Posts by Nic 3

Normal Human Being™ reviews the iPad

Wrong market seconded

The only valid part of that review I suppose was the negative that it is a little heavy for long periods of reading. Something by the way I find with larger hard backs.

Other than that, the review seemed to be comparing the iPad with a laptop/netbook again. It isn't one. If you need to create lots of high end spreadsheets use a laptop.

Saying that, she didn't actually try using the spreadsheet functionality. She simply stated she wouldn't like the idea of it. So again, hardly a fair review.

Yes I still want one because it's shiny and I like shiny things. :)

Apple uncloaks deep details of its 11 iPad apps

Video out

A little known feature of the iPhone is as a media player. I use mine via Comp output to play (looks like HD) video to my LCD TV. It looks amazing and runs smoothly. I imagine you could do similar with the iPAD.

Loch Ness Stig blurred into oblivion

"Well done sir. We couldn't have put it better ourselves. ®" ?

"Well done sir. We couldn't have put it better ourselves. ®" ?

Seriously?

Microsoft renews vows with JQuery Javascript

Came here to say...

I bloody love jQuery. I love it love it love it.

Did I mention that I love it?

I have put together a shiny new comprehensive social networking site for a client (dont ask, I know!) and saved roughly 7 days development by making use of jQuery.

Love it, love it, love it.

Jobcentre turns to the iPhone

Half Agree

While I agree that maybe they should be focusing funds on the job centre search itself I don't agree with the concept that iphone users would never be without a job?

Redundancy anyone?

I just hope they only spent a couple of grand on it.

Blighty surrenders to Street View

Let me get this in early...

Shock news, I actually like Street View, it's really interesting.

Oh and I dont find the fact that someone can see the front of my house on the net any more scary than watching someone walk by my house.

Queue lots of Down votes :)

Apple revises iPad ship date

The more I think about it

The more I think Apple are going to do very very well with the iPad. I agree that the market on the face of it looks a little thin but then I talk to non-technical people and what they want is a device that will get them on the net, allow them to email, browse their photos & vids. It fits this market perfectly and its weaknesses to techies are actually its strengths.

1) No multi-tasking. Brilliant! People like my wife can't clog it up with 1600 open applications and moan about it jamming up. Also support requirements will be so much lower as a result. Most non-techies couldn't care less about multi-tasking.

2) No full OS. Good again. No Viruses (okay, yet...) Gentle and short learning curve. Also means for almost instant screen on use rather than slow sleep modes.

I see two strong audiences. Those who would rather not use a PC (of which there are loads. My mum for one) but want access to the net and their media. The second audience is people like me. I've worked all day in front of a computer but in the evenings I might want to look something up or check my email. Right now I normally do that with my iPhone despite having a laptop in the room because its instant, convenient and a pleasure to use. The ONLY issue I have with the iPhone for that purpose is the size of the screen. The iPad on the other hand will be perfect for this type of thing.

Those that claim the fact that you have to hold it up with your hand is a real problem surely must see that is a bit of a daft issue to have with the tablet concept. As an exercise I have flattened my laptop on my lap and written this message. No real inconvenience to do. Also holding such a device for reading is going to be no harder than holding a decent sized book.

Anyway, I am sure I will get plenty of abuse for being pro iPad on The Register but I can live with that.

YouTube's IE6 support dies on March 13

Large corps watch vid too

On Youtube and other streaming sites. Interaction is often key such as comments / updates which all have to work without a traditional form post or refresh.

Apple to take iPad orders this week?

Crap games???

Games on the App store are amazing and knock the bollocks off flash only versions.

PHPers prefer Windows desktop to Linux

Wait for it

I now wait for the usual torrent of abuse from "real developers" who will dismiss PHP and anyone calling themselves a web developer.

Come on, out with it....

Orange overshares in bcc blunder

Not true

ESPs provide a lot more than that. They have moved on.

ESP

Which is why they and all serious firms should be using an Email Service Provider rather than their own email client for such broadcasts.

Apple bans iPhone hackers from App Store

FYI

You can do that on the iPhone :)

Apple iPad vs netbooks: fight not over yet

apples and oranges

You are comparing it to a netbook. It isn't.

Apple's iPad - fat iPhone without the phone

when will apple learn

You made me laugh a bit there. Apple really do need to learn a trick or two don't they. They seem to get it wrong all the time....

Steve Jobs uncloaks the 'iPad'

title

I'd probably quite like a hovercraft ;-)

I don't understand where the look cool argument comes from either? Sure soem might be interested in the image. Me no. I wan't a gadget to be a pleasure to use. I don't care if I am seen with it. Besides which I would consider the ipad to be something to use around the house not out on the street.

My Corsa argument probably suites the iPhone better than the iPad so I concede your point.

title

imbecile with a very successful web development company. I employ plenty too.

its not a computer

stop comparing it to a computer. Its a device. I have a PC and a laptop to develop on.

You missed the point with my comparison. I suppose i was trying to say people are prepared to spend more money on something that is a pleasure to use.

