Windows 11

FractalAudio said:
I just installed the latest "Cumulative Security Update" and it wiped my wallpaper. Now I have a black desktop. Not a big deal but still laughably incompetent. Apparently my photo of ducks was a "Security Threat".

It got me thinking about some aspects of Windows as of late and I realized that the main problem is that Microsoft has changed Windows so that it does what is best for Microsoft not what is best for the user.

Case in point: OneDrive. The concept of cloud storage is a good one. You can save files in the cloud and then access them on any computer connected to the internet. I don't use it, though, because I don't trust MS with my data. I imagine buried somewhere on page 739 of the User Agreement gives MS the right to "analyze" your data.

The main problem is how OneDrive is implemented. The correct way to do it would be to simply have it be a virtual drive on your machine. But no, MS went and fundamentally changed how Office worked to try to force you to use it. And then nags you about saving your file to OneDrive.

Instead of the old File -> Save As -> Explorer dialog (where the default is the original location) we now have this convoluted thing where OneDrive is forced down your throat and you need to do twice as many steps to accomplish what the old method did.

Why? Because MS wants you to buy extra storage when you inevitably run out of space. They'll charge your credit card every month until you die.

And you know all this forced CoPilot sh*t is just setting the stage for when they will start requiring a monthly fee to use it. "You have currently exceeded your monthly query quota. Would you like to upgrade to CoPilot Premium? Click OK to upgrade your account."
Click to expand...
It took me way too long to realize that it isn't about them being unable to do better. For so long I thought they'd try to have the best OS in the competition and their issue was that they didn't knew what most users wanted. But that's just naive. It's way simpler: They don't care that much anymore. They needed Windows to grow and get big. Now they are making their money somewhere else, mainly cloud services and AI. And that's where they direct their forces.
Worst thing: the other major companies are similar.
 
Dave Merrill said:
All the above, except there's not that much music software for Linux. Don't know what I'm doing much on it either, but I'd probably get used to it. Music is one of my major non-work things for a computer though, so it's a tough sell.
Click to expand...
Yeah I agree, as far as a DAW Reaper works great on Linux. But its all the dam plug-ins, thats were I run into problems.
Axe Edit works in bottles but its clunky and a bit fustrating to use.
So for now dual booting WIN10/LIME.
If it was not for music production, would be 100% off Windows. Have found Linux programs to replace other Windows based programs most are ok one or two are better. Bottom line "Tradeoff's"
 
FractalAudio said:
Case in point: OneDrive. The concept of cloud storage is a good one. You can save files in the cloud and then access them on any computer connected to the internet. I don't use it, though, because I don't trust MS with my data. I imagine buried somewhere on page 739 of the User Agreement gives MS the right to "analyze" your data.
Click to expand...

I'd be surprised if analyzing it was all they wanted to do. I wouldn't put it past them to try and claim ownership of not just the raw data but the intellectual property contained therein as well, if it came down to it.

Have an idea on company time? Congrats, it's the company's idea now!
Have an idea in Microsoft's ecosystem? Congrats, it's Microsoft's now!
 
Oh lord, you got me started.

FractalAudio said:
I realized that the main problem is that Microsoft has changed Windows so that it does what is best for Microsoft not what is best for the user.
Click to expand...
That’s been an escalating trend ever since Windows 95 came out 30 years ago. Up to that point, I used to get excited about new OS updates. Now, I dread the new complexities that GoogAppleSoft introduces with each new update to sink more hooks into my flesh.

FractalAudio said:
Case in point: OneDrive. The concept of cloud storage is a good one. You can save files in the cloud and then access them on any computer connected to the internet. I don't use it, though, because I don't trust MS with my data. I imagine buried somewhere on page 739 of the User Agreement gives MS the right to "analyze" your data.
Click to expand...
Analyze? Many of those EULAs contain claims of outright ownership of your data. Claims that you agree to when you click that insidious I Agree button. Every cloud service does this, not just Microsoft.

