Posts made by Jermofoot

@Herr:

I would say Close Combat II, A bridge too far. One of the best WWII PC/video-games I have ever played.

That was truly the best one, IMO.  Another awesome thing about it - the disc held a Windows & Mac install, not common for games at anytime.

@wittmann:

I remembered you lived there.
I have always loved this battle and even have  a Brigade Series battle of it.
I was in Florence at this time last year, so could not post of it. I promised I would not miss it twice!
The Western Army of Tennessee is a favourite of mine and this is the first of its battles.

Florence Y’all!  :-D

I’ve actually visited the Battlegrounds since it’s not too far from where I live.  The reenactments are pretty well done and quite a community that is very involved.  Nice place to visit if you are in the area.

@wittmann:

I don’t remember Les Braves monument, but  then I do not remember much any more.
I loved the Department Calvados and fell in love with its corked cider and Calva. We are lucky enough to have it for sale in a supermarket. I buy a 10 year old version in a half litre bottle. It costs about �18, so is not too dear.

Here’s what it looks like.  It’s at Omaha beach, so not exactly where you were, but maybe you went by it at some point.  Pretty interesting to see against the rustic views of the towns, houses, and environment.

I need to find some Calvados from somewhere, last I looked, there was none in my area.  I made the one bottle I bought and brought back last over a year, and it was reasonably priced.

@wittmann:

It is stupidly long. Comes as a shock when you first see it.
I think it was done 20 years afterwards.

Did you see the D-Day Museum? I think it is the one with the Hetzer outside. Were you able to spend a few days there looking at the beaches?
I have been 3 or 4 times and lived  8 months at Langrune Sur Mer ( in between Sword and Juno) when I was a student at Caen University.

It’s a nice setup they’ve got to view it though - headphones with different languages for international visitors.  I wanted to go back through and listen to it in Spanish or something.  :lol:  Bayeux is pretty nice (the whole area, really), and now I’m craving some Calvados.

It was a day trip from Paris, so not enough time to see much.  Main stop was at the American Cemetery, but didn’t have a chance to walk by the beach.  We drove by the Les Braves (I think it’s called?) monument as well.  I’m certainly due a repeat visit to see all that I wanted to see.

When I was in France I visited Bayeux and saw the Bayeux Tapestry, depicting that 2nd thing you refer to. I could not believe how long it was and everything that was on it.  It’s not as old as that battle, but still pretty old.

@MrMalachiCrunch:

Sounds like you are on the right track, don’t disagree with anything you said.

I’m hoping at least…I’ve got a great opportunity here and basically the job I wanted back in the late 90s (good pay, and emlpoyer pays for my skill advancement/education/career development).

I did most of my programming using MS visual basic.  It is VERY VERY easy to whip up quick applications but allows very poor programming habits to occur.  People always asked me why VB……cause that is what the client used and requested.  Period.  So I hear you on the linux thing, until there is demand in your specific domain…

I’ve dabbled in programming and find it interesting, but never would want to make a career of it.  I MUCH prefer the sleuth-oriented aspect of troubleshooting, and people generally appreciate it more when you fix and issue and save the day.  I’m a people person, for the most part.  I don’t think I could handle looking at code all day.  :lol:

A spent a few years with a company that did data migration from old legacy systems (AS-400 but really anything) and whacked the data into a new software system using MS sql server or Oracle.  We used alot of MS products, MS Access was HUGE for us.  I will admit it can be easier using MS products for a quick and dirty solution  but it will cost in terms of long term life cycle costs.  Often you don’t have the luxury of thinking of next month never mind next decade!

The ubiquity of Windows more or less dictates the approach to the environment, needs, expansion, etc.  That’s just the way it is and probably will be for some time.  And clients are generally on the far side of the curve when it comes to staying up to date, I’ve found.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve jury rigged something.  Like putting a band aid or duct tape on it and calling it a day, haha.  If a client looked just the next year ahead, things would be easier, but you are right.

I did come across an article again I was thinking of earlier but was too lazy to find.  When not looking you stumble across things….

