It’s been one of those days.

It’s amazing how something so terrible can be so beautiful.

HAHAHA. Ha!!

I wish I wasn’t such a nerd.

[2006-11-02: REVISION 1324]

[REMOVED] TextMate no longer pays tribute to human sacrifices, rape, nor does it show a picture of the God of the dead in your dock — ticket 945BEB5D

It’s real, I swear.  Download the trial and look in the release notes.

It really amazes me that there is an actual ticket reference in here.

• Users don’t read stuff
• Users aren’t coordinated
• Users can’t remember anything

Joel makes good arguments for these and I think he hits them spot on.  The above links are meant for computer programmers, but the same gist can be applied to any product.

I make a few mistakes here on Ted, but I make the assumption that out of the 20 people who view this a day, 19 of them don’t care and the other is me.

As a warning, this is long, and gets kinda technical, hence under a cut. I’ll update it with specific explanations if requested.

Microsoft sends themselves data whenever you do a Windows Update. This information includes (A detailed run-down is here):

• Your IP Address
• Computer make and model
• Version information for the operating system, browser, and any other Microsoft software for which updates might be available
• Plug and Play ID numbers of hardware devices
• Region and language setting
• Globally Unique Identifier (GUID)
• Product ID and Product Key
• BIOS name, revision number, and revision date

Of note, the Windows Update Privacy Policy states:

Windows Update collects the Product ID and Product Key to confirm that you are running a validly licensed copy of Windows. The Product ID and Product Key collected are not retained after you are finished using Windows Update, unless the Product ID is not valid.

If you’ve got a pirated copy of Windows, and you deny WGA but use Windows Updates… they still know. Who would have thought?

And so Microsoft is keeping track of it’s software, ok, kinda imposing, but I can live with that. It goes on,

To generate accurate statistics, Windows Update evaluates a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) that is stored on your computer to uniquely identify it. The GUID does not contain any information that can be used to identify you. A GUID is assigned and tracked in the following cases:

• To provide customers with the best possible service, Windows Update tracks and records the number of individual computers that visit the site and whether the download and installation of specific updates succeeded or failed. Windows Update records the GUID of the computer that attempted the download, the ID of the item that was requested, whether updates were required, and the configuration information listed above.
• Windows Update logs an additional GUID if you provide responses about whether help and troubleshooting articles were useful in resolving your problem. This allows Windows Update to provide you with increasingly helpful and relevant information.

So in theory, if I install an update to the .NET framework, but decide to keep IE 7 off my system, and if I run into a problem later, Microsoft can tell me it knows I have an issue because of IE 6 and the specific update having issues playing nice? Interesting idea, in practice anyway.

4. Consent to Use of Data. You agree that Apple and its subsidiaries may collect and use technical and related information, including but not limited to technical information about your computer, system and application software, and peripherals, that is gathered periodically to facilitate the provision of software updates, product support and other services to you (if any) related to the Apple Software. Apple may use this information, as long as it is in a form that does not personally identify you, to improve our products or to provide services or technologies to you.

Just to test, I ran Software Update and check to see what data my computer is sending to Apple. The results are below.

POST /WebObjects/SoftwareUpdatesStats HTTP/1.1
User-Agent: CFNetwork/129.19
Accept: */*
Accept-Language: en
Accept-Encoding: gzip, deflate
X-Software-Update-Session-Id: XXXXXXXXXXX
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded
Content-Length: 4867
Connection: keep-alive
Host: swquery.apple.com

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple Computer//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>ClientConfig</key>
<dict>
<key>BuildVersion</key>
<string>8N1106</string>
<key>FromUpdateNow</key>
<true/>
<key>HW_Model</key>
<string>MacBook2,1</string>
<key>HW_PhysMem</key>
<integer>2147483648</integer>
<key>Language</key>
<string>English</string>
<key>ProductVersion</key>
<string>10.4.8</string>
<key>SWUpdateVersion</key>
<string>2.0.7</string>
<key>ScheduleSet</key>
<true/>
</dict>
<key>SessionID</key>
<string>XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX</string>
<key>UpdatesOffered</key>
<array>
<string>061-2549</string>
............ [I cut most of this to save space]
<string>061-1693</string>
</array>
</dict>
</plist>

Ok, so that was long and painful. I apologize. What Apple sends to themselves is actually quite readable though. It lists, in order:

• The build of the OS.
  • 8N1106
• How Software Update was run, in this case, a forced run.
  • FromUpdateNow
• Hardware Model
  • MacBook2,1
• Amount of Installed Memory
  • 2147483648(2GB)
• Language of the OS
  • English
• Version of the OS
  • 10.4.8
• Version of Software Update
  • 2.0.7
• If you have the machine set to automatically check for updates
• A session ID, think the equivalent of a cookie in web terms.
• A list of possible updates.
  • Some of the updates were marked with “zzz” in front of them. I’m not sure if these are depreciated updates or ones I’ve already installed.

Apple doesn’t get a serial number, hardware or software, any identifying info (except for IP address), and states that even if they did, they can’t use it if it identifies you in any way.

Microsoft gets similar hardware information to Apple (a bit more extensive actually), a software serial number, a code that can identify your computer exactly, and a number that can identify the specific user on your computer.

Yey!

One of Microsoft’s ‘critical updates’ to Windows XP is WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage). Essentially what this tool does is check to see if your copy of XP is genuine or pirated. Well, it tries to anyway. It might falsely accuse you of having a pirated version, denying you updates and/or ‘convincing’ you to repurchase it.

You can select if you want to install the software, and if you do, it will send information to Microsoft about your usage of the tool. In the User Agreement that you accept in the installation process, it does say that it will do this.

The surprise comes when you cancel or quit the WGA update. Without agreeing to or viewing the EULA, it STILL sends information to MS about your usage of the tool, some of which is encrypted. The end user is not informed that any information will be transmitted, nor given the option to disallow it. Sounds like malware to me.

[UPDATE 3-8-07: So I was quick to judge... it was so easy!  I'm sorry.  You are informed of this submission of data in the Windows Updates Privacy Policy.  You can read more, and compare what data Microsoft vs. Apple sends, here.]

Microsoft ‘says’ that this information can’t be used to determine who you are, but who trusts them now days?

Here’s a suggestion, install Linux or buy a Mac. It’s cheaper and safer.

Almost every tech support problem has two solutions. The superficial and immediate solution is just to solve the customer’s problem. But when you think a little harder you can usually find a deeper solution: a way to prevent this particular problem from ever happening again.

We treat each tech support call like the NTSB treats airliner crashes. Every time a plane crashes, they send out investigators, figure out what happened, and then figure out a new policy to prevent that particular problem from ever happening again. It’s worked so well for aviation safety that the very, very rare airliner crashes we still get in the US are always very unusual, one-off situations.

The place I work has a similar list of recommendations, internally they’re known as “The Basics.”

• Leveraging the expertise of OurTeam to provide solutions
• Being knowledgeable professionals
• Being ethical, honest and accountable for our actions
• Being responsive through timely action and efficiency
• Embracing our customers’ goals
• Saying “YES” and accepting the challenge at hand
• Being approachable and having friendly, positive attitudes

They’ve proved pretty effective, as so far as I can tell. Not everyone is perfect, and people do slip up, but having those items as goals does make a notable difference within the company. More of Joel’s customer service recommendations can be found here.

Hardware:

Computer hardware fanatics have always had a love/hate relationship with Apple machines. On some fronts, Apple has been the early, or first, adopter of new technology, like the mouse, 802.11b wireless, or Firewire (IEEE 1394). On others, like processor or some hardware graphics technologies, Apple has been, at the worst behind, but probably for the most part abreast, of its PC counterparts. For the most part, Apple has closed this gap with its adoption of Intel hardware in the past year.

With most of their machines sporting the new Core 2 Duo processor from Intel, their speed and responsiveness is simply amazing, easily surpassing anything they’ve had in the past. The new MacBooks also contain an absolutely beautiful 13.3” TFT widescreen display, Bluetooth 2.0 w/ EDR, 667Mhz DDR2 RAM, a SATA hard drive, Gigabit Ethernet, built in iSight, optical audio in and out, and 802.11g wireless (upgradeable to 802.11n for $1.99) all built in and standard on every model. You’ll be hard pressed to find all of those features standard on any PC laptop.

Normally I wouldn’t mention the power adapter in a review, but the power adapter on the new MacBooks, and MacBook Pros, is a thing of beauty. Apple has always had better-looking power adapters, no giant black brick to lug around, but this time they’ve made the connection to the machine magnetic. Long story short, if you trip over the power cable, you won’t bring the whole system onto the floor, it’ll just pop out, no damage done. It’s saved mine on several occasions and I wish that I had it on all my laptops.

The MacBook also has an infrared port and an included Apple Remote that allows you to control media presentations, movies, music, slide shows, etc, from across the room.

Software:

Most PCs come bundled with some version of Windows XP, a Microsoft Word clone like WordPerfect or Microsoft Works, a 90-day trial of some internet security suite, and 50 little annoying programs that you can’t get rid of unless you reformat. The MacBook comes bundled with software that actually works, and that people will actually use.

With a new MacBook, you get all the built in features of Mac OS 10.4, including robust and integrated email, address book and calendar programs, a DVD player, a system-wide search that actually works (Spotlight), an audio/video instant messaging client (iChat AV), and handy little programs that you can activate at the touch of a button (widgets).

