* Posts by joed

826 publicly visible posts • joined 13 Jun 2013

Page:

Microsoft’s Get Windows 10 nagware shows signs of sentience

joed

well, take ownership of the key and block all other users from writing to it - can be done on per key basis. No guarantees but it's unlikely they covered edge cases of the "upgrade" process.

Comcast repeatedly crams modem upgrade demands into browsers

joed

Re: What modems are too old?

They'd mail you even if you owned Docsis 2.0 modem (like good old sb5100)

joed

Re: I don't think it's just about speed

"The older cable modems don't do IPv6" - perfect, easier to block or filter MS' telemetry

joed

Not just a hotspot. A public hotspot that you pay for (electricity and rent fees - it's not your equipment, right) - double kill;). All this while enduring extra interference with your own wireless equipment. Glad I'm not exfinity customer (economy internet or whatever they called it) and I can see no need for docsis >2 for 3.7Mbps "broadband". Sure they sent some snail mail but no browser crap - possibly can't get past FF with noscript. No Comcast email either - they messed up account during move and should be happy bill gets paid on time.

joed

Re: Windows 10

Now I have to mess with registry on my modem, thanks Comcast

Windows 10 shattered Remote Desktop's security defaults – so get patching

joed

Re: Go ahead

I wish it was just 2

joed

Re: Zombie patch to enable W10 upgrade?

On my system all previously hidden updates showed up ready to wreck havoc. Soon I'll know them by name (though going by release date proved fine as none showed current date, this made the job easier).

I don't recall clearing cookies (IE is "uninstalled" from the system some time ago) so FU MS.

VW floats catalytic converter as fix for fibbing diesels

joed

Re: So close...

"guaranteed for the life of the vehicle" - how's that defined? The same way unlimited data was?

Microsoft offers pay-as-you-go data SIM for Windows 10 devices

joed

Now all your data belongs to us

like all the eggs in one basket it's convenient but...

BTW, would telemetry count towards data cap?

American cable giants go bananas after FCC slams broadband rollout

joed

Re: "FCC's fault"

Having just assisted today someone with with ATT's "broadband" I can't refute FCC's assessment. While for the few (like me) slow is a choice (and arguably still overpriced) majority is just getting screwed with the level of service they get for more money.

How hard can it be to kick terrorists off the web? Tech bosses, US govt bods thrash it out

joed

solution at last

now you can actually have your FB account closed and removed from everyone to see. just say something

Reverser laments crypto game protection, says wares dead after 2018

joed

Re: Good

But think of developers coming up with new copy protection scheme every new game release. Aren't they cutting the branch they sit on?

We're all really excited about new smartphones, laptops, tablets – said no one ever

joed

Re: When good enough is good enough, enough.

I'd not mind an upgrade every so often but then I consider expense and I'm good for a while. Not to mention new features nobody asked for and invasion of privacy most "upgrades" come with.

joed

Re: Still no reason to upgrade my kit.

Good for you, now you can't even add RAM. Progress.

joed

Re: I'm really excited

It's all fun and games until you had to register one with feds. We just can't have nice toys;)

LogMeIn adds emergency break-in feature to LastPass

joed

Re: Dodgy

maybe it's like so:

your passwords is the base to encryption key to your LP key. It never gets out of your possession. When you grant emergency access to it you request public key matching the other side's private key (from LP dashboard they have to accept the request and reply with the key, this key does not even have to correspond to their LP encryption key, they just have to store it in case it's needed). You receive the public key, encrypt your encryption key with it, store it on LP server (LP can't decrypt the content) so emergency contact has no access to it until conditions are met (and you did not block it within the grace period). Then they get the blob, decrypt it using their private key and recover your key in the process. It can be done correctly (but making sure tehre's no mitm is the key).

I'm not a LP user as I distrust solutions I can't completely verify (no access and no skills).

Dick limps towards inglorious end: Gadget retailer on the brink

joed

we may not have heard of the company but the headline sounds great out here

Here's your Linux-booting PS4, says fail0verflow

joed

so what

Who would bother with PS4 (or Xbox). Crappy hardware and locked garden variety OS. Sure, nice achievement but impractical.

The only conclusion is not to support/buy locked platforms - if I pay for, I better own it

iOS 9 kludged our iPhones, now give us money, claims new lawsuit

joed

"It's going to be difficult to argue that users of generations' old kit should be compensated when things aren't so spiffy." - sure, but it's more about virtually forcing users into upgrade. At least Apple has limited itself (so far) to only wasting your network bandwidth and phone's storage space while MS really wanted to prove being a..h.. ever since release of Windows 10. My 4S had not seen any iOS past 5 until its slow demise (I've been hit;) and replacement with 6S. I'd curious what a 4S in decent shape with good old iOS5 fetch on the market (still a decent podcast player).

