Recent Posts

1151

General Software Discussion / Time to kill the OS upgrade disc?

« Last post by zridling on October 30, 2009, 06:48 AM »

CNet's Rafe Needleman has a great idea: Kill the OS upgrade disc!



Here's a better idea: Sell software at a reasonable price. And take the upgrades off the shelves.

I love upgrades. But I hate upgrade discs and upgrade pricing. Let's find a way to do away with both, or at least make the upgrade transaction a bit cleaner. The reason I'm writing this column won't be a surprise to anyone one who follows technology: Windows 7. I bought the upgrade disc (on the pre-order special price). When it arrived, I started the upgrade process for my Vista desktop. Knowing that the disc was licensed only to upgrade an existing Windows installation, I pressed the big button for a "Custom" installation and the disc set up my computer more-or-less cleanly with Windows 7. What I really wanted to do was re-format my hard drive and start from a blank slate on my computer, but I was afraid to do that since I thought the disc would see that as a non-upgrade install and not work.

He includes OSX in this, too.

1152

General Software Discussion / Top 10 Windows 7 Booster Apps

« Last post by zridling on October 29, 2009, 07:58 AM »

Lifehacker strikes again with a good start: Top 10 Windows 7 Booster Apps, which include:

• ninite
  
• VistaSwitcher
  
• Ultimate Windows Tweaker
  
• StandaloneStack
  
• Hulu Desktop Integration (Hulu, really?)
  
• WinFox
  
• Gmail Notifier Plus
  
• Windows 7 System Recovery Discs
  
• Logon Changer for Windows 7
  
• CSMenu

To make it easier, will ninite install all of these at once? And one commenter was right: Where the heck is CCleaner!

1153

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows vs. Mac: I'm starting to change.

« Last post by zridling on October 28, 2009, 12:10 AM »

You guys are definitely right about tradeoffs when switching. And if a person is aware of those going in, he's far more likely to tolerate them in his choice. There's comfort in immersion, and for 85% of users, the software ocean they swim in is Windows. And even if they spend time in another OS, when they come back to Windows, they're usually more tolerant of its shortcomings.

Indeed, every OS and platform forces adjustments and compromises. At least you guys are fully aware of them, whatever the OS. Thanks.

1154

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows vs. Mac: I'm starting to change.

« Last post by zridling on October 27, 2009, 03:37 PM »

Wow! I'm surprised how sensitive and defensive some Windows users have become as other OSes attract new users. Didn't understand the "gamer stabbing somebody" link, nor that someone who likes OSX is "removed from reality," nor the hostility toward someone/anyone who chooses not to use Windows. It makes me laugh because it sounds like you're all saying: How dare that SOB -- or anyone -- come to DonationCoder.com and talk about anything other than Microsoft software!

As I've said before, if you want this to be a Windows-only forum, then please let me know; I have better distractions where the eggshells aren't so thin. 

1155

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows vs. Mac: I'm starting to change.

« Last post by zridling on October 27, 2009, 04:13 AM »

Curtis Franklin agrees with Superboy!

1156

General Software Discussion / Re: Worst Win7 reviews (ongoing)

« Last post by zridling on October 26, 2009, 02:57 PM »

The KDE 4.x default is it, only it provides more flexibility with regard to widget and process placements.

1157

General Software Discussion / The Mac turns 25. Damn.

« Last post by zridling on October 26, 2009, 12:12 PM »

Saw this in the store today, so I bought it. On page 42 of its first issue, Bill Gates explained why the Mac was a "classic" computer. There were also two articles on MultiPlan, Microsoft's predeccessor to Excel. I loved it and used it, but by 1986, could no longer afford it. (I still can't.) But I will give them credit for surviving. Apple's revenue is vastly defined by its gadgets and phones, not its computers in this century.

1158

General Software Discussion / Re: Worst Win7 reviews (ongoing)

« Last post by zridling on October 25, 2009, 12:10 PM »

And that's what it's all about...people being happy on their chosen platform. Also, when one platform gains a really useful feature it provides a little competition. Then the others can copy, refine, and enhance that feature making it even better. As much as some Mac and Linux users hate to admit it there *are* some really nice features in Windows 7 & I can't wait to see how these other two platforms react and improve their OSes in response.

-Innuendo (October 24, 2009, 09:39 AM)

I believe Windows users will be very happy with 7, and will squat on that version for years. I like the overall polish, something that was missing from Vista, and for the year in beta, there's been no real problems to speak of for testers.

For a Linux user, it's still the applications. Most of my computing these days is done in the cloud, but until some folks get Photoshop on Linux, they won't be happy. But don't look for Linux to envy Win7's UI. KDE was there 16 months ago and has really gotten better (I can make it look list Win7, Vista, or OSX if I want, but the original KDE is -- for me -- better than all those). And the OSX UI is undeniably cool all around.

1159

Living Room / Re: What are you waiting for?

« Last post by zridling on October 25, 2009, 11:55 AM »

The discussion of my master thesis, just delivered the document yesterday and I'm anxious for putting it away and starting to work on much more interesting stuff

-jgpaiva (October 24, 2009, 09:04 AM)

Wow, congratulations!

1160

Living Room / Re: Unauthorized Contest: Who's been the most helpful in the last 3 months?

« Last post by zridling on October 25, 2009, 11:54 AM »

40hz for me.

rypple says I need to register.

1161

Living Room / Re: What are you waiting for?

« Last post by zridling on October 24, 2009, 06:04 AM »

First reactions to Win7.
.......................................
I'm shocked that Microsoft is still selling their OS for $200/220 (upgrade) and $300/320 (full version) in this economy. Even if I had that money, I could not pull the trigger on that purchase.  

1162

General Software Discussion / Re: Worst Win7 reviews (ongoing)

« Last post by zridling on October 24, 2009, 05:58 AM »

For someone who hates Windows and moved to Linux and has been raving about it ever since you sure do post a lot of Windows topics.

-tanis424 (October 21, 2009, 02:21 PM)

Thanks! I've truly enjoyed Linux and can't wait for the new openSUSE release next month. Win7 is what Vista should have been. While I distinctly hate Microsoft in myriad ways, I'm happy that those who do choose to use Windows will be getting back to a decent experience for a change.

1163

General Software Discussion / Re: Features removed from Win7 - do we miss them?

« Last post by zridling on October 21, 2009, 03:49 PM »

Great find, JavaJ. Had no idea "Windows Calendar" even existed!

1164

General Software Discussion / Re: Worst Win7 reviews (ongoing)

« Last post by zridling on October 21, 2009, 01:55 PM »

I think that's the point. That reviewer really doesn't use Win7 and you can tell by his odd little gripes.

1165

Living Room / What are you waiting for?

« Last post by zridling on October 21, 2009, 01:54 PM »

I'm waiting for:
— The mechanic to call me back and tell me if my 15-year old truck can be saved. I think the engine is gone.
— openSUSE 11.2
— The rain to stop. Wettest year ever in Missouri’s Ozarks.
— Cold weather. It’s like free air-conditioning to me.
— What impact Android 2.0 will have (DroidDoes.com)
— To find out whether the neighbor’s kid caught a fish in the lake across the park. He did, a catfish. He asked me to clean it. I gave him a recipe on how to cook it instead.

1166

General Software Discussion / Re: Worst Win7 reviews (ongoing)

« Last post by zridling on October 19, 2009, 10:38 AM »

Windows 7: 10 things that still need fixing
Perfect? No way. Think of these items as a working to-do list for Windows 8
PC World, 19 OCT 2009

1. Overall consistency
For a Microsoft product, Windows 7 is quite refined. But it still suffers from needless inconsistency. Why do most of its tools place menus on the left, while Internet Explorer 8 and the help system shove them over to the opposite end? Does the new media-sharing feature (HomeGroup) have zero, one, or two capital letters? Why does Office 2007's Ribbon interface show up only in Paint and WordPad?

2. The names of things
Too often, Microsoft's naming decisions confuse rather than clarify. "User Account Control" has nothing to do with the feature it supposedly describes; "Action Center" sounds like Ron Burgundy's local TV newscast. And an OS that already has a feature called Device Manager shouldn't call a new feature "Devices and Printers."

3. Windows Update
The operating system's built-in patching capability is essential. But Windows Update is also the OS's most irritating carryover feature. Tell it to download and install everything without your further intervention (as Microsoft recommends), and it may still insist on rebooting when you are in the middle of important work — or deny you access to your computer altogether while it installs updates.

4. Search
Windows 7's Federated Search lets you add external sources like Flickr and YouTube to Windows Explorer searches. But the OS doesn't help you find those sources and doesn't mention Federated Search in its help system.

5. Help
Help ... needs help. Some sections target nerdy command-line aficionados; others address clueless newbies. Few sections focus on intelligent-but-busy users of intermediate experience.

6. Flip3D
Press Windows-Tab, and you get Vista's fancy 3D task switcher, which pointlessly requires you to cycle through tasks one by one. This duplicates the functionality of Alt-Tab instead of enabling you to get to any task in a couple of clicks, as Apple's similar Exposé does.

7. Backup
Win 7's Backup and Restore Center no longer requires you to devote an external hard drive to a full system backup. But it still isn't as easy to use as Apple's Time Machine. And Microsoft's decision to put network backup only in Windows 7's priciest editions is just silly.

8. Versionitis
Having multiple versions of Windows is fine in theory. But in reality, their minor, subtle, and arbitrary differences invite confusion. Misleading names like Windows 7 Home Premium — the only Windows 7 Home version available in the United States — don't help.

9. Internet Explorer 8
Windows 7's bundled browser is perfectly adequate. But it's playing catch-up with innovative competitors such as Firefox and Google's Chrome, not setting new standards.

10. Document viewing
Like Vista, Windows 7 lets you create application-independent documents that use Microsoft's PDF-like XPS format to retain their original formatting. But PDF is pervasive and XPS hasn't caught on, so wouldn't it be infinitely more convenient if Windows 7 supported PDF out of the box?

