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Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

theregister.com

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Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#152
post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, they aren't. The windows division has consistently shrank to the point it isn't even a top line revenue source for the company anymore and is rolled up into the experience and devices group with office, Xbox, etc. Windows is less than 12% of MS quarterly revenue and continuing to shrink: https://www.kamilfranek.com/microsoft-revenue-breakdown/ The company could totally lose all windows revenue tomorrow and barely…

You just linked to a graph showing how much they are making off of their services that these ads are pushing. They are definitely making a lot of money off of this.

Bingo. Windows looks like a trashy billboard for Microsoft's other services because that's exactly what it is, because that's where the fresh money is.

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#154

One solution is to use Open-Shell instead of Microsoft's start menu: https://open-shell.github.io/Open-Shell-Menu/ Stardock usually makes a replacement start menu too.

How well-supported is it? Looks like the last release was almost a year ago.

Replacing the Windows shell, especially in Windows 10/11, with their constant updates, isn't something I'd recommend for non-experts, but I don't even do it myself anymore because it seems like none of the replacements are ever consistently supported in the long term.

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And most distributions have the permissions structure of, well, 1980's Unix. I know it's being worked on, but it's a little crazy to think that on most Linux systems you still don't get a permissions popup when your calculator app wants to turn on your microphone. You can't grant access to your contacts or email on an app-by-app basis. I say most because it has been largely solved on Android, for example.

Access to contacts seems like something that would be handled by the likes of owncloud.

This is crazy. Each day i find new tools and apps. Thanks for sharing owncloud.

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#157
post #141

Move over to linux. KDE has the eye-candy, XFCE has the simplicity and OpenBOX is distraction free. Games work well and so do dev tools.

Apps still work horribly in Linux. Gimp still pales to Photoshop, Lightroom's still better than Darktable, etc. Same goes for video, audio, etc.

Correct but thats not linux that’s the app vendors. There are web based alternatives for some and considering webgpu is becoming a thing there will more available in the browser soon.

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#158
post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Companies should really accept a "No" from their users. No I don't want to use a microsoft account just to use my computer. (Without jumping through hoops) Don't ask me again the moment I say "No". You can see the same with all those dialogs that only have "Yes, do $THING" and "Remind me later".

> Companies should really accept a "No" from their users. At some point, it gets into “creepy pervert” territory.

I got this from BBC Sounds app.

https://imgur.com/a/CSMwv96

A full screen dialogue box with no other way of dismissing it but “maybe later”.

“Switch on notifications and we'll find new releases that you might like, so you don't have to.

Sounds good

Maybe later”

No shred of concern for consent.

I get if you’re a scrappy startup growth hacking taking ethical shortcuts. But a public service broadcaster should have better standards.

(edit - to be clear, scummy behaviour is scummy behaviour whoever's doing it)

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So depressing because Explorer from the 2k/XP era was best in class and about as complete and discoverable as a shell ever got.

XP was the best OS and I miss it. You had to switch it to use the classic 95/97/2000 skin, of course :) I haven't used Windows since.

The shell yes. Lack of a decent terminal would sink it—besides the other reasons it is not suitable any longer... software support and security concerns.

Reply edit: Guess you could putty into Linux, but not worth the hassle at that point.

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#160

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Access to contacts seems like something that would be handled by the likes of owncloud.

This is crazy. Each day i find new tools and apps. Thanks for sharing owncloud.

Might as well jump to Nextcloud then :-)
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