Something else to consider - Most people in the US aren't going to have the slightest idea how well any phone is going to work in Scotland. Most of us have never (and probably never will) even been to Scotland. Even the helpful answers here are mostly what people have dug up just now, in response to this question.
OTOH, a lot of people buying a phone in the UK want to know if it'll work in the US, and the larger shops get plenty of feedback on it.
And I don't want my tax money paying to support state-subsidised religious schools*
*I'm in the UK. The government is very keen on public-private partnerships in education.
Not unheard of here in the US. I had a client (in Ohio) that was a church, operating a school. They received gov't money for the school, and there was a requirement that it ONLY be spent on the school, but that wasn't always followed. Furthermore, it was definitely a religious school.
If you're worried about your skills becoming obsolete, then GET NEW SKILLS! This isn't that hard. Anyone in a technology field should not expect to use the same skill set for 30 (!) years, let alone 45.
Granted, this far along in the process may experience a bit of a renaissance (much like COBOL programmers), but if job security is a concern, it's time for some new education/training.
...didn't do anything wrong, but she's going to plead the 5th? What for if there's nothing incriminating?
While most of your list was spot on, I must take exception to this. If the questions are solely for the purpose of incriminating you, (and I'm sure they are), why would you answer any of them at all? What benefit is that to you?
Why? What can you do on a desktop that you can't on Android?
Oh, there's lots of stuff I can do on a desktop that I can't do on Android. Otherwise, I wouldn't be typing this on a desktop. There isn't, however, a lot of stuff that COULDN'T be done on Android (most of it just isn't currently implemented)
Don't confuse sandboxing with a walled garden. Sandboxing restricts a program to limited set of resources, and is generally considered a good idea for security. A walled garden restricts choice, such as restricting from where and whom you can get the apps.
There are exceptions, where sandboxing is a problem (for example: anything on Android requiring root) but these are fairly rare. Most programs should always be in a sandbox (ESPECIALLY things like browsers)
Most complaints about sandboxing are not actually an issue with sandboxing (at any level)
Most people don't install a router on top of the one provided by the ISP. So, every piece of information collected by the ISP's router will be available if they want it. That includes mac addresses of all your connected devices. Yes, this could just be the address of your fancy VPN router, but that still directly ties the traffic to the device, which is ultimately connected to your equipment.
Few problems with that: First, yes, most people DO bring their own routers. If they didn't, you wouldn't see the enormous selection of routers at every Best Buy, Micro Center, office supply stores, Walmart, etc.
Second, in this area, while AT&T modems are often (shitty 2WIRE) integrated WiFi routers/modems, the cable companies (TW and WOW) charge extra for theirs. And do you know what you get with them? A shitty $20 Belkin (or sometimes a Netgear).
These devices often do not support ANY logging, and the ones that do are woefully inadequate for what your describe.
I find it interesting is that every statement like this excludes (or more frequently, omits) the cost ($80-100 or higher) of a legal Windows installation. Most people run Windows, and prefer it to be legal. Then you have to tack on labor - even if you only count active work to build it, it still takes a fair amount of time. Combine that with the illusion of support and warranty, and those $300 PCs (probably closer to the $260 ones) are a more attractive option for most people.
Plus, I've seen a lot of self-built PCs. Biostar boards, Apex (or worse) PSUs, unbranded RAM, and no testing. Almost all would've gotten a better product if they'd just bought something off the shelf- even Acer makes better systems than that. Granted, I've seen DIY systems with ASUS/Gigabyte/etc, but those tend to be even more expensive.
The only market segment where it makes financial sense is the high-end of the market. All major OEMs have razor-thin profit margins on the low-end. They make their real money on the high-end. When you get to the $1000 range, you can build a substantially better machine for a lower price, Windows and all.
They said this myth has repeated about many, many different cars, but most commonly for a 70s Porsche 928. They tested it, and found it to be wrong. The car was significantly less aerodynamic when backwards.
I used to work for an OEM that used a wide variety of MSI parts (as well as other major suppliers)
MSI is *VERY* hit-or-miss. It is very clear that they either have multiple engineering teams (with very different cabilities) or multiple manufacturing processes/facilities (with very different standards)
Some of their products have been absolutely top-notch, better than ASUS or Gigabyte has ever been. Others (most of them, from what I dealt with, but that may be selection bias) were absolute garbage, more on par with ECS or Biostar. That includes their notebooks (ODM stock models, for OEM re-branding)
Google is buying Motorola. It has not yet completed.
