by taoski on March 24, 2007
Today I had my first hands on experience with Windows Vista - and it left me with rather a bad taste in my mouth.
I was installing a nice new 2.8ghz Core Duo Dell PC with 1gb or RAM which came shipped with Windows Vista Home Premium installed. The persons old PC was a gnarly, 1990s pentium brick running Windows 2000 which had developed a hard disk fault. Luckily it would still boot and the person managed to get all her critical stuff off it before I arrived.
My first impressions of Vista were quite good but I soon got bogged down with the much slated User Account Control (UAC) interrupting my every move with a “did you really want to go into that control panel item?” type message that you have to click through every time you go anywhere near something configurable. I can see why people are saying that although this is “good security” it is the weakest point as people will just turn it off!
Even though the machine was brand new and pre-loaded with the typical stuff you get on an OEM PC, it soon gave a few error messages and application crashes along with nice new “fwips and dings” instead of the old windows “gnnnnn!” error. Its all just glitz really. Not much appears to have changed from XP. Even when using Vista you notice that although the folder icons in explorer look different and no longer have the + and - next to them, and instead show you a little arrow in the bottom corner of the expanded folder, other parts of the OS still have the XP and Windows 2000 style icons. To me it looks like the retarded bastard son of Linux and XP running some sort of shell replacement like WindowBlinds.
After 4 hours of transferring files between the old PC (via USB1.1) and the new one I just found the Vista interface to be confusing and complicated. Too many menu items, too many different images representing slightly different types of folders and little inconsistencies all over the place. I even plugged in a Logitech USB webcam only to be told that Vista could not install the drivers. It kindly suggested that I could go to the Logitech website to get some drivers, which I did, only to be told that the Webcam was not Vista compatible. I went into Device Manager (after again telling the UAC robot that I really did want to do this as I clicked on the freakin icon!) and right clicked the device and updated the drivers. It went off and downloaded some drivers off the internet and worked immediately! What the hell was that all about?
I also ran into issues installing Office 2003 from a CD. UAC asked for my permission to run the setup program which I gave. This is normally followed by a menu application where you can choose what to install (Office pro, Visio etc) but this complained when I clicked on the link to Office Pro that it “needed elevation” to run. I thought I have already done that though? It did’nt stop me going into the folder and running the Office Pro setup.exe direct though.
I was thinking of upgrading to Vista Home Premium on my desktop PC but I think I might hold off for now. Coming back home to my MacBook again was like purging my soul and banishing the demons from my brain.
I have just fallen in love with Apple all over again.
by taoski on February 25, 2007
After recalling my tale of MacBook battery woe last week, I decided to speak to the retail store where I purchase the machine to see what their policy was on the repair/replacement of such an item.
I never got a straight answer from the chap I spoke to though. It might be a few weeks, but as it was just the battery and a “known fault on the Apple website” then it would probably be sent back to Apple. Maybe. They had a “technician” who checks the items brought back for repair though, which was something.
I decided to leave it and make an appointment with the Concierge at the Apple Store at the Bullring in Birmingham. I made the appointment online and arrived within 2 hours at my due time of 1340. My name was appearing on a plasma screen behind the “Genius Bar” as being next in line and I waited patiently whilst the “geniuses” sorted out issues with other peoples iPods, Wireless Routers and general stuff.
When it was my turn, a nice genius called Ewan took my battery, tested it, replaced it with a battery that they had under the counter and did indeed agree that mine was… fucked.
He started to enter my details into their system and I was getting ready for the “we will email you when a replacement comes in and you can come and collect it” response. To my surprise he popped “out the back” and brought me a brand-spanking-new battery. Fitted, tested and 55% charged already!
I am a happy man. So, Ewan, from the Bullring Apple Store… you are my hero!
by taoski on February 22, 2007
Just as I was pontificating on the powers of OS X to suspend, hibernate, sleep and then spring back to life I then discover that my Macbook has fallen foul of the dreaded “No Batteries Available” error.
Apparently, the battery charge is so low that it cannot be detected by the laptop which then refuses to charge it because it cannot see it. One of those perfect Catch 22 scenarios like when AOL emailled me to tell me that they had suspended my email account. Or when a customer once told me that there could’nt be anything wrong with his Excel spreadsheet (the fault he had logged with the helpdesk), because his whole PC would’nt even switch on!
See, Catch 22. Gets you every time.
According to multiple searches on Google I have found that I am not the only one with this issue and all I need is a new battery. I have also tried several different reset methods involving command-option-P+R and dead chickens in a pentangle - to no avail. Good that my Macbook is only 8 months old as Apple will gladly replace my faulty battery. I actually purchased the machine at a retail store, so will be persuing a replacement there. It will be interesting to see what they say and how they handle it.
In the days I coveted PCs, my usual method of replacing faulty hardware was to steal another (newer) machine from work!
Only kidding Mr Ex-employer!
by taoski on February 6, 2007
Now that Microsft Vista has been launched the usual Mac vs PC campaign has started up again.
Whilst Vista does seem to have some benefits such as better security and other UI improvements it s not a real leap ahead in terms of technology or programming. Some would also so it borrows alot of its design and new features from OS X anyway!
My personal view is that, at the moment, I do not prefer either operating system. OS X or XP/Vista!
Don't get me wrong, I love my MacBook and its stability and reliability! I love the way I can open the lid and be on the internet in seconds or the way it "just works!". I know that the "it just works" catchphrase is a real cliche, but it is true. The first time I plugged in my USB scanner I thought it had not detected it, but really it had silently set it all up for me to use and was ready to rock.
I still get the feeling that I am using my MacBook with my hand tied behind my back at times. Maybe thats just the reality of using a laptop rather than a desktop PC. After all, I have been using and fixing windows PCs for over 10 years now and know each nook and cranny of the OS.
Its a nice feeling to know that my MacBook will work when I open the lid and not suffer from disk thrashing or spyware crap, but I would'nt say they are the be-all-and-end-all!
In conclusion, and in my opinion, there is no clear winner in the OS X versus Windows row. Just alot of "my dads bigger than your dad".
by taoski on January 13, 2007
I don’t support I could really see the week out without posting something about the iPhone.
I have been thinking of the various reasons why the iPhone might win over other devices and also what things might enable it to do this when much cheaper phones (with contracts) can do similar things.
1. Allow 3rd Party Widgets
The iPhone comes with some built in “widgets” that will display stocks, weather information and other small applications such as the good old calculator. Without some form of 3rd party widget support, the iPhone may not appeal to some. But as Steve Jobs says, allowing unrestricted apps onto the iPhone may make it not work properly though. He makes sense I suppose.
2. Works with all iPod accessories
Make sure the iPhone works with all the current iPod accessories! Docks, external batteries, remote controls etc. The established market for these products is huge and important!
3. Unlock it!
Make sure we can use it without a SimLock. As apple says, bad guys might unlock it. Come on bad people! We need this thing unlocked!
4. Video
Allow us to dump any video on there. I know there is a slew of softwares that convert divx and wmv to MP4 video, but I want it built in to iTunes please!
5. GPS those maps!
It’s a mobile, it’s got Google Maps, so why can’t we triangulate the signal from the nearest mobile beacons and show me where I am!
Just my early morning thoughts really…
I kinda think I don’t want one. But I do!
by taoski on September 22, 2006
I went to my local library recently and borrowed some graphic novels I had not seen before. A Hellblazer special and one called The Preacher. They were ok. The Preacher was not too bad and John Constantine in the Hellblazer story was as nasty, grumpy and evil as usual (not at all like the pathetic Constantine movie with Keanu in) - but what it did do was make me get up my ladder into my loft at 11pm last night to bring down my comic collection. I also have several comics I have downloaded from the internet and read on my laptop.
Since switching to a Mac I decided to see if there were any comic reading applications. Following closely on the heels of the Delicious Library comes the ComicBookLover application - and it’s ace!
It handles CBZ and CBR formatted comics as well as the usual JPG and PDF formats. This application is like iTunes for comics and is really good, with a built in reader and thumbnail preview of each comic you have. Click the thumb for a biggie pic!
Very cool indeed.
by taoski on September 13, 2006
I am still just a little kid at heart - getting excited about new things.
In my youth it was the excitement of a new StarWars film coming out. But now it’s new hardware and software that gives me a mental stiffy.
Yesterday, Apple CEO Steve Jobs did another one of his Keynote speeches and announced a whole new set of iPods, software and hardware. I sat on my sofa and streamed the whole thing! Over 1 hours worth!
- The iPod will get a brighter screen, more battery life, some new search features and better quality video.
- The iPod Nano will get larger memory capacity, an aluminium casing - also available in different colors, and all of the same new features that its larger brother has now got.
- The iPod shuffle has been totally redesigned and is now “the smallest MP3 player in the world!” coming in at a tiny 1.6 inches long! It also has it’s own clip to allow it to be attached to your clothing, belt, nipple etc.
- iTunes gets an upgrade to version 7 and features new album art based browsing features, a slight new design and iPod managability sections. You also get free album art downloaded for any CDs you have ripped - as long as you have an iTunes account.
- iTunes will offer movies for sale (US only at the moment). They will be at 640×480 resolution which is apparently “near DVD quality”.
Steve also demo’ed their new upcoming product which, at the moment, is known as “iTV“.
This small box, similar in design to the MacMini will plug into your TV and will allow streaming of audio, video, photos, podcasts and movie trailers wirelessly direct to your screen. It will work with iTunes on PCs and Macs. Almost like having “Front Row” plugged into your TV.
This iTV device is what impressed me most. I have used iTunes to share music between my PC and Macbook and it works perfectly and without any hassles at all. If the iTV can do this for visual and audio content that can be displayed on the TV - then it will be brilliant! I hope that it will also allow streaming content of movies you have imported into iTunes. DivX is pretty cool - but can be difficult to get working on remote devices due to different compression ratios and codecs being used in the creation process. I assume that converting them to H.264, the compression codec used by Quicktime will allow them to work on the iTV too.
The iTV is coming out early next year and looks freakin cool.
I want one already!
by taoski on August 1, 2006
I have just finished spending the last two nights cleaning down my sister-in-laws Windows XP machine of all its spyware and viruses.
In fact, its still grinding away in the corner of the room as I type this. I still have to defrag it after it has done an extensive anti virus scan of the hard disk and when I give it back I will have to explain the wonders of ZoneAlarm to her too!
I had to use several utilities to get the PC clean including StartupList,, KazaaBegone, BHOCop, ToolbarCOP and CWShredder.
My Macbook on the other hand…. well… it just hammers it home how good they are. Not to be worried by any of this crap maks me feel justified that I bought it. I can flip open the lid and surf and not worry that some pesky DLL is going to get in an crap all over my system. Perfect. I can see now why they recommend them for grannies!
I even used the MacBook to share my internet connection with the aforementioned pooly PC as my router is on one side of the room and the PC on the other. I have had dealings with Internet Connection Sharing on XP before and it has never been easy. On my MacBook however, I went to System Preferences, clicked Sharing, highlighted the Internet option, ticked the Built In Ethernet option and then clicked Start. About 25 seconds work i’d say.
All I did then was to plug the PC into the MacBook using a cross over RJ45 cable and off it went!
I am loving this little beauty more and more each day!
Hmmm lets see what that PC is doing..
aprox 65,000 files scanned so far
0:12:15 mins scan time
80 viruses found so far
UPDATE: I have just found an article from ZDNet that describes how the leading antivirus softwares missed virus and malware infection with an 80% miss rate! The software was not named (and shamed) but Symantec and McAfee account for most i expect.
by taoski on July 26, 2006
Just to prove that the new Skype BETA for OS X does really work with the built in iSight camera on my MacBook.
Well.
It does when you download the correct Skype version eh Chris?
I once emailled everyone I knew saying I was not going to use ICQ anymore and switch to using MSN Messenger only.
Maybe its time to switch again. I currently have Adium (for MSN) installed, iChat and now Skype too. Which one should I go with?
by taoski on July 25, 2006
Well, it's not a giant lizard slaying robot and its not a new religion.
