* Posts by Arctic fox

2770 publicly visible posts • joined 6 Nov 2009

No more turning over a USB thing, then turning it over again to plug it in: Reversible socket ready for lift off

Arctic fox
Windows

@elyl Telex?

Don't you mean the heliogram?

Arctic fox

Re: Proof that there is a god

No, it is proof there is a devil!

Arctic fox
Headmaster

pip25 Re: " why the heck do we need yet another variant?"

I think that the potential answer to that lies in:

"is similar in size to the current breed of micro-USB plugs"

This would permit the implementation of the equivalent to full size type B USB 3 ports in modern highly mobile/slim form factors. That would, IMHO, be a genuine advantage.

Dodgy payday loan ads make up 83% of cases probed by UK's FCA

Arctic fox
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@Jedit: I have to say old chap that it is very rare that I feel that someone............

...............(myself included) has really hit the nail on the head regardless of the issue concerned. However, this time I am forced to acknowledge that you really have achieved that Holy Grail as far as posting is concerned:

".........loan companies are morally equivalent to a man offering a homeless woman a bed for the night if she'll fuck him."

That was spot on. See icon.

Stanford boffin is first woman to bag 'math Nobel Prize'

Arctic fox
Thumb Down

I personally think that the two tossbags who have made remarks..........

......... concerning the lady's appearance should hang their heads in shame. If, of course, they are in any way capable of understanding what the word shame means.

WinPhone's Halo hottie Cortana to hit desktop in next Windows – report

Arctic fox
Windows

I think the author is being a touch mischievous.

A computer that you can talk to? I don't think that even Cupertino could get away with any litigation over that. "Dave, Dave, why are you suing me?"

Microsoft fixes all those shaky GoPro vids nobody wants to watch

Arctic fox

@hitmouse Re: "Yawn powerpoint diss"

"Should we blame the creators of the word-processor, typewriter and pen for inflicting hackneyed prose on the world?"

Agreed. I have sat through far too many despair-inducing presentations where the issue was the utter incompetence of the one who had constructed the presentation rather than which software package he/she had used to be in any doubt that. When it comes to that kind of thing the old saw "rubbish in, rubbish out" applies. Bluntly put, a significant number of people are absolute rubbish at creating and delivering presentations.

Intruder alert: Cyber thugs are using steganography to slip in malware badness

Arctic fox
Headmaster

@amanfromMars 1 Re: "What the fcuk are you smoking"

Sorry old chap, no offence intended and all that, but isn't that usually our line whenever we read one of your posts?

Microsoft OneDrive tip-off leads to arrest over child abuse images

Arctic fox

@Ross K "Re: Dunno what you can say except..."

Indeed, I entirely agree Ross K. What can one say when the service provider tells one in advance that they:

".....deploy[s] automated technologies to detect child pornography or abusive behavior that might harm the system, our customers, or others".

If such people are then so stupid that they go ahead and use that service for something that is a clear breach of contract (not to say a criminal offence that leaves most of us nauseated) then what the hell do they expect?

Edward Snowden's not a one-off: US.gov hunts new secret doc leaker

Arctic fox
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@ Pascal Monett and russell 6. Re "What the hell does that mean?"

Thank you gentlemen for your efforts. One of the things I like about El-Reg is that if you admit sincere ignorance someone will usually help you! :)

Arctic fox
WTF?

Somebody got a universal translator handy?

"Access controls including the two-man rule, role-based monitoring and data encryption are key requirements to make this happen, especially in highly concentrated environments like virtualisation and cloud,"

What hell does that mean?

LinkedIn settles missed overtime pay case: Will pay $6m to staffers

Arctic fox
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@frank ly Re: "It's about what they think they can get away with"

See icon.

Arctic fox
WTF?

Re: "your standard 10+ hour"

Pardon, what did you say? Did I hear a 50 hour basic contractual working week here? If I have not misunderstood then all I can say is - Land of the Free - bollocks. Land of the Indentured Surfs more like.

