... pay the same for a 2 year old second hand laptop with far better specs all round. Its the same deal as with cars - if you don't mind using something thats already had someone elses grubby hands on it you can get a LOT of bang for your buck.
Ignoring the fact that you are comparing a second hand machine to a new one!? Or that Windows is runs badly on the same hardware. There is a massive drop of interest in Windows there have been 5 articles here in the past week, people want Android...they don't want Windows. The fact of equivalent machine with Android is cheaper than the Windows one id a benefit to everyone but Microsoft.
Or at least that's what the pundits has been saying.
Except the tradition market was killed off to preserve the Windows Monopoly, and the higher priced laptops. Ironically simply handing the more mobile market to tablets...Giving both ARM and Android (oooh Google) a massive window (giggle) of opportunity (at least they Killed off another GNU/Linux opportunity).
Although its a guilty secret of PC industry that Surface/MacBook are are simply overpriced netbooks. The reality is https://plus.google.com/+LinusTorvalds/posts/dk1aiW4JjHd this is Linux on Chromebooks. It shows the future of Debian looking very exciting.
Ignoring all the obvious fact that Android runs on Intel...and has done for a long time, and had already several phones and cheap ones too. Intel will offer *binary* compatibility of desktop applications.
Although I agree with you, I would love to see the rise of the Android Laptops, Which will have their own benefits including price and battery Life.
I think Apple and a few other companies had a lot better execution for creating devices that consumers actually wanted and were willing to pay for...
In reality the natural evolution of the MID rolled around http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_N9 it was considered far superior to anything Apple at the time, it was simply killed as part of the Elop turing Nokia into a windows phone. In fact the Lumia range is a crippled version of the N9. In context of this Article Apple (well your post anyway) have long since given away their part in the future of Mobile computing. Apple should be leading this charge not google, not defending its shrinking profit (margins), but Apple are followers now.
Ignoring that Ubuntu is a success. Your question is the meme When will Linux be successful on the Desktop? The answer to most of us is obvious who see than Microsoft has no competitors left. Even if it backstabs its customers and manufactures causing a loss of 14% of Sales. It still celebrates its best quarter ever...and almost 80% Gross Profit Margin. In short because of Microsofts Abusive Monopoly or simply that it exists. The right question is why Android on the Desktop? This is Linus on Chrome (I know its not Android but the points are the same) https://plus.google.com/+LinusTorvalds/posts/dk1aiW4JjHd yet its a massive opportunity. The reason is Google (and Apple although they don't have a desire to compete!?) sidestepped Microsoft and captured (More) Mobile computing, with a new breed of easy to use computing (or old client server computing depending on your age). Android alone is set to overtake Windows this year!!. These companies are so large that Microsoft itself cannot bully or bribe them, and Android is a popular product with both end customers and manufacturers.
...but again Linux on the Desktop is continuing to grow, its just the Desktop is not sexy right now.
Nokia phones are only lacking on the software side, hardware is still the best on market.
Unfortunately Nokia sold all its factories, and moved production to China. In an attempt to copy Apples business model. In that move the quality of hardware has took a dive. Nokia is not a well company, and unfortunately it looks terminal.
By asserting that the 'rounded corners' critique is invalidated simply by pointing to multiple claims in a design patent, you might be the one repeating an ignorant meme here
Show me where it discusses the other generic things you randomly add. In fact specifically most of those "beveling, device face comprised mostly of screen, small number of buttons" are deliberately *NOT* part of the patent (they are only there for context). and icons!! on a phone unheard of on an electronics device in 2009!!!
