Re: Perhaps Predictable
You're attempting to get a Tiger to pee in a bottle?! You've got bottle!
Posts by apjanes
85 publicly visible posts • joined 28 Apr 2011
True fact: Your CAT wees ... like a racehorse
You are ALL Americans now: Europeans offered same rights as US folks in data slurp leaks
Thursday 26th June 2014 08:21 GMT
Re: Human rights are non-negotiable
Unfortunately Trevor, our (speaking as a Canadian in the UK) government has completely sold out to the USA. Recent legislation is putting the Inter-governmental Agreement (IGA) between the USA and Canada in regard to FATCA as supreme over the constitution and charter of rights. Ultimately Canada is selling it's own sovereignty up the swanee for the sake of filthy lucre.
http://www.adcs-adsc.ca/About_ADCS.html
'World’s dumbest' suspect collared in Facebook sting
Wednesday 25th June 2014 15:55 GMT
Re: Elephant in the room
"Why didn't he knick the PC?"
We had our house burgled some years ago and at the time the police constable said that, contrary to popular belief, many thieves don't knick things like computers and tellies because they are too conspicuous. Instead, they prefer things they can just put in their pocket and walk off with (in our case cash and jewellery).
I guess heists involving electronic appliances would require more organisation like a van and some plausible cover for why it's parked in the driveway. It's unlikely that this guy would even be able to grasp the concept let alone organise the deed!
Microsoft: NSA security fallout 'getting worse' ... 'not blowing over'
Friday 20th June 2014 14:31 GMT
Re: Duh!!!
"The ageing bully that hasn't yet understood, that his time is over."
Absolutely. In addition to NSA shenanigans draconian laws such as FATCA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Account_Tax_Compliance_Act) and the excessive penalties the US are willing to use to force other countries to comply show that the US doesn't give two hoots about anyone but itself, including it's so called allies.
Torvalds rails at Linux developer: 'I'm f*cking tired of your code'
Tuesday 8th April 2014 12:15 GMT
Re: coding
It seems to me that there are bigger and more important things than "leading the biggest and most important software project in existence". Things like respect, kindness to others, basic tact and diplomacy, in my mind, overrule any perceived greatness. I believe Linus Torvald's would have enhanced any greatness he might have by dealing with this situation in a quieter, more private and lest shouty way.
Brawling neighbours challenge 'quiet' cul-de-sac myth
Thursday 13th March 2014 12:15 GMT
Cat Crap.... grrr.
It really is the bane of urban existence. This has been recognised in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada (and probably other enlightened cities I don't know about) and so, in the city by-laws the following exists:
5. (1) When a Dog or Cat defecates on any public or private property other than the property of its Owner, the Owner shall cause such faeces to be removed immediately.
(4) The running at large of Dogs or Cats is prohibited unless otherwise exempted by law.
(from: http://www.stjohns.ca/bylaws.nsf/nwByLawNum/1514)
This means that, if you have a cat and put it outside, you have to make sure it stays on your property or else it could be impounded. We could do with some laws like that around where I live!
Winklevoss twins say their Bitcoins will take them to SPAAAAACE
UK spies on MILLIONS of Yahoo! webcams, ogles sex vids - report
Imprisoned Norwegian mass murderer says PlayStation 2 is 'KILLING HIM'
The UNTOLD SUCCESS of Microsoft: Yes, it's Windows 7
Friday 14th February 2014 10:18 GMT 
Why all the rush
As a number of fellow posters have said, Windows 7 is a good OS and Windows 8 (even without the hated Metro interface) doesn't really provide enough extra to require and upgrade. Another regular theme in tech news is that XP is still running strong, despite Microsoft's efforts to kill it off.
To me that begs the question, if there are so many XP machines still needing upgrading to Windows 7 (which is truly a beneficial upgrade), why didn't Microsoft concentrate on marketing Windows 7, getting the revenue from remaining XP users, and instead spend a little more time over Windows 8 to produce a polished product that meets user needs and provides truly beneficial features?
Judge: Google owes patent troll a 1.36% cut of AdWords' BEELLIONS
Thursday 30th January 2014 08:22 GMT
Re: Hats off to the Troll who stabbed snoring Gulliver in the eyeball.
