I have a company laptop whose sole purpose in life is to run the Cisco VPN
client I use to log onto the corporate network. Today it said it needed to
restart to apply updates.

I have the sinking feeling most of the 'updates' are going to consist of
nag screens.

Even weirder, M$ is recruiting Insider beta testers for Windows 10.

On 6 Jun 2024 21:33:18 GMT, rbowman wrote:

> I have a company laptop whose sole purpose in life is to run the Cisco
> VPN client I use to log onto the corporate network.

Whatever happened to IPSec?

One occasional client of mine has outsourced IT support who keep trying to
push me onto L2TP to connect to their office LAN. I have tried repeatedly,
but cannot get it to work. And I gather it’s not worth using anyway.

All I needed was SSH access into the specific Linux boxes that I’m
responsible for. Finally they relented and let me have that.

Another client uses OpenVPN, which seems the closest to a de-facto
standard in the cross-platform world. I was able to get that going without
too much trouble at all. We were even able to get a Mac user to set it up
on his machine.

> Even weirder, M$ is recruiting Insider beta testers for Windows 10.

Note that they’re not actually extending the lifespan of Dimdows 10,
they’re just trying to cram some more bu^H^Hfeatures into it before it
dies.

On 6/6/2024 7:03 PM, Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:

> Note that they’re not actually extending the lifespan of Dimdows 10,
> they’re just trying to cram some more bu^H^Hfeatures into it before it
> dies.

As if.

I doubt Linux has even passed XP's market share yet.

On Jun 6, 2024 at 11:32:40 PM EDT, "DFS" <nospam@dfs.com> wrote:

> I doubt Linux has even passed XP's market share yet.

What decade are you posting from?

Linux is around 3.7% of desktops. Windows XP is under .5%. Global and U.S.
only.

Statcounter is your friend.

Windows 10 is still around 65%. Windows 11 is just over 30%. Which explains
the bizarre "AI" hype that MS is currently doing for Windows 11.

On Thu, 6 Jun 2024 23:32:40 -0400, DFS wrote:

> On 6/6/2024 7:03 PM, Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:
>
>
>> Note that they’re not actually extending the lifespan of Dimdows 10,
>> they’re just trying to cram some more bu^H^Hfeatures into it before it
>> dies.
>
>
> As if.
>
> I doubt Linux has even passed XP's market share yet.

As I've said before always drink upstream from the herd.

On Fri, 07 Jun 2024 04:29:49 +0000, Tyrone wrote:

> Linux is around 3.7% of desktops.

But it is king of workstations, and of the computing market in general (of
which desktops only account for maybe 25%).

On 7 Jun 2024 04:40:04 GMT, rbowman wrote:

> As I've said before always drink upstream from the herd.

Microsoft software is so defective, I’ve had to coin a new term for it:
“defuctive”.

On Jun 7, 2024 at 2:53:41 AM EDT, "Lawrence D'Oliveiro" <ldo@nz.invalid>
wrote:

> On Fri, 07 Jun 2024 04:29:49 +0000, Tyrone wrote:
>
>> Linux is around 3.7% of desktops.
>
> But it is king of workstations, and of the computing market in general (of
> which desktops only account for maybe 25%).

And Linux runs the internet. And it runs on everything from IBM mainframes to
phones to watches.

But the topic at hand was desktops. Linux passed Windows XP many years ago.
Because both Linux is growing and XP is dead.

In fact, Windows in total is a shrinking island. Unix runs EVERYTHING else.
Windows will go away at some point, and "Windows" apps will be running on
Linux. I guarantee you that - deep inside of MS - Office is running on Linux.
It already runs on Macs and iPads (Unix). So don't tell me it is impossible.

On 6/7/2024 8:50 AM, Tyrone wrote:
> On Jun 7, 2024 at 2:53:41 AM EDT, "Lawrence D'Oliveiro" <ldo@nz.invalid>
> wrote:
>
>> On Fri, 07 Jun 2024 04:29:49 +0000, Tyrone wrote:
>>
>>> Linux is around 3.7% of desktops.
>>
>> But it is king of workstations, and of the computing market in general (of
>> which desktops only account for maybe 25%).
>
> And Linux runs the internet. And it runs on everything from IBM mainframes to
> phones to watches.