If after using the truck for 13years (how long XP has been out)
Except if your buy a truck its age is not measured from when it was released but then you bought it. Its actually the same for software. most people did not get XP on the say it was released:)
...why are you measuring from when it was first sold, not when it was last bought. The XP lifecycle is a little strange as it was so awful it needed a major (and pretty good) service pack 2. Even when Vista was released many machines (famously those on i915) ran badly...or not at all; many machines still came without Vista. In fact a whole range of machines (nettops and netbooks) still came with XP until Microsoft killed it with and the whole net* products with Windows starter (and crippled intel hardware), fortunately those come with Android, iOS and Chrome now. The minimum lifespan of a proprietary OS should *safely* be 7 years from "end of sale" otherwise its going to create a nightmare. In cotext of this article Net Applications still has 40% of users running XP.
On the plane last night I could see around me 6-8 iPads, 5-6 MacBooks and 1 windows laptop.
Except its worth noting that Apple Mac Sales have dropped 22% in this quarter alone, While its iPads are rapidly becoming just another tablet. Apple needs to pay attention.
Perhaps you should have created a better list.
on
Microsoft CFO Quits
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I loved your list because its all true. Apple did die...it literally had to reinvent itself at the time, OS 9 was perhaps the worst OS imaginable, but it was an incredibly exiting time watching Apple reinvent itself. It actually died in 2007 when it changed its name to Apple Inc., formerly Apple Computer, Inc. showing its transformation into electronics company.
PC always had interesting time with many dips due to advances in consoles, as someone who saw its rise. In reality it died for me when Microsoft focused its attention on the Xbox; it is a shadow of its former self, now its all console ports and DRM, DLC...Freemium. News of Microsoft banning grown up games in the European marketplace (quickly revoked) shows how bad they don't understand games...as much as they like to point gaming out on when it comes to selling their OS. In reality Microsoft is abandoning the whole idea of a consumer PC.
Is console gaming dying!? Its certainly evolving. I regularly argue for Android gaming, but tablets and phones are in many ways new consoles in themselves, and offer many advantages over traditional console gaming. The Wii U has not really proved itself in the market, and Sony/Microsoft have yet to unveil their new consoles, but I wouldn't be surprised if this was the last generation of dedicated under the TV consoles...with Xbox and Playstation becoming brands only. While everything is rolled into smartTV whatever that is.
...and then we get to Microsoft, nobody is saying Microsoft is dead...but the days of Microsoft Manners is over. Its still an abusive Monopoly Office/OS on a platform it has dumbed down to a tablet interface, leading to its 3rd consecutive drop...Windows 8 is a home goal, They are still as large...and nasty as they always were...except people are looking at Google and Apple for the future, both too big to be bullied/bribed by Microsoft...There is more news of them paten raping another android company than there is of actually selling Windows Phones (Nokias latest disappointing results did not even make it on Slashdot). As I said not dead just a Loser.
IF Microsoft was just Windows and Word/Office then the call of their demise would be appropriate. IF they were only tied to desktop/laptop machines, then they would be in a world of hurt.
I'm not sure what relevance is to my post, but I don't predict the demise of Microsoft any time soon..In fact I don't even mention anything like it. Microsoft still takes the vast majority of revenue from Office/Windows, and that is not going to change because they make a few dollars on the side from a dying console, or chat....or Windows compatible server products.. Now your point about Microsoft being the king of Desktops is not true since Windows is now a Tablet OS. It simply has the greatest compatibility to legacy Windows Desktop Applications.
Microsoft is a failure in the mobile sector, and you cannot help but notice that Microsoft is *Still* making a 75% gross profit margin, you have to think that perhaps Microsoft might be better competing on price. "Microsoft Windows 8 Professional" from Amazon would cost me $175 the same as the new HP slate. I only list Amazon because its pretty hard to find full(not upgrade) editions of Windows OS.
it is actually increasing in other markets faster than it's consumer desktop market is eroding.
I think we need to have a little look at those markets...because its a big fat failure on mobile.
Its started to make money on a subscription service for a....end of life console. Ignoring the fact that Microsoft is about to put a *TON* of money down on keeping in the console market, or that suddenly its getting competition from, mobile...the market its a big fat failure in, or steam...or the rise of disposable Android console gaming...Hell Sony might try to compete with a console costing costing less than its weight in gold (not that that is worth as much as it was).
