English words.
PRINTERS ! Oh, do I ever agree! Stuck print queues in Windows (reboot all the connected machines, power cycle the printer, oh lovely). Can't print to my local print serve from my iPad, what a crock!
Thanks for a good post, I wish there was a way to fix all this. Maybe someday when I'm rich...
Thanks for a good post, I wish there was a way to fix all this. Maybe someday when I'm rich...
regarding command-line applications: WTF ARE WE THINKING!
Are we still working in 1955? With GUI's being as established and orthodox as they are, not to mention intuitive, why are we, as the drivers of IT, still ALLOWING commandline tools to exist... because they're "powerful"? Certainly not any more so than a properly written replacement with a good GUI!
And intuitive?!? Sure, a blinking cursor after a "$>" is so friggin helpful. Almost as much so as the help list that shows up when you enter "help" (which frequently isn't even recognized: "no such command").
It's time we left the command windows (especially "Powershell") back in the tube age with Univac and moved on.
Are we still working in 1955? With GUI's being as established and orthodox as they are, not to mention intuitive, why are we, as the drivers of IT, still ALLOWING commandline tools to exist... because they're "powerful"? Certainly not any more so than a properly written replacement with a good GUI!
And intuitive?!? Sure, a blinking cursor after a "$>" is so friggin helpful. Almost as much so as the help list that shows up when you enter "help" (which frequently isn't even recognized: "no such command").
It's time we left the command windows (especially "Powershell") back in the tube age with Univac and moved on.
be fed in via other code to interpret them while the Command Line feeds direct into the OS, often the kernel - thus a Command line command can work even when the GUI isn't working right or there are memory issues and the GUI can't be opened.
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