Registered: Oct 1999
Location: I'm not sure, but I see lots of lights everywhere.
Posts: 1287

Check out this article on the latest build of Windows XP:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/19573.html

I have to say, I'm using the much earlier beta 2 build (2462), and the "modifications" introduced in these more recent builds mentioned in this article are shocking. Microsoft is going to sink its claws into Windows users like never before. Between the licensing scheme, Product activation, Hailstorm, and .NET, I'm starting to rethink my stance on the breakup issue. This is just a tad scary!

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Last edited by foo fighter on 06-08-2001 at 10:03 PM

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Prison
Posts: 421

Jeez!

The more I hear about Windows XP, the more and more thankful I am that I use an OS Platform where I can make my decisions for MYSELF. The fact WMP gets in the way like that is what I would call unnaceptable. They're limiting important functionality for security I have no need for. (I WANT to share my audio files!)

At least here in the Apple world I can use email without Outlook. (Mail RULES!) I can type a document without Microsoft Word. (ClarisWorks!!!) I can make a useful presentation (Hyperstudio, no matter what you say, will always be my favorite! ) And finally, I can play Mp3's however I WANT to play them.

When will the rest of the world learn that features off a check list does not equal good software?

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<b><font size=1 color=teal>"Sorry about the whole thing about losing your life savings, but that Palmpilot is property of Enron, so please give it back"

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: I'm not sure, but I see lots of lights everywhere.
Posts: 1287

Scary!

What really scares the holy living crap out of me is that Microsoft is building its MSN services EVERYWHERE throughout the new user interface. For example, when you open the "My Music" folder, there is a link on the sidebar that says "Shop for music online". When you click on that link, it takes you to..you guessed it..WindowsMedia.com. If you open the "My Pictures" folder, you are presented with a link to "Order prints from the internet", which takes you to yet another MSN service site. I can't understand why anti-trust litigators haven't jumped on this already? Are they unaware of this?

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My blog: Pocketfactory

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

quote:

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At least here in the Apple world I can use email without Outlook. (Mail RULES!) I can type a document without Microsoft Word. (ClarisWorks!!!) I can make a useful presentation (Hyperstudio, no matter what you say, will always be my favorite! ) And finally, I can play Mp3's however I WANT to play them.

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We're all naked if you turn us inside out.
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Registered: Oct 1999
Location: I'm not sure, but I see lots of lights everywhere.
Posts: 1287

Another "fun" feature is that you CAN'T uninstall either the Windows Media Player, or MSN Messenger. They are now "built-in" to the OS. Yeah right! More like hidden within the registry. Shame on Bill.

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My blog: Pocketfactory

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

Microsoft might be mercenary, but not stupid. They have a history of dropping their more drocanian protection schemes when consumer backlash outweighs the company's marketing. They're gauging the public's threshold of tolerance. I doubt the compulsory product activation will last. For this and many other reasons, which have been chronicled in the Register, XP has been totally unappealing for me from day one.

I'd be interested to know how WMP will distinguish between a free MP3 file released on an artist's website, an MP3 ripped off a CD from the user's own collection (e.g. almost all my MP3s; I rarely download them, since I'm on a dial-up connection), and an unauthorized commercial MP3. It looks as is MS intends to become the premier clearinghouse for digital rights management.

Fortunately, it's a free market, and we don't need Windows XP, Windows Media Player, or even Windows.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: I'm not sure, but I see lots of lights everywhere.
Posts: 1287

quote:

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Originally posted by Gameboy70
Fortunately, it's a free market, and we don't need Windows XP, Windows Media Player, or even Windows.

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My blog: Pocketfactory

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 441

I just signed up for the Preview Program. I think spending $10 now for XP will help me decide whether or not I should invest the full $90 when it actually comes out. I admit that some of this stuff MS is doing is scary.. But I think we'll all end up liking it somewhere down the road.

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"It's a long way from my thoughts to what I'll say, It's a long, long way from paradise to where I am today." -Switchfoot, Home

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Prison
Posts: 421

The reason I speak out about the evils of Windows so much, is that the period I used Windows before I went back to Mac was so terrible.

I bought a copy of VPC soon after because I felt nervous that after the iMac & iBook's popularity died out, Apple would soon be history.

Turns out I was wrong. I bought OSX the first day it came out. It took me a week to warm up to it and get used to the uh... complete re-organization of my hard drive.

But Apple CLEARLY has the right idea. OSX is nothing short of a 1st class OS. I'm running it with half the memory I should be running it with (usually a death sentance!) but I have yet to witness a single crash! (BSOD for Windows users!) The interface is superior to everything, and Apple even includes developer software, which tells you something. This OS was built for the CONSUMER's preference, NOT the company's. (Microsoft... ahem.)

