Posts by The BigYin
2773 posts • joined Tuesday 25th March 2008 12:38 GMT
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Posted in First Windows Phone 7 handsets sell out
PR scam
Phase 1: Push your new platform to the meeja
Phase 2: Under-supply so there's a good chance stock runs out
Phase 3: Push lack of stock as if it were amazing demand
Phase 4: Slowly increase supply to meet rising demand, but ensure it still looks like the platform is mega-popular regardless of truth
Phase 5: Profit
This "story" stinks of PR bullshit as does the first comment.
Hmm...
I show FF 3.6 at 34.5% and IE 8 at 15.6% for that period (source: w3schools), then again browser stats are notoriously inaccurate.
One more thing, the ASA did not say that IE 8 was the most used browser, they simply did not uphold the complaint. Quite a different thing.
Posted in Hackers tap SCADA vuln search engine
I was thinking of the exact same thing
Some of the cams are deliberately public, and configured to be so.
Some are public by mistake but could be considered benign.
Some really shouldn't be public at all.
It's very similar to the tricks you can use to find poorly configured FTP sites etc if you want content for nowt.
And do other things. Ahem.
This is the same council...
...that thinks a motorcycle pollutes more than a Hummer (20mpg, CO2 327g/km)! "motorcycles, even small ones, pollute more than Hummers" (Susie Burbridge, Conservative Councillor)
Now I will grant you that rose petals do not come tumbling out the zorst of a GSX-R, but they do not pollute more than a Hummer. An MP3 Hybrid will do 165mpg and only produce CO2 40g/km!
Why Westminster are hell-bent on discouraging part of the solution to their congestion problems is completely beyond me. One person on a bike is one less person in a cage.
The main criticism I have of the biking world (this includes all magazines and manufacturers) is that they make it so hard to find out MPG, CO2 emissions etcs. This should be easily available and the real-world figures made available by the magazines in every article/review. I'm looking at you Bauer.
Question and Answer
"Or would you rather have to learn Welsh to understand our signs when you visit."
Yes, I'd rather get to grips with some Welsh. The script is the same, so when I see "Kashyyyk =>" on a sign, I will know precisely what it means.
One wonders how the little English dears survive driving around rural France where all the signs are in (shock) French!
Posted in Dell skunkworks brews ARM server future
Only one consideration
Do the major MS OSs run on ARM? No. Dell will not be permitted to sell ARM based units.
Once Windows can run on ARM, MS will decide how much tax to levy on each unit and then allow Dell to ship ARM units under one proviso; Dell must NOT ship any other OS. Or, if Dell does ship alternate OSs, this must be part of a greater PR FUD campaign. Again.
@PerfectBlue
Chinese? The Internet should be converted to Klingon!
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Actually, there are security implications when one considers non-Latin characters sets. Which URL is correct? "www.microsoft.com" or "www.micrоsoft.com"? And no, they are not the same (well, they weren't when I typed them in).
Eh?
.uk covers Wales. Why does it need it's own? .eng anyone? Or .lancs? Or .lon? Or .23StirrupLane?
What is wrong with the world when people feel the need to chop themselves up into ever smaller groups?
You should have stopped at...
...point 2. Points 3 and 4 were simply fanciful and as for point 5. Well, where does one begin? MS will not permit "commercial competition"!
Let me get this straight
Porn is invited to be on .xxx
Puritanical countries (e.g. Australia) and other fundamentalist districts (e.g. states in the USA) block all .xxx domains
There is no profit in being on .xxx as there are no customers
Porn remains on .com, .net etc
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Is that about right?
Posted in Microsoft's IE9 'nearly finished'
Excellent!
When can I install this on my trusty and stable XPsp3 box? Oh...I see...guess it's the Fox (or Chrome or Opera or...) for me.
As for updating the sites...MS can piss right off. They're coded to standards and render perfectly in all browsers bar IE. I have put in a few tweaks to make them acceptable in IE, although some of the rendering still sucks ass. If IE9 can't cope with the same HTML as everyone else, then I will have to charge clients for the extra work (as was done with the initial IE fiddling); not that I expect any of them to upgrade...they're still on IE6 FFS!
(I don't do public facing websites - I get a lot more input on how things will be. Oh, and my client 'get' the whole standards thing, many rue the day they allowed ActiveX plug-ins and other crap as they are now stuck).
Posted in Ms. Gates: 'Bill does not use a Mac'
Flippin' heck!
Just how expensive have Macs become when not even the Gates can afford one‽
FFS
Another day, another F/OSS schism. In the name of the wee-man people. STOP creating new problems. STOP forking. Pick ONE thing and BLOODY WELL FIX IT!
The only exception would be where something is so old, so broken, so out of step with the modern era that there is no other choice (e.g. X Server).
I totally get that the default Gnome (or KDE, or...) interface may not be optimal for touch, but are these desktops really so rigid that they cannot be themed/skinned/configured to work with touch? Do we really need another one?
Why can't they fix the BASIC things? Like having consistency between left and right click on application icons in Gnome? It's should be "Left is *always* program menu, right is *always* icon management. There will be no discussion, no variance. The Desktop Overlords have spoken." It's little things like this that make people hanker for a Mac or slowly drive them insane.
Posted in XP? Thanks for the memories
@Al
Yeah, like Word *never* gets it's own panties in a bundle over formatting...
I will agree that OpenOffice is less, err, feature rich than MS Office; but this does not mean it is a bad tool, only that it won't work for some people.
If you are one of those people, then use Office or whatever works for you.
Posted in XP? Thanks for the memories
I am tied to OCS...
...VPN and few other things which are Windows specific. OpenOffice works well enough for me. The VPN is not such a big deal (it will be changing soon for a host of reasons) the killers are OCS (Office Communicator) and RDP (remote desktop). Nothing can interact with OCS fully (IM, audio and video). This is not the fault of Linux, but the fault of MS for applying the proprietary poison-pill; but I am still stuck regardless of fault.
VNC is not up to the job of blasting a desktop around the globe and this is the fault of the Linux community, it should have been deprecated years ago. XRDP is a friggin' joke.
I have solutions to these problems that should suit me fine (virtualisation of Windows - yes, I have the licenses) but that is not going to work for everyone.
It staggers me that for all their innovation, the distro makers let such simple things slip through the cracks. Empathy and Pidgin can (almost) work with OCS; fix them! VirutalBox OSE can act as an RDP server, why not tear the code out of that?
Still, this list of bitchy-gripes is a lot short than my gripes with Windows!
Posted in XP? Thanks for the memories
Dear Anon
What part of "I am not saying it's an answer that will fix all problems" do you not understand? As much as you may wish it to be otherwise, YOU are not the centre of the universe. What does not work for you, may work for some and vice versa.
As you clearly have nothing of value to add, perhaps it would simply be better for us all if you remained silent.
Posted in XP? Thanks for the memories
@Antony
"Either over ssh using SSH -X or via XDCMP is an alternative."
No, it is not (not for me anyway). Windows does not come with SSH or XDMCP support and I cannot insist that clients install random software. Also I find that XDMCP is a bit slow with graphical data and security is a concern as (IIRC) SSH cannot be used to fully secure the network traffic (it does encrypt UDP or something).
Posted in XP? Thanks for the memories
@Reg
Because it looks and behaves radically differently. And you must remember we are talking about non-IT literate people. People who think that Google an application and don't know what the internet is.
Posted in XP? Thanks for the memories
@C 2
I hear yah, my P4 Ubuntu box can boot from cold and be ready to go in less time than it takes for my much bigger Win7 box to simply log-in (never mind boot).
As for those who seem to be getting the wrong end of the stick - I am *not* saying that Linux is the perfect answer for everyone in every situation. All I am saying is that it could be for some. The shift to 64-bit Win7 is huge, especially if moving from XP (software compatibility, complete UI changes etc); so not would seem to be a good time to look at see if Linux can ease some pain. Unlike Win7, Linux can at least be "skinned" to look like XP. It's not Windows, I grant you, but to the non-IT literate the UI is a big, BIG deal. To not even look is IMHO, sheer idiocy.
