I believe Apple, and Google are quite influential in the technology world some people even still use Microsoft in places. So reporting what they do is pretty much the whole point of this sites existence. That said a quick glance over the front page shows Incredible Planets; Cold Servers; ISP vs The Law ; Celebrity Gossip (admittedly of Apple Fame); Phone Carrier Scandal (with Apple Slant); Nuclear Cyber Attacks; Dead Gaming Koreans; Ironic Microsoft Security Article...but No Google at all, Apple mentioned only to boost another article, and Microsoft in what has been a pretty shunned post. To be fair what a lovely mix of technical articles...and NO OLYMPICS. Today Slashdot delivered.
I do remember Netbooks. They got destroyed by Intel and Microsoft, when they restricted the hardware to protect their more profitable Laptop market. In fact the tablet I got the 7" Nexus 7 pretty much serves the function I had for a Netbook.
"No, "us" Linux folks were waiting 10 years for a real alternative to Windows and IE and the like. We got that, it's called Apple"
I don't think many Linux people ever wanted BSD software wrapped up in a proprietary wrapper, controlled on locked down expensive elctronics, by an abusive [patent] monopoly, using its own software and hardware standards. The fact that Safari is worse than IE simply adds to the delicious irony.
Linux users got what they wanted on the desktop years ago, but on Mobile...Apple is worse than Microsoft ever was on the Desktop [Microsoft try to worse on Mobile].
Android is better...but still not GNU/Linux
As for consumers Winning with Apple...No Patents to stifle innovation, and Monopolistic Abuse Over content they are a disgrace.
Geekboys like you might put up with Android's engineer-inspired interface. People who actually need something usable, well, need something that usability testing has gone into.
*scratches balls*
Fanatics like you post Apple propaganda in the hope anyone still believes you. I shocked that you lie that Google do not do usability testing.
Lets compare say using chrome vs safari on their perspective platforms. The most used feature on a smartphone...show me how Safari is better in ANY way. Chrome is incredible on Jelly Bean. Apple have nothing that can compete.
You are comparing a 7" tablet to a 10" tablet ? Apple makes like a 40% profit on iPhone - and none of the phone carriers have been able to provide cheaper smartphones. Ditto with Apple's 7" tablet. It will be $200 or $249... done. Kindle, Nexus and whatever other tablets.. will go bite the dust.
Apple have massive mark-ups on their products, its why other companies are more consumer friendly. It is also why Apple cannot compete outside the US/UK which prefer to subsidise expensive phones on long contracts. Its why in China Apples market share is a twelfth of Android and dropping.
As for your mythical 7" Apple tablet, could it really compete with Android, or would it simply cannibalise Apples already shrinking iPad sales.
This is nonsense. I have used both iPads and Androids, and the iPad is far easier to learn and use. Apple did many, many things right. And they were NOT first to market a tablet. Many, many people tried to make a successful tablet before the iPad. I have a drawer full of their failures.
Oh, and before anyone calls me an Apple fanboi, let me assure you that while I have respect for their products, I hate Apple as a company. But I am forced to use their products because I am married to an Apple fangoil.
This is nonsense. I have used both Androids and iPads, and the Android is far easier to learn and use. Google did many, many things right. And they were NOT first to market a tablet. Many, many people tried to make a successful tablet before the Nexus 7. I have a drawer full of their failures.
Oh, and before anyone calls me an Google fanboi, let me assure you that while I have respect for their products, I hate Google as a company. But I am forced to use their products because I am married to an Google fangoil
This is hogwash. No tablet comes close to the experience of the iPad; no phone comes close to the effectiveness of the iPhone line. No question-- I'm no fanboy, I think Steve Jobs was a jerk, but Apple simply has done things better.
You are definitely a fanboy. I prefer the Nexus to the iPad...but then I prefer Android, and I really like having lots more money in my pocket; Since the HTX One X and Galaxy III generation of phones, the iPhone 4S is looking last generation literally [giggle], and so is the Xpedia Play Phone in my pocket, in fact frighteningly, looking at some cheap android phones like the Huawei Ascend G300 costing a sixth of the price of an iPhone have similar functionality to both.