Indeed, I love seeing a bit of fight back from the little-man too. Unfortunately, I read the following about Vringo:
Shares outstanding: 84,125,738
Price per share: $4.790
From: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=VRNG#.UuoJoRB_uGc
If I read that right, it would make Vringo worth $402,962,285, not exactly a small company. Now had the patent belonged to Gary who lived in a three bedroom terrace in the center of Sheffield, THAT would have really made me cheer!
As it is, perhaps Vringo is more like Gulliver's little sister who just kicked him in the gonads, rather than a Lilliputian stabbing with a knitting needle sized spear while attempting to balance on Gulliver's left eyebrow! But even so, way to go sis!
Thursday 30th January 2014 08:11 GMT 
Whhhaaaattt???!
Perhaps I am a little slow or something, but have you READ any of that patent? From the abstract:
"The search engine system also employs a collaborative/content-based filter to make continuing searches for information entities which match existing wire queries and are ranked and stored over time in user-accessible, system wires corresponding to the respective queries."
WTF does that mean???! Perhaps I've worked in the wrong area, but in 15 years in the IT industry I have never even heard of wire queries and system wires, at least not in this context! I presume their not talking about that which connects my headphones to my laptop?!
IT executive at JP Morgan dies in fall from bank's London HQ
Thursday 30th January 2014 08:04 GMT
Re: Hmm...
"Are you advocating censorship on the grounds of 'taste'?"
I'm not advocating censorship at all. People ARE free to express what they wish, as they wish. What I am doing is trying to __encourage__ posters to show some sympathy and compassion in their posts by their own free choice. Ultimately should you choose not to, that is __your__ choice just like expressing my concern, dislike and disagreement is __mine__.
"Perhaps it is a little disturbing, but gallows humour is common"
It is worth noting that just as society as moved on from the gallows and now considers such methods barbaric and uncivilized. Perhaps we should also move away from it's humour. Just because something is common does not make it right and just because something can be expressed, doesn't mean it should be.
Wednesday 29th January 2014 20:39 GMT 
Hmm...
I find it a little disturbing that people make jokes about such a tragic incident especially as, being an IT guy, some of his family, friends and colleagues may be El Reg readers. Jokes are appropriate for stupid lawsuits, failed products and CEO gaffes not, it seems to me, untimely death. My thoughts go out to those suffering loss.
Do you wear specs? Google Glass offers YOU amazing live HD video
Snowden speaks: NSA spies create 'databases of ruin' on innocent folks
Friday 24th January 2014 08:03 GMT
Power tends to corrupt...
In thinking about this article, governments and in particular the US government and the NSA the quote came to mind "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". In researching the quote I discovered, firstly that I had remembered it slightly wrong and secondly that it came from Lord Action in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887. A longer quote seemed quite apt:
"I cannot accept your canon that we are to judge Pope and King unlike other men, with a favorable presumption that they did no wrong. If there is any presumption it is the other way against holders of power, increasing as the power increases. Historic responsibility has to make up for the want of legal responsibility. Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority: still more when you superadd the tendency or the certainty of corruption by authority. There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it."
(http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Dalberg-Acton,_1st_Baron_Acton)
Friday 24th January 2014 07:52 GMT
Re: Whatever
"Snowden is at this point so out of the loop"
Sorry, where is your evidence for this comment. It is all well and good making a statement of fact like this, but without providing some supporting reasons it is merely a statement of opinion and would better be put, "I think Snowden is at this point so out of the loop". As it is, you may as well say "The tooth fairy does pay for the teeth under children's pillows" it has nearly as much weight.
MPAA spots a Google Glass guy in cinema, calls HOMELAND SECURITY
Thursday 23rd January 2014 07:51 GMT
Another NEWFIE??!
@David14: Wow, although I now live in the UK, I spent the first 19 years of my life on The Rock! Who would have thought our little island with a mere 525k population would have representatives that actually meet on El Reg's forum! Have a Screech (or Black Horse more like ;) ) on me
Thursday 23rd January 2014 07:47 GMT
If your political system no longer reflects the wishes of the people...
Beautiful sentiments Mr. Anon. Unfortunately I'm not sure we are much better off on that front in the UK. You may have the power to change the faces at the front for other faces that look pretty much the same, but the same old bureaucracy still rules underneath :(
You... (Sigh). You store our financials in a 'Clowds4U' account?
