The latest versions of Modern Commercial OS's (Windows 7 and Snow Leopard) either come with native drivers for most printers and scanners or have online services to download native drivers. Windows 7 Device Stage-compatible drivers do simplify device configuration without having to use third-party tools and Snow Leopard natively supports USB and Networked printing and scanning for most current devices. If there aren't native drivers, you may be able to download a driver-only package from the manufacturers website. If they only offer bloatware/driver bundles, return to to the place of purchase and state that the device isn't compatible with Windows 7 or Mac OS X.6.
Vaio Care is an example of Crapware. Like HP Total Care and Dell Support Center, The software updates are never current (6-months out at least, and don't expect anything after the first 12 months) and it replicates Native Windows Functionality. Dell, Sony and HP only want you to spend money on a new machine when your old one becomes unusable. Microsoft want your computer to keep working until they release a new OS.
Why ship a clone of Windows Update on a Windows Computer? It's like replacing the native Windows Firewall with a crappier one.
First thing I do when diagnosing Malware is remove all Anti-Malware software, then run MalWare Bytes. After that I reinstall Microsoft Security Essentials. It may not be as secure as some of the Anti-Malware software, but a trained user can still actually use their computer with it installed. I trust Microsoft more than I trust a company who's sole interest is to scare users. Norton, McAfee, even AVG's business relies on users being scared by computers. Microsoft's business relies on people being comfortable with using computers.
Microsoft should provide a mechanism for third-party software updates to be supplied through Windows Update, or provide a unified Software Update Mechanism for third-partys. Apple recently added the feature for Application updates through the Mac App Store. (Mac App Store incompatible software (such as system utilities) still have to either be updated manually or internally by the App).
There should be a list of Programs that can (or should be) removed from a Factory Install for safe operation.
Trackpad Drivers, Media Button Drivers and WiFi Drivers may be required to take full advantage of the hardware features, but most of the crap they put on is Third Party Crapware (on cheap machines) or Brand Enhancement software (on "Quality" machines). The worse stuff is the iLife wannabe software from a dozen Third-Party vendors that don't work together.
Maybe MS need to expand their restrictions on WM7 bloatware and customisation to Windows 7 OEMs. Buying a computer with third-party implementation of Native Windows features really dilutes the brand.
One of the reasons MacBooks and MacBook Pros work so well as Windows Laptops is because BootCamp only installs the drivers needed to keep the hardware functioning. Apple even look after their users who run Windows!
The fact that carriers refuse to let software updates through is pathetic. Anyone who can't get their software updated *within the warranty period* should return the device for warranty.
I think Microsoft have the right idea of enforcing Manufacturers and Carriers to be no more than one software update behind, but it certainly has affected them in their market penetration.
If you purchased an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch in the last 2 years (new, retail), you can still get the current OS. It may not work as well on "mature" hardware (such as the iPhone 3G and 2nd Gen iPod Touch), but you can install it.
If you understand why companies implement security layers to their devices, and why people circumvent them, you'll understand why this is an interesting move.
iOS has security layers for several reasons; protection of Copyrighted material stored on the device, lock-in of devices under contract to a specific service provider and protection of the users personal data from rogue Apps. Even registered developers have to work within these restrictions.
WM7 has security layers for all the same reasons as iOS.
Android has security layers for one reason: permit Vendors and Service Providers control over the User Experience.
iOS jailbreakers crack devices to; Use contracted devices with unauthorised service providers, Install custom Apps on their own device, Install rogue Apps on someone else's device. I assume WM7 jailbreakers will have the same reasons.
Android Jailbreakers do what they do to keep their devices up-to-date (since Vendors have very little interest in keeping the OS current - Motorola) and to remove Crapware (Sprint Nascar anyone?)
Microsoft would be protecting their own interests by allowing potential WM7 jailbreakers to Install custom Apps. They don't want to see the bad press that appears whenever someone writes a worm that only affects jailbreaked devices.
WebM isn't designed for Low End Cameras. It is designed for playing high-quality, low res video with a low overhead. The chips they claim to be designing for portable devices will be Playback only. Encoding will have to be done on a Workstation or Server.
The only way they could have Hardware Encoders for WebM is if they give it a major overhaul. This new MPEG standard aims to perform such an overhaul, they may even use WebM or Theora as a starting codebase.
Despite what Google and Xiph may claim, WebM and Theora aren't ready for consumer use.
