Vista Won't Play With Old DVD Drives

Who has to use Vista? by pesc · 2005-12-31 22:47 · Score: 4, Insightful

...but for those with hacked drives (RPC2 with RPC1 firmware), or move the RPC1 drive to new computers, well, no more DVD movies for you!

Funny reasoning!

So why do you think you have to use Vista?
Or if you think you need to upgrade your OS, why don't you consider Linux which I'm sure offers a better DVD watching experience than Vista on that hardware?

--

)9TSS

Re:Who has to use Vista? by SillyNickName4me · 2006-01-01 07:22 · Score: 3, Insightful

Because Linux isn't exactly known for being user friendly, especially in the desktop market.

'User friendly'...

Some people call a system user friendly when it is easy for an unexperienced user to access the functionality they want.

The problem is that this almost always gets in the way for those who are more experienced users. It does this in many ways, for example by hiding or simply lacking more complex functionality, addressing the user as if (s)he is stupid etc.

In most cases, you start out without experience, after some use you gain experience, and after some more time, you can be said to be a somewhat experienced user. This last phase lasts substantially longer then the 'unexperienced user' phase.

Hence, reasoning that a system that caters to unexperienced users is 'user friendly' is stupid.

Call such a system 'easy accessable' or something else that points at the fact that you need little experience for using it, but don't say it is friendly to the user because for most users it is the opposite.

Ah, but most people do not use their computers enough to ever become an experienced user? True if you talk about 'consumers', but then, thats true for most tech markets that happen to include normal consumers. THere is 'pro' and consumer grade audio equipment, video equipment etc etc. Professional video equipment has a lot more functionality and quality then consumer grade equipment, and usually combines it with a more powerfull interface, putting more power in the hands of the editor. It can only do that if that interface is also 'friendly' to that editor, else it will just be confusing and get in the way.

The same really applies to software on 'general purpose' computers, and it is your choice if you want to act as a 'low grade' consumer or as a (semi) professional. Stop thinking this has anythign to do with one being more 'user friendly' then the other however.

...so what? by Paul+Bristow · 2005-12-31 22:53 · Score: 3, Insightful

I never installed XP at home, and don't miss it. I'm certainly not going to install Vista anywhere.

Besides, the easy way to watch DVDs on crippled OS's like Windows is to rip it and re-record it without region codes, or no-skip flags. It makes a backup of your DVD and you can watch it anywhere.

Happy New Year!

--
- Paul

Re:...so what? by Anonymous Coward · 2005-12-31 23:13 · Score: 1, Insightful

Whatever their income, MS has lost the ability to write secure code, or fix flaws in a timely manner. Are we now saying they are now dumbed down enough, that they cant even port existing drivers?

Dual boot is the answer, if one OS lacks drivers, get another. Just a matter of time before dual boot becomes commonplace, preloaded with OpenOffice.

No matter how they spin it, a 'Can't do' will piss off a number of first users. No, is not an acceptable word to intelligent users. Then there is the issue that Nero or the like will continue to offer superior offerings, and if not them, someone else.

..and then they wonder why people pirate.. by takochan · 2005-12-31 23:00 · Score: 4, Insightful

In other words, people who have bought legitimate DVDs now cannot play them (BTW, buying DVDs from a different region is still legimate and not illegal, even if the DVD marketeers don't really like it).

So now I guess everyone in the 'wrong region' will then have to get their movies from bittorrent instead.. yet another instance where big media and big software companies push their legimate customers to "piracy". That's brilliant...

1)shut out legitimate DVD purchases
2)push them to bitorrent
3)????
4)more profit?!?

Gotta wonder about some of these companies...

Re:..and then they wonder why people pirate.. by Max+von+H. · 2006-01-01 00:03 · Score: 5, Insightful

BTW, buying DVDs from a different region is still legimate and not illegal, even if the DVD marketeers don't really like it.

Good point. I live in a country (Switzerland) where the MPAA has little to no influence and in which I regularly rent zone 1, 2 or 5 DVD at the local videoclub and have been doing so for the past 4 or 5 years and my DVD player (panasonic) was zone-free when I bought it (like all DVD players sold here).