Ok they are starting to make money from online office....hold the page, does that mean Office without Windows, running in a Web browser...in direct competition with Google, a company it repeatedly lose against...that it can't bribe or bully. Is this new market...or *the same* market that Office is only without the Windows Monopoly to prop it up, and won't this simply cannibalise current sales of Office.
Ok they are making more money in video/telephony software one of the reasons they are currently a big fat failure in mobile...because that is in direct competition with the carriers they are trying to sell to!? I am not sure if that is not a home goal.
There is no way anyone can argue, that Microsoft has a bad quarter, but arguing these are new markets...or that they are more stable than its old monopoly, is simply not the case.
And you expected something different here? Microsoft's latest numbers are actually astoundingly good, better than even most of the optimists predicted. They speak of a very healthy company, not one in decline at all.
Microsoft s numbers were *always* very good,, they deserve a $ on their name. 75% Gross profit margin is amazing, but that's not really the news here, because that is consistent. The news is that even with its primary product (Windows) taking a deserved beating they have made the difference up elsewhere (Servers; Gaming...well Live and Cloud...well Office).
The original poster I suspect was being a little sarcastic, but the Irony is not lost on me. From a financial point of view. Microsoft more diversified product line has saved it in the short term financially, but from where RMS and the rest of us look...Windows has proved to be a trainwreck, and Microsoft is weaker as a monopoly. Its high fives all around.
Having read the article, there is no bones about it, most of us would be devastated , by the loss of our computers...and its not about the hardware which can include memories, videos or life changing moments (births deaths marriages), months or years of work...a whole host of personal information. If this story would have helped bring a little justice...or helped recover the laptop, It would have been a nice story.
...but its not it is voyeuristic piece about spying into someone deeply personal life's, This is appalling behavioural , compounded by publishing this on the web. This is disturbing, especially for an individual clearly unwilling to reveal themselves and recognises a person should have privacy and dignity behind their own walls....and no stealing someone else's property.
I would be astonished if this is legal (its ethically wrong), as notices normally have to be shown...although are often small; hidden in reality. This opens the doors for people leaving usb pen drives in the street, lending computers to friends...or hell just buying someone a usb camera.
Most here service other peoples machines at one time or other, and have the opportunity to be invasive, but do not do so because we simply recognise it as morally wrong, even if I think "fucked with the wrong nerd", and all here are pretty careful of "not finding" anything we find, because we *understand*.
I won't talk about the whole waking up in central London with a laptop missing. His house was not even broken into. He should take some responsibility for his own actions.
I'm struggling to identify the hero of this story...everyone is a victim.
Android users got scammed enough when they bought a fucking Android device.
It might seem like a scam, but you really do get great value smart phones at realistic prices(and choice). It achieves this by using an free open source OS, and providing a healthy ecosystem of manufactures. Its why 1.5 Million devices are sold daily http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/16/liveblog-google-eric-schmidt-at-dive-into-mobile-2013/ "320 operators, 160 countries, 700,000 apps in the Play Store, and 1.5 million sales / activations of Android every single day. We'll cross a billion towards the end of this year. That gives you a sense of the reach. Android is the primary vehicle of smartphones -- we'll quickly get to the $100 price point, which is the key for those next five billion people looking to get connected."
Its incredible I know. Its why you can get phones like the Samsung's Galaxy S4 which has become the Android phone to wait for. The phone has a slew of new features, including an improved 13-megapixel camera, new software features and it responds to waves and gestures. It also has a 5-inch Super AMOLED 1080p screen.
I'm never really sure why one scam virus scam manages to raise itself above others. but here is a link to some Apple suffering the same problem http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_Defender "The program appears in malicious links spread by search engine optimization poisoning on sites such as Google Image Search. When a user accesses such a malicious link, a fake scanning window appears, originally in the style of a Windows XP application, but later in the form of an "Apple-type interface". The program falsely appears to scan the system's hard drive. The user is then prompted to download a file that installs Mac Defender, and is then asked to pay US$59.95 to US$79.95 for a license for the software.
