Slow days.
Waiting on nothing to happen.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Friday, September 22, 2006
WIndows Vista (a rant)
I finally did it. I finally went ahead and installed Windows Vista on my home machine as my primary OS. With the release of RC1, I thought It would be a good idea to go ahead and take the plunge and see what it had to offer as a main OS instead of a dual boot thing that I never booted into.
I am impressed with the visual aspects of Vista; I am not impressed with the operation of Vista. After searching the net and several trial and error runs, I finally have it to where I can operate the OS without 500 prompts to allow something. It’s not a good thing when you have to respond to 3 prompts to delete and icon from the desktop. 3 prompts! All I want to do is delete an freaking icon!
One of the most frustrating things I have encountered is trying to locate where functions that I normally like to use are now located in the new GUI. I use the move to and copy to quite a bit, and these two functions are not available to me in the default GUI settings. The normal file menus are also not visible in the standard GUI. Instead Microsoft presents you with a new, and in my opinion, convoluted explorer navigation system that lists the favorites over the normal file tree on the left. It took me a few times before I discovered that I could list the normal file tree over there by grabbing the slider bar and sliding it over the favorites view. Now I am able to browse my directory tree and drag and drop files if needed without an excess of menu navigation and button pushing.
The forcing the use of certain applications is a major pain. Windows defender, Security Center, UAC, IE’s phishing filter. All of these I can do without. I am a power user and know how to protect my system without Microsoft’s help. I do not get spyware on my machine as I know how to manage cookies and how to not download crap. I don’t get virus’s on my system from the same manor. In Vista, however, Microsoft has decided to make it extremely difficult to disable the above items, in a since forcing the majority of users into using those applications whether or not they want them. Windows defender continued to block the system tray icons for my etrust antivirus software. I would receive a popup asking my permission to run them. Then stating that I should allow the blocked programs within the Windows Defender application itself. Well, upon researching this, there were NO BLOCKED application there to enable!!! Therefore I was forced into allow the system tray icons every time the system booted. If I disabled Windows Defender, the Security Center would then become annoying by telling me that my system was vulnerable and I should enable the Windows Defender application. If I disable the security center, then I would get another notification stating that my system was not secure because I was not using the Security Center! User Access Control. Wow, let me see, where do I start? It sucks. It’s not nearly as nice as Linux. As stated above, 3 prompts to delete an icon is way overboard. Why would UAC even care if an icon was deleted? Does not the Recycle bin prompt give you enough notice that you are deleting something? Asking me for access to choose properties on My Computer, to open the services.msc, to open computer management, to open device manager, to install a game or any other application for that matter, and, I am sure not the last, for autorun to initialize on a CD I inserted into the CD drive! How many times do I have to tell it that I want to do something?!?!?!?! It reminded me of the game Mother may I. I have since totally removed the Security Center, permanently stopped Windows Defender, turned off IE’s phishing filter, and permanently stopped the UAC. I now have control of my OS again, and am able to do the things I need without constant bombardment from Microsoft.
OK, will all that said, I still have it installed, and for the most part pleased with the stability. I find slowness from time to time when opening certain applications, but can still live with the operating system. I can delete an icon and not be read the riot act. I can install a game and also have CD’s autorun when they are inserted. So for now, time will tell.
TMS
beating the keyboard
I am impressed with the visual aspects of Vista; I am not impressed with the operation of Vista. After searching the net and several trial and error runs, I finally have it to where I can operate the OS without 500 prompts to allow something. It’s not a good thing when you have to respond to 3 prompts to delete and icon from the desktop. 3 prompts! All I want to do is delete an freaking icon!
One of the most frustrating things I have encountered is trying to locate where functions that I normally like to use are now located in the new GUI. I use the move to and copy to quite a bit, and these two functions are not available to me in the default GUI settings. The normal file menus are also not visible in the standard GUI. Instead Microsoft presents you with a new, and in my opinion, convoluted explorer navigation system that lists the favorites over the normal file tree on the left. It took me a few times before I discovered that I could list the normal file tree over there by grabbing the slider bar and sliding it over the favorites view. Now I am able to browse my directory tree and drag and drop files if needed without an excess of menu navigation and button pushing.
The forcing the use of certain applications is a major pain. Windows defender, Security Center, UAC, IE’s phishing filter. All of these I can do without. I am a power user and know how to protect my system without Microsoft’s help. I do not get spyware on my machine as I know how to manage cookies and how to not download crap. I don’t get virus’s on my system from the same manor. In Vista, however, Microsoft has decided to make it extremely difficult to disable the above items, in a since forcing the majority of users into using those applications whether or not they want them. Windows defender continued to block the system tray icons for my etrust antivirus software. I would receive a popup asking my permission to run them. Then stating that I should allow the blocked programs within the Windows Defender application itself. Well, upon researching this, there were NO BLOCKED application there to enable!!! Therefore I was forced into allow the system tray icons every time the system booted. If I disabled Windows Defender, the Security Center would then become annoying by telling me that my system was vulnerable and I should enable the Windows Defender application. If I disable the security center, then I would get another notification stating that my system was not secure because I was not using the Security Center! User Access Control. Wow, let me see, where do I start? It sucks. It’s not nearly as nice as Linux. As stated above, 3 prompts to delete an icon is way overboard. Why would UAC even care if an icon was deleted? Does not the Recycle bin prompt give you enough notice that you are deleting something? Asking me for access to choose properties on My Computer, to open the services.msc, to open computer management, to open device manager, to install a game or any other application for that matter, and, I am sure not the last, for autorun to initialize on a CD I inserted into the CD drive! How many times do I have to tell it that I want to do something?!?!?!?! It reminded me of the game Mother may I. I have since totally removed the Security Center, permanently stopped Windows Defender, turned off IE’s phishing filter, and permanently stopped the UAC. I now have control of my OS again, and am able to do the things I need without constant bombardment from Microsoft.
OK, will all that said, I still have it installed, and for the most part pleased with the stability. I find slowness from time to time when opening certain applications, but can still live with the operating system. I can delete an icon and not be read the riot act. I can install a game and also have CD’s autorun when they are inserted. So for now, time will tell.
TMS
beating the keyboard
Fall is here
Cold weather is closing in fast. The days are getting shorter now, and the nights are much cooler. I know a lot of people like the fall weather. The air is crispier, the sky appears less hazy and the sun is much whiter and lower in the sky. It’s a time of change. Leaves get their fall colors, rain is cold and heavy, and a fireplace provides evening warmth.
Those are the things that I like, but I really don’t like the cold. I am a shorts and t-shirt kind of guy. I crave the sun and the warmth it provides.
Those are the things that I like, but I really don’t like the cold. I am a shorts and t-shirt kind of guy. I crave the sun and the warmth it provides.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Two things today
Two things today, one is for those of you who enjoy surfing the net with Internet Explorer and the other is a little quiz about spyware.
First the Internet explorer goodies site.
Internet Explorer Ad-ons
Second is the spyware quiz n-joy!
Spyware Quiz
Have a great day!
First the Internet explorer goodies site.
Internet Explorer Ad-ons
Second is the spyware quiz n-joy!
Spyware Quiz
Have a great day!
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Another bit about the recording Industry Association of America. (RIAA)
They just cant seem to get it right, they have sued a family in GA that don’t even own a computer, and now they have sued a dead grandmother. These guys actually think a court is going to give them credit when they actually sue a person who owns a computer and is alive?!?!?!
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=728&NewsID=713614&CategoryID=11575&on=1
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=31229
And here they seem to have gotten somthing kinda sorta right.
http://www.nexbeta.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=28
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=728&NewsID=713614&CategoryID=11575&on=1
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=31229
And here they seem to have gotten somthing kinda sorta right.
http://www.nexbeta.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=28
Thursday, April 20, 2006
WOW a new post
WOW a new post!
Ok, everyone know by now that I am the worlds worst at blogging. Late posts, weeks, no months between posts. Oh well, tis my nature to be that way so I will have to accept it.
Anyway, today I wanted to chat a little about technology. It seems that today there is a lot of talk about Digital Rights Management (DRM), the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and what is right and wrong.
A little background on this for those of you who are not familiar with all this mumbo jumbo about music sharing, copying and stealing.
As defined by Wikipedia
Digital rights management (DRM) is the umbrella term referring to any of several technologies used to enforce pre-defined policies controlling access to software, music, movies, or other digital data and hardware. In more technical terms, DRM handles the description, layering, analysis, valuation, trading and monitoring of the rights held over a digital work. In the widest possible sense, the term refers to any such management.
The RIAA as defined by themselves
http://www.riaa.com/issues/piracy/default.asp
What I don’t understand is why the RIAA does not help support the digital media industry more than it is trying to destroy/hamper its growth and evolvement. I think if they had embraced it from the beginning and help to grow the digital music industry, there would be less pirating of music and videos, and more legit paid for copies on people’s computers.
Anyway, just something to think about.
Listening to my music freely
TMS
Ok, everyone know by now that I am the worlds worst at blogging. Late posts, weeks, no months between posts. Oh well, tis my nature to be that way so I will have to accept it.