I think it's funny, that Apple in a "legal" way promotes the Mp3 file (look at their ads!), and even gives you 20 megs of disk space to share them. Windows XP, on the other hand... uh...


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P.S. I really don't think you can run your Mac without Quicktime. But don't get me wrong, it's not obtrusive like WMP is, and is extremely flexible. (I use 3rd party mp3 playing software. (well, iTunes.) QT never gets in the way!)

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<b><font size=1 color=teal>"Sorry about the whole thing about losing your life savings, but that Palmpilot is property of Enron, so please give it back"

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 594

I think XP will be a big boost to Linux.

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"Great Spirits Have Always Encountered Violent Opposition From Mediocre Minds." -- Albert Einstein

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Prison
Posts: 421

quote:

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Originally posted by bkbk
I think XP will be a big boost to Linux.

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That and OSX. If only Linux was useable as a Desktop OS....

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<b><font size=1 color=teal>"Sorry about the whole thing about losing your life savings, but that Palmpilot is property of Enron, so please give it back"

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 594

I'd give the dog to Sting, and name him "Stingo." (But only if he agreed to get back together w/the Police for at least 1 more studio album!)

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"Great Spirits Have Always Encountered Violent Opposition From Mediocre Minds." -- Albert Einstein

Registered: Apr 2001
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<b><font size=1 color=teal>"Sorry about the whole thing about losing your life savings, but that Palmpilot is property of Enron, so please give it back"

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
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quote:

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Originally posted by bblue

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

quote:

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Originally posted by bblue
...It took me a week to warm up to it and get used to the uh... complete re-organization of my hard drive...

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Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Prison
Posts: 421

Oh

Oh, that's it. Congratulations!


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Is it 9.1 that re-arranges your entire HD? Boy I hated that!

I really should have partitioned my Hard Drive. (Of course, you know if I really would have done that I would be regretting it in some form!)

Oh well. The new arrangement is a little less friendly, but OSX seems to do a stupendous job of making the transition easy!

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<b><font size=1 color=teal>"Sorry about the whole thing about losing your life savings, but that Palmpilot is property of Enron, so please give it back"

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

There is no way that I would install WinXP on my home machines in its present form. From product activation to MP3 shenanigans to Smart Tags, I'm starting to wonder what's actually good about XP.

I've been warning my friends about the gotchas that XP brings, and I think MS is going to see a lot of home users sticking with 98 or 2K, or even switching to the Mac.

I've been ripping some of my CDs with iTunes so I can listen to my music while on my flight to PC Expo. It would really piss me off if I couldn't do that on XP.

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James Hromadka
Old Friend

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: I'm not sure, but I see lots of lights everywhere.
Posts: 1287

quote:

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Originally posted by JHromadka
I've been warning my friends about the gotchas that XP brings, and I think MS is going to see a lot of home users sticking with 98 or 2K, or even switching to the Mac.

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I hope for Microsoft's sake they don't discontinue Windows 2000 Professional upon XP's release. This could be a huge marketing disaster!

It's hard to say what impact this will have on the PC industry, but I'll bet money that XP will not save the PC market as some retailers and analysts are hoping. When XP hits the market in October, consumers will walk right past the PC isles at Best Buy and Circuit City, and go straight for the X-Box.

quote:

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I've been ripping some of my CDs with iTunes so I can listen to my music while on my flight to PC Expo. It would really piss me off if I couldn't do that on XP.

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In cozying up to the RIAA, Microsoft is apparently selling all our asses down the river with this new digital copyright protection scheme. And in return, the RIAA will support Microsoft's WMA (windows media audio) format. WMP 8 will no longer allow MP3 format audio, and will place limitations on which audio files you can or can't copy.

Too bad the Appeals Court will likely let Microsoft off the hook, and go right back to business as usual...attempting to kill RealNetworks and Palm!

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Seattle, Washington
Posts: 293

I think all of you misunderstood about WMP 8 and MP3 ripping ability. This is quote from winsupersite.com
"Rip high-quality MP3s in Windows Media Player 8

The relationship between Windows Media Player 8 and the MP3 audio format is widely misunderstood. Basically, WMP8 will be able to playback MP3 files, but encoding (or "ripping") CD audio into MP3 format will require an MP3 plug-in. So during the Windows XP beta, Microsoft is supplying a sample MP3 plug-in for testing purposes."

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Have A Good Day!
I Love My Prism!

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

My next computer (Which will be a laptop) is definetly going to be a Mac. Using Palm OS, and other devices, has taught me not everything has to be Microsoft and often if it isn't it works better.

Still, I enjoy Win2k and agree that they should continue it. I've got WindowsBlinds so I can skin away the interface, why would I want XP?

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