I had never looked into these devices:

AmazFit BipOS, proprietary, apparently Russian
FitBit was proprietary OS, bought by Google so it will
probably move to WearOS
Apple Watch watchOS, iOS derivative
Google Pixel watch WearOS, closed source, derived from Android
Garmin proprietary Garmin OS
Samsung Galaxy watch Tizen (Linux-based), later WearOS
Xiaomi HyperOS, based on Android
Orange smartwatch na, compatible with Android, iOS
FitPolo na, compatible with Android, iOS
Vitality Watches na, compatible with Android, iOS, but they're
crap Chinese scam watches

A variety of cheap smart watches just say compatible with Android and iOS.

After doing all that research, I found:

https://www.mobilespoon.net/2015/03/a-list-of-all-operating-systems-running.html

> But the topic at hand was desktops. Linux passed Windows XP many years ago.
> Because both Linux is growing and XP is dead.
>
> In fact, Windows in total is a shrinking island. Unix runs EVERYTHING else.
> Windows will go away at some point, and "Windows" apps will be running on
> Linux. I guarantee you that - deep inside of MS - Office is running on Linux.

You 'guarantee' it? Do your feelings know that for a fact?

Well, I *guarantee* Windows will be around long, long, long after your
world fades to black.

> It already runs on Macs and iPads (Unix). So don't tell me it is
> impossible.

Excel was released on Macs BEFORE it was released for Windows.

On 6 Jun 2024 21:33:18 GMT, rbowman wrote:

> Even weirder, M$ is recruiting Insider beta testers for Windows 10.

Interesting analysis here
<https://www.computerworld.com/article/2140508/why-microsoft-keeps-adding-new-features-to-windows-10.html>.
Basically the Windows division has been through three different
leaders in the past year. You can imagine the effect of that kind of
thing on the morale of the troops.

Why keep shuffling the leadership? Because Microsoft doesn’t have any
clear vision for where Windows is heading.

On Jun 13, 2024 at 11:49:06 PM EDT, "Lawrence D'Oliveiro" <ldo@nz.invalid>
wrote:

> On 6 Jun 2024 21:33:18 GMT, rbowman wrote:
>
>> Even weirder, M$ is recruiting Insider beta testers for Windows 10.
>
> Interesting analysis here
> <https://www.computerworld.com/article/2140508/why-microsoft-keeps-adding-new-features-to-windows-10.html>.
> Basically the Windows division has been through three different
> leaders in the past year. You can imagine the effect of that kind of
> thing on the morale of the troops.
>
> Why keep shuffling the leadership? Because Microsoft doesn’t have any
> clear vision for where Windows is heading.

Actually, its because the "vision" is painfully clear. Windows is going
nowhere but downhill. It went from 97% of desktops 20 years ago to 63% today.
And still dropping. Microsoft is throwing all kinds of shit against the wall,
hoping that something will stick.

Would YOU want to be "leading" Windows today? Its a career dead end.

On Jun 7, 2024 at 9:40:45 AM EDT, "DFS" <nospam@dfs.com> wrote:

> On 6/7/2024 8:50 AM, Tyrone wrote:
>> On Jun 7, 2024 at 2:53:41 AM EDT, "Lawrence D'Oliveiro" <ldo@nz.invalid>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On Fri, 07 Jun 2024 04:29:49 +0000, Tyrone wrote:
>>>
>>>> Linux is around 3.7% of desktops.
>>>
>>> But it is king of workstations, and of the computing market in general (of
>>> which desktops only account for maybe 25%).
>>
>> And Linux runs the internet. And it runs on everything from IBM mainframes to
>> phones to watches.
>
>
> I had never looked into these devices:
>
> AmazFit BipOS, proprietary, apparently Russian
> FitBit was proprietary OS, bought by Google so it will
> probably move to WearOS
> Apple Watch watchOS, iOS derivative
> Google Pixel watch WearOS, closed source, derived from Android
> Garmin proprietary Garmin OS
> Samsung Galaxy watch Tizen (Linux-based), later WearOS
> Xiaomi HyperOS, based on Android
> Orange smartwatch na, compatible with Android, iOS
> FitPolo na, compatible with Android, iOS
> Vitality Watches na, compatible with Android, iOS, but they're
> crap Chinese scam watches
>
> A variety of cheap smart watches just say compatible with Android and iOS.
>
>
> After doing all that research, I found:
>
> https://www.mobilespoon.net/2015/03/a-list-of-all-operating-systems-running.html
>
>
>
>> But the topic at hand was desktops. Linux passed Windows XP many years ago.
>> Because both Linux is growing and XP is dead.
>>
>> In fact, Windows in total is a shrinking island. Unix runs EVERYTHING else.
>> Windows will go away at some point, and "Windows" apps will be running on
>> Linux. I guarantee you that - deep inside of MS - Office is running on Linux.
>
> You 'guarantee' it? Do your feelings know that for a fact?
>
> Well, I *guarantee* Windows will be around long, long, long after your
> world fades to black.

Dream on. Windows is already dying. It has been shrinking for the last 10
years. That you don't accept reality is not my problem.

On 2024-06-14, Lawrence D'Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
> On 6 Jun 2024 21:33:18 GMT, rbowman wrote:
>
>> Even weirder, M$ is recruiting Insider beta testers for Windows 10.
>
> Interesting analysis here
><https://www.computerworld.com/article/2140508/why-microsoft-keeps-adding-new-features-to-windows-10.html>.
> Basically the Windows division has been through three different
> leaders in the past year. You can imagine the effect of that kind of
> thing on the morale of the troops.
>
> Why keep shuffling the leadership? Because Microsoft doesn’t have any
> clear vision for where Windows is heading.

I'm pretty sure support for Windows 10 will be extended. Microsoft only ends
support "on time" when it's an unpopular version of Windows. So I tend not
to believe their insistence that "this time" we "really mean it."

--
[Self-centered, Woke] "pride is a life of self-destructive fakery, an
entrapment to a false and self-created matrix of twisted unreality."
"It was pride that changed angels into devils..." — St. Augustine

Le 14-06-2024, Tyrone <none@none.none> a écrit :
> On Jun 7, 2024 at 9:40:45 AM EDT, "DFS" <nospam@dfs.com> wrote:
>
>> Well, I *guarantee* Windows will be around long, long, long after your
>> world fades to black.
>
> Dream on. Windows is already dying. It has been shrinking for the last 10
> years. That you don't accept reality is not my problem.

Windows is shrinking, I agree with that. But it's not dying. It's
changing. Microsoft money is not mostly on Windows anymore, but it will
stay around for a long time.

--
Si vous avez du temps à perdre :
https://scarpet42.gitlab.io

On Fri, 14 Jun 2024 11:12:25 -0000 (UTC), RonB wrote:

> I'm pretty sure support for Windows 10 will be extended. Microsoft only
> ends support "on time" when it's an unpopular version of Windows. So I
> tend not to believe their insistence that "this time" we "really mean
> it."

https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2024/06/04/opening-the-beta-
channel-for-windows-insiders-on-windows-10/

"So today, we are opening the Beta Channel for Windows Insiders who are
currently on Windows 10. This will allow us to try out new features for
Windows 10, version 22H2, with Insiders before releasing them to all
Windows 10 customers."

That was published June 4, 2024.

"The Windows 10 end of support date of October 14, 2025, is unchanged.
Joining the Beta Channel on your Windows 10 PC does not change that. "

So they're adding new features to a version that goes out of support next
years? Okaaaaaaay...

On 14 Jun 2024 16:00:53 GMT, Stéphane CARPENTIER wrote:

> Windows is shrinking, I agree with that. But it's not dying. It's
> changing.

It’s becoming more adware- and rentware-oriented. Classic symptoms of
trying to squeeze more revenue out of a stagnant or declining user base.

On 14 Jun 2024 16:53:53 GMT, rbowman wrote:

> So they're adding new features to a version that goes out of support
> next years? Okaaaaaaay...

In other words, they don’t seem to have a clue what they’re doing.

So what else is new?

On 2024-06-14 6:15 p.m., Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:
> On 14 Jun 2024 16:00:53 GMT, Stéphane CARPENTIER wrote:
>
>> Windows is shrinking, I agree with that. But it's not dying. It's
>> changing.
>
> It’s becoming more adware- and rentware-oriented. Classic symptoms of
> trying to squeeze more revenue out of a stagnant or declining user base.

I actually agree here, but it seems that people don't mind paying a
monthly fee for things like Office, especially since it comes with 1TB
of cloud storage per user. The knowledge that you will always have the
latest version isn't all that reprehensible to people.

As for the ads, they're there but they don't take over your screen in
any kind of despicable way. There'll be an ad here for Game Pass which
is an affordable service with lots of games for the kids. Somewhere
else, they will encourage you to download a program similar to what
you're using. Some people don't like it, but it's not as invasive as
some people suggest.

--
Andrzej (Andre) Matuch
TG: @AndrzejMatuch
Catholic, paleoconservative, Christ is king.