FractalAudio said:
Instead of the old File -> Save As -> Explorer dialog (where the default is the original location) we now have this convoluted thing where OneDrive is forced down your throat and you need to do twice as many steps to accomplish what the old method did.

Why? Because MS wants you to buy extra storage when you inevitably run out of space. They'll charge your credit card every month until you die.
Click to expand...
Bingo. It’s all a money grab to force you to upgrade. But that’s just the small potatoes. The real money grab lies in coercing you into giving them your data. More grist for their ever-evolving AI to chew on. But the problem existed long before AI was a thing.

FractalAudio said:
And you know all this forced CoPilot sh*t is just setting the stage for when they will start requiring a monthly fee to use it. "You have currently exceeded your monthly query quota. Would you like to upgrade to CoPilot Premium? Click OK to upgrade your account."
Click to expand...
Right again. But again, the forced upgrade is small potatoes next to the CoPilot hook that drives you into dependency on CoPilot. It’s a data-harvesting tool with no real guard rails on what it does with your data.


And it’s not just Microsoft; not just computer OSes; not just cell phones and tablets. Ever set up a modern TV? Its full of extra steps and complications designed to expose you to data-harvesting engines and opportunities to spend more money. Back in the day, you could plug in a new TV, turn it in, and voila! you’re watching TV. But your new TV won’t default to actually watching TV until you do some deep menu diving.


At this point, the only OSes I trust are open-source ones.
 
Just the other day, I heard Dire Straits "Money For Nothing" and when he said ". . . gotta move these color TV's" I though to myself, I wonder when the last B&W tv was made. I was VERY surprised by what I found.

  • Some of the last, basic 5-inch B&W sets were still being produced around 2006.
  • The last cathode ray tube televisions (which include these final B&W sets) were reportedly made around or after 2015.

I would have guessed early 80's for a B&W tv for last years of production! Who 'da thunk it! Of course, these little ones were probably for surveillance cameras and such, but still, very surprising IMO.
 
SonVolt said:
Yes. Much of that info you’re reading is out of date and no longer applicable.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, I just used RUFUS to create a bootable USB installer for Windows 11 that will skip the Microsoft Account part of the installation process.

I'll be done building my new PC in a few days and will try the USB stick then.

Which method did you try?

Edit: to add link.
 
Last edited:
Just updated my UA stuff. Brought the whole OS to its knees. What a fiasco. All is well now but what a nail biter to try and get it to boot again.

Meanwhile 20 years later and we STILL cant have aggregate devices.
 
Bruce Sokolovic said:
Just updated my UA stuff. Brought the whole OS to its knees. What a fiasco. All is well now but what a nail biter to try and get it to boot again.

Meanwhile 20 years later and we STILL cant have aggregate devices.
Click to expand...
Which OS specifically?
What did you do that eventually got it to boot?
 
1,000,000 "mini" AI centres launched from Space X...

...we'll never have to think again. (we'll be dead)

The NEXT million million will make it all right.
 
Dave Merrill said:
Which OS specifically?
What did you do that eventually got it to boot?
Click to expand...
Windows 11. All I did was update my apollo drivers. Took about 5 attempts at repair which didnt work, then rebooting in safe mode. Then a few more BSODs and little by little I got closer and closer to a working computer until it just worked.
 
KFF said:
Coming close (for those that need it simple)... MIDI 2.0, too.

Gemini (google AI) into Apple...

REAL crossing of the times.
Click to expand...
Coming close should have been 15 years ago. We are not even a blip on their radar. As long as the OS can browse the web and send an email, that is really all they care about.
 
Bruce Sokolovic said:
Windows 11. All I did was update my apollo drivers. Took about 5 attempts at repair which didnt work, then rebooting in safe mode. Then a few more BSODs and little by little I got closer and closer to a working computer until it just worked.
Click to expand...
So the fix was rebooting in safe mode multiple times? Sheesh. Lovely.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom