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Changing a tyre and other snippets.
This thread has 56 replies. Displaying posts 31 through 45.
Post 31 made on Sunday May 4, 2008 at 16:04
Ernie Bornn-Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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On December 18, 2007 at 03:53, djy said...
Well, what else would you expect from Microsoft.

[Link: news.bbc.co.uk]

This is old news, but I sent it to my son before making that last post. He is in charge of software (and has been in charge of hardware) for the enterprise end of a local college. He is a bit of a gamer, so he knows the issues. He's not too Keen on the stupid controlling things that Microsoft does. Nonetheless, this is his reponse, worth him taking the time out of his Sunday to write:



This is a console. What do you expect?

The comparison with a Mac is complete crap. How can you compare an appliance with a computer? Sure, an Xbox has USB ports and so does a Mac but that has nothing to do with the software that it uses. That's like saying "Why can't I transfer my channel lineup from my old TV to my new TV? They both have IR ports! My two Windows laptops can transfer files over IR!"

Just cause the Xbox is made by microsoft doesn't mean it runs windows. Just cause it uses parts you might find in a computer doesn't mean it's a computer. A console is made to be a set top box that you plug in and use. That's all. You don't upgrade a console - you replace it. You don't upgrade your TV - you replace it.

I'm amazed that MS publishes a way to do this whatsoever, that's awesome! Try and get TiVo to tell you how to transfer your old content to your new TiVo. (There are ways to do this but they're not from the company and they void your warranty.)

Apple is the worst offender of this. There is no way for the user to replace the rechargeable battery in iPhones or iPods. Originally Apple said this wasn't a problem - the battery on your iPod is supposed to last a year and we come out with new iPods each years so....just upgrade every year and everything will be fine. They backtracked on that and came out with a $50 service where you can mail in your iPod and have the battery replaced. $50! A battery costs perhaps $15 and you have to mail it away which takes a week or so.

Yes, you could write software to make it so you could upgrade from one console to another. But A) there's no financial incentive to do that and B) that would make it a computer and vulnerable to all the things that computers are vulnerable to. If you make transfers possible you have to make backwards compatibility possible. The expense and the complication of the device goes up as do security concerns. How pissed would this author be if MS wrote an upgrade protocol and then a security hole is discovered that allows remote access to his Xbox? Well, the obvious retort is don't have security holes but that's naive. They will happen and one of the best ways to avoid them is to avoid unnecessary features.

This isn't a Microsoft thing. This is an appliance vs computer thing. It's an open vs closed system thing. Windows and Mac OS are open systems (not open source but others can write programs that will run on them). Consoles are closed systems (only the manufacturer or trusted partners get to write programs).

Sure it sucks that console don't have all the functionality of a computer. It sucks that some games aren't made for computers but only for consoles. Oh well. That's how you make money on a closed system. Don't like it? Don't buy it. Consumers have all the power here. Don't buy this stuff and you'll force things to change. That's happening in the music industry. After years of Apple selling their shit with all kind of restrictive licensing attached the music companies have realized that helps Apple make money but not them. They're moving towards DRM free distribution methods to undercut Apple.


This is an example of a very common fallacy. That making connections between disparate systems should be easy and ubiquitious. That is ridiculous and you only see that in the movies. The brave hacker hero whips out a cell phone, ipod, and a laptop and takes down a huge comptuer network in 30 seconds. That's crazy. You can't just plug things into things and expect something to happen. These aren't F-ing Legos.

It also bothers me that this is a standard that only software seems to be held to. Why isn't everyone up in arms that you can't plug a USB drive into a serial port? Why do we accept a million different cell phone connectors without a peep? Why aren't we enraged by HD requiring and HDMI port instead of our old friends the RCA plugs.

There's this obvious, visceral understanding that if plug A doesn't fit into plug B then oh well that's the way it is and we go about our lives with maybe a little grumble. But if new software doesn't mesh perfectly with old software then holy hell, string up Bill Gates.
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 32 made on Sunday May 4, 2008 at 16:48
Anthony
Ultimate Member
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Ernie even though I mostly agree with you/ your son, I must dissagree with two things

Just cause it uses parts you might find in a computer doesn't mean it's a computer. A console is made to be a set top box that you plug in and use.

even though in the past this might have been more true, with every generation the lines of distinction become more blurry. For example on the PS3 you can use Linux, and a doctoral student here used a PS3 for some of his experiments and will actually be presenting his findings at a conference next week. (My BIL who is a professor there helped him with his research and is going to be at the conference with his student)

This is an example of a very common fallacy. That making connections between disparate systems should be easy and ubiquitous.

