Anyone else abandoning ship?

[SalisburySam]

Apple built Apple Maps because Google wanted too much user information (live location data) in return for using the Google Maps API on iOS. They've taken quite a bit of credibility hit for doing that as the Maps app wasn't up to scratch but they've ensured our privacy.

@Evangeline, do we know that to be true? Source?

For those of far more skeptical, I think Apple built Maps for money. Either Google wanted a licensing fee or click fee for each use from Apple, or Apple wanted a share of click fees sent to Google that Google would not agree to. Either way, Apple decided to avoid all expenses to others and built their own. And yes, I have no proof of that at all...just another speculation, but to me makes much more sense than altruism, at least for shareholders.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

It's pretty easy if you have a recent Intel CPU and AMD GPU. There are tools that do 90% of the work for you.

Yes, I would agree with this.

 

[nutmac]

I think Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR are good indicators that next MacBook Pro will probably be a good one. The real question is the price.

I am a software developer and highly capable configuration should not exceed $4000.

As far as what it needs to be, my wishes are really simple.

1. Better keyboard. I want completely dependable keyboard switches with a dedicated escape key.
2. More ports. I like TB3 ports, as well as having 2 on each side. But I think a pro notebook should have HDMI (for presentation without a dongle) and SD slot (for photographers and videographers). I don't even need MagSafe.
3. Better thermal. Make discrete GPU optional if it helps. I want quieter, cooler running MacBook Pro.
4. Higher resolution screen. Just about everyone I know uses 15" in 1680 by 1050 scaling mode. But 15" has native resolution of 2880 by 1800. I want 2x scaling, so bump the resolution to 3360 by 2100, or if Apple can reduce the bezel, I would love 4K resolution (3840 by 2400) on a 16" screen.
5. Revise the form factor a bit. While MacBook Pro looks pretty great, it has few design quirks that I don't enjoy, especially when compared to MacBook Air. The bottom vents cut through my skin. The lid is not as easy to open.

That's it. 5 changes = happy Mac user.

 

[LiE_]

It is definitely not easy. And yes, right now, Nvidia is really difficult. I love your machine, by the way.

I decided to stick with my Windows desktop. At the end of the day it's a tool. When I'm in Chrome, Lightroom, Photoshop etc they work the same. I use office 365/SfB for work and those are better on Windows. The OS itself stays out the way pretty well. I like that I have a lot of hardware power, and if I decide I want more it's a simple case of buying that component and upgrading it.

The machine is currently under the desk but I think I may move it back to the left side of the desk.

 

[SoCalReviews]

There really isn't much point in getting worked up over any of this. This is life in 2019. Far more egregious is the fact that many government public records are now put online. It use to be that only certain people had access and you had to go to the hall or records in person. Now there are predatory sites that for a fee look up all sorts of personal information. Trying to avoid a stalker? Forget it... For a small fee your new residence can be found in a moment. Once had a DUI five years ago, but since cleaned up your act. Better be prepared to disclose it no matter how embarrassing, because any possible employer can check on it even from another state. These are the things that are a real threat to personal freedom, yet people sit and wring their hands over someone seeing what they bought online at Amazon. Suddenly protecting privacy is the new buzzword for the very government that constantly invaded it.

I completely disagree. It's absolutely naive beyond belief to think that protecting the private information on your own personal computers and tech devices isn't a huge deal. Most of what you have that is valuable is related to private information. Every aspect of your personal, private, social and economic life is at risk. In the world wide internet communications era it's your reputation, your relationships, your ability to make a living, your personal, political and religious beliefs, etc.. etc.. The big tech companies who have monopolies on the hardware and software that 95% of the people in the world use have no more right to your personal information than anyone else... Unless you just accept them as modern gods. That's what they will be if the majority of users stop caring and just accept this level of informational slavery.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

I decided to stick with my Windows desktop. At the end of the day it's a tool. When I'm in Chrome, Lightroom, Photoshop etc they work the same. I use office 365/SfB for work and those are better on Windows. The OS itself stays out the way pretty well. I like that I have a lot of hardware power, and if I decide I want more it's a simple case of buying that component and upgrading it.

