* Posts by Richard Read

34 publicly visible posts • joined 4 Dec 2007

Adpocalypse 'will wipe out display ad growth' by 2020

Richard Read

Re: Protection?

I understand, I just don't care.

The content providers have brought this on themselves by not insisting on standards for adverts displayed on their sites. By standards I mean no malware, no scripts, no tracking, no autoplay audio or video, no popups, no slideovers, no interstitials, nothing that slows down loading times,

As it stands the only solution that I will accept from the content providers that would lead to me not blocking ads is for them to charge me to view the site without any of the above. I would take either subscripts or micro-payments.

Google puts a gun to the head of IT middlemen – the ops teams

Richard Read

>> She cited the example of Snapchat, ......the IT manager had a couple of helpers and everything else was automated, she said.

So thats an Ops team then.

Ecobee3: If you're crazy enough to want a smart thermostat – but not too crazy – this is for you

Richard Read

"proprietary standard"

Fail. I'm not going to touch any of the smart home appliances until they agree on an open standard so I can mix and match between manufacturers. I also want to see independent security certification, a robust patching strategy and details of data collected.

Even then I don't see the point in a smart thermostat. The basic timer/thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves that came with my home work just fine.

If they were offering central locking for houses on the other hand.....

LOHAN tin-rattles to a whopping £27,000 on Kickstarter

Richard Read

Re: only my opinion

I think you loose the sheddiness once you have to hire a spaceport!

Internet of Things fridges? Pfft. So how does my milk carton know when it's empty?

Richard Read

Reuse of containers?

To everyone who thinks this can be sorted out with rfid or barcode scanners or cameras what about people who reuse containers? For example I reuse milk bottles to hold squash, I reuse some ready meal containers to hold leftovers - you get the picture.

How would the fridge know that the bottle with a milk rfid tag actually contains orange squash?

Lets not even go there with telling the difference between the various types of loose fruit. Bananas and plantains?

Inside Steve Ballmer’s fondleslab rear-guard action

Richard Read

Consumer vision

You are absolutely right ... for consumers and other lightweight users. However for business users who need to do actual work I don't see mouse/keyboard/multiple monitors going away. If you plug all that extra stuff into a tablet then it becomes a desktop.

I work in IT and I regularly use all the power that my desktop has and need more, I have 3 monitors and could use more. I create documents that run into tens of pages and write code, I wouldn't want to do that on a virtual keyboard (and don't even go into the issues of voice input in an open plan office).

As for the cloud, call me again when none of the major cloud providers have had an unscheduled outage for a year and reliable, unmetered data connections are everywhere. Microsoft even had an outage on Xbox One launch day for heavens sake.

Ballmer: Windows Mobile lost a 'whole generation'

Richard Read

Target markets

>> Thank you for giving a perfect example of someone not understanding the difference between the hobbyist and consumer markets

Actually its the difference between the consumer, prosumer and business markets that I'm talking about.

I understand that the ipad is aimed at consumers who just surf the web and use twitter which is exactly why I believe that there is also a place for a tablet format device in the laptop range. It is aimed at all those people who currently have laptops but want something a bit more portable and stylish while still being able to use their normal applications.

Hopefully we will see who is right when one gets launched but I'm afraid that manufacturers have drawn the wrong lessons from the failure of the swivel-screen tablets.

As an aside on the connectivity issue how does widespread wifi help with the usage scenarios I suggested? (Camcorder, gps, usb stick and archiving). OK, I can see that you could archive to cloud storage but none of the other devices have wifi or are likely to in the near future.

Richard Read
Thumb Down

Old news

No I don't. The keyboards and stupid swivel screens make them too bulky and heavy. Thats why I never bought one of the last generation of windows tablets - they are crap products from manufacturers who are too scared to move away from laptops.

Like I said earlier the ipad hardware and format is fantastic. The software is pretty good too, if only it ran the software that I want to use and connected to the devices that I have then it would be great.

