The Computer Thread

Ubuntu's Unity Shell is dead which should mean the Mir display server is dead too.

Did anyone else encounter the start menu bug on their Windows 10? I had to reset my laptop just to make sure that it can work again after previous methods had failed. Do I need to use the anniversary update?

You should always update your Windows OS. The Start Menu bug has been mostly solved for a while. I still get the very rare hang, but it usually solves itself without needing a restart.

Probably; I haven't experienced it once after the Anniversary Update.

windows will auto update and that's still a good thing

that said, Skydrive can burn in hell.

Looking for a goodish mousepad that preferably on the smaller end since there isnt much table room.

My current one feels like the mouse needs to be lubed, and last I checked you cant do that.

Well, you could try. But, you'd probably need a new mouse and surface.

Well, you could always check on your mouse feet. True, you can't lube them, but replacing them is possible. I never did find the teflon tape to fix this one at work◊, but the place was awful, so meh.

As to compact mousepads, if you prefer cloth pads, I'd recommend the SteelSeries QcK mini. Pricing on these ought to be pretty competitive as long as you stay clear of the game-branded "limited editions". I've had mine for almost 6 years now, and the only wear is some slight loosening at the edges and the non-slip base becoming slightly less non-slip.

A good smooth surface is better than a mouse pad. Hell I cut the pad part off and just use the wrist rest. I cut the feet off my last logitech mouse and just used the desk. Now if your desk/workspace and your mouse don't get along: any smooth mousepad should do. Double sided tape can keep the mouse pad from moving.

Massive ransomware infection hits computers in 99 countries. Apparently the Russian government and British healthcare services were particularly badly hit.

I am guessing, all the victims were running outdated operating systems they had no business to still run? Considering that Microsoft had released a patch to plug the security hole that the ransomware - "WannaCry" and variants - uses months ago.

Most places don't bother updating their OS because of time and money. Maybe this will get them to think again.

Don't even mention it.

I lost a lot of gigs because none of my would be customers simply bothered to care for their computers health, including the periodic formatting and regular updates.

An XP system at my workplace has been trying and failing to install the same 3 XP updates for almost a year now.

Although that really isn't the biggest problem with the place...

My last job was weird with the computers. Half of them were on Windows XP and the other half were using Windows 7. Then again, they restricted the fuck out of what we could browse.

We had a Locky infection last year because our secretary clicked on a pdf.exe.

Back then our mail server scanned all mails but those from our very old mail address where just forwarded so they slipped past.

Our new mother concerns mail settings just flat out forbid any executable code from being send or received.

edited 13th May '17 9:06:00 AM by Kiefen

The ransomware attack has been halted..... by complete accident

Until new versions of the ransomware are created, probably.

And done.

My takeaway from the article: Britain's NHS is still running Windows XP. Way to go, guys. Next up, let's upgrade those MS-DOS 6.0 machines.

That's what happens when you have ridiculously proprietary software that no-one thought to port.

Instead the government paid however many million dollars for extended XP support.

Then cancelled the deal in 2015.

You have no idea how may services run the dreaded combo of Windows XP and Internet Explorer 6.

I tried to register with a financing company to unlock a credit score and their whole web services were running on XP + IE 6, no wonder those were slow as two turtles fucking.

I've been considering using a VPN. I'm torn however between two of them- hotspot shield and Trust Zone. Is there anyone who knows a thing or two about VPN's and has a recommendation ?

Probably the latter. Here's a good comparison of the more trusted ones. Obviously, they are popular with torrenters...

The Telegraph doxed MalwareTech. You temporarily stop a ransomware scheme the press is panicking about and this is how you are rewarded.

New entry for things to never subscribe to: The Telegraph

Welcome to the Murdoch Empire and Barclay Bros.: they doesn't give a flying fuck about journalistic ethics.

edited 16th May '17 3:16:28 AM by Euodiachloris

Someone should subject Murdoch and co. to a Humiliation Conga consisting of his corporate empire being mercilessly dismantled until he's reduced to being as impoverished as the people he routinely looks down upon. Seriously, we're in an international cybersecurity crisis. It's not a matter of ethics, it's a matter of pragmatism.

edited 16th May '17 6:18:16 AM by MarqFJA