Posts by Katz

Pity the poor Windows developer: The tools for desktop development are in disarray

Yep, this is nonsense. I use PC's and Macs, no bias either way. But I can say categorically that there aren't many compatibility issues. Depends what you use exactly, but there really aren't many issues. I've had none personally.

What's MISSING on Amazon Fire Phone... and why it WON'T set the world alight

I think much of the problem with this phone (for me at least) is that it reeks of simply being a window to purchasing Amazon stuff. So it comes across as a mobile Amazon POS phone, a mobile chip & pin credit card machine, if you will. I know it is more than that and that's not a wholly fair sum up as it does have some nice features. But really I couldn't get past the fact that it's a larger retailer that simply wants to lock you into buying their stuff.

Sure, you could say Google does similar, they're an advertising giant, they want something back from Android too and Apple, well they're a hardware maker not so much trying to flog you software, but do want to lock you into their ecosystem.

The difference is the latter two get the balance about right, they make attractive phones as well, something which I couldn't say for the Amazon Fire Phone. Maybe some will like it, but it's not for me. Amazon's also very late to the party too, which is probably accounts for at least half of the story of why it failed.

New GCHQ spymaster: US tech giants are 'command and control networks for terror'

Re: well said Evil Auditor

Oh, wow, where to start. I'm short on time, so I'll keep it brief.

'if you are not doing anything you shouldn't be doing, you don't have anything to worry about' - Let's put aside the fact that I don't want my every move recorded/watched and focus on the 'if you are not doing anything you shouldn't be doing' bit. Have you considered that once the government has free reign and sufficient control of the internet that the list of 'what you shouldn't be doing' might change? What if they add to that list criticism of current government, whistleblowing, exposing certain facts? Do they really get the benefit of the doubt? This is how governments operate, they creep things in little by little until they've got what they want. It's like NHS charges, people will have said at the beginning, oh well it's only a few pence, the NHS needs all the help it needs blah blah. Next thing we know, it's flying past £8 per prescription. Speed Cameras- oh just for one or two for problem areas... years later, they're everywhere, the fines keep rising and rising. Now you can't go anywhere without passing cameras everywhere. Then there's CCTV, it's now everywhere. Every little thing you do is monitored and the more power they get to scrutinise what everybody does, the more we get screwed over financially and harassed in daily life.

Finally, since quotes are the order of the day, here's a more poignant one from somebody, admittedly lacking the prestige of Team America, however, humour me. Benjamin Franklin once wrote: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

MI5 boss: Snowden leaks of GCHQ methods HELPED TERRORISTS

Yes because those terrorists out there would have had no idea that they might be being watched, nor would they have ever thought that their internet activity could/would be monitored. Statements like that just absolutely p*ss me off and insult people's intelligence.

Private UK torrent site closes, citing 'hostile climate'

Re: Unfortunate

I totally agree. Robot Wars is cool btw. But I'm a big fan of the early Shooting Stars comedy quiz, the first few series' of that were just absolute brilliance. But the Beeb won't release them on DVD. There were some re-showings on Challenge TV, but they always cut them short for the ads. I really wish they'd re-release these on DVD. The only way I can see them now is from old downloads in poor quality.

Same for other shows and all we get these days are reality shows and other crap.

NASA's nuclear Mars tank REBELS against human control

At the end of the rock... turn left.... you have reached your destination.

Thought the PC market couldn't get any worse? HAH! Think again

Not rocket science really, is it?

I think it boils down to these 3 things and the big issue is that these 3 are happening combined/simultaneously.

1. PC's just haven't moved on in the last 2-3 years, WHY would you want to spend a fortunate on sod all? There is nothing exciting out at the moment.

2. Touch screen PC notebooks, well anything decent is getting on around £1,000, it's a rip off.

3. Cheap devices and tablets do what 70-80% of people want, so the divide between PC's and these other devices is now opening up, or more so, the users. Those that want a workstation for some serious work, it's a PC or perhaps an Apple machine. For a bit of email, browsing and general daily stuff, a tablet or hanging on to that old notebook does just fine.

I think with a decent OS, some exciting products and decent price, notebooks could actually make a little comeback, but those issues, above, are stopping that from happening. Solve #1 and/or #2 and things could improve, solve both and even better! But issue 3, I doubt there's any stopping that.

