* Posts by Atonnis

488 publicly visible posts • joined 31 Mar 2010

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Microsoft bricking lesson bodes badly for Elop's Brave New Nokia

Atonnis
FAIL

Yes...it was...

It was indeed a massive fail...of Samsung's.

The most reported cause of the truly troubled phones (not those that just failed to update, and were fixed by powering off and back on - which was the most common problem) by those who actually studied the fault have all been pointing towards certain firmware versions for the devices...particularly those ones designed for the mobile networks specifications - like T-Mobile UK, whose bootloader is locked to make sure you can't update it yourself, you have to take it to someone with the right jig (I built one), ie a repair centre or store, and pay money to get them to do the update.

My Omnia 7 updated without the slightest hitch because I updated my firmware to a non-T-Mobile branded proper version.

HTC 7 Pro WinPho 7 smartphone

Atonnis

Bricked? Nope...

The reports of 'bricking' have been grossly overexaggerated...mostly by the Apple+Android fanmedia.

Bricking means a phone is rendered useless. MS have already given a workaround on how to sort out the problem, IF it occurs. Personally I updated my Omnia 7 using my Win7 x64 setup without the slightest hitch.

In truth, I'm more of the belief that the phones that had update problems were likely due to the devices having modified builds by the vendors. I updated my Omnia 7's firmware from that stupidly locked-down T-Mobile firmware (that blocked you from updating the firmware if you didn't have the correct jig) and onto the proper Samsung firmware for the device and haven't experienced a single problem.

Atonnis
Thumb Up

Maybe...

...they decided that piddly little unimportant currencies could get shoved into a secondary window... ;-D

German Foreign Office kills desktop Linux, hugs Windows XP

Atonnis
Grenade

Also...

Don't forget that any office environment is far more than the desktops.

The interoperability claims could be the result of not being able to get working clients for firewall access, SSL, communication links with server-based software (that isn't the OS), and more.

The reality of the array of Linux GUI's available is messy, hard to plan for upgrades, and requires a *relatively* massive amount of admin time to update each process. Support for Linux is out there, but it tends to be elitist and condescending, and rather than 'run this command' or 'click here, here and here' it tends to be 'write this script but change the parameters and then run it using these parameters but you'll need to change these three other scripts...etc..etc'.

I'll get a good 30 thumbs-downs for this comment by the fanbois, but the perception by many, many admins and users is that it looks good on the outside, but it's a PITA under the surface.

Windows 7 service pack 1 set to lift off today

Atonnis
Go

No problems...

Installed on my workstation a few days ago (from Technet) and so far no problems. I was rebuilding my PC and it saved me the interminable Windows Update process for the rack of updates that I would have had to install.

Otherwise, nothing to sing and dance about. It works, it's neat and tidy.

The update means more to Server 2008 R2 users, particularly Hyper-V admins for the Dynamic Memory capabilities.

This is the first Service Pack I think I've ever installed where I didn't look forward to some major fixes. Windows 7 just works, regardless of the miasma of MS hate, and SP1 is just convenient for rebuilds, not really anything to bother with in a hurry.

Windows Phone update wallops Omnia 7

Atonnis
Go

No Problems Here!

I have an Omnia 7 and I connected it to my Windows 7 x64 PC last night, started up the Zune software and ran the update.

Not only did the update slide by easily in 20 minutes, but the software also now gives me the option of reverting back to the previous version if I so choose.

Since the update my phone is definitely slightly snappier and smoother, and I'm sure the application menu bounces less distance but the icons spring together more..

I'm not saying it can't happen to others, but I don't believe this story. I don't see an error in updating the OS on the device bricking the device. I could see a firmware update doing it, but not a software update.

God-game creator granted Bafta gong

Atonnis
WTF?

The BAFTA's were Molyneux'd!

It's almost become a standard for when someone lies through their teeth to promise all sorts of things that don't come to fruition, or when they intentionally mislead people in order to make money, for them to be classed as 'Molyneux'd'.

After the early games PM has been a steadily dishonest git, and if he'd been given awards for the early games and not the last ten years I wouldn't have minded.

Grief and disbelief greet Elop's Nokia revolution

Atonnis
Thumb Up

Excellent!