DVD region coding is probably the stupidest ploy against consumers, especially at a time in which people can and do travel extensively around the world. Heck, you travel with your laptop and can't play a DVD you've rented once on the other side of the big pond? WTF? What's next, not being able to play media files if you're more than half a mile from home?

All these measures only lead to what's now uncorrectly called "piracy", because we want to be able to do whatever pleases us with the hardware and software WE PAID FOR, not just what we're allowed by some paranoid Hollywood coke-head lawyers. No matter what's said in their illegal EULAs (well, they're not legal here), once I've bought something it's my absolute right to do whatever I want with it as long as it remains a private matter, period.

Btw, downloading or copying stuff isn't piracy, it's not like we're robbing anyone, physically stealing property. The media industry hates us because of their so-called "loss of REVENUE", which IMHO may set a dangerous precedent. I mean, if they get their way, what's to stop them from litigating with anyone who simply doesn't buy their stuff?

"Hey, your shopping decisions harm our business! Stop buying from the competition right away, or else!"

--
-- It's always darker before it goes pitch black.
Re:..and then they wonder why people pirate.. by rolfwind · 2006-01-01 02:03 · Score: 3, Insightful

Btw, downloading or copying stuff isn't piracy, it's not like we're robbing anyone, physically stealing property. The media industry hates us because of their so-called "loss of REVENUE", which IMHO may set a dangerous precedent. I mean, if they get their way, what's to stop them from litigating with anyone who simply doesn't buy their stuff?

You are right. It's not outright theft, but it's copyright infringement. Making it sound like a-okay for all sides is not particularly good (or sympathetic for our side) in economies where what a reasonable portion of the population do for a living is producing the intangible - movies, cds, writing software, research......

A copyright is selfexplanatory in its name, because theoretically gives the owner sole the sole right to copy (and distribute). This is given by society so that, in theory, works would be shared. Of course, in exchange for this (society's) protection and recognizing that much of who we are is influenced by previous public domain (Disney - see Grimm Brothers) works, copyrights were to expire in a somewhat timely manner (that part got totally perverted) and those works go into public domain.

In America, at least, I would surmise you would be infringing under that right when you make a copy (downloaded or not - like borrowed from a friend) on your harddrive of something you don't legitimately have. Legitimate back-ups should be covered under Fair-Use (downloading songs from CDs you own would be legal too, thought the distributor is in a gray area......)

In any case, it's not that I agree with Mega-corps - they perverted the system far too much in their own greed so that much of their current woe I view as justified payback.

But then, I don't really sympathize with the downloaders - it's a type of complete selfishness in it's own way and the mega-corps only really lose if people lose interest in their wares completely and move onto other avenues of entertainment (perhaps going to a local band's concert). Even if their stuff is downloaded for free, the big corps gain (retain) the image of being the only game in town for musicians and other entertainers - ie mindshare. OTOH, if their wares were to become ignored, they would shrivel up and die....
Re:..and then they wonder why people pirate.. by jb.hl.com · 2006-01-01 02:33 · Score: 1, Insightful

Btw, downloading or copying stuff isn't piracy

Yes, it is. If you want to get technical, call it copyright infringement. Either way, it's not exactly ethical.

The media industry hates us because of their so-called "loss of REVENUE", which IMHO may set a dangerous precedent. I mean, if they get their way, what's to stop them from litigating with anyone who simply doesn't buy their stuff?

The media industry don't give a fuck if you don't buy their stuff. They don't care if you buy an independent CD, or watch an independent film. They don't send round jackbooted thugs if you don't listen to Britney. They DO care, however, if you infringe on their copyrights by downloading their copyrighted material for free, because (like it or not) it technically is loss of revenue.

Don't get me wrong, I fucking hate copy protection, but only because it makes listening to music/watching movies I've legitimately bought a pain in the ass. Just stop believing that downloading someone's work for free counts as "competition" or "shopping decisions".

--
By summer it was all gone...now shesmovedon. --
Re:..and then they wonder why people pirate.. by jb.hl.com · 2006-01-01 08:33 · Score: 2, Insightful

I LOVE this way people try to wriggle out of the fact that they're freeloaders.