...as for the mockup, Apple phones are down from 37,36,26million over the last three quarters, in a growing market, with mature competitors, with compelling products. The reality distortion aura created by fanatics who post comments about "the effectiveness of the iPhone line" [whatever the hell that means], isn't cutting it. If your saying apple can stamp a logo on an old looking phone and sell it...your right, they did that with the 4S. It will be less successful if they do it again. The article is right.
Personally I thought shameless Apple fanboys talked about android being better value [race to bottom], choice [fragmentaion], and open platform [piracy], now its just marketing terms like effectiveness and efficiency!? you have all just go lazy!
The iPad is really the wrong size its too large to be portable, my Nexus goes with me everywhere [My fathers ageing Archos the same for him], At home I am still waiting for a device big enough to fill in for the couch device. The iPad is simply too small. Hopefully the rumored 12" Samsung will be a reality.
...The fact that Apple is poor value for Money is simply another reason not it [that and those high priced tablets from Sony...]
I've always been fascinated by the term hipster. Ignoring the usual fashion change that associated with white yoof. Its the whole liking ironically thing. Which as far as I can see is simply coping with being ashamed of liking best of low art [pop] culture of prior generation or non mainstream. The only ironic thing is its stuff I just like. I don't need to justify myself to society at large.
The bottom line is Linux is pretty good, and your talk of "hipsters"; "hate"; "fanboys" is ridiculous.
As for your rest of your post...trying to claw it back with backhanded compliments in reference to Microsoft and Apple seriously!! And then making a vague claim to buggy software. Its kind of sad really.
News flash: Dell has nothing to due with the hardware or BIOS in the laptops they sell.
I don't understand, maybe you mean they license the BIOS from third parties rather than produce their own. In fact Compaq did legally reverse engineering IBM's BIOS. There is no reason at all why they couldn't invest in coreboot, or create their own, other than time and money.
Looks like it's time to negotiate OEM Windows pricing with Microsoft. Out comes the old pal, Linux, and stays there right up until Microsoft complies with Dell's demands. This is getting tiresome. It's the third or fourth time they've done this, there's no element of surprise to anyone but people with Alzheimers.
Then I think they are doing it for the wrong reasons. They have with the launch of surface been sent a clear signal, "You are our bitch, It is our OS", we will take all the high end early adopter money, and we will keep all of your margins.
Dell needs to get going with a strategy that involves Coreboot; Libreoffice; dual boot android; full refund for windows + free penguin plush + credits; Chrome for Ubuntu Store; massive investing in Open source OS [hell their own closed source] and putting their skin all over it pick Meego/Android/Tizen/Gnome/KDE I don't care which.
The need to be talking to Asus; Samsung; Intel; Sony; etc etc about forming an effective defensive cartel against Microsoft, talk openly with transparency about what happens behind closed door with Microsoft, and to regulars within various Governments.
After Microsoft saying how rubbish your machines are produce a machine not limited by Microsoft restrictive OS. Say Debian+ARM+Valve Store+Google talk+touchscreen+Netbook+game controls+led keyboard though in some teaching materials/Edutainment and hdmi out and bundle with docking station, keyboard, Monitor and put unused alienware logo on it make glow with LEDs, link it with celebrity Sound system...and sell it for peanuts look at how well Android hardware is doing.
At the very least they need to get their patent trolling on.
They need to show Microsoft that they are not Bitches, they need to show that Hardware controls the Software not the other way around. There is even the chance of Apple like money from these strategy.
Putting Linux on a few machines buried on their web site, is a *cough* symbolic gesture at best like a child kicking back at a parent by *sulking*.
yes yes, I know, it's fashionable to hate ubuntu. Because if there's one thing that unites hardcore linux fanboys, it's hating any other distro except their own. Sometimes I wonder if they hate other distros more than they hate MS.
Ubuntu still is very popular, and for good reason. Its very good, because a lot of work is done on it and it is based on Debian unstable, which in itself is pretty good, unsurprisingly this means immature technology gets rolled out [pulseaudio, Intel drivers] for the sake of features over stability. Some users prefer the stability move to Debian, Some users get bitten by bugs/regressions from running more unstable options. Overall though most benefit from the new features because even unstable...is pretty stable. It may seem more fashionably to speak out against Ubuntu, not because of Ubuntu itself, but because of Unity, but then a large number of users are objecting to having these tablet interfaces forced on us. I myself have moved to Mint/Cinnamon [Ubuntu with traditional interface]. Now Ubuntu lately have come up with a fairly unpopular fix!? for Microsoft locking computers. I see no good solution other than a legal one.
Now I posted that whole damn paragraph, which is true and factual, which states how it is. Notice I how I am not mentioning "fanboys" or "hate", because emotive language is not necessary. That is because the choices made are not being made emotionally.
But Apple's law firm does, and you nicely described all of the revenue generating functions.
Of course there's a difference between a business model predicated on bringing something of value to society and the business model of a rent seeking parasite that only owes its existence to an unaddressed inefficiency.
I am happy for you to call lawyers, accountants, advertisers etc Devils sperm, but they are there to advise management who take the decisions. I'm not sure why we quite see the blame shifted onto the lawyers is beyond me.
I What could help would be to redirect the DNS servers to an informational page on how to clean off the current infection (IE hosting some cleanup tools), with tips of how to avoid infection again.
That describes most of the techniques Trojans use I come across on the web
"The fact of the matter is that not enough people care about running Linux to convince manufacturers to push back on Microsoft over the ARM UEFI Secure Boot mandate."
Then these manufactures deserve to die. I have no idea what happens in Dell of this world, but Plan A riding the Microsoft monopoly coattails was over, when Microsoft surprised them surface. Stating we are an "electronics company not a software company" keeping all the high margin early adopter money, with a you can keep the scraps...and pay us a premium for our software which we want more control over.
The Accounts need to be sacked if they think alienating even a small portion of their customers for no financial gain is a good move.
The Management need to be sacked for being getting in so deep with Microsoft...and kicked on there way out for making the same mistake post Surface.
These companies need to make a plan and that needs to involve Android, Tizen, Debian, WebOS or their own software stack.
They need to commit to breaking the monopoly they have propped up, because they are not going to be part of the next part of that fight.
Slashdot's reaction to the Surface has been a mixture of amusing and frustrating. The reaction was immediately: "Surface is complete garbage. Horrible fail. After all, Microsoft never makes anything good." A few days later after some of the announced features of Surface disseminated the reaction changed to: "Utter vaporware. Never coming out. After all, Microsoft could never make something like that. They must be lying." Never in my life have I seen a piece of unreleased hardware declared vaporware in mere days of it's announcement. Never. Microsoft must've really touched a nerve with some people.
Slashdots response has been discussion...as always. As for Ars Techinca I believe they have closed their open source section:). I fail to see what is wrong with being surprised that Microsoft is making its first computer ever!? They have always made money from the software and not from the hardware, and have had Fall guys to test the water "Play for Sure - partners" or "Nokia"...and even then not computers, nothing to challenge its bread and butter of OS+Office, and No the Xbox doesn't count....but your wrong this is still vaporware; Where can I buy this product? Lets face it even journalist are not even allowed to use it.
Personally I believe many who advocate open source Os's are feeling a little like Winston Churchill when Pearl Harbour was attacked "So we have won after all!"
Seriously other than some really nasty anti-competitive tricks involving locking the OS to the hardware. I cannot see a downside, and that was already happening...its less likely to happen now. There is little to no threat to Linux based tablets[Google allegedly pricing their tablet at $200] where its best chance to win, is from bottom up. Microsoft have chosen to Directly take on Apple[their only option with x86] in the computer market for the first time in 20 years, rather than to continue to exist in a safe but shrinking duopoly, With a high end; High margin product; Using Brand Power[its like Mexican wrestling]. While giving a whole host of hardware manufactures including Nokia;"Barnes and Noble", Beige box manufactures waiting for windows 8 chance to re-evaluate their now weak strategy; being denied that a piece of that sweet early adopter high margin action after being stabbed in the back. Who here sympathises with these companies, hell these companies probably have a whole host of hardware IP ready to attack Microsoft with, most of them should have a "what will happen when Microsoft screw us over" package...or a button...or a bloke in a bowler hat. I suspect these hardware companies are suddenly going to an gain a healthy interest in software, and Open source is the best way to get to a working solution quickly. Personally I'd be installing libreoffice on all my current Windows 7 offerings, With dualboot into Company themed Debian based distro just for badness. They simply have no other choice, they need to adapt just like Microsoft have.
Personally I think computing is getting exciting again. Thanks to Microsoft being a backstabbing dick.