Anyway, today I wanted to chat a little about technology. It seems that today there is a lot of talk about Digital Rights Management (DRM), the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and what is right and wrong.
A little background on this for those of you who are not familiar with all this mumbo jumbo about music sharing, copying and stealing.
As defined by Wikipedia
Digital rights management (DRM) is the umbrella term referring to any of several technologies used to enforce pre-defined policies controlling access to software, music, movies, or other digital data and hardware. In more technical terms, DRM handles the description, layering, analysis, valuation, trading and monitoring of the rights held over a digital work. In the widest possible sense, the term refers to any such management.
The RIAA as defined by themselves
http://www.riaa.com/issues/piracy/default.asp
What I don’t understand is why the RIAA does not help support the digital media industry more than it is trying to destroy/hamper its growth and evolvement. I think if they had embraced it from the beginning and help to grow the digital music industry, there would be less pirating of music and videos, and more legit paid for copies on people’s computers.
Anyway, just something to think about.
Listening to my music freely
TMS
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
a theme lost to the retailers
christmas is not what i remember it being as a kid. i am not so old that didnt get excited about getting presents, but i am old enough to remember that my parents did instill into me more than just the thought of giving and receiving at this time of the year. christmas to my family was and still is about family. even tho we live rather close to one another, we still use the holiday time to gather around the dinner table. we still give presents, but only to the kids.
i have always enjoyed this time of year because of the good food and conversation with family members i dont normally see. also it is my dad's birthday.
the retailer have made it very difficult for my wife and i to teach them about the true meaning of christmas, the christian aspect as well as the family aspect. the wal-marts, k-marts, best buy and so forth all want you to focus on spending money and buying presents. they even want to remove the word christmas from the season! what? why is it that today we feel such pressure to please every single living sole on the planet? why can't we just let christmas be what is was supposed to be. a christian holiday marking the birth of jesus.
bah-humbug to the retailers
tms
i have always enjoyed this time of year because of the good food and conversation with family members i dont normally see. also it is my dad's birthday.
the retailer have made it very difficult for my wife and i to teach them about the true meaning of christmas, the christian aspect as well as the family aspect. the wal-marts, k-marts, best buy and so forth all want you to focus on spending money and buying presents. they even want to remove the word christmas from the season! what? why is it that today we feel such pressure to please every single living sole on the planet? why can't we just let christmas be what is was supposed to be. a christian holiday marking the birth of jesus.
bah-humbug to the retailers
tms
Thursday, December 01, 2005
remember when?
i remember when i was a teenager i would get indignant and mad at my parents when they would try to coach me or show me the right way to do things. funny how i am now experiencing the same thing in reverse!
getting my due
tms
getting my due
tms
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
a stroll trough the woods
ever just take a walk into the woods and actually look around? i mean really look around and see whats out there? lately the family and i have gone hiking. actually the past three weekends we have. i really enjoy the outdoor walks through the woods and the fresh air. the only thing i am regretting is that i am not taking the time to really see whats out there. most of the time i am walking with my head down looking a few feet in front of me. before you ask why, let me explain. one, it's difficult to navigate the trails we have taken without some forward glancing at the path ahead or you will trip and fall a few hundred feet off the side of the trail. second, i tend to walk fast and there for i stay behind the slower people to make sure i dont leave the pack. if i keep my head up, i tend to get close and kick their heals and such. this habit of mine tends to inhibit my being able to really see whats out there. dont get me wrong, i still very much enjoy my hiking with my family. just that maybe one day i will go by myself and take my time to see whats out there.
looking ahead at the trail before me
tms
looking ahead at the trail before me
tms
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
been a long time
work has finally slowed down enough for me to post a few comments here and there.
one of the most talked about items today is the south carolina win over florida in football. i am a carolina fan, tho i never attended the university. but by growing up in the capital city of south carolina and the university residing in the same town, it's hard to not be a fan. with that win the ap pols ranked us 19. that's a pretty generous ranking from bing unranked prior to that game. that's the kiss of death for all previous sc football teams. once ranked, we never lived up to that potential. hopefully this year will be different. new coach, new attitude, new style of players and playing. time will tale.
one of the most talked about items today is the south carolina win over florida in football. i am a carolina fan, tho i never attended the university. but by growing up in the capital city of south carolina and the university residing in the same town, it's hard to not be a fan. with that win the ap pols ranked us 19. that's a pretty generous ranking from bing unranked prior to that game. that's the kiss of death for all previous sc football teams. once ranked, we never lived up to that potential. hopefully this year will be different. new coach, new attitude, new style of players and playing. time will tale.
Friday, August 12, 2005
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