Samsung sticks with child labour shame fab: Zero-tolerance means 30% less trade

Arctic fox
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"Samsung has decided to still take measures"

Delighted to hear it. I would say the same regardless of which company was concerned.

We sent a probe SIX BILLION km to measure temperature of a COMET doing 135,000 km/h

Arctic fox
Happy

Re: "..... who think that iPhones are a pretty neat idea....."

Happily for the reputation of the human race not all of us share that opinion.

Too rich for an iPhone 6? How about a gold-plated Brikk?

Arctic fox
Happy

I would suggest that virtually everyone other than the notorious 1%...........

"For many people in the world, 600 quid is a lot to spend on a phone."

.............would feel that is a lot of money to spend on a phone!*

*I have spent almost that much. To be specific, my lady's Xperia Z2 for a special birthday. I did not for one moment begrudge it but it still wasn't exactly small change from my point of view.

14 antivirus apps found to have security problems

Arctic fox
WTF?

Not being a professional techIe I wonder if you guys could help me with a question.

"Organisations should get their antivirus products security tested before deployment"

In my innocence not to say ignorance I had imagined that that would be standard practice and if it is not I confess myself astonished. My question is - if it is not regarded as best/standard practice, then why not?

Verizon to limit unlimited 4G plans

Arctic fox
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@pierce Re: "it should have been metered from the get-go..."

I entirely agree. The marketing of these so-called "unlimited" plans has been dishonest from the outset. How it is that the ASA has not descended on them (the telcos in general not just Verizon) from a very great height over the term "unlimited" is a mystery to me. It is clear that no infrastructure as currently envisaged could cope with people having high-res streaming on virtually continuously. Some throttling of the most intensive users is unavoidable. However, they should be genuinely open and honest about that in their advertising, not just in the small print.

SHOCK and AWS: The fall of Amazon's deflationary cloud

Arctic fox
Headmaster

Amazon is a (brain dead) predator:

In the same sense that at vampire is a predator. Their strategy in practice (in the longer term) destroys the market they are exploiting*. They are a bubble company. The moment they are required (by circumstances - shareholders, the authorities and the like) to show a (sustained) profit then they are in the shit up to their necks.**

*The only world a vampire understands is one where he is last of his kind left standing.

**Oh and yes, I am perfectly well aware that there are plenty of other examples of BigCorp out there who deserve the same critisism.

US judge 'troubled' by Apple's $450m bid to end ebook price-fixing row

Arctic fox
Flame

@MrDamage Re: " Unlike you, I have the balls to put my name to my comments."

This has been a bugbear of mine for a long time. The same suspects use/abuse the facility to post anonymously to avoid having to take responsibility for what they post. This does not mean that I am calling for the facility to be withdrawn - far from it in fact. However, the cowardice/dishonesty in that kind of behaviour really fucks me off.

ITC: Seagate and LSI can infringe Realtek patents because Realtek isn't in the US

Arctic fox
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@Dan 55 RE: "That sounds like a bit of a tilted playing field."

Indeed. Your italicsing "the International Trade Commission" hits the nail right on the head. If companies not "resident" in the US have no rights when persuing/defending a case against this august body then the International Trade Commission is in fact the National Trade Commission" and as such should having nothing at all to do with these decisions where one of the parties is not a "US resident". If the International Trade Commission is not interested in international law then my original point stands.

Arctic fox
Flame

I really think that the USA should think about what they are saying here.

"Seagate and LSI are off the hook for infringing Taiwanese firm Realtek’s semiconductor patents after the US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that Realtek can't enforce its rights without a local presence."

Your patents are invalid unless you trade within the United States? Pardon my naivete but I thought that there were several international agreements relating to patent recognition? We have here in the UK the expression "Little Englander" describing a closed-minded "patriot" who cannot see further than his own nose. This kind of thing from the "Leader of The Free World" is bloody embarrassing.

Too many IT conferences to cover? MICROSOFT to the RESCUE!