The band (i.e. the people who make the music) have decided that they would like to sell their music through the record label. Chances are, unless they expressly say otherwise, they'd rather people buy the CD than get it off TorrentSpy. This funds the people who worked on the CD, including producers, studio workers and yes, the record companies, who believe it or not do not eat babies and shit cancer as is sometimes assumed on Slashdot, and instead fund a large amount of the music today.

And you say you'll buy some merchandise? Fine. Just remember though; if everyone does the same as you, sales will go down and the band will get dropped by the label due to poor sales, hampering their income and putting their career in the shitter. But hell, you all bought a band t-shirt, so at best the record company company will notice the huge discrepancy between t-shirt sales and album sales.

Anyway, if you like the band enough, surely you'd like them enough to spend 10 quid/15 dollars/whatever on a CD by them?

--
By summer it was all gone...now shesmovedon. --

Message to MS + studios: it's our hardware by Morgaine · 2005-12-31 23:02 · Score: 5, Insightful

Message to Microsoft, and to the content providers:

1) Our PC hardware is our private property, fully bought and paid for by us. Our PCs are not just a rented delivery platform which can rightly be controlled by you.

2) The operating system that we run on our PC hardware has the purpose of making our hardware do whatever *WE* want *OUR* hardware to do, and not merely what *YOU* would like *OUR* hardware to do.

If you want a fully controlled delivery platform doing whatever you desire and no more, then set up a subsidized leasing business and we'll rent the content delivery platform from you, at a cost far below the cost of private PC purchase.

In the meantime, our hardware is ours to do with as we please.

--
"The question of whether machines can think is no more interesting than [] whether submarines can swim" - Dijkstra

Re:Message to MS + studios: it's our hardware by bani · 2005-12-31 23:07 · Score: 4, Insightful

You're shouting at the wrong people. You should be shouting at your elected representatives (DMCA, etc).

So what? by Hakubi_Washu · 2005-12-31 23:10 · Score: 5, Insightful

Install an operating system that does make your hardware do whatever you want! Microsoft is under no duty to make the system you wish for, they just make one they believe sells best, but it's up to you to decide whether you want to buy it or not...

Fine by LividBlivet · 2005-12-31 23:13 · Score: 4, Insightful

"well, no more DVD movies for you!" Ha. Well MS, no more money for you! Really, what incentive is there to *achem* upgrade to Vista anyway? 95/98 over W3.1 I get (pain in the ass as it was) ME over 98 ? no fsking way NT over 98 ? not for home use tnx 2k over 98 I get (glad I did) XP over 2k ? I can live without the eye candy Vista over 2k ? take your Trusted Computing and DRM and put it where the sun don't shine thank you very much. Until 64bit apps are the norm and force me to upgrade (like 32/16 with w2k) I can't see buying into this endless upgrade cycle.

This topic isn't important by putko · 2005-12-31 23:17 · Score: 3, Insightful

If you read the article, you'll see that any DVD hardware you'd likely use would have the region-coding in it. Or you get a de-regionalized one from Sony.

This just doesn't look important for the vast majority of Slashdot readers.

--
http://www.thebricktestament.com/the_law/when_to_s tone_your_children/dt21_18a.html

Re:A solution! by metricmusic · 2005-12-31 23:20 · Score: 2, Insightful

Or use software like AnyDVD to remove region restrictions on-the-fly.

But we shouldn't be needing to do this. If we happen to own a dvd rom thats region free why shouldn't we be able to play dvd movies on it without jumping through hoops?

--
http://www.livejournal.com/users/metricmusic

Price Gouging - DRM by evanism · 2005-12-31 23:24 · Score: 5, Insightful

When will our governments, and consumers, realise that regionalisation is nothing more than a mechanism of creating continental price disparity and deliberate market manipulation? It has nothing to do with "costs" but maximising profits by restricting parallel imports. It does nothing for quality, or support....

