Re: Ahoy Pie R8s! New Win11

On 8/17/2026 2:59 PM, Charlie Gibbs wrote:

>> When software is distributed online, it makes sense to see it as a
>> service.
> 
> Why?  Linux is distributed online.


Sure, it's the same as Windows, the only difference is there's no 
product key.


>> The price I paid for Win11 Pro is for a license to use it, the
>> price I paid for 365 is for a year of MS letting me use what
>> I want from their apps and OneDrive, it's a equitable way of
>> always having the latest software.  Buying a boxed copy of
>> MS Office, OTOH, would lock me in to one arbitrary release.
> 
> Given that software has started deteriorating with each successive
> release, constant upgrades are looking less and less attractive.
> But M$ would have you pay them whether you "upgrade" or not -
> it's just a way to rake in more money for doing nothing.


I really don't use MS Office except for Outlook, I paid for 365 to have 
that and OneDrive, little else.  But always having the fresh software 
seems the best, to me, so an annual fee is the best way to pay.


>> Bill Gates isn't a hero for his business work, he's a hero for his
>> charity work.
> 
> <gag, choke>  I gotta stop eating while reading.  I figure Bill
> set up his foundation for one of two reasons:
> 
> 1. To atone for the damage he's done to the computer industry.


What do you figure that really is, though?  Microsoft is part of the 
industry.  Nothing is gonna be perfect.  The market accepted them as the 
leader.


> 2. As a PR move.
> 
> Now that Melinda has separated from him and is starting to
> spend some of that money on actual charities, Bill is pissed.


Bill Gates did one initiative to install flushing toilets in people's 
houses, that's a big deal, something people in the first world just take 
for granted.


>> What do you do if you need a computer when you're driving?
>> Do you even realize that you can get a map app on the smartphone?
> 
> Most of my driving is in areas I've driven for 60 years.
> If I need to find details of one of the few areas I'm not
> familiar with, I have a map book in the car (and road maps
> for longer trips).  Or I can look it up on my computer
> before I leave home.  (That's called planning, doncha know.)


I mean, yeah, planning is great, but when you are in a random unknown 
place and need to get oriented quickly, a smartphone is the solution, I 
have seen it in practice and benefited from it.

-- 
Joel W. Crump

Zyprexa - It's not just for schizophrenics, anymore!