[jaclaz]

JorgeA, on 25 September 2012 - 10:23 AM, said:

jaclaz, on 25 September 2012 - 05:18 AM, said:

Well, let's try not to confuse Freedom (which is one thing) with Privacy amd Security (which are other things).

The three are interrelated. To take an example that we'll all (hopefully) be familiar with, in George Orwell's 1984 the protagonist, Winston Smith, lacked both freedom and security because there was no privacy -- all he did and said was monitored, or reported.

Now, I'm not saying that Microsoft is (yet) monitoring everything we type and everywhere we go on our computers -- but I am asking what the meaning (if any) might be of what that guy on MDL had discovered.

--JorgeA

Yes , that is called Science Fiction, it didn't (yet) happen, as well as Minority Report and the pre-crime do not yet exist, nor Blade Runner, and Skynet didn't - seemingly - gain self-awareness on August 29, 1997. (but if - by any chance - your real name is John Connor, you'd better start to run ).

jaclaz

[MagicAndre1981]

from what I read on MDL, the Chinese guy won't release an Aero Glass patch

Quote

the guy is commonly known by PCBeta members and admins that he is working in Windows UI Section, now the general believe is he had got some MS pressure to abandon the project because it conflicts with MS decision to remove aero glass, and he might even have been warned not to post again in PCBeta.

[CharlotteTheHarlot]

Proof that the media starts with a conclusion in a headline and then proceeds to write a story full of fluff to support it.

Gartner: Windows 8 is a Necessary Risk for Microsoft ( Tom's Hardware 2012-09-25 )

Quote

"Windows 8 is not your normal low or even high impact major release of the OS," said Steve Kleynhans, research vice president at Gartner. "It's the start of a new era for Microsoft — the RT era — which follows the NT era, which began in 1993 and is just now starting to fade out. Microsoft eras seem to run about 20 years, so the technology underlying Windows 8 will last a long, long time."

God save us from the business/tech writers. New era? They ain't heard of CE and MIPS and PowerPC? They haven't seen Windows on cash registers? The x86 era is fading out? And what about that "NT to RT era" thing? Truly puke worthy, IMHO, articles like this from an alleged Wall Street writer simply reinforce the new media paradigm we are in, take it all with a grain of salt. The traditional media ( and not just for any given sector but all sectors of all industries ) is pretty much clueless about the topic they write about. This includes Sports writers, tech writers, political writers, health writers, anything at all. In many if not all cases, they are merely fans with an agenda, a quasi-advertisement or just ignorant magazine employees filling up space in a periodical. The future, and the present is in forums like this in the blogosphere where there is less hidden commercial interests behind an article and the facts and history are fleshed out through crowd sourcing.


Microsoft Research man: It all starts with touch ( UK Register 2012-09-24 )

Blah, blah article. Good comments over there though, informing the young n00bs that this is just old hat. Microsoft is not only NOT breaking any new ground, but they are re-visiting well trod turf fully explored for over 40 years. Their mistake is thinking that for all these many years we have been ignorant computer users using our mice and keyboards and it will take someone like Microsoft to begin a new paradigm, touching our screens for hours on end. Like many of the commenters I also used light pen terminals in the 1970's and colorful high-end GUI touch CRT workstations by the mid-1980's. They had specific uses and manual interaction was kept to a minimum by design. It seems very difficult for some to understand the ramifications of constant reaching. For example touch-screen ATM's make perfect sense, they are okay for McDonald's and other cashiers too because those people are not planted permanently at those stations. But they are entirely inappropriate for constant use. The Windows EULA will soon have a waiver prohibiting ergonomic lawsuits, I guarantee it.


And now for something completely different ...

Upgrading an impossibly old system to Windows 8 ( PC World 2012-09-20 )

I would argue that 10-years is not "impossibly old" but it's quite a fun read even though the person makes some beginner mistakes and should stick to using computers and not building them. Strangely enough, he is actually embarrassed by showing off his 2002'ish megabuild using a flashy case and extremely high spec'd parts for the time ( like a 3.4 GHz Northwood! ) ...