Arctic fox
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@Hollerith 1 Re: "I have gone AC on occasion..........."

Of course and I understand why circumstances sometimes require "donning the mask". However, I have over the last few years become convinced that some AC-postings are driven by a desire to avoid being exposed for having argued "both ends against the middle" from one posting to the next simply to be able to get away with posting something completely illogical (in the context of previous postings) against whoever their favourite hate-figure is. That type of dishonest debating tactic really pisses me off. On the other hand, as I made clear in the post to which you were kind enough reply, that does not mean that I wish the capacity to post as an AC to be withdrawn.

Arctic fox
WTF?

Re: "You mean MSFT being subjected to bad messages is kind of unfair ? "

Sorry Herr Sauerkraut, I did not understand a word of that other than that you appear to believe that my post to which you "replied" had something to do with The Demon Lords of Redmond. Given that I did not say word about Redmond I am somewhat puzzled. I only meant that I could clearly see why the poster concerned needed to post as an AC, something which I remain convinced was clear from what I wrote. Furthermore if someone is in a position where they genuinely feel that posting something negative about MS (they might be employed in the channel with a firm that is an MS "partner" for example and are concerned that their employer might turn nasty) would cause them problems then they should certainly post as an AC if that is really the only way they can safely participate in the debate.

Arctic fox
Happy

Re: US only: What I wish to say is somewhat off topic but here goes:

Hi AC. I realise that I have often mouthed off about the "ring on your door-bell and run away ACs" but on this occasion I wish to make it clear that I fully understand the need for the capacity to post here as an AC for the reasons you allude to in your post. I hope that you will forgive my frustration with those who abuse the system. It is entirely clear that you could only comment in this context under conditions of anonymity. This facility I regard as crucial to free debate here at El Reg - I just get fairly hacked off with those who take the piss out of it.

It's FONDLEMANIA: Mobile devices outstrip PCs on China's internet

Arctic fox
Headmaster

This is very interesting.

It will be even more interesting to see the Chinese government's response when they really understand the degree to which they have let the geni out of the bottle. *

*Regardless of the "Great Firewall of China".

Office 365's free terabyte leaves Amazon's Glacier melting

Arctic fox
Windows

@big_D Re: Productivity Suite? I agree with you.

Part of this perennial problem is of course the refusal of some people to except variety and change. However, I personally speaking really dislike the ribbon. Does this mean that I feel an overwhelming urge to call everyone who likes it an idiot? No, of course not. Where MS fell down with Office 2007 was their attempt to shove the notorious ribbon down the throats of their customers when they could equally well have permitted said customers a way out. They in the end did that with Office 2010 but they did a fair amount of damage to their relationship with their customers in the meantime.

Banning handheld phone use by drivers had NO effect on accident rate - study

Arctic fox
Headmaster

@AC 10.50 GMT 21/07 Re: "I personally think that texting while driving......."

As far as texting while driving is concerned I entirely agree - utterly insane. It is simply not possible to both drive a car safely and at the same write text messages, an activity that also requires concentration. If one has to answer a text then pull over as soon as you can and then do it. As far as this study is concerned on the subject of talking on the phone I remain agnostic.

For Lenovo US, 8-inch Windows tablets are DEAD – long live 8-inch Windows tablets

Arctic fox
Happy

Re: Why would anyone want Windows (especially 8) on a tablet?

Well funnily enough some people do have a user-case for a highly mobile form-factor that can run full fat Windows. I am sitting at my kitchen table typing this post on my - yes, you guessed it - ThinkPad 8. I rebuilt our heavy-lifter for our home office 2 - 3 months ago for the very obvious reason that there are clearly tasks that can only in reality be performed on a full desk-top pc and it was worth plonking down the 600 quid or so that I spent on the upgrade. However, this little fellah is pretty nippy and has no trouble running the likes of Office. I would of course be the first to concede that that would be a fairly painfull experience without my compact little blue-tooth keyboard! Personally I have no interest in trying to persuade others who have a different user-case which excludes this type of device, all I can really say is that I like it and am finding very usefull. Each to their own and all that.