Good news! US broadband speeds are up. Bad news – they're still rubbish

joed

Re: 8 years

I've never paid for equipment rental but I've actually downgraded my Internet service due to excessive demands by Comcast. Yes, it's nice to have higher speeds and one could watch videos beyond 720p but - at 12x the difference in monthly service fees (a year) it's hardly worth it (if only not to feed the monopoly). While majority seems fine with 100$/month I'm OK with 3rd world's 3.7/1Mbs at half the price (I'd go lower if cheaper option was available).

Upset Microsoft stashes hard drive encryption keys in OneDrive cloud?

joed

one key for all?

one key for all?

I remember the prompt when setting up my new (then) Windows 8 tablet. I surely dismissed it - both because I didn't like sharing it with MS and definitely had no intention to setup MS account to login to MY device.

Now, what I don't understand is why the key is not used/associated only with the profile folder of the user that logs in with particular MS account.

US Marines kill noisy BigDog robo-mule for blowing their cover

joed

your tax money at work

money well spentburned

thank you military industrial complex (reinventing the wheel since...®)

Gaming souk Steam spews credit card, personal info in Xmas Day security meltdown

joed

I never really understood "save payment details" options (and why it's checked by default). It's like the merchants want the trouble of maintaining a database every hacker was after (Amazon, you better don't snooze). Same with regard to other personal info that's not required to complete one time payment.

Bunch of hoarders.

OK Google? Firefox to nibble Chrome extensions from 2016

joed

Re: NoScript

security trumps convenience for some

joed

Re: why do I stick with Firefox?

Resizing the text without touching images. And I could care less for web experts frowning on this.

Plus noscript ...

Nope, I'm not switching

Windows 10: What's coming in 2016?

joed

What comes next for Windows 10?

more nagware

Comcast 'rolls out' 'world's first' DOCSIS 3.1 modem, pumping 1Gbps over existing cable

joed

Re: With their caps...

life in the fast lane

win, win - especially for Comcast as I bet it cost fortune even before you blow past the cap.

IT bloke: Crooks stole my bikes after cycling app blabbed my address

joed

what's going on on the other side of the pond

Stealing cheap (sort of) bikes from locked garage (I hope did not mean locking the bike in locked garage). They only shoot on this but nobody cares for a bike - it's a hard work to use it.

Chicago cops under fire for astonishingly high dashcam, mic failures

joed

it's all backwards

Until cops (or any public "service"; BTW, there's no draft and the job is paid for so let's stop this farce and call it a job, like any other out there) operate from "when in doubt we're right" positions this kind of failures is the only expected outcome. Once we shifted the accountability and burden of proof onto them (as it should be), they will make sure that the toys we paid for with taxes (besides guns of course) is well maintained and always operational.

joed

this would only excuse/explain expense (I bet high) and not quality (or lack of thereof)

Sanders presidential campaign accuses Democrats of dirty data tricks

joed
Unhappy

Re: To all Americans

Unfortunately "Remember: Your vote is like a coupon for a free dinner at your favorite restaurant. You only waste it if you DON'T use it." misrepresents the reality. It's more like “Doing a good job here is like peeing your pants in a dark suit — you get a warm feeling but no one else notices.”

Either the system is rigged, this is the way it is or both. Sad but true.

(Me) Wastes his time no more (or should I vote for hillbilly Trump for being frankly honest ans unscripted, what gets him in trouble).

Microsoft Trusted Root Certificate program getting a lot less trusting

joed

is GWX related junk signed by the same or unique root?

Windows 10 won't come to old WinPhones until some time in early 2016

joed

no GWX

when you need one?

I guess MS enjoys Satyadistic satisfaction when pissing off their customer base. On both mobile and PC platforms.

At least 10 major loyalty card schemes compromised in industry-wide scam

joed

But why

would anyone provide real name, birth date and non-junk email to bs like this? Would they also give SSN if asked?

Facebook syndrome I guess.

Adobe: We locked our customers in the cloud and out poured money

joed

good times

I'm no fan of renting and idea of chasing great new features at great expense does not sound convincing to me. But I'd agree that for a short term gig type of business this makes perfect sense - pay only for what you use and drop it when business is down or alternative shows up (we'll see Adobe's revenue the next economic downturn). Not sure how much it takes to terminate the service - if it resembled Comcast's experience I'd stay away.

Yet it seems that it's the bigger, established businesses that have no problem burning money in monthly/yearly allotments - supposedly it's better from financial/tax perspective than owning some assets. Obviously, access to new features is a must (even if no user can utilize them).

I have no idea why some hobbyists fall for it though. I guess it's the same like with O365 subscriptions - it's only 10$ a month they say (well, for me it's a waste of 120$ a year).

It's sort of like with all you can eat buffet - looks like a great deal until you realize that moderation is not only cheaper but a healthier choice.

Japan unveils net-wielding police drones for air patrol

joed

attack is the only defense

it won't be long before bad guys come with bigger and "badder" net equipped drone and snatch cops' toys (or maybe just competition).