Thursday 9th January 2014 10:27 GMT
Is your data REALLY that sensitive?
Too many times I have come across paranoid businesses who are so concerned that no one gets access to their all important data/IP when in reality non of what they produce is particularly revolutionary or desirable. Far too often I think companies have a much inflated sense of self-importance.
Thursday 9th January 2014 10:25 GMT
Re: "For many users it doesn't even occur to them..."
and if it does, they simply KNOW they're going to have to go through some long-winded justification process explaining why they want to use the new software, why the existing systems are inadequate and 101 alternatives that don't satisfy their exact requirements as well because the person suggesting them does not entirely understand the requirements. At the end of the day, they just want to get down and get things done and requiring such effort impedes that goal. As a result, it is easier to just use their own under-the-radar software.
Sensation: Chinese Jade Rabbit FOUND ON MOON
Microsoft hires Pawn Stars to shaft Google
Monday 2nd December 2013 07:56 GMT
Ads
"adverts that big it up as being private vs gmail's web interface which has targeted ads"
Personally I pride myself in having a modicum of intelligence and free will preventing me from getting unwillingly swayed by adverts no matter how targeted. If, by some slim chance, an advert DOES present me with something I'm interested in buying, I'm more likely to THANK Google than curse them!
REVEALED: How YOU PAY extra for iPHONES - even if you DON'T HAVE ONE
Sunday 1st December 2013 11:41 GMT
Re: Message to mobile operators
Perhaps just not stocking the iPhone will not work, but alain is suggesting a two pronged approach, not stocking the iPhone AND posting some dirt on their inordinate demands. I think that MIGHT work as it has the chance of decreasing the public opinion of Apple and making the purchase of Apple products a morally and socially less acceptable thing to do. The problem may come in that it seems likely Apple requires the signing of an NDA before event SEEING its terms.
Sysadmin job ad: 'If you don’t mind really bad work-life balance, this is for you'
Wednesday 27th November 2013 15:31 GMT
It's not for me, but it IS for some people
I've worked with a guy who hated to leave the office. He had to be forced to take holiday because I just enjoyed working too much. Without any family or pets there was no reason for him to be at home tinkering with computers when I could be at work doing the same thing and getting paid for it. Many people might consider his life rather sad and empty but as he got to do what he loved the most every day, I think he had it pretty good. So maybe they will get inundated, just like Shackleton.
Fed up with Windows? Linux too easy? Get weird, go ALTERNATIVE
You put up with CRAPPY iOS 7. You can put up with Obamacare too, says prez
Thursday 3rd October 2013 13:56 GMT
Re: Interesting
"Generally the care in the NHS is a joke and few hold back about their experiences"
Where do you get this information from? The media (a media who will do their utmost to find anything sensational they can)?
My uncle-in-law is a retired NHS consultant and he fumes at the media which picks on a few high profile cases of poor care and ignore (or don't bother finding out about) the reams of appreciative letters and cards from people who have been treated well.
Headmaster calls cops, tries to dash pupil's uni dreams - over a BLOG
Friday 6th September 2013 18:04 GMT
Re: Knowing your place
Your first sentence I completely agree with. I don't think the head hasn't overstepped his authority too, in fact I DO think he HAS overstepped his authority which is another, clearer way of saying what you said. The rest of your post, sorry mate, you're on your own. I don't believe the state does have the right to usurp parental authority except in extreme cases such as severe neglect and abuse.
Village-swallowing MUDCANO was no accident, say boffins
For pity's sake: DON'T MOVE to the COUNTRY if you want to live
Wednesday 24th July 2013 08:17 GMT
Re: How to survive in the countryside
Andy. While I don't disagree with your conclusions that it's best not to drink & drive, speed or ride without a seatbelt, I do see this as on of the ways statistics can be manipulated to make a point. Simply adding together the stats you quote could lead to the believe that 94% of fatal accidents (32 + 31 + 31) involve drink, excessive speed and no seatbelt use, a pretty high figure! However, unless there is some sanitising going on that you haven't told us about, many of those accidents could involve drink AND speed AND lack of seatbelts (a seemingly likely combination) which will skew the results. In the extreme, if ALL the accidents involved all three then the results would be more like: 32% of fatal car accidents involve alcohol, excessive speed and lack of seat belts, or, less impressively, 68% of fatal car accidents do NOT involve alcohol, excessive speed and lack of seat belts.