What reality matters is how quickly the OS is cleaned up In the case of Apple it took a month "The Mac security firm Intego discovered the fake antivirus software on May 2, 2011, with a patch not being provided by Apple until May 31"
Although it is worth pointing out all those poor computer experts(sic) that blame users on the lie that it must be porn or copyright programs that caused the damage when most of the time its simply lack of understanding of a single science.
save them for years. So it's a whole different ballgame.
I know your Angry with Apple and confused right now, You bought an Apple phone and Apple still sold you to Google. You paid a mark-up of 50% on a $650 phone just to be sold for a measly $3.20, who would have thought you were so cheap.
"Could A Yahoo-Apple Deal Spell Trouble For Google?" http://www.webpronews.com/iphones-and-ipads-could-soon-get-a-big-dose-of-yahoo-2013-04 its a great article, about Yahoo! (Who share there data with Microsoft) and Apple, but from the Article...although its common news "An analyst at Macquarie Capital estimated that Google was making $1.3 billion annually in paid search revenue from iOS devices. Macquarie speculated that Google returned about $1 billion of that to Apple as part of the agreement that made Google the default search engine on the Safari browser.Another financial analyst has come up with a similar annual estimate of the value of Google’s default iOS search deal with Apple: $1 billion. Morgan Stanley’s Scott Devitt is responsible for the new estimateDevitt disagreed with Macquarie, arguing that the structure of the relationship is probably not a “revenue sharing” deal but instead a straight fee-per-device payment from Google to Apple. Devitt believes that Google pays Apple roughly $3.20 per iOS device, which would avoid the accounting issues arising from a revenue sharing agreement."
...and have since 2007 These two great blog posts cover the details "Taking steps to further improve our privacy practices" http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2007/03/taking-steps-to-further-improve-our.html and " How long should Google remember searches? " http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2007/06/how-long-should-google-remember.html an example from it "By anonymizing our server logs after 18-24 months, we think we’re striking the right balance between two goals: continuing to improve Google’s services for you, while providing more transparency and certainty about our retention practices." Google are suprisingly forthcoming about how and what they do with your data, which clashes sharply with Apple(pretend the don't) or Microsoft(who run hate campaigns)
Anyone have the timeline for Google's disassociation and destruction of search queries? I'm curious how Apple's policies compare against those.
Ironically they sell Apple customers to Google currently for a $400Billion although they are allegedly selling its customers to Yahoo next. So for now *exactly the same* because they are the same:)
I am getting tired of Apples continuing Privacy abused, first they sell their customers to the highest bidder now this.
Even Siri was ruined with advertising http://www.inquisitr.com/256025/steve-wozniak-says-apple-ruined-siri-technology-after-acquisition/ "Steve says he initially loved Siri because it could accurately answer questions such as “What are the five largest lakes in California?” and “What are the prime numbers greater than 87?” . To which Wozniak replied, “It’s incredible. It’s like it understands ‘greater than.’”
Wozniak also notes that his former question about California Lakes now brings up lakefront properties while his question about prime numbers now displays information about prime ribs."
Delete your account, stop worrying, and get some sleep.
Its off topic (but a more interesting topic) Although having read about it you have to *delete* the account which allegedly will remove it, but deactivate your account and messages you sent, may still be visible to others. they also save your timeline information (ex: friends, photos, interests, etc.)
...now this stuff is so cool, you can track people who are not on facebook, by the content of others on facebook,, by your family, friends, hell your work/school probably has a few pages, more than enough to create a full profile of you, an estimated one anyway.
Deleting you account is the tip of the iceberg...an illusion of privacy at best.
Kobo Inc is owned Rakuten...who are Rakuten you may ask. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakuten Among its numerous online properties, its flagship B2B2C e-commerce platform Rakuten Ichiba is the largest e-commerce site in Japan and among the world’s largest by sales...in case you were wondering.