Consumers should respond by simply not buying anything which is deliberately designed to support a cartel. They are only ripping themselves off (The Matrix: US $9.95... Aust $19.48)

Combined with DRM, how many months will we wait after the release of a fully DRM'ed Vista with hardware support before a company threatens its users with an OFF switch unless they pay their $2 per month DVD hardware "licencing" fee, or your CPU/RAM/HDD monthly "licencing" fee?

Refuse to pay? OFF.

--
Just bought a new quantum computer, but I'm uncertain how it works.

what's the point ? by drownie · 2005-12-31 23:25 · Score: 3, Insightful

Every true pirate will just download the movie and keep it on his harddrive ... and how is this going to help against copied dvds with the correct region code ?

--
*an infinite number of monkeys wrote this sig

Because people REALLY want to know... by NZheretic · 2005-12-31 23:31 · Score: 5, Insightful

Asking Intel Because people REALLY want to know...

llegal drugs are at least a big of a problem as copyright violation in the world today. In fact many of the artists promoted by Hollywood and the American recording industry include many positive drug related references in their scripts and lyrics. So the question is : Would you endorse forced illicit drug testing for all artists, actors and executives involved in content production?

Over 11,000 people die in America each year at the hands of gun violence. The USA has the highest murder rate in the developed world. So the question is : Would you endorse taking away the legal capability of all Americans to bare arms?

In the USA there are over 12,000 speeding-related traffic deaths per year. The technological capability exists to install a "governor" in every new automobile which would deny the driver the ability to exceed the speed limit. So the question is : Would you endorse restricting access to roads and highways to only vehicles that have such a speed restriction system installed?

( If the questioned person says yes to any of the above then pass the quote along to the Hollywood/recording/NRA/automobile media, bloggers and lobby groups etc)

Spam advertising and spyware has become a major problem for computer users. The DRM capability that Intel is offering to content providers would also be available to those wanting to abuse those same user restrictions. Intel is effectively offering the ability to hide malicious content or deny access to content needed to gather evidence for the basis of a complaint. So the question becomes: Why are you offering up this ability to content providers when it denies the owners of the computer the ability to protect themselves?

Whether it is a war on drugs, gun, or road crime restrictive and technological solutions that lock the end users out of the ability to make personal decisions perform actions are effectively a fundamental violation of a person's civil rights, even if taking that action could violate the law of the land.

Even though illicit drug consumption is against the law, wholesale drug testing would be seen as a violation of a persons right to privacy. In fact most American courts would not accept evidence gathered though such an action.

Even though gun related crime is a major problem, taking away the right for any citizens to bare arms would leave them at risk from criminals who would ignore the law as a matter of course.

Even though speeding is a major problem, there are cases it is needed for safety. Overtaking vehicles may require the driver to exceed the speed limit to safely avoid oncoming traffic. Also there are rare cases, such as transporting someone requiring urgent medical treatment, where the even the courts have found that exceeding the speed limit was preferable to the affected person's demise.

While making a copy of copyrighted content may seem trivial in comparison to the examples in the above three paragraphs, remember that Intel along with Adobe and Microsoft is talking of offering this same DRM technology for business, legal and even governmental documents. The ability to blow the whistle on suspect dealings, and pass copies along to the press and even authorities, may be severely restricted in the future.

So the final question to everybody has become: Why should the consumers and citizens have to put up with DRM restrictions on their general purpose computers that they own?

Re:Because people REALLY want to know... by Justin205 · 2005-12-31 23:58 · Score: 3, Insightful

Even though gun related crime is a major problem, taking away the right for any citizens to bare arms would leave them at risk from criminals who would ignore the law as a matter of course.

Do you really feel safe carrying a gun around? What happens if you do get robbed? Would you give the criminal what they want to avoid bloodshed, or would you pull your gun out and either shoot them or end up being shot yourself?

If you don't get robbed, do you really want the temptation to be there to act on a whim and kill someone because you were angry? Would you want the chance a kid or teenager to find that gun and kill someone? Do you really want the chance of an accident happening, and the gun going off and killing yourself or another person?