A human cannot comfortably read too wide a column of text. That's the reason why most newspapers use multiple columns, even in portrait orientation, and why webpages tend to restrict text width as well.
Newspapers is a really really bad example. This is where I suspect you and I are both out of out depth...so I will refer to an expert. http://www.humanfactors.com/downloads/nov02.asp [Bob Bailey, Ph.D., Chief Scientist for HFI, discusses the optimal line length when reading prose text from a monitor.]
The short version is Newspapers optimum line width was 3.6" with a maximum of 4", only the Galaxy note is small enough to work reading text, by your example, but that was with old 10-point printers with black on white text.
For Monitors using larger text...for speed wideris is better 8-9-10 inches about the Width of Widescreen Android Tablet..but user prefer reading at 3.6-4" which is about the width of a Kindle Fire and other 7" tablets...so Apple tablets are out.
16:10 and 16:9 are not really useful for anything except watching movies. Ok, s/ except.*?\.//, as there's nothing really worth watching there too.
Basically anything you work with: text, code, images, webpages, etc, is better viewed on something that's not a thin strip, no matter if that strip is horizontal or vertical.
So lets get this right...for textual information that adjusts to any dimension automatically, shouldn't it matter what screen dimensions are with wrapping. The only time this is not the case is when text is does not wrap[you need to horizontal scroll to read], or web pages[like slashdot] that are designed with not to shrink below a certain size; have extra columns for navigation and advertising. Both of these cases wider is better. As for Images...my camera phone takes them now at 16:9...and Video that way too. In fact I cannot think of a single instance where widescreen isn't superior. I think your exaggerating because you own that expensive tablet with a fruit on the back.
Its the right strategy from Microsoft, not having the right hardware for Windows 8 would have meant sure shot failure which they cannot afford and not planning to do. Also Microsoft is not stopping OEMs from using Android or Linux for tablets either. So why are the OEM's complaining?
Best for them is to beat Microsoft, and come up with better hardware, experience and competitive price. They need to realize without it they cannot compete with iPad anyway.
It did not work for Windows Phone 7 it has not worked for Nokia [and the rest]. If it didn't work before...and even Microsoft didn't trust them to produce decent enough hardware(sic) why should they try now?
I work at a software company. Everyone here is getting one, and they all pretty much want the Pro model. They already own Ipads, but wanted something similar but with a full OS and the ability to run real applications, not just apps.
You do know apps is just a shorted from applications for marketing bling.
Apple gets marketshare by innovating and creating products people want, Microsoft gets marketshare by government contract and strong arm monopoly tactics.
Ignoring there recent monopolistic price fixing abuse by forming a Cartel with Book publishers. It seems to spend all its time across the world trying to stop the sales of competing innovative products. In fact it seems to abuse the legal systems in ways that I find uncomfortable. Their use of IP what is meant to be a sign of innovation has been insane, taking freely from others with a sue me I'll pay later attitude to a demanding a ban on anything that looks like an innovative product with weak minimalistic design patents.
Obviously Microsoft didn't build their own factory from scratch (or did they?). If so, who is actually building this thing? For the original Zune it was Toshiba. I guess it isn't Asus or Acer:-)
If its not Nokia surely Elop will have to go. Seriously.
All the disappointed OEMs will be turning to Linux, making this year (yes, I promise this time is for real!) the Linux Desktop year.
Its been marked funny in retrospect its kind of sad. Linux has been locked out of gaining massive market share on the Desktop, by being locked out, by these very same manufactures that today got stuffed by Microsoft. In retrospect locking themselves into one supplier of OS for so long was a stupid idea, so stupid that Microsoft is trying to take this profitable new mobile market away from its partners. Who have been waiting for Microsoft to produce a compelling product.
Its funny peculiar perhaps becuase this is about Mobile...and Linux has already won there, in a couple of years.
OEMs have, with few exceptions, done a pretty dismal job of creating Windows-based mobile hardware, and utterly abysmal at producing competitors to the iPad. Is it any wonder MS said to itself "these guys can't deliver, let's do it ourselves"?
I think perhaps its the OEM's after years of producing tablets with an OS nobody wanted, restricted by the hardware the OS could offer that nobody wanted have given up. Personally I think its bad spin to claim your current hardware manufacturers cannot product quality hardware.
