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Yes.

"We will be soon releasing the beta of Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC for Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate."
http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/business/archive/2009/04/24/coming-soon-windows-xp-mode-and-windows-virtual-pc.aspx

"As part of the upcoming Windows 7 Release Candidate milestone, Microsoft will release a beta version of Windows XP Mode"
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2009/Apr09/04-28Win7QA.mspx

Why not detect if they're using IE and have a pop-up saying "Does this site look broken? Your browser does not properly support internet standards." and direct them to the appropriate explaination, list of browsers, etc.

I believe that's called End 6.

That gets the same message across without costing you any readership

Except that portion of who browses the web on computers that they do not own. If you're a limited user, you may not have the privilege to modify C:\Windows or C:\Program Files or to run any program not in those folders. Limited users at home might be everybody but the head of the household; limited users at work might be everybody but executives and the IT department; limited users at a public library might be patrons.

To build a new data center for the Social Security Administration all you need is $200M for immigration lawyers to draft legislation to lift the H-1b cap, $200M to buy Congressmen to pass it

I really don't get your point (or the joke, if there is one), but it's worth pointing out that influencing elected officials doesn't cost millions (short of large scale lobbying campaigns).

Are you the bum with no sense of humor thats modding all the Cynics as trolls? If I must explain, he says that you can you can build a huge data center with immigrants and old XP boxes networked together. Yes, there Do exist Windows Clusters

mighty mouse is a the perfect example of Apple's design under ... ketamine
... stylish/design/lookThisPureLine/blabla totaly useless
I had a logitech combo for my macs and pc for more than 4 years and until I got upset with the mouse not charging and destroy it against the wall,
logitech was doing a good job and it was worth the $ (ok, the ctl panel on osx was (is ?) a piece of shit, they take months to fix compatibility issue, with growl for ex)
I was checking M$ http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=084 and finally test 'the blue connection' on my MBP looks nice and affordable online

the battery (a single rechargeable AA) regularly lasts two weeks through lengthy gaming sessions

No offense, but I'd say that's pretty crappy. I've got this beauty; the mouse takes 2 AA. I use non-rechargables, but I think I've changed the mouse batteries probably about 4 or 5 times in 16 or so months. Even if there were 8 changes, that's still getting twice the life per battery that you are.

That's my primary mouse, so gets used for 8-10 hours/day, 5 days/week.

(OTOH, I have another Logitech mouse that has a built in battery that only ever lasted 2 or 3 weeks probably, and is down to a few days.)

If Windows would actually join the 1980s and have decent support for virtual desktops that would alleviate a lot of that, but even in KDE or Gnome it's often the case that I have stuff open on all of the desktops and would still have to move things. (On the tiling WM I'm using now, awesome, I've got 32 virtual desktops on each monitor, about 1/3 of which are usually used, so there getting to an open desktop would be pretty easy.)

The Windows NT 3.1 Resource Kit included a program called TopDesk which still works fine with everything up through XP. It does the same sort of multiple desktop system that your link shows.

I run with and 11x3 layout, so that's 33 total desktops. Windows can be set to follow you to the current desktop, or stay where they were as you switch. You can also have "ghosts", which allow you to force a particular program to always start up on a particular desktop.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer]
"NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:000000ff

Save that to a reg file. Disables autoplay system wide for all devices.

Please see http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd349797.aspx

Vulnerability

An attacker with physical access to the computer could insert an Autorun-enabled DVD or CD into the computer that automatically runs a malicious program.
Countermeasure

Configure the NoDriveTypeAutoRun entry to a value of 255, disable Autorun for all drives.

I'm glad they're pushing it out more aggressively as that means more people will get better standards support and less-awful javascript performance, but I can't help wondering why they haven't put some effort into making it possible to slipstream it into an XP install image. They say it's because "Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 do not currently offer a solution for slipstreaming Windows components, which are built using update.exe." If they consider it a critical update, then given the number of new XP installations which are still happening and the needs of those trying to roll this out to tons of computers, you'd think they'd find a way around that.

When is IE6 End-Of-Lifed?

Looks like IE6 gets updates until mid-2010.

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifesupsps/

It doesn't, by itself.

IE8 does have "improved" namespace support, meaning that MathML and SVG plugins are not limited to <objects>, they can also work on inline xml.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd565690(VS.85).aspx

I'd like to point out that in Office 2007 SP2, Microsoft will incorporate native OpenDocument support to their office suite.

It seems to be available here, but it doesn't seem to have been publicly announced yet.

