Posts by John Fielder

Australian billionaire wins right to sue Facebook in the US over scam ads

I have reported several similar adds on Facebook. Facebook always says they are OK

Microsoft Office 2016 for Windows: The spirit of Clippy lives on

You appear to be writing a word processor app, do you want help with that?

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

i like rt

i love my surface rt. it is a great portable device. no, it does not do everything a laptop/desktop with windows will do, but no one critisises the ipad for not doing evéything an osx desktop does. IT'S A TABLET, but as it doesmore than other tablets, everyone seems to think it should do everything. yes, you cannot install photoshop on it, but most (traditional) windows software would fill up the storage anyway. you can charge it, plug in a usb device (including a hard disc) and connect to an hdmi monitor ALL AT THE SAME TIME. try that with another tablet.

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

only one problem

upgraded from 8 to 8.1 on a desktop ans surface rt. the rt was a bit faster, took about three hours altogether. the only problem was IE11, which would not use iplayer on rt, and on day 2 IE on both machines started displaying googles search results in a very narrow column. fixed by turning off microsoft compatibility list tick box. this also fixed iplayer.

Windows 8.1: A bit square, sure, but WAIT! It has a Start button

puzzled

pointing at the bottom left corner of the desktop in windows 8 popped up a link to the start screen. right clicking it brought up quick access. to various admin options. 8.1 has just made the area bigger, which will help laptops using touchpads. the start screen gives you acustomisable start menu. you can arrange the programs/apps you use the most so they immediately available.

Windows 8.1: Read this BEFORE updating - especially you, IT admins

only onw problem

upgraded a windows pro and a surface rt. no problems, everything there. trouble is, the bbc website now treats the surface as a mobile device and no longer runs iplayer. no other websites do this though.

Windows 8 fans out-enthuse Apple fanbois

i like windows 8

bit of a confession, I LIKE WINDOWS 8, particularly on my Surface rt. The apps are consistent, easy to use and there are plenty available. Yes, the Surface does not do everything a desktop does, but who expects an Ipad to do everything an OSX machine does? The interface is very different, but the Start menu has been around for over 17 years, and it is totally unsuitable for touch. The Start screen lets you customise the links so you can get at your most used one quickly. I though all you IT lot were supposed to be forward thinking, but a simple interface change throws you??? Go and try a few different DOS programs and then complain (ctrl+k to print?)

Apple tackles iPhone lock-up cockup with iOS 7.0.2

stop moaning

you're lucky apple let you touch their wonderful hardware anyway. actially working is an optional (sometimes) extra. just remember to bow down in the direction of your local apple store 5 times a day.

UK gov's smart meter dream unplugged: A 'colossal waste of cash'

each company instaalling it's own meters?

great, so to change supply company you will need to change meters. no doubt thet will incure a charge from the old company for the removal, ands the new company for the installation. that'll stop them changing.

Ten ancestors of the netbook

Acer ZG5

Still got an ald Acer One, 120gb hard drive version. Only just been replaced by a Surface. Quite liked Ubuntu on it, currently running 13.04 happily.

UK minister: 'There must be a limit to what the gov knows about its people'

About "it's" people?

It should be the government who belongs to the people, not the other way around.

Android and Apple OS shares show mountain MS must climb

Got a windows phone

I've got a windows phone, love it. Brilliant phone, brilliant interface, great apps. The map works. So far, no security issues. Syncs with my computer well (particularly the calendar). Don't need plastic surgery on my hand to avoid shorting the antenna. Looking forward to Windows Phone 7.8. Probably get a Windows 8 phone eventually.

Damn, sounding like am apple fan, sorry

Apple is granted a patent on the rectangle. No, really

Playing cards

All playing cards need to be withdrawn and redesigned quickly then.

Ubuntu 12.04 LTS: Like it or not, this Linux grows on you

What's the fuss

want classic gnome - log off and choose it from the options

want gnome 3 - install it from the software centre.

frankly, on my netbook, i quite like Unity, one tap access to the few programs I use the most. Not so struck on a desktop, but there are the alternatives.

Compulsory coding in schools: The new Nerd Tourism

he best way to get teenagers really into coding would be to ban it from IT lessons. They would then sneak some coding into every lesson just to break the rules.

Apple: We never said Siri would actually work in the UK

Come on, it's Apple

This is Apple software we are talking about, it is perfect, reality may be fault on occasions though.

Ubuntu 12.04 hits beta, brings smooth Unity for marching masses

Re: I thought it was just me

Log out, click on the settings cog wheel icon, select Classic Gnome and log on

I find Unity great on mu Netbook, where I only run a few programs normally anyway. Not sure about a desktop where I would run more programs. 12.04 power usage MUCH better than 11.10. Battery lasts about 50% longer. Still does not always suspend when I close the lid, but this seems to be an Acer problem with Ubuntu generally. Acer do some funny things with their hardware. Unity seems a bit snappier.

TV writer quells rumours of Doctor Who movie

Change history?

That is unless it's a fixed point in time, in which case time can be re-written.

US radio evangelist: Apocalypse now

It happened

The world did end on the 21st, but we were all too wrapped up in ourselves to have noticed.

Samsung says Apple lifted iPad from Kubrick's 2001

The Tomorrow People

Don't forget The Tomorrow People, in the 70's, as previously pointed out on this website, an exact copy of the IPad, they must have used their pychic powers to see into the future and steal the Apple patents.

Are Apple going to prosecute I wonder?

Have they tried to prosecute for coming up with their idea before they did? (would not surprise me in the least)

David Cameron turns water cannons on social networks

When did we last have riots all over the country?

We last had national riots about 30 years ago. Who was in power? Oh yes, the Tories, good job they did not get enough votes to get back in. Oh!

Treat people like s**t and don't be surprised if they behave like s**t.

As always, a bit of political objection gets hijacked by alot of criminals just out for themselves. Line them up against the wall and throw all the books from the closed libraries at them

Fake Firefox update bundles Trojan add-on

Firefox users fell for this?

But I thought Firefox users were more intelligent than other internet browser users. Surely they did not fall for this?

Who'll keep taking Windows Tablets in the iPad era?

where do i fit in?

i still using a Palm, I am typing this a netbook running ubuntu 11.04 (I quite like Unity on a netbook). I think Apples attitude to its customers make Microsoft look progressive. I like Windows because I can plug just about anything into it (can't get my scanner to work on Linux)

So, new adopter, old hardware adopter. Don't think Apple is a religion. Maybe I'm reading the wrong webpages.

'Upgraded' Apple iMacs lock out hard drive replacement

Swings and roundabouts

This is why Apples do not crash as often. Is it worth it? Personally I can put up with a few crashes in return for being able to ft my own parts, or at least being able to shop around for someone to fit them.

Nissan Leaf electric car

solar panels?

why no solar panels on the roof? pick up a bit of charge all day and get a few more miles.

Report reveals patchy ICT provision in schools

Make your mind up Mr Gove

Mr Gove is pushing schools to become independent of government, making their own decisions. But when they do make their own decisions, and all come up with different answers, he starts bashing them. Does he want them to become independent by doing everything he tells them to maybe?

Make your mind up

So the government want to free schools from central control and let them make their own decisions, but criticizes them for making their own decisions and each coming up with different ones.

Maybe Mr Gove needs to make his mind up.

Stop sexing up IT and give Civil Servants Macs, says gov tech boss

Why?

Why do people who have just left a job suddenly realise what should be done? They never seem to realise this when they have the job and could actually change things.

Dim Brits think TARDIS IS REAL

BELIEVE

If people did not believe in the impossible, we would not have the wheel, engines, electricity, flying, space travel, mobile phones (imagine that).

Microchips need quantum physics to work, something Einstein thought was impossible at first.

Great discoveries come from people who believe in the impossible. Though I must admit, most of them are wrong.

Overzealous anti-paedo scheme not dead yet

Intensive?

Have they changed the definition of "intensive" they were previously using? It was just seeing children once a week. If this is still the definition, the whole thing is still totally ridiculous.

It's like OFSTED, where "satisfactory" mean "not good enough", whereas everywhere else it means good enough. Fiddling the definitions of words can easily make things sound much better than they are.

Cold call scareware scammers aim to bring Mac fans into the fold

Whistle

Keep then on the phone for a bit,talking nice and quietly, then blow a load whistle down the line. Hurts like hell.

Santander mixes up 35,000 bank statements

Printer Error?

I can see how a printer can print rubbish, how it can smudge ink or screw up paper. How can it printer someone else's address (correctly) unless it was sent the wrong information?

Maybe it waited until it had a load in it's memory buffer and then only mixed up the address bit of the printout, that sound likely.

How to kill your computer

Artwork

Anyone else think the close up of the smashed IPad screen is a wonderful work of art?