Slashdot Mirror
I believe Apple, and Google are quite influential in the technology world some people even still use Microsoft in places. So reporting what they do is pretty much the whole point of this sites existence. That said a quick glance over the front page shows Incredible Planets; Cold Servers; ISP vs The Law ; Celebrity Gossip (admittedly of Apple Fame); Phone Carrier Scandal (with Apple Slant); Nuclear Cyber Attacks; Dead Gaming Koreans; Ironic Microsoft Security Article...but No Google at all, Apple mentioned only to boost another article, and Microsoft in what has been a pretty shunned post. To be fair what a lovely mix of technical articles...and NO OLYMPICS. Today Slashdot delivered.
I do remember Netbooks. They got destroyed by Intel and Microsoft, when they restricted the hardware to protect their more profitable Laptop market. In fact the tablet I got the 7" Nexus 7 pretty much serves the function I had for a Netbook.
"No, "us" Linux folks were waiting 10 years for a real alternative to Windows and IE and the like. We got that, it's called Apple"
I don't think many Linux people ever wanted BSD software wrapped up in a proprietary wrapper, controlled on locked down expensive elctronics, by an abusive [patent] monopoly, using its own software and hardware standards. The fact that Safari is worse than IE simply adds to the delicious irony.
Linux users got what they wanted on the desktop years ago, but on Mobile...Apple is worse than Microsoft ever was on the Desktop [Microsoft try to worse on Mobile].
Android is better...but still not GNU/Linux
As for consumers Winning with Apple...No Patents to stifle innovation, and Monopolistic Abuse Over content they are a disgrace.
*stretches*
*yawns*
Geekboys like you might put up with Android's engineer-inspired interface. People who actually need something usable, well, need something that usability testing has gone into.
*scratches balls*
Fanatics like you post Apple propaganda in the hope anyone still believes you. I shocked that you lie that Google do not do usability testing.
Lets compare say using chrome vs safari on their perspective platforms. The most used feature on a smartphone...show me how Safari is better in ANY way. Chrome is incredible on Jelly Bean. Apple have nothing that can compete.
You are comparing a 7" tablet to a 10" tablet ? Apple makes like a 40% profit on iPhone - and none of the phone carriers have been able to provide cheaper smartphones. Ditto with Apple's 7" tablet. It will be $200 or $249... done. Kindle, Nexus and whatever other tablets.. will go bite the dust.
Apple have massive mark-ups on their products, its why other companies are more consumer friendly. It is also why Apple cannot compete outside the US/UK which prefer to subsidise expensive phones on long contracts. Its why in China Apples market share is a twelfth of Android and dropping.
As for your mythical 7" Apple tablet, could it really compete with Android, or would it simply cannibalise Apples already shrinking iPad sales.
The only thing I want is for Android to not lag. That is all.
You clearly have not seen the success of project butter. Is the new iPad still stuttering.
This is nonsense. I have used both iPads and Androids, and the iPad is far easier to learn and use. Apple did many, many things right. And they were NOT first to market a tablet. Many, many people tried to make a successful tablet before the iPad. I have a drawer full of their failures.
Oh, and before anyone calls me an Apple fanboi, let me assure you that while I have respect for their products, I hate Apple as a company. But I am forced to use their products because I am married to an Apple fangoil.
This is nonsense. I have used both Androids and iPads, and the Android is far easier to learn and use. Google did many, many things right. And they were NOT first to market a tablet. Many, many people tried to make a successful tablet before the Nexus 7. I have a drawer full of their failures.
Oh, and before anyone calls me an Google fanboi, let me assure you that while I have respect for their products, I hate Google as a company. But I am forced to use their products because I am married to an Google fangoil
This is hogwash. No tablet comes close to the experience of the iPad; no phone comes close to the effectiveness of the iPhone line. No question-- I'm no fanboy, I think Steve Jobs was a jerk, but Apple simply has done things better.
You are definitely a fanboy. I prefer the Nexus to the iPad...but then I prefer Android, and I really like having lots more money in my pocket; Since the HTX One X and Galaxy III generation of phones, the iPhone 4S is looking last generation literally [giggle], and so is the Xpedia Play Phone in my pocket, in fact frighteningly, looking at some cheap android phones like the Huawei Ascend G300 costing a sixth of the price of an iPhone have similar functionality to both.