Microsoft to OneDrive users: We're sorry, click the magic link to keep your free storage

joed

Re: Upside

Just an idea to test. Delete some stuff and after number of days delete other files and immediately restore files deleted in 1st purge. Keep rocking it back and forth - effectively multiplying storage space and causing "financial pain" on MS (at a slight inconvenience to oneself). Obviously one has to check for duration of time the files are kept in the "Recycle Bin" (and if it counted towards storage quota).

Microsoft leaks Xboxlive SSL server cert

joed

jailbreak opportunity

don't let MS get there 1st

Wow, what took you so long? Comcast bends net neutrality rules

joed

do not feed the troll

save that 15$ for better things

Microsoft's full-fat E5 Office 365 plan with phone extras goes live

joed

I'd like to know some details

Like who keeps the keys to per file encryption - the link was not technical enough. I surely did not backup recovery key from my W8 tablet (if only because it'd require me to setup MS account).

While I can see everyone on MS side feeling like in a glass house where you're being watched all the time, at some admin level you are in control, plain and simple. And the data is siting and waiting 24/7, it's just likely that they don't care (neither to do good or evil). Also, this customer granting access = he/she clicks OK because what's the choice once you can't reach your data.

Vote for me, Hotspot Hillary – I'm your $250bn broadband builder-in-chief

joed

Call me suspicious

but all I see is another way of funneling tax money. As much as I like fast Internet access I do believe that we better have choice in what we spend our money for. Just take care of level playing field and invisible hand of free market will fix current mess (to much to ask I bet).

And above all, Clintons, Bushes etc need to be kept out of White House. As bad as it is we need to keep some pretenses that the country is not run by family clans. Who's next - her daughter?

Sketch dev pulls out of Mac App Store, cites slow reviews, tech limitations

joed

Re: I like gardens

I do paid apps (judiciously), as long as paid with gifted gift cards;)

Despise the idea of walled garden though and I will never consider any limited platform as inherently more trusted, especially if all my data can only be synced through someone's "cloud".

joed

Re: "App Review continues to take at least a week"

So? Just release app vN+1 and charge for it - make dev and Apple happy while letting the user continue with the old one as long as the iOS supported it (not fair either). It's often the case that it's not users that ask for new features but devs and platform owners that force these upon them (should I also add that often not for better?).

Sorry, but I had to add from user point of view to keep it fair and balanced.

Google snoops on kids via Chromebooks, claims EFF in FTC filing

joed

that name

was it Google or EFF that came up with GAFE (and who does it apply to)?

Microsoft wants to be your phone company, at least for voice

joed

good luck

having recently blocked all Bing traffic on my net (W10 workaround - GUI settings could not be trusted) they can keep trying, in vain

Report: VW execs 'knew' about fuel economy issues last year

joed

Re: I drove the Polo Blue Slumber

Truth to be told, 20 years makes a lot of difference (and not all for good). That 97 micra did not have to carry all the extra crap that's supposed to protect your a.. and environment (yep, even the disgraced VW is cleaner that that old thing). Old cars were lighter (=more fun in most situations but crash;), more predictable/linear in power (cable pull throttle vs all electric, NA vs turbo) with better steering feel (again, hydraulic vs electric). That said, my 15 Golf feels way snappier when pushed (fuel use goes through the roof) but I prefer 02 Focus' more linear power curve that does not mind lugging it (down to 1k rpm) and recovers without upshift (gearing may have something to do as well). Surprisingly, vw comes up on top when it comes to average mpgs (both are good by any standard). ABS, traction/stability control are new to me (but don't interfere with daily use). Mirrors have been sacrificed but at least windows are ok (as opposed to other new cars). All the other fancy toys I could care less but no choice there. And hopefully the added complexity (mine being rather basic trim) is not proportional to failure rate.

I'd like to have an old CRX but today we are fed the heavy SUV diet so Golf (or Polo) has to do. At least they still offer them in good 2 door flavor and with the stick - kudos to VW for taking this risk.

Microsoft takes PUPs behind the shed with gun in hand

joed

Re: More importantly

No, it does not block W10 but it'll block add network competing for presence in its Start Menu (or browsers). Having un-level playing field is very important for MS.

joed

Be careful what you ask for - it's only matter of time MS will replicate W10 experience with MS Essentials/Defender removing software they don't like across all Windows versions. Clueless home users get what they've paid for anyway.

OTOH, corporate servicedesk will get flooded tomorrow with bunch of alerts (for clueless corporate users).

Rooting and modding a Windows Phone is now child's play

joed

Re: You're fired

COPE - sure

BYOD - you have no rights, you may just cut their access off. Anyway, I have no idea why people would subsidize the business IT, creating a precedence in the process that one day may force them to do so.

BTW, if rooting WP rendered results as stable as W10 with any sort of privacy mods, you may just give up and prep for "restore to factory settings" (W10 is really touchy when it comes to taming the Metro interface). Having Bing disabled would be the 1st thing I'd do.

joed

Re: One other potential use

but why?

plenty of better and cheaper options available that are proven to work with CM

Page: