Killing off XP will make piracy rampant

Subject: Solar Panels

I am so proud of you for using solar power. If you can save so much in England imagine how much you could save in the south (e.g. Crete in Greece where we have 280 days of sun per year)!!!

Thanks for inspiring us.

Nikolaos

Subject: Battery recall cost Sanyo $17

17 million dollars divided by 1.3 million batteries =$13 a battery

Shouldn't this be the REAL story?

Have you purchased a laptop battery lately?

Woodchuk

Subject: Kurt Vonnegut is dead

It is fitting that you note the passing of Kurt Vonnegut. One memorable line by one of his characters is the question: "What are people for?" You come at technology with the unspoken question, "What is technology for?" and all too often show the answer to be the puffery and spin about the Emperor's new clothes (now, I didn't say "Vista"). Please Keep it up so that we may retain our sanity.

Charles Greene

Subject: Suicidal tendencies

Hello there,

Eehh... let me get this straight, Vista isn't doing too well on the sales department ( perhaps enough people do have some good sense ), so in a final attempt to force there illness down our throat. They're now going to force the product onto computers even if we, us, the users don't want it?? Not to speak of businesses...

Our IT-department is quite happy with XP, and has no intention in migrating to Vista any time soon, not even after the first service pack. And considering the enthusiasm of other companies we speak to, we're not the only ones. It seems that microsoft is now actually following up on their "longest suicide note in history", and going to commit suicide! Microsoft must be very sure that neither Linux nor MacOS becomes an alternative in the next two years, or they're mad.

Admitted, Linux isn't the best option around ( though more and more IT departments at least take a look once in a while ). Jobs isn't willing to sell his OS seperately yet, but how sure can one be that this remains the case in the next year. Jobs for example, pulled out strangers things from his hat... his U-turn on DRM to name something...

And even Linux is getting better and better, and with the opendocument standard, problems with compatibility of documents might(big if) be avoided.

How well do the spinners sleep in Redmond? Or do they secretly have nightmares about penguins and apples?

Just a thought...

Cheers,
Michel

Subject: Wikipedia "broken beyond repair", co-founder says

Hello:

Wikipedia is one of those things that I don't really care for, but I can also see the utility for it.

I've edited articles on it, and non-surprisingly they've been rewritten so many times my original content was lost. In two cases the articles actually got better, but for the rest it was either someone expressing their opinion on how they think things should be (as opposed to facts), or they got worse.

There's a reason why encyclopedias weren't written by laying a blank book out in the town square and inviting the Mass Publis to write it. There is a need for a free encyclopedia of information, just Wikipedia isn't it.

If I ran the world I'd make a free encyclopedia/information a government funded resource, with some paid staffers and also volunteers (credentialied people with a real background) to serve as editors. People could submit information, but it would have to go through and be approved by the editors.

Maybe there might be an "opinion section" which would be like Wikipedia today, where any yahoo could spout off on articles about aliens and rock stars. People would know this is hobbyist/chatter talk information, and regard it accordingly.

However, since capitalism has run rampant and the idea of government today is to hand out money rather than services the whole mess would likely be palmed off on a bunch of contractors, who would precede to make a very expensive and almost useless encyclopedia supported by banner ads and political sponsors.

So anyways, Wikipedia was a noble concept but a poor idea.

Sincerely,
Scott Peterson

Subject: vista

common, dont you think fister is just a bit crude for this site. you wouldn't even see that on elitebastards. yes all the readers are adult but you dont have to be nasty. If you must have a nickname for vista, then use your head to come up with an appropiate one.

Greig

Subject: AMD

hey suckers..

Does AMD has any cash left to bribe u in order to write misleading articles...?

Ibrizi

Subject: Barcwanna and 2 Core 2

When are these two going to put up and shut up. AMD talks trash on a part they don't have. Intel is using non-realistic benchmarks.

Great, I hope someone runs the same benchmarks on these parts and it all comes out on who has the better product not who has the best paper launch or marketing.

My 2 cents

T Korrick

Subject: Windows XP execution date set

Hi Paul,

Oh dear, very silly of Microsoft. Two things will happen - piracy of the platform will increase (and it will be interesting to see Microsoft justify financial losses on a product they are no longer marketing), and you'll see people snapping up Windows XP discs and selling them on eBay.

Of course, you can find Windows XP on eBay already - but you can never really be sure that it's genuine or not. Furthermore, by the time you actually find out, the seller already has your money...