The machine is currently under the desk but I think I may move it back to the left side of the desk.

Looks great! Similar to my setup.

 

[LeeW]

I completely disagree. It's absolutely naive beyond belief to think that protecting the private information on your own personal computers and tech devices isn't a huge deal. Most of what you have that is valuable is related to private information. Every aspect of your personal, private, social and economic life is at risk. In the world wide internet communications era it's your reputation, your relationships, your ability to make a living, your personal, political and religious beliefs, etc.. etc.. The big tech companies who have monopolies on the hardware and software that 95% of the people in the world use have no more right to your personal information than anyone else... Unless you just accept them as modern gods. That's what they will be if the majority of users stop caring and just accept this level of informational slavery.

Not really, by using their products and services you are passing rights to them in most cases, that is not accepting them as modern gods, it is accepting their terms and conditions. You can do it or you can say no by not using their products and services.

When you upload to google it says.

When you upload, submit, store, send or receive content to or through our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes we make so that your content works better with our Services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content. The rights you grant in this license are for the limited purpose of operating, promoting, and improving our Services, and to develop new ones. This license continues even if you stop using our Services (for example, for a business listing you have added to Google Maps).

It is entirely possible to stop the widespread harvesting of your personal data, whether you can live with the loss it will result in is something else.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Not really, by using their products and services you are passing rights to them in most cases, that is not accepting them as modern gods, it is accepting their terms and conditions. You can do it or you can say no by not using their products and services.

When you upload to google it says.

When you upload, submit, store, send or receive content to or through our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes we make so that your content works better with our Services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content. The rights you grant in this license are for the limited purpose of operating, promoting, and improving our Services, and to develop new ones. This license continues even if you stop using our Services (for example, for a business listing you have added to Google Maps).

It is entirely possible to stop the widespread harvesting of your personal data, whether you can live with the loss it will result in is something else.

This is why I don't use Google Docs for anything. Especially my creative works.

 

[LeeW]

This is why I don't use Google Docs for anything. Especially my creative works.

Not saying terms and conditions make it right, but, we know what will happen if privacy laws were significantly tightened in the areas noted, charging for services, poorer services and so on. Privacy is simply not worth that to the majority. One day that will be understood as a regrettable choice, not today.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Not saying terms and conditions make it right, but, we know what will happen if privacy laws were significantly tightened in the areas noted, charging for services, poorer services and so on. Privacy is simply not worth that to the majority. One day that will be understood as a regrettable choice, not today.

I agree with you, and the crazy part is how cheap the more privacy-focused alternatives can be. For instance, Box is much better for privacy and still works with everything. That means I do have to purchase Office365, but that is $99 a year.

 

[SoCalReviews]

Not really, by using their products and services you are passing rights to them in most cases, that is not accepting them as modern gods, it is accepting their terms and conditions. You can do it or you can say no by not using their products and services.

When you upload to google it says.

When you upload, submit, store, send or receive content to or through our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes we make so that your content works better with our Services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content. The rights you grant in this license are for the limited purpose of operating, promoting, and improving our Services, and to develop new ones. This license continues even if you stop using our Services (for example, for a business listing you have added to Google Maps).

It is entirely possible to stop the widespread harvesting of your personal data, whether you can live with the loss it will result in is something else.

Isn't that what we have discussing in these last couple posts? Whether or not we should be using their products and services?

...My argument has been that we should be careful with our decisions to use any hardware and/or software product from the big tech companies. IMO for desktop systems we should be using the least privacy invasive computer products and devices. Some of the big tech companies are worse than others. If you have to part build your own desktop computer with Linux then that would probably be better for privacy than a pre-built consumer grade system.

 

[WrightBrain]

I decided to stick with my Windows desktop. At the end of the day it's a tool. When I'm in Chrome, Lightroom, Photoshop etc they work the same. I use office 365/SfB for work and those are better on Windows. The OS itself stays out the way pretty well. I like that I have a lot of hardware power, and if I decide I want more it's a simple case of buying that component and upgrading it.

The machine is currently under the desk but I think I may move it back to the left side of the desk.

What LG Monitor is that? How is it in terms of color, evenness and IPS glow? I just bought a Benq and it seems a little uneven, but probably within tolerances. Was wondering if it would be worth it to return it for an LG 27UK850-W.

 

[LiE_]

What LG Monitor is that? How is it in terms of color, evenness and IPS glow? I just bought a Benq and it seems a little uneven, but probably within tolerances. Was wondering if it would be worth it to return it for an LG 27UK850-W.

It's the 27UK650. IPS glow is standard so not terrible.

 

[Mendota]

I completely disagree. It's absolutely naive beyond belief to think that protecting the private information on your own personal computers and tech devices isn't a huge deal. Most of what you have that is valuable is related to private information. Every aspect of your personal, private, social and economic life is at risk. In the world wide internet communications era it's your reputation, your relationships, your ability to make a living, your personal, political and religious beliefs, etc.. etc.. The big tech companies who have monopolies on the hardware and software that 95% of the people in the world use have no more right to your personal information than anyone else... Unless you just accept them as modern gods. That's what they will be if the majority of users stop caring and just accept this level of informational slavery.

Once again there is no private information in the telemetry in Windows. And I do not use social media. Dispite all of this Google has a foot print and so do many other companies I have never done business with. You can care all you want, but that has not made one iota of difference. At this point anyone who know my name can look up where I was born, when I got married, where I live, house taxes paid, where I have worked in the past and present.... Am I thrilled about this? No, but I am not going to have stroke over it either. The government itself sees these things as public records.. At the end of the day Microsoft, Google, and Apple are the least of your privacy concerns. They are just an easy target while the rest of the invasions by Big Brother go on and on.

 

[SoCalReviews]

Once again there is no private information in the telemetry in Windows. And I do not use social media. Dispite all of this Google has a foot print and so do many other companies I have never done business with. You can care all you want, but that has not made one iota of difference. At this point anyone who know my name can look up where I was born, when I got married, where I live, house taxes paid, where I have worked in the past and present.... Am I thrilled about this? No, but I am not going to have stroke over it either. The government itself sees these things as public records.. At the end of the day Microsoft, Google, and Apple are the least of your privacy concerns. They are just an easy target while the rest of the invasions by Big Brother go on and on.

Sorry to pop your balloon but considering they have lied or misinformed before about the extent of their telemetry activities it's difficult to imagine anyone with half a brain still trusting what they say. They practically give away Windows 10 these days. Why is that? MS practically admits that Windows 10 is designed as a data miner and despite what they might claim about "no private information" used if they aren't doing it fully now they plan to in the future. There are many people who have thoroughly researched the inner workings of Windows 10 and have a completely different opinion about it than you do. I suggest you go back and read my first posts in this thread on Windows 10 and take time to watch the videos I linked in those posts.

 

[Mendota]

Sorry to pop your balloon but considering they have lied or misinformed before about the extent of their telemetry activities I can't imagine anyone with half a brain still trusting them. They practically give away Windows 10 these days. Why is that? MS practically admits that Windows 10 designed as a data miner and despite what they might claim about "no private information" used if they aren't doing it fully now they plan to in the future. There are many people who have thoroughly researched Windows 10 and have a completely different opinion about it than you do. I suggest you go back and read my first posts in this thread on Windows 10 and watch the videos I linked in those posts.

Nothing that you have said is proven to be true. At this point you are just reciting propaganda. Now is the time for me to ask you for the sources of this "information". and proof of your claims.