Gabe Newell: Windows 8 is a ‘catastrophe’ for PC biz

Gabe Newell knows a thing or two about microsoft and windows……

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/07/26/gabe_newell_windows_8/

I made a brief response to this.  Gabe Newell is at this point a competitor to MS - in the interview he bashes Windows 8, he pushes the new system Steam is developing.  It was a sales pitch if anything.  Also, did you know he’s a former MS employee?

@MrMalachiCrunch:

Jermofoot, my job is not to inform you of what the rest of the world is saying about windows 8, YOU should be curious, if you are not then I really can’t help you.

I’m more concerned about what I think, and I’m fine with it at this point.  It’s not perfect, I just think it gets a lot of undue criticism.

Education is good, I commend you on that.  I would offer you some advice, learn linux as well.  Your MS ticket can be declared outdated just like an older version of windows where support is no longer provided.

I do have some experience with Linux, however it is not a requirement nor worth my time for my current job as exactly 0 clients utilize it.

Microsoft cans three ‘pinnacle’ certifications, sparking user fury
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/08/31/microsoft_cans_three_pinnacle_certifications_sparking_user_fury/

Part of the risk with any cert, but there is reason behind this.  Did you read anything beyond this article?  They will simply be unavailable, will have a replacement, and do not devalue the certification of those that already have it/will have it before the retirement date.

You might be interested in this…
Windows 8.1: Microsoft’s reluctant upgrade has a split-screen personality
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/09/12/windows_eight_one_review/

Thanks, I just kinda skimmed it for now, will read it more in depth later.  So far, for work very few people are using Win8 just yet.  Most are on XP, haha.

@MrMalachiCrunch:

Jermofoot, really?  I would qualify your statement with “some”, especially at microsoft.  Do you personally know a developer?

I wrote a really quick response on my break, so not the best phrasing.  What I was meaning was that all developers of O/S have lifecycles for their products, where support ends.  This is reasonable, and to expect otherwise is ridiculous.

Extends hand….  Pleased to meet you Jermofoot.  If you didn’t know a developer personally before, you do now.  I fancy myself a renaissance man so I won’t claim I have 31 years of software development just because I got paid for my first program in 1982.  But over the years I obtained a 4 year BSc in computer science and software I wrote over 15 years ago is still running just fine on fortune 500 companies and in fact some modules are still being sold unchanged 15 years later.  Of course, I didn’t weld my software to microsoft solutions.  I modularized them and my modules still work and sell whereas the modules where I isolated microsoft specific technology don’t.  Microsoft broke them.  Specifically the MDAC dll database connectivity stuff.  RDO upgraded to ADO then upgraded to ActiveX gosh all over the span of 4 years.  All quite defunct now.  All the database stuff switched over eventually from SQL server to a linux based and now cloud based system.  My modules STILL work untouched in the new paradigm.

I’m glad for you, that’s wonderful.  And while I will defer to your expertise on programming, I can see a situation where older deployments/builds will not work as technology advances, or vulnerabilities are addressed - where a new platform is adopted and older ones are obsolesced. In a vacuum, many things can work just fine, however that never seems to be case in real world deployment.

Software and operating systems don’t have to break every few years.  You should research emulation, you’d be surprised how many legacy software solutions are running decades and decades later on simulated computers running on cloud platforms.

I’ve brought up emulation and virtualization in this very thread and have noted it’s uses.  In one such example, I had to deploy an XP virtual machine to install 32-bit software that updated their compliance info at a bank when printing their forms.  This software was 15 years old at this point and the company was just NOW creating an updated software for newer OSes and 64-bit environments.  It was quite the hassle and unnecessary, but we made it work for the time being.  However, I don’t think in all cases should it be approached as “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” - there are real needs to address that spurn updates and upgrades, not to mention efficiency and functionality in general.  Not in my example, mind you, but overall I think this is true.

Just be flexible with technology ‘camps’ and diversify the knowledge portfolio.

I agree, and at some point it will become that.  I have quite a track to choose from as I work my way through rudimentary and required certifications off my job (MCSE 2012 and CCNA).  From there I can branch out into whatever interests me.  However, by and large it deals with Microsoft products and while not on 2012 for the most part, some are and more will at another time.  Most places lag behind from the release to when they actually employ it, and that’s been no different than the late 90s when I got my MCSE NT 4.0 - it took quite some time for anyone to move to Server 2000.

