Posts by CompUser

Re: Information we collect

Microsoft will know everything about you from your email usage. They don't need a Microsoft account for identification or to run the telemetry/spyware.

Microsoft can read everything on your computer system and send it anywhere it likes. The Microsoft account just makes it EASIER to identify you.

Microsoft makes numerous millions from telemetry by improving their software products and then selling them for an increased value (no one would buy a buggy software product) - so how much more would a non-buggy software product be worth.

Microsoft has also closed its testing division which would probably be adding hundreds of millions of dollars to Microsoft's profits. This would have been impossible without the use of the telemetry.

The fact that Microsoft does use telemetry to make money has been lost because of the focus on selling the telemetry directly for money which at present doesn't happen.

The Windows 7 telemetry/spyware features were installed only if you let them be installed which many users did not.

Using a local account does nothing, absolutely nothing for stopping the telemetry/spyware operating on your computer. They know exactly who and where you are and don't need you to log on to a Microsoft account. They can read everything from your computer. The only way to stop this is not to allow your computer to communicate with the internet.

According to Microsoft management, there is no way to stop the 'telemetry' from leaving your computer. If this is true, this means there is a back door in the OS which no third party software can touch. It would be interesting to monitor all network traffic from a computer running these software products (it has to be monitored using another computer which has the traffic routed through it - and preferably not a Windows machine).

And 'clearing' the data probably means hiding and definitely not deleting the data.

Re: Rule number 0

Using Windows 7 in Virtualbox on LInux Mint Cinnamon. Great system. Just like using a remote desktop.

Re: Thank you Microsoft

Same here. For the first time in over 10 years, no new hardware because of Windows 10, nothing worthwhile to upgrade to. Just keeping the current systems going, upgrading RAM and drives where possible and looking for compatible second hand gear. I've got 14 systems, zero new hardware for the last year.

Any hardware manufacturer which supports Microsoft's controlling tactics will be written off as a bad joke and placed in the same category of 'avoid at all costs'.

Absolutely agree, the damage has been severely done. What Microsoft has ADMITTED to is just the tip of the iceberg.

Everyone running Windows 10 has a computer system open to who knows. A user's browsing history may contain embarrassments which could be used against them at a later date. Of course, 'clearing' the collected data means that the data is probably hidden and not deleted.

The NSA must be very grateful for the browser history - I can understand the NSA needing to collect data but it shouldn't be done at the expense of everyone's privacy.

Re: I never realised the snooping was THIS bad

Same here. Windows 10 is a DUD OS.

Re: @Lee D

There are businesses which run Linux as their main OS so running Linux in a business environment is possible depending on the software requirements (more than the office applications).

There are also flavors of enterprise Linux desktop that have been around for many years which are designed and suitable for businesses.

Businesses have more than 3 years to migrate in full or in part. That's a long time.

Re: Re : Windows10? What is it?

A lot of users didn't let the telemetry/spyware be installed in the first place on Windows 7 and 8, so it wasn't back ported for these users.

On Windows 7 and 8, you can uninstall the telemetry/spyware quite easily, so you don't have to be stuck with Microsoft's data collection efforts.

On Windows 10, users have compulsory telemetry/spyware.

Try Linux Mint. I just used it to install Windows XP to VirtualBox and it ran quite well. I'll be trying Widnows 7 on VirtualBox next to see how that goes.

I haven't tried large programs on it but office seemed to run well on it.

Re: Linux system upgrade may not be much better

The installation doesn't suggest it.

People do it because they don't want everything lost if a newer or different version of linux is installed. It just makes life easier.

I usually create 3 partitions, one for the OS, one for /home (in my case I mount it to /working and leave home alone) and one for a swap partition which linux uses.

Mount the OS partition to / (which is called the root) and the other partition to /home. The swap partition will be automatically identified and used during the installation.

Re: Linux system upgrade may not be much better

I prefer to create a /working directory on another partition and make sure I back up everything to that partition (including email, browser, installed software, howto, programming, references).

I just put a symbolic link to /working on the desktop.

Would you trust Microsoft with anything in the future?

Brand damage has been substantial.

Your analysis of the CEO and management style is spot-on.

Re: The missed sales targets don't paint the full picture.

Absolutely correct. Microsoft management have stated that the telemetry can't be stopped.

Its easy for Microsoft to code a back door in Windows 10 that can be used to send telemetry. Installed third party software can't interfere with its collection in any way.

Re: @Ilsa Loving - Amazing

Yes, Microsoft has a plan to destroy its user base, create its own competition and piss as many people off as possible and so far its working to plan.

I think you are giving Microsoft way too much credit.

The 'obnoxious bits of W10' have only been backported if you have let them be installed.

Do a search for removing the telemetry/spyware updates and you will find a script that will remove all of these updates.

Re: Pulling dick moves has historically worked really well for Apple.

Apple doesn't do what Microsoft does.

I use mostly Windows and a few Apple machines and Apple has never done what Microsoft has done over the last year. Microsoft has tried every dirty trick to get people onto its new computing model while Apple makes most of its money from its hardware sales.

Micrsoft is to blame for its own conduct. Apple has nothing to do with it.

More to it than the cost of the license

It may not be expensive but they are using public money, paying it to a company that donates it back to the liberal party.

Public money is effectively being channeled back into Liberal Party donations. This is highly unethical to say the least.

The Labor uses similar software but the company it uses doesn't donate it back to the Labor Party so they are paying for a service without the kickbacks.

Re: Not sure if I should be happy

Microshaft screwing with an otherwise excellent Operating System.....

I think that says it all.

Re: Worse than Google

Same here. I use android without using Google services and avoid any information collection.

Windows 10 is worse in the way they violate your privacy, its sort of an active process. Google collects information when you come to them. Microsoft hunts your information down. Passive versus active. The active is far worse.

Re: It's all about trust - and the lack of it.

I think there has always been a shady side to Microsoft but there was some sort of ethical treatment of the end user, some sort of concern for the end user experience so that the product would be accepted and used.

At least until Windows 8. Then things started going bad.

Now for Windows 10, the end user is the enemy to be monitored and controlled. Any treatment, no matter how unethical is allowable.

Re: FTFY

Not sure exactly what is sent back to microsoft but a microsoft representative has stated that you can't stop information leaving your computer.

What information they are slurping, well, take a guess.

Re: "we will ensure your data is private and under your control"

That's a bit harsh.

M$ has upped its disrespect towards users by about a factor of 50. I don't think they could be any more disrespectful if they tried (maybe they could).

Linux Mint is looking good for a private secure OS and I've got 11 windows systems that will never see windows 10. M$ will loose a lot of its customer base.

Re: Microsoft cares deeply about security and privacy. It is essential to their business.

They do care about the end users security and privacy - how to breach it and make sure you don't have any.

I think the people who come up with the slogans have a wicked sense of humor.

Re: Dear Mr. Nadella

You make perfect sense but it will fall on deaf ears.

Will Microsoft listen or just figure out more devious ways of forcing people onto Windows 10.

Microsoft's vision of the future is one of domination. They care not for anyone.

Re: The problem is not trust, but direction

The NSA needs more data?