The ExoPC looks promising and the price is right too. I wonder when it will be released.

Richard Read
Coffee/keyboard

The question was...

>>What would a Windows 7 tablet provide the others don't?

To be clear I'm talking about a tablet format computer running Windows 7 (not Windows Mobile 7).

1) Applications - there are lots of apps in the app store but where are the likes of photoshop, dreamweaver and all the other full-featured applications? Thats what I mean by the app store only containing lightweight apps. Now you might saw that the ipad isn't designed for these kinds of uses but thats exactly my point - a windows 7 tablet would offer all these applications by default - no need to have special versions. They may or may be usable but thats my choice as a device owner not something that is decided for my by Apple.

2) External devices - you may or may not want to connect an external device but unless you have the hardware and driver support its not your choice. This is something that a windows 7 tablet would offer that the ipad doesn't. Don't you think it would be handy to be able to connect your sports gps and upload your workout details to your coach? Don't you think it would be handy to connect your camcorder and upload some video to utube? Download something and write it to a dvd? Get files off a usb key?

3) VPN access. Yes ios has some vpn access but try using any of the device tokens like SecurID 800 - you may or may not need to but with ios you can't because there is no connectivity. Yes, there are software only solutions but why would a company change its security policy just for Apple? This is something that a windows 7 tablet would offer.

4) Escape from the Apple straight jacket. Perhaps you like this and perhaps you don't - thats a choice and a windows 7 tablet would offer something for people who want to be able to run their choice of software and do all the things that apple doesn't like.

There is room for both locked down media consumption devices like the ipad and real computers that run all the same software the we use every day. They are different markets.

Basically what I want is a netbook without a keyboard. TBH I was disappointed that the ipad didn't run Mac OS.

Richard Read
Big Brother

You mean apart from...

1) The ability to run real software rather than the crippled widgets and web-front ends that Apple allows. Compared to the range of software available to Windows the app store selection is tiny and clustered around the gimmick and lightweight end.

2) The ability to connect to external devices like printers, usb storage, tv tuners.

3) VPN access.

4) Escape from the Apple straight jacket.

Don't get me wrong - the Apple hardware is lovely but it runs a phone os with a meglomaniac holding all the access tokens.

Outlook bleak for NHS IT

Richard Read
Thumb Up

Who?

>> 1) Trough snouting IT "consultants"

That would be us then :)

Naked scans: Net cries nude-o-geddon

Richard Read
Stop

Re: Get a grip!

>> Combined with explosives sniffers (canine variety included) and passenger profiling, we could create a smooth and mostly hassle free security process.

We could but we won't.

This is just going to another massively expensive exercise in security theatre that does nothing to improve real security and makes travelling even more of a hassle than it already is.

This is all about appearing to do something about the miniscule threat of being blown up on a plane to appease the press and I find it hilarious that it has run aground on another unnecessary legal reef that is "think of the children".

Lets face it - improving real security is hard - pandering to the press with soundbites is easy.

Richard Read
Thumb Down

Spot the lie

>> and that no images are ever saved within the system.

Really? Then where did the test images that we see on TV and in the press come from? And if images really aren't saved then how will they be used as evidence?

Asus' Eee keyboard out next month - official

Richard Read
WTF?

I don't get it...

OK, an Eee keyboard as in a keyboard that you plug into your Eee - fine - but a keyboard with an Eee in it and a screen of its own? What is this supposed to be for?

UK Music secret data: 'Young people will pay for downloads'

Richard Read
Stop

It all depends on what you mean by "download"

Are we talking about DRM-protected, tethered content that evaporates when you cancel your subscription or content that you really own in perpituity like MP3s? If its the former then I wouldn't pay anything but if its the latter then I would pay a bit.

However the real problem remains - finding any music worth listening to. Even with iTunes its hard to find more than one or two tracks a month that I like enough to buy how much would I pay for 2 downloads a month?