@variance:

Windows 95 was better than 3.11 and xp was better still, so people adopted them and many are still perfectly happy with xp or 7.  The only thing that makes xp “obsolete” is microsoft decided to not support it anymore

It’s called a lifecycle, which they extended before Win8 even came out.  Every other OS/Application developer does the same lifecycle.

just so they can ram this windows 8 garbage down our throats (and don’t give me any crap about security issues because it should be microsoft’s job to release any necessary patches to support the product they sold us).

They did and still do…until April 2014.  You’ve plenty of opportunity to plan for this with multiple options to choose from. Because you haven’t isn’t Microsoft’s problem, it’s yours.  To expect them to support a nearly decade and a half old Operating system when 3(!) more have been released since then, is incredibly unreasonable.

If windows 8 was an improvement over xp or 7 they wouldn’t have to force it; people would see the advantages and adopt it but that’s not what’s happening because windows 8 just plain sucks.

It’s not being forced.  You can buy Win7 and install it from vendors.  You could buy and install any O/S you’d like, but that’s at your risk and doesn’t take full advantage of the hardware’s capabilities.  People don’t know the advantages because as you said - you just walked out and bought a computer without looking into it first. You probably don’t need everything it has to offer, however.

You still need to go into detail why it sucks.  I won’t just take your word for it.

Here are some specifics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9Qo_2I0NvQ&feature=share

1. HURR…no start menu…HURR - it’s there.  There’s just not a button.  You go to the same exact spot and click on it.  Seriously, it’s not that hard.
2. Doesn’t like the Charms Bar - ok, don’t use it.  Then also don’t go on to complain how he has to go out of his way to get to it (does that make any bit of sense) and COMPLETELY skips over the Start Menu option because it would hurt his “point” in #1.
3. Doesn’t like the default stuff on the start/apps menus.  That’s why it’s customizable.  Buy a new house and complain about the wall paper?  There’s a reason why we don’t do this…
4. Doesn’t like the default stuff preloaded on his computer like any other computer purchased anywhere for decades
5. Complains after not buying tech support because of a wholesale purchase (moron) and wants another piece of software and license for free.

I’m sure there are valid complaints.  These are not one of them.

@variance:

OK so no one is EVER going to sit at their desk and glom their sticky fingers all over their expensive touchscreen when a mouse has been the tool of choice for decades.  Its just not what people want to do and we don’t care that microsoft wants us to. Voice activation sounds about as fun as talking to a voicemail robot.  No dice.

Now, to get these “features” we have to sacrifice all the basic, simple things that people have been taught to use ever since windows 95.  The point of using a computer is not the OS; it’s the word processor, the spreadsheet, the internet browser, and in some cases the weird programming or scientific/engineering applications that some of us call work. If the OS gets in the way of getting that work done we don’t want it.  The OS should be like makeup on a pretty girl - you shouldn’t even notice its there if its doing its job right.

Windows HATE gets a fail.

You still aren’t giving specifics.  I just helped a client to map a drive and they were using Windows 8.  If I knew the windows powershell command off the top of my head, it would have been done in seconds.  Instead, it took about a minute, and most of that was identifying the path of the network share.

The lack of a Start button did not prevent my ability to get it done, nor delay the resolution noticeably, if at all.

Voice dictation has come a long way and works pretty smoothly.  Not what I remember back in the 90s, which was pretty hilarious in the unintentional results that came up.

I’m not what “features we have to sacrifice” to use a mouse.  It’s there.  The keyboard - also there.  There is realistically no functional difference between operating the way you would in Win95 in Win8.  I’ve done it dozens of times at this point. I still don’t see where the “OS is getting in the way”.  If I can do it jumping in blindly, and a self-described “computer illiterate” user can do it in an hour, I don’t believe there is an issue here except that people want to make it one.

So tell me again….where is the issue?  You say you have an issue with the OS getting in the way of reaching say, a Word Processor.  I can give you probably a dozen ways to reach it.  How in the world do you blame the OS when the User can’t find his way around when there are literally more ways to reach it than ever before, including how it was accessed previously???