Nokia's superlative hardware couple with the speed, slickness and sheer potential of WP7 gives me high hopes for some absolutely excellent devices.

Hopefully this partnership will show the world how tacky/shoddy HTC products truly are and how Android is just too much of a mess to have personal longevity to a user.

Microsoft 'personalizes' Bing search results

Atonnis
Thumb Down

Oh F**K

Google's unwanted absorption of all my details in order to pin me down and push me down a particular pathway was bad enough....now Bing, which I had more faith in, is taking the same route.

Perhaps I want to use the web to learn things, see NEW sites (and sights) and explore. Whatever happened to 'surfing' the web?

WinPho 7 '1.1' set for March release

Atonnis
Unhappy

Perhaps MWC is in the way?

Many of us have been eager for updates to our WP7 devices, but I guess we'll just have to wait :(

Still, I'm hoping that the reason for the wait is that they are all waiting to get through MWC this month, where I'm REALLY hoping that there'll be some new, cool announcements for WP7 (although it's probably too soon since release).

Official: Android rules OK

Atonnis
FAIL

Not tinfoil hat - admitted policies..

Google (and their esteemed ex-CEO) have already made it abundantly clear that if you have any data on the internet they view it as theirs to own to do with as they wish. They openly state they scan all of your email and contacts. I have not yet seen a single answer from Google as to the many and deliberate questions put to them as regards to what data is sent to Google from Android, but I haven't yet installed a version of Android that didn't have the assumption that you want and use only Google-only services and that you want anything sent to them that they ask for.

And as functionality was raised, I like my Windows Phone 7 device, incorporating my two different Exchange/Outlook accounts and my Live Mail (Hotmail) account, my calendar and contacts are direct from my server so they are kept private, AND Microsoft's terms and conditions explicitly state they do not go through your data, whereas Google's pretty much demand that they do. Google's privacy terms are hideous though, and I think you may have been either bamboozled or not very well read if you think there is ANY privacy with Google's services.

Atonnis

Maybe I'm wrong...

...but this is sales, nothing to do with that currently owned.

Fair play to Android. It's a versatile, if dreadfully tedious, mobile OS, and I'm quite convinced that 95% of the people who buy an Android device don't know it's Android or what version is on the device. However, I'll give it it's due - it's flexible and has some very good features....if you don't mind Google swallowing whole everything about your life.

I think that year-to-year sales figures are good to a degree, but relatively misleading in a market where phones are sold on a standard of 2-year contracts.

UK.gov braces for Anonymous hacklash

Atonnis
Pint

Definition?

I would query as to whether a DDoS attack constitutes an 'attack' or a 'blockade'.

I suppose if it shuts down the site then it's an attack. If it just jams everything up so it can't be accessed it's a blockade.

Anyway, all this does is highlights once again that there is no way to 'legitimately protest' and ever have your voice heard. The only times people ever listen is when something more emphatic than 'don't want!' being posted on an internet forum happens. Power, despite our best intentions to the contrary, always rests in the hands of those who seize it - whether it be by force, theft or deceit.

Still, I don't support Anonymous in this, but I can understand why they try to remain anonymous. In a world where the lawmakers are still two decades behind technology there is no way to be labelled as anything other than a 'cyber-terrorist' when expressing dissatisfaction through action, and that would end up with criminal sentencing - as I don't believe that there are any provisions for online protests.

Microsoft sues ex-general manager over Salesforce.com exodus

Atonnis
Stop

Strange...

I had it in my employment contracts for two separate jobs, and I was told that they are legally enforceable.

MP: Googlepoly hurts British business

Atonnis

I agree to a degree...

I agree that Google's steady over-presence is becoming stifling on other businesses and degrading and destroying opportunities for others, alongside innovation - the same way that I saw Microsoft do it decades ago. Look what happened to Microsoft, and I find that I believe Google needs far more locking down as they aren't just a vast presence trying to be the biggest and control a market - they actively seek to break into your homes (through your PC - of course I don't mean burglary - grow up!), your data, your networks and collect and collate anything they possibly can about you, whether you like it or not.

I don't agree with the price comparison stuff - they're falling apart because many products are available that aren't available on comparison sites. Couple that with the fact that price comparison sites have all become obsessed with f-tarded adverts that just drive people away (I can think of 3 I'll NEVER use straight out) and they're in trouble.

