* Posts by Jason B

5 publicly visible posts • joined 3 Feb 2020

'Optional' is the new 'Full' in Windows 10: Microsoft mucks about with diagnostic slurpage levels for Fast Ring Insiders

Jason B

How can "Diagnostic Data Off" and "Required Diagnostic Data" coexist?

Logically speaking, if something is required you can't choose to not have it.

Or is this like saying if you go out for dinner tonight, it's required that you dress a certain way—but you can still choose to stay at home instead?

Since this is Microsoft, however, I doubt that "Diagnostic Data Off" really means what those words imply. No doubt some diagnostic data will be sent back no matter which option you choose.

Purely in terms of the wording, however, the following would make more sense: (1) Disable Diagnostic Data, (2) Enable Minimal Diagnostic Data, and (3) Enable Full Diagnostic Data.

Which, of course, echoes the article's sentiment that <sarcasm> there can be nothing confusing about replacing "full" with "optional" </sarcasm> (or with any of the other wording changes).

World Wide Web's Sir Tim swells his let's-remake-the-internet startup with Bruce Schneier, fellow tech experts

Jason B

"Your data lives in a pod that is controlled by you."

I wonder if this is the final terminology that will be settled on. I find the actual word and the way it's used in sentences like this to be a little creepy.

Sure, the word has many normal meanings. And hearing "coffee pods" isn't that unusual. But in this context, where "data pods" (by extension) makes me think of science fiction, all I can picture is Invasion of the Body Snatchers. (An icon of Donald Sutherland wasn't available.)

Would-be .org gobbler Ethos Capital promises to keep prices down in last-ditch effort to keep $1.1bn deal alive

Jason B

"Who is Number One?"

"You are Number Six."

The mystery and redirection behind the identity of the unknown board member—and actual owner, who may or may not be the same—has all the markings (and clarity) of an episode of The Prisoner.

Hopefully, the end result won't be as confusing as the conclusion to that series …

Internet Society gets tetchy over .org sale delay, half-threatens ICANN over deadlines and jurisdiction

Jason B

Pinning down a date.

"The current deadline is Feb. 17, though we have asked for an extension to 20 April."

They can't even decide how to format the date—even in the same sentence. Are they trying to appeal to both a US and UK audience at the same time?

ICANN't approve the sale of .org to private equity – because California's Attorney General has... concerns

Jason B

"Self-dealing is unlawful, and in extreme cases, which this seems to be, is actually criminal."

Isn't anything that's unlawful criminal?