Posts by Rob Moir

Next-gen Xbox to debut at next year's E3

No you're right

Making buying decisions about products that are pure vapourware is madness, you're totally right.

It reminds me of the idiotic mac fanboys* on their rumour sites that whip themselves up into a frenzy over some feature they've all decided ought to be in the next version of some apple product then castigate Apple for "withdrawing it" when the new product turns out never to have had this rumoured thing all along. People are crazy.

(* and before any idiotic mac fanboys castigate me for being a "wintard" over this statement, I'm telling you now that I probably own more Apple gear than the average mac fanboy)

Perspective

So you feel Microsoft let you down with the RROD (and God knows you should, not defending them here) but you apparently don't feel let down over Sony's insecure handling of customer data on the PSN, rootkits on music CDs, etc?

PS3 features vs. xbox features

At least Microsoft's updates typically add capabilities to the box, not remove them (Other OS, anybody?). And I think a few Sony boxen have had hardware issues too.

Seems to me that arguing that one side is "indefensible" and implying that the other side is somehow better because of that shows a very serious case of selective vision. Both the xbox and the PS3 have skeletons in the cupboard.

Apple pilfers rips off student's rejected iPhone app

I can see why he's upset but I don't know that he's got an actual case

The icon - both his and the "new" apple one, are both the icon apple already use for "isync" (the two arrows) with a wifi symbol in the middle to reflect the fact that it's sync over wifi. Have to say that I think he's got a very thin case there.

As for the app, again, I think his case is a bit thin - both himself and apple are copying "prior art" from android, are they not?

Sony shuts down site to investigate possible hack

Sony are in big trouble

I wonder where this is going to end and what the consequences might be. The online presence of a giant corporation staggering under the weight of a billion fleabites, essentially.

There's a part of me that *really* dislikes Sony since the "rootkit on yer music CD" thing that kinda thinks they deserve all that they get. There's a bigger part of me that just feels sorry for their customers.

Billionaire Zuckerberg kills to eat

I have to agree

Do people have to be involved in killing animals to eat them? Not so sure. But I agree that people should certainly have an appreciation of how that nice steak (let alone that not so nice burger) starts the journey from pasture to plate.

I don't plan on giving up meat eating soon, I like it too much, but as someone who used to live next to a farm I think that actually having real proper contact with the animals we use in society is a good idea.

BT's fibre-to-the-premises trials hit duct roadblock

fair enough

Annoying, but isn't the whole point of a trial to discover problems like this?

Cisco refuses to deny it will sell off Linksys

Linksys?

Overpriced tat.

I can't see why Cisco would want to drop something that fits their product strategy so well.

Microsoft replaces Xbox 360s after disc-format switch

You seem a little upset

Perhaps there's something up with your PS3?

Intel: Windows on ARM won't run 'legacy apps'

The interesting thing here

is not where ARM (and Windows on ARM) is right now or will be after the Windows 8 launch, but where it is going to be in a few years time.

If Microsoft make some/all of their server products available for ARM then you might see something interesting happening with system builders making low powered "appliances" - for example based on Forefront like some already do with x86 based "appliances". Or Windows Storage Server based NAS boxes.

Computing is an ever-changing field and I think we could be on the cusp of a very big change. I don't know where it's going to end but as someone who needs to keep their job and therefore their skills relevant, I'm keeping an open mind about all things.

Even though Intel's business isn't exactly under the same risks and pressures as my little bit of a career, I'd suggest they're also worried about remaining relevant as things change.

Russian rumor: Microsoft to buy Nokia for $30bn

Well...

** 1) That Nokia customers (and Skype users) are a fixed quantity that can be bought and paid for with the almighty dollar, and**

-- Outside of those of us who are interested in IT matters, no one cares about "lock in" and which company is felt to be "evil" by drooling morons who think that any corporation run for profit can ever be anything else but... so all in all I think that too many users *are* a fixed quantity. Most of them won't care who owns skype or how their nokia phone works as long as they can do the things they want to do.

