Re: [CGUYS] Super Wow!
On Oct 20, 2009, at 9:11 PM Oct 20, Mark A. Metz wrote: http://gizmodo.com/5385625/dungeons--dragons-on-the-microsoft-surface I assume this can be currently purchased for a reasonable amount of money? Or is it more M$ vaporware? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Super Wow!
On Oct 21, 2009, at 11:20 AM Oct 21, Chris Dunford wrote: Yes, it can be purchased now, but it's not intended for personal use and is expensive ($12,500). So, no, it is not more M$ vaporware. Will we see Lauren running out of a Best Buy with one in the next edition of Laptop Hunters? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Comcast Devises Another Excuse to Limit Customer Access
Comcast Unveils Comprehensive “Constant Guard” Internet Security Program http://www.comcast.com/About/PressRelease/PressReleaseDetail.ashx? PRID=926 As part of this effort, starting today in Denver, CO, Comcast will begin to trial an in-browser notification “Service Notice”, which will alert customers whose computers appear to be infected with a bot (or virus) and request that they go to the Anti-Virus Center and follow a set of instructions to assist with removing the bot from their computer and thereby prevent it from spreading to other users. This feature and the other components of the Constant Guard Security program are provided for no additional charge to Comcast High-Speed Internet customers. My bet is that if you are using torrents or other services that compete with Comcast business they will pepper you with notices to such as extent that you won't be able to use the service. Effectively a DOS attack in sheep's clothing. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Finland: Broadband Is a Legal Right - BusinessWeek
http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/techbeat/archives/2009/10/ finland_broadba.html People need broadband connections to live normal lives Amen. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Vista -- Help Needed with Read Only Flag
XP had the unfortunate habit of setting the read-only flag of files copied to CDs. Copying such files back to the hard drive left the read-only flag set. I had to go to Properties to uncheck the read- only box before I could edit the files. Today I did same with Vista. Again the problem with the read-only flag. Except this time after I uncheck the read-only box (and press Apply etc), I find that the files continues to be read only. When I reopen Properties I find the read-only box has been rechecked. I go round and round several times, but the read-only flag can not be disabled. Why is is so persistent? How do I get to edit my files? Any suggestions? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Pogue Feeling Sorry for M$
On Sep 17, 2009, at 6:42 AM Sep 17, Snyder, Mark - IdM (IS) wrote: I think Tom's point is that mighty M$ has a major marketing failure on their hands. David Pogue also said: All right, then: so why sympathy? Thank you Mark, that is precisely my point. Equally remarkable is the inability of some of us to see how remarkable the Zune is. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Hype Cycle Graph
On Sep 17, 2009, at 6:27 AM Sep 17, Snyder, Mark - IdM (IS) wrote: They are just two-dimensional; plain x-y axis: just expectations mapped over time to wide-spread adoption. They did not prove to be very useful and I always took these charts with a large grain of salt. I was quite fascinated by the hype axis. What a thing to keep track of! * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] COMPUTERGUYS-L Digest - 10 Sep 2009 - Special issue (#2009-870)
On Sep 17, 2009, at 3:21 PM Sep 17, Fred Holmes wrote: If one doesn't like what the faceless corporate bureaucrat decides, one can drop the insurance and go with someone else. With government, there is no choice -- no place to escape to. I can think of lots of places. Have you been denied a passport? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Hype Cycle Graph
http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/cms/dn17705/dn17705-1_671.jpg Cool graphic that takes a bit of work to figure out. Plots the hype level (expectations) vs time vs time to adoption. I'm not sure I get the 2 time scales yet. Anybody got an insight here? At the very peak of the hype curve they put Project Natal and mark it as 5 to 10 years to reality. Closest to reality is Presence. I guess that is this: http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presence_information and I don't see that this is interesting enough to even mention. Anyone to enlighten me? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac alternative spell checker
On Sep 15, 2009, at 11:41 AM Sep 15, Jordan wrote: I'm looking into a better spell checker than the one that comes on the Mac. Sometimes the one on the Mac does a lousy job of guessing what I'm looking for. http://www.rainmakerinc.com/ * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Microsoft to Drop Zunes - PC World
Should I be polite and refrain from saying I told you so. Great photo here... http://technologizer.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/zuneyard.png? w=320h=246 http://www.pcworld.com/article/171348/ microsoft_to_drop_all_zunes_except_for_hd_model.html Microsoft said it will continue to offer the flash Zune 4GB, 8GB and 16GB devices and the 80GB and 120GB hard-drive devices until they are sold out. That could take years, unless they cut the price to near $zero. Barron's reports analysts suggesting that M$ buy Palm to get a clean start... http://www.marketwatch.com/m/story/2321ce2f-8461-47cb-95bd- acdbb12f9824/0 That would be terrible, Palm is just starting to get its act together and would be a nice alternative for the iPhone. A future that gives us a choice of iPhone, Palm Pre, or Androids would be a very good three way race. If M$ were to swallow up Palm and crap it up, as they always do, it would be a far less interesting future. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Microsoft to Drop Zunes - PC World
On Sep 13, 2009, at 2:20 PM Sep 13, Chris Dunford wrote: A headline worthy of Fox Nation. Any reasonable person would have written, Microsoft To Discontinue Older Zune Models. What would you be saying if Apple were to dump its entire line, except for one model? Of course you want to focus on the messenger, not the message. This move is a big deal. I bet the one model will soon become the no model. Anyone think they will try buying Palm? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Microsoft to Drop Zunes - PC World
On Sep 13, 2009, at 7:26 PM Sep 13, Chris Dunford wrote: Well, if there were a new iPod that rendered the older ones entirely obsolete, I guess I'd say something like, That makes sense. Except that is not the case. Other than that, you are fine. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] the moon
On Sep 12, 2009, at 7:13 AM Sep 12, Chris Dunford wrote: Like what? I'm not trying to be a smart-ass, it's a serious question. I've yet to read about any really important research that is going on in the space station and that couldn't be done any other way. Isn't this just another socialist boondoggle? Should not space be left for the likes of Disney, Virgin, Microsoft, and the Sirius Cybernetic Company? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] COMPUTERGUYS-L Digest - 10 Sep 2009 - Special issue (#2009-870)
On Sep 11, 2009, at 12:06 PM Sep 11, Steve at Verizon wrote: But this is White House projections!!! See: That is a projection of the debt. What is the GDP increase expected to be over the same period? I'll give you a hint: What is one divided by one, genius? About the only thing this discussion is proving is that cons/neocons are idiots. No that is not name calling. It is just the objective fact. You can't get your facts straight and you can't do simple math. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Intensive Care Unit...
