Microsoft blazing

No Google Account, No Facebook Account, disable browser tracking, install adware proxy filter & you're half way there.
 
I think cloud computing is the present and the future. I was an early adopter of cloud based computer in my other companies and there has been tremendous upsides, with little to no downsides. Our business software is now available on any device from anywhere (huge advantage) and we don't have to deal with the hassle of our previous configuration: 12 servers, tape backup, tape backup licensing, backup tapes, offsite backup, very expensive server grade virus protection, electricity draw of all those servers, security, a special temperature controlled room for those servers, etc., etc., etc.

Web based software has been a real time saver and money saver for us. In the old days, we had to buy very expensive software for our industry and then buy the supporting software on top of it (server OS, database, etc.) and then buy software licenses for each PC. Plus, after all that, you still had to pay a very expensive annual maintenance fee. In this example, we would spend at least $100,000 in the initial software and then another $15,000 to $20,000 in annual maintenance fees. No more. Now we pay $79/user per month. That's it. Nothing more. Nada. This includes support and training too. And yes, WE OWN THE DATA. The legal documents around this are very specific. We regularly backup our data from their servers to our one server. But they backup our software to multiple other locations as well. I don't have to worry about hard drive failures on the servers, the corporate class virus protection for those servers, licensing of the OS for those servers, etc., etc.

Let's put it this way, I was spending MORE in annual licensing fees for the corporate class virus protection and the tape backup software alone than I am now in the monthly user fees. The savings in time and money are tremendous.

All of our email and other corporate data is also hosted "in the cloud". It's such a time and money saver and we've been doing it for years. I remember telling people years ago that I was moving all our data, hardware and software operations to the cloud and they would look at me with a dazed look. Now they get it.

It just makes sense and if Microsoft is further pushing technologies to support the cloud, then good on them. Putting Office in the cloud was a big step in the right direction.
 
Mike....Great to read that you are an adopter of Cloud Platform Services (CPS) & Software as a Service (SaaS).

Our business has been selling SaaS on a Microsoft based CPS since 2005 when we took the leap, changed our software distribution model & became an Application Service Provider.

It is evolving so quickly!
 
Mike..thank you.

You closed the other thread (from the heart) and there was some nonsense there. It is half assed to right click the start button someone said? That comment is half assed because the old way you left clicked the button ..huh? Are we too feable to adapt ? Especially since you get MORE on the new start than the old ?

When I read stuff like that, it doesn't move me to change. It moves me to educate. There are things I myself have pointed out that need change (the lack of help and information for xbox music which I have taken all the way up to the GM level - personally). But the other stuff...nonsense.

I am going to see about making a youtube video just to show you how I navigate day to day. Not only is it 90% the same, the speed is incredible
 
MusicDirector said:
I'm not interested in conspiracies. Everybody except us users are against net neutrality and by the way, much of the blame can also be laid at the feet of the FCC for not putting up a fight.
As for me, I'm actually not an American, but that's a whole other point. Perhaps I should consider getting off the grid a bit stronger than I have recently? Yes, in fact, I think I am going to go ahead and prepare as best I can to get off the grid in the next 60 days. That will be just about the time Comcast takes over.
Click to expand...

Actually ...the FCC is FOR net neutrality - So much so that Mr. Walker, the Chairman of the FCC is working on a way to bypass the court order and make rules to enforce net neutrality. BE AWARE BE FACTUAL

The Escapist : Forums : The News Room : FCC Chairman "Will Fight" to Restore Net Neutrality
 
Steve said:
No Google Account, No Facebook Account, disable browser tracking, install adware proxy filter & you're half way there.
Click to expand...

More like 10% there. As long as you are connected, you are at risk.

Get on the net ? You are at risk.

Answer an email? You are at risk

Click a link ? You are at BIG risk

Enter financial information? You are at risk
 
MikeCh said:
Question, will a new Microsoft OS protect me in this instance?
Click to expand...

Only to a small degree. If it is an up front attack, yes to a degree, MSFT wont allow changes to your system and your antivirus should stop some immediate threats...but part of it is on you.

When you see a link...hover over it...look at the lower left part of your screen...does the address resolve to what you think ? Chance are you are safe.

But here is an example of a mismatch (its safe, just for training purposes)

Dolphins found untying boats

Does this look like a match ?
 
ohbythebay said:
More like 10% there. As long as you are connected, you are at risk.