Personally I thought shameless Apple fanboys talked about android being better value [race to bottom], choice [fragmentaion], and open platform [piracy], now its just marketing terms like effectiveness and efficiency!? you have all just go lazy!
The iPad is really the wrong size its too large to be portable, my Nexus goes with me everywhere [My fathers ageing Archos the same for him], At home I am still waiting for a device big enough to fill in for the couch device. The iPad is simply too small. Hopefully the rumored 12" Samsung will be a reality.
I've always been fascinated by the term hipster. Ignoring the usual fashion change that associated with white yoof. Its the whole liking ironically thing. Which as far as I can see is simply coping with being ashamed of liking best of low art [pop] culture of prior generation or non mainstream. The only ironic thing is its stuff I just like. I don't need to justify myself to society at large.
The bottom line is Linux is pretty good, and your talk of "hipsters"; "hate"; "fanboys" is ridiculous.
As for your rest of your post...trying to claw it back with backhanded compliments in reference to Microsoft and Apple seriously!! And then making a vague claim to buggy software. Its kind of sad really.
News flash: Dell has nothing to due with the hardware or BIOS in the laptops they sell.
I don't understand, maybe you mean they license the BIOS from third parties rather than produce their own. In fact Compaq did legally reverse engineering IBM's BIOS. There is no reason at all why they couldn't invest in coreboot, or create their own, other than time and money.
Looks like it's time to negotiate OEM Windows pricing with Microsoft. Out comes the old pal, Linux, and stays there right up until Microsoft complies with Dell's demands. This is getting tiresome. It's the third or fourth time they've done this, there's no element of surprise to anyone but people with Alzheimers.
Then I think they are doing it for the wrong reasons. They have with the launch of surface been sent a clear signal, "You are our bitch, It is our OS", we will take all the high end early adopter money, and we will keep all of your margins.
Dell needs to get going with a strategy that involves Coreboot; Libreoffice; dual boot android; full refund for windows + free penguin plush + credits; Chrome for Ubuntu Store; massive investing in Open source OS [hell their own closed source] and putting their skin all over it pick Meego/Android/Tizen/Gnome/KDE I don't care which.
The need to be talking to Asus; Samsung; Intel; Sony; etc etc about forming an effective defensive cartel against Microsoft, talk openly with transparency about what happens behind closed door with Microsoft, and to regulars within various Governments.
After Microsoft saying how rubbish your machines are produce a machine not limited by Microsoft restrictive OS. Say Debian+ARM+Valve Store+Google talk+touchscreen+Netbook+game controls+led keyboard though in some teaching materials/Edutainment and hdmi out and bundle with docking station, keyboard, Monitor and put unused alienware logo on it make glow with LEDs, link it with celebrity Sound system ...and sell it for peanuts look at how well Android hardware is doing.
At the very least they need to get their patent trolling on.
They need to show Microsoft that they are not Bitches, they need to show that Hardware controls the Software not the other way around. There is even the chance of Apple like money from these strategy.
Putting Linux on a few machines buried on their web site, is a *cough* symbolic gesture at best like a child kicking back at a parent by *sulking*.
yes yes, I know, it's fashionable to hate ubuntu. Because if there's one thing that unites hardcore linux fanboys, it's hating any other distro except their own. Sometimes I wonder if they hate other distros more than they hate MS.
Ubuntu still is very popular, and for good reason. Its very good, because a lot of work is done on it and it is based on Debian unstable, which in itself is pretty good, unsurprisingly this means immature technology gets rolled out [pulseaudio, Intel drivers] for the sake of features over stability. Some users prefer the stability move to Debian, Some users get bitten by bugs/regressions from running more unstable options. Overall though most benefit from the new features because even unstable...is pretty stable. It may seem more fashionably to speak out against Ubuntu, not because of Ubuntu itself, but because of Unity, but then a large number of users are objecting to having these tablet interfaces forced on us. I myself have moved to Mint/Cinnamon [Ubuntu with traditional interface]. Now Ubuntu lately have come up with a fairly unpopular fix!? for Microsoft locking computers. I see no good solution other than a legal one.
Now I posted that whole damn paragraph, which is true and factual, which states how it is. Notice I how I am not mentioning "fanboys" or "hate", because emotive language is not necessary. That is because the choices made are not being made emotionally.
