Posts by Eric Dennis

Microsoft under threat from Linux - it's official

@magnetik

"So how many *hours* have you spent?

There's no such thing as free, unless your time is worth nothing."- The time it took me to download, install, and run UBUNTU didn't COST me anything. It's not rocket science. The cost of Windows plus applications like Office, Photoshop, and other software I use is a heck of alot more than Ubuntu (FREE) Open Office (Free with Ubunutu) and all of the other free apps that allow me to work, play, communicate and everything done that I do. The time it took me to download, install, and run Ubuntu didn't cost me MONEY. Microsoft and Apple products however cost MONEY. It's not rocked science. MORE FOR LESS.

"Hmm, you must be fairly new to Linux if you think that".

Let me say it one more time since it is clear, in a month of running UBUNTU, I have not had ANY PROBLEMS with it. IT JUST WORKS. IT isn't that I THINK IT WORKS. IT JUST WORKS. Can you say that about Vista? I think not. No, I am not new to Linux. I like UBUNTU. You don't? That's your problem. Not mine.

Wine works on OSX? Good. That isn't problem for me. WINE works beautifully in UBUNTU on MY laptop.

UBUNTU

I'm sitting here typing this on Ubuntu. Yes, Windows is under siege. Maybe Microsoft should just bye a Unix license and incorporate Unix into Windows. Then we can have an all Unix world with Apple and Linux and be under the same crap we are now with Windows but just under the same vendor.

I still haven't spent a single cent doing anything to make Ubuntu give me everything I need for free. It just works. There isn't anything I can't do on it. I can EVEN run Windows applications in WINE? HOW COOL IS THAT?? CAN YOU DO THAT ON WINDOWS?? DOES WINE WORK ON OSX??

Windows XP Mode digs deeper into Windows 7

BLAH

Windows 7 and it's XP mode are nothing more than Microsoft, Intel, and other's attempts to reinvigorate a recession dragging economy where people simply don't see the value in replacing computers that are working just fine right now and are running XP. I don't buy a new computer every time Microsoft introduces a new OS. Most people don't. Where I work, no one is running Vista. XP is still in play. No one is going to rush to replace working PC's with new ones running Windows 7. I don't need that support nightmare.

Apple tablet spooks world of PCs

@magnetik

People like you can buy Apple kit for the "user experience". The rest of us are more interested in what we can DO with technology, not how "warm and fuzzy" the "user experience' makes us feel. I'm an information technologist. The "USER EXPERIENCE" for me is "WHAT CAN I DO WITH THIS", not "how cool does it look that I have an Apple product". If the so called "user experience" was important to the majority of consumers, Apple would have more than it's 10% market share. More businesses would be purchasing and using Apple gear. Apparently they aren't, because businesses seek value for the money they spend, not the "user experience". Have fun with your Apple "User experience". I'm having a great USER EXPERIENCE with UBUNTU. I can do everything in it that I can do in Windows, and I can do all of that FOR FREE. Can you? Don't think so.

Right. Sure....

Yea. The entire PC world is shaking in her boots waiting to see a giant iPod Touch/ Apple Tablet that will cost $699 to $799. The rich people are salivating all over this. The rest of the world is thinking, who gives a darn. Ask yourself this- Why would anyone pay $699 to $799 for a crippled giant iPod when they can have a full PC, Laptop, or even Netbook that does MUCH MORE for MUCH LESS? I suppose the idol rich who simply loved fruit themed gear no matter what it is, will buy it. Microsoft couldn't sell the concept of the Tablet PC to anyone because no one saw the value in paying more for something that does less. Make a convertible netbook and they may have something. Simply growing a larger iPod Touch and calling it a "Tablet" or something else that sounds cool just isn't going to cut it.......

How about more instead of less

If Apple produced products that did more for the same money or less, that would be one thing, but Apple products tend to be hobbled (iPhone, iTouch) and cost more to do less. There will always be people who rationalize this and are willing to accept less and pay more. They are idiots with more money than sense. They can have their exclusive Apple iJunk. The rest of us are over it.

Google boss quits Apple board in wake of Chrome OS

BLAH

Google talk doesn't work on my Palm Centro. I'm sure as heck not going to pay the Apple Tax for an iPhone that blocks google talk. No thanks. I can be "cool enough" with a different phone.

Microsoft's Windows 7 price gamble - and why it's flawed

Ubuntu

I've been dual booting Ubuntu on my laptop for 3 weeks and haven't found anything I cannot do in Ubuntu that I normally do in Windows. Unless I buy a new PC with Windows 7 on it, I have no intention of upgrading any of my computers to Windows 7 any time soon. Ubuntu works just fine for me.

