Ray! Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Here's an interesting set of figures showing the ststus of operating systems in use in the world: http://gs.statcounter.com/#os-ww-monthly-201106-201206 Even Vista is ahead of OSX and iOS combined! And for those who might be interested in Windows 8, you'll be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro (which runs on any PC x86 OS) for $40 via an internet download, or buy a DVD for $70. Apparently that will be the price worldwide, rather than stupid price hikes you usually experience with software. It might be worth buying the boxed version just to have an cheap upgrade path after they've fixed all the problems. http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2012/07/02/upgrade-to-windows-8-pro-for-39-99.aspx Cheers Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Here is the Stats for mypatrol4x4.com.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray! Posted July 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Curious to know what the 'unknown' OS is, but despite all the hue and cry, Windows is still the dominant OS. Can you break down the Windows OS variants to see what people are using, and maybe even the same with IE? Cheers Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 See image Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray! Posted July 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 There's still around 15% who should move to Windows 7, I don't know why they haven't. Cheers Ray admin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumcajs Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 (edited) ...... And for those who might be interested in Windows 8, you'll be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro (which runs on any PC x86 OS) for $40 via an internet download, or buy a DVD for $70. Apparently that will be the price worldwide, rather than stupid price hikes you usually experience with software. It might be worth buying the boxed version just to have an cheap upgrade path after they've fixed all the problems. http://windowsteambl...-for-39-99.aspx Cheers Ray That's it Ray, you converted me .... I'm going to ditch all my Linux distros costing me exactly $0.00000000 and jump on board of MS™ Windows 8 "gravy" train for $40.00-70.00 it is a bargain, what was I thinking or may be not because I suppose gotta buy a new printer, scanner, camera, or any other peripherals which I'm gonna struggle to find the Windoze drivers for...... . "......how does it feel to be on winning side like a winner you are ...." or wait I need to change my pills this ain't B Dylan song is it. Cheers Edited July 3, 2012 by Rumcajs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Struggle to find windows drivers? Hehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glort Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Windoze Sucks but it sucks less than other systems. I'm waiting for the next server software to arrive. I guess when 8 hits there will be a mad rush to get it so people can get stuck with all the bugs and glitches. That's why with anything new like that I wait 12 months for the service packs and updates that are large then the original program itself to fix the bugs so it runs properly. Dunno about difficulty finding windoze Drivers but I'd sure hate to try and find drivers for Linux for my camera's, printers and to get most of my editing and production software to run on it. I can't for the life of me figure how people browse and post on sites using their phones. I tried it and it drove me nuts in 2 min flat. Some people are either patient or desperate I think! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray! Posted July 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 I wonder why I can't find, for example, one workable GPS program that will run on the Linux distro on my tablet? I've tried every source there is and not one produces anything that is remotely usable. Of course I can use a problematic emulator that copies Windows, but that just defeats the purpose in any case. I liken Linux to a Blow Up Barbara, a substitute for the real thing. Cheers Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumcajs Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Struggle to find windows drivers? Hehe Not really looking for them, but some in my household insist on using the Windoze and my perfectly good Epson printer for example doesn't like W7 drivers provided by the maker. Linux on other hand just works ™, go figure. When Vista/W7 debacle occured I had to throw away perfectly good scanner because you've guess it no drivers and I suppose thats why there is 15% out there....... As far as GPS programs are concerned Navit works for me just fine, except it is not as easy to configure for "point and click" crowd. I can only wonder what would state of Linux software (I'm not talking about OS) be like if just 10% of resources by software companies were put in to creating such thing. This is the problem with monopoly, interestingly MS itself is going to find hard way to survive competing against what it created. I have a feeling that W7 is the very thing which is going to break the MS plans for the Windows 8. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray! Posted July 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 (edited) Just because one can cite an example or two of driver issues, or whatever, with old equipment, doesn't prove that Linux is a better system. It's also quite funny that Linux owners will always come up with a somewhat disparaging comment about anyone who is trying to give Linux a go, but simply get egt it to do what they want; it almost always returns a comment suggesting that the person is an idiot. One wonders why so few people use Linux, the support provided by the Linux community is purely geared towards computer geeks, which drives away anyone not part of the elite. And on Navit, it's not even in beta stange yet: Latest release We've rolled the fourth public alpha release of NavIt. http://navit.sourceforge.net/ Finally, many independent surveys have been conducted on the total cost of ownership (TCO) of Linux in the coporate world and the facts don't support the Linux hype. Clearly, if the TCO for Linux was what it was puported to be, there'd be a mass swing towards Linux, as driving down costs is a major concern for corporations. Just one example: http://www.iaps.com/...ey-2005.04.html I might also point out that when people by a new PC, it pretty much always comes with the OS installed and you are paying bugger all for that OS as part of the entire package. Linux, as a built in OS, was tried by a few companies, Dell being one from memory, but no one wanted them, so the option was dropped pretty quickly. Now I know that Linux users love to keep their Pentium 2 machines etc and dutifully boast about how Linux works just great, but most people are pretty happy to upgrade systems every five or so years. The only ones on the other end of the spectrum, in this regard, are Apple owners, who need to replace their iPhones, iPads, iWhatnots, every time a new version comes out. Cheers Ray Edited July 4, 2012 by Ray! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumcajs Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 (edited) Double post Edited July 4, 2012 by Rumcajs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumcajs Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 (edited) Ray, Navit works for me, I don't really care if Alpha or Omega version. I also don't care about TCO for corps and this is also major FUD. You need to look in to overall picture why corps use MS product on the frontline and why they use something else in the "engine room". Many independent surveys also confirm "global warning", yet we still argue about it. I'm beginning to think that Ray has a part time job as MS® product salesman. And for the record: Where did I mention that Linux is a better system and that "point and click" crowd are idiots? Nowhere so please leave the FUD I know you are bored ..... Cheers Edited July 3, 2012 by Rumcajs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray! Posted July 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 (edited) I actually found a really useful wiki on how to set up Navit, I'm sure that anyone would be able to have this up and running in no time if they follow these instructions: http://wiki.navit-pr...nfiguring_Navit I thought I'd add this bit as further confirmation, which I got by opening Ubuntu and the Software Centre: Debian packaging for navit doesn't provide any map. To see, where you can get maps from, see <http://wiki.navit-project.org/index.php/Main_Page#Maps>. Canonical does not provide updates for Navit. Some updates may be provided by the Ubuntu community. Reviews Good open source navigation software, but it requires quite a bit of configuring, with a steep learning curve if you wish it to do what you want. As for the users that complain that Navit doesn't work: you have to set it up; it doesn't work out of the box. Read the helps before complaining! I provide facts to support an argument and get insults in return. In terms of FUD, your responses reflect very much what the warmongerers do when confronted with facts about the lack of global warming: http://joannenova.com.au/ Cheers Ray Edited July 4, 2012 by Ray! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 The Linux debate is a never ending one. I think the reality is that Linux fans have been saying for over a decade that its going to take over the desktop - But its not - at least not for a long while. I do not agree that Microsoft has a monopoly - Infact its completly opposite. If I were Microsoft I would be real worried that devices like smart phones and tablets will familiarise their users with alternate operating systems like iOS and Linux (android) and that sooner or later people will be more open to running these on the desktop. For now thou, the most suitible product has desktop domination. It may not be the best in some peoples eyes, but it does cost people money compared to the competition and people are still paying for it. As for Drivers... The reality of driver compatability is that Windows has far more driver compatability for far more products than Linux - Regardless of why, thats just how it is. I say for people who can and want to learn linux - good on you.. For everyone else, they are happy with Windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray! Posted July 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 You're quite correct there. In 1999, I was a project manager for a major Year 2000 project and we had a international IT firm (CSC) contracted to do a lot of analysis and collating for us. One of their staff was a mad keen Linux user, who insisted that Linux would take over the desktop in a few years. Waiting, waiting... And Microsoft doesn't have a monopoly, it has a solid user base in the desktop and server environment, but is almost in the weeds as far as tablet and mobile phone devices is concerned. Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 is its push to try and capture more of the marketshare, as it languishes behind the likes of Android and iOS. It funny how no one critices Apple, yet it is now in a position and with an attitude far worse than Microsoft, which caused so much anger towards Microsoft a decade or so ago. It's also quite funny considering that I've never bagged Linux, just pointed out some of its shortfalls, yet some seem to take that as a major insult. I've been running Linux on and off for years, coming to grips with its foibles and I've had some of the latest iterations installed for quite a while and I constantly run updates (which seem never ending), so I think I am in a position to make a reasonable observation on how it may, or may not, suit people. Windows has had a lot of deserved derision over the years, but what exists now is a far cry from the days of Windows 95 etc. Windows 7 has been the most stable and fault free version I have ever used, and I've used every version since the DOS days. If some peripheral device doesn't work because of lack of drivers, it's not Windows fault but that of the device manufacturer, who is either too lazy to update or intentionally drops support so that people are forced to buy updated products. And Canonical still haven't addressed the extended desktop issue with Ubuntu, where you can only run in mirrored mode and at the lowest screen's resolution. There are a lot of frustrated Linux puppies out there because of this major shortfall in the OS. Also, you can't run Linux on a tablet and get touch support, it simply doesn't exist. Cheers Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Yeah, agreed.. Windows 7 is by far the best - and by a long way. Im on mind 8+ hrs a day and I dont remember the last reboot I did.. It runs for weeks without reboots... Somthing unheard of in Windows 9x or even XP days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glort Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 The only time I haven't been able to get windoze drivers is when the equipment is too old and really needs to be put out to pasture. Yeah sure it may work perfectly well and you paid $500 for that scanner or whatever but the reality is you can now buy one for under $100 that eats it for breakfast in terms of speed, image quality,software integration and functions. I too have made the mistake of hanging on to old equipment only to upgrade and then wonder why the hell I held on to the old stuff so long and didn't get the newer far better gear years sooner. I learned the lesson with printers a couple of years back when I went to buy a heap for my business. I wanted a good photo quality machine and was looking at them at the photo show. The sales person who turned out the state manager pointed out this thing with a rec retail of $199 and told me I could pick it up for about $149. It was only that he gauranteed me a refund IF I wasn't happy I even bothered trying them. I bought one at office works on the way home for $129 and the thing was better, faster and just a superior machine to the 4 yo one I had I paid a grand for. I have 6 of the new cheapies now and they have been flogged printing 1000's of A4 prints literally and haven't given me a moments trouble. . I wasn't really convinced a $200 machine would outdo a $1000 machine 4 years older but there is clearly no doubt at all. One thing I have noticed though is the printers that have come out since all have the same print engine although some have different cartridges. As the sales manager told me the company make over 50 of their net profit on all the companies wide ranging products and markets just from ink, I take it this is to stop people like me saving many thousands by using the bulk ink systems. I'm just about to buy another 8 printers and have noticed while the quality hasn't changed much ( I don't know how it could get better) the price has got lower again. I'll buy the extended replacement warranties for $20 and when they die I'll get a new one for free. The drivers of course are backwards compatible with any flavour of windoze after 95. As far as camera's go, give them to the kids to play in the sandpit with as soon as they get to 3 Yo. I can buy Camera's now for $600 that Crap all over the pro Camera's I bought for $5-8K only 5 years before. I was hanging on to them and then when I discovered what the middle of the road amateur models will do I was stunned. I quite enjoy running round with my toy camera's now and am a lot more relaxed that if something happens to them I don't care and knowing that the image quality is just as good as my cams costing 5x+ as much. I often run round with cheap amateur cams doing pro work while the amateurs run round with pro camera's trying to look the part but still taking amateur level pics. My kids go on school excursions swinging old Pro SLR's off their necks freaking people out but in reality the cheap lens I bought to put on them would be of more concern to loose than the cam itself. Just looking, none of my current Camera's or printers come with Linux Drivers on the included Disks. They all have Crapple and Windoze however. I haven't played with Linux for some years however when I did I found it was an interesting toy but not time efficient as a working OS. Now I fully understand that I needed to better learn the way it works but that's kind of the problem in itself. There is little reason to spend the