* Posts by Doug Glass

1445 publicly visible posts • joined 11 Feb 2008

Microsoft harries XP-loving biz customers on to Windows 7

Doug Glass
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I Guess We'll See ...

... how much clout Microsoft really has. My old company (20,000+ PCs) took almost two years to migrate from Windows NT and Office 2000 to XP and Office 2003 once they were released. Lots of testing we were told.

Oh well, my suspicions are Microsoft will just have to wait a while. And given the economy, it may be quite a while.

Microsoft purges AutoRun from older Windows

Doug Glass
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How Simple Can It Be???

For XP Pro, create a .reg file with this line:

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping\Autorun.inf]

@="@SYS:DoesNotExist"

You can then create an "undo" .reg file that simply removes this entry from the registry.

For XP Home use TweakUI

Hubble back in form with stunning new images

Doug Glass
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Colorized

Everyone does realize the original pictures are taken in black and white, color is added later and there's no assurance the color added is actually what your eye would perceive.

http://www.hubblesite.org/gallery/behind_the_pictures/meaning_of_color/index.php

"Taking color pictures with the Hubble Space Telescope is much more complex than taking color pictures with a traditional camera. For one thing, Hubble doesn't use color film — in fact, it doesn't use film at all. Rather, its cameras record light from the universe with special electronic detectors. These detectors produce images of the cosmos not in color, but in shades of black and white.

Finished color images are actually combinations of two or more black-and-white exposures to which color has been added during image processing.

The colors in Hubble images, which are assigned for various reasons, aren't always what we'd see if we were able to visit the imaged objects in a spacecraft. We often use color as a tool, whether it is to enhance an object's detail or to visualize what ordinarily could never be seen by the human eye."

Firefox 4.0 developers granted year of living dangerously

Doug Glass
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Crashing Firefox

In Windows XP SP3:

Install FF 3.5.x and also install the "IE Tab" addon at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/search?q=ie+tab&cat=all.

Then go to some site of your choice, maybe http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us. Without doing anything else, close FF by clicking the upper right corner red box "X" to close.

It doesn't have to be the Windows update site, but every time I invoke IE Tab, and then click the "X" FF 3.5.x crashes. Could be me, dunno, does it on four XP machines ... no matter.

Apple Store pillaged in 31 seconds

Doug Glass
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Isn't This Just...

... "hardware sharing"? Looks to be the same as "file sharing" where what's legally yours is now illegally a lot of people's.

Oh well, just the next step in the "sharing mentality" maybe.

Judge acquits mother in MySpace suicide case

Doug Glass
FAIL

The Way It Is

Albeit the woman is a totally reprehensible, subhuman piece of trash, in the end we are all responsible for our own lives and our own decisions. The child needed help and should have gotten it years ago. The parents, who were likely no more than idle bystanders, must carry a huge portion of that burden and they will never escape their guilt.

If human nature is what I think it is, this woman has escaped nothing. She has to live with herself and more than likely that will be the only person who has anything to do with her for the rest of her miserable life. Which is as it should be; society has a way of punishing people in the most appropriate ways.

Once the media flash passesm as it always does, daily life for her is going to be horrendous. As well it should be.

Blazing laptop of death claims one

Doug Glass
FAIL

@The Indomitable Gall

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/ You might want to read about batteries and their myths and truths.

Of course charge/discharge cycles kill batteries (some faster than others) but that's what they are designed to do ... be used up. Walking wears your knee and ankle joints too ... do you plan on stopping walking? Nothing is permanent and in the case of batteries their replacement is intentionally made easier for that vary reason.

You remind me of a friend who bought the soundtrack of a movie he loved but wouldn't listen to it because he was afraid he'd get to the point of not liking it.

US music publishers sue online lyrics sites

Doug Glass
FAIL

@Fozzy 1

Do you think corporations and these organizations have any measure of respect for "the web community"? The web to them is a toy and communities are populated by misanthropes incapable of meaningful and normal communication.

