Posts by mmeier

Apple threatens ANOTHER Samsung patent lawsuit

IMHO - both iOS and Android can go the way of the Dodo.

Microsoft talks up devices, Windows 8.1 at developer shindig

Re: "Customers who have Windows 8 on touch systems are much happier than other Windows 8 customers"

I suggest you check your unit - somebody has sold you an OS that claims to be Win8 (most likely some FossTard-stuff) but clearly is not. Win8 works just fine without touch or pen.

Re: INNOVATION

Tell me Eadon<<<BrentRBrain:

Who makes the Atom? You know the CPU that runs rings around ARM in fair competitions AND still runs 10+ hours in a 10'' tablet PC (Dell, Lenovo)?

Last I looked the unit had "Intel" stamped on it...

Re: Windows 8 in the Enterprise world...

Same here, convertibles or "dockable tablets" are in limited use mostly for external/mobile workers that go to the customer. Win7 and 8 (both work on Stylus-based tablet pc just fine) in use depending on what customer IT prefers.

One customer has used tablet pc, mostly Fujitsu, since Win XP for the outdoor engineers taking reports etc. - pen worked better than keyboard there. They are currently phasing in Q702 with Win8.

Re: I like windows 8...

Actually the "only one computer needed" concept IS one of the benefits of Win8.

A tablet pc with a good dock (Dell, Lenovo, some Samsungs), a convertible (Samsung, Sony, Lenovo) or even something as simple as a tablet pc with USB3 and a USB-dock (MS, Samsung) is both a tablet AND a desktop. Core-i Units like the Helix or the Vaio Duo13 can easily replace most desktops with "heavy duty gaming" being the only exception and are good tablets as well. And the lighter, cheaper Atoms, even the current generation, can replace the "write letter, surf, check email" PCs easily and can run rings around ARM based units.

Even if you still have "more than one" computer the fact that you have one set of programs, one set of UI on all devices is a benefit.

Re: Argh, more microsoft lies.

If you do not need Modern - then simply do not use it.

Currently open here (T731 convertible, docked to two 21inch Samsungs):

Firefox(twice)

Explorer

OneNote

Word

Eclipse

Outlook

Works like a charm.

Well, I could have done without 95 and all the other Dos-Extenders. The Win-NT line OTOH including XP (If you killed the candy) is a fine OS

Re: Win 8-Still a bad idea...

Strange, I just installed a bunch of XP and Win7 programs on a Win8 box. All worked nicely on the desktop. No need to buy apps, not forced in any way to buy them.

Modern is just a different start menu. Mine has exactly 5 "apps" on the privat box (Mail, Messenger, Contacts, Weather, Kindle) the rest are shortcuts for Applications. On Win7 those cluttered the taskbar/desktop and where hidden behind open windows

But I guess you are just the replacement Eadon so Troll on

Windows 8.1 start button appears as Microsoft's Blue wave breaks

Re: For the last time: we want our START MENU back, not just a stupid button...

If your Win8 is slower than Win7 on the same hardware - you did something wrong during the installation.

Tried the Note 10.1. Compared it to both Atom and core-i Win7 and Win8 tablet pc. Sold the Note, returned to a weighty but powerful Win8 tablet pc / convertible (Privat/business). Desperatly waiting for 10'' Baytrail tablet pc so I can ditch my Note Smartphone as well (I demand Stylus so currently N7xxx is the only smartie I can/will use) and use Win8 only.

Note was (10.1) / is (Note 2) not stable with SNote, HWR is not even WinXP level, can not exchange editable notice files with the OS everbody else around me uses (Windows 7/8), can not print on cheap laser printers (can't see them - only the costly ones or cloud based printing supported) and having two eco-systems in UI etc. is a PITA.

ARM is cheap(billig) and lower weight/better endurance than my Win8 units. The former will remain - the latter is already solved (Dell Latitude 10 i.e) and Baytrail will seal the tomb over ARM in that department

Re: Every day since release

What Modern apps are useful in a corporate environment? The once I have seen so far are functional for privat use (Mail, Kindle) but for corporate use one wants the full Monty (Outlook/Notes i.e). And Win8 supports "side loading", deploying Modern apps without the MS Store and therefor a Live account

Roaming profiles not being compatible has happened before (XP->Vista) and there is a way to handle that prior to the first time a user logs in by having two pathes set up and a copy of the Win7 in the second path.

