Activity for November 7

Review - Microsoft Zune
4.0 (Sep 15, 2009)

I'll have my HD as soon as UPS delivers it. But, to be prepared, I downloaded this software.

It's not necessarily bloated. The setup package is a ZIP file that breaks down into many smaller programs. There are separate 32 and 64 bit setup packages in English, French, and Spanish. There's also a setup for .NET and numerous Windows updates, necessary to run the software. There's also a firmware upgrade for the device.

I must add that I have been scouring the Internet for days to find a comprehensive, and not superficial review. I have yet to find one that told me other than the bare essentials that you can read in an ad on Best Buy or Amazon. How does the web browser work? What can you do with it? How easy it is to connect to your home wireless network? Can you synch or stream music from your home PC? What is the quality of reception of the HD radio?

In response to all these reviewers, I don't really care about subscribing to some software store, as I already own 124 gig of music. I'm not looking for games or apps. I am buying the player to play the music I already own. I don't really care about the UI, as I tend to pick out some music, put the player in my pocket, and listen to the music. I don't care about constantly diddling with a UI or impressing other people with it.
Review - FolderShare
14.0.1331.0415 Beta (Apr 23, 2008)

I would like to try using it, but when I install it on my computer, it says it's checking my account on the server, and it comes back to me saying that I need to download a newer version at www.foldershare.com. I try downloading from that website and still keep getting the same message. If I can't install it, I can't try it. If I can't try it, I can't rate it.

And to top it all off, when I try and register with my personal Email address, it says that account has already been used. But, when I log into to their server using this account, and ask to reset my password and send me the new password, it says that account doesn't exist!
Review - Microsoft Windows Live OneCare
1.5.1890.34 (Apr 12, 2007)

Use this software at your peril. I bought a 3-machine license and installed it on 2 different XP machines (Media Center and Pro). While installed, I couldn't get an Internet connection. After I uninstalled it, I found my firewall to be completely trashed. I cannot start the traditional MS XP firewall, even though I get constant harrassing reminders to do so. I would, but I can't. I even ran the Live One Care cleanup tool (twice!), and still no firewall.

Also, I am so disgusted with recent MS "upgrades" trashing my machine, I turned them off and restored my machine to earlier, happier days when at least I could boot my machines.

Normally, I am a huge Microsoft supporter, but I am starting to waver.
Comment - Myka announces its latest Linux-based 'net top box'
1.5.1890.34 (Nov 7, 2009 - 5:35 AM)

In case you want more information now, here's a link to more information. http://www.myka.tv/ There are videos, descriptions, and the all-important list of specs, the video and audio formats supported, and a rear view, showing all the interfaces.
Comment - Sophos study suggests Windows 7 UAC's default setting is self-defeating
1.5.1890.34 (Nov 5, 2009 - 5:10 PM)

I agree. This "non-story" is all over the Internet, blindly repeated on every blog.
Comment - Performance drain: The first public perception test of the Windows 7 era
1.5.1890.34 (Nov 5, 2009 - 11:21 AM)

"If that were true for everyone besides a few folks for whom the notion that stuff doesn't matter really, really matters, then Windows 7 really would be "Vista Service Pack 3" (it is, after all, internally numbered "Windows 6.1")."

In changing a service pack of Windows, MS bumps the build number and the service pack number, not the Major and Minor version number.

Windows Vista was Windows 6.0, build 6002, Service Pack 2. Windows 7 is Windows 6.1, build 7600.

When a new named version of Windows is released, that's when they bump the major and/or minor version number. For example, Windows 95 was Version 4.0. Windows 98 was Version 4.1. Windows ME was Version 4.9. And, YES, is does matter.
Comment - Microsoft misses a perfect opportunity for Windows 7 and multitouch
1.5.1890.34 (Oct 22, 2009 - 2:03 PM)

I have no use for Multi Touch either. Like they have on a vertical screen like the new HP computer? Anything that takes my hands off the keyboard eats into my time and productivity. Besides, has anybody looked into the ergonomic issues of reaching out and holding your arms, in an unnatural position, for hours on end? Here's a problem (read: lawsuit) just waiting to happen. Makes my arms hurt just thinking about it. I could see Multi Touch on a tablet computer, but then you have to be bent over a table or your lap trying to see the darn thing. How can you be productive typing on a keyboard that you can't even feel?

Sorry, but maybe I'm getting too old, when all I care about is being productive while reducing eyestrain and back pain, while ignoring the "cool" factor, which for me, just doesn't compute.
Comment - Windows 7: Vista without the crap
1.5.1890.34 (Oct 21, 2009 - 3:52 PM)

Finally a Windows 7 article without all the crap! Very well written, objective, and comprehensive. You describe features people actually use every day. Some reviewers (presumably on other web sites) can't get past the task bar and windows tiling. I have been using Windows 7 since before April.

A couple of additional things that bear mentioning. I never could get Vista to find my files. With Windows 7, it's much easier to find files, and also to find what you need in the control panel. It's also much easier to configure Windows Explorer. I practically live in Windows Explorer, and the first thing I do on a new machine is disable all the idiot options. It's much easier to do that in Windows 7 than it is in Vista.