Service Pack 3 Delayed…what a surpise.

Yes folks, the class act programmers over at Microsoft have done it yet again.  Once more after promising a product update to customers worldwide, they have failed yet again.  Right after SP3 was released yesterday, they hastily pulled it from distro due to the fact that it doesn’t work with Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS).  How does this affect you?  It doesn’t unless you use this particular software for your business.  The millions of people at home who were looking forward to the fixes and improvements will wait yet again for another MS mistake to be corrected.  Apparently they’re going to set it up so that those who are running RMS won’t see the update available for download, but you’d think it takes a monumental amount of time and manpower to limit an update from showing up on someone’s computer.   Maybe they all left for vacation after the long wait we’ve had for SP3?

Spring Cleaning

Usually when we hear the term ‘spring cleaning’ everyone thinks about their garage or storage area that has accumulated your yearly allotment of junk.  What I’d like you to think about at the moment is the inside of your computer.  How often do you think to remove the casing and see if the interior of your computer looks dusty?  I check about once a month and do regular cleanings about every 3 months depending on dust build up.  If your computer has been running the past couple of years without you checking the interior, then you’re no doubt in for a nasty surprise.  If you have allergies, did you know that regular cleaning of your computer will alleviate a lot of the sniffling and sneezing you suffer from whe you’re sitting at the computer?  When I got back from Iraq, my boss asked me to check his wife’s computer.  She said it was shutting down quite a bit when she was using several applications at one time.  What you may not know is that having multiple applications working at once causes the computer to work a bit harder.  This means that it produces more heat.  Now as I was sitting in front of her computer trying to get it to duplicate the problems she was having, I started smelling something funny.  Well, it wasn’t very funny, but it definitely smelled like something electrical burning.  Normally when I experience something of this nature it points straight to the power supply.  If you use a cheap power supply you can never tell when it’s going to fail and cause that awful stench in your house.  The problem here wasn’t the power supply in her Compaq computer, it was the dust.  The dust had become so prominent that it hung like moss from a tree….and it was on fire.  Yes friends, her computer caught on fire thanks to the dust that had collected there.   There was nothing I could do at that point to save it so I put it in the fire place very quickly while it finally extinguished itself.  Just last night I took another look in my case since I’ve had the side off for a week now while working with a few hard drive configurations.  It reminded me that by having the insides uncovered, I was simply allowing dust to freely enter my computer and layer my compenents.  This weekend I intend to give it a thorough dusting.  The best way to do this is unplug everything and then remove the exterior cover.  Take the computer outside on your porch and use an air duster to remove all of the particles.  Now some people absolutely freak out at this suggestion, but I also use a vacuum cleaner to pull dust out of my heat sinks and fans.  All  you need to do is keep the suction clear of the rest of the compenents to avoid potential damage.  This is a highly effective way to get rid of caked on dust that is embedded in the fan blads and the heatsink.  Make sure you’re holding the fan blades still with a finger though so that the suction can get everything without it spinning.

So this spring, do some cleaning and open that computer up to check it out.  You might just be appalled at what you find. Like my buddy who found the bottom of his case lined with dog hair since his dog would lay down beside the computer while the intake fan pulled in all of that pet hair and dander.

Mac OS on PC

Some people don’t like Apple (me) but they’ll admit that the Mac OS is a nice piece of clean software.  Our problem lies with the fact that you’re forced to purchase the overpriced and craptasic hardware that encases the Mac OS.  Why you ask?  Well, there’s a little bit of code embedded in the Mac OS installer that checks to make sure you’re installing the OS on Mac hardware.  If not, then it shuts down and you’re left with an expensive saucer.  A few of us know a way around this.  It’s done by simply patching the installer so that it bypasses the hardware check and installs Mac on a free hard drive that you have lying around.  I suggest installing it on different hard drive instead of a partition for obvious reasons.  Having multiple operating systems on one physical disk can lead to issues later on should something fail.

Anyway, there’s a small company out there now who claims that Apple is violating monopoly laws by offering the Mac OS only on Apple computers.  So they’re patching legitimate copies of Mac OS and putting it on cheap PC’s.  The software is purchased legally so there’s not pirating going on, but I’m sure that Apple will take exception with someone patching their software.  I’m just waiting on the lawyers to start crawling out of the wood work over this one.  What makes me irritated about these guys is also that they’re flaunting it at Apple publicly and daring them to sue.  Why would this irritate me and quite a few others?  Because now, Apple will feel that, as usual, they have to pull out all the stops and go to war with those who have Mac OS installed on a PC.  I’m sure this will be included in some update in the near future.  This will require people to go back to the drawing board to find another fix to Apple’s “fix” and inconvenience folks.  Apple would scream bloody murder if MS decided to only offer MS products on the PC, but for some reason it doesn’t matter if Apple refuses to let PC users use Apple software on PC’s.  Heck, until recently (unless it’s not fixed yet), the EULA on the recently released Safari browser for the PC stated that it was only authorized to be used on the Apple.  But Apple was among those browser competitors that moaned for years about MS’s broswer monopoly with Internet Explorer.  The bottom line is that Apple needs to get with the program and realize that the majority of computer users stay away from them because they don’t offer anything of value to us.  Even the ports of standard PC software are more expensive on Mac OS.  Until Apple stops being the elitists that they are, they will remain a minor player in the computing world.

I’m now waiting for the fan boys to come out of the wood work.  Criticism isn’t welcome at Apple right?

Vista Capable vs. Vista Ready Lawsuit

There’s a lawsuit against Microsoft (oh wait..just one lawsuit right now?) that pertains to the little stickers you will often see on store-bought computers regarding the OS that is installed.  A lot of these machines bear the VISTA READY status that basically says, “Hey, I either have Vista or can use Vista in any shape, form or fashion!”.  The VISTA CAPABLE basically says, “Hey, I can run Vista to some degree.”

Unfortunately, the consumer (as usual) never reads the fine print or the system requirements for the software they choose to use.  If you’re a power user like myself, you know that your computer can handle any piece of software that is thrown its way.  Some people are either forced to get a cheaper model due to financial constraints or they’re just flat out cheap.  This law suit was obviously filed by someone who’s flat out cheap or someone who is trying exploit the natural stupidity of humanity regarding reading requirements and instructions.  Ok, I’ll admit it.  Sometimes I don’t read instructions either.  Like when my kids get some new toy with a 20 page instruction manual.  It usually gets taken apart four or five times before I get it right.  I pat myself on the back for having read the instructions before I put together their new swing set 2 weeks ago though.  Couldn’t have a kid swinging and then watching as something gives way, causing them to fly over the fence and into the woods.  Granted, I’d be concerned but I’d also have a laugh but that’s neither here nor there.

Each piece of software that you can use on your computer comes with a small box of text on the bottom of the package called SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.  If you read this, you’ll know if your computer can handle the software adequately enough to make use of it.  If your computer isn’t up to par with the requirements, you can either upgrade your computer or put the software back on the shelf and walk away.  For some reason, there are many people out there who disregard the system requirements before trying to install the software, only to realize that it runs very slowly if it even runs at all.  Enter Windows Vista, the most resource intensive Windows-based OS yet.  It comes in several flavors and every version but BASIC comes with the AERO interface.  What’s AERO?  It just makes things pretty.  Otherwise it’s a worthless resource hog.  Apparently some people didn’t read the system requirements for AERO and are disappointed, nay, downright angry that AERO doesn’t function on their cheap, economy computer.  On the front of their computer it said VISTA CAPABLE.  That’s like buying a Honda Fit and suing them because you expect better 0-60 times.  A VISTA CAPABLE computer will absolutely run Vista, but it won’t run AERO.  Why?  Because it most likely had the cheapest integrated video chipset that money can buy and doesn’t have the “umph” to render the graphics correctly.  Does this make the computer less able to run Vista and run it well?  No.  In fact, on my computer, I have several operating systems installed and Vista Ultimate is one of them.  Even with a fast dual core processor and 4 gigs of RAM, I still turn off AERO because I hate things hogging my system resources.

The end result is that Microsoft will probably end up taking a bath on this simply because Microsoft takes a bath on most of the lawsuits filed against it.  And the moron who didnt’ read the system requirements will be compensated for his stupidity.  But that’s what society does in this day and age.  We reward those who lack intellect or in this case the ability to read.

Notebooks cause Global Warming

I’ve heard it all.  In fact, there’s a list which you can find HERE that shows all of the things that the news media and scientists have blamed on Global Warming.  Now let’s add one more thing:  Notebook Computers.

Sadly friends, I have to tell you that you’re killing the earth with your mobile computers.  You are responsible for hurricanes, floods, ice caps melting, smog, carbon production, methane gas from cows, the deaths of polar bear cubs, Eskimo girls crying on TV that we’re not doing enough about Global Warming, famine, snow in Baghdad, Malaria, Melenoma and a host of other things including divorce and the breakup of families.  Don’t make me list the other 600 reasons!

But there’s good news folks!  For only 2 dollars, you can offset the emissions that your notebook will make over its short 3 year life span!  If you go to Sam’s Club you can purchase a tree which will take care of those nasty emissions!  You could save the world with every notebook you purchase just by adding a measly 2 dollars!

Great Utilites for your PC

I love utilities, especially new ones.  Women shop around for fashion accessories and I shop around for software utilities.  I was impressed with this short list due to their uses.  Some of them I was unaware of so I’m going to check them out today.  Here’s the website:  CLICK ME!