Methinks there is a lot of money to be made, simply by buying up stocks of the OS before January and then selling them at inflated prices on eBay. Given Vista's hardware requirements, it'd still be cheaper for people to pay my prices than to upgrade. It might be exactly like ticket touting, but if it works for the touts, it can work for me...

I await the deadline, licking my lips...

Oliver

Subject: E-Mails

Hey Paul,

you used an E-Mail account for 10 years and never ever backed them up to some local drive?!

Well.. to be one of the first whose e-mail will be deleted in about 10 years :D

Greets
Tobi

Subject: Wii Wii

I think the Wii is alright, but centered more toward children and family. So, it will sell well to that crowd, of course.

The PS3 will always sell, as well as any crap that Sony throws out. Not even because it's a good product, but because it's another Playstation. Granted, it's a decent product.. but not even half as good as the PS or PS2 were when they released (given features of their time).

The 360 is nice. It will not only bring in the Xbox cult, but also the techies who like to mod and hack. The idea that the DVD can still be used and copied makes it even more of a sweetspot for those who are tech-savvy. On top of this, you can use it as a media center. I don't have the money to throw around for making a completely new media center, and when I found out all you can do with it, It was even a selling point for the squaw (or wife, in regular terms.) Either way, it's really enjoyable and worth every penny.

I have always bought Sony products, but I thought that the latest release was a bit to extreme. The 360 I have is about to play Divx/Xvid.. already plays WMV.. hooks up to about any media player I know.. and does what I want and doesn't seem to look as bright and cartoony as my friend's PS3 gameplay... and that's a good thing.

I haven't had a chance to mess with the Wii anywhere else but at best buy, but the graphics didn't seem that great. I would buy it for my son, because it's that type of system. Just like I would have bought him a gamecube. But, for what I like to do, the xbox is ideal. I don't know what percentage of users I account for, but I don't see how it's reasonable to believe that the Wii will take over gaming.

It's like buying cars. Just because the Ford F150 is the most selling vehicle in the history of the automobile, doesn't mean that it's meant for everyone. Some people like sports cars and others like minivans. And if you like Nintendo, you'd probably like a Wii car... like, an echo.. or scooter.

Mataroo

Subject: Intel Blog

I read your article about Pat Gelsinger's blog. I went to the site and then clicked "Meet the Bloggers." I am probably missing something, but it appears that verbage under each person's name is a little off:

http://blogs.intel.com/technology/authors

Aaron

Subject: dell vista upgrade

This is dells solution to customers concerns of vista upgrades.see for yourself at

http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/02/28/7088.aspx?CommentPosted=tr ue#commentmessage

The Dell Express Upgrade Team said: Thank you for your aggravation in the Dell "Express" Upgrade Program for Microsoft Windows Vista.

The Microsoft Windows Vista Software Kits orders are shipping in the order that is most convenient to us, and we expect to ship all of the pre-ordered Vista Upgrade units to all the important countries by tomorrow, and yours by Christmas, 2007.

An email may also be sent including the carrier tracking number once your Express Upgrade to Windows Vista has actually been shipped (Dell recommends that customers don't hold their breath).

"Sincerely", The Dell Express Upgrade Team April 11, 2007 9:02 PM

This is dells response to mine and others frustration in getting our vista upgrade.

Hp sent mine out weeks ago

sglass

Subject: Barcelona to kick Intel in the balls

Barcelona's performance is a known fact, despite the Intel hype.

Intel has always used "selective" benchmarks to deceive the naive and gullible. Application performance is what actually matters to anyone with a clue. Sure the dumbass fanboys may like benchmark bragging rights, but these kids are clueless fools.

Jorge

Subject: hotmail deleted 10 years email

Are you sure you are able to save 10 years of emails when 10 years ago, the size of the mail box is merely 2MB.

Or you have nothing better to write already. Find better things than this to write dude.... Don't waste ur life.

choong

Subject: AMD claims Barcelona K10 will knock Intel dead

Guiseppe Amato, AMD's European technical director, said: "Barcelona is an architecture that must be faster."

that doesnt mean it will be faster. this sentence doesnt make any sence and he can later explain it however he wants.

* THE BRIEFINGS could well be linked to the fact that it's Intel's Developer Forum in Beijing next week and AMD may not be able to organise publicity stunts as it used to do in Palm Springs and San Francisco. On the other hand, we hear that Hector Ruiz is in Beijing next week...

they are too greedy to spend money on it, thats why. they think they can save money this way. somebody should tell them that they should stop spending money alltogether, they would get to their goal much quicker, save a huge amount of money and then bankrupt the company.

