06.16.08
The best Internet Browser EVER!
03.04.08
Forward
You know how in the good old days there were all these Windows dudes who would offer advice on all these like Win95 forums and stuff and there were all these tech guys who could make Windows not do stupid stuff and who actually bothered to get knowledgeable.
I remember and I’m sure some of you do to. And then wa-bang - all the tech guys are talking Ubuntu and Linux and Firefox and Virtualbox and the world has changed. It’s like they’ve stopped bothering with bubblegum code written by some multi billion gazillion dollar company in the past. They started, one by one to realise that figuring out Window’s cryptic, screwy register now code is going backwards - working backwards.
And now the Windows tech guys are emerging in the new world looking forward at programs that are open, available and community orientated - I mean you can actually contact the developers yourself rather than waste hours figuring out some copyrighted waste of time before the 30 day reg period is over.
It’s not that the tech’s are a dying bread, quite the contrary - they’re just playing on a larger playing field and building the future rather than fixing the past - agents of evolution, if you will.
10.21.07
IRC Rugby World Cup 2007
CONGRATULATIONS SPRINGBOKS!
Some ideals and some individuals targets met, some not. We all knew that it was not going to be a try scoring match. It was going to depend on not making mistakes and on the accuracy of the boot.
The English were very unhappy about an almost try not being awarded. If the same third umpire decision was taken against a team opposing the English, what would have been said by them? As for decisions, not yellow carding the idiot for blatantly bumping Percy Montgomery across the advertising boards and awarding a penalty to the Boks was incorrect. I would also have awarded a penalty try against the English for the transgression on their try line, and not a penalty. The English can also be happy not to have been penalised for playing off-side on a couple of occasions. On the day our Boks were the better team.
The standard of rugby referee-ing in this World Cup was inconsistent. The referee’s did not blow for off-side and very few forward passes. Back to the drawing board.
Then another and final issue. It is widely reported that this will be the last Springbok team that was chosen based on merit. Now, I do still just not get it. As said before, I do not care if the the whole team is BLACK, as long as they are there on merit. What the hell does politics have to do with sport? When South Africa send a team to any country in the world to take part in an event, we send them there to win. MR THABO MBEKI, how did it feel to see your country men play and win the World Cup? How did it feel to handle that CUP? How did it feel to mix with winners? HOW DID IT FEEL TO BE HOISTED HIGH BY WINNERS? And you allow the idiots that work for the people of South Africa to prevent yourself or your follower from being lifted HIGH by CHAMPIONS. I know how I screamed for our team. I am sure they heard me in Paris. (My neighbours think so) I would have been extremely honoured to have shared the moment, to be lifted on HIGH by CHAMPIONS.
- Well SPRINGBOKS, from me and millions of other dedicated SPRINGBOK supporters worldwide, CONGRATULATIONS! We appreciate what you have done for the nation, THANKS!
07.26.07
Don’t send MSOffice2007 documents!
This is a sore point for me. Microsoft are doing it again: they’re extending their monopoly by file format changes. Let me explain: your friends and business associates installed MSOffice 2007 and are sending you files with strange extensions like docx or xlsx. You can’t open these unless you purchase and install MSOffice2007. So you get frustrated and buy MSOffice2007 and install it and you start sending these formats that others can’t open unless they purchase MSOffice 2007. Do you spot the pattern: its like a virus spreading across Mother Earth and people are paying to spread it. STOP THE INSANITY!
If you’re using MS Office 2007 follow these steps so all your documents are saved in the standard Word, Excell and Powerpoint formats:
To change default file save options in Office Word 2007
- Double-click Microsoft Office Word 2007, double-click Word Options, and click Save.
- In the right pane, right-click Save files in this format, and select Properties.
- In Save files in this format, select Enabled.
- In the drop-down box, select a default file save format.
- Click Apply to save the settings.
To change default file save options in Office Excel 2007
- Double-click Microsoft Office Excel 2007, double-click Excel Options, and click Save.
- In the right pane, right-click Save Excel files as, and select Properties.
- In Save files in this format, select Enabled.
- In the drop-down box, select a default file save format.
- Click Apply to save the settings.