But Apple's law firm does, and you nicely described all of the revenue generating functions.
Of course there's a difference between a business model predicated on bringing something of value to society and the business model of a rent seeking parasite that only owes its existence to an unaddressed inefficiency.
I am happy for you to call lawyers, accountants, advertisers etc Devils sperm, but they are there to advise management who take the decisions. I'm not sure why we quite see the blame shifted onto the lawyers is beyond me.
I What could help would be to redirect the DNS servers to an informational page on how to clean off the current infection (IE hosting some cleanup tools), with tips of how to avoid infection again.
That describes most of the techniques Trojans use I come across on the web
"The fact of the matter is that not enough people care about running Linux to convince manufacturers to push back on Microsoft over the ARM UEFI Secure Boot mandate."
Then these manufactures deserve to die. I have no idea what happens in Dell of this world, but Plan A riding the Microsoft monopoly coattails was over, when Microsoft surprised them surface. Stating we are an "electronics company not a software company" keeping all the high margin early adopter money, with a you can keep the scraps...and pay us a premium for our software which we want more control over.
The Accounts need to be sacked if they think alienating even a small portion of their customers for no financial gain is a good move.
The Management need to be sacked for being getting in so deep with Microsoft...and kicked on there way out for making the same mistake post Surface.
These companies need to make a plan and that needs to involve Android, Tizen, Debian, WebOS or their own software stack.
They need to commit to breaking the monopoly they have propped up, because they are not going to be part of the next part of that fight.
If anyone's want to know exactly what went down at the press conference without being fed a heavy dose of cynicism, you could always check out ArsTechnica's liveblog and post-event coverage: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/06/liveblog-from-la-microsofts-major-announcement-rumored-tablet-unveil/
Slashdot's reaction to the Surface has been a mixture of amusing and frustrating. The reaction was immediately: "Surface is complete garbage. Horrible fail. After all, Microsoft never makes anything good." A few days later after some of the announced features of Surface disseminated the reaction changed to: "Utter vaporware. Never coming out. After all, Microsoft could never make something like that. They must be lying." Never in my life have I seen a piece of unreleased hardware declared vaporware in mere days of it's announcement. Never. Microsoft must've really touched a nerve with some people.
Slashdots response has been discussion...as always. As for Ars Techinca I believe they have closed their open source section :). I fail to see what is wrong with being surprised that Microsoft is making its first computer ever!? They have always made money from the software and not from the hardware, and have had Fall guys to test the water "Play for Sure - partners" or "Nokia"...and even then not computers, nothing to challenge its bread and butter of OS+Office, and No the Xbox doesn't count....but your wrong this is still vaporware; Where can I buy this product? Lets face it even journalist are not even allowed to use it.
Personally I believe many who advocate open source Os's are feeling a little like Winston Churchill when Pearl Harbour was attacked "So we have won after all!"
Seriously other than some really nasty anti-competitive tricks involving locking the OS to the hardware. I cannot see a downside, and that was already happening...its less likely to happen now. There is little to no threat to Linux based tablets[Google allegedly pricing their tablet at $200] where its best chance to win, is from bottom up. Microsoft have chosen to Directly take on Apple[their only option with x86] in the computer market for the first time in 20 years, rather than to continue to exist in a safe but shrinking duopoly, With a high end; High margin product; Using Brand Power[its like Mexican wrestling]. While giving a whole host of hardware manufactures including Nokia;"Barnes and Noble", Beige box manufactures waiting for windows 8 chance to re-evaluate their now weak strategy; being denied that a piece of that sweet early adopter high margin action after being stabbed in the back. Who here sympathises with these companies, hell these companies probably have a whole host of hardware IP ready to attack Microsoft with, most of them should have a "what will happen when Microsoft screw us over" package...or a button...or a bloke in a bowler hat. I suspect these hardware companies are suddenly going to an gain a healthy interest in software, and Open source is the best way to get to a working solution quickly. Personally I'd be installing libreoffice on all my current Windows 7 offerings, With dualboot into Company themed Debian based distro just for badness. They simply have no other choice, they need to adapt just like Microsoft have.
Personally I think computing is getting exciting again. Thanks to Microsoft being a backstabbing dick.