Sascha Krohn

Subject: Romero Article

Hi there,

Not a flame as such, but had you bothered to read between the lines, Romero is bound to say that 360 and PS3 have had their day, and that MMORPG's on PC are the way to go, because he's promoting a project he's working on - yes you guessed it - a MMORPG on a PC.

OK, so the guy made some groundbreaking games in his time. However, recently he's made no groundbreaking trends - just spewed out rehashed workings of original ideas.

Every dog has its day. Mr Romero has had his and his comments are largely rubbish.

Consoles will always be necessary for those people who don't want to fudge around a bloated overhyped OS on a PC with masses of in game tweaking just to get the game working.

To put it bluntly - he's talking crap. Consoles are consoles, PC's are PC's, they both offer different experiences. Neither will die out, but simply evolve into media hubs.

Gavin Morgan

Subject: Windows XP execution date set

--- "The OEM version of XP Professional goes next January... At that point, they'll have no choice." ---

As long as we can sell back Vista to the OEM, we have a choice. I doubt that Microsoft plans to remove all Windows XP Retail boxes from shelves.

The way I see it, if you sell Vista back to the OEM and buy XP off the shelf, you should have some cash left over.

Nate

Subject: Windows XP execution date set

I can't believe they did not start this the day Vista released. I know MS and the FEDS want everyone to use the DRM infected spyware called Vista. I picked up a OEM full edition copy of XP from newegg with free shipping the weekend before Vista released for about 50 pounds ($90). Right after Vista released all the OEM versions were gone and the only ones available was the full retail for $180.

I plan on putting XP on my 24" iMac under boot-camp for gaming. Waiting for Leopard to release and hopefully Apple releases the remodeled sleeker black version have heard rumors of. A update (option) to the 8600GT video card in the 24" iMac would be nice too.

Have a great day,
Glenn

Subject: Two politicians defend taking Apple money

I am from Michigan and let me tell you this is not going to go over well. The State budget is not looking good and to line Apple's (and likely their) wallets with money so kids and listen to education information. No I think it would be used to listen to illegally downloaded music so they can ignore the teachers even more. Republicans likely did the same thing, but that was when they had the extra money avaluable in the budget to waste on frivalous things like this. Like Apple is not going to buy them an extra house somewhere if this deal gets approved. Sad really. Also there is the problem with what education media they will be listening to. Is this going to replace text books, which are horribly outdated and overpriced? Is the State going to spend even more to proved other sorces of media to actually play on them? What was the point of adding computers and updated AV systems to the schools. Are there going to be more lawsuits because of kids getting sued for downloading music from KaZaA or LimeWire? Are the schools going to be sued by parents for hearing loss in their children. This has got to be the dumbest idea I have ever heard... even worse then giving a 10 year old kid a $2000 laptop that will likely just get dropped or stollen withing the first week anyways.

Tabbott

Subject: Wikipedia is FUBAR

Have you tried to click on the links inside the "References" section of any article?

Some link to Geocities and other free web hosts, blogs, forums posts, dead links, etc, among some very obviously unreliable pages.

But since the article cites its references and sources, it's considered reliable in the ever twisted judgement of the mighty wikipedians.

The fact is that its contributours are mostly arrogant pubescents who pose as scientists and are governed by a dubious hierarchy and thousands of interwined, conflicting rules wide open for corrupt interpretations.

But its articles are fooling a lot of people with their formal encyclopedic language and appearance, and most important search engines are mistakenly gathering results from there, which always appears as top hits.

The Internet may be not always a reliable source for research, but the Wikipedia certainly isn't.

Assume good faith!
Mycelo

Subject: "Microsoft has always taken the position that DRM is a bad idea."

Abronow states that the only reason why Microsoft includes DRM in their newer products is because of the recording industry. If this is true, then why do they also include garbage like product activation and WGA? Surely the recording industry doesn't mandate these forms of DRM as well.

If Microsoft was truly and completely against DRM, they wouldn't include activation and WGA.

Joe H.

Subject: Windows XP execution date set

"According to APC by early 2008, Microsoft will oblige its army of box-shifers to ship Vista and ditch XP."

I hope by then that 2GB of notebook memory is cheap. Currently I can still find plenty of low end systems with 512MB, and upgrding to 2GB would currently add 15-25% to low end notebooks.

Martin