I’m having to do a personal computer upgrade. My Windows 7 RC1 (release candidate 1 for you non-geeks) that I installed last year is about to expire, and I have to update my system with the full version tonight.
Thus I’ll be offline and moderation may be slow or non-existent for awhile. Hopefully the WUWT moderation team can pick up the slack. Thanks for your patronage and patience – Anthony
UPDATE: I’m up and running again, pretty painless actually, I had to re-install a couple of applications, and I finally dumped MS-Office for the OpenOffice.org suite. No looking back now. See my desktop below:
For those who still live with the hassles of Windows Vista, do yourself a favor and buy Windows 7.
Macs are not perfect by any stretch. They’re “less annoying” in my experience.
If Windows 7 is also less annoying then praise the lord. About bloody time.
It really all depends on the things you do, the things you are interested in, the things that you like and the things you couldn’t care less about. Some people actively dislike Macs because they disdain the sight of trendy kids in Apple Stores. Some people use Windows because they’re architects and the whole office runs off one CAD package. Some people place a lot of importance on aesthetics, or being able to use unix tools, or both. The point is, it is all about choice.
But computers are a platform and in that sense they’re a bit like getting married. Once you buy the thing, add software, produce data, spend time getting to know it, you’ve basically married the thing. You’re stuck. It becomes a bit self-reinforcing. A bit of a paradigm.
My commodore 64 works just fine.
REPLY: are you using that to post here?
Paul Benkovitz (19:22:29) :
Geez, the last time I upgraded I built a new system, then it was something
like two weeks to get everything going again and copied over. However, I
learned a lot about the new version of MySQL (they changed some of the
authentication and export stuff I needed), get a new version of Python
going, get the Python to MySQL interface going (going from 0.8 to 1.1
release), and Apache, and Vantage Pro weather database and Python code
to talk between that and the database….
Problem is, it’s getting to be about time to do it again. Maybe I’ll
upgrade to Python V3 this time. (Major change to the language.)
len (22:40:25) :
That’s one nice thing about Macs – it’s supported by a competent company
but you can open a Real Unix command shell.
You can kind do the same thing on Windows with Cygwin. (Unix users can’t
use a PC without Cygwin.)
While a nice, simple DOS prompt can be oddly reassuring, I much prefer the
Unix improvement and be able to do some neat stuff with little hassle.
A number of folks in the Greater New Hampshire Linux Users Group have
MacBooks to have one system mostly works out of the box and save their
home/office Linuxes for development work.
[Let me try that without line breaks. Programmers and long lines don’t mix….]
Paul Benkovitz (19:22:29) :
Geez, the last time I upgraded I built a new system, then it was something like two weeks to get everything going again and copied over. However, I learned a lot about the new version of MySQL (they changed some of the authentication and export stuff I needed), get a new version of Python going, get the Python to MySQL interface going (going from 0.8 to 1.1 release), and Apache, and Vantage Pro weather database and Python code to talk between that and the database….
Problem is, it’s getting to be about time to do it again. Maybe I’ll upgrade to Python V3 this time. (Major change to the language.)
len (22:40:25) :
That’s one nice thing about Macs – it’s supported by a competent company but you can open a Real Unix command shell.
You can kind do the same thing on Windows with Cygwin. (Unix users can’t use a PC without Cygwin.)
While a nice, simple DOS prompt can be oddly reassuring, I much prefer the Unix improvement and be able to do some neat stuff with little hassle.
A number of folks in the Greater New Hampshire Linux Users Group have MacBooks to have one system mostly works out of the box and save their home/office Linuxes for development work.
CodeTech, I’d just say that most people in the world don’t understand what they’re buying when they buy computers. Quick rant: an architects’ firm moved to a new CAD system because it had some vague checkbox compatibility with their old PR1MOS mini system–the new system was Windows based and could load the old drawings. But the new system was also a piece of s**t to use. I know as I was forced to use it for a year. Some people preferred to go back to the time-sharing PR1MOS system because the new CAD system was so awful. Simple issues about usability and workflow were just not properly thought out. And the thing wasn’t even widely used in the industry. So instead of facing the compatibility issue once when they left PR1MOS, they faced it every time they collaborated with engineers and quantity surveyors.
But that’s what they bought and they were stuck with it. So what winds me up is when people go shopping with a closed mind. Instead of being willing to rethink the situation freshly and see what’s available, and balance all the needs and disadvantages, people often end up with crap “solutions”. Sometimes Windows is the best possible. Sometimes Linux. Sometimes a Mac. Depends entirely on the individual’s needs, plus what they like.
My imaginary vision of Anthony is obliterated. Here I was imagining a Harry Potter like creature sitting in front of a Mac. While your at it why not simply upgrade your PC to a Mac!
REPLY: My first personal computer was an Apple II, which I developed hardware and software on until they abandoned it and thousand of other developers in 1984 with the Mac. I owned a Mac in the 80’s but never felt comfortable developing on it due to it’s closed minded nature. In the 90’s with Power PC clones I started to develop hardware and software around Power PC’s in the 90’s. Then Steve Jobs slammed the door again cost me thousands in development that I had banked on.