On Sep 11, 2009, at 9:15 AM Sep 11, mike wrote: Socialism is a word like any other, a construct of humans and governments. Neither good nor bad, Tom is being mighty ignorant here since both the nazi and soviets called themselves and acted in great part in a socialistic way. Another demonstration of piss poor logic. These evil doers did a lot of things, as did Reagan and Bush. Their hearts beat. Blood flowed through their veins. They breathed in air. By your logic all these activities should be condemned by virtue of guilt by association. If you truly believe what you wrote you need to promptly stop all of the above. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Intensive Care Unit...
On Sep 11, 2009, at 11:44 AM Sep 11, Steve at Verizon wrote: t.piwowar wrote: Nonesense. What are you comparing that number to? Your pay check? Properly you look at it as percent of GDP. A proper analysis is here: http://zfacts.com/metaPage/lib/National-Debt-GDP-L.gif This was the Bush party line when he grew the National Debt. Should we stop doing the math properly just because Bush did it properly too? Your logic continues to be cracked. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] MacFriendly webhost recommendation
On Sep 6, 2009, at 12:53 AM Sep 6, chrper...@aol.com wrote: Looking at my accounts, though, I find that one runs through May of 2010, and the other through October of 2010, so it may be a bit before I actually make a switch. But I want to be sure, before I switch, that I only have to do this one time! Most hosts will accept cancellations on a 30 or 90 day basis, depending on their billing cycle. Are you looking at your agreement with the hosting service or at the expiration date of your domain registration? These are two very different things. You will probably want a few months overlap between the two services so that you can migrate at your leisure. AT the time of your switchover you will want identical websites on both services to give you continuity of presence as your new IP propagates through. My $10/month hosting service (1and1) includes three domain registrations with the $10 plan. So when I migrated to a new host I just had 1and1 take over as my registrar too. That saved me money over having to pay for a separate registration. Then I simply informed my old hosting service that they were history. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Intensive Care Unit...
On Sep 6, 2009, at 8:52 AM Sep 6, Rev. Stewart Marshall wrote: DHL is the three letter name you are looking for German and has closed up shop for a lot of things. (If I remember they are the ones who closed up shop on an Ohio town?) DHL is going out of business because it was doing a terrible job. The foreign owners seemed unable to put an effective management team in place in the USA. Their service was horribly unreliable. Instead of working harder at fixing the problem they just decided to give up. The German stock holders of the parent company really should give their German managers the heave ho. DHL was a huge operation and they just pissed it away. Shockingly bad management. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Intensive Care Unit...
On Sep 6, 2009, at 8:50 AM Sep 6, phartz...@gmail.com wrote: The finger biter should be thankful that Mr. Rice was not one of the numerous anti-reform types who carry firearms to these events. 65-year-old William Rice, who is covered under the Medicare program, was taken to an area hospital. I hope he stuck to his guns and refused Communist-funded treatment. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Intensive Care Unit...
On Sep 6, 2009, at 3:11 AM Sep 6, Jeff Miles wrote: Why do people insist on defending these mafioso type companies that do nothing but steal from them and then turn and complain about the government wasting money? This kind of thought just baffles the shit out of me. It baffles the shit out of me too. Why do they defend predatory monopolists who amass huge fortunes by overcharging for inferior software? And then applaud when $Bs of ill-gotten funds are sent out of the country to pay for Communist-style health care for the foreigners that they hate with such passion. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Intensive Care Unit...
On Sep 6, 2009, at 3:04 AM Sep 6, Jeff Miles wrote: Does anyone really stop and think what the post office does on a daily basis? I have yet to find a privet company that has worked as efficiently and consistently. And, being governmentally run, the post office's goal isn't to make a profit. No government program is run to make a profit. Alas, the wing nuts forced the Post Office to be spun off to operate as a non-governmental quasi-business. That is when a lot of the problems at the Post Office started. Their mission was unchanged, but revenue sources were cut and strict limits were imposed on what they could charge. No thought was given to the essential societal function that the Post Office provides. It is a tribute to their managers that the Post Office continues to do a fairly good job. This is standard wing-nut strategy to make government look bad. They stack the deck against the organization so that they can use it as a whipping boy in support of their bizarre, unworkable political philosophies. Now as Obama gradually fixes their mess people are already forgetting the terrible Bush-Cheney ideological mis- management that got us into our current economic situation. Note that while millions of middle-class Americans lose their jobs, the American oligarchs continue to pay themselves $100,000,000 bonuses. And for the upcoming G8 meeting it has already been announced that the US will oppose putting a lid on the oligarchs. Even a US President is unable to stand against them. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Intensive Care Unit...
On Sep 6, 2009, at 11:45 AM Sep 6, mike wrote: If gov't programs aren't supposed to make money, can we at least ask they don't LOSE so much? Simple. Just raise taxes. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac friendly web host recommendation
On Sep 5, 2009, at 9:42 AM Sep 5, chrper...@aol.com wrote: I am very unhappy with my current webhost. They have no phone access when problems arise, and lately they've been causing problems with mail list access and web host issues as well. To be fair you need to tell us the host you find so terrible. Hosts who provide bad service will get away with it if you don't share your displeasure. I know this has been discussed before, but I can't seem to find the archived posts. I would like a local host if possible, but I definitely am interested in dealing with a Mac friendly host, and one with phone help available, at least during business hours. These days I find that the typical good hosting service is sufficiently Mac friendly that I don't need to look for any special Mac attention. If the service runs on Apache servers you can expect both Macs and PCs to be handled about equally. After all the Web belongs to Unix, not M$. So just avoid clueless hosting services that litter their home pages with M$ trademarks. I'm doing very well with a big hosting company: 1and1.com. They are international so their call centers span the globe. That means I can get help 24/7/365. In most cases the service from the distant call centers is just fine and when I call it is not to ask easy questions. Calls usually get answered by a human tech after just a few rings. The first person you speak to will be a tech and not a level-1 type who just does triage. The first person you speak to will probably be the last person you speak to. The basic service is priced low and is completely adequate. Their control panel lets me manage my accounts very easily. They have extensive online help. They offer lots of extra services as part of the basic package. While they also offer M$- based services to appeal to the ignorant masses, their Unix-based services are M$ free. Their help files treat M$ and Apple OSs evenhandedly. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac friendly web host recommendation
On Sep 5, 2009, at 11:22 AM Sep 5, chad evans wyatt wrote: Not sure where you are, here in the DC area, Heller Information Services is responsive, consistent, reliable. http://info.his.com/ Not what it once was. They seem to have outsourced their support. I get too many I don't knows and we'll call you backs from them these days. The techs are clearly not local, but not from India either. Questions sent via email get ignored. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac friendly web host recommendation
I'm currently troubleshooting email non-delivery for a client. One of their important vendors can't send them email reliably. I found the vendor's host's email server blacklisted by backscatter.org. Vendor reports spending hours on the phone with GoDaddy with no resolution. Before selecting a host I would check out their mail servers at http://www.dnsbl.info/ to see if they run a sloppy shop. This site will chack an IP against a long list of blacklists. Do folks know any other good ways to check out a host? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac friendly web host recommendation
On Sep 5, 2009, at 12:32 PM Sep 5, Tony B wrote: Good point. Mail issues are often not your host's fault at all. Rather, some overactive spam filter somewhere. We've been banned from AOL longer than we've been allowed. My meaning was completely the opposite. Badly-run email servers are the responsibility of the hosting service. When the hosting service does not do their jobs right they facilitate spammers. It is not hard to stay on AOL's good side. AOL has lots of online material and tools to facilitate being a good emailer. If you are the server admin you can even sign up to have AOL forward all emails it bounces to you. AOL works hard to keep spam under control and to play well with others. If you are banned from AOL I would take a long hard look at your hosting service. Consider how long this list has been in existence and how many times you have seen spam here. AOL has done a great job. It is the Comcasts, Coxes, and Verizons that cause us problems. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] MacFriendly web host recommendation
On Sep 5, 2009, at 4:49 PM Sep 5, chrper...@aol.com wrote: When I asked for help with this via a trouble ticket, it took about 5 1/2 hours to get the lists accessible again. I would not consider that to be bad service. To get a report sent in by email fixed within a few hours is good. There is a good chance that switching another hosting service would give you even worse service. Though I would prefer a service provider that does provide phone support. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Intensive Care Unit...
