We'll never buy Longhorn either

Subject: No kidding ! (64 bits is the future, says Gates)
It may well be that His Billness has a touch more insight when it comes to processors than he did when it came to devining the importance of the Internet, but in truth, it takes no crystal ball to guess that 64-bit CPUs will take over the world.
Even if you ignore the trend of the PC industry since its inception, the future is full of the notion of security and communication, which have somewhat of a problem coexisting in the same space-time continuum. Therefor encryption is getting a big boost, and real-time encryption/decryption of 1024-bit RSA keys is something that hogs humongous amounts of CPU power. Not to mention that real-time full-screen game graphics is very demanding too, as is home video composition.
All these applications are best served by 64-bit CPUs, therefore it will happen. The only thing that is good about Sir Billy's statement is the possibility that, since He noticed, Longhorn just might be a little bit better crafted than if He hadn't noticed.
Pascal.

Subject: I'll never buy Longhorn
I think Mr. Peterson makes some valid points, but I also think he ignores the realities of the consumer market, bells and whistles sell. To be perfectly honest, I still am quite happy running Win2K, but I also feel XP has some nice improvements to the GUI. I do have my doubts as to the need for a big boost hardware wise for XP, and suspect they could have been just as easily been added to Win2K with minimal impact, but MS has decided every new OS needs to be overhauled from the ground up, and this is where I think MS has gone wrong.
It would be one thing if MS was really going to build a new OS from the ground up, but the requirement that it be backwards compatible back to the Stone Age prevents that. That requirement inevitability leads MS developers down same path as the past with all its flaws and weaknesses. It's why I think MS should move to an evolutionary path instead of this toss it all and never quite get it right until about the day it becomes unsupported.
I think MS eroded quite badly by not having an NT4.1 server, and so on. At the same time, I think MS decision to have their server OS based on it's consumer OS's is a huge mistake. All those bells and whistles open the doors to numerous security issues, and provide little in return. Novell had it right in its old Netware products, with a basic text interface running on the server, and a management GUI that ran on a remote workstation so the server didn't have the overhead of the GUI on it. At that point since the server doesn't have to deal with it, you can really go hog-wild design wise on the GUI since the entire load is on the workstation running it.
Also I think I should note, the latest Linux distributions are about as bloated as Windows, I know someone is probably going flame me for that statement, but there is a lot of truth in it. Anyone who is really honest can't deny this, but at least with Linux you don't have to install all the crap. Don't want a GUI, don't install it, no need for a media player the same goes for it. With Windows, sorry Charley, you got to take it all even if you have no need for it.
Jay

Subject: I'll never buy Longhorn
regarding longhorn; scott peterson is so damn right about it all . great letter
Mark
ps someone needs to forward a copy to BnB, bill and ballmer

Subject: I won't buy Longhorn either
Hi, daily reader and fan of theINQUIRER.net since sometime around January of this year.
I just don't see the need for a spectacular-looking Operating System like, ahem, Scott Peterson brought up (wonder if it's the guy on death row right now?) Anyway, An operating system that has less processes, a simple interface, and that doesn't use up a lot of ram and graphical processing power will be the operating system I'll buy. I don't want a mega-powerful OS eating up half my computer power, while I'm trying to play Doom III. I want nearly all of my computer's juice to be focused solely on applications that were supposed to get that power in the first place. Namely, Half-Life 2, Doom III, Counter-Strike: Source, etc. I don't want a shiny, sparkly, high-detailed Microsoft Word. Whats the point of a typing program that looks good? Most everyone are fine with a word-processing program that looks plain. As can I. Would I want a bland looking program that doesn't lag, or a amazing looking program that lags like hell? You make the call. For now, I'm waiting until Microsoft can make a "Windows Lite" that has all the features of Windows, same interface, just minimal processes running in the background. I'm looking for an OS that uses less than 100 mb ram to operate.
Currently, I start up XP and 133mb of my precious ram is being used up, with no programs running.
Heineken
P.S.: Looking forward to more R520 and G70 coverage. I'm planning on using SLI or AMR for my next system.

Subject: no to Longhorn
IDIOT, 9x is dead and if we all had your outlook, we wouls still be in caves eating raw meat.
Helmut

Subject: spelling errors
If some of you cheapskates would break down and put out some money for Linspire 5.0 your spelling would automatically be corrected as you write your emails, maybe not grammar but certainly words would be spelled correctly. A computer and operating system are suppose to make you look smarter. If your operating system is not making you look smarter than maybe its time to change to Linspire 5.0 so at least you can appear to be getting smarter.
Linspire 5.0, a small price to pay for looking smarter.
W.A

Subject: Articles
I love your articles because there are concise and to the point. I hate reading CNET and other stupid news sites that has articles that are several pages long when they can be summarized in 2-3 paragraphs. You know how to get to the point and ignore that other Bullshit that doesn't add anything. I got a shotgun ready one day if you ever start writing like CNET. And I don't care about the spelling. I sppell graet to.