UK proximity payments by phone this summer

Atonnis
FAIL

Woohoo! CRIME SPREE!

This is going to kick off the biggest 'small crime' spree since, well, ever!

I'm almost tempted to cash-in it's such an easy system to abuse with simple theft. (I won't though).

Anyway, I'm calling my bank this afternoon to get a replacement bank card that doesn't have the technology.

Microsoft Kinect goes gangbusters

Atonnis
Unhappy

Hmm

I enjoy my Kinect but seriously:

1. Netflix and Hulu Plus - umm, no. Doesn't mean anything to me. Can't use either of them.

2. Avatar Kinect - so I can now have the thing I don't use at all make stupid expressions - could be fun for all of 5 seconds. What an absolute waste of time. I ask the question seriously - does anyone ever actually DO anything with their avatars?

3. Surface - would probably be better still being classed under Microsoft Labs. It's just not practical as yet, and until there's a point to having it at home or in business, it really should just stay in R&D until they come up with something useful.

4. Cut/Paste - well, it's something a few people want, but I'd have to say I haven't seen a single use for it on my WP7 device as yet. Clever design has made the things I would c/p in files accessible just by tapping them. Guess I prefer writing my own stuff.

5. Kinect - as I said, I enjoy it, but really it needs some key functionality like 'xbox turn off' and 'xbox dashboard' from inside games/media. Being able to finish up playing and get up saying 'xbox turn off' almost as an afterthought would be a simple yet nice touch. For parents 'xbox parental control override turn off' could force kids to actually go to bed....so many little things that could be useful. I've also yet to see that advertised martial arts combat game from the pre-launch videos.

Primary school miss flashes porn vid at kiddies

Atonnis
Flame

Oh for crying out loud...

This is one of the most over-reactionary piles of bollocks I've ever heard of.

Google sees printing in the cloud

Atonnis
Alert

Oh My God!!

I *hate* Google, with a passion, for logical reasons that have built up over time.

So, as such, I am actually immensely pleased to see them showing everyone the potential of cloud printing intermediaries. Maybe it's the sedative I took talking but this seems like it could be exceptionally useful.

Provided absolutely NOTHING is scanned or retained the moment the job has gotten to the printer and no copies of any data are kept...this would be a wonderful service that I would consider actually using....from GOOGLE....of all companies....and to me, Google is a scummy data-grubbing sneaky set of weasels!

Windows Phone 7 unlockers let off with a warning

Atonnis
FAIL

I'm rapidly going the other way...

I'm really starting to think it'd be better to get myself a Nokia phone and be done with companies that are not only spying on what *I* do with *MY* device but also telling me what I am allowed to do with said device.

If they get away with this, how long is it until Windows is limited to only the applications they approve? It's been bad enough having to tell Windows to f-off every time an 'unsigned' application wants to run for years.

Facebook figures suggest WinPho 7 user base still small

Atonnis
Stop

Intelligence levels?

Well, firstly I'd point out that ALOT of people haven't yet even woken up to the existence of WinPho7.

Secondly, I'd point out that ALOT of people who know about it are either holding off for the already-being-rumoured second-generation of phones, or are holding out until some more good devices come out. HTC has gone down the toilet in quality and reliability. Myself, I'm stuck waiting for the ever-pushed-back Dell Venue Pro.

And thirdly, a part of me can't help but think 'hey, perhaps WinPho7 users want email, calendars, contacts, etc without having their stuff uploaded (especially automatically) to some data collection & advertising website! - How intelligent of them!'.

Leslie Nielsen dead at 84

Atonnis
Unhappy

It wasn't a joke just by itself...

....but the greatest line of this comedic genius was undoubtedly:

I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you.

He will be missed.

Location-based advertising grows up

Atonnis
Stop

Not all users are that way...

What I want to see is an online opt-in central marketing database. The concept would be simple.

On one side you set up your personal details and link it to your address, mobile number, email address, etc. You pick your personal interests/preferences, etc.

On the other side you get to opt-in and opt-out (opt-out as default) from advertisers who request to be allowed to send you information. This includes phone-based, e-mail based and also house-based.

Bring back the control to the user.