On Sep 5, 2009, at 5:18 PM Sep 5, Marcio wrote: Well... he has been quite helpful to me... Don't bother arguing with this bunch. What they have inflicted on this List in recent months is much like what the USA has had inflicted on it in recent weeks of wild attacks against rational health care. I don't know if you have been following any of this from afar, doctor, but it has been crazy. No rationality, just insults. Very sad. They even call me Hitler so I'm feeling in good company with President Obama. I think it best to take the lead from our esteemed Representative from Massachusetts... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGX-2oTNens He starts by asking: What planet are you on? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Variable Weight Typefaces?
On Sep 3, 2009, at 8:22 PM Sep 3, Mike wrote: Sorry, i went by what you wrote in your post, next time I won't just take your word for it. Bad MS, bad. Sometimes good (e.g. mice). Usually not (e.g. Vista). Why are you so afraid to see things clearly? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Guys and GPS
On Sep 4, 2009, at 9:02 AM Sep 4, Art Clemons wrote: Too many people rely on them, even when it doesn't make sense to do so. Someone (not me) came to work very tired last Monday morning. They had made a long trip. Halfway back to home someone had fiddled with the GPS and the infernal machine started giving them directions back to where they had started the day. They dutifully followed directions. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Searching in browser history
On Sep 4, 2009, at 9:17 AM Sep 4, Chris Dunford wrote: Has anyone run across seen an IE add-on (or a separate product) that will look for text in the pages that are in the history list? I found one (History Search), but it hasn't been updated in a long time, the publisher has vanished, and I'd be very surprised if it still works. The most recent issue of Safari uses a cover-flow type display to browse History. Too bad that your contract with M$ forbids your using it. Perhaps IE 9 or 10 will provide you with a poor copy. Hold your breath. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] M$ Minions Rush to the Ramparts
On Sep 3, 2009, at 8:20 PM Sep 3, Mike wrote: Might want to actually read the link you posted, it gave fairly detailed and valid reasons for not switching. Unless no application support on the mac for the companies main business isn't validi suppose they could change what they do for a living to fit into the mac mold instead of using the best tool for the job. We made poor choices and painted ourselves into a corner is not a valid excuse. We are too lazy to learn new software is not a valid excuse. Our users are stupid is probably just projection. Doesn't support our 034 keypunches isn't a valid excuse either. This was sorry bunch of underachievers. Also interesting how quickly they were able to come to these deep conclusions. Unless they had lined up at the Apple Store there is no way they could have examined the software before making their pronouncements. Of course if you were to ask these bozos about a M$ OS that has not yet shipped I'm sure they would tell you how wonderful it is. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Intensive Care Unit...
On Sep 1, 2009, at 2:51 PM Sep 1, db wrote: We all ... most of us anyway ... just wish you would do the easy and more inexpensive thing by leaving that boat anchor on the bottom where it now rests and belongs for all eternity and just get a computer off the shelf that is current and works. Are you suggesting that Marcio do something illegal with his hardware? PCs are toxic waste! * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Intensive Care Unit...
On Sep 1, 2009, at 10:06 AM Sep 1, Rev. Stewart Marshall wrote: Depends on what he is comfortable with. I just wiped a drive this a.m. and reinstalled M$'s latest good OS: Win XP. Why provide Apple with more fodder for its commercials? M$ is making its usual promises for the next OS, but I suspect it will be just another episode of Charlie Brown trying to kick that football, * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] What really happens to the computers we recycle?
