The totally off-topic thread

[anat0l]

XP for computers is great.

All of our internal programs work on XP, If you want to use other versions of windows you have to load the patches. PIA

Why don't they sell XP still on new computers instead of having to get it installed and costing more cash.

If you want to run XP, run it on computers with older hardware. New hardware will **** itself with XP. Either that or you'll be wondering "why the **** did I buy this PC with this spec just to run it at sub-par capacity".

If you have specific internal programs, they always only work with the OS which existed in mainstream at the time. Same thing with Win 95 / 98 applications when XP came out. Oh, the horrors....

Of course, most programmers could use a kick up the backside for learning how to handle memory better. That'd cut most of the cross-version problems at least in half, and even further after you consider how easy it would be to refactor and recompile for new OSes.

XP is genuinely turning into a dinosaur. If you need it, fine. If you like it, fine. Don't get me started on IE6; thank goodness IE8 is a compromise (because IE9 is better but it won't run on XP).

Oh, and all versions of Windows need updates when you fresh install them. XP needs SP3, Windows 7 is SP1. Plus all the security patches. Ubuntu has kernel and various patches. Virtually every program on every platform now has a "Check for Updates" button. I use App Store on my iPod touch to update apps on average 2-3 times per week (and I don't own a stellar number of apps either). Thank goodness iOS version updates are few and far between because that in itself is a time expensive and incapacitating operation.

To be honest, in programming terms the patch approach is not a bad one in theory. Version control of all sorts is a more sophisticated microcosm to patching. Where it goes haywire is when managers believe it's an excuse to push out software as fast as possible which is substandard and then they say, "Well, we can always just roll out a patch later; after all, end-user based bug diagnosis is much more effective than in-house testing."

 

[anat0l]

Mild moment of panic this morning about 18 minutes before I was due to give the presentation that I was preparing and I remember my USB drive problem. :shock: Luckily I then remembered I have a second USB drive that works.

Call logged with the helpdesk. They asked me to remove it from its USB port and try another one (there are 4 on the front panel). I played the game and was nice about it.

You should've just pretended that you already did what they asked and to escalate next course of action.

I've experienced the same problem you describe. At the time I experienced it first I was basketcased because I had no admin rights at all. Luckily I'm a bit clued up so dealing with the problem (through a request email) with the IT tech was simple (don't look at me like I don't know what I'm talking about - I'm trying to make life easier for you!).

Things are a lot easier to deal with now that I have local admin rights to my machine. (But I still can't change my login script to stop some auto-mapping of network addresses which is conflicting with my previous arrangement. Not a big deal, though...)

 

[notzac]

XP for computers is great.

All of our internal programs work on XP, If you want to use other versions of windows you have to load the patches. PIA

Why don't they sell XP still on new computers instead of having to get it installed and costing more cash.

Perhaps it's time for the internal programs to be updated to work with slightly more modern operating systems? XP is 10+ years old now. Just sayin ..

 

[drewbles]

Perhaps it's time for the internal programs to be updated to work with slightly more modern operating systems? XP is 10+ years old now. Just sayin ..

If it ain't broke...

I'm still in the XP users camp as it's the last distribution of Windows I used regularly prior to moving to OS X.

Using Windows 7 on my VM setup is usable, but I guess i've just stayed on the Mac side of things for too long now!

 

[Mal]

I like Win 7 over XP. Much more complex (deep down), but really wouldn't want to switch back.

 

[Flashback]

You can always install xp mode on win 7.... just sayin.

Sent from my HTC Desire using AustFreqFly

 

[medhead]

I'm stuck in a corporate environment so XP it is. In fact I just got Office 2007 over the break.

Of course, I'm still XP'ing at home. But that needs to change, with young kids exploring the Internet and visiting sites like horwse and dogerz (games involving looking after horses and dogs) I really need to set up a VM with ubuntu to be used for accessing the internet. Not to mention an email address so I don't keep getting messages that their horse is hungry. In fact the youngest is has been breeding her horses, I was shocked to hear her talk about putting fluffy out for a covering.

The one small problem with my VM plan is we have 2 computer each in the house, if I include iPad.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[medhead]

You can always install xp mode on win 7.... just sayin.

Sent from my HTC Desire using AustFreqFly

I really what to do WINE. Transport Tycoon doesn't even work with XP, but apparent it can be done with WINE. I almost even put it on my Macbook.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[Hvr]

Coke Zero shortage in BKK. 2/3 hotels I've stayed at don't have any.

The Conrad Hilton came through though.

 

[LiamR]

Mild moment of panic this morning about 18 minutes before I was due to give the presentation that I was preparing and I remember my USB drive problem. :shock: Luckily I then remembered I have a second USB drive that works.

Call logged with the helpdesk. They asked me to remove it from its USB port and try another one (there are 4 on the front panel). I played the game and was nice about it.

I was giving a presentation to a few colleagues in the VA SYD meeting room lounge today, I had the projector on while I was setting up....

A few windows opened which were too small, so instead of clicking the maxamise button, I dragged the window and pushed it to the top of my screen, expecting it to maxamise. I would have done this 2 or 3 times before giving up and clicking the maxamise button in the top right.

It only clicked a few mins later that aero snap is only a feature of Windows 7, and Windows XP never had it. Everbody laughed at me.