But then I'd also pay a fee each month to be able to use all of my personal devices in peace.

China-inspired charity aims to sex-down society

Atonnis
Flame

Dr Cox said it best...

...when he said 'I'm pretty sure that if you were to take all the porn off the internet there would be one site left...and that would be called 'Bring Back the Porn'.

I'm taking this as just another hysterical denunciation by another group that wants to be noticed and likely get grants to pay for them to live rich lives. Screw them and screw their demands.

We can watch what we want, when we want, how we want. We don't need or necessarily want some materials, but I'll be damned if we lose the right to go and view what we want to, as adults.

If it's children you want to protect - perhaps you should take care of your damn kids instead of foisting your incompetence as parents on the rest of the world.

Scottish botnet master jailed for 18 months

Atonnis

50 million spam emails...

Consider the cost of fending off 50million+ spam emails to companies and then charge this dickweed accordingly.

He deserves more nuisance in his life rather than prison time.

Buffy to slay her way back into cinemas

Atonnis
Stop

Hang on!

Don't you mean Kristy Swanson? She's Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sarah Michelle Gellar was the TV series actress that fed off of that movie.

If you're going for originals, keep it right.

Anyway, I enjoyed the TV series, but I could rarely ever state the SMG was any driving force of humour. That really was down to the other characters.

iPAD, KINDLE, all tablets and slablets MADE OBSOLETE

Atonnis
Stop

Erm...

...this wouldn't have been co-developed by Moeller would it?

Things that make you go 'hmm'...

iPad apps: the 10 smartest and 10 stupidest

Atonnis
Happy

But.....but....but...

...it's bacon! You CAN'T go wrong with bacon!

Mmmmm....bacon...

Internet Explorer 9 preview thinks inside box, outside browser

Atonnis
Unhappy

Previously...

...I tried a previous iteration of IE9 a few weeks back.

So far I found that

1. My links bar disappeared - which is FAR easier and more convenient than putting stuff on my already VERY busy taskbar.

2. Tabs are in line with the address bar? I want to type in addresses and have a good 8 tabs open at a time, I go to search engines when I want to search so I *NEVER* want to search from an address bar (as I don't want every little typo sent off as traffic).

3. I'm not exaggerating when I say at least 60% of sites I visited didn't work properly, or at all. Text rendering was the biggest fault, with awful 'crushing-up'.

4. My settings reset sneakily and I had to go into my options and carefully reset them to protect myself from unwanted scanning of where I go, what I do and who I talk to.

I've liked previous IE iterations (up to a point) but so far I'm very unimpressed.

Brits say 'no, no, no' to 3D TV

Atonnis
FAIL

Reasons...

1. Cost is stupidly prohibitive, and then you have to buy glasses that aren't compatible with other systems.

2. Most live TV content is crap - imagine watching Retard-Factor in 3D, brrr...and can you see yourself watching that pretentious tit Adam-SkyNews-Boulton rotating his iPad in 3D?

3. Tired of crap gimmicks to sell the same old product - I admit, this time around hearing Star Wars would be revamped actually made me say 'meh' instead of being interested.

4. Abuse - imagine if adverts all started pumping out in 3D, or those silly in-programme adverts starting swirling around whilst you're trying to watch a show.

5. Upgrade Apathy - I have a relatively new 50" plasma 1080p TV...and UK programming doesn't show above 720p as it is...I've been told about alot of 'fantastic HD programming' that still hasn't even reached what I consider to be true HD yet - and now you want me to pay for 3D? HAH!

Atonnis
Thumb Down

Not on a TV whilst glasses are needed.

I bought myself a lovely 50" 1080p TV a few years ago and it looks great.

Personally I like having my TV on whilst I'm on my PC, or doing whatever I want around my living room. I don't want to have to wear expensive glasses, or buy expensive sets of glasses in case I invite some friends over. I don't have any need for what is a weak gimmick. If I had holographic images in my front room I'd be interested, but I really don't see the value in chucking down a fortune for a new TV that gives me something that I don't want.

I admit I enjoy sometimes switching on the 3D on my PC and playing some games that way, but current consoles aren't capable of rendering top-quality games in 3D whilst smooth (regardless of what any fanbois will tell you).

So 3DTV in it's current incarnation.....no thanks!