FSF launches Windows 7 anti-upgrade letter campaign

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@Crazy Operations Guy

Well said! The Linux guys truly don't get it. They just have no understanding of how the corporate IT machine works. The letter is proof of that. In my former company, Linux was a term used when hobbies were talked about. Some people do take it seriously and some inroads have been made. But the truth is, Linux simply isn't a fit with the corporations. It's not taken seriously and it never will be until and unless it can be moved out of the "hobby" room.

Doug Glass
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In Theory

Sounds good in theory, but these guys are clueless when it come to how corporations work.

Mininova flattened by Dutch court

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@Jaowon

Aren't you going to publish it? You must know the process so since you brought it up what don't you write a little desktop procedure outlining the steps.

I mean, you know, sort of put your money where your mouth is. Kinda, sorta.

Office 2010 to come loaded with WGA's bastard child

Doug Glass
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@Dave 8

A turtle is ferrying animals across a river so they can escape a forest fire. The scorpion repeatedly asks to be taken but the turtle refuses. Finally all the animals are across except the scorpion who pleads his case one last time. He convinces the turtle by telling him that it would be foolish for a scorpion to sting him because then he would die as well. About halfway across the river, the scorpion indeed does sting the turtle. The turtle, dying, asks why since now they would both die. The scorpion responds, "Because it is my nature".

They can't help it Dave 8 ... it is their nature

Doug Glass
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@Dave 8

They're a corporation and it's just their nature. Said the scorpion to the turtle.

Doug Glass
FAIL

One More Reason ...

... to stick with Office 2003. Or even OpenOffice.

Anti-virus forgetfulness fubars Fox forecast

Doug Glass
FAIL

IT Fail

In "American" corporations, this is the responsibility of the IT folk. Looks like IT done Fail a-gin. Hehehehe

Doug Glass
FAIL

@Anonymous Coward

You are as ignorant as you are prolific; but I love ya anyway.

... end ...

Microsoft to encircle Google and Apple with Windows Mobile split

Doug Glass
FAIL

Dear Stevie,

Too little; too late.

Finger crossing won't lure iPhone coders to Windows Mobile

Doug Glass
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BOB

They should have revived the BOB team and set them loose.

Windows XP customers positive but split on Windows 7

Doug Glass
FAIL

@shawnfromnh

Ditto !!

My vehicle is a 1999 Ford F150 pickup truck. It gets 22 MPG (small V-6), rides very comfortably, is easy getting into and out of for an arthritic old fart, is 99% cosmetically, Insurance is <$300/year and it's 100% paid for. I like it, it's almost a classic ... I like it a lot. But the new models are nice: they ride well, get good gasoline mileage, and they look good. But, it's simply not worth paying, oh, $20,000 to get a minor upgrade to something I already have and like. After all I AM a human clunker so I fit my four-wheeled "clunker" quite well. I'm just waiting for the O-BAM-Uh administration to start the "get the old 'clunkers' out of society" program. Unlike the metal ones, flesh and blood clunkers fight back.

XP is like my truck ... a comfortable old friend who treats me well and does for me all the right things. I'm no Linux devote`, but if I were going to have to learn a a whole new OS, I'd opt for Ubuntu 9.04. I have it dual booted with XP Pro on my beta test box and it's very nice. Still rough around the edges, but every release is "getting there".

US telcos reject broadband cash as connections drop

Doug Glass
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Connectus Interruptus

Those of us in the Viagra generation are used to sudden and unplanned disconnects. I advise those not there yet to get ready.

Microsoft warns of 'irreparable harm' on court's Word injunction

Doug Glass
FAIL

Since When ...

... is using what you have (or a competent alternate) a "major public disruption"? This man is totally out of touch with the computing public. If I were told I couldn't buy a new Chevrolet, I'd just keep driving what I have now or buy a Ford, BMW or whatever. Compatibility issues can be worked out and there is a work-around after all.