Slashdot Mirror
... pay the same for a 2 year old second hand laptop with far better specs all round. Its the same deal as with cars - if you don't mind using something thats already had someone elses grubby hands on it you can get a LOT of bang for your buck.
Ignoring the fact that you are comparing a second hand machine to a new one!? Or that Windows is runs badly on the same hardware. There is a massive drop of interest in Windows there have been 5 articles here in the past week, people want Android...they don't want Windows. The fact of equivalent machine with Android is cheaper than the Windows one id a benefit to everyone but Microsoft.
Or at least that's what the pundits has been saying.
Except the tradition market was killed off to preserve the Windows Monopoly, and the higher priced laptops. Ironically simply handing the more mobile market to tablets...Giving both ARM and Android (oooh Google) a massive window (giggle) of opportunity (at least they Killed off another GNU/Linux opportunity).
Although its a guilty secret of PC industry that Surface/MacBook are are simply overpriced netbooks. The reality is https://plus.google.com/+LinusTorvalds/posts/dk1aiW4JjHd this is Linux on Chromebooks. It shows the future of Debian looking very exciting.
Ignoring all the obvious fact that Android runs on Intel...and has done for a long time, and had already several phones and cheap ones too. Intel will offer *binary* compatibility of desktop applications.
Although I agree with you, I would love to see the rise of the Android Laptops, Which will have their own benefits including price and battery Life.
Remember when just a few years ago Intel was pushing that one of the futures of mobile computing were MIDs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Internet_device
I think Apple and a few other companies had a lot better execution for creating devices that consumers actually wanted and were willing to pay for ...
In reality the natural evolution of the MID rolled around http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_N9 it was considered far superior to anything Apple at the time, it was simply killed as part of the Elop turing Nokia into a windows phone. In fact the Lumia range is a crippled version of the N9. In context of this Article Apple (well your post anyway) have long since given away their part in the future of Mobile computing. Apple should be leading this charge not google, not defending its shrinking profit (margins), but Apple are followers now.
Ignoring that Ubuntu is a success. Your question is the meme When will Linux be successful on the Desktop? The answer to most of us is obvious who see than Microsoft has no competitors left. Even if it backstabs its customers and manufactures causing a loss of 14% of Sales. It still celebrates its best quarter ever...and almost 80% Gross Profit Margin. In short because of Microsofts Abusive Monopoly or simply that it exists. The right question is why Android on the Desktop? This is Linus on Chrome (I know its not Android but the points are the same) https://plus.google.com/+LinusTorvalds/posts/dk1aiW4JjHd yet its a massive opportunity. The reason is Google (and Apple although they don't have a desire to compete!?) sidestepped Microsoft and captured (More) Mobile computing, with a new breed of easy to use computing (or old client server computing depending on your age). Android alone is set to overtake Windows this year!!. These companies are so large that Microsoft itself cannot bully or bribe them, and Android is a popular product with both end customers and manufacturers.
Nokia phones are only lacking on the software side, hardware is still the best on market.
Unfortunately Nokia sold all its factories, and moved production to China. In an attempt to copy Apples business model. In that move the quality of hardware has took a dive. Nokia is not a well company, and unfortunately it looks terminal.
By asserting that the 'rounded corners' critique is invalidated simply by pointing to multiple claims in a design patent, you might be the one repeating an ignorant meme here
Except its not even remotely true these are the design patents https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=www.google.com/patents/USD627777.pdf and https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/USD670286.pdf for your information the dotted lines are just there to add context so ignore them.
Link to an article for those who don't have firefox http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/08/apple_rectangle_rounded_corners/
Show me where it discusses the other generic things you randomly add. In fact specifically most of those "beveling, device face comprised mostly of screen, small number of buttons" are deliberately *NOT* part of the patent (they are only there for context). and icons!! on a phone unheard of on an electronics device in 2009!!!
