1 hour ago, contextfree` wrote This is really awful reporting. ... off into flights of fancy about "the biggest product U-turn since ..." 

++

( With acknowledgement that Bas may be factually correct. However, perceptions sometime trump reality. )

This consumer focus (Apple Envy) and corresponding direction worries me. While I still make my living in the MS ecosystem (Business Apps), I am hedging my bets and doing some recon (non-MS, non-Windows). Specifically, I just wiped Windows 8 (no real choice) from a new system and put CentOS on it, leveraging hardware/KVM virtualization - NICE! I am ramping up a dev stack too.

So far though I must say MS really does still provide the superior experience. Were it not for prior Unix experience, I might not have persevered and resolved some of the issues encountered. User friendly it is not. Not nearly as smooth and polished as Windows either.

Much thanks bondsbw!

Figuerres

Sven Groot

Vaccano

davewill

... et al.

Thanks for speaking up - well said.

1 day ago, DeathBy​VisualStudio wrote

*snip*

That's a fantastic idea! Marry that with Office Web and you have yourself a winner.

Oh yeah!!

8 minutes ago, kettch wrote

Get off my lawn!

LOL

5 hours ago, CaRDiaK wrote: You might be suited to something more like Swype

Yep! Swype for me! A quality blue tooth keyboard is also helpful for lengthy sessions.

I used my Android phone and external keyboard exclusively on a recent business trip. Worked out OK for most everything I needed but a larger screen would have been MUCH better. I can't wait for ClamCase for Android to FINALLY come out. Hurry up already

2 hours ago, evildictait​or wrote

*snip*

Disabling people's software should only be done by consent of the user. Remotely crippling someone's machine under the guise of a security... *snip*

1 hour ago, GoddersUK wrote

*snip*

If I were an Apple user right now I'd be worried that anyone (Apple included) can remotely mess with my machine without my express consent. That's scary as anything.

++

Sorry to beat the same old drum but, this highlights why I steer clear of Apple and, why I am troubled by others apparent desire to emulate them... I'm just say'n.

My connection is not reporting anything approaching those speeds and, allegedly, it's "Faster than 88% of all US".

Must be nice

2 days ago, evildictait​or wrote

*snip*

I remember in the olden days when people paid for stuff they were "the customer is always right", and you were treated with respect because you might buy something from the store.

We seem to have sleepwalked into a world where people believe paying for services and content online is abnormal.

In capitalism, you get what you pay for. If you're not paying, you're either getting a crap product or you are the product.

Skype would be better if it cost you $1 a month to run, because then Microsoft would have a way of making money from it without wasting your time with adverts.

++

One bought it bundled with a laptop. The other upgraded his notebook based on his brother's experience. They like it and they've had nothing but a positive experience - for what anecdotes are worth.

I'm inching closer to giving it a try but it hasn't infiltrated my work world. However, I'm beginning to get that "Oh no! I better get up-to-speed" feeling

2 days ago, davewill wrote

...basing that on some free OS that may or may not be run by an organization that has skin in the game doesn't sound like a good start to a possibly decade long relationship.

While certainly not "decades in", having good luck with embedded Linux, transitioned from Windows Embedded Standard (XP). Just my 2¢.

*snip*

"Apple Phone RT with User Accessibility Compatibility Extensions XP 2004 Customer-Orientated Edition"

Ha! Love it

16 hours ago, magicalclick wrote

Google said they didn't change their service when it stops supporting WP8.

These practices whether from MS, Google, Apple, or others really must stop. Having feet in both the MS an Google spaces - refusing Apple's obsessive control over MY STUFF - these practices are REALLY bothersome - no mater who engages in them.

Disappointing. All of you please STOP trying to force your customers. Build a good/better product and they will come.

... the leading PRO argument is that our Silverlight apps will work with it. I favor moving away from SL but that's another story.

3 hours ago, figuerres wrote

...someone working for MS might read the post and act on it.   that may be a false hope

Me thinks false hope. I believe MS have a different process in mind and they are really not interested such ideas. As a (very, very, very small-scale) developer myself, I can't imagine having to deal with such a broad-ranging, diverse user base. It feels MS have made a decision to go ahead a shed some business and 'techie/tinkerer type' customers in pursuit of the consumer marketplace. ...but, that's just me :-/

18 hours ago, blowdart wrote

*snip*

If you want to check how your profile is configured, you can do so here

Thanks! Some of my info was very dated. Nice and clean now

13 hours ago, warren wrote

...they've only ever called me for renewing my MSDN or TechNet subscription

*shrug*

Same here but I don't want to be called. Phone calls are interrupts. Send me an email and I'll get to it on my time. Just a personal preference. Only a select few get to interrupt me... like my wife

I will NOT give you my phone number. It's personal and none of your business.

( Edit: Ok, I'll sometimes give it out but very very selectively. )

Just give it a fake one.

++

I'm developing a distaste for the lot.

The following isn't a rough cut and it isn't what you requested but, it is all I found. Best of luck!

Windows Server 2012: Up and Running

By: Samara Lynn

Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc.

Publication Date: 07-DEC-2012

28 minutes ago, Dr Herbie wrote

@Ian2: Use smaller bytes!

Herbie

Ha! Throw yourself on the floor for that one

Still, change is always hard and usually met with some inherent opposition. Good post!

What are your needs that aren't possible with Windows 8? Make a list and share it with us.

I've not asserted Windows 8 is incapable or even bad. It's the Apple'ish eco system that MS appears to desire. In manufacturing and related industries where I often work, there is a growing reluctance to continue or embrace MS products. Forced upgrades, high licensing fees, expensive tools, pushing then abandoning technologies and products, etc. is causing many to look, even move, elsewhere.

Anecdotal I know but it is this observation that promoted my comments. But, again, my crystal ball isn't always reliable