** 2) That people -- customers -- are just a bunch of automatons who will naturally purchase the most heavily-advertised products, and happily hook their wallets up to the Microsoft Milking Machine.**

-- Again: The evidence strongly suggests that anyone who believes your 2nd statement is... absolutely correct. The majority of people *are* sheep, sad to say.

Google opens Chrome Web Store to world+dog

What does this store *actually* sell

I'm wondering much the same thing myself. This seems to be a real stupid "Web 2.0 emperor has no clothes" idea.

Sony closes PC games site over security 'concern'

If they're different systems...

then that just makes the problem worse. That means that two separate systems were broken into

Facebook forced to reinstate snogging men pic

is this homophobia

or merely stupidity on the part of facebook? As you guys point out, the fuss over the breast feeding thing they had a while ago suggests that if facebook staff are bigots, they are at least equal opportunities ones.

'Fierce competition' drives Apple's iPhone 6 changes

Your claim

You appear to be claiming that neither Google or HTC have ever released minor updates to a product as the new/latest product? I can assure you that both have done just that.

And the same as it is for iPhone users, its up to you if you buy it or not. I'm an iPhone 3GS user and I'll probably upgrade when the next iPhone comes out. Sorry if that makes me some kind of "sheep" in your eyes, yet clearly going from android 2.x on an HTC Desire to 2.x+1 on a HTC Desire S is the height of individuality eh?

You know what, they're both decent phone platforms and I really wish that you and all the other idiot brain dead fanboys on both sides would realise that you're not true defenders of "the faith", you're just dribbling platitudes to justify your own personal choice between two perfectly satisfactory devices. Grow the fuck up.

Mummy, mummy, there's a nuclear monster!

speaking of idocy

You're equating the consequences of panic and careful precautions in the middle of a massive natural disaster on top of the power station issue with the consequences of the actual nuclear power station issues themselves.

speaking of agendas

it seems you read the headline of the article you linked to then raced to post it here, probably wetting yourself in excitement. Because if you had actually stopped to read it you would have noticed it doesn't do your point of view any favours.

You've shown yourself to have an agenda of pushing fear and you've helped Lewis make his point. I bet you were a real tiger on the debating team at school eh?

Sony buries hatchet with GeoHot in PS3 modding case

Not acceptable

If its not acceptable to you then I suggest you write to both parties. I'm sure they'll both be happy to continue flogging a dead horse until you are satisfied.

Steven Moffat promises 'darker' Doctor Who

Missing one episode isn't ok?

Since that massive tool Moffat took over, I've missed considerably more than one episode and it still feels OK to me.

He's trying *way* too hard, "his" doctor is mis-cast (I don't blame the actor for that, he's trying his best but lacks the gravitas to carry the part) and frankly if he spent half as much time on good writing and editing as he spent going on about how different his era will be from RTD's and how his stuff will be "darker" (as if that's a magic paint that guarantees a better story somehow!) then his episodes would be a good deal more watch-able.

Fukushima fearmongers are stealing our Jetsons future

No deaths are "acceptable"

Then why wasn't coal banned after Aberfan? (http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/october/21/newsid_2705000/2705335.stm)

Just look at all those children. 116 of them. As much as I despise your shouting about numbers of children, I have to remind you that 116 is rather more than 15.

If you want to tell me that is 131 deaths too many I'd absolutely agree with you - clearly we should be looking to improve the safety of all our industrial and power generating processes.

But 116 kids dead from one coal mine incident puts the 15 at chernobyl into context. And I'm willing to bet that the people who lost family at Aberfan are not going to be comforted by the thought that at least their dead died of "nice safe" coal instead of "evil nasty" radiation. Dead too soon from either cause is still dead too soon.

oh dear

If you really can't recall Buncefield or the environmental chaos of Deepwater Horizon, both fairly recent events, that says far more about your ignorance and inability to comment usefully on this subject than any amount of sarcastic flaming anyone else could possibly generate in reply to you.

Google 'clamps down' on world of Android partners

Apple and Microsoft

... they may well be bastards but at least they're honest about it.

Google to NASA: Open source will not kill you

If you're confused

then it is because you believe every bit of nonsense that dribbles out of the mouths of google spokespeople. Stop doing that. Really.