Apple tablet unveiling brought forward

Hmmm

Apple owns PA Semi. They use their own processor and mainboard design. High battery life, crippled features and of course, an internal unswappable battery should round out the feature set.

Mandriva's Linux-on-a-stick refreshed with Spring '09 release

No thanks.

I'll stick with Ubuntu. Free download direct from their website. Burn a boot disc, boot, install, end of story. Still haven't spent any money and I have a full working system with office suite, games, music recording software, the works.

Apple's panties in bunch over Microsoft ads

Keep running them

Microsoft should keep running them. Mac's are nice if you're rich, but over priced if you're not. Naturally those who have them will argue that fact. Why over pay for something that is "stylish" when you can get more for less by thinking out of the box. Typing this on a dual booting Acer laptop that runs Vista and Ubuntu. Won't be buying an Apple or a "Pear" any time soon to run either Windoez or Mac OS

iPhone v Pre - the celebrity smartphone deathmatch

Blah Blah blah

iPhone this.. iPhone that.... It seems that the iPhone fan boys just get their shorts all in a bunch whenever anyone doesn't just accept the iPhone as the secret of the universe, by default. The simple fact is that anyone who doesn't want AT&T as their vendor or anyone who wants features the iPhone doesn't support, will not get an iPhone. The rest who have more money than sense will buy an iPhone. I recently talked to an AT&T store employee about why she switched from the iPhone to a Blackberry. Quite simply because the iPhones short comings were things she simply couldn't get past. Not everyone will just because fruit flavored fanboys love their fruit flavored kit. Some aren't going to drink the coolaid and have an Apple love fest with you. Get over it. It's just a phone. Not the second coming of Christ.

What's the diff?

Do port websites look better on one or the other? Which one is AT&T going to offer me as a free upgrade when my two year contract is up? THAT is all that really matters to me. Besides, AT&T will never let the PRE onto it's network and the Pre doesn't record video. Now all I need is to synch with MS Outlook at work and it's a done deal for me. Which one does that??

Hotmail hack blamed for exposing extra-marital governor frolics

What do you expect?

He's a republican. You can't be surprised by this. Only Democrats can get away with screwing around. LOL!!!

Apple MacBook Pro 15in June 2009 release

It takes being a mac finatic like me to reach 100%

After all, we're talking about Macs here. Perfection isn't for you common folk. Perfection is only for those of us who are the master race. LOL!!!!!

Palm to out-iPod Apple with CEO pick

BLAH BLAH BLAH

The Pre is great and all but it has some of the same shortcomings that the iPhone has (lack of a replaceable battery, no flash support, no micro SD slot). Now, this is an opportunity for second generation Android phones to fill in the blanks and put the screws to both Apple and Palm. It's pretty obvious that all of the former Apple folk who are involved with the Pre have made it what it is. Sprint Customers will get a kick out of it, but unfortunately us AT&T customers only have one choice and if your contract isn't up for renewal because you just renewed in February (like me), you won't see an iPhone at a decent price for two years.

Apple adds 'S' to iPhone 3G

No iPhone for me

I'd consider an iPhone if AT*T gave existing customers a discount on them but they don't care about existing customers. By the time my 2 year contract is up (renewed in February of this year), there will be some newer iPhone version out there than this one and without MMS and a replaceable battery, I'm still on the fence. My Palm Centro was free and works just fine. I can replace the battery, have MMS, and everything else just works.

Larry Ellison relives reveals network computer netbook dream

I don't think so

We've been down this "network computer" road before. Doesn't matter if it's a "Netbook" with a browser based OS or any other sort of "cloud computing" nonsense. Cloud computer or "Network Computing" is entirely dependent on expensive back end Server hardware and software. In this economy, who's going to buy those big boxes? This is why Sun was bought by Oracle. They aren't selling the big iron any more because no one wants or needs it. That isn't going to suddenly change because Larry bought the company and wants a netbook run by Java. No one really cares about Java any more. Linux is having a tough enough time gaining any traction.

2060: Humvee-sized, bulletproof meat-eating spiders attack

Star Ship Troopers rip off

I don't think so mate. You've had far too many lagers today, haven't ya?