Looks great

It always amazes me, the rush to knock something like this. To me it looks great. To most people I have spoken to about it it looks great. I know of at least 8 people who will buy this as soon as it is available in the UK including me.

Am I a Sheep? It would be satisfying to consider me as such wouldn't it?

Nope, I am a consumer. Yes I am fairly wealthy so I am happy to use some disposable income on this. I will also no doubt buy plenty of apps for it (as well as the apps I have on my iPhone). No i wont be buying Fart/Bubble-wrap apps. I will buy some games, also some useful business utilities and others just for a 99p punt.

I am also technically savvy (web developer with 12 years experience) which means I am aware of plenty of devices that perform similar tasks and some more. What those other devices miss and what Apple have been able to nail for the last few years is making a piece of consumer electronics a pleasure to use. The iPhone is a pleasure to use and the iPad looks the same too.

I don't NEED one but I can afford one and it will fill a nice little gap. My wife and I will no doubt use it to casually browse the web around the house, access our music and watch vids.

I can also see a strong use in a sales environment.

We could all be driving Vauxhall Corsas. They get you from A to B, they are cheap and pretty reliable. However some cars are more attractive and more of a pleasure to drive. They are also more expensive but plenty of people are willing to pay a bit more for the increased satisfaction.

Silly sheep...

iSlate leaves fingerprints all over the net

Quality

Love it. You just nailed about a 3rd of the Reg commenters.

I love gadgets and I can afford them so I buy them. What an arsehole I am.

Brits left cold by mobile internet

In my day...

When it were nought but fields....

I may or may not want to browse the net on my phone, that's my choice. A number are asking why would I want to? Surely I can use a computer. Surely I don't need to be THAT connected?

Well I do. Or rather I want to use the web when/how I fancy it not when technology permits. I happen to own a phone that lets me do just that. Does that make me a slave to consumerism? No.

Owning a phone that gives you decent web access changed my concept of net usage. If I don't know an answer to something I reach for the phone and look it up. I often do this even if the laptop is in the room and just needs firing up.

I don't see why this could be considered a bad thing. I have a radio at home too. Do I really need to see the people talking on a TV? Surely that is just too connected??? ;-)

Google may exit China after 'highly targeted' attack

Wow

I hope you're joking but depressingly I bet you're not.

You eat "Freedom fries" don't you?

What you are saying is that despite the Chinese being censored by their own government, you thought you would help their Govt out with a little sensoring of your own. Nice.

Google gets all Minority Report with Street View

Commerce bashing

Where did this obsessive commerce bashing come from? IT is for the most part about making money. Conducting business or being a consumer. Where does all this anger come from when a company attempts to do just that?

When all of you give away your work, either in time or software then you can start bashing businesses doing what businesses do.

Money for shareholders! Shock horror!

Google moves tanks onto property market's lawns

Tin hats...

Because everyone is watching you. As all other responses say. You're missing the point of robbing a house...

Back to the issue, I saw this coming a mile off. It makes logical sense for Google to do this and bypass estate agents too.

The only reason the direct model has failed to grow up until now has been the likes of Rightmove blocking attemps of direct sales portals listing on their systems. This is the same thing that happened with on-line recruitment. Agencies try to hold on to their business by pressurising the consumer sites into not going direct.

In Job boards this was the same as direct employers having CV database access on job sites which was understandably resisted by the agency market. It had to happen though eventually.

Back to Property sales, nothing is there to pressurise Google from allowing home owners to advertise direct and if they have any sense that is exactly what they will do.

You can only be a middle man so long...

Michael Dell: Netbooks go sour after 36 hours

Agree

I agree with a lot of the comments here but even as a developer of 10 years experience I was still seduced by the concept of a netbook as a replacement for a laptop. I bought one but got pissed off with it within 48 hours and returned it. I replaced it with a Macbook which (not being a primary mac user) I have to say I love as a laptop.

It's down to expectations and mine were clearly too high for a netbook. Others presumably have similar thoughts.

WikiReader feeds you factiness on the go

do not want

I have been trying pretty hard to find a reason to own one. Is it perhaps for those without any net access?

I assume in such an environment you are less likely to see reference to such a gizmo and are therefore highly unlikely to know you have a need for it.

Windows 7, Bing and mobile will determine Ballmer's future

@jake

Microsoft is no longer relevant...?

What world do you live them. Like them or loath them, they are very very relevant.

iPhone thieves collared by Jobsian GPS

Tin foil hats

I see the tin foil hat brigade are on full alert this morning. Good effort brave Internet Warriors. Keeping the world safe.

Finger crossing won't lure iPhone coders to Windows Mobile

@windywoo

"It took iPhone THREE generations to acquire features that have been in lesser phones for years"

It took all the other providers a lot longer. You have a short memory.

Also what you seem to miss is the WHY iPhone users on The Reg are so animated about their phones. It is not for any Apple/Jobs obsession but more because the device works well and is a pleasure to use. I can't think of a single piece of consumer electronics I have purchased in the last 10 years that has been anywhere near as intuitive and well designed.