The only way to avoid gun violence is to not have guns, at all in a society. The way to limit gun violence is to have less guns in a society. And that doesn't mean 'less in the hands of the criminals'. It means less, period. In anyone's hands.

Sorry, but a gun doesn't make anyone safe.

--
"Your effort to remain what you are is what limits you."

Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · 2005-12-31 23:32 · Score: 4, Insightful

Personally, I'm already using Linux exclusively as a desktop on my new system. Why? No, I'm not just posting this to tout linux(Suse 10 is pretty damn slick though), but when I went to install Windows XP-64 on my system, it requires a ***FLOPPY*** disk in order to supply drivers for my SATA drive. My system doesn't have a floppy drive. WTF!? It's the year 2006, and a 64bit operating system that was released what, 4 months ago, requires a god damned floppy drive to install it? WTF is that about?

True, I could go out and buy a floppy drive, or pull a floppy drive from another system, but is that reasonable in this day and age? WTF happened to "it just works"? No it don't.

It seems like there's always some stupid fucking annoyance whenever I try to deal with Windows. People bitching about having to drop to a command line, shit. Get back to me when you have to rip apart two computers and swap ancient ass hardware you have no intention of using, just to get the operating system to install.

Yeah, I can't wait for vista. God only knows what the fuck weird problem I'm going to run into. If I was inclined to paranoia, I'd think the Windows team is able to look into the future and discern what hardware combination I'm going to buy, so they can engineer Windows to work for everyone else smoothly, but require some asinine step from me just to piss me off. /end ranting, whining, bitching, and moaning.

Re:Why? by Dion · 2005-12-31 23:53 · Score: 5, Insightful

Well, let's wait and see, there is no telling what will be in Vista or when it will ship.

MS has pulled the "Wait for us, we're the leader"-stunt many times and I for one refuse to get suckered in by it any more. ... I was looking forward to NT5 back in '95, but it turned out didn't ship until 2000 (as w2k) eventhough MS has promised that it would be out the same time as w95.

I'll belive in the features of Windows Vista when I see it running on a machine, not a minute sooner.

--
-- To dream a dream is grand, but to live it is divine. -- Leto ][

Re:Why by Dion · 2005-12-31 23:57 · Score: 5, Insightful

The drive is not involved in region coding when the player does DeCSS in software in stead of cooperating with the drive about it, so all you need to do is use a user-loyal player in stead of a broken one.

--
-- To dream a dream is grand, but to live it is divine. -- Leto ][

Let the MS bashing begin. by Shadez666 · 2005-12-31 23:58 · Score: 0, Insightful

Guys. Please RTFA, what they do makes complete sense and is something that could be considered for linux as well Your bashing is pure reflex.

Have you ever lived outside of the city? by NZheretic · 2006-01-01 00:26 · Score: 2, Insightful

I have relatives who live out in the country who can expect at minimum of at least an hour response time from the police. In the same area there have been at least two cases of home invasion by burglars, with one elderly couple being brutally beaten to the point where the husband died soon afterwards. The local police quietly recomended that people in the area should expect to defend themselves.

The ratio of gun ownership in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the USA is roughly the same, but only the USA suffers from such a high rate of gun related crime. Why is that?

Re:Have you ever lived outside of the city? by njh · 2006-01-01 20:56 · Score: 2, Insightful

sorry dude, but there you are wrong. I live in an area with a british descendant population less than 10% and there ain't not ghetto here. We sit around and share beers. I suspect the highly racist nature of the US govt has far more to do with the stuffed up socio-political environment in parts of the US.

Re:Why by aussie_a · 2006-01-01 00:30 · Score: 5, Insightful

I know Vista just keeps giving me more and more reason to overcome my difficulties with Linux. I want a computer that does what I want. Not some piece of DRM'd-up-the-wazzoo shit. (As an Australian I really dislike region coding).

Re:All hail the shrine of backwards compatibility! by 0123456 · 2006-01-01 00:47 · Score: 2, Insightful

"As for pirated movies, MS is not there to help you."

Sigh. This is nothing to do with 'pirated movies'. I live in Europe and have over three hundred region-1 DVDs: Microsoft is now telling me that I won't be allowed to play those DVDs _THAT I HAVE PAID FOR_ on my PC, with a drive that I've paid for, with an operating system that I've paid for.