It is not about "making connections between disparate systems" it is about replacing the same system (a 360 and 360 elite are the same device just different models with one having very few extra bells and whistles). If his 360 had issues and he replaced it with an other 360 the issues would have been the same. It is about being able to move saved data from your old to the new. And even though I agree that in a completely closed system (like gaming systems when I was a kid) or arcade boxes, that can be used as an excuse, the minute you have an internet connection and you can network the devices the excuse should be gone.

(Not to mention that buying a new PC with Vista and wanting to copy all your info from the unused old one in XP isn’t any easier.)
...
OP | Post 33 made on Sunday May 4, 2008 at 17:16
djy
RC Moderator
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34,746
On May 4, 2008 at 13:44, Ernie Bornn-Gilman said...
I hate sloppy writing:

I'm pretty sure his brother survived the fall quite nicely
but died instantly in the landing.

Reminds me of the old joke about the fellow who fell from a 30 story building and lived to tell the tale. He told the people on the 29th floor, the 28th floor, the 27th floor . . .

PS
Re. your son's comments, I think that maybe he's missed the gist of the story; that it appears as if Microsoft have deliberately made things complex (rather than simple) in order to either dissuade one from carrying out the task, or to extract yet more money from those adventurous enough to try.
OP | Post 34 made on Monday May 5, 2008 at 07:54
djy
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Something to ruffle Sky feathers . . .

http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/
OP | Post 35 made on Saturday May 10, 2008 at 17:06
djy
RC Moderator
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And these ruffle my feathers . . .

[Link: news.bbc.co.uk]

They're nasty beggars.
OP | Post 36 made on Tuesday May 13, 2008 at 04:33
djy
RC Moderator
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What a bummer . . .

[Link: news.bbc.co.uk]



Some drink . . .

[Link: news.bbc.co.uk]

Last edited by djy on May 13, 2008 12:10.
OP | Post 37 made on Wednesday May 14, 2008 at 04:58
djy
RC Moderator
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The X Files are alive and kicking . . .

[Link: news.bbc.co.uk]

(I like the last one).


Moo . . .

[Link: news.bbc.co.uk]



I wonder if we could talk Wills into becoming a HUFC supporter . . .

[Link: telegraph.co.uk]

Last edited by djy on May 14, 2008 11:36.
Post 38 made on Wednesday May 14, 2008 at 20:53
Anthony
Ultimate Member
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[Link: news.yahoo.com]
...
OP | Post 39 made on Friday May 16, 2008 at 11:26
djy
RC Moderator
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Think I'm going to keep my head down for a while . . .

[Link: remotecentral.com]



On a lighter note, how about a noise map . . .

[Link: news.bbc.co.uk]

Fuel to ban the young reprobate across the road from 'playing' his drums.

Last edited by djy on May 16, 2008 13:06.
Post 40 made on Sunday May 18, 2008 at 02:44
FreddyFreeloader
Super Member
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[Link: break.com]

this tire will need to be changed
Post 41 made on Sunday May 18, 2008 at 09:58
Anthony
Ultimate Member
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hope you don't have issues with this tire
[Link: gizmodo.com]
...
Post 42 made on Monday June 2, 2008 at 02:37
Ernie Bornn-Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
Joined:
Posts:
December 2001
30,104
On May 18, 2008 at 02:44, FreddyFreeloader said...
[Link: break.com]

this tire will need to be changed

that's MY atmosphere those jerks are playing with. It made me want to cough.
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
OP | Post 43 made on Monday June 2, 2008 at 06:52
djy
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You won't want to go to the Olympics then . . .

OP | Post 44 made on Thursday June 12, 2008 at 05:33
djy
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From the, what goes around comes around department . . .

[Link: news.bbc.co.uk]

Contrary to what Rory will have you believe, milk in plastic bags is not new. Way back in the 70's we in Hereford had to suffer the scourge of the plastic bag. They were awful.


[Link: news.bbc.co.uk]

Years ago we used to make coin strip (and not just for the UK), but stopped because there was no money in it.

Last edited by djy on June 12, 2008 05:41.
OP | Post 45 made on Friday June 13, 2008 at 12:37
djy
RC Moderator
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Pardon me. Did you say something . . .

[Link: news.bbc.co.uk]


No! Well, you'll just have to keep voting until you get it right . . .

[Link: news.bbc.co.uk]
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