This is SCARE-EEY!!!!

a reply to: dug88

Yep, most people would be stunned if they ever saw how many ports are used by MS at every given opportunity.

I tend to agree about Linux, and I run it on a couple machines. My biggest issue with Linux is between the keyboard and the seat. I just can't seem to wrap my brain around how it stores things and operates. The file structure just perpetually melts my brain. It's a solid platform as long as you don't have to, in my case, understand it. If you can just work with canned programs all the time it's fine.

originally posted by: dfnj2015

originally posted by: Xabi87
a reply to: vinifalou

I bet they will eventually bring in some type of law that will make tampering with said equipment to disable things illegal too.

The Patriot Act made it legal. The 4th Amendment is gone.

This is very interesting. I've not heard of anything like this. You are stating this as fact. Would you please point out the source for me?

a reply to: Shockerking

I usually use the built in player (I forget what the name of it is).

originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
a reply to: Shockerking

I usually use the built in player (I forget what the name of it is).

Windows Media player? If so kill that process, install VLC or MPC-HC, WMP is slow and a resource hog. The only real value to having it is that it has the abilty to rip CD's and provide all the bells and whistles like cover-art, ratings and sometimes lyrics. Otherwise not needed. VLC media player is my absolute favorite though. But only download VLC from the actual Videolan link.

a reply to: Shockerking

That's the one.

I will look into that.

a reply to: CraftBuilder

This really isn't the thread for this discussion (unless FCD can determine that it was the U.S. government who is responsible for what the actual topic of the thread is), but here is where you can find that for which you are looking:

The Patriot Act increases the governments surveillance powers in four areas:

Records searches. It expands the government's ability to look at records on an individual's activity being held by a third parties. (Section 215)
Secret searches. It expands the government's ability to search private property without notice to the owner. (Section 213)
Intelligence searches. It expands a narrow exception to the Fourth Amendment that had been created for the collection of foreign intelligence information (Section 218).
"Trap and trace" searches. It expands another Fourth Amendment exception for spying that collects "addressing" information about the origin and destination of communications, as opposed to the content (Section 214).

Surveillance Under the USA/PATRIOT Act


Actual text of the Patriot Act with which to compare the above statements:
UNITING AND STRENGTHENING AMERICA BYPROVIDING APPROPRIATE TOOLS REQUIREDTO INTERCEPT AND OBSTRUCT TERRORISM(USA PATRIOT ACT) ACT OF 2001 - (direct .pdf link)

Note that the Patriot Act has since been updated, but this should give you a good place to start learning for yourself rather than depending upon what others may or may not have to say about an issue.

originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
a reply to: Shockerking

That's the one.

I will look into that.

Yea here is the official link to VLC, only DL from here, other downloads have bloatware on them.
VLC Official

a reply to: Shockerking

Every time Windows 10 performs a major update (about 2x @ year), it removes my VLC media player. That's a testament to how good the VLC open-source product is.

a reply to: jadedANDcynical
Speaking of off topic, I see nothing in your reply (that I didn't ask you for) relating to the legality of modifying your own property to prevent surveillance risks.

a reply to: Shockerking

Agreed, he needs to stop using WMP at once. I don't have much luck with VLC either, but I dearly love MPC-HP. The only reason I have any of the others (including RealPlayer... yuck!) is that I do a lot of 3D rendering and I like to preview finished clips in all available players (I might want to release one some day, lol). Same reason I have Internet Exploder and Chrome. They rarely ever get used, and I kill all the processes from Task Mangler when I'm done.

TheRedneck

originally posted by: TheRedneck
a reply to: Shockerking

Agreed, he needs to stop using WMP at once. I don't have much luck with VLC either, but I dearly love MPC-HP. The only reason I have any of the others (including RealPlayer... yuck!) is that I do a lot of 3D rendering and I like to preview finished clips in all available players (I might want to release one some day, lol). Same reason I have Internet Exploder and Chrome. They rarely ever get used, and I kill all the processes from Task Mangler when I'm done.