Get on the net ? You are at risk.

Answer an email? You are at risk

Click a link ? You are at BIG risk

Enter financial information? You are at risk
Click to expand...

Same for doing all your Banking, Health Care, and Retirement tasks as Paperless or on-line.

I know it will be the way of the future, but that does not mean it's the Best Way. It is being crammed down our throats. With all the Identity Theft as of late, it is just a preview of things to come. When systems go down or get hacked you will not have access to things you may need.

I refuse to go Paperless or even login to any of the sites setup by my Bank, Retirement Broker, work 401K provider, and Health Care site.

I work with computers and software every day and there is no stopping the malicious activity that goes on and we as a whole will suffer greatly as more and more info is only out in the cloud and the hackers get better.

If you actually trust computers, clouds, and going paperless, IMHO you are a bit of a fool. What will you do when the grid goes down, or your bank, and you need to prove something today? I will have a pc of paper to prove it on my end.
 
Steve said:
Mike....Great to read that you are an adopter of Cloud Platform Services (CPS) & Software as a Service (SaaS).

Our business has been selling SaaS on a Microsoft based CPS since 2005 when we took the leap, changed our software distribution model & became an Application Service Provider.

It is evolving so quickly!
Click to expand...

Steve - the computer world is not unlike the audio world. You have to cut through the bull. I still remember people telling me a T1 was a better investment at $700/month then fiber optics from Verizon for $149/month (the let's screw the businesses pricing at that time). I kept saying - a T1 is 1.544 up and 1.544 down. Fiber is 25 down and 15 up (at that time). They would give me such nonsense reasons. Eventually the T1/T3 guys realized they didn't have an argument. Fiber kicks ass.

I made the major move in 2008, but started with a few non-crucial things earlier. I don't even think about going back. Makes no sense. The admin UI's have gotten much better too. They were a little rudimentary in the early days....not now.

Now, if I was a $1 billion+ revenue company, I may still have my own data center and stuff in house. There is a law of diminishing returns (right now) for SOME CPS and SaaS products. But I would say the tide has shifted and most are moving to the cloud. It's just silly not to.
 
Brian and Mike,

You both make good points. Security is now more important than ever. We don't just have hacking groups, ,we have whole countries practicing cyber war/cyber terror. Microsoft and other providers can only do so much.
 
Mike who? I don't lay awake at night worrying. Speaking from experience, you are more likely to have someone file a false tax return in your name then worrying about some country hacking into your email and reading it. Hell, I don't even want to read it.

I just find it hilarious when the little old lady (my Mother in law for example) is paranoid that "hackers" are going to read her email. Seriously? Use common sense on line - just like you do when you are at a retail store making a purchase.

Worry about your health. Now that's something to focus on.
 
ohbythebay said:
Microsoft and other providers can only do so much.
Click to expand...

That's right, and it is left to the rest of us to protect ourselves so that is why I just say No to putting my life out "On The Line" as said in the movie The Internship. Putting all your personall info On-Line is in actuality, putting your info On The Line.

People who trust MS, Apple, Bank, Credit Card Company or any other business that uses the web and computers is just asking for problems.

I already had my Identity stolen and know first hand how easy it is to lose control and be completely victimized.
 
Steve said:
No Google Account, No Facebook Account, disable browser tracking, install adware proxy filter & you're half way there.
Click to expand...

I have no Facebook, Google accounts or any of those things. I do disable tracking and have anti-malware, anti-virus, I'm behind two firewalls, but I don't have a proxy filter that I know of.
 