US may disable all in-car mobile phones

Atonnis
Go

Why not...

Maybe rather than outright blocking, and thus inconveniencing anyone else in the car, stopping services, etc, why not just make it illegal to not have a big green light on the top of the car that lights up intensely when there is a phone in use and not through a car-based handsfree system.

Let's face it, in the main those who seem to be a danger, those prattling away on their phones whilst racing along, are usually alone in the car. It would be a pretty visible situation if you have one person in the car and the big green light is saying 'hey, I'm on the phone!'.

The other idea is you have an in-car camera affixed on every driver that only activates when a phone is in use. The camera then broadcasts to everyone nearby a live feed of what the driver is doing. Evidence galore.

At that point you make it a mandatory minimum that when caught the driver loses their car, on the spot, and they're left on the side of the road until they can make it to the nearest impound centre and pay the minimum £5000 fee.

I also think that cars should lose all key slots and have them replaced with drivers license slots, so that drivers can only start cars with a valid license and insurance.

UK.gov ignores 'net neutrality' campaigners

Atonnis
Stop

Here's hoping...

All we need is just *one* ISP that will stick with giving customers what they actually want - an internet connection with which to do what they want, when they want, at the speed that is being advertised and paid for...and we'll be golden.

This approach smacks of what could be tantamount to a price-fixing scandal.

I give Sky some kudos, as their service has generally been about doing what you want when you want, but their speeds have been steadily declining over the last few years, and I'm worried they're succumbing to the temptation to squeeze in lots more customers at slower rates. I'm likely cancelling them soon.

Shut up, Spock! How Battlestar Galactica beat Trek babble

Atonnis

Disaster was the premise, fighting through it should've been the story.

I expected mixed reactions from people. Some people out there thrive in the face of disaster. Some people get gung-ho, some collapse completely, some laugh and face adversity with humour, some are a*seholes who make jokes about other peoples' miseries....but in Sci-Fi, particularly a show that was building off the back of a classic, there should be something to entertain the audience, not make them feel like someone is thumbscrewing their teeth.

So yes, it's a dire situation, but I reiterate that if I had wanted to watch miserable people in dire situations I'd watch EastEnders or X-Factor or some cr*p like that. I watch sci-fi to be entertained, to see the best of what people could be, to gain hope for the future, and to fall in love with the characters and see them develop.

Atonnis
FAIL

Too much teen-type angst - not enough fantasy

*minor spoilers* I have to confess the only part of the newer BSG that I was interested in was the whole buildup to 'the Final Five', but then after that the entire mysticism and fantastical side to the show disappeared again.

All I ended up watching was a load of miserable people in a miserable situation all trying to find ways to fight with each other. It was like EastEnders in space.

They never had to go completely over the top or remake the original, but couldn't there at least have been a fun character or two, or someone with some cheer - the original Apollo was a good man, a heroic type who tried to help others and risk his own life, Starbuck was a charming rogue - fun and funny but with a surprising depth. The new ones were miserable angst-ridden sods with no fun factor to them whatsoever.

Personally, I wasn't entertained. It really was an effort to watch the show through to it's weak and boring conclusion - and I wish I hadn't bothered.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II

Atonnis

I might be being stupid...

...but what is TFE?

Atonnis
FAIL

Aww.

I spent so much time looking forward to this...but once again game developers/producers have succumbed to the ever-extending trend towards 'the sequel should be, like, more of the same, but, like, y'know, more ACCESSIBLE'.

Unfortunately 'accessible' is just a code-word for shorter, prettier, dumber, less story and repetitive MMO-tedium gameplay.

I was bitterly disappointed with the game, expecting that by the end of my first session I'd be finishing Chapter 1 or 2 of an awesome story, and that what I had played was just the warmup and practice for an in-depth action mystery....then the game ended.

5 hours.....5 MEASELY tedious hours fighting the same sets of enemies in different configurations and numbers. Where was the VARIETY...where was ANYTHING? The characters are just weak, Starkiller just spends all his time sounding p*ssed off and Koda is just a windy tossbag with an attitude problem.

Weirdly enough, I think I'd like to see the return of X-Wing and Tie Fighter, but with proper missions and some real story.

Twitter slips ads into user tweet streams

Atonnis

AHAHAH!