On Sep 1, 2009, at 11:40 AM Sep 1, Jordan wrote: We've had 8 years, really many more since it started before Reagan, of tearing down regulations. It doesn't work.(like we didn't already know that) Look where we are now. We need freedom for people, not freedom of corporations to take advantage of people. Criminals usually think they are in the right and it is the cops who have it all wrong. Just look at Dick Cheney's latest pronouncements. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Apple's Answer to Laptop Hunters
As usual, a hoot! http://movies.apple.com/media/us/mac/getamac/2009/apple-mvp- top_of_the_line-us-20090824_480x272.mov When you are ready to compromise, you call me. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Snow Leopard Review
On Aug 29, 2009, at 1:14 PM, mike wrote: Apple continues to rely on the honor system for Mac OS X. Not only does Snow Leopard not require the entry of any serial numbers... We leave the thieving, lying, cheating to our WFBs. Have you seen the latest ad/demo of Mac's moral superiority? http://movies.apple.com/media/us/mac/getamac/2009/apple-mvp-surprise- us-20090824_480x272.mov * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Sudden Mac OS X V4 Inefficiency
On Aug 25, 2009, at 10:15 PM, Arnold Kee wrote: Are there gremlins out to get me? Yes! all of a sudden, it now acts really slowly and fails to connect with my wireless network consistently Have you cleared the browser's cache files? A corrupt cache happens suddenly and will slow things down considerably. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac Transition to 64-Bit
On Aug 26, 2009, at 5:55 PM, Tony B wrote: In fact, I asked about this on the list a while back. How can I ensure that PAE is turned on so I know my WinXP is using all 6gb of my ram. It was only much later I discovered the consumer versions of Windows don't include PAE, and so are limited to 4gb ram. Are you saying memory access is crippled unless one buys a higher- priced version? Why am I not surprised? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac Transition to 64-Bit
On Aug 26, 2009, at 7:49 AM, Jeff Wright wrote: And Windows has been 64-bit for several years now. The problem has been in driver support and app compatibility, no surprise there. Precisely. Apple knows that some drivers won't work right with the 64 kernel, but it doesn't know if you have such drivers. It suspects that you probably do so the default is 32 bit. You can try 64 by starting up with the 6 and 4 keys depressed and from then on it will run with the 64 kernel. If you run into trouble you restart with 3 and 2 depressed and that puts you back to a 32 kernel. A very elegant solution to a problem that gave Vista users conniptions. What I don't understand is why WFBs have such a hard time understanding something so simple. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac Transition to 64-Bit
On Aug 26, 2009, at 12:43 PM, Mark A. Metz wrote: I have a Vista 64 machine that runs Photoshop CS4 at 64 bit. It runs Photoshop 7 at 32 bit. It even runs older apps at 16 bit, I think. So even though the OS is 64 bit, and I realize that means I can run 64 bit apps., it doesn't limit my running whatever I want, right? And I don't have to reboot to a 32 bit environment to do it. That's running in application space. A very different environment than the kernel. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac Transition to 64-Bit
On Aug 26, 2009, at 7:30 AM, Snyder, Mark - IdM (IS) wrote: Not sure why you're flailing on this. Mac OS 10.6, Snow Leopard, can be set to load 64-bit, every time, if desired, or left to the default, to load the 32-bit kernel. Windows users must install one or the other. This is not a huge difference. Why split hairs? Sure is a huge difference. Reinstalling Windows is not quick and will probably mess up many installed apps. Not something that is done lightly. Definitely not something you would want to switch back and forth. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Mac Transition to 64-Bit
This explains a lot. Some things run in 32 bit, some in 64 bit. It all depends. http://www.ahatfullofsky.comuv.com/English/Programs/SMS/SMS.html There is a lot of confusion about the fact that Snow Leopard starts by default with a 32-bit kernel even though nearly everything else is 64-bit (according to Apple all system applications except DVD Player, Front Row, Grapher, and iTunes have been rewritten in 64-bit). Snow Leopard is 64-bit for all users with a 64-bit CPU. The applications are, the memory space is. The ONLY THING that doesn't load into 64-bit - ON PURPOSE - is the kernel! The problem is compatibility with third-party drivers. Some programs are so deeply intertwined with the OS that they reach deeply into its bowels and modify its core, the kernel - these drivers are called kernel extensions (or kext). BTW, the new Mac OS ships this Friday. M$'s Vista replacement is still way out there in the future. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac Transition to 64-Bit
On Aug 25, 2009, at 11:54 AM, Tony B wrote: Now I see - basically because the OS is still 32 bit itself. You don't see all that well (why am I not surprised?). OS X.6 is set to run a 32-bit kernel as the default. It can be set to run a 64-bit kernel or you can just press the 6 and 4 keys during startup. Reasons why have already been described. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac Transition to 64-Bit
On Aug 25, 2009, at 11:34 AM, mike wrote: Was someone asking? Then butt out. You are not invited to this conversation. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac Transition to 64-Bit
On Aug 25, 2009, at 11:04 AM, Rev. Stewart Marshall wrote: Not too far I already have pre-orders in for a few copies. Yes I saw, M$ wanted to be paid 3 months ahead on the promise of delivering an operating system and the faithful got their credit cards out. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac Transition to 64-Bit
On Aug 25, 2009, at 1:45 PM, mike wrote: You are kicking me off the list for asking? Nice. Cue the violins. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Asking for prepaid cell phone recommendation
On Aug 25, 2009, at 1:00 PM, rleesimon wrote: I just had a 4 min conversation with their customer service and with that ...as I rarely if ever text, I got that off halving my internet monthly charge, dropped to 550min/mo reducing another chunk, was able to retain my more that 5000 minutes of roll over and got unlim nite/mobile-mobile covering all my calls to my wife other family members who have att. Monthly down to around 70 which is same as 2 crickets would cost, so With Cricket Respekt and other competition I guess the fat and happy cell companies are now having to cut deals with their customers too. Someday there may be an iPhone in my future! (I know, Win 7 will be out before then.) * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] A Lifeline to Frustrated PC Users
http://www.parallels.com/news/id,19860 Parallels Desktop Switch to Mac Edition Offers Lifeline to Frustrated PC Users Switching from PC to Mac is on the rise: analyst reports on operating system market share show that Mac OS X market growth comes at the expense of Windows’ market share. While the overall PC industry saw declines of 3% for the quarter ending in June 2009, Apple sales were up 4% year over year¹. According to Apple’s Q309 report, half of the Macs sold were to customers who had never owned a Mac before². The growth in switching is partially due to the ease-of-use and cool capabilities of the Mac, said Serguei Beloussov, CEO of Parallels. However, users don’t want to lose the data they have accumulated and the applications they are already familiar with. Building on our proven track record of Mac innovation, we have addressed this concern and made learning the new operating system even simpler through interactive on-demand tutorials. These are combined with intelligent moving tools and our industry-leading Parallels Desktop for Mac, which offers the greatest performance and stability for running Windows seamlessly on Mac. Golly, there is hope for the future. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac Transition to 64-Bit
On Aug 25, 2009, at 2:52 PM, Tony B wrote: So now you're saying the only difference is the new Mac OS will combine both 64 and 32 bit versions in the same package, and the installer must choose 64 bit manually. Win7 will come in two different binaries, and the installer must use the correct one. So Apple has prepared to ease its customers through a transition, while M$ has not. OS X.6 is designed to run in either 32 or 64 mode and to easily switch between them as customer's needs require. This is a good example of the difference between the two companies. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac Transition to 64-Bit
