I'm just experimenting. I hate the word "blog" and am fascinated with how the net seems to nurture *everyone's* vanity.
Published on August 28, 2008 By Philocthetes In Personal Computing

I post from GC2-land, and I've been seeing quite a bit of talk lately about keeping a clean PC (a goal I admire, but no longer persue with the rigor that I should). I thought some of y'all might be interested to see that the subject is actually getting some NYTimes coverage.

It's an interesting story about the way Best Buy (Geek Squad) is trying to balance keeping major vendors happy with earning extra bucks by cleaning up after said vendors. Until today, I didn't know that you could actually do what I think I saw Mumblefratz say he'd like to do, which is pay $30 extra to get the new box without crapware.


Comments (Page 3)
3 Pages1 2 3 
on Sep 01, 2008

In the new update (the latest version of the postbox, in particular), the default behavior of the enter key seems now to insert a paragraph tag, rather than a line break. You can still do a line break via shift-enter, though.
Shift-enter. Thanks.

Testing paragraph tag

Testing shift-enter
Testing paragraph tag

Testing shift-enter
Testing shift-enter
Testing paragraph tag

Testing 2 shift-enter's

[edit] Nice. Seems to work fine. Thanks again. [/edit]

on Sep 01, 2008

In the new update (the latest version of the postbox, in particular), the default behavior of the enter key seems now to insert a paragraph tag, rather than a line break. You can still do a line break via shift-enter, though.

 

And i already thought it was because i updated to firefox 3.

on Sep 01, 2008

And i already thought it was because i updated to firefox 3.

I thought it was FF also, b/c the site is broken in Opera now and I'm having to use my second-choice browser.

But, really, I'm still hoping to hear whether anyone thinks that the Times story I linked might indicate a real market shift in the bloatware problem or if it is just a momentary thing. I know there are some serious followers of the IT biz around here...

on Sep 01, 2008

But, really, I'm still hoping to hear whether anyone thinks that the Times story I linked might indicate a real market shift in the bloatware problem or if it is just a momentary thing.
At the moment, I'm thinking it's a momentary thing, but that may (hopefully) change.

 

on Sep 01, 2008

I think if they do get rid of the current form of bloatware something will replace it. If profit margins are as slim as suggested in the story, then PC manufacturers will be forced to think of another way to stay in the green. Whatever it is they come up with will most likely not be in the best interest of the consumer.

Last OEM machine I bought was a 400Mhz Celeron, in the days when a PII 450Mhz was top of the line. It was a mistake I have avoided repeating since

on Sep 01, 2008
Whatever it is they come up with will most likely not be in the best interest of the consumer


That's why I'd never, ever buy an OEM rig again... you get what they decide is best for you, and most often it isn't. And is often the case with lower end OEM's, they have little or no room for expansion or upgrade, meaning that if you want/need to do more than it can, you need to buy another, more expensive machine with more bloat to gunk it up.

Nope, that's not for me. I'll stick with building my own, with a bit of help/advice from my trusted local PC guy. That way I know exactly what I'm getting, that its upgradable if/when needed and has no damned bloatware/trial versions, etc.
on Sep 02, 2008
I agree I do both.. I by "premade" systems ... my new one being a dell Studio laptop and I also have my hubby make pcs from scratch.

I do NOT like pre loaded OS's. So after I got my dell studio lappy I took my own windows OS disc and reformatted the hard drive.

I choose MYSELF what OS and what PROGRAMS I want on any of my systems.
=
I learned ways back when I first started messing with comps on how to format and partition drives and how to install OS's. Hubby knows quite a bit and taught me well.

It gives me a piece of mind knowing what exactly is on my systems ..

I wouldn't pay anyone to reformat or partition my drives or install an OS *sadly I learned Windows*..

Though I am glad that there are companies like Best Buy and Comp Usa that do have that service.


My thoughts.

Anne
on Sep 02, 2008
What a totally cool name. Decrapifier...I love it.
on Sep 02, 2008

I'm with the people who build their own systems - OEM stuff just isn't worth it anymore. My current system is self built, and I've even built the system that belongs to my parents. No extra junk, just what they want.

on Sep 03, 2008

Please, I consider the OEM vs custom box question settled and I haven't noticed anyone here trying to praise OEM boxes. I just found the idea that a major OEM would put itself in conflict with bloatware vendors by offering "cleaner" machines interesting, and hopefully the beginning of a trend.

Even if most folks around here are not going to suffer directly from bloatware, many of us are the kinds of folks who get asked to help out with PC problems in our home lives. The death of bloatware would make those little favors much easier in many cases.

on Sep 19, 2008

When I brought my XP I got ton of bloatware games. 5 year later When I got the vista I got the same bloatware. EVEN The same games and this is 5 years later. Tell me I don't want to play demo I see it and I uninstall it.

 

These scams is target to the people who don't know computers or how it function it.

3 Pages1 2 3