Your post is a lie.
If after using the truck for 13years (how long XP has been out)
Except if your buy a truck its age is not measured from when it was released but then you bought it. Its actually the same for software. most people did not get XP on the say it was released :)
XP is 12 years old. It'll be 13 when it's EOL'd.
...why are you measuring from when it was first sold, not when it was last bought. The XP lifecycle is a little strange as it was so awful it needed a major (and pretty good) service pack 2. Even when Vista was released many machines (famously those on i915) ran badly...or not at all; many machines still came without Vista. In fact a whole range of machines (nettops and netbooks) still came with XP until Microsoft killed it with and the whole net* products with Windows starter (and crippled intel hardware), fortunately those come with Android, iOS and Chrome now. The minimum lifespan of a proprietary OS should *safely* be 7 years from "end of sale" otherwise its going to create a nightmare. In cotext of this article Net Applications still has 40% of users running XP.
On the plane last night I could see around me 6-8 iPads, 5-6 MacBooks and 1 windows laptop.
Except its worth noting that Apple Mac Sales have dropped 22% in this quarter alone, While its iPads are rapidly becoming just another tablet. Apple needs to pay attention.
I loved your list because its all true. Apple did die...it literally had to reinvent itself at the time, OS 9 was perhaps the worst OS imaginable, but it was an incredibly exiting time watching Apple reinvent itself. It actually died in 2007 when it changed its name to Apple Inc., formerly Apple Computer, Inc. showing its transformation into electronics company.
PC always had interesting time with many dips due to advances in consoles, as someone who saw its rise. In reality it died for me when Microsoft focused its attention on the Xbox; it is a shadow of its former self, now its all console ports and DRM, DLC...Freemium. News of Microsoft banning grown up games in the European marketplace (quickly revoked) shows how bad they don't understand games...as much as they like to point gaming out on when it comes to selling their OS. In reality Microsoft is abandoning the whole idea of a consumer PC.
Is console gaming dying!? Its certainly evolving. I regularly argue for Android gaming, but tablets and phones are in many ways new consoles in themselves, and offer many advantages over traditional console gaming. The Wii U has not really proved itself in the market, and Sony/Microsoft have yet to unveil their new consoles, but I wouldn't be surprised if this was the last generation of dedicated under the TV consoles...with Xbox and Playstation becoming brands only. While everything is rolled into smartTV whatever that is.
IF Microsoft was just Windows and Word/Office then the call of their demise would be appropriate. IF they were only tied to desktop/laptop machines, then they would be in a world of hurt.
I'm not sure what relevance is to my post, but I don't predict the demise of Microsoft any time soon..In fact I don't even mention anything like it. Microsoft still takes the vast majority of revenue from Office/Windows, and that is not going to change because they make a few dollars on the side from a dying console, or chat....or Windows compatible server products.. Now your point about Microsoft being the king of Desktops is not true since Windows is now a Tablet OS. It simply has the greatest compatibility to legacy Windows Desktop Applications.
Microsoft is a failure in the mobile sector, and you cannot help but notice that Microsoft is *Still* making a 75% gross profit margin, you have to think that perhaps Microsoft might be better competing on price. "Microsoft Windows 8 Professional" from Amazon would cost me $175 the same as the new HP slate. I only list Amazon because its pretty hard to find full(not upgrade) editions of Windows OS.
it is actually increasing in other markets faster than it's consumer desktop market is eroding.
I think we need to have a little look at those markets...because its a big fat failure on mobile.
Its started to make money on a subscription service for a....end of life console. Ignoring the fact that Microsoft is about to put a *TON* of money down on keeping in the console market, or that suddenly its getting competition from, mobile...the market its a big fat failure in, or steam...or the rise of disposable Android console gaming...Hell Sony might try to compete with a console costing costing less than its weight in gold (not that that is worth as much as it was).