I won’t make the mistake of trusting Apple a third time. – Anthony
Another furfy… which is true?
this one
http://weather.unisys.com/surface/sst_anom.html
or this one?
http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/data/sst/anomaly/2010/anomnight.2.22.2010.gif
One is so obviously trying to prove a point…LOL What a farce!
george h. (05:42:56) : “Gotta ad my pro Mac comment. Went all Mac in the family last year–best executive decision my wife has ever let me make.”
I agree, George.
OM
As someone who has worked with many OSes over a 25 year career in the IT industry, I am qualified to comment. I must say that Windows 7 is the first OS that Microsoft can be proud of. It actually eliminates many long standing Microsoft issues. But that said, having the knowlege to maintain any OS, I still use Mac OS X myself.
Apple understands something that Microsoft does not. Computers are a holistic integration of hardware and software. The combination of Mac OS X and Apple hardware is simply a better product, and more importantly, has a much lower TCO. I routinely have to spend far more time with Windows. Money my clients would not need to spend if they used Macs. Windows 7 is certainly not worth the outrageous price Microsoft charges. Also of note is that currently I am selling a PowerBook from 2004 for $400. The upgrade fee to a much better laptop is far less than a new Windows laptop becuase Macs hold their value.
Good luck with the upgrade, and all the hassles and expense of Microsoft licensing.
In response to Fergal’s link to the RealClimate article on the Guardian series:
Gavin re-quotes the Guardian’s quote of Kieth Briffa, as follows:
“Confidentially I now need a hard and if required extensive case for rejecting [an unnamed paper] to support Dave Stahle’s and really as soon as you can.”,
and briefly describes how Pearce “misinterpreted” that statement. Gavin then answers the claim, saying that 1) it was taken out of context, 2) the proper context involves an understood (if unstated) “IF you are going to recommend rejection”, and 3) when put in the proper context, this request is one that editors make all the time, and it is perfectly normal and acceptable, and it is not an attempt to garner the kind of review that the editor wants.
I posted the following comment on the RealClimate page containing this article. It’s “awaiting moderation”. What do you want to bet my comment will never see the light of day at RealClimate.
“One question, Gavin. If this request by Briffa is perfectly legitimate, and it’s something that editors do all the time, and it was contingent on an unstated but (somehow) understood “if you are going to recommend rejection”, then why did Briffa precede the request with the word “confidentially”? “Confidentially” usually implies that whatever appears after that word should be kept secret. So why does Briffa want this request kept secret, if it’s really completely on the up-and-up?
Regards,
Trevor”
I did the same thing, with all the drivers and stuff, it is a real pain to do.
Mac’s are becoming something of a status symbol.
If it is able to float your boat, go for it.
There are out of the norm type jobs that you just cannot do with a Mac because the job specific software isn’t written to run on a mac; unless your willing to run purchase a copy of Windows and run Wine, but then isn’t that’s just conceding the point?.
Please help me out someone!!
Whats the scientific arguments to have GISS surface temp measures as reference to global temperatures infavour of NOAA satellite measures that Phd Christy is working with?? I cant find any arguments that explains this.
Surface contra atmosfaric measures seems to be an easy choice.
Windows upgrade? Have two rubber chickens on hand, just in case you need a spare.
Time for a Mac, methinks.
Surely the chickens are for the SCSI gods??
I prefer Linux, but Ubuntu and my graphics card (ATI HD3200) don’t like each other. The scrolling white dots indicate that something isn’t good for the circuitry. I don’t want to fry my computer for ideological reasons.
Further, there is no adequate serious photography software on Ubuntu or any other Linice I know of. Alas. WINE won’t run Lightroom.
If all you do is word process and surf the web, or do non-photographic science, Linux is great. There is a LOT of high-end scientific software free for Linux.
Do I -ever- wish I’d known about upgrading from RC to final without reformatting. ARG!
Macs are great. I had a couple, and I keep entering to win one.
Thanks for all you are doing Anthony, and good luck with the upgrade.
I have converted to OpenOffice too, it does all I need wrt. office things. I like software that runs on any OS!
I would recommend one of the Linux Ubuntu variants for an OS upgrade. I am using Windows XP and Linux Kubuntu with the KDE4 desktop. The plan is to leave Windows behind entirely.
I recently bought a cheap wireless weather station with a USB PC connection to the indoor unit, and managed to write a Linux driver for it. I wiped out XP on an old laptop and installed the lightweight Linux Xubuntu instead. It is now running happily, gathering measurements every 10 minutes. The data are online at http://arnholm.org/ws/
I have some issues with placement of the outdoor unit to get proper daytime temperature readings when the sun is up, but currently it is far too cold and too much snow to do anything about it 🙂 As my readings show, we had -20C this morning…
If you own a Mac where I live, expect a 2 hour drive to the nearest store when the hardware fails(and all computers have hardware failures). Having worked many years as a computer technician, this is my humble opinion:
A PC with windows requires people to think. Do I really think I’m going to get free p0rn win I click that link I received in my email? Is that a real warning that just popped up on my screen, or is a website tying to trick me?
