* Posts by Tom 35

3040 publicly visible posts • joined 10 Jun 2009

Salesforce boss Benioff foretells grim, unrelenting hyper-capitalist future

Tom 35

Who?

Google WILL wriggle away from Euro probe... but THEN what?

Tom 35

Re: Monopoly

"MS had no browser lock-in."

How do I uninstall IE? MS went to a lot of trouble to make sure I could not remove it.

How do I stop Outlook from opening links in IE even if by default browser is Firefox?

When I log onto a computer for the fist time at work I get IE and Bing.

No lock-in my ass.

Even if there was no lock-in it's still not comparable because they are not asking for a choice to let people switch from Google. They want to force Google to add their search results to the top. They want SEO forced on Google. They don't want the chance to replace Google with their product, they want to ride on Google's coat tails.

Right, that's IT: We'll encrypt INTERNAL traffic to thwart NSA - Yahoo

Tom 35

NSA gets no free access to our data centers

So they are upset that NSA and friends are tapping into their lines without paying...

As long as the secret court gag orders exist nothing you say is worth exciting electrons over.

Sonos and I: How home media playback just gets SO FRUSTRATING

Tom 35

Wireless - not.

"These are square tower enclosures, about six inches high"

A 6" tower? Making a mountain out of a mole hill I think.

My old CRT TV would let me disconnect the built in speakers, and plug in a decent pair of book shelf speakers. That was fine for watching TV. But the new LCD has only got a digital out so I need something more complex, have to turn on the receiver...

My TV room in my older house only has two power outlets. One behind the TV stand and the other on the other side of the room. So wireless speakers are out, I'll take speaker wire over extension cords any day.

Cocky Microsoft strokes soft tool in public for 3D printing on Windows 8.1

Tom 35

creating your own jewellry line of custom 3D-printed earrings.

Brightly coloured plastic jewellery, a perfect complement to the not-metro interface on your phone, tablet, and PC.

Wonder if they include DRM and plan to sell designs from the app store?

How to relieve Microsoft's Surface RT piles problem

Tom 35

although we're all going to have to get used to it

No we don't.

I'm on Windows 8.1 enterprise right now. There is no Microsoft account. Classic shell so I never see the crap not-metro screen, and hardly ever see the slightly less crap start screen. App store? I think it's in there someplace, don't care.

As for my Surface RT, Outlook is much better then the old mail app (not hard) for checking my work email, and the Netflex app works quite well. I would not pay money for one. If they unlocked the thing it would be a lot more useful but I'm not holding my breath...

Hackers steal 'FULL credit card details' of 376,000 people from Irish loyalty programme firm

Tom 35

Re: Mad

"How can they claim it was clever Criminals?"

By comparing them to company management should work.

Microsoft FAILS to encrypt data centre links despite NSA snooping

Tom 35

They same company

That rebuilt Skype so that they could intercept calls with ease by making everything pass through a server they own.

Makerbot vows to plonk a 3D printer in every one of Uncle Sam's schools

Tom 35

Re: "Instead of waiting for someone to create a product for you, you can create your own"

"its about the opportunities to spark their imagination."

The problem is that if they only have one in a school, there are not going to be a lot of opportunities to go round. It takes hours to pint one item so what percentage of the students get to have a go.

When I was in School we had one trampoline*. Half the class waited around for their 2 minute turn, the rest of us gave up and did something else (horizontal bar in my case).

* until "hay watch me do a double back flip dismount"

Tom 35

change the whole paradigm

Warning! Bull shit alert! Warning!

Is it all up for LANDFILL ANDROID? BEHOLD, the Moto G

Tom 35

Re: Oh, this looks nice

No LTE (like Nexus 4)

Networks: GSM (850/900/1800/1900 MHz); UMTS (850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz); CDMA (850/1900 MHz).

Publishers reject Google's revised offer to fix search biz in Europe

Tom 35

Re: Not a monopoly

Anyone using google has actively chosen to do so. When you first log onto Windows you get IE and Bing as your default. If you install Flash/Reader/Java without watching what you click on your going to get Ask.com. But I don't remember ever getting slammed onto Google.

If you want Google as your default you have to actively change your IE search to Google, or download a different browser like Chrome or Firefox.

Google is #1 despite MS trying to stuff Bing onto everyone's computer.

Personally I use duckduckgo most of the time, because I don't what anyone trying to decide what I should want.

Tom 35

Moaning publishers

So how often do these publishers send people to other publishers because their service is not as good as the competition?

Google refuse to pay you for linking to your stuff and providing you traffic? You threaten to block them if they don't pay and they send you instructions on how to setup a robot file? Want your cake and eat it too?

Clearly they should list your stuff at the top of all searches, and pay you for the privilege.

Personally I've been using Duckduckgo because Google is already too screwed up by people who think they know what I should be looking at.

New Internet Explorer chief is man behind Windows Phone reboot

Tom 35

Re: Good.

You can't install a different one so you are out of luck. No Firefox to make IE look bad and force an upgrade.

For windows I expect some useless UI changes like maybe the shortcut menu will become a full screen of giant "not-metro" like blocks, maybe even have it's own live tiles crap.