Microsoft conjures imaginary 'Apple Tax'

Apple Tax

I haven't read this "fake article" by this guy, but it is definitely a fact that without the fancy casing, PC technology is under the hood of both Mac's and PC's. Granted, the NVidia 9400 Chipset is the difference on the Macbook front, I don't think the fancy casing or Mac OSX is worth the extra money. When Apple was using Motorola and IBM RISC tech, the argument could be made that "you get what you pay for". Since both use similar PC Tech, the premium you pay for the Aluminum case and Mac OS just isn't worth it in this economy to those of us who aren't rich. This will all be seen as we watch Apple's sales figures over the course of this year.

Acer sued for shipping Vista-book with GB of memory

NONSENSE

I've got an Acer Aspire 5315 Laptop that came with 1GB of ram. I paid $389 for it. I upgraded the ram with another 1GB stick and I was still under $500 in total cost. What's the problem? A couple of idiots trying to make some money by suing a big multi-national corporation during this recession? RIDICULOUS!!! No one put a gun to their head and made them buy an Acer Laptop that didn't come with 2GB of Ram. It's called a BUDGET LAPTOP FOR A REASON!!!

Vista SP2 release candidate gets public airing

SP2

So they are making "Windows 7", i.e. SP2 available for download and testing? LOL!!!!!

Bloodhound supercar is 'recession beater', says promoter

Huh?

Not getting the connection between building a land speed vehicle and squeezing breasts to model "what happens when you let go of them". I'd say that the resulting affect of breast squeezing is nipple erection and arousal/stimulation. I'll have to do some "research" to confirm this, however. LOL!!!!

Paris, as she can always volunteer to assist with my "research", especially considering that it appears that she got a boob job and I've heard that the bewbies are "less sensitive" following this procedure.

Linux to spend eternity in shadow of 'little blue E'

REALITY CHECK

It's time for a reality check here,

Businesses decisions on computers and operating systems aren't made by "consulting with" staff to inquire on what they use at home. Hence, it really doesn't matter what staff buys to use at home and it doesn't matter if they want to use similar technologies at the office. Businesses generally are interested in how technology they are going to buy integrates with the technology they already use and what the cost of that technology is. You may not like Windows and decide to buy Linux to use at home, but go to work and try to demand they install Linux on your PC at your desk and see how quickly you get laughed at. You may not like Linux and decide you want a Mac at home. Go to your office and demand a Mac at your desk and see what happens. You won't be getting the technology you use at home set up on your desk just because YOU want it. The company you work for owns the computer at your desk. THEY decide what you get at your desk and if you intend to keep working at the desk that technology sits at daily, get use to whatever they give you because it isn't up to you.

That being said, Linux just isn't user friendly enough for anyone who isn't a Nerd. I played around with Red Hat Linux in 2002. While I found it interesting, driver problems as well as the need to spend for too much time in a console window compiling code just to install something that should come with a .exe installer (media players, etc) caused me to give it up when Red Hat stopped supporting it and moved on to wooing enterprise customers on the Server end. If the user interface were more elegant, drivers problems went away, and it didn't require a computer science degree to install any program, I might re-consider, but the fact is that all of the software I have runs on Windows and I have no problems with Vista. I had a Mac for five years and after it became too long in tooth to update, a bad buying experience from an online Mac Vendor lead me back to Windows again. I'm sure a bunch of Linux advocates can counter all of this in one way or another but all I can tell you is that until Protools software and digidesign hardware interfaces run on Linux, I won't be touching it because I can't get any work done on it. Protoos runs on both Windows and Mac and the hardware it controls is compatible with Windows and Mac. NOT Linux.

Iron Maiden axe cut ribbon on 'rock’n’roll' hotel

EXCELLENT

Nice to know that when my band tours the UK, there is a posh establishment that caters to the Rock N Rolla!!!!

Steve Jobs takes medical leave from Apple to focus on health

Apple is Jobs

Apple is Jobs. As you can see, any rumor about his health taking a turn for the worse cause Apple stock to tank. While someone else could run the company in theory, we all know that Apple made a spectacular turn around when Jobs came back. Hopefully as one person said, this isn't a prelude to an announcement of his health getting worse, to lessen the blow. Hope he gets better. Apple surely needs him and Apple's competitors need him too. I only bought one Mac but it lasted almost 9 years before becoming too obsolete to run newer software. Know any PC's capable of that? I don't.

Microsoft delays first Windows 7 public beta

"Feature Complete"??

Yea. Feature complete. Vista was suppose to be "Feature Complete" but WinFS was missing. Have fun with that Beta. I'm not touching it.

