Technical Tidbits

Okay, perhaps I’m stealing from Spock (Star Trek), but it’s for a worthy cause, isn’t it?

This is my new tag phrase! I came up with it when I was sending a comment to Stu over at WServerNews.

The article reports the results of the SunPoll regarding the statements made by Gartner and Windows collapsing. (If your so inclined to see the results:  http://www.sunbelt-software.com/sunpoll_historical.cfm?id=156)

This is the one thing I’ve always loved about the WServerNews, they aren’t afraid to report it like it is!

Sunbelt Software has a discrete Microsoft Gold Certified Partner on the bottom of their home page so we know there’s an obvious relationship! And WServerNews is a part of Sunbelt so you would think that they might be a little M$ biased.  And at times they are, but you don’t bite the hand that feeds you - right? I mean a lot of Sunbelt’s software is aimed at securing M$ products! So, you would think one would err on the side of caution, and they do.

But, that doesn’t stop them from reporting on facts, alleged facts, and even offering up a valid poll that might be deemed as “anti-Microsoft.”  Kudo’s Sunbelt and kudo’s to WServerNews!

Now I got off my original subject! I hate when I do that!  ::DUH::

So, I wrote this short e-mail to Stu and signed it, on a whim, “Live long, Prosper, and go Open Source!”

And I thought to myself, that pretty much says how I feel lately!

I use Thunderbird for all my e-mail, Firefox for browsing, and I recently downloaded Open Office so I can delete the Office 2000 I currently have on my machine and call it a day.

We’re downloading the new Ubuntu today too. So it’s just a matter of time.

Little by little, I’m weaning myself off Microsoft.

Oh! And I also downloaded the programming information to learn how to program for Open Office!

In short, I’m joining the Open Source community and I’m going to be teaching you how to move from Microsoft dependency to Open Source compatible options.

So, “Live Long, Prosper, and go Open Source!“

written by Admin \\ tags: Gartner, live long, Microsoft, open office, open source, prosper, Spock, Star Trek, ubuntu, windows, WServerNews

While eating my breakfast this morning, I thought I’d browse my recent edition of eWeek magazine (yes, I still get paper magazine delivered!).

The front page of the March 10, 2008 edition boasted an interview with Steve Ballmer, M$ CEO.

I was okay with the interview until I got to the section that discussed the fact that even though Vista and Windows Server are from the same code base, Vista is not seen as a great, reliable, advanced operating system, while Windows Server has been favorably received.

The interviewer, Peter Galli, asks Ballmer, “Why do you think there is this divergence of perceptions?” A fair question to ask!

I couldn’t get past the first section of Ballmer’s reply without wanting to throw up my breakfast!

Ballmer says, “I think there are two things that people see in Vista. I think most importantly is the set of compatibility issues that people see. Now, it’s ironic, as compatibility is primarily not what I would call quality.”

Excuse me Mr. Ballmer? Then just what is your definition of QUALITY? Quality of code? Quality of bloat? Quality of locking down security so much that I’d rather put a sledgehammer to the machine then figure out what the heck I need to do to unlock the freaking thing?

I can see it now…… “Yes, look at my new quad core PC using Vista. I can’t do a fracking thing on it, but the code sure is QUALITY!”

There you go folks! Run out and get your copies of the QUALITY VISTA Windows Operating System.  Dysfunctional for use, but definitely quality! Be the first on your block to own a totally useless high tech machine!

I’m running to the store right now Steve Ballmer! Thanks for the heads up!

written by Admin \\ tags: Microsoft, operating system, Steve Ballmer, vista, windows, Windows Server

I just received the early release of SP3 for Windows XP Home Edition.

So far, so good! But maybe I shouldn’t speak too soon?

Here’s what I’ve found so far….

1. It downloaded quickly.
2. The installation was long but not as lengthy as previous updates or service packs, and required little user intervention.

Some of the quirky behavior I’ve had on my PC seems to have actually disappeared since installing this.

1. No incompatibilities thus far. (I’ve only had it about 6 hours, so give me time!)
2. There are a few new services running that were never there before. (More on this later.)
3. No noticeable slow down on my speed or browsing and considering I’m using Firefox (which M$ usually hates!), I’d say we’re doing great so far!

So, more later on the XP SP3 Service Pack!

written by Admin \\ tags: Microsoft, service pack, sp3, windows, xp

The other day, my older sister tells me she’s buying this new Dell PC that is on sale. The problem with the PC is that it has Vista Home Premium pre-installed. Aside from the fact that I warn her I can help her with troubleshooting Vista and I have no intention on learning nor purchasing this POS (Piece of Sh*t) software, she asks me to just help her with a few minor problems she’s having with it.

What constitutes minor? Well, she can’t install a single piece of software for starters! And that’s only the beginning.

First the new Dell comes with Google apps and Desktop. When you open the browser (IE), the positioning of the Google toolbar and the fact that the cursor automatically lands on the search address bar as opposed to the actual address bar, she can’t navigate anywhere. Not surprising when I find out that she’s searching as opposed to going anywhere!

Okay, so I remove the Google junk. We’re back to a regular IE and I get her home page established. We’re making progress.

I try to install the first program she wants installed.

I now understand the Apple/PC commercials for Vista. You know the ones where there’s this guy in a black suit with dark sunglasses standing behind PC and every time Apple tries to talk to PC, the suit says, ”Apple is requesting to talk to you, accept or deny?”

OMG! That is an understatement of the annoying crap within this new operating system. Excuse my language here, but what the %&*#  were you thinking Microsoft??? Are you out of your gosh darned mind???

I have been in the technology business for nearly 20 years now. And I have never been reduced to tears by frustration as I had been last night. What a $*%(&&$#  nightmare!

I finally get the darned thing turned off so I can start installing software, and low and behold, Windows Defender decides to put its two cents in!

Something happened with one installation that actually wiped out the DSL modem settings and there was no Internet connection after that. I had to call tech support and we ended up having to reset the modem back to factory!

Every time I tried to install any type of protection software other than what Vista wanted, we lost Internet connection.

World of Warcraft, my nephews favoritest game in the whole wide world won’t connect. Yet, we can connect to his account through the browser.

I have not been so frustrated since I first learned how computers worked in the early days of desktop PCs.

Vista is a *$%&;ing nightmare and I cannot fathom why anyone would ever want this POS in their computer.

I just had to vent and get the anger and frustration off my chest. I also wanted to put it out there, that if you agree with me, feel free to sign the InfoWorld petition to save Windows XP.

You can sign the petition here: Help Save XP Petition. 

Debbie

PS Bill Gates, You SUCK! I’m glad you retired and maybe someone with some common sense will put M$ back on track!

written by Admin \\ tags: infoworld, Microsoft, vista, windows, world of warcraft, xp