You mean the types of geeks that dispute Gnome vs KDE vs XFCE vs any other number of configurable GUI interfaces for Linux throwing a fit about having the option to change a menu button on a Windows system via a 3rd party customizable interface to give a user options as to what they want?
That will let you choose a few different traditional start menu types, allow Win7 style searching from the menu, add some features into the Windows Explorer, and disable the active corners and metro screen.
Once that's done, I personally like the OS as much or better than Win7.
Disclaimer:
My win7 box is a company laptop with 8gig ram, an 2.4ghz I5 processor, Dell something or other but stuck with MS Office, McAffee and some other crap I can't uninstall per company policy.
My Win8 laptop has 4gig ram, 2.5ghz, i3 processor Toshiba Satellite and configured the way *I* want it.
So, in my situation, working off two different machines, different software, different settings: Win8 seems faster and more responsive "to me". I'm sure some of this is a function of background tasks, etc, YMMV.
No mod points here, so the best I can give is an "Amen!"
Personally, I was the youngest kid in the class. Kinda short, kinda fat, a kinda a dork. I was a prime target. Nothing like watching the gym teacher laugh as you get a hockey stick under your rips lifting you up off the ground (think bear hug from behind -- kinda creepy in retrospect). The senior(s) and teachers didn't laugh as hard once I whacked one upside the head. Not too hard, but enough to get his attention.
Thankfully, a couple years later I met some like-minded folks. Combine the goth kids, the metal heads, the geeks, and the 'thankfully this was before columbine' kids in trench coats and combat boots who just didn't really give a fuck. Which amounted to about, oh...8 close people and a network of associated outcasts.
Not a lot, but when there's only a couple lone bullies, 8 people standing together is enough.
My last company was exactly that. "Salary Minus". I forget the exact pay rate, but lets say it broke down to $1/hr. So I'd make $40 per week based on a 40hr work week. 60hrs that week meant I still got $40. 30hrs for the week meant I got $30. These hours were against actual projects/new work.
Additionally, I was on call 24/7. Every goddamn week. A service call during the day cut into my time on new work, so I had to "Work Harder" to make up the time I lost on the new job to offset the time spent on emergency maint.
On the upside, I did get paid a fixed $50 per service call for after hours maintenance (before taxes). $50 per call no matter how long it took. 15min fix? $50. 12hr fix? $50.
This was from 2004-2006. I started at $37,500/yr and I think when I left I was up to a whopping $39k or so.
Maybe I'm a masochist, as I switched companies and kept doing the same damn thing. The customers I had switched their contracts to my new company less than 6 months after I left the old.
Still salary, still the same on-call schedule, and I lost the after hours compensation I used to have.
But now I kinda work my own schedule, act as my own supervisor, manage my own projects, work less hours and make more money.
Of course there's meters outside the borders, that's how we charge Canada and Mexico. I'd venture to say there's maybe even a thousand of them to cover both borders
Meanwhile, to avoid further nerd-rage, I'm also switching this laptop over from Ubuntu to Mint...so yeah...doin' *nix stuff! (Though I never really got the hang of BSD, but last I tried that was several years ago)
Somewhat sadly, after a HD failure, we loaded up Ubuntu on the wife's laptop. While it did everything she needed, she really just didn't like it, and things like Skype just didn't play nice. (Which was sad, as I was working out of town for about a month and wanted to see her and the kid).
That said, once it gave up the ghost, we picked her up a replacement laptop with Win8. She wouldn't let me tweak it, but somehow she can handle the default Win8 with Metro better than Linux with KDE, Gnome, or XFCE. *shrug*
Well, in true Slashdot fashion, I didn't read the article or full summary thereby missing:
"The upgrade is optional (and free) for existing Windows 8 users, though if one looks at the changes, it's hard to imagine why those already on it wouldn't upgrade."
Before everyone starts bashing on Win8 (even though it does, to some extent, deserve it), I feel obligated to state:
The OS: 1. Performs better than Win7 (for me) 2. Has been perhaps the most stable iteration of windows (for me).
The UI:
Is horrible in terms of the default layout. Adding back in a 'normal' start menu (via Classic Shell, etc) and turning off the charm bars are key to making it a usable GUI, IMO.
With the above 'tweaks' the biggest thing I miss comparing 7 to 8 is the loss of being able to search files directly from the search bar. Perhaps that' some option/tweak I missed somewhere along the lines.