 

[SoCalReviews]

Nothing that you have said is proven to be true. At this point you are just reciting propaganda. Now is the time for me to ask you for the sources of this "information". and proof of your claims.

Just read the MS Windows 10 telemetry data Opt Out forms... Have you read them? I actually have. Go back and read my previous posts with the links to those videos... you can actually see some of the screen shots from Windows 10 and see the vagueness of MS's clever wording they used in those forms. Obviously you didn't take the time to watch the videos I linked. I don't want to keep re-posting the same thing over and over that I already posted in this thread.

Here are some other links from past articles to read...

France orders Microsoft to stop tracking Windows 10 users
https://www.theverge.com/2016/7/21/12246266/france-microsoft-privacy-windows-10-cnil

EU still concerned over Windows 10 privacy despite Microsoft’s changes
https://www.theverge.com/2017/2/21/14682256/microsoft-windows-10-eu-privacy-concerns

and these Windows 10 articles goes back to 2015.... You have to be living in a bubble not to know this already...

Microsoft Admits to Windows 10 Core Data Collection
https://sensorstechforum.com/microsoft-admits-to-windows-10-core-data-collection/

From the article above...

"Even Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President Joe Belfiore cannot deny it any longer. He just recently explained that Win10 is constantly and persistently tracking how it operates on your machine and how you operate with it.

Additionally, he confirmed that core data collection cannot be either stopped or prevented:

→’In the cases where we’ve not provided options, we feel that those things have to do with the health of the system. In the case of knowing that our system that we’ve created is crashing, or is having serious performance problems, we view that as so helpful to the ecosystem and so not an issue of personal privacy, that today we collect that data so that we make that experience better for everyone.’ "

Microsoft Admits Windows 10 Automatic Spying Cannot Be Stopped

https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordon...soft-confirms-unstoppable-windows-10-tracking

 

[Mendota]

Just read the MS Windows 10 telemetry data Opt Out forms... Have you read them? I actually have. Go back and read my previous posts with the links to those videos... you can actually see some of the screen shots from Windows 10 and see the vagueness of MS's clever wording they used in those forms. Obviously you didn't take the time to watch the videos I linked. I don't want to keep re-posting the same thing over and over that I already posted in this thread.

Here are some other links from past articles to read...

France orders Microsoft to stop tracking Windows 10 users
https://www.theverge.com/2016/7/21/12246266/france-microsoft-privacy-windows-10-cnil

EU still concerned over Windows 10 privacy despite Microsoft’s changes
https://www.theverge.com/2017/2/21/14682256/microsoft-windows-10-eu-privacy-concerns

and these Windows 10 articles goes back to 2015.... You have to be living in a bubble not to know this already...

Microsoft Admits to Windows 10 Core Data Collection
https://sensorstechforum.com/microsoft-admits-to-windows-10-core-data-collection/

From the article above...

"Even Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President Joe Belfiore cannot deny it any longer. He just recently explained that Win10 is constantly and persistently tracking how it operates on your machine and how you operate with it.

Additionally, he confirmed that core data collection cannot be either stopped or prevented:

→’In the cases where we’ve not provided options, we feel that those things have to do with the health of the system. In the case of knowing that our system that we’ve created is crashing, or is having serious performance problems, we view that as so helpful to the ecosystem and so not an issue of personal privacy, that today we collect that data so that we make that experience better for everyone.’ "

Microsoft Admits Windows 10 Automatic Spying Cannot Be Stopped

https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordon...soft-confirms-unstoppable-windows-10-tracking

Again none of this points to personal information being sent. Microsoft want to know how Windows is running and if any issues need to be addressed. It is clear that you have some sort of hysterical issue with Microsoft and are falling into the Black Hat vs White Hat mentality.