I'm not trying to defend Google...
...but I do wonder one thing. If people are blasting their passwords etc over the air and in the clear, why are they now upset that such data has been picked up? Surely the fault lies with those making their "private" information "public"?
This doesn't excuse Google of anything, but I think the ignorance of the end-users (and the uncaring ineptitude of their equipment providers) is being overlooked.
Posted in XP? Thanks for the memories
If...
...the whole estate is going to 64-bit Win7 from 32-bit XP, you will need to do a pretty major re-training program.and a massive purchase of new licenses, hardware etc.* That's a big shake-up!
This would be the perfect time to take a small test group and try them out on a Linux distro (perhaps use one that can be skinned to look like XP). You'll still have training to do, but hopefully less than Win7.
The savings? Potentially: licenses, hardware, downtime etc
I am not saying it's an answer that will fix all problems, but where is the harm in trying?
*I have moved from 32-bit XP to 64-bit Win7. Win7 gives me pain (mostly poor performance) every single day. For want of a few minor features, I'd go 100% Linux in a heartbeat. The missing features are: RDP - Linux does not have a decent remote desktop server, VNC sucks; and OCS - there is no client that can fully connect (audio, video etc). Everything else is equivalent to or better than Win7.
Posted in Microsoft cuts loose Iron languages
Translation
Does "dynamic languages in general on .NET" mean "making .Net as incompatible with non-MS technologies as possible"?
Posted in TVonics DTR-HD500 Freeview HD DVR
Almost
If it had the ability to stream content from a standard back-end (e.g. Myth) then this would have been a winner. As it is, one is still better off building a box.
@Sam
Huh? OWA works fine in FF on Ubuntu. OK, it's the "reduced features" version because there is none of the proprietary muck that IE has; but it does work.
Posted in Phone 7: Another Vista or another XP?
Is this a fair summary?
"Has some nice shiny things, looks like it could be as restricted as an iPhone, and is behind the curve. In two years Win7 will have caught up with 2010, and thus still be behind the curve."
Flash may be pants...
...but at least it is fully cross-platform pants, unlike Silverlight.
Posted in Red Hat exec proposes end to IT suckage
Buit-in obsolescence
The answer is simple, people drop old (perfectly serviceable) hardware. Win7 (one example) dropped support for lots of things. OEMs like this as they can sell more kit, so they rush to bundle Win7. MS likes this as they can ship more to the great unwashed, so they deliberately drop support to force people to upgrade. A virtuous cycle for consumption.
This is true for end-users and for corporates as well. In fact it's true of many things in life, but it shows up most in IT.
It has to stop. Not just for economic reasons, but for environmental too. We need to find ways of supporting, re-purposing and recycling older kit.
Posted in Red Hat exec proposes end to IT suckage
Err...
...you do know that designs are modelled and tested in a computer before use, don't you? Scale models (or prototypes) made and tested (often to destruction). These cycles repeat umpteen times. THEN the final item gets made.
Also, there's a few thousand years of empirical evidence to draw from.
And with all that....it can still go wrong. Sometimes badly.
Some opinions
1) Apple is not a monopoly
2) Apple make the hardware, OS and run the app store
3) It's Apple's playground, it's their rules
Summary: Don't like it, don't join in
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Item 1 would come under regulatory scrutiny if Apple ever gets big enough
Item 2 could all if item is torn down, or Apple finds scaling difficult
Item 3 is wholly dependent on 1 and 2.
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For end-users the Apple restrictions are (generally) a "Good Thing"(tm) as "things just work". Compare that to the dog's dinner that is the Linux distros where it can be "pot luck" or the continual fight with drivers etc on Windows.
Don't get me wrong, I quite like Linux. In fact, I want to go 100% Linux at home. But some problems drive me completely scatty and I'd like to think I have at least some clue on where to find answers.
If Dixons were...
...an OS, they'd be Windows. Overpriced, under-performing and just a bit pants to be honest.