On Aug 25, 2009, at 4:36 PM, Rich Schinnell wrote: http://www.infoworld.com/d/windows/snow-leopard-just-cheap- windows-7-knockoff-798 Oh pleeese! A half-baked WFB spouting about the wonderfulness of Vista plus claims that X.6 is somehow a copy of M$'s yet to be released OS. Tell us about how Apple got into Steve's TimeMachine, zapped into the future, and came back with copies of M$ innovative work. (They also returned with a deed to a bridge to Brooklyn.) WFBs apparently have not yet figured out that Apple's TimeMachine is a backup program. Read the comments that follow this article. Lots of them: I'm not even a Mac user and even I can see this article is biased rubbish... If there was only 1 or 2 errors here, I would try to write something to shed light on those error, but as it is, the whole article is so hopelessly biased and misleading that I feel like the best thing for me to do would be to write a very pointed suggestion to the author that he amend this article with an apology and promise to do his homework before he ever does this kind of bashing again... As you say, there are no 'issues' in this article to respond to, only outright lies and distortions which do not in themselves merit much of a response. What is far more interesting than the article's content is the dishonesty of the author himself and the willingness of IW to condone it. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac Transition to 64-Bit
On Aug 25, 2009, at 3:42 PM, mike wrote: MS has not because no that they are running 64bit or 32bit. Got it. Official M$ line is that 64-bit is useless, something that no one would notice. You think we are stupid? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac Transition to 64-Bit
On Aug 25, 2009, at 3:35 PM, Tony B wrote: So you're saying if I install OSX 32 bit today, then change my mobo and CPU, I can simply switch to 64 bit next year? Just throw a switch and no OS reinstall will be required? Nice, if true. The OS loads either the 32 or 64-bit kernel at startup. Default is 32. At some point the default will be 64. This doesn't paint customers into a corner. Yes very nice -- typical Apple engineering. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Asking for prepaid cell phone recommendation
On Aug 24, 2009, at 1:07 PM, Tony B wrote: Actually, that's $8.33/mo the first year. Hard to say how long you could keep renewing minutes after that as the networks change and to get the better coverage you may need a new phone. Need to read the fine print on the plan and ask questions. With T- Mobile you get Gold status after you have spent $100 and that status does not expire. So you buy a $100 card immediately and your are Gold. The $100 card comes with 200 bonus minutes and Gold customers get bonus minutes with every subsequent purchase, no matter how small. If you have Gold status any purchase extends all your minutes for a year. So you could buy a $10 card once a year to keep all your minutes. After spending the initial $100 you could go for years with annual $10 purchases. Used this way my T-Mobile phone is costing me about $75/year. I buy minutes for $100 or $50 in alternate years. If you want o be really frugal you can find T-Mobile minutes sold at a discount on the Internet. You can easily get 3% off and sometimes 7%. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iMac problem
On Aug 22, 2009, at 9:50 PM, Jordan wrote: My 2 year old intel iMac won't boot. I got a grey kernel crash screen yesterday, but it restarted and ran fine in the evening so I didn't take any time to investigate. This evening it started strangely, displayed properly, but would not run Eye TV. I tried to restart it and now all it does is play the audio crescendo, sounds like it reads the hard drive for a moment and then does nothing else. No display. I put the OS DVD in and started, holding C, and it makes noises like it's reading the DVD but gives up in a few moments. I tried resetting the NVRAM, but it won't reset it. No beeps. Instead of starting up with Command-C, do the same with Command- Option-Shift-Delete held down. If you succeed with startup it would indicate a hardware problem with the disk drive. The drive is easy to swap out on that model (if I'm guessing your model right). Restoring from your TimeMachine backup will get you back running quickly. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] [Fwd: PCMag Analysis: Apple, ATT and Google Voice]
On Aug 22, 2009, at 8:23 PM, b_s-wilk wrote: Their argument sounds oddly plaintive: Apple spent a lot of time and effort developing their phone interface, so they don't like that Google replac[es] the iPhone's core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail. Saying don't like is extrapolating too far. More accurate would be saying that it is something that needs to be thought through. Looking back in history, some credit the success of the Apple II computer solely to the invention of the VisiCalc spreadsheet, because it turned the Apple II into a serious business tool. I think Apple needs to decide whether the iPhone is better for them as a computing platform or as a delivery mechanism for ATT services. Right now Apple is getting huge payments from ATT, which makes sticking with ATT very tempting. If Google could match the ATT cash flow it would be easier for Apple to open up the platform to Google (and others). Long term Apple has to figure out a way to capture a share of the income streams that the iPhone is enabling. That would allow Apple to open the iPhone to all comers on an equal basis. Doing this would make many customers and carriers very happy, but would make ATT very unhappy. Open access would likely assure the long term dominance of the iPhone. ATT's lock on the iPhone is one of the iPhone's few weak spots. I think the GoogleVoice app is forcing Apple to do some heavy thinking sooner than it had anticipated. Apple may leave Google hanging for a long time as it tries to work out the many implications. We are going to see just how smart Apple really is. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mysterious iChat / AIM messages transcripts appearing on iMac desktop ?
On Aug 22, 2009, at 11:44 PM, db wrote: Currently he has no use whatsoever for iChat (he's just learning to mouse about, read emails etc... he hasn't even sent an email yet...) and I'd like to make sure his computer and iChat are secure and impervious to more of the same. http://basics4mac.com/article.php/ichat_privacy You can set various levels of privacy in iChat that determine who can chat with you. To set your privacy level, go to Preferences and choose the Accounts pane and then the Security tab. You can choose from any of these five options: * Allow anyone * Allow people on my Buddy List * Allow specific people * Block everyone * Block specific people Anyone who is allowed to chat with you can also see your availability (available / away / offline). Anyone who is blocked will always see you as offline. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mysterious iChat / AIM messages transcripts appearing on iMac desktop ?
On Aug 23, 2009, at 8:14 AM, Reid Katan wrote: How else would he have iChat and AIM accounts going? iChat uses the AIM network. So no surprise there. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] WSJ.com | Why ATT Killed Google Voice
On Aug 22, 2009, at 4:40 PM, mike wrote: Everything is the fault of those damn neomircrosofticons eh? How you manage to bring your made up boogey men into everything is amazing. On Aug 22, 2009, at 5:58 PM, Jeff Wright wrote: You first feign outrage over Google Voice and then almost immediately fold like a cheap chair and spew a they're just so misunderstood defense of Apple. Arguing with you guys is like trying to have a conversation with a coffee table. Fortunately there were many other posts that were thoughtful about this very interesting situation. Hang it up. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] WSJ.com | Why ATT Killed Google Voice
On Aug 23, 2009, at 1:35 PM, Mike wrote: So you know google is lying...how do you know that? The issue is not Google or Apple lying. It is you trying to insert misinformation into the account of what transpired. GV was not rejected by Apple. It was not approved. The two are not the same. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mysterious iChat / AIM messages transcripts appearing on iMac desktop ?