A Mac…click away and know that the OS is so locked down you can’t be hurt.
Why are all the viruses written for Windows? Well, let’s see…Windows has something like 95% of the market. ‘Nuff said.
Well, what do you know – Gavin posted my comment. His reply was:
“Discussions between editors, reviewers and authors are always confidential – you are not supposed to show people drafts you have received as a reviewer, and your reviews are supposed to be for the author’s eyes only – whether you sign your reviews or not. But I have no further information into the context of this remark than anyone else. – gavin”
And MY reply was:
“Ah, so discussions of this kind are “always confidential”.
So why was it necessary for Briffa to CLEARLY STATE something that SHOULD BE OBVIOUS to anyone and everyone who has ever reviewed a journal article?
And why, if Briffa thinks Cook doesn’t already understand so obvious a rule, would Briffa COMPLETELY NEGLECT to mention that his request of a “hard and … extensive case for rejecting” the article was contingent upon Cook actually recommending rejection?
On the one hand, you’re arguing that Briffa was merely sloppy in not being crystal clear about the conditional aspect of his request. But on the other hand, you’re arguing that Briffa felt it necessary to be crystal clear about the confidential nature of his request, even though the confidentiality aspect is UNIVERSALLY known and understood by all reviewers.
No, Gavin, Briffa clearly meant something more sinister than the standard “confidentiality” that applies to conversations of this sort; the context you provided only underscores this fact.
Furthermore, I think the CRU emails prove that Briffa has never been all that concerned about the standard confidentiality of conversations between authors, editors, and reviewers (Dec 17, 2001; Mar 22, 2002; May 27, 2008)
I know what you’re going to say – that you “have no further information into the context of this remark than anyone else”, so you can’t jump to any conclusion about what Briffa actually meant, even though, on the face of it, it’s quite damning. You’re arguing for giving him a pass on it unless we can find ABSOLUTE PROOF that he was attempting to subvert the peer review process. OK, fine. I’ll give him that pass, on one condition. You stop trying to shut down (or slow down) the world’s fossil-fuel-based economy until we have ABSOLUTE PROOF that mankind’s fossil fuel emissions are causing catastrophic global warming (that’s two parts there – we’re causing it AND it will be catastrophic). Deal? The world’s economy, and the billions that will die if we make any serious effort to stop (or even slow) global warming based on YOUR UNPROVEN THEORY of what is causing it are far more important than the reputation of one man.
Regards,
Trevor”
Win 7 is organized better and much cleaner than Vista – but imo, Vista wasn’t all that bad. I’ve been having problems with video card drivers in Win 7 (both 32 and 64 bit) so upgraders should just be aware – I think there is still potential for issues in Win7, even though overall there seems to be some improvement over Vista.
A computer without Microsoft is like a chocolate cake without mustard. — Anon.
Enjoy the mustard. 🙂
REPLY: The OS is only the papyrus of the messenger. It’s what is written on the papyrus that is important, not the brand of papyrus. – Anthony
(quote) Ric Werme (06:23:41) :
Geez, the last time I upgraded I built a new system, then it was something
like two weeks to get everything going again and copied over.(/quote)
30 min was just for a reinstall or a clean point upgrade. Having a separate /home partition is the key. Save your old /etc to /home and use your package manager to make an install script of all your installed programs before you install. Replace /etc then run the script.
A server is a lot harder, but copying /var/lib should get you running soon. Building a new system can be hard because you can only copy a part of /etc.
I simply added a SATA drive to my Dell XPS and installed Windows 7 64-bit on that. I can still boot my old XP instance via BIOS selection at startup. Since it has been working flawlessly and very fast for two months now and I have all my data moved, time to format that XP drive and use it for virtual machines…
Windows 7 rocks
All this computer talk about different OS’s reminds me of an article I read in UNIXWORLD way back in the early 90’s where a question was put out to useres to comment on; “If your Operating System were an airline, what would it be like?”
1) Microsoft Windows (3.1/Workgroups): You arrive at the airport, everything looks good, people are friendy & seems to be going along well but a while after the airplane takes off, without warning, it explodes in midair.
2) Microsoft Windows NT: passengers arrive at the airport, go out to the runway sit in the outline of an airplane & make flying, swooshing sounds.
3) UNIX: passengers arrive at the airport with pieces of the airplane and they sit around & argue about how the plane is supposed to be put together & operate.
4) Apple Mac: You arrive at the airport, everything looks good, people are friendy & seems to be going along well but when you ask for details, you are told you don’t want to know, you don’t need to know so sit down & shut up.
I got a good laugh & thankfully, things have changed…
Jeff