Quote

Okay, I know: It's an ugly case. But I built this machine when I was younger and more prone to admire tacky garishness. The good news is that you can't order one of these enclosures any longer. You can pay good money for custom case painting, but this kind of psychedelic silk-screening seems to be unavailable in 2012. That's probably a good thing.

Case picture at article ...

Spoiler

He ended up swapping out the Mobo and CPU for a later one with a Pentium D, the problem was apparent lack of DEP on the Northwood, and because Microsoft seems to require this for Windows 8, there is no way they can say with a straight face: "works fine on any computer that runs Windows 7". Planned obsolescence again if you ask me and CPU and motherboard manufacturers sure won't complain.

EDIT: typo

This post has been edited by CharlotteTheHarlot: 25 September 2012 - 03:14 PM

[CharlotteTheHarlot]

MagicAndre1981, on 25 September 2012 - 02:03 PM, said:

from what I read on MDL, the Chinese guy won't release an Aero Glass patch

Quote

the guy is commonly known by PCBeta members and admins that he is working in Windows UI Section, now the general believe is he had got some MS pressure to abandon the project because it conflicts with MS decision to remove aero glass, and he might even have been warned not to post again in PCBeta.

That certainly cannot be ruled out considering the mystery of the Fixing Windows 8 Blog. I would love to know if they got to him. No amount of googling seems to turn up anything. Doubtful that Bing'ng would be any better.

EDIT: typo

This post has been edited by CharlotteTheHarlot: 25 September 2012 - 03:53 PM

[MagicAndre1981]

Windows 8 Bugs Plaguing Microsoft, Intel CEO Said to Tell Staff

Quote

Intel Corp. (INTC) Chief Executive Officer Paul Otellini told employees in Taiwan that Microsoft Corp.’s Windows 8 operating system is being released before it’s fully ready, a person who attended the company event said.

[JorgeA]

CharlotteTheHarlot, on 25 September 2012 - 02:27 PM, said:

MagicAndre1981, on 25 September 2012 - 02:03 PM, said:

from what I read on MDL, the Chinese guy won't release an Aero Glass patch

Quote

the guy is commonly known by PCBeta members and admins that he is working in Windows UI Section, now the general believe is he had got some MS pressure to abandon the project because it conflicts with MS decision to remove aero glass, and he might even have been warned not to post again in PCBeta.

That certainly cannot be ruled it considering the mystery of the Fixing Windows 8 Blog. I would love to know if they got to him. No amount of googling seems to turn up anything. Doubtful that Bing'ng would be any better.

To follow up based on my 1984 exchange with jaclaz, we might say that Mike Bibik (the "Fixing Windows 8" guy) and the Chinese PCBeta guy have learned to love Big Brother Microsoft, and their deeds will soon go down the Memory Hole...

Since nobody seems to know what's going on with it, maybe I'll add to my Hosts file the Microsoft address that I reported on, and see if anything untoward happens.

--JorgeA

This post has been edited by JorgeA: 25 September 2012 - 02:55 PM

[JorgeA]

CharlotteTheHarlot, on 25 September 2012 - 02:22 PM, said:

Quote

"Windows 8 is not your normal low or even high impact major release of the OS," said Steve Kleynhans, research vice president at Gartner. "It's the start of a new era for Microsoft — the RT era — which follows the NT era, which began in 1993 and is just now starting to fade out. Microsoft eras seem to run about 20 years, so the technology underlying Windows 8 will last a long, long time."

Doesn't exactly allay the concern (expressed in this thread) that MS is heading towards a locked-down computing environment. Hmm, maybe this news is the reason that the Intel CEO's private remarks about Windows 8 just happened to get disclosed. "You ditch us, we'll badmouth you."

--JorgeA

[CharlotteTheHarlot]

MagicAndre1981, on 25 September 2012 - 02:38 PM, said:

Windows 8 Bugs Plaguing Microsoft, Intel CEO Said to Tell Staff

Quote

Intel Corp. (INTC) Chief Executive Officer Paul Otellini told employees in Taiwan that Microsoft Corp.’s Windows 8 operating system is being released before it’s fully ready, a person who attended the company event said.