Microsoft knew about Xbox 360 disc-scratch problem, employee claims

Get over it

Bloody yanks are just lawsuit happy. Get over it already. The bloody company put disclaimer stickers on new units so you idiots won't tilt them while a disc is spinning. What kind of idiot tries to tilt the unit while I disc is spinning up in it anyway? Someone who wants to break something and sue the bloody company who made it just to make a fast buck?? BLIMEY!!!!

Hasbro drops lawsuit against Scrabulous creators

HASBRO SUCKS!!!

Hasbro Sucks. Name anything they make that is flying off store shelves? They're just pissed because someone made a couple of games that they like better than anything Hasbro makes. Someone should buy Hasbro. THEY SUCK!!!

Apple's Snow Leopard set to exploit GPU power

Serious problem for Microsoft

If Microsoft doesn't support OpenCL , they will have a serious problem. People who need that functionality to work with compatible applications will either defect or include Macs on their networks. The worse thing about it for Microsoft is that intel Macs dual boot Windows and have been shown to run it faster and more reliably than standard PC kit.

Reg readers in the dark over extreme porn

Big bone + anal sex = illegal in the UK??

So an image or movie depicting anal sex between a man with a large penis (say, 10 inches) and a woman, would be considered "illegal" under this new UK law, since it can be easily assumed that the large rod can be injurious to the anus. Don't you think?

Blu-ray backers highlight rising demand

No Blue Ray for me.

Including all of my computers as well as Gaming consoles, I have four DVD players, plus a DVD player on the living room TV. No blue ray players in my house, so no reason to buy any movies on blue ray. Until the PS3 comes down in price, I won't be owning a blue ray player. DVD all the way for me.

Angel spots CherryPal cloud chimera

Haven't gotten mine yet

I haven't received mine yet but will be happy to report on it's performance and useability once it arrives. In particular, I will be having my 9 year old son help me test it extensively to see if it is of any particular use for his market segment- i.e. elementary school children. As the netbooks appear to be all the rage, I have my doubts about this underpowered device, but it's free and I'm happy to be getting one. WE WILL SEE if it is worth the $249 asking price.

Employees sue for unpaid Windows Vista overtime

Long boot and shut down time??

Both my laptop and desktop run Vista and they boot in under 2 minutes, if that. I can't imagine an optimized Vista system taking 20 minutes to boot or shut down. Besides that, who waits around for their PC to shut down, then claims that time as "worked time"? That's bogus. Here come the lawyers. Anything for a buck.

Microsoft insists Hotmail redesign hasn't left users out in the cold

I don't use the online interface

I stopped using Hotmail online last summer. I access it from MS Outlook and have a consistent experience no matter what MS does. That's how I use Hotmail.

As for the new interface, I prefer the old one, but Outlook works for me. I don't need to worry about what MS does or doesn't do with Hotmail.

Michael Dell sells you some s**t you don't need

Stolen laptop

Hang on,

To begin with, anyone who stole a laptop can't log into it without a password, so any laptop thief with a brain would wipe the drive, install a fresh hacked copy of Windows, and therefore no Dell phone home software would be on the HDD to phone home or alert the authorities. Didn't think of that didja, Mikey Dell? BLAH. Dell sux!!!

Demand for consoles, add-ons skyrockets as PC games plunge

Maybe in the UK, but not over here in the USA

Perhaps you Brits aren't buying PC games, but since Crysis, Halflife 2, F.E.A.R, and RACE07/GTR EVO don't come on consoles, I won't be seeing any of you console gamers in my cross hairs online. CHEERS!!

Windows 7 borrows from OS X, avoids Vista

"Look like OSX"??

So it's going to have a dock like OSX? Why bother buying Windows if it's going to look and feel like OSX?? May as well have a Macbook be my next PC, accept I already have an investment in a desktop and laptop PC running Vista. My Vista systems perform extremely well with no problems. Nice to know I won't have to replace my PC's in two years. Wasn't planning on it anyway.

Microsoft unveils 'lightweight' Office for Web

Not me

I wont be paying a subscription fee of any kind for any version of MS Office. I'm still using Office 2003 and that works fine for me. Have no plans to upgrade any time soon. I will use the free Open Office before I will waste another dollar on MS Office.

Vista scrabbles for X Factor

My Two Vista machines run fine

$398 Compaq Desktop. $389 Acer Laptop. Both have Vista and both run fine. 2GHz CPU's and 2GB of RAM. That's the minimum spec that works. minor hitches like all other versions of Windows, otherwise they run fine. I have however optimized them and turned off features I don't need, but I did that in XP too. Like it or not, if you buy a new PC, Vista is what you will get. In a year this will all be old news as Service Pack 2 comes out and everyone stops complaining. Meanwhile, the point of that ad is that most computer uses do in fact use a Windows PC and most software is written for Windows PC's. You can always switch to Apple or Linux if you like. My PC's work fine for me.