Presumably, the reason has more to do with brand cohesion, specifically things like BLUR. Everyone already has expectations of what to expect with a Motorola Android device. These expectations will be broken (for better or for worse) on a "Nexus" device. Since ASUS is largely unknown to U.S. consumers, there is little in the way of expectations.
Alternatively, it should be noted that Pegatron, which is a spinoff from ASUS (and is still their primary ODM/mfg back-end) also makes gear for Apple (including the iPad 3), which could have its own advantages.
Most Micro Center locations will price match Newegg. They also have "Manager discretion". If you make a fuss to a manager about it being much cheaper on Amazon, and be willing to order it from Amazon, they may agree to a price match (or at least a discount). I'm sure the Newegg price matching started the same way.
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by components and consumables, since PC components are priced very close to Newegg (which they would price match anyway)
You're dead on with cables, and there's only a few that are also on Newegg (but there are a few). This isn't something limited to a specific retailer - ALL B&M stores price gouge on cables, and online stores don't. Best example I've seen recently? 15' USB cable (Belkin). Walmart: $25. Walmart.com: $5. And no, they will not match their own online store.
I'm betting it's a form of the Academic edition. In the pre-Vista days, I could've had XP Pro for $10. Only available to people in the CompSci/NetAdmin programs at certain colleges. I suspect there's a similar offer in place for Win7.
Most PCs have, for a long time, had BIOS support for SMART detection. Until recently, it was disabled by default. I suspect this is because it created a few more support calls, even though they were completely necessary. If that firewall will create more support calls than disabling it, it will be disabled by default. The only exception will be if it loses sales, because people/reviewers/etc refuse to recommend it on that basis.
Interesting. Perhaps it is an apps issue. Many apps have influence elsewhere, for no apparent reason, and cannot be easily disabled.
Have you tried removing all possible apps and working on a bare minimum? I've also been told that having a lot of stored SMS will slow things down too much.
In any event, try discussing this with developers, such as the forums at CM or XDA. They can probably help you locate the issue.
(btw, yes, the Droid is a bit low by today's standards, but it should be able to handle Gingerbread without too much of a problem, unless your needs beyond that are uncommonly high. My problem was hardware failure)
My understanding is that all of the ones that run a recognizable version of Android (i.e. still has Android Market) does allow it- but on some the setting is hidden (esp. AT&T models). This makes it more difficult, but not impossible- you have to use the Android Developer Kit (ADK) to load the apps, but it's still an option (and one that is well documented)
What, specifically, do you hate? I have found that the VAST majority of problems with Android do not originate with Android, but with the OEMs and carriers forcing TONS of bullshit on them. e.g. all the useless apps and limitations.
If you haven't yet, try to flash a 3rd party ROM. I was extremely impressed by CyanogenMod but there are countless others available to suit your needs.
First thing, because of the nature of the beast wifi is basically like going back to the old Ethernet Hubs, with the added benefit of it being Collision Avoidance, and not Collision Detection, but because it operates like a hub, you are only as fast as your slowest user.
CSMA/CA is not an advantage. It takes A LOT more overhead to avoid a collision than to detect it. However, on wireless networks, detection is problematic; it's more of a workaround than an improvement.
While this was a major PITA in XP/2003 editions of everything, it is not an issue with later versions, including Win7/Office 2007. When you issue the commands to change the key, it will change the distribution channel as needed. I have personally confirmed this on Win7 Retail, Volume, OEM, and OEM SLP, as well as OEM and retail Office 2007.
Activating a unique key from an OEM SLP system (the key on the COA, when it came preinstalled) is a bit more difficult, but that has nothing to do with what media you used to install. Even here, all you have to do is activate by phone- and it's an automated process, where you speak/dial a set of numbers, and it reads back a different set of numbers.
This is actually a very valid issue- I have seen a number of home routers, from all major brands, that for one reason or another, revert to factory settings - i.e. open and unsecured. This can happen for an extended period for a number of reasons:
1. The user is not knowledgeable, and when the connection changes, he finds the network he recognizes, since typically it is the brand of the router.
2. The user is not paying attention (many systems are set to automatically connect to any open AP, out of the box; use of WiFi at multiple locations, including one that was unsecured and ends up in the list of preferred networks)
3. The user is not using that feature- non-WiFi home routers are virtually non-existent, and I regularly install WiFi routers (and disable the WiFi) for people on wired connections. If these were reset, they would never even be able to tell.
Slashdot Mirror
Something else to consider - Most people in the US aren't going to have the slightest idea how well any phone is going to work in Scotland. Most of us have never (and probably never will) even been to Scotland. Even the helpful answers here are mostly what people have dug up just now, in response to this question.
OTOH, a lot of people buying a phone in the UK want to know if it'll work in the US, and the larger shops get plenty of feedback on it.
Not unheard of here in the US. I had a client (in Ohio) that was a church, operating a school. They received gov't money for the school, and there was a requirement that it ONLY be spent on the school, but that wasn't always followed. Furthermore, it was definitely a religious school.
If you're worried about your skills becoming obsolete, then GET NEW SKILLS! This isn't that hard. Anyone in a technology field should not expect to use the same skill set for 30 (!) years, let alone 45.
Granted, this far along in the process may experience a bit of a renaissance (much like COBOL programmers), but if job security is a concern, it's time for some new education/training.
While most of your list was spot on, I must take exception to this. If the questions are solely for the purpose of incriminating you, (and I'm sure they are), why would you answer any of them at all? What benefit is that to you?
Or to put it another way, Don't talk to police
Oh, there's lots of stuff I can do on a desktop that I can't do on Android. Otherwise, I wouldn't be typing this on a desktop. There isn't, however, a lot of stuff that COULDN'T be done on Android (most of it just isn't currently implemented)
Don't confuse sandboxing with a walled garden. Sandboxing restricts a program to limited set of resources, and is generally considered a good idea for security. A walled garden restricts choice, such as restricting from where and whom you can get the apps.
There are exceptions, where sandboxing is a problem (for example: anything on Android requiring root) but these are fairly rare. Most programs should always be in a sandbox (ESPECIALLY things like browsers)
Most complaints about sandboxing are not actually an issue with sandboxing (at any level)
Few problems with that:
First, yes, most people DO bring their own routers. If they didn't, you wouldn't see the enormous selection of routers at every Best Buy, Micro Center, office supply stores, Walmart, etc.
Second, in this area, while AT&T modems are often (shitty 2WIRE) integrated WiFi routers/modems, the cable companies (TW and WOW) charge extra for theirs. And do you know what you get with them? A shitty $20 Belkin (or sometimes a Netgear).
These devices often do not support ANY logging, and the ones that do are woefully inadequate for what your describe.
The Internet is not a big truck! It's a series of tubes
A LOT of companies have a formal, written policy to not say anything but employment dates. Many won't even answer if they would hire the person again.
But it would be fun if they did this: http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/2005-10-08/
I find it interesting is that every statement like this excludes (or more frequently, omits) the cost ($80-100 or higher) of a legal Windows installation. Most people run Windows, and prefer it to be legal. Then you have to tack on labor - even if you only count active work to build it, it still takes a fair amount of time. Combine that with the illusion of support and warranty, and those $300 PCs (probably closer to the $260 ones) are a more attractive option for most people.
Plus, I've seen a lot of self-built PCs. Biostar boards, Apex (or worse) PSUs, unbranded RAM, and no testing. Almost all would've gotten a better product if they'd just bought something off the shelf- even Acer makes better systems than that. Granted, I've seen DIY systems with ASUS/Gigabyte/etc, but those tend to be even more expensive.
The only market segment where it makes financial sense is the high-end of the market. All major OEMs have razor-thin profit margins on the low-end. They make their real money on the high-end. When you get to the $1000 range, you can build a substantially better machine for a lower price, Windows and all.
Mythbusters tested this a few years ago:
http://www.tvrage.com/MythBusters/episodes/1064992029
They said this myth has repeated about many, many different cars, but most commonly for a 70s Porsche 928. They tested it, and found it to be wrong. The car was significantly less aerodynamic when backwards.
I used to work for an OEM that used a wide variety of MSI parts (as well as other major suppliers)
MSI is *VERY* hit-or-miss. It is very clear that they either have multiple engineering teams (with very different cabilities) or multiple manufacturing processes/facilities (with very different standards)
Some of their products have been absolutely top-notch, better than ASUS or Gigabyte has ever been. Others (most of them, from what I dealt with, but that may be selection bias) were absolute garbage, more on par with ECS or Biostar. That includes their notebooks (ODM stock models, for OEM re-branding)
Google is buying Motorola. It has not yet completed.