@MrMalachiCrunch:

Jermofoot, corporate people who use windows for productivity are the ones complaining about windows 8.  Pick up a non-microsoft sponsored trade journal on IT and read what users are saying, they hate it.

Corporations don’t like upgrading operating systems because it often breaks older software that works just fine.  There is a reason why lots of companies still use older versions of an OS besides just being lazy.

You think windows 8 is all that, try reading some articles on it from people not on the microsoft payroll…

This site is a bit whacked but I recommend it for IT and strangish science news…

http://www.theregister.co.uk/

variance hit the nail on the head.  People don’t want to relearn the applications they have been using for years just to do the same job.  I started in IT BEFORE windows…  I was a power user of windows 3.11, and have to write software for microsoft operating systems using microsoft programming tools.  Trust me, change is not a welcome thing when it is forced on you.

You are right and that is a valid point.  However, that is not relegated to Win8 alone: all previously releases of Win O/S had the same compatibility issue with programs designed for the preceding release.  There are some compatibility approaches to this: run in different modes on the current O/S, install a virtual O/S, but nothing is perfect.  Additionally, the number 1 factor in upgrading isn’t user experience or compatibility, it’s BUDGET, guaranteed.

As far as not updating - same thing, many people are on XP and never moved to Vista or 7.  The majority of our clients are this way, and are honestly waiting way too long to implement and upgrade to a newer O/S.  There is a very real security issue here.  Software changes (and should) just as well…yet where are the complaints?  I feel it’s unfairly directed at MS because people are lazy, impatient, and think everything should just automatically work.  Expectations are completely wrong.  But that’s beside the point.

I need specifics on why people claim it’s so terrible.  Saying it does not make it so, and so far the few complaints I’ve run into all come down to a user doesn’t take the time to familiarize themselves.  AN HOUR.  Anyone that purchases any utility, electronic, tool, vehicle, etc. and does not spend at least a cursory amount of time reading a manual or orienting themselves are just being irresponsible.

I will give MS is due criticism, however I don’t think it’s here.

@variance:

Sorry jermofoot, but I have to disagree.  Designers of any product, including software, have to make sure their product is not only powerful but usable in the minds of the users.  That’s why they call it software design.  Microsoft’s genuises completely ignored human factors when they misdesigned windows 8 and now no one wants it.  That’s on them; not the users.

Ok….what are they?

It supports touch - your fingers.

It has a GUI.

Mouse and keyboard are supported.

Hell, you can voice control it if you wanted to (built-in)

Plenty of people use it, including me.  I don’t follow the argument.

Where in Win8 is it preventing you from doing “real work”, whatever that is.

@variance:

Last weekend I needed a cheapy computer for something in a hurry so I ran out to Walmart and grabbed the standard $400 laptop, forgetting all about the Windows 8 rumours I’ve heard.  Sure enough, the poor thing was infected with Windows 8 and I couldn;t make heads nor tails of it.  So I took it back to the store and claimed the OS is unusable and therefore defective and the kid working there agreed with me and gave me a refund.   :-D

Windows 8 is garbage.  Macs are toys.  These things are not really meant for people who actually use computers as tools to do their work and earn a living.  If you want a tablet or a phone, then buy a tablet or a phone and go play with it.  If you want a computer to do your work, then I guess you need to get a used one with windows 7 or XP, or be a complete tool and pay an extra $99 for Windows 7.  What a bunch of sh!t.  If they keep this up I’m going to Linux.

And another thing, Openoffice or Libreoffice is 110% better than microsoft office and its free.

Use PowerShell.  It’s awesome and true to its name, it’s very powerful.

I’m studying the MCSE 2012 for Server and Win8.  There’s a lot features that kick ass but most people will never use them nor know about them.  In a Core installation for Server, you can only use PowerShell - however you can do it from any computer.

Seriously, though, the “this OS sucks because I won’t take the time to learn it” is old.  A tool is only as useful as the person wielding it.

@Uncrustable:

yes i believe anyone that purchases windows 8 can downgrade?
this is the only reason the sales show a decent number

but if you look at user% it is the worst windows ever…even vista blows it out of the water and that is just sad. xp and 7 are both used nearly 3x as much as 8

Raw numbers, sure, but that’s not a fair comparison.  I already went over this - Win8 is on an identical pace that 7 and XP went on for sales/usage.

