Backlash slaps Microsoft's 'help-a-friend-dump-XP' plea

Backlash slaps Microsoft"s "help-a-friend-dump-XP" plea
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Computerworld – Microsoft’s appeal to its technically-advanced customers to help friends and family ditch Windows XP did not quite work out
like the company had hoped.

Rather than jump to assist people they knew who still ran the soon-to-be-retired XP, users blasted the plea in comments appended
to Microsoft’s Friday entreaty.

“Ummm…how about NO? Is the word ‘NO’ in Microsoft’s vocabulary?” asked Steve Chabot in one of those comments posted Sunday.
“I will not advocate upgrades that require people to relearn the basics of a user interface or replace perfectly good hardware
simply for the privilege of running an overblown phone OS.”

On Friday, Microsoft asked its technically astute customers to help others migrate from Windows XP, but mentioned only Windows 8.1 as a solution. “We need your help spreading the word to ensure people are safe and secure
on modern up-to-date PCs,” wrote Brandon LeBlanc, a Microsoft marketing communications manager, in a blog post.

+ ALSO ON NETWORK WORLD What is the price of not upgrading Windows XP? +

LeBlanc suggested readers assist others in either upgrading their current Windows XP personal computer to Windows 8.1 — assuming
the hardware is up to snuff — or help them pick out a new PC to replace their aged machine.

That riled users, many of whom cited their financial straits, saying that they had neither the money for a $ 120 copy of Windows
8.1 much less hundreds more for a new computer. Business owners chimed in too, noting that their businesses rely on software
that only run on XP or arguing that to purchase new PCs would be foolish for their bottom lines when their current computers
work fine.

LeBlanc’s pitch stemmed from the impending support cut-off for Windows XP. After nearly 13 years, Microsoft will provide the
last public security updates for XP on April 8. After that date, Microsoft and outside security experts have predicted, those
XP-powered PCs will be in the crosshairs of cyber criminals.

Others blasted LeBlanc for writing what they viewed as an advertisement for Windows 8.1. “Honestly, this sounds more like
a sales pitch for Windows 8.1 than any kind of interest in what is actually best for my friends and family,” said Naru in
a Saturday comment. “Had the article actually mentioned both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 as options, I would be able to take
it more seriously.”

Microsoft has pulled Windows 7 from its own online and retail stores, and stopped selling it to retailers last October. Still,
most retailers have stocked up on Windows 7, and continue to move the 2009 OS at prices between $ 90 and $ 100.

Nor has the company offered XP owners a discount on Windows 8.1 to tempt them into dumping the ancient OS.

Although the comments added to LeBlanc’s blog — and the hundreds posted to a story Computerworld published last Friday –
included a handful praising Windows 8 and 8.1, with the usual Linux fans touting the open-source OS as an alternative, most
objected to the new two-headed Windows 8/8.1, which features both a traditional desktop and a new tile-based, touch-first
“Metro” user interface (UI), as a replacement for XP.

Netflash

Read more about Backlash slaps Microsoft"s "help-a-friend-dump-XP" plea and other interesting subjects concerning NSA at TheDailyNewsReport.com

Backlash slaps Microsoft's 'help-a-friend-dump-XP' plea

Backlash slaps Microsoft"s "help-a-friend-dump-XP" plea
http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif

Computerworld – Microsoft’s appeal to its technically-advanced customers to help friends and family ditch Windows XP did not quite work out
like the company had hoped.

Rather than jump to assist people they knew who still ran the soon-to-be-retired XP, users blasted the plea in comments appended
to Microsoft’s Friday entreaty.

“Ummm…how about NO? Is the word ‘NO’ in Microsoft’s vocabulary?” asked Steve Chabot in one of those comments posted Sunday.
“I will not advocate upgrades that require people to relearn the basics of a user interface or replace perfectly good hardware
simply for the privilege of running an overblown phone OS.”