I'd like to point out that in Office 2007 SP2, Microsoft will incorporate native OpenDocument support to their office suite.

It seems to be available here, but it doesn't seem to have been publicly announced yet.

http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx

If you are a student, the student version is $60.

It's been tried on Amazon with 79 cent CD-ROMs.

Ranking somewhere around 39 in sales of office suites, as I recall.

The chances are really quite good that you already qualify for a legit free or steeply discounted version of MS Office.

Through your employer. Your school or college.

The Ultimate Steal from Microsoft is $60 with student ID.

90% off retail list.

Office Home and Student 2007 is easily found at around $90 retail. But it's the consumables that eat you alive -
not the OEM office suite that sits on your PC for the next five years.

The geek always quotes the stiffest price he can find for the retail box the lone wolf professional will buy only once.

Forget the retail box.

I know it's bad form to reply to your own posts, but as I understand it, MSOffice Service pack 2 update (released April 21st 2009?) includes .od* file support. According to this Description of 2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 2 (SP2) and of Microsoft Office Language Pack 2007 SP2

"The sad thing about Windows NT is that the design was pretty good, the implementation was OK, but the default security policy is totally useless" - by Jacques Chester (151652) on Tuesday April 28, @06:32AM (#27743403)

That's PRETTY EASILY ALTERED (well, IF you have a basic understanding of what's going on, userrights + ACL's &/or PORTS wise (IANA lists & NTFS + Registry level security etc. et al)), & the CIS Tool, a multiplatform "benchmark" of security compliance, based on "industry best practices", no less, & that's well respected enough for that purpose!

(CIS Tool truly makes it as simple as it gets to do MOST of what's needed for securing a Windows NT-based OS easily (and, other OS platforms also)... the evidence thereof, from an end-user's results after applying it (& more) shows that cleanly enough).

First though?

An example of uptime, AND stability, in a high tpm environs, industrially:

NASDAQ keeps on running 24x7, into the fabled "5-9's" of 99.999% uptime using Windows Server 2003 + SQLServer 2005 (in failover clusters) since late 2005, acting as the official dissemination system of official trade data:

----

NASDAQ Migrates to SQL Server 2005:

http://windowsfs.com/enews/nasdaq-migrates-to-sql-server-2005 [windowsfs.com]

&/or

NASDAQ Uses SQL Server 2005 - Reducing Costs through Better Data Management:

http://blog.sqlauthority.com/2007/09/17/sqlauthority-news-nasdaq-uses-sql-server-2005-reducing-costs-through-better-data-management/ [sqlauthority.com]

"NASDAQ, the worlds first electronic stock market replaced its aging mainframe computers with Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 on two 4-node clusters to support its Market Data Dissemination System (MDDS). Every trade processed in the NASDAQ marketplace goes through the system with Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 handling some 5,000 transactions per second at market open. The system also responds to about 10,000 queries a day and is able to handle real-time queries against data without slowing the database down."

+

Case Studies - Financial Services:

http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2005/en/us/cs-financial-roi.aspx?pf=true [microsoft.com] [microsoft.com]

"NASDAQ Deploys SQL Server 2005 to Support Real-Time Trade Booking and Queries

NASDAQ, which became the worlds first electronic stock market in 1971, and remains the largest U.S. electronic stock market, is constantly looking for more-efficient ways to serve its members. As the organization prepared to retire its aging large mainframe computers, it deployed Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 on two 4-node clusters to support its Market Data Dissemination System (MDDS). Every trade that is processed in the NASDAQ marketplace goes through the MDDS system, with SQL Server 2005 handling some 5,000 transactions per second at market open. SQL Server 2005 simultaneously handles about 100,000 queries a day, using SQL Server 2005 Snapshot Isolation to support real-time queries against the data without slowing the database. NASDAQ is enjoying a lower total cost of ownership compared to the large mainframe computer system that the SQL Server 2005 deployment has replaced."

----

SO, that all "said & aside" - You want PROOF of that "stability/uptime", you say?