Apple Computers sues Sir Issac Newton for illustrating principles of gravity with unauthorized apple.

Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it?  About as ridiculous as Apple suing NYC for having a green apple shaped symbol to represent GreenNYC.  GreeNYC aims to cut the city’s carbon emissions by 30 percent and to conserve natural resources.

This is the offending symbol:

And this is what Apple thinks is being infringed upon:

Truly, Apple has this one in the bag.  NYC shall pay for daring to use an apple that doesn’t resemble the Mac trademark.  In fact, soon you’ll pay a tarrif for the right to purchase apples at your local grocer since God accidentally created the apple without Mac’s permission.

I honestly wonder where they get their legal monkeys at.  They must literally be struggling to find someone new to sue just to keep their retainer going.  I can see this one getting thrown out of court a mile off.  Let’s hope for a counter suit from the City of New York.  Corporations like Apple deserve to get some payback for wasting tax payer dollars in defense of frivulous lawsuits.

$35 Movie Tickets Anyone?

That’s right.  Just when you thought going to the movies couldn’t possibly get any more expensive, along comes Village Roadshow Ltd., Act III, Lambert Entertainment and the Retirement Systems of Alabama pension fund in a partnership to create a $200 million “luxury movie theater”.    BUT WAIT!  That’s just the admission cost.  Sure you get reclining armchair seats with footrests, digital projection and the capability to screen 2-D and 3-D movies, but then you still have to get some popcorn right?  Well, as luck would have it, they do indeed sell popcorn in the lounge and bar area along with cocktails and appetizers.  If you’re too lazy to get up and grab the food and drinks yourself, a concierge service is available.  Just when you thought you could finally stop spending and grab the Rolaids to kill the acid that’s now boiling in your esophagus from spending about $100 on you and your date, you remember that you had to tip the valet for parking your car.  How much is a movie worth?  Not $75-$100 or more, I can tell you that!  Bring your line of credit.  Of course, this does raise the question:  If the economy is so bad that we’re in a recession, then why spend that much money on putting together a theater that’s going to make all of the financially hurting people try and scrape up some of their grocery money just to see a movie?  Recession?  I think not.  Thank you, drive through.

Thoughts?  Comments?

Windows XP: Going, Going, Gone?

This has been an issue that is repeated brought up in the tech circles around the world.  No matter what language you speak, everyone wants to know: “What’s going to happen with Windows XP?”.  Microsoft is planning on shelving XP in the next few months.  As of June 30, MS will no longer sell new licenses for XP.  That means if you want a couple of extra legitimate copies of XP, you’d better buy them now.  After that date, Vista is your only option.  Some people have said this is the biggest mistake MS can make at this point.  To release SP3 and then to throw it to the side could be a mistake but we won’t know until it happens.  One point that could be made regarding the retirement of XP is the new low-cost PC’s that are emerging.  They use XP since it uses less resources than Vista and requires a smaller footprint.  Potentially, this could alienate MS from the profits they would reap from selling XP to this emerging market.

So what do you think about this?  Will MS resurrect XP from the dead?  Or will manufacturers find other ways to satisfy their low-cost options with different flavors of Linux?

News Flash! The Internet is Dead.

At least according to Mark Cuban.  For those of you who don’t know, Mark made his billions thanks to the Internet.  Now that he’s cashed out and considers himself an expert of all things tech and NBA, he wants you to know that it’s hopeless for the Internet to continue.  According to Mark, the greatest innovation that the Internet has produces is YouTube.  Please stop for a moment and think about this statement while I elaborate.  The Internet has provided us with the ability to communicate with each other all over the world, share data, improved life-styles, aided governments and boosted technology related innovation beyond what was previously imaginable.  Now let’s look at YouTube.  Full of video shorts created by members of the community, you will no doubt find your IQ lowering the moment you even type the word “YouTube”.  In fact, if I have to type it much more, I doubt I’ll have the intellect to continue this short article.  If you haven’t checked it out, I assure you that you’re not missing anything.  Compare it to giving a video camera to a bunch of teens and you have a good idea of what it’s like to visit the site.

So Mark Cuban thinks that the Internet is dead, YouTube is the greatest innovation on the internet (he also thinks it’s a scum site) and cable providers will eliminate the Internet in its entirety.  Mark believes that cable providers will make the Internet obsolete by “…offering users suites of office applications or other complex utilities, something he says would allow them to leverage their superiority to ‘out-google’ Google.”  Of course this is coming from the same guy who banned NBA bloggers from doing locker room interviews even though he is an avid blogger himself.

Prepare yourselves people.  The Internet is doomed.  The fact that it was stated by a billionaire makes it even more possible.  Money = Intelligence and Forward Thinking.  Right?