Will I try 8.1? If I can do it for free, yes. Will I give them money for it? NO!
Amen to that one. There's a big difference in protecting assets vs this (virtual) panopticon.
My day job mostly involves installing and maintaining security and surveillance equipment. Usually for government agencies. But what my job entails isn't much different than protecting your home or business with ADT, etc. Just on a large scale and a bigger budget...(and outdated regulations).
Ie. It's a government facility. There is CCTV in use. There are security systems in use. Entering the installations is giving consent to being monitored, searched, etc. Using their phone system is giving consent to having your calls recorded.
The same as if your employer has CCTV and the ability to search your possessions on their premises. For the government installations, this is all pretty much a given (and aptly advertised). This, to me seems fine. Much the same way I'm fine with stores having CCTV in and around their buildings.
The problem areas are with agencies like the NSA that have basically been granted to ability to look at and listen to whatever they want, whenever they want.
Bear with me, cuz I'm not familiar with BACS or CHAPS (or anything other than the US banking system). Having just 'skimmed' the articles, I can make a completely inaccurate attempt at breaking down my paycheck, banking.
1. I get paid via Direct Deposit on the 15th and last business day of each month. I think this is a bit like BACS, in that my employer does ???? a few days before my payday, and on the 15th (or often, the business day before) money magically arrives in my bank account (technically, a credit union)
2. My accounts: I have a Checking acct and a Savings acct. Direct Deposited pay goes to the checking account. I rarely write cheques/checks anymore, but the Mastercard debit card is linked to this account. Payments with the card are more "CHAPS-like" Some of my physical checks will cash on an Automatic Clearing House rather than waiting in limbo. Checks to my kid's daycare however tend to take about 7+ days to clear. I could pay them with the credit/debit card and have it withdrawn immediately, but they [the daycare] charge an extra $5 per transaction to do so to offset their 'per transaction fee' they have to pay for processing.
The Savings Acct. defaults to being protection if I overdraft from my checking. Other than that, it offers a pathetic interest rate as an incentive to save $$$ and bank with them.
In the US, some small companies and/or low wage jobs have physical checks given to the employee that they must cash. Problem is, most banks/credit unions won't cash checks unless you're already a member of their bank. Hence the pawn shops, payday loan, and check cashing locations save the day by offering check cashing services for x% of your hard earned paycheck.
I've also seen (Walmart?) offer "Free" check cashing, so long as you spent some percentage of said check at their store the same day.
No, don't base it on getting lucky, but it helps =P (don't get me wrong, I've had to (and still have to) work my ass off in my industry)
I wholeheartedly agree that having an understanding of sciences will help anyone anywhere, but I'm also adamant in my belief that the current system is flawed and too much emphasis is placed on having a degree and not enough is placed upon real experience. I am in strong favor of certifications though.
There's issues with "what" is taught in schools. I've a friend whose been taking classes in electrical engineering -- and her instructors still haven't covered what ground is and why it's relevant in an electrical circuit. She asked "why are we not covering this?", as most of her classmates weren't familiar with it. Apparently it's not part of the curriculum, and "not that important".
Meanwhile, my wife was taking several courses, one of which was "Math" (I can't recall what exactly, fairly basic stuff). It covered some basic algebra, conversion to binary...but also Egyptian and Babylonian symbols. Um...what?!? I mean, kinda neat, IMO, but relevant to getting an "Administrative Professional Certificate"? I can't see how. Perhaps if there had been some rhyme or reasoning behind that aspect of the course, but no, it was presented simply as a "know how to convert Western Arabic/European numerals to ________ symbols". Meanwhile, hexadecimal is somehow less useful than Babylonian symbols (though I don't foresee her using Binary nor Hex in her day job either).
>>>. This will deter many from seeking a higher education level. You will therefore end up with a larger proportion of young people having lower education levels, which tend to lead to menial jobs, more unemployment, and a reliance on benefits. >>>
BUT! Right now we have a high population of 'educated' people working menial/unskilled jobs. There's a mindset that "You have to go to college to get a job", which leads to a saturation of "educated" and/or over-qualified employees.
Meanwhile you have folks like me living relatively comfortable who 1) Didn't go to college 2) Worked their way up into their positions 3) Got kinda lucky. 4) Didn't take on the debt. (NOTE: Number 3 helps a lot, I'm not going to lie).