time learning something that I already know in another system and spending time on that when I could be using that time earning money. I believe that Linux is in fact a better system than Windoze BUT, the factors of compatibility with other equipment, the learning curve in getting to know what is a specialist system and the fact that you have to know windoze anyway if you are working with computers rather than just using one at home for ME makes the Linux system less Viable even if it is better. I might get around to having another look and play with it one day and seeing what the latest flavour is like but really, the benefits would have to be bloody significant to make all the other hassle of using it worthwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glort Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Yeah, agreed.. Windows 7 is by far the best - and by a long way. Im on mind 8+ hrs a day and I dont remember the last reboot I did.. It runs for weeks without reboots... Somthing unheard of in Windows 9x or even XP days. My 7 machines definitely run better than the XP's but I still clag them up after about a week. I have put Server 2008 on a few of my workstations as well as the servers of course and find that's the most robust of all. It's lacking in a few things like playing videos and showing pic icons but as a real workhorse they are pretty impressive. I did find I was having to reboot more frequently than I should but found that was being caused by Fire fox. I have gone to Chrome over the last week and a bit and find the problem has disappeared and the machines are much faster on the net. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray! Posted July 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 (edited) I can't help not to post this one: MAC users better hope they can borrow a mate's PC if they want to file their taxes online. For the 15th year in a row Apple users have been barred from using the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) "e-tax" website to file their tax return online, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. Macworld Australia editor-in-chief Dave Bullard told the SMH that the ATO said there just were not enough Mac users to make it worth their while to create an Apple compatible system. "It will obviously cost them money to re-code it but being a government department you would think that they would almost be obliged to cater to every computer user, it isn't as if we're asking for [the computer operating system] Linux or anything like that, Mac OS is a major operating system." http://www.news.com....c-1226416721485 Sorry, but this was just so timely. Cheers Ray Edited July 4, 2012 by Ray! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 e-tax should be browser based, there is no excuse for having a compiled executable for somthing like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray! Posted July 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 I think the issue is a bit more complex than that, as it's not browser-based, because of overall security issues. I applied for e-tax some years ago the ATO sent me a CD that required an installation and registration process. I'm not entirely sure about the process, but I think it sets up something akin to a VPN. The security implications are probably held in higher regard than access to Defence systems, especially when doing so through effectively unsecure systems, not supplied by the ATO, and rightly so. Apple lives in a walled garden; whereas, Microsoft works in close collaboration with governments worldwide, so that in these respects, it provides a much more open book as to access and creating secure applications within their systems (ergo its dominance in every corporate system). Linux is a menagerie of geeks and vested interests that makes herding cats look like a simple task. Cheers Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 I don't agree with the security side of things. If its browser based then everything can be encrypted end to end - just like Internet banking. All this VPN bullshit is just some contractor having a lend of the government. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray! Posted July 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 (edited) Browser-based encryption only works so far (SSL is often only a feel good solution). My internet banking has a three stage security layer, yet there is still a risk involved and so the bank provides a surety should something be compromised (as long as I've done everything correctly). The first internet banking systems used similar procedures, but from a commercial perspective, they decided that the risk in browser-based access was worth the reduced cost, convenience and flexibility of internet banking. Telstra, as well as many other organisations over recent years, was recently compromised with the revelation of 740,000 customer accounts over the web. The ATO cannot afford to be compromised in any way whatsoever, as the potential for criminal activity would be enormous, so it has to to use more archaic methods that are platform based and not fluffy stuff in the cloud. Cheers Ray Edited July 4, 2012 by Ray! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 They don't need to expose their entre internal systems - e-tax is just a lodge meant system isn't it? It just lodges the tax return data. There is really no risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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