Been thinking about pulling the Internet plug for months now, but not strongly considering it until about 30 days ago. Ever since the Comcast announcement it has been foremost in my mind. It was at that time that I took a look at my usage and discovered some interesting points.
I recall a better time when I did not have internet. Hell, I cut the cable TV cord 6 years ago and have not missed anything. In fact, I felt a sense of liberation when I did it and got some of my sanity back. While the internet has made some things easier in life, I now see that there is a price to pay and it’s one I can’t afford and I would imagine very few if any people can.
I’ve always been a late adopter as well. I did not get on the internet until 1.5 years after everybody else was on. I don’t get a new OS until it has a year of life left in it as long as the OS I am using has not shut down on me. (I’m still using XP, but wish it was at least Win95 or DOS with Win3.1….today’s hardware won’t run that though). I was still using an old CRT TV up until 5 years ago. (Just watched DVDs).
Now I am feeling the same crush with the Internet as I did with cable TV. So I have decided that it’s time for me to pull the internet plug. I looked and realized that I don’t really need the Internet all that much. Most important things I do I don’t use the Internet for and never will. I watch Internet TV about 4 to 5 hours a week on average. I stream audio less than that. When not researching something I “surf the web” about 1 hour per month at most. I don’t do Facebook, Googles or any social media. What will I lose by unplugging?
1) Way too much invasive advertising just like on cable TV only a bit worse!
2) Higher access fees for smaller bandwidth
3) Streaming audio (I don’t use it as a source, but I do use it for discovery and research)
4) Netflix (I use it about 4 to 5 hours a week if that)
5) My home phone (Vonage) $30/month
6) Squeezebox Touch becomes a paper weight
7) Roku collects dust
8) Email
So what would I miss most that may be a little harsh? Not having a home phone.
So what is left and what do I gain?
I have my cell phone for emergencies only. I save some money by eliminating 3 bills. There’s also this thing called a library and I have a good one near me. I get to retain what sanity I have left.
So I think I’m going to pull the Internet plug probably somewhat early, but that gives me a chance to get used to it. I’m looking around mid to end of April. I’ll see how long I can go, 30 days, 60, 90, 3 years? I’m hoping for at least a year. I don't see a problem in doing that.
 
ohbythebay said:
Actually ...the FCC is FOR net neutrality - So much so that Mr. Walker, the Chairman of the FCC is working on a way to bypass the court order and make rules to enforce net neutrality. BE AWARE BE FACTUAL

The Escapist : Forums : The News Room : FCC Chairman "Will Fight" to Restore Net Neutrality
Click to expand...

You might want to know this: Mr. Walker came to the position from being a lobbiest for the cable companies, Comcast in particular! I don't see him fighting for net neutrality. I heard the story about the FCC supposedly re-writing the laws per the court's instructions to revisit the case, however the court said it will stand firm, so it's a waste of time if they even do it. Corporate rights trump law and protective regs in a free market.
 
Shadowfax said:
That's right, and it is left to the rest of us to protect ourselves so that is why I just say No to putting my life out "On The Line" as said in the movie The Internship. Putting all your personall info On-Line is in actuality, putting your info On The Line.

People who trust MS, Apple, Bank, Credit Card Company or any other business that uses the web and computers is just asking for problems.

I already had my Identity stolen and know first hand how easy it is to lose control and be completely victimized.
Click to expand...

And that is the scariest part!
 
Mike said:
Mike who? I don't lay awake at night worrying. Speaking from experience, you are more likely to have someone file a false tax return in your name then worrying about some country hacking into your email and reading it. Hell, I don't even want to read it.

I just find it hilarious when the little old lady (my Mother in law for example) is paranoid that "hackers" are going to read her email. Seriously? Use common sense on line - just like you do when you are at a retail store making a purchase.

Worry about your health. Now that's something to focus on.
Click to expand...

Hackers aren't interested in reading emails unless there is some extremely important info in it and they certainly are not intersted in email accounts of everyday folks. They want corporate accounts and such.
 
Shadowfax said:
Same for doing all your Banking, Health Care, and Retirement tasks as Paperless or on-line.

I know it will be the way of the future, but that does not mean it's the Best Way. It is being crammed down our throats. With all the Identity Theft as of late, it is just a preview of things to come. When systems go down or get hacked you will not have access to things you may need.

I refuse to go Paperless or even login to any of the sites setup by my Bank, Retirement Broker, work 401K provider, and Health Care site.

I work with computers and software every day and there is no stopping the malicious activity that goes on and we as a whole will suffer greatly as more and more info is only out in the cloud and the hackers get better.

If you actually trust computers, clouds, and going paperless, IMHO you are a bit of a fool. What will you do when the grid goes down, or your bank, and you need to prove something today? I will have a pc of paper to prove it on my end.
Click to expand...

Same here. I have a paper trail for everything. I write checks to pay my bills (and use the dup checks), use cash at restaurants, cash to buy petrol for the car..... The only banking I do on-line is look at my statement (I'm with a credit Union, I don't do banks). etc. Sure anything can still happen, but at least one can lower the chances a bit. The one thing I do need to be concerned with is my taxes which are done by computer now days.
 
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