Posts by mmeier

Re: I'd like to see things be pushed the other way..

Actually you can run any OS on a x86 box - simply switch secure boot (NOT UEFI!) off and thats it. Won't change with an MS Update since it is Bios not OS (Unlike the PS3 where Sony could update the "BIOS"(1))

Most ARM-devices are currently locked down. Try running an other OS on iOS hardware or the typical Android. If you do not like that - buy a Rasberry pi.

(1) Not that it really mattered. 99.8 percent of the users that ran "OtherOS" as the feature was correctly called did not use the PS3 as a game platform and never upgraded, The 0.2 percent PinguBoys that did "because I can" where making a LOT of noise but that's it. PS3 was neither powerful nor low power so the game box was rarely used as a NAS - cheaper maschines for that around

Re: I don't understand.

Oh, a proper UNIX is totally acceptable use for good hardware. Solaris is a mighty fine and highly stable/performant server system. And some of the BSD variants are also nice and stable.

Now Linux, well Linux reminds me of the old joke where a Jew ask his Rabbi:

Rebbe, may I carry Dollar around on Sabbat - No my son

Rebbe, Deutschmark? - No way

Rebbe, Zloty? - Sure, the laws talk about money

Re: The reason UEFI can be disabled for WIndows 8 and not for RT

And why should the big hardware manufactures follow them? Even more the ones that do mainly mainboards not full systems? Or the companies that also sell servers sometimes even with their own (or licenced) UNIX on it?

Re: How many programs...

Actually the "tablet" in XP Tablet edition refered to 10-14'' tablets WITHOUT any touch - pen only WACOM or NTRIG digitizers back then. Even today they have the option "disable smear mode" as part of the control panel - and many users do.

And once you have a penable - it beats a notebook in truely mobile use AND can still be one on a desk (BT keyboard/mouse) even with adjustable distance between keyboard and screen for the "pure" tablets (Convertibles/Hybrids are like notebooks)

Re: How many programs...

And a pi is - NOT a tablet! Currently all ARM tablets run castrates OOB - be they iOS, Fragmentdroid or Win/RT. The only ARM tablet in production that barely qualified for "tablet pc" is the Note series. Barely since the software is at best WinXP quality in the critical areas like Handwriting, often not even that

As soon as I get to non-mobile devices the small benefit an ARM may have in power consumption is lost and the Atoms, even the aging CTrails, win hands down.

Re: As odd as it sounds

Actually they never merged the code bases. The Dos-Externder line ends with Windows ME and was a seperat beast till the end. The only thing that survived (and was thankfully killed in W8) is the looks from the Win95 UI. And even there it is looks not code base. The two where very different under the hood.

The current W8 UI/UX takes some time getting used to but after that - it just works. On EVERY device from a 10'' touchy-toy tablet through penable tablet pc to high powered multi-monitor desktops. It may not be perfect on either of them but you get 90+ percent of what a specialist OS can do on any of them - and just ONE OS, one concept. No more "Telefon is a iThingy so do it that way, Tablet is a Fragmentdroid so this way, Main unit is a Window7 do it another way". Just one way.

Win8 needs some fine tuning, ironically more in the tablet-pc functions like the entry field behaviour (many preferred the Win7 style of auto-show / free positioning drag out to the new "icon in taskbar" style) but OOB it is already better than Win7 on the same hardware both mobile (better power management, faster sleep/wake, better Handwriting/Speech engines - and Win7 was good!) and desktop (better useability for WLAN only desktops, faster boot, better multi-monitor support)

Re: Not what I wanted to see.

Actually tried to use Win8 for a few days it or just parroting what the PFY "IT expert" from your cousin 2nd degrees hairdresses told her? There may be some use cases where Modern does not work but they are rare.

On my dual monitor desktop the "72 most used desktop programs" are always just one WIN-Key press away AND there is still space for News, Weather and a Messenger. Don't even have to take my hands of the keyboard to start them. No more "unmask desktop" or "guess wether this is the start icon or a running instance in the taskbar" games. (You can still play them if you like), taskbar stretching over the monitors ...

Re: 3rd Party Start Menus are no longer an option.

Really? GREAT! Finally, well done MS!

Okay I admit I LOVE the death of AERO and the start menu.

Oh I did. And unlike others I am even able to distinguish between Modern and Desktop programs. Blue will be able to run two Modern "Apps" in a 50/50 split. And as many Desktop Applikations as you want/your memory allows. So using a toy breed tablet like the Acer W510 I would be able to fingerprint two Modern apps instead of one. Using a tablet pc - I just use Modern as a start menu and run desktop programs with a stylus and no fingerprints

How many programs can a ARM toy tablet run at the same time? One or One?

Re: nothing to see here

"Blue" is the codename for the service pack style release concept. So this IS likely a Service Pack.

Well, that is at least ONE more than on the iThingy or Fragmentdroid systems.

