Tech: Microsoft strike again

Subject: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 29 Sep 15 - 08:16 AM

I see Microsoft screwed up yet again with their new outlook app for android

Subject: RE: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 29 Sep 15 - 08:44 AM

These anti Microsoft threads are SO tedious...

If you don't like their software, don't fucking use it. Simple.

Subject: RE: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 29 Sep 15 - 08:45 AM

how's that then ???

link please...

Not that the 'old' app that supplanted hotmail app was any good or use after enforcing microsoft account membership

Subject: RE: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 29 Sep 15 - 12:28 PM

Microsoft redeemed themselves slightly by agreeing the support Windows Media Player until 2020. They turned off the program guide last summer and switched to a new provider, but most systems crashed, not switching to the new guide. I finally contacted the supplier of my computer's TV receiver and asked what software they recommend to replace WMP. They responded that there is a forum with the answer about how to get the new program guide to load (if there is no program guide it is simply a blank list of channels and hours and you have to set up recording manually, with no metadata downloading to identify it in the recording list). I opened up Windows Media Center, ran the startup again, and gave it a different but nearby zip code and it downloaded the new channel guide.

Now I have to decide if I want to keep this, or switch to the program that I'm running a 30-day free trial of right now. The new one is pretty good, has some better features, and gives me the choice of a proprietary file type for recordings (and WMP uses it's own) OR a standard mp4 sort that can be read by many different playback software programs. They take more space on the hard drive, and you aren't given the option of saving a program you've been watching from the beginning if you choose half way through. Using the proprietary software means they record it from the beginning and if you choose to record, they keep it. I think it can be converted to mp4 for a disk or other playback, and you can convert and record to DVD in WMP. It's a very slow process.

Decisions, decisions.

Subject: RE: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: michaelr
Date: 29 Sep 15 - 04:01 PM

Jesus... I've thought about cutting the cable, but testimony like the above makes it seem a total hassle. Bring back the rabbit ears!

Subject: RE: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Sep 15 - 04:48 PM

Most of the time, Microsoft software works very well. Sometimes, they screw up - but then they usually correct their mistakes.

So, what else is new?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 29 Sep 15 - 11:11 PM

Actually, it isn't that difficult, but you do need to set up the receiver in the computer with an external antenna and let the computer scan for channels. If you buy a computer now with a receiver they are going to have some kind of functioning software to watch and record, but if you want a guide, you have to shop around. In my instance I had a legacy program that went through some tough times, but Microsoft has decided to support it for the next five years. They don't offer the range of options (I used to be able to stream NetFlix through the media center, etc.) but for the basics, it works.

I've decided it's time to get rid of some of the baggage attached to the computer, i.e., a couple of smaller drives in enclosures attached via SATA cables to the motherboard. There's not much on them and they tend to hum a lot, so I turn them off and forget they're there. I'll move the contents, remove the drives, and am going to add a 5T drive to use for backups and let the current 2T backup drive work for media. Memory and storage space is cheap, so this will let me untangle a few cables and have a better way to save things I want to record. I'll probably have to run the setup again on the JRiver software to look at my file options. I can do it without uninstalling, so hopefully I don't have to re-set up everything, it'll keep my preferences. I wish they had better support than a forum run by geeks who can only speak in acronyms.

Subject: RE: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: Mr Red
Date: 30 Sep 15 - 02:52 AM

If you don't like their software, don't fucking use it. Simple.

If you don't like the thread don't fuckin read it.

There is a useful community information aspect to these threads. That post doesn't fit the ethos. Reminding Mac users that DDoS hits come from a disproportionate number of Apple devices - does, but is not that effective. Oh the arrogance of ignorance! Blind belief in marketing!

If I wanted to update an app it would be useful to know "not to, just yet".

Subject: RE: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Sep 15 - 04:14 AM

There is a useful community information aspect to these threads

"I see Microsoft screwed up yet again"

Yes, of course. Invaluable knowledge for all...

Subject: RE: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 30 Sep 15 - 09:04 AM

well... I just got an email from microsoft to my Windows mobile
alerting about the new Outlook android app [and imminent discontinuation of the current one]

As it is, me and the mrs have 5 or 6 android tablets and mobiles,
and it's amusing to be told current version of outlook app will soon stop working,
as it's only ever worked on one of them...

Subject: RE: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Sep 15 - 10:47 AM

me and the mrs have 5 or 6 android tablets and mobiles

Which is it? 5 or 6? If you don't know, then you clearly have too many.

Subject: RE: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 30 Sep 15 - 11:01 AM

GUEST - oooh... snippy...

just for you - 8

Yes.. far too many.. tell my mrs..
she 'upgrades' mobile phones and tablets more casually than I ever give a monkey's about pompous condescending pillocks....

oh.. actually.. 9 counting the android mini computer/media player...
[that one's mine]

Subject: RE: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: Bert
Date: 30 Sep 15 - 12:26 PM

I use Microsoft because I have one piece of software that doesn't work on any other system.

Subject: RE: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 30 Sep 15 - 12:51 PM

Just updated outlook app on the one device [my Nexus 7] that did not ask for compulsory Microsoft Account
when updating from old hotmail app a couple years ago.

.. and now it won't work unless I log in with a microsoft Account....

Sod 'em.. I'll just use my android tablet for audio stuff...

BTW.. as the stagefright security bug hitting android devices has still not been fixed,
it's probably for the best not to trust them with sensitive personal data..

Subject: RE: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 30 Sep 15 - 07:44 PM

I like Linux.

Backup, save, reformat, reinstall...every six months.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Could an F35 shoot down a WW I biplane?

Subject: RE: Tech: Microsoft strike again
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Sep 15 - 08:16 PM

I'm too old to mess with all the options using Linux (like the 27 different versions people will assure you are 'better'), no matter how good it is.... and I have a couple of dozen programs that run only in Windows and have no real equivilents in Linux (or Mac).

I have media players that will play anything, a file indexer that will find anything on my PC, 2 different directory statistics collectors, 2 different easy file launchers, 3 different folder organizers that are better than Windows Explorer, a web 'filter' that control ads and other stuff ... plus various 'toys' that I just like, such a virtual piano that one can play using the keyboard.... "and things too fierce to mention".

Micro$oft has its issues, but I've spent 20 years messing with it and I have it (relatively) beaten into submission.