* Posts by Dibbles

112 publicly visible posts • joined 18 Jun 2009

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Microsoft boots modders off Xbox Live

Dibbles

Claimed...

Any word on how these 'modded' boxes are detected? Or is it just those who've been accused by other people on XBL have been booted?

What if you had a launch party and nobody came?

Dibbles
Stop

Sample bias

So you're saying that the announcement of a Linux tie-up overshadows the Windows 7 launch? I didn't even know about the Linux announcement, let alone be able to tell you what it's about. In consumer-land, Windows 7 is still making a fairly big splash, I would suggest.

Bing advertisers on wane, says report

Dibbles
Stop

You say potahto, I say look at different reports

This is one source quoting one angle; unfortunately for fans of shooting down everything Microsoft, there's a perfectly good report saying pretty much the exact opposite, pointing out that Microsoft's share of search advertising dollars has INCREASED over the last year - report here: http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=139620

Pressure group aghast at Hillingdon ID card scheme

Dibbles

Can't think of one

This is an interesting illustration of the grey area into which local authorities are moving. For example, other local councils in London provide residents' cards offering cheaper leisure centre activities, skills training and so on. But at the moment these use the old-fashioned system of recording applicant details at the time of application, but then simply checking that the card looks valid every time it's waved at a service.

Hillingdon is going a step further by actually making sure that the back end and the front end match; whether it's intrusive is unclear, but it's reasonably apparent that most such services will move in this direction eventually. So - intrusive ID* or logical offering for residents' services?

*I should point out I'm against blanket ID databases in principle; but I'm left quite confused about this one

Police, Cameras, Pixellation

Dibbles
FAIL

Accountability?

It's a somewhat worrying trend: the G20 demonstrations and police violence illustrated perfectly that when they think they're not identifiable in photos, the police feel that they don't have to be accountable for their actions, be that beating up protestors, setting dogs on sedentary happy clappy climate types or simply not wearing numbers. In a way it suggests that they're above the law... which is a worrying trend, and makes them more akin to secret police than civilian services.

And as for Filament - 'possibly offensive to women' - really?!! T&A is fine in a man's literature magazine, and not offensive to women, but a man's tackle is out of order, in a magazine bought only by women looking ? WTF?!!

Cowon D2+ DAB

Dibbles

Not much change from D2 DAB?

I own the D2 DAB and have done for a couple of years and do really rate it. Unfortunately, it's just about the only player in the market at the moment that handles expansion cards well (as John B mentioned above) and has decent sound quality. However, the DAB reception, while a great idea (Test Match Special on the move is always welcome!), seems quite sensitive to location and position of the headphone cable.

Cameron condemns Tweeters as tw*ts

Dibbles
Thumb Up

Well done that man!

OK, I may not agree with some of his other views, but surely he should be applauded for his all-too-brief stint of plain-speaking? Of course the problem is that while Twitter has a remarkably low penetration (for something that generates so much press/ tw*ttery), lots of people will be association be outraged...

Google's vanity OS is Microsoft's dream

Dibbles
Thumb Up

Like it!

Thank f@*& for the Reg; I had been reduced to something approaching incadescent rage at TechCrunch et al's attempt at impartial journalism on the 'Chrome OS'...

Acer Tempo F900 Windows Mobile smartphone

Dibbles
Unhappy

Must try harder?

I find it interesting* that while phones such as the iPhone, Palm Pre et al have detailed reviews encompassing ease of sending messages, use of keyboard etc, the WM handset reviews invariably focus more on the graphical interface, built-in camera, if present, and so on. Obviously not all handsets can have a 16-page review, but it's a bit shonky, and reviews like this really don't add a huge amount to a decision-making process

*-I say interesting, but it's often irritating

Eurostar tunnels through UK border ring of steel

Dibbles

Yay - sense at last!

I for one will be looking to take the train where possible from now on, as frankly the 'requirement' from dodgy airlines like Sleazyjet and Ryanair that you give them passport information etc is getting right on my wick.

Shame it's taking companies to stand up for our basic right to free travel within Europe without scrutiny every step of the way, though.

Ballmer not so bullish on Bing

Dibbles
Stop

doh!

The comScore figures are for May, as you pointed out, but Bing launch wasn't until the very end of the month. So waiting until June figures are released is a much better idea for getting an idea of how it's faring...

Shuttle XPC SX58H7

Dibbles
Happy

Good stuff - but sensitive to external temperature?

As a former Shuttle owner I was interested to read the review - personally I'm impressed by the way Shuttle constructs their systems for air flow and cooling, and it's generally worth the premium you pay for the SFF.

However, I found mine to be very sensitive to ambient temperature changes: in winter or an air-conditioned office it was stable, but in summer, or with slightly restricted airflow (or possibly underneath a TV, for example), heat build up was much more of an issue. In the end I switched to an off-the-peg gaming laptop, and touch wood I haven't had the heat-related problems of the Shuttle.

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