I wouldn't necewssarily disagree, but I see it slightly differently. I don't think there are many users that are hung up on a specific app in general (except maybe Office). What they are hung up on, however, is the fact that they have WIndows so everything they could possibly want to run will work.
The everyday user does not want to think about whether they can get some software working in Linux - they want to be able to download/buy/etc something and have it work right away. People buy Windows so that they are compatible with 99% of the software out there.
Their idea was "lets support windows media on windows systems running IE only, let those nerds (linux) and Maccies pay for not choosing our OS" for all these years.
Now: They have to use Adobe Flash while having million/billion dollar spent Windows Media in hand.
Good riddance!
I'm sorry, but what is that supposed to mean? You can use this (allegedly) in IE and Firefox = good riddance? I'm confused.
Until it can automatically subtitle in seven different languages, help you create Matrix-like effects, split the atom, and turn my crap home movies into Oscar contenders, I won't be satisfied.
I was a little surprised by the review myself. The first part of the article (talking about the specifics) seemed fairly positive, but the end result was pretty negative. The author doesn't seem to think that making something that was (relatively) difficult fairly easy is any kind of unique selling point. That's precisely what Microsoft (arguably) did for the PC way back when and look what that did (all joking aside).
I don't know about the WMP integration, but it certainly already does use your passport/live account for authentication. I'm sure other integration is on its way, if it isn't there already.
This is the only book he appears to have authored, at least according to what I could find on Amazon. I'm not sure how that equates to "some of the most influential books". I suppose developing those websites is a bit of work - though I'd never heard of them personally before either.
So that means if I want to use up to the 2 computer limit, I have to actually download it twice.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but that is one advantage over ITMS - I don't believe Apple will allow you to download the song, etc again after the initial purchase.
... so their answer to poorly written software that is security-hole ridden is to layer more software written by the same people on top of it?
Yes, much like you would run a firewall to protect 'poorly written software that is security-hole ridden'. Sometimes writting software to catch the exploits is easier and takes less maintenance completely eliminating each and every little bug.
Quite the opposite. You can learn a great deal from staring at that "box" in your room. Those people at the City Hall (or bar, or restaurant, or whatever fictional place people need to "get outside and go to") wouldn't be able to tell you about the current situation on definition of planets, or the state of affairs in Israel/Lebanon.
Yeah, he said immediate environment, genius. Though if you lived in Israel/Lebanon you probably wouldn't have to go outside to know what's going on.
Were you potentially a victim of this crime? You seem to be taking it fairly personally - as evidenced by your rater exagerated counterpoints. I for one am willing to give AT&T credit for at least offering to help in some way - most of the times I've read about this happening the company involved didn't offer to pay for anything.
Gartner analysts: We predict Microsoft will start making OS'es like this.
Microsoft: Umm, no - there are a ton of problems with doing things that way (even more than with the way we do things now!!!11)
Gartner analysts: Pffft, what would you know.
Seriously, speculation can be fun, but I find it hard to take these guys seriously.
The distance to which these devices can communicate as peers limits their usefulness as social devices, i.e., the people are all going to be in the same room!
I could actually see that as being a huge hit for the university/college going crowd. That 'demographic' tends to a) be the biggest mp3 junkies and b) hang around in the same 'rooms' (i.e. college/university) almost everyday. I could easily see this as being a huge selling point and, if that's what Microsoft is trying to do, is actually fairly insightful. I can't be bothered to check the price point, but if it's anywhere at all competitive with the iPod, I think it could have a pretty good chance at catching on.
Second, it brings up the Start menu when you tap the Windows key, which is the part that's pure evil.
I must say, I've heard Microsoft called evil for all kinds of things (i.e. business practices, shoddy software, clubbing baby seals) but I've never heard them called out for a button on a keyboard. Nice work:)
Yes, I would tend to agree, but the same is true for most corporations. Ever seen the concept cars that the big car companies show off at car shows? How often do the real cars ever end up being nearly as cool/innovative/different than those? The answer is hardly ever.
There are several reasons that I can think of for this gap between concept/research and real products. First of all, the interesting may not always be usable and, secondly, it may not be cost effective to make. These are companies, afterall, and they need to sell things people will buy - incremental improvements is usually the safest way to do that.
Yes, I agree, because 10s of thousands of people in the IT sector losing their jobs has to be a good thing. I'm sure that will make it easier for the rest of us to get jobs too.
Why was the parent modded flamebait? They actually have a really good point. Qualities that have long been fairly Windows centric will now be coming to Linux i.e. extremely similar installations and barely computer-literate users. Linux has always tended to embody the opposite of those two situations. I wouldn't be surprised if viruses targeted for these machines started to appear once they start circulating in non-trivial numbers.
Microsoft licenses aren't worth the bits on the screen.. they can be changed at will by Microsoft and "paper" versions don't count. MS refuses to version or date their licenses.. it's all a game to them. If OSI was to approve a MS license, MS would have to guarantee that it wouldn't change without notice.. and they flatly refuse to do that!
Hunh? They might not be worth anything to you, but I imagine they are worth something to Microsoft, and I really don't think it's a game to them. I'm seriously puzzled why you seem so beligerent though - is it just because this is about Microsoft? Guess what - there are other licenses out there that are approved by OSI and (surprise) you can even use them yourself.