On Aug 23, 2009, at 10:33 AM, Reid Katan wrote: What I was wondering is, basically, do Macs come with iChat/AIM accounts set up? That seems like something he would have to enable. I've had my iBook for about a year so far (bought refurbed with OSX. 4 from Geeks.com) and no one has tried to iChat with me. . .hmm, maybe that's saying more about me than my computer. )-: Not set up, but starting iChat will start a sign up process. You answer a few questions and you have an account set up for you,. It is not like the old days when it took several days of reading manuals, downloading software, patching, configuring, cursing. reinstalling, reconfiguring, and more cursing. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] iMac problem
On Aug 23, 2009, at 10:50 AM, Jordan wrote: I think I had tried that at one point last night, but in any case, it didn't start it just now when I did it. That suggests that it is probably not a hard drive problem. I don't know if I dreamed it up or read it somewhere but I just held down the start button until the light on the front started flashing, then it let out a long beeep and started! Good. I think that reset the power management unit. That definitely could have caused the problem you describe. I used Disk Utility to verify the internal disk and the external firewire disk and they both check out fine. I had a feeling this was a logic problem, or something other than hard drive. Good. Please suggest what next steps to take to find out what went wrong. What hardware tests? What logs to read? You are done. Nothing more to check. Nothing more to do. It is unlikely you will see this problem again. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] REJECTED [Was: Apple Answers the FCC’s Questi ons]
On Aug 23, 2009, at 11:00 AM, Alvin Auerbach wrote: Your message cannot be distributed to the COMPUTERGUYS-L list because it exceeds the maximum message size of 225 lines. The size of your message was 350 lines. Congratulations on being the first to be so rejected. This limit has been in force for several years. I probably should lower it further, possibly to 100 lines. You should be giving us a link to long documents, not pasting them whole into emails. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Logmein
On Aug 23, 2009, at 3:21 PM, Jordan wrote: db or anyone else, how did the logmein work for you, and are there any other programs like that, that work for the Mac? Screen sharing is part of OS X.5 (Leopard). Works over the local network or with a VPN or MobileMe. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] WSJ.com | Why ATT Killed Google Voice
It is truly strange to see the WSJ arguing the benefits of a free market. This is, of course, another manifestation of the network neutrality debate. It is bad for society to allow the carriers to impose bizarre restrictions on what devices can generate data packets on their networks and what those data packets can contain. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] HDDs and vibrators was: Slow Dell startup
On Aug 22, 2009, at 2:12 PM, Tony B wrote: No, you will have a hard time convincing me a fan of any type could vibrate enough to cause an r/w error on a drive. But be aware - cosmic rays *can* cause errors. Not as many as 'normal' causes, but surely it happens. Anyway, that's what chkdsk is for. If my systems crash suddenly for any reason, I run a full chkdsk on all the drives afterwards. Worrying that fan vibration might damage the data on the drive is definitely obsessive compulsive behavior. If the vibration were that severe you would not be wanting to be in the same room with this computer. A quick solution to fan noise is to unplug the fan or stick a fork in its blades. Of course, an obsessive compulsive person would then go bonkers because the fan was not running. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] WSJ.com | Why ATT Killed Google Voice
Apple's response to the DOJ inquiry looks a lot more plausible than the explanations proffered by the conspiracy theorists. In a nutshell, adding Google Voice to an iPhone significantly changes the operation of the iPhone. It replaces so many of the iPhone's functions that it left Apple wondering if the result was still an iPhone. Apple claims that it did not reject Google Voice, but that it merely delayed its approval and kicked the decision upstairs to a senior management committee. They need some time to sort it out. In a sense this is like the situation when right-wing wackos edit a film to meet their higher standards and then try to redistribute the film. The courts have ruled this illegal. The creator if the work has the right to control what is in the work. If the creator wants to issue a censored version it is their right to do so, but a third party may not do it. Here Apple has to decide what is essential about their iPhone and to what degree they will allow third parties to change the essential nature of their creation. There are good arguments to be made on either side of this issue. I can understand Apple being unable to make a snap judgement on this one. If the extensive changes made to the iPhone by Google Voice break some of the functionality of the iPhone will customers blame Apple or Google? Who has to make repairs? http://www.apple.com/hotnews/apple-answers-fcc-questions/ The best of all worlds might be to have Apple and Google work together to make this work. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] LISTSERV
On Aug 20, 2009, at 9:04 AM, Jordan wrote: I think Google is doing the a good job of making its Groups, on- line apps, and other tools accessible and easy to use, but as the article suggests, control and security are difficult and complicated. Is that fair? The article says In other words, the security settings are there, they just have to be used. It is common for applications to have such security settings turned off by default because having them on by default would cause too many tech support calls. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] drupal for only 10 million
On Aug 20, 2009, at 1:50 PM, mike wrote: It wasn't just the degree that set Dvorak off, it was also Kundra's behavior during an appearance at I believe was in front of some senators. His basic point being the guy was full of BS web 2.0 doubletalk that makes no sense when actually analyzed. Web 2.0 is hardly doubletalk. Perhaps it is just a future that some geezers have trouble comprehending? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Zune HD TV Interface Makes It a Media Center For Your Pocket
On Aug 18, 2009, at 9:21 PM, Chris Dunford wrote: A failure that hasn't been released yet? Interesting point of view. Perhaps we should wait just a bit. You have to be smart enough to come in out of the rain to understand the concept. Standing there until you are soaked and sneezing is not necessary. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] LISTSERV
Continuing its effort to differentiate its online applications from Microsoft Office though collaborative capabilities, Google (NSDQ: GOOG) on Tuesday made it possible to share calendars, documents, and sites among Google Groups members. Google Enables Document Sharing Among Groups http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/google/showArticle.jhtml? articleID=219400485 * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Computer gadgets in cars
iPhone tries to make everybody happy... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlzoL-wQwio * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] drupal for only 10 million
On Aug 19, 2009, at 5:30 PM, John Duncan Yoyo wrote: Dvorak was more annoyed with the quality of the school he went to. U Md has a very good Computer Science program. It is the best in this area, which has lots of schools with CS departments. Kundra has also demonstrated the ability to think independently and innovate. When someone can do that I'm not going to be looking at his degree. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Subject: drupal for only 10 million