It may not be an attack on VP8, but Google will interpret it as an attack (which is why you won't find mention of it in Google News). Google invested a lot of money in On2, just so they could control the format. They don't want to see a truly Open format subverting it, no matter how many times they say "Don't Be Evil".
This is how Google should have released WebM to start with; Submit it to a standards body for review. Create an official specification (not just a token specification that is secondary to their implementation). Have an independent body verify that it is in fact Patent Free.
As opposed to; Buy a company, tweak the format and release it without peer review. Write a synopsis of how the format work and then say "But if this is different to how our code works, our code is canonical". Stick it up on a website with a big sticker that says "Patent Free".
These are the reasons why Apple's Facetime standard is being ignored by the rest of the industry, and is a contributing factor to why WebM will be ignored by the rest of the industry.
They's pull MP3 support shortly after they remove Flash support. They'll pull Flash support when their "best Buddies" relationship with Adobe falls out. Their relationship with Adobe will fall out when they realise Flash on a Mobile Device is a bad idea. They'll realise Flash on Android is bad when more App developers follow BBC iPlayer's example and make a native iOS App that works hard and a Flash-based Android App that hardly works.
Here in Australia, I tried to get an iPhone with my Brother (his new job didn't include a phone). Every single Phone Reseller and Service Provider had only one or two Feature Phones, and Dozens of Smartphones. Even the feature phones had email, web, music players and camera and supported some sort of online service. Except for the Blackberrys (which were displayed with the feature phones), all the Smartphones were iPhone Clones with Touchscreens. Since everyone had sold out of iPhones (one budget reseller had iPhone 3GS's in stock), we got an HTC Aria (running Android 2.1). My brother doesn't listen to Music, use social networks or play popular games, so it's adequate for him. He can still read his email, but can choose not to if he doesn't want to.
We have three main carriers and each of them have a data network as robust as their voice network, so data-rich contracts provide better returns for them. Cheap Android Phones are the new Feature Phones here in Australia.
The problem is homogeny of the market. If every user has the same version of the same PDF reader, an exploit can spread to everyone. If an exploit won't affect people using Chrome PDF Viewer, Foxit Reader, gPDF or XPDF or Mac OS X Preview, it severely restricts the effectiveness of the exploit. If everyone uses Adobe Reader on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and mobile devices, an exploit like this can affect everyone.
While there are 3rd Party implementations of Flash Players, Adobe Flash Player is still ubiquitous. Adobe evolve the "standard" for commercial reasons with every version, leaving 3rd Party implementations behind and incompatible with new versions of the "standard".
The classical definition of Geek is "a carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts". The modern geek still carries a lot of the aspects of the shocking carnival performer, they specialise in specific aspects of life, generally to the detriment of Mainstream acceptance. Role Playing Geeks, Computer Geeks, Comic Geeks, Language Geeks, Automotive Geeks, Art Geeks, Sports Geeks, they are all little niches of people who neglect the mainstream in favour of their own special interests. The Internet has allowed these niches to grow and crystallise into communities. The size and increased visibility of these communities makes them greater targets for Mainstream marketing.
The fractured nature of geekdom means that there will always be geek culture of some sort. The specialised nature of geekdoms mean that they will never be mainstream.
What do you mean by "Better Formats" and "Already Established"? If you mean Ogg Vorbis, it's arguably on Par with AAC WRT Quality, but definitely not as portable, nor is it Established at all in Mainstream culture. If you mean MP3, it certainly is established, but it is anything but a better format. If you mean WMA, it is comparable to AAC's quality, is almost as portable as MP3, and is established in dozens of devices. Do you really think Apple are going to use a proprietary format like WMA, with proprietary DRM, and relinquish control to MS or use an open standard like AAC, with their own proprietary DRM, and retain control? That'd be a bad business decision, and Apple Computer are a business.
Here in Australia, Mobile Phone Competition is so fierce, 'Phone companies are giving away iPods every time you renew your contract. "You're contract has expired, have a new Phone and an iPod, and we'll renew your contract for you".
But Mac users are in their own little Niche. Media Companies realise that their content is being also being mirrored in official Apple channels, and Mac users would rather use those channels than 'Aftermarket' Channels. That is one reason why Bigpond Music and Napster supply in WMP formats, and don't bother with a Mac solution. Even if they put in the extra effort to supply their product in a Mac Compatible format, Mac users would still prefer iTMS due to it's Ease of use and Integration.