Aside from the humour value this seems pretty much like a non-story.
Open Source has a crystal-clear definition (visit OSI for the definition); the meaning of the term "Open Source" is nothing zealots can change.
They may define "Open Source" (which appears to be a trademark), but not necessarily open source - I'll leave that to a good dictionary. Also, it seems possible that some people might consider the members of OSI to be zelots themselves as much as say, Steve Ballmer would be for his respective cause.
Long story short: tried it, was easier than I expected, went back to Debian. With my brief experience I cant fault anyone for sticking with it.
I wouldn't necewssarily disagree, but I see it slightly differently. I don't think there are many users that are hung up on a specific app in general (except maybe Office). What they are hung up on, however, is the fact that they have WIndows so everything they could possibly want to run will work.
The everyday user does not want to think about whether they can get some software working in Linux - they want to be able to download/buy/etc something and have it work right away. People buy Windows so that they are compatible with 99% of the software out there.
I'm sorry, but what is that supposed to mean? You can use this (allegedly) in IE and Firefox = good riddance? I'm confused.
I was a little surprised by the review myself. The first part of the article (talking about the specifics) seemed fairly positive, but the end result was pretty negative. The author doesn't seem to think that making something that was (relatively) difficult fairly easy is any kind of unique selling point. That's precisely what Microsoft (arguably) did for the PC way back when and look what that did (all joking aside).
I don't know about the WMP integration, but it certainly already does use your passport/live account for authentication. I'm sure other integration is on its way, if it isn't there already.
Curious - where does the above fit in here? As for playing to the lowest common denominator, I thought that was supposed to be Apple's shtick?
So where is your fact checking? I followed reference number 6 and it appeared to be accurate.
This is the only book he appears to have authored, at least according to what I could find on Amazon. I'm not sure how that equates to "some of the most influential books". I suppose developing those websites is a bit of work - though I'd never heard of them personally before either.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but that is one advantage over ITMS - I don't believe Apple will allow you to download the song, etc again after the initial purchase.
Yes, much like you would run a firewall to protect 'poorly written software that is security-hole ridden'. Sometimes writting software to catch the exploits is easier and takes less maintenance completely eliminating each and every little bug.
Yes, except that myspace already has an audience and does other things.
Dont be so hasty.....there is this thing called Tabbed Browsing and lets just say it took a long time to type that.
This is your neighbor: I agree.
So that was you that clogged the tubes with your "love".
Yeah, he said immediate environment, genius. Though if you lived in Israel/Lebanon you probably wouldn't have to go outside to know what's going on.
Anyone against Microsoft must be a communist.
Were you potentially a victim of this crime? You seem to be taking it fairly personally - as evidenced by your rater exagerated counterpoints. I for one am willing to give AT&T credit for at least offering to help in some way - most of the times I've read about this happening the company involved didn't offer to pay for anything.
Gartner analysts: We predict Microsoft will start making OS'es like this.
Microsoft: Umm, no - there are a ton of problems with doing things that way (even more than with the way we do things now!!!11)
Gartner analysts: Pffft, what would you know.
Seriously, speculation can be fun, but I find it hard to take these guys seriously.
I could actually see that as being a huge hit for the university/college going crowd. That 'demographic' tends to a) be the biggest mp3 junkies and b) hang around in the same 'rooms' (i.e. college/university) almost everyday. I could easily see this as being a huge selling point and, if that's what Microsoft is trying to do, is actually fairly insightful. I can't be bothered to check the price point, but if it's anywhere at all competitive with the iPod, I think it could have a pretty good chance at catching on.
I must say, I've heard Microsoft called evil for all kinds of things (i.e. business practices, shoddy software, clubbing baby seals) but I've never heard them called out for a button on a keyboard. Nice work :)
Yes, I would tend to agree, but the same is true for most corporations. Ever seen the concept cars that the big car companies show off at car shows? How often do the real cars ever end up being nearly as cool/innovative/different than those? The answer is hardly ever.
There are several reasons that I can think of for this gap between concept/research and real products. First of all, the interesting may not always be usable and, secondly, it may not be cost effective to make. These are companies, afterall, and they need to sell things people will buy - incremental improvements is usually the safest way to do that.
Yes, I agree, because 10s of thousands of people in the IT sector losing their jobs has to be a good thing. I'm sure that will make it easier for the rest of us to get jobs too.
Why was the parent modded flamebait? They actually have a really good point. Qualities that have long been fairly Windows centric will now be coming to Linux i.e. extremely similar installations and barely computer-literate users. Linux has always tended to embody the opposite of those two situations. I wouldn't be surprised if viruses targeted for these machines started to appear once they start circulating in non-trivial numbers.
Hunh? They might not be worth anything to you, but I imagine they are worth something to Microsoft, and I really don't think it's a game to them. I'm seriously puzzled why you seem so beligerent though - is it just because this is about Microsoft? Guess what - there are other licenses out there that are approved by OSI and (surprise) you can even use them yourself.
Aside from the humour value this seems pretty much like a non-story.
They may define "Open Source" (which appears to be a trademark), but not necessarily open source - I'll leave that to a good dictionary. Also, it seems possible that some people might consider the members of OSI to be zelots themselves as much as say, Steve Ballmer would be for his respective cause.