OK, see here -> http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/Trader.aspx?id=MarketShare [nasdaqtrader.com] [nasdaqtrader.com]

"NASDAQ is renowned for its high performance technology and has proven reliability with 99.999+% uptime. Whats more, firms count on NASDAQ fo

"I thought Windows was secure. Why not use that? *cough* *cough*" - by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 28, @05:30AM (#27743003)

Yes, why not? Especially w/ results like these (from BOTH 'end users', & from a high tpm (transactions per minute) industrial environs):

NASDAQ keeps on running 24x7, into the fabled "5-9's" of 99.999% uptime using Windows Server 2003 + SQLServer 2005 (in failover clusters) since late 2005, acting as the official dissemination system of official trade data:

----

NASDAQ Migrates to SQL Server 2005:

http://windowsfs.com/enews/nasdaq-migrates-to-sql-server-2005

&/or

NASDAQ Uses SQL Server 2005 - Reducing Costs through Better Data Management:

http://blog.sqlauthority.com/2007/09/17/sqlauthority-news-nasdaq-uses-sql-server-2005-reducing-costs-through-better-data-management/

"NASDAQ, the worlds first electronic stock market replaced its aging mainframe computers with Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 on two 4-node clusters to support its Market Data Dissemination System (MDDS). Every trade processed in the NASDAQ marketplace goes through the system with Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 handling some 5,000 transactions per second at market open. The system also responds to about 10,000 queries a day and is able to handle real-time queries against data without slowing the database down."

+

Case Studies - Financial Services:

http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2005/en/us/cs-financial-roi.aspx?pf=true [microsoft.com]

"NASDAQ Deploys SQL Server 2005 to Support Real-Time Trade Booking and Queries

NASDAQ, which became the worlds first electronic stock market in 1971, and remains the largest U.S. electronic stock market, is constantly looking for more-efficient ways to serve its members. As the organization prepared to retire its aging large mainframe computers, it deployed Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 on two 4-node clusters to support its Market Data Dissemination System (MDDS). Every trade that is processed in the NASDAQ marketplace goes through the MDDS system, with SQL Server 2005 handling some 5,000 transactions per second at market open. SQL Server 2005 simultaneously handles about 100,000 queries a day, using SQL Server 2005 Snapshot Isolation to support real-time queries against the data without slowing the database. NASDAQ is enjoying a lower total cost of ownership compared to the large mainframe computer system that the SQL Server 2005 deployment has replaced."

----

SO, that all "said & aside" - You want PROOF of that "stability/uptime", you say?

OK, see here -> http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/Trader.aspx?id=MarketShare [nasdaqtrader.com]

"NASDAQ is renowned for its high performance technology and has proven reliability with 99.999+% uptime. Whats more, firms count on NASDAQ for unsurpassed speed and tested capacity to execute trades quickly and efficiently."

----

AND, now, from an end-user's perspective, once Windows has been "security-hardened" (& CIS Tool helps make THAT an 'easier job' for end-users too)?

See this -> http://www.xtremepccentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=e8281208df2ccba74470d6c68e047d40&t=28430&page=3

----

"ts 2009 - still trouble free!

I was told last week by a co worker who does active directory administration, and he said I was doing overkill. I told him yes, but I just eliminated the half life in windows that you usually get. He said

I think all Slashdot users can agree it would be terrible if Microsoft got in this game. If this might happen, show me where to protest!

I have bad news for you...they already are http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/healthvault/default.aspx

Yup. For Vista Ultimate/Enterprise, it's called Subsystem for Unix Applications. For pre-Vista, it was called Services for Unix and was a separate download.

Yup. For Vista Ultimate/Enterprise, it's called Subsystem for Unix Applications. For pre-Vista, it was called Services for Unix and was a separate download.

Yup. For Vista Ultimate/Enterprise, it's called Subsystem for Unix Applications. For pre-Vista, it was called Services for Unix and was a separate download.

They've had IPv6 for a long long goddamn time.

Absolutely. The first version of the current IPv6 stack was released (with source code) for NT4/Windows 2000 in 1998. The first supported version came with XP.

Holy cow, how does this stuff get under the radar, especially on Slashdot?

Not directing this at the poster..

I am hit by about 80% of IT people not even realizing this exists, and there are a lot of people locked in a 'Windows' corporate world that would really enjoy this stuff, and could use it on a daily basis.

Quick Info...

POSIX was a watered down 'basic' UNIX model OS provided under Windows NT 3.1 through Win2K.

In the meantime MS sponsored and worked with several companies in their own UNIX subsystem technologies, and the result is SUA, or one that came from joint work with Interop and MS.

(MS made the Interop people very rich and bought them out in the early 2000s.)

So there has been a 'basic' POSIX environment running on NT since NT was born, but there has been a higher end UNIX subsystem that has been available around NT 4.0 and later provided by MS around the time Windows 2003 Server was released.

(So this has been free and around for at least 6 years.)

PS: MS also funded and worked with a couple of Linux (yes Linux) UNIX subsystems, but they haven't ever left R&D.