If you don't want to use Windows and hate Microsoft fine. Use Linux. I like Windows, I use it and will continue to do so. Linux is fun to play with from time to time, and I also enjoy MacOS on occasion. I don't have a grudge against companies. They all want most of the same things. There are many Linux sites that I visit that ask me to create accounts, and ask to send information. Everyone wants some of your data. I choose for myself and you are free to do the same. But you lose all credibility when you start to shrill "Microsoft is evil - Linux is the best!"

 

[SoCalReviews]

Again none of this points to personal information being sent. Microsoft want to know how Windows is running and if any issues need to be addressed. It is clear that you have some sort of hysterical issue with Microsoft and are falling into the Black Hat vs White Hat mentality.

If you don't want to use Windows and hate Microsoft fine. Use Linux. I like Windows, I use it and will continue to do so. Linux is fun to play with from time to time, and I also enjoy MacOS on occasion. I don't have a grudge against companies. They all want most of the same things. There are many Linux sites that I visit that ask me to create accounts, and ask to send information. Everyone wants some of your data. I choose for myself and you are free to do the same. But you lose all credibility when you start to shrill "Microsoft is evil - Linux is the best!"

I already explained the issue of "personal information being sent". It's also discussed thoroughly in the video links I provided. What MS considers "use of data in order to improve the user experience" compared to what you consider "private data" is conceptually ambiguous in their telemetry Opt Out forms.

You're fabricating my position in regards to Microsoft as a company. I've used MS products since DOS 5.0. I don't have any personal issue with MS or any other company except when they infringe on my privacy and IMO Windows 10 does just that. It's not just my opinion. It's a widespread concern that has been investigated by governments, other corporations, computer review techs and private individuals.

I've provided a sample of articles with information supporting my position that Windows 10 is a data privacy concern. If you choose not to take the time to read and watch the links I provided and do your own thorough research then that is your choice. I would just ask that you don't fabricate my positions or make ridiculous statements like you did in your previous post when you said.. "Nothing that you have said is proven to be true. At this point you are just reciting propaganda. Now is the time for me to ask you for the sources of this "information". and proof of your claims."

 

[Mendota]

I already explained the issue of "personal information being sent". It's also discussed thoroughly in the video links I provided. What MS considers "use of data in order to improve the user experience" compared to what you consider "private data" is conceptually ambiguous in their telemetry Opt Out forms.

You're fabricating my position in regards to Microsoft as a company. I've used MS products since DOS 5.0. I don't have any personal issue with MS or any other company except when they infringe on my privacy and IMO Windows 10 does just that. It's not just my opinion. It's a widespread concern that has been investigated by governments, other corporations, computer review techs and private individuals.

I've provided a sample of articles with information supporting my position that Windows 10 is a data privacy concern. If you choose not to take the time to read and watch the links I provided and do your own thorough research then that is your choice. I would just ask that you don't fabricate my positions or make ridiculous statements like you did in your previous post when you said.. "Nothing that you have said is proven to be true. At this point you are just reciting propaganda. Now is the time for me to ask you for the sources of this "information". and proof of your claims."

The ferver with which you keep insisting that Microsoft is doing something other than what they state cannot be viewed any other way. If you are unhappy with how Microsoft uses telemetry in Windows you have the option to stop using it.... For myself Windows is rock solid and relatively trouble free. It telemetry is part of the reason I am all for it.

As for proof, Microsoft has stated what they collect and made it possible for users themselves to check. If you choose to not believe them then so be it. You remind me of many Windows 7 users that want Microsoft to go back to doing things the Win 7 way. They don't like updates, they don't like telemetry, and they like you, feel they should speak for everyone.

I have already make my position clear. Nothing Microsoft collects disturbs me and if it did, I can stop using their products.
And that is the choice for you to make. Stop using their products... problem solved.

