formating the drive and installing your OS of choice (be it windows *nix or whatever) is nearly always a better choice and takes about the same time for a perfect result.
I think there's something really to be said for how long it takes to remove the crap-ware, if it's faster to do a nuke-and-pave. I've done several decrapifications of peoples machines after they've owned them for years (so I really can't just nuke and pave at this point for fear of losing something they hold dear), and was shocked at how horribly slow Windows' Add/Remove Software function is. I've spent a couple hours before doing it, wondering how such a process can be so time-intensive. Reminded me of the old days of troubleshooting extensions in the "classic" Mac OSs (pre 10.0).
A cheap schmuck gets the crapware-loaded PC and thinks it's a deal.
A cheap geek gets the crapware-loaded PC and nukes the system as soon as he gets home, customizing it to perform as it should be.
A smart geek completely builds their own system, never having seen a piece of bloatware.
A rich geek buys a Mac and wonders what ever happened to bloatware.
I did wish Microsoft would throw in a "1-click bloatware removal" requirement into their OEM agreement, it's not hurting Dell/HP/Gateway's image nearly as much as it's hurting people's perception of Windows PC in general.
My only problem with year based versions that are date-stamped versions is that they tend to be stamping their own expiration date on their software. Which is ok if you're Intuit and rake in cash just because you throw out a slightly differently buggy version every year without ever fully fixing things (sigh). But most software is intended to be used for a few years, and seeing a 2009 next to a 2010 competitor will hurt more than seeing a v4 next to a v10.
Photoshop 7 was the last version I actually had any joy in upgrading to.
Windows 7, speaks for itself. But you did have to be decent first, which Windows never has been. Word? Haha. Chrome, their versioning doesn't even count. Less than 2 years old and it's at what, version 8? You're joking, right?
Does anyone seriously look at 2 competing products and see a version number as a bullet point?
I think lower version numbers are generally a badge of honor. Spitting out many major versions so fast means you're having a hard time playing catch-up with your competition.
All software after a version 6 falls downhill, I can't think of a single piece of software that defies this rule. The only one that comes close is Mac OS 10, but essentially it's back to a version 1.0 and currently really at 1.6. 7, 8 9 were horrid, Apple was right to trash it.
Are the marketers at the Mozilla Foundation focusing on getting Firefox up to version 10 before Internet Explorer just for marketing purposes? What could possibly be so important to warrant 4 major versions in a year? And if they were that large of enhancements, why not combine them for their customers sake? Racking up version numbers isn't something that should be done on a whim. Jeez, how long did it take Firefox originally to hit 1.0?
Well, it's either "Let's release the update when it's ready", or "Let's release a completely broken new feature that will bug a lot of users and get tons of bad press on our hot new iThing thats main marketing vector is press hype". Just because multitasking is available on a similar platform, doesn't mean it's ready for mainstream use on another. Their other option would be to hold off multitasking on the iPhone just so people can have it on the iPad at the same time, which just seems silly.
People forget that iOS didn't start off as an App platform, evolution is and has been required, and it's not always the prettiest little thing. As annoying as it was to not have multitasking on the iPad the day it was on the iPhone, it wasn't a deal breaker for anyone.
I think the future will be merging the tablet with a desktop! Like, attach a keyboard in maybe a clamshell-style configuration! Yesssss, brilliant! Move the control surface off the screen to a more comfortable angle where you're not blocking the screen with your hand either! Sounds logical! Maybe add some ports for expandability. Oooh, good! I shall call it... the KneeTop Portable Computron!
Not catchy enough?!
In all seriousness, I think it will probably move more toward multi-mode tablets (docked for desktop-style use, an optional attachable clamshell w/keyboard for laptop-style use, and solo for pad use) after the initial fad wears off and people realize the necks and hands hurt. It's also great for attachment sales. Or most likely, just follow slower evolution like the MacBook Air.