Stevie boy must be experiencing a low blood potassium level; we need to send him more bananas.

Most gamers fat and miserable, finds study

Doug Glass
FAIL

Plain Crap

Who did the survey means nothing. Who validated it is a key point.

If they polled the same number of people in one of our over-crowded penitentiaries they'd have reached the conclusion that some large proportion of them have prior arrest records.

Conclusions are meaningless unless you have the details of the study.

Dell: Linux v Windows netbook returns a 'non-issue'

Doug Glass
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@Martin Owens

Just to strike a balance, I've had the exact opposite experience you had. I converted 20 to Ubuntu (8.04 I think) and all but 2-3 of them wanted Windows XP back. And when they got it, they were quite satisfied.

shock_wave has the perfect solution; let them choose for themselves. Uniformed or not, ignorant or not, they have the right to choose. And currently the choosing is leaving Linux a very distant also-ran. For whatever reason, Windows IS king. Whether you like it or not Windows IS king. And until the Linux community gets organized, creates a common product and begins a successful marketing campaign, Windows IS going to remain king.

Twitter is mainly pointless babble and other rubbish

Doug Glass
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Babble

I am reading this article now.

Stephen Hawking both British and not dead

Doug Glass
FAIL

Idiots Among US

Neither of the major US political parties (or their supporters and followers) have a corner on the idiot market; there's plenty to go around on both sides. And that seems to be a common thread worldwide in fact.

Microsoft railroads little man with Office Live U-turn

Doug Glass
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"Because It Is My Nature"

A turtle was happily swimming along a river when a scorpion hailed it from the shore.

"Dear friend turtle!" called the scorpion. "Please let me climb upon your back and swim me to the other side of the river!"

"No," replied the turtle, "for if I do, you shall sting me, and I shall die."

"Nonsense!" replied the scorpion. "If I kill you in the middle of the river, you shall sink, and I shall drown and die with you."

The turtle thought this over, and saw the truth of the scorpion's statement. He let it upon his back and began swimming towards the other side of the river. Halfway across, he felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck.

"Why have you stung me?!" cried the turtle as his body began to stiffen. "Now you shall die as well!"

The scorpion simply replied, "Because it is in my nature".

Bill Gates-funded boffins develop anti-AIDS stealth condom

Doug Glass
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"Solidifies"

So does concrete. Gives a whole new meaning to the term "hard".

Ubuntu man extends olive branch to irate Debian devs

Doug Glass
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Taken To Extremes

If this is an attempt to truly organize various Linux factions into a cohesive group, then Microsoft better take note.

A major difference between MS and Linux development is the organizational philosophy or each. MS is a focused group under a single directorate whereby Linux is free ranging with very little, if any, organization between/among major distros. If those distros could ever get organized and act as single unit, that unit would be a major force for MS to content with. It's one thing to fight off bees one at a time; it's an entirely different situation if the whole hive attacks you.

Good organization breeds synergy and synergy in the Linux community is the one thing MS doesn't want to see. In fact, given the brainpower, the innovative ability, and the right-thinking that would be organized, MS wouldn't stand a chance.

Microsoft secures web Office XML patent

Doug Glass
Go

New Definition?

I guess I just never realized "renaissance" and "clone" meant the same. I had always [mistakenly] understood renaissance to mean something new and better coming out of old rubbish. Or some such.

I learn something every day. And today I learned just how desperate Sun must be. Since we all know imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I can imagine the smile on Mr. Balmer's face.

Brazilian TV ad: Save water, piss in the shower

Doug Glass
Pint

Just Hold IT Now

They must have HUGE bladders or else they shower several times a day or else they don't drink beer or else they must have showers at work or..............

Murdoch says Page 3 won't be free from next year

Doug Glass
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Can't See It

I don't pay to read his sites now (never even visited them I know of) and I damn sure wont now. He chooses to charge; I choose not to buy. Simple.