1167

General Software Discussion / Worst Win7 reviews (ongoing)

« Last post by zridling on October 19, 2009, 10:33 AM »

Since Win7 launches this week, I thought it would be nice to start a topic that listed the worst Win7 reviews you come across. You've seen these types of reviews over the years -- some written from those who only used the OS for 15 minutes, some who are hypercritical of small things, and just some outright haterade. Critical honesty is what we're all about here at DonationCoder, so when you see either a cheerleader GREATEST OS EVER review or an unfair review, link to it so we can read what the village is writing.

Here is my first example, reprinted below. The PC World review does not carry a byline for some odd reason.

1168

General Software Discussion / 10 things to do after installing Linux

« Last post by zridling on October 19, 2009, 01:17 AM »

[via Graham Morrison]:



You’ve finally decided to try Linux. The installation went without a hitch (they usually do these days) and you’ve got a shiny new desktop sitting in front of you. What do you do next? It’s a whole world of limitless possibilities. Thanks to the nature of open-source development, thousands of applications, games, tools and utilities can be installed with just a few mouse clicks. None of these will be shareware, commercial or sponsored through advertising. They'll be functional, full-blown applications. And there's a lot to look at. The trick is knowing where to start.

Nice intro for beginners and tweaking.

1169

Living Room / Re: What books are you reading?

« Last post by zridling on October 18, 2009, 09:43 AM »

Philosophy and Chess stuff.


David Ray Griffin -- Whitehead's Radically Different Postmodern Philosophy


Alexander Alekhine -- My Best Games of Chess, 1908-1937

1170

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows vs. Mac: I'm starting to change.

« Last post by zridling on October 16, 2009, 09:29 PM »

It's hilarious to me that, this far into the 21st century, we are still arguing on behalf of proprietary hardware and software in one form or another. Today, the "typical user's" interaction with their computer is the browser, not the OS. Since all browsers are cross-platform -- oh wait, not Microsoft's IE -- you should use the OS you're willing to tolerate.

In some ways, we might as well be arguing whether we arrived by plane, train, or automobile.

1171

General Software Discussion / Re: Who should judge Win7's success?

« Last post by zridling on October 15, 2009, 02:11 AM »

It was mostly the usual [mainstream] suspects:
— ZDnet's Ed Bott went crazy over it, attacking anyone who had a negative experience of Vista, and called it a killer OS.
— PC World’s Preston Gralla and Paul Thurrott were enthusiastic overall.
— BusinessWeek’s Steve Wildstrom (Vista: Upgrade–or Trade Up?)
— CNET’s Robert Vamosi
— PC Magazine’s John Clyman
— NYTimes' David Pogue praised the UAC
— As did WSJ's Walt Mossberg
— USAToday's Ed Baig loved the look before ever really using it.

Simply put, Win7 was what we were expecting Vista would be. Thus it should be fun.

1172

Living Room / Re: Microsoft's $500 million cloud machine.

« Last post by zridling on October 14, 2009, 02:08 AM »

Wow, talk about server sprawl! And the march toward the computer-as-appliance continues the closer it moves to the cloud.

I'd hate to pay the electricity bill.

1173

General Software Discussion / Who should judge Win7's success?

« Last post by zridling on October 14, 2009, 01:53 AM »

For the most part, we DC members are power users and can find our way around any software. And based on early reviews and beta use, Win7 is a hit. But those same testers and early reviewers had good things to say about Vista, too. Whom should we trust to be the better judge of Win7's success?

• Mom/Dad?
  
• Niece/Nephew?
  
• The mythical "Average User"?
  
• Win7 party attendants?
  
• College students?
  
• Your co-workers?

1174

General Software Discussion / Re: Win7: Anyone else getting excited?

« Last post by zridling on October 12, 2009, 07:58 PM »

My neighbor, who is also a Linux user, invited me to a house party on the 23rd where he'd give me his [host] copy of Win7. I refused the Win7 offer but will attend the party (give it to someone who will use it and enjoy it). The reason I'm going is because he intends to setup a room of similar computers and simultaneously install everything:

— XP-SP3
— Vista
— Win7
— openSUSE Linux
— Linux Mint
— OSX

I'm sure that will break Microsoft's party rules, but it should be interesting if it is able to get anyone to switch from their current OS!

1175

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows vs. Mac: I'm starting to change.

« Last post by zridling on October 05, 2009, 04:44 PM »

zridling: for me, with linux, it's been an issue of programs being of generally inferior quality, often without proper documentation ("read the source" != documentation), very hostile "support" channels, sucky performance (graphics acceleration, the X11 platform (or at least the common widget toolkits), applications that load slowly, ...), the lack of proper C++ development tools, et cetera.

-f0dder (October 05, 2009, 04:29 PM)

Wow, would love to know which slow programs/distros you're using. I've not had that experience in the past three years. And have never come across a hostile person when asking for help, and I don't know enough about programming to know whether there are "[im]proper C++ development tools." Guess you're stuck with whatever Microsoft giveth. Nothing wrong with that if you're happy with it.