It also took a very long time for some of the iPhone features to get back into the iPad OS, right now they appear to be in step with each other. As annoying as it can be to the consumer, I think it's the right route to take for Google. Though, they really need to use something better to differentiate that it's for tablets and not just say "3.0 is for tablets only!". It just leaves a bad numbering scheme where the under-informed masses think they're getting older software with their brand new phone.
Google should have avoided platform fragmentation from the start, but they didn't. Now they just need to roll with it and make it easier on the consumer.
The board holds the power to do whatever they want with their company. If they want to make the succession plan themselves, they can. As I understand it in my finite wisdom, the executives work for them, including Jobs.
[Citation Needed]
If he wasn't good enough for Google, he's far behind for Apple. They need somebody like (or better than) Jobs, not like the CEOs that tanked the company before his return. There are tech visionaries out there, and many of them inside Apple already, but I would never in a million years choose one of the run-of-the-mill CEOs that are churned out by top-notch universities. Not that there's anything wrong with them, they just don't belong any higher than CFO position at Apple.
Are we really going to have another "Pluto isn't a planet"-type word definition battles? Call it whatever you want, but an App "by any other name" it's still an App. Make rules, set naming standards, do what you'd like. To me it's all just wasted time having it even concern you.
I'm a very large fan of Apple Products for the most part, but this is getting out of hand. It may have already been in the agreement, and the developers should have taken the time to read and agree to them before ever writing their first line of code BUT: These moves are chipping away at confidence in these otherwise wonderful Apple devices, Apple has too much to lose in this industry with all the competitors coming to market with more developer freedom.
The Apps MAKE the device, not the other way around, Apple.
If Apple loses the consumer's confidence that they'll be able to run what they want, they won't buy the devices. Without these devices there is no iTunes Music/App/Movie/Candy store raking in cash. With Apple exiting the Pro users/creative they no longer have a core market to fall back on when the trendiness of these devices wears off and the reality comes crashing down around them.
I don't have a single Netgear item in my house that still functions, everything I've bought from them either fails to meet my expectations and is returned, or dies shortly after the warranty expires. I have many Apple products that went to the "still works great but I got a newer one" bin. You can complain about "closed" being a reason not to buy Apple products, but I think "It's a POS that will fail quickly" as the main reason I'm not buying Netgear.
Yeah. And the USA PATRIOT Act under Bush was so much less intrusive. You're kidding, right? Nobody should like intrusion into our privacy, but trying to pin it on just Obama while being blind to the massive assault waged by the former administration(s) is just silly.
I'm currently reading this on an iPad, and between the ads and sidebar the content is getting mangled to just a handful of words per line. I'd turn off ads but I dont usually mind helping slashdot make a buck. I second the general consensus around here, too big overall, and too much wasted space. You don't require 1/4 of my screen for the latest poll.
I bought a bunch of iTunes gift cards with Best Buy gift cards I got for christmas because not one thing at Best Buy is a good deal, so figured I'd get some Mac programs I had been putting off getting until I ran into some spare cash.
I checked my account on the Mac App Store and it matches that of my iTunes credit balance.
Officially this is a feature of 10.7 "Lion". They're just releasing it early. You can't seriously expect Apple to include new features from a paid software update into their old systems. The $29 upgrade to 10.6 is hardly an issue for anyone able to afford a Mac to begin with. The only people that can really complain are the G5 owners who don't have the option to upgrade to 10.6. But they should be considering themselves lucky that their computers haven't already been killed by the PSU/Logic Board capacitor issues Apple had.
Slashdot Mirror
Microsoft will re-version their next IE "360" to compete.
formating the drive and installing your OS of choice (be it windows *nix or whatever) is nearly always a better choice and takes about the same time for a perfect result.