I find this funny. Finally the marketing/advert-pushing platform is now forcing it's way into peoples' own ego-messages. How long until the advertisers work out a way to make it look like their adverts are actually part of the posted message?

The only reason why marketing awareness has increased through Twitter is that people have been able to follow products that THEY ARE INTERESTED IN. Random marketing or encroaching on messages, especially when the adverts are likely to be incorrect interpretations of text in the messages, will just drive people away.

Advertising is just not going to continue being the big money-spinner in the world. Advertising can only do so much, and not-soon-enough more and more people will start getting like a few people I know - they avoid companies and products BECAUSE of their advertising.

Google's $8.5 million Buzz settlement a go

Atonnis

Simple...

...those who studied Law.

Think I might give up this IT minefield - Law seems to be where the real money is, especially in the US.

How much is Facebook worth?

Atonnis

One way or the other...

Facebook will go one way or the other - it will either become such an ingrained, basic part of peoples' lives that the name won't mean so much any more as it'll be a standard across the world - or it'll go out of fashion/people won't be a*sed with the effort of keeping it up to date and will realise that they can go out and have lives instead of gawping at everyone elses' lives, or all talking about how they wish they had lives.

Social networking will rely on mobile devices and automatic updating from people, provided they choose to make their lives accessible online for everyone to see. If people realise just how much danger they are putting themselves in by sharing everything they do with anyone in the world then suddenly mobile devices, etc will all be set to keep the data private, in private accounts, and at that point the social network sites will really start to ease away.

I don't quite understand much of what is called 'social networking'. After all, what is there to talk about when you meet up with your friends if you've already told them everything, shown them everything and they're already bored of it because they saw all the pictures online? Wouldn't you rather have someone lean in close whilst you showed off the pictures on your phone?

Google man slings mud at Facebooked Bing

Atonnis
Stop

Err

I'd take Bing/MS services over Google any day of the week, but am I reading this right?

'You will show up in profile searches in Bing, even if you have selected not to have profile information show up in public search engines'

It's ambiguous, I know - but can anyone actually tell me (I'm not overreacting, just wanting information) whether 'friends of friends' can actually search and find me when I specifically set all of my privacy options to stop them from seeing me at all?

If Bing, or any other public search engine, bypasses privacy controls surely that'd be grounds for an investigation? Still, I'll wait until I have the answers before screaming :)

Tech grads least likely to find a job

Atonnis
Stop

Perhaps...

...a knowledge of the jobs they're going for, an interest in the topic they spent years studying - beyond what pay they imagine they should have, a lessening of the arrogance that comes with thinking they know it all, some hygiene standards and a modicum of respect for their potential employers would really help?

Jeesh, I sound like such a geezer, but really - am I wrong?

No wonder CompSci grads are unemployed

Atonnis
Unhappy

Perhaps just a change of approach is what's needed.

Students seem be be told that there is a set mechanical way of getting through life and then they're shocked when life actually comes and bites them on the IT.

University has become what it was never meant to be. Rather than being a place where those who had learned how to think during the A-Level years started being innovative and think up wild ideas and dreams and try to make them happen, it became a place where young people can learn how to doze away a few more years. Universities, educational laws and the touchy-feely PC society don't exactly help, where students should be shoved into a scary arena and whirlwind of ideas the system has changed where students are fitted into a nice, dull and straightforward set of exam-learning...and that was what should have been done at the GCSE stage.

Microsoft squats the living room with XBox LIVE refresh

Atonnis
Stop

Erm...

Sky Player, Facebook and Last.fm (not sure about Twitter as I don't use it) have all been on the UK XBox Live dashboard for ages.

There's not that much content in this update for us in the UK. Audio codecs are OK, but nothing else particularly interests me - except possible the Kinect additions that are bound to be in there.

Not a big update for the UK, I'm afraid.

Alien Earthlike worlds 'like grains of sand', say 'wobble' boffins

Atonnis
Stop

It's entirely possible...

...although I know it's hopefully unlikely that we've realised the maximum speed that we can reach, and thus interstellar travel is just not possible.

Don't get me wrong, I hope against hope that it isn't the case...but there is a distinct possibility that no matter what is out there we aren't going to reach it....not without generational ships anyway - or some sort of foolproof system for suspended animation of a human being.