The current UNIX Subsystem for Windows provides SVR-5 and BSD UNIX. (And there are people do Linux stuff as well on their own, but that is a non-issue as it is not official MS supported subsystems.)

So yes Virginia you can easily run UNIX applications on Windows, in a native subsystem - no VM - native, that uses the IPC and Object Manager abilities of the NT kernel architecture that gives the UNIX Subsystem communication to the Win32/Win64 subsystem. Meaning you can take your UNIX app and let it tap an ODBC database driver instead of using MYSQL, as well as run on the Windows Desktop natively.

Two quick Links...

http://www.suacommunity.com/

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc771470.aspx

(There is a lot of information on the MS site and whitepapers all around, as well as even OSS sites that work with SUA as it is known.)

---

Even if you are just an IT person that is a UNIX CLI guru, break out the UNIX subsystem on Windows and go to town with your favorite UNIX CLI.

---

Again it has been a free download from MS for XP or Windows Server since at least 2003, and it even ships on the Vista DVDs (Business & Ultimate) that is just a one click to install from that add/remove Windows Features/Components.

This is also one of the cool things about the NT architecture, is the client/server kernel design that offsets and layers upper level OS API sets. NT also uses its 'hybrid' kernel to do things like this that OS X and Linux can't do, by allowing both direct and managed non-direct calls to let it create the upper layer OS subsystems with offset API kernel interfaces that are easily layered.

I hope that this helps *nix people using Windows or at least someone finds this cool and something that makes their life easier.

Trademarks are also bound to product types for example http://www.purax.com.au/products/microsoft-quilts versus http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/default.aspx. So the trademark for a product that clearly has nothing to do with other companies holding the same trademark name but for completely different products can also pass. So unless Taser is also manufacturing range of dildos in addition to it's range of lethal weapons, then it has a fair complaint otherwise it is completely invalid and that is not even touching the virtual satirical context.

Although they might claim that law enforcement officers using Tasers are doing so to fulfil sadistic sexual perversions rather than as a defensive weapon and, so it could be considered a sexual stimulation device, likely true but no one is going to admit to it in court, so still difficult to prove ;).

The difference between Bill and Steve at the company's helm are immediately visible in the official corporate mission statements of Microsoft under each.

Under Bill, it was: "A computer on every desk and in every home, running Microsoft software."

Under Steve, it is: "To enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential."

You figure out what difference does it make.

Oh, and by the way, ask yourself a question: if you had money to invest, would you rather give it to company with the former mission statement, or the latter one?

Do you really think they need a PR Company to humanise BillG face? When you have THIS replacing you at the company, you will look good compared to him no matter what you have done.

http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/exec/steve/

Similar thing happened to SJobs, when he got fired from the company he founded. Ask the people who were around him in 1980s, he wasn't _that_ loved. Hugely respected, admired but not liked. Of course, BillG wasn't fired, that is one difference. IMHO, if he tried to make a NeXT like revolution at MSFT, that bald guy would really, really fire/replace him somehow.

There's a process for converting cardfile files to various other formats on MS's site here. Of course, once you get them into a comma delimited file, there's no shortage of routes you could take to move it into other apps.

The 32-bit version of Cardfile that came with some early versions of Windows NT ought to run fine on 64 bit OSes, but I haven't tried it myself.

I agree with most of that... let me add a few:

Stop assuming you know where my files came (or didn't come) from. Just because some IT challenged official in some paranoid branch of the government demanded that you track executable file origins using hidden NTFS data streams which you don't bother to explain to the end user doesn't mean that we all need or want this functionality. The "feature" while annoying in XP SP2 is even more intolerable in Win7 which for some insane reason wants to make your screen go black for a few seconds and pop up a warning box every time you launch something from a share on your own network. The only fix? Disable ALL ZONE checking with an environment variable: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/889815

Quit designing your interfaces for the lowest common denominator, or at least provide quick and easy access to a streamlined, non-space wasting, admin/power user optimized GUI.

Why does Win7 take 2 hours to install on high end hardware?

Don't make thing harder to do. Many things that took 1 or 2 mouse clicks in XP now take 3 or 4.
Example: Network connection properties. Old way: Double click on system tray icon and click properties. New way: Right click on system tray and select Open "Network and Sharing Center", On the windows that appears on the other side of your monitor, click on Change adapter Settings, Right click on "local area connection" and select properties. Double click does absolutely nothing now. Why is that exactly? (and what exactly is that silly new network diagram in the unfortunately named "Network and Sharing Center" supposed to accomplish? Each icon leads to things that I probably don't need if I'm trying to configure network settings)

Don't hide complexity behind dumbed down descriptions that are open to interpretation, or at least provide several optional levels of detail. You occasionally do this in Vista/Win7 but it's neither consistent nor detailed enough.