IT grad sues school over failed job hunt

Doug Glass
FAIL

Corporate Death

One sure way of convincing a corporation NOT to hire you is to position yourself as a troublemaker and willing to sue at the slightest hint of dissatisfaction. This ignorant little squirt has just committed her own personal version of corporate suicide. Who in their right mind would ever hire someone who has already filed suit and never even had a job? Not me brother, I don't need that kind of attitude no matter how good an IT person she is. She may be a whiz-band IT type, but when it comes to understanding the world about her she's a dismal failure if this stunt is a valid indicator.

May as well become a teacher, they aren't listen to by anybody and they keep getting paid. I know....I wuz one for a time.

If you're going to be dumb; you'd better be tough.

Blade Runner tops sci-fi movie poll

Doug Glass
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Others

I kunda like "The Day the Earth Stood Still" with Michael Rennie, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", "This Island Earth", "Forbidden Planet", "War of the Worlds" with Gene Barry and "The Time Machine" with Rod Taylor. But I guess these are too old and dreary (read that as great stories but less CGI) to count.

Oh well, at least I have "Dr. Who".

Microsoft under threat from Linux - it's official

Doug Glass
FAIL

End of the Line

The data for this report has been ready for months. Knowing that, one wonders why Microsoft hasn't already shed their low-down and self destructive ways. They can't because of who they are and they are Microsoft. They're just too big and too slow to react ... not to mention their inability to produce genuinely innovative products. Do they really believe Windows 7 (version 6.1; Vista is version 6 too) is actually anything more than the latest service pack for Vista? Yes, they do and they will keep believing it until they actually reach the General Motors stage in their corporate life. And it's still doubtful GM has really learned their lesson.

Microsoft is a dinosaur heading down the path of self-ruin; the global economy doesn't need that to happen. But the sad fact is Microsoft is run by a corporate individuals who still work in the economics of the '60s. They hire people who can help and then relegate them to the basement doing meaningless tasks and then claim they are moving forward.

The Emperor has no clothes and Microsoft is doomed to utter failure. I'm guessing within the next five years.

Pirate Bay mouthpiece puts a zip on it

Doug Glass
Pint

Thieves Take Note

Rats leaving a sinking ship

Jupiter takes a serious knock

Doug Glass
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@Anonymous Coward

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds

"The War of the Worlds (1898) is an early science fiction novel by H. G. Wells, describing an invasion of late Victorian England by Martians using tripod fighting machines, equipped with advanced weaponry. It is a seminal depiction of an alien invasion of Earth."

Boston student fined thousands for Napstering

Doug Glass
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Just Deserts

Serves the thief right. The rest of you content criminals better take note; you're next.

World whines as AT&T muzzles 4chan, Google

Doug Glass
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<yawn>

BFD. Those who support AT$T get what they deserve, and they pay to get it. What the author fails to recognize is the non AT$T supporters (clients) just don't give a damn and those that buy the AT$T line, well, in reality 99.99% of them don't either.

Small but vocal minorities always get the headlines these days because most of today's writers are incapable of real journalism. The best they can do is publish something that grabs your eye whether it's truthful or not. Witness the incredibly small number of internet users who grumble about the pirate bay boys getting convicted, the loss of their "right" to steal, and the desire for certain criminals to go without prosecuted. Plenty of indignant copy there even though the world at large wants these guys capped.

But I do agree with the author on one point, where are the real protests that have the possibility of causing change? Most internet "protesters" are simply ill educated, poorly prepared near-do-wells who have a keyboard and enjoy shooting their mouth off and hiding behind internet anonymity. It's easy to be mouthy and controversial when nobody can see your face. No doubt these same people go to work and smile at the boss and say "Yes sir" or "yes ma'am" and just do as they're told. Or as I suspect get on the bus and trundle off to school only to miss the hoop and be laughed at by the jocks.

