Universal Remote or Smartphone, it doesn't matter. The underlying technology sucks.
Infrared doesn't allow any remote control device to know the current state of the machine that you're trying to control. Your remote has no clue whether a device is on or off or which input the TV is switched to, nor has it any idea if the command was received and processed correctly.
I can't wait for the day when infrared is replaced with a better technology.
I'm the type of atheist who couldn't give a crap what others believe (as long as they don't affect me). And my wife isn't the type of christian who doesn't ever make any attempt to evangelise. I find our marriage works quite well. There are many more important things in our marriage than wasting time on futile theological discussions.
This is a complete non-story. This is effectively a private network that is being moderated and happens to be run by Microsoft, big deal. If people want to leave because they feel their freedom is being restricted then they are free to do so.
Forcing Microsoft to give up its IP Microsoft is not being forced to give up its IP. It is simply being asked to document its APIs. This does not mean that Microsoft has to provide the source code for its implementation of certain protocols.
I've both recently bought a MacBook and helped out a friend uninstall craplets from their Dell. The experience of using a brand new MacBook doesn't not compare to that of a new Dell. My friend asked me to look at their new Dell because it was running slow. It turned out that Dell's own Network Assistant software was being loaded on startup then would occupy 90%+ processor time. I killed that process, uninstalled the Dell Network Assistant along with a bunch of other craplets. His computer is now running fine. Compare that experience to my MacBook. No rogue processes crippling my system, no McAfee software nagging for attention, and no crap software loading on starup. I can't remember being nagged by Quicktime, or any other app, and if I have been, then I've not had subsequent nags.
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Universal Remote or Smartphone, it doesn't matter. The underlying technology sucks. Infrared doesn't allow any remote control device to know the current state of the machine that you're trying to control. Your remote has no clue whether a device is on or off or which input the TV is switched to, nor has it any idea if the command was received and processed correctly. I can't wait for the day when infrared is replaced with a better technology.
Wouldn't it be more sensible to stop playing the game if you are dissatisfied? As opposed to acting like a spoilt child and releasing source code.
I'm the type of atheist who couldn't give a crap what others believe (as long as they don't affect me). And my wife isn't the type of christian who doesn't ever make any attempt to evangelise. I find our marriage works quite well. There are many more important things in our marriage than wasting time on futile theological discussions.
This is a complete non-story. This is effectively a private network that is being moderated and happens to be run by Microsoft, big deal. If people want to leave because they feel their freedom is being restricted then they are free to do so.
I've both recently bought a MacBook and helped out a friend uninstall craplets from their Dell.
The experience of using a brand new MacBook doesn't not compare to that of a new Dell. My friend asked me to look at their new Dell because it was running slow. It turned out that Dell's own Network Assistant software was being loaded on startup then would occupy 90%+ processor time. I killed that process, uninstalled the Dell Network Assistant along with a bunch of other craplets. His computer is now running fine.
Compare that experience to my MacBook. No rogue processes crippling my system, no McAfee software nagging for attention, and no crap software loading on starup.
I can't remember being nagged by Quicktime, or any other app, and if I have been, then I've not had subsequent nags.