"Apparently the Windows 8 kernel is being reworked to provide dramatic performance improvements. Windows 8 will also include innovative features that, according to Microsoft, will revolutionize file access in branch offices."

Umm..from the 'Job Details':

"For the upcoming version of Windows, new critical features are being worked on including cluster support and support for one way replication. The core engine is also being reworked to provide dramatic performance improvements. We will also soon be starting major improvements for Windows 8 where we will be including innovative features which will revolutionize file access in branch offices."

The core engine they are talking about (dramatic performance improvements), IMHO, is not Windows kernel itself, but the storage layer core engine.

Stop confusing people, pls.

"Microshaft and The-Cult-of-Apple - have made it nearly impossible to let better technology succeed." - by filesiteguy (695431) on Thursday April 23, @09:53PM (#27697105) Homepage

"Better technology"?

It's going to be "tough sledding" convincing anyone of that, after this:

(Especially since the 'topic @ hand' is stock exchanges)

And on that note/in THAT arena? Well, take a read below next:

NASDAQ keeps on running 24x7, into the fabled "5-9's" of 99.999% uptime using Windows Server 2003 + SQLServer 2005 (in failover clusters) since late 2005, acting as the official dissemination system of official trade data:

----

NASDAQ Migrates to SQL Server 2005:

http://windowsfs.com/enews/nasdaq-migrates-to-sql-server-2005 [windowsfs.com] [windowsfs.com]

&/or

NASDAQ Uses SQL Server 2005 - Reducing Costs through Better Data Management:

http://blog.sqlauthority.com/2007/09/17/sqlauthority-news-nasdaq-uses-sql-server-2005-reducing-costs-through-better-data-management/

"NASDAQ, the worlds first electronic stock market replaced its aging mainframe computers with Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 on two 4-node clusters to support its Market Data Dissemination System (MDDS). Every trade processed in the NASDAQ marketplace goes through the system with Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 handling some 5,000 transactions per second at market open. The system also responds to about 10,000 queries a day and is able to handle real-time queries against data without slowing the database down."

+

Case Studies - Financial Services:

http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2005/en/us/cs-financial-roi.aspx?pf=true

"NASDAQ Deploys SQL Server 2005 to Support Real-Time Trade Booking and Queries

NASDAQ, which became the worlds first electronic stock market in 1971, and remains the largest U.S. electronic stock market, is constantly looking for more-efficient ways to serve its members. As the organization prepared to retire its aging large mainframe computers, it deployed Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 on two 4-node clusters to support its Market Data Dissemination System (MDDS). Every trade that is processed in the NASDAQ marketplace goes through the MDDS system, with SQL Server 2005 handling some 5,000 transactions per second at market open. SQL Server 2005 simultaneously handles about 100,000 queries a day, using SQL Server 2005 Snapshot Isolation to support real-time queries against the data without slowing the database. NASDAQ is enjoying a lower total cost of ownership compared to the large mainframe computer system that the SQL Server 2005 deployment has replaced."

----

You want PROOF of that "stability/uptime", you say?

OK, see here -> http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/Trader.aspx?id=MarketShare

"NASDAQ is renowned for its high performance technology and has proven reliability with 99.999+% uptime. Whats more, firms count on NASDAQ for unsurpassed speed and tested capacity to execute trades quickly and efficiently."

APK

P.S.=> Any *NIX being "better technology" than THAT from above? Well, that'd be purely opinion, only (vs. facts above)... apk

"Didn't atleast one of those suffer major down time after switching from unix to windows?" - by RiotingPacifist (1228016) on Thursday April 23, @07:16PM (#27695839)

NASDAQ keeps on running 24x7, into the fabled "5-9's" of 99.999% uptime using Windows Server 2003 + SQLServer 2005 (in failover clusters) since late 2005, acting as the official dissemination system of official trade data:

----

NASDAQ Migrates to SQL Server 2005:

http://windowsfs.com/enews/nasdaq-migrates-to-sql-server-2005 [windowsfs.com] [windowsfs.com]

&/or

NASDAQ Uses SQL Server 2005 - Reducing Costs through Better Data Management:

http://blog.sqlauthority.com/2007/09/17/sqlauthority-news-nasdaq-uses-sql-server-2005-reducing-costs-through-better-data-management/

"NASDAQ, the worlds first electronic stock market replaced its aging mainframe computers with Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 on two 4-node clusters to support its Market Data Dissemination System (MDDS). Every trade processed in the NASDAQ marketplace goes through the system with Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 handling some 5,000 transactions per second at market open. The system also responds to about 10,000 queries a day and is able to handle real-time queries against data without slowing the database down."