Re: Poor Poor Windows 8

What use is a Desktop shortcut with Win8s Modern? I had quite a few in Win7 since I prefer my taskbar only to show only running programs. Problem is to get at them with 6+ windows open I need to right click in taskbar and "Show desktop" and than back with another right click and "Show open Windows" In Win8 my shortcuts (all 60+ if I want) are on Modern, just one "Win" key away. Faster, easier, no mouse needed / no hands off keyboard

And during install you still have the option available to clutter the desktop if you prefer that

Switching off / shut down by power button is standard since at least Win7. Why click around when a button press is enough.

Re: Start button - Never used it anyway.

Actually "shut down by pressing the power button" is standard since at least Win7 (didn't use Vista). Configureable as to what it does exactly (Tablet => Sleep, Desktop=>Shutdown in my case) but the default is "Shutdown" in Win7.

Re: Windows 8.1 start button appears

Actually MS has been using the desktop OS on tablet pc since 2003 (XP Tablet Edition) and all later versions are fully tablet pc compatible (The "Starter" may be an exception). Nothing new there, works fine and since the SSD became "mass market" the final durability problems (HDD damage) is gone.

And with a proper tablet pc (Wacom/NTrig inductive stylus equiped) - the system works fine. And without the need to wipe the screen every few minutes to clear the fingerprints.

Play the Snowden flights boardgame: Avoid going directly to Jail

Re: Slap in the face

Maybe there are some LIM-49 Spartan still in storage for just such a job. A nice 5MT Enhance Radiation warhead and "close" counts...

To the state. That is what counts in a court. As soon as the material reads "For internal use only" and you give it to someone outside - it is treason.

Moral has nothing to do with the law. Moral actions can be illegal and illegal options can be morally(Think shooting Jews and shooting Hitler 1933-45 - the former was legal in germany, the latter morally). The old prussian concept was "Do what your moral demands and accept the consequences". Maybe people like Manning and Snowden should take a hint from Stauffenberg and others...

A the poor lil traitor - not even Russia wants to exchange his hard stolen "not so secrets" for a job with the RSF, a nice appartment and a lifetime supply of wodka.

Re: Airspace

Even if they do not have the legal rights - do you really believe a commercial pilot argues with a fighter plane? As soon as the fighter pilot asks "Your callsign is really KAL 007" he will land.

Re: Slap in the face

Why waste a Soyuz? Strap him to an old "to be decommissioned" ICBM and launch. Solves all problems

Windows 8 hype has hurt PC makers and distributors - Gartner

Re: Desktop makers are getting out - Say goodbye to Windows Server, too...

Samsung builds 2in1, simple tablet pc and convertibles (Just announced a new one) as well as notebooks / ultrabooks (2 new announced)

Lenovo does the same and desktops

HP does the same and desktops

Re: PC Makers & distributors could have prevented this mess

The average customer has been buying "Windows" maschines for two decades now. He is used to the fact that all "PC" software runs on his computer and does not look any further that the sign "PC" on the shelf.

Now we sell Auntie Annie a Penguin box. It may even look like the old one. But it won't run her software. Be it games, be it the (very popular in germany) tax software or the other stuff she has getten used to. Sure there are "alternatives" (OO instead of MS-Office, GIMP instead of Photoshop Elements....) for some but they are "new" and require a lot of learning. Software can no longer be gotten easily since Repositories, downloading etc, are well above Aunties background and the nephews do not service Penguins(1)

Win7->Win8 just requires to learn "it's big shiny icon instead of dig the menues" and the way many users have set up their WinXP+ boxes even that is not required. Because - they have big shiny icons on the desktop and do not dig through menues anyway.

So any big outlet chain selling "Linux" will get a high amount of returns and complains. Problems the generally under-trained and under-paid stuff can not handle most of the time resulting in escalations, lengthy discussions etc. Therefor they do not sell the stuff and keep problems low.

Company use is another field. There most software is "Windows only" and that's it. And many developers have learned the hard way that it is best to develop and test on the target platform. With Windows supporting fine tools for all languages and being sturdy platform ever since NT 4.0 at least - why use something else?

(1) Windows,Mac-OS and Solaris services are available in the family. Penguins get rm -r / and replaced

Re: PC Makers & distributors could have prevented this mess

PC Makers (Dell, HP, Lenovo) offer their units without OS - just ask. It is not in the Webshop for "end users" for the same reason Linux is not in retail stores.

Retail stores sell what makes the least problems. And customers bringing back the box because <Latest ego shooter> and <Beloved picture manipulating software> does not run or <last pirated Game of Bones sequel> does not play on it is trouble.

So the client share of Linux is well below 2 percent because it is too much trouble.

Re: All these unsold boxes

UEFI, appart from bad implementations by the hardware guys, is not a problem. Actually a replacement for the clunky old BIOS is nice.