Subject: Linux Distro companies are FUBAR ! (The real Window for Linux)
UNFORTUNATELY the folks who make the Linux distros HAVE NO CLUE about marketing or what a USER FRIENDLY O/S should look like. These people ARE geeks and they think that they are selling to fellow GEEKS, and that is the problem. We've tried several versions of SuSe including 9.0 Linux, and NONE of them would install basic PC hardware like a 3Com modem (NOT a Win modem), CD/DVD players, USB, etc. This is simply UNACCEPTABLE and SuSe's so called Tech Support is a sick joke of an insult that you pay for when you purchase the FULL RETAIL PRODUCT at $100. a copy !!!
Most people are not interested in becoming O/S or programming GEEKS. A PC is a TOOL for most consumers. The Linux people have yet to develop a distro that installs without a bunch of hide and seek crap that the purchaser must find online just to install the hardware. Until the Linux folks GET A CLUE Linux will never achieve any notable desktop presence, which is a real shame when it is so superior to the CRAP from MICROSUCKS !!!
The Linux mfgs. are simply in DENIAL and they are missing the window of opportunity, which they are NOT geared to deal with any ways. IGNORANCE truly appears to be bliss for these folks...
Randy

Subject: Tiny freezers promise fab semi overclocking
It doth sound fabulous dothent it. However you still have to get rid of all of that energy that the cooler unit shifts across to the semiconductor. In the case of some processors some 120 watts. My vision is this lovely little solid state cooling device, with a dirty great heatsink and fan attached.
What else is new. Lol
Rog

Subject: Response to I'll never buy Longhorn

Hello.. is this statement your words, or a quote from someone else? Either way.. who ever said it.. “never say never”... Microsoft has ways of forcing new OS's upon people.. for instance, most software, utilities, games, etc. made today will not run on anything but Win2k/XP and higher... so companies still make stuff with Win98/ME in mind, but the support for those OS's is quickly fading away. I just downloaded a bunch of new software/utilities and they don't support anything but 2k/XP or just XP. Also.. I bought Doom3 and Doom3:RoE, they to support nothing but 2k/XP. So.. 5 years from now.. it will start getting the same way for WinXP.. if you want to use the latest software/utilities, and/or play the latest games .. you'll be forced to upgrade.

Subject: Dual Core Frenzy
Hi Mike,
It is funny how Intel and AMD are competing with each other on the dual core CPUs. It is has been said before on the website, they weren't the first, IBM HP beat them to it. What's the point in having dual core? With IBM and HP it is quite clear, they use their tin for servers or for machines doing computational intensive tasks, not rarely using the software with a pricetag to match. Not the sort of stuff we use at home. Consider the following, for how long have we been "enjoying" the fruits of Hype(rthreading)? 2, 3 years? How many programs have been written or rewritten that take advantage of this? Even games, generally always pushing the limits on hardware have been slow to adapt for hyperthreading. The thing is, the software that has been rewritten, have been written to take advantage of a dual cpu environments in the first place, think render engines, or Photoshop. And while mentioning it, this type of software is "easily" rewritten to be multithreaded. There are whole books dedicated to writing "parallel code" and this isn't because it's so easy! Even worse, some code will simply perform slower because of the overhead needed to keep both cores happy! Ok, Intel and AMD are now battling it out on the new hype, and people will undoubtedly flock to buy them, just to have the "fastest" thing in the house... But before we actually get software that can take advantage of this, we might be some years down the road. Although I should not forget the VOLE, they always seem to be able to use more memory and cpu recourses, perhaps that's the thing one core just to run windows... perhaps I'm being too cynical here.
Kind regards, Michel Bury

Subject: Dell -- where those jobs came from.
I live in Tennessee where Dell has a manufacturing facility and a call center. Recently dell cut off almost all tech support from this call center and outsourced it to an undisclosed location. I know this because I was being interviewed for a position with Dell's technical support until they told me the position had been outsourced.
What they were hiring for though was a "help desk" position. Dell now sells "help desk" contracts where they will support many types of third party software. They claim they are trying to compete with BestBuy's “Geek Squad.”
My point here is this. They are being duplicitous by making all sales positions in the states where we speak english so that we can make the sell and then they outsource all of their tech support to a country where most of the people know less english than my four year old brother!
I just think it's funny that Dell is hiring all new staff just to support spyware removal and other "3'rd party software," and making people pay for the service. Charles