+

Case Studies - Financial Services:

http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2005/en/us/cs-financial-roi.aspx?pf=true

"NASDAQ Deploys SQL Server 2005 to Support Real-Time Trade Booking and Queries

NASDAQ, which became the worlds first electronic stock market in 1971, and remains the largest U.S. electronic stock market, is constantly looking for more-efficient ways to serve its members. As the organization prepared to retire its aging large mainframe computers, it deployed Microsoft® SQL Server 2005 on two 4-node clusters to support its Market Data Dissemination System (MDDS). Every trade that is processed in the NASDAQ marketplace goes through the MDDS system, with SQL Server 2005 handling some 5,000 transactions per second at market open. SQL Server 2005 simultaneously handles about 100,000 queries a day, using SQL Server 2005 Snapshot Isolation to support real-time queries against the data without slowing the database. NASDAQ is enjoying a lower total cost of ownership compared to the large mainframe computer system that the SQL Server 2005 deployment has replaced."

----

You want PROOF of that "stability/uptime", you say?

OK, see here -> http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/Trader.aspx?id=MarketShare

"NASDAQ is renowned for its high performance technology and has proven reliability with 99.999+% uptime. Whats more, firms count on NASDAQ for unsurpassed speed and tested capacity to execute trades quickly and efficiently."

APK

I'm sure there are many people out there who would prefer that their OS gave them free beer and hookers instead of free speech.

Here's the option you're thinking of:

http://www.microsoft.com/
The hang over and viruses are included :)

hmm - well, the fact that ANSI hasn't secured their libraries is silly, but you could always use the _ names on Windows if you're writing for Windows only. Most programmers I know found out about the existence of the _name commands from this bug where ANSI C programs would spit out warnings about the C library being deprecated (C++ had similar issues).

"Yesterday at RSA security conference, F-Secure's chief research officer recommended dropping Adobe Reader for viewing PDF files because of the huge amount of targeted attacks against it.

I used to use Adobe's PDF reader but while running Windows XP, I got a message prompting me to upgrade my Adobe reader to the latest.

I attempted to and the downloaded file was quite small. On completing the installation, I found out that I was stuck with a directory heavy at 200MB! Uninstalling the extras did not help matters.

Later on, I discovered Foxit Reader. I haven't looked back and I am not worried about Adobe misbehaving for I know the would not like Microsoft to gain any traction with their XPS format.

Support for your false dichotomy argument: Microsoft realized their GUI was a weak way to administer, but their CLI sucked. Hence Powershell was born.

Even MS realizes you can and should have both.

If you're really determined though, you can always use ksplice to patch, and avoid rebooting. One more thing Linux has on Windows.

Umm... no. Microsoft has had hot-patching available for several years. Not many people use it, because most critical Windows systems that can't tolerate downtime are clustered. But it works. I think some Windows Server 2008 patches are actually distributed through Windows Update with hot-patching enabled by default; I have had many patches on 2008 not require any reboots.

It's not documented. If you go by the official Microsoft documents for Win32, there is no relationship between processes. You cannot find a process parent and you cannot know enumerate process children. Theoretically a parent process would hold the child process handle in the application but that's not the same thing as just asking the O/S what your children are.

Win32 Process Functions

If you do want to get it, you have to use an unsupported call:

http://www.codeguru.com/cpp/w-p/win32/article.php/c1437

As the product page explains, it is intended for the developing markets. It has the same limitations.

"Why are they deliberately fucking up their OS?" - by Jurily (900488) on Tuesday April 21, @10:58AM (#27660585)

Per my subject-line? Agreed, 110%, & wondering WHY on that note, myself.. especially in regards to these 2 issues in Windows VISTA, Server 2008, & yes, Windows 7:

----

1.) The issue with HOSTS files involves EFFICIENCY more than security though!

See - in removing (after the 12/2009 Patch Tuesday update) the ability to use 0 as a valid blocking IP address in a HOSTS file (vs. the larger & slower 0.0.0.0, & worse still the default 127.0.0.1 loopback adapter address)? MS made a blunder on disk, & made things less efficient in HOSTS files, since the filemass is now larger & WILL be slower to read thru, as well as not being able to 'pack' as many entries into a tinier filespace to read them up from.