Hmm...basically we have a "family plan" with 2 phones on it. Both HTC Android devices, capable of 4g (but non existent). I'd much rather pay 19.90E.
Talk 1500 anytime minutes $ 110.00 Additional line charges (1 line) $ 19.99 Nights and weekends starting at 7pm Any Mobile, AnytimeSM Mobile to mobile Allow International Calls (1 line) Messages - Text, Pictures and Video Unlimited Data - Web, email, TV, music, GPS and more 4G speeds in select cities Premium Data $ 20.00 Total Equipment Protection (2 lines) $ 16.00 Plan charges $165.99 + Taxes and fees
Well, I do agree there are actual threats out there, sure. Yes, China potentially is a threat, as is Iran and N. Korea. Of those 3, I'd say China is potentially the largest threat just based on economic power and supply controls.
However, it is also very accurate to state that most of (the USA's) our "enemies" are primarily a result of foreign interventions. I use "enemies" loosely here, because we're not engaged in a traditional "war" with anyone (as defined by clear objectives competing against other Nations). When we send UAV's into another countries air space, intentionally or not, I would expect some blow-back. Same deal when we interfere in another countries politics.
I would suspect (and I have nothing to back this up) that most of the "cyber warfare" that China lays down (as a Nation) on the US is more comparable to Cold War Soviet spying than direct acts of aggression. A version of "ha-ha! Look what we can do!". --Again, not fact, just IMO.
Slashdot Mirror
You mean the types of geeks that dispute Gnome vs KDE vs XFCE vs any other number of configurable GUI interfaces for Linux throwing a fit about having the option to change a menu button on a Windows system via a 3rd party customizable interface to give a user options as to what they want?
If you're not already familiar with it, I highly recommend "Classic Shell". http://www.classicshell.net/
That will let you choose a few different traditional start menu types, allow Win7 style searching from the menu, add some features into the Windows Explorer, and disable the active corners and metro screen.
Once that's done, I personally like the OS as much or better than Win7.
Disclaimer:
My win7 box is a company laptop with 8gig ram, an 2.4ghz I5 processor, Dell something or other but stuck with MS Office, McAffee and some other crap I can't uninstall per company policy.
My Win8 laptop has 4gig ram, 2.5ghz, i3 processor Toshiba Satellite and configured the way *I* want it.
So, in my situation, working off two different machines, different software, different settings: Win8 seems faster and more responsive "to me". I'm sure some of this is a function of background tasks, etc, YMMV.
No mod points here, so the best I can give is an "Amen!"
Personally, I was the youngest kid in the class. Kinda short, kinda fat, a kinda a dork. I was a prime target. Nothing like watching the gym teacher laugh as you get a hockey stick under your rips lifting you up off the ground (think bear hug from behind -- kinda creepy in retrospect). The senior(s) and teachers didn't laugh as hard once I whacked one upside the head. Not too hard, but enough to get his attention.
Thankfully, a couple years later I met some like-minded folks. Combine the goth kids, the metal heads, the geeks, and the 'thankfully this was before columbine' kids in trench coats and combat boots who just didn't really give a fuck. Which amounted to about, oh...8 close people and a network of associated outcasts.
Not a lot, but when there's only a couple lone bullies, 8 people standing together is enough.
Play it as it lays! Water Trap, Sand Trap, Raging Inferno Trap. If you can reach it, play it!
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/...
Sonny Corleone Make Over courtesy of ED-209
My last company was exactly that. "Salary Minus". I forget the exact pay rate, but lets say it broke down to $1/hr. So I'd make $40 per week based on a 40hr work week. 60hrs that week meant I still got $40. 30hrs for the week meant I got $30. These hours were against actual projects/new work.
Additionally, I was on call 24/7. Every goddamn week. A service call during the day cut into my time on new work, so I had to "Work Harder" to make up the time I lost on the new job to offset the time spent on emergency maint.
On the upside, I did get paid a fixed $50 per service call for after hours maintenance (before taxes). $50 per call no matter how long it took. 15min fix? $50. 12hr fix? $50.
This was from 2004-2006. I started at $37,500/yr and I think when I left I was up to a whopping $39k or so.
Maybe I'm a masochist, as I switched companies and kept doing the same damn thing. The customers I had switched their contracts to my new company less than 6 months after I left the old.
Still salary, still the same on-call schedule, and I lost the after hours compensation I used to have.
But now I kinda work my own schedule, act as my own supervisor, manage my own projects, work less hours and make more money.
I'll get the torches!
Of course there's meters outside the borders, that's how we charge Canada and Mexico. I'd venture to say there's maybe even a thousand of them to cover both borders
I hadn't thought of it that way....how quick can we plot its impact and organize a get together for our In-Laws?
But wouldn't know what to do with it afterwords....
Brilliant! Now to update my Win8 box.
Meanwhile, to avoid further nerd-rage, I'm also switching this laptop over from Ubuntu to Mint...so yeah...doin' *nix stuff! (Though I never really got the hang of BSD, but last I tried that was several years ago)
Why? Android MIUI vs HTC Sense vs Others; XFCE vs KDE vs Gnome, etc.
The default UI for Win8 basically sucks, but some tweaks make it a functional system again
Cuz man...the Cloud....ain't ya heard! That's where all the important files are going.
*blech*
Somewhat sadly, after a HD failure, we loaded up Ubuntu on the wife's laptop. While it did everything she needed, she really just didn't like it, and things like Skype just didn't play nice. (Which was sad, as I was working out of town for about a month and wanted to see her and the kid).
That said, once it gave up the ghost, we picked her up a replacement laptop with Win8. She wouldn't let me tweak it, but somehow she can handle the default Win8 with Metro better than Linux with KDE, Gnome, or XFCE. *shrug*
Well, in true Slashdot fashion, I didn't read the article or full summary thereby missing:
"The upgrade is optional (and free) for existing Windows 8 users, though if one looks at the changes, it's hard to imagine why those already on it wouldn't upgrade."
Before everyone starts bashing on Win8 (even though it does, to some extent, deserve it), I feel obligated to state:
The OS:
1. Performs better than Win7 (for me)
2. Has been perhaps the most stable iteration of windows (for me).
The UI:
Is horrible in terms of the default layout. Adding back in a 'normal' start menu (via Classic Shell, etc) and turning off the charm bars are key to making it a usable GUI, IMO.
With the above 'tweaks' the biggest thing I miss comparing 7 to 8 is the loss of being able to search files directly from the search bar. Perhaps that' some option/tweak I missed somewhere along the lines.
Will I try 8.1? If I can do it for free, yes. Will I give them money for it? NO!
Can it detect if I'm cooking so it doesn't trip the alarm? Cuz when I cook, somethings likely to burn.
Amen to that one. There's a big difference in protecting assets vs this (virtual) panopticon.
My day job mostly involves installing and maintaining security and surveillance equipment. Usually for government agencies. But what my job entails isn't much different than protecting your home or business with ADT, etc. Just on a large scale and a bigger budget...(and outdated regulations).
Ie. It's a government facility. There is CCTV in use. There are security systems in use. Entering the installations is giving consent to being monitored, searched, etc. Using their phone system is giving consent to having your calls recorded.
The same as if your employer has CCTV and the ability to search your possessions on their premises. For the government installations, this is all pretty much a given (and aptly advertised). This, to me seems fine. Much the same way I'm fine with stores having CCTV in and around their buildings.
The problem areas are with agencies like the NSA that have basically been granted to ability to look at and listen to whatever they want, whenever they want.
Bear with me, cuz I'm not familiar with BACS or CHAPS (or anything other than the US banking system). Having just 'skimmed' the articles, I can make a completely inaccurate attempt at breaking down my paycheck, banking.
1. I get paid via Direct Deposit on the 15th and last business day of each month. I think this is a bit like BACS, in that my employer does ???? a few days before my payday, and on the 15th (or often, the business day before) money magically arrives in my bank account (technically, a credit union)
2. My accounts: I have a Checking acct and a Savings acct. Direct Deposited pay goes to the checking account. I rarely write cheques/checks anymore, but the Mastercard debit card is linked to this account. Payments with the card are more "CHAPS-like" Some of my physical checks will cash on an Automatic Clearing House rather than waiting in limbo. Checks to my kid's daycare however tend to take about 7+ days to clear. I could pay them with the credit/debit card and have it withdrawn immediately, but they [the daycare] charge an extra $5 per transaction to do so to offset their 'per transaction fee' they have to pay for processing.
