Category: operating system

Why Was Windows 10 Free?

Posted onAuthorTruXterLeave a comment

whyiswindows10freeWhy was Windows 10 Free? Why did they give us a free Windows operating system?
Well if you are skeptical like any person who has been duped into a service for longer than they’d like, you’d compare it to a drug dealer at a school giving kids a free sample. because a return customer is always right around the corner.
Look at the free windows 10 as a migration towards reoccurring revenue. If you are just renting the operating system, and just renting the apps, and renting the storage space (cloud) you will have no option but to stay because you’d be kind of stuck.
Once you’ve made a few payments, you’re already invested in this thing that will never pay off. Kinda like reddit Karma. Or world of warcraft addiction. You paid to play, you play because you paid, your score went up you got cool additional stuff for being so invested. Now you have higher score may as well pay to keep your game going, oh look! … an expansion pack, but damn I have to upgrade my tiny little service because it isn’t compatible and people will think I’m cheap.

Meanwhile you will be hogging down bandwidth and your isp will force you to pay more for larger cap.

Now you’re really $%^&ing invested. but you’ll buy a windows phone because it lets you sync your nifty gif making apps with your phone now. Well, it is all apps and cloud based. So you have to up that bandwidth level too.
Now you are super $%^&ing invested.
Now Microsoft made their “scary announcement” today. “This is the last Window Ever” (here on forbes). Then tell you it isn’t over just going to be “different” meaning more like a pay-to-play operating system.

Software makers will get more out of their leases for rights to design items for Microsoft, but instead of paying up front, Microsoft will take it out of each payment from every windows user who uses the purchased APPS. that’s right, apps. Cloud based programs that you can’t use if your internet goes down.

Here’s something I posted up about 5 years ago on the topic telling people it would be like this soon. Yeah the responses I got were pretty hateful.

Microsoft Moving us to the Cloud

 

Sure some people could enjoy it, but not everyone. Let’s make it a choice please. Just have two brand new Microsoft operating systems at a time. The one made by Microsoft and sold to the public, and the open source one.

Why Microsoft is Heading to windows 8 Direction

Posted onAuthorTruXter

Because they can sell Microsoft tablets and phones.
Microsoft was taken to court by Apple/Macintosh years ago for infringement. Microsoft’s saving grace was they said they are only selling software, Windows is an operating system not a computer. So, Microsoft is a software company not a computer company. Notice they didn’t say “Not a hardware company”. A tablet technically isn’t a computer.

So if Microsoft can get you to enjoy their operating system on your pc. Then they have a chance of creating their own “Computer Tablet” and calling it a windows computer.

Now if Microsoft can get rid of the typo issue of touch screen keyboards, and somehow reinventing the scroll wheel function of a mouse on a touch screen monitor, then they have a fighting chance. The main issue is the design software most power users use would be murder on a touch screen without a scroll wheel and a the third button function of a scroll wheel on a mouse.

So if it comes down to the only way to Microsoft is through a tablet, some of us would have to step down and install linux with WINE so we can still use my programs that currently only work with Windows. Autocad, Magix Music, Etc.

Trying Different Operating Systems

Posted onAuthorTruXter

I have had my share of Microsoft operating systems, and I am not about to jump into a 2002 looking os like windows 8
So I am going through  5 different Operating systems on the Linux build. Downloaded them fresh today. Of course I did the Torrent download of each (if available) to prevent any issues of dropped service anywhere.
With the testing of each of these operating systems, I will be testing my every day tasks. and this will be in live boot mode if possible. If not then I will have to snap something together to test the full installation.
Part of this test will consist of me just doing every day in commands. Such as logging into facebook and reddit to comment. Taking a screenshot. Using the calculator button (a button that requests the calculator to pop up) on my keyboard. Email button on the keyboard. Web browser button and volume buttons on my keyboard. To see what is going to work the easiest.
Mint 14 64 bit
Mageia 2 64 bit
Kubuntu 12.04 64 bit
Xubuntu 12.10 64 bit
Fedora 17 64 bit

Trying Linux mint for my first time.

This is a test of Mint live

Not too bad

Mint looks a bit bland, almost Windows vista-ish. Square, no Opaque  as far as I have seen yet. but start up was simi fast and drivers right out of the disk run me pretty well.

First linux cut that doesn’t make my mouse act weird (scroll wheel too fast or slow or pointer too fast too slow etc)
Images look right as if latest Nvidia drivers are in disk.
Taskbar menu has many of the usual items found in linux . The items you kind of need . VLC player, G.I.M.P., Libre Office (i guess no one uses open office anymore?)
All of my keyboard shortcut buttons worked.

Review scoring of mint
looks: 6/10
function 10/10
drivers: 10/10
speed: 9/10

Over all scoring of Mint: 8.75/10

fedora

This is a test of fedora live
again, right out of the Live dick, nice fast load. Clean load. a big odd on the mouse but nothing terrible. Images look great, no anti-aliasing issues. Task bar at top with the android looking shortcuts at the bottom of the screen, I don’t like that. Too much real estate wasted when you open a browser and see half an inch of screen not being used. again no Opaque, everything is boxy.

Probably not the operating system for me.
Might do wonders for you but fedora is not what I am looking for.
Libre office again on this one.
None of my keyboard shortcut buttons worked.

 

Review scoring of fedora
looks: 3/10
function 8/10
drivers: 10/10
speed: 9/10

Over all scoring of fedora: 7.5/10

Kubuntu

This is a test of Kubuntu Live
Now this feels like a complete operating system. Everything has a nice sharp look to it. Mouse movement is a bit slower. and scroll wheel is a tad more sluggish, but that’s only after using two other operating systems first. So my opinion may be swerved from the feel of the others. Menu is a bit empty Lybre is there again. yet another operating system not using open office. Why the sudden disinterest in Open Office? but the whole taskbar in it’s self is very nice. Widgets add with ease and look great.
None of my keyboard shortcut buttons worked. never found the calculator so I could tally my review score.. -1 point. So I used my phone.After a complete install of Kubuntu, it’s hard to get wifi drivers if you didn’t do the install while hard wire lan connected to the internet. If you are not connected to the internet when installing, it’s also hard to connect to the internet. Wifi set up has no useful “scan for nearest connection” option at all.

Review scoring of Kubuntu
looks: 10/10
function 8/10
drivers: 10/10
speed: 9/10

Over all scoring of Kubuntu: 9.25/10

Xubuntu
This is a test of Xubuntu live
Xubuntu has a look and feel. Much better than the first two operating systems. and some o the look and feel of Kubuntu. Menu was easy to navigate, found the calculator right away and the screenshot program right away. Browsing the web, some pages hung up for a moment. Mouse is quick, scroll wheel is quick. If I just wanted a live boot it would have to Xubuntu, the boot up was half the time of the other operating systems.

None of my keyboard shortcut buttons worked.
Which is kind of a let down for me. After a complete install of Xubuntu, it’s hard to get wifi drivers if you didn’t do the install while hard wire lan connected to the internet. If you are not connected to the internet when installing, it’s also hard to connect to the internet. Wifi set up has no useful “scan for nearest connection” option at all.

Review scoring of Xubuntu
looks: 7/10
function 8/10
drivers: 10/10
speed: 7/10

Over all scoring of Xubuntu: 8/10

Mageia
This is a test of Mageia live
Web browsing, default fonts, wow, not from the typical/traditional choice.
Never found the calculator. So I am using my phone to tally up the score this one -1 point. Libre office again.

For what it’s worth this is a decent operating system.
I mean I could let my mother use Mageia and not have to worry about showing her much, but same with the rest of the operating systems listed on this page. but it does look better than most  here. Some of it is a bit bland. pages freeze up from time to time, and editing in wordpress is a nightmare. Kept placing bold font in places I didn’t even ask for bold font.
Didn’t do that with any of the other operating systems tested.

Review scoring of Mageia
looks: 9/10
function 5/10
drivers: 8/10
speed: 7/10

Over all scoring of Mageia:7.25/10

Of the five operating systems. I find it kind of a toss up between Mint and Kubuntu. Mint seems to have all that I need, but Kubuntu has the nice sharp look I want in an operating system. Let’s see what happens when I throw a hard drive in one of the spare computers laying around and I get to test out Mageia.
*update, found the live disk for Mageia*

Mageia. Seems okay, looks nice. KDE version
bit of a load issue when switching apps . some drivers not found.

Looks like Kubuntu for the win. just a bitch locating anything in the menu.
even over mint. Mint is fast and has excellent drivers, just looks somewhere pre-windwos 95 and that bugs me

So. Mageia, not there yet. but looks great. just don’t do anything or you will see the issues.
Something I do like though.

What is Windows 8

Posted onAuthorTruXter

Windows 8 is an operating system that is the beginning and the open door to a future of apps based entertainment. The bandwidth using type of apps. Apps that half of the software is instal;ed on your computer while the rest of the “program” is served in the cloud (on multiple servers, functioning sort of like how Kazaa worked.  Sort of how a torrent worked. but not really.

Windows 8 is promoted sold as a revolutionary design that is about to change the way we use computers.

but that is far from the truth
The look of windows 8, screams the colors of windows XP. Very cartoonish. The look is a bit of a step back from Windows 7.
The missing taskbar, should have been the alternative option, since back when 3.1 moved to windows 95. Oddly enough, over the past three patches to windows xp, Microsoft has removed the program-manager (aka progman.exew has been stripped and neutralized), so you can’t even mimic Windows 8 on a computer that can actually  work the exact same tasks.
The squares instead of shortcuts on the desktop, a bit Brady Bunch .
Windows 8 is designed to mimic the failed operating system of a failed cell phone. My only true gut feeling is windows 8 is designed for the ignorant and not tech savvy, and for the promotion and sell of their windows phones and tablets.

Are you ready to jump to Windows 8 yet?

Posted onAuthorTruXter

[poll id=”26″]
What measures have you taken to prepare yourself for the best Windows 8 transition experience possible?
Have you purchased a touch screen capable monitor?
Have you bought the latest motherboard,processor,memory and Solid state hard drive?

Yeah, me either.
Maybe I will wait a couple years for the computers to start shipping with windows 8 already on them. Not the ones that say “Windows 8 ready” or “windows 8 upgrade for free”. The machines built for Windows 8.

Typically when the new operating systems come out, we find later that current hardware is less than able to run the operating systems and soon after come new and improved hardware. Most often is ram/memory. but the inevitable is processor. with a new CPU it’s usually a good idea to get a new motherboard also. or you will be left behind.

The part you have to prepare for is, what is available now, at it’s max is usually just barely above minimum requirements of what ever software or operating system that has just been released. Like say, ddr2 memory was the highest we had when Vista came out. That memory capped out in it’s time at 2 gigs per stick. many motherboards have only two slots. Wouldn’t you know it, 4 gigs memory is optimal for windows 7. That’s not how it was announced but that’s what we have come to learn on our own. This will be the same case with windows 8. Now with Windows 7 out we have DDR3. Which has a cap of what I think is 8 gigs per stick. Count on DDR5 becoming the common with in the next year, and the first bloat pack (service pack) coming out and everyone realizing that new optimal for windows 8 will be crazy high like 8 gigs. best performance 32 gigs.

So hold out on your upgrade to any new operating system for a few months. let the new hardware come out. Let the first few updates come out. Let the internet swell with complaints. Don’t buy parts until you see the crying stop. Prices should level out to a fair cost. If you buy any parts or computers now, you are basically buying off the junk that the stores are trying to get off their shelves. They too know how it works. Every single time.

Fear Monger
Basically, based on past experience, if you are running DDR2 or older, you will be left behind. That mouse of yours is antiquated, and that video card you have that is the top of the line, is now ….. just cute. That 250 gig spinning hard drive will be pointless. Of course because the numbers are higher on everything, we will bloat out our videos and music. Count on songs becoming 1 gig minimum. So that one TB hard drive you have in the external case, will be antiquated, 50 TB hard drives coming with in the next two years. Easily. (not easy task, but is a must). Well at this rate . What does this mean?  It means your 250 gigs a month cap from Comcast, will easily be reached. Your 2 gig cap from at&t is less than laughable now. Just wait until ALL of your software is apps based and you begin to agree that cloud storage is the only logical option. That 250 gigs a month will be less than a week to break.

This of course is one hundred percent plausible fiction.

but as always. Software should always excel hardware. That’s how we evolve. If not for something to push the hardware to be better, faster, stronger, we would be complacent. We would not innovate. When we have greater speeds and storage, we can then come up with ideas that seemed farfetched and impossible.

I admit that I am currently satisfied with Windows 7, fearful of what Windows 8 could mean, and skeptical of any positive claims we see in the next 5 months of Windows 8.

So no.. I am not ready.

