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4126

Living Room / Re: Gummiboot restructured to allow Linux to work on SecureBoot systems

« Last post by 40hz on February 05, 2013, 09:31 AM »

^Gets tricky. They need (last I heard) to have it enabled. But it's supposedly up to the manufacturer how (or if) it can be turned off.

Windows 8 doesn't require it. At least not yet. I have copies of Win 8 running in non-UEFI PCs. So it's not like it won't run if it doesn't see UEFI.

The big question is what Win8  will do if it does. Because if that means having to go into the hardware settings and turn SB off in order to boot Linux - and then back in to turn it on in order to boot Win 8 - then that extra annoyance will effectively eliminate the incentive to dual-boot for most people.

And if the big manufacturers decide not to allow you to disable SecureBoot (as a condition of purchase) then it's pretty much over for Linux unless it dances to Microsofts's tune - as Redhat and some other sellout distros have indicated they're all to willing to do.

Slippery slope...

4127

Living Room / Re: Yet another reason why I often wish I lived in Massachusettes

« Last post by 40hz on February 05, 2013, 09:13 AM »

I'd guess that within a few years, that will be the case with all states that have sales taxes, as it should be.

-xtabber (February 05, 2013, 08:51 AM)

Am I missing something here?

Of course, you could always move to New Hampshire...

Not likely. It's "Just like Alabama - but with snow" as the saying goes. Pretty place to visit. And the people are (mostly) very nice. But that's about it AFAIC.

But, as a MA resident, who has also lived in CT, NJ and NY, I can assure you that Massachusetts does have a lower overall tax burden than those states, and generally better state services too.  So much for "Taxachusetts."

Agree. It's not so much I object to paying taxes (I don't) but I do object to what they're sometimes used for.

In CT's case it's a problem because our government has plundered state employee pension funding and neglected critical infrastructure maintenance as long as it possibly could,. And now it's thrashing about for ways to recoup.

I lived in MA for six years and was always impressed with the level of services the state provided. I never once felt I wasn't getting good value for my tax dollars there. Which is more than I can say for my home state.

 

4128

Living Room / Re: Gummiboot restructured to allow Linux to work on SecureBoot systems

« Last post by 40hz on February 05, 2013, 08:57 AM »

Intel will get out of the traditional desktop motherboard business

-40hz (February 04, 2013, 08:19 PM)

If AMD have any sense they will clean up.

-Carol Haynes (February 05, 2013, 05:44 AM)

AMD is experiencing its own financial problems lately. Sales are off 25%. Don't expect them to rock the boat.

Actually if Intel and AMD (and other major manufacturers) simply refused to produce UEFI motherboards that give MS the key to the lock, or even go back to standard BIOS board production only,  it would force MS to respond, especially now Windows 8 is in the wild and can't be installed on SecureBoot systems without a valid key. If MS play hardball it will be sales of Win 8 that will suffer.

True - but "so not gonna happen" as my niece would say. Both Intel and AMD are hoping Windows 8 will be a big win and spark a buying spree. Neither can hurt Microsoft without hurting themselves. Expect no backbone from those two.

Seriously where are the class action law suits in all this? The EU caused problems for MS because IE and WMP were included in Windows, this is far worse as it effectively removes competitors from selling product at all!

Microsoft has a loophole in that incorporating UEFI is (technically) left up to the hardware manufacturers. Exactly how "voluntary" it is in practice is another matter - and one that will need a court ruling to finally decide. But thats something that can (and likely will) be dragged out for decades if it ever comes to that.

But even more to the point, most governments and industry regulatory bodies have now become aware of just how powerful an open hardware platform is. And how potentially threatening it can be to the powers that be - as Anonymous, Pirate Bay, and Wikileaks have repeatedly demonstrated.

Wanting more control over the hardware (and lacking the constitutional authority to get it) I see a trend by most governments to look the other way at anything that tries to rein in computer users.

Lack of safeguards to privacy, warrantless 'fishing expeditions' courtesy of bullied ISPs and database owners, kiddie-porn hysteria campaigns, allowing ridiculous IP lawsuits, granting equally ludicrous patents, allowing ongoing abuse of copyright laws and DMCA takedown notices...

No...I don't expect to see much relief from government on this score.

Back in the Regan Error Era, political and business interests discovered you could much more easily advance your agenda by the selective enforcement of laws. Ronald Regan was a master at pressuring the U.S. Justice Department not to enforce any laws his administration disagreed with.

And I worked out quite well for him and his cronies.

I think you'll see the same thing happen here. And I don't think the EU will be above it.