To change default file save options in Office PowerPoint 2007
- Double-click Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007, double-click PowerPoint Options, and click Save.
- In the right pane, right-click Save files in this format, and select Properties.
- In Save files in this format, select Enabled.
- In the drop-down box, select a default file save format.
- Click Apply to save the settings.
If you receive such a document send it back and request it be returned to you as a .doc file, an rtf file or anything that you can open on your computer. Alternatively try http://www.zamzar.com/ which will translate the document for you. There is a plugin for OpenOffice.org that is in early days but has some success in opening these “Virus” files of Microsoft compliments of Novell (click here for download). Future versions of OpenOffice.org will include support for these file formats but in the mean time please stop extending Microsoft’s stronghold on the world and stop sending MSOffice2007 documents.
I’m all for the solution provided by the Open Document format that has the effect of allowing us to share documents without enforcing specific applications and platforms on others. Check out the ODFAlliance’s web site for more on this.
07.22.07
TELKOM DIRECTORY SERVICES - YELLOW PAGES obsolete
A few years ago we decided to place “advertisements” in two local regions of the Yellow Pages. Cost R10.000.00.
The communications received from these ads? One (1)
This communication was from a company that wanted to make money from CompUnite and not to make use of our services offered.
Telkom Directory Services paint a different picture in their advertising campaigns of the directory which is false and misleading.
I can only make the judgment call that no one uses this publication any more. Should this publication be continued? Could the paper be better utilized saving some trees and reduce the effect of global warming? Everybody knows the thickness of these books. Multiply that with all the books delivered.
Think before placing an add in this publication. It seems it is only viable as a tax write-off should your company already be in a situation to facilitate the funds in the first place. DO NOT advertise accepting that you will recover the funds from the add once published.
The best advertising?
- Good service and Word Of Mouth!
06.19.07
South African Sport
Rugby: This constant bickering about SA Rugby is getting annoying and is no longer news worthy. I, and I’m sure the majority of SA does not give a damn about racial quantities. There are brilliant players of all races and we all trust that they will get an opportunity to prove themselves. When will the South African government catch a wake-up. The day that Mr. Thabo Mbeki is equipped to select a National team of any discipline he is welcome to do so in that discipline. Until then, he has not lost anything in sport, International, national or local. The same goes for all the other mp’s & politicians etc. You have enough on your plate, housing, crime, good number plate decisions, brilliant E-Natis decisions, etc. You should receive a salary as per projects completed to the satisfaction of the entire nation. Set up a voting system on the internet. Payment for interference in sport – R -0.00 or ZIM$ 0.001
Here is an idea, create two teams of each discipline in each area, let them complete their seasons in their leagues and at the end have a play-off between the semi-finalists. Maybe this will create more opportunities?
What is any International sport event about? It is solely about winning another country. It is about National Pride. At least for those of us who still have National Pride.
It has stuff-all to do with racial quantities. Maybe we do require a ban on sport interfered by ANY government department.
Soccer: Back to the above. Why are so few white, indian and coloured players, especially white players in the teams? Why don’t you interfere there? Idiots! MAJOR NEWS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE: SA SOCCER TO BE TELEVISED BY MNET SUPERSPORT. What makes soccer so important? Why do we not have rugby televised “LIVE” on the SABC or ETV channels? Make it even, give them a delayed broadcast on some soccer games only!
Rugby supporters have to do without, so can soccer fans! Good for the goose, good for the gander.
I suppose give them their soccer, otherwise the brainless will yet again strike, toy-toy and burn another few buildings and vehicles.
06.11.07
Microsoft: Free Advertising!
Dated: I was shocked to see a Microsoft “advertisement” in the news on South African television this morning. It was about the release of halo3 for the xbox. This is not of national importance. This is not of any importance excluding Microsoft’s sales.
Who slipped this into the news. I think someone ought to be fired as I hear “Backhand” (One of Microsoft’s tactics.)
Microsoft has spent billions of dollars on the design, development, marketing and launch of the xbox and vista.
The xbox appears to be a flop as sales are not what Microsoft expected. Their launching prior to the release of the Sony Playstation did not have the desired effect.