Pirates, of course, don't need to worry since they'll rip the DVD to a DivX file or copy it to a disk with no region coding. THIS ONLY HURTS LEGITIMATE PURCHASERS OF DVDS!

Actually New Zealand has greater racial diversity by NZheretic · 2006-01-01 01:02 · Score: 2, Insightful

New Zealand has a higher ratio of non-European population, it also has lower socio-economic areas, a vibrant hip hop community and similar ratio of illicit drug abuse to the USA. It does not suffer anywhere near the proportion of gun related crimes in comparison.

ask me if i care. by timerider · 2006-01-01 02:23 · Score: 2, Insightful

1. i have a region-free dvd player, and i prefer watching stuff on my tv.
2. i will not upgrade to vista anyways.

No more DVD movies for me? by nurb432 · 2006-01-01 02:31 · Score: 2, Insightful

No, its no more windows for me. Well, not that im runing windows anymore, but you get my point. Why does the default answer to all this DRM 'just roll over and accept it'?

And if the day comes i cant watch what i bought on what i want too, *that* is the day of 'no more dvd movies'. Not that my 'media budget' will bankrupt anyone, but i refuse to participate.

--
---- Booth was a patriot ----

Re:Why by zootm · 2006-01-01 03:07 · Score: 2, Insightful

I had to hang a floppy drive out of the side of my Shuttle system, it was highly annoying!

Although that said, my attempts to run Linux on the machine ended up in frustration when it turned out that it had no support for the SATA unit whatsoever...

Re:Why by HaloZero · 2006-01-01 03:47 · Score: 2, Insightful

Not in any way trying to defend Microsoft's stupidity on this issue, but you have this option: Sony USB Floppy Device. Sure, it's a bit pricey, but it's portable. These things work great, especially for computers whose floppy drives have died, and you need to ghost them from a floppy disk. 'Course, this idea is requisite that you have an available USB port, which I hope your new floppy-less machine does have.

As a related gripe, why the hell can't you just use a USB jumpdrive to load the drivers for the hard disk atInstall()? That should be a perfectly viable option: I know SuSE 10 let me do something like that.

--
Informatus Technologicus

Who is going to notice? by Sloppy · 2006-01-01 03:53 · Score: 3, Insightful

People who run Windows == People who bought a new computer with Windows preloaded.

Hardly anybody installs Windows. Yeah, I'm sure there are Slashdotters out there who are exceptions. "I have a kickass machine but sometimes I need to need to test my software under Windows, yadda yadda." But that's what you are: exceptions. "Normal" people who run Windows, run it on the hardware that it came with. They also call the "e" icon on their desktop "the internet" and they call their Dell PocketPC their "palm pilot." Yes, really.

--
As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.

Re:Who is going to notice? by Sloppy · 2006-01-01 06:28 · Score: 2, Insightful

I bought all the parts myself and put the thing together..

See what I said about exceptions. You may think you're a normal Windows user, but you're actually a Slashdork who built his own machine.

surely I should be running linux?

Oh wait, then I wouldn't be able to do half the things I do, like play games. Or use my USB WiFi adaptor.

Or use your old DVD drive? ;-)

--
As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.

Re:Why by jimicus · 2006-01-01 04:14 · Score: 2, Insightful

And just as much DRM, only it's rather better implemented and rather less obvious.

Quite why Apple keep on getting touted as this bastion of consumer freedom when:

I can't skip "unskippable" bits in DVDs using the Apple software. Yes, that's DRM - I no longer have the "right" to skip past something I don't wish to see - it's just got nothing to do with copying.
I have to "register" my iPod to a specific system and need third party software or to write my own script to get music off of it (at least if I want to get reasonably sensible filenames and directory structure, which despite what the most ardent of iTunes fans will claim, is still sometimes useful).
Any music I download from the iTunes online store is not only DRM-encumbered, it only plays on Apple's MP3 player.

... is a mystery to me. Granted, the OS is sweet, but it's by no means a solution to Microsoft's DRM obsession.