Two issues:

1) Just because software is not open source, it does not mean that the source code isn't available to the right customer. And NASA would be the "right customer" if they wanted to be. Hell, Microsoft will let you look at the source for Windows under the right circumstances.

2) If it's important for everything to be open source, then where do I download the source code for the latest version of android? Or the algorithms for the latest version of google's search?

Why US antitrust regulators should probe Google search

I'm pretty sure

that you're already using the "Evil Google" icon. Here it is again, in fact!

Moving to Windows 7: Is it worth it?

Frankly

Your comment that a 6 monthly upgrade to any system is "free", especially as the article was clearly talking in the context of a business and not a home user, shows just how unqualified you are to have an opinion on this area.

I'm glad you like ubuntu, but please be quiet while the grown ups are trying to have a discussion eh?

y'know

There really is nothing more tedious than an OS zealot. Except possibly one that adopts the patronising tones you seem to prefer.

All hardware sucks and all software sucks, deal with it. I'm glad that you've found a solution that works for you but one size doesn't fit all...

You need to remember something

**I don't want some techie spying on my screen. Is there any way you can tell when someone is accessing my screen through Remote Assistance.**

If you're at work then it isn't _your_ screen.

EA blocks user from game after alleged forum outburst

I'm sorry but you're wrong

One of the ways that freedom of speech needs to be defended is by stopping people trying to stretch the definition of it to crazy extremes, which are easily defeated and thus erode the basic principle of freedom of speech itself.

If I own a forum and I tell you that you can't discuss a certain subject or use certain language on that forum I am *not* denying you your freedom of speech, I am simply refusing to publish it for you, which is my right. You still have the right to set up your own forum and publish whatever you like.

That's not to defend EA's actions here. Clearly they are assholes at all kinds of levels to even attempt this sort of thing... but lets not confuse and weaken the issue by dragging in irrelevant things.

Apple bans iPhone 3G patch omission talk from forum

y'know

That the planned obsolescence in mobile phones is not an Apple thing, it's a whole industry thing. As poor as Apple might well seem to be, they're still actually one of the better ones in this regard. Still I suppose its easier to snark about one supplier you don't like than think objectively about what it says about the whole industry eh?

Microsoft's pledges mobile open source love

Well

"As long as the developer distributes the appropriate licence text with the App, and details of where to get the source from, then Apple?Microsoft/Google/etc would be fine."

Actually there appears to be some debate over that. I for one don't blame any of the 3 companies above for not wanting to be a test case. And the "foaming at the mouth" tone of your reply here rather supports the point that there are some people out there who really dislike Microsoft (possibly with good reason, fair enough) who would make a point of chasing them on this.

Easiest way to win a test case under those circumstances is to refuse to be drawn into one in the first place.

MS have no choice

Given the attitude of some of the Opentards out there, you know that one of them would make a point of trying to sue Microsoft for not complying with the terms of the GPL if possible - after all didn't someone involved in the myriad of licences used by VLC go after Apple for the publication of VLC and force its withdrawal?

Google blames bug for Gmail deletions

Kudos?

Now that gmail is/can be a paying service, both of those features are no more than should be expected. It's like saying kudos to vauxhall for actually remembering to put wheels on your new car.

Anon Mail commenters to stay anon

Not only

would the reg never give you up, I dare say they would never let you down either.

Mozilla confirms Firefox 4 beta 12 is FINAL test build

y'know

It's funny but that doesn't really sit well with alongside the claims that "no one uses Hotmail" does it?

Intel throws Thunderbolt

I have to agree with this

Sometimes an idea is good enough that it makes every sense to start using it. And why shouldn't Intel make money from it? After all they took the risk on investing in the idea in the first place.

not sure you need a "Lightpeak hub"

- one of the big selling points is that you can daisy-chain devices together. So in your example, all the devices you mention could run out of one light peak port.

Apple's casual Xbox: Apple TV seeded for online gaming

The title is required, and must contain letters and/or digits.

Can't say I'm sold on this. I like a great media centre that's really good at playing a decent array of media and a great games console that's really good at playing a decent array of games. I'd worry that a "jack of all trades" device will end up doing everything badly.