Again, not disagreeing with the principle, just pushing a little against the whole "Lies, damn lies and statistics" thing.
T-Rex tooth find shows dino may have been a pussy
Linux 3.11 to be known as 'Linux for Workgroups'
Confidential Microsoft brief: 'We're TOAST if we fight Google on price'
Jobs' 'incredibly stupid' prattlings prove ebook price-fix plot, claim Feds
Wednesday 5th June 2013 07:04 GMT
Surely the problem is...
the closed market, not an enforced pricing scheme. If you don't like the price of a physical copy you can at least try a different bookstore, or look online, or look for used to try and get the price down. With an iPad, you can't just buy from a competing store (I don't think, correct me if I'm wrong) and, as such if you don't like the price you are out of luck. If eBooks could be purchased via alternative shops then the forces of competition could drive down prices if the demand was high enough. Mind you, I'm not an economic expert so I could be barking up completely the wrong tree!
Review: Samsung Series 5 Ultra Touch Ultrabook
Wednesday 29th May 2013 14:00 GMT
Re: Caps Lock?
I think I'm with you on the Caps Lock Cull. It is highly irritating sitting next to someone who types every capital letter by turning the Caps Lock on, pressing the letter and then turning it off. At very least, removing the Caps Lock would raise awareness of the much more useful Shift key that usually lives right below it.
Irish deputy PM: You want more tax from Apple? Your problem, not ours
Wednesday 22nd May 2013 09:29 GMT
Re: What kind of screaming right wing loon are you?
"So declaring war because of tax rates isn't exactly a new concept"
No, but personally I think it's a rather stupid and destructive one. It also seems pretty arrogant. Do we have the right to tell every country in the world how to run their tax affairs? Effectively that is the precedent this idea establishes. Move to another low rate country, we'll bomb that too. All well and good until the country who offers lower rates is bigger and tougher than the bully country you're advocating.
Wednesday 22nd May 2013 09:24 GMT
Re: The politics of envy
"It's not envy when things are blatantly unfair."
The problem with this and the whole morality argument is that "blatantly unfair" and "moral" are both such woolly, subjective words. Unless there are some hard and fast rules to define what is moral and fair, every person will judge differently and have their own line in the sand. Creating some hard and fast rules is effectively legislation that closes loopholes currently deemed unfair or immoral.
If it's legal why wouldn't companies do it? If you personally could legally pay less tax, would you do it? Maybe you could choose to pay more personal tax; would you do that? It's possible, but I bet that is unlikely because my guess is you already feel you pay your fair share of taxes. However, my guess is also that there are other people who pay more taxes who might very well say you don't pay your fair share and are therefore immoral. It's such a relative thing.
Acorn founder: SIXTH WAVE of tech will wash away Apple, Intel
Adobe price hike: Your money or your files, frappuccino sippers
Tuesday 14th May 2013 11:10 GMT
"Must admit, I've found GIMP much less buggy and crashy than Adobe"
This is the great thing about evolution, things improve over time and those that improve in the best ways rise to the top. GIMP might NOT be fit for the top end professional (as is often pointed out by, presumably, top end professionals who know these things) NOW, but this could be just the impetus needed to really give GIMP a good enhancement/improvement push. If just a few of the top end users funnel a fraction of the fees they have been/will be paying to Adobe into GIMP donations they might be able to cut Adobe loose sooner than expected!
In fact, even though I'm not a power user, I'm going to donate to GIMP right now. Here's to an Adobe-less future and the end to all such corporations who think they can get away with inordinate turning of the financial thumb screw!
(PS. While looking into how to donate to the GIMP project, I just discovered Flattr: seems like a great idea: http://flattr.com/)
Tuesday 14th May 2013 11:00 GMT
Re: "Sorry to sound like Eadon, but this is a definite call for open data standards"
Calling for open data standards is not sounding like Eadon. Calling for open data standards while leaving behind logic, reason, civility and the ability to objectively listen and consider other's arguments, THAT would sound like Eadon.