Windows Xp Service pack 4 Please

Posted onAuthorTruXter1 Comment

Microsoft should put out a service pack 4 for windows xp.
A service pack that turns xp into any other operating system.

computer locked up

windows xp locked up


XP is the biggest failure of all Microsoft’s operating systems. I have spent countless hours looking at a computer screen doing exactly what that screen has on it. yep. Matching the win screen of solitaire.
Problem is, they listened to the hackers who griped about the flaws in the operating system. They listened to them so much, Microsoft lost site of the plan. Microsoft started fixing and patching and correcting the noted errors, instead of fix and patch function and appeal.
Truth is, if there is a hacker, there is a flaw. Not the other way around. If the computer tech dude, that is digging around, is techy enough, he will always find a flaw. All I.T. guys know that all I.T. guys think the other guy is an idiot, and they will dig for hours to prove it.
So Windows XP, stayed a hot wet steamy lump of of memory dump for how many years? Way to long.
Yet here I am, in an office that uses nothing but windows XP because some retarded guy who’s mom was best friends with the boss’s wife, has it installed on every single computer here. Can we safely tell the rainman “If you didn’t have such a learning disability, nothing would be backward designed here, please evolve us” ? or do we just keep saying “yes you are so smart, look at you.. You won that conversation. Loo at you… good boy”. Or should we pull out all guns, drop our modesty facade and humble this idiot?
Nope we just sit here and wish things were different.
Microsoft. please for the life of anything sane offer an optional service pack 4 that we can 4 dollars for and let the update turn us into windows vista.
Oh and I want my fricken progman back, If you bring program manager back, I will gladly fall in lust with (code name) windows 8 .
Nothing like turning off all themes and explorer.exe and running on multi cores and using almost no resources.

plan service pack 4 in request.

What becomes of Apple now

Posted onAuthorTruXter

Now that we have lost Steve Jobs, we have to question what will come of Apple. What will come of computers and cell phones from here?

My worry is that no one will fill Steve job’s spot and be creative and wise as he was all in one, and still run a company as he did.

If that will be the case, then we stand a chance of very little competition. with little competition, comes little growth through competitive progress processes. The desire to make your product better than the competition is what makes innovation. With less innovation by competitive motivation, we will become stale like a gaming console that floats 5-10 years without expansion or growth. We settle into acceptance and learn to just “deal with it “. Sometimes change is good for us. Options are even better for us.
So what becomes of Apple? what ever happens to apple, will reflect on what happens to Microsoft and what happens to Linux and what happens to Android, and to RIM and Symbian.

Will Apple consider this, Will it be easier and cheaper on Apple to just go for the lazy guy who doesn’t care? if so. It will be a fast sweep by Microsoft to take in Apple, and well… Linux would be a flash and soon forgotten.

Not to be a fear monger just trying to think ahead. Hopefully Apple is thinking ahead.

 

What comes of Apple and do they have an announcement coming soon? They very well should, if they want to keep their stock steady.

Windows 8 Developers Preview Released

Posted onAuthorTruXter

Screen shot windows 8

Screen shot windows 8

Windows 8 is released to the developers. there is a 32 bit version released and a 64 bit version released.
Some people who already have windows 8 developer’s are complaining about not knowing how to disable “aps”. They say that you start something, it just drops out of view but does not completely shut off.

Macinfake?

Some have found that by renaming a DLL file in the windows 32 folder, you get your taskbar. not sure about it.. Haven’t been home to test it yet so do your research. I think the DLL statement was false. There is an option to use taskbar . but when you hit the start button, it just starts the windows 8 Metro user interface.
Here is a funny comparison picture of how people are saying windows is making us stupid :-). Far right is the Windows 8 default screen.

windows 8

windows 8

As you see. Some people do not like having simple big smushy button tiles as their only option.

Here is a picture of Windows 8 install procedure, and it crashed.

install screen crash

install screen crash

The Evaluation period is until December if you installed today

picture of evaluation period expiration date

picture of evaluation

Picture of the Task Manager in Windows 8. Looks to have streamlined a bit and made it look a small bit less confusing. The way that taskmanager has been on previous versions of windows has always been a bit misleading. This probably still won’t help.

Task Manager Windows 8

Task Manager Windows 8

 

search on windows 8

search on windows 8

 

The file for the search picture, looks a bit fishy, I will investigate later.

and here is the error screen also known as the blue screen of death

Blue Screen of Death

crashed windows 8

And here is the

windows 8 crashed

blue screen of death windows 8 vm

Windows 8 Crash screen while running in virtual machine