Looks like the price tag ($18M) is for 5 years of work with an ambitious mission statement and new content constantly added. Our cons/neocons had made it sound like it was for a weekend's work. They lied to us for 8 years and I guess it is hard to break a habit. Agencies are starting to see that government needs to be part of this larger information ecosystem, said Sheila Campbell, co- chairwoman of the Federal Web Managers Council. Managing the Web isn't just managing the Web site. It means putting the content out where people are on the Web. Great dot-gov Web Sites 2009 http://gcn.com/Articles/2009/07/27/GCN-Great-Gov-Web-Sites-2009.aspx Go visit these government sites and enjoy a job well done! Don't miss the contrast between the really good government sites and the shabby GCN site. Do note aspx at the end of the GCN URL. (ASP.NET is a web application framework developed and marketed by Microsoft. Ho, ho, ho.) I have analyzed the code of some of these dot-gov sites and, as I wrote before, they are very well crafted. Lots to learn from their example. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Consumer Level Rechargeable Battery Technology
On Aug 18, 2009, at 12:41 PM, John Settle wrote: Anyone have any charger/battery technology (Brand) combinations that work well? LSD NiMH... Sanyo Eneloop http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Eneloop-Pre-Charged- Rechargeable-Batteries/product-reviews/B000IV2YLY Rayovac Hybrid Kodak Pre-Charged Duracell Pre Charged * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Disk geometry error - solved but not cured
On Aug 18, 2009, at 11:18 AM, Tony B wrote: I guess what I'm saying is this explanation doesn't make sense to me. Do you have a link for further reading? Or is this just another reason not to use Acronis? Nothing wrong with Acronis. Different methods of copying are appropriate in different cases. You need to use the right tool and the right settings for the particular job. Making a bit-for-bit copy is going to give you an exact replica. If somebody has messed with track zero the copied drive will have the exact same modification. A bit-for-bit copy of a 100GB drive onto a 500GB platter will still look like a 100GB drive. To get the lost 400GB you will need to go back and mess with the drive some more or use a different copy method. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Disk geometry error - solved but not cured
On Aug 18, 2009, at 2:41 PM, Tony B wrote: Maybe I'm just misunderstanding, but I think you're wrong here. In the old days disk imaging may have done bit for bit clones, but these days they use compression, and they ignore empty spaces on the disk. So they have no trouble copying a partition to a different size disk. i.e., Last week I 'restored' my Vista 50gb partition to a brand new 75gb partition. It does not look like a 50gb partition to the OS. Some of us like to have choices. You are describing a different choice as if it were the only way to do it. There are times when a bit-for-bit copy is just the ticket. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Flush With Cash and Fearing Rules, Major Carriers Tell Rural America to Get Lost
Looks like rural America will get to keep its guns and religion, but it ain't gonna get no DSL. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/13/ AR2009081302433.html?wpisrc=newsletterwpisrc=newsletter The Obama administration made a national priority of spreading high- speed Internet access to every American home and offered stimulus money to help companies pay for it, but the biggest network operators are staying away from the program. All three say they are flush with cash, enough to upgrade and expand their broadband networks on their own. Where did all this money come from that they can so cavalierly pass on $4.7 billion. Are we being overcharged? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Zune HD TV Interface Makes It a Media Center For Your Pocket
Another perspective on why Zune HD is a failure... Bad Idea #5. Go one better. As the rise and fall of Friendfeed indicates, copying the basic functionality of a successful application (Twitter, in this case) and adding a few new features -- doing the same thing slightly better from some perspective -- doesn't usually lead to attracting many users away from the copied application. It takes a radical recast of functionality -- a revolutionary increase in capabilities, or a new paradigm of use -- to get people to drop something they have been happily using and to adopt some alternative, especially when they are connected to many other users by the application. But you'd better expect to see better mousetraps of all descriptions continue to appear -- and then fade away. Five Common Pitfalls of Web Applications http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?doc_id=180607 * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Flush With Cash and Fearing Rules, Major Carriers Tell Rural America to Get Lost
On Aug 18, 2009, at 7:30 PM, Eric S. Sande wrote: In case you missed this: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2009/05/13/Verizon-Frontier-agree- to-86B-sale/UPI-64691242244299/ Wow I did! Approximately 11,000 Verizon employees will switch to working for Frontier, Verizon said. Verizon is bailing completely on those farmers. I never would have imagined. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Zune HD TV Interface Makes It a Media Center For Your Pocket
TWO OUT OF TWO TOMS AGREE... The comment is derived from a general consensus by analysts that Microsoft's portable media player missed its mark, and doesn't look to gain any ground in its battle against Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch anytime soon. The market reception for Zune is so disappointing that many retailers have even stopped selling it altogether, he said. http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Microsoft-Apple-Zune-HD-iPod,news-4344.html * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Zune HD TV Interface Makes It a Media Center For Your Pocket
OKAY WFBs, EDUCATE ME. CAN THE ZUNE HD DO THIS TOO? With TomTom for iPhone, millions of iPhone users can now benefit from the same easy-to-use and intuitive interface, turn-by-turn spoken navigation and unique routing technology that our 30 million portable navigation device users rely on every day, said Corinne Vigreux, managing director of TomTom. $99 http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10310838-37.html * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Verizon smtp and Port 25
On Aug 17, 2009, at 12:57 PM, Fred Holmes wrote: Can anyone tell me whether Verizon FIOS (or DSL) service does this? (in Annandale / northern VA) I use port 25 on Verizon DSL and do not use their SMTP server. It is not blocked. With some other ISPs I use port 26 or 587. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] drupal for only 10 million
On Aug 17, 2009, at 4:35 PM, mike wrote: Yeah open source...free. Half the work was already done for them. Not only was this company taking an existing website and merely rebuilding it, they are using pre built tools to do it. What are they doing exactly for ten million? Oh that's right, with the new transparency that info is redacted. So what is your beef with drupal? We are waiting... * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Zune HD TV Interface Makes It a Media Center For Your Pocket
On Aug 17, 2009, at 6:39 PM, Jeff Wright wrote: I believe I already stated that both mfrs make exaggerated claims on battery life, at least that's what I've seen from reports of field testing the battery life on the Touch. The old argument Everybody's doing it so why can't I? In truth, reviewers report Apple's estimates to be quite conservative. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] drupal for only 10 million
On Aug 17, 2009, at 8:05 PM, Chris Dunford wrote: The software infrastructure for the web site. The web site wasn't the whole project. Unless I misunderstand what drupal provides, aren't you leaving out the whole rest of the project? Of course they are leaving out the majority of the project. To say that drupal is the whole project would be like saying that an applications framework is the whole of an application and that any software written with it is of little value. It misunderstands where the bulk of the development work is. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] drupal for only 10 million