So as much as I value the expansion of knowledge of the human race, I'd like to see how this supposition/estimation is going to give us extended lifespans, inexhaustible (or as good as) fuel supplies, inexhaustible food supplies or even just make life better.

MPs wake up to 21st century and internet

Atonnis
Go

I have an idea...

All of these companies like Google, Facebook, etc and the people they sell their information to just need one thing to control them...the one thing I would voluntarily sign up to...

A centralised database of marketing information - legally enforced, and causes instant closedown, internet blocking and communications lockdown if companies fail to adhere to it. An opt-in database which can hold all the information I choose to put up there - after all, I'm not against targeted advertising, I want information on stuff I'm interested in, I'm just against being contacted constantly by people I never showed any interest in whatsoever. So make this database available (and funded by the marketing companies) and then have a specific and legally binding set of checkboxes that are OPT-IN ONLY. Any company that wants to send me information also has to put a request on that site asking me if they may contact me with marketing materials, and they have to fill in a standard form with specific information about what they want to send me...thus I can refuse to be contacted by them, and control my list of approved suppliers.

After all, what good is all the data that these companies collect if they can't use it? At the moment it makes no difference to my life whatsoever and they've been doing it for years...what is the point and where is it all going?

Microsoft's IE9 'nearly finished'

Atonnis
Unhappy

It's strange...

I found IE6 to be the best browser for stuff to just work - sure it was horrible from the development side and people all sneer at it for the not-all-that-good programming, but from the user perspective it's all kinda slid downhill from there..

IE7 - did ANYTHING work properly with that browser before IE8 was released?

IE8 - so how much CRAP can you stuff into a browser. I just want a browser, and if I pick the option to not use your 'accelerators' and your 'suggested sites' I don't want links to them dumped all over the browser.

IE9 - so far the beta has been a horrible, horrible letdown. Very little works properly, even in compatibility mode. Text display keeps getting all crushed together and unreadable. It doesn't matter how many little funky-bubble 'demos' they show me - if websites don't work then I don't want the browser. Why are tabs put in line with the address bar?

If it weren't for ActiveX then IE would be dying a death, which is a shame since I actually prefer it over the send-all-your-data-to-Google of Chrome or the add-in excessiveness of Firefox. However, Firefox is currently a superior browser. Opera is OK but misses some simple key aspects.

I know I'm strange in that I like to protect my data and security and just want a fast useable browser which doesn't drop every typo into search engines and doesn't tell me where the company who supplied it is paid to send me. I just want to type in URLs, click on true links and browse the web with applications that work. Why is it so much to ask?

Fable III

Atonnis
Unhappy

Aww.

No Strength, Skill and Will and the choices and options between them that completely change your playstyle? But...that's the absolute core of the Fable games.

And no simple menu system to jump through to pick your options nice and simply? Sounds like a real PITA to get things done.

I'm now wondering if I should cancel my order. I like humourous aspects in the previous games, but sometimes it wasn't humour - it was just stupid and made me cringe, a feeling I don't like. I was hoping they'd step beyond pathetic things like 'friday is poker night' and 'oh, I'm so dreadfully evil and dark, don't you know' and make bad bad and good good.

Hmm, this may be worth a rental before a buy I think...or at least spend some time watching someone else play it. Sad to hear it's not extended the game depth. Sequels in stories, movies, books, games...are always better when the sequels gain in depth and complexity as the story goes on - otherwise the consumer gets bored.

Windows Phone 7 arrives in UK shops tomorrow

Atonnis
Stop

Well, where are they?

No stores anywhere around the 2 towns we visited today had any WinPho 7 devices. Seems that either the shops weren't bothered or the deliveries are all running late...

I wanted to at least try out a couple of devices before I judged, but since I couldn't find any I guess I'll wait a few weeks.

Phone 7: Another Vista or another XP?

Atonnis
WTF?

Hmm, fair?

'Phone 7: Another Vista or another XP?'

Erm...well, XP was absolutely dreadful when it was first released, and it took 2 service packs to make it livable.

Vista was dreadful when it was released and it took only 1 service pack to make it livable (even if it's not that good overall).

Isn't this a bit of an unfair comparison from the outset?

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