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* Posts by dogsolitude_uk

3 publicly visible posts • joined 27 Feb 2013

The UNTOLD SUCCESS of Microsoft: Yes, it's Windows 7

dogsolitude_uk
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Re: What the hell did they expect?

"How do the more popular Linux setups approach this? I didn't think they aped the start-menu, or do they? Don't they mostly let you view your programs in lists or tiled pages?"

Linux gives you options and customisable desktops, so you can configure things how you like. Windows 8 offers no such thing (unless you count 'boot to desktop' and changing the colour scheme).

For example, Linux Mint has a menu button very similar to the start menu in the Cinnamon and Mate desktops, but the thing is you can remove it, move it about or ignore it, all using out-of-the-box funtionality. You can even use someone else's third-party menu if you want.

With Linux you have a wide choice of customisable desktop options, Gnome 3, KDE, Cinnamon, Mate and Unity are just a few of them.

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Netbooks projected to become EXTINCT by 2015

dogsolitude_uk
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Happy

Re: I think we should be talking about the death of Ultrabooks...

"Netbooks are very useful for throwing in a backpack and taken along on a journey or when travelling..."

^^^ This.

I spent a little while shopping around trying to find a little netbook precisely for this purpose. Ended up buying one second hand for just over £100, upgraded the RAM to 2GB and Win Starter -> Win Home, installed my usual stuff on it and it's a great little machine for doing small bits of coding or writing whilst out and about on the fly (currently learning Python at the moment). The screen's a bit small, but using FF in full-screen mode helps.

The other day I set it up with Apache server and used VLC to stream the webcam so I could watch the bird table in the garden from my office.

Plus I can play Baldur's Gate on it.

Personally I love netbooks to bits, and will probably buy a couple more before they become extinct. I'll certainly be sorry if they disappear.

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Visa to devs: Please take contents of our wallet

dogsolitude_uk
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Facepalm

Re: Er, it's complex because the damned CC companies made it so!

Indeed. I use it so rarely (I'll generally shop elsewhere if I encounter it) I have to reset my password every time. Luckily all I need to do that is my card and my date of birth.

...Which means that if your driving license is in your wallet with your card, your password can easily be reset and your card used to complete the purchase.

The worst thing is you can't get out of it. I tried to ask the bank to remove my card from it, but they told me that Visa insisted on it. I contacted Visa, and naturally they were having none of it. Whenever I've fed back to vendors that sue it about how awkward and insecure it is, they tell me the bank has insisted on it... Etc.

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