Presumably, the reason has more to do with brand cohesion, specifically things like BLUR. Everyone already has expectations of what to expect with a Motorola Android device. These expectations will be broken (for better or for worse) on a "Nexus" device. Since ASUS is largely unknown to U.S. consumers, there is little in the way of expectations.
Alternatively, it should be noted that Pegatron, which is a spinoff from ASUS (and is still their primary ODM/mfg back-end) also makes gear for Apple (including the iPad 3), which could have its own advantages.
Most Micro Center locations will price match Newegg. They also have "Manager discretion". If you make a fuss to a manager about it being much cheaper on Amazon, and be willing to order it from Amazon, they may agree to a price match (or at least a discount). I'm sure the Newegg price matching started the same way.
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by components and consumables, since PC components are priced very close to Newegg (which they would price match anyway)
You're dead on with cables, and there's only a few that are also on Newegg (but there are a few). This isn't something limited to a specific retailer - ALL B&M stores price gouge on cables, and online stores don't. Best example I've seen recently? 15' USB cable (Belkin). Walmart: $25. Walmart.com: $5. And no, they will not match their own online store.
Shall I assume you're referring to "Irish Drinking Song" by Buck-O-Nine?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck-O-Nine#1994_to_1996
http://www.amazon.com/Irish-Drinking-Song/dp/B002EIUDEO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1326585393&sr=8-3
I'm betting it's a form of the Academic edition. In the pre-Vista days, I could've had XP Pro for $10. Only available to people in the CompSci/NetAdmin programs at certain colleges. I suspect there's a similar offer in place for Win7.
Remove mobile from the address. Or, click here
Link please?
Most PCs have, for a long time, had BIOS support for SMART detection. Until recently, it was disabled by default.
I suspect this is because it created a few more support calls, even though they were completely necessary. If that firewall will create more support calls than disabling it, it will be disabled by default. The only exception will be if it loses sales, because people/reviewers/etc refuse to recommend it on that basis.
Interesting. Perhaps it is an apps issue. Many apps have influence elsewhere, for no apparent reason, and cannot be easily disabled.
Have you tried removing all possible apps and working on a bare minimum? I've also been told that having a lot of stored SMS will slow things down too much.
In any event, try discussing this with developers, such as the forums at CM or XDA. They can probably help you locate the issue.
(btw, yes, the Droid is a bit low by today's standards, but it should be able to handle Gingerbread without too much of a problem, unless your needs beyond that are uncommonly high. My problem was hardware failure)
My understanding is that all of the ones that run a recognizable version of Android (i.e. still has Android Market) does allow it- but on some the setting is hidden (esp. AT&T models). This makes it more difficult, but not impossible- you have to use the Android Developer Kit (ADK) to load the apps, but it's still an option (and one that is well documented)
What, specifically, do you hate? I have found that the VAST majority of problems with Android do not originate with Android, but with the OEMs and carriers forcing TONS of bullshit on them. e.g. all the useless apps and limitations.
If you haven't yet, try to flash a 3rd party ROM. I was extremely impressed by CyanogenMod but there are countless others available to suit your needs.
CSMA/CA is not an advantage. It takes A LOT more overhead to avoid a collision than to detect it. However, on wireless networks, detection is problematic; it's more of a workaround than an improvement.
Unreliable sources:
CSMA/CD CSMA/CA Comparison
While this was a major PITA in XP/2003 editions of everything, it is not an issue with later versions, including Win7/Office 2007. When you issue the commands to change the key, it will change the distribution channel as needed. I have personally confirmed this on Win7 Retail, Volume, OEM, and OEM SLP, as well as OEM and retail Office 2007.
Activating a unique key from an OEM SLP system (the key on the COA, when it came preinstalled) is a bit more difficult, but that has nothing to do with what media you used to install. Even here, all you have to do is activate by phone- and it's an automated process, where you speak/dial a set of numbers, and it reads back a different set of numbers.
This is actually a very valid issue- I have seen a number of home routers, from all major brands, that for one reason or another, revert to factory settings - i.e. open and unsecured. This can happen for an extended period for a number of reasons:
1. The user is not knowledgeable, and when the connection changes, he finds the network he recognizes, since typically it is the brand of the router.
2. The user is not paying attention (many systems are set to automatically connect to any open AP, out of the box; use of WiFi at multiple locations, including one that was unsecured and ends up in the list of preferred networks)
3. The user is not using that feature- non-WiFi home routers are virtually non-existent, and I regularly install WiFi routers (and disable the WiFi) for people on wired connections. If these were reset, they would never even be able to tell.