razor

Vista’s death march picked up some pace yesterday, after a metrics researcher revealed that nearly 35 per cent of PCs built to run the Windows operating system have been downgraded to XP.

In a survey of more than 3,000 computers, performance testing software developer Devil Mountain Software estimated that more than one in three new machines had either been downgraded by vendors such as Dell, or by customers once they bought the PC.

The results were garnered by the research firm’s CTO Craig Barth in collaboration with InfoWorld. He based the numbers on Devil Mountain’s Exo.performance.network by collating the vendor and system model number with computer vendors’ catalogues.

Barth used that data to identify PCs that had probably been shipped within the past six months – a period of time when it was highly likely that most new machines came pre-installed with Vista.

That’s a damning verdict on an OS that Microsoft still wants frustrated customers to love.

But even in Redmond the mood has undergone a somewhat dramatic shift in recent days. Microsoft wonks are now doing their best to stoke up interest about Windows 7, the successor to Vista. The company’s Windows’ boss Steven Sinofsky has even started up a new blog ("honestly, I penned it," he proclaims) about the next operating system to ram home the message that Microsoft can do “disclosure” and deliver on time.

The software beast has already admitted it made some pretty big mistakes with Vista. Now, after trying some heavy duty marketing, Microsoft has finally conceded it’s high time to move on by explaining how MS will engineer Windows 7.

Cue Sinofsky comparing his Windows team to a Mozart opera... and also Goldilocks.

“I'm reminded of a scene from Amadeus," he chimed, "where the Emperor suggests that the Marriage of Figaro contains ‘too many notes’ to which Mozart proclaims ‘there are just as many notes, Majesty, as are required, neither more nor less.’ Upon the Emperor suggesting that Mozart remove a few notes, Mozart simply asks ‘which few did you have in mind?’.

“Of course the people on the team represent the way we get feature requests implemented and develop end to end scenarios, so the challenge is to have the right team and the right structure to maximise the ability to get those done – neither too many nor too few.”

Whether the three bears – Apple, Linux and EU/US regulators – will wade in to spoil the party remains to be seen. But Microsoft really does need to dish up an operating system that is "just right" this time.

Source .. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/08/19/windows_xp_vista_7/

First Thanks to every one who commented on my problem, its apprecaited , well the problem was finally tracked to the Graphics card Driver, which I removed and replaced,and now happy to report all's back to normal ... Thanks

Ive just booted up my computer and all I get is this blue screen , no matter what I try on the key board I can't get the blue screen to go away

even if I reboot , the blue screen comes back , I am running Windows XP Home . can some one please tell me what I have to do to get back to Normal ...

On my trips to the local IT Mall , ive begun to notice more and more Buddhist Monks looking at and buying computers and software. I just put it down to that possibly they are buying the equipment to use for some teaching purpose. On my last trip

to the IT mall , I was accompanied by my Thai wife and there again were a group of Monks buying lap top computers ,

when my wife saw this she commented , what are the Monks doing buying computers , they should be in the Wat , and not

shopping at an IT mall, as we left the IT mall another group of Monks came by us , heading to the Computer sales section.

I asked my wife why she thought the Monks should not be buying computers , she just replied a Monks place is in the Wat,

and where did they get the money to buy the computers, and what are they doing shopping any way especially in groups and

in her words .. seen to be having a good time . .....So this has got me wondering ..? whats your thoughts on seeing a group of Monks wandering around an IT mall buying lap top computers and apparently having a good time. Should they as my wife seems to think be back at the Wat , doing what Monks are supposed to do

I purchased the new iMac from an iBeat store, they offered .. 1.5 % discount on a cash sale , 5 % discount on a RAM up Grade , but I did not take the offer as they only had Kingston value ram , 10 % Discount on all accessories 5 % discount on the Apple Care Pack. the store also provided me free of charge Windows Office 2008, and Five other applications . found the store manager helpful and knowledgeable. all in all a good experiance and the iMac

is meeting all my expectations , I found being able to fully try the iMac out in the store first a real bonus .