Subject: Dell to hire 2000 more Indians
It is truly amazing how much companies care about the bottom line and the bottom line only. They are struck with greed down to their very centers and King George W II doesn't make matters better by promoting outsourcing.
Most corporations say that outsourcing is good for the economy (I'm talking about the US since that is where I live. I'm sure it applies to other nations as well.) They claim that outsourcing reduces prices and makes their products cheaper. What they don't mention is that they take away jobs from the markets they sell in, which effectively REDUCES THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CAN BUY THE DAMN PRODUCT. I don't want to hear excuses about outsourcing (and in the US, bringing IN asians and mexicans to work) only applying to jobs that no one else wants to take. I can point out many people in my area that would love one of these jobs and people that are pissed because they lost their “undesirable” job to outsourcing. Corporations focus too heavily on greed and profits and it's costing us dearly. It costs us tech support that can actually speak English (or your native language in your nation.) It costs us well designed documentation. What we get is this poorly written documentation and software with text that is hard to read. I won't be surprised one bit if when I finish college, I can't find a job in the IT industry.
People who actually support companies like Dell and Microsoft* in their decision to outsource are clearly morons who can't think beyond what they've been told by the companies.
*With pricing like theirs, Microsoft DEFINATELY has no legitimate reason whatsoever to outsource. They deserve not one dime they make for this and other reasons.

Subject: Google maps can't find a pub
Do a search for Brothel and hit number 3 is “The National Trust”!!!!!!!!!
Doing a search for Sex Shops, offers Student Flights.
Doing a search for google offers “Staffordshire Moorlands District Council”!!!!!
Me thinks they need to do quite some work yet.
Rob Lee

Google maps can't find a pub
Hi Paul,
The UK Google maps always starts centred on Crewe, therefore any searches entered without a location will yield results around that area. Try double clicking on a location e.g. London and then hitting search.
Also notice that plural search terms ending in 's' tend to give results from Yell rather than place names.
Try centring the map on the orange dot representing London and entering 'teapots'. For some reason the Liberal Democrats are listed in the results (although not a #1 unfortunately :)).
Regards,
Paul.

Subject: I'll never buy Longhorn
(pre scriptum: This started out as a small ad about a nifty little os, but outgrew itself tenfold, so the subject might not match the content)
I quite agree, M$ has shipped high volume s*** for far too long, the problem lies in options. I like linux, but entry point for someone not accustomed to unix systems might be a bit high. Also looking at things like X, this is in fact the same s*** that the vole sells, but at least you don't have to pay for it (if you are running legally anyway). (Sorry if I made a large group of people angry about that one, it's probably not X but my desktop manager and my not-up-to-par computer, my poor choice of distro, and about 150 other more or less irrelevant things. btw I love my command line, but know some people who don't.)
To clarify:
I think that every programmer should be required to learn at least some assembly, not necessarily to use it every day, but to get a good respect for what a computer actually does (and to stop squandering my cycles. (Yes, go hide yourself under the table java and .net programmers.)
I want with this to make you aware of something called Menuet OS (http://www.menuetos.org/). Not because it's a great os with tons of applications and unparralelled productivity options, because it isn't (mind you it isn't even finished to use by the common man). What is it about this os that makes it stand apart, well you get a fast reacting, nice looking desktop, with some standard applications, and a couple of games, and all this on the size of an 1.44Mb diskette.
Althou this isn't the perfect OS, one can learn from it that optimalization works. The perfect OS will never exist, but a close approximation may be acheved, but know that it will never be attempted by a company that makes money, either by support or sales, simply because when one reach this point one stop making money. So it is an established fact that if anything leads to development it is the open source community, not only in it self, but also in the companies that try to best the people making free software.
The main idea behind the perfect OS must be full of features opt-in style, shipping mainly a package of what one nees, and requiering to enable each feature that one wants, M$ has failed miserably at the opt-in part, but has done very good things in the ease of configuration, where linux, and I assume a great deal of other -nix'es, has failed horrably(again I might not have chosen the right distros). Rummaging trough a bunch of text files, attempting 102 different things to get my [AltGr] key to work isn't what I call userfriendlyness (It still doesn't work entirely as intended).
Neither OS'es has done a good job when it comes to ease of upgrading (Ok, the vole has done something, if you don't mind having you computer open to any person who want to see what you got, or "borrow" some resources. Where do you want to go today, actually means you are allowed to go into any computer you want to, that is running nifty doorways.) A good update manager would be a program you could run, and choose to _download_ the updates you want, and upgrade at ones leasure. It would also be nice if it was one single update manager for the whole OS and all the applications.
GUI is nice but should _not_ take a lot of resources. One does not need sliding menus, transparent windows, animated desktops, and a cheesecake to go. Call me sadist but I kind of like the AutoCAD HUD, the menu/toolbar driven system with a command bar, and a decent status bar. This of cource takes up some desktop space but at least you have all the things you commonly need at your fingertips. The .net feature with the hiding toolbars is also nifty as it allows for more usable space. But implementation of all this is a resource craving thing, and all the code for such should be optimized by skilled assembly programmers, post compilation.
Unfortunately most of these decisions are already made for most common systems, so I wish any developer taking on the task of building a new os, or desktop/window manager, or even a grafical configurator, good luck, not only because they need it, but in fact because so do the rest of the world.
Sincerely,
Espen
PS. I don't expect to gain any new friends after this 8)
PPS. If you are interested in some spiffy ideas for an os, do mail me, I have some ideas, but I should probably register them in the US' defective patenting system before voicing them too loud