Thanks for the link. It is now mentioned here ...

Intel CEO Says Windows 8 is Not Fully Ready ( Tom's Hardware 2012-09-25 )

Intel CEO believes Microsoft is releasing Windows 8 before it's ready ( TechSpot 2012-09-25 )

Intel: Windows 8 being launched before it's ready ( NeoWin 2012-09-25 )

Otellini said something incredulous ( note: probably not a direct quote, it is the reporter paraphrasing, which I despise ) ...

Quote

Releasing the operating system before it’s fully baked is the right move, and Microsoft can make improvements after it ships, Otellini told staffers.

Even if that is only the gist of what he said it still sucks. Maybe Intel could use some change of leadership as well since they are sure on another snooze cycle while AMD takes its time regrouping, again. Also from the article ...

Quote

“With over 16 million active preview participants, Windows 8 is the most tested, reviewed and ready operating system in Microsoft’s history,” said Mark Martin, a spokesman for Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft.

How about the most criticized? How about the most reviled? The most despised. The most villified. All that "16 million" number means is that folks ran the thing, but they're not listening to any of the feedback. Just the fact that they would parrot that number tells me that they are completely and utterly diving headlong in, like a stubborn drunk making for his car keys before he slams into a tree. We will be better off when the Wintel leadership is completely replaced. I'm still angry about the sudden change in the heat spreader ( Ivy Bridge ) causing higher temps in many circumstances, all to save a few bucks.

This is what happens where there is a lack of competition. In consumer class CPU's there is a little but AMD takes a vacation every few years and so Intel takes a breather. In consumer Operating Systems there is practically no competition, and after they have cleared the field of all competitors through their backroom OEM deals and planned obsolescence Redmond comes up with turds like Windows 8 and Metro.

EDIT: added a couple more links, clarity

This post has been edited by CharlotteTheHarlot: 25 September 2012 - 09:46 PM

[JorgeA]

I was finishing up Charlotte's post when I paged down to the bottom and saw the following visitor count:

 Whoa.jpg (140.46K)
Number of downloads: 22



--JorgeA

[JorgeA]

jaclaz, on 25 September 2012 - 10:38 AM, said:

JorgeA, on 25 September 2012 - 10:23 AM, said:

jaclaz, on 25 September 2012 - 05:18 AM, said:

Well, let's try not to confuse Freedom (which is one thing) with Privacy amd Security (which are other things).

The three are interrelated. To take an example that we'll all (hopefully) be familiar with, in George Orwell's 1984 the protagonist, Winston Smith, lacked both freedom and security because there was no privacy -- all he did and said was monitored, or reported.

Now, I'm not saying that Microsoft is (yet) monitoring everything we type and everywhere we go on our computers -- but I am asking what the meaning (if any) might be of what that guy on MDL had discovered.

--JorgeA

Yes , that is called Science Fiction, it didn't (yet) happen, as well as Minority Report and the pre-crime do not yet exist, nor Blade Runner, and Skynet didn't - seemingly - gain self-awareness on August 29, 1997. (but if - by any chance - your real name is John Connor, you'd better start to run ).

jaclaz

The example may be from a novel, which I selected for universal understanding, but the point stands that privacy, freedom, and security and all related in the real world. And waiting 'til it happens -- by then it's too late, as my countrymen found out. Too many of them chose "security," and the only thing they guaranteed for themselves is that they would live in perpetual privation. As well as not free to undertake anything on their own, and constantly monitored by secret police and block committees.

But now we're way, way OT. OOOOT, even. I'd still like to hear from anyone who has some notion as to what (if anything) is going on with that unannounced Windows 8 connection to Microsoft.

--JorgeA

[Win2k3EE]

George Washington said: "Those who sacrifice a bit of privacy for more security deserves neither". He was/is/will be right always.