Yesterday Just purchased one of the new up dated 24 inch iMac's (2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo ) , paid 61.990

Baht ( you have One week to take it back to the shop if you are in any way dissatisfied and ask for a refund or

a new replacement machine ) . You can also buy the Apple Care extended warranty ( Three years in total ) The machine and Leopard are just amazing , the 24 inch screen is brilliant

this is already being discussed here...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=183432

I for one won’t make up excuses it is what it is just another case of

a Thai being a Thai.

Razor

Where is Sunbelt

2007-05-15

In case of the applicant who is married to a Thai wife, one of them or both of them need to have the total annual income that is averaged out not less than 40,000 Baht per month. Except for the case that the said foreign national has entered Thailand before this Order is enforced and the foreign national has been permitted to stay in the Kingdom by the result of having married to a Thai wife, then if the applicant does not have the said income, then, the latest 3 months records of the account book of any Bank in Thailand with the account name of either or both parties need to have the amount of money not less than 400,000 Baht.

The Chief of Immigration in Bangkok, this morning has confirmed this will still be the case after October 1st 2007, the 400K in the bank will still be one of the options for those that had the extension of stay before Oct 1st 2006.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

found at ... http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1304034

just ... Dejavu

Robin Williams Plan for the US

see a lot of people yelling for peace but I have not

heard of a plan for peace. So, here's one plan.

1) "The US will apologize to the world for our

"interference" in their affairs, past & present. You know, Hitler,

Mussolini, Stalin, Tojo, Noriega, Milosevic, Hussein, and the rest of those

"good 'ole' boy s", we will never "interfere" again.

2) We will withdraw our troops from all over the world,

starting with Germany , South Korea, the Middle East, and the Philippines.

They don't want us there. We would station troops at our borders. No one

allowed sneaking through holes in the fence.

3) All illegal aliens have 90 days to get their affairs

together and leave We'll give them a free trip home. After 90 days the

remainder will be gathered up and deported immediately, regardless of whom

or where they are. They're illegal!!! France will welcome them.

4) All future visitors will be thoroughly checked and

limited to 90 days unless given a special permit!!!! No one from a

terrorist nation will be allowed in. If you don't like it there, change it

yourself and don't hide here. Asylum would never be available to anyone. We

don't need any more cab drivers or 7-11 cashiers.

5) No foreign "students" over age 21. The older ones are

the bombers. If they don't attend classes, they get a "D" and it's back

home baby.

6) The US will make a strong effort to become

self-sufficient energy wise. This will include developing nonpolluting

sources of energy but will require a temporary drilling of oil in the

Alaskan wilderness. The caribou will have to cope for a while

7) Offer Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries

$10 a barrel for their oil. If they don't like it, we go someplace else.

They can go somewhere else to sell their production. (About a week of the

wells filling up the storage sites would be enough.)

8) If there is a famine or other natural catastrophe in

the world, we will not "interfere." They can pray to Allah or whomever, for

seeds, rain, cement or whatever they need. Besides most of what we give

them is stolen or given to the army. The people who need it most get very

little, if anything.

9) Ship the UN Headquarters to an isolated island

someplace. We don't need the spies and fair weather friends here. Besides,

the building would make a good homeless shelter or lockup for illegal

aliens.

10) All Americans must go to charm and beauty school.

That way, no one can call us "Ugly Americans" any longer. The Language we

speak is ENGLISH. learn it...or LEAVE...Now, isn't that a winner of a plan?

"The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying "Give me your

tired, your poor, your huddled masses." She's got a baseball bat and she's

yelling, 'you want a piece of me?' "

Razor....

Thnak you for the advice, guy's .. it would be great to hear from some one who has just gone through this type of extension application , and if they had any problems..? with the 400,000 Baht in the Bank thing.

is there any one out there who's just done this type of extension application ...?

lopburi3 ..you say ..( If this is a first time application you must use 40k monthly family income.) I had just got in my mind this only applied to some one under 50 years of age ..? and not to some one like me , over 50 ( and can apply for the retirement visa ) ..?

Thank you .........Razor

Has any one been to re-new their Non '' O '' Visa One year extensions ...married to a Thai support.... ( over the age of 50 )

and can confirm if they were asked about the 400,000 Baht being in a Thai Bank at least 3 Months before their application , and were also told they had to keep a Bank balance of 400,000 Baht for 3 Months after the date of the application approval..?