What might keep the Penguin frozen to the ground is Secure Boot. That may or may not (Susie IIRC can life with it) a problem for the 1.x percent crowd

Re: Seriously?

Comparing ME and NT is like comparing a Trabbi and a VW Golf. ME is a member of the "Dos Extender" familie and other than name and basic UI has nothing in common with the "NT" familly.

For some use cases a newer notebook with either USB3 or a relatively new "business" system with a docking station can be useful. Use as a mobile device "on the move" and plug in a USB-3 dock / docking station for stationary use with dual monitors and a normal keyboard/mouse.

Correct, hardware-upgrades slow down everywhere. What we see is the trade from "end of leasing" and "finally to old to upgrade" with a limited switch to notebooks.

Actually Win8 is slightly smaller than Win7 (interesting for SSD users mostly) and slghtly fine tunes. So any Vista+ hardware will run it fine. Drivers for W7 will run as well (unless XP drivers revived/relabled - those will finally fail)

Used units returned from leasing are "good enough" for many privat jobs as well. A high end 2008/2009 system runs W7 just fine and can be had quite cheap. And when money is tight people turn "second hand" and "upgrade".

Add in the new CPUs announced and slowly comming out and the sales drop even more. A smart person planning a notebook / 2in1 / tablet pc will wait until Haswell and Baytrail are out (Or if you prefer AMD whatever they have). The first mobile Haswell systems already give a good idea of the increase in endurance for same weight and the increase in on board graphic performance. Even if current gen is good enough - why not wait until the last are sold off shortly before holliday season...

Re: Didnt we have pretty much this same article.....

But last week was another "consultant agency". So this is new

Chinese 'nauts return to Earth after vigorous space coupling

It helps that they also skipped the R&D costs and did what China does best - steal and copy other nations designs and work.

Re: China winning one-entry space race

It's more like they have the spies. That think is basically a Soyuz with some Apollo technology tacked on. Bet you the "space station" will look like the UdSSR tincan as well and basically use the same tech. It's not as if they have developed stuff that others don't have.

The semi-smart nations are the Euros and Japan - NOT developing canned man space debris aka "manned space flight". Lease a US/Russin tincan for some propaganda flights and otherwise run a money making satellite launch business.

Oh, brown Wernher did that for his space plans as well. He was not happy with the "quality of material" delivered from Auschwitz but later found a better source in the USA. And they where cheaper than house-broken monkeys!

Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Proof the pen is mightier?

Re: Styli the FIRST PRIMATE TOOLS

Actually Microsoft (the only tablet pc maker for a long time) did create a simple framework. The stylus just works EVERYWHERE in Windows since XP. HWR window works for every text entry field, pen is recognized in all programs at least as a mouse. And a stable API allows the (few) digitizer vendors to put pressure sensitivity etc. by writing a HID driver

A full featured inductive stylus(1) as used by tablet pc for more that a decade offers a lot more possibilities than the fingers and needs less learning and less specialist programming. since it is as precise (actually more precise) as a mouse so no need for special gestures and "enlarge on hoover" or similar tricks to make the average internet forum finger useable.

Fingers can be a nice add-on for some simple tasks like changing pages on an ebook but if you need precision - you need a inductive stylus

Oh and styli are somewhat interchangeable. There are basically two systems for tablet PC (Wacom and Ntrig) so a stylus for an Ativ-500 will work on a Fujitsu T902 in example.

(1) That compares to the "sausage in condom" capacitve "styli" like a fine pointed pencil to a house painters brush

To me "Wacom" always means Handwriting-recognition and Journaling. Those are the two main jobs I have quoted more than once. Replace Win7/Win8 was always the stated goal and if it can't do it - there is no support from my point of view since I can not really use it on a tablet pc.

Does it recognise the pen as a mouse or does it allow handwriting input into text fields (Handwritting recognition)? Pen as mouse is basically useless. HWR and journaling software at least on MS Journal level is a minimum to speak of works.

Oh and it only works if I can use Distribution X Version a.b.c (a.b.c > introduction version) without lengthy mumbo jumbo. After all Linux is about Choice and I choose SuSe. Or maybe RedHat. Or Oracle Unbreakable, or....

Only if you like paying for hardware you can not use. No FOSS support for Wacom on tablet pc

Tesla unveils battery-swapping tech for fast car charging

Re: Does the Government really want to help the environment?

Has been tried. Has quite a few problems and basically only works with busses and (semi)dedicated traffic lanes (google OBus, Solingen)

Re: and let's also add...

Last we where talking fuel stations not tank plants. Different amounts, different type of storage

Re: and let's also add...