You really want to avoid DRM, go the Linux route where all of this "The user cannot skip past things marked as unskippable" rubbish is generally ignored. But don't for one minute imagine you'll get the level of smoothness and integration you get with OS X.

Probing waters... by Barromind · 2006-01-01 04:45 · Score: 2, Insightful

A "nice" first step from Microsoft in the direction of a fully DRManaged PC. Of course we are reaching the critical point where hardware will come with full DRM crap and we'll see which has more weight: the mass dumbness to swallow anything big corps throw at them, or the desire for convenience.

Re:Why by gscrivano · 2006-01-01 04:47 · Score: 3, Insightful

Who needs Vista? I have no problems and no limitations with my GNU/Linux. I can change all the hardware I want with small changes to the configuration and not getting a broken system when I add/replace something.

Re:Why? by penguin-collective · 2006-01-01 04:52 · Score: 2, Insightful

but for me there is a new networking & audio stacks, XPS & totally cool new printing system, transactional FS, and a lot more interesting stuff

I don't see anything there that doesn't already exist in both OS X and Linux. Care to contrast those features with their equivalent Linux and OS X features and explain where you think there is any innovative functionality in Vista?

don't buy 3 drives... by TheSHAD0W · 2006-01-01 05:17 · Score: 2, Insightful

Just change your current system over to linux when you switch to a new box for Windows Vista. What, you expected to be able to run Vista on your old machine? Yeah, right...

Re:Why by chasingporsches · 2006-01-01 05:50 · Score: 3, Insightful

IIRC, apple patented "it just works" technology, leaving all other software and hardware companies with "it might just work... maybe." technology, hence your floppy problem (and yes, i am referring to your computer disk drive, not something that can be cured with medicine). microsoft quickly grabbed that patent up though, so linux users are left with "g-d damnit, i'll hack this til it works" technology.

Re:Why by ottothecow · 2006-01-01 06:12 · Score: 2, Insightful

When we built my friends computer, we installed the floppy drive backwards in the case (it had no bezel and would have made the sexy case look pretty ugly) so that the blanking plate could stay in place. Sure you have to slide off the side of the case to insert a disk but the last THREE times I can remember using a floppy on my system, it was to do something that already required me to have the side of the case open.

--
Bottles.

Re:whooboy. by mrchaotica · 2006-01-01 07:28 · Score: 2, Insightful

Wanna get on the Internet? Get one of those "Trusted" OSs (you know, the only kind that ISPs will legally be able to allow once the **AAs of the world catch wind of what you suggest).

Problem solved?

--

"[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

Vista ships on New Machines by kabz · 2006-01-01 08:04 · Score: 2, Insightful

This is really pretty much a non-story as the whole point of new launches like this is to drive new hardware sales. My local experience is that PCs are largely disposable. Kinda expensive sure, but I've seen quite a few perfectly good PCs get tossed simply because they wouldn't work properly due to spyware, crappy hardware, dodgy network card.

Very very few copies of Vista will be installed on any machine older than a couple of years. What's the point? If an upgrade copy costs $200, only another $200-$400 will get a base Dell that will already have Vista Home installed and sorted out on it.

Slashdot users may do a new install, but let's face it, pre-installed on new hardware is really the only thing that most users can really cope with.

--
-- "It's not stalking if you're married!" My Wife.

When will Linux get its ass in gear? by Jackie_Chan_Fan · 2006-01-01 08:38 · Score: 2, Insightful