MS will pay a lot of money to have fans that will write the right stuff to promote their sh!t. Clueless people don't get it that it's not about OS anymore, it's about freedom of choice.

[jaclaz]

Win2k3EE, on 26 September 2012 - 08:17 AM, said:

George Washington said: "Those who sacrifice a bit of privacy for more security deserves neither". He was/is/will be right always.

MS will pay a lot of money to have fans that will write the right stuff to promote their sh!t. Clueless people don't get it that it's not about OS anymore, it's about freedom of choice.

Yep , he also said (among many other things):

Quote

The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.

Quote

Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.

Quote

Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.

Quote

The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good.

The essence of my post is that things must be placed in context.

IF you think that Windows phoning home for validation is a treat to your freedom (and to your privacy and to your security) you may be right or wrong, and as Voltaire said:

Quote

I don't agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

BUT you need to touch the ground with your feet and understand how Windows 2000 was the last MS OS that doesn't phone home, and - as said - (and of course to my best knowledge ) the nature and amount of data exchanged is not different from what MS is receiving now from Windows 7.

BTW, in case you missed this piece of knowledge (having just awaken after a 20 years sleep à la Rip Van Winkle) you are ACTUALLY already tracked by at least:

• your credit card payments
  
• your browsing and searching on the Internet
  
• your cellular phone

something that seems to me like much worse issues concerning privacy.

JFYI, Velostat seems effective to prevent other forms of depriving you of your freedom:
http://reboot.pro/13177/

jaclaz

[jaclaz]

OOOT (but not much)

jaclaz, on 21 September 2012 - 12:08 PM, said:

OOT (Off-Off-Topic):
Anyone ever read or heard the sentence :

Quote

Oww, come on, bing for it ....

I was wrong .

SCOOP!

http://bit.ly/UY9kBO



jaclaz

[JorgeA]

jaclaz, on 26 September 2012 - 09:45 PM, said:

OOOT (but not much)

jaclaz, on 21 September 2012 - 12:08 PM, said:

OOT (Off-Off-Topic):
Anyone ever read or heard the sentence :

Quote

Oww, come on, bing for it ....

I was wrong .

LOL, jaclaz!

Given the level of litigiousness that Big Computing has reached, how long do you think before:

• MS lawyers start demanding that people stop using "bing" as a verb, so as not to water down their precious trademark? They'll put a quick stop to that little "binging" trend you discovered up there...
  
• MS lawyers start demanding a cut of the proceeds from Bingo games?

--JorgeA

[CharlotteTheHarlot]

jaclaz, on 26 September 2012 - 09:45 PM, said:

SCOOP!

http://bit.ly/UY9kBO



jaclaz

Oh man, like why didn't I think of that! Curse you Jaclaz!

Okay, this might be evil but we gotta get that URL http://bit.ly/UY9kBO into some of the fanboy threads at the other sites. Maybe using sneaky I mean creative URL text or descriptions like these ...

• "Windows 8 already a success" says industry analyst.
  
• Microsoft said to be reconsidering the Start Menu removal in Windows 8!
  
• New poll says Windows 8 preferred over Windows 7 and Windows XP by a wide margin!
  
• Microsoft offering free Windows 8 coupons to the first 1000 responders!

[JorgeA]

In other news -- I'm no networking expert, but I ported a copy of the Axence NetTools to my Win8 RP to see if I could track down that permanent connection to MS that was reported in another forum, and I didn't find anything. Unless I had a browser open, there didn't appear to be anything continuously going outbound from the system.

Maybe someone else knows how to hunt for hidden Internet connections, but I didn't find anything objectionable.

That's good. Still, and to quote another relevant motto, "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."

--JorgeA

[JorgeA]

CharlotteTheHarlot, on 26 September 2012 - 10:41 PM, said:

Okay, this might be evil but we gotta get that URL http://bit.ly/UY9kBO into some of the fanboy threads at the other sites. Maybe using sneaky I mean creative URL text or descriptions like these ...

• "Windows 8 already a success" says industry analyst.
  
• Microsoft said to be reconsidering the Start Menu removal in Windows 8!
  
