Computer operating systems

This is the place for posts that don't fit into any other category.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
User avatar
Michel
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2207
Joined: 29 May 2017, 13:50
Location: Nothanks
My Cars: Some cars and a motorbike
x 659

Re: Computer operating systems

Post by Michel »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 22 Dec 2017, 20:18 Exactly - Everyone thought it was conspiracy theory rubbish - but it shows they are intentionally crippling older phones and finally admitted it - so now all those suffering need to go and get a new battery - another £100 for Apple to replace it!


I'm not defending Apple but Samsung phones with inbuilt batteries need them replacing after 18 months - 2 years at a similar cost if you go via Samsung..
User avatar
Zelandeth
Donor 2024
Posts: 4731
Joined: 16 Nov 2014, 23:36
Location: Milton Keynes
My Cars: 2006 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi.
1988 Renault 25 Monaco 2.0i.
1985 Sinclair C5.
1984 Trabant 601S.
1975 Rover 3500.
1973 AC Model-70.
x 1403
Contact:

Re: Computer operating systems

Post by Zelandeth »

Have to admit that I was astonished how smoothly Android handled things when I picked up a tablet for the first time ever a couple of months back. Once I logged into my Google account everything just sorted itself out...even down to my WiFi passwords.

Half hour spent weeding out the inbuilt junk I'll never use and it's been fine. Can't even claim that it's down to single brand transition stuff either as my phone's a Huawei and the tablet's a Samsung - actually that's the one thing I've yet to fix - it still claims it's my Huawei P9 on startup!

The tablet's mainly intended for graphics work, though it's powerful enough that I'm sure as time goes I'll find a bunch of other things to do with it (XPlane 10 didn't even make it break a sweat). I'd forgotten how lovely to work with AMOLED screens are though.
Current fleet:
06 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49531
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6160
Contact:

Re: Computer operating systems

Post by CitroJim »

I just can't get on with Android Tablets at all. I've got one and have valiantly tried but failed every time... It now just gathers dust in a corner of the office unused and unloved.

I'd rather lug around a small laptop dual-booting Windows 10 and Linux Mint when I need to go portable - such as a trip to the caravan - and have a nice small one in a backpack that does the job a treat...
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
User avatar
Zelandeth
Donor 2024
Posts: 4731
Joined: 16 Nov 2014, 23:36
Location: Milton Keynes
My Cars: 2006 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi.
1988 Renault 25 Monaco 2.0i.
1985 Sinclair C5.
1984 Trabant 601S.
1975 Rover 3500.
1973 AC Model-70.
x 1403
Contact:

Re: Computer operating systems

Post by Zelandeth »

One of the big bonuses I've just discovered is that for all the upheaval the recent architecture changes in Firefox have caused - it means that its behaviour - and plugins - are essentially platform agnostic (I know it's not strictly true technologically speaking - but from a user perspective they've done a good job of making it seem that way).

I now have the same "speed dial" shortcuts loaded in front of me, same bookmark screens, same everything across two desktops, laptop, phone and tablet.

I have to admit that I get along with the UI that Huawei have slapped on Android than Samsung's, but sadly Huawei didn't have a tablet which ticked the boxes I was after. No intention of switching away from them for my next phone unless something major changes between now and then.

Sadly I just can't seem to get along with Windows 10 no matter how many times I end up incidentally using it. Tried to play a video across our network a couple of evenings ago... Easiest option it seemed was the laptop sitting next to the TV. Yeah, right. After half an hour of faffing around with it I gave up, went and grabbed my laptop, and it worked perfectly first time. Linux 1, Windows nill. Out of curiosity afterwards I tried casting it to the Chromecast (which while a clever idea has always been somewhat temperamental) - and even that worked first time.

One thing the tablet really does have going for though is that there are some absolutely cracking art applications available for free or a couple of quid. The whole idea of getting the thing was to make it more practical for me to start scribbling when I've got a few spare minutes here and there.

Hoping that someone will make a clone of the case that seems to be popular for the iPad with a touchpad and backlit keyboard integrated (and stylus storage) soon. Found it for a few tablets, but not the Tab S3 yet.

Money no object, some of the top end Microsoft Surface machines look like lovely bits of hardware (I have much want for the Surface Studio...), but they're astronomically expensive...and that's before you've factored in a second mortgage for the software too.
Current fleet:
06 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
User avatar
myglaren
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 25366
Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
Location: Washington
My Cars: Mazda 6
Ooops.
Previously:
2009 Honda Civic :(
C5, C5, Xantia, BX, GS, Visa.
R4, R11TXE, R14, R30TX
x 4888

Re: Computer operating systems

Post by myglaren »

And just to cheer you all up for the new year.
Intel kernel memory flaw
Nice.

Pleased most of my kit is AMD.
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5646

Re: Computer operating systems

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Ooohhh, greeaatt.

And I hear that Intel's CEO has just sold a load of stock....
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49531
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6160
Contact:

Re: Computer operating systems

Post by CitroJim »

myglaren wrote: 03 Jan 2018, 18:37 And just to cheer you all up for the new year.
Intel kernel memory flaw
Nice.


I read the article - as best as I could - and it's left me no wiser and with a headache but am I correct that this so-called bug has been present for many years on many Intel processors?

If so, why has it only now been discovered?

I really don't like the Register's rather breathlessly hysterical editorial style... I find it incredibly hard to read and understand. Maybe just me...
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
User avatar
Michel
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2207
Joined: 29 May 2017, 13:50
Location: Nothanks
My Cars: Some cars and a motorbike
x 659

Re: Computer operating systems

Post by Michel »

Even though it's my job to do so, I find it very very hard to give a toss about this!
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5646

Re: Computer operating systems

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Well if it is going to mean a system slowdown of anything up to 30% as routine kernel requests are rerouted via software patches that’s not going to be good especially for DB apps that undertake a lot of file writes.

It’s like the Apple issue, where they have now admitted to slowing down CPU and GPUs of iPhone 6 users and up as the battery performance / life decreases. It is not what people bought them to do when the option is there to replace a battery rather than encourage people to buy new phones. People should not be subject to enforced changes to slow down system performance that has been subsequently engineered in. Apple are slashing the cost of battery replacements for affected users this month due to the public backlash.

Trading in Intel shares should be suspended including the CEO from dumping his stock and a CPU replacement offered for affected systems. Rant over.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49531
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6160
Contact:

Re: Computer operating systems

Post by CitroJim »

Michel wrote: 04 Jan 2018, 09:02 Even though it's my job to do so, I find it very very hard to give a toss about this!


:lol: Likewise :twisted:
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: Computer operating systems

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

Just to let you know, the latest Microsoft update (KB4056892) addresses (amongst other things) this security issue.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
User avatar
Michel
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2207
Joined: 29 May 2017, 13:50
Location: Nothanks
My Cars: Some cars and a motorbike
x 659

Re: Computer operating systems

Post by Michel »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 04 Jan 2018, 09:25
It’s like the Apple issue, where they have now admitted to slowing down CPU and GPUs of iPhone 6 users and up as the battery performance / life decreases.


It's not the same thing at all though is It? The Intel thing is a design cock-up while the Apple thing has been done on purpose.
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5646

Re: Computer operating systems

Post by GiveMeABreak »

The point was that in both cases the end user has to deal with the fallout.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
Zelandeth
Donor 2024
Posts: 4731
Joined: 16 Nov 2014, 23:36
Location: Milton Keynes
My Cars: 2006 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi.
1988 Renault 25 Monaco 2.0i.
1985 Sinclair C5.
1984 Trabant 601S.
1975 Rover 3500.
1973 AC Model-70.
x 1403
Contact:

Re: Computer operating systems

Post by Zelandeth »

CitroJim wrote: 04 Jan 2018, 08:03
myglaren wrote: 03 Jan 2018, 18:37 And just to cheer you all up for the new year.
Intel kernel memory flaw
Nice.


I read the article - as best as I could - and it's left me no wiser and with a headache but am I correct that this so-called bug has been present for many years on many Intel processors?

If so, why has it only now been discovered?

I really don't like the Register's rather breathlessly hysterical editorial style... I find it incredibly hard to read and understand. Maybe just me...



After reading a few nigh on hysterical articles about this yesterday the best description of the problem is that it's a drawback with how preemptive processing is handled.

When the CPU sees a yes/no decision coming up on the horizon, rather than stop and wait for the answer, it keeps going a few steps down both possibilities (so has this bug been around as long as preemptive multitasking has really been a thing?) in the interests of speeding things up. Obviously the data involved in the unused process thread is then dumped.

The problem really seems to be that it's not immediately wiped from the processor cache. This is where some people who are entirely too damn clever have figured out that it's possible with the right tools to read some of that data back from.

...at least that's my *very* basic understanding of it.

As for why it's only just been found? Probably random chance. It's relatively obvious to someone involved in the design I imagine once someone has floated the idea. However with how ridiculously complex CPU architecture is these days and the ever growing greed for speed it's not surprising really that things get missed. I don't doubt for a second that there are other similar shortcomings out there, but whether conditions will ever be just right for them to be found is the question.

Sounds like very similar flaws have been demonstrated on ARM and AMD processors as well now too.
Current fleet:
06 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49531
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6160
Contact:

Re: Computer operating systems

Post by CitroJim »

Zel, that's excellent :) I understand that explanation perfectly!

Maybe you should work for The Register and give them some decent editorial advice ;)

The over-hyped reports on the BBC worry me - they make it sound uterly catastrophic and so high risk we should all switch-off our PCs immediately or risk Armageddon...
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Post Reply