In a nutshell; Radio is crap nowadays. I live in Melbourne, Australia. In Melbourne, there are dozens of Commercial Radio Stations of all varieties; Rock, Oldies, Dance, Pop, Talkback, Everything! There are also dozens of Public and Independent Radio Stations. I'm actually subscribed to 3RRR and have subscribed to 3PBS, 3MBS and 3CR in the last few years. The problem is; most of the stuff they all play is crap! Even on 3RRR, they have shows that have no interest to me, even though my taste in Music is Eclectic, and my Social Interests are varied. When there is a Show on FM Radio that I do want to listen to, there is no guarantee that I'm going to have reception or won't be interrupted half-way through the show; you can't Pause live radio. I'd love to be able to listen to Zero G, Best of the Brat, Byte Into It! and Delivery, but for any of the above reasons, I always miss or get an incomplete experience. If they Podcast and I download the Episodes. I can Pause, Replay and even share with other people.
Anything by CUB is terrible Beer. Carlton Draught, Victoria Bitter, Melbourne Bitter, Fosters Lager, Crown Lager, Abbots Invalid Stout, CUB Guinness (which is actually Relabelled Abbots), Carlton Sterling; It's all crap. Cartlon Cold is so over processed it doesn't have any taste; you might as well drink club Vodka, but at least it's drinkable.
If you want good Australian Beer, go to an Independent MicroBrewery. RedHill Golden Ale is my Favourite Beer ATM, but now that it's Summer, I'm preferring Grand Ridge Natural Blonde.
Instead of watching overpaid Morons beat each other up, why not go down to the park and have a game of Kick-to-Kick with the neighbourhood kids?
The only Football I watch is the AFL Grand Final, and that's only because my Brother has a Grand Final Party every year, and afterwards, we have about 20 drunk guys and girls playing Kick-to-Kick in the Park.
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The latest versions of Modern Commercial OS's (Windows 7 and Snow Leopard) either come with native drivers for most printers and scanners or have online services to download native drivers.
Windows 7 Device Stage-compatible drivers do simplify device configuration without having to use third-party tools and Snow Leopard natively supports USB and Networked printing and scanning for most current devices. If there aren't native drivers, you may be able to download a driver-only package from the manufacturers website. If they only offer bloatware/driver bundles, return to to the place of purchase and state that the device isn't compatible with Windows 7 or Mac OS X.6.
Vaio Care is an example of Crapware. Like HP Total Care and Dell Support Center, The software updates are never current (6-months out at least, and don't expect anything after the first 12 months) and it replicates Native Windows Functionality. Dell, Sony and HP only want you to spend money on a new machine when your old one becomes unusable. Microsoft want your computer to keep working until they release a new OS.
Why ship a clone of Windows Update on a Windows Computer? It's like replacing the native Windows Firewall with a crappier one.
First thing I do when diagnosing Malware is remove all Anti-Malware software, then run MalWare Bytes. After that I reinstall Microsoft Security Essentials. It may not be as secure as some of the Anti-Malware software, but a trained user can still actually use their computer with it installed.
I trust Microsoft more than I trust a company who's sole interest is to scare users. Norton, McAfee, even AVG's business relies on users being scared by computers. Microsoft's business relies on people being comfortable with using computers.
Microsoft should provide a mechanism for third-party software updates to be supplied through Windows Update, or provide a unified Software Update Mechanism for third-partys.
Apple recently added the feature for Application updates through the Mac App Store.
(Mac App Store incompatible software (such as system utilities) still have to either be updated manually or internally by the App).
There should be a list of Programs that can (or should be) removed from a Factory Install for safe operation.
Trackpad Drivers, Media Button Drivers and WiFi Drivers may be required to take full advantage of the hardware features, but most of the crap they put on is Third Party Crapware (on cheap machines) or Brand Enhancement software (on "Quality" machines). The worse stuff is the iLife wannabe software from a dozen Third-Party vendors that don't work together.
Maybe MS need to expand their restrictions on WM7 bloatware and customisation to Windows 7 OEMs. Buying a computer with third-party implementation of Native Windows features really dilutes the brand.
One of the reasons MacBooks and MacBook Pros work so well as Windows Laptops is because BootCamp only installs the drivers needed to keep the hardware functioning. Apple even look after their users who run Windows!
