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Random Comments 5

Entry 838, on 2008-08-22 at 20:36:28 (Rating 3, News)

This is another installment of my random comments blog series. Random comments are a lot less controversial than random rants but sometimes I feel like I have to relax a bit and discuss some less contentious issues.

The first random comment involves Microsoft and whether its efforts to push Vista onto the world are being successful. Well the answer seems to be no. Apparently use of XP is actually growing, despite the fact that it is no longer supported. HP are shipping computers including Vista licenses but with XP installed. This means that some of the sales Microsoft attribute to Vista are actually going to XP instead.

Microsoft have hired Jerry Seinfeld to promote Vista. OK, so they are using a comedian to promote a product that many people think is a joke. Yes, that seems to make sense. And I seem to remember there being Macs featured in Seinfeld's TV show. So he was a Mac user, I guess. Maybe he's never used Vista. Maybe only a person who has never used it would promote it! Of course, the $10 million would also help!

Personally I think XP is a horrible operating system: full of security holes, badly designed, and lacking consistent user interface elements. I can only conclude that most people find Vista even worse!

Well that almost turned into a rant, didn't it? Maybe the next topic will be a bit less problematic.

Which sports should be included at the Olympics and which shouldn't? Some of the Olympic sports seem a bit trivial: BMX, table tennis, beach volleyball, etc. I know that these sports involve as much skill as the more traditional Olympic sports but surely its important to maintain a level of decorum and tradition.

The question here in New Zealand is whether rugby should be included in the list of Olympic sports. If soccer, volleyball, basketball, handball, and softball are there then it seems reasonable for rugby to be included as well. So that would be rugby union, what about rugby league or American football? Hey, what about Australian rules! (just joking). Its a difficult question and might eventually get back to how much money the controlling body of the sport which wants to be included can contribute to the Olympics (that's a cynical thought).

Actually some of the less "serious" sports are the most entertaining to watch so I guess its good that there is a balance with the less spectacular traditional sports.

Comment 1 (1535) by SBFL on 2008-08-23 at 10:01:18:

"but surely its important to maintain a level of decorum and tradition."
- Hey, don't go all conservative on me OJB.

I agree with your comments on the new sports. It's just getting silly. I don't actually see the need for rugby to be included...maybe so NZ has a chance at another medal? It would actually distract from our athletes in the other sports, so it would be a terrible decision if it were included. Furthermore it's probably dangerous to include it as there would need to be a game every second day. This is possible in soccer, hockey, volleyball, basketball and other sports not requiring the same level of physicality that comes with rugby, but the rugby players already complain of too many games, so why push them over the edge every 4 years?

On computers - I find Windows XP fine. It may not be the best system in the world technically, but it is easy to use and does the job. I am quite comfortable with it and don't see the need to change. Why is it that only Apple users seems to be so angry all the time?

Comment 2 (1540) by OJB on 2008-08-23 at 14:26:23:

Now that you mention it, that is a rather conservative statement. Well I like to be unpredictable sometimes!

I don't necessarily think rugby should be included either but you can see that which sports are and which aren't in the games seems a bit arbitrary. I mean, whose idea was it to have BMX?

I have to support Microsoft junk too. I installed XP on a PC the other day, for example, and it got all messed up with floppy drivers! Just remind me which century this is again? I also have to support their foul Office product on Mac and PC. Maybe I only dislike Microsoft junk because I have used the alternatives and know there is a better way! Most PC users think nothing else exists.

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