Facebook makes Adobe fans change their horrible, horrible passwords

Tom 35

Adobe

I just received a "change your password" message from Adobe yesterday.

"As we announced on October 3, 2013, we recently discovered that an attacker illegally entered our network and may have obtained access to your Adobe ID and encrypted password. We currently have no indication that there has been unauthorized activity on your account."

So are they just getting around to sending password change notes now, or are people still walking in and grabbing data?

XBOX One SHOT DEAD by Redmond following delivery blunder

Tom 35

Disabled not bricked... but

If blocking your online account renders the device you paid for useless you have a point.

If they decide you have broken some item on page 17* of the TOS they can kick you off your own hardware. Bad press might be your only protection (since I'm sure there is also a "can't sue us" in the TOS).

* That might have been added after you bought the xbox. Added with an update that you had to install if you want to keep playing your (rented) games.

Ding-dong! Bye bye Sunday lie-in, your Amazon package is HERE

Tom 35

I had Fridays off

My old job I had Friday off, worked Saturday or Sunday (my choice, as long as everything was done Monday morning). It was great as I could deal with government offices that were open M-F 9-5 (more like 10-4 most of them) shopping or the Bank without weekend hoards. Also service or deliveries where you must be home between 11am and 4pm (they show up at 5:40) type things.

GCHQ hijacked LinkedIn profiles to hack Belgian telecoms network – report

Tom 35

I expect they would just get a retroactive "get out of jail free" card like the US telephone companies caught providing mass intercept for the spies.

Netflix, YouTube video killed the BitTorrent star? Duo gobble web traffic

Tom 35

But the...

ISP is owned by a conglomerate that also owns TV stations and cable TV companies. They don't want you watching OTT stuff like Netflix, they want you to watch THEIR stuff. Pay THEM the monthly fee and keep you on cable TV with all the bundles of crap for big bucks. Down with Net Neutrality! Up with cable company profits.

Microsoft advertises Surface, Excel with maths mistake

Tom 35
Joke

Dive rentals

Maybe excel dropped this line as the surface can't get any lower?

Microsoft offers Google-esque multi-meddling options in Office Web Apps

Tom 35

includes find-and-replace in Word

What will they think of next?

The CURSE of WHO: WHY has there never been a decent videogame with the Doctor?

Tom 35

I don't think it's just a Dr Who thing

Most games from TV/Movies are junk. A quick hack to cash in on something while it's hot.

SCIENCE and RELIGION AGREE! LIFE and Man ARE from CLAY

Tom 35

Re: SCIENCE and RELIGION AGREE! LIFE and mankind ARE from CLAY

So men are from Mars...

'Last EVER REAL Nokia' phone heads for Verizon, leaky pic-spurt reveals

Tom 35

They may not own them yet...

But the trojen badger has been in place for some time.

Tom 35

'Last EVER REAL Nokia' phone

I think that happened quite some time ago.

Antivirus bods grilled: Do YOU turn a blind eye to government spyware?

Tom 35

I would expect...

The request would not be to ignore the spyware forever, but not to be the first to detect it.

Once some other company in a different country detects it, cover blown and everyone can add it to the detected list.

The only thing I can see that argues that this is not happening would be leaks. If this was going on I would have expected a leak or two to have happened.

Switzerland to set up 'Swiss cloud' free of NSA, GCHQ snooping (it hopes)

Tom 35

Re: but...

"surely you are still stuffed in the UK even if the data is in Switzerland? Can they not compel you to turn over the keys,login etc....?"

Yes, but at least you know they are snooping, and can fight back if you want.

Different then a secret order to go vacuum up your data from Google/Microsoft/Amazon cloud without saying anything.

Amazon throws Kindle sale party after FAA aeroplane gadget fondle ruling

Tom 35

Is it safe to say...

US only?

iPad 4 is so OVER: 5 times as many fanbois now using iPad Air - survey

Tom 35

Re: News flash - iPads available from non Apple Stores

What's your point?

That's nothing new. There is a Bestbuy across the street from my office. There used to be lineups round the corner for new Apple stuff but not for the last few launches.

The last time up I saw was for GTA, and there could be a line for Call of Duty later on Today since they have a 12:01 opening for the game. But zip for the ipad air or iphone 5s/c.

If anything is diverting people from lining up at the Apple store* I expect it's online sales.

*other then deciding it's not worth lining up.

Snowden leaks latest: BT, Vodafone, Verizon jack GCHQ into undersea fiber

Tom 35

Re: Not suprised and I don't care

So your don't go by "if you've done nothing wrong..."

You prefer "First they came ..."

'It seems that the OSes and devices are based on the Devil'

Tom 35

Windows 8 is based on hate.

He has sort of a point there... No need for a Holy Man to figure that out.

Twitter duped us, coupon-clippers claim

Tom 35

Expenses?

"substantial damages to the plaintiffs in the loss of commissions, fees and expenses"

How are expenses a loss, unless they had a plan to hose them with campaign lunches.

iPHONE 5S BATTERY: It may NOT just be you, it may be RUBBISH

Tom 35

Re: iPhone batteries are replaceable

Yes the iPone 4 is about the easiest one to replace the battery, but a minute? BS!

