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Comment Re:Dock/Taskbar design (Score 1) 688

My Macbook came with 10.5.6 and I don't remember paying for 10.5.7 or the recent 10.5.8 updates. In fact, they were free via the system update tool. I guess if Microsoft can charge for 5.0 (2k) -> 5.1 (xp) and 6.0 (Vista) -> 6.1 (Win 7) it should be fine to charge for 10.4 -> 10.5 and 10.5 -> 10.6, given that the new features justify the price. Version numbers are completely arbitrary anyway.
Microsoft

Submission + - Microsoft Forcing Bing on Users

Wisconsingod writes: Recently, Bing was released to the masses for use. Even slashdot has started talking about it.

However, some users of IE6, including yours truely, have had their systems "Hijacked" by Bing. No matter what registry settings are switched, Bing has become the default search engine. We cannot "Customise" the search settings. I wonder how many others have this problem or if anyone has a solution.

Comment Re:Dell (Score 2, Informative) 229

One thing you should watch out for is the really long delivery times for Dellbuntu systems, at least in my own experience. My brother bought an m1330 (with Vista) and it arrived in two weeks with no issues. I decided to buy my own but with Ubuntu pre-installed and I was given the same two weeks estimate. However for about two months I kept getting emails about unavailable stock and that the delivery estimate was moved back each time. This is despite the fact that the flashy stock checker said everything was fine when I customized the system. On top of this, I couldn't cancel or get a refund apparently because of the way the automated system works (what a load of bull).

I got annoyed about a month in and just bought a Macbook for ~£30 less and better specs (everything was the same except the Macbook had an Nvidia 9400m instead of a 8400m). If I didn't have spare cash from my student loan I'd have been in a right mess because the m1330 didn't arrive until May 11th, about 3 weeks after my project deadline.

Yes, I know my experience might have been bad, and others may vary, but this has put me off doing business with Dell for good, especially when my brother had no issues with his Vista machine, which tells me Dell isn't really serious about Ubuntu.

To answer the submitter's question I've personally bought the 9" eeePC with Xandros preinstalled and installed Ubuntu on it with Adamm's kernel (which is as simple as adding a repo). I'm sure the larger eeePCs should be just the same.

Software

VLC 0.9.9, The Best Media Player Just Got Better 488

Matt Asay points out a recent update to VLC as they narrow in on a 1.0 release. Already a favorite of many, the open source project has made great strides in recent history towards really solidifying the position as best-in-class. This update, 0.9.9, fixes several display bugs and sees some definite performance improvements. "If you've yet to try VLC, do so. Whether you just want to play media files or also want to convert them, VLC can handle just about anything you throw at it. When all other media players fail, whether on Windows, Linux, or the Mac, VLC will almost always deliver. You can download VLC media player 0.9.9 here. It's open source, but that's not why you'll want to keep using it. You'll use it because it's better than its proprietary peers — by a long stretch.

Comment Re:Turning to illegal sources? (Score 1) 332

With XP, you can turn off the stuff that makes it annoying (theme, welcome screen, system restore, etc) and you've basically got win2k again.

With vista, reverting to classic theme shows that the glossy "refresh" and "go" buttons in explorer and other places are hardcoded in and look way out of place, and the dimensions of the start menu and other screens (mostly control panel) look very odd in classic. The welcome screen can't be changed from the ugly default, or reverted to nt logon. It's next to impossible to configure a 2k-like system from vista. I'm sure the same will be true of win7.
Sony

Future Sony MMOs Will Be On Consoles 144

The MTV Multiplayer Blog interviewed John Smedley, President of Sony Online Entertainment, about the future of MMOs. He discusses some of SOE's current projects and comments that they'll be focusing on consoles for all of their upcoming MMOs. "I would say that we would be one of the early adopters on [bringing MMOs to consoles], and we plan on becoming one of the dominant players in the MMO space on consoles." Sony's plans may include games for their hand-held console, the PSP. Smedley goes on to talk about bringing existing, popular franchises into MMO development, and remarks, "It's pretty safe to say that 'EverQuest' has not seen its last game."
PC Games (Games)

GTA IV On PC Goes Exclusive With 'Games For Windows Live' 132

Erik J writes "Microsoft has announced that the PC version of Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV will exclusively use Games for Windows Live for its multiplayer mode when it hits shelves November 18th. Rockstar founder Sam Houser explained the decision: 'As we work toward the release of the PC version, Games for Windows Live affords us the opportunity to seamlessly translate the multiplayer console experience for PC gamers, the service is a natural fit for the platform and we strongly believe it will help in building a strong online community around GTA IV PC.'" Wired is running a story suggesting that this release could save the rather unpopular Microsoft PC gaming platform.
Patents

Designing a Patent-Incentive Program? 221

SoulMaster writes "The company I work for (we are a one-year-old start-up) has recently started filing patents to protect some of its intellectual property. At the onset of the patent process, one of the executives drafted a very basic Patent Incentive Program (PIP) which is now under full review to ensure that it is both accurate and fair. The basics of our original PIP are that inventors receive (or co-inventors share): $500 for each provisional filing, $1500 for an actual patent filing (with full claim-sets defined), and $5000 for any patent that is granted by the USPTO. While the current program seems fair to our staff, we have been unable to find anything to compare it to. Moreover, the revamp of the program is likely to grant an equity stake in the company (via an Options grant) rather than cash payouts. I've scoured Google for information, but because internally documented PIPs aren't generally public knowledge, the results are limited. Thus, I have decided to ask Slashdot users: How does the company you work for handle Patent incentives? Do they have them at all? Are they cash or equity based?"
PC Games (Games)

Penny Arcade Game Dev Talks Episode Two 30

jayintune points out an interview with Joel DeYoung of HotHead Games, the studio that developed the Penny Arcade video game. He describes some of the new additions coming in the sequel, how old characters and zones will be handled, and plans for the game's release. Additional details are available from DeYoung's comments during PAX, and Joystiq has some screenshots. "Maxing out your stats at the end of Episode One means that your party can be as high as Level 15 if you import your save game and character. Your character's look and all of your items are available to you as well, and if you want to improve upon your looks, you can always browse through the new customization options at the start of the game. About the only thing that won't carry forward is your weapons — we've automatically upgraded Tycho's tommy gun to a shotgun, Gabe's fists now have brass knuckles and your character has traded in your rake for a hoe. We're sticking with the garden tool theme!"
Music

Wal-Mart Ends DRM Support 231

An anonymous reader writes "So, you thought you did well to support the fledgling music industry by purchasing your tracks legally from the Wal-Mart store? Well, forget about moving these tracks to a new PC! Since they started selling DRM-free tracks last year, there's no money to be made in maintaining the DRM support systems, and in fact, support is being shut down. Make sure you circumvent the restrictions by burning the tracks to an old-fashioned CD before Wal-mart 'will no longer be able to assist with digital rights management issues for protected WMA files purchased from Walmart.com.' Support ends October 9th."

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