Linked by Thom Holwerda on Thu 1st Jan 2009 17:50 UTC, submitted by poundsmack
Windows "You probably have seen or heard about HomeGroup by now. We demonstrated it at PDC this year during Steven's keynote, it was mentioned a few times at WinHec, and some of you may have even tried it on your PCs with the PDC pre-beta build of Windows 7. HomeGroup represents a new end-to-end approach to sharing in the home, an area in which Windows has provided many features before - the intuitive end to end is what's new. HomeGroup recognizes and groups your Windows 7 PCs in a 'simple to set up' secure group that enables open access to media and digital memories in your home. With HomeGroup, you can share files in the home, stream music to your XBOX 360 or other devices, and print to the home printer without worrying about technical setup or even understanding how it all works. This blog post is designed to give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we designed HomeGroup."
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Just what we need
by Moredhas on Thu 1st Jan 2009 21:34 UTC
Moredhas
Member since:
2008-04-10

Just what we need, another way to have people set up and manage networks without having a clue how they work. Tech support should sue Microsoft for all the headaches their "innovations" have caused. Geeks say "users are idiots", not because they're stupid, but because they expect their computer to run on magic and dream dust and don't bother trying to understand it. This will only make the problem worse than it already is. I thought file sharing in Windows was already easy enough (though it is easier in Linux - sorry, force of habit ;) ), and it does already shield the user from complexity while still allowing access to the advanced options.

RE: Just what we need
by NotInterested on Fri 2nd Jan 2009 10:35 in reply to "Just what we need"
NotInterested Member since:
2008-01-02

Are you 15 or something? I use Linux exclusively for as long as I remember(10+ years?), but your comment has me perplexed. You mean that my father has to understand how file sharing works? Otherwise he is not worthy enough to use a computer?

And NFS is easier to set up than Windows shares? Oh Really?

Kid, the problem is shared filesystems are showing their age plus the fact there is no common protocol across different platforms. They are definitely not easy enough to set up. Maybe for me and you and everyone that is computer literate, but that should not be the case.

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 2

RE: Just what we need
by flanque on Fri 2nd Jan 2009 11:01 in reply to "Just what we need"
flanque Member since:
2005-12-15

Are you on something? Have you even tried it?

The end user shouldn't have to understand it, they should just be able to use it. If this 'innovation' makes it easier, then we should be applauding it.

I shouldn't have to understand how my car engine works in order to drive the car.

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 6

RE: Just what we need
by Phloptical on Sun 4th Jan 2009 20:48 in reply to "Just what we need"
Phloptical Member since:
2006-10-10

We should thank Microsoft for this because without them trying to make their PCs "just work" for everyone, we'd be out of jobs.

The end user IS an idiot, and that's why I get paid.

Edited 2009-01-04 20:49 UTC

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 2