"Oracle delivered VirtualBox version 7.1, billed as a major upgrade thanks to its implementation of a UI with a "modernized look and feel"" VirtualBox 7.1 is an unfortunate step in the wrong direction. I happily used the last 6.x release until it wouldn't run on Linux anymore. 7.0 was crashy and unreliable and while 7.1 doesn't seem to be as crashy, the UI is way too 'busy'. Being able to scroll though the settings instead of clicking tabs is good, but the styling of the UI elements is just too over-the-top, distracting and makes life harder than it has to be. The biggest issue with 7.1, though, is guest networking. I tried installing Debian on a Windows 10 host and the network would work for a little bit, then completely drop out. I _needed_ a working Debian VM so took twenty minutes to install and learn QEMU command-line options and now I have a working Debian guest with actual *working* networking. Not going to bother submitting a bug report -- all the others I have filed have been ignored or scoffed at, even when explaining exactly where in code something was wrong.

I admin dozens of Windows boxes and the liberties that MS takes is beyond frustrating! I also use Linux and macOS, which both have their gotchas, but nothing like modern Windows. Having to reset settings that I *explicitly* set during setup, repeatedly on dozens of Windows 10 and 11 boxes, is just madness. I got so frustrated, I did a blog post about it, but I doubt MS reads anything I publish... https://www.pismotek.com/brain...

When I was young, a very angry and violent mob of guys followed me home from work one night. Along with God's loving protection, being able to break the speed limit saved my life. These dudes at one point trapped me and were about to throw jars of gasoline on my car and set it afire. If my car had not been able to go over the speed limit, I probably would have died that night or at the very least been severely injured. I'm not keen on someone monkeying with my car, no matter how 'smart' the technology is.

I have used Firefox almost since the first public release and have been a huge advocate, but the last five years or so has dampened my enthusiasm a lot. These days I no longer recommend Firefox to customers and can't wait to get off of it. Mozilla has made some pretty good contributions to the tech world, but all of the social causes gobbledygook is unnecessary and unwanted. Just make a browser and make it good, and stop messing with your user base by making unpopular changes. Firefox needs to stop keeping up with the Jones (Chrome) and just be Firefox. And please tech companies, stop trying to cram AI into every nook and cranny... :eye_roll:

I cycle through Windows, macOS Intel and Linux usage quite frequently, so I have a fair amount experience with each. That said, I'm holding off on buying Apple Silicon machines because I have some important virtual machines that will not properly run on Apple Silicon (yes, I know about Rosetta). Moving from older Intel Mac to new Intel Mac is no big deal, but moving to a new (incompatible) processor architecture throws a damp towel on the virtualizing fun, at least for VirtualBox users.

a non-denominational megachurch with 4,000 mostly Black parishioners

In an article about technology, why does race have to be mentioned? Don't get me wrong, I come from black ancestry, but I don't see the relevance.

...when running Windows or even macOS, it's not really your computer. Ask me how I know...

Seems like California is working hard with all of these policies to push as many businesses as possible out of California.