Archive for the ‘tech’ Category

The Never Ending XP

Posted: December 28, 2008 by datechguy in tech
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It looks like Microsoft has heard the cry of the Customer again and is extending the OEM period of windows XP through May 2009.

Microsoft system builder partners who’ve been feeling queasy about the impending Jan. 31, 2009, deadline for selling PCs with Windows XP pre-installed can now breathe a bit easier, as Microsoft is giving them a way to obtain XP licenses through distribution after the deadline.

In an e-mail to ChannelWeb, a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed the existence of a flexible inventory program that will allow distributors to place their final orders for Windows XP OEM licenses by Jan. 31, 2009, and take delivery against those orders through May 30.

At Amazon Aric Annear has a theory why this is the case:

Some are speculating that Microsoft is extending this deadline to ease the overlap into the release of Windows 7, slated to drop in mid-2009, rather than risk losing Vista-averse customers in the downtime between XP’s demise and Windows 7’s arrival.

Of course if windows 7 is the dog Vista was then I might see my grandchildren buying XP systems.

Full disclosure: I am typing this on a Vista system that I “upgraded” from XP two years ago.

You know Microsoft actions concerning Windows XP remind me of the old Robin Williams live performance mocking Libya and the “line of death” back in the 80’s. Maybe he can modify it as Bill Gates with the a “deadline of death” skit.

Ctrl-Center Hmmmm

Posted: December 26, 2008 by datechguy in employment, Hiwired, tech
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Noticed that the page for Ctrl-Center has changed.

When HiWired stopped breathing it remained to be seen what would happen to Ctrl-Center, would Office Max drop the brand or give it to another tech support company?

I presume Office Max decided they didn’t want the dough already sunk into be a loss so somebody is doing it. Since the page say US based support I presume it hasn’t gone to India but as to where it is being done and who is doing it I have no idea.

Still not sure if they will be supporting the old services that we once offered, but that is a post for another day. I’d be very interested in knowing what people think of the new service, of course I’d recommend Datechguy’s tech services instead.

UPDATE: It belongs to PlumChoice.

Dr. Who by Proxy Server

Posted: December 23, 2008 by datechguy in doctor who, tech
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The Doctor Who Christmas Special is only 2 days away. The Christmas countdown calendar is running out of features. If you are all excited by this there is some bad news , some good news, and some more bad news and some more good news.

The bad news is The Next Doctor will only be televised in England, the Good news is that the BBC usually puts up the video at the Doctor who web site to watch, the other bad news is that video is only viewable if your PC is in the UK. The good news is you can always use a proxy server.

A proxy server is basically a computer that stands between a machine and where it is going, for example if you are in a large business you likely have all your net traffic going through a proxy to try to block both virus and sites that your work doesn’t want you go to.

In this case you want to use one of the free proxy sites out there to find a server in the UK. When you set proxy values basically your machine will go out to the computer in question, and that computer will make the request. The BBC then see it as a UK machine and you can watch it.

There are several companies that offer proxy use to shield your IP from the net, that way the fact that you are surfing from your machine is hidden from the world. That is the advantage of an anonymous proxy server. The disadvantage is that speed will of course be decreased as every request has to pass through a particular machine at an unknown location. The pay sites will be faster than the free ones.

Just remember the machine you are passing through will now have a record of where you are going, so think and act accordingly.

A quick how to on how to setup a proxy in IE Connection tab under Lan Settings is here. You can set it in Firefox under Tools, Options, advanced, settings. The placing of the values are basically the same, but details are here.

If you want a quick preview of it now well your wish is my command, at least in this case;

And don’t forget to send the charity a fiver.

UPDATE: Forgot to mention that for some of the calendar things also need the proxy server to play.

Update #2 My review of the Next Doctor is here.

A Coincidence I’m sure

Posted: December 22, 2008 by datechguy in opinion/news, tech
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For the last week whenever I’ve attempted to go to Lucianne.com a conservative news site my Google has been screaming bloody murder warning me of dire consequences.

Today when I tried to go there was no such warning, considering the format of the previous warning I was quite surprised, until I started checking out the articles.

Apparently yesterday the site Newsbusters reported on this implying that this was due to Google’s well know liberalism.

And lo and behold less than 24 hours later no blocks! I presume that Google no longer considers this site unsafe and that the fact that it block was reported on was just a coincidence.

You might remember just a week or so ago when Glenn linked to the registers story on Google stating that google staff will pick and choose what appears in search results. A person working at google wrote him calling the Registry trash and denying it.

I wonder if he will send Glenn a follow up mail on this one?

Now in the end you still need to be careful, there are plenty of sources for news on the net and its a lot easier to prevent an infection that to remove one but it is amazing that I’m not getting that warning anymore.

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