Archbishop condemns Facebook, email, footballers

Richard Read
Big Brother

Bottom line

Stop spending so much time in front of your PC and spend more time in church says church leader.

So what we do when ID Cards 1.0 finally dies?

Richard Read
Stop

Nice idea but how is that in the intests of the state?

>> An alternative that is designed to strengthen our privacy and security, not undermine it. One that places us, as citizens, at the centre and in control – not at the centre under permanent and routine surveillance.

The problem is that all of that benefits citizens but limits government surveilance and control. Since it is the government calling the shots they are going to put their interests over ours which is why we have ended up with ID cards 1.0 and why any ID cards 2.0 will have the same problems.

While we live in a pantomime democracy rather than a real one that won't change.

'Big Brother' - the price of self-driving cars

Richard Read

Back in the real world

>> The network would have a complete and accurate map of vehicles on the road, so that car navigation systems would be able to plot their way around the traffic with confidence.

No it wouldn't because not everything that is allowed on the road would of could be fitted with the system. Pedestrians, horses, cyclists would all be impractical to fit transponders to. Are we also suggesting that every traffic cone will need to be fitted with one?

The whole idea of self-driving cars using current technology is laughably impractical.

Most Americans without broadband don't want it

Richard Read
Black Helicopters

Missing the point

Surely the point of the package is to pump public money into the ISPs to keep them afloat and employing people (and paying campaign contributions of course)?

Any supposed customer benefits are just a pretext which is why noone who matters really cares if they materialise. They know that the public is too lazy and easily distracted to remember what the deal was supposed to do for them anyway.

IPS dismissed 14 over data protection

Richard Read
Black Helicopters

On the other hand

>> "The fact that the systems IPS has in place have identified just 16 instances of unauthorised access over the past three years, and these resulted in 14 dismissals, is testament to the way in which the agency protects its data and the seriousness with which it views breaches,"

An alternative view is that perhaps the dat protection processes are ineffective and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

MS: Xbox will not go Blu

Richard Read
Flame

The real problem with HD in general and BD in particular......

is that it addresses a problem that many people don't have. The real problem with most programs is that they are rubbish and no amount of increased picture quality will change that. Why would I pay hundreds of pounds more to watch Eastenders or the X-Files movie in HD when its still lame Eastenders and tired old X-Files? People buy a big new TV so they can see it across the living room and most don't even bother to connect a HD source to it let alone bother with 720 or 1080.

If BD players and films cost the same as DVDs and were as easily available they would sell but as they are limited releases at a premium price the vast majority of viewers aren't interested as sales show.

Sharp shows first 'zero-emission' telly

Richard Read
Stop

Well....

>> The net result: pictures and no damaging CO2 emissions.

Well no CO2 emissions apart from those produced by manufacturing, recycling and all those generated by the creation and transmission of program content.

Is IT stuck with cloud busting budget structures?

Richard Read

Tail wagging the dog?

Looking at this the other way around perhaps the business models in common use today among cloud computing vendors are not appropriate for their target markets.

Why should IT budget setting and management shift focus away from cost control, particulary in todays economic climate, just because cloud computing vendors have not got their act together?

How to stop worrying and enjoy paying for incoming calls

Richard Read
Flame

Tail wagging the dog

So the tens of millions of people who use mobile and fixed line phones need to change the basis of their billing and absorb the costs of cold calls over which they have no control just so that the few tens of thousands of VOIP users don't need to pay for call forwarding? How does that make sense?

There is the additional problem that inevitably mobile providers won't pass the cost savings on to us by lowering the cost of making calls but they will bill us for receiving them so this is going to be an excuse to hike prices just like metrification was.

Bush tests Castro with mobile phone gift barrage

Richard Read
Dead Vulture

Reading between the lines...

"it's the height of hypocrisy to claim credit to allow Cubans to purchase appliances that virtually none of them can afford"

At least the US has its priorities straight, cheap phones and expensive healthcare; so it can afford to critisize Cuba for its expensive consumer electronics while the US offers citizens comprehensive health insurance that few of them can afford.

Creative threatens developer over home-brewed Vista drivers

Richard Read

Reading between the lines...

>> We own the rights to the materials that you are distributing. By enabling our technology and IP to run on soundcards for which it was not originally offered or intended, you are, in effect, stealing our goods.

Translation: We intentionally didn't provide decent drivers for existing products so that users would be forced to upgrade their soundcards after installing Vista. By providing working drivers you have deprived Creative of these potential sales.

Filesharers petition Downing Street on 'three strikes'

Richard Read

Cost cost cost

>>I wouldn't be so sure of this. Are you really implying most people would be happy to see films go away? I don't think so. And as for recorded music, there seems no real evidence that a majority of the population is keen to go through life with no way to have music playing at home, in the car, or when walking around with an iPod.

As I said they either don't care enough about it to pay the price being asked or they don't think about the consequences of mass-piracy. How does the 3-strikes policy address either of these issues?

>>Instead, each individual filesharer seems to assume that they alone won't make the difference between content going away of not, as long as enough unspecified other people pay. The problem is the denial of the logical conclusion that if *everyone* does this, there will be nobody left to pay. And that removing copyright would make this much more likely.

I agree, how does the 3-strikes policy or any legislation fix this problem? It doesn't; what is needed is a cultural change which is something that neither the government nor the record companies can do.

>>Somebody who didn't value recorded music might, instead, be expected to limit themselves to family members playing a piano at home and/or reading books.

Why would they restrict themselves when both are free (once you buy the equipment)? All I'm suggesting is that many freeloaders do want to listen to recorded music if its free but don't care enough about it to pay for it.

But again I make the point that if too few people care enough about recorded music to pay for it then it is inevitable that the music industry will shrink and may dissappear. It doesn't matter whether you think this is good or bad.

The music indusry seems to be slowly changing, removing drm and lowering prices, but it is so far behind its consumer base that it may be too late. If they had been on top of the internet market from the beginning with good, fairly priced services then they would have been fine. What is happening to the music industry is simply a result of their lack of vision and the monopolistic way in which they operate. No amount of laws is going to change that either.

Richard Read

@ Leon Macduff

>It really is. I like recorded music, novels, photography, computer software and hardware, comics, movies, and television. If they went away, I would be sad.

That's not enough to sustain a whole industry. For an enterprise on the scale of the music industry to survive a large proportion of society needs to feel that way and clearly a large proportion o society does not value recorded entertainment as much as you or they don't realise what effect their actions will have. How is the 3-strikes plan a solution to either of these problems?

Having no art in the world is not a big deal if the culture at the time does not value art enough to support it.

Besides we aren't talking about art. The music industry is to great musical art what postcards of the Mona Lisa are to great paintings.

Richard Read

@elkor

>>Since when has creating art been a mainstream occupation?

We aren't talking about creating art. We are talking about turning art into a profitable mass-market product that is advertised worldwide. There will always be a (comparatively) small market for music-as-art in the same way as there is a small market for paintings-as-art. However what I was referring to was the industrial production of music by an industry employing many thousands of people and expecting to earn millions in revenue in return.

One of the things that you see constantly in this debate is assertions like "if people don't pay for music then there won't be any recorded music" as if this is a big deal. What I am trying to understand is why this is a problem. Cultural products come and go as fashion and technology changes and the industries that rely on those products rise and fall in turn - just ask the sheet-music industry.

If the cultural environment changes such that people are not prepared to pay enough to keep the current music industry going then inevitably it will decline and there will be less recorded music available, both for paying customer and for freeloaders. There is no way to prevent this except by changing music so that people value it more. Legislation is, at best, a delaying tactic.

While this is bad for some people in the music industry I don't see why it matters overall. There was a time before recorded music and perhaps there will be a time after recorded music. Perhaps there will be a time when there is no recorded entertainment of any kind. Life goes on.

I simply don't see the need for special measures to protect one small and non-essential industry, let them rise or fall on the merits of their products and business plans like every other industry.

From my personal perspective the biggest problem with music is simply finding anything that I like. I've purchased 2 tracks this month and would have bought many more if only there had been anything for sale that I had liked. As long as I can remove the DRM from tracks that I have purchased I see no need to use illegal methods to get my music.

Richard Read
Stop

@AC

>>You seem to be missing my point: if an industry (music, film, automotive etc.) has its products rendered valueless (i.e. you can't sell cars if they can be legally obtained for nothing) then the industry will cease to exist.

Why is it a problem if the music industry or recorded music ceases to exist as a mainstream occupation? Its not as if music is an essential product, the supply of which is vital to human life.

Phorm launches data pimping fight back

Richard Read

@AC/Phorm

>>No URLs, browsing histories or IP addresses are retained and the raw data used to make the match is deleted in real time -- by the time the page loads. There is, in essence, no data other than the categories and the random number stored in the system and so it's impossible to know (or indeed reverse engineer from that) who you are or where you've been.

Disingeneous, the system does store the digests of each page that you load. It just deletes them afterward it has categorised the page and attached that category information to your guid. Just because something is only held in memory for a short while does not mean that it is not stored.

The fact is that Phorm is monitoring the web pages that I view in my browser and there is no way for me to opt out of this.

>>The service works on the basis of a closed system which only includes the ISP and Phorm.

How is that supposed to be reassuring when I don't want either my ISP or Phorm to monitor the web pages that I view?

I can opt out of receiving the targeted adverts that this process generates but that's not the bit that I'm worried about. Until Phorm guarantees a way for me to prevent them intercepting and monitoring the web pages that I view I will be against this. What Phorm intends to do with the data after it is intercepted is irrelevant. The assertion that the data will not leave the ISP network is irrelevant.

>>So here goes - privacy first. There's no 'largely' about it, no personally identifiable information is stored.

And Phorm is prepared to guarantee, in the form of a legaly-binding contract, that no information that could be used to identify a person will ever be present in the digest? For example if I used Google to search for my own name you can guarantee that that would be filtered out?

Richard Read

Several points

1) Even if you opt out your datastream interacts with the Phorm system. This, alone, is anough for me to oppose what is being planned. Opt out should mean fully out. Phorms comment that their system will degrade everyones browsing equally, regardless of whether they opt in or out, is not reassuring.

2) This isn't going to reduce the number of ads that I see because I already use ad-blocking technology that cuts out virtually all adverts. This is technology that I chose, that I control and that does not expose me to potential privacy breaches. I can even examine its source code if I wish. How can Phorms offering be better?

3) With ISPs desperate for revenue we all know that they are going to force this on us in the end. Sure, its all touchy-feely in the beginning but those who don't take the carrot will get the stick, probably in the form of higher prices or more restrictive ISP contracts.

4) The whole track of more relevant ads is laughable. There is no such thing as a relevant unsolicited advert. If I want to buy something then I can research products on my own. If I don't want to buy something then no amount of ramming adverts down my throat is going to change my mind. If websites need revenue then why don't they offer a no-ads/subscription option? Where available I take this option.

Bank turns London man into RFID-enabled guinea pig

Richard Read
Alert

Its all about the liability

It seems to me that the real issue here is not about the card, it is about the liability for fraudulent losses. If the banks foot the bill and the claim process is easy and cheap then I don't have a problem with contactless cards (assuming that I consented to receive one in the first place) but if they are also shifting the cost of fraud to the consumer then I wouldn't touch one with a 100 linguine pole.

I would be very interested if The Reg could publish a copy of the terms and conditions for these contactless cards.

Canadian loses $20K in phony eBay sale

Richard Read
Go

Escrow is the answer

I can never understand why people buy high-ticket items on ebay without using an escrow service. It would have cost Mr Duraj only $201 to use a reputable escrow service and had a totally safe transaction.