On Friday, Microsoft asked its technically astute customers to help others migrate from Windows XP, but mentioned only Windows 8.1 as a solution. “We need your help spreading the word to ensure people are safe and secure
on modern up-to-date PCs,” wrote Brandon LeBlanc, a Microsoft marketing communications manager, in a blog post.

+ ALSO ON NETWORK WORLD What is the price of not upgrading Windows XP? +

LeBlanc suggested readers assist others in either upgrading their current Windows XP personal computer to Windows 8.1 — assuming
the hardware is up to snuff — or help them pick out a new PC to replace their aged machine.

That riled users, many of whom cited their financial straits, saying that they had neither the money for a $ 120 copy of Windows
8.1 much less hundreds more for a new computer. Business owners chimed in too, noting that their businesses rely on software
that only run on XP or arguing that to purchase new PCs would be foolish for their bottom lines when their current computers
work fine.

LeBlanc’s pitch stemmed from the impending support cut-off for Windows XP. After nearly 13 years, Microsoft will provide the
last public security updates for XP on April 8. After that date, Microsoft and outside security experts have predicted, those
XP-powered PCs will be in the crosshairs of cyber criminals.

Others blasted LeBlanc for writing what they viewed as an advertisement for Windows 8.1. “Honestly, this sounds more like
a sales pitch for Windows 8.1 than any kind of interest in what is actually best for my friends and family,” said Naru in
a Saturday comment. “Had the article actually mentioned both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 as options, I would be able to take
it more seriously.”

Microsoft has pulled Windows 7 from its own online and retail stores, and stopped selling it to retailers last October. Still,
most retailers have stocked up on Windows 7, and continue to move the 2009 OS at prices between $ 90 and $ 100.

Nor has the company offered XP owners a discount on Windows 8.1 to tempt them into dumping the ancient OS.

Although the comments added to LeBlanc’s blog — and the hundreds posted to a story Computerworld published last Friday –
included a handful praising Windows 8 and 8.1, with the usual Linux fans touting the open-source OS as an alternative, most
objected to the new two-headed Windows 8/8.1, which features both a traditional desktop and a new tile-based, touch-first
“Metro” user interface (UI), as a replacement for XP.

Netflash

Read more about Backlash slaps Microsoft"s "help-a-friend-dump-XP" plea and other interesting subjects concerning NSA at TheDailyNewsReport.com

Backlash slaps Microsoft's 'help-a-friend-dump-XP' plea

Backlash slaps Microsoft"s "help-a-friend-dump-XP" plea
http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif

Computerworld – Microsoft’s appeal to its technically-advanced customers to help friends and family ditch Windows XP did not quite work out
like the company had hoped.

Rather than jump to assist people they knew who still ran the soon-to-be-retired XP, users blasted the plea in comments appended
to Microsoft’s Friday entreaty.

“Ummm…how about NO? Is the word ‘NO’ in Microsoft’s vocabulary?” asked Steve Chabot in one of those comments posted Sunday.
“I will not advocate upgrades that require people to relearn the basics of a user interface or replace perfectly good hardware
simply for the privilege of running an overblown phone OS.”

On Friday, Microsoft asked its technically astute customers to help others migrate from Windows XP, but mentioned only Windows 8.1 as a solution. “We need your help spreading the word to ensure people are safe and secure
on modern up-to-date PCs,” wrote Brandon LeBlanc, a Microsoft marketing communications manager, in a blog post.

+ ALSO ON NETWORK WORLD What is the price of not upgrading Windows XP? +

LeBlanc suggested readers assist others in either upgrading their current Windows XP personal computer to Windows 8.1 — assuming
the hardware is up to snuff — or help them pick out a new PC to replace their aged machine.

That riled users, many of whom cited their financial straits, saying that they had neither the money for a $ 120 copy of Windows
8.1 much less hundreds more for a new computer. Business owners chimed in too, noting that their businesses rely on software
that only run on XP or arguing that to purchase new PCs would be foolish for their bottom lines when their current computers
work fine.

