[SpookyZalost]

so I've been following this for a while but it was announced recently that the big ole M$ would be introducing something called the "managed Desktop" to it's "enterprise" customers.  it's exactly what you think, you pay a monthly fee to access windows update and driver updates, apparently managed by Microsoft staff and they make sure your computer still works.  now having worked in an enterprise environment I could see where this might be a good thing, gods know it's a pain to get employees to stay up to date if you don't force it on them, usually at inopportune times but my question is, will they be releasing this to consumers?

unfortunately the magic eight ball says maybe.



see this is exactly what the big fear was that microsoft might be moving towards when they released windows 10 the way they did.  First get the consumers to all switch to one single operating system (windows 10), then feed them updates and security patches to keep them content until you can hold security flaws over them with a simple "that's a nice system you got there, shame if it were to be hacked."  it's not 100% certain this will be forced on regular PC users but microsoft hasn't been shy in it's continuing trend of anti-consumer practices as it focuses on enterprise and business over the layman.

so what are your guy's thoughts on this?
anyone have any more insight into their machinations

[Darth-Apple]

It's only natural for them to go about this route. Ubuntu and many other big-name linux distributions have been doing something like this for a while.

The difference? Ubuntu has, more or less, remained committed to its userbase, whether free or not, and they realize hands-down that it is because of their popularity in the free and open source world that they have the footprint available to monetize their managed and support-tiered options. Well, really, it's more of professional support, but ultimately the same idea, more or less. They do this for businesses, not necessarily for everyday users.

There's honestly no telling what Microsoft will do with this. Windows has historically been aimed to be much easier to maintain than Linux, so the idea of a "managed windows deskop" seems a bit off to me. Based on the last few years, I don't think I'd be terribly surprised if they did start pushing this heavily on consumer users. If they were to do so, it would be a major blow to them. No other consumer, desktop operating system currently requires its developing company to "manage" it in order to work smoothly.

But honestly, my feeling is that it's more intended for businesses, at least as of right now (and right now only). It may be a window towards pushing this on consumers, but only time will tell. Knowing Microsoft, it would not really be all that surprising. As for me, I think I like my Mac better. It doesn't auto update and break my computer when I'm writing an important research paper.

[Guardian]

In the short term its all about getting more money from its customers. Its now a new feature to sell and advertise for enterprise customers.

In the long-term, its part of their goal to have everyone have everything managed by Microsoft. Microsoft is moving towards the model of Applications as a Service, Desktop as a Service, etc. This is just another step towards that goal.

[SpookyZalost]

I'm going to be completely honest, I don't actually like the idea of applications as a service, it makes me uncomfortable and not want to upgrade from windows 8.1 + Linux, like ever.

[Darth-Apple]

I'm going to be completely honest, I don't actually like the idea of applications as a service, it makes me uncomfortable and not want to upgrade from windows 8.1 + Linux, like ever.

Same brotherman. I jumped ship years ago and I'm not looking back without a very good reason.

[SpookyZalost]

now you're going to really laugh at me darth, especially given what I said before about apple products.

I like my ZTE droid phone but I was actually considering getting an I-Phone recently.
my girl has one and she has all sorts of extra stuff she does on it that I can't take part in.
I really only use mine for texting, phone calls and occasionally as a remote access point since I have my kindle fire, my various raspi's and my linux laptop for anything else I might need to do remotely.

she has a 6S btw.
I may be making the switch to IOS in the next year instead of getting a new android...
it's still unix right? lol
but I wouldn't be caught dead with a windows phone... ever.
you think they'll start trying to compete with AT&T and sprint soon?

I can see it now, Microsoft Windows-Cellular, with cortana to act as the line operator

[Darth-Apple]

I doubt microsoft will ever get into that market. Cellular networks cost many, many billions of dollars to make and to operate. There are only four nationwide networks and they are all quite expensive to operate. (All these other carriers, by the way, simply lease the other networks at wholesale rates and resell them. And yes, there are some smaller networks such as US cellular too, but they aren't nationwide and depend on the other four networks to provide coverage to the vast majority of their actual coverage area. )

I'm an android convert myself, and to be honest, as much as i considered going back, the iphone apps are fanstastic. Facetime, notes, reminders, apple pay, and everything else. I couldn't live without them, and being that I have a mac, it all syncs very well.

Iphones are a little more locked down than androids and you definitely have less customization potential, but the stability and the polish of the fact that it's, well, an Apple, more than makes up for it. I absolutely love my 8 so far.

Let me know what you decide to do man. I'm interested now.

[SpookyZalost]

yeah lol, my grandmother love's her 4S, and while occasionally I have to troubleshoot it it's not really a problem too often.

how is the I-phone 8?

[Darth-Apple]

It's great honestly. Good speakers, decent screen, wicked fast, and overall well designed. Got a nice case and screen protector for it too.

As new and as expensive as this was, and even as nice as it is, the HTC M8 from four years ago was STILL a nicer phone. But the iPhone 8 is up to the times with the technology built inside. They packed the fastest processor EVER put into a smartphone, and it's literally so fast it can outdo a lot of core i5s being put into macbooks today. I ran benchmarks myself and I have to say, I am quite impressed to say the least. It's overall a really nice phone and I think I'll keep it for a good while.

[SpookyZalost]

d*** that's tempting lol.