Manic malware Mayhem spreads through Linux, FreeBSD web servers

Arctic fox
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@Ole Juul "a comment can sometimes be good even if I don't agree with it."

I entirely agree. I have in fact on several occasions upvoted a well written post even where I disagreed with it. If someone clearly is trying to make a contribution (as someone further up has already said) why not post and engage with them? Downvoting and not posting is very often (albeit not always of course) the equivalent to the childhood game of ringing on somebody's doorbell and running away.

Europe: Apple could NOT care less about kids' in-app cash sprees

Arctic fox
Headmaster

Regardless who is the good boy here or the "less bad boy" I feel ......

..........that a little bit of rewriting is in order. In my opinion the following:

"to prevent direct exhortation to children,"

should read as:

"to prevent direct extortion to children,"

PICS: Nokia Lumia 930 – We reveal its ONE unique selling point

Arctic fox
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I have to say that (I own a Lumia 1020 that I am very pleased with) I am now inclined .....

...to at least evaluate whether or not I should avoid the upgrade to 8.1 when it arrives up here. ("Up here" being the arctic arse-end of nowhere). I have read reviews by people I also respect that have a rather more positive take on 8.1. However, thank you for a very frank review Andrew all the same. I look forward to those posters (usually AC, natch) who have posted the usual "shill" accusation garbage on other threads connected to your articles related to the Lumia range having to eat their words.

Nokia emits Windows Phone 8.1 'Cyan' upgrade for Lumia gear

Arctic fox
Happy

@ZSn "Yes I know, I like windows phone 8.1, go on flog me if you like.." I say old chap......

......steady on. I feel not the slightest desire to engage in that kind of thing. Especially since I am very happy with my Lumia 1020! I look forward to getting the 8.1 update.

Microsoft's Lumia 930... a real HANDFUL

Arctic fox
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@JudeKay "............legally actionable wrongdoing........"

If the tosser concerned does not realize that a website will end up in very deep shit if they publish/relay libelous material without evidence to support the allegations then he deserves to have his arse modded, end of.

Arctic fox
Headmaster

"That's going to be tricky, since only reviewers have the bloody things"

Then maybe the aforementioned AC should have kept his gob shut when it came to such "comprehensive" howling - so much howling that he actually succeeded in getting modded here of all places....hmm?

Apple rats on Google to FTC: You thought WE were in-app-ropriate?

Arctic fox
Thumb Up

Re: Just use profiles

Good tip for those who have not tripped over that one before.

Arctic fox
Trollface

Re:.... "But they'd make it look good..." Good God!

It takes a very dedicated iPhanboi to boast that the Fruities would make suicide look cool and stylish!

Arctic fox
Thumb Up

Re: @Dan 55 "They really should give the option.........."

Entirely agree.

Arctic fox

@Dan 55 Sorry old chap, but the very idea............

"A point in their favour is they do send an e-mail immediately on purchasing or downloading a free app so you know exactly what apps are being bought or used by your little darlings."

........that our "little darlings" would ever have been in a position to buy anything at all with my (or my good lady's) hard earned without having to ask us first brings us both out in hives. We would have under no circumstances ever have given them that kind of access. Some parents, in our not so humble opinion make a gigantic rod for their own backs.

Siri, did we just take a hit in that voice-recog patent fight?

Arctic fox
Headmaster

What was it that Lance Corporal Jones used to say?

"They don't like it up'em Captain Mainwaring sir."

Indeed it appears that Cupertino (judging by their own choice of words in response, a choice that indicates strongly that they know that they are on a sticky wicket) does not "like it up'em". Words like "hoist upon ones own petard come to mind".

But WE want to rule the Internet of STUFF – Intel, Dell, Samsung & chums

Arctic fox
Happy

Oh dear, oh dear. With Intel in one group and Microsoft in the other.............