As for the EU, many of them are less than tech literate and they tend to jump on bandwagons against various companies to include Apple and Google. Sometime I agree with them others times no.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Just read the MS Windows 10 telemetry data Opt Out forms... Have you read them? I actually have. Go back and read my previous posts with the links to those videos... you can actually see some of the screen shots from Windows 10 and see the vagueness of MS's clever wording they used in those forms. Obviously you didn't take the time to watch the videos I linked. I don't want to keep re-posting the same thing over and over that I already posted in this thread.

Here are some other links from past articles to read...

France orders Microsoft to stop tracking Windows 10 users
https://www.theverge.com/2016/7/21/12246266/france-microsoft-privacy-windows-10-cnil

EU still concerned over Windows 10 privacy despite Microsoft’s changes
https://www.theverge.com/2017/2/21/14682256/microsoft-windows-10-eu-privacy-concerns

and these Windows 10 articles goes back to 2015.... You have to be living in a bubble not to know this already...

Microsoft Admits to Windows 10 Core Data Collection
https://sensorstechforum.com/microsoft-admits-to-windows-10-core-data-collection/

From the article above...

"Even Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President Joe Belfiore cannot deny it any longer. He just recently explained that Win10 is constantly and persistently tracking how it operates on your machine and how you operate with it.

Additionally, he confirmed that core data collection cannot be either stopped or prevented:

→’In the cases where we’ve not provided options, we feel that those things have to do with the health of the system. In the case of knowing that our system that we’ve created is crashing, or is having serious performance problems, we view that as so helpful to the ecosystem and so not an issue of personal privacy, that today we collect that data so that we make that experience better for everyone.’ "

Microsoft Admits Windows 10 Automatic Spying Cannot Be Stopped

https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordon...soft-confirms-unstoppable-windows-10-tracking

It also looks like the vast majority of this is limited to Home. Stick with Pro or Enterprise and most of this isn’t a problem.

 

[JoeG4]

It just feels like I got a "MacBook Plus" not a "Pro" machine.

lol, don't complain too loudly. Apple will replace the MacBook Pro with a model dedicated for true professionals. Starting at just $9999!

 

[SoCalReviews]

...I have already make my position clear. Nothing Microsoft collects disturbs me and if it did, I can stop using their products...

Since are so confident and trusting of Microsoft and seem to want to convince everyone of your position...

-Have you even read their Windows 10 telemetry Opt Out forms and user agreements?

-Can you tell me exactly what data they collect or don't collect?

...There are a lot of Windows 10 users who would like to know.

 

[Mendota]

Since are so confident and trusting of Microsoft and seem to want to convince everyone of your position...

-Have you even read their Windows 10 telemetry Opt Out forms and user agreements?

-Can you tell me exactly what data they collect or don't collect?

...There are a lot of Windows 10 users who would like to know.

Don't presume to speak for anyone except yourself. Again if YOU are unhappy and do not believe that it is in your best interest to use Microsoft there are alternatives. You seem to want others to be upset because you have decided to be. Get over it. I am not thrilled with some of the decisions Apple has made with the Mac, so the Mac I have will be my last. Apple has a right to run their company as they see fit. And I have the option to not buy. Getting bent out of shape because a company is not doing things the way you want is pointless.

Once again, if you don't like the way Microsoft runs Windows, you have the option to use something else. I am sorry but there are more things much more pressing in the world for me to be concerned about.

 

[maflynn]

Since are so confident and trusting of Microsoft and seem to want to convince everyone of your position...

Actually its you who seems to be trying to convince everyone that got a PC, that they made a mistake and aligned themselves with the evil empire. I don't trust anyone but as mentioned a there are number of ways to easily turn off the telemetry, some provided by MS and others provided scripts and tweaks. Apple wraps itself around the flag of privacy but make no mistake, they benefit from your personal data as well. As mentioned above, no one is forcing you to use MS, if you're happy with Apple that's great, others are happy with MS. One size doesn't fit all and as I've said just because they didn't pick what you like instantly makes their choice inferior.

*edited for clarity