The fact that carriers refuse to let software updates through is pathetic. Anyone who can't get their software updated *within the warranty period* should return the device for warranty.
I think Microsoft have the right idea of enforcing Manufacturers and Carriers to be no more than one software update behind, but it certainly has affected them in their market penetration.
If you purchased an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch in the last 2 years (new, retail), you can still get the current OS. It may not work as well on "mature" hardware (such as the iPhone 3G and 2nd Gen iPod Touch), but you can install it.
Keep the OS updated in a non-current phone.
Install a pretty UI.
Remove annoying Carrier Crapware.
If you understand why companies implement security layers to their devices, and why people circumvent them, you'll understand why this is an interesting move.
iOS has security layers for several reasons; protection of Copyrighted material stored on the device, lock-in of devices under contract to a specific service provider and protection of the users personal data from rogue Apps. Even registered developers have to work within these restrictions.
WM7 has security layers for all the same reasons as iOS.
Android has security layers for one reason: permit Vendors and Service Providers control over the User Experience.
iOS jailbreakers crack devices to; Use contracted devices with unauthorised service providers, Install custom Apps on their own device, Install rogue Apps on someone else's device.
I assume WM7 jailbreakers will have the same reasons.
Android Jailbreakers do what they do to keep their devices up-to-date (since Vendors have very little interest in keeping the OS current - Motorola) and to remove Crapware (Sprint Nascar anyone?)
Microsoft would be protecting their own interests by allowing potential WM7 jailbreakers to Install custom Apps. They don't want to see the bad press that appears whenever someone writes a worm that only affects jailbreaked devices.
WebM isn't designed for Low End Cameras. It is designed for playing high-quality, low res video with a low overhead. The chips they claim to be designing for portable devices will be Playback only. Encoding will have to be done on a Workstation or Server.
The only way they could have Hardware Encoders for WebM is if they give it a major overhaul. This new MPEG standard aims to perform such an overhaul, they may even use WebM or Theora as a starting codebase.
Despite what Google and Xiph may claim, WebM and Theora aren't ready for consumer use.
It may not be an attack on VP8, but Google will interpret it as an attack (which is why you won't find mention of it in Google News).
Google invested a lot of money in On2, just so they could control the format. They don't want to see a truly Open format subverting it, no matter how many times they say "Don't Be Evil".
This is how Google should have released WebM to start with;
Submit it to a standards body for review.
Create an official specification (not just a token specification that is secondary to their implementation).
Have an independent body verify that it is in fact Patent Free.
As opposed to;
Buy a company, tweak the format and release it without peer review.
Write a synopsis of how the format work and then say "But if this is different to how our code works, our code is canonical".
Stick it up on a website with a big sticker that says "Patent Free".
These are the reasons why Apple's Facetime standard is being ignored by the rest of the industry, and is a contributing factor to why WebM will be ignored by the rest of the industry.
They's pull MP3 support shortly after they remove Flash support.
They'll pull Flash support when their "best Buddies" relationship with Adobe falls out.
Their relationship with Adobe will fall out when they realise Flash on a Mobile Device is a bad idea.
They'll realise Flash on Android is bad when more App developers follow BBC iPlayer's example and make a native iOS App that works hard and a Flash-based Android App that hardly works.
Here in Australia, I tried to get an iPhone with my Brother (his new job didn't include a phone). Every single Phone Reseller and Service Provider had only one or two Feature Phones, and Dozens of Smartphones. Even the feature phones had email, web, music players and camera and supported some sort of online service. Except for the Blackberrys (which were displayed with the feature phones), all the Smartphones were iPhone Clones with Touchscreens.
Since everyone had sold out of iPhones (one budget reseller had iPhone 3GS's in stock), we got an HTC Aria (running Android 2.1). My brother doesn't listen to Music, use social networks or play popular games, so it's adequate for him. He can still read his email, but can choose not to if he doesn't want to.
We have three main carriers and each of them have a data network as robust as their voice network, so data-rich contracts provide better returns for them. Cheap Android Phones are the new Feature Phones here in Australia.
The reason Angry Birds is such a hit is because it is fun.
When is the last time a fun game was released for Nintendo DS?
The problem is homogeny of the market.
If every user has the same version of the same PDF reader, an exploit can spread to everyone.
