Posted on 10/04/2015 1:49:51 PM PDT by Swordmaker
In 2012, when Microsoft first introduced the Surface Pro — a tablet that was also a laptop — it became an industry punch line.
“You can merge a toaster and a refrigerator, but that’s probably not going to be pleasing to anyone," quipped Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Nobody's laughing now. And Microsoft is looking more and more like a trendsetter.
Three years after Cook's jab, the Surface Pro 3 is selling strong — strong enough that Microsoft is expected to launch a much-anticipated Surface Pro 4 at a special event on Tuesday.
In the meantime, Apple and Google have started to pay attention. This past September saw both companies introduce tablet-laptop hybrids: the Apple iPad Pro and the Google Pixel C.
"Apple just admitted Microsoft is right," read a headline here on Business Insider. Another one described the Pixel C as a "Surface killer."
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
The Donald has promised one on the second day of his presidency.
Wishful thinking from Microsoft...
It’s the dumbest idea for an OS, ever. Anyway, I reversed it out, and now I can log in locally again. I also whacked the MS account login.
As for the ‘cloud’, I don’t think I’m storing anything there. I don’t back up to it, and I don’t use any apps that are cloud based.
Cloud-based Office was a shark-jumper for me. I’m stuck on 2010.
Nobody has yet made a convincing case to me why the cloud is better for the home computer user. All I see is a massive “Come take every single piece of data I’ve ever created” sign on the front door of my house.
BTW.....This sort of password based cloud association with the OS is not new...
I get a big grin on my face when someone says I’ve been hacked, i’m going to go to Apple now...LOL
Because Apple has been doing this as well and for a long time..It’s also related to security and encryption.
You also can now access the MS store through your win 10 account.
Much of this, actually all of it was implemented with windows 8.
Those who did not experience win 8, might be a bit shocked I suppose....
Sure! Why not..:-)
I suspect that's unheard of.
What’s in it for the end user?
If that is what you want to do, then I would suggest you back win 10 out of you computer and go back to 7 or whatever you had.
The OS really will not serve you well and will fight you for control.
As I said, this is directly related to security and this is also why they push updates now...
It is what it is....
I’m betting your smartphone OS does the same thing..if you have one because both Apple and Android do this.
You are going to have to explain how my security is enhanced by using credentials MS has listed somewhere on a server that will be hacked within the next few months or so.
The irony of me, the owner of my computer, having to fight for control of it from the vendor of my OS is, well, thick.
Much better security, access to the store for new apps..etc...it also will automatically sync with your networked computers running win 8 or 10 if you so desire. You also get a free anti-virus and firewall.
For example, I have three computers in the same room, and when I change the wallpaper on my primary, the others chnge as well, without me doing anything....all my logins are the same since I am the admin, and it really uncomplicated things for me in terms of data sharing on my network which was always a pain in the arse for me...
The issue for MS has been for a long time, the various holdouts still using XP and that has created a huge internet security problem for the OS maker...
They have now decided that they just cannot afford to do that anymore because of the grief over security updates for multiple OS’s...
As I said, Apple’s OS has done it this way for some time...MS began doing it with win 8. If you have XP or vista or 7, they will support seven for a while but the others not....and eventually you will have to adopt it.
All I can do is tell you that this has not occurred and the data is encrypted..
If you want some more irony....not sure you can handle anymore..
The windows store asks for a credit card for paid apps. You card data is retained and anytime you want to buy a app you simply click. I have been doing this for years now...no issues and that data, as I said, is compartmentalized and secure. It really can’t be traced back to you personally and is encrypted....so your password is the only key to open it.
There’s a guy who said something similar was in shipping once. He’s dead now, but he used to drive the Titanic.
This is MS’s problem - pervasive, incurable arrogance. What happened to companies who used to build things and then do everything they could to break them, just to build better things?
I was there when Clinton tried to bust MS up into six companies. Back then, I actually thought for a minute that maybe being broken up in to six companies would have been better for MS in the long run, regardless of the means being completely improper.
As I said, Apple does the same thing...
It is what it is, and is part of the security war with the hackers..
Microsofts reputation is at stake, as well as any other consumer OS maker like Apple. So they take this stuff seriously.
Basically this has some of the features of a debit card but better because if the data is hacked or lost, it’s of no use to anyone but you with your key.
If you lose your machine, it has now forced you to protect it as well, and as I said, they make it easirer on you with a four digit pin number, but your password resides in the cloud. A thief even with access to the computer cannot see it.
It’s the best we can do, far as I know, unless you want to wrap yourself in tinfoil.
One thing I might suggest is that you don’t write your password on a piece of tape and stick it on your monitor...:-)
To the best of my knowledge, many of the more recent hacks were done largely because the login’s were obtained surreptitiously.(ie: spycraft)
It’s the only way you can break this type of security and I’m not saying it can’t be done.
Apple isn’t the standard. MS is. Apple makes toys. They aren’t serious appliances except in the sense that they make great cameras and MP3 players which also operate as phones.
I have an android device because that’s the last viable option for the phone.
I had a blackberry for years. I was ready to leave it, so the FIRST PLACE I LOOKED was Windows. Surely, I’d be able to synch my phone to Outlook via a USB cable.
Nope. To synch, I had to upload all my information to the cloud. I couldn’t believe it.
Nothing beats Office. It’s a great product (2010) and doesn’t make you talk to the cloud.
Only recently did MS come up with smartphone versions that allowed synch. I’m using OneNote (amazing product) on the Samsung S4. It’s nice.
I know why XP had to die. Not quite sure why 7 had to die, and 8 was ill-conceived. 10’s been OK. My son had to roll back because his apps for saxophone hadn’t caught up. Edge is doughy - very doughy. I’m still using IE, and still curse when I’m forced to use Chrome.
Google and Apple are both evil. Can’t stand either one.
Haven’t experienced the ‘seamless’ synching between networked 10 computers yet.
What 10 is brilliant at is rejuvenating older computers. All previous versions of Windows had a sort of deprecation as time went on that dragged the computer to its knees. 10 cures that. Not an advertised feature, but it sure works.
One thing I might suggest, if you are as security conscious as I am, is to chnge your pw occasionally, and I did that not too long ago...It’s a process, and it involves a series of e-mails and codes....but it’s easy enough to do. But they make every effort to be sure it’s you. It’s the same with my bank...they require it every 3 months.
I also use a computer generated pw...they are a combo of letters, numbers, low and upper case. Really hard to break, but I suppose anything is possible...
But unfortunately I have to write it in my little black book which I keep in a secure place. You can also encrypt your password lists and put them on a thumb drive, or there are a number of PW keepers, that require another pw to open. I have one of these as well.
All that syncing requires that you enable it...it’s not entirely automatic but is after to set up your home group and that key also comes into play, then the systems start to synch....if you have a lot of data like I do it takes a few days because the process runs in the background.
If I recall, I accessed it through the control panel.
I do all of that.
I wish I had time to crack convenient, secure biometric security. Going forward, I think that’s the answer.
I agree its a tough problem to crack. I just object to MSFT knowing every time I’ve logged into my computer.
What I didn’t experiment with was whether I could have logged into my PC even if the network cable was pulled out.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.