I think there's something really to be said for how long it takes to remove the crap-ware, if it's faster to do a nuke-and-pave. I've done several decrapifications of peoples machines after they've owned them for years (so I really can't just nuke and pave at this point for fear of losing something they hold dear), and was shocked at how horribly slow Windows' Add/Remove Software function is. I've spent a couple hours before doing it, wondering how such a process can be so time-intensive. Reminded me of the old days of troubleshooting extensions in the "classic" Mac OSs (pre 10.0).
A cheap schmuck gets the crapware-loaded PC and thinks it's a deal.
A cheap geek gets the crapware-loaded PC and nukes the system as soon as he gets home, customizing it to perform as it should be.
A smart geek completely builds their own system, never having seen a piece of bloatware.
A rich geek buys a Mac and wonders what ever happened to bloatware.
I did wish Microsoft would throw in a "1-click bloatware removal" requirement into their OEM agreement, it's not hurting Dell/HP/Gateway's image nearly as much as it's hurting people's perception of Windows PC in general.
My only problem with year based versions that are date-stamped versions is that they tend to be stamping their own expiration date on their software. Which is ok if you're Intuit and rake in cash just because you throw out a slightly differently buggy version every year without ever fully fixing things (sigh). But most software is intended to be used for a few years, and seeing a 2009 next to a 2010 competitor will hurt more than seeing a v4 next to a v10.
Photoshop 7 was the last version I actually had any joy in upgrading to.
Windows 7, speaks for itself. But you did have to be decent first, which Windows never has been.
Word? Haha.
Chrome, their versioning doesn't even count. Less than 2 years old and it's at what, version 8? You're joking, right?
Does anyone seriously look at 2 competing products and see a version number as a bullet point? I think lower version numbers are generally a badge of honor. Spitting out many major versions so fast means you're having a hard time playing catch-up with your competition.
All software after a version 6 falls downhill, I can't think of a single piece of software that defies this rule. The only one that comes close is Mac OS 10, but essentially it's back to a version 1.0 and currently really at 1.6. 7, 8 9 were horrid, Apple was right to trash it.
Are the marketers at the Mozilla Foundation focusing on getting Firefox up to version 10 before Internet Explorer just for marketing purposes? What could possibly be so important to warrant 4 major versions in a year? And if they were that large of enhancements, why not combine them for their customers sake?
Racking up version numbers isn't something that should be done on a whim. Jeez, how long did it take Firefox originally to hit 1.0?
Well, it's either "Let's release the update when it's ready", or "Let's release a completely broken new feature that will bug a lot of users and get tons of bad press on our hot new iThing thats main marketing vector is press hype". Just because multitasking is available on a similar platform, doesn't mean it's ready for mainstream use on another. Their other option would be to hold off multitasking on the iPhone just so people can have it on the iPad at the same time, which just seems silly.
People forget that iOS didn't start off as an App platform, evolution is and has been required, and it's not always the prettiest little thing. As annoying as it was to not have multitasking on the iPad the day it was on the iPhone, it wasn't a deal breaker for anyone.
I think the future will be merging the tablet with a desktop! Like, attach a keyboard in maybe a clamshell-style configuration!
Yesssss, brilliant!
Move the control surface off the screen to a more comfortable angle where you're not blocking the screen with your hand either!
Sounds logical!
Maybe add some ports for expandability.
Oooh, good!
I shall call it... the KneeTop Portable Computron!
Not catchy enough?!
In all seriousness, I think it will probably move more toward multi-mode tablets (docked for desktop-style use, an optional attachable clamshell w/keyboard for laptop-style use, and solo for pad use) after the initial fad wears off and people realize the necks and hands hurt. It's also great for attachment sales. Or most likely, just follow slower evolution like the MacBook Air.
If it works for Apple, COPY IT!
Probably this; even major version numbers for phones 2.x, 4.x, 6.x, odd major version numbers for tablets 3.x, 5.x, 7.x
or they could just put a T for Tablet or P for Phone at the end of the version number
Both of those would probably fail the "will the unwashed masses understand this?" test, where I basically try to explain it to my family members.