_______________
We demand our FREE Open Source Software & Linux advertising on South African National television. There is a vastly increasing movement of development and improvement of Open Source Software and on the LInux platforms. We are waiting to assist . . . . . . . . , just call us!
MTN gprs, edge service . . . .
I recently dialed MTN for assistance with not being able to open websites and not being able to download e-mail on 173. Apparently the problem was not addressable by the first line support and was referred to a more advanced division. I requested a copy e-mail the request which I received.
From: A******* [ MTN - Mount Edgecombe ]
Sent: Thu 5/31/2007 8:20 PM
To:
Subject: Use of phone as a modem
Hello
Please assist with the following - tried transferring but the line was busy.
Sub is having a problem using his phone as a modem. Has been having the
problem over the past few weeks.
1065 Escalation
Customer name: Chris
Msisdn: 27733561065
Alt number: 083********
Handset make & model: Motorola V360
Service required: Use of phone a modem
Customer Language preference: English
Preferred contact time: Anytime after 8pm
Error/Description of problem:
Thank you,
A********
NOTE: This e-mail message is subject to the MTN Group disclaimer see
http://www.mtn.co.za/default.aspx?pid=34411
I replied to their e-mail with a more detailed typed description of the problems experienced:
Hi A*******,
If you could forward the following to “Advanced Data Services” it will be
appreciated. It contains “Screen Shots” with some of the errors.
1. Fix the links on your web page. I have tried this method of communication a
few times with no luck. (See attached mtnwebfault.jpg) Neither of the next
buttons on the page does anything, with or without a “landline”.
2. I initially connected with an LG cellphone on GPRS and since December 2006
with a Motorola V360 due to its Edge potential. I was very happy with the
speed increase and had exceptionally good bandwidth peaks.
For a while now, +/- two to three months I am experiencing connectivity
problems to various websites and my e-mail connectivity. (See attached
images). I have been recommending MTN as a service provider for internet
connectivity to our clients.
I am concerned that a drop in service delivery by MTN will also reflect badly
on CompUnite SA as we recommended this method of connectivity over a Telkom
connection.
3. I make use of this connection for business purposes, i.e. downloading tools
etc. anti virus updates etc. for the poor users still using Micro$oft, e-mail
correspondence, website updating etc.
4. I have also monitored my Pay As You account. Despite not being able to
connect to websites, I am still billed for the initial data transfer in the
attempt to connect to the website. This was queried a few weeks ago on a
Monday or Wednesday evening where I was promised a return call. The date of
the call to 173 can be determined by yourselves checking on numbers dialled
on Monday or Wednesday evenings between 18h00 and 19h00. I agree it is tiny
amounts – but these tiny amounts add up.
5. Viri and or spyware and or malware? I only use Linux.
6. We have just added the MTN static DNS addresses. Problem still persists?
7. Please advise,
Greetings,
Chris Visagie
+27 (0) 73 356 1065
CompUnite.co.za
mail: chrisv@compunite.co.za
blog: http://compunite.co.za/blog
Registered Linux User # 314529, register @ http://counter.li.org
No Tuxes were injured in the writing of the above.
Use Linux. Because human knowledge belongs to the world.
See IBM’s linux advertisments:
I suspect that MTN simply can not deliver the promised service due over commiting available data services.
This was the second attempt to get assistance from MTN and this instance dated on 31 May 2007. I am still waiting . . . . . . . . . .
05.23.07
Sue us Microsoft! We need the money…
So in response to your idle threats, Microsoft, the OpenSource community dares you to sue! In fact we double dare you! For your entire existence, Microsoft, you have struggled to get the world to conform to your increasingly ridiculous monopolistic methods. You’ve tried everything and yet millions still use “pirated” copies of your products. With little or no success against software pirates you attempt to take on decent citizens using OpenSource software legally and willingly.
Did you think we’re as stupid as you? We’re actually better informed ’cause we GET OpenSource philosophies and we’re living them.
Before you whine about your little worthless patents, please open source your products so we can see exactly what patents and licenses you’re infringing on.
So sue us, and millions like us! We could do with the cash boost!
If you’re reading this, you’re not related to Microsoft and you’d like to sue email so-sue-me@compunite.co.za. Your comments and suggestions are also welcome.