If an exploit won't affect people using Chrome PDF Viewer, Foxit Reader, gPDF or XPDF or Mac OS X Preview, it severely restricts the effectiveness of the exploit.
If everyone uses Adobe Reader on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and mobile devices, an exploit like this can affect everyone.
While there are 3rd Party implementations of Flash Players, Adobe Flash Player is still ubiquitous. Adobe evolve the "standard" for commercial reasons with every version, leaving 3rd Party implementations behind and incompatible with new versions of the "standard".
The classical definition of Geek is "a carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts".
The modern geek still carries a lot of the aspects of the shocking carnival performer, they specialise in specific aspects of life, generally to the detriment of Mainstream acceptance.
Role Playing Geeks, Computer Geeks, Comic Geeks, Language Geeks, Automotive Geeks, Art Geeks, Sports Geeks, they are all little niches of people who neglect the mainstream in favour of their own special interests. The Internet has allowed these niches to grow and crystallise into communities. The size and increased visibility of these communities makes them greater targets for Mainstream marketing.
The fractured nature of geekdom means that there will always be geek culture of some sort. The specialised nature of geekdoms mean that they will never be mainstream.
What do you mean by "Better Formats" and "Already Established"?
If you mean Ogg Vorbis, it's arguably on Par with AAC WRT Quality, but definitely not as portable, nor is it Established at all in Mainstream culture.
If you mean MP3, it certainly is established, but it is anything but a better format.
If you mean WMA, it is comparable to AAC's quality, is almost as portable as MP3, and is established in dozens of devices.
Do you really think Apple are going to use a proprietary format like WMA, with proprietary DRM, and relinquish control to MS or use an open standard like AAC, with their own proprietary DRM, and retain control? That'd be a bad business decision, and Apple Computer are a business.
Here in Australia, Mobile Phone Competition is so fierce, 'Phone companies are giving away iPods every time you renew your contract.
"You're contract has expired, have a new Phone and an iPod, and we'll renew your contract for you".
But Mac users are in their own little Niche.
Media Companies realise that their content is being also being mirrored in official Apple channels, and Mac users would rather use those channels than 'Aftermarket' Channels.
That is one reason why Bigpond Music and Napster supply in WMP formats, and don't bother with a Mac solution. Even if they put in the extra effort to supply their product in a Mac Compatible format, Mac users would still prefer iTMS due to it's Ease of use and Integration.
In a nutshell; Radio is crap nowadays.
I live in Melbourne, Australia.
In Melbourne, there are dozens of Commercial Radio Stations of all varieties; Rock, Oldies, Dance, Pop, Talkback, Everything!
There are also dozens of Public and Independent Radio Stations. I'm actually subscribed to 3RRR and have subscribed to 3PBS, 3MBS and 3CR in the last few years.
The problem is; most of the stuff they all play is crap! Even on 3RRR, they have shows that have no interest to me, even though my taste in Music is Eclectic, and my Social Interests are varied. When there is a Show on FM Radio that I do want to listen to, there is no guarantee that I'm going to have reception or won't be interrupted half-way through the show; you can't Pause live radio.
I'd love to be able to listen to Zero G, Best of the Brat, Byte Into It! and Delivery, but for any of the above reasons, I always miss or get an incomplete experience. If they Podcast and I download the Episodes. I can Pause, Replay and even share with other people.
Anything by CUB is terrible Beer.
Carlton Draught, Victoria Bitter, Melbourne Bitter, Fosters Lager, Crown Lager, Abbots Invalid Stout, CUB Guinness (which is actually Relabelled Abbots), Carlton Sterling; It's all crap. Cartlon Cold is so over processed it doesn't have any taste; you might as well drink club Vodka, but at least it's drinkable.
If you want good Australian Beer, go to an Independent MicroBrewery. RedHill Golden Ale is my Favourite Beer ATM, but now that it's Summer, I'm preferring Grand Ridge Natural Blonde.
I'd rather see the end of all televised Football.
Instead of watching overpaid Morons beat each other up, why not go down to the park and have a game of Kick-to-Kick with the neighbourhood kids?
The only Football I watch is the AFL Grand Final, and that's only because my Brother has a Grand Final Party every year, and afterwards, we have about 20 drunk guys and girls playing Kick-to-Kick in the Park.
And then TiVo will announce a device which allows you to timeshift TV shows on your Phone.
Thay also can't make out details well either. They can't tell the difference in quality between Upscaled SD and HD