Papers laud publication of DIY Dalek plans

Real Daleks

REAL DALEKS don't climb stairs, they level the buiding.

Disability rights activist chains self to tax office desk

you think this is unusual?

the frightening thing is you think this is a special case.

benefits always default to NOT paying people.

Council Tax cab take over 2 months to workout benefit, meanwhile they tell you to pay up the full amount and reassure you that you will get the money back later. Ignoring the point that you are applying for benefit because you do not have the money.

Why, in this age of computerised EVERYTHING,does it take so long?

Apple eyes kill switch for jailbroken iPhones

Think yourself lucky!

You should all think yourself honoured that Apple let you hold their hardware (as long as your only hold it the correct way that is). You don't actually think you pay to own it, you pay to borrow it off them.

Boffins baffled by 'magnetar': Ought to be black hole, but isn't

An Apple Black Hole?

maybe the black holes are made by Apple, look good but don't quite work properly.

Apple to shrink MacBook Air

Netbook?

Sound alot like a netbook to me. Sorry, Apple won't be doing netbooks so it must be something else.

I wonder if you'll need palstic surgery on your hands in order to use it?

Apple's iPhone 4 denial: insulting or ignorant?

Testing?

Apple gives the impression of only testing the looks of a product, not actually giving it to people to use. If they had, this problem would have turned up, unless they all had deformed hands or apple gave them cases to stop them getting fingerprints on the wonderful new hardware.

No matter how good something looks, it still has to work.

Apple seeks antenna engineers after 'Death Grip' debacle

What a bunch of moaners

I don't know, you should be honoured that Apple ALLOW you to hold some of their hardware. All you need is a bit of plastic surgery and it will work no problem. Now stop complaining and wait a few weeks and we will sell you the fix so that you can phone us with the complaints.

The 3G coverage picture that can't be published

Freedom of Information

what happened to the freedom of information act, or doesn't it apply to Ofcom?

Jobs tells iPhone users to get a grip

Ergonomics?

Gone are the days when tools are designed for people, now we have to redesign people in order to use the tools. Only Apple could think like this.

Oh, just remembered the ancient greeks, who worked out how the universe worked, and if reality did not agree, it was the fault of reality for being imperfect.

Inevitable Mac OS X 10.6.4 update problems surface

Macs don't crash

macs crashing? surly some mistake? just checked the date, it's not April

'World's largest' airship inflated in colossal Alabama cowshed

check your history please

what turned out to be dangerous on the Zepplins was not the hydrogen, which everyone knew was dangerous and was treated with respect, but the dope put on the clothe covering to strengthen and stiffen it. It was highly enflamable and was set alight by the static electricity.

it's always the things you don't think of that cause trouble

Apple leaves profits on table for 'huge' iPad future

written on a netbook

I am typing this on a £200 notebook. It is old tech. (therefore cheap), does just about everything I want for a portable computer (including plugging into a standard projector at school. Reasonable battery life, which I could upgrade if I wanted to. I can also install software that is not approved by Apple.

I preferred the old name SCC (Small Cheap Computer) emphasis on the CHEAP. I do not need an all singing all dancing machine to carry around, that's for my desktop (wish it was all singing and dancing)

Nerd alert: First Lucid Lynx Ubuntu beta fun

update

fix download in an update about 3 or 4 hours later, which is not too bad.

Like to see apple or microsoft work that quickly

Alpha fine, Beta broken

I have had Alpha 3 on my netbook for a couple of weeks, with very few problems.

The latest Beta updates came down this morning, and now:

the panel does not load

evolution mail has disappeared off the menus (had to put it back myself)

no access to the file manager

Thought this sort of problem was supposed to ironed out by a Beta release

Tories ask: Why BBC3, BBC4?

Stop knocking the BBC, please

Whatever you might think of some of the programs, the BBC does NOT have adverts. If we loose it, we will get even more adverts on the other channels. Look at the obvious breaks in US TV programs, sometime just after the titles.

Remember, quality TV means that you will love some of it and hate some of it. Poor TV just panders to the lowest common denominator

MS update gives some XP boxes the Blue Screen

strange windows updae

Windows update has just installed Office 2007 SP1 and SP2 on my PC, and tried to install the Office Genuine Advantage bits as well (this failed)

I find this odd as I do not have any version of Office installed, and have not had it installed since my last format and re-install.

I have had to tell update to ignore this update in future, but the update web page still reminds me I have said to ignore it.

Anyone else had a similar problem with recent updates?