The Savings Acct. defaults to being protection if I overdraft from my checking. Other than that, it offers a pathetic interest rate as an incentive to save $$$ and bank with them.
In the US, some small companies and/or low wage jobs have physical checks given to the employee that they must cash. Problem is, most banks/credit unions won't cash checks unless you're already a member of their bank. Hence the pawn shops, payday loan, and check cashing locations save the day by offering check cashing services for x% of your hard earned paycheck.
I've also seen (Walmart?) offer "Free" check cashing, so long as you spent some percentage of said check at their store the same day.
Not just in Russia. There's plenty of places in the US where phones stored outside of an area are required to have their batteries pulled too.
A cell with a battery installed can still be used to track and eavesdrop, regardless of it's perceived power state.
I wish I had mod points!
No, don't base it on getting lucky, but it helps =P (don't get me wrong, I've had to (and still have to) work my ass off in my industry)
I wholeheartedly agree that having an understanding of sciences will help anyone anywhere, but I'm also adamant in my belief that the current system is flawed and too much emphasis is placed on having a degree and not enough is placed upon real experience. I am in strong favor of certifications though.
There's issues with "what" is taught in schools. I've a friend whose been taking classes in electrical engineering -- and her instructors still haven't covered what ground is and why it's relevant in an electrical circuit. She asked "why are we not covering this?", as most of her classmates weren't familiar with it. Apparently it's not part of the curriculum, and "not that important".
Meanwhile, my wife was taking several courses, one of which was "Math" (I can't recall what exactly, fairly basic stuff). It covered some basic algebra, conversion to binary...but also Egyptian and Babylonian symbols. Um...what?!? I mean, kinda neat, IMO, but relevant to getting an "Administrative Professional Certificate"? I can't see how. Perhaps if there had been some rhyme or reasoning behind that aspect of the course, but no, it was presented simply as a "know how to convert Western Arabic/European numerals to ________ symbols". Meanwhile, hexadecimal is somehow less useful than Babylonian symbols (though I don't foresee her using Binary nor Hex in her day job either).
>>>. This will deter many from seeking a higher education level. You will therefore end up with a larger proportion of young people having lower education levels, which tend to lead to menial jobs, more unemployment, and a reliance on benefits. >>>
BUT! Right now we have a high population of 'educated' people working menial/unskilled jobs. There's a mindset that "You have to go to college to get a job", which leads to a saturation of "educated" and/or over-qualified employees.
(Provided this is accurate: http://chronicle.com/blogs/innovations/why-did-17-million-students-go-to-college/27634 )
Meanwhile you have folks like me living relatively comfortable who 1) Didn't go to college 2) Worked their way up into their positions 3) Got kinda lucky. 4) Didn't take on the debt. (NOTE: Number 3 helps a lot, I'm not going to lie).
Hmm...basically we have a "family plan" with 2 phones on it. Both HTC Android devices, capable of 4g (but non existent). I'd much rather pay 19.90E.
Talk 1500 anytime minutes $ 110.00
Additional line charges (1 line) $ 19.99
Nights and weekends starting at 7pm
Any Mobile, AnytimeSM
Mobile to mobile
Allow International Calls (1 line)
Messages - Text, Pictures and Video
Unlimited Data - Web, email, TV, music, GPS and more
4G speeds in select cities
Premium Data $ 20.00
Total Equipment Protection (2 lines) $ 16.00
Plan charges $165.99 + Taxes and fees
Average total monthly bill $167.76
Well, I do agree there are actual threats out there, sure. Yes, China potentially is a threat, as is Iran and N. Korea. Of those 3, I'd say China is potentially the largest threat just based on economic power and supply controls.
However, it is also very accurate to state that most of (the USA's) our "enemies" are primarily a result of foreign interventions. I use "enemies" loosely here, because we're not engaged in a traditional "war" with anyone (as defined by clear objectives competing against other Nations). When we send UAV's into another countries air space, intentionally or not, I would expect some blow-back. Same deal when we interfere in another countries politics.
I would suspect (and I have nothing to back this up) that most of the "cyber warfare" that China lays down (as a Nation) on the US is more comparable to Cold War Soviet spying than direct acts of aggression. A version of "ha-ha! Look what we can do!". --Again, not fact, just IMO.