Star Wars revival secret: This isn't the celluloid you're looking for

Re: And use real stopmotion special FX, while you're at it

Yeaah!! I'm so glad it's not just me that harps on about this! I'm really not into CGI for space scenes, ship et al. I watched some of the old Star Trek movies a little while ago in HD and seeing the models and the painstaking detail that went into them, even from the early 80's, it was just awe inspiring.

Conversely, I saw the latest Star Trek movie the other day and whilst the CGI was 'smart' we're talking about two totally different levels here. Star Wars using models and stop motion would be a fantastic move. Probably won't happen, but it would make things interesting for sure.

Snowden's secure email provider Lavabit shuts down under gag order

Aaand we keep sinking further. Right to privacy, free speech, effective appeals.

If anybody dare look down on China and Russia with this BS holier than thou 'land of the free' again, I'll just scream.

I'm still trying to see what news I missed about crimes being committed against the American people, when did all this happen? Only crimes I see are from the government and their spying agencies.

But still, so long as there's something decent to watch on TV, who cares eh?

Psssst: If you wanna be rich, make the next privacy Robocop app

I think she's right, I think there will be a surge in demand for simple seamless encryption products, whether it's the next Big Thing, not sure, but I reckon it'll be significant. The only gripe I have with it is surely any U.S company and many Western software security companies will simply be pressured (one way or another) into releasing algorithms or making some sort of backdoor for 'national security' requests anyway. If it were too difficult to break and became popular, they'd then just make it illegal, surely.

I'm not expert on this sort of thing, maybe someone can enlighten me?

But it would defeat the object wouldn't it?

JPL wants to fire a laser at MARS!

Re: It'll never work

Dr. Evil will find a way, he'll get those frickin' laser beams there one way or another ;)

Snowden leak: Microsoft added Outlook.com backdoor for Feds

Or does it???

Ok, the title pretty much said it all :D

US public hate Snowden - but sexpot spy Anna Chapman LOVES him

US Public hate Snowden...

Seriously?? Talk about a population deeply entrenched in propaganda. I do seriously wonder whether so many fools are even worth fighting for anymore. I do feel for Snowden as possibly his worst nightmare, that is, his message falling upon on deaf ears, appears to be becoming reality.

Deeply troubling.

Julian Assange: I'm quite happy to sleep on Ecuador's sofa FOREVER

Re: Bah

"Evidence for your "evident corruption and manipulation"? Thought so."

Really? Are you seriously asking this question? Right at this very moment, various people in the Commons and Lords are being investigated over taking money (or other considerations) for tabling questions/seeing things through the system. Is that not corruption and manipulation.

ABSOLUTELY. Thank you Madmike. These are even not the huge problems. We could go on all day uncovering lies and corruption. The very fact somebody cited the Daily Mail, perhaps to allude that I might be daft enough to swallow the utter bull, that I blame immigrants for all the UK's problems. This is patently untrue, my view is the opposite, without immigrants, the UK would be in deep trouble, to cut a long story short, having immigrants willing to work at a low wage not only keeps low skilled job positions fulfilled, but also keeps wages low. But anyway my comparison was simply to show 1 person vs another, i.e immigrants that are clearly dangerous have many rights, but somebody like Assange seem to have some serious muscle moving in against him.

Just finally, and briefly, it's quite funny that the Daily Mail gets mentioned, since that's yet another outlet of biased, lies and manipulation. My point(s) well proven I think so the Sir Smart Arse who questioned my use of the word 'evident'.

Re: Bah

Seriously? Ok.

Operation Northwoods (U.S)- Military/political plan to motivate public support of an attack on Cuba- http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/Northwoods.html

Operation: Libya - Chasing the oil http://www.globalresearch.ca/operation-libya-and-the-battle-for-oil-redrawing-the-map-of-africa/23605

Who owns big media- http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/thread-680460-1-1.html

Who owns the world?- http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=B1j06Qt3rgY

Join the dots. That's just 5 mins of digging. If you believe everything you're told by the media and don't realise how in the pocket of these mega rich few the world is, then you're deluding yourself as to the sad truths of this world.

Thought so.

Bah

It amazes me the amount of bashing Julian Assange receives. We in the UK regularly allow in refugees for asylum who either hate the UK or end up committing crimes/terrorist acts. At the very least these people just bleed the welfare system dry. But the government allows this to continue.

But for somebody who wants information freely open in the public domain and let's face it, it wasn't 'dangerous' information, we're swallowing the media vilification of him. The more the media attacks Assange, the more I believe in his concerns. I don't blame him for feeling he's being screwed over by the U.S via Sweden and the UK. He highly like is. What worries me more is the evident level of corruption and manipulation of our own governments. That is frightening.