Oh well, I do love a good clown act on the internet there is an unending supply. Like right here.

Microsoft's about turn: Windows 7 tech testers will get free copy of OS

Doug Glass
Joke

The Key

Do you suppose the children will also get a free Key Code to go along with the free program? Or is that implied in the statement from MS?

Oh what the hell. I tried it and I like Ubuntu 9.04 better. But 7 will sell like nobody's business and MS will turn a profit and God will stay in his Heaven and all will be right with the world.

Where's the banana tag???

Dutch court clogs Pirate Bay

Doug Glass
Thumb Up

Uh Oh

The store is closed....thieves report elsewhere.

Microsoft ultra-thins to 'out cool' netbooks, Apple

Doug Glass
Gates Horns

Round Man

If SB thinks thin is cool, he must have a pretty low opinion of he personal coolness. One too many bananas me thinks.

McKinnon loses judicial review

Doug Glass
Thumb Up

He Did It ...

He did the deed, he did it against the USofA and he will be tried here. Drop it boys, the criminal lost and since our system of laws is based on our former owner's it'll be done right.

Send him on...we're waiting.

Ballmer: People don't 'get' Microsoft's Yahoo! marriage

Doug Glass
Thumb Down

S&M

"Smoke and Mirrors" People didn't "get" Bernie Maddoff either; they just trusted him and we see where that went.

Thumbs down because SB obviously believes if you can't convince them; confused them.

HP excessive packaging world record put to the test

Doug Glass
Pint

The Mailroom Clerk ...

... must have been given the job of taking out the trash. Nothing more than a typical corporate tact of getting it off my desk and onto yours.

Want Gmail? Best have your mobile handy

Doug Glass
Pint

Misanthropic

As a selective misanthrope, I take great pleasure in any situation that potentially shelters me from the constant din of spurious human babbling.

This is almost as good as being banned for life by AOL.

UK space programme suffers serious setback

Doug Glass
Pint

"Who ...

... Moved My Cheese", Spencer Johnson. Happens to the best of us.

Seagate forced to think about the next small big thing

Doug Glass
FAIL

Size Matters ...

... but only if you can keep it up for long periods of time. I'd like to see reliability get significant improvements, especially from Seagate. Having sent four drives to Seagate for warranty replacement recently (one was a replacement drive from them) I really wish they'd take a lesson.

IE icon too familiar for Microsoft EU settlement?

Doug Glass
FAIL

Simple Fix?

Remove all the logos, have only their text names and have them alphabetized left to right. That's about a three minute re-programming fix.

Of course, idiots love to argue over insignificant things so this will likely take months to fix.

Microsoft airbrushes anti-Apple ad

Doug Glass
Thumb Up

BFD

The message is still the same, people understand spending less, and the whole Apple bitching thing just gave Microsoft greater attention. And greater attention in these cases always translate to greater market share. After all, MS IS in it to make a profit.

Let the fanboys rant. All their squaking just serves Microsoft's interests.

Electropulse weapon fear spreads to UK politicos

Doug Glass
Pint

Not New

This has been a "fear" for decades. It was even the "demon" of the TV series "Dark Angle" (2000) whereby an EMP pulse instantaneously plunges a major portion of "advanced" world into third world nation status.

Better be worried about the neutron bomb too while you're at it. This masterpiece of "mass destruction" is an air burst that emits strong neutron radiation that kills pretty much all living things but doesn't harm non living stuff. There was a reference to this in the movie "Beverly Hills Cop" where one of the songs by The Pointer Sisters was "Neutron Dance". To wit, "Blows people away but leaves buildings standing".

And of course there's chemical and biological warfare that would wipe out most of us.

Damn, just worry about what you want, I'm going water skiing and I plan to eat real meat, fried chips, watermelon, ice cream and drink real beer. I don't worry, I have the rest of the world to do that.