Ok they are starting to make money from online office....hold the page, does that mean Office without Windows, running in a Web browser...in direct competition with Google, a company it repeatedly lose against...that it can't bribe or bully. Is this new market...or *the same* market that Office is only without the Windows Monopoly to prop it up, and won't this simply cannibalise current sales of Office.
Ok they are making more money in video/telephony software one of the reasons they are currently a big fat failure in mobile...because that is in direct competition with the carriers they are trying to sell to!? I am not sure if that is not a home goal.
Lastly Server Software http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240173199/Forrester-Microsoft-licence-hike-makes-no-sense price increases are a double edged sword, profitable in the short term, long term customers may look for low or free cost alternatives.
There is no way anyone can argue, that Microsoft has a bad quarter, but arguing these are new markets...or that they are more stable than its old monopoly, is simply not the case.
And you expected something different here? Microsoft's latest numbers are actually astoundingly good, better than even most of the optimists predicted. They speak of a very healthy company, not one in decline at all.
Microsoft s numbers were *always* very good,, they deserve a $ on their name. 75% Gross profit margin is amazing, but that's not really the news here, because that is consistent. The news is that even with its primary product (Windows) taking a deserved beating they have made the difference up elsewhere (Servers; Gaming...well Live and Cloud...well Office).
The original poster I suspect was being a little sarcastic, but the Irony is not lost on me. From a financial point of view. Microsoft more diversified product line has saved it in the short term financially, but from where RMS and the rest of us look...Windows has proved to be a trainwreck, and Microsoft is weaker as a monopoly. Its high fives all around.
Having read the article, there is no bones about it, most of us would be devastated , by the loss of our computers...and its not about the hardware which can include memories, videos or life changing moments (births deaths marriages), months or years of work...a whole host of personal information. If this story would have helped bring a little justice...or helped recover the laptop, It would have been a nice story.
I would be astonished if this is legal (its ethically wrong), as notices normally have to be shown...although are often small; hidden in reality. This opens the doors for people leaving usb pen drives in the street, lending computers to friends...or hell just buying someone a usb camera.
Most here service other peoples machines at one time or other, and have the opportunity to be invasive, but do not do so because we simply recognise it as morally wrong, even if I think "fucked with the wrong nerd", and all here are pretty careful of "not finding" anything we find, because we *understand*.
I won't talk about the whole waking up in central London with a laptop missing. His house was not even broken into. He should take some responsibility for his own actions.
I'm struggling to identify the hero of this story...everyone is a victim.
Android users got scammed enough when they bought a fucking Android device.
It might seem like a scam, but you really do get great value smart phones at realistic prices(and choice). It achieves this by using an free open source OS, and providing a healthy ecosystem of manufactures. Its why 1.5 Million devices are sold daily http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/16/liveblog-google-eric-schmidt-at-dive-into-mobile-2013/ "320 operators, 160 countries, 700,000 apps in the Play Store, and 1.5 million sales / activations of Android every single day. We'll cross a billion towards the end of this year. That gives you a sense of the reach. Android is the primary vehicle of smartphones -- we'll quickly get to the $100 price point, which is the key for those next five billion people looking to get connected."
Its incredible I know. Its why you can get phones like the Samsung's Galaxy S4 which has become the Android phone to wait for. The phone has a slew of new features, including an improved 13-megapixel camera, new software features and it responds to waves and gestures. It also has a 5-inch Super AMOLED 1080p screen.
I'm never really sure why one scam virus scam manages to raise itself above others. but here is a link to some Apple suffering the same problem http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_Defender "The program appears in malicious links spread by search engine optimization poisoning on sites such as Google Image Search. When a user accesses such a malicious link, a fake scanning window appears, originally in the style of a Windows XP application, but later in the form of an "Apple-type interface". The program falsely appears to scan the system's hard drive. The user is then prompted to download a file that installs Mac Defender, and is then asked to pay US$59.95 to US$79.95 for a license for the software.
