September 2015

Windows 10 Big Mistakes

I both love and hate Windows 10. The story of Microsoft’s new operating system – both the build -up, launch and indeed the following month, has been a mixed one to say the least. From the start, there was an undercurrent of mistrust between enthusiasts and journalists like myself and Microsoft, for the simple reason that so little information was being offered about various aspects of the OS. Forbes’ Anthony Leather examines where Microsoft went (and continues to go) wrong with Windows 10.  

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Thunderbird 38.3.0 Released

Mozilla released the next scheduled update for the Thunderbird 38.x branch with 38.3.0 on September 29, 2015. There have been some changes to this version for increased stability. NEW: Saved files tab now implements Search field and Clear button. FIXED: (Right-)Clicking on a newsgroup now allows directly composing a message again FIXED: Importing to the address book from CSV now works with international characters FIXED: Thunderbird no longer crashes when executing filter rules when using maildir FIXED: When using the maildir storage format, the INBOX folder is no longer deleted FIXED: Emails with long References headers are now decoded correctly FIXED: Checking for new messages correctly works after…

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Windows 7/8.1 Users: Microsoft is Watching You!

Okay, maybe not ‘watching you’, but they are spying on you. Seems that Microsoft Microsoft Corporation 72,78 +1,01 +1,41% was not content with just spying on Windows 10 users. They have pushed through some ‘Telemetry’ updates on Windows 7 and 8.1 which allow Windows to collect and send data back to Microsoft. Keep in mind if you have opted-out of previous ‘feedback/telemetry’ programs with Microsoft, these updates undo all that (including user privacy settings in the Windows hosts file). …(the updates) all add “customer experience and diagnostic telemetry” to Windows 7 and Windows 8. This is shorthand for monitoring how you use…

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Take Ownership Registry Script

This registry script works for Windows Vista and newer and adds a ‘Take ownership’ (Administrator) option to the context (right-click) menu in Windows (File) Explorer. Very useful for removing crap Microsoft has sneaked onto your computer such as the Get Windows 10 (aka GWX) propaganda as well as Windows 10 itself. You can run this script on files and/or folders which will give the Administrator ownership privileges to be able to delete said files and/or folders. Installation is simple, download and open the zip file then run the Take Ownership - Install.reg file. You will be presented with a couple prompts accept…

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Microsoft Wants You To Have Windows 10 (even if you don’t)!

Okay, this is getting out-of-hand. All the Get Windows 10 propaganda (App in Windows 8.1, System Tray Icon and in Windows 10) that Microsoft Microsoft Corporation 72,78 +1,01 +1,41% is bombarding Windows 7 and 8.1 users is bad enough. However, even if you declined the upgrade to Windows 10 and in some cases even if you removed the Windows 10 upgrade offer KB3035583, Windows 10 may already be on your computer…just waiting for you to (accidentally) install it. Yes, you read that right! Microsoft has taken it upon itself for those users in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 who are running Windows…

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Remove ‘Get Windows 10’ (GWX)

Most people who were running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 before Windows 10 was released this past July who didn’t want it removed (and also hid) KB3035583 from their Windows Updates. But, what about people who bought a new Windows 8.1 computer or reinstalled Windows 7/8.1 AFTER Windows 10 was released? I ran into this scenario last week after a couple family members purchased new Windows 8.1 PCs (yes, you can still get Windows 8.1 PC’s) and the machines download and installed KB3035583. I thought this would be a simple fix, remove and hide KB3035583 and all would be well. As it turns…

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TBird 38.2.0 Issues coming out of Sleep/Hibernate

There are a couple issues with Thunderbird 38.2.0 when starting up from a long sleep or hibernate (especially overnight). First is Bug 1196662 Thunderbird not checking for mails and becomes unresponsive after hibernation (problem is caused by upgrade to Thunderbird 38.2.0). While I have not experienced issues Thunderbird becoming unresponsive I have noticed I need to click the ‘Get Messages Button’ in order to ‘kick-start’ Thunderbird to periodically and automatically check for new messages. Second which appears to be related to the first and affects those who are using Lighting: Bug 1199994 Today pane date incorrect after overnight hibernate [TypeError: this.mDeferred is null]. I have…

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Pepper Flash with Firefox?

I don’t know anything about this distro but the use of Pepper Flash with Firefox is interesting.I’m wondering if the other “flavors” will do this. Notable changes: Nemo updated to 2.6.7 Running kernel 3.13.0-63 Firefox 40.0.3 Fixed Grub installing issues. Fixed Docky & Network issues after waking from suspend. Using Pepper Flash in Firefox instead of Adobe Flash. Added the H.265/HEVC Codec for VLC. Source: Pinguy OS

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