Too bad they have gone down hill from there with more glue and stupid screws in the later phones.

Want to go to billionaire Sun kingpin's beach? Hope you're a strong swimmer

Tom 35

Re: Miserable Git

No his unpaid intern will get to do that as a learning experience.

Blighty's telcos set to CHOKE off another fistful of piracy gateways

Tom 35

Re: More power to them...

"If you see a site that you think violates copyright, just email "

Followed by...

If you are important, and see a site that you don't like, just email...

Digital radio may replace FM altogether - even though nobody wants it

Tom 35

Re: DAB and DAB+

Would not be surprised if the suppliers dumped all the old DAB sets in the UK that they could not sell in Europe.

Big Content says Pirates of the Caribbean do their worst in Australia

Tom 35

Re: ...being ignored by state and federal police “despite multiple entreaties by rights holders”

That's more or less how Canada ended up on their list.

Do what we say, or we will put you on the list!

Oh No, Not the List! Yawn, Zzzzzzzzzzzz

They said they would stop making movies in Canada, but it's still cheaper so they still make them here.

US indicts Brit bloke over backdoor blagging of US troops' data

Tom 35

Re: AC

The difference? They don't has a pet secret court that says it's all ok.

Why did Nokia bosses wait so long to pop THAT Lumia tab?

Tom 35

Re: Wrong way round

I think they were told to hold off because MS though they might still get some independent OEMs to produce them, but once it was 100% clear (even to MS) that every one else was dumping them as fast as they could their pet OEM got the order to launch.

Hate data fees but love your HD slab? Here's a better way to pay for bytes

Tom 35

Re: It can be done

That's fine, but what if you want to use a different service.

Much better if they charged a fair price for going over your limit. No need to be limited to what your cell phone company has on offer (likely old crap that you could buy for less in the DVD bin at the super market), use Netflix or what ever you like. If you know watching a move will cost you $5-10 you can decide if that's worth it to pass the time. My old cell phone company charged 5 cents / KB with a max of $100 a month if you go over, (just one of the reasons they are my old company).

It's NOT an iPad - but that's FINE: I learned to LOVE Microsoft's Surface 2

Tom 35

Title should be...

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and LOVE the new Surface 2

Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room.

Icahn trousered $700m from Netflix stock sale?! Er, it would appear so

Tom 35

On a positive note

At least he didn't ask them to borrow a load of money and give it to him this time.

Lumia 2520: Our Vulture gets his claws on Nokia's first Windows RT slab

Tom 35

Noting to do with intel, It's all Microsoft and their wish to make you use the app store and use not-metro apps.

They also block low level access for developers so no VPN client (that might have made the thing a bit useful to me) or anything like Firefox.

Tom 35

Re: Office 2013 RT is not designed for commercial, nonprofit, or revenue-generating activities

"purchase commercial use rights"

Other then pages saying you could buy it, I was never able to find out how / how much, or even if it actually exists.

Lots of smaller companies have not upgraded to 2013.

If they have Office 365 you could buy a laptop and get full office and get some real work done.

Tom 35

There is a LOT wrong with RT.

Anything desktop from it's big plus office to accessing anything in the control panel are crap without using the keyboard or at least a mouse.

They will not let anyone write any desktop software.

And the surface...

You need a desk as it's too top heavy and floppy with the keyboard to use on your lap.

It's too heavy to use for long as a tablet.

To do actual work, my netbook is better (and a laptop that cost the same as the surface would be better).

As a tablet, my Nexus 7 kicks its ass.

That's why the Nexus 7 is with me right now, and the surface is sitting at home.

Netflix original TV shows gamble pays off... to the tune of 10m new viewers

Tom 35

You can bet

There is a "Big Content" Exec sitting by his pool saying, what! that profit should be mine, up their rent!

Brit PM raps Facebook for allowing GORY beheading vids

Tom 35

Re: Oh, really?

"No, porn is offensive. Even breasts are offensive. You can't show breasts."

Even a cartoon / drawing of a breast is more offensive then hacking people to bits.

Now swallow: Microsoft hands out cure for Surface RT tabs killed by Win 8.1

Tom 35

I didn't know where it went...

(It's a tiny link in the lower left corner of the File History control panel)

in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying "Beware of The Leopard"

I think some manager said to make Windows 8 less complex, and another manager said to hide anything that looked complex. Problem solved.

Wait for it, waaiiit for it: We update an Atom tablet to Windows 8.1 Pro

Tom 35

Re: updating iOS @Tom 35

Must not have been paying attention and missed the link.

I also did a fresh install of 8.1 enterprise on a laptop that will be joined to the domain. The "no I don't want a MS account" is hidden nicely. You have to click create new account before you get the link to skip it.

The new features seem to be much more useful on the laptop then they are on the surface.

Wanna sell a phone in New York? Better have a receipt

Tom 35

Re: Actually, I have to grit my teeth and admit that this politician's suggestion..........

Add print a fake receipt. It's not like a store can validate a receipt.