What reality matters is how quickly the OS is cleaned up In the case of Apple it took a month "The Mac security firm Intego discovered the fake antivirus software on May 2, 2011, with a patch not being provided by Apple until May 31"
Although it is worth pointing out all those poor computer experts(sic) that blame users on the lie that it must be porn or copyright programs that caused the damage when most of the time its simply lack of understanding of a single science.
save them for years. So it's a whole different ballgame.
I know your Angry with Apple and confused right now, You bought an Apple phone and Apple still sold you to Google. You paid a mark-up of 50% on a $650 phone just to be sold for a measly $3.20, who would have thought you were so cheap.
"Could A Yahoo-Apple Deal Spell Trouble For Google?" http://www.webpronews.com/iphones-and-ipads-could-soon-get-a-big-dose-of-yahoo-2013-04 its a great article, about Yahoo! (Who share there data with Microsoft) and Apple, but from the Article...although its common news "An analyst at Macquarie Capital estimated that Google was making $1.3 billion annually in paid search revenue from iOS devices. Macquarie speculated that Google returned about $1 billion of that to Apple as part of the agreement that made Google the default search engine on the Safari browser.Another financial analyst has come up with a similar annual estimate of the value of Google’s default iOS search deal with Apple: $1 billion. Morgan Stanley’s Scott Devitt is responsible for the new estimateDevitt disagreed with Macquarie, arguing that the structure of the relationship is probably not a “revenue sharing” deal but instead a straight fee-per-device payment from Google to Apple. Devitt believes that Google pays Apple roughly $3.20 per iOS device, which would avoid the accounting issues arising from a revenue sharing agreement."
...and have since 2007 These two great blog posts cover the details "Taking steps to further improve our privacy practices" http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2007/03/taking-steps-to-further-improve-our.html and "
How long should Google remember searches? " http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2007/06/how-long-should-google-remember.html an example from it "By anonymizing our server logs after 18-24 months, we think we’re striking the right balance between two goals: continuing to improve Google’s services for you, while providing more transparency and certainty about our retention practices." Google are suprisingly forthcoming about how and what they do with your data, which clashes sharply with Apple(pretend the don't) or Microsoft(who run hate campaigns)
Anyone have the timeline for Google's disassociation and destruction of search queries? I'm curious how Apple's policies compare against those.
Ironically they sell Apple customers to Google currently for a $400Billion although they are allegedly selling its customers to Yahoo next. So for now *exactly the same* because they are the same :)
I am getting tired of Apples continuing Privacy abused, first they sell their customers to the highest bidder now this.
Even Siri was ruined with advertising http://www.inquisitr.com/256025/steve-wozniak-says-apple-ruined-siri-technology-after-acquisition/ "Steve says he initially loved Siri because it could accurately answer questions such as “What are the five largest lakes in California?” and “What are the prime numbers greater than 87?” . To which Wozniak replied, “It’s incredible. It’s like it understands ‘greater than.’”
Wozniak also notes that his former question about California Lakes now brings up lakefront properties while his question about prime numbers now displays information about prime ribs."
There EULA's have got so abuse they are subject to ridicule by South Park http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HumancentiPad in HumancentiPad
Three words "Don't be Evil"
Delete your account, stop worrying, and get some sleep.
Its off topic (but a more interesting topic) Although having read about it you have to *delete* the account which allegedly will remove it, but deactivate your account and messages you sent, may still be visible to others. they also save your timeline information (ex: friends, photos, interests, etc.)
But even then you have companies like http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/10/software-tracks-social-media-defence like this one who mine data...and create links. Not sure how you delete their data, or even find out who has it.
Deleting you account is the tip of the iceberg...an illusion of privacy at best.
Kobo Inc is owned Rakuten...who are Rakuten you may ask. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakuten Among its numerous online properties, its flagship B2B2C e-commerce platform Rakuten Ichiba is the largest e-commerce site in Japan and among the world’s largest by sales...in case you were wondering.
Because I know you want to know http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=rakuten.co.jp this is the washing machines they sell.