From where I sit, you don't sound like that so, as far as I'm concerned, call away!
(In fact, I'll call with you! OPEN DATA STANDARDS. When I create something it should mine whether I pay some company or not!)
'Liberator': Proof that you can't make a working gun in a 3D printer
Microsoft honcho pleads with media: 'Stop picking on us!'
Monday 13th May 2013 07:36 GMT
Re: I'm shocked. Shocked!
Yes, that is also a think I hate about Google Chrome. While I love the browser itself, I do not want to connect the public library's computer to my Google account just because I log into Gmail!
Aside:
It's probable that lots of people will cry out against my using Gmail (with its use of my data to serve up tailored ads), but frankly, I couldn't care less if Google does statistical analysis on my latest Living Social spam and I like to think I am intelligent and independent enough to rationally evaluate any ads presented to me).
Monday 13th May 2013 07:25 GMT
Re: "Microsoft honcho pleads with media: 'Stop picking on us!'"
"Just try something like OS X or Linux Mint and you will find out that others are lightyears ahead."
It somewhat irritates me how people evangelise OS X or Linux as the cure all for Windows (as if a cure is needed). Starting with Windows way back in 3.1, I've seen a massive improvement over the years in stability, performance and usability. I have used several varieties of Linux including Red Hat, Suse and Ubuntu (both Gnome and Unity).
During the days before Windows 7, I went for a while using Linux as my sole operating system. I went back to WIndows. In the past couple years and at times Linux has become my sole operating system.
A couple years ago I got a MacBook Pro (I wanted to try iPhone development). For me iOS was okay, but personally I didn't feel it was as usable as Windows 7 (how come, when a confirmation dialog appears I have to reach for the mouse instead of using the keyboard to select the appropriate button and press [enter]?). Now, with Windows 7 and Bootcamp my preference is to boot into Windows.
Ultimately it would be great to see both a little more humility and a little more objectivity when it comes to operating system discussion. Instead of: "OS X is way better than Windows", something like: "Personally, I find OS X much easier to use because ..." would demonstrate an awareness that preference in operating system depends very much on what you are used to, what you are trying to achieve and... well... preference. Showing such awareness would, I believe, indicate a heightened sense of understanding about how people work and would certainly raise my hackles less
Sure, none of you know me personally and probably most of you couldn't care less about my hackles so will continue posting as you do, but it does make me feel better posting about it :)
Nokia shareholder tells CEO Elop he's going to hell
Impoverished net user slams 'disgusting' quid-a-day hack
Friday 3rd May 2013 10:06 GMT
Cutting off your nose?
True, most of us rich people will (thankfully) never understand what it is like to be poor, but is that a reason to berate those who are at least trying to get *some* understanding of the difficulties while, at the same time trying to elleviate poverty a little, for a few people in a small way? It is hard for your average every day rich joe to know HOW to help those in poverty and any attempt by people who do this sort of fundraising surely should be applauded, not denigrated?
The fact is that, even if it seems rather inadequate to saintcroix, people are trying to do something. Turning around and judging motives that you have no idea of (how do YOU know this is done for self-publicity and not a genuine desire to help people) is more likely to turn people away from raising what they do, regardless of how little it appears to be!
Bloody face, you're going to have no nose for that! Oh damn, now I really DO have a bloody face!
UK.Gov passes Instagram Act: All your pics belong to everyone now
Tuesday 30th April 2013 09:44 GMT
Hang on....
When we are dealing with music/video piracy, don't the government cry blue murder? When we are dealing with photo piracy, they say "go right ahead"! Why this dichotomy? With music/video piracy the corporations lose out, with photo piracy the corporations stand to benefit. Hmm... anyone want to guess who owns the government? Rule of the people my arse!
Bill Gates offends Koreans after sticking hand down trousers
Wednesday 24th April 2013 12:22 GMT
Re: Maybe
With all due respect, the comparison being drawn is a little extreme. Slapping someone round the face and swearing (most likely with an aggressive tone that you would notice even if you didn't understand the language) is offensive in pretty much ANY culture. A better comparison might be Bill Gates dining with the queen and not stopping eating when she does. A faux pas for sure, but forgiveable.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