LeBlanc’s pitch stemmed from the impending support cut-off for Windows XP. After nearly 13 years, Microsoft will provide the
last public security updates for XP on April 8. After that date, Microsoft and outside security experts have predicted, those
XP-powered PCs will be in the crosshairs of cyber criminals.

Others blasted LeBlanc for writing what they viewed as an advertisement for Windows 8.1. “Honestly, this sounds more like
a sales pitch for Windows 8.1 than any kind of interest in what is actually best for my friends and family,” said Naru in
a Saturday comment. “Had the article actually mentioned both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 as options, I would be able to take
it more seriously.”

Microsoft has pulled Windows 7 from its own online and retail stores, and stopped selling it to retailers last October. Still,
most retailers have stocked up on Windows 7, and continue to move the 2009 OS at prices between $ 90 and $ 100.

Nor has the company offered XP owners a discount on Windows 8.1 to tempt them into dumping the ancient OS.

Although the comments added to LeBlanc’s blog — and the hundreds posted to a story Computerworld published last Friday –
included a handful praising Windows 8 and 8.1, with the usual Linux fans touting the open-source OS as an alternative, most
objected to the new two-headed Windows 8/8.1, which features both a traditional desktop and a new tile-based, touch-first
“Metro” user interface (UI), as a replacement for XP.

Netflash

Read more about Backlash slaps Microsoft"s "help-a-friend-dump-XP" plea and other interesting subjects concerning NSA at TheDailyNewsReport.com

Vet"s wife makes plea to North Korea leaders

News

Scott Stump TODAY contributor

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The wife of an 85-year-old military veteran who has been detained in North Korea spoke out Monday in an emotional interview in which she expressed concern for his health.  

“One day is as hard as another,’’ Lee Newman told Miguel Almaguer on TODAY Monday. “He just needs to be home, and we want him home for the holidays.”

She has not spoken to her husband, Merrill, since he was taken off a plane by a North Korean military official on Oct. 26 while on vacation there. 

TODAY

Lee Newman, Merrill Newman’s wife of 56 years, became emotional when talking about her worry over her husbands health and her hopes for his safe return from detainment in North Korea.

“It’s hard for his grandchildren,’’ she said. “It’s hard for his whole family. It’s been hard. We have a lot of support but when you don’t know where your husband of 56 years is, you don’t know his health, you don’t know when he will be home with us, it’s not an easy situation.

“He has people that he loves here and he needs to be back at home.”

Newman, a grandfather, retired technology executive and Korean War veteran, took a 10-day trip on a tourist visa to the peninsula where he once fought. After boarding his flight home with a friend, he was suddenly pulled off the aircraft at Pyongyang’s international airport and has not been in contact with his family in Palo Alto, Calif., since. Newman’s friend from his retirement home who traveled with him, Bob Hamrdla, is currently back in California. 

Courtesy of the Newman family

The family of Korean War veteran, retired technology executive and grandfather Merrill Newman, 85, is working to secure his return to his home in Palo Alto, Calif., after he was detained in North Korea on vacation on Oct. 26.

Newman was detained a day after he and his tour guide had been interviewed by North Korean authorities at a meeting in which his military service during the Korean War was discussed, according to his son, Jeff Newman.

“There’s some terrible misunderstanding that’s taken place here,’’ Jeff Newman said on TODAY. “There was a conversation that took place about the Korean War and my dad’s service that might have had some tension in it.”

TODAY

The couple’s son, Jeff, said there has been “a terrible misunderstanding” in the detainment of his father by North Korean authorities.

Newman has a heart ailment, and is in need of medication, according to his family. The U.S. State Department is working with Swedish officials who represent American interests in North Korea. The U.S. has no diplomatic relations with North Korea, so Sweden handles the consular issues for the United States in the Asian nation. 

No one has spoken with Newman or seen him since he was detained. North Korea has confirmed through Swedish officials in Pyongyang that a U.S. citizen has been detained, but because consular access has not been granted, the detainee’s identity is not yet confirmed. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told NBC News that the Swedish embassy has been making daily requests for access.