Can lightning strike twice? Intel has another crack at Thunderbolt

Wow, what a claim!

"Intel boasted that Thunderbolt now comes as standard on more than 30 PCs..."

Wow, what a bold claim, 30 whole PC's. So just a few million to go then to achieve 1% of PC's...

Kettle 'which looks like HITLER' brews up sturm in a teacup

Meh

Don't see any resemblance. SIlly.

Apple seeks techies, designers to revive iWork office suite

What took them so long?

I can't believe Apple weren't on this a year or two ago. A nice wireless keyboard for the ipad, compatibility with the Mac and PC to move documents to and fro QUICKLY and EASILY and a killer deal on an Office compatible software package(oh, sorry, App), all together, makes an ipad seriously interesting.

I'm also blown away that Microsoft didn't use their position in the business market and offer up the Office package on Windows tablets more wisely. Some years ago with the release of MS's first Xbox, they were willing to take quite a hit on each unit in order to get them out there. They were determined to do battle with Sony and did rather well too. I just haven't seen this same vigor and aggressiveness against the iPad. MS needed to release a good (not even 'great') tablet, perhaps bundled with Office 'Lite' or something to give people a start, to be prepared to muscle into the market and take a hit on each unit and eventually bringing production costs down. They didn't do any of that and on top of that, with sheer arrogance and in panic, they've now got themselves into a bit of a pickle. To put it mildly.

Who is Samsung trying to kid? There will NEVER be a 5G network

Just a headline grabber eh? It didn't work then did it? Oh wait.. doh

Want to know if that hottie has HIV? Put their blood in the DVD player

Hmm...

But what if you use Region 2 blood in a Region 1 player?

60-inch Apple iTV to be controlled by iRing remote?

I'd be interested how they'd patent this since...

This has already been done before http://www.laptopmag.com/review/accessories/hillcrest-loop-and-kylo-web-browser.aspx. For several years now Kylo TV browser has used the 'loop' or ring device to control its TV browsing application. The apple iRing device looks incredibly similar and has a very similar application. The loop has been around for at least 3 years already. So this will be interesting.

Samsung turns screws on Apple, hikes A6 processor price 20%

clang

This just shows what happens when you bite the hand that feeds IT...

Man who put the manhood into the Speaking Clock dies

Farewell Mr speaking clock

Well I guess his time was up. *groan*

Apple's TV killer 'on shelves by summer 2012'

Apple TV...

I have a feeling I know where this is going, I've been quite into set top box design myself over the years and I have a feeling the debate whether it is a set top box or a tv in itself is not so relevant, I have a feeling it is the user experience and content that is more important. If it amazes people and gives people what they want, or didn't even realise they wanted (as Apple seems rather adept to) it will take off.

I have this inkling that the Siri voice assistant isn't just going to be thrown to a mobile device, I have a strong feeling that this box/tv could be gesture controlled i.e to activate or have it listen and then voice control a'la Siri style to have it record your favourite series, change channel etc. Imagine just sitting on your couch waving your arm then saying "record the whole series of Top Gear". Then imagine waving your arm and saying "search internet for... <such and such>. Couple this technology in something that looks really smart and with 1 or 2 other little tricks under its sleeve, you have a very interesting box or tv with an apple logo. Perhaps this is where the iCloud comes in, store your bought tv/movies watch them on your Apple TV or iPhone etc.

In these cases, perhaps the Apple TV .... is both. A set top box option or a TV, maximises the market potential.

Bummed-out users give anti-virus bloatware the boot

Such a true report!

Whilst I don't run a large network, I do work from home at my home studio and I found various anti-virus software slowed my studio machine down unbearably. Professional audio creation requires a speedy efficient machine. I gave up with the likes of AVG et al, switched to MSE, which although seems to cause a tiny slowdown, i.e any virus checker seems to increase latency and reduce the amount of tracks I can work with. MSE minimises the impact of system performance, but what I tend to do is shut it down and disconnect from the internet for most of the week to reduce the chance of infection. I'll run a full scan weekly and occasionally apply updates etc after temporarily re-enabling wifi. Other than that I just try to make sure I use the machine for only what it's intended for, music and keep browsing and other 'stuff' to be done on my laptop. It seems to work well anyway. But I'm really glad to see the point of inefficient bloated AV crap software highlighted here.