US telco: 'Public broadband is illegal'

Corporate crap

Delay tactic designed to slow down the creation of public fiber so that the telco fiber is up first? Wouldn't it be funny if the citizens refused to purchase service from the telco? LOL!!!!!

Ballmer backs away from 'Vista Capable' legal row

Amnesia?

Isn't it interesting how company CEO's always tend to suddenly have "amnesia" about what their senior management is and isn't doing only when their companies are sued for some wrong doing?? That is exactly the same excuse that the CEO's of MCI and Enron gave at their trials. You see how that worked out. They are both doing time, aren't they?

Apple royalty skirmish ends in stalemate

That ruling makes my decision for me

I will never seek to have my music sold on iTunes. APPLE and the RIAA aren't for the artists. They are for their own pockets. Who needs them. I'll sell my tunes online myself, without their nonsense. No thanks Apple. You can keep your iTunes Music store and your Jesus Phone.

Apple probes poison-pumping Mac claim

Harmful odorous emminations?

"The question is, are those chemicals particularly harmful and emitted in doses sufficient to cause consumers harm?"

ONLY IN MAC PROS!! LOL!!!

US consumers flock to Mac laptops

The Economy Effect

The economy is effecting everyone now from top to bottom. Not just the middle class. That will have an effect on consumer buying decisions, particularly as we wait for the Senate to vote on the "Rich Wall Street Guys Bailout Plan". Some of us aren't rich and don't have the big bucks to afford the high and mighty Macbook or Macbook Pro but that doesn't mean a Windows Buying decision is a bad one. I have a Compaq Presario Desktop that I've been running Vista Business on for a year and there I've only had a couple of crashes and no real problems. I recently bought an Acer Aspire 5315 Laptop that is equipped similar to a Macbook but I did not pay $999 for it. I paid $398 and with another 1GB of Ram, it still cost under $450. My Vista user experience has been fine. It has it's quirks, but those quirks aren't enough for me to damn the operating system and over spend on a Mac. To each his own, but I don't see a lot of people in this economy rushing out to buy a Mac anytime soon, especially if the US Senate bails out the rich clowns who caused the problem in the first place- WALL STREET.

Blockbuster: DVD to Blu-ray shift slower than VHS to DVD

Blue Ray?

Blue Ray? Why? There are 6 DVD players in my house, including my X-Box, PS2, and two computers. Only one TV in the house out of 5 has HD anyway. I don't need Blue Ray. As long as there are regular DVD's, I see no need or reason to get anything Blue Ray until prices on players and movies in that format, drop.

Google: The Satan Phone cometh

"No app to synch with PC apps or files"?

If I can't synchronize my calendar and contacts with this robot phone, then it is of no use to me. I'm not going to buy any phone that can't do the things I need it to do.

BOFH: Remote access malarkey

Clueless User

You have no idea how many times I've been through this scenario doing desktop support. Ridiculous users seem to think that IT has to "ask their permission" to access their PC remotely and look at anything on it. The fact is that the PC belongs to the company and is connected to the company network and that the employee serves at the pleasure of the company. Most users never read the "Technology Use Policy" that they sign when they are hired, but it clearly states that the user understands that the computer they work on is owned by the company, the IT Department can and will access it at any time for any reason without either informing the user or "asking the user's permission", and that the contents of the user's hard drive as well as any logs on the PC are the property of the company as well. The silly users must think that it's like when they are at home on their home PC, but unfortunately for them, that isn't the case.

In the case of someone who is screwing up the network printer settings for example, you wouldn't want to "ask them" for permission to access their PC remotely. In the case of a hacker doing damage to company data systems, you don't WANT them to know you know what they are doing.

Anonymous hacks Sarah Palin's Yahoo! account

Keep her out of the whitehouse!!!

It should be apparent by now that Palin needs to be kept as far away from the Whitehouse as possible. Send her back to Alaska, which is far enough away to not do any real damage to the rest of the USA. McCain must be an idiot for having added her to his Campaign.....

BOFH: Back in the saddle

YES!!!!

Simon, you are my hero.

You are a hero to millions of IT Techs world wide who only wish we could handle situations like you do. PRAISE THE LAWD FOR THE BOFH!!!! LOL!!!!!!