...........some of our compadres in our little congregation here at El Reg will not know in which direction to explode.

German spy agency staffer spied for NSA during gov probe into NSA spying – report

Arctic fox
Happy

Re: A Good Time Was Had By All

Not if you make sure that you are upwind of the other contestants.

Arctic fox
Happy

"Which side of the pond are you on?"

The side that Columbus came from old chap.

Arctic fox
Headmaster

Well, well, well. I perfectly well understand that the expression "allies"....................

.......largely means people we are not likely to bomb anytime soon but I think we should all rethink this transanlantic alliance. Not in the sense of flushing it down the lav, more in the sense of trying to persaude our friends on the other side of the pond that this kind of behaviour is counterproductive.

Google de-listing of BBC article 'broke UK and Euro public interest laws' - So WHY do it?

Arctic fox

@Don Jefe RE: "'broke UK and Euro public interest laws' - So WHY do it?"

"Will it work? It already has. The purpose is to broaden the audience who hears your complaints. That being the case, this is a 100% success."

I am not so sure. The answer to El Reg' subbie's rhetorical question is of course, IMHO, that like so many other examples of BigCorp, they figured that they could do what they liked. I don't think that the current public mood (in Europe at any rate) is particularly well disposed to arrogant multinationals. 100% success? I would not bet the farm on that.

AVG: We need laws to stop biz from tracking our kids

Arctic fox
Flame

Here is the problem with modern Capitalism in a nutshell.

""Big companies don't care unless there is a law. Life today is different and children live in a different environment. Companies that collect data and infringe privacy are not necessarily the bad guys, but they often end up doing things which society considers wrong."

Nobody asks "should we do this?", they ask "can we get away with it?". When it appeared that it was all going to go down the shitter a few years back everybody asked "how could this happen?". The "Cognoscenti" of the Chicago School began to howl about "moral hazard" if any of the poor bastards that got caught up in that poisonous shit got, even partially, forgiven their debts. Where is the "morality" in the "can we get away with it" attitude in the current climate? There are some serious questions to be asked, and even the most fervent supporter of the "Holy Free Market" ought to be willing to discuss the issue without starting to howl like a dog if anyone dares mention the obscene word "regulation".

Sorry, chaps! We didn't mean to steamroller legit No-IP users – Microsoft

Arctic fox
Headmaster

@Trigun Re: "meh" Whilst I entirely agree that Redmond do not seem to be handling.....

..........the technical side of this action very well I did feel that the following from the ISP's spokeswoman was more than a bit cheeky.

"At 6am, they seemed to make a change to forward on the good traffic, but it didn’t do anything. Although they seem to be trying to take corrective measures, DNS is hard, and they don’t seem to be very good at it."

I am sorely tempted to paraphrase her remarks in the following fashion:

"Although No-IP claimed to be taking corrective measures to prevent their service being misused by malware bandits, secure Internet service provision is hard, and they don't seem to be very good at it."

NASA aborts third attempt at finally settling man-made CO2 debate

Arctic fox
Headmaster

Re: Might need more of these

I am also very interested in what will happen if the results do not match the "warmers" expectations. I suspect that the howling will be deafening.

Samsung admits its Chinese supply chain still has labour-rights and safety problems

Arctic fox
Thumb Down

RE: "So now it's Samsung............... " Fe, fi, fo fum... I smell a iPhanboi.

"Tech firms like Sammy and Apple go in for the kind of liberal aspirational branding and reputation that doesn’t sit particularly well with the exploitation of workers in China,...."

That is in fact a reasonably objective description of the situation that firms like Sammy and the Fruity Company find themselves in. If you object to this description of the situation then I am forced to conclude that you are yet another example (AC, naturally) of the low forehead knuckle-dragging tribalists (regardless of the sect to which you belong) that we have all too many of here at El Reg.

REVEALED: Reg trails claw along Apple's 'austerity' 21.5-inch iMac

Arctic fox

Re: ".....there is a business support option............"

That's interesting old chap - how much does it cost?