Linux is a mess. A great OS to be sure, but a mess. Linux needs to get the word out. There needs to be a marketed movement on TV, print, internet, radio by a serious linux player that can once and for all, start infecting the minds of the average user. Windows is all people know. MS is being hurt by Apple thanks to the IPOD success and Window's horrible security holes and spyware. When will Linux get its ass in gear and start saying to the world: "Check out our awesome UI, our easy and most advanced home media organizational tools for and audio and video" "Check out our superior software that increases the performance of your existing hardware over Microsoft Windows XP and increases security 100x" "No longer will you have to deal with spyware, adware, or blue screens of death" "It's time to try a better operating system... Linux. We've been waiting for you" "With Linux you have superior networking and internet connectivity at high performance speeds, using the technology that drives 90% of the internet" "Microsoft Windows dictates to you, how you will use your computer... LINUX is a USER based operating system that evovles constantly around the needs of you the user... Not only does Linux adapt to new trends in technology faster, it's also pioneered those trends." "Dump Windows today, and enjoy freedom from the system" "Linux, It's what computers are made for" Essentially, Linux has no marketing and thats because Linux is not one man. It's not one company, It's not one anything. That's its biggest fucking problem when it comes to destroying windows. Until there is a solid unified movement, marketed on tv during superbowls that direct its marketing towards the end user... Linux will lack applications, It will LACK the average users.... and windows will dominate It. I dream for the day whe linux gets is ass in gear and can play with the big boy (MS). But it cant. It has no marketing. You see, we all sit here and bitch about how Microsoft does this and that, and how they use PR to LIE to the user base. But you know what.. Thats the fucking game.. and Linux is not playing it. Linux doesnt have to necceserially lie, but it needs to get out there in a unified force that SLAMS the shit out of windows on national TV. You want more users? YOU WANT PHOTOSHOP? Sony Vegas? 3dsmax? XSI and Maya (yes they're on linux but they're worthless without many other apps that are windows only currently). You want professional audio and video apps? You want to dominate the Office software market? You want to get APPS? You've gotta start playing hardball. These corperations arent developing software for a market that does not exist. Yes linux gets some apps commercially, but many are free open source projects (AND i sure hope that continues... but we need The Adobes of the world) Until then... Hello Vista!... you steaming pile of shit. And thats the way it will be... because no one has the balls to go after the users. So keep bickering about Suse, Mandrake, Redhat, etc etc etc... It's all worthless to the average user. Make it easy to use, and attractive to REAL people. Not just the IT dungeon creatures. You've gotta sell the world on the idea that linux is cool, pretty, advanced, user friendly etc. Apple did themselves a favor with the "Think Different" slogan. Linux could learn a thing or two from apple (I know ironic) Anyways this rant is too long and its falling on deaf ears anyways. Linux will never succeed at winning microsoft's market share. Linux doesnt play the game. You can sell it to buisnesses which is great.... But the second you can convince every highschool kid into thinking running linux is "cool" and running windows is "gay", you might actually hurt Billy Goat Gates. Take a lesson from APPLE and the IPOD. It is possible to shift an entire market into your corner through great marketing and a great product! Marketing and image is key, and the time is ripe. MS is hurting. Vista looks like crippleware and people are sick and tired of windows crashing and becoming infected with all kinds of horrible stuff. Mak

Encouraging Piracy by Psx29 · 2006-01-01 11:51 · Score: 2, Insightful

Honestly I will rarely spend money on an official dvd anymore if it's foreign. If it's not a US DVD I will probably just buy the Chinese bootleg for 1/4 the price and with _NO_ region code. What do the companies think they are gaining in this day and age by trying to restrict region access when we have portable dvd players everywhere, laptops all come equipped standard with dvd playback. If I travel to another country they don't want me to play a dvd there? The whole concept is a throwback to a time when instant dissemnation of information was impossible. The comnpanies are trying to maintain an artificial grip on the world's distribution system but in the process they are encouraging not only piracy but also organized crime and the people who own these huge illegal pirating operations throughout the world.

Re:What about places like new zealand? by dangitman · 2006-01-01 12:37 · Score: 2, Insightful

Somehow I doubt this keeps Bill Gates up at night.

New Zealand has a ton of very smart math and computing people for its size. Regardless of size, it is still the idea that there are Western countries, developed and wealthy who choose not to use Windows. And in fact, that if an entire modern country can live without Windows, why should anyone else need it?

--
... and then they built the supercollider.

Re:Can I have some of what you are smoking? by mrchaotica · 2006-01-01 16:37 · Score: 2, Insightful

The X40 has NO drives, that's the point.

Actually, I linked to the version that does have an optical drive.

--

"[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

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