It also took a very long time for some of the iPhone features to get back into the iPad OS, right now they appear to be in step with each other. As annoying as it can be to the consumer, I think it's the right route to take for Google. Though, they really need to use something better to differentiate that it's for tablets and not just say "3.0 is for tablets only!". It just leaves a bad numbering scheme where the under-informed masses think they're getting older software with their brand new phone.
Google should have avoided platform fragmentation from the start, but they didn't. Now they just need to roll with it and make it easier on the consumer.
The board holds the power to do whatever they want with their company. If they want to make the succession plan themselves, they can. As I understand it in my finite wisdom, the executives work for them, including Jobs.
[Citation Needed]
If he wasn't good enough for Google, he's far behind for Apple. They need somebody like (or better than) Jobs, not like the CEOs that tanked the company before his return. There are tech visionaries out there, and many of them inside Apple already, but I would never in a million years choose one of the run-of-the-mill CEOs that are churned out by top-notch universities. Not that there's anything wrong with them, they just don't belong any higher than CFO position at Apple.
Buffet is a fucking filthy rich hypocrite.
FTFY
Are we really going to have another "Pluto isn't a planet"-type word definition battles? Call it whatever you want, but an App "by any other name" it's still an App. Make rules, set naming standards, do what you'd like. To me it's all just wasted time having it even concern you.
I'm a very large fan of Apple Products for the most part, but this is getting out of hand. It may have already been in the agreement, and the developers should have taken the time to read and agree to them before ever writing their first line of code BUT: These moves are chipping away at confidence in these otherwise wonderful Apple devices, Apple has too much to lose in this industry with all the competitors coming to market with more developer freedom.
The Apps MAKE the device, not the other way around, Apple.
If Apple loses the consumer's confidence that they'll be able to run what they want, they won't buy the devices. Without these devices there is no iTunes Music/App/Movie/Candy store raking in cash. With Apple exiting the Pro users/creative they no longer have a core market to fall back on when the trendiness of these devices wears off and the reality comes crashing down around them.
I don't have a single Netgear item in my house that still functions, everything I've bought from them either fails to meet my expectations and is returned, or dies shortly after the warranty expires. I have many Apple products that went to the "still works great but I got a newer one" bin. You can complain about "closed" being a reason not to buy Apple products, but I think "It's a POS that will fail quickly" as the main reason I'm not buying Netgear.
Extremely difficult on the iPhone w/retina display, and for some reason it won't let me zoom at all.
This really stinks of somebody's "My First Redesign".
Yeah. And the USA PATRIOT Act under Bush was so much less intrusive. You're kidding, right? Nobody should like intrusion into our privacy, but trying to pin it on just Obama while being blind to the massive assault waged by the former administration(s) is just silly.
I'm currently reading this on an iPad, and between the ads and sidebar the content is getting mangled to just a handful of words per line. I'd turn off ads but I dont usually mind helping slashdot make a buck. I second the general consensus around here, too big overall, and too much wasted space. You don't require 1/4 of my screen for the latest poll.
I bought a bunch of iTunes gift cards with Best Buy gift cards I got for christmas because not one thing at Best Buy is a good deal, so figured I'd get some Mac programs I had been putting off getting until I ran into some spare cash.
I checked my account on the Mac App Store and it matches that of my iTunes credit balance.
Officially this is a feature of 10.7 "Lion". They're just releasing it early.
You can't seriously expect Apple to include new features from a paid software update into their old systems. The $29 upgrade to 10.6 is hardly an issue for anyone able to afford a Mac to begin with.
The only people that can really complain are the G5 owners who don't have the option to upgrade to 10.6. But they should be considering themselves lucky that their computers haven't already been killed by the PSU/Logic Board capacitor issues Apple had.
Interestingly enough the newspaper that "blew the whistle" has the same parent company as MySpace, NewsCorp.