Kid spanks a grand on Xbox using Mum's bank card

I'm sorry

but if you do not "get" a box that pops up to say that if you continue adding points then card xyz will be charged £abc then your problem isn't that you don't "get" technology, but rather that you don't "get" life. And 11 is bloody well old enough to know better. The kid knew what he was doing.

Virgin Media kills 20Mb broadband service

cost of upgrade

I rang up and got offered the 30Mb package for less than I was paying for the 20Mb beforehand. Enough of a saving that it would have paid for the £30 charge in 3 months.

They also offered me 50Mb for a smaller monthly saving, and no "upgrade" charge.

As a customer myself I understand the frustration but do make sure you aren't cutting your nose off to spite your face here!

Well

By all means you carry on feeling superior. I'm going to carry on being pragmatic and enjoy VM offering me a substantial upgrade for less than my current deal with them.

Vodafone says sorry for pro-Mubarak messages

your point being...

... that it's wrong to give unless it actually does hurt?

Microsoft hits autistic Xboxer with cheat evidence

Well that *was* a surprise

I'm shocked, SHOCKED I tell you that the person labelled a cheat was actually, well, cheating.

I wonder if all the people having hysterics about how horrid Microsoft are on the other article about this will be able to see how foolish they've made themselves look. As has the mother who knew her son was cheating but played on her cheating son's disability for sympathy - way to stay classy there.

Microsoft insists autistic Xboxer is a cheat

Playing to the peanut gallery

I don't see why every news site I've seen mentions the fact that he's autistic. Surely that is irrelevant (it certainly isn't an excuse, or proof either way about his guilt or lack of) and it comes down to one thing. Did he cheat or not? If he did then sorry, but Microsoft are in the right. If he didn't then they're not. Discussion over.

Bookshop swaps Kindles for real books

Both is good

Thank god for this comment, I was beginning to think I was the only person who liked books AND my kindle.

I have several books that I love dearly, that have pride of place on my bookshelf and which I can't see myself getting rid of. I think that I'll always want these books to remain as real books. I also have a lot of of cheap thrillers that I've picked up when on holiday or where I like the cover while shopping and these are where I think I'll be glad to have the kindle instead. Then there's the reference books - an e-reader makes it so much easier to search and add notes to these, a key benefit.

Microsoft's Novell patent cartel dodges German regulators

still seems defensive to me

It seems like a defensive move to protect the companies involved against patent trolls to me because of the fact that its being done by a consortium. I'd be rather more worried if any one company acquired them, but a consortium where all members would have to agree action before its taken seems rather more like a defensive movement to me.

Open source campaigners urge investigation of Novell patent sale

I don't see the problem

I have to admit that I don't see the problem with a consortium of companies that normally compete with each other owning the patents rather than just one of the companies doing so. That seems to make it much more likely that its a defensive move, and I really don't see what is wrong with that.

'Methanotroph' bacteria feasted on blown BP rig's methane belch

"reliable climate change news reporter"

Whenever I see someone talk about "reliable climate change news reporter" they always mean "someone who agrees with my pre-conceptions".

Apple iPad vs... the rest

I just object to the ludicrous price for what is a big ipod.

For a price that's supposed to be so expensive, it's funny how few people actually beat it with a device that has comparable specs.

Sony PlayStation Network vs MS Xbox Live

In a way, it's something of a moot point

because no one is going to base their games console purchasing decisions on this...

I have a recently purchased XBOX 360, so I have XBox Live - it doesn't matter which system is better because it isn't like I would have changed my purchase decision with that information and it certainly isn't like I can switch now.

I decided I wasn't that fussed about a blu-ray player so I based my choice on which exclusive games sounded better. Essentially my choice came down to Alan Wake or Heavy Rain, not XBox Live vs. PSN. I don't regret my choice, though I'd still like to play Heavy Rain.

Google morphs Gmail into Microsoft backup service

the difference between apple/ms/etc and google is simple

Apple, MS, IBM and so-on are honest about being in it to make a profit. Google are the ones who claim "don't be evil" then do nasty things.

A honest bastard is a cut above one who smiles at your face and schemes behind your back.