(THUS, MS is contributing to inefficiency & yes, "bloat", in doing this latter one...)

AND, FOR ANOTHER?

2.) THE REMOVAL OF THE PORT FILTERING GUI FRONT-END CONTROLS in VISTA &/or Windows 7, for one thing - Port filtering functions perfectly operating simultaneously alongside software firewalls, & IP Security Policies

(All 3 security "filters" for IP here, run FINE together, even w/ a NAT true stateful packet inspecting "firewalling" router, for example)

They do so in a layered security manner, just like door handle locks (firewall), deadbolt locks (port filters), & chain locks (IP Security policies) do...

(I.E.-> Take 1 of those 3 layers down (which is what many malware seek to do, right away)? The others are STILL IN THE WAY, since they all operate via diff. drivers on DIFF. LEVELS of the IP stack...!)

Thus, SPECIFICALLY on this latter point of contention?

Well, I'll now note how:

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1.) TCP/IP packet processing paths differences between in how Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 did it (via IPSEC.SYS (IP Security Policies), IPNAT.SYS (Windows Firewall), IPFLTDRV.SYS (Port Filtering), & TCPIP.SYS (base IP driver) worked, in a "zone defense/phalanx" like defense)...

2.) AND, how VISTA/Server 2008/Windows 7 do it now currently, using a SINGLE layer (WFP)...

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First off, Here is HOW it worked in Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 - using 3 discrete & different drivers AND LEVELS/LAYERS of the packet processing path they worked in:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb878072.aspx

The Cable Guy - June 2005: TCP/IP Packet Processing Paths

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The following components process IP packets:

IP forwarding Determines the next-hop interface and address for packets being sent or forwarded.

TCP/IP filtering Allows you to specify by IP protocol, TCP port, or UDP port, the types of traffic that are acceptable for incoming local host traffic (packets destined for the host). You can configure TCP/IP filtering on the Options tab from the advanced properties of the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) component in the Network Connections folder.

Filter-hook driver A Windows component that uses the filter-hook API to filter incoming and outgoing IP packets. On a computer running Windows Server 2003, the filter-hook driver is Ipfltdrv.sys, a component of Routing and Remote Access. When enabled, Routing and Remote Access allows you to configure separate inbound and outbound IP packet filters for each interface using the Routing and Remote Access snap-in. Ipfltdrv.sys examines both local host and transit IP traffic (packets not destined for the host).

Firewall-hook driver A Windows component that uses the firewall-hook API to examine incoming and outgoing packets. On a computer running Windows XP, the firewall-hook driver is Ipnat.sys, which is shared by both Internet Connection Sharing

I used site:microsoft.com just to get it right from the horse's mouth...

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2009/feb09/02-03netbooksqa.mspx

For OEMs that build lower-cost small notebook PCs, Windows 7 Starter will now be available in developed markets.

"We'll also continue to offer Windows Starter edition, which will only be offered pre-installed by an OEM. Windows Starter edition will now be available worldwide. This edition is available only in the OEM channel on new PCs limited to specific types of hardware."

From Microsoft's press release.

Well - only if one is foolish enough to surf the web and check email and do your other daily computer chores, while being logged in as root/administrator to your computer ...

rootkits, malware, trojan, etc. still require root/administrator rights to install themselves.

http://kareldjag.over-blog.com/article-1232530.html
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb456992(loband).aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700846(loband).aspx

The above is old school on Unix (and applies to any OS) - only login as root/administrator if you need to do system maintenance.

For everything else use a Least Privilege User Account.

And - first install and run software in an isolated virtual machine with InstallWatch running and see what is being installed/executed. If the installer/software is doing anything suspicious, simply do not install it on your real machine. As simple as that ...

Well - only if one is foolish enough to surf the web and check email and do your other daily computer chores, while being logged in as root/administrator to your computer ...

rootkits, malware, trojan, etc. still require root/administrator rights to install themselves.

http://kareldjag.over-blog.com/article-1232530.html
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb456992(loband).aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700846(loband).aspx

The above is old school on Unix (and applies to any OS) - only login as root/administrator if you need to do system maintenance.

For everything else use a Least Privilege User Account.

And - first install and run software in an isolated virtual machine with InstallWatch running and see what is being installed/executed. If the installer/software is doing anything suspicious, simply do not install it on your real machine. As simple as that ...

Are you sure?

Well, you could trust random parts of the media or you could just trust the evil source themselves :-)

If this is true then it rather drives a coach and horses through the security-through-obscurity closed source security model.