• New poll says Windows 8 preferred over Windows 7 and Windows XP by a wide margin!
  
• Microsoft offering free Windows 8 coupons to the first 1000 responders!

ROFL, that would serve the fanboys right!

Almost makes me want to join the Neowin forum just to do this!

Anybody up for some trolling?

--JorgeA

[CharlotteTheHarlot]

Update: like this wasn't expected ...

Intel calls Windows 8 "not ready" remarks "unsubstantiated" ( NeoWin 2012-09-26 )

We really do think Windows 8 is great, Intel says ( CNet 2012-09-26 )

Intel Responds to 'Unsubstantiated' Reports of CEO's Anti-Windows 8 Remarks ( Maximum PC 2012-09-27 )

Quote

The chip giant issues a statement today rebuffing yesterday's report that CEO Paul Otellini doesn't think Windows 8 is ready yet. --- CNet

Quote

A bit later in the day, Intel also issued a statement on “unsubstantiated news reports about comments made by Intel CEO Paul Otellini in a meeting with employees.” While the brief statement reminds everyone that Otellini once hailed Windows 8 as being “one of the best things that ever happened to Intel”, nowhere does it deny that Otellini made the remarks attributed to him by Bloomberg. --- Maximum PC

This story is even more disappointing if you ask me ...

Intel Plans to Discontinue Multiple CPUs, Incl. Core i5-3450 ( Tom's Hardware 2012-09-26 )

What they are doing is eliminating two of their best chips ever, the 2500K and 2600K. The 2700K is also on the list. Now all of these Sandy Bridge chips do in fact have clear Ivy Bridge replacements, nonetheless the first two are huge sellers in the home build market. Ordinarily the move to the next generation replacements would be a no-brainer except for the problem mentioned above, the inexplicable redesign of the packaging, moving from soldered IHS to thermal paste, which has resulted in definite increased temps at higher overclocks. Intel of course said: "this is as designed and meets quality and reliability expectations for parts operating under specified conditions.". This is a confidence shaker and is really just to save a few bucks on manufacturing, and is capitalizing on recent AMD fumbles. Of course, all they had to do was use the better packaging for the "K" models, which are unlocked and destined for machines that will be exploring the envelope, but just like Microsoft with the Start Menu, they turned a deaf ear to critics. 'Hey, we got no competition at the moment!' ~sigh~


Meanwhile back in the Microverse ...

Ballmer: $1,500 can buy "some" Microsoft Surface units ( NeoWin 2012-09-26 )

Funny debate going on over there as to what Ballmer meant by "some". Did he imply you can buy more than one Surface for $1500 or simply that there will be Suface models for $1500. The launch is a month away and they still aren't doing anything but tripping over their tongues!


A sad, off-topic example how Microsoft's reckless arrogance is contagious ...

Google Docs dumping some older Microsoft Office formats ( NeoWin 2012-09-26 )

Quote

A post on the Google Apps page states that, starting on October 1st, Google Docs users won't be able to download documents in the .doc, .xls, and .ppt formats, which were used by Microsoft Office from 1997 to 2003.

By setting a clear example for everyone else on how to implement planned obsolescence, break things and destroy standards, thanks to Microsoft the relatively compatible computer universe will degenerate into a fractured network of walled gardens. Uggh.

EDIT: typo, added another link

This post has been edited by CharlotteTheHarlot: 28 September 2012 - 12:33 AM

[jaclaz]

JorgeA, on 26 September 2012 - 10:41 PM, said:

That's good. Still, and to quote another relevant motto, "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."

You might need to better vigilate...
http://speccy.pirifo...iGnGmJNmIe2FH2c

Try running that same program:
http://www.piriform.com/speccy

jaclaz

[MagicAndre1981]

Win2k3EE, on 26 September 2012 - 08:17 AM, said:

MS will pay a lot of money to have fans that will write the right stuff to promote their sh!t. Clueless people don't get it that it's not about OS anymore, it's about freedom of choice.

MSFT already have their brown noser program and they are already praising how great the new s*** is