Also, XP users have about 6 months to replace their 12 year old OS!  XP is almost old enough to shave and drive itself…

Most people don’t because they don’t do anything than email, a few apps, and browse the internet.  Their phone is more powerful than their PC.  What’s the point of owning one if you can carry your computer around all day?  The needs of most users they don’t need much.

This what you mean?

@Imperious:

Haven’t seen the movie.  Which one are you?

Chuck Picerni Jr.   …    Bodyguard (as Charles Picerni Jr.)
   Nick Dimitri   …    Bodyguard
   J.P. Romano   …    Goon
   Erik Degn   …    Goon

If i was named in the credits i would be Taft Hartley. I was in about 4 scenes. Notable scene was when i and another guy had to search Christian Slater for weapons at the Hotel, another scene was when Quinn was getting shot at and we opened up with Thompson Machine Guns. A couple others.

That actually sounds fun, I’m going to see if I can check it out.

@Imperious:

I also went to school with That girl that played Dee in the show What’s happening  (also Malibu Park Jr. High). I sat next to her in Arts and Crafts. She was on the show at the time, but took many days off. She was really shy just like her character on the show.

JJ. Abrams and Brian Burke ( who produced a few Star Trek movies) I had both in Dramatic Arts class.

Lastly, Holly Robinson from 21 Jump Street. ( not in any class with her).

BTW many years latter i met Chris Penn on the set of Mobsters. I played a bodyguard for Anthony Quinn. Didn’t get Taft Hartley but got pretty close.

Haven’t seen the movie.  Which one are you?

Chuck Picerni Jr. … Bodyguard (as Charles Picerni Jr.)
Nick Dimitri … Bodyguard
J.P. Romano … Goon
Erik Degn … Goon

@Imperious:

So in other words, I am far more successful than you, and you are sharing your bitterness about me with us?

Troll has no life it seems.

Ehh….I wouldn’t call an older account and higher post count “successful”.

@MrMalachiCrunch:

You don’t know what a troll is.

Isn’t a troll somebody who disagrees with you?  wry grin

No, a troll is someone when you run out of valid points to make.  :wink:

@Imperious:

http://tv.yahoo.com/video/playlist/primetime/leno-springs-big-surprise-sheen-063007450.html

Also know as “Charlie Sheen” because his dad was famous and it was convenient. He should have Graduated SAMOHI in 83’ but he was too busy driving his dads BMW at 17.

He was in my Government X class and failed nearly every test and cheated on the ones he did pass. I know this because i sat not more than 15 feet from him. What he says in the video is a lie, his grades were the issue, not lack of credits.

I’m sure he’s really concerned over all this, between all the women and money and…other sinful things.

@Imperious:

A greater troll than Leroy Jenkins.

You don’t know what a troll is.

@221B:

I, for one, am shocked to hear someone accuse Charlie Sheen of being a liar and a cheat.  :-D

Surely his many ex-wives and mistresses all testify to his good character.

whoa, stranger

I don’t think China would be viewed in the same light.  Critiques against the US historically have been: international meddling, support for Israel, suppression of political movements.  China really hasn’t dabbled in those same things.

It was a Tuesday, I remember clearly (at least in the States).

I was 20 and lived in pretty much a party house (that I’d only been living in for about a month) and we all slept in due to the previous night’s drinking session.  Some missed their college classes, although I was just working full time at that point.  My dad was coming over to help with a project to fix up my closet and some shelving.  A friend attending RIT called and told us to wake the fark up and turn on the TV.  I think it was too late to even see the towers collapse, or maybe saw the 2nd one.  I believe one of the other planes went down after that as well (maybe the Pennsylvania one? not sure).  I remember my dad saying: “Someone’s going to pay for this, just watch.”

Anyway, work called me and asked if I wanted to stay home because of the day’s events.  Didn’t need to.

Later that night we sat on the front porch and it was eerily quiet.  Seemed really odd.

Looking at footage later, it does seem pretty gruesome, especially people jumping from buildings and such.