4129

Living Room / Yet another reason why I often wish I lived in Massachusettes

« Last post by 40hz on February 05, 2013, 08:29 AM »

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. – Starting in November, Connecticut residents will no longer be able to escape paying the state’s 6.35 percent sales tax on Amazon.com, as the online retailer will begin collecting sales tax on Connecticut residents.

The reason is that, over the next two years, Amazon will invest $50 million in the state and create hundreds of new full-time jobs here, Gov. Dannel Malloy announced Monday afternoon.

“All in all, this is a win for our state’s taxpayers, our Main Street retailers, and our workforce,” Malloy said in a statement. “Amazon’s multimillion-dollar investment and the hundreds of jobs that will come with both the construction and operation of their future facility will unquestionably boost our local economy.”

Under federal law, out-of-state retailers can’t be required to collect sales tax in Connecticut. Malloy called Amazon’s agreement to begin collecting tax revenue in the state “a great step” but said the federal government needs to take action on the issue.
Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman also applauded the deal, saying it is two more “significant steps” the state is making toward maximizing the revenue stream and job creation.

“This will both put people to work and help balance the budget, and we welcome Amazon as our newest partner in our effort to create long-term prosperity for Connecticut,” she said in the statement.

Amazon will start collecting state sales tax on Nov. 1.

Ok...

So come November, CT residents get to buy something at discount from Amazon - but still have to pay for shipping plus CT's sales tax (note: shipping and handling charges are also taxable in CT) - and still have to wait an average of five days to receive their purchase once it actually ships?

Yeah, Big Win!

Be interesting to see how many of those "hundreds of jobs" actually do get created - or how long they remain in CT if/when they are. (Especially considering the number of companies that came to CT and received huge tax breaks in exchange for creating jobs - and either didn't - or promptly rolled up their carpets and left once the incentives expired.)

And nice to see CT is handing a "big win" to its "Main Street retailers" by putting what amounts to an import duty on Amazon purchases with the cost to be born by its own residents.

Way to go Governor Malloy!

Now could the govenor please explain how all this is a "big win" for the taxpayers? Because I have heard zero discussion about reducing the state's income or other taxes now that this new revenue source is coming online in 9 months.

About the only "tax' discussion I've heard recently was a proposal up in Hartford that the the state reinstate tollbooths on its highways....
 

4130

General Software Discussion / Re: How much have I downloaded?

« Last post by 40hz on February 04, 2013, 08:30 PM »

I try not to think about how much I've downloaded over the years.

Between e-books, web-tv series, online documentaries, reference collections, Microsoft Action Pack images - and the fact I'm an unrepentant Linux "distro-slut" - I really don't want to know.

But I know it's up there. Considering I just installed Win7 (plus an anytime upgrade to Pro) and Office 2010 on a new drive for a friend, I easily pulled down over a gigabyte of updates from Microsoft just for that project alone.

4131

Living Room / Re: 50's military computer porn

« Last post by 40hz on February 04, 2013, 08:25 PM »

Well...nice to see the mil-geeks had their priorities straight back then.

In this era of drone 'Nintendo-commanders' I'm not so sure any more.

4132

Living Room / Re: Gummiboot restructured to allow Linux to work on SecureBoot systems

« Last post by 40hz on February 04, 2013, 08:19 PM »

From the Dude! Read the Handwriting on the Wall Dept:

Intel will get out of the traditional desktop motherboard business, as it focuses its resources on mobile products.

"We disclosed internally today that Intel's Desktop Motherboard Business will begin slowly ramping down over the course of the next three years," Intel said in a note to journalists today.

What does that mean exactly? Think of the PC tower systems that used to populate the Best Buys of the world. That's what Intel is winding down as it devotes more resources to ultrabooks, tablets, and phones.

"The internal talent and experience of twenty years in the boards business...is being redistributed to address emerging new form factors," Intel said.

Those designs will be mostly mobile, though Intel will also address "emerging" desktop designs. But even those -- like the tiny Intel NUC board and the all-in-one -- have their roots in the mobile world.

The end of development will come with Intel's upcoming "Haswell" chip generation, due to launch in the summer. "Intel will stop developing new Desktop boards once Haswell launch is completed," the company said.

Full article here.

While this certainly won't "kill off" the desktop/tower PC overnight, the simple fact that behemouth Intel (provider of the de facto reference boards for all its new CPUs and chipsets) intends to quit the field sends a pretty clear indication of where the PC platform is being driven.

As time goes on, expect to see more closed and non-modifiable "appliance type" computers and mainboards, while the traditional "open PC hardware architecture" becomes increasingly marginalized.
 