Subject: Cookies
Hello
Mozilla has had a cookie manager ever since i have used it. Sadly now so does sesame street.
“Save a cookie feed a starving monster” (I should of been in marketing)
Everyone should yell this outside the BBC so cookie monster can have a proper meal once more. I know a site like yours could well have influence and sway over such an important issue.
If you can stand up for the IT industry why cant you stand up for a monsters right to his cookie. After all its only a small byte. :oP
perhaps you could start a support site. www.cookiezilla.co.uk i know many of your generous reader might help to pay for such a domain and i know how eager Intel was a few years back to invest in your site. (sadly the .com domain name was already taken :o()
I know, i know, im a few months late. Cant all be at the cutting edge of news. I leave that to the experts.
regards
William

Subject: Print newspaper circulation continues free fall
“Tame journalism” is an interesting phrase and after well over 2 years reading the Inq I'm not quite sure what you mean. I'll make the assumption you want to imply they're not aggressive enough getting to the facts, as if that's what you focus on. A lot of soul searching within the US media has indeed been going on in both print and video and accumulated of sorts in the “National Conference of Editorial Writers” in early Feb of this year.
Here's a segment:
The task force will contact all of the syndicates to go over questions that have been raised on this groupserv and elsewhere. This will allow us to compare how syndicates are set up to deal with issues like those that have come to the forefront this year and also ascertain how we can be effective in correcting factual errors.
Among the questions:
*How do you screen columnists and editorial cartoonists?
*Do you have an ethics policy?
*What policy do you follow if contracted columnists/cartoonists violate standard journalism ethics (regardless of where you have an individual ethics policy)?
*Do you have a fact-checking process for columnists? How does it work?
*When editorial writers or editors find a factual error in a column or cartoon, what effective means can be used to communicate that error and have a correction made?
Obviously they don't see it as an aggressive issue. They're concerned about ethics (tho only in 'editorials') and that's because they've gotten black eyes from alternative media. In other words, they're increasingly being held accountable as time goes on and beginning to understand a loss of readers and viewers are due to a lack of credibility. Free and abundant access to the internet is probably the biggest factor, but the 2 reasons are not separate.
I don't think they really get it, because they will never change. As far as 'facts' being reported, the Inq really doesn't understand, but the Inq doesn't care either... any definition can be used. Here's one recent example with broad implications for many in our mainstream media (MSM)...
The Iraqi elections took place after decades of brutal and tyrannical rule.
By any reasonable measure they became a testimony to the yearnings of millions of Iraq's citizens. If Bush was not in office Saddam would still rule. How did the MSM in our country react the day before the election?
Here's a typical example: ABC-TV's anchor Peter Jennings stated with what appeared to be perverse glee (disguised as fake concern): “All over Baghdad today there is no question that it looked like an occupation ? it looks as if the election process has been rejected.” This tame reporting was pervasive throughout our major paper and network coverage for months leading up to the event. Don't you understand Inq?
Enough people are making judgements and the old guard are gradually losing trust. In the last 6 months (I think) the LA Times lost 5.5%.
This is what I like to know ALSO concerning Iraq:
* Over 400,000 kids have had up-to-date immunizations.
* School attendance is up 80 percent from levels before the war.
* Over 1,500 schools have been renovated and rid of the weapons stored there so education can occur.
* The port of Uhm Qasar was renovated so grain can be off-loaded from ships faster.
* The country had its first $2 billion-barrel export of oil in August.
* Over 4.5 million people have clean drinking water for the first time ever in Iraq.
* The country now receives two times the electrical power it did before the war.
* 100 percent of the hospitals are open and fully staffed, compared to 35 percent before the war.
* Sewer and water lines are installed in every major city.
* Over 60,000 police are patrolling the streets.
* Over 100,000 Iraqi civil defense police are securing the country.
* Over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers are patrolling the streets side by side with U.S. soldiers.
* Over 400,000 people have telephones for the first time ever.
* Students are taught field sanitation and hand-washing techniques to prevent the spread of germs.
* An interim constitution has been signed.
* Girls are allowed to attend school.
* Textbooks that don't mention Saddam are in the schools for the first time in 30 years.
Yeah I know... I'm just boring you, but this is all true. Who do you know who wants to tell it?
Steve

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