I will be applying in Two Weeks time , but the 400,000 Baht has not been in my Thai bank account for the past 3 months ,

its only just arrived from my home Bank into my Thai bank, will I have a problem ..? for not having the 400,000 Baht

in my Thai bank for the past 3 Months...? . Ive been extending my married to a Thai support visa with 400,000 Baht

in the Thai Bank on the day of my application for 3 Years now ( with confirming Bank letter ) and living off the bank balance ,

Razor ............

just read this article ............

Sent Home at the Consulates Expense…

The joint Danish-Norwegian Consulate in Pattaya has experienced a 40% increase in activity this year. If the tendency continues the Consulate will be able to look back on 2006 with a total of 1300-1400 cases or applications.

found at .... http://www.scandasia.com/viewNews.php?news...mp;coun_code=th

Razor

Hi ...geoffphuket

As you can see by my post , I am not sure yet which type of Visa I will be able to get at

Penang ( Non O or if refused a Tourist ) which class of visa did you get ..? did you use an

agent ..? and any tip's please

Razor

HI ....billd766

Thanks for that ( we live and learn ) you advice is now on my list ..

Thanks

Razor

lopburi3

Thanks for the info, and your time

very much appreciated

........... Razor

Thanks ..........lopburi3

Well its looks as If I am off on a trip to Penang , I have searched this Forum for Info on obtaining a Visa from Penang, and found out a few things , knowing you are the person to ask, can you

piont me in the right direction may be to a topic page where theres step by step advice on getting there , and tips on obtaining a visa from Penang ..? Etc

Many Thanks for your help

Razor

Thanks ... for the replys

lopburi3 have I got this right... The stamp I received at Bangkok airport is only a permission to stay

30 day's and its not a Visa,

So as its not a tourist Visa ,and it cannot be converted to a Non O Visa , So it looks like the only way to regain my Non O , ( then extend it for a year , for a support / Married to a Thai ) is to leave Thailand alone ( no wife with me ) and apply at a Thai Consulate say in Penang , and take our marriage certificate and copy of wife's ID card ( would I have to take any thing showing bank accounts / Money in Thailand ...? )

and there apply for a Non O Visa , on the grounds of being married to a Thai national. If I am refused a Non O visa , I can then while there apply for a Tourist visa, that means I can return to Thailand with a new real Tourist Visa , and go stright to Thai Immigration and apply for a Non O Visa on the grounds of being Married to a Thai National ..?

have I missed any thisg ..........?

Thanks Razor

Just did a silly thing, had to go home in a Rush and leave Thailand ( I had a Non O extended for one year as a married to a Thai support Visa ) but I forgot to get a re-entry stamp,

and left Thailand , but theres more... I had some problems back home and by the time I could get back to Thailand , my Non O

visa had run out of time, ( I know what you are going to say !! ) so here I am back in Thailand with a Toutist Visa issued by the airport Immigration

So is it possibel to convert my Tourist Visa some how back to a Non O Visa and then apply to extend it to a Thai support Visa again I am over 50 years of age ( and should have known better !! ) , Ive got the wife, ive got the money, Etc , what do I have to do..?

Thanks in Hope .......Razor

Thanks every one, for the information I will now go and see if I can find the UBC office,

Thanks . Razor

Thanks to all who posted, the info has now put me stright on just what to look at

thanks....

I am trying to find the UBC office in Korat, and I have been told its on Yommart Road, but I can't find it on any maps of Korat, any one know this road..? and can point me in the right direction

Thanks...razor

I am arranging an electronic transfer of money from my bank back home, it will be sent in Euros and converted to baht on arrival at my Bangkok Bank account, ive been looking at the Currency exchange rates at Bangkok bank, but I am a bit confused about the wording on the currency exchange rates page, I am trying to work out what my Euro will conver into when it arrives at Bangkok , on the exchange page it shows the following coloums ...

BUYING RATES - SELLING RATES- SIGHT BILL - TT- SELLING RATES / BILL/ DD-TT

for me to work out the baht rate that my euro should be converted to on arrival, which coloum should I look at...? and what do all the coulm's mean ....?

Thanks..... Razor

Thanks for all the replys great Info !!, I was intrested in jbowman1993 comment ......