Re: Great move Elop

The Maemo/Meego phones and mini-tablets (N770 was a tablet only IIRC) where nice hardware and a software that had some features Android is lacking (like an X-Server). Would be nice if Nokia could bring out an upgraded (induktiv-capacitvie dual mode instead of resistive digitizer) version of the hardware no matter what OS. Basically sturdy lil beasts (Actually a bit larger than a Note 2 IIRC)

The rest of the system was so-so and Nokia never delivered a tool chain that was as easy to use as the one for Android or Windows Phone (And the last two or so years of Windows Mobile). That and their lack / unwillingness to licence/enable some features (like the CPUs JAVA support) of the hardware (even pre-Elop) killed at least parts of the software market. Sadly so since the lil beast could have run the same JAVA software as a desktop.

Lack of advertisement and the units not/rarely showing up in the big outlet chains made them an even less known product. Again this started with the N770 unit well before Elop. Than a few hardware problems (WSOD anyone) and unlucky upgrade policy for the OS and the unit was dead even before the N900 came out.

Re: thin clients anyone?

Since Modern-UI runs on Win/RT that runs on low grade stuff like ARM I do not see a problem. If that is not enough - use an Atom CPU. Embedded != Mobile, the MC680x0 series CPU can still be found in many embedded controllers (IIRC including Siemens Washing maschines)

Re: I actually bought a Surface RT with my own money and it's quite good

If you like the RT take a look at the Atom based tablet pc. Similar weight, good endurance (6-11h depeding on model and use) and a lot of units out so the price spectrum is covered from Acers "touch only" at 450€ all the way to TPT2 and Dell Latitude 10 with all the bells/whistles at 800€ and a lot in between

Re: No reason for RT

Oh soon they will. It's called the MS<<Dell Latitude 10 :) From all the tests one sweet (if costly) piece of kit with user-replaceable (and quick change!) battery and a sturdy metal body.

Re: $urface

Engineers do not buy based onadvertisement. They buy based on needs and capabilities. If in doubt they evaluate and test and /or check reputable sources.

Re: The truth? You can't handle the truth.

Strange - Apache and JBOSS run just fine on Windows Servers. Actually with better performance under load than they do with Linux. Granted, Solaris is even better. And mobile devices do not care what OS delivers the web page.

Java Applications and Applets actually run better under Windows (and MacOS) than under iOS or Android. Actually - they do not run under the latter two AT ALL. Add in some other benefits and for companies the Windows / MacOS route is actually the smarter choice for mobile devices. Local printing is just one element - try that with iOS/Android. With Windows - just buy a mobile printer. Same for scanning solutions and so on.

Re: Lower the price

What problem? Tethering in Win8 runs the same as in Win7. Select network, enter passphrase and go

Can not say how tethering in RT works, never used that nor do I plan to. RT is just another castrate toy-tablet OS like iOS or Android - useless for me.

As for the rest - try using a penable for a week or two and you will understand the differences. No need to use a keyboard when you have it in the arm/lap - pen replaces that. Keyboards only come out (if at all) when you have a useful surface. Been using penables (convertibles and slates) since 2003 that way.

Re: Just be honest and ask yourself Surface or shite pad?

What is the problem with the Pro? Aside from half the hardware not working properly due to driver problems under Linux? It is a Win8 certified box so you can wipe it, disable UEFI and install whatever you want. And there are quite a few similar x86 tablets out that can do the same

Re: Lower the price

Won't work with the Pro. Win8 tablet pc are exactly that Win8 PC! They run every Windows software just fine, the pen is a great mouse replacement so they work. Don't think of Surface/Pro and the other x86 penables as "iThingy inspired toy-breed" but rather as "netbook/notebook/ultrabook with extra capabilities".

Apps will be a "nice toy" for this but people won't pay 10€ for the Modern equivalent to "Photoshop Touch" for Android - if they want to do some image manipulation they simply install GIMP. They won't pay for Polaris Office - they install OO. And so on.

The "touch only" toys like the Acer-Units, the Yoga etc. might be the ones that make more use of Modern Apps. But my guess is they'll follow Win/RT to an early grave once people realize that for not much more money up front they get a LOT of added functionality and lower software costs.

And that's just the privat sector. Companies will make use of their licences for Windows-Software anyway.

Re: Targeting the richer folks

Actually compared to similar-equiped notebooks/netbooks/ultrabooks the current generation penables are not that costly. Sure if you compare a 300€ "bashed together by chinese pupils" notebook with a Ativ700 or Duo11 they look pricey. But the equivalents are Series-7 notebooks or Vaio Ultrabooks.

Re: They would have a simple way to boost sales...