Cut offs get my vote
People should not connect system to the intertubes without reasonable protections, just like they are not allowed dangerous vehicles on the road (I know how we all love our car analogies).
Obviously the ISP should provide advice (more secure OSs, antivirus, firewalls etc) and the ISP needs to take care on how they inform users (i.e. use snail mail or something) otherwise the phishers et al will spoof the mechanism to sucker more people in.
And if too much junk is detected coming from an ISP (and they aren't obviously taking action), cut that ISP off.
As for some carrot, perhaps ISPs could (with user consent) do PEN tests or something? If the user passes, then that user gets a discount or some other benefit. Although that adds to the burden on ISPs, so any saving is probably going to get swallowed by cost increases.
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I agree totally about MasterCrap etc, their SecureCode system drives me feckin' insane. Never integrates into the site properly, so I am never 100% if it's genuine (I have actually cancelled purchases because SecureCode is so bad).
Posted in Microsoft's fear of an OpenOffice
Every time you write...
...an Excel macro, you make baby Jesus cry.
There's a talk I'd like to see
"Method for jodan-tsuki over TCP"
I still read b3ta...
...and I will agree to being offended at times. The question is, does the poster mean to cause offence or am I simply taking offence? Hell, I get offended by the cover of 'Private Eye' at times. Some of the most offensive posts are also the most thought provoking and the posts are not usually targeted *AT* the person or event, but at the media's reaction to said person or event.
Also, as Ian Ferguson says, none of this is being punted directly TO the McCanns (although I am bemused by the fact that you can't even be bothered to get their name right).
B3ta is also a very mixed community with its own rules and these rules are (surprisingly) rigidly enforced by the community. Just post a link to the main board, I dares yah. The most caustic exchanges are usually between the people who know each other best and are not to actually offend the recipient. If a third party chooses to take offence, that is entirely the problem of the third party,
Now, if you will excuse me, it's squirrels this week and I'd like to get my yiff on.
Trolling is bad?
Ooo, that nearly made it past me irony filter.
Posted in Great white sharks menace Blighty
I thought...
1) Great whites had been seen basking in the Med
2) They don't like human flesh as we are not fatty enough and attacks are down to mistaken identity (and lacking hands, they use their mouths to feel; a bit like a toddler, coochie-coochie-coo)
Hmm...I see a new frontier in martial arts
Many arts use joint manipulation to cause posture instability, throw, inflict pain, subdue or out-right break the joint. These methods evolved over centuries of study, practice and visits to the bone-saw to have limbs re-set.
I propose that in the immediate future we need to study the articulations our robot nemeses (or nemesi, if you prefer) and apply the same thinking. We need to ensure that our puny meat-power passes through the robo-killers' areas of greatest weakness and bring them down, should an EMP weapon not be readily to hand.
Suggestions of names of this future-art greatly appreciated.
Posted in OOo's put the willies up Microsoft
Please excuse the swearies
What a load of fucking FUD. When documents are sent in an ISO standard (that'd be ODF) there is no issue.
This only good thing about this is that MS are obviously shitting bricks at the moment. If all you can do it attack your opponent, you clearly have no credible attributes of your own.
OOo/LibreOffice is not perfect by any means, but for the price it is hard to beat.
Enron is old hat
Just ask Lehman Brothers.
Posted in Apple to lead fanbois 'Back to the Mac'
Price
Expensive - yes.
Value for money - yes.
Personally I wouldn't buy one (I like to tinker and hack), but for the average person (who can afford the initial cost) Apple products are a better choice than just about any Windows based equivalent* and probably work out at the same price (if not cheaper) in the long run.
You may not agree with me and that's fine. We all have different needs, values and pockets. A company shifting that many units cannot be "crap" and it's certainly not "overpriced" as the market evidently accepts that price. If you don't like the price/ethos/whatever - simple don't buy one.
*There is no Linux equivalent as yet it's almost impossible to buy Linux boxes from a major OEM without sacrificing a goat to the great IT gods.
Posted in Foxconn warns phones prices will rise
It's not how much...
...El Reg do or do not care, it's how much we as consumers care. We want low prices, and someone has to pay for that. Why do you think our t-shirts, trainers etc are so cheap? We're not paying the true price, some of the cost is absorbed by human misery.
If the price of a phone from company X rises dues to this and the equivalent from company Y stays the same because they go to a different manufacturer, then consumers will switch to Y and company X goes down the toilet. Consumer demand will force companies to move to the cheapest manufacturer, regardless of working conditions.
Even for consumers who do care, there is no way for them to be sure if it's company X or Y actually who have decent working conditions. For all they know, company X could be taking the piss or company Y may simply Actiobe more efficient. One can't exactly buy "FairTrade" mobile phones.
One could say that company X should take a small hit on profits to ensure decent conditions, but then dividends and share price drop, investors leave and one bitches about one's pension.
The only thing that can really be done is to keep exposing the exploitation until it becomes too risky for companies to even consider dealing with such manufacturers.
Did you, or anyone else reading this, avoid purchasing anything made by Foxconn because of worker conditions (e.g. Apple products, Nokia phones)? Did anyone write to the relevant CEOs and say why they were boycotting their products? Nope, me neither.
It's a sick, sad world; but it is so easy to ignore what goes on when it is "over there".
You want cheap goods?
This is the price others have to pay.
What does he expect?
The ConDems are happy to see children live in poverty and to deny those who are have the ability, but not the liquidity, a university education.
Maybe if we dropped the ridiculous target of 50% getting degrees, dropped some of the absurd degrees and removed the stigma of "only" being a tradesman (plus gave "engineer" protected status like "doctor") we'd get somewhere.
Oh yeah, and maybe if we (when I say "we", I mean the various political pirates, er, parties) stopped letting multi-billion pound multi-national corporations avoid paying their fair share of tax, we would not be in the state we are in.
Coupled to that, actually regulating the financial sharks that destroyed the economy in the first place. Quite why bankers are getting bonuses again beats me.
@Mike
Neutral!=Negative
There's a couple of other articles on El Reg that are gushing about it.
@Sarah Bee
You Register shill! :o)
This week is atcually...
...Meerkat week*. It's interesting that MS decided to push the PR drones into overdrive and launch this week; was this some attempt to over-shadow Canonical (which is a minnow in the OS market, but gets a fair bit of press) whilst at the same time launch their polished turd?
As for MS stopping a monopoly (mentioned in another Reg story), please; the mobile market is quite diverse already with some establish, rising and others fading (Blackberry, Meego, Symbian, iOs, Android). This market does not need the "help" of a known monopoly abuser to remian diverse, it's doing that very well already.
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*Other weeks are available, your mileage may vary.
Indeed
The Windows phones I have had to endure needed hard boots at least once a day.
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MS is nowhere in the mobiles space (and never has been). One must wonder why they are now making this sudden play, is it just to collect patents and make money of the sweat of others?
MS nearly lost the netbook market with their arrogance and only serious back-pedalling over XP (assisteed by the ineptitude/inexperience of the Linux distros) allowed them to regain their hold. The problem with the mobile market is that Linux et al are already entrenched, integrated and working very well; this is not how it was when netbooks started.
I seriously hope the various Linux groups can use the mobile space as a chink in MS's armour and then spread to other areas such as the desktop (i.e a share in double or near-double digits). Only time will tell.
Let me translate
"MS to apply single-sided adhesive dressing to repair rupture of carotid arteries."
That about right?
Posted in Ubuntu 10.10: date with destiny missed
@Geoff
If I give you my PayPal account details, will you send me the £200+ I'd need to upgrade? No? Thought not.
I'll use XP until it either goes out of support* or I no longer rely on a single PC for everything. Then it will be Linuxed. Personally I cannot afford the cost of Windows 7 and, after having to endure it in my day job, I wouldn't want it anyway.
And, more to the point, why should I upgrade something that does, pretty much, what I need? I could do a re-install and fix the whole C:\S: thing but then, as I said above, I'd just Linux the fecker.
*sp3 is still under support before anyone says anything