You also get Apple’s iLife ’06 suite that has music/movie management software (iTunes, also available as a free download), photo management/editing software (iPhoto), video editing software (iMovie HD), DVD creation software (iDVD), music creation software (GarageBand), media presentation software (Front Row), and some third party applications. You’ll still have to purchase either Microsoft Word or Apple’s iWork suite if you intend to use those programs, but you get trials of both preinstalled.

You also get a complete set of system restore DVDs and an included hardware test that you can run. You’ll be paying extra for that in most, if not all PCs.

Price:

Here is a big stickler that I hear all the time about Macs. They’re more expensive. So, I took a mid-range MacBook and priced a Dell with comparative specs. Take a look at the table below and decide for yourself.

* I upgraded the screen on the Dell because otherwise it doesn’t even begin to compare to the MacBook’s display
** This is reported optimal battery life by the manufacturer. Average use battery life on the MacBook in my own personal tests is ~ 5 hours. I was not able to test the Dell.
*** This is the price without any discounts from either manufacturer. Dell specifically says that you cannot apply discounts to the model/specs I picked, so I left out the government/higher education discounts on the Mac that many probably qualify for.

Summary:

If you’re looking for a new laptop, the MacBook is a great choice. It can do anything you want it to: office productivity, media creation, games, Windows XP (if you really want it). It’s very portable and light, and quite durable. You nix the virus/spyware issues when you get a Mac and can concentrate on work or having fun.

Useful Links:

• Apple MacBook
• Dell Inspiron E1405

This contains information and price specifications about Apple’s MacBook and Dell’s Inspiron E1405 obtained off their respective websites as of January 23, 2007. At the time of publication, this information may have changed.

According to SecurityFocus, and direct from the End User License Agreement (EULA) of Windows Vista,

Before you activate, you have the right to use the version of the software installed during the installation process. Your right to use the software after the time specified in the installation process is limited unless it is activated. This is to prevent its unlicensed use. You will not be able to continue using the software after that time if you do not activate it.

Basically put, if you shell out several hundred dollars for the new Windows, then don’t allow it to contact Microsoft and send info to them, it’ll stop working.

Ok, so you pony up.  Agree to send them information to activate it to make sure it’s genuine.  Many companies do this.  Adobe comes to mind.  Whoops.  Not so fast.

You see, even after you activate the software it will, according to the EULA, “from time to time validate the software, update or require download of the validation feature of the software.” It will once again “send information about the . . . version and product key of the software, and the Internet protocol address of the device.”

…. [The EULA] just says that they have the right to limit your ability to use features – pretty much any features they decide to at any date. And guess what. You agreed to it.

Remember, you don’t own this software. Microsoft does.  You just purchased a license for it.  They control it.  They own it.  They decide what you can and can’t do with it.  They can also decide if you’ve broken that agreement, without any comment from you.

They have the right to unilaterally decide that you didn’t keep up your end of the contract, for example you didn’t properly register the product, you weren’t able to demonstrate that it was genuine, and so on, and therefore they have the right to shut you off or shut you down. So, what gives them the right? Apparently, the very contract that they now claim you violated.

Oh, and if it shuts off and destroys your data, makes something unrecoverable, or causes any damages… they’re not liable.  They might reimburse you for part of the cost of Vista… maybe.

Linux is looking better and better.  Or hell, Apple.

Mac OS X doesn’t have a convenient “Print Screen” button, but it has some key commands that allow a lot more customization in your screen shots.

• Full screen capture (Command+Shift+3) – This acts pretty much like PrintScreen in Windows.
• Select region (Command+Shift+4) – Gives you a pointer and allows you to draw a box from which it will capture the contents; great for quickly taking application screen shots.
• Select item (Command+Shift+4 then Spacebar) – Allows you to select specific items, windows, menus, icons, desktop backgrounds, etc. And the items are transparent too.

Notes:

• All the shots are taken in .png format in 10.4, great for viewing or printing, not so hot for putting on the web. You can change the output format with Onyx as Derek points out via the link below. Different versions of Mac OS X have different formats for screenshots.

Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar): jpg
Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther): pdf
Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger): png

• If you hold down Control in addition to the above commands, it’ll copy the image to your clipboard instead of saving it directly as a file.
• If you hate multiple key combinations, you can make it simpler, or even just one key, by going to System Preferences – Keyboard & Mouse – Keyboard Shortcuts.
• You can also use the Grab app, available in every Mac application via the Services menu.

Via Erik J. Barzeski and Derek Punsalan

Debbie reminded me when she posted this; an excellent reference to free books/ebooks online. Check it out.

“To limit the press is to insult a nation; to prohibit reading of certain books is to declare the inhabitants to be either fools or slaves.” ~ Claude Adrien Helveitus

Also, Firefox 2 is out. Go. Download it.

Check out your Apple laptop info here, and your Dell laptop info here.

Sad now? A puppy will make it better.

Thanks for the image Brian.