The model was always marketing garbage anyway. However what you should understand is that the question is not "security" as such rather "who's security". Microsoft cares somewhat about the security of it's large and or strategic paying customers of which you are not one. In this context, messing over the Tibetan community would be the right thing to do since they are a threat to the Chinese government which is clearly a bigger customer than the Tibetan government and controls a much larger customer base (the Chinese people) than the Tibetan government (the Tibetan exile community). In security as in life; follow the money.

Just goes to show that you shouldn't try your hand at being a career criminal, armed with nothing more than a MSP credential.

1) Your Zen or Sansa lacks a lot of features iPods have. Last play time/date, skip count, play count, and so on, that all two-way sync back to itunes. And I use this meta data heavily to generate smart playlists that automatically rotate tracks to the ipod etc.

Some of that stuff needs a separate database.

Sure it would be better if that database were open instead of proprietary. But quite bluntly, until someone defines an open standard, and Creative and Sansa step up and implement it, the iPod will remain my mp3 player of choice.

Actually, assuming you use WMP to sync, as most Sansa and Creative owners do, that information is updated by the device and synchronized when you click Sync (or Auto-Sync when connecting the device).

While there's a lot of good reasons to bash Microsoft, comprehensive knowledgebases are not one of them:

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-CA/help/6056f302-58df-4148-94a6-223330a52d981033.mspx

Both "Play Count" and "Time" are synced. "Rating" is, as well.

(Zune users use their own software, but I would be surprised if MS didn't duplicate the functionality in the Zune software.)

What type of $ is that 600 of? I paid £167 for my subscription, and that is less than 600 of most types of $, with the possible exception of Zimbabwean $.

LOL. Actually, according to the Technet Site,

TechNet Plus Direct Subscription: USD349
TechNet Plus Single User Subscription: USD599

The former is for downloads only, while the latter offers downloads and DVD shipments. Given the nuttiness[1] of downloading things from Microsoft, among other things, I'd think the latter would more appropriate. And then, if you split the cost with a buddy (license validation is valid for 2 different ("home" and "office") locations, Bob's yer uncle.

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[1] Including, but not limited to:

a) Where the fuck is the direct link?
b) Will Firefox work? How about wget?
c) Am I downloading what's advertised, or some sort of stub downloader/installer?
d) Oh, look, an EXE extension! I wonder if it's a compressed file?

A popular belief, but not supported by scientific evidence. Humans read by recognizing individual letters in parallel. We read lowercase faster only because we have more practice at doing so.

Detailed explanation:
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/ctfonts/WordRecognition.aspx

SyncToy is a rather awesome free backup utility from Microsoft. Although it's relatively hard to schedule, it's very easy to use it for any number of one-way or two-way backups. I use it to back up my thumb drive and for various tasks at work.

In comparison to Apple's heavily dithered font rendering, ClearType suffers from the jaggies.

No. It's less fuzzy. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you simply don't remember when computers actually *did* display jaggies on-screen, since it's been a decade or so. If you turn off ClearType, you'll see jaggies-- maybe you're confusing a computer with ClearType off with one with it turned-on?

Here's a comparison image. From left-to-right, it's ClearType, none, Apple's: http://www.robheller.com/images/blog/safari_smoothing.jpg

Notice how the only one that has jaggies is Firefox with smoothing turned off. Both ClearType and Apple's smoothing have no jaggies.

That's the point people on both sides of the preference argument are making.

No, the argument is more "fuzziness" than "jaggyness". i.e. I think Apple's font smoothing looks too fuzzy, like your eyes are slightly unfocused.

In fact, the only real difference between ClearType and Apple's smoothing is that ClearType shifts each letter to the nearest pixel and Apple's doesn't.

As far as non-standard color-order (whatever that is), that sounds like a casualty of one OS trying to work on hundreds of different hardware options.

Well... yes, but that has *absolutely nothing* to do with the actual point of what I'm saying. You might as well replied, "as far as non-standard color-order, clouds are white!" and it would be equally relevant to the topic at-hand.

Take a look at this FAQ, and expand the question about BGR color-order: http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartypefaq.mspx Looks like I'm a little out-of-date, BGR is supported in ClearType now, so it should no longer be an issue.

All I know is ClearType sucks on my Dell computer at work using Dell 19" flat screen monitors that came with the computer.

If you don't like it, you could bump the smoothing to the Windows 2000-style. The catch is that the new Vista fonts are going to look pretty much like ass on a system like that, but if you're on XP you shouldn't have any problems.