 

[serfty]

XP works lightning fast on modern computers - those who are indoctrinated with forced obsolescence simply don't understand.:-|

I'd be still using 95 if it wasn't for the lack of drivers ...

 

[anat0l]

I was giving a presentation to a few colleagues in the VA SYD meeting room lounge today, I had the projector on while I was setting up....

A few windows opened which were too small, so instead of clicking the maxamise button, I dragged the window and pushed it to the top of my screen, expecting it to maxamise. I would have done this 2 or 3 times before giving up and clicking the maxamise button in the top right.

It only clicked a few mins later that aero snap is only a feature of Windows 7, and Windows XP never had it. Everbody laughed at me.

Sorry, that's funny. Even double-clicking the title bar achieves the same thing in both OSes and quicker.

XP works lightning fast on modern computers - those who are indoctrinated with forced obsolescence simply don't understand.:-|

I'd be still using 95 if it wasn't for the lack of drivers ...

That depends. XP has certain addressing limits when it comes to resources (e.g. RAM). So it will only go so fast, and given side-to-side usage eventually you won't tell the difference. No point, e.g., having more RAM than the system can address - that's a waste of resources. (It doesn't slow down the system, just a pointless investment).

It's not forced obsolescence if you have a use for it. But if you're just running it for ***** and giggles, at least invest only enough that you need.

FWIW I installed XP on an eeePC netbook for fun (and see if it were better than running the pre-installed Xandros). It worked and was nice for a couple of weeks, but then the combination of processor and probably small SSD made it much less pleasant. 2 GB RAM couldn't save it. Fiddling with the swap did nothing. I cut out components, services, anti-virus... no good. It wasn't completely non-functional, but let's just say we don't exactly run on Fiji time here.

Having drivers is also a PITA, unless you're happy to work with generic drivers. This is one reason why *nix based systems shine - they usually only need generic level drivers rather than very specific manufacturer drivers. (Why do you think plugging a camera into a Mac or a *nix system is so much easier than Windows, with less software baggage too?) The latter types are usually poorly written, are a half-assed effort and, more often than not, manage their memory more poorly than any low opinion of Gillard managing this country. Don't know why all the good programmers are writing interfaces and software for *nix and open source and all the chump programmers are writing poor drivers for hardware.

Still love that video demo of Microsoft Windows 98 and the scanner gone all wrong...

95C would be great if only you never had to work with USB. (Go floppy disks!)

Also with 95 you have to contend with FAT32 vs NTFS (I know which file system I'd rather have, unless you have a hard drive of 32 GB or less).

It would be nice to find an old 386 with 4 MB RAM and a 1-2 GB HDD, then install Windows 95 (first release) on it just for fun. Should work a charm, in theory.

 

[straitman]

Done it many times.

I just stick it in the middle of the bag with plenty of clothes/soft things around it.

Never had a problem & that includes LH flights to US, Asia, UK as well as domestic.

Decided it was safe when I noticed that I never had any glass/bottle broken. The only risk in my opinion is if your bag is lost or a baggage handler opens your bag & steals it.

I always use one of those large external straps around the bag.....this is only a safety precaution in case the bag opens.

QANTAS managed to break the base off two bottles of red in my bag on the way to Oz Fest in DRW last year :!:

 

[Flashback]

I really what to do WINE. Transport Tycoon doesn't even work with XP, but apparent it can be done with WINE. I almost even put it on my Macbook.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

Have you tried DosBox? DOSBox, an x86 emulator with DOS

 

[PineappleSkip]

QANTAS managed to break the base off two bottles of red in my bag on the way to Oz Fest in DRW last year :!:

Eeeew!:shock::shock: What happened to the rest of your bag contents?

If it was a good red I woud have considered sucking my shirts

Cheers skip

 

[medhead]

Eeeew!:shock::shock: What happened to the rest of your bag contents?

If it was a good red I woud have considered sucking my shirts

Cheers skip

If it was Grange would you consider sucking your smalls?

Have you tried DosBox? DOSBox, an x86 emulator with DOS

No. I'll have a look. Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[Flashback]

No. I'll have a look. Thanks

TT was probably my first ever recorded addiction! Gives me an idea for a way to pass those boring nights in West Africa..

 

[amaroo]

QANTAS managed to break the base off two bottles of red in my bag on the way to Oz Fest in DRW last year :!:

Gee, must have looked like a road kill:shock:

The beagles would have gone ballistic with that bag.

 

[markis10]

Gee, must have looked like a road kill:shock:

The beagles would have gone ballistic with that bag.

No beagles in DRW, they use crocs but only on the JQ flights.

 

[NM]

XP for computers is great.

All of our internal programs work on XP, If you want to use other versions of windows you have to load the patches. PIA

Why don't they sell XP still on new computers instead of having to get it installed and costing more cash.

Talking of patches, have you done a fresh XP install recently? I dod a few over te Christmas break and it took hours or downloading patches/updates/ServicePacks, many many reboots and hundreds of MB of downloads to get it to a "safe" operating version! On one system, an Lenovo T61 that I took back to factory default install, there were over 200 updates applied from the Microsoft Update site! And that was just for the base operating system before installing any applications.

Installing the base OS took less than an hour, installing the patches/updates took the rest of the day.