Actually it is not much of a fire hazard and save storage is easy. Petrol fumes do not self-ignite and the temperatures needed do not occure normally. And since access to the storage can be limited to the fuel in/outtakes (that can be secured) you can burry the hardened tanks under ground. Stations have burned down but the tanks survived.

Re: They had better hope this doesn't get too popular

The two fuel stations I typically use have 6 and 12 fuel pumps for personal cars and during the commuter hours all are in use. So in both cases less than an our before stocks ran dry - not enough for the first delivered to be resonably recharged.

Re: Elon is definitely "juiced up"

And that is THE problem with E-cars. There is no good public transport system in most european regions. As soon as you leave the few big cities or in case of local transport the city center it breaks down. Existing networks are often running at capacity for the long hauling and building more railways gets you a lot of citizens' action committee protesting so it takes a decade or more before you start building.

The grennie special "take the bike" does not work all that well either if you have customer contact and it rains (1) nor does "live where you work"(2) since just because it is near does not mean it is easy to reach when you need to. Currently my choice is "15min/10km by car" or "30km/two or three changes/may includes a 2km walk" by bus/train.

(1) Not that "eight wet / sweaty developers" and "open plan office" would smell much better...

(2) I did most of the time live within the same town where I work, typically within less than 15km - and in no case it took me less than 45min to go that distance by bus/sbahn even during the 6-22h "bus available" time. Two of my jobs had 24/7 operation times...

No hate, just a healthy dose of reality

Having worked with battery powered train engines that use swapable batteries I simply can see the range of problems. Even for a single type of vehicle there is battery aging, environmental effects (heat/cold), how you discharge(speed/load) it that can reduce available capacity faster than planned. And unlike a car that has fuel stations every few kilometers so "loosing" 50km from a tank and/or being able to top of quickly if the last user has forgotten to the net of battery stations and chargers is a lot less developed. Add in the needed storage space that must be a lot more accessible (battery maintenance) than a underground tank and the need to enhance the power distribution network in many places if electric vehicles go "mass market" since city grids are not build with that much reserve capacity on the final leg (1). And in many european countries that means MASSIV work since the cables are underground on that level

Add in more than one typ of car and it gets even more problematic, We either get the "Einheitswagen" with everybody driving the same(2) or ineffective space use or multiple batteries(3)/batterie types. Options 2 and 3 will increase complexity of the automatic change system OR require trained workers at the "fuel stations" to change the batterie(s). While even weak and small people can operate a modern automated fuel pump and finding the inlet works (most of the time(4))) exchanging a 50+ kg batterie (let alone a 500kg one) needs training and equipment(5)

The "fuel based" infrastructure is already there, developed over a century and had/have very low initial costs (6) while batterie infrastructure needs a HUGE startup investment from multiple companies (fuel station companie, power companies, cities maybe) to make the ecar useable. IMHO alternate liquid fuels like NGV/CNG using CH4, some of it produced in biogas units and/or through won through Methanisation using water/solar/wind/greenies on exercise bikes is a better alternative since the gas distribution network in many european countries is a lot better developed and the distribution uses "standdart fuel pumps and tank" systems (at least they look like it for the end user)

(1) Power companies have a good idea how much is needed in a given region and the growth is, at least in europe, planned so the "build to fit". In the past that has resulted in costly/lengthy overhauls, the last in germany in the late 70s/early 80s. That went mostly "unseen" since they combined that with the switch to underground cables in many cases

(2) That is okay for me if it is build like a Mercedes G or a simlar "blocky, high-seating, preferably 4WD" able to deal with german pothole collection sides (aka german roads below Autobahn or federal highway/Bundesstrasse). Strangly many people prefer sportier cars and do not mind the repair bill / fixup needed after finding a nice deep pothole...

(3) 2-n instead off 1 big - enhancing change time

(4) Recently saw a blonde filling a petrol burner with diesel....

(5) Having prevented in more than one case a booster cable used the wrong way despite the batteries being clearly marked I have serious doubts Joe Average can reliably swap them himself

(6) Refueling stations can be (and in 3rd world countries often are) a 200l barrel and a hand pump.

PC makers REALLY need Windows 8.1 to walk on water - but guess what?

Re: Ford Blames Poor Sales On Lousy BP Petrol

Let's face it no person with half a brain is currently buying a new notebook / netbook / tablet pc unless absolutely forced to (old unit dead/stolen/end of leasing). Intel has announced in Q1 that we will see Haswell and Baytrail units in the mass market late Q3/Q4 and those offer quite a few benefits like faster build in graphics (both), better SSD/RAM support (Baytrail), better suspend modes and throtteling (both), less power consumption (both). And from the first tests with the Sony Vaio Duo13 - Haswell delivers.