I went with the blue. If you do that, they make you pay 30k "earnest" money, since they don't sell many. But on the plus side, you will probably get it quick, since they don't make many of them. (the wait list is very short)

......................................

may be i am a bit slow on the up take, but if the vheciles color is not that good a seller, then would you not expect that there would be a " reduction " in price just to get the color moving onto the streets,and into the buying publics attention ... ? to increase sales ...?

just a thought .

Thanks to all ............. Razor

I have been looking at buying my first " new" vhecile here in Thailand, and like the look of the Toyota Hilux Vigo pick up Double cab 3.0 lt auto 4x4 , The toyota dealership in Korat offered the following ...

Pick up price ..................... 871.000

Government Insurance ...........753

registration & road tax ........ 8.000

First class insurance ...........22.000

red number plate ................... 3.000 ( refundable )

The vechicle comes with the following " free" options.

1. Rear liner

2. Window tint

3. Rubber floor mats

4. Under body protection spray

5. Window wind deflectors

6. Body paint protection spray

7. 10Lt of fuel

I am thinking of having the following options fitted....

1. Wooden style dash board & door arm rest covers ....... 3,330

2 .Door wing mirrors with indicator flashers .........................6,045

3.Door sil scratch preventers ..................................................1,070

The Pick up comes with a 3 year or 100,000Km waranty

A 5,000 Baht deposit is required when placing an order

As this would be the first new vechicle I have purchased here in Thailand

can some one please answer the following points,

A. Does the above list of " free" options look standard, or should I ask for more, if so what..?

B. What's the best way to Pay for the Vechile, I have the cash but feel going around with it in my pocket

to the dealership could produce a problem..?

C. The colors avaiable are ..metallic Silver, & gold which seem to be popular,

Metallic blue , which you don't see very often, and last Metallic Black, this looks great, but ive seen a few that need washing and they then seem to look old..? comments from forum members who have a Black vechicle welcome, So I am still not sure which color to go for .

D. in the past ive only had old second hand vechicles,with low risk type insurance ( third party )

can some one outline just what should be included in the " first Class" insurance the dealership are offering...?

E. As the pick I am looking at is a Auto 4X4 , and never having a 4X4 in the past, could some one outline for me what to do to use the 4X4 option...? , also what does .. On the fly ... mean when talking about 4X4 ..?

which seem to be popular,

*********************

I have been looking at buying my first " new" vehicle here in Thailand, and like the look of the Toyota Hilux Vigo pick up Double cab 3.0 lt auto 4x4 , The toyota dealership in Korat offered the following ...

Pick up price ..................... 871.000

Government Insurance ...........753

registration & road tax ........ 8.000

First class insurance ...........22.000

red number plate ................... 3.000 ( refundable )

The vehicle comes with the following " free" options.

1. Rear liner

2. Window tint

3. Rubber floor mats

4. Under body protection spray

5. Window wind deflectors

6. Body paint protection spray

7. 10Lt of fuel

I am thinking of having the following options fitted....

1. Wooden style dash board & door arm rest covers ....... 3,330

2 .Door wing mirrors with indicator flashers .........................6,045

3.Door sill scratch preventers ..................................................1,070

The Pick up comes with a 3 year or 100,000Km warranty

A 5,000 Baht deposit is required when placing an order

As this would be the first new vehicle I have purchased here in Thailand

can some one please answer the following points,

A. Does the above list of " free" options look standard, or should I ask for more, if so what..?

B. What's the best way to Pay for the Vehicle, I have the cash but feel going around with it in my pocket

to the dealership could produce a problem..?

C. The colors available are ..metallic Silver, & gold which seem to be popular,

Metallic blue , which you don't see very often, and last Metallic Black, this looks great, but ive seen a few that need washing and they then seem to look old..? comments from forum members who have a Black vehicle welcome, So I am still not sure which color to go for .

D. in the past ive only had old second hand vechicles,with low risk type insurance ( third party )

can some one outline just what should be included in the " first Class" insurance the dealership are offering...?

E. As the pick I am looking at is a Auto 4X4 , and never having a 4X4 in the past, could some one outline for me what to do to use the 4X4 option...? , also what does .. On the fly ... mean when talking about 4X4 ..?

Many thanks............... Razor