On Aug 17, 2009, at 5:48 PM, mike wrote: It's not with drupal, it's the fact they are using prebuilt systems for their website...should be SAVING money...what this website would have cost 25 million otherwise? Precisely, using high-quality open-source frameworks like drupal is going to sage the government lots of money. A very smart move. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Subject: drupal for only 10 million
On Aug 17, 2009, at 9:17 PM, Allen Firstenberg wrote: I'm not Tom, but I'll give the #1 reason to avoid drupal: PHP And they do have serious problems with it. Very serious problems. PHP is a security nightmare of epic proportions. That is a bunch of crap. Product of the same propaganda machine that cranks out false stories about OS X. PHP is a programming language. Just like any other programming language, if you don't code securely you don't get a secure application. While flaws in the language itself account for a very small percentage the total, the problems with PHP underscore the difficulty that developers--many of them amateurs--have in locking down applications written in the language, said Peter Mell, senior computer scientist for the NIST and the program manager for the National Vulnerability Database. -- http://www.securityfocus.com/ news/11430 * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Zune HD TV Interface Makes It a Media Center For Your Pocket
On Aug 17, 2009, at 6:49 PM, Jeff Wright wrote: Seriously? You're comparing a product with an established ecosystem (thanks largely to the iPhone, not the Touch) to one that isn't even for sale yet? You completely ignore the question I asked and substitute a straw-man in its stead. Quite intellectually dishonest. Of course you don't want to discuss if such applications will run in the Zune HD. Why an I I'm not surprised? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Zune HD TV Interface Makes It a Media Center For Your Pocket
On Aug 15, 2009, at 8:55 PM, Chris Dunford wrote: As you know, he has been asked repeatedly for this information. I asked him at least three times in the last Zune thread to provide reasons why Zune is vastly inferior and got no response beyond the usual. This is a question that won't be answered with any logic. I think Sarah Palin joined the List under an assumed name. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Zune HD TV Interface Makes It a Media Center For Your Pocket
On Aug 16, 2009, at 1:18 PM, Eric S. Sande wrote: It would be good to see what you object to specifically with Zune, not that I generally care about mass market crap, anyway. Someone else said it, but I will repeat it once again because it is so brilliantly succinct... M$ is skating to where the puck was, not where it will be. Is this too difficult a concept for WFBs to wrap their brains around? Do they know nothing about hockey? If M$ were to price this poor, belated copy of somebody else's work at $99 it might have some merit, just for being cheap. Priced as it is, one might as well buy a refurb of the real thing. The Zune HD 16GB will sell for $219 http://store.apple.com/us/product/FA623LL/B $159 Refurbished iPod touch, 8GB (first generation). Apple Certified. 1-year warranty. Free shipping. $279 Refurbished iPod touch, 32GB (first generation). Apple Certified. 1-year warranty. Free shipping. I'm waiting with great interest to see what Apple will roll out about the same time that the Zune HD is supposed to go on sale. I'm sure it will be far more interesting. It won't be a copy of somebody else's work. Why are you wasting your time defending such mediocrity? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Zune HD TV Interface Makes It a Media Center For Your Pocket
On Aug 16, 2009, at 3:51 PM, Eric S. Sande wrote: But I'm pretty experienced and I can tell if what I'm hearing is a pony versus a pile of pony crap. Are you denigrating MP3 or iPods? Have you listened to an Apple lossless file on an iPod? Apple's lossless compression makes iTunes an audiophile's delight I tested Apple Lossless Encoding using some of my favorite audiophile CDs, including a few from Reference Recordings, maker of some of the highest-quality CDs I've ever heard. I heard absolutely no difference in the sound of the CD vs. the sound of the iTunes compressed version using Apple Lossless Encoding. http://aroundcny.com/Technofile/texts/mac060204.html * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Getting Wireless Networks Up to Speed
Nice informative article in the NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/13/technology/personaltech/13basics.html * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] COMPUTERGUYS-L Digest - 13 Aug 2009 to 14 Aug 2009 (#2009-775)
On Aug 15, 2009, at 10:18 AM, Bill Wajert wrote: Not really, as all of her games were gotton by downloading the free game of the day. This means that as long as you are willing to put up with a few ads while playing you can play these games forever, but you onlyhave that one day to download. Seems like an ideal situation for burning files to a CD. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] External keyboard for notebook computer
On Aug 14, 2009, at 8:04 PM, Fred Holmes wrote: I'm looking for an external keyboard, for a notebook computer, that would sit on top of the notebook computer's keyboard, instead of in front of the notebook computer. The keyboard might have pedestals on each end to support it over the notebook body, instead of having it rest on the notebook keyboard. Think different... lazymonster's grundtal laptop stand This looks precarious but lazymonster has tested it for months and says it has served its purpose well besides displaying the laptop like a piece of art. It's put together from an old ikea grundtal paper towel holder (can't find the link on ikea website) and some plexiglass sheet. and is made to be used with a tablet and keyboard, so he doesn't really touch the laptop. So, no, you can't type away merrily on this. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lazymonster/sets/72157600216024220/ A better laptop stand for bed http://www.instructables.com/id/A-better-laptop-stand-for-bed/ MATIAS iRizer Laptop Stand http://hurbania.com/clickseguro/product_info.php?products_id=4762? osCsid=mrdtacp4lfj30i37n6e4fal791 * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Zune HD TV Interface Makes It a Media Center For Your Pocket
On Aug 14, 2009, at 11:34 PM, Chris Dunford wrote: Wow. Hooks up to the TV, just like my wife's 3-year old iPod. Wow indeed. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Zune HD TV Interface Makes It a Media Center For Your Pocket
On Aug 14, 2009, at 9:47 PM, Jeff Wright wrote: Pretty friggin awesome. Very zippy. Very smooth. A thought. They hope to win market share by undercutting Apple's current price, but are introducing a model that is technically several years behind Apple's current models. Taking that into consideration should we not be comparing the Zune HD to models Apple is listing on its refurb pages? That would pretty much eliminate any cost difference. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Zune HD TV Interface Makes It a Media Center For Your Pocket
On Aug 14, 2009, at 11:34 PM, Chris Dunford wrote: Wow. http://rantsandstuff.com/2009/06/01/nitpicking-the-zune-hd/ It’s the little things like this that make me wonder what else did they not pay that much attention to? They couldn’t have dropped the menu font just a tad to make it fit on the screen? I know I’m nitpicking but shouldn’t someone at Microsoft also be nitpicking this kind of thing? But isn't that the usual problem with M$ products? They copy the competition, but do so in a slovenly way. They don't sweat the details. Using the product is never a happy experience. Wow indeed. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Zune HD TV Interface Makes It a Media Center For Your Pocket
On Aug 15, 2009, at 1:40 PM, mike wrote: Where is the zune HD behind on the touch? One of the commentators hit the nail squarely on the head... M$ is skating to where the puck was, not where it will be. Bravo! * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