Courtesy of the Newman family

Merrill Newman was at the end of a 10-day vacation in North Korea, where he once fought in the Korean War, when he was taken off his flight home by a military official.

Jeff Newman told NBC News that he has been in contact with the U.S. State Department and has reached out to former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a former ambassador to the United Nations in the 1990s who has experience with issues involving North Korea. Richardson has reached out to his North Korean contacts, a spokeswoman for his office told NBC News last week. 

On Nov. 18, the U.S. State Department issued a warning against Americans traveling to North Korea, marking the first warning since Americans began traveling there in 1995. Two other Americans have been arrested in recent years over alleged illegal religious missionary activities, including Korean-American Christian missionary Kenneth Bae, who has been detained since November 2012. 

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Vet"s wife makes plea to North Korea leaders

Despite father"s plea, Snowden will continue to leak

Dr. Orlowski On Gun Violence Plea: "I Spoke From The Heart"

Lawrence O’Donnell speaks to Washington Hospital Center’s Chief Medical Officer,  Dr. Janis Orlowski, about why the Navy Yard shooting was a “senseless trauma” and why she wishes her trauma were “put out of business.”

RealClearPolitics Video Log

Dr. Orlowski On Gun Violence Plea: "I Spoke From The Heart"

Dr. Orlowski On Gun Violence Plea: "I Spoke From The Heart"

Lawrence O’Donnell speaks to Washington Hospital Center’s Chief Medical Officer,  Dr. Janis Orlowski, about why the Navy Yard shooting was a “senseless trauma” and why she wishes her trauma were “put out of business.”

RealClearPolitics Video Log

Dr. Orlowski On Gun Violence Plea: "I Spoke From The Heart"

Plea deal talks under way in Ohio kidnapping case

CLEVELAND (AP) — Attorneys and prosecutors for a man accused of kidnapping three women, keeping them captive in his Cleveland home for nearly a decade and raping them repeatedly said they have entered into plea negotiations.

Both sides are scheduled to appear in court Friday morning for a final pretrial hearing for Ariel Castro, 53, and to update a Cuyahoga County judge on the talks.

Plea deal negotiations are hinging on whether the prosecutor would rule out the death penalty as the defense has demanded.

Castro, whose trial is slated to start Aug. 5, has pleaded not guilty nearly 1,000 counts of kidnap, rape and other crimes. His 576-page indictment includes two counts of aggravated murder for allegedly punching and starving one of the women until she miscarried.

Cleveland TV stations reported Thursday that a plea offer had been made. Defense attorney Jaye Schlachet declined to comment on the status of the talks but said offers and counteroffers would be expected.

“We’re in the middle of plea negotiating, that’s where we’re at,” he said. “Plea negotiations have been undertaken which, when there’s plea offers and like any other negotiations, there’s offers, there’s negotiations, there’s acceptance of offers, things of that sort.”

Friday’s hearing was a “final pretrial,” Laura Creed, chief judicial staff attorney for the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts, said in an email.

Cuyahoga County prosecutor Tim McGinty’s office had nothing to add beyond Wednesday’s mention in court of plea negotiations, spokesman Joe Frolik said in an email.

There was no immediate comment from the legal team representing the three women.

Castro is accused of repeatedly restraining the women, sometimes chaining them to a pole in a basement, to a bedroom heater or inside a van. His indictment charges him with 512 counts of kidnapping, 446 counts of rape, seven counts of gross sexual imposition, six counts of felonious assault, three counts of child endangerment and one count of possessing criminal tools.

The women disappeared separately between 2002 and 2004, when they were in their teens or early 20s. Each said she had accepted a ride from Castro.

Castro, a former school bus driver, has been jailed since his arrest on May 6 shortly after the women escaped to freedom.

Associated Press

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Plea deal talks under way in Ohio kidnapping case