So why buy yesterdays technology? That is like buying the last generation car without say anti locking breaks etc. when the next gen model WITH that stuff comes out two month from now. The car salesman may like the deal(1) but I don't do the deal.

(1) A Peugeot guy sure tried in 1997 - I bought a nice Fiat at a competitor instead

Re: No planned upgrades

If you want no fans you either go low power on notebooks (likely an Atom) or you go with MASSIV passiv cooling for desktops. And the trend goes towards smaller desktops.

A decently powerful notebook/convertible will need fans. Small and resonably silent ones but fans. ARM does not cut it performance wise and Atom while better is not useable past Office work. Innovation in PC is coming. Stuff like the new Haswell units look very promising endurance and weight wise.

Re: Not only does W8 work beautiful without touch

And Tom13 in his never ending wisdom just realized that

a) English is NOT my prime language

b) I am a lousy typist and know why I use spellcheckers on all relevant stuff

Re: My thoughts...

Actually I am mostly OS-agnostic. I use what works best (privat) and what the customer wants (on the job). No customer wants Linux on client (Win 7 or 8) or server (Solaris, AIX, HPUX, some OS/400). And for my needs Windows always was easier (works with all hardware), more useful (Games, learning C#,...) and more mature (been using Wacom equiped tablets since 2006 privatly).

On smartphones I use Android since I want a stylus. If iOS or WP7/8 offer a stylus - bye bye Android. Do not like the lousy update policy of Android in general and Samsung in special. If I get a Baytrail Win8 tablet I will drop the smartphone completely since everywhere I can carry / use a Note 2 - I can just as well use a 10'' tablet pc since I need a bag/ruck/attache case anyway(1)

For some jobs (automation) I might be tempted to use Beagleboard or Rasberry - if not for the fact that I have an aging but still functional Siemens S5 SPS around for that jobs and can program Step-5 just fine.

(1) The N2 is too big to carry in a pocket unless you wear cargo throusers. I wear those only as part of a full suit with a german flag on the shoulder - and then I do not carry a smartphone.

Re: since 2007

Aside from that fact that XP will be taken out and shot in early 2014? Well the fact that a 2002 hardware is itself getting long in the tooth and costing quite a bit to keep running in case of a notebook (Batteries have a 3year/1000 cycles average lifetime, displays age and die, fans die...) and will likely not be fully supported by Win7 or 8.

OS-X may work - on Apple hardware. And even that is not granted, if Apple does not deliver the new version or Mac-OS and the last you can use gets retired - see XP.

Granted, some special cases exist (no internet connected hardware mostly) but those are rare

Re: So why didn't you just uninstall Windows 8 and install something else?

Even assuming one does not like Win8 after trying it with an open mind - why on earth should I pay for Win8 and then not use it?

DELL/Lenovo/HP all sell without OS if you order by phone. The No Names "choose parts we assemble" trader next door will install what you order anyway.

Re: If OS/x and Linux can't make Windows 7 obsolete why think Windows 8.1 would?

One computer bought since 1998 ran Linux. A castrated and lobotomized version AKA Android. Sold it

No computer my parents bought runs Linux

No computer in the family does. Some run iOS or MacOS but those are at worst BSD (Actually Mach-3 with BSD personality)

No box in the company runs Linux. Some run Solaris, all clients Windows. And the clients are brand new (mid 2012)

Re: And folks it's happened

Damn you found out.

Greetings,

Steve B

Re: My thoughts...

Aside from numerous small improvements that might or might not be useful from faster start up (Yes, I DO switch of the desktop when I do not use it - uptime is for server) to better WLAN integration to...

And as soon as you use convertibles/2in1 or tablet pc and desktop units Win8 becomes even more interesting. It may not be best desktop OS nor the best tablet os but it is damned good at both jobs and if you need certain features (Handwriting and data formats readable on 92+ percent of the desktops, Sharpoint etc) it is THE best in both.

And 2in1 with pen support are interesting for quite a few jobs. I.e local real estate agent when getting new "pc" this year went for Atoms with a dock. In office they use a 20+ inch and keyboard, on customer dates just the tablet.

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

Re: This would be an Assange view of the law.....

What if there is a bit more in it? Normally I agree the basic offence is "slap on the wrist and then Lars and Olav throw him across the next border". BUT! if he has/had a nice STD then the not-use of a condom gets problematic. And given that a lot deals with "didn't use one" and he has refused a blood test...