A human cannot comfortably read too wide a column of text. That's the reason why most newspapers use multiple columns, even in portrait orientation, and why webpages tend to restrict text width as well.
Newspapers is a really really bad example. This is where I suspect you and I are both out of out depth...so I will refer to an expert. http://www.humanfactors.com/downloads/nov02.asp [Bob Bailey, Ph.D., Chief Scientist for HFI, discusses the optimal line length when reading prose text from a monitor.]
The short version is Newspapers optimum line width was 3.6" with a maximum of 4", only the Galaxy note is small enough to work reading text, by your example, but that was with old 10-point printers with black on white text.
For Monitors using larger text...for speed wideris is better 8-9-10 inches about the Width of Widescreen Android Tablet ..but user prefer reading at 3.6-4" which is about the width of a Kindle Fire and other 7" tablets...so Apple tablets are out.
s/tablets/screens/
16:10 and 16:9 are not really useful for anything except watching movies. Ok, s/ except.*?\.//, as there's nothing really worth watching there too.
Basically anything you work with: text, code, images, webpages, etc, is better viewed on something that's not a thin strip, no matter if that strip is horizontal or vertical.
So lets get this right...for textual information that adjusts to any dimension automatically, shouldn't it matter what screen dimensions are with wrapping. The only time this is not the case is when text is does not wrap[you need to horizontal scroll to read], or web pages[like slashdot] that are designed with not to shrink below a certain size; have extra columns for navigation and advertising. Both of these cases wider is better. As for Images...my camera phone takes them now at 16:9...and Video that way too. In fact I cannot think of a single instance where widescreen isn't superior. I think your exaggerating because you own that expensive tablet with a fruit on the back.
Its the right strategy from Microsoft, not having the right hardware for Windows 8 would have meant sure shot failure which they cannot afford and not planning to do. Also Microsoft is not stopping OEMs from using Android or Linux for tablets either. So why are the OEM's complaining?
Best for them is to beat Microsoft, and come up with better hardware, experience and competitive price. They need to realize without it they cannot compete with iPad anyway.
It did not work for Windows Phone 7 it has not worked for Nokia [and the rest]. If it didn't work before...and even Microsoft didn't trust them to produce decent enough hardware(sic) why should they try now?
I work at a software company. Everyone here is getting one, and they all pretty much want the Pro model. They already own Ipads, but wanted something similar but with a full OS and the ability to run real applications, not just apps.
You do know apps is just a shorted from applications for marketing bling.
Apple gets marketshare by innovating and creating products people want, Microsoft gets marketshare by government contract and strong arm monopoly tactics.
Ignoring there recent monopolistic price fixing abuse by forming a Cartel with Book publishers. It seems to spend all its time across the world trying to stop the sales of competing innovative products. In fact it seems to abuse the legal systems in ways that I find uncomfortable. Their use of IP what is meant to be a sign of innovation has been insane, taking freely from others with a sue me I'll pay later attitude to a demanding a ban on anything that looks like an innovative product with weak minimalistic design patents.
Obviously Microsoft didn't build their own factory from scratch (or did they?). If so, who is actually building this thing? For the original Zune it was Toshiba. I guess it isn't Asus or Acer :-)
If its not Nokia surely Elop will have to go. Seriously.
All the disappointed OEMs will be turning to Linux, making this year (yes, I promise this time is for real!) the Linux Desktop year.
Its been marked funny in retrospect its kind of sad. Linux has been locked out of gaining massive market share on the Desktop, by being locked out, by these very same manufactures that today got stuffed by Microsoft. In retrospect locking themselves into one supplier of OS for so long was a stupid idea, so stupid that Microsoft is trying to take this profitable new mobile market away from its partners. Who have been waiting for Microsoft to produce a compelling product.
Its funny peculiar perhaps becuase this is about Mobile...and Linux has already won there, in a couple of years.
OEMs have, with few exceptions, done a pretty dismal job of creating Windows-based mobile hardware, and utterly abysmal at producing competitors to the iPad. Is it any wonder MS said to itself "these guys can't deliver, let's do it ourselves"?
I think perhaps its the OEM's after years of producing tablets with an OS nobody wanted, restricted by the hardware the OS could offer that nobody wanted have given up. Personally I think its bad spin to claim your current hardware manufacturers cannot product quality hardware.