I don't think any iPhone fans on the reg think that many of the apps on the app store are especially innovative. Most will have been developed off the back of a similar offering but the buying/installing experience is a doddle and usability is generally extremely high compared to their predecessors on other phones. The average consumer was never going to go hunting around on obscure WinMo sites to install apps on their phone. Techies maybe.

My point is, yes it's a smart phone, yes smart phones have been done before but Apple really nailed it and that very rarely happens in consumer electronics. That's why there is such an avid fan base.

Virgin hijacks empty pages

404

Just because you server content doesnt mean you can't still provide a 404 response, therefore leaving spiders to do what they do no?

Two convicted for refusal to decrypt data

@Anonymous Coward -16:23 GMT

"In any case, if the justification for the stupid law is child porn, then that's a stupid justification because perverts looking at pictures, however disgusting you or I might find them, is a victimless activity and shouldn't be a crime."

I truly hope you are joking.

If you are not (and I really really hope you are just trolling). Consider the basics of supply and demand

Ton Foil Hats

Many commenters here need to drink a little less coffee, open a window and get some sun light and fresh air.

The Man is not coming for you.

On the subject of Warrents, I can tell you that they are not given out without serious consideration based largely on individuals right to liberty.

Calm down dear, it's only an advert.

Boston student fined thousands for Napstering

@lee

True, wrong term technically but if you read my whole post you could draw that I understand the difference. Believe me, I am qualified in criminal courts in the UK so that's where I get my terminology from.

On that note, there would be two elements. The primary punitive punishment. Which would still be proportionate to the earnings of the defendant (normally by way of means assessment). The second element would/could be the compensation (or damages as you put it). This (in criminal courts anyway) is considered ancillary and not actually the punishment. However it does take precedence over any "fines".

The whole thing in a criminal court is still restraint by the means of the defendant. I don't see why in a civil matter such as this the situation could not be the same.

@Andus

Because they produced/distributed them? That was the deal.

I think the fine is too high and actually fails in its purpose. It may as well have been a trillion if all it is going to do is make him bankrupt. Punative punishments are proportional to income in criminal courts and should be for this type of action too.

Personally I am dead against illegal file sharing and the robin hood concept some people pick in is distorted and plain wrong. but perspective is needed here.

Why would anyone run their own base station?

@Dave 142

"I think you can get something else that lets you use the phone indoors, I can't remember, but I think they're called landlines and use wires."

Yes genius well done. Provided you tell anyone planning on calling on your mobile to call back on the land line. Something I have to do just about every time. If you are lucky enough to have enough reception to get the call through.

I would happily pay £160 to get consistant quality calls.

Coverage

How does this work for other networks? Would my 02 phone treat this cell as any other?

I don't agree with the article in terms of an end to WIFI, at least not in the short to medium term. My own priority is getting any kind of reception for voice and data out here in the sticks.

£160 is well worth the money in my case. I don't know about others.

iPhone 3.0 - born on schedule...

Update from o2

Hello. We know you are waiting for MMS to be set up on your iPhone. We're sorry. We are working as fast as we can and you should be set up within a few hours.

Broadband tax of £6 per year to fund rural fibre rollout

@A J Stiles

------------------

Am I the only person who thinks that providing universal broadband Internet is solving the wrong problem? And that we should be concentrating instead on making sure that Internet access simply never becomes a necessity in the first place?

------------------

Same goes for the Telephone and Television surely?

I think allowing access to arguably one of the greatest inventions of modern times is not a requirement for shopping but surely a right for everyone?

Anyway, I am for the levy if only because I want a faster connection than my 2ish MB ADSL.

Yes I live in the sticks, yes it was my choice. No I can't afford to have BT run a fiber line to the exchange just for me.

Evening up Broadband access will benefit us all in terms of commerce but then I would say that, I'm a Web Developer!

Opera to take web back to the old days

Sounds good

Those of you moaning about security of a load of users with web servers have got it wrong. It's not a web server in the Apache / IIS category. You're not asking a user to get to grips with httpd.conf or anything! It's a simple sharing interface.

The only concerns as far as I can see are inbuilt vulnerabilities in the Opera software and ISPs getting pissed off about people technically violating the terms.

Opera may have to be careful not to use the term "Web server" to get around that problem.

iPhone owners are superior beings, says survey

I'm loving this article.

The spittle is starting to form around you non iphone users lips. You need to calm down a little.

@Anonymous Coward Posted Saturday 13th June 2009 09:20 GMT

Unhappy

'nuf said! - I'm an Apple mac User and would be embarrassed to be seen with an iPhone let alone waste hard earned buying one of the useless tools.

Phones make/receive calls and possibly texts. I have a computer for eMails & web access and a paper diary for events & contacts.

---------

Fair enough. I hope your Microwave Oven doesn't have a clock on it. After all you only need it to cook food and not tell you the time.

Palm Pre's inner iPhone revealed

@ Scott 19

Your work mate sounds like a prat.