TheRedneck

VLC is the best, just takes getting used to it, works awesome for streams too, cutting off a browsers resource hog does wonders when you need that live feed without the stuttering. But yea MPC-HC rocks also, plays just about everything, especially if you install it with the cccp (Combined community codec pack).

originally posted by: carewemust
a reply to: Shockerking

Every time Windows 10 performs a major update (about 2x @ year), it removes my VLC media player. That's a testament to how good the VLC open-source product is.

Hells yea CWM.

I'm in the industry too.

And you've just found out why I refuse to own a laptop, or tablet.

I use desktop's exclusively, and only ones that I build. No microphones, no webcam, no wifi.

There's a reason batteries are becoming non removable in tablets, phones, and laptops. You can never REALLY turn them off.

With my desktop, when I'm done, I flip the power strip off on the floor, and it's dead.

And to think, people actually BUY those Alexa and Google Home spy devices. Might as well just give them access to your whole life.

originally posted by: poncho1982
I'm in the industry too.

And you've just found out why I refuse to own a laptop, or tablet.

I use desktop's exclusively, and only ones that I build. No microphones, no webcam, no wifi.

There's a reason batteries are becoming non removable in tablets, phones, and laptops. You can never REALLY turn them off.

With my desktop, when I'm done, I flip the power strip off on the floor, and it's dead.

And to think, people actually BUY those Alexa and Google Home spy devices. Might as well just give them access to your whole life.

Same here with the desktops. About the replacement of batteries you can get them and there is specific tools you can purchase to open up phones and tablets if need be.

a reply to: Shockerking

VLC is the best, just takes getting used to it

Maybe I need to do some serious tweaking on mine, but half the time I try to play something in it, I get this snowy negative image. Not what I want in a video player.

I just don't have time to worry about software I don't need badly when it won't play at all out of the box.

TheRedneck

a reply to: poncho1982

I have a laptop and a tablet. Home use, portable use... but not design use. That stays on the desktop.

Besides, I don't know any tablets or many laptops that can handle my design work...

TheRedneck

originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
a reply to: dug88

Yep, most people would be stunned if they ever saw how many ports are used by MS at every given opportunity.

I tend to agree about Linux, and I run it on a couple machines. My biggest issue with Linux is between the keyboard and the seat. I just can't seem to wrap my brain around how it stores things and operates. The file structure just perpetually melts my brain. It's a solid platform as long as you don't have to, in my case, understand it. If you can just work with canned programs all the time it's fine.

I've found the file structure to be more simple to understand than windows. Everything starts at the root(/) directory, system config stuff is in /etc/, system binaries are in /bin/, user binaries and settings are in /usr/, user directories(documents and settings on windows) is under /home/.

By default, only the root user can make changes to anything outside of a user's home directory.

That's kind of about it. There's no registry or anything like that. All system settings are stored in text files in their appropriate folder and individual program settings will be in one of a few places.

As much as it pains me to say this; I have seen things which shouldn't exist. I never thought any of those things would be used against me...but apparently...I was wrong.

I was a computer programmer long ago, but today I am lost in all the code of things like Windows, all the gigs of whatever Windows has become. I will admit that.

I believed once, wrongly, that technology would "help" us as a civilization. I fear I am wrong there too. For ever step technology helps us, it also creeps into our lives another five steps. I had a very wise man once tell me..."Technology and computers should work for YOU, not you for THEM! And, the minute you work for THEM is the minute they will control YOU (and everyone else around you)!"

I've lived by that mantra. I just have, even though I work in the industry.

Now, I see how wise his words truly were!!

originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
a reply to: butcherguy

I don't do Failbook...at all.

Don't use google...well, rarely.

Don't game, don't chat, don't skype, or any of that social media kind of stuff. I have used Amazon though.

Are you aware of how tied together the CIA and Amazon are?