The S/P is "certified for Win8" so you can switch off secure boot. Not that I would use any "complete" system for a "one trick pony" - that's what stuf like the Rasberry Pi is for

Re: Re:Microsoft has deliberately balanced the Surface's availability

All possible partners are already building Windows/x86 tablets or convertibles. Most have been doing it for a decade or more. They know their job and their customer base. Most of the partners did not show them at the large outlet stores due to the price and target market that's the only change with Samsungs "Wartburg" tablet (Ativ 500) being seen side by side their "Trabbi" (Note 10.1)

Btw: Does someone know who builds the Surface/Pro? IIRC MS has no own factory so this is OEM. From the general looks, lack of an EP121/B121 "follow up" (Taichi is a convertible) and prior history I assume ASUS since the EP121 was offered through MS stores AND used as the demo tablet pc for Win8 by MS.

Re: $urface

Bzzt - Wrong. Tablet PC have been in use for a good decade. And mostly NOT be executives but rather by engineer types.

Or maybe someone who already has a fully functional Windows/x86 tablet pc (or convertible) and can afford to wait. On the job I have an aging but still solid T731 with dual battery, SSD and a dock, privatly I use a EP121(1) Both main units are still "good enough" compared to the current gen "ivyBridge" equiped units(2). So waiting for Haswell (or at least a y-Series) is "the right thing" since the benefits of the new CPU (faster GPU, lower power consumption, better sleep modes). Even waiting for BayTrail Atoms may be an option

(1) and a "tested, to slow, given to the workers" Q550 as a light reader

(2) The EP121 got a "Centrino" card for 1st gen WIDI

With RT - yes. The "status driven" crowd uses iThingies, the "cheap" crowd uses Android and those who need a tablet pc use Windows/x86 since the turn of the century. Not much place for a "castrate" like Win/RT.

With PRO: No. Tablet PC and Windows are married for a decade. The S/P is just the first hardware from MS. Writing this on an aging T731 in tablet mode

Re: Why Care About The OS?

Many people still do. That's why I amcurrently using an Android based N7000 instead of an iPhone (regular updates) or a WP system (one Ul for all) Only Smartphone with a stylus and that is my basic need

Re: More dire news for Microsoft

The reason Win8 comes on slowly is partially that the next big changeover is currently being planned and tested. XP will be phased out over the next 12 month and quite a few of our customers [Think 500-15000 workstation] are currently in the early planning / testing with both w7 and w8

As for the "perception" this will quickly change wenn Joe Average gets his first W8 Pc/Notebook and realises what ballshit some "journalists" and "experts" have been sprouting. "Quality" journalism these days results in comments like "The Helix is heavier than the ipad2" as the only commenton it

Re: More dire news for Microsoft

Unlike other groups the Windows fans read the article and shake the head about the quality of journalism. The headline says Windows and the article says Win/RT and Windows Phone. Not a single negative word about Windows 8 or the two Win8 tablet pc in there.

Re: Missed the obvious one...

S/P is not yet out in Europe, S/RT only recently. Windows penables are an "old hat" and from the "current breed" that comes with Win8 OOB the Ativ 500 is more likely the dominating unit (Out since last year, good availabilty, resonably cheap in the non dock/non 3G model)

Re: RT Battery...

Never tried an RT. Android (Notes 8010) had 8-10h of use in the office (WLAN on, BT off, medium brightness, mostly writting and some web research/email), about the same the Latitude and TPT2 will get under that profile

Re: Could've saved the author's time

No, don't work for MS never did. One of my former employers did software for them - ironically using JAVA and ORACLE :) so we did get a chance to test Win8 very early. Liked Win8 from the day the first dev previews came out.

Actually I am waiting for a TPT2 (with 3G and stylus) to be delivered currently as a replacement for the "Was always trying hard" Notes 10.1. Will help me over the time till the Helix-B comes out in late 2013/early 2014 replacing ALL mobile and desktop devices. Well that and a feature-phone.

Re: £399 for full Win8

Using Win8 on a Dual Monitor setup I have to strongly disagree. Works like a charm. Takes a bit of learning and the will to forget long used patterns but after a few hours it becomes faster, easier. And having "one ui for all devices" is helpfull as well not to mention having one set of software.

Re: Life's too short for indecision and dithering

Well the choice is

Walled garden

G-Mail man

Castrate

or Windows 8/x86. From those three only Windows works for me since that is the only one offering me a penable that simply works and does not need "Big Brother". Add in that software development WITHOUT the need of an emulator is a lot easier. Not needing to pay for accounts (iOS, RT) to deploy my home written software nor needing to switch what little security there is of to do so (Android) is another benefit.

Getting updates / security patches 5 years after an OS stopped selling is nice think as well.

Re: Horizon of 35+ years ago

More due to the lack of useful devices than anything else. Paperless gets more and more doable with devices like Samsungs Note series or the Atom based penables.

Re: To the naysayers

Actualy a replacement for the T731, Q550 and EP121 that currently make up my tablet "zoo". Those are actually more than mere notebooks since they offer capacities well beyond that

Once you get used to full powered tablet pc the various toy breeds (iOS, RT, most Androids) simply look pale in comparison. It shows that MS does productive tablet software since the early 2000s. Guess my next is a Helix (preferably a Haswell version) with the T902 a second option