Yes, the times they are a-changin'

4133

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Calibre - e-Book (Personal Library/Document) Management - Mini-Review

« Last post by 40hz on February 04, 2013, 04:19 PM »

Did you try looking at it using Linux? Many times that will reveal things hidden from Windows. Especially if your gadget uses a non-Windows format (like ext3 or ext4) for its directories/disk.

Just be forewarned, I did a little snooping in my iPhone that way - and just copying photos off it onto my drive made them unreadable on my iPhone afterwards. Had to delete them all and then put the ones I wanted back on.

4134

Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by 40hz on February 04, 2013, 07:20 AM »

here's my version that I've taken some liberties with:

-Edvard (February 02, 2013, 11:35 PM)

You left out:

When a rock musician starts going bald, it's the end of their career. When a blues musician starts going bald, it's an extra 50 bucks per gig.
 

4135

General Software Discussion / Re: Removing dual-boots

« Last post by 40hz on February 04, 2013, 06:57 AM »

Like I said, it's easy - even if it can be a little scary the first time you do it.

To Microsoft's credit, they have made significant improvements to their system toolkit since the 'glory days' of WinXP.

Glad it went well for you.

Onward!

4136

Living Room / Re: a place to buy exotic plants?

« Last post by 40hz on February 03, 2013, 10:26 PM »

I want to start a green business

I want exotic plants that have unique properties

I want exotic plants that are rare, not to say unknown, here

-kalos (February 03, 2013, 05:43 PM)

If you do please consider exercising some ecological responsibility by taking care not to let them escape into the local environment without a very good idea of their potential impact. Otherwise you run the risk of seriously harming native species of plants. And introducing new pests as well.

Remember what happened when kudzu was introduced into the United States. The same could happen anywhere.
 

4137

Living Room / Re: Global Warming & Statistics

« Last post by 40hz on February 03, 2013, 10:13 PM »

without suffering dire consequences.
...
those who are polar bears mostly think it sucks

With all due respect, 40hz, your comment is exactly the kind of lack of debate I'm talking about. You seem to have jumped directly from a scientific observation about climate, to a determination that high-carbon-footprint industries must be reined in, without engaging in any kind of cost-benefit analysis

-CWuestefeld (February 03, 2013, 01:20 PM)

With all due respect, that is exactly what I was talking about when I said that those who most benefit from the current status quo have the least incentive to change it and inevitably insist on further "studies" and "impact analysis" before they will deem it "appropriate" or "responsible" to seriously consider change.

Here's a little thought experiment - try reversing the argument: If it is questionable that high-carbon-footprint industries are not a problem, then doesn't it logically follow that having even more of them would be both desirable and beneficial?

But even the most diehard anti-eco advocates aren't saying that. Because even they know it's a real problem. What they really want is to keep what's already theirs while at the same time restricting such industries from spreading further. That's what I call maintaining status quo.

The other problem with economic impact studies on this issue seldom reflect the full cost of pollution. And that's because the industries that cause it don't pay the full price for it. Much of the cost of pollution is subsidized by governments which largely deal with (and pay for) the health and environmental consequences.

It's often been argued that if industries were held accountable, and billed in full for the environmental damage they caused, it would be economically unfeasible for them to continue operating - and therefor need no further regulation.

Want to stop industrial pollution? Stop subsidizing it with tax dollars.

you don't get any points toward winning the debate

Oh, that's ok. I'm not very competitive to begin with. And I certainly don't see any of this as being a contest.  

---------------------

And I see i just broke my own rule about not participating in the Basement because I didn't notice this discussion had been reassigned. Ok. I'll let stand what I've already posted - but I'm out. Steady on!

4138

General Software Discussion / Re: 2013 Version: Browser Wars

« Last post by 40hz on February 03, 2013, 09:47 PM »

  I get the best of all 3 worlds by using Avant Browser which incorporates Chrome, Firefox and IE.   

-Tinman57 (February 01, 2013, 05:28 PM)

You missed Opera so you actualy get  the worst of the 3 xD

-Stephen66515 (February 02, 2013, 10:16 PM)

Opera?  Isn't that where the fat lady sings?   

-Tinman57 (February 03, 2013, 08:27 PM)

It is. And if she does, then it truly is over.

4139

Living Room / Re: Gummiboot restructured to allow Linux to work on SecureBoot systems

« Last post by 40hz on February 03, 2013, 09:31 PM »

Microsoft to sign the newly submitted bootloader version and will offer the new version to users for free once released.
...
According to Bottomley's presentation slides, it takes a week or two for Microsoft to respond to bootloader submissions and provide a signature that is considered trustworthy by Secure Boot PCs.
...

As a side note, Microsoft being the de facto keymaster to UEFI/Secureboot implementations is just mind-fecking boggling.

-Edvard (February 03, 2013, 09:20 PM)

Oh, it gets better. This from Heise Online's H-Open webpage: (full article here)

Booting Linux using UEFI can brick Samsung laptops

Linux and Bricks Booting Linux using UEFI just once on various Samsung laptops is enough to permanently stop them working. Several reports have been posted on the Ubuntu bug tracker, but the problem is likely to also be present in other Linux distributions, as it appears to be caused by a kernel driver for Samsung laptops. Kernel developers are currently discussing a change which would disable the driver when booting via UEFI.

Ubuntu developers were informed of the problem by one user last year, after he had tried to UEFI boot Ubuntu 12.04 or 12.04.1 on a Samsung 530U3C live from a USB flash drive. He had prepared the drive with Ubuntu's Startup Disk Creator, which sets everything up for booting via BIOS or EFI. Ubuntu froze shortly after loading the kernel and the user then powered down by holding down the power button. Thereafter the laptop refused to boot and the firmware would not even show basic startup information. Samsung repaired the laptop, which was under warranty, by replacing the motherboard. When the same thing occurred with the repaired machine, the user alerted the Ubuntu development team.

Since then, many more users have reported having bricked their laptops by trying to boot Linux. The problem also appears to affect Ubuntu 12.10 and other Samsung models. The Ubuntu bug report includes posts from users reporting that the problem also affects 300E5C, NP700Z5C, NP700Z7C and NP900X4C series laptops. It does, however, only occur when Linux is booted using UEFI. It does not appear to matter whether Secure Boot is on or off. The problem can be circumvented by booting Linux using the Compatibility Support Module (CSM). UEFI firmware on many recent systems includes a CSM to enable operating systems to be booted in the same way as on computers with conventional BIOS firmware. Installing Linux alongside a Windows installation installed using UEFI mode is, however, not straightforward when booting using CSM.

The Ubuntu development team has held talks with Samsung staff, who have identified the kernel's samsung-laptop driver as the prime suspect...

Um...weren't we previously assured by Microsoft that a situation like this couldn't possibly happen with a UEFI/SecureBoot-capable machine?
 

4140

Living Room / Re: Schumpeter's Demon

« Last post by 40hz on February 03, 2013, 09:21 PM »

^I'm guessing it's an allusion to the economist Joseph Schumpeter. Parts of the story reflect his notions of creative destruction and entrepreneurial innovation driving societal change. Anybody who has attended management college will probably remember learning about him. IIRC he was one of the first to argue that placing restrictions on entrepreneurship would ultimately destroy capitalism and usher in an era of corporate-socialism. It was an argument very much in vogue back in the late 80s and early 90s when "entrepreneurship" and "paradigm shifting" was all the rage.

4141

General Software Discussion / Re: Why is it so hard to find a decent image organizer?

« Last post by 40hz on February 03, 2013, 10:19 AM »

But like so many other programs, it makes me feel like it's just the least bad one out there.

-CWuestefeld (February 02, 2013, 03:43 PM)

That is one of the most succinct observations I've read in a long time. Well said!

4142

General Software Discussion / Re: Lock PC during Boot. ???

« Last post by 40hz on February 03, 2013, 10:11 AM »

My point was that some boot managers (not  the one supplied with Windows but rather a replacement) can be setup to use a password to get into them.

If you have one of those, you can let the boot manager handle asking for the password. Once you get to the boot selection menu you don't really need additional passwords since the boot manager already asked for one.

You could then set up each of your Windows versions to automatically login. That way, once you selected it from the menu you'd just go in without needing to enter an additional password.

A Google search on "boot manager" or a look here will get you started researching some alternatives.

Hope that made sense.

4143

Living Room / Re: Global Warming & Statistics

« Last post by 40hz on February 03, 2013, 09:47 AM »

To me, it seems to boil down (opinion-wise) that:

Those in charge of places that benefit economically from technologies that have high thermal profiles have a vested interest in diffusing the debate and generating contrarian arguments against the increasingly obvious fact we cannot continue to go down the present road we're on without suffering dire consequences.


At least it's nice to see they pulled their heads out of the usual place they keep it.

Those who live in societies that stand to be negatively impacted by changing the way they currently live (and do things) are generally opposed to dealing with the issue. And, when pushed, will lock onto any arguments "proving" there is "really nothing to worry about."

On the other hand, those who are polar bears mostly think it sucks to be drowning now that their ice flows are slowly starting to change into the consistency of giant Slurpees.

But polar bears don't pay taxes, vote, or blog - so they may be safely disregarded. Because what the heck? Any creature that's not interested in NASCAR - and is too stupid to know how to bribe politicians - deserves to go extinct, right?
 

4144

General Software Discussion / Re: Lock PC during Boot. ???

« Last post by 40hz on February 03, 2013, 08:49 AM »

If you have a boot manager that required a password to get into it couldn't you then just set XP and Win7 to login automatically since the boot manager would have already asked for a password?

4145

General Software Discussion / Re: Lock PC during Boot. ???

« Last post by 40hz on February 03, 2013, 07:57 AM »

If it's last item, look at BitLocker or (IMHO preferable) TrueCrypt.

-f0dder (February 03, 2013, 07:55 AM)

+1. Agree w/f0dder 100%.

4146

General Software Discussion / Re: Lock PC during Boot. ???

« Last post by 40hz on February 03, 2013, 07:50 AM »

You can set a password in your BIOS settings that would require you to enter a password before the machine would boot up if that's what you're asking about. If you fail to enter it, it won't even start to load your operating system. Nor will it boot from a CD, USB key, network connection, or floppy.

Getting into the BIOS settings varies by manufacturer. But usually hitting F1, F2 or DEL immediately after powering up will do it. The hardware password setting is usually found under a tab labeled Security or something similar. But that also varies by manufacturer so you may have to go searching for it.

Some caveats:

1. If enabled, your machine will have an extra step to go through each time you reboot it.

2. Do not - under any circumstances - forget the password! Cracking and resetting a forgotten Windows password is a nuisance. But it's doable. Resetting a forgotten BIOS startup password is a major headache that requires access to the motherboard, hard jumpering pins, disconnecting batteries and other techno-nastiness best avoided. So again and again 100 times more : DO NOT EVER FORGET YOUR BIOS PASSWORD IF YOU SET ONE.
 

4147

Living Room / Re: Apple trademarks its retail store design

« Last post by 40hz on February 03, 2013, 07:29 AM »

I think (considering it was granted to Apple) that it's both understandable and setting a dangerous precedent.

Understandable in the wake of those faked Apple stores found in China. Leave it to China to bring retail scamming to a whole new level. Now that's innovation!

But it's also a dangerous precedent in that Apple has been equally '"innovative" in pushing copyrights, trademarks, and patents to ever higher levels of absurdity.

Apple and China - a marriage made in...well, lets just say they're made for each other.

4148

General Software Discussion / Re: Removing dual-boots

« Last post by 40hz on February 02, 2013, 12:08 PM »

it doesn't include rewriting the MBR first.

-Carol Haynes (February 02, 2013, 10:55 AM)

Yeah...I'm not so sure it's really necessary to rewrite the MBR. I've just done the "fix" piece and it's worked.

I suspect completely doing the MBR is an extra safety measure in case the Linux installer somehow buggered the existing MBR as far as Windows was concerned.

In the past, I have seen perfectly functioning Windows machines have some of Microsoft's utilites complain the the MBR is not "standard."

T'was a time when partitioning and formatting a drive with GParted (to save huge amounts of time) used to do that. But I don't know if that's still the case. Either way, I'm in the habit of still doing all my initial disk setups using GParted but, if loading Windows afterwards, I'll always do a Microsoft 'fix' on the disk first before I start the installation. Just in case.

Possibly/probably isn't necessary anymore - but old workflows and work habits die hard.

4149

General Software Discussion / Re: Removing dual-boots

« Last post by 40hz on February 02, 2013, 11:58 AM »

Addendum:

I just noticed the link to get the recovery disks charges $20 for a copy - supposedly because of "licensing requirements." That sounds like a crock to me.

Anybody you know with a copy of Windows 7 can create a boot/recovery disk for you - as you probably can yourself.

Go to Control Panel then System and Maintenance and click Backup and Restore.

On the next screen select Create a system repair disc and do as told.

In some cases, the necessary utility files might not have been installed (to save space) when windows was put on your machine. If such is the case, you'll be prompted to insert a full Windows installation DVD first. If you don't have one, you'll have to get a friend to make a recovery disk for you.

If you're really stuck I'm sure a fellow DoCo member can help you out with either a disk or an ISO.

4150

General Software Discussion / Re: Removing dual-boots

« Last post by 40hz on February 02, 2013, 10:49 AM »

^Cool!

Next time try Linux Mint Cinnamon.